The history of the reformation of religion within the realm of Scotland : containing the manner and by what persons the light of Christ's gospel has been manifested unto this realm, after that horrible and universal defection from the truth which has come by the means of that Roman anti Christ. Together with the life of the author, and several curious pieces ...

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HIS TO R Y

O F T H E

REFORMATION of RELIGION

Within the re a L M of

S C O T LA N D-

CONTAINING,

The Manner, and by what Persons, the Light of CHRIST'S Gospel has been manifefted
unto this Realm, after that horrible and univerfal Defe£lion from the Truth, which has
come by the Means of that Roman Antichrift.

TOGET HER. W I TH

Tks Life o5 t'-.c AUTHOR, a.-^l fevcral curious I ieccs wrote by hln% tiit,

I, His Appellation from the cruel andmoflun- i; HI. His Letter- to Queen MARY, Regent of
^ufl: Sentence pronounced againft him, by the Scotland.

falfe Bifhops and Clergy of Scotland ; with i _^. __. _

his Supplication and Exhortation to the NobiHty, i M^> "'' Exhortation to England for the
States, and Commonality of the fame Realm. ^ ^P^^'^y Embracmg of CHRIST'S Gefpel.

T» TT- r • i.f 1 » u T, f r ' ^' The firft Blast of the Trumpet againft thf>

n. His fauhfui ADMONITION to the true Profef. ^onftrous Regiment of Women. ^

fors of the Gofpel of CHRIST withm the ^

Kingdom of England. \ \ V!. A Sermon on Ifaiah xxvi. 13, ijc.

By the Reverend Mr. JOHN KNOX, fome time Minifter of GOD's Word in Eoinburgh.

To WHICH is added,

I. An Admonition to England and Scotland to call them to Repentance, written by

ANTONI GILST.

II. The Firft and Second Books of DISCIPLINE; together with fome A<n:s of the General
Affemblies clearing and confirming the fame; And an A^ of Parliament. With a large
Index to the whole.

GLASGOW:

Printed, and fold by j. G albrait k and C^mpan*-,

ADAMS i^L

TO THE

READER.

Christian R. c a dh r,

S R E I Prefeat unto thee a piece, I dare promife, worthy of thy reading ; wherem thou
hail a true and p:ain relation (without difgaifing) of many memo^-able pafTages wh'ch hap-
pened in the church of God, andiikewife fome notable ones in the Itate of the kingdom of
Scociand, from the very firft fettling of ftate and church in that country : but namely, and chiefly,
thou hall here related what principally palfed in church and ftate in this country, during the great work
of purging the church from i'uperfticions and idolatry, and freeing both church and ftate from
the tyranny and flavery of popery, until the coming of king James, our late fovereign, to the crown
of Scotland. Furthei^, befides the true and faithful relation of many occurrences that fell out in
thefe days in Scotland, thou haft unfolded unto thee, and made plain, the ftrong reafons, and
necefTary caufes, that moved thefe men, who are here named, altho' infirm and weak in themlelves, to
undergo the great work of reformation : with the folid grounds upon which they went on with this
weighty bufmefs willingly and chearfully, notwithftanding the great rubs and difficulties they
met withal, through the help and affiftance of God, who by them, mean inftruments, brought
things to pafs, in defpite of the malice and ftratagems of Satan, with his agents, for the good of
his people, and the fettling of his church in purity and liberty.

All thofe things are fet down plainly and fimply, in familiar and homely language ; yet fo, that
tliey may be with eafe apprehended and underftood by any one. From what thou haft writ-
ten in this volume, altho' there were no other writings of this kind extant, thou mayeft eafily fee
by what means the great myftery of iniquity, from the very firft rife, hath been fet on foot, and
conftantly, ever fmce, hath been carried on ; to wit, by cunning devices, impudent lies, continued
and crafty plots, under fpecious pretexts, and open oppreiTion, tyranny, and cruelties M'ithin Scot-
land, until the year of Chrift 1 567. After which time, the enemies of God and of his people have
not been Qeeping till this prefent, more than formerly. Wherefore, for thy good, Chriftian Reader,
I have thought fit, in this place, to point at fome main occurrences from that time till now.

Firft then, The adverfaries of truth and goodnefs, under the fpecious pretext of reftoring queen
Mary to her liberty, and of re-eftablifliing her in full authority, and fole power, did difquiet and
trouble both church and ftate in Scotland, both with open force, and fubtiie plots, for fome years,
that is, to the year 1573. But finding that all their undertakings, under this pretext, proved to be
In vain, and without fuccefs, and ftauviing to their main defign of undoing religion, and liberty ;
they bethought themfelves of another way, in appearance more plaufible, for compaffing their
wicked intents ; it was. To deal, byway of intreaty and requeft, with the chief minifters of ftate,
2nd church then, to have the mother fet at liberty, and to be joint in authority and power with her
foil. And, for the obtaining this, was emploj'ed the credit of the French court for the time, with
all its flcill a?nd cunning; but to fmall purpofe : for thefe rude fellows, who managed the public af-
fairs then O'^ ftate and church, could not be corrupted with the French coi^'piimenrs. h\ this way
the enemle-s continued till the year 1577, and did not then give over, no'withftanding their lad
fucerrfs; but, iiccording to their wonted and refolved cuftom, they went on with their defign, be-

A 2 taking

vj To THE R E A D E R.

probity. So, that, if there were a juft account caft up of all thofe who either have been bred in
the univerfities, or gone beyond fea thefe many years; I will fpeak wichin co-npafs, that of twenty
yoa (hall hardly find one, who has improved in virtue by this bi eeding, for the good of the church
and ilatc, v/hereof they are members, and perhaps confiderable too, if rhey were wife and good. A\
this prefent, both church and ftate finds this to be true, by woful experience, namely, in the clergy,
gentry and nobility.

Now thefe evils have not been in England alone; for Scotland, according to its proportion, in
compafs of bounds, number of people, pi ovifion of means, and in its diflance from court, hath its
full {hare of all the evil: YoT,Jirjl, The fchoolsof breeding young people at home, were become very
corrupt; and manv, in their travelling abroad, have either mifcarried, or little benefited themfelves :
The fruit of this we have found, namely in ourcorrupc clergy, yea, and in fome of our infatuated
gentry and nobility : but, bleded he God, things are now in a better pofture and condition there,
than they have been formerly ; God grant we may have occafion to fay the like of England: for re-
ligion, found knowledge, and true wifdom, with probitv have been fo neglefted and contemned
there, to the ignominy and reproach of Chriflianity, thar in thefe times, there we have feen the doleful
efFcfts of want of religion, and of thefe other virtues. Bat to return to the court;

The popifh party, although they had both power and credit at court ; yet they were not afiured
to go on fo fmoothly and fpeedily with the great deftgn, fo long as there were any of eminency there,
of M'hom they cc.ld not be certain : fo Prince Henry was firfl wifhed to be out of the way; next,
by untimely death, was taken away, to the grief of many honeft men. This conceived Remora be-
infT laid afide, they refolved to go on more freely in their defign : but, although they had gained
much upon the affection of the king, yet they can fufFer him to exprefs the notions of religion and
wifdom, both by word and writting : yea, they will allow him to follow his former principles fo far,
as to match his daughter to one of his profeflion : fo he marries the lady Elizabeth to the prince elec-
tor Palatine, although it was not altogether fo pltafing to fome chief ones at court then, (thefe things
paficd, in the year i6i 3.) who, although they would not flop the marriage to go on, yet they mana-,
ged the bufinefs fo, that they hindred the prince eleftor Palatine to receive the advantages, which ia
reafon he fhould have had by virtue of it, as help and aid at his need, 6'c.

Here Me mufl make a little flep beyond fea, and prefently return back. Now then, we muft know.
That as the popilh party hath been very bufy in thefe our dominions, in carrying on the work of
the great dengn of fubjecffing all to the pope, direftly, or indireftly; fo in other places, where i-
dolatry and tyranny had been call: off, they have not been deeping nor idle, namely, in our neighbour-
ing countries ; where, when they had made things up for a combnflion of war, by their crafty fore-
caftinf7 divlfions and corruptions in life, and do6trine of men of place, they kindled the fire : Wit-
r,cfs the bufmefs of Eornevel in the Low Countries, in the year 1619. And not long thereafter,
the troubles raiftdin France againft the p' ofeffcrs of the trv.th ; then, in Germany likewife, having all
things ready for a war, as they were thinking that the two houfes of Saxe, to wit, the Weymerian,
and the nev," Ele''^oral, was mofl fit and eafy to be einbroiled, by reafon of the emulation of the
Weymerian againfi the other, for the elesf^oral dignity taken from it, and given to the other: But,
conveniently for their purpofe, the eledlor Palatine being made king of Bohemia, the great agent
of the pope, the houfe of Aufiria, takes occafion to make war againfl him, leaving the houfe of
Saxe, 6^c. Now, to come home again.

King James by this time is turned about, and his axTe(ftion fo m.uch cooled, and turned from the
Protcfiant party dlfiirefTed, that for all help cr fupply to the Proteftants of France, he fends compli-
ments by ambaffadors, with fair pjoir.ifcs. And for his fon-inlaw, \\ith ether Piorefiants, his ad-
Jierents in Germany, he did little more ; fo fenfdefs is he of the fiuTerings of Jacob, and unmindful
of his own intereft, by fuffering thofe in France and Germa 13' to p-2n(\\, who not only did fo much
honour him, but tlicy being preferve-l, made him the moR redoubted and. confiderable prince in

Chriflendom.

To THE READER.

Vil

Chriftendom. To fpeak nothing of his tye by nature unto his own children; then, contradifting
his own publiflied diftates, he muft feek after a popilh wife for his fon ; and, to halb the bufinefs,
the voung prince muft be fent into Spain, where he had two men, by whom he was then advifcd ;
who, although they did not love one another, • yet they did agree among themfelves, to betray theii-
old mafter, with their country, and their young mafter in their company, whom they then counfel"
ed to embrace popery, and by writting engage himfelf unto the pope. This is upon record. At
laft, the prince come th home without the wife, which was never really intended for him; howfoe-
Ter things were given out, notwithf^anding all the pains of the young prince, and the earntft foli-
citude of the father, with the compliance of both. If it had not been for the hatred to the Pala-
tine houfe, and fear of its advancement to the fucceffion of thefe dominions, the prince never had
feen this ifland again, but in a map. Howfoever, king James is glad to have his fon fafe returned :
and at length, feeing clearly how he had been mifled and guiled, bethinks himfelf how to am.end
his former miftakes and errors; But, alas ! it is too late : For, as he was thus confulting with him-
felf, death takes him away. Anno 1625, not without lufpicionof wrong done unto him. The new
king mud: have a popifh wife (according to the former intention) fhe comerh from France, and bring-
€th along with her, her J} range gods. The prelates had a main hand in this popifli match, by adlu-
al furtherance thereof, and by opening the way how the free exercife of popery might be had, in
favour of the queen and her adherents, without breach of the laws of the land,

The fame year of the death of the late king, and of the marriage of our now fovereign, there
was an expedition made againft the Spaniards, without any real intention to do harm, as appears by
the flack performance of the war, and by the fliameful peace made thereafter. The m.ain drift of
this undertaking was, ^rjl, to try how ready the people would be to endure foldiers in the country,
which they had not been for a long time ; and how willing thev woul i be to undergo a war, at the
command of a corrupt court, and uphold it with fupplies of men and money. A^ext, there muft
be an expedition againfl France, under pretext to help the then diftreiTed Protcftants there ; which
really was intended for the haftening of their ruin, and increafe of their defoiation ; and fo it prov-
ed indeed, altho' the main and chief undertaker was prevented by death, to fee the elTcift of his in-
tents. The other end of his undertaking was, to have forces a"t command, both horfe and foot by
land, and a well provided navy at fea, for the enQaving of the people to ipii itual and temporal bon-
dage ; which in all human probability had not been difficult to efFe6luate then, fuch was the flieep-
ifh (illincfs, and knavifh bafenefs of many men in thefe dominions, of ail ranks, conditions, and pro-
feflions ; as alfo, the unpreparednefs of the wifer and better patriots and members of the church, to
wirhffand this mifchief ; if God in his mercy, by the unexpedfed death of the court-ruler and chief
agent in the bufinefs, had not put in a Remora and Lett: At which time, if men had turned unto
God, amending their lives in private, and had^xprelTed their true zeal then to the good of ths
church and country whereof they are members, according to their feveral ranks and conditions, the
defign of the common enemy had been fully dafh'd : But God in his wifdom hath been pleafed to lietp
us )Tt a while longer under the rod of trial, to fee if we will return unto him at lafl.

The Romifh party, although afloniilied and furprifed at the death of their engine and main inflru-
ment here among us, gives not over, but continues the great defign, without. intermilT^on, albeir,
not with fuch fpeed as formerly ; for thofe to whofe care principally the bufinefs was committed,
and in whofe hands the managing of matters had fallen, by the death of the late Fac totur:?, were
not fo powerful to obtain without refufal, what they pleafed at the king's hands, neither were they
in fuch opinion and reputation with inferiors, to make them go on in the work fo- earncffly;
wherefore the queen muH: be brou'^ht now of necelTity to take upon her the main care, and to ob-
tain from the king whatfcever m.ay conduce and further the bufinefs, and tal:e away all ktts and
Hops which may hinder the p'-oci.:dings; then to employ all her credit abroad, for counteniv.Kin-./,
and advancing afTalrs ; and next, by her authority to draw on inferiors to aft their part'.vidi aifjcli-

-'', To THE READER.

V in

on and ardor. Now, all things being thus cunningly and carefully, by degrees,, in few years, pre-
pared and difpofed, for en Having church and flate, prince and people to Rome again ; it was thought
fit by the liottefl of the party, to wit, the Jefults, to haflen the work openly, and delay no longer
Cthe compafTing of the defign being conceived to be infallible:) By this means they thought to
ihorten the bufmefs, and to make themfelves fo confiderable as to (hare deeply In the booty ; of
which they looked for butlitde, if things were fliil lingred, and carried on flowly.

But how and where to begin this new undertaking, v/as confulted upon ; and, after deliberati-
on the Scots muft be begun at. The way is refolved on, there muft be a new prayer-book put up-
on thefe rude fellows, that they may fay their prayers in modo <b figi^ra a la Romaine, and not fo
rudely and irreguraly as they were wont to do in the northern way. Then they mufl have high
Comifjion-courts ^Canons, and Et catera's : Which things, if the Scots be fo wife as to accept, as doubt-
lefs thev will (reafoned thefe men : But he that reckons without this hofr, reckons twice) for their
chief men of ftateare either aftually at court, or provided to places in the country from court; at
leafl, they can do nobufmefs of moment, without the favour of the court. -At this time the devout and
reiii^ious preiates, v>'ith the reft of their good clergy, are not only in all earneftnefs bent for the work,
according to their feveral places in the church, but alfo they overfway allbufinefs in ftate. Where-
fore without difficulty, we will compafs our main defign through all thefe dominions (faid they.)

And trub' fo they had in all likehhood, as we may fee by the woful carriage of bufmefs, and fo
ill-managing fo good a caufe in England fmce ; but, God had, in his mercy toward us all, ordained
otherwife. And, if the Scots (fay they) fliould be fo mad, as to refufe the commands from the
court and think upon refiftance, they ihall be made obey the lioly Mandate with a vengeance, and
fav their prayers with a rod ; for we fhall over-run their country fpeedily, and fubdue them, as poor,
filly ifTnorant fools, deftitute of all means for war, to wit, wifdom, with refolution, not having
breedinp-, and prefiTed down with poverty, to undertake and undergo fuch a bufmefs as war, and
money and armies to go on in it.; for the foil being barren, and the havens bad, they cannot have
die advantage of a fertile country, furniftied with good harbours, and commanders or leaders to
manage a war, their military men being abroad, who will not eafily quit the honourable and benifi-
cial emDiOvm.ents they have in foreign countries, and come home to fufFer want, with lofs of credit:
But God, who laughs from above at the foolifh counfels of vain men, in this particular hath made
us fee that he hath an over-ruling power over the affairs of men, making little and contemptible
ones do great things, and bring to nothing the undertakings of the mighty and wife of this world.

By this time the new prayer-book, defigned at Rome, and perfedled at London, is fent down to
Scotland. After fome little reludlancy, it is received by the council there, the major part whereof
then were either church-men, or their addicted friends; Then it is fent to the churches, to be put
in ufe and praftice : But, unexpecled and unloosed for, it is oppofed by inferior people, from
whence the oppofitioii rifeth to thofe of higher ranks; whereupon petitions are drawn up, and fent
to the king, to fupplicate his majefty, in all due refpeft, to free the church of Scotland from this
nev.- prayer-book, with the high-corn iffion courts, canons, Et ccetera's. To thefe demands of the
Scots no anfwer is given, but hot threatnings, after which preparatives for war were made againfl
the Scots ; and, becaufe the king did not fhew himfelf propenfe enough to the undertaking of the
war, nor the queen forward enough to engage the king in this holy war, the queen-mother, who,
for her own faithfulnefs to her hufband, and for her care of her fon, both late kings of France, muft
fome to her fon-in-law (againft his will) to help' him with her beft advice and counfel, and to better
infti uct her daughter, how to carry herfelf with earneftnefs and addrefs in the bufinefs.

Things being thus difpofed, there is an expedition undertaken againft the Scots, and followed to

the borders by the king prefent in perfon ; but to fmall purpofe : For the Scots came to the borders

duly prepared, notwithftandlng their pre-concelved vv^ants and indifpofition, to fell their religion

and liberty at a dear rate ; which being perceived by the court, the Scots demands, formerly rejected,

are

To THE R E A D E R. ^^

are granted, and a peace concluded: then feme of the chief men of the Scots were in\itcd to «o to
couiL, for the time, at Berwick; who, upon certain advice of a plot agairxfl the.n, wei-e flopped by
their friends to trufl themfelves to the faith of the court.

After things Wcre in fome meafure calmed there, the king, not fufFered by his council to go into
Edinburgh to fettle things fuiiy, lends deputies thither, and returns to London. At his return, the
Scots commi.'lioners are imprifoned at London, againft their fafe conduft ; and the apreement with
the Scots is burnt publickly by the hand of the hangman, and a new expedition, with more cunninfr
and ibength than the former, is undertaken againft the Scots: whereof the Scots duly aivertif^ i,''
judging it not to be fafe to play always after-ga.Ties, fettle their country, make fare the flrong holds,
which diey had delivered in fimplicity of heart unto the king at the late ag'-eement, and come into
England with fuch an army, that they made their enemies retire. Upon this point or ntceflity, the
king aiTembied divers of the nobles, by whom he is advifed to call a parliament, which is granted,
although with difiiculty. At the overture of the parliament, having gained all the party poJible,
the king is made to desr^and affiltauce to repel the Scots from. England, and chaflife them ; but to
no purpofe : wherefore the parliament muft pay for it ; and, to this purpofe, the Englilh army of
foot mull be brought to London, under fome pretext. This plot faihng, and difcovered, the Scots
rnufl be tempted under great offers, no iefs than the plunder of London, and the propriety of the
adjacent counties to their country. The Scots not only refufed thefe great offers, but aifo gave ad-
vice of them to the parliament. Then the Scots muft be hallned home, and the king mufl go into
Scotland, under pretext to fettle things there; but really to make a partv, viewing by the way the
Scots army, and to make fure of fome men difaffefted to the defign of the court. Thefe things not
fucceeding, to fmocth a little the fhameful bufmefs, titles of honour and pjnfions are given to
many.

While the king is in Scotkn.l, the rebellion rifethin Ireland, having its influence from the court
whether by fealed patents, or otherwife, I will not now enquire, (more than of the Spanifh navy)
but certain it i5, it had its rife from the court. Some days after the rebellion began in Ireland, the kino-
rnufl: return in all fpeed to London, under pretext to cunfult with the parliament how to reprefs
this odious rebellion : but really to be revenged upon the parliament, for not afllfting againft the Scots
and for punifhing the main agents of the Scottifli party : Vv^Itnefs the fadllon the queen had made in
the city, during the king's abode in Scotland, to divide the city and parliament, and the demandino-
of the m.embers of the houfes, agalnfl all law, upon accufation of treafon; whereof the chief and
main point w-is, to have favourized the Scots affairs in England, againff cxprefs afts of Oblivion of
both parhaments, of Scotland and England.

jKs for the repreffmg the rebellion in Ireland, it is fo little taken to heart, that the kinp- feldom
goes to the houfe ; and, being there, fpeaks but a Utile of the bufmefs. After a while, with
m ich ado, the popKh Irifh, inarms, are declared rebels, when they had ruined many families, and
killed many of the innocent Proteftants : but of the king's declaration there were but few copies
printed, and, of the few, hardly any difperfed ; when the Scots, before they had gathered any
head, were prelatically excommunicated, and curfed thorow all the parifnes of England, and de-
clared rebels, every where, by printed papers: who, as they intended no ill, fo, bleffed be God, ne-
ver men of war in a country did Iefs harm than the Scots did. Yea, which is more, all the good
intentions of both parliament and city, with the ready offers of the Scots, for the fp. edy help of
the poor proteftants, againft the bloody butchers in Ireland, was delayed, eluded, yea, almoft put
off by the court, and the corrupt members of both houfes, who Hnce have fhewed themfelves open-
ly what they are in public affairs. But thefe defigns of apprehending the members, and of dividing
the city and parliam.ent failing, as Mas feen by accompanying the members to the houfes again, the
■ig muft leave London.
Hci-e, before wc proceed any farther, we fliall go a little back.

B When

:c To THE R E A D E R.

When the nril undertaking was againft the Scots, all things within rhcfe deminioas being difpofed
for thebefc furdierinji of the v/ork, the holy Conclave ot'Kome, torcailing all chances, and fearing,
that England would not altogether be fo forward, to contribute much unto the deftruflion of Scot-
land ; wherefore the kin- rnuil be affured of fome good friend abroad, and not far ofF, who may
help in cafe of need; none is thought fo fit as the prince of Grange, being able to help with money^ ,
arms and men for command : he muft be gained, by offering him for his fon one of the king's daugh-
ters ; who, notwlthllanding hi:i high mind, would have been glad of a lower match. Now, at the firfl,
the prince of Orange did only look to have the ieccnd daughter in due time: But, to engage him
further, he fluali have the elder and that prefently, (not flaying for her till fhe was nubile) although
ihe did httle more than well difcern her right hand from her left: but this is not all, for the mother
muil: carry the daughter to the prince of Orange, to gain him m.ore fpeedily, and make him more
affeclionate and fure to the defigns of our corrupted court : fo, the king's daughter Is fold, and made
a facrifxe for the furtherance of the catholic caufe, as his grandmother was fold to France for the
fame defign, by the corrupt court of Scotland at the time. What mlfchief this marriage, and the
queen's voya^re into Holland hath brought upon this counlry, and what flain fhe hath brought upor^
herfelf by it we all fee. And fo many evils fell upon Scotland, after the fending the then young
queen into France.

Here you fliall obferve the jugling knavery of our corrupt court, who cry out againft the Scots
for taking arms for the juff defence of their liberty and religion, without any by-refpeft, as their
whole proceedings to this inffant do teflify, as guilty of the moll horrid crime of rebellion againfl
higher powers, as they call it; yet, the fame corrupt court makes the king give his daughter unta
him, who is not only a chief man, but a main inllrument to malce war for the liberty and religion
of the country where he liveth, againll the unjulf opprcffion of their fovereign, as his renowned
brother, and mofl virtuous father did before him; and as he intends to make his fon after him,
witnefs the reverfion of his place he had obtained unto him from the ffates. If the king of Spain
by neceffity hath been conflrained to acknowlegc the united provinces free ; it is nothing for the juffice
of their taking arms to defend their religion and liberty. And if he had pov/er, they would not be
long free ; witnefs the fecret plots to divide and over-reach them. Farther, he is very fly in his
writs, to call them free as every man knows.

The queen of Bohemia m.ufl: not only be neglefled, and feen lofc all that flie and hers can claim
for their own, but ihe and hers rnuft be ferviceable to thofe who have undone them : for this
end, fhe mull have people about her, namely, court-chaplains, to difguife bufinefs unto her, and
fo make her have a bad conception of thofe who are her beff friends, to wit, the true profe/lbrs of
trie truth, and good patriots in thefe dominions. Next, her eldeft fon, after along and great ne-
gleft of yielding him an help for the recovery of his own, is betrayed at our corrupt court, when
ho is put in a way to do fomewhat for his own refforing, <bc. And after this, by the flime court, ^
he is folicited to take arms here, againft the only men, who really and conffantly have exprefled un-
to him, and his, true affeffion ; but they, being flopped by the court, could not effecf uate much
by their good-will. He, in wifdom, refufeth to fight againfl his friends: fmce he will not, his two
next brothers muff be employed, the eldeft whereof is releafed from prifon to that efteft ; and fo
they hazard their lives, and fpend their blood, to ferve the party, who hath undone their fortunes,
and now flrive to undo their perfons.
The king having left London, after he had been in feveral places, retires to York, where he be-
- gins to rife men againfl: the parliament. The Scots feeing this, fent to him thither, to intrcat
him to lay afide all fuch intentions, and offer their fervice by way of mediation betwixt him and the
parliament, to take away all known miftakes. The Scots commiHioners were not then fufFered to
proceed any further in the bufmefs, br" were fcnt back, beyond the expe<fi:ation of men. Af-
ter

T 0 THE R E A D E il, ii

ter a iong'pcn-ildrmiJuimg on bo ch fides, armies are levied, many men killed and taken at divert
times on each Cidz -, yci, ~ dt battle icugl:t, where puiubers of men are I'ialu.

The Scots not being able any longer to fee their brethren. in Englarxd dellroyed, and the cxe-
ctiriouers of Ireland butchering man, woman and child (the help that the innocents fhould have had
froTi England being almoll altogether diverted, by the intefline war) and neither fay nor do in the
bufinefs, under iafe condu'fl lent to the king and parliament commiffioners, to interctcd for an a-
greement; but they being arrived at comt, were neglefted with their commifficn, and not fulFered
to repair unto the parliament : at lafl they are difmilfed, not without difficulty ; and, having done
nothing, return.

Upon this, the Scots convecn the flates to confult concerning their own fafety, and the help of
their friends : at this nick of time, when they received many fair promifes from the court, with a
requefl: to be quiet, a plot of the papifls, fct a-foot by the court, for embroiling the country, is dif
covered; by the means whereof, they v.'cre incited to look more narrowly to themfelves and theii-
friends. Then the parliament of England fends to the Scots for help. Upon this, a covenant i>
made betwixt the two nations, for the defence of the true religion, and liberty of the countries,
with the king's juft rights; and after due preparation, the Scots having fettled their own country,
entered into England with a flrong army, to fight the battles of the Lord ; having for the fconc
of their expedition, the glory of God, and the good of his people, with the honour of the king.

Here v/e fliail obferve, in thefe our countries, in thefe laft years, fuch riddles of fbate and church,
as have hardly been heard of: A Proteflant prince m.akes one Proteilant nation fight againff another
for the Proteflant religion, which have been thought to be of one and the fame doftrine in the
main; one church thunders curfes againfl another : then, a prince mifed widi the aid of pa-
pifts and atheifts, fpoiling and deflroying the profefTors of the truth, becaufe they profefs it, for
the good and advancement of the Proteftant religion : Next, in a very fliort time, a prince, to have
all his fubjefts declared rebels, firft, he is made declare the Scots, then, he is conflrained to declare
the Irifa ; an army gotten together in the king's name, declares all thofe that did oppofe them rebels :
The parliam.ent declares all thofe, who in the king's name oppofe them, rebels and traitors : further,
under the king's authority, the named rebels in England by the king, maintain a war againft the
declared rebels in Ireland. But the late carriage of things at court, and by the court-inftruments
at home and abroad, have refolvcd the riddle, namely, the patent for the rebellion in Ireland ; The
detaining of the help ordained for the reprelling of it ; The king's offer to go into Ireland ; The cc[-
fation, -and bringing over of the Irifh, and the lafl: difcovered plot in Scotland, all other things laid
alide, tell us clearly, Howfoever the proclamations and proteflations, going in the king's name, be
foft and fmooth as the voice of Jacob; yet the hands are rough asEfiu's, deftroying and feeking to
deflroy the true religion, grounded in God's word, with the profefTors thereof; as alfo the lawful
liberty of the country, and bringing all unto fiavery. Let Ireland and England fay, if this be not
true, and Scotland likewife, according to its genius, fpeak truth,

I (hall clofe up ail with t^.vo or three inftances of eminent men among the pcpifli clerp-, to fnew
clearly how they ftand affefted to the Proteftants.

Cardinal Pool, in an oration to Charles V. emperor, faith, ' You muf.: leave o(F the v.'ar ap-ainfl

* the Turks, and hereafter make war againft the hereticks ;' fo names he the prcfeffors of the truth :
he adds the reafon, ' Becaufe the Turks are lefs to be feared than the hereticks,' Paul Rodmek in
a book expreily tells us, ' That the hereticks muft be pat to death, llain, cut off, burnt, quartcr-
' ed, ly-f.' Stapkton the Jcfuite tells us, ' That the hereticks are v/orfe than tlie Turks,' in an ora-
tion he made at Doway. Campian the Jefuit, in a book of his, printed in the year i '583, in Tre-
vers, declares thus, in the name of his holy ord.;r, ' Our will is, That it come to the knovvdege of

* every one, fo far as it concerns our fociety ; That we all, difperfed in great numbers through the:

B 2 « world..

xn To THE R E A D E R.

' have nude a league, and holy fokmnoath, That as long as there are any of us alive, that all our

' care and indaftry, ai! cur deliberations and counfiils, (hall never ceafe to trouble your calm and

* fafety : That is to fay, We fliall procure and pirrfue for ever your ruin, the whole deflruclion of
' your religion, and of your kingdom.' Ke fpeaks to the Englifh. ' Now it is long fince we have

* taken this refolution, with the hazard of our lives; fo that the bufmefs being already well begun

* and advanced, it is impoflible that the Englifli can do any thing to flop our defign, or fur-
' moun*: it.'

\&

Let thefe few paffages fatisFy for this time, I wi/h that thou niayfl reap fome benefit from what j

written here for thy good.

t)^

Se, fraying for your happinefs,
Jrejl,

Tours, in the Lord,

D. B.

THE

:&u

T H E

L I F E

O F

•JOHN KNOX,

HIS country of Scotland, the' in many other refpec^s inferior to federal other countries,
yet hath in all times been happy in producing to the world fome of the moil eminent per-
fons in aU profefiions : The fixteenth century in a fpecial m.anner is remarkable upon this
account, for in that period we fhall find as confiderabie a number of rem.arkable Scotfmen, as any age
ever brought forth : I am perfuaded, that none of Mr, Knox's greateft adverfaries can deny, that
upon many accounts he deferves to have his memory tranfmitted to poflerity: The great revclution
in matters of religion, in which he was fo remarkably inilrumental, makes it abfolutely necelTary
to mention him frequently, when that matter is treated of ; and it will be evident from tlie fequcl
of this difcourfe, that all the confiderabie perfons, who were convinced of the necefiky of a fepara-
tion from the church of Rome, at the time it was made, had the highell efleem of Mr. Knox, and
that no -^'roteftant of any name wrote of him, but in terms of the greatcfl refpefl, during the currency
©f the iixt^'''"th century: It is very true, that he has not been {pared by fome virulent popifii writ-
erc in that time; but thefe are of fuch a fort, that they have very little authority among the men of
note of their own profeffion ; and I think that fome lafe pvofeiTed Proteftant writers add very little
credit to their writings, by copying after them. I intend in this narrative to give a fair and undif-
giiifed account of the affions of Mr. Knox, and, without interpofmg my opinion, leave the reader
to form his own judgm.ent of him, which, I hope, wiJl be much more agreeable to all impartial per-
fons, than the method of fome, who fill all accounts of this kind, either with encomiums of, or in-
Teftives againfl the perfons they write of; for praife- worthy aftions will always be valued by virtu-
ous perfons, whereas vicious and enormous deeds, however artfully difguifed, will always appear at
laft in their native colours.

Mr. J O H N K N O X , as all writers of his Life allow, was born in GifTord near Kadingtoun in Lcthi- -
an, in the year of Chrift i 505. His father vras a brother's fon of the houfe of Ranferlie, which is an
ancient family of gentlemen in the Well. When he left the grammxar-fchool in the country, he was
fent to the univerfity of St. Andrews, to fludy under Mr. John Malr (a man in thofe days very fa-
mous for his learning) by whofe inftrudtions, he became fuch a proficient, that he was thought wor-
thy of degrees even when he was yet but very young in years ; yea, in the difputative part of philo-
phy, and in fchool-divinity (wherein, at the time almoft all learning was placed) he far furpafTed his
maffer; and fo was advanced to church-orders before the time ufually allowed by the canons.
Thereafter, laying afide all idle, fooiifii and fophiftical fchool-difputes; he betook himfeif to the
reading of the ancients, efpecially of Auguftine, with whofe plainnefs andfolidity of writting he was
exceedingly folaced. At laff, by the preaching of Thomas Golliam (a black friar of found judg-
ment and wholfome doftrine) having gotten a lively imprelTion of the truth, he henceforth, fpent
his whole endeavours in the earneft fludy of the holy fcriptures, and, by the illumination thereof,
attaianed to fo great a meafure of fpiritual knowlege, that he was honoured to be one c^ the prime
public adfors in that worthy work of our primative reformation. And becaufe fome fmgular fruir, more
than ordinary, is expefted from him, who has fome fingular endowments more than ordinary -.^

; ' Therefore,,

^,^ T H E L I F K o f

ThT'^fore to iliew to the world how far his thoughts were bnfied upon the good of pofterity, and
hoZ {[' ''e L did lc.ve to himfelf, he brought out of the intraiis of aftions many choice and worthy
f^-ret-^ as the l-i-^^bie travels of his pious and judicious mind ; the trutti whereof is evidently ap-
mrent'th'-ouahout ^he whole prcgrefs cf this Church-hiftory, which may juftly be publilhed and
fent abroad un-^er his name ; becaufe the moil part thereof hath either been penned with his own
hand, or fpokf n and uttered by the word of his mouth, or gathered and colkaed out of his papers
an--l manufcripts. His hiftorical relations are without partiality. He hated no man's perfon, no no-
the enemy, but his fin ; and therefore, I hope his impartial expreffions (hall be unfeafonable to no
good man' be he never fo great. Weary not then in reading, but adventure your patience, as he
hath done'his pains ; and I doubt not, but, in each particular, you fhall get fuch a full and fatisfafto-
ry information of the truth, that you fliall not afterwards need to ftrike fire, and light your candle
at another man's torch. But to return to his Life.

Before the Lord employed him as an infrrumtnt of his glory in his own native country, he travel-
led and fufFercd much among foreigners and ftrangers. And firfr, being ifconrained by the vio-
lence of perfccution at hom.e to flee co England, he preached cevtain years in London, Newcaftle and
Bcrrwick, with a rreat deal of content and benefit to thofe who had the happinds to hear him. At
that time, when a biflioprick v.-as offered to him by king Edward VL with whom he was then in
HO fi-nall reputation, he refufed the fame, and declared in a grave and bold manner, ' That the proud
' title of Lordfoip, and that great ftate (having qukicGmmuKe ami ylnt'uhrijh, fomewhat common with
* antichrill) was not lawful to be in the church of God.' Moreover, in a letter written with his own
i\and the 14th of April 1553, I find, That he was called before the council of England, who de-
manded of him thefe three queftions : Firif, Why he refufed the benefice provided for him at Lon-
don ? Secondly, Whether he thought that no Chriflian might ferve in the ecclefiaflical minifi:ration,
accordiuf^ to the riies and laws of the realm of England ? Thirdly, If kneeling at the Lord's table was
not indifferent ? To the firfi:, he anfwered, That his confcience did witnefs, that he might profit
more in fome other place than in London ; and therefore had no pleafure to accept any office in the
fame : however, he might have anfwered otherwife, that he refufed that perfonage, becaufe of Nor-
thumberland's contrary comm.and. To the fecond, that many things at that time were worthy of
reformation in the miniftry of England, v.-ithout the reformation whereof no minifier did, or could
difch.arr^e his confcience before God ; for no mlniflers in England had any authority to feparate the
lepers from the whole, which was a chief point of his office; and he did refufe no office which might
in any, yea, the leaft degree, promote God's glory in the preaching of Chrift's gofpel. To the
third, that Chrifi's aflion v^-as mofl: perfeft, that it was moil fure to follow his exam. pie, and that
kneeling was man's addition and invention. With regard to this lafl queflion, there was great con-
tention betwixt the lords of the Englilli council and him. There were then prefent the bifhops of
Canterbury and Ely, the lord treafurer, the earls of Bedford, Northampton, Shrewibury, the cham-
berlain, and both the fecretaries. After long reafoning , it was faid to him, that he was not called out
of any evil meaning or intention, and that they were forry to know him of a contrary mind to the
common order. He anfwered. That he was forry that the common order was contrary to Chrift's
inftituticn. He was difmified with fome gentle fpeeches, and defired to advife with himfelf, if he ■
would communicate according to that order; but he ever abhorred it, as a prophanation of Chrift's
true religion, and cenfurcd the Englifli divines v/ho juftified and retained it.

King Edward VL being dead, and bloody queen Mary being advanced to the crown, John Knox
retired to Geneva, and within a (hort fpace thereafter departed to Francfcrt, upon the receipt of a
letter fcnt from the Englifli congregation there, the 24th of September 1 554, declaring that they
hadchofen him to be their paftor. Having preached the gofpel for a certain feafon at Francfort, he
wrote from thence his Admonition to England. But, becaufe he oppofed the Engliffi liturgy there,
averring that it was a fuperftitious model borrowed from popery, and refufed to celebrate the com-
munion

Mr: JOHN K N O X. - XV

n^uaio.. conform to the prefcript thereof, Mr. Ifaac, and onePajTej (two falfe brethren, fet on edge
with malice by the inaigation of D. Coxe, D.Bale, Turner of Wrndfor, Jewel o: Oxford, and others)
no^ only caufed difchargs him from preaching, but alfo a^iyed by a mo.^ cruel, barbarous, and in-
humane praaice, todifpatchhimoutoftheway, accufing him before the magdtes, (as he b.m-
felf recordeth in a brief difcourfe of his proceedings at Francfort fet down w:thh:s own hana)
Lcef^Majeftafls Imperatori., of high treafon againft the emperor bsfon Fhihp,_and the queen or
England: And for probation thereof, they extraftedout of his forefaid Admonition to England,
the! -articles a-ainft him; (i.) ' If Mary and her counfellors had been dead before thefe days, then
' fnouid not her iniouity and cruelty fo manifeftly have appeared to the ^rld. (2.) Jezabel never
.eSedhalf fo many gibbets in ail Ifrael, as miichievous Mary hath done in London aW
^ H \ Wo-1d any of you have confeHed two years ago, that Mary, your mirror, had been faxfe, dil-

< femblingTunconflant, proud, and a breaker of promifes except fuch promifes as fbe has maae to
' vour god the pope, to the great fhame and di(honour of her noble father ? (4.) The love of her
' nativ-^ counti-y could not move that wicked woman's heart to pity. _ (5.) She declareth hei-.eh an

< open traitrefs to the realm of England, contrary to thejufl laws of the fame, to bring in a If ranger,
^ and to make a proud flranger king, to the deftruclion of the nobihty, andlubverfion of the realm.
W6 ) If God, for our fcourge, fViffered her and her cruel council to come to authority 7;) Under
' ^n EnPliih name (he hath a Spaniard's heart. (8.) Much trouble m England for the elfabliftung of
' that inoft unhappy and wicked woman's authority, I mean, of her that now reigneth in God's
' wrath (o.) Marriage ought not to be contrafted with thofe who mamtam and advance idola-
. Tf^ch the emperor,' who is no lefs an enemy to Chrlft than ever Nero was. By thefe pre-
ceeding articles, John Knox's fraternal enemies proclaimed to tire wcnld how virulent the fervice-
bool made the;. They a'lledged treafon againft him, who knew nothing thereof. Innocency is no
'°eta<^ainft malignant adver&ries. Malicenever regards how m^ift an -cu at.on is but how ce-
tZil John Knox could not be juffly blamed, but his oppofues were felf-^aHed he.r fe r-

vii being coiTcd, did boil in choler to the extraction of a deif ruftiye dengn /^.;n^.;..r 6 . ..
^1 They could take no reft till they were delivered of their malicious birth. But, b.ef ed be
G i who by his fmgular love, providence towards his faithfd fervant, prevented the evil intend-
edb fuch ^prodigious produaion; for the n^agiftrates of Francfort difnlong the former oloody
attemnt, and unnatural projeft of the falfe brethren, above fpecified, fent for Mr. Williams^, and
Mr. Whittinghame, defiring them to advife John Knox to depart, othe-^-e/h^Y --^^ ^^ ---!-
cd to deliver him, if the emperor's council (which was then at Aug(burgn) fhould, upon like m=

r . rir>. r \. \r , \^^,„^ nrlvprrifpi^ thereof, after he had made a comrortable icr-'
format on fend for him. John knox being advertileatneico.,. r„-„.n „„j „f

mon at his lodging to fifty perfons, or thereaooat, of the death and refurrcdion of Cnnif, and o.

the unfpcakable joys prepared for God's efeft, departed towards Geneva tne^fi* of May , 555, and

^ , . r M •„ v\c ^T-nv -h^r ^o-ne of thofe to whom he had made tne foreiaid

was convoyed three or lour miles in his w a), d/ .o.n^ u. u.uic . ,,. i t j

exhortation, who with great heavinefs of h^rt, and plenty ot tears committed him to tne Lord.

Darin, his abode at Geneva, he wrote al Admonition or Warning to i^onaon, Newcaftle and
Berwickra Letter to queen Mary, regent of Scotland; an Appeal to the nobihty of Scot-
land ; a; Admonition to the commons of Scotland ; an Exhoitation to tne redm o Englana
ior their fpeedy embracing of Chrift's gofpel; and the firft Biaft o^ tne 1 rumpet, 6c^ la this lafl
tra^la^e, he gave a fu.fficient proof of his erudition and learning. The reign o queen Mary m En;.-
Ian J, and the government of Mary of Lorrain in Scotland, provokea him to fet forth tnat treaa.e
In the preface, he protefts he did not conceal his name for fear of corporal punnnment, an. p-omaetn
at the third Rlaft to fet down his name, and to take the blame upon him, that others mignt be pur-
ge'!. Ris parpoie was to have blown the trumpet thrice, which he ^ald hav^ pertorm.d u queen
Marv had not en l.i h.r days fooner. Anl, becaufe he underfto.i that fo n. hai promife J a con-
futation of h^.f^- - ':. h. delayed his fecund, tUl fuch time as the.r reafons appeared, by

xvi The L I F E OF

which he might be either reformed in his opinion, or elfe might have further occafion more fimply
and plainly to utter Ixis judg^nent. Yet, for difcharge of his confcience, and avoiding oF fufpicion,
M^hich miaht have been occafioned by reafoa of his fiience, he did notify to the world (as may be
gathered in the poftfcript extant at the end of Antoni Gilby's admonition to England and Scodand)
thele fubfequent proportions, which he purpofed to prove and amplify in his fecondBlafl promifed;
(f .) ' It is not Mrth only, nor propinquity of blood, tliat maketh a king lawfully to reign above a

* people, profeffing Chrift Jefus and his eternal verity ; but, in his election, the ordinance which
' God hath eftabliftied in theeleftion of inferior judges mufl be obferved. (2.) No manifeft idola-

* ter, nor notorious tranfgrefTor of God's holy precepts, ought to be promoted to any public go-

* vernment, honour or dignity in any realm, province or city, that harh fubjcffled themfelves t*

* Chi-ift Jefus and his blelfed gofpel. (3.) Neither can oath no; promife bind any fuch people to o-

* bey and maintain tyrants againft God, and againft his known truth. (4.) But, if rafhly they have

* p;-omoted any nanilell wicked p-rfon, or yet igaorantly have chofenfuch aione, as after declareth

* himfelf unwo' thy of government above the people of God (and fuch are all idoiarers and cruel per-

* fecutors) mofl juflly may the fame men dcpofe and punilh 'dm, whom they, unadvisedly, before

* did nominate, appoint, and eleft.' Within a (hortfpace th:;i-eafter (being folici ted by fome Scots
nobleiran, and others, to return homeward, and to join wi'h them in the public work of refor-
mation) he came to picp, from whence he wrote to Mrs. Anna Lock, a clear declaration of his
ju^'gment concerning the great fervice-book of England, as fodows: 'Our Captain, Chrift Jefus,

* andSaranhisadverfary, are now at p'ain defiance; their banners are difplayed and thetrumpetsbloW

* on either fide for afTembiing of their armies. Ovs mafter callcth upon his own, and that with ve-
' hemency, that they may depart from Babylon ; yea, he feverely threatneth death and damnatioa

* to fuch, as either in their fore-head or hind bear the mark of the beaft. And a po";tion of his mark

* are all tliefe dregs of peppery, which are left in your great book of England, fviz. croiTmg in .
' baptifm, kneeling at the Lords table, mumbling or fmging of the Litany, Afulgure h temrejiate.,

* AfabltanecL b improvifa Durte) any one jot of which diabolical inventions I will never counfel any

* man to ufe. The whole order of your book appeareth rather to be devifed for upholding of
' m.airmg-priefts, than for any good infi:ru6tion which the fuuple people can receivt therefrom. Yaur

* facraments were miniftred for the mo'f part without the foul, and by tkefe who to Chrift Jefus are

* no true minifters ; and God grant that fo yet they be not. Without the foul, I fay, they were mi-
' niftred, becaufe they were miniftred without the word truly and openly preached ; and your mi-

* ntfters before, for the moftpart, were none of Chrift's mialfters, bat mars-monging priefts.' And
therefore, towards the end of the former letter, he very pathetically diifuadeth the gentlewoman,
to whom he wrote, from countenancing of fuch fuperftitious priefts in their corrupt, lifelefs li-
turgical fervices ; affirming with grtat fervency, ' That all things (liould he judged abomnrablc,
' "ea, execrable andaccuried, which GoJby his word hath not fanclified in his religion.'

Thefecondof May 1559, John Knox, being then 5^earsof age, came home again to his owa
country, where (after the church had attained to fome degree of reformation) he was fettled mini-
fter at Edinburgh ; in v/hich piace he coatinued in the exercife of preaching till his death, but not
without manifold interruptions, by rcafon of the inttftine diibrdcrs and domeftic broils that fell out
in thefe times. In his fcrmons he was powerful and perluaiive, and fo affifted with the irrefiftible
power of God's aU-fufficient grace, that when he fpoke but Ephphatha, (d^firing the Lord's people
to lift up their evtrlafting doors, that the King of g.ory might enter in,) prefently there was fach a
piercing and opening in the hearts of his hearers, that they were forced to cry out, ' Poubtlef«
' God is here, God is with the preacher.' By this means the work of the Lord was wonderfully
advanced, and mightily promoted over the bellies of all oppofite powers. There were few ol his
fcrmons printed, a.tho' he was both learned and eioquent, he not being wihing to bufy himfelt mi.th
-w'*-h the prefs, nor to apply his mind to compoie traftates for pofteritv; for he was wont to fay,

*■ ^ -^^ ■ . . ' ' That

Mr. J O H N K N a X. xvi

'• Th.itGoJ had called him rather to inftruft the ignorant, comfort the forrov/ful, rebuke ilnners,
• and confirm the weak living in his time, than to make books for ages to come ;' yet we havefome
•f his fermons, efpecialiy that whicJi he preached the 19th of Auguft 1 565, and for which he was
prohibited to preach for a feafon, which you will find at the end of this hiflory, to teftify to all men
what ground there was to deal fo with him. Befides the former fermon, and feveral other good
pieces, of which I have already fpoken, he wrote alfo a learned treatife againft the blafphemous
Anabaptlfts, tv/o treatifes againft the Mafs, one of the Eucharift, fonie fermons upon Genefis, feme
alfo upon the Pfalms, an exhortation to all afflifted churches, an advice in time of trouble, he.
Thefe refrefhing ftreams of his Chriftian labours are like moft precious ointment, the fragrant fa-
vour whereof does exceedingly rejoice the hearts of Chrift's foithful members. Valiant Zifca had
never greater affection towards the Bohemians (when he defired that a drum might be made of hir-
llvin after his death, when his body could no more do them fervice in their wars) than this worthy
light of the gofpel has liad towards the people of God in Scotland : For, not only was he afFecli-
onate towards them in his life, but even yet (now after his dilTolution) the fweet nardof his Chrifti-
an love, bottled up in his pious works, above mentioned, is fo frefli and redolent, that whofoever
findcth the frnell thereof, muft be forced to acknowlege. That his afFecSlion is outliving, perma-
nent and durable.

As his godly fermons were lively and operative, fo his prophetical predi6lions were true and effec-
tual ; an inftance whereof, in one remarkable particular, I thought proper to fubjoin in this place, •
as follows : Upon the 24th of January 1570 (which v/as the next day after the murder of the good
regent the earl of Murray) John Knox being in the public preaching- place at Edinburgh, a certain
paper, among the names of tiiefe who defired the prayers of the church, was cunningly conveyed
to his hand, wherein were v/ritten thefe words, ' Take up the man whom you accounted another
* God.' He having privately read the fame without exprefling any fign of difpleafure, and having
ufter feraion made a great moan for the lofs which the church and ftate of Scotland had by the
death of that virtuous nobleman, fhewing, thac as God in his mercy giveth good and wife rulers, fo
he taketh them away from a people in his wrath : At lafl: he thus vented, and uttered his mind ;
' There is one in this company, who maketh that horrible murder (whereat all good men have oc-
' cafion to be forry) the prime motive and fubje(51: of his mirth. I tell him that he fhall die in a
' Ilrange land, where he Ihali not have a friend near him to hold up his head.' Mr. Thomas Mait-
land, the author of the infulting fpeeches, contained in the paper above fpecified (a youthful gentle-
man, bearing (Inall affc^ion to the good regent) having heard John Knox's commination, con-
feifed the truth of what he had done to his fifter the lady Trabrown : but John Knox, faid he,
was raving to fpeak of he knew not whom. His filler replied, with the tears in her eyes, that none
of John Knox's threatnings fell to the ground v/ithout effe^l. And fo it came to pafs in the prc-
diftion forefald; for fhortly thereafter, the young gentleman, having gone beyond leas to travel,
died in Italy, while he was going to Rome, having no man to afiift him, much lefs to lament
him.

I will not here fpeak of the indefatigable travels, and great hoftility which John Knox endured
in helping to fet forward the work of reformation in Scotland, becaufe they are all fet down at large
in the body of this hiftoi-y : but will only clear him and his fellows from fome afperfior.s, which
have been call upon them and their proceedings by the adverfaries of the truth, and then will make
liafle to fpeak of his death.

The enemies of reformation, perceiving there was no hope to get their defigns profecuicd, 10 long
.13 John Knox and his afTociates had any credit among the people, blazed abroad (like {o many in-
ternal furies inflamed with an helifh rage) divers devilifh reports and malicious forgeries againft them ;
.ttledging, That in their enterprife of the work of reformation, they attempted and did m.any thi^igs
i'.ithout any good ground er v-/arrant, yea, contrary to all lawful authority. I might anfsver for an
►-; C cxciife.

excufc, Tliat the iuuiani light of the gofpel fo dazled thtir eyes, comuigoutof darknefs, that thcf
cenfidered not well what they did, ib that they might enjoy lb great a benefit; and therefore ha-
zarded laiKls, lives, goods and (shiidren. Yet I need not excufe them, when they may be defended
by f7pod reafon in the judgment of tl'je learned : For John Knox (in his letter written from Dicp, the
year 1557, to the Scots nobility, who bad taken upon them the-public reformation) ftgnifieth. That
he had theji^dgmer.i of the moil gcdiy and karned in Europe (meaning, no doubt, Ish- Cahdn, and
other lenrncd miniflers at Geneva) to warrant both his and their coniciences for the enterprife of rt-
formation.

The pofition maintained by them, which is the ground of their enterprife, w^as this, * That, ii:
* Idngs ii-ad princes rcvafe to reform religion, the inieiior ihagiihates and people, being dhefted and
' inilru51ed in the truth before by their preachers, may lawfully reform, within their own bounds
' themfelves. And, if ail, or the fiir gi-eate(l part be enlightened by the truth, they may make a
' i-'abiic reformation.' This ground was amplified and confirmed at large afterwards, by the author
of that treatife, calkd, Vindkic contra Tyrannos, which is afcribed to Gentiletus ; and by him who
wrote that other treatife, De jure Magifiratiaim in Subditos, which fome afcribe to Beza. And
Parens of late, in his com.mentary upon the Romans, has miaintained the like. I acknowlege indeed,
that there were fomf outrages committed in the manner of diifolution and dellru(5tion of abbacies,
priories and nunries ; and many manufcripts, guilty of no other fuperftition than red letters in the
front;, were torn in pieces, or commiitted to the fire: but in fudden alterations it is not to be expedled
that all thiugs can hz done by fquare and compafs And, although they demolifhed the manfions of
friars, monks and nuns, yet they demoliilied no parifh-churches, their main intention being only to
^■radicate all monuments of idolatry, to reform religion, toerefl theface of avifiblechurch in the
Bounds committed to their charge, and to affifl others in the work of reformation by a mutual aid
and concurrence.

And where it is obietTccd, that fuch gorgeous fabrics might have been referred and converted to
n-iany good and lawful r.fes. I anf>ver. That in free and reformed cities or countries, fuch as are a-
m.ong the Germans, where the Hate (governed and direft ed by kws rather than by rulers) re.maineth
always alike and unchangeable ; who doubteth but fuch houfes. Handing there flill, might be trans^
ferred to fome good and lawful ufes, without any fear or danger? But in fnch a realm and king-
dom as Scotland, where laws and parliaments are not aW/ays one, but are arbitrary and iubjefl to the
difpofition of the prince, it being uncertain what princes may come, the furefl work is to imitate
the example of fkiiful and judicious chirurgeons, who, in cutting off a gangrene-leg, always cut it
off ^bove the joint, even where the flefh is heal and found. Hence was it, that for prevention of
further infeflion, our firfl reformers did well to overturn the very foundations of abbacies, priories
.md nunries, that being the beft means to banifti fuperftition and idolatry out of the realm for ever.
And truly, it is a point of no fmail wifdom, not only to confider what may be done prefently in a com-
monwealth, but what may alfo follow. Giraldus maketh mention, how the king of Meath af]:ed
the advice of one Turghefy, how fome noifome birds, that were lately come in to Ireland, might
be driven aM'ay : He anfwered. Let their nefts be deftroyed. It had been good for God's church,
that there had not been fo much left as the title of abbots, priors, bifliops, dtans, a'chdtans, or
fuch like antichriftian offices and callings; for they remain ftill as lures to allure thefe hawks to
come again, tore-cJify their old nefts.

The malignant party above fpecified, finding themfelves unable, by their defpiteful calumnies, to
iilienate or enftrange the hearts of the people from John Knox, they laboured not only fecr- '"■ '" ■<■.'-'
his deftruftion, but alfo having fortified the toMm and caftle of Edinburgh, with their
rifons, did publicly vent their malice againft him by many furious threatnings. Where'. •■..
moved by the urgent importunity and prefTmg deures of the godlv to depart from the tov."i\
greater fafety and fccurity, he went to St, Andrews in the month of May 1 571, where he rtu.

M^, JOHN KU 0 Xi xix

tSJl about the end of Anguft 1572; and then (the civil troubles being pacified) hcreturntu .olJIn-
biirgh, upon the receipt or a letter fent to him from his iioclr, carn.ftly requiring his prefsnce:
but becaufe his body was iufirin, and his voice fo weak, that people could not hear him in ihe ordi-
nary place of preaching, he made choice of another n^.ore commodious place within the town, \yhere
he exercifed his p?.ftoral gift fo loiig as the Lord enabled him. At length, forfeeing that he was not
to remain long in his earthly tabernacle with them, he was inliant with the town-council, to provide
themfelves of a worthy man to fucceed in his place.

And fo, Mr. Jar^es Lawfon, who at that time profefTed philofophy in the univerfity of Aberdeen,
being commended for a good preacher, commifTioner^ were direded from the body of the church of
Edinburgh, and from John Knox in particular, v/ho defired him by a letter to accept wf the charge j
to which letter he added this poftfcript, Jccc/era, mi Frater, alioquifero venies s that is, ' Make
haile, brother, otherwife you \Vill come too late.' Meaning, that if he rtlarded his coming, he
would fintl him dead and gone ere he came. Mr. James Lawfon, being m.uch moved with thefe
laif words, took journey the morrow thereafter, and made hafle towards Edinburgh, where, after-
two feveral preachings to the good liking of the people, the oth of November was appointed for his
admi/ljon.

John Knox preached at that diet, though he could Icarce walk on foot to the pulpit, with fuch
fervency of fpirit, that at no time before was he heard to fpeak with greater po\ver, and more con-
tent to the hearers. In the clofe of his fermon, ' He caded Go;l to witnefs, that he had walked

* in a good confcience amongfc them, not feeking to pleafe men, nor ferving either his own or other
'mens affe<51:ions, but in all fmcerity and truth preaching the gofpel of Chrift.' Then, having praif-
edCod, who had given them one in his room ; and having zealouily prayed for the continuance of
the Lord's favour amonfl them, and for ai'gmentation of grace to the preacher, he pathetically ex-
horted them to fteadfaftnefs in the faith ; and fo, concluding with a blelling, he gave them his iaft
farewel : for his vital fpirits were fo for fpent, that the fame day in the afternobn he was forced to
take bed. All his ferm.ons wax religioufly tuned, but his Iaft farewel- fermon made the fv/eeteft
mufic in the clofe.

Upon the 13th of November 1572, he was fo enfeebled with a cough, that he left his ordinary
reading of the fcripture; for every day he read fome chapters of the old and new teftament with
fom.e pfalms, which he paiTed through every month once. Upon Friday the 14 th he arofe befidc
his accuftomed diet; and yet, when he was rifen, could fcarce fit upon a ftool. Being demanded
what he would do up, he faid, ' He would go to the church and preach,' thinking it had been the
Lord's day, aad told, * that he had been meditating all that night upon the refurre6>ion of Cknf];.'
which he fhould have taught in order after the death of Chriff , which he had finilhed the Sabbath
before. Often, and m.any times defired he of God, that he might end his days in teaching and me-
ditating upon that doftrine, and fo he did indeed. He delired the elders and deacons to be fent for,
that he might take his Iaft goodnight of them, as he had done before of the people. Upon the
Lord's day, the i6th, he kept his bed, and would take no meat, fuppofmg it had been the firft
Sabbath of the faft, till the laird of Braid, fitting at his bed-fide, called him to remembrance' and
caufed him to eat a little.

Upon Monday the 17 th, the elders and deacons of the church being come to him, he faid

• The time is approaching, for which I have long thirfted, wherein I ihall be relieved of all cares'
' and be with my Saviour Chrifl: for ever : And now, God is my witnefs, whom I have ferved with
' my fpirit in the gofpel of his Son, that I have taught nothing but the true and folid docflrine of
' the gofpel; and, that the end, which I propofed in all my doTi-ine, wms to inilrucT: the ignorant
" to confirm the weak, to comfort the coifciences of thofe that were humbled under the f,«nfe of
' their lins, and to beat down with the threatnings of God's judgments, fuch as were proud and
' rebellious. I am not ignorant, that many have blamed, and yet do blame, my too great rigour

.., . The L I F £ or

'andic-nty. But God knovvtth, that, m my heart, I never hated the fciioas of thefe, agamft
'v/hom'l thundered God's judgments; I did only hate t!-ir fuis, and laboured, accordmg to my
' power to o-ain them to Chriu : Th.at I did forbear none, c: whatroever condition, I did it out of

♦ the fear ot^my God, who hath placed me in this funftion of the mlniftry, and, I know, will bring

* nie to an account.' ' Then he exhorted them to abide conftant in the dpftrine which they had
heard out of his mouth, and deilred them never to join with the wickednefs of thefe in the caftie
of Edinburgh, although they fliould triumph in the world; but rather chufe, with David, to flee
to the mountains, than to remain in the company of the wicked.

Havinrr clofed his exhortation to the elders and deacons, he direfted his fpeech to Mr David
T.indfay minifter at Leith, and Mr. James Lawfon, as followeth; For you, ' Brethren, I have no-
''thinfT to fa}.', but to warn you, that you take heed to the flock over which God hath placed you
' overfeers, which he hath redeemed by the blood of his only begotten Son. And you, Mr. James
' Lawfon, light a good fight, do the work of the Lord with courage, and uith a willing mind ; and
' God from^abovc^Icfs you and the church, whereof you have the charge, againfl which church, fo
• lon^ as it coutinuelh in the doffrine of the truth, the gates of hell fliall not prevail.' Thus ha-
vin^T^mmended to God by prayer the whole company who were prefent, they went out from him
with tears. A little before he took bed, he commanded his wife, and Richard Bannatyne his fervant.
That when God (hould vifit him with ficknefs, fo that he were unable to read any portion of fcrip-
ture himfelf, that then one of them iliould read to him every day the 17th chapter of St. John's
gofoel, a chapter of the epiftle to the Ephefians, and the 33d chapter of the prophecy of Ifaiah,
which was done. Few or no hours of the day paft, wherein fomewhat was not read, as he would
appoint, and fom.etim.es fome of Mr. Calvin's fermons in French. While they were reading a cer-
tain fermon of Calvin's upon the Ephefians, they afiied (fuppofmg he had been fleeping) if he heard ?
He anfwered, ' I hear, I praife God, and underfland far better.

Mr. David Lindfay reporteth to divers, that at one time v/hen he came to vifit him, and aflced
liow he did, he anfwered, ' Well, brother, I thank God, I have defired all this day to have had you,
' that I m.ay fend you to that man in the cafble, the laird of Grange, whom, you know, I have loved
' fo dearly, and v/liofe courage and cdnfiancy in the caufe of God, you have fometimes feen, al-
•■ though now mofl unhappily he hath caft himfelf avvay. Go, I pray you, and tell him from me,

* in the name of God, That unlefs he leave that evil caufe, and forfake that wicked courfe where-
' in he hath entered, neither fhall that rock (meaning Edinburgh caflle, which he kept againfl the
' king's lawful authority) in which he confideth, defend hi^m, nor the carnal wifdom of that man,
' whom he countcth half a god (meaning young Lethington) afford him any help : But he fliall be

* pulled out of that neft, and brought down over the walls with fhame, and his carcafe fhall be
' hung before the fun ; fo God hath affured me.' T^lr. David thought the m.eiTage hard, yet went
to the caflle, ^vhere, firfl, meeting with Sir Robert Melvil walking on the wall, he told him what
was his errand, who, as he thought, was much moved with the matter ; th^n, he communed with
Grange the captain, whom he thought alfo fomewhat moved: but after the captain had conferred
a little with Lethington, he came out again to Mr. David, and fo difmifled him with a difdainful ali-
Jinfwer. Mr. David returned to John Knox, and reported how he had difcharged his commillion ;
but that it was not well accepted by the captain. ' Well, faid John Knox, I have been carnefl: with
' my God in that man's behalf, I am forry that thus it fliall befal his body, yet God afTureth me
' that there is mercy for his foul.' Mr. David laid up that fpeech in his mind, till John Knox was
at relt with God, and found the truth of that, which had been foretold, within a fliort fpace
thereafter.

John Knox's ficknefs and infirmity did fomuch at this time increafe, that he could not utter any
words, but with very great pain ; yet none came unto him, to whom he gave not fome admoniti-
on. When a cert.iin gentlewomm, fearing God, began to commend him, defiring him to praife the

Lord

Mr. JOHN K N O X. xxi

Lord for the gooJ which he had done ; he anfwered, * Tongue, tongue, lady, flcfli of itfelf is
' too proud, and needeth no means to puff it up;' and protefted, that he did only claim to the free
mercy of God in Chrift. He exhorted her to humility, and to caft av/ay her {linking pride, and
called to her remembrance thefe words, which a woman had fpoken to her long ago, ' Lady, lady,

* the black ox hath never trode upon your foot.' Among others, to the earl of Morton (who was
then ini'nediately to be advanced to the public regency of the realm, the earl of Mar, late regent, be-
ing now only dead) he was heard to fpeak thefe words : * My lord, God hath given you many blef-
' fings ; he hath given you wifdom, honour, high birth, riches, many good and great friends, and
' is now to prefer you to the government of the realm : In his name, I charge you, that you Vv^ill ufe
' thefe bleffings better in time to come, than you have done in time pafl. In all your aftions feek
' firft the glory of God, the furtherance of his gofpel, tbemaintainance of his church and minillry ;

« and next, be careful of the king, to pi-ocure his good, and the welfare of the realm. If you ihall
' do this, God will be with yoa ; if otherwifc, he fhall deprive you of all thefe benefits, and your
' end fliall be fhame and ignominy.' And fo it came to pafs ; yea, the earl himfelf, at the time of
his execution, which was in the month of June 1581, calhngtomind John Knox's fpeeches, faid,
that ' he had found them to be true, and him therein a prophet.'

•Upon the Lord's day, the 23d of November, which was the firft Sabbath of the faff, none bein^
prefent but thefe of his own hou (hold, after he had been alongfpace, in the time of afternoon's fermon,
very quiet, as they thought, he faid, ' If any man be prefent, let him come and fee the work of God ;'
for he thought, as they fuppofed, then to have inftantly expired. His fervant having fent for
John Johnfton writer, he burft forth in thefe words : * I have been in meditation, thefe two laft
'nights, upon the troubled kirk of God, defpifed of the world, but precious in his fight; and
' have called to God foi- it, and commended it to CI rift her head. I have been fighting againft Satan,

* who is ever ready to alTiiult. I have fought againft fpiritual wickednefs, and have prevailed. ' I
' have been in heaven, wh.re prefently I am, and have tafted of the heavenly joys.' After fermon,
divers who came to vifit him, perceiving his breath to be ftiortned, afked if he had any pain ; he
anfwered, ' I have no more pain than he that is now in heaven, and am content, if it pleafe God, to
' ly here feven years,' He faid often, ' Live in Chrift, and let never flefh fear death.' Many times
when he would be lying, as was thought, afleep, he was at his meditations, and v/ould difcover the
fame by thefe fpeeches. ' Lord grant true paftors to thy church, that purity of doftrine may be re-

* tained. Reftore peace again to this commonwealth, with godly rulers and magiftrates. Lord
' make an end oi troubles. O ferve the Lord in fear, and death fhall not be troubleforoe unto you.
' BlefTed is the death of thofe that have part in the death of Jefus. Come, Lord Jefus ; fweet
' Jefus, into thy hands I commend my fpirit.' In the evening he fleeped fome hours together, but
with great unqu'etnt^s.

That night about niae o'clock, Dr. Prefton being come to him, and underftandlng by Robert Camp-
bell of Kinzeancleugh and John Johnfton (two of his diligent and conftantattenders) what unfettlednefs
he had in his fleep, aflced after he awaked. How he found himfelf, and what it was that moved him
to mourn fo heavily in his fleep ? To v.'hom he anfwered, ' In my lifetime I have been often afiauli-

* ed with Satan, and many times he hath caft in my teeth my ftns, to bring me to defpair ; yet God

* gave me ftrengtb to overcome ail his temptations : And now, that fubtil ferpcnt, who never ceafeth

* to tempt, haih taken another courfe, and feeks to perfuade me, that all my labours in the mini-

* ftry, and the fidelity that I have fhewed in that fervice, have merited heaven and immortality, But
' blefled be God, that brought to my mind thefe fcriptures,' " What haft thou that thou haft not
" received ? and Not I, but the grace of God in me;" ' With which he is gone away afhamed, and
' ftiall no more return. And now, I aui fure my battle is at an end, and that I fliall fliortly, wlth-
' out pain of body, or trouble of fpirit, change this mortal and miferable life, for that happy and-

* imm.ortal life, which ftiall never have an end.;

UpoR

Thu life or

Upon Monclay the i4th or November, he a-ofe about nine or ten hours, aad yet was mt able to
Itard by himlelf put on his hofe and his doublet, and fat in a chair the Ipace of half an hour, and
then went to bed again. Being aT<ed by Kinzeancleugh^, if he had any pain ? He anfwered, ' No
« great pain, hut fuch as I truft wul put an end to this battle. Yea, I do not efteem that a pain,
' whi-h will be to me an end of ai. troubles, and the begianiag of eternal jo, s.' In the afternoon he,
caufed his wife read the 1 5th chanter of the firff epiftle to the Corinthians : When it was ended, he
faid' ' Is not that a comfortable chnpter ?' V^ithin a little fpace after, he faid, ' I commend my foul,
' fpirit imd body into thy hands, O Lord.' About five o clock at night, he faid to his wife, ' Go
' read where I caft my firft anchor.' x-^nd fo Oie read the 17th chapter of St. John's gofpel, and af-
ter tha*- fome of Mr. Calvin's fennons upon the Ephefians. About half an hour before ten, they
went to' prayer; which being ended, doftor Preflon faid unto him, ' Sir, heard you the prajer ?'
He anfwered, ' Would to God that you, and all men had heard it with fach an ear and heart as I
' have done:' I p aife God for that heavenly found;' adding, ' Lord Jefus receive my fpirit.' At
laO-, when his fervant Richard Bannatyne, heard him give a long figh and fob, he faid unto him.
Now, Sir, the time you have long called to God for, doth inflantly approach ; and, feeing all natu-
ral pov/ers fail, give us fom.e fign that you remember upon the comfortable promifes, which you
have often (hewed unto us : At thefe fpeeches he lifted up one of his hands, and immediately there-
after, without further motion, as one falling afleep, rather than dying, he departed about elevea
o'clock at night, in the ■67 th year of his age.

After the forefaid manner died blelTed old Knox, (pldnus dienim) in a full age, having fought
that good fight, and overcome all his enemies. He was a mirror of godlinefs, a pattern to mini-
ifers, of a holy life, of fonndnefs in docTirine, and boldnefs in reproving vice. And although Court-
parafites, and proud Prelates, have been, and are difpleafed and ofFended, the one fort with his-
doffrine touchin^r the pov/er of princes ; the other fort with his doft rine concerning the governm.ent
of the church ; yet, there was never man born, who did more heartily reverence, nor more willing-
ly obey all the lawful commands of civil authority : Neither was there ever any m.an more obfervant
of the true and juft orders of ecciefialfical poHcy, according to the word of God, and the practice
of the pureff primitive times. He was a man endowed with fo great a meafure of the fpirit, that
the trouble never came to the church, after his entry in public preaching, but he forefaw the end
thereof. Many things in particular did he foretel, which came truly to pafs, as you may perceive,
partly by the prediftions already mentioned, and partly by feveral pa/Tages of the following hiflory.
I add, how he foretold the queen, becaufe Ihe would not come and hear God's word, that (he fhould be
compelled to hear it, whether flie would or not ; and fo fhe was at her arraignrtient. Alfo to her huiband,
fitting on the king's feat in the great kirk at Edinburgh, he faid, ' Have you, for the pleafure of that
' dame, ca{\ the Pfalm-book in the fire ? The Lord (hall ftrike both head and tail.' Mr. Thomas
Smeton, in the defcription of his life, fheweth that the death of the good regent (whom he calleth
Ornamentiim <b lumen hitjiis nationis, quo nullus itnquam extitit aut religionis obfervantior aut aman-
tioraqui; The ornament and light of the Scots nation, than whom there was none a greater ob-
ferver of religion, nor lover of equity) made a wonderful deep imprelTion in bis heart : But the
mafiacre of Paris did almoff exanimate him. ; and he giveth him this commendation, Dequo aut vere
aut ingenue dicam, nefcio an wzqutvn Deus tnagls piwn aut viajus ingenium infragUi 6 imbecillo cor-
jmfculo collocarit. Certo few, baud facile qv.enquamtnvenin poffe in quo plura, Spiritus SanBi, dona,
>n foUdum, Scoticauct ecckf.ce, Q-audium ilhixerini. Nemo, in fubeundis animi 6 corporis Idborikis,
minus, fibi pepercit ; nemo, in concreditamfibi prcvinciam, intentior fuit ; nemo tamen, dum zuve-
ret, odiis impiorum hominiirivzrtgis impetitus eft, 6 maledicorum cnhminiis laceratus, quamvis iUi ea,
fuit animi magni:udo, itc contm audentior iret. That \% I know not if ever God p'aced in a frail
"and weak little body, a more godly or great fpirit, I am certain, that fcarcely could any man he
^ ?bund in whom mere j^ifts of the Holy Ghoff , for the folid comfort of the church of Scotland,
■" did.

Mr. JOHN KNOX. xxiii

did Mnt. Nonelefsfparedhlmfelf, in undertaking of fpiritual and bodily exercifes; none ir.ore diligeni
in the charge entrufled unto him ; yet, no man, while he lived, more afTaulted with the hatred of wicked
men and more vexed with the reproaches of evil-fpeakers ; notwithftanding whereof, he had fach
•*r lute couracre, that he ^Yent forwiU'd in Goi's ways with the greater Chriflian bovdnefs. But
has the malice of the wicked agauift him been filent fmce he died ? No certainly, nor never will, f©
ions ?s the devil's goats are permitted to live amongil Chriil's flieep. 1 wifli his malignant enemies
-niv take heed what they do : Tot enim >(jfifefamcejua; vindiccs reUqiiit, qitot ex fcedo errorimi ba-
rathro dctraBos, ad evangclii piiritatem, fideliter prctdicando, perduxit. For, he has left fo many
maintainers of his good :W,nc behind him, as he hath brought from the filthy gulph of errors, to
the pa"rltv of the gofpel, by his faithful preaching. Neither wanteth he the defence of learned
B»za who callelh him, The Aooftie of the Scots, and comprehended all his praifes in a few words,
wh'-n in his Icones, he calleth him, Grkat Master KNOX. In a word, he was fo zealous
for God'^'. calory, fo' careful for the church's good, and fo conftantly confcionable in all his practices,
that I am Killy confident, there is no nan, es.ccpi- he have a Vertigo in his brain, will be fo blockifh,
■is to ima^Tine thatfuch a fixed Har can be made iubjeft, by any vile afperfions, to the falling iick-

tiefs of difgrace.

Upon Wednefday the 26th of November, John Knox was buried in the church-yard of St. Giles,
•I' Edinbur<yh, being convoyed by the earl of Morton, and feveral lords, with people of all ranks.
When he was' laid in the grave, the earl of Morton pronounced hiseulogium in thefe words : * Here
•'lies a Man, who in his life never feared the face of man ; who hath been often threatned with
' daiT and dao-rrer, but yet hath ended his days in peace and honour:' For he had God's providence,
watching overhim in a fpecial manner, even when his life was fought, as by the rem.arkable figii
following, of God's hngular care towards him, may evidently appear. It was his cufiom in his own
iioufe to' fit at the head of the table with his back to the window ; yet, upon a certain night, h.e
fat at 'the fidepf the table, when a bullet was (hot in at the window, on purpofe to kill him. But
the confpirator miffed, and the bullet lighted upon the chandler, and made a hole in the foot of it,
which is yet to be feen.

To the '■recioiis memory o/'JOHN KNOX, that -worthy primifivs reformer in the churci

of Scotland.

Heaven's jov, Earth's Praife, Truth's Champion, Scotland's Erightnefs,
Pope's fatal Foe, Prime Patron of Uprightnefs,
Choice Pearl of Price, pure Orient Gem ;
Grand Zealot for the God of Shem.
A burning Lamp moft clear.
Light of the World's round Sphere.
WaSi much eclips'd,
When this Day-Star
Was hid by Death.
His Virtues are
Tranfparent ; but his Glory
No Tongue can tell by Story.
Earth's Facric is too bafe a Fkce
For thrice blefl K N O X, fo fuii of Grace, .
A fuprcme Orb's moft lit for HuAv'N'sgixat X ight -.
Sun's radiant Biams do dazzle Man's weali Sight.. .

T M F

XX iV

THE

R E F A C E.

H F, Scots, by the moft judicious v/riters, and by thofe who have moH ciligently
ftiidied their antiquities, are acknowleged to be among the lirfl who embraced the

Faith of Chrift; yea, they are laid, by fome, to be of the very firil-fruits of the

Gc-ntiics : For, in few years after the afcenfioii of our Saviour Jefus Chrift, the Apoftles and Dif-
ciples being con (trained tQ leave Jerufalem and Judea, by reafon of the pafecutionb raifed againft
them by the Jews, according to the difpenfation of the All-wife God, went up and down theworld;
and fpeaking to every people in their own language, declared unto them the glad tidings of falvati-
tion in Chrift Jefus. Thofe who came into our northern parts, to ivit, into Scotland, and firfc
made known unto oar fathers tlie myfleries of heaven, were of the difciples of John the apoflle*.
Some years thereafter, to ivit, in the fecond perfecution raifed againft the Chriftians, many Bri-
tons, provincials of the empire, profeffing the name of Chrift, left their own country, and went
into Scotland, for (belter from the general rnafTacre, then executed throughout the whole empire,
by that bloody butcher Domltian ; and to enjoy the freedom of the gofpel, which they knew to
be»received then in Scotland |. Among thefe fugitive Britons there were fu^dry learned and pious
men who fla3'ed in Scotland, after the perfecution ended, propagating the faith of Chrift there, by
their preaching. This we have related unto us by the hiftorians of beft truft. We have not then
from the See of Rome our firft inftitution in the Chriftian faith; yea, we are fo far from it, that,
for many years together, we hardly had any communication with R ome at all, Palladius was the firft,
fome years after the beginning of the fifth age, who made our acquaintance with Rome. Altho*
the general current of the Romifh WTiters give out, That the gofpel was firft planted among us in
Scotland, by means of Viftor, bifliop of Rome ; yet Baronius, that renowned chronologer, albiet
he would fain have the Scots owe this obligation unto Rome, difclairaeth this opinion of his party,
as untrue, and difagreeing with the beft antiquity.

TertuUian :5:, who lived in the fecond age, and wrote books ieveral years before the end thereof,
and fo was fo near the planting of the Chriftian faith amongft the nations, that, in a 'nanncr, he may
be faid to have been an cye-witnefs unto it, in his book againff the Jews, fpcakirig how the light of
the gofpel v/as fpread thro' the world, faith thus, ' The gofpel was diffuftd inro all the parts of
' the world, yea, into Britain, and into that part of t;he illand whf^reunto the Roman forces did
' never pierce.' By thefe iaft words of TertuUian, are meant the inhabitants of that part of the
ifland which lieth on the north fide of the walls, firft built by Adrian, then by Antoninus Pius,
thirdly by Severus ; and thofe were the Scots by name : For the Romans put walls betwixt them
and the Scots bow-men, as our poet expreiTeth it :

Ro',na fagittiferis pratcndit mania Scot is.
And Claudian, many hundred years before this our poet, fpeaking of the legion which then was
called from itsgarrifon on the forefaid walls, faith thus, ' The legion came, which was placed before
' the utmoft Bri tains, and which bridled the fierce Scots §,

Lucius Florus, many years before Claudian, who wrote towards the latter end of the fourth Age,
X-o ivit, in the beginning of the fecond age; and Spartianus, who alledgeth Florus wrote towards

the

'■ Buchannan lib. v. f Ibid. lib. iv. % Lib. contra Judecs. § Br.chan. lib. i.

The preface.

XXV

the latter end o: the thuxiage ; Lucius Fiorus the poet (is the fame with the iuftotian, who wrote
th= iliort hiftory of the Romans, as Salmafius judgeth) is brought in by .-Eiius Sparnanus, in tne
hlflory of the life of x'\drian the emperor, faying thefe woi-ds, ' I would not be Ciefar, to ^^'alk am.onp-
' the Britons, and fufTer the Scots morning hoar-frofls.' The word prulna, which the author ufeth
dorh fignify fo much; for it is qiiafi ^rpd.'.^ a npa,, morning. What Fiorus, in thefe words hath
alledged, calleth it in his language Scoticas pniinas ; Ciaudian calleth Calsdonhis pruhias, fpeaking
of another Roman, in thefe words, ' And he placed the camp in the middle of the Caledonian morn-
' ing hoar-frofts.' I know that commonly in Spartian, in whom we have thefe verfes of t'lorns It
is read Sythicas for Scoticas, bat wrong, notwithflanding that the great critics have not correded
i'- : For how, I pray you, can Adrian be faid to fufTer Scytl.icas pruinas, who never was in the
coantry which then went under the name of Scythia ? Yea, the R.omans had never any war with the
Scythes ; for albeit the Scythes heard of the Roman arms, yet they never felt (hem : Befides what
fenfe had it been in Fiorus fo fliy unto Adrian, ' That he would not be Cxfar, to walk in Britany,
• and endure the morning hoar-frofts of Scythia ?' For although the Romans heard it laid. That
Scythia was a cold country, yet they more perfectly knew Scotland to be cold, having been upon tlie
place. Now, it was very eafy to thofe who copied books of old, and hardly understood what they
wrote, to change one letter for another, namely, when t\vo letters are fo like one another, as thefe
two vowels o, O ; for u not being initial or capital, was written formerly without the draught under
it, which hath been written for diftindion fake, as we fee it commonly now thus q. This change
of thefe two vowels, hath been found elfewhere than in this place of Fiorus, by the ciitics in the
fame words ; who feeing the name of the fea upon the coail of Scotland written Scytbicum, prefently
mended it, and made it Scoticim. Then Erafmus found the fame fault in Jerom's epiflle to Ctenphon,
againft Palladius, and his difciple Cseleftins, in thefe words, ' Brittany and the Scots nations had
' not then known Mofes and the prophets.' Erafmus finding Scythic^, he changed it into Scotica.
Lucius Seneca, about an hundred years before Fiorus, that is, about forty years after Chrifl,
ao vv 1 600 yeai s fmce, in his fatyr upon the death of Claudius, makes mention of the Scots in the
compound word Scoto-Brigantes, as followeth; ' He {i.e. Claudius) commanded the Britons be-
' yond the known feas, and the blue Scoto-Brigantes, to fubmit their necks to the Roman chains.*
This ^vord hath puzzled many of the critics how to read it, fo that a right meaning or fenfe might
be had of thefe lines, with the true meafure of the verfe, fome reading it one way, fom.e another
way ; till at laft, the learned Jofeph Scaliger corredled it, as you have it here, giving to thefe words
a plain and eafy fenfe, and keeping the law of the verfes, againft which all others did fail: And to
this correftion of Scaliger have many learned men fubmitted; yet fome, partly for envy againft the
nation of whom it is here fpoken, partly for vanity, will ftand out againft the truth, becaufe of the
author of this corre6lion, at whofe great and moft rare learning they are offended, as the former are
at any advantage that the nation whom thefe words doth concern may have. ' The Scots are called
Craulei, or Blue, becaufe they uftd m.uch blue in their garments ; and fo do the old Scots to this
day, witnefs their plaids, whereof the beft fort ordinarily hath the ground blue ; as alfo their blue

caps.

Mamertin, la his panegyric to Maximinian, tells us. That the Biitons had war with the Scots
and Pifts, before Julius Ca?far entered into the ifiand. So, by thefe teftimonits you may fee how
injurious they are unto the Scots, that will not have their name known till many years, yea, fome
hundi-ed years after the entry of the Romans into the ifand.

The Romans having fettled themfdves in the ifiand, they divided the whole into two parts :
Their part, or thcfoulh part, they called Britannia major 6" fuperior ; and theu" provincials went
moft commonly under the name of 5rf/c;z^j, although fometimes under the name oi Britanni, but
not fo oft; and they were fubdividcd into fcveral peoples. The other part of the il^and without
the Roman province, that is, the northern. part, was called Britannia minor 6 inferior : Now; all

■D the

xjivi T H E P R E F A C E.

the inhabitants of the northern part, who were in continual bickerings and war with the Romans and
their provincials, were called Scoti, fometimes Tranfmarins, fometimes Foreigners ; and they did
eonfifl of two chief peoples, to ivit, Brigant^s, and Ptfii; which both were fubdividedjnto feveral
lefTer peoples, of which we forbear to fpeak at this time. So the name of Scoti was at firft appellative,
and Rvea to more than to one people; but, in fuccefs of time, appropriated to one*.

And this is not fmgular in this name, for the proper names of divers peoples at firft hath been ap-
i>ellative, and thereafter appropriated to one alone : I will inftance only in one, for brevity's fake,
which is this. The name Franck or French, at firft was common to all thofe that ftood out together
for Franclnfe and hberty againft the Romans, about the Ryhne, and other parts of Germany; but
at length it became peculiar unto one people, as we we fee it is at this day. Moreover, that the name
of Scoti was appellative, and given to more than one people, you may clearly fee by the ordinary
cxprcflion of ancien! writers in the plural number, thus, Scotorum gentes, Scotic^c gentes ; when
otherwifc all men ordinarily, both by word and writing, have ever ufed, and to this day ufe the
fmo-ular number, fpeaking of one people; as gens, not gentes: popidus, not popiili; nation, not

n;iticns.

As all the nothern people of the m.aia-land, or continent, both in Europe and Afia, went ancient-
Jy under the name of iSr^/^e witnefs Strabo, in thefs words, * The ancients commonly called the
' nothern people Scythes f ;' And in another place he faith, ' The ancients did, call by one name
^ of Scythes all the known places towards the north ;' he means in the continent, or main-land : fo
the nothern people of Britanny, which is another little world, were of old, and to this day are called
Scoti, The two names Scytha and Scotus fignify one and the fame thing, to wit, an archer, or
bow-man ;, inXatin, Jciirarius ; in Greek, toioTnc. The ancient writers tell us, That the Scythes
were much given to archery, and to hunting ; fo were anciently, and to this day are the old Scots
bow-men ; in Hebrew,"^ Kcjhut from Kejhet, bow. And fo yoa have the fignification of Scytha and
Scotus, which are truly one and the fame, with little change, miOre in Latin than in Greek ; for the
one is written 2)ci/:&«f, fo at firft the other was written 2 xu&if J. wnich afterwards they turned into
zZjloto;. This is the true original of the name, Scotus, it comes neither then from the fabulous Scota,
neither from the foolhhly-invented Skoto?, darkneis : For if the days, be as long in fummer, as the
nights are in winter, Why Ihould the country be called Scotia, from ^Sx-ori;, rather than Photia,
from f^:, light ? Alfo, the Britain writers ufe one ajid the fame word, when they fpealc of Scyth aud
Scot, to ivit, y Scot ; as likewife the Low-German, calleth them both Schutten :. Frbm the Hebrew
Kejljet, we have the vulgar Schiit and Schot.

Now this etymology of Scot, as it is true, fo it is eafy, by the tranfpofition of a letter; to ivit,
by putting Koph behind Schin, which is ordinarily, not only in the derivation of words from one
language into another, but alfo obvious in one and the fame language, in common difcourfe. Let
this one example fadsfy for all ; to be fhort : Is not one and the fame word both written and pro-
nounced, according to the writing thirty and thrity, in our vulgar tongue ; As the names of Scyth
and Scot do fignify one thing; fo the people, in many things, may be faid to be like one another;
as for example, The Scythes, in the continent generally were of two kinds, to -wit, European,
and Afiatick : So the Scots in Britanny were of two forts in general, to ivit, the Brigantes and
Pi^i. Next, the Scythes did not till the ground, but feeding cattle and fheep, had a cuftom to re-
remove from one place, or folitude, to another : Of old, fo did all the Scots ; and to this day the
ancient or prifci Scots do. The Scythes did live much upon milk, and fo do our old Scots. The
Scythes, not knowing the ufe of riches, did not defire them ; and fo it is with many of our old
^cots.. The Scythes were never vanquilhed by foreigners ; fo the Scots were never utterly over-
thrown, although they have fuffered very much by their enemies at fevcKil times. The Scythes
were hardfbr toiling and war ; fo are our Scots, as is known to all, 6"f.

Wc
* Scaliger; Efueb. Beda, Bitch, f Strabo lib, xL

The preface, xxvii

We have faid, That the Indwellers of the north part of the ifland were r.amed Scoii ; and that
by a general dlvifion they were of two kinds, Brigantes and Pi8li: Now, we mufl enquire who are
Brigantes, and who Pl&i, where they both lived, and from whence they came. And to begin at
PiSli, they inhabited the eafl: fide of Britannia minor, which is the belt ; and, for the moft part
they were of the ancient native Britons, of whom, fundry of old, before the entry of the Romans
into the idand, had drawn themfelves northward, to have more elbow-room for their courfe of life
which was to feed cattle, and to hunt, removing from one place to another, whereunto largenefs of
bounds is required. Then others of the old Britons flying from the tyranny of the Romans, upon
grievance, went from time to time northward, beyond the limits of the empire, to their ancient
corn-patriots.

Next came in to thefe North Britains, at divers times, feveral colonies of Northern people, from
beyond fea. Hence it" is, that fome late authors have written, that the inhabitants of the eafl: fide
t3f Britannia minor came from Scandy. The North Britains having received thefe men come from
beyond fea into their fociety, and being joined with them, made up a people, called, by the Ro-
mans and South Britons, Pi5li, becaufe they continued the euflom of painting their bodies, of old iir
ufe among many nations : Which cufl;om the South Britons left off, with other rites, having .now
become provinicials of the empire. The whole ifland was firft called Albion ; of which' we fliall
fpeakanon, God willing.

Then B«r«vy/«, Britannia, which fignifieth a woody country ; for of old it was KaraJ'pt/^of Sylvis ob-
ftta, covered with woods, as Strabo terms it. And to this day we fee, that part of the country oppofitc
to the continent, full of woods and inclofures. We fin d iri ancient authors, the peninfule of Italy,'
next Sicily, whereof Rhegium was the metropolis, called B/=£r,a, and Bpfraw/a, for the fame reafon,'
becaufe it was xaraJpw^.of. So Strabo names it alfo. The' original of the word is Barat, which fig-
nifieth feveral kinds of trees, fir, afl-i, cedar, 6t. ' ' '.' .

The Picli had divers people under them, whereof the chief were ^^/^Jowk,- by who£e nam^ '
fometimes all the Pitfts were named, although Caledonii properly were thofe of the Pi(5ls who dwelt
among the lelfer hills ; of which hills, fome are called Ocellimontes, in vulgar language Ochel Hills,'
The country of the Caledonii did begin at Forth, and went northward beyond Tay ; where their^
chief city was Caledon, now Dunkeld, by a tranfpofition. In this country were the woods called,'
faltus Caledonius, or fylvia Coledonia. The rocky and hilly part of ^tolia in Greece, was called
by the fame name : and there was there a town of this name, yea, and a forreft, fo much fpoken
of by the old poets : True it is, that the fecond vowel is now and then changed, which makes no"
difference; for in words the confonants are mainly regarded. Strabo, 1, lo. calleth the one and
the other country (i^«av, g jrET^wfo-o-av, hilly and /tony or rocky : The namecometh from Galeatan,
which is as much as bbvo? Tfa^yi, tumulus afper, a rough little hill.

On the north of the limits of the empire of this ifland, all people befide the Pifts were called
Brigantes, which importeth as much as in-dwellers of mountains, or high hills : So you have the
Brigantes near the lake of Conftance, in-dwelling mountains. On the Alps in Dauphine you have
Brigantium Brian/on the higheft town in Europe. The Brigantes of Spain, as thofe of Ireland, of
old did inhabit mountains ; and fo did our Brigantes in this ifland, mainly keep upon the mountains.
The name cometh from Briga, Brica or Bria, as it is differently written : It fignifieth an high
place or mountain. Our vulgar hath interpreted it Brae; hence we haply call our Brigantes Brae-men,
whom we call otherwife Highlanders, or Higiiland-men. Strabo tells us, that i?zra, among the
Thracians, doth fignify a town, or city. And fo ihe word Bira mufl: needs come from the Hebrew,
Bira, town or palace, by the tranfpofition of a letter ; which is ordinary in the derivation of words,
as we have faid a littfe" before. Here, for further proof of the tranfpofition of a letter, in a deri-
vative w^rd, take this example only, Dunbarton for Dumbriton.

^ 2 Caufabon,

xxviii The PREFACE.

Caufabon, In his nores npoa Strabo, tells us, from Hefychius, that Bria fignifieth a village or
town upon a hill: So BriafignVacth noc limply a town or village, but fuch an one as is buiit u-
pon a hill. And truly, in the moil ancient times, towns or villages were, for the moft pint, built
upon high places ; as any man, that hath taken pains to remark, either by hiftories, or by confider-
ing the places he may have feen, knoweth. So then Brigantes are men inhabiting the hills, or ha-
ving their towns, cities, villages upon the hills. Yea, in old times, when they had not yet fixed
their abode certain, they were wont to remove from hill to hill, as we have faid formerly ; and to
this day fome of our Highlanders do, within their own extent and limits.

The Brigantes in the continent, namely, were fo given anciently to take away goods from their
enemies, with a flrong hand, that by fuccefs of time, all thofe that openly did rob anJ plunder, were
called Brigantes : And the French has from hence derived the verb Brigander, to rob or plunder.
Next, there is a kind of armour called brigantine, the ufe and manner whereof, is borrowed from
the Brigantes ; it is like a mail-coat. Laltly, There is a kind of {hip ufed at the fea, called brigan-
tine, of the middle fize, as being moil proper for war at fea. Thus much for the name of Brigantes.

The Brigantes of this illand came hither from Ireland, at feveral times, and upon feverai occa-
fions. Tht Brigantes in Ireland, by Ptolomy, are placed well fouthward: But thofe that are come
after Ptolomy, I mean thofe of nearer antie^uity, have placed them more northerly by many miles,
as may eafily be feen, by looking upon Ptolomy's maps ; and Ortelius's maps of the geography of the
ancients. So you fee that the Brigantes, at their firll coming to Ireland from Spain, (for thence
they came, with many other inhabitants of that ifland) dwelt in the fouth parts, but by degrees
drew northward, for convenience to their wandring courfe of lite, in keeping cattle and hunting,
and for freedom from the trouble of too near neighbours : They went, by fuccefs of time, fo far
north, till at length, having come to the part next to Britanny, they came hither, and pofTelTed
themfelves of the litde iilands and hiiis next unto Ireland; and finding themfelves fitted in this
New-found-land, for their purpofe, according to their mind, they made their abode there, and
drev/ daily more and more company unto them, till at length they made up a great body of people
in Britanny, and by little and little came all along the weit-fide of Britanny, keeping the hills, till
they, came to the river Bell/ana, that is, Rhibet, in Lancalhire, and from thence went flraight eaft-
ward, till they came to the mouth of Abus, now Humber.

The North Britains were giad to give them way, contenting themfelves with the eall-fide of
Britannia Minor (which indeed was, and is the befi ) and were glad alfo to have them for a rampart
againfl their enemies in the South, or in Majore Britannia. The Brigantes were great enemies to
the Romans, with whom they had diverfe bickerings ; but at laft they were compelled to go north-
ward, and were hemmed in by the wall built by the Romans, betwixt the Fluviiis Tina, now Tyne
on the eafl-fide, and Itrina, now Eden in Cumberland, on the weft fide. Although they left the
country on the fouth of this wall, yet the Romans continued there the names of Brigantes ; yea,
fome of the Brigantes, allured by the bounty of the foil, did chufe rather to fubmit to the Roman
yoke, than change their aboeie, although it was with thraldom. Then, after various encounters with
the Romans, they were yet conftrained to yield more ground unto the Romans, who hedged in
both them and the Pifts, northward with a wall, betwixt Bodotria, or Forth, and Glotta , or Clyde.
At laft, the Romans, by cunning, raifed jealoufies betwixt the Brigantes and Pidfs, and fo not on-
ly withdrew the Pifls from the frlendlhip of the Brigantes, but made them join with them to
overthrow the Brigantes ; and, taking occafion of the Brigantes's domeftick troubles, fight with
them; yea, at length, after a bloody well fought battle, defeat them, give the beft of their lands
they poffeft to the Picls, for their reward. After this, the Brigantes were conftrained, for the
moft part, (I mean of the better fort) to retire thence, whereof fome went to the nextifles ; fome
returned to Ireland, to their ancient Patria; and fome went to the north Countries beyond feas,
,and fo they were for a time diftrefled and in exile, till after divers attempts they were reftored again

.under

T II E P R E F A C E. xxix

under the couducTi: of Fergus II. Here let us remember, thut the whole ifland Britanny was firft
named Albion, from Me, or Jlpe, which fignifieth hill, or high place. This word Albe or JIpe,
Cometh from Albus, white ; and this from the Hebrew Laban, per metathefin, Alban, Albus, b
Axipof in Greek, becaufe the high hills and mountains, yea in the hot countries, are frequently covered
with inow, aud fo appear white ; witnefs the high hiils betwixt France and Italy, which, by reafon
of their highnefs above other mountains, are named particularly Alps. The illand when it had the
name of Britannia, given unto it, by little and little left off the old name of Albion, which continued
in the north part of t;;e illand, on the north fide of the limits of the empire ; and fo the whole
country beneath the Humber was called ; and Albion in this fecond fenfe, in following times, was
called Britannia minor, as we have heard : But as the Romans did gain ground upon the indwellers
of Albion, or Britannia minor, beating them northward, they lelFened Albion, or Britannia minor,
fo far till they brought thtm to keep north Bodotria or Forth, and Glotta or Clyde.

Laft of all, the Romans having by their cunning divided the Brigantes and Pi<5ls, and having
drawn the Pifts on their fide againft the Brigantes, Albion was taken for that part of Britannia
minor beyond Clyde and Forth, which did not belong to the Pifts ; that is, the north-well: fide of
that hilly continent with the hilly illands adjacent, where to this day dwell our Highland-men, or
Highlanders, who are the remnant of the ancient Brigantes. That the ancient name of a. whole
great country, as this illand is, Ihould be kept in one corner, or a little portion thereof, may not
feem ftrangc, I have thought fit to tell you, That yoa have the like in our neighbouring country,
of old called Gaul, now France ; where the ancient name of Gaul, among the vulgar, is only kept in a
little country lying about Sens, of old Sinones : This little country is called Pays Gaulois, and is di-
vided in Haute 6 baffe Gauk. So it was judiciouily faid by the hilf oriographer *, < The name of
' the ifle Albion is derived from Me, and remains in Scotland, as it were in its native foil.'

Oi Me, or Alpe, fignifying hill, or high place, you have the inJweliers thereof fomctimes named
Jlbani as in Afia, Dalmatia, Italy, and North Britannia, and their country Albania ; fometimes
Albici, Albip-ois in Languedock, and their country Albium, or Albi, in vulgar language ; fometimes
Jlbini, or 'Alpini, and Albinefes, as the indwellers of our Albion, who to this day call themfclves,
as they have done of old, 6c. which name is one and the fame with Brigantes. Here let us re-
mark That as the provincials, or indwellers ot Britannia fuperior, fubje<fl to the Romans, are ordi-
narily called, by the writers, Britons; fo the others, on the north fide of the empire, have been
called, by the writers, Britanni, Peregrini, 6 Tranfniarini, ftrangers and beyond-fer.-men, as if thty
had been of another illand. And truly, if it were not for the lb-ait betwixt the rivers afore-named,
which did ferve for a bolder unto the n, they were in another illand. Hence England is faid to be
iiTrter qiiator 7naria.

Ptoiomeus, Tacitus, aad Seneca tell us. That the Brigantes inhabited Albion, which, when they
wrote, was that part of the ifland beyond the Roman empire: Therefore the Brigantes were then
Albini, or Albani.

Moreover, the Brigantes about Eboracum, now York, were of the Scots, who came from Ireland,
a great and mighty ptop!^..

John Fordon, in his Scoti-Chronicon, writes,. That the Scots came fofar fouth as Humber, and
pofleiTed lands there. Alfo the Ide of Man was fora long time under thecrown of Scotland, which
ifle isas far fouth as the co'intry about York, although it be weflward and in the fea : And thefe were
the Brigantes we now have fpoken of. The Brigantes, at their firfl coming into Albion, came, as
•we have faid, without any certain or fettled way of government ; but, being grown to a confiderable
Humber, or body, they fent into Ireland for Fergns I. to be their king, whofe coming into Albion,
with a new colony, is "reckoned to be about the time of Alexander the Great ; that is, about 300

years bttTore the birth of Chrifi. '.

■ The

* Buchaji. .

XXX. The preface.

The Brlgnntes, alias Mini, for a certain time, by fome have been called Dalreudini (although
this name did not'laft long) from the king Reuda, who brought into Albion the fecond remarkable
colony from Ireland, after Fergus, about 1 80 years before Chrift ; that is, about 220 years after
Fergus ; and Dale, which fignifieth country and province, as is known to this day: There is a
certain place in the weft of Scotland, called to this very day Ridfdale.

We have heard, That the people on the north fide of the Roman province, upon the eaft-fide,
were originally Bri tains, whence they were called Britanni Pi^i; or fometimes Britamii Calkdonii,
from one of the chief people; fometimesfimply/'/*^/, or Caledonii. Alfo we have heard, That the people
on the north fide of the province, weftward, were come from Ireland, and called Brigantes, or Mini;
yea,' for a time Dalreudini. Likewife we have heard, that all the people on the north of the Em-
pire, by a general appellation, were called Scoti, where they were all fpoken of together; but when
they were fpoken of apart, thofe of the eaft were called Scoto-britamii, thofe of the weft were called
Scoto-brigantes, as we have heard out of Seneca.

Moreover, by progrefs of time, the Irifh came to go under the name of Scots, with thofe of Bri-
tannia minor, or Albion; who from them had help, fupply and recruits, in their war againft the
Roman and Briton provincials. This naming the Irifti by the name of Scots, began fome hundred
years after Chrift ; that is, towards the middle ages. And about that time Ireland was called by
the name of Scotia, as Abrahamus Ortelius hath remarked in thefe words ; ' I have obferved Ireland
« to be named Scotia, by the writters of the middle age,' And fo it hath been obferved by the learn-
ed, That ancient authors did never name Ireland Scotia ; as you may fee by thofe, who have exaftly
reckoned up the old names of Ireland, outof theancientand claffic authors *. Soit was not faid much'
amifs by one, That this naming of Ireland by the name of Scotland, was firft about Beda's time,
who lived in the beginning of the eighth age. Scaliger tells us, That the word Scot is no Irifh
word, but Britifli; that it is not ufed in Ireland, \i\xt.\Vi. Britannia: Whaf is the original and figni-
fication of the word, we have heard before.

As the Irifti began to be called Scots, fo the Pifls left off to be fo named : Now withdrawing
themfelves from the Brigantes, or Jlbini, and ftriking in with their enemies, the Iriih by the writ-
ters were called Scoti Hibernieufes, and the Albins were called Scoti Albinefcs ; and Ireland was cal- ■
led Scotia major, becaufe Jlbania or Albion in thofe days, which they called Scotia minor, was of
lefs extent. But this name of Scots was not for any long time given to the Irilh; fo that at length
the name of Scots became peculiar to the JIbins or Brigantes alone.

Laftly, the Albins having fubdued the Pifts, and made them no more a people, communicated
unto the country, newly conquered by them, the name of Scotia, as one country with Jlbinia ; and
fo all the indwellers there were called Scots with: the Albins, as one people with them, and fo they
are to this day.

Now the Albins or Brigantes, being the only mafters of Britannia minor, came to be called Scoto-
Britanni, as the Pi(fls had been of old; and are upon oc-cafion called fo to this day, to diftinguifli
them from the South Britons, of whom fome are called Cambro-britanni, the reft Anglo-hritanni. '
Although the ancient Brigantes were called by foreigners Scoti, namely, by the Briton provincials,
and the Romans, yet they never named themfejves fo; neither do the Highlanders to this day in their
own language call themfelves Scots but Albins. So Scaliger had juft reafon to fay, that Scoti was*
not an Irifti name. As the Hellenes did never name themfelves Greeks, although they were fo com-
monly called by foreigners : And the Mifraims did not call themfelves Egyptians, although foreigners
named them fo.

The Scots now-a-days are divided into Highland-men and Lowland-men : The Highlanders are the
true progeny of the ancient Brigantes, or A/bins -for the moft part, I fay, becaufe fome are come in lat-
^r times from other countries. And to this day our Highlanders, as the Brigantes of old, make

main
^ Videfif Hetmol*um ParbarHm ;« Plinium, 6" Vadianurn, i;i Solinum.

Tkk r R E F a C E. xxxl

main ufe of their bows and arrows in their war, namely, when they are among the hilb ; Co, when
they praife one for a mihtary man, they fay he is a good bow-man, and brae-man ; w^hich two epi-
thites were exprelfed by the ancitnts of one compound word, Scoto-Brigantcs.

The Lowland-men are made up of divers nations ; for a few of them are a little remnant of the
ancient Pi<5ts; another few are defcended from the ancient Albins, who, leaving the hills, after the
defeat of the Pi(5ls, did betake themfelves to the low-country. Divers from the fouth parts of Bri-
tany had fled thither from the tyranny of the Saxons, Danes and Normans, as they did of old from
the tyrrany of the Romans. Then the Englifh, being fo oft in Scotland Vv'ith their armies, have
left divers in the country. Alfo marriages, and other private occafions, have drawn fundry men
from England into Scotland. Laftly fome of the Low-country people are come from beyond feas,
as from France, German)^, Hungary, Flanders, Ireland, &c, of late days : fo all being reckoned,.,
they are but few in the low-country come of the old Alblns-Brigantes, or old Pift s.

The Low-countrymen call the Highlanders Irhh, not fo much for their ancient defcent as for their
language, only diifering from the Irifti by dialect, and for their ways of living not much unlike ;
Yet one main difference is to be feen in the aftivity of the Scots, and the lazinefs of the Irifh. On
the other fide, the Highlanders call the Low-countrymen Saxons, not fo much for tlieir defcent
(although many of them are come from the fouthern people, as we have faid, who arc a progeny of
the Saxons) as for the language which diiFereth only by dialed from the language of the fouth,
which acknowlegeth the Saxon language for its mother tongue, and for the way of living not fo
different, fave that the Scots are harder bred, and confequently more fitted for toiling, namely ar
war, than the Englilh are : for we fee the Englifli account it painful to toil, and endure wars at the
nrfl going to the fields, by reafon of their tender and foft breeding. The language of the South-
Britons of old was not much different from that of the Gauls, from whence they came into Albion ;
Witnefs Tacitus, in Agricola's life. The Gauls then did fpeaka corrupt Greek, for they are come
of the Greeks. Befides, many words of the old Caulois, the phrafe and conftrudion are to this day
in the French language kept ; w^hich doth iingify, that of old, the Greek was fpoken in Gaul, al-
though grofly corrupted, by ignorant men, who could neither read nor write ; yet in the
fouth parts of Gaul, near the Mediterranean fea, wherein the Greek iflands are, the Greek was
fpoken and taught, at Marfeilles namely. The ancient language of the Britons fuffered a great .
change by the Romans, and other foreigners who brought in among them their terms of law, of di-
vine fervice, of war, and of policy, with the names of divers commodities, . and the names of divers
trades.

When the Saxons and Danes came into the land, they confined the remnant of the ancient Britons
unto the wefl-country, with their language, fuch as it was left unto them by the Romans, and o-
ther foreigners of old, and with themfelves planted the language which is fpoken in ail England nov/-
a-days, with fome alteration and change. The firft notable change happened by the Normans, in
whofe language the law hath been adminiflred, zyc. The next change is from the Latin, in whiclj,
language divine fervice hath been for many years officiated": Then, the Engl).fh language hath bor-
rowed from all neighbouring nations many words, without any great change ; fo that the Englif]-i
language is faid to be the quintcffence of all neighbouring languages: From it the Scots tongue dif-
fers but in diale<ff, as we have faid. The language of the Highlanders, as hath been faid, is-like-
wife Irifh, which of old was a corrupt Greek alfo ; for the Irifh came into Ireland from the north
parts of Spain, who fpakc a corrupt Greek, as thofe of Gaul did ; for the ancient iridwellers of the
north parts of Spain came alfo from the Greek illands: fo that of old, the language of the ancient
Britons was not altogether ftrangeunto the Brigantes or Jlpins : Yea, in this time wherein wc lite,
notwithftanding the great changes that both the languages have fuflained, by time, and commerce
of foreign nations, they have many words, which are one and the fame, fignifying the fam^e thing.

Thus mnch I ha.vc written of the beginning, names, way xjf living, and languages of Scotland,

to malce kno\vn to ail, how unjall: and injurious unto us are fome modern antiquaries of our ncigh-
bourinn- countries ; who Hrfl think they<:annot prove their own people to be iufHciently ancient, ex-
cept they take from their neighbours their jufl right of good antiquity; Next, They conceive they can-
not fet forth fulhy enough tlie greatnefs of their own country, except they n.ake their neighbours no
people at all, or at lealf hardly confiderable; Thirdly, I'hey imagine, That they cannot extol and
■ mao-nify the glory of their country highly enough, unleis they not only deprefs and extenuate their
neighbour's naine, but alfo attribute unto the.Bfelves tne advantages o f their neighbours : But if
tlicfc antiquaries had confidered with the eyes of men, that there isenonghto befaid for the credit
of their own country, without wronging others, they had not io fluffed their books with mn'taken
and mifipplicd allegations of good ancient authors, or wlrh collection of fabalous and lying monks
tales, wherein fome of them do fancy learning mainly to conlill:. But ol this enough.

For, here, I will only add this : As the Scots, although they are not of the greatert people, yet
they are truly one of the moft ancient people in Europe; fo I dare be bold to fay, that God, to
whofe praife be it fpoken, in his goodnefs towards them, hathvaifed up o^ them, and among them,
fo many excellent and virtuous men, in church and flare, in piety and learning, in policy and war,
at home and abroad, of old and of late, that few nations, ancient or modern, although of greater
bounds, can compaie with them : fewer equal them, and hardly any at all go beyond them ia
this : For which we praife God, who of the belf things, hath given us the beft meafure; and fay
with the hiflorian, ' That the land is m.ore fertile of good men, than of good fruits.

But now, fince all former walls of feparation and divifion, both ancient and modern, civil and
eccleilaliical, are in a great meafure taken away by God's bleffng; and CmcQ, in fo many rcfpe5ts,
the Scots and Englhh are fo near on€ to another, as wehavefaid ; but, above all, fmce they both are
members of the church, and pure fpoufe of Chrifl Jcfus, to the upholding of whofe truth, and pur-
gin'^ of it from uncleftunefs, they have newly bound themfelves together as one people, yea, as one
m.an: Let them then, in God's name, laying afide all excufes, envies, iealoufies, and by-ends, as
feeling members of one and the fame body, concur unanimoully, with their mutual and beft endea-
vours, to fettle the true worfhip of God in all true purity, and queit all things fpeedily with wifdom,
to the (Tcod of the -people, with due obedience to cur lawful fovereign under God, as we are taught
by the law of God, the law of nature, the law of nations, and the municipal laws of our feveral coun-
tries. But to return to the church. .

The Scots, although they received^ among them the light of the gofpel, with the very firft of the
Gentiles, as we have fiid, yet they had not the gofpel fo univerfally profelTed through the whole
country, till ta\var'ds the firft years of the third age; that is, till Donald the firft, who not only
profelTed the faith of Chrift himfelf, with his family, but did his beft to caft out idolatry wholly
from his dominions, and to fettle the miniftry of the, gofpel in every corner thereof: But this reli-
gious king could not bring to pafs this good defign fully, being diverted by continual wars againft
thfe; Romans Lhe \\ liole courfe of his life.

After the death of Donald, till tov/ard the latter end of the third age, that is, to the reign of
Crathilinth, this work of totally putting down idolatry, and fettling the gofp-i every where in the
country, by the negligence of the following princes was at a ftay. In the days of this king Crathi-
linth happened the ninth perfecution under Aurelius, and the tenth under Dioclefian, which gave
occafion to many Chriftians, from fcvcral parts of the empire, but namely from the fouth parts of
Britany, now^ another time, to flee into Scotland for refuge, as they had done before under Domi-
rinn. Among thofe fugirives, who did then repair into Scotland forfhelter from the general maffacre,
v."cr-c many excellent men in piety and learning, whom the king CrathiUnth not only kindly received,
but alfo employed to aid and help him and his council, in the further fetriing of Chrift's truth in
;-his kingdom, and in the total extirpation of idolatry ontofit; which was fo much the harder
iCjSprk, bccaufe of the Druides, the principal fal (e prophet?, and idolatrous priefts in thofe davs ;

v/ho,

The ? 11 E F a C H. xxxju

^vho, not only by their fubtile hypocrif<', and fvinfe-pleafing divine krvkc, but aifo by a cr.nning
forecaft, having drawn into their hands the hearing and determining of civil afuiirs, hai (o gained
upon the fpirits of the poor and umple people, that they could not imaginehow to be without diem,
and live. The refolute care and diligence of king Crathilinth and his council, with the help of
thefe pious and learned men, furpalTeth all difficulties ; and having put quite down the groves and
altars under the oaks, and, in a \vord, all idol fervice, eftabliilied the p^jvQ wordiip of the true God
in every place of his dominions, and filled up the room of thofe falfe prophets, with godly and
learned teachers of the people; which was done everywhere thro' the kingdom, but particularly in
theillands, which thofe pious men chofe for their principal abode, as being mofl fit for a retired
ii*e ; and namely, in the Ille of Man the king Crathilinth caufed to build a church to the Iionour
of our Saviour, which in following times, bj corruptions, was called F.z,7,-.7;z Sodorenfe, for Sotorenfe,
the original word is, 9-u,t«:. Hence the town near the church was called Sodora, as Minifler in our
vulgar langauge, and MouJHer in French, fignifying a town, in a fecondary (igaification, near a
church. Thofe godly men being fettled as aforefaid, and having withdrawn ihemfelves from the ,
Ibiicitiide of worldly affairs, did wholly give themfelves to divine fervice, that is, to inffru6l the ig- '
«orant, comfort the w^eak, adminifler the facraments to the people, and to train up novices and
difclples to do the fame fervice in their diis time. Thefe m.en, for their fingle and retired life, were
called ,ic»a;^o;, or monks, by abreviation, and for their travelling altogether in God's worfliip and
fervice, were called Colidei, or Caldees.

Thefe Culdees were fo given to the ckci cife of devotion, by meditating upon themyfleries of t lie king-
dom of heaven, and by prayers, that the very cells whei-einto they had inclofcd and feparated them-
felves from the world, after their death were reputedfo many temples or chapels fetafide for divine
fervice; hence, to this day, Cclhi is taken for a church among the ancient Scots, as you m.ay fee
in thefe compounded names, Cchnarnoc, Tvlarnoc's church, Celpatric, Patrick's church *'.

The Culdees thus fettled, as we have feen, did chufe out of themfelves fome eminent m.cn in
piety, knowlege, and wifdom, to ovcrfee the refl, and to keep them to the difcharge of their duty
towards the people, and towards the difciples, with an orderly and difcreet carnao-e of each one
towards another, in their feveral focieties, and in their private. Thefe overfeers, or fuperintend-
ents, chofen of themfelves, and by themfelves, did difcharge the duties of their function indilferent-
ly every where, throughout the whole kingdom, without retraining themfelves to any certain
place, or Iord(hip over their brethren, or any part of the flock of Jefus Chriff, not attributing unto
them.feives any particular diitinff holy order from the reft, belonging only to them, and to be onlv
conferred by them. This way of inftruaing the people, and governing the chu'rch by Culdees,
did continue for many years under God's mercy ; the miniftry of God's church, as vet, having not
become a bufmefs of gain, and of worldly pomp and pride: So thefe Culdees. and overfeers of
others, had no other em.ulation but of well-doing, nor flriving, but to advance true piety and godly
learning. The overfeers or fuperintendents of the Culdees, were commonly called by the ^vriters,
M-ho wrote of thofe da^'s, Scotorum Ey'ifcopi, without any definition of place, or p-e-emirmcr- of
one above another. But to return to Crathilinth, who, till his dying day, which was about the
yei.r ■:; 1 2, did ccnftantly continue to advance the kingdom of Chrifl, "as likewife his {\icceiTor Fin-
<:»rmac, under whofe days the gofpel did flouriOi in purity and in peace ; he died about the year
358. After the death of Fincorm.ac, both the chi-ch and flate of Scotland fell in ai-eat diny-der and
trouble, by domeftic diffcntlons and fa^ions for feme years. The Roman lieutenant Maximus, feeimr
the interline troubles of Scotland, began to lay hold upon the occaflon. Firfl. He foments dielr
divifions within them ; next, he not only withdraws, under fair promises, from the Scots their an-
cient allies the Pi^s, but alfo obtained help of the Pi-Is to makt war againfl the Scots, and fo to
defeat them ; which he did effeauate indeed, in a battle fought with "much bloodfhe'd on both

•^ iide'^

'^Biichan.

^Kxiv The preface.

iid^s "t t'- vra^er of I^unnc, in Cairlck, wherein the king Ewen was killed, (this defeat liappene^ i
ab-out tlie Z^v Df Chrift 3 So) the mofl part of the nobility, and numbers of the people who elcaped,
fome fled into the wed iiks, iome into Ireland, and others to the northern parts ot Germany or
Scandi^ • fome fubmltted themfelves to the will and difcredon of the conqueror, with the poor
DeoDle that had not taken arms. Among thofe that fled away, was Ethod the kmg's brother
who went with feveral of the nobility into Scandia, where he and they ftayed feveral years, and
from whence now and then, they made fecret attempts upon Scotland, with the help of then
brethren, retired into the iilands and Ireland, but to fmali efllft. , ^ . ^ ^ , ^ ^ ^.
Now a- the face of the politic ftate ot the country was quite altered and undone; io the condi-
tion of the' church alfo was much difordered, and the Caidees were conftrained to withdraw, anc.
ftek fhelter up and down, where they could lind any ; namely, they returned into the iiles, and in-
to Ireland : At laff , the Pifts pel ceiving by feveral attempts made by the exiled Scots to return home,
and re-eflabiiih their Hate, (ai; hough with little fuccefs, as we have faid) that the Scots were fully
refolved to beflir themfelves continually, tiU they were reftored, and re-eifablifned in their ancient
inheritances J the Pi^s themfelves being moved with the groaning miferies of their neighbouring
poor people of Scotland, now under the Roman yoke, chiefly by their means ; and taking to their
conl: deration, how foolilhdy they had fuffered themfelves to be fo far circumvented and deluded by
the Romans, 'as to contribute to the ruin of their old friends, by whom mainly, in former times,
tlier had withlfood the common enemy, did not only comfort the poor opprefled remainder of the
Sco'ts at home, but alfo did invite thefe that were in exile to return, promifmg unto them the
kinds which they liad of tf.eirs, and to help them with all their ifrength andcounfel, in the recovery
of their whole ftate from the Roman tyrants.

The exiled Scots, under the conduff of Fergus II. fon to Ethod beyond fea, gathered all they
could, both of their own people, and of their friends, from the places of their exile, namely from
ticandy, and from Ireland iikewife, and came into Scotland, from whence they chalfed away the
Romans, by fiiong hand, with the help of the Pii^s, who made good their promife unto them,
toth in affdiing them in the adtron of war, and in refloring unro them the land they had been
foiT^iltd with by the Pvomans. The auxiliaries from Ireland flayed lliii in Scotland, and had al-
lowed unto them the country of GaUoway for their reward; and, becaufe they were of the ancient
Brmmtes of ii eland, fome of the late writers have laid. That the Brigantes of Albion had their
abode in Galloway. Nofooner was Fergus crowned in the fatal chair, and fettled in his kingdom,
than he takes to his firff care to reilore the purity of divine fervice, which had been eclipfed in thefe
bounds for feveral years ; and, to this elFedl, he calls fome of the difperfed Culdees of his country,
whom he fettled in their ancient abodes ; namely in the ifle of Jona, where hefurniflied them with
a librjwy of books, which he had gathered beyond fea, as the flory tells us.

This return of Fergus into Scotland, (fon of Ethod, brother to the late Ewen) happened about

■ the year 420. The regaining by the Scots of their native country, under the command of Fergus IL

will not feem if range unto them who have read what they did under the command of William

Wallace, and how, under the conduft of Robert Bruce, they recovered their liberty from the

;hraldom, wherewith they were then oppreffed.

Ewen, fon to Fergus II. by the counfel and aid of his grandfather by his mother Graham, did
not only keep his father's ancient kingdom, but alfo did enlarge the limits thereof, having paffed
tlie next v^rall of the Romans, which by Graham was pulled down in many places, (hence it is called
Graham's dyke) and he poiTelTed himfelf, and the Pi^s, with all the lands lying 100 miles fouth-
ivard, that is, unto Tyne, and kept them till the entrv of the Saxons into the ifland. Next, he
took unto his care not only to feek out the Culdees fugitives, which had not yet returned, under
his father; but alfo hefent for others into tht neighbouring country of Britain, .and affigned unt»

tBem convenient places for their abode, witha moderate competency of means for their maintenance,

that

The pre F ACE. ' x'xkv

«iat they ftiould be In no ways biirdenrome to the people, now looking to have foine rcfpite fioai
their prefTures and grievances. And fuch v/as the happlnefs of thefe davi, that a very fmali propor-
tion did content the churchmen, letting wholly their minds to the confcionahle difcharge of their
caJling, which they did, preaching God's v/ord carefully, truly and Hmpiy, inflrucfing the people
In the fear of God, and fo gaining their fouls to their Maker and Redeem;:-. By this their carriage, thev
gained very much refpe^l among the people, who honoured them as fathers, infiruflers and guiders
to heaven, under God; the virtuous civil magiflrate was the fecondary caufe of this good behaviour
of churchmen, who by his authority kept them in order, and by his own example taught them to
difcharge their duty faithfully, and live difcreetly: But fo foon as the civil maglftrate left them to
themfelves, then they, neglefting their calling, fet their minds upon ambition and avarice, and con
fequently upon all evil, thinking of nothing lefs than of that they were called to.

Here we are to cbferve. That as the Scots did conflantly withHand the ancient Romans, and kept
themfelves fo f'-ee of their yoke, that they neither acknowlegcd their auihority, nor received any law
from them, although it was not without great Iftuggling and hazard, yea, almofl: to their utter
ruin, as it fell out under Ewen •die I. but after fome few years, the Scots, under tlie conduct of
Fergus the II. and Ewen the II. not only regained what they hand loH: by the Romans and Piers,
but alfo conquered a great deal of ground beyond their laft limits, as we have nev/ly faid : fo the
Scots, in church-affairs, for many years together, had nothing to do with the bifliop of Rome, nei-
ther made they acknowlegement unto him in any way, neither did they receive any laws from him ;
for, as they had the gofpel planted among them, without his help, viz. by the difciplesof St. John
the apoftle; fo they kept themfelves under the conftitutions and canons, fettled by the fame firft
planters of the gofpel amongfl: them. But, by fuccefs of time, they became to be infefted by their
neighbouring nations, with the poifon of the Pelagian herefy. Celelline, then billion of Rome, takes
occafion to fend unto the Britons, a learned man called Palladhis, to help the orthodox Britons to
convince the herefy of Pelagius, then fpreading itfelf amongfl them ; which was done accordingly.

Ewen the II. king of Scots, hearing how the Britons, by the help of Palladius, had repreded the
Pelagianifm, being moft defirous to purge the church of his kingdom alfo, where this Pelagian error
had crept in, fends for Palladius ; who with fmail difficulty affifted the orthodox to difabufe thofe
who had been carried away by Pelagianifm, and thereafter in a very fliort time, by fubtile inllnuati-
ons, gained fo far upon the well-meaning Scots, that they confented to take new governors of their
church, who were to have a degree and prc-eminency above their brethren, viz. the prelate-bifhops.
Hitherto the church of Scotland had been governed by monks and priefts, without any fuch dignity
or pomp. I call their new governors, prelate-bilhops, to diftinguiili them from their former over-
feers and fuperintendents of the Culdees, who are fometimes by writers called bifhops, as they were
indeed ; but they had no pre-eminence or ranlc of dignity above the refl: of their brethren. That
at this time by Palladius, were brought into Scotland thefe new kind of bifhops, appears by the re-
lations of the authors following, thus,

Palladius is thought to be the firft who made bifhops (that Is of this new order) in Scotland*;
for, till then, the churches were without bifhops, governed by monks; with lefs vanity truly, and
«utward pomp, but with greater firnplicity and holinefs.

Before him faith Heftor Boece f, ' Palladius was the firfl: of all that did bear the holy maglflra-
* ture among the Scots, being madebifhop by the great Pontiff or Bifhop ; for till then, by the fuf-
' frage of the people, the bifhops were made of the monks and Culdees.'

John Mair fpeaks thus X, ' Before Palladius, by prlefls and monks, without bilhops, the Scots
' were Inflrufted in the faith.'

John Lefiie faith this §, ' Among us (Scots) the bifliops were only deflgned by the fuffrage of
^ monks.' E 2 Tohii

"" Suchan. lib. 5. ^ Lib, 7, cap. 28. t Lib. 2. cap. 2. § Lib. 4. in Eugenio 2,

XXMVl

The P R. E F AC E.

John of Fordon, In his Scots Chronicle, faith *, ' Before the incoming of Paliadiui, the Scots haJ.
' for teachers of the faith, and minifters of the fecraments, prefbyters only, or monks following
' the rites and cu.floms of the primitive church.' Mark the latter words; for according to this fay-
ing goes the judgment of the befl; divines, who write the truth without any refpeft. Whofe mind
John Semeca declareth thus, ' In the fiift primidve church, the office of biinops and pricff s was

* comm.on to the one and the other, and both the names were common, and the office common, to

* the one and the other: But in the fecond primitive church, the names and offices began to be dt-

* ftinguilhed.'

Baleus one of the Briton writers before Palladius, ' The Scots had their bifhops and miniflers, ac-

* cording to the minilf ry of the facred word, chofen by the fuffrage of the people, after the cuftom
*of thofe of Afia: but thofc things did not pleafe the Romans, who hated the Afatics.'

Baronius in his annals faith this, ' the Scots got their firftbiffiop from Cekftine pontiff Roman.'
Profper in his Chronicle, ' The Pontiff Ceieftine, fcndeth unto the Scots Palladius to be their
«biffiop,'

Item, ' Unto the Scots, then believing in Chrifl, Palladius is ordained by pope Celefline, and fent

* thither the lirA biffiop,'

Beda, in the hiAory of England, ' Palladius was fent firfl bifhop unto the Scots by Celeflincj

* pontiff of the Roman church.'

By all thefe authorities we fee, That the Scots, before Palladius, had no bifhops at all ; or, at
lead, their bidiops w^rc not of any difcinct order from other priefls and Culdees, by whom they were
ordained, and of whom they were chofen, as we have touched before ; and fo they were not as thofe
bilhops have been with us, in thefe latter times.

Next, let us obfer ve, that the Scots birtiops fmce Palladius, muft acknowlege themfelves clients
of the Roman antichrift, feeing of him they have their beginning and dependance : although in words,
yea, in A^me part of do^rine, they feem to difclaim him ; yet in many parts they iliev/ themfelves
to be of his familv, namelv, in government; for they, with him, ' lord over the inheritance of

* Chrift,' and, forfooth, take unto themfelves the name of Lords fpiritual, as if they were ' lords m
' the fplvits of men,' contrary to God's word, wherein we are taught, that the Father and maker of
fpirits is the only Lord ovtr ihem : Or, at leaft, * lords of fpiritual things,' againif the exprcfs words
of the apofllts, who acknowlege themfelves to be only miniflers of the Spirit, and fpiritual things,
reputing it the greateft honour in the world to be fo ; And Peter, who after he had ftiled himfelf
no more than co-preibyter with the rell of the prefbyters, he forbids them to exercife lordfliip over
the flock of Chrill-. Then, fmce in theiirft primitive church thefunffions of bifliop and paflor, and
and preibyter, were undiflinguiffied, and any one of the names indifferently denoted the office, it
muff be confeffed, that the change of government which hath entered into the church, is no.t imme-
diately from Chrill: and his apoftles, neither by precept nor example, but contrary to ChriA's will
and intention declared in his word, and according to the inventions of men, ferving the. exorbitant
aff;;(5tions of avarice, ambition and lui^ ; To the fatisfaftion of which, they have domineered over
the flock of Chrifl like tyrants, devoured the fubflance thereof, like ra.vening wolves; yea, what is
worL*,. they have not only been negligent and carelefs to diffrihute unto the people tiie word oFCod;
but alfo with their might and power, have hindred and flopped others ro make known unto God's
people the pure light of his gofpel, the ordinary means of falvation : and confequently, fo far as iit
them lieth, by thus flarving the people of this heavenly food, fend themi to hell.

Such were thofe fpiritual lords-, who as they have enchroached upon the fpiritual Lordffiip of
Chrifl Jefus over his flock, and ufurped his authority ; yea, and oppofed it flatly, under the name
of fpiritual authority and jnrifdiftion ; fo have they boldly and cunningly invaded the prerogative of
civil magiflrates, by their courts and regalities within the dominions of princes where they live; yesj

\^-
* Lib. 5. cap. {?>

The preface. xxxvii

in fundry places they ufurped the full aiithoiity of princes, and In others thc-y flatly oppofed it:
And all this hatl been done, not only of old, by thofe who were called Roinifh bifhops, but alfo
in our days by bifhops, who in fome things make a fliew that they difclaim their father the Roman
pontiff, whom in their heart they love and refpeft, as their actions do witntfs.

Although by Palladius prelacy was brought into the church of Scotland, and by that means the
government was changed ; and thereafter immediately, by degrees, other alterations crept into the
church ; yet thofe times after Palladius, till the fixth age, I mean, till Augufline the monk, may
be faid to be golden times, and pure, in regard of the following days, wherein churchmen, with-
out any reftrc-rint, abandoned themfelves to ambition, avarice, and luft, neglecting altogether their
funflion ; for, in thefe fourth and fifth ages, there were many godly and learned men, who were
diligent in difcharging the true duty of a pallor, as Colomb, Lipthac, Etheram, 6c. Then Kinto-
gern, who by nick-name was called Mongo ; becaufe his mafter Servian, fpeaking unto him, ufed
erdinarily this expreiuon, Tlfo/;^^, which, m corrupt French, is as much as to fay, ' My boy.'

Palladius having brought into the church of Scotland hierachy, as we have faid, takes to his next
care to provide for the 'nainuinance of this new degree and order, which was obtained without
great difficulty, both of prince and people, under pretext of piety, but with bad fuccefs, as by the
woful experience of follow ing times we have found.

Thefe new bifhop- prelates, having pretty well fettled their own condition for m.aintainancc, which,
althongh it did exceed much the allowance of former ages to churchmen, yet it was very moderate
in regard of the following times : Next, they obtained great lands and revenues from prince and
people; for other prefbyters and minifiers, who formerly had been very little burdtnfom to the
people, by their own induftry and m ork of their hands, did provide for themfelves neceffaries for
the mofl: part : By this means, the prelates tye the other preibyters and miniflers to them ; and fe-
condarily bring in, by little and little, idlenefs, and flacknefs in difcharging their calling ; from
whence are rifen all the evils we have fince {i:en in the church. After the beginning of the fixth
age, toivit, 531 years, in this id and began the o\A SatunmHa oi V.ovc.t, which was firfc kept in
honour of Saturn, but by the fuccefibrs of Julius Caefar, it was ordained to be kept to the memory
€f him, and was called Julia, to be celebrated unto the honour of Chrift's birth, in the latter end of
December. The occafion was this, Arthur, that renowned prince wintering at' York (whereof he
newly had made himfelf mafter) with his nobles, bethought himfelf with them to pafs fome days, in
the dead of winter, in good cheer and mirth, which was done forthwith, as it is given out, for devo-
tion to Chrift, although that then true devotion was very little regarded : For, as thefe men did exceed
the Romans, during this feafl, in riot and licentioufnefs ; fo they continued the feafl double the time
that the Ethnick Rom.ans were wont to keep it ; for the Romans kept it only five days, but thefe kept
it ten days with their new devotion ; yea, thofe of the richer fort in time following have kept it fifteen
days. This was the beginning of the profane idlenefs and riot of Chriflmas, now kept twelve days
with foolilh excefs and riot.

As thefe Chriflmas-keepers didrhiftake the way of honouring Chrifi's birth, by this kind of folem-
mity ; fo did they mifiake the time of his birth : For the mofi: exaft chronologers tell us, ' That Chrifc
* was 'jorn in Off ober, and not in December.' The Scots retain ff ill the old name of Julia, of this
pre pofierous holy feaft ; for they call it corruptly Tuk, although they never kept it of old, not be-
ing fubjedl to the Romans. The French and Italians, in this, are nothing behind us ; for, bcfide
that they fliare with us in thefe Saturnalia, Julia, or Chriflmas, they go beyond us in riot and
fooiries in their Bcchnnalia, which they call Camaval, or Mardigras hdiovQ Le?it ; which in old
time was kept to the honour of Bacchus. But the corruptions that were brought into our church
from Rome, in the fourth and fifth age, were nothing to what was brought in "the fixth and feventh
age; for then was religion turned up- fide-down, and fo changed into fa perflitious ceremonies, and
idolatry, authorized by falfe miracles, that ikxQ was hardly any trace of true religion left among.:
caen m thefe davs. P^lladii^s

♦Axx.m The PREFACE.

Palladius was the firft that acquainted us with Ro -ne, as we have faid, and that brought in pre-
lacy among us, a little after the beginning of the fourth age; which he and his fucceffors by de-
grees brouglit unto- a great height, both in worldly po^-np and means (for the times) by the incon-
fiderate debonarity of the prince, and fimpiicity of the people ; but not without flruggling and re-
fiffance, by pious and wife men : For many j^ears it was the work of the churchmen, fet a-foot by
Palladius, fo, till the fixth age, that is, upon the matter, 200 years, to raife themfeives to pqwer,
and audiority, and means, whereunto they camt infenfibly; fo much the rather, becaufe they were
fparino- for thefe days to invert the main doflrine of the true religion. The people and magiflrate
feeing their religion remaining in its main, were, without great difficulty, drawn over to give way
unto the greatnefs of the churchmen : But when thefe gallant fellows had wrought their own ends,
thev did fhew plainly what was within their hearts; for then they declared themfeives to be enemies
both to God and man, by their vicious lives, contrary to the laws of God and man; their falfe doc-
trine, contrary to God's word ; their tyrannical domineering over the people, and v ithdrawing
themfeives from due obedience unto the lawful magiffrate.

In a word, by directly oppofing God, abufmg men to their utter ruin of foul and body, and fet-
ting up their own inventions for the laws of God and men : They were a bringing this height of
iniquity to pafs, about the matter of 200 years likewife, to wit, the fixth and feventh age. Altho'
the workers of iniquity did at lad bring their mifchievous defign to an end, by the permiiTion of
God, irritated againlf men for their fuis, who, not adhering unto him, were abandoned, fo that
they became a prey unto Satan and his inftruments, to follow all iniquity; yet, fuch was the mercy
of God towards men in thefe mod corrupt times, that the devil and his inftrumeats went not fi»
clearly on with their wicked bulinefs, but that they had now and then, from time to time, Remoras
and letts in it, by thofe whom God raifed up to bear witnefs to his truth : And, in thefe days, fun-
dry of the Scots divines were very if out in the keeping of the ancient tenets and rites, which they
had received from their firft apoflles, difciples to St. John, according to the church of the eaft -
witnefs the great ftruggling they had about the keeping of Pafch, or Ealler-day ; for, till then, the
Scots had kept the day of Pafch, upon the fourteenth day of the moon, whatfoever day of the week
it happened on : The Romaniif called thofe that kept fo this day, ^artadecimani, and condemned
them as heritics; and they kept the day conftantly upon the next Sunday following, and not upon »
working day; at Jafl the Scots were conflrained to yield in this, as in other rites, unto Rome. Col-
man, and feveral other Scotfm.en, did fo floutly oppofe the Romanifts in the point of Eafter-day, and
in other tenets, that they chofe, (it being given to their choice, either to fubmit unto Rome, or to
quit the fcttlings they had in the north of England) rather to lofe their benefices than to yield. So,
Handing fail to the cuitoms of the Scots church, wherein they had been born and bred, they return-
ed home to Scotland.

About the end of the feventh age, men from Scotland, given to ambition and avarice, went fre-
quently to Rome for preferm.ent in the church ; and feeing it lay much that way then, they did their
befl to advance the llomiih party, whei-ein all the fl-;ill of worldly men was employed, both ia
R-onxf, and among the Scots of that party : Many mien went to and fro, between Rom^e and Scot-
land, to bring the Scots to a full obedience unto Rome, and conformity ; by nam^e, there was one
Boniface fent from Rome to Scotland, a main agent for Rome in thefe affairs ; but he was oppofed
openly by (evtral of the Scots Cuidees, or divines ; namely, by Clemens and Sampfon, who told
him freely That he, and thofe of his party, fludied to bring men to the fubje6lion of the pope, and
•flavery of Rome, withdrawing them from obedience to Chrilf; and fo, in plain terms, they reproach-
ed to him. and to liis affiifants, That they were corrupters of Chrifl's do<5lrine, eflablifhing a fove-
reignty in the bifliop of Rome, as the only fuccefTor of the apoftles, excluding other biihops; that
they ufed and commanded clerical tonfnre ; that they forbad priefls marriagt, extolling celibacy;
■that they caufed prayers to be m.ade for the dead, anderecledim.ages in the churches: to be fhort, tha,t

. they

The preface.

XXKIX

they had Introduced In the church many tenets, rites, and ceremonies, unknowR to the ancient and
pure times, yea, contrary to them : For the which, and the like, the faid Clemens, and thofe that
were conftant to the truth with him, were excommunicated at Rome as heretics, as you have in the
third volume of the Councils ; although the true reafons of their ex.conimunication are not there
fet down.

In the eighth age, the poor people were fo blindly enflavcd and intoxicate with the cup of Rome,
that they thought it a truly holy martyrdoin to futfer for the interefl of Rome : Yea, although moft
men had left God to worfhip the beaft; in thefe days, God raifed up fundry great lights in our
church, as, Alcuin, Rabanus, Maurus his difciple, John Scot and Claudius Clemens. In this we
fiiall remark the conflant goodntfs of God towards his people, who made his light to fhine, in fome
meafure, thorow the greateft and thickeft darknefs, by raifmg up thefe men, who did bear witnefs
to the truth both by word and writing; fo that God did not altogether leave off his people. The
bi'hop of Rome caufcd declare Alcuin, (for his book of the Eucharill) many years after his death,^
an heretic. So Rome perfecutes the faints of God, even after their death.

In the ninth age, both prince an 1 people, by doleful experience, did find the idlenefs, pride, am-
bition, avarice, and riot of chiirchnen, occasioned by the indulgence of prince and people; where-
fore, at Scoon, under king Conftantine II. there was held a convention of eftates, for reforming the
diforders in the church. In this aflembly it was ordained, * That churchmen fhould refide upon
-* their charge ; have no meddling wich fecuiar affairs ; that they (hould inftru^t the people diiigent-

* ly, and be good examples in their coverfaiiona ; that they Ihould not keep hawks, hounds, aiid

* horfes, for th^ir pieaf;:re; that they should carry no weapons, nor be pleaders of civil caufes;
*■ but live contented with their own provilion :' In cafe of failing in the obfervance of thefe points ;
For the firft time, they were to pay a pecuniary mul'fl, or fine ; for thefecond, they were to be de-
prived from office and benefice. Thus you fee, in thefe mofl bliad and confufed times, that refolute
jDrinces and people did oppofe manifeflly the pope's omnipotence, and higheif fovereignty. In the
later part of the fame age, king Gregory was moff indulgent to the churchmen ; he was fo far from
curbing and Iceeping them under, that he granted them many things they had not had before. Then
iha convention of eilates holden at Forfane, it was ordained, * That all churchmen Ihould be free

* of paying taxes and impofl, from keeping watch, and going to warfare. Item, They fhould be
- exempted from all temporal judicature. Item, All matrimonial caufes were given over to the judfrment
' of churchmen; (zs alfo, teflaments, legative anions,' and all things depending upon fim.ple faith and
^roiTiife ; likewife, the right of tithes, with liberty to make laws, canons and conflitutions : To-
try, without the afliftace of the temporal judge, heretics, blafphemers, perjured perfons, magicians,,
^c. Laftly, It was ordained, ' That all kings following at their coronation, Ihould fwear to main-
' tain churchmen in thefe their liberties and privileges.'

In thefe days lived a learned man, called John Scot, firnamed Mgrigena, becaufe he was born in
the town of Air; he priblifhed a treatife, De cor pore a fangiiine Domira in Sacramento, wherein he
maintained the opinion and doffrine of Bertram ; whereby he highly offended the See of Rome.

In the tenth age, things grew worfe and worfe ; the churchmen did fo blind the king, to -wit,
Conflantine III. that they perfuaded him to quit the royal crown, and take the clerical tonfure of a
monk, which he did at St. Andrews: There were fome prieds in thefe days, v/ho did flrlve to have
liberty to take lawful wives, but in vain. A little thereafter, there were new difputes for oricfls
Carriage; one Bernet a Scots bifliop flood much for that caufe in a national council. In this z^tq
although that avarice and ambition had corrupted and perverted religion generally, yet thev v/ere
conftantlv fome godly men, who, albiet they could not openly flop and oppofe tlie torrent of thefe
times, given to idolatry and fuperftition, did inflruft and teach the people, That ' Chrifl was the
^ly propitiation for fm,' and that ' Chrift's blood only did v/aflius from the guilt cf ^ni:

In

Xi T H K P R £ F A C E.

In the eleventh age, Malcomgaveawayapart of thi cr-own-lands among his nobles, for their good
fervice againft tl:e Danes; the nobles, in recompcncf thereof, did grant unto the crov/n the waid
of thefe lands, with the benefit that was to arifj by the marriage of the heir. Until the latter part
of this age. the bifhops of Scotland, although they had raifed their order unto great po\^■er and
riches, yet they were not dlftinguifhed in diocefes ; fo til! then indifferently, wherefoevtr they came,
they did miniftrate their fun6lion, without lording over any one particular place, or calling them- _
felvcs lords of any place. The diocefes wherein Scotland was divided at firfl:, were tliefe, St,
Andrews, Glafgow, Murray, Caithnefs, Murthlae. or Aberdeen. The biOiops of Rome taking
upon them in thefe days to be above kings, and to confer in matters of honour upon kings, how,
and where they pleafed, and fo by this means, to pat a farther tie of vaffalage and fnbjesTcion upon

(princes :

To this efTeft, in the year 1098, the pope ordained king Edgar to be anointed with external oi^,.
by the bifhop of St. Andrews; a rite which, till that day, had r.ot been in ufe among our kings :
Yet they were as much the anointed of the Lord before, as they have been fince, and as any other
■princes, who before them had this external anointing from the See of Rome; although the Romifii
writers make a greater efleem of thefe kings, anointed by them, than of others, becaufe they con-
ceive them to be more their own.

Here note by the way, That all princes whatfoever. In fcrlpture language, are fald to be the a-
nointed of the Lord : And fo Cyrus was named, although he was never anointed with external oil..
Next, although the firft kings of Ifrael were anointed, as Saul, David and Solomon, with fome of
the foUoMnng kings ; namely where there was any oppofition feared of fettling them in the royai
throne, for further confirmation were anointed. Read diligendy the hiftory of the kings, and yon
fhall not find that each one, or every one of them was anointed externally, although they were all
the anointed of the Lord. Next, you fiiall note. That the oil v,?herewith Samuel anointed Saul and
David (and fo the oil wherewith other kings were anointed) was not an oil confecrated, as that
wherewith the high-pritfi, 6t. was anointed, but common oil.

The reafon of the fcripture-phrafe, whereby all princes are faid to be anointed, is this : Anoint-
ing, in the firil and moft ancient times, was a fign of fetting apart a man for the office of a king ;
hence, by progrefs of time, any man that was fet afide by God's providence to execute the office of
a king, whether became thereunto by fuccelTion, or by choice, or by conquefr, was called the a-
nointed of the Lord, becaufe they had the thing fignified by God's appointment, notwithftanding
they wanted the fign, to wit, the ointment.

Further, we ftiall obferve here. That not only thofe whom God hath fet afide to be kings, are called
the anointed of the Lord ; but alfo the people whom he hath fet afide, or apart for a peculiar end :
So the prophet, fpeaking of the pv.opleof Ifrael in God's name, ufeth this exprelTion, ' Touch not
' mine anointed ; For their fake I have reproved kings.'

Moreover note, That, as the people fet afide by God are faid to be his anointed ; fo they are-
alfo called, ' A royal priefihood, kings and priefi:s;' not that every one of the people is a king or «
pricfi:, thefe being particular cdlings, no more than they were anointed; but becaufe they are fet afide:
by (jod as priefis, to offer daily unto him the facrifice of righteoufnefs, err. And, as kings were
anointed with oil, to fignify their fetting afide for their peculiar office; fo every one of us, being
anointed in baptifin by the holy Spirit, is fet afide to do juftice, 6c. as a king in our feverai
flations.

Thus much have I in few words fpokcn of the anointing of kings, and how the people are faid t9
^e anointed, or to be prieds and kings ; becaufe, in the beginning of the fiftenth age, fundry were
condemned as heretics, for faying, That every man is a priefi in fome kind ; and that the anoint-
ing of );ing3 is now nccdkfs, being an invention of Rome, to fubjefl princes un^o it.
Some years after the beginning of the twelfth age, king David, befide the bifhoprics formerly

preftetl

T H E P R E F A C E. xli

erc'^ed, '^''d ere'fi the bishoprics of Rofs, Brechin, Dunkeld and Dumblain. , This debonair
priiice w.is lo p.ot'iiu; towards churchmen, that hega/e rhem a good part of the ancient patrimony
of the c.own : So he and his fuccefTors were neceilitated to lay taxes and impoft upon the people,
more thaaformeny, to the ham of the commonwealth. In this alfo he wronged the church; for
the clercry beiiiT rich and powerful, left their funftion, and gave themfelves over to all riot and
idlenefs. Till riches made churchmen lazy, this dilUnclion in dlfcharging the duty of a paflor, or
of the fouls per/e, aut per alium, was unknown. While riches did not fo abound in the church,
churchmen kept more confcience in the difcharging of their places.

In this twelfth age, the Scots, although they had bifliops ever fmcc Palladius, who for a long
time did difcharge the function indifferently in every place where they came to ; and although they
had of later times diftinguiilied the limits of the bounds whei-cin they were to execute their caUing
by diocelTes ; yet, in that age, I fay, th-y were not come to that height, to have primates, metropo-
litans and archbifhops. Wherefore their neighbour, the archbiiliop of York, having gained the
confent of the pope, beftirred himfelf very earneftly, by the affiilance of his king, to have the Scots
bifiiops aclcnowkge him for the metropolitan ; whereunto the ftouteft of the Scots clergy would
not confent, but they would depend immediately upon the pope ; and, to this effe'ft, legates were
fent from Rome to Scotland, who being come hither, and feeing the refolution of the Scots bifhops
not to fubmit to thearchbilhopofYork, and finding their own benefit thereby, they did exempt
and free the Scots clergy from the trouble 6f the archbifhop of York. There was one Gilbert, bifliop
of Caithnefs, a great llruggler for this bufmefs.

About the latter end of this age, fundry prlefts were put from their office, becaufe they had ta-
ken orders upon Sunday. In that time there was a fynod of divines in Perth, fuch as they were,
who decreed, That Sunday fliould be kept holy from all work, from Saturday at mid-day, or twelve
of the clock, till Monday morning.

In the thirteenth age, few years after the beginning thereof, divers kind of monks came into
Scotland, formerly unkown to the land ; as Dominicans, Francifcans, Jacobins, and fundry other
of that fort of locufls. In this age thefe vermin of monks, did fo multiply every where, that at a
council at Lyons it wis decreed, ' That no more new orders of monks fhall be admitted or tolerat-
* ed.' Rut how the decree hath been kept, we fee in our days.

Next, the monks of feveral kinds gave themfelves fo to begging, that the people were much eaten
up by them, and the portion of the poor was withdrawn ; which occafioned a gi-eat murmur among
the commons. Upon this, there was a decree made then, * That only the mincrites, p'-aedicants,
' Carmelites, and hermites of St. Augulline, Ihould have liberty to beg:' Whence they are called,
The four mendicants ; Les quatre msndicants.

Towards the end of this thirteenth age, fell out that great defolation of the ftate of Scotland, oc-
cafioned by the controverfy for the fucce-Tion of the crown betwixt B.iliol and Bruce; Baliol being
"conff rained by the Hates of Scotland, to break the promife he had made to Edward of England, to
fubje6l the crown of Scotland unto him, for judging the caufe on his fide. After much trouble
and mifery of war, the ftate of Scotland receives Robert Bruce, come of the fecond branch, for
king, recalling all the fubiefl:<on and allegiance that they had given to Baliol; becaufe of his unwor-
thinefs to reign: Who, befides unfitaefs to bear rule over a military people, had bafely condefcended
to en Have that nation, to whom their liberty h.uh been fo dear to this day, that for it, and the pu-
rity of true religion, which ^oth by God's m^ercy they now enjoy, they have willingly and cheer-
fully undergone ail hazard of UF. and means; judging, chat if they fulfered thefe twins, Liberty
and Religion, either to be infringed, or taken from them, they had nothing left them, whereby they
might be called men.

The remarkable hiftory of k*TT James I. oi Scoi!an:?. fitteth this pnrpofe very well. The paf-
fage is this ; King James I. gcin^ i';{oFrance, was taken by the Lngiifh, and kept priioner by them

p for

_^jji ThePREFACE.

for many years. In that time, the kiaj of England goes to fiance, to make war; 2nd, at his arrival
there, he finds an army of Scots, ready to fight for the allay of Scotland, the French king, againft
the Englifh. Upon this, the kn g C I rg and n:oAcs kiLg jan-ts, whom he had taken along with
him, to write unto the Scots, and to charge them, upon ihtir allegiance, not to draw their Iword
againft the party, where he, their king was in prifon. The Scots anfwered, That they were fent
into France to affift their allies againft the common enemy: As for him, who wrote unto them,
fince he vas a prifoner, and not a free man, they neither owed him allegiance, nor would they
give him any, fo long as he was in prifon ; but if he were fet at liberty, and were living among
them, they would obey him according to the laws of the country, fince the crown was fettkd upon
him by the confent of the ftates ; and fo they did, for thefe kingdoms were governed in his name,
without any communication with him, during the time of his imprifonment, which was very long-;
but when he went home, he was received and obeyed as king.

From this, princes may learn, that although people fubmit themfelves to their government ; the
refignation is not fo fnll as to divelf themfelves of ail power in fuch a way, that the prince may
difpofe of them as he thinks right or wrong, he ordinarily being milled and kept captive by thofe
that are about him, who, for the mof!: part, have no regard to the public good, nor to the credit
and efteem of him, to whom, in fhew, they profefs themfelves fo addifted : The people have con-
ftantly referved even unto themfelves, by the coafent of all men, yea of the greatefl: court-parafites
and fycophants of princes, that the prince cannot, nor ought not to enllave or fubjedf the people to
any foreign power : And where princes, by pufillanimity and ill counfel, have efi&yed or attempted
fuch a thing, they have fmarted for it ; witnefs BalioJ, who was not only excluded from the crown
himfelf, but aifo his poflerity, and it was fettled upon the next branch, viz. Robert Bruce, with
his defendants, where it continues to this day by God's providence. Then, fmcethe people have
referved this power in themfelves, to ifop the prince from putting them under any foreign yoke or
flavery ; is it poffible, that they have not referved a power to right themfelves from domeftic flavery
and mifery ? Slavery being ever one and the fame: For, what is it to me by whom I fufTer evil of one
and the fame kind and degree, whether it be by a neighbour, or a Granger, a foreigner, or a fellow-
citizen ? yea, when I faifer by him who fhould be my friend, and ftand for the fame freedom with
me, my fufFering is the greater.

To this purpofe, you have a memorable pafTage of William the Norman ; who, although he had
invaded England with the fword, and by it had defeated him who did oppofe him for the crown^
with all his adherents and party, and, in conftquence of this vidlory, kd committed many outrages
with a ftrong hand; yet the fame William could never alfure himfelf nor his poflerity of the allegi-
ance of the people, till he had fworn folemnly (according to the rite of the times) for himfelf and
his, topovern according to the good and approved law-; of the land, as the befl kings before him
had done.

Then the country of Kent, in its own name, and in name of the whole kingdom, declared,
That neither Kent nor any other of the kingdom was conquered, but in a peaceable way did fub-
mit to William the Norman, upon condition, and with provifo.. that all their liberties and free cuf-
toms in trfe and pra<5tice, fliould be kept. If this was not accompliflied afterwards, it was fiilinefs
of the people that fuffered themfelves to be abufed, and rhe fault of mifled princes, th;it did not
keep their promife, whereunto they were tied : And fundry, for the breach of this pioniile, have
had occafion to repent v/hen it hath been too late.

Wefhall add one example more, which is, of Henry VIII. who, anvo i 525, the feA'enteenth year
of his reign, by the advice oi his council, put a tax upon the people; vhich the people did not
only refufe to pay, but declared, that the thing v/as unjuft and unlawful. Withal, wherever they
met thofe whom the king had .employed for the gaihcilLg the money, they ufed them fo kindly,
that they did never cometwicw- to one place for the payment of the tax. The king feting this, he

difciaims

The P R E F A C E. xliii

difclaicns the impofition of the tax, and fo do the nobles that conveened at London, by his corn-
man J, for that purpole, and Jays all the fault upon ill counfei, namely, upon Woifey. This was
Henry conftrained to do, notM-ithflanding his refoiutcnefs againft all foidgn enemies, chiefly the
pope, with his fhavelinga. By this inllaace, Henry acknowleged his power to be limited, and no-
wife arbitrary, againlt the doflrine of our now court-parafites.

Now, if the people have thas much power in th^ai, as to Hand for their temporal liberty, both
agalnft foreign and domeftic fiavery ; flu- more may they, and oug;;t they, to defend the fpirirnal
freedom, which Chrifl, having purchafed with his blood, hath left them, as members of his church
Bat all this defence of liberty and religion ought to be made fo, that it be without by-ends, finilf rous
refpefts, of hatred, malice, ambition, <bc. The only fcope and main drift being, to have God's
glory, in the light of his gofpel, fettled and maintained, the people at quiet, the prince obeyed, in
God, and for God, (i.e.) according to the law of God, nature, nations and the country or king-
dom, fo far as poffibly can be. This being looked to carefully, there is no gap opened to rebel-
lion, which is a fighting againft God's ordinance, and not the jull and necelTary oppofing of the
abufe and corrupting of the good ordinance of God.

But here a court-llave will fay, ' If things be fo, there is no abfolutenefs in monarchs or princes ^'
To anfwer this, we mufi: know what is to be meant by abfohde, or abfolutenefs ; whereof I find
two main fignifications. Firfl, abfohite, fignifieth perfeft, and abfolutenefs perfeftion : Hence we
have in Latin this expreffion, Perfe^um eft omnibus numeris abfolutum. And in our vulo-ar language
we fay, ' A thing is abfolutely good, when it is perfeftly good.' Next, abfohite fignifieth free from
tyeorbond; which in Greek is «yo\jAy^fvoi-. Now, I fay, If you take abfolute for perfeft that
prince or magiftrate is moft abfolute, that is mofi: perfedl, who governs mofi: abfolutely, or moft
perfeftly : The abfolutenefs or perfection of government confifls in its conformity to the perfedl
rule which is written in the law of God, printed in the heart of man, received generally of all wife
people, and in pra<Slice by all well-poliflied commonwealths. Next, I fay, if you take abfolute for
free from tye or bond, that no prince or magiflrate is free ; for every magiftrate or prince, as well
as the private man, is bound to keep the law of God, of nature, (drr. not only in particular things,
for his own fingular carriage; but alfo in public bufinefl^es, for the good, and fociety of men, or of
the people: For God hath given his law, and nature her dictates to all, to the obfervance of which
all men are tied. Yea, farther, they are not only bound in their feveral conditions, and tyed to the
performance thereof in their own perfons; but alfo are bound to further it with all their might, and
take away all things that may lett and flop their performance, or deter and withdraw men from it.
Read Leviticus xix. 17, where every man is commanded to rebuke his neighbour, and flop him from
. finning. Read Deuteronomy xvii. 19, 20. where the king is commanded to have continually the copy
of the law before him for his rule and guide.

What is in i Sam. viii, 10. is what a king is likely to do, and not what he ought or fhould do:
This is clear ; for, in the place now named in Duteronomy, the king is told what he ought to do ;
but that he is faid to do in Samuel, is contrary to the ordinance of God. Compare the places, and
you will fee the truth.

Next, a prince is faid to be abfolute, that is, not in any kind fubaltern to another, and \Vhofe
fubjefts acknowlege (under God) no other but him. Hence you may fee, that the popifh kings and
princes are not abfolute; for, befide the great number of peop'e within their dominions, who are
immediately fworn vafials to the pope, I mean, the fliaveUngs, the prince himfelf takes oath at his
reception, to uphold the over-ruling government of the pope, under the mafked name of fpirituality ;
and the fimple abufed prince (hall have for a reward, to make up all, a little holy oil to anoint him,
and bear the title of mofi Chnjlv.m, or Catholic prince. Farther, 1 fay, That the prince, who, al*
though in fome things, hath caltoff the yoke of t!-!-? god upon tarth (for fo is the pope now and

' % then

xliv Ti-ir: PRE F ACE.

then called) but keeps up a part of his tyranny in t^he. church of God over his people, wants and

loles fomuch of his abfoiutenefs, for chis tye apoii Wm from a foreign prince, the pope.

But here the pope [heweth the height o? his cunning: for he, feeing that princes are told fre-
quently, that they are either ablolute, or ou^ht to be fuch, bethinks hirnfeli to feep up his fupre-
macy above princes, as his va^'als, and yet make the princes fii-^d an abioii'tcnefs; which he a^s by
his emidliries, and their inferior inftruments, for theii own private en^Ss, whom he makes inculcate
in the ears of princes, That their abfoiutenefs confifteth in doing with the life, liberty, and fortunes
of the people, as feems good in their eyes, without any regard to the good of human fociety, which
is the true end of ail government; but with this provifo, That thofe who have relation to him im-
mediately be exempted : And thefe are not only his fl-iaveiings, who are openly obedient to his com-
mands and orders, ire. but alfo thofe, yea, in kingdoms where his name is in a kind rtjefttd, who
ktep up his tyrannical laws and ordinances, as we have felt of late, namely, in thefe dominions
wherein we live, to our wofiil experience ; for they, to uphold and increafe their power, have cafl
both prince and people into great troubles, making the prince believe, that without them he hath
no being.

But to {hew thee that princes may ufe the people committed to their charge like beafts, and yet
neverthelefs are not abfolute, cad thy eyes in the neighbour countric s only upon the duke of Savoy,-
and the duke of Florence : who, although they be fovercigns in a kind over the people, and deal
moA hardly with them, taking their hves and fortunes away at their pleafure; yet they are not ac-
knowleged to be abfolute princes ; for they are vaflals of the Empire, and their chief titles are to be
officers thereof: So the duke of Savoy is qualified vicar of the Empire, 6'r.

If you confider the prince, and people committed to his charge, as having relation one to another,
I fay, they are both bound one to another by duty; the prince firft, bound to rule and ^govern ac-
cording to the law of God, of nature, of nations, and municipal laws of the country, and the peo-
ple is bound to obey him accordingly : But, if the prince comm<and any thing againll thefe, his com-
mands are not to be obeyed, God being only he, to whofe commands obedience is funply due, and to
be given; but to men, only obedience with limitation, and, in external thmgs, according to the
laws fo oft above named, at the lead not againft them, or oppofite to them.

The chimera or rather folecifm in reafon of paffive obedience, is not to be thought on among ra-
tional men, it being the invention of court- parafites, a mere nothing, or non-ens ; for obedience
confifleth in aftion, as all other virtues do, and not in fuffenng. Farther, whofoever, for not o-
beying a wicked command of a fuperior, f ufFereth, if he can flop it or ihun it, is an enemy to his
own being, wherein he offends againff nature ; for you fee every natural thing flriving to preferve
itfelf againft what annoyeth it; then he f.ns againft the order of Cod, who in vain hath ordained
us fo many lawful means for the prefervatiun of our being, if we fufFer it to be deftroyed, having
power to help it.

But then, it will be demanded, What, is there no obfolutenefs in human anthrorty? I anfwer.
Simple abfoiutenefs there is none under God ; for all human authority is limited by the laws aforefaid,
and extends no tarther than external things. Yet, comparatively, hnman authority is faid to be ab-
foi.'.te, when it is free ^Vom an/ foreign fuperior power: So, wh.n Henry VIII. having caft off the
RoiiQi yoke, and putting down the vaffalage of thefe his dominions unto the pope, caufed divers
'-books to be written of the abfolute empire or authority of the prince ; although after freeing Him -
felf from the pope, he had not, nor did not pretend to have any more abfolute power over the people,
tha i he hal before: But, albeit this prince did much for the regaining the abfolute authority of the
■cown agnln; in chafing away .the Romifh pontiff; vet he did it not fully, in fo far as he kept ftiU
the Ro.niAi rites, and the hierarchy or prelacy, wherein the Romifli fox lurking hath kep* hlmfelf
in *'?.S count- i- s vwn th's ■.lav ; and now, havi'ig a'^^ed the fox long enough, he is a6fing the wolf,
by dfeiiroying; the people of God : If jthe fuccefforsof king Henry had not kept in the Romifti fuper-

ftitlQUS

T H E P R E F A C E. xlv

ilitious rites and hiearchy, they and we ail had had better times than we have all tafted of. Although
king Henry, for his vices, be blatne-\\ orthy ot" all pofterity; yet I mult fay, in all human anpearance,
that it the prelate bilhops, to v/hom he trufle i the reforming of the abufts of the church, had been
as forward as he was willing, there had been a better reformation than was in his time : Witnefs
this inflance, ' The people defired freedom to read the fcripture, the then biftiops refufed this unto
* the people.' V/hereupon the king was petitioned in the name of the people, the king grants their
petition ; the bilhops hearing of the king's grant, thus limit it, not daring to deny it flatly, ' That
' ail gentlemen fhould have liberty to read the fcripture, fmce it was the king's pleafure ;' but for o-
thers, the permiflion was flopt, as if yoemen and tradefmen had not as much intereft in God's word,
as gentlemen.

Then remark, all thofe that were put to deaffi for the teftimony of the truth in the days of Henry
VIII. were perfccuted by the bifhops of the time, although the blam.e lieth upon the prince ; for al-
beit they had in compliance to the king renounced the pope by word of mouth, yet in effeft they
kept up his tyranny by his doctrine (with fmall alteration) his rites and ceremonies, canons and laws,
prelacy or hierarchy maintained : And feeing the king fo oppofite to the pope, they condefcendcd
that the king fhould bear the blafphemous title of the pope, ' Read of the church,' although with
rclu61ancy : and fo it proved; for notwithfl^nding all the flatutes that Were made la. favour o*' this
title taken from the p^pe, an 1 attributed to the king, the bilhops with cunning aad fubtile proceed-
ings kept a-foot the power of the pope ; and, fo foon as they faw the occasion of queen Mary's
rclgn, they freely and cafilv brought all back again to Rome, without malk or limitation : and ever
lince, their fuccelTors, although by the courfe of affairs, they have been obliged to dilclaim the
pope's authority, yea, aiii his doffrine in fomc meafure; yet they, ever iince, to this day, have ex-
prefTed their inclinations, and done their endeavours to return thither again, as we ail know by dole-
ful experience.

But here it may be demanded, What drift or policy can it be in the biiliops, todeure to be fab- -,
jefl to Rome, rather than to their prince, and the laws of the .country? The anfwer is. The pro-
penfity of us ail, to follow e\il rather than good, is known ; namely, when the evil hath the mafk
of worldly dignity, pomp, power and pleafure, which hinders it to be feen in its own colours.
Now, the bilhops, and all the rabble of that corrupt clergy, are given to temporal, howfoevtr un-
lawful advantages ; as their ambition, avaric^ and iuft troni the very beginning hath (hev/n : which
exorbitant paffions lead men headlong, without meafure, when once way is given unto them, unlefs
they meet with fome ktt or (lop, v.'hich is both lefier and llower, v/hen it is a far off, namely, when
ir cometh from one who is poiTeiTed with the fame diftempers, and himfelf of the fame order of
men with the delinquent; and fo the biflicps of this ihand had rather have to do with the pope
than with the prince.

Firft, Becaufe of mutual infirmity, the pope proveth more indulgent than any prince.

Next, The prince is too near them, and fo it is befffor them to be free of the prince's jurifdiflion,
that they maybe able not only to negleci: him, but alfo to oppofe him. For all, let thac example of
. the Cantcrburv-pr' 'ate ferve. v/ho made the king for the time to hold the ftirrup when he gat upon
his horfe. The flory is known.

I called a little before the title of ' Head of the church,' ttfed by the pope, and then given to
Henry, blafphemous. To lay afide all other things that may be alledgcd againfl this title, I fiiall
only fay this ; The church isthe ^poufe of Chrill ; No fpoufe can be faid to have any other head, but
him whofe fpoufe Ihe is : Now, if the church fhould acknowlegeherfelf to be the fpoufe of any other
but of Chrift, Ihe were a profefied whore and adulterefs. By no means then a prince is to be called,
' The head of the church:' For, although the civil miagiftarate is obliged, according to his rank and
place, tofi'e the minifttrs of thec'nurch do the work of the Lord, truly, diligently, and carefully,
and to maive them do it according to the will of God declared in his word ; yet, for all this, he is

nothing

^I^j The preface.

nothing but a fervant, overieer, or grieve, and not the Head, which is a title belonging only to Chrift :
Wherefore, princes or magiflrates, that by flaviih flatteieis had this title given unto them at the fiift,
had done well to rejeft it ; as their fuccefibrs, who have followed, had done v/ell likewife, (accord-
ing to God's will) if they had not fufFcred this title to have been continued unto them ; namely, in
the public prayers, where the time-ferving inconfiderate minifter prayeth, in the name of the church,
for her Head. If the Head of the church needs to be prayed for, then the influences of the Head,
upon the church, will be but poor and weak, 6c. But of this enough in this place.

Moreover, the flattering preachers, unrequired, in the public prayers, in the nane of the church,
call the prince, forfooth, ' The breath of our ncflrils,' taking for their ground the words of Jere-
miah, in his Lamentations, chapter vi.verfe2o. which words, by the current of the ancients, and
feptuafrint, are to be underftood of Chrifl Jefus : True it is, the Rabbins have interpreted the words
of one of the kings of Judah, toivit, Jofias, or Zedekias; and hence fome of the later expofi tors
have explained thefe words, ' That firil and literally, they may be applied to one of the kings of
' Judah, who were all figures of Chrifl: to come ; but principally, and mainly, the words are to
' beunderftood of Chrifl Jefus, by the confent of all:' So to attribute thefe words to any prince
earthly, cannot be without offence to Chrifl ; for, wjjj5 can be faid properly, and well, ' To be the
' breath of our noflrils,' but he, who infpirethintou* life, that is, G o d ? In like manner, the in-
confiderate miniflers of the gofpel, abufing the text of the Ixxx. Pfalm, whicii, by the confent of all,
is underftood of Chrifl truly, and of David, as a figure of Chrifl to come ; call the king, ' The
* Man of thy right-hand :' This in nowife, without blafphemy, can be attributed unto any earthly
prince ; for none is faid to be a figure of Chrifl, as David, and his fiicceflbrs were by a particular dif-
penfation. Butif mifapplying and miflaking texts offcripture will do bufinefs, fince magiflrates are faid
to be r^ods, you may as well call the prince god, as the Roman emperor was of old by fomefo called,
and now the pope, by his court-parafites; which title of God, no prince will fuffer to be given un-
to him : Surely, as it is a very great crime, not to give due refpect, reverence, and obedience unto
him whom God hath fet over us for our good, according to hia wife ordinance ; fo, on the other
fide, it is a huge fin to idolize the prince, making him a god, when he is but a weak and infirm man,
fervant of God. This fecond fault is committed chiefly by the J}'cop/Mnts and parajttes, who have
no other church nor chapel but the court, and make petition to none but to the king, whom to
pleafe, they wholly ftudy, that they may catch fomewhat to fatisfy their inordinate defires. And
the firfl is committed, namely, by their prelatical clergy, who withdraw from the prince a great
part of his due, when they fludy to exempt themfelves from his obedience, and take from him any
infpeftion upon them, namely, concerning the difcharge of their calling ; although by God's ordi-
nance, it be a main part of his office, to fee God ferved and worfliipped, according to his will re-
vealed in his facred word.

We have a jitfle above feen, how that, by the flattery of fome court- preachers, the cuflom is
brought into the church, to give unto the prince, not only fwelling, but blafphemous tides in the
public prayer, that is made by the minifler in the name of the church : But, although this be too
great an evil, and requireth reformation, yet the flattery of fome preachers hath not flayed here ; for
they, according to their cuflom, having addidfed themfelves to any one, whom they conceive may help
them to preferment, flick not in the pulpit,where all relation fliould be laid afide,fave that of a minifler
of God's word, to publifh themfelves, yea, in their prayers, to bevarlets to this man, or that man;
and, what is worfe yet, in the pra3'ers they call their maflers and lords virtuous, pious, and religi-
ous, when it is known to all. That, for the mofl part, they have little virtue, lefs piety, and no re-
lion at all. To have pointed at thefe things, fliall fuffice for this place. If any man will be conten*
tions for thefe prafticcs, I anfwer him. That the well- reformed churches have no fuch cuftoms; for
umong the other abufcs, whereof they have been purged by the care and diligence of the faithful
vine-dreffers, under God's blefling, they have been pruned of this rotten bud of flavifli flattery, as

a cor-

The preface. xlvii

' a corruption, much oppofite and contrary to the dignity and power of the gofpei. But let us return'
after this long digreffioa.

In thcfe days (that is, in the thirteenth age) lived Michael Scot, renowned for his learning in
phyfic, aftronomy, 6c. He is remembered by Picus Mirandula, and Cornelius Agrippa, very honour-
ably. Alfo then lived Thomas Learmonth, commonly called the Rythmer, whofe predidions are
extant to this day ; but no wife man can make any thing of them, more than of Merlin's prophe-
cies who Tu^ed long before him ; altho^igh fundry have pieafed their fancies with idle expofitions of
thefe two mens dreams.

Towards the end of this thirteenth age, the good Roman Pontiff Boniface VIII. making ufe of
the heavy moans and complaints that fome of Scotland, namely, of the bilhops, and other clergy-
men with their clients, made againll king Edward of England, who then did cruelly afflift the
country, claims a right unto the crown of Scotland, as refigned unto him by the ftates : And upon
this he writes an infulting letter, and full of threatnings, unto Edward, that he was fo malapert a?
to do anv wrong to his vafTais and fubjefts, where he had none tridy fave the billiops and fhavelings
with their clients. Whether the clergy did make this offer of fubjetflion unto the pope, or whe-
ther he did falQy invent this lie, we caniot tell; but it is betwixt the pope and his fhaved creatures:
Such mafter, fuch men. Let this teach us, how the popes are, and have been, and will be ever
conftantly ready watching at all occafions, to draw all things to their crofs. But this owning of
the Scots by the pope for his peculiar people did not laft long ; for in a very fliort time thereafter,
notwithflanding the great ignorance of thefe days, the Scots fhewed themfelves refradf ory to his holy
orders • and he, in revenge, did thunder the tire-bolts of his excommunication againft thefe rude
fellows, putting them to the interdi^l, all to fmall purpofe; for by thefe bolts they were but very
little dafhed.

We have heard, how that in former times the church of Scotland was fe'-ved by Culdees, and
they ruled by their p.elb/teries or elders, having a moderator, or prefect of themfelves, and of
their own chufing ; this was for many years. When Palladius brought in prelacy, a new holy order,
into the church of Scotland, unknown to the preceeding ages, it was this reftraint, that bilhops
fhould be chofen by the Culdets, and of them : But when bilhops had once gotten certain diocefes
and limits alotted unto them, they fet up a new prefbytery of their own, or council of canons or
reg'ilars, which they called chapters, by whom they intended to be chofen in following times. The
Culdees feting this, did oppof e it with their main ftrength, namely under king David, who did take
up the bufmefs thus (being carried away by the prelates) that fo many of the Culdees as would be
canons, fhoali have hand in the chufing of the bifhops. But the bifhops, to elude this ordinance of the
prince, obtained a mandate from the pope, That no Culdee fhouid be received in the convent of
caiions, but by the confent of the prior, and moft part of the canons. By thefe means the Culdees
■Were kept out, and deprived of their Toice in chufing of the bifhops.

In the time of the troubles of Balioland Bruce, one William Cumming, prefeft of the Culdees,
thinks it fit to beftii himfelf, to try what he could regain upon the canons; and fo he oppofeth the
election by the canons of one William Lamberton to the See of St. Andrews : The bufinefs, being
CO ne to a great height, by appeal, was drawn to Rome, where, after much debate pro forma, time
and monies employed, the holy father Boniface VIII. pronounces fentence in favours of his dear
clients the canons ; and fo Lamberton is made bifliop, and confecrated by the pope Boniface. This
Fa<ff turned fo to the difgracc of the Culdees, that after that time we read no more of them ; fo
the name and order by little and little came to be quite extinguifhed, about the beginning of t.he
thirteenth age.

In the beginning of the fourteenth age, the order of the templers was put down, whether for

their iuft demerits, or for private ends and hatred, we leave it to the hif^ories of thefe times ; pope

■ Clement V. by his bull did calliier them, the bull beginning thus, ^lanouam de jure non pojfumus,

iarnen

xiviii Tr!E PREFACE.

tamen pro plenitiidine proteftntis diBum ordinem reprobamus, Sec. After which all Chriftlan princes
did caufe them to be apprehended in their fevti al dominions, and put them from their eftates, which
were then aiven to hofpi taller s and knights of St. John, after they had Aood about two hundred years
inftituted by Baldwin king of Jcrufaiem, for defence of that city and temple, aai the fafe convey-
ing of all fuchas did travel thither: They are alfo called Red friers, becanfe their gowns were red.
In this fourteenth a^re, did flourish the great fcholaftic Johannes, called Scotus from his nation,
and Dunfe from the place of his birth, for he was born in the town of Dunfe in theMerfe ; he was
a (Treat oppofer of Thomas of Aquin's do61rine, his fedf aries were caiied Scotifls, his epitaph was thus,

Scotia mc genitit, JngUa fufcepit,
Cdllia edoiiiit, Gcnnania tenet.
In the beginning of the fifteenth age, there was a great fchifm in the R.omifh church, pope againfl
pope ; yea, fometimes there were three popes at one time fighting one againft another, and excom-
municating one another ; this fchifm laffed about thirty years, and by the council of Conffance,
Martin the V. was made pope, and the reft defeated : There was one John Fogo, a monkof Melrofs,
who in Scotland defended the election of Martin by the council, againft Benediff, a/wj Peter de Lvnc
DuriuT this forenamed fchifm, many (taking occafion from theopennefs of the times) began bold-
ly and freely to fpeak againft the bad doftrine, government and lives of the churchmen ; and that
not only in private difcourfe, but they alfo preached it publicly; as John WicklifF in England,
John Hus and Jerome of Prague, in Bohemia, who fpoke before the people freely of the tyranny
of the o-overnment of the clergy, the corruption of their doffrine, and wickednefs of their lives.
Inthofe days alfo there werefome in Scotland, who feared not to make known to the people the truth
of God, as namely James Reiby and Paul Craw (among others) who fufFered martyrdom for the truth.-
About this tim.e the Carthufians -were brought from England into Scotland, and had built unto
them a monaftry at Perth. In this age the univerfity of St, Andrews was fet up, chiefly by the
means of Henry Wardkw bifnop of the place, that in fome kinds the fchools of learning might
not be altogether wanting, which formerly had flourifhed for fo long a tim.e among the Culdees,
and of later years had quite decayed; this good did Wardiaw: As his predeceftbr William Trail
had built the caftle of the fame city; fo his fucceffor James Kennedy built the old college likewife,
called St. Salvator's college; Patrick Graham, that came after him, was the man that brought into
Scotland the title of primate, metropolitan, and archbifliop, by bull of Sextus qiiartus. From the
firft preaching of the gofpel, till Palladius, the church of Scotland was happy without bi (hops:
From Palladius to king Malcolm's days, the biQiops had no diftinfl diocefes or parifhes from king
Malcolm : Till Patrick Graham they were without archbhliops ; this title and higher rank of autho-
rity did not fucceed well with Graham, for the other bifhops could fuffer no fupcrior under the
pope, namely fo near them, hitherto having rejected all the pretenfions of the archbifhop of York:
The inferior clergy alio were afraid of ths increafe of the authority of the man whom they conceived
auftere and rigid; and fo, by the faction of the corrupt court and difordered clergy, poor Graham
loft the title he had procured, with the benefice, and one Shevez got his fpoil ; and what a fweet
bird Shevez was, the ftoi-ies of that time do fafficieatly manifeft.

Robert Blacater, feeing the bifliop of St. Andrews now a metropolitan and archbiPnop, obtains from
Alexandei VI. a bull, whereby he is made archbifhop alfo, and he had under him the bilhops of Gal-
loway, Arg^'le and Ifles; which new dignity angered the archbiiliop of St. Andrews, above the lofs
of hisvafTals; for to 'have a companion, in equal dignity, fet up befide him, was hard; but he
miift digeft the pill, fince the pope will have it fo.

i.aftly, David Beaton brought in the title ofcardinal into Scotland, who hath been the only man that

hath borne that title in this country ; and how it did fpeed with him, the following hiftory will tell you.

As, in the beginning of the fifteenth age, the fchifm for the papacy opened many mens mouths

>horow Chriftendom, and buiied their pens to fet forth the corruption of the church, and the vices

of

The preface. xji^

©f the clergy; even fo, in the beginning of the fixteenth age, thofe that fought for the biniopric 'if
St. Andrews, by their diiiention, give cccafion to many in Scotland to fpeak in public and private of
the corruption of churchmens lives, government, and doftrine in Scotland ; which coming to the
pope's ears, prefentlyhe fentunto i he king, viz. James IV. a fword, with the title of ' Protedtor of the
' faith;' as if all Chriftian Princes were not in duty bound to proteff the faith in Chiilf ; but the faith
which the pope v.'ould have the king to protefl, was his erroneous do6lrine, and tyrannical authority.

Some few years after this, Henry VIII. was declared by the pope, ' Defender of the faith,' and
had his fword likewife. James IV. of Scotland being dead, now, by the corrupt courtiers, the
young inconfideratc king James was made believe, that the conferring of this new title by the pope,
did bring unto him a great pre-em.Inence ; yea, the court-fycophants did not (lick to call it, ' A
* new Royalty,' when, in eifeft, it was nothing elfe but a new note of his vaflilage to Rome: And,
by the accepting of the fword, he did engage himfelf to make war for Rome ; and fo he did indeed,
for fundry men after this, during his fhort reign, were perfecuted, anri fuffered death for the truth
of Chriil. This is the fecond remarkable badge of fiavery, put upon our princes by the pope;
the former was their anointing by him, as we havefeen before.

Here be pleafed with me to remark. That of all the bifhops of Scotland before the reformation,
namely, lince they were made lords of certain places, and had particular diocefes, you cannot find
one, who had any care of the true charge of a paftor : For their whole fludy was, to ralfe
their power, and to increafe their means for the upholding of their power : And, to ef-
fefluate this more eafily and fully, they kept both prince and people in dark ignorance of
God's will and word. But, becaufe they mufl feem to do fomewhat for the name's fake of bhhops,
they caufed to build walls of temples and chapels, fetup images and pifturcs richly dreffed, to con-
tent the eyes, and brought into the church inftruments of mufic, and artificial finging with great
Ikill, to content the ear : Alfo they broHght in fweet perfume, and incenfe for the finell ; fo the moft
fubtile fenfes were thus fatisfied. And, to make a fliew to keep under the fenfes which are more
grofs, there muft be fomekind of ^falling enjoined to the people, and chaftnefs to churchmen ; but
how, and to what purpofe thefe two laft have been kept, all men know. But, kept or not, all is
one, all thefe ordinances which the bifliops fet up for religion, have been difcovered, by God's mer-
cy, to be not only without warrant in God's word, but plainly contrary to the fame.

Of all the bilhops of Scotland in the time of reformation, there was only one or two who em-
braced the truth; all the reff were either profefTed perfecutors of God's children, and open enemies
of the truth, or elfe they were given altogether fo to fatisfy their bellies andlufls, that they had no
care of religion ; witnefs George Creichton (in the name of all the refl) bifhop of Dunkeld, who confef-
fed truly. That he had lived a long time bifhop, and never knew any thing of the old or new teflament.

Impiety, ignorance and wickednefs came to fuch a height among the churchmen of all ranks, de-
grees and profeffions, that God being, after fo long patience, in a manner vexed with them, did
ftir up the ptople to chafe them from the fervice of his houfe, and to put others in their places, as
you will fee in the following hillory, whereunto I refer you. And I fhall clofe up this difcourfe with
one or two palTages, worthy to be known ; whereby you may fee the learning of the church-doc-
tors in thofe days, and how they did employ the knowlege they had to theabufe of the poor people.

The firfl paH^age is this : One Richard Marfhal, prior of the black-friars at Newcaffle in Eng-
land, preached in St. Andrews, That the Pater-nofVer fliould be faid to God only, and not to the
faints: The doctors of St. Andrews offended at it, made a gray-friar called Tottis, preach againfl
Marfhal's tenet ; which he did thus (taking his text out of the v. of Matthew : ' Bleffed are the poor
* in fpirit) Seeing we la.y. Good day, father, to any old man in the ftreet, wc may call a faint, Pater,
who is older than any alive ; and feeing they are in heaven, we may fay to any of them, ' Our fa-
' ther which art in heaven ;' and feeing they are holy, we may fliy to any of them, ' Hallowed be
' thy name;' and fmce they are in the kingdom of heaven, we may ky, ' Thy kingdom come ;' and
feeing their will is God's will, we may fay to any of them, ' Thy will be done:' But when the

G - gray.

1 The P R E F A C E.

giav-fi-iar, in his preaching, came to the fourth petition, ' Give ns this day our daily brea.1,' he wafj-
hifled at, and fo was coniuained not only to leave off preaching, but alfo to leave the city for (ha-ne.
Yet, among the doftors then afiembied, the difpute continued about the Pater ,- for fome Would
have it laid to Gcd fo-nvaUin-, and to the faints matenaliter; others, to God principaliter, tcr
the iaints minus principaHtar ; others, prmiari:) to God, fecundarlo to the faints ; others would have
it faid to God taking \\.ftrl3e, and to the faints taking it late: Notwithftanding all thcfe diflin6tions,
the do'^tors could not agree upon the bulinefs. A fellow called Tom, Servant to the fub-prior of
St. Andrews, one day perceiving his ir.after much tioubled with fome bufinefs, and as he conceived,
Weighty, faid to him, ' Sir, what is the matter of this your trouble?' The mafter anfwered, ' We
* cannot agr^? i'"":^.'.t Ine faying oi" the i-ater' The tellow replied, ' To whom ihould it be faid but
i ^^ Goa alone V The mafler anfwers again, ' What fhall we do then with the laints .'" The fellow-
replies, ' Give them Ave's and Credo's enough, that may fuflict them, and too weii too.' If this
was good divinity God knows.

The ftcond palliige likewife is very well worth the knowing, and to this purpofe very fit, wlick
fell out about the fame tim.e with the former, that is, about the firft beginning of the reformatioiv
A little before the death of George Wiil^art, there came home frome Rome a fellow charged with
very many holy rtliques, and new things of great virtue, as he gave out ; but the things were not
to be had, nor any benefit by the fight or touching of thtm, without money. Nov/, upon a holy-day
in a village near Haddlngtoun, this Romilh padler did open his pack, to try if he could vend any of
his wares among the country people. Among other commodities, the good merchant did fhew untd
the people there was a bell of much value, by reafen of its great virtue ; which he gave out to be
this. That if any two parties had any difference, which could not other wife be decided but by oath,
the truth of the oath was to be made known by this bell • For (faid he) when any one fweareth, lay-
ing his hand on this bell, if he fwear true, he fhall, after the oath iwcrn, leuiove his haad eaiily
from the bell, without any change to the bell ; but, if he that -fweareth, having his hand upon the
bell, Uveareth falfly, his hand will ftlck to the bell, and the bell w ill rive afundtr. Now, we muft
tell you, that already there was a rift in the bell, which this Romipete did affirm had happened by
a falfe oath of one that had fworn having his hand upon the bell. At this tale the poorfimple peo-
ple were aflonhhed, and fell in admiration ; but among them was one farmer, who had fome light
ef the truth of God; he drawing near the Romilh merchant, defired to have the bell in his hand,
to fee it nearly. This defire was granted unto him. Then he takes the bell, and looks on it, expref-
ilng great admiration at firfl ; but, immediately thereafter, he allied at the Romipete, if he wotiid
fuder him to f.vcar in the prefence of the company, having his hand upon the bell ; for he had
- mind to take an oath upon a weighty bufmefs. The man could not refufc him. Then faid the far-
mer to the company, ' Friends, before I fwear, you fee the rift that is already in the bell, aud how
' big it is, and that I have nothing upon my fingres to make them ftick to the bell.' With this he
iheweth them his hand open ; then laying his hand upon the bell, he did fwear this ; ' I fwvar, in
' the prefence of the living God, and before thefe good people, that the Pope of Rome is antichriff,

* and t};at all the rabble of his clergy, cardinals, archbifhops, bilhops, priefts, monks, with the reft

* ©f the crew, are locufls, come from hell, to delude the people, and to withdraw tht-m from God:
' moreover, I promife, they will retisrn to hell.' Incontinent he lifted up his hand from the bell^
before them all and feid, ' See, friends, that I have lifted up my hand freely from the bell, and look

* unto the rift in the bell, it is one and the fame, without change ; this fheweth, according to the
*^ faying of this merchant, that I have fworn truth.' Then this poor fellow went away, an-! never was
more f:en in Scodand, nor any other of his kind, who brought reliques, or other like toys from Rome..

Many more oF this kind m"ght be alledged, but let thefe fu/fice, to demonffrate the mifirahie ig-
norance from which God in his mercy hath delivered us ; to whom be praife snd glory, for this and
all other benefits. ''' "' ' '

With this } end the preface, that you may come to the hiflory itfelf.- THE

li

THE

A U T H O R's PRE F A C E.

To the Gentle Reader,
Grace and Teace from God the Father of our Lord Jefvs Chr'ift
"coith the perpetual increafe of the Holy Spirit,

IT is not unknown (chriftian reader) that the fame cloud of ig»
norance, that long has darkened many realms under this ac-
carfed kingdom of that Roman antichrift, had alfo fo overfpread
this pure Realm, that idolatry had been maintained, the blood
of innocents hath been Ihed, and Chrift Jefus his eternal truth
hath been abhorred, detefted and blafphemed. But that fame
God that caufeth light to fhine out of darknefs, in the multitude
of his mercies, hath of long time opened the eyes of fome even
within this realm, to fee the vanity of that which then was uni-
verfally embraced for true religion, and has given unto them
flrength to oppone themfelves unto the fame. And now, into thefe
our laft and moft corrupt days, has made his truth fo to triumph
amongft us, that in defpite of Satan, hypocrify is difclofed, and
the true worlhipping of God is manifefled to all the inhabitants
of this Realm, whofe eyes Satan blinds not, either by their filthy
lulls, or elfe by ambition and unfatiable covetoufnefs, which make
them repunge to the power of God working by his word. And
becaufe we are not ignorant that divers reports were difperfed of
us the profeiTors of Jefus Chrift within this realm in the beo-Inino-
of our enterprife ; Order was taken, that all our proceedings fhould
be comitted to regifter, as that they were ty fuch as then painfully
traviled both by tongue and pen ; and fo was colle6i:ed a juft volume
(as after will appear) containing things done from the 58th year
of God till the arrival of the Queen's majefty from France, with
the which the collector and writer for that time was content, and
never minded farther co have traviled in that kind of writtino-.
But after invocation of the name of God, and after confultatioii

^ 2 what

lii The A u T H o Ri Treface,

^vichfomefaithfu], what by them was thought expedient to ad-
vance God's glory, and to edify this pixfent generation, and the
poilerity to come, it was concluded, that faithful rehearfal fhould
be made of fuch perfonages as God had made inftruments of his
ojory, by opponing of themJelves to m.anifcil abufes, fuperftition
and idolatry. And albeit there be no great num.ber, yet are they
more than the colleclor would have looked for at the beginning,
and therefore is the volume fomew^hat enlarged beyond his expec-
tation: and yet in the beginning mud we crave of all the gentle
readers, not to look of us for fuch an hiftory as fhall exprefs all
thino-s that have occured within this realm during the time of this
terrible conffict that has been betwixt the faints of God and thofe
bloody wolves who claim to themfelves the title of Clergy, and to
have authority over the fouls of men : for with the policy we in-
tend to meddle no farther than it has religion mixed v/ith it. And
therefore, albeit, that many things which were done be omitted,
yet if we invent no lies, we think ourfelves blamelefs in that be-
half. Of any other w^e muft forewarn the difcreet readers, which
is that they be not offended that the fimple truth be fpoken with-
out partiality, for feeing that of men we neither hunt for reward,
nor yet for vain glory, we little pafs by the approbation of fuch
as feldom judge v/ell of God and of his works. Let not there-
fore the reader wonder, albeit that our ftile vary and fpeak diverf-
ly of men, according as they have declared themfelves fometime
enemies and fometime friends, fometime fervent, fometime cool,
fometime conllant, fometime changeable in the caufe of God and
of his holy religion, for in this our fimplicity we fuppofe that the
godly will efpy our purpofe, which is, that God may be praifed for
his mercies Ihewed, this prefent age may be admonillied to be
thankful for God's benefits offered, and the poflerity to come
may be inilruded how wonderoufly hath the light of Chrift Jefus
prevailed againfl; darknefs in this lafl: and moit corrupt age.

T K E

THE'

H I S T O

O F T H E

R Y

PV.EFORMATION of RELIGION,

Within THE REALM of

S C O T L A

BOOK I.

IN the records of Glafgow is found mention
of one whofe name was James Relby, an
Englilhman by birth, fcholar to VVickliff ;
he was accufe^ as an heretic, by one traurence
Lindors in Scotland, and burnt for having faid,
That the pope was not the vicar of Chrift, and
that a man of wicked life was not to be acknow-
leged for pope. This happened, anno 1422. Far-
ther our chronicles make mention, That in the
days of king James I. about the year of God 143 1 ,
was deprehended in the univerfity of St. Andrews,
one named Paul Craw, a Bohemian, who was ac-
cufed of he'"efy, before fuch as were then called
doftors of theology. His accufation con^iiled prin-
cipally. That he followed John Hus and Wickliif,
in the opinion of the facrament ; who denied that
the fubftance of bread and wine were changed by
vii tue of any words, or that confefHon ihould be
made topritfts, or yet prayers to faints departed ;
while that God gave him grace to refift them, and
not toconfent totheir impiety. He was committed
to the fecular judge, (^or our bilhops followed Pi-
late, who both did condemn, and alfowafh his hands)
"Who condemned him to the ^at, in which he was

confumed, in the faid city of St, Andrews, about
the time afore-written. And, to declare themfelves-
tobethe generation of Satan, who from the begin-
ning hath been an enemy to the truth, and he that
delireth the fame to be hid from the knowlep-e of
men, they put a ball of brafs in his mouth, to the
end he fliould not give confeiTion of his faith to the
people, neither yet that they fliould underfland the
defence which he had agdinfl their unjuft accufa-
tion and condemnation. Both thefe godly men,
Reiby and Craw, fuffercd martyrdom for Chrifl'a
truth, by Henry Wardiaw bifliop of St. Andrews,
whom the prelates piace among their worthies.

But that their wicked pra-^ice did not greatly
advance their kingdom of darknefs, neither j'et
was it able utterly to extinguilh the truth : For,
albeit that in the da) s of king James II. and III.
we find imall queflion of religion moved within this
realm ; yet, in the time of king James IV. in the,
fixth year of his reign, and in the twenty feccnd
of his age, which was in the year of God 1494,
were fummoned before the king and his great
council, by Robert Blacater,. called archbifliop of
Glafgow, the number of thirty peifons remaining

fomei,.

"4

d4

The history of the REFORMATION

Book I.

fome in Kyle-Stewart, fome in Kingkylc, and feme
IV. Cunningham; among whom were George
Campbell of Cofnock, Adam Reid of Barfkyning,
juhn Campbell of Newmills, Andrew Schaw of
Po'kemac, Helen Chalmer lady Pokv^ilie, Ifabel
Chalmer lady Stairs.

Tncfe were called the Lollards of Kyle: They
wereaccufed of the articles following, as we have
vcc^ivc-d them out of the regifler of Giafgow,

I. That images are not be had, in the kirk, nor
to be worfiiipped.

II. That the reliques of faints are not be wor-
fliipped.

III. That laws and ordinances of men vary from
time to tirae, and that by the pope.

IV. That -t is not lav/ful to fight for the faith,
nor to defend the faith by the fword, if ivcbe not
di-iven to it by necejfity, which is above all law.

V. That Chrift gave power to Peter, as alfo to
the other apojiles, and not to the pope his pretend-
ed fuccefTbr, to bind and loofe within the kirk.

VI. That Chrifl ordained no pritfts to confecrate
as they do in theRomifh church thefemany years.

VII. That after the confecration in the mafs
there remains bread ; and that there is not the na-
tural body of Chrifl.

VIII. That tithes ought not to be given to ec-
clefiaflical men, as they were then called, to wit,
wholly ; but a part to the poor, widow, or orphans,
and other pious ttfes. ,

IX. That Chrifl at his coming hath taken away
po^jver from kings to judge. This article we doubt
not to be the venomous accufation of the enemy,
whofe praEHce hath ever been to make the do<^rine
of Jcfus Chriji fiibjeEl to kings and riders, as if
God thereby would deprive them of their royal feats;
while, on the contra?'y, nothing confirms the povjer
of magiftratcs more than doth God's truth. But to
the articles.

X. That every faithful man or woman is a
priefl, in that fenfe that they are called by the a-
poftlc St. John, Apoc. i. 6. and v. i8. and xx. 6.

XI. That the unftion of kings ceafed at the
coming of Chrifl : Jnd truly it was but late f nee
kings were anointed, namely in Scotland, for Edgar
was the firjl anointed king in Scotland, about the
year i loo.

XII. That the pope is not the fuccefTor of Pe-
ter, but where he faid, ' Go behind me, Satan. »

XIII. That the pope deceives the people by his
bulls, and his indulgences.

XIV. Thr.t the mafs profitcth not the fouls.
>vho in thofe <lays are faid to be in purgatorv.

XV That the pope andthebirnopsdccrlve the
peop'L- by their pardons.

XVI. That indulgences ought not to be grant-
ed to ;;glit againft the Saracens.

XV il. That the pope exalts kimfelf agalnll God,
and above God.

XVill, That the pope cannot i-emit the pains
of purgatory.

XIX. That the bleflings o^ihe bifhops (of dumb
dogs they fhould have been filled) are of no value.

XX. That the excommunication of the kirk is
not to be feared, if there be rio true eavfe J or it.

XXI. That in no caufe it was lawful to fwear,
to wit, idly, raflAy, and in vain.

XXII. That priefls may ha^-e wives, according
to the conflitution of the law, and oj ^he primitive
Chri/lian church.

XXIII. That true Chriflians receive the body
of Jefus Chrifl every day by faith.

XXIV. That, after matrimony is contrafted
and confummate, the kirk may make no divorce-
ment.

XXV. That excommunication binds not, if un-

XXVI. That the pope forgives not fms, but
only God.

XXVII. That faith fhould not be given to mi-
racles, tofuch namely as the Romifhwere then, and
are to this day.

XXVIII. That we fhould not pray to the glo-
rious virgin Mary, but to God only, fince he only
hears vs, and can help us.

XXIX. That, we are no more bound to pray
in the kirk than in other places.

XXX. That we are not bound to believe all
that do6lors of the kirk have written.

XXXI. That fuch as worlhip the facramcnt in
the kirk (we fippofe they meant the facrament of
the altar ) commit idolatry.

XXXII. That the pope is the head of the kirk
of Antichrifl.

XXXIII. That the pope and his miniflers are
murderers of fouls.

XXXIV. That they which are called princes
and prelates in the church, are thieves and rob-
bers.

By thefe articles, which God of his merciful
providence caufed the enemies of his truth, to keep
in their regiflers, may appear how mercifully God
hath looked upon this realm, retaining within it
fome fpaik of his light, even in the time of great-
efl darkneis. Neither ought any man to wonder
albeit that fome things be obfcurely, and fome

tjiinc^s

BOO!C t.

OP RELIGION TN SCOTLAND.

tilings doubtfully fpoken; but rather ought all
the taithful to magnily GoJ's .nercy, who, with-
out public do6lriiie, gave fo great light. And' fur-
ther, we ought to coiilider, that {eeing that the
cn.rr.ics of Jefus Chrill gathered the lorelaii ar-
ticles, thereupon to accuie the perlons aioivlaid,
that thev would deprave the meaniag of God s fer-
vants, fo riir as theycoiud; as we doubt iiut bat
they have done, mthe heads of cKCOiHinuaicacion,
fwearing, and of matrimony; in the which it is no
doubt but the fervants of God did condemn the
abufc only, and not the right ordinance or God :
For, who knows not that the excoinmunication in
thofe days was altogether abufed ; that iweanng
abounded, without pmiih neat or rernorfe ot coa-
fcitnce ; and that divorcement was made, ior fuch
caufes as worldly men had invented? But to our
hiflory. Albeit that the accufatiun of the biihop,
and his co'r>pliccs, was very grievous, yet God io
aiTifhd his fervants, partly by inclining the kings
heart to gentlenefs, (for divers of them were his
great familiars) and partly by giving bold and god-
ly anfwers to their accufators, that the enemies in
•the end Wcr. frulhate of their parpofe : Jr'or,
while the bifhop, in mockage, faid to Adam Rtid
of Baifkyning, Keid, believe ye that God is in
heaven? fie anfwcred, Not as I do the facramcnts
feven. Whereat the hilhop thinking to have tri-
Uinphed, faid, Sir, lo, he denies that God is in hea-
ven. Whereat the king wondriug, faid, Ad-ioi
Reid, v/hat fay ye ? The other aaiwered, Plcaleth
yonr majefly to hear the end betwixt the chun and
ine: Ani therewith he turned to the biihop, a.id
faid, I neither think nor believe, as thoa thinkell
that God is in heaven ; but I am moft aifured, that
he is not only in heaven, but alfo in the earth:
But thou and thy faction declare by your works,
that either yc think there is noGo.i at ail, or elfe,
that he is fo Lt up in heaven, that he regards not
what is done upon the earth ; for, if thou iinnly
beiievedil: thatGod were inheaven,thoa [houidil: not
make thyfclf check- mate to the king, and altoge-
ther forget the charge that jefus Chi ill, the Son
©f God gave to his apjitles, which was. To preach
his goipel, and not lo pJa}' the proud prelates, as
ali the rabble of" you do this day. And now. Sir,
faii he to the king, judge ye, whether the bifl-iop
or I believe be A that God is in heaven. While
the bifhop and his bund couid not well revenge •
the iifeives, and while many taunts were given
tbe-n in their teeth, the king, widing to put an
t- ' ' to further rcafoning, faid to u.e faid /\dam
•d, Wiittho.i buiu thy bill ? he anfv. treu. Sir,

S5

and the biihop and \'e will. V/ith thefe, and the
like feoffs, the bidiop and his band were fo daih-
ed out of countenance, that the greatefl part of
the accufation was turned to laughter. After that
diet, v.'e find almoft no qucflion for matters of le^
ligion, the fpace of near thirty years ; for not lo;'g
arter, to-wif,'m the year of God i 500, the faid bifnop
Biacater departed this life, going in his fuperfliri-
ous devotion to JerufaJem : Unto whom fucceeded
Mr. James Beaton, fon to the laird of Balfour in
Fife, who was more careful of the world, than he
was to preach Chrift, or yet to advance any reli-
gion, but for the faHiion only. And as he fought
the world, it fled him not ; for it was well knoVvU,
that at once he M'as archbifhop of St. Andrews,
abbot of Dunfermline, x^berbrothwick, Kilwin-
ning, and chancellor of Scotland : For, after the
unhappy field of Flov^fdoun, in the which pcrifh-
ed king James IV. with die greateft part of thenoi
bility of the realm, the faid Beaton with the refl
of the prelates had the whole government of the
realm, and by reafon thereof held and travaikd to
hold the truth of God in thraldom and bondage;
till that it pleafed God, of his great meicj', in tlie
year of God 1527, to raife uf) his fervant Mr. Pa-
trick Hamilton, at whom our hiftory doth begin ;.
of whofe progeny, IL^e, and erudition, becaufe men
of 'amxe and renown, have in divers works written,
we omit ail curious repetition ; fending fuch as
would know further of him than we write, to
Francis Lambert, John Frith, and to that nctahie
work lately fet forth by John Fox, Englhbman, of
the lives and deaths of martyrs within tins iile,
in this our age.

This fervant of God, Mr. Patrick Hamilton,
being in his youth provided to reafonable honours
and living (he was entitled abbot oF Fern) as one
hating the world and the vanities thereof, left
Scotland, and paired to the fchools in Germany ;
for then the fame of the univerfity of Wittenberg,
was greatly devulgate in all countries; where, by
God's providence, he became familiar with thofe
lights and notable fervants of Ch rill: Jefus of that
time, Martin Luther, Philip Mekmcthon, ?uid the
faid Francis Lambert. He did fo grow and ad-
vance in goJly knowkge, joined v/ith fervency and
integrity o" life, that he v/as in admiration 'with ,
ma.i)^ The zeal of God's glory did fo eat him up,
that he could not long continue to remain there,
but returned to his country, where the bright
beairs of tiie true light, which by God's grace was
planted in his heart, began moft abundantly to
burll forth, as well in pubdck as in kcret ; lor he

was.

56-

The HISTOltY of the REFORMATION

was (befides his godly knowlege) well learned in phi-
lofophy : He abhorred fophiftry, and would that
the text of Ariftotle Ihould have been better under-
ftood, and more ufed in the fchools than then it
was ; for fophiftry had corrupted all, as well in divi-
nity as in humanity. In fnort procefs of time, the
fame of his reafons and doftrine troubled the clergy,
and came to the ears of bhliop James Beaton, of
whom before we have made mention, who being a
conjured enemy to Chrift Jefus, and one that long
hath had the whole government of this realm, bare
impatiently that any trouble fliould be made t© the
kingdom of darknefs, whereof within this realm he
was the head ; and therefore he fo travailed with
thefaid Mr.Patrick, that he got him to St.Andrews,
where, after the conference of divers days, he had
his freedom and liberty. The faid bifliop, and
Ills bloody butchers called dodfors, feemed to ap-
prove his doftrine, and to grant that many things
craved reformation in the ccciefiaflical government ;
and, amongft tlie reft, there was one that fecretly
confented with him almoft in all things, named
friar Alexander Campbell, a man of good wit and
learning, but yet corrupt by the world,as after we
will hear. When the bifliops and clergy had fully
nnderftood the mind and judgment of the faid
Mr. Patrick, and fearing that by him their king-
dom fliould be endamaged, they travailed with
the king, who then was young, and altogether ad-
dicted to their commandment, that he ftiould pafs
in pilgrimage to St. Dothefs in Rofs, to the end that
no interceflion fliould be made for the life of the
innocent fervant of God, who fufpefting no fuch
cruelty as in their hearts was concived, remained
fiill (a lamb amongil the wolves) till that upon a
night he was intercepted in his chamber, and by
the bifliop's band was carried to the caftle, where
that night he was kept, and upon the morrov/
after brought forth to judgment, he was condemned
to die by lire for the teflmony of God's truth.
The articles for the which he fufFered, were but
oi Pilgrimage ; Purgatory, prayer to faints, and
for the dead, and fuch trifles ; albeit that matters
of greater importance had been in quefl:ion, as this
treaiife, which in the end we have added, may
witnefs. Now, thiit the condemnation of the
faid M. Patrick fliould have the greater authority,
they caufed the fame to be fubfcribed by all thofe
of any eflimation that with them were prefent;
and, to make their numbei- great, they took the
iubfcription of children, if they were of the nobili-
ty; for the earl of Caflils, which laft deceafed in
France, then being but tv.'clveor thirteen years of

Book I<.

age, was compelled to fubfcribe his death, as him-
feit did confefs. Immediately after dinner the fire
was prepared before the old college, and he led to
the place of execution ; and yet men fuppof^d that
all was aone but to give unto him teiror, and ta
have caufed him to have recanted, and have become
recreant to thefe bloody beads: But God, for his
own glory, for the comfort of his fervant, and for"
manif eflation of their beaftly tyi^anny, had otherwife
decreed ; for he fo flrengthned his iaithfulwitnefs,
that neither the love of life, nor yet the fear of that
cruel death, could move him a jot to fweive from
the truth once profefled. At the place oi executi-
on, he gave his fervant, who had been chamberlain
to him of a long time, his gown, his coat, bonnet,
and fuch like garments, faying, thefc will not profit
in the fire, they will profit thee ; after this, of me
thou canfl recive no commodity, except the example
of my death, which I pray the keep in mind ; for,
albeit it be bitter to the flefli, and fearful before
men, yet is it the entrance unto eternal life, M'hich
none fhall pofTefs that denies Chrifl Jefus before
this wicked generation. The innocent fervant of
God being bound to the flake, in the midfl of fome
coals, fome timber, and other matter appointed for
the fire, a train of powder was made, and fet on
fxre, which gave to the blefTed martyr of God a
blaife, and fcorchcd his left-hand and that flde of
his face, but neither kindled the wood nor yet the
coals ; and fo remained the appointed to death in
torment, till that man ran to the caftle again for
more powder, and fire- wood more able to take fire,
which at lafl being kindled, with a loud voice cri-
ed, ' Lord Jefus, receive my fpirit ; how long fhall
' darknefs overwhelm this realm ? and how long
* wilt thou fufFer this tyranny of men?' the fire
was flow, and therefore was his torment the more :
But moft of all w^as he grieved by certain wicked
men, am.ong whom Campbell the black-friar (of
whom we fpake before) was principal, who con-
tinually cried, ' convert heritic, caU upon our lady,'
{■x^ ,falve regina,bc.To whom he anfwered, ' depart
' and trouble me not, thou mefTenger of Satan.' But,
' while that the aforefaid friar flill rored, one thing
in great vehemence he faid unto him, * Wicked
' man, thou knowefl the contrary, and the contrary
' tome thou hafl: confefled; I appeal thee before the
' tribunal-feat of Chrill: Jefus.' After which, and
other words, which could not well be underflood
nor marked becaufe of the tumult and vehemency
of the fii-e, this witnefs of Jefus Chrift got viftory,
after long fuffcrance, the lafl of February, in the
year of Go.1 1527. The faid friar departed this

life

KooK I.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

57

Kfe within ftw days afrer, in what eflate we refer
to the manifeftation of the general day; but it was
plainly known, that he died in Glafgow in a phrcn-
zy, and as one defpaired.

' ISow, that all men may nndcrftand what was
the fingnlar erudition and godly knowJege of the
faid Mr. Patrick Hamilton, we have inferted this
his little pithy work, containing his affertions and
determinations, concerning the law% the office of
the fame ; concerning faith, and the true fruits
thereof ; firrt by the faid Mr. Patrick coUec'led in
Latin, and after tranflaied into EngliOi.

Of the Law.

The law is a doclrine that biddeth good, and
forbiddeth evil, as the commandments here con-
tained do fpecify.

The ten Commandments.

I. Thou fhalt worfhip but oneGod. 2, Thou
flialtmake thee none image to worfhipit, 3. Thou
fhalt not fwear by his name in vain. 4. Hold the
Sabbath-day holy 5, Honour thy father and thy
mother. 6. Thou {halt not kill. 7. Thou fhalt
not commit adultery. 8. Thou fliak not f^eal.
9. Thou (halt not bear falfe witnefs. 10. Thou
(halt not defire ought that belongeth to thy neigh-
bour.

He that loveth God and his neighbour, keep-
cth all the commandments of God. ' Love the
' Lord thy God with all thine heart, with all thy

* foul, and with all thy mind : This is the firft

* and great commandment. The fecond is like

* unto this, Love thy neighbour as thyfelf. On

* thefe two commandments hang al! the law and the

* prophets. He that loveth God loveth his neigh-

* bour: if any man fay, I love God, and yet hat-

* eth his neighbour, he is a liar : He that loveth

* not his brother whom he hath ieen, how can he
' love God whom he hath not feen ? He that lov-

* eth his neighbour as himfelf, keepeth the whole

* commandments of God ; Whatfoever ye would

* that men fhould do unto you, even fo do unto

* them, for this is the law and the prophets.

* He that loveth his neighbour, fulfilleth the law;

* Thou (halt not commit adultery. Thou (halt not

* kill. Thou fhalt not fleal, Thou flialt not bear

* falfe witnels againft thy neighbour, Thou fhalt

* not defire, and /o forth.' If there be any other
commandment, all are comprehended under this
faying, ' Love thy neighbour as thyfelf. He that

' loveth hi?, neighbour kcepeth all the commnnd-
' ments of God,' Rom, xiii. Gal. v, ' He that lov.-

* eth God loveth his neighbour, 1 John iv.' Ergo,
He that loveth God, keepeth all his command-
ments. He that hath the faith, loveth God : * My
' Father loveth you, becaufe ye love me, .ind be-
' lieve that I came of God.' He that hath the faith,
keepeth all the commandments of God ; he that
hath the faith, loveth God ; and he that loveth
God, keepeth all the commandments of God :
Ergo, He that hath faith, keepeth all the com-
mandments of God. He that keepeth one com-
mandment, keepeth them all; for without faith
it is impofTible to keep any of the commandments
of God; and he that hath faith, keepeth all the
commandments of God : Ergo, He that kcepeth
one commandment of God, keep:th them all. He
that keepeth not all the commandments of God,
he keepeth none of them ; he that keepeth one of
the commandments of God, he keepcthlfH : Ergo.
He that keepeth not all the commandments, he
keepeth none of ihem. It is not in our power
without grace to keep any of God's com.mand-
ments ; and grace is not in our power : Ergo, 1 1
is not in our power to keep any of the command -
m.ents of God. Even fo may you reafon concern-
ing the Holy Ghoft and faith. 7 he law was given
to Ihew us our fin : 'By the law cometh the know-

* lege of fin ; I knew not what fin meant, but
' through the law ; I knew not what lufl: had
' meant, except the law had faid, Thou fhalt not

* luft; without the law fin was dead,' that is. It
moved me not, neither will I that it was fin, which
notwithftanding was fin, and forbidden by the
law. The law biddeth us do that which is im-
poffible for us ; for it bids us keep all the com-
mandments of God, and yet it is not in our power
to keep any of them : Ergo, It biddeth us do that
which is impofTible f&r us. Thou wilt fay. Where-
fore doth God command us that which is impof-
fible for us ? I anfwer. To make thee know, that
thou art but evil, and that there is no remedy to
fave thee in thine own hand, and that thou mayefl
feek remedy at fome other : for the law doth no-
thing but command thee.

Of the Gofpel.

The gofpel is as much to fay in our tongue, as
good tidings, like as every one of thefe fentenct.-
be.

Chrift is the Saviour of the world.
Chrifl is our Saviour.

H r chiiiV

The history of the REFORMATION.

58

Chrift died for us.

Chrift died for our fins.

Chrifl offered himfelf for us.

Chrift bare our ftns upon his back.

Chrift bought us with his blood.

Chrift waflied us with his blood.

Chrift came into the world to lave finners.

Chrift came into this world to take away our fins.

Chrift was the price that was given for us and our

fins.
Chrift was made debtor for our fins.
Chrift hath paid our debt, for he died for us.
Chrift hath made fatisfaftion for us, and for our fins.
Chrift is our righteoufnefs.
Chrift is our wifdom.
Chrift is our fanftification.
Chrift is our redemption.
Chrift is our fetisfaflion.
Chrift is our goodnefs.
Chrift hath pacified the Father of heaven,
Chrift is ©u«, and all his.
Chrift hath delivered us from the law, from the

devil, and hell.
The Father of heavett hath forgiven ui for Chrift*s

fake.
Cr any fuch 6th£r as declare unto us the mercies

of God.

7he nature cf the Larw^y and of the Cofpei.

The law fheweth us our fin.
The law fheweth us our condemnation.
The law is the word of ire.
The law is the word c^' defpair.
The law is the word of difpleafure.

Tfte gofpel (heweth us a remedy for it.
The golpel (heweth us our redemption.
The gofpel is the word of grace.
The gofpel is the word of comfort.
The gofpel is the word of peacfr.

A difputation betwixt the Lav> and the Gofpel.

The law faith, pay thy debt.
The la\v futh, thou art a defperate finner.
The law faith, thou ftialt die.

The gofpel faith, Chrift hath paid it.
The gofpel faith, thy fins are foi-given thee.
The gofpel feith, beof good comfort, thou art faved.

The law faith, make a mends for thy fins.
The law laith, the Father of heaven is wroth with

thee.
The law fakh, where is thy righteoufnefs^, good-
nefs jind latisfa^lion ? .

Book I.

The law faith, thou art bound and obliged unto

me, the devil and hell.
The gofpel faith, Chrift hath made it for thee.
The gofpel faith, Chrift hath pacified him with bis

blood.
The gofpel faith, Chrift is thy righteoufnefs,

goodnefs and fatisfa6tion.
The gofpel laith, Chrift hath delivered thee from

them all.

Of Faith,

Faith is to believe God, like as * Abraham

* believed God, and it was counted to him for

* righteoufnefs.' He that believeth God, believeth
his word. To believe in him, is to believe his
word, and account it true that he fpeaketh. He
that believeth not God's word, believes not him-
felf, he counteth him falfe, and a liar, and believ-
eth not that he may and will fulfil his word ; and
fo he denieth both the might of God and himfelf.
Faith is the gift of God. Every good thing is the
gift of God ; faith is good : Ergo, Faith is the
gift of God. The gift of God is not in our power,
faith is the gift of God : Ergo, Faith is not in our
power. Without faith it is impoffible to pleafe
God, all that cometh not of faith, is fin ; for with-
out faith, can no man pleafe God : Befides that,
he that laketh faith, he trufteth not God ; he that
truftcth not God, trufteth not in his word ; he
that trufteth not in his word, holdeth him falfe and
a liar ; he that holdeth him falfe and a liar, he be-
lieveth not that he may do that he promifeth, and
fo denieth he that he is God. O how can a man,
being of this fafhion, pleafe God ! No manner of
ways, yea, fuppofe he did all the works of mafe
and angel.

All that is done in faith, pleafeth God.Right is the
word of God, and all his works in faith : Lord, thine
eyes look to faith, that is as much to fa}% as. Lord,
thou delighteft in faith : God loveth him that believ-
eth in him; how can they then difpleafe him? He
who hath faith, is juft and good, and a good tree
bringeth forth good fruit : Ergo^ All that is done ia
faith,pleafethGod. Moreover,he that hath faith,be-
lieveth God? he that believeth God, believeth
his word; he that believeth his word, wottetb
well that he is true and faithful, and caonot lie;
but knoweth well that he both may and will fulfil
his word: How can he then difpleafe him^ Foe
thou canft do no greater honour unto. God, tha»
to count him true. Thou wilt then fey, That,
theft, muifdcr, adultery, and all ^ces pleafe God r

Book I.

OF RELIGION JN SCOTLAND.

59

No, verily, for they cannot be done in faith ; for
a good tree beareth good fruit. He that hath faith,
wotteth well that he pleafeth God, for all that is
doae in faith, pleafeth God ; faith is a furenefs :

* Faith is a fure confidence of things which are

* hoped for, and a certainty of things which are

* not feen, the fame Spirit certifieth our fpirit,

* that we are the children of God.' Moreover, he
that hath the faith, wotteth that God will fulfil
his word j Ergo, Faith is a furenefs.

A man is jiiftified by Faith.

' Abraham believed God, and it was imputed

* to him for righteoufnefs :' we fuppofe therefore
that a man Is j uftified, (faith the apollle) without
the works of the law. He that worketh not, but
belicveth in him that juftifieth the ungodly, his
faith is counted unto him for righteoufnefs. * The

* juft man liveih by faith/ Hab. ii. Rom. i. We
know that a man that is j uftified, is not j uftified
by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jefus
Chrift, and not by the deeds of the law.

Of the faith ofChriJl.

The faith of Chrift is, to believe in him, that
is, to believe his word, and to believe that he will
help thee in all thy need, and deliver thee from
all evil. Thou wilt aflc me. What word ? I an-
fwer. The gofpel; he that believeth in Chrift,
(hall be faved. He that believeth the Son, hath
everlafting life; * Verily, verily 1 fay unto you,

* He that believeth in me, hath everlafting life.

* This I write unto you, that believing in the name

* of the Son of God, ye may know that ye have e-

* ternal life. Thomas, becaufe thou haft ieen me,

* thou believeft; but happy are they that have n&t

* feen, and yet believe in me. All the prophets
to him bear witnefs. That whofoever believeth in
him, fhall have remiffion of their fins. * What

* muft 1 do that I may be faved V the apoftle an-
fwereth, ' Believe in the Lord Jefus Chrift, and

* thou ftialt be faved.' If thou acknowlege with
thy mouth that Jefus is the Lord, and believe in
thine heart, that God raifed him up from the
dead, thou ftialt be faved, He that believeth not
in Chrift, fliall be condemned. He that believeth
not the Son, ftiall never fee life, but the ire of
God abideth upon him. The Holy Ghoft fliall re-
prove the world of fin, ' becaufe, faith Chrift,

* they believe not in me. ' They that believe in
Jefus Chrift, are the fons of Go^. Ye are all the

fous of God, becaufe ye believe in Jefus Chrift.
He that believeth in Chrift the Son of God, is fafe.
Peter faid, ' Thou art Chrift the Son of the living

* God.' Jefus anfwered and faid unto him, * Hap-

* py art thou, Simon the fon of Jonas, for ficfii

* and blood hath not opened unto thee that, but

* my Father which is in heaven.' We have belie-
ved and known that thou art Chrift, the Son of
the living God. I believe that thou art Chrift", the
Son of the living God,, which fliould come into
the world. Thefe things are written, that ye might
believe tliat Jefus Chrift is ^he Son of God, and
that in believing ye might h^ve life. I believe that
Jefus is the Son of the living God. He that belie-
veth God, believeth the gofpel. He that believeth
God, believeth his word, and the gofpel is his
word : therefore he that believeth God, believeth
his gofpel. As Chrift is the Saviour of the world,
Chrift is our Saviour, Chrift bought us with his
blood, Chrift waftied us with his blood, Chrift
offered himfelf for us, Chrift bare our fins upon
his back. He that believeth not the gofpel, belie-
veth not God ; he that believeth not God's word,
believeth not himfelf; and the gofpel is God's
word : Ergo, He that believeth not the gofpel, be-
lieveth not God himfelf ; and confequently, they
that believe not, as is above written, and fuch o-
ther, believe not God. He that believeth the gof-
pel, fiiall be faved : ' Go ye into all the world,

* and preach the gofpel unto every creature ; he

* that believeth and is baptized, ftiall be faved ;

* but he that belicveth not ftiall be condemned.'

j4 comparifon betwixt Faith and Incredulity.

Faith is the root of all good; maketh God
and man friends ; bringeth God and man together^

Incredulity is the root of all evil ; maketh
them deadly foes ; bringeth them afunder.
^ All that proceedeth from faith pleafeth God.

All that proceedeth from incredulity, difpleafeth
God.

Faith only maketh a man good and righteous.

Incredulity maketh him unjuft and evil.

Faith only maketh a man the member of Chrift,
the inheritor of heaven, the fervant of God.

Faith iheweth God to be a fweet Father, hold-
eth fiiff by the word of God, countedi God to be
true ; faith knoweth God, loveth God and his
neighbour ; faith only faveth ; faith extolleth God
and his "works.

Incredulity maketh man a member of the devil,

maketh him inheritor of hell, maketh him the fer-

H 2 vanf

fHE HISTORY OF THE REFORMATION

00

vant of the devil ; incredulity maketh God a ter-
rible judge, cauieth man wander here and there,
maketh hitn falfe, and a liar, knowing him not ;
iacredullty lovcth neither God nor neighbour ; In-
credulity only condemneth; incredulity extoileth
ticlh and her own deeds.

Of Hope.

Hope is a trufcy looking for of things that are
promifed to come unto us, as we hope the ever-
iafting joy which Chrift hath promifed nnto all
that believe in him, We fliould put our hopt- and
Truft in God only, and in no other thing. It is
*• good to truft in God, and not in man. He that

* trufteth in his own heart, he is a fool : It is good
' to truft in God, and not in princes ; they (hall
' be like unto images that make them, and all that

* truft in them. He that trufteth in his own

* thoughts doth ungodly : curfed be he that truft-

* eth in man. Bid the rich men of this world,

* that they trufl not in their unftable riches, but

* that they truft in the living God : It is hard for

* them that truft in money to enter into the king-
" dom of God.' Moreover, we fliould truft in
him only, that can help us ; yea, we fliould truft
in him only. Well is he that trufteth in God,
and wo to them that truft him not. Well is- the
man that trufteth in God, for God fliall be his
truft: He that trufteth in him fliall underftand the
truth. * They fliall all rejoice that truft in thee,
' they fliall ever be glad, and thou wilt defend

* them.' .

OfChariiy

Charity is the love of rhy neighbour : The
rule of charity is, to do as thou wouldft were done
unto thee; for charity efteemeth all alike, the rich
and the poor, the friend and the foe, the thiankful
and unthankful, the kinfman and ftranger.

A compartfon betwixt Faith, Hope, and Charity.

Fa I FH cometh of the word of God, Hope co-
meth of faith, and charity fpringeth of them
both : Faith believes the word, hope trufteth af-
ter that which is promifed by the word, and cha-
rity doth good unto her neighbour, through the
love that flie hath to God, and gladnefs that is
within herfelf. Faith looketh to God and his
word : Hope looketh unto his gift and reward :
charity looketh unto her ueighbour's profit. Faith

Book

receiveth God, hope receivcth his reward, chari-
ty looketh to her neighbour with a glad heart, and
that without any refpeft of reward. Faith per-
taineth to God only, hope to his reward, and cha-
rity to her neighbbur.

Of good JVorks.

No manner of works make us righteous : we
believe that a man fliall be juftifitd without works.
No man is juftified by the deeds of the law, but
by the faith of Jefus Chrift ; and we believe in
Jc'fus Chrift. that we may be juftified by thefairh
of Chrift, and not by the deeds of the law. If
righteoufnefs come by the law, then Chrift died
in vain : that no man is juftified by the law, it is
manifeft ; for a righteous man liveth by his faith,
but the law is not of faith. Mcweover, fince Chrift:,
the Maker of heaven and earth, and all that there-
in is, behoved to die for us ; we are compelled to
grant, that we were fb far drowned in fms, that
neither the deeds, nor all the creatures that ever
God made, or might make, might have helped us
out of them : Ergo, No deeds nor works can make
us righteous. No works make us unrighteous ;
for if any work made us unrighteous, then the
contrary works would make us righteous; but
it is proved that no works can make us righteous :
Ergo, No works make us unrighteous.

Works make us neither good nor evil.

It is proved. That works neither make us
righteous nor unrighteous: Ergo, No works ei-
ther make us good or evil ; for righteous and good
are one thing, and unrighteous and evil another.
Good works make not a good man, nor evil workm-
an evil man; but a good man maketh good works,
and an evil man evil works ; good fruit maketh
not the tree good, nor evil fruit the tree evil;
but a good tree beareth good fruit, and au
evil tree evil fruit. A good man cannot do evil
works, nor an evil man good works ; for an evil
tree cannot bear good fruit, nor a good tree evil
fruit. A good man is good before he do good works,
and an evil man is evil before he doth evil works;
for the tree is good before it bear good fruit, and
evil before it bear evil fruit. Every man is either
good or evil. Either make the tree good, and the
fruit good alfo, or elfe make the tree evil, and the
fruit likewife evil. Every man's work is either good
or evil; for all fruit is either good or evil. Either
xnake the tree good,, and the fruit alfo, or dk

make

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

Book I.

make the tree evil, and the fruit of it Jikewife evil.
A goo>^ m:m is known by his works, for a good
mm d )th goad works, and an evil, evil works :
Yc- (hili know the.n by their fruits ; for a good
tree brinj»^th forth good fruit, and an evil tree evil
fruit. A nan is iik.ned to the tree, and his works
to the fruit of the tree. ' Be-w^are of falfe pro

* pnets, wh'ch cone unto you in fheeps clothing,

* bit 11 -vardly they arc ravening wolves ; ye (hali

* know them by their fruit.'

None of our -works either fave us, or condemn us.

Ir is proved, That no works make us either
righteois or unrighteous, good or evil'; but firft
we are good before that we do good works, and
evil before we do evil works : Ergo', No work ei-
ther faveth us, nor condemneth us. Thou wilt
fay, Then maketh it no matter v/hat we do ? I
anfwer thee. Yes ; for if thou do evil, it is a fure
argum-ent that thou art evil and wanted faith ; if
thou dogood, it is an argument that thou art good,
and haft faith ; for a good tree beareth good' fruit,
aid an evil tree evil fruit : yet good fruit maketh
not the tree good, nor evil fruit the tree evil ; fo
that man is good before he do good works, and
evil before he do evil works. The man is the tree,'
the works are the fruit : faith maketh the good
tree, incredulity the evil tree ; fuch a tree, fuch a
fruit ; fuch man, fuch works ; for all that is done
in faith pleafeth God, and are good works, and all
that Is done without faith difpleafeth God, and are
evil works. Whofoever thinketh to be faved by
his works, deninh that Chrift Is our Saviour, and
that- Chrift died for him, and finally all things
thatbelongeth to Chrift : for, how is he thy Savi-
our, if thou mighteft fave thyfelf with thy works ?
Or, to what end fhould he have died for thee, if
any works of thine might have faved thee ? What
is this to fay, Chrift died for thee? is it not that
thou fhouldft have died perpetually, and that Chrift
to deliver thee from death died for thee, and chan-
ged thy perpetual death into his own death ? For
thou madft the fault, and he fufFered the pain, and
that for the love he had to thee, before ever thou
waft born, when thou hadft done neither good nor
evil. Now, fince he hath paid thy debt, thou dieft
not, no, thou canft not, but Hiouldft have been
damned, if his death were not ; but, fmce he was
punidied for thee, thou (halt not be puniOied.
Finally, he hath deliV'ered thee from condemnation,
and defiring nothing of thee, but that thou fhouldft-
acknowlege what he hath ,doae for. thee, .aad beac

6r

it in mind, and that thou would help others for
his fake both in word and deed, even as he hath
lielped thee for nought, and without reward O
how ready would we be to help others, i*f we
knew his goodncfs and gcntlenefs towards us' He
is a good and gentle Lord, and he doth all things
for nought ; let us, I befeech you, follow his foot-
Iteps, whom all the world ought to praife and wor-
ftiip. Jjnen.

He that thinketh to be faved by his zvorks, calleth
himfeff Chriji.

For he calleth himfelf a Saviour, which apper-
tameth to Chrift only. What is a Saviour ? but he
thatlaveth; and thou fayeft, I fave myfelf, which
13 as much to fay as, I am Chrift; for Chrift is
only the Saviour of the world. We ftiould do no
good works to the intent to get the inheritance of
heaven, or remifllon of f-ns through them ; for
whofoever believeth to get the inheritance of hea-
ven, or remiillon of fins through works, he be-
lieveth not- to get that for Chrift's fake. And they
who believe that their fins are not forgiven them
and that they fliall not be faved for Chrift's fake'
they believe not the gofpel ; for the gofpel faith' -
Thou (halt be faved for Chrift's fake, fins are for-
given you for Chrift's fake. He that believeth not
the gofpel, believeth not God, and confequcntly,.
they that believe to. be faved by their works, or
to get remiffion of fins by their own deeds,' be-
lieve not God, but account him a. liar, and fo ut-
teHy deny him to be God. Thou wilt fa}r, Shall
we then do no good works ? I fay not fo, but T
fay, we (hould do no good works, to (he intent ta
get the inheritance of heaven, or remiffion of fins ;r
for, if we believe to get the inheritance of heaven
through good works, then we believe not to get
it through the promlfe of God ; or, if we think
to get remiffion of our fins by good works, we-
believe not that they are forgiven us by Chrift • and
fo we count God a liar : for God faith, Thou
ftialthave the inheritance of heaven for my S'on's
fake. You fay. It is not fo, but I will gain it thro*
mine own works. So I condemn not good work^-
b\it I condemn the falfe truft in any works.? for
all the works that a man putteth confideace in, are
therewith intoxicate or Impoifoned; and become
evil. Wherefore do good works, but beware thou
do them not to get any good through them; for, ^
if thoa do, thou receiveft the good;' notvas the"
gift of God, but as debt unto thee^ and makeft
thyfelf fcUow with God, becaufe thou wilt., tafee

oothing^^

The HISTORY of the REFORMATION

nothing from him for nought. What ? needeth he
aay thing of thine, who giveth all things, and is
not the poorer ? Therefore do nothing to him, but
fake of him, for he is a gentle Lord, and with a
glader heart will give us all things that we need,
than we take it of him. So that, if we want any
thing, let us blame ourfelves. Prefs not then to the
inheritance of heaven, through prefumptioa of thy
good works ; for if thou doeft, thou counted thy-
ielf holy and equal unto him, becaufe thou wilt
take nothing of him for nought ; and fo flialt thou
fall as Lucifer fell from heaven for his pride.

Thus ends Mr. Patrick's articles, and fo we re-
turn to our hiftory.

When thofe cruel wolves had (as they fuppofed)
clean devoured the prey, they found themfelves in
worfe cafe than they were before ; for then with-
in St. Andrews, yea, almoO: within the whole re-
alm, (who heard of that faft) there was none found
who began not to enquire wherefore was Mr. Pa-
trick Hamilton burnt ? And when his articles were
fehearfed, queftion was holden, if fuch articles were
neceflary to be believed, under the pain of damnati-
on. And fo within fhort fpace, many began to
call in doubt, that which before they held for a
certain verity, Infomuch that the univerfity of St.
Andrews and St. Leonard's college, principally by
the labours of Mr. Gavin Logy, the novices of the
abbay, and by the fub- prior, began to fmell fome ■
what of the verity, and to efpy the vanity of the
received ill per ftition ; yea, whhin few years after
began both black and gray friars publicly to preach
againft the pride and idle life of bifhops, and a-
galnft the abufes of the whole ecclefiaftical eftate ;
amongfl: whom was one called William Arithe,
who in a fermon preached la Dundee, fpake fome-
■what more liberally againft the licentious life of
the bifhops, than they could well bear. He fpake
further againft the abufe of curfing and of miracles.
The bilhop of Brechin, having his parafites and
jack- men in the town, buffeted the friar, and called
him heretic. The friar, impatient of the injury
received, paft to St. Andrews, and did communi-
cate the heads of his fermon with mafter John
Mair, whofe word then was holden as an oracle in
matters of religion ; and being aftured of him, that
fuch doftrme might well be defended, and that he
'\vould defend it, for It contained no herefie. There
was one day appointed to the faid friar, to make
repetition of the fame fermon : and advertifement
was given to all fuch as was offended at the for-
mer, to be prefect. And fo in the parifh church

Book t.

of St. Andrews, upon the day appointed, appeared
the faid friar, and had amoagft his auditors Mr John
Mair, Mr. George Lockhart, the abbot of Cambuf-
kenneth, Mr. Patrick Hepburn prior of St. Andrews,
with all the dodlors, and mailers of the univerfities.
The theme of his fermon was, * Verity is the
* ftrongeft of all things.' His difcourfe of curfing
was, that If it were not warily ufed, it were the
moft fearful thing upon the face of the earth ; for
it were the very leparatlon of man from God ; but
that it ftiould not be ufed raflily, and for every
light caufe, but only againft open and Incorrigible
fmners : but now, faid he, the avarice of priefts,
and the ignorance of their office, hath caufed it al-
together to be vilepended. For the prieft (faith
he) whofe duty and office is to pray for the people,
ftandeth up on Sunday, and crieth, Anne has loft
her fplndle ; there is a flail ftolen behind the barn ;
the good- wife on the other fide of the gate hath
loft a horn-fpoon ; God's curfe and mine I give to
them that knoweth of thy goods, and reftoreth
them not. How the people mocked their curfing,
he further told a merry tale, how after a fermon
that he made at Dunfermline, he came to a houfe
where goffips were drinking their Sunday's penny,
and he being dry, afked drink ; yes, father, (faid
one of the goffips) ye fhall have drink, but ye
muft firft refolve one doufet which is rifen among
.us, to wit. What fervant will ferve a man beft at
ieaft expences ? The good angel, faid I, who is
man's keeper, who maketh good fervlce without
expences. Tufh, faid the goffip, we mean no fuch
high matters ; we mean, what honeft man will do
greateft fervice for le^ft expences ; and while I was
mufing (faid the triar) what that fhould mean, he
faid, * 1 fee. father, that the greateft clerks are
* not the wifeft men.' Know ye not how the bi-
fhops and their officials ferve us husbandmen ? Will
they not give to us a letter of curfing for a plack,
to laft for a year, to curfe all that look over our
ditch, and that keeps our corn better nor the fleep-
ing boy that will have three (hillings of fee, a
fhli t, and a pair of fhoes in the year ? and there-
fore, if their curfing do any thing, we hold the
bifhops the cheapeft fervants in that behalf, that are
within the realm. As concerning miracles, he de-
clared what diligeiKe the ancients took to try true
miracles, from faife. But now, faid he,the greedlnefs
of priefts not only receive falfe miracles,but alfo they
cherifh and hire knaves for that purpofe, that their
chapels may be the better renowned, and offerings
may be augmented; and thereupon are many chapels
founded, as that if our lady were mightier, aad that

(he

Book I. ofRELIGION

(he took more pleafure in one place than in another ;
as ot late days our lady of Karfgrange hath hopped
from one green hillock to another: but honefk men
of St. Andrews, laith he, if ye love your wives and
daughters, hold them at home, or eiie fend them
in good honeft company ; for if ye knew what
miracles were wrought there, ye would neither
thank God nor our lady. And thus he merrily
taunted their priefts of whoredom and adultery
ufed at fuch devotion.

Another article was judged more hard ; for he
alledged the common law, that the civil magiftrate
might correal the church men, and deprive them
of their benefices for open vices. Another day the
fame friar made another fermon of the abbot of Un-
reafon^ unto whom, and whofe laws, he compar-
cth prelates of that age ; for they were fubjedf to
DO laws, no more than was the abbot of Unreafon.
And> among other things, he told fuch a merry
jefl : There was, faid he, a prelate, or at leaft a
prelate's peer, a true fervant to the king of love,
who, upon a night after fupper, afked of the gentle-
men, by the faith that they ought to the king of
love, that they truly declare how many fundry
women every one of them had, and how many of
them were mens wives. One anlwered, he had
Ben with five, and two of them were married. The
other anfwered, I have had feven, and three of
them are married. It came lalt to my lord abbot
himfelf, who making it very nice for a little fpace,
gave in the end a plain confeflion, and faid, I am
the youngeft man, and yet have I had the round
dozen, and feven of them are mens wives. Now,
faid the friar, this god and king of love, to whom
our prelates do homage, is the mafter- devil of hell,
from whom fuch fruits and works do proceed.
This friar was known by his proper tokens to have
been prior Patrick Hepburn, nov/ biftiop of Murray,
who to this day hath continued in the prerfeflion
that he hath made to his god and king of love.

It was fnppofed, notwithftanding this kiad of
preaching, that this friar remained papift in his
4ieart : for the other friars fearing to loie the be-
nediftion of the bifliop?, to -utity Their * malt and
* their meal, and their other appointed peQfion&,
caufed the faid friar to flee to England, where for
defence of the pope and papiftry, he was caft: into
prifon at king Henry's commandment. But fo it
pkafed God to open the mouth of Balaam's own
afs, to cry out againft the vitioos lives 6f the dcF-
gy of that age.

Shortly after this, new confaltation was taken
Awe^ tiiot fome ihould be burnt ; for mea began

IN

SCOTLAND. <S3

hberally to fpcak, A merry gentleman named
John Lindfey, familiar to bifhop James Beaton,
l^anding by when conful cation was had, faid. My
lord, if ye burn any more, except ye follow my
counfel, ye will utterly deftroy yourfelves : if ye
will burn them, let them be burnt in hollow cel-
lars ; for the fmoke of Mr. Partick Hamilton hath
Infeded as many as it blew upon. Thus it pleafed
God that they Ihould be taunted in their own f^ce.
But here folJoweth the mofl: merry of all. One
Alexander Furrour, who had been imprifoned
feven years in the tower of London, Sir John
Dungwail (according to the charity of church-men)
entertained his wife, and wafted the poor man"i;
fubfiance : for the which caufe, at his returning,
he fpake more liberally of priefts than they could
bear: and fo was he declared to be accufed c^
herefy, and called to his anfwer at St. Andrews;
he leapt op merrily upon die fcaflbld, and carting
a gambad ; faid. Where are the reft of the players,
Mr. Andrew Oliphant offended therewith, faid, It
fhall be no play to you, Sir, before ye depart, and
fo began to read his accufation ; tiie firff ardcle
whereof was, « That he defpifed the mafs.' His
anfwer was, * I hear more mafles in eight days,

* than three bifhops there fitting fay in a year.' Ac-
cufed fecondly, « of the contempt of the facra-

* ments. The priefb, faid he, were xh& moft com-

* mon contemners of fecrameijts; and efpecially of

* matrimony.' And that he witnefled by many of
the priefts there prefent, and named the man's wife
wi;th whom they had meddled, and efpecially Sir
John Dungwail, who had feven years together a-
bufed his own wife, and confumed his fubftance j.
and laid, Becaufe I complain of fuch injuries, I
am here fiimmoned and accufed as one that is wor-
thy to be burnt t for God's fake, faid he, will ye
take wives of your own, that I and others whom
ye have abufed; may be revenged upon you. Then
bilhop Gavia Dunb»r, named the old bifhop of
Aberdeen, thinkmg to Juftify himfelf before the
people, faid : Carle thou (halt not know my wife.
The faid Alexander anfwered. My lord, ye are
too old, but with the grace erf" God I fhall drink
with your daughter or I depart ; and thereat was
fmiling of the beft, and loud feughter of fome :^
for the biftiop had a daughter married with An-
drew Balfour in that town. Then the biftiop badt
away with the carle. But he anfwered, Nay, <l
wiU aot depart this hour; for f have more to fpeafe
agaiaft the vices of priefts, than I can exprefsc
this whole day. And fo, after divers- purpofes^
they coHUBaadedfeim to burn. his^WH. And he de-

manjifig:

64 Thb history of

manding the caufe, they faid, Becaufe ye have
/poken theie arucies whereof ye are accufed. His
anfwer was, The great devil bear them away that
iirft and lait faid them : and fo he took the bill,
and chewing it, he Ipat it in Mr. Andrew Oli-
•phant's face, iaying. Now burn it or drown it,
■whether ye will, ye hear no more of me : but I
mufl have fomewhat of every on.e of you, to begin
my pack again, which .a prielf , and my wife a
!pr left's whore have fpent ; and fo every prelate
and rich prieif, glad to be quit of his evil, gave
him fomewhat, and f© departed he, for he under-
.ftood ;nothing of religion. But fo fearful was it
then to fpeak any thing againft prieils, that the
Jeaft word fpoken againil thesi, yea, though it
■was fpoken in a man's ileep, was judged herefy;
and that wa-s praftifed upon Richard Carmichael,
yet living in Fife, who being young, and fmger
in the chapel-royal of Stirling, happened in his fleep
to fay, The devil take away the priefts, for they
are a greedy pack. He thierefore, accufed by Sir
George Clapperton dean of the faid chappel, was
compelled forthwith to burn his bill. But God
Ihorrly after railed up againft them ftronger cham-
pion : for Alexander Seton, a black- friar, of good
learning and eltimation, began to blame the cor-
rupt doflrine of papiftry. For the fpace of a
whole Lent, she taught the commandment only, e-
X'er beating in the ears of his auditors, that the law
of God had not of many years been truly taught ;
for meft's tradition had obfcured the purity of it.
Thefe were his accuftomed propofitions ; i . Chriil:
Jefus is the end and perfe6lion of the h\v. 2.
There is no fm where God's law is not violated.
3 . To fatisfy for fms, lies not in man's power ;
but the remiffion thereof cometh by unfeigned re-
pentance, and by faith apprehending God the Fa-
ther merciful in Jefus Chrift his Son. While of-
tentimes he puts his auditors in mind of this and
the like heads, he maketh no mention of purga
tory, pardons, pilgrimage, prayer to faints, nor
of fuch trifles. The dumb dodlors, and the reft
of that forefworn rabble began to fufpe^t him, and
yet faid they nothing publicly, till Lent was ended.
And he palled to Dundee, and then one in his ab-
fenfe, hired to that purpofe, openly condemned
the whole doftrine that before he had taught ;
which coming to the ears of the fvid friar Alexan
der, then being in Dundee, without delay he re
turned to St. Andrews, caufed immediately to toll
the ^ell, and give fignification that he would
preach, as he did indeed, in the which iermon he
-afiirmeth (and that more plainly than at any other

THE REFORMATION.

Book I.

time) whatfoever in all his whole fermons he had
taught before, the whole Lent paft ; adding, I'hat
within Scotland there were no true bifhops, if
that bifnops Ihould be known by fuch notes and
I'irtues as St. Paul rf quires in biihops. This de-
claration fiew with wings to the tiHiop's ears, who
without farther delay frnt for the iaid friar Alex-
ander, v.ho began ftiarply to accuie, that he had
io lland-eroufly ipoken of the dignity of biflicps, as
to fay. That it behoved a bifliop to be a preacher,
cfc die he was but a dumb dog, and fed not the
flock, but fed his own belly. The man being
witty, and minding that which was his ir.cft affur-
ed defence, faid. My lord, the reporters ot fuch thincs
are manifeft liars. VV'hereat the bi'hop rejoiced
and faid, Your anfwer pleafeth me well ; I never
could think of you, that ye would be fo fcolifii as
to affirm fuch things : where are the knaves that
have brought me this tale ? "Who compearing and
affirming the lame that they did before he ftiil re-
plied. That they were liais. But while the witneifes
were multiplied, and men were brought to atten-
tion, he returned him to the bilhop, and faid, My
lord, ye -may hear and confider what ears thele
alTes have, who cannot dilcern betwixt Paul, Ifaiah,
Zechariah, and Malachy, and friar Alexander Se-
ton. In very deed, my lord, 1 faid, that Paul faith,
It bthoveth a biPnop to be a teacher ; Ifaiah faith.
That they that feed not the flock are dumb dogs ;
and Zechariah faith. They are idle paftors : I of
mine own head affirmed nothing, but declared what
the Spirit of God before pronounced, at whom,
my lord, if ye be not offended, juftly ye cannot be
offended at me. And fo, yet again, my lord, 1 fay.
That they are manifeft liars that reported unto
you that I faid, that ye and others that preach
not, are no bifhops, but bt lly gods. Albeit after
that the bifliop was highly offended, as well at the
feoff and bitter mock, as at the bold liberty of that
learned man, yet durft he not hazard for that pre-
fent to execute his malice conceived : for not on-
ly feareth he the learning and bold fpirit of the
man, but alfo the favour that he had, as well of
the people, as of the prince king James V. with
whom he had good credit ; for he was at that time
his confeffor. and had exhorted him to the f ar of
God, to the meditation of God's law, and unte
purity of life. But the faid bifhop, with his com-
plices, forfecing what danger might come to their
eftate, if fuch familiarity ihould continue betwixt
the prince and a man fo learned, and fo repugning
to their affe<Sfions, laboureth by all means to make
the faid friar Alexander odious unto the king, and

eafilr

Book I.

t) F RELIGION iii S C 0 T L A N I^.

6i

eafily founJ the means by the gray friars (who by
their hypocvKy deceived many) to traduce the in-
nocent as an heritic. This accufation was eafdy
believed of the young prince, who, being much
given to the hilh of the flefli, abhorred all counfel
that repugned thereto; and becaufe he did remem-
ber what a terror the admonitions of the faid Alex-
ander was unto his blinded confcience, without
refiftaace he fubfcribed to his accufation, affirming
that he knew more than they did in that matter ;
for he underftooi well enough that he fnelled of
the new doftrine, by fuch things as he had {hewn
to him under confeifion : And therefore he pro-
mifed that he fhould foliov/ the counfel of the
bi/hops in punifhing of him, and of all others of
that fefl. Thefe things underftood by the faid
Alexander, as well by the information of his friends
and familiars, as by the ff range countenance of tiie
king unto him, provided the next way to avoid
the fury of a milled prince, and fo in his habit he
departeth the realm, and coming to Berwick, wrote
back again to the king his complaint and admoni-
tion ; the very tenor and copy whereof followed!,
and is this :

'Most gracious fovereigii, under the Lord
' and King of all, of whom only thy highnefs and

* majefty haA power and authority to exercife ju-

* ftice within this thy realm under Go:!, who is
' King and Lord of all realms, and thy majefty, and

* all mortal kings, are but only fervants unto that
' only immortal Prince, Chrift Jefus, ire. It is not,
' I wot, unknown to thy gracious highnefs, how
" that thy maiefly's fometime fervant and orator
' (and ever (hall be to my life's end) is departed out

* Oi thy realm, unto the next adjacent of England ;
' neverthe^fs, I believe the caufe of my departing

* is unknown to thy gracious majefly, which only
' is, Becaufe the bifhops and churchmen of thy re-
' aim have had heretofore fuch authority upon thy
' fubje<fls, that apparently they were rather king,
' and thuu the fubjefl; which unjuft government

* is of itfelf falfe, and contrary to holy fcripture,

* and God's law. Then thou art the king and

* mafter, and they thy fubjeffs, which is very true,
' and teftihed exprefly by the word of God ; and

* alfo, becaufe they will give no man of any degree
' or flate (whom thcv often call heretics) audience,

* time, nor place to fpeak and have defence, which

* is againflalllaw, both the old law, (called the law
' of Mofes) and the new law of the gofpel. So that
' if I might have had audience, and place to fpeak,

* and have (hewcd my juft defence, conformable to

the law of God, I fiiould never iiave Ir.a to any
other realm, fuppofe it fhould have coll me my
life : But, becaufe 1 believed that 1 fh.o^ild have
no audience, nor place toanfwer, (they are fo great
with thy majefly) I departed, not doubting, but
moved of God unto a better time, that God illu-
minate thy majefty, even to give every m.an audi-
ence, (as thou fhouldff and mayfl:, and is bound
by the law of God) who are accufed to the death.
And to certify thy highnefn, that thefe ere no
vain words, but cf deed and elfeifi, here I offer
me to thy mijeffy to come in thy realm again, fo
that thy majefty will give me audience, and hear
what 1 have for me of the law of God, and caufe
any bifliop or abbot, friar or fecular, which is
mod cunning (fome of them cannot read their
mattins, who are made judges of herefy) to im-
pung me by the law o^" God; and if my part be
found wrong, thy majefly being prefent and judge,
I refufe no pain worthy or condign for my fault.
x'\nd if that I convince them by the law of God,
and that they have noihing to lay to my charge,
but the law of man, and their own inventicns to
uphold their ovv-n glory and pridcful life, and
daily fcoiirging of thy poor fubjcffs; I refer my-
felf to thy rnajefly as judge. Whether he hath the
vliflory that holds him at the law of Cod, which
cannot fail or be falfe, or they that hold them at
the law of man, which is very often plain con-
trary to and againfl the law of God ; and there-
fore of neceffity falfe, and full of lies • For all
things that is contrary to the verity, (which is
Chrifi: and his law) is of neceffity a lie. And to
witnefs that this comes of all my heart, I fhall
remain at BerM'ick while I get thy majefly's an-
fwer, and fhall without fail return, having thy
hand- writ that I may have audience and place to
fpeak. No more I defire of thee, whereof, if I
had been fure, I fhould never have departed;
and that thou mayfl know the truth thereof, if
fear of the juflnefs of my caufe, or dread of pcr-
fecution for the fame, had moved me to depart,
I could not fo pleafantly revert ; only diffrufl:
was the caufe of my departing. Pardon me to
to fay that which lieth to thy majefly's charge.
Thou art bound by the law of God (fuppofe
they falfly lie, faying. It pertaineth not to thy
majefly to intermeddle with fuch matters) to
caufe every man, in any cafe accufed of his life,
to have their jufl defence, and their accufei ? pro-
duced conform to their own law. They blind
thy majefly's eyes, that knows nothing of thy
law; but if I prove not this out of their own
1 • law

Th e history of t h k REFORMATION Book I.

U0

' lav/, 1 orvor rne to the death. Thy mrcjefty thcre-

* fore by experience may daily learn (feeing they
' neither fear the King of heaven, as their lives

* tcftify, neither thee their natural prince, as their
' ufiirped power in their nftjons fr-ews) why thy
' hlf>hne(s ihonld be no long'rr Winded. Thou
' mayll confider, that they pretend nothing elfe,
' but only the maintenance and upholding ot their
' bavded mules, aiigmendng or thfcir infatiable

' avarice, and continual overthrovvlng and fwallow- ■
" ing up thy pcor fubjccls; neither preacning.nor
' ttaching out of the law of God (as they'Tnould)
' the rude ignorant people, but contend who may
' be mofl high, moif rich, and neareft thy majelly,

* to put the temporal lords and lieges out ot rhy
'counfel and favour, vvhp fnould be, and are molf
"tender fervants to thy niajefty in all time of need,
' to the defence of thee and thy crown: And where

* they dclire thy majelly to put out thy temporal
' lords and lieges becaule they defpife their viti-
' OU3 life, M'hat elfe intend they, but only thy death

* and deftruclion, ,as thou mayft eafiiy perceive,
' fuppofe they colour their falfe intent and miind

* with the purfuit of herefy ; for when thy barons
' are put down, what art t-iou but the king of
' land, and not of men ? and thenof necefTity mufl

* be guided by them ; and there (no doubt) where
' a blind man is guide, muli be a fall in the mire.
' Therefore let thy majefty take boldnefs and authe-
' rity, which thou hafl of God, and fuffer not their
' cruel perfccntion to proceed without audience
' given to him that isaccufed, andjuif place of de-
' fence; and then, no doubt, thou fliait have thy
' .fubjedls hearts, and all that they can or may do
' in time of need, tranquility, jullice, and policy,
"' and finally the kingdom of the heavens. May
' it pleaie you to give one copy of this to the cler-

* gyand keep the original, and thy majefty fhall

* have experience, it I go againif one word that
' I have fpoken, I fli.ali daily make my hearty

* devotion for tliy majefty, and for the profperity
' and welfare of thy body and foul, I doubt not,

* but thy gracious highnefs will give anfwer to this
*, letter, unto the prefenterof it unto thy highnefs.

* At Berwick, by thyhighnefs's fervant and orator.

' Sic fuhfcribitur, ALE:jfANDER Seton.'

This letter was delivered to the king's own
hands, and of many read : But what could greatly
avail, where the pride and corruption of prelates
commanded what they pieafed, and the flattery of
courtiers foftered the unadvifed prince in all diflb-
imeiiefs, by which means they made him obfequi-

ous unto thern? From the death of .that ccnflant
witnefs of JefusChrift, Mr. Patrick Hamilton, God
difclofing the wickednefs of the wicked, as before
we have heard; there was one Forrefl of Lin-
lithgow taken, who, after long imprifonment in
the laid tower of St. Andrews, was adjudged to
the fire by the faid biiliop James Beaton, and his
do6tors,fcr no other crime,butbecaufe hehada new
teilament in Englilh. Further of that hillory we
have not, except that he died conilantly, and with
patience at St. Andrews. After whofe death the
flame of perfecution ceafed, till the death of Mr.
Norman Gurlaw, the fpace often years or there-
about: Not that the bloody beafl ceafed by all
means to fupprefs the light of God, and to trouble
fuch as in any fort were fufpefled to abhor their .
corruption ; but becaufe the realm in thefe times
was troubled with intefline and cruel wars, in the
which much blood was fhed ; firll at Melrofs, be-
twixt the Douglas and Beuccleugh, in the year of
Cod 1526, the 24th day of July ; next at Linlith-
gow, betwixt the Hamiltons and the earl of Len-
n.ox, who was filler's fon to the earl of Arran,
where the faid earl, with many others, loft his
life, rhe 13 th day of September in the fame year ;
and laft betwixt the king himlelf and the foref dd
Douglas, whom he baniflied the realm, and held
him in exile during his whole days. By reafon of
thefe, we fay, and of other troubles, the bilhops
and their bloody bands could not find the time fo
flrvourable to them as they required, to execute
their tyranny.

Li this middle time, fo did the wifdom of God
provide, That Henry VIH. king of England, did
abolifli from his realm the name and authority of '
the pope of Rome, commanded the bible to be
read in Englifli, fuppreffed the abbeys and other
places of idolatry, with their idols, which gave
great hope to divers realms, that fome godly re-
formation fhould have thereof enfued : And there-
fore from this our country did divers learned men,
and others that lived in fear of perfecution, repair-
to that realm ; where albeit they found not fuch
purity as they wifhed, (and theretore divers of
them fought other countries) yet they efcap;. d the
tyranny of mercilefs men, and were reltr^ed to
better times, that they might fruftify within his
church in divers places and parts, and in divers
vocations. Alexander Seton remained in England,
and publicly (with great praife and coP'iort of
many) taught the gol'pel in all fmcerity certain
years. And albeit the craftinefs of Ciardner bilbop
of Winchefter, and of others, circumvented 'he

faid

Book I.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

67

fald Alexander, fo that they caufed him at Paul's
crofs to affirm certain things that repugned to his
/onner do6lrine ; yet it is no doubt, but that God
potently had affifttd him in all his life, and that
alio in his death (which fhortly after followed) he
-found the mercy of his God, whereupon he ever
exhorted all men to depend. Alexander Atefius,
Mr. John Fife, and that famous man doflor Ma-
chabeus departed unto Dutchland, whereby God's
providence they were diftributed to feverai places.
Macdoual for his lingular prudence, beiides his
learning and godlinefs, was eleifled borrow-marter
in one of their Heads. Alxhus was appointed to
the univeriity of Lipfia, and fo was Mr. John
Fife, where, for their honefl behaviour and great
erudition, they were holden in admiration with all
the godly. And in what honour, credit, aadefti-
mation doftor Machabeus was with Chrilfian king
of Denmark, Cavv-pmanhowen and famous men or
divers nations can teflify. Thus did God provide
for his fervants, and did fruftrate the expeftations
of thofe bloody beads, who, by the death of one
(he means Mr. Patrick Hamilton) in whom the
light of God did clearly fnine, intended to have
fupprelTed Chrill's truth for ever within this re-
alm; but the contrary had God decreed, for his
death was the caufe (as is faid) that many did a-
wake from the deadly fleep of ignorance; and fo
did Jefus Chrifl: the only true light fliine unto ma-
ny, for the away-taking of one. And, albeit that
thefe notable men did never after (Mr. John Fife
only excepted) comfort their country with their
bodily prefence, yet made he them fruftify in his
church, and raifed them up lights out of darknefs,
to the praife of his own mercy, and to the juft
condemnation of them that then ruled ; to wit, of
the king, council, and nobility, yea, of the whole
people, who fuffered fuch notable perfonages with-
out crimes, counted to be unjuftly perfecuted, and
fo exiled ; others were after even fo dealt withal,
but of them we lliall fpeak in their own place.

No fooner got the birtiops opportunity, (which
always they fought) but fo foon renewed they the
battle againft Jefus Chrifl : For the aforefaid lep-
rous bifhop, in the year of God i 5 -^4,cauled to be
fummoned Sir William Kirk, Adam Dayis, Henry
Kernes, JohnStuar tof Leith, with divers ot;hers,fuch
as Mr. William Johnfton advocate, Mr. Henry Hen-
derfon fchool-maflerof Edinburgh; ofwhomfome
compeared in the abbey-kirk of Holyroodhoufe, and
fo abjured, and publicly burnt their bills; others
compeared not, and therefore were exiled. But in
judgment were, produced twro, to wiY, David Strai-

ton a gentleman, and Mr. Normand Gourlay, a man
of reafonable erudition, of whom we may fhortly
fpeak. In Mr. Norman appeared knowlege, albeit
joined with weaknefs: But in David Strai ton could
only be efpied for the firft, a hatred againft the pride
and avaricioufnefs of priefts; for the caufe of his
delation M^as, he had made to himfelf one fifli-boat
to go to thefea : The biflaopof Murray then bein'g
prior of St. Andrews, his agents urgc\d him for the
tithe thereof. His anfwer was, if they would
have tithe of that which his fervants gXiin'd in the
fea, it were but rcafon that they fliould come and
receive it where they got the ftock ; and fo, as it
was conftantly afBrmed, he caufed his fervants to
caft the tenth fifh in the fea again. Procefs of
curling was led againft him for not pz-ying'fuch
tithes ; which v/hen he contemned, he was fum-
moned to anfwer for herefy. It doubled Him vehe-
mently, and therefore he began to frequent the
company of fuch as were godly ; for before he had
been a man very ftubborn, and one that defpifed all
reading (chiefly of thofe things that were godly)
but miraculouil}', as it were, he appeareth to be
changed, for he delighted in nothing but in hear-
ing of reading, (for himfelf could not read) and
was a vehement exhorterof all men to concord anil
quietnefs, and the contempt of the world. He
frequented much the company of the laird of Dun-
Erfkine, whom God in thofe days had marvelloufly
illuminated. Upon a day, as the laird, of Lauri-
ftoun that yet liveth, then being a young man,
was reading unto him in the new teftament,in a cer-
tain quiet place in the fields,'asGod hadappolnted,
he chanced to read thefe fentences of our mafter
Jefus Chrift ; ' he that denieth me before men, or
' is afliamed of me in the midft of this wicked ge-

* neration, I .will deny him in the prefence of my

* Father, and before his angels.' At which words,
he fuddenly being as one revived, caft himfelf u-
pon his knees, and extending both hand and vifage
conftantly to heaven a reafonable time, at length
he burft forth iti thefe words, * O Lord, I have
' been wicked, and juftly mayft thou withdraw thy

* grace from me; But,- Lord, for thy mercies fake,

* let me never deny thee, nor thy truth, for fear
' of death or corporal pain.' The ifTae declared
that his prayer was not in vain ; for when he, with
the aforefaid Mr. Norman, was produced in judg-
ment in the abbey of Holyroodhoufe, the king him-
felf (all clad in red) being prefent, great labour
was made, that the fud David Straiton fhould have
recanted, and burnt his bill : But he, ever ftand-
ing at his defence, alledging that he had not of-

I z fended,

63

The H I S T O .1 Y of the R E r O Jl I.I A T I O N

Book L

Oifended, in tlie end was adjudged to the fire, and
then when he perceived the danger, afivcd grace
at the king, (which he would willingly have
granted unto him.) The bifliops proudly anfwcr-
ed, that the king's hands were bound in that cale,
and that he had no grace to give to fuch as by
their law were condeinned. And fo was he with
the faid Mr. Norman after dinner, upon the 27th
day of Auguft, in the year ofour Lord 1534 afore-
faid, led to a place befides the Rood of Greenfide,
and there they tv\o were both hanged and buujc,
according to the n.ercy of tiie papiiUcal church.
^io the iaine diet were luniniOiied, as before v.e
hav^e fiiid, others, of whom lonie eicaped into
L::glaud, and fo for that prefcnt efcaped the dcaclr.
This their tyranny nucwitiiifanding, the know-
lege of God did wan ierf ally incicaie widiin this
realm, partly by reading, partiy by brodicriy con-
ference, winch in thole dangerous days was uf.i
jto the comfoi t of many ; but chiefly by mcichants
and mariners, who rrcquenting other coiuitiies,
heard the true uodlrine aihrmed, and the vanity
of the papiftical religion openly reb uked : A mongft
^vhoin were thofe of Dundee and Leiih principids,
againil whom was made a vciy itrait inquilition,
by David Beaton cruel cardinal. And diverfe weie
compelled to abjure and burn their bills, iome in
St, Andrews, and fome at Edinburgh. About
the fame time captain John borthwick proveft of
LinUthgow was burnt in figure, but by God's pro-
vidence efcaped tiieir fury. And this was done for
a fpadacle and triumph to Mary of Lorrain, lately
arrived from France, as wife to James V. King
of Scots : Whac plagues flre brought with her,
and how they yet continue, fuch as are not blind
may manifelfly fee. The rage of thefe bloody
beafls proceeded fo far, that the king's court itfelf
efcaped not that danger ; lor in it divers were fu-
fpe^ed, and fome accufed : And yet ever did fome
light burft out in the midft of darknefs; for the
truth of Chrifl Jefus entered even into the cloiHers,
ys well of friars and monks as of canons. John
Lyn a gray friar left his hypocritical habit, and
the den of thofe murderers, the gray-friars. A
black friar, called friar Killor, fet forth the hiflory
of Chriff s paffion in form of a play, which he both
preached and praftifed openly in Stirling, the king
himfeif being prefent upon a Good-Friday in the
morning ; in the which all things were (o lively
expiehed, that the very nmple people underftood
■iiid confefied, that, as the prieits and obftinate
pharifees perfuaded the people to refufe Chrifi
jefus, und caufed Pilate to condernn him •„ fo did

the bifliops, and men called religious, blind the
people, and perfuade princes and judges to perfe-
cute fuch as profefs Chrifl Jefus his bleffed gofpel.
This plain fpeaking fo indamed the hearts of all
that baie the beafl's mark, that they ceafed not,
till the faid iriar Kiilor, and with him friar Beve-
ridge, Cir Duncan Simfon, Ivober-t Forrefler gentle-
man, and dean Thomas Forrat, canon regular and
vicar of Dollar, a man of upright life, who alto-
gether were cruelly murdered in one fire upon
die cafile-hid the lail of February, in the
year of our Lord 1533. This cruelty was ufed by
the alortfaid cardinal, the chancellor, the bifncp
ol GlalgoM', and the inceflous bifliop of Dumblain.
Alicr tiiat this cruelty was ufed in Edinburgh up-
on the Cctfile-hill, to the eiie(^> that the reft of the
biihops might (hew themfelves no lefs fervent ta
fupprcis the light of God, -han he of St. Andrews
was, Vvcre apprehended two of the diocefs of
Glalgow, the one named Jeremy Rulfel, a gray-
friar, a young man, of a meek nature, quick fpi-
rit, and good learning ; and one Alexander Ken-
nedy, who palled not eighteen years of age, one
of excellent wit in vulgar poefy. To affilf the
bifhop of Glafgow in that crutl judgment, or at
leall to dip his hands in the blood of the faints of
God, were fent Mr. John Lauder, Mr. Andrew O-
liphant, and friar Meitman, fervants of Satan, apt
for that purpofe : The day appointed to the cruel-
ty approaching, the two poor faints of God were
prefented before thofe bloody butchers ; grievous
were the crimes which were laid to their charge :
Kennedy at the firfl was faint, and gladly would
have recanted ; but while the place of repentance
was denied unto hiin, the Spirit of God, which is
the fpirit of all coinfort, began to work in him ;
yea, the inward comfort began to burif forth, as
well in vifage, as in tongue and word ; for his.
countenance began to be cheerful, and, with a^
joyful voice, upon his knees, he faid, * O eternal

* God, how wonderful is that love and mercy

* which thou bearefl unto mankind, and unto me

* the mo{\ caitiff and miferable wretch above all o-
' thers : For, even now, wdren I would have denied
' thee, and thy Son our Lord Jefus Chrifl, my only

* Saviour, and fo have caff myfelf into everlafting
' damnation ; thou by thine own hand haft pulled

* me from the very bottom of hell, and made mc

* to feel that heavenly comfort, which takes from

* me that ungodly fear wherewith before 1 was op-.
' prelTed. Now I defy death, do what ye pleafe,
' I praife my God 1 am ready.' The godly and-
learned Jerrny, railed upc2 by thefe godlcfs tyrants,^

anfwered,

Book L

&i RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

6^

anfwerccl, ' This is your hour and power ofdark-

* nefs: Now fit ye as judges; and we ftand wroiig-

* fully accufed, and more wrongfully to be con-
' denmed; but the day Ifiall come, when our in-

* nocency fhall appear, and that ye ftiall fee your

* own blindnefs, to your everlafting confufion. Go

* forward, and fulfil the meafnreof your iniquity.'
While that thefe fervants o^ God thus behaved
themfelvcs, a variance arifeth betwixt the biihop
and the beafts that came from the cardinal ; for the
biihop faid, ' I think it better to fpare thefe men,
' than to put them to death :' V/hereat the idiot
doctors olfended, faid, ' What will ye do, my
' Lord ? will ye condemn all that my lord cardinal

* and the other bifliops and we have done ? If fo

* ye do, ye fhew yourfelf enemy to the church and

* us, and fo we will repute you, be ye affured.'
Atwhich words, the faithkfs man, afraid, adjudged
the innocents to die, according to the delire ol the
wicked. The meek and gentle Jeremy Ruffel com-
forted the other v/ith many comfortable fentences,
©ften faying unto him, ' Brother, fear not, more

* mighty is he that is in us, than he that is in the

* world ; the pain that we (hall fuffer is (hort, and
' fhali be light; but onr joy and confolation (hall

* never have end ; and therefore let us contend to

* enter in, into our Mader and Saviour, by the

* fame ftrait way, which he hath taken before us :

* Death cannot deftroy us, for it isdeftroyed already
' by him for whofe fake we fuffer.' With thefe,
and the like comfortable fentences, they pafled to
the place of execution, and coalfantly triumphed
over daeth and Satan, even in the mldft of the
flaming fire. And thus did thofe cruel beafts in-
tend nothing but murder in all the quarters of this
realm ; for fo far had they blinded and corrupted
the inconfiderate prince, that he gave himfelf to
obey the tyranny of thbfe bloody beads, and he
made a folemn vow. That none ihould be fp?.red
that was fufpedfedof herefy, yea, although it were
his own fon. To prcfs and pufn him forward in
this his fury, he lacked not flatterers enow ; for
many of his minions were penii oners to prieHs, a-
mongft whom Oliver Sinclair, yet remaining ene-
my to God, was principal ; and yet did not God
ceafe to give that blinded prince documents, that
fome fudden punifhment was to fall upon him, if
he did not repent, and amend his liie.; and that
his own mouth did confeis : For after that Sir
James Hamilton was beheaded (juftly or unjuftly
we difpute not) this vifioa came unto him, (as to
his familiars himfelf did declare) the iald Sir James
agptared unto,him, haying in his hanJs a drawn

fword, with the which he ftrokc from the king both
the arms, faying to him, * Take that till thou re-
' ceive a final payment for all thy impiety.' This
vifion with forrowful countenance he /hewed on the
morrow, and (hortly thereafter died his two fons,
both within the fpace of 24 hours, yea, fome fay.
within the fpace of fix hours. In his own prefence
George Steil, his greatefb flxterer, and greatefl ene-
my to God that was in his court, dropped off his
horfe, and died, not faying one word, that fame
day that, in audience of many, the faid George
had refufed his portion of Chrift's kingdom, if the
pra^'ersof the virgin Mary faould not bring hiip.
thereto. How terrible a vifion the faid prince law
lying in Linlithgow that night which Thomas
Scot juflice-clerk died in Edinburgh, men of good
credit can yet report: For, afraid at midnight, or
after, he called aloud for torches, and raifcd ail
that lay befide him in the palace, aud told tlrac
Thomas Scot was dead ; for he had been at hira
with a company of devils, and had faid unto him
thefe words, ' O wo to the day that ever I knew
' thee or thy forvice ; for ferving of thee, againfi-
' God, againft his- fervants, and againfi jnliice, L
' am adjudged to endlefs torment.' How tcriible
voices the laid Thomas Sect pronounced before
his death, men of all eflates heard; and fome that
yet live can witnefs his voice ever was, Jii/io Dei
judicio condemnatus fiim; that is, I am condemnec-
by God's juft judgment. He was mofi: opprefird
for the delation and falfe accufation of fuch as pro-
fefi^ed Chrifi:'sgofpel, as Mr. Thomas Marjoribanks,
and Me. Hugh Rig, then advocats, did confefs to
Mr. Henry Balnaves, who from the faid Tboma.'^
Scot came to him, as he and Mr. Thomas Bajlen-
den were fitting in St. Gile'&^church, and afked
him forgivenefs of the faid Thomas, None of
thefe terrible forewarnings could either change or
alter the heart of the unfortunate and milled prince,
but ftili he did. proceed ia his accufiomed ways :
For, in the midll of thefe evils, he caufed to put,
hands on that notable man Mr. George. Buchrin.nn,
to whom, for his fingular erudition and honefi be-
haviour, was committed the charge to inllruft
fome of his natural childre-O ; but by the merciful
providence of God he efcaped (albeit with nreat
difficulty) the ra.'re of thofe that fougrht his life •■
and remains ahve to this day in the year of Go<l
1566, to the glory of God, , to the grear honour
of this natio:i, and to the comfort of thofe. that
delight in letters and virtue. That fingii)?.r v/ork
of David's pfalms, in Latin metre and poefy, be-
fides many yth-.-rS;_ can .wi:acfs the rare graces cf.

The history o f t h e R E F O R M A 'i' I O N

Book I.

God ghen to that man, which that prince, by
inftigation of the gray-friars and of his other flat-
terers, would altogether have devoured, if God
had not provided remedy to his fervant by efcap-
ing (the keepers being aiieep, he went out at the
window) this cruelty and perfecutioa. Notwith-
ftanding the monllers and hypocrites, the gray-
friars, day by day come forther in contempt : For
not only did the learned efpy and detefl their abo-
minable hypocrify ; but alfo men, in whom no
fuch grace or gifts were thought to have been,
began plainly to paint the fame lorth to the people.
As this rhyme, which here we have inferted tor
the fame purpofe, m.ade by Alexander earl of Glen-
cairne, to this day, 1566, alive, can witnefs, en-
titled, ' An E p I s T L E direfted from the holy
' hermit of Larite, to his brediren the gray -friars.

' I Thomas hermit in Larite,
Saint Francis brother heartily greet,
Befeeching you with firm intent.
To be watchful and diligent ;
For thir Luthereans, rifen of new.
Our order * daily doth purfue.
Thefe fneaks do fet their whole intent
To read this Englifh new teflament :
And faith, we have them clean deceived ;
Therefore in hafte they mulf be flopped.
Our ftately hypocrify they prize.
And do blafpheme us on this wife.
Saying, That we are heretics.
And falfe loud lying mattln-tykes,
Cummerers and quellers of Chrift's kirk,
Such lazy fcemlers that will not work,
But idly our living wins.
Devouring wolves into fheeps fkins,
Hurkland with huids into our neck.
With Judas mind to joukand beck,
Seeking God's people to devour,
The overthrov/ers of God's glor,
ProfelTors of hypocrify,
Doftors in idolatry,
Fifliers with the fiend's net,
The upclofers of heaven's gate,
Cancard corrupters of the creed,
Hemlock-fowers among good feed.
To throw in brambles that do men twifl.
The high way kennsmd them from Chrifl,
Monllers with the beall's mark,
Dogs that never ifints to bark,
Chr.rclntien that arc to Chrilf unk'ent.
A feiSf that Satan's felf has fent.

■•' The Order of 9Am Francis.

' Lurking in holes like traitor-toes,
' Maintainers ot idols and falfe gods,

* Fantaftic fools, and frenzie flatterers,

* To tur-n from the truth the very teachers.
' For to declare their whole fentence,

' Would much cumber your confcieace.

' To fay your faiih it is ftark, '

.' Your cord and loufie coat and fark

' Ye lippen may you bring to faivation,

' And quite excludes Chriil his paffion,

' I dread this doctrine an it laft,

' Shall either gar us work or fail.

' Therefore with fpeed we mnfl provide,

' And not our profit over-llide.

* I fchaip myfelf within Ihort while,
' To curfe our lady in Argyle,

' And there fome craftv ways to wirk,

* Till that we buiided have one kirk.
' Since miracles made by your advice,

* The Kitterels thought they had but lice.
' The two parts to us they will bring;

' But orderly to drefs this thing,

* A ghaifl I purpofe for to caufe gang,
' By counfel of friar Walter Lang,

* Which fliall make certain demonftrations

* To help us in our procurations,

* Your holy order to decore,

* That praftice he prov'd once before,
' Betwixt Kirkcaldy and Kinghorn :

* But lymmers made thereat fuch fcorn,

* And to his fame made fuch digreffion,

' Since-fyn he heard not the king's confeflion ;
' Though at that time he came with fpeed,
' I pray you take good will as deed,

* And fome among yourfelves receive,

* As one worth many of the leave.

* What I obtain you through his art,
' Reafon would ye had your part.

* Your order handles no money,

* But for other cafuaUty, *
' As beef, meal, butter, and cheefe,

' Or what elfe you have that you pleafe,

' Send your brethien and habete,

' As now not elfe, but valete.

' Be Thomas your brother at command,

' A culrune keith'd through many a land,'

After God had given unto that mifinformed
prince fufficient documents, that his warring againfl:
his blcfled gofpel fliould not profperoufly fucceed ;
He raifed up againfl him wars, as he did of old a-
gainft divers princes that would not hear his voice,

-in

Book i.

Of RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

in the which he loft himfelf, as we (liall hereafter
hear.

The cccafion of the war was this, ' Henry VilL
' king of England, had a great defire to have fpoken

* with our king; and in that point laboured fo
' long, till that he got a full piomife made to his

* ambalTador lord \Villiam Howard. The place of
' meeting was appointed at York, which the king

* of England kept v/ith fuch folemnity and prepa-
' rations, as never, for fuch a purpofe, Mas ieen

* in England before. Great noife of that journey,

* and fome preparations for the fame was made in
' Scotland : But in the end, by perfuafion of the

.' cardinal David Beaton, and by others of his fac-

* tion, that journey was ibyed, and the king s p: o-

* mife falfified.' Whereupon were fliarp letters of
reproach fent to the king, and alfo unto hiscoimcil.
King Henry fruftrate, returned to London, and
after his indignation declared, began to fortify with
men his frontiers towards Scotland. There was
fent to the borders, Sir Robert Bowes, the earl of
Angus, and his brother Sir George Douglas. Upon
what other trifling queftions (as for the debatable
land, and fuch) the war brake up, we omit to
write ; the principal occalion, was the falfifying
of the promifes before made. Our king perceiving
that war would rife, afked the prelates and church-
men, what fupport they would make to the fu-
llainingof theiame ; for rather would he yetfatisfy
the defire of his uncle, than he would hazard war,
•where he faw not his forces able to ref;fl. They
promifed mountains of gold; (as Satan their fa-
ther did to Chrift Jelns, if he would worfliip him)
for rather would they have gone to hell, than he
Ihould have met with king Henry ; for then,
thought they, ' Farewel our kingdom of abbots,
' monks, 6^. And farewel, thought the capiinal,
' his credit and glory in France.' In the end, they
promifed fifty thcufand crowns by year, to be well
paid fo long as the war lafted ; and further, That
their fervants, and others that appertained to them,
and were exempted from common fervice, fhoiild
neverthelefs ferve in time of neceffity. Thefe vain
promifcs lifted up in pride the heart of the unhap-
py king, and fo begins the war. The realm was
quartered, and men were laid in Jedburgh, and
Kelfo : All men (fools we mean) bragged of vie
tory, and in very deed the beginning gave us a fair
fhew ; for at the firff warden read, which was
made on St. Bartholomew's day, in the year of our
Lord 1 542, was the warden Sir Robert Bowes, his
brother Richard Bowes captain of Morham, Sir
William Mambery knight, a ballard-fon of the earl

7

of Angus, and James Douglas of Parkhead, then
rebels with a great number of borderers foldiers and
gentlemen taken, the road was termed J-lalderig.
The earl of Angus, and Sir George his brother did
narrowly el'cape. Our papifts and prelates, proud
of this victory, encomaged the king, fo that there
was nothing heard but, ' All is ours : they be bu!
' heretics ; if we be a thoufand, and they ten
' thoufand, they dare net fight : France fhall en-
' ter into one part, and we the other, and fo fhall
' England be conqueff within a 3-ear.' If any man
was Ieen to fmile at fuch .van itj^, he was no' more
but a traitor and an heretic ; and yet by thele
means men had greater liberty than they had be-
fore, as concerning their confcience, for then ceaf-
ed the perfecution. The war continued till the
middle of September, and then was fent down the
old duke of Norfolk, with fuch an army, as a hun-
dred years before had not come into Scotland ; they
were in gathering their forces, and fetting forM-ard
of their preparations and m.unitions, which were
exceeding great, till the middle of 06fober, and
after. And then they marched from Berwick, and
tended to the weft, ever holding Tweed upon their
own fide, and never camped from that river the
fpace of a mdle. During the whole time they con-
tinued in Scotland, which was ten or twelve davs,
forces were fent up and down to Smallam, Stichel,
and fuch places near about, but many fnappcrs
they got : Some corn they burnt, befmes that
which the great hoft confumed ; but fir.all booty
they carried away. The king aiftmbled his forces
at Fala; (for he was advertifed^, that thty had pro-
mifed to come to Edinburgh) and took the mufters
all at anhour,two days before Hallow-even: There
was found with him eighteen thoufand able n;en.
Upon the borders, that awaited upon the Euglifli
army, were ten thoufand good men, with the earl
of Hundy, lords Erfkine, Seton, and Hume ;
thefe were judged men enough to hazard battle,
albeit the other were eftecnied forty thouflmd
men. While the king lay at Fala, abiding upon
the guns and upon advertifem.ent from the army,
the lords began to remem.ber how the king had
been long abufed by his flatterers, and principally
by the penfioners of the prelates. It was then(
concluded, that they would make fome new re-
mem.brance of Lauder-bridge,. to fee, if that
would for a feafon fom.ewhat help the eftate of
their country: But becaufe the lords could not
agree among themfelves about the perfons that
deferved punifnment, (for every man favoured his
friend) the whole cfcaped, and the purpofe was

opened

T :i E HISTORY op the REFORMATION.

BC03

QpmzA to the king, and by hitn to the courtiers,
who, till they came to Edinburgh, flood in no
little fear ; but that wa5 fuddenly forgot, as we
flial! after hear. While time is thus protrafted,
the Eii^ilfh army for want of victuals (as was re-
ported) retired over Tweed in the night, and fo
began to llcale and funder ; whereof the king ad-
vertifed, defiied the lords and barons to aflilt him
to follow them into England ; whofe anfwer was
with one confent, ' That to defend his perfon and
' realm, they would hazard life, and whatfoever

* they had : but to invade England, neither had
' they fo jufl title as they defircd, neither yC could

* they be able to do any thing to the hurt of Eng-

* land, coafidering that they had long before been
' abfent from their houfes, their provifion was
' fpcnt, their horfes wearied, and that, which
' was greatell of all, the time of the year did ut-
' terly recraim.' This thtir anfwer feemed to fatis-
fy the king; for he in words prailed their prudent
forefight and wife counfel : but the eiray made to
his courtiers, and that bold repulfe of his defires
given to him in his own face, fo wounded his high
llomach, (for long had he run as himfelf lifted)
that he decreeth a norabie revenge, which, no doubt,
heliad not f.uled to have executed, if God by his
own hand had not cut the days of his life. He re-
turns to Edinburgh, the nobility, barons, gentle-
men, and commons, to their habitations. And
this was the 2d and 3d days ct November.

Without longer delay, at the palace of holy-
''roodho'jfe '\vas a new council aifembled, a council
-■■:e mean of bis abufers, wherein were accufations
'aid ngainf^ moft part of the nobility, * fome were
' heretics, fome favourers of England, fome friends
' to the Douglas ;' and fo could there be none faith-
ful to the king, in th^rir opinion. The cardinal
and prelates caft fagots in the fire with all thtir
force ; and, finding the king wholly addi(5fed to
their devotion, delivered unto him a fcroll, con-
. iiining the names of fuch as they, in their inqui-
ftion, had convifted for heretics: For this was
the order of ivffice, M'hich thefe holy fathers kept
in condemning of innocent men ; whofoever would
accufe ?nv of here fie, he was heard, no refpeft
]: or confi deration had, what mind theaccufer bare
to the perfon accufed; whofoever was produced
•for witnefs were admitted, how fufpicious and in-
f imous fce'.er they were : If two or three had prov-
t d anv point, that by theii laM' was holdtn herefie,
that was an be'^-tic-, there refi'ed no more but a
rlav to be affixed to his condtmnation, and to the
execution of their corrupt fentence. What man

could be innocent where fuch judges were part}',
the world may this day confider ? true it is, by falfe
judgment and falfe witnelles innocents have been
cpprefTed from the beginning : But this freedom
to fhed innocent blood got never the devil but in
the kingdom of antichrifl:, ' that the innocent
' (liould die, and neither know accufer, nor yet the

* witnefs that teftifieth againfl him.' But, how
(hall the antichrift be known, if he fliall not be
contrarious to God the Father, and his Son Chrift
Jefus, in law, life, and doftrine ? but this we o-
m.it. The fame fcroli had the cardinal and pre-
lates once pretented to the king before, at that time
when he returned from the navigation about the
ifles, in the year 1534; but then it was refufed
by the prudent and ftout counfel of the laird of
Grange, who opened clearly to the king the prac-
tices of the prelates, and the danger that thereof
might enfue ; which confidered by the king (for
being out of his pafTson he was tradable) gave this
anfwer, in the palace of Holyrcodhoufe, to the
cardinal and prelates, after that they had uttered
their malice, and Ihewed what profit might arife
to the crown, if he would follow their cpunfel ;

* Pack you jugglers, get you to your charges, and
' reform jour own lives, and be not inftruments

* of diicord betwixt ray nobility and me ; or elfe,
' I vow to God, I fliall reform you, not as the
' king of Denmark by imprifonment doth, neither

* yet as the king of England doth by hanging and •

* heading: But I fliall reprove you by fharp pu-
' nifliments, if ever I hear fuch motion of you again.^
Theprelate<, dafhed and ailonifhed with this anf-
wer, ceafed for a feafon to attempt any further by
rigour againft the nobility. But noM^, being in-
formed of all proceedings by their penfioners, Oliver
Sinclair, Rofs, laird of Craigie and others, who
were to them faithful in all things, they conclude
to hazard once again their former fuit ; which was
no fooner proponed, but as foon it was accepted,
with no fmall regret, by the kings own mouth,
that he had fo long defpifed their counfel: For
(faid he) * now i plainlv fee your words to be true:
' The nubility neither deiire my honour nor coun-
' t-enance, for they would not ride a mile for nvy

* pltafure to follow nunc enemies: Will ye there-

* fore find me the means hotv that I may have a
' road made into England, without their knowlege
' and confent, that it mav be known to be mine
' own road, and I fhall bind me to your counfeJ
forever?' there were gratulations and clapping of
hands; there were pi omifes of diligence, clofnefs;
and fidelity.among them. Finally, conclufion was

taken

BOOK>>

OB RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

73

laJu-n, that the well: borders of England, which
wore moil empty of men and garrifous, fhoald hz
invaded. The king's own banner fliould be theirs,
Oliver the g'-eat 'iiinion fliould be general-lieu ten-
aat, ba: no man /liould be privy (except the conn-
•fel th.i-t was then prefent) of the entcrpiife, till
the very day and execution thereof. The biOiops
giadly took the charge of that device ; letters were
ifent to inch as they would charge, to meet the
king at the day and place appointed : the cardinal,
\7ith the earl of Arran, was direfted to go to Had-
dingtoun, to make a (hew againfl the Eafl border,
when the others were in readinefs to in\ ade the
v/ell: and thus neither lacked counfel, practice,
clofenefs.'nor diligence, to iet forward that enter-
prife ; and (o, among thefe confultcrs, there was
no doubt of any good fuccefs. And fo was the
fcroll thankfully received by the king himfelt, and
put in his own pocket, where it remained to the
day of his death, and then was found. In it were
contained more than an hundred landed men, be-
iides other of meaner degree ; among whom was the
e;irl of Arran, notwithfianding his Tiding with the
current of the court, and his nearnefs in blood to
the king. It was reported that this road was de-
vifed by the Lord Max.wei, but the certainty there-
of we have not. The night before the day ap-
pointed to the enterprife, the king was found at
Lochmaben. To him come companies from all
quarters, as they were appointed, no man knowing
of another (for no general proclamations paff, but
privy letters) neither yet did the multitude knov/
any thing of the purpofe till after midnight when
that the trum.pet blew, and commanded all men
to march forward and to follow the king (who
was coaflantly fuppofed to have been in the hofl.)
Guides were appointed to conduft them towards
England, as both faithfully and clofely they did :
upon the point of day they approached to the ene-
mies ground, and fo pafTed the water without any
great refiftance made unto them. The forward
goeth forth, fearrifes, herfhip might have been
feen on every fide. The unprovided, people were
altogetiiier amazed ; for bright day appearing, they
iaw an army of ten thoufand men ; their beacons
on every fide fend flames of fire unto the heaven ;
to them it was more than a wonder that fuch a
multitude could have been alTembled and conveyed,
noknowlegfthereof coming to any of their war-
dens. For fupport they looked not, and fo at the
firfl: they utterly defpaired, ani;.yet began they to
aire-nble together, tea »n one ^ipany, twenty in
another, and fo, as tb.-^ fray prooecded, their troops

increafed, but to no number for (Carlyle fearing to
have been alfaulted, fuifercd no man to liTue oiit
of their gates) and fo thegrcatefl nmnber that ever
appeared or approached before the difcomiiture,
pafi: not three or four hundred men ; and yet they
made hot Pxirmdlbing, as in their own ground, in
fuch feats as they are moll expert, about tea
hours. When fires were kindled, and almcft
flackened on every fide, Oliver thought time to
firewhis glory ; and fo incontinent was difplaytd
the king's banner; and he, upholdenby two Ipcars
lift up upon mens flioulders, there, with iound'of '
trumpet, was proclaimed general-iieutenant, and
all men commanded to obey him, as the king's own
perfon,under all higheff pain.There was prefent the
lord Maxwel warden, to whom the government of
things in abfence of the king properly appertaineth;
he heard and law all, but thought more than he
fpake; there werealfo prefent the ea^ls of Glen-
cairn and CaiFils, with the lord Fleming, and
many other lords, barons, and gentlemen of Lo-
thian, Fife, Angus, and Mearns. In this moun-
tain did the fkirmilhing grow hotter than it \vas be-
fore, fiiouters v/ere heard on every fide; fbm.e
Scotifh-men were firicken down, fom.e not know-
ing the ground were mired, and loft their horfes ;
fome Englidi horfe of purpofe were let lopfe to
provoke greedy and imprudent mtn to prefs at
them, as many did but found no advantage. While
fuch diforder rifes m.ore and more in the army, eve-
ry man cried aloud, My lord lieutenant, what will
ye do ? Charge was given that all men fiiould light,
and go to aray in order, for they would fight :
Others cried, Againft whom will you fight ? yon-
der men will fight none ctherwife than ye fee them,
do, if ye will ftand here while the morrov/. Now
purpofe was taken, That the footmen (they had
there with them certain bands of foldiers) ihould
fafely retire towards Scotland, and the horfemen
fhouid take their horfe again, and fo follow in or-
der. Great was the noife and confufion that was
heard, while that every man calleth his own ilug-
gards; the day was near fpent, and that was the
caufe of the greateft fear. The lord Maxxvel per- ,..
ceiving what would be the end of fuch beginnings,
flood upon his feet with his friends, who, being
admonifhed to take his horfe, and provide for him-
felf, anfwered, ' Nay, I will rather abide here the
' chance that it Ihall pleafe God to fend me, thant(^
' go home and there be hanged ;' and fo he remain^
upon his foot and was taken, while the muki
fled, and took the greater fliame. The enemies
perceiving the diforder, increafed in coupge : be-
K / fore

j^ The fl 1 g T 0 R Y Of TH

fore they fhouted, but then they ftroke ; they (hot
fpears, and dagged arrows where the company
was thickefi ; fome encounters were made, but
nothhig availed ; the foldlers caft from them their
pikes and culvei'ins, and other fencible weapons ;
the hor feme n left their fpears, and fo, Whhout
judgment, all men hcd. The fea was filling, and
fo the water made great flop : bnt the fear was
fuch, as happy was he that might get a taker.
Such as pafTed the water, and efcaped that danger,
not well acquainted with the ground, fell into the
flymymofs: the entry thereof was pleafmg enough;
but as they proceeded, all that took that way, ei-
ther loft their horfe, or c-lfe tlenfelves and horfe
both. To be (hort, u greater fear and difcomfi-
tUre, without caufe, hath leldoni been feen : for
'"tis faid, That where the men were not fufficient
to take the bands of prifoners, fome ran to houfes,
and rendered thtmfelvts to women. Stout Oliver
was without fcioke taken fleeing full manfully;
and fo was his glory (iiinking and fooiifh proud-
nefs we fhould call it) iuddenly turned to confu-
fion and fname. In that difcomhture were taken
the two ear's aforefaid, the lords Fleming, Somer-
•v'el and Oliphant, and many other barons and
gentlemen, befides the great multitude of fervants.
Worldly men fay, That all this came but by mif-
brder and fortune, as they term it ; but whofoever
hath the leafl fpark of the knowlege of God m.ay
-iis evidently lee the work of his hand in this dif-
tomfiture, as ever was feen in any of the battles
left to us in regifler by the Holy Ghoft. For,
what more evident declaration have we that God
fpught againft Benhadad king of Aram, when he
was dJfeomllt'::e4 at Samaria, than now we have,
that God with his own arm fought againfl Scot-
land in this former difcomfiture ? There did two
hundred and thirty perfons in the fkirmifh, with
feven thoufand fohowing them in the great battle,
put to flight the faid Benhadad, with thirty kings
ill his company : but here, there is in this fliame-
ful difcomfiture of Scotland, very few more than
three hundred men, without the knowdege of any
back or battle to follow, put to flight ten thou-
fand mefl, without refinance made. There did
fevery man rencounter his marrow, till that the
two hundred and thirty flew fuch as matched them:
But here, without daughter, the multitude fled.
There, had thofe of Samaria the prophet of God
i^ comfort, to inffraCf, and to promife vidfory
uuo them ; but England in that purfuit had no-
thin^. biit as God fecretly wrought by his pro-
'ikknc'.ni the men that!:ne^v nothing of bis work-

E 'k £ F 0 11 M A T I O N £ooK \

ing, neither yet of the caufe thereof, tnoi'e thaa
the wall, that fell upon the rait of BeVdudad's ar-
my, knew what it did. And tliercfore .'yet agtin
Ve fay, that fuch as, in that fiidden dejeftion,
beholds not the hand of 'God figliting againf i pride^
for frqedom of his own I'ittlt fiock unjuflly pcr-
fecuted, doth willirigly and malicloufl'y obfcurc
the glory of God ; bat the end thereof is yet m.ore
notable. The certain knowltge of fhediicomfiturc
coming to the 'king's ears, (y.f lo waited upon nev,':.
at Lcchn^.abeu) 'he \vas ffricken Vvith a fuddcn feat-
and aUonllliment, fo that fcarcely could he fpeaL,
or had purpofe with any man : the night conflrain
ed him. to remain Where he was, and fo went to
bed, but rofe without refl, or quiet flccp; hi^-
continnal complaint was, ' O fied Oliver ! is Cli-
' ver taken : Ofltd Oliver !' And thefe words in his
melancholly, and as it were carried in a trance, re-
peated he from time to tiine to the very hour ot
his death. Upon the morn, which was St. Ka-
tharine's day, returned lie to Edinburgh, and lo
did the cardinal from Haddingtoiin : but the one
being ashamed of the other, the report of their
communication came not to public audience. The
king made invcntary of his treafure, of all his
jewels, and other fiibflanee; and thereafter, afliam.-
ed to look any man in the face, fecretly departed
to Fife; and coming to Halyards, was hum.anely
received of the lady of Grange, an ancient and
godly matron, (the laird at his coming was ab-
fent.) In his company was only "with him Williami
Kirkaldy, now laird of Grange, and fome other
that waited upon his chamber. The lady at fup-
pcr perceiving him pcnfve, began to comfort him,
and willeth him to take the work of God in good
part. ' My portion, faid he, of this world is
' fhort, for i will not be with you fifteen days.'
His fervants repairing unto him, afked. Where he
would have provifion made for Chriflmas, which
thtn approached; he anfwered with a difdainful
countenance, ' I cannot tell, chufe you the place;

* but this I can tell you, ere Chrifrmas-day you

* w'ill be maflerlefs, and the realm, without a king.',
Becaufe of his difpleafure, no m.an durfl make
contradi<5f ion unto him. So, after that he had vi- •
fitcd the caflle of Carny, pertaining to the earl of'*
Crawfurd, where the faid earl's daughter, one of >
his miflreffes, was, he returned to Falkland, and
took bed. And, albeit, there appeared unto him
no figns of death, yet he conflantly affirmed, 'Be-!
' fore fuch a day, I iTiali be dead.' In this meacr
timie Was the queen upon the point of her delivery
in Linlithgow, who was delivered the 8:h of No-](

v<;mbej|

BoQ^i 01- RELlGl.ON

vember, la the ye:u of God 1 54^ years*, of Mary
who then was bora, and now doth reign ror a
fcourffe'to this realm, as the progreis of her whole
life has lo this day declared. Tiie certainty that
a daughter was born untohi:Ti coming to ^'Scars,
he turned from fuch as fpakewlth him, and iaid,

• The devil go with it, it will end as it began ; it

• came from a woman, and it will end with a wo-
*man;' from Mary, dan:Thter to Robert Bruce,
married to Waltar Stewart. He feared that his
daughter Oiould be married to one of another name
and family; but you fee by God's providence, the
crown remains in one .and the fame family and name
to this day, notwithftanding the many plots of the
pretenders to the crown both at home and abroad.
After that he fpake not many words that were
fen able, but ever harped on his old fong, * Fy,
' iled Oliver; is Oliver taken ? All is loll.' In this
mean time, in his great extremity, comes the car-
dinal, (a fit comforter for a defperate man) he cries
m his ear, * Take order. Sir, with your realm,
'■ Who (hall rule during the minority of your daugh-
*ter: ye have known myfervice; What will ye
' have done ? Shall there not be four regents cho-

• fen ? and Ihall not I be the principal of them V

Whatfoever the king anfwered, documents were
taken, that fo it Ihould be, as my lord cardinal
thought expedient. As many affirm, a dead man's
hand was made to fubfcribe on blank, that they
might write above what pleafed them beft ; the
cardinal having hired one Henry Balfour, a pnelt,
to make a falfe teilament; which was done accor-
dingly, but in vain. This finiOicd, the cardinal
polled to the queen, lately before delivered, as_ is
faid. At the firft fight of the cardinal, fhe laid,
' Welcome my lord, is net the king dead V What
moved her fo to conjeaure, divers men were ot di-
vers judgments. Many whifper, that of old ' his
part was in the pot,' and that the fulpicion there-
of caufed him to be inhibite the queen's compa-
ny. Howfoeverit was before, it is piain, tnat
after the king's death, and during the cardmars
Ufe, v/hofoever guided the court, he got his le-
cret bafmefs fped, of that gracious lady, either
by day or by night. Howfoi:ver the tidings lik-
ed her, (he mended with as great expedition of
■that daughter, as ever flie did before ol any ion
Ihc bare. The time jf her purification was foon-
er than. the Levidcal law appoints; but flie was
^ao Jew, and therefore in that fne offended not.
The noifc of the death of king James divulgate,
who dt parted this life the 1 3 t'h of December, m
'the year of God 1 542; aforeiaid, the hearts of men

IN $ C 0 T L A 1^ ®. 7 J

began to be difclofed. All men lamented tha
the realm was left without a male to luccctd; ytt,
fome rejoiced that fuch an enemy to God's truth
was taken away. He was called of fome, a good
poor man's king; of others he was termed a mur-
derer of the nobility, and one that had decreed
their whole defi:ru6tion. Some praifed him lor
the repreffing of theft and opprefilons ; ctheri dif*
praifed him for being much given to women. The
prelates and clergy icared a change in the king's
mind, as he Imd exprefied himfelf fome few years
before. And thus men fpakc c-\en as their affecti-
ons led them, and yet none fpal'e altogether be*'
fides the truth : for part of thefe aforeiaid were
fo manifeil:, that, as the virtues could not be de-
nied, fo could not the vices by any craft be ciok«
ed. Yet, to fpeak truth of him, his vices may
juftly be attributed to the times and his breeding,
and not toany wickednefsinhis nature; for he gave
many expreffions of a good nature, namely in his
fobriety and juilice, ire. The queftion of govern-
ment was through this realm univerfaily moved*
The cardinal proclaimed the king's lafl will, and
therein v/ere expreffedfour proteftors or regents, of
whom himfelf was the firfi; and principal, and with
him were joined the earls of Hur.tby, Argyle, and
Murray : this was done on Monday at the market-
crofs of Edinburgh. • But the Monday follow: ig,
took the whole regent's remiffion for their ufurpa-
tion : for by the if out and wife counfel of the
laird of Grange, did the earl of Arran, then fo
near to the crown, caufe aflemble the nobility ot
the realm, and required the equity of their judg-
ments in that his jull fult to the government of
this realm, during the minority of her to whom
he pretended to fucceed, failing of her, and of her
lawful fucceflion. His friends convecned, the
nobility affembled, the day of decifion is appoint-
ed ; the cardinal and his fadion oppofes tht-m, and
are againft the government of one man, and efpe-.
cially of any called Hamilton : for * who knows
' not (faid the cardinal) that the Hamilton's are
' cruel murderers, oppreffors of innocents, proud,
' avaricious, doable and falfe, and finally the pef-

* tilence in this common-v.x^alth :' Whereto the
earl anl\vered, * defraud me not of my right, and
' call me what you pleafe : whatfoever my friends;
' have been, yet unto this day hath no man hr.d

* caufe to complain againfl me, neither yet am I
' minded to flatter any of my friends in their evil
' doings, but by God's grace ftiall be as ^br^vard
' to correft their tnormiries, as any within the
' realm qan reaibably require of me : and thereiorc

'" ■ " K 2 *yet

The history o f t he REFORMATION

BOOKJ,

' yet ircrain^ my lords, in God's name, I crave that

* you do me no wrong, nor defraud me of my
' juft title, before you have experience of my go-

* vernment/ At thefe v/ords, were all that fear-
■ed God, or loved honefty, to moved, that with
Oiie voice they cried, ' That petition is mofl: juft;

* and," iinlefs j-ou will doagainll God's juftice and
' 'equity, it cannot be denied.' And fo, in defpight
oi the cardinal and his fu horned faftion, was he
d'rclared governor, and with public proclamation
(o proclaimed to the people. The king's palace,
treafnre, jeweh, garments, horfe and plate Vv'ere de-
}!VK;red unto him by the ofKcers that had the form- '
■er charge, iind he honoured, teared, and obeyed,
i^ore heartily than ever any ■ king was before, fo
]--^ng as he abcJe v/lth'God. The caufe of the
great favour that was borne luito him, was ; that
i^ was reported, that he fl;voured God's word, and
i^ecaufe it was w^ell known that he was one ap-
pointed to have been p-rfecuted, as the fcroU
ibund in the king's pocket after his death did
■>'-Mtnefs: thefe two things, together with an opi-
nion that irsen had of his fimpHcity, bowed the
hearts of many unto him in the beginning, who
:;^ter with dolour of hearts, were compelled to
change their opinions) but heieof we will after
fpc^k.' The variety of matters that occurred, we
omit, fuch as the order taken for keeping of the
young queen ; of the provifjon for the mother :
^he calling home of the Douglas, and others, fuch
ns appertain to an imiverfal hiflory of the time,
'-or, as before we have faid, we mind only to
'b'iow the proqrefs of the religon, and of the
matters that caniiot be fevered from the fame.

The earl of Arran being cftabliflied in the go-
vernment, go:^ly men repaired unto him, exhort-
ed him to call to mind foi- what end God had ex-
;utcd him to be governor: out of what danger he
had delivered hiin, he being in the bloody fcroll,
; s we fav/ before : and what expeftation all men
.if honefly had of him, becaufe they iaw him a
^bft man, they conceited goodnefs of him. At
their inftant fuit, more than of his own motion,
was Thomas Guiliiam, a black friar, called to be
preacher. The man was of found judgment, of
reafonable letters, (as for that age) and of a
prompt and good utterance. His doflrine was
wholefom without great vehemency againfl fuper-
'VitioTi. Preached alfo fome time John Rough,
(who after for the verity of Chrift Jefus fuffered
in England) albeit not fo learned, yet more fim-
ple, and more vehement againft all impiety. The
doflriiie of thefe two provoked againft them, and

againft the governor alfo, the hatred of fuch as'
m.ore favoured davknefs than light, and their own
intertft more than God's. The gray friars (and
ainongft the refi friar Scot, who before had given
himfelt forth for the greateft profcfTbr of Chrift-
Jefus within Scotland, and under that colour had
diiclofed, and endangered many.) Thefe flaves_
of Saun rcwped as they had been ravens; jea, ra-^
iher they yelled and roared as de\ils in hell ; ' He-
' Vefy, herefy, Guiliiam. and R.ough v/ ill carry the
governor to the devil. The town of Edinburgh.,
for the mou part, w'as drc;wned in fuperftition.
Edward Hope, young William Adamfon, Sibilla
Lindfay, Patrick Lindf.iv, f'rancis Aikm.an ; and
in the Canongare, jchn Ivlackaw, and Ninian
Brown, with a few others, had the report of know-
lege in thefe days. One V/ilfon, fervant to the
bilhop of Dunkeld, w'ho neither knew the new tef-
tament nor the old, made a defpitefnl rai'ling bal-
lad againft the preachers, and againft the govern-
or, for the which he narrowly efcaped hanging.
The cardinal both moved heaven and hell to trou-_
ble the governor to ftay the preaching, but yet was
tire battle ftoutly fought for a ftafon ; for he was
taken, and put firft in Dalkeith, after in Seton :
but at length, by bribes given to the faid lord
Seton, and to the old laird of Lcthington, he was
reftored to St. Andrews, from whence he wrought
all mifchief, as we ihall after hear. The parlia-
ment' approached, which was before Eafter ; there
began queftion of the abolirtiing of certain tyran-
nical acts made before, at the de^'otion of the pre-
lates, for the mai'ntainingof their kingdom of dark-
nefs, to ivit, ' That, under pain of herefy, no
' man flioiild read any part of the fcriptures in the
' vulgar tongue, neither yet any tractate or expo-
' fttion of any place of fcripture:' fuch articles be-
gan to come in queftion, we fay, and men began
to enquire. If it were not lawful to'men.that rai-
der ftood no Latin, to ufe the word of their fahati-
on in the tongue they underftood, as it was for
the Latin men to have it in Latin, Grecians or He-
brews to have it their tongues? It was anfv/ered.
That the church ufed it not, he means the pre-
lates, who firft had forbidden all tongues but
three, viz. Hebrew, Greek and Latin. But men
demanded, When that inhibition was given, and
what council had ordained it ? confidering that in
the days of Chryfoftom, he complained, 'that the
people ufed not the Pfalms, and other holy books
in their own tongues. And if ye \V\Yi fay they
were Greeks, and underftood the Gjx-ek tongue;
■\\c anfvvcr, That Chrift Jefus commanded his

woi d

Ob RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

Book I.

word to be preached to all nations; now, if it
o'ight to be preached to all nations, it mull be
preached in the tongue they undcrAand. I'hen, it'
i^be'Ia\vhll to preach, and hear it preached in all
tongues; why Ihould it not be lawful to read it,
and" hear it read in.all tongues; to the end tliat
the people may ' try thefpirits,' according to the
commandnunt of the apoflle ? Beaten with thefe
and other leafons, they denied not but that it might
be read in the vulgar tongue, provided the tran-
ilaticn were true. It was demanded,' what could
be reprehended in it ? and when. much fearching
was made, nothing could be found ; but that Love,
fay they, was put lathe' place of- Charity : when
rfie quefuon was afked, "What difference was be-
twixt the one and the other; and if they under-
ftood the nature of the Greek term aj-^^, they were
dumb, iltafoned for the party of the feculars the
lord Ruthven, father to him who prudently ga^e
Gounfel to take jull punKhment upon that knave
David, for that he abufed the unhappy king Hen-
ry Stuart, in more cafes than one, a flout and a
difcreet man in the caufe of God, and Mr. Henry
Balnaves an old profellor : for the part of the cler-
gy, one Hay dean of Reflalrig, and certain old
bilhops with him. The conclufion was, The com-
miffioners of burghs, and a part of the nobility re-
quired of the parliament, that it might be enaffed,
' That it fliould be lawful to every man toufe the
' benefit of the tranilation, which then they had of
' the old and new teffamcnt, together with thebe-
' nefit of other treatiies containing whoiefom doc-
' trine, until fuch time as the prelates, and other

• churchmen, fhould give and fee forth unto them

* a tranilation more correal.* The clergy hereto
long repugned; but in the end, convinced by rea-
fons, and by multitude of voices in their contrary,
they alfo condefcended : and fo, by acl of parlia-
ment, if was made free to ail men and women to
read the fcriptures in their own vulgar tongue,
Stnd fo were allaffs made to the contrary abolifhed.

This was no fmallvicfory of Chrifl Jefus, fight-
ing againft the conjured enemies of his verity ; no
fmall comfort to fuch as before were holden in
fuch bondage, that they durft not have read the
- Lord's prayer, the ten commandments, nor the
articles of their faith in the vulgar tongue, but
they fhould have been accufed of herefy. Then
might have been feen the bible lying alm.oft upon
«^very gentleman's table.. The new tcftament was
borne about in many men's hands, V/e grant that
fome, alas! prophaned that bleflcd word; for
feme that perchance had never read ten fentences

/ /'

in it, had it moll: common ih their hand, they
would chop their familiars on the clieek Nvith it,
and fay, This hath lien under my bed-feet thefe
ten years. Others would glory, O how oft have
I been in danger for this book ! how fccretly have
I ifoin from my wife at midnight, to read upon it!
And this was done we fay of many, to make court,
and curry favours therjtby : for all men efleem.ect,
the governor to have been one of the nKjf: fervent
Protcftants that was in Europe. Albeit, we fity,
that many abufed that liberty granted of God mi-
raculoufly, yet thereby did the knowlege of God
wonderfully increafe, and God gave his holy Spirit
to funpie men in great abundance: then were fer
forth works in our owm tongue, befidcs thofe
that came from England, that did difclofc the pride,
the craft, the tyranny and abafes of that Roman
antichrifl. The fame of our governor was fpread
in divers countries, and mxany praifed God fo3-
him; king Henry VIIL fent unto him .his ambal-
fador Mr. Rodulph Saidler, who lay in Edinburgh
a great part of the fummer ; his comunlffion- and
negotiation was, to oontraft a perpetual amity bc-
tv/ixt England and Scotland: the occafion where-
of God had fo offered, that to many men it ap-
peared, that from heaven he had declared his good
pleafure in that behalf. For to king Kenry, of
Jean Symer, (after the death of queen Katharine,
and of all others that might have miade his marri-
age fufpeft) was given a Ion, Edward VL of bkf-
fed memory, older fome years than our mifaefs ;
and unto us was left a queen, as before we have
heard. This wonderful providence ef God, caufcd
men of greatcff judgment to enter into difputation
with themfelvts. Whether that with good confci-
ence any man might repugn to the delires of the
king of England, confidei ing, that thereby all cc-
cailon of war might be cut off, and great comm_o-
dity might enfue to this realm. The offers of king'
Henry were fo large, and his demands fo reafon-
ahle, that ail that loved quietnefs were content
therewith. There were fent from the parliament
to king Henry in com million. Sir Jam.es Learmont,
and Mr, Henry Balnaves, v/ho long remaining in
England, fo travailed, that all thmgs concerning the
marriage be.wixt Edward VL and Mary queen of
Scots were agreed upon, except the time of her
deliverance to the cuflody of Englifhmen. Upon
the final conclufion of the which head, were added
to the former commiffioners, Wilham earl of Glen-
cairn, and Sir George Douglas, to whom was gi-
ven ample com.miificn and good inflructions. In
Scotland remained Mr. Rodulph Saidler. Adver-

tifemcnts.

The H I S T O R Y o

78

tifements paft fo frequently betwixt, yea, the hands
of our lords liberally were anointed, bcfdcs other
comnioditles promifed and of fome received ; for
divers prifoners taken at Sohvay mofs, were fent
home free, upoapromife of their fidelity ; which, as
jt was kept, the iflue will witnefs. But in the end, fo
well v/ere all once content, (the cardinal, the queen,
and the fa^ion of France ever excepted) that fo-
lemnly in the abbey of Hoiyroodhoufewas the con-
traft of marriage made betwixt the perfons afore-
faid, together with all the claufes and conditions
requifite for the faithful obfervation thereof, read
in public audience, fubfcribed, fealed, approved,
and allowed of the governor for his part, nobility
and lords for their parts ; and that nothing fliould
lack that might fortify the matter, was Chrift's
body facred, as papifts term it, broken betwixt the
faid governor and Mr. Saidler ambafiador, and re-
ceived of them both, as a fign and token of the
imity of their minds, to keep that contrafl in all
points inviolably, as they looked of Chrifl: Jefus to
be faved, and after to be reputed men worthy of
credit before the world. The papifts raged againfl:
the governor, and the lords that had confented and
abode fait to the contradl ; and bragged to depofe
the governor, and to confound all, as after fol-
lows: But upon the returning of the forefaid am-
balTadors from England, pacification was made for
that time; for by the judgments of eight perfons
for either party chofen, to judge whether that any
thing was done by the faid ambafladors in the con-
tracting of that marriage, which to do they had
not fnfficient povvcr from the council and parlia-
ment, it was found, that all things Vv^ere done ac-
cording to their comm.iffion, and that fo they
{hould ftand : and fo were the feals of England
nnd Scotland interchanged. Mr. James Fowls,
then clerk of the regifter, received the great feal
of England ; and Mr. Sadler received the great feal
of Scotland : The heads of the contraft we pafs
by. Thefe things newly ratified, the merchants
made preparation to fail, and totheir traffic, which
by the troubles of wars had fonie yeai-3 been hin-
dered. From Edinburgh were freighted twelve
fhips richly laden, according to the wares in Scot-
larid ; from other tor-ms and ports departed others,
v/ho all arrived upon the coafts of England, to-
wards the fouth, to wit, in Yarmouth; and with-
out any great neceffity, entered not only roads,
but alfo within ports and places o*^ commandment,
and where (laips might be arrefted : and becaufe of
the late contrafted amity and gentle entertainment
" "Thzt they found . at the firA, they made no great

P T«E REFO -R-M- A T t O N

BooiClJi

difpatch ; butbeiiy7, as thev fappoftid, in reciirltv,
in merrinefs they (pent ti:e time abiding upon thc-
wind. In this mean time arrived from France toj
Scotland the abbot of PalHy, (called noNV of late
John Hamilton, baflard-hrother to the governor,
whom yet many efteemed fon to the old bifhop of
Dumkeldc;n, call:d Crichton) and with him Mr.
David Panter, who after was made bifhop of Rofs;
the report of the learning of thefe two, and their"
honeft life, and of their fervency and uprightnefe
in religion, was fuch, that great hope there was,
that their prefence.fhould be comfortable to the
church of God; for it was conftantly affirmed of
fome, that without delay thc one or the other
would go to the pulpit, and truly preach Jefus
Chrift. But few days difdofed their hypocrify;
for what terrors, what promifes, or what inchant-
ing boxes they brought from France, the commo»
people knew not; but (hortly after, it was fees
that friar Guiliiam was inhibited to preach, and
fo departed into England, John Rough to Kyle, a
receptacle of God's fervants of old. The men of
counfel, judgment, and godiinefs, • that had tra-
vailed to promote the governor, and that gave him
faithful counfel in all doubtful matters, were either
craftily conveyed from him ; or elfe, by threatning
to be hanged, v/ere compelled to leave him. Of
the one number was the laird of Grange aforefaid,
Mr. Henry Balnaves, Mr. Thomas Ballenden, and
Sir David Lindfay of the Mount; m.en by whofe
labours he was promoted to honour, and by whofe
counfel he fo ufed himfelf at the beginning, that
the obedience given to him, vvas nothing inferior
to that obedience that any king of Scotland of man}''
years had before him; yea, in this it did furmount
the common obedience, in that it proceeded froni'
love of thofe virtues that was fuppofed to have
been in him. Of the number of thofe that were
threatned, were Mr. Michael Durham, Mr. David
Borthwick, David Forrefle, and David Bothwel,
who counfelled him to have in company with him
men fearing God, and not to nourilh wicked men in
their iniquity, albeit they were called his friends,
and were of his firname : this counfel underflood by
the afoj-efiid abbot, and by the Hamiltons, who
then repaired to the court, as ravens to the car-
rion, in plain v/ords, it was faid, ' My lord go^
' vernor nor his friends will never be at quietnefs,
' till a dozen of thefe knaves that abufc his grace
' be hanged.' Thefe words were fpoken in his
own prefencc, and in the prefence of fome of theiBi
that had better defervtd ^han to have been fo ufed:
the fptaker was allowed for hji; plain and bold fpeak-

mg.

"Book I, of

ing. And fo the wicked counfei/allo^ved, non^ll
and godiy men left thecomt and him in the hands
(of fuch as by thtir wicked connfel led him fo far
from God, thai he falfificd his prcir.ife, dipt his
hands in the blood of the faints oi'God, and brought
this common-wealth to the very point of uuer
ruin; and thefe were the firfl: fruits of the abbot
of Pailly his counterfeit godlinefs and learning ;
but hereof we, will hear more. All hontfl and
godly men banilhed from the court, the abbot and
his cooncil begin to lay before the unconftant
governor, the dangers that might enfue the alte-
ration and change of religion, the power of the
king of France, the conimodity that might come
to him and his hoiiie by retaining the ancient
?eagiie with France, and the great danger that he
brought upon himfelf, if in one jot he fufFereth
the authority of the pope to be violated or called
in doubt within this realm, confidenng, that there-
upon only flood the fecurity of his pretended
right to the fucceflion of the crown of this realm :
for by God's word could not be made good the
divorcement of his father from Elifabeth Hume,
lifter to the lord Hume, his lawful wife; andcon-

fequently his marriage v/ith • Beaton, niece

to James Beaton biiliop of St. Andrews, Elifabeth
Hume being alive, muff be null, and he declared
baftard. Caiaphas fpake prophefy, and yet wilt
not what he fpake ; for at that time there was
hai-dly any man that truly feared God, that mind-
ed any fuch thing, but with their whole force
would have fortified him in the place that God had
given unto him, and would never have called in
q'.ieflion things done in time of darknefs ; but
this head we pafs by, till God declare his v/ill
therein. Another prasfrice was ufed, as for the
cardinal, he being fet at liberty, as before we have
heard, ceafed not to traffic with fuch of tihe nobi-
lity as he might draw to his faclion, or corrupt
by any means, to raife a party againft the faid
governor, and againft fuch as ftood faft at the
contraft of marriage and peace with England.
And fo aflembled at Linlithgow, the laid cardinal,
the earls of Argyle, Huntly, Bothwel, the bifhops
and their bands: and thereafter they pafTed to
Stirling, and took with them both the queens, the
mother and the daughter, and thrcatned the de-
pofiticn of the faid governor, as ' inobedient to
* their holy mothtrr the church,' (fo term they
that harlot of Babylon, Rome.) The unconftant
man, not thorowly grounded upon God, left, by
his own fault, deftitute of all good connfel, and
having the wicked ever blowing ia his ear ; ' Wliat

R k 1 ^ G i C^ N r^>j § fc 6 t L A k O.

79

' will you ^o '? you will deilroy yourfeljf and your
^' hoijle both for ever.' The unhappy man, we
fay, beaten with thefe temptatfons, rendered him-
felf to the appetites of the wicked ; for he quietly
/lole away from the lords that were with him ia
the palace of Holy roodhoufe, paft to Stirling, fub-
jefted himfeif to the cardinal and to his council,
received abfolution, and renounced the profeffioii
of the holy gofpel of Chrifl Jefus, and violated his
oath v/hich before he had made, for the obferva-
tion of the contraft and league made with Eng-
land ; at that tim.e was our queen crowned, and
a promife made to France. The certainty hereof
coming to king Henry, our Scottifli Ihips were
ftaid, the, fails taken from the rigs, and the mer-
chants and mariners were commanded to fure cuf-
tody. Now commifTion v/as fent to Mr. Rodalpk
Saidler, who then ftiU remained in Scotland, tr,
dem.and the caufe of that fudden alteration, and
to travail by all means pofTible, that the go\ernc;
might be called back to his former godly'purpofe,
and that he would notdo fo foolifnly and difnoneft •
ly, yea, fo cruelly and unmercifully to the reainx
of Scotland, that he would not only lofe thecom.-
modities offered, and that were prefently to be
received; but alfo, that he would put it to the
hazard of fire and fword, and other inconveni-
ences that might enfue the war, which was to fol-
low upon the violation of his f;iith ;. but nothing
could avail. The devil kept faft the grip that he
got, yea, all the days of his government: for the
cardinal got his eldeft fon in pledge, whsm he kept
in the caftle of St. Andrews, while the day that
God's hand punifhedhis pride. King Henry percei-
ving that all hope of the governor's repentance was
loft, called back his ambaffadors, and that with
fearful threatnings, as Edinburgh after felt ; den-
ounced war, made our ftiips prizes, and merchants
and mariners lawful prifoners, which to the burghs
of Scotland was no fmall herfhip. But thereat did
the cardinal and priefts laugh, and jeftingly he lliid,
' when we ftiall conquer England, the merchants
' fhall be recompenced.' The fummer and the
harveft pafTed over without any notable thing ; for
the cardinal and abbot of Pailly parted the prey a--
mongft them, the abufed governor bare the name
only. In the begining of winter came the earl of
Lennox to Scotland, fent from France in hatred of
the governor, whom the king (by the cardinal's:
advice) promifed to pronounce baftard, and fo to*
m.ake the faid earl governor ; firff , becaufe he him-
feif was born by Eeaton, his father's law-
ful wife, Elifabeth Hume being yet alive; next,.

bixaufe.

The H I.S T 0 R Y op ths R. E F O R M a T I O N .Bcoici

8(5

becaufe his grandfather was born by Mary Stuart
to James Hamilton, when her lawful hulband
Thomas Boyd was yet alive. So the earl of Ltn-
-nox did not only pretend to be lawfuhy_ next to
the crown, as the late king Jamcs V. did oittn
declare, that if he died without heir-male, he
•would fettle the crowri i^poa him, but aifo lawrul
•heir of the earldom of Arran, as being dtfcended
from Margaret Hamilton, born of Mary Stuart to
James Hamilton, after the death of Thomas Boyd
her former hu(band, (now by this time the uncon-
flant earl of Arran had given himfcif wholly to the
cardinal.) The caidinal farther put the earl of
Lennox in vain hope, that the queen Dowager
fliould marry him. He brought with him fome
money, and more he after received at the hands of
Labrofs : but at length perceiving himfelf fruftrate
of all CKpeftation that he had, either by France,
or yet by the promife of the cardinal; he concluded
to leave France, and to feek the flavour of England,
and fo began to draw a faftion againll the governor ;
and, in hatred of the other's inconftancy, many
favoured him in the begiilning : for their affem-
bled at Chriff mas in the town of Air, the earls of
Angus, Glencaun, Caffils; the lord Maxwel, the
laird of Drumlanrick, the flierilf of Air, Campbell,
with aH the forces that they and the lords that re-
mained conftant at the opinion of England might
make ; and after Chrift mas they came to light.
The governor and cardinal wifli their forces kept
Edinburgh, (for they were Hackly purfued) men
cxcufed the earl of Lennox in that behalf, and
laid the blame upon ibme that had no will of the
Stuarts government. Hov/foever it was, luch an
appointment was made, that the faid earl of Len-
nox was difappointed of his purpofe, and narrovdy
t^fcaped, and firft got him to Glafgow, and after to
Dumbarton. Sir Gcorge Douglas was delivered
to b;:: kept as pledge, the earl his brother was in
the Lent after taken at the fiege of Glafgow; it
was reported, that both the brethren, and others
with them, had lolf their heads, if by the provi-
dence of God the Englifh,army had not arrived in
time. After that the cardinal had gotten the go-
"vernor wholly addift to his devotion, and had ob-
tained his intent above a part of his enemies, he
be<7an to praftife, how that fuch as he feared, and
therefore deadly hated, fliould be fct by the ears
one agalnft another, (for in that thought, the car-
nal man put his greateil fecuiity.) The lord Ruth-
ven he hated, by rcafon of his knowlege of God's
word; the lord Gray he feared, becaufe at that
Time be iifcd the company of fucb n^ profePcd god-

linefs, and bare fmail favour to the cardinal : now
thus rtafoned the woridiy-wile-n an; if I can put.
tniiiity betwixt thtfe two, I fhail be rid of a great
num.ber of unfriends; for the moff part of iht^
country will either afTft the one or the^other, and
fo will they be othtiwife occupied than to watcl*
tor my difpleaiure. Ke finds the means without
iongprocefs ; for he labours with John Chartaioi:s,
(a !mgp> of ilout courage and many friends) to ac-
cept^ provoffry of St. Johuflon, which he pur-
cijafe#'to him by donation of the governor, with
a charge to the faid town to obey him as their law-
ful provoff; whereat not only the faid lord Ruth-
vtn, but alfo the town being offended, gave a ne-
gative anfwer, alledging, that fiich intrufion of
men to othce was hurtful to theii- privilege and free-
dom, which granted unto them free election of their
provoff from year to year,.at a certain time appoint-
ed, which they could not nor would not anticipate.-
Hereat the faid John offended, faid, that he would
take that office by force, if they would not grant
it unto him of benevolence ; and fo departed and
communed the ir.atter with the lord Gray, with
iNorman Lefly, and with others bis friends, whom
"he eafily perfuaded to aff ff him in that purfuit -
becaufe he appeareth to have the governor's right,
and had not only a charge to the town, as is faid,
but alio he purchafed letters to befiege it, and take
it by ffroiig hand, if any refinance were made un-
to him : fuch letters, we fay, made many to favour
his aftion. The other made for defence, and fo '
took the mafler of Ruthven, (the lord that after
departed into England) the maintenance of the
town, having in his company the laiid of ^.'oncrief,
and other triends adjacent : the faid John prepared
for the purfuit, and upon St. Magdalen's day, ia
the morning, anno 1543, approached with his
forces, (the lord Gray took upon him the principal
charge.) It was appointed, that Norman Lelly, .
with his friends, lliould have come by fhip with
munition and ordinance, as they were in readinefs;
but becaufe the tide ferved not fo foon as they
would, the other thinking himfelf of fufficient
force for all that were in the town, entered in by
the bridge, where they found no refilance, till
that the former part was entered a pretty fpace with-
in the Hih-gate ; and then the faid mailer of Ruth-.
ven, with his company, ftoutly recountered them,
and fo rudely repulfed the foremoft, that fuch as
were' behind gave back. The place of ret: eat- was
fo flrait, that men that durll not fight, couid not
flee at their pleafurc, (for the m.off part of my lord
Gray's friends were upon the bridge) and fo the

ilaughter

Book I.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

8i

flaughter was great ; for there fell by the edge
of the fvvord thrccfcore men. The cardinal
had rather that the miihap had fallen on the other
part; but howfoever it was, he thought that fuch
trouble was his comfort and advantage. The
knowlegc whereof came to the ears of the party
difcomfited, and was unto them no fmall grief: for,
as many of them entered into that aftion for his
pleafure ; fo thought they to have had fortification
and affiilance, whereof fii>.iing themfelves fruflrate,
, they began to look more narrowly to themfelves,
and did not fo attend upon the cardinal's devotion,
as they had wont to do before : and fo was a new
jealoufy engendered among them ; for whofoever
would not play the good fervant unto him, was
reputed his enemy. The cardinal drew the go-
vernor to Dundee; for he underftood, that the
earl of Rothes and Mr. Henry Ralnaves were with
the Lord Gray in the caftle of Huntly: The go-
vernor fent and commanded the fald earl and lord,
with the forefaid Mr. Henry, to come unto him
to Dundee, and appointed the next day, at ten of
the clock before noon, which hour they decreed
to keep, and for that purpofe afTembled their foiks
at Balgavic, or thereby. The cardinal aivertifcd
of their number, (they were no more than three
hundred men) thought it not good that they I'hould
join with the town, for he feared his own eftate ;
and fo he perfuaded the governor to pafs forth of
Dundee before nine hours, and to take the flreight
way to St. fohfloan: Which perceived by the
forefaid lords, they began to fear that they were
come to p'lrfue them, and fo put themfelves in or-
der and array, and marched foreward of purpofe to
have bidden the uttermofl. But the crafty fox,
forfeeing that in fighting ftood not his fecurity,
ran to his laft refuge, that is, to manifeft treafon ;
and fo confultation was taken, how that the force
of the others might be broken. And at the firft
■were fent the laird of Grange, and the provofl of
St. Andrews, (knov/mg nothing of the treafon) to
a(k why they molefted mv lord governor in his
journey. Whereto they anfwtred, That they meant
nothing lefs, for they came at his grace's com-
mandmeat, to have kept the hour in Dundee ap-
pointeiby him; which, becaufe they faw prevent-
ed, and knowing the cardinal to be their friend,
they could not but fufpe6l their unprovided com-
ing forth of the town; and therefore they put
thcmftlves in order, not to invade, but to defend,
in cafe they were invaded. This anfwer reported,
was fent to che bifhop of St. Andrews, the abbot
©f Paifley, Mr. David Panter, the lairds of Bal-

cleugh and Coldingknows, to dcfire certain of the
other company to talk with them, which they
eaflly obtained, (for they fufpefted no treafon.) Af-
ter long communication, it was demanded, If
that the earl and lord, and Mr. Henry aforefaid,
would not be content to talk with the governor,
provided the cardinal and his company were on
the place ? They anfwered, That the governor
might command him in all things lawful ; but they
had no will to be in the cardinal's mercy. Fair
promifes enow were made for their fecurity ; then
was the cardinal and his band comimanded to de-
part, as that he did, according to the purpofe ta-
ken. The governor remained, and a certain num-
ber with him; to whom came, without company,
the faid earl, lord, and Mr. Henry. After many
fair words given to them all, to wit, That he would
have them agreed with the cardinal, and that he
would have Mr. Henry Balnaves the worker and
inftrument thereof, he drew them forewards with
him towards St. Johnffoun, whereto the cardinal
was ridden . They began to fufpeft, (albeit it was
too late) and thtrefoie they defired to have return-
ed to their folks, for putting order unto them. But
it was anfwered. They fhould fend back from the
town ; but they itiufl needs go foreward with my
lord governor : And fo, partly by flattery, and
partly by force, they were compelled to obey; and
aifon as they were in the town, they were appre-
hended, and on the morrow fent all three to Black-
nefs, where they remained, as it pleafed the cardi-
nal's gracelefs grace, and that was till the band of
manred, and of fervice, fet fome of them at liber-
ty : x'^nd thus the cardinal with his craft perfuaded
on every fide, fo that the Scots proverb was true
in him, ' So long runs the fox, as he has feet.'
Whether it was at this journey, or at another, that
that bloody butcher executed his cruelty upon the
innocent perfons in St. johnffoun, we cannot af-
firm; neither yet therein ftudy we to be curious, but
rather we labour to exprefs the verity, whenfoe-
ver it was done, than fcrouploufly and exadfly to
appoint times, which yet we omit not when the
certainty occurs. The verity of that cruel faff was
this. At St. Paul's day, before the firft burning of
Edinburgh, came to St. Johnfloun the governor
and cardinal, and there, upon envious dilation,
were a great number of honeft men and v/omen
called before the cardinal, and accufed of herefy;
and albeit they could be convinced of nothing, but
only of fufpicion that they had eaten a goofe upon
Friday, four men were adjudged to be hanged,
and a woman to be drowned; which cruel and
L mod

'82

The history of the REFORMATION. Book I,

moft unjuft fentence was without mercy put in exe-
cution : The huiband was hanged, and the wife
"having a fucking babe upon her breaft, was drown-
ed. ' O Lord, the land is not yet purged from

* fuch beaftly cruehy, neither hath thy juft ven-

* geance yet flricken ail that were criminal of

* their blood.' But the day approacheth, when
the puniflim.ent of that cruelty, and of others,
will evidently appear. The names of the men
that were hanged, were, James Hunter, William
Lamb, William Anderfon, James Ruvalt burgefs of
St. Johnfton, At that fame time were bani(hed, Sir
Henry Eldar, John Eldar, Walter Pyper, Lau-
rence Pullar, with divers others, whofe names
come not to our knowlege. That fworn ene-
my to Chriil: Jefus, and unto all in whom any
fpark of knowlege appeared, had about that time
in prifon divers, amongft whom was John Roger,
a black friar, godly and Itarned, one that had
fruitfully preached Chrift Jefus, to the comfort of
many in Angus and Mearns, whom that bloody
man caufed to be murdered, in the ground of the
Sea-tower in St, Andrews, and then caufed to caft
him over the v/all, fpreading a falfe report, That
the faid John feeking to flee, had bioken his own
neck. Thus ceafed not Satan by all means to
maintain his kingdom of darknefs, and to fupprtfs
the light of Chrift's gofpel : butmighty is he againfl
whom they fight; for when the wicked were in
greatefl fecurity, then began God to fhew his an-
ger; for the 3d day of May, in the year of our
Lord 1 544 years, without knowlege of any man
in Scotland, (we mean, of fuch as fliould have
had the care of the realm) was feen a great navy
of fliips arriving towards the Frith. The pofts
came to the governor and cardinal, who both were
in Edinburgh, fhewing what multitude of fhips
'were feen, and what courfe they took ; this was
on the Saturday before noon. Queftion was had.
What fhould they mean? Some faid, It is no
doubt but they are Englifhmen, and we fear that
they will land. The cardinal flcipped, and faid,
It is the ifland-fiot, they are come to make a fhew,
and to put us in fear ; I (hall lodge all the men of
war in mine eye, that fhall land in Scotland. Still
fitteth the cardinal at his dinner, eating, as though
there had been no danger appearing. Men affem-
bled to gaze upon the fhips, fome to the Caftle-
hill, fome to the mountains, and other places e-
minent ; but there was no queflion, With what
forces fhall we refill, if we be invaded ? Soon af-
ter fix of the clock at night, were arrived, and had
^lafl anchor in ihe road of Leith, more than two

hundred fail. Shortly after, the admiral fhot a
flat-boat, which from Gran tori-hills, till by Eaft-
Leith, founded the deep, and fo returned to her \\
fhip: hereof were divers opinions, men of judg-
ment forefaw what it meant, but no credit was given
to any that would fay. They minded to land ; and
fo pafTtd every man to his reft, as if the fhips h.ad
been a guard for their defence. Upon the point
of day, upon Sunday the 4th of May, addrefs they
for landing, and they ordered the fhips fo, that a
galley or two laid their fnouts to the hills: the
fmall fhips, called pinnaces and light horfemen, ap-
proached as near as they could. The great [bAvi.
difcharged their loldiers into the fmaller veifels,
and they by boats fet upon dry land before ten of
the clock ten thoufand m.en, as was judged, and
more. The governor and cardinal feeing then
the thing that they could not, or at leaff they
would not believe before, after they had made a
brag to fight, fled as fail as ho"fe could carry
them ; fo that after, they approached not within
twenty miles of the danger. The earl of Angus
and Sir George Douglas were that night freed of
ward, (they were in Biacknefs) the faid Sir George
in merrinefs, faid, * I thank king Henry and my
' gentle mafiersof England.' The Englifh army
betwixt one and two of the clock entered into
Leith, found the tables covered, the dinners pre-
pared, fuch abundance-of wine and viftuals, be-
fides the other fubflance, that the like riches with-
in the like bounds was not to be found neither in
Scotland nor England, t^pon Monday the 5th of
May, came to them from Berwick and the borders,
two thoufand horfemen, who being fomewhat re-
pofed, the army upon Wednefday marched to-
ward the tov/n of Edinburgh, fpoiled and burnt
the fame, and fo did they the palace of Kolyrood-
houfe : the horfemen took the houfe of Craigmil-
lar, and got great fpoils therein; for it was judg-
ed the iirongelf houfe near the town, after the
caflle of Edinburgh, and all men fought to fave
their moveables theiein: but the floutnefs of the
laird gave it over, without fhot of hackbut, and
for his reward was caufed to march upon his feet
to London ; he is now captain Dunbar, and pro-
voft of Edinbuvgh. The Englifhmen feeing no re-
fiftance, hurled by force of m.en cannons upon the
flreet, to the Butter-trone, and above, and haz-
arded a fhot againfl the fore-entry of the c&flle;
but that was to their own pains ; for they lying
without the trench or gabion, wereexpofed to the
force of the whole ordnance of the faid caOle,
which fhot, and that not all in vain ,; for the wheel

and

Book !»

ch* Jl E L 1 C 1 O N

and axletree of one of the Englifli cannon was
broken, and fome of their men (lain; and fo they
left with fmall honour, that enterprlze taken rather
of raflmefs, than of any advifed counfel. When
the moft part of the day they had fpoiled and
burnt, towards the night they returned to Leith,
and upon the morrow returned to Edinburgh, and
executed the reft of God's judgments for that time :
an.i (o, when they had confumed both the towns,
they loaded the fliips with the fpoils thereof, and
they bv land returned to Berwick, ufing the coun-
try, for the mofl: part, at their own pleafure.
This was a part of the punifliment which God
took upon the reahn for the infidelity of the go-
vernor, and for the violation of kis folernn oath :
but this was not the end ; for the realm was divid-
ed into two faftions, the one favoured France, the
other the league lately contrafted with England;
the oiie did in no things credit thorowly the other,
fo that the country was in extreme calamity : for
to the Engliflimenwere deliv-^-ed divers firengths,
fnch as Carlaverock, Lochmaben, and Langham;
the moft part of the borderers were confedrate
with England : and albeit at Ancrum-muir in Fe-
bruary, in the year of God 1544, was Sir Ralph
Ewers, with many other Englifhmen flain, and
the year after were fome of the laid ftrengths re-
cover-rd, yet was it not without great lofs and de-
triment of the common-wealth. For in the month
of January, in the year of God 1545, Moniieur
de Lorge, with bands of men of war, came from
France, for a dcftruclion to Scotland ; for, upon
their brag was an army raifed, forwards they go
towards work, even in the mid fl of harvtfl. The
cardinal's banner was that day difpla^'ed, and ail
hi§ files were charged to be under it, many had be-
fortr promifed ; but at the point it was left fo bare,
that with fhame it was fhut up into the .pock a-
gain, and they, after a (hew, returned with more
ihame to the realm than hurt to thtir enrmiis.
The black book of Hamilton maketh mention of
great vaUallage done a t that time by th e governor and
the French ; but fuch as with thtir eyes faw the
whole progrefs, knew that to be a lie, ' and do

* repute it amongft the venial fins of that race,

* which is to fpeak the bed of themfeii'es they can.'
That winter 'o'lov,'ing fo nurtured the Frenchmen,
that they learned to ear, yea, to beg cakes, which
at their entry they fcorned, without jefling; they
were fo miferp-bly ufed, that few returned into
France again with their li' es. The cardinal then
had almoft f 01 ;ifxed the caPle of St. Andr.ews,
which he maHe fo fliong in his opinion, that he
regarded neither Engiaii'd nor Fiance. The earl

I N S C O T L A N D. 83

of Lennox, as is faid, difappointed of all things
in Scotland, pafled into England, where he was
received of king Henry into proteftion, who gave
him to wife lady Margaret Douglas, of whom was
born Henry, fometime Hufband to our queen and
miftrefs. While the unconflant governor was
fometlmes dejedted, and lometimes raifed up again
by the abbot of Paifley, (who before was called
' Chaffer than any maiden') began to fliew himfelf ;
for after he had taken, by craft the caftles of Edin-
burgh and Dunbar, he took alfo pofleffion of his
enemy's wife, the lady Stanehoufe; the woman is
and hath been famous, and is called lady Gilton,
her ladyfhip was holden always in poverty : but
how many wives and virgins he hath had fince,
and that. in comm.on, the world knov/eth, albeit
not all, and his baflard-birds bear Ibme witnefs :
fuch is the example of holinefs that the flock may
receive of the papiflicalbifiiops. In the midll of'
all the calamities that came upon this realm, after
the defection of the governor from Chrifl Jefus,
came into Scot-land that blelTed martyr ot God
Mr. George Wifhart, in company of the commif-
lioners before mentioned, in the year of our Lord
1 544, a man of fuch graces, as before him was
never heard within this realm, yea, and are rare
to be found yet in any man, notwithftanding this
great light of God that fince his days hath Ihined
unto us : he was not only fingularly learned, as
well in all godly knowkge, as in all honefl human
fcienc. ; but alfo he was fo clearly illuminated
with the fpi'-it of prophecy, that he faw not only
things pertaining to himfelf, but alfo fuch things,
as feme towns, and the whole realm after-
wa. d felt, which he forefpake, not in fecret, but
in the audience of many, as in their own pV^ces
fl^ali be declared. The beginning of his doiftrine
was in Monti ofe ; therefrom he departed to Dun-
dee, where, wi^h great admiration of all that
heard him, he taught the epiflle to the Romans,
till that by procurement of the cardinal Robert
Myie, then one of the principal men of Dundee,
and a man that of old had profefied knowlegc,
and for the fame had fufPered trouble, gave, in
the qneen's and governor's names, inhibition to
the faid Mr. George, that he fliould trouble their
town no more, for the;- would not fuifer it: and
thi.'. was faid to him being in the public place':
which heard, he mufed a pretty fpace, with his
eves bent unto the heavens; and thereafter, lock-
ing forrowfuUy to the fpeaker, and unto the peo-
ple, he faid, ' God is witnefs that I never mind<jd
' your trouble, but your comfort; yea, your trou-
L a ' * ble

84

The history of thi REFORMATION

Book l.

« ble is more dolorous unto me, than it is unto
' yourfelves ; but I am afTured, that to refufe God's
« word, and to chafe from you his meflenger, (hall

* not preferve you from trouble, but it fhall bring

* you into it : for God fhall fend unto you meflen-
« gers, who will not be afraid of burning, nor yet
« of bankhment. I have offered you the word of
« falvation, and with the hazard of my life I have

* remained amongft you ; now ye yourfelves refufe

* me, and therefore mufl: I leave my innocency to

* be delcared by my God ; "If it be long profperous
*■' with you, I am not led by the fpirit of truth :"
' But if trouble unlooked for apprehend you, ac-

* knowlege the caufe, and turn to God, for he is

* merciful; but if ye turn not at the firft, he will

* vifit you with fire and fword.' Thefe words
pronounced, he came down from the preaching-
place. In the church prefent was the lord Marfhal,
and feveral noblemen, who would have had the
faid Mr. George to have remained, or elfe to have
gone with them into the country : but for no re-
queft would he either tarry in the town, or on
that fide of Tay any longer, but with poffible ex-
pedition paft to theWefl-land, where he began to
offer God's word, which was of many gladly re-
ceived, till that the bi(hop of Glafgow, Dunbar,
by inftigation of the cai'dinal, came with his ga-
therings to the town of Air, to make refinance to
the faid Mr. George, and did firfl take the church :
the earl of Glencairn being thereof ad vertifed, re-
paired with his friends to the town with diligence,
and fo did divers gentlemen of Kyle, (amongfl
whom was the laird of Lefnoreife, a man far
different from him that now liveth, in the year of
our Lord 1 566, in manners and religion) of whom
to this day yet m.any live, and have declared them-
felves always zealous and bold in the caufe of God,
as after will be heard. When all were affembled,
conclufion was taken, that they would have the
church ; whereto the faid Mr. George utterly re-
pugned, faying, * Let him alone, his fermon will

* not much hurt; let us go to the market-crofs,' and
fo they did, where he made fo notable a fermon,
that the very enemies themfelves were confounded.
The bifhop preached to his jack-men, andtofome
old boffes of the town : the fum of all his fermon
was, * They fay we (liould preach, Why not ?

* Better late thrive, than never thrive ; hold us

* ftill for your biOiops, and we fhall provide bet-

* ter the next time.' This was the beginning and
the end of the bifhop's fermon, who with hafle
departed the town, but returned not to fulfil his
promife. The faid Mr. George remained with, the

gentlemen in Kyle, till that he got fure knowlege
of the flate of Dundee: he preached commonly
at the church of Gallon, and ufed much in the
Bar : he was required to come to the church of
Machlyne, and fo he did ; but the fneriff of Air
caufed to man the church, for prefervation of a
tabernacle that was there beautiful to the eye.
The perfons that held the church, were George
Campbell of Mongarfwood, who yet liveth ann»
1566, Mungo Cambell of Erownflde, George
Reid in Dandilling, the laird of Tempilland.

Some zealous of the parifh, among whom was
Hugh Campbell of Kingarcleugh, offended that
they fhould be debarred their parifli-church, con-
cluded by force to enter; but the faid Mr. George
withdrew the faid Hugh, and faid unto him,

* Brother, Chrift Jefusisas mighty upon the fields

* as in the church ; and I find that he himfelf

* oftner preached in the defert, at the fea-fide,

* and other places judged profane, than he did in
' the temple of Jerufalem. It is the word of

* peace that God fends by me, the blood of no
' man fliall be fhed this day for the preaching of
' it.' And fo, withdrawing the whole people, he
came to a ditch in a muir-edge, upon the fouth-
weft fide of Machlyne upon the which he afcend-
ed: the whole multitude flood and fat about him^
(God gave the day pleafant and hot) he continued
in preaching more than three hours ; in that fer-
mon God wrought fo wonderfully with him, that
one of the mofi wicked men that was in that coun-
try, named Laurence Ranken laird of Sheld, was
converted ; the tears ran from his eyes in fuch a-
bundance, that all men wondred ; his converfation
was wi thou t hypocrify, for his life and converfation
witnefled it in all times to come. While this faith-
ful fervant of God was thus occupied in Kyle,
word rofe, that the plague of peflilence rofe in
Dundee, which began four days after that the
faid Mr. George was inhibited preaching, and was
fo vehement, that it pall almofl credibility to hear
how many departed every four and twenty hours :
the certainty underflood, the faid Mr. George took
his leave of Kyle, and that with the regret of ma-
ny ; but no requefl could make him to rem.ain.
his reafon was, * They are now in trouble, and

* need comfort ; perchance this hand of God will

* make them now to magnify and reverence that

* word, which before, for the fear of men, they

* fet at light price.' Coming unto Dundee, the
joy of the faithful was exceeding great. He de-
layed no time, but even upon the morrow gave
fignification that he would preach j and bscaufe

the

Book I.

the moft part were either fick, or elfe were in
company with thofe that were fick, he choofed
the head of the eaft-port of the town for his
preaching place, and fo the whole flood or fat with-
in, the iick and fufpefted without the port or
gate. The text upon the which his firfl fermon
was made, he took from the hundred and feventh
pfalm, the fentence thereof, ' He fent his word
' and healed them ;' and therewith joined thefe
words, ' It is neither herb nor plaifter, O Lord,
* but thy word healeth all.' In which fermon, he
moft comfortably did entreat of the dignity and
utility of God's word, the punifhment that comes
for the contempt of the fame, the promptitude of
God's mercy to fuch as truly turn to him; yea,
the great happinefs of them whom God taketh from
this mifery, even in his own gentle vifitation,
which the malice of man can neither mend nor
pair : By the which fermon he (o raifed up the
the hearts of all that heard him, that they regarded
no death, but judged them more happy that Ihould
depart, than fuch as fhould remain behind, confi-
derlng that they knew not if they fhould have fuch
a comforter with them at all times. He fpared not
to vifit them that lay in the very extremity, he
comforted them as he could, being fuch a multi-
tude, he caufed minifter all things neceflary to thofe
that could ufe meat or drink, and in that poiqt
wab the town wondrous beneficial; for the poor
was no more negle^fed than was the rich. While
he was fpending his life to comfort the aifliifted,
the devil ceafed not to Ilir up his own fon the car-
dinal again, who corrupted by money a defperate
priefl, named Sir John Wighton, to flay the faid
Mr. George, wh© looked not to himfelf in all things
fo circumfpeclly as worldly men would have ufed.
And upoH a day, the fermon ended, and the peo-
ple departing, no man fufpet^ing danger, and there-
fore not heeding the faid Mr. George, the prieft
that was corrupted flood waiting at the foot of the
fteps, his gown loofe, and his dagger drawn in his
hand under his gown. The faid Mr. George, as
that he was moft fharp of eye and judgment, mark-
ed him, and as he came near, he faid, ' my friend,
' what would ye do ?' and therewith he clapped his
hand upon the-prieft's hand wherein the dagger
was, which he took from him ; the prieif abailied,
fell down at his feet, and openly confefied the
verity as it was. The noife rifing, and coming
to the ears of the fick, they cried, * deliever the
* traitor to us, or elfe we will take him by force :'
and fo they burfi: in at the gate; but Jvlr. George
took him in liis arms, and faid, * whofoever trou-

epRELIGIONiNSCOTLAND. s^

' bles him, fliall trouble me; for he hath hurt me

* in nothing, but he hath done great comfort to

* you and me; to wit, he hath let us to under-

* fiand what we may fear ; in times to come we

* will watch better :' and fo he appeafed both the
one part and the other, and faved the life of him
that fought his. When the plauge was fo ceafed,
thtit almofi: there was nope fick, he took his leave
of them, and faid, ' that God had almofi: put aa

* end to that battle;' he found himfelf called to
another place. The gentlemen of the wefl had
written unto him, that he fliould meet them at
Edinburgh ; for they would require difputation of
the bifliops, and that he fliould be publicly heard,
whereto he willingly agreed. But firfl he paifed
to Montrofe to falute the church there, where he
remained, occupied fometimes in preaching, but
mofl part in fecret meditation, ia the which he was
fo earnefl, that night and day he would continue.
in it. While he was fo occupied with his God,
the cardinal drew a fecret draught for his flaugh-
ter ; he caufed to write unto hirn a letter, as it had
been from his mofl familiar friend, the laird of
Kinneir, defiring him with all polTible diligence
to come unto him, for he was fi:ricken with a fud-
den ficknefs. In the mean time had the traitor
provided fixty men, with jacks and fpears, to ly
in wait within a mile and an half to the town of
Montrofe for his difpatch : the letter coming to his
hand, he made hafte at firft. (for the boy had
brought a horfe) and fo with fome honefl men he
paflfed forth of the town, but fuddenly he flayed,
and mufing a fpace, returned back; whereat they
wondring, he faid, ' I will not go; I am forbidden

* of God, I am afliired there is treafon ; let fome of

* you, faith he, go to yonder place, and tell me

* what ye find.' Diligence made, they found the
treafon as it was ; which being fhewn with expe-
dition to Mr. George, he anfwered, ' I know that

* I fliall end my life in that blood- thirfly man's-

* hands, but it will not be on this manner.'

Time approaching that he had appointed to meet
the gentlemen at Edinburgh, he took his leave at
Montrofe, and fore againft thejudgmentof thelaird
of Dan, entered on. his journey, and, fo returned
to Dundee; but remained not, but pafl!ed to the
houfe of a faithful brother named James Watfon,
who dwelt in Innergowrie, diftant from the faid
town two miles, and that night (as information
was given to us by William Spadin, and John Wat-
fon, both men of good credit) before day he pafl^ed
forth into a yard: the faid Vviliiam and John fol-
lowed privily, and took heed what he did. When

hs-

The history of the REFORMATION Book i-

35

"he had gone up and down in an alley a reafon-
able fpaee, with many fobs and deep groans,he fell
upon his knees, and fitting thereon, his groans
increafed ; and from his knees he fell upon his face,
and then the perfons aforenamed heard weeping,
and, as it were, an indigeft found of pra3ers, in
the which he continued near an hour, and after
began to be quiet, and fo arofe and came in to his
bed. They that waited upon him came before,
as if they had been ignorant, till that he came in,
and then began they to demand where he had been,
but that night he would anfwer nothing, U-
pon the morrow they urged him again ; and while
that he diffembled, theyYaid Mr. George, be plain
with us ; for we heard your mournmg, and faw
you both upon your knees, and upon your face.
With dejecl:ed vifage, he faid, I had rather ye had
been in your beds, and it had been m.ore profitable
for you ; for 1 w^as fcarce well occupied. When
they inftantly urged him to let them know fome
comfort, he faid, I will tell you, that I am afTured
that my travail is near an end ; and therefoie call to
God with m.e, that now I (brink not when the
battle waxes moft not. And while that they weep-
ed, and faid, ' that was fmall comfort unto ihcm ;

* he anfwered, God (liall fend you comfort after

* me. This realm (hall be illuminattd with the
< light of Chrift's gofpel, as clearly as ever any re-

* aim fmce the days of the apollles. The houfe of

* God (liall be builded in it; yea, it fliall not lack

* (whatfoever the enemy imagine in the conrraiy)

* the very capeilone ; meaning, that it Ihould once

* be brought to the full perfection. Neither (faid

* he") (hall this be long to : there (hall not many
' fufFer after me, till that the glory of God fhall

* evidently appear, and fhall once triumph in de-
' fpight oF Satan. But alas, if the people ihall be

* after unthankful, then feaiful and terrible (hall

* the plagnes be, that fhall follow.' And with
thefe words, he marched forwards in his journey
towards St. Johnftoun, and fo to Fife, and then to
Leith, where he arrived: and hearing no word of
thofe that appointed to meet him, to luit, the earl,
of Caflils, and t-he gentlemen oF Kyle and Cuning-
hame, he kept himfelf I'ecrct a day or two; but
beginnino- to wax forrowful in fphit, and being
demanded of the caufe, of fuch as were not in his
company before, he faid, what differ I from a dead
man, exct pt that I eat and drink ? to this time God
hath ufed my labours to the inftruftion of others,
and unto the difcloling of darknefs; and nov/ I
lurk as a man that were afhamed, and durft not
rhew him felf before men. By thcfe and the like

words, they that heard him underflood that his de^
fire was to preach ; and therefore faid, mofl com«H
fortable it were unto us to hear you ; but becaufe
we know the danger wherein ye (land, we dare not
defire you. But dare ye and others htar, (faid he)
and then let my God provide tor me as belf pleafeth.
him ? finally, it was concluded, that the next Sun-
day he fliould preach in Leith, as he did, and took
that text, ' the parable of the fower that went forth
' to fow feed,' Matth. i;;^. And this was upon'
the fifteenth day before Chriflmas.

The iermon enaed, the gentlemen of Lothian,
who then were eameft profellbrs of Chrift Jefus,,
thought not expedient that he Ihould remain ia
Leith, becaufe that the governor and cardinal were
fliortly to be in Edinburgh; and therefore they
took him with them, and kept him fomttimes in
Brunftoun, fometimes in Longniddry, and fome-
times in Ormiftoun; for thefe three diligently-
waited upon him. The Sunday following, lie
preached in the church of Inverefk, befide Muflel-
bursh, both before and afternoon, wdiere thtre
was a great confluence of people, amongff whom
was Sir George Douglas, who, after the fermon^
faid publicly, ' I know that my lord governor,
' and my lord cardinal (hall hear that I have been
' at this preaching. (For they were then at Edin-
' burgh) Say unio them, that 1 win avow it. and

* will not only maintain the doctrine M^hich I

* have htard, but aifo the perfon of the ttache'-,
' to the utterm.oft of my power.' Which words
greatly rejoiced the people, and the gentlemen
then prefcnt. One thing notable in that fermoH'
we cannot pafs by : among others, there came
two gray friars, and ffandi'g in the entry of the
church-door, they made lome whifptr'.ngs tofich
as came in; which perceived, the preacher faid to
the people that fiood near them, ' I heaitily pray
' you to make rcom to thcfc tv o rren, it may be
' that they be come to karn,' And unto them, he
faid, ' Come near ; (for thev flood in the very en- :
' try of the door) for I affure you, ye fhail bear

' the M'Crd of verity, v/hich fhali cither feal in )ou
' this fame dav your fal'/ation or ccndeminaticn :'
and fo proeteded he in doftiine, fnppofng they
would have been quiet; but when he perceived
them flill to trouble the people that flood mar
them, (for vehc ment was he againffthe falle wor-
fhipping of God) he turned unto them the fecond
titue, and v/ith an iiefid countenance, faid, ' O
* fergeants of Satan, and deceivers of the foul? of
' m:n, v.ill ve neither htar God's truth, nor fuf-
' fer others to hear it ?■ Depart and take this for

' your

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

Book I.

* your portion, God fhall fhortly confound and
' difclofe your hypocrify within tliis realm ; ye

* ftiall be abominable unto men, and your places
' and habitations fhail be defolate.' This ientence
he pronounced with great vthemtncy in themidft
of the fermon, and turning K) the people, he faid,
« Yon wicked men have provoked the Spirit of

* God to anger.' And (o he returned to his mat-
ter, and proceeded to the end.

The day's travail being ended, he came to Long-
niddry, and the t^-o next Sunda}s preached in
Tranent, wuth the like grace, and like confluence
of people. In ail his fermons after his departure
from Angus, he foretold the fliortnefsof the time
which he had to travail, and of his death, the
dav whereof approached nearer than any would
believe. In the latter end of thofe days which are
called the holy-days of Chrilbuas, paft he, by
confent of the gentlemen, to Haddingtoun ; w-here
it was fuppofed the greateft confluence of people
Ihould be, both by reafon of the town, and of
the country adjacent. The firft day before noon,
the auditors were reafonable, and yet nothing in
comparifonofthat which ufed to be in that chuich:
but the afternoon, and the next day following,
before noon, the auditory was fo flender, that ma-
ny wondred. The caufe was judged to have been,
that the earl of Boi'hwel, who in thofe boundb u-
fed to have great credit and obedience, by pro-
curement of the cardinal, had given inhibition, as
veil unto tie town, as unto the country, that they
ftiould not hear him, under the pain of his dif-
pleafure. The firff night he lay within the town
■with David Forreft, now called the general, a man
who long profefTed the truth, and upon whom
many in that time depended • the fecond night he
lay in Lethingtoun, the laird whereof was ever
civil, albeit not perfuaded in religion. The day
following, before the faid Mr. George paft to the
fermon, there came to him a boy with a letter
from the Weft-land ; which received and read, he
called for John Knox, who had waited upon him
carefully from the time he came to Lothian, with
whom he began to enter into purpofe, that he
wearied of the world, for he perceived that men:
bfgan to be wearied of Cod. The caufe of his
complaint was, the gentlemen of the well: had
written unto him, that they could not keep the
meeting at Edinbrgh. The faid joim Knox woa-
dring that he denied to keep any purpofe before
fermon, (for that was not his accuflomed ufe be-
fore^ faid, * Sir, the t'lnx. &\ fermon approach eth,.

^7

* I will leave you for the prefent to your meditation;'
and fo he took the bill containing the purpofe a-
forefaid, and left him. The faid Mr. George
walked up and down behind the high altar more
than half an hour ; his weary countenance and vi-
fage declared the grief and alteration of his mind.

At lafl he paffeth to the pulpit ; but the audi-
tory was fmall : he fhould have begun to have
treated of the fecond table of the law, but there-
of in that fermon fpake he very little. He began
on this manner, ' O Loid, how long fliall it be

* that thy holy word fhall be defpifed, and men

* fhall not regard their own fahation ? I have

* heard of thee, Haddingtoun, that in thee would

* have been, at any vain clerk-play, two or three
' thoufand people : and now, to hear the mefTen-
' ger of the eternal God, of all the town or parifh.
' cannot be numbered one hundred perfons : fore

* and fearful (hall the plagues be, that Ihaii enfue
' upon this thy contempt, with fire and fword

* flialt thou be plagued. Yea, thou Haddingtoun
' in fpecial, ftrangers fhall pofTefs thee ; and you,
' the prefent inhabitants, fhall either in bondage

* ferve your enemies, or elfe ye fliall be chafed from
' your own habitations ; and that becaufe yc have

* not known, nor wall not know the time of God's
' merciful vifitation.' In fuch vehemency and threat-
ning continued that fervant of God, near an hour and
an half; in the which he declared all the plagues
that enfued, as plainly, as after our eyes faw them
performed. In the end he faid, ' I have forgotten
' myfelf, and the matter which I fhould have treat-
' ed of; but let thcfe my laft words concerning

* public preaching remain in your minds, until that
' God fend you new comfort.' Thereafter he made
a fhort paraphrafe upon the fecond table, with an
exhortation to patience, to the fear of God, and
unto the works of mercy, and fo ended, as it were
making his lafl teffament, as the ifTue declared
fully. The fpirit of truth and of true judgment
were both in his heart and mouth; for that fame
night was he apprehended before midnight, in
the houfe of Ormifloun,. by the earl of Bothwel,
made, for money, butcher to the cardinal.

The manner of his taking was thus, departing
from the town of Haddingtoun, he took his good-
night, as it were for ever, of all his acquaintance,,
efpecially from Hugh Douglas of Longniddry.
John Knox prelTrng to have gone with the faid Mr.
George, he faid, ' Nay, return to your children*,
' and God blefs you ; one is fufScient for one fa-

* crifice.' And fo the faid John Knox, albeit un-

willingly, .
*Mr.- Wlfliart means. Ccd's people..

The history oi the REFORMATION

Book i.

willingly, obeyed, and returned with Hugh Doug-
las of Longniddry ; Mr. George having to accom-
pany him the laird of Ormifloun, John Sandilands
of Calder younger, the laird of Brunfloun, and
others, with their fervants, pafled upon foot, (tor
it was a vehement froft) to Ormilfoun. After fcp-
per, he held comfortable purpofe of God's chofen
children, and merrily faid, ' Methinks that I de-
' fire earneftly to fleep :' and therewith he faid,

* Shall we fing a pfalm ?' and fo he appointed the
fifty firft pfalm, which was in Scottiih metre, and
began thus, ' Have mercy on me now, good Lord,
' after thy great mercy, 6'f .' Which being ended,
he paft to his chamber, and fooner than his com-
mon diet was, to pafs to bed, with thefe words,
' And grant quiet reH.' Before midnight the place
was befet about, that none could efcape to make
advertifement. The earl Bothwel came and called
for the laird, and declared the purpofe, and faid.
That it was but in vain to make him to hold his
houfe, for the governor and the cardinal with all
their power were coming, (and indeed the cardinal
was at Elphingfloun, not a mile diftant from Or-
miftoun ;) but if he would deliver the man to him,
he would promife upon his honour, that he fhould
be fafe, and that it fliould pals the power of the
cardinal to do him any harm or hurt. Allured
with thefe words, and taking counfel with the
faid Mr. George, who, at the firft word, faid,
"•■ Open the gates, the blefTed will of my God be

* done;' they received in the earl Bothwel himfelf,
with fome gentlemen with him; to whom Mr.
George faid, ' I praife my God, that fo honour-

* able a man as you, my lord, rcceiveth me this
' night, in the prefcnce of thefe noblemen ; for

* now I am afTiired, that, for your honour's fake,

* ye will fuffer nothing any ways to be done to me,

* but by the order of law. I am not ignorant, that
' all their law is nothing but corruption, and a
' cloak to fhed the blood of the faints ; but yet I
' lefs fear to die openly, than fecretly to be mur-

* dered.' The faid earl Bothwel anfwered, ' I fhall

* not only preferve your body from all violence

* that fhall be pui pofed againfr you, againfl order

* of law; butalfo, I promife here, in the prefence

* of thefe gentlemen, that mirher fh^all the gover-

* nor nor the cardinal have their wi'l of you, but

* I Ihall retain you in mine own hands, and in rr.ine

* own houfe, till that either I {hall make you free,

* or elfe reflore 3'ou in the fame place where I re-

* ceive you.' The lairds aforefaid faid, * My ]ord,
'if ye will do as ywn have fpokcn, and as we think
' y©ur lordiliip will do, then do we here promife

* unto your lordlhip, that not only we ourfelves
' ihall ferve you all the days of our life, but alfo
' welliall procure the whole profelfors within Lo-
' thian to do the fame. And, upon either the pre-

* fervation of this our brother, or upon his delivery

* again to our hands, we being reafonably adver-
' tiled to receive him, that \ve, in the name and be-

* half of our friends, fhail deliver to your lordfhip,
' or any fufficientman that fhall deliver to us again
' this fervant of God, our band of manred in

* manner requifite,' And thus promife made in
the prefence of God, and hands fhicken upon both
the parties for obfervation of the promife, the faid
Mr. George was delivered into the hands of the
li^id earl Bothwel, who immediately departing
with him, came to Elphingfloun, where the car-
dinal was ; who knowing that Calder younger, and
Brunfloun, were with John Cockburn laird of
Ormifloun, fent back with expedition to appre-
hend them alfo.

The noife of horfemen being heard, the fer-
vants gave advertifement, that more than departed,
or was there before, were leturned. And while
that they difpute what fhould be the motive, the
cardinal's garrifon had feized both the outer and
inner clofs. They called for the laird, and for the
laird of Calder, who prefenting themfelves, de-
manded what their commiffion was ? To bring
you two, and the laird of Brunfloun to my lord
governor. They were nothing content, (as they
had no caufe) and yet the} made lair countenance,
and intreated the gentlemen to drink, and to bait
their horfes, till that they might put themfelves
in readinefs to ride with them. In this mean time
Brunfloun conveyed himfelf firfl fecretly, and then
by fpeed of foot to Ormifloun wood, and from
thence to Dundallon, and fo cfcaped that danger :
the other two were pu t into the caflle of Edinbui gh,
where the one, to wit, Calder younger, remained
until his band of miaured to the cardinal was the
means of his deliverance : and the other, to ivitf
Ormifloun, freed himfelf by leaping the wall of
the caflle, betwixt ten and eleven of the clock be- '
fore noon, and fo breaking ward, he efcaped pri-
fon, which he unjuflly fuffered. The fervant of
God, Mr. Geoige Wifhart, was carried firfl to
Edinburgh, thereafter brought back for fafhionls
fake to the houfe of Hails again, which was the
p; incipa! place that then the earl of Bothwel had '
in Lothian. But, as gold and women have cor-
riipted all worldly and flefhly men from the begin-
ipg ; To did they him : for the cardinal ga^e gold,
and that largely ; and the queen, with whom the

faid

Book V ofRELICION

did earl was then hi the glunders, promifed him
fkvour i'i all his lawful fuitstowoinen, if he would
deliver the fai 1 Mr. George, to be kept in the
caflie of EdiaDurgh. He made fo'.nc reliitance at
the firll, by realbn of his promife; but aa effemi-
nate man caanot long withftand the alTaults of a
gracious queen, aad fo was the fervant of God
tranfporte.l to Edinburgh, where the cardinal then
had a convention of prelates, wherein fomewhat
was faid of redre/Iing the abufes of the church,
and reforming the lives of the clergy ; but it took
no effect.

Mr. Wifliart renialned but few days in Edin-
burgh; for that bloody wolf the cardinal, ever
thirlling after the blood of the fervant of God, fo
travailed with tlie abufed governor, that he was
content that God's fervant fhould be delivered to
the power of that tyrant ; and fo, fmall inverfion
being made, Pilate obeyed the petition of Caiaphas,
and of his fellows, and adjudged ChrlR: to be
crucified. The cardinal feeing it was forbidden by
the canondaw to priefts to fit as judges upon life
and death, although the crime were herefy, fent
to the governor, deiuing him to name fome lay-
judge to pronounce fentence againfl: Mr. Williart.
The governor had fre::^ly condefcended to the car-
dinal's requeft without delay, if David Hamilton
of Preftoun, a godly and wife man, had not re-
monftrated unto him, That he could expeft no
better end than Saul, fnicehe perfecuted the faints
of God for that truth, which he profeiTed once
with fuch a (liew of earneftnefs; the profefiion
thereof being the only caufe of his advancement
to that high degree wherein he was. The gover-
nor, moved at this fpeech of David Hamilton's, an-
fwcred the cardinal, that he would not meddle
xvith the blood of that good man, and told him,
that his blood fhould be on him, for he himfelf
Would be free of it. At this the cardinal was ang-
ry, and faid, he would proceed, and that he had
fent to the governor of mere civility, without any
need. And fo the fervant of God delivered to the
■hand of that proud and mercilefs tyrant, triumph
was made by the priefls. The godly lamented,
«nd accufed the fooliihnefs of the governor : for,
by the retaining of the faid Mr. George, he might
bavecaufed tht proteftantsand papifls (rather proud
llomanifts) to have ferved ; the one, to the end
the life of thvir preacher m'ght have been faved;
<he other, for fear he fhould have fet him at liberty
agnin, to the confufion of the bifhops. * But where
' God is left, (as he had plainly renounc-:d him
■* before) what can counfei or judgment avail ?'

IN S C 0 T L A I^j D. <*„■)

How the fervant of God was dealt withal, and
what he did from the day that he entered within
the Sea- tower of St, Andrews, which was in the
end of January, in the year of God 1546, unto
the firfl of March, the lame year when he fuiFcied,
we cannot certainly tell ; except we underfland
he wrote fomewhat in piifon, bat that was fi^p-
preffed by the enemies. The cardinal delayed no
time, but caufed ail bifnops, yea, all the clergy
that had any pre-eminence, to be called to St.
Andrews, againft the feven and twentieth cay of
February, that confultation might be had in that
queftion ; which in his mind was no Icfs refolved,
than Chrift's death was in the mind of Caiaphas:
but that the red fhould bear the like burden with
him, he would that they fliould before the world
fubfcribe whatfoever he did. In that day was
wrought a wonder, not unlike that which was at
tlie accufation and death of Jefus Chiifl, when Pi-
late and Herod, who before were enemies, were
made friends, by confenting of them both to
Chrifl's condemnation ; differs nothing, except
that Pilate and Herod were brethren under their
father the devil, in the cftate called temporal :
and thofe two, of whom we are about to fpeak,
were brethren (fons of the fame father, the devil)
in the eflate ecclefiaftical. If we interlace merri-
nefs with earnefl: matters, pardon us, good reader ;
for the fa6f is fo notable, that it deferveth long
remembrance.

The cardinal was known proud, and Dunbar
archbifhop of Glafgow was known a glorious fool ;
and yet, becaufe fometimes he was called the king's
mafter, he was chancellor of Scotland. The car-
dinal Cometh even the fame year, in the end of
harvcfl: before, to Glafgow, upon what purpofe
we omit : but while they rem.ain together, the one
in the town, the other in the caflle ; queflion a-
rifeth for bearing of their crolTes. The cardinal
alledged, That by reafon of his cardinalfhip, and
that he was kgatus natus, and primate within'
Scotland, in the kingdom of antichrifl, that he
fhould have the pre-eminence, and that his crofi;
fhould not only go before, but that alio it fliould
be bcrne wherefoever he was. Good Gukflone
Glakelfone, the aforefaid archbifhop. lacked x^a
reafons, as he thongl.t, for maintenance of his.
glory: he was an archbifhop in his own diocefs,
and in his own cathedral- leat and church, and
thereV.e ought to gi^e place to no man. The
power of the cardinal was but begged from Rome,
and appertaineth but to his own perfon, and not
to his bifhopric, for it might bs that his fuccefTor
M fliould

90

The history of the REFORMATION

fhould not be cirdiiial ; but his dignity was annex-
ed with his office, and did appertain to all that
ever Ihould be bifhops of Glafgow. Hov;foever
thefe doubts were refolved by the doctors of divi-
nity of both the prelates; yet the decifion was,
as ye (hall hear, coming forth (or gonig in, all is
one) at the quire door of Glafgow church begins
flriving for flate betwixt the crofs-bearers, fo that
from glooming they came to fhouldring, and fo
from fhonldring they go to buffets, and to dry-
blow-neffaling; and then, for charity's fake, they
cry, Difpcrfit dedit paitperibus : and eflay which
of the croifes was tineft metal, which ftaff was
frrongeit, and which crofs-bearer could befl: de-
fend his mafter's pre-eminence; and, that there
Hhouid be no fuperiority in that behalf, to the
ground go both their crofles, and then began no
little fray, but yet a merry game; for rockets were
rent, tippets were tern, crowns were knapped,
and fyde gowns might have been feen wantonly to
Y/ag from the one wall to the other : many of
them, lacked beards, and that was the more pity,
and therefore could not buckle other by the birfes,
as bold m.en would have done. But fy on thejack-
men, that did not their duty ; for, had the one
part of them rencountered the other, then had
all gone right ; but the fanftuary, we fuppofe,
faved the lives of many. How merrily foever this
be written, it was bitter mirth to the cardinal and
his court ; it was more than irregularity, yea, it
might well have been judged la/e mnjejie to the
•fon of perdition, the pope's own perfon: and yet
the other, in his folly, as proud as a peacock, would
Jet the cardinal know, that he was a billiop, when
the other but Beaton, before he got the abbey of
Abcrbrothwick.

This enmity was judged mortal, and without
,all hope of reconciliation : but the blood of the
■'innocent fervant of God buried in oblivion, all
that bragging and boafi:. For the archbifliop of
Cllafgow was the firlf unto whom the cardinal
wrote, lignifying unto him what was done, and
carntlBy craving of him, that he would aliill with
his prefcnce and counfel, how that fuch an enemy
to their eltate might be fuppreffed. And thereto
was not the other flow, but kept time appointed,
fat next to the cardinal, waited and fubfcribed firfl:
in rank, and lay over theeart block-houfe with the
fald cardinal, till the martyr of God was confumed
v/ith lire ; for this we may note. That as thefe
beafls confented in heart to the llaughter of that
innocent, fo did they approve it with th* ir pre-
tence, having the whole ordnaiigc of the cafcie ©f

St, AndreVi's bent towards the place of execution^
which was near to the calfle, ready to have fhot^
ir any would have made defence or re icue to God's
fervant. The manner of his accufation, procefs,
and anAvers fblloweth, as Ave have received from
certain records, which we relate truly, as near as
poffibly we can.

Upon the lafl: of February, was fent to the pri-
fon where the fervant of God lay, the dean of the
town, by the commandment of the cardinal and
Micked counfel, and there fummoned to the faid
Mr, George, that he fhould on the morrow follow-
ing appear before the judge, then and there to give
an account of his feditious and heretical doflrine.
To whom the laid ISIr. George anfwered, what
nccdeth, faid he, the cardinal to fummon me to an-
fwer for my doftrine openly before him, under
whofe power and dominion I am thus flraitly bound
in irons .'' may not he compel me to anfwer, of his
extort power ? or, believtth he that I am unpro-
vided to render account of my doctrine ? to mani-
fell yourfelves what men ye are, it is well done
that ye keep your old ceremonies and conftitutions
made by men. Upon the next morrow, the lord
cardinal caufed his fervants to addrefs themfelves
in their molf wa-like aray, with jack, knapfcal,
fplent, fpear, and ax, more feemiy for the war,
than for the preaching of the true word of God :
and when thefe armed champions, marching in
warlike order, had conveyed the biOiops into the
abbey-church, incontinently they fent for Mr.
George, who was conveyed unto the faid church
by the captain of the caftle, and the number of an
hundred men, addreffed in manner aforefaid, like
a lamb led they him to the facrifice. As he entered
in at the abbey-church door, there was a poor man
lying vexed with great infirmities, af]<ing of his
alms, to whom he flung his purfe; and when he
came before the cardinal, by and by the fub-prior
of the abbey, called dean John Winram, flood up
in the pulpit, and made a fermon to all the congre-
gation there then afTembled, taking his matter out
of Matthew thirteenth, whofe fermon was divided
into four parts, The firfl was, a fhor.t and brief
declaration of the evangelifl. The fecond, of the
interpretation of the good feed : and becaufe he
called the word of God the good {i:cA, and herefy
the evil feed ; he declared what herefy was, and
how it fhould be known. He defined it on this
manner, ' Herefy is a falfe opinion, defended with
* pertinncy, clearly repugning the word of God.*
Tilt tbi'd part of his fermon was, the caufe of he-
refy vvituin that realm, and all other realms : the

oaufc

Book 1.

OF RELIGION lU SCOT L AN t).

caafe of herer5% faid he, is the ignorance of them
which ha/e the cures of mens fouls, to when it
ccccdlirily belongeth to have the true underftand-
Jiig of the word of God, that they may be able to
win again the falfe teachers of herefies, with the
fword of the fpirit, which is the word of God ;
and not only to vvin again, but a!fo to overcone,
as faith Paul to Timothy, ' A bifhop muft be fault-
' lefs, asbecometh the minifter of God, not flub-

* Dorn, nor angry ; no drunkard, no fighter, not
'given to filthy lucre; but harberous, one that

* ioveth goodnefs, fober-minde'J, righteous, holy,
' temperate, and fuch as cleaveth unto the true

* word of dodrinc: that he may be abie with

* wholefom learning, to impug;i that which they

* fay againff him ' The fourth part of his fermou
was, how herefies fhould be known. Herefies,
quoth he, are known on this manner ; as the gold-
fmith knoweth the fine gold from the unperfe^t by
the touch-fi:one ; fo likewife m.ay we know herefy
hy the undoubted touch-llone, that is, the true,
fmcere, and undefiled M^ord of God, At the lafi:,
he added, that heretics ihould be put down in this
prefent life; to which propofition, the gofpel he
treated oi appeareth to repugn, ' Let them both
'grow to the harvefl.' The harveff is the end
ef the world, neverthelefs he affirmed, that they
fliould be put down by the civil magifirate, and
law : and when he ended his fermou, incontinent
they caufed Mr. George to afcend into the pulpit,
there to hear his accufation and articles ; for right
againft him flood one of the fat flock, a monfter,
John Lauder a prielf, laden full of curfings written
in paper, of the which he took out a roll, both
long, and alfo full of outrages, threatnings, male-
diftions, and words of devilidi fpite and malice,
faying to the innocent Mr. George fo many cruel
iand abominable words,- and hit him fo fpitefully
with the pope's thunder, that the ignorant people
dreaded, left the earth then would have fwaliowed
him up quick : notwithfianding he flood ftill with
great patience, hearing their fayings, not once
moving or changing his countenance. When that
this fat fow had read throughout all his lying me-
naces, his face running down with fweat, and
frothing at the mouth like a boar, he fpat at Mr.
George's face, faying, ' What anfwers thou to rhefe

* fayings, thou runagate, traitor, thief, which we
' have duly proved by fufficicnt witnefs agiinfi:
' thee ?' Mr. George hearing this, fat down upon
his knees in the pulpit, making his pray r to God,
When he had ended his payer, fweetly aid Chrifti-
'aniy he anfwered unto them all in this mamier.

91

Mr. George W i s h a r t's 0 R A T I O N.

'Many and horrible fayings unto me a Chrifll-

* an man, man/ words abominable for to hear,

* have ye fpoken here this day, which not only to

* teach, but alfo to think, I thought it ever great
'abomination; wherefore I pray your difcretions
' quietly to hear m.e, that ye may know what were

* my fayings, and the manner of my do(^rine. This

* my petition, my lords, I defire to be heard,for three

* caules. The firll is, becaufe through preaching of
' the word of God, his glory is made m.anifefl: ; it is

* reafonable therefore, for the advancing of the glo-

* ry ot- God, that ye hear me teaching truly the pure
' and fincere word of God, without any diffimulati-
' on. The fecond reafon is, becaufe that your healt-h

* fpringeth of the word of God ; for he worketh

* all things by his w^ord : it were therefore an un-

* righteous thing, if ye fliould Rop your ears from
' me, teaching truly the word of God. The third

* reafon is, becaufe your dodrine fpeaketh forth

* many pefl:ilentious, blalphemous, and abominable
' words, not coming by the ihfpiradon of God,
' but of the devil on no lefs peril than rtvlife. It
' is jufi: therefore and reafonable for youi*difcretions,
' to know what my words and docfrine are, and

* what I have ever taught in my time in this realm,

* that I perifli not unjuflly, to the great perils of
' yourfelves. Wherefore, both for the glory of
' God, your own health, and fiife-guard of my
' life, I befeech your difcretions to hear me; and
' in the mean timel fliall recite my dodrine, with-

* out any colour.

' Firfl and chiefly, fincc the time that I came to
' this realm, I taught nothing but the ten com-

* m.andmentsofGod, the twelve articles of the faith,
' and the prayer of the Lord in the mother-tongue.

* Moreover in Dundee, I taught the epifl-le of St.

* Paul to the Romans : and I fiiall fhew'. your dif-

* cretions faithfully, what falhion and manner I
' ufed, when I taught without any hum'an dread,

* fo that your difcretions give me your ears bene-

' volent and attendve.' ■ Suddenly then with

a loud voice cried the accufer, the fat fow, * Thou
' heretic, runagate, traitor and thief, it was not
'lawful for thee to preach; thou haft taken the
' power at thifte own hand, without any authority

* of the church, we forthink that thou hafl been

* a preacher fo long.' Then faid the whple congre-
gation of the prelates, with their complices, thefe
words, ' If we give him licence to preach, he is fo

* crafty, and in ho'y fcriptures fo exercifed, that

* he will perfuade the people to his opiuion, aad

M 2 * raife

92 Th£ history oft he

■< ralle them againfi: us.' Mr. George feeing

their malicious and wicked intent, appealed to an
indiiferent and equal judge. To whom the accufer,
John Lauder aforefaid with hoggiili voice anfwer-
ed, ' T? not my lord cardinal the fecond perlon

* ^v!ll■I^a this realm, chancellor of Scotland, arch-
' bilhop of St. Andrews, bifhop of Mtrepofe, com-
' iTiendator of Aberbrothwick, kgatiis natiis, le-
' (T.itus a latere P' and (& reciting as many titles of
bis unworthy honours as would have laden a fliip,
much fooner an afs : is not he, quoth John Lauder,
aji equal judge apparently to thee.? whom other
defirtil thou to be thy judge ? to whom this hum-
ble man anfwered, faying, ' I refufe not my lord

* cardinal, but I deflre the v/ord of God to be my

* judge, the temporal eilate, with fome of your

* lordfhips m.ine auditors, becaufe 1 am here my

* lord governor's prifoner.' Whereupon the pi ide-
fui and fcornful people that fl-ood by, mocked him-,
faying, * fuch man, fuch judge ;' fpeaking feditious
and reproachful words againfi: the governor, and
©ther of thenoh;es, m.eaning them alfo to be here-
tics. And incontinent, without all delay, they
would have given fentence upon Mr, George, and
that v/itfcout further procefs, had not certain men
there ccunfelled my lord cardinal to read again the
articles, and hear his anfwers thereupon, that the
people might not complain of his wrongful condem.-
nation. And fnortly to declare, thefe were the articles
following, with his anfwers, as far as they would give
him leave to fpeak. For when he intended to miti-
gate their leailngs, and fhew the manner of his doc-
trine, by and by they flopped his mouth with ano-
ther article.

Article L Thou falfe heretic, runagate, trai-
tor, and thief, deceiver of the people, defpifefl:
the church, and in like cafe contemneft my lord
governor's authority. And this we knov/ of furety,
That when thou prtachedll in Dundee, and was
charged by my lord governor's authority to defiff;
neverthelefs thou would not obey, but perfevered
tn the fame ; and therefore, the bifliop of Brechin
curfed thee, and delivered' thee into the devil's
hand, and gave thee then commandment. That
thou fliouldfl preach no more ; yet notwithftand-
ing thou didff continue, obftinatcly.

Answ^er. My lords, I have read in the AO:s
©f the Apoflles, That it is not lawful for the
threats and menaces of men, to defiif from the
preaching of the gofpel : therefore it is written,
*'\Vt.fh.ail rather obey God than men.' I Iiaveai-

R E F O R I\l A T I O I'T

Book I,

fo read the prophet Malachy, ' I ihall curfe your
' bleilings, and blefs your curlings, faith the Lord.'
Believing iirmly, that he would turn your cnrfuig^ •■
into bleilings.

Art. IL Thou falfe heretic didff fay, That a
prieft franding at the altar faying mafs, was like a
fox wagging his tail iu July.

Answ. My lords, 1 {aid not fo. Thefe were
my fayings, The m.oving of the body outward,
without inward moving of tlie heart, is nought
elfe but the playing of an ape, and not the truo
ferving of God ; for God is a fecret fearcher of mei:e-
hearts, therefore m ho will truly adore and honour
God, he muff in fpirit and verity honour him..
Then tlie accufer flopped his mouth with another
article.

Art. in. Thou falfe heretic prcachefl againft
the facraments, faying. That there are not fevea
facraments.

Answ. My lords, It is not fo by your pleafures^
I taught never of the number of the facraments,
whether there were feven or eleven : So many s&
are inflituted by Chrlfl, and are ftewn to us by
the gofpel, I profefs openly. Except it be the
word of God, I dare affirm nothing.

Art. IV. Thou falfe heretic hafl openly taught.
That auricular confelTion is notableffed facrament,
and thou faidfl. That we fliould only confefs us
to God, and to no priefls.

Answ. My lords, 1 fay. That auricular con-
feflion, feeing that it hath no promife of the go-
fpel, truly it cannot be a facrament. Of the con-
fefiOon made to God, there are many teflim.onie-s
in fcripture; as when David faith, ' I thouo-ht that
' I would acknowlege mine iniquity againfi myfelf
' unto the Lord, and he forgave the trefpafTes of
' my fms.' Here confeffion fignifieth the fecret
knowlege of our fins before God. When L ex-
horted the people on this manner, I reproved no
manner of confefTion : and farther, St. James faith,:
' A.cknowlege your fms one to another, and fo let
' you have peace among yourfelves.' Here the
apoflle meaneth nothing of auricular confefuonj
but that we fhould acknowlege and coLifefs or.p-.
felvcs to be ihiners before our brethren, and be-'
fore the world, and not to efleem ouifelves, as the
gray friars do, thinking themfelves already purged.
-—When that he h.id (aid tiiefc w«rds, the homed

© F RELIGION IN S C O T L A N D.

f?OOK I.

bifliops and their corriplices cried anigirned with
thtir teeth, faying, ' See ye not what colours he

* haih in his fpeech, that he may beguile us, and

* icduce us 10 his opinion i"

Art. V, Thou faife heretic didft fay openly,
That it was neceHary for every man to know and
underiland his baptifm, which is contrary to ge-
iieral councils, and the Matures of holy church.

Answ. My lords, I believe there be none fo
nnwife here, that will make merchandize with any
Frenchman, or any other unknown ftranger, ex-
cept fce know and underfland firfh the condition or
prorp.ife made by the Frenchman or Granger : {o
-likewile I would that we under ftood what thing
We promife in the name of the infant unto God in
bapciuT>. — Thtn faid Mr. Peter Chaplin, That he
had the dcvii w-ithin him, and the fpirit of er-
ror. Then anfwered him a child, faj ing, * The

* devil cannot fpeak fuch words as yonder man
■' doth fpcak.'

Art. VI. Thou falfe heretic, traitor and thief,
thou (nid, That the facrament of the altar was
bat a piece of bread baken upon the a(hes, and no
©thcr thing elfe; and all that is there done, is but a
I'upcrftitious rite,again(l the commandment of God.

.'\nsw. Oh Lord God! fo manifeft lies and
blafphemies, the fcripture doth not teach you. As
concerning the facrament of the altar, my lor;'s,
I never taught any thing againfr the fcriptme, the
"which I fliaii, by God's grace, makemanitell this
day, I being realy therefore to fuiTer death. The
lawful ufe of the facrament is mofi: acceptable un-
to God, but the great abufe of it is very deteftable
unto him; but what occafion they have to fay
fuch words of me, I fhall fhortly (hew your lord-
ships. I once chanced to meet with a few, when
I was failing upon the water of Rhine ; I did en-
quire of him, What was the caufe of his pertina-
C}', that he did not believe that the true Meffas
was come, confidering that they had feen all the
prophecies which were fpoken of him, to be ful-
filled; moreover, the prophecies taken away, and
the fceptre oif Judah. By many other teftimonies
«f the Icripture I witneiled to him, and proved
that the Meilias was come, the which they called
Jefus of Nazareth. This Jew anfwered agaia un-
to me, WhenMeiT^as cometh he /hall relfore all
things, and he ftiall not abrogate the law which
was given unto our fathers, as ye do; for why ?
We fte the poor alrnou peiifa liuough hunger z-

93

mongftyou, yet you are notmoVed with pity to-
wards them : but amongft us Jews, though we be
poor, there are no beggars found. Secondly, It
is forbidden by the law to feign any kind of ima-
gery, of things in heaven above, or in the earth
beneath, or in the fea under the earth, but one
God only to honour ; but ;your fanftuaries and
churches are full of idols. Thirdly, a piece cf
bread baked upon the aflies, ye adore and w^orftiir,
and fay that it is your God. I have rehearfed here
bat the facings of a Jew, which I never affirmed
to be true. — Then the bifliops fhook their head.s
and fpitted on the ground ; and what he meancd
in this matter farther, they would not hear.

Art. VIL Thou falfe heretic didif fay, That
extreme undfion was not a facrament.

Answ. My lords, forfooth I never taught of
extreme un(flion in my doffrine, Vv^hether "it was
a facrament or not.

Art. VIIL Thou falfe heretic didll fay, Thar
holy w^atcr is not fo good as wafh, and fuch like.
Thou contemneff conjuring, andfayfl:, That ho-
ly church's curfing availeth not;

Angw^ My lords, as for holy water, what
f^rength it is of, ! taught never in m.y doclrine..
Conjuiing9 and exotcifms, if they were conform-
able to the word of God, I would commend them ; .
but in as m.uch as they are not conformable to the
commandment and word of God, I reprove them.

Art. IX. Thou falfe heretic and runagate,
haft laid. That every man is a prieff ; and like-
wife thou fayft. That the pope hadi no more-
power than another man.

Answ. My lords, I taught nothing but thb
word of God. L remember that Lhave read in
fome places of St. John, and St.- Peter, of the
which one faith, ' He hath made us kings and
' prielfs.' The other faith, ' He hath made i:j
' the kingly pritfthood.' Wherefore I have affirm-
ed, Anv man undei ftanding and perfect in the word
of God, and the true faith of Jefus Chrift, to.
have his power given him from God, and not by
the power or violence of m.en, but by the virtue
of the word of God, the which word is cailtd, .
' The power of God,' as wirnefTeth St. Paul evi«
dently enough. And again I fuy, Any unlearnc.l
man, and not exeicifed in the word of God, nor
yet coQftaut in bis faith; whatfoever cftate or or •

The HISTOIIY of the PvEFORMATION Book t

94

del- he be of; I fay he hath no power to bind or
to loofe, feeuig he wanteth the inflrument by the
which he bindeth and loofeth, that is to fay, ' The
' word of God.'— After that he had faid thefe
word:., all the bifhops laughed, and mocked him :
when 'that he beheld their laughing ;— Laugh ye,
faid he, my lords ? Though that thele my layings
do feem fcornful and worthy of derifion to your
lordlhips, neverthtlefs they are very weighty to
me, and of a great value; becaufe that they (land
not only upon my Ufe, but alfo upon the honour
and gloi-y of God.— in the mean time many godly
men^ beholding the madnefs and great cruelty of
thebifliops, and the invincible patience of thefaid
Mr. George, did greatly mourn and lament.

Art. X. Thou fdfe heretic faidf\, That a
man had no free-will, but is like to the Stoics, who
fay. That it is not in man's will to do any thing,
but that all defire and concupifcence cometh of
God, of whatfoever kind it be of.

Answ. My lords, I faid not fo; truly, I fay,
That as many as believe in Chrifl firmly, unto
them is given liberty, conformable to the fiying,
of St. John, ' If the Son make you free, then Ihall
' you verily be free.' Of the contrary, as many
as' believe not in Chrifl Jefus, they are bond-fer-
vantsof fin: ' He that finneth, is bound to fin.'

Art. XI. Thou falfe heretic fayfl. It is as
lawful to eat fleOi upon Friday, as on Sunday.

Answ. Pleafethit your lordfhips, I have read
in the epillle of St. Paul, That ' who is clean, un-
* to him all things are clean.' Of the contrary,
' To the filthy men all things are unclean.' A faith-
fid m.an, clean and holy, fanftifieth by the word
the creature of God; but the creature maketh no
man acceptable unto God ; fo that a creature can-
not Hmftify any impure and unfaithful man -. but
'to the faithful man all things are fanftified by the
prayer of the word of God. — After thefe flyings
of Mr. George, then faid the bifnops with their
complices, What needed we any witncfs againfl
him ? hath he not here openly fpoken blafphemy ?

Art. XII. Thou falfe heretic doft fay, That
we fliould not pray unto faints, but to God only ;
Say, whether thou hail faid this or no, lay fhort-

Answ. For the weaknefs and infirmity of the
■keai-cfs, I faid without doubt plainly, that laints

f!iould not be honoured, nor called upon. My
iurds, faid he, there are two things worthy of noie,
':he one is certain, and the other is uncertain : it
is found plainly and certain in fcriptures, That we
Ihould worlhip and honour one God, according
to the faying of the firll commandment, ' Thou

* llialt only v/orfliip and honour thy Lord Goi .

* with all thine heart ;' but as for praying to, and
honouring of faints, there is great doubt amongft
many, whether they hear or not the invocation
made unto them ; therefore I exhorted all men
equally in my do^rine, that they fhould leave the
uniure way, and follow the way which was taught
us by our Mafler, Chrilf. He is our only Media-
tor, and maketh interceffion for us to God his Fa-
ther. He is the Door by the which we muft en-
ter in ; he that entereth not in by this Door, but
cUmbeth another way, is a thief and murderer.
He is the Verity and Life; he that goeth out of
"the way, there is no doubt he fnali fall into the
mire; yea, verily he is fallen into it already. This
is the fafnion of my do6^trine, the which I have
ever followed. Verily, that which 1 have heard
and read in the word of God, I taught opndy,
and in no corners ; and now ye /hall witnefs the
fame, if your lordfhips will hear me ; except it
ftand by the word of God, I dare not be fo bold
to affirm any thing. — Thefe faying he rehearled
divers times.

Art. XIII. Thou falfe heretic hafl preached
plainly. That there is no purgatory, and that it is
a feigned thing, for any man after this life to be
punifhed in purgatory.

Answ. My lords, as I have oftentimes faid
heretofore, without expreis witnefs and tellimo-
ny of fcriptures, I dare affirm nothing. I have
oft and divers times read over the bible, and yet
fuch a term found I never, nor yet any place of
fcripture applicable thereto ; therefore I was atraid
ever to teach of that thing which I could not find
in fcripture. Then faid he to Mr, John Lauder
his accufer. If you have any teflimony of the
fcripture, by the which you may prove any fuch
place, fhew it now before this auditory. — But that
dult had not a word to fay for himfelf, but was a&
dumb as a beetle in that matter.

Art. XIV. Thou falfe heretic hafl taught
plainly againfl the vows of monks, friars^ nuns,
and priefts, faying, That whofoever was bound to
fuch like vows, they vowed themfelvcs to the flate

of

Book I. of RELIGION

of damnation ; moreover, that it was lawful for
priefts to marry wives, and not to live fole.

Answ. Of this, my lords, I have read in the
gofpel, That there are three kinds of chaite men;
fomc are gelded from their mother's womb, fome
are gelded by men, and fome have gelded thera-
felvts for the kingdom of heaven's fake; verily,
I fay, thefe men are blefied by the fcripture of
God : but as many as have not the gift of chaitity,
nor yet for the gofpel have o\ ercome the concu-
pifcence of the flelh, and have vowed chaflity ;
ye have experience, although I fhould hold my
tongue, to what inconvenicncies they have vowed
themfeives. — When he had faid thefe words, they
were ail dumb, thinking it better to have ten con-
cubines than one wiie.

Art. XV. Thou falfe heretic and runagate
fayfl, That thou wilt not obey our general or pro-
vincial councils.

Axsw. My lords, what your general councils
are, I know not, I was never exeicifed in them,
but to the pure word of God 1 gave my labours.
Read here your general councils, or elle give me a
book, wherein they are contained, that I may
read them ; if they be agreeable with the word
of God, I will not dliiigree. — Then the ravening
wolves turned unto madnefs, and fiiiJ, Wherefore
let we him fpeak any farther ? R.ead forth the reft
of the articles, and flay not upon them. x4.mong
thofe cruel tygers, there was one falfe hypocrite,
a fcduccr of the people, called John Scot, (land-
ing behind John Lauder's back, hafting him to
read the refl of the articles, and not to tarry upon
liis witty and godly anfwers: For we m.ay not a-
bide them, quoth he, no more than the devil
may abide the fign of the crofs, when it is named.

Art. XVI. Thou heretic fayft. That it is
vain to build to the honour of God coftly churches,
feeing that God remaineth not in churches made
by men's hands, nor yet can God be in little fpace,
as betwixt the prieft's hands.

Answ. My lords, Solomon faith, ' If that the

* heaven of heavens cannot comprehend thee, how

* much lefs this houfe which I have builded r' And
Job confented to the fame fentence, faying, .Seeing
that he is higher than the heavens, therefore what
canft thou build unto him ? He is deeper than the
hell, then how fiialt thou know him ? He is longer
than the earth, and broader than the fea ; fo that
God caunct be comprehended in one place, who

IN S C O T L A N D. ()3

is infinite. Thefe fayings not with/landing, i faid
never that churches fliould be dellroyed ; but to
the contrary, I affirmed ever. That chiu-ches lliould
be maintained and upholden, that the people ihould
be affembled in them to hear the word of God
preached. Moreover, wherefoever is the true preach-
ing of the word of God, and the lawful ufe of the
facraments, undoubtedly there is God himfelf:
fo that both thefe faj'ings are true together, God
cannot be comprehended in any one place ; and
wherefoever are two or three gathered in his name,
there is heprefent in the midfl of them. — Then fixid
he to his accufer. If thou thinkeft any otherv/ays ;
then I fay. Shew forth thy reafons before this au-
ditory. Then he without all reafon was dumb,
and could not anfwer a word..

Art. XVII. Thou falfe heretic contemnefi
falling, and fayft thou fliould not fall.

Answ. My lords, L find that failing is com-
manded in ihe fcripture, therefore I were a llan-
derer of the gofpel, if I contemned falling ; and
not fo only, but I have learned by experience, thai
filling is good for the health and converfation of
the body : but God only knoweth who fafleth the
true fall.

Art. XVTII. Thou falfe, heretic hall preached
openly, faying, that the fouls of men fliali ileep to
the latter ' day of judgment, and Ihall not obtain
life immortal until the lail day.

Answ. God full of mercy and goodnefs forgive
them that fay fuch things of me. I v/ot, and know
furely by the word of God, that he who hath be-
gun to have the faith of Jefus Gb-iffc, aiid to be-
lieve firmly in him ; I know furely, I, fay, that the
foul of that man ftiall never fleep, but ever Ihall
live an immortal life, the which life from day to-
day is renewed in grace, and augmented; nor yet
fliaii ever pcrifli, or have an end, but ihall ever live
immortal with Chri/l the Head; to the which liie,
all that believe in him fliali come, and refl in eter-
nal giory. Amea» ,

When that the bifliops with their complices:
had accufcd this innocent man in manner and form
aforefaid, incontinently they condemned him to be
burnt as an heretic, not having refpe£f to his god-
ly anfwers, and true reafons which he alledged, nor ■
yet to their own confcicnces; thinking verily that,
they (hould do to God good fervice, conformable -
to the fayings of Jefus ChriH, in the gofpel of St.

9^'

The tt I S T 0 R t of the REFORMATION.

Toh.n/ the fixteenth chapter ; ' they fhall excora-
"< municate you, yea, and the time fhall come, that

* he which killet'h you, faall think that he hath
■^ done to God good fcrvice.'

The prayer, of Mr. George Wishart.

* 0 Immortal God, how long (halt thou fufFer
' the rage and great crudelity of the ungodly, to
' exerciie their Inry upon thy fervants which do
^ fuither thy word in this world ? feeing they defire
' to do the contrary, that is, to choke and deflroy
' thy true doftrine and verity, by the which thou
' haft fnew^ed thee unto 'the world, which was all

< drowned in blindnefs and mifknowlege of thy
' name. O Lord, we knew furely that thy true

* fervants muft needs fufFer for thy name's fake,

* periecution, aftlicftion and troubles in this prefent
' life, wlxich is but a fliadow, as thou hall fliew-
^ fcd to us by thy prophets. and apofdes: but yet
' we defire thee, merciful Father, that thou
' wouldft conferve, defend, and help thy congre-

* gaticn, which thou haft chofen before the be-

* ginning of the world, and give them thy grace to
' hear thy word, and to be thy true fervants in this

< prefent life.'

Then by and by they caufed the common peo-
p'e to remove, whofe delire was always to hear
that innocent man fpeak. Then the fons of dark-
nefs pronounced their fentence definitive, not hav-
ing refpect to the judgment of God. When all
this was done and laid, the cardinal caufeth his
tormentors to pafs again with the meek lamb unto
the cafde, until fuch time as the fire was made
ready. When he was come unto the caftle, then
there came two fiends, two gray friars, Friar Scot
snd his mate, faying, Sir, you muft make your
confefTion unto us. He anfvvcred, I will make no
confeffon: go fetch me yonder man that preached
unto us this day, and I will confer with him.
Then they fent for the fub-prior of the abbey, who
came to him with a 11 diligence, and conferred with
him a pretty while : at laft he burfl forth in tears ;
but, (o foon as he was able to fpeak, he aflcedhim.
If he would receive the communion ? Mr. Wifhart
-anfwered, he would moft willingly, if he could
liave it according to Chrift's inflitution under both
3/uids. The fub'prior went to the cardinal and
Lie prelates; 'he told them, that Mr. Wifh.art v/as
in innocent man; which he faid, not to interceed
for his life, h\n to make known the innocence of
^tl-.e man unto a]l men, as it was known to God..

BookL

At thefe v/ords the cardinal was angry, and faid
to the fub-prior, long ago we knew what you
were. Then the fub-prior demanded. Whether
they would fuffer Mr. \'/iniart to receive the com-
munion or no? They anfwered. No. Awhile
after Mr. Win:)art had ended with the fub-prioi;,
the captain of the caftle, with fome other friends,.
came to him, and alked him, if he would bieak-
faft with them: he anfwered, Moft willingly, for
I know you to be moft honeftand go-ily men. So,
all being ready, he deftred them to lit down, and
hear him a while with patience: Then hedifcourf-
ed to them about halfan hour concerning the Lord's-
fupper, his fufrerings and death for us; he ex-
horteih them to love one another, laying afide all
rancor, envy, and vengeance, as perfejH: members
of Chrift, who interceeds continually for us to
Cod the Father. After this, he gave thanks, and
blefling the bread and wine, he took the bread and
brake it, and give to every one of it, bidding each
of them, ' Remember that Chrift had died for

* them, and feed on it fpiritually.' So taking the
cup he bade them * Remember that Chrift's blood

* was filed for them, &c.' And after, he gave
thanks and prayed for them. When he had done>
he told them, That he would neither eat nor
drink more in this life ; arid fo retired to hig-
chamber.

Immediately after came to him (fent from the
cardinal) two executioners; one brought him a
coat of hnen dyed black, and put it upon him;
the other brought fome bags full of powder, which
they ti.°d to feveral parts of his body : thus hav-
ing drefTed him, they brought him to an outter
room, near to the gate of the caftle; then the fire
was m.ade ready, and the ftake at the weft-port
cf the caftle, near to the priory. Over againft the
place of execution, the caftle-windows were hurig
with rich hangings, and velvet-culhions, laid for
the cardinal and prelates, who from thence did feed
their eyes with the torments of this innocent man.
The cardinal dreading that Mr. George fhouldhavc
been taken away by his freinds, before had com-
manded to bend all the ordnance of the caftle right
againft the place of execution ; and commanded all
hi^ gunners to be ready, and ftand befide their guns,
until fuch time as he was burnt. All this being
done, they bound Mr. George's hands behind hk
back, and with found of trumpet led him forth
with the foldiers from the caftle, to the place of
their cruel and wicked execution. As he came
forth of the caftle-gate, there met him certain beg-
gnrs, aOv'ug of him alms for^God's ju\ke ; to whonj

he

Book I,

OF R E L I G I O N i-N SCOTLAND.

he anfwered, I \van^ my hands, wherewith I was
wont to give vov. ahns : but the merciful Loi i, of
h'": biiiiig I'u y and abundant grace, that feedcth all
men, >^ouchfafe to give you neceflaries both unto
your bodies and fouls. Then afterward met him
t vo falfe fiends, (I Ihould fay friars) faying, Mr.
George, pray to your lady, that flie may be a rne-
diatrix for you to her Son. To whom he anfwered
rieeklv, ceafe, tempt me not, i in treat you. After
this, he was led to the fire, with a rope about his
neck, and a chain of iron about his middle.

When that he came to the fire, he fat down u pon his
knees, and rofe again ; and thrice he faid thefe words,
' O thou Saviour of the world, have mercy on me;
' Father of heaven, I commend my fpirit into thy holy

* hands.' When he had made this prayer, he turn-
ed him to the people, and laid thefe words, having
obtained leave to fpeak a little; I befeech you,
chriftian brethren and fillers, that ye be not offend-
ed at the word of God for the aifliftion and tor-
jnents which ye fee already prepared for me : but
1 exhort you, that ye love the word of Cod for
your falvation, and luffer patiently, and with a
comfortable heart, for the word's fake, which is
your undoubted falvation, and everlafting comfort.
Moreover, I pray you fliew my brethren and fiflers,
which have heard me oft before, that they ceafe
not, nor leave off to learn the word of God which
I taught them, after the grace given unto me, for
any perfecutions or troubles in this world, which
Jafi not ; and fhew unto them, that my doftoine
was no wives fables, after the conffitutions made
by men ; and if I had taught mens doiflrine, I had
gotten greater thanks by men : but for the word's
fake and true gofpel, which was given to me by
the grace of God, I fufier this day by men, not
ibrrowfuUy, but with a glad heart and mind. For
this caufe I was fent, that I (hould fuffer this fire
for Chrilf 's fake. Confider and behold my vifage,
ye fliall not fee me change my colour : this gri ii
fire I fear not, and fo I pray you for to do, if tliat
any perfecutiou come unto you for the word's fake ;
and not to fear them that (lay the body, and have
tio power afterward to flay the foul. Some have
faid of me, that I taught that the foul of man ftiould
fletp until the lafr day: but I know furely, and
my faith is fuch, that my foul fliall fup with my
Saviour this night, ere it be fix hours, for whom
i fuffer this. Then he prayed for them which ac-
cufed him, faying, ' I befeech thee. Father of

* heaven, to forgive them that have of any igno-
' ranee, or elfe of anv evil mind forged lies upon
'me.; I foi give them with all my heart; I be-

' feechChrifl: to forgive them that have cor.cfemned
' me to death this day ignorantly.' And lafl of all,
he faid to the people on this manner; I befeech
you, brethren and fiflers, to exhort your prelates
to the learning of the word of God, that they may
be afliamed to do evil, and learn to do good ; and
if they will not convert themfclves from thcU" wick-
ed error, there fiiail haflily come upon them the
wrath of God, which they fhail not efchew. Many
faithful words faid he in the mean time, taking no
heed or care of the cruel torments which were then
prepared for him. Then the executioner that was.
his tormentor, fat down upon his knees, and faid,
' Sir, I pray you forgi\ e me, for I am n.ot guilty

* of your death.' To whom he anfwered, come
hither to me: whenhe wascome tohira, hekiffed
his cheek, and faid, \o, here is a token that I
forgive thee, my heart, do thy office: and then
by and by the trumpet founding, he was tied to
the ffake, and the fire kindled. The captain of
the caffle, for the love he bore to Mr. Wifhari,
drew fo near to the fii-e, that the (lame thereof did
him harm ; he wifhed Mr. Wifliart to be of good
courage, and to beg from God the forgivcnefs of
his fins ; to whom Mr, Wiflrart anfwered thus,
' This fire torments my body, but no wife abates
' my fpirit.' Then Mr. Wifliart looking towards
the cardinal, faid, ' He who in fuch flate, from

* that high place, feedeth his eyes with my tor-

* ments, within few days fliall be hanged out at

* the fame ^\'indow, to be fcen with as much igno-

* miny, as he now leaneth there In pride.' Then
with this, the executioner drawing the cord, flopr
his breath ; prefently after, the fire being great, he
was confumed to powder. The prelates would not
fuffer any prayers to be made for him, according
to their cuilom.

After the death of Mr. Wifliart, the cardinal
was cried up by his (batterers, and all the rabble of
the corrupt clergy, as the only defender of the ca-
tholic church, and puni flier of heretics, neglefling
the authority of the lluggifh governor : and it was
faid by them, ' That if the great prelates of latter
' days, both at home and abroad, had been fo ftour.
' and zealous of the credit of the catholic church,
' they had not only fuppreffed all heretics, but alfo

* kept under the lay-men, who were fo frowari

* and flubborn.' On the other fide, when that the
people beht-ld the great tormtnting of that innocent,
they could not withhold from piteous mourning,
and comiplaining of the innocent lamb's flaughter.
After the death of this blefftd martyr of God, began
the people, in plain fpeaking, to damn and deted

N . the

98

The history of the REFORMATION

Book I,

the cruelty that was ufed ; yea, men of great birth
and eflhnation and honour, at open tables avowed,
that the blood of the faid Mr, George fliould be
revenged, or elfe it fhould coft life for life ; and
that, in a fhort time, they fhould be like hogs
kept for flaughter, by this vitious prieff , and wick-
ed monfler, which neither minded God, nor cared
for man. Amongfl: thoie that fpake againft the
cardinal's cruelty, John Lelly, brother to the earl
of Rothes, was chief, with his coufm Norman
Lefly, who had been a great follower of the car-
dinal, and very aftive for him, but a little before,
fell fo foul with him., that they came to high re-
proaches one with another. The occafion of their
falling out, was a private bufmefs, wherein Nor-
man Lefly faid he was wronged by the cardinal.
On the other fide, the cardinal faid, he was not
with refpecl ufed by Norman Lefly his inferior.
'The faid John Lefly in all companies fpared not
to fay, That that fame dagger, (fhewing forth his
dagger) and that fame hand fliould be put in the
cardinal's breaff : thefe reports came to the cardinal's
•ears ; but he thought himfelf flout enough for all
Scotland : for in Babylon, that is, in his new Block-
houfe, he was fure, as he thought ; and upon the
fields he was able to match all his enemies : and,
to fpeak the truth, the mofl: part of the nobiUty
of Scotland had either given unto him their bands
of m.anred, or elfe were in confederacy, and pro-
miifed amity with him ; and fo he gave his baltard
eldeft dauahter in marriage to the earl of Craw-
ford's eldefl fon and heir, and caufed the wedding
to be celebrate with fuch flate, as if flie had been
a prince's lawful daughter. He only feared them
in whofe hands God did deliver him, and for them
he laid his nets fo fecretly, (as that he made a full
count) that their feet could not efcape, aswefliall
after hear. And fomething of his former practices
we m^ay recount: after Eafler he came to Edin-
burgh, to hold the feingny, (as the papifls termed
then their unhappy aflrmbly of Baal's (haven fort.)
[t was reported, that fomething was purpofed a-
gainil him at that day by the earl of Angus, and
his friends, whom he mortally feared, and whofe
dcftru(5tion he fought; but it failed, and fo return-
ed he to his flrengih ; yea, to his god and only
comfort, as well in heaven as in earth, and there
he remained without all fear of death, promiflng
to himfelf no l^fs pkafure than did the rich man,
of whom mention is made by our mailer in the gof-
pel ; for he did not only fay, eat and be glad, my
foul, for thou haft great riches laid up in ftore for
many days ; but he faid, * Tufn, a fig for the foolsj

' and a button for the bragging of heretics, and
' their afliftance in Scotland : Is not my lord go>-

* vernor mine ? witnels his eldeft fon in pledge at

* my table. Have I not the queen at my own de*
' votion ? (he m.eant of the mother of Mary, who
' now 1566 reigns.) Is not France my friend, and
' I am friend to France? What danger fliouldl

* fear?' And thus in vanity the carnal cardinal de-
lighted himfelf a little befoi^ his death ; but j'et
he had devifed to have cut oft" fuch as he thought
might trouble him : for he had appointed the
whole gc ntlemen of Fife to have met him at Falk-
land the Monday; but he was flain upon the Sa-
turday before. His treafonable purpofe was not
underftood, and it was this, That Norman Lefly
flieriif of Fife, and apparent heir to his father the
earl of Rothes, the forefaid John Lefly father-
brother to Norman, the lairds of Grange elder
and younger. Sir James Learmont of Darfle and
provoft of St. Andrews, and the faithful laird of
Raith, {hould either have been flain, or elfe taken,
and after to have been ufed at his pleafure. This
cnterprife was difclofed after his flaughter, partly
by letters and memorials found in his chamber,
but plainly affirmed by fuch as were of the coun-
cil.

Many purpofes were devifed, how that wicked
man might have been taken away; bntall faiieth,
till Friday the twenty eighth of May, anno 1 546,
when the aforefaid Norman came at night to St.
Andrews ; William Kirkcaldy of Grange younger,
was in the town before, waiting upon the purpofe;
lafl came John Lefly, as aforefaid, who was moft
fufpefted : what conclufion they took that night,
it was not known, but by the ilfue that foflowed.
But early upon the Saturday in the mjorning, the
twenty ninth of May, were they in fundry com-
panies in the Abbey church-yard, not iar diftant
from the caftle : Firft, the gates being open, and
the draw bridge let down, for receiving of lime
and ftones, and other things neceflary fbi building;
for Babylon was almoft finiflied. Firft, we fay,
ellayed William Kirkcaldy of Grange younger,
and with him fix pcrfons, and getting entry, held;
purpofe with the porter, if my Lord was waking?
Who anfwered, No ; and fo it was indeed, for he
had been bufy at his counts with Mrs. Marion
Ogilvy that night, who was efpied to depart from
him by the privy poftern that morning ; and there-
fore quietnefs, aftei the rules of phyfic, and a
morning-fleep was requifite for my lord. While
the faid William and the porter talkeih, and his
fervants made them to looii on the wor-k and work-
men.

Book I.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

men, approached Norman Lefly with his compa-
DV ; and. becaiifc they were in great number, they
caiiiy got entry ; they addrefs to the midll: of the
court, and immediately came John Lelly, fome-
what rudely, and four perfons with him : the por-
ter fearing, would have drawn the bridge; but
the (-Mi John being entered thereon, ftayed it, and
leapt in : and while the porter made him for de-
fence, his head was broken, the keys taken from
hi n, and he cafl into the ditch, and fo the place
was feized. The (hout arifeth, the workmen, to
the number of more than an hundred, ran off the
walls, and were without hurt put forth at the
wicket-gate. The firft thing that ever was done,
William Kirkcaldy took the guard of the privy
poftern, fearing Icil the fox flionld have efcaped :
then go the reft to the gentlemen's chambers, and
without violence done to any man, they put more
than fifty perfons to the gate ; the number that
cnterprifed and did this, was but fixteen perfons.
The cardinal wakened with the Ihouts, afked from
his window. What meant that noife ? It was an-
fwered. That Norman Lefly had taken his caftle;
which undcrftood, he ran to thepoftern ; but per-
ceiving the palTage to be kept without, he return-
ed quickly to his chamber, took his two handed
fword, and caufed his chambeidain to caft chefts
and other impediments to the door : in this mean
time came John Lefly unto it, and bids open.
The cardinal afking, Who calls ? he anfwered, My
name is Lefly. He demanded, Is that Norman ?
The other faith, Nay, my name is John. I will
have Norman, faith the cardinal, for he is my
friend. Content yourfelf with fuch as are here,
for other you fliall have none. There were with
the faid John, James Melvil, a man familiarly ac-
quainted with Mr, George Wilhart, and Peter
Carmichaela ftout gentleman. In this meantime,
while they force at the door, the cardinal hides a
box of gold under coals that were laid in a fecret
corner. At length he afketh, ' Will ye fave my
' life ?' The faid John anfwered, ' It may be that
* we will.' Nay, faith the cardinal, ' Swear
' unto me by God's wounds, and I will open it un-
' to you.' Then anfwered the faid John,' ' It that
' was faid, isunfaid;' and fo cried, 'Fire, fire!'
(for the door was very ftrong) and fo was brought
a chimney full of burning coals ; which perceived,
the cardinal or his chamberlain (it is uncertain)
opened the door, and the cardinal fat dov.'n in a
chair, and cried, * I am a prieft, I am a prieil:, ye
' will not flay me.'; The faid John Lefly, accord-
ing/.tp. his former vows, ftroke him firll once or

twice, and fo did the faid Peter. But James Mel-
vil, a man of nature moft gentle and moft modeft,
perceiving them both in choler, withdrew them,
and faid, ' This work and judgment of God, al-
' though it be fecret, yet ought to be done with

* greater gravity.' And prefenting unto him the
point of the fword, faid, ' Repent thee of thy
' former wicked life, but efpecially of the fliedding
' of the biood of that notable inftrument of God,

* Mr. George Wifliart, which albeit the flame of

* fire confumed before men, yet cries it for ven-

* geance upon thee, and we from God are fent to

* revenge it. For here, before my God, I proteft,
' That neither the hatred of thy perfon, the love of

* thy riches, nor the fear of any trouble thou couidfl
' have done to me iu particular, moved, or moveth

* me to ftrike thee ; but only becaufe thou haft

* been, and remaineft an obftinate enemy againft
' Chrift Jefus and his holy gofpel :' And fo he
ftroke him twice or thrice thorow with a ftog-
fword, and fo he fell, never word heard out of
his mouth, but ' I am a prieft, I am a prieft, fy»

* fy, all is gone.'

While they were thus bufied with the cardinal,
the fray rofe in the town, the provoft aflemblcs
the commonalty, and comes to the houfe-fide,
crying, * What have ye done with my lord cardi-
' nal ? Where is my lord cardinal ? Have ye flain

* my lord cardinal ? Let us fee my lord cardinal.''
They that were within anfwered gently, ' Beft it
' were for you to return to your own houfes, for

* the man ye call the cardinal hath received
' his reward, and in his own perfon will
' trouble the world no more :' but then more in-
ragedly they cry, ' We fhall never depart, till that
' we fee him.' And fo was he brought to the
Eaft-block-houfe head, and fnewed dead over the
wall to the faithlefs multitude, which would not
beheve before they faw; and fo they depaited
without requiem aternam, 6" reqiiiefcat in pace,
fung for his foul. Now, becaufe the weather was
hot, for it was in May, as ye have heard, and his
funerals could not fuddenly be prepared, it was
thought beft, to keep him from {linking, to give
him great fait enough, a cope of lead, and a cor-
ner in the bottom of the Sea-tower, a place where
many of God's children had been imprifoned be-
fore, to await what exequies his brethren the
bifliops would prepare for him. Thefe things we
write merrily, but we would that the reader fliould
obferve God's juft" judgments, and how that he
can deprehend the worldly-wife in their own wif-
dom, make their table t<» be a fnare to trap their

N 2, owa

The H I S T O p.. Y of the REFORMATION

IjOO

own feer, and their own piirpofed ftrength to be
their own deftrufdon: theie are the works of our
God, whereby he would admcnidi the tyrants of
this earth, that in the end he will be revenged of
their cruelt}', what ftrength foever they make in
the contrary. But fuch is tlie blindnefs of man,
as David iaith, that the poi^crity doth ever follow
the footfleps of their wicked fathers, and princi-
pally in their impiety. For how little -lifers thf
cruelty of that haflard, that yet is called bifnopof
St. Andrews, from the cruelty of the former, we
■will after hear.

The death of this aforcfaid tyrant, as it was
pleafmg to fome, to ivit, to thofe who had re-
ceived th£ reformation of religion, for they were
mightily afraid of him ; and alfo to fundry Ro-
manifts, v^hom be kept under as flaves : fo, on
the ot^icr fide, it was dolorous to the pritlls, do-
lorous to the governor, dolorous to the queen
Dowager; for in him perifhed faithfulnefs to
France, and the comfort to all gentlewomen, and
efpeciaily to wanton widows : hi^s death mufl: be
revenged. To tlae court again repairs the earl of
AnguX and his brother Sir George; labour is
made for the abbacy of Aberbrothwick, and a
grant v/as oncem.adeof the flime, in memory where-
of George Douglas, baQard (on to the faid earl, is
yti called pojiukf^. But it was more proper, think
the Kam.iltons, for tlie governor's kitchen, than
for reward to the Dougla.ffes; and yet in hope
thereof, the fiid earl, and Sir George his brother,
Vv'ere the lirlf that voted, that the callle of St.
Andrews fliould be befieged : divers gentlemen of
Fife went into the cafile, and abode there with the
Leilies during thefirft fiege, and John Rough was
preacher to them. The bidiop, to declare the
ZrC-al which he had to revenge the death of him who
was his predccelTor, and for his riches he would
uot have had him living again, If ill blew the coals;
-;uid f.rfl he cauied fummon, then he denounced
accurfed, at kft. rebels, not only the lirff enter-
prifers, but all fuch alfo as after did accompany
them, Aud lall: of all, a fitge was concluded,
which began in the end of Augufl:, (for the twenty
third day thereof departed the foldiers from Edin-
burgh) and continued near to the end of January :
at which time, becaufe they had no other hope of
winning of it, but by hunger, and thereof alio
thev defpaired ; for they within hnd broken thro'
the eaft-wa!l, and made a plain pal.age by an iron
■gate to the fea, which greatly relieved the befieged,
and aba fed the befiegers ; for then they faw that
thev could not flop rhtra of viftuals, unlets that they

Book t

fhould be mafters of the fea, arid that they clearly
tmderflood they could not be ; for the Englifi!
fliips had once been there, and had brought YJiU
Ham Kirkcaldy from London, and with much
difficulty, becaufe the faid gate was not then pre-
pared, and fome lofs of men, had rendered him t*
the caftle again, and had taken with them to the
court of England, John Lefly, and Mr. Fienr^^
Balnaves, for perfefting of all contrafts betwixt
them and king Henry, who promifedtotake them
into his proteftion, upon condition only, that
they (hould keep the governor's fon, my lord of
Arran,and ffand friends to the contrail of marriage,
whereof before we have m.ade mention: thefe things
clearly underflood, we fay, by the governor and
his council, the priefls, and the/liaven fort; they
concluded to make an appointment, to the end
that, under truce, they might eirher get the caftie
betrayed, or elfe fome principal m,tn of the com"
pany taken at unawares : In which defign was the
abbot of Dunfermline principal ; and for that pur-
pofc had the laird of Monquhany, who was moft
familiar with thofe of the caflle, laboured with
foot and hand, and proceeded fo in his traffic,
that from entering in day-light, at his pleafure, he
got licence to come in in the night, whenfoever it
pleafed him. But God had not promifed fo many
to be betrayed, albeit that he would that they
fhould be puniflied, and thatjuflly, as hereafter
we fhali hear.

The heads of the coloured appointment were :

I. That they fhould keep the caflle of St. An-
drews ftill, while that the governor and the au-
thority of Scotland fnould get unto them a fuffi-
cient abfolution from the pope, antichriff of Rome,
for the Oaughter of the cardinal aforefaid.

II. That they (liould deliver pleges lor the de-
livery of that houfe, as foon the afoiefaid abfo-
lution was delivered unto them.

III. That they, their friends, familiars and fer-"
vants, and others to them pertaining, fliould ne-
ver be purfued in law, by authority, for the
flaughter aforefaid : but that they fliouid enjoy
comm.odities, fpiritual or temporal, whatfoever
they pofTeffed before the faid fiaughter, even as if
it had never been com.mitted.

IV. That they of the caffle fliould keep the
earl of Aaran {g long as their pledges were kept.

And fuch like articles libei-al enough, for they*
never m.inded to keep a word of them, as the
iffue did dcQlave. John Pv.®ugh le-ft the caf ii®, ,fee-

Book T.

?n<r he cdull do little, good upon thafe that were
wkhin, (o adJi6led were they to their evil ways ;
he went into England to preach God's word there.
The appointment made, ail the godly were
glad, for feme hope they had, thac thereby God's
word fliould fo-newhat bud, as indeed fo it did :
for John Rough, who foon after the cardinal's
(laughter entered within the callie, and had con-
tinued in it during the whole fiege, having left
the caftle, becaufe he could do little good upon
<hofe that were with him, fo addifted were they
to their evil ways, began to preach in the city of
St. Andrews : and albeit he was not the moft
learned, yet was his do-Striae without corruption,
and therefore well UkedoF the people.
■ At Eafter, after anno 1547, ca.ne to the caifle
of St. Andrews John Knox, who wearied ol re-
mo/ing from place to piace, by reafon ot the per-
ftcurlun that came upon him by the biihop of St.
Andrews, was determined to have left Scotland,^
and to have vifited the fchoois of Germany, (ot
Enrriand then he had no pkafure, by reaion that,
although the pope's name was fuppieficci, yet his
laws and corruptions remained in full vigour :) but
becaufe he had the care of fome gentleman's chil-
dren, whom certain years he had nouriihed in
godlinefe, their lathers foii^lted him to go to St.
Andrews, that himfelf might ha^•e the baiefit of
the caftle, and their children the bcnex:t of his
do5lrine : and fo, we fay, came ne the time aiore-
faid to the faid place ; and having in his company
Trancis Douglas of Longuiddry, George his bro-
ther, and Alexander Cockburn, eideif ion then to
the iaird of Ormiflo'.m, began to^ exercife ihem
after his accuilomed manner : bcfid^s the gra.n-
mar, and other books ot human learning, he read
unto them a catechlfm, account whereot he caa-
Itd them give publicly in the parilh church of St.
Andrews, He read moreover unto them the go-
fpcl of John proceeding where he ;trt off at his
denarture from Longai-dry,. where je jre his re-
fidence was ; and that leclare he read in the chapel
within the caflle at a certain hour. They of the
place, but efpecially vlr. Lury BaiUav.s a:ii John
Rough preacher, pcrcciviag the ina aier of his
do-frine, began carncftly to tra\ ail wich him, that
he would rake the funif ion of preacher upon him;
b -r he refufed, alledging that he would not run
where God had not caiied him, meaning, that he
would do nothing without a lawful vocation :
■whereupon they privily am.ongihem-f elves a.lvidng,
having wlili them in council Sir David Lindfayof
<ki Moant-, thty concladcd that they would give

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

10%

a charge to the {;nd John, and that publicly by
the mouth of the preacher. And fo upon a cer-
tain day, a fermon had of the eleftion of ininifters,
what power the congregation, how fmall foever
that it was, paiTmg the number of two or three, had
above any man, namely in the time of need, as that
was, hi whom they fuppofed, and efpied the gifts
of God to be ; and how dangerous it was to re-
fufe, and not to hear the voice of fuch as defire
to be inftru6led.

Thefe and other heads, we fay, declared, the
faid John Roagh preacher direffed his words- to
the faid John Knox, faying, ' Brother, ye fliall
' not be offended, albeit that I fpeak unto you that
' which I have in charge, even from ail thofe that
' are here prefent, which is this : In the name of
' God, and of his Son Jefas Chrifl, and in the

* name of thefe who prefently call you by my

* mouth, I charge yoa that you refufe not this ho-

* ly vocation ; but, as ye tender the glory of God,
' the increafe of Chrift's kingdom, the edificatiou
'of your brethren, and the comfort of me, whom
' ye underfland well enough to be opprefTed by the
' multitude oi: labours, that ye take upon 30U the

* public office and charge of preachiiig, even as
' ye look to avoid God's heavy difplealure, and de-
' lire that he fhall multiply his graces upon you.'
And in the end, he laid to thofe that Vv'ere pre-
fent, ' Was not this your charge to me ? and do-
' ye not approve this vocation ?' They anfwered,.
' It is, and we approve it.' Whereat the laid Mr.
John abaPiied, burft forth in moA abundant tears,
ana withdrew himfelf to his chamber; his coun-
tenance and behaviour, from that dav, till the day
that he was compelled to prefent himfelf to the
public place of preaching, did fufHcienily declare
the grief and troabie of his heart ; for no man
faw any fign of mirth in him, neither \'et had he
pf.-afvire to accompany any man, for many days to-
gether.

The neceuity that caufed him to enter in the
public place, befides the vocation aforefaid, . was
dean John Annan, a rotten papiif, had long trou-
bled John- Rough in his preaching. The faid John
Knox had fortified the doftiine ef the preacher by
his pen, and had beaten the faid dtan John from
all his defences, that he was compelled to iice to
his lafl refuge, that is, to the authority of the
church; which authority, faid he, dam.ned all
Lu herans and heretics, and therefore he needed
no further difputation. John Knox anfwered,
' Before vve hold ourlelves, or that ye can prove
' us fuSiciently convinced, we ir/jft define the-

* eh lire h.

%P2 The history of th

. church by the right notes given to us in God's
fcript.ure of the true church : we muft difcern

* the immaculate fpoufe of Jefus ChriA, from the

* mother of confufion, fpiritual Babylon ; leif that
' imprudently we embrace a harlot, inflead of the

* cha(le fpoufe; yea, to fpeak in plain words, kfl

* that we fubmit onrfelves to Satan, thinking that

* we iubmit ourfelves to Jefus Chrilf. For as for

* your Roman church, as it is now corrupted, and

* the authority thereof, wherein ftands the hope of
' your viftory ; 1 no more doubt, but that it is

* the fynagogue of Satan, and the head thereof,

* called the pope, to be that man of fin, of whom
' the apoflle fpeaketh, than that I doubt that Je-
' fu3 Chrifl; fuffered by the procurement of the vi-

* fible church of Jerufalem. Yea, I offer myfelf

* by word or writing, to prove the Roman church
' this day farther degenerate from the purity which

* was in the days of the apoftles, than was the
' church of the Jews from the ordinance given by

* Mofes, when they confented to- the innocent

* death of Jefus Chrifl.' Thefc words were fpoken
in the open audience of the parifli church of St.
Andrews, after the faid dean John had fpoken what
it pleafed him, and had refufed to difpute. The
people hearing the offer, cried with one confent,
' We cannot all read your writings, but we can

* all hear your preaching : therefore we require
' you in the name of God, that 3'e let us hear the
' approbation of that which ye have affirmed ; for,
' if it be ti^ue, we have been miferably deceived.'

And fo the next Sunday was appointed to the
/aid John, to exprefs his mind in the public
'preaching-place ; which day approaching, the faid
John took the text written in Daniel, the feventh
chapter, beginning thus: ' And another king (hall
' rife after them, and he fliall be unlike unto the
' firfi, and he fliall fubdue three kings, and fhall
' fpeak words againfl the moft High, and fliall

* confume the faints of the mofl High, and think

* that he can change times and laws : and they
' fliall be given into his hands, until a time, and
' times, and dividing of times, <c7c.' In the be-
ginning of his fermon, he fliewed the great love
ol God towards his church, whom he pleafed to
forewarn of dangers to come, fo many years before
rhey came to pals. He briefly treated of the ftate
of the Ifraelites, who then were in bondage in Ba-
bylon, for the moft part ; and made a fliort dif-
eourfe of the four empires, the Babylonian, the
Perlian, that of the Greeks, and the fourth of the
Romans, in the deflruftion whereof, rofc up that
'hA beaif, which he aflirmed to be ihe Roman

E R E F O R M A T r 0 N Book I.

church ; for to none other power that ever hath
yet been, do ail the notes that God hath fliewed
to the prophet appertain, except to it alone; and
unto it they do io properly appertain, that fuch.
as aie not more than blind, may clearly fee thein.
But before he began to open the corruptions of
Papiitry; he defined the true church, fliewed the
true notes ot it, whereupon it was built, why it
was the pillar of verity, and why it could not err j
to -wit, ' Bccaufe it heard the voice of the only

* paftor Jefus Chrift, would not hear a flranger,
' neither would be carried with every wind of doc-

* trine.' Every one of thefe heads fufficiently de-
clared, he entered to the contrary ; and upon the
notes given in his text, he fliewed that the Spirit
of God in the new teflament gave to this king o-
ther new names ; to ivit, ' The man of lin,
' the Antichrifl:, the Whore of Babylon.' He
fliewed that this Man of Sin, or Antichrifl:, was
not to be reflrained to the perfon of any one maii_
only, no more than by the fourth beafl: was to be
underfliood the perfon of any one Emperor : but
by fuch names the Spirit of God would forewarn
his cliofen of a body and a multitude, having a
wicked head, which fliould not only be flnful him-
felf but alfo fliould be occaflon of fln to all that
fliould be fubje^Tc unto him, (as Chrifl: Jefus is the
caufe of juflice to all the members of his body)
and is called the Antichrifl:, that is to fay, One
contrary to Chrifl, becaufe that he is contrary to
him in life, doftrine, laws, and fubjeff s. And
there began to decypher the lives of divers Popes,
and the lives of all the flnavelings for the mofl:
part : their doiflrine and laws, he plainly proved
to repung direiSlly to the doclrine and laws of God
the Father, and of Chrift Jefus his Son : this he
proved, by conferring the dodfrine of juftilication
exprefled in the fcriptures, which teach, ' That

' man is juftifled by taith only, that the blood of
' Jefus Chrifl purgeth us from all fins ;' And the
do6lrine of the papifls, which attribute juflificati-
on to the works of the law, yea, to the works of
men's inventions, as pilgrim.age, pardons, and o-
ther fuch baggage. That the papiflical laws re-
pugned to the laws of the gofpel, he proved, by
the laws made of obfervation of days, abflaining
from meats, and from marriage, which Chrifb
Jefus made free : and the forbidding whereof, St.
Paul calleth the dodfrine of devils. In handling
the notes of that beafl given in the text, he willed
men to confider, if thefe notes * There fliall ano-

* ther rife, unlike to the other, having a mouth

* fpeaking great things and blafphemous,' could be

applied

F5ooK t.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

applied unto any oriier, but to the pope, and his
kingdom ; for if thefe, faid he, be not great words
and blafphemous, * The fucceflbr of Peter, the

* vicar of Chrifl:, the head of the church, mofl:

* holy, moft: blefled, that cannot err ; that can
' make right of wrong, and wrong of right ; that

* of nothing can make fomewhat, and that had all
' verity in the ftirine of his breafi: ; yea, that had

* power of all, and none power of him ;' Nay, not
to fay, * That he doth wrong, although he draw

* ten thoufand millions oi fouls with himfelf to

* hell,' If thefe, faid he, and many others, eafy
to be fliewn in his own canon-law, be not great
and blafphemous words, and fuch as never mortal
man fpake before, let the world judge. And yet,
laid he, is there one mod evident of all, to wit,
John in his Revelation fays, ' That the m.erchan-

* dize of that Babylonian harlot, among other

* things fhail be the bodies and fouls of men,' Now
let very papifts themfelves judge, if ever any be-
fore them took upon them power to relax the pains
of them that were in purgatory, as they affirm to
the people that daily they do, by the mei its of their
mafs, and of their other trifles . In the end, he
faid, if any one here, and there were prcfent Mr.
John Mair, the univerfity, the fub-prior, and
many canons, with fome friars of both the orders)
that will fay, that I have alleged fcriptures, do<5f or,
•©r hiHory, otherwife than it is written, let them
come unto me with fufficient witnefles, and by
conference I fhali let them fee, the original where
my teftimonies are written, but I (hall prove, that
the writers meant as I have fpoken.

Of this fermon, which was the firll that ever
John Knox made in public, was divers reports :
fome faid. He not only hews the branches of pa-
piftry, but he flrikes at the root aHb, to deftroy
the whole. Others foid, If the doctors, zn.\ ma-
giftri nofiri, defend not now the pope, and his au-
thority, which in their own prefence is fo mani-
feftly impugned, ' The devil may have my part

* of him, and of his laws both.' Others faid, Mr.
George Wiihart fpake never fo plainly, and yet
he was burnt ; even fo will he be. In the end, o-
thers faid, The tyranny of the cardinal made not
his caufe the better, neither ytt the fufFering of
God's fervant made his caufe the worfe: And
therefore, I would counfel you and them to pro-
vide better defences than fire and fword ; for it
may be that elfe ye will be difappointed ; men now
have other eyes than they had then. This anfwer
gave the laird of Niddry, a man fervent and up-
right in religion. The baftard-bifliop, who yet

103.

was not execrated (confecrated they call It) wrote
to the fub prior of St. Andrews, who, fede va-
cante, was vicar-general, and faid. That he won-
dered that he fuffered fuch heretical and fchifma-
tical doftrine to be taught, and not to oppofe him-
felf to the fame: upon this rebuke, was a con-
vention of gray friars, and black fiends appointed^
Math the (iiid fub-prior dean John Winram in St.
Leonard's yard, whereunto was firft called John
Rough, and certain articles read to him ; and there-
after was John Knox called for. The caufe of
their convention, and why that they were called.,
is expounded ; and the articles were read, which
were thefe,

I. No mortal man can be the head of the church.

II. The pope is an antichrift, and fo is n©
member of Chrifl's myftical body,

III. Man may neither make nor devife a religi-
on that is acceptable to God, but man is bound
to obferve and keep the religion that from God is
received, without chopping or changing thereof.

IV. The facraments of the new teAamcnt ought
to be miniftred as they were inflituted by Chrifl
Jefus, and praffifed by his apoftles ; nothing ought
to be added unto them, nothing ought to be dimi-
niflud from them.

V. The mafs is abominable idolatry, blafphe-
mous to the death of Chrift, and a profanation of
the Lord's fupper.

VI. There is no purgatory, in the which the
fouls of men can either be pined or purged after
this life. But heaven reffeth to the faithful, and
hell to the reprobate and unfaithful.

VII. Praying for the dead is vain, and to the
dead is idolatry.

VIII. There is no bifhop, except he preach even
by himfelf, without any fubflitute,

IX. The tithes by God's law do not appertain,
of neceffity to the churchmen.

The fi:rangenefs, faid the fub-prior, of thefe
articles which are gathered forth of your doftrine,
have moved us to call for you, to hear your own
anfwers, John Knox {aid, I for my part praife
my Gol, that I fee fo honourable, and apparent-
ly fo m®deft and quiet an auditory: but becaufe
it is long fmce that I have heard, that ye are one
that is not ignorant of the truth, I may crave of
you in the name of God, yea, and" I appeal your
confcience before that fupreme Judge, that if ye
think any article there expreded contrary unto the-
truth of God, that ye oppofe yourfelf plainly un-

\3»

The history of the P. EFORMATIO!^

104

to it, and luffcr not the people to be therewith
diceived ; but on the other fide, if in your con •
fcience ye know the doftrine to be true, then will
t crave your patrociny thereto, that by your au-
thority the people may be moved the rather to
believe the truth, whereof many doubt by reafon
of your thoughts. The fub-prior anfwered, I
came not here as a judge, but only familiarly to
talk; and therefore I will neither allow nor con-
demn; but if ye lifl:, I will reafon.

Sub-prior. VvHiy may not the church, faid
he, for good caufes devife ceremonies, to decore
the facraments, and other parts of God's fervice ?

John Knox. Bccaufe the church ought to do
nothing ' but in faith, and ought not to go be-
' fore, but is bound to follow the voice of the true
' pallor.'

Sub-prior. It is in faith that the ceremonies
-ive commanded, and they have proper fignificati-
ons to help our faith, as the hards in bapiifm lig-
nify the roughnefs of the law, and the oil the
foftnsfs of God's mercy; and likewife every one of
the ceremonies hath a godly fignification, and
fherefore they both proceed fVom faith, and are
done in faith.

John Knox. It is not enough that man invent
■ a cerem.ony, and then give it a fignification ac-
cording to his pleafure ; for fo might the ceremo-
nies of the Gentiles, and this day the cerem.onies
of- Mahomet, be maintained : butif that any thing
proceed from faith, it mufl have the word of God
for its afTurance; for y.> are not ignorant, ' that
* faith cometh by hearing, and heaiing by the
'* word of God:' now, if that ye will prove that
your ceremonies proceed from foith, and do pleafe
God, ye mufl: prove that God in exprefs words
hath commanded them, or elfe fliall you never
prove that they proceed from faith, nor yet that
vhey pleafe God ; but that they are fin, and do
■difpleafe him, according to the words cf the a-
poftle, ' Whatfoever is not of faith is fm.'

SuB-PRiOR. Will ye bind us fo ftrait, that we
isay do nothing without the exprefs word of God ?
XVhat if I afic drink, think ye that I fm ? and yet
I have not God's word for me. This anfwer gave
he, as might appear tofliift over the argument u-
pon the friar, as tb.at he did.

John Knox. I would ye ftiould not jefi: in fo
grave a matter ; neither would 1 that ye fhould
bepintohidc the truth v;ith fophiAry; and if ye

J500K t.

do, I . lil defend it the ' cil: that I can. And fiVft
to yoi.r drinking, I fay, that if ye either eat or
drink without aifuiance of God's word, that Iii
fo doing ye difpleafe God, and fia in year very
eatinf; and drinking. For, faith not the apoftic^
fpta.'.ing even o meat and drink, ' That the crea- •
' tui es are fandllfted unto men, even by word and

* p; .1 cr ?' The word is this, • Ail things are clean
' to the clean,' Now let me hear this much of
your ceremonies, and I fliall give j'ou the argu-
ment : but I wonder that ye compare things pro-
fane and holy things fq indifcreetly together. The
quelilon was not, nor is not of meat or drink,
wherein the kingdom of God confifleth not; but
the qiiefiK'>n is of God's true worfhipping, with-
out the which we can have no focier>' with God :
and here it is doubted, if v.e may take the fame
freedom in the ufmg of Chrift's facraments, that
we may do in eating and drinking : one meat I
may eat, another I may refufe, and that wdthout
fcruple of confcience. Whether may we do the
fame in matters of religion ? I may change one
with anothe? , even as oft as I pleafe. Whether
may we caff away what we pleafe, and retain what
we pieafe ? If I be well remembered, Mofes, in
the name of God, faith to the people of Ifraely

* All that the Lord thy God commanded thee t« '
' do, that do thou to the Lord thy God, add no-

* thing to it, dim.inifh nothing from it :' By thefe
rules think I that the church of Chrift will me^-
fure God's religion, and not by that which feemeth
good in their own eyes.

Sub- PRIOR. Forgive me, I fpake it but ia
mows, and I was dry : and now father, faid he to
the friar, follov/ the argument, ye have hear4
what I have faid, and what is anfwered to me ^
gain.

Arbuckil gray friar. I fhall prove plainly that
ceremonies are ordained by God.

John Knox. Such as God hath ordained we
allow, and with reverence we tife them. But the
queffion is of thofe which God hath not ordained;
fuch as in baptifm, are fpitde, fait, candle, (ex-
cept it be to keep the bairn from the cold) hard^
oil, and the refl of the papiftical inventions.

Arbuckil. I will even prove thofe that ye
damn to be ordained of God.

John Knox. The proof thereof I would glad-
ly hear.

Arbuckil. Saith not St. Paul, that another

fbu»-

•Book 1. ofRffiLlGION

foundation than Jcfus Chrifi, may no man lay :
but upon this fo:indation, feme build gold, iiivcr,
and precious ftoncs, fomc hay, Hubble, and wood.
The gold, filver, and the precious Hones, are the
ceremonies of the church, which do abide the hre,
and confume not away, ere. — This place ot fcrip-
ture is molt plain, faith the foolilli tiend.

John K?;ox. I praife my God through Jefus
ChriH, for I find his promife fure, true and liable.
Chrift Jcfus bids us not fear when we ihail be cal-
led before men to give confeffion of his truth, for
•he promifeth that it fnall be given unto us in that
hour what we ihali fpeak. If I had fought the
whole fcriptures, I could not have produced a
•place more proper for my purpofe, nor more po-
tent to confound you. Now to your arguineat ;
the ceremonies of the church, lay ye, are gold,
illver, and prtclcus ftones, becanfe they ax^e able
to abide the lire : but I would learn ot you, what
•fire is it which your ceremonies do abide ? and in
iht mean tim.e, while ye be adviied to anfwer, I
will fhew my mind to make an argument againfl
yours upon the fame text. And tirft, I fay, that
T have heard this text adduced for a proof oi pur-
gatory; but for defence of ceremonies, I Rever
heard nor yet read it. But omitting whether ye
iinderftand the mind of' the apofrfe or nor \ I nvake
my argument, and fay, That which can abide the
fire, can abide the word of God ; but yoar ct;re-
monies cannot abide the word of God : Ergo, they
cannot abide the lire ; and if they may not abide the
4ire, then they are not gold, filver, nor precious
Hones : now, if ye find any ambiguity in this term
^firc, which I interpret to be the word, find ye
m.e another fire, by the which, things builded
upon Jefus ChriH fiiould be tried, than God and
his word, which both in the fcriptures are called
•fire, and I fiiall correct my argument,

Arbuckil. I Hand not thereupon, but I deny
your minor, to ivit, that our ceremonies may not
•ablJt the trial of God^s word,

John Knox, I prove that abides not the trial
of God's wojd, which God's word condemns;
bu{ God's word condems your ceremonies, there-
fore they do not abide the trial thereof. But as a
thief abidts the trial of the inqueH, and thereby
is condemneci to be hanged, evenfo may your ce-
rtmonies abide the triafof Gods word, but not
eife. And now in few words, to make plain that
wherein yem.ay fcem tocioubt, to wit, That God's
word damns yoi:r ceremonies, it is evident: for
the plain and ifrak commandment of God is ' Net
* that thing which appeareth good in thine eyes foalt

IN S C 0 T L A N D. 105

' thou do to the Lord thy God, but what the Lord
' thy God liath commanded thee, that do thou ;
' add nothing to it, diniinifn nothing from it.'
Now, unlel's ye be able to prove that God hath
commanded your ceremonies, this his former com.-
mandment will damn both you and them.

The friar fomewhat abafiied what HrH to an-,
fwcr, while he wanders about in the miH, he
falls in- a foul mire; for alleging, that V/e may
not be fo bound to the word, he affirmed, that
the apoHles had nOt received the Holy GhoH when
they dld_ write their eplHles ; but after they re-
ceived him, and then they did ordain the ceremo-
nies, (few would have thouaht ihat fo learned a
man w-ould h.'.ve given fo fowlini an anfwer, and
yet it is even as true as he did wear a gray coul.)
John Knox hearing the anfwer, Hartec^ and liild,
' If that be true, I have long been in an error,
' and I think I fh-dd die therein.' The fub- prior
faid to him, ' Fathfer, what % yc? God loibid
' rha;: ye affirm that; for then farewel the ground

* of our faith.' The friar aHonifhed, made the
bcH foift that he could to con eft his fault, but
it would not oe. John Knox broiijjht hin oFt a-
gain to the ground of the argument ^but he vrcuid
never anfwer directly, but evcP [led to the autho-
rity of the church, whereto the f^id John an-
fwcred oftener than once, ' That the fpoufe of
' ChrlH had neither py.ver n^r auih-Tity agand
' the word of God,' Then liiid the fi iar, '"if {o
' be, ye Vv'ill leave us no church,' ' Indeed, faid

* the other, in David I read, that there is.a church
' of the malignants ; for he faith, Odi ecckfiam

* mxlgnantium ; that church ye may have with-
' out the word, and doing m.any things dIrecLlv

* fighting again H the word: of that church, ifye
' will -be, I cannot hinder you ; but as for m.e, I

* will be of none other church, except of that,
' which hath Jefus ChriH to be PaHor, which
' hears his voice, and will not hear a Hrangei'.'

In this difputation m.any other things were mer-
rily fcoft over : for the friar, after his fiill could
Ipeak nothing to any purpofe ; for purgator)', he
had no better proof than the authority of Virgil,
in the fixth of his ^^Ineiads ; and the pains theref
of to him was an evil wife. How John Knox an-
fwered that, and many other things as he himfelf
witnefleth, in a trcatife that he did write in the
gallies, containing the fum of his do^Lrine, and
the confeffion of his faith; and fent it to his fa-
miliars in Scotland, with his exhortation, That
they fiiould continue in the truth which they had
profefTed, no iwithHan diner any worldly adverfiiy
O ^^ ' that

io6

The history 6 f the E. E -F O R M A T I O N

Book?,

might enfue thereof. This much of that difputa-
tion have we iiiferted here, to the iatcnt that inta
.may Ice hov/ Satan ever travaileth to obfciire the
light, and how Cod, by his pov/er working in
his weak velTcls, -confounds the craft, and dil-
clofetli .thedarkrefsoi Satan.

Aim- xhl:^, the papifls and friars had no great
heart of further difputatioii or reafoning, but in-
vented anotlicr Hiift, v/hich appeared to proceed
from godlinefs, and it was .this, E^ery Learned
man in the abbey^ and in the univerfit}', il^ould
preach in the pariOi church his Sunday about.
The fab- prior began, followed tlie otlrcial, called
Spittal, (fcrmons were penned) to oifend no man,
followed all the refl in their ranks. And fo John
Knox fnielled out the craft, and in his ferrnons
which he made upon the week-days, he prayed to
Cod, that they {hvxild be as bufy in preaching,
when iherc Hiould be more v/ant of it than there
was then. Always, faid he, I praife Cod that
Jefus ChriA is preached, and nothing is faid pub-
licly againfl: the docbine that ye have heard :
"if in my abfence they lliall fpeak any thing, which
In my prefence they do not; I protefl that ye fuf-
pend your judgment, till that it pleafe God ye
hear m.e again.

God fo afiiikd his weak fcldicr, and lo blelTed
his labours, thot not only all thofe of the caftle,
but aifo a great number of tlie town, openly pro-
felTcd by participation of the Lord s table, in the
liime purity that now it is rniniftred in the church
of Scotland, with that Ilime doifbrine that he had
taught unto them. Aniongft whom was he that
now either rules, or elfe m.ifruks Scotland, to ivif.
Sir James Ealfour, (fometimes called Mr. James)
the chief and principal Protellant that then was
to be found witliin this realm : thirwe write be-
caufe that we have heard, that the faid J.lr. James
uikgeth, that he was never of thi.^ our religion,
bu.t that he wras brought up in Martin Luther's o-
pinion of the facrament, ap^d therefore he cannot
Gomm.unicate with us : but his own confcience,
and two hundred witnefTes befides, know that he
lies, and that he w^a^ one of the chief (if he had
fiot been after his cups) that would have given his
i-Efe, if men might credit his words, for defence of
the dof^rine A\-hich the faid John Knc • taught ;
but albeit, that thofe who never were of us (as
none of Monquhany's houfe have fhewed them-
felvc? to be) depart from us, it is no great won-
ckr : for it is proper and natural, that the chil-
dren follow the father; and let the godly beware
«f that race and progenvj by f.fche^ving it ; for

if in them -be either fear of -God, or love of vir-
tue, further than the prefent commodity perfuades
■them, men of judgment are deceived. — 'Hut to
return to our hiflory.

The priefts and bifhops Inraged at all thefe pro-
ceeaings that were in St. Andrews, ran now upon
the governor, now upon the queen, now upon the
whole counci!.,and their mighc have beenhcardconi-
plaints and .cries, ' What nre we doing ? fliali we
' fuifer this whole -realm 'ta be mfefted with perni-
' clous doftrine.' fy upon yoa, and fy upon qs.*
The queen, and monfieur d' Ofel (who then was
aftrretls jnulierum in the'Coart) comlortsd them,
and willed them to be quiet, for they fliould fee
remedy ere it were long: and fo it proved indeed 4
for upon the nine and twentieth day of June, appear-
ed in the fight of the calHe of St. Andrews, one
and tvv'enty French gallies with a great army, the
like whereof was never (litn in that haven bcfore.-
Th-is treafonahle means had the governor, the bi (liop,
the queen, and monfieur d' Oiel under their ap-
pointment, drawn; but to excufe their treafon,.
eight days before, they had prefented an abfolutiom
unto them, as fent from Rome, containing, after
the aggravation of the crime, this claufe, ranit^
thnus irrenvjfihlle, that is, we remit the crime that
cannot be remitted. Which conlidered by the
worfl of the company that was in the caflle, an-
fwer was given, that the governor and council of
the realm had promifed unto them a fuiiicient and
aifured abfolution, which that appeareth not to be,
and therefore they could not deliver the houfe, nei'!-
ther thought they that any rcafonable man would
require them fo to do, confidering that promife
was not kept unto them. The next day after that
the gallies were arrived, they fummoned the houfe
which being denied (becaufe they then knew no
magiflrates in Scotland) they prepared for fiege ;
and hrft they began to alfualt by fea, and fhot
two days, but thereof they neither got advantage
nor honour, for they threw down the fiates of
houfes; but neither flew man, nor did harm to'
any wall. But the caftle handled them fo, that
SanFla Barbara (the gunner's goddefs) helped then*
nothing ; for they loll m.any of their rowers, mea'
chained in the gallies, and fome foldiers bot.h by
fea and land. And farther, a galley that approach-^
ed nearer than the rell, was fo beaten with the
cannon and other ordnance, that Ihe was Ih-ickett
under water, and almoft drowned ; andfo fire had.
been, had not the relf given her fuccour in time,'
and drawn her to the weft fands, without the Oiof
of the cafiie, and afterv/ard to DundvC, where-

thj^jr

OF RELIGION IN- S C O T L A R D.

Book K

thcv retnaineJ, rill that the governor, who was
thisn. at tl'-sJ i'ge of Limghope, came unto them
■wi^h the reft ot" the i.'rench faftion.

The liegc by ka and laud was confirmed about
the c«ftle of St. Andrews, the thi;ee and- twentieth
<ky of July ; the trenches were caft, ordnance were
planted upon the abbey-church, and upon St. Sal-
vator's college, (and yet was the fteeple thereof
burnt) and foine upon the ftreet that leads to the
caftle, which (o annoyed the caftle, that neither
could they keep their biock-houfe, the ka-tower-
hcad, nor the weft wall ; for in ail thofe places
men were fialn by the great ordnance ; y:;a, they
mounted the ordnance fo high upon the abbey-
church, that they might difcover the ground of
the court of the caftle in divers places: moreover,
within the caftle was the plague, and divers there-
in died-, which more atfrighted fome that were
therein, than did the external force wiihout. But
John Knox was of another ^judgment ; for he ever
feid, that their corrupt life, having fallen into all
kind of liccntioufnefs, puft up with pride of their
fuccefs, and relying upon England for help in cafe
of need, could not efcape the punillament of God;
and that was his continual advertifement, from
the time that he was called to preach. When they
triumphed of their vitftory, (the firft twenty days
they had many profperous chances) he lamented,
and ever faid, they faw not what he faw : when
tlley bragged of the force and thicknefs of their
walls, he faid they (hould be but egg-ftiells : when
they vaunted, England will refcue us, he faid, ye
fiiall not fee them ; but ye ftiall be delivered into
your enemies hands, and fhali be carried into a
flrange country.

Upon the nine and twentieth of July, at night,
was the ordnance planted for the battery thirteen
cannons, whereof four were cannons-royal, called
double cannons, befides other pieces. The battery
began at four of the clock in the morning, and
before ten hours of the day, the whole fouth-quar-
ter, betwixt the fore-tower, and the eaft block-
houfe, was made faltable. The lower gallery
was flopped, divers fiain in it ; and the eaft block-
houfe was iTiot off from the place. Betwixt ten
and eleven of the clock, there fell a ftiower of
rain that continued near an hour, the like where-
of had feldom been feen ; it was fo vehement,
that no man might abide without a houfe. The
cannons wer<^ left alone. Some wlthm the caftle
were of judgment, that men fliould have i/Fued,
and put all in the hands of God; but becaufe
iJhat William Kirkcaldy was coming with the prior

IC7

of Cappua, who had' the coniir.irf.oa of that joiij-.
ney from thj king of France, nothingwas cntcr-
prifed. And fo w^as appointment, made, and the
caftle rendered upon Saiurdaj'- i-Iie laft.of Julj^
The heads of the appcintmcnt were, That the
lives of all within the caftle fliould be faved, as
well EngUlh as Scots ; that they fhould be fafely
tranfported to France; and in cafe that upon con-
ditions, which by the king of France ftiould b$
offered unto them, they could not be content to
remain in fervice and freedom there, they fhould,
upon the expences of the king of France, be fafely
conveyed to what country they would require, o-
ther than Scotland. With the governor they
would have nothing ado, neither with any Scotf-
man ; for they had all traiteroufty betrayed them
(which, faid the laird of Grange elder, a man
fimple, and of moft ftout courage, I am a.Tured
God will revenge it, ere it be long.) The galiies
well furniftied with the fpoil of the caftle aforcfaid,
after certain days returned to France, and efcaped
a great danger, for upon the back of the fands
they all choked, they arrived at Felcame in No-
vember, and thereafter palfed up the water of Se-
quan, and lay before Rhoan, where the principal
gentlemen, who looked for freedom, were dif-
perfed, and put in fundry priibns ; the reft were
left in the gallies, and there miferably ufed, a-
mongft: whom the forefaid Mr. James Balfour was,
with his two brethren, David and Gilbert ; men
without God : which we write, becaufe that we
hear that the faid Mr. James, principal mifguider
now in Scotland, denies that he had any thing to
do with the caftle of St. Andrews, or yet that
ever he was in the gallies. Among others, John
Knox was in the gallies all the winter. Then was
the joy of the papifts, both of Scotland and of
France, even in full perfeftion ; for this v/as their
fong of triumph,

Prie/ls content yau kciu, piicfls content you novj,
For Normaji and his company baveJiWd the gallic:
fovj.

The pope wrote letters to the king of France,.
and fo did he to the governor of Scotland, thank-
ing them heartily for taking pains to revenge tiit
death of his kind creature, the cardinal of Scot-
land, defu-ing them to continue in their begun fe-
verity, that fuch things thereafter ftiould not be
attempted ; fo were all thofe that were dt:prehend-
ed in the caftle, condemned to perpetual prifon :
and the ungodly judged, that after this, Chrift:
O z Jefcs

io8

T H !• H I 3 T O ?. Y or the R. E F 0 R I>I A T I 0 xM.

Hook I.

J'efus fho-akliu'ver triumph in Scotland. One thing
we cannot oafs by, iroin Scotland was ftnt a famous
elerk (hagh not, feadcr) Mr. John Hamilton of
Milburn, with credit to the king of France, and
unto the cardinal of Lorrain, and yet he had nei-
ther French nor Latin, and iome fay his Scots
tongne was not very good. Tlie funi of his ne-
gotiution was, that thofe of the calf le ihould be
foarply handled ; in the which fuit he was heard
with favour, and was difpatched from the court
of Francfe with letters, and great credit, which
ihat famous ckrk forgot by the way: for paffing
up to the niountain of Dumbarton, before his let-
ters v/cre delivered, he brake his neck, and fo
• God took avoay a proud ignorant enemy. But
now to our hilfory. Theie things againft pro-
mife ' for princes have no fidelity, further than tor
' their ovv'n advantage' done at Rhoan, the galjies
departed to Nantz in Brittany, where, upon the
water of Lore, they lay the whole winter. Ln
Scodand that winter was nothing but mirth, for
all v/ent with the priefts even at their own plea-
fure. The caftle of St. Andrews was razed to
the ground, the Block-houfe thereof calf down,
and the vvalls round about demoliilied. Whether
this was to fulfd their lav/, which commands
places where cardinals are ilahi fo to be ufed; or
eife for fear that England ihould have taken It, as
after they did Broachty-rock, we remit to the
judgment of fuch as Vv^ere of council.

This fane year, in the beginning of Septem-
ber, entered Scotland an army of ten tbx)ufand
men fiom England by land ; and fome fi^ips with
ordnance came by fea. The governor and the
bifhop hereof advertifed, gathered together the
forces of Scotland, and ailembled at Edinburgh.
The protedfor of England, with the earl of Vv'ar-
wick and their army, rem.ained at Preltoun, and
about Freflonn-pans ; for they had certain oftcrs to
propofe unto the nobility of Scotlan.d, concerning
the promlfe jjefore made by them, unto the which
king Henry before his death gently required them
to ibnd fail : and if they would do fo, of him,
nor of his realm they fl^ould have no trouble, but
the help and the comfort that he could make thern
in all things lawfal. And hereupon there was a
letter dire<5led to the governor and council j
which coming to tlie hands of tlie blfnop of St.
Andrews, he thought it could not be for his ad-
vantage that it Ihould be divulgate ; and there-
fore by his craft it was fuppref-l-d. Upon Friday
the feventh of September, the Englifli •afm.y
inarched towards Leii;h, and the Scots army

marched from Edinburgh to laverefe. The-
wliole Scots army was not anembled, and yet the
fKirmifliing began; for nothing v.-as concluded, but
vicfory without ffroke. The prote6for, the earl
of Warwick, the lord Gray, and all the Englifn
captains were playing at the dice. No men were
ftouter than the priefls and canons with their
fhaven crowns, and black jacks. The earl of
Warwick, and the lord Gray, v.'ho had the
chief charge of horfemen, perceiving the holl: to be
moiefled v.dth the Scots preachers, and knowing
that the multitud'e were neither under order nor
obedience, {for they were divided from the great .
army) fent foi th certain troops of horfemen and
fome of their borderers, either to bring them, or
eife to put them out of their light, fo that they
might not annoy the holf. The ilcirmifh grew
hot, and at length the Scotfmen gave bark, and
ilcd without 'gain-turn: the chafe continued far,
both towards the eafi, and towards the wtfl, ia
the v.'hich wany were llain, and he that is now
lord Hume was taken, which was theoccafion that
the cafde of Hume v/as after furrendercd to the
Engihhmien : the lofs of thefe men neither moved'
the governor, nor yet the bifhop his baflard-bio-
ther, bragging, that they would revenge the mat-
ter well enough^. pen the m.orrow ; for they had
hands enow, (no word of God) * The Engiilh-.
' heretics had no faces, they would not abide.''
Upon the Saturday, the armies of both f:des paff
to aray.

The- English army takes the middle part of
Fawfide hill, having their ordnance placed before
them, and having their fhips and two gadies
brought as near the land as water would ierve^
The Scots army flood firff in a reafonable ff rength,
and good order, having betwixt them and the
Engliih army the water of Efk, (otherwife called
Mullelburgh water.) But at length a charge was-
given, in the governor's behalf, with found of
trumpet, that all men fhould march foreward and
go over the water. Some fay, this was procur-
ed by the abbot of Dunfermdine, and Mr. Hugh
Rig, for prefervation of Carbarry. Men of judg-
ment liked not that journey ; for they thought
it no wifdom to leave their Ifrength;. but com-
mandment upon comniandment, and charge up-
on charge was given, Vvhich urged them fo, that"
unv/illingly they obeyed. The earl of Angus,'
being in the van-guard, had in his company-
the gentlemen of Fife, of Angus, Mearns, and
the Weff-land, with many o'thers, that of love
reforted imto him: and efpecially thofe that wer«

profeflbj-t

Book L

©F RELIGION

profcfibrs of the gofpel, for they fiippofed that
Engiaud would not have nvude great purfuit of
him. He pafled firfl thorow the water, anil ai ay-
ed his hoft direft before the enemies; followed
the earl of Hundy, with his North-land men:
lali came the governor, having in his company
the earl of Arg^le with his own friends, and
the body of the reaira. The Englilhmen perceiv-
ing the danger, and hov/ tihat the Scotfmen in-
tended to have taken the top of the hill, made to
prevent the peril. The lord Gray was com-
manded to give the charge with his men at arms,
which he did, albeit the hazard was very unlike
ly : for the earl ©f Angus's holl flood even as a
wail,- and received the foil: afHtultcrs upon the
points of their fpears (which were longer than
thole of the Enghnimen) fo rudely, that fifty
■horfe and men of the firit rank lay dead at once,
without any hurt done to the Scots arm.)', except'
that the fpears of the former two ranks were bro-
ken • which difcomfiture received, the reft of the
horfemen Hed ; yea, fome pafild beyond Fawilv.e- ^
hi!l : the lord Gray himfelf was' hurt in -the
mouth, and plainly denied to charge again; fbr
h-.' faid, it was like to run againfl the wall. The
galiies and r.he fhips,, and lo did the ordnance
planted upon Myde-hlH, fnoot terribly: but the
oj-dnance of the galiies fnooting amonglr -the
Scots army, afFrayed them Vv'ondercully. And
while that every man laboured to draw from the
north, from whence the danger appeared, they
begin to fail ; and with that were the Engiiih
footmen marching foreward, aibtit that fome of
their horfemen Mere upon the- flight. The earl
of Angus's army flood fVfd, looking that either
Huntly or the governor fhould have rencountered
the next battle: but they had decreed, that the
favourers of England and the heretics, as the prieft'j
called them, and the Englilhmen fliould part it
betwixt them for that day. The fear rifeth, and
■at aninflant, they, which befoi-ewere victors, and
were not yet afTaulted with any force, except with
.ordnance, as is faid, cafl from them their fpears,
and fled: fo that God's power was fo evidently
feen, that in one m.oment, yea, at one inftant of
time, both the armdes were fleeing. The fhout
came from the hiil, from thofe that hoped no vic-
tory upon the Englifii part; the fnout rifes, we
fay, ' They flee, they flee:' but at the flrfl it
could net be believed, till at the lafc it M-as clear-
ly feen, that all had given back, and flill began
the cruel flaughttr, Mhich was the greater, by
•r^ion of the late dlfplcafure oi the men of arn".s.

IN S C 0 T L A N D. 109

The chafe and daughter Isfted till near Edinburgh
upon the one part and towards Dalkieth upon the
other.

The number of the flain upon the Sects fide,
were judged near ten thoufand men. The earl
of Huntly was taken and carried to London; but
he relieved himfelf, being furety for many ran-
foms, honeflly or unhoneflly we know not, but as
the report was, he ufed policy with England. In
that fame battle was flaijt the mafrer of :ferlkine,
dearly beloved of the queen, for v/hom fhe m/ade
great lamentation, and bore his death many days
in mind. When the certainty of the difcomfltu'rc
came, Ihe was in Edinburgh, abiding upon tidincs ;
but with expedition flie pofled tha'tfame night°to
Sdrling with monfieur d'Ofe!, who was as fear-
ful as ' a fox when his hole is fmoked ;' and thus
did God take the fecond revenge upon the perju-
red governor, with fuch as affifl ed hiiTi to defend
an unjufl quarrel ; albeit that m.any innocents k\\
amongft the midfl of the wicked. The Engliil;
army came to Leirh, and there taking order with
their prifoners and fpoil, they returned with this
victory (which they looked not for) to England
That winter following were great herftips made
upon all the horde! s of Scotland ; Brought3'-moun-
tain was taken by the Engliflimen, and befiegcd
by the. governor, but flill kept: and at it was.
liain Gavin, the bef^ of the Kam.iltons, and the.
ordnance left ; whereupon the Engliflrmen encou-
raged, began to fortify upon the hilt above Brough-
ty-houfe, v/hich was called the fort of Broughty,
and was very noifom to Dundee, which it burnr
and laid waft, and fo did it the moft part of Angus,
which was not affured to, and under friendihip .
with them.

The Lent following was Kaddinp-toun fortified '
by the Engliflim.en ; the mofl part of Lothian, from
Edinburgh eaft, v/as either aimred or laid wafte :
thus did God plague in every quarter, but men
were blind, and v/ould not, nor could not conddcr
the caufe. The lairds Ormifloun, and Bruftoun
were banifhcd, and after fore afTaulted, and fo
Nvere all ihofe of the cafl:le of St. Andrews. The
fare knowlege of the troubles of Scotland co;riir:rr
to France, there was prepared a navy and armv .
The navy was fuch, as never. was feen to come
from France to the fupport of Scotland ; for, be-
iides the galiies, being twenty t%vo.in number,
they had threefcore great fnips, befldes viduallers, .
Row foon foever they took the plain feas, - the
red-lion of Scotland was difplayed, and they hold-
en a.s rebels luito France, (fuch rcli-cy is no falf-

The history of the P. EFORMATION

ixo

hood In princes) for good peace ftood betwixt
France and England, and the king of France ap-
proved nothing that they did. The chief men,
to whom the conducing of the army was appoint-
ed, were i-nonfieur Dandelot, monfieur de Tertxies,
and Pier de Strois. In their journey they made
fame herfhip upon the coaft of England, but it
was not great. They arrived in Scotland in May
anno 1549. The galiies did vilit the fort of
Broughty but did no more at that time. ^ Prepa-
rations were made for the fiege of Haddingtoun,
but it was another thing that they meant, as the
ifluc did declare.

The whole body of the realm afTembied, the
form of a parliament was fet to be holden there,
to ivit, in the abbey of Haddingtoun. The prin-
cipal head was, The marriage of the princefs (by
the Hate before contradf ed to king Edward) to the
king of France, and of her prefent delivery, by
reafon of the danger fae flood in, by the invafion
of the old enemies of England. Some were cor-
rupted with bribes, fome deceiveid with flattering
promifes, and fomiC for fear were compelled to
confent ; for the French foldiers were the officers
of arms in that parliament. The laird of Bec-
cleugh, a bloody man, with many God's wounds,
fwore; • They that would not confent, fliould do

* worfe.' The governor got the title of Duke of
Chattel-herauld, with the order of the "Cockle,
anda penfion of twelve thoufand pounds,with a full
difcharge of all intermiffions with king James V.
his treafure and fubflance whatfoever, with pof-

-ieiTion of the cadle of Dumbarton, till that ilTue
Ihould be feen of the queen's body. ' With thefe
*,and other conditions flood he content to fell his

* fovereign out of his own hands,' which in the
end will be his delfrudtion, God thereby pu-
nhhing his former wickednefs, (if fpeedy repen-
tance prevent not God's judgments, which we
heartily wiflr.) Huntly, Argyle, and Angus,
w^ere likewife made knights of the Cockle ; and for
that and other good deeds received, they fold al-
io their part. Shortly none was found to rcfift
that unjulf demand; and fo was Are fold to go to
France, to the end that in her youth flie fhould
drink of that liquor that ihould remain with her
all her lifetime, for a plague to this realm, and for
iier own ruin : and therefore, albeit that now^ a
jire Cometh out of her, that confumes many, let
no man wonder, flie is God's hand, in his difplea-
fure punifhing our former ingratitude. Let men
patiently abide Cod's appointed time, and turn un-

-to him by hearty rencatance; then God will fure-

BOOK

ly flop the fire that now cotics from her, by fud-
den changing her heart to deal favourably with
his people; or eife by taking her away, or by flop-
ping her to go on in her courfe, by fuch means as
he Ih.all think meet in his wifdom : for he, hav-
ing all hi his hand, diipoieth of all, and doth with
all according to his own w ill ; unto which we
muft not only yield, but alfo be heartily pieafed
with it, fince it is abfolutely good; and both by
facred and prophane hilfory we are taught to do
fo ; for in them we find, that princes have been
raifed up by his hand to punKh his people; but
when they turned unto him with hearty repentance,
he either turned the heart of the prince to deal
kindly with his people, or elfe did take him away ;
or at leah did flop his violent courfe againft his
people. Of this, the examples are fo frequent,
that we fpare to name them here. But to retura
to our hiflory.

This conclufion, That our queen (without fur-
ther delay) ihould be delivered to France. The
fiege continued, great fliooting, but no aifaulting,
and yet they had fair occafion offered unto them :■
for the Englifhmen approaching unto the town,
for the comforting of the befieged, vv^ith powder,
viftuals, and mei), lofl an army of fix thoufand
men. Sir Robert Bowes- was taken, and the moft
part of the borderers were taken or flain, and fo
might the town juftly have defpaired of any fur-
ther fuccour to have been looked for; but yet it
held good for the flout courage and prudent go-
vernment of Sir James Wolfard general, who did
fo encourage the whole captains and foldiers, that
they determined to die upon their walls: but from
the time that the Frenchmen had gotten the bone,
for the .which the dog barked, the purfuit of the
town was flow. The fiege was raifed, and the
queen flie was conveyed by the weff-fcas to France,
with four galiies, and fome fliips, and fb the car-
dinal of Lorrain got her in his keeping ; a mor-
fel, I afTure you, meet for his own mouth. Wc
omit many things that cx:curred in this time, as
the fitting down of the fh<p, calkd the Cardinal,
(the fairefl fhip in France) betwixt St. Colm's inck
and Cramond, without any occafion except ne-
gligence ; for the day was fair, and weather calm:
but God would fliew, that the country of Scot-
land can bear no cardinals. In this time alfo there
was a combat betwixt the galiies and the Englifli
fnips. They fliot frankly a while. An Engliflt
fliip took fire, or elfe the galiies had come fhort
home; and, as it was, they fled without mercy,

till

Book I.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

till th-at they were above St» Colm's inch. The
captains left the gallies, and took a fort made in
the inch for thsh- defence; but the Enghlh lliips
made no piirfult, (except that they burnt the
Cardinal where Hie lay) and fo the galiies and the
galley- men did both ticape.

Ocdtr was taken, that the next September fome
{rallies diould remain in Scotiand, and that the reft
ihould return to France, as they did ail, except
one that was taken by an Eiiglife fhip (by an Eng-
llfh (lilp only, we fay) as they were pafiing be-
twixt Dover and Calais.

That winter remained monfieur d' Fermes in
Scotland, with the bands of Frenchmen. They
fortiaed Inverelk, to ft-iy the EiigiKh that they
/liould not invade Edinburgh and Leith. Some
ficirmithes there were betwixt the one and the o-
ther, but no notable thing done, except that the
French had almou taken Haddingtoan ; the occa-
iion whereof was this :

The Frenchmen thinking themfelves more than
mafters in all parts of Scotland, and in Edinburgh
principaiiy, thought they could do wrong to no
Scotfman : for a certain Frenchman delivered a
colvering to George Tod Scotfnan, to be flocked,
who bringing it thorow the ftreet, another Fiench-
man claimed it, and would have taken it from the
faid George; but he refifted, alleging that the
Frenchman did wrong : thus began parties to af-
femble, as well to the Scotfman as to the French,
fo that two of the Frenchmen were ftricken down,
and the reft chafed from the crofs to Niddry's
wynd-head. The pj-ovofl: being on the ilreet, ap-
prehended two of the French, and was- carrying
them to the tolbooth ; but from monfieur d'Efhe's
lodging, or clofs, iifued forth Frenchmen to the
number of threefcore perfons, with drawn fwords,
and refifled the faid provoft. Then the town af-
fembiing, reprdfed them, till that they came to
the Nether-bow ; and there moniieur de la Chap-
pelle, with the whole bands of Frenchmen armed,
rencountered the faid provofl, and violently re-
pulfed hin, for the town was v/ithout weapons,
for the mod part, and fo made invaficn upon all
that they met: (and firit, in theentryof the bow,
were flain David Kirk, and David Barber, being
at the provofl's back, and afterwards was ilain the
faid provoft himfelf, being laird or Srane-houfe,
and captain of the caflle, James Hamilton his fon,
V/illiam Chapman, Mr. William Stuart, WiUiam
Purves, and a woman named Elifibeth Stuart ;)
and thereafter tarried within the town by force,
froni five of tlie clock till after feven ?^t night,

in

and then retired to the Canongate, as to their ix-^
ceptacle and refuge.

The whole town, yea the governor and nobility,
commoved at the unworthineisof this bold attempt.
Craved juflice upon the ir.akfaclors,or elfe theywould
takejufliceof the whole. The queen craftily enough,
monfieur d'EiTie, and moniieur d' Ofel, labouredVor
pacification, and promiled, that imlefs tlie French-
men by themfelves alone lliould do fuch an aft as
might recompenfe the wrong that they had done,
that then they fliould not refitfe but that juf^icc
fliould be executed to the rigour: « Theie fair
* words pleaied our fcols,' and fo were the Frenc'i
bands the next night directed to Haddingtoun, to
the which they approached a little after midnigh':
fo fecretly, that they M'-ere ne\cr efpied, till that,
the foremoft were within the outer court, and thc:
whole company in the church-yard, not two pair c'.
butts length diftant from the town. The Englirn.
foldiers were all afleep, except the watch, the vv'hich-
was ilender; and ^et the Ihiout arlfes, ' Bows and
' bills, bows and bills ;' which is a fig^iiication c:
extreme defence, to avoid the preftnt danger in al'
towns of war. They affrighted, arife ; weapons
that firft came to hand ferve for the need. Gne a~
mongfl many came to the cafl-gate, where lay two
great pieces of ordnance, and Vv here the enemies
were known to be, and cried to his fellows that
were at the gate making defence,. ' Beware before.'
and fo fires a great piece,, and thereafter another,
which God fo conducted, that after them was no
further purfuit made; for the bullets redounded
from the wall of the Friar-church, to the wall of
St. Katharine's chapel, which flood dire^fly over
it, and from the wall of the faid chapel to the
church- wall again, f j oft, that there fell more than .
an hundred of the french at thofe two fliots only.
They fuot oft; but the French retired ^'ith dih-
gence, and returned to Edinburgh without harm
done, except the deif ruclion of fome drinking beer,
which lay in the faid chapel,- and church : and
this was fatisfaclion more than enough, for the
fiaughtcr of the forefiid captain and provoil, and
for the daughter of fuch as were Hain yvith them.
This w'as the.beginning of the French fruits.

This winter, in the time of Chriflmas, m'os the
cafde of Flume recovered from the Englilh, by the
negligence of the captain,, named Dudley. This
winter alfo did the laird of Raith moft innocently
fuffer and alter was forfeited, btcaufe that he wrore
a letter to his fon John ?.Ielvi], v/ho then was in
England, which w::is alledged to have been found-
in the hcuf; cf Qrmifloun : but many fufneftcd the

The history of the REFORMATION

112

pranks and ciafi: of NinUm Cockburn, now called
captain Nlnlan, to whom the laid letter vas deli-
vered. But ho'.vfoever it was, the cruel beaRs the
biihop of St Andrews, and the abbot of Dun-
Icrmlins, ceafed not, till that the head of that
noblerr.an was flricken from him ; efpec^ally, be-
caufe that he was known to be one that unfeigned-
ly favoured the truth of God's word, and was a
great friend to thofe that were in the callle of St.
Aadre\vs ; of whofe deliverance, and of God's
wonderful working with them during the time of
their bondage, we will now fpeak, left that, in
luppreiilng of fo notable a work of God, we ihould
julily be accufed of ingratitude.

FiiTt then, the pruicipals being put in feveral
houfes, as before wc have faid, great labours were
made to make them have a good opinion of the
inafs. But chiefly, travail was taken upon Nor-
man Leily, the laird of Grange, the laird of Pit-
milile, who were in the caille of Scherisburgh,
that they would come to mafs wich the captain :
who an{v%'eud, ' That the captain had command-
' rncnt to keep their bodies, but he had no power

* to comm.and their confciences,' The captain re-
■ plied, ' That he had power to command, and to

* compel them to go \vhcre he went.' Theyan-
i\\ered, ' That to go to any lawful place M-ith

. ' him, they would ndt refufe ; but to do any thing
' that was againfi: their cciifcience, ihty would
' not neither for him, nor yet for the king.' The
captain faid, ' Will ye not go to the mafs ;■" They
anfwcped, ' No.; andif.ve compel us, yet v/e will
^ difpleafeyou farther; f^- we ftail fo uie ourselves

* there, that all th'hfe that a,!e prtfent llAall kaow
' we defpife it.' Thefe fame aafwers (and fome-
v/hat (harper) William Kirkcaldy, Peter Carmdcha-
d, antd fuch as were with them in mount St. Mi-
chael, gave to their captain; for they faid, ' They
' would not only hear mafs every day, but rhac
' they would help to fay it, providing that they

* might rdck "the priefls, or the they would

* not.' M. Henry Ealciives, who was in the
c^Qk of Rhoan, -wa->' m.oA fliarply afTauked of
all; for, becaufe he was judged kariitd, (as he
-s.\as, and is indeed) thereiore learned men were
appoiated to travail with him, with wlioin he had
ir;any conCrCts;- but God foev'er aflUled him, that
they daparrcd confounded ; and he by the power
oF God's Spirit remained con flan t in the truth,
u:id pr.ofeiTmgof the lame, v.itliout any wavering,
ov declinii;!g ,fcj kloiatry. In the prifon lie wrote a
co!n for table treat) fe of juftification, and of the
worksand'coiivc/fation of a maajuiliEed; v.dilch

Book I.'

is c::tant to this day. Thofe that were in the gal-
lies were threatned with torments, if they would
not give reverence to the mafs, (for at certain times
the m.afs was faid in the gallies, crelfchuid by up-
on the fiiore, in prefence of theforfairs) but they
could never make the poorefl of that company to.
give reverence to that idol ; yea, when upon the
Saturday at night they fung their Snlve Regina, all
the Scotfmen put on their caps, their hoods, or
fuch things as they had to cover their heads ; and
when that others were compelled to kifs a painted
board, which they called nofcre Dame, they were
not preficd after once ; for this was the chance.

Soon after their arrival at Nantz, their great
Salve was fung, and a glorious painted lady was
brought in to be kifTed, and amongft others M'as
prefenied to one of the Scotfmen then chained.
He gently faid. ' Trouble m.e not, fuch a jewel is
' accurfed, and tlterefore 1 will not touch it.' The
patron and the arguifer, with two officers, having
the chief charge of all fuch matters, faid, * Thou
' Ihalt handle it;' and fo they violently thrufl it
to his lace, and put it betwixt his hands, who
feeing the extremity, took the idol, and advifediy
looking about him, he caff it into the river, and
faid, ' Let our lady now fave hcrfelf, fhe is light
' enough, let her learn to fwim.' After that was
no Scotfman urged vv'ith that idolatry, Thefe are
things which appear to be of no great importance ;
and yet, if we do rightly confider, they exprefs
the fame obedience that God requireth of his peo-
ple Ifrael, when they fhould be carried to Baby-
lon: for he gave charge unto them, when they
fliould fee the Babylonians worlhip their gods of
gold, filver, metal, and wood, they Ihouid fay,

* The gods that have not made heaven and earth,

* ih.all perifli from the heaven, and out ot the

* earth.' That confellion gave that whole numi-
ber, during the time of their bondage, in the
which, would God they had continued in their
freedom, for then had not Mr. James Ball-our been
official, neither yer borne a cope lor the pkaiure
of the bifhop. Eut to proceed, the laid Mr.
James Balfour being in the galley with John Knox,
and being wondrous famihar with him, would
often tirnts afk his judgment, ' If he thought that
■'.ever they ihouid be dii\ered ? Whofe anfwer-
was ever, from the day that they entered into the
gallies, ' That God would deliver them from that
' bondage, to his glory, even in this life.' And
lying- betv.'ixt Dundee and St. Andrews, the feccnd
time that the gallies returned to Scotland, the
faid John Kno.^ being fo extremely fick, that few

1 hoped

Book I.

FREI.IGJON IN S C O TL A N D.

r'J

hopsd his life, the faid Mr. James willed him to
look to the land, and afked if he knew it ? Who
anfwered, * Yes, 1 know it well, for I fee the

* fleeple of that place, where God in public open-
' ed my mouth to his glory : and I am fully per-

* fuaded, how weak foever that I now appear, that

* I fhall not depart this life, till that my tongue
•• fliall glorify his holy name in tlie fame place.'
This reported the {aid Mr. James, in the prefence
of many famous witnefles, many years before that
ever the forefaid John fet his foot in Scotland this
lafl: time to preach.

William Kirkcaldy then of Grange younger,
Peter Carmichael, Robert and William Lellies,
who were altogether in Mount St. Michael, wrote
to John Knox, afking counfel, if they might with
fafe confcience break their prifon ? Whofeanfwer
was, * That if without the blood of any fhed or

* fpilt by them for their deliverance, they might

* fet themfelves at freedom, that they might fafely

* do it : but to fhed any man's blood for their free-

* dom, thereto would he never confent.' Adding
fiurther, that he was alTured that God would de-
liver them, and the reft of that company, even in
the eyes of the world, but not by fuch means as
they looked for ; that was, by the force of friends,
or by their other labours: by fuch means he af-
firmed, they fhould not be delivered, but that
God would fo work in the deliverance of them,
that the praife thereof fliould redound to his glory
only. He willeth therefoi-e every one to take the oc-
cafion that God offered unto them, providing that
they did nothing againft God's exprefs command-
ment for deliverance of themfelves. He was the
more earneft in giving his counfel, becaufe the old
laird, of Grange, and others, repugned to their
purpofe ; fearing, left that the efcaping of the o-
thers, fhould be an occafion of their worfe entreat-
ment. Whereunto the faid John anfwered, that
fuch fear proceeded not from God's Spirit, but
©nly from a blind love of themfelves ; and therefore
that no good purpofe was to be ftayed, * for things

! * that were in the hands and power of God. And

added, that in one inftant God delivered the whole

: company into the hands of unfaithful men, but

fo would he not relieve them ; but fome would he

' deliver by one means, and at one time, and others

' muft abide for a feafon upon his good pleafure.

This counfel in the end was embraced, upon the

I king's even, when Frenchmen commonly ufed to

] drink liberally. The aforefaid four perfons having

t the help and conducing of a boy of the houfe,

i bound all that were in the caftle, put them in fun-

dry houfes, locked the doors upon them, took the
keys from the captain, and departed without harm
done to the perfon of any, or without touching
of any thing that appertained to theking, captain,
or to the houfe.

Great fcarch was made thorow the whole ccun--
try for them ; but it was God's good pleafure fo
to conduct them, that they efcaped the hands of
the faithlefs, albeit it was with long travail, and
great pain and poverty fuftained ; for the French,
boy left them, and took with him the fmall mo-
ney that they had ; and fo, having neither money
nor knowlege of the country, and farther, fearing
that the boy fiiould difcover tliem, as that in very
deed he did, they purpofed to divide themfelves,
to change their garments, and to go in fun dry
parts. The two brethren, William and Robert
Lefties (who now are become, the faid Robert e-
fpecially, enemies to Chrift Jefus, and unto all
virtue) came to Rhoan, William Kirkcaldy and
Peter Carmichael in beggar's garments came to
Conquet ; and by the fpace of twelve or thirteen
weeks they travelled, as poor mariner?, from port
to port, till at length they got a French fliip,
landed in the weft of Scotland, and from thence
came to England, where they met before them
the faid John Knox, who that fame winter was
delivered, and Alexander Clark in his company.

The faid John was firft appointed preacher to
Berwick, then to Newcaftle, laft he was called to
London, and to the fouth-part of England, where
he remained till the death of king Edward VL
When he left England, he then pafled to Geneva,
and there remained at his privy ftudy, till that he
was called by the Englifti congregation that then
was aftembled at Francfort, to be preacher to
them; which vocation he obeyed, albeit unwil-
lingly, at the commandment of that notable fervant
of God John Calvin: at Francfort he remained,
till that fome of the learned, whofe names we
fupprefs, more given to unprofitable ceremonies
than to fincerity of religion, began to quarrel
with the faid John ; and becaufe they defpaired to
prevail before the magiftrate there, for the efta-
bliftiing of their corruptions, they accufed him ot
treafon committed againft the emperor, and a-
gainft their fovereign queen Mary; that in his ad-
monition to England, he called the one little in-
ferior to Nero, and the other more cruel than Je-
zabel. The magiftrates perceiving their malice,
and fearing that the faid John ftiould fell m the
hands of his accufators, by one mean or by other,
gave advertifement fecretly to him to depart their
P c-itv;

ri4 The HISTORY of t-n

city ; for they could not fave him, if he were re-
cjuired by the emperor, or by the queen of Eng-
land in the emperor's name. And fo the faid John
returned to Geneva, from thence to Diep, and
thereafter to Scotland, as we fliail after hear.

The time, and that winter that the gallies re-
mained in Scotland, were delivered Mr. James
Ealfour, his two brethren David and Gilbert, John
Auchlnleck, John Sibbald, John Gray, William
Guthry, and Stephen Bell. The gentlemen that
remained in prifon, were, by the procurement of
the queen Dowager to the cardinal of Lorrain, and
to the king oF France, fct at liberty in the month
©f July, anno 1550, who fhortly thereafter were
called to Scotland, their peace proclaimed, and
they thcmfelves reftored to their lands, in delpight
of their enemies : and that was done in hatred of
duke Hamilton, becaufe that then France began to
thirft to have the government of Scotland in their
o\vn hands; howlbever it was, God made the
hearts of their enemies to fct them at libei ty and
freedom. There refted a number of common fer-
vants yet in the gallies, who v/ere all delivered
upon the contra^ oF peace that was made betwixt
France and England, after the taking of Bullen,
andfo v/as the whole company fet at liberty, none
peiifiiing (no not before the world) except James
Melvil, who departed from the milery ot this
life in the caftle of Breft in Britaigne. This we
write, to let the pofterity to come uaderftand, how
potently God wrought in preferving and delivering
of'thofe that had' but a fmall knowlege of his
truth, and for the love of tlie fame hazarded all ;
•that if either we now in our days having greater
litrht, or our pofterity that fiiall follow us, ihall
lee a fearful'difperfion of fuch asoppofe themfelves
to impiety, or take upon them to punifli the fame
otherwife than laws of men will prmit : if we,
fay we, or they, fhall fee fuch, left of men, yea,
•as it were defpiied and punilhed ot God, yet let
i7s not condemn the peribns that punifli vice, (and
that for juft caufe) nor yet defpair ; but that the
fame God that dejefts, forcaufes unknown to us,
will raife up again the perfons dejedfed, to his
glory and their comfort.

And, to let the world underfland in plain terms
what we mean, the great abufer of this common-
, wealth, that pultron, and vile knave Davie, was
"juflly punilhed the ninth of March, in the year of
cur Lord 1565, for abufing the common-wealth,
and for his other villanies, v/hich we lil^ not to
exprefs, by the connfel and hands of James Doug-
'!as earl cf -Mortonn; Patrick lord Lindfay, and

E REFORMATION BooKt,

the lord Ruthven, with other allifters in their
company, who all, for their juff a6l, and moft
worthy of all praife, are now unworthily left of
ail their brethren, and fuffer the bitternefs of ba-
niOiment and exile. But this is our hope in the
mercies of our God, that this fame blind genera-
tion, whether it will or not, fiiall be comptlled t0
fee, that he will have refpe6f to them that are un-
juflly purfued; that he will pardon their former
offences ; that he will rellore them to the liberty
of their country and comm-on-weahh again ; and
that he will punilh (in defpight of man) the hea4
and the tail, that now troubles the jull:, and maia-
taineth impiety. The head is known, the tail
hath two branches. The temporal lords that maia-
tain fuch abominations as we fee, and flattering
counfellors of flate, blafphemoas Balfour, now
called cicrk of regifter, Sinclair dean of Reltalrig,
and bifliop of Brtchin, blind of one eye in the
body, but of both of his foul, upon whom God
fhortly after took vengeance, Leily Prieff fgate ab-
bot of Lindrofs, and bilhop of Rofs, Simon Pref-
ton of Craigmlilar, a right Epicurean, whofe end
will be ere it be long according to their works.
■ — ^But now to return to our hiflory.

Haddingtoun being kept, and much hcrfhip
done about in the coun^ry, (for what the Englifli-
men deflroytd not, that was confumed by the
French,) God begins to fight for Scotland ; for
in the town he fent a plague fo contagious, that
with great difficulty could they have their dead
buried. They v/ere oft refrelhed with new men,
but all was in vain : hunger and plague within,
and the parfuit of the enemy with a ca-inp-volant
lay about them, and intercepted all vidf uals, (ex-
cept when they were brought by a convoy from
Berwick) fo conlhained them, that the council of
England was compelled, in the fpring time, to
call their forces from that place ; and fo fpoiling
and burning fome part of the town, they left it
to be occupied to fuch as firft fhould take poffef-
fion, and thofe were the Frenchmen, with a mean
number of the ancient inhabitants; and fo did
God perform the words and threatnings of Mr>
George Wifhart, who faid, * That for their con-
' tempt of God's mefftnger, they {fiould be vi^

* fited with fword and fire, with peflilence, flran-

* gers, and famine;' all which they found in fuch
perfection, that to this day yet, that town has
neither recovered the former beauty, nor yet men
of fuch wifdom and ability, as then did inhabit
it.

Hereafter was peace cojjtrafted betwixt France,

.linaland*,

900K IL

a'F R E t t G r 6 N in SCOTLAND.

Enfrlaiid and Scotland ; yea, a feveral peace was.con-
trafted betwixt Scotland and Flanders, together
with all the Eaflerlings, fo that Scotland had peace
with the world : but yet would their bilhops make
war againft God ; for, affoon as ever they got any
quictnefs, they apprehended Adam Wallace, alias
Fian, a fimple man without great learning, but
one that was zealous in godlinefs, and of an upright
life: he, with his wife Beatrice Livingfton, fre-
quented the company of the lady Orminoun, for
iiiflrutff ion of her children, duj-ing the trouble of
Jaer husband, who then M^as banifhed. This baf-
tard, called bilhop of St. Andrews, took the faid
Adami forth of the place of Wintoun, (men fup-
pofed, that they tliought to have apprehended the
laird) and caiTied him to Edinburgh, where, after
certain days, he was prefented to ju(^gment in the
church of the black thieves, alias friars, before
duke Hamilton, the earl of Huntly, and divers o-
' thers befides. The bifhops and their rabble, they
began to accufe him, Mr. John Lauder was his ac-
eufator) * That he took upon him to preach.' He
anfwered, that he never judged himfelf worthy of
fo excellent a vocation, and therefore he never took
upon him to preach: but he would not deny, that
fometimes at table, and fometimes in fome other
privy places, he would read, and had read the
fcriptures, and had given fuch exhortation as God
pleafed to give him to fuch as pkafed to hear him.
Knave, quofh one. What have you to do to
meddle with the fcripture? I chink, faid he, it is
the duty of every chnAain, to feek the will of his
God,and the alTurance of hislalvation, where it is to
be found, and that is within the old and new lefta-
jnaent. What then, faid another, /hall we leave to the
bilnops and church- men for to do ? if every man
fliaii be a babler upon the bible. It becometh you,
faid he, to fpeak more reverently of God, and of
his blefied woid. if the judge were uncorrupted,
he would punilTi you for your blafphemy. But to
your queftion, i anfwer, that, albeit ye and I, and
other five thoufand within this realm, fhould read
the bible, and fpeaV of it, what God fliould give
«s to fpeak ; yet left we more to the bifhops to do,
thanr^ither they will do, or can do: for we leave
to them pub'icly to preach the gofpel of Jefus
Chrift, and to feed the flock which he hath redeem-
ed by his own blood, and hath commanded the
fame to all true paflors; and when we leave this
unto thc'Ti, oiethiaks, we leave to them a heavy
burden ; and that we do unto them no wrong, al-
though we ft irch our own falvation, where it is
to be founds coaiidering that they are but * dumb

' do-s, and unfuvoury fait,' that hath altogether-
lofl: the fcafon. ^

^ The biaiops hereat offended, faid, what prating
13 this ? let his accufation be read. And then was
begun, ' falfe traitor, heretic, thou baptizedft
I thine own child ; thou fliidft, there Is no pur-
^' gatory ; thou faidfl, that to pray to faints, and
tor the dead, is idolatry, and a vain fuperflition,
6c. ^ What fayft thou to thefe things ? he anfwer-
ed, if I fliould be bound to anfwer, I would re-
quire an upright and an indifferent judge. The
earl of Huntly difdainfully faid, foolilh man, wilt
thou defireany other judge than my lord duke's
grace, great governor of Scotland ; and my lords
the bifhops, and the clergy here prefent ? whereto
he anfwered, the bifhops can be no judges to me,
for they are open enemies to the doftrine that I
profefs. And as for my Lord duke, I cannot tell,
whether he hath the knowlege that ihould be in
him, that fhould judge and difcern betwixt lies and
the truth, the inventions of men, and the true
worfliipping of God. I defire God's word (and
with that he produced the bible) to be judge be-
twixt the bilhops and' me, and I am content that
ye all hear; and if by this book I fliall be con-
vinced to have taught, fpoken, or done, in matters
of religion, any thing that repugneth to God's
will, I refufe not to die ; but if I cannot be con-
vinced, (as I am afTured by God's word I fiiali
not) then I, in God's name, defire your afTiftance,
that malicious men execute not upon me unjuil
tyranny. ^ The earl of Huntly faid, whatababllng
fool is this? thou fhalt get none other judges than
thefe that fit here. Whereunto the fliid Adam
anfwered, the good will of God be done; but be
yeaffured, my lord, with fuch meafure as ye mete
to others, with the fame meafure it fhall be mete
to you again: I know that I fhall die, but be ye
affured, that my blood fhall be required at your
hands. Alexander earl of Glencairn, yet alive,
faid to the bifhop of Orkney, and others that fat
near him, take heed, all you my lords of the clergy ;
for here I protefl, for my part, that I confent not
to his death. And (o without fear prepared the
faid Adam to anfwer. And firfl, to the baptizing
of his own child, he faid, ' It was and is as lawful
' to me, for lack of a true minifter, to baptize my
' own child, as that it was to Abraham to circum-
' cife his fon Ifhmael, and his family. And as for
* purgatory, praying to faints, andVor the dead,
' I have oft read, faid he, both the old and new
' teflaments, but I neither could find mention, nor
' afTurance of them ; and therefore I believe that
P 2 thev

ii6

The history of t h e' R E F O R M A T I O N

Book I.

' they are but mere inventions of men, devifed for

* covetoufnefs fake.' Well, quoth the biihop, ye
hear this, my lords. What fayil: thou of the mafs ?
faid the earl of Huntly. He anfwered, I fay, my
lord, as my Lord Jefus Chriff Mth, ' That which

* isingreatefleftimation before men, is abomination

* before God.' Then all cried oat, ' Herefy, he-

* refy.' And fo was the fimple fervant of God ad-
judged to the fire, which he patiently fullained
that fiime day at afternoon upon the caftle-hill.

And fo began they again to pollute the land
which God had lately plau'^ed; for yet their ini-
quity was not come to fo full ripenefs, as that
God would, that they Ihould be manifefled to this
whole realm (as this day they are) to be faggots
prepared for everlafting fire ; and to be men whom
neither plagues may correal, nor the light of God's
word convert from their darknefs and impiety.

The peace, as is faid, is contrafted. The queen
Dowager pall by fea to France, with gallies that
for that purpofe were prepared, and took with
her divers of the nobiUty, viz. the earls Huntly,
Glencairn, Marfhal, CalTils ; the lords Maxwel,
Fleeming, Sir George Douglas, together with all
the late king's natural fons, and divers barons and
gentlemen of ecclefiaftlcal eftate, the bifhop of
Galloway, and many others, with prom.ii'e that
they {hould be richly rewarded for their good fer-
vice. What they received we cannot tell, but
few were miade rich at their returning. The
Dowager had to pra6lice fomewhat with her bre-
thren the duke of Guefe and the cardinal of Lor-
rain, the weight whereof the governor after felt ;
for fhortly after her return, was the governor de-
pofed of the government, (juflly by God, but moft
unjiiflly by man) and fhe m.ade regent, in the year
©four Lord 1 554, and a crown put upon her head,
as feemly a fight {if men had eyes) as to * put a

* laddie upon the back of an unruly cow.' And fo
began fhe to prat^life, practice upon practice, how
France might be advanced, her friends made rich,
and fhe brought to immortal glory ; for that was
her common talk, * So that I may procure the

* wealth and honour of my friends, and a good

* fame unto myfelf, I regard not what God do af-

* ter with me.' And in very deed, in deep diifi-
jnulation, to bring her own purpofe to effeft, Oie
pafTed the common fort of women, as we will af-
ter hear : but yet God, to whofe gofpel flie declared
herfelf enemy, in the end fruftrated her of all her
devices.

Thus did light and darknefs flrive within the
Jeaim of Scotland : the darknefs ever before fup-

preiTmg the light, from the death of that notable
fervant of God. Mr. Patrick Hamilton, until the
death of Edward VL the mofl godly and moft vir*
tuous king that had been known to have reigned
in England, or elfewhere, thefe many years bypaft,-'
who departed the miferits of this fife the fixth ot*
July, anno IJ53. The death of ^his prince was ".
lamented of all the godly within Europe; for the
graces given unto him of God, as well of nature,
as of erudition and godlinefs, pafTed the meafure
that accuflomably is ufed to be given to other
'princes in their greatefl perft<5f ion, and yet exceed-
ed he not fixteen years of age. What gravity, '
above age ? what wifdom, wherein he pafTed all
underflianding or expectation of man ? and what
dexterity in anfwering, in ail things propofed, were
in that excellent prince, the ambalfadors of all coun-
tries (yea, fome that were mortal enemies to him, ■
and to his realm, amongft whom the queen Dowa-
ger of Scotland was not the leaft) could, and did
teftify: for the faid queen Dowager returning '
from France through England, communed with
him at length, and gave record when fhe came to
this realm, that fhe found more wifdom and folid "■
judgment in young king Edward, than fhe would
have looked for in any three princes that were then
in Europe. His liberality towards the godly and
learned that were in other realms perfecuttd, was
fuch, as Germans, Frenchmen, Italians, Scots,
Spaniards, Poloniaiis, Grecians, and Hebrews born,
can yet give fufficient document. For how ho-
nourably was Martin Luther, Peter Martyr, John
Alafco, Emanuel Gualterus, and many others up-
on his publick flipends entertained, their parents
can witnefs, and they themfelves during their lives
would never have denied.

After the death of this mofl virtuous prince, of
whom tlie godlefs people of England (for the mefl:
part) were not worthy, Satan intended nothing
lefs, than the light of jefus Chrifl utterly to have
been extinguifhed within the whole ifle of Britain.
For after him, wasraifed up in God's hot difpiea-
fure, that idolatrous and mifchievous Mary of the
Spaniards blood, a cruel perfecutrix of God's peo-
ple, as the a£ts of her unhappy reign can fufficient-
ly witnefs.

And in Scotland, that fame time (as we have
heard) reigned that crafty praftifer, Maiy of Lor-
rain, then named regent of Scotland, who bound
to the devotion of her two brethren, the duke of
Guife, and cardinal of Lorrain, did only abide the
opportunity to cut the throat of all thofe, in whom- ''
fhe fufpefled any knowlege <?£ God t® be withia

she.

Book I.

OF RELIGION

the realm of Scotland: and fo thought Satan, that
his kingdom of darknefs was in quietnefs and reft,
as wdl in the one realm as in the other. But that
provident eye of our eternal God, who continual-
ly watches for prefervation of his church, did fo
order all things, that Satan (hortly after found
hirnfelf far didippointed of his coaclufion taken:
for in that cruel perfecution ufed by queen Mary
cf England, were godly men difperfed into divers
cations, of whom it pleafed the goodnefs of God
to fend fome unto us for our comfort and inftruc-
tion. And firft came a fimpie man, William Har-
law, whole erudition, although it excel not, yet
for his whole and diligent plainnefs in doftrine, is
he to this day worthy of praife, and remains a
fruitful member within the church of Scotland.
After him came that notable man, John Willock,
as one who had fome commifTion to the queen re-
gent, from the dutchefs ofEmbden: but his prin-
cipal purpofe was to eflay what God would work
by him in his native country. Thefe two did
fometimes in feveral companies aflemble the breth-
ren, who, by their exhortations, began greatly
to be encouraged, and did fhew, that they had an
earneft thirft of godlinefs. And laft came John
Knox in the end of the harveft, atino 1555, who firft
being lodged in the houfe of that notable man of
God James Syme, began to exhort fecretly in that
fame houfe, whereunto repaired the laird of Dun,
David Forreft, and fome certain perfonages of the
town, among whom was Elifabeth Adamfon, then
fpoufe to James Barron, burgefs of Edinburgh,
who, by reafon that (lie had a troubled confcience,
delighted much in the company of the faid John;
becaufe that he, according to the grace given un-
to him, opened more fully the fountain of God's
mercies, than did the common fort of teachers
that file had heard before, (for (he had heard none
except friars) and did with fuch greedincfs drink
thereof, that at her death fhe did exprcfs the fruit
«f her hearing, to the great comfort of all thofe
that repaired unto her: for albeit fhe fufFered moit
grievous torment in her body, yet out of her
mouth was heard nothing but praifmg of God, ex-
cept that fometimes (lie lamented the troubles of
thofe that were troubled by her. Being fometimes
demanded by her fifters. What (he thought of
that pain which (he then fuffcred in body, in re-
fpe61: of that wherewith fometimes (he was trou-
bled in^ fpirit? She anfwered, ' A thoufand years
' of this torment, and ten times more joined unto

* it, is not to be compared to the quarter of an

• feour that I fuiFcred in my fpirit. ^ I thank my

IN S C O T L A N D. 117

* God, through Jefus Chrift, that hath delivered

* me from that fearful pain ; and Welcome be this,

* even fo long as it pleafeth his godly Majefty to

* exercife me therewith.' A little before her de-
parture, file defircd her fifters, and fome others
that were befide her, to fmg a plalm, and among
others, fhe appointed the hundred and third pfalm,
beginning, * My foul praife thou the Lord always;'
which ended, flie faid, ' At the teaching of this
' pfalm, began my troubled foul firft effeftualiy to
' tafte of the mercy of my God, which now to

* me is more fweet and precious, tlian if all the
' kingdoms of the earth were given to me to pof-

* fefs them a thoufand years.' The priefts urged
her with their ceremonies and fuperftltions : to
whom fhe anfwered, * Depart from me, ye ferje-

* ants of Satan ; for I have refufed, and in your

* own prefence do refufe all your abominations.
' That which you call your facrament, and Chrift's

* body, (as ye have deceived us to believe in times

* paft) is nothing but an idol, and hath nothing

* to do with the right inftitution of Jefus Chrift;
' and therefore, in God's name, I command you

* not to trouble me.' They departed, alleging,
that file raved, and wift not what fhe faid. And
fhe fhortly af'-er flept in the Lord Jefus, to no
fmall comfort of thofe that faw her bleffed depart-
ing. This we could not omit of this worthy wo-
man, who gave fo notable a confeffion, before
that the great light of God's word did univerfaliy
fhine throughout this realm.

At the firft coming of the faid John Knox, he
perceiving divers, who had a zeal to godlinefs, make
fmall fcruple to go to the mafs, or to communi-
cate with the abufed facrament in the papiftical
manner; began, as well in privy conference as in
preaching, to fhew the impiety of the mafs, and
how dangerous a thing it was to communicate in
any fort with idolatry ; wherewith the confcience
of fome being affrighted, the matter began tobea-
gitate from man to man : and fo was the faid John
called to fupper by the laird of Dun, for that fame
purpofe, where were affembJed David Forreft, Mr.
Robert Lockhart, John Willock, and William
Maitlandof Letllingtoun 3'ounger, a man of good
learning, and of (harp wit and reafoning. The
qutftion was propofed, and it was anfwered by
the faid John, ' That in nowife it was lawful to a
' Chriftian to prefent hirnfelf to that idol.' No-
thing was omitted that might ferve for the pur-
pofe, and yet was every head fo fully anfwered,
and efpecially one, wherein they thought their
great defence ftood, to -wit, That Paul at the com-

mandmeaS -

ill

The history of the REFORMATION

mandment of James and of the elders of Jerufa-
Jem, pafTed to the temple, and feigned himfeif to
pay his vow with others. This, we fay, and o-
ther things, were fo fully anfwered, that William
Maitland concluded, faying, ' I fee very perfectly
* that our fliifts will ferve nothing before God,
' feeing that they fland us in fo fmall flead before
men.'Theanfwerof John Knox to the faft of Paul,
and to the commandment of James, was, That
Paul's fa6l had nothing to do with their going tcr
mafs. For to pay vows was fometimes God's
commandment, as was never idolatry : but, their
mafs from the original, was, and remained odious
idolatry ; therefore the fafl was moil unlike. Se-
condly, faid he, I greatly doubt whether either
James's commandment or Paul's obedience pro-
ceeded from the Holy Ghoft : wc know their coUn-
fel tendeth to this, that Paul would fliew himfclf
one that obferved diligently the very fmall points
of the law to the end he might purchafe to him-
feif the favours of the Jews, who were offended
at him, by reafon of the reports that were fpread,
That he taught defe6lion from Mofes. Now,
"while he obeyed their counfel, he fell into the
moll defperate danger that ever he fuftained before;
whereby it was evident, that God approved not
that mean of reconciliation ; but rather, that he
plainly declareth, That evil fhould not be done,
that good might come of it. Evil it was for Paul
to confirm thefe obllinate Jews in their fuperfti-
tion by his example ; worfe it was to him lo ex-
pofe himfeif and the do6trine which before he had
taught to llander and mockage. And therefore
concluded the faid John, That the faft of Paul,
and the fequel that thereof followed, appeared ra-
ther to fight againft them that would go to the mafs,
than to give unto them any affu ranee to follow his
example ; unlefs that they would that the like
trouble fliould infiantly apprehend thtm, that ap-
prehended him for obeying worldly-wife counie'.
After thefe, and like reafonings, the mafs began
to be abhorrec! of fuch as before uied it for the
fafhion and avoiding of flander, as then they term-
ed. John Knox, at the requefi of the laird of
Dun, followed him to his place of Dun, where he
remained a m.onth, daily exercifed in preaching,
whereunto reforted the principal men of that coun-
try. After his returning, his refidence was moft
'in Calder, whither repaired unto him the lordEr-
fkine, the earl of Argyle, then lord of Lorn, and
lord James, then prior of St. Andrews, and after
car) of Murray, v/here they heard, and fo approved
his doclrine, that they wiihtd it to have bten pub-

BoOK R

lie. That fame winter he taught commonly in
Edinburgh, and after Chriftmas, by the condud^
of the laird of Bar, and Robert Campbell of Kin-
gieancleugh, he came to Kyle, and taught in the
Bar, in the houfe of the Carnel, in the Kingiean-
cleugh, in the town of Air, and in the houfes of
Ochiltrie and Gathgirth, and in fome of them he
miniftred the Lords table. Before Eafler, the earl
of Glencairn fent for him to his place of Finlaftoun,
where, after fermon, he alfo miniftred the Lord's
table; whereof, belides himfeif , were par takers^
his lady, two of his fons, and certain of his
friends. And fo returned he to Calder, where di-
vers from Edinburgh and from the country about,
aflembled, as well for the doftrine, as for the
right ufe of the Lord's table, which befoie they
had never pradfifed. From tlience he departed the
fccond time to the laird of Dun, and teaching
then in greater liberty, the gentlemen required that:
hl^ fhould minifter likewife unto them the table of
the Lord Jefus, where were partakers the moft:
part of the gentlemen of the Mearns, who, God
be praifed, to this day do conftantly remain in the
fame dodfrine which then they piofclTed, to ivit.
That they refufed all fociety with idolatry, and
bent themfelves to the uttermofl of their power$
to maintain the true preaching of the gofpel of
Jefus Chrifl, as God fhould offer unto them preach-
ers and opportunity. The report hereof fpread,
(for the friars from all quarters flocked to the bi-
Ihops) the faid John Knox v/as fum.moned to ap-
pear in the church of the black friars in Edin-
burgh, the fifteenth day of May; which day the
faid Jokn decreed to keep, and for that purpofe
John Erfkine of Dun, with divers other gentle-
men, aflembled to the town of Edinburgh. But
that diet held not ; for whether the bifliops per-
ceived informality in their own proceedings, or if
they feared danger to enfue, upon their extremi-
ty, it is unknown to us: but the Saturday before
the day appointed, they cufl their own fummons,
and the faid John, the fame day of the fummons,
taught in Edinburgh, in a greater audience thaa
ever before he had done in that town. The place
was in the great lodging belonging to the biflicp
of Dunkeid, M'here he continued in teaching tea
dayS', both before and afternoon. The earl of
Glencairn ailuied the earl of Marfhal, who wiih
Henry Drummond, his counfellor for that time,
heard an exhortation, (but it was in the night)
who were fo well contented with it, that they both
willed the faid John to write unto i he queen regent
fomewhat that might move her to hear the word

IBooK i.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

of God. He obeyed their defire, and wrote that
•which after was publidieJ, which we have can fed
to be printed at the end of this book, and is called,

* The Letter to the queea Dowager,' which
was delivered unto her own hands, by the faid
Alexander earl of Glencairn : which letter when
ihe had read, within a day or two, fhe delivered
it to the proud prelate Beaton bilhop of Glafgow,
and faid in mockage, * Pieafe you, my lord, to
' read a pafquil ; which words coming to the ears
t)f the faid John, was the occafion that to his let-
ter he made his addition-s, as yet may be feen. As
concerning the threatnings pronounced againfl her
own perfon, and the moll principal of her friends;
kt thefe very flatterers fee what hath failed of all
that he had written. And therefore it was expe-
tiient that her daughter, now mifchievoufly reign-
ing, fhould look to that which hath pafled before,

• lell that in following the counfels of the wicked,
'ihe end more miferablc than her crafty mother did.
While John Knox was thus occupied in Scot-
land, letters came to him from the Engiilh church
that was alfembled at Geneva, (which was fepa-
^ated from that fuperffitious and contentious com-
pany that was in Francfort) commanding him in
God's na ne, as he that was their chofen paftor, to
repair unto them for their comfort: upon the
which the faid John took his leave from us, almoif
in every congregation where before he had preach-
ed, and exhorted ns to prayers, to reading ot the
fcriptures, and mutual conterence, until fuch time
las God (hould give unto us greater liberty, x-^nd
hereupon he fent before him to Diep, his mother-
in-law Elizabeth Bowes, and his wife Marjory, with
DO fmall dolour of their hearts, and of many of
xis. Fie himfelf, by procurement and labours of
Robert Campbell of Kiugieancleuch, remained be-
hind in Scotland, andpaifed to the eaid of Argyle,
v/ho then was in the caftle of Campbell, where
he taught certain days. The laird of Glenurqu-
hay, who yet liveth, being one of his auditors,
willed the faid earl of x^rgyle to retain him ftill ;
but he, refolved on his journey, would not at
that time flay for any requelf.aJding, ' ThatifGod
' bleffed thofe fmall beginnings, and if that they

* continued in godiinefs, whenfoever they pleafed

* to command him, theyihould find him obedient.'
But, he faid, That once he mull needs vifit that
little flock which the wickednefs of men had com-
pelled him to leave ; and fo, in the month of July,
he left this realm, and paff to France, and fo to
Geneva. Immediately after, the bifnoos fumraon-
■e4 him, aad for aou-compeai-ance, burnt hiin isi

ug^

effigy at the crofs of Edinburgh, in the year of
our Lord 1555 : from the which unjuff fentence,
the faid John made his appellation, and caufed to
print the fame, and diredf it to the nobility and
commons of Scotland, as yet may be i:ead. In the
winter that the faid John abode in Scotland, up-.
peared a comet, thecourfe whereof was from the.
fouth and fouth-wefl: to the north and north-
ealf. It was fcen in the months of Novem-.
ber and Decem.ber, and January: it was called
' The liery befom.' Soon after died ChriHiera
king of Denmark, and war arofe between Scot-
land and England, for the commiifioners of
both realms were difappointed, who almofc the,
fpace of frx months had been upon the conditions.
of peace, and were upon a near point of conclu-
fion. The queen regent, with her council of the
French fa6tion, decreed war at Newbottle, without
giving any advertifement to the commiiTioners for
the part of Scotland : ' Such is the fidelity of
' princes, guided by priells, whenfoever they feek
' their own affections to be ferved.'

In the end of that next harveff , was feen upon
the borders of England and Scotland a If range,
fire, which defcended from the heaven, and burnt
divers corns in both the realms, but moff in Eng-
land. There was prefented to the queen regent,
by Robert Ormiltoun, a calf having two heads;
whtreat (he llcipped, and faid, ' It was but a com-
' mon thing,' The war began in the end of har-
veff, as is faid, and concluilon was taken that Wark
fhould be alTieged. The army and ordnance pa ft
foreward to Maxwel-heugh. The queen regent
remained in the caftle of Hume, and thinking
that all things were in afllirance, monfienx d'Ofel,
then lieutenant of France, gave charge, that the
cannons fliould be tranfported over the water of
Tweed, which was done with expedition, (for
the Frenchmen in fuch faiffs are expert) but the
nobility of Scotland nothing content of fuch pro-
ceedings, after confuitation amongft themfelvcs,
paft to the pavilion of monfieur d' Ofel, and in his
own face declared, ' That in nowife would they
* invade England,' and therefore commanded th6
ordnance to be retired; and fo it was, without fur--
ther delay. This put an affray in monfieur d'Ofel'^
breeches, and kindled fuch a fire in the queen re-
gent's flomach, as was not well Hacked till hef
breath failed ; and thus was that enterprifefruftrat^..
But yet war continued, during the which thegof-
pel of Jefus Chrifi began wondroufly to flourifli .'-
for in Edinburgh began publicly to exhort William,
Harlav/, Joho Doughs, who had been with the

The history of the REFORMATION

120

earl of Argyle, preached in Lekh, and fometimes
exhorted in Edinburgh. Paul Meathven began
publicly to preach in Dundee, and fo did divers
others in Angus and the Mearns. And laft, at
God's good pleafure, arrived John Willock the
fecond time from Embden, whofe return was fo
joyful to the brethren, that theu" zeal and godly
courage daily increafed. And, albeit he contrac-
ted a dangerous licknefs, yet he ceafed not from
labours, but taught and exhorted from his bed
fome of the nobility, (of whom fome are fallen
back, amonglf them the lord Seton is chief) with
many barons and gentlemen his auditors, and by him
were the godly inflrucfed, and wondroufly com-
forted. They keep their conventions, and held
counfels with fuch gravity and clofenefs, that the
enemies trembled : the images were floln away in
all parts of the country.

And in Edinburgh was that great idol, called
St. Gile, firlt drowned in the North-Loch, after
buint, which raifed no fmall trouble in the town ;
for the friars rouping like ravens upon the bilhops,
the bifliops ran upon the queen, who to them was
favourable enough, but that (he thought it could
not ftand with her advantage to offend fuch a mul-
titude as then took upon them the defence of the
gofpel, and the name of Proteftants ; andyetcon-
fented flie to fummon the preachers; whereat the
Proteftants neither offeaded, neither yet thereof
afraid, determined to keep the day of fummons,
as that they did : which perceived by the prelates
and priefls, they procured a proclamation to be
publicly made, That all men that were come to
the town without commandment of the authority,
fhould with all diligence repair to the borders,
and there remain fifteen days ; for the bifliop of
Galloway, in this manner of rhyme, faid to the
queen,

JMadam, becavfe they're come ivithout order,
I rid ye fend them a to the border.

Now, fo had God provided, that the quarter -of

the Weft-land (In the which was many faithful
men) was that fame day returned from the border ;
who underftandirig the matter to proceed from the
malice of the priefts, alTembkd themfelves toge-
ther, and made pafTiige to themfelves, till that they
came to the very privy chamber, where the queen
regent and the bifliops were. The gentlemen began
to complain upon their ftrange entertainment,
.confidering that her majefty had found in them fo
-faithful obedience in all things lawful.
.While the queen began to craft, a zealous and

Book I.

a bold man, James Chalmers of Gaithglrth, faid»
' Madam, we know that this is the malice and de-

* vice of the jewels, and of that baftard (meaning
' the bifliop of St. Andrews) that ftandeth by you;
' we a^'ow to God we (hall make a day of it. They

* opprefs us and our tenants, for feeding of their

* idle bellies ; they trouble our preachers, and

* would murder them and us ; fliall we fufFer this

* any longer ? No, madam, it fhall not be.' And
therewith every man put on his fteel-bonnet. There
was heard nothing of the queen's part, but, ' My

* joys, my hearts, what aiis you? me means no

* evil to you nor to your preachers : the bifliops

* fliall do you no wrong, ye are all my loving fub-

* jedfs, I know nothing of this proclamation ; the

* day of your preachers fliall be difcharged, and
' we will hear the controverfy that is betwixt the

* bifliops and you ; they fliall do you no wrongs

* My lords, (faid fhe to the bifhops) I forbid you

* either to trouble them or their preachers.' And
unto the gentlemen, who were wondroufly corn-
moved, flie turned again, and faid, ' O my hearts,

* fliould ye not love the Lord your God with all

* your heart, with all your mind ? And fliould ye
'not love your neighbours as yourfelf?' With
thefe and the like words flie kept the bifliops from
buffets at that time ; and fo the day of fummons
being difcharged, began the brethren univerfally^
farther to be encouraged.

But yet could the bifliops in no fort be quiet j
for St. Gile's day approaching, they gave charge
to the provoft, baillies, and council of Edinburgh,
either to get again the old St. Gile, or elfe upon
their expences to make a new image. The coun-
cil anfwered, ' That to them the charge appeareth
*veryunjuft; for they underftood, that God in

* fome places had commanded idols and images to

* be deftroyed: but where he had commanded

* images to be fet up, they had not read, and de-

* fired the bifliop to find a warrant for his com-

* mandment.' Whereat the bifliop offended, ad-
moniflied, under pain of curfing ; which they pre-
vented by a formal appellation, appealing from
him, as a partial and corrupt judge, unto the
pope's holinefs ; and fo, great things fliortly fol-
lowing, that paffed in oblivion. Yet would not
the priefts and friars ceafe to have that great fo-
lemnity, and manifeft abomination, which they
accuftomedly had upon St. Gile's day ; to wit.
They would have that idol borne, and therefore
was all preparations duly made. A marmoufet-
idol was borrowed from the gray friars, (a filver
piece of James Carmichael's was laid in pledge), it

was

Book 1.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

vas full fixed with iron-nails, upon a barrow called
their Fertor, Their afles, bloody priefls, friars,
canons, and rotten papifts, with tapers and trum-
peters, banners and bag-pipes. And who was
there to leai the ring, but the queen regent her-
felf, with all her ihavellings, for honour of that
feaft ? Well: about goeth it, and cometh down the
high-ftreet, and down to the common crofs. The
queen regent dined that day in Alexander Carpen-
ter's houle, betwixt the bows : and io, M'hen the
idol returned back again, fhe left it, and paft in
to her dinner. The hearts of the brethren were
wondroully enflamed ; and feeing fuch abominati-
on fo manifeftly maintained, were decreed to be
revenged. They were divided in feveral companies,
whereof not one knew of another. There were
fome temporizers that day, (amongfl: whom David
Forrefl, called the general, was one) who fearing
the chance to be done, as it fell, laboured to flay
the brethren; but that could not be : for, imme-
diately after that the queen was entered in the
lodging, fome of thofe that were of the enter-
prize drew near to the idol, as willing to help to
bear him ; and getting the fertor upon their flioul-
ders, began to Ihoulder, thinking that thereby the
idol would have fallen; but that was provided and
prevented by the iron nails, as we have faid. And
fo began one to cry, ' Down with the idol, down

• with it;' and then without delay it was pulled
down. Some brag made the prieft's patrons at
the firft; but when they faw the feeblenefs of
their god, for one took him by the heels, and
dadding his head to the ftreet, left Dagon without
/a head or hands, and faid, * Fy upon thee, thou

* young St. Gile, thy father would have tarried

* for fuch!' This confidered, we fay, the priefls
and friars fled fafler than they did at Pinky-Cleugh.
There might have been feen fo fudden a fray, as
feldom hath been feen fo amongft that fort of men
within this realm: for down go thecroffes, off go
the furplices, round caps, cornets, with the
crowns. The gray friars gaped, the black friars
blew, the priefls panted and fled, and happy was
he that firfl: got the houfc ; for fuch a fudden fray
came never amongfl: the generation of antichrifl
within this realm before.

By chance there lay upon a flair a merry Eng-
lifhman ; and feeing the difcomfiture to be with-
out blood, thought he would add fome merrinefs
to the matter ; and fo cried he over the flair, and
faid, ' Fy upon you, whore-fons, why have you

• broken order?' Dov/n the ftreet they pafled in
aray, and with great mirth. Why flee the villains,

I2t

' now without order ? turn, and flrike every man a
' flroke for the honour of his god ; fy cowards,
' fy, ye (hall never be judged worthy of your wa-
* ges again.' But exhortations were then unpro-
fitable; for after that Bell had broken his neck,
there was no comfort to his confufcd army.

The queen regent laid up this amongfl her o-
ther inventions, till that flie might have ken the
time proper to have revenged it.^Search Vv'asmada
for the doers, but none could be deprehended :
for the brethren alTembled themfelves in fuch fort,
in companies, finging pfalms, and praifing God,
that the proudefl of the enemies were aftoninied.
This tragedy of St. Gile's was fo terrible to fome
papifls, that Dury, fometimes called for his fil-
thinefs Abbot Stottikin, and then entitled, bifliop
of Galloway, left his rhyming, wherewith he was
accuflomed, and departed this life even as he had
lived. For the articles of his belief were, I refer.
' Decarte you. Ha, ha, the four kings and all
' made. The devil go with it; it is but a varlet.
' From France we thought to have gotten a ruble ;
' and yet is he nothing but a cohoobie :' with fuch
faith and fuch prayers departed out of this life
that enemy of God, who had vowed and plainly
iaid, * That in defpite of God, fo long as they
that then were prelates lived, fliould "that word
* (called the gofpel) never be preached within this
' realm.' After him followed that belly-god Mr.
David Panter, called bifliop of Rofs, even with
the like documents; except that he departed eating
and drinking, which, together with the refl that
thereupon depended, was the paflime of his life.
The moll part of the lords that were in France
at the queen's marriage, although that they got'
their leave from the court, yet they forgot to return,
to Scotland : for whether it was by an Italian pofl"et,
or French figs, or by the pottage of their apothe-
cary (he was a French-man) there departed from
this life, the earl of Caffils, the earl of RotheSi
lord fleming, and the bifhop of Orkney, whofeend
was even according to his life : for after that he
was driven back by a contrarious wind, and forced
to land again at Diep ; perceiving his ficknefs to
increafe, he caufed to make his bed betwixt his
two coffers, (fome faid upon them) fuch was his god,
the gold that therein was inclofed that he did not
depart therefrom, fo long as memory would ferve
him. For the lord James, then prior of St. And-
rews, had (by all appearance) licked of the fame
broth that difpatched the reft; for thereof to his
death, his flomach doth teflify ; but God prefer-
ved for a better purpofe. This fame lord James,
Q^ after

The HISTORY OF the RE

122

after the earl of Murray, and the faid bUhop were
commonly at debate in matters of religion ; and
therefore the faid lord, hearing of the bi (hop's dif-
eafe, came to vifit him, and finding him not fo
well at a point, as he thought he Ihould have been,
and as the honour of the country required, faid
unto him, ' Fy, my lord, how ly you fo ? will you
' not <To to )'our chamber, and not ly here in this

* utter room?' his anfwer was, ' 1 am well where
' I am, ray lord, fo long as I can tarry, for I am

* near unto my friends,' (meaning his coffers,
and the gold therein.) ' But, my lord, faid he,

* how long have you and I been in plea for purga-

* tory ? fthink that I (hall know ere it be long,

* whether there be fuch a place or not.' While the
other did exhort him to call to mind the promifes
of God, and the virtue of Chriif's death, he ai>
fwered, ' nay, myiai-d, 'let me alone, for you and

* I never agreed in our life, and I think we fhall

* not agree nov/ at my death ; I pray you there-

* fore let me alone.' The faid lord James depart-
ed to his lodging, and the other (hortly after de-
parted this life ; whither, the great day of the Lord
will declare.

When the word of the departing of fo many pa-
trons of papilfry, and of the manner of their de-
parting, came unto the queen regent ; after aflonidi-
ment and mufmg, flie laid, ' What fliall 1 fay of
■* fuch men ? they left me as beafts, and as beafts
"* they die : God is not with them, neither with
'* that which they enterprife.'

While thefe things were in doing in Scotland and
"France, that perfe«5l hypocrite Mr. John Sinclair,
thea dean of lieflalrig, and now lord prcfident, and
bifhop. of Brechin, began to preach in his church
of Reftalrig; arid at the beginning held himfelf fo
indifferent, that 'many had opinion of him, that
he was not far from the kingdom of God : but his
hypocrify could not long be cloaked ; for when he
underAood that fuch as feared God began to have a
good opinion of him, and that the friars and others
of that left began to whifper,that if he took not heed
in time to himfelf and to hisdoftrine, he would be
the dcllruclion of the whole flate of the church: this
by him underfrood, he appointed a fermon, in the
\vhich he promifed to give his judgment, upon all
fuch heads as then were in controverfy in the mat-
ters of religion. The report hereof made his audi-
ence great at the firfl ; but that day he fo handled
jhimfeif, that after that no godly man did credit
him; for he not only gainfaid the do6lrine of ju-
ftification and of prayer, which before he had taught,
but alfo he fet up and maintained papiftry to the
'■uttermoft prick ; yea, holy- water, pilgrimage, pur-

FOR M ;4.i^ I 0 N. ]^€l<ml*

gatory, and pardons, were of fuch vertue 'm'lifisr
conceit,that without them he looked not tobe farefdV

In this mean time the clergy made a brag, that-
they would difpute : but Mr. David Panter, whicla,
then lived and lay at Reflahig, diffuaded them there-
from, affirming, that if ever they difputed, but.
where themfelves were both judge and party, and
where that fire and fword fhould obey their decree,
that then their caufe was ttiai-red forever: for their
viftory fcood neither in God nor in his word, but
in their own wills, and in the things concluded by
their own counfels, (together with, fword and lire) '
whereto, faid he, thefe new ijipftart. fellows will
give no place, but they willaiiU ygyto your count-
book, and that is to the bible-; aodrby it ye wili
no more be found the men that ye are called, than
the devil will be approved to be God : and there-
fore, if ye love yourfelves, enter never into difpu-
tation, neither yet call ye the matter into queffion y
but defend your polTeffion, or elfe all is loft. Cai-
aphas could not give any better counfel to his com-
panions ; but yet God difappointed both them and
him, as after we fliall hear. ■,', ''^'''

At this fame time fomeof 'the'^ioDility direfled
their letters to call John Knox from Geneva, for
their comfort, and for the comfort of their bre-
thren the preachers, and others that then couragi-
ouOy fought againft the enemies of God's truth.
The tenor of their letter is this.

Grace, Mercy, and Peace fer Salvation.
' Dearly beloved in the Lord, the faithful that

* are of your acquaintance in thefe parts (thanks
' be unto God) are fledfafl in the belief wherein

* ye left them, and have a godly thirft and defire
' day by day of your prefence again ; which, if the

* Spirit of God will fo move you, and grant time

* unto you, we all heartily defire you, in the

* name of the Lord, that ye would return again in-

* to thefe parts, where you fhall find all the faith-

' ful that ye left behind you, not only glad to hear-

* your do6frine, but alfo ready to jeopard their

* lives and goods for the fetting foreward of the

* glory of God, as he will permit. And albeit the
' magiflrates in this country be as yet but in the
' ftate ye left them in ; yet, at the making hereof,.

* we have no experience of any more cruelty to

* be ufed, than was before : but rather, we have-

* belief, that God will augment his flock, becaufe ,

* we fee daily the friars, enemies to Chrift's gof-.
' pel, in lefs eftimation with the queen, and the-

* nobility of our realm. This, in few words, is>

* the mind of the faithful being prefent, and othera.
' abfeat. The raft of our minds this faithful

beareP'

Book I,

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLANl>.

* bearer will fliew you at length. Thus fare y«
« well in the Lord.*

At Stirling the tenth of
March, anno 1556.

This is the true copy of the letter, being fub-
foribed by the names upJerwrittea.

Sic fubfcribitur^

Glencairn,

Erskine,

Lorn, now Argyle,

James Stuart.

The letters were delivered to the forefaid John
in Geneva, by the hands of James Syme, who nov/
refteth with Chrift, and ot James Barron, who
yet liveth. In the month of May, immediately
after thefe letters were received and advifed upon,
he took confultation, as well with his own church,
fls with that notable fervant of God John Calvin,
and with other godly minifters, who all with one
confent faid, that he could not refufe that vocation,
unlefs he would declare himfelf rebellious unto his
God, and unmerciful to his country: and fo he
returned anfwer, with promife to vifit them with
reafonable expedition, and fo foon as he might put
order to that dear flock that was committed to his
charge. And fo, in the end of the next Septem-
ber after, he departed from Geneva, and came to
Diep, where there met him contrary letters, as by
his anfwer thereto we may underfland.

^The fpirit of ivifdom, conjlancy and Jlrcngth, be
multiplied with you, by the favour of Cod our
Father, and by the grace of God our Lord Jefus
Chrijl.

* According to my promife, my right honour-

* able, I came to Diep the four and twentieth day

* of 0<5lober, of full mind, by the good will of

* God, wuth the hrfl fliips to have vifited you ;

* but, becaufe two letters not very pleafmg unto

* the ilefli were there prefented unto me, I was

* compelled to Hay for a time. The one was di-

* refted to myfelf from a faithful brother, which

* made mention, that a new confultation was ap-

* pointed for final conclufion of the matter before

* purpofed ; and willed me therefore to abide in

* thefe parts till the determination of the fame.

* The other letter v/as diredfed from a gentleman

* to a fi iend, with charge to advertife me, that he
^had communed with all thofe that feemed mofl

* frank and fervent in the matter j and that in none

* did he find fuch boldnefs and coiiftancy as was

* rcquifite for fuch an enterprife; but that fome

* did, as he writeth, repent that ever any fuch thing

* was moved : fome were partly afhamed, and o-

* thers were able to deny that ever they did con-

* fent to any fuch purpofe, if any trial or queftion
' Ihould be taken thereof, 6c. Which letters

* when I had confidered, I was partly confounded,

* and partly was pierced with anguilh and forrov/ :

* confounded I was, that I had io far travelled in

* the matter, moving the fame to the moil godly
' and moll learned that this day we know to li\'c

* in Europe, to the effeft that I might have their

* judgments and grave counfels, for afllirance as

* well of your confciences, as of mine, in all enter-

* prifes ; and then, that nothing Ihould fucceed of

* fo long confultation, cannot but redound either

* to your fliame or mine : for either it (liall ap-

* pear that I was marvellous vain, being fo folicited,

* where no neceflity required ; or elfe that fuch as

* were my movers thereto, lacked the ripenefs of

* judgment in their firfl vocation. To fome it

* may appear a fmall and light matter, that I have

* call oiF, and as it were abandoned, as well my

* particular care, as my public office and charge',

* leaving my houfe and poor family deftitute of all

* head, fave God only; and committing that fmali

* (but to Chrift dearly beloved) flock,over the which
' I was appointed one of the minifters, to the charge

* of another : this, I fay, to worldly men may ap-

* pear a fmall matter; but to me it was, and is

* fuch, that more worldly fubftance than I will

* exprefs, could not have caufed me willingly to

* behold the eyes of fo many grave men weep at

* once for my caufe,as that I did in taking my lall
' good-night from them : to whom, if it pleale

* God that I return, and queftion be dem.anded,

* what was the impediment of my purpofed jour-
< ney ? judge you what I fhall anfwer. The caufeof

* my dolour and forrow (God is my witnefs) is for

* nothing pertaining either to my corporal content-

* ment or worldly difpleafure; but it is for the

* grievous plagues and punilhments of God, which

* alTuredly fliall apprehend, not only you, but every
' inhabitant of that miferable realm and ifle, except
' that the power of God, by the liberty of hisgof-

' pel, deliver you from bondage. I mean not only ^
■ that perpetual fire and torment prepared for the'
devil, and for fuch as denying Ch ill Jefus, and
his known verity, do follow the fons of wicked-
nefs to perdition (which moft is to be feared) but
alfo that thraldom and mifery that Ihail appre-
QjJ 'laend

124

The history of the REFORMATION

Book jT; V

' hcnd your own bodies, your children, fubjefts
' and poikrity, whom yc have betra)ed (in coafci-
' ence I can except none that bear the name of no-
' biUty) and prefently fight to betray them and
' your realm to the llavery of flrangers. The war
' begun (akho' I acknowlege it be the work of
' God) (hall be your deftruftion, iinlcfs that be-
' limxs remedy be provided. God open your eyes,

* that ye may efpy and confider your own miferable
' eftate. My words ihall appear to fome (harp and

* undifcreetly fpoken; but, as charity ought to
' interprete all things to the beft, fo ought wife

* men to underftand, that " a true friend cannot
" be a flatterer;" efpecially when the queflions of
' faivation both of body and foul are moved ; and
' that not of one, nor of two, but, as it were, of
' a whole realm or nation. What are the fobs, and

* what is the affliftion of my troubled heart. God
' fhall one day declare: but this will I add to my
' form.er rigour and feverity, to ivit, it any per-

* fuade you, for fear of dangers that may follow,
' to faint in your formiCr purpofe, be he never fo
' wife and friendly, let him be judged of you both
' foolifli, and your mortal enemy : foolifli, for be-
' caufe he underflood nothing of God's approved

* wifdom ; and enemy unto you, becaufe he labour-

* ed to feparate you from God's favour, provoking
' his vengeance and grievous plagues againft you ;

* becaufe he would that ye fliould prefer your world-

* ly refl to God's praife and glory, and the friend-
' fliip of the wicked to the faivation of y^ur

* brethren. " I am not ignorant that fearful
" troubles fliall enfue your enterprife (as in my
-' former letters I did fignify unto you. But O
"joyful and confortable are the troubles and
"' adverfities which man fuftaineth for accom-
" plifliment of God's will, revealed by his word !
'" for, how terrible foever they appear to the
" judgment of natural men, yet are they never
*' able to devour, nor utterly to confume the fuf-
" ferers: for the invifible and invincible power of
" God fuftaineth and preferveth, according to his
*' promife, all fuch as with fimplicity do obey him."
" The fubtile craft of Pharaoh, many years joined
' with his bloody cruelty, was not able to deffroy
' the male- children of Ifrael; neither were the

* waters of the Red- Sea, much lefs the rage of

* Pharaoh, able to confound Mofes, and the com-
' pany which he conduced ; and that, becaufe

* the one had God's promife, that they fhould
' multiply, and the other had his commandment

* to enter into fuch dangers. I would your wif-

* doms fhould confider, that our God remaiiieth

' one, and is immutable; and that the church of
' Chrifl Jefus hath the fame promife of proteftioa

* and defence that lirael had of multiplication:

' and farther. That no lefs caufe have ye to enter '
' into your former enterprife, than Mofes had to

* go to the prefence of J^araoh ; for your vafTals,
' yea, your brethren, arc|ppprefied, their bodies

* and fouls holden in bondage, and God fpeaketb.

* to your confciences, unlefs ye be dead with the

* blind world, that ye ought to hazard your own

* lives, be it againfl kings or emperors, for their

* deliverance : for, only for that caufe are ye called

* princes of the people ; and ye receive of your

* brethren honour, tribute and homage, at God's.

* commandment, not by reafon of your birth and

* progeny, as the moff part of men do falfly fup-

* pofe, but by reafon of your office and duty,
' which is to vindicate and deliver your fubjed^s
' and brethren from all violence and opprefTion to

* the uttermoft of your power. Advife diligently,
' I befeech 3'ou, with the points of that letter

* which I dire6f ed to the whole nobility ; and let
' every man apply the matter and cafe to himfelf ;

* for your confcience fhall one day be compelled
' to acknowlege, that the reformation of religioa
' and of public enormities, doth appertain to more
' than the clergy, or chief rulers, called kings.

* The mighty Spirit of the Lord Jefus rule and

* guide your counfels to his eternal glory, and

* your eternal comfort, and to the confolation of

* your brethren. Amen.

From Diep, the 27 th of
Offober 1557.

Thefe letters received and read, together with
others direfted to the whole nobility, and fome
to particular gentlemen, as to the lairds of Dun
and Petarrow, new confultarion was had what
was befl to be done ; and in the end it was con-
cluded, that they would follow foreward their
purpofe once intended, and would commit them- <
felves, and whatfover God had given them, into ;
his hands, rather than they would fufFer idolatry
fo manifeffly to reign, and the fubjefts of that
realm fo to be defrauded, as long as they had been,
of the only food of their fouls, the true preach-
ing of Chrift 's gofpel : and that every one fhould
be the more alfurcd of other, a common bond
was made, and by fome fubfcribed : The tenoF ?
thereof foUoweth :

* W E perceiving how Satan in his members^
* the antichiifts of our time, crueUy do rage,

• feeking;

fioOK I.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAM

* feeking to overthrow and deftroy the gofpel of

* Chrift and his congregation, ought, according to

* our bounden duty, to flrivtin our Mafter's caufe,

* even unto the death, being certain of the vifto-
' ry in him: the which, our duty, being well

* coniidered, we do promife before the Majefty of

* God, and his congregation. That we, by his

* grace, fliall with ail diligence continually apply

* our whole power, fubfcance, and our very lives,

* to maintain, fet forewarn, and eftabiifla the moft

* blelfed word of God, and his congregation; and

* lliali labour, according to our power, to have

* faithful minifters, truly and purely to minifter

* Chrifl's gofpel and facraments to his people. We

* fhall maintain them, nouriili them, and defend
*■ them, the whole congregation of Chrift, and e-

* very member thereof, according to our whole

* powers, and waging of our lives, againft Satan

* and all wicked power that doth intend tyranny

* or trouble againft the forefaid congregation. tJn-

* to the which holy word and congregation, we

* do join us ; and fo do forfake and renounce the

* congregation of Satan, with all the fuperflitious

* abomination and idolatry thereof. And moreover,
' fliall declare ourfelves manifefl: enemies thereto,

* by this our faithful promife before God, telfified
' to this congregation by our fubfcription at thefe
' prefents. At Edinburgh the third day of De-

. * cember, anno 1557, God called to witnefs.

Sic fiihfcribitur,

A. Earl of Argyle.
Glencairn.

MORTOUN.

Archibald, Lord of Lorn.
John Erskine of Dun,<ir(:.

A little before that this bond was fubfcribed by
the fore- written, and many other letters were di-
refted again to John Knox from the faid lords,
together with their letters to Mr. Calvin, craving of
him, that, by his authority, he would command
the faid John once again to vifit them ; thefe let-
ters were delivered by the handsof Mr. John Gray
in the month of November, anno 1558, who at
the fame time pad to Rome, for expedition of the
bows of the biftiop of R.ofs, to Mr. Henry S'n-
€lair. Immediately after the fubfcription of this
forefaid bond, the lords and barons profeffing
Chrift Jefus, conveened frequently in council ; in
the which thefe heads were concluded : * Fir ft, It

* ib thought expedient, advifed and ordained. That
' m all parillies of this realm the cominon- prayer

125

* be read weekly on Sunday, and other feflival-
' days, publicly in the parifli churches, with the

* lelTijns of the old and new teflament, conform-

* able to the order of the book of common-prayers,
' And, if the curates of the parilhes be quali/ied.

> * to caufe them read the fame ; and, if tiiey be nor,

* or if they refufe, that the moll qualified in the

* parifh ufe and read the fame. Secondly, It is
' thought necelTary, that doftrine, preaching.

* and interpretation of fcriptures be had, and

* ufed privately in quiet houfes, without great con-
' ventions of the people thereto, wliile afterward

* that God move the prince to grant public preach-

* ing by faithful and true minifters.'

Thefe two heads concerning the religion, and
fome others concerning the policy, being con-
cluded, the old earl of Argyle took the mainte-
nance of John Douglas, caufed him to preach-
publicly in his houfe, and reformed many things
according to his counfel. The fame boldnefs took
divers others, as well within towns, as in the
country ; which did not a little trouble the bilhops
and the queen regent: as by this letter and credit
committed to Sir David Hamilton from the bifliop
of St. Andrews to the faid earl of Argyle, may be
clearly underitood..

The Bijljop's Letter to the old Earl of Argyle.

* My Lord, after moft hearty commendations,
' this is to advertife your lordfhip, that we have

* direfted this bearer, our coufin, towards your

* lordfhip, in fuch bufmefs and affairs as concern-

* eth your lordfhip's honour, profit, and great
' well-being, as the faid bearer will declare to your
' lordfhip at more length. I pray your lordfhip

* effe(ff uoutly to advert thereto, and to have care
' to ufe your lordfhip's friends, that always hath

* wifiied the honour, profit, and profperity of

* your lordfhip's houfe, as of our own. I pray

* you give ci'edit to the bearer. Jefus have your
' lordfliip in everiafting keeping. Of Edinburgh
' the five and tv/entieth day of March, anno 1558.

Sic fiibfcribitur.

Tour lord/hip's at all po".ver.

Saint Andrews/"

Folloxvs the Credit.

Memorandum, To Sir David Hamilton, to my
lord earl of Argyle, in my behalf, and let him^.
fee and hear every article.

Imprimis^ To repeat the ancient blood of hisf-

houfeL

The history of the REFORM ATIOK

126

houfe, how long it hath ftood, how notable it
hath been, and fo many noblemen hath been earls,
lords and knights thereof ; how long they have
reigned in their parts, true and obedient both to
God and the prince, without any fpot in their days
in any manner of fort : and to remember how
many notable men are come off his houfe.

Secondly, To Ihew him the great affeftion I
bear towards him, his blood, houfe and friends ;
and of the ardent defire I have of the perpetual
{landing of it in honour and fame, with all them
that are come of it ; which is my part, for many
and divers caufes, as you fliall fee.

Thirdly, To ftiew my lord how heavy and dif-
pleafmg a thing it is to me, now to hear, That he,
who is, and hath been fo noble a man, fhould be
feduced and abufed by the flattery of fuch an in-
famed perfon of the law, and men-fworn apoftate,
who under the pretence that he giveth himfclf
forth as a preacher of the gofpel and verity, under
that colour, fetting forth fchifms and divifions in
the holy church of God, with heretical propofiti-
ons; thinking that, under his maintenance and
defence, to infeft this country with herefy ; per-
fuading my (iiid lord, and others, his children and
friends, that all that he fpeaketh is fcripture, and
conform thereunto, albeit that many of his pro-
pofitions are many years pafl: condemned by ge-
neral councils, and the whole Hate of Chrifliaa
people.

Fourthly, To fliew to my lord how perilous
this is to his lordfhip and his houfe, and decay
thereof, in cafe that authority (houid be fliarp,
and Ihould ufe rigour conform both to civil and
canon, and alfo your own municipal law of this
realm.

Fifthly, To fliew his lordfhip how forry I would
be, either to hear, fee, or know any difpleafure
that might come to him, his fon, or any of his
houfe, or friends, and efpecially in his own time
and days ; and alfo how great difpleafure I have
now to hear great and evil reports of him that
fhould in his old age, in a manner, waver from
his faith, and to be altered therein, when the time
is that he ftiould be mofl fure and firm therein.

Sixthly, To fhew his lordfliip that there is di-
lation of that man called Douglas, or Grant, of
fundry articles of herefy, which lieth to my
charge and confcience to put remedy to ; or elfe
all the peflilentious doftrine he fows, and fuch
like all that are corrupted by his doflrine, and
rJl that he draweth from our faith and Chri-
itian religion, will ly to my charge before God ;

Book I^

and I to be accufed before God for overfeeing of
him, if I put not remedy thereto, and correal him
for fuch things he is dilated of. And therefore,
that, my lord, coallder, and weigh it well, how
highly it lieth both to my honour and confcience;
for, if I favour him, I (hall be accufed foi all
them that he infects and corrupts in herefy.

Seventhly, Therefore I pray my lord, in moft
hearty manner, to take this matter in the beft part^
for his own confcience, honour, and well of him-
felf, houfe, friends, andfervants; and ficiike for
my part, and for my confcience and honour.
Then confidering, that there are divers articles of
herefy to be laid to him, that he is dilated of, and
that he is prefently in my lord's company, That
my lord would, by fome honefl way, part with
this man, and put him from him, and from his
fon's company; fori would be right forry, that
any being, in any of their companies, fliouldbe cal-
led for fuch caufes, or, that any of them (hould
be reported to hold any fuch man : and this I
would advertife my lord, and have his lordfliip's
anfwer and refolution, before any fummons palled
upon him.

Eighthly, Item, If my lord would have a maa
to inftruft him truly in the faith, and preach to
him, I ^vould provide a learned man to him, and
I fliall anfwer for his true doftrine, and fhall pawn
my foul that he fnall teach nothing but truly, ac-
cording to our Catholic faith. Of Edinburgh,
thislaft of March 1558.
Sic fuhfcnbitur.

Saint Andrews*.

Moreover, I hope your lordfhip will call to
good remembrance, and weigh the great and heavy
murmur againfl me, both by the queen, the
churchmen, fpiritual and temporal eflates, and
well-given people m.oaning, crying, and murmur-
ing at me greatly, that I do not my office, to thofe
fuch infamous perfons, with fuch perverfed doc-
trine within my diocelTes, and this realm, by rea-
fon of my legacy and primacy ; which I have the
rather fuflained and long fuffered, for the great
love that I had 10 your lordfliip and poflerity, and
your friends, and your houfe ; as believing furely
your lordlhip's wifdom fhould not have maintain-
ed and meddled with fuch things that might do
me difhonour or difpleafure ; confidering that I
have been ready to put good order thereto always,
but have modeflly abHained, for the love of your
lordfliip and houfe aforefaid thar I bear truly ;
knowing and feeing the great harm, and diflionour,

and

Book I.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND,

and lack apparently that might come there- through,
in cafe yoar lord(hlp remedy not the fame hartuy,
whereby we might both be quit of ail danger,
which doubtlefs will come upon us both, if 1 ufe
not my oSce, or that he be called, while that he
is now with jour lordlhip, and under your lord-
/hip's proteftion.

Suhfcribcd again,

Saint Andrews.

By thefe former Inftruflions thou mayfl: perceive,
gentle reader, what was the care that this paftor,
or rather impoftor, with his complices, took to
feed the flock committed to their charge, as they
allege, and to gain-fland falfe teachers. Here is
oft mention of confcience, of herefy, and fuch
other terms that might fray the ignorant and de-
ceive the limple : but we hear no crime in particu-
lar laid to the charge of the accufed, and yet is
he condemned as a forfworn apoilate. This was
my lord's confcience, which he learned of his fa-
thers the Pharifees, old enemies to Chrift Jcfus,
who condemned him before they heard him : but,
who ruled my lord's confcience, when he took his
coufm's wife, the lady Giiton ? Confider thou the
reft of _ his perfuafions, aud thou (halt clearly fee,
That honour, eftimation, love to houfe and friends,
is the beft ground that my lord bi(hop hath, why
he fiiould pcrfecute Jefus Chrift in his members.
We thought good to infert the anfwers of the faid
earl, which follow :

Memorandum, This prefent 'writ is to make anfwer
particular')/ to every article, directed from my
lord Saint of Andreujs to me, by Sir David Ha-
milton; -which articles are in number nine, and
here repeated and anfwercd, as I trujl, to his
hrdjhips contentment.

The jirjl article patteth me in remembrance
«f the antiquity of the blood of my houfe, how
many earls, lords, and knights hath been thereof;
how many noblemen defcended from the fame
houfe ; how long it continued true to God and the
prince, without fpot, in their days, in any man-
ner of fort.

Anfvjer. True it is, my lord, that there is well
long continuance of my houfe, by God's provi-
dence, and benevolence of our princes whom we
have ferved, and fliall ferve truly, next to God.
And the like obedience towards Gol and our
|>riaces, remaineth witli us yet, or rather better.

(praifed be the Lord's name) neither know we
any fpot towards our princefs, and her due obe-
dience. And if there be offence towards God, he
is merciful to remit our ofFences ; for he wilkth
not the death of a finner. Like as, it ftandeth in
his omnipotent power to make up houfes, to con-
tinue the fame, to alter them, to make them {inalf
or great, or to extinguifh them, according to his
own infcru table wifdom : for, in exalting, de-
preffing, and changing of houfes, the laud' and
praife muft be given to that one eternal God, in
whofe hands the fame ftandeth.

The y2'co;2a^ article beareth the great affei^ ion and
love your lordlhip beareth towards me and my
houfe, and of the ardent defire ye have of the
perpetual ftanding thereof in honour and fame,
with all them that are coming of it.

Anf-wer. Forfooth it is your duty to wl(h good
unto my houfe, and unto them that are coming of
the fame; not only for the faithfulnefs, amity,
and fociety that hath been between our forefathers ;
but alfo for the late conjunction of blood that is
between our faid houfes, if it be God's pleafure
that it have fuccefs ; which Hiould give fufficient
occafion to your lordlhip to vvifti good to my
houfe, and perpetuity, with God's glory, without
which nothing is perpetual, unto whom be praife
and worfhip for ever and ever. Amen.

Thirdly, Your lordftiip declareth how difplea-
fant it is to you that I fhould be feduced by an in-
famed perfon of the law, and by the flattery of a
forfworn apoftate, that under pretence of his gi-
ving forth, maketh us to underftand. That he is
a preacher of the gofpel, and therewith raifeth
fchifms and divifions in the whole church of God;
and, by our maintenance and defence, would in-
feft this country with herefy, alleging that to be
fcripture, which thefe many years paft hath been
condemned as herefy by the general councils, and
whole eftate of Chriftian people.

Anfwer. The God that created heaven and
earth, and all that is therein, preferve me from
feducing; for I dread others: many under the
colour of godlinefs are feduced, and think that
they do God a pleafure, when they perfecute one of
them that profefs his name. What that man of the
law is, we know not, we hear none of his flatte-
ry ; his perjured oath of apoftacy is unknown to
us ; but if he has made any unlawful oath, con-
trary to God's commandment, it were better to
violate, it than to obferve it. He preaches nothing
to us but the gofpel; if he v/ould do otherwife^
we would not believe liim, nor yet an angel of

heaven;:

T28

The history of the REFORMATION

Book L

heaven : we hear him few nofchifmsnordivirions,
but fuch as may ftand with God's word, which
we fhall caufe him to confefs in prefence of your
lordfliip and the clergy, when ye require us there-
to. And, as to it that hath been condemned by
general councils, we trufl you know well, that all
the general councils have been at diverfity among
themfelves, and never two of them univerfally
agreeing in all points, in fo much as they are of
men. But the fpirit of verity, that bears telfimony
of our Lord Jefus, hath not, neither can err; for
heaven and earth (hall perifli, ere one jot of it pe-
rifli. Beyond this, my lord, neither teacheth he,
neither will we accept of him, but that which
agrees with the word of God, fet forth by the
patriarchs, prophets, apoflles, and evangelifls, left
to our falvation in exprefs words : and fo, my
lord, to condemn the do<5frine not examined, is
not required ; for, when jour lordihip pieafeth to
hear the confcffion of that man's faith, the man-
ner of his doftrine, which agreeth with the gof-
pel of Jefus Chrift, I will caufe him to affift to
judgment, and fliall be prefent there at God's plea-
fure, that he may render reckoning of his belief,
and our doff rine to the fuperior powers, according
to the prefcription of that blood of the eternal
teftament, fealed by the immaculate Lamb, to whom
with the Father, and the Holy Spirit, be all ho-
nour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

The fourth article puts me in remembrance,
how dangerous It is, if the authority would put
me to it, and my houfe, according to comely and
com.mon laws, and our own municipal laws of this
realm, and how it appeareth to the decay of our
houfe.

Anfwer. All laws are, or at leafl fhould be,
fubjeft to God's law, which law fhould be firft
placed and planted in every m.an's heart, it fhould
have no impediment ; men fhould not abrogate it,
for the defence and fetting up of their own ad-
vantage. If it would pleafe authorities to put at
our houfe, for confefTmg of God's word, or for
maintenance of his law, God is mighty enough
in his own caufe, he fliould be rather obeyed than
man. I will ferve my prince with body, heart,
goods, flrength, and all that is in my power, ex-
cept that which is God's due, which I will referve
to him alone ; that is, to worfhip him in truth
and verity, and as near as I can to conform to his
\vritten word, to his own honour, and obedience
of my princefs.

The Jifth article puts me in remembrance how
forry your lordihip would be, to hear, to fee, or
knovv any difpleaiu.rc that might come to me, my

fon, or any of my houfe, and efpecially in my
time and days : and aifo to hear the great and evil
report of me, that fliould now in my old age in a
manner begin to vary in my faith, and to be alter-
ed therein, when it is time that I ihould be moft
fure and firm therein.

Anfiver. Your lordfhip's good-will is ever mad©
manifeff unto me in all your articles, that you
fhouid be forry to hear, fee, or know my difplea-
fure ; for the which 1 am bound to render your
lordfoip thanks, and fhaii do the fame afTuredly :
but, as for wavering in my faith, God forbid that
I (hould fo do ; for I believe in God the Father
Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Je-
fus Chriff his only Son our Saviour. My lord, I
vary not in my faith; but I praife God, that of
his goodnefs, now in my latter days, hath of his?
infinite mercy opened his bofom of grace unto me,
to acknowlege him the eternal Wifdom, his Son
Jefus Chriff, my One fufhcient Satisfaftion, to re-
fufe all idolatry, fuperflition, and ignorance,,
wherewith I have been blinded in times paft ; and
now believe that God will be merciful unto me ;
for now he hath declared his blefled will clearly to
me, before my departing out of this tranfitory life-

The fixth article delareth. That there are di-
lations of fundry points of herefy upon that rhan.
Douglas or Grant, which lies to your charge and
confcience to put remedy to ; or elfe, that all the
peftilentious do<5lrine he fows, and all whom he
corrupteth with his feed, will be required at your
hands, and all whom he draws from your Chrifti-
an faith ; and if ye Ihould fufFer him, that ye will
be accufed for all them whom he infecfeth witk
herefy ; and therefore to regard your lordfhip's ho-
nour and confcience therein.

Anfvjer. What is his firname I know not, but
he callethhimfelf Douglas; for I knew neither his
father nor his mother : I have heard him teach no
articles of herefy, but that which agreeth Nvith
God's word ; for I would maintain no man in herefy
or error, your lordfhip regards your confcience in
the punifhment thereof; I pray God that ye do fo,
and examine well your confcience. He preachetha-
gainff idolatry; I remit to your lordfhip's confcience
if it be herefy or not; he preacheth againft adulte-
ry and fornication ; I refer that to your lordlhip's
confcience ; he preacheth againfl: hipocrify ; I re-
fer that to your lordfliip's confcience : he preach-
eth againft all manner of abufes, and corruption
of Chriff's fmcere religion ; I refer that to your
lordfliip's confcience. My lord, I exhort you, in
ChriA's name, to weigh all thefe affairs in youtt

confcience,

Book I*

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND,

li^

confcience, and confider if it be your duty alfo,
not only to fufFer thus, but in like manner to do
the fame. This is all, my lord, that I vary in my
old age, and in no other thing, but that I knew
not thefe offences to be abominable to God, and
now knowing his will by manifeftation of his word,
abhor them.

The /event/} article defireth me to weigh thefe
matters in moft hearty manner, and to take them
in beft part, for the well of both our confciences,
mj houfe, friends and fervants, and put fuch a
man out of my company, for fear of the rumour
aad report that fhould follow thereupon, by re-
Ion he is dilated of fundry herefies ; and that your
loidihip would be forry to hear any of our fervants
dilated or reported for fuch a caufe, or for hold-
ing of any fuch men; and that your lordrtiip
would underfland mine anfwer hereunto, or any
fiunmons pafTed thereupon.

Anfwer. I thank your lordfhip greatly, that ye
are fo foiicitous for the well of me and my houfe,
and are fo humane, as to give me advertifement,
before ye have fummoned me, of your own good
will and benevolence. I have weighed thefe mat-
ters, as highly as my judgment can ferve me, both
for your lordlhip's honour and mine : and when
that I have reafoned all that I can do with myfelf
in it, I think it always beft to ferve God, and o-
bey his manifefl word, and not to be obftinate in
the contrary; and to give their due obedience to
our princes, rulers, and magiilrates ; and to hear
I the voice of God's prophets, declaring his good
promife to them that repent, and threatning to
obftinate wicked doers everlafting deftru6lion.
Your lordfhip knows well the man, he hath fpoken
I with your lordfhip : I thought you content with
j him, I hear no occafion of offence in him, I can-
I not well want him, or fome preacher ; I cannot
i put away fuch a man, without I knew him an of-
fender, as I know not ; for I hear nothing of him,
but fuch as your lordfbip's felf hears of him, and
fuch as he yet will profefs in your prefence, when-
foever your lordfhip requires. Such a man, that
is ready to prefent himfelf to judgment, fhould
not be expelled without knowlege of the caufe ;
for, like as I anfwered before in another article,
when your lordfhip pleafeth, that all the fpiritual
land temporal men of eflate in Scotland be afft m-
ibled, I fliall caufe him to render an account of his
ibelief and doftrine in your prefence, then, if he
deferves punifhment and correftion, let him fo
ifuffer ; if he be found faithful, let him live in his
^faith.

The eighth article propofes to me, That your

lordfhip would take the labour to get me a man
to inftruft me in your catholic faith, and to be my
preacher, for whofe doftrine ye would lay your
foul, that he would teach nothing but truly con-
form to your faith.

Anfwer. God Almighty fend us many of that
fort, that will preach truly, and nothing but a
catholic or univerfal chriflian faith, and we High-
land rude people have mifs of them : and if your
lordfliip would get and provide me fuch a man, I
fhould provide him a corporal living, as to myfelf,
with great thanks unto your lordfhip ; for truly,
I and many more have great mifs of fuch men ;
and, becaufe I am able to fuffain more than one of
them, I requeft your lorduiip eanicflly to pvo\'ic!e
me a man as ye wrote ; * For the harvcff is great
* but the labourers are few.'

The laft and ninth article putteihmehi remem-
brance to confider what murmur yoLir Icrdflilp
fuffers, and great report at many mens hands, both
fpiritual and temporal, and at the queen's hand,^
and other well-given people, for not putting or-
der to thefe affairs ; and that your lordftiip hath
abftained from execution hereof, for lo\'e of my
houfe and poflerity, to the effecl that myfeif
fliould remedy it, for ftar of the difhonour that
might come upon us both for the fame, which be-
ing remedied, might bring us out of all danger,

Anfwer, My lord, I know well what murmur
and indignation your lordfhip fuffers at encmics's
hands of all eflates, for not purfuing of poor
fimple Chriflians : and I know, that if your lord-
fhip fliould ufe their counfel, who would by blood-
fliedding, and burning of poor men, to make your
lordfhip ferve their wicked appetites ; yet your
lordfliip knows your own duty, and fliould not
fear the danger of men, as of him whom ye pro-
fefs. And verily, my lord, there is nothing that
may be to your lordfhip's relief in this behalf, but
I will ufe your lordfhip's counfel therein, and
further the fame. God's honour being firft pro-
vided, and the truth of his eternal v.-ord having
liberty ; and to abflain for my love from purfuit,
as your lordfliip hath Jlgnified, I am irdtbtcdto
your lordfhip, as I have written divers timxs be-
fore ; but there is One above, for whofe fear ye
mufl abffain from blood- fliedding, or elfe, my
lord, knock in your confcience. Laff of all, your
lordfhip pleafe to confider, how defirous fome
are to have fedition amongfl friends, how mighty
the devii is to fow difcord; how that many would
defire no better game, but to hunt us at other. I
pray your lordfhip beguile them, we will agree
upon all purpofes with God's pleafure, {landing
R

The history of the REFORMATION Book I.

130

to his glory. There are divers houfes in Scotland
near us, that profefs the fame God fecretly, they de-
fire but that ye begin the bargain at us ; and when
it begins at us, God knows the end thereof, and
who Ihall bid the next put. My lord, confider this,
make no preparative of us ; let not the vain ex-
hortation of them that regard little of the well and
firength of both our houfes, ftir up your lordlhip,
as they would do againft God, your own confcience,
and the well of your pofterity for ever : and there-
fore, now in the end, I pray your lordfliip weigh
thefe things M'ifely ; and if yc do otherwife, God
is God, was, and Ihall be God, when all is wrought
that man can work.

This anfwer received, the bifhop and his com-
plices found theiTifelvei fomewhat difappointed ;
for the bifliops looked for noching lefs than for fuch
anfwers from the earlof Argyle, and therefore they
made them for their extreme defence, that is, to
corrupt, and by bribes to flir up the queen regent
againfl us, as in the fecond book we fhall more
plainly hear. Shortly after that, God called to
his mercy the fiid earl of Argyle from the miferies
of this life, whereof the bifhops were glad ; for
they thought that their great enemy was taken out
of the way, but God difappointed them: for, as
the faid earl departed moif conftant in the true faith
sf Jefus Chrift, with a plain renunciation of all
impiety, fuperflition, and idolatry ; fo he left it
to his fon in his teflament, that he (hould Ifudy
to fet foreward the public and true preaching of
the gofpel of Jefus Chrifl, and to fupprefs all fu-
perflition and idolatry to the uttermoff of his
power. In which point fmall fault can be found
with him unto this day, May 10, anno 1568.
God be merciful unto other offences. Amen.

The Blindy Crooked, Lame, Widoxus, Orphans, and
all other poor, fo vifited by the hand of God as
cannot work :

To all the fiock of friars within this realm, vjc
v/ifii reftitution of wrongs paft, and reformation
in times coming for falvation.

' Ye yourfelves are not ignorant, (and though
' ye would be, it is now, thanks be to God, well
*• known to the whole world, by his mod infallible
' word) that the benignity or alms of all chriflian

* people pertaineth to us alone, which ye, being

* whole of body, llrong, fturdy, and able to work,

* what under pretence of poverty, (and yet never-

* thelefs pofTeffing mod: eafily all abundance) what
^ through cloaked and hiddea humilitj^, (though

* your proudnefs is known) and what thro' feigned

* holinefs (which now is declared to be fuperftitioa

* and idolatry) have thefe many years, exprefly a-

* gainft God's word, and the pradice of his holy
' apoftles, to our great torment, alas, moft falfly

* lloln from us. And as ye have, by your falfe doc-
' trine, and wrefling of God's word, learned of your
' father Satan, induced the whole people, high and
' low, into a fure hepe and belief, that to clothe,

* feed, and nourilh you, is the only mofl acctpt-

* able alms allowed before God ; and to give a

* penny, or a piece of bread once in a week is e-

* nough for us : even fo ye have perfuaded them to
' build you great hofpitals, and maintain you theref
' in by their force, which only pertains now to us

* by all law, as builded and given to the poor, of

* whofe number ye are not, nor can be reputed,
' neither by the law of God, nor yet by no other
' law proceeding of nature, reafon, or civil policy :

* wherefore, feeing our number is fo great, fo in-
' digent, and fo heavily oppreffed by your falfe

* means, that none taketh care of our mifery, and
' that it is better for to provide there our impotent
' members, which God hath given us, to oppofe
' to you in plain controverfy, than to fee you here-
' after (as ye have done afore) fteal from us our
' houfes, and ourfelves in the mean time to periih

* and die for want of the fame ; we have thought
' good therefore, ere we enter with you in the con-
' flifl, to warn you, in the name of the great God,
' by this public writing, affixt in your gates where
' ye now dwell, that ye remove forth of our faid

* hofpitals, betwixt this and the feafl of Whitfun-

* day next, fo that we, the only lawful proprietors

* tliereof, may enter thereinto, and afterward enjoy
' the commodities of the church, which ye have'

* hereunto wrongfully holden from us; certifying
'you, if ye fail, we will at the faid term, in whole'
' number (with the help of God, and aillflance of

* his faints in earth, of whofe ready fupport wc

* doubt not) enter and take pofleffion of our faid
' patrimony, and eje6t you utterly forth of the' fame,

* not only to fuffer this, but in like manner to do

* the fame. This is all, my lord, that I vary in my
' fame.'

Let him therefore that before hath ftoln, fteal ,
no more, but rather let him work with his hands^ .
that he may be helpful to the poor. :

From all Cities, Towfis, and Villages '

of Scotland, January i. 1558.

The bifhops continued in their provincial ccun:-

cll

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

Book I.

cil, even unto that day that John Knox arrived in
Scotland ; and, that they might give fome (hew to
the people that they minded reformation, they dif-
perfed abroad a rumour thereof, and fet forth fome-
what in print, which of the people was called.
The t-wo-penny faith. Amongft their afls there was
much ado for caps, (haven-crowns, tippets, long-
gowns, and fuch other trifles.

I. Item, That none fhould enjoy office, or be-
nefice ecclefiaftical, except a priefl.

II. Iterti, That no church-man fliould nourifh
his own children in his own company, but that
every one fhould hold the children of others,

III. That none fhould put his own fon in his
own benefice.

IV. That if any were found in open adultery,
for the firfl fault he fhould lofe the third of his be-
nefice; for the fecond time the half, and for the
third the whole benefice.

But herefrom appealed the bifliop of Murray,
and other prelates, faying, That they would abide
at the canon law ; and fo they might well enough
do, fo long as they remained interpreters, difpen-
fators, makers, and difanuUersof thelaw: but let
the fame law have the true interpretation, and juft
execution, and the devil fhall as foon be pro^'ed a
true and obedient fervant unto God, as any of that
fort fhall be proved a bifhop, or yet to have any
juft authority within the church of Chrift Jefus.
But we will return to our hiflory.

The perfecution was decreed as well by the queen
regent as by the prelates. But there refted a point,
which the queen regent and France had not at that
time obtained ; to ivit, That the crown matrimo-
nial fhould be granted to Francis, hufhand to our
fovereign, and fo fhould France and Scotland be
but one kingdom, the fubje^ls of both the realms
to have equal liberty, Scotfmen in France, and
Frenchmen in Scotland. The glifter of the pro-
fit that was judged hereof to have enfued to Scotf-
men, at the firft fight blinded many mens eyes,
but a fmall wind caufed that mift fuddenly to va-
ni(h away: for the greatefl offices and benefices
within the realm were appointed for the French-
men ; monfieurRuby kept the great feal, Vielmort
x\as comptroller, Melrofs and Kelfo fhould have

i5t

been commendators to the poor cardinal of Lor-
rain. The freedoms of Scots merchants were re-
trained in Rhoan, and they compelled to pay toll
and taxations, others than their ancient liberties
did bear.

To bring this head to pafs, to wit, to the ma-
trimonial-crown, the queen regent left no point of
the com pafs unfailed. With the bifhops and priefls,
fhe pra<5lifed on this manner ; * Ye may clearly fee,-

* that I cannot do what I would within this realm;
' for thefe heretics and confederates of England

* are fo banded together, that they flop all good

* order : but, will ye be favourable unto me in

* this fuit of the matrimonial-crown, to be grant-

* ed to my daughter's hulband, then fhall ye fee

* how I fhall handle thefe heretics and traitors ere
' it be long:' and in very deed in thefe her pro-
mifes fhe meant no deceit in that behalf. Unto the
Proteflants fhe faid, * I am not unmindful how
' oft ye have folicited me for reformation in reli-

* gion, and gladly would I confent thereunto ; but
' ye fee the power and craft of the biinop of St.

* Andrews, together with the power of duke Ha-
' milton, and of churchmen ever to be bent againfl

* me in all my proceedings ; fo that I may do no-

* thing, unlefs the full authority of this realm be
' delivered to the king of France, which cannot be,
' but by donation of the crown-matrimonial; which

* thing if ye will bring to pafs, then devife ye what
' ye pleafe in matters of religion, and they fhall be

* granted.' - With this commiffion and credit, was
lord James, then prior of St, Andrews, directed
to the earl of Argyle, with more other promifes
than we lift to rehearfc : by fuch diflimulation to
thofe that were fimple and true of heart, inflamed
fhe them to be more fervent in her petition, than
herfelf appeared to be. And fo at the parliament
holden at Edinburgh, in the month of 061cber,
in the year of God 1558, it was clearly voted, no
man reclaiming, (except the duke for his intereft)
and yet for it there was no better law produced,
except that there was a folemn mafs appointed
for that purpofe in the pontifical. This head
obtained, whtireat France and fhe principally fhot,
what faith fhe kept to the Proteflants, in this our
Second Book fliall be declared ; in the beginning
whereof we may more amply rchearfefome things,,
which in this our firft are fummarily touched.

n^END 0/ //;^ First B O OK.

THE

HISTORY

0 F T H E"

REFORMATION of RELIGION,

Within THE REALM of

SCOTLAND.

B O O K 11.

Beginning in the Year of our Lord God, 1558*

OUR purpofe was to have made the beginning of our Hiftory, from the things that were donCj,
from the year of God 1 558, till the Reformation of Religion, which of God's mercy, we once
pofTefled, and yet in doftrine, and in the right ufe of adminiftration of facraments, do poflefs.

But becaufe divers of the godly, as before is faid, earneftly required, that fuch perfons as God
raifed up in the mid ft of darknefs, to oppofe themfelves to the fame, Ihould not be omitted ; we
obeyed their requeft, and have made a fhort rehearfal of all fuch matters as concern religion, from
the death of that notable fervant of God, Mr. Patrick Hamilton, unto the aforefaid year, when that
it pleafed God 10 look upon us more mercifully than we deferve, and to give unto us greater bold-
nefs, and better (albeit not without hazard and trouble) fuccefs in all our enterprifes than we look-
ed for, as the true narration of this fecond Book fhail witnefs. The Preface whereof followeth»_

THE

P R E F A C E.

LEST that Satan by our filence (hall take occafion to blafpheme, and to (lander us the Pro-
teftants of the realm of Scotland, as that our fa6l tended rather to fedltion and rebellion, than
to reformation of Manners and abufes in Religion, we have thought expedient, fo truly and briefly
as we can, to commit to writing the caufes moving us (as we fay, and great part of the nobility and
barons of the realm) to take the fword of juft defence againft thofe that moftunjuftly feek our de-
flru(51ion : and, in this our confeiTion, we (hall faithfully declare, what moved us to put our hands
to the reformation of religion, how we have proceeded in the fame, what we have a(ked, and
■what prefently we require of the facred authority : to the end that our caufe being known, as well our
piemies, as our brethren in all realms, may underftand how falfly we are accufed of tumult and re-
bellion, and how unjuftly we are perfecuted by France, and by their fadfion ; and alfo, that our
brethren, natural Scoffmen, of whatfoever religion they be, may have occafion to examine them-
felves, if they can withfafe confcience oppofe themfelves to us, who feek nothing but * Chrift Jefus's

* glorious gofpel to be preached, his holy facraments to be truly miniftred, fuperftition, tyran-

* ny, and idolatry to be fuppre(red in this realm ; and finally, this our native country to remain free

* from the bondage and tyranny of ftrangers.'

While that the queen regent pradifcd with the prelates, how that Chrift Jefus's ble(red gofpel
might utterly be fuppre(red within Scotland, God fo ble(red the labours of his weak fervants, that
no fmall part of the barons of this realm began to abhor the tyranny of the bifhops : God did fo
open their e}^es by the light of his word, that they could clearly difcern betwixt idolatry and the
true honouring of God : yea, men almoft univerfally began to doubt whether they could (God not
offended) give their bodily prefence to the-mafs, or yet o(rer their children to the papifiical baptifm.
Thefe doubts when the mo(t godly and the moft learned in Europe had anfwercd, both by word
and writing, affirming, * That neither of both we might do, without peril of our fouls,' we began to
be more troubled ; for then alfo began men of eftimation, and thofe that bare rule amongft us, to ex-
amine themfelves concerning their duties, as well towards reformation of religion, as towards the
jufl defence of their brethren moft cruelly perfecuted. And fo began divers queftions to be moved,
to wit, ' If that with fafe confcience fuch as were judges, lords, and rulers of the people, mighc

* ferve the higher powers in maintaining of idolatry, in perfecuting their brethren, and in fuppref-

* fing Chrift's truth.' Or, * Whether they, to whom God in fome cafe hath committed the fword

* of juftice, might fufFer the blood of their brethren to be (hed in their prefence, without any de-

* claration that fuch tyranny difpleafed them.' By the plain fcriptures it was found, * That a lively

* faith required a plain confefTion when Chrift's truth is oppugned, that not only are they guilty that

* do evil, but alfo they that confent to evil.' And plain it is. That they confent to evil, who,
feeing iniquity openly committed, by their filence feem to juftify and avow whatfoever is done,

Thefe things being refolved, and fufficiently proved by evident fcriptures of God, we began every
man to look more diligently to his falvation : for the idolatry and tyranny of the clergy (called the
churchmen) was, and is fo manifeft, that whofoever doth deny it, declareth himfelf ignorant of
God, and enemy to Chrift Jefus. We therefore, with humble confelfion of our former offences,,
with fafting, and fupplication unto God, began to feek fomc remedy in fo prefent a danger. And
firft, it was concluded, ' That the bietliren in every town, at certaia timeSj (hould afiemble to-

< gether^

1^4' The preface.

* gether, to common prayers^ to exercife in reading of the fcriptures, till It ihould pleafe God t&

* to «-ive the gift of exhortation by fermon unto Tome, for the comfort and inflruftion of the reft.

And this our weak beginning God did fo blefs, that within a few months the hearts of many
were fo ftrengthned, that we fought to have the face of a church amongft us, and open crimes to
be punifhed without refpe<5f of perfons ; and for that purpofe, by common eleftion, were elders
appointed, to whom the whole brethren promifed obedience : for at that time we had no public mi- ^
niflers of the word, only did certain zealous men (amongft whom was the laird of Dan, David
Forreft, Mr. Robert Lockhart, Mr. Robert Hamilton, William Harfiw, and others) exhort their
brethren, according to the gifts and graces granted unto them. But lliortly after did God ftir up his
fervant Paul Methven, (his latter fall ought not to deface the work of God in him) who in boldnefs
of fpirit began openly to preach Chrlft Jefus in Dundee, in divers parts of Angus, and in Fife ; and
fo did God work with him, that many began openly to renounce their old idolatry, and to fubmit
themfelves to Chrift Jefus, and unto his bleffed ordinances; infomuch that the town of Dundee be-
gan to eredl the face of a public church reformed, in the which the word was openly preached, and
Chrift's facraments truly miniftred.

In this mean time did God fend to us our dear brother John Willock, a man godly, learned, ani-
grave, who, after his ftiort abode at Dundee, repaired to Edinburgh, and there, nowithftanding his
long and dangerous ficknefs, did fo encourage the brethren by godly exhortations, that we began to
deliberate upon fome public reformation ; for the corruption in religion was fuch, that with fafe
confcience we could no longer fuftain it : yet, becaufe we would attempt nothing without the know-
lege of the facred authority, with one confent, after the deliberation of many days, it was con-
cluded, That by our public and common fupplication, we Ihould attempt the favour, fupport and
affiftance of the queen, then regent, to a godly reformation ; and for that purpofe, with all dili-
gence, after we had drawn our oration and petition as followeth, we appointed from amongft us a
man, whofe age and years deferved reverence, whofe honefty and worlhip might have craved audi-
ence of any magiftrate on the earth, and whofe faithful fervice to the authority at all times hath
been fuch, that in him could fall no fufpicion of unlawful difobedience. This orator was that an-
cient and honourable father, Sir James Sandilands of Calder, knight, to whom we gave commiflioft
and power in all our names then prefent, before the queen regent to fpeak this.

THE

•^ 'f jT ■

^5?

THE FIRST

ORATION and PETITION

OF THE

ProtesTx4nts of Scotland, to the Queen Regent.

ALBEIT we have of lon<t time contained
ourfelves in ttiat modefty, moll noble
piincefs, that neither tiie exile of body,
lofs of goods, nor perilhing of this mortal life,
was able to make us to afic at your majefly refor-
mation and redrefs of thofe wrongs, and of that
fore grief patiently borne by us in bodies and
minds of long time; yet are we now by verycon-
fcience, and by the fear of our God, compelled
to crave at your majefty's feet, remedy againfl the
mofl: anjuft tyranny, ufed againfl: your majefty's
moil obedient fubjects, by thofe that are called the
flate-ecclefiaftical. Your majefly cannot be igno-
rant what controverfy hath been, and yet is, con-
cerning the true religion, and right worfliipping
of God: and how the clergy (as they will be
termed) ufurp to themfelves fuch empire above the
confciences of men, that whatfoever they com-
mand, muftbe obeyed, and whatfoever they for-
bid mufl: be avoided, without further refpe6f to
God's pleafure, commandment, or will, revealed
to us in his moftholy word ; or elfe there abideth
nothing for us but fagots, fire, and fword, by
the which many of our brethren moft cruelly and
mofl unjuilly have been flrucken of late years
within this realm, which now we find to trouble
and wound our confciences ; for we acknowlege
it to have been our bounden duties before God,
either to have defended our brethren from thofe
cruel murderers, (feeing we are a part of that
power which God hath efrablifhed in this realm)
or elfe to have given open teflification of our faith
with them, which now we offer ourfelves to do,
left that, by our continual lllence, we fhall feem
to juflify the cruel tyranny of thofe men, which
doth not only difpleafe us; but your majefty's
wifdom moft prudently doth forfee, that, for the
quieting of this intefline dliTention, a public re-
formation, as well in the religion, as in the tem-
poral government were moll neceffary ; and to the

performance thereof, mofl gravely and mofr godly,
as we are informed, ye have exhorted as well the
clergy a,s the nobility, to employ their fludy, diU-
gence, and care. We therefore, i;i confciencc.
dare not any longer diffemble in fo weighty a
matter, which concerneth the glory of God and
our ialvation : neither now dare we withdraw our
prefence orcounfel, or petitions, left that the ad-
verfaries hereafter Ihould object to us, That place
was granted for reformation, and yet no man fued
for the fame; and fo fhall our filence be prejudi-
cial unto us in time to come : And therefore we,
knowing no order placed in this realm, but your
majefty, and your grave counfcl, fet to amend, as
well the diforder ecclefiaftical, as the defaults in
the ceraporal government, moft humbly proftrate
ourfelves before your feet, afking juftice and your
gracious help againft them that falfly traduce and
accufe us, as that we were heretics and fchifma-
tics, under that colour feeking our deftru(flion,
for that we feek the amendment of their corrupt-
ed lives, and Chrift's religion to be reftored to the
original purity. Further, we crave of your ma-
jefty, with open and patent ears to hear thofe our
fubfequent requefts, and, to the joy and fatisFac-
tion of our troubled confciences, bountifully to
grant the fame, unlefs by God's plain word any
be able to prove, that juftly they "ought to be
denied.

Ifere begin the particular demands.

Firji, Humbly we afk. That, as we have by
the laws of this realm, after long debate, obtain-
ed to read the holy books of the old and new
teftament, in our vulgar tongue, as fpiritual food
to our fouls ; fo from henceforth it may be law-
ful, that we maymeet publicly or privately to our
common prayers in our vulgar tongue, to the end
that we may increafe and grow in knowiege, and
be induced, by fervent and oft prayers, to com-
S mend

i38 The HISTORY of the

mend to God the holy univerfal church, the queen
our fovcreign, her honourable and gracious hus-
band the ability of their fucceffion, your majefty
regent, the nobility, and whole flate of this re-
alm.

Secondly, If it {hall happen in our faid meetings
any hard place of fcripture to be read, of which,
without explanation, hardly can arife any profit to
the hearers ; that it fhall be lawful to any quail-
lied perfons In knowlege, being prefent, to inter-
pret and open up the faid hard places, to God's
glory, and to the profit of the auditory : and, if
any think that this liberty (hould be occahon of
confu'fion, debate, or herefy, we are content that
it be provided, that the faid interpretation fliall
underly the judgment of the godly, and moll
leanied within the realm at this time.

Thirdly, That the holy facrament of baptifm
may be ufed in the vulgar tongue, that the god-
fathers and witnefTes may not only underhand the
points of the league and contract made betwixt
God and the infant, but alfo that the church then
alTembled, more gravely m.ay be informed and in-
itruaed of their duties, which at all times they
owe to God, according to that promife made un-
to him, when they were received into his holliold
by the laver of fpiritual regeneration.

Fourthly, We defire, that the holy facrament
of the Lord's fupper, or of his bleiled body and
blood, may likewife be miniflred unto us in the
vulgar tongue, aud in both kinds, according to
the plain inflitution of our Saviour Chrift Jefus,

Jnd lojlly. We moft humbly require, That the
wicked, fianderous, and deteilabie life of pre-
dates, and of the ftate-ecclefiaftical, may be re-
ibrmcd, that the people by them have not occafion
;as of many days they have had) to contemn their
miniffry, and the preaching, whereof they ihould
be meffengers '. and if they fufpedl that we, ra-
ther envying their honours, or coveting their
riches and polTeflions, than zealoufly defiring their
amendment and falvation, do travail and labour
tor this reformation ; we are content, that not on-
ly the rules and precepts of the new teffament,
but alfo the writings of the ancient fathers, and
t]r,e godly and approved laws of Juflinian the em-
peror, decide the controverfy, betwixt us and
them : and if it fhall be found, that either
malevolently or ignorantly we aflc more than thefe
three fore-named have required, and continually
do require of able and true miniflers in Chrifl's
church, we refufe not correcftion, as your maje-
iry, with right judgment, fliall think meet; but,

REFORMATION Book II.

if all the fore-named fhall condemn that which
we condemn, and approve that which we require,,
then we mofl earneiliy befeech your majeffy, that
Eotwithflanding the long cuUom which they have
had to live at their lull, that they be compelled ei-
ther to defift from tcclefiaftical adminiflration, or
to difcharge their duties as becometh true mini-
flers ; fo that the grave and godly face of the pri-
mitive church reduced, ignorancemay be expelled,
true dodtrine and good manners m.ay once again
appear in the church of this realm. Thefe things
we, as mofi obedient fubjedls, require of your
majeify, in the name of the eternal God, and of
his Son Chrift Jefus, in prcfence of whofe throne-
judicial, ye, and all others that here in earth
bear authority, fhall give account of your tem-
poral government. The fpirit of the L<jrd Jefus
move your majelly's heart to jullice and equity.

Thefe our demands being propofed, the ftate-
ecclefialiical began to llorm, and to devife all
manner of lies to deface the equity of our eaufc.
They bragged, as that they would have public dif-
putation; which alfo we mofl earntftly required,
tvv'o things being provided, Firjt, that the plain
and written fcriptures of God fhould decide all
controverfies. Secondly, That our brethren, of
whom fome were then exiled, and by them unjuftly
condemned, might have free accefs to the faid dif-
putation, and fafe condu6l to return to their
dwelling places, notwithflanding any procefs which
before had been laid againll th^m in matters
concerning religion. But thefe being by them ut-
terly denied, (for no judge would they admit, but
them/elves, their councils and canon-law) they
and their fa6fion began to draw certain articles of
reconciliation, promifing unto us, if we would
admit the mafs to Hand in its former reverence and
elfimation ; grant purgatory after this life ; con-
fefs prayer to faints, and for the dead ; and fuffer
them to enjoy their accullomed rents, poffefTions,
and hondur; that then they would grant us to
pray, and baptize in the vulgar tongue, fo that it
were done fecretly, and not in the open afTembly.
But the grofnefs of thefe articles was fuch, that
with one voice we refufed them, and conllantly
craved juftice of the queen regent, and a reafon-
able anfwer of our former petitions. The queen
then regent, a woman crafty, diffimulate and falfe,
thinking to make her profit of both parties, gave
to us permiflion to ufe ourfelves godly, according
to our defnes; provided, That we fhould not
make public alTemblies in Edinburgh, nor Leith;

and

Book II.

OF RELIGION

and did promife her afllflance to our preachers,
until feme uniform order might be eflabliflied by
a parliament. To them {we mean the clergy) (he
quietly gave fignification of her mind, promifing,
that how foon any opportunity ftiould ferve, fhe
fhould fo put order to thefe matters, that after
they (hould not be troubled : for fomc fay, they
gave her a large purfe of forty thoufand pound
Turn, or Scots, gathered by the laird of Earifhai!,
We nothing fufpe6ting her doublenefs nor fallhood,
departed fully contented with her anfvvcr, and did
«fe ourfelves fo quietly, that for her pleafure we
put filence to John Douglas, who publicly would
have preached in the town of Lelth; for in all
things we fonght the contentment of her mind,
fo far as God Ihoald not be offended againft us tor
obeying her in things as we thought unlav/ful.

Shortly after thefe things, that cruel tyrant and
unmerciful hypocrite, fallly called bifliop of St.
Andrews, apprehended that bleffed martyr of
Chrifl Jefus Walter Miln, a man of decrepit age
whom mod cruelly and moft unjuflly he put to
death by fire in St. Andrews, the twenty eighth
day of April, in the year of God 1558 ; which
thing did fo highly offend the hearts of all the
godly, that immediately after his death began a
new fervency among the whole people, yea, even
in the town of St. Andrews, began the people
plainly to condemn fuch unjuft cruelty; and, in
teftiiication that they would his death fliould abide
in recent memory, there was cad together a great
lieap of Hones in the place where he was burnt.
The bifhops and priefis thereat offended, caufed
once or twice to remove the fame, with dennucia-
tion of curfmg, if any man fhould there lay any
ftones : but in vain was that wind blown ; for ftill
was the heap made, till that the priefts and pa-
pifls did fleal away by night the flones to build
their walls, and to their other private ufes.

We, fufpecTling nothing that the queen regent
was confenting to the fore-named murder, mofl
humbly did complain of fuch unjuft cruelty, re-
quiring, that juftice in fuch cafes (hould be mini-
fired with greater indifferency. She was a woman
born to diffemble, and deceive, began with us to
lament the cruelty of the bifhops, excufing her-
felf as innocent in that caufe ; for that the fentence
was given without herknowlege, becaufe the man
fometimes had been a prieft, therefore the bifhop's
official did proceed upon him without any com-
miffion of the civil authority, ex officio, as they
term it. We, 3'et nothing fufpedling her falihood,
required fome order to be taken againft fuch enor-

IN SCOTLAND. 13,5

mities, which fhe promifed as oft before. But,
becaufe fhortly after, there was a parliament to be
holden, for certain affairs pertaining rather to the
queen's particular profit, than to the commodity
of the common-wealth, we thought good to ex-
pofe our matter to the whole parliament, and by
them to feek fome redrefs : we therefore, with
one confent, did offer to the queen and parliament
a letter, in this tenor :

The form of the Letter given in Parliament.

* Unto your majefty, and unto you, right hon-

* ourable lords, barons, and burgeffes of this pre-

* fent parliament; humbly means, and fheweth
' your majefty's faithful and obedient fubjefts, that
' where we are daily molefted, flandered, and inju-
' red by wicked and ignorant perfons, place-holders
' of the minifters of the church, who moft un-

* truly ceafe not to infame us as heretics, and un-

* der that name they moft cruelly have perfecuted
' divers of our brethren ; and farther, intend to ex-

* ccute their malice againft us, unlefs by fome godly
' order their fury and rage be bridled and ftayed ;
' and yet in us they are able to prove no crime

* worthy of punifhment, unlefs that to read the

* holy fcriptures in our alfemblics, to invocate the

* name of God in public prayers, with all fobriety
' to interpret and open the places of fcripture, that
' be read to the further edification of the brethren
' affembled ; and truly, according to Chrift Jefus's
' holy inftitution, to minifter the facrap.-;ents,
' be crimes worthy of punifhment, other crimes,

* (we fay, in us they are not able to convince,

* And to the premiffes we are compelled, for that

* the faid place-holders difcharge no part of their

* duties rightly to us, neither yet to the people fub-

* je6t: to us ; and therefore> unlefs we lliould de-

* clarc ourfelves altogether unmindful of our own

* falvation, we are compelled in very confcience,

* to feek how that we and our brethren may be de-
' livered from the thraldom of Satan : for, now it
' hath pleafed God to open our eyes, and manifeft-
' ly we fee, that without extreme danger of our

* fouls, we may in nowife communicate v.dth the
' damnable idolatry, and intolerable abufes of the
' papiftical church; and therefore moft humbly

* require we of your majefty, and of our right hon-
' ourable lords, barons and burgeffes, affembled

* in this prefent parliament, prudently to weigh,

* and as it becomethjuft judges, to grant ihefe oijr

* moft juft and reafonable petitions :'

Firjl, feeing, liiat the coatrovgrfy in religion,
S 2 which

<4o

The history of the REFORMATION.

Book II-

which hath- long contiimed betwixt the proteftants
of Almaay, Helvetia, and other provinces, and
the papirticai church, rs not yet dpcided by a law-
ful and general council ; and feeing, that our con-
fciences r.re iikewife touched with the fear of God,
as was theirs in the beginning of their controverfy ;
we moil humbly defire, that all fuch afts of par-
liament as in the time of darknefs gave power to
the church-men, to execute their tyranny againft
lis, by reafon that we to them were dilated as here-
tics, may be fufpended and abrogated, till a gene-
ral council lawfully aiTembled, have decided all con-
trovcrfics in religion.

And lefl that "this mutation {liould feem to fet
all men at liberty todive as they lift; \vq fecondarily
require, that it be enabled by this prefent- parlia-
ir.ent,That the prelates and thtir officers be remov-
ed from place of judgment, only granting unto
them neverrhelcfs the place of accufluors in the
prefence of a temporal judge, before whom the
ohurch-men accufators (hail be bound to call any
by themaccuftd'of herefy, to whom alfo they fhall
be bound to deliver an authentic copy of all depo-
iitions, accufations, and procefs laid againft any
perfon afecufed ; the judge Iikewife delivering the
fame to the party accufed, affigning unto him a
competent term to anfwer to the fame, after h@
hath taken fufHcient, caution, chjiidicio flfti.

Thirdly, We require, that all lawful vdefences be
granted to the perfon accufed ; as, if he be able to
prove that the witweffes be perfons unable by law
to teftify againft him, that then their accufations
and depofitions be null, according to jufiice.

Item, That place be granted to the partv accuf-
ed, to explain and interpret his own mind and mean-
ing, which confeffion we require to be infer ted in
public afls, and be preferred to the depofitlon of
any witnefs, ' feeing that none ought to fuffer for

* religion, that is not found obflinate in his dam-

* nable opinion.'

Lqfi, We require, that our brethren be not con-
demned for heretics, unlefs, by the manifeft word
©f God, they be convinced to have erred from that
faith, which the holy Spirit witnelfeth to be necef-
iary to falvation ; and if fo they be, we refufe not
but that they be punidied according to juftice, un-
lefs by wholfom admonition they can be reduced
to a better mind.

Thefe things require we to be confidered of by
you, who are in the place of the eternal God,
(who is God of order and truth) even in fuch fort,
as ye wiU anlwer in prefence of his throne-judicial :
requiring further, that iavoiirably you would have

refpefft to the tendernefs of our confciences, and
to the trouble, which appeareth to. follow in this
common- wealth, if the tyranny of the prelates,
and of their adherents, be not bridled by God and
juft laws. God move your hearts deeply to con-
fider your own duties, and our prefent trouble?.

Thefe our demands did we firft prefent to the
queen regent, becaufe that we were determined to
enterprife nothing without her knowlege, moft
humbly requiring her favourably toaffift us in our
juft aftion. She fpared not amiable looks, and
good words in abundance ; but alM^ays fhe kept
our petition clofs in her pocket. When we re-
quired fecretly of her majefty, tha* our petition
Ihould be propofed to the whole aifemhly ; (he an-
fwered, that ftie thought not that expedient; for
then would the whole ecclefiaftical eftate be con-
trary to her proceedings, which at that time was;
great : for the matrim.onial-crown was afked, and
in that parliament granted. But, faid (he, how
foon order can be taken with thefe things, which
now may be hindred by the church-men, ye fhall
know my good mind, and in the mean time, what-
foever I can grant unto you, (hall gladly be grant-
ed. We, yet nothing fufpefling her faKhood,
were content to give place for a time to her pleafure
and pretended reafon; and yet thought we expe-
dient fomewhat to proteft, before the dilTolurion
of the parliament : for our petition was manifeftly
known to the whole ademblv ; as alfo, how that
for the queen's pltafure we had ceaftd to purfue.
the uttennoft. Our proteftation was formed iii
manner following .

The form of the Protefation made in the Parliament
holden at Edinburgh, anno 1558.

It is not unknown to this honourable parliament,
■what controverfy is now lately rifen, betwixt thofe
that will be called the prelates and rulers of the
church, and a great number of us the nobility and
commonalty of the realm, for the true worfhipping
of God, for the duty of minifters, for the right
adminiftration of Chrift Jefus's holy facraments.
How that we have complained by our fupplication
to the queen regent, that our confciences are bur-
dened with unprofitable ceremonies, and that we
are compelled to adhere to idolatry, that fuch as
take upon them the office ecclefiaftical, difcharge
no part thereof, as becometh true minifters to God:
and finally, that we, and our brethren, are moft
injurioully opprefted by their ufurped authority?

and

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

Book H.

and alfo, we itippore it is a thing fufficiently known,
that we were of mind at this prefent parliament
to feek redrefs of fuch enormities ; but coniider-
ing, that the troubles of the time do not fuffer
fuch reformation, as we by God's plain word do
require, we are enforced to delay that which mof!:
earncflly we defire ; and yet, left that our filence
ihould give occafion to our adverfaries, to think
that we repent of our former enterprizes, we can-
not ceafe to proteft, for remedy againfl that mofl
unjufl tyranny, which we heretofore have mofl: pa-
tiently fuftained.

Jiidfiffl, ive protejl, That feeing we cannot ob-
tain a jufl: reformation according to God's word,
that it be lawful to us to ufe oarfelves in matters
of religion and confcience, as we mufi: anfwer un-
to God, until fuch time as our adverfaries be able
to prove themfelves the ti-ue minifters of Chrifl's
church, and to purge themfelves of fuch crimes
as we have already laid to their charge, offering
oyrfelves to prove the fame, whenfoevcr the facred
authority pleafe to give us audience.

Secondly J ive protcji, That neither we, nor yet
any other of the Godly that lilf to join with us
in the true faith, which grounded upon the invin-
cible word of God, Ihall incur any danger o^ life
or lands, or any political pain, for not obferving
fuch afts as heretofore have pafTed in favour of our
adverfaries, neither yet for violating of fuch rites,
as man, without God's commandment or word,
hath commanded.

TVc thirdly I rot eft. That if any tumult or uprore
fhall arife amo:=g(f the members of this realm for
the diverfity of religion ; and if it fhall chance that
abufes be violently reformed, that the crime there-
of be not imputed to us, who moll humbly do now
feek all to be reformed by an order; but rather,
whatfoever inconvenience (ball happen to follow
for lack of order taken, that may be imputed to
thofe that do refufe the fame.

And la/l, ive protejl. That thefe our requefls,
proceeding from confcience, do tend to none other
end, but to the reformaiion of the abufes in reli-
gion only, mofl: humbly befeeching the facred au-
thority, to take us faithful and obedient fubjefts
into protection againfl our adverfaries, and to fhew
unto us fuch indifFerency in our mofl jufl petition,
as it becometh God's lieutenants to do to thofe,
that in his name do call for defence againfl cruel
opprefTors, and blood-thirjly tyrants.

This our proteflation publicly read, we defired
it to have betn inferred in the common regifter,

141

but that by the labour of enemies, was denied un-
to w":,. Ncvcrthelels the queen regent faid, We
will remember what is protefled ; * and we fhall put

* good Older after this to all things that now are in
' controverfy.' And thus, after fhe by craft had
obtained her purpofe, we departed, in good hope
of her favour, praifing God in our hearts, that
file was fo well inclined towards godlinefs. Thi'-
good opinion that we had of her fincerity, caufcd
us not only to fpend our goods, and hazard our
bodies at her pleafure, but alfo by our public let-'
ters written to that excellent fervant of God John.
Calvin, we did praife and commend her, for her
excellent knowlege in God's word, and good-will
towards the advancement of his glory, requiring
of him, that by his grave counfel, and godly ex-
hortation, he would animate her majefly conflant-
ly to follow that, which godliiy fhe had begun.
We did farther fharply rebuke both by word and
writing, all fuch as appeared to fufpeft in her any
venom or hypocrify, or that were contrary to
that opinion which we had conceived of her godly
mind : but how <-ar we were deceived in our opi-
nion, and abufed by her craft, did fuddenly ap-
pear ; for how foon that ail things pertaining to
the commodity of France were granted by us, and
that peace was contracted betwixt king Philipand
France, and England and us, fhe began to fpue
forth, and difclole the latent venom of her double
heart. Then began fhe to frown, and to look
frowardly to all fuch as fhe knew did favour the
gofpel of Jefus Chrifl. She commanded her honfe-
hold to ufe all abominations at Eafler ; and fhe
firfl herfelf, to give example to others, did com-
municate with the idol in open audience, 'lie con-
trolled her houfhold, and would know where that
every one received their facrament: and it appear-
ed. That after that dzj, that malice took more vi-
olent and Arong polTeiiion in her, than it did be-
fore ; for from that day fortward fhe appeared al-
together altered, infomuch that her countenance
and fafts did declare the venom of her heart ; for
incontinent fhe caufed our preacheis to be fum-
moned, for whom, when we made interceffion,
befeeching her majefly not to moU^fl: them in their
miniflry, unlefs any man were able to convince
them of falfe doClrinc. She could not bridle her
tongue from open blaiphemy, but proudly fliefaid,
' In defpight of you and your miniflers both, they

* fhall be banifhed out of Scotland, albeit they

* preached as true as ever did St. Paul;' whicli
proud and blafphemous anfwtr, did greatly afloniln
us, and yet tcalcd we not mofl humbly to feek'

hei

142

The history of the REFORMATIOK Bqok il.

her favour, and by gre::t diligence, atlaft we ob-
tained that the fummons at that time were delay-
ed : for to her were fent Alexander earl of Glen-
cairn, and Sir Hugh Campbell of Lowdon knight,
iheriffof Air, to reafon with her, and to crave
feme performance of her manifold promifes ; to
whom (he anfwered, ' It becomes not fubjeds to
' burden their princes with promifes, further than
* it pleafed them to keep the fame.' Both the
noblemen faithfully and boldy difcharged their du-
ty, and plainly fore- warned her of the inconveni-
encies that were to follow, wherewith (he fome-
what altonifhedj faid, flie would advife.

In this mean time did the town of Perth, cal-
led St. Johnfloun, embrace the truth, which did
provoke her to a new fury, in which flie willed the
lord Ruthven, provoff of that town, to fupprefs
all fuch religion there : to the which, when he an-
fwered. That he could make their bodies to come
to her majefty, and to proftrate themfelves before
her, till that Ike was fully fatiatewith their blood;
but to caufe them to do againft their confcience,
Jie could not promife. She in fury did anfwer. That
ihe was too malapert, to give her fuch an anfwer,
affirming, that both he and they fhould repent it.
She folicited Mr. James Haliburton, provofl of
Dundee, to apprehend Paul Methven, who, fear-
inn^ God, gave fecret advertifement to the man to
avoid the town for a time. She fent forth fuch
as fhe thought mofl able to perfuade at Eafler, to
caufe Montrofe, Dundee, St. Johnftoun, and o-
ther fuch places as had received the gofpel, to
.communicate with the idol of the mafs ; but they
could profit nothing, the hearts of many were
•bent to follow the truth revealed, and did abhor
fupcrflition and idolatry ; whereat flie more high-
ly commoved, did fummon again all the preachers
to appear at Stirling, the tenth day of May, in
the year of our Lord i 559, which underftood by
'tis, we with all humble obedience fought the
means how Ihe might be appeafed, and our preach-
ers not raolefled; but when we could prevail no-
thing, it was concluded by the whole brethren,
That the gentlemen of every country lliould ac-
company their preachers to the day and place ap-
pointed, whereto all men were mofl willing; and
for that purpofe, the town of Dundee, the gentle-
men of Angus and Mearns, paiTed foreward with
their preachers to St. Johnftoun, without armour,
^s peaceable men, minding only to give confellion
with their preachers. And lci\ that fuch a mul-
titude fr;Ou]J have given fear to the queen regent,

the laird of Dun, a zealous, prudent, and godly
man, palTed before to the queen, then being at
Stirling, to declare to her. That the caufe of their
convocation, was only to give confefTion with their
preachers, and to affift them in their jufl defence.
She underftanding the fervency of the people, be-
gan to ufe craft with him, foliciting him to flay
the multitude, and the preachers aifo, with pro-
mife that (he would take fome better order. He,
a man mof\ gentle of nature, and mofl addi6l to
pleafe her in all things, not repugnant to God,
wrote to thofe that then were adembled at St.
Johnfloun, to flay, and not to come foreward,
fhewing what promife and hope he had of the
queen's favour. At the reading of his letters,
fome did fmell the craft and deceit, andperfuaded
to pafs foreward, until that a difcharge of the
former fummons fliould be had, alleging, that o-
therwife their procefs of rebellion fhould be ex-
ecuted againft the preachers; and fo fhould not
only they, but alfo all luch as did accompany
them, be involved in a like crime. Others did
reafon. That the queen's promife was not to be
fufpedfed, neither yet the laird of Dun's requefl
to be contemned, and fo did the whole multitude
with their preachers ftay.

In this mean time that the preachers were fun>
moned, fo wit, the fecond of May 1559, arrived
John Knox from France ; who iociging two nights
only in Edinburgh,hearing the day appointed to his
brethren, repaired to Dundee, where he earneflly
required them that he might be permitted to aflifl
his brethren, and to give confeflEion of his faith
with them ; which granted unto him, he depart-
ed unto St. Johnfloun with them, where he began
to exhort, according to the grace of God granted
unto him. The queen ptrceiving that the preach-
ers did not appear, began to utter her malice; and,
notwithflanding any requeff made to the contrary,
gave commandment to put them to the horn ; in-
hibiting all men, under pain of high rebellion, to
affifl, comfort, receive, or maintain them in any
fort. Which extremity perceived by the faid laird
of Dun, he prudently withdrew himfelf; for o-
therwife by all appearance he had not efcaped im-
prifonment : for the mafter of Maxwel, a man
zealous and flout in God's caufe, as then appear-
ed, imder the cloak of another fmall crime, was
that fame day committed to ward, becaufe he did
boldly afhrm. That, to the uttermofl of his pow-
er, he would aflifl the preachers and the congre-
gation, notwithflanding any fentence which un-
juflly was, or fhould be pronounced againfl them.

The

Book II.

OF RELIGION

The laird of Dan coming to St. Johnfloun, ex-
pofed the cafe even as it was, and did conceal no-
thing of the queen's craft and falfhood ; which
underflood, the muhitude was fo inllamed, that
neither could the exhortation of the preachers,
nor the commandment of the magiflrate, flay
them from deftroying the places of idolatry. The
manner whereof was :

The preachers had declared before, how odious
idolatry was in God's prefence ; what command-
ment he had given for the deftrudion of the mo-
numents thereof; what idolatry, and what abo-
mination was in the mafs. It chanced that the
next day, which was the 1 1 th of May, after that
the preachers were exiled, after the fermon, which
was very vehement againft idolatry, a certain
prieft in contem.pt would go to the mafs; and to
declare his malapert prefumption, he would open
up a glorious tabernacle, which flood upon the
high altar : there flood befide certain godly men,
and, amongfl: others, a young boy, who cried
with a bold voice, ' This is intolerable, that when

* God by his word hath plainly condemned idola-

* try, we fhall fland and fee it ufed in defpite.^'
The priefl hereat offended, gave the child a great
blow ; who, in anger, took up a flone, and cafl-
ing at the prieff, hit the tabernacle, and brake
down an im.age: and immediately the whole mul-
titude threw flones, and put on hands on the faid
tabernacle, and on all other monuments of idola-
try; which they difpatched before the tenth man
of the town were advertifed, for the mofl part were
gone to dinner. Which noifed abroad, the whole
muhitude aflembled, not of the gentlemen, nei-
ther of them that wereearnefl piofeflbrs, but of
the rafcal multitude ; who finding nothing to do
in that church, did run without deliberation to
the gray and black friars, and, notwithflanding
that they had within them very Arong guards kept
for their defence, yet were their gates incontinent
burft up. The firfl invafion was upon idolatry,
and thereafter the common people began to feek
fome fpoil. And in very deed the Gray-friars was
a place fo well provided, that unlefs honefl men
had feen the fame, we would have feared to have
reported what provifion they had : their fheets,
blankets, beds and coverlets were fuch, that no
earl in Scotland had better; their napery was fine;
they were but eight perfons in the convent, and
yet had they eight puncheons of fait beef, (confi-
der the time of the year, the 1 1 th of May) wine,
beer and ale, befide Aore of vidf uals belonging
thereto : the like abundance was notiu the Black-

iN S G O T L A N D. 143

friars, and yet there was more than becam.e men
profeffing poverty.

The fpoil was permitted to the poor : for fo
had the preachers before threatned ail men, that
for covetoufnefs fake none fhould put their hand
to fuch a reformation ; that no honcf\ man was
enriched thereby the value of a groat : their con-
fcience fo moved them, that they fufFered thofc
hypocrites to take away what they could, of that
which was in their places ; the prior of the Char-
ter-houfe was permitted to take with him even as
much gold and filver as he was able to carry. So
were miens conf^iences beaten with the word, that
they had no refpe^^t to their own particular profit,
but only to abolilli idolatry, the places and monu-
ments thereof; in wlich tliey were fo bufy, and
fo laborious, that withm two days thefe three
great places, monuments of idolatry, to -wit, the
Black and Gray thieves, and Gharter houfe monks
(a building of wondrous cofl and-greatnefs) was
fo deflroyed, that the walls only did remain of all
thofe great edifices. Which reported to the queen,
fhe was fo inraged, that fhe did vow utterly to de-
flroy St, Johnfk)un, man, woman and child, and
to con fume the fame by fire, and thereafter to fait
it, in fign of a perpetual defolation. . We fufpeft-
ing nothing fuch cruelty, but thinking that fuch:
words might efcape her in choler^ without pur-
pofe determined, becaufe fhe was a woman fet 011
fire by the complaints of thofe hypocrites, who
flocked unto her as ravens to a carion ; we, we
fay, fufpefting nothing fuch beaftly cruelty, return-
ed to our own houfes, leaving in St. Johnfloun
John Knox, to inflruft the ptople, becaufe they
were young and rude in Chrift : but fhe, fet on
fire partly by her own malice, partly by command-
ment of her friends in France, and not a little by
bribes, which fhe and monfieur d'Ofel received
from the bifhops and the prief Is here at home, did
continue flill in rage.

And firfl fhe fent for all the nobility, to whom
fhe complained. That we meant nothing but re-
bellion : fhe did grievoufly lament the. deflru<^ion
of the Charter- hoiife, becaufe it was a king's foun-
dation, and there was the tomb of king James I.
and by fuch other ptrfuafions fhe m-ade the mofl^
part of them grant to purfue us. And then in-
continent fent (he for her l-renchmen ; for that
was, and ever had been her joy, to fee Scotfmen
dip one with another's blood. No man was at-
that time more frank agaiaff us than was duke
Hamilton, led by that cruel beafl the bifliop of
St. Andrews, and by thofe that yet abuie him, the

abbor

r44

The history of the REFORMATION

Book II.

abbot of Kilwinning, and Matthew Hamilton of
Milburn, two chief enemies to Chrift Jefus; yea,
and enemies to thedulceand to his whole houfe, but
in fo far as thereby they may procure their own par ti-
cular profit. Thefe and fuch other peftilent papilis
ceafed not to calf fagots in the fire, continually
crying, ' Forward upon thefe heretics ; we fhall
' once rid this realm of them.' The certainty
hereof coming to our knowlege, fome of us re-
paired to the town again, about the 22d day of
May, and there did abide, for the comfort of our
brethren : where, after invocation of the name of
God, we began to put the town and ourfelves in
fuch firength, as we thought might beff ferve for
our juft defence. And becaufc we did not utterly
defpair of the queen's favour, we caufed to form
a letter to her majefly, as foUoweth :

To the ^iccns Majefiy Regent, all humble obedi-
ence and duty prcmlfed.

* A s heretofore, with jeopard of our lives, and
■* yet with willing hearts, we have ferved the au-
'* thorlty of Scotland, and your majefiy now re-

* gent in this realm, in fervice to our bodies dan-

* gerousand painful; fo now, withm-oft dolorous

* minds, we are conflrained by unjuff tyranny

* purpofedagainfl us, to declare unto your maje-

* {ly. That, except this cruelty be ifaytd by your

* wifdom, we fliall be compelled to take the fword

* of juft defence, againft all that Iball purfue us

* for the matter of religion, and for our confci-

* ence fi\ke, which ought not, nor may not be

* fubjeft to mortal creatures, further then by God's

* word, man is able to prove that he hath power

* to command us. We fignify moreover unto your

* majefiy, That if by rigour we be compelled to

* feek the extreme defence, that we will liot only

* notify our innocency and petition to the king of
' France, to our mif>refs, and to her hufband, but
' alfo to the princes and council of every Chriflian

* realm, declaring unto them, That this cruel, un-
' juft, and moft tyrannical murder intended againft

* towns and multitudes, was, and is the only ci\ufe
' of our revolt from our accuftomed obedience;

* which in God's prefence we faithfully promife to

* our fovereign miiirefs, to her hufband, and un-
' to your majefty regent, provided that your con-

* fciences may live in that peace and liberty, which

* Chrift Jefus hath purchafed to us by his blood,
' and that we may have his word truly preached,
' and holy facraments rightly niiniftrcd unto us,

* without which, we firmly purpofe never to be

' fubjeft to mortal man : for better, we think, to '
' expofe our bodies to a thoufand deaths, than t©
' hazard ourfelves to perpetual damnation, by de-
' nying Chrift Jefus, and his manifeft verity ;
' which thing not only do they, who commit open

* idolatry, but alfo all fuch as feeing their brethren
' puriued for the caufe of religion, and having
' fufScient means to comfort and aflift them, do
' neverthelefs withdraw from them their dutiful

* fupport. We would not your majefty fhould be
' deceived by the falfe perfuafions of thofe cruel
'■ beafts the churchmen, who affirm. That 3^our
' majefty needeth not greatly to regard the lofs of
' us that profefs Chrift Jefus in this realm. If (as
' God forbid) ye give ear to their peflilent coun-
' fel, and fo ufe againft us this extremity pre-

* tended, it is to be feared, that neither ye, nei-

* ther yet your poflerity fhall at any time after this,

* find that obedience and faithfiil fervice within

* this realm, which at all times ye have found in

* us. We declare our judgment freely, as true
' and faithful fubjefts. God move your princely

* heart favourably to interpret our faithful mean-
'ing: further, advertif;ngyour m.ajefty, that the
' felf fame thing, together with all things that we
' have done, or yet intend to do, we will notify

* by our letters to the king of France : afking of
' you, in the namie -of the eternal God, and as

* your majefty tenders the peace and quietnefs of

* this realm, That ye invade us not with any vio-

* lence, till we receive anfwer from our miftrefs,
' and her hulband, and from their advifed council

* theKe: And thus we commit your majefty to the
' proteftion of the Omnipotent. From St. John-

* ftoun, the 2 2d of May, 1559.

Sic Subfcribitur,

Tour majejly's obedient fubjeBs in all
things not repvgnant to God,

The faithful Congregation
of Chrif Jefus in Scotland*

To the fame purpofe we wrote to monfieur
d'Ofel in French, requiring of him. That by his
wifdom he would mitigate the queen's rage, and
the rage of the prieffs ; otherwife, that flame,
which then began to burn, would fo kindle, that
when fome m.en would, it could not be llackned.
Adding further. That he declared himfelf no faith-
ful fervant unto his mafter the king of France, if,
for the pleafure of the priefts, he would perfecute
us, aivj fo compel us to take the fword of juft

defence.

Book II.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

defence. In like manner we w rote to captain Ser-
re la BouiTe, and to all the other captains, and
French foldlers in general, admonifning them,
that their vocation was not to fight againlt us na-
tural Scotfmen ; neither yet that they had any
fuch commandment of" their mafter. We befought
ihem therefore, not to provoke us to enmity a-
gainfl them, and toconfider, that they had found us
favourable in their moil extreme neceffities. We
declared further unto them. That if they entered
in hortility, and bloody war againft us, that the
fame rtiould remain longer than their own lives,
to -wit, even in all pofreritics to come, fo long as
natural Scotfmen (liould have power to revenge
fuch cruelty, and moll horrible ingratitude.

Thefe Letters were caufed to be ipread abroad
in great abundance, to the end, that fome miglit
come to the knowlege of men. The queen re-
gent's letter was laid upon her culhicn in the chap4
royal of Stirling, where (he was accuftom.ed to fit at
mafs ; {he looked upon it, and put it in the pocket
of her gown. Monfieur d' Ofel and the captain^
received theirs, delivered even by their own foldiers
(for fome amongft them were favourers of the
truth) who after the reading of them, began to
pull their own beards ; for that was the modeft
behaviour of monfieur d' Ofel, when the truth
was told unto him, fo that it repugned to his fan-
cy. Thefe our letters were fupprefled to the utter-
moft of their power, and yet they cam.e to the
knowlege of many. But the rage of the queen
and priells could not be flayed, but foreward they
move againft us, who then were but a very few
end mean number of gentlemen in St, Johnfloun:
We perceiving the extremity to approach, did
write to all brethren, to repair towards us for our
relief, to the which we found all men fo ready
bent, that the work of God was evidently to be
efpied : the tenor whereof folloNveth. And be-
caufe that we would omit no diligence, to declare
our innocency to all men, we formed a letter to
thofe of the nobility, who then perfecuted us, as
after foUoweth.

To the Nobility of Scotland, the Congregation of
Chriji J efts within the fame, def res the Spirit of
righteous Judgment.

Because we are not ignorant, that ye the no-
bility of this realm, who now perfecute us, em-
ploying your whole ftudy and force to maintain
the kingdom of Satan, of fuperilition and idolatry
are yet neverthelefs divided in opinion. We, the

Mi-
congregation of Chrifl Jefus, by you unjuflly per-
fecctcd, have thought good, in one letter, to write,
unto yoa feverally. Yc are divided, we fay, in o-
pinion ; for fome of you think, that we, wha
have taken this enterprize to remove idolatry, and
the monuments of the fame, to ere6l the true preach-
ing of Chrifl Jefus, in the bounds comitted to our
charges, are heretics, feditious men, andtroublers
of this common-wealth, and therefore no punifli-
ment is fuflicient for us: and fo blinded wi:h this
rage, and under pretence to ferve the aiithorl!:}^, yt
proclaim war and dcHruaion without all order of
law againfl us. 7^o you, we fay, that neither
your blind zeal, nor yet the colour of authority,
fhall excufe you in God's prefence, who command-
eth none to fuifer death, till that he be openly con-
vinced in Judgment, to have offended againll God,
and againft his law written, which no mortal crea-
ture is able to prove againfl us ; for v/hatfoever
we have done, the fame we have done at God's
commandment, who plainly commands idolatry,
and all monuments of the fame, to be deflroyed
and aboliflied. Our earnefl and long requcfl
hath been, and is, that in open affembly i: may be
difputed, in prefence of indifferent auditors, whe-
ther that thefe abominations, named by the pef-
tilent papifls, Religion, which they by fire and
fword defend, be the true religion of Jefus Chrifb
or not ? now, this humble requefl denied unto us,
our lives are fought in mofl cruel manner: and
the nobility, (whofe duty is to defend innocents,
and to bridle the fury and rage of wicked men,
were it of princes or emperors) do notwithflanding
follow their appetites, and arm yourfelves againll
us your brethren, and natural countrymen ; yea,
againfl us that be innocent and jull, as concerning
all fuch crimes as be laid to our charges : if ye
think that we be criminal, becaufe that we diffent
from your opinion, confider, we befeech you, that
the prophets under the law, the apoflles of Chrill
Jefus after his afcenfion, his primitive church and
holy martyrs, did difagree from the whole world
in their days. And v/iil ye deny, but that their
aclion was jud, and that ail thofe that perfecuted
tliem were murderers' before God ? may not the
like be true this day ?' what affurance have ve this
day of your religion, which the world that day
had not or theirs ? ye have a multitude that agree
with you, and fo had they : ye have antiquity of
time, and tliat they lacked not; ye have councils,
laws, and men of reputation, that have eftablifhed
all things, as ye fuppofe; but none of ail thefe
caa make any religion acceptable unto God, which
T only

14^

The PIISTORYo? the REFORMATION

Book H\

only dependeth upon his own will, revealed to man
in his mofi: facrcd word. It is not then a wonder
that ye lleep in (o deadly a fecuriry in the matter
of your own falvation, confidering, that God glv-
eth unto yoa lo raanifeft tokens, that ye- and your
leaders are both declined from God : for if the tree
fiiall be judged by the fruit, (as Chrift Jefus afHrm-
eth that it mud needs be) then of neceffity it is,
that your prelates, and the whole rabble of their
C'Crgy be evil trees : for if adultery, pride, ambiti-
on, drnnkenaefs, covetoufnefs, inceft, unthankful-
nefs, oppreflion, murder, idolatry/ and blai-
phemy, be evil fruits, there can none of that ge-
neration, which claim to themfelves the title of
churchmen, be judged to be good trees; for all
ihefc peflilent and wicked fruits do they bringlorth
in grtatelf, abundance. And if they be evil trees,
(as ye yourfelves mui\ be compelled toconfefs they
ure) advife prudently with what confciences ye can
maintain them, to occupy the room and place in
the Lord's vineyard. Do ye not confider, that in
fo doing ye labour to maintain the fervants of fin
in their filthy corruption ? and fo confequeritly,
ye labour that the devil may reign, and ifill abufe
this realm by all iniquity and tyranny, and that
Chrifl Jefus and his blelled gofpel be fuppretled
and extinquiOied. The name and the cloak of the
authority which ye pretend, will nothing , excufe
you in God's prefence, but rather fliall ye bear
double condemnation ; for that ye burden God,
as that his good ordinances were the caufe of your
iniquity : all authority wdiich God hath eflablilhed,
is good and perfeft, and is to be obeyed of all m.en,
yea, under pain of damnation.

But do ye not underfland, that there is a great
difference betwixt the authority which is God's or-
dinance, and the perfons of thofe which urc placed
in authority ? the authority and God's ordinance
can never do wrong ; for it commandeth, that vice
and wicked men be punifned, and virtue with vir-
tuous and jufl men be maintained. Butthecorrupt
perfon placed in this authority, may offend, and
moil commonly doth contrary to this authority;
and is then the corruption of man to be followed,
by reafon that it is clothed with the name of autho-
rity ? or fliall thofe that obey the wicked command-
ment c^ thofe that are placed in authority, be ex-
cisable before God ? Not fb, not fo, but the pla-
gues and vengeances of God taken upon kings,
ihtir fervants and fubjefts, do witnefs to us the
plain contrary; Pharaoh was a king, and had his
authority of God, who commanded his fubjecls to
imsrder and torment the Ifraeiites, and at lull moft

cruelly to perfecute their lives: but was their o--
bedience (blind rage it fliouid be calkd) excufable
before God ? The univerfal plague doth plainly de-
clare, that the wicked com.mandc-r, and thofe that
obeyed, were alike g>.nlty before God. And, if
the example of Pharaoh fnall be rejedled, becaufe
he was an ethnic, then let us confider the faffs
of Saul, he v/as a king anointed of God, appointed
to reign over his people ; he comm.anded to perfe-
cute David, becaufe, as he aliedged, David was a
traitor, and ufarper of tlie crown : and likewife
comm.anded Abimelech the high priefl and his fel-
lows to be ilain; but did God approve any part
of this obedience ? evident it is, that he did not.
And think ye that God will approve in you, that
which he did condemn in others ? be not deceived,
with God there is no fuch partiality. If ye obey
the unjuff commandments of wicked rulers, ye
ihall fuffer God's vengeance and juff punilhment
with them. ; and therefore, as ye tender your owa
falvation, we moft earncllly require of yoil mode-
ration, and that ye flay yourfelves, and the fury of
others, from perfecuting of us, till our caufe be
tried in open and lawful judgment.

And now, to you who are perfuaded of the ju-
ftice oi our caufe, who fometimes have profelfed
Chrifl Jefus with us, and who alfo have exliorted
us to this enterprize, and yet have left us in our
extrem.e neceifity, at leafl look out thorow year
fingers in this our trouble, as that the matter ap-
pertained not unto you, we fay, that unlels (all fear
and worldly I'elpefls fet afide) ye join yourfelves-
with us, that, as of God ye are reputed traitors;
fo fliall ye be excommunicated from our fociety^
and from all participation with us in the admini-
ftration of facraments: the glory of this viftory
which God fhail give to his church, yea, even ii*
the eyes of men, fliall not appertain to you, but,
the fearful judgment which apprehended Ananias,
and his wife Sapphira, fliall appiehend you and your
poflerity. Ye m,ay perchance contemn and defpife
the excommunication of the church, now by God's
mighty power erefted amongfl us, as a thing of no
force; but yet doubt we nothing, but that ■ our
church, and the true miniflers of the fam.e, have
the fame power which our m.afler Chrifl Jefus grant-
ed to his apoflles in thefe words, * Whofe fins 3''e
* fhall forgive, fliall be forgiven, and whofe fms ye
' fhall retain, fliall be retained ;' and that becaufe
they preach, and we believe the fame doftrine which
is contained in his moll bleifed word ; and there-
fore, except that ye will contemn Chrifl Jefus, ye
neither can deipife our threatning, neither yet

refufc

Book li.

©F RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

U7

refnfe us, calling for your jufi: defence. By yonr
fainting, and by extrafting of your fupport, the
enemits are encouraged, thinking that they (hall
find no refinance : in which point, GQd willing,
they (hall be deceived; for if they were ten thou-
fand, and we but one thoufand, tliey fhall not mur-
der the leaft of our brethren, but we, God afufl:-
ing us, fhall firft commit our lives into the hands
of God for their defence ; but this (hall aggravate
your condemnation, for ye declare yourfelves both
traitors to the truth once profefTed,. and murderers
of us and of our brethren, from whom ye with-
draw your dutiful and promifcd fupport, whom
your only prefence, to man's judgment, might pre-
ierve from this danger. For our enemies look not
to the power of God, but to the force and ftrength
©f man ; when the number is mean to refid them,
then rage they as bloody wolves, but a part equal
©r able to refifl them by appearance, doth bricle
their fury, examine your own confciences, and
weigh that fentence of our mafter Chrift Jefus,
faying, ' Whofoever denieth me, or is alhamed of

* me before men, I (liall deny him before my Father.'
Now is the day of his battle in this realm. If ye
dleny us, your brethren, fullering for his name's
fake, ye do alfo deny him, as himfelf doth witnefs,
in thefe words, ' Whatfoever ye did to any of thefe

* little ones, that ye did to me, and what ye did

* not to one of thefe little ones, that ye did not to
' me.' If thefe fentences be true, as concerning
ifieat, drink, clothing, and fuch things as appertain
to the body, (hail they not be likewife true in thefe
things that appertain to the prefervation of the
lives of thoufands, w^hofe blood is now fought, for
profeffion of Chrift Jcfus ? and thus (hortly we leave
you, who fometimes have profelTed Chrift Jefus
with us,to the examination of your own confciences.

And yet once again of you, who blinded by fu-
perftition, perfecute us, we require moderation,
till our caufe may be tried; which, if ye will not
grant unto us for God's caufe, yet we defire you
to have rcfpeft to the prefervation of your common
country, which vv^e can no fooner betray into the
hands of flrangers, than that one of us can deftroy
.and murder another. Confider our petitions, and
call for the fpirit of righteous judgment.

Thefe our letters being divulgate, fome began
toreafon, whether in confcience they might invade
us, or not, confidering that we offered due obedi-
ence to the authority, requiring nothing, but li-
berty of confcience, and our religion and fa6l to
be tried by the word of God. Our letters came
with convenient expedition to the hands of our bre-

thren in Cuningham and Kyle, who afTcrabled at
the church of Craggie; where, after fome contra-
rious reafons, Alexander earl of Glencairn, in zeal
buril forth in thefe words, ' Let every man ferve
* his confcience, I will, by God's grace, fee my
' brethren in St. Johnlloua ; yea, albeit never man
' Ihould accompany me, yet I will go, and if it were
' but a pike upon my (lioulder ; tor I had rather
' die with that company, than live after them.'
Thefe words fo encouraged the red, that all decreed
to go foreward; as that they did fo lloutly, that
when the lion-hcrauld in his coat of arms, com.-
manded all men under pain of treafon to return to
their houfes, by public found of trumpet in G!af-
gow, never man obeyed that charge, but all went
foreward, as we (hall after hear. When it was
clearly underflood, that the prelates and their ad-
herents, fuppreiTmg our petitions fo far as In them
lay, did kindle the fury of all men againil: us : It
was thought expedient to write unto them feme
declaration of our minds, which we did in this-
form following.

7a the generation of Jntichriji, the pefcuent pr:-
lateSy and their fiaveliugs ivithin Scotland, the .
congregation of Chrifl 'J.fiis -ujitbin th:; fame,
faith,

To the end that ye (hail npt beabufed, think-
ing to efcape julf punifhment, after that yc, ia
your blind fury, have caufed the biooJ of many
to be (hed : this we notify and declare unto you,
that if ye proceed in this your malicious cruelty,
ye fiuU be dealt withal, wherefoever ye lliali be
apprehended, as murderers and open encm/ies to
God and unto miankind, and therefore betimes
ceafe from, this blind rage ; remove nrll from your-
felves, your bands of bloody men of war, and re-
form yourfelves to a more quiet life, and hereafter
mitigate ye the authority, which, without crime
committed on our part, yc have infiamxed againfr
us ; or cife, be ye afTurcd, That with the fame
meafure that ye have meafured agalnfl us, and yet
intend to meafure to others, it (hall be meafured
unto you; that is. As ye by tyranny intend not
only lo defiroy our bodies, but alfo, by the fame
to hold our fouls in bondage of the devil, {ubject
to idolatry; SoOiall we with- all force and power,
which God (liall grant unto us, execute jufc ven-
geance and punlAiment upon you ; yea, ^\•e fnall
begin that fame war which God commanded I frael
to execute againft the Canaanites ; that is, con-
tract of peace (houid never be made till that ye
T -2, defiif

I/! 8

The HISTOKY of thf. REFORMATION

Book It.

defifl from your open idolatry an J cruel perfecu-
tion of God's children. And this we llgnify unto
you, in the name of the eternal God, and of his
Son Chrill Jefus, whofe verity we profefs, and
gofpel we have preached, and holy facram.eats
rightly miniftred, fo long as God will allifl: us to
gain-ibnd your idolatry: Take this for advertife-
ment, and be not deceived.

Notwithflanding thefe our requefis and adver-
tilements, monlieur d'Ofel and his Frenchmen,
with the prieils and their bando, niarched fore-
ward againli St. johnfloun, and approach^ with-
in ten miles of the town, then repaired the bre-
thren from all quarters for our relief. The gentle-
men of File, Angus, Mearns, with, the town of
Dundee, were there, tliey that firfl hazarded to re-
iili the enemy, and for that parpofe was chofen a
place of ground, a mile and m.ore dillant from the
town. In this mean time, the lord Ruihven, pro-
voil of the town of St. Johnfloun, and a man
whom many judged godly and Ifoat, in that atflion
(as in very dei,d he was, even unto his lalf breath)
left the town, and d. parted firfl to his own place,
iind after to the qi eea, whofe defeftion and revolt
v/as a great difcouage nent to the hearts of many;
and yet did God fo comfort them, that within the
fpace of twelve hours after the hearts of all men
were fet up again. For thofe that were then af-
femibled, had notfo much hope of viftory by their
own flrength, as by the power of him, whofe ve-
rity they profeifed, and began o'.\e to comfort a-
nother, till the whole multitude was erected in a
reafonable hope. The day after that the lord
Jluthven departed, which was the four and twen-
tieth of May,, came the earl of Argyle, lord James,
prior of St. Andrews, and the lord Semple, di-
r-efted from the queen regent, to enquire the caufe
of that convocation of lieges there. To whom,
when it was anfwered, That it was only to reliff
the cruel tyranny devifed againfl that poor town,
and the inhabitants of the fame. They afked, if
we minded not to hold that town againff the au-
thority, and againfl the regent ? To the which
qucftion anfwered the lairds of Dun and Pitarro,
with the congregation of Angus and Mearns, the
mailer of Lindfay, the lairds of Lundie, Balvard,
and other barons of Fife ; That if the queen's
majefty would fuffer the religion there begun to
proceed, and not trouble their brethren and iiflers
that had profefTed Chrift Jefus with them, that
the town, they themfelves, andwhatfoever to them
fertained, Ihould be at the queen's commandment.

Which an fwcr underflood, the carl of Argyle and
the prior, who both were then Proteftants, began
to mufc, and laid plainly, That they were far
otherwife informed by the queen, to wit, ' That
.' we meant no religion, but a plain rebellion.' To
the which when we had anfwered limply, and as
the truth Mas, fo uu't, That we convcened for
none other puipofe, but only to alTift our brethren,
who then w^ere mofl unjuflly perfecuted arid
therefore we deiired them faithfully to report our
anfwer, and to be intercellbrs to the queen regent,
that fuch cruelty fliould not be ufed againfr us,con-
fidering, that we had offered in our tormer letters,
as well to the queen's majefly, as to tiie nobility,
cur matter to be tried in lawiLU judgment : they
promifed fidelity in that behalf, which aifo they
kept. The day after, which was the five and
twentieth of May, before that the faid lords de-
parted, in the morning John Knoxdefired tofpeak
with the fame lords, which granted unto him., he
was conveyed to their lodging by the laird of Bal-
vard ; and thus began,

ne ORATION 5/" John Knox to the Lords ^

'The prefent troubles, honourable lords^

* ought to m.ove the hearts, not only of the true-
' fervants of God, but alfo of all fuch as bear any
' favour unto oui- country and natuial countrymen,.

* to defcend within themfelves, and deeply to con-

* iider, what fliall be the end of this pretended.

* tyranny. The rage ~ of Satan feeketh the de-
' flru6fion of all thofe that within this realm pro-
' fefs Chrift Jefus, and they that inflame the queen,

* and you the nobles againft us, regard not wh»
' prevail, provided, that they may abufe the world,
' and live at their pleafure, as heretofore they have

* done ; 3'ea, I fear that fome feek nothing more,

* than the efFufion of Scots blood, to the end that
' their pofTeiTions may be more patent to others :.

* but, becaufe that this is not the principal which.

* I have to f peak, omitting the fame to be confi-
' dered, by the wifdom of thofe, to whom the
' care of the common-wealth appertaineth.

'I.I mofl humbly require of you, my lords,

* in my name, to fay to the queen regent. That

* we, whom (he in her blind rage doth perfecute,
' are God's fervants, faithful and obedient fubje^fs

* to the authority of this Pealm : that that religi-

' on, which fhe pretendeth to maintain by fire ■
' and fword, is not the true religion of Chrift Je-

* fus, but is exprefly contrary to the fame, a, fu-
' perftition devifed by the brain of a man, which;

• • I offen

Book it.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

^49'

' I ofFer myfc4f to prove againft all that within
' Scotland will maintain the contrary, liberty of
' tongue being granted unto me, and God's writ-
' ten word being admitted forjudge.

' 2. I farther require your honours, in my

* name, to fey unto the queen, That, as oft be-

* fore I have written, fo now I fay, That this her

* enterprize Ihall not profperoufiy fucceed in the
' end ; and albeit for a time ihe trouble the faints

* of God, for Ihe fights not againfl man only, but

* againlf the eternal God, and his invincible veri-

* ty, and therefore the end fnall be her confufion,

* unlefs betimes (he repent and defill.

* Thefe things I require of you, in the name

* of the eternal God, as from my mouth, to fay

* imto her majefty, adding, That I have been, and

* am a more affured friend to her majefty than they,
' that either flattering her, as fervants to her cor-

* rupt appetites, or elfe inflame her againll us,

* who feek nothing but God's glory to be advan-
' ced, vice to be fupprefled, and verity to bcmain-

* tained in this poor realm.'

They all three did promife to report his words,
fo far as they could, which afterwards we under-
llood they did ; yea, the lord Semple himfclf a
man fold unto fm, enemy to God and all godlinefs,
did yet m.ake fuch report. That the queen was
fomewhat offended, that any man Ihould ufe fuch
liberty in her prefence. She flill proceeded in her
malice for immediately thereafter (he fent her
lion-herauld with letters, ftraitly charging all men
to avoid the town under the pain of tre:ifon. Which
letters, after he had declared them to the chief
men of the congregation, he publicly proclaimed
the fame upon Sunday the twenty- feventh of May.
In this mean time came fure knowlege to the queen,
to duke Hamilton, and to monfieur d'Oiel, That
the earl of Glencairn, the lords Ochiltrieand Boyd,
the young fheriflT of Air, the lairds of Craggie,Wal-
lace,Sefnock, Carnel, Bar, Gairgirth, and the whole
congregation of Kyle and Cunningham approached
tor our relief; and in very deed they came in fuch
diligence, and fuch a number, that, as the enemy
had.juft caufe to fear; fo have all that profefs
Chrifl: Jefus, jufl matter to praife God, for their
fidelity and fcout courage in that need;, for by
their prefence was the tyranny of the enemy brid-
led. Their diligence was fuch, that albeit the-
palfage by Stirling, and fix miles above was flop-
ped, (for their lay the queen with her bands, and
caufed the bridges to be cut upon the waters of
Forth, Gudy, and Teith, above Stirling) yet
made they fuch e,xpeditIon through defcrt and
mountain, that they prevented the enemyj and ap-

proached within fix miles of our camp, which
then lay without the town awaiting upon the ene-
my, before that any affured knowltge came to us
of their coming. Their number was judged to
be twenty five hundred men, whereof there were
twelve hundred horfemen.

The queen underflanding how the faid earl and
lords with their company approached, caufed to
befet all ways, that no advertifement fhould come
to us, to the end. That we, defp.iiring of fup-
port, might condefcend to fuch appointment as
file required, and fent firfl, to require that lome
difcreet men of our number would come and fpeak
to duke Hamilton and monfieur d'Ofel, (who then
with their army lay at Auchterardoch, ten mile:-;
from St. Johnfloun) to the end, that fome rcafon-
able appointment might be had. She had per-
fuaded the earl of Argyle, and all other?, That
we meant nothing but rebellion ; and therefore
had he promifed unto her, that in cafe we would-
not fland content with a reafonable appointment,
he would declare himlelf open enemy unto us,
notwithflanding that he profelTcd the fame religi-
on with us. from us were fent the laird of Duny
the laird of Inverquharty, and Thomas Scot of
Abbotfliall, to hear what appointment the queenf
would offer. The duke and monfieor d' Ofel re-
quired. That the town fhould be made patent,
and thatall things fliould be referred to the queen's
pleafure. To the which they anfwered, that nei-
ther they had commiffion fo to promife, neither
durffthey in confcience fo perfuade their brethren;
but if the queen would promife, That no inha-
bitants of the town fliould be troubled for any
fuch crimes as might be alledged againfl: them,
for the late mutation of religion and aboliflinient
of idolatry, and for down-cailing the places of the
fame ; If fhe would fuffer the religion begun to
go foreward, and leave the town at her departing
free from the garrifoas of French foidicrs, that they
would labour at the hands of their brethren, thai;
the queen fliould be obeyed in all things. Mon-
fieur d'Ofel perceiving the danger to be great, if
that a fudden appointment fliould not be made,
ajid that they were not able to. execute their tyran-
ny againff us, after that the congregation of Kyle
(of whofe coming we had no advertiiement) fnould
be joined with us, with good words difiniircd.the
faid lairds, to perfuade the brethren to quiet con-
cord. To the M'hich we were all fo wellininded,
that with one voice they cried, '^Gurfed be they
' that feek effufion of blood ; let us profefs Chiilt
' Jefus, and the benefit of his gofpcl, and none
' within Scotland fhall be nr.ore ob-;-c.icnt fuhjcets
' than we fliail be.'

■-:>*

T rfE HIST « ' : 1 E F O R M A T I O N

Book II.

With all expedititon were fent from Sti -ling a
gain (after that the coining of the earl oi Ci<zri-
cairn was known, for the enemy for fear quaked)
the earl of Argyle and lord James rffbrefaid. And
in their company a crafty man, Mr. Gavin Hamil-
ton, abbot of Kilwinning, who were fent by the
queen to finifh the appointment aforefaid : but be-
fore that they came, was the earl of Glencairn and
his honourable company arrived in the town, and
then began all men to praife God, for that he had
fo mercifully heard them in their moft extreme ne-
cefTity, and had fent unto them fuch relief as was
able, without effufion of blood, to flay the rage
of the enemy. The earl of Argyle and lord James
did earneAly perfuade the agreement, to the which
•all men were willing : but fome did fmell the craft
'of the adverfary, to -wit. That they were minded
to keep no point of the promife, longer than they
had obtained their intent. With the earl of Glen-
■calrn cam.e our loving brother John Willock; John
Knox was in the town before: thefe two went to
the earl of Argyle and lord James, accufing them
of infidelity, in fo far as they had defrauded their
brethren of their dutiful fupport and comfort in
their grcateffneceffity. Theyanfwered both, That
their heart was conflant with their brethren, and.
that they would defend that caufe to the ut termed
of their power ; but becaufe they had promifed to
jabour concord, and to affifl: the queen, in cafe
we refufed reafcnabJc offers, in confcience and ho-
nour they could do no lefs than be faithful in their
promife made: and therefore, they required that
the brethren might be pcrfuadcd to conlent to that
reafonable appointment, promifing in God's pre-
lence, That if the queen did break in any jot
thereof, that they with their whole powers, would
alfill: and concur with the brethren in all times to
come. This promife made, the preachers ap-
peafed the multitude, and obtained in the end,
that all men did confent to the appointment fore-
faid, vvjiich they obtained not without great la-
bours ; aud no wonder, for many forefaw thedan-
i\c\- tofoilov/; yea, the preachers themifelves, in
open fermon, did afErm plainly. That they were
allbredly perfuaded, that the queen meant no
(.ruth. But to flop the mouth of the adverfary,
who unjufllydid burden us with rebellion, -they
niOil: earnelily required all men to approve the
appointment, and fo to fulfer hypocrify to difclofe
iifelf. This appointment v.-as concluded the twenty
eighth of May, and the day following, at two in
the afternoon, departed the co:"!gregation from St.

Johnfloun, after that John Knox had in his fer-
ir.on exhorted all men to conflancy, and unfeign-
edly to thank God, for that it had pleafed his mer-
cy to flay the rage of the enemy without effufion
of blood : alfo, that no brother fhould be weary,
nor faint, to fupport fuch as fhoald after be like-
wife perfecuted ; for, faid he, I am alTured, that
no part of this pronife made fhall be longer kept,
than till the queen and her Frenchmen have the
upper-hand. Many of the enemies were at the
fame fermon; for after that the appointment %vas
made, they had free entry in the town to provide
lodgings. Before the lords departed, was this
bond made, whofe tenor followeth, as it was writ-
ten and fubfcribed.

The fccond Cf)venant at Perth,

' At Perth, the lafl day of May, the year of
God 1559, the congregations of the well-coun-
try, with the congregations of Fife, Perth, Dun-
dee, Angus, Mearns, and Montrofe, being con-
veened in the town of Perth, in the name of Je-
fus Chrift, for fetting forth of his glory, under-
franding nothing more neceilary for the fame,
than to keep a conflant amity, unity, and fei-
lowfhip together, according as they are com-
manded by God, are confedrate, and become
bound and obl'ged in the prefence of God, ta
concur, and affilr together, in doing all things re-
quired of God in his fcripture, that may be to
his glory j and at their whole powers, to deflroy
and put away all things that doth diflionour to
his nam.e, fo that God may be truly and purely
worftiipped : and in cafe that any trouble be in-
tended againfl the faid congregation, or any part
or member thereof, the whole congregation fhall
concur, affiil, and conveen together, to the de-
fence of the fime congregation or perfon troub-
led, and (liallnotfpare labours, goods, fubftance,
bodies and lives, in maintaining the liberty of the
whole congregation, and every member thereof,
again (1 whatfoever perfon fhall intend the faid
trouble for caufe of religion, or any other caufe
depending thereupon, or lay to their charge
under any prdtence thereof, although it hap-
pen to be coloured with any other outward
caufe.

' In witnefs and tefllmony of the which, the
' wliole congregation aforefaid, have ordained and

ap-

Book H. ofRELIGION

* appointed the noblemen and perfons under-writ-

* R:n, to fubfci ibe thefe prefeiits.'

Sic fubfcribitirr.

Arch. Argyle.

Ja?jies Stuart.

Glexcairn.

Robert LordBoin.

Lord Ochiltrie.

M A T T H E w Campbell of Teringlaiid .

Tme twenty ninth of May entered the queen,
the duke, monfieur d' Ofel, and the Frenchmen,
who, in difcharging their volley of hacqnebutes,
did well mark the houfe of Patrick Murray, a man
fervent in religion, and that boldly had fuftained
all danger in that trouble, againfl whofe llair they
directed fix or feven fliot, even againll the faces
of thofe that were there lying : all men efcaped,
except the fon of the forefaid Patrick, a boy of ten
or twelve years of age, who being llain, was had
to the queen's prelence; but file underfranding
whofe fon he was, faid in mockage, ' It is a pity

* it chanced on the fon, and not on the father ; but

* feting that fo it is chanced, we cannot be againft

* fortune.' This was her happy entry in St. John-
ftoun, and the great zeal fhe beareth to juflice.
The {warm of papifts that entered with her, began
ftraight to make provifion for their mafs ; and be-
caufe the altars were not fo eafy to be repaired a-
gain, they provided tables, whereof fome before
ufed to ferve for drunkards, dicers, and carders,
but they were holy enough for the prieft and his
pageant. The queen began to rage againfl all god-
ly and honcft men, their houfes were oppreffed by
the French, the lawful magiflrates, as well provoil
as baiUies were unjuAly, and without all order,
depofed from their authority. A wicked man,
void of God's fear, and deftitute of all \irtue, the
laird of Kiitawns, was intruded by her, provoft of
the town ; whereat all honeft men offended, left
their own houfes, and with their wives and child-
ren fought amongfl their brethren fome refting-
place for a time. She took order, that four co-
lours of the foldiers fhoujd abide in the town, to
maintain idolatry, and to refift the congregation.
Honeil: and indifferent men, afked why fhe did fo
manireflly violate her prcmife? fhe anfwered,

* That fhe was bound to keep no promile to here-

* tics ;' and moreover, that ilie promifed only to
leave the town free of French foldiers, M'hich, faid
fhe, fhe did, becaufe that thefe that therein were
left were Scotfmen. But When it was reafoned
in ker contrary, dial ail thofe tLat took v/ages of

IN SCOTLAND. i^i

French were counted French foldiers. She an:,
fwered, ' Princes mufl not be flraitly bound to

* Iceep their promifes ? myfelf, faid flie, would

* make litde confcience, to take from all that fort

* their lives and inheritance, if I might do it with

* as honed an excufe.' And then fhe left the tcv.-n
in extreme bondage, after that her ungodly French-
men had molf cruelly ufed the moll: part' of thofe
that rem.ained in the fame. The earl of Argyle,
and lord James forefaid, perceiving in the queen
nothing but mere tyranny and fahhood, mindful
or their former promifes made to their brethren,
did fecretly convey themfelves, and their compa-
nies off the town, and with them departed the lord
Ruthven, of whom before mention is made, then
the earl of Montieth, and the laird of Tuilybardin,
who, in God's prefence did coiifcderate and bind
themfelves together, faithfully promiiing one to
affift and defend another againfi all perfons that
would purfue them for religion lake; and alfo, that
they, with their whole force and power would de-
fend the brethren perfecuted for the fune caufe.
The queen highly offended at the fudden departure
of the perfons aforefaid, fent charges to . them to
return, under the higheff pain of her difpleafure.
But they anfwered, that with fafe confcience they
could not be partakers of fo manifeff tyranny, as
was by her committed, and of fo great iniquity
as they perceived devifed by her, and her un-
godly council the prelates. This anfwer was
given to her the firfl day of June, and imme-
diately the earl of Argyle, and lord James re-
paired toward St. Andrews ; and in t!;-ir journey,
gave advertifement by writing to the laird of Dun^
to the laird of Patarro, to the provofl of Dundee,
and otxhers, profefTors in Angus, to vifit them in-
St. Andrews the fourth of June, for reformation
to be made there ; which day they kept, and brought
in their company. John ICnox, who, the hrfl day
afier his coming to Fife, did preach in Careal, the
next day in Anfrruther, minding the third day,
which was the Sunday, to preach in St. Andrews'.
The bifhop hearing of reformation to be made iu
his cathedral-church, thouprht time to ftir or elfc
never; and therefore aflembled his cblleao-jes, and
confederate fellows, befides his other friends, and
came to the town upon the Saturday at night, ac-
companied with an hundred fpears, of miind to have
flopped John Knox from preaching. The two lords>
and gentlemen aforefaid, were only accompanied
with their quiet hcufholds, and therefore was the
fudden coming of the biHiop the more fearful ; for
then was the queen and her Frenchmen departed
from St. Johnftoujv ?M v/ere 1} ing in Falkland,

within

J5^ The H I ^ T C

within twelve miles of St. Andrews, ^. .■- ^own
at that time had not given pio.xlTioi. of Cnnft, and
therefore could not the lords be a, ..red oi m^ir

friendfliip. . ,

Confultation being had, many were ot mind,
that the preaching Ihould be delayed for that day,
and efpecially, that John Knox Ihould not preach ;
for that did the bifliop affirm that he ^vould not
futfer, conlldering, that by his commandment the
pifture of the faid John was before burnt. He
willed therefore an honefl gentleman, Robert Col-
vil of Cliefs, to fay to the lords, that in cafe John
Knox prefented himfelf to the preaching- place, m
his town and principal church, he fhould make
him be faluted with a dozen of culverings, whereof
the moft part fliould light upon his nofe. After
long deliberation had, the faid John was called,
that^his own judgment might be had: when many
perfuafions were made that he (liould delay for that
time, and great terrors given in cafe he Ihould
interprife luch a thing, as it were in contempt of
the bifhop. He anfwered, ' God is witnefs, that

* I never preached Chrift Jefus in contempt of any

* man, neither mind I at any time to prefent my-
' felf to that place, having either refpcft to my

* own private commodity, either yet to the worldly

* hurt of any creature : but to delay to preach to
' morrow, (unlcfs the body be violently with-hold-
' en) I cannot in confcience; for in this town and
' church began God firll to call me to the dignity
' of a preacher, from the which I was reft by the
- tyranny of France, and procurement of the bi-
' Ihops, as yc well enough know ; how long I con-
' tinned prifoner, what torment I fuilained in the
' gallies, andv.'b.at were the iobs of my heart, is

* now no -time to recite. This only I cannot con-

* ceal, which more than one have heard me fay,

* when my body was abfent from Scotland, that
' my alTured hope was, in open audience, to preach
' in St. iindrev/s, before 1 departed this life, and
' therefore, faid he, my lords, feeing that God,
" above the expeftation of many, hath brought
' mv body to the fame place where firft I was cal-
' led to the office of a preacher, and from the which
' moft unjuftly I w^as removed : I befeech your hon-
" ours, not to flop me from prefenting myfelf un-
' to my brethren: and as for the fear of danger that

* may^come to me, let no man be folicitous, for
'" my life is in the cuflody of him whofe glory I
' feek ; and therefore 1 cannot fo fear their boafl

* nor tyranny, that I will cefne from doing my duty,
■* when of his mercy he oifcreth the occafion. I
' defu'e the hand and v/eapon of no man to defend

HE REFORHATION

Book IT.

* me, only do I crave audience ; which, if it be

* denied here unto me at this time, I mull feek fur-

* ther where I may have it.' At thefe words the
lords were fully content that he ffiould occupy the
place, which he did upon Sunday the tenth of June,
and did treat of ' The ejedioaof the buyers and the

* fellers forth of the temple of Jerufalem,' as it is
written in the evangelifls Matthew and John ; and
fo he applied the corruption that was tlien, to tlie
corruption that is in papiflry ; and Chrift's faft,
to the duty of thofe to whom God giveth power
and zeal thereto : that as well the magiftrates, the
provolf and bailies, as the commonalty for the moll
part within the town, did agree to rem.ove all mo-
numents of idolatry, which alfo they did with ex-
pedition.

The bifhop advertifed hereof, departed that fame
day to the queen, who lay with her Frenchmen,
as is faid, in Falkland. The hot fury of the biffiop
did fo kindle her choler, (and yet the love was very
cold betwixt them) that without farther delay con-
clufion was taken, to invade St. Andrews, and the
two young lords aforefaid, who then were very
flenderly accompanied. Pofls were fent from the
queen with all diligence to Coupar, diftant only fix
miles from St. Andrews, to prepare lodgings and
vicluals for the queen and her Frenchmen. Lodg-
ings were affigned, and furriers were fent before:
which thing underflood, counfel was given to the
lords to march foreward, and to prevent them be-
fore they came to Coupar, which they did, giving
advertifement to all brethren with all poffible ex-
pedition to repair towards them, which they alfo
did, with fuch diligence, that in their aflembly the
wondrous work of God might have been efpied :
for when at night the lords came to Coupar, they
were not an hundred horfe, and fome few footmeu
whom the lord James brought from the coaff-fide ;
and yet before the next day at noon, (which was
Tuefday the thirteenth of June) their number
pafled three thoufand men ; which by God's pro-
vidence came unto the lords from Lothian, the
lairds of Ormifloun, Calder, Hatton, Reilalrig,
and Colftoun, who, albeit they underflood, at
their departing fror.i their own houfes, no fuch
trotible ; yet were they by their good counfel very
comfortable that day : the lord Ruthven came from
St. Johnlloun with fome horfemen with him ; the
earl of Rothefs fheriff of Fife came with an honeft
company. The towns of Dundee and St. An-
drews declared themfelves both flout and faithfuL
Coupar, becaufe it Hood in greatcft danger, was
afiffitfd with theii- whole force. Finally, God did fo

multiply

OF R.ELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

Book 11.

multiply our number, that It appeared as men ;had
rained from the clouds.

The enemy underftand'mg nothing of our force,
aflured themfelves of viftory. Who had been in
Falkland the night before, might have feen em-
bracing and kiifmg betwixt the queen, the duke,
and the bifhop. But Mr. Gavin Hamilton, gaper
for the bifhopric of St. Andrews, above all others
was lovingly embraced by the queen ; for he made
his foiemn vow. That he would fight, and that
he (hould never return till he had brought thefe
traitoi s to her majefty, either quick or dead. And
thus before midnight did they fend foreward their
ordnance, themfelves did follow before three in the
morning. The lords hereof advertifed, alTembled
their company early in the morning upon Coupar
muir; where, by the advice of James Haiibur ton
provort of Dundee, was chofen a place of ground
convenient for our defence ; for it was fo chofen.
That upon all fides our ordnance might have beaten
the enemy, and we have flood in fafety, if we had
been purfued, till we had come to hand flrokes.
The lord Ruthven took the charge of the horfe-
men, and ordered them fo, that the enemy was ne-
ver permitted to efpy our number; the day was
dark, which helped thereto. The enemy, as be-
fore is faid, thinking to have found no refinance,
after that they had twice or thrice made (hew un-
to us, as that they would retire, marched fore-
ward with great expedition, and approached with-
in a mile, before that ever their horfemen flayed ;
and yet they kept betwixt us and them a water,
for their ftrength. It appeared to us, that either
they marched for Coupar or St. Andrews, and
therefore our horfemen in their troop, and a part
of the footmen, v^ith the ordnance, marched
vfomewhat always before them for fafety of the
town.

The lords, with the gentlemen of Fife, and
fo many of Angus and Mearns as were prefent,
kept themfelves clofs in a knot, near to the num-
ber of a thoLifand fpears. The towns of Dundee
and St. Andrews were arayed in another battle,
who came not to the fight of the enemy, till that
after twelve of the clcick the mift began to vanifti,
and then pafled fome of their horfemen to a moun-
tain, from the height whereof they might difcern
our number ; which perceived by them, their
horfemen and footmen flayed incontinent : ports
ran to the duke and monfieur d'Ofel, to declare
our number, and what order we kept. And then
weie mediators fent to make appointment; but
they were not fuffered to approach near to the

lords, neither yet to the view of our camp, which
put them in great fear. Anfwer was given unto
them. That as we had offended no man, foM'ould
we feek appomtment of no man ; but if any would
feek our lives, (as we were informed they did) they
(hould find us, if they pleafed to make diligence.
This anfwer received, were fent again the lord
Lindfay, the laird of Wauchtoun, who earneftly
requefled us to concord, and that we would not
be the occafion that innocent blood fliouldbe (hed.
We aniwered. That neither had we quarrel againfl
any man, neither yet fought we any man's blood,
only we were conveened for defence of our own
lives unjuflly fought by others. We added fur-
ther. That if they could find the mean, that we
and our brethren might be free from the tyranny
devifed againft us, that they fhould reafonably de-
fire nothing which fiiould be denied for our part.
This anfwLr received, the duke and monfieur d*
Ofel, having commifllon of the queen regent, re-
quired. That allurance might be taken for eight
days; to the end, that indifferent men in the
mean time might commune upon fome final agree-
ment of thofe things, which were then in contro-
verfy. Hereto did we fully confent, albeit that in
number and force we were far fuperior ; and, for
tellification hereof, we fent unto them our hand-
writs, and we likewife received theirs, with pro-
mife, That within two or three days, fcmic dif-
creet men (hould be fent to us to St. Andrews,
with further knowlege of the queen's mind. The
tenor of the affurance was this.

The Jjjiirance.

* We James duke of Chattelherauld, earl of

* Arran, lord Hamilton, and my lord d'Ofel, lieu-
' tenant for the king in thefe parts, for ourfelves,

* our aiTiflers, and partakers, being prefently with
' us in company, by the tenor hereof, promit
' faithfully in honour to my lords Archibald, earl

* of Argyle, and James, commcndator of the
' priory of St. Andrews, to their affiftants and
' partakers, being prefently with them in compa-
' ny, That we, and our company aforefaid, fhall
' retire incontinent to Falkland, and fhall with di-

* ligence tranfport the Frenchmen, and our other

* folk now prefently v/ith us; and that no French-

* men, or other foldiersof ours, fhall remain with-
' in the bounds of Fife, but fo many as, before

* the raifing of the laft army, lay in Dyfart, Kiik-

* caldy, and Kinghoin, and the fame to ly in the

* fame places only, if we fliall think good ; and

U * this

»54

The history of the REFORMATION

Book U.

* this to have efTeft for the fpace of eight days

* following the date hereof exclufive : that In the
' mean time certain noblemen, by the advice of the

* queen and the refl of the council, may conveen
' to talk of fuch things as may make good order

* and quictnefs amongtl the queen'-; lieges. And

* further, We, nor none of our a/fillers being pre-
' fcnt nirh us, ftiall hivadc, tiou'ole or dilquict

* the faid lords nor then- aiTiilers, daring the fald

* fpace : and this v.e bind and obfigc us, upon
' our loyal fidelity and honour, to obferve and

* keep in everv' point above- written, without fraud
' or guile. In witneis whereof, we have fubfcrib-

* cd thefe prefents with our own hands. At
VCralfcbank, the thirteenth day of June, isS9-

Suhfa-'ibed^

James Hamilton.
Menrits d'Osel.

And this received, we departed- firft, becaufe
we were thereto requeued by the duke ; and fo
we returned to Coupar, lauding and praifmg God,
tor his mercy fliewed : and thereafter evei7 man
departed to his dwelling place. The lords, and a
rreat part of the gentlemen, palTed to St. An-
drews, who there abode certain days, Hill looking
for thofe that were promifed to come fiom the
queen for appointment to be m.ade : but we per-
'veiving her craft and deceit, (for, under that alFu-
■raace, fhe m.eant nothing elfe but to convey her-
ielf, her ordnance, and lYenchmen over the water
of Forth) took confultation what fhould be done
for delivering St. Johndoun from thefe ungodly
foldiers, ancThow our brethren exiled from their
«^v,'n houfes, might be refiored again. It was con-
cluded, That thebrethren of fife, Angus, Mearns,
and Strathern, fhould conveen at St.Johnftoun the
four and tv/enty day of June for that pui pole;
and in the mean time were thefe letters written by
.'the earl of Argyle and lord James to the qu<Een
then regent.

Letters to the ^icen Regent,

'Madam, after our hearty commendations of
- * fervice, this fliall be to Ihew your majefty, That

* upon the thirteenth day of June., we were in-

* formed by them that were communers betwixt

* the duke, monlieur d' Ofel, and us. That we

* fhould havfi fpoken unreverently of your maje-
^ fly, which v/e befecch your majefly, for the
•■ true fervice that we have made, and aix ready to

make at all times to your majefty. That of your
goodnels, you will let ns know the layers there-
of, and we Iball do the duty of true fubjefts, tot
defend our own innocency : as we take God ta
witnefs of the good Zealand love we bear towards
you, to ferve you with true hearts, and all that
we have, as well lands as goods ; defiring no
other thing for our fervicf, but the liberty of our
conlcience to ferve our Lord God, as we iball an-
fwer to him, which your majelly oughtand fliould
give us unrequired. Moreover, pieafe your ma-
jelly. That the duke and the noblemen being ia
Stirling for the time, by your majefty's advice,
foiicited us to prefs the congregation aflembled
at the town of Perth, to common concord, where
we did our exaiff diligence, and brought it ta
pafs, as your majefty knows. And there is a
point, that we plainly fee is not obferved to us,
which is, That no ioldier fhould remain in the
town after your majefty's departing. And fup-
poie it may be inferred, that it was fpoken of
French foldiers only, yet we took it otherwife,
like as we do yet, That Scotfmen, or any other
nation, taking wages ot the king of France, ara
reputed and holden French foldiers. Therefore,
feeing we of good \?ill and mind brought that
matter to your m.ajefty's contentment, it will
pieafe your majefly of your goodnefs to remove
the foldiers and their captains, with others that
have gotten charge of the town, that the fame
may be guided and ruled freely, as it was before,
by the bailies and council, conform to their in-
feftmtnts gives to them, by the ancient and moll
excellent kings of this realm, to eleft and choofe
their officers at Michaelmas, and they to endure
for the fpace of one year, conform to the old
rite and cuftom of this realm ; which being done
by your majefty, we truft the better fuccefs Ihall
follow thereupon to j'our majeily's content, as
the bearer will declare at more length to your
majefty, whom God prefervc.*

To St. Johnftoun, with the gentlemen before
cxprefied, did conveen the earl of Monteith, the
laird of Gknurquhar, and divers others, who be-
fore had not prefented themfelves for defence of
their brethren. When the whole multitude waj
conveened, a trumpet was fent by the lords, com-
manding the captains and their bands to avoid the
town, and to leave it to the ancient liberty and
juft inhabitants of the fame: aifo, commanding
the lord Kilfawns, put in provoft by the queen,
with the captains alorefaid, to open tlie gates (A

thtf

er RELIGION in SCOTL

Book H.

the town, and malcc the fame pateut to all our fo-
rereign's lieges, to the effect, that as well true
religion, now once btgun therein, may be main-
tained, and idolatry utterly fupprelTed ; as alto,
the faid town might enjoy and brulk their ancient
laws and liberties, unopprelFcd by men of" war,
according tr> their old privilegts, granted to them
by the ancient princes of this realm, and conform
to the provifion contained in the contrafl of mar-
riage, made by the nobility and parliament of this
realm, with the king of France ; bearing namely,
That our old laws and liberfies fliould not be al-
tered; adding thereto. If they fcoiiPnly refilled,
and therein happened to commit murder, that they
fliould be treated as murderers. To the which they
suifwered proudly, That they would keep and de-
fend that town, according to their promife made
to the queea regent. This anfwer received, pre-
paration was made for the fiege and affault : for,
amongft all, it was concluded that the town fliould
be let at liberty, to what danger focver their bodies
fliould be expofed. While preparation was in ma-
king. Cfime the earl of Kuntly, the lord Erlkine,
Mr. John Ballenden juflice c'erk, requiring that
the purfuit cf the town fhould be delayed. To
fpeak to them, were appointed the earl of Argyle,
lord James, and lord Ruthven, who perceiving in
them nothing but adiift of time, without anyafTu-
rance that the form.cr wrongs fliould be redrefled,
gave unto them a fhort and pain anfwer, That they
would not delay th^ir piKpoCc an hour; and there-
fore willed them to certi:y tTie captains in the town,
that if by pride and foolifhnefs they would keep
the town, and in fo doing flay any of their bre-
thren, that they (liould every one die as murderers.
The earl of Huntly, difpleafed at this anfwer, de-
parted, and was highly offended that he could not
drefs fuch an appointment, as fliould have con-
tented the queen and the pricfts. After their de-
parting, the town was again fummoned : but the
captains fuppofmg that no fudden purfuit fliould
be made, and looking for relief to have been
ftnt from the queen, abode in their former opi-
nion.

And fo upon Saturday the twentieth and fifth
of June, at ten of the clock at night commanded
the lord Ruthven, whobefieged the wefl quarter,
to flioot the firfl volley; which being done, the
town of Dundee did the like, whofe ordnance
lay on the eafl-fide of the bridge. Tlie caprains
and foldiers within the town, perceiving that they
were unable long to refiO, required alTurance till
twelve hours upon the morrow, promifing, That

AND. ,5,-^

jf before that hour there came imto them r.o re-
lief from the queen regent, that they would ren-
der the town, provided that they fliould be fufTci-
ed^ to depart the town with enfign difphyed. We
thirfling for the blood of no man, and feeking
only the liberty of our brethren, condefcended
to their dclires, albeit that we might have execut-
ed againfl: themjudgmentwithout'm.ercy; for thu:
they had refufed our former favours, and had flain '
one of our brethren, and had hurt two in their
refiffance ; and yet we fuffcred them freely to de-
part without any further moleflation. The town
being delivered from their thraldom, upon Sun-
day the twentieth and fixth of June, thanks wrs
given to God for this great benefit received, and
confultation was taken what was farther to b«
done.

In this mean time, zealous men confiderlngho\r
obfiinate, proud and defpiteful the biiliop of Mur-
ray had been before, kow he had threatned the
town by his foldiers and friends who lav in Scoon,
thought good that feme order fiiould be takea
with him, and with that place which lay near to
the town's end. The lords wrote unto him, (for
he lay within two miles of St. Johniloun) That
unlefs he would come and aflift them, they nei-
ther could fpare nor fave his place. He anfwered
by his writing. That he would come, and would
do as they thought expedient: that he would af-
fifl them with his force, and would confent with
them againft the refl of the clergy in parliament.
But becaufe this anfwer was flow in coming, thi
town of Dundee, pardy offended for the flaughter
of their men, and efpecially bearing no good fa-
vour to the faid bifliop, for that he was, and is
chief enemy to Chrift Jefus, and that by hiscoun-
fel alone was WalterMile our brother put to death,
they marched foreward : to Ifay thera was firft
fent the provoff of Dundee, and his brother Alex-
ander Haliburton captain, who little prevailing,
was fent unto them John Knox; but before his
com kig, they were entered to the pujjing dowD of
the idols and dortoir. And albeit the faid Mr.
James Haliburton, Alexander his bi other, and the
faid John, did what in them lay to hare jflaycd the
fury of the multitude, yet were they not able to
put order unlverfally; and therefore they fent for
the lords, earl cf Argyle and lord James, who
coming with all diligence, laboured to hare faved
the place and the church. Bat, becaufe the mul-
titude had found buried in the church a great num-
ber of hid goods, of purpofe to have prcferved
theai to a better day, as the papifls fpeak, the
U 2 towns

The history of the REFORMATION. Book XL

156

towns of Dundee ani St. Johnftoun could not be
fatisfied, till that the whole reparation and orna-
ments of the church, as they term it, were de-
ftroyed ; and yet did the lords fo travail, that they
faved the bifliop's palace, with the church and
place for that night : for t'le two lords did not
depart, till they brought with them the whole
number of thofe that moff fought the billiop's dif-
pltafure. The bifaop, greatly oiTcnded that any
thing {hould have been enterprifed in reformation
of his place, aHced of the lords his band and hand-
writing, which not two hours before he had fent
unto them ; which delivered to his meffenger Sir
Ahm Brown, advertifcment was given, That if
any farther difplcafure chanced unto him, they
would that he Hionld not blame them. The bi-
ihop's fervants that fame night began tofortiry the
place again, and began to do violence to fome that
^yere carrying away fuch baggage as they could
come by. The bi (hop's girnal was kept the firfl
night by the labours of John Knox, who by ex-
hortation removed fach as violently would make
interruption. The flime night departed from St.
Johnftoun the earl of Argyle, and lord James, as
after fliall be declared.

The morrow following, fome of the poor in
hope of fpoil, and fome of Dundee to confider what
was done, pafTed up to the faid abbey of Scoon ;
whereat the bilhop's fervants offended, began to
threaten and fpeak proudly ; and, as it was con-
llantly affirmed, one of the bifhop's fons thruft
thorow with a rapier one of Dundee, becaufe he
•was looking in at the girnal-door. This report
noifed abroad, the town of Dundee was more en-
raged than before; who putting themfelves in ar-
mour, fent word to the inhabitants of St. John- ^
ftoun, that, unlefs they would fupport them toa-
venge that injury, they fhould never after that day
concur with them in any aftion. The multitude
eafily inflamed, gave the alarm, and fo was that
abbey and palace appointed to faccage, in doing
whereof they took no long deliberation, but com-
mitted the v/ho!e to the mercyment of fire : where-
at DO fmall number of us were fo ofllnded, that
patiently we could not fpeak to any that were of
Dundee or St, Johnftoun. A poor aged matron,
feeing the flame of fire to pafs up fo mightily, and
paxeiving that many were thereat offended, in plain
and fober manner of fpeak ing. faid, ' Now I fee

* and underftand that God's judgm.ents are juft, and

* that no man is able to fave where he will punifh:

* fmce my remembrance, this place hath been no-

* thing elfe but a deu of whore-mongers : it is iu-

' credible to believe how many wives have been a-

* dulterate, and virgins deflowered by the filthy

* beafts which have been foftered in this den ; butef-
' pecially by that wicked man who is called the

* bifliop. If all men knew as much as I, they
' would praife God, and no man would be ofFend-

* ed,' This voman dwelt in the town nigh to the
abbey. At whofe words were many pacified,
affirming with her, that it was God's juft judg-
ment. And alTurediy, if the labours or travel of
any man could have faved that place, it had not
been at that time deftroyed : for men of greateft
eftimation laboured with all diligence for the fafety
of it.

While rhefe things were done at St. Johnftoun,
the queen fearing what fhould follow, determined
to fend certain bands of French foldiers to Stirling,
of purpofe to ftop the pafTage to us that then were
upon the north-fide of Forth. Which under flood,
the earl of Argyle and lord James departed fecretly
in the night, and with great expedition preventing
the French, they took the town (before v/hofe
coming the rafcal multitude put hands on the thieves,
I fliouid fay friars places, and utterly dcftioyed
them) whereat the queen and her faftion not a lit-
tle afraid, with all diligence departed from Edin-
burgh to Dumhar ; and fo we with reafonable di-
ligence marched foreward to Edinburgh, for refor-
mation to be made there, where we arrived the
29th of June. The provoft for that time, the lord
Seton, a man without God, without honefty, and
oftentimes without reafon, had before greatly trou-
bled and mokfted the brethren ; for he had taken
upon him the proteffion and defence of the black
and gray friars : and for that purpofe did not only
ly himfelf in one of the colleges every night ; but
alfo conftrained the moft hontfl of the town to
watch thofe monfters, to their great grief and trou-
ble. But hearing of our fudden coming, he a-
bandoned his charge, and left the fpoil to the poor,
who had made havoc of all fuch things as were
moveable in thofe places before our coming, and
left nothing but bare walls; yea, not fo much as
door, or window ; thereby we were the lefTer trou-
bled in putting order to fuch places. After that
we had deliberate certain days what was beft to be
done, and what order was to be taken for fuppref-
ftng all monuments of idolatry within that town,
and the places next adjacent, determination was
taken to fend fome mefTage to the queen then re-
gent: for fhe had reported (as her accuftomed'
manner was, by advice of her council, ever to
forge lies) that we fought nothing but her life, and

a plain

Book II. o f R E L I G I O N

a plain revoltment from the lawful obedience due
to our fovereign her authority; as by the tenor of
thefe letters may be feen.

* Francis and Mary, by the grace of God,

* king and queen of Scots,dauphin and dauphinefs

* of Viennois : to our loved lyon king of arms,

* 6'c. Our fheriffs in that part, conjuniflly and

* feverally, fpecially conftituie, greeting. Foraf-
' muchasourdearefl: mother Mary, queen dowager

* regent of our realm, and the lords of our fecret

* council, perceiving the feditious tumult raifed by
' one part of our lieges, naming themfelves. The
' CorK^regation ; who, under pretence of religion,
' have put themfelves in arms : and that our mother,

* for fatisfying of every man's confcience, and pa-
' cifying of the faid troubles, had offered unto

* them to appoint a parliament to be holden in Ja-

* nuary next to come (this was a mnnifeft lie, for

* this was neither offered, nor by her once thought
' upon, till we required it) or fooner, if they had

* pleafed, for eftabliftiing of an univerfal order in
' matters of religion by our advice, and flates of
' our religion, and in the mean time to fuffer every

* man to live at liberty of confcience without trou-

* ble, unto the time that the faid order were taken

* by advice of our forefaid flates : and, at laft, be-
' caufe it appcareth much to ftand upon our burgh
' of Edinburgh, offered in like manner to let the

* inhabitants thereof choofe v/hat manner of religion
' they would fet up and ufe for that time, fo that
' no man might al ledge that he was forced to do
' againft his confcience ; which offer the queen,

* our faid deareft mother was at all times, and yet

* is ready to fulfil : neverthelefs, the faid congre-

* gation being of mind to receive no reafonable of-

* fers, hath fince by open deed declared, that it is

* no religion, nor any thing thereto pertaining,
' that they feek, but only the fubverfionof our au-
*.thority, and ufurpation of our crown: in mani-

* fed witneffing whereof, they daily receive Eng-

* lifhmen with meffiges unto them, and fend fuch

* like into England ; and lafi: of all, have violently

* intermeddled with, taken, and yet withhold

* the irons of our coining- houfe, which is one of

* the chief points that concerneth our crown : and

* fuch like have intromitted with our palace of ho-

* ly-rood-houfe. Our will is therefore, ifc. that

* ye pafs to the market-crofs of our faid burgh of

* Edinburgh, or any other place within the fame,
' and thereby open proclamation, in cur name and

* authority, command and charge all and fundry

* perfons of the faid congregation, or yet being

IN S C O T L A N Dl 157

* prefently within our faid burgh, other than the

* inhabitants thereof, that they, within fix hours
' next after ouij faid charge, depart forth of the

* fame, under the pain of treafon. And alfo, that
' ye command all and fundry perfons to leave their
' company, and to adhere to our authority ; with

* certification, that fuch as do the contrary, fliail be
' reputed and holdea as manifefl ti-aitors to our

* crown.'

Thefe letters did not a little grive us, who mofl
unjuflly were accufed; for never a fentence of the
narrative is true, except, that we ftayed the iron^,
and that far jufi: caufe, to wit, becaufe that daily
there was fuch number of hard heads printed, that
the bafenefs thereof made all things exceeding dear; •
and therefore we were counfelled by the wiTeft to
flay the irons while further order might be taken.
The queen regent with all pofnble diligence pofled
for her faction ; Mr. James Balfour was not idle in ■
the mean time. The lords, to purge themfelves
of thefe odious crimes, wrote to her a letter in form ;
as after folio weth ;.,

'Please your majefly to be advertifed," that'

* it is come to our knowlege, that your majefty hath ■
' fet forth by your letters openly proclaimed, that

* we, called by name. The Congregation, under
' pretence and colour of religion, conveen together
' to no other purpofe, but to ufurp our fovereign 's

* authority, and to invade your perfon, reprefentinp-
' theirs at this prefent. Which things appear to
' have proceeded of fmifter information made to

* your majefly by our enemies, coafidering that

* we never minded fuch thing, but only our mind '
' and purpofe was, and is, to promote and fet forth

' the glory of God, maintain and defend the true
' preachers of his word, and, accoiding to the fame,

* abolifn and put away idolatry and falfe abufes

* which may not ffand with the faid word of God;

* befeeching your majefty to bear patiently there-

* with, and interpofe your authority to the further-
' ance of the fame, as is the duty of every chriilian
' prince, and good magiftrate : for as to the obe-

* dience of our fovereign's authority in all civil and ■
' politic matrers, we are and (liall be as obedient

* asanyo:heryour majefty's fabjeffs within the re--

* aim ; and that our convention is for no other pur-

* pofe, but to fave our preachers and their auditors =
' from the injury and violence of our enemies : which

* fhould be more amply declared by fome of us in ,

* your majefly's prefence, if ye were nof accompa-
' nicd with fuch as have.purfued our lives, and'

* fouaht.

?ss

The HISTORYof the REFORMATION

Bo ox II

fought our blood. Thus we pray almighty God

* to have your highncfs in his eternal tuition. At

* Edinburgh the 2d of July 1 5 59/ ,

And, for further purgation hereof, it was thought
neceifary that v/c flionld fimply expofe as well to
her majefiy, as to the whole pc ople, what were
our requells and juft petitions : and, for that pur-
pofe, after that fafe conduft was purchafed and
granted, we direfted unto her two grave men of
counfel, to -wit, the lairds of Pittarrow and Cun-
inghamhead, to whom we gave coramiffion and
power, firft to expofe our whole purpofe and in-
tent, v/hich was no other than before at all times
we had required; to wif, Jirjr, That we might
enjoy the liberty of confcience. Secondly, That
Chriil Jcfus might be truly preached, and his ho-
ly facraments rightly miniftred unto us. Thiitlly,
That unable minifters might be rcmov«d from ec-
clefiafrical adminiftration ; and that our preachers
might be relaxed from the horn, and permitted to
execute their charges without moltftation, unto
fuch time as, either by a general counfel lawfully
conveened, or by a parliament within the realm,
the controverlles in religion were decided. And,
ibr declaration, that her majefty was hereto will-
ing, that the bands of Frenchmen, who then were
a burden intolerable to the country, and to us fo
fearful, that we durfl: not in peaceable and quiet
manner haunt the places where they did ly, fnould
be fent to France their native country : which things
granted, her majefty ihould have experience of our
accuftomed obedience. To thefe heads fhc di.1 an-
fwer at the firft fo pleafantly, that (he put both
our commiiTioners in full efpcrance that all fhould
be granted ; and for that purpofe file defired to
fpeak with fome of greater authority, promifing,
that if they would affure her of their dutiful obe-
dience, that fhe would deny nothing of that which
was required. For fatisfa'ff ion of her mind, we
fent again thctarlofGlencairn, the lord iluthven,
the lord Ochiltrie, and the faid laird of Pittarrow,
with the fame commiffion as before. Bu t then (he be-
gan to handle the matter more craftily, complain-
ing that fhe was not fought in a gentle manner ;
and that they in whom Hie had put mofl iingalar
confidence, had lef; her in her greateil need : and
luch other things pertaining nothing ro the com-
miffion, fae propofed to fpeud and drive the time.
They anfwercd, that by uajufi- tyranny devifed a-
gainft them and their brethren (as her maiefly did
well know) they were compelled to fcek the ex-
treme remedy; and therefore, that her majefty

ought not to wonder tho' godly men left the com-
pany, where they neither iound fidelity nor truth.
In the end of this communing, which was the
twelfth day of July 1559, flie defired to have
talked privately with the earl of Argyle and lord
Jam.es, prior of St. Andrews, for elfe, as (he al-
ledged, fhe could not but fufpcft, that they pre-
tended to fome other higher purpofe than religion:
flie and her crafty council had abuftd duke Hamil-
ton, perfuading him and his friends, that the faid
carl and lord James had confpired, firfl: to deprive
our fo\ereign her daughter of her authority, and
thereafter the duke and his fuccefTbrs of their pre-
tended title to the crown of Scotland. By thefe
in\£nted lies (he infiam.ed the hearts of many 2-
gainft us, infomuch that fome of our number be-
gan to murmur: which perceived, as well the
preachers in their public fermons, as we ourfclves
by our public proclamation, gave purgation and
fatisfafl ion to the people, plainly and limply dc-
clarirg x\ hat t^ as our purpofe ; taking God to wit-
ntfs, That no fuch crim.cs were ever entered into
oui htaits, as rr.oll unjuflly were laid to our
charge. The conncil after confultation, thought
it not expedient that the faid earl and lord James
fhould talk with the queen in any fort; for her
former pra^ices put all men in fufpicion, that fome
deceit lurked under fuch coloured communing. She
had before faid, that if fhe could by any means
fundcr thefe two from the reft, fhe was afTured
fl'iortly to com.e by her whole purpofe. And one
of her chief coimcil in thofe days (and we fear but
too inward with her yet) faid. That ere Michael-
mas-day thefe two fhould lofe their heads ; and
therefore, all men feared to commit two fuch
yoimg plants to her mercy and fidpelity. It was
therefore finally denied that they fhould talk with
the queen, or any appertaining to her, but ia
places void of all fufpicion, where they fliould
be equal in number with thofe that fhould talk '
\vith them.

The queen perceiving that her craft could not
prevail, was content that duke Hamilton, and the
tarl of Huntly, with others by her appointtd,
fhould conveen at Preflon, to commune with the
faid earl and lord James, and fuch others as tl e
lords of the congregation would appoint, to tr;*
number of an hundred on tach fide ; o! the which
number, eight perfcns only fliould meet for con-
ference. The principals for their party were, the
duke, the earl Huntly, the lords Erfi:inc and So-
mervel, Mr. Gavin Hamilton, and the jullice clerk:
from us were direfted tb.e carls of Arg}'le and

Gkncairo,

BooKir. OF R E L I G I 0

Giencairn, the lords Ruthven and lord James,
Boyd and Ochiltrie, the lauds Dun and Pittarrow;
who convecaing at Prefton, fpake the whole day
without any certain conciufion ; for this was the
praiflice of the queen and of her fa<5lion, by drift
of tinae to weary our coinpaiiy, who for the moil
part had been upon the fields from the tenth day
of May ; that we being difperfed, (he might come
to her pnrpofe : in which (he was not altogether
dec>;ived; for our commons were compelled to
fcatter for lack of expences, and oar gentlemen,
partly conflrained by lack of furni/liing, and part-
ly hoping for fome final appointment after fo ma-
ny communings, returned for the mod to their
dwelling-places, for repofmg of themfelves.

The queen in all thof- conventions feemed that
fhe would give liberty to religion, provided,

* That wherefoever fhe was, our preachers fhould

* ceafe, and the mafs fliould be maintained.' We,
perceiving her malicious craft, anfwered, ' That as
' we would compd her majefly to no religion, fo

* could we not in confcience, for the pleafure of

* any earthly treafure, put filence to God's true

* meflengers ; neither could we fuffer that the

* right adminiftration of Chriif's true facraments

* (hould give place to manifefl idolatry, for in (o
*" doing we fliould declare ourfelves enemies to God,

* to Chrift Jefus his Son, to his eternal verity,
;* and to the liberty andeftabliflimentof his church

* within this realm; for your requefl being grant-

* ed, there can no church within thefame befo e-
' flablifhed, but at your pleafure, and by your refi-
' dence and remaining there, ye might overthrow

* the fame.' This our lafl anfwer we fent unto
her with the lord Ruthven and laird of Pittarrow,
requiring of her majefly in plain words, to figni-
fy unto us, what hope we might have of her fa-
vour towards the upfetting of religion ? We alfo
required, that flie fiiould remove her Frenchmen,
who were a fear to us, and a burden mofi grievous
to our country ; and that fhe would promife to us
in the word of a prince, that (he would procure
no man to be fent in : and then fliould we not on-
ly fupport to the uttermofl of our powers to fur-
nifh (hips and vi finals for their tranfporting, but
alfo upon our honours fliould we take her body
intD our proreflion, and iKould promife, in the
prefence of God and the whole realm, to ferve
our fovereign her daughter, and her majefl/ re-
gent, as faithfully and as obediently, as ever did
we kings in Scotland, That, moreover, we (hould
.caufe our preachers give reafon of their doftrine,
ia her audience, to any thatpleaftd to impugn auy

N IN SCOTLAND.

1^9

thing that they did or taught: finally, that we
fliould fubmit ourfelves to a lawful parliament,
provided, that the bifliops, as the party accufed
and our plain enemies, Ihould be removed from
judgment.

To no point would flie anfwer dire£fly, but in
all things (he was fo general and ambiguous, that
her craft appeared to all men ; flie had gotten afTu-
red knowlcge that our company was fcattcred (for
her Frenchmen were daily amongft us, without
moieflation or hurt done unto them) and therefore
flie began to difclofe her/miud, andfaid. The con-
gregation hath reigned thefe two months pall, me
myfelf would reign now other two. The malice
of her heart being plainly perceired, deiiberaiion
was had what wa? to be done ; it was concluded,
That the lords, bai-ons and gentlemen, with tlieir
chief domeflics, Ihould remain in Edinburgh that
whole winter, for eftablifliing of the church there*
and becaufe it was found, that by the corrupting
of o«r money the queen made to herfelf immode'^
rate gains, for maintaining of her foldiers, to the-
deflrucf ion of the whole common-wealth ; it was
thought neceflary, that the printing- irons, and all
things pertaining thereto, fliould be flayed, for
fear that Ihc fliould privily caufe tranfport them to
Dunbar.

In this mean time came afiured word, firfl, that
the king of France was hurt, and after, that ha.
was dead: which albeit it ought to have put her
in mind of her own eflate and wicked enter prifes-;-
for he, that fame time, in the fulntfs of his glory,
as flie herfelf ufed to fpeak, had determined molt
cruel perfecutions againfl the faints of God iu
France, even as flie herfelf was here perfecuting in
Scotland; and yet hefoperidied in his pride, that
all men might fee that God's jufl vengeance did
flrike him, even when his iniquity was come to
full ripenefs : albeit we fay, that this wondrous
work of God, in his fudden death, ought to have
daunted her fury, and given unto her admonition^
that the fame God would not fuffer her obftinate
malice againfl his truth long to be unpuniflied;
yet could her obdurate heart nothing be moved to
repentance: for hearing of the flaying of the
printing-irons, fhe raged more cutragiouHy than
before ; and fending for all fuch as were of her
faclion, expofed her grievous complaint, aggra-
vating the lame with many lies, fj wit^ I'hat v/e
had declared that which before fhe fufpe<51ed ; for
what could we mean'elfe but the ufurpatlon of the-
crown, when we duift put hands to the coiniuf?-
houfe, which was a pordoa of the patrimony df

the

t6»

The history of the REFORMATION Book n-

the crown. She further alledged, That we had
fpoiled the coining-houfe ot great fums of mo-
ney.

To the which we anfwered, both by our letters
fent to her and her council, and by public procla-
mation to the people, That we, without ufurpa-
tion of any fuch things juftly appertaining to the
crown of Scotland, did flay the printing-irons, in
confideration that the common-wealth was greatly
hurt by corrupting of our money. And becaufe
we were born counfellers of this realm, fworn to
procure the profit of the fame, we could do no
lefs of duty and of confcience, than to flay that
for a time, which wc faw fo abufed, that unlefs
remedy were found, fhould turn to the utter de-
.triment of the whole body of this realm. And as
to her falfe accufation of fpulzie, we did remit us
to the confcience of Mr. Robert Ritchiefon, mafter
of the coining-houfe, who from our hands recei-
ved iiiver, gold and metal, as well coined as uncoin-
ed; fo that with us there did not remain the va-
lue of a babie, or farthing. This our declaration
and purgation notwithflanding, fhe, partly by her
craft and policy, and partly by the labours of the
bifhops of St. Andrews and Glafgow, procured the
■whole number that were with her, to confent to
purfue us with all cruelty and expedition, before
that we could have our company (which then was
difperfed for new furnifhing) affembled again.

The certainty hereof coming to our knowlege
:the Saturday at night, being the 25th of July, we
did what in us lay to give advertifement to our
brethren; but im.poflible it was that the Weft,
Angus, Mearns, Sti-athern, or Fife, in any num-
ber could come to us ; for the enemies marched
from Dunbar upon the Sunday, and approached
within two miles of us before fun-riling on Mon-
day; for they verily fiippofed to have found no
refiltance, being afTured, that the lords only with
certain gentlemen remained with their privave hou-
fes. Calling upon God for counfei in that ftrait,
we fought what was the next defence : we might
have left the town, and might have retired our-
felves without any danger; but then we fhould
have abandoned our brethren of Ldinbu'gh, and
fulicrcd the miniftry thereof to have decayed ;
Avhich to our hearts was fo dolorous, that we
thought better to hazard the extremity than fo to
do; fo-c then the moft part of the town appeared
ra-hei- '•o favour us, than the queen's fa<ff ion, and
•did ofilr unt^o us the utterrroft of their fupport,
which for the moft part they did faithfully keep.
The f;:mc did the town of Leith, but they kept not

the like fidelity ; for when we were upon the field,
marching foreward for their fupport (for the
French marched nigh to them) they rendered
thernfelves without further refiflance ; and this
they did, as is fuppofed, by the treafon of fome
within themfelves, and by perfuafion of the laird
of Reflalrig, who before declared himfeif to be
one of us ; and notwithftanding that fame day
rendered himfeif undefued to monfieur d'Ofel.
Their unprovided and fudden defeff ion aftonifhed
many, and yet we retired quietly to the fide of
Craigingate, which place we took for refifting the
enemy.

In the mean time divers mediators pafled betwixt
us, amongff whom the lord Ruthven for our part
was principal. Alexander Eifkine did much tra-
vail to flay us and our foldiers, that we fhould
not join with them of Leith, till that they, as is
faid, had rendered themfelves to the Fiench. The
faid Alexander did olt proirule that the French
would fiay, provided that we would not join with
thofe of Leith ; but after that they were rendered,
we heard nothing of him but thieatiiirig and dif-
comforrable woids. KeTore it was eight of the
clock in the morning, God had given unto us
both couiage, and a leafonable nuinber to with-
fland their fury. The town of Edinburgh, fo
many as had fubje<fled themfelves to difcipHne, and
divers others befides them, behaved themfelves
both faithfully and ftouily. The gentlemen of
Lothian, efpecially Calder, Hatton, and Ormi-
ftoun, were very comfortable, as tvell for their
counfei as for their whole affiftance. Some gentle-
men of Fife prevented the Frenchmen, others
wei e ftcpped, by reafon that the French had pof-
feffed Leith ; always the enemy took fuch a fear,
that they determined not to invade us where we
flood; but took purpofe to have palTed to Edin-
burgh by the other fide of the water of Leith,
and that becaufe they had the caftle to their friend,
which to us unknown; for we fuppofed the lord
Erfldne, captain of the fame, either to have been
our friend, or at leaft to have been indifferent:
but when we had determined to fight, he fent |
word to the ea'rl of Argyle, to lord Juines's fifter's
fon, and to the other noblemen. That he would
declare himfeif both enemy to them, and to the-
town, and would flioot at both, if they made any
rehflance to the Frenchmen to enter into the town.
This his treaionable defiance fent us by the laird
of Riccarton, did abate the courage of many, for
we could not fght, nor flop the enemy, but un-
(Jer the mercy of the caflie and whole ordnance

thereof.

Book IL

« » R. E L I G I O N I M SCOTLAND.

i6x.

thereof. Hereupon was confnitation taken, and in
concliifion, it was found lefs damage to take an
appointment, albeit the conditions were not fuch
ts we defned, than to hazard battle betwixt two
fuch enemies. After long talking, certain heads
were drawn by us, which we delired to be grant-
ed.

I. That no member of the congregation (hould
be troubled in life, lands, goods or pofleffions,
by the queen, her authority, nor any other juAice
within the realm, for any thing done in the late
innovation, till a parliament (which ihould begin
She tenth of January) had decreed things in con-
troverfy.

II. That idolatry ftiould not be eredled, where
itwas at that day fuppreffed.

III. That the preachers and miniflers (hould not
be troubled in their miniftry where they are already
eftablilhed, neither yet flopped to preach where-
foever they (hould chance to come.

IV. That no bands of men of war (hould be
laid in garrifon within the town of Edinburgh.

V. That the Frenchmen (hould be fent away at
a reafonable day, and that none other (hould be
brought into the country, without confeat of the
vhole nobility and parliament.

But rhefe our ai tides were altered, and another
form difpofed, as foUoweth.

/^t the Links of Leith, the twenty fottrth of Julyy
^5S9' ^^ '^ appointed in manner f allow ing,

I N the firft, the congregation and their com-
pany, others than the inhabitants of the faid
town, (hall remove themfelves forth of the faid
town, the morrow at ten hoars before noon the
twenty fifth of July, and leave the fame void and
rid of them and their faid company, conform to
the queen's majefty's pleafure and defire.

Item, The faid congregation (hall caufe the
irons of the coiaing-houfe, taken away by them,
be rendered and delivered to Mr. Robert Richard-
fon, and likewife the queen's majefty's palace of
Holyrood houfe to be left, and rendered again to
Mr. John Balfour, or any other, having her maje-
fty's fuflficient power in the fame matter, as it
i!i'as rtfolved, and that betwixt the making of thefe

articles, and the morrow at ten of the clock.

For obferving and keeping of thefe two articles a-
bove-written, the lord Ruthvcn, and the laird of
1 ittarrow hive entered then-'felves pledges.

item. The ikid lords of the congregation, and

all the members thereof, (hall remain obedient fub*
je61s to our lord and lady's authority, and to the
queen regent in their place; and (hall obey all laws
and laudable cuftoms of this realm, as they were ufed
before the moving of this tumult and controverfy,
excepting the caufe of religion, which Hiall be
hereafter fpecified.

Item, The congregation, nor any of them, (hall
not trouble or moleft a churchman by way of deed,
nor yet (hall make them any impediment in the
peaceable bruiking, enjoying, and uptaking of their
rents, profits and duties of their benefices, but
that they may freely ufeand difpofe upon tne fame,
according to the laws and cafloms of this realm,
to the tenth of January next to come.

Item, The faid congregarion, nor none of them,
(hall ufe in nowife from thenceforth any force or
violence in cading down of churches, religious
places, or apparel thereof; but the fame (hall (taiii
harmlefs of them, unto the tenth of January.

Item, The town of Edinburgh fliall without
compulfion ufe and choofe what religion, and
manner thereof they pleafe to the faid day, fo that
every man may have freedom to his own confcicnce
to the day aforefaid.

Item, The queen (hall not Interpafe her autho-
rity to moleft or trouble the preachers of the con-
gregation, nor their miniflry, (to them that pleafe
to ufe the fame) nor no other of the faid congrega-
tion, in their bodies, lands, goods, or poffelhons,
penfions, or whatfoever other kind of goods they
pofltfs ; nor yet fufler the clergy, or any other ei-
ther fpiritual or temporal jurifdiflion, to trouble
them in any manner of fort, privately or openly,
for the caufe of religion, or any other aftion de-
pending thereupon, to the faid tenth day of Janu-
ary within written ; and that every man in parti-
cular live in the mean time according to his own
confcience.

Item, That no men of war, French nor Scots<
be laid in daily garrifon within the town of Edin-
burgh, but to repair thereto to do their lawful
bufinefs, and thereafter to retire them to their
garrifons.

This alteration in words and order was mn:!e
without knowlege and confent of thofe, whoft
counfel we had ufed in all fuch caufes before; or
fome of them perceiving we began to faint, aiid
that we would appoint with unequal condition'-,
faid, ' God hath wondroufly afTifled us in oir
' greatefl dangers ; he hath flricken fear in the hearts
' of our enemies, when they fuppofed themfelve*
-X • xnoft

l62

The HISTORY ofthe REFORMATION

Book II,

* mofi aifureJ of viftory ; our cafe is not yet fo

* defpf rate, that we need to grant to things un-

* reafonable and ungodly; which, if we do, it is'

* to be feared, that things fha]! not (o profperoully

* {ncceed as they have done heretofore.'

When all things were communed and agreed
upon by mid pcrlons, the duke and the earl of
Hunlly, who that day were againft us, defired to
fpeak with the earls of Argyle and Glencairn, the
lord James, and others of our party ; who obey-
ing their requfcfls, met with them at the Quarrel-
hoies, betwixt Ltith and Edinburgh, who in con-
cluhon promifcd to our lords. That if the queen
brake to us any one jot of the appointment then
made, that they Ihould declare themfelves plain
enemies to her, and friends to us. As mueh pro-
mifed the duke that he would do, in cafe that flie
would not remove her Frenchmen at a reafonable
day ; for the oppreffion which they did was mani-
feft to all men. This appointment made and fub-
fcribed by the duke, monfieur d'Oftl, and the earl
of Huntly. The twenty fifth of July, we return-
ed to the town of Edinburgh, where we re-
mained till the next day at noon, when after fer-
mon, dinner, and proclamation made at themarket-
crofs in form as folio weth, we departed.

Form of the Proclamation..

• FoRAsiviucH as it hath pleafed God that ap-

* pointment is made betwixt the queen regent, and

* us the lords proteftants of this realm : We have

* thought good to fignify unto you the chief heads
•♦ of the appointment, which be thefe ;■

' Fir/l, That no member of the congregation

* /hall be troubled in life, lands, goods, or pofTef-
*"fions by the queen, by her authority, nor by any

* other juflice within this realm, for any thing

* done in this late innovation, till that a parliament

* hath decided things that are in controverfy.

' Secondly, That idolatry ftiall not be erefted

* where it is now at this day fupprelTed.

* Thirdly, That the preachers and minifters fhall :

* not be troubled in thf miniftration where they;

* are already eflabliOied, neither yet flopped to

* preach wherefoever they fhall happen to travail

* within this realm.

. • Fourthly, That no bands of men of war Ihail
*-be laid in garrifcn within the town of Edin-

* burgh.'

The, chief heads of appointment concerning
the liberty of religion, and confervation of our
luethren, we thought good to notify unto you by

this pi-oclamation, that in cafe wrong or injury b©
done by any one of the contrary taftion to any
member of our body, complaint may be made un-
to us, to whom we promife, as we will anfwer tc?
our God, our faithful fupport, to the uttermofl of
our powers.

At this proclamrwion made with found of trum-
pet, were offended all the papiUs ; for, frj}, they
alledged. It was done in contempt of authority,
Secondarily, That we had proclaimed more than
was contained in the appointm.ent : and laft, That
we in our proclamation had made no mention of
any thing piomifed unto them. To fuch murmurs
v/e anfwered, That no jiift authority could think
itfetf contemned, becaufe that the truth was by us
made manifeft unto all, who otherwife might have
pretended ignorance. Secondly, That we had pro-
claimed nothing which was not finally agreed up-
on in word and promife betwixt us and thofe with
whom the appointment was made, whatfoever the
Scribes had after written, who in very deed had
altered both in words and fentences our articles,
as they were firfl conceived ; and yet, if their owa
writings were diligently examined, the felf-famc
thing (liall be found in fubftance. And laft, to
proclaim any thing in their fa\'ours, we thought it
not necedary, knowing, that in that behalf they
themfelves would be diligent enough; and in this
we were nothing deceived : for within fifteen days
after, there was not a fliaveling in Scotland, to
whom tenths, or any other rents pertaineth, but
he had that article of the appointment by heart,'
*" That the churchmen fhould be anfwered of tenths,

* rents, and all other duties; and that no man

* fhould trouble or molefl them.*

We departing from Edinburgh the twenty /ixth ,
of July, came firfl to Linlithgow, and after to
Stirling, where, after confultation, the band of
defence, and maintenance of religion, and for mu-
tual defence every one of the other, .was fubfcrit>^
ed of all that were there prefent.

The tenor of the bandivcLS thus.

' AVe forefeeing the craft and Height of our ad-^

* verfaries, who try all manner of ways to circum-
' veen us, and by privy means intend to afTail eTev
' ry one of us pai'ticuJarly, by fair heghts and pro-.
' mifes, there- through to feparate one of us from.

* another, to our utter ruin and deffru(5fion : fw

* remedy thereof, we faithfully and truly bind us

* in prefcnce of God, and as we tender the main-

* tenaDCe.

Book II.

* tcnance of true religion, That none of us (hall,

* in time coming, pafs to the queen Dowager, to
•* talk or commune with her, for any letter or met-

* fage fent by her unto us, or yet to be fent, with-

* oar. confent of the reft, or common confultation

* thereupon ; and how foon that either meflage or

* writing (hould come from her unto us, with all

* diligence we (hall notify the fame one to another,

* fo that nothing fhall proceed therein v/ithout
« common confent of us all. At Stirling the firft

* day of Auguft, 1559.'

This band fubfcribed, and we, forefeeing that
the queen and bhhops meant nothing but deceit,
thought good to feek aid and fupport ot all Chri-
llian princes againft her tyranny, in cafe we fhould
be more (harply purfued. And becaufe that Eng-
land was of the fame religion, and lay next unto
us, it was judged expedient firft to prove them,
which we did by one or two meflengers, as here-
after, in its own place, Ihall be more amply de-
clared. After we had abode certain days in Stir-
ling, the earl of Argyle departed to Glafgow ; and
becaufe he was to depart to his own country (with
whom alfo pafTed the lord James) to pacify fomc
trouble, which by the craft of the queen was rai-
fed in his abfence, he required the earl of Glen-
cairn, lord Boyd, lord Ochiltrie, and others of
Kyle, to meet there, for fome order to be taken,
that the brethren (hould not be opprelTed ; which
with one confent they did, and appointed the tenth
of September for the next convention at Stirling.

While thefe things were in doing at Glafgow,
letters and a fervant came from the earl of Arran,
to the duke his father, fignifying unto him, that
by the providence of God he had efcaped the
French king's hands, who moft treafonably and
mofl cruelly had fought his life, or at the leaft to
have committed him to perpetual prifon : for the
fame time the faid French king, feeing he could
not have the earl himfelf, caufed put his younger
brother, a child of fuch age as could not offend,
in ftrait prifon, where he yet remained, to wit, in
the month of 0<flober, the year of our Lord 1 559;
which things were done by the power and craft of
the queen Dowager, at the time that the duke
and his friends were moft ready to fet forth her
caufe. Thefe letters received, and the eftate of his
two fons known, of whom one was efcaped, and
the other caft in vile prifon, the duke defired com-
muning with the faid carl of Argyle, who, partly
againft the will of fome that loved him, rode un-
to the duke from Glafgow to Hamiltoun, \vhere

p RELIGION IN SCOTLANm.

r6j

abiding a night, he declared his judgmen* to the
duke, and to his fri-cnds, efpecially to Mr. Gavin
Hamilton. The duke required him and the lord
James to write their friendly and comfortable let-
ters to his fon, which they moll willingly did,
and thereafter addreffed them to their journey-;
but, the very day of their departing, came one
Boutancourt (from the queen regent with letters,
as was alledged) from the kingand queen of France,
to the lord James, which he delivered with a brag-
ing countenance, and many threatning words. The
tenor of his leter was thus :

The icing's Letter to the Lord James.

* My coufin, I have greatly marvelled, when I
underflood the troubles that arehappened in thefe
parts. And yet, I more marvel, that ye, in whom
I had whole confidence, and who hath the honour
to be fo near the queen my wife, and hath re-
ceived from the late king my father, from the
queen my wife, and from me, fuch graces and
favours that ye fliould be fo forgetful, as t»
make yourfelf the head, and one of the principal
beginners and nourifhersjof the tumults and fe-
ditions that are feen there ; the which, becaufe
it is fo (Irange to me, and fo-far againfl'the pro-
feflion that at all times ye have made, I cannot
well believe it: but, if it be fo, I cannot thmk
but ye have been enticed and led thereto by fomc
perfons, that have feduced you, and cau fad you
to commit fuch a fault, as I am affured you re-
pent of already, which will be a great pleafurc
to me, to the ^t,€<. I may lofe a part of the oc-
cafion I have to be mifcontent with you, as I
will you to underftand I am. Seeing^you have
fo far deceived the efperance I had of you, and
your afJedtion toward God, and the well of our
fervice, unto the which, 5'e know, ye are as
much, and more, obliged than any other of the
lords there : for this caufe, defiring tfiat the
matters may be duly amended, and knowing
what ye can therein, I thought good on this
manner to write unto you, and pray you to take
heed, to return to the good way, from which
ye have declined, and cau feme know the fame by
the effefts. That you have another intention than
this, which the follies bypaff maketh me now to
believe, doing all that ever ye can to reduce all
things to their firft effate, and put the fame t»
the right and good obedience that you know ta
be due unto God, and unto me. Otherwife, ve
may be well aflared, that I will put 10 my hand,
X 1 and

t64

The HISTORYof thk REFORMATION Book II.

* and that in good earneft, that you, and ^llrhey
' who have done, and do as ye do, Ihall feel (thro*

* your own fault) that which ye have deferved and

* merited. Even as I have given charge to this
' gentleman, prefcnt bearer, to make you know

* more largely of my part; for which caufe I pray
'you credit him, even as ye would do myfelf.

* Praying God, my coufin, to have you in his ho-

* ly and worthy proteftion.'
Written at Paris the 17 th

day of July, 1559.

The flime melTenger brought alfo letters from
the queen our fovereign, more fliarp and threat-
ninpr than the former ; for her conclufion wus,
Volts en /entires la prnn^ture a jamciis.

His credit was, That the king would fpend the
crown of France, if that he were not revenged
upon fuch feditious perfons; That he would ne-
ver have fufpefted fuch inobedience, and fuch de-
feifllon from his own fifter, ift him. To the
which the faid lord James anfwered fiift by word^
and then by writings, as folio weth:

The Lord James' s^Lcficr to the King.

♦ My mofl: humble duty remembered ; your ma-

* jelly's letter I received from Paris the 17 th of

* July laft, importing in effea:. That your maje-

* fty doth marve', that I, being forgetful of the

* graces and favours Ihewed me by the king of blef-

* fed memory, your majefty's father, and the queen
'■ my fovereign, (hould declare myfelf head, and
*■ one of the" principal beginners of thefe alledged

* tumults and feditions in thefe parts, deceiving

* thereby your majefty's expeftation in all times

* had of me; with afTurance, That, if I did not

* declare, by contrary effedfs, my repentance, I,
' with the reff that had put, or yet putteth hand

* to this ■work, Ihould receive that reward, which

* we had deferved and merited.

* Sir, It grieves me very heavily that the crime
« of ingratitude fhould be laid to my charge by

* your majefty ; and the rather, that I perceive the

* fame to have proceeded of llnifter information of

* them (whofe part it was not to have reported fo,

* if true fervice part had been regarded.) And, as

* touching the repentance, and declaration of the

* fame by certain efFe6>s, that your majefty defires

* 1 fhew ; my confcience perfuades me in thefe
*- proceedings to have done nothing again ft God,
•nor the dutiful obedience towards your majefty,

* and the queen my fovereign j otherwifcj itlhould

not have been to be repented, and alfo amended
already, according to your majefty 'sexpc Nations
of me : but your majefty being truly informed
and perfuaded, that the thing which we have
done, maketh for the advancement of God's glo-
ry, without any manner of derogation to youf
majefty's due obedience ; we doubt not but your
majfcfty fhall be well contented with our pro- ,
ceedings, which being grounded upon the com-
mandment of the eternal God, we dare not leave
the fame unaccomplifhed; only wifhing and dc-
firing your majefty did know the fame, and the
truth thereof, as we were perfuaded in our con-
fciences, and all them that are truly inftrufted in
the eternal word of our God, upon whom we
caft our care from all dangers that may follow
the accompliflunent of his eternal will, and to
whom we commend your majefty, befeeching
him to illuminate your heart with the gofpel of
his etefnal truth, to know your majefty's duty
towards your poor fubje<ffs, God's chofen people,
:uid what you ought to crave juftly of them a-
gain; for then we Ihould have nooccafion to fear
your majefty's wrath and indignation, nor your .
majefty's fiifpicion in our obedience. The fame
God have your majefty in his eternal fafe-guard.*
At Dumbarton the 12th
of Auguft, 1559.

This aDfwerdire(^ed to the queen our fovereign,
and Francis her hulband, the queen dowager re-
ceived, and was bold^upon it, as (he might well e«
nough ; for it was fuppofed, that the former letters
were forged here at home in Scotland. The an-
fwer read by her, fhe faid, that fo proud an anfwtr
was never given to king, prince, nor princefs.
And yet iiMifferent men thought that he might have
anfwered more fharply, and not have tranfgreffed
modefty nor truth : for, where they burden him
with the great benefits which of them he had re-
ceived, if in plain words he had purged himfelf,
affirming, that the greateft benefit that ever he re-
ceived of them, was to fpend in their fervice that
which God by others had provided for him ; no hc-
neft man would have accufed him, and no man couid
have been able to haveconvinced him of a lie : ' But
princes muft be pardoned tofpeak what they pleafe.'

For the comfort of the brethren, and continuance
of the church in Edinburgh, was left there our
dear brother JohnWillock, who, for his faithful
labours, and bold courage in that battle, deferves
immortal praife. For when it was found danger-
ous that John Knox, who before was elefted mini-

fter

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

Book H.

fler to the church, (hould continue there ; there
the brethren requefted the faid' John Willock to a-
bide with them, left that, for lack of miaifters, i-
dolatry fhould be erected up again. To the which
he fo gladly confented, that it might evidently ap-
pear, that he preferred the comfort of his brethren,
and the continuance of the church there, to his
own life. One part of the Frenchmen were ap-
pointed to ly in garrifon at Leith, (that was the
firft benefit which they got for their confederacy
with them) the other part were appointed to ly in
the Canongate, the queen and her train abiding in
the abbey. Our brother John Willock the day
after our departure preached in St. Giles's church,
and fervently exhorted the brethren to (land con-
ftant to the truth which they had profefled. At
this, and fome other fermons, was the duke, and
divers others of the queen's fadfion.

This liberty of preaching, and refort of all peo-
ple thereto, did highly offend the queen, and the
other papifts. And firft they began to give terrors
to the duke, affirming, that he would be reputed
as one of the congregation^ if he gave his prefcnce
to the fermons. Thereafter they began to require,
that mafs might be fet upagain in St. Giles's church,
and that the people (hould be fet at liberty to chufe
what religion they would; for that, (aid they,
•was contained in the appointment, that the town
of Edinburgh fhould chufe what religion they lift-
ed. For obtaining hereof were fent to the town
the duke, the earl of Huntly, and the lord Seton,
to folicite all men to condefcend to the queen's
mind ; wherein the two laft did labour what they
could, the duke not fo; but, as a beholder, of
whom the brethren had good hope: and, after
many perfuafions and threatnings made by the faid
earl and lord, the brethren ftoutly and valiantly,
in the Lord Jefus, gain-fald their moft unjuft peti-
tions ; reafoning, that, as in confcience they might
not fufFer idolatry to be erefted, where Chrift Je-
fus was truly preached; fo could not the queen
nor they require any fuch thing, unlefs fhe and
they would plainly violate their faith, and chief ar-
ticle of the appointment. For it is plainly appoint-
ed, ' That no member of the congregation fhall

* be molefted in any thing that at the day of the ap-

* pointmen^they peaceably poffefred.* But fo it
was, that we the brethren and proteftants of the
town of Edinburgh, with our miniftcrs, the day
of the appointment, did peaceably enjoy St. Giles's
church, appointed us for preaching of Chrift "s true
gofpel, and right miniftration of his holy facraments:
therefore, -^vithout manifeft violation of the ap-

16^'

pointment, you cannot remove us therefrom, un-
til a parliament have decided the controverfy.

This anfwer given, the whole brethren depart-
ed, and left the forefaid earl, and lord Seton, then
provoft of Edinburgh,ftill in the tolbooth, who, per-
ceiving that they could not prevail in that manner,
began to intreat that they would be quiet, and that
they would fo far condefcend to the queen's plea-
fure, as that they would chufe them another with-
in the town, or at the leaft be content that mafs
(hould be faid, either after, or before their fcrmon.
To the which, anfwer was given, that to give place
to the devil (who was the chief inventer of the
mafs) for the pleafure of any creature, . they could
not. They were in poffeiTion of that church, which
they could not abandon ; neither yet could they
fuffer idolatry to be ere<5led in the fame, unlefs by
violence they fhould be conftrained fo to do: and
then they were determined to feek the next remedy.
Which anfwer received, the earl of Huntly did
lovingly intreat them to quietnefs, faithfully pro-
mifing, that in no fort they fhould be molefted, fo ■
that they would be quiet, and make no farther up-
roar. To the which they were moft willing, for
they fought only to ferve God, as he had command-
ed, and to keep their poflelTion, according to the
appointment : which, by God's grace, they did,
till the month of November, notwithftanding the
great boafting of the enemy. For they did not on-
ly conveen to the preaching, daily fuppli cations,
and adminiftration of baptifm, but alfo the Lord's
table was miniftred, even in the eyes of the very
enemy, to the great comfort of many affliffed con-
fciences : and, as God did ftrongly work with his
true minifters,- and with his troubled church ; fo
did not the devil c§afe to inflame the malice of the
queen, and of the papifts with her: for that, after
her coming to the abbey of fiolyrood-houfe, fhe
caufed mafs to be faid firft in her own chaoje, and
after in the abbey, where the altars before were
caft down.

She difcharged (he common prayers, and for-
bade ta give any portion to fuch as were the prin-
cipal youngmen who read them. Her malice ex-
tended in Uke manner toCambufkenneth ; for there ■
fhe difcharged the portions of as many of the ca-
nons, as had forfaken papiftry : She gave command-
ment and inhibition, thafthe abbot of Lindores •
fliould be anfwered of any part of his living in the
north; becaufe he hiad fubmittcd himfelf to the.
congregation, and had put fome reformation to his ^
place. By her confent and procurement was the:
pieacher's chair broken m the church of Lei rh, andH

idoliUfy/

The history oft he REFORMATION

1 66

idolatr}' was erected in the fame, where it was be-
fore fuppreffed. Her French captains, with their
foldiers in great companies, in time of preaching
and prayers, reforted to St. Giles's church in Edin-
burgh, and made their common deambulatioa
therein with fuch loud talking, as no perfe6l audi-
t-nce could be had. And altho' the minifter was there-
through oftentimes compelled to cry out on them,
praying to God to rid them of fuch locufts; they
iieverthelefs continued flill in their wicked purpofe,
tlevifed and ordained by the queen, to have drawn
out our brethren of Edinburgh and them in cum-
ber; fo that (he might have had any coloured oc-
cafion to have broken the league with them : yet,
by God's grace, they behaved themfelves fo, that
ftie could find no fault in them, albeit in all thefe
things before named, and in every one of them,
(he is juflly accounted to have gaia-faid the faid
appointment.

We pafs over the oppreffing of our brethren in
particular, which had been fufficient to have proved
the appointment to have been plainly violated.
For the lord Seton, without any occafion offered
unto him, brake a chafe upon Alexander White-
kw, as he came from Prefton, accompanied with
Mr. William Knox, towards Edinburgh ; andceaf-
ed not to purfue him, till he came to the town of
Ormiftoun : and this he did, fuppofmg that the
faid Alexander had been John Knox. In all this
mean time, and while that no Frenchmen arrived,
they are not able to prove that we brake the ap-
pointment in any jot, except that a horned cap was
taken ofFa proud prieft's head, and cut in four
quaiters, becaufe he laid, he would wear it in de-
fpight of the congregation. In this mean time, the
queen, then regent, knowing alfurediy whar force
was fhortiy to come unto her, ceafed not, by all
means pofTible, to cloke the in coming of the French,
and to inflame the hearts of our country-men againfl
us. And for that purpofe fhe firft wrote unto duke
Hamilton in form as foUoweth.

The ^ieen Regenfs falfe fatter'ing Letter to the
Duke Hamilton.

* My Lord and couiln, after hearty commen-

* dations, we are informed, that the lords of the

* Weftland congregation intend to make a conventi-

* on and alTcmbly of your kin and friends upon Go-

* van Mtxjr, bcfideGlafgcw,-on Monday come eight

* days, the 2 8rh day of Auguft inftant, for fome

* high purpofe againll us; which we can fcantly
■■• believe, confidering they have no occaiRon on our

Book II.

* part fo to do. And albeit we know the appoint-
' ment was made againfi, and without our advice^

* yet we accepted the fame at your defire ; and have

* lince made no caufe, whereby they might be mov-

* ed to come in the contrary thereof. Likeas, we

* are yet minded to keep firm and ftable all things

* promifed by you in our behalf. We think, on
' the other part, it is your duty to require them,

* that they violate not their part thereof in nowife.
' And, in cafe they mean any evil towards us, and

* fo will break their promife, we believe ye will at

* the uttermoft of your power conveen with us,

* and compel them to c'o that thing which they

* ought; if they will not, praying you to have

* yourfelf, your kin and friends in rcadinefs to come

* to us, as ye (hall be advertifed by proclamation,

* in ca'e the congregation affemble themfelves for

* any pui pofc againrt us, or the tenor of the faid
' appointment : alluring you, without they gather,

* and give firft occafion, we fhall not put you to

* any pains in that behalf. And that you advertife
' us by writ what we may trult to herein by this
' bearer, who v/ill (hew you the fervent mind we

* bear to have good coacord with the faid congre-

* gation, what offers we have made them, and how

* dcfirous we are to draw them to the obedience

* of our fovereign's authority, to whom you fhall

* give credit : and God keep you.'
At Edinburgh the i otb of Jugtift^ ' 5 5>

The like letter fhe wrote to every lord, baron,
and gentleman, ti this tenor.

The ^ueen Regent's Letter to the Barons

* Trwsty friends, after heart}' commendations,

* we doubt not but you have heard of the appoint-

* ment made befide Leith, bet^^'ixt the duke, the

* earl of Huntly, and monfieur d'CfeJ, on the one
' part; and the lords of the congregation, on the
' other part : which appointment we have approv-

* ed in all points, albeit it was taken without our
' advice, and are minded toobferve and keep all the

* contents thereof for our part. Ntverthelcfs, as
' we are informed, the lords of the congregation

* intend fhortly to conveen all fuch persons, as will

* aflift them, for entcrprizing of fomc hi^h pur-

* pofe againft r.s, our authoiity, and tenor of the

* faid appointment; which we cannot believe, fte-

* ing they neither have, nor fhall have any occafi-
' on given thereto on our part : but, in cafe, a-

* gainft all reafon, they fhould mean any fuck
' thing, we have thought it go©d to give warning

©F RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

Book IL

♦ to our fpeclal friends, of the advertlfetnent we
*haVe gotten ; and amongrt: the reft, to you, whom

♦ we efteem of that numbtr, praying you to have

♦ yourfelf, your kin and folks in readinefs to come
« to us.' And fo forth, as in the other letter above
fent to the duke, word by word.

After that, by thefe lectcrs, and by the deceitful
furmifnig of her folic" tors, ihe had fomewhat ftlrred
up the heartsof the people againft us, thenihe beg?.n
©penly to complain, That we were of mind to in-
vade her perfon : That we would keep no part of
the appointment ; and therefore (he was compelled
to crave aiTiflance of all men, againft our unjuft
purfuit. And this pra^ftice llie ufed, as before is
faid, to abufe the fimplicity of the people, that they
{hould not faddenlj efpy for what piupofe fhe
brought in her new bands of men of war, who did
arrive about the midft of Auguft , to the number
•f looo men: the reft were appointed to come
after with monfieur de la Brolfe, and with the
bilhop of Ammians, who arrived the nineteenth
day of September following, as if they had been
ambafladors: but what was their negceiation, the
eifefl did declare, and they themfelvcs could not
long conceal; for by both tongue and pen they ut-
tered, They were fent for the extermination of all
tliofe, that would not profefs the papiftical religi-
on in all points. The queen's pracStice and craft
.<«uld not blind the eyes of all men; netther yet
could her fubtilty hide her own fhame, but that
many did efpy her deceit ; and fome fpared not to
fpeak their judgments liberally, who, forfeeing
the danger, gave advert ifement, requiring, that
proTifion might be found, before that the evil
(hould exceed our wifdom and ftrength to put fit
remedy to it; for prudent men forfaw, that (he
pretended a plain conqueft ; but, to the end that
the people fiiould not fuddenly ftir, ftie would
not bring in her full force at once (as before is
faid) but by continual traffic purpofed to aug-
ment her armv, fo that in the end we fliould not
be able to rcfift: but th^ greatefl part of the no-
bility, and many of the people, were fo enchanted
by her treafonable folicitors, that they would not
hear nor credit the truth plainly fpoken. The
French then, after the arriving of their new men,
began to brag • then began they to divide the lands
and lordfliips, according to their own fantafies ;
for one was ftiled Monfieur de Argyle, and ano-
ther Monfieur de Prior, the third Monfieur de
Ruthven: Yea, they were a/Tured in their own o-
pinion, to poflefs whatfoever they lifted; fo that
^•aie afked for the rentals afid revenues of divers

i6y

mens lands, to the end that ihey might chufe the
beft : and yet in this mean time (he was not a-
ftiamed to let out a proclamation in this form j

J Proclamation fet fcrih by the ^leen Regent, to
blind the vulgar PeoiU,

* Forasmuch as we underftand, that certalii
' feditious prions have of malice invented and

* blown abroad divers rumours and evil reports,

* intending thereby to ftir up the hearts of the peo-
' pie ; and fo to ftop all manner of reconciliations
' betwixt us^nd our fubjcdfs, beiag of the num-

* ber of the congregation ; and confequentlr, to
' kindle and nourifn a continual ftrife and divifion
' within this realm, to the manifeftfubFerfion of
' the whole ftate thereof: and, amon^ other pur-
' pofes, have malicioully devifed for that etti;cl, and
' have perfuaded too many, that we hare violated
' the appointment lately taken, in fofar as any more
' Frenchmen fince came in ; and that we do mind

* to draw in great forces of men of war forth of
' France, to fupprcfs the liberty of this realm, op-

* prels the inhabitants thereof, and make up ftran-

* gers with their lands and goods : which reports
' are all (G^ knoweth) moft vain, feigned and

* untrue: for it is of truth> that nothing hath been

* done on our part, fmce the faid appointment,
-*whereby it may be aliedged, that any part thereof

* is contravened ; nor jet was at that time any
' thing moved or concluded to ftop the fending in

* of Frenchmen, as may clearly appear by infpe(5ti-

* on of the laid appointment, which the bearer
' hereof hath prefent to fhew; Whatfoever num-

* ber of men of war be arrived, we have fuch re-

* gard to our honour and queitnefs of this realm,

* that in cafe in the roon> of every Frenchman that
' is in Scotland, there were an hundred at our

* command, yet fhould not for that any iot that is
' promifcd be broken, or any alteration made by

* our provocation; but the faid proclamation truly

* and furely ftiould be obferved in every point, if

* the faid congregation will in like manner faithful-

* ly keep their part thereof: nor yet mean we to
' trouble any man ia the peaceable poiTefl'on of
' their goods and rooms ; nor yet to enrich the
' crown, and far lefs any ftrangers with your fub-
'ftance: for our deareft fon and daughter, the
' kmg and queen, are, by God's provifion, placed

* in the room, where all men of judgment may

* well confTder, they have no need of any man's

* goods; and for onrfelf, we feek nothing but du-

* tiful obedieDceunto them, fuch as good fubjee*ls

• oughts

The history of the REFORMATION Book 11.

■* ought to give to their fo^'ereign, without dlmi-

* nation of your liberties and privileges, or alte-

* ration of your laws: therefore we have thought

* good, to notify unto you our good mind fore-

* faid, and deiire you not to give ear nor credit to

* fuch vain imaginations, whereof, before God,

* no part entered into our conceit ; nor fulfcr your-
' felves to be thereby led from your due obedience,
' afTuring you, ye (hall ever find with us truth in
' proi-nife, and a motherly love towards all you

* behaving yourfdves as our obedient fubjefts.

* But of one thing we give you warning, That

* whereas fome preachers of the congregation,

* in their public fermons, fpeak irreverently and
^ flaoderoufly, as well of princes in general, as of

* ourfelf in particular, and of the obedience of

* of higher powers, inducing the people, by that
' part of their doflrlne, to defeftion from their

* duty; which pertaineth nothing to religion,
' but rather fedition and tumult, things quite
^ contrary to religion : therefore we defire you to

* take order in your towns and bounds, that when

* the preachers repair thither, they ufe themfelves

* more mo deftly in thefe behalfs, and in their

* preaching not to meddle fo much with civil poli-
•* cy and public government; nor ye name us, or

* other princes, but with reverence; otherwife it

* will not be fufFered. And feeing you have pr^

* fently the declaration of our intention, we defire*

* iikewife to know, what fhall be your part to us^

* that we may underftand what to truft to at your

* hands, whereof we defire a plain declaration in

* writing with this bearer without delay.*

At Edinburgh the zSth of Aig>'Ji, 1559.

This proclamation (he fent by her mef^engers
thorow all the country, and had her folicitors in
all parts, who painfully travikd to bring men to
her opinion ; amongft: whom thefe were the prin-
cipal, Sir John Ballantine jul^ice-clerk, Mr. James
Balfour o^cial of Lothian, Mr. Thon-^as and Mr.
William Sco% fons to the la^rd of Balwerie, Sir
llobert Carnagie and Mr. Gavin Hamilton, who,
for fainting of the brcthrens hearts, and drawing
many to the queen's faftion againft their native
£oantry, have declared themfelves enemies to God,
and traitors to the common- weal: but above all
others, Mr. James Balfour, official for the time,
ought to be abhorred ; for he, of an old prof ef-
for, is becorTie a new denitr of Chrift Jefus, and
a manifefl blafphemer of his eternal verity, againft
his knowlege and confcience, ft eking to betray his
brethren aad naiive country into the hands of a

cruel and unfaithful nation. The anfwcr to this
former proclamation was made in form as follow-
eth.

To the Nobility, Biirgejfes, and Commonalty cf this
Realm of Scotland, the Lords, Barrons, and 0-
ihtTS, Brethren of the Congregation , "wifbeth In-
creafe of all IVifdom, ivith Advancement of the
Clcry cf COD, and cf the Commonivealth.

The love of our native country craveth, the

defence of our honours require th, and the /inceri-
ty of our confciencts compelleth us (dear brethren)
to anfwer in fome part to the laft writs and procla-
mations fet forth by the queen-regent, no lefs to
make us and our caufe odious, than to abufe our
fimplicity, and to work our final dtflru6tion, con-
fpired of old, and now already put to work. And,
Fjrft, where fh>e alledgeth, that certain fediticus
ptrfcns, have oi m.alice invented and blown abrcad
divers rumours, tendirg thereby, as (heajledgtfh,
to flir vp the hearts of the f>tople to (edition, by
reafon that the Frenchm.tn are crept in of late in
our country. True it is, dear brethren, that z\i
fuch as bear natural lov^e to their country, to you
their brethren iiihabitants thereof, to our houfis,
wives, childitn, the efperance of cur pcfltiit)';
and to be (hort, to our commionweaith, and to the
ancient laws and littrtits thereof, carrot but in
heart lament, and with mouth and tears complain,
the mod crafty afTauIts devifed and praftifed, to the
utter ruin of all thefe thirgs foitn.nmed. 1 his is
fo manifeftly gone to work, that even in our eyes,
our dear brethren, true members of our common-
wealth, are moft cruelly opprefTcd by ftrangers;
In fo far as fom.e are baniflied their own houfes,
fome robbed and f polled of thtir fubflance, purs?
chafed by their juff labours in the fwcet of tktir
brows; fome crutUy murdered at the pleafure of
thefe inhumane foldiers; and altogether have their,
lives in fuch fear and dread, as if the enemy were
in the midft of thtm ; fo that rothirg can feem
pltafant unto them which they podefs in the bcwtls
of their native country : fo near judgeth every maa
(and not without jull caufe) the pra£fice ufed upoti
their brethren, to approach next unto thtm, their
wives, children, houlcs and fubftancts, which al-
together are caf\ at the feet of Grangers, men of
war, to be by them thus abuftd at thtir unbridled
lull's defire. Mow, if it be fedition, dear brethren,
to complain, lament, and pour forth before Cod
the forrows and fobs of our dolorous heai ts, crying -
to him for redrefs of thofe enormities (which tlfe-

;wh«j99

Book II.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

1(59

where is not to be found) which altogether do pro-
ceed of the unlawful holding of fkange foldiers
over the heads of our brethren. If thus to com-
plain be fedition, then indeed, dear brethren, can
none of us be purged of that crime : for as in very-
heart we condemn fuch inhumane cruelty, with
the wicked and crafty pretence thereof; fo can we
not, nor dare we, neither by mouths fpeaking, nor
yet by keeping filcnce, juftify the fame. Neither
do we here aggravate the breaking of the appoint-
ment made at Leith (which always hath manif^ftly
been done) but herein we remember what oath we
have made to our common- wealth, and how the duty
we ought to the fame commpelleth us to cry out,
That the queen, by wicked and ungodly counfel,
goeth mod craftily about utterly to opprefs the
fame, and the ancient laws and liberties thereof,
as well againft the king of France's promife, as
her own duty, in refpeft of the high promotions
that fhe hath received thereby ; which juftly fhould
have caufed her to have been indeed, that which
ihe would be called (and is nothing lefs in verity)
to wit, a careful mother over this common-wealth.
But what motherly care fhe hath ufed towards
you, ye cannot be ignorant of : have ye not been,
even from the firft entry of her reign, ever fmit-
ten and opprefTed, with unaccuftomed and more
€Xorbitant taxations than ever were ufed within
this realm ? Yea, and how far was it fought here
to have been brought in upon you and your pofte-
Tity, under colour to have been laid up in ftore
for the wars ? The inquifition taken of all your
goods, moveable and immoveable, by way of tefta-
raent; the feeking of the whole coal and fair of
this realm to have been laid up in ftore and in
girnal, and (lie alone to have been merchant thereof,
doth teach you by experience fomeof her motherly
care. Again, what favour to our common-wealth
doth ftie at this inftant bear, when even now pre-
sently, and of a long time bygone, by the mini-
ftry of fome (who better deferve the gallows than
^ ever did Cochran) Ihe doth fo corrupt the good
' monej^ and hath brought it to fuch bafenefs, and
fueh a deal of ftrife, that all men that have their
eyes open may perceive an extreme beggary to be
brought there- through upon the whole realm ; fo
that the whole exchange and traffic to be had with
foreign nations (a thing moft neceffary in all com-
mon-wealths) fhall thereby be utterly extinguirtied;
and all the gain received thereby, is. That (he
thja-ewith entertaineth flrangers upon our heads :
fori brethren, you know, that her money hath
ferved for no other purpofe in our common-wealth

this long time bygone. And the Impunity of thoic
wicked minifters (whom lately we fpoke of) hath
brought the matter to fuch a licentious enormity,
and plain contempt of the common-weal, that now
they fpare not plainly to break down, and convert
the good and weighty money, coined in our fove-
reign's lefTer age, into this their corrupted flcruif
and baggage of hard-heads ■z.nA non-funts ; mofl like,
as file and they had confpired to deftroy all the
whole good coin of this realm, and confequently
that part of the common-weal. Befides all this,
their clipped and ronged fob, which had no paf-
fage thefe three years pafl, in the realm of France,
are commanded to have courfe in this realm, to
gratify thereby her new-come foldiers: and all
thefe things togetker, are done without the ad^
vice or confent of the nobility and council of this
realm; and manifeflly there- through againfl: our an-
cient laws and liberties.

Thirdly, Her lafl and m.ofl weighty proceeding
more fully declareth the motherly care her majeAy
beareth to our common- wealth and us, when, in
time of peace, without any occafion of foreign
' wars, thoufands of flrangers are laid here and
there upon the necks of our poor members of this
common-wealth ; their idle bellies fed upon the
poor fubfirance of the commonalty, conquefl by
their jufl labours in the painful fwcat of their
brows : which, to be true, Dunbar, North-Ber-
wick, Tranent, Preflonpans, Muffelburgh, Leith,
Canongate, Kinghorn, Kirkcaldy, Dyfart, with ,
the depauperate fouls that this day dwell therein,
can teftify : whofe oppreflion, as doubtlefs it is en-
tered in before the jufllce-feat of God, fo ought
it juftly to move our hearts to have pity and com-
pafF.on upon thefe our poor brethren, and at our
powers to provide remedy for the fame. And al-
beit her flrangers had been garnifhed with money
(as you know well they were not) yet can their
here lying be nowife but moft hurtful to our com-
mon-wealth ; feeing that the fertility of this re-
alm had never been fo plentiful, that it was able
of any continuance to fuftain itfelf and inhabitants
thereof, without fupport of foreign countries;
far lefs able befides the fame to fuftain thoufands
of flrangers, wherewith it is burdened to the
dearthing of all victuals, as the murmur and com-
plaint of Edinburgh this day doth teflify. But
to what efFeift the common-v/ealth is thus burden-
ed, the end doth declare : for fhortly were they
brought to the fields againft our fovereign's true
lieges, even us your brethren, who, God knoweth,
fought nothing elfe but peace of confcience, un-
Y der

170

The history of the REFORMATION

Book II.

der- proteftlon of our fovereign, and reformation
of thefe enormities ; for no other caisfe, but that
we would not renounce the gofpel of Jefus
Chrift, and fubdue our necks under the tyranny
of that wicked man of fm, the Roman Antichriff,
and his forefworn friavelingi, who at that time
moft tyrannically oppreffed our fouls ^'ith hunger
cf God's true word, and reft oar goods and fub-
Itancee, to wafle the fume upon their foul lulls
and itinking harlots.

But, O dear brethren, this was not the chief
pretence and final fcope of her proceedings, (as
thefe days do well declare) for, had not God given
in our hearts to withftand that oppreffion, with
weapons of molf jufl defence, thou, O St. John-
lloun and Dundee, had been in no better ftate
than your fiilcr of Leith is this day. for tho'
we in very deed, God is witnefs, meant then no-
thing but, in the fimpiicity of our hearts, the
.maiucenance of true religion, and fafety of our
brethren, proieflbrs of the fame; yet lay there
anoiher ierpent lurking in the breall cf our ad-
verlaries, as this day, praife to Cod, is plainly o-
pened to all that Hil to behold, to wit, ' To
' bring you and us both under the perpetual fer-
■ ' viiucie of ftrangers.' For we being appointed,
as ye know, touching religion to be realoned with
all in the council, at the day affixed, and no oc-
cafion made to break the fame on our ilde, as is
well known, yet came there fOTth writings and
complaints, That this day and that day v/c were
prepared to invade the queen's perfon; (wl en in
very truth there was never fuch thing thought, as
the very deed hath declared) but, bccaufe fhe was
before deliberate to bring in Frenchmen to both
our deilracljons, that you fhould not ftir therewith
{he made you to underftand, that t hole bands came
only for fafety of her own perfon, O craft, bre-
.thren! O fubtility! but behold the end! They
are come, (yet not fo many, no not the fixth part
that (he deilired and looked for) and how ? not on-
ly with weapons, to defend her perfon', but with
■wives and children to plant in your native rooms,
as they have already begun in the town of Leith,
the principal port and flaple of this realm, the
girnal and furniture of the council, and feat of
jufliee. And here will they dwell, till they may
reinforce themfelves with greater number of their
fellow-foldiers to fubdue then the reff, if God
withiland not.

And yet her nwjefty feared or fhamed not to
write. If they were an hundred Frenchmen for
•very one of ihem that is in Scotland, yet they

fhould harm no man. Tell thou now, Leith, if
that be true ; If this be not a crafty entry to a
manifefl conquert forethought of old, judge you,
dear brethren : thus to fortily our towns, and even
the principal port of our realm, and to lay fo
flrong garrifonsof ff rangers therein, not only with-
out any confent of the nobility and council of this
realm, but alfoexprefs againff their mdnd (as our
writ fent to her majefly beareth record) if this be,
not toopprefsthe ancient lav.'s and liberties of our
realm, let all wife men fay to it. And farther, to-
take the barn-yards new gathered, the girnals re-
plenifhed, and to fit down therein, and by force
to put the jufl poflefTors and ancient inhabitants^
thercfiom, with their wives, children, and fer-
vants, to fhift for themfelves in begging, if they .
have no other means, they being true Scotfmen,
members of our common-wealth, and ou-r dear
brethren and fiflers, born, foflered, and brought
up in the bowels of our common and nativecoua- ,
try : if this be not the m.anifeft declaration of their
oJd pretence and mind towards the whole Scottifh
nation, let your own confcicnce, brethren, be
judge herein. Was all Leith of the congregation ?
No, I. think not ; yet were all alike ferved.

Let this m.otherly care then be tried by the fruits-
thereof: Flrjl, By the great and exorbitant taxa-
tions ufed upon you, and yet ten times greater
preHed at, as ye know. Secondly, The utter de-
pravation of our coin, to purchafe thereby money
to entertain flrangers, French foldiers upon you,
and to m.ake them flrong holds, leff you fhould
fometime expel them out of your native rooms.
Thirdly, By the daily reinforcing of the faid French
foldiers in flrength and number, with wives and
children, planting in your brethrens houfes and
pofTefTions. Indeed her majefiy is, and hath been
at all tim.es careful to procure by her craft of fair
words, of fair promifes, and fometimes of buds
to allure your fimpiicity to that point, to join
yourfelves to her foldiers, to daunt and opprefs us,
that you the remnant, we being cut off, may be
an eafy prey to her flights ; which God of his
infinite goodnefs hath now difcovered to the eyes
of all them that lift to behold : but credit the
works, dear brethren, if ye wiU not credit us,
and lay the example of foreign nations, yea, even
of our brethren, before your eyes, and procure
not your own ruin willingly. If you tender true
religion, you fee how her majefly beareth herfelf
plain enemy thereto, and maintaineth the tyranny
of thefe idle bellies the bifhops, againfl God's
church. If religion be not perfuaded unto you,

yet:

Book If.

OF RELIGION ikSCOTLAND.

171

yet caft you not away the care you ought to have
orer your coramoa-wealth, which you i'ee maai-
feflly and violently ruined berore 3'our eyes : If
this will not move you, remember your dear wives,
children and polteriry, your ancient heritages and
houfes ; and think well, thefe Grangers will legard
no more your right thereunto, than th-^ry have
done your brethren of Leith, whenever occaiion
fliall ferve.

But, if you purpofe (as we doubt not but that
all thofe that either have-wat or manhood will de-
clare and prove indeed) to bruik your ancient
rooms and heritages, conqueied mofl valiantly,
and defended by your mofl noble progenitors, a-
gainfl: all ftrangers, invaders of the fame, as the
French pretend plainly this day ; if ye will not be
(laves unto them, and to have your lives, your
■wives, your children, your fubftance, and v/hat-
foever is dear unto you caft at their ^eet, to be
ufedand abufed at the pleafure of ftrange foldiers,
as you fee your Ivethren at this day before your
eyes : If you will not have experience fome day
hereof in your own perfons (as we fuppofe the
leaft of you all would not gladly have, but rather
would chufe with honour to die in defence of his
own native room, than live and ferve fo Ihameful
a fervimde) then brethren, let us join our forces,
and both with wit and manhood refift their begin-
nings, or elfe our liberties hereafter fhall be dear-
er bought. Let us furely be perfuaded, when our
neighbour's houfes are on fire, that we dwell not
"without danger. Let no man withdraw himfelf
herefrom ; and if any will be fo unhappy and
mifchievous, as we fuppofe none to be, le' us all to-
gether repute, hold and ufe him, as he is indeed,
for an enemy to us, to himfelf, and to his com-
mon-wealth. ' The eternal and omnipotent God,

* the true and only revenger of the opprefled, be
' our comfort and proteftor againft the fury and

* rage of the tyrants of this world ; and efpeciaily

* from the infotiable covetoufnefs of the cardinal

* of Guyfe, and the Hamiitons.' Amen.

Befides this our public Letter, fome Men anfwered
certain Heads of the ^iecn's faid Proclamation
tn this Manner ;

If it be fedition to fpeak the truth in all fobrie-
ty, and to complain when they are wounded, or
to call for help againft unjuft tyranny, before
that their throats are cut, then can we not deny
but wc are criminal, and guilty of tumult and fe-
dition : for we have faid, That our common- wealth

is opprefTed, that we and our brethren are hurt b/

the tyranny of Grangers, and that we fear bon'
dage and llavery, feeing that multitudes of crue^
murderers are daily brought intoour country with-
out our counfel, knowlege and confent. We dif-
pute not fo much whether the bringing in of more
Frenchmen be violating of the appointment, (which
the queen and her faction cannot deny to be ma-
nifeftly broken by them in more cafes than one)
as that we would know, if that the heaping of
Grangers upon flrangers, above us, without our
coimfel or confent, be a thing that may fland v/ith
the liberty of our realm, and with the profit of
our common-wealth. It is not unknown to all
men of judgment, that the fruits of our country
in the moft common years, are no more than fuffi-
cient reaionable to nouridi the born inhabitants of
the fame: but now, feeing we have been vexed
with wars, taken upon us at the picafure of France,
by the which the moft fruitful portion of our
country in corn hath been waited ; What man is
fo bUnd, but that he may fee, that fuch bands of
ungodly and idle foldiers can be nothing elfe but
an occaiion to familh our poor brethren ? And in
this point we refufe not (which is the chief) the
judgment of all natural Scotfmen.

The queen regent alledged, That altho' there
was an hundred Frenchmen for one that is in Scot-
land, yet Ihe is not minded to trouble any juft
pofleilicn. Whereto we anfwer, That wedifpute
not whatllie intended, (which neverthelefs by prob-
able conje<n:ures it is to be fufpeded) but always
we affirm, that fuch a multitude of Frenchmen is
a burden, not only unprofitable, but alfo intole-
rable to this poor realm, efpeciaily being treated
as they are by her and monfieur d' Ofel : for, if
their wages be paid out of France, then they are
both (the queen, wc fay, and monfieur d' Ofel)
traitors to the king and council ; for the poor
commons of this realm have fuftained them with
the fweat of their brows, fince the contracting of
the peace, and fomewhat before.

What motherly afFe(ftion {he hath declared to
this realm, and to the inhabitants of the fame,
her works have evidently declared, even fince the
firft hour that fhc hath born authority. And al-
beit men will not this day fee what danger hangs
over our heads, yet fear we that, ere it be long,
experience fhall teach fome, that M'e have not
feared without caufe. The cruel murder and op-
preffioH ufed by thofe whom now fhe foftereth, is
to us a fufficient argument what is to be looked
for when her number is fo multiplied, that our
Y 2 force

J 7?

The history of the REFORMATION

Book if.

.force (hall not be able to gainftand their tyranny.
Where fhecoinplaineth of our preachers, affirm-
ing that unreverently they fpeak of princes in ge-
neral, and of her in particular, inducing the peo-
ple thereby to dcfeftion from their duty, 6'c. and
rhereibre that fuch a thing cannot be fuffered. Be-
caufe this occafion is laid againfl God's true mini-
Irers, we cannot but v,*itnefs what courfe and or-
der of doftrine they have kept, and yet keep in
that point,
. * In public praj'ers they recommend to God

* all princes in general, and the magiftrates of this
' our. native realm in particular. In open audi-

* ence they declare the authority of princes and

* maglftrates to be of God ; and therefore they

* affirm, that they ought to be honoured, feared,

* and obeyed, even for confcience fake ; provided

* that they command or require nothing exprefly

* repugning to God's commandment and plain

* will, revealed in his holy word. Moreover, they

* affirm. That if wicked perfons, abuhng the au-
' thority eflabliffied by God, move princes to com-

* mand things manifefily wicked ; that fuch as can

* and do bridle thofe inordinate appetites of mifled

* princes, cannot be accufed as refifters of the

* authority, which is God's good ordinance. To
' bridle the rage and fury of mi fled princes in free

* kingdoms and realms, they aff.rm it appertain-

* eth to the nobility, fworn and born counfellors

* of the fame ; and alfo to the barons and people,

* whofe votes and confents are to be required in all

* great and weighty matters of the common-wealth;

* which if they do not, they declare themfeives
' criminal with their milled princes, and fo fubjeft

* to the fame vengeance of God which they de-

* ferve,for that they pollute the feat of jufi:ice,and do,

* as it were, make God author of iniquity. They

* proclaim and cry, That the fame God who

* plagued Pharaoh, repnlfed Sennacherib, ftruck

* Herod with worms, and made the bellies of dogs
< the grave and {epulchre of the fpiteful Jezabel,

* will not fpare miOed princes, who authorize the
f murderers of Chrilt's members in this our time.

* On this manner they fpeak of princes in general,

* and of your majefty in particular.

* This only we have heard one of our preachers
' fay, rebuking the vain excufes of fuch as flatter

* themfeives by reafon of authority, many now a

* days, faid he, will have no other religion nor

* faith, than the queen and authority had : But
' is it not poffible that the queen is fo far blinded,

* that ilie will have no religion, nor no other faith,

* than may content the cardinal of Lorrain ? And

* may it not likewife be true, that the cardinal is
' fo corrupt, that he will admit no j eiigion which

* doth not eflabliOi the pope in his kingdom ? Bnt

* plain it is. That the pope is lieutenant to Satan,

* and enemy to Chrirt Jefus, and to his perfect re-

* ligion. Let men therefore confider what danger

* they Hand in, if their falvation fhall depend up-

* on the queen's faith and religion. Further, we

* never heard any of our preachers fpeak of the

* queen regent, neither publicly nor privately.

'Where her majeily declareth. It will not be

* fuffered that our preachers meddle with pohcy,

* or fpeak of her, or of other princes, but with

* reverence; Weanfwer, That, as we will juflify

* and defend nothing in our preachers, which we

* find not God to have juftifijd and allowed in his
' meffengers before them ; fo we dare not forbid

* them openly to reprehend that which the Spirit
' of God, fpeaking in the prophets and apoifles,'

* hath reprehended before them. Elias did per-

* fonally reprove Ahab arid Jezabel of idolatry, of

* avarice, of murder, and fuch like ; Efaias the

* prophet called the magiftrates of Jerufalemin his,
' time, companions to thieves, princes of Sodom,

* bribe-takers, and murderers ; he complained that
' their filver was turned into drofs, that their wine

* was mingled with water, and that juflice was
' bought and fold : Jeremiah faith. That the bones
' of king Jehoiakim fhould wither with the fun :
' Chrifl Jefus called Herod a fox; and Paul calleth

* the high prieft a painted wall, and prayeth unto

* God that he fhould ffrike him, becaufe, that a-

* gainft juflice he commanded him to be fjnitten.

* Now, if the like, and greater, corruptions be
' in the world this day, who dare enterprize to
' put to filence the Spirit of God, which will not

* be fubjedt to the appetites of mifled princes.'

We have faid before, that the tenth of Septem-
ber was appointed for a convention to be holden
at Stirling, to the which repaired the mofl part of
the lords of the congregation : at that fame time
arrived the earl of Arran, who, after he had fa-
luted his father, came with the earl of Argyle nn^
lord James to Stirling, to the faid convention ; la
which divers godly men complained of the tyran-
ny ufed againfl their brethren ; and efpecially, that
more Frenchmen were brought in to opprefs their
country. After the confultation of certain days,
the principal lords, with my lord Arran, and the
earl of Argyle, pafled to Hamilton for confulta-
tion to be taken with the duke. And in this meaa
time came afTured word tjiat the Frenchmen had

begua

Book II.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

173

begun to forfify Lclth : which thing, as it did
more evidently difcover the queen's craft, (o did it
deeply grieve the hearts of all the nobility there,
who with one confent agreed to write unto the
queen in form as followcth :

Jt Hamilton the i^th day of September, ^'^^'^.

* Madam,
* We are credibly informed, that your army of

* Frenchmen fhould inftantly begin to plant in

* Leith, and to fortify the fame, of mind to ex-

* expel the antient inhabitants thereof, our bre-

* thren of the congregation ; whereof we marvel

* not a little, that }'Our majefly fhould fo manifeft-

* ly break the appointment made at Leith, with-

* out any provocation made by us and our brethren :

* and feeing the fame is done without any manner

* of confent of the nobility and council of this re-

* aim, we efteem the fam.e not only oppreflion of
' our poor brethren, and indwc;llers of the faid
' town, but alfo very prejudicial to the common-

* wealth, and plain contrary to our antient laws
' and liberties : we therefore defire your majefly to

* caufe the fame work enterprifed to be flayed, and

* not to attempt fo rafhlyand fo manifeflly againft

* your majelly's promife, againft the common-

* wealth, the antient Inws and liberties thereof;

* (which things, befides the glory of God, are

* mofl dear and tender to us, and only our pre-

* tence) otherwife alTuring your majefly, we will
' complain to the whole nobility and commonalty
' of this realm, and mofl earneftly feek for redrefs
' thereof. And thus recommending our humble

* fervice unto your highnefs, whom we commit to

* the eternal protedlion of God, expefting earneft-

* ly your anfwer. At Hamilton the day and year

* aforefaid. By your majefly's humble and obe-

* dient fervitors.'

This letter was fubfcribed with the hands of the
^uke, the earls of Arran, Argyle, Glencairn, and
Montieth ; by the lords Ruthven, Ochiltrie,Boyd,
and by divers other barons and gentlemen. To
this requeft fhe would not anfwer by writ, but
with a letter of credit flie fent Sir Robert Car-
nagie, and Mr. David Borthwike, two whom a-
mongfl many others fhe abufed, and by whom fhe
corrupted the hearts of thefimple: they travailed
with the duke, to bring him again to the queen's
fa6f ion : la- Broffe and the billiop of Amiens were
fhortly before arrived, and, as it was reported,
were dire(5led as arabairadors, but they kept clofe

their whole coramillion; they only made large
promifcs to them that would be theirs, and leave
the congregation. The queen did grlevoully con-
plain, that wc had intelligence with England ; and
the conclufion of their con:mir>;on was to folicit
the duke to put all in tlie queen's will, and then
fhe would be gracious enough. It was anfwered.
That no honefl man durfl commit thcmfelves to
the mercy of fuch throat-cutters as llie had abouc
her; whom if llie wou'd remove, and join to her
a council of natural Scotfmen, permitting the re-
ligion ta have free pallage, then fliould none in
Scotland be more willing to ferve her majefly than
fhould the lords and brethren of the congregation
be. At the fame time the duke and the lords wrote
to my lord Erfkinc, captain of the caflle of Edin-
burgh, in form as foUoweth \.

Letter to the Lord Erjsine:

* My Lord and coufin, after our hearty com-
mendations, this prefent is to advertife you, that
wearc credibly informed that the army of French-
men, now in this realm, v/ithout any advice of
the council or nobility, are fortifying,, or elfe
fliortly intend to fortify the town of Leith,
and expel the antient inhabitants thereof; where-
by they proclaim to all, that will open their ears
to hear, or eyes to fee, what is their pretence.
And, feeing the faithfulncfs of your anceflors,
and efpecially of your father, of honourable me-
mory, who was fo recommended and dear to the
eftates and counfellors of this realm, through
afFe<flion they perceived in him towards the com-
mon-wealth thereof, that they doubted not to
give in his keeping the key, as it were, of the
council, of the juftice, and policy of this
realm, the caflles of Edinburgh and Stirling,
we cannot but believe ye will rather aug-
ment the honourable favovir of your hoaie
by fledfafl: favour and loyalty to our common-
wealth, than through the fubtile perfuafions of
fome (which care not what after ihall come to
you and your houfe, at the preient would abufe
you to the perform.ance of their wicked enter-
prizes and pretences againfl our common-wealth)
utterly deftroy the fame. And herefore, feeing
we have written to the queen to defill: from that
enterprize, otherwife that we wiJi complain to
the nobility and commonalty of the realm, and
feek redrefs thereof; we likewife befeech you, as
our tender friend, brother, and member of the
fame co.Ti.mon- wealth with us, that in nowifc

* you

174

The history of the REFORMATION

Book II.

' you meddle with, or afTent to that ungodly en-

* terprize againfl the common-wealth; and iike-

* wife, that ye would fave your body, and the
' jewels of this country committed to yours and

* your predecefTor's loyalty and fideiiry towards your

* native country and common-wealth, if ye think

* to be reputed hereafter one of the fame; and that

* ye would rather be brother to us than to flran-
' gers ; for we do gather by the efFefts, the fecrets

* of mens hearts, otherwife unfearchable unto us.
' This we write, not that we are in doubt of you,

* but rather to v/arn you of the danger, in cafe ye
' fufFer yourfelf to be inchanted with fairpromifes
■' and crafty counfellors ; for, let no man flatter him-

* felf, we defire all men to know, that tho' he were

* our father, (feeing God hath opened our eyes to

* fee his will) if he be enemy to the common-

* wealth, which is now allkiled, and we with it,
' and all true members thereof, he fliall be known

* and hoiden, as he is indeed, enemy to us, to

* our lives, our houfes, babes, heritages, and what-

* foever is contained within the fame : for, as the

* fhip perifhing, what can be fafe that is within ?
' So, the commonwealth being betrayed, what

* particular member can live in quietnefs ? And

* therefore, in fo far as the faid calfles are commit-

* ted to your credit, we defire you to Ihew your

* faithfulnefs and ffcutnefs, as ye tender us, and
'. whatfoever appertaineth unto us : and feeing we
' are affured ye will be alfailed both with craft and
' force, as now by warning we help you againft

* the firif, fo againft the laft ye (hall not mifs in

* all poffible hafle to have our afTiflance ; only (hew

* yourfelf a man, fave your perfon by wifdom,

* ftrengthtn yourfelf againff force ; and the Al-

* mighty God affifl you in both, that one aid the
' other, and open the eyes of your underftanding
' to fee and perceive the craft of Satan and his

* fnppofts. At Hamilton the twenty ninth day of
'September, 1559. By your Brethren.'

The duke and lords underflandlng that the for-
tifications of Leith proceeded, appointed their
whole forces to conveen at Stirling the fifteenth
day of October, that from thence they might march
foreward to Edinburgh, for theredrefsof thegreat-
C1I: enormities which the French did to the whole
country, which by thtrn was fo opprtlTed, that
the life of all honeil men v/as bitter unto them.
In this mean time the lords direfted their letters
to divers parts of the country, making mention
■what danger did hangover all n^en, if the French
ihouid be futfered to plant in this country at their

pleafure, They made mention farther, how hum-
bly they had befought the queen regent, Tliat fhe
would fend away to France her Frenchmen, who
were a burden unprofitable and grievous to this
common wealth; and how that ihe notwithftand-
ing did daily augment their number, bringing wives
and children, a plain declaration of a plain con-
quefl.

The queen regent perceiving that her craft be-
gan to be efpied, by all means poffible travailed to
blind the people ; and firll, flie fent forth her pef-
tilent poU tore-named, in ail parts of the country,
to perfuade ail men, that fae olfcreth all things
reafonable to the congregation ; and that they re-
fufmg allredfon, pretended no religion, but a plain
revolt hom authority. She teu^pted every man, in
particular, as well thofe that were of the congre-
gation, as thofe that were neutrals. She alfauited
every man as ihe thought moi\ eafily he might
have been overcome. To the lord Ruthven lbs
fent thejuflice-clerk, and his wife, who is daughter
to the wife of the faid lord; what was their comm.if-
fion and credit, is no further known, than the faid
lord hath confeifed, which is, That a large promife
of profit was promifed, if he would leave the con-
gregation, and be the queen's. To lord James, pri-
or of St. Andrews, was fent Mr. John Spence of
Corjdie, with a letter aad credit as foiloweth :

The memorial of Mr. John Spence of Condie, the
thirtieth of Septembery 1559.

' I . Ye fliall fay, That the queen's great favour

* towards you moveth her to this.

' 2 That file now knoweth, that the occafion of

* your departing from her, was the favour of the

* word, and of the religion, with the which, al-
' belt llie was oiFended, yet knowing your heart,

* and the hearts of the other lords firmly fixed

* thereupon, fhe will bear with you in that behalf;
■' and at your own fights n:!e will fet forward that

* caufe at her power, as m^ay fiand with God's
' word, the commom policy of this realm, and the

* prince's honour.' [Note good reader what venom
lurked here ; for plain it is, that the policy which
fhe pretended, and the prince's honour, will ne-
ver iufFer Chrift Jefus to reign in this realm.] ,

* 3 . To fpeak of the occafion of alfembling of

* thefe men of war, and fortifying of Leith, you
' muff know. That it was given to the queen to
' underfland by fome about her, that it is not the
' advancement of the word and religion which is
' fought at this tune, but rather a pretence to

over-

Book n.

* overtbroM'' or alter the authority of your filler,

* of the which fl^.e believeth Itili that } e are not
'participant; and conficering the tendernefs be-
' twixt you and your fifler, llie trufted more in

' you, in that behalf, than in any living.' But

before the earl of Arran arrived, and that the duke
departed from her faclion, fhe ceafed not continu-
ally to cry. That the prior fought to make himfelf
king ; and fo, not only to deprive his fuler, to
make himfelf king, but alfo to defraud the duke
and his houfe of their prctenfion. But forefeeiug
a Aorm, fiie began to feek a new wind.

' She further willetli him, to offer the fending
' away of the men of war, if the former fufpicion
' could be removed : fhe lamented the trouble that

* appeared to follow, if the matter (hould long

* Hand in debate ; flie promifed her faithful labours
' for reconciliation, and required the fame of him.

* Requiring further, faith, honour, and kindnefs

* towards his filler, and to advertile for his part,

* what he defired ; with promife. That he might

* obtain what he pleafed to defire.*

To this Letter aJid Credit, the /aid Lord James aii^
fvjered, asfoUovjeth.

* Madam,
* I Received your highnefs's writ, and have

* heard the credit of the bea? er ; and finding the

* bufinefs of fuch importance, that dangerous it

* were to give hally anfwer : and alfo, your de-

* mands are fuch, that with my honour I cannot an-

* fwer them privately by myfelf ; I have thought

* good to delay the fome, till that I might have the

* judgment of the whole council. For this point

* I will not conceal from your majelfy. That a-

* mongfl us there is a folemn oath, that none of us

* (hall traffic with your majefty fecretly, neither

* yet that any of us Ihall treat or deal for himfelf

* particularly ; which oath, for my part, I pur-
' pofe to keep unviolated to the end; bist when
' the reft of the noblemen fhall conveen, I fiiall

* leave nothing that lieth in my power undone,

* that may make for the quietnefs of this poor re-
' aim, provided, that the glory of Chrift Jefus

* be not hindred by our concord: and, if your

* majefty ftiall be found fo tradable, as now ye

* offer, I doubt not to obtain of the reft of my
!* brethren fuch favour towards your fervice, as

* your majefty ftiall have juft occafion toftandcon-

* tent : for I take God to record, that in this a(Si:i-

* on, I have neither fought, neither yet feek any
' other thing than to incrtafe God's glory, and the

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

* liberty of this poor realm to be maintained. Fur-

* ther, 1 have ihewcd unto your meffenger what

* things have mililked me in your proceedings,
' even from fuch a heart, as I wiih to God you
'knew fully, and all men e\k; and this, with

* hearty commendation of fervice to your majefty,
' I heartily commit your hignels to the eternal pro-
' teftion of the omnipotent. At St. Andrews,

* the firft of 06tober, ' 1 5 59.

Sic fuhfcribtzcr,

Tour majefly's humble and obedient fcrvitor,

James Stewart."

This anfwer received, ftie raged, as hjpocrify
ufeth when it is pricked ; and perceiving that ihe
could not work what ftie would at the hands of
men particularly, ihe fet forth a proclamation, u-
niverfally to be proclaimed, in the tenor as fol..
loweth.

The ^teen's Proclamation.-

FoRsoMucH as it is underftood by the queen;,
that the duke of Chattelarault hath lately directed
his miffives into all parts of this realm, making
mention, that the Frenchmen late arrived, witn
their wives and children, are begun to plant in
Leith, to the ruin of the comm.on-wcakh ; which
he and his partakers will not pals over with pati-
ent beholding, defiring to know what will be eve-
ry man's part : and that the fortification of Leith,
is a purpofe devifed in France ; and that therefore
monlieur de la Brofie;, and the bilhop of Amiens
are come to this country : a thing fo vain and un-
true, that the contrary thereof is known to all men
of free judgment. Therefore the queen, willing,
that the occafions whereby her m.ajefty v^as moved
fo to do, be made patent, and what have been her
proceedings fi nee the appointment lalt made on the
Links befide Leith, to the cffeft that the truth of
all things being made manifeft, every man m,ay un-
derftand how unjuftly that a dcfire to fupprefs the
liberty of this realm is laid to her charge ; we
have thought expedient to make this difcourfe fol-
lowing; Fii-Jl, Aitho', after the faid appointment,
divers of the faid congregation,^ and that not of
the meaneft fort, have violently broken the points
thereof, and made fundry occafions of new cum-
ber. The fame was in a part winked at, and over-
looked, in hope that they in time v.-ould remem-
ber their duty, andabftain from fuch .evil behavi-
our.;.

The HISTORYof the REFORMATION

ij6

our; which converfion her maj eft y ever fought,
rather than any pumfliment, with fuch care and
folicitude by all means ; and in the mean time no-
thing was provided for her own fecurity. But
at laft, by ^ their frequent meffages to and from
Enfrland, their intelligence then was perceiv-
ed t yet her majcfty trufled the queen of Eng-
land (let them feek as they pleafe) will do the
office of a Chriftian Prlncefs, in time of a
fworn peace; through which, force was to
to her majefty, feeing fo great defeflions of great
psrfcnages, '' to have recourfe to the law of nature.'
And like, as a fmali bird, being purfued, will pro-
vide feme neft ; fo her majefty could do no lels in
cafes of purfuit, but provide fome fure retraft for
herfelf and her company; and to that effeft chofe
the town of Leith as a place convenient therefore,
becaufe it was her deareft daughter's property, and
no other perfon coild claim title or intcreft there-
to, and alfo, becaufe in former times it had been
fortified. About the fam.e tim.e that the feeking
Ripport of England was made manifeft, arrived the
carl of Arran, and adjoined himfelf to the congre-
gation, upon further promife than the pretended
quarrel, or rdigion, that was to be fet up by them
in authority ; and fo to pervert the whole obedi-
ence. And as fome of the congregation at the fame
time had put into their hands, and taken the caftle
«f Brochtie, put forth the Iceepers thereof; imm_e-
diately came from the faid duke to her majefty,
unlooked for, a writ, befide many others, com-
plaining of the fortification of the faid town of
Leith, in hurt of the ancient inhabitants thereof,
brethi-en of the faid congregation, whereof he then
profefled himfelf a meniber. And albeit that the
bearer of the faid writ was an unm.eet meftenger in
arnatter of fuch confequence, yet her majefty di-
refted-to him two perfons of good credit and repu-
tation, with anfwer ; offering, if he would caufe
amends to be made for that which was committed
againft the laws of the realm, to do further than
could be craved of reafon : and to that effeft, to
draw fome conference, which by his fault, and his
colleagues, took no end ; neverthelefs they continu-
ally fincc continue in their doings, ufurping the
authority, commanding and charging free burghs
to chufe provofts and officers of their naming, and
to affift them in the purpofe they would be at;
and that they will not ft^ffer provifion to be brought
for fuft.entation of her majefty's houfes. A great
part have fo plainly fet afide all reverence and hu-
manity, whereby every man may know, that it is
-ao matter of religion, but a plain ufurpation of the

Book II.

authority: and no doubt but fimple men of good
zeal in former times, therewith falfiy have been
deceived. But as to the queen's part (God who
knoweth the fecrets of all hearts well knoweth, and
the world fhall fee by experience) that the fortifi-
cation of Leith was deviled for no other purpofe,
but for recourfe to her highnefs and her company,
in cafe they were purfued. Wherefore, as good
fubjefrs, that have the fe^r of God in their hearts,
will not fuffer themfelves, by fuch vain perfuafion?, -
to be led away from their due obedience, but will
aiiift in defence of their fovereign's quarrels, againft
all fuch as fhall purfue :he fame wrongfully ; there-
fore her majefty ordaineth the officers of arms to
pafs to the market-crofles of all the head-burghs
of this realm, and there, by open proclamation,
command and charge all and fundry the lieges there-
of, that none of them take in hand to put them-
felves in arms, nor take part wich the faid duke
or his affiftaries, under the pain of treafon.

Thefe letters being divulgate, the hearts of many
were ftirred; for they judged the narration of the
queen regent to have been true : others underftood
the fame to be utterly falfe. But, becaufe the
lords defned that all men ftiould judge in their caufe,
they fet out the declaration fubfequent.

The Declaration of the Lords againjl the former

Proclamation.

We are compelled unwillingly to anfwer the
grievous accufations moft unjuftly laid toour charges
by the queen regent, and her perverfe council, who
ceafe not by all craft and malice to make us odious
to our deareft betltren, natural Scotfmen ; as, that
we pretended no other thing, but the fubverfion
and overthrow of all juft authority ; when God
knoweth we fought nothing but that fuch authori-
ty, as God approveth by his word, be eftablifhed,
honoured, and obeyed amongft us. True it is,
that we have complained (and continually muft com-
plain, till God fend redrefs) that our common coun-
try is opprefled with ftrangers ; that this inbringing
of foldiers, with their wives and children, and
planting of men of war in our free towns, appear-
eth to us a ready way to conqueft. And we moft
earneftly require all indifferent perfons to be judge
betwixt us and the queen regent in this caufe, to
luit, whether our complaint be juft or no ? for, what
other purpofe fhould fhe thus multiply ftrangers
upon us, but only in refpefl of conqueft ? which
is a thing of late devifed by her and her avaricious
houfe. We are not ignorant that fix years ago the

queftiom

Book II. o f R E L I G I 0 N

queftion was demanded of a man of honcfV repu-
tation, * What number of men was able to daunt
' Scotland, and to bring it to the full obedience of
* France ?' She alledged, that, to fay that the for-
tification of Leith was of purpofedevifed in France,
and that for th? t purpofe were monfieur de la Brofle,
and the biihop of Amiens fent to this country, is a
thing fo vain and untrue, that the contrary thereof
is notorious to all men of free judgment. But e-
vident it is, whatfoever fke alledged, that fmce
their arrival, Leith was begun to be fortified.

She alledgtd, that (he, feeing the defeftion of
great perfonages, was compelled to have re-
eourfe to the law of nature, and, like a fmall bird
purfued, to provide for fome fure retraft to herfelf
and her company. But, why doth (he not anfwer
for what purpofe did fhs bring in her new bands
of men of war ? \vas there any defeftion cfpied be-
fore their arrival ? was not the congregation under
appointment with her ? which, whatfoever fhe al-
ledged, (he is not able to prove that we have vio-
lated in any chief point, before that her new throat-
cutters arrived ; yea, before that they began to for-
tify Leith, a place, faith fhe, moll convenient for
her purpofe ; as indeed it is, for the receiving of
ftrangers at her pleaiure ? for, if fhe had feared
the purfuit of her body, flie had Inchcolm, Dun-
bar, and Blacknefs, forts and flrengths already made :
yet all thefe could not fo well ferve her turn as
Leith ; becaufe it was her daughter's property, and
none other could have title unto it, and becaufe it
had been fortified oft before. That all men may
know the juft title her daughter and fhe had to
the town of Leith, we Ihall in few words declare.

It is not unknown to the moft part of this re-
alm, that theie hath been an old hatred and con-
tention betwixt Edinburgh and Leith ; Edinburgh
continually feeking conftantly to polTefs the liberty
of Leith, which by donation of ancient kings they
have long enjoyed ; and Leith, by the contrary,
afpiring to a liberty and freedom in prejudice of E-
dinburgh. The queen regent, a woman that could
make her profit at all hands, was not ignorant how
to compafs her own bufinefs ; and therefore fecret-
ly (lie gave advertifement to fome of Leith, that
(lie would make their town free, if that (lie might
do it with any colour of juftice. By which pro-
mifes the principal men of them did travail with
the laird of Reftalrig, a man neither prudent nor
fortunate, to whom the fuperiority of Leith apper-
tained, that he fhould fell his whole title and right
to our fovereign for a certain fum of money, which
the inhabitants of Leith paid, with a large taxati-

IN SCOTLAND.

177

on more to the queen regent, in hope to be made
free, in defpight and defraud of Edinburgh : which
right and fuperiority when (he had gotten, and
when the money was paid, the firfl fruits of their
liberty they now eat with bitternefs is, that flran-
gers (hall polTefs their town; this is the juft title
which her daughter and (he might claim to that
town. And whereas (he alledged, that it was for-
tified before ; we afl<, if that was done without the
confent of the nobility and eftates of the realm ? as
now fhe and her crafty counfellors do, in defpight,
and high contempt of us the lawful and born coun-
fellors of this realm.

How far we have fought fupport of England,
or of any other prince, and how juft caufe we had,
and have fo to do, we (hall (hortly make manifeft
unto the world, to the praife of God's holy name,
and to the confufion of all thefe that fiander us for
lb doing : for this we fear not to confefs, that, as
in this our enterprife againft the devil, idolatry,
and the mait*iners of the fame^ we chiefly and on-
ly feek God's glory to be notified unto man, fin to
be punilhed, and virtue to be maintained; fo,
where power faileth in ourfelves, we will feek it
wherefoever God fhall offer the fame : and yet, in
fo doing, we are alTared neither to offend God,
neither yet to do any thing repugnant to our duties.
We heartily praife God, who moved the heart of
the earl of Arran to join himfelf with us his perfe-
cuted brethren. But how malicious a lie it is, that
we have promifed to fet him up in authority, the
iffue fhall declare : God we take to record, that no
fuch thing hath entered into our hearts ; neither
yet hath the faid earl, neither any to him appertain-
ing, moved us unto any fuch matter : which if they

(hould do, yet are we not fo (lender in judgment,
that inconfiderately we would promife that, which
after we would repent. We fpeak and write to the
praifeof God's glory; theleaft of us knowelh better
what obedience is due to a lawful authority, than
(he and her council doth pra<5f ife the office of fuch
as worthily may fit upon the feat of juftice: for,
we offer, and we perform, all obedience which God
hath commanded ; and we deny neither toll, tri-
bute, nor fear, to her nor her officers : we only
bridle her blind rage, in the which fhe would erc<ft
and maintain idolatry, and would murder our bre-
thren, who refufe the fame: But fhe doth utterly
abufe the authority eftablifhed by God, flie pro-
phaneth the throne of his majefty on earth, mak-
ing the feat of juftice, which ought to be the fanc-
tuary and refuge of all godly and virtuous perfons,
unjuftly affli<5fed, to be a den and receptacle to
Z thieves.

,78

The history of theREFORMATION Book IL

thieves, murderers, idolaters, whoremongers^ a-
dulterers, and of blafphemers of God, and all un-
godllnefs. It is more than evident what men they
are, and long have been, whom (lie by her power
maintaincth and defendeth ; and alfo what hath
been our converfation, fince it hath pieafed God to
call us to his knowlege, whom now in her fury Tne
cruelly perfecuteih.

We deny not the taking of the houfes of Brochtie ;
and the caufes being confidered, we think that no
natural Scotfman will be offended at our faft.
When the afTured knowlege came to us that ^the
fortification ofLeith was begun, every man began
fo enquire, vv^hat danger might enfue to the reft of
the realm, if the French fliould plant in divers
places ; and what were the places that might annoy
us. In conclufion it was found, that the taking
of the faid houfc by Frenchmen, Should be deftruc-
tion to Dundee, and hurtful to St. Johnffoun, and
to the v/hole country ; and therefore it was thought
expedient to prevent the danger, as that we did,
for prefervation of our brethren and common coun-
try. It is not unknown what enemies thofe two
towns have, and how gladly would fome have all
good order and policy overthrown in them. The
conjeftures, that the Frenchmen were of mind
ihortly to have taken the fame place, were not ob-
fcure : but whatfoever they pretended, we cannot
repent that we, as faid is, have prevented the dan-
ger, and v/ould God that power had been in the
lame manner to have foreclofed their enterprife at
Leith: for, what trouble this poor realm ihall en-
dure before that thofe murderers and unjuft pof-
feflbrs be removed from the fame, the ilTue will de-
clare.

If her accufations agalnft the duke, and that we
rcfufed conference, be truly and fimply fpoken, we
will not refufe the judgment of thofe very men,
whom file alledgeth to be of fuch reputation. They
know that the duke did anfwer, that if the realm
ihovild be fet at liberty from the bondage of thofe
men of war, which prefently did opprefs it, and
was fo fearful to him, and to his brethren, that
they were compelled to abfent themfelves from the
places, where fhe and they made refidence ; that
he and the whole congregation ihould come, and
give all dutiful obedience to our fovereign her daugh-
ter, and unto her, as regent for the time ; but to
enter into conference, fo long as fhe kept above
him and his brethren that fearful fcourge of cruel
flrangers, he thought no wife man would counfel
him. And this his anfwer we approve, adding
further, ' That fhe can make us no promife. which

* (lie can keep, nor we can credit, fo long as fhe is

* forced with the ftrength, and ruled by the coun-

* cil of France. We are not ignorant, that princes
' think it good policy to betray their fubjedls by

* breaking of promifes, be they never fo Iblemnly
' made.' We have not forgotten what counfel fnc
and monfieur d' Ofel gave to the duke, againlf thofe
that IJew the cardinal, and kept the caftle of St.
Andrews, which was this, that what promife they
lift to require, fhould be made unto them; but^
affoon as the caftle was rendred, and things brought
to fuch pafs as Wiis expedient, that he (liouid chop
the heads from every one of them. To the which
the duke anfwered, that he would never confcnt
to fo treafonable an aft ; but if he promifed fideli-
ty, that he would faithfully keep it. Monfieur
d' Ofcl faid in mockage to the q«een in France,
that is a good fimple nature, but I know no other
prince that would fo do. If this was his judgment
in fo fmall a matter, what have we to fufpeft in
this our caufe .'' for thequeftion is not of the flaugh-
ter of one cardinal, but of the juft abolilhing of all
tyranny, which that Roman antichrift hath ufurp-
ed above us, of the fupprefTrng of idolatry, and of
the reformation of the whole religion, by that ver-
liiine of fnavelings utterly corrupted. Now, if the
flaughter of a cardinal be a fm iiremifTible, as they
themfelves affirm; and if faith ought not to be
kept to heretics, as their own law fpeaketh, what
promife can fhe, that is ruled by the counfel and
com.mandment of a cardinal, make to us that can
be fure ?

Where fhe accufeth us, that we ufurp authority
to command and charge free boroughs, to choofe
provoftsandofScersof our naming, 6^c. We will,
that the whole boroughs, of Scotland teffify in
that cafe, whether we have ufed any kind of vio-
lence, but lovingly exhorted fuch as afked our fup-
port to choofe fuch in ofSce, as had the fear of God
before their eyes, lovedequityandjuftice, and were
not noted with avarice and bribing ; bu t wonder it is,
with what face fhe can accufe us of that, whereof
we are innocent, and fhe fo openly criminal, that
the whole realm knoweth her iniquity : in that cafe
hath fhe not compelled the town of Edinburgh to
retain a man to be their provoft, moft unworthy
of any authority in a well-ruled common-wealth ?
hath fhe not inforced them to take bailiffs of her
appointment ? and fome of them fo meet for their
office in this troublefom time, as * a fouter is to
* fail a fhip in a ftormy day.' She complaineth, that
we will not fuffer provifion to be made for her
hou fe. In very deed, ,we unfeignedly repent, that

before

Book IT.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND

before this we took not better order, that thefe
murderers and opprefTors, whom (lie pretendeth
to nouriih for our deflruftion, had not been dif-
«ppointed of their great provifion of vi£luals,
which Ihe and they have gathered, to the great
hurt of the wliole country ; but, as God fhall af-
fift us in times coming, we (hail do diligence fome-
what to fruftrate their devilifhpurpofe. What both
(he and we pretend, we doubt not but God {wha
cannot fulTer the abufe of his own name long to
be unpunifiied) Ihall one day declare, and unto him
we fear not to commit our caufe. Neither yet fear
we, in this prefent day, to fay, that againfl; us (lie
maketh a malicioas lie, where that Ih-e faith, That
it is not religion that we go about, but a plain u-
furpation of authority. God forbid that fuch im-
piety fliould enter in our hearts, that we (hould
make his holy religion a cloak and covertour of
our iniquity : from the beginning of this contro-
verfy, it is evidently known what have been our
requefts ; which, if the red of the nobility and
commonalty of Scotland will caufe to be perform-
ed unto us, if then in us appear any fign of re-
bellion, let us be reputed and punifliedas traitors:
but while Grangers are brought in to fupprefs us,
our common wealth and pofterity; while idolatry
is maintained, and the true religion of Chrift Jefus
defpifed; while idle bellies, and bloody tyrants
the bifhops are maintained, and Chrift's true mef-
fengers perfecuted ; while, finally, virtue is con-
temned, and vice extolled ; while that we, a great
part of the nobility and commonalty of this realm,
are moi\ unjuflly perfecuted, What godly man can
be offended, that we fhall feek reformation of thefe
enormities ? (yea, even by force of arms, feeing
that otherwife it is denied unto us) we are afTured
that neither God, neither nature, neither any jufl
law forbiddeth us. God hath made us counfel-
lors by birth of this realm, nature bindeth us to
love. our own country, and jnft laws command us
to fupport our brethren unjuflly purfued ; yea, the
oath that we have made to be true to this com-
mon-wealth, compelled us to hazard whatfoever
God hath given us, before that we fee the mifer-
able ruin of the fame.

If any think it is not religion which now we
feek, we anfwer. That it is nothing elfe but the
Zeal of the true religion which moveth us to this
cnterprife : for, as the enemy doth craftily forefee,
that idolatry cannot univerially be maintained, un-
lefs that we be utterly fupprefTed ; fo do we con-
"der, that the true religion (the purity whereof
we openly require) cannot univerfally be erefted,

[7v>

unlefs ftrangers be removed, and this poor realm
purged of thofe peflilences, which before have in-
fedled it; and therefore, in the name of the eter-
nal God, and of his Son Chrifl: Jefus, whofe caufe
we fuflain, we require all our brethren, natural
Scotfmcn, prudently to confider our requefts, and
with judgment to difcern betvtixt us and the queen
regent, with her faction, and not to fuffer thcm-
felves to be abufed by her craft and deceit, that ta
lift their weapons againfl their brethren, who feek
nothing but God's glory, or yet to extraft from
us their juff and dutiful fupport, feeing that we.
hazard our lives for prefervation of them and us,
and of us and our poflerity to come; afTuring fach
as fhall declare themfelves favourers of her faction;
and enemies unto us, that we fhall repute them,
whenfoever God fhall put the fword of juflice in
our hands, v/orthy of fuch punifliment as is due
for fuch, as fludy to betray their countries into
the hands of ftrangers.

This our anfwer was formed, and divulgate in
forne places, but not univerfally, by reafon of our
day appointed to meet at Stirling, as before is
declared. In this mean time the queen's polls ran
with all poflible expedition to draw men to her
devotion ; and, in very deed, flie found more fa-
vourers of her iniquity than we fufpefled : for a
man that of long time had been of our number
in profeffion, offered, as himfelf did confefs, his
fervice to the queen, to travail betwixt her majc-
fty and the congregation for concord ; fhe refufed
not his offer, but knowing his fimplicity, fhe was
glad to employ him for her advantage : the man is
Mr. Robert Lockhart, a man of whom many have
had, and ftill have good opinion, as touching his
religion ; but to enter in the managing of fuch
affairs, not fo fit as godly and wife men would
require. He travaileth not the lefs earneflly in the
queen regent's affairs, and could not be perfuaded
but that fhe meant fmcerely, and that fhe M^ould
promote the religion to the uttermoflof her power.
He promifed in her name. That fhe would puta-
way her Frenchmen, and \TOuId be ruled by the
counfel of natural Scotfmen. When it was rea-
foned in his contrary, That if fhe were fo mind-
ed to do, fhe could have found mediators a great
deal more fit for that purpofe ; he feared not to
affirm. That he knew mcwe of her mind than ail
the French or Scots that were in Scotland; yea,
more than her own brethren that were in France.
He travailed with the earl of Glencairn, the lords
of Ochiltrie and Boyd, with the laird of Dun, and
with the preachers, to whom he had certain fecret
Z 2 letters.

i€o The HISTORY of the

letters, which he would not deliver, unlefs that
they would make a faithful promife, That they
Ihould never reveal the thing contained in the fame.
To the which it was anfwered, That in nowife
they could make fuch a promife, by rcafon that
they were fworn one to another, and all together
in one body. That they fhould have no fecret in-
telligence, nor deal with the queen regent, but
that they (hould communicate with the great coun-
cil whatfoever fhe propofed unto them : fo they
did anfwer unto her, as by this anfwer written by
John Knox to the queen regent may be underftood,
the tenor whereof followeth ;

To the ^leen Regent.

' Madam,
'My duty humbly premifed, your majefly's
' fervant, Mr. Robert Lockhart, moft inftantly

* hath required me, and others to whom yourma-

* jefty's letters, as he alledged, were direfted, to
' receive the fame in a fecret manner, and to give
' him anfwer accordingly : but, becaufe fome of

* the number that he required, were, and are of

* the great council of this realm, and therefore are

* folemnly fworn to have nothing to do in a fecret

* manner, neither with your majefty, nor wdth
' any that cometh from you, or from your coun-
' cil, and fo they could not receive your majelly's
' letters with fuch conditions, as the faid Mr. Ro-

* bert required ; therefore thought he good to

* take back to your majefly again the faid letters clofs.

* And yet, becaufe, as he reporteth, he hath made
' to your majefly fome promife in my name, at
' his requeft, I am content to teftify by my letter

* and fubfcription, the fum of that which I did
"= communicate with him. In Dundee^ after many
' words betwixt him and me, I faid. That albeit
' divers fmifler repOTts had been made of me, yet
' did I never declare any evident token of hatred
' or enmity agaiaft your majcfly : for, if it be the

* office of a true friend to 'give true and feithf ul

* counfel to them, whom he feeth run to deAruftion
♦■for lack of the fame, I could not be proved ene-
' my to your majefty, but rather a friend unfeign-

* ed. For what counfel I had given to your ma-
♦•jefty> my writings, as well my letter and additi-

* tion to the fame, now printed, as divers others

* which I wrote from St. Johnfloun, may teftify.

* 1 further added j That luch an enemy was I unto

* you, that my tongue did both perfuade, and ob-
'- tain, that your authority and government fhould
*-b« obeyed of us in all things lawful, till you de.-.

REFORMATION Book 1L

* dared yourfelf open enemy to this common-wealth,

* as now, alas, ye have done. This I willed him

* moreover to fay to your majefty. That, if ye,

* following the counfel of flattering men, having-

* no God but this world and their belly, did pro-

* ceed in your malice againft the religion of Chrift^
' Jefus, and true minifters, that ye ihould do no-
' thing elfc but accelerate and haften God's plague
' and vengeance upon yourfelf, and thofe that tol-

* low you ; and that ye (if ye did not change your
' purpofe haftily) fhould bring yourfelf in luch

* extreme danger, that when ye would feek reme-

* dy, it fhould not be fo eafy to be found, as it

* had been before. This is the efFeft and fum of

* all that I faid at that time, and willed him, if he

* pleafed, to communicate the fame to your maje-

* fly ; and the fame yet again I notify unto your

* majefty by this my letter, written and fubfcribed.

* at Edinburgh, the 26th day of Oftober, 1 559.

Sic fithfcribitur,

Tciir majejly's, t€ command in all godlinefsy

John Knox.

Poftfcriptum. 'God move your heart yet in

* time to confider. That ye fight not againft men,

* but againft the eternal God, and againft his Son
' Jefus Chrift, the only Prince of the kings of the^

* eaith.'

At which anfwer the faid Mr. Robert was fo
offended, that he would not deliver his letters,
faying. That we were ungodly and injurious to
the queen regent, if we fufpefted any craft in hen
To the which it was anfwered by one of the
preachers. That time fliould declare whether he
or they were deceived : if fhe fhould not declare
herfelf enemy to the true religion which they pro-
fefTed if ever fhe had the upper-hand, then they
would be content to confefs, that they had fufpec-
ted her fincerity without juft caufe ; but, if fhe
fhould declare her malice no lefs in times coming
than fhe had done before, they required that he
ftiould be more moderate than to condemn them,'
whofe corifcience he knoweth not. And this was
the end of his travail for that time. After that he
had troubled the confciences of many godly ancf
quiet perfons ; for he and others, who were her
hired pofts, ceafed not to blow in the cars of all
men, that the queen was heavily dealt with,- that
fhe required nothing but obedience to her daugh-
ter, that fhe was content that the true religionf
fhould gQ foreward, and that all abufes fliould be

aboliflied ;„

Book H.

OF RELIGION IN SCOT LAN Dr

I St

abolifhed; and by this means they brought a
grudge and divifion among ourfelves : for many
(and our brethren of Lothian efpecially) began to
murmur, that we fought another thing than reli-
gion, and fo ceafed to affill us certain days, after
■ that we were come to Edinburgh ; which we did
according to the former diet the 1 6 th day of Ofto-
ber. This grudge and trouble among ourfelves
was not raifed by the aforefaid Mi". Robert only,
but by tlx)fe peftilents whom before we have ex-
preffed, and Mr. James Balfour efpecially, whofe
venomous tongues againA God and his true religi-
on, as they deferve punifhment of men, fo fliall
they not efcape God's vengeance, unlefs that fpeedi-
^y they repent.

x'^.fter our coming to Edinburgh the day fore-
named, we affembled in council, and determined
to give new advertifement to the queen regent of
our coavention, and in fuch fort; and fo with
common confent we feat unto her our requeft, as
follov/eth :

Thefecond Admoniiim to the ^leen Regent, .

* Madam,
'Your majefly may call to mind, how, at our

* laft convention at Hamilton, we required your

* highnefs, in moft humble manner, todefiftirom

* the fortifying of the town of Leith, then enter-

* prized and begun, which appealed to. us, and

* yet doth, an entry to a conquefl and overthrew'

* of our liberties, and altogether againft the laws

* and cufloms of this realm, feeing it was begun,and

* yet continueth without any advice and confent of

* the nobility and council of this realm. Where-

* fore now, as oft before, according unto our duty

* to our common-wealth, we moft humb*ly require
' your majeAy to caufe your Grangers, and foldi-

* ers whatfoever, to depart the faid town of Leith,

* and make the fame patent, not only to the inha-

* bitants, but alfo to ail Scotfmen, our fovcreign

* lady's lieges ; afluring your highnefs,' that if re-

* fufing the fame, ye declare thereby your evil

* mind towards the common- wealth, and liberty

* of this realm, we will, as before, move and de-

* clare the caufes tinto the.whde nobility and com-

* monalty of this realm; and, according to the

* oath which we have fworn, for. the maintenance

* of the common-weal, in all manner of things to

* us poffible, we will provide remedy therefore.

* Requiring mofl humbly your majefty's anfwer in

* hafte with the bearer; bccaufe in our eyes the

* aft . continually proceeds, declaring your de-.

* termination of the conquefl:, which is prefumed'

* of all men, and not without caufe. And thus,
' after our commendation of fervice, we pray al-
' mighty God to have your majefly in his eternal
' tuition.'

Thefe our letters received, our mefTcnger was
threatned, and witholden a whole day : thereafter
he was difmilTed, without any other anfwtjr, but
that Ihe would fend an anfwer, when (lie thouglit
expadient. In this mean time, becaufe the rumour
ceafed not, that the duke ufurped the authorit}.,
he was compelled with the found of trumpet, at
the mercat-crofs of Edinburgh,, to make his pur-
gation as foUoweth, the rpih of October.

The Purgation of the Duk^,.

Forasmuch as the diike of Chattelaratilt, un=-
derftanding the falfe report made by thefe about
the queen regent againft him, that he and his foa
the lord Arran fhould pretend ufurpation of the
crown and authority of this realm, wlien in very
deed he, nor his faid fon, never once hath made-
any (lie " of any fuch thing; but only in hmplici-
ty of heart moved partly by the violent purfuit a-
gainfl religion, and true profelfors thereof: part-
ly by compalTion of the common-wealth, and poor
commonalty of this realm, opprelfed with flran-
gers ; he joined himfeif to the reft of the nobili-
ty, with all hazard, to fupport the common caufe
of the one and of the other; and hath thought
expedient to purge himfeif and his fon in prefence
of you all, as he had done in prefence of tl:e
council, of that faid crime of old, even by fum-
mons laid to his charge, the fecond yeai- of the
reign of our fovereign lady ; which accufatiou
hath continued ever againfl him, as guilty of that
crime : he therefore now opaily and plainly pro-
tefleth, that neither he, nor his faid fon, fues nor
feeks any pre-eminence, either to the crown or
authority, but, as far as his puifTance may extend,
is ready, and ever (hall be, and his fon alfo, to
concur with the reft of ths- nobility his brethren, ,
and all others, whofe hearts are touched to main- ■
tain the common caufes of religion and liberty of
their native country, plainly invaded by the faid
regent and her faid foldiers, who only do forge
fuch vain reports, to withdraw the hearts of true
Scocfmen fpom the fuccour they owe of bounden .
duty to their common-weal opprelTed. Where^
fore, exhorting all men that will maintain the true
religion of God, or withflaiid this oppreiTton oc

plain :

The history »f the REFORMATION Book 11.

1^2

plain conqueft enterprlzed by ftrangers upon our
native Scotfmen, not to credit fuch falfe and un-
true reports ; but rather concur with us and the
reft of the nobility, to fet our country at liberty,
expelling ftrangers therefrom; which doing ye
fliall {hew yourfelves obedient to the ordinance of
God, which was ^-ftablifhed for maintenance of
the common-weal, and true members of the fame.

The 21 ft of 0£lober came from the queen re-
gent jVk. Robert Foreman, lion king of arms,
who brought unto us a writing in this tenor and
credit ;

' After commendations, we have received
'your letter at Edinburgh, the 19th of this in-
' ftant, which appeareth to us, rather to have
' come from a prince to his fubjefts, than from

* fubjefts to them that bear authority : for anfwer
' whereof, we have prefently direfted unto you

* this bearer, lion herauld king of arms, fuffxient-

* ly inftrufted with our mind, to whom ye ftiall
' give credence. At Leith, Oftober 21ft, 1559.

Sic fubfcribitur,

Mary R.*

Mis Credit is this^

' That the queen wonders how any durft

* prefume to command her in that realm, which
' needeth not to be conqueft by any force, confi-
' dering that it was already conqueft by marriage :
' That Frenchmen could not juftly be called -ftran-
' gers, feeing that they were naturalized ; and
' therefore, that fhe would neither make that town

* patent, neither yet fend any man away, but as
' fhe thought expedient : (be accufed the duke of
' violating his promife; fhe made long proteftati-
' on of her love towards the common-wealth of

"Scotland, and in the end commanded, that un-
' der the pain of treafon all afliftaries to the duke,

* and unto us fiiould depart from the town of E-
•dinburgh.'

This anfwer received, credit heard, pre-eon-
-ceived malice fufficiently efpied, confultation was
taken what was expedient to be done ; and for
the firft it was concluded. That the herauld
-fliould be ftayed, till further determination fliould
be taken.

The whole nobility, barons, and burgefTes then
prefent, were commanded to conveen in the tol-
bootlrof Edinburgh, the fame twentieth and one
-day of Oifrober, foi deliberation of thefe matters;

where, the whole caufe being expofed by the lord
Ruthven, the queftion was propounded, * Whe-
' ther file thatfo conternptuoufly refufed the moft
' humble requeft of the born coanfellers of the
' realm, being alfo but a regent, whofc pretences

* threatncd the bondage of the whole common-

* wealth, ought to be fufTered fo tyrannically to
' domineer over them ?' And becaufe that this
queftion had not been before difputed in open af-
fembly, it was thought expedient that the judg-
ment of the preachers fnould be required ; who,
being inftrudled in the cafe, John Willock, who
before had fuftained the burden of the church in
Edinburgh, commanded to fpeak, made difcourfe
as followeth ;

Affirming, Firjl, That albeit magiftrates are
God's ordinance, having of him power and autho-
rity, yet is not their pov/er fo largely extended,,
but that it is bounded and limited by God in his
word.

And, Secondarily, That, as fubje£ls are com-
manded to obey their magiftrates, fo are the ma-
giftrates commanded to give fome duty to their
fubje6ts; fo that God by his word hath prefcribed
the office of the one and of the other.

Thirdly, That albeit God hath appointed magi-
■ftrates his lieutenants on earth, and hath honoured
them with his own title, calling them Gods, That
yet he did never fo firmly eftablhh any, but at his
pleafure, he, feeing juft caufe, might deprirc
them.

Fourthly, That, in depofmg of princes, and
thofc that have b'^en in authority, God did not al-
ways ufe his immediate power ; but fometimcs he
ufeth fecond means, which his wifdom thought
good, and juftice approved : as by Afa he removed
Maachah his own mother from honour and autho-
rity, which before fhe had ufed ; by Jehu he de^
ftroyed Joram, and the whole pofterity of Ahab ;
and by divers others, he hath depofed from au-
thority thofe, whom before he had eftabliftied by
his own word. And hereupon concluded he, That
fith the queen regent denied her chief duty to the
fubjedls of this realm, which was, to minifter
juftice to them indifferently ; to preferve their li-
berties from invafion of ftrangers ; and to fuffer
them to have God's M^ord freely and openly preach-
ed amongft them: feeing moreover, that the queen
regent was an open and obftinate idolatrefs, a ve-
hement maintainer of all fuperftition and idolatry;
as alfo, (he openly declares the country to be con-
queft, and no more free: and finally. That fhe
utterly defpifeth the counfel and requefts of the

nobility;

Book II. o f R E L I G I O N

nobility; he coal J fee no reafon, why they, the
born connfellors, nobility, and barons of the re-
alm, might not juitly deprive her from ail gavera<-
ment and authority amongfl: them.

Hereafter was the judgment of John Knox re*
quired, wh® approving the fentence of his bro-
ther, added, Firjl, That the iniquity of the queen
regent, and diforder, ought in nowife to withdraw
neither our hearts,neither yet the hearts of other fub-
jefts, from the obedience due unto our fovereign.

Secondly, That if we depofed the faid queen
resent, rather of malice and private envy, than
for the prefervation of the common-wealth, and
for that her iins appeared incurable, that we lliould
not efcape God's juft punilhment, how^foever that
fhe hath deferved rejedtion from honours.

And Thirdly, He required, That no fuch fen-
tence (hould be pronounced againlt her ; but that
upon known and open repentance, and upon her
converfion to the common-wealth, and iubmillion
to the nobility, place (hould be granted unto her
of regrefs to the fame honours, from the which
for jutt caufes fliejufUy might be deprived.

The voice of every man particularly by himfelf
required, and every man commanded to fpeak, as
he would anfwer to God, what his confcience
judged in that matter, there was none found a-
mongfl the whole number, who did not by his
tongue confent to her depravation. Thereafter was
her procefs committed to writing, and regiflred,
as foUoweth.

Articles againft the ^een Regent.

At Edinburgh, the twentieth and one day of
Oclober, 1559, The nobility, barons and bur-
geffes conveened, to advife upon the affairs of the
common-wealth, and to aid, fupport and fuccour
the flime, perceiving and lamenting the enterprifed
deftruction of their faid common-wealth, and o-
verthrow. of the liberties of their native country,
by the means of the queen regent, and certain
ftrangers her privy connfellors, plain contrary to
our fovereign lord and lady's mind, and direft a-
gainft ihe counfel of the nobility, to proceed by
little and Uttle, even unto the uttermolf ruin; fo
that the urgent neceflity of the common-wealth
may no longer fuffer delay, and earneflly crave th
our fupport: feeing therefore that the faid queen
regent (abufmg and over-paffing our fovereign lord
and lady's commilTion given and grMited to her)
hath in all her proceedings purfued the barons and
burgefles within this realm, with weapons and

IN SCOTLAND. 18^

armour of ftrangers, without any prOwcls and or-
der of law, they being our fovereign lord and la-
dy's true lieges, and never called nor convinced of
any crime, by any lawful judgment ;

As, firll, at St, Johnitoun, in the month of
May, fhe afTembled her army againft the town,
and the inhabitants thereof, iicver called nor con-
vinced of any crime, only becaufe they profeiled
the true worfhip of God, conform to his mofl
facred word.

2. And likewife in the month of June laft, with-
out any order or calling going before, invaded the -
perfons of fundry noblemen and barons, with
force of arms, conveened at St. Andrews, only
for caufe of religion, as is notoriouily kno\vn,
they never being called nor convinced of any crime.

3. Again, laid garrilbns the fame month upon
the inhabitants of the faid town^ oppreffmg the .
liberties of the queen's true lieges ; for fear of
v/hich her gaii ifons, a great part of the inhabi- '
tants thereof fied from the town, and durft not
refort again unto their houfes and heritages until
they v/ere reftored by arms; , they notwithftanding
never being called nor convinced of any crime,

4. Further, at that fame time did thruft in up-
on the heads of the inhabitants of the faid town,
provofl and baillies, againft all order of cleftion,
as lately . in this month of September, fhe hath
done in other tov/ns of Edinburgh and Jedburgh,
and divers other places, in maniteft opprefTion of
our liberties,

5. Declaring her evil mind towards the nobili-
ty, commonalty, and whole nation, file hath brought
in ftrangers, and daily pretends to bring in greater
force of the fame, pretending a manifelf conqueft
of our native rooms and country, as the deed it-
felf declareth ; in fo far as fhe, having brought
in the faid ftrangers, without any advice of coun-
cil and nobility, and contrary to their cxprefs mind
fent to her in writing, hath placed and planted her
faid ftrangeis in one of the principal towns and
parts of the realm, fending continually for greater
forces, willing thereby to fupprefs the common-
weal and liberty of our native country, to make
us and our pofterity flaves to ftrangers for ever;

, which, as it is intolerable to common-wealths and
free countries, fo it is very prejudicial to our fo-
vereign lady and her heirs whatfocver, in cafe our
fovereign lady deceafe without heirs of her perfon :
and to perform thefe her wicked enterprifes, concei-
ved, as appeareth, of inveterate malice ag^i aft our
whole country and nation, caufed, without any con-
fent or advice of the council and nobility, to coin

kar

1^4

The history of the REFORMATION

Book II.

lead money, fo bafe, and of fach quantity, that
the whole realm fliall be depauperate, and all traf-
fic with foreign nations everted thereby.

6. Again, (he fo placeth and maintaineth, a-
^alnll the pleafure of the council of this realm, a
flrangei in one of the greatefl: offices of credit in
this realm, that is, in keeping of the great feal
thereof, wherein great perils may be ingendred to
the common-weal and liberty thereof.

7. Further, lately fent the great feal forth of
this realm by the fald flranger, againft the advice
©f the fcid council, to what effe6l God knoweth,

8. And hath alfo by this means altered the old
law and cuflom of this our realm., ever obferved
in the graces and pardcnsgranted by our fovereigns
to all their lieges, being repentant of their offences
committed againfl: their majeflies or the lieges of
the realm ; and hath introduced a new captious
llile and form of the faid pardons and remiilions,

"conform to the praflices of France, tending there-
by to draw the faid lieges of this realm, by pro-
cefs of time, into a deceivable fnare ; and further
fliall creep in the whole fubverfion and alt^ation of
the remanent laws of this realm, contrary to the
contents of the appointment of marriage.

9. And alfo, peace being accorded amongft the
princes, retaineth the great army of ftrangers, after
commandment fent by the king of France to re-
tire the fame, making excufe that they were re-
tained for the fuppreffing the attempts of the
lieges of this realm ; albeit the whole fubjefts
thereof, of all eftates, are, and ever have been
ready, to give all dutiful obedience to their fove-
reigns, and their lawful miniflers, proceeding by
<^od's ordinance : and the fame army of ftrangers
not being paid in wages, was laid by her upon the
necks of the poor commonalty of our native coun-
try, who were compelled by force to defraud
•themfelves, their wives and children, of that poor
fubftance, which they might purchafe with the
fvveat of their brows, to fatisfy their hunger and
necelTities, and quit the fame, to fuftain the idle
bellies of her flrangers ; through the which, in
all parts rofe fuch heavy lamentation and complaint
of the commonalty, accufing the council and no-
bility of their lloth, that as the fame oppreffion
we doubt not hath entered in before the juftice-
feat of God, fo hath it moved our hearts with pi-
ty and compallion. And for redrefs of the fame,
with other great offences comn:itted againfl the
public-weal of the realm, we have conveened here,
as faid is : and, as oftentimes before, hai'e moff
foumbjy, and with all reverence, deiired and re-

quired the faid queen regent to redrefs the faid e-
normities; and efpecially to remove her flrangers
from the necks of the poor commonalty ; and to
defifl from enterprifmg of fortifications of flrength
within this realm, againfl the exprefs will of the
nobility and council of the fame. Yet we being
conveened the more flrong, for fear of her ftran-
gers, whom we faw prefume no other thing, but
with arms to purfue our lives and pofleflions ; be-
fought her to remove the fear of the fame, and make
the town patent to all our fovereign lord's and lady's
lieges. The fame in nowife would fhe grant un-
to ; but when fom.e of our company in peaceable
manner went to view the town, there was both
great and fmall munition (hot forth at them. And
feeing therefore, that neither accefs was granted
to us by her, nor yet (he would join herfelf to us,
to confult upon the affairs of our common-v/ealth,
as we that are born counfellors to the fame by an-
cient laws of the realm; but, fearing left the
judgments of the council would reform, as necef-
fity required, the forefaid enormifies^ (he refufetli
all manner of afhftance with us, and by force and
violence intendeth to fupprefs the liberties of our
commcn'-weal, and of us the favourers of tke
fame.

We therefore, fo many of the nobility, barons,
and provofts of our burrows, as are touched with
the care of the common- weal (unto the which we
acknowlege ourfelves not only born, but alfo fworn
proteftors and defenders, againft all and whatfoever
invaders of the fame) and moved by the forefaid
notorious proceedings, and with the lamentable
complaint of oppreffion of our commonalty, our fel-
low-members of the fame : perceiving farther, that
the prefent neceffity of our common- weal may fufFer
no delay, being conveened, as faid is, prefently
in Edinburgh, for fupport of our common-weal,
and ripely confulted and advifed, taking the fear
of God before our eyes, for the caufes forefaid,
which are notorious, with one confent and common
vote, every man's judgment, in order, being re-
quired, in the name and authority of our fo-
vereign lord and lady, fufpend the faid commiffi -
on, granted by our faid fovereign to the faid
queen dowager, difcharging her of all admini-
ftration or authority (he hath, or may have there-
by, unto the next parliament, to be fet by our ad-
vice and confent : and that becaufe the faid queen,
by the foiefaid notorious faults, dedareth herfelf
enemy to our comm.on-weal, abufmg the power of
the fiid authority, to the deftru(5fion of the fame.
And likfiwife, we difchat ge all members of her faid

authority

Book II.

©F RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

iSi

authority from thenceforth ; and that no coin be
coined from thenceforth, without cxprefs confent
of the faid council and nobility, conform to the
laws of this realm, which we maintain ; and ordain
this to be notified and proclaimed by officers of
arms, in all head-burrows within the realm of Scot-
land. In witnefs of the which our common con-
fent and free vote, we have fubfcribed this prefent
aft of fufpenlion with oar hands, day, year, aad
place forefaid.

Sic fubfcrihitur y

By us the Nobility and commons of the
Protejiants of the church of Scotland.

After that this our aEl offufpenfion ivas by found
of trumpet divulgate at the inerket-crofs of Edin-
burgh, ive difmiffed the herauld with this anf-wer.

* Madam,

* We received your anfwer, and heard the credit

* of the lyon king of arms ; whereby we gathered

* fufficiently your perfeverance in evil mind towards

* us, the glory of God, our common-wealth, and

* liberty of our native country: for the fafety of

* which, according to our duty, we have, in our

* fovereign lord and lady's name, fufpended your

* commiffion, and all adminiflration of policy which

* you may pretend thereby ; being moll afluredly

* perfwaded, that your proceedings are direft con-

* trary to our fovereign lord and lady's will, which

* we ever efteem to be for the well, and not for

* the hurt of this our common-wealth. And as

* you will not acknowledge us our fovereign lord and

* lady, their true barons, and lieges or your fubjefts
■* and council, no more will we acknowlege you

* for any regent, or lawful magiilrate unto us ;

* feeing, if any authority ye have by reafon of our

* fovereign's commiffion granted unto you, the

* fame, for moif worthy reafons, is worthily fu-
' fpended by us, in the name and authority of our

* fovereign, whofe council we are of, in the affairs

* of this our common-wealth. And, forafmuch

* as we arc determinate, with the hazardof our lives,

* to fet that town at liberty, wherein you have mofl:

* wrongfully planted your foldiers and ftrangers:

* for the reverence we owe to your perfoB, as mo-

* ther to our fovereign lady, we require your high-

* nefs to tranfport your perfon therefromj; feeing we

* are conflrained, for the neceffity of the common-

* wealth, to follow the fame by arm, being denied

* oft the liberty thereof by fundry requifitions made
^ oft before. Again, we defire you caufe depart

* with you out of the faid town any perfon having

* commifTionin embafTage, if any fuch be, or in lieu-
' tenantfhip of our fovereigns, together with all

* Frenchmen foldiers, being within the fame (whofe
' blood we thirfl not, becaufe of the old amity and

* friendfhip betwi.Kt the realm of France and us ;
' which amity, by the occafion of the marriage of
' our fovereign lady to the king of that realm,

* lliould rather increafe than decreafe.) And this

* we pray your highnefs and them both to do with-
' in the fpace of twenty four ho urs, for the reve-
' reice we owe to your perfons. And thus, recom-

* mending our humble fervice to you, we commit

* your highnefs to the eternal preteftion of God.
' At Edinburgh the 24th of Oftober 1559.

Tour Highnefs" s humble Servitors.''

The day foUoTuing we fummoned the town of Leitk
by the found qf trumpet, inform as follow eth.

* I REQUIRE and charge, in the name of our fo-

* vereign lord and lady, and of the council prefent-
' ly in Edinburgh, that all Scots and Frenchmen,

* of whatfoever elTiate and degree they be, depart
' out of the town of Leith, within the fpace of
' twelve hours, and make the fame patent to all and

* fundry our fovereign lady's lieges : for feeing we

* have qo fuch hatred at either the one or the other,
' that we thirft the blood of any of the two ; for
' the one is our natural brother, born, nourifhed,
' and brought up within the bowels of one commoa

* country ; and with the other our nation hath con-
' tinned long amity and alley, and hopeth that fo
' fhall do, fo long as they ufe us as friends, and

* not fli ive to make Haves of friends, which this

* ilrengfhning of our towns pretendeth. And there-

* fore mofl heartily defire, that one and the other

* to defift from fortifying or maintaining of this

* town, in our fovereign's, and their faid council's

* name, requiring them to make the fame free with-

* in the fpace of twelve hours.'

Defiance given, there was {kirmifl-iing, without
great llaughter: preparation of fcales and ladders
was made for the alfault, which was concluded by
common confent of the nobility and Barons. The
fcales were appointed to be made in St. Giles's
church; fo tb^t preaching was neglefted, which
did not a little grieve the preachers, and many god-
ly with them. The preachers fpared not openly
to fay, that they feared the fuccefs of that enterprize
fhould not be fo profperous, becaufe the beginning
appeared to bring with it fome contempt of God
A a and

1 86

The HISTORYof the REFORMATION

Book II.

and of his word. Other places, faid they, had been
more apt for fuch preparations, than where the
people conveened to common pra5'ers, and unto
preaching. In very deed the audience was wonder-
iully troubled all that time, which (with other dif-
order efpied amongfl us) gave occafion to our
preachers to affirm, that God could not fuifcr fuch
contempt of his word, and abufes of his grace,
long to be unpunidied. The queen had amongfl:
us her aflured fpies, who did not only fignify unto
her what was our eflate; but alfo what was our
counfel, purpofes, and devices. Some of our own
company were vehemently fufpefted to be the very
betrayers of all our fecrels ; for a boy of the offici-
al's of Lothian, Mr. James Balfour, was taken car-
rying a writ, which did open the moft fecret thing
that was devifed in the council ; yea, thofe very
things which were thought to have been known
but to very few. By fucli donieflical enemies were
not only our purpofes frullrate, but alio our deter-
minations were oftimes overthrown and changed.

The duke's friends gave unto him fuch terrors,
that he was greatly troubled, and by his fear were
troubled many others. The men of war (for the
moll: part were men without God or lionefty)
made a mutiny, becaufe they lacked a part of their
wages. They had done the fame in Linlithgow
before, where they made a proclamation, that they
would ferve any man, to fupprefs the congregation,
and fet up the mafs again. They made a fray up-
on my lord Argyle's highland-men, and dew one
©f the principal men of his chamber, who, not-
-Aviihflanding, behaved himfelffo moderately, and
fo ftudious to pacify that tumult, that many wond-
.red as well of his prudent eounfel and floutnefs,
as of the great obedience of his company. The
ungodly foldiers, in hatred of goodnefs and good
men, continuing in their dlforder, mocked the
laird of Tullibalrn, and other noblemen, who ex-
horted them to quietnefs.

All thefe troubles were praiflifed by the queen,
and put in execution by the traitors amiOng our-
felves ; who albeit then lurked, and yet are not
manifeffly noted, yet we doubt not but God fnall
make them known, to their confufion, and to the
example of others. To pacify the m.ea of war, a
colletffion was devifed: but, becaufe fome were
poor, and fome were niggards and avaritious, there
£Ould no fufficient fum be obtained. It was thought
expedient that a coin-houfe fliould be made; that
every nobleman Ihould coin his filver-work and
plate, to fupply the prefent neceflity: and there-
through David Forrefs, John Hart and others, who

before had charge of the coining-koufe, did promife
their faithful labours. But when the matter came
to the very point, the faid John Hart and others
of his faftion Hole away, and took with them the
inftrum.ents apt for that purpofe. Whether this
was done by the falfhood and feeblenefs of the faid
John, or the pra6lifmg of others, is yet uncertain.
Refled then no hope amongfl: ourfelves, that any
money could be furnifhed : and therefore it was
concluded by a few of thofe whom we judged mofl
fecret, that Sir Ralph Sadler and Sir James Crofts,
then having charge at Berwick, fiionld be tried,
if they would fupport us with any reafonable fum
in that urgent necefiity : and for that purpofe was
the laird of Ormiftoun direfted unto them, in fo
fecret manner as we could devife. But yet our
council was difclofed to the queen, who appointed
the earl Bothwel, as himfelf confeffed, to wait u-
pon the returning of the faid laird, as that he did
with all diligence ; and fo being afTuredly informed
by what way he came, the faid earl Bothwel fore-
fet his way; and, coming upon him unaware, did
take him, after he was evil wounded in the head ;
for neither could he get his led horfe, nor his Aeel
bonnet : with him was taken the fum of four thou-
fand croM'ns of the fun, wich the forenamed Sir
Ralph and Sir James moll: lovingly had fent for our
fuport. By the report hereof coming to our ears,
our dolour was doubled, not fo much for the lofs
of the money, as for the lofs of the gentleman whom
we fufpedfed to have been llain, or at the leaft that
he (hould be delivered to the queen's hands.

And fo upon the fudden the earl of Arran, the
lord James, themaller of Maxwell, with the moft
part of the horfemen, took purpofe to purfue the
faid earl Bothwel, if they might apprehend him io
Crichtoun, or Morhan, whitherto, as they were
informed, he had retired himfelf after his treafon*
able adf . We call his a6f treafonable, becaufe that
three days before he had fent his fpecial fervant,
Mr. Michael Balfour, to us to Edinburgh, to pur-
chafe of the lords of the council licenfe to come and
fpeak with us ; which we granted, after that he
had promifed, that in the mean time he fhould nei-
ther hurt us, nor yet any to us appertaining, till
that he fhould write his anfwer again, whether that-
he would join with us, or not. He gave us far-
ther to underftand, that he would difcharge him--
felf of the quee^, and thereafter would aflifl us;;
and yet in this mean time he cruelly and traiteroufly-
hurt and fpoiled the nobleman aforefaid. Albeit-
that the departure and counfel of the earl of Arran*
and lord James, with their company aforefaid, was

very

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

Book H.

very fudden and fecret, yet was the earl Bothwel,
then being in Crichtoun, advertifed and To efcaped
with the money which he took with himfelf, as
the captain of his houfe, John Somervel (which
was taken without long purfuit) confefled and af-
firmed. Becanfe that the noblemen that fought
redrefs, fought rather his fafety and reconciliation,
than deftruflion and hatred ; they committed his
houfe to the cuftody of a captain, to wit, captain
Forbes ; to whom, and to all foldiers there left,
was given a fharp commandment, that all things
found within the faid houfe of Crichtoun (which
were put in inventary in prefence of the lords)
fhould be kept till that the earl Bothwel fhould
give anfwer, whether he would make reftitution,
or not : time of advertifement was granted unto
him the whole day fubfequent, till going down of
the fun.

In abfence of the faid lords and horfemen (we
mean the fame day that they departed, which was
the laft of Oftober) the provolf and town of Dun-
dee, together wi^h fome foidiers, palTed forth off
the town ot Edinburgh, and carried with them
fome great ordnance to Ihoot at Leith. The duke,
the earl of Glencalvji, and the refl of the noble-
men, were gone to the pp.aching, where they con-
tinued almofi till noon. The French being adver-
tifed by one na^neH Ci a;k, who after was appre-
hended, that our hoi femen were abfent, and that
the whole company were at dinner, ifTued, and
with great expedition came to the place where our
ordinance Vv'as laid. The town of Dundee, with a
few other, refilled a while, as well with the ord-
nance as hagbu'.s; but being left by our ungodly
and fee ble foldiers, who ded without ftroke offered
or given, they were compelled to give back, and
fo to leave the ordnance to the enemies, who fur-
ther purfued the fugitives, to -wit, to the midft of
the Canongate, and to the foot of Leith wynd.
Their cruelty began then to difcover itfeif ; for the
maimed, the aged, the women and children, found
no greater favour in their fury, than did the flrong
man who made refinance. It was very apparent,
that among ourfelves there was fome treafon: for
when upon the firfl alarm all men made hafte for
relief of their brethren, whom in very deed we
might have faved, and at leafl we might have faved
the ordnance, and have kept the Canongate from
danger ; (for wc were once marched foreward with
bold courage) but then, we fay, was a fhout raifed
amongft ourfelves, (God will difclofe the traitors
one day) affirming, that the whole French company
were entered in at Leith-wynd upon our backs.

What clamour and diforder did then fuddcidy arife,
we lift not to exprefs with multiplication of words ;
the horfemen, and fome of thofe that ouglit t®
have put order to others, over-rode their poor bre-
thren at the entry of the Nether-bow. The cry of
difcomfort arofe in the town ; the wicked and ma-
lignant blafphemed. The feeble (amongft whom
the juftice-clark Sir John Ballenden was) fled with-
out delay. With great difficulty could they be
kept in at the Welf-port. Mr. Gavin Ham.ilton
cried with a loud voice, ' Drink now as ye have
' brewed.' The French, perceiving by the cla-
mour of our fray, followed, as faid is, to the mldft
of the Canongate, to no great number, but a twenty
or thirty of tiieir foot lofe ; for in the mean time
the reft retired them.felves with our ordnance. The
earl of Arg^de and his mien were the firft that ftop-
ped the fleeing of our men, and compelled the port
to be opened after that it was fnut. But in very
deed lord Robert Ste\Yart, abbot of Holyrood-houfe,
was the firft that iiTued forth j after him followed
many upon the backs of the French. At laft came
the duke, and then was no man more bufy thaa
was Mr. Gavin Hamilton aforefaid.

The French burnt a bake-houfe and took fome
fpoil from the poor of the Canongate. They fievr
a papift and a drunken prieft named Sir Thomas
Sclater, an aged man, a woman giving fuck, and her
child, and of our foldiers to the number of ten : cer-
tain were taken, amongft whom captain Mowat
was one, Mr. Charles Geddes, domeftick to the
mafter of Maxwell. The captain of the caftle that
day fhot a fhot at the French, declaring them there-
by friends to us, and enemy to them, but he fud-
denly repented of well-doing. The queen, glad
of the viffory, fat upon the rampart, tofaluteand
welcome her vi(5lorious foldiers: one brought a.
kirtle, another a petticoat, the third a pot or pan ;
and of envy, more than womanly laughter, fhe
afked, ' Where bought ye your ware :' Le pcnfe
que ZJOiis I' aus achete fans argent. This was the
great and motherly care which ftie took for the
trouble of the poor fubjefts of this realm. The
earl Bothwel, lifted up in his own conceit, by
reafon of this our repulfe and difcomfiture, utterly
refufed any reftitution; and fo, within two days
after, was his houfe fpoiled, in which were nothing
of great importance, his evidences and certain clo-
thing excepted.

From that day back the carriage of many was
dejefted ; with great difficulty could men be re-
tained in the town ; yea, fome of the greateft efti-
matioa determined with themfelves to leave the
A a ^ cEter-

iS8

T>iE HISTORY OF THE REFORMATION

Book TU

enterprife: many fled away fecretly, and thofe
tliat did abide, a very few excepted, appeared delli-
tute of counfel and manhood. The mafler of
Maxwel, a man flout and witty, forefeeing the
danger, defired moft gravely either to take fuch
order, that they might remain to the terror of the
enemy ; or elfe that they (hould retire themfelves
with their ordnance, and banners difplayed in or-
der : but the wits of men being dafhed, no coun-
fel could prevail. We continued from Wednefday
the lafl: of Oftober, till Monday the fifth of No-
vember, never two or three abiding firm in one
©pinion the fpace of twenty and four hours. The
peflilent wits of the queen's praftifers did then
excrcife themfelves (God fhall recompenfe their ma-
licious craft into thtir own bofom, we doubt not)
for they caufed two godly and forward young
men, the lairds of Fairniharfte and Cesfurd, who
once had gladly joined themfelves with us, to
withdraw themfelves and their friends. The fame
they did to the earl of Mortoun, who promifed to
be ours, but did not plainly join. They enticed
the captain of the caflle to deny us fupport, in cafe
we were purfued. And finally, the counfel of
fome was no lefs pefliferous againfl: us, than was
the counfel of Ahithophel againff David, and his
difcomfited foldiers. ' Render, O Lord, to the
* wicked according to their malice.'

Upon Monday the fifth of November did the
French ifTue out of Leith betimes in the morning,
for keeping of the viftuals which fliould have
come to us ; we, being troubled among ourfelves,
and, as faid is, divided in opinions, were neither
circumfpeft when they did iffae, neither yet did
we follow with fuch expedition as had been meet
for them, that v.'ould have fought our advantage.
Our foldiers could fcarcely be driven forth ofT the
town : the earl of Arran, lord James, and certain
>/ith them made hafle ; many honeft men then
followed, and made fuch diligence, that they cau-
fed the French once to retire fomewhat afFraidly.
The reft that v.'ere in Leith, perceiving the dan-
ger of their fellows, ifTued out of their fuccour.
The e^rl of Arran and lord James aforefaid, being
more forward than prudent and circumfpe6f, did
compel the captains, as is alledged, to bring their
men fo near, that either they muft needs have ha-
zarded battle with the v/hole Frenchmen, (and
that under the mercy of their cannons alfo) or
elfe they muft needs retire in a very narrow corner :
for our men were approached near to Reftalrig,
the one part of the French were upon the north
toward the fea, the other part marched from Leith,,

to Edinburgh ; and yet they marched fo, that we .
could, have foughten with neither company, be-
fore that they fhould have joined.

We took purpofe therefore to retire towards
the town, and that in hafte, left that the former
company of the French fhould either have invaded
the town before that we could have come to the
refcue thereof, or elfe have cut us oft from the en-
try of the abbey of Holyroodhoule, as apparent-
ly they had done, if that the laird of Grange, and
Alexander Whitelaw, with a few horfemen, had
not flayed both their horfemen and footmen. The
company which was next us perceiving that we
retired, with fpeed fent forth their fliirmifliers, to-
the number of three or four hundred, who took
us at a difadvantage, before us having the mire of
Reflalrig betwixt us and them, and we were in-
clofed by the park ditch, fo that in nowife we
could avoid their fhot. The horfemen followed
upon our heels, and flew divers : our own horfe-
men over-rode our footmen ; and fo, by reafon of
the narrownefs of the place, there was no refift-
ance made. The earl of Arran, and lord James,
in great danger, lighted amongfl: the footmen, ex-
horting them to have fome refpeff to order, and
to the fafety of their brethren, whom by their
fleeing they expofed to murder, and fo were cri'-
minal of their death. Captain Alexander Haly-
burton, a man that feared God, tarried -with cer-
tain of kis foldiers behind, and made reflftance,.
till that he was firft fliot, and then taken ; but be-
ing known, thofe cruel murderers wounded him in
divers parts to the death, and yet, as it were by
the power of God, he was brought in to the.
town ; where in few, but yet moft plain words,,
he gave confefllon of his faith, teftifying. That
he doubted nothing of God's m.ercy purchafed to.'
him by the blood of Chrift Jefus ; neither yet
that he repented, that it pleafed God to make him
worthy to fhed his blood, and fpend his life in de-
fence of fo juft a caufe ; and thus, with the do-
lour of many, he ended his dolour, and did enter,
(we doubt not) into that bleffed immortality..
Within two hours after our departure, there were-
flain to the number of twenty four or thirty men, ,
the rnoft part poor. There was taken the laird of
Pitmillie, the laird of Pharnie younger, themafter.-
of Buchan, George Cowell of Dundee, and fome
others of lower rank, John Dunbar lieutenant to-
captain Mowat ; captain David Murray had hi»-
horfe flain, and himfelf hurt in the leg.

Few days before our firft departure, which was.
upon All- hallow- even, William Maitland of Le---

thingtoutt^

Book II.

OF RELIGIOiM tN SCOTLAND.

thingtoun younger, fecretary to the queen, percei-
ving himfclf not only to be fufpefled as one that
faTOured our part, but alfo to /land in danger of
his life, if he Ihould remain amongA fo ungodly
a company ; for, whenfocver matters came in quef-
tron, he fpared not to fpeak his confcience ; which
liberty of tongue, and gravity, of judgment, the
French did highly difdain : which perceived by
him, he conveyed himfclf away in the morning,
and rendered himfelf to Mr. Kirkcaldy laird of
Grange; who coming to us, did exhort us tocon-
flancy, afTuring us, That in the queen there was
nothing but craft and deceit. He travailed exceed-
ingly to have retained the lords togethei , and moft
prudently laid before their eyes the dangers that
might enfue their departing from the town ; but
fear and dolour had fo feized the hearts of all, that
they could admit no confolation. The earl of Ar-
ran and the lord James offered to abide, if any
reafonable company would abide with them ; but
men did fo fteal away, that the wit of m.an could
not ftay them ; yea, fome of the greateft deter-
mined plainly, that they would not abide. The
captain of the caftle, then lord Erfkine, would
promife unto us no favour, but faid, He muft
needs declare himfelf friend to thofe that were
able to fupport and defend him; which anfwer
given to the lord James, difcouraged thofe that
before determined to have bidden the uttermofl,
rather than have abandoned the town, fo that the
caftle would have flood their friend; but the con-
trary declared, every man took purpofe for him-
felf. The complaints of the brethren within the
town of Edinburgh were lamentable and fore; the
wicked then began to fpae forth the venom which
then lurked in their cankered hearts : the godly,
as well thofe that were departed, as the inhabi-
tants of the town, were fo troubled, that fome of
them would have preferred death to life at God's
pleafure ; for avoiding of danger, it was conclud-
ed, that they fhould depart at midnight. The
duke made provilion for his ordnance, and caufed
it to be fent before ; but the reft was left to the
care of the captain of the caftle, who received it, ,
as well that which appertained to the lord James, .
as that of Dundee. The defpightful tongues of
the wicked railed upon us, calling us traitors and
heretics ; every one provoked other to cail flones
at-us : one cried, alas, if I might fee another de-
fy given ; give advertifement to the Frenchmen,
that they may come, and we fliall help them now
to cut the throats of thefe heretics : and thus, as
the fword of dolour pafTed through our hearts, fo

139.-

were the cogitations and former determinatloHs of
many hearts then revealed : for we would never
have believed, that our natural country-men and
women could have wilhed our dellruaion fo un-
mercifully, and have fo rejoiced in our advcrfity,
(God move their hearts to repentance) for elfe we
fear, that he, whofe caufe we fuftain, fliall Jet
them feel the weight of the yoke of cruel flran-
gers, into whofe hands they wiHied us to hav^
been betrayed.

We ffayed not, till we came to Stirling, which'
we did the day after that we departed from Edin- •
burgh ; for it was concluded, that there confulta- '
tion fhould be taken, what was the next remedy
in fo defperate a matter.

The next Wednefday, which was the 7th of
November, John Knox preached (John Willock
was gone into England, as before he appointed)
and treated of the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th
verfes of the Ixxx Pfalm, where David, in the
perfon of the afflided people of God fpeaketh thus :

The SERMON of John Knox m
in the greaieji of our trouble.

Stirling,

4. 0 thou the Eternal, the God of Hojis, hovj
long fbalt thou be againjl the prayer of thy people?

5. Thou huffed us with the bread of tears, and
hafi given to us tears to drink in great meafure.

6. Thou haft made us a ftrife untd our neigh-
bours, and our enemies laugh us to fccrn mnonr^ft '
themfelves. '^'

7. 0 God of Hofts, turn us again, make thy
face tofoine, and -we f jail be faved. Sec.

This pfalm had the faid John begun in Edin-
burgh, as it wereforefeeing our calamity, of which,
in very deed, he did not obfcurely fpeak, but he
plainly did admonilh us. That he. was afTured of
troubles fuddenly to come, and thei-efore he ex-
horted all men to prayers. He treated of the firfl;
three verfes in Edinburgh, ta the comfort of ma-.

T^e Argument, of the Ixxx. Pfalm, .

He declared the argument of the pfalm, affirm-
ing, for his judgment. That it was made bv Da-
vid himfelf, who, in the fpirit of prophecy fore= ■
faw the miferable ellate of God's people, efpecial-
ly after the ten tribes were divided, and departed
from the obedience of Judah ; for it was not, faid
he, without caufe, that Jofeph, Ephraim, Ben-
jamin, and Manalleh were efpecially named, and •

nc£i

The history of the REFORMATION Book II.

not Judah ; to ivit, becaufe that they came firft
to calamity, and were tranflaled from tkeir own
inheritance, while that Jndah yet pofTeffed the
kingdom. He confeffed, that juftly they were pu-
niftied for idolatry committed ; but he affirmed,
That amongft them there remained fome true
worihippcrs of God, for whofe comfort were the
prophets fent, as well to call them to repentance,
as to afTure them of deliverance, and of the pro-
mifes of God to be performed unto them.

The Divi/ion. He divided the pfalm into three
parts ; to wit,

1. In a praj^er.

2. In the ground whereupon their prayer was
founded.

3. And in the lamentable complaints, and the
vow they made unto God.

Their prayer v/as, ' That God fliould convert

* and turn them ; that he fhould make his face to

* fhine upon them ; and that he ihould reflore them

* to their former dignity.'

The grounds andfoitndations of their prayers -were,

1 . That God himfelf had become paftor and
governor unto them,

2. That he had taken the protection of them
into his own hand.

3. That he had chofen his habitation amongft

them.

4. That he had delivered them from bondage
and thraldom.

5. That he had multiplied and blefled them
with many notable bendidtions.

, Upon ihofe tivo parts he gave thefe notes.

Fir,^, Th^t the felicity of God's people may
•not be meafured by any external appearance; for
often it is, that the fame people to whom God be-
cometh not only Creator, but Paftor and Protec-
tor, is more feverely dealt with, than thofe nati-
ons where very ignorance and contempt of God
reigneth.

Sccondy, That God never made his acquaint-
ance and league with one people by his word, but
that there he had fome of his eleft; who, albeit
they fuffered for a time in the midft of the wicked,
yet in the end they found comfort, and felt in very
experience, that God's promifes are not vain.

Thirdly, That thofc prayers were diftated un-
to the people by the Holy Ghoft, before they
tame to the uttermofl: of trouble, to alTure them,
that Cod, by whofe Spirit, the prayer was dilat-

ed, would not contemn the fame in the midft o^
their calamities.

The third part, containing the lamentable com-
plaint he treated on in Stirling, in prefence of the
duke, and of the whole council.

In the expofition thereof, he declared where-
fore God in wifdom fometimes fuffered his chofen
flock to be expofed to mockage and dangers, and
to appearing deftruftion, to ivit, that they may
f(iel the vehemency of God's indignatioa ; that
they may know how little ftrength is in themfelves ;
that they may leave a teftimony to the generations
following, as well of the malice of the devil a-
gainft God's people, as of the marvellous work of
God, in prelerving his little flock by far other
means than man can efpy.

In explaining thefe words, ' How long flialt

* thou be angry, O Lord, againft the prayer of

* thy people,' he declared, how dolourous and
fearful it was to fight againft that temptation ;
That God turned away his face from our prayers;
for that was nothing elfe, than to comprehend and
conceive God to be armed to our deflruflion;
which temptation no flefh can abide nor overcome,
unlefs the mighty Spirit of God interpofe himfelf
fuddenly.

The example he gave, the impatience of Saul,
when God would not hear his prayer.

The difference betwixt the eleft and reprobate,
in that temptation, he plainly declared to be. That
the eleft, fuftained by the fccret power of God's
Spirit, did ftill call upon God, albeit he appeared
to contemn their prayers; which, laid he, is the
facrifice moft acceptable to God, and is in a man-
er even to fight with God, and to ovei come him,
as Jacob did in wreftling with his angel.

But the reprobate, faid he, being denied of their
requefts at God's hand, do either ceafe to pray, or
contemn God, who ftriftly commandeth us locall
upon him in the day of adverfity; or elfe they
feek at the devil, that which they fee they cannot
obtain by God.

In the fecond part, he declared, how hard it
Avas to this corrupt nature of ours, not to rejoice
and put confidence in ourfelves, when God giveth
viftory ; and therefore how neceffary it was, that
man by aftliftcn fhould be brought to the know-
lege of his own infirmity, left, that he, being
puffed up with vain confidence, make ' an idol of
' his ov/n ftrength,' as did king Nebuchadnezzar.

He did gravely difpute upon the nature of the
blind world, which in all ages had infolently re-
joiced when God did chaften his own children,

whofe

Book II.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

whofe glory and honour, becaufe the reprobate
can never fee, therefore they defpife them, and the
wondrous works of God in them ; and yet, faid
he, the joy and rejoicing of the world is but mere
forrow, becaufe the end of it tendeth to fudden
deflruftion, as the riotous banqueting of Bel-
fnazzar declareth. Applying thefe heads to the
time and perfons, he faid, If none of God's chil-
dren had fuffered before us the fame injuries, that
prefently we fuftain, thefe our troubles would ap-
pear intolerable : fuch is our tender delicacy, and
fcif-love of our own fiefh, that thefe things which
we lightly pafs over in others, we can gready com-
plain of if they touch ourfelves.

I doubt not but that fome of us have ofter than
©nee read this Pfalm ; as alfo, that we have read
and heard the travail and troubles of our ancient
fathers ; but which of us, either in reading or
hearing their dolours and temptations, did fo de-
fcend into ourfelves, that we felt the bitternels of
their paffions ? I think none ; and therefore hath
Go-d brought us to fome experience in our own
|>erfons.

But yet, becaufe the matter may appear obfcure,
unlefs it be more properly applied, I cannot in
confcience but ufe fuch plajnnefs, as God (hall
grant unto me: our faces are this day confounded,
our enemies triumph, our hearts have quaked for
fear, and yet they remain opprefTed with forrow
and fliame. But what fhall we think to be the
very caufe that God hath thus dejedled us ? If I
fhall fay, Our fms, and former unthankfulnefs un-
to God, I fpeak the truth, but yet I fpeak more
generally than the prefent neceflity requireth: for,
when the fms of men are rebuked in general, fel-
dom is it that man defcendeth within himfelf, ac-
cufmg and condemning in himfelf that which moil
difpleafeth God ; but rather he doubteth that to
be a caufe, which before God is no caufe indeed.
For example, the Ifraelites fighting againft the
tribe of Benjamin, were twice difcomfited with
the lofs of forty thoufand men ; they lamented
and bewailed both hrfl and laff : but we find not
that they came to the knowlege of their offence
and fm, which was the caufe that they fell by the
edge of the fword ; but rather, they doubted that
to have been a caufe of theii'' misfortune, which .
God had commanded ; for they afl<ed. Shall we
go and fight any more againft our brethren the
fons of Benjamin ? By which queftion it is evi-
dent, that they fuppofed that the caufe of their
overthrow and difcomfiture was, becaufe they had
lifted the fword againft their brethren and natural.

191

countrymen; and yet the exprefs commandment
of God, that was given unto them, did deliver
them from all crime in that caufe. There is no
doubt but that there was fome caufe in the Ifra-
elites, that God gave them fo over into the hands
of thofe wicked men, againft whom he fent them,
by his own exprefs commandment, to execute his
judgments. Such as do well mark the hilfory, and
the eftate of that people, may eafily fee the caufe
why God was offended : all the whole people had
declined from God, idolatry was maintained by
the common confent of the multitude ; and as
the text faith, ' Every man did that which was
' good in his own eyes.' In this mean tim.e, the
Levite complained of the villaay that was done un-
to himfelf, and unto his wife, which opprefTed
by the Benjamites of Gibeah, died under their,
filthy lufts ; which horrible faff inflamed the hearts .
of the whole people, to take vengeance upon that
abomination (and therein they offended not:) but
in this they failed, That they go to execute judg-
ment againft the wicked,, without any repentance
or remorfe of confcience of their own former of-
fences and defection from God : and farther be •
caufe they were a great multitude, and the other
were far inferior to them, they trufted in their
own ftrength, and thoiight themfelves able enough
to do their pur pole, witliout any invocation of the
name of God: But, after that they had twice
proved the vanity of their own ftrength, they
fafted and prayed ; and, being humbled before
God, they received a more favourable anfwtr, and
affured promife of the viftory.

The like may be amongff us, albeit fuddenly
we do not efpy it : and, to the end that every man
may the better examine himfelf, I wili divide the
whole company into two forts of men ; the one
are thofe that from the beginning of this trouble
have fuftained the common danger with their bre-
thren ; the other are thefe which are joined to our
fellowfliip. , In the one and in the other, I fear
that juft caufe fhall be found, why God fnould ■
thus have humbled us; and, albeit that this appear
ftrange. at the firft hearing; yet, .if. every mau
fhall examine himfelf, and fpeak that which his
confcience diteth to him, I doubt not but he fl-ia!l
fubfcribe to my fefctence. . Let us begin at our-
felves who longtft have continued in this battle :
when we were a few in number, in comparifon
of our enemies; when we had neither earl nor
lord (a few excepted) to comfort us, we called up-
on God, and took him for our Protedor, Defence,
and only Refuge; amongft us was heard no brag- •

inc..

i92

The history of theREFORMATION Book H.

■ing of multitude, nor of our ftrength nor policy;
we did only fob to God, to have refpedl to the
equity of our caufe, and to the cruel purfuit of
the tyrannical enemy : but fmce that our number
had been thus multiplied, and chiefly fmce the
duke with his fi lends have been joined with us,
there was nothing heard but, * This lord will

* brinfT thefe many hundred fpears ; this man hath
•* credit to perfuade this country; if this earl be

* ours, no man in fuch bounds will trouble us.'
And thus the belt of us all, that before felt God's
potent hand to our defence, have of late days put
flefli to be our arm ; but wherein yet had the duke
and his friends offended ? It may be, that as we
have trufted in them, fo have they put too much
confidence in their own ftrength: but, granting
it be not fo, I fee a caufe molf jufl, why the duke
and his friends fhould thus be confounded amongft
the reft of their brethren ; I have not yet forgot-
ten, what was the dolour and anguifh of my own
heart, when at St. Johnftoun, Coupar-muir, and
Edinburgh-craigs, thofe cruel murderers, that
now have put us to this diflionour, threatned our
prcfent deft ruftiou : the duke and his friends at all
the three jour nies, were to them a great comfort, and
tons a great difcouragement ; for his name and au-
thority did more aftonifh us, than did the force of
the other; yea, without his affiftance, they could not
have compelled us to appoint with the queen,upon
fo unequal conditions. I am uncertain if the duke
hath unfeignedly repented of that his affiftance to
thofe murderers, unjuftly purfuing us ; yea, I am
uncertain if he hath repented of the innocent
blood of Chrift's bleffed martyrs, which was flied
by his fault: but let it be that fo he hath done (as
1 hear that he hath confefTed his offence before the
lords and brethren of the congregation) yet I am
afTured, that neither he, neither yet his friends,
did feel before this time, the anguifh and grief of
hearts which we felt, when their blind fury pur-
fued us; and therefore hath God juftly permitted
both them and us to fall into this confufion at
once ; us, for that we put our truft and confidence

}in man ; and them, becaufe that they fhould feel in

their own hearts, how bitter was the cup wh'ch
they made others to drink before them. ^

Refteth, that both they and we turn to the E-
ternal, our God (who beateth down to death, to
the intent that he may raife up again, to leave the
remembrance of his wondrous deliverance, to the
praife of his own name) which if we do unfeigned-
ly, I no more doubt but that this our dolour,confu-
fion and fear, fhall be turned into joy, honour and
boldnefs, than that I doubt that God gaveviftory
to the Ifraelites over the Benjamites, after that
twice with ignominy they were repulfed and driven
back : yea, whatfoever fhall become of us and our
mortal carcafes, I doubt not but that this caufe,
in defpight of Satan, fhall prevail in this realm of
Scotland; for, as it is the eternal truth of the
eternal God, fo ftiall it once prevail, howfoever
for the time it is impugned. It may be that God
fliall plague fome, for that they delight not in the
truth, albeit for worldly refpefts they feem to fa-
vour it; yea, God may take fome of his deareft
children away, before that their eyes fee greater
troubles: but neither fhall the one nor the other
fo hinder this action, but in the end it fliall triumph.

This fermon ended, in the which he did vehe-
mently exhort all men to amendment of life, to
prayers, and to the works of charity : the minds
of men began wondroufly to be erefted ; and, im-
mediately after dinner, the lords pafTed to council,
unto the which the faid John Knox was called, to
make invocation of the name of God (for other
preachers were none with us at that time.) In the
end it was concluded, That William Maitland
afore faid, fhould pafs to London, to expofe our
eftate and condition to the queen and council ; and
that the noblemen fhould depart to their home, and
be quiet to the 1 6th day of December : which
time was appointed to the next convention in Stir-
ling, as in this our Third Book following fhall
be more amply declared.

Look upon us, 0 Lord, in the jmiltitude of thy
vtercies ^ for Tue are brought even to the depth of
ihe dungeon.

The END of the Second BOOK.

THE

H I

O R Y

O F T H E

REFORMATION of RELIGION,

Within THE REALM op

SCOTLAND.

BOOK III.

AFTER this our dolorous departing from
Edinburgh, the fury and rage of the French
increafed ; for then durfl neither man nor woman,
that profefTed Chrifl Jefus, within the town be
feen. The houfes of the moft honeft men were
given by the queen to Frenchmen for a part of
their reward. The earl Bothwel, by found of
trumpet, proclaimed the earl of Arran traitor,
with other deipightful words ; all which was done
for the pleafure, and by the fuggeflion of the
queen regent, who then thought the battle was
won without further refiftance. Great pracHiices
file made for obtaining of the caftleof Edinburgh;
the French made their fagots, with other prepara*
tians, to aflault the faid caftle, either by force, or
elfe by treafon : but God wrought fo mightily with
the captain, the lord Erfkine, at that time, that
neither the queen by flattery, nor the French by
treafon prevailed. Advertifement with all diligence
pafTed to the duke of Guife, who then was king
«t France (as concerning power to command) re-

quiring him to make expedition, if he defircd the
full conqueft of Scotland ; who delayed no time,
but with a new army fent away his brother mar-
quis Dalbuif, and in his company Marticks, pro-
mifmg that he himfelf (hould follow. But the
righteous God, who in mercy looketh upon the
affliction of thofe who unfeignedly fob unto him,
fought for us by his own out-ftretched arm : for,
in one night, upon the coaft of Holland, were
drowned of them eighteen enfigns ; fo that only
refted the fliip, in the which were two principals
aforefaid, with their ladies, who, violendy driven
back to Diep, were compelled to confefs, * That
* God fought for the defence of Scotland.'

From England returned Robert Melvil, who
pafi: in company to London with the fecretary, a
little before Chriftmas, and brought unto us cer-
tain articles to be anfwered, as by the contra(fl:,
that after was made, more plainly ftall appear.
Whereupon the nobility affembled ac Stirling, and
returned anfwer with diligence; whereof the Frenck
B b advei-

1^4

The history of the REFORMATION

Book IIJ.

advertifed, they marched to Luilithgow, fpoiled
fhe duke's houie, and wafted his lands of Kin-
Beil: and after came to Stirling, where they re-
mained certain days (the dn!:e, the earls of Argyle
find Gleiicairn, with their friends, paiTed to Giaf-
gow ; the earl of Arran and lord James palled to
St. Andrews : for charge was given to the whole
nobility proteflants, to keep their own bodies, till
that God fnould fend them further fnpport.) The
French took purpofe iirfi: to afHiult Fife ; for, at
it was their great indignation, their purpofe was
to have taken and fortified the town and abbey,
with the caflleof St. Andrews: and fo they came
to Culrofs, after to Dunfermling, and then to
Burntilland, whcic they began to fortify; but
defifled therefrom, and marched to Kinghorii, up-
on the occafion as followeth.

When certain knov/lege came to tlie carl of Ar-
ran, and to lord James, that the French were de-
parted from Stirling, they departed alfo from St.
Andrews, and began to ademble their forces at
Coupar, and fcnt their men of war to Kinghorn,
unto whom there reforted divers of the coafl-fide,
of mind to refill rather at the heiginning, than
when they had deflroyed a part of their towns:
but the lords had given an e^prefs couimandment.
That they fnould hazard nothing, till that they
themfeives were prefent ; and for that purpofe was
fent unto thtm the lord Ruthven, a man of great
experience, and inferior to few in Ttoutnefs : in his
company was the earl of Sutherland, fent from
the earl of Huntly, ashe alledged, to comfort the
lords in their affliction; but others whifpered,
That his principal commifiicn was unto the queen
regent. Howfoever it was, he was hurt in the
arm by the fhot of an hagbut; for the m.en of
war, and the rafcal multitude, perceiving certain
boats of Frenchmen landing, wliich came from
Leith, purpofed to flop their landing; andfo, not
confidering the enemies that approached from
}3urntifland, unadvifedly they rufhed downtoPet-
ticur (fo is that bay by-wefl' Kinghorn called) and
at thp fea-coafl began the fkirmifhing. But they
■sever took heed to the enemy that approached by
land, till that the horfemen charged them upon the
back, and the whole bands came directly in their
faces; and fo were they compelled to. give back
with the lofs of fix or feven of their men, and
with the taking of fome, amongfl whom were two
that profefied Chrilf Jefus ; one named Paul Lam-
bert a Dutchman, and a French boy, fervent in
religion, and clean of life, whom in defpite they

hanged over the fleeple of Kinghorn. Thoufhalt
revenge, O Lord, in thy appointed time. .

The caufe, that in fo great danger there was
fo fmall a lofs, next unto the merciful providence
of God, was the fudden coming of the lord Ruth-
ven ; for, even as our m.en had given back, he
and his company came to the head of the brae,
and did not only flay the Frenchmen, but alfo fome
of ours brake upon their horfemen, and fo repul-
fed them, that they did no further hurt to our
footmen. In that rencounter was the earl of Su-
therland forefaid fhot in the arm, and was carried
back to Coupar. The Frenchmen took Kinghorn,
where they lay and wafled the country about, as "
weirp'ipifls as protelfants ; yea, even thofe that
were confederate with them, fuch as Scafield, .
Wemyfs, Balmouto, Bal weary, and others, ene-
mies to God, and traitors to their country; of
thofe, we fay, they fpared not the fheep, the oxen,
the kine, and horfe, and fome fay, that their wives
and daughters got favour of the French foldiers :
and fo did God recompenfe the papifls in their own
bofoms ; for, .befides the defiling of their houfes,
as faid is, two of them received more damage, than
did all the gentlemen that profefied the gofpel with-
in Fife, the laird of Grange only excepted, whofe
houfe of the Grange the Frenchmen overthrew
with gun- powder. The queen regent, proud of
of this viffory, burft forth into her blafphemous '
railing, and laid, * Where is now John Knox's
' God ? My god is flronger than his, yea, even in
' Fife.' She polled to her friends in France news
that thoufands of the heretics were flain, and the
rt 11 were fled ; and therefore required that fom.e
nobleman of her friends would come and take the
glory of that victory. Upon that information was
Marticks with two fhips, and fome captains and
horfes, diredled to come into Scodand ; but little
to their own advantage, us we fhall after hear.

The lords of the congregation, offended at the
fooliflmefs of the rafcal multitude, called to them-
feives the men of war, and remained certain days
at Coupar; unto whom repaired John Knox, and,
in owr greatefi: defperation, preached unto us a
mofl comfortable fermon : his text was, John vi.
' The danger wherein the difciples of Chriff Jefus

* flood, when they were in the midfl of the fea,

* and Jefus was upon the mountains.* His exhorta-
tion was. That we fhould not faint, but that we
fliould flill row againfl the contrarious blafls, till
that Jefus Chrift fhould come ; for, faid he, I am
as affuredly perfuaded that God will deliver us from-

this.

Book III.

this extreme trouble, as that I am afTured, that
this is the gofpel of Jefus Chrift, which I preach
unto you this day. The fourth watch is not yet
come; abide a little, the boat fiiall be faved ; and
Peter, who harh left the boat, fliall not drown. I
am aflured of that, albeit 1 cannot afTure you by
reafon of this prefent rage ; God grant that ye may
acknowlege his hand, after that your eyes have
feen his deliverance.

In that fermon he comforted many, and yet he
offended the earl of Arran ; for, in his difcourfe u-
pon the manifold affaults the church of Godfuflain-
ed, he brought for example the multitude of I'cran-
gers that purfu'd Jehofliaphat, after he had reform-
ed religion. He fpake of the fear of the people,
yea, and of the king himfelf at the firft. But after
he affirmed, that jehofliaphat was flout ; and, to
declare his courage in his God, he comforted his
people and his foldiers; he came forth in the midft
of them, he fpake lovingly unto them. He kept
not himfelf, fald he, inclofed in his chamber, but
frequented the multitude, and rejoiced them with
lais prefence and godly comfort. Thefe and the
like fentences took the faid carl to be fpoken in re-
proach of him, beeaufe he kept himfelf more clois
and folitary than maay men would have v»'iflied.

After thefe things, determination was taken,
that the earl of Arran, and lord James, with the
men of war, and fome companies of horfemen,
{hould go to Dyfart, and there ly to wait upon the
French, to flop them from deftroying the fea-coaft,
as they intended utterly to have done. The faid
earl, and lord James did as they were appointed,
albeit their company was very fmall ; and yet they
did fo valiantly, that it pafTed almoft credit : for
twenty and one days they lay in their clothes, their
boots came never off; they had fkirmifliing almoft
every day, yea lome days from morning to night.
The French were four thoufand foldiers, befides
their favourers and faftion of the country : the lords
were never together five hundred horfemen, with
an hundred foldiers ; and yet they held the French
fo bufy, that, for every horfe that was flain to the
congregation, they loff four French foldiers.

William Kirkcaldy of Grange, the day after that
his houfe was call down, fent his defiance to mon-
fieur d' Ofel, and unto the reft, declaring that to
this hour he had ufed the French favourably, yea,
he had faved their lives, when that he might have
fuffered their throats to have been cut ; but, fee-
ing they had ufed him with that rigour, let them
not look for the like favours in rime to come. And
unto monfieur d' Ofel he faid, he knew that he

• F RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

1^5

fhould not get him in ficirmiftiing, beeaufe he knew
he was a very coward; but it might be, that he
fhould quit him a common, either in Scotland, or
elfe in France. The faid William Kirkcaldy, and
the mafier of Lindfay, efcaped many dangers ; tlie
mailer had his horfe flain under him, and William
was almofl betrayed in his houfe at Halyards ; but
yet they never ceafed, for night and day they wait-
ed upon the French : they laid them.felves ina fecret
place with fome gentlemen before day to wait u-
pon the French, who ufed commsnly to iffue ia
companies to feek their prey ; and fo came forth
one captain Bartu with his hundred, and began to
fpoil ; whom the m.afler, after lord Lindfay, and
William fuffered, without declaration of themfelves,
or of their company, till that they had them more
than a mile from Kinghcrn, and then began thd
horfemen to break; which perceived, the French
altogether drew to a place called Glames-houfe and'
made for debate ; fome took the houfe, others de-
fended the court and yards : the hazard appeared
very unlikely, for our men had nothing but
fpears, and were compelled to light upon their
feet; the other were within ditches, and every man
had a culverin. The fliot was fearful to many, and
divers were hiart, amongfl whom was Robert Ha-
milton, and David Khkcaldy, brother to the faid
laird, who both were fuppofed to have been flain.
The faid laird perceiving men to faint, and begin
to recoil, faid, ' Fy, let us never live after this day,
* that we fhall|recoil for French fcybalds aadrafcals,'
And fo the mafler of Linfday and he burfl in at
the gate, and others followed. The mafler flruck
with his fpear at la Bartu, and glazing upon his
harnefs, for fear flumbled upon his knees ; but re-
covering fuddcnly, he faftned his fpear, and bare
the faid captain backward ; who, beeaufe he would
not be taken, was flain, and fifty of his company
with him, Thofe that were in the houfe, with
fome others, were faved, and fent to Dundee to be
kept.

This mifchance to the Frenchmen, made thera
to be more circumfpecl in flraying and wandring
abroad into the country, and fo the poor people got
fome relief. To furnifli the French with vrdluals,
was appointed captain Culan, with two fhips, who
travelled betwixt the fouth-fliore, and Kirighorn
for that purpofe : for his wages, he fpoiled King-
horn, Kirkcaldy, and fo much of Dyfart as he
might ; for remedy whereof, were appointed two
fhips from Dundee ; Andrew Sands, a very flout
and fervent man in the caufe of religion, was the
principal. This fame time arrived Marticks, who
B b 2 without

19^ The H I S T 0 R Y

•without delay landed hunfelf, the coffers, and the
principal gentlemen that were with him at Leith,
leaving the reft in the fnips till better opportunity :
but the faid Andrew and his company ftriking fail,
and making as they would call anchor hard befide
them, boarded them both, and carried them to
Dundee : in them were gotten fome horfes, and
much harnefs. with fome other trifles ; but of mo-
ney he heard nought. Hereat the French offended,
avowed the defcruclion of St. Andrews and Dun-
dee.

And alfo upon Monday in the morning, the
thirteenth of January, they marched from Dyfirt,
and pafled the water of Levin, ever keeping tlie
coaft, by reafon of their fiiips and viftuals, as faid
is : about noon they efpied Ihips (which were feen
that morning by us that were upon the land, but
were not known.) monfieur d' Ofel affirmed them
to be French flilps, and fo the foldicrs triumphed,
ihot their volley for a falve, and marched forcward
to Kingcraig, fearing no refinance; but fhortly,
after, the Englifh ("hips met with captain Culan,
and feized upon him and his fliips, which made,
them a little to mufe : then fuddenly came, Mr. A-
lexander Wood, who had been upon the admiral,
and allured monfieur d' Ofel that they were Eng-
liftimen, and that they wete the forewarners of a
greater number that followed, v^ho were fent for
fupport of the congregation. There might have
been feen pulling of beards for anger, and might
have been heard fuch defpight as cruel men ufe to
fpue forth, when God'bridicth their fury, Weari-
nefs and the night conftrained them to lodge there ;
they fupped fcarcely, becaufe theii- drips were taken,
in the which were their vifluals and ordnance,
which they intended to have placed in St. Andrews.
They themfelves durft not frray abroad to feek ;
and the laird of Wemyff's carriages, which Hkewife
were coming with furnhhing unto them, were
Aayed ; and therefore betimes in the morning they
:f€tired towards Kinghorn, and made more expe-
4ition in one day in returning, than they did in
two in marching foreward. , The florm, which
)iad continued near the fpace of a month, brake in
the time of their returning; whereby many thought
that they fhould have been flayed, till that a reafon-
able company might have been aflembled to have
foughten . with them; and for that purpofe did
Vv^'illiam Kirkcaldy cut the brige of Tullibody:
but the French, expert enough in fuch feats, took
down theroofofapariflvchurch, and made abridge
©ver the, fame water called Donan, and fo they e-
fcaped, and went to Stirling, and thereafter to Leith ;

OF THE REFORMATION

Book m.

yet in their return they loft di\'ers, amongft whom
there was one v/hofc miferable end we may re-
hearfe.

As the French fpoiled the country in their re-
turning, one, captain or foldier we cannot tell, but
he had a red cloke, and a gilt murriow, entered u-
pon a poor woman that dwelt in the white-fide,
and began to fpoil. The poor woman offered un-
to him fuch bread as fhe had ready prepared ; but
he, in nowife therewith content^ would have the
meal, and a little fait- beef, which the poor womaa
had to fuftain her own life, and the lives of her
poor children ; neither could tears nor pitiful words
mitigate the mercilefs man, but he would have
whatfoever he might carry. The poor woman per-
ceiving him fo bent, and that he ftooped down in
-her tub, for the taking forth of fuch ftuffas was
within it, firft couped and turned up his heels, fo
that his head went down ; and thereafter, whether
by herfelf, or if any other company came to help
her, but there he ended his unhappy hfe: God fo-
punhhing his cruel heart, who could not fpare a
miferable woman in that extremity. ' Let all fuch
' foldiers receive fuch reward, O lord, feeing that

* thou only art the revenger of the opprefled.'

And now, becaufe that, from this time fore-
ward, frequent mention will be made of the com-
fortable fupport that we in our greateft extremity '
received by God's providence from our neighbours
of England, we think it expedient fimply to declare
by v^^hat inftrumcnts that matter was firft moved,
and by what means it cam.e to pafs, that the queea
and council of England fliewcd themfelves fo fa-
vourable unto us.

As John Knox had forewarned us, by his letters
from Geneva, of all dangers that he forefaw to en--
fue our enterprife ; fo, when he came to Diep,
mindful of the fame, and refolving with himfelf
what remedy God would pleafe to offer, he took
boidnefs to write to Sir William Cecil, fecretary
of ftate in England, with whom the faid John had
been before familiarly acquainted, intending there-
by to renew acquaintance, and fo to open further
of his mind. The tenor of his firft letter follows : '

The Spirit of Judgment, Wifdom and SanElifcaiiDnf
I nuijh unto you by Jefus Chrift.

* As IhaveHopleafure with long writing to trou-
< ble you, right honourable, whofe mind I know

* to be taken up with mofl grave matters; fo I
' mind not greatly to labour by long preface to

* conciliate your favours, which Lfuppofe I have

already

Book IK.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND,

* already (howioeva- rumours report the contrary)

* as the favour it becometh one member ot ChrilVs
' body to have of anethcr ; the contents th«-efore of
' my prefent Letter fliall be abfolved in two points .

* in the former, I purpofe to difcharge in few words
' my confcience towards you ; and in the other, fome-
' what mud: Ifpeak, for my own defence, and in de-
' fence of that poor flock, of iateaOembled in the

* moll godly reformed church and city of the world,
'Gereva: to you, Sir, I fay, that, as from God
' you have received life, wifdom honours, and the
' prefent elf ate in the which yQU now fland ; fo ought
' you wholly to apply the fame to the advancement
' of his glory, who only is the author of life, the f oun-

* tain of wifdom, and who mod: alTuredly doth,
' and will honour and glorify them, that with fim-

* pie hearts do glorify him; which, alas ! in times
*palf you have not done; but, being overcome

* with common iniquity, you have followed the

* world in the way of perdition : for to the fup-

* preff.ngof Chrift's true gofpel to the ereaing of
' idolatry, and to the Ihedding of the blood of God's
' mod: dear children, have you by filenceconfented,

* aud fubfcribed this your moft horrible defediou

* from the known truth, and once profeffed ; yet
' hath God to this day mercifully fpared, yea, to

* man's judgment, he hath utterly forgotten, and
' pardoned the fame: he hath not dealt with you,
' as he hath done with others, of Hke knowlege,

' whom in his anger (but yet moif julUy according .
' to their deferts) he did fhortly ffrike after their
' defertion; but you, guilty in the fame offences,
' hath he foflered and preferved, as it were, in his
' own bofom, during the time of that moll mifer-

* able thraldom, of that profelTed enemy of God,
' mlfchievousMary; andnowhehathfetyouatfuch
'liberty, as the fury of God's enemies cannot hurt :

* you, except that willingly, againll his honour,
< you take pleafure to confpire with them. As this
^ benefit which you have received is great, fo mufl
' God's jullice require of you a thankful heart-: for,,

* feeing that his mercy hath fpared you, being traitor
' to.his majefly; feeing further, that amongH your

* enemies he hath preferved you ; and laft, feeing,

* although worthy of hell, he hath promoted you

* to honour and dignity ; of you mull he require,

* becaufe he is jufi:, earnefl repentance for your for-

* mer defeftion, a heart mindful of his .merciful
' providence, and a will fo ready to advance his

* glory, that evidently it may appear, that in vain

* you have not received thcfe graces of God; to the
' performance whereof, of ncceffity it is, that carnal

* wifdom and v/orldly policy (to the which both

you are reported too muck ipxlhicJ) 'cruCz give
place to God's fimple and naked truth. Very love
compels me to fay, that except the fpirit of God
purge your heart from that venom, which your
eyes have feen to have been deflrudlion to other.s.,
that you fliall not long efcape the reward of dif-
femblers. Call to mind what your ears heard
proclaimed in the chapel of St. James, when thi'^
verfe of the firft pfalm was handled, " Not fo,
' O wicked, not fo, but as the dull which the
' wind toffeth, ^c." And confider, that now you
travel in the fame way which then they did oc-
cupy, to fpeak plainly; now 5'ou are in that e-
flate and credit, in the which you fliall either
comfort the forrowfuland affiifled for righteouf-
nefs fike, or elfe you (hall molefl or oppugn the
fpirit of God fpeaking in his mefTengers..- . The 1
comforters of the aiBifted for godr!uef3,..Hath pro-
mife of comfort in their grcatefl nccelTitias ;■ but
the troublera of God's fervants (ho\v contemned
that everihey appear before the world) are threat-
ned to have their names in execration to the po-
fferitles following. The examples of the one, and
of the other, are, not only evident in fcriptures,
but alfo have been lately manifefled in. England:
and this istheconclufioii of that, which to your-
felf, I fay, except that in the caufe of Chr ill's
gofpel, you be found fimple, fincere, fervent and
unfeigned, you fliall talle of the fame cup, which
politic heads have drunk in before you, .
' The other point concerning myfelf,. and that
poor flock now difperfed, and, as L hear fay,
rudely ufed, is this: by divers melTeagers I have
requefled fuch privileges, as Turks cammonlydo
grant to men of every nation, to -vjit, That li-
berty fliould be granted, to, me freely to- pafs thro'
England, to the end that with greaterexpcdition
I might repair towards my own country, which
now beginneth to thirfl for Chrifl's truth. This
requefl I . thought fo reafonable, that aimoli I
had entered the realm without licence demanded ;
and yet I underfland, th;:t it hath been fo rejeil-
ed, that the folicLtors thereof did hardly efcape
imprifonment •,. and fome of that poor fiock I
hear to be fo extremely handled, that thofe who
mofl rudely have fhcd the blood of God's mofc
dear children, find this day amongfl you greater
favours than they do. Alas! this appeareth much
to repugn to Chriflian charity ; for, v.'hatfoever
hath been mine offence,, this I fear not to aiiirm
In their caufe. That if any that have fufFcred- ex-
ile in thole nicfl dolorous da^-'s of perfccution^
detrve prailt and commendation, for pci.ce, con-

' cord.

193

The history of the REFORMATION Book HI.

^ cord, fober snd quiet living, it is they : and as
^ for me, how criminal that ever I be in God's
^ prefence, for the multitude of my fms, yet be-
^ fore his juftice-feat I have a teftimony of a clear
^ confcience, Thatfmce my firll acquaintance with
^ England, willingly I never ofTended perfon with-
in it, except in open chair to reprove that which
, condemnethcanbe judged offence. But I have,
fay yoii, v/ritten a treafonable book, againfi: the
government and empire of women: if that be
my offence, the poor flock is innocent, except
fuch as this day do fafleff cry treafon : for, Sir,
in God's prefence I do write, with none in that
company did I confult before the finifliing of the
fame : therefore in Chrifl's name I require, that
the blame may be upon me alone. The writing

* of that book I will not den)^ but to prove it

* treafonable, I think it fliall be hard ; for. Sir,
no more do I doubt of the truth of my prcpofi-
tion, than that I doubt, that this was the voice
of God, which firil did pronounce this penalty
againfi women, " In dolour fhalt thou bear thy

* children," ' It is reported, that" my book is, or
fhall be written againfi:, or anfwered : if fo be
Sir, I greatly fear, that flatterers fliall miore hurt
than help the matter, which they would feem to

* maintain ; for, except my error be plainly (liewn
and confuted, by better authority than by fuch
laws as from year to year may, and do change, I

* dare not promife filence in fo weighty a bufuiefs,

* Icfl that, in fo doing, I fhall appear to betray the

* verity, which is not fubjeft to the mutability of

* time: and if any think me, either enemy to the

* perfon, or yet to the government of her, whom

* God'hath now promoted, they are utterly decei-

* ved in me ; for the miraculous work of God,

* comforting his afilicfled by an infxrm vefFel, I do
'' acknowlege, and I will obey the power of his

* mod potent hand (raifingup whom befl: pleafeth

* his mercy, to fupprefs fuch as fight againfi his

* glory) albeit that both nature, and God's moff

* perfect ordinance repugn to fuch government,
*' More plainly to fpeak, If queen Elizabeth (ball

* confefs, that the extraordinary difpenlation of

* God's great mercy m.akes that lawful unto her,

* which both nature and God's laws do deny unto
■* all women, then fhall none in England be more
'■* v/illing to maintain her lawful authority than I

* fhall be : but if (God's wondrous works fet afide)

* (he ground, as God forbid, the juflnefs of her

* title upon confuetude, laws and ordinances of
'* men, then I am affured, that as fuch focliili pre-
■■* fumption doth highly offend God's fupreme ma-

* jefly ; fo do I greatly fear, that her ingratitude

* fhall not long lacii punlfhment And this in the

* name of the eternal God, and of hii Son Jefus

* Chrifl (before whom both you and I fhall Hand,

* to"make an account of all counfel we give) I re-

* quire you to fignify unto her majeily in my name;
' adding, That only humility, and defertion of
' herfelf before God, fliall be the firmnefs and fla-
' bility of the throne, which I know fhall be af-
' faulted m.ore ways than one. If this you con-

* ceal from her majefty, I will make it patent to
' the world, that thus far I have communicated

* with you, having alfo further to fpeak, if my
' judgment may be heard. Alas ! Sir, is my of-

* fence (altho' in that time, and in that matter, I
'■ had written ten books) fo hainous, that I cannot
' have licence, by preaching Chriff Jefus, to re-
' frefh thofe thirfty fouls, who long have lacked
' the water of life : no man will I prefently accufe,
' but I greatly fear, that " the leprous have
*' no great pleafure to behold fair faces in clear
" glafs." ' Let none be afraid, that I require to

* frequent the court, or yet to remain any long time
' in England; but only thirfl, in painng thorow
' to my native country, to communicate with you

* and fome others, fuch things, as v/iliingly I Hfl

* not to commit to paper, neither to the credit and

* knowlege'of many ; and then in the north parts

* to offer God's favours to fuch as I fuppofe do

* mourn for their defertion : and this, I trufl, fhall
, ' be no lefs profitable to the queen, and to all godly

* within England, than it fliould be pleafmg to me

* in the fleflr.

' This is the third tim.e that I have begged 11-
' cence to vifit the hungry and thirfly amongflyou,

* which if now be denied, as before God I have a

* tefiimony, that I feek not for m.yfelf, but the

* advancement of Chrifl's gofpel, and the comfort

* of fuch as 1 know afEifted ; fo fhall the godly
' underftand, that England, in refufing me, refu-,

* feth a friend, how fmall that ever the power be.

* The mighty Spirit of the Lord Jefus move your

* heart deeply, to confider your duty unto God,
' and the ellate of that realm, in which, by his

* appointment you now ferv^e.

from Diep, the i cth
J ■' F 5 5 y • Toiirs to command in godlinefs,

John Knox.'

To this letter was no anfwer made ; for fhortly
the faid John Kiiox made foreward to Scotland by

fea,

Book HI.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLA

fea, where he landed the 3d of May, and had
fuch fuccefs, as is in the fecond book declared.
The faid John being in St. Andrews after
Coupar-muir, entered in deep difcourfe with the
laird of Grange; the danger is very evident, but
thefupport was not cafy to be feen. After many
words, John Knox burft forth as followeth ; ' If
' England would forefee their own commodity ;

* yea, if they would confider the danger wherein

* themfelves fland, they would not fuffer us to

* peridi in this quarrel ; for France hath no lefs

* decreed the conquefl: of England than of Scot-

* land.' After long reafoning, it was concluded
betwixt them two, that fupport fhould be craved
of England : and, for that purpofe, the faid laird
of Grange firffc wi'ote to Sir Henry Piercy, and
after rode from Edinburgh, and fpake with him ;
to whom he made fo plain demonftration. ^f the
danger appearing toEngland, that he took i?|ron him
to write, to fecretary Cecil, who wtth expedition re-
turned anfwer back again, giving him to under-
hand, That our enterprife altogether mifliked not
the council, albeit that they defired further refo-
lution of the principal lords : which thing under-
ftood it was concluded to write to him plainly our
whole purpofe ; the tenor of our letter was this :

The firfi Letter to Sir William Cecil, from the Lords
of the Congregation.

' The contents of a letter direfted by you,
' right worfliipful, to Sir Henry Piercy, was no-

* tified unto us by Mr. Kirkcaldy of Grange, this

* Sunday the 26th of July ; by the which we per-

* ceive, that the faid laird of Grange, of zeal and
' faithful heart which he beareth to the furtherance

* of this our great, and, before the world, dan-

* gerous enterprife, hath travailed with you, as

* with an unfeigned favourer of Chrilf's true re-

* ligion, and of the liberty of our country, for
' knowlege of your rninds towards us, in cafe that

* we be aflaulted by any foreign invafion, or great-

* er power than we be able to refill:. Your com-
*,fortable anfwer to this queilion we have conlider-

• *ed, to our joy and comfort; as alio your motion^

* and what you dem.and, to wit. What the prote-

* ftants wiLhin this realm do purpofe ? To what

* we mean to direct our adlions ? How we v.dll,

* and how we are able to accompiifh the fame ?

* What doubts we have of any adverfary pov/cr ?

* And fuially, in cafe that iupport (hould be fent

* from you, what manner of amity might enfue
*• betwixt thcfe two realms ? drc«

N D. 1-95

' To the which in brief we anfv/er, That our

* whole and only purpofe, as God knoweth, is to

* advance the glory of Chrifl Jefus, the true preach-

* ing of his gofpel v, ithin this realm ; to remove
' fuperftition, and all fort of external idolatry; to
' bridle, to our powers, the fury of thofe that
' heretofore have cruelly fhed the blood of our
' brethren ; and, to our uttermoll, to maintain the
' liberty of this our country, from the tyranny end

* thraldom of flrangers, as God fhall affilf us. How

* we are able to accomplilh thele premifes, is to us
' unknown ; only our hope is good, that he that
' hath begun this good work in us, and hath by
' his power to this hour confounded the faces of

* our adverfaries, will perform the lame to his glo-

' ry, which chiefly we leek in this our enterpriie..

* Beaaufe we fuppofe, that neither our prelent dan-

* ger, neither yet the warlike preparation which

* France maketh againfl us, are hid from you, nor

* from the council, we omit that part. As touch-
' ing the alTurance of a perpetual amity to llandbe-
' twixt thefe tvv'o realms, as no earthly thinp of ug
' is more defired, fo crave we of God, to make us,

* the inflrum.ents, by -which this unnatural debate,

* which long hath continued betwixt us, may once
' be compoied, to the praile of God's name, and
' to the comfort of the faithful in both reahriS. And,

* if your wifdoms can forefee, anddevife the mcans^

* and aflTuranccs, how the fame may be brought to

* pafs ; periuade yourlelvcs not only of our confent

* and affilfance, but alfo of our conftancy, as men
' can promife, unto our hves end ; yea farther, of

* charge and commandment by us, to be left toour

* poflerity, that the amity betwixt us, in God, con-

* traded and begun, may be by ther^^ kept iuvio-

* late for ever.

' As for the revolting from you to France, which
' ye feem to fear and fufpeft , at their pleaiure, we
' utterly abhor that infidelity ; for now doth the

* voice of God con.tinually found in our ears. That
' fuch as prophane the terrible and reverend name
' of God, Ihall not efcape vengeance. Our confe-
" deracy, amity and league, fhall not be like the

* paftions made by worldly men, for worldly profit;
' but, as we require it for God's caufe, fo will we

* call upon his name for the obfervation of the fame.

* Moreover, if we fhould lack any thing in tempo-

* ral commodity, yet fhould we never have occafion
' to return to them; for v/e now perceive and feel

* the weight of their yoke, and intend, by God's
' grace, to cut av/ay fuch inflruments, as by whom
' this realm was before abuied. True it is, that

* as yet \vc have maile no mention of any change v.i

' authoritv ',.

The HISTORYof the REFORMATION Book KI,

203

«

i authority ; neither yet were we minded to do any
c fuch thing, till extreme neceffity compelleth us
i thereto ; but feeing it is now more than evident,
, that France, and the queen regent here, with her
» priefts, pretend nothing but the fuppreffing of
< Chj-ift's gofpel, the ruin of us, and the fubveffi-
t on of this poor realm, committing our innocency
. to God, and unto the judgment of all godly and
t wife men, we are determined to feek the remedy;
, in which we heartily require your counfel and ai-
, fulance. And thus for we have enterprized, to
^ m.ake you participant of our purpofe, becaufe in
the faid letters ye required the faid Mr. Kirkcaldy

* fome farther afllirance than his own word or writ-
' ing, which we doubt not but ye fnall fliortly re-
*: ceive from more than from us. We dare not haifi-
' ly make the affembly, neither of nobles, neither
' of barons, privy in this caufe, for dangers that
' m.ay eufue by policy and craft of the adveifaries ;
' your wiidom, we doubt not, will communicate

* thefe only with Inch as ye know favourers of fuch a
' godly conjundion. It Ih.ould much help, in our

* opinion, if the preachers, both in perfuafion, and

* in public prayers, as ours do here, ■ would com-
' mend the fam.e unto the people. And thus, after

* our m.oft humble commiendations to the queen's
' maiefty (whofe reign we widi maybe proljjerous

* and long, to the glory of God, and comfort of the

* church) we heartily commit you to tht protection
' of die Omnipotent.'

Fmn Edinburgh, the 2']ih
f M'> 1559-

With tlns^ur letter John Knox wrote two, one
to the faid Secretary, and another to the queen's
majefty herfelf ; tlie tenor whereof follows thus :

John Knox's fecond Letter to Mr. Cecil for the de-
livery of one other to the queen.

' Sir,
* After my humble commendations, pleafc

* you deliver this other inclofed to the queen ; it

* containeth a few and fimple words of my confeffion,

* what I think of her authority, how it is jufi:, and

* what may make it odious in God's prefence. I hear

* that there is one confutation fet forth againfl the
*firfL Blast; God g»ant, that the writer thereof
-* have no m.ore iought the favours of this prefcnt

*• worjd, no lefs the glory of God, and the liable

* good of his country, than he who entcrprifed in
'* that Eklf to utter his confcience, When I fh,aU

' have time (which now is fomewhat precious unto

* me) to perufe that work, I will communicate my
' judgment with you.

' The time is now, Sir, that all, who either

* thirft for Chrift to reign in this ifle, or yet the

* hearts of the inhabitants to be joined together ia >

* love unfeigned, ought rather to iludy how the

* fame m/ight be brought to pafs, than vainly to
' travail for the maintenance of that, M^hereof al-

* ready we have feen the danger, and feel the fmart :

* if the mofS: part of women be wcked, and fuch as

* willingly we would not fhould reign over us; and
' if the moft godly, and fuch as have rare graces,
' be yet mortal, we ought to take heed lefc, ia
' eftablilhing of one judged godly, and profitable
' to her country, we miake an intereff and title t»
' many ; by whom not only will the truth be im-
' pugned, but alfo will the country be brought in-

* to b(^age. God give you, and other favourers
' of your country, eyee to fee, and wiiclom to a-
' void the dangers appealing.

' By divers letters I have required licence to have

* vifited the north parts of England; but as yet

* I have received no favourable anfwer : the longer^

* Sir, that it be delayed, the lefs com.fort will the
' faithful there receive; yea, weaker will the queen's

* favour be. If I were not an unfeigned friend to
' her majeify, I would not inflantly beg fuch ti-

* berty ; %\'hich, to me, I know, will neither be

* profitable nor pleafing in the flefh. The common
' things here I doubt not you know ; fome thincrs

* I have, as oftentimes I have written, which

* gladly 1 would communicate, but I mind not to

* commit them to paper and ink ; find therefore
' the means, that I may fpeak with fuch a one a$
' you will credit in all things. The grace of our

* Lord Jefus Chrift reft witli you.

* I heartily beleech you to have my fervice re-

* commended to the queen's majefty, adding, That
-' whofoever maketh me odious to her miajefty, feek-

* eth fomiCwhat befides the glory of God, and her
' majefty 's profperity; and therefore cannot be a^

* fured and unfeigned friends. From, 6t.

The letter fent from the faid John to the queen's
majefty of England, being inclofed in the forefad
Mr. Cecil's letter.

To the virtuous and godly EUzahcth, by the grace
of God, queen of England; John Knox defireth
the perpetual comfort of his holy Spirit.

' Madam, as yo\ir rcajeft.y's difpleafure againft"

me

Book III.

• F RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

20-1

mc, mod unjuflly conceived, hath been, and is
to my wretched heart a burden grievous, and al-
moft intolerable; (o is the teftimony of a clear
confcience to me a fiiy and uphold, that I fink not
in defpair, how vehement foever the temptations
appeal : for, in God's prefence, my confcience
beareth me record, That malicioufly, or of pur-
pofe, I never offended your majeify, nor your re-
alm ; and therefore, howfoever I be judged of
man, I am fure to be abfolved of him, who only
knoweth the fecrets of hearts. I cannot deny the
writing of a book againfl the ufurped authority and
unjuft government of women; neither yet am I mind-
ed to recant or call back any principal point or pro-
pofition of the fame, till truth and verity do furtlier
appear; but why that your majelf y,or any fach.who
unfeignedly favour the liberty of England, fhould
beolfcndedat the author of fuch a work, I can per-
ceive no juft occafion; for firlf, my book touched
not your majefly's perfon in fpecial, neither is it
prejudicial to any liberty of the realm, if the time
of my writing be indifferently confidered. How
-could I be enemy to your majefiy's perfon, for de-
livery whereof, I did more fludy, and undertake
further, than any of thofe who now accufe me ?
And as concerning your government, how could
or can I envy that ? which mofi I have wifhed for,
and for which, as my weak memory will fulfer, I
render thanks unfeignedly to God, to wit, That
it hath pleafed him of his eternal goodnefs to ex-
alt your head, which fometime was in danger, to
the manifeflation of his glory, and extirpation of
idolatry : and as for my offence, which I have com-
mitted againfl England, either by writing that
book, or by any other work, I will not refufe that
moderate and indifferent men judge and difcern be-
twixt me, and thofe that accufe me, viz. Whe-
ther of the parties do mofl hurt to the liberty of
England ; 1, who affirm that no woman may be
exalted above any realm, to make the liberty of
the fame thrall and fubjeft to a flrange, proud,
and cruel nation ; or they, that approve whatfo-
ever pleafeth princes for the time. If I were as
welldifpofed to accufe, as fome of them, to their
own fhame, hare declared themfelves, I nothing
doubt but that in few words I fhould let reafon-
able men underffand. That fome, that this day
lowly crouch and bow to your majefly, and labour
to make me odious in your eyes, did, in your ad-
verfity, neither fliew themfelves faithful friends to
your majefly, neither yet fo loving and careful of
their native country, as they would be efleemed :

but omitting the accufation of others, for my
purgation, and your majeffy's fatisfadtion, I fay,
that nothing contained in my book, is, or can be
prejudicial toyour majefly's jufl government, pro-
viding that you be not found ungrateful unto God,
Ungrateful you will be proved in the prefence of his
throne, hov.-foever that flatterers jufrify your facl,
if you transfer the glory of that honour, in which
you now fraud, to any other thing, than to the
difpenfation of his mercy, which only maketh that
lawful to your majeffy, which n.iture and law de-
nieth to all women, to command and bear rule
over men. Neither would I that your majefty
fhould fear, that this your humiliation before God,
fliould in any cafe infirm or weaken your ma'efly's
juft and lawful authority : nay, m.adam, fuch un-
feigned confefTion of God's benefits received, v/ill
be theeflablifhmentof the fame, not only toyour-
felf, but alfo to your feed and poflerity; where,
contrariv.'Ife, a proud conceit, and elevation of
yourfelf, will be the occafion that your reign will
be unffable, troublefome, and fliort. God is wit-
nefs, that unfeignedly I both love and reverence
your majefty ; yea, I pray that your reign may be
both profperous and quiet, and that for the quiet-
nefs which Chrifl's members, before perfecuted,
have received under you : but yet, if I fhould
flatter your majefly, I were no friend, but a de-
ceitful traitor ; and therefore in confcience I am
compelled to fa}'-, That neither the confent of the
people, the procefs of time, nor multitude of men,
can eftablifh a law which God fhall approve ; but
whatfoever he approveth by his eternal word, that
fliall be approved, and flay conftantly firm ; and
whatibever he condemneth, fhall be condemned,
though all men on earth fhould travail for the ju-
fiification of the fame : and therefore, madam, the
only way to retain and keep the benefits of God,
abundantly of late days poured upon you and your
realm, is unfeignedly to render unto God, to his
mercy, and undeferved grace, the whole gloi-y of
this your exaltation ; forget your birth, and all
title which hereupon doth hang, and confider
deeply, how for fear of your life you did decline
from God, and bow to idolatry, going to m.afs un-
der your fiffer Mary's perfecution of God's faints.
Let it not appear a fmall offence in your eyes, that
you have declined from Chrifl Jefus, in the day of
your batde ; neither yet would I, that you fhould
effeem that mercy to be vulgar and common Vv-hick
you have received, viz. That God hath covered
your offence, hath preferved your perfon, when
C jC voa

The history of the REFORMATION

2© 2

you were mofi: unthankful ; ' and, in the end, hath
exalted and raifedyou up, not only from the duft,
but alfo from the ports of death, to rule above
his people, for comfort of his kirk. It appertain-
eth to you therefore, to ground the juftice of your
authority, not on that law which from year to year
doth change, but upon the eterUfd providence of
him, who contrary to the ordinary courfe of na-
ture, and without your deferving, hath exalted
your head. If thus in God's prefence you humble
yourfeif, as in my heart I glorify God for that reft
granted to his afBifted flock within England, un-
• cler you a weak inftrument; fo will I with tongue
and pen juftify your authority and government, as
the Holy Ghofthath judificd the fame in Deborah,
that blelTtd mother in Ifrael : but if you negleft,
as God forbid, thefe things, and fliall begin to
brag of your birth, and to build your authority
and your government upon your own law, flatter
you whofo lifteth, your felicity fliall be fliort. In-
terpret my words in the btft part, as written by
him, who is no enemy toyour majcfty. By divers
letters I have required to vilit your realm, not to
feek myfelf, neither yet rny own-eafe and be
nefit ; which if you now refufe and deny me,
I muft remit my caufe to God, adding this
for conclufion, that commonly it is feen, That
fuch as refufe the counfel of the faithful, (appear
it never fo fharp) are compelled to tollow the de-
ceit of flatterers to their own perdition. The
mighty Spirit of the Lord Jefus move your heart to
underftand what is faid, and give unto you the di-
reflion of his Spirit, and fo rule you in all your
aftions and enterprizes, that in you God may be
glorified, his kirk cilified, and you yourfejf, as a
■lively member of the fame, may be an example of
virtue and godlinefs of life to all others. So be it.'
At Edinburgh 28th July, 1559.

Theie letters were directed by Alexander White-
law, a man who often had hazarded himfelf, and
all that he had, for the caufe of God, and for his
•friends, being in danger for the fame caufe. With-
ih a day or two after the departing of the faid Al-
exander, there came a letter from Sir Henry Piercy
■to John Knox, requiring him to meet him at An-
wick the 3d day of Auguft, for fuch affairs as he
would not write, nor yet comm-unicate with any,
but with the faid John himfelf. While he was pre-
paring liimfelf for the journey, (for fecretary Cecil
fcad appointed to have met him at Stampfcrd) the
Frenchmen furicufly came forth of Dunbar, of
f urpole to have furprized the lords, being in Edia-

BOOK Ilf.

burgh, as in the fecond book before is declai'edj
which flayed the journey of the faid John, till that
God had delivered the innocents from that great
danger ; and then was he lent, having in his com-
pany Mr. Robert Hamilton, m.iniifer of the gofpel
of Jefus Chrift, direft ed from the lords with full
commillion and inftruftions to declare their whole
cafe and eft ate wherein they ftood. Their pafTage
was from Pittenweemby fea; they arrived at Holy-
ifland ; and being advertifed that Sir Henry Piercy
was abfent from the north, they declare themfelves
to Sir James Crofts, then captain of Berwick, and
warden of the eaft marches of England: they
fliewed unto him their credit and commiffion. He
received them courteouily, and comforted them
with his faithful counfel, which was. That they
fnould travel no further, neither yet fhould they
be iecn in public, and that for divers conlideraii-
ons : Firjl, The queen regent had ;her fpies in
England. Secondly, The queen and the council
that favoured our faction, would that all things
ihould be fecret fo long as .they might. And Ityi,
faid he, 1 think it not expedient, that, in fuch
rarity of preachers, ye two be any long tim^e ab-
lent from the lords of the congregation : and there-
fore, faid he, ye fliall do beft to commit to writing
your whole mind and credit, and I fhaU promife to
you, upon my honour, tohaveaufv^'erat you, and
at the lords again, before that ye yourfelves can be
at London ; and where that your letters cannot ex-
prefs all things fo fully as ^^our prefence could, I
Ihall fupply the fame, not only by my pen,. but alfo
by my own prefence, to fuch as will inform the
council fufficicntly of all things. The faid John
and Mr. Robert followed his counfel (for it was
faithful, and proceeded of love at that time) they
tarried with him very fccretiy within the caftle of
Berwick two days: in which time returned Alex-
ander Whitelaw aforefaid, with anfwer to the
lords, and unto John Knox; the tenor of whofe
letter v/as this :

Mafier Cecil's Letter to John Kncx,

I
* Majler Knox,
* N 0 N eji mafculiis ncquc ffxmina, cmnes enim

* tit ait Pauhis, uniim fumiis in Chrijlu Jefu : be-

* ncdlEfus vir qui coiifidit in Domino ; 6" erit Domi-
' nusjiducia ejus. I have received your letters, at
' the fem.e tim.e that I thought to have feen your-

* felf at Stampford. What is now hitherto the

* caufe of your let, I know not. I forbear to de-

* fcend to the bottom of things, until I may con-

Book III.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

203

' fer with fuch one as ye are : and therefore, if
' your chance ihall be hereafter to come hither, I

* wifli you furnilhed with good credit and power

* to make good refolution. Altho' my anfwer to

* the lords of the congregation be fomewhat ob-

* fcure, yet, upon further underflanding, ye fliall

* find the matter plain. I need to wifli you no

* more prudency than God's grace, whereof God
' fend you plenty : and fo I end.

Fro?}} Oxford the
tZthofJi»ly,isS9'

Sic fubfcribitury

Ymrs, as a member of the
fame Body in Chr'ift,

M. Cecil.'

And albeit the faid John received this letter at
Berwick, yet would he anfwer nothing till that he
hadfpoken with the lords, whom he found in Stir-
ling, and unto whom he delivered the anfwer fent
from the council of England, (far Alexander White-
law took ficknefs betwixt Berwick and Edinburgh,
and was troubled by the lord Seton, as in the
former book is declared) the anfwer fent by Mr.
Cecil ^vas fo general, that many amongif us de-
spaired of any comfort to come from that country;
and therefore were determined that they would re-
qucfl no further. John Knox laboured in the
contrary, but he could prevail no further, but that
he Ihould have licence and liberty to write as he
thought beft : And fo he took upon him to an-
iwer for all, in form as followeth :

Anf-wer to Mr. Cecil's writing.

* T w o caufes hindered me, right worfhipful,
to vifit you in any part of England. Before this,
no fignificatioR of your mind and pleafure was
made unto me ; for only did Sir Henry Piercy will
me to come and fpeak with him, which convenient-
ly, at that time I could not do, by reafon of the
Frenchmen (which was the fecond caufe of my
Hay) did then moft furioufly purfue us, v.'hile our
-company was difperfed, and then durfl I not be
ablent for divers inconveniencies. Neither did I
think my prefence with you greatly neceilary, con-
fidering that the matter, which I moft defired, was
opened and propofed; to the v/hich I would have
wifhed that a more plain and fpecial anfwer fhould
have been made: for albeit Mr. Whitelaw by his
credit, Mr. Kirkcaldy by .his letter, and I, both by
letters, and by that which I had received from Sir
James Crofts, did per fuade me of your good minds;
yet could not the couacii be otherwife perfuaded.

but that this alteration in France Lad altered j'OFr
former purpofe. It is not unknown what good-
will we three do bear to England : and thereforcl
wiOi, that rather your pen, than your credit, or
any thing written to any of us, fhould aflure the
lords and others of your good minds, who are now
in number but five hundred : unlefs that nioncv
be furnillied without delay to pay the foldiers for
their fei'vice paft, and to retaia another thoufand
footmen, with three hundred horfemen, till fomc
flay be had in this danger; thefe gentlemen wilt
be compelled to leave the fields. I am afFured, as
flefli may be of flefli, that fome of them will take
a very hard life, before that ever they compofe,
either with the queen regent, or with France:
but this I dare not promife at all, unlefs in you
they fee greater forwardnefs. To fupport us, wiU
appear exceffive; and to break promife with France,
will appear dangerous : but the lofs of expences,
in my opinion, ought not to be efteemed from
the firft payment, neither yet the danger from the
firft appearance. France is moft fervent to con-
quer us, and avoweth, That againft us they wiK
fpend the crown (fo did mine own ears hear But-
ton Court brag.) But moft afTuredly I know. That
unlefs by us they thought to make an entry to you,
that they would not buy our poverty at that price.
They labour to corrupt fome of our great men by
money, (and fome of our number are poor, as
before I wrote, and cannot ferve without fupport.)
fome they threatned, and againft others they have
raifcd up a party in their own country. In this
mean time, if ye ly by as neutrals, what will be
the end, you may eafily conjeflure. And therefore.
Sir, in the bowels of Chrift Jefus, I require you
to make plain anfwer, what the gentlemen here
may truft to, and what the queen's majefty wiH
do, may without long delay be pat in execution.
I reft in Chrift Jefus.'

At St. Johnftoxin, the
28th day of, &c.

Anfwer with great expedition was retirrned t©
this letter, defiring fome men of credit to be fent
to the lords to Berwick, for the receiving of the
money for the firft fupport, with promife, that if
the lords of the congregation meant no otherwife
than before they had written, and if they would
enter into league with honeft conditions, they
fhould neither lack men nor money to tlieir juft
caufes. Upon this, anfwer was direfted from the
lords to Berwick, Mr. Henry Balnaves, a man of
C c 2 g09d

The history of the REFORMATION

'i04

good credit in both the realms, who fuddently re-
turned with luch a fum of money as ferved all the
public affairs till November next, when John Cock-
burn of OrmKfoun, fent for the fecond fupport,
and receiving the fame, unhappily fell into the
hands of the earl of Bothwel, was wounded, taken,
and fpoiied of a great fum : upon which mifchance
followed all the reft of the ti'oubles before rehear-
fed. In the fecond book proceeding, we have de-
clared how fecretary Lethington was directed to
England : but one thing before we have pafTed by,
in that our greatefl dejeftion, this order was taken,
that the duke, the earl of Glencairn, lord Boyd,
lord Ochiltrie, and their friends, fhould remain to-
gether at Glafgow, for comfort of the country,
and for giving of anfwers as occafion fhould require ;
and that the earl of Arran, the lord James, the earl
of Rothes, the mafter of Lindfay, and their ad-
herents, Hiould continue together within Fife for
the fame caufes ; that advertifements might go from
the one to the other, as need required. In the
Regotiation of the fecretary Lethington with the
queen and council of England (in the which he tra-
vailed with no lefs wifdom and faithfulnefs, than
happy fuccefs) many things occurred that required
the refolution of the whole lords.

After that the queen and council of England had
♦concluded to fend their army to Scotland, for expel-
ling of the French, ikc duke of Norfolk was fent
to Berwick with full inilruftions, power and corn-
million to do in all things, concerning the prefent
^ iiftairs of Scotland, as "the queen and council in
their own perfons had power to do. Hereupon
the faid duke required fuch a part of the lords of
Scotland, as had power and commiflion from the
whole, to meet him at fuch a day and place as plea-
fed them to appoint : this advertifemcnt came firil
to Glafgow by the means of the mafter of Maxwel ;
which read and confidered by the lords, conclufi-
on was taken that they would meet at Carlyle, and
that was the procurei^ient of the faid mafter of
Maxwel for his eafe. Hereupon were letters direc-
ted from the lords, being in Glafgow, to lord James,
requiring him with all poffible expedition to repair
towards them, for the purpofe aforcfaid : which
letters read and advifed upon, commandment was
given to John Knox to make the anfwer ; for fo it
was appointed at the divifion of the lords, that he
fhould anfwer for the part of thofe tkat were in
Fife, and Mr. Henry Balnaves for the part of them
that abode at Glafgow. The faid John anl\vered
as folic we th :

Book III.

To the Duke and the other Lords at Glafgow.

* After humble commendation of my fervice;
albeit I have written more than once to Mr. Hen-
ry Balnaves, what things have milliked me in youv
flow proceedings, as well in fupporting your bre-
thren, who many days have luftained extreme
danger in thefe parts, as in making provifion how
the enemy might have been annoyed, who lay,
few in number, nigh to your quarters, in Stir-
ling; and in making likewife provifion how the
expectation of our friends, who long hive wait-
ed for your anfwer, might have been fatisfied :
albeit, I fay, that of thefe things I have before
complained, yet, in confcience, I am compelled
to flgnify unto your honours, that, unlefs of thefe
and other enormities, I fhall fee fome redrefs, I
am afliired, that the end fliall be fuch, as godly
men fhall mourn, that a good caufe fhall pcrifh
for lack of wifdom and diligence. In my lafl let-
ters to Mr. Henry Balnaves, 1 declared, that your
fpecial friends in England wonder that no greater
expedition is made, the weight of the matter be-
ing confidered. If the fault be in the duke and
his friends, I wrote alfo, that the greatefl lols.
flaould be his and theirs in the end.
' And now I cannot ceafe both to vonder and
lament that your whole couEcil was fo deftitute
of wifdom and diftretion, as to charge this poor-
man, the prior, to come to you to Glafgow, and'
thereafter to go to Carlyle, for fuch affairs as arc
to be handled : was there noneamongft you who
did forefee what inconveniencies might enfue his
abfence from thefe parts ? I ceafe to fpeak of the
dangers by the enemy : your friends have lien in
your haven now fifteen days paft (what was their-
former travail it is not unknown) they have never'
received comfort of any man, him only excepted,
more than if they had lien upon the coafl of their
mortal enemy. Do ye not confider, that fuch z.'.
company fliall need comfort and provifion from-
time to time? remove him, and who abideth
there who carefully will travail in that or any o- ■
ther weighty matter in thefe parts ? Did ye not^
farther confider, that he that had begun to med-
dle with the gentlemen who have declared them--
felves, back-friends heretofore, and alfo that or-
der fhould have been taken for fuch as have been
neutral, now, by reafon of his abfence, the one-
fhall efcape without admonition, and the other
fhall be at their own liberty ? I am affured, that

' the:

Book III.

OF R E L I G I O

* the enemy fhall not lleep, neither in that nor in

* other affairs, to undermine you and your whole

* caufe, and efpecially to hurt this part of the coun-

* try, to revenge their former folly. If none of

* th'efe former caufes fliould have moved you to

* have confidered that fuch a journey, at fuch a

* time, was not meet for him, neither yet for them

* that muft accompany him ; yet difcreet men would

* have confidered, that the men that have lien in
' their jacks, and travelled their horfes continually

* the fpace of a month, required fome longer reft,

* firft to themfelves, then but efpecially to their

* horfes, before they had been charged to fuch a

* journey, as yet they have not had. The prior

* may, for fatisfaftion of your unreafonable minds,
' enterprlze the purpofe, but I am affured he fhall

* not be able to have fix honeft men in all Fife to

* accompany him ; and how that either ftandeth

* with your honours, or with his fafety, judge ye

* yourfelves. But yet, wonder it is, that ye did

* not confider, to what pain and grief ftiall ye put
' our friends of England, efpecially the duke of

* Norfolk and his council, whom ye fhall caufe to

* travel the moft wearifom and troublcfom way that

* is in England. In my opinion, whofoever gave
' 3'ou that counfel, either lacked right judgment in

* things to be done, or elfe had too much refpe«5t
' to his own eafe, and too fmall regard to the tra-

* vel and damage of their brethren.

* A common caufe requireth a common concur-

* rence, and that every man bear his burden propor-

* tionable: but prudent and indifferent men efpy
' the contrary in this caufe, efpecially of late days ;

* for the weakeft are moft grievoufly charged, and

* they to whom the matter moft belongeth, and to

* whom juftly greateft burden is due, are exemp-

* ted, in a manner, both from travail and expen-

* ces. To fpeak the matter plainly, wife men do-

* wonder, what the duke's friends do mean, that

* they are fo flack and backward In this caufe : in

* other aflions they have been judged ftout and

* forward ; and in this, which is the greateft that

* ever he or they had in hand, they appear defti-
' tute both of grace and courage. I am not igno-

* rant, that they that are moft inward of his coun-
' cil are enemies to God, and therefore cannot but

* be enemies to this caufe : but wonder it is, that
' he and his other friends fliould not confider that

* the lofs of this godly enterprlfe, fliall be the root-

* ing out of them and their pofterity from this re-
*-alm : confidering my lords, that by God's pro-

* vidence ye are joined with the duke in this com-
*-mon. caufe, admonilh him plainly of the danger

N IN SCOTLAND. 205'

* to come, will him to beware of the counfel of

* thofe that are plainly infected with fuperftition,

* with pride and with the venom of particular pro-

* fit ; which if he do not at your admonition, he

* ftiail fmart before he be aware ; and if ye ceafe

* to put him in mind of his duty, it may be that
' for your filence ye fhall drink fome portion of the

* plague with him. Take my plain fpeaking, as

* proceeding from him that is not your enemy, be-

* ing as uncertain, when I fhall have occafion to

* write hereafter : God the Father of our Lord Je-

* fus Chrift, aifift you with the fpirit of wifdoni

* and fortitude, that to his glory, and your lord-

* fliip's common com{ort,ye may perform that thing
' which godlily was once begun. Amen.

Sic fubfcribitiir,

Your lordfiip's to command in all godlinefs.

From St. Andrews, the 6th of
February, inhajle, 1559.

John KNor."

Upon the receipt of this letter, and confultatica
had hereupon, a new conclufion was taken, ts ivit,
that they would vifit the faid duke of Noi-folk at
Berwick where he was. Thus far we have digref-
fed from the text of our hiftory, to let the pofteri-
ty that ftiall follow, underftand by what inftru-
ments God wrought the familiarity and friendlhip,
that after v/e found in England. Now we return
to our former hiftory.

The parts of Fife fet at freedom from the bon-
dage of thefc bloody worms, folemn thanks were.-
glven in St, Andrews unto God for his mighty de- -
liverance ; fliortly after, the earl of Arran and lord
James apprehended the lairds of Wemyfs, Seafield,
Balgowny, Durie, and others, that affifted the .
Frenchm.en; but they were (et fliortly at freedom, ,
upon fuch conditions as they minded never to keep, .
for fuch men have neither faith nor honefty : Mr.
James Balfour, who v/as the greateft pracf iier, and
had drawn the band of the Baifours, efcaped. The
Englifli fhips daily multiplied, till that they were
able to keep the whole Firth, whereat the French
and queen regent enraged, began to execute their
tyranny upon the parts of Lothian that lay nigh to
Edinburgh ; let Mr. David Eorthwick witnefs what
favour his wife and place of Adefton found of the
French, for all the ffrvice that he did to the queei».
regent. In the midft of Fcbraary were dire>':l-ecl
to England from the duke and the congre^rition,
the lord. James, lord Riuhvcr- the mafter of Max-

wcL

■2o6

The history of the REFORMATION

Book 11!.

wel, the mafrer of Lindfey, Mr. Henry Balnaves,
and the lah-d of Pittarrow, who with then- honeft
companies and commiffion departed by fea all, ex-
cept the mafter of Maxwel, to Berwick ; where
there met them the duke of Norfolk, lieutenant to
the queen of England, and with him a great com-
pany of the gentlemen of the North,^ with fome al-
fo of the South, having full power to contract with
the nobility of Scotland ; as they did, upon fuch
conditions as are in the lame contra^ jpecified.
And, becaufe we have heard the malicious tongues
of wicked men make falfe report of that our faft ,
we have faithfully and truly inferted in this our hif-
tory the laid contraft, as well that which was made
at Leith during the fiege, as that which was firfl:
made at Berwick ; that the memory thereof may a-
bide to our pofterity, to the end that they may
judge with indifFerency, whether that we have done
any thing prejudicial to our com.mon- wealth, or
yet contrarious unto the dutiful obedience, which
true fubjecls owe to their fuperiors; whofe autho-
rity ought to defend and maintain the liberty and
freedom of the realms, committed to their charge,
*nd not to opprefs and betray the fam.e to Grangers.
The tenor of our contradl followeth;

The ConiraEl at Berwick.

James duke of Chattelarault, earl of Arran, lord
Hamilton, and others of the council, nobility, and
principal flates of Scotland ; to all and fundry whofe
knowlege thefe prefents fhall com^e, greeting. We
have well confidered, and are fully periuaded, in
what danger, defolation, and mifery, the long en-
mity with the kingdom of England hath brought
our country heretofore; how wealthy and flouiifh-
ing it ihall become, if thofe two kingdoms, as
they are joined in one illand by creation of the world,
• fo they may be Ivnit in a conil ant and afTured tricnd-
li^ip. Thefe coniiderations, grounded upon a moH
Infallible truth, ought no lefs to have moved our
progenitors and forefathers than us: but the pre-
sent danger hanging over our heads, by the unjuft
dealing of thoi'e, of whom we have always beft de-
ferved, hath caufed us to weigh them more earnefl-
ly than they did. The miibehaviour of the French
monfieurs, I had almofl faid Monfters, here, hath
of late j'ears been fo great ; the oppreilions and
cruelty of the foldiers, the tyranny and ambition
of their fuperiors and rulers, fo grievous to the
people ; the violent fubverfion of our liberty, and
rconquell of the land whereat they have, by mofl
tCrafty and fubtile means, continually preiled, hath

been, I fay, fo intolerable to us all, that at lafl,
when we could not obtain redrefs by humble fuifs,
and earnefl fupplications prefented to the queea
dowager, who both tor duty's fake and place, flic
doth occupy, ought to have been moft careful of
our flate ; we have been by very necefiity conflrain-
ed, not only to efTay our own forces, but alfo to
implore the queen's majelly of England's aid and
fupport, which her majeify hath mofl: willingly
granted, upon certain conditions fpecified in a trea-
ty pafl at Berwick, betwixt the duke «f Norfolk,
lieutenant to her majeify on the one part, and cer-
tain our commiffioners on the other part, where-
of the tenor followeth :

At Berwick, the 27 th day of February, the
year of our Lord God 1559 years ; it is appointed,
and finaly contracted, betwixt the noble and mighty
Thomas duke of Norfolk, earl marflial of England,
and lieutenant to the queen's m.ajeily of the iaid re-
alm, in the name and behalf of her highnefs on the
one part; and the right honourable lord James Steu-
art, Patrick lord Ruthven, Sir John Maxwel of
Terregles knight, William Maitland of Lething-
toun younger, John Wifchard of Pittarrow, and
Mr. Henry Balnaves of Halhill, in name and behalf
of the noble and mighty James duke of Chattelar-
ault of Scotland, and the lords of the congregation
joined together in this caufe, for maintenance and
defence of the ancient rights and liberties of their
country, on the other part, in form as after follow-
eth : that is to fay, that the queen having fuifici-
ently underftood, as well by information fent from
the nobility of Scotland, as by the proceedings of
the French, that they intend to conquer the realm
of Scotland, fupprefs the liberty thereof, and u-
nite the fame unto the crown of France perpetual-
ly, contrary to the laws of the faid realm, and the
pacfs, oaths, and promifes of France; and being
thereto moft humbly and earneftly required by the
faid nobility, for, and in name of the whole realm,
fhall accept the faid realm of Scotland, the faid no-
bility and fubjefts thereof, into her majefly's pro-
teftion and maintenance, only for prefervation of
the fame in their own freedoms and liberties, and
from conqueff, during the time that the mar-
riage fhall continue betwixt the queen of Scots and
the Fi-ench king, and a year after : and, for ex-
pelling out of the fame realm of fuch as prefently
and ?,pparently go about to praffife the faid con-
quefl, her majefly Ihall with all fpeed fend int»
Scotland a convenient aid of men of war, both
horfe and foot, to join with the power of Scotf-
raen, with artillery, munition, and all other inflru-

meats

Book III.

ments of war meet for that purpofe, as well by fea
as by land ; not only to expel the prefent power
of the French within that realm, oppreffing the
fiime; but alfo to flop, as far as conveniently may
be, all greater forces of French to enter therein,
for the like purpofe: and fliall continue her maje-
ily's aid to the faid realm, nobility, and fubjefts
of the fame, unto the time the French, (being ene-
mies to the fold realm) be utterly expelled hence ;
and fliall never tranfcft, compole, nor agree with
the French, nor conclude any league with them,
except the Scots and the French fliall be agreed,
that the realm of Scotland may be left in a due
freedom by the French ; nor fhall leave the main-
tenance of the faid nobility and fubjefts, whereby
they might fall as a prey into their enemies hands,
as long as they fliall acknowlege their fovereign la-
dy the queen, and fball endeavour themlelves to
maintain the Uberty of their country, and the Ibite
of the crown of Scotland.

And, if in cafe any forts or flrengths within the
realm be won out of the hands of the French at this
prefent, or any time hereafter by her majefty's aid,
the fame fliall be immediately demoliflied by the
Scotfmen, or delivered to the faid nobility aforc-
faid, at their option and choice; neither Ihall the
power of England fortify within the ground of
Scotland, being out of the bounds of England,
but by the advice of the duke, nobility, and ftates
of Scotland. For the which caufes, and in refpeft
of her majefly's mofr gentle clemency, and liberal
lupport, the laid nobility, as well fuch as be join-
ed, as fuch as fhall hereafter join with them already
joined, for the defence of the liberty of that realm,
fhall, to the uttermofl of their power, aid and
fupport, her majelliy's ai'my againfl the French and
their partakers, M'ith horfemen and footmen, and
with viftuals by land and fea, with all m^anner of
other aid, to the befl of their power ; and fo lliall
continue, during the time that her majefly's army
ihall remain in Scotland.

Ite?}!, They fhall be enemies to all fuch Scotf-
men and Frenich, as fhall in any wife fhew them-
selves enemies to the realm of England, for the
aiding and fupporting of the faid nobility in the
delivery of the realm of Scotland from conquefl.

Item, They fhall never afTent nor peraiit that
the realm of Scotland fliall be conquered, or other-
wife knit to the crown of France, than it is at this
prefent, only by marriage of the queen their fove-
reign to the French king; and it be ruled by the
laws and liberties of the realm, as it ought to
be..

«F RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

207

Item, In cafe the Frenchmen fliall at any time
hereafter invade, or caufe to be invaded the realm
of England, they fhall furnifh the number of two
thoufand horfem.en, and one thouflmd footmen at
the Icaff, or fuch part of cither of them, at the
charge of the queen of England, and fhall conduct
the fame to pafs from the borders of Scotland,
next England, upon her majefly's charges, to any
part of the realm of England, for defence of the
fame. And, in cafe the invafion be on the north-
parts of England, on the north-fide of the water
of Tyne towards Scotland, or againfl Berwick, on-
the north-fide of the w^ater of Tweed ; they fliall
convecTi and gather thfeir whole forces upon their
own charges, and fliall join with the Englifli pow-
er, and fliall continue in good and earnefl purfuit
of the quarrcl of England, during the fpace of
thirty days, or fo much longer, as they were ac-
cuAomed to tarry in the fields for defence of Scot=
land, at the commandment of their fovereigns at
any time bypafl.

And alfo the earl of Argyle, lord juflice of Scot-
land, being prefently joined with the refl:, fliali
imploy his force and good-will, where lie fliall be
required by the queen's majcfly, to reduce the
north-parts of Ireland to the perfeft obedience of
England, conform to a mutual and reciprocal con-
traft to be made betwixt her majefly's lieutenant, .
or deputy of Ireland, being for the time, and the
faid earl ) wherein fliall be contained what he fhall
do for his part, and what the faid lieutenant or de-
puty fliall do for his fupport, in cafe he fliall have
to do with James M 'Donald, or any other of the
ifles of Scotland, or realm of Ireland.

For performance and fure keeping whereof, they
fliall for their part, come to .the f-ud duke of Nor-
folk, the pledges prefently named by him, before
the entry of her majefly's army in Scots ground,^
to remain in England for the fpace of fix m.onths,'
and to be there exchanged upon deliverance of new
hoflages, of like, or as good condition as the for-
mer; or being the lawful fons, brethren, or heirs
of any of the peers or barons of parliament, that
have or hereafter fhall fhew themfelves, axid perflft
open enemJes to the French in this quarrel ; and fo
forth from fix months to flx months, orfour m.onths
to four months, as fliall befl pleafe the party of '
Scx)tland. And the time of continuance of the ho-
flages fhall be during the marriage of the queen of
Scots to the French king, and a year after the dif-
folution of the faid marriage, until further order
m.ay be had betwixt both the realms, for peace and '
ecncord. And furthermc-re, the faid nobility, be-

The history ofthe REFORMATION

2oS

ing peers and barons of parliament joined together,
fhall fubfcribe and feal thefe articles and agreement,
■within the fpace of twent}', or thirty days at the
iittermofl, next following the day of the delivering
of the faid hoftages, and fhall alfo procure and per-
fuade all others of the nobiUty that fnalljoin them-
feives hereafter with the faid lords, for the caufe a-
bove-fpecified, likewife to fubfcribe and feal thofe
articles, at any time after the fpace of twenty days
after their conjundtion, upon requifition made by
them on the party of the queen's majefty of Eng-
land,

And finally, the faid nobility joined together,
certainly perceiving that the queen's majefly ot Eng-
land is thereunto moved, only upon refpecf of
princely honour and neighbourhood, for defence
. of the freedom of Scotland from conqueft, and not
of any orher fmifler intent ; do by thefe prefents
teffify and declare, that they, nor any of them,
. mean not by this agreement to withdraw any due
obedience to their fovereign lady the queen, nor in
any lawful thing to withfland the French king her
hulband and head, that during the marriage fliall
not tend to the fubverfion and oppreffion ot the
juft and ancient liberties of the faid kingdom of
Scotland ; for prefervation whereof, both for their
fovereign's honour, and for the continuance of the
kingdom in its ancient flate, they acknowlege them-
felves bound to fpend their goods, lands, and lives.
And, for performance of this prefent contrail
for the part of England, the queen's majclly fliall
, confirm the fame, and all claufes therein contained,
by her letters patent under the great feal of Eng-
land, to be delivered to the nobility of Scotland,
.upon the entry of the pledges aforefaid within the
ground of England. In witnefs whereof, the laid
duke of Norfolk hath fubfcribed thefe points, and
thereunto affixed his feal, the day, year, and place
aforefaid. Which contraft we find honeft and
reafonable, and that our faid commiffioners there-
in have confiderately refpefted the common- weal of
this realm, of us, and our pofterity ; and there-
fore do ratify, allow, confirm and approve tlie
fame, with all claufes and articles therein contain-
.ed, by thefe prefents. In witnefs hereof, we have
fubfcribed the fame with ,our hands, and fealed
with our feals of arms, in fuch cafes accuflomed,
are appended. At the camp before Leilh, the loth
day of May, the year of God i 5^0 years.

Follow the fubfcriptions.

The duheofChattdariiult. Earl of Gl^icairn,
Earl of Jrran. Earl of Rothes.

Book lit-

Earl of Argyle.
Earl of Huntly.

Lord Ogihy.
Lord James Stuart.
Alexander Gordon.
Lord Boyd.
Lord Ochiltrie.

Earl of Mortoun.
Earl of Monteith.

Lord Borthivick.

Lord of St. John.

Lord John Aberbrcth-jjick.

Lord Somervel.

Lord Robert Stvart.

Gavin Hamilton of Kil- Abbot of Kinlofs.

"Winning. James Stuart of St .Calm' i

Abbot of Culrofs. Inch.

The InflriiElions given, fubfcribed, to the faid
Commiff.oners following :

I . In the fir/l place. If it fhall be aflced of you
by the duke of Norfolk, and by other the queen's
majefty's appointed commiffioners. If your pledges
be in readinefs ? Ye fhall anfwer. That they are,
and in St. Andrews the 25th of this infliant, and
fhall be ready to be delivered in hoilage, for fecu-
rity of our promifes and part of the contrail, they
offering and making fecurity for their part by the
queen's majefty's fubfcription and great feal, and
delivering the fame unto you, providing that they
choofe and make their eledlion of the pledges, as
is communed.

a. Secondly, If the faid commiffioners fhall de-
mand of you. What enterprife the army of Eng-
land fliall take in hand at their firfi in- coming ? Ye
fiiall anfwer in general, The expulfion of the
French foldiers out of this realm ; and firfi, and
in efpecial, out of the town of Leith, feeing their
great forces are there.

3. Ite7n, If it ffiall be afked of you. At what
place our friends and brethren of England fliall be
met ? and at what day ? What number I And what
noblemen in company ? ye fliall refer all thefe things
to their eleftion and choice.

4. Ite7n, If it fliall be aflced of you, How the
armies fhall be furnifhed with viftuals, and efpe-
cially the horferaen ? Ye fhall anfwer. That with
their advice fufficicnt order fliall be taken therein.

5. Item, If it be required. How the munition
fhall be carried, and oxen furnifliedto thatefFeft?
You fliall anfwer, as we have given in commiffion
to Lethington, which we ratify.

6. Item,lf It fliall be aflced. Who fliall be lieute-
nant to the army of Scotland ? Ye fhall anfwer,
The duke of Chattelarault.

7. Item, If it fliall be enquired. What number
our whole army extends to ? Ye fhall anfwer, They
will be, Godv.dUing, five thoufand men.

8, Itm:

Book HI. • f R E L T fe I O N

S. Item, If it ffiall be afked, What manner of
"vi-ay Leith fliall be aflliulted ? Ye Ihali defire all
preparations to be in readinef*, and the advice to
be taken after ti%e placing of the arms, and view
of the (Irength fhortly.

o. Item, If it fiiall be afkcd concerning the
cadle of Edinburgh, If the}' will Hand friends or
not ? Ye fhall declare our diligence made, and to
be made fhortly herein ? but for the prcient we
can aHiire them of nothing.

, lo. Item, It itbea'.lced. In cafe thecaHile be ene-
my, Where the army fl^all be placed ? Ye fhall
anfwer, For theiirlt in MufTelburgh and Tranent,
and thofe parts, till the battery and ail prepara-
tions be in readinels.

1 1 . Item, In cafe it be enquired of all by-lyers
and neutrals, and in efpecial of the lord of Huntly,
and the north ? Ye ftiall anfwer in general, A good
hope is had of the moff part thereof : and touch-
ing'the lord of Huntly in fpecial, ye fhall fhew
h'5w he hath fent writings to my lord of Arran,
vith a fervant of credit, to afTure him of his afiifl-
ance ; and, for that caufe, hath defired letters of
fufpenfion of the queen Dowager's commiffion to
be fent to him to be uled in thofe parts, and other
letters to arreH: the clergy's rents and hires both in
thofe parts, widi proclamations to caufe all men to
be in readinefs to pafs forewards, for maintaining
of the religion, and expulfmg of fl:rangers. The
nobility have written to him, that he may come to
tliemin proper perfoa ; whereof the anfwer is not
returned as yet.

12. Item, If it fliall beaflced the place and man-
ner of meeting of our folks, or of us and them,
in cafe Stirling be kept ? We refer the anfwer here-
of to your difcretions.

13. Item, If it fhall be afked, That their leaden
money fliould have pafTage for their necefiiiies ?
"i'e fhall reafon the commodity and difcommodity
thereof with the council.

14. Item, If it fliall be aficed, What pjoners
fliall be had ? Ye ihall anfwer, The number being
exprelTed, and money in readinefs to hold or pay
them, They fl\all have fufRciency.

IX,. Item, If they fhall defite. That we declare
our caufes unto the princes of Almaign, and the
king of Denmark, or Germany, deflring their af-
fiflance ; Ye fhall anfwer, That we think the fame
good, and fliall fpeedily take order therewith.

16. Item, If it fliall be defired of you to con-
firm for us, and in our name the tilings paPc and
granted by our former com.miflioner, the young
laird of Lethingtonj Ye fliall in all points for us,

IN S C 0 T L A N D. 20flj

and in our name, confirm the fame, fo far as it ihall
make either for the weal and conjunftion of the
two realms, or this prefent caufe, or yet for the
fecurity of our part for fulfilling of the fame : and
as ye fhall accept their offers tending to the fame
end, and fiich fecurity on that part as ye may pur-
chafe; and efpecially fuch as we have heretofore
cxprefTed. Given at Glafgowthe icth o!- P'-bii;-
ary, 1559.

Item, We give and grant you full power to aug-
ment or dirainilh the (iiid heads and articles, as ye
think the v/eal of the caufe fhall require in all
points.

Sic fiihfcrihki'.r,

John of Monteith. James H.imikon.

y^ndreiu of Rothes. Alexander Gordon.

R. Boyd. /Ikx'ip.der Argylc.

JVillinvi I^hirray of Glencairn.
Tk'IIilmrdht. Ochiltrie.

John Erjlins-of Dun. James Hafylurfon.

Shortly after this contraff were onr pledges de-
livered to Mr. Vv inter admiral of the navy, that
came to Scotland, a man of great hoaefly, fo far
as ever we could efny in him ; M'ho v.'ere fafely
conveyed to Newcaflle, and fo the Eng'ifn army
by land began to afTemble towards the border.
Whereof the French and queen regent affured, they
began to deflroy what they could in the towns and
country about; for the whole victuals they carried
to Leith, the mills they brake, the flieep, oxen
and kine, yea, the horfes of poor labourers, all
made they to ferve their tyranny. And finally,
left nothing which the very enemies could havede-
^ ifed, except that they demoliflied not gentlemens
houfes, and burnt not the town of Edinburgh ; iix
which point God bridled their fury, to let his af-
flifted underfland, that he took care for them. Be-
fore the comiftg of the land-arm}% the French pafc
to Glafgow, and deflroyed the country thereabout.

What tyranny Marticks ufed upon a poor Scots
foldicr, it is fearful to hear, and yet his faft may
not be omitted. Silver w^ould they give none to
the poor man, and they were fo flow to depart out
of the town, that albeit the dium flroke, the en-
fign could not be gotten. There was a poor crafts-
man, who had bought for his vifluals a brown
loaf, and was eating a morfel of it, and was put-
ting the refi: of it into his bofom. Tke tyrant came
to him, and with the poor wretch's own dagger
firfl flroke him in the breafl, and after threw it at
him, and fo the poor man fl:aggering and falling,
the mercllefs tyrant ran him thorow with his ra-
D d pier.

The HISTORYop the REFORMATION

2I«

pier, and thereafter commanded him to be hanged
over the fVair. ' Lord, thou wilt look and recom-
* pcnfe fuch tyranny, how contemptible foever the
' pcifon was.'

The 2d of April, the year of our Lord 1560,
the army of the land enteied into Scotland; the
ccndnfriag whereof was committed to lord Gray,
who had ''in his company the lord Scrope, Sir
James Crofts, Sir Henry Piercy, Sir Francis Lake,
Avlrh many other captains and gentlemen having
charge, fome of footmen, and fome of horfemen.
The army by land was efteemed ten thoufand men.
The queen regent paff to the caftle of Edinburgh,
and fome others of her faftion : at Prefton met
them the duke, the earl of Argyle, (Huntly came
not till that the fiege was confirmed) lord James,
the earl of Giencairn, and Monteith, lords Ruth-
ven, Boyd, Ochiltrie, with all the proteftants,
gentlemen of the Weft, Fife, Angus and Mearns ;
fo that in a few days the army was great. After
the deliberation of two days had at Inverelk, the
whole cam.p marched foreward with ordnance, and
-all preparations necelTary for the i'lege, and came
to Reflalrig the Palm- Sunday even. The French
Ijad put themfclves in battle-aray upon the Links
without Leith, and fent forth their fkirmifliers,
^ho beginning before ten of the clock, continued
Ikirmifhing till after four of the clock at afternoon,
when there was given upon them a charge by fome
horfemen of Scotland, and fome of England: but
becaufe the principal captain of the horfemen of
England was not prefent, the whole troops durft
not charge ; and fo was not the overthrow and
flaughter of the French fo great as it once appeared
to have been ; for the great battle was once at the
trot: but when they perceived, that the great force
of horfemen flood ftill,' and charged not, they re-
turned, and gave fome refcue to their fellows that
jaed ; and fo there fell only in that defeat about
three hundred Frenchmen. God would not give
the viftory fo fuddenly, left that man fhould glory
in his own ftrength.

The fmall viftory that was gotten, put both the
Englifli and Scots in over great fecurity, as the
IITue declared. The French inclofed within the
town, the Englifh army began to plant their pavi-
lions betwixt Leith and Reftalrig : the ordnance
©f the town, and efpecially that which lay upon St.
Anthony's fteeple, did them great annoyance ; a-
gainft which place wer« bent eight cannons, which
^ot fo continually, and fo juft, that within few days
the fteeple was condemned, and all the ordnance
that was on. it difcomfited;, which made the Eng-

BooK IIL

liflimen fomewhat more negligent than it became
good men of war to have been : for, perceiving
that the French made no purfuit without th«ir
walls, they took an opinion, that they (hould never
iftue more ; and that made fome of the captains for
paftimc go to the town: the foldiers for their eafc
laid their armour bellde them, and, as men without
danger, fell to the dice and cards; and fo upon the
Eafter-Monday, at the ^ery hour of noon, the
French ifTued botli upon horfe and foot, and with
great violence entered within the Englifh trenches,
Hew and put to flight all that was found therein.
The watch was negligently kept, and fo were the
fuccours flow and long in coming; for the French,
before that any refiftance was made unto them, ap-
proached hard to the great ordnance : but then the
horfemen trooped together, and the footmen got
thcmfelves in ara)', and fo repulfed the French back
again to the town; but the flaughter was great,
fome fay, it double exceeded that which the French
received the firft day.

And this was the fruit of their fecurity and ours,
which after was remedied ; for the Englifhmen,
moft wifely confidering themfelves not able to be-
fiege the tovm round about, devifed to make m.ounts
at divers quarters of it, in the which they and
their ordnance lay in as good ftrength, as they
did within the town : the common foldiers kept
the trenches, and had the faid mountains for their
fafeguard and refuge, in caie of any greater purfuit
than they were able to fuftain. The patience and
ftout courage of the Englifhmen, but principally
of the horfemen, is worthy of all praife : for,
where was it ever heard, that eight thoufand (they
never exceeded that number that lay in camp) fhould
befiege four thoufand of the moft dcfperate throat-
cutters that were to be found in Europe, and to ly
nigh unto them in daily flcirmifhing the fpace of
three months and more. The horfemen night and
day kept watch, and did fo valiantly behave them-
felves, that the French got no advantage from that
day back, to the day of the afTault, whereof we
ihall fhortly hear.

In this mean time was this other band made of
all the nobility, barons, and gentlemen profefTing
Chrift Jefus in Scodand, and of divers others that
joined with us, for expelling of the French, a-
mongft whom the earl of Hundy was a prime maa,.
The bajid foUoweth.

The laji Band at Leith.

At Edinburgh, the twaitieth and feventh of

AprUj

Book III. of RELIGION

April, the year of our Lord 1 560 years ; Wewhofe
names are under- writ ten, have promifed and obli-
ged ourielves fixithfuUy, in the prefence of God,
and by thefe prefents do promife, That we toge-
ther in general, and every one of us in fpecial by
himfclf, with our bodies, goods, friends, and all
that we can do, fhall fet forcward the reformation
of religion, according to God's word ; and pro-
c ire, by all means poffible, that the truth of God's
word may have free padage within t!;is realm, with
due auminilh-ationof the facramcnts, and all things
depending upon the faid word: and fuch like,
<i;:eply weighisig with ourfelves of the milbehavi-
our of the French minifters here, the intolerable
oppreilion committed by the French men of war
upon the poor labjefts of this rca'm, by mainte-
nance of the queen Dowager, under colour and
pretence of authority; the tyranny of their cap-
tains and leaders, and manifelf danger of conqueff,
in which this country at this prefent Ifandeth, by
reafon of divers fortifications upon the fea-coall,
and other novelties of late attempted by them ;
promihng. That we fhall each one with another,
all of us, together with the queen of England's
army prefcntly come in for our deliverance, effe;5lu-
ally concur, join in one, take and hold one plain
part,for expulfion of thefaidftrangers,opprefTors of
our liberty, forth out of this realm, and recovery
of our ancient freedoms and liberties ; to the end,
that in time coming we may, under the obedience
of the king and queen our fovereigns, be only ruled
by the laws and cuftoms of the country, and born
men of the land ; and that never one of us fhall
have privy intelligence, by writing mcfTage, or
communication, with any of our enemies or ad-
verfaries in this caufe, but by advice of the reff (at
leaff of five) of the council. Again, That we fhall
tender the common caufe, as if it were the caufe
of every one of us in particular ; and that the cau-
fcs of every one of us now joined together being
lawful and honeff, fliall be all our caufes in gene-
ral ; and that he that is enemy to the caufe afcrefaid,
ftiall be enemy to us all, in fo far, that what per-
fon foever will plainly refifl: thefe our godly enter-
prifes, and will not concur, as a good and true
member of this our common-wealth, we fhall for-
tify the (aiH authority of the council, to reduce
them to their duty: Likeas, we fhall fortify the
faid authority of the council, in all things tending
to the furtherance of the faid caufes. And if any
particular debate, quarrel or controverfy fhall arife,
for whatfoever caufe that is paff, prefent, or to
corae, betwixt any of us, as God forbid, in that

IN S C O T L A N D. ii*

cafe we fhall fubmit ourfelves, and our faid queffi-
ons, to the decifion of the council, or to arbitra-
tors to be named by them, 6c. Providing always,
that this be not prejudicial to the ordinary jurifdic-
tion of judges; but that men may purfue their
aftions by ordei" of law, civilly or criminally, as it
pleafeth them.

This contraft and band came not only to the
ears, but alfo to the fight of the queen dowager;
whereat Ihe fformed not a little, and faid, ' The
' maledicfion of God I give unto them that counfel-

* led me to perfecute the preachers, and to refufe the

* petitions of the beft part of the true fubjefts of
' this realm.' It was faid to me, that the Englifli
army could not continue in Scotland ten days; "but
now they have lyen near a month, and are more
like to remain, than they were at the firft day they
came. They that gave information to the queen,
fpake as worldy-wiie men, and as tilings appeared
to have been; for the country being almoit in all
the parts thereof wafted, the vicluals next adjacent
to Leith, either brought in to their provifion, or
elfe def Iroyed ; the mills and other places, as before
is fiiid, being caff down, it appeared that the camp
could not have been furniihed (except it had been
by their own fliips; and, as that could not have
been of any long continuance, fo fhould it have been
little comfortable.) But God confounded all world-
ly wifdom, and made his own benedidllon as evi-
dently to appear, as if in a manner he had fed the
army from above; for all kind of visual there was
more abundant, and at more eafy prices in the camp,
all the time that it lay, after that eight days were
paff, than either they have been in Edinburgh any
of two years before, or it hath been in this town t»
this day, the 20th of May anno 1 566.

The people of Scotland fo much abhorred the
tyranny of the French, that they would have given
the fobflance that they had to have rid of that charge-
able burden, which our fms had provoked God to
lay upon us, in delivering and giving into the hands
of a woman, whom our nobiiicy in their fooliQinefs
fold unto Grangers, and, wich her, the liberty of
this realm : ' God, for his grgat m.ercy's fike, pre-
' ferve us yet from further bondage, in which we

* are like to fall, if he provide not remedy ; for our

* nobility will yet remain blind ffill, and will follow

* their aife61ion, come after what fo may.' But to
return to our hiflory.

The camp abounding In all neceflary provifion,

order was taken for continuation of the fiege, and

fo the trenches were drawn as near the town as poi-

flbly they might : the great camp removed from Re-

D d 2 itaii-ig.

The history of theREFOIIMATION Book Hi.

212

flalrtg, to the wefL-fide of the Water of Leith ; and
fo v/ere the cannons plan ted for the battery, and
did fhoot at the fouth-weft wail : but, by reafon
all was earth, the breach was not made fo great u-
■ pon the day, but that it was fufficiently repaired u-
pon the night ; whereof the Englilhrnen beginning
to be weary, determined to give the breach an af-
•fault, as that they did upon the 7 th day of May,
beginning before the day-light, and continued till
it was nigh feven a-clock : and, albeit that the Eng-
lilh and Scots, with great daughter of the foldiers
of both, were repulfed, yet was there never a fliarp-
er affault given by fo few hands ; for they exceed-
ed not a thoufand men, that affulted the whole two
■quarters of the town, and yet they dammed the
whole blockhoufe; yea, they once put the French
clean off their walls, and were upon both the eaft
and well block-houie : but they lacked backing, for
their fcales lacked fix quarters of the juif height;
and lb, while the former were compelled to fight
upon the top of the wall, their fellows could not
join to fupport them ; and fo were they by multi-
tude driven back again, when it was once thought
that the town was won.

Sir James Crofts was blamed of many for not do-
ing his duty that day ; for he was appointed, with
a fufficient number of the mofl able men, to have
afTaulted the north-weft quarter upon the fea-fide,
where at a low water (as at the time of the aliault
it was) the paflage was eaiy ; but neither he nor
his approached to their quarter appointed. He had
.before, at the firft coming in, fpoken with the
queen regent, at the fair block-houfe of the caflle
of Edinburgh ; whether Ihe had enchanted him or
not, we know not, but by fufpicion of that day,
in which he deceived the expectation of m.any ; and,
fo far as man could judge, was the caufe of that
great repulfe. Some afcrihed the fhortnefs of the
•ladders to him; but that omitted, which might
•have proceeded of negligence, his abfence from the
purfuitofhis quarter, was the caufe that fuch French
as were appointed there to'clefend.feelng no purfuer,
■ eame to the relief of their fellows ; and fo they two
-joining together, with great (laughter gave the re-
'pulfe to our company. The Frenchmens harlots,
of whom the moft part were Scots whores, did no
•lefs cruelty than did the foldiers ; for, belides that
they charged their pieces, and miniftered unto them
other weapons, fome continually caft Hones, fome
carriecj chimneys of burning fire, fome brought the
timber, and other impediments of weight, which
•with oreat violence they threw over the wall upon our
■men; but efpecially when they began to turn back.

Now, albeit in all this we acknowlege to be the
fecret work of God, who by fuch means would beat
down, as well the piiieof England as of Scotland;,
yet neither ought the feeblenefs nor falfhood of niea
be excufed, neither yet the cruelty of the adverfa-
ries concealed. The queen regent fat all the time
of the aflault (which was both terrible and long) u-
pon the fore- wall of the calfle of Edinburgh ; and
when l"he perceived the overthrow of us, and that
the enfigns of the French were again difplayed upon
the walls, fhe gave a gawf of laughter, and faid,
' Now will I go to the mafs, and praife God for
' that which mine eyes have feen.' And fo was
friar black ready for that purpofe, whom fhe her-
felf a little before had apprehended with his harlot
in the chapel ; but whoredom and idolatry agree
well together, and that our court can witnefs this
day, the 1 6th of May 1 560.

The French, proud of the victory, ftripped
naked all the Ilain, and laid their dead carcafes be-
fore the hot fun along the wall, where they fuffer-
ed them to ly more days than one: unto the which,
when the queen regent looked, for mirth, fhe leapt
and faid, ' Yonder is the fairelf tapeflry that ever
' I faw, I would that the whole fields that are be-
' twixt this place and yon were ff rowed with the
' fame fluff.' This faft was feen of all, and her
words were heard of fome, and it was miiliked of
many ; againft the which John Knox fpake openly
in die pulpit, and boldly affirmed, that God fhould
revenge that contumely done to his image, not on-
ly in the furious and godlefs foldiers, but even in.
fuch as rejoiced thereat: and the very experience
declared, that he was not deceived ; for within few
days after (yea, fome fay, that fame day) began her
belly and lothfom legs to fwell, and fo continued,
till that God in his wifdom took her away from
this world, as after we fnall hear.

After the defeat received, the t]ueen regent and
her faftion were fully perfuaded that the fiege
would rife, and that the Englifh army would de-
part; and fo began the papiffs wonderoufly to brag:,
and yet God did fruffrate their expe<fl:ation ; for
the army concluded to remain, till new advertife-
ment came from the queen and council. The duke-
of Norfolk, who then lay at Berwick, commanded
the lord Gray to continue the fiege; and promifedj
that he fliould not lack m_en, fo long as any were
to be had betwixt Trent and Tweed ; for fo far
was he lieutenant. He further promifed his owq.
prefence, in cafe he fliould be required ; and, for
afiiirance thereof, he fent his own tents, fuchasfel-
dom before had been feen in Scotland, with his of-

fiCSF,S

Book III.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

213

ficers and provlfion. And with expedition were
fent two thoufand iVcfn men, whereby the camp
greatly comforted, began to forget the former dif-
comfiture, and to fuftain the daily flcirmilhing, as
they did before : in the which, the French after
the day of the alfault did ever receive the hurt and
the rcpulfe, as the (laughter of many that came to
the Col-rake did witnefs. The greatcft damr.ge
that either EngliQi or Scots received after that day,
was the (laughter of two gentlemen, the one mafter
of houfliold to my lord James, Robert Colvil of
Clefch, a man flout, modell, and wife, who was
iliot in the thigh with a falcon, or harquebut of
Crolce, and fo departed the mifery of this life with-
in two hours after; the other was Alexander Lock-
hart, brother to the laird of Bar, who raflily dif-
covering himfelf in the trenches, was fhot in the
head, and immediately thereafter departed this life.
While the fiege thus continued, a fudden fire
chanced in Leiih, which devoured many houfes,
and much victual ; and fo began God to fight for
us, as the lord Erfkine in plain words f^id to the
queen regent ; ' Madam, quoth he, I can fay no

* more, but, feeing that men may not expel unjufl

* p jfleflbrs forth of this land, God himfelf would
' do it ; for yon fire is not kindled by man.' Which
words offended the queen regent not a little, whofe
ficknefs daily increafmg, great craft ihe ufed that
monfieur d' Ofel might have been permitted to have
fpoken with her, belike flie would have bidden him
farwel, (for their old familiarity was great) but that
denied, fhe writ, as it had been to her chirurgeon
2nd apothecary, fliewing her ficknefs, and requir-
ing fome drugs. The letter being prefented to
the lord Gray, he efpied the craft ; for few lines
being written above, and fo much white paper left,
he faid, drugs are abundant and frefher in Edin-
burgh, than they can be in Leith ; there lurketh
here fome other myftery : and fo he began to try,
^nd, by holding the paper to the fire, he perceiveth
fome writing appear, and fo began he to read ; but
what it was no other man can tell, for immedately
he burnt the bill, and faid to the meflenger, albeit
I have been her fecretary, yet tell her, 1 fliall keep
her counfel; but fay to her, fuch wares will not
fell till a new market. The anfwer received, fhe
was nothing content; and then travailed fhe ear-
ncflly, that fhe might fpeak with the earls Argyle,
Glencairn, Marfhall, and with the lord James.

After deliberation, it was thought expedient that
they fhould fpeak with her, but not all together,
lefl that fome part of the Guifians practice had lurk-
ed under the colour of fuch freindfhlp. ' Ha re.-

' grct was unto them all, that flie had behaved her-
' felf fo foolifhly, as that fhe had compelled them
' to feek the lupport of others than of their own fo-

* vereign; and faid, that fhe fore repented that ever

* it came to that extremity; but (lie was not to

* blame, but the- wicked counfel of her friends on
' the one part, and the earl of Ifuntly on the other;
' for, if he had not been, flie would have fully a-
' greed with them at their communing zt Prefloun.'
They gave unto her both the counfel and the com-
fort which they could in that extremity, and will-
ed her to fend for fome godly learned man, of whom
fhe might receive infliuftion; for thefe ignorant,
papifls, that were about her, underflood nothing
of the myffrey of our redemption. Upon their mo-
tion was John Vv^iilock fent for, with whom flie
talked a reaibnable fpace, and who did plainly (hew
unto her, as well the vertue and ffrength of the
death of Jefus Chriff, as the vanity and abominati-
on of that idol the mafs. * She did openly confeis,
' that there was no falvation, but in and by the
' death of Jefus Chrifl ;' but of the mafs we heard
not her confefTion. Some fay, fhe was anointed
with extrem.e unftion after the papiflical m.anner ;•
which was a fign of fmall knowlege of the truth,,
and of lefs repentance of her former fuperflltion :.
yet, howfoever it was, Chrifl Jefus got no Imall!
vi6i:ory over fuch an enemy. For, albeit before
fhe had vowed, that, in defpight of all Scotland,
the preachers of Jefus Chrifl fliould either die, or
be banifhed the realm ; yet was fhe c®mpelled not
only to hear, that Chrift Jefus was preached, and
ail idolatry openly rebuked, and in places fuppref-
fed ; but alfo, fhe was conflrained to hear, one of
the principal miniffers within the the realm, and to'
approve the chief head of our religion, wherein we
diflent from, all papifls and papiAry. Shortly there-
after fhe finifhcd her life, unhappy to Scotland,
from the firfl day fhe entered into ir, unto the day
that fhe departed this life, which was the pth day
of June, in the year of God 1560. The Gufian
counfels, as they were wicked and cruel to the peo-
ple, fo they proved mifchievous to themfelves, and
to them that followed them to this day.

Upon the 1 6th day June, after the death of the
queen regent, came to Scotland monfieur Randam,
and with him the bifliop of Vallance in commifiion
from France to negotiate a peace : from England
there came Sir William Cecil chief fecretary, and
do(5lor Whitton. Their negotiation was longfcm ;
for both England and we fearing deceit, fought
by all means that the contraft fliould be fure. And
ihey on the other part, meanig to gratify fuch as

had

'214

Ti-i E HISTORY OF THE REFORMATION Book IM.

bad fcnt them, (who meant nothing but mere
falfiiood) protrafted time to the uttermoft ; yea,
while that thofe of Leith were very fcarce of vidu-
als, and thofe of the Inch had perifhed,^ had it
not been that by policy they got a (hip v/ith visu-
als and fome munition, which was upon midilim-
.mer even, whereof they made no frnaU triumph,
which alfo for a feafon flayed the appointment ;
yet in the end pczcc was concluded, in form as
•fblloweth.

T/;e Jrticks tranfaEled and agreed hy John bplop
of Vallance, and monfmtr Randam, deputies to
the kino- and queen of Scotland, vpon the matters
prefentcd to them, by -way cf petition, for ihe
part of the uobilily and people of Scotland.

In thefrf, upon tlic complaint and petition of
'the faid nobility, and the people of this country,
and the number of men of war .fuftained by their
majeflies in thefe parts in the dme of peace ; it is
humbly remonfh-ated to the faid deputies, that they
would provide convenient remedy thereunto, tor
the comfort and relief of the country. The laid
deputies confidering the faiddefires to be juft, and
conformable to reafon, condefcended, agreed, and
a-lTured, That the king and queen fliould procure
no French men of war, nor no other nation to
come to thefe parts in time coming: but if Gran-
gers wotiid pretend to enter into this realm with a
navy or army, to occupy the fame; in the which
cafe provilion fliall be made by their majefiies, the
iudgment and counfel of the Ilates of the realm
"being had thereto : and that the French men of
war, being now in the town of Leith, fhall be lent
to France the fame time that the navy and army cf
Engliuimen and Scotfmen are fcattered and depart-
ed both by fea and land ; the which fliall be done
in the bed manner may be, as at more large confi-
deration fliall be had thereupon. And as to the
bands of Scots men of war, being at the faid place,
they Ihall bjs broken, and the men of war hcenced
to depart.

Moreover, as to the forts of Dunbar, and Inch-
keith, That there fhall -remai-n in them an hundred
and twenty French men of war only, m hich fliall
be parted and diftributed in thtfe two places : and
there fliall remain no m.orein Dunbar but thredcor^
- men of war, fo it Is affirmed by the captains chofen
to that effecl by both theparties, that for the keep-
ing of the fiime a greater number is not needful:
,aifo to depart, when the ftates of the realm can
ifeid any good and fure remedy, upon the expences

made in the faid places, to ka'p the fame from pe»
ril of invafion or ruin thereof from them that
would pretend to occupy the fame, they fhall im-
mediately fhew the fame unto their majefiies as ha-
flily as may be done; and, in the m.ean time, the
number of the faid men of war fliall not be aug-
mented. And, in like manner, it fliall not be law-
ful to the faid men of war, to do any injuries t®
any perfons, nor yet to maintain and defend any
Scotfmen, of what quality foevcr they be, againft
the will and authority of the magiitrates of the re-
alm ; nor to receive them in the faid places, that
the miniffer of juffice may not put hands on them;
nor yet Ihall intromit, in any manner of way, with
the quarrels and difcords of the Lords, and other
particular men of this realm: but they themfelves
ihall be bound, in cafe cf any quarrel, to be pu-
niflied after the laws and conftitutions of this re-
alm, and to anfwer for themfelves before thejudp-es
ordinaries of the fame. Lafl of all, that from
henceforth they be not compelled to take on credit,
they fliall be every month fatisfied of their wages,
fo that two Scots lords chofen by the council may
prefent it, at the weaponfliawing and muflers of
the faid men of war, and alfo to vifit the faid for-
ces, to fee if the number of them be liked : and it
fliall not be lawful to the faid men of war to take
any vi£f uals for their fuffenation, or for munition
of the faid places, but by paymicnt of ready mo-
ney numerate, and with thepleafnres of them that
deliver the fame unto them ; and therefore, the faid
lords oblige themfelves to give them fo much as is
needful unto them, they having to pay therefore.
Item, Upon the petition prefented unto the faid
lords deputies, anent the demolition of the fortifi-
cations; the faid deputies confent, agree and aflure.
That the fortifications of Leith fhall be demiolifh-
ed ; and that two, three, or four captains fliall be
chofen by both the parties to view the caftle of
Dunbar ; and if it be found by them, that the re-
paration, amplification, and fortification made
thereof now after the peace, greater number of
men to the keeping thereof be required, the repa-
ration and fortification thereof fhall be abolifhed,
fo foon as may be done, and fliall remain only un-
touched that thing, while we may make the faid
caflle more fure, and in lefs danger from invafion;
providing not the Itfs, that no greater number of
men therein be required for keeping of the fame.
Moreover, in times coming, the king and queen
fhallmake no more new forts within this realm; and
fliall not augment them that are already made, nor
fliall repair them that are dcmolifhed, without coun-
fel

Book IH.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

fel and confent of the eflates ; nor yet fliall tran-
fpoi c to thefe parts any artillery, munition of war,
powder, orvi<5luals, but fb much as may ferve for

215

keeping of the {liid places by the fpace of fix
ii months, or a year.

' Item, Anent the demand made about the debts
contrafled by the French men ot war in this coun-
tr)', the faid deputieb confent, that the king and
queen (hall caufe to be reflored all that which hap-
peneth to be found given and granted to th.e king's
lieutenant, and his captains and other officers, for
the nourifliment, fuflenation, and maintenance of
the faid Frenchmen ; or that which is found owing
by the lieutenants for fervice of their majefties, that
may appear by writ or confeflion of parties.

Item, Upon the petition made anent the con-
vention of flates of this realm, the faid deputies
cosfented and accorded, 6t. that the ftates of the
realm, may conveen and hold a parliament the
twentieth day of the month of July next to come;
upon the which day the parliament fliall be conti-
nued, as the ufe is, unto the firfl day of the mionth
of Augufl following : providing always, that be-
fore they begin to handle any things in the faid
parliament, all tumult of war be difcharged and
ceafe, that they who areprefent may be free, with-
out fear of men of war, or others ; and that in
this mean time, a meffenger be fent by the faid de-
puties to the king and queen, to certify them of
the things agreed, treated and accorded, requefl-
ing their majefiies humbly to be contented with
the fame. And the faid convention fliall be as
lawful in all refpecfts, as the fame had been ordain-
ed and done by exprefs commandment of their ma-
jeflies ; providing, that no matter be treated there-
in before the faid iirft day of Auguft.

Item, Upon the article prefented concerning
war and peace, the faid deputies confented, ac-
corded, (be, that the king and queen neither make
peace nor war on their parts, but by the counfel,
judgment and confent of the flates, according to
the ordinance of the country, and as was obferved
by their predecefTors.

Item, Upon the petition prefented to the faid de-
puties, concerning the government and regiment of
the policy, they have confented, be. that four and
twenty worthy men of this realm be chofen by the
ftates, of the which the king and the queen fhall
choofe feven, and the ftates five, which, in their
maieflies abfence, fliall take order, and make an
ordinary council for the adminiflration forelaid ; fo
that no man, of whatfoever quality he be, fhali
have, the power to order any thing to bt: done,

can
fix

touching the faid bufinefs, without the mediarion
authority, and confent of them ; and the faid coun*
fellors fhall conveen together, as oft as they
conveniently; but fliall conveen no Ic fs nor
togedier. And when any matter of importance
occurreth, they fhall all be called to confult, and
order to be taken by them, or the mofl part of
them, if need be. And, if it happen any of the
faid (tvtn, chokn by the king and queen, to
deceafe, their majefiies, fliall choofe another ionh
of the faid number of four and twenty, in the
place of him that deceafed;, and If any of the faid
five chofen by the flates dieth, the remnant fore-
chofenby them, fliall name another of the number
of twenty four. Moreovei-, if it be thourrht ex-
pedient to the faid Ifates, that other two be aug-
mented to the fliid number of twelve, then, and
in that cafe, the king and queen fliall choofe one,
and the flates another : and fo was this article agreed*
under condition, that is to fay, that the fame be
no prejudice, in times coming, to the king and-
queen, and rights of the crown. And the faid
deputies oiFered their labours, to make mediation
to the king and queen, for maintaining penfions
and expences of the faid counfellors, and ordinary
officers of the faid council, to be provided oiF the-
rents and revenues of the crown..
_ Item, Upon the petition made to the faid depu-
ties, anent the officers of this realm, they confent-
ed and accorded, be. that in time to come, the-:
king and queen ihall not depute any flranger in the-
admdniflration of the civil and common juflice,/
and likewife in the office of chancellary, keeper of
the feal, the treafurer, comptroller, and every like ■
offices ; and fhail not ufe them, but fhall be con-
tent with their own fubjefts born in the realm.
Moreover, it fhall not be lawful to put the office of
treafurer, comptroller, into the hands of any
churchmen, or other, which are not able to exer-
cife the faid offices ; the which treafurer and comp- ■
troller fhall be provided of fufficient commiflionto^
ufe the faid offices: but it fhall not be lawful to.
them to difpofe or fell wards of marriages, or o-
ther cafualties, or any other things whatfoever they •
be, pertaining to their offices, without advice and
confent of the faid council to the efTed;: that the
council may know, that aJl things be done to the
profit of the king and queen : and yet they will noc
bind or aflrain the kingand queen tO; this article,,
that they may not give when they think expedient. .
Item, They accorded, that in the firfi: conven- •
tiou and parliament of the ftates of this realm, there
fhall be conltituted,, ordained,, aad eflabliilied, aa.

21$

The history of the REFORMATION

lOOK lit.

a5l of oblivion, whicxh afterwards fhallbe cofirmed
by the king's and queen's majefties; by the which
the remembrance of bearing armour, and other
things which have been done, (hall be buried and
forgotten, from the fixth day of tlie month of
March, in the year of our Lord God 1558 years.
And by the fame a(51, they who have contravened
the laws of the realm, fhall be excufed, and free
of all pains, contained therein, even fo as if it
had never been contravened : providing, that the
privilege of the faid aft be not extended to them,
which the Hates of the realm flaall judge unworthy
tliereof.

Item, It is agreed and concluded, that in the
faid convention or parliament, the Hates of the re-
alm, as the cuilom is, and ordinarily is required,
ihall be called ; in the which all they that have
Vi'ied. to conveen and to be prefent, may come,
M'ithout all fear or force done, or to be done to
them by any perfon ; fo that the faid ftates (hall
oblige them, that where in time coming any fedi-
tion, or gathering of men of war fnall happen to
be, without command of the council, being of the
number of twelve, the realm and country fliall re-
pute the caufers thereof, and they thst conveen, as
rebels, and fiiall purfue them as fuch like, that
they may be puniflied by the laws of the realm ; ib
that the king and queen fliall not be compelled, in
time coming, to fend any men of war flrangers, in
thefe parts, for obtaining due obedience of their
fabjefts.

Item, They offered, accorded and agreed, that
there fiiah be a general peace and reconciliation a-
mongil: ail lords and fubjeftsof this realm; fo that
they that are of the congregation, and they which
are not of the fame, fliall lay no reproach to o-
.tbers, for the things which are done from the faid
fixth day of March 1558.

Ite7n, They offered, accorded, and affirmed, that
the king and queen fliall not purfue, revenge, nor
make any pcrfecution for the things that have been
done, nor yet fliali they fuifer the fame to be done
by tlicir fubjefts Frenchmen, but fliall have all
things in oblivion, as if the fame had never been
done; and fuch like the lords of this realm of Scot-
land fliall do in all bufinefs betwixt them and the
Frenchmen on their parts. And if by fmifter in-
formation, or any other occafion, their majefties
jiave conceived evil opinion againft their fubjefts,
they fhall utterly forget and change the fame : nor
ihall they deprive any of them, nor take from them,
ox any of them their fubjefts, the offices, benefi-
ces, or eflateS; which they have bruiked and en-

joyed in the faid realm before, by rcafon of any-
thing they have meddled with, from the faid fixth
day of march 1558; and further, fliall make no
occafion of deprivation, nor depofing of them by
any other colour, without juft caufe ; but rather,
they fliall efleem and ufe them, in time coming, as
good and obedient fubjefts: providing, that the
fliid lords, and other fubjecls, on their part, make
to their raajeflies all obedience fuch like as other
faithful and natural fubjefts owe to their fovereigns.
Item, It is accorded and agreed, that it fhall be
lawful to none of the lords and nobility of Scot-
land, or any other, to make convocation of men of
war, but in the ordinary cafe approved by the laws
and cufloms of the realm : and none of them fhall
caufe any men of war ftrangers to come to their
parts ; and much lefs fliall attempt to do any thing- ^
againfl the king or queen, or againfl the authority
of the council, and other magiflrates of the realm;
and they which have prefented the petition fliall be
bound thereunto. And in cafe any of them, or
others, find occafion to invade, or take armour a-
gainft any man, as he pretendeth, after that he
hath communicated the matter with the council of
the realm, he fliall prefent his complaint to their
majeflies ; and generally, they fliall oblige them,
under the faid pains, to do the things which pertain
to good and faithful lubjefts, for the quietnefs and
tranquilliiy of the realm, and rights of their fove-
reign.

Item, It is agreed, that if any bifliops, abbots,
or other churchmen, fliall find or alledge them to
have received any injuries, either in tlieir perfons or
goods, the complaints fliall be (ttn and confidered
by the flates of the faid convention and parliament,
and there fliall be made redrefs, as they fliall find
according to reafon ; and, in the mean time, no
man fliall flop them, but they fliall bruik and en- »
joy their goods ; nor fliall do any hurt. Injury, or ,
violence to them : and if. any doth contravene to,
this article, he lliall be purfued by the lords, as a _
perturber of a good common- weal.

Itejyr, It is accorded, <bc. That the faid lords]
fhall bind them to cbferve, and canfe to be ob-
ferved, all and fundry points and articles agreed in :
this treaty: and if it happen, that any of them, or,
any other fliould 'gainfay the fame, the remnant
lords, and refidue of the whole people, fliall be ene-',
mies to him, and fhall purfue hm, till he be chafl- ,
ned and puniflied according to his demerits.

Item, It is concluded, ^c. that all the whole,
realm m.ay know, that the king and queen are not'
willing to keep any remembeixmce of the troubles ,

and

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

Book in.

and differences paft, and fo far as concerns the no-
bility and other fubjcfts of this realm, that their
majellies defire is to ufe them humanely, and to
be favourable unto them. The faid deputies have
promifcd and accorded, that the duke of Chattela-
rault, and all other noblemen of Scotland fhall be
reftored, and fettled again in all their goods and be-
nefices, which they had enjoyed in France, that
they may bruik and enjoy the fame, in the fame
manner as they did before thefe debates, the fiid
fixth day of March, and year aforefaid, even as the
{aid controverfies had never chanced And alio,
that all capitulations and articles agreed upon in
times pad, and efpecially thofe that were appoint-
ed in the king and queen's contract:, (hall be ob-
ferved and kept, as well for the part of their ma-
j^fties, as for the part of the nobility and people
of Scotland. And as concerning David, fon to
the duke of Chattelarault, now being in Boes de
Vincennes, liberty flaall be granted unto him to
return into Scotland, and to do as he pleafeth.

Moreover, when the faid deputies expofed, that
fometime it might chance, that the king might have
need and ufe of his great guns and artillery in
in France, the faid lords having confideration there-
of, accorded, that no other artillery be tranllaned
out of this realm, but thofe which were fent and
brought in from the faid day of thedeceafe of Francis
-king of France,of good memory, to thefe parts : and
tliat all other artillery and munition be repofed into
the places whence they were taken forth; and infpe-
eial, they that have the arms of Scotland, (liall be
put into the places whence they were taken forth of;
and there fhall be noblemen of Scotland appointed
therefore ; and two for the part of the king's ma-
jefty, are to be deputed, to agnofce and view the
fame afore the fliipping ther-eof.

And moreover, That whereas, in the names of
the nobility and people of Scotland, certain ar-
ticles concerning religion and other points have
been prefented, which the faid deputies will not
touch; and confidering the weight and importance
'Of them, have remitted the fxme to be cognofced
and decided by their majeflies : the faid lords and
nobility do promife, that a certain number of noble-
men fliould be chofen in the next convention and
parliament, to be fent to their majeffies, which
ihall expofe to their highnelKS thofe things that
fliall be thought needful for the Hate of their bufi-

r -

nefs, and for the foremeniioned, and other articles
and points undecided by the deputies, to the effeft
they may know their majt flies intention and good-
will concerning thofe things which fhall be expofed

217-

from the country; the which alfo fhall have with
them a confirmation and ratification by the f^ates
of the realm, of thofe articles which are concord-
ed, (be. by the deputies, to whom alfo the fame
time, or before, fhall be given and delivered a like
confirmation and ratification made by their maje-
f^ies, fo being that the faid flates fend their rati-
fication aforel'aid.

The proclamation of the things vjrittcn, made the
Sth of July, in the year cf God 1560.

* To the glory of the Almighty Lord God, and
to the comfort of all Chriflians, the mofl puifTant
prince and princefs, and mofl chriflian king and
queen, Francis and Mary, by the grace of God,
king and queen of France and Scotland; and by
the mofl: puiflant princefs Elizabeth, by the fame
grace, queen of England, France and Ireland,
<bc. it is accorded, and reconciliation of peace
and amity made, which is to be obferved invio-
lably amongfl them, their fubjedts, realms and
countries, : forafmuch as, in name of the fame
prince and princefs, it is commanded, and flrait-
ly charged to all manner of perfons under their
obedience, or being in their fervice, from hence-
forth to defift from all hofliiity, both by fea and
land, and to keep a good peace one with the o-
ther ; and with charge, that none fhall break the
fame, under peril of, <bc'

Thefe things tranfacled, and the peace proclaim-
ed, as is faid, fudden provifion was made for tran-
fporting of the French to France, of whom the
mofl part were put in the EnglKh fhips, who
alfo carried with them the whole fpoil of Leith:
and that was the fecond benefit which they received
of their late promifed liberty, the end whereof is
not yet. The Englifli army departed by land the
1 6th day of July, in the year of God 1 560 ; the
mofl part of our nobility proteflants, honourably
convoyed them (as in very deed they had well de-
ferved.) But lord James would not leave the lordGray
with the other noblemen of England, till that they
entered into Berwick; after whofe returning, the
council began to look as well upon the affairs of the
common-wealth, as upon the matters that might
concern the flability of religion.

As before we have heard, the parliament was
concluded to begin the 20th of July, and to be'
continued till the firfl of Augufl next ; and there-
fore the lords made the greater hafle and diligence,
that all things fliould be put in convenient order,
E e But,

The history o f t h e REFORMATION

218

But, before all things, the preachers exhorted them
(for then in Edinburgh were the molt part of the
chief minifters of this realm) to be thankful unto
God ; and next to provide that theminifters fhould
be diflributed, as the neceflity of the country re-
quired. A day was appointed, when that the
whole nobility, and the greateft part of the con-
gregation aflembled in St. Giles church, in Edin-
burgh, where, after the fermon made for that pur-
pofe, public thanks were given unio God for his
merciful deliverance, in form as followeth.

Thank/giving for our deliverance %vith prayers.

O Eternal and everlafllng God, Father of
our Lord Jefus Chrift, who hath not only com-
manded us to pray, and promifed to hear us ; but
id'o willefi: us to magnify thy mercies, and to glo-
rify thy name, when thou ihewrft thyfclf pitii-al
and favourable unto us; efptcially when thou de-
llvereli us from defperate clangeis : for fo did thy
iervants, Abraham., David, Jehofhaphat, and Hs-
zekiah; yea, the whole people of Ifrael omrtfed
not the fame, when thou, by thy m/ighty hand,
didfl confound their enemdes, and didll deliver
tl:em from fear and danger of death intended. \Ye
ought not, nor can we forget, O Lord, in how
miferable eRate fiood this poor country, and we
the juft inhabitants of the fame, not many .days
pall: ; when idolatry was maintained ; when cruel
ilrangersdid bear rule; when virgins were deflow-
ered, m^atrons corrupted, mens wives violently and
villaincjully oppieiled, the blood of innocents thed
without mercy: and finally, when the unjufl com-
mandments of proud tyrants were obeyed as law.
Out of thefe miferics, O Lord, could neither our
wit, policy nor flrength deliver us; yea, thou
didft (liew to us how vain was the help of m^an,
where thy bleiTing giveth not victory. • in thefe our
anguifhes, OLord, we fobbed unto thee, v/e cried
for thy help, and we reclaimed thy name, as thy
troubled flock, perfecuted for thy truth's fake, mer-
cifully haff thou heard us, O Lord, mercifully, we
" fay, becaufe that neither in us, neither yet in our
confederates was there any caufe, why that thou
fliouldfl have given unto us fo joyful and fudden a
deliverance: for neither of us both ceafed to do
wickedly, even in the midll of our greatelf trou-
bles ; and yet hail thou looked upon us fo pitifully,
as that we had given unto thee moff perfedf obedi-
ence : for thou haft difappointed the counfels of the
crafty; thou feaft bridled the rage of the cruel;.
ted thou hafl of thy mercy fet this our perifliing

Book UL

realm, at a reafonable liberty. Oh give us heart*
(thou. Lord, that only giveft all good gifts) with
reverence and fear to meditate thy wondrous M^orks,
lately wrought in our eyes. Let not the remem-
brance of the fame unthankfully to Hip from our
wavering minds. We grant and acknowlege, O-
Lord, that whatfoever we have received fliaii fall
into oblivion with us, and fo turn to our condem-
nation, unlefs thou, by the power of thy Spirit,
keep and retain us in recent and perpetual memory
of th^ fome : We befccch thee therefore, O Father-
of mercies, that as of thy undeferved grace thou
hafc partly removed our darknefs, fuppreffed ido--
latry, and taken from above our heads the devour-
ing fword of mercilefs ftrangers, that fo it would
pleafe thee to proceed with us in this thy grace be-
gun. And albeit that in us there is nothing that
may move thy Majefty toTnew us this favour; yet,
for Chrift Jefus, thy only well-beloved Son's fake,
whofe name we bear, and whofe doftrine we pro-
fefs, we befeech thee never to fuffer us to forfake-
or deny this verity, which now we profefs : but,
feeing that thou halt mercifully heard us, and halt
caufed thy verity to triumph in us ; fo we crave of
thee continuance to the end, that thy godly name
may be glorilied in us thy creatures. And feeing^
that nothing is more odious in thy prefcnce, O
Lord, than is. ingratitude and violation of an oath,
and covenant made in thy name ; and feeing thou
haft made our confederates of England th'e iuitru-
ment by whom we are nov/ fet at this liberty, and
to whom in thy name we have promiled mutual
faith again •. Let us never fall to that unkindnefs,.
O Lord, that'either we declare ourfelves unthank-
ful unto them, or profaners of thy holy name.
Confound thou the counfel of thofe that go about
to break that moft godly league contracted in thy
name, and retain thou us fo firmly together by the;
power of thy holy Spirit, that Satan have never,
power to fet us again at variance nor difcord. Give
us thy grace to live in that Chriftian charity, which
thy Son our Lord Jefus hathibearnefilycomm.end-
ed to all the members of his body ; that other na-
tions, provoked by our example, may fet afide all
ungodly war, contention and itrife, and Itudy to*^
live in tranquillity and peace, as it becom.eth the
fheep of thy pafture, and the people that daily
look for our final deliverance by the coming again
of our Lord Jefus; to whom, with thee and the
/Holy Spirit, be ail honour, glory and praife now
and ever. Amen.

Hereafter were the commilTioners of burghs,

with

Book HL of R E L I G I O

with forae of the nobility and barons, appointed to
fee the equal diflribution of minifters, to change
and tranfport, as the moft part fhould think expe-
dient. And fo was John Knox appointed to Edin-
burgh; Chriilophsr Goodman (who the moft part
of the troubles had remained in Air) was appointed
to St. Andrews; Adam Heriot to Aberdeen ; Mr.
John Row to St. Johnftoun; Paul MeafTen (to
whom was no infamy then known) to Jedburgh ;
William Chriftifon to Dundee; David Fergulfon
to Dunfermline, and Mr. David Lindfay to Leith.
There were nominated for fuperintendents and o-
verfeers, that ail things in the church lliould be
carried"" with order and well, Mr. John Spotlfwood
for Lothian, Mr. John Winram for Fife, Mr. John
Willock for Glafgow, the laird of Dun for Angus
and mearns, Mfc, John Carfwcl for Argyle and the
ides. Thefe to be elected at the days appointed,
iiulefs that the countries whereto they were to be
appointed, could in the mean tim.e find out men
more able and fufficient, or elie fliew fuch caufes
as might difable them from that employment.

The parliament approaching, due advertifement
was made by the council, to all fuch as by law and
ancient cuftom had, or might claim to have title
therein. The affembly was great, notwithftand-
I ing fome, as well of thofe that be called fpiritual,
; as temporal lords, contemptuouflydid abfent them-
lelves : and yet the chief pillars of the papiftlcal
; church gave their prefence, fuch as the bifl:iops of
St. Andrews, Dunblain and Dunkeld, with others
of the inferior Ibrt ; befide thofe that had renoun-
ced papiftry, and openly profeifed Jelus Chrifl with
us, fuch as the biiliop of Galloway, the abbots of
Lindrofs, Culrofs, St. Colm's Inch, Newbottle,
Holy-roodhoufe, the prior of St. Andrews, Cold-
inghame, St. Mary-ide, the fub- prior of St. An-
drews, and divers others whom we obferved not.
At the fame time of parliament John Knox publick-
ly preached upon fome texts of the prophet Haggai :
the doctrine was proper for the time; in applicati-
on whereof he was-fo fpecial and fo vehement, that
fome (having greater refpeft to the world, than to
God's glory) feeling themfelves pricked, faid in
mockage, ' We may now forget ourfelves, and bear

N IN SCOTLAND.

21^

fent parliament : and, after deliberation, was this
fubfequent fupplication oilered.

The Barrens, Gentlemen, Burgeffes, and other f rug
fuhjeas of this realm, prcfcjjlng the Lord Jefus
"within the fame.

To the nobility andjlates of parliament prcfently af
fanbled -within the faid realm, dcfire grace, mercy
and peace, from God the Father of our Lord J ef us
Chrijl, -with the increafe of his holy fpirit.

Plkase your honours to call to remembrance,
how divers and fundry times, we, with fome of
yourfelves, moft humbly petidoned, at the feet of
the late queen regent, for freedom and liberty of
confcience, with a godly reformation of abufes,
which, by the malice of Satan, and negligence of
men, are crept into the religion of God, and are
maintained by fuch as take upon them the name
of clergy. And albeit that our godly aad moft
reafonable fuit was then difdainfully reje(flcd,
whereof no fmall troubles have enfued, as your ho-
nours well know; yet, feeing that the fame necef-
ftty yet remaineth that then moved us, and more-
over that God of his mercy hath now put into your
hands to take fuch order, as God thereby m.ay be
glorified, this common-wealth quieted, and the
policy thereof eftabliflied ; we carinot ceafe to crave
of your honours the redrefs of fuch enormites as
manifeftly are, and of long time have been, com-
mitted by the place-holders of the miniftry, and o-
thers of the clergy within this realm. And, frjl,
feeing that God, of his great mercy, hath by the
light of his word manifefted to no fmall number
of this realm, that the dodlrine of the Roman church,
received by the faid clergy, and maintained through
their tyranny by fire and fword, contained in itfelf
many peftiferous errors, which cannot but bring
damnation to the fouls of fuch as therewith ftiall be
infefted; fuch as are the do(ftrine of tranfubftanti-
ation ; of the adoration of Chrift's body under the
form of bread, as they term it; of the merits of
works, and juftification that they alledge cometli
ttiereby ; together with the doctrine of the papifti-

the barrow to build the houfe of God.' God b^cal indulgences, purgatory, pilgrimage, and pray

merciful to the fpeaker, for we fear yet he ftiall
have experience, that the building of his own houfe
(the houfe of God being defpifed) ftiall not be fo
profperous, and of fuch firmity as we deftre it were.
And albeit fome mocked, yet others were godly
moved, who did aflemble themfelves together, to
confult what tilings were to be propofed to that pre-

ing to faints departed ; which all either repugn to
the plain fcriptures, or elfe have no ground in the
doftrine of our m.after Jefus Chrift, his prophets
and apoftles :

Firjl, We humbly therefore crave of your ho-

nours, that fuch doctrine and idolatry as by God's

word are both condemned, fo may they be aboliftied

E e 2 by

The history of the REFORMATION

2 20

by aft of this prefent paiiiament, and puniihment
appointed for the tranlgreflbrs.

^Secondly, Seeing that the facraments of Jefus
Chrift are mol't fliamfully abufed and profaned by
by that Roman harlot, and her fworn vaffals; and
alfo, becaufe that the true difcipline of the ancient
church is utterly, now amongft that feft,extingui{h-
ed : (for, who within the realm are more corrupt
in life and manners, than are they that are called
the clergy, living in whoredom, adultry, deflow-
ring virgins, corrupting matrons, and doing all a-
bomination, without fear of punilhment ?) We
humbly therefore defire your honours to find re-
medy againft the one and the other.

Thirdly, Becaufe that Man of Sin falfly claimeth
to himfelf the titles of, ' The vicar of Chrift, the

* fucceflbr of Peter, the head of the church, that

* he cannot err, that all power is granted unto him,

* <bc' By the which ufurped authority, he taketh
i:pon him the diftribution and poifeffion of the
whole patrimony of the church, whereby the true
miniflry of the word of God long time hath been
altogether neglefled, the godly learning defpifed,
the fchools not provided, and the poor not only de-
frauded of their portion, but alfo moft tyrannoufly
opprefied ; we likewife hereof defire remedy.

And, left that your honours fhould doubt in any
of thefe premiiTes, we offer ourfelves evidently to
prove, that in all the rabble of the clergy, there is
not one lawful minifter, if God's word, the prac-
tices of the apoftles, the fmcerity of the primitive
church, and their own ancient laws, fhall judge of
lawful eleftion. We further offer to prove them
all thieves and murderers, yea, rebels and traitors
to the lawful authority of emperors, kings and
princes ; and therefore unworthy to be fuffered in
any reformxcd comm.on-wealth. How malicioufly
they murdered our brethren, for no other caufe,
but for that they offered to us the light of God's
word, your honours cannot be ignorant ; and, in-
to what hazard their tyranny hath brought this
whole realm, the ages after will confider. If ye
look for other fruit in times to come, than ye have
feen in them whom we accufe, we are affured ye
Hiall be deceived,

Book III.

made you, who fomelimes were fuppliants with us
for reformation, judges, as it were, in the caufe of
God ; at leaft, he hath fo fubdued your enem.is un-
to you, that by violence they are not able to fi'.p-
prels the verity, as heretofore they have done : wc
therefore, in the bowels of Jefus Chrift, crave of
your honours, that either they may be compelled
to anfwer to our former accufations, and unto fuch
others as juftly we have to lay to their charges; or
elie that, all affeftion laid afide, ye pronounce them
fuch by cenfure of this parliament, and caufe them
to be fo reputed, as by us moft juftly they are ac-
cufed ; eipecially that they may be decerned un-
worthy of honour, authority, charge or cure iu
the church of God ; and fo from henceforth never
to enjoy voice in parliamaent : which if ye do not,
then in the fear of God, and by aillirance of his
word, wc forewarn you, that, as ye leave a grievous
yoke, and burden intolerable upon the church of
God in this realm ; fo flaall they be thorns in } our
eyes, and pricks in your fides ; whom after, when
ye would, ye fhall have no power to remove. God
the Father of our Lord Jefus Chrift, give you up-
right hearts, feeking his glory, and true underftand-
ing what this day he, who hath delivered you from
bondage, both fpiritual and temporal, craveth of
you by his fervants ; and your honours anfwer
moft humbly we require.

This our fupplication being read in audience of
the whole affembly, divers men were of divers judg-
ments : for, as fome there were that uprightly fa-
voured the caufe of God; ^o were there many that-
for worldly refpefts abhorred a perfeft reformatioQ
(for, how many within Scotland, who have the
name of nobility, are unjuft pofleflbrs of the patri-
mony of the church ?) and yet were the barons and
minifters called, and commandment given unt©'
them, to draw into plain and feveral heads, the
fum of that doftrine which they would maintain,
and v/ould defire the prefent parliament to eftablifh,
as wholefom, true, and only neceflary to be belie-
ed, and to be received within the realm ; which
they willingly accepted, and within four days pre- 1
fented this confeffion as it followcth, without alter-

Now hath God, beyond all expe^ation of man,#Rtioii of any one featence.

t^p

KooK III. OF RELIGION in SCOTLAND.

221

The CONFESSION of FAITH, profeiled and be-
lieved by the Proceftants within the realm of Scotland, publilhed
by them in parliament, and by the eftates thereof ratified and
approved, as wholefom and found do6trine, grounded upon the
infallible Truth of God.

Mat the \v xxIv.
Jnd thefe glad tld'mgs of the kingdom Jhall be preached throughout the whole -world for a ivitnefs iint»-
mil nations, and then f ball the end come.

The PREFACE.

The STATES of Scotland, with the inhabitants of the fame profeffing the holy gofpel of
Chrifl: Jefus, To their natural countrymen, and unto all other realms and nations profeffing the
fame Lord Jefus with them, wifli grace, mercy and peace from God the Father of our Lord Jefus-
Chrifl, with the Spirit of righteous judgment, for falvation.

L

ONG have v/e thirfted, dear brethren, to have notified unto the world the fum of that dodlrine
which we profefs, and for the which we have fuflained infamy and danger; but fuch hath teea
the rage of Satan againfl us, and againft the eternal verity of Chrifl Jefus, lately now again born a.
mongft us, that to this day no time hath been granted unto us, to clear our confciences, as mofl glad-
ly we would have done : for how we have been tofTed a whole year pafl, the mofl part of Europe (as
we do fuppofe) doth underfland. But feeing that of the infinite goodnefs of our God (v;ho never
fuffereth his afflicted utterly to be confounded) above expeftation, have we obtained fome refl and li-
berty, we could not but fet forth this brief and plain confeffion of fuch dodrine, as is propofed unto
us, and as we believe and profefs ; partly for fatisfaflion of our brethren, whofe hearts, we doubt
not, have been, and yet are, wounded by the defpiteful railing of fuch as yet have not learned to
fpeak well ; and partly for flopping the mouths of impudent blafphemers, who boldly condemn that
which they neither heard nor underftood: not that we judge, that the cankered malice of fuch is able
to be cured by this fimple confefTion ; no, we know that the fweet favour of the gofpel is and fliall be
death unto the fons of perdition. But we have chief refpeft to our weak and infirm brethren to-
whom we would communicate the bottom of our hearts, lefl that they be troubled or carried away
by diverfity of rumours which Satan fpreadeth againfl us, to the defeating of this our mofl godly en-
terprife ; protefiing. That if any man will note in this our confeffion, any article or fentence repug-
ning to God's holy word, that it would pleafe him of his gentlenefs, and for Chrifiian charity's fake
to admonifh us of the fame in writing ; and we, upon our honours and fidelity, do promife unta
him fatisfadlion from the mouth of God, (that is, from his holy fcriptures) or elfe reformation of
that which he fhall prove to be amifs. For God we take to record in our confcience. That from our
hearts we abhor all fefts of herefy, and all teacliers of erroneous doctrine; and that with all humility
we embrace the purity of Chrifl's gofpel, which is the only food of our fouls; and therefore fo pre-
cious unto us, that we are determined to fufFer theextremell of worldly danger, rather than that we
will fuffer ourfelves to be defrauded of the fame. For hereof v/e are mofl certainly perfuaded. That
whofoever denieth Chrifl Jefus, or is afhamed of him in prefence of men, fliall be denied before the
Father, and before his holy angels ; and therefore, by the alTillance of the mighty Spirit,, of the fame
«ur Lord Jefus Chrifl, we firmly purpofe to abide to the end m the confeffion of this our faith.

l^Qf

222

The HISTORYof the REFORMATION

Book III-

I. Of G 0 D.

rE confefs and acknowlege one only God, to
, , whom only we mufl cleave, whom only we
mnft w^orfhip, and in whom only we mufl put our
truH; who is Eternal, Infinite, Unmeafurable, In-
comprehenfible, Omnipotent, Invilible, One in
Subilance, and yet diflinft into Three Perfons,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghoft; by
whom we eonfefs and believe all things in heaven
and earth, as w'ell vifible as invifible, to have been
created, to be retained in their being, and to be
ruled and guided by his infcrutable providence, to
fuch end as his eternal wifdom, goodneis and ju-
ftice hath appointed them, to the manifefration of
his own glory.

II. Of the Creation of Man,

We confefs and acknowlege this our God to
have created man, {to ivit, our firil father Adam)
of whom alfo God formed the woman to his own
imacre and fimilitude ; to whom he gave wifdom,
lordfliip, jufiice, iree-will, and clear knowlege of
himfelf, fo that in the whole nature of man there
could be no imperfe(51Ion : from which honour
and perfedlion man and woman did both fall ; the
woman, being deceived by the ferpent, and man
obeying the v'oice of the woman, both conlpiring
againfl the fovereign Majeffy of God, who in ex-
prefs words had before thieatned death, if they
prefumcd to eat of the forbidden tree.

III. Of Original Sin.

Bv which tranfgreflion, commonly called Ori-
ginal Sin, was the image of God utterly defaced
in man, and he and his pofterity of nature became
enemies to God, ilaves to Satan, fervants to fm,
mfomuch that death everlafling hath had, and fliall
have pov/er and dominion over all that have not
been, are not, or fnall not be regenerate from a-
bove; which regeneration is wrought by the power
-of the Holy GhofS:, working in the hearts of the
cleft of God an a.Tured faith in the promifes of God
revealed to us in his v/ord ; by which faith they
apprehend Chrif!: Jefus, with the graces and bene-
iits promifcdin him.

ly. Of the Revelation rf the Promifes.

i'oR this v.-c conflantly believe, That Cod, af-

ter the fearful and horrible defeftion of man from
his obedience, did feek Adam again, call upon him,
rebuke his 11 n, convince him of the fame, and ia
the end made unto him a joyful promife, to wit,
' That the feed of the woman ihould break down
* the lerpent's head ;' that is. He fliould deffroy
the works of the devil : which promife, as it was
repeated and made more clear from time to time,
fo was it embraced with joy, and moft conflantly
retained of all the faithful, from Adam to Noah,
from Noah to Abraham, and from Abraham to
David, and fo forth to the incarnation of Jefus
Chrifl ; who all (we mean the faithful fathers un-
der the law) did fee the joyful days of Chrifl Jefus,
and did rejoice.

V. The Co7itimmnce, Increafc, and Prefervatioii
of his Church.

We mofl conflantly believe. That God prc-
ferveth, inflrufteth, multiplieth, honoureth, de-
coreth, and from death called to life his church in
all ages, from Adam, till the coming of Chrifl
Jefus in the flefh : for Abraham he called from his
Father's country, him he inflrudled, his feed he
multiplied, the fame he marveloufly preferved, and
more marveloufly delivered from the bondage of
Pharaoh ; to whom he gave his laws,c6nflitutions
and ceremonies : them he poflefTed in the land of
Canaan; to them, after judges, and after Saul,
he gave David to be king; to whom he made pro-
mife, That of the fruit of his loins fhould one fit
for ever upon his regal feat. To this fame people
from time to time he fent prophets to reduce them
to the right way of their God, from the which
oftentimes they declined by idolatry. And albeit,
for their flubborn contempt of juflice, he was
compelled to give them into the hands of their
enemies, as before he threatned by the mouth of
Mofes; infomuch, that the holy city was deflroy-
ed, the temple burnt w ith fire, and the whole land
left defolate the fpace of feventy years ; yet of
mercy did he reduce them again to Jerufalem, where
the city and temple were re-edified, and they, a-
gainll all temptation and affaults of Satan, did a-
bide till the Meffiascame, according to the promife.

VI. Of the Incarnation of Chrift Jefus.

When the fulnefs of time came,God fent his Son,
his Eternal Wifdom, the Subflance of his own glory
into this world ; who took the nature of manhood,

of

KOOK III.

Of RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

of the fubftance of a woman, to ivit, of a virgin,
and that by the operation of the Koly Ghofl ; and
fo was born, the jufc Seed of David, the Angel
of the greet counfel of God, the very Meilias pro-
mifed, whom we acknowkge and confefs, Emma-
nuel, very God and very Man, two perfeft natures
united and joined in one perfon : By which our
confeffion, we condemn the damnable and pelfilent
herefies of Arius, Marcion, £utyches, Neftorius,
and fuch others, as either deny the eternity of his
Godhead, or the verity of his human nature, or
confound tiiem, or yet divide them.

VII, JFhy it h'hoveth the Mediator to be very God
and very Man.

We acknowlege and confefs. That this mofl:
wondrous conjunction betwixt the Godhead and
Manhood of Chrifl: Jefus, did pi-oceed from the
eterna] and immutable decree of God, whence al-
io our falvation fpringeth and dependeth.

VIII. Of Ekaion.

For that llime eternal God, who of mere grace
defied us in Chrift Jefus, his Son, before the
foundation of the world was laid, appointed him
to be our Head, our Brother, our Paifor, and
great Biihop of our fouls : but, becaufe that the
enmity betwixt the jnflice of God and our fms
was fuch, that no ftefli by itfelf could, or might
have attained unto God ; it behoved that the Son
Ihould defcend unto us, and take himfelf a body
of our body, fltlli of our flefh, and bones of our
bones, and fo became the perfeft Mediator be-
twixt God and man j giving power . to fo many as
believe in him, to be the Sons of God, as he him-
felf doth witnefs; * 1 pafs up to my Father and
' yourFarlier, to my God and unto your God :' By
which molf holy fraternity, whatfoever we have loft
..in Adam is relfored to us again ; and for this caufe
we are notl/ing afraid to caJlGod our Father, not
fo much in that he has created us (which we have
eomm.on with the reprobate) as for that he has
given to us his only Son to be our Brother, and
given unto us grace to embrace him for our olnly
Mediator, as before is feid. It behoved farther
the Meffias and Redeemer to be very God, and
very Man, becaufe be was to fulfer the punifhment
due for our tranfgrefiions, and to preient himfelf
in the prefcnce of his Father's judgm.ent, as in our
perfon, to fuffer for our tranfgreffion and difobedi-
eace, by death to overcome him that was author of

death, but becaufe the only Godhead could no^
fuffer death, neither could the only Manhood o^'er-
come the fame ; he joined both together in one
perfon, that the imbecility of the one fliould fuf-
fer and be fubjeft to death, (which we had defer-
ved) and the infinite and invincible power of the
other, to tvit, of the Godhead, fliould triumph,
and purchafe unto us life, liberty, and perpetual
viftory ; and fo v/e confefs, and moll undoubted-
ly believe.

IX. Chri/l's Death, Pajfion, Burial, &c.

That our Lord Jefus offered himfelf a voUm.
tary lacriiice unto his Father for us; that he fufFer-
ed contradi'flion of fmners; that he was- wounded
and plagued for our tranfgreffions ; that he, bcinf/,
the clean and innocent Lamb of God, was condcrr:-
ned in the prefence of an earthly judge, that we
might be abfolved before the tribuaai-feat of our
God : that he fuifered not only the cruel death of
the crofs, (which was accurfcd by the fentence of
God) but alfo, that he fuffcred for a feafon the
wrath of his Father, which fmners had deferved ;::
but yet we avow, that he remained the only wJl-bc-
loved and blefled Son of hi:; Father, even in the
m.idfl of his anguifn and torment, v/hich he fuffcr-
ed in body and ibul, to make the full fatisfaftioa.
for the hns of his people. After the which we con-
fefs and avow, that there remains no other facrificc
for fins ; v.'hich, if any affirm, we nothing doubt
to avow, that they are blafphemous againll ChrilVs
death, and the evtrlafting pui-gation and fatisf;i'5li-
on purchaled unto us by the fame.

X. liefurrenion..

We undoubtedly believe, that infomuch as it
was impofable that the pains of death ihould retaia
in bondage the author of life, that our Lord Jefus,
crucified, dead, and buried, who defcended intO'
hell, did rife again for our juflification, aijd de-
Ilroyed him who was the author of death ; brought
life again to us that were fubje(5l to death, and to.
the bondage of the fame : v\^e know that his refur-
recflion v.as confirmed by the teflimony of his very-
enemies ; by the refurreclion of the dead,, v/hofe:
fepulchres did open, and they did arife and appear-
ed to many within the city of Jerufalem: It was".
aifo confirmed by the teflLmony of angels, and by
the fenfes and judgments of his ap^flles and others,
who had converfation, and did cat and driiik with
him after his refurrecticm.

xr.

224

The history of the REFORMATION

Book IlXi

XI. Afccnfion.

We nothing doubt but that felf-famc body which
was born of the virgin, was crucified, dead and
buried, and which did rife again, did afcend into
the heavens, for accomplifhment of all things;
where, in our names, and for our comfort, he hath
received all power in heaven and in earth ; where
he fjtteth at the risht hand of the Father, enthro-
nized in his kingdom, advocate and only mediator
for us.; which glory, honour, and prerogative, he
alone amongft the brethren fliall polTefs, till that
all his enemies be made his footftool ; as that we
undoubtedly believe they fliall be in the final judg-
ment: to the execution whereof, we certainly be-
lieve, that the fame our Lord Jefus fhall vifibly and
apparently return, as tjiat he was feen to afcend.
And there we firmly believe, that the time of re-
frefliing and reftitution of all things fliall come, in-
fomuch that thofe that from the beginning have
fuffered violence, injury and wrong for righteouf-
nefs fake, ihall inherit the blelTed immortality pro-
mifed from the beginning; but contrariwife, the
ftubborn, cruel, inobedient, opprefiTor, filthy per-
fons, adulterers, and all forts of unthankful men,
fhall be caft into the dungeon of utter darknefs,
where their worm fhall not die, neither yet their
fire be extinguifhed : the remembrance of the which
day, and of the judgment to be executed in the
fame, is not only to us a bridle, whereby our car-
nal luffs are retrained, but alfo fuch ineflimable
comfort, that neither may the threatnings of world-
ly princes, neither yet the fear of temporal death
and prefent danger, move us to renounce and for-
fake that blefled fociety, which wc the members
have with our head and only Mediator Chrilf Jefus ;
whom we confefs and avow to be the MelTias pro-
mifed, the only head of the church, our jufi: law-
giver, our only High Pried, Advocate and Media-
tor: in whofe honours and offices, if a man or an
angel prefume to intrude themfelves, we utterly
deteft and abhor them, as blafphemous to our So-
vereign Governor Chrifl; Jefus.

XII. Faith in the Holy Ghoji.

This our faith, and the affurance of the fame,
proceedeth not from fle(h and blood, that is to fay,
from no natural powers within us ; but is the in-
fpiration of the Holy Ghoft, whom we confefs God
equal with the Father and with the Son ; who fanc-
jifieth us, and bringeth us into all veiity, by his

own operation ; without whom we fiiould remala «
for ever enemies to God, and ignorant of his Son
Chrifl Jefus : For of nature we are fo dead, fb per-
verfe and blind, that neither we can feel when we
are pricked, fee the light when it fhineth, nor af-
fent to the will of God when it is revealed, only
the Spirit of the Lord Jefus quickneth that which
is dead, removeth the darknefs from our minds,
and boweth our flubborn hearts to the obedience
of his bleffed will : and fo, as we confefs that God
the Father created us when we were not, as his
Son our Lord Jefus redeemed us when we were
enemies to him ; fo alfo we eonfefs, that the Holy
Ghofl doth fandfify and regenerate us, without all
refpedf of any merit proceeding from us, be it be-
fore, or be it after our regenei-ation. To fpeak
this one thing yet in more plain words, as we will-
ingly fpoil ourfelves of all honour and glory of our
own creation and redemption, fo do we alfo of our
regeneration and fanftification ; for of ourfelves we
are not fufficient to think one good thought; but
he who hath begun the good work in us, is only
he that continueth us in the fame, to the praife
and glory of his undeferved grace.

XIII. The Caiife of good Works.

So that the caufe of good works, we confels to
be, not of free-will, but the Spirit of the Lord
Jefus, who dwelling in our hearts by true faith,
brings forth fuch good works, as God hath pre-
pared for us to walk in : for this we mofl boldly
affirm, that blafphemy it is to fay, that Chriff Je-
fus abideth in the heart of fuch, as in whom
there is no fpirit of fanftification ; and therefore we
fear not to affirm, that murderers, oppreffors,
cruel perfecutors, adulterers, whoremongers, fil-
thy perfons, idolaters, drunkards, thieves, and all
workers of iniquity, have neither true faith, nei-
ther any portion of the Spirit of fanftificatioa,
which proceedeth from the Lord Jefus, fo long as
they obflinately continue in their wickednefs : for
how foon foever the Spirit of the Lord Jefus (which
God's ele6l children receive by true fiiith) taketh
poffefFion in the heart of any man, fo foon doth
he regenerate and renew the fame man ; fo that he
begins to hate that which before he loved, and be-
ginneth to love that which before he liated; and
from thence cometh that continual batde, which
is betwixt the fltfh and fpirit in God's children,
while the flefli and natural man (according to their
own corruption) lufleth for things pleafing and
delegable to itfelf, grudgeth in adverfity, is lifted

up

Book HI.

-OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

up in profpcrlty, and at every moment is pi-one
and ready to offend the majefty of God : but the
Spirit of God, whidi giveth witneffing unto our
fpirit that we are the fons of God, maketh us to
refift the devil, to abhor ifikhy plcafures, to groan
ill God's prefence for deliv^erance irom this bondage
«f corruption ; and finally, to triumph over iin,
that it reign not iruour mortal bodices. This battle
have not the carnal men, being deftitnte of God's
Spirit, but do follow and obey fm with greedinefs,
and without repentance, even as the devil and their
corrupt lu'ds do prick them : but the ions of God,
as afore is laid, do fight againil: fin, do lob and
mourn, when they perceive themlelves tempted to
iniquity ; and if they fall, they rife again with
carneft and unfeigned repentance : and theie things
they do, not by their own power, but by the power
of our Lord Jefas (without whom they were able
to do nothing) workedi in ihem all that is good.

XIV. What Works are reputed good before God,

Wb confels an i acknowlege, that God hath given
toman his holy law, in which not only are forbidden
all fuch works as dilpkaie and o:Tend his godly Ma-
jefiy ; but alfo are commanded all fuch as pleaie
hi.n, and as he hath promifed to reward. And
thele works are of two ibrts ; the one is done to
the honour of God, the other to the profit of cur
neighbours : and both have the revealed will ot"
God for their afiurance. To have one God ; to
worlliip and honour him ; to call upon him in all
our troubles ; to reverence his holy name ; to hear
■his word ; to believe the fame ; to communicate
his holy facraments, are the works of the firfi: table :
to honour father and mother, princes, rulers and
fuperior powers ; to love them, to fupport them ;
yea, to obey their charges (not repugning to the
(;»mmandment of God) to lave the life of innocents;
to reprefs tyranny ; to defend the opprefled ; to
keep our bodies clean and holy; to live in ibbrlety
and temperance; to -deal jufily with all men, both
in word and deed ; and finally, to reprefs the ap-
petite of our neighbour's hurt, are the good works
of the fecond table, which are mod pleafing and
acceptable unto God, as thofe works are command-
ed by himfelf. The contrary thereof is fin mofl
odious, which always difpleaieth him, and pro-
vok-ethhim to anger ; as, not to call upon him alone
when we have need; not to hetir his word "\vith
■reverence; to contem.n and dcfpile it ; to have or
to woi'ihip idols ; to maintaih and defend idolatry;
jyz\vi\j toeffcein th; reverend name of God; to

profane, abufe, or contemn the facraments of Chri/l
Jefus ; to (Xiihhcy or refifi any that God hath placed
in authority (while they pais not over the bounds
of their office) to mardcr, or confent thereunto;
to bear hatred, or to fufFcr innocent blood to br
fhed, if we may galn-fhind it; and finally, th;*
tranigreffmg of any other ccmmandment-in the
firfl: or iecond table, v/e confeis and affirm to be
fin, by the which God's hot difpleaiure is kindled
agaiafi: the proud and unthankful woi-ld. So that
g[ood works v/e affi-,i to be thofe only that arc
done in faith, and at God's commandment, v/ho
in his law hath exprefied what are the tilings tliat
pleafe him : and evil works we affirm, not only
thole that are exprefly done againft God's com-
mandment; but thofe alfo that, in matters of reli-
gion, andworfhippingof God, have no affii ranee,
but the invention and opinion of man, which God
from the beginning hath ever reje61ed, as by the
prophet liinah, and by our Maffer Chrift Jefus, wc
are taught in theie words, ' In vain do they wor-

* fhip me, teaching doctrines which are the pre-

* cepts of men,

XV. The PerfeFi'ion of the Law,, and the Ivt^er-
feEllon of Man.

The law of God we confefs and acknowlcge
moll: juft, mofi: equal,mofi: holy, and mofl perfeft,
commanding thofe things which, being wrought in
perfection, were able to give life, and to bring 'man
to eternal felicity : but our nature is {o corrupt, fo
weak and imperfefb, that we are never able to ful-
fil the works of the law in perfection ; yea, ' If

* we fay we have no fin, (even after we are rege-

* nerate) we deceive ourfelves, and the verity of

* God is not in us.' And therefore it bthoveth us
to apprehend Chi if! Jefus M'ith his juflice ajid fa-
tisfaftion, who is the end and accom.pUfhment of
the law to all that believe, by whom we are fet at
this liberty, that the curfe and malediftion of the
law fall not upon us, albeit we fulfil not tlie fame
in all points ; for God the Father, beholding us in
the body of his Son Chrift Jefus, acceptedi our im-
perfe^ obedience, as it were perfect, and covereth
our works, which are defiled with many fpots,
with the jufi'ice of his Son. We do not mean, that
v/e are let fo at liberty, that we owe no obedience
to the law, (for that before, we have plainly oon-
fefled) but this we affirm., that no man in earth
(Chrlfi Jefus only excepted) hath given, giveth, or
fhall give in work, that obedience to the law, which
the law rcquircth ; but when we have dorr rU

F f tiii:^-:s.

226

The history of the REFORMATION

Book III.

things, \vc muft fall down, and unftignedly con-
fefs, that we are unprofitable fervants : and there-
fore, whofoever boaft themlelvcs of the merit of
their own works, or put their trufl in the works
oi: fupererogation, they boaft themfelves of that
which is not, and put their truft in damnable ido-
I'ati-y. I ■

XVI. Of the Church.

As we believe in God the Father, Son andHo-
iy Ghoft, fo do we moil carneftly believe, that
from ^^ beginning there hath been, now is, and
to the end or "ihz v/orld fhall be a church; that
is to fay, a company and i::"ltitudc of men chofen
of God, who rightly worfhip and embrace him
by true faith in Jefus Chrift, who is the cv^WHead
of the fame church, which alfo is the body and
fpoufe of Chrift Jefus ; which church is Catholic,
that is univerfil, becaufe Itcontaineth the elefl of
all ages, all realms, nations and tongues, be they
of tke Jews, or be they of the Gentiles, who
have communion or fociety with God the Father,
and with his Son Jefus Chrift, through the fanfti-
flcation of his Holy Spirit; and therefore it is
called, communion, (not of profane perlons) but
©f faints, who are citizens of the heavenly Jeru-
falem, have the fruition of the moft ineftimable
benefits, to -luit, of one God, one Loi-d Jefus, one
faith, and one baptifm ; without the which church
there is neither life nor eternal felicity : and there-
fore we utterly abhor the blafphemy of thofe that
affirm, that men that live according to equity and
juftice, fliall be faved, what religion foever they
have profefTed : for, as without Chrift Jefus there
13 neither life nor falvation ; fo fliall there none be
participant thereof, but fuch as the Father hath
given unto his Son Chrift Jefus, and thofe in time
to come to him, avow his do(Sfrine, and believe
in him (we comprehend the children with thefaith-
fiil parents.) This church is invifiblc, known only
to God, who only knoweth whom he hath chofen;
and comprehendeth, as well, as is laid, the eleift
that be departed (commonly called the church tri-
umphant) as thofe that yet live, and fight againft
£n and Satan, or fliall live hereafter.

XVII. The Immortality of the Soub.

The elect departed are- in peace, and reft from
their labours; not that they Ileep, and come to a
certain oblivion, (as fome fantaftic heads do affirm)
feut that they ars ddiveied from all fear, all tor-

ment, and all temptation ; the which we and all
God's ele(fl are fubjeft unto in this life, and there-
foie do bear the name of the church militant. As
on the contrary always, the reprobate and unfaith-
ful departed, haveanguifh, torment and pain, that
cannot be expreffed. So that neither are the one
nor the other in fuch fleep, that they feel not joy
or torment, as the parable of Chrift Jefus in the
ilxteenth of Luke, his words to the thief, and thcfe
words of the fouls crying under the altar, ' O
* Lord, thou art righteous and juft, how lonT
' fl>alt thou not revenge our blood upon them thut
' dwell upon the earth?' do plainly teftify.

XVIII. Of the Notes h the luhich the true Church
is difcerned from thefalfe, and voho fhall
be Judge of the Docirine.

Because that Satan from the beginning hath
laboured to deck his peftilent fynagogue with the
title of the church of Qod, and hath inflamed the
hearts of cruel murderers to perfecute, trouble,
and moieft the true church and members thertoi,
as Cain did Absl, Ifhmael liaac, Efau Jacob, and
the whole priefthood of the Jews Jefus Chrift him-
felf, and his apoftles after him ; it is a thing moft
requifite that the true church be difcerned from
the filthy fynagogue, by clear and perfect notes,
left we, being deceived, receive and embrace to
our own condemnation the one for the other. The
notes, iigns, and affured tokens, whereby the im-
maculate fpoufe of Chrift Jefus is known from the
horrible harlot the church malignant, we affirni,
are neither antiquity, title ufurped, lineal defcenr,
place appointed, nor multitude of men approving
any error ; for Cain in age and title was preferred
to Abel and Seth ; Jerufalem had prerogative above
all places of the earth, where alfo were the priefls
lineally defcended from Aaron ; and greater multi-
tude followed the fcribes, pharifees and priefts,
than unfeignedly believed, approved Chriff Jefus
and his dodlrine ; and yet, as we fuppofe, no man
of wholejudgment will grant, that any of thefore-
named were the church of God.

The notes therefore of the true church of God^,'
we believe, confefs, and avow, to be, Firfl, The
true preaching of the word of God, in which God
hath revealed himfelf to us, as the writings of the
prophets and apoftles lio declare. Secondly, The
right adminiftration of the facraments of Chrift Je-
fus, which may be annexed to the word and pro*
mifc of God, to feal and confirm the fame in our
hearts^ l^y^'f Ecckfiailical difcipline uprightly

jnioiftreJ,

Book III.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAN©,

H7

miniftred, as God's word prefcribeth, whereby vice
is reprefTed, and virtue nourillied. Whereloever
then thefe former notes are fecn, and of any time
<jontlnual (be the number never fo few above two
•r three) there, without all doubt, is the true church
of Chrift, who according to his promife is in the
midft of them ; not of that univerfal (of which we
have before fpoken) but particular, fuch as was in
Corinthus, Galatia, Ephefus, and other places in
which the miniftry was planted by Paul, and were
of himfelf named the churches ot God ; and fuch
ohurches we, the inhabitants of the realm of Scot-
]a.".d, profefTors of Chrifl: Jefus, confefs us to have
ja our cities, towns, and places reformed: for the
doctrine taught in our churches is contained in the
written word of God, to ivit, in the books of the
«Id and new teflaments ; in thofe books we mean,
which of ancient have been reputed canonical ; in
the which we affirm, that all things necefTary to
be believed for the falvation of mankind are fuffi-
ciently exprefTed : the interpretation whereof, we
ooateis, neither appertaineth unto any private nor
public perfon; neither yet to any church, for any
preheminence, or prerogative perfonal or local,
which one hath above another but appertaineth to
the Spirit of God, by the which alfo the fcripture
was written. When controverfy then happeneth,
for the right underflanding of any place or fentence
of fcripture, or for the reformation of any abufe
within the church of God,we ought not fomuch to
look what men before us have faid and done, as unto
that which the Holy Ghofl uniformly fpeaketh with-
in the body of the fcriptures, and unto that which
Chrifl Jefus himfelf did, and commanded to be done.
For this is a thing univerfally granted,That the Spi-
rit of God, which is the Spirit of Unity,is in nothing
contrary to himfelf. If then the interpretation,deter-
mination or fentence of any doftor, church or coun-
cil, repugn to the plain word of God, written iu
any other place of fcripture, it is a thing moft cer-
tain, that there is not the true underflanding and
meaniag of the Holy Ghofi: ; fuppofmg that coun-
cils, realms, and nations have approved and receiv-
ed the fame : for we dare not receive and admit any
interpretation, which direftiy oppugneth to any
principal point of our faith, to any other plain text
3f icripture, or yet to the rule of charity,

XIX. The Authority of the Scriptures.

And, as we believe and confefs the fcriptures of
jod fufficlent to inftrudl and make the man of God
^rfetH: ; fo do we affirm and. avow the authority of

the fame to be of God, and neither t® depend oa
men nor angels. We affirm therefore, that fuch as
alledge the fcriptures to have no authority, but that
which is received from the church, to be blafphe-
mous againif God, and injurious to the true church,
which always heareth and obeyeth the\oice of her
own Spoufe and Paflor, but taketh not upon her t«
be miflrefs <jver the fame.

XX. Of the General Councils, of their Povjer, Au-
thority, and Caufc of their Convention.

As we not rafhly condemn that which godly
men affembled together in general councils, lawful-
ly gathered, have approved unto us; fo without
jufl examination dare we not receive whatfoever is
obtruded unto men, under the name of general coun-
cils : for plain it is, that, as they were men, f»
have fome of them manifeflly erred, and that in
matters of great weight and importance. Sk) far
then as the council proveth the determination and
commandment, that it giveth by the plain word of
God, fo far do we reverence and embrace the fame :
but if men, under the name of a council, pretend
to forge unto us new articles of our faith, or t«
make conflitutions repugning to the word of God ;
then utterly we may refufe the fame, as the do(5frinc
of devils, which draweth our fouls from the voice
of our only God, to follow the doftrines and con-
flitutions of men. The caufe then why general
councils conveened, was neither to make any per-
petual law (which God before had not made) nei-
ther yet to forge new articles of our belief; neither
to give the word of God authority, much lefs to
make that to be his word, or yet the true interpretati-
on of the fame, which was not before by his holy wiU
expreffed in his word: but the caufe of councils
(we mean of fuch as merited the name of councils)
was partly for confutation of herefies, and for giv-
ing public confellion of their faith to the poflerities
follovving; which both they did by the authority
of God's written word, and not by any opinion or
prerogative that they could not err, by reafon of
their general affembly. And this we judge to have
been the chief caufe of general councils. The o-
ther was for good policy and order to be conflituted
■and oblerved in the church, in which, as in thehoufe
of God, it becometh all things to be done decent-
ly, and in order : not that we think that one poli-
cy, and one order in ceremonies, can be appointed
for all ages, times and places ; for as ceremonies,
fuch as men have devifed, are but temporal, fo may
and ought they to be changed, when they rather
f f 2 f offer

1.*.

The history oft he REFORMATION

Book W,

foftcr fupsrilition, than that they edify the church
ufin<7 the fame.

o

X'^i. OftheSacramcits.

As the fathers under the law, befides the verity
of the facrifices, had two chief facraments, to ivit,
circumcifion and the pafTover; the defpifers and
contemners whereof were not reputed for God's
people; fo we acknowlege and confefs, that we
tiow, in time of the gofpel, have two facraments
only, inftiruted by the Lord Jefus, and command-
ed to be ufed by all thofe that will be reputed to be
members of his body ; to zuit, baptifm, and the flip-
per or table of the Lord Jefus,called, ' Thecommu-
* nion of his body and blood.' And thefe facraments
(as well of the old as of the new teftament) were
jnftituted of God, not only to make a vifible differ-
ence betwixt his people,and thofe that were without
his league, but alfo to exercife the faith of his child-
ren ; and, by participation of the fame facraments,
to feal in their hearts the affu ranee of his promife,
andof thatmoft blefredconjuftion, union, and fo-
dety, which the elecf have with their head Chrift
. jefus. And thus we utterly condemn the vanity of
thofe that affirm flicraments to be nothing elfe but
naked and bare figns; no, we affnredly believe,
that by baptifm we are ingrafted into Jefus Chrift,
to be made partakers of his juft;ice, by the which
our fms are covered and remitted : and alfo, that in
the fupper, rightly ufed, Chrift Jefus is fo joined
with us, that he becometh the very nourifhm.ent
and food of our fouls.

Not that wc imagine any tranfubftantiation of
bread into Chrift's natural body, and of wine into
his natural blood (as the papifis have pernicioufly
Eaught, and damnably believed) but this union and
communion which we have with the body and blood
of Chrift Jefus, in the right ufe of the facraments,
is v>rrought by operation of the Holy Ghoft, who
by true faith carrieth us above all things that are
vifible, carnal and earthly, and maketh us to feed
upon the body and blood of Chrift Jefus, which
was once broken and filed for us, which now is in
the heaven, and appeareth in the prefence of his Fa-
ther for us. And yet, notwithftanding the far dif-
tance of place which is betwixt his body now glori-
fied in the heaven,, and us now mortal in this earth ;
yet we nioft afTuredly believe, that the bread that
we break, is the communion of Chrift's body ; and
the cup which we blefs, is the communion of his
blood : fo that we confefs and undoubtedly believe,
diat theiaithfuljintherightufeof the Lord's table,

fo do eat the body and drink the blood of the Lord
Jelus, thatheremaineth in them, and they in him-,
yea, that they are fo madeiiefhof his flefh, and bones
of his bones, that, as the eternal Godhead hath
given to t!ie flefh of Chrift Jefus (which of the ovm
condition and nature was mortal and corruptible)
life and immortality, fo doth Chrift Jefus his flefli
and blood, eaten and druken by us, give to us the
fame prerogatives ; which albeit, we confefs, are
neither given unto us at that only time, neither yet
by the proper power and vertue of the facraments
only ; yet we affirm, that the faithful, in the right
ufe of the Lord's table, have fuch conjundion v.-ith
Chrift Jefus as the natural man cannot comprehend ;
yea, and further, we affirm., that albeit the faitl-
ful, opprefTed by negligence and manly infirnnty,
do not profit fo much as they would at the very in-
ifant a6fion of the fupper, yet fhall it after briii'i
forth fruit, as lively feed fown in good pround •
for the holy Spirit, which can never be divided
from the right inftitution of the Lord Jefus, will
not fruftrate the faithful of the fruit of that myfli-
cala6lion: but all this, we fay, cometh by true
faith, which apprehendeth Chrift Jefus, who only
maketh his ficraments efFeftual unto us : and there-
fore, v*?hofoever flandereth us, as tho' we affirmed
or believed facraments to be openly naked and bare
figns, do injury unto us, and fpeak againft a man!-
feft truth. But this liberally and frankly we muft
confefs, that we make a diftinftion betwixt Chrift
Jefus in his natural fubftance, and betwixt the ele-
ments in the facramental figns : fo that we will nei-
ther worfliip the figns, in place of that which is.
fignified by them ; neither yet do we defpife and
interprete them as unprofitable and vain, but da
ufe them with all reverence, examining ourfelves-
diligently before that fo we do ; becaufe we are af-
fured by the mouth of the apoftle, That fuch as eat
of that bread, and drink of that cup unworthily^,
are guilty of the body and blood of the Lord Jefus.

XXIL Of the right Admimjlration of the Sacra--
ments.

That facraments be rightly miniftred, we judge-
two things requifite ; the one, that they be mini-
ftred by lawful minifters, whom we affirm to be on-
ly they that are appointed to the preaching of the-
word, or into whofe mouths God hath put kimefer-
mon of exhortanon, they being men of lawfulchu-
fmg thereto by fome church ; the other, that they
be miniftred in fuch elements, and in fuch fort as:
God hath appointed: elfe we affirm, that they

Book III.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

ttp

ceafe to be right facraments of Jefus Chrift. And
therefore it is, that we fiec the fociety with the
papiflical church, in participation of their facra-
ments; Firjl, Becaufc their minifters are nomini-
fters of Jefus Chrift ; yea, which is more horrible,
tliey fuiTer women, whom the Holy Ghoft will not
lufFer to teach in the congregation, to baptize.
And, Secondly, Bccaufe they have fo adulterate
both the one ficrament and the other, with their
own inventions, that no part of Chriff's adlion a-
bideth in the original purity ; for oil, fait, fpittle,
and fuch like in baptifm, are but mens invention ;,
adoration, veneration, bearing through flreets and
towns, and keeping of bread in boxes, are profana-
^ tion of Chrifl's facraments, and no ufe of the fame:
for Chrifl: Jefus faid, ' Take and eat, <ifc. Do ye

* this in remembrance of me.' By which words
and charge he fanftified bread and wine to be the
facrament of his body and blood, to the end that
the one fhould be eaten, and that ail fhould drink
of the other, and not that they lliould be kept to
be worlhipped and honoured as God, as the blind
papiils have done heretofore, who alfo have com-
mitted facrilege, ffealing from the people one part
of the facrament, to luit, the blefied cup.

Moreover, that the flixraments be rightly ufed,
it is required, that the end and caufe why the facra-
ments were inflituted, be underflood and obferved,
as well of the minifler as the receivers : for if the
opinion be changed in the receiver, the right ufe
ceafeth; which is moft evident by the rejecftion of
the lacrifices (as alfo if the teacher teach falfe doc-
trine) which v/er-e odious and abominable unto God
(albeit they were his own ordinances) becaufe that
wicked men ufed them to another end than God
hath ordained. The fame affirm we of the facraments
in the papiflical church, in which we affirm the whole
aftionof the Lord Jefus to be adulterate, as well in
the external form, as in the end and opinion. What
Chrifl Jefus did, and commanded to be done, is
evident by the three evangeliffs who fpeak of the
facrament, and by St, Paul : what the priefl doth
at his alter, we need not to rehearfe. The end and
caufe of Chrift's inflitution, and why the felf-fame
fhould be ufed, is exprelTed in thefe words, ' Do ye

* this in remembrance of me: as oft as ye fliall eat

* of this bread, and drink of this cup, ye fhall fhew

* forth (that is, extol, preach and magnify) the

* Lord's death till he come.' But, to wliat end,
and in what opinion the prieffs fay their MafTes,
let the words of the fame their own dodlors and
wridngs witntfs, to vj'it, that they are mediators
betwixt Chi-ift and his churchy to offer unto God

the Father a facrlfice propitiatory for the fins of the
quick and the dead : which do6lrine, as blafphe-
mous to Chrlft Jefus, and making' derogation to the
fufficiency of his only facrifice once offered for pur-
gation of all thofe that Tnall be faaified^ we utterly
abhor, deteff, and renounce.

XXIII, To ivhom Sacraments appertain.

We confefs and acknowlege, That baptifm ap-
pertalneth as well to the infants of the faithful, as
unto thofe that are of age and dilcretion ; and fo
we condemn the error of the Anabaptills, who de-
ny baptifm to appertain to children, before thar
they have faith and underftandlng. But the fup-
per of the Lord we confefs to appertain only to
fuch as have been of the houlhold of faith, and
can try and examine themfelves, as well in their
faith, as in their duties towards their neighbours.
Such as eat and drink at that holy table without
faith, or being at diffention and divifmn with their
brethren, do eat unworthily ; and therefore it is,
that in our churches minif'fers take public and par-
ticular examination of the knowlege and converfa-
tion of fuch, as are to be admitted to the table of
the Lord Jefus.

X XIV. Of the Civil Magijirafe,

We^ confefs and acknowlege empires, kingdoms^
dominions and cities, to be deffinated and ordain-
ed by God ; the powers and authorities in the
fame (be it of emperors in their empires, of kings
in their realms, dulces and princes in their domini-
ons, or of other magiftrates in free cities) to be
God's holy ordinance, ordained for manifeifatioa
of his own gloiy, and for the fingular profit and
commodity of mankind. So that, whoibever goeth
about to take away, or to confound the holy^'ffate
of civil policies, now long elfablifhed, we af^rm
the fame men not only to be enemies to mankind,
but alfo wickedly to fight againft God's exprefs.
will. We further confefs and acknowlege. That
fuch perfons as are placed in authoiity, are to be
loved, honoured, feared, and holden in mofl: reve-
rend eftimation, became they are the lieutenants of
God, in whofe feffion God himfelf doth fit and
judge, (yea, even the judges and princes themfelves)
to whom by God is gjveii the'fword,. to the praife
and defence of good men, aiid to revenge and pu-
nlfh all open makfa^fors. To kings, m,oreover
princes, rulers, and magiff rates, we affirm, that
chiefly and moff principally the reformation and
purgation of religion appertaiaeth j. fo that not

oi:l

•J

23®

The history of the REFORMATION Book TII.

only they are appointed for civil policy, but alfo for
maintenance of the true religion, and for fup-
preffing of idolatry and fuperflition whatfoever ; as
in David, Jehofhaphat, Ezekias, Jofias, and others,
highly commended for their zeal in the caufe, may
be%ipicd. And therefore we confefs and avow.
That fuch as refift the fupreme powers (doing that
which appertaineth to their charge) do refill God's
ordinance, and therefore cannot be guiltlefs. And
further we affirm. That whofoever deny unto them
their aid, counfd, and comfort, while the princes
and rulers vigilantly travail in the executing of their
office, that the fame men deny their help, fupport
and.counfeltoGod, who by the prefence of his
lieutenant craveth it of them.

XXV. The Gifts freely given to the Church.

Albeit that the word of God truly preached,
the facraments rightly miniflrcd, and diicipline ex-
ecuted according to the word of God, be the cer-
tain and infallible figns of the true church ; yet
do we not fo mean, that every particular perion,
joined with fuch a company, be an elecl member
of Chrifl Jefus : for we acknowlege and confefs,
that darnel, cockle and chaff, may be fown, grow
in great abundance, and ly in the midft of the
wheat, that is, the reprobate may be joined in the
fociety of the eleft, and may externally ufe with
them the benefits of the word and facraments;
but fuch being but temporal profeiTors, in mouth
but not in heart, do fall back and continue not to
the end and therefore have tliey no fruit of Chrift's
death, refurreftion and afcenfion. But fuch as
with heart unfeigned believe, and with mouth bold-
ly confefs the Lord Jefus, as before we have faid,
fliall moft afTuredly receive thefe gifts, Firft, In
this life remlffion of fms, by faith only in Chrifl's
blood, infomuch that, albeit fm remain and conti-
nually abide in thefe mortal bodies, yet it is not
imputed unto us, but is remitted and covered with
Chrift's juftice. Secojidly, In the general judgment
there (hall be given to every man and woman refur-
reflion of the flefh: for the fea ffiall give her dead,
the earth thofe that therein be incloled ; yea, the
Eternal, our God, fliall ftretch out his hand upon
the duft, and the dead fhallaiife incorruptible, and
that in the fubftance of the fame fleffi that every
man now bears,to receive, according to their works,
glory or puniffiment : for fuch as now delight in
vanity, cruelty, filthinefs, fuperflition, or idolatry,
fhali be adjudged to the fire inextinguiihable, in
the which they {hail be tormented for ever, as well

in their body, as in their fouls, which they give t©
ferve the devil in all abomination ; but fuch as con-
tinue in well-doing to the end, boldly profeffin^f
the Lord Jefus, to whofe glorified body all hiseleft
fhall be like, when he fhall appear again to judg-
ment, andfhall render up the kingdom to God his
Father, who then fhall be, and ever fhall remaia
All in all things, God bleffed forever; to whom,
with the Son, and with the Holy Ghofl, be all ho-
hour and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

* Arife, O Lord, and let thine enemies be coa-

* founded; let them flee from thy prefence that

* hate thy holy nam.e : give thy fervants ftrength.

* to fpeak thy word in boldnefs, and let all nations

* attain to thy true knowlege.'

Thefe, acls and articles were read in face of par-
liament, and ratified by the three eftates of this re-
alm, at Edinburgh the 17th day of July, in the
year of our Lord 1560.

This our confefTion was publicly read, firfl: in
audience of the lords of the articles ; and after, in
the audience of the whole parliament, where were
prefent, not only fuch as profeffed Chrifl Jefus,
but alfo a great number of the adverfaries of our
religion, fuch as the forenamed bifliops, and fome
other of the temporal ftate, who were commanded
in God's name to objedf, if they could fay any
thing againil: that dodfrine. Some of our miniflers
were prefent, Handing upon their feet, ready to
have anfwered, in cafe any would have defended
papiflry, and impugned our affirmatives : but while
that no objection was made, there was a day ap-
pointed for concurrence in that and other heads.

Our confeffion was read every article by itfelf
over again, as they were written in order, and the
voice of every man was required accordingly. Of
the temporal ftate, only gave their voice on the
contrary, the earl of Athol, the lords Somervel
and Borthwick : and yet, for their difafTenting,
they produced no betterjreafon, but, we will believe
as our fathers believed. The bidiops, papiftical
we mean, fpake nothing. The refl of the whole
three eftates, by their public votes, aff.rmed the
doftrine; and the rather, becaufe that fain the bi-
fhops v.'ould, but durff fay nothing on the contra-
ry : for this was the vote of the earl Marfhal, * It
is long fmce I have had fome favour unto the truth,
and fince that I have had a fufpicion of the papifli-
cal religion; but I praife my God, who this day
hath fully refolved me in the one and the other :

for

Book. III.

for feeing that the bifhops, who, for their learning,
can, and, for their zeal that they fhould bear to
the verity, would, as I fuppofe, have gaiafaid any
thing that directly repugneth to the verity of God ;
feeing, I fay, the biihops here prefent fpeak no-
thing in the contrary of the doiftrine propoled, I
cannot but hold it for the very truth ot God, and
the contrary to be deceivable doftrine : and there-
fore, fo far as in me lycth, I approve the one, and
contei-nn the other; and do farther aflc of God,
that not only I, but alfo all my poflerity, may en-
joy the comfort of the dodtrine that this day our
ears have heard. And }et more I mull vote, as it
were by way of proteflation, that if any perfon ec-
clefiallical ihall after this oppofe themfelves to this
our confe/Tion, that they have no place nor credit ;
confidering that they having long advertifement,
and full knowiege of this our conkflion, none is
now found, in lawful, free, and quiet parliament,
to oppofe themfelves to that which we profefs:
and therefore, if any of this generation pretend to
do it after this, I proteft he be reputed rather one
that Joveth his own commodity, aud the glory of
the world, than the truth of God, and the falvati-
cn of mens fouls.

After the voting and ratification of this our con-
feffion by the whole body of the parliament, there
were alfo pronounced two adfs; the one againfk
the mafs, and the abufe of the facraments ; and the
other againll the fupremacy of the pope; The ten-
or whereof foUoweth.

^n JCT againjl the Mafs, and the Sayers and Hear'
ers thereof.

* In the parliament holden at Edinburgh the
loth of July, the yeai- of God 1 560, the faid par-
liament being continued to the firft of Augufl next
thereafter following, with continuation of days,
upon the 24th day of the faid month of Augufl,
the three ftates then being prefent : the which
day forfomuch as almighty God, by his mofl true
and blefled word, hath declared the reverence and
honour which (hould be given to him, and by his
Son Jefus Chriff hath declared the true ufe of the
facraments, willing the fame to be ufed accord-
ing to his will and word ; by the v/hich it is no-
torious, and perfeftly known, that the facraments
of baptifm, and of the body and blood of Jefus
Chrifl, hath been this long time pafl corrupted
by the papiflical church, and by their miniflers;
and at this prefent time, notwithllanding the re-
formation already made according to God's word,

)F RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

231

yet neverthelefs there is fome of the fame pope's
church that flnbbornly perfevere in their wicked
idolatry, faying mafs, and baptizing conform to
the pope's church, profaning therethrough the fa-
craments aforefdid in quiet fecret places, regarding
therein neither God nor his word :

* Therefore it is decreed and ordained in this pre-
fent parliament, that no manner of perfon or per-
fons, in any time coming, adminiflrate any of the
fxcraments fecretly, in any manner of way, but
they that are admitted, and having power to that
effecff ; nor fay mafs, nor yet hear mafs, nor be
prefent thereat, under the pain of confifcation of
all their goods, and punilhing of their bodies at
the difcretion of the magilfrates, within whole
jurifdi(fi:ion fuch perfons happen to be apprehend-
ed for the firft fault ; banilhing out of the realm
for the fecond fault, and chafliiing by death for
the third fault. And ordaineth all IlieriiTs, flew-
ards, baillies, and their deputies,^ provofts and
baillies of burroughs, and other judges within this
realm, to make diligent fuit and inquifition with-
in their bounds, where any fuch uibrped minidry
is ufed, mafs- faying, or they that be prefent at
the doing thereof, ratifying and approving the
fame ; and take, and apprehend them, to the ef-
fect that the pains above-^^ritten may be executed
upon them.'

ExtraSlum de Libra Parlunnenti, per me.

Jacobus Macgill.

The ACT for the ahoV'fl.nng of the Pope, and his u-
furped Authority in Scotland.

' In the parliament holden at Edinburgh the loth
of July, the year of God 1 5 60, and thereafter con-
tinued to the firft day of Auguft next thereafter
following,with continuation of days : upon the 24th
of the faid month of Augufl, the three flates then
being prefent, underflanding that the jurifdiflion
and authority of the biHiop of kome, called the Pope,
ufed in this realm in times pafl, hath been very
hurtfom and prejudicial to our fovereign's autho-
rity and common- weal of this realm; therefore
hath decreed and ordained, That the bifliop of
Rome hath, no jurifdiclion nor authority in this
realm in times coming ; and that none of our faid
fovereign's fubjedts claim, and defire in any time
hereafter, title or right by the faid bifliop of Rome»
or his fc(5t, to any thing within this realm, under
the pains of baratry, that is to fay, profcription;,
banifhment, and never to bruik and enjoy honour,
office, nor dignity within this realm; and thecon-
traveeners hereof to be called before the juftice, or

^3^

The history of the REFOR.MATION Book III.

his deputies, or before the lords of feffion, and
panilhed therefore, conform to the laws of this
realm ; and the furnifhers of them with fynance
Of money, and purchafcrs' of their title of right,
'or maintainers or defenders of them, fliall incur
the fame pains: and that no bifhop, nor other pre-
late of this realm, nfe any jn.rifdlction in times to
come, by the faid bidiop of Rome's authority,
under the pain aforefaid.

ExtniEium de libra parliamcnti, per me,

Jacobus Macgill.

Thefe and other things orderly done in lawful
and free parliament, we directed to France, to our
Sovereign, Sir James Sandilands lord of St. John,
with the a6ls of the'faid parliament, that by them
they might be ratified, according to the promifes
of their majeflies conimiffioners made to us, as
"by the contraft of peace may evidently appear.
But how the faid lord of St. John was received and
ufed, we lift not torehearfe; but always no ratifi-
cation brought he unto us: but that we little re-
garded, or yet do regard ; for all that we did, was
rather to Ihew our dudful obedience, than to beg
of them any flrength to our religion, which from
God hath full power, and needed not the fuffrage
of man, but in fo far as man had need to believe
it, if that ever he fhall have participation of the
life eveilafting. But fomewhat muif we anfwer to
fuch as fince have whifpered, that it was but a pre-
tended parliament, a privy convention, and no
lawful parliam-ent. Their rcafons are. The king and
queen were in France ; there was neither fceptre,
fword, nor crown born, zjc. and fome principal
lords were abfent.

We anfwer. That we rather wifh the papifls to
be quiet, than too curioufly to travail in that point;
for it may be, while they think to hurt us, they
give the queen and her authoiity a great blow,
and yet amend themfelves nothing. For, in whofe
default, we pray you, was the queen abfent from
this realm ? We think they \\ ill not be fo fhame-
kfs as that they will blame the pro tell ants thereof.
Her p;ribn was abfent, and that to nofmall grief of
our hearts: but, were not the flates of her realm
ailembled in her name .^ yea, had they not her
f;:!l f?b\i'er and cofeDifTion, yea, the commilTion
;.nd commartdment of her* "head the king of France,
■■0 coavocate that parliaitient, and to do all things
■(haVl5?aybe done in lawfnr parliament, even as if
orr fovercigns had been there in proper perfons?
If cjiev will limit the pov/er of princes to the places
onlv wj^^re their bodiiy prt^encc is, it will be
fpr 13 aoL cnly fhall kings be

compelled to content them with one realm, but al-
fo with one city : for the bodily prefence of kings
can no more be in divers cities at one inftant, than
tha^hey can be in divers realms. Hitherto we have
underftood, tJiat wherefoever the great counfellers of
the king, with his power and commilTion, are afTem- -
bled to do any thing at his jufl commandment, that
there is the king's lufficicnt prefence and authority,
wherefoever his own body be living at freedom and
liberty ; which, if the papifls deny, we will find
faults with them, and with the princes whom they
have abuied, that more will annoy them, than any
thing that we can lofe by the infufliciency of that
parliament ; which, neverthelefs, we are bold to
affirm to have been more lawful and free, than any
parliament that they are able to produce this hund-
red years before it, or yet any that hath enfued
fince it was, (he means until 1 566, when this book
was written) for in it the voices of men were free,
and given In confcience ; in others they were bought,
or given at the devotion of the milled prince. All
things in it concluded, are able to abide the trial,
and not to be confumed at the proof of the fire ; of
others the godly may juftly call in doubt things de-
termined. To the fword and fceptre, nor yet to
the abfence of fome lords, we anfwer nothing: for
our adverfaries know well enough, that the one is
rather a pomp, and vain-glorious ceremony, than
a fubfiantial point of neceffity required to a lawful
parliament; and the abfence of fome, pre-judges
not the powers of the prefent duly alTerabled, pro-
viding that due advertifement be made unto them.
But now we return to our hifiory.

The parliament difiblved, confultatlon was had,
how the church might be effabliflied in a good and
godly policy, which by the papifis was altogether
defaced. Commiflion and charge was given to Mr.
John Winram fub-prior of St. Andrews, Mr. John
Spotifwood, John Willock, Mr. John Douglas reftor
of St. Andrews, Mr. John Row, and John Knox, to
draw in a volume the policy and diicipline of the
church, as well as they had done the do<Jtrine, which
they did, and prefented it to the nobility, who did
perufe it many days. Some approved it,and willed the
fame to have been fet forth by a law; others perceiv-
ing their carnalliberty and worldly commodity fome
what to be impaired thereby,grudged,infomuch that
thenameofthe boojcofdifcipline became odious un-
to them. Every thing that repugned to their corrupt
imaginations, was termed in their mockage, devout
imaginations. The caufe we have before declared ;
fome were .licentious, fome had greedily gripped
the pofll-flior.s of the church, and others though!:

tlr,t

Rook I IT,

OF RELIGION

that they would not lack their part of Chrifl's coat,
yea, and that before that ever he was crucifieJ, as
by the preacliers they were oft rebuked. The
chief great man that had profelFed Chrifl Jeius,
^nd refufed to fubfcribe the book of difcipiine,
was the Lord Frfkine : and no wonder ; for, be-
iides that, he had a very evil woman to his wife ;
if the poor, the fchools, and the miniff ry of the
church had their own, his kitchen would lack two
parts, and more, of that which he unjuffly now
pofTeiTeth. aifuredly fome of us have wondred
how men, that profefs god linefs, could of ib long
continuance hear the threatnings of God againllt
thieves, and againfl their houfes, and knowing
themfelves guilty in fuch things as were openly re-
buked, and that they never had remorfe of conici-
cace, neither yet intended to reffore any thing of .
that which long they had ftoln and reft. There
were none within the realm more unmerciful to
the poor minifters than were they, v/hich had
gixatelt rents of the churches : but in that we have
perceived the old proverb to be true ; * Nothing
•* can fuffice a wretch.' And again, ' The belly

* hath no ears.'

Yet the fame book of difcipiine was fubfcribed
by a great part of the nobility ; to wit, the duke,
the earl of Arran, the earls Argyle, Glencairn,
Mardial, Monteith, Morton, Rothes, lord James
after earl of Murray, lord Yealfer, Boyd, Ochil-
trie, malfer of Maxwel, lord Lindfay elder, and
the maffer after lord barrons, Drumlanrig, Lo-
thingwar, Garleifs, Bargany, Mr. Alexander Gor-
don bifhop of Galloway, (this bifliop of Galloway, as
he renounced popery, fo did he prelac)^, witnefs
his fubfcription of the book of difcipiine, as the
relt of the prelates did, who did join to the refor-
mation) Alexander Campbell dean of Murray, with
a great number more, fubfcribed and approved the
faid book of difcipiine in the tolbooth of Edin-
burgh, the 27th day of January, the 5'ear of our
Lord God 1560, by their approbation, in thele
■words :

' We who have fubfcribed thefe prefents, hav-
'*ing advifcd with the articles herein fpecified, and

* as is above-mentioned from the beginning or this
' book, think the lame good, and conform to

* God's word in all points, conform to the notes

* and additions thereto, afked, and promifed to

* fet the fame foreward at the uttermoft of our

* powers ; providing that the biihops, abbots, pri-
■* ors, and other prelates and beneficed men, which
■^ elfe have adjoined themfelves to us, bruLk the

r ^ S C O T L A N D. yj

* revenues of their benefices during thtlr lifetimes ;.

* they fuflaining and upholding the minif.ry and
' miniflers, as is herein fpecified, for preaching ot

* the word, and miniftring of the facrameats.'

What be the contents of the whole book, and
how that this promife was illuded from time t®
time, we (hail after hear.

Shortly after the fold parliament, were fent
from the council ambafHidors to England, the earb
IMorton and Glencairn,, together with William
Maitland of Lethington younger. The chief point
ot their commillion was earneHly to crave the con-
flant afhflance of the queen's majefly of England,
againfl: all foreign invafion and common enemies.

That ilime time was the caille of Semple harl
befieged and taken, becaufe the lord thereof difo-
beyed the laws and ordinances of the council ia
many things, and efpecially in that, that he would
maintain the idolatry of the mafs, and alfo, that
he befet the way to the earl of Arran, with a great
gathering, as he was riding, with his accuflomed.
company. The papilfs were proud, for they look-
ed for a new army from France at the next fpring,
and thereof was no fmall appearance, if God had
not otherwife provided : for France utterly refuied
the confirmation of the peace contracted at Leith,
would ratify no part of our parliament, difmilTed the
lord of St. John, without a refolute anfwer, began to
gather new bands of throat-cutters, and to m.ake
great preparation for fliips. They further fent be-
fore them certain praftifers, (amongfl whom the
lord Seton, who had departed with the French
out of Leith, was one) to raife up new troubles
within this realm: and all this came partly of the
malice of the houfe of Guife, who had avowed to
revenge the difpleafure of their fiffcr both upon
England and Scotland; and partly by inftigation
of proud Beton, falfly called bifliop of Glafgow, of
Dury abbot of Dunfermline, and SauUes Seton, and
Mr. John Sinclair dean of Reifakig, with fuch others
of the French facfion, who had openly fpoken, that
they had refufed all portion of Scotland, unlefs
that it were under the government of a Frenchmaji.
' Recompence them, O Lord, as thou knowe A raoft

* expedient for thine own glory, and for the perpe-

* tual lliameof all traitors to their common-wealth !'

The certain knowkge of all thefe things came to
our ears, v»'hcreat many were afraid, and diverts
fufpetfted that England would not be fo forward
in times to come, confidering that their former ex-
pences were fo great. The principal comfort re-
mained with the preachers; for they affured us in
G g God's

234

Thb history of the IlEBORMATION Book III.

God's name, that God would perform in all p^r-
tedlloa that work in our hands, the beginning
■whereof he had fo mightily maintained, becaufe it
was not ours, but his own ; and therefore exhort-
ed us, that we fhould conflantly proceed to reform
all abufes, and to plant theminiffry of the church,

And fo they proceeded till the loth or iih of
December, when that they thought time to put
their bloody counfel in execution ; and, for that
purpofe, conclufion was taken, that the king fhould
depart out of the town, and ly at a certain place;
which was done to this intent, that there fhould no

as by God's word we might juflify it, and then fuit be made to the king for the fafety of any man's
commit the fuccefs of all to our God, in whofe '=f- "''— ^'— -i— ^^- "'--'^" -f •^--'^ ^-*
power the difpofition of kingdoms Ifandeth; and
fo we began to do, for troubles apearing, made
us give ear to the admonitions of God's fervants :
jand while that we had fcarcely begun again to im-
plore the help of our God, and to ftiew fome figns
of our obedience unto his meffengers and holy word,
io; the mighty hand of God from above fent nnto
us a wonderful and moH joyful deliverance: for
unhappy Francis, huiband to our fovereign, fud-
<ien!y perifhed of a rotten ear; but, becaufe the
death of that young m.an v/as not only the caufe of
ioy to us in Scotland, but alfo by it were the faith-

ful in France delivered as it v/ere from the prefent

life, whom they thought worthy of death. And
fo was the king's houie in Orleance broken up, his
beds, coffers, and tapiftry fcnt away, bis owa
boots put on, he fitting at the mais immediately
hereafter to have departed, and {o their tyranny to
have begun.

When all things, we iay, were in this readinefs
to fhed the blood of innocents, the Eternal, our
God, ' who ever watcheth for the prefervation of
' his own,' began to work, .and fuddenly did put
bis own work in execution ; for, as the faid king;
fat at mafs, he was fuddenly flricken with an apoft-
hume in that deaf ear that never would hear the
truth of God, and fo was he carried to a void and

death, we think expedient to fpeak of the fame empty houfe, laid upon a palliafe, until fuch time
ibmewhat more largely. "S a cannaby was fet up unto liim, where he lay

Thefe cruel and conjured enemies of God, and
of all godlinefs, the duke of Guife, the cardinal
of Lorrain, and their faction, who llien at their
own appetite played the tyrants in France, had de-
termined the deliruftion of all that profeffed the
true knowlege of Jefus Chrift within that realm.
"What tyranny late before they had ufed at Amboyfe,
the hiifory of France doth witneis. Now in Or-
leance, in the month of November, conveened the
king, unhappy Francis, the quten our fovereign,
and the queen mother of the king, the duke of
Guife, with all his faftion ; the king of Navarre,
and the prince of Condie's brother.

So that great was the confluence of the nobility,
but greater v/as the aflemblyof the murderers, for
there was not a hangman in all France which was
Bot there. The prifons were full of the true fer-
vants of God ; the king of Navarre, and the prince
ef Condie were conftituted prifoners ; the fherifF
m Orleance, a man fearing God, was taken, and
lb were many others of the town : briefly, there
was none that profeflxid God or godlinefs within
that town, that locked not for the extremity ; for
the walls and gates v/ere night and day kept with
the garrifons of the Gufians, miferable men v/ere
daily brought in, to fufFer judgment, but none
was fuifered to depart forth, but at the devotion
«f the tyrants.

s

till the 1 5th day of December, in the year of God
1560, when his glory periflied, and the pride of
his Ilubborn heart vaniflied in fmoke : and fo was
the fnare broken ; the tyrants difappointed of their
cruelty ; thofe that were appointed to death, rai-
fed, as it were, out of their graves ; and we, who
by our foolKhnefs had made ourfelves flaves to flran-
gers, were reftored again to freedom and liberty of
a free realm.

' O Lord, that we had hearts deeply to confider
' what are thy wondrous works, O Lord, that w&-
' might praile thee, in the midfl of this moft ob-
' ftinate and wicked generation, and leave the me-

* morial of the fame to our poiferity, which, alas^.

* we fear fliall forget thefe thy ineftimable bene-
« fits!'

Some in France, after the fudden death of Fran-
cis II. and calling to mind the death of Charles IX.*
in blood ; and the flaughter of of Henry II. di(f
remark the tragical ends of thefe three princes,,
who had perfecuted God's fervants fo cruelly by
their infl:ruments the Guifians ; and, by their penff-
both in profe and verfe, did advife all other prin^
ces not to authorize any perfecution, or wrong;
done unto God's fervants, lefl they fhould have;
the like end. And indeed the following kings ofr
France unto this day have found this true, by theic'
unfortunate and unexpeffed ends.

* Mr. mdrow, in his letter io bijhop NkoJfin, fayi, \ would chufe rather to underftand it of
Charles YII.I. who died about 1498.

An

Book lit.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

Jff. Jdinonithn to Kings, Jet forth by the godly in
France upon the fudden death of Francis II.

Adhujus temporis monarchas protrepticon carmen.

QONSILIIS chriflwn oppugnans ,ij fraxtdibus ingens,

Regum ilk terror Carlos .
Ipfts ridiculus piieris, furiofus, 6" excors,

Tot-US repcnte corruit.
Tuque Henrice vxalis dum confultoribtts uteris

Sitis piorum fanguinem :
Ipfe tuQ vecors, inopina, cade perempius

Terra imbuifi fanguinej
Henrici deinceps, feclans vejligia patris

Francifciis inftUx piier,
Clamantem Chrijhan furda dum negligit aure,

Aure putrefifla corruit.
Verfiiti. fatiii, furdt, hac fpeElaciila, reges,

Vos fapere vel inorijubent.

Fvlloii'S a Scottifh tranfation of the above.

King Charles that tyrant terrible

Witbftanding Chrill with wit and craft,
As mocking flock mofl miferable,

Endlt at anes ragine and daft.
Then Henry through evil company,

Thirtllng the blood of godly men,
With his own blood ftied fuddenly.

Was made to wait the end ye ken.
Lefl: Francis, that unhappy child,

His fa'her's footfleps following plaio.
To Chrii^ crying, deaf ears did yield,

A rortea ear than was his baine.
O craft}', deaf, and foolifli kings,

Thefe fearful judgments gone before yon
sBiddeth you be wifer in your reigns.

Or fhamcf ul death foall foon devour you.

The death of this king made great akeratlon In
Trance, England and Scotland : France v/as erect-
ed in foine efjDtrance, that the tyranny of the
Gufians fiio. Id no longer reign above them, bccaufe
God at unawares had broken the ftafF whereupon
they leaned, but alas, they were deceived, for the
fimplicity of fome was fo abufed, that, againft the
laws of the realm, to the queen mother was com-
mitted the government, which lifted up as well
the duke of Guif.-, as the cruel cardinal for a fea-
fon.

The queen of England, and the council, remit-
ted our ambafTadors ^v\A- i^afwer, Thatlhe would
not marry haftily, and therelore, willed the coim-

255

cil of Scotland, and the earl of Arran fc^efaid,
not to depend upon any hope thereof. What mo-
tives llie had, we omit.

The pride of the papifts of Scotland began t»
be abated, and fome that ever had fhewn ihem-
felves enemies unto us, began to think, and plain-
ly to fpeak, (amongH whom the old {lieriff of Air
was one.) That they perceived God to fight for
us. The earl of Arran having fuftered repulfe la
his defign to marry the queen of England, he be-
gan to fancy unto himfelf, that the queen of Scot-
land bare unto him fome favour ; and fo he wrote
unto her, and lent for credit a ring, which the fald
queen our fovereign knev/ well enough. The
letter and rirjg were both prefented to the queen,
and by her received ; fuch anfwer was returned t«
the faid earl, after the which he made no further
purfult in that matter; and yet neverthelefs he did
bear It heavily In heart, and more heavily than his
friends would have wlilied; for grief he was trou-
bled In his underftandlng.

Thecertalnty of the death forefald was fignified
unto us, both by fca and land. By fea received
John Knox (who then had great Intelligence, both
with the churches abroad, and fome of the court
of France) that the king was mortally lick, and
could not well efcape death. Which letters re-
cleved, that fame day at afternoon he palTed to the
duke, to his own lodging at the church of Field,
with whom he found the lordJatr.es In conference
alone : the earl of Arran was in Jedburgh, to
whom he opened fuch news as he had received,
and willed them to be of good comfort ; for, faid
he, the advertifer hath never deceived me; it is
the fame gentleman that firfl gave us knowlege of
the flaughter of Henry king of France, and (hew-
ed unto them the letter, but would not exprefs the
man's name. While they were reafoning in divers-
purpofes, and he comforting them; for while, we
fay, they three were familiarly communing toge-
ther, there came a meffenger from the lord Gray
forth of Berwick, afTuring him of the death of
the king of France. Which noifed abroad, a ge-
neral convention of the nobility was appointed t9
be holden at Edinburgh the 1 5th day of January
following, in the which the book of difclpllne was
perulcd newly over again ; for fome pretended Ig-
norance, by reafbn that they had not heard it.

In that affembly was Mr. Alexander Anderfoa
fub-principal, and under-mafter of one of the
fchools of Aberdeen, a man m.ore fubtile andcraft)^
than either learned or godly, called; who refufed
to difpute anent his faith, abufing a place of Ter-
G g 2 tulib.n

236

The H. I S T 0 R Y 0 p the R E F 0 R TvI A T I G N

Book lib

tulliaa to cloak his ignorance. It was anfwered
unto him, That Tertullian flipuld not pre-judge
the authority of the Holy GhoU:, who by the
mouth of Peter comrnandeth us to give reafon of
©ur faith to every one that requireth the fame of us :
it was farther anfwerd. That we neither required
him, neither yet any man, to difpute in any point
concerning our faith, which was grounded upon
God's word, and fully expreffed in his holy fcrip-
tures ; for all"that we believed without controver-
sy : yet we required of him, as of the reft: of the
pa pi As, that they would fufPer their do^Strine, con-
ilitutions and ceremonies to come to trial ; and
principally, that the mafs, and the opinion thereof
by them taught unto the people, might be laid to
the fquare-rule of God's word, and unto the right
inftltution of Jefus Chrift, that they might under-
hand whether that the preachers offended or not,
in that they affirmed. The affion of the m.afs to
be exprcfly repugning unto the lafr fupper of the
Lord Jefus ; the layer of it to commit horrible blaf-
phemy, in ufurping upon him the office of Chrifl;
the hearers to commit damnable idolatry, and the
opinion of it conceived to be a derogation, and as-
it were a difannulling of Chrifl's death. While
the faid Mr. Alexander denied, that the priefl took
upon him Chrift'a office, to offcT for iin, as he
alledged ; a mafs-book was produced, and in the
beginning of the canon were there words read,
i'h.ifcipe SanSJa Trinitas, hanc ohlationeni quam ego
indigmts peccator offcro tihi vivo Deo 6" vero, pro
peccatis meis, pro peccatis totiiis Eeckfia vlvorum
<fy morttioriim, i. e. Holy Trinity, accept this of •
I'ering, which I, unworthy fmner, offer to thee,
the living and true God, for my fms, for the fins
©f the whole church of the quick and the dead.

Now, faid the reafoner, If to offer for the fins
•f the whole church, was not the office of Chrifir
Jefus, yea, that office that to him only might,
'and mny appertain, let the fcripture judge: and,
jf a vile knave, whom ye call prieft, proudly ta-
Iceth the fame upon him, let your own books wit-
Mefs. The faid Mr. Alexander anfwered, Chrift'
•fFered the propitiatory, and that could none do
feuthe; but we offer the remembrance. Where-
to it was anfwered. We praifc God that ye have
«lenied a facrifice propitiatory to be in the mafs ;
and yet we offer to prove, that in more than an
hundred places of your papiflcal do(5Vors this pro-
pofition is affirmed, ' The mafs is faid to be a fa-
* crafice propitiatory.' But the fecond part, where
ye alledge that ye offer Chrift in remembrance;
we a>%; iirft; Uftto whom do ye offer him ? and

next, Fy what authority are ye affurcd of well-
doing ? In God the Father there falleth no oblivi-
on : and, if ye will (hift and fay, that ye offer it
not, as God were forgetful, but as willing to ap-
ply Chrift's m.erits to his church % we demand of
you. What power and commandment have yc fo
to do ? We know that our Mafter Chrift Jefus
commanded his apoftles to do that, which he di^V
' in remem.brance of him ;.' but plain it is, ' That

* Chrift took bread, gave thanks, brake bread, and

* gave it to his difciplcs, faying. Take ye^ eat ye,

* this is my body which is broken for you, do this

* in remembrance of m.e, i^jc.' Here we find a
comm.andment, to take, to eat, to take and to
drink; but to offer Chrift's body, either for re-
membrance or application, we find not : and there-
fore, we fay. To take upon you an office which
is not given unto you, is unjuft ufurp;ition, and
no lawful power. The laid Mr. Alexander being;
more than aftoniffied, would have fliifted; but theiv
the lords willed him to anfwer direftly. Whereto-
he anf\vered. That he was. better feen in phllofo-
phy, than in theology.

Then was commanded Mr. John Lefly (who
then was parfon of Une, and now abbot of Lon-
dors, and after was made bifnop of Rofs) to an-
fwer to the foimer argument ; and he, with great
gravity, began to anfwer, ' If our m.ailer have
' nothing to fay to it, I have nothing ; for I know
' nothing but the canon law ; and the greateft reafoft
' that ever I could find there, is, nohtmus and vo-

* /iimiis.' And yet w-e underftand, that now he iss
the only patron of the mafs: but it is no marvel,
fcr we underftand that he is a pri'eft's get and ba-
itard ; and therefore we ffiould not wonder, albeit-
that the old truan verfe be true, patrem fcqiiitw'

fiia proles. The nobUity hearing that neither the
one nor the other would anfwer diredly, faid,.

* We have been miferably deceived heretofore ; for-

* if the mafs may not obtain remiffion of fins to

* the quick and to the dead, wherefore were all,
' the abbeys fo richly doted and endowed with our

* temporal lands ?'

Thus much we thought good to infert here,,
becaufe that fome papifts are not alhamed now ta
affirm, that they with their reafons could never,
be heard, but that all we did, we did by mxere
force; when that the v/hole realm knoweth, that
we ever required them to fpeak their judgmente
freely, not only promifing unto them protetffioa
and defence, but alfo, that we fliould fubfcribc
with them, if they by God's fcriptures could con-
fate us, and by the fame word eftablifh their af-

fertionB.-

EookTII. op R E L I G I O

fertions : ' But who can correct the leafings of

* fuch, as in all things Ihew themfelves the Tons of

* ths fother of all lies ? preferve us, Lord, from

* that perverfc and malicious generation. Amen.'

At this fame affembly was the lord James ap-
pointed to go to France- to the queen our fovereign,
and a parliament was appointed to begin the 20th
of May next following; for at that time was the
return of the faid lord James looked for, and fo
was that convention diJoived, without any other
thing of importance concluded. The faid lord
James prepared him for his journey; (for albeit
he pad in the public aiiairs, he fuftained the charge
of his own expences, and yet there never paft from
this realm in the company of one man fo many,
and fo honeft thorow England to France.) Before
he departed, he was forewarned, as well of the
danger in France, as of the queen's craft, (not that
tvc then fufpedfed her nature, but that we under-
flood the malice of her friends) he was plainly pre-
moniiaed, that if ever he condefcended that flie
fhould.have mafs publicly or privately within the
realm of Scotland, that then betrayed he the caufe
of God, and expofed the religion even to the ut-
termoft danger that he could do. That Ihe
{hould have mafs publicly, he affirmed that he
would never confent ; but to have it fecretly in her
chamber, who could flop her? the danger was
fhewn, and fo he departed.

The form and Order of the Ek5lion of the Superinten-
dent, and all other Minijiers, at Edinburgh^
■I\farch 9, 15 60, John Knox l^eing then Preacher.

First was made a fermon, in which thefe heads
were handled: Firjl, The neceffity of miniftcrs
and fuperintendents, or overfeers. The Second,
The crimes and vices that might unable them of
the miniftry. Thirdly, The virtues required in
them. Fourthly, and laftly, whether fuch as by
public confent of the church were called to fuch of-
fice, might refufe the fame.

The fermon finifhed, it was declared by the
feme miniffer, maker thereof, that the lords of
the fecret council had given charge and power to
the churches of Lothian, to chufe Mr. John Spotif-
wood fuperintendent, or overfeer ; and that fuffici-
•nt warning was m.ade by public edift to the
churches of Edinburgh, Linlithgow, Stirling,
Tranent, Hadingtoun, and Dumbar; as alfo, tc^
the earls, lords, barons, gentlemen and others, that
have or might claim to have vote in tlie eleftion,
tQ be prefent that day, and that fame hour. And

N IN SCOTLAND. 2^7

therefore enquiry was made who v/ere prefent,
and who were abfent. After was called the faid
John, who anfwering, the mlnifler demanded, if
any man knew any crime or offence to the faid Mr.
John, that might unable him to be called to that
office ? and that he demanded thrice. Secondly,
Queflion was moved fo the whole multitude, if
there was any other whom they would put in elec-
tion with the faid Mr. John ? the people were a.(k-
ed, if they would have the faid Mr. John fuperin-
tendent or overfeer ? if they would honour and o-
bey him as ChrifVs minifler, and comfort and af-
iiff him in every thing pertaining to his charge ?
They anfwered,

Wevvill,and do promife unto him fuch obedience
as becometh fheep to give unto their pallor, fo
long as he remaineth faithful in his office.

The anfwers of the people, and their confenr
received, the queftions were proponed to him that
was to be elefted.

^lefiion. Seeing that ye hear the third and de-
fire of this people, do ye not think 3'ourfelf bound
in confcience before God to fupport them that fo
earneflly call for your comfort, and for the fruit
of your labours ?

Anfdjer, If any thing were in me able to fatisfy
their denre, I acknowledge myfelf bound to obev
God calling by them.

^tejl. Do ye feek to be promoted to this office-
and charge, for any refpeft of worldly commoditv,.
riches or glory ?

Jnf God knoweth the contrary.

^tejl. Believe ye not, that the do«5f:rine of the
prophets and apoflles contained in the bocks of
the old and new teftaments, are the only true and
mofl abfolute foundation of the univerfal church
of Chrift Jefus, infomuch that in the fame fcrip-
tures are contained all things necefTary to be belie-
ved for the falvation of mankind ?

Jnf. I verily believe the fame, and do abhor
and utterly refufe all doclr in call edged neceifary to
falvation, that is not exprefly contained in the fame.

^leji. Is not Chrifl Jefus Man of man, accord-
ing to the flefh, to luit, the fon of David, the
feed of Abraham, conceived by the Holy Ghoff,,
born of the virgin his mother, and that he is ths
only Head and Mediator of his church }

Anf He is, and without him there is neithijr
falvation to man, nor life to angel.

^iefl. Is not the fame 'Lord Jefus the only true
God, the eternal Son of the eternal Father, in
whom all that fliall be faved were eleded before
the foundation of the world was laii i

" ^ ^' . ' M'

238

The history of tite REFORMATION

Book ns[\

Jnf. I coTifefs and acknowkge him in the unity
<9f his Godheadjto be God above all thingSjblelTed
for ever.

^ejl. Shall not they whom God In his eternal
counfel hath elefted, be called to the knowlege of
his Son our Lord Jefus Chriit ? and, fhall not
they who of purpofe are called in this life, be jufli-
^eA, and jullification and free reraiffion of fins is
©btained in this life by free grace ? Shall not the
glory of the fons of God follow in the general
refurreftion, when the Son of God fliali appear
in his glorious majefly ?

Jnf. This I acknowlege to be the doflrine of
the apoflles, and the moA fmgular comfort of God's
children,

^ueji. Will ye not then contain yourfelf in all
doftrine within the bounds of this foundation ?
Will ye not ftudy to promote the fame, as well by
your life, as by your doftrine ? Will ye not, ac-
cording to the graces and utterance that God /hall
grant unto you, profefs, inftrudl, and maintain
the purity of the dodlrine contained in the lacred
word of God? And, to the uttermoft of your
power, will ye not gain-fland and convince the
gain-fayers and teachers of mens inventions?

Jnf. That do I promife, in the prefence of
God, and of his congregation here alTembled.

^lefi. Know ye not that the excellency of this
office, to the which God hath called you, requir-
eth that your converfation and behaviour be fuch,
as that ye may be irreprehenfible, yea, even in the
eyes of the ungodly ?

Jrf. I unfcignedly acknowlege, and humbly
defire tl:e church of God to pray with me that my
life be not flanderous to the glorious gofpel of
Chriil Jefus.

^.ic/l. Becaufe you are a man compaiTed with
infirmities, will you not charitably and with low-
iinefs of fpirit receive admonition of your brethren ?
and if ye Iball happen to Hide or offend in any
point, will ye not be fubjeft to the dilcipline of
the church, as the refl of your brethren ?
The anfiver of thcfiiperintendmt, or mimfler to be
ele^cd.

I acknowlege myfelf a man fubjeft to infirmity,
and one that hath need of coiTec1:ion and admoniti-
on ; and therefore I moft willingly fubjeft myfelf
to the wholefom difcipline of the church, yea,
to the difcipline of the fame church by which I am
now called to this office and charge ; and here in
Cod's prefence and yours, do promife obedience to
all admonitions, fecretly or publicly given ; unto
whichjif I be found inobedicnt,! confefs myfelf moft
'iyorthy to be reje<ftcd, not only from this honour,

but alfo from the fociety of the faithful, in cafe
of my ftubbornefs. For the vocation of God t*
bear charge within his church, maketh not mea
tyrants, nor lords, but appointeth tliem fervants,
watchmen, and paftors to the flock.

Thus ended, quefiion muft be afked again of the.
multitude.

^tefl. Require you any further of this yoar
fuperintendent, or overfcer and minifrer ?

If no man anfwer let the minifter proceed.

^ef}. Will ye not acknowlege this your bro-
ther for the minifler of Chrifi: Jefus, your over-
feer and pallor ? Will ye not reverence the word
of God that proceedeth from his mouth ? Will ya
not receive of him the fermon of exhortation with
patience ; not refufmg the wholefom medicine of
your fouls, although it be bitter and unpleafmg to
the flelh ? Will ye not finally maintain and com-
fort him in his miniftry and watching over you, '
againft all fuch as wickedly would rebel againll
God and his holy ordinance ?

The people anfwsred, We will, as we will an-
fwer to the Lord Jefus, who hath commanded his
miniflers to be had in reverence, as his ambaffa-
dors, and as men that carefully watch for the fal-
vation of our fouls.

Let the Nobility he urged ivith this.

Ye have heard the duty and profeffion of this
our brother, by your confents appointed to this
charge ; as alfo, the duty and obedience which
God requireth of us towards him liere in his mi-
niftry: but, becaufe that neither of both are able
to perform any thing, without the efpecial grace
of our God in Chrift Jefus, who hath promifed
to be with us prefent, even to the confummatioa
of the world; with unfeigned hearts let us ciavc
of him his benediction and affiftance in this work
begun, to his glory, and for the comfort of his
church.

The P R A Y E R.

* O Lor.D, to whom all power is given in hea-
ven and on earth, thou art the Eternal Son of the
Eternal Father,who haft not only loved thy church,
but, for the redemption and purgation of the fame,
haft humbled thyfelf to the ignominious death of
the crofs, and thereupon haft fhed thy moft preci-
ous and innocent blood, to prepare to thyfelf a
fpoufe without fpot ; but alfo to retain this moft
excellent benefit in recent memory, haft appointed
in thy church teachers, paftors, and apoftles, to
inftrucl, comfort, and admonifti the fame : Look:
upon us m-ercifuUy, O Lord, thou that only art

Kins

Book III.

f>F jRELIOlON IN SCOTLAND.

King, Teacher, and High Priefl to thine own flock ;
and fend unto this our brother, whom in thy name
xvc have charged with the chief care of thy church
within the bounds of L. fuch portion of thy holy
Spirit, as thereby he may rightly divide thy word,
to the inflruftion of thy flock, and to the confu-
tation of pernicious errors and damnable fuperfti-
tions. Give unto him, good Lord, a mouth and
vrifdom, whereby the enemies of thy truth may be
eonfounded, the wolves expelled and driven from
thy fold, that thy fheep may be fed in the whoiefom
ipafl:ures of thy mofl: holy word, the blind and ig-
norant may be illuminated with thy true know-
lege; finally, that the dregs of fuperftition and
idolatry, which now rell within this realm, being
purged and removed, v/e mc.y all, not only have
occafion to glorify thee our only Lord and Saviour,
but alfo daily to grow in godiinefs and obedience
of thy moil holy will, to the deflru(51ion of the
body of fin, and to the reflitution of that image,
to the which we v/eic once created, and to the
Nvhich, after our fall and defection, we are renew-
ed by participation of thy holy Spirit, which by
true faith in thee we do profefs, as the blefled of
thy Father, of whom the perpetual increaie of thy
graces we crave, as by thee our Lord, King, and
only Bifliop we are taught to pray. Our Father,

The prayer ended, the reft of the miniflers, if
any be, and elders of that church prefent, in fign
of their conient, fiiall take the elefted by the
hand. The chief minifler ihall give the benedifti-
on, as followeth :

God, the Father of our Lord Jefus Chrifl, who
hath commanded his gofpel to be preached, to the
comfort of his ele<ft, and hath called thee to the
•cflice of a watchman over his people, multiply his
graces with thee, illuminate thee with his holy
Spirit; comfort and flrengthen thee in all virtue ;
govern and guide thy miniflry, to the praife of his
holy name, to the propagation of Chrift's king-
dom, to the comfort of his church, and finally, to
the plain, difcharge and alFurance of thine
own confcience in the day of the Lord Jefus ; to
Avhom, with the Father, and v/ith the HolyGhofl,
be all honour, praife and glory, now and ever.
So be it.

The Iq/i Exhortation to the eleEled.

Take heed to thyfelf, and unto the flock corn-
tutted to thy charge ; feed the fame carefully, not

■^^9

as it were by compulfion, but of very love which,
thou beareft to the Lord Jefus. Wallc in fimplicity
and purenefs of life, as it bccometh the true fer-
vant and ambaffadorof the Lord Jefus. Ufurpnot
dominion nor tyrannical authority over thy bre-
thren ; be not difcouraged in adverfity, but lav
before thyfelf the example of the prophets, apoflleJ,
and of the Lord Jefus, who in their miniflry fu-
flained contradidlion, contempt, perfecution and
death : fear not to rebuke the world of fm, juflice,
and judgment. If any thing fucceed profperoufly
in thy vocation, be not puft up with pride, neither
yet flatter thyfelf, as thaf the goo^ fucceis proceed-
eth from thy virtue, induflry or «arc; but let ever
that fentence of the apoftle remain in tkine heart,

* What hafl thou which thou haft not received >

* If thou hafl: received, why gloriefl thou >.' Com-
fort the aiflidled, fupport the poor, and exhort
others to fupport them. Be not careful for things
of this life, but be fervent in prayer to God for
theincreafe of his holy Spirit; and finally, behave
thyfelf in this holy vocation, with fuch fobriety,
as God may be glorified in thy miniflry ; and f^
flialt thou fliortly obtain the vicfory, and fhalt re-
ceive the a-own promifed, when the Lord Jefus
fliall appear in his glory, whofe omnipotent Spirit
aflifl thee and us to the end.

Then fmg the xxiii. Pfalin»

The order of the cleUloyi of eJders and deacons in
the privy kirk of Edinburgh, in the beginning,
when as yei their luas no public face of a church,
nor open ajfcmblies, but fecret and private con-
ventions in houfes, or in the fields.

Before that there was any public face of a
true religion within this realm, it pleafed God of
his great mercy, to illuminate the Ijearts of many
private perfons, fo that they did perceive and un-
derftand the abufes that were in the papiflical
church, and thereupon withdrew themfelves from
participation of their idolatry. And becaufe the
Spa it of God will never fufFer his own to be idle
and void of all religion, men began to exercife
themfelves in reading of the feriptures fecretly
within their own houfes ; and variety of perfons.
could not be kept in good obedience and honeft
fame, without overfeers, elders and deacons : and
fo began that fmall flock to put themfelves in fuch
order,_asif ChrlftJefjs had plainly triumphed in
the midft of them, by the power of his gofpel.
And they dlj deft fome to occupy the fupreme place

of

24®

The HiSTORt of ths REFOIlMAg?ION Book III.

^■of exhortation and reading, fome to be elders and
helpers unto them, for the overfeeingof the flock:
and fome to be deacons for the colltrtion of alms
to be dilfributed to the poor of their own body.
Of this linali beginning is that order, which now
God of his great mercy has given unto us publicly
"ivithin this realm. Of the principles of them tliat
were known to be men of good converfation and
honeft fame in the private church, were chofen
elders and deacons, to rule with the minifter in the
public church : which burden they patiently fuftain-
od a year and more. And then becaufe they could
Hot (without neg^fting o^ their own private houfes)
longer wait upor|,*p.:blic charge; they defired that
they might be relieved, and that others might be
burdened in their room : which was thought a pe-
tition leafonable of the whole church. And there-
fore it was granted unto them, that they fhould
nominate and give up in ele<5lion fuch perfonages
as they in their confciences thought moft apt and
able to ferve in that charge ; providing that they
ibould nominate double m.ore perfons than were
fufficient to ferve in that charge, to the end, that
the whole congregation might have their free vote
in that eledlion. And this order has been ever ob-
jerved fuice that time in the church of Ediaburgh,
that is, That the old feffion, before their depar-
ture, nominate 24 in eleclion for elders, of whom
I 2 are to be chofen ; and 3 2 for deacons,of whom
1 6 are to be elected : which perfons are publicly
proclaimed in the audience of the whole church,
upon the Sunday beforenoon, after fermon ; with
admonition to the church, that if any man know
any notorious crime or caufe, that might unable
any of thefe perfons to enter in fuch vocation, that
they fhould notify the fam.e unto the feffion the
next Thurfday : or, if any know any perfons more
able for that charge, they fliould notify the fame
unto the feffion, to the end, that no man, cither
prefent or abfent, (being one of the church) fliould
complain that he was fpoiled of his uberty in elec-
ti3n. The Sunday following, beforenoon, in the
end of the fermon, the whole communicants are
commanded to be prefent afternoon, to give their
votes as they will anfwer before God, to fuch as
they efteem moft able to hear the charge of the
church with the minifters. The votes of all be-
ing received, the fcroles of all are delivered to any
of the miniflers, who keeps the fam.e fecret from
the fight of all men till the next Thurfday ; and
then in the feffion he produces them that the votes
may be counted, where the greateft number of
.I'otes, withaut refpcft of perfons, have the firft

place in the elderfl^ip, and fb proceeding till the
number of 1 2 be com pleat ; fo that if a poor man.
exceed the rich man in votes, he preceeds him 'm
place-, and it is called the firfl, fecond, and third
elder, even as the votes anfwer. And this fame
is obferved in the eleftion of deacons.

The Friday after that judgment is taken, what
perfons are elected for elders and deacons to ferve.
for that year; the minifler after his fermon reads;
the fame names publicly, and gives commandment
openly, that fuch perfons be prefent the next Sun-
day at fermon beforenoon, in the place to be ap-
pointed for them to accept that charge, that God,
by plurality of votes had laid upon them. Who
being conveened, the minifler after fermon reads
the names publicly, the abfent (if any be) are noted,
and thefe who are prefent are admoniflied to con-
fider the dignity of that vocation, whereunto God
has called them : the duty that they owe to the
people : the danger that lyes upon them, if they
be found negligent in their vocation. And, finally,
the duty of the people towards the perfons eledted.
Which being done, this prayer is read.

The Prayer in the Elcclion of the Elders.

O Eternal and evcrlafling God, Father of
our Lord Jefus Chrift, who of thy infinite good-
nefs and mercy, has chofen to thyfelf a church of
the loll feed of Adam, which thou hafV ever ruled
by the infpiration of thy Holy Spirit ; and yet not
the lefs, hafl always vifited the miniflry of men, as
well in preaching of thy word, and adminiflratioa
of thy facraments, as In guiding of thy flock, and
providing for the poor within the fame, as in the
law, prophets, and in thy glorious gofpel we have
witneffes : which order, O Lord, thou cf thy mer-
cy has now reflored unto us again, after that the
public face of the church has been deform-ed by
the tyranny of that Roman Antichrifl. Grant un-
to us, O heavenly Father, hearts thankful for the
benefits which we have received, and give unto
thefe our brethren, eleft ed unto thefe charges within
thy church, fuch abundance of thy ¥lo\y Spirit,
that they may be found vigilant and faithful in that
vocation, whereunto thou of thy mercy haff calkd
them. And albeit, O Lord, thefe fmall beginnings,
are contemned of the proud world, yet, O Lord^
do thou for thy own mtrcies fake, blefs the fame
in fuch fort that thy godly name may be glorified,
fuperffition and idolatry may be rooted out, aid
virtue may be planted, not only in this generation,
but alfo iii the pofltrity to come. Amen. Grant

usr

Book III.

oi; RELIGION in SCOTLAND.

24J

MS this merciful Father, for Chrifl: Jefus, thy Son's
Uke, in whofe name we call unto thee, as he has
fjiDght us, faying, Our Father, ^c.

And fo after the rehearfal of the belief, after the
^Vich Ihall be fung this portion of the ciii. Pfalm,
ver. {9. ' The heavens high are,' and fo forth to
the end of that pialm. After the which fiiall this
fiyjrt admonition be given to the elected.

Magnify God, who has of his mercy called you
to rule within his church : Be thankful in your
vocation : fnew yourfelves zealous to promote ve-
rity, fear not the faces of the wicked, but rebuke
their wickednefs: be merciful to the poor, and
fapport them to the uttermofl of your power : and
fo Ihall ye receive the benediftion of God, prefent
and everlafling. God five the king's majefly, and
give unto him the fpirit of fandtification in his
.young age: blefs his regent, and fuch as affifthim
in upright counfel, and either fruitfully convert,
♦r fuddenly confound the enemies of true religion,
and of this afflidfed common-wealth. Amen.

As the fervants of God uprightly travailed to
Jiave vice puniOied, and virtue planted ; fo did the
devil ever flir up fome in the contrary of both.
There was a law made againft fornicators and a-
dulterers, that the one and the other fhould be
carted thorow the towns, and fo banithcd, till
that their repentance was offered and received;
and, albeit this was not the feverity of God's law,
efpecially againft adulterers, yet was it a great
bridle to the malefactors, v/hereat the wicked did
wondroufly florm. It chanced, that one Sander-
•fon, a fleiher or butcher, was deprehended to
■kave put away his lawful wife, (under colour that
he was lav/fully parted, after the manner of the
papiftical religion) and had taken to him another
,in his houfe. The o:>mplaint and flander propof-
«i to the church, and trial taken, that he was not
married with the fecond woman, ntitker that he
"was able to prove, that he was divorced by any
.'©rder of the law from the firfl: ; he was commit-
•ted to the hands of the magiff rates, who according
to the laws commanded him to be carted. But
-the rafcal multitude, enflamed by fome ungodly
jcraftfmen, made infurreftion, brake the cart,
beaded and threatned the officers, and took away
the malefa6tor : this was the beginning of farther
evils, as we fhall after hear.
• , In this mean time, while lord James, we fay,
Jt^as in France, there came an ambafHtdor from
•France, fuborned, no doubt, witii all craft that

might, trouble the flate of religion. His demands'
were, Jif^f, That the league betwixt us and Eng'
land Ihould be broken. Secondly, That the an-
cient league betwixt France and Scotland fnould
be renewed. Thirdly, And that the bid^ops and
churchmen fhould be reffored in their former places,
and be fufFered to intromit with their living?.
The council delayed anfwer, until the parliament
appointed in May. In the mean time the papifb
of Scotland pracffifed with him. The earls of
Huntly, Athol, Bothwel, and others, intended
to have taken Edinburgh before the faid parli^.-
ment. The whole bilhops alTembled, and held
council in Stirling, Some whifpering there was,
that the dnkc and the bifliop of St. Andrews v/ere
too familiar ; and fome feared, that the authority
of the queen fhould have been ufurped, by reafoa
of her abfence, and- that the duke was the feconi
perfon ; for thereat had fome of his prefled im-
mediately after the death of the kirg of France.
The proteffants thereof advertifed, prevented them,
and came to Edinburgh. The earl of x-^rran flood
conftant with his brethren; there were fome that
carefully and painfully travailed, that nothing pre-
judicial to the quesn's authority Hiould be done in
the abfence o*" the lord James, to whom the queen
hath rccompenfed evil for good fervice. Mr. Jam.es
Macgill in that point did both floutly and truly;
for John Knox and he were then fallen in fam.ili-
arity, in which they yet continue, 06tober 20.
1567, by reafon that the f;ud Mr. James had em-
braced the religion, and profefTed it publicly.

The papiffs and bilhops, difippointed of their
principal enterprife, did yet make broil for trouble :
for the rafcal multitude were ffirred up to make a
Robin-Hood, which enormity was of many years
left off, and condemned by flatute and aft of par-
liament; yet would they not be forbidden, but
would difobey and trouble the town, efpecially u-
pon the night : whereat the baillies offended, took
from them fomefwords and an enfign ; which was
occaflon that they that fame night made a mutiny,
kept the gates of the town, and intended to have
purfued fome men within their own houfes ; but
that, upon the reflitution of their fwords and en-
fign, was flayed : and yet they ceafed not to mo-
leff, as well the inhabitants of Edinburgh, as di-
verfe countrymen, taking from them money, and
threatning fome with farther injuries: wherewith
the magiflrates of the tov/n highly offended, took
more diligent heed to fuch as reforted to the town,
and fo apprehended one of the principal of that
diforder, named Baion, a fhoe- maker, whom they
U h pat

The history ©fthe REPOP.MATION

■HZ

put to an adizes; and being convinced, (he could
not be abfolved, for he was the chief man that
fpoilcd John Moubray of ten crov/ns of the fun)
they thought to have executed judgment upon
him, and fo erefted a gibbet beneath the crofs.
(Whether it came by paftion with the provofl, and
iome other, -or by infligation of the craftfmen, who
ever have been bent too much to maintain fuch
I'anity and riotoufnefs, we fully know not) but
fuddently there did arife a tumult, the toibooth
was broken up, and not only the fiiid Balon, who
before was condemned, was violently taken forth ;
but alfo all other malefaftors were fet at freedom ;
the gibbet was pulled down, and defpitefully
broken. And thereafter, as the provoff, and fome
of the council, afTembled to the clerk's chamber
fov confultation, the whole rafcal banded together,
■with fome known and honed cratfmen, and intend-
ed invafion on the faid chamber ; which perceived,
the provofl;, and fuch as were in his company,
part to the toibooth, fufpe<51 ing nothing that they
would have been fo inraged, to make new purfuit,
after that they had obtained their intent : but they
were fuddently deceived ; for from the caflle-hill
they came with violence, and with flones, guns,
and fuch other weapons as they had, and began
to aiTauIt the faid toibooth, ran at the door of it,
Kill that paitly by ffones call from above, and
jpartly by a piifol fhot by Robert Norwell, which
Jkurt one Tweedie, they were repulfed from the
^oor ; but yet ceafed they not' to caft and fhoot in
at the windows, threatening death to all that were
therein : and in very deed, the malice of the craftf-
men, who were fufpedled to be the occafion of
that tumult, bare no good-will to diverfe of thofe
that were with the provoft.

The arguments- that the craftfmen were the
•aufes of that uprore, befides their firft diforder
that they had ufed before, in taking Sanderfon
from the execution of punifhment, are two. The
former, Archibald Dewar, Patrick Shangzie, with
other fix deacons, came to John Knox, and will-
ad him to folicite the provoft and the town to de-
h,Y the execution. Who did anfwer, that he had
fb oft folicited in their favours, that his own con-
fcience accufed him, that they ufed his labours
tbr no other end, but to be a patron to their im-
piety ; for he had before made interceffion for
William Harlaw, John FrifTel, and others that
Ssverc convinced of the former tumult. They
proudly faid, that if it was not flayed, both he
and thebaillies fhould repent it. Who anfwered,
|\6 would Bot hvirt his coafdence for the fear of

Book Ifl.

any man ; and fo they departed, and the tumult,
as is fiiid, immediately thereafter did arife. The
fecond argument is, the tumult continued from
two at afternoon, till after eight at night. The
craftfmen were required to alfemble themfelves to-
gether for deliverance of the provofl ; but they paft
to their four- hours penny, or afternoon's pint,
and, in their jelling, faid, ' They will be magi-

* flrates alone, let them rule the multitude alone.'
And fo, contrary to the oath which they had made,
they denied their affillance, counfel, and comfort
to the provofl and baillies; which are argumentv:
very probable, that the faid tumult rofe by their
procurement. The end thereof was, that the
provofl and baillies were compelled to give their
hand-writs, that they fliould never purine any of
thofe that were of that tumult, for any crime that
was done in that behalf; and this was proclaimed
at the crofs, after nine of the clock at night, and
fo was that trouble quieted : but the nobility vow-
ed, that they would not fpare it, nor forget it ;
and fo a great number of that faflion were abfent
from the town, till the arrival of the queen. The
whole multitude were holden excommunicate, and
were admitted to no participation of the facraments,
until fuch time as they fatisfied the magiflrate^,
and made humble fuit unto the church.

Of the death of the queen regent, we hare
heard before fpoken; but of her burial was no-
thing heard. And it may appear, that fuch mat*
ters are unworthy of remembrance ; and if all
things fhould be rightly weighed, we fhall perceive
God's jufl judgments, how fecret foevcr that they
be. Before, we heard the barbarous inhumanity
that was ufed at Leith by the French, who expo-
fed the naked carcafes of the flain, as it -were in
a fpedlacle, defpiting God. We have heard that
the queen regent rejoiced at the fight, but her joy
was fuddenly turned into forrow, as we have heard.
Thequeflion was moved of her burial: the preach-
ers boldly gainflood, * That any fuperflitious rites

* fhould be ufed within that realm, which God of
' his mercy began to repugn ;' and fo conclufio*
was taken, that her burial fhould be deferred til
farther adrertifement ; and fo was fhe wrapped ia
a coffin of lead, and kept in the caflle, from
the 9th of June, until the 19th of October,
when fhe by pynours was carried to a fhip,
and fo carried to France : what pomp was ufed
there, we neither heard, nor yet regard ; but
in it we fee, that fhe, that delighted that others
lay without burial, got it neither fo foon as fhe
herfelf (if fhe had beea of the egyacU in her life)

would

OF RELICION IN SCOTLAND.

Book II!.

"would have required it ; neither yet fo honourable
tn this realm, as fometimes ftie looked for. * As
* men do, fb they receive.'

The papifts, a little before the parliament, re-
ported in divers bands to the town, and began to
brag, as that they would have defaced the prote-
ftants ; which thing perceived, the brethren aflem-
bled, and went in f uch companies, and yet in peace-
able manner, that the billiops and their bands for-
fook the cawfey or flreet. The brethren under-
ilanding what the papifts meai:it, conreened m
council, in the tolbooth of Edinburgh, the ayth
day of May, the year of God 1561 ; and, after
oonfultation, concluded. That an humble fuppli-
oation flaould be prefented unto the lords of the
fecret council, and unto the whole aflembly that
then "was conveened ; in the which fhould thefe fub-
iequent heads be required, and a law to pafs there-
wpon:

1 . That idolatry, and all monuments thereof,
fliould be fuppreffed throughout the whole realm :
that the layers, hearers, maintainers, and haunt-
ers of the mafs, fhould be punirtied according to
the adl of parliament, as faid is.

2. That fpecial and certain provifion be made
for the maintenance of the fuperintendents, mini-
fters, exhorters, and readers : that fuperintendents
and miniflers (hould be planted where none "vi^ere :
that punifhment fhould be appointed for fuch as
difobeyed, or contemned the luperintendents in
their funftion.

3 . That punifhment may be appointed for the
abufers of the facraments, and for the contemners
of the lame.

4. That no letters of the feiTion, or warrant
fi"om the judge, be given to anfwer, or pay to any
perlbn of their tenths, without efpecial provifion
that the parifhoners retain fo much in their own
hands, as is appointed for the maintenance of the
miniftry ; and that all fuch as are elfe given, be
•ailed in and difcharged ; and likewife, that no
iheriffs give precepts to that effedf .

5. That neither the lords of leilion, nor any
•ther judges, proceed upon fuch precepts or warn-
kigs pafl at the injftance of them, that of late have
•btaihed feus of vicarages, and parfons manles,
and church-yards ; and that fix acres (if fo much
there be of the glebe) be always referved to the
minifter, according to the appointment of the book
of difcipline.

6. That no letters of feffion, nor other warrants,
lake place while the ftipends contained in the book
of difcipline, for maintenance of the miniflers, be

^43

firft configned in the hands, at the leaft of the prlUr
eipals of the pariflioners.

7. That punifliment be appointed againft all
fuch as purchafe, bring home, or execute within
this realm, the pope's bulls.

T7>e tenor of the Supplication was this.

Please your honours, and the wifdoms of
fuch as are preiently conveened with you in coun-
cil, to underftand. That by many arguments wc
perceive, what the peftilent generation of that Ro-
man Antichrill: within this realm pretendeth,fowff.
That they would of new erecl their idolatry, take
upon them empire above our conlcience, and f© to
command us, the true fubjefts of this realm, and
fuch as God of his mercy hath (under our fove-
reign) fubjeft unto us, in all things to obey their
appetites. Honefty craveth, and confcience moveth
us, to make the very iecrets of our hearts patent to
your honours in that behalf, which is this, ' That

* before ever thoie tyrants and dumb dogs empire

* above us, and above fuch as God hath fubjefted
' unto us, that we the barons and gentlemen, pro-

* feffing Chrift Jefus within this realm, are fully

* determined to hazard life, and whatfoever we have

* received of God in temporal things.' Moff humbly
therfore befeeching your honours. That fuch or-
der may be taken, that we have not occafion to
take again thefword of jufl defence into our hands,
which we have willingly (after God had given vic-
tory both to your honours and us) refigned over
into your hands ; to the end that God's gofptl may
be publicly preached within this realm, the true
minifters thereof reafonably maintained, idolatry
fupprefled, and the committers thereof punifhed,
according to the laws of God and man ; in doing
whereof, your honours fhall find us not only o-
bedient unto you in all things lawful, but alfo ready,
at all times, to bring under order and obedience
fijch as would rebel againfi: your iuJf authority,
which, in abfence of our fovereign, we acknowlegc
to be in your hands. Befeeching your honours,
with upright judgment and indifferency, to look
upon thefe our few articles, and by thefe our bre-
thren to fignify unto us fuch anfwer again, as may
declare your honours worthy of that place, where-
unto God (after fome danger fuftained) in his mer-
cy hath called you : and let thefe enemies of God
afiure themfelves, That if your honours put not
order unto them, that we fhall fhortly take fuch
order, that they fhall neither be able to do what
they lift, neither yet to live upon the fweat of the,

H h 2 brows

•244.

T II E H I S T 0 II Y o F TH E RE F 0 R M A T I O N

EocK WLi

brov/s of (ucli QS are no debtors unto them. Let
Vour honours conceive nothing ot us, but iiW hum-
ble obedience in God. But let the papifts be )'et
once again affured, That their pride and iJolatry
'We v;ili not ilitrcr.

Directed from the ajfemhly of the church, the2^th
cf May I 561, end lent by thcfc brethren, the
raafler of Lindfiy, the laird of Lochlngvar,
ihe laird of Pharniherf, the laird of Ii'7:itting-
kam, Thomas Menzics provfl of Aberdeen and
George Lov:dl hurgcf of Dundee.

Upon the \^hich requefl and article?., the lords
and council aforefaid made an aft and ordinance,
•anfweiing to every head of the forefaid articles;
;md commanded letters to be anfwered thereupon,
which divers miniilers railed and copied, as in the
books of fecret council is yet to be found.

And thus got Satan the lecond fall, after that he
had begun to trouble the ftate of religion, once
cflablifhed by law. Kis fir{\ afTault v/as by the
rafcal multitude oppofing thtmfelves to the punifh-
ment of vice ; the fecond was the bifliops and
their bands, in which he thought ut^erly to have
triumphed ; and yet he in the end prospered worfe
than ye have heard. In this mean time returned
ii-om France the lord Jam.es, who, befide his great
expences, and the lofs of a box wherein was a fe-
rret purfe, efcaped a defperate danger in Paris :
for his returning from our Ibvereign (who then was
'•with the cardinal of Lorrain her uncle in Rhemes)
"Tinderltood of the papifls in Paris, they had con-
fpired fome treaibnable aft againft him ; for they
intended either to have befet his houfe by night, or
eLfe to have aflaulted him and his company as they
walked in the Greets : Whereof the faid lord James
•iidvertifed by theRinegrave,by realbn of old fam.i-
liarity, which was betwixt them in Scotland, he
took purpofe fuddenly, and m good order, to de-
part from Paris, as he did the fecond day after that
Jie arrived there ; and yet could not he depart fo.
&cretly, but that the papifls had their privy am-
feufhes : for, upon the new-decayed Pont of Change,
they had prepared a proceffion, which met the faid
Lord and his company even in the teeth ; and know-
ing that they would not do the accuflomed reve-
rence to them and their idols, they thought there-
Mpon to have picked a quarrel ; and fo, as one part
pafTed by, without moving of hat to. any thing
that was there, they had, fubborned fome to cry,
Hugonots, and fo caft flones : but God difappoint-
•Jld thek enterprife i for the faid Rinegrave, with

other gcntlem.en, being with lord James, rebuked
the foolifii multitude, and over-rode fome of the
foremofl, and lb the reft vv-erc difperfed, and he
and his company ftrely eicaped, and came with ex-
pedition to Edinburgh, while that yet the lords and
uifembly were together, to the great comfort of
many godly hearts, and to no little aflonilhraent cf
the Vv'icked : for from the queen our fovereign he
brought letters to the lords, praying them to entCF-
tain quietnefs, and to fuifer nothing to be attempt-,
ed againft the coutraft of peace which was made at
Lcith, till htr own homic- coming; and to fufF«:
the religion, publicly eftablilhed, to go forward,
oc. Whereupon the faid lords gave anlwer to the
French ambafiador, a negative to every one of hJ's
petitions.

The Lords Anfvjcr to the French Amhaffadon.

And, Firjl, That France had not deferved at thar
hands, that either they or their pofterity Ihould
enter with them again in any league or confedera-
'cy, offenfive or defenfive ; feeing that fo traito?--
oufly and cruelb/ they had perfecuted them, then-
realm and liberties, under pretence of amity and
marriage.

Secondly, That befides their confcience, they
could not take fuch a worldly (hame, as, withouf
offence committed, to break the league, which in
God's name they had made with them, whom he
hath made inflruments to fet Scotland at freedom
from the tyranny of the French, at leafl of the G.n-
fians, and of their faftion.

And laf, That fuch as they called bifhops and
churchmen, they knew neither for paflors of the
church, neither yet for any jufl poffeffors of th©-
patrimony thereof; but underftood them perfeftly
to be wolves, thieves, murderers, and idle-bellies f
and therefore, as Scotland hath forfaken the pop*,
and papiflry, fo could not they be debtors to J^
forefworn vaifals.

With thefe anfv/ers departed tRe faid ambafiador^
and the lords of the fecret council made an aft,.
That all places and monuments of idolatry (hould
be deftroyed : and for that purpofe was direfted
•to the weft the earl of Arran, havmg joined witli.
him the earls of Argyle and Glencairn, togethec
with the Proteftants of the weft, who burnt Paifty,
(the bifhop of St. Andrew's, who was abbot there*
of, narrowly efcaped) caft down Faiifurd, Kil- ,
winning, and a part of Cofraguel. The lord.
James was appoiiited to the north, where he made

Booic Ili. • F R E L I (3 1 .0 N in SCOTLAND

fuch reformation as nothing contented the earl of

Hantly, and yet leemeu he to approve all things :
and thus God fo potently wrought with us, fo
long as we depended upon hi'ii, that all the world
might fee his potent hand to maintaili us, and to
fight againft oar enemies ; yea, mod to confound
the'n, when that they proniifed to themfelves vic-
tory without refinance. Oh that we would rightly
confider the wondrous works ol the Lord our
God!

In the treaty of peace contra(fled at Leith, there
were contained certain heads that required ratih-
eation of both queens. The queen of England,
according to her promife, fubfcription, and feal,
without any delay performed the fame, and fent it
to our fovereign, by her appointed officers. But
Qur fovereign (whether becaufe her own crafty na-
ture thereto moved her, or that her uncle's chief
eounfellors fo would, we know not) with many de-
lays fruftrated the expeftation of the queen of
England, as by the copy of a letter, fent from the
ambaillidor of England to his fovereign, w« may
uiiderfland.

The y^mhajfador'j Letter.

* Madam,

* I fent Sommer to the queen of Scots for -au-
dience, who appointed me to come to her the fame
«lay after dinner, which I did. To her I did re-
member your majeAy's hearty commendations, and
declared unto her your majefty's gladlbmenefs of
recovery from her late ficknefs, whofe want of
health, as it was grievous unto your majefty, fo,
I told her, did you congratulate, and greatly re-
joice of the good terms of health (he was in for
the prefent. After thefe offices of civility, I put
her in remembrance again what had palfed from
iSie beginning, in the matter of your majefty's de-
mand of ratification, according to the tenor of the
feid treaty, as well by me at the firft, as afterward
by my lord of Bedford, at his being here, and al-
fo followed fmce again by me in open audience,
and by my letter to her being in Lorrain, adding
hereto your majelfy's further commiandment, and
te-charge to me again prefently to renew the fame .
demand, as before had been done.*

Jt Paris the 2T,d
ff June 1 561.

The /aid ^leen. made Anfwer as follovjeth, .

-' Alon/ieiir L' Amhajfador,

Htwaxk the c^^ueen;. my good filler,, for this

gentle vifitation and coiigiavuiation of this ray re-
covery ; and, though I be not yet in peifed health
yet, 1 thank God, I feel inyfelf in a very good
cafe, and in way of a full recovery. And,' for
anfwer to your demand, quoth ffie, of my ratifi.
cation, I do remember r.ll ihefe things that you
have recited unto me; and I would the queen my
good filler fhould think that I do defer the refolute
anfwer in this matter, and performing thereof;
until fuch time as 1 might have the ad\?ces of the
nobles and flates of m.ine own realm, which I truft
ihall not be long a-doing, for I intend to m.nke my
voyage thither ihortly: and though this matter,
quoth file, doth touch me principally, yet doth
it alfo touch the nobles and flates of my realm too;,
and therefore it fliall be meet that I wit their advi--
ces therein. Heretofore they have fl-emed to be
grived, that I fhould do anything v.ithout the'^i;
and now they would be more offended, if I ihcuid
proceed in this matter of myfelf without their ad-
vices. I do intend, quoth flie, to iend monfieur-
d'Oiel to the queen your miflrefs my. good fifler,
who fhall declare that unto her from me, that f
trufl fhall fufFice her; by whom I will give her ta
underfland of my journey into Scotland, I mean
to embark at Caiice. l^he king of France hath
lent me certain gallies and fhips to convey me horn?, .
and I intend to require of my good fifter thofe fa-
vours, that princes ufe to do in thofe cafes. . And
though the terms wherein we have flood hereto-
fore, have been fomewhat hard, yet I trufl, that
from henceforth we fliall accord together as coufins
and good neighbours, I mean, quoth fhe, to retire
all the Frenchmen forth of Scotland, who had gi-
ren jealoufy to the queen my fifler, and difcontent
fo my fubjefts, fo as I will leave nothing undone
to fatisfy all parties; trufling the queen my. good
fiffer will do the like, and that from hencelorth-
none of my difobedient fubjefts if, there be any ;
fuch, fhall find aid or fupport at her hands..

I anfwered, that I was not defirous to ik\ into-
the difcourfe how thofe hard terms firfl began, nor
by what means they were nourifhed, becauTe there-
in I muff charge fome party with injury, and peril
offered to the queen my miftrefs,, which was the
very ground of thofe matters:: but I was well af-
fured, there could be no better occafion offered to ■
put the former unkindnefs in forgetfulnefs, thrai by
ratifying the treaty of peace; for. that fhould repay
all injuries pafi. And , madam, quoth I, where it
pleafed you to fufpend and delav the ratification,,
until you have the advices of the' nobles and flates
of xouiM-calm,. the queen my_ millrers.doth ■-.cthing;

doub£c

24^

The history of ^he REFORMATION

becaufe

doubt of their conformity In this matter^
the treaty was made by their confents.

The queen anfwered, yea, by fome of them,
but not by all; it will appear, when 1 come_ a-
mongll them, whether they be of the fame mind
that you fay they were then of: but of this I afTure
you, monfieur L' Amballador, quoth fhe, I, for
my part, am very defirous to have the perfect and
the alFured amity of the queen my good fifler, and
will ufe all the means I can to give her occafion to
think that I mean it indeed. 1 anfwered, madam,
the queen my miftrefs, you may be aflured, will
life the like towards you, to move you to be of
the fame opinion towards her. Then, faid fhe,
I trufl the queen your miftrefs will not fupport
nor encourage none of my fubjefts to continue in
their difobedience, nor to take upon them things
that appertain not to fubjefts. ' This we may

* anfwer her, it appertaineth to fubje£ls to worlhip
« God as he hath commanded, and to fupprefs ido-

* lairy, by whomfoever it be credled or maintain-

* ed.' You know, quoth fhe, there is much ado
in my realm about matters of religion ; and though
there be a greater number of a contrary religion
unto me, than I would there were, yet there is
BO reafon that fubjefts (hould give a law to their
fovereign, and fpecially in matters of religion,
which I fear, quoth fhe, my fubjefts fliall take
in hand. (Anfwer for the part of Scotland, ' And

* if fo they had done, they had efcaped God's
' heavy indignation v^hich hath been felt, and flill

* hangeth over this realm, for the idolatry, and

* other abominations committed in the fame,

* which fhall not ceafe till that it be fuppreffed.')
I anfwered, madam, your realm is in none other
cafe at this day, than all othfer realms through
Chriflendora are, the proof whereof you fee veri-
lied in this realm ; and you fee what great difficul-
ty it is to give order in this matter, though the
king of France and all his council be very defirous
thereunto. Religion is of the greatel\ force that
may be; you have been long out of your own re-
-alm, fo as the contrary religion to yours hath won
the upper-hand, and the greatell part of your re-
alm : your mother was a woman of great experi-
ence, of deep difTimulation and policy, as they
term it now a-days, and kept that realm in quiet-
nefs, till fhe began to conflrain mens confciences ;
■and, as you think it unmeet to be conftrained by
your fubjecls, fo it may plcafe you to confider,
tlie matter is as intolerable to them to be conftrain-
ed by you, in matters of confcience; for the duty
^ue to God cannot be given to any other, without

Book Iir^

offence of his majefly. Why, faid ilie, God dotlt.
command fubje^s to be obedient to their princes,
and commandeth princes to read his law, and go-
vern thereby themfelves, and the people commit-
ted to their charges. Anfwer ; yea, madam, quotli
I, in thofe things that be Hot agaioft his command-
ments.

Well, quoth fhe, I will be plain with you^
the religion that I profefs, I take to be moil: ac-
ceptable to God ; and indeed, neither do I know,
nor defire to know any other. Conftancy doth
become all folks well, but none better than prin-
ces, and fach as have rule over realms, and fpe-
cially in matters of religion, (the Turk is as coa-
ffant in his Alcoran, as the pope and his feft arc
in his conftitutions.) I have been brought up,
quoth fhe, in this religion ; and who might credit
me in any thing, if I fliould fhew myfelf light in
this cafe ? and though I be young , and not weH
learned, yet I have heard this matter oft difputed
by my uncle the cardinal, with fome that thought
they c©uld fay fomewhat in the matter ; and I
found therein no great reafon to change my opi-
nion. ' Neither yet did the high priell, whe«

* Chrifl: Jefus did reafonin his prcfencc. But what

• was the cardinal compelled to confefs at Poyfie ?*

Madam, quoth I, if you will judge well in that
matter, you mufl be converfant In the fcriptures,
which are the touch-ffone to try the right front
the wrong. Peradventure you are lb partially af-
fected to your uncle's arguments, that you could
not indifferently confider the other party : yet this
I affure you, madam, quoth I, your uncle the
cardinal, in conference with me about thefe mat-
ters, hath confefled, that there be great errors
and abufes come into the church, and great difor-
der in the prieffs and clergy, infomuch that he de-
fired and wifhed that there might be a reformation
of tke one, and of the other. I have often- times
heard him fay the like, quoth fhe. Then I faid,
well, I trufl God will infpire all you that be prin-
ces, that there may be fome good order taken i»
this matter, fo as there may be one unity in religion
thorow all Chiifrendom. God grant, quoth flic,
but for my part, you may perceive, I am none of
thofe that will change my religion every year.

And, as I told you in the beginning, I meas,
to conflrain none of my fubjeds, but would wifh
that they were all as I am ; and I trufl: they fhall
have no fupport to conflrain me. I will fend
monfieur d' Ofel, quoth fhe, to you before he go,
to know whether ye will any thing in England.
I pray you fo order yourfelf in this matter betwixt

the

• F RELIGION IN SCO

Book III.

the queen my gpod-fifter and me, that there may
be peifefl and alTured amity betwixt us ;. for I
know, quoth fhe, minifters may do much good
and harm. I told her, I would fiithfully and
truly make declaration of all that (he faid unto me,
unto your majelly, and trailed that fhe would Co
fatisfy your majefty by monfieur d'Ofel in all things,
as I (hould hereafter have no more occafion to treat
with her of any thing, but of theincreafe of amity,
of which there fliould be no want on your behalf.
This is the efFe6l of the queen of Scotland's anfwer
to your majefty's demand of her faid ratification,
and of my negotiation with her at this time.

Thefe advertifments fomewhat exafperated the
queen of England, and not altogether withoat
caufe ; for the arms of England, were before u-
furped by our fovereign, and by her hulband
l-''rancis ; and Elifabeth queen of England was of
the Guyiians reputed little better than a baftard.
It was appointed that this title (hould be renewed;
but hereof, had our ill-counfelled and mifled queen
EO pleafure, and efpecially after that her huiband
was dead; for, thought £he, the ftiew of England
fiiall allure many fuiters to me. The Guyiians,
and the papifts of both realms, did not a little ani-
mate her in that purfuit, the efFe6l whereof will
fooner appear than the godly of England would
defire. Queen Elifabeth, we fay, offended with
the former anfwer, wrote unto the nobility and
ilates x»f Scotland, in form as followeth.

T/?e ^een of England's Letter io the Statu if

Scotland,

* Right trufty, «nd right entirely beloved
•oufins, we greet you. We doubt not, but as our
meaning is, and hath always been, fince our reign,
in the light of Almighty God, ftraight and direft
towards the advancement of his honour, and truth
in religion ; and confequently, to procure peace,
and maintain concord betwixt both thefe realms of
England and Scotland ; lb alfo our outward a6ls
have well declared the fame to the world, and elpe-
«ially to you, being our neighbours who have
ttalled and proved in thefe, our friendfliip and ear-
ned good-will, more than we think any of your
anceflors have ever received from hence ; yea, more
than a great number of yourfslves could well have
hoped for of us, all former examples being well
Mveighed and confidered. And this wc have to re-
joice of, and fo may ye be glad. That where in the
beginning of the troubles in that country, and of our
%ctours meant for you, the jealoufyj or rather \hQ.

T L A N D. 247

both in that realm and in othe^

malice of divers,
countries, was fuch, both to deprive us in yielding,
and you in requiring our aid, that we were noted to-
have meant the lurprize of that realm, by depriving
of your fovereign the queen of her crown ; and you,
or the greateft part of you, to have intended by our
fuccour the like, and either to prefer feme other to
the crown, or elfe to make of that monarchy a com-
mon-weal ; matters very flanderous and falfe. But
the end and determination, yea, the whole courfe
and procefs of the aftion on both our parts have
manifefted, both to the ilanderers, and to all others.
That nothing was more meant and profecuted,
than to eftablilh your fovereign the queen, our
coufm and filler, in her ftate and crown, the pof-
feflion whereof was in the hands of flrangers/-
And although no words could then well fatisfy the
malicious, yet our deeds declare, that no other
thing w^as fought, but the rellitution of that realm
to the ancient liberty, and as it were to redeem it
from captivity. Of thefe our purpofes and deeds,
there remaineth, among other arguments, good
teftimony by a folemn treaty and accord made the
laft year at Edinburgh, by commiffioners fent from
us, and from your queen, with full authority in
writifig under both our hands, and the great Icals.
of both our realms, in fbch maniaer as other prin-
ces our progenitors have always ufed ; by which
treaty and accord, either of us have faithfully ac-
€orded with other, to keep peace and amity be-
twixt ourfelvcs, our countries and fubjefts. And
in the fame alfo a good accord is made, not only of
certain things happened betwixt us, but alio of
fomc differences betwixt the miniflers of the late
French king, your fovercign's hulband, and yos
theftates of that realm, for the alteration of la\«5
and cufloms of that country, attempted by them.
Upon which accord, there made and concluded,
hath hitherto followed, as you know, furety to your '
fovereign's flate, quietnefs to yourfelves, and a bet-
ter peace betv/ixt both realms, than ever was heard
of in any time pafl. Neverthelefs, how it happen-
eth, we know not (we can, for flie in her conceit
thinketh herfelf queen of both) That your fove-
reign either not knowing in this part her own fe-
licity, or elfe dangeroufly feduced by perverfe coun-
fel, whereof we are moil forry, being of late at
fundry times required by us, according to her
bond with us, iigned with her own hand, and feal-
cd with the great feal of that realm, and allowed'
by you, being the ilates of the fame, to rarity the
laid treaty, in like manner as we by writing have-
done, aiivi are ready to delivc." v "o her, who ma»

kfcth.

248 . The hist

Ivctli fuch dilatory anfv/ers thereunto, as what we
fhall judge thereof, we perceive by her anfwer,
tha^ it is fit for us to require of you : for, altriOugh
fhe hath always anfwered, fince the death of her
hulband, That in this matter flie would firfc un-
derhand the minds of certain of you, before that
fhc would make anfwev ; andfo having now of long
time fufpcnded our expeftation in the end, not-
wUhflanding that fhe hath had conference both by
mefferc^ers, and by forac of yourfelves, being with
her ; yet (he Ml delayed it, alledging to our am-
baiTador in France (who (^d that this treaty was
made by your confents) it was not by ccnfent or
you all, and fo would have us to' forbear, until
fhe fliail return into that her country. And now,
feeing this her anfwer depended, as it mould feera
by her words, upon your opinions, we cannot but
plainly let you all underlfand, that this manner of
anfwer, without fome more fruit, cannot long
content us. We have meant well to our fifter your
queen, in time of offence given to us by her. We
did plainlv, without diiTimulation, charge her in
her own doubtful flate, while flrangers poneffed
her realm, we flayed it from danger : and now,
having promiied to keep good peace with her, and
with you her fubjeas, we have obferved it, and
fliall be forry, if either flie or you (hall give us con-
trary caufe. In a matter fo profitable to both the
realms, we think it ftrange, that your queen hath
BO better advice : and therefore, we do require you
all, being the flates of that realm, upon whom the
burden refteth, to conf:der this matter deeply, and
to make us anfwer, whereuntowe may truf>. And,
If you. diall think meet (he Taail thus leave the peace
imperfeft, by breaking of her folemn promife, con-
trary to the order of all princes, we (h?M be well
content to accept your anfwer, and lliail be as care-
lefs to fee the peace kept, as ye (hall give us caufe;
and doubt not, by the grace of God, but wholo-
ever of you fliall incline thereto, (liall fooneft re-
pent. You mud be content with our plain writ-
ing. And on the other fide, if you continue all in
©ne mind, to have the peace inviolably kept, and
fhall fo by your advice procure the queen to ratify
it; v/e a'.fo plainly promife you, that v/e will alio
continue iii->r good dirpofition to keep the fame in
fuch good terms as now it is ; and, in fo doing,
th- honour of Almighty God (hall be duly fought
and promoted in both realms, the queen your fo-
vereign, fhall enjoy her ftate with your furety, and
yourfelves ppfTefs that which you have with tran-
quility, to the increafe of your families and pofle-
I'itv, v.'hlch by the frequent v.-ars heretofore your

ORYoF T-HE REFORM ATtON

BcoTc m^

smceflors never had long in one flate. To conclude^
we require you to advertife us of what mind you
be, efpecially if you all continue in that mund,
that you mean to have the peace bet\'?lxtboth the
realms perpetually kept; and, if you fhall for-
bear any longer to advertife us, ye fhall give us
fomie occafion of doubt, whereof more hurt may
grow than good. Frsm, &c.'

Thefe letters received and perufcd, albeit the
flates could not be conveened, yet did the council,
and fome others alfo in particular, return anfwers
with reafonable diligence. Ths tcaor of our let- ,
tsrs was this.

' Madam,

* Please your majefty, thatwlth judgnnent we
have confidered your majefty's letters; and, albeit
the whole flates could not fuddenly be afTembled,
yet we thought expedient to fignify fomewhat of
our minds unto your majefly. Far be it from us,
that either we take upon us that infamy before the
world, or grudge of confcitnce before our God,
that we fliould lightly effeem the obfervation of
that peace lately con trailed betwixt thefe tv.'o re-
alms. By what m.otives our fovereign delayed the
ratification thereof we cannot tell ; but of us (of
us, we fay, madam, that have protefled fidelity in
our promife) her majefly had none. Your majefly
cannot be ignorant, that in this realm there are
m.any enemies ; and further. That our fovereign
hath counfellors, whofe judgments fhe in all fuch
caufes preferred to ours. Our obedience bindeth
us, not only reverently to fpeak and write of our
fovereign, but alfo to judge and think ; and yet
your majefry may be well afmred, that in us fliafl
be noted no blame, if that peace be not ratified to
your majefly's contentment : For, God is witnefs,
that our chief care in this earth, next to the glory of
God, is. That conflant peace m.ay remain betwixt
thefe two realms ; whereof your majefly and re-
alm fliall have fure experience, fo long as our coun-
fel or votes may flop the contrary. The benefit
that we have received is fo recent, that v/e cannot
fuddenly bury it in forge tfulntfs. We would de-r
fire your majefly rather to be perfuaded of u«,
that we to our powers will fludy to leave It In re-
membrance to our poflerity. And thus, with
lawful and hum.ble commendation of our fervic^
we commit your majefly to the proteflion of the
Om.nipotent.'

Jt Edinlnirgh, the 1 6th
day cf July, i 561 .

Tkcrc

Book III.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

249

There were feme others that anfwered feme of the
m'mifters of England fomewhat more fharply, and
willed them not to accufe nor threaten fo fharply,
till that they were able to convince fuch as had pro-
mifed fidelity of ibme evident crime, which altho'
they were able to lay to the charge of fome, yet
refpeft would be had to fuch, as long had decla-
red themfelves conftant procurers of quietnefs and
peace. The fudden arrival of the queen made
great alteration, even in the council, as after we
will hear. In this mean time, the papifts by fur-
mifmg, troubled what they might, their pofts,
letters, and complaints were from day to day di-

reftcd, fome to the pope, fome to the cardinal of
Lorrain, and fome to our queen. The principal
of thofe couriers were Mr. Steven Wilfon, Mr.
John Lefly, called Nolumns and Vokmus, Mr. James
Throgmorton, and others, fuch as lived, and flill
live by the traffic of that Roman Antichrift.

The preachers vehemently exhorted us to efta-
blifli the book of difcipline, by an aft and public
law ; affirming. That if they fuffered things to
hang in fufpencc, when God had given unto them
fufficient power in their hand, they fliould after
fob for it, but fhould not get it.

r/'^ E N D of the Third BOOK.

li

THE

THE

I

T

R Y

Q F THE

REFORMATION of RELIGION.

Within THE REALM of

SCOTLAND.

K IV.

N the former books, gentle reader, thou mayeft
clearly fee, how potently God hath perform-
ed, in thefe our laft and wicked days, as well as
in the ages that have pafled before us, the promifes
that are made to the fervants of God, by the pro-
phet Ifaiah, in thefe words, * They that wait up-

* on the Lord {hall renew their flrength, they fhall

* mount up with wings aa eagles, they (hall run

* and not be weary, they fhall walk and not faint.'
This promife, we fay, fuch as Satan hath not ut-
terly blinded, may fee performed in us, the pro-
feffors of Chrift Jefus, within this realm of Scot-
land, with no lefs evidence than it was in any age
that ever paflTed before us. For what was our
force : What was our number ? Yea, what wif-
dom or worldly policy was in us, to have brought
to any good end fo great an enterprife ? Our very
enemies can bear witnefs. And yet in how great
purity God did eftablifti amongft us his true reli-
gion, as well in do6^rine as in ceremonies ? To
what confufion and fear were idolaters, adulterers,
and all public tranfgrelTors of God's commandments
wUhin (hort time brought, the public orders of

the church, yet by the mercy of God preferved,
and the punifnment executed againft malefaftors,
can teflify unto the world. For, as touching the
adminiftration of the facramentsu fed in our church-
es, we are bold to affirm, that there is no realm
this day upon the face of the earth, that hath
them in greater purity ; yea, we can fpeak the
truth, whomfbever we offend, there is none (no
realm I mean) that hath them in the Uke purity ;
for all others, how fmcere that ever the doctrine
be, that by fome is taught, retain in their churches^
and in the miniflers thereof, fome footfteps of an-
tichrift, and dregs of popery ; but we (all praife
to God alone) have nothing within our churches-
that ever flowed from that man of fin. And this
we acknovplege to be the firength given to us of
God, becaufe we efteem not ourlelves wife in our
own eyes, but underftanding our own wifdom to
be mere fooliflinefs befoie our God, laid it aflde,
and followed only that which we found approved
by himfelf.

In this point could never our enemies caufe us
to faint; for, our firft petition was, 'That the

* reverend

BOOK IV. OF R E L I O I 0

* reverend face of the firft, primitive and apofto-

* lie church fhould be reduced again to the eyes

* and knowlege of men.' And in that point, we
lay, our God hath flrengthened us, till that the
work was finifhed, as the world may fee. And as
concerning tlie fuppreffing of vice, yea, and of the
abolifliing of all fuch things as might nourilh im-
piety within the realm, the afts and Itatiites of the
principal towns reformed, will yet teftify : for,
what adulterer, what fornicator, what known mafs-
monger or peflilent papift durfl have been feen in
public, within any reformed town within this re-
alm, before that the queen arrived ? And this vi6to-
ry to his word, and terror to all filthy livers, did
God work by fuch as yet live, and remain witnelles
(whether they will or not) of the aforefaid works
of God.

We fay, our God fuffered none of thefe, whom
he firll called to the battle, to peri(h or to fall,
while that he made them viftors of their enemies :
for, even as God fuffered none of thofe whom he
called from Egypt, to peri(h in the Red- Sea, how
.fearful that ever the danger appeared ; fo fuffered
he none of us to be removed, nor yet to be taken
from this life, till that now the Pharoahs, more
than one, were drowned, and we fet at freedom,
without all danger of our enemies ; to let both us,
and our polferity underfland, that fuch as follow
the conducting of God, cannot perifh, albeit they
walked in the very lliadow of death. But from
whence, alas, comes, this miferable difperfion of
God's people within this realm this day, in May
1 561 ? And what is the caufe that now the jufl are
compelled to kf^ep filence, good men are banifhed,
murderers, and fuch as are known unworthy of
common fociety (if juftice were put in execution)
bear the whole government sad fway within this
realm ?

We anfwer, Becaufe that fuddenly the mofl part
of us declined from the purity of God's word, and
began to follow the world, aftd fo again fnake
hands with the devil, and with idolatry, as in the
fourth book we will hear.

For, while that papifls were fo confounded, that
aone within the realm darfl more avow the hear-
ing, or faying of the mafs, than the thieves of
>!iddifdale durflavow the ftouth or Healing, in the
prefence of any upright judge; nowareproteflants
found, who are not alhamed at tables, and other
open places, to aflc, * Why may not thele men
' have their mafs, and the form of their religion >

* What can that hurt us or our religion ?' And
from thefe two, IVfy and IFhat, at lalt Iprang out

N IN S C O T L A N D. 251

this affirmative, * The queen's mafs aind her prkfls

* will we maintain ; this hand and this rapier fhall

* fight in their defence, drc.'

The inconveniences were ihown both by tongue
and pen, but the advertifers were judged to be
men of unequal fpirits ; their credit was defaced
at the hands of fuch, as before were not afhamed
to have ufed their counfel in matters of greater im-
portance, to have refuled the mafs.

But then, my lord, my mafter may not be thus
ufed; he hath that honour to be the queen's bro-
ther, and therefore we will that all men (hall un-
derfland, that he mull: tender her as his fifter;
and whofoever will counfel him to difpleafe her,
or the leafl that pertains unto her, fhall not find
him their friend ; yea, they are worthy to be
hanged, that would fo counfel him, d'c. Thefe
and the like reafons took fuch deep root in flelh.
and blood, and were (as yet alas they are) prefer-
red to God, and to his meffengers, rebuking vice
and vanity, that from thence have all our miferies
proceeded.

Foi- as before, fo even yet, although the mini-
fters be fet to beg, the guard and the men of war
mufi; be ferved; though the blood of the minifters
be fpilt, yet It is the queen's fervants that did it;
although mals be multiplied in all quarters of the
realm, who can flop the queen's fubjefts to live
of the queen's religion ? although innocent men be
imprifoned, it is the queen's pleafure : fo ftie h-
oifendcd at fuch men, although, under pretence
of juflice, innocents be murdered : the lords fhall
weep, but the queen's mind muft be fatisfied ;
nobles of the realm, barons and counfellors are
baniihed, their efcheats difpofed of, and their lives
moil unjuftly purfued. The queen hath lofl her
trufiy fervant David, he was dear unto her ; and
therefore, for her honours fake, fhe mud fliow
rigour to revenge his death. And yet further,
albeit that fome knew that fhe hath plainly pur-
poied to wreck and undo the religion within this
realm, that to that Roman antichrifl fhe hath
made her promife, and that from him fhe hath
taken money to uphold his pomp within this re-
alm ; yet will they let the people imderfiand, that
the queen will ellabliih religion, and provide all
things orderly, if (he were once delivered.

If luch dealing, which is too common amonglf
protefiants, be not to prefer flefli and blood to
God, to his truth, to religion, and to the oppref-
fed liberty of the realm, let the world judge. The
plagues have been, and in fome places are prefent,
that were before ihreatned ; the reff approaches;
I i 2 and

252

The history of the REFORMATION Book IV.

and yet, who from tlie heart crieth, * I have of-

* fended, now thou Lord knows, in thee only is
' the truft of the oppreiTed, for vain is the help of

* man V But now we return to our hiitory.

The 19th day of Auguft, 1561, betwixt feven
and eight houts before noon, arrived Mary queen
of Scotland, then widow, with two gallies out of
France: In her company (befides her gentlewomen,
called the Maries) were her uncles, the duke Au-
male the grand prior, the marquis d' AlbufF.
There accompanied her aifo d' Anville, fon to the
conftablc of France, with other gentlemen of in-
ferior condition, befides fervants and officers. The
very face of the heaven, at the time of her arrival,
did manifeflly fpeak what comfort was brought
into this country with her, to wit, forrow, dolor,
darknefs, and all impiety ; for in the memory of
man, that day of the year was never feen a more
dolorous face of the heaven, than was at her an ival,
which two days after did fo continue : for, befides
the furface wet, and corruption of the air, the miif
was fo thick and dark, that fcarce might any man
cfpy another the length of two pair of butts; the
fun was not feen to fhine two days before, nor two
days after. That forewarning gave God unto us
but alas the mofi part were blind.

At the found of the cannons, which the gallies
fliot, the multitude being advertifed, happy was
he or fhe that firft muft have the prefence of the
queen : the protefiants were not the floweft, and
therein they were not to be blamed ; becaufe the
palace of Holyrood-houfe was not thorowly put in
order (for her coming was more fudden than many
looked for) flie remained in Leith, till towards
the evening, and then repaired thither. In the
way betwixt Leith and the abbey, met her the
rebels, the craftsmen, of whom we fpake before,
/a wit, thofe that had violated the afts of the ma-
giftrates, and had befieged the provoft ; but, be-
caufe fhe was fufficientiy inftrudf ed that all they
did was done in fpite of their religion, they were
eafily pardoned.

Fires of joy were fet forth at night, and a com-
pany of moft honeft-mcn with inftruments of mu-
iic, and with mufidans, gave their lalutations at
her chamber-window : the melody, as (he alledg-
cd, liked her well ; and fhe willed the fame to be
continued fome nights after with great diligence.
The lords repaired to hcF from all quarters, and
fo was nothing underftood but mirth and quiet-
nefs, till the next Sunday, which was the 24th of
Augufl : when that preparations began to bg made
for. that idol of the inafs to be faid in, the chapel;

which perceived, the hearts of all the godly began
to be emboldned, and men began openly to fpeak,

* Shall that idol be fufFered again to take place

* within this realm ? It ftiall not.' The lord Lin-
fay, then but mafter, with the gentlemen of Fife,
and others, plainly cried in the clofs or yard, * The

* idolatrous priefts fliould die the death, according
' to God's law.' One that carried in the candle
was evil afraid ; but then began flefh and blood
fully to Ihew itfelf. There durfl no papift, nei-
ther yet any that came out of France, whifper:
but the lord James, the man whom all the godly
did moft reverence, took upon him to keep the
chapel-door: his beft excufe was, that he would
flop all Scotimen to enter into tlie mafs; but it
was and is fufficientiy known, that the door was
kept that none fhould have entry to trouble the
prieff, who, after the mafs ended, was committed
to the proteftion of the lord John of Coldingham,
and lord Robert of Holyrood-houfe, who then were
both protefiants, and had communicate at the table
of the Lord : betwixt them both was the priefl con-
veyed to his chamber. And fo the godly departed
withgrief of heart, and after noon repaired to the
abbey in great com panies,and gave plain fignification,
that they could not abide that the land, which God
by his power had purged from idolatry,fhould in their
eyes be polluted again ; which underflood, there be-
gan complaint upon complaint. The old Duntebois,
and others that had long ferved in the court, and
hoped to have no remiffion of fins, but by vertue of
the mafs, cried, they would away to France with-
out delay, they could not live without the mafs ;
the fame affirmed the queen's uncles : and would
to God that they all, together with the mafs, had
taken good-night of the realm for ever ; for fo had
Scodand been rid of an unprofitable burden of de-
vouring firangers, and of the malediftion of God,
that hath flricken, and yet will flrike for idolatry.

The council afTembled, difputation was had of
the next remedy : politic heads were fent unto the
gentlemen, with thefe and the like perfuafions;
' Why, alas, will you chafe our fovereign from

* us ? (he will incontinently return to her gallies,

* and what then fhall all realms fay of us ? may

* we not fuffer her a litde while ? I doubt not but
' ffie will leave it : if .we were not afi!ured that fhe
*■ might be won, we ffiould alfo be as great enemies
*^^ to the mafs, as ye can be. Her uncles will de-

* part, and then ffiall we rule all at our pleafure:

* would not we be as forry to hurt the religion, as
' any of you would be?' With thefe and the like
perfuafions, we fay, M'as- the fervency of the bre-

threa-i

Book IV.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

25.^

thren quenched. And an a6l was framed, the te- afts, notwithflanding nofuch commandment were
nor whereof followeth. published.'

Jptid Edinburgh, 25 Augujii, I 561.

* Forasmuch as the queen's majefty hath un-
derftood the grt-at inconvcniencics through the di-
villon, preicntly (landing in this realm, for the
difference in matters of religion, which her majefty
is moft defirous to fee paciSed by any good ordbr,
to the honour of God, and tranquility of her re-
alm, and means to take the fame by advice of her
eftates, fo foon as conveniently may be, to their
ferious confideration. And left that her majefty's
godly refolutions therein may be greatly hindered,,
in cafe any tumult and fcdition be raifec( amongft
the lieges, if any alteration or innovation be pref-
fcd, or attempted, before that good order may be
cftablifhed ; wherefore, for the efchewing of the
iaid inconveniencies, her majefty ordains letters to
be direftcd, to charge all and fundry her lieges,
by open proclamation at the market-crofs of Edin-
burgh, and other places needful, that they, and
every one of them, contain themfelves in all quiet-
nefs, keep peace and civil fociety amongft them-
felves in the mean time, while the eftates of the
realm may be affembled, and then her majefty
have taken a final cader by their advice and public
confent, which her m.ajefty hopes fhall be to the
contentment of all the lavz-biding; That none of
them fhould take in hand privately or openly, any
alteration or innovation of the ftate of religion, or
attempt any thing agalnlt the fame, which her
majefty found publicly and miiverfally ftanding at
her majefty's arrival in this her realm, under pain
of death. With certification, that if any fubjeft
of the realm ftiall come in the contrary thereof,
he fhall be efteemed and holden a feditious perfon,
and raifer of tumult ;; and the fame pain fhall be
executed upon him with all rigor, to the example,
of others. And her majefty, with the advice of
the lords of the fecret council, commands and
charges all her leiges, that- none of them take in.;
hand to moleft or trouble any of her majefty's do-
meftic fervants, or perfons v/hatfoever come forth
of France in her Company at this time, in word,
deed, or countenance,, for any caufe whatfoever,
cither within her palace,. or without-, or make any
afTault or invafion upon any of them, under what-
foever colour or pretence,, under the faid pain of
death : albeit that her majefty be fufficiently perfuad-
«d, that her good and loving fabjedf s would do the
fame.,, for. the reverence rhey bear to her perfon and

This a<5l and proclamation penned, and put in
form by fuch as before proftfTed Chrift Jcfus (fof
in^the council then, had papifts neither power nor
voice) it was publicly proclaimed at the market-
crofs of Edinburgh upon Monday the day afore-
faid. No man reclaimed nor made repugnance to-
it^ except the earl of xVran only, who in open
audience of the herauld protefted, ' That he dif-

* affented, that any protedlion or defence fhould
*• be made to the queen's domeftics, or to any that
' came from France, to offend God's majefty, and
' to violate the laws of the realm, more than any

* other fubje6fs : for God's law had pronounced

* death to the idolater •, and the laws of the realm

* had appointed puniftiment for the fayers and
' hearers of the roafs ; which, faid he, I here pro-
*■ teft:, be univerfally obferved ; and that none be
' exempted, until fuch time as a law, as publicly

* made, and as confonant to the law of God, have

* difannuUed the former.* Hereupon he took do-
cuments and afts, as the tenor of tliis his protefta-
tion witneiTeth..

In fo far as by this proclamation it is made nnder-
flood to the church of God, and members thereof,
that the queen is minded that the true religion and'
worfhip of God already eftablifhed, proceed for-
ward, that it may daily increafe ; unto the parlia-
ment, that order may be then for extirpation of
all idolatry out of this realm : we render moft
hearty thanks to the Lord our God, for her ma-
jefty's good mind, earneftly praying that it may be
increafed in her majefty, to the honour and glory
of his name, and weal of his church withii^ tliis
realm. And as^ touching the molcftation of her
highnefs's fervants, we fuppofe, that none dare be
fo bold as once to move their finger at them, in do-
ing of their lawful bufmefs : and as for us, we hcve
learned at our maftcr Ch rift's fehcol, To keep
peace with all men. And therefore, for our part,..
we will promife that obedience unto her majefty,,
as is our duty, that none of her fervants fhall ;be
troubled;, molefted, or once touched; by the:
church, or any member thereof,, in 1 doing their -
lawful bufmefsi Kut fince that- God, hath faid,,
That'the idolaters ftiall die the death ; v/e piwteft
folemnly, in the prefence of God, aad'in the.eais
of all the people that hears this pjpdamation, and,
efpecially in the prcfence of you, lion-herauld, and
the reft of your company, mr.ker of this procl.>

idatlcn;

Tnv. tri S T O R Y o F the R E E 0 R M A T I 0 N

^"54

.^nation, that if any o'" her fervaats Ihall commit
idolatry, erpecialiy lay mafs, participate tlierewith,
or take the defence thereof (which we are loth
Ihould be in her highnefs's company) in that cafe,
that this proclaraatioa is not extended to them in
that behalf, nor be not a fafe-guard nor girth to
them in that behalf, no more than if they commit
ilaughter or mm-dcr, feeing the one is much more
abo:rJ;:able and odious in the fight of God, than
is the other : but that it may be lawful to iniiia
upon them the pains contained in God's word a-
gaiiid idolaters, wherever they may be apprehend-
ed, without favour. And this our proteiiation we
defire you to notify unto her, and give her the copy
hereof^ left her highnefs (liould fufpecT: an upioar,
if we fnould all come and prelent the lame.
Jt Edinburgh, the day
and year nforcfaid.

This boldnefs did fomewhat exafperate the
queen, and fuch as favoured her in that point. As
the lords (then called of the congregation) repair-
ed to the town, at the firft coming they Ihew
themfelves wonderfully offended, that the mafs
was permitted ; fo that every man as he came,
accufed them that were before him ; but after they
had remained a certain fpace, they were as quiet as
were the former. Which perceived, a zealous and
■godly man, Robert Campbell of Kingzieclugh faid
unto' the lord Ochiltrie, My lord, now you are
come, and almoft the laft of all the reft ; and I
perceive by your anger, that the fire- edge is not
off you yet ; but I fear, that after that the holy-
water of -the court be fprinkled upon you, that you
fliall become as temperate as the reft : for I have
been here now five days, and at the firft I heard
very many fay, * Let us hang the prieft;' but after
that they had been twice or thrice in the Abbay,
all that fervency paft;. I think there be fome In-
-chantment, whereby men are bewitched; and in
very deed fo it came to pafs : for the queen's feir
words upon the one part, ever ftill crying, * Con-
* fcience, confcjence, it is a fore thing to conftrain
^ the confcience:' and the fubtile perfuafions of her
fuppofts (we mean, even of thofe who were judg-
,cd rnoft fervent amongft us) upon the other part,
blinded all men, and put them in opinion, (he will
be content to hear the preaching, and k> no doubt
but ihe may be won. And thus, of all it was
concluded to fuifcr her for a time.

The next Sunday, John Knox inveiging againfl
idolatry, fhewed what terrible plagues God had
,«aken upou realms and nations for the fame : and

Book IV.

added, That one mafs (there were no more fuf-
fered at firft) was more fearful unto him, than if
ten thoufand armed enemies were landed in any
part of the realm, of purpofe to fupprefs the
whole religion ; tor, faid he, in our God there is
ftrength to refill and confound multitudes, if we
feignedly depend upon iiim, whereof heretofore
we have had experience : but when we join hands
with idolatry, it is no doubt, but both God's a-
mJable prefence, and comfortable defence, will
leave us ; and what Ihali then become of us '?
Alas, I fear that experience will teach us, to the
grief of many. At thefe words the gbiders of tht
court mocked, and plainly fpake. That fuch fear
was no noint of their faith ; it was befides his
text, and was a very untimely admxonition. But
we heard the fame John Knox, in the audience of
thefe fame m.en, recite the fame words again in the
midft of troubles ; and, in the audience of m.any,
alked God mercy that he was not more vehement
and upright, in the fupprelfing of that idol in the
beginning : for, faid he, albeit I fpake that which
offended fome, (which tliis day they fee and feel
to be true) yet did I not that which I might have
done ; for God hath not only given unto me know-
lege and tongae, to make the impiety of that idol
known unto the realrn ; but he hath given me cre-
dit with miany who would have put in execution
God's judgments, if I would only have confented
thereto: but fo careful was I, faid he, of that"
common tranquility, and fo loth was I to have
offended thole of whom I had conceived a good
opinion, that in fecret confeience with dearelf and
zealous men, I travailed rather to mitigate, yea,
to flacken that fervency that God hath kindled in
others, than to animate or encourage thtm to put
their hands to the Lord's work ; wherein 1 unfeign-
edly acknowlege myfelf to have done moft \\'ickedly,
and from the bottom of my heart do alk of my
God grace and pardon ; for that I did not what
in me lay, to have fupprelfed that idol in the be-
ginning. Thefe and many other words did m.any
hear him fpeak in public, in the month of Decem-
ber 1565, when inch as, at the queen's arriva-1
<Dnly, maintained the mafs, were exiled the realm,
fummoned upon treafon, and decreet of forfeiture
intended againft them.. But to return from whencft
we have digreffed.

Whe:her it was by counfel of others, or of the
queen's own defire, we know not, but the queen
fpake with John Knox, and had long reafcned
with him ; none being prcfcnt, except the lord
James, two gentlemen flood in the one end of th€

room.

Book IV.

room. The Turn of their reafonhig was this ;
The queen accufed him, that he had raifed a part
of her fubjecls againO: her mother and herfelf ; that
he had written a hook againft her jufl authority
(Hie meant the treatife againlt the regiment of v/o-
men) which (he had, and would caufe the moft
learned in Emope to write againfi: it ; that he was
the caufe of great fedition, and great (laughter in
England ; and that it was faid to her, that all that
he did was b}' necromancy. To the which the
faid John Knox anfwered ; Madam, it may pleafe
your majefty patiently to hear my fimple anfwers :
and firft, faid he, if to teach the v/ord of God in
flncerity, if to rebuke idolatry, and to will a peo-
ple to worihip God according to his word, be to
i-aife fabjetfts again (1 their princes, then cannot I
be excufed ; for it hath pleafed God of his mercy,
to make me one, amongil many, to difclofe unto
this realm the vanity of the papiflical religion,
and the deceit, pride, and tyranny of that Roman
i:ntichri(l : but, madam, if the true knowlege of
God and his right worfhipping, be the chief caufe
which mufl: move men to obey their juft princefs
from their heart, (as it is mod certain that they
are) vrherein can I be reprehended ? I think, and
am furely perfuaded, that your majefly hath had,
and prefently hath as unfeigned obedience of fuch
as profefs ChriA Jcfus within this realm, as ever
yoar father or progenitors had of thofe that were
called bi(hcps. And touching that book, th,it
feemeth fo highly to offend your majefly, it is.
aioff certain, that if I wrote it, I am content that
all the learned of the world judge of it : I he?r
that an Englifhman hath written againft it, but I
have not read him ; it he hath fuificiently confut-
ed my reafons, and eftabli(hed his contrary propo-
rtions, with as evident teilimonies as I have done
JTiine, I Ihall not be obftinate, but (hall confefs
mine error and ignorance. But to this hour I
have thought, and yet think myfelf alone more
able to uiftain the things affirmed in that rny
work, than any tea in Europe ftiall be able to coa-
fiite it.

You think, faid (he, that I have no jufi: autho-
rity. Fleafe your majefty, faid he, that learned
men in all ages have had thtir judgments free, and
mofl: commonly difagreeing from the common judg-
ment of the world; luch alfo have they publiihed, ■
both with pen and tongue, notwithllanding tliey
themfelves have lived in the common fociety with
others, and have born patiently with the error and
imperfections which they could not amend. Plato.
the phiiofopher wrote his book of the. commoa-

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

wealth, in the which he Condemns many things,
that were maintained in the world, and required
many things to have been reformed ; and yet not-
withftanding he lived under fuch politicks, as ihtiv
were univerlally received without farther troubling
anyftate: even fo, m.adam, am I content to do,
in uprightnefs of heart, and with a tellimony of
good confcience, I have communicate my iudgmcnt
to the world ; if the realm finds no inconveniea-
cies in the goverment of a wom.an, that which
they approve, (hall I not further dHTallow than
within my own bread, but Pnall be as well ccnt-ent,
and (hall live under your majefly, as Paul was to
live under the Roman emperor : and my hope is,
that fo long as ye defile not your hands with the
blood of the Adnts of God, that neither I, nor.
that book (hall either hurt you, or your authori-
ty ; for in very deed, madam, that book was
written molt efpecially againft that wicked Mary of
England.

But, faid (he, you fpeak of w^omen in gencr.-rl.
Mofl true it is, madam, faid the other ; and yet
it plainly appeai'eth to m.e, that wifdom fliould
perfuade your majefly, never to raife trouble for
that, which this day hath not troubled your ma-
jefly-, neither in perfoi>, nor in authority : for of'
late years many things, which before were holden
liable, have been called in doubt ; yea, they have
been plainly impugned. Rut yet, madam, I am
afTured, that neither proteftant nor paplfl, (hall be:
able to prove, that any fiich queflion was at any-
time moved, in public or in private. Now, ma-
dam, faid he, if 1 had intended to trouble your
flate, becaufe you are a woman, I might have
chofen a time more convenient for that purpofc,.
than I can do now, when your own prefcnce is
within the realm.

But now, madam, fliortly to anfwer to the o-
ther tvv'o accufations, 1 heartily praife my God,
through Jefus Chrifl, that Satan, the enemy of
mankind, and the wicked of the world, have no-
other crimes to lay to my charge, than fuch as:
the very world itfelf knoweth to be mofl falfe and
\'ain. For in England I was refident only the:
fpace of five years; the places were Berwick,,
where I abode two years ; fo long in Newcafile ;.
and a year in London. iJow, madarn, L^ in any-
of thefe places, during the time that I was there,
any man fiiall be able to prove, that there was ei-
ther battle, fedition, or mutiny, I fhal! confefs^
that I myfelf was the maltfador, and fhedder of
the blood. I am not afliamed further to afhrm.
that God fo. blejQed my weak labours th.eii in Ber-
wick^

256

The HISTORYof the REFORMATION

Book IV.

vvick, (\vhcrein then commonly ufed to be
ilaughter, by reafon of quarrels that ufed to arife
among foldiers) there was as great quietnefs all the
tim.e that 1 remained there, as there is this day in
Edinburgh.

And where they flander me of maglck, necro-
mancy, or of any other art forbidden ol God, I have
Avitnefs (beHdes mine own confcience) all the con-
grcga; ions that ever heard me, \vhr.t I ipeak, bofh
ngi'inll: fuch afts, and againll: thofe that ufe fuch
, impiety : but, feeing the wicked of the world faid,
that my mailer the Lord Jefus was poflefTed with
Beelzebub, I muft patiently bear ; albeit that I,
M^rctched finner, be unjuflly accufed, of thofe that
never delightei in the verity.

But yet, f:'.id Ihe, you have taught the people
to receive another religion than their princes can
allow : and how can that doflrine be of God ?
feeing that God.commandeth fubje^ts to obey their
princes. Madam, faid he, as right religion took
neither oiiginal nor antiquity from worldly princes,
'!-;nt from the eternal God alone ; fo are not fub-
je61s bound to frame their religion according to
the appetite of their princes ; for oft it is that prin-
ces are the mofl ignorant of all others, in God's
true religion ; as we may read in the hiflories, as
•well before the death- of Chriff Jefus, -as after. If
all the feed of Abraham (hould have been of the
religion of Pharaoh, to whom they had been a
long time fubjefts, I pray you, jnadam, what re-
ligion ihould there -have been in the world ? Or, if
all men, in the days of the apoftles, fhould have
been of the religion of the Roman emperors, what
-religion (hould ha\:;e been upon the face of the
.earth ? Daniel and his fellows were fubjtfts to
Nebuchadnezzar, and unto Darius, and yet, ma-
,dam, they would not be of their religion, neither
,«f the one, nor of the other ; for the three chil-
dren faid, * We make it known to thee, O king,
• that we will not worfhip thy gods.' And Dani-
x\ did pray publicly unto his God, againft the ex-
■prefs commandment of the king : and fo, madam,
ye may perceive that fubje^ls are not bound to the
religion of their princes, albeit they are command-
ed to give them obedience. Yea, quoth flie, none
.of thefe men raifed their fword againft their prin-
ces. Yet madam, quoth he, ye cannot deny but
they refilled ; for thofe that obey not the com-
mandments given, in fome fort refift. But yet,
fsid flie, they refifled not by the fword. God,
faid he, madam, had not given them the power
;<and the means. Think you, faid /he, that fub-
Jeftsj having power, may refill their princes ? If

princes do exceed their bounds, quoth he, madam,
and do againft that wherefore they fhould be obey-
ed, there is no doubt but they may be refilled,
even by power : for there is neither greater ho-
nour, nor greater obedience to be given to kings
and princes, than God hath commanded to be gi-
ven to father and mother ; but fo it is, that the
father may be ftricken with a frenzy, in the which
he would flay his ov,ii children : now, madam,
if the children arife, join themielves together, ap-
prehend the father, take the fvvord or other wea-
pon from him, and finally, bind his hands, and
keep him in prifon till that his frenzy be overpaft,
think ye, madam, that the children do any wrong ?
Or, think ye, madam, that God will be offended
with them that have ftaid their father from com-
mitting wickednefs. It is even fo, faid he, madam,
with princes that would murder the children of
God, that are fubjecl unto them. Their blind
zeal is nothing but a very mad frenzy ; and there-
fore, to take the fword from them, to bind their
hands, and to caft them into prifon, till that they
be brought to a more fober mind, is no difobedi-
ence againft princes, but juft obedience ; becaufe
that it agreeth with the word of God.

At thele words the queen ftood, as it were a-
-mazed, more than a quarter of an hour ; her coun-
tenance altered, fo that the lord James began to in-
treat her, and to demand, what hath offended you,
madam ? At length flie laid, well, then 1 perceive that
my fubjedls fhall only obey you, and not me ; and
fhall do what they lift, and not what I command ;
and fo muft I be fubjefl unto them, and not they,
to me. God forbid, anfwered he, that ever 1 take
upon me to command any to obey me, or yet to fet
fub^efts at liberty to do whatfoever pleafe them ;
but my travail is, that both princes andfubjefts obey
God, And think not, faid he, madam, that wrong
was done unto you, when you are willed to be fub-
jeft unto God; for it is he that fubjeifls the people
under princes, and caufes obedience to be given
unto them : yea, God craves of kings, that they
be, as it were, fofter-fathers to the church, and
commiands queens to be nourifhers unto his people.
And this fubjec^ion, madam, unto God, and to his
troubled Church, is the greateft dignity that flefh
can get upon the face of the earth ; for it fhall carry
them to everlafting glory.

Yea, quoth fhc, but ye are not the church that
I will nouriOi : i will defend the church of Rome;
for 1 think it is the true church of God.

Your will, quoth he, madam, is no reafon ; nei-
ther doth your thought make that Roman harlot to

be

Book IV.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

be the immaculate fpoufe of Jefus Chrifl. And
woader not, madam, that I call Rome an harlot ;
for that church is altogether polluted with all kind
of fpiritual fornication, as well in doftrine, as in
manners : yea, madam, I offer myfelf further to
prove, that the church of the Jews, who crucified
Jeiiis Chriil, wh&n that they manifeftiy denied the
Son of God, was not fo far degenerated from the
ordinances and ftatutes, which God gave by Mofes
and Aaron unto his people, as the church oi Rome
is declined ; and, more than five hundred years,
hath declined from that purity of religion w-hich
the apoftles taught and planted. My conlcience,
faid (he, is not fo. Confcience, madam, faid he,
requires knowlege, and I fear that of right know-
lege you have but little. But, faid fne, I have
both heard and read. So, madam, faid he, did
the Jews that crucified Chrift Jefus, read botli the
law and the prophets, and heard the fame inter-
preted, after their manner. Have ye heard, faid
he, any teach, but fuch as the pope and his car-
dinals have allowed ? and you may be afTured,
that fach will fpeak nothing to oiFend their own
ftate. You interpret the fcriptures, faid (lie, in
one manner, and they in another ; whom fliall I
believe, and who fhali be judge ? Believe, faid he,
God, that plainly fpeaketh in his word ; and fur-
ther than the word teacheth you, ye fliall neither
believe the one nor the other, the word of God is
plain in itfelf ; and if there appear any obfcurity
in one place, the Holy Ghoft, which is never con-
trarious to himfelf, explains the fame more clearly
in other places ; fo that there can remain no doubt,
but unto fuch as obilinately will remain ignorant.
And now, madam, faid he, to take one of the
chief points, which this day are in controverfy be-
twixt the papifts and us, for example. The
papifts alledge, and boldly have afiirmcd, that the
mafs is the ordinance of God, and the infiitution
of Jefus Chrifi:. and a facrifice for the quick and
the dead. We deny both the one and the other,
and affirm, that the mafs, as it was now ufed, is
nothing but the invention of man; and therefore
it is an abomination before God, and no facrifice
that ever "God commanded. Now, madam, who
fliall judge betwixt us two thus contending ? It is
not reafon that either of the perfons be further be-
lieved, than thty are able to prove by unfufpetff
wirneffing: let them lay down the book of God,
and by the plain words prove their affirm.atives,
and we fliall give unto them the play granted.
But fo long as they arc bold to affirm, and yet do
prove nothing, we mufl: fay, that, albeit all the

•?7

world believe them, yet believe they not God;
but do receive the lies of men for the truth of God.
What our malter Chrifl Jefus did, we know by
his evangelifts: what the priefls do at the mafs,
the world feeth. Nov/, doth not the word of
God plainly alTure us, that Chrifi: Jefus neither
faid, nor yet commanded mafs to be faid at his
lafi: fupper, ieeing that no fuch thing as the mafs
is made mention of within the whole fcriptures ?
You are over hard for me, faid the queen ; but if
they v\'-ere here whom I have heard, they would
aniwer you. Madam, &id the other, would to
God that the moft learned papift in Europe,
and he that you would befi: believe, were preltnt
with your majefi-y to fufiain the argument; and
that ye would abide patiently to hear the matter
reafoned to the end : for then I doubt not, madam,
but that you fhould hear the vanity of the papifii-
cal religion, and what fmall ground it hath within
the word of God. Well, laid flie, ye may per-
chance get that fooner than you believe. Aflrired-
ly, faid the other, if ever I get that in my life, I
get it fooner than I believe ; for the ignorant papi/l
cannot patiently reafon, and the learned and crafty
papifi: will never come in your audience, madam,
to have the ground of their religion fearched out ;
for they know they are not able to maintain any
argument, except by fire and fword, and their
own laws be judges. So fay you, quoth the queen.
And I believe it hath been to this day, quoth he,
for how oft have the paplfls, i;\ this and in other
realms, been required to come to conference, and
yet could it never be obtained, unlefs themielves
were admitted for judges: and therefore I mufl
yet fay again, that they dare never difpute, but
where themjelves are both judges and party; and
when you fliall let me fee the contrary, I fhall
grant myfelf to be deceived in that point. And
with this the queen was called unto dinner ; for
it was afternoon. At departing, John Knox faid
unto her, I pray God, madam, that you may be
as blefled within the common-wealth of Scotland,
(if it be the pleafure of God) as ever Deborah was
in the common-wealth of Ifrael.

Of this long conference, whereof we only touch
a part, were divers opinions : the papifis grudg-
ed, and feared that which they needed not; the
godly, thinking at leafi that flie would have heard
the preaching, rejoiced ; but they were utterly
decived ; for flie continued in her mafling, and
defpifed, and quickly mocked all exhortation.

John Knox's ov/n judgmicnt, being by ibme

of his familiars demanded what he thought of the

Kk (|ueen^

258

The history oft he REFO llMATION Boos: IV.

queen, fa'id, iF fhere be not in her a proud mind,
a crafty wit, and an indurate heart againfi: God
and his truth, my judgment falleth me; and this
1 lay with a gileved heart, for the good I widi un-
to her, and by her, to the church and flate.

Wh;n the whole* nobility were conveened, the
lords of privy council were cho!tn, where were
.ippointed tiie duke, the earls of Huntly, Argyle,
Athol, Morton, Glencairn, Marfhal, Bothwel ;
tile lords Erfkine, and lord James, after earl of
Murray; and thefe were appointed as certain to
wait upon the court by courier but that order
continued not long ; duke d' Anville returned with
the gallies to France. The queen entered in her
progrefs, and in the month of September travelled
from Edinburgh to Linlithgow, Stirling, St.
johnlloun, Dundee, St, Andrews; all thefe parts
ihe polluted with the idolatrous mafs : fire follow-
ed the court very commonly in that journey, the
towns propined thq queen liberally, thereof were
the French enriched.

About the beginning of Oflober they returned
to Edinburgh, and at the day appointed the queen
was received in the caftle ; whereat preparations
v/ere made for her entry into the town, in farce?,
in mafking, and other prodigalities ; fain would
oar fools have counterfeited France : whatfoever
laight fet forth her glory, that fhe heard, and
l^ladly beheld. The keys were delivered unto her
by a pretty boy, defcending, as it were from a
«;loud : the verfes of her own praife Ihe heard, and
fmiled ; but when the bible was prelented, and the
fraife thereof declared, fne began to frown; for
ihame fhe could not refufe it, but fhe did no bet-
ter, for fhe gave it to the molt peftilent papift
within the realm, to wit, to Arthur Erflcine. E-
<iinburgh fince that day have reaped as they fowed:
they gave her fome tafle of their prodigality; and,
becaule the liquor was fweet, fhe hath licked oft
of that bull or box, oftner than twice fince. All
men know what we mean, the queen cannot lack,
r.nd the fubjedts have.

In Edinburgh it hath been an ancient and laud-
able cuflom, that the provofts, baillies, and coun-
cil, after their ele6f ion, which ufed to be at Mi-
chaelmas, caufed publicly proclaim the flatutes
and ordinances of the town ; and therefore Archi-
bald Douglas provofl, Edward Hope, Adam Ful-
lerton, <i;c. baillies, caufed proclaim, according to
the former flatutes of the town, ' That no udul-

* terer, nor fornicator, no noted drunkard, no

* mafs-monger, no obftinate papifl that corrupted

* the people, luch as pricfts^ friars, aad others of

' that fort, fhould be found within 4 1 hours there-

* after, under the pains contained in the flatutes.*
Which blown in the queen's ears, there began
pride and maliciouinefs to fhew itfelf ; for, with-
out fiirther cogiration of the caufe, was the pro*
vofi and baillies charged to ward in the caftle, and
immediately was commandment given, that other
provoffs and baillies fliould be elected.

Some gainflood for a while: the new elefVioa
alledged, that the provofl and baillies, whom they
had cholen, and to whom they had given their
oath, had committed no offence; therefore, that
juffly they might not be deprived. But while
charge was doubled upon charge, and no man
found to oppofe himfelf to ixpiety, the milled
queen's letter and wicked will is obeyed, as jufl
law. And fo was Mr. Thomas Mackalan chofen
provoff for the other ; the man, no doubt, was
both difcreet, and fufficient for that charge, but
the depofition of the other was againft all Jaw.
God be merciful to fome of our own ; for they '
were not all blamelefs, that the queen's unreafon-
able will was fo far obeyed.

A contrary proclamation was publicly made,

* That the town fhould be patent to all the queen's

* lieges:' and fo murderers, adulterers, thieves,
whores, drunkards, idolaters, and all malefadcrs,
got protection under the queen's wings, under
colour that they were of her religion; and fb got
the devil freedom again, where that before he
durll not have been feen in day-light upon the coiii-
mon ffreets. * Lord deliver us from this bondage
' offm.'

The devil finding his reins loofe, ran forevvard
in his courle, and the queen (evil men abufmg her
name and authority) took upon her greater bold-'
nefs, than fhe and Balaam's bleating priefls durft
have attempted before; for upon All-hallowday
they bended up their mafs v/ith all mifchievous fo-
lemnity. The minifters thereat offended, in plain
and public place, declared the inconvenience that
thereupon would enfue. The nobility were fuffici-
ently admonifhed of their duties ; but affeflioa
caufed men to call that in doubt, wherein oft be-
fore they feemed mofl refblute ; ta wit, ' Whether

* that the fubjefts might have hand to fupprefs

* the idolatry of their prince ?' And upon this
queftion conveened in the houfe of Mr. James
Macgill, the lord James, earl of Morton, the earl
ofMarfhal, fecretary Lethington, the juf^ice-clerk,
and the forefaid Mr. James, clerk of the regifter ;
who all reafoned for the part of the queen, affirm-
ing, * That the fubjefts might not take her mafs,

* lawfully

Book IV.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

259

•lawfully from her:' In the contrary judgment
were the principal minifters, Mr. John Row, Mr.
George Hay, Mr. Robert Hamilton, and John
Knox. The reafons of both parties we will omit,
becaufe they will be explained after, where the
faid quedion, and others concerning the obedience
due to princes, were long reafoned in open aflem-
blv : the conclufion of that firfi: rci^foning was,

* That t'le quetflion fliould be formed, letters di-

* refted to Geneva for the refolution of that
church,' Vv'herein John Knox offered his labour.
But fecretary Lethington, alledging there flood
much in the information, faid, ' That he fhould
'write;' but that was only to drive time, as the
truth declared itfelf. The queen's party urged,

* That the queen fnould have her religion free

* in her own chapel, to do. Hie and htr houfliou^d,

* what they lift.' The minifters affirmed, and
Toted th' contrary; adding, ' That her liberty
*■ {hould be their thraldom, ere it be long,' But
neither could reafon nor threatning move the af-
fedions of fuch, as were creeping into credit;
and fo did the votes of the lords prevail againfl
the minifters.

For the punlfhment of theft and reif, which had
increafed upon the border and in the fouth, from
the queen's arrival, was the lord James made lieu-
tenant. Some fufpe6led that fuch honour and
charge proceeded from the fame heart and counfel,
that Saul made David captain againft thePhiliftines;
butGodalTifted and bowed the hearts of men, both
to fear and obey him ; yea, the lord Bothwel him-
felf at that time afTifted him ; but he had remiflion
for Liddifdale, except that execution was made in
Edinburgh; for here twenty eight of one clan and
other, were hanged at that juftice-court : bribes,
buds, or folicitation, faved not the guilty, if he
might be apprehended ; and therefore God pro-
fpered him in that his integrity. That fame time
the lord James fpake with the lord Gray of Eng-
land at Kelfo, for good rule to be kept on both the
borders ; and agreed in all things.

Before his returning, the queen upon a night
took a fright in her bed, as if horfemen had been
in the clofs, and as if the palace had been inclofed
ab®ut ; whether it proceeded of her own womanly
fantafy, or if men put her in fear, for difpleafure
of the enrl of Arran, and for other purpofes, as
for the eletJfing of the guard, we know not : but
the fear was fo great, that the town was called to
the watch ; lord Robert of Holyrood-houfe, and
John of Coldlngham kept the watch by courfe.
icouts were fet forth, and fcntinels, upon pain of

death, were cominanded to keep their ftations ; and
yet they feared where there was no fear, neither
yet could ever any appearance or fufpicion of fuch
things be tried. Shortly after the returning of the
lord James, there came from the queen of Eng-
land Sir Peter Mewts, withcommlfTion, to require
the ratification of the peace made at Leith. Her
anfwerwas, even fuch as we have heard before;
That file behoved to advife, and then flie liiould
anRver. In prefence of her council (lie kept her-
felf grave ; for under the mourning- weed and ap-
parel flie could difTemble in full perfection: but
how foon that ever the French people had her alonr,
they told her, That fmce fhe came to Scotland, flie
fav/ nothing there but gravity, which repugned
altogether to her breeding ; for flie was brought
up in jovialty, fo termed fhe her dancing, and
other things thereto belonging.

The general alTembly of the church approach-
ed, holden in Decem.ber, after the queen's arrival,
in the which began the rulers of the court to draw
themfelves apart from the fociety of their brethren,
and began to ftrive and grudge, tiiat any thing
ftiould be confulted upon, v.ithout their advices.
Mr. John Wood, w'ho before had fliewed himfelf
very fervent in the caufe of God, and forward in
giving of his counfel in all doubtful m.atters, re-
fufed to alTift the affembly again ; whereof many
did wonder. The courtiers drew unto them fome
of the lords, and would not conveen with their
brethren, as before they were accuftomed, but kept
themfelves in the abbey. The principal commif-
fioners of the church, the fuperintendents, and
fome minifters, paft unto them, where they were
aftembled in the abbot's lodging within Holyrood-
houfe. Both the parties began to open their griefs :
the lords complained, That the minifters drew
the gentlemen into fecret, and held council with-
out their knowlege, the minifters denied that they
had done any thing in fecret, otherwife than the
common order commanded them ; and accufed the
lords (the flatterers of the queen we mean) that
they kept not the convention with their brethren,
confidering, that they knew the order, and that
the fame was appointed by their own advice, as
the book of difcipline, fubfcribed witk the moft
part of their own hands, would witnefs : fome
began to deny. That ever they knew fuch a thing
as the book of difcipline ; and called alfo in doubt.
Whether it was expedient, that fuch aflemblies
ftiould be, or not ; for gladly would the queen
and her fecret council have had all aftemblies of
the godly difcharged. The reafoning was ftiarp
K k 2 and

2^ The history of the 11 E F 0 R IvI A T I 0 N

Book IV

jind qi^ick oa either fide. The queen's faftional-
ledged, That it was fufpicious to princes, that
iubje6is fhould alTemble themlelves, and keep con-
ventions without their knowlege. It was anfwer-
ed, That wirhont knowlege of the princes, the
church did nothing ; for the princes perfeftly un-
der ftood, that within this realm was a reformed
church, and that they had their orders and appoint-
ed times of convention ; and fo, without know-
lege of the princes, they did nothing. Yea, laid
Lethington, the queen knew, and knoweth well
enough ; but the queflion is, Whether that the
queen alloweth fuch convention. Itv/as anlwered,
If the liberty of the church fhould fknd upon the
queen's allowance or difailowarxe, we are affured,
not only to lack afTemblies, but alfo to lack the
public preaching of the gofpel. That affirmative
was mocked, and the contrary affirmed. Well, faid
the other, time will try the truth. But to my
former words, this I will add ; ' Take from us

* the freedom of afiemblies, and take from us the

* gofpel ; for, without airemblits, how (hall good
' order and un-ty in doclrine be kept ?' It is not to
be fuppofed, that all miniilers fhall be fo perfeft,
but that they (hall need admonition, as well con-
cerning manners as doctrine ; as it may be, that
fome be fo fliff-necked, that they will rot admit
the admonition of the fimple : as alfo, it may be,
that fault may be found with minifters without juft
offence committed; and if order be not taken both
with, the com plainer, and with the perfons com-
plained upon, it cannot be avoided, but that many
grievous offences fhall arife ; for i emedy whereof,
pf neceffity it is, that general affemblies muff be ;
in the which, the judgments and gravity of many
may concur, to correal or reprefs the follies or er-
rors of a few. Hereunto confented the mofi: part,
as well of the nobility as of the barons, and willed
the reafoners for the queen to be fent to her maje-
fty, if that fhe Aood in fufpicion of any thing that
was tobe handled in their affemblies, that it would
pleafc her majefty to fend fuch as (he would ap-
point, to hear whatfoever was propounded,, or

hereafter was the book of difclpline propofed,
md defired to have been ratified by the queen's
majefly ; but it was flopped, and the queflion de-
manded, How many of thiofe that fubfcribed to that
book would be fubjeft unto it ? It was anfwered,
All the godly. Will the duke ? laid Lethington.
If he will not, anfwered the lord Ochiltrie, I
would that he were fcraped out, not only of that
book, but alfo out of our number and company ;
for what purpofc ftiall labour be taken to put the

church in order, and to what end fhall men fub-
fcribe,and then never mean to keep a word of that
which they promifc ? Lethington anfwered. Many
fubfcribe there injide parentitm, as cliildren are bap-
tized. One, to wit, John Knox, anfwered, Albeit ye
think that feoff proper, yet, as it is m.ofl untrue, fo
it is iirproper : that book was read in public audi-
ence, and by the fpace of divers days, the hearers,
thereof were reiolved, as all that here fitknow well
enough, and your/elves cannot deny ; fo that no
man was required to fubfcribe that which he un-
derfloodnot. Stand content, faid one, that book
will not be obtained. Let God, faid the other, re-
quire the lack and want, which this poor common-
wealth fhall have of the things therein contained,,
from the hands of fuch as flop the fame.

Thom^as Borrows perceiving that the book of
difcipline was refufed, prefented unto the councU.
certain articles, requiring idolatry to be fupprefled,.
their churches to be planted wiih true miniflersi
and fome certain proportions to be made for them'
according to equity and confcience: for unto that
time the mofl part of the miniflers had lived upon.
the benevolence of men ; for many had into their
own hands the profits that the bilhops and others
of that ieft had before abufed, and fo fome part'
was beflowed upon the miniflers.

But when the bifliops began to grip again to
that, which mofl unjuflly they called their own,
(for the earl of Arran was difcharged of St. An-
drews and Dunfermline, wherewith before, by vir-
tue of a faftcry and commiflion, he had intromit-
ted and meddled ; and fb were miany others) There-
fore the barons required. That order mi^ht be ta-
ken for the m.iniffers, or elfe they would no more
caufe rents to be paid unto any, that formerly be-
longed to the churchmen, nor fuffer any thing to
be colleded for the ufe of any whatfoever, after
the queen's arrival, than that they did before ; fdr
they verily fuppofed, that the queen's majefly would
keep promife m.ade to them, which was, Not to
alter their religion, which could not remain with-
out miniflers, and miniflers could not live without
provifion ; and therefore, they heartily defired the i
council to provide fome convenient order in. that
behalf. This fom.ewhat moved the queen's flatter-
ers ; for the rod of impiLty was not then flrength-
ned in her and their hands ; and fo began they to
praftife how they might pleafe the queen, and yet
feem fomewhat to fatisfy the faithful : and io de- i
vifed they. That the churchmen fliould have in- !
tromiffion and meddling with the two parts of their
benefices, and that the thk'd part fhould be gather-
ed by fuch men, as thereto fliould be appointed for

fuch

Book IV.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLANDi

ZO'l

fuch ufes ; as In thefe fabfequent adls are more
fully expreffed.

Jpiid Edinburgh, vicefimo Decembris 1 5 6 1 .

The which day ; forafmuch as the queen's ma-
jefty, by the advice of the lords of her fecret coun-
cil, forefeeing the imminent troubles, which ap-
parently threaten to arife amongft the lieges of this
realm, for matters of religion ; to ftay the fame,
and (hun all incommodities that might thereupon
enfue, having intcrcommuned and fpoken with a
part of the clergy, or eftate ecclefial^ical, with
whom then, reafoning being had, it was thought
good and eKpedient by her highnefs. That a gene-
ral aiTembly tbould be appointed the 15 th day of
December inflant, whereto the reft of the eftates
Blight have appeared; and, by the advice of law-
yers, one reafonable overture be made, and order
taken for flaying of the approaching trouble, and
quieting of all the country : which alTembly, be-
innr by her m.ajefty appointed, and fundry days of
council kept, and the faid ecclefiaftical eftates oft-
times required. That the faid order might be ta-
ken, and overture made for ftaying of the. trouble,
and quieting of the country :

Laft of all, in prefence of the queen's majefty,
and lords of the council aforefaid, and others of
the noblity of this realm, compeared John arch-
bifliop of St. Andrews, Patrick bifliop of Murray, .
Henry bilhop of Rofs, and Robert bifliop of Dun-
keld ; and for themfelves refpeftively offered unto
the queen's majefty, to be content wuh the two
parts of thq rents of their benefices,, and the third
part to be employed, as her majefty thought expe-
dient. And becaufe the certainty thereof was not
known, nor yet what liims of money would fuf-
tain the mlniftry, and the minifters of God's word
within this realm ; neither yet how much v/as ne-
celTary to fupport the queen's majefty above her
own rents, for the common affiiirs of the country :
therefore it is ordained, concluded, and determin-
ed by the queen's majefty, and the lords of the
council aforefaid, aad others of the nobilty prefent.
That if the fourth part of the whole benefices
within this realm, may be fuificient to fuftain the
miHifters throughout this whole realm, and fup-
port the queen's majefty, to maintain and fet fore-
ward th.e common affairs -of the country; failing
thereof the third part of the faid profits, and more,
if it be found fufricient for the effe6f aforefaid, to
be taken up yearly in time coming ; that a gene-
ral order may be taken therewith, and fo much there-
of to be employed to the queen's majefty's ufe, for

entertaining and fet ting fore ward of the common af-
fairs of the country ; and fomuch thereefto tliemi-
nifters, and fuftentation of the miniftry, as mayrea-
fonably fuftain the fame,at the fight and difcretion oi'
the queen's majefty, and council aforefaid; and the
excrefcence and fuperplus to be afligned to the old
pofteffors.

And, to the efiTedt that the rents and j^early pro-
fits of the whole benefices within this realm may
be clearly known to the queen's majefty and coun-
cil aforefaid, it is ftatuted and ordained, ' That
the whole rentals of the benefices of this realm
be produced before her majefty and lords afore-
faid, at the time under-written ; that is to fay.
The rentals of the benefices on this fide of the
water, before the 24th of January next coming;
and thofe beyond the. water, the lothof Febru-
ary next thereafter : and ordains letters to be di-
reffed to the flieriffs in that part, to pafs, charj^e,
and require all and fimdry archbifiions, biiliopE,
commendators, abbots, priors; on this fide of
the water, perfonally to be apprehended, and
faihng thereof, at their dwelling-places, or at the'
parifli-churches where they lliould remain, cathe-
dral churches or abbies; and all archdeacon'^,
deans, chanters, fub-chanters, piovofts, parfons,
and vicars, and other beneficed men whatfoever,
their chamberlains and faftors, perfonally, or at
their dwelling-places, or at the parifh-diurches
■where they ftiould remain, To exhibite and pro-
ducebefore the qtieen's m.ajeftyand lords aforcu id,
before the faid 24th day of January nextcominfr,
the juft and true. rentals of the values and rents of
their benefices, to the efie(5c aforefaid':- and to
charge the prelates, and the other- beneficed men
on the other fide of the water, in manner afore-
faid, to exhibite and produce the juft and true
rentals of their benefices before the queen's mnje-
ftyand lords aforefaid, the fid loth of February,
to the effe6l aforefaid ; with certification to them.
That if any fails to appear, the queen's majefty
and council's wills are. That they fhould be pro-
ceeded againft here, as the matter requires.
' And hkewife to charge the whole fuperintend- ■
ents, minifters, elders, and deacons c^' the priii-
cipal towns and fhires of this realm, togive ia
before the queen's majefty and lords of the coun-
cil aforefaid, before the fdd ■ 24th of J^inuary •
next coming, a formal and fufficient roll and me- -
morial, what may be fufilcientand reafonable to
fuftain the mlniftry, and whole minifters of this
realm, that her majefty, and lords of the councrt -
aforefaid, rnay rightly and diligently weigh and
coufidcr, what necefiary fupp9rt is required, to

* be

>try

26z The HISTORY of the

^ be taken yearly of the iVui'LS of the {aid benefices,
^ (by lier inajefty's own yearly rent) to entertaui
^ and fet forewarcl the common affairs of this realm,
^ agiiuu the f;ud 2.Kh c\.iy of Jivauary next co-
riMng. tiiai: it may be prcxecded in the laid mat-
ter, all parlies latisiied, aud the whole couutr^
' -am] i;<;'g'is thereof let in quictneft.'

j'f/i!dLmI'J/:gov..\ 2^ Jaauarii, 1561.

Forasmuch as the qneen's'maiefly, v;i;h the
a.Mce of the lords of her ftcrttcouucil, direfred
lier letters, commanding all and fuiidry archbifhopi,
bifhops, abbots, err. and all other beneficed men,
their fa6fors, farmers, tackfiKcn, to appear before
her highnefs and lords aforefaid at Edinburgh, or
where it fhould happen them to be for the time, fo
many as dwell upon this fide of the water, before
the 24th day of January inftant; and them that
dwell beyond the water, the loth of February
next coming, that the jufl value of their benefices
might be known; fo that hereafter her highnefs
may take order for the fuflcntation of theminiflry
of the church, and the public bufmefs of the re-
alm. Andbecaufe the queen's majelly is prefently
bufied with other affairs, and may not herfelf at-
tend upon the receipt of the faid rent; therefore
her highnefs hath given and granted, and by thefe
prefents gives and grants full power and commiili-
on to Mr. JamesMacgillofRankeilor- nether, clerk
«f the regifler, Sir John Ballenden of Archnenell,
knight, juflice-clerk, to the treafurer, fecretary of
ilate, advocate of the crown, and laird of Pittarro,
to call before them within the city of Edinburgh,
rdl and fundry prelates, and beneficed men which
iire charged by virtue of the faid letters, now pre-
fently being in Edinburgh, or /hall happen here-
after to repair thereto, their faclors or farmers, and
there enquire of them the rentals of their benefices,
and receive the fame from them., to the effeff a-
forcfaid. And lilcewife, that the faid commilTioners
caufe warn all fu perintendents, overfeers, minlfters,
elders and deacons, to give unto them the names
«f all the miniflei^ of this realm, that the jufl cal-
culation being made, and confidered by the faid
commilTioners, of the value of the (iiid benefices,
they may report the fimc unto the queen's mnje-
ily, that her highnefs may take order heiein, ac-
cording to the jufl tenor of the fiii^ ordinance made
thereupon.

Jj lid Edinburgh, 1 2 Fchrvarii i 561 .
FoB-ASMUCH as, by the ftatute and ordiiaaiice

R E F O R M A T I 0 N Book IV.

made by the queen's majefty, and lords of the fe«
cret council, aud her highnefs's letters dire<fled
thereupon, all and fundry archbifliops, bifhops,
abbots, &c. and other beneficed men, were charg-
ed to produce the rentals of their benefices before
her majefly and lords aforefaid, in manner foilovv--
ing, that is to fay, the faid beneficed men dwell-
ing on this fide of the water, before the four and
tH'entieth of January laft pafl; and on the other
fide of the water, before the tenth of February
i.'ifrant; to the effe<ft that order might be taken
therein, conform to the ordinance ; with certifica-
tion to them, that if they failed, the queen's ma-
jelly and council aforefaid, W'ould take order
therein, as the fame ordinance bears. Notv.'ith-
ftanding of the which, the queen's majefty and
council, and others appointed for receiving of the
faid rentals, have containually, fince the faid 24th
of January aforefaid, waited upon the receiving
of them; yet a very fmall number of them have
produced their rentals, thereby not only contem-
ning her majefly's ordinance and proclamation
aforefaid, but alfb herfelf and her authority, as
they were princes and not fubjeffs, exprefs againfl
equity, reafon and jufiice: for rem.edy whereof,
the queen's majefly ordains, with advice of the
lords of her fecret council, that fadlors, chamber-
lains, or ftewards, be appointed to intromit, ga-
ther, uplift and receive to our fovereign lady's
ufe, all and fundry mails, tithes or tiends, farms,
rents, provents, emoluments, fruits, profits, and
due tithes of whatfbever benefices, whereof the
rentals are not produced, conform to the faid or-
dinance. And, if any rentals already produced,
bear not the jufl value, but are fraudulently made,
to intromit and uptake as much of the profits and
fruits of the faid benefices, as are omitted forth
of the faid rentals ; and the in-givers of the rent-
als, and pofiefTors of the benefices thereof, fiiall
never have a6fion to claim, crave, or receive from'
the tenants and occupiers, further than is contain-'
ed in the fame rgitals already produced by them ;
and the tenants and pofiefTors fhall be holdtn to
pay no more than is contained in the fame rentals
already produced, as aforefaid. And the laid cham-
berlains and facfors to be appointed by the queen's
majefly, fiiall have fufficient power to intromit and
wptake the fruits and profits aforefaid, in fuch
fulnefs, as if fpecial letters of faftory and chamber-
kincy w'ere granted to them thereupon. And or-
<dains the lords of the feffion to direft forth letters,
at the faid fa^florsand chamberlains infiance, either
of horning or poinding, as fliall be thought expedi^

cut.

Book IV. ofRELIGIONinSCOTLAND.

^nt, for canfing of them to be anfwered of fruits
cf the faid benefices, to be forthcoming to the

263

queen's majefty's behalf and ufe, while further or-
der be tiil:en therein.

Jpud Edlnbiirgby 15 Februarii I 561.

Forasmuch as the queen's majefty, by the
advice of the lords of her lecret council, and others
divers, of the nobility had of before, upon the
22d day of December laff bypaft, ordained, That
if the fourth part of the fruits and rents of all the
benefices within this realm, were not fufficient for
the fupport of her majefty's prefent wants, and the
particulai- charges under- written, neceflary to be
borne for the weal of the country ; then the third of
thefaiifruits,moreorlefs,fhouldbetak.en up to the
effects aforefaid: and ordained letters to be directed,
charging ail and fundry beneficed men, on this fide
of the water, to produce thtir rentals, before the
24th day of January laf\ bypaft : and the tenth of
February inftant was prefixed by the faid letters,
for the bringing in all rentals of the benefices be-
yond the water; with certification that who pro-
tluced not the faid rentals, at the days aforefaid re-
fpeflively, the queen's majefly and her council
would provide remedy : according to the which
certification, her highnefs, with advice of her coun-
cil aforefaid, hath ordained, That they who have
not produced their rentals whole and full, intro-
mifTion fl\ail be had of their fruits, by them whom
.her majefly fliall direft thereto ; and who have not
given their juft rentals, whatfoever part omitted
forth of thtir faid rental, fhall be intromitted in
like manner.

And further, having confulted rightly, and di-
ligently advifed upon the common affairs, and ne-
cefTities concerning the queen's majeffy, and
charges to be born for the common-weal of the
realm, and fui^entation and maintenance of the
preachers and readers, conform to the faid ordi-
nance made thereupon of before, hath ordained
and declared the whole third part of all benefices,
of the which rentals are produced, to be taken up
by the pcrfon or perfons to be nominated by her
majefly, and to begin upon this laft crop of the
year of God 1 561 , the fame to be employed to the
effecf aforefaid, together with the whole profits of
the benefices, whereof the rentalsare not produced :
andalfo, all that is omitted out of the rentals pro-
duced : and that order be direfted by the queen's
majefly to the lords of the feflion, that the old
poflefTors may be anfwered of the remnant fruita

of the fail benefices ; providing, that the third
part aforefaid be full and whole taken up by the
perfons to be deputed to the taking thereof : and
this order to continue andftaad while further order
be taken by the queen's majedy, with the adv ce
of the eflates.

Moreov,^. herhighnef=, with the advice of tlie
council aforefaid, 'hath flatuted and ordained,
That annuals, mails and duties wiUiin free
burglis, or other towns of this realm, as w^ell per-
taining to chapiainries, prebendaries, as to friars,
togetl^er with the rents of the friars lands, where-
ever they be, letting and difpofing thereupon, te
intermiddled with, and taken by fuch as her ma-
jefly fhall depute thereto, for employing of tfx
fame by her highnefs to hofpitals, fchools, and other
godly ufes, as fliall feem beft to her highnefs, wim
advife of her council. And knowing that nothing
is more commodious for the forefaid hofpitalit) ,
than the places of friars thar are yet undemoiirned ;
and alfo to the entertainment of fchools, colleges,
and other ufes aforef^ud ; ordains the provoU and
baillies of Aberdeen, Elgin of Murray, Inver-
nefs, Glafgow, and other burghs of this realm^
where the fame are not demoliflied, to entei-
tain and uphold the faid fi iars places, ftanding ia
the faid towns, upon the common good thereof,
and to ufe the fame to the common-wealth and fer-
vice of the faid tov/ns, until the queen's majefty
be further advifed, and take final order in fuch
things ; notwithflanding of any gift, title, or en-
tries, given to whatfoever perfons, of the faid
places, with their yards and orchards, and other
pertinents, by our fovereign lady of before..

The lords of fecrct council, that were prefent
at the voring and making of the forefaid a6fs„
were, James" duke of Chattelarauk, George earl
of Huntley, Archibald earl of Argyle, William
earl of Marfhal, John earl of Athol,. Wfllram carl
of Montrofe, James earl of Morton, Alexander
earl of Glencairn, James commendator of St. An-
drews, John, lord Erfkine, the treafurer, the juf-
tice-clerk^ the fteward and controller.

For the frrfi: a<5l?, the earl of Huntly faid jert-
ingly, * Good morrow, my lords of the two parts/
The whole rentals being gathered, the fum of the
third, according to their own. calculation, was
found to extend 'to, <6'C,

The minifters, even in the beginning' of public
fermons, oppofed them.felves to fuch corruption ;;
for they forefaw the purpoies of ibc devil, anJ

deai^/?

"■{6^

The history or th6 REFORMATION

Book IV.

^dearly unclerflooJ the butt whereat the queen and * have not fo n^.uch to fpend.' When men did.
her flatterers fliot ; and To, in the chair of Edin- reafon, That the vocation of minifters craved cf

• bargh, John Knox faid, ' VsTell, if the end of this
' order, pretended to be taken for fuftentation of

* the miniflcrs, be happy, my judgment fails me;

* for I am affured, that the Spirit of God is not

* the author of it ; for firft I fee two^^arts freely

* given to the devil, anl the third mull be divid-

* ed betweert God and the devil.'

Well, faid he, bear v/itnefs to me, that this
day I faid it. Ere it be long, the devil ihall have

them books, quietnefs, ftudy, and travail to edify
the church of Chrid Jefus, when many lairds were
waiting upon their \vorldly bufmefs ; and there-
fore that the fdpends of minifters, who had n«
other induflry but to live upon that which was
appointed, ought not to be modified according to
the living of other common men, who might and
did daily augment the rents by fome other in-
duflry : when fuch realbns were laid before them.

r.hree parts of the third ; and judge you then v/hat they got no other anfwer, but, ' The queen can
God's portion will be. This was anunfevory faying ' fparc no greater fums.' Oft was it cried out in

their ears, ' O happy fervants of the devil, and mi-
' ferable fervants of Jefus Chrift, if after this life
* there were no hell nor heaven :' for, to the fer-
vants of the devil, thefe dumb dogs and horrid
bilhops, to one of thofe idle bellies, I fay, ten
thoufand was not enough ; but to the fervants of

_ _ por

in the ears of m.any ; feme were not afliamed to afhrm,
' That the miniilers being fuftained, the queen
^ will not get at the year's end to buy her a pair of
* ntw fhQZs: And this was fecretary Lethington.

There were appointed to modify the miniflers
flippnds, the earl of Argyle, Murray, and Morton,

Lethington, juftice-clerk, and clerk of the regi- Chriff, that painfully preach the gofptl, a hun-

iler. The' iaird of Pittarro was appointed to pay dred will fuffice. How can that be fuflained .'

the m/iniflers:ffipends, according to their modifica- One day in reafoning of this matter, the fecretary

tion. Who would have thought, that when Jo- burfl out in a piece of his choler, and faid, The mi-

lepli ruled Eo^ypt, that his brethren fnould have niffers have thus much payed unto them by year ;

travelled for*^ viftuals, and have returned with who ever yet iaid to the queen, grand mercies for

icmpty facks unto their families ? Men would ra- it ? Was there ever a miniffer that gave thanks, to

ther'havfc thought that Pharaoh's pofe, treafure, God for her majeffy's liberality towards them? One

and crirncls fliould rather have been diminifhed, fmiled, and anfwered, AlTuredly, I think, that fuch

than^that the houfliold of Jacob Ihould iland in as receive any thing gratis of the queen, are nn-

dann-er to (larve for hunger. thankful, if they acknowlege it not, both in heart and

liut fo bufy and clrcumfpeft were the modifica- mind; but whether theminiHers be of that rank,

tors (becaufe it was a new office, the term muil or not, I greatly doubt: gnzth, I am fure, thty

^aUb be new) that the miniilers fhould not be over- receive nothing ; and whether they receive any at

wanton, that a hundred merks was fufficient to a
iinn-le man, being a common minifler ; three hun-
'dre^l merks was the higheil that was appointed to
any, except the fuperintendents, and a few others :
ihortly, vfhether it was the ingratitude of their
own hearts, or the care that they had to^ enrich
the queen, w- know not ; but the poor miniflers,
readers, and exhorters, cried out to the heaven
(as their complaints in all afTemblics do witnefs)

all from the queen, wife micn may reafon : I am
alfured, that neither third, nor two parts, ever appei^
tained to any of her predeceflbrs within this realm,
thefe thouland years laft pafl: ; neither yet have the
queen's flatterers better title to that which fhc u-
furps, be it in giving to others, or taking it to her-
felf, than the ioldiers who crucified Jefus Chrift,
had to divide his garments among them: and, if
the truth may be fpoken, fhe hath not fb good title

tha: neither were they able to live upon the flipends as they had, for fucii fpoil ought to be the reward

appointed, neither could they get payment of that of fuch men : and, in that point, the foldiers werfe

foiali thinir that was appointed, fo fain would the more gentle than the queen's flatterers; 'for they

■comptrollers have played the good varlet, and have parted not the garm.ents of our Saviour, till that he

Dtisfied the queen, or elfe their own prOftt; (the himfelfwas hung upon the crofs; but her flatterers

good laird of Pittarro was an carnefl profefTor of do part the fpoil, while that poor Chrifl is yet

'-ChriO, but the great devil receive the comptroller,) preaching i'mongrt_ yon

■for he and hiscolitflors are become greedy factors.
To put an end to this unplcafng matter, when the
ibrethren complain-d of their poverty, it was difdain-
€uUv anfwered of foiP.e, ' Theie are inany lairds that

But the wifdom of ovt
God maketh trial of us by this means, knowing well
enough what, the court facflion hath purpofed to
do: let the papifts who have the two parts, forae
that have thvir thirds free, and fome that have got-

tea

Book IV.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

265

ten abbies and feu -lands thank the queen, and
hintyplareh DojnineXixt poor preacliers will not yet
flatter for feeding of trieir bellies. Thcfe words
Nvere judged proad and intolerable, and ingend-
rei no fmail difpleafure to the fpeaker.

This v/e put in memory, diat the pofterity to
come may know that God once made his truth to
triumph; but becaufe fome of ourfelves delighted
more in darkncfs than light, God hath reftrained
eur freedom, and put the whole body in bondage;
y^a, the greateft flatterers have not eicaped fo tree
as they fuppofed ; yea, the latter plagues appear
yet to be worfe than the fir/1. Be merciful unto
us, O Lord, and deal not with us according to our
defervings, but look thou to the equity of the caufe
which thou hafl put in our hands, and fufFer not
iniquity to oprefs thy truth, for thy own name's
-fake, O Lord.

^ In this mean while, to ivit, In February 1561,
was lord James firft made earl of Murray, and then
married one Agnes Keith, daughter to the earl
Marlhal. The m.arriage was public in the church
of Fdinburgh; at thebleffing of the marriage, they
both got an admonition to behave themfelves mo-
derately in all things : for, faid the preacher to liim,
.the church of God hath received comfort by you,
.2nd by your labours unto this day; in the which,
■if hereafter you {ball be found fainter than you have
been formerly, rt will be faid, that your wife hath
changed your nature. The greatnefs of the ban-
'. quet, and the vanity ufed thereat, ofFeni»-d many
■godly : there began the mafking, which from year
to year hath continued fmce. Mr. Randolph,
?.gent for the queen of England, was then, and
fometim.e after, in no fmall elfeem with our queen ;
for his midrefs's fake fhe did drink to him in a cup
©f gold, which he pofFefTed with great joy, more
for the favour of the giver, than of the gift and va-
lue thereof, and yet it was honourable. The
things that then were in handling betwixt the two
queens, whereof Lethington, fccretary Cecil, and
Mr. Randolph, were minifters, were of great weight,
as v/e will after hear.

This winter the earl of Bothwel, the marquis
,d' AlbufF, and lord John of Coldingham comauitted
riot in Edinburgh, and difordered the whole town,
•broke Cuthbert'llamfay's gates and doors, fearched
his houfe for his daughter in law, Alifon Cialge:
.and this was done in defpight of the earl of Arran,
who was fufpe'^ed to have been in love with the
faid Ah(on. The iiorroi s of this fa^i, and the
verity of it highly commoved.all godly hearts ; the
ilTaab^y, and alfo the nobility for the raoft part

were in the town ; and fo they corcluded to crave
juftiee, and fo they did, as by this lubfequent fup-
plication doth appear.

71? the queen's iv.njcjly, herfecref connci', her klgh-^
vcfs's faithful and obedient fuljeUs, the profejjon
of Chrifl Jefis's holy gofel, "jjifi the firit of
righteous judgment.

The fear of God conceived of his holy word;
the natural and unfeigned love we bear unto your
majefty; the duty which we owe to the qnietnefs
of our countr}'-; and the terrible direatnings which
our God pronounceth againfl every realm and city,
in the which horrible crimes are opeply com.mitted,
and then by the committers obftinately defended,
compel us, a great part of your fubjecfts, humbly
to crave of your majefty upright and true judgment
againfl: fuch perfons as have done what in them ly,
to kindle God's wrath againfl this whole realm.
The impiety by them com.mltted is fo halnous, and
fo htorrlble, that, as it is a faft miofl vile and rare
to be heard of within this realm, and principally
within the bowels of this city ; fo fliould we think
ourfelves guilty of the fame. If negligently, or yet
for worldly fear we put It over with filence: and
therefore your majefly may not think that we crave
any thing, while that we crave open malefaflors
condignly to be punifhed: but, that God hath
commanded us to crave, and alfo hath commanded
your majefly to give to every one of your fubjefts ;
for by this link hath God knit together the prince
and people, that, as he commands honour, fear
and obedience to be given to the powers eflablid"!-'
ed by him ; lb doth he in exprefs words command
and declare what the prince oweth unto the lub-
jecfls, to ivit, That, as he is the minider of God,
bearing the fword for vengeance to be taken on
evil-doers, and for the defence of peaceable and
quiet men ; fo ought he to draw the fword with-
out partiality, fo oft as in God's name he is requir-
ed thereto. Seeing io It is, madam, that this
crime fo recently committed, and that in the eyes
of the whole realm now publicly afTembled, is Jo
hainous ; for, who heretofore hath heard within
the bowels of Edinburgh, gates and doors under
fdence of night broken, houfes riped or fearched,
and that with hoflillty, feeking a woman, as .ap-
peareth, to opprefs her. Seeing, we fay, that
this crime Is fo hainous, that all godly rnen fear,
not only God's difpleafure to fall upon you and
your whole realm ; but alfo, that fuch licentiouf-
L 1 nefs

266

The history of the REFORMATION Book IV.

uefs breed contempt, and in the end fedition, if
remedy in time be not provided, which in our
judgment i3 impoirible, if fevere punifnment be
not executed lor the crime committed : therefore
•we molt humbly befeech your majefty, that, all
alTcclion fet aiiclc, you declare yourfelf fo upright
in this cafe, that ye may give evident demonih-ati-
©n to all your fubjecls, that the fear of God, join-
ed with the love of common tranquillity, hath
principal feat in your majefry's heart. This further,
madam, in confcience wc fpeak, That, as your
majeAy in God's name doth crave of us obedience,
which to render in all things lawful we are mol\
willing ; fo, in the fame name do we, the whole
profelfors of Chrift's gofpel within this your ma-
jefty's realm, crave of you and your council fharp
punifnment of this crime : and, for performance
thereof, that without delay the mofl principal ac-
tors of this hainous crime, and the perluaders of
this public viilany, may be called before the chief
juftice of this realm, to futfer an ailize, and to be
puniflied according to the laws of the iame ; and
your majefty's anfwer mofte humbly we befeech.

Thefc fupplications were prefented by divers
gendemen : the flatterers of the court at firfl:
Ilormcd, and afked who durfl avow it ? To whom
the mafter, after lord Lindfay, anfwered, A thou-
land gentlemen within Edinburgh. Others were
afhamed to oppofe themfelves thereto in public ;
but they fuborned the queen to give a gentle an-
fwer, until fuch time as the convention was dif-
folvcd, and fo flie did : and then, after in fair
words, Ihe alledged, that her uncle was a ftranger,
and that he had a young company with him ; but
that flie (hould put fuch order unto him, and un-
to all others, that hereafter they fhould have no
Occafion to complain ; and fo eluded ihe the jufc
petition of her fubjefts. And no wonder, for
how (hall ihe puniih in Scotland that vice, which
in France flie did fee fo free without punilhment,
and which kings and cardinals commonly ufe, as
the raalk and dancing of Orleance can witnefs ;
wherein virgins and mens wives were made com-
mon to king Hary, Charles, the cardinal, and to
their courtiers and pages, as common women in
brothels are unto their companions.

The manner was thus. At the entry of king
Jlenry of France in the town of Orleance, the ma-
trons, and mens wives were commanded to be pre-
fent themfelves in the king's palace to dance, and
they obeyed ; for commonly the French nation is
»ot very hard to be entreated to vanity. After

fiddling and flinging, and when the cardinal of
Loi-rain had efpied his., prey, he faid to the king.
Sire, le premiere eft a voits, <b fault que je Joy le
fecond, that is, * Sir, the firif choice is yours, and
' 1 mufi: be the fecond.' And fo the king got the
pre-eminence, that he had his firfl cle^icn ; but,
becaufe cardinals are companions to kings, the car-
dinal had the next. And thereafter the torches
were put out, and every man comm.anded to pro*
vide for himfelf the bed he might.

What cry there was of huibands for their wives,
and wives for their huibands, of ancient matrons
for their daughters, of virgins for their friends,
or fome honell: men to defend thtir pudicity,
Orleance will remember, more kings- days thaa
one.

This horrible viilany, a fruit of the cardinal's
good catholic religion, we fhortly touch, to 1st
the world underfland what fubjeds may look for
of fuch magilf rates ; for fuch paflime to them is
jollity. It had been good for our queen, that fhe
had been brought up in better company, both for
her credit, and for the courfe of her life : and it
may be, that her excellent natural endowments
had been better imployed for her reputation and
happinefs, than they were to her great misfortune,
and to the grief of thofe that wifned her truly well.
But punilhment of that enormutj', ^nd fearful at-
tempt, we could get none : yea, more and more
they prefumed to do violence, and frequented
nightly xTiafking ; and we began to bear the matter
very heavily, At length the duke's friends began
to aiTemble in the night-time on the cawfey or
ffreet. The abbot of Kilwinning, who then was
joined to the church, and fo, as we underfland,
yet abideth, was a principal man at the beginning.
To him repaired many faithful, and amongft o-
thers cam.e Andrew Stuart lord Ochiltry, a maa
rather born to make peace, than to brag upon the
cawfey ; he demianded the quarrel, and being in-
formed of the foimer enormity, faid, * Nay, fucb

* impiety fhall not be fuffered, fo long as God /hall

* afTifl us : the vidfory that God hath in his owa

* mercy given us, w^e will by his grace maintain.*

And fo he commxanded his fon Andrew Stuart,
then mafler, and his fervants, to put themfelves ia
order, and to bring forth their fpears and long
weapons ; and fo did others. The word came to
the earl Bothwel and his fon, that the Hamiltons
were upon the flreet ; vows were made that the
Hamiltons fhould be driven, not only cut of the
town, but alfo out of the country. Lord John of

Coldinghaja

Book IV.

IIELIGION IK SCOTLAND.

Colding-ham married the eari Bothwel's fifter (a
fufficienc woman for fnch a man) alliance drew
Lord Robert, and fo they joined with the earl
Bo:hwv=l. But the ftoiunefs of the marquis le
Beut" (d' AlbuiT'ihey call him) is mofi: to be com-
mended : for, in this chamber in the abbey, he
ixarted to an halbert, and ten m-en were fcarce able
to hold him that night; and the danger was betwixt
the crofs and trone, and fo he was a long quarter
©f a mile from the ibot and iklenting of bolts.
The mailer of Maxwell, after lord Herries, gave
declaration to the eai4 of Bothwell, that if he ftirred
forth of his lodging, he, and all that affifl him,
ihouid reful him in the face ; whole words did
fomewhat beat down that blaft. The earls of
Murray and Huntly being in the abbey, where the
marquis was, came with their company fent from
the queen, to ftay that tumult, as they did ; for
Bothwell and his were commanded under pain of
trealbn to keep their lodgings.

It was whifpercd by many, that the earl of Mar-
ray's difpleafure w^as as much fought, as any hat-
red that the Hamiltons did bear againfl the earl of
Bothwel, or yet he againfl them. And in very
deed, either had the duke very falfe fervants, or
elfe by Huntly and the Hamiltons the earl of Mur-
ray's death was oftner confpired than once ; the
fufpicion whereof burft forth fo far, that upon a
day the faid eari being upon horfe, to have come
to the fermon, was charged by one of the duke's
own fen-ants, to turn and abide with the queen :
the fame whereof fpread over all : what ground it
had, we cannot lay ; but fhortly after, the duke,
and fome of the lords remained at Glafgow; their
conclufion was not known. The earl of Arran
came to Edinburgh, where tlie earl Bothwel lay.
The queen and the court were departed to Fife,
and remained fom.etimes in St. Andrews, and fome-
times in Falkland.

The earl Bothwel, by means of James Barron
burgefs, and then merchant of Edinburgh, defircd
to fpeak witli John Knox fecretly, which the laid
John gladly granted, and fpake with him upon a
•night" fii-ilin ihefaii James's lodging, and after
in his own ftudy : the fum of all their conference
and commanication was, the faid lord lamented
his Inordinate life; and efpecially, that he was
provoked by the enticements of the queen regent,
to do that which he fore repented, as well againfl
the laird of Ormifton, v/hofc blood Vv^as fpilt, al-
beit not by his fault : but his chief grief was, that
he had nilbehaved himfeli: tov/ard the earl of Ar-
raa, v/hofe favour he was moil wihiag to redeem.

2f>7

if po/Iible it ^v■ere that fo he might : for, faid he,
if i might have my lord Arran's favour, i would
ay wait upon the court with a page and a few ier-
vaats, to fpare rny expence ; where now, i ai^i
compelled to keep for ray own fafety a number of
wicked and unprofitabje men, to the utter defcruc-
tion of m.y efuite that is left. To which the faid
John anfwered, my lord, would to God that in me
were counfel and judgm.ent, that might comfort
and relieve 3'ou ; for albeit, that to this hour, it
hath not happened to me to fpeak with your lord-
fhip face to face, yet Iiave I born a good mind to
your houfe, and have been ferry at my heart of
the trouble that I have heard you to be involved
in: for, my lord w.y great-grandfather, and f:i-
ther, have fervcd your lordfnip's predeceflbrs, and
fome of them ha-\-e died under their flanders, and
this is a part of the obligation of our Scots kind-
nsfs: but this is not the chief ; but, as God hath
made me his public melfenger of glad tidings, fo
it is my earneft deure that all mea may embrace
it, which perfedlly they cannot, fo long as there
remaineth in them rancour, malice, or envy. I am
forry that you have given occafion unto men to be
offended with you ; but more forrowful, that yoa
have offended the majcfly of God, wherefore he
often punifheth the other fins of man : and there-
fore my counlel is, that 5'ou begin at God, with
whom, if you enter into perfedl reconciliation, I
doubt not but he fhall bow the hearts of men to
forget all offences ; and, as for me, if you will
continue in godlinefs, your lordfhip fhall com-
mand me as boldly, as any that ferves 5'our lord-
ihip. The faid lord delired him, that he would
try the earl of Arran's mind, if he would be con-
tent to accept him in his favour, v/hich he promlf .
ed to do.

And fo earnellly he travailed in the matter; and
it was once brought to fnch an end, as all the
faithful praifcd God for fuch agreement : the grea-:«
efi flay flood upon the fatisfaition of the iaird of
Ormifton, who, befide his former hurt, as is be-
fore declared, was even at that tim.e of the com-
muning purfued by the faid earl Bothwel, and his
fbn Mr. Alexander Cockburn v/as taken by him,
and carried by him to Berwick, but courteoufly
enough fent back again. The new trouble fo
greatly difpleafed John Knox, that, he almofl
gave over further travailing for amdty ; but yet,
upon excufe of the faid earl, and upon declaration
of his mind, he re-entred into labour, and fo
brought it topafs, that the laird of Ormdflon .re-
ferred :his fatisfadion, in all things, to the Judg-
L 1 2 - jKcat

The history of the REFORMATION Booii IV.:

a6S

■ment of the earls of Arran and Murray, to whom
the foii earl iubmiiited hlmfelf on that head, and
fhereupon delivered his hand-writing ; and fo was
conveyed by vcrtue of his friends, to the lodging
of the church of Field, where the earl of Arran
was with his friends, and the faid John Knox with
hi-ni, to bear witnefs and tcftification of the end
of the agi-eement.

As the earl of Bothwel entered the chamber,
and would have done thofe honours that friends
had appointed, Mr Gabriel Hamilton abbot of
Kilwinning, and the laird of Rickardion, were the
chief friends that communed, the faid earl of Ar-
ran gently pad: unto him, embraced him, and faid,
' If the hearts be upright, few ceremonies will

* ferve, and content me.' The faid John Knox, in
audience q^ them both, and of their friends, laid,
' Now, my lords, God hath brought you together

* by the labour of fimple men, in refpeft of fuch

* as would have travailed therein : I know my

* labours are already taken in evil part, but becaufe

* I have the tellimony of a good confcience before

* God, that wJiatfoever 1 have done, it is in his
^ fear, for the profit of you both, for the hurt of
•■' none, and for the tranquillity of this realm : fee-
■* ing therefore tliat my confcience beareth witnefs

* to me what I have fought, and do continually

* feek, I the more patiently bear the mifreports,
•* and wrongful judgments of men. And now I
' leave you in peace, and defire you who are the
' friends, to fludy that amity may encreafe, all

* former hatred forgot.' The friends of either
party embraced other, and the two earls departed
to a. window, and talked by themfelves a realbn-
able Ipace. And thereafter the earl of Bothwel
departed for that night, and upon the next day in
the morning returned with fome of his honeft
iriends, and came to the fermon with the faid earl,
whereat m^any rejoiced. But God had another

, ' work to work, than the eyes of men could efpy.
The Thurfday next they dined together ; and
thereafter the faid earl Bothwel. and Mr. Gabirel
Hamilton, rode to the duke, who then was in
£nmel : what communication was betwixt them,
is not certainly known ; but by the report which
the faid earl of Arran made to the queen, and un-
to the earl of Murray, by his writings : for upon
the third day after their reconciliation, the fermon
being ended, the faid earl of Arran came to the
houfe of the faid John Knox, and brought with
him Mr. Rijhard Stang and Alexander Guthry,
to whom he opened the grief of his mind, before
that jolin Knox was called, for he was bufy, as

commonly he uled to be after liis fermon, in direc-
ting of writings : which ended, the faid earl called
the three together, and fdf, * I am treafonably
* betrayed,' and with thsfe words began to weep.
John Knox demanded, my lord, who hath betray-
ed you ? one Judas or other, faid he, I know it
is but my life that is fought : I regard it not.
The other faid, my lord, I underlknd no fuch
dark m.anntr of fpeach : if I (hall give you any aK-
fwer, ycu muft fpeak more plainly. Well, faid
he, I take you three to witnefs, that I open thi>
unto you, and I write it unto the queen, an aa
of treafon is laid to my charge. The earl BothwcL
hath Ihown to me in council, that he fhall take
t^e queen and put her in my hands, in the caAlc
of Dunbartoun ; and that he (liall flay the earl oc
Murray, Lethington, and others that now mil-
guide her, and lo fliall he and I rule all. But i
know this is devifed to accufe me of treafon, for
I knov/ he will inform the queen of it : but I take
you to witnefs, that I open it here unto you; and
1 will pafs incontinent, and write to the queen's
)rajefly, and unto my brother the earl of Mur-
ray.

John Knox demanded, did you confent, my
lord, to any part of that treafon ? He anfwered,
No. Then, faid he, in my judgment his words,
although they were fpoken, can never be treafon
to you ; for the performance of the faft depends
upon your will, whereunto you fay, ye have difaf-
fented ; and fo fliall that purpofe vaniflr and die of
itfelf, unlefs you waken it : for it is not to be fup-
pofed, that he will accufe you of that, which he
himfelf hath devifed, and whereunto you would
not confent. Oh, faid he, you underftand not what
craft is ufed againfl me : it is treafon to conceal
treafon. My lord, faid he, treafon mufl import
confent and determination, which I hear on nei-
ther of your parts : and therefore, my lord, in my
judgment, it v/ill bemorefure, and more honour-
able unto you, to depend upon your innocency,
and to abide the unjuft accufation of any other (if
any follow thereof, as 1 think there fliall not)
than to accufe, efpecially after fo late reconciliati-
on. I know, faid he, that he will offer the com-
bate unto me, but that would not be fuffered ia
France; but I will do that which I have purpof-
ed.

And fo he departed, and took with him to his
lodging the faid Mr. Alexander Guthry, and Mr.
Richard Strang, from whence was written and
endited a letter to the queen's majefty, according
to the former purpofe ; which letter v/as dire^ed

with

Book IV.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

36(f

with all diligence unto her majerty, who then was
la Falklanl The earl himreif rode after to Kin-
neil to his father the duke; but how he was ufed,
we have but the common report, But from thence
he wrote a letter with his own hand in cyphers to
the earl of Murray, complaing of his rigorous
handling and entertainment by his own father and
friends ; and affured further, that he feared his
life, in cafe he got not fuddtn rcfcue. But there-
upon he remained not, but broke the chamber
wherein he was put, and with great pain paiTed to
Stirling, and from thence was conveyed to the
Hallyard's, where he was kept, till that the earl of
Murray came unto him, and conveyed him to the
queen, then being in Falkland, who then was fuf-
liciently inflruilled in the whole matter ; and, up-
on fufpicion conceived, had caufed to apprehend
J^Ir. Gavin Hamiiton, and the earl Bothv/el afore-
faid, who knowing nothing of the former adver-
tifements, came to Falkland, which augmented
the former fuff i:ion.

But yet the letters of J( )hn Knox made all things
to be ufed more circumlpeclly ; for he did plainly
forewarn the earl of Murray, that he efpied the
carl of Arran to be flricken with phrenzy, and
therefore willed not over great credit to be given
unto his words and inventions : and as he adverti-
ied, fo it came to pafs forthwith in few days, his
ITcknefs increafed, he talked of wondrous fjgns that
heiiiw in heaven; he alledged that he was bewitch-
ed ; he v/ould have been in the queen's bed, and
affirmed that he was her hufband ; and finally, in
all things he behaved himielf fo foolifbJy, that his
phrenzy could not be hid.

And yet were the earl Bothv/el and Mr. Gavin
abbot of Kilwinning kept in the caftle of St. An-
drews, and conveened before the council with the
earl of Arran, who ever Ttood firm, that the earl
of Bothwel propofed to hLm fuch things, as head-
vertifed the queen's majefly of ; but ififfly denied,
that his father, the faid abbot, or his friends knew
any thing thereof, either yet that they intended any
violence againft him ; but alledged, that he was
inchanted, fo to think and write. Whereat the
queen highly offended, comm.itted him to prifon,
with the other two, firff in the callle of St. An-
drews, and thereafter caufed them to be conveyed
to the caftleof Edinburgh; James Stuart of Car-
dbnhall, called captain James, v/as evil reported
for the rigorous entertainment that he (hewed to
the faid earl in his ficknefs, being appointed keep-
er unto him.

To confult upon thefe occaCcas, , the whole.

council was aHembled at St. Andrews, tlit iSth cf
April I 562 years ; in which it was concluded, that,
in confideration of the former fuiplcion, the duke
Ihould render to the queen the caftle of Dunbar ton,
the Guflody thereof was granted unto him by ap-
pointement, till that lawful fucceffion Tnould be
leen of the queen's body : but will prevailed againff
reafon and promife, and fo was the caftle delivered
to captain Anftruther, as having power from tlie
queen and council to receive it.

Things ordered in Fife, the queen returned to ■
Edinburgh, and then began mirrh to grow liot,
for her friends began to triumph in France : the
certainty hereof came to the ears of John Knox-,
for there wer^ome that then told him from time to
time the ftate of things ; and, amongil others, he
was alTured, that the qneen had been merry, ex-
celTively dancing till after midnight, becaufe that
ihe had received letters, tliat pacification was be-
gun again in France, and that her uncles were be-
ginning to ftir their tail, and to trouble the whole
realm of France. Upon occafion whereof, from •
this text, ' And now underftand,. O ye. kinga, and

* be learned, ye that judge the earth;', he began
to tax the ignorance, the vanity, and defpite o^
princes againfl all virtue, and againfl all thofe ia
whom hatred of vice and love of virtue, .appeared;
the report hereof made, unto the queen, the faid
John Knox was fent for ; Mr. Alexander Cockburn,
who before had been his fcholar, and was very fli-
miliar with him, was the melfenger, who gave
him fome knowlege, both of the report, and of
the reporters.

The queen was in her bed-chamber,- and wlt'i
her, (befides the ladies and common fervants) were
the lord James, the earl of Morton, fecretary Le-
thington, and fome of the guard that had made the
report ; he was accufed as one that had irreverent-
ly fpoken of the queen, and had travailed to bring;
her into hatred and contempt of the pgopie, and
that he had exceeded the, bounds of his text ; ami
r.pon thefe. three heads made the queen a joug ora-
tion, Whereunta the faid John anfwered as fol-
loweth, ' Madam, This is.ofentimes the juil: re-
' compenfe which God gives the ffubborn of the

* world ; that becanfe they will not hear Gc<d fpeak-

* ihg to the comfort of the penitent, and for amend-

* ment of the wicked, they are oft compelled ta

* hear the falJe report of others, to their great dif-
' pleafure. I doubt not, but that it came to the

* ears of Herod, that our Mafler Jefus Chrift called

* him a fox ; but they told him not how odious a

* thing it was before God tcmurder an iniiccent,.

ac

The history of the REFORMATION Bdox IV.

' as he h:J lately done before, caufmg to behead
" John the Bap.ifl:, to reward the dancing of an
' harlot's daughter. Madam, if the reporters of
' my words had been honed men, they would have

* reported my words and the circumflances of tlie

* lame ; but becaufe they would have credit in court,

* and wanting virtue worthy thereof, they muft
' have fomcwhat to pleafe your majcily, if it were

* but (latteries and lies ; but fuch pleafure (if any
' your majefty take in fuch perfons) will return to
'• youreverlaJling difpleafure : for, madam, if your

* own ears had heard the whole matter thatl treat-

* ed, if there be in you any fpark of the Spirit of

* God, yea, of honefty and wifdora, you would

* not juftly have been offended witiMny thing that

* I fpake.'

And becf.ufe you have heard their report, pleafe
your mnjeFcy to hear myfelf reheurfe the fame, io
near as memory will ferve, (it was even upon the
next day after that \he fermon was made :) My
text, faid he, madam, was this, ' And now, O
' kings, underibnd, be learned, ye judges of the

* earth :' after, madam, feid he, that I had de-
clared the dignity of kings and rulers, the honour
wherein Gocf hath placed them, the obedience that
is due unto thsm, being God's lieutenants ; I de-
manded this queftion. But oh ! alas, what account
Ihall the mofi part of princes make before that fu-
prcme Judge, whofe throne and authority fo ma-
aifeflly andihamefuHy thsyabufe? The complaint

■of Solomon is this day mod true, to tvit, ' That

* violence and oppreilion do occupy the throne of

* God here in this earth ;' f-r whilft that murder-
ers, blood- thirfty men, opprefTors and malefaclors
dare be bold to prefont themfelves before kings and
princes, and that the poor faints of God are ba-
nlihed and exiled, what fiiall we fay ? but that the
devil hath taken 'podefiion rn the throne of God,
v/hich ovight to be fearful to all wicked doers, and
a refnge to the innocent, opprefTed; and how can
it otherwife be ? for princes will .not undcrdand,
Lhey will not be learned, as God commands them';
"but God's law they difpifc, his datuces and holy
•ordinances they will not underdand : for in fiddling
.and ninpr.ig tiicy are more exercifed, than in read-
ing and^ he?tnng God's mod bhfied word ; and
■ftdlers and flatterers (which commonly corrupt the
youth) a!-e more precious in their eyes, than men
of wifjom and gravity, who, by whoelfom admo-
nitions, miy beat down in them fome part of that
•vanity and pride wherein we all are born, but in
iprinc-'S take deep root and drength by evil educati-
"oii. Aud of^.^iicing, m^vaam, I CM, That albeit

in Scriptures I found no pralfe of it, and in profane
writers, that it is termed the gedure rather of thoffi
that are road, sind in phrenzy, than of fober men ;
yet do I not utterly condemn it, providing that two
vices be avoided. The former. That the princi-
pal vocation of thofe that ufe that exerciie, be not
neglected for the pleafure of danciiag. Secovidly.,
That they dance not as thePHilidines their fathers,
for the pkall;re that they take in the difpleafure of
God's people ; for if they do ihefe, or either of
them, they fliall receive the reward of dancers, and
that will be to drink in hell, unlefs they fpeedily
repent, fo fhall God turn their mirth into fuddea
forrow : for God will not always Si'tiift his people,
neither will he always wink at the tyranny of ty-
rants. If any, madam, faid he, will fay that I
fpake more, let him publicly accufe me ; for I think
I have not only touched the fum, but the very
Words as I fpake them. Mr.ny that dood by did
bear witnefs with him, that he had recited the very
words that publicly he Ipake.

The queen looked about to iome of the report-
ers, and faid, *' Your words are (liarp enough, as
' you have fpcken them, but yet they were told me
' in another manner: I know, faid fhe, that my
' uncles and you are not of one religion, and there-

* fore I cannot blame you, to have no good opini-

* on of them; but if you hear any thing of my-
' felf that midikcs you, come to myfelf and tell me,

* and I fliall hear.' Madam, quoth he, I am affu-
red that your uncles are enemies to God, and imto
his Son Jefus Chrid, and for maintenance of their
own pomp and worldly glory, that they fpare not
to fpill the blood of many innocents ; and there-
fore I am aiTured, that thefe enterprifes fliall hare
no better fuccefs than others have had, that before
them have done as they do now. But as to your
■own perfon, madam, I would be glad to do all that
I could to your majedy's contentment, providing
that I exceed not the bounds of my vocation : I am
called, madam., to a public funifllon within the
church of God, and appointed by God to rebuke
the vices and fins of all : 1 am not appointed t»
come to every man in particular, to fliew him his
offence, for that labour were infinite; if your ma-
jedy pleafeth to frequent the public fermcns, then
I doubt not but that you fliall fully underdand
both what I like and millikc, as well in your ma-
jedy, as in rJl others : oi if your majedy v.'ill affga
unto me a certain day and hour when it will pleafe
you to hear the form and fubdance of doftrine
which is propofed in p':biic to the church of this
realm, I will mod gladly wait u-pon yo:3r rr-aicdy's

pleafure

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND:

FooK IV.

pleafure, time, and place; but to come to wait u-
l>on your chamber-door, or elfewhere, and then to
have no further liberty but to wbifper my mind in
your majefty's ear, or to tell you what others think
und fpeak of you, neither will my confcience, nor
the vocation whereto God hath called me, fuffer it ;
lor albeit at your raajeliy's^ccmmandment I am here
now, yet I cannot te'l what other men will judge
cf me, that at this time of the day I am abfent
from my book, and waiting at the court. You will
Eot always, fl.id flie, be at your book, and fo
turned her back : and the laid John departed, with
fereafonable merry countenance; whereat fome pa-
pifls cifended, faid, ' He is not afraid ;' which
heard by him, he anfwered, ' Why fliould the
* pleafant face of a lady afray me ? I have looked
' in the faces of many angry men, and yer have not
' been afraid above meafure ;' and 16 left he the
tqueen and the court for that time.

In this mean time the negotiation was grsat be-
twixt the queen of England and our fovereign ;
letters, couriers and polls ran frequent: great re-
port there was of the interview and meeting at
York, and Ibme preparation was made therefore in
both the realms: but that failed upon the part of
England, and that by occahonof the troubles mo-
ved in France, as was alledged, which caufed the
<|ueen of England, and the council attend upori
the fouth parts of England,, for avoiding of in-
conveniences.

The fummer there came an ambalTador from the
king of Sv/eden, requiring marriage of our fove-
j-eign to his mafler the king ; his entertainment was
honourable, but his petitions liked not our queen
cne whit, for as yet fhe could not refolve to be
wife to the king of Sweden, having been lately
queen of France ; and yet Ihe refufed not one much
inferior to a fovereign king.

The earl of Lennox and his wife were commit-
ted to the tower of London, for trafficing with
papifls: the young laird of Barr was a fticler in
that bufniefs, and was apprehended with fome let-
ters, which was the caufe of his and their trouble.

The earl of Murray made a private journey to
Kawick upon the fair-day thereof, and apprehend-
ed fifty thieves, of which number were feventeen
drowned, others were executed in Jedburgh ; the
principal were brought to Edinburgh, and there
i'ufFered, according to their merits upon the Bur-
row-muir.

The queen was no whit content of the profperi-
ty and good fuccefs that God gave to the earl of
Mmray in all his enterprifes ; for fhe hated his

'ZJV

upright dealing, and the Image of God chat evi-
dently did appear in him ; but at that time (he
could not v,-ell have ferved without him.

The alTembly of the church at midiummcr the-
24th day of June 1562 approached, in the Vv'hidi
were many notable heads handled concerning
good order to be kept in the church ; and for
the papiils, and for the idolatry of the queen,
which troubleth the former good order, fome mi-
niflers, fuch as Mr. John Sharp, had left their
charges, and entered into other vocations, more
profitable for the belly; againf^ whom verea^;-
made, although this day they have not put thent-
in execution.

The tenor of the fupplication, read in open au-
dieace, and approved by the whole aflembiy, to be-
prefented. to tlie queen's m.ajefty, was this.

To- the ^ieen's MjjeJIy, a72d the mcfi honcurah'e
Privy Council,

The Svperintendents and MiniJIers cf the Goftel cf
Chriji Jefits •within this Rcahn, together ivith the
CommiJ] toners of the -whole Churches, defire Grace
and Peace, Jrom the Father of our Lord Jefi-.s
Chriji, "with the Spirit of righteous Judgment.

Having- in mind "that the fearful fentences pro-
nounced again ft the watchmen, that fee the fv/ord-
cf God's punifhment approach, and do not in
plain words forewarn the people, yea, the princes
and rulers, that they repent ; we cannot but fig-
nify unto your highnefs, and to your council. That'
theflate of this realm isfuchfor this prefent, that,
unlefs redrefs and remedy be Ihortly provided, God's
hand cannot long fpare in his anger, to ftrike the
head and the tail; the- inobedient prince, ani fm-
ful people : for, as God is unchangeable and true,
fo muff he punifh, ,in thefe our days, the grievous
fms which before, we read, he hath puniflied in all
ages, after that he hath long called for repentance,,
and none is fliown. And, that your majefty and
council may underlland what are the things v\'e de-
fire to be reformed, we will begin at that which
we know aHuredly to be the fountain and fpring
of all other evils that now abound in this realm,
to witj

That idol and bafe fervice of God, the mafs,
the fountain, v/e call it, cf all impiety ; not only
becaufc many take boldnels to fm, by reafon of that
opinion, which they have conceived of that idol^,.
to -wit, That:by virtue of it they get reniiffion of

tlitir

2^2 The history of th

^heir fins •, bat alfo, becaufe that under this co-
lour of the mafs, are whores, adulterers, drunk-
ards, blafphemers of God, of his holy facraments,
and fach^pthcr mlnifefl: malefaaors. maintained
and defended : for, let any mafs-fayer, or earnefl
raaiiitain.er tliereof, be deprehcnded in any of the
fore- named crimes, no execution can be had; for
all is done in hatred of this religion : and fo are
wicked men permitted to live wickedly, cloaked
and defended by that wicked .idol. But fuppofing
that the mafs were occafion of no fuch e^'ils, yet
in itfelf it is fo odious in God's prefence, that we
cannot ceafe with all inftance to dellre the removmg
of the fame, as well from yourfelf, as from all o-
thers within this realm; taking heaven and earth,
yea, your own confciences to record, that the ob-
iUnatc maintenance of that idol fhall, in the end,
be to you dcftruftion of foul and body, if you do
aot repent.

if your majcPiy demand. Why that now we are
more earneft, than we have been heretofore ? We
anAver, Our former filcnce noways excufcd, be-
caufe we find ourfelves fruftrate of our hope and
expeftation ; which was, That in procefs of time,
\'our majefly's heart fhould have been molified,^fo
far, as ye would have heard the public doftrine
uiaVnt within this realm.; by the which, our far-
ther hope v/as. That God's holy Spirit fhould fo
have moved your heart, that you would have fuf-
tered your religion (which before God is nothing
but abomination and vanity) to be tried by the true
•Touch-ftone, the written word of God ; and that
vour majefty, finding it to have no ground nor
inundation in the fame, (houldhave given that glo-
ry unto God, that you would have preferred his
truth to your own pre-conceived vain opinion, of
what antiquity that ever it hath'been ; whereof we
in part now dilchargcd, can no longer keep filence,
•unlefs we would make ourfelves criminal before
God of your blood, perinVmgin your own iniqui-
ty ; for we plainly admonKh you of the danger to
come.

The fecond tKing that we require, Isfuniili-
ment of horrible vices, fuch as are adultery, for-
iii:acion, open whoredom, blafphemy, contempt
•of GoJ, of his word and facraments ; which in
'this reAlm do even fo abound, that Hn is reputed
to be no fin. And therefore, as we fee thc^prefent
■itgns of Go'd's v/rathnow manlfeAly appear, k do
wc forewarn, that 'he will ftrike ere it be long, ii'
;-'.shv/ wifhout punifnmentbe permitted -thus ma-
.nifeflly to be contem.ned. If any objcft, That pu-
^i.'limciU caaiiot be co.nmandtd ta be executed

E REFORMATION Bock IV.

without a parliament ; wc anfv/cr, that the eternal
God, in his parliament, hath pronounced death to
be the punishment of adultery, and for blafphemy ;
whofe aiff, if ^e put not in execution (feeing that
kings are but his lieutenants, having no power to
give life, where he commands death) as that he
will repute you, and all others that fofier vice, pa-
trons of impiety, fo v^ill he not fail to punifh yor,
for neglefting the execution of his judgments.

Our third requefc is concerning the poor, who
he of three fort? : the poor labourers of the ground,
the poor defclate beggars, orphans, widows and
ftrangers, and the poor miniflers of Chrifl: Jefus's
holygofpel; which are {o cruelly ufcd by this
lad pretended order taken for fuflentation of minl-
fiers, that their latter mifery far furmounteth the
former; for now the poor labourersof the ground
are fo cpprefled by the cruelty of thofe that pay
their hire, that they for the mofi: part encroach
upon the poor, in whatfcever they pay unto the
queen, or to any other. As for the very indigent
and poor, to whom God commands a fuAentation
to be provided of the tenth, they are fo defpifed>
that it is a wonder that the fun giveth heat and
light to the earth, where God's name is fo fre-
quently called upon, and no mercy (according fo
his commandment) fhown to Ids creatures. And
alfo for the miniftcrs, their livings are fo appoint-
ed, that the raofl part fnali live but a beggar's life ;
and all com.eth of that impiety, that the idle bellies
of Chrifl's enemies muft be fed in their former de-
licacy. We dare not conceal from your majedy
and honours cur confcience, which is this, that
neither by the law of God, neither yet by any jufl
law of man, is due unto them, who now moft
cruelly do exa<5l of the poor and rich, the two parts
of their benefices as they call them : and therefore
we mofi humbly require, that fome other order may
be taken with them, that they be not fet up again
to empire above the people of God; for we fc3tr
that fuch ufurpation of their form.cr flate, will be
neither in the end pleafant to themfelvcs, nor pro-
fitable to them that would place them in that
tyranny. If any think that a competent living is
to be afligned to them, we repugn not, provided
that the labourers of the frror.nd be not oppreHed
the poor be not utterly neglected, and the minificrs
of the word fo hardly ufed, as now (hey arc.
And finally, that tliofc idle bellies, who by law can
crave nothing, {hall contcfs, that they receive their
fuftentation and mslnienance, not of debt, but of
benevolence. Cor humble, requefl is thtiefore,
that in every ptrifli feme part of th:' tithes m?y l>e

a/Iigned

Book IV.

OF RELIGION

a/Iigiied to the fufteniation and maintenance of the
poor within the fame : and likewife, that fome pu-
blic reUef may be provided for the poor within
burghs; that collectors may be appointed to ga-
ther; and, that ftri6l accounts maybe taken, as
well for their receipts, as of the depurfements.
The further confideration to be had of our mini-
fters, we in fome part remit to your wifdoms, and
to their particular complaints,

Oui* fourtii petition is for the manfe-yards and
glebes juftly appertaining to the minifters, without
the which it is impoffible unto them quietly to
ferve theu- charges ; and therefore ue defire that
order be taken without delay.

Our fifth concerns the difodedience of certain
wicked perfons, who not only trouble, and have
troubled minilfers in their funcflions, butalfo dif-
obey the fuperintendents in their vifitation : where^
fore we humbly crave remedy; which we doubt,
not fo much for tl-.e fear that we and our minifters
have of the papifts, but for the love that we bear
to the common tranquillity. For this we cannot
hide from your majelfy and council, that if the
papifts think to triumph where they may, and to
do what they lift, where there is not a party able
to refift them ; that fome will think, that the god-
ly muft begin where they left ; who heretofore have
born all things patiently, in hope that the laws
ihould have bridled the wicked ; whereof if they
be fruftrate (albeit that nothing is more odious to
them than tumults, and domeftic difcord) yet
will men attempt the uttcrmoft, before that in their
own eyes they behold the houle of God demolifhed,
which, with travail and danger, God hath within
this realm ere6led by them.

Sixthly, we defire, that fuch as receive releafe
6f their thirds, be compelled to fuftain the mini-
fters within their bounds; or elfe we forewarn
your majefty and council, that we fear that the
people (hall retain the whole in their hands, until
fuch time as their minifters be fufficiently pro-
vided.

Seventhly, we defire the churches to be repaired,
according to an act fet forth by the lords of the
fecret council, before your majefty's arrival into
this country, that judges be appointed to hear the
caufes of divorcement; for the church can n6
longer fuftain the burden, efpecially, becaufe there
Is no puniQiment for the offenders, that fayers and
hearers of mafles, prophaners of the facraments,
fuch as have entered into benefices by the pope's
bulls, and fuch other tranfgreffors of the law made
at your majefty's arrival within this realm, may be

IN S C O T L A N D. 273

feverely punifhed ; for clfe men ^\\\ think there
is no truth meant in making of fuch laws.

Eightly, we moft humbly defire of your ma-
jefty and your honourable council, a refblute an-
fwer to every one of thefe heads afore- written, that
the fame being known, we may fomcwhat fatisfy
fuch as be grievoufty offended at manifeft iniquity
now maintained, at opprelTion, under pretext of
law, done againft the poor, and at the rebellious
difobedience of many wicked perfons, agaihfc
God's word, and holy ordinance.

God the Father of our Lord Jefus Chrift, fo
rule your hearts, and direcf your majefty and
council's judgments by the judgment and illumina-
tion of his holy Spirit, that you may anfwtr fo, as
your offences may be abfolved in the prefence of
that righteous judge, the Lord Jefus; and then
we doubt not but yourfelves fnall find felicity,
and this poor realm, that hath long been opprcfled
by wicked men, fhall enjoy tranquillity and reft.,
with the true knowledge of God.

Thefe things read in public afTembly, as afore-
faid, were approved of all ; and fome wdfhed that
more fharpnefs had been ufed, becaufe that the
time fo required, But the minions of the court,
and fecretary Lethington above others, could not
abide fuch hard-fpoken words ; for whofbever
fhall write, faid he, to a prince, that God would
ftrike the head and the tail ; that, if papifts do
what they lift, men would begin where they left:
but above all others, that was moft offenfive, that
the queen was accufed, as that fhe would raife up
papiffs and papiftry again ; to put that In the peo-
ples heads, was no lefs then treafon : yea, oath
was made, that fhe never meaned fuch thing. To
whom it was anfwered. That the prophet Ifaiah
ufed fuch manner of fpeaking; and it was no
doubt, but that he was acquainted in the court ;
for it was fuppofed that he was of the king's
ftock ; but, howfoever it was, his words make
manifeft that he fpoke to the court, and to the
courtiers, to judges, ladies, princes and- priefts j
and yet, faith he, * The Lord fhall cut away the
* head and the tail, i;c.' And fo faid the firft- writer,
I find that fuch a phrafe was once ufed before us ;
and if this offend you, that we fay, men mult begin
where they left, in cafe the papifts do as they do,
we v/ould defire you to teach "usj not fo much how
we fhall fpeak, but rather what we fhall do, when
our minifters are ftricken, our fuperintendents
difbbeyed, and a plain rebellion decreed againft all
good orders. Compiain, faid Lethington. To
whom ? faid the other. To^the queen, faid he,
M m ' How

274

The history op tu

How long fliall we do fo ? quoth the other. Till
that you get remedy. Said the jufr ice-clerk, Give
irie their names, and I fhall give you letters. If
the ftieep, faid one, complain to the wolf, that
the wolf's whelps have devoured their Iambs, the
complainer may ftand in danger, but the offender,
we fear, fhall have leave to hunt after his prey.
Such comparifons, faid Leihington, are very un-
fa vojiry; for I am afTured, that the queen will
not ere(5^ nor maintain papiftry. Let your afTur-
ance, faid the other, ferve yourfelf, but it cannot
alTure us ; for her manifeft proceedings fpeak the
contrary. After fuch cautious reafoning on both
fides, the plurality concluded. That the fupplica-
tion^ as it was conceived, fhould be prefcnted, un-
lefs that the fecretary would make one more fit to
the prefent neccffity ; he promifcd to keep the fub-
flance of ours, but he would ufe other terms, and
afk things in a more gentle manner. The firft
writer anfwered, That he ferved the church at
their commandment, and was content, that in his
ditement, men fliould ufe the liberty that btfl
•pleafed them ; provided, that he were not com-
pelled to fubfcribe to the flattery of fuch, as more
regarded the peribnsof men, than the hmple truth
pf God : and, fo was this former fupplicaiion gi-
•ver^ to be reformed, as Lethington's wifdom
thought befl. And in very deed, he framed it
fo, that when it was delivered by the fuperintend-
ents of Lothian and Fife, and, when the queen had
read fomevv'hat of it, Ihe faid. Here are many fair
.words, 1 cannot tell what the hearts are ; and fo
for ■ our painted oratory we were termed by the
name, of Flatterers and DifTsmblers : but, for
that feflion, the church received no other anfwer.

Shortly after the convention of the church,
chanced that unhappy purfuit, which John Gor-
don, laird of Finlater, made upon the lord Ogil-
7ie, who was evil hurt, and was for a long time
jpnutllate ; , the occafion was for certain lands and
rights, which old Finlater had refigned to that
Ijord, which he was purfuing by law, and was in
appearance to obtain his purpofe; whereat the faid
John and his fervants were offended, and therefore
made, the faid purfuit, upon a Saturday at night be-
twixt nine, and ten. The friends of the faid lord
were either not with him, or elfe not willing' to
fight that night ; for they took flrokes, but gave
few that left marks.

The faid John was taken and put in the tol-
booth, where he remained certain days, and then
broke the prifon : fome judged, at his father's
Qommandment j., fc# he was making preparation for

E REPORMATJiION EooK W]

the queen's coming to the north, as we will after
hear.

The interview and meeting of the two queens
delayed till the next year, our fovereign took puc-
pofe to vifit the north, and departed from Stirling
in the month of Auguft ; whether there was
any paction and confederacy betwixt the papifts in
the fouth, and the earl of Huntly and his papiAs ia
the north, or (to fpeak more plainly) bct\\iixt the
queen herfelf and Huntly, we cannot certainly af-
firm ; but the fufpicions were wonderous vehe-
ment, that there was no good will born to the
earl of Murray, nor yet to fuch as depended upon
him at that time. The hiflory we fhall faithfully
declare, and fo leave the judgment free to the rea-
ders.

That John Gordon broke the prifon, we have
already heard, who immediately repaired to his
father George earl of Huntley ; and underilanding
the queen's coming, made great provifion in
Strathbogie, and in other parts, as it were to re-
ceive the queen. At Aberdeen, the queen and
court remained certain days, to deliberate r.pon
the affairs of the country ; where fome began to
fmell, that the earl of Huntley was privately ga-
thering men, as hereafter fhall be declared.

Whilft things were fo working in the north,
the earl of Bothwel broke his prifon^ and came
forth of the caftle of Edinburgh the twenty and
eight day of Auguff ; fome fay he broke the
ftenchers of the window, others whifpered that he
got eafy paffage by the gates : one thing is cer-
tain, to wit. The queen was little offended at his
efcaping. There paffed with him a fervant of the
captain's, named James Porterfield. The faid earf
fhewed himfelf not very much afraid, for his
common refidence was in Lothian. The bifliop.
of St. Andrews and the abbot of Crofrainel ktpt
fecret convention that fame time in Paifley, to
whom reforted divers papifls ; yea, the faid bi-
fhop fpoke to the duke, unto whom alfo came the.
lord Gordon from the earl of Hundey, requiring
him to flir his hands in the fouth, as he fhould da
in the north, and fo it fhould not be Knox crying,
and preaching that fhould flay that purpofe. The
bifliop, be he never fo clofe, could not altogether
hide his mind, but at his own table: faid. The
queen is gone into the north, belike to feek difo-
bedlence, fhe may perchance find the thing flic
feeks. It was conflantly affirmed, that the earl
of Bothwel and the faid lord Gordon fpoke to-
gether, but of their purpofis we heard no mea?
tioa.

That

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

Book IV.

Tiiat fame year, and in that fame inftant time,
were appointed commiffioners by the general af-
fembly to Carrick anc^ Cuningham, Mr. George
Hay, who with great profit preached the fpace of
a month in all the cliiirches of Carrick: to Kyle,
and to the parts of Galloway, was appointed John
Knox, who, befide the doffrine of the gofpel
fhewn t-T the common people, forewarned feme of
the nobility and barons, of the dangers that he
feared, and that were appearing (hordy to fol-
low ; and exhorted them to put themfelves in fuch
©rder, as that they might be able to ferve the au-
thority, and yet not to futf^r the enemies of God's
truth to have the upper hand. Whereupon a great
part of the barons and gentlemen of Kyle, Cun-
ingham, and Carrick, profeifing the true dovllriac
cf the gofpel, alTembled at Air, and after the ex-
hortation made, and conference had, fubicribed
this bond ; the tenor whereof followeth.

' We whofe names are under- written, do pro-

* mife, in r^he prefenceof God, and in the prefence

* of his Son, our Lord Jefus Chrift, that we,

* and every one of us, fhall, and will maintain the

* preaching of his holy gofpel, now of his mercy
« offered and granted unto this realm ; and alfo will
« maintain the minifters of the fame againlf all per-
1 fons, power and authority, that will oppofe them-
Vfelves to thedoflrine propofed, and by us receiv-

* ed. And further, with the fame folemnity, we

* proteft and promife, that every one of us fhall
' aiTift another, yea, and the whole body of the

* proteftants within this realm, in all lawful and
*juft occafions, againft all perfons ; fo that, who-

* foever fhall hurt, molefl or tiouble any of our
-* bodies, fhall be reputed enen.ies to the whole ; ex-

* cept that the offender will be content to fubmit

* himfelf to the government of the church, now

* eftablifhed amongff us. And this we do, as we
' defire to be accepted and favoured of the Lord

■ * Jefiis, and accounted worthy of credit and honefty
'.in the the prefence of the godly.' At the burgh
of Air, the fourth day of September, in the year of
God 1562. Subfcribed by all thefe with their
hands, as followeth.

The earl Glencairn, lord Boyd, lord Ochikrie and
Failfurd,Matt-he%v Campbdl of Lcivdoun knight,
Jllan laird Cathcart, Caprington elder and
younger, Cuningham-hcad, Rowallan, JFnter-
fion, Craie;e, Lefioreis, Jiichenharvie, Mid-
diet on, Mr. Mitchad Wallace provoji of Jir,
%iiih forty more of the honeficfl hurgcjfes of

27s

that town. The majler of Boyd, Cairdgirth,
Bar, Camel, Dreghorn, Hefted, ^Sheldon f
IVolfton, Carfland, Fergifhill, Polquhairn,
Stair, Barfkyning, Kingencleuch, with a
hundred more gentlemen of ivorth. Jolm
Dunbar of Blantyre, Carletcn and his bro-
ther, Hnlrig, Kers, Kirhnlchacl, Dalya-
roich, Crofclays, Horfcleugh, Carbijlon^ Kel-
wood, Tanngano'u.^, &c.

Thefe things done at Air, the faid John pafTed
to Nidifdale and Galloway, where in conference
with the mailer of Maxwell, a man of great judg-
ment and experience, he communicated with hi:n
fuch things as he fer^d, who by his motion wrote
to the earl of Bothwel, to behave himielf as it be-
came a faithful fubjeft, and to keep good quletnefs
in the places committed to his charge, and that his
crime of breaking the ward would be the more
eafily pardoned. John Knox wrote unto the duke^
and earneAly exhorted him neither to give ear to the
bifliop his baftard brother, nor yet to the perfwa-
fions of the earl of Huntly ; for, if he 4id, he af-
fured him, that he and his houfe fhould come
to a fudden ruin. By which means was the fouth
parts kept in reafonable quietneis during the time
that the troubles were a brewing in the north ; and
yet the bifhop and the abbot of Corfraynel did
what in them lay to have raifed fomc trouble;
for, befides the fearful reports that they fperced a-
broad, fbmetimes that the queen was taken, fome-
times that the earl of Murray and all his were flair,
and fometimes that the queen had given herfelf t©
the earl of Hundy; befides fuch reports, the bi-
fhop, to break the country of Kyle, where quiet-
nefs then was greatefl, raifed the Crawfords againft
the Reids, for the payment of the bifliop's Pafch-
fines ; but that was pacified by the labour of in-
different men, who favoured peace. The abbot
of Corfraynel required difputarion of John Knox>
for maintenance of the mafs, which was granted
unto him ; and the difpute held in Maybole three
days : the abbot had the advantage that he re-
quired, to ivit, he took in hand to prove, that
Melchizedec offered bread and wine unto God,
which was the ground that the mafs was built
upon to be a facrifice, <bc. But in the work of
three days, there could no proof be produced for
Me'chizedec's oblation, as in the difputation
(which was afterwards printed) clearly may ap-
pear. The papifts locked for a revolt, and there-
fore they would have fome brag of reafor.ingv.the
M m 2 abbot

276

The history of the REFORMATION

Book IV.

abbot further prefentcd himfelf to the pulpit, but
the voice of Mr. George Hay fo afraid him, that
after once he was wearied of that exercile.

After that the queen was fomewhat fatisfied of
hunting, and other pafiimes, fhe came to Aber-
deen, where the earl of Huntley met her, and his
lady, with no finall 'train, who remained in court,
and was fuppofed to have the greatelt credit ; de-
parted with the queen to Buchan, met her again
at Rothemay, looking that flie fhould have palFed
with him to Strathbogie : but in the journey cer-
tain word came to her, that John Cordon had bro-
ken promile in not re-entring in ward ; for his fa-
ther the earl had promifed, that he (hould enter
again within the caflle of Stirling, and there abide
the queen's pleafure ; but, wl^*herwith his father's
knowlcge and confent, or without the fame, we
know not ; but he refufed to enter ; which fo of-
fended -.he queen, that (he would not go to
Strathbogie, but pafTed thorow Strathlaw to In-
vernefs, where the caftle thereof was denied unto
her ; the captain was commanded to keep it, and
looked for relief; for fo had John Gordon promif-
ed : but being thereof fruftrate, the caftle was
rendered, and the captain, called Gordon, was
executed upon the place ; the refl; were condemn-
ed, and the hands of fome bound, but efcaped.

This was the beginning of further trouble ; for
the carl of Huntley thereat offended, began to af-
iemble his folks, and fpared not to fpeak that he
^vould be revenged : but always his wife bore a
lair countenance to the queen ; and it is verily
fuppofed, that no other harm than the queen her-
'lelf could eafily have flood content with, was
mcaned unto her own perfon. But the whole
matter lay upon the earl of Murray, fecretary Le-
thington, and the laird of Pittarro ; yet the queen
began to be afraid, and by proclamation, caufed
to warn Stirling-fhire, Fife, Angus, Mearns, and
Strathern, charging all fubftantial men, to be in
Aberdeen the fifth day of October, there to re-
main the fpace of twenty days. In her return
from Invernefs, fhe required the caftle of Finlater,
•which was likewife denied, and fo was Auchin-
down, which more angered the queen. The carl
of Huntley was charged to caufe deliver the faid
houfe, under the pain of treafon : to fliew fome
obedience, he caufed the keys of both to be pre-
fented by his fervant Mr. Thomas Keir ; but be-
fore had the queen fent young captain Stuart, fon
to James (who to this day hath neither been ftout,
happy, nor true) with fix-fcore to ly about the
place of Finlater ; they lodged in CuUen, not far

diftant from the faid place. But upon a night
John Gordon came with a company of iiorfe-m-en,
took the captain, flew certain of the foidiers, and
difarmed the rell.

This facft done, as the queen alledged, under
truft, fo inflamed her, that all ho[ie of reconciliati-
on was paft; and fb theearl of Huntly was charg-
ed, under the pain of putting him to the horn, to
prefent himfelf and the faid John before the queed
and council within fix days; which charge he dif^
obeyed, and fo was denounced rebel. Whether it
was law, or not, we difpute little thereof; but it
was a preparative to others, that after were ferved
with the like meafure: he was fought at his place
of Srathbogie, but efcaped. The evil increafed,
for the earl afTembled his fellows out of all parts of
the north : he marched forewards towards Aber-
deen, and upon the 2 2d of 06lober 1562, came to
the loch of Skene.

His army was judged to be feven or eight hun-
dred men ; the queen's army, both in number and
manhood, far furmounting his : and yet he took
no fear ; for he was afTured of the moft part of
them which were with the quees., as the iflue did
M'itnefs. Within the town they ftood in great
fear, and therefore it was concluded, that they
would ellay the uttermoft upon the fields. The
■Forbefes, Hays, and LelHes took the van-guard,
and promifed to fight with the faid earl, without
any other help. They pafled forth of the town be-
foi"e ten hours in the morning, they put themfelves
in array, but they approached not the enemy, till
that the earl of Murray and his company were
come to the fields, and that was after two after-
noon ; for he was appointed with his company,
only to have beheld the battle ; but all things
turned otherwile than the moft part of men fup-
pofed.

The earl of Huntley was the night before de-
termined to have retired himfelf and his company,
but that morning he could not be wakened before
it was ten hours ; and when he was upon his feet,
his fpirits failed him, by reafon of his corpulency;
fo that rightly, a long time he could do nothing :
fome of his friends fearing the danger, left him.
When that he looked upon both the companies,
he faid, * This great company, that appioacheth

* neareft to us, will do us no harm ; they are our

* friends : I only fear that fmall company that

* ftands on the hill-fide, they are our enemies j

* but we are enough for them, if God be with us.'
And when he had thus fpoktn, he fell upon his
knees, and made his prayer in this form : •

* O Lord

Book IV.

OF

RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

277

* O Lord, I have been a blood- thirfly man, and

• '*bymy means hath much mnocent blood been

«Tpitt: but wilt thou give, me vidlory this day,

* and I (hall ferve thee all the days ol' my life.'

Note and obfcrve, good reader, he confefleth
that he hath been a blood-thirfly man, and that he
had been the caufe of the fnedding of much inno-
cent blood, but yet he would have had victory ;
and, what was that elfe, butifc have had power
to have flied more? and then vv^ld he have fatii-
fied God for altogether ; w^rein is cxprefTed the
nature of hypocrites, which never fear nor love
God further than prefent danger or profit perfuad-
eth. Bat to our hiilory.

The LeQies, Hays, and Forbefis, efpying the
earl of Murray and his to have lighted upon their
feet, and made foreward againft the earl of Hunt-
ly and his, wlio Itood in Correthieburn ; (fome
call it Farabank) but ere they approached nigh,
by the fpace of the (hot of an arrow, they call
from them their fpears and long weapons, and
fled dire(ftly in the face of the eaid of Murray and
his company : The danger efpied, the laird of
Pittarro (a' man both flout, and of a ready wit)
with the mafler, after lord Lindfay, and tutor of
Pitcur, faid, ' Let us caft down fpears to the fore-
' mofl, and let them not come in amongfl us; for

* there is no doubt but this fleeing is but treache-
' ry:' and fb they did, fo that they that fled of
Huntly feeing the van-guard flee, faid unto his
company, ' Our friends are honefl men, the^ have
•kept promife; let us now encounter the refl :'
and fo he, and his, as fure of victory, marched
foreward. The fecretary, in few words, made a
vehement oration ; and they willed every man ta
call upon his God, to remember his dnty, and
not to fear the multitude: and in the end conclud-
ed thus, ' O Lord, thou that rulefl the heaven

* and the earth, look upon thy fervants, whofe

* blood this day is mofl unjuflly fought, aijd, to

* man's judgment, are fold and betrayed. Our
' refuge is now unto thee, and our hope is in thee :

* judge thou, O Lord, betwixt us and the earl of

* Huntly, and the r^^ft of our enemies ; if ever we

* have unjuflly fought his or their deflruclion and

* blood, let us fall on the fword And, O Lord,

* as rhou knowcd our innocency, maintain thou

* and prelcrve us, for thy great mtrcies fake.'

Shortly after the fpcaking of thefe and the like
words, the former rank reio;.:ed; for Huntly's
company made great hafte : they were repulfed by
the mafler of Lin ifay, and the co'Tipanies of Fife
and Angus; fo-TT- "'•'-h.ai that had fled, returned^.

and followed the earl of Murray, but gave no
flroke, till that Huntly's company gave back. In
the front there was llain eighteen, or four and
twenty men; and in the fletiag there'fell an hun-
dred. There were taken an hundred, and the
refl were fpared : the earl himfelf was taken alive ;
his two fons, John aforefaid, and Adam Gordon,
were taken with him. The earl, immediately
after his taking, departed this life without any
wound, or yet appearance of any flroke, whereof
death might have enfued ; and fo, becaufe it was
late, he was cafl overthwart, or upon a pair of
Creels, and lb was carried to Aberdeen, and was
laid in the tolbooth thereof, that which his wife's
witches had given, might be fulfilled ; who all
affirmed (as the mofl: part fay) that fame night he
fliould be in the town of Aberdeen, without any
wound upon his body. When his lady got know-
lege thereof, fhe blamed her principal witch, call-
ed Janet ; but ftie floutly defended herfelf (as the
devil can do, and affirmed, that fhe gave a true
anfwer, albeit fhe fpake not all the truth; for flie
knew that he fliould be their dead, but that conid
not profit my lady. She was angry and forry for
a feafon ; but the devil, the mafs, and witches,
have as great credit with her this day, the twelfth
of June 1 566. as they had feven years ago.

The earl of Murray fent a meffage unto the
queen, of the marvellous vidlory ; and humbly
prayed her to fhew that obedience to God as public-
ly to conveen with them, to give thanks unto God
for his notable deliverance. She gloomed and
frowned both at the meffage, and at t4ie requellj^
and fcarcely would give a good word, or blyth
and merry countenance to any that flie knew ear-
nefl faA'ourers of the earl of Murray, whofe pro-
fperity was, and yet is very venom to her boldned.
heart-, for many days (he bore no better counte-
nance; whereby it might have been eafily efpied,.
that fhe rejoiced not greatly of the fuceels of that
matter: and, albeit fhe caufed to execute John;
Gordon, and divers others, yet it was the deflruc-
tion of others that (he fought.

Upon the morrow after the diicomfiture, the
lady Forbes, a woman both wife and fearing God,
came, amongfl many others, to vifit the co'rpf- of
the faid earl; and lecing him lying upon the cold'
flones, having only upon him a doublet of c'anv?s,
a pair of Scots gray hofe, and him covered witlt
an arras work, fhe faid, ' What fmbility fliall we
'judge to be in this world? tl'^ere lieth he that
' yefleidav in ihe morning was tfleemed the wifell,
* the rich«.it, and man of greattft powtr that was

*■ 'ibithki

278 Th^ history

'' within Scotland.' And in very deed

for ia man's opinion, under a prince, there

OF THE ■'R'E F O R M A T I' 0 N Book IV.
fhe lied the lady Margaret Donglas ; and' that Robert Mel-

not;

:was not fuch a one thefe three hundred years
in this re:ilm produced : but felicity and worldly
'^viidom fo blinded him, that in the end he perifh-
ed in them, as {liall all thofe that difpite God, and
trull in thcmleives.

John Gordon, at his death, confeiTed, many
horrible things,, deviled by liis father, by his bro-
ther, and by himfeif. There were letters found
in the earl's pocket, that difclofed the treafon of
the earl of Satherland, and of divers others. Mr.
Thomas Keir, who before was the whole counfel-
lor of the faid earl, diiclofed whatfoever he under-
llood might hurt the Gordons and tfieir friends;
and fo U'eafon plainly difclofed, which was, that
the earl of Murray lliould have been murthered in
Straihbogie ; the. queen fhould have been taken,
and kept at the devotior, of the faid earl of Hundy.
Thefe things, we fay, revealed, the queen left the
north, and came to Dundee, St. Johnftoun, Stir-
ling, and then to Edinburgh : the earl of Huntly's
body was carried about in a boat, and laid with-
out burial in the abbey of Holyrood-houfe, till the
day of forefeituTc, as after fhall be declared. The
duke apprehended the lord Gordon, his fon in law,
becaufe that the queen had flriftly commanded
him fo to do, if that he repaired within his bounds.
Before that he delivered him, the earl of Murray
laboured at 'the. queen's hands for the fafety of his
life, which hardly was granted; and fo was he
delivered within the caftle of Edinburgh, the
twenty and* eight day of November i 562, where
lie remained till the eighth day of February, when
he was put to an affize, accufed and convi6ted of
treafon;. bat was reflored again, firft to the caflle
aforefaid, and afterwards was tranfported to Dun-
bar, where he remained priloner till the month of
Augufl, in the year of God j ^6^, as we will after
hear.

In the mean time the troubles were hot in
France, and the intelligence and outward familia-
rity betwixt the two queens was great ; Lething-
ton was diiecled with large commifilon, both to
the Queen of England, and to the Guifians.

The marriage of our queen was in all mens
ir.ouths; fomewotild' have the Infant of Spain,
ibme the emperor's brother; feme duke Denemouri,
and fome 'truly gueffed at the lord Darnlcy.

What-Lethington's crec'it was, we know not ;
■hut Ihcrtly after .-there began much to-be' talked
v,of the carl of Lennox, and of his fon the lord
i£>a«-a!ey. .'ItAvas (aid, that Lcthington fpoke to

vil received a horfe to the fecretary's ufe from the
earl of Lennox, or from his wife. However it
was, Mr. Foullcr, fervant to the faid earl, came
with letters to the queen, by which licence was
permitted to the earl of Lennox to come to Scot-
land, to travail in his lawful bufinefs. That fame
day the queen's licence was granted, the fccretary
faid, ' This djLvJtfhzve taken upon me the deadly '

* hatred of all tlie Hamilton s within Scotland, and

* have done unto thfm no lefs difpleafu.^e, than if
' Lliad- cut their throats.' The earl Bothwel,
who before had broke ward, fearing apprehenflon
or taking, prepared to pafs to France; but by
ftorm of weather was driven into England, ^here
he was flayed, -and was offered to have been rend-
red by the. queen of England: but our queen's an-
fwer was, ' That he was no rebel, and therefore

* fhe requeued that he fliould have liberty to paf^

* whither he pleafed.' And thereto Lethington
helped not a little, for he travailed to have friends
in every faction of the court ; and fo obtained the
faid earl licence to pafs- to France. "

The winter after the death of the earl of Hunt-
ley, the court remained for the moff part at Edin-
burgh. The preachers werewondrous vehement
in reprehenfion of all manner of vice, which then
began to abound ; and efpecia'Jy avarice, opprefTioa
of the poor, excefs, riotous cheer, banqueting,
immoderate dancing, and whoredom, that thereof
enfuet. Whereat the courtiers began to florm
and to pick quarrels againfl the preachers, alledg-
ing that all their preaching was turned to railing.
Whereunto one of them gave anfwer as followeth,
It comes to our ears that we are called railers,
whereof albeit we wonder, yet we arc not afham-
cd, feeing that the moft worthy fervants of God,'
that before us have travailed in this vocation, have
fo been filled : but trato you do I fay, that the
fame God, who from the beginning hath punifhed
the contempt of his word, and hath poured forth
his vengc-anceupon fuch proud mockers, fliall not
fpare you ; )ea, he fliall not fpare you before the
eyes of this fam.e wicked generation, for the plea-
fure v.'hereof, ye difpi'e all v/holefoni admonitions '.
have younot'leen greater than any of you fitting
where prefcntly you fit, pick his nails, and pull
dgwn his bonnet ovei^ his eyes, when idolatiy,
witchcraft, murder, oppreillon and fuch vic£S,wcre
rebuff d ? was net, this his comn^on talk? -when
thefe knaves have railed their fill, then will they
hold their peace. Have ve not heard if afHrmed
God fnould revenge that hrs
bl?rphcmy,

to

i.;c

'.h'

Book IV-.

OF R E L I G I. ON I N, S C 0 T L A N D

2rs?

blafphcmy, even in ilvz eyes of fuck as were witnefs
to his iaiquity ?

Then was the earl of Huntley accufed by you,
iis the maintainer of iJolatry, and only hinderer
of all. good orders ; him hath God punifhed, even
according to the threatnings that his and your ears
heard, and by )our hands huh God executed his
judgments : but what amendment can be efpied
in you ? idolatry was never in greater quiet ; virtue
and virtuous men were never ia more contempt ;
vice was never more bold, nor puniHiment lefs
feared. And yet, who guides the queen and court?
who but the proteftants ? O horrible flanderers of
G 3d, and of his holy gofpel ! better it were unto
you, plainly to renounce Chrlft Jefus, than thus
to expole his blelTcd gofpel to mockage : if God
punilheth not you, that this fame age Ihall lee and
behold your punidiment, the fpirit of righteous
iudgment guides me not.

This vehemency provoked the hatred, not only
of the courders, but alfo of divers others againll
the fpeaker, which, was John Knox ; for fuch as
be in credit, never lack flatters. ' Their brethren
' of the court were irreverently handled.' What
was that, but to raife the hearts of the people a-
gainft .them ? they did what they could : fuch
fpeaking would caufe them to do lefs. And this
was the fruit that the preachers gathered of their
jull: reprehenfions.

The general alTembly. of the church, held on
tlite 25th of Decem.ber .1562. approached, in
the which great complaints were made, that
churches wanted miniflers ; that minillers lacked
their ilipends ; that wicked men were permitted
to be fchool maflers, and fo to infeft the youth;
among whom one Mr. Robert Cuming, fchool-maf-
ter in Aberbrothwick,- was complained upon by
the laird of Dun, aad fentence pronounced again ft
him. It was further complained, that idolatry
was ercfted in divers parts of the realm; for re-
drefs wh-reof, fome thought beil, that a new fup-
plication (hould be prefented.to the queen ; , others
demanded, what anfwer was receiv.ed of the for-
mer? thefuperintendent of Lothian confefled the
delivery of it ; but,, faid he, I received no anfwer.
It was anf wered for the part of the queen (for her
fuppofts were ever there) that it was well known
to the whole realm, .what troubles, had occurred
fiiice the laft afTembly; and therefore, that they
ftiould not wonder, albeit that the queen had not
anfwered ; but betwixt that and the parliament,
which was appointed to be in May, they doubted
not. but fucti order fhould be taken, as ali men

fliould have occafion to ftand content. This fatis-
iied for that time the whole afTembly. And this ■
was the pradice of the queen and her council, with
fair words to drive time, as before we have faid.

The aflembly notvvithftanding proceeded fore-
ward in eflablifliing of fuch orders, as whereby
vice might be puniftied, and virtue might be main-
tained. And, becaufe there was a great flander
rifen upon Paul Meffan, of whom mention is made
ia the fecond book of the hiftory, commiffion and
charge was given unto John Knox minifter of Edin-
burgh, and unto certain of the elders of the church
of Edinburgh, to pafs to the town of Jedburgh,
where the flander was raiied, and to be found theret
the third of January next, was the trial to be ta-
ken of the flander raifed, and to hear the articles
and complaint of the faid Paul, andi, after the
trial, to report the truth to the feffion of the
church of Edinburgh, to whom w^ith the affiflance
of the fuperintendent of Lotliian, commiuion was
given to decern therein. The trial and examination .
of that crime was difficile, the .flander was univer-
fal in that town and, country; the fervant^-woman
of the faid Pad had betwixt that and Chriflmas
left his houfe,- fhe had born a child, no father to
it could Ihe find, but alledged herfelf to have been ■
fuppreliedlate in an evening. The faid Paul conflant-
ly affirmed himfelf innocent, and would have given ■.
his public purgation; but, becaufe his accuiators
had taken on them to prove their accufation, that
was denied. Many witnefles were produced, of
whom fome deponed fo clearly, that the commif-
fioners fufpeded that , they had been fubborned ;
and therefore they required to have iafpe6fion of
the place where fome faid they faw, and fome faid
they heard them, in the very aft of iniquity. The
fight and confideration of the place augmented
greatly the fufpiclon : but one thing was moll fuf-
piciousof all other, for the wife of the faid Paul,
an ancient matron, was abfent from him the fpace
of eight or nine weeks in Dundee ; whicb time,
or at leafl: a great part thereof, the- fufpefted wo-
man andhe lay nightly.in one hcufe, without other
company than a child of. fix or fe^en years of ao-e.
The judges, notwithflanding thefe fufpicicms, ha-
ving a good opinion of the honeily and-godliaefs
of the, man, .travailed what. they could, confcience
not hurt, to purge him of the flander i but- God-,
who would not that fuch a villainy fliould- be cloak-
• ed.and concealed- within his kirk, otherv/iic had
decreed ; for he brought the brotjier of -the guilty
woman to the town, having no mind of fuch mat-
ters, who. being produced" by the accuiators,. as -

one^

The history of the 'REFORMATION

a So

one that was privy to the faft, and knew the
verity o£ all circumftances ; his witnefs, v.^e fay,
which could not be fufpefled, being produced,
made the matter ib plain and clear, that all fufpi-
cion was removed : for he it was that conveyed the
woman away ; he it was that caufed the child to be
baptized, alledging it to be his own; he it was that
carried frequent meflages betwixt them, and from
Paul carried money and cloaths feveral times. How
foon foever the faid Paul faw that man produced
as Vv-itnefs, he withdrew himlelf and left the town,
by that means plainly taking upon him the crime;
and fo the commiffioners with full information re-
turned to Dundee, and notified the fame unto the
kirk, who caufed publicly to fummon the faid Paul
to hear thefentence pronounced ; who not appear-
ing, in the end, for his odious crime and contu-
macy, was publicly excommunicated, and was de-
prived of all funftions within the kirk of Scotland,
and fo left the realm.

For two caufes we infert this horrible faiSb, and
the order kept in punilhing the fame ; the former
to forewarn fuch as travail in that vocation, that,
according to tl^e admonition of the apoflles, * Such
' as ftand, take heed left they fall.' No man, in
tlie beginning of the gofpel, wasjudged more fer-
vent and more upright, and yet we have heard how
far Satan hath prevailed againft him ; God grant
that we may hear of his repentance. Neither yet
fhould this fall do any thing to pre-judge the au-
thority of the doctrine which he taught ; for the
do<5lrine of God hath its authority of no creature,
but hath, the aflurance of God himfelf, how weak
or imperfeft foever the inftrument be, by whom ic
pleafeth God to publifh the fame. The treafon of
Judas, the adultery of David, and abnegation of
Peter, did derogate nothing from the glory of
Chrili's gofpel, nor yet the doftrine which before
they had taught ; but declared the one to be a re-
probate, and the other to be inftruments in whom
mercy muft furmount judgment. The other caufe
is, That the world may fee what difference there
is betwixt the uprightnefs of the kirk of God, and
the corruption that reigns in the fynagogue of Sa-
tan, the p?.piftical rabble ; for, how many of that
fort have been, and ftill remain openly known
whoremongers, adultererL-, vlolaters of virgins,
yea, and committers of fuch abominations as we
will not name ; and yet are they called and permit-
ted to be bidiops, archblfhops, cardinals and popes
themielves : for, what fins can unable the fworn
Servants of Simony, and of their father the devil?
fjity brag what they Ilfl: of Chrifl:,. of Peter and of

Book IV.

Paul, their lives and converfaticn bear witnefs to
whom they belong. But we return toourhiilory
of things done in court.

Amongft the menzions of the court, there was
one named monlieur Chattelet, a Frenchman, that
at that time paffed all others in credit with the
queen, in dancing of the Purpofe, fo term they
that dance, in the which man and woman talk fc- .
cretly: wife men would judge iuch fafhions not
agreeable to the gravity of honeft women. In this
dance the queen chofe Chatteiet, and Chattelet
took the queen, for he had the beft drefs. All
this winter Chattelet was fo familiar with the queen,
that the nobility being by this means itopped to
have fo free accefs, as they thought fit and due un-
to them, were highly offended. At length Chat-
telet having conveyed himfelf privately under the
queen's bed; but, being efpied, was commanded
away : the report arifing, the queen called the earl
of Murray, and burfting in a womanly affeftion,
charged him, that as he loved her, he fhould flay
Chattelet, and let him never fpeak a word. The
other at the firft made promife fo to do ; but after
calling to mind the judgment of God, pronounced
againft the fliedders of innocent blood, and alfb,
that none flrould die without the teftimony of two
or three witnefles, returned, and fell upon his
knees before the queen, and faid, ' Madam, I be-

* feech your majefty, caufe not me to take the blood

* of thFs man upon me ; your majefty hath ufed

* him fo familiarly before, that "you have offended

* all your nobility ; and now, if he fhall be fecretly

* llain at your own commandment, what fhall the

* world judge of it ? I fhall bring him to the pre-

* fence of juftice, and let him fuffer by law, ac-
' cording to his deferving.' Oh ! faid the queen,
you Ihall not let him fpeak. I fhall do, faid he,
madam, what in me lieth, to give your majefty
content.

Poor Chattelet was brought back from King-
horn to St. Andrews, examined, put to an affize,
and fo beheaded the 2 2d day of February, anno
Dom. 1 562. He begged licence to write to France
the caufe of his death, which faid he, in his tongue I
was. Pour eflre troiive en lien iropfufpe^ ; that is,

* Becaufe I was found in a place too much fufpeft-

* ed.' At the place of execution, when he faw
that theie was no remedy, but death, he made a
godly confeiTion, and granted, that his declining
from the truth of God, and following of vanity
and impirty, was juftly repaid unto him : but in
the end he concluded, looking unto the heavens,
with thefe words, ^O cruel dame!' What that

complaint

Book IV.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

fOiTiplaint imported, I leave it to coDJefture. And
fo received Chattelet the reward of his dancing :
for he loll his head, that his tongue (hould not ut-
ter tiie lecrets of our queen : * Deliver us, O Lord,
i from the rage, of fo inordinate a court.'
" The year of God 1 563, there was an univerfai
dearth in Scotland ; but in the north, where (the
harvell before) the queen had been, there was a
great famine, of which many died in that coun-
try : the dearth was great over all, but the famine
of the wheat, the bear or barley, the meal, the oats,
beef, mutton, 6-c. were exceeding dear and fcant;
yea, all things appertaining to the fuflentation of
man, in triple and more, exceeded their accuilom-
ed prices. And fo did God, according to the
threatning of the law, punifli the idolatry of our
wicked rulers, and our ingratitude, that fuffered
them to defile the land with that abomination a-
.gain,that G@dfo potently had purged by the power
of his word : for the riotous feafting and exceffive
banqueting ufed in city and country, wherefoever
that the profane court repaired, provoked God to
ftrike the ftafFof bread, and to give his maledifti-
ons upon the fruits of the earth. But, alas,! who
looked, or yet looks to the true caufe of our cala-
mity ?

- Lethington was abfent, as before we have heard,
■ in the queen's affairs ; the papifls at that Pafch,
'anno 1563, in divers parts of the realm, had e-
refted that idol the mafs, amongft whom the bifhop
of St. Andrews, the prior of Quhithom, with di-
vers others of that fadlion, would avow it. Be-
fides the firft proclamation, there had letters part
|n the contrary, with certificaticm of death to the
contraveener.

The brethren univerfally offended, and efpying
that the queen by proclamation did but delude them,
determined to put to their own hands, and to pu-
nifh for example of others ; and fo fome priefts in
the Weft-land were apprehended : intimation made
unto others, as to the abbot of Cofraguel, the par-
ion of Sanquhair, and fuch, that they fhould nei-
ther complain to the queen nor council, but fhould
(execute the puni(hment that God hath appointed
to idolaters in his law, by fuch means as they might,
"wherever they fhould be apprehended.

The queen ftormed at fuch freedom of fpeak-
ing, but (he could not amend it; for the Spirit of
God, of boldnefs, and of wifdom, had not left
the moft part of fuch as God had made inftruments
in the beginning, they were of one mind to main-
tain the truth, and to fupprefs idolatry. Particu-
larities had not divided them, and therefore could

281

not the devil, working in the court, an-d in papifts,
do then what they would : and therefore the court
began to invent a new craft. The queen advifed •
to fend for John Knox to come to her where fhe
lay at Lochleven ; fhe dealt with him earneftly two
hours before fupper, that he would be the inftru-
ment to perfuade the people, and principally the
gentlemen of the weft, not to put hand to punifh
any man for the ufmg of themfelves in their reli-
gions, as pleafed them. The other perceiving her
craft, willed her majefty to punifh malefaftors ac-
cording to the laws, and he durft promife quiet-
nefs upon the part of all them that profefTed the
Lord Jefus within Scotland ; but if her majefty
thought to elude the laws, he fiiJ, he feared fome
would let the papifts underftand, that without pu-
nifliment they fhould not be fuffered fo manifeftly
to offend God's majefty. Will ye, quoth flie, al-
low, that they fhall take my fword in their hand ?
The fword of juftice, quoth he, madam, is
God's, and is given to princes and rulers for one
end ; which, if they tranfgrefs, fparing the wic-
ked, and oppreffmg the innocents, they that in
the fear of God execute judgment, where God
hath commanded, offend not God, although kings
do it not ; neither yet fin they, that bridle kings
to ftrike innocent men in their rage ; the examples
are evident, for Samuel fpared not to flay Agag,
the fat and delicate king of x^malek, whom king
Saul had favcd: neither fpared Elias, Jefabel's falfe
prophets, and Baal's priefts, albeit that king Aliab
was prefent : Phinehas was no magiftrate, and yet
feared he not to ftrike Zimri and Cozbi, in the
very a£l of filthy fornication. And fb, madam,
your majefty may fee that others than chief magi-
ftrates may lawfully punifh, and have punifhed the
vice and crimes that God commands to be punifti-
ed : for, power by adl of parliament is given to all
judges within their own bounds, to fearch the
mafs-mongers, or hearers of the fame, and to pu-
nifh them according to the law : and therefore it
fhall be profitable to your majefty to confider, what
is the thing your majefty 's fubjefts look to receive
of your majefty, and what it is you ought to do
unto them Isy mutual contract. They are bound
to obey you, and that not but in God ; ye are
bound to keep laws unto them : ye crave of them
fervice, they crave of you proteflion and defence
againft wicked doers. Now, madam, if yefhali
deny your duty unto them, who efpecially crave,
that ye punifh malefa6f ors, think ye to receive full
obedience of them ? I fear, madam, ye fhall not.
Herewith flie being offended, paft to her fupper.
., N n . Th«

282

The history op the REFOHMATION

BtdokIV:

The fald Joha left her, and informed the earl
of Murray of the whole reafoning, and fo depart-
*i:i, of final purpofe to have returned to Edinburgh,
without any furl her communication with the queen;
hnt before the fun rifihg on the morn, ^Vere two
direfted (Walter Meivii was the one) to him, com-
manding him not to depart whilfl: he had fpoken with
the queen's majefty, svhich he did, and met her at
the hawking by-weft Kinrofs. Whether it was the
night's fleep, or a deep diffimulation locked in her
.breaft, that made her to forget the former anger,
wife men may doubt ; but thereof iTie never moved
word, but began divers other purpofes, fuch as
.«he offering of a ring to her by the lord Ruthven,
whom, fhefaid, I cannot love, for I know him to
Mfe enchantment; and yet he is one of mj P"^y
council Whom blameth your majefty, laid the
«ther, thereof? Lethington, /aid flie ^v•as the
lyLi- caufe. That man is abfcnt for this prefenr,
|iid he, madam, and therefore 1 will fpeak nothing

in that behalf. .

I underftand, faid thequeen.thatyeare appomt-
«a to so to Dumfries for the ekajon of a luper-

^ktendfnt to be ei^ablifhed in thofe countries Yes,
fcid he, tfctofe quarters have great need, and .of^e
«f the gentlemen fo require. But I near, faid ihe,

%i the bifhopof Caithnefs would be fupennten-
int ' He is one, faid the other, madam, that is
»ut in eleftion. If ye knew him, faid fhe, as well
Is } do, ye would never promote him to that office,

' iior yet to any other within your kirk- What be
latVbeen, faid he, madam, I never knew, nor

" Tet will I enquire ; for, in time of darknels, what
ipuW we do but grope and go wrong, even as
djirknefs carried us ? but, if he fear not God now,

"he deceives many more than me: and yet, faid he,
iadam, 1 am affured, God will not fuffcr his
church to be fo far deceived, as that an unworthy
man fhall be elefted, where free eleaion is, and
lieSpirit of God is earneftly called upon, to de-
cide betwixt the two. WeU, fkid fhe, do as ye
l^iil, but that man is a dangerous man : and there-
|i was not the queen deceived ; for he had corrupt-
ed the moft part of the gentlemen, not only to no-
minate kim, but alfa to eleft him : which percei-
■|ed by: the (aid John, commiffioner, delayed the
el^aion, andi^h it with the mafter of Maxwcl.
Mr. Robert ?^t ^fas put in eleftion (with the
torefaid biOiopy to the end that his doftrine and
converfation might b? t^c better tried of thefe that
had not known him before, and fo was this
bilhop fruftrate of his pvirpofe for that prefent;

and yet was he at that time the man, that wag
moft familiar with the faid John in his houfe, ^d
at table.

But now to the former conference : when the
queen had long talked with John Knox, and he
being oft willing to take his leave, fhe faid, I have
one of the greateft matters that have touched me
fincel came in to this realm, to open unto you, and
I muft have your help into it. And (he began to
make a long difcourfe of her fifter, the lady Ar-
gyle, how that fhe was not fo circumfpeft in ali
things, as fhe wifhed her to be ; and yet, faid fhe,
my lord, her hulband, whom I love, ufeth her
not in many things fo honeflly, and fo godlily, as
I think ye yourfelf would require. Madam, faid
he, 1 have been troubled with that matter before,
and once I put an end to it, (and that was before
your majefty's arrival) that both fhe and her friends
feemed fuUy to fland content; and fhe herfelf pro*
mifed before her friends, that fhe would never
complain to any creature, till that 1 fhould liril
underftand the controverfy by her own mouth, or
elfe by one afTured mefftnger : I now have heard
nothing of her part, and therefore I think there is
nothing butconcoid. Well, faid the queen, it is
worfe than ye believe; but do this much for my
fake, as once again to put them at unity ; and, if
fhe behave not herfelf, fo as flie ought to do, fhe
fhall find no favour of me: but in any wife, faid
fhe, let my lord know, that I have requefled you
in this matter; for, I would be very forry to offend
him in that, or in any other thing. And now, faid
fhe, as touching our reafoning yeflernight, 1 pro-
mife to do as ye required ; I fhall caufe to fummoa
all offenders, and ye fhall know that I fhall mini-
fter juffice. I am affured then, faid he, that ye
fhall pleafe God, and enjoy reft and tranquiliitf
within your realm, which to your majefly is more
profitable, than all the pope's power can be., An^
thus they departed-.

This conference we have inferted, to fet die
world fee how deeply Mary queen of Scotland can
diffemble, and how that fhe could caufe men t»
think that fhe bare no indignation for any coatro^
verfy in religion, while that yet iii her heart was
nothing but venom and deftru6tion, as fhortly af-
ter did appear. John Knox departed, and pre-
pared himfelf for his journey appointed to DmnV
fries. And from Glafgow, according to the
queen's commandment, he wrote this letter to
the earl of Argyle^ the. teaoe whereof fd-
lows.

Mr

UOOK IV.

Of RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

283

Mt Lorb,
" ' The Lord cometh, and fliall not tarry.'
After commendation of my fervice unto your lord-
^p, if I had known of your lordlhip's fudden de-
parting, the laft time it chanced me to fee and
ipeak with you, I had opened unto you fome of my
grief; but fupporiRg that your lordfhip ftiould
have remained fiill with the queen, I delayed at
that time to utter any part of that, which now my
confciencc compelleth me to do. Your behaviour
towards your wife is very oiFenfive unto many
Ipdly, her complaint is grievous, that ye alto-
f ^ether withdraw your conveilation from her : if fo,
ye have great need to look well to your own flate^
lor albeit that ye, within yourfelf, felt no more re-
pugnancy, than any fiefh this day on the earth,
yet, by promife made before God, are y^ debtee
unto her in all due benevolence; but if that ye
burn on the one fide, albeit ye do no worfe, and
file in your default on the other, ye are not only
menfworn before God ; but alfo doth what in you
Keth» to kindle againft yourfelf his wrath and
heavy difpleafure. The words are fliarp, and
God is witnefs, in dolour of heart I write them ;
but becaule they are true, and pronounced by God
himfelf, I dare not but admonifh you, perceiving
you as it were fleeping in fm. The proud ftub-
borneis, whereof your lordfhip oft complained,
will nothing excufe you before God ; for, if ye be
not able to convince her of any fault, ye ought to
bear with her imperfe<^ions, as that ye would (he
fhould bear with you likewife. in the bowels of
Chrift Jefus, I exhort you, my Lord, to have re-
fpcft for your own ialvation, and not to abule the
lenity and long-fufiering of God ; for that is a fear-
ful trcafure that ye heap up upon your own head,
while that he callerii you to repentance, and ye
obftinately continue in your own impiety; for im-
piety it is, that ye abftiafl your comfort and com-
pany from your lawful wife. I write nothing in
defence of her misbehaviour towards your lordlhip
in any fort ; but I lay, if ye be not able to con-
vince her of any fault committed fince your laft
reconciliation, %vhich -was in ray prefence, that ye
can never be excufed before God, of this rude and
Arange ufage of your wife. And if by you fuch
iiTipiety be committed, as is reported, then before
God, and unto your own confcience, I fay, That
every moment of that filthy pleafure (hall turn to
you la a year's difpleafure; yea, it fnall be the
occaljon and caule of everlafting damnation, unlefs
fpeedily ye repent ; and repent ye cannot, except
je defift from that impiety. Call to mind, my lord,

that the fervant knowing his mafter's will and do-
ing the contrary, fhaU be plagued with many
plagues, fin, my lord, is fweet in drinking; but
in digeftiflg, more bitter than the fjall. The E-
ternal move your heart earneflly to confider, how
fearful a thing it is, ever to have God to be enemy.
In the end, I pray your lordfiiip not to be abfcnt
from Edinburgh the 19th of this inflant, for fuck
caufes as I will iiot write. Thus much only I
warn your lordfhip, that it will p.ot be profitable
for the common quietnefs of this realm, that the
papifls brag, and juflice be mocked that day.
■And thus I ceafe further to trouble jour iordihip,
whom God aflift.

In hq/fe, from Glafgmu, t^
jtbcf May, 1563.

Tour brdjhip's to commitnd in godUnejfs.
Sic/iibfcribltury

John Knok.

This letter was not weQ accepted of the faidearl,
and yet did he utter no part of his difpleafure ia
public; but contrarily, (hewed himfelf moft fa-
miliar with the faid John Knox ; he kept the diet,
and fat in judgment himfelf, where the bifhop
and the reft of the papifts were accufed, as after
follows.

The fummons were direfted againft the mafs-
mongers with expedition, in the ftraiteft form;
the day was appointed, the 1 9th of may, a day only
before the parliament of popifh knights appeared ;
the bifhop of St. Andrews the prior of Quhithorn,
the parfon of Sanquhair, "William Hamilton of
Cambuskenneth, John Gordon of Barskuch, witk
divers others. The proteftants conveened whole,
to crave for juftice. The queen a(ked council of
the bilhop of Rofs, and of the old laird of Le-
thington (for the younger was abfent, and fo the
proteftants had fewer friends) who affirmed, that
ftie muft fee her laws kept, or elfe flie would get
no obedience ; and fo were preparations made for
their accufations. The bifhop, and his band of
the exempted fort, made nice to enter before the
carl of Argyle, who fat in judgment ; but at laft
he was compelled to enter within the bar. A
merry man, who now fleeps with the Lord*
Robert Horwell, inftead of the bifhop's crofs, bore
before him a fteel-hammer ; whereat the bifhop
and his band were not a little offended, becaufe the
bifliop's privileges were not then current in Scot-
land (which day God grant our pofterity may fee
N n J <oi

1^4

The history of thG REFORMATION Book IV

of longer continuance than we pofTefTed it.) the
hilhop and his fellows, after much ado, and long
drift of time, came in the queen's will, and v.'ere
•coinmitted to ward, fome to one place, and fome
to another : the lady Ei fkine got the bilhops for
her part. All this was done of a moft deep craft,
■ to abufe the fimplicity of the proteflants, that they
-flioald not prefs the queen with any other thing
conc-rning the matters of religion.

At that parliament, which began within two days
thereafter, Ihe obtained of the proteflants whatfo-
ever ihe defired ; for this was the reafon of many,
we fee what the queen hath done, the Uke of this
was never heard v/ithin ttus realm ; we will bear
with the queen, we doubt not but all fball be well.
•Others were of contrary judgment, forefpake things
^s after they came to pafs, to rjit, that nothing
was meant but deceit ; and tkat the queen, how
-foon that ever the parliament v/as paft, fhould fet
the papifts at freedom ; and therefore willed the
nobility not to be abufed. But, becaufe many
had their private bufmefs to be handled at that
parliament, the common caufe was the lefs re-
garded.

The earl of Huntly, whofe corpfe had been un-
buried till the time it was brought to the tolbooth,
he was accufed, his arms rent off; himfelf, the
earl of Sutherland, and eleven barons and earls,
bearing the firname of Gordon, were that day for-
feited. The lady Huntly craftily protefted, and
aflced the fupport of a man of law or counfcllor.

Such ftinking pride of women, as was feen at
that parliament, was never feen before in Scot-
land. Three fundry days the queen rode to the
tolbooth ; the firft day {he made a painted oration,
and there might have been heard amongft her flat-
terers, vox Diana, the voice of a goddefs ; for it
could not be Dei, and not of a woman. God fave
that fweet face, was there ever orator fpake fo
properly and fo f\veetly ? drc.

All things mifliked the preachers ; they fpake
boldly againft the fuperfluities of their clothes,
and againfl: the reft of their vanity, which they
affirmed (hould provoke God's vengeance, not only
againft thefe foolifh women, but againft the whole
realm ; and efpecially againft thofe that maintained
them in that odious abufing of things that might
have been better beftowed. Articles were prefented,
for orders to be taken for apparel, and for reforma-
tion of other enormities ; but all was winked at.

The earldom of Murray needed confirmation,
and many things were to be ratified, that concern-

ed the help of friends and fervants, and therefore
they might not urge the queen; for if they fodid,
fhe would hold no parliament: and what then
fhould become of them that had meddled with the
flaughter of the earl of Hundy ? Let that parlia-
ment pafs over, and when the queen {hall afk any
thing of the nobility, as fhe muft do, before her'
marriage, then {hall religion be the firft thing that •
{hall be eflabli{hed. It was anfwered. That the
poets and painters erred not altogether, that feign-
ed and painted Occafion with a bald hind-head ; for
the firft, when it is offered, being loft, is hard to
be recovered again. The matter fell fo hot betwixt
the earl of Murray, and fome others of the court,
and John Knox, that familiarly after that time
they ipake not together more than a year and a
half ; for the faid John, by his letter, gave a diA
charge to the faid earl, of all further intromiilioa
or care with his affairs. He made unto him a
difcourfe of their firft acquaintance ; in what eftate "
he was, when that firft they fpake together in Lon-
don ; how God had promoted him, and that above
man's judgment; and in the end made his conclu-
fion, but feeing that I perceive myfelf fruftrate of
my expeftation, which was, that ye {liould ever
have preferred God to your own affedbn, and
the advancement of his truth to your own commo-
dity, I commit you to your wit, and to the conduct-
ing of thofe who can better pleafe you. I praife my
God, I leave you this day vidfor of your enemies,
promoted to great honour, and in credit and au-
thority with your forereign. If fo ye long con-
tinue, none {hall be more glad than I {hall be; but,
that after this ye decay, as I fear ye {hall, then call
to mind by what means God exalted you; which
was, neither by plying with impiety, neither yet
by maintaining of peftilent papifts.

This letter and difcharge was fo pleafing to the
flatterers of the faid earl, that they triumphed of
it, and were glad to have gotten their occafion y
for fome envied, that fo great familiarity was be-
twixt them: and therefore, from the time they
got once that occafion to feparate, they ceafed not',
tocaft oil in the burning flame ; which ceafed not'
to burn, till that God by water of afflldfion began
to flacken it, as we {hall after hear. But, left that
they fhould altogether have been leen to have for-
faken God (as in very deed, both God and his
word were very far from the hearts of the moft
part of the countries of that age, a few excepted) ,
they began a new fhift, to wit, to fpeak of the
punifhmcnt of adultery, of witchcraft, and to feek

the

OF RELIGION IN S

BrtOK IV.

the reftitution of ghhes or manfes to the miniilcrs
of the church, aad of the reparation of the church-
es; and thereby they thought to have pleafed the
godly, thdt were highly offended at their llack-
iicfs.

The afl of oblivion pafTed, becaufe fome of the
lords had entrefs; but the a£ls againft adultery,
and for the mmfes and glebes, were fo modified,
that no law, and fuch a law might itand i;z ecdcm:
priidicamento. To fpeak plain, no law and fuch
zC\s were both alike; the afts are in print, let wile
men read, and then accufe us, if v/ithout caufe we.
complain.

In the progrefs of this corruption, and before
the parliament diiTolved, John Knox in his fermon,
before the moil part of the noblhty, began to enter-
in a deep difcourfe of God's mercies which that re-
alm had left, . and of that ingratitude which he e-
I'pied in the whole multitude, which God had
marvellouQy delivered from the bondage and ty-
ranny both of body and foul. And now, my
lords, faid he, I praife my God through Jefus
Chrifl, that in your own prefence I may pour forth
the forrows of my heart ; yea, yourfelves fhall be
witnefs, if I make any lie in things bypaft, from the
beginning of God's mighty works within this re-
alm. I have been with you in your moft defperate
temptations ; aflc your own confciences, and let
them anfv^er you before. God, if that 1 (not I,
but God's Spirit by me) in your greateft extremity
willed you not, ever to depend upon your God,
and in his name promifed unto you vit^ory and
prefervation from your enen"ii;rs; ib that only ye
would depend upon his protection, and prefer his
glory before your lives and worldly commodity.
In your inofl: extreme danger I have been with, you :
St. Johnftoun, Coupar-muir, and the charges of
Edinburgh are yet recent in my heart ; yea, that
dark and dolorous night, wherein all you, my lords,
with fliame and fear left this town, is yet in my
mind ; and God forbid that ever I forget it. What
was, I fay, my exhortation unto you ; and what
is fallen in vain of all that ever God promifed unto
you by my mouth, ye yourfelves live and tefli-
f'y. There is not one of you, againfl whom death
and deftruftion was threatned, perilhed in that
danger ; and how many of your enemies hath God
plagued before your eyes ? fhall this be the thank-
fulnefs that ye (hall render unto your God, to be-
tray his caufe, v.'hen. ye have it in your own hands
to eftablilh it, as you pleafe ? The queen fays, ye
will not agree with us. Aflc ye of her that which
by God's word ye may.juftly require j and if flie

C 0 T LAN D." it%.

will not agree with you in God,' yo:i ;.re not bci-nd '
to agree v.-i^h her in the devil. Let her plain! v un-
derhand {o far of your miids, and fteal not'lrcm
5^our former ftoutnefs in God, and lie will profper
you in your enterpjifes : but I can iee nothing but
a recoiling from Chrifl: Jefus, that the m.aii that
firft and moff fpeedily hceth from Chrift's enfiar,
holdeth himfeif mofl happy ; , yea, I hear fbme ^v,
that we have nothing of our religion eflablidied,
neither by law nor parliamenr. Albeit the malici-
ous words of fuch, can neither hurt the. truth of
God, nor yet us thatthereupon depend ; yet the
fpeaker of this treafon, committed agaiiifb Gcd
and this poor common wealth, deferves the gal-
lows ; for our religion being commanded, and {'o ■
effabliihed by God, is received with this realm ia
public parliament : and if they will fiiy, that it
was no parliament, we m u ft, . and will fay, and
alfo prove, that that parliament was alfo as law-
ful, as ever any that pafled before it in this realm.
Ifay, If the king thca living was king, and the
queen now in this realm be lawful queen, that
parliament cannot be denied. .

And now, my lords, to put an end to all, I hear-
of the. queen's marriage : dukes, brethren to em-,
perors, and kings flrive all for the bcA gain : but
this, my lord's will, I-fay (note the day, and bear
witnefs after) Whenfoever the nobility of Scot-
land, who profefs the Lord Jefus, confcnts, that
an infidel (and all papifts are. infidels) ftiall be .
head to our fovereign, ye do, fo far as in you
lieth, to banifh Ghriil Jefus from this realm ; yea,
to bring God's vengeance upon the country, a
plague upon yourfelves, and perchance you fhall .
do fmall comfort to your fovereign; ,

Thefe words, and this manner of fpeakliig was ;
judged intolerable.: papifts and proteflants Were
both offended ; yea, his mofl familiars difdained '
him for that fpeaking. Place-boes and flatterers
pofled to the court,, to give advertifement/ that.-
John Knox had fpoken againfl the queen's mar-
riage. The provofl of Glencludan, Douglas by
firname, of Drumlanerk, was the man that gave ■
the charge, that the fiid John friould prefent him-
feif before the queen, which he did imrnediately
after dinner. The lord Ochiltrie, and divers of
the faithful, bare him, company to the- abbey;,
but none pafl in to the queen with him in- the ca-
binet, but John Erfkine of Dun, tlien fuperin-
tendent of Angus and Mearns.

The queen in a vehement fume began to cry
out. That never prince was ufed as fhe was. I-
liave^ , faid fh.e, borne with you in all your rigo--

T-iiE HrSTO-RY OF THE R.EFORM ATION

:^4

lous manner of fpeaking, botk again ft myfeltand
figainft my uncles ; yea, 1 have fought your
ffavour by all poflible means : I ofTcred unto
you prefence and audience, whenfoever. it pleafed
•you to admoaifh me, and yet I cannot be quit of
you; I vo%v to God I fhail be once revenged.
And with thefe words fearce could Marnock, one
of her pages, 'get handkerchiefs to hold her eyes
• dry ; for the tears and the howling, " befides wo-
. manly weeping, ftaid her fpeech. The faid John
did patiently abide all this fume, Jind at op-
portunity aufv/ered, True it is, madam, your ma-
iefty and I have been at divers. controverfies, into
the which I never. perceived your majefty to be
offendedtat me ; but when it (hall -pleafe God to
deliver yau-from that bondage of darknefs and er-
ror, .wherein ye have been nouriflied, for the lack
. ef true ^doflrlne, *your majefty will find the liberty
of my tongv>e nothing ^offenfive. Without the
•preaching-place, Tnadatn, I think few have occa-
fion to be offended at me, and theae, madam, I
am not mafter of myfelf, but muft obey him who
■ commands me to fpeak plain, and to flatter no flefn
: upon the face of the earth.

But what have you to do, faid fhe, with my
marriage ?

If it pleafeyo-ur majefty, faid he, patiently to
hear me, I fnall fhew the truth in plain words. I
rrrant your majeliy offered unto me more than ever
f required ; but my anfwer was then, as it is now,
that God bath r^ot 'fent me to await upon the
courts of princes, or upon the cliamber of ladies ;
but I am fent to preach the gofpelof Jefus Chrift,
to fuch as pleafe to hear : it hath two points, re-
pentance znd faith. Now, madam,- in preaching
repentance, of neceffity it is, that thefms of men be
noted, that they may know wherein they offend :
but fo it is, that the moft part of your nobility are
fo addifled to your affe(Slions, that neither God's
word, nor yet their common-wealth are righdy re-
garded ; and therefore it become th me to fpeak,
that they may-know their duty.

What have you to do, faid (he, with my mar-
jiarre? Oc, what -are yo.u .within the common-
vii'eakh ?

A fubje'5l 'bom \vithin the -fame, jKiid he, ma-
■ dam ; and albeit 1 be neither earl, lord, «or ba-
ron within it, yet hath God made me (bow ab-
je6t tiiat ever I be in your eyes) a profitable and
ull'ful member within the fame: yea, madam, to
ine it appertaineth no lefs, to forewarn cf fuch
.things as'may hurt it, if I forefee them, than it
iii^th to any one of the nobility ; for both my vo-

BooK IV-.

cation and office craveth plainnefi of me ; and
therefore, madam, to yourfelf I fay, that which!
fpake in public, whenfcever the nobility of this
realm fhali be content, and confent, that you be
fubjeift to an unlawful huiband, they doas much
as in them lieth to renounce Chrift, to batii.^ the
truth, to betray the freedom of this realm, and, per-
chance fhall in the end do fmall comfort to your-
felf. .

At thefe words howling was heard, and tears
might have been feen in greater abundance than
the matter required. John Erflcine of Dun, a man
of meek and gentle fpirit, flood befide, and did
what he could' to mitigate the anger, and gave un-
to' her many ■ pleafent words, of her bounty, of
her excellency; and ■^how that all the princes
in Europe would be glad to feekhtT favours. But
all that was to caft oil into the fkming fire. The
faid John ftood ftill, without any alteration of
countenance, for a long time, while that the queea
gave place to her inordinate pafticns ; and in the
end he faid, madam, in God's prefence I fpeak, I
never delighted in the weeping of any of God's
creatures ; yea, "I can fcarcely well abide the tears
of mine own boys, when my own hands correft
them, much kfs can I rejoice in yovtr majefty's
weeping: but feeing I have offered unto you no
juft occafion to be offened, but have fpoken the
truth, as my vocadon craves of me, i rnitft fuftain
your majefty's tears, rather than I dare hurt my
Gonfcieace, or betray the common- wealth by filence,
Herewith'was the queen more offended, and com-
manded die faid John to pais forth of the cabinet,
and to abide further of her pleafure in the chambier.

The laird of Dun tarried, and lord John of
Coldingham came into the cabinet, and fo they
remained with her near the fpace of one hour.
The fail John ftood in the chamber, as one whom
men had never feen, fo w^re all afraid, except that
the lord Ochiltrie bare him company; -and there-
fore he began to make dilcourfe widi the ladies,^
who were there fitting in all their gorgeous ap-
parel: which when he cfpled, he -merrily faid,
fair ladies, "how pleafant were this life of yours,
'if it fhould ever abide; and then in the end, that
we might pafs to heaven with this gear? but fy
upon that knave, death, that will come whe-
ther we will or not ; and when he hath laid on
the arreft, then foul worms will be bufy with this
flefti, be it never fo fair and fb tender; and the
fdly foul I fear fi-iall be fo feeble, that it can nei-
ther carry with it gold, garniftiing, targating,
pearl, nor precious ftones. And by fuch and the

like

Book IV.

like difcoarfe entertained he the ladies, and palt
the time, till that the laird of Dun willed him to
depart to his hoivfe, till new advertifment.

The queen would have had the fentiment of
the lords of the articles, if that fuch manner of
fpeaking dcfcrved not punishment. But ftie was
counfelied to delill ; and fo that ftorm quieted ia.
appearance, but never in the heart.

Shortly after the parliament, Lethington return--
cd from his negotiation in England and France.
God, iu the Febi'uary before, had ftricken that
bloody tyrant the duke of Guile, which Ibmewhat
brake the heat of our queen, for a feafon; but
fhortly after the returning of Lethington, pride
and malice began to lliew themfelves again; the
queen fet at liberty the biihop of St. Andrews,
and the reft of the papifts, that before were, pjUt
in prifon for violating of the laws.

Lethington, at his returning, fliewed himfelf
not a little olfended, tliat any rep/ort fhould have
been railed of the queen's marriage with the king
of Spain; for he took upon him to affirm, that
any fuch thing had never entered into her heart :
btut how true that v/as, we ftiall hereafter hear.
The end of bis acquittance and complaint was to
difcredit John Knox, who had affirmed, that fuch
a, marriage was both propofed, and, upon the part
of the queen, by the cardinal accepted. Lething-
ton in his abfence had run into a. very evil report
among the nobility, for too much ferving the
"queen's aff Aions againft the common- wealth j
and therefore had he, as one that lacked not
worldly wifdom, made provifion both in England
and Scotland : for in England, he travailed for
the freedom of the earl Bothwel, and by that
means obtained promiie of his favour ; he had
there alfo taken order for the home-coming of the
earl of Lennox, as we fball after hear. In Scot-
land he joined with the earl of Athdl, him he prcn
moted and fet foreward in court, and fo began, the.
earl of Murray to be defaced ; and yet to the faid
carl, Lethington at- all times ihcwed a. fair coun-

0 F RELIGION IN S C O T L A N IX 2Bj^

John rdkcd «f him, why-

the familiars of tke ijiic

he prayed ior quictaefo ro continue for a feafon,.
and not rather ablblutely, that we Ihould continue
in quietnefs ? his anfwer was, ' That he durft net
' pray but in faith ; and faith in- God's word afTur-
' ed him, that conflant quietnefs would not con-

• tinue in that realm, wherein idolatry had been

• fupprelfed,. and thea was permitted to be-ercjfled '
' again/

From the weft-country, the queen paft into»
Argyle. to the hunting, and after returned to Stir-
ling. The earl of Murray, the lord Robert of
Holyrood houfe, and lord John of Coldingham,
paft to the north-lands, where juftice courts werr?
holden, thieves and murderers were punished,
two witches were burnt ; the eldeft was fo blinded
with the devil, that the affirmed, that no judg;-
had power over her. The fame time lord John
of Coldingham departed this life in Invernefs : if
was affirmed, that he commanded fuch as were
befide him to fay to the queen, that, unkk Cm
left her idolatry, God would not fail to palgue.
her.. Healked God mercy, that he had fo far
bora with her, in her impiety, and had maintain -
cd her in the fame, and that no one thing did him
more grief than that he had flattered, fofterec,
and maintained her, in her fury againft God an/l
his fervants.: And ia very deed, great caufe had
he to have lamented his wickednefs : for, befides
all his other infirmities, he in the end, for the
queen's pleafure, became enemy ta virtue, and all
virtuous men, and a patron to impiety^, to the ut-
termoft of his power; yea, his venom was fo
kindled againft God and his word, that in his
rage he, burfted fortJi thefe words, ♦ Do I fee the .
' queen's majefty fo troubled with the railing of
'thefe knaves? I fhalL leave , the. beft ., of them

• flicked, in the pulpit;' What further villany
came forth of his ftinking throat and, mouth, mo-
defty will.aot fuffer us to write ; whertof, if he had J
grace unfeignedly to repent it Is. no imall docu-
ment of God's mercies, but,; however God

tenanqe. The reft of that fummer, the queen . wroughtJ^/ith him, _ the queen regarded his word

fpent in her progrefs thorcw the wefl?-country,
where in all towns and gendemens places (he had
her mafs ; whic-h coming, to the ears of John Knox,
he began that form of prayer, which, ordinarly he
feith after thankfgiving at his table. . (i.) * DeU-

* ver us, O Lord, .from the bondage of.ddolatry.

* (2.) Preferve and keep us from the t}'ranny of
*-ftrangers. (3.) Continue us in peace and con-

* ^ord among ourfelves, if thy good pleafure be,
*<jLLQrd, .for a .feafoa.' Whiift ,tlw.t div.ers. of

as wind, or elfe thought them to have been f©r=
ged by others, and not to have proceeded from .
himfelf; and affirmed plainly, they -were iavented
by the laird of Pittarro, and Mr. Joha.Wood,
both whom fhe hated, becaufe they flattered her -
notin her dancing, and. other things. One- thing-
in ,plaia words fhe fpoke, that God took always-
from her thofe perfons in whom fhe had grcateft 1
pleafure, and that (he repented 5 but of. funbei- r
fias. CO -mention.,-

WKilili

The H I S T 0 R Y o f the R E F O H M A T I 0 N

138

Whilfi: the queen lay at Sdrling,wiih her Idolatry
in her chapel iu the palace ofHolyrood-houfe, were
left certaui Duntibers, and others of the French
menzie, who railed up their mafs more publicly than
they had doae at any time before ; for, upon the
f:une Sunday that the church of Edinburgh had
the miniflration of the Lord's table, the papiftsin
a great number went to the abbey to their abomi-
nation; which underllood, divers of the brethren,
being fore oiTended, confulted how to redrefs that
enormity : and fo were appointed certala of the
mofl zealous, and mofl upiight in religion, to
wr.it upon the abbey, that they might note fuch
pcrfons, as relorted to the mafs ; and perceiving a
great number to enter into the chapel, fome of the
brethren thruff in alfo : whereat the priefts and
French dames being afraid, made the Ihout to be
fent to the town; and madam Baillie, miflrefs to
the queen's Duntibers (for maids that court would
not then well bear) ported on with all diligence to
the comptroller, the laird of Pittarro, who then
was in St. Giles's church at the fermon, and cried
for his afliftance to fave her life, and to fove the
, queen's palace ; who, with greater hafte than need
required, obeyed her defire, and took with him the
provoft and baillies, and a great part of the faith-
ful : but when they came where the fear was re-
ported to have been, they found all things in quiet,
except the tumult they brought with themfelves,
and peaceable men talking to the papifts, forbid-
ding them to tranfgrefs the law.

True it is, a zealous brother, named Patrick
'-Cranfton, pafl into the chapel, and finding the al-
ter covered, and the prieft ready to go to his abo-
minable mafs, faid, ' The queen's majefty is not
' here ; How dare you then be fo malapert, as open-
* ly to doagainfl the law?' No further was done
or faid, and yet report thereof was polled to the
queen (with fuch information, as the papifts could
give, which found fuch credit as their hearts could*
have whhed for) which was fo hainous a crime in
her eyes, that fatisfaftion for that fm was there
none without blood ; and therefore without delay
were fummoned Andrew Armftrong and Patrick
Cranfton, to find furety to underly the law for
forethought felony, having made violent invafion
into the queen's palace, and for fpoliation of the
fame. Thefe letters divulgate, and the extremity
feared, the few brethren, that were within the
town, confulted upon the next remedy, aad in the
end concluded. That John Knox (to whom the
.charge was given, to make advertifements, when-
iaever danger (hould appear) flwuld write to the

Book IV

brethren in all quarters, giving information as the
matter flood, and requiring their affirtance; which
he did, in manner as here enfusth.

The Superfcription.

Wherefoever tivo- or three are gathered together m
my name, there am I in the midjl of them.

It is not unknown unto you, dear brethren,
what comfort and tranquillity God gave unto us,,
in times moft dangerous, by our Chriflian aflem.-
blies, and godly conference, as oft as any danger
appeared to any member or members of our own
body; and how that fmce we have neglefted, or
at leaft not frequented our conventions and affem-
blies, the adverfaries of Chrifl Jefus's holy gofpel,
have enterpriied and boldned themfelves, publicly
and fecretly to do many things odious in God's
prefence, and mofl: hurtful to the true religion,
ROW of God's great favour granted unto us : the
holy facraments are abufed-bvy profane papifts;
mafles have been, and yet are faid openly, and
maintained ; the blood of fome of our deareft mi-
nifters hath been flied, without fear of punifhment,
or corre<5lion craved by us. And now laft are two
of our dear brethren, Patrick Cranfton and An-
drew Ar'mftrong, fummoned to underly the bw in
the tolbooth of Edinburgh, the 24th of this inftant
Odfober; for a forethought felony, pretended mur-
der, and for invading of the queen's majefty's pa-
lace of Holyrood-houfe, with unlawful convocati-
on, dcThefe terrible fummonfes are direded againfl
our brethren, becaufe that they, with two or three
more, paffed to the abbey upon Sunday, the 25th
of Auguft, to behold and note what perfons repair-
ed to the mafs. And becaufe that upon the Sunday
before, the queen being abfent, there refbrted to
that idol a rafcal multitude, having openly the
leaft devilifh ceremony (yea even the conjuring of
their accurfed water) that ever they had in the
time of greateft blindnefs : but becaufe, I fay, our
faid brethren paft, and that in moft quiet manner,
to note fuch abufers, thefe fearful fummonfes are
direfled againft them, to make, no doubt, a pre-
paration upon a few, that a door may be opened
to execute cruelty upon a greater multitude. And,
if fo it come to pafs, God, no doubt, hathjuftly
recompenfcdour former negligence and ingratitude
towards him and his benefits, in our own bofoms.
God gave us a moft notable vi^ory of his and our
enemies ; he brake their ftrength, and confound-
ed

E<ioK IV.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

289

ed their counfels ; he left us at freedom, and pur-
ged the realm, for the moil part, of open idolatry,
to the end that we, ever mindful of fo wondrous a
deliveraoce, fliould have kept this realm, clean
from fuch vile fdthincfs, and damnable idolatry.
But, we, alas, preferring the pleafure of flefh and
blood to the pleafure and contentment of God,
have fufFered that idol the mafs publicly to be
erefted again: and therefore, juflly fufFers he us
now to fall into that danger, that to look to an ido-
later going to his idolatry, fliall be reputed a crime
little inferior to treafon : God grant that we fall
not further. And now, I, whom God of his mer-
cy hath made one amongft many to travail, in fct-
ting foreward his true religion within this realm,
feeing the fame in danger of ruin, cannot but in
confcience crave of you, my brethren of all dates,
that have profefled the truth, your prefence, com-
fort, and affiftance, at the faid day, in the town of
Edinburgh, even as ye tender the advancement of
God's glory, the fafcty of your brethren and your
own all urance ; together with the prefervation of
the church, in thefe appearing dangers. It may be,
perchance, that perfuafions be made to the. con-
trary, and that ye may be informed, that either
your aflembly is not neceflary, or elfe that it v/dl
offend the upper powers : and my good hope is,
that neither flattery nor fear, fhall make you fo far
decline from Chrift Jefus, as that againft your pub-
lic promife, and folemn band, you will leave your
brethren in fo juft a caufe: and albeit there were
no great danger, yet cannot our afTembly be unpro-
fitable, for many things requiring confultation,
which cannot be had, unlefs the wifeft and godli-
ell: conveen. And thus doubting nothing of the
affifl:ance of our God, if that we uniformly feek
his glory, I ceafe further to trouble you, commit-
ting you heartily to the proteftion of the Eternal.
From Edinburgh Sth of
OSlober 1563.

John Knox.

The brethren advertifed by this letter, prepared
themfelves, fo many as were thought expedient for
every town and province, to keep the day appoint-
ed : but, by the means of fome falfe brethren, the
ktter came to the hands of the queen ; and the
manner was this, It was read in the town of Air,
where was prefent Mr. Robert Cunningham, fai-
led minifter of Faitfurd, who then was holden a
profeflbr of the gofpel, (by what means we know
not) got the faid letter, and fent it with his token
to Mr. Henry Sinclair, then prefident of the feat

and college of juftice, ftilcd bifhop of Rofs, a per-
fedl hypocrite, and a conjured enemy to Chrifl Je-
fus, whom God after flruck according to his de-
fervings. The faid Mr. Henry being enemy to all
that unfeignedly profefled the Lord Jefus, but
chiefly to John Knox, for the liberty *of his tonguei
for he had affirmed, as ever flill he doth affirm.
That a bifhop who receives profit, and feeds not
the flock, (even by his own labours) is both a thief
and a murderer : the faid Mr. Henry, v/e fey, think-
ing himfelf happy, that he had found fo good oc~
cafion to trouble him, whole life he hated, pofled
the faid letter with his counfel to the queen, who
then lay in Stirling. The letter being read, it was
concluded by the council of the cabinet, that is,
by the mod fecret council, that it imported trea-
fon, whereof the queen did not a little rejoice ;
for ffie thought once to be avenged of tliat her
great enemy. It was concluded, that the nobility
fhould be written for, that the condemnation fliould
have the greater authority : the day w^as appointed
about the midfl: of Decem.ber, which was kept of
the whole council, and of divers others, fuch ap
the mafter of Maxwel, the old laird of Lething-
ton, and the faid prefident.

In the mean time, the earl of Murray returned
from the north, to whom fecretary Lethington
opened the matter, as bed pleafed him. The
mafter of Maxwel (after made lord Haris) gave un-
to the faid John, as it were, a difcharge of the fa-
miliarity, which before was great betwixt them,
unlefs that he would fatisfy the queen at her own
will. The anfwer of John Knox was. That he
knew no oflTence done by him to the queen's maje-
fty, and therefore he knew not what fatisfacfion
to make. No offence ? laid he : Have you not
written letters, defiring the brethren from all parts
to conveen to Andrew Arm Orong and Patrick Cran-
flon ? That I grant, laid the other, but therein I
acknowlege no offence done by me. No offence,
faid he, to convocate the queen's lieges ? Not for
a juft caufe, faid the other, for greater things were
reputed no oflTence within thefe two years. The
time, faid he, is now otherwife ; for then our fo-
vereign was ablent, and now fhe is prefent. It is
neither the abfenee nor the prefence of the queen,
faid he, that rules my confcience, but God plainly
fpeaking in his word. What was lawful to me the
laft year. Is yet lawful, becaufe my God is un-
changeable.

Well, faid the mafter, I have given you my
counfel, do as you lift ; but I think you fliall re-
pent it, if you bow not unto the queen.

O o I un-

£^5

The history oft he reformation

Book IV.

I Uiideilland not, fald he, what you mean ; I
never made myleif an adverle party unto the
queen's mijefty, except in the point of religion,
and thereunto I think you will not defire me to
bow.

Weil, iliid he, you are wife enough, but you
will not find that men will bear with you in times
to come, as they have done in times bypaft.

If God ftand my friend, faid the other, as I am
afTured he of his mercy will, fo long as I depend
upon his promife, and prefer his^lory to my life
and worldly profit, I little regard how men be-
have themielves towards me ; neither yet know I
whereinto any one man hath borne with me in
times bypaft, unlefs it be, that of my mouth they
have heard the word of God, which in time to
come if they refufe, my heart will be perfeft, and
for a fcafon I will lament ; but the incommodity
will be their own. And, after thefe woids (here-
unto the laird of Lochinvar was witnefs) they de-
parted ; but unto this day, the feventeenth day of
December i 5 7 1 , yea, never in this life, met they
in fuch familiarity as before.

The report of the accuiation of John Knox be-
ing divulgate, Mr. John Spence of Condi advo-
cate, a man of gentle nature, and one that pro-
felTed the doftrine of the gofpel, came as it were
in fecret to John Knox, to enquire the caufe of
that great report. To whom the faid John
^A^as plain in all things, and fhewed unto him the
double of the letter ; which heard and confidered,
he faid, I thank God, I came unto you with a
? earful and forrowful heart, fearing that you had
done fuch a crime, as laws might have punifned,
which would have been no fmall trouble to the
heart of ail fuch, as have received the word of
Ufe, which you have preached ; but I depart
greatly rejoiced, as well becaufe I fee your own
«:omiort, even in the midfi of the troubles, as
that I clearly underftand, that you have commit-
ted no fuch crime, as you are reported with. You
will be accijfed, faid he, but God will aififl you,
and fo he departed.

The earl of Murray and the fecretary fent for
^he faid John to the clerk of the regifter's houfe,
and began to lament, that he had fo highly of-
fended the queen's maiefly,for the which they fear-
ed fhould come a great inconveniency to him, if the
bulinefs were not wilely forefeen : they fliew what
pains and travail they had taken to mitigate her
anger ; but they could find nothing but extremity,
imlefa that he himfelf would confcfs his offence,

and put him in her majcfty's wiH. To which
heads the faid John anfwered, as foHows :

I praife m.y God through Jefus Chrift, faid he,
I have learned not to cry conjuration and treafon,
at every thing that thegodlefs multitude doth con-
demn ; neither yet to fear the things that they
fear. 1 have the teftimony of a good confcience,
that 1 have given no occalion to the queen's ma-
jeily to be ofTendcd with me, for I have done
nothing but my duty; audio, whatfoever fhali
thereof enfue, my good hope is, that my God
will give me patience to bear it; but to confefs an
offence, where my confcience witnefTeth there i$
none, far be it from me. How can it be defend-
ed, faid I.ethington, have you not made a convo-
cation of the queen's lieges ? If I have not, faid he,
a juft defence for my faft, let me fmart for it.
Let us hear, faid they, your defences, for wq
would be glad that you might be found innocents
Nay, faid the other, I am informed by divers,
that even by you, my lord lecretary, I am already
condemned, and my caufe prejudged ; therefore I
might be reputed a fool, if I would make you privy
to my defences. At thefe words they feemed both
offended, and fo the fecretary departed ; but the
faid earl remained fii 1, and would have entered:
into further dlfcourle of the flate of the court
with the faid John, who anfwered, My lord, I
undcrftand more than I would, of the ilate of the -
court ; and therefore it is not needful, that your
lordfiiip trouble m.e with the recounting thereof.
If you fiand in good caie, I am content; and if.
you do not, as I fear you do not already, or elfe
you Ihall not do it ere it be long, blame not me,
you have the counfellors whom you have chofen,
my weak judgment both they and you defpifed. I
can do nothifig but behold the end, which I
pray God it be other than my troubled heart
feareth.

Within four days the faid John was called be-
fore the queen and council, betwixt fix and feven
a clock at night ; the fealbn of the year was the^
midft of December, The report rifing in the town,
that John Knox was fent for by the queen, the
brethren of the town followed in fuch number,
that the inner-clofs was full, and all the flairs, even
to the chamber-door where the queen and council
fat, who had been reafoning amongft themfelves
before, but had not fully fatisfied the fecretary's
mind : and fo was the queen retired to her cabinet,
and the lords were talldng one with another, as
ocqafion ferved, But, upon the entry of John

Kaox

Book IV.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

291

Knox, they were defired to take their places, as
thev ^lid, ntting as counfellors, one againfl an-
other.

The duke, according to his dignity, began the
one fide. Upon the other fide fat the earl of Ar-
gyle, and confequently followed earl of Murray,
the earl of Glencairn, the earl of Marifchal, the
lord Ruthven, the common officei-s, Pittarro then
comptroller, the juflice-clerk, with Mr. John
Spence of Condie advocate, and divers others flood
by. Removed from the table fat old Lethington,
father to the fecrstary, Mr. Henry Sinclair, then
bidiop of Rofs, and Mr. James Macgill clerk of the
regifter.

Things thH» put in order, the queen came forth,
and that with no little worldly pomp, was placed
in a chair, having two faithful fupporters, the
mafter of Maxwel upon the one tor, and fecretary
Lethington upon the other tor of the chair, where-
on he waited diligently. At the rime of the accu-
fation, fometime the one was fpeaking in her ear,
and fometime the other. Her pomp lacked no-
thing of a womanly gravity : for when fhe faw
John Knox flanding at the other end of the table
bare-headed, at the iirfl (he fmiled, and after gave
a. gauf of laughter ; whereunto her Placeboes gave
their plciudite, allenting with like countenance.

This is a good beginning, (he faid, but know
you whereat I laugh ? Yon man caufed me to cry,
and (hed never a tear himfelf ; I will fee if I can
caufe him to grieve. At that word the fecretary
whifpered her in the ear, and (he him again, and
with that gave him a letter ; after the infpeflion
whereof, he dire<fled his vifage and fpeech to John
Knox in this manner.

The queen's majefty is informed, that you have
travailed to raife a tumult of her fubjefts againft
her ; and, for certification thereof, there is pre-
fented to her your own letter, fubfcribed in your
name ; yet, becaufe her majefty will do nothing
without good advertifement, (he hath conveened
you before this part of the nobility, that they may
witnefs betwixt you and her.

Let him acknowlege, faid (he, his own hand-
writing, and then (hall wc judge of the contents
of the letter ; and fo was the letter fent from hand
to hand to John Knox, who taking infpefffion of
it, faid, 1 acknowlege this to be my hand- writing;
and alfo I remember, that I indited a letter in the
month of October, giving fignification to the bre-
thren in divers quarters, of fuch things as difpleaf-
ed me ; and fo good opinion have I of the fidelity
©f the fcribes, that willingly they would not adul-

terate my original, albeit that I left divers blanks
fubfcribed with them; and fo I acknov,'lege both
the hand-writing and the diftatement.

You have done more, faid Lethington, than I
would have done. Charity, Md the other, is not
fufpicious. Well, well, faid the queen, read your
own letter, and then anfwer to fuch things as (hail
be demanded of you. I (hall do the befl: I can,
faid the other, and fo with a loud voice be began
to read, as before is expreffed. After that the
kiter was read, it was prefented again to Mr, John,
Spence her advocate ; for the queen commanded
him to accufe, as he did, but very gendy.

After, we fay, that the letter was read, the
queen beholding the whole table, fdd. Heard you
ever, my lords, a more delpitcful and treafonable
letter ? While that no man gave anfwer, Lethington
addreffed himfelf to John Knox, and fiid. Mailer
Knox, are you not forry from your heart, and do
you not repent, that fuch a letter hath pa(red yonr
pen, and from you hath come to the knowlege
of others ? John Knox anfwered. My lord fecre-
tary, before I repent, I muft be taught of n>y
offence. Offence? faid Lethington, if there were
no more but the convocation of the queen's lieges,
the offence cannot be denied. Remember your ■
felf, my lord, faid the other, there is a differsnce
betwixt a lawful convocation and an unlawful : if
I have been guilty in this, I have oft offended fmce
I came lafl into Scotland : for what convocation of
brethren hath ever been to this day, unto which
my pen hath not ferved ? and before this no man
laid it to my charge as a crime. Then was then,
and now is now, (aid Lethington, we have no need
of fuch convocation, as fometimes we have had.
John Knox anfwered, The time that hath been
is even now before my eyes ; for I fee the poor
flock in no lefs danger, than it hath been at any
time before, except that the devil hath gotten a
vizard upon his face. Before, he came in with his
own face, difcovered by open tyranny, feeking the
deftruftlon of all that refufed idolatry, and then I
think, you will confefs, the brethren lawfully af-
fembled themfelves, for defence of their lives ; and
now the devil comes, under the cloke of juflice,
to do that which God would not fufFer him to do
by flrength.

What is this? faid the queen, methinks you
trifle with him. Who gave you authority to
make convocation of my lieges ? Is not that
treafon ? No, madam, faid the lord Ruthven,
for he makes convocation of the people to hear
prayer and fermon, almoft daily ; and, whatever
O o a your

T H j£ il I S T O R Y OF THE k E F 0 R M A T I O N

292

your inajedy and others think thereof, we think
it no treafon. Hold your peace, laid the queen,
let him aafwer for himfelf. 1 began, madam, faid
John Knox, to rcafon with the Iccretary (whom
r take to be a better dialeflationer than your ma-
jcdy is, that all convocation is not unlawful ; and
ncr.v :-ny lord Ilnthven hath given the inflance,
which, if your majefly will deny, I lliall make my-
felf ready for the proof. I will fay nothing, faid
the queen, againft your religion, nor againfl your
conveening to your fermons ; but what authority
have you to convocate my fubjeffs when you will,
without any commandment ? 1 have no pleafure,
faid John Knox, to decline from my former pur-
pofe ; and yet, madam, to fatisfy your majefty's
two queffions, I anfwer. That at my will I never
conveened four perfons in Scotland ; but at the
oder that the brethren hath appointed, I have
given divers advertifements, and great multitudes
have alTcmbled thereupon : and if your majefiy
complaineth, that this was done without your
majcfry's commandment ; I anfwer. So hath all
rhat God hath blelled within this realm, from the
beginning of this action : and therefore, madam,
I muff be convinced by a jufl: law, that I have
done againft the duty of God's melTenger, in
writing of this letter, before that I either be forry,
or yet repent for the doing of it, as my lard fe-
r.retarv would perfuade me ; for what I have done,
) have done at the commandment of the general
church Of this realm; and therefore 1 think I
have done no wrong. You (hall not efcape fo,
laid the queen.

Is it not treafon, my lords, to accufe a prince
of cruelty ? I think there are a6ls of parliament
to be found againfl fuch whifperers. This was
granted to be true of many. But wherein, faid
Mr. Jahn Knox, can I be accufed ? Read this part
pf your letter, faid the queen, which began,

* This fearful fummons is dire<fl:ed againfl them

* (to wit, the brethren aforefaid) to make, no

* doubt, a preparation upon a few, that a door

* may be opened to execute cruelty upon a greater
' multitude.' Lord, faid the queen. What fay
you to that ? While many doubted what the faid
John (hou\df anfwer •,. he faid unto the queen. Is
it lawful for me, madam, to anfwer for myfelf I
or, fhall 1 be condemned before I be heard. Say
what yoii can, faid (he,, for I think you have
enough adt>. I will firft then defire, feid he, of
your majef^y, mad'Mfi, and of this honourable au-
dience, Whether if your majefty knows not, that
^e oblUnate f apifts are deadly enemies, to all that

Book IV.

profcfs the gofpel of Jefus Chrift, and that they
moll: earneiliy dellre the extirpation of all them,
and of the true doftrine that is taught within this
realm ? The queen held her peace ; but all the
lords, with com.moa confent and voice, faid, God
forbid, that either the life of the laithful, or yet
the flaying of the doftrine, flood in the power of
the papiils ; for jufl experience hath taught 11$
what cruelty is in their hearts.

I mufl proceed then, faid John Knox, feeing
that I p::rceive, that all will grant, that it were
a barbarous cruelty to dclfroy fuch a multitude,
as profeis the gofpel of Jefus Chrift within this re-
alm, which ofttner than once or twice theyattempt-
ed to do by force, as things done of late days do
teftify ; whereof they being, by God's providence,
difappointed, have invented m.ore crafty and dan-
gerous praiftiies, to wit, to make the prince party,
under colour of law; and fo, what they could not
do by open force, they fhall perform by crafty
deceit : for, who thinks, my lords, that the infa-
tiable cruelty of the papifts (within this realm I
mean) fhall end in the murdering of thefe two,
now unjuflly fummoned, and more unjuflly to be
accufed ? I think, no m.an of judgment can fo
efleem, but rather the direft contrary : that is, by
this few ntimber, they intend to prepare a way to
their bloody enterprize againft the whole ; and
therefore, madam, cafl up when you lift the a<fls
of your parliaments, 1 have offended nothing a-
gainfl them ; for I accufe not in my letter your'
majefly, nor yet your nature of cruelty : but I
affirm yet again, that the peflilent papifls, who-
have inflamed your majefly without caufe againfl
thefe poor men at this prefent, are the fons of the
devil ; and therefore mufl obey the defires of their
father, who hath been a murderer from the begin-
ning.

You forget yourfclf, faid one, you are not in the
pulpit. I am in the place, faid the other, where
I am commanded in my confcience to fpeak the
truth ; and therefore the truth 1 fpeak, impugn
it who fo lifls: and hereunto I add, madam, that
honeft, meek and gentle natures, in appearance,
by wicked and corrupt counfellors, may be chang-
ed and altered to the direfl contrary. Examples
we have of Nero, whona in the beginning of his
empire we find having fome natural fhame; but
after that his flatterers had encouraged him in all
impiety, alledging, that nothing was either unhon- -
efl, or yet unlawful in his perfbn, who was emper-
or above others. When he had drunken of this
cup, 1 fay, to what enormities he fell, the hiflo-

riest

Book IV.

OF RELIGION

rits bear witiiefs. And now, madam, to fpeak
piain, papUb have your majefty's ear patent at all
ti.-nes affure your majcfty, they are dangerous
counfeilors, and that your mother found.

As this was faid, Lethmgton lingled, and fpake
fecretly to the queen in her ear. What it was,
that the table heard not ; bnt immediately (he ad-
dreiTed her viffige and fpeech to John Knox, and
iaid, well, you fpeali fair enough here, before my
lords ; but the lalf time I fpake with you fecretly,
you caufed me to weep many tears, and laid to
me flubbornly, ye cared not for my weeping. Ma-
dam, faid the other, becaufe now the fecond time
your majefty hath burdened me with that crime,
I mud anfwer, lefl for my filence I be holden
guilty : if your majefty be ripely remembred, the
laird of Dun yet living, to teftify the truth, was
prefent at that time, whereof your majefty com-
plaineth.

Your majefty accufed me, that I had irreverent-
ly fpoke of you in the pulpit. That 1 denied.
You faid, what had 1 to do to fpcak of} our marriage ?
•what was I, that 1 fhould meddle with fuch mat-
ters ? 1 anfwered, as touching nature, I was a
worm of this earth, and yet a fubjeft to this com-
mon-wealth ; but, as touching the office, where-
in it hath pleafed God to place me, I was a watch-
man both over the realm, and over the church of
God gathered within the fame ; by reaibn whereof
i was bound in confcience to blow the trumpet
publicly, fo oft as ever I faw any appearance of
danger,- either of the one, or of the other. But
fo it was, that a certain report affirmed, that a
traffic of marriage was betwixt your majefty and
the Spanidi Allya. Whereunto I faid, that if
your nobility and flate did agree, unlefs that both
you and your huiband fhould be ftraitly bound,,
that neithc'-.vjf you might hurt the common- wealth,
ror yet the poor church of God within the fame ;
in that cafe I fhould pronounce, that the confen-
ters were troublers of the common-wealth, and
enemies unto God, and unto his truth planted
within the fame. At thefe words, I grant, your
majefty ftormed, and burfted forth in an unrea-
fonable weeping ; what mitigation the laird of
Dun would have made, I fuppofe your majefty
hath not forgot ; but while that nothing was able
to ftay your weeping, 1 was compelled to fay, I
take God to witntfs, I never took pleafure to fee
I your majefty m.ake fuch regrete : but feeing I have
I offered to your majefty no fuch occafion, I muft
! rather fufFer your majefty to take your own pita-
', fiiEe,, than I dare conceal the truth, and fo betray

I N S C O T L A N B. 2pTf

the church and the common-wealth. Thefe were
the moft extreme words I fpoke that day.

After that the fecretary had conferred with the
queen, he iliid, Mr. Knox, you may return to
your houfe for this night. 1 thank God and the
queen's majefty, faid the other. And, madam,
I pray God to purge your heart from papiftry,
and to preferve you from the counfel ef flatterers :
for, how pleafant that e'er they appear to your
ear, and corrupt affeiffions for the time, experience
hath taught us into what perplexity they have
brought famous princes. Lethington and the mafter
ol Maxwel were that night the two ftoups of her
chair.

John Knox being departed^, the tables of the
lords, and others thzt were prefent, were demand-
ed every one their voice, if John Knox had not
offended the queen's majefty ? the lords voted uni-
formly, that they could find no offence (the queen
was paft to her cabinet.) The flatterers of the court,
and principally Lethington, raged. The queen
was brought again, and placed in the chair, and
they commanded to vote over again; which thing
offended the whole nobility, and began to fpeak
in open audience, what, fhall the laird of Lething-
ton have power to controul us ? Or, fhallthepre-
fence of a woman caule us to offend God, and to
condemn an innocent againft our confciences, for
the pleafure of any creature ? and fo the whole
nobility abfolved John Knox again, and praifed
God for his modefty, and for his plain and fenfi*-
ble anfwers. Yet, before the end, one thing is to
be noted, to wit, that amongft fo many Placeboes
(we mean the flatterers of the court) there was not
one that plainly durft condemn the faid poor man
that was accufed-,: God' ruling their tongues, that
fometime ruled the tongue of Balaam, when glad-
ly he Would have curled God's people.

This perceived, the queen began to upbraid
Mr. Henry Sinclair, then bifhop of Rofs, and faid
(hearing his vote to agree with the reft) trouble
not the bairni I pray you trouble him not, for he
is newly wakned out of his fleep ; \vhy fnould not
the old fool follow them that paft before him ?
The bilhop anfwered coldly, Your majefty may
confider, that it is neither affection to the man,
nor lo^'e to his profeffion, that moved me to ab-
folve him, but the flmple tnith", which plainly
appears in his defence, draws me hereunto, albeit
that others would have condemned him and it..
This being faid, the lords and whole afliftantS' a-
rofe and departed. That night was neither dan-
cing nor fiddJing^in the court,, for our fovereign^

wa&i'

The history of the REFORMATION Book IV.

wasdifappointedof her purpofe.which was, to have
had John Knox in her will, by voice of her nobi-
lity. John Knox abfoh-ed by the greateft part of
the nobility from the crime intended againft him,
even in prefence of the queen ; Tne raged, and her
Placeboes flormed, and fo began new aflaulis to be
made at the hands of the faid John Knox, to con-
fefs an offence, and to put him in the queen's will,
iind flie fbould promife, that his greateft punifli-
ment fhould be, but to go within the caftle of E-
dinburgh, and immediately to return to his own
houfe. He anfwered, God forbid that my confef-
fion (houid condemn theie noblemen, who in their
confcience, and in dilpleafure of the queen, have
.^bfolved me. And further, 1 am alTured, ye will
not in earneft defire me to confefs an offence, un-
Jefs that therewith you would defire me to ceafe
from preaching : For, how can 1 exhort others to
peace and chriftian quietnefs, if I confefs myfelf
an author and mover of fedition ?

The general afTembly of the church approach-
ed, which began the five and twentieth of Decem-
ber 1563. But thcjuft petitions of the minifters
and commiffioners of churches were defpifed at
the firft, and that with thefe words. As minifters
will not follow our counfel, h will we fuffer mini-
flers to labour for themfelves, and fee what fpeed
they come. But then the whole aflembly faid, If
the queen will not, we muft ; for, both third and
two parts are rigor^ully taken from us, and from
our tenants. If others, faid one, will follow my
counfel, the guard and the papifts fhall complain as
long as our minifters have done. At thefe words,
the former ftiarpnefs was coloured, and the fpeaker
alledged, that he meanednot all minifters. Chrifto-
pher Goodman anfwered. My lord fecretary, if j'ou
can ftiow mev/hatjuft title either the queen hath to
the third, or the papifts to the two parts, then I
think I fbould refolve you whether ftie were debi-
tor to minifters within burgh, or not ; btit thereto
he receicived this check for anfwer, Ne fit pere-
grinus curiofus in aliena republica; that is, * Let
' not a ftranger be curious in a ftrange common-
« wealth.' The man of God anfwered. Albeit 1
be a ftranger in your policy, yet fo am 1 not in the
church of God ; and therefore the care doth no
lefs appertain to me in Scotland, than if I were in
the midft of England. Many wondered at the fi-
]ence of John Knox ; for, in all thefe quick rea-
sonings, he opened not his mouth, thecaufe there-
of, he himfelf expreffcd in thefe words.

I have travailed, right honourable and beloved
fyxthren, ftnce my laft arrival within this realm,

in an upright confcience before my Cod, feeking
nothing more, as he is witncfs, than the advance-
ment of his glory, and the ftability of his church
within this realm ; and of late days I have been ac-
culed as a feditious man, and as one that ufurpeth
to myfeif power that becometh me not: true it is,
that I have given advertifement unto the brethren
in divers quarters, of the extremity intended a-
gainft divers faithful, for looking to a prieft going
to mafs, and for obferving of thofe that tranigrefs
againft juft laws ; but that therein I have ufurped
further power than is gi\ en me, till that by you I
be condemned, I uttei iy deny : for, I iay, that by
5'ou, that is, by the charge of the general alTcm-
bly, I have all j uft power to advertife the brethren
from lime to time of dangers appearing, as I have
power to preach the word of God in the pulpit of
Edinburgh ; for by you was I appointed to the one,
and to the other ; and therefore in the namic of
God I crave your judgments. The danger that
appeared to me in my accufation, was not fo feai -
ful as the words that came to my ears were dolo-
rous to my heart ; for thefe words were plainly
fpoken, and that by fome proteftants. What can
the pope do more, than to fend forth his letters,
and require them to be obeyed ? Let me have
your judgments therefore, whether I have ufuiped
any power to myfelf, or if I have obeyed your
commandment.

The flatterers of the court (amongft whom the
juftice-Ylerk then not the leaft) began to ftorm,
and faid. Shall we be compelled to juftify the lafti
judgments of men ? My lord, iaid John Knox,
you fliall fpeak your pleafure for the prefent, of
you I crave nothing; but if the church that is here
preient do not either abfolve me, or clfe condemn
me, never fliall I in public or in private, as a pub-
lie minifter open my mouth in dodfrii e or in rea-
foning.

After long contention, the laid John being re-
moved, the whole church found that a charge was
given unto him, to advertife the brethren in all
quarters, as oft as ever danger appeared ; and there-
fore avowed that faft not to be his only, but thefaft
of the whole afl!embly. Thereat were the queen's
claw-backs more enraged than ever they wei e ; for
fome of them had promifed the queen to get the
faid John convinced, both by the council, and by
the church ; and being fruftrate of both, fhe and
they thought themfelves not a little dilappointed.

In the very time of the general aflembly, there
comes to public knowlegc an hainous murdi.;r com-
mitted in the court, yea not far from the queen's

Jap

Book IV.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

2-9.

lap; for a Frenchwoman, that fcrved in the queen's
chamber, had played the \/hore with the queen's
own apothec:<ry : the woman conceived and bare a
child, wliom, with comiuoa conient, the father
and the mother murdered ; yet were the cries of a
new born child heard. Search was made, the
child and the mother were both apprehended, and
fo was both the man and the woman condemned
io be hanged in the public ftreet of Edinburgh.
The puniQiment was notable, bccaufe the crime
was hainous; but yet was not the court purged of
whores and whoredoms, which was the fountain
of fach enormities; for it was well known, that
ihime hafted marriage betwixt John Sempil, called
the Dancer, and Mary Livingfton, firnamed the
Lufty ; w^hac report the Maries, and the reft of the
dancers of the court had, the ballads of that age
did witnefs, which we for modefty's lake omit :
but this was the common complaint of all godly
and wife men, that if they thought that fuch a
court fhould long continue, and if they looked for
no better life to come, they would have wiihed
their fons and daughters rather to have been brought
up with fiddlers and dancers ; and to have been ex-
erciied in flinging upon a floor, and in the reft
that thereof follows, than to have been exercifed
in the company of the godly, and exercifed in vir-
tue which in that court was hated ; and filthinds not
only maintained, but alfo rewarded -, witnefs the ab-
bacy of Abercorn, the barony of Aughtermuchty,
and divers others pertaining to ihe patrimony of the
crown, given in heritage to (kippers and dancers,,
anddalliers with dames. This was the beginning of
the government of Mary queen of Scots, and thefe
were the fruits that fhe brought forth of France..

* Lord, look upon our miferies, and deliver us
' from the wickednefs of this corrupt court, for

* thy own name's fake.'

God from heaven, and from the face of the
earth did declare, that he was offended at the ini-
quity committed within this realm ; for, upon the
twentieth day of January, there fell rain in great
abundance, which in tlie falling freezed fo vehem.ent-
ly, that the earth was but a ihotof ice ; the fowls
both great and fmaU freezed, and could not fly ;,
many dit;d, and lome were taken and lai..i befide.
the fire, that their feathers might diflb'.ve : and
that fame month the fea ftood ftill, as was clearly
obferved, and never ebbed or flowed the fpace of
four and twenty hours. In the month of Febru-
ary, the fifteenth and eighteenth days thereof,
there were ieen in the firmament, battles arrayed,,
^ears and ail other weapons, as it had been the

joining of tv/o armies : thefe things were not only
obferved, but alfo fpoken of, and conftantly af-
firmed by men of judgment and credit.

But the queen and our court made merry, there
was banqueting upon banqueting ; the queen would
banquet with the lords, and that was done only
upon policy to remove -her difpkafureagainft them,
becaufe they would not at her devotion condemn
John Knox. To remove, we fay, that jealoufy,
flie m.ade the banquet to the whole lords, whereat
file would have the duke amongft the reft. It be-
hoved them to banquet her again, and fo did ban-
queting continue till Lent ever after : but the poor
minifters were mocked, and reputed as monfters,.
The guard, and the affairs of the kitchen were fo
gripping, that the minifters ftipends could not be
had : and yet, at the affembly laft paft, folemu
promife \ras made in the queen's name, by the
mouth of fecretary Lethington, in the audience of
the nobility, and of the whole afliembly;who affirm-
ed, that he had commandment of herhighnefs, to-
promife full content unto all the minifters within
the realm, and of fuch order to be kept in all times
to come, that the whole body of the proteftants
fliould have occalion to ftand content : the earl of
Murray affirmed the fame, with many other fair
promifes given by writing, by Lethington himfclf,
as in the regifter of the a£ls of the general affem-
bly may be feen ; but how that, or yet any other
thing promifed in her name to the church of God,
was obferved, the world can witnefs.

The minifters perceiving ?J1 things to tend to-
ruin, difcharged their confcienees in public and in
private ; but they received for their labour, hatred
and indignatioa: and, amongft others,, that wor-
thy fervant of God Mr. John Craig, fpeaking a-
gainlf the manifold corruptions, that then, with-
out fhame or fear, declared itfelf, faid, * Sometim.es'

* were hypocrites known by their noted habits, and'

* we had men to be monks, and women to be nuns ;::

* but now all things are fo changed, that we can-
' not difcern the earl from the abbot nor the nun

* from him that would be efteemed the nobleman;

* fo that we have gotten a^ new order of monks and

* nuns: but, faid he, feeing you; are not alfiamed
' of that unjuft profit, would to God that you had
' therewith the coul,. the vail- and the tail joined
'withal, that fo you might, appear in; your own-.
' colours.' This liberty did fb provoke thecholer"
of Lethington, th.- 1 in open; audience he gave him- ■.
ielf to the dc^ii. If that after- that day he- Ihould:
regard ^\ hat became of the miniftei"^, b"Uthe wouldi.'
do what he coul.', that his companion ihonld'have'.

a-lhara:

296

The history ofthe REFORMATION Book IV.

.^ fliare with him; and let them bark and blow,
{"aid he, as loud as they liil: and fo that was the
fecond time that he had given defiance unto the
lervants of God.

Whereupon arofe whifperings and complaints,
although the flatterers of the court, coniplaining
that men were not charitably handled, might not
/ince be reproved in general, albeit men were not
fpecially taxed, that all the world might know of
whom the preacher fpeaks. Whereunto was this
anfwer made. Let men be afl^iamed publicly to of-
fend, and the minifters (hall abflain from fpeciali-
ties; but fo long as proteftants are not alhamed
manifeftly to do againft the gofpel of Jefus Chriil,
fo long cannot the minifteis of God ceafe to cry,
that God would be avenged upon fuch abufers of
his holy word.

Thus had the fervants of God a double battle,
fighting upon the one fide, againfl idolatry, and
the reft of the abominations maintained by the
court; and upon the other part againft the unthank-
f ulnefs of fuch as fometimes would have been efteem-
ed the chief pillars of the church within the realm.
The threatnings of preachers were fearful, but
the court thought itfelf in fuch fecurity, that it
could not mifcarry.

The queen after the banqueting kept a diet
(monfieur Luferie a Frenchman, who had been
uccuftomed with her malady before, being her phy-
iician) and therefore {he for the fecond time made
progrefs in the north, and commanded to ward in
the caftic of Edinburgh the earl of Caithnefs, for
a murder committed by his fervants upon the earl
MariOial's men t he obeyed, but he was fuddenly
releafed; for fuch blood- thirfty men, and papifts,
fuch as he is, are good fubjedls thought at court.

* Thy kingdom come, O Lord, for in this realm

* is nothing amongft fuch as fhould puniflivicc and

* maintain virtue, but abomination abounding

* without bridle.'

The flatterers of the court did daily enrage a-
gainft the poor preachers ; happieft was he that
could invent the moft bitter taunts, and difdainful
inockings of the minifters ; and at length they be-
gan to j eft at the term of Idolatry, affirming, that
men knew not what they fpake, when they called
{he mafs idolatry : yea, fome proceeded further,
and feared not at open table to aflfirm, that they
would fuftain the argument, that the mafs was no
idolatry. Thefe things coming to the ears of the
preachers, they were proclaimed in public pulpit
of Edinburgh, with this complaint, direfled by
'fhe fptaker to his God ; .

O Lord, how long fnall the wicked prevail a-
gainft the juft ? How long wilt thou fufier thyfelf
and thy blefled gofpel to be defpifed of men ? Of
men, we fay, that boai*!: themfelves defenders of
the truth ; for of thy manifeft and known enemies
we complain not, but of fuch as unto whom thou
haft revealed chy light ; for now it cometh to our
ears, that men (not priefts we fay, but chief pro-
teftants) will defend the mafs to be no idolatry : if
it fo were, miferably have I been deceived, and mi-
ferably, alas, O Lord, have I deceived thy people,
which thou knoweft, O Lord, I have ever more
abhorred than a thoufand deaths !

But, faid he, (turning his face towards the
room where fuch men as had fo affirmed, fat) If I
be not able to prove the mafs to be the moft abo-
minable idolatry that ever was ufed from the be-
ginning of the world, I offer myfelf to fuffer the .
punifliment appointed by God to a falfe preacher.
And it appeareth unto me, faith the preacher, that
the affirmers fhould be fubjecl to the fame law ;
for it is the truth of God, that you perfecute as a
blafphemy ; and it is the invention of the devil,
that obftinately againft his word you maintain :
whereat albeit you now flute and flyte, as if fo be,
all that were fpoken were but wind ; yet I am as
fully afllired, as I am afliired that my God liveth,
that fome that hear this your defeftion, and railing
againft the truth and the fervants of God, fhall
fee a part of God's judgment poured forth, upon
this realm, (and principally upon you that fafteft
cleave unto the favour of the court,) for the abo-
minations that are by you maintained. Albeit that
fuch vehemency provoked tears from the eyes of
fome, yet thefe that knew themfelves guilty in a
mockiug manner, faid. We muft recant and burn
our bills, for the preachers are angry.

The general affembly holden in June 1 564 ap-
proached, unto the which a great part of the nobi-
lity (of thole that are called proteftants) conveened,
fome for affiftance of the minifters, and fome to ac-
cufe them, as we ftiali after hear.

A litde before the troubles, which Satan raifecf
in the body of the church, began one David an
Italian to be great in the court ; the queen ufed
him for fecretary, for things that appertained tcr
her fecret affairs, or elfewhere ; great men made
fuit unto him, and their fuits were the better
heard: but of his beginning and progrefs, we de-
lay now further to fptak, and refer it unto ano-
ther fitter occafion of time and place, becaufe
that his end will require the defcription of the
whole.

The

MooK. IV.

OF R E ii I G 1 ,Q, N IN S C, 0. T. L A N D.

297

The firfl day of the general aiTembly, neither
Jhc courtiers nor the lords that depended upon the
«t)lirt, prefented thcmfelves in feffion with their
brethren ; whereat many wondered. One ancient
and honourable man, the lair of Lundie, faid. Nay,
I wonder not at their abfence, but I wonder that
at our kft afiembly they drew themfelves apart,
and joined not with us, but drew from us fome of
our miniilers, and willed them to conclude fuch
tilings, as were never propofed to the public afTem-
bly, very prejudicial to the liberty of the church;
and therefore my judgment is, that they (hall be
informed of this offence, which the whole brethren .
have conceived of their former taft ; humbly re-
quiring, that if they be brethren, that they u^ould
affirc their brethren with their prefence and coun-
fel, for we had never greater need ; and if they be
minded to fall back from us, it were better we
knew ft now than afterwards. Thereto agreed
the whole affembly, and gave commhTion to cer-
tain brethren, to fignify the minds of the afiembly
unto the lords ; which was done that fame after-
noon. The courtiers at the firfl feemed a little
offended, that they fhould be as it were fufpecfed.
of defeftion; yet neverthelefs upon the next morn-
ing they joined with the affembly, and came unto
it ; but they drew the 'nfelves, like as they did be-
fo.c, apart, and entered into the inner council-
ho'^jfc. There were the duke, the earls of Argyle,
Mnrray, Moitoun, Giencalrn, Mariflial, lord Rofs,
the iiialfer of Maxwel, fecretary Lethington, the
j'! Ill ce- clerk, the clerk of the regiiler, and the
l-ilrd of Pittarro comptroller.

After a little confultation, they dire^ed a mcf-
fenger, Mr. George Hay the miniRcr of the court,
requiring the fuperintcndentsand fome of the learn-
ed minifters to confer with them. The affembly
anfwered, They convecned to deliberate upon the
common affairs of the chuvch, and therefore that
they could not lack their fuperintendents and chief
minitlers, whofe judgments were fo neceffary, that
the reit fliouid fit, as it w^ere, idle v/ifhout them ;
and therefore willed them, as oft before. That if
they acknowlegcd themfelves members of the
church, that they would join with their brethren,
and propofe in public fuch things as they pleafed,
and fo they fhould have theaffidance of the whole,
in all things that might ftand with God's command-
ment : but to fend from themfelves a portion of
their company, they underltood, that thereof hurt
and flander n:ioht arife, vathvr than any profit or
Comfort to the church; f.r/ they feared that all
,taen (houid not ftand co;i'cnt with the conclufion.

.where th,e conference and icafonings were heard
.but of a few.

This anfwer was not given without caufe ; foi
nofmali trf.vail was made, to have dravv'n fome mi-
niders to the faction of the courtiers,' and to have,
fuftained their arguments and opinions: but wheu
it was conceived by the molt politic amongft them,
that they could not prevail by that means, they
prepared the matter in other terms, purging thejn-
felves, that they never meant to divide themfelves
from the fociety of their brethren; but becaufe
they had certain heads to confer with certain mini- ^
flers. But the affembly did ftlll reply, That fe-
cret confercace v^'ould they not admit, in thofc
heads that fliould be concluded by general voice.
The lords proraifed, that no conclufion ffiouid be
taken, neither yet A'ote required, till that both the
propofitions and the reafons fhould be heard and
confidered by the whole body : and upon that con-
dition were directed unto them", with cxprefs
charge, to conclude nothing withput the knowiege
and advice of the affem.bly, the laird of Dun fu-
perintendent of Angus, the fuperintendents of
Lothian and Fife, Mr. John How, Mr. John Craig,
William Criftifon, Mr. David Lindfay minifters,
with the reftor of St. Andrews, and Mr. Georgs
Hay the fuperintcndent of Glafgo'.v ; Mr. John
Willock was moderator, and John Knox waited
upon the fcribe, and fo were they appointed to fit
with the brethren ; and jet becaufe the prlKciprJ
complaint touched John Knox, lie was alfo called
for.

Secretary Lethington began the harrargue, W'hich
contained thefe heads; Firji, Hov/ much we are
indebted unto God, by whofe providence we have
liberty of religion under the queen's raajeffy, albeit
that file is not perfuaded in the fame. Secondly,
How neceffary a thing it is, that the queen's ma-
jefly by all good oihces of the part of the church,
fo fpake he, and of the minilfers principally fhould
be retained, in that conffant opinion, that they un-
feignedly favoured her advancement, and procured
her fubjefts to have a good opinion of her. And
/cz/l. How dangerous a thing }• is, that the mlni-
fters iTiouldbe noted, one to difagree from another
in form of prayer for her majelfy : and in thefe
two lafl heads, faid he, we defire you all to be
circymfpe6f. But efpecially, we muft crave of you
our bj other John Knox, to moderate your felf, as
well in form of praying for the queen's majefry, as
in doftrine that you propofe, touching her ftate
and obedience : neither (hall ye take this, faid he,
as fpoken to your reproach, qtua mens pulchrn^
P p interdinn

2^jS

The HISTORy o-p th^ REFORMATION Book I?.

inierdum in corpore puhhro; but becaufe that
o;thers, by your example, may imitate the like li-
berty, albeit not with the fame difcretion and fore-
fight ; and what opinion that may engender in the
•peoples heads, wife men may foreiee.

The faid John prepared himfeii ior anfwcr as
follows, If fuch as fear God have occaiion to ■
pfaife him, becaufe that idolatry is maintained,
the fervants of God defpifed, wicked men placed
again in honour and authority (Mr. H^nry Sin-
eclair was of Cnort time before made prefident, who
before durft not have fitten in judgment) and fi-
nally, if we ought to praifeGod, becaufe that vice
and impiety ovtrfioweth the whole realm without
punifhment, then we have.occafion to rejoice and
praifeGod ; but if thefe and the hke ufe to pro-
voke God's vengeance againft realms and nations, .
then, in my judgment, the godly within Scotland
ought to lament and mourn, and fo to prevent
Pod's judgments, left that he, finding all in alike
fecurity, ftrike in his hot indignation, beginning
perchance at fuch as think they offend not. .,
^ That is one head, faid Lethington, whereuntp
you and I never agreed ; for, how are you able to
prove, that God ever ftruek or plagued any. nation
pr people for the iniquity of their prince, if that
they themfelves lived godlily ? 1 looked, faid he,
|ny lord to have audience, till that 1 had abfolved
(the other two parts ; but feeing it pleafeth your
lordfhip to cut me off before the midft, I will an-
fwep to your queftlon. The fcripture of God
teacheth me, that Jerufalem and judah were pu-
nidied for the fms of Manaffes. And if you al-
)iedge, that they were puniflied becaufe they were
wicked and offended with their king, and not be-
caufe their I- Mig was wicked ; I anfwer, That al--
belt the Spirit of God m.akes for me, faying in
exprefs words, ' for the fms of Manaffes ;' yet will
1 ndt be fo oblVmate, as to, lay the whole fm and
plagues that thereof enfucd upon the king, .and
utterly abfolve the people ; bat I will grant with-
•aj, 'that the whole people offended with their
|png ; but how, and in what faihion, 1 fear that
ye and 1 Ihalt not agree: 1 doubt not but the great
multitude accompanied him in all the abominati-
pn9 that he did ; for idolatry and falfe religion
jlath ever b^eii, and will be pleafmg to the moft
part' of men : but to affirm, that all Judah com-
liitted really the aft of his impiety, is but to af-
j^rni that .which neither hath certaintj, nor yee
appearance of any truth ; for, who can think it
to be poffiblcj that all thofe of Jerufalem fhould
fo fhortly turn, to idolatry, confideiing the notable

reformation lately before had in the days of fleze-
ki^h ? But yet, fays the text, ' ManalTes made

* Judah, and all the inhabitants cf Jtrufalem xss

* err.' True it is, the one part, as i have' faid,
willingly followed him in his idolatry, the oftier
fuffered him to defde Jerufalem and the temple of
God with all abominations, and fo were ihey' cri-
minal of his fin ; the one by a£t and deed, the (>•
ther by. fufferihg and permiiiion; even as Scotlajyi
is this day guilty cf the queen's idolatry, and ye,"
my lords, in fpecial above others.

Well, faid Lethington, that is the ckmi hea^
v/hertin we never agreed, but of that v.'e (hall
fpeak hereafter : what fcali ye fay as touching the
, moving of. the people to have a good opinion ot
the queen's majefty, and as concerning obedience
to be given to her authoiify? As alfo, of the
form of prayer which ye commonly ufc ? My lord,
iaid he, more eirneftly to move people, or ycS
oiherwile to pray, than heretofore 1 have done, a
good confcience will not fuffer me; for he who
knoAvs the fecretsof hearts, knows that privatel){
and publicly I have called to God for her conver-
fion, and have willed the people to do the fame,
Ihewing unto them the dangerous ftate, whereia
not only (he herfelf ftands, but alfo the whole re-
'alm, by reafon of her indurate blindnefs.

That is it, faid Lethington, wherein we find
the greateft fault ; your extremity againft her mafg
in particular paffeih meafure ; ye call her a (lave
to Satan ; ye affirm, that God's vengeance hangs
over the realm, by reafon of her im.piety : and
what is this elfe, but to raife up the hearts of the
people againft her majefty, and againft them that
ferve her ? . Then there was heard an acclamation
of the reft of the flatterers, that fuch extremity
could not profit. ' The mafter of Maxwel faid id
plain words. If I were in the queen's majefty's
place, I would not fuffer fuch things as 1 hear.
If the words of the preachers, faid John Knox,
ftiall be always wrefted in the worft part, then will
it be hard to Ipeak any thing fo circumfpeftly, pro
vided that the truth be fpoken, which fhall efcape
thecenfure of the calumniator. The moft vehement, |
as ye- fpeak, and moft exceffisfe manner of prayei
that I i>fe in public, is this, ' O Lord, if thy good
Splcafure be, purge the heart of the queen's ma-

* jefty ffom the venom of idcJatry, and deliver her

* from the tOTdage and thraldom of Satan, into

* .the which fhe hath been brought up, and yet

* remains for the iiiJck of true dcxflrine ; and let

* her fee by the illuLnination of thy holy Spirit^

* that therti is no nieana tp pleafe tiiee, but by Je-

Book rv.

OP RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

^99

'■ fus ChrlfV rhy 6n!y Son ; and that Jefu$ Chrift
*• cannot be found, but ia thy holy word, nor yet
•received, but as it prefcribes.; which is, to re-
' nounce our own wifdom aad pre- conceived opi-

* ruon, aad worfhip thee as it commands ; that in

* io doiag file ma,y . avoid the eternal damnation,

* which is ordained iot all pbflinate and impenitent

* ro thee ; aad that this realm mayalfoefcape that

* plague and vengeance, which inevitably tollow-
' eth idolatry, mamtained agalnft thy manifeft

* word, and the light thereof.' This, faid he, is
l\\t fojrm of common prayer, as yourfeh-es can wit-
ncfs : now, what is worthy of reprehenfion in it, I
would hear.

There are three things ia it, faid Lethlngton,
that never liked me ; and the firft is, ye pray for
the queen's majefty with a condition, faying, ' II-

* luminate her heart, if thy good pleafure be :'
wherein it may appear, that ye. doubt of her eon-
veiTion : where have ye the example of fuch
prayer ? Wherefoever the examples are, faid the
other, 1 am affured of the rule, which is this; if
we (hall aflc any thing according his will, he /liall
grant us, and our mafter Jefus Chrift commands
us to pray unto our Father, * Thy will be done.'
But, faid Lethington, where ever find ye any of
?^e prophets fo to have prayed ? it fufficeth me,
faid the other, my lord, that the Mafter and
Teacher both of prophets and apoftles hath, taught
;ne lb to pray. But in fo doing, faid Lethington,
ye put a doubt in the people's heads of her con-
verfion. Not I, faid the other, but her own ob-
Ainate rebellion ca.uf«th more than me to doubt of
her converfion. Wherein, faid he, rebels fhe a-
gainft God ? In all the actions of her life, faid
Mr. Knox, but in thefe two heads cfpeciaUy ; the
former is, that (lie will not hear the preaching of
the blefTed gofpel ,of jefus Chrift. 2. That fhc
jiuintaineth that idol the mafs. She thinks not
that rebellion, faid Lethington. So thought
they, fiiid fhe other, that fometimes offered their
children unto Molech ; and yet the Spirit of God
affirms, that they offered them unto devils, and
not unto God: and this day the Turks think
they have a better reiigioa than the papifts have,
and yet I think ye will excufe neither of both from
committing rebellion again ft God ; neither yet can
ye- do the^queen, onlefs ye will make God to be
partial.

But, faid Lethington, why pray ye not for her,
■without moving any doubt ? Becaufe faid the
Other, I have learned ifopray in faith ; now faith,.'
jre know, depends iipoa the \vord of God : and fo

it is that the word teacheth me, that payer pro-
fiteth the fons and daughters of God's election ; of
which number, if fhe be one or not, I have juft
caufcto doubt; and therefore I pray, that God
would illuminate her heart, if his good pleafure
be fo to do : but yet, faid Lethington, ye C2ii
produce the example of none that fo hath prayed
i^foire you. Thereto I have already aniwered,
faid John Knox, but yet for further declaration, I
will demand a queftion, which is this, V/hctJier
ye think that the apoftles prayed themfelves. as they
commanded others to pray, or not ? Who doubts
of that? faid the company that were pretcnt. Well
then, faid John Knox, 1 am affured, that Peter
laid thefe words to Simon Magus, • Repent there-
' fore of this thy wickednefs,\nd pray God, that
' if it be poifible, the thoughts of thy heart may
' be forgiven thee.' Here" we may clearly fee,
that Pvter joins a condition with his command-
ment, that Simon fnould repent and pray, to wit,
if it were' po^Tible, that his fin£ might be forgiven ;
for he was not ignorant, that fome fms are unto
death, and fo without ail hope of repentance or
remiffion. And think ye not, my lord fecrctai'y,
faid he, but that flime doubt may touch my heart ;
as touching the queen's ronverf on, that thea
touched the heart of the apoftle : I would never,
faid Lethington, hear you, or any other call that
in doubt. But your will, faid the other, is no
afTurance to my confcience:- and, to fpeak freely,
my lord, I wonder if ye yourfelf doubt not of the
queen's converfion •, for more evident figns of in-
duration have appeared, and do appear in her,
than Peter outwardly could have efpied in Simoa
Magus : for albeit fometimes he was a fbrcerer,
yet joined he with the apoftles, believed, and
was baptized ; and albeit that the venom of ava-
rice remained in his heart, and that he would have
bought the Holy Glioft, yet when he heaid the
fearful threatenings of God pronounced againft
him, he trembled, defired the afliftance of the
praycr.s of the apoftles, and fo humbled himfelf,
{o fan as the judgment of man could pierce, like a
true penitent ; and yet we fee that Peter doubts of
his converfion : why then may not ajl the f^odly,
jnftly doubt of the converfion of the queen, who
hath ufed idolatry, which is aHb. moft odious
in the fight of the nfioft jealous God, and ftill con-
tinues the fame ? yet flie defpifes all threatenings, "
and refufes all godly admonitions.

Why fay ye, tliat flie refufeth admonition, fM

Lethington, fhe will gladly iiear any man. Pirt

wiiat obedience, faid the other, to God or to his

P P 2 word

300 The H 1 S T 0 H

word enfues of . all that is fpoken unto her, or
when fnall ihe be i'een to give her pretence to the
|>ublic preaching ? I think never,' laid Lethington,
as long as file is thus ufed. And fo long, faid the
•Jther, ye and ^!1 others mufi: be content, that I
pray fo, as I may be alTurcd to be heardof my
God; that is, that his goodwill may be done,
either in making her comfortable to his church ;
or* if that he haih appointed her to be a fcourge
•to the fame, that we may have patience, and (he
may be bridled. .

Well, faid Lethington, let us come to the fe-
cond head ; where iind ye, that the fcripturc calls
any the bound fiaves of Satan, or that the pro-
phets of God fpake of kings and princes fo irreve-
:}-cnt]y? The fcripture, faid John Knox, faith,
■that by nature we are all the fons of wrath : our
rnafler Chrifi affirms, that fuch as do fui are fer-
vants to Cm, and that it is the only Son of God
that fets men at freedom : now, what difference
•there is betwixt the fons of wrath, the fervants of
/in, d^C' and the flaves of Satan, I underlland not,
■except I be taught ; and if the fharpnefs of the
term offend you, I have not invented that phrafe
of fpeech, but have learned it out of God's fcrip-
ture ; for thefe words I find fpoken unto Paul,

* Behold, I fend thee unto the Gentiles, to open

* their' eyes, that they may turn from darknefs un-
' to light, and from the power of Satan unto God.'

.Mark : thefe words, my lord, and flir not at the

fpeaking of the Holy Ghoft., And the fame apo-

/ile, writing to his fcholar Timotheus, fays, ' In-

. * t^rufl: with meeknefs thofe that are contrary

,* minded, if that God at any time will give them

* repentance, that they may know the truth, and

* come to amendment oivt of the fnare of the devil,
- ■ which are taken of him at bis will.' If your

lordfnip do righdy confider thefe fentences, yow
ihall not only find my words to be the words of the
Holy Ghoft, but alfo the condition which I ufe to
add, to have the affurance of God's fcriptures.

But they fpeak nothing againft kings in fcrip-
ture in fpecial, faid. Lethington, and your ^^onti-
iaual crying is. The queen's idolatry, the queer's
mafs will provoke. jGod'Ei .vengeance.

In the former fentence, faid the other, I hear
Bot kings and queens excepted, but all unfaithful
are pronounced to ftand in one rank, and to be in
bondage to one tyrant the devil : but believe me,
my lord, you little regard the ftate wherein they
if and, when you would have them fo flattered, that
the danger thereof fliould neither be known, nd-
ither yet declared to the people.

YOF THE S.EFO R-M:A>T 1 O M

Book ly.

Where will you find, faid Lethington, . that any
of the prophets did (o ufe kings, queens, rulers,
or magifhates ? . ■ .

In more places than one, faid the other, Ahab
Was a king, and Jezebel a queen ; and yet wh»t
the prophet Eiias faid to the one, and to the other,
I fuppofe, you are not ignorant.

That was not cried put before thp people, faid
Lethington, to iiiake them odious unto their fub»
jecf s. . .

That Ellas faid, * Dogs Ihall lick the blood, of

* Aahb, faid John Lnox, and eat the flefh of Je-
' zebel,' the fcripture aflbres me; but that it was
whifpered in their ears, or in a corner, I read Jiot :
but the plain contrary appears to me, which is,
that both the people and the court underffood well
enough what the prophet had promifed ; for fo
witneffcd Jehu, after that God s vengeance had
flricken Jezebel.

Thefe were fmgular motions of the Spirit of God,.
faid Lethington, -and appertain nothing to our age.

Then hath the fcripture, fr.id the other, de-
ceived me; for St. Paul teacheth me, that ' What-
' foever is written, within the -holy fcriptures, the
' fame is written for our inflruffion :' And my
mafler faith, ' That every learned fcribe bringeth
' forth of his trealuie, both things old and things
' new;' and the prophet Jeremy affirms, * That
' every realm or city that likewife offends,' as thea
did Jerufalem, ' iliould likewife be punifhed.*
Why then, that the fa<Sl:s of ancient prophets, and
the tearful judgments of God executed before us
upon the dhobedient, appertain not unto our age,
I neither fee, nor yet can underffand.

But now, to put an end to this hfad, my lord,
faid he, the prophets of God have not ipared to
rebuke kings, as well to their faces, as before the
people and fubje6f s ; Elizeus- feai-ed not t© fay to
king Jehoram, * What have I to do with thee ?
' get thee to the other prophets of thy mother j

* for, as the Lord of Hoff s liveth, in whofe fight

* I ffand; if it were not that I regard the prefence
' of Jehofhaphat, the king of Judah, I would not

* haive looked towards thee, nor feen thee.' Plain
it isi that the prophet was a fubje<ff: in the kingdom
of Ifrael, and yet how little reverence he: giveth
to the king. We hear Jeremy the prophet was
cotnmanded to * cry to the king and queen, and to-

* fay, behave yourfelves lowly, executejufticeand
*' judgment, (i-f. - or elfe youjr carcafes fhall be
' caflen to the heat of the-day, and unto the froft-
' of the night.' Unto Conias, Shallim, and Ze?
dekias, he fpeaketh in fpecial, and fhews to them

IB-

BaoKlV.

OP RELIGION. Hi SCOTLAND,

3*^^

in his public kvmom their miferable ends: and
therefore, ye ought not to thinlc Arange, my lord,
faid he^ albeit the iervants of God tax the vices of
Rings and queens, even as well as of the other ©f-
fenders ; and that becaufe their fms be more noi-
foin to the common- wealth, than are the fms of
inferior peifons.

The moft part of this reafoning, fecfetary Le-
thington leaned upon the mafter of maxwel's breaft,
who faid, I am ahnoft weary, I would fome other
would reafon in the chief head, which is yet un-
touched. ,
Then the earlof Morton, chancellor, command-
ed Mr. George Hay to reafon againft John Knox,
m the head of obedience due to the magiilrates,
who began- fo to do : Unto whom John Knox faid,
Brother^ that ye (hall reafon in my contrary, 1 am
well content, becaufe I know you to be both a
man of learning and of modelly; but that you
fhall oppofe yourfelf unto the truth, whereof I
fuppofc your own confcience is no lefs perfuaded,
than is mine, I cannot well aprovc; for, I would
be forry, that ye and I fliould be reputed to rea-
fon, as two fchoUars of Pythagoras, to (hew the
quicknefs of our wit, as it were to reafon on both.
■ parts. I proteif here before God, that whatfoever
I fuflaln, I do the fame in confcience ; yea, I dare
no more fuflaia a propofit:on, known to myfelf
untrue, than 1 dare teach faife doftiine in the pu-
blic place ; and therefore, brother, if confcience
move you to oppofe yourfelf to that dodtrine,
which ye have heard out of my mouth, in that
matter, do it boldly, it Ihall nevei^ offend me:
but that ye fhall be found to oppofe yourfelf unto
jne, ye being perfuaded in the fame truth; I fay
yet again, it pleafeth me not ; for therein may be
greater inconvenlency, than either ye or I do con-
fider, for the public.

Thefald Mr. George an fwered,, that I will not
oppofe myfelf unto you^ as one willing to impugn
or confute that head of doftrine, which not only
ye, but many others, yea^ and myfelf haveaffirm-
edj far be it from me, for fo fhould 1 be found
. contrarious to myfelf ; for my lord fecretary knows
my judgment in that head.

Marry, faid the fecretary, you are, in my opi-
nion, the word of the two; for 1 remember that
your reafoning, when. the. queen was. in Car-
eick.

Well faid John Knox, ^ feeing, brother, God
hath made you one to fill the chair of verity,
•wherein I am afTured, we agree in all principal
•hea4s of doi.%ine ; let it never be faid, that^ we

agree not in difputation. John Knox was'mioved.
thus to fpeak, becaufe he underflood more of the
craft than the other did. Well, laid Lethington, *
I was fbmewhat better provided in this laft head,
than I was in the other two : Mr. Knox, faid he,
yefterday v/e heard your judgment upon the 13th"
to the Romans ; we heard the mind of the apoftlc
well opened; we heard the caufe&why God hath
eftablilhed powers upon the earth; we heard of
the neceffity that mankind hath of the fame; and
we heard the duty- of magiflrates fufficiently de-
clared : but in two things I am oSended, sind as i
think fome other more of my lords that were pre-
fent ; which was^ ye made difference betwixt the
ordinance of God, and the perfons that were
placed in authority: and ye affirmed, that mtrv
might refufe the perfons,, and yet not offend a-
galnft God's ordinance.

This is one : The other, ye had no time to ex-
plain ; but this me thought ye meant, that fub-
jedts were not bound to obey their princes, if they
command imlawful things, but that they might
refufe their prbces, and that they were not ever
bound to fuffer.

In very deed^ faid the other, ye have rightly
both marked my words, and underlloed my mind ;
for of that fame judgment I have long.been, and
yet fo remain.

How v/ill you prove yourdlvifibn and difference, .
faid Lethington, and that the perfons placed In-
authorlty may be refilled, and the ordinance of
God not tranfgreffed ? feeing that the apoftle faith, .
' He that refifteth, refifleth the ordinance of God.'
My lord, faid he, the plain words of the apoftle
make the difference, and the fafls of many ap-
proved by God, prove my affirmative, Flrji,
The apoftle affirms. That the powers are ordain-
ed of God, for the prefervation of quiet and peace-
able men,' and for the punifhment of malefadlors ;
whereof It Is plain, that the ordinance of God,
and the power given unto man. Is one thing, and
the perfoa clade with the. authority Is another % .
for, God's ordinance is the confervatibn, of man-
kind, the punifhment of vice,, and the, mainten-
ance of virtue, , which -In itfelf, is holy, juft,. con-
ftant, ftable and perpetual ; but men, clade with
the authority, are commonly profane and unjuft,
. yea, they are. mutabJe, ..tranfitory, and fubjedt to
corruption,, as God threateneth by his prophet-
David, faying,^ * I have faid ye are gods, and e-

* very one of you the fons of the moit High, but

* ye fhall die as men, and the princes fhall fall
' iLke Others,' Here.Jam. afTured, that the per-

foaai.

The fil story of the REFORMATION

Book I¥,

fons, ye37<oul and body are threatened with death ;
I think, that fo you will not affirm, is the antho-
rUy, the ordin?.nce, and the power wherewith
Godeadued fuch perfons; for, as 1 have faid, it
is holy , fo is the permanent will of God. And
nov/, my lord, that the prince may be refiftcd,
and yet the ordinance of God not violated; it is
evident, that the people refifted Saul, when he
had fworn by the living God, that Jonathan (hould
die; the people, I fay, fworein the contrary, and
delivered Jonathan, fo that a hair of his head fell
itot : ■ now, Saul was the anointed king, and they
were his fubjefts, and yet they refi fled him, that
they made him no better than menfworn.

I doubt nor, faid Lethington, that in fo doing,
the people did well. The Spirit pf God, faid the
mother, accufes them not of any crime, but rather
praifes them, iind condemns the king, as well for
his focliflTi vow and law made without God, as for
his cruel mind, "that would fo fevercly have puni-
■fhed an innocent imn : but herein I will not Hand ;
this that followeth fliall confirm the former. This
fame Saul commanded Ahimelech and the priefts
of the Lord to be flain, becaufe they had commit-
ted treafon, . as he alledged, for intercommuning
with David : his guard, and principal fcrvants,
would not d5ey his nnjuft commandment; but
Deog the flatterer put the king's cruelty in execu-
tion : I will net alk yeur judgment, whether that
she fcrvants of the king, in not obeying his com-
mandment, refifted the ordinance of God, or not?
Or, whether Deog', in murdering the priefts, gave
obedience toajufl authority? Por, I have the Spi-
rit of God fpeaking by -the mcuth of Diivid for af-
furance, as v/ell of the one, ns of the other; for
he in his lii. Pfal. condemns that faft, as a moft
cruel murder, and affirms, That God would pu-
x-il(h not only the commander, but alfo the mercilefs
executer: and therefore I conclude, That they
-who gaihftood -his commandment, refifled not the
ordinance of God.

And now, my lord, to anfwer to the place of
the apoftle, who affirms, That fuch as refill the
power, Eefitl the ordinance of God; 1 fay. That
the power iri that place is not to be underftood of
unjufl commandment of men, but of the jiift po"/cr
where,wi$h God hath armed his magiftrates and
lieutenants to puniffi fin, -a.nd maintain virtue.
And, :rf any man ffiould enterprife to take from
the hands of the faithful judge a murderer and a-
dalterer, or any malefaclor that deferveth death,
rlhis fame refifteth God's ordinance, andprocureth
;to.himfelf vengeance and daiiinatioa, becaufe that

he flayed God's fword from flricki ng: but fo it is,
if men in the fear of God oppofe themfelves to the
fury and blind rage of princes, fbr fo they refift
not God, but the devil, who abufes the fword and.
authmity of God.

I underfland fufficiently, faid Lethington, what
ye mean ; unto the one part I will not oppofe my-
felf, but I doubt of the other: for^ if the queea
-would command me to flay John Knox, becaufe fhc
■ is offended at him, I would not obey her; But if
(he w^ould command others to do it, or yet by co-
lour of juflice take his life from him, I cannot tell
if I be bound, to defend him agaiufl the cjueen and
her officers. "With proteflation, faid the other,
'That the auditors think not that I fpeak in favours'
•of myfelf, I fay, my lord, That if ye be perfuiad-
ed of my innocency, and if God hath given unto
you fuch power and credit as might deliver me,
and yet fufFer me to perifli, that, info doing, ye
fliould be criminal and guilty of my blood. Prove
that, and win the play, faid Lethington. Well;
my lord, faid the other, remember your proraife,
aiid I will be fhort in mybrobation: the prophet
Jeremy wasapprehended'by the prieflsand prophets
(who were a part of the authority within Jerufa-
lem) and by the multitude of the people, and this
fentence was pronounced againft him, * Thou (halt

* die tlie death, for thou hafl faid, This houfe

* fhall be like Shilo, and this city fhall be defblate,

* without any inhabitant, i^c' The princes hear-
ing the uprore, came from the king's houfe, and
fat down in judgment in the entry of the new gate
of the Lord's houfe; and there the prieflsand the
prophets, before the piinces, and before, the peo-
ple, intended their accufation inthefe words, ' This

* man is worthy to die, for he hath prophefied a-

* gainfl this city, as your ears have heard.' Jere-
miah anfwered. That whatfoever "he had fpokcn,
proceeded from God ; and therefore, faid he, 'As
'forme, behold, I am in your hands, do with mc
' as ye think good and right; but, know ye for

* certain, that if ye put me to death, ye ffiall fui ely
' bring innocent blood upon yourfelves, and tipoa-
' this city, and upon the inhabitants thereof: for
' of a truth, the Lord hath fent me unto you to

* fpeak all thefe words,* Jer. xxvi. Now, my lord,
if the princes and the whole people fhouid ha>Te
been guilty of the prophet's blood, Howfhall ye,
or others, be judged innocent before God,
if ye fhall fuffer the blood of fuch as have not
deferved their blood to be flied, w^hen ye may favte
it?' ' '^ ^ • / . ,

.Tfce c&ufes were nothing alike, -Aid Lethicgtoii.
^ MA

BTflKw: rv.

And I would Itarn, laid the other, wherein the
dilfimilitude (lauds. Firji, iaid Lethington, tlic
king had not condemned him to death. And next,
the faife prophets, the prieib, and the people ac-
cufed him without a caufe; and thertiore the/
could not but be guilty oi his blood. Neither of
thefe, laid John Knox, fights againil my argument:
for, albeit the king v/as neither prefent, nor yet
had condemned hiin, yet were the princes and chief
counfeilors there iitting in judgment, who repre-
fented the king's authority, hearing the acxufation
fa'id unto the charge of the prophet; and there-
fore he forewarns them of the danger, as before
«5 iaid, to wit. That in cafe he fliould be condemn-
ed, and fo put to death, that the king, the coun-
cil, and the whole city of Jerufalem, (houid be
guilty of his blood, bccauie that he had commit-
ted no crime worthy of death : and if ye think,
that they all fliould hiave been criminal, only be-
I cuufe that they all accnfed him, the plain text wit-
^.neflcth the contrary ; for the princes defended him,
" and fo, no doubt, did a great part of the people ;
3nd yet he boldly affirmed, That they fhould be
all guilty of Iiis blood, if he. Ihould be put to.
death. And,.

The prophet Ezekiel gives a reaf6n wky ail are
guilty of common corruption j,becaufe, faith he,
*I fought a man amonglf them, that fhould make

* up the hedge, and fiand in the gap before me for

* the land that I fliould notdeftroyit, but I found

* none ; therefore have I poured forth my indigna-

* tion upon them.' Hereof, my lord, faid he,
it is plain, that God craves not only that man
fhould do no iniquity ia his own perfon, but alfo
that he oppofe himfelf' to all iniquity, fo far as in
him lieth. Then will ye, faid Lethington, make
fbbjecls to controul their princes and rulers. And
what harm, faid the other, fhould the common-
wealth receive, if the. corrupt afFeftions of igno-
rant rulers were, moderated, and fo bridled by the
wifdoin and difcretion of godly fubjedlsj that they
ihould do np wrong, nor no violence to any man i

AW this reafoning, faid Lethingtpn,,is out of
the purpofe; for we reafon, as if the queen fhould
become fuch an enemy, to our religion, that flie
fhould perfecuteif, and put innocent men to death; .
■which I am afTured /he never thought, nor never
will do: for,- if I fhould fee. her begin at that
end, yea, if I -fhould fufpe<ft any fuch thing in her,
J>(houId be as far foreward in thatarg^imentasye,
or any other within the realm: but, there is no
fuch thing. Our^ queff ion is. Whether that ye may
fupprels the queen's mafs? Or, Whether that her

OF RELIGION m SCOTLAND. 30 5

idolatry fhallbe laid to our charj^e ? What yc may

00 by force, iaid John Knox, Tciifpute not : but
what ye may and ought to do by God .^ txpreis
comnundment, that I can tell ; idolatry ci.oht not
only £0 be fupprefTcd, but the idohtev alfo ought
to c- the death. But, by Nvhom, laid Lethiiirr-
ton ? By the people of God, f.ad the other, for
the commandment was given to Ifrael, as ye mav
read ' Hear, Ifrael, lays the Lord, the flatutea
' and ordinances of the Lord thy God, ^c' Yea,
a commandment is given, that if it be heard, thac
idolatry is committed in any one citv, inquifition
fhall be taken ; and, if it be found true, that then
the wfcole body of the people arife and deflroy that
city, fparing in it neither n>an, woman nor child.

But there is no commandment, faid the fecre-
tary, given to puniHi their king. If he be an ido-
later, I find no privilege granted unto kings, faid
the other, by God, more than unto the people, to •
offend God's majelly. I- grant, faid Lethington.
but yet the people may not be judges to their king
to punifh him, albeit he be an idolater. God, faid
the other, is the. univerfal Judge, as well.unto the
kmg, as to the people ; fo that wliat his word com-
mands to be punifhed in the one, is not to be ab-
folved in the other. We agree in that, faid Le-
thington, but the people may rrot execute God's ■"
judgment, but muft leave it unto himfelf who
will either punifh it by death, by war, by impri-
fonment, or by fome other kind of his plagues. -

I -know, faid John Knox, the kff part of the
reafon to be true: but for the firff, that the peo-
ple, yea, or a part of the people, may not execute
God's judgments againff their king, being an of-
fender ; I am afTured ye have no other warrant, ex-
cept your own imaginations, and the opinion of
fuch, as more fear to offend their, princes, than
God.

Why fay ye fo, faid Lethington^ I hare the
judgment of the moft famous men in Euro|:>e, and
of fuch as ye yourfelf will confcfs both godly and
learned.. And with that he calls for his papers,
w.hich produced byMr.Maitland, he began taread
with great gravity the judgment of Luther,- Me-
lanahon,- the mind of Bucer, Mufculus and Cal-
vin, how^ Chriflians fhould beliave themfelves In
time of perfccution : yea the book of Baruch was
not omitted, with this conclufiouy. The gathering
of thofe things-, faid he> hath^ coft me more tra^
vail than I think thefe levea years. in reading com-
mentaries.

The more pity, faid the. Other, and yet, what:
have you. profited in y^oUE 'own caufe, let others

judge...

.5o'4

T ii E H I S T O R Y 6 F THE R. E F O R M A T I 0 N

Book iVi

indge. Bur as for my argument, I am afTured
you have infirmed it in nothing; for your firfl two
witncflcs fpeak againfl: the Anabaptifcs, who deny
that Chriflians fhould be fubjedl to magiftrates, or
yet that it is lawful for a Ghriftian ro be a magi-
flrate ; whofe opinion I no lefs abhor than ye do,
or any other that liveth. The others fpealc of
Ghriftians fubje6l to tyrants and infidels, lo dif-
•perfed, that they have no other force, but only to
fob unto God for deliverance, that fuch, indeed,
ihould hazard any further than thefe godly men
vnll them, I cannot haflily be of counfel: bu-t
rny argument hathi^nother ground; for I fpeak. of
a people aflembled in one body of a common-
wealth, unto whom God hath given fufficient
force, not only to refiu, but alfo to fupprefs all
■kind of open idolatry ; and fuch a people yet a-
gain I affirm, are bound to keep their land clean
'and unpolluted.

And, that this my divifion (hall not appear
■Arange unto you, ye (hall underfland that God re-
-quires one thing of Abraham and of his leed,
Avhen he and they were Grangers and pilgrims in
Egypt and Canaan ; and another thing required he
•of them when they were delivered from the bon-
darre of Egypt, and the"pofieffion of the land of
Canaan granted uato them : the firfc, and during
the time of their bondage, God craved no more,
•but that Abraham fhould not defile him felf with
•rheir idolatry ; neither was he nor'his pofferity com-
manded to deftroy the idols that were in Canaan or
■vA Egypt : but, wlien God gave unto them poiTef-
■ lion of the land, he gave irato them this flrait
commandm.ent, * Reware that thou make not
" league or confederacy with the inhabitants of this
" land; give not thy fons unto their daughters, nor
" yet give thy daughters unto their -fon-e, <!jc. but

* this ye (lialldo unto them, cut down their groves,
' deflroy their images, br«ik down their altars, and

'" leave thou no kind of remembrance of thefe abo-
' minations, which the inhabitants of the land
' ufed before ; 'for thou art a holy people unto the

* Lord thy God, deSle not thyfelf therefore with

* their gods, &c.'

To this comm.andment, I (Ixy, are -ye, my lord,
i\nd all fuch as have proFefTed the Lord within this
.realm, bound; for God hath wrought no lefs mi-
jaculoudy upon you, both fpiritually and corpo-
rally, than he did unto the carnal feed of Abraham :
■for, in what ftate your bodies and this poor realm
•Avere within thefe fcvcn years, yourfelves cannot
"be ignorant ; you and it were both in the bondage
'of a ftrar.ge nation : and what tyrants did reiga

over your confclences, God perchance may yet
again kt you feel, becaufe that jie do not rightly-
acknowlege and eftcem the benefits received, when
our poor brethren that were beforeus gave up their
bodies to the flam.es of fire, for the tcflimonyof
God's truth. And when fcarcely "could be found
ten in a country that rightly knew God, it had
been fooliihnefs to have craved, either of the no-
bility, or of the mean fubje^s, the fuppreffincf of
idolatry; for that had been nothing, but to have
cxpofed the firaple /heep in a prey to the wolves:
but fmce 'that God hath multiplied knowlege, yea,
and hath given theviaory to his truth, even in the
hands of his fervants, if ye fuffer the land again
to be defiled, yc and your princes fhall both drink
the cup of God's indignation'; the queen for. her
obftinate abiding in manifefl idolatry, in this great
light of the gofpel of Jefus Chrifl, and ye for
your permillion and maintaining her in the fame,
Lethington faid, In that point we Will never agree.

And where find ye, 1 pray you, that ever any
of the prophets, or of the apoftles taught fuch
doctrine, That the people fhould be plagued for
the idolatry of the prince : or yet, that the fub-
jefts might fupprefs the idolatry of the rulers, or
them for the fame ? What v;as the commiffion
given unto the apoftles ? My lord, faid he, we
know it was to preach, and plant the gofpel of Je-
fus Chrifi, where darknefs before had dom.inion;
and therefore it behoved them to let them, fee the
light, before that they fhould will them to put
their hands to fupprefs idolatry: what precepts the
apofiles gave unto the faithful in particular, other
than that they commanded all to flee from idolatry,
I wilhnot affirm : but I find two things which the
faithful did, the one was, they a0irted their preach-
ers, even againlf the rulers and magiflrates ; the
other was, they fuppreffed idolatry, wherefoever
God gave unto them force, afliing no leave of the
emperor, nor of his deputies. Read the ecclefi-
iiftical hiflories, and ye (hall find examples fuffici-
ent. And as to the doflrine of the prophets, we
k no v/ they were interpreters of the lav/ of God;
and we know, they fpake as well unto the Jdngs,
as unto the people. I read, that neither of both
would hear them ; and therefore came the plague
of God upon both : but that they flattered the
kings more than they did the people, I cannot be
■perfuad-.d.

Now, God's law pronounces death, as before I
have faid, to idolaters without exception of per-
fons. Nov.', how the piophets could righrly la-
te rpret the law; and fiiew the cauie of God's judg-
ments

j^OOK IV.

ments, which the)' ever threatened rtiould fall for
idolatry, and for the reft: ot the abominations that
did acco:rip:uiy it (for it is never alone, but ftill
corrupt religion brings with it a filthy and corrupt
life.) . How, 1 fay, the prophets could reprove the
vice, and not fhcw the people their duty, I under-
Ihuid not : and therefore, 1 conftantly believe, that
the dofirlne of the prophets was fo feniible, chat
the kings undcrlfood their own abominations, and
the people undcrllood what they ought to have
done in punilning and reprelfnig them: bat, be-
caufe that the moif part of the people was no lefs
rebellious unto God, than were their princes;
therefore, the one and the other conjured againft
God, andagainfl his fervants. And yet, my lord,
the fa6ls of fome prophets are fo evident, that
thereby we may colleft what doflrine they taught ;

\ for it were no fmall abfurdity to affirm, that their

I feds did repugn to thtir doftrine.

L I think, faid Lethiagton, ye mean of the hi-

: ftory of Jehu ; what will ye prove thereby ? The
chief head, laid John Knox, that ye deny, to wit,
That the prophets never taught, that it appertain-
ed to the people to punifh the idolatry of their
kings : the contrary whereof I affirm ; and for
the probation, I am ready to produce the fa(Sl of
a prophet. For ye know my lord, laith he, that
Elizeus fent one of the children of the prophets to
anoint Jehu, who gave him a commandment to de-
flroy the houfe of his mafter Ahah, for the idola-
try committed by him, and for the innocent blood
that Jezebel his wicked wife had ihed. While he
obeyed and put in full execution, for the which,God
promifed unto him the inability of the kingdom un-
to the fourth generation.

Now, faid he, here is the faft of a prophet, that
proves that fubjefts were commanded to execute
God's judgments upon their king and prince.
There is enough, faid Lethington, to be anfwered
thereto, for Jehu was a king before he put any
thing in execution ; and, befides that, the faft is
extraordinary, and ought not to be imitated. My
lord, laid the other, he was a mere fubjeft, and

« no king, vvhen the propht t's fervant came unto
him; yea, and albeit that his fellow captains, hear-
ing of the meflage, blew the trumpet, and faid,
Jehu is- king; yet I doubt not, but Jezabel both

'■ llionght and faid, that he was a traitor, and fo
did many others that were la Ifrasl and in Sa-
maria.

And ns touching, that ye alledge that the fafl
■ :■ extraordinary, and is not to be imitated : I

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

30s

fay, that it had the ground of God's ordinary
judgment, which commandeth the idolater to die
the death ; and therefore I yet again affirm, that
it is to be imitated of all thefe that prefer the true
honour of the true worfhip and glory of God, to
the aifeclion of flefli, and wicked 'princes. We are
not bound, (aid Lethington, to follow extraordi-
nary examples, ualefs we have the liice command-
ment and alTurance. I grant, faid the other, If
the example repugn to the law, as if an avaricious
and deceitful man v.'onld borrow fdver, raiment,
or other neceffaries from his neighbour, and with-
hold the fame ; alledging, that fo he might do,
and not offend God, becaufc the Ifraelites, at their
departure forth of Fgypt, did fo to the Egyptians.
The example fej-ved to no purpofe, unlefs that
they could produce the like caufe, and the like
commandment that the Ifraelites had, and that be-
caufe their fift repugned to this commandment of
God, ' Thou fhalt not ffeal :' but where the
example agrees with the law, and is, as it were,
the execution of God's judgment, exprefTed with-
in the fame ; I lliy, that the example approved of
God, ftands to us in place of a commandment ;
for, as God in his nature is conftant and immuta-
ble, fo can he not condemn in the ages f ubieqient,
that which he hath approved in his fervants before
us : but in his fervants before us, he, by his own
vrord, confounds all fuch as crave further appro-
bation of God's will, then is already exprefTed with-
in his fcripdircs; for Abiaham faid, ' They have
' Moles and the prophets, whom if they will not
'believe, neither will they believe, albeit that any
* of the dead fhould rile.' Even fo, 1 fay, my
lord, that fuch as will not be taught what they
ought to do by the commandment of God once
given, and once put in pra(5f ice, m ill not believe
nor obey, albeit, that God fhould fend angels frome
heaven to inftruft that doftrine.

Ye have produced but one example, faid Le-
thington. One fufficeth, faid the other, but yet
God be praifed we lack not others ; for the whole
people confpired againft Amaziah king of Judah, after
that he had turn id awayfrom the Lord, and follow-
ed him to Lachifh and Ilcw him, and took Uzziah,
and anointed him king in flead of his father. The
people had not altogether forgotten the league and
covenant, which was m.aae betwixt their kings and
them, at the inauguration of Joafh his Father, to
wit, that the king and the people (hould be the
people of the Lord, and then fhould they be faith-
ful fubje'fcs r from the which covenant, when firfl
Q^q the

i«6

The history 6^ tHE P. EFOPs-MATION

Book 1?.

•the father, and after tlie foa had declined, they
were both puni&ei to death, Joaiii by his own
iervants, and x^maziah by the whole people.

I Joubt, faid Lethiugton, whether they did well,
or vet.

It fnal] be free for you, faid the other, to doubt
as yoa pleale, but where I find exetution accord-
ing to God's law, and God hiinfdf not to accule
the doers, I dare not doubt of the equity of their
caulc. And further, it appearedi to me, that
God gave fuflicicnt approbation and allowance of
their fact ; for he blelTed them with viftory,
peace and profperity the fpace of fifty two years
after.

But profperity, faid Lethington, does net al-
ways prove that God approves the fa6ts of men.

Yes, faid the other, when the facfs of men a-
gree with the law of God, and are rewarded ac-
cording to his own promife expreffed in his law ;
I fay, that the profperity fucceeding the faft,
13 a mof^ infaUible alTurance that God hath approv-
ed that faft. Now, fo it is, that God hath pro-
nounced in his law. That when the people fhall
exterminate and deftroy fuch as decline from him,
that he will blefs them ,and multiply them, as he
hatSpromifed unto their fathers. But, fo it is,
that Amaziah turned from God, for fo the text
doth witnefs, and plain it is, the people flew their
king; and like plain it is, that God blefled them :
therefore, yet agaia conclude I, that God himfelf
iipprovcd their facf, and, fo far as it was done ac-
"i^ording to his commandment, it was bleffed ac-
cording to his promife.

Well, faid Lethington, I think not the ground
fo ftire, as I durll build my coafcience thereupon.
I pray God, faid the other, that your confci-
eace have no worfe ground than this is, whenfo-
€ver you fhall begin the like work, whick God in
vour own eyes hath already bleffed. And now,
ray lord, faith he, I have but one example to pro-
duce, and then I will put an end to my reafoning,
becaufe I am weaFy longer to (land. Com-
mandment was given that he fhould fit down ;
but he refufed, and faid, ^ MelanchoUy reafons
" would have fome mirth intermixed.' My lalf ex-
ample, faid he, my lord, is this, Uzziah the king,
not content with his royal eftate, malapertly took
upon him to enter within the temple of the Lord,
to burn incenfe upon the alter of incenle; and
Azariah the prieft went in after him, and with him
fourfcore priefls of the Lord, valiant men, and
ihey withftood Uzziah, and faid unto him, * It
' appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn iu-

' cenfe unto the Lord, but to the piicfls, the (ons.
' of Aaron, that are confecrated to offer inccnfe ;
* go forth of the fanduary, for thoji haft tianf-
' greife'd, and thou (halt have no honour of the
' Lord.' Hereof, my lords, 1 conclude, that fub-
jcfts not only may, but alfo ought to withfland
and refifl: their princes, whenfoever they do any
thing that exprefly repugns to God, his law, ol"
holy ordinance.

They that withftood the king, fiid Lethington,
were not fimple fubjects, but were the priefls oi
the Lord, and figures of ChrifV, and fuch prieftc
have we none this day to withfland kings, if they
do any v/rong.

That the high prieft was the figure of Chrlff-,
faid the other, 1 grant, but that he was not a fub-
jeft, that 1 deny ; for, I am aflured, tha-t he, In
his priefthood, had no prerogative above thofe that
paffed before him : now, fo it is, that Aaron wm
ilibjee^ to Mofes, and called him his lord ; Samu-
el, being both prophet and priefl, fubjecf ed him-
felf unto Saul after he was inaugurated of the peo-
ple; Sadoc bowed before David, and Abiathar was
depofed from the prieffhood by Solomon, which
all confeffed themfelves fubjedfs to the king, albeit
therewith they ceafed not to be the figures of Chrift.
And whereas you lay, we have no fuch prieffs this
day, I might anfwer, that neither have we fuch
kings this day, as then were anointed by God's
commandment, and fat upon the feat of David,
and were no lefs the figure of Chrift Jefus in their
juft admiration, than were the priells in their ap-
pointed office; and fuch kings, I am afTured, we
have not now, no more than we have fuch priefts:
for, Chrift Jefus, being anointed in our nature, of
God his Father, both King, Prieft and Prophet,
hath put an end to all external uncfion. And yet
1 think you will not fay, that God hath now dimi-
nifhed his graces from thofe, whom he appoints
ambaffadors betwixt him and his people, more than
he doth from kings and princes : and therefore,
why the fervants of Jefus Chrift may not alfo juftly
v/ithffand kings and princes that this day no lefs
offend God's majefty, than Uzziah did, I fee not;
unlefs that ye will fay, that we, in the brightnefs
of the g-ofpel, are not fo ftraitly bound to regard
God's glory, nor his commandments, as were the
fathers, who lived under the dark fhadows of the
law, .

Well, faid Lethington, I will dip no farther in
that head ; but how i-efifted the priefts the king ?
They only fpake unto him, without further vio-
lence intended

That

Book IV.

OF RELIGION

That they withfcood hun, faid the other, the
text alTures me, but that they did nothing but
fpake, 1 cannot undirftand ; for the plain text af-
fir;-ns the contrary, to ivit, That they canfed him
tiadily to depart from the fant^uary ; yea, and
that he was comptilcd to depart ; which manncr
j oi fpeaking, I am afTiired, in the Hebrew tongue,
I importeth more than exhorting, or commanding
by word.

They did that, fiid Lethlngton, after he was
dpied to be leprous.

They withftood him before, faid the other, but
yet their lafl faft confirms my propofition fo evi-
dently, that fuch as will oppofe thsmfelves unto it,
mufr needs oppofe themfelves unto God : for, my
affertion is, That kinr^s have no privilege more than
hath the people to offend God's majefly ; and, if
fo they do, they are no more exempted from the
puniOiment of the law, than is any other fubjeft ;
yea,- and that fubjeifls may not only lawfully oppofe
themfelves to their kings, whenfoever they do any
thing that exprefly oppugns God's commandment ;
but alfo, that they may execute judgment upon
them, according to God's law; fo that, if the
king be a murderer, adulterer, or an idolater, he
fiiould fufFcr according to God's law, not as king,
but as an offender : and that the people may put
God's law in execution, this hiffory clearly
proveth ; for, how foon that the leprofy appear-
ed in his fore-head, he was not only compel-
led to depart out of the fan^luary, but alio he
was removed from all public fociety and admi-
niftradon of the kingdom, and was compelled to
dwell in a houfe apart, even as the law command-
ed, and got no greater privilege in that cafe, than
any other of the people Ihould have done, and this
was executed by the people ; for it was no doubt
but more were witaeffes of his leprofy than the
priefls alone, but we find none oppofe themlelves
to the fentence of God pronounced in his law a-
gainft the leprofy : and therefore, yet again I fay,
that the people ought to execute God's law, even
againft their princes, when that their open crimes
by God's laws delerve punilhment ; but efpeciall)',
when they are fuch as may infedl the reft of the
multitude. And now, my lord, faid he, I will
leafon no longer, for I have fpoken longer than I
intended.

And yet, faid Lethington, I cannot tell what
itull be the conclufion.

Albeit )'e cannot, faid the other, yet I dm aflured
t\'hat I have proved, to -wit,

1. That fubje6ls have delivered an innocent

I N S C 0 T L A N D. 307

from the hands of their kuig, and thei'efore of
fended not God.

2. That fubje(fls have refufed to ftrike inno-
cents, when a king commanded, and, in fo doing,
denyed no julf obedience. '^

3. That fuch as fcruck, at the Gomn-,andment
of the king, were before God reputed murderers.

4. That God hath not only of a fubjecf made
a king, but alfo he armed fubjects againft their
natural king, and commanded them to take ven-
geance upon him, according to his law.

5. And laflly. That God's people have execut-
ed God's law againll tl^eir king, having no further
regard to him in that behalf, than if he had been
the mofl fimple fubjecl within the realm.

And therefore, albeit ye wiil not underfland
what fn.ould be concluded, yet I am affiired, tha't
not only may God's people, but alfo, that thev
are bound to do the fime, where the like crimee^
are committed, and when he gires to them ti:e
like power.

Well, faid Lethington, I think ye fliall not have
many learned men of your opinion.

My lord, faith the other, the truth ceafeth not
to be truth, howfoever it be, that men mull either
know it, or gainftand it. And yet, faith he, I
praife God, I lack not the confent and approbati-
on of God's fervants in that head. And with that
he prefented unto the fecretary the apology of
Magdeburgh, and willed him to read the names of
the minfters, who had fubfcribed the defence of
the town to be a moll juft defence ; and therewith
added, That to refill a mifled king, is not to re-
fill God, nor yet his ordinance, 6'c. Who, when
he had read, he Hooped and faid> Homines obfcuri.
The other anfwered, Dei tamen-fervi. And Le-
thington arofe and faid, My lords, ye have heard
the reafons upon both parts ; it becomes you now
to decide, and to put an order unto preachers,
that they may be uniform in doftrine. May we,
think ye, take the queen's mafs from her ?

While fome began to give, as it were, their
votes (for fome were appointed, as it were, lea-
ders of the rell) John Knox faid. My lords, I
fuppofe, ye will not do contrary to your lordlliip's
promife made to the whole alfembly, which was.
That nothing IhouMi be voted in fecret, till that
firft all matters fhould be debated in public, and
that then the votes of the whole alfembly fhould
put an end to the controverfy. Now, have I on-
ly fuHained the argument, and have rather fliown
my confeience in moll fimple manner, than that I
have infilled upon the force and vehemency of any
Q^q 2 one

toS

The history of the REFORMATION

Book IV.

one argument : and therefore, I, for my pr.rt,
•-utterly difaffent from all voting, until the whole
alfembly have heard the propolitions and the rea-
fons of both parties ; for, I unfeigncdly acknow-
lege, that many in that company are more able to
faftain the argument than I am.

Think ye it reaibnable, faid L.'.lii'^^ton, that
fiach a mukitude, as are now conveeued, iliould
reaion and vote in fuch heads and matters, that
concern the queen's majefly's own perlon and
afxairs i

I think, faid the other, that whatfoever (lioulJ
bind the multitude, the multitude fhould hear it,
nnlefs they have resigned their power to commil-
lionerSj which they have not done, lo far as I un-
derfcand ; for my lord juftice-clerk heard them
fay -with c«ie voice, ' That in noways would they

* confent that any thing there lliould be voted or

* concluded.'

1 cannot tell, faid Lethington, if my lords that-
be here prefent, and that bear the burden of fuch
matters, fliQuld be bound to their will. \Vhat fay
ye, my lords, faid he, will ye vote in, this matter,
or will ye'not vote .''

After long reafoning, fome that were made for
die purpofe, faid. Why may not the lords vote,
iind then fhew unto the church whatfoever is
done ?

That appears to me, faid John Knox, not only
■A backward order, but a tyranny ufurpcd upon the
•church ; but for me, do as ye lifl, faid he, for as
I reafon, fo I vote ; yet protefling as before, that
I difaflent from all voting, till that the whole af-
ibrably underfland, as well the queflions as the
reafons.

Well, faid Lethington, that cannot be done
now, for too much time is fpent ; and therefore,
my lord chancellor, faid he, afk ye the votes, and
fake ever one of the minifters, and one of us.

And fo the redlor of St. Andrews commanded
iirft to fpeak his confcience, who faid, i refer it
to the fuperintendent of Fife, for I think we are
both of one judgment; and yet, faid be, if ye
will that I fpeak firfl, my confcience is this. That
if the queen oi3pofe herfelf to our religion, which
is the only true religion, that, in that cafe, the
nobility and flates of this realm, profeffors of the
true - dodlrine, may juflly oppofe themfelves to
her : but as concerning her mafs, I know it is
idolatry, but I am not yet refolved, whether by
violence we may take it from her, or not. The
fuperintendent of Fife faid, That fam.e is my con-
fcience ; apd fo aiSrmed fome of the oobility : but

others voted frankly, and faid, Thar, as the maft
is abominable, fo it is juft and right that it Ihould
be fupprefled ; and that, in fo doing, men did no
more hurt to the queen's majelly, than they that
fnould by force take froin her a poifoned cup,
when fhe were a- going to drink in it.
^ LaJ}, Mr. John Craig, fisUow-minifter with John
Knox in the church of Edinburgh, was required
to give his judgment and vote, who faid, I will
gladly fliew unto your honours what I underi-rand;
but I greatly doubt, whether my knowlege and
confcience fhall /atisfy you, feeing you have heard
io many reafons, and are lb little moved by them :
but yet I will not conceal from you my judginent,
adheiing firft to the proteilation of my brother!
to wit, That our voting prejudge not the liberty
of the general alTembly. I was, faid he, in the
univerfity of Bononia, in the year of our Lord
1554, where, in the place of the Black- Friars of
the lame town, 1 faw, in the time of their gene-
ral alfembly, this conclufion fet forth, the fame I
heard reafoned, determined, and concluded, to
this feafe :

Conclufion.^

' Al L rulers, be they fupreme or inferior, may
' and ought to be reformed or bridled, to fpeak
' moderately, by them by whom they are chofen,

* Gonfirm.ed or admitted to their office, fo oft as

* they break that promife made by oath to their
' fubjefts ; becaufe that the prince is no lefs bound

* by oath to the fubjecffs, than are the fubjt(ffs to

* their princes ; and therefore ought it to be kept,
' and refcimed equally, according to law, and

* condition of the oath that is made of either
' party.'

This conclufion-, my lords; I heard fuflained
aad concluded, as I have faid, in a moft notable au-
ditory. The liiflainer was a learned man, Mr.
Thomas de Finola redfor of the univerfity, a man
famous in that country : M'r. Vincentius de Pla-
centia affirmed the conclufion to be mofl true and
certain, agreeable both with the law of God and
man. The occafion of this diiputation and con-
clufion was a certain diforder and tyranny, that
was attempted by the pope's governors, who began
to make innovations in the country againfl the laws
that were before eflabliflied, alledging themfelves
not to be fnbjecft to fuch laws, by reafon that they
were not inlUtuted by the people, but by the pope,

who

Book IV.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND,

who was king of that country : and therefore tht y,
having full commiflion and authoiity of the pope,
may alter and change ftatutes and ordinances of
the country, without any confent of the people.
Againft this ufurped tyranny the learned, and the
people oppofed themfelves : and when that all rea-
Ibns which the pope's governors could alledgc were
heard and confuted, the pope himfelf was fain to
take up the matter, and to promife, not only to
Jkeep the liberty of the people, but alio that he
fliould neither abrogate any law nor ilatute, neither
yet make any law, without the-r own confent : and
therefore, my lord, faid hej my vote and my con-
fcience is. That princes are not only bound to keep
Iaws and promifes to their fubjecfs ; but alfo, that,
ki cafe they fail, they juftly may be bridled ; for
the bond betwix,t the prince aud the people is re-
ciprocal.

Then ftarted up a claw-back of that corrupt
court, and faid, Ye wot not what ye fay, for ye
tell us what was done in Bononia ; we are a king-
do;n, and they are a common-wealth.

My lord, faid he, my judgment is, that every
kingdom is, or at leafl fhould beacommon-wealtii,
albeit that every common- wealth be not a kingdom;
and therefore I think that in a kingdom, no lefs
diligence ought to be taken, that laws ought not
to be violated, than they ought to be in a com-
mon-wealth, becaufe that the tyranny ot piinces
whofe. continuing in a kingdom is more hurtful to
the fubjefts, than is the mifgovernment of thofe
that from year to year are changed in free commons
Wealths: but yet, my lord, to alTure you and all
others, that head was difputed to the utmoft, and
then in the end was concluded, that they fpaKe not
of llich things, as were done in divers kihgc'oms
and nations, by tyranny and negligence oi people;
But we conclude, faid they, what ought to be
done, in ail kingioms and common- wealths, ac-
cording to the law of God, and unto the jufl laws
of ■nan : and if, by the negligence of the people.
by the tyranny of princes, contrary laws have
been made, yet may that fame people, or their po-
jfteriry, julVtv crave all things to be reformed, ac-
cording to the original inAifution of kings and
common- wealths; and fuch as wiil not fo do, de-
ferve to eat the fruit of their own foolilhnels.

Mr-. James M'Giil, then clerk to the rcgifrer,
perceiving the votes to be different, and hearing
the bold plainnefs of the ior.-iaid fervant of God,
fail, liemeitiber that this lame q 'vftion was lonw
deharel on beforein my hVafe, a k' there, by rea-
(oii svc were not all of one muid, Ic was concltided, .

3-?9'

that Mr. Knox, in all our names, fnould have
written to Mr. Calvin lor his judgment in the con-
troverly. Nay, faid Mr. Knox, mv lord fecretary
would not confent that I fliould write, alledging,
that the greateft weight of the anfwer flood in the
narrati\e ; and therefore promifed, that he would
write, and that 1 fliould fee it : but when divers
tines I required him to remember his promife, I
found nothing but delay. Whercunto the fecre-
tary anfwered. True it is, I promifed to write, and
true it is that Mr. Knox requii-ed me fo to' do ;
but- when I had ripely adviied, and deeply ccnfi-
dered the weight of the matter, I found more
doubts than I did before : and this is one amongft
others, Hovv durfc I, being a fuhjeft, and the
qu.en's majefty's fecretar}', take upon me to feek
refolution of controveriies depending betwixt her
highnefs and her fubjecfts, .without htr own laiow-
lege and confent ?

Then v/as an acclamation of the claw-backs oF
the court, as if Apollo had given his refponfe: li
was wifdy and faithfully done.

Well, laid John Knox, let worldly men praife
worldly wifdom fo highly as they pkafe ; I am af-
fured, that by fuch ihifts idolatry is maintained,
and the truth of Jefus Chrift is betrayed, where-
of God one day wiil be avenged.

At the like fliarpnefs were many oiiended, the
voting ceafed, and i^very faftlon began to fpeak as
afFeaion moved ; then John Knox in the end was
commanded yet to write to Mr. Calvin, and to the
learned in other churches, to know their judgment
in that queftion : which he refufed, fl-.ewing hh
reafon ; I myfelf am not only fully re folved in^con- ■
fcience, but alio I have heard the judgments, in
this and all other things thatl have affmned with-
in this realm, of the moff godly and moff learned
that I knew in Europe; I came not to this lealm
without their refolntion, and for my aflurance I
have the hand writing of many ; and therefore, if
I Ihould now move the faid queifions again,. what
ihould I do other,, but eithei Ihew mine own io--
noranceandforgetfulnefs, or eJie. inconftancy^"*
And therefore it. may pleafe you to pardon me, m
that r write not: bat I will teach you the furer
way, which is, that you write and complain upon
iTie, th.t i teach publicly, and afiirir. conftantiy
luch doctrine, which oifeads you ; and lo /hail
you know their plain-, minds,' v/hether that the,y
and I agvce in judgment or not.

Divers f'J The offer was good, but no man
was roun " J: a.wo^;ld be >he iec:-etary, and lo did
that.ijr ^^Diy aiv long ?ealon:r.g break up; after:-

the

.is

The history ofthe REFORMATION

the which time the miniilers, that were called pre-
cUe, were holden as monfters of all the courtiers. In
all that time the earl of Murray was fo fram and
Ih-angc to John Knox, that neither by word nor
writ was there any communication betwixt them.
It was thought good by the church aiTembly im-
p.iediately picceeding, and conform to the aflsmade
bdove the queen's arrival, and approven fince, that
Chrift's true religion be d<: novo eflablillied, ratified
and approven tlu-onghcnt the whole realm ; and
that all'idohtry, efpccl-iliy the mafs, be abolifccd
everywhere, fo that no other face of religion be
fufFercd to be erefled within this realm : and, for
this efTefl-, that the miniftry be fufficiently pro-
vided ^vith m.aintenance, and fare appointment,
Y/here they ^^all take up their ftipends. In like
manner to defire that the tranigrefTors of the faid
laws be punilhed, efpeclally in Aberdeen, the Carfe
of Gowry, Seafield, and other places which Ihall
be fpecified. Thefe articles were appointed to be
prefented to the lords of the lecret council. The
earls of Murray, Argyle, Glencairn and the fe-
cretary being prefent, andfent by the queen to ob-
ferve what things were propounded In the aflembly,
thought not good that the articles ihould be pro-
pounded after this manner, but drew out two
heads ; Firjl, they would declare the good mind
and obedience of the affembly ; Next, they would
labour at her G. hands for fettling of religion, ac-
cording to the Older eflabliflied before her arrival.
they promifed alfo to deal with her for fet ftipends.
Lethington returned a gracious anfwer to thefe
heads. It was appointed that a requeft fhould be
prefented to the queen, for obtaining the gift of
the friars kirk of Kirkcudbright, to be holden
hereafter the parifh kirk of Kirkcudbright.

In the next m.onth, which was July, the queen
■went into Athol to the hunting, from thence fhe
made a progrefs into Murray, and returned to Fife
m September. All this while there was appearance
of love betwixt the two queens, for there were
many letters full of civility and compliments fent
from either of them to the other, in fign of ami-
ty, befides coftly prefents for tokens. And in the
mean time the earl of Lennox laboured to come
home forth of England, and in the month of 06lo-
ber he arrived at Holyrood-houfe, where he was
gracioufly received by the queen's majefty; namely,
•when he had prefented the letters from the queen
•jpf England, written in his favour : and, becaufe

Book IVi

he could not be reflored to his lands without aft i
of parliament, therefore there was a parliament
procured to be holden at Edinburgh the 13 th day
of December: but, before the queen would caufc
to proclaim a parliament, fhe defned the earl of
Murray, by wbofe means chiefly the laid earl of
Lennox came into Scotland, that there fhould nor,
word be fpoken, or at leafl: concluded, that con-
cerned religion, in the parliament. But he an-
fwcred, that he could not piomife it. In the mean
time, the Hamiltons and the earl of Lennox were
agreed.

At the day appointed, the parliament was held
at Edinburgh, where the fliid earl of Lennox wag
relfored, after two and twenty years exile : he
was banilhed and forfeited by the Hamiltons, when
they had the rule. There were fome articles
given in by the church, efpecially for the abolifli-
ing of the mafs unlverfally, and for puniPnment of
vice; but there was little thing granted, fa ve that
it was ftatute, That fcandalous livers fhould be
punifhed, firff by prifbn, and then publicly fliown
unto the people with ignominy ; but the fame was
not put in execution.

The general aflembly of the church conveened
at Edinburgh the 25th of December; the exhor-
tation and invocation of the name of God being
made by John Knox, John Erfkine of Dun fuper-
intendent of Angus and Mearns was chofen mode-
rator. In this affembly Paul Methvcn's fupplica-
tion anent his receiving to repentance, e^c-. was
read and confidered. The brethren were content
to receive him, providing he prefented himfelf per-
fonally before them, and fhew evident figns of un-
feigned repentance, and willingnefs to obey fuch a
form of repentance as they fhould enjoin. As for
deleting the procefs out of their books, they could
nowlfe condefcend ; neither thought they fuch a
petition could proceed of the holy Spirit, feeing
David, a notable fcrvant of God, was not afhamed
to leave in regifter his offence, to God's glory and
his own confufion. Anent his admiflion and re-
entry to the mlniflry within this realm, it was an-
fwered. That could not be granted till the memo-
ry of his former offence were more deeply buried,
and fome particular kirk within the realm made
requeff for him : and further, that his entry ia
the mlniflry of England, he being excommuni-
cated and unreconciled to the kirk, hath grievoufly:
ofTended them.

The END of the Fourth BOOK.

T H E

I

O R Y

OF THE

REFORMATION of R E L I G I O N,

Within THE REALM of

S C O T L A N D.

BOOK V.

N the end of January, Jnno 1565, the queen
pad to Fife, and, vifiting the gentlemens hou-
fes, -was magnificently banqueted every where, fo
that fuch fuperfluity was never feen before within
this realm, which canfed the wild fowl to be fo
dear, that partridges were fold for a crown a piece.
At this time was granted by an adl of parliament
the confirmation of the feus of church lands, at the
defire of diverfe lords, whereof the earl of Murray
was chief, during the queen's abfence, the pa-
.pifts of Edinburgh went down to the chapel, to
hear mafs; and feeing there was no puni hment,
they waxed more bold: fome of them thinking
thereby to pleafe the queen. Upon a certain Sun-
day in February, they made an evenfong of their.
own, fetting two priefls on the one iide of the
quire, and one or two on the other fide, with
Alexander Steven, menffral (baptifmg their chil-
dren and making marriages) who within eight
days after was convinced of blafphemy, alledging,
that he would g: \ e no niore credit to the. New

Teftament, than to a tale of Robin Hood, excepL,
it were confirmed by the dedors of the church. .
The faid fuperffitious even-fong was the occafion
of a great flander ; for many were offended with it :
which being by the brethren declared to the lords
of the privy council, efpecially to the earl of mur-
i-ay, who lamented the caufe to the queen's maje-
fly, fhewing her what inconveniency ihould come,
if fuch things were fuffered unpuniflied ; and, after
fharp reafoning, it was promifed, that the like
fliould not be done hereafter : the queen alfo ailed -
ged, that they were a great number, and that fhe
could not trouble their confcience..

About the zoth of this month arrived at Edin-
burgh Henry Stwart, lord Darnley ; from thence
he pafl to Fife ; and in the place ofWeemyfshe
was admitted to kifs the queen's hand, whom fl)e
liked fo well, that fhe^ preferred him before all
others, as fhall hereafter, God willing, be declar-
ed. Soon after, in the month of March, the earl
of Both wel. arrived out.of Frarxe.; whereat the earl

Murray,

:iz The history of the REFORMATION

"MuiTay was hi^rhly offended, becaufe of the evil
x-eport made to him of the lord Bothwel; and paf-
imsr immediately to the queen's majeliy, demand-
ed or her, irit was her will, or by heradvic. that
? And fee ing he was kis deadly

Book V.

he was coaic h.

enemy, tidier he or thcoxher ih.culd leave the coun-
,Tv and therefore defu-ed- tliat he might haie ju-
ilice. Her anfwer was, That feeing the earl Both
w'Ci was a nobleman, raid had done her fervice, (lie
cordd not hale him ; nevcrtheleis (he would do no-
thing that nii^ht be prtjudicial to the earl of Mur-
rav, butdefired that the matter might be taken away.
"Wi'thin few days fne caiiledtummon the eail Both-
wel to anfwer to the courft of law, the 2d of May,
for the confpiracy which the earl of Arran had al-
ledged.two years before, and for the breaking oi' the
ward of the caftle. In the mean while there was
nothing in the court, but banquedng, balling and
dancing, and other fach pl.^aiures, as were meet to
pios=okethe difordered appetite,^ and all for the
entertainment of the queen's coufui from England,
the lord Darnley, to whom (he did (hew all the ex-
preffions imaginable of love and kindntfs.

Within few days, the queen being at Stirhng,
order was given to fecretary Lethington to pafs to
the queen of England : the chief point of his mef-
fage w^as, to declare to the queen of England, that
the queen was m.inded to marry her coufinthe lord
Darnley : and the rather, becaufe he was fo near of
blood to both queens : for, by his mother, he was
coufin german to the queen of Scotland, alio of
iiear kindred, and- of the fame name by his father:
his mother was coufm german to the queen of
England. Here mark God's providence; king
James the fifrh, having loft his two fons, did de-
clare his relblution to make the earl o^' Lennox his
heir of the cvown; but, he ,pie«ented by fudden
death, tliat defign ccafed. Then came the earl of
Lennox^irom France, with intention to marry king
James's v^idow, but that failed alfo: he marries
ivlary Douglas, and his fon marrieth Mary, the
daughter of king James V. and fo the king's dcfire is
kilFdled, towit, the crown coniinucth in the name
and in the family. The queen of England, never-
rhelefs, (hewed herfelf nothing pleafed therev.ith ;
but rather declared, that (lie woi'ld in nowiie iuf-
fer her fubjefls to make fuch contrafls-or alliance
fhat might be prejudicial to her : and, for the fame
Burpofe, fent a poit to tjie queen with letters,
wherein (he compiained greatly of the mind of our
ynillrefs, feeing the great affeftion (he bare to her,
Ai tending to declare her heretrix of -her realm of Eng-
hnd, pr-oviding only that (he would ufe her council
_^n marriage} but (he could not approvik-her m-^r-

riage with the lord Darnley, altho' 'gh he was their
near coufin by birth ; fmce he was below the rank of
the queen by condition, being but a private fubjeft.
At the fame time (lie wrote to the earl of Lennox,
and to his fon, commanding them to repair both
into England.

Some write, that all this was but counterfeit
by the queen of England, and from her heart (lie
was glad of the marriage ; tor by that means the
fuccelTion of the crown of England was fecured,
the lord Darnley being the right heir after the
queen of Scotland : and queen Elizabeth was not
angry to fee her married to one of inferior rank,
for by that means (he thought the Scots queen
would be lefs proud.

During this time, there were certain letters di-
refled to the brethren of Edinburgh, to Dundee,
Fife, Angus and Mearns, and other places, from,
the brethren of Kyle, and other places in the wef^-
country, defiring die profeflors of the gofpel in all
places, to remember what the eternal God had
wrought, and how potently he had abolifhed ail
kind of idolatry and iuperffition, and placed his
word in this realm ; fo that no man could fay
otherwife, but it was the work of God, who aifb
had delivered this country from the bondage and
tyranny of ff rangers : never thelefs, by your floth-
fulntfs, v/e have ftffered that idol the mafs, not
only to be planted again, but to increafe fo, that
the maintainers thereof are like, by all appearance,
to get the upper hand, which would be the occa-
fion of our dellruffion : and for that the papifts
purpofed to fet up their idol at Eafter following,
in all places, which was to be imputed to the
flothfulnefs, and want of godly zeal of the pro-
'fc(rors ; therefore they admonifhed the brethren to
ffrive to avert the evil in time, and not to fuffer
fuch wickednefs to continue and incrcale, left that
God's htavy wrath come vrpon us unawares like a
confuming fire. By thefe letters many brethren
were animated, and their fpirits wakened, minding
to provide as God fhould give them grace. And
firli of all, by the advice of the moA learned in
Edinburgh, there was a fupplication made, and
given to the queen's maj.fly by the fuperintendent
of Lothian, containing in effecf, that the church
in general of the realm had diverfe times moft
humbly craved of her majefly, that committers of
adultery fhould be punifhed according to the law
of God, and the afts of parliament, neverthelefs
they continued in their wickednefs ; and the papiffs
of ob innate malice pretending nothing elie but to
trtK\ and fet up their idolatry and fuperflition,

an(*

Book V.

OF RELIGION

and efpecially at Eailer-diy following they intend-
ed to put the in fanie praflice, which the brethren
and profclTors of the gofpel could not fiiffer ;
therefore wi(hed her majefty to take heed ot the
cistter.

This fupplication the fecretary received of the
hands of the fuperintendents of Lothian and
Glafgow, and told them in the queen's name, That
there Paould be fuch provifion made, as fliould
{erve to their contentment : and, for the fame
purpole the queen's majefty wrote to all fuch pla-
ces as were fufpefted, efpecially to the biihops of
St. Andrews, and Aberdeen, as was laid, not to
ufe any mafs; and that they fiior.ld not do any fuch
thing, as was feared by the proteftants, or conveen
any council ; and thereto commanded them. Now,
the communion was adminifirated in Edinburgh the
fu-fi day of April i 565. at which time, becaufe it
was near Eafter, the papifls ufed to meet at their
raafs; and as fome of the brethren were diligent to
fearch fuch things, they having with them one of
the baillies, took one Sir James Tarbat riding hard
as he had now ended the faying of the mafs, and
conveyed him, together with the mafler of the
houfe, and one or two more of the afTiflants, to
the tolbooth ; and immediikl)! revefted him with
all his garments upon him, and fo carried him to
the market-crofs, where they fct him on high, bind-
ing the chalice in his hand, and himfelf fafl tied
to thefaid crofs, where he tarried the fpace of one
hour ; during which time the boys ferved him
with his Eafler-eggs. The next day following,
the fiid Tarbat, with his aiuftants, were accufed
and convinced by an aiv.ie, according to the afl
of parliament : and albeit for the fame offence he
deferved death, yet for all punifhment, he was fet
upon the market crofs for the fpace of three or
four hours, the hangman ftanding by, and keeping
him,; the bovs and others were bufy with eggs-
caf^ing; and fome papifls there were, that (lopped
as far as they could : and as the prefs of people
increafed about the crofs, there appeared to ha^'e
been fome tumult. The provoft, Archibald Dou-
glas, came with {ome halberdiers, and carried the
prieft fife again to the tolbooth. The queen be-
ing advcrdfed, ?.nd having received finififr infor-
mation, that the pnefl was dead, fuddenly thought
to have uied and infiifted fome extreme punifh-
ment ; for fhe thought that all this was done in
contempt of her. and of her religion : and it was
affirmed, that tjie town (hould have been facked,
and a greit number executed to death. She f nt
to fuch as Are pleafed, commanding thzm to coms

i N SCOTLAND. 31 .

to her at Edinburgh fuddenly with. their whole
forces : and, in the mean time fhe fcnther advocate
Mr. SpenceofCondie, to Edinburgh, to take a fare
trial of the matter. The proved and council wrote to
the queen the truth of the matter, as it\vas,defiring
her raajtfty to take the fame in good part, and no"t
to give credit to falfe reports ; and therewith fent
to her majelly the procefs and enrolment of the
court of the prieft convift. Thus the qucen'n
majefty being informed of the truth by her falA
advocate, fent agnin and flayed the faid meeting
of men, and fent to the town a grave letter, where-
of the copy foUoweth.

The queens Letter to the provofi, balliies, and coun-
cil of Edinburgh.

' Provost, baillies, and council of our city of
' Edinburgh, we received your letter frorn our ad-

* vocate, and underfland by this report, what di^
' ligence ye took to ftay the tumult in the late dil-

* order attempted at Edinburgh ; wherein, as you

* did your duty in fupprefTnig the tumult ; fo can
' we not take in good pai't, nor thiiik ourfelves fi-

* tisfiedof fo notorious a .thing, without certain fe-"
' dirious perfons, who were pleafed todojuflice

* perforce, and without the magiftrates authority,

* be condinglv and really punidicd for their rafih-
'nefsandmifbehaviour; for, if all private perfoni
' fhould ufurp; to take vengeance at their own

* hands, what lies in ours ? And, to what purpofe
' hath good laws and llatutes been eflablifntd :*

* Since therefore we have never been obfilnate to

* the due punlHiment of any offenders, prefcribeo'

* by the laws, but have always maintained juflicc
' in that cafe without refpe^ of perfons ; it is our

* will, and we command you, as you will anfwer

* to us upon your obedi^. nee and allegiance, that

* you will take before you certain of the mod: re-

* fponfiil perfons, which are declared authors of

* the faid fedition, an^ ufurpirrs of our authority,

* and to adminifter juAice upon them, in fuch fort

* as we may know a fmcerity on your parts, and our
/ authority noways flightf d. But, if you fail,

* perfuade yourfelvcs, and that Ihortly, we wilj

* not overfce it, but will account this contempt
' not only to be in the committers thereof, but in
' yourfelves, who ought to punlfh it, and relieve
'' us on our part ; remitting the reft to your dl-
' ligence and execution, which we look for, fo foon
' asreafon will permit.'

Subfcribed with our hand at Stirling,
this 2Afh (f April, Ant:o j 1:65/

R r ' P^

3^4

The history of the REFORMATION

Book V.

By this manner of writin/T; and high threatening,
may be perceived liow grievonfly the queen's ma-
jeily would have been offended, if the faid Tarbat
and mafs-monger had been handled according to
his demerit ; being not only a papiit- idolater, but
a manifeli: whoremader, and a common fighter and
biafphemer: nevertheiefs, within few days the
queen charged the provoH: and baillies to iet him
at liberty ; commanding them further, that no man
fliould trouble nor moled: him in any fort for
whatloevercaufe, and foon after rewarded him with
a benefice ; and likewife his affiflers, John Low
and John Kennedy, were fet at liberty in the fame
manner. At this Eafler-iide in Stirling, the queen
made her domeftic fervants ufe papifhcrd rites and
ceremonies: and more, fhe perluaded others, by
fair means to do the fame, and threatened thole
that were moil conflant at the earl of Caffils's
houie. Upon the fecond day of May 1565, con-
veened at Edinburgh the earl of Murray with his

mean time, as they were informed in court of this
great alTembly of people in Edinburgh, they were
afraid; for naturally the queen hated and fufp.;ft-
ed ail fuch conventions, as were not in her cwft
prelence, and devifed by hcrfelf. The chief coun-
IcUors in the court, were the earls of Lennox and
Athol.

The queen wrote incontinent for all the lords t»
come to Stirling, fo foon as fhe was advertifed that
th*y had treated in Edinburgh of religion ; flie
wrote likewife for the fuperintendents, and other
learned men, who went thi' her ; and being there,
they cauied to keep the ports or gates, and make
good watch about the town. The fpecial cauieof
this convention was to give to the lord Darnley
title of honour openly and folemnly, with confent
of the nobles, before the marriage. The fourth
day of May the earl of Murray came to Stirling,,
where he Vv^as well received by the queen's maje-
ffy, as appeared ; and immediately, as he paffed

friends in great numbers, to keep the day of law with her to my lord Darnley's chamber, they pre-
ag.iinfl: the earl Bothwel, who being called, ap- fented to him a contract, containing in effeft, That

forafmuch as, or fmce the queen had contra<fted

peared not. Only the laird'of Riccarton proteded.
That the perfonal abfehce of the earl Bothwel
fhould not be prejudicial to him, by reafon that
for jud: fear, which might happen in the heart of
any man, fi'nce he had fo potent an enemy as the
lord of Murray, who, next the queen's majefty,
was of greateff eftimation and authority of any
matt, within this realm, to whom affilled, at this
nrefent day of law, feven or eight hundred men,
%vhic.h force he could not refiff, and therefore had
abfented himfelf. Which proteflation being made,
th.ofe that had been furetiesfor his appearance were
outlawed. The faid earl Bothwel, a few days af-
ter, pad into France, after he had been in Liddef-
dale, where fufpedfing almoft every man, he was
•not in great affurance of his life: notwithflanding
he was not put to the horn ; for the queen conti-
nually bare a great favour towards him, and kept
him to be a foldier, as appeared within lefs than
half a year ; for fhe would not fuffer the lord Mor-
ton, nor my lord Erfkine, my lord of Murray's
great friends, to keep the day. There affifled my
■ lord of Murray, the earls of Argyle, Glencairn
a.nd Crawford, with great numbers, and many
lords and barons, who for the mofl part conveen-
ed the fame afternoon to treat and confult for the
maintaining of religion ; where fome articles were
tlevifed, and delivered to the lord of Murray, to
be prefented to the queen's majedy and privy coun-
cil; which articles were enlarged at the general
affembly following, as fliall be declared. In the

marriage with the lord Darnley; and that therefore
fnndry lords of t^Ci^obility had under-written,
ratified and approved the fame, and obliged them-
felves to grant unto him in full parliament the
crown matrimonial, by a new court- folecifm in po-
licy, the crown for the fecond time is firnamed
matrimonial (before, when the queen was fiid
married, it was fo called alfo) to ftrve and obey
him and her, as their lawful fbvereigns : the queen
defired my lord Murray to fubfcribe, as many
others had done before ; which he refufed to do,
Becaufe, faid he, it is required neceffarily, that
the whole nobility be prefent, at lead the principal,
and fuch as he himfelf was poderior unto, before
that fo great a matter ihould be advifed and con-
flu ded.

The queen's majedy, nowife content with this
anfwer, infided dill upon him, faying, Thegrtattft
part of the nobility were there prefent, and con-
tent with the matter ; wifl-icd him to be fo much
a Stuart, as to confent to the keeping of the crown '
in the family and the firname, according to their
father's will and dedre, as was faid of him a little
before his death ; but he dill refufed, for the caufts
above- written.

Now^, as the lords were affembled, an ambaffa-
dor from England, named Sir Nicholas Throck-
morton, arrived at Stirling, and in his company
the laird of Lethington ; the ambaffador was at the
c.adle-gate or ever they were aware, and

ik:

F RELIGION IN SCOTL

Book V.

flooa there in the entry, he was defired to pafs to
his lodgings. The next day he had audience of the
queen, and v.ms gracioully received, according to
th. dicjnity of his mcffagc. The whole fum oi: this
hU meffdge was, to ihew and declare to the queen,
how highly the queen his miftrefs was offended
v/ith this precipi';ated marriage, and wondered
what had moved her to take a man of inferior rank
and condition to herfelf ; and therefore difTuaded
her therefniiTi ; and fpecially defiring her molt ear-
neftly to fenJ home her fubjefts the earl oi Lennox
and the lord Darnley : but all in vain, for the mat-
ter was well far proceeded. In her heart queen
Elizabeth was not angry at this marriage ; firft,
becaufe, if queen Mary had married a foreign
prince, it had betn an accefs to her greatnels, and
confequently fhe had been more redoubted by the
other: next, both Hary and Mary were alike, and
in equal degree of confanguinity unto hej ; the
father of Mary, and the mother of Hary, being
children to her father's fiftcr.

With many fair words the queen let the ambaf-
foidor depart, promifmg to do all fhe could to fa-
tlsfy the queen of England, and for the fame pur-
pofe (lie would fend an ambafTdor to her.

In the mean time, the queen's marriage with
the lord Darnley was prepared and propounded in
council; and the chief of the nobility, fuch as
the duke, the earls oi Argvle, Murray, Glcncairn,
with the reft, granted freely to the fame, providing
that they might have the religion eftablifhed in par-
liament by the queen, and the idolatrous mafs and
fuperftition abolKhed. Shortly it was concluded,
That they fhould conveen again at St. Johnffoun,
where the queen promifed to take a final order for
religion. The day was appointed, to wit, the laft
oF May at Perth ; my lord of Argyle came too
late. The queen's majefty communed with the
lords, who were very plain with her, faying. Ex-
cept the mafs were abolidied, there fhou Id be no
quietnefs in the country.

The twelfth day of May the lord Darnley was
belted, (that is, created) earl of Rofs, with great
folemnity, a belt or girdle being tied about his waft
or middle ; and albeit all kind of provifion was
made to make him duke of Rothefay, yet at that
time it came not to effe6f, albeit the crown and
robe- royal were prepared to him for the fame. For
the intertainment of this triumph, there were ma-
ny knights made, to the number of fourteen. The
next day, which was the 1 3 th of May, the queen
called for the iuperintendents, by name John Wil-
lock, John Winram and John Spotfwood, whom

AND. 315

fhe cheriHied with fair words, affuring them that
fhe deiired nothing more earneflly than the glory
of God, and fatisfying of mens confciences,' and
the good of the commonwealth; and albeit /he
was not perfuaded in any religion, but in that
wherein fhe was brought up, yet" flie promifed to
them that flie would hear conference and difputari-
oninthefcriptures: and likewifeP.ie would be con-
tent to hear public preaching, but always out of
the mouth of fuch as pleafed her majefly ; and a-
bove all others, fhe faid, fhe would gladly hear the
fuperintendentof Angus, (for he was a mild and
fweet-natured man) with truehonefly and uprioht-
nefs, Mr. Erfkine of Dun.

Soon after the queen paff to St. John ftoun, after
that fhe had direfted Mr. John Hay prior of Moni-
mufk to pafs to England, who fped at the cueen
of England's hand, even as Sir Nicholas Throck-
morton did in Scotland. Before the day, which
was appointed for the meeting at St. Johnftoi'n,
my lord of Murray, mofl careful of the mainte-
nance of religion, fent to all the principal churchss,
advertifing th^m of the matter, and deiiring them
to advife, and fend the moft able men in learning
and reputation, to keep the day : but their craft
and diffimulation appeared ; for the dean of llePLal-
rig, w.io lately arrived out of France, with others,
fuch as Mr. John Leily parfon of Vure, afterward
bifhop of Rols, cauied the queen to underftand
that thing, whereof fhe was eafily .perfuaded, to
■wit, That there ought to be given to all men li-
berty of confcience; and, for this purpofe, tofhun
or put off the firff day appointed, the queen writ
to the nobility, That becaufe fhe was informed,
that there were great meetings out of every fhire
and town in great number, and then the other
party (fo termed flie the papifts) were minded to
gather to the faid convention, which fhould appa-
rently make trouble of fedition, rather than any
other thing ; therefore fhe thought it expedient,
and willed them to flay the faid meetings, and to
defer the fame till fuch a day that fiie fliould ap-
point with advice of her council. At this time
there was a parliament proclaimed to be held at
Edinburgh the twentieth day of July.

By this letter, fome of the proteftants having
beft judgment, thought themfelves fufficlently
warned of the inconveniences and troubles to come^
Now her council at this time, was only the earls
of Lennox and Athol, the lord Ruthven, but
chiefly David Rezio the Italian ruled all, yet the
earl of Rofs already in greatefl credit and familiari-
ty, Thefe letters were Cent out to the lords, about
R r 2 the

3i6

The history of the REFORMATION

Book V

the twenty and eighth day of May ; and within
twelve days thereafter, (he direfted new millives
to the chief of the nobility, deliring, orcommand-
>ng them to come to St. Johniloun, the twenty
and third day of June following, to confuk upon
i'uch things as concerned religion, and other things
as her majelly ihoiild propolc ; whii h day, was
even the day before that the general aifembly Ihould
have been held in Edinburgh. This laft letter ut-
tered the dfcd of the fornier ; ib that the proie-
llants thought them'lives iuffici-ntly warned. As
the earl of Murray was palling to St.. johniloun to
have kept the faid day, he chanced to fail licl-: of
the fluxes in Lochlcvin, where he remained till the
queen came forth of St. Johniloun to Edinburgh,
v;here the general affembly of the whole church ot
Scotland was held, the twenty and fourth dav of
July. The earls of Argyle and Glencalrn affifled
the church, with a great company of lords, ba-
rons and others : it was there ordered and conclud-
ed, That certala gentlemen, as coramiffioners from
the church national, fliould pais to the queen's ma-
jefly, with certain articles, to the number of Hx,
"dehring her mod humbly to ratify and approve the
lame in parliament. And, becauie the faid articles
are of great weight, and worthy of memory, I
thought good to infert the fam-e word by word.

Imprhms, Tha: the paplflical and blafphemous
mafs, with all papiftical idolatry, and papal jurif-
didfion, be univerfally fupprefled and aboliflied
throughout this realm, not only in the fubjeds,
but alfo in the queen's own perfon, with punifh-
ment againfl all perfons that fliould be deprehended
to tranfgrefs and olFend in the fame : and that the
- iincere word of God, and Chrifl's true religion,
riov/ at this prefejit received, be publifhed, ap-
proved, and ratified throughout the whole realm,
as well in the queen's own perfon, as Id the fub-
;,e<fl(S : and that the people are to refort upon the
Sundays at the leafl, to the prayers and preaching
of God's word, even as they were before to the
idolatrous mafs: and thefe heads tobe provided by
aft of parliament, and ratified by the queen's ma-
jefty.

Secondly, That provifion be made for fuftenta-
tion of the minift ry, as well for the time prefent,
as the time to come: and that fuch perfons as
are presently admitted to the miniftry, may have
their livings alTigned unto them, in places where
they travail in their calling, or at leaft next adja-
csAt thereto :. and that the benefice? now vacant,

or that have been vacant lince the month of May
or that hereafter fliall happen to be vacant, be dif-
pofed to qualified and learned perfons, able to
preach God's word, and difcharge the vocation
concerning the miniflry, by trial and admiffion of
the luperintendents and overletrs : and that no be-
nefice or living, having many churches annexed
thereunto, be difpofed altogether, in any time to
come, to any man, but at the leafl the churches
thereof be leverally difpofed, and that to fevcral
ptrions; lb that every man having chaige, may
ierve at his own church, according to his vocation-,
and to that efFeft, likewifc the ",lebes and the man-
fes be given to the minifltrs, that they may ma! e
refidcnce at their churches, whereby they m.ay dif-
charge their conferences according to their vocati-
on, and alio that the kirks m.ay be repaired accord-
ingly, and that a law be made and cdablKhed
hereupon by acl of parliament, as faid is.

Thirdly, That none be permitted to have charge
of fouls, colleges, or univerfides, neither private-
ly nor pubhcly teach and inflrudt the youth ; but
fuch as fliall be tried by the fupcrintendents or vi-
fltors of churches, and found found and able in
doflrine, and admitted by them to their charges.
Fourthly, For the fuftentation of the poor, that
all lands founded for hofpitality of old, be reflored
again to the fame ufe: and that all lands, annuals,
rents, or any other emoluments pertaining any
ways fom.etimes to the friars, of whatfoever order
they had been of; as likeways the annuities, alter-
ages, obits, and the other duties pertaining to
priefls, to be applied to the fuflentatioa of the-
poor, and upholding of the town-fchools in towns-
and other places where they be.

Fifthly, That fuch horrible crimes, as now a-
bound within this realm without any correftion,
to ths great contempt of God and his word ; fuch
as idolatry, blafphemy of God's name, manifeft
breaking of the Sabbath-day, witchcraft, forcery,
inchantment, adultery, manifefl: whoredom, main-
tenance of brothels, murder, flaughter, opprefli*
on, with many other deteflable critues, may be
fc\'crely puniflied, and judges appointed in every^
province and dioceis, for execution thereof, with
povi'er to do the fame, and that by a£l of parlia-
ment.

Lajlly, That Ibme order be devifed and efla-
blifhed for eafe of the poor labourers of the ground,
concerning the reafonable payment of the tithes,
who are oppreffed by theleafers fetover their heads
without their owji confeat and adyice.

The

UOOK V.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND

3^7

The perfons who were appointed by the church
to carry thefe articles, and prefent them to the
queen's majefl}', were the lairds of Cunningham-
head, Lui¥iie, Spot, and Grange of Angus ; and
James Earcu for the Burghs : thefe five paft from
Edinburgh to St. Johnfloun, where they prefent
ed the laid ankles to the queen's majcily, defning
and requiring her highncfs moll humbly to adviie
therewith, and to give them aafwer. The next
dav, ere they were aware, the queen departed to
Dunkeld, and immediatly they followed; and, af-
ter they had gotten audience, they dcfired the
queen's majefty mofl humbly to c/ive their difpatch.
She anlwerird, That her council was not there pre-
fent, but fhe intended to be in Edinburgh within
eight days, and there they (liould receive their an-
f\ver. At the fame time, as the general afTembly
was holdcn in Edinburgh, the brethren perceiving
the papifls to bi ag, and trouble like to be, they
affembled themfelves at St. Leonard's Craigs, where
they concluded they would defend themfelves ; and
for the fame purpofe eledbed eight perfons of the
mofl able, two of every quarter, to fee that the
brethren (liould be ready armed.

And when the five commilfioners above named
had waited upon the court four or five days, after
hermajefly's coming to Edinburgh, there themat-
ter was propofed in council ; and after long and
carneft reafoning upoa thefe articles, at length Tt
was anfwered to the commiffioners by the fecretary,
that tile queen's majefly's command was, that the
matter fliould be reafoned in her prefence ; which
for the gravity of the fame, there could nothing
be concluded at that time, albeit the queen's maje-
i\y had heard more in that matter than ever flie did
before: but within eight days thereafter, fhe un-
derflood that a great part of the nobility Ihouldbe
prefent in Edinburgh, where they Ihould have a
final anfwer. At lengthy the one and twentieth of
Auguft, they received the anfwer in writing in
her prefence, according to the tenor hereof as fod-
loweth :

T^e ^teerCs Majsfly^s Anfwer to the Articles pre-
fented to her highnefs, by certain gentlemen, in
the name of the -whole affemhly of the church.

To xhcfrji, deflring the mafs to be fuppref-
fed and abolifhed, as well in the head, as in the
members, with puniihment agaiafl the contraveen-
ers ; as alfo, the religion profelTed to be eftablifli-
ed by aft of parlhment j it was aniVered, firft

for her majtfly's part. That her highnefs is no
way yet perfuaded in the faid religion, nor yet that
any impiety is in themafs; and therefore believeth,
that her loving fubjeffs will not prefs her to rec£i\'e
any religion againft her confciencG', which (liould
be unto her a continual trouble by remorfe of con-
fcience, and therewith a perpetual unquietnefc.
And, to deal plainly with her fubjeffs, her rnaje-
fly neither will, nor may leave the religion v/here-
in (lie hath been nourifhed and brought up, and
believeth the fame to be well grounded ; knowing,
befides the grudge of confcience that fhe fliould
receive ivpon the change of her own religion, that'
fhe (liould lofe the frienddiipof the king of France,
the married ally of this realm, and of other great
princes her friends and confederates, who would
take the fame in evil part, and of whom fhe mav
look for their great fupport in all her necefTities :
and, having no afTur^d confideration that may
countervail the fame, fhe will be loth to put in ha-
zard all her friends at an inflant : pi aying all her
loving fubjefts, feeing they have had experience cf
her goodnefs, that flie hath neither in times pafl^
nor yet intends hereafter, to prefs the confcience
of any ; but that they may worfhip God in fucli
fort, as they are perfuaded in their confcience to ■
be befl ; that they will alfo not prefs her confci-
ence. As to the eflablidiing of religion in the bo-
dy of the realm, they themfelves know, as appears
by their articles. That the fame cannot be^done
only by con fen t of her niajefly, but requires ne-
cefllirily the confent of the flates in parliaments^
and therefore,, fo foon as the parliament hold«, .
thofe things which the flates agree upon amongft
themfelves, her majeffy (hall confent unto the
fame ; and in the mean time fhall make fure, thai.
no man be troubled for ufmg religion according to*
confcience; fb that no man ihall have.. caufe to
doubt, that for religion's fake mens lives and he-
ritages fhall be in any hazard..

To the fecond- article it^vjas. anfwered^ That her
majelly thinks it noways reafbnable, that (he fhould
defraud herfelf of fo great a part of tlie patrimo-
ny of the crown, as to put the patronage of bene-
fices forth of her own hands ; for her own necef-
fity, in bearing of lier gort and common charges,
will require the retention thereof, and that in it
good part in her own hands : neverihelefs her ma ■
jefly is well pleafed,- that confideralion being had
of her own necefnty, and.what rnay be fufficienii
for the reafonable fuilentation of the miniflers, a--
fpecial afiiguation be made to them in places mofr.
commodious aiidmes^t; with which her.niaj^y;

fhalt

3i8 The HISTORY of th

fliall not meddle, but foffer the fame to come to
them.

To the ih'n-d article, it is anfwercd. That
her majcfly ftiall do there'm as fhali be agreed by
the ftates in parliamtnt.

To the fourth article, Her majefty's liberality to-
wards the poor Tnall always be lo far extended, as
can be reafonably reqiiired at htr hands.

To the fftb andjixth articles, Her majefty will
refer the taking otder therein, unto the ftates af-
fembled in parliament.

As the queen's majeftycame from St, Johnftoun,
over Forth to the Cailender, fhc was conveyed to
the wa:er lide of Forth with two hundred fpears:
for at that time it was reported that there were
fome lying in wait at the path of Dron, In the
mean time the earl of Murray was in Lochlevin,
and the earl of Argyle with him. Now in the Cai-
lender the lord Livingflon had defired the queen's
majefry to be witnefs to the chriflning of a child ;
for his lady wai- lately delivered and brought to
bed : and when the minifler made the fermon and
exhortation concerning baptifm, the queen's ma-
jefly cam.e in the end, and faid to the lord Living-
fton, That (lie would fliew him that favour, that
ilic had not done to any other before ; that is,
That (he would give her prefence to the protelfant
fermon, which was reckoned a great matter.

The queen being in the Cailender , was inform-
ed, both by word and letters by falfe brethren,
That a great part of the proteftants of Edinburgh
had lately conveened upon St. Leonard's craigs,
and there made a confpiration againfl her, and had
chofen, for the fame purpole, certain captains to
govern the reft : and, without any trial, or per-
feft notice taken in the cafe, fhe fent to the pro-
vofl and baillies of Edinburgh, commanding them
to take and apprehend Alexander Guthrie, Alex-
ander Clark, Gilbert Lawdei, and Andrew Sclater,
and put them in pvifon in .he caflle.

This new and unaccuftomt-d fafhion of pro-
ceeding feemed to be very (frange ; and, becaufe
the faid four perfons were not apprehended, (he
fent the next day a charge to 'he provoft and bail-
lies, and to her own great treaf .irer, to pafs to the
houfes of the faid four men. and iikeways to their
booths or Aops, and there to take iuventary of all
their goods and chatties ; and commanded the faid
Ireafarer to take the keys of the faid ho\;fes and
booths, together wirh the faid iaventary ; which
jaras -executed in efFeft, efpeclally upon the faid

E REFORMATION Book V.

Alexander Guthrie's wife, he being then common
clerk, and one of the greatefl in eltimation within
the town ; his wife and children were fliut out of
their houfe, and compelled to feek fbme other
lodging in the town. *

By this manner of proceeding, the hearts of ali
men of fpirit and judgment were wonderfully a-~
balbed and wounded; feeing and perceiving thefe
things {'O furiouily handled upon iinilferand wrong
information, men never called to their anfwer, nor
beard, nor any trial taken therein. Immediately
thereafter, as fhe came to tdinburgh, Ihe called
to council fuch as pleafed her majelly, and there
complains of thefaii matter, alledging it to be a
confpiracy and manifefl: treafon. And another mat-
te- Iikeways was com.plained upon, That the earl
oi Argyle (as the queen \^as furcly informtd) was
riding with a great army to invade the earl of A-
thol, and his lands For the firfl matter, it was
concluded by the council, That diligtnt inquifjti-
on fhould be made in the matter ; and to that pur-
pofe appointed the queen's advocates, Mr. joha
Spence of Condie, and Mr. Robert Crichton, to
examine fuch as they would ; and when the faid
advocates had called before them, and examined a
fufhcient number, and their depofitions fubfcribed
and delivered to the queen, there was nothing found
worthy of death or treafon : at length the faid four
pi-rfons were iummoned to anfwer at law.

For the other matter, That the queen's majeity
fliould fend to the earls of Argyle and Athol, fome
of her council, or familiar Servants, to take order
touching it. And when the fecretary, thejuflice
clerk and lord of St. Colm had paff to the faid earl
of Argyle, they found no fuch thing ; but in Athol
there was great fear, come of a fudden fray ; for
after many proclamations, the Fire-crofs (which
they made ufe of in lieu of beacons) was raifed in
Athol.

Now, as the day of the parllanient approached,
the lords pretending to confult before, what fhould
be done, as well in religion, as for the cominon-
wealth ; the fifteenth day of July, there conveen-
ed at Stirling the duke, the earls of Argyle and
Murray, Rothes, and other lords and barons ; and
as they were devifing and confulting, the queen's
majeff y, taking their meeting in evil part, fent her
advocates Mr. John Spence and Mr. Robert Crich-
ton to them at Stirling, requiring the caufe of
their meeting : They anfwered, That the fpecial
occafion of their meeting, was for the caufe of re-
ligion, and the afTurance thereof, according as
they had lately written to the queen's majefly in

Seton

B30K V.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

Seton fro n the town oF Edinburgh ; they defiring
then to prorogate the day.

Finaliy, when the faid advocates could by no
means pcrfliade them to cone to Edinburgh, they
returned ag.iin to Edinburgh, and declared to the
queen's niaierty, according as they had found.

In the mean time the parliament was prorogat-
ed at the queen s majcfty's command to the firfl:
of September next after foi(Owing: for it was
thought, that the befl pai't and principal of the
chief noVidcy bciag abfent, there could no parlia-
ment be holden. At the fame time the queen's
ma-efly perceiving that the matter was already
CO ne to a maturity and ripcnefs, fb that the minds
and fecrecy of mens hearts mufl needs be diiclof-
ied ; (he wrote to a great number of lords, barons,
gentlemen, and others that were nearefl, in Fife,
Angus, Lothian, Merfe,. Teviotdale, Perth, Lin-
lithgow, ClidTdale, and others to refort to her,
in this form of words hereafter following.

The ^teen's Letter..

* Trusty friends, we greet you well ^ we are
' grieved indeed by the evil report fpread among

* our lieges, as that we (hould have molefttd any
' man in the ufmg. of his religion and confcience

* freely, a thing which never entered into our

* mind ; yet fincc we perceive the too eafy believ-

* ing fnch reports hath made them carelefs, and ib
..' we think it becomes us to be careful for the

* fafety and prefervation of our ftate ; wherefore

* we pray you moA: afftffionately, that with all

* poliible haile, after the receipt of this our letter,

* you with your kindred, friends, and whole

* force, well furnifhed with arms of war. be pro-
'* vided tor fittetn days after your coming, addrefs
■* you to come to us. to wait and attend upon us,
.'according to our expectation and truft in you,

* as you will thereby declare the good affe^^ion
«* }ou bear to the maintenance of our authoiity,

* and will do us therein acceptable fervice.

Suhfcrihed with our own hand at Edinburgh
the feventeenth day of July i ^65. ,

There was likewife proclamation made in Edin-
burgh, That the quetn minded not to trouble,
.nov alter tlie religion ; and alfo proclamations
made in. the fhires abo'-e- mentioned, tor the fame
purpofe, That all fiwthQldtaa and other gentlemen

'S^9^

iTionld refort. In the torefkid manner, toEdiaburgh^
where the earl of R.ofs was made duke of Rof.hc-
fay, with great triun^ph, the 23 day of July. The
fame afternoon the queen compiaincd gricvouiiy
upon the earl of Murray, in optn auc'iaice of aU
the lords and barons ; and rhe fame dav the bands
of the earl of Rofs, and duke of Rothcfay, and
the queen's marriage were procUdmcd. About
this tune the lord Erfkine 'was made carl of Marr.
In the m.ean time there were divers meiTa^cs fent
from the queen's majefty to the earl of Murray,
firft Mr. Robert Crichton, to perluade him bj all
means polTible to come and refort to the queen's
majeAy. Kis anlwer was, That he would be glad
to come to herfelF, according to his bounden
cuty ; yet, forafmuch as fuch perfons, as were
mofl privy in her company, were his capital ene-
mies, who alfo had confpired his death, he could
In noways come, fo long as they were in court.

Soon after my lord Erfkine, and the mailer of
Maxwel paft to him to St. Andrevv's rather iuiFer-~
ed and permitted by the queen, than fent by her
highnefs ; aft|r them the laird of Dun, who was
fent by the means of the earl of Marr, but
all this did not prevail with him : and, when
all hope of his coming was paft, an herauld was
fent to him, charging him lo come to the queens
majeffy, and anfwer to fuch things as fnould be
laid to his charge, within eight and fourty hours
next after the charge, under pain of rebellion ;
and, becaufe he appeared not ti^e next day after
the eight and forty hours, he was denounced re-
bel, and put to the horn. The fame order they
ufed againft the earl of Argyle ; for the queen kiA
(he would ferve him and tJie rtfl with the fame
meafure they had met to otlurs, meaning the faid
Argyle.

In the mean while, as the fire was well iindled
and enflamed, all means and ways were fought to
ffir up enemies ag?inft the chief prottllants that had
been lately at Stirling ; for the earl of At hoi was
ready bent againft the earl of Argyle, the lord
Lindfay againft the earl Rothes in tile, they being
both proteftants ; for they had contended now a
long time for the heirfhip of Fife: and that no
fuch thing fhould be left undone, the lord Gordon,
who now had rem.ained near three years in prilbn
in Dumbar. was, after fome little travail of his
friends, received by the queen; and- being thus
received in'o favour, was reftored firft to the wor-
fnip of Gordon, and foon after to the enrldom of
liuntly, and to all his lands, honouis and digni-
ties.

:ao

The history of the REFORMATION Book ?.

lies, that lie might be a bar and a party in the
north to t!ie earl of Murray.

The 1 8th cf July, late in the evening, near an
lionr ai:^r the fun's going down, there was a pro-
<:lamation made at the raaiket-crofs of Edinburgh,
tontaininc: in efFedl :

' That forafnrjch as, at the will and pleafure

* of Almighty God, the queen had taken to her
"* huiband, a right txcellent and illuftrious prince,
' Hary duke of Rothefay, earl of Rofs, lord Darn -

* ley ; therefo) c it was her will, that he fliould be
' holden and obeyed, and reverenced as king ;
' comrr;andlng all letters and proclamations, to be

* made in the names of Henry and Mary, in times
'* coming.'

The next day following, at fix hours in the
morning, they were married in the chapel royal of
Holyroodhoufe, by the - .an of Refialrig, the
queen being all clothed in mourning : but, imme-
diately as the queen went to mafs, the king went
not with her, but to his paftime : during the fpace
of three or four days, there was nothing but bal-
ling, and dancing, and banqueting,"

In the mean time, the earl Rothes, the laird of
Grange, the tutor of Fitcurr, with fome gende-
inen of Fife were put to the horn, for non-appear-
ance; and immediately the fwafh, tabron, and
•drums were flricken or beaten, for men of war to
ferve the king and queen's majeflies, and to take
•their pay. This fudden alteration, and hafty
•creation of kings, moved tl:e hearts of a great
; number.

Now arnongft. the people tlierc were divers
reports ;■ for fome alledged, that the caufe of this
alteration was. not for religion, but rather for hat-
, red, envy of fadden promotion or dignity, or fuch
worldly cauf.s; but they that con fidertd the pro-

pjefs

xordinji as is heretofore de-

j',i^io oc the matter, ac(
ckired, tliought tlie principal caufe to be only for
^religion.

In this m.ean time, the lords pafi to Argyle,
tailing apparently litde care of the trouble that was
to come: howteit they fent lato England Mr.
Nicolas Elphingfton for fupport, who brought
dome monies' into this country, to the fum of ten
rhoafand pounds Sterl. There came one forth of
'England to the queen, who got prefence the
feventh of AuguH. in. Holyi\>cJ'..cure. Fie was not

About the fifteenth of Auguft, the lords meJ
at Air, to -Wit, the duke Hamilton, the earls of
Argyle, Murray, Glencairn, Rothes, the lord
Boyd, and Ochiltree, with divers barons and
gentlemen of Fife and Kyle, where they concluded'
to be in readinefs with their whole forces, the
twenty and fourth day of Auguft. But the king
and queen with great celerity prevented them ; for
theii-majellies fent through Lothian, Fife, Angus,
Stratheni, Teviotdale, and Clidfdale and other
fhires, making their proclamations in this manner,

* That forafmuch as certain rebels, who (under
' colour of religion) intended nothing but the
' trouble and fubverfion of the commonwealth,
' were to convecn with fuch as they might per-

* fuade to affifl them ; therefore they charged all

* manner of men under pain of life, lands and
' goods, to refort and meet their majeflies at Lin-
' iithgow the 24th day of Augufl.'

This proclamation was made in I,othian the
third day of the faid m.onth. Upon Sunday the
ninteenth of Augufl, the king came to the high
kirk of Edinburgh, where John Knox made the
fermon ; his text was taken out of the twenty
and fixth chapter of Ifaiah's prophefy, about the
thirteenth verfe, where, in the words of the pro-
phet, he faid, * O Lord our God, other lords
' than thou have ruled over us.' Whereupon he
took occafion to fpeak of the government of
wicked princes, who, for the fms of the people,
are fent as tyrants and fcourges to plague them :
and am@ng(t other things, he faid, that God fets
in that room (for the offences and ingradtude of
the people) boys and women. And fome other
words, which appeared bitter in the king's ears ;
as, that God juflly punhhed Ahab and his pofle-
rity, becaufe he would not take order with that
harlot Jezabel. And, becaufe he had tarried an
hour and more longer than the time appointed,
the king (fitting in a. throne made for that pur-
pofe) v/as fo moved at this fermon, that he would
not dine; and, being troubled with great fury,
he pad in the afternoon to the hawking.

Immediately John Knox was commanded to
come to the council, where in the fecretary's
chamber were coni^eened, the earl of Athol, the
lord Ruthven, the fecretary, the juftice- clerk,
with the advocate. There pafTed along with the
mini Iter a great number of the mod apparent mea
of the tosvn. When he was called, the fecretary
declared, that the kings majefty was offended
with fome words fpokcn in the fermon (efpeciiUy

fiicik

Book V.

OF R E L I G I

O N

IN SCOTLAND.

321

fuch as are above rehearled) defiring him to abdain
fran preadiing for fiiteen or tweoty days, and let
Mr. Craig fupply the place.

He anf^vered, that he had fpoken nothing bnt
according to his text; and if the church won!d
co.ninand him either to fpeak or abftain, he would
obey, fo far as the word of God would permit
him. •

Within four days after, the king and queen
fent to the council of Edinburgh, commanding
them to depofe Archibald Douglas, and to receive
die laird of Craigmiller for their provoft ; which
was prefently obeyed.

The twenty and fifth of Augufl, the king and
queen's, majefties part from Edinburgh to Lin-
lithgow, and from thence to Stirling, and from
Stirling to Glafgow. At their firfl arrival, their whole
people were not yet come. The next day after their
arrival to Glafgow, the lords came to Pailley,
where they remained that night, being in compa-
ny about one thoufand horfes. On the morrow
they came to Hamilton, keeping the highpaffage
from Pailley hard by Glafgow, where the king
and queen eafily might behold them. The night
following, which was the penult of Augufi, they
remained in Hamilton with their company; but,
for divers refpefts moving them ; they thought it
not expedient to tarry ; efpecially, becaufe the earl
of Argyle was not come, for his diet v/as not afore
the fecond of September following, to have been
at Hamilton. Finally, they took purpofe to come
to Edinburgh, the which they did the next day.
And albeit Alexander Erfkine, captain under the
lord his brother, caufed to (lioot forth- of the
caflle two fhot of cannon, they being near the
town ; and likewiic, tiiat the laird of Craigmiller,
provoll:, did l|is endeavour to hold the lords forth
of the toXvn, in caufing the common bells to be
rung, for the conveening of the tov/n, to the
efFe^ aforefaid, yet they entered eafily at the weft
port or gate, witheut any moleflation or impedi-
ment, being in number, as they efreemed them-
felves. one thoufand three hundred horfes. Im-
jnediately they difpatch:;d meiTtngers fouth-ward
and north ward to afTifi; them, but all in vain:
and immediately after they were in their lodgings,
they caufed to flrike or beat the drum, defiring
all fuch men as v/ould receive wages for the de-
fence of the glory of God, that they fliould refort
tj^e day following to the church, where they fliould
receive jrood pay: but they profited little that
way, neither could they in Edinburgh get any
comfort or f jpport, for noae or few refortt^d unto

thsni; yet they got more rcfl: and .Cecp \vl.:n
they were at Edinburgh, than they had c^one m
five or fix nights before.

The nob.'emen of this company were, the dvki%
the earls of Murray, Glencairn, and Rothes ; the
lord5 Boyd and Ochiltree ; the lairds of Grange,
Cunninghamehead, Balcomy, and Laweis; the
tutor of Pitcurr ; the lairds of Barr, Ciumel, and
Dreghorn ; and the laird of Pitta^ro comptrolk r
went with them. Some faid merrily, That they
were come to keep the parliament, for the parlia-
ment was continued till the firfi day of September:
upon the v;hich day they wrote to the king and
queen's majeflies a letter, containing m efPcdt,
That albeit they were perfecuted moft unjufiiy,
which they underflood proceeded not of the king
and queen's majefties own nature, but only by
evil counfel ; yet notwithflanding they were wil-
ling and content to fuffer, according to the laws
of the realm, providing that the true religion- of
God might be efiablilaed, and the dependent;s
thereupon be likewife refoimed : befeeching'their
niajefiiesmoff humbly to grant theft things : biit
otherv/iie, if their enemies would ,feek their bjcod,
they fliould underffand, it. fhould'be dear bought!
They had written twice, almofi to the fame tffed,
to the king and queen's majeflies after .their paf-
fing from Edinburgh ; for the laird of Preflon
prefented a letter to the king and queen's majeffies,
and was therefore imprifoned, but fbon after re-
leafed, neverthelefs they got no anfwer. The
fame day that they departed out of Hamilton, the
king and queen's majefties iffued out of Glafgow
in the morning betimes ; and pailing towards He-
miltoun, the army met tjicir majeflies near the
bridge of Calder : as they muflered, the maffcr of
Maxwel fat down upon his' knees, and made a
Jing oration to the queen, declaiing what pleafurc
fhe had done to them, and ever laii the v^hole
burden upon the earl of Murray. Soon after, they
marched foreward in battle-aray ,• the earl of Len-*
nox took the van guard, the earl of Morton the
middle batde, and the king and queen the rear :
the whole number were about five thoufand men
whereof the grcateft part were in the van guard.

As the king and queen's majeflies were within
three miles of Hamiltoun, they were advertiied
that the lords were departed in the morning ; but
where they pretended to be that night, it was un-
certain : always foon after their return to Glalgow,
the king and queen were certainly advertifed, that
they were pafl to Edinburgh; and therefore caufed
immediately to wara the whole army to pafs .with
S f the^''

t
The HISTOHY of the KEF 0 RMATIOK Bock V.

3^5

them to Ediubnrgh the next <!ay ; who early ia
>he morning, long before the fun was rifen, began
to march : but there arofe fuch a vehement temped
of wind and rain from the weft, as the like had not
been feen before in a long time ; fo that a little
' brook turned incontinent into a great river ; and the
raging florm being in their face, with great difficul-
ty they went forcward : and, albeit the mofl part
waxed weary, vet the qu:en's courage incrcafed man-
like fo much, that (lie was ever with the foremofl.
There were divers perfons drowned that day in the
water of Carron ; and, amongft others, the king's
mailer, a nott?ble p?pift, who, for the zeal he
bare to the mafs, can led about his neck a round
god of bread, well cloi'ed ia a cafe, which ahvays
;could not five him.

Before the end of Auguir, there caine a port to
the queen's majefty, fent by Alexander Erikine,
who declared, That the lords -were in the town of
Edinburgh, where there was a muhitude of inno-
cent perfons; and/therefore defired to know if he
/jiQ^ld (boot. She commanded incontinent that he
flwiild return again to the faid Alexander, and
command him in her name, that he Ihould (lioot
fo long as he had either powder or bullet, and not
fpare hr apy body^

At night, the king and queen came well. wet to
the CallcFider, where they remained that night ; and
about eight hours at night, the tirft of September,
the poll came again to the caftle, and reported the
queen's command to Alexander Erlkine, who incon-
tinently caufed to (hoot fix or feven fhot of cannon,
whereof the marks appeared, having refpeft to no
reafon, but only to the queen's command.

The lords perceiving that they could get no fup-
port in Edinburgh, nor foldiers for money, albeit
they had*tl-av^i!ed all that they could; and being
advertifed of the queen's returning with her whife
company, lliey took purpofe to depart : and fo the
f-cxr^day betimes, long before day, they departed
•with their whole company, and came to Lanark,
a^d from thence to Hamiltoun, where the mafter
?)? Maxwel cam^e to them, with his uncle the laird
Df Drumlanark. And, after confultation, the faid
mailer wrote to the queen's majefly. That being
required by the lords, as he was paffing homeward
he could not refufe to come to them ; and after
that he had given them counfel to difperfe their
army, they thought it expedient to pafs to Dum-
fries to repofe them, where they would confult
and make their offers, and fend to their majefties:
and thus befeechlng their majellies to take this in
good part. The-townof Edinburgh fent two of the
ic^ancil of the town, to make their excufe.

The next day the king and queen pafl to Stirling,
and fent to Edinburgh, and caufed a proclajnatiea
to be made, commanding ail men to return to Glaf
gow, where having remained three or four days,
^d underflanding that the lords were pafl to Dum-
fries, they returned to Stirling, and from thence
to Fife ; and in their paffage, caufed to take in
Caftle- Campbell, which was delivered without im-
pediment to the lord of Sanquhar.

Before the king and queen went out of Stirling,
there came from Edinburgh two enfigns of foot-
men, to convey themi into Fife. In the mean time
the burroughs were taxed in great fums unaccu-
ftomed, for the payment of thefe foldiers : farther,
there were railed divers troops of horfemen, to the
number of five or fix hundred horfe. The fo'Jiera
had taken two poor men, that had received the
lords wages ; which the two men being accufed
and convinced of, at the queen's command, were
hanged at Edinburgh, the third day after the lords
departing.

At this time, Mr. JamiCS Balfour, parfon of
Flelk, had gotten all the guiding in the court-.
The third day after the queen's coming to Fife,
the whole barons and lairds of Fife conveyed her
majefty, till fhe came to St. Andrews, where the
faid lairds and barrons, efpccially the Proteftants,
were commanded to fubfcribe to a band, containing
in efFe<5f, that they obliged themfelves to defend
the king and queen's perfons, againft Englifhmeo
and rebels : and, in cafe they fliould come to Fife,
they fhould refift them to tjbeir uttermoft power ;
. which charge every man obeyed. *

The fecond night after the queen's coming tc
St. Andrews, fhe fent a band or troop of horfemen,
and another of foot to Lundy, and at midnight
, took out the laird, being a man of 80 years old:
then they pafTed to F'awfide, and took likewifc
Thomas Scot, and brought him to St. Andrews^
where they, with the laird of Bavard, and fomeo-
thers, were commanded to prifon. This mannei
of handling and ufage, being unloiown and ftrange,
was heavily fpoken of, and a great terror to otheES^^
who thought themfelves warned of greater feve^'l-
. ty to come.

In the mean time the houfes of the earls of Mur*

ray, Rothes, and the houfes of divers gentlemen,

were given in keeping to fuck as the king pleafed^

after that their ehiidren and fervants had been caft

. out.

At the fame time the duke, the earls of Glefl-
cairn and Argyle, the lords Boyd and Ochiltrie,.
with the lairds of Cunninghamhead, and the reft:

•we«

Book V,

were charged to come and prefenr chemfclve'? In St.
Andrews, before the king and queen's majefHes,
to anfwer to fuch things as (liould be laid to their
charge, within fix days, under the pain of rebelli-
on : and the day being expired, and they not ap-
pearing, were denounced rebels, and put to the
horn.

As the queeii remained in St. Andrews, the in-
habitants of Dundee being fore afraid, bxaufe of
feme evil report made of them to the queen, as if
they had troubled the queen, in feeklng men of
war, and fufFered fome to be railed in their town
for the lords ; for there was nothing done in Dun-
dee, but it was revealed to the queen ; efpecially
that the minifter had received a letter from the
lords, and delivered the fame to the brethren, per-
fuading them to aflift the lords; which being
grafted by the minifler, the queen remitted it.
After great travail and fupplication made by fome
Hoblemen, at length, the king and queen being in
the town, they agreed for two thoufand merks,
five or fix of the principal left out, with fome o-
ihcrs that were put to their fiiift. After the king
and queen had remained rwo nights in the town
of Dundee, they came to St. Andrews, and foon
after they came over Forth, and fo to Edinburgh.
During this time, the maf^er of Maxwel wrote to
the king and queen,- making olfers for, and in the
jiame of the lords.

The next day after the king and queen's com-
ing to Edinburgh, there was a proclamation made
at the market crofs ; and, becaufe '(he fame is i-ry
notable, I thought good to infert it here word by
Word, albeit it be fomewhat long.

* Henry and Mary, by the grace of God, king
and queen of Scots, To all and fundry our leiges
and fubjefls whom it may concern, and to whofe
knowlege thefe letters Oiall come, greeting.

* For as much as in this uproar, lately railed up
againfl us, by certain rebels, and their afiiliauts,
the authors thereof (to blind the eyes of the fimple
people) have given them to imderftand, that the
quarrel they have in hand is only religion, think-'
ing with that cloak to cover their ungodly defigns ;
and fo, under that plaufible argument, to drew af^
ter them a large train of ignorant perfons, eafy to
be feduced. Kow for the prefervaiion of our
good fubie<fls, whofe cafe were to be pitied, if
they blindly filbuld fuffer themfelves to be induced
and trapped in fo dangerous a fnare, it hath pleaftd
the goodnefs of God, by the utterance of their own
moutlis and writti^gs to us, to difccver the poifoa

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

323

that before lay hid in their hearts, albeit to ail pcr-
fons of clear j udgment the fame was e\ ident enough
before J. for, what other thing (is this, but to dVf-
folve the whole policy, and in a manner to invei t
the very order) might move the principal raiferc.of
this tumult, to put themfelves in arms againfl ws fo
unnaturally, upon whom we had bcflowed fo many
benefits; but that the great honour we did them,
they being thereof unworthj^ made them mificnow
themfelves ? And their ambition could not be £1-
tisfied with heaping riches upon riches, and hon-
our upon honour, unlefs tlxy retain in their hands ■
us, and our whole realm, to be led, ufed, and •
difpofed at their pleafure. But this could not the
multitude havepi;rceived, if God (for difclofing their
hypocrify) had not compelled them to utter thei:'
unrcafonable defire to govern ; for now, by letters
fent from themfelves to us, which make plain pro-
feffion, that the efiablifhing religion will not content
them, but we mufi be forced to govern by council,
iuch as it fiiali pleafe them to appoint us, a thing
(o tar beyond all meafure, that we think, the only
mention of fo unreafonable a demand, is fufficient
to make their neareff kinsfolk their mofi mortal c-
nemies, and all men to run on them without fur-
ther fcriiple, that are zealous to have their native
country to remain flill in the ftate of a kingdom:
for, what other thing is this, but to difiblve the
whole policy, and (in a manner) to invert the very
order of nature, to miake the prince obey, and fub-. .
je(ff:s command ? • The like was never demanded of
any of our mofl noble progenitors heretofore ; yea,
not of governors and regents : but the prince, and
fuch as have filled their place, chofc their council
of fuch as they thought moO: fit for the purpofe.
When we ourfelves were of lefs age, and at our firft
returning unto this our realm, we had free choice
of our council at our pleafure; and now, when
we are at our full maturity, fhall we be brought
back to the fuUe of pupils, and be put under tuto-
ry ? So long as fome of ihcm bear the whole fway
with us, this matter was never called in quefiion j
but now, when they cannot be longer permitted to
do and undo all at their pleafure, they will put a .
bridle into our mouths, and .give us a council
cholen after their fantaf}-. This is the quarrel of re-
ligion they made you believe ihey had in hand;
This is the quarrel for which they would have you
hazard your lands, lives and goods, in the company
of a certain number of rebels againfi your natural
pJince. To fpeak in good language, they would
be kings themfelves, or at the leafl, leaving to us
the bare name and title, and take to themfelves the
S { 2 credit

324 Tk£ HISTORY 0¥ th

credit and whole adminilk-atlon of ^the klngdora.

' ^^''e have thought good to make publication
hereof, to Ihew, that you lufftr not yourleives to
be deceived, under pretence of religion, to follow
thein, who preferring their particular advancement
to the public tranquility, and having no care of 50U,
in refpect of themfeives, would (if you would
!ic;:ri.cn to their voice) draw you after them, to
your utter deftrudtion. Affuring you, as you
■lavc heretofore good experience of our clemency,
and under our wings enjoyed in peace the poffeflion
of your goods, and lived at liberty of your conf-
cience, fo may you be in full alTurance of the like
heareafter, and have us alwa)s your good and lov-
ing priaces to fo many, a:, (hall continue yourfelves
m dn,e obedience, and do the office of faithful and
aatural fubjefts.'

Given wider our f.gnct at St. Andre-xs, the
I oth of DLxem bsr, and of our reigns thefirjl
and twenty three years, 1565.

Now- the lords defn-ed next, the eftablifhing of
religion, that the queen's majefty, in all the affairs
of the realm and commonwealth, fhould ufe the
council and advice of the nobility, and ancient
blood of the fame ; whereas, in the mean time,
tjie council of David and Francifco the Italians,
with Fuller the Englifnman, and Mr. James Bal-
four j>'u-fonof Fliflf, was preferred before ail others,
fave only the earl of Athol, who was thought to
be a man of grofs judgment, hut neverthelefs in
all things given to nleale the qu;en. It was now
finally com.e to this point, that inflead of law, ju-
stice and equity, only will ruled in all things.
There, was through all the country fet out a pro-
clamation in the king and queen's names, com-
manding all perfons to come and meet them at
Stirling the firft day of October following, with
twenty days provifion, under pain of life, lands
and goods. It was uncertain whether their maje-
(ties intended to pafs from Stirling, or not ; and I
believe the principal men knew not well at that
time ; for a report was. That by reafon the caftles of
Hamilton and Darffcn were kept fortified and
victualled at the duke's command, that they would
pafs to fiege the faid houfes, and give them fome
|hpt of a cannon : others faid. They would pafs
•towards my lord of Argyle, who had his people al-
ways armed ; whereof his ntighbours were afraid,
efpecially the inhabitants of Athol and Lennox ;
but at length it was concluded, that they (hould
pafs to Dumfries, as Ihall be declared.
'During this time there v/ere propofitions made

E REFORMATION Book \\

continually to the king and queen, by the lords,
defiriag always their majefties mofc humbly to re-
ceive them into thtir hands : their articles tended
continually to thtle two heads, viz. To abolilh the
mafs, root out idolatry, and ellabiiQi the true re-
ligion; and that they and the affairs of the realm
fhould be governed by the advice and counfel of
the true nobility of the lame, offering themfeives
and their caufe to be tried by the laws of the coun-
try. Yet nothing could he accepted nor taken in
good part, albeit the mafter of Maxwel laboured
by all means to redrefs the matter, whoalfo enter-
tained the lords moU honourably in Dumfries, ror
he had the government of all that country. But
he himftlf incurred the queen's wrath, fb that he
was fummoned to prefent liimfelf and appear before
the king and queen's majefries, after the fame form
that the reft of the lords were charged with ; and
alio commanded to give over the houfe of Lcch-
maben, and the caftle which he had in keeping,
for the queen. And albeit he obeyed not, yet was
he not put to the horn as the reft. Neverthelefs,
there was no man that doubted of his good- will
and partaking with the lords, who in the mean
time lent Robert Melvel to the queen of England,
and declared their ftate to her majefty, defuing
lupport.

Now the chief care and folicitude that was in the
court, was, by what means they might come to
have money ; for, notwithftanding this great pre-
paration for war, and eminent appearance of trou-
ble, yet were they deftitute of the fmews of war;
albeit the treafurers, and new comptrollers, to wity
the laird of Tullibarden, had dilburfed many
thoufands ; yet there was no appearance of pay-
ment of foldiers, nor fcarcely how the king and
queen's houfes and pompous trains fhould be up-
holden; there was about 600 horfemen, befides
the guard and three enfigns of footmen. The
charge of the whole would amount to one thoufand
pound Sterling every month, a thing furpaffmg the
ufual manner of Scotland. H

At this time arrived the earl of Bothwel, who '"
was welcome, and gracioufly received by the queen,
and immediately placed in council, and made lieu-
tenant of the well and middle Marches. Now, as
every one of the barons compounded to be exemp-
ted from this meeting, the carl of Athol demanded
of Edinburgh, two hundred pounds Sterling, but
they refufed to pay it ; notwithftanding October
27 th, there was a certain number of the principal
and rich perfons of the town warned by a macer, to
pais to the palace of Holy rood- houfe to the king and

queeo,

or R E L I G r O N i N S C O T L A N D.

BiDOK V.

cuaen, who declared to them by their own mouths
fpeaking, that they had ufe for money ; and there-
fore, kaowiag ih^m to be honefi: men, and the In-
habitants of the belt city in their country, they
muft needs charge them; and for* fecarity they
Ihould have other men bound for pledges, or any
hand therefore. The fum that they delired, was,
one ihoufand pound Sterling, and no lefs.

They being .Uloailhed, made no anfwer ; but
parfoa Fliik flaniiag bjf, faid, That feeing the
kino- and queen's majefties defired them fo civilly,
in a thing mofl lawful in their necellity, they did
fhev/ themfeives not honeft, to keep filence, and
give no anfvver to their majellies, for that muft
needs be had of them which was required : and if
they would not, they fhould be conftrained by the
laws," which they would not abide ; for fome of
them had defer ved hanging, laid he, becaufe thty
had lent large fums of moaey to the king and
queen's enemies and rebels; and therefore they
muft fhortly fuffer great punifhment. Soon after
they were called in one by one, and demanded,
H-BW much they would lend ? Some made this ex-
cufe, and fom.e that, by reafon there were that,
offered to lend money ; amongft whom there was
one offered to lend ^o I. To him the earl of
Athol faid, Thou art worthy to be hanged that
fpeakeft of zo /. feeing the pi inces charge thee fo
eafily. Finally, they were all imprifoned, and
foldiers fet over them, having their mufquets ready,
charged, and their match lighted, even in the houfe
with them, where they remained all that night, and
the next day till night; and then being changed
from one prifon to another, there were fix chofea
out, and fent in the night to the caftleof Edinburgh,
conveyed with mufquetteers round about them, as
if they had been murderers, or mofb vile perfons.

At length, the third day, by means of the laird
of Craigmiller provoft, and fome others, the fam
was made more eafy, to luit, i ooo merk Sterl. to
be paid immediately, and to havr^ the fuperiority
of Leith io' pledge, to wit, upon condition of re-
demption. And befides the fail fum of looo
mcrks Sterl. they paid looo /. Sterl. For the
meeting at Dumfries, at the day appointed for
deftrng the officers, the queen fent in a ticket
fuch as (he would have them to chufe for piovoft,
baillies, and council ; whereof there was a num- .
ber of papifts. the reft not worthy. Of the num-
ber given in by the queen, they named fuch as
fhould rule for that year ; notwithftanding, with-
out free eleftion, the laird of Craigmiller re-
•jnained provoft, who ihewed liiTifdf mcft willing

3 2 Si

to fet forcward religion, to punllh vice, and to-
maintain the common-wealth. All this dme the
miuifters cried oat againft the mafs and fjch ido-
latry, for it v/as more advarictd by the queen thr.u •
before.

The firft day of Oftober, met in Edi/iburgh,
the faperintendcnt of Lothian, wiih all the mliil-
flers under his charge, according to thtir orciiiarv
cuftom ; for every fuperintendent ufed to convtt u
the whole miniftry, and there it v/asco:uplaititd
on, That they could get no payment of their fli-
pends, not only about the city, but thoiow the
whole realm : therefore, after reafotuiig and co;.t-
fultation taken, they framed a fupplication diredl:-
ed to the king and queen, and immediateiy pre-
fented the. fame to their majefties, by Mr. Joha
Spotifwood fuperintendent of I.othian, and M:„.
David Lindiay minifter of Leith : ic contained iu
effecl, That forafmuch as ^t pleafed the king and
queen'smajefties, v/ith advice of the privy coun-
cil, to grant unto the minillcrs of the v/ord their ft; •
pends, to be taken off the thirds of the benefices,
which ftipends are how detained from the faid mini-
flers by reafon of the troubles, and changing of thci
comptrollor, whereby they are notable to live;;
and therefore, moft humbly craved the king and ■
queen's majeflies to caufe them to be paid.
Their anfwer was, that they would caufe order to -
be taken therein to their contentment.

Soon after the lord Gordon came toEdinburghj..
and left the moft part of his people at Stirling
with his carriage; the khig and queen, for hope:
of his g@od fervice to be done, reftorcd him to his
father's place, to the earldom of Huntly, the lands,
and heritage thereof. Ofrober 8th. the king and
queen marched forth of Edinburgh towards Dum-
fries; and, as they palTed from the palace of
Holyrood-houfe, all men were warned v.ith jack
and fpear. The firft night they came to Stirling,
and the next to Crawford ; the day after the lairds
of Drumlanrick and Lochinvar met the quecDj
albeit they had been with the lords familiar ;
enough.

The lords perceiving, that all hope of reconcli-
ation was paft, they rode to Ednam, where they
remained till the queen came to Dumfries, ancV
then they pall to Caiiilc. Nbw, the malter of
Maxwel, who had entertained the ' jids familiar-
ly, and fubfcribed with them, and had fpoken as
highly againft their enemies., as any of themfelvts,
and had received large money by that means, tQ
wit, I ooo /. to raife a band or troop of hcrfemen,
and that the fame day the king and c^u^m came to

Dufl*-

3-/6 The HISTORY o f ■ r h

Damnles; the third day after their coming, he
came to them, conveyed by the earl Bothwel,
with divers other noblemen. At length the earls
of Athol and Huntly were fureties for him, and all
things pi\il remitted, upon condition that he {hould
be a faithful end obedient fubje*5l hereafter. The
fame day they made mullers, the next day the
army was difperfed, being about 18000 men; the
Ling and queen pafl to Lochmabcn, where the
mafter of Maxwd gave a banquet, and then forth-
Avith m.arched to Tweddaie, fo to Peebles, and
then to Edinburgh.

The befl and chief part of the nobility of this
realm, who alfo were the principal inftruments of
the reformation of religion, and therefore were
called the lords of the congregation, in manner
above relicarfed, were baniflted and chafed into
England ; they were courteoully received and en-
tertained by the earl of Bedford lieutenant, upon
the borders of England. Soon after the earl of
Murray took poll towards London, leaving the
reft of the lords at Newcaftle; every man fuppof-
ed that the earl of Murray (hould have been gra-
•ciouQy received of the queen of England, and that
he iliould have gotten fupport according to his
heart's defire; but, far beyond his expeflation,
he could get no audience of the queen of England :
■but by means of the French ambaffador, called
monfieur de Four, his true friend, he obtained
audience. The queen, with a fair countenance
demanded, How he, being a rebel to her fifter,
of Scotlind, duril: take the boldnefs upon him to
come within her realm ? Thefe and the like words
got he, inflead of the good and courteous enter-
CalnirAent expelled. Finally, after private dif-
courfe, the ambaffador being abfent, (he refufed
to give the lords any fcpport, denying plainly that
ever fiie had promlfed any fach thing, as to fup-
port them, faying, fiie never meant any fuch
thing in that way •, albeit her greateft familiars
Vnew the contrary. In the end, the earl of Mur-
ray faiJ to her, ' Madam, whatfoever thing your

* majeily meant In your heart, we are thereof igno-

* rant; bat thus much we know afFuredly, that

* we had lately faithful promifes of aid and fupport

* by your ambaffador and familiar fervants, in

* your name. And further, we have your own

* handwriting ccnfia-nimg the fliid prornifes.'
And afterwards he took his leave, and came north-
ward froa'r London, tov/ards Newcaftie.

After the earl of Murray had departed from the
court, the queen fen t them fome aid, and wrote
to the queen of Scotlaadin tJicir favours : whether
ibe had promifed h ;r private -o the earl of 'Mirr-'

E S.EF0 11MATI0N Book V.

ray, or whether (he repented het of the harfh re-
ceplion of the earl of Murray.

At this time David P^izio, Italian, began to be
higher exalted, iafomuch as there was no matter
or thing of importance done without his advice.
And, during this tim.e, the faithful within this
realm were in great fsar, looking for nothing but
great trouble and perfecution to be fhort}/. Yet-'
fupplications and interceflions were made through-
out all the congreations, efpecially for fach as
were aiflidfed and baniihed, that it would pleafe
God to give them patience, comfort, and conflancy ;
and this efpecially was done at Edinburgh, where
John Knox ufcd to call them tliat were baniftied, "
The beft part of the nobility, chief members of
the congregation: whereof the courtiers being
advertifed, they took occafion to revile and bewray
his fayings ; alledging, he prayed for the rebels,,
and defired the people to pray for them likewiie.
The laird of Lcthington chief ftcretary, in pre-'
fence of the king and queen's majeflies and coun-
cil, confefled that he heard the fcrmons, and faid,;
There was nothing at that time fpoken by the
minifter, whereat any man needed to be 'offended;'
and further, declared plainly, that by the fcrip-
ture it was lawful to pray for all men.

In the end of November, the lords with their
complices were fummoned to appear the fourth
day of February, for treafon and Lefe-majefty :
but in the mean time, fuch of the nobility as had
profefled the gofpel of Chrift, and had communi-'
cate with the brethren at the Lord's table, were
ever longer the more fufpe^cd by the queen, who
began to declare herfelf in the months of Novem-
ber and December, to be maintainer of the pa-
pifts ; for, at her pleafure, the earls of Lennox,
Athol and CafTils, with divers others, without any
difTimulaticn known, went to the mafs openly in her
chapel; yet, neverthelefs, the earls of Huntley/
and Bothwel went not to mafs, albeit they were in
great favour with the queen. As for the king, he
pafl: his time in himting and hawking, and fuch
other pleafures, as were agreeable to his appetite,
having in his company gentlemen willing to falisfy
his will and affeflions.

About this time, in the beginning of Decemxber,
as the court remained at Edinbuigh, the baniflied
■lords, by all means poffible, by writings and their
friends, made fuit and means to the king* and
queen's majefties, to be received into favour.

At this time the abbot of Kilwinning came from
Newcaflle to Edinburgh, and, after he had gottert
:^udiencs of the king and queen, with great dif?r*

^ culty

iBooK V.

culty he got pardon for the duke, and his friends
and fervants, upon this condition, That he iliouid
pafs into France, which he did Toon after.

The five and twentieth of December, conveened
in Edinburgh the commiffioners of the churches
within this reai'.n for the general afTembly. There
aflifted to theoi the earls of Morton and Marr, the
lord Lindfay, and fecretary Lethington, with fome
barons and gentlemen. The principal things that
were agreed and concluded, were, That forafmuch
as the mafs, with fuch idblatry and papiftical ce-
cj»i:ionies, were ftill maintained, exprc'ly againft
the act of parliament, and the proc!a;iivuions made
at the queen's arrival ; and that the queen had
promifcd that (he would hear conference and
dlfputatioa : that the church therefore offered to
prove by the word of God, that the doftrine
preached within this realm, was according to the
fcriptures, and that the mafs, with all the papifli-
cal doclrlae, was but the invention of men, and
mere idolatry. Secondly^ That by reafon of the
change of the comptroller, who had put in new
collectors, forbidding them to deliver any thing
to the rainifn-y, and by thefe means the minifiry
Vi^as like to decay and fail, contrary to 'the ordi-
nance made the year of God 1562. in favours
and fupport of the miniflry.

During this time, as the papifts flocked to E-
dinburgh for making court, fome of them that had
been friars, as black Abercromby and Roger, pre-
fented fupplicattons to the queen's majefty, defir-
ing in effeft, that they might be permitted to
preach; which was eafily granted.. The nolle
was further, that they offered difputation ; for,
as the court flood, they thought they.had a great
advantage already, by reafon • they knew the king
to be of their religion as well as the queen, with
fome part of the nobility, who -with the king af-
ter declared themfelves openly ; and efpecially the
queen, was governed by the earls. Lennox and A-
thol ; but in matters moft weighty, and of great
importance, by David Rizio the Italian, afore-
mentioned; who> went under the name of the

OF R E L I G I 0 N IK S C 0 T L A !3

2-^ J

other part ; fo \h:,^ ii cejLuiu dryacX^ v-iir. .::.:K-ngi^
the!n : ?icv-2r?hcleit, by mcaus of the earl of A-
thol, they were reconciled. New, as there was
preparation made by the papills for Chriifmas.,
the queen being then at mafs, the king came pub-
licly, and baj e company ; and the friars preached
the days following, always ufmg another Aile than
they had done fevcn years before, during which time
they had not preached publicly ; they were fo littlee-
fteemcd, that they continued not long in preaching.

At the fame time conveened at Edinburgh the
general afiembly of the minifirers, and commif-
fioners of the cliurches reformed within this realm •
there affiled them of the nobility,, the carls of
Morton and Marr the lord; Lindfay, and fecretary
Lethington, with others. The chief things that
were concluded in this aflembly, were, that for
the avoiding of the plagues and fcourges of God, .
which appeared to come upon tliie people for their
fms and ingratitude, there fliould be proclaimed
by the minilfers a public faff, to, be univerfally
obferved throughout all the reformed churches.
This fafi: was begun, according to the appoint-
ment of the affembly, the firff and fecond Sundays-
of March following, being the firfl public faft
that was kept fmce the reformation;, which e.-i-
ercife became frequent aftei-;.*

.When the queen heard thatjchn Kno?c and the
reft of the minifters and profeffors in Scotland:
were fafting and praying, fiie faid, ' lam more
'afraid of that, than of ten thoufand.: men of
'arms.' And indeed, after this, matters fuceed-
ed not well with her. Which manner of lailing
was foon after dev-ifed by John Knox> at the.
command of the church, and put in print ; where-
fore needs not here to be recited in this place.
What follov/ed upon the faid faff, fhall be plainly^
God v*'illing, declared.

The fecond thing that was ordained" in this af-
fembly, was coBcerning the miniilers, who, for-
want of payment 'of their ffipends, were like to
perhh, or elfe to leave their miniftry; wherefore
it was found neceffary, that fupplicatron fliould be .
French fecretary, by whofe means all grave mat- "made to the king and queen's majefties; and, for

•ters, of what weight foever, muff pafs ; provid-
ing always, that his hands were anointed. In the
mean .time, he was a manifeft enemy to the gofpel,
aad therefore, a great enemy to the banifhed lords.
And at this time, the principal lords that wait-
ed at court, were divided in opinions ; for the
carl of Morton chancellor, with the earl of Marr,
and fecretary Lethington, were on the one part,
«nd the earls of Huntley and Bothwel on the

the fame purpofe, a certain number of ihe^cfl:
jdDlemen were elefted, to go to their majql^ies a-
forefaid, to lament and bemoan their cafe ■;, which
perfons had commiffion to propole fgjne. other,
things, as fliall be declared.. The names of them .
that paft from the churcb to the king an4 q'^i^-en'^:
majefties, Were, Mr, John Spotifwood, fuperin-
tendent of Lothian ; John Windram, fuperint<?nd«
eni of Fife ; Mr, John Row^ minlQer of yerth/'j

3-.8 ta£ HISTORY of the

M^. David Llndfay, minifler of Leith, who eafily

• obtained aadlencc of the king and queen's rr.ajeftks:
and, after their reverence done, Mr. John P.ov/,
in na-ne of the reft, opened the matter, lamenting
and bew-ailing the niiferable ftate of the poor mini-
Acrs, who, by public command, had been reafon-
ably latisfied three years, or more, by virtue of
tiic aa made with advice of the honourable privy
oMjncil, for the taking up cf the thirds of the
benefice?, which was efpecially made in their fa-
vours : neverthelefs the iaird of Tullibardin, new
comprrolier, %vould anfwer.them nothing; wheie-
foreVhey befought their majeflies for relief.

Secmdly, Seeing that In all fqpplications made
to the kintv and queen's majei^ies by the church at
all times, they de fired moff earneilly thatall idolatry
and iuperiliticn, and efpecially the maff, Ifiould be
rooted out and aboliibed quite out of this realm ;
and that in the lafl general afferably of the church,
by their com mifli oners, they had m.oft carneflly de-
fi'red the lam? ; and that their anfw^r was then,
Tha'r they knew no impediment in the mals :
therefore theaffembly defiicd. That it niight pleafe
their highnefTts to hear difpuiaticn, to the end,
that fuch as now pretend to prtach in the chapel-
.royal, and maintain fuch errors, the truth being
ti-ied by dijputatioe, that they might be known to
be abufers, fubmitting themfelves always .to. the
-word of God v/riitenin the fcriptures.

To this it was aniwered by the queen. That
fi\t -vvas always minded that the mirufttrs fhould be
paid the'r dipends ; and, if there was any fault
therein, the fam.e came by fome of their own fort,
meaning the ccm.ptrcUer Fittario, who had the
handling of the thirds: always by the advice. of
her council fee ihould caufe fnch order to be ta-
ken therein, that none Iliould have cccafion to
complain. As to iVytfiiOnd, She would not -jeo-
pard her religion upon fuch as were there prefer t ;
iax fne knew well enough that the prpteftants were
more learned.

The mJniiiers and commi/Tioners of churches,
perceiving notliing but delay, and dii\i:ig off tim^
in the old manner, went h-sme every one to^theil
own churches, waiting upon the good providence
cf God, conuiiualiy makmg fupplicaiioa unto Al-
mighty God, that it wouldV-tafe him, of his mer-
c\%io remove the app.ucnt plague. And in the m.ean
tine the queen was bufied with banqueting about
>\vidi fome of the lords of the feffion of Edinburgh,
:2nd after with all men of law, having continually in
.iicr company David Riiio, who fat at table, near to
>;vifelF,-fome'.iints mor^ privately than became a

REFORMATION Book V

man of his eondklon; for his 0?i;r great familiari-
ty was already uifpe<Skd ; audit was thought, that,
by his advice alone, the queen's fhaipuefs and ex-
tremity towards the lords, was maintained.

In the end of January arrived aa ambaflador
from France, nam.ed mcniieur Rambuliet, havir^
with him about forty horle in train, who canie
through England : he brought with him the or-
der of the Cockle from the king of France, to the
king, who received the fam.e at the mafs in the
chapel of the palace o^ Holyrood-houfe. Thei«
aiTlfled the earls cf Lennox, At'hol and Eglingtouj
with divers fach other papirts, as would pleafe the
queen, who three days after caufed the herauld to
conveen the council, andreafbned what arms Hiould
be given to the king ; fome thought he fhould
have the arms of Scotland 5 fomiC others faid, See-
ing it was not concluded in parliament that hq
iliould have the crown matrimonial, he could have
arms but only as duke of Rothefay, earl of Rofs,
(be. The queen bad give him only his due ; where-
by it was perceived her love waxed cold towards,
him.. FiiuiUy, ¥Az arms were left blank, and the
queen caufed put her own name before her huf-
band's in all writs ; and thereafter flie caufed to
leave cut his nam^e wholly : and, becaufe formerly
he had fjgned every thing of any moment, fhe
caufed to make a feal like the king's, and gave it
to David Pdzio, who made ufe of it by the queen's
command, alledging, that the king being at his
pailime could not always be prefent.

About the fame time the earl of Glencairn came
from E-Twick to his own country. Soon after the
earl of Bothwel was married to the earl of Hunt-
ley's filler. The queen deilred that the marriage
might be made in the chapel at the mafs, which
the earl Bothwel would in noways grant. Upon
Sunday, the third day of March, began the fafting'
at Edinburgh: the feventh day of IVTareh, the
queen came from the pal . :e of Hoiyrcod houfe to
the town, in wondrous glorious apparel, albeit
the numbir of lords aixl train was net very great.
In the mean time, the king, accompanied with
feven, or eipht horfe, went to Leith to pafs his time
there ; for he was not like to get the crown rnatw-
monial. •■

In the tolbooih was dcvifed and named the heais
of the articles that -w ere drawn againfl the banifhed
lords ; upon the morrow and Saturday following
there was great real^oning concerning the attalnde-^- :
fo;ne al!ed?ed, that the fummons was not well U-
belled or dreffed ; others thought the matter or
trealbn was not fu.^eiently proved; and indeea

they

«» RELIGION IN SCO

Book V.

they were Hill (Peking proof; for there M'as no
ether way, but the queen would have thetn all
attainted, albeit the time was very /hort; the i ith
iday (rf March fhould have been the day, which
'^ as the Tuefday following.

Now the matter was ftayed by a marvellous ira-
gc<!y ; for by the lords (upon the Saturday before,
•^vhjrb was the ninth of March, about fupper-
urt)c) Dsvid Ri?io the Italian, named the French
kcretarv, v/as llain in the gallery below flnii 3 (the
l>i.ig iUylng in the roona wirfi the queen, told her,
that the deiign Was only to take order w

villain) after that he had been taken violently from
the queen's prefence, who rtquefted moll earneflly
for the faving of his life ; which a£l v/as done by
the earl of Morton, the lord Ruthven, the lord
iindfay, the mafter of Ruthven, with divers o-
thcr gentlemen. They firft purpoled to have hang-
ed him, and had provided cords for the fame pur-
pofc; but the great halle which they liad, moved
them to difpatch him with whingers or daggers,
wherewith they gave him three and fifty ftrokes.
They fent away and put forth all fuch perfbns as
they fafpefted.

The earls of Bothwel and Huntley hearing the
fioife and clamour, came fuddenly to the clofs, in-
tending to have made work, if they had had a
party ftrong enough ; but the earl Morton com-
manded them to pafs to their cliamber, or elfe
they (liouid do worfe : at the which words they
retired immediately, and (b pafl forth at a back
window; they two alone, and with great fear came
forth of the town to Edmonftoua on foot, and
from thence to Crightouo.

This David Rizio was fo fooli(h, that not only
he had drawn unto him the managing of all affairs,
the king fet afide, but alfo his equipage and train
did furpafs the king's ; and at the parliament that
was to be, he was ordained to be chancellor, which
made the lords ccttifpire againfl him : they made a
bond to ftand to the religion and liberdes of the
country, and to free themfelves cf the flavery of
the villain David RizIo : the king and his father
fubfcribed to the bond, for tlicy durll not tfuH tl^
king's word without his fignet.

There was a French prieft, called John Dantot,
who advifed David Rizio to make his fortnne and
begone, for the Scots would not fulfer him long.
His anfwer wa«, t^nat the Scots would bi-ag, but
Aot fight. Then he advtfed him to beware -of tl>e
feafiard. To this he anfwered, that the baftard
ftionld never live in Scotland in his time, (he meant
the eari of Murray) but it happened, that one

T L A N D. ji^

George Douglas, ballard fon of the earl of Annr.o
gave faim the firtl Aroke. The queen, when fhe
heard lie was dead, lett weeping, and declared iht
would ftudy revenge ; which r.:c did.

Immediately it was noifed in the town of Edin-
burgh, that there was murder con^mitted v.-ithltt
the king's palace; wherefore the orovoft caufed to
ring the common bell, or, Sonncr'/^ iohfiln, (ps the
French fpea!c) and ftraightway pa.1 to the olace
having about four or live hundred men in warlike
manner; and as they flood in tl';c uiter court", the
ith that king called to ilic proved, commandiag him to paS

home w'ith liis company, faying the queen and he
were merry. But the provofl dcfircd to Iiear the
queen fpcak herfelf ; whereunto it vas aafwered
by the king, Provofl, know you uot that I ata
king? I comm.and you to pafs home to your liou-
fes : and immediately they retired.

The next day, which was the fecond Sunday cf
our fafl in Edinburgh, there was a proclamation
made in the king's name, fubfcribed with his hand,"^
That all bilhops, abbots, and other papifls fhould
avoid and depart the town ; which proclamation
was indeed obferved, for they had z fea in their
bofo.

There were letters fent forth in the king's name,
and fubfcribed with his iiand, to the provoft and'
baillies of Edinburgh, the baillies of Leith and Ca^
nongate, commanding them to be ready in armour
to alfia the king and his companv. and likewaya
othvr private writings direaed to divers lords and
gentlemen, to come with all expedition.

In the mean time, the queen beicg above mea-
fure enraged, offended and troubled, as the iffiie
of the matter declared, fcmetime railing upon the
king, and fometimes crying out at the windows,
defiring her fervaats to fet her at liberty, for flie
was highly offended and troubled.

This fame tenth of March, the earl of Murray,
with the reft of the lords and noblemen that were
with him, having received the king's letter (for,
after the bond above-named was fubfcribed thj
king wrote unto die banilhed lords^ to returil info
their country, being one of the articles of the faid
bond) came at night to the abbe}', being alfo con-
voyed by the lord Hume, and a great company of
the borderers, to the number of 1000 (lorfes.
And fxrfl, after he had prefcntcd himftif to the
king, the queen was informed of his fudden co-
miag, and therefore fent unto him, commanding
him to come to her : and he obeying. Went to her,
whowith afinguiar gravity received him ,afterthat
he Aad made his purgation, and declared die over-
T t great

3J»

The HIStORY or th^ REFORMATION

Book V

gveat afTec'^tion which he bare contluuaUy to her

• raajefty. The earls of Athol, Caiihaels and Su-
tlierland departed out of the town, with the bi-
Ihops, upon the Monday, the third day aiter the
ftaiighter of David llizio. The earls of Lennox,
Murray, Morron, and Rothes, lords Pvuihven,
Linddxy, Boyd and Ochiltree, fitting in council,

■ defired the queen, that forafmuch as the thing
-Kyhich was done could not be undone, that fhe
would (for avoiding of greater inconveniences)
forget the fame, and take it as good fervice, ke-
infT there were fo many noblemen reft-ored. The
queen dificmbling her difpleafure and indignation,
gave good words ; neverthelefs fhe defired, that
all perfons armed or otherways (being within the

• palace at that time) fhould remove, leaving the pa-
lace void of all, faving only her domeftic fervants.

The lords being perfuaded by the uxorious king,
and the facile earl of Murray, condefcended to her
defire, who finally the next morning, two hours
before day, part to Scton, and then to Dunbar,
having in her company the fimple king, who w^as
allured by her fugared words ; from Dunbar imme-
diately were feiit purfevants with letters throughout
the country ; and efpecially letters to the noblemen
and barons, commanding them to come to Dun-
bar, to aflifl the king and queen within five days.
In the mean time the lords being informed of the
fadden departure, they were adonidied, and knew
T)ot what were bell for them to do: but, becaufe
jt was the felf- fame day {to wit, the twelfth day of
l»Iarch) that they vrere fummoned unto ; therefore
having good opportunity, they paft to the tolbooth,
which was richly hung with tapeftry, and adorned,
bin not for them, and fet themfelves, making pro-
teflations, the earl of Glencairn, and fome others
l^eing prefent. The earl of Argyle, who was
written for by the king, came to Linlithgow ;
and being informed of the matter, he remained
Inhere.

After this manner above-fpecificd, to luit, by
the death of David Rizio, the noblemen were re-
lieved of their trouble, and reflored to their pla-
ces and rooms : and IJkewife the church reformed,
and all that profefled the gofpel within this realm,
after fafbing and prayer, were delivered, and freed
from the apparent dangers, which were like to
have fallen upon them : for, if the parliament had
taken effe^f, and proceeded, it Avas thought by all
mei) of the beft judgment, that che true prote-
flant religion fhould have been wrecked, and popery
ere(5ied; and, for the fame purpofe, there were
certaiii wooden alter?, made, to the number of

tv/elve, found ready la the chapel of the palace of
Hoiyrood-houfe, which (hauid have beea ere<^e4
in St, Giles's church.

The earls Bothwel and HTintley, being inform-
ed ot the king and queen's fudden departure fcrtU
of Edinburgh, came to Dunbar, where they were
molf gracioudy received by the queen's majefty ;■
who confuiting with them and the mader of Max-
wel, together with parion Ow^in, and parfon Ffifk
chief counfellors, what was beft to be done, and
how ihe (hould be revenged upon the murderers \
at tirfl theyd'd intend to go foreward, and leaving
no manner of cruelty unpraftiied, putting to death
ail fuch as were iufpedfed : this was the opinion of
fuch, as would obey their queen's rage and fury
for their own advantage ; but in the end they con-
cluded. That fhe fhould come to Edinburgh, with.,
all th'S force and power fhe could make, and there
proceed to julHce : and, for the fame purpofe, fhe
caufed fummon by open proclamation, all perfons
of defence, and all noblemen and gentlemen, to
come to her in Dunbar incontinent.

In the mean time, the captains laboured- by all
means to take up and inroU men and women. The
earls of Morton, Murray, Glencairn, Rothes, with,
the reff that were in Edinburgh, being informed
of the queen's fury and anger towards the com-
mitters of the llaughtcr, and perceiving they were
not able to make any party, thought it beft to
give place to her fury for a time ; for they were
divided in opinions, and finally departed out of
Edinburgh,upon Sunday the feventeenth of March,
every one a feveral way ; for the queen's majefly
was now bent only againft the flayers of David
Rizio ; and, to the purpofe fhe might be the bet-
ter revenged upon them, fhe intended to give par-
don to all fuch as before had been attainted, for
whatfoever crime.

The eighteenth day of March, the king and
queen came to Edinburgh, having in their compar
ny horfe and foot, to the number of 8000 men,
whereof there were four companies of footmen
of war. The town of Edinbutgh went out to
meet them, for fear of war. And finally, coming
within the town, in moff awful manner they caur
fed to place their men of war within the town,
and likeways certain field pieces againll their lodg^
ing, which was in the middle of the town, over
againff the fait trone : now, a little before the
queen's entrance into the town, all that knew of
her cruel pretence and hatred towards thern, fled
here and there ; amongfl others, Mr. James M'GiU
the clcrk-regifter, the juftice clerk^ and the com-

moa '

Book V.

bv RELIGIO!* in SCOTLAND.

ftttjn clerk o^ the tov.-n : the chief Secretary Le-
thlngton Was gone before, likeways John Knox
paffed weft to Kyle : the men of war likeways
kept the ports or gates. Within five days after
their entry, there was a proclamation made at the
market crofs, for the purgation of the king from
the forelaid ilaughter, which made all underftand-
ing men laugh ar the pafTages of things; fince the
king not only had given his confent, but alio had
fubicribed the bond afore-named ; and the bufi-
ncfs was done in his name, and for his honour, if
he had had wifdom to know it. After this pro-
clamation, the king loft his credit among all men,
and fo his friends, by this his inconftancy and
weaknefs.

And, in the mean time, the men of war com-
mitted great outrages, in breaking up doors, thruft-
ing themfelves into every houfe: and albeit the
number of them were not great, yet the whole
town was too little for them. Soon after, the king
and queen paft to the caftie, and caufed warn all
fuch as had abfented themfelves by open proclama-
tion, to appear before their majefties and the privy
council within fix days, under pain of rebellion ;
which pra<5lice was deviled in the eail of Huntley's
cafe, before the battle of Corrichy : and, becaufe
they appeared not, they were denounced rebels,
and put to the horn, and immediately thereafter,
their efcheats given, or taken tip by the treafurer.
There was a certain number of the townfmen
charged to enter themfelves prifoners in the tol-
booth, and with them were put in certain gentle-
men, where, after they had remained eight days,
they were convoyed down to the palace by the men
of war, and then kept by them eight days more.:
and of that number was Thomas Scot fhei iff- de-
pute of St. Johnftoun, who was condemned to
death, and executed cruelly, to wit, hanged and
quartered, for keeping the queen in prifon, as was
alledged, although it was by the king's command :
and two men likeways were condemned to death,
and carried likeways to the ladder foot; but the
carl Bothwel prefented the queen's ring to the pro-
voft, which then was juftice, for fafety of their
life. The names of thofe tw6 were, John Mou-
bray merchant, and William Harlaw fadler.

About the fame time, notwithftanding all this
tiurliburly, the minifters of the church, and pro-
iefr)rs of religion ceafed not ; for the people they
conveened to public prayers and preaching with
boldnefs ; yea, a great number of noblemen affift-
^Uke^vays, The earl Bothwel had now of all

331

men greateft accefs and famiiiarity witl.i the queen ;
fo^ that nothing of any great iitiportance was done
without him, lor he (hewed favour to fuch as liked
him ; and, amongfl others, to the lairds of Or-
mifton, Hawton and Calder, who were fo recon-
ciled unto him, that by his favour they were re-
lieved of great trouble.

The earls of Argyle and Murray, at the qlieen''s
command, paffed to Argyle,where, after they had
remained about a month, they were fent for by the
queen ; and coming to Edinburgh, they \vere re-
ceived by the queen into the Caftle and banqueted,
the earls of Huntley and Bothwel being prefent.
^ At this time the king grew to be contemt^ed and
difeftcemcd, fo that fcarcely any honour was dene
to him, and his father likeways.

About Eafter the king paffed to Stirling, where
he was fhriven after the papift manner: and in th^
mean time, at the palace of Holyrood-houfe, in
the chapel, there refbrted a great number to the
mafs, albeit the queen remaiaed ftill in the caftle,
with her priefls of the chapel-royal, where they
ufed ceremonies after the popifh manner.
^ At the fame time departed this life Mr. John
Sinclair, bilhop of Rofs, and dean of Reftalrig,
of whom hath been oft mention, prefident of the
college of juftice, called thefeflion ; who alfo fuc-
ceeded in the faid office and dignity after the de-
ceafe of his brother Mr. John Sinclair, bifhop of
Rofs, dean of GlafgoW, who departed this life at
Paris, about a year before : they were both learn-
ed in the laws, and given to maintain the popifh
religion ; and therefore great enemies to the pro-
teftants. A little before died Mr. Abraham Crich-
ton, who had been prefideht lUceways. Now in
their rooms,

The queen placed fuch as fhe pleafed, and had
done her fervice, always very unfit. The patrimo-
ny of the kirk, bifhoprics, abbies, and fuch 6-
ther benefices, were difpofed by the queen to cour-
tiers, dancers and flatterers. The carl Bothwel
whom the queen preferred above all others, aft^r
the death of David Rizio, had fol- his part Mel-
rofs, Haddington and Newbottle; likeways the
caftle of Dunbar was given to him, with the prin»
cipal lands of the earldom of March, "which Were
of the patrimony of the crown.

At the fame time the fuperintendehts, Avith the
other minifters of the churches, perceiving the
miniftry like to decay for lack of payment of fti-
pends to minifters, they gave this IbppHvatioti at
Edinburgh,

T t 2 , ne

35^

Ths history ev the R E V O P. M A T I 0 N Book V.

allowance of your majefty's exchequer-accompt,
that your majcHy would grant us letters upcn the
forelaid a<fi: and ordinance part thereupon, againft
all intromitters and meddlers with the forcfaid
thirds, to anfwer and obey, according to the fore-
faid a6t and ordinance of our pofleirion proceeding
thereupon ; and iikeways that v/emay have letters,
if need be, to arrcA and flay the forefaid thirds in
the pofTefTors hands, while and until fufficient cau-
tion be found to us for our part aforelhid. And
your anfwer mod humbly we befcech.

T':s Supplication tfthe Miniften to the ^leen.

Unto your rnajeftv, and your moft honourable
council, moJl humbly and lamentably complain
\our higbnefs's poor orators, tl;e fuperintendents,
and other miniilers of the reformed church of
God, travelling throughout all your highnefs's re-
alm, in teaching and inflrutflinj^ your lieges in all
quarters, in the knowkgo of God, and Chiift Je-
fus his Son ; that where your majefly, with the ad-
vice of the council and nobility aforefaid, moved
by godly zeal, concluded and determined, That
the ^travelling mi-iiftry throughout this realm,
iTiould be maintained upcn the rfnts of the bene-
fices of tills realm of Scotland ; and for that caufe
your majtlfy, with the advice of the council and
mobility forelaid, upon the i 5th day of December
1562, in like manner concluded and determined.
That if the f.iid part of the rents of the whole
benefices ecclefiafticDl within this realm, would be
fufficient to maintain the minifters throughout the
whole realm, and to fupport your majefly in the
fsttin'7 forev/ard of your common affairs, fliould
be employed accordingly: failing thereof, the
third part of the faid fruits, or more, to be taken
up yearly in time coming, until a general order be
taken therein, as the aft made thereupon at more
length bears : which being afterward confidered
by your majefly, the whole thirds of the fruits
aforefaid were propounded to the ufes aforefaid, by
aft of council -, and we, your majefty's poor ora-
tors, put in peaceable pofleiHon of the part afTign-
ed by your majefly to us, by the fpace of three
years, or thereabouts, which we did enjoy with-
out interruption. Notwithflanding ail this, now
•of late, v.'e, your majefly's poor orators aforefaid,
:jre put wrongfully and unjuflly from their afore-
faid part of the above fpecified thuds, by your
'roa]efly's officers, and thereby brought to fuch ex-
treme penury, and extreme diflrefs, as we are not
5ible any longer to maintain ourfelves ; and, albeit
■. we have given in divers and fundry complaints to
yqur majefly herein, and have received divers pro-
mifes of redrefs, yet have we found no relief:
' therefore we moll humbly befeech your majefly,
to confider our mofl grievous complaint, together
with the right above fpecified, whereon the fame
is grounded. And, if your majefly, with the ad-
vice of your council aforefaid, finds our right fuf-
ficient, to continue us in pofTefilon of our part
affigned to us, while and until a general order be
t,aKea j which poffeflion wa3 ratified by the yearly

This fupplication being prcfentcd by the fnper-
intendent of Lothian, and Mr. John Cr«ig, in the
caftle of Edinburgh, was graciouHy received by
the queen, who promiftd that fhe would take fuf-
ficient order therein, fo foon as the nobility and
council might conveen.

The 19th of June, the queen was delivered
of a man-child (the prince in the afortiaid cafile,
who after was named James) and immediately
fent into France and England her polls, to adver-
tife the neighbour princes, and to defire them \Qr
fend gofTips, or witnefTes to the prince's baptifm,.
In the mean tim.e, there was joy and triumph made
in Edinburgh, and fuch other places where it was
known. After thanks and piail'es given unto God,
wi'h fupplications for the godly education of the
prince ; and principally, wifhing that he fhould be
baptized according to the manner and form obferv-
ed in the reformed churches within this realm.

About the fame time, to-witf the 25 th of June,
the general aflembly of the whole church conveen-
ed at Edinburgh : the earls of Argyle and Murray
afTifled at the afTembly. Paul Methven, wh«>
before, as we heard, was excommunicate, gavel*
his fupplication, and defired to be heard, as he.
had done divers times ; for the faid Paul had writ-
ten oftentimes out of England to the laird of Dun,,
and to divers others, mofl carneftly defuing to be
received again into the fellowfhip of the church^
Aft.r reafoning of the matter It was finally grant- ;
ed, that he fhould be heard ; and fo being before
the afTembly, and falling upon his knees, burfl
out with tears, and faid, ' He was not worthy to.
' appear in their prefence ;' always he defired them,,
for the love of God, to receive him to the open-
expreflion of his repentance. Shortly after, they
appointed certain of the miniflers to prefcribe to*
him the form of his declaration of repentance,-
which was thus in eflefl. Firfl, that he (hould
prefent himfelf barefooted and bareheaded, array-
ed ia fackloth,' at the principal entry of St/ Giles

kill;

Book V.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

333

kirk in Edinburgh, at feven hours ia the morning
upon the next Wednefday, and there to remain for
the fpacc of an hour, the whole people beholding
hira, till the prayer was made, pfalms fung, and
the text of fcripture was read ; and then to come
jnro the place appointed for expreffion of repen-
tance, and tarry the time of fermon, and to do fo
Bkewife the next Friday following, and alfo upon
the Sunday ; and then, in the face of the whole
church, to declare his repentance with his own
mouth. The faaie form r.nd manner he ihould
Dfe in Jedburgh and Dundee ; and that being done,
to pr^fent hi^nfclf agnin at the next gcn.ral afTem-
bly following in winter, where he (hoald be receiv-
ed to the comiT:iunion o( the church. When the
foid Paul had received the faid ordinance, he took,
it very grievouily, alledging, they had ufed over
great feverity ; nevei thelefs, being counfelied and
perfalded by divers notable perfonages, he began
well ill Edinburgh to proceed, whereby a great
nucnber were moved with compaflion of his itate,
and iikewife in Jedburgh ; but he left his duty in
Dundee, and paiTmg again into England, the
matter, not widioat offence to many, ceafed.

The minifters complaining, that they could not
be paid their ftipends, were licenled by theaflcm-
bly to pafs to other churches. to preach, but in no.
wife to leave the miniftry. And, becaufe that the
qu::en's majefty had promifed often :bcfore to pro-
vide remedy, it was thought expedient that fup-
plication fliould be yet made, as before, that the
queen's majefty fluould caufe fuch order to be
taken, that the poor minifters might be paid their
ftipends. The bifhop of Galloway, who was
brother to the earl of Huntley, and now a great
man in the court, travailed much with the queen's
majefty ia that matter, and got of her a good an-
fwer, and fair pcoinlles. A few years betore, the
faid bilhop of Galloway defired of the gej&eral
gdembly to be made fuperintendent of Galioway,;
but now being promoted to great dignity, as to be .
of rhe number of the lords of the privy council,
and Iikewife one of the.feflion,. he would np
more be called overlooker, or overle^r of Gallo-
way; but bifhop.: alv/ays truth it is, that he la-
boured much for his nephew the earl of Huntley^
that he might be reftored to his lands and honours ;
for the faid earl was . now chauQjllor, fuice. the
(laughter of David Rizio, and had for his claw-
back the bifliop of Rofs, Mr. John Lefly, one of
the chief counfJlors to the queen: but of all
.mea the earl of. Bothxvel was moft ia the queen's

favour, fo far, that all things paft by him ; yea,
by his means ihe moft part of all thole that were
partakers in the flaughter of David Rizio, got rt-
miihon and relief. But from that day he was not
prefent at any fermon, albeit before he profcfTcd
the gofpel by outward fpeaking, yet he never
joined to the congregation. But, this time the
earl of Caffils v/as contra<fled with the lord of:
Giammis's fifter, by whofe perfuafion he became
a protcftant, and caufed in the month of Augufl
to reform his churches in Carrick, and promiled ;
to maintain the doftrine of the gofpel.

The queen, not yet fatisficd with the death of
her man David, cauled in Auguft to be apprehend-
ed, a man called Hary, whofometimes had been
of her chapel- royal, but afterward became an ex-
horter in a reformed church; end for v/ant of fti-
pend, or other neceifaries, paft in fcrvice to my
lord Ruthven, and chanced that night to be pre-
fent when the faid David was flain ; and fo finally,
he was condemned, and hanged, and quartered.

The king being now contemned of all men, be-
caufe the queen cared not for him, he went fome-
time to the Lennox to his father, and fometime
tQv Stirling, whether the prince was carried a
little before : always he was deftitute of fuch things .
as were neceffary for him, having fcarccly , fijv'-;
horfes in train. And being thus defokte, and •
haif-defperate, he Ibught means to go out of the-
country: and about the fame .time,, by the .advice .'
of foolifh cagots, he wjp©te to. the pope,, to. the
king of Spain, and to the. king of France, com-
plaining of the ilate of the country,, which was all
out of order ; all.bec^ufe that mafs and popery were
not again ereded, giyii^g, the whole blame thereof
to.the queen, as.not managing the catholick caufe
aright. By fome knave this poor prince was be-
trayed, and Ihe.queen got a copy of thefe letters
into her haiids,a;ad therefore threatened him fore;
and there was. never gfter .thatj any appearance, of
love betwixt.them.

The churches of Gsiieva^^.Bdrn^. and. Bafil, .
with other, reformed churches of Germany and >
France,, fent to the whole church of Scotland, the
fum of the confeffioji of their .faith,, defiring to
know if they agreed in .uniformity.of^doftrine-; ..
alledging, , that the church of Scotland was dif-
Ibnant in fome articles from them; wherefore, the
fuperinten.dent3,.with a great part, of -the other
moft qualified minifters, coGveened in September
in St. Andrews, aadreading"the faid letters, made;
anfwer, and feat word again,, thnt they agreed in -

354

TheHI STORY OF thb REFORMATION

Book. V.

all points wirh thofe churches, and differed in no-
thinfT from them: albeit ia the keeping of fonne
feftival days oar church aiTented not ; for only- the
S:ibb:ith-d.iy was kept in Scotland.

In rhq end of this monrii, the earl of Bothwcl
riding in the purfuit of the thieves in Liddifdale,
was Tli hurt, and worfe terrified by a thief; for
he believed iurely to have departed forth of this
life, and fent word thereof to the queen's majefty,
who fooa after pafi: forth of Jedburgh to the Her-
mitage to vifit him, and give him comfort : and
within a few days after, fhe took ficknefs in a
moH: extreme manner, for flie lay two hours long
cold dead, as it were, without breath, or any
fign of life ; at length (lie revived, by reafon rhey
had bound fmall cords about her (hakle-bones, her
knees and great toes, and fpeaking very foftly, (he
defired the lords to pray for her to God : (he faid
the Creed in EngUHi, and defired my lord of Mm--
ray, if fhe fhould chance to depart, that he would
not be over extreme to fuch as were for her reli-
gion ; the duke and he fhould have been regents.
The report went from Jedburgh in the month of
Odlobcr I 566, that the queen was departed this
life, or at leaft (he could not live any time ;
wherefore there was continually prayers publicly
made at the church of Edinburgh, and divers o-
ther places, for her converfion towaids God, and
amendment. Many were of opinion, that (he
fhould come to the preaching, and renounce po-
pery, but all in vain; for, God had fome other
thing to do by her. The king being advertifed,
rode poft from Stirling to Jedburgh, wh«rc he
found the queen fomewhat convalefced, but (he
would fcarce fpeak to him, and hardly give him
prefence, or a good word ; wherefore he return-
ed immediately to Stirling, where the prince was,
and after to Glafgow to his father.

There appeared great trouble over the whole
realm, and efpecially in the countries near the bor-
ders, if the/ queen had departed at that time ; as
ihe began to reco^'er, the earl of Bothwel was
brought in a chariot from the Hermitage to Jed-
burgh, where he was cured of his wounds, in
whofe prefence the queen took more pleafure,
than in all the reft of the world. Always by his
means moft part of all that were outlawed for the
flaughter of David Rizio, got relief; for there
was no other means, but all things muft needs
pafs by him ; wherefore every man fought to him,
where immediately favour was to be had, as before
«tf David Rizio.

Soon after, the queen paffing along the borders.

'flie came within tile tiounds of Berwick, where
ihe viewed the ^own at her pleafure afar off; be-
ing within hall a mile and lefs, all the ordnance
within Berwick were diicliarged : the captain
came forth with fourfcore hcrles bravely arrayed,
to do her honour, and offer her lawful fervice.
Then (he came to Cralgmlller, where fhe remain-
ed in November, till fl:ie was advertifed of the
coming of the ambaffadcrs to the baptiim of the
prince ; and ft^r that purpofe there was great pre-
paration made, not without the trouble of fuch as
were fuppofed to have money in ftore, efpecially of
Edinburgh ; for there was borrowed a good round
fum of money for the fame bufmefs. All her care
and iblicitude was for that triumph. At the fame
time arrived the count de Briance, ambaflador of
the king of France, who had a great train. Soon
after the earl of Bedford went forth of Erjgland,
with a very gorgeous company, to the number of
fourfcore horfes ; and pa(rmg to Stirling, he was
liumanely received of the queen's maje'ily, and
every day banqueted. The exceffive expences and
fuperfluous apparel, which was prepared at that
time, far exceeded all the preparation that ever had
•been devifed or fet forth before that time in this
country. The 17th of December 1566, in the
great hall of the caftle of Stirling, was (he prince
baptized by the biihop of St. Andrews, at five
a clock at even, with great pomp, albeit with
great pain could they find men to bear the
torches, wherefore they took boys. The queen
laboured much with the noblemen to bear the
fait, greafe and candle, and fuch other things,
but all refufed ; (he found at laft the earls of
Eglington, Athol, and the lord Seton, who
affi(\ed at the baptifm, and brought in the (aid
trafh. The count de Briance, being the French
ambaflador, affifted likev^ile. The earl of Bed-
ford brought for a prefent from the queen of
England, a font of gold, valued to be worth three
thoufand crowns.

It is reported by p^rions worthy of credit, that
the fame day that the prince was baptized, there
was fitting in the entry of the caftle, a poor mail
afking alms, having a young child upon his knee,
whofe held was fo great, that the body of thfe
child could fcarce bsar it up. A certain gentLmatt
perceiving, could not refrain himfelf from t<»aris,
for fear of the e> ils he judged to be portendei
Soon after the faid baptiliBj after the faid earl
was in communing with the queen, who entef-
talned him moft reverently ; he began to fHy
merrily to her, amongft other talking, • Madam,

O F: K E L i G ION IN

HooE V.

M rejoice v^ery greatly at tkis time, leeing your

* majefly hath here to ferve you (o many iioble-

* men, efpecially twelve earls, whej eof two only

* affift at this baptifm to the fiiperftition of popery.'
At the which faying, the queen kept good coun-
tenance. Soon after they banqueted in the iaid
great hall, where they wanted no prodigality.
t)uring the time of the earl of Bedford's remaining
at Stilling, the lords for the moft part waited upon
hi n, and convoyed him every day to the fennoa,
atid after to banqueting.

The king renaained in Stirling all that time,
never being prefent, kept his chamber: his father
hearing how he wai ufed, writ to him to repair
unto him, who foon after went, without good-
aight, toward Giafgow to his father. He was
hirdly. a mile out of Stirling, when the poifon,
which had been given him, wrought fo upon
him, that he had very great pain and dolour in
every part of his body. At length being arrived
at Oifgow, the blifters brake out of a blewifli co-
lour, fo the phyficians prefently knew the difeafe
to come by poifon ; he was brought fo low, that
nothing but death was expelled ; yet the ftrength
of his youth did at laft furmount the poifon.

During the time of this triumph, the queen was'
mofl liberal in all thing* that were demanded of
her ; among other things, ifie fubfcribed a writ-
ing for the maintenance of the minifters in a rea-
sonable proportion, which was to be taken up of
the thirds of benefices ; which writing being pur-
chafed by the bilhop of Galloway, was prefented
^t the general alTembly of the church at Edin-
burgh, the five and twenti-.th day of December,
1566, where were conveened the fuperintendents,
and other minifters in reafonable number, but very
few commiirioners. Our aflemblies met often
upon the 25th day of December; fo that many
of the miniftry could not be at home in their own
pariihes to teach upon Chrifl's nadvity, neither
did our allcmblies allovv fuch a fuperflitious ob-
fervation.

. The firft matter that v.'as there propofed, was
concerning the fiud writing lately obtained ; and
the m3fl part of the miniftcrs being demanded
tlieir opinions in the matter, arter advice, and
paffing a little afide, they anfwered very gravely.
That it was their duty to preach to the people the
word of God truly and fmcerely, and to crave of
the auditors the things that were ncceflary for
their fnftentation, as of duty the paftors might
juftly crave of th-ir ilqck ; and funhcr, it became

SCOTLAND, 3.3^

them no: to have any care. Nti'erth.Iefs, the af-
fembly taking in confidcraticn, that the fald gifts,
granted by the queen's ir/.jclty, wtre not to be re-
fufed ; they ordained, th^-.t certain faithful men of
every fhire fnould meet, and do their utmoft dili-
gence for gathering and receiving the faid corn
^nd money ; and likeways appohited the fuperin-
tendent of Lothian and Mr. John Row to wait
upon the bilhop of Galloway, and concur and
alfift him for further expeditioa in the court, thar
the faid gift might be difpatched through the
fcals.

In the fame alTembly there was prefented a re-
monllrance by writ, by fome gentlemen of Kyle,
containing in efre6f. That inaiinuch as the tithes
ought to be given only to the minifiers of the
word, and fchools, and for maintenance of the
poor ; that therefore the allembly would flatute
and ordain. That all the profelfors of the gofpel
fhould keep the fame in their own hands, to the
effe^s aforefaid, and no way permit the papilts to
meddle therewith. This writing took no effect at
that time, for there were none elfe but the gentle-
men of Kyle of that opinion. It was flatutcd in
the faid aflembly. That fuch public fornicators,
and fcandalous livers, as would not confefs thtir
ofFtnces, nor come to declare their repentance,
fliould be declared by the minifler to be out of the
church, and not of the body thereof, and their
names to be declared publicly upon the Sunday.
After this aflembly, the bifhop of Galloway^ with
the fuperintendent of Lotian, and Mr. John Row
pafling to Stirling, obtained their demands in ao
ample manner at the queen's majef!y's hand, ac-
cording to their defire ; and likewife they obtain-
ed for every burgh, a gift or donation of the
Altarages, Annuals, and Gbites, which before
were given to the papifts, now to be difpofed for
the maintenance of the miniflers and fchools with-
in the borroughs, and the refl to the poor or ho-
fpital.

It was ordained that humble fuppllcation fhould-
be made to the lords of fccret council, concern-
ing the commiffion of juriidiftion, fupponed to be
granted to the bhhopof Sr. Andrews, teethe effeft
their honours may flay the fame, m refpeff that
the cauies for the mole part judged by his ufurped
au:horii-y, pertain to the true kirk; and alfo be-
cau e, in refpeft of that coloured commifTion, he
might afTume again his old ufivped authority, and
the fame might be a mean to opprefs the whole
kii k. The teuor of the fuppi rcatbn followeth.

33<^

The H ! S TOR Y os the R E F O R MA T 1 ON Book V.

Roman antkchrift again : foi' in a lawful and the
moft free parliament that evtr was in this realm
before, was that odious beaft deprived of all jurii-
diition, office and authority within the realm.
Her majefty at her firfl arrival, and by divers pro*
clamations fmce, hath exprefly foi bidden any other
form and face of religion, than that which (ht
found publicly eftablifhed at her arrival. There-
fore (he may not bring us (the greateft part of the
fubjeds of this realm) back again to bondage,
till that as lawful and free a parliament, as jujftly
damned that antichrift and his ufurpt-d tyranny,
hath given decifion betwixt us, and him. If here-
of, and oF other things which no lefs coicera
yuuifelves than us, }e p)aii»ly and boldly admo-
nilh our Sovereign, and without tumult only crave
juftice, the ty ranis dare no more befeen in lawful
judgment, than dare the ovvls in day light.
Weigh this matter ^s it is, and ye will find it
more weighty t-han it appearcth to m-any.

Farther, at this prdtnt, we complain not, but
humbly crave of your horKJurs a realonable anfwer,
what wc will do, in cafe luch tyrants and devour-
ing wolves begin to invade the fiock of Jefus
Chrift within this realm, under w hat title foever
it be: for this we boldly profefs, that we will
never acknowkge fuch, cither pa-flors to our
fouls, or yet judges to our caufes. And, if for
denial thereof, we liifter eitlier in body or in goods,
we doubt not but w-e have not only a judge to
puniih them that unjuflly trouble us, but alfo an
Advocate and ftrong Champion in heaven to rtcom-
ptnfe them, who for his name's fake fuffcr perfe-
cution ; whole holy Spirit rule your hearts in hi«'
true fetir to the end.

Given in the general ajfcmbly, andthirdfcjfion
thereof, at Edinburgh the 2']th of Decent'
'bcr, 1566.

akf. q^cnerJapmhly of tke^ifk- of Scotland, con-
veened at'^ Edinburgh the Q:^th of December
1566, to ihe-ncbiliiycf this reahn, that profefs

^he Lord Refits •with them, and have renounced
that Reman aiifichrifi : difires conflancy in faith ^

. iand- thcjpirii ofrightems judgment.

See i.vG that Satan by all-owrnegligences, light
honourable, hath fo far prevailed within this realm
•of late days, that we do ftand in extreme danger,
not only to Icn'e-our temporal pofTellions, but alfo
fo be deprived of the glorious gofpel of Jefus
■Chrift, and fo we and our pofterity to be left in
damnable darknefs; we could no longer contain
'm ourfelves, nor keep filence, leA by fo doing we
might be accufed as guilty of the blood of fuch as
ihaU perifh for lack of admonition, as the prophet
threateneth. Wc therefore, in the fear of our
God, and with girief and anguilh of our heart,
complain unto your honours, (yea, wemufl com-
plain unto God, and to all his obedient creatures)
That that conjured enemy of Jefus Chrift, and
cruel murderer of our dear brethren, mofl fallly
filled archbilhop of St. Andrews, is repcned and
reftorcd, by fignature pa(l, -to his former tyranny:
for not only are his ancient jurifdi(ftions, as ithey
are termed, of the whole bifhaprick of St. ifi.n-
drews granted unto him, but alfo the executien
jaf judgment, confirmation of teflaments and do
.nation of benefices, as more a-nply in his.fignature
is expretled. If this be not to cur<: the head of that
venemous.beai^, .which once within this realm, by
the potent hand of God, was lb broken dov/n and
banirtied, rthat by tyranny it could not have hurt
the. faithful, judge ye. 'Eis ancient jurifdidlicn
was, lliat he, svith certain .colleagues, collaterals,
migln have damned of hs;refy upon probation, as
♦pleafed him, and then to. take all that were fufpec-
ted of herefy. What they have j udged to be herefy
heretofore, ye cannot' be ignorant of ; and whether
^they remain in their former malice or not, tht4r
truits and travails openly declare.

The danger may be feared, fay yc; but what
j-emedy ? it iseafy, and at hand, right honourable,
iJf ye will'.not betray the caufe of Gad, and leave
vyoar brethren, who will never ,be more fubjeft to

that ufurped tyranny, than they will be to the
■devil himfelf. Our queen belike is not well Inform-
ed : (lie ought nQt, norjufllymay not break the
,iaws of this jealmj and fo confequently, fhe may
p»t.i&x. up agauifl: ?.is, \\,7thout our conlent^, that

Befides this fuppUcatlon of the afTembly to the
nobility, penned (as appeareth by the fiile) by Joh»
Knox., a letter was written by John Knox in par-
ticular to the profeflbrs, to advertife them of the
danger of this commifTion or .power granted to the
faid bafl^rd bifliop of St. .Andrews, th6 tenor
whereof foUoweth ;

The Lord cometh, andfhall not tarry : bleJJcdfhaU
he bcywhcnn he fiicdl find fighting againfl impiety ^

•To deplore fhe miferies of thefe our mod

wicked days (beloved brethren) can neit'her greatly
profit us, neither yet relieve 'US of our pre^nt ca-
lamities ;

Book V.

OF RELIGION

lainities ; and utterly to keep filence, cannot lack
the furplclon of apoflacy and plain defe(ftion from
God, a/'.i from his truth, once by us publicly
profefled : for now are matters (that in the years
bypaft have been denied) fo far difcovered, that he,
who feeth not the plain fubverfion of all true reli-
gion within this realm, to be concluded and de-
creed in the heart of fome, mufl either confcfs
hirnlelf blind, or elfe an enemy to the religion
■which we profefj : for beildes the open eredting of
idolatry in divers parts of this realm, and befides
the extreme poverty wherein our minifters are
brought (by reafon that idle bellies are fed upon that
which iuftly appertaineth tofuch, as truly preach
Jefus Chrifl, and rightly, and by order, miniiler
liis blefTed facraments) that cruel murderer of our
brethren, falfly called archbidiop of St. Andrevi's,
moftunjuftly, and againft all law, hath prefumed
to his former tvrannv ; as a Signature paft for his
lellitution to his ancient jurlfdiftion (as it is term-
ed) more fuily doth proport. What end may be
looked for of fuch beginnings, the half blind may
£.e, as we fuppofe. Aud yet we have heard, that
a certain fum of money and victuals fhould be al-
igned by the queen's majcfty, for fuftentation of
our mlniftry ; but how that any fuch affignation,
or any promife made thereof, can fland in any liable
aiTurance, when that Roman antichrifi (by juft lavfs
'once banifhed from this realm) (hall be intruded a-
bove u§, we can nowife underiland. Yea, further,
We cannot fcv what all urance any within this realm,
that have proFefled the Lord Jelus, can have of
]ife or inheritance, if the head of that odious beaft.
be cured amongfl us.

' And therefore we yet again, in the bowels of
Chrifl Jefus, crave of you to look into this matter,
and to advertife us again, with reafonable expedi-.
'tion. of your judgments ; that in the fear of God,
and with unirvof minds, wemav proceed to crave
juflice, and oppone ourfelves tofuch tyranny, as
muft unjuft;v is latenJcd againft us: for, if we
think not that 'his laff eredf ing of that wicked man,
js the very fetting up again of that Roman anti-
xhrdi within this realm, . we are deprived of all
right judgment. And what is that elfe, but to
feparate us and our poflerity hom God ; yea. and to
cut ourfelves from the freedom of tliis realm? We
4e'ire therefore, that the wifefl amongff you ir.ay
confider the weight of this caufe,. which long hath
been negleffed partly by our lioih, ai; I pa :ly by
b< licving fair promifes. by which to this hour we
ha-? been deceived.' Aud th(.rc-:ore we o'.'f^ht to
be the more vigi-lanf and circuiTifpe'ffj eipcclaily

IN S C 0 T L A N D. 337

feeing a parliament is proclaimed. We have lent -
to you the form ot afiipplication and articles, v^'hlck
we would have prefented to the queen's majeAy :
if it pleafe you, we would ye Ihould approve it by ■
your fubfcriprions; or, if you would alter it, we
defire you fo to do, and we fliall allow wiiatfoevcr
you fhall propound, 'not repugnant to God. If it
fhall be thought expedient that com.miflioners of
countries (hall conveen to reafon upon the moff
weighty matters that now occur, the time and place
being appointed by you, and due advertifcmcnt be-
ing given to us, by God's grace there (hall no
fault be found in us; but as from the beginning vc
have neither fpared fubliance nor life, fo mind we
not to faint unto the end to maintain the fame, fo .
long as we can find the concurrence of brethren •,
of whom (as God forbid) if we be deflitute, yet
are we determined never to be fubje<fi: to that Ro-
man antichrift, neither yet to hisux"urped tyranny.
But, when we can do no furtlifer to fupprcfs that
odious beaft, wt mind to feal with our blood to
our pofrerity, that the bright knov/lege of Jefus
Chrift hath baniilied that man of fm, and his vena?
mous doftrine from our hearts and ccnfci.nces.-

' Let this our letter and requeft bear wiinefs be- ■
fore God, before his angels, before tlie world, and
before our ovn conlciences, that we 'require you
that have profefurd the Lord Jefus' within thiis re-
alm, as well nobility as- gentlemen, burgeffes and
commions. to deliberate upon the eilate of things
prefent, and efpecially. Whether that this uiurped
tyranny of that Roman antichiifl fhall be any long-
er fuffered within this realm, feeing that by jufl
lalw it is already abolished ? Secondly. Whether that
we fliall be bound to feed idle bellies upon the pa^
trimony of the kirk, which juflly appei taineth '.un-
to miniflers ? Thirdly, Whether that idoltfry and
other abominations, which now are more than e-
vident, fliall any longer by us be maifitaincd and
defended ? Anfwer us as ye will aniVer to Go^',
in whofe fear we fend thefe letters- unto- you, left
that our filence fliould be counted for confent urf-
to loch impiety. God rake from our hearts the
blind love of ourfelves, and all ungodly fear, Amot,
Let us knov/ jour minds with expedition,'

Notwithftanding the domeflrc -troubles, that tli'e -
church of God had in Scotland, in'this turbuien!:
timc- within the kingdom; yet they were not uii-
mindful of the afflidionofjscob,' 'every whe'e up-
on ti It race or the earth ; naaieiv, th.ty had he^bre
their" eyes the flate and condition of th; church of
Gcd in England, wltne'^^ this letter Iroo. the ge-
U u nc;:al i

33-

The

STOHY GF THE REFOPvMATlON Book 7.

neral aiTta-ibly to the rulers of the church of God
in England, v;herein they intreat thcin to deal
gently with the preachers their brethren, about
the furplice &nd other apparel. John Knox form-
ed the letter m name of theaflembiy, as follows.

The Superintendents, rj'ith other Mmifters and Com-
7}vJJtoncrs of the Church of God in the Kingdom
cf Scotland, to their Brethren the Bifbops and
Paflors of God's Church in England, who pro-
fefs with us in Scotland the Truth of Jefus
Chrijl.

' By v/ord and writ it is come to our knowlege,
•reverend brethren, paflors of God's word in
the church of England, that divers of our brethren
(of whom fome be of the moll learned in England)
^re depiived from all ecclefiaftical funiftion, name-
ly are forbidden to preach, and fo by you are flop-
ped to promote the kingdom of God; becaufethey
have a fcruple of confcitnce to ufe, at the com-
mand of authority, fuch garments as idolaters, in
time of greateft darknefs, did ufe in their fuper-
Ilitious and idolatrous fervice ; which report can-
not but be very grievous to our hearts, confidering
the fentence of the apoflle, " If ye bite and de-
" vour one another, take heed ye be not confumed
" one of another." We intend not at this prefent
to enter into the quefllon, which we hear is agi-
tated and handled with greater vehemency by ei-
ther party, than well liketh us, to ivit. Whether
fuch apparel be accounted amongfl things indiffer-
ent, or not ? Wherefore (through the bowels of
Jefus Chrifl) we crave that Chriflian charity may
fo far prevail with you, who are the paflors and
guides of Chrifl 's f^ock in England, that ye do one
to another, as ye defire others to do to you.
■ * Ye cannot be ignorant what tendernefs is in a
S:rupulous confcicnce, and all that have knowlege
are not alike perfuaded ; the confciences of fome
®f you flir not, with the wearing of fuch things ;
on the other fide many thoufands (both godly and
learned) are otherways perfuaded, whofe confci-
cnces are continually flrucken wirh thefe fentences,
•♦ What hath Chrifl to do with Belial ? What M-
*' lowfhip is there betwixt light and darknefs ?" If
furplice,corner cap and tippet have been the badges
of idolatry, In the very a^l of their idolatry, -sVhat
have the preachers of Chriflian liberty, and the
rebukersof fuperflition ado with the dregs of that
Romi(h beafl ? Yea, what is he thct ought not to
fear^ either to take in his hand, or on bis fprehead

the prints and mark of that odious beafl ? The
brethren that refufe fuch unprofitable apparel, da
neither condemn nor molefl you who ufe fuch
trifles : on the other fide, If ye that ufe thefe
things, will do the like to your brethren, we doubt
not but therein you fhall pleafe God, and comfort
the hearts of many which are wounded to fee ex-
tremity ufed againfl thefe godly brethren : human
arguments nor coloured rhetoric, we ufe none to
perfuade you; only in cha ity we defire you to
mind the fentence of Peter, Feed the flock of Chrifl,
which is committ.^d to your charge, caring for it,
not by conflraint, but willingly ; not being as
lords of God's heritage, but being examples to
the flock. We further defire you to mecitate upon
that fentence of Paul, Give no offence, neither to
Jews nor Gentiles; nor to the church of God, In
what condition you and we both travail, at lead
are bound to travail, for the promoting of Chrifl's
kingdom, you are not ignorant; therefore we ate
the more bold to exhort you to deal more wifely,
than to trouble the godly for fuch vanities; for all
things which feem lawful, edify not: if authority
urge you further than your confcience can bear, I
pray you remember that the minifters of the church
are called the Light of the World, and Salt of
the Earth. All civil authority hath not always the
light of God fliining befoie their eyes, in flatutes
and commands, for their affefl ions favour too much
of the earth and worldly wifdom: therefore wc
tell you. That ye ought to oppofe yourfelves bold-
ly, not only to all power that dare extol itfelf a-
gainfl God, but alfo againfl all fuch, as dare bur-
den the confciences of the faithful, further than
God chargeth them in his own word.

* But we hope you will excufe our freedom, in
that we have entered in reafoning, farther than we
intended in the beginning. Now, again we retuin
to our former requefl, which is, That the bre-
thren among you, who refufe the Romifh rags,
may find of you, who ufe and urge them, fuoh
favour as our Head and Mafler commandeth each
one of his members to fhew to another : which we
look to receive of your courtefy, not only becaiife
you will not offend Cod in troubling your brcthi en
for fuch vain trifles ; but alfo becaufe you will not
refufe the earneft requefl of us your brethren anJ
fellow- miniflers. in whom although there app-ar
no WO' Idly pomp; yet we are affured you will c-
fleem us as God's fervants, travailing to fet foi ti)
his glory againfl the Roman antichrifl. The d .lys
are evil, iniquity aboundeth, and charity, alisj
waxetb cold 5 wberefore "Wc ought to ^yalk dili-
gently

Bo«K V.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND:

339

gently,for the hour is uncertain when the Lord fliall
coine, before whom we muft all give an account
'of our adminifirations. In conclufion, yet once
more we defire you to be favourable one to ano-
ther : Lord Jcfus rule your hearts in his fear un-
to-the end, and give to you and us vi;Sfory over that
•conjured enemy of true religion, the pope, whoie
'wounded head Satan by all means flrives to cure
again : but to deftruftion fliall he go, and all his
maintainers, by the power of our Lord Jefus, to
whofe mighty protection we commit you.'
From our General yJJfejnbly,
December 27, 1566.

When John Knox, the penner of this letter,
wrote thus of the fuperilitious apparel, as a fuppli-
•cantfor the afflicted brethren; v/hat would he have
written, think you, in the other cafe ? It is to be
obierved, that at the fame time, our worthy bre-
thren in England made their jQate known to Mr.
fieza, who upon their complaint wrote a letter in
their behalf, at the fame time, to doftor Grindal
bi/hop of London, wherein he findeth fault with
the manner of apparel appointed for miniflers,
with kneeling at the communion, and all (ignifi-
cant ceremonies ; which letter is the eighth in or-
der amongft his epiftles. But, obtaining no fa-
vour, he wrote the year following (which was is
in Anno 1567,) another letter to this purpofe,which
is the twelfth in order amongft his epiftles, where-
in he giveth his beloved brethren this advice, That
Tather than they fhould give their confents to the
order of ordaining their minifters to ufe the cope
and furplice, and to the manner of excommunica-
tion that was ufed in the church of England, that
they (hould give place to maniteft violence, and
live as private men. it is alio to be obferved, That
the lincerer fort of the miniftry in England had not
■yet affaulted the jutifJi-ffion and church govern-
ment (which they did not till the year 1572, at
which time they publifhed their firft and fecond
ad nonition to the paKliament) but only had excep-
ted againft the fupe ftlcioas apparel, and fome other
faults in the fervice book.

By the former alfembly, the reader of Bathgate
was cenfured for baptizing of infants and fo'emni-
zing of marriage, he being but a fimple reader,
and for taking filver for the fam^e from fuch as were
without the parifti. Here you may fee. That they
acknowlege not reading minifters, that is. that any
adminiftcr the f^craments, but he that was able to
preach fhe word

At the fame time ihe bifliop of St. Andrews, by

means of the earl Bothwel', procured a writing
from the queen's m.ajefty, to be obeyed within the
diocefs of his jurifdiaion, in all fuch cauks, as
before in time of popery were ulcd in the coniifto-
ry, and therefore to dilcharge the new commiffion-
ers ; and for the fame purpofc came to Edinburgh
in January, having a company of one hundred
horfes, or more, intending to take pofTeffion, ac-
cording to his gift lately obtained. The provoft
being_ advertifed thereof by the earl of Murray,
they lent to the bilhop three or four of the coun-
cil, defiring him to deilft from the fliid matter, for
fear of trouble and fedition that might rile there-
upon ; whereby he was perfuaded to defift at that
time. Soon after, the queen camx to Edinburgh,
where flie remained a few days.

In the month of January 1 567, flie was inform-
ed that the king was recovered of the poifon given
him at Stirling ; and therefore fhe pafled to Glaf-
gow to vilit him, and there tarried with him fix
days, ufmg him wonderful kindly, with many gra-
cious and good words, and likeways his father the
earl of Lennox ; infomuch that all men marvelled
whereto it (hould turn, confidering the great con-
tempt and drynefs that had been before f o long to-
gether. The queen, notwithftanding all the con-
tempt that was given him, with a known def gn
to take away his life yet by her fweet words gai^n.
ed fo far upon, the uxorious hulband, and his fa-
cile father, that he went in company with her to
Edinburgh, where fhe had caufed to lodge him at
the church of Field, in a lodging lately bough.t by
Mr. James Balfour clerk regifter, truly very un-
nieet for a king. The queen reforted often to vifir
him, and lay in the houfe two nights by him, al-
though her lodging was in the palace of Holyrcod-
houfe. Every man marvelled at this reconciliation
and fudden change.

The ninth of February the king was murdered,
and the houfe where he lay burned with powder,
about twelve of the clock in the night: his body
was caft forth in a yard without the town-wall
adjoining clofs by. Th^re was a fervant Jikeways
murdered befide him, who had been alio in the
chamber with him. 1 he people ran to behold this
fpedlacle; and wondering thereat, fome judged
one thing, fome another.

Shortly thereafter, Bothwel came from the ab-
bey with a company of men of war, and caufed
the body of the king to be carried to the next
houfe; where, after a little, the chirurgeons being,
cor.veened at the queen's command, to view and'
C'-^alidtr the manner of his death ; moft part gave-
U u 2. out.,

^4.o

The history of the R E F 0 R M A t I 0 N

Book V

<>m, to pleaui the queen, That he was blown ia
fhe air, albeit he had no mark of fire, and truly
he v;';o ftrangled.

Yv^hcn many of the comnrion people had gazed
long upon the king's corpfe, the queen caufed it
to be brought down to the palace by fome pioners.
She behcM the corpfe without any outward fliew
(.:■ Cign. oi. joy or forrow. When the lords had
• concluded among themftlves, That he fliould be
honourably burled, the queen cauied his corpfe to
be carried by fome pioners in the night without
folemnitv, and to be laid befide the fepuichre of
David Rizio. If there had been, any folemn buii-
al, Buchanan had wanted wit to relate otherwife,
i jelr.g there would have been fo many witnelTes to

■ renify the contrary. Therefore the contriver of
the late hiftory of queen Mary w^anted policy here
to convoy a lie.

The queen, according to the ancient cuftom,
ih.oul J have kept herfelf 40 days within, and the

■ doors and windows Pnould have been doled, in
, token of mourning; but the windows w^ere open-
ed to let ia light the fourth day. Before the tv»'elfch
day Cnc went out to Stton, Bothwel never pan-
ting from her fide; there (lie wtnt out to the
itelds, to behold guns and paflimes. The king's
armour, horfe and hou(hold IhifF were bellowed
upon the murderers. A certain taylor, when he
was to reform the king's apparel to Bothwel, faid
jcflingly, He acknowleged here the cuflom of the

..country, by which the clothes of the dead fall to

■ the hangman.

. This tragical end had Henry Stuart, after he
had been king eighteen months ; .a prince of great
linage, both by ^^^■-'^^^»" ^"^'^ father: he was of a
comely ftature, and none was like unt® him wlth-
■. m this .I'lland; he djed under the age of one and
tvv^enty years, prompt and •• jady for all games and
fports, mueh given to hawking and hunting, and
rumiingof horles. and likewife to playing on the
lute, and. alfo to Venus chamber he was liberal
/ enough : he. could write and dictate well, but he
was iomewhat. given to wine and mivxh feeding,
and like wife to dnconAancy ; and proud beyond
meafure, and therefore contemned all others : he
had learned to diifemble well enough, being
from his youth mifled up in popery. Thus,
within two years after his arriving in this realm,
he was highly by the queen alone extolled ; and
finally, had this unforttmate end by hsr procure-
ment and confent. To lay all other proofs afide,
'her man iage with Bothwel, who was the main
.txecutioner of the king, nctwkhftanding all the

advices, and counfels that the king of France, and
queen of England did earnefily and carefully giv(
her, as other friends did likewife, witnefs aneni
tilt ir guilt.

Thofe tliat laid hands on the king to kill him,
by Bothwel's direftioil, were Sir James Balfour^
Gilbert Balfour, David Chalmers, black Johr
Spence, Francis Sebaftien, Jo. deBourdeaux, ant!
Joieph the brother of David Rizio : thefe lali foui
were thequten's domeflicks and Grangers. Th(
reafon \yhy the king's death was fo haftened, be-
caufe the aiT(.6tlon or paff on of the earl Bothwel
could not bear fo long a delay, as the procur£meni
of a bill of divorce required, although the Rom.ifl"
clergy O'fcred their fervice willingly to the bu-
fuiefs, iiam.ely, bifliop Hamilton, and fo he came
great again at court ; and he, for the advancemejii
of the buf nels, did good offices to increafe tht
hatred betwixt the klng-and quetn ; yea, fome thai
had beei4 the chief infirumiCnts of the marriajre o^
llie king and queen, eiftred their lervice for the di-
vorce, ieeing how the queen's inclination lay: fc
unhappy are princes, that men, for their owr
ends, further them In all their inclinations and un-
dertakings, be they never fb bad, or deflrucftivc
to themielves.

The earl of Lennox in. the mean time wrote tc
the queen, to caufe.to puniih Eothwcl, with hh
other complices,for murdering theking.The queen
not daring openly to rejeift the carl of Lennox's
foiicitation, did appoint a day for the trial of both
wel by an affize ; the members whereof, were the
earl of Caithnefs pi efident, the earl of CafTiJs (who
at the firft refufed, but thereafter, being threat-
ened to be put in prifon, and under the pain oi
treafon, was prefent by the queen's com.mand)
John Hamilton comm.endator of Aberbrothwicki
lord Rofs, lord Seir.ple, lord Boyd, lord Herris,
lord Ollphant ; the mafler of Forbes, the laird of
Lochinvar, Langton, Cambudcenneth, Barnbougle
and Born: thev, to pleafe the queen, and for feai^
did pronounce Bothw;.! not guilty, notwlthfland-
Ing the manlfeff evidences of the cruel fa6l com-
mitted by Bothwel, who, before the trial, did
makehimfelffl-rong by divers means; namely, by
the pofeiuon of the caAle of Edinburgh, fo that
the accaftis durfl not appear, not 'oeing ftrong'
enough. The earl of j\Iar did retire to Stirling,
and had committed to his charge the young prince.
All this was done in February.

In April, Bothwel called together fundry of the
lords, who had come to Edinburgh, to a meeting
that was there; aaJ having gained fome before,

mad-

^

Book V.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

made them all, wIi.Il by fear, what by fair pro-
mifes, firfl: of their private Aate, and then of ad-
vancing the papills religion, to confent by their
■fubfcriptions to his marriage with the queen.
Then the queen goes to Stirling to fee her fon ;
Bothwel makes n (hew, as if he were going to the
borders to fapprefs robbers, and fo he raifeth
fome men of war ; which when he had done, he
■ turneth towards the way to Stirling, where he
meets the qaeen, according to the appointment
betwixt them, and carrleth her to Dunbar, as it
liad been by force, although every one knew i t was
with the queen's liking. The prime nobility con-
veened at Stirling, and from thence fent to her,
to know whether or not file was taken ag:iiaft her
will. She anfwercd, That it was true, Aie was
taken again ft: her will, bat fmce her taking, (lie
had no occafion to complain ; yea,' the courteous
entertainment (he had, made her forget and for-
give all former offences. Thefe exprefTions were
ufed by way of preface to the pardon, which %vas
granted immediately thereafter to Bothwel ; for
by letters patent he was pardoned by the queen,
for laying violent hands upon her majefty, and
for all other crimes : fo by this, •iic. the murder
of the king was pardoned.

During the queen's abode in Dunbar, there
were letters of divorce demanded, and granted
unto Bothwel from his lady (who afterward was
married to the earl Sutherland) 'fh^ was filler to
the earl of Huntley. The ground of the divorce
was, the parties being within the degrees prohibit-
ed, could not be lawfully joined: next, becaufe
Botliwel was an adulterer, the marriage was void.
The bill of divorce was granted by the papiftical
court of the archbifhop of St. Andrews. And here
mark how theyjuggle in fa.crcd things ; for, when
it pleafeth them, they untie the bond of marriage,
as now, and as we have feen in the firft book of
this hillory. When the queen fell in diflafte of the
late king her huiband, it was propofed unto her
to have divorce upon tjie fame ground from the
king: to which, firfl ear was given, but, after
fecond thoughts, a bill of divorce was too tedious
(as we have now fiid) and could not be flayed for,
therefore the king mufc be difpatched.

The queen, when Bothwel had obtained by
the archbiihop a letter of divorce from his lawful
"wife, fent a letter figned with her own hand, to
Mr. John Craig minifler in Edinburgh, command-
ing him to publifh the band of matrimony betwixt
her and Bothwel. Mr. John Craig, the next fer-
mon-day thereafter, declared in full to t'je congre-

341

gation, that he had received fuch a command, but
in confcitnce he could not obey it ; the marriage
ivas altogether unlawful ; and of that he would
declare the reafons to the parties, if he had audi-
ence of them., otherwifc he would make known
his jufl reafons in the hearing of the people. Imme-
diately thereafter, Bothwel fends for Mr. Craig to
the council, where Mr. Craig told, FirJ^, 7'hat by
an aft of the alTembly it was forbidden to allo\y
the marriage of any divorced for adultery : the
divorce of Bothwel from his lawful wife, was by
coUufion, witnefs the quick diJpatch thereof :
for it was fought and had v.Ithin ten days, and
his contraft with the queen inftantly thereafter:
then his rape of the queen, and the guilt of the
king's death, which was confirmed by this m.ar-
riage : withal, he defired the lords to flop the
queen from tbjit infam.ous marriage. The Sun-
day after, he told publicly to the people, what he
had faid to the council ; and he took heaven and
earth to witnefs, that he deteHed that fcr.nda'ous
and infamous marriage ; and that he difcharged
his confcience unto the lords, who feemed unto
him as fo m.any (laves, what by flattery, what by
fllence, to give way to that abominadon. Upon
this he was called to the council again, and was
reproved, as if he had exceeded the bounds of his
calling. Whereunto he anfwered, ' That the
* bounds of his commiffion was the word of God,
' right reafon, and good laws, againfl which he
' had faid nothing ; and by all thefe cfTcrtd to
' prove this marriage to be fcandalous and infa-
' mous.' At this he was flopped by Bothwel,
and fent from the council. Notwithflanding all
this done and faid by Mr. Craig, and the oppofi-
tionof many, who wifhed well to the queen, and
were jealous of her honour, the marriage v.cnt
on, and they were married the 15th day of May,
This makes good the Latin proverb, JlJala menfs
nubiint Maio; and a bifliop muft blefs the marriage.:
the good prelate was bilhop of Orkney : If there
be a good work to be done, a bifl^.op mufl do it.
Here mark the difference betwixt this worthy mi-
nifler Mr. Craig, and this bafe bifhcp.

The earl of Athol, immediately after the mur-
der of the king, had retired home, waiting for
the occailon to revenge the king's death : but fee-
ing this abominable marriage, he went to Stirlino-,
where other honefl lords with him had a meeting,
and made a bond to defend the young prince from
the murderers of his father ; as already they had
had one plot to cut him off, M'hich God in his
mercy did prevent. The nobles that entered in^o

th^^

SH*^

The H I S T O R Y o f the REFORMATION

Book V.

'this b*->n-4j w^r^ »he- '^^''S of Arsil^'j Athol, Mor-
ton, Mar, and Glencairn, the lords Liiidfay and
Boyd. Argyle thereafter, feduced by fome fair
words, fell off; and Boyd became a great fao-
tionary for Bothwel in all things.

The queen, foon after the maniage, was ad-
vifed to fend abroad an ambafTador to acquaint her
foreign friends and kindred ; and this muft be a
biihop : it is pity that any good work Ihould be
■done without a biihop. Was not this a worthy
employment for. a pallor in God's church ?

Bothwel feeing the bond made at Stirling,
caufeth the queen to write to fundry of the nobi-
lity : divers repaired unto her, where they found
a bond tendered unto them, by which they were
"to bind themfelves to defend the queen and both-
wel. Some that were corrupt, did willingly fub-
fcribe ; others for fear did the fame ; and there
was not one that went to court that did refufe, but
the earl of Murray ; who 'refufing abfolutely to
enter into a bond with Bothwel, faid, ' It was not

* the part qf a good fubjeft ; yet, fmce he had

* been made friends with him fome time before, he

* would keep his prom-ife unto the queen : and to

* enter into a bond with the queen, it was neediefs
" and unfit, lince he was to obey her in all lawful

' and jurt things.' Upon this, he got leave, al-
tliough with great difficulty, to go into France.

The queen receives now Hamilton archbifhop
of St. Andrews into favour fince thefe changes ;
who was no lefs a faithful counfellor to her, than
he was a good paflor of ChrilVs Hock ; that is,
he betrajed her, and difobeyed God. With this
a proclamation comes out in favour of the poor
proteftants ; whereby the queen declares, * That

* flie will keep and confirm all that fhe had pro-

* mifed at her arrival in Scotland :' This was done
'to flop the people's mouths ; but all in vain, for

' the people were univerfally againft the abominati-
on of the court.

V/ithin few days, Bothwel and the queen were
jaifing men under pretext to go to the borders to
reprefs the robbers there ; but in efFe^, to go to
Stirling, to have the prince in their cuftody, that
they might difpofe of him according to their mind.
Then a new proclamation came out, ' That the

* queen hereafter would rule only by the advice of
•* the nobles of the land, as her beft predecelTors

* had done.' The lords of Stirling hearing of this
plot, flrive to prevent it, and to this purpofe they
appointed with the lord Home to beficge the caftle
of Brothwick, where the queen and Bothwel
were : but, becaufe the earl of Athol did not come

at the hour appointed, they had not men enough
to environ and cotrjpafs the caltle ; fo that Both-
wel haviiig notice given him of the bufinefs,
efcar-cd to Dunbar, and the queen after him in
mens clothes. The lords failing of thtir defign
at Brothwick caffle, went to Edinburgh, whereof
they made themfelves m.aflers eafily, having the
afFeftions of the people, notwithflanding the eari
Huntley, and the archbifhop of St. Andrews per-'
fnafion to the contrary : thefe two, with their
alTociates, were conrtrained to retire to the cadlev
where they were received by Sir James Balfour,
left there by Bothwel.

The twelfth of June, which was the next day
follo\ving, the lords at Edinburgh caufed to pu-
blifh a proclamation, whereby the) declared,

* That the earl of Bothwel, who had been the

* principal author, devifer and a^or, of the- cruel
' murder of the late king, had fince laid hands

* upon the queen's perfon, and had her for the

* prefent in Dunbar in his power; and finding her
' utterly deftitute of ail good counfe), had feduced
' her to a difhoneft and unlawful marriage with

* himfelf ; yea, that now he was gathering forces,

* and flirring himfelf to get the young prince in

* his hands, that he might murder the child, as

* he had murdered the father.' This wicked
man the nobles of the land refolved to withfland,
and deliver the queen out of his bondage; where-
fore they did charge all lieges within the kingdom
that could come to them, to be in readinefs at
three hours warning to alTift them, the nobles, for
the freeing of the queen from captivity, and bring-
ing the faid earl Bothwel to a legal trial, and condign
punifhment, for the aforefaid murder, and other
crimes : all fuch that would not fide with the
lords, were by this proclamation commanded to
depart from Edinburgh within four hours, under
the pain of being accounted enemies, <6^c.

Notwithffanding this proclamation, the people
did not join unto thefe lords, as w^is expecfted ;
for fundry of the nobles were adverfaries to the
bufinefs, others flood as neuters ; and withal,
thefe that were conveened together were not well
provided of arms and munition for exploits of
war ; fo that they were even thinking to diflblve
and leave off their enterprize till another time,
and had abfolutely done fo : but God had ordain-
ed otherways, as the event did (hew (if the queen
and Bothwel could have had patience to flay at
Dunbar, for three or four days, without any flir)
but the queen and Bothwel having gathered to-
gether about four or five thoufand men, trufling

in

Book V.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

343

ia their f Dree (the queen being puft up by flat-
terers) fet forth and marched towards Leith ; being
come foreward as as far Gladfmuir, (he cauled pu-
blic proclamation againfl the aforefaid lords, cal-
ling them a namber of confpirators, and that fhe
now dilcerned their inward malice againft her and
her hufband the duke of Orkney (for fo now they
called Bothwel :) after they had endeavoured to
apprehend her and her hufband at Brothwick, and
hii mide a leditious proclamation, under pretence
of feeking the revenge of the king her late huf-
band, and to free her from captivity, giving out,
' That the dake her hufband had a mind to invade

* the prince her Ion ; all which was falfe, for the

* duke her hufband had ufeJ all means to clear

* himfelf, both by a legal way, and by the offer

* of a CO nbat to any that did accule him, as they

* knew well enough. As touching her captivity,

* flie was in none, but was in company with her

* hufband, unto whom (lie was publicly married
f in the view of the world, and many of the nobles

* had given their confent unto this her marriage. As

* for the prince her fon, it was but a fpecious pre-

* tence to the treafon and rebellion againff her,

* their natural fovereign, and her pofterity, which

* they intended to overthrow ; wherefore fhe de-

* clared herfelf neceffitated to take up arms, hop-

* ing that all her faithful fubjefts would adhere

* unto her, and that thofe who were already af-

* fembled with her, would with good hearts and

* hands ifand to her defence ; and for the recom-

* pence of their valour, they fhould have the lands

* and goods of thefe unnatural rebels.' After this
proclamation the army went on, and the queen
that night came to Seton, where fbe lay.

About midnight, the lords at Edinburgh were
advertifed of the queen's approach ; prefently they
took arms, and at the fun riling they were at Muf-
felburgh, where they refrefhed themfelves with
m^at and red. The queen's camp was not yet
llirring. About mid-day the fcouts that the lords
tiad fent out, brought word that the enemy was
marching towards them: prefently they 'put them-
(elves in two batallias ; the firft was condu6fed by
the earl Morton and the lord Hume ; the fecond
by the earls Athol, Glencairn, the lords Lindfav,
Rathvcn Semple, and Sanquhar, with tht lairds
Drumlanrick, TuUibardin, Cesfoord and Grange,
with divers others : their number was almofl as
great as the queen's, their men better, being
many of them expert men, that I fay nothing of
the caufe. The queen had gained a hill called
.t^ijberry, which die Ij^rds (hy reafon of the

fleepnefs of the afcent) could not well come at ;
wherefore they wheeled about to get a more con-
venient place to go to the hill where the enemy
was, and to have the fun behind them in the time
of fight. At the firft the queen feeing their thus
going about, did imagine they were flying away
to Dalkeith ; but when flie faw them come di-
reffly towards her, fhe found herfelf deceived.

The French am.bafFador feeing them ready to
fight, firived to take up the bunnefs ; and hav-'
ing fpoken with the queen, went to the lords,
telling them, ' That the queen was difpofcd to.

* peace, and to forgive and pardon this infurre<51i-

* on ; wherefore it was very fit to fpare blood, to,
' agree in a peaceable way.' The earl of Morton,
in the name of all the refl, anfwered, * That they

* had taken up arms, not againff the queen, but

* againfl the murderer of the king; whom, if fhe
< would deliver to be jDunifhed, or at leaft put

* from her company, ftie fhould find a continuati-
' on of dutiful obedience by them, and all other

* good fubjefts ; otherwife no peace: befides, we

* are not to afk pardon for any offence done by us.'
The ambaffador feeing their refolution to ffand to
the right of their caufe, withdrew, and went to
Edinburgh.

While the French ambafjlidor was thus labour-
ing for accommodation, Bothwel came out of the
camp (which was in the trench that the Englifh-
men had left at their lalf being in thefe places, as
we have faid in the former books) well mounted,
with a defy to any that would fight with him. -
James Murray, brother to the laird of TuUibar-
din, who before had accepted of Bothwel's chal-
lenge, when he made the rodomontade at Edin-
burgh, immediately after the king's death; but
then James Murray did not make known his name,
Bothwel refufed to fight with James Murray, al-
ledging he was not his equal. Upon this the elder
brother William Murray, laird of TuUibardin,
anfwered, that he would fight with him, as being
his better in eftate, and in antiquity of houfe,
many degrees above him; yet Bothwel refufed
him, faying that he was not a peer of the king-
dom, as he was. Then fundry lords would have
gone to fight with Bothwel, but the lord Lindfay
namelv, who faid to the reff of the lords and
gentlemen. ' That he would take it as a fingular

* favour of them, and as a recompence of his fer-

* vice done to the flate, if they would fufTer him

* to fight with the Braggadocio. Bothwel feeing
that there was no more fubterfuge nor excufe,
underhand made the queen to forbid him.

344

The history of the REFORMATION

Book V.

After this challenge and anfwerSjB*^' hwel's com-
plices and followers were very earnefl: to fight ;
but others, that had come only for the queen's
fake, became a little cold, faying, ' That Bothwel

* would do well to fight himfclf, and fpare the
' blood of divers gentlemen that were there.' Some
counfelled to delay the battle till the Hamiltons
came, whom they did expe6f . x^li this the queen
lieard with anger ; and riding up and down, burfl
out in t^ars, and faid, ' They were all cowards

* and traitors that would not fight.' Immediately
after thus vapouring the queen perceiving fundry
to leave her, Ihe advifed Bothwel to look unto
hirnfelf; for Pac faid to him, ' She would render
' herfclf unto the noblemen.' Upon this ihe fent
for James Kirkcaldy of Grange, with whom fhe
kept difcourfe for a while, till that (lie was afiured
that Bothwel was out of danger. Then {lie went
to the lords, whom Ihe did entertain with many
fair words, telling them, that it was neither fear,
nor vvant of hope of viclory, that made her come
unto them, but a mere defire to fpare flieddingof
innocent blood : withal flie promifed to be ruled
and advifed by them.

With this' (lie was received with all refpeft:
but (hortly after, declarmg that fi:ie would go to
the Hamiltons, with promife to return, they re:
Strained her liberty, and brought her along with
them to Edinburgh at night : ihe was very flow in
marching, looking to be refcued by the Hamil-
tons ; but in vain : fhe lay that night in the pro-
toil's houie. The next day, the lords fent the queen
'o the cadle tljat is within an ifle of Lochlevin.
Sir Jam.es Balfour feeing the queen committed, and
Bothwel confeqnently defeated, he capitulated
with the lords for the delivery of the caftle. Both-
wel finding hirnfelf thus in diforder, fent a fervant
to Sir Jam-es Balfour to fave a little filver cabinet,
which the queen had given him. Sir Jamts Bal-
four delivers the cabinet to the mefTenger, and
nndcT-hand giveth advice of it to the lords. In
yhis cabinet had Bothwel kept the letters of privacy,
lie had from the queen : thus he kept her letters,
i:o be an aw band upon her, in cafe her affeclion
Ihould change. By the taking of this cabinet,
jjiany particulars betwixt the queen and Bothwel
\yere clearly difcovered ; thefe letters were after
printed ; they were in French, with fome fonnets
of her own making.. About this time the earl
Eothwel was declared by open proclamation, not
only the murderer of the king, butalfo the com-
mitter'of it with his own hand;, and. a thoufand
crowns were offered to any man that would brhig
Iiini'in.

Few days after the commitment of the queen,
the carl or Glencairn, with his dom.ellijks, went
to the chapel of Hoiyrood houie, where he brake
down the alters and the images; which fa^, as it
did content the zealous proteftants, fo it did high-
ly offend the popiihly affefted. The nobles, who
had fo proceeded againft Bothwel, and dealt fo
with the queen, hearing that the Hamiltons had a
great number oi men, and had drawn the earls of
Argyle and Huntley to their fide, lent to Hamil-
toun, defiring thofe that were there to join with
them, for the redrel's of' the diibrders of the kiric
and Hate: but the Hamiltons thinking, now thcv
had a fairoccafion fallen unto them, to have alf
iigain in their hands^ and to difpofe of all accord-
ing to their o^>/n mind, did rqfufe audience to the
melTage fent by the lords.

Upon this, the lords moved the general aflem-
bly, then met at Edinburgh, in the month of June,
to write to the lords, that either were aftually de-
clared for the Hamiltons, or were neuters : and fo
feveral letters were direftedto the earls of Argyle,
Huntley, Caithnefs, Rothes, Crawford, and Mon-
teith; to the lords Boyd, Drummond, Graham,
Cathcart, Yefler, Fleming, Livinglfon, Seton,
Glammis, Ochihrie, Gray, Oliphant, Methven,
Innermeth, and Somervel, as alfo to divers other
men of note. Befides the letters of the afiembly,
commiilioners were fent from the affembly, to the
lords above-named; to luit, John Knox, John
Douglas, John Row% and John Craig, who had
inffrudlions, conform to the tenor of the letters,
to dt fire thefe lords, and others, to come to Edin-
burgh, and join with the lords there, for the fettling
of God's true worihip in the church, and policy re-
formed according to God's word, a .maintenance for
the miuiffers, andfupport for the poor : but nei-
ther the commiffioners nor the letters did prevail
thefe men; they excufed, that they could not re-
pair to Edinburgh with freedom, where there w^tre
fo many armed men, and a garrifon fo flrong : but
for the church -affairs they would not be any
ways wanting to do what lay in them.

The lords at Edinburgh, feeing this, join ab-
folutly with the affembly, (which had been proro-
gated to the 2oth of Juh', upon the occafion of
thefe ietters and commiffioners aforefaid) and pro-
mile to make good all the articles they. thought fit
to rcfolve upon in the affembly; but how they
performed their promifes, God knows. Always,
ths articles they agreed upon, w^ere thefe;

I. That the aefts of parliament hold^n at Edin-,
burgh the 24th of Angufl, 1560, touehing reli-
gion.

OF RELIGION IN SCOTLAND.

Book V.

f^ion, and aboliililng the pope's authority, fliould
have thti force of a public ia\\% and confcquently
this parliament defended, as a lawful parliament,
and coiilinTied by the Ed\ parlianaent thai Ihould
be kept next.

2 That the thirds of the tithes, or any more
reafonable proportion oi benefices, {honid be al-
lowed towards the maintenance of the miniftry ;
nnd that there Ihoald be a charitable courfe taken
concerning the exafting of the tithes of the poor
labourers. Moreover, that nothing ihould pafs in
parliament, till the affairs of the kirk be iiril con-
sidered, approven, and eftablilhed.

3 . That none fhouid be received in the uaiver-
fities, colleges, or fchools, for infiruffion of the
youth, but after due trial both of capacity and a-
hility.

4. That all aimes and offences againfi God,
fiiould be pnnilbed according to God's word ; and
that there fliould be alawmadctha-eanent, at the
iirft parliament to be hold^n.

5. m\s for the horrible murder of the late king,
hulband to the queen, which \va<; fo hainous be-
fore God and man, all true prof dfor.s, in whatfo-
cver rank or condition, did promiie to llrise, that
ail peribns (hould be brought to condign punith-
ment, who are found guilty of the fame crime.

6. They all promiied to proteft the young
jprince againft all violence, lell he fhouid be mur-
dered, as his father v/as; and that the prince
fliould be committed to the care of four wile and
godly men, that, by a good education, he might
be fitted for that high calling he was to execute one
day.

j„ The nobles, barons, and others, dopromife
to beat down and abelilli popery, idolatry, and
fuperflition, with any thing that may contribute
unto it: as alio, to fet up and further the true
.worfhipof God, bis government, the church, and
all that may concern the purity ofreligion and life;
^and for this tO' conveen and take arms, if need re-
. quire.

8. And that all princes and kings Ji^reafter in
;this realm, before their coronation, fhall take oath
.to maintain the true religion now profeffed in the
..church of Scotland, and lifpprefs all things contra-
,ry to it and that are not agreeing with it.

To thefe articles fubfcrlbed the earls of Morton,

34 5

Glcncairn, and Mar, the lords Hume, Rathver.,
S^inqiihar, Llndfiiy, Graham, Innermeth and
Ochiltrio, wiih many other barons, befides the
commiilioDcrs of the burroughs.

This being agreed upon, the affembly diffolrcd.
Thereafter the lords Lindiliy and Ruthvea were
feat to Lochlevin to the queen, to prefcnt untc^
her two writs ; the one conrained a renunciatioti
of the crown and royal dignity in favour of the
piiace her fbn, with a commiilion to inveft hini
into the kingdosi, according to the manner accu-
ffomed; which, after fom.e reluiffancy with tears,
fhe f libfcrihed by the advice of the earl of Athol,
who had fent to her, and offecretary Lethingtoti,
who had fent to her Ko!)ert Melvil for that^'pur-
pofe : fo there was a procuration given to the lords
Lindfay and Ruthvea, by the queen, to give vp
and refign the rule of the realm, in presence of
the flates.

T'he fecond writ was, to ordain the earl of
Murray regent during the pil^ice's minority, if he
would accept the charge; and, in cafe he refufed
to accept the faid office upon his fingle perfon,
that he, with the duke Chattelarault, the carls of
Lennox, Argyle, Athol, Morton, GleiKairn and
Mar, fhouid govern conjunftly. Thefe writs
were publifhed the 29th of July, 1567, at the
market-crofs of Edinburgh,

Then at Stirling was the pi ince crowned king,
where John Knox made the fermon. The ead
Morton and the lord Hume took the oath for the
king, that he fhouid conflantly live in tliepro-
feffion of the true reTiglon, and maintain it ; and
that he fhouid govern the kingdom according to
the law thereof, and do jullice equally to all.

In the beginning of Auguft, the earl Murray be-
ing fent for, cometh home ; in all hafle he vifits
the queen at Lochlevin, flrives to draw the lords,
tliat had taken part with the Hamiltons, or were
neuters, to join with thole that had bound theci-
feives to ffand for the Jviijg's authority : .he was
very earneft with divers, by reafon of tlieir old
friendlhip, but to little purpofe. Tlie 20th of
Augufl he received his regency, after mature and
ripe deliberaiion, at the delire of the queen, and
lords that were for the king, and fo was publiclv
proclaimed regent, and obedience fliew.ed unto hiin
by all that flood for the young k'mrr.

The END

of the
Tear

ory of the Church of Scotland, till the
1567. md Month of Augufi,

X X

THE

THE

APPELLATION

O F

J

N KNOX,

FROM

The cruel and moft iinjuft Sentence pronounced againft him, by
the falfe Biihops and Clergy of Scotland;

WITH

His Supplication and Exhortation to the Nobility, States, and
Commonalty of the fame Realrn, 1558.

To //^^ Nobility and Estates o/" Scotland,

John Knox imjloeth Grace, Mercy and Peace, from God the Father of our Lord Jefus Chriflf
ivith the Spirit of righteous Judgment.

T is not only the love of this temporal life,
right honourable, neither yet the fear of cor-
poral death, that moveth me at this prefent to ex-
pofe unto you the injuries done againft me ; and
to crave of you, as of lawful powers by God ap-
pointed, redrefs of the fame : but partly it pro-
ceedeth from that reverence which every man oweth
to God's eternal truth ; and partly,fi-om a love which
I bear to your falvation, and to the falvation of
my brethren abufed in that realm, by fuch as have
no fear of God before their eyes. It hath pleafed
God of his infinite mercy, not only to illuminate
the eyes of my mind, and fo to touch my dull
heart, that clearly I fee, and by his grace unfeign-
€;dly believe, That there is no other name givea to

men under heaven, in which falvation confifteth,
iave the name of Jefus alone, ' Who by that Sa-

* crifice which he did once offer upon the crofs,

* hath fan(5i:ified for ever all thofe that Ihall inherit

* the kingdom promifed :' but alfo, it hath pleafed
him, of his fuperabundant grace, to make and ap-
point me, moft wretched of many thoufands, a
witnefs, minifter and preacher of the fame doflrinej
the fum whereof, I did not fpare to communicate
with my brethren, being with them in the realm
of Scotland, in the year 1556; becaufe I know
myfelf to be a fteward, and that accounts of the
talent committed to my charge, fhall be required
of me by him, who will admit no vain excufe,
which fearful men pretend: I did therefore, as

God's

The APPELLATIO

God's minlfter, during the time I was converfant
with them, God is record and witnefs, truly and
fmcerely, according to the gift granted unto me,
divide the word of falvation, teaching all men to
hate fm, which before God was, and is (o odious,
that none other facrifice would fatisfy his juftice,
except the death of his only Son ; and to magnify
the mercies of our heavenly Father, who did not
fpare the fubflance of his own glory, but did give
him to the world, to fufFer the ignominious and
cruel death of the crofs, by that means to rccon-
tile his chofen children to himfelf : teaching fur-
'ther, what is the duty of fuch as do believe them-
felves purged by fuch a price, from their former
filthincfs ; fo wit. That they are bound to walk in
the newnefs of life, fighting again-ft the lufts of
the fledi, and fludying at all times to glorify God
by fuch good works, as he hath prepared his peo-
ple to walk in.

In doflrine I djd further affirm, (fo taught by
my Mafter Chrift Jefus) ' That whofoever denieth

* him, yea, or is aftiamed of him before this wick-

* ed generation, him fhall Chrift Jefus deny, and

* of him (hall he be afhamed, when he fiiall appear

* in his majefty ;' and therefore 1 feared not to af-
firm, That of necefTity it is, that fuch as hope for
life everlafting, avoid all fuperftition, vain religion
and idolatry : vain religion and idolatry, 1 call
whatfoever is done in God's fervice or honour,
without the exprefs commandment of his own
word.

This do(5lrine I did believe to be fo conformable
to God's holy fcriptures, that I thcfight no crea-
ture could have been {o impudent, as to have con-
demned any point or article of the fame : yet never-
theiefs, me as an heretic, and this do6f rine as here-
tical, have your faHc biiliups and ungodly clergy
condemned, pronouncing againft me a fentence of
death ; in teftification whereof, they have burned
.a pifture. From which falfe and cruel fentence,
and from all judgment of that wicked generation,
1 make it known unro your honours, That I ap-
peal to a lawful and general conncii, to fuch, I
Kitan, as the moft: ancient laws and canons do ip-
prove, to be holden by fuch, as whofe manifefl
impiety is not to be reformed in the fame : moft
h'jubly requiring of your honours, That as God
ihath appointed you princes in' that people, and, by
reafon thereof requireth of your han^s vh: defence
tof innocents troubled in your domi;,::a. in the
taea 1 time, and till the controverfies, rhatthis day
arc in religion, be lawfully decided, ye receive me,
4ad iuch others as molfi: unjuftly by thafe trud

N OF JOHN KNOX. 347

beafts are pcrfecuted, Into your defence and pro-
teftion.

Your honours are not ignorant, That it is not
I alone, who doth fuftain this caufe againfl thepefti-
lent generation of papifts, but that the moft part of
Germany, the country of Helvetia, the king of
Denmark, the nobility of Polonia, together with
many other cities and churches reformed, appeal
from the tyranny of that antichrift, and mofl: ear-
neflly call for a lawful and general council, where-
in may all controverfies in religion be decided, by
the authority of God's mofi: facred word.

And unto this fame, as faid is, do I appeal yet
once again ; requiring of your honours to hold my
fimple and plain appellation of no lefs value nor
effeiEt, than if it had been made with greater cir-
cumflance, folemnity, and ceremony ; and that
you receive me calling unto you, as to the powers
of God ordained, into your protection and de-
fence, againfl the rage of tyrants ; not to maintain
me in any iniquity, error, or falfe opinion, but to
let me have fuch equity, as God by his word, an-
cient laws and determinations of mofl godly coun-
cils, grant to men accufed or infamed.

The word of God wills, that no man fhall did,
except he be found criminal and worthy of death
for offence committed, of which hs mufl be ma-
nifeflly convinc^-d by two or three witnelfes. An-
cient laws do permit jufl defences to fuch as be ac-
cufed (be their crimes never fo horrible.) And god-
ly councils will, that neither bilhop nor perfon ec-
clefiaft ical whatfoever, accufed of any crime, fhall
fit in judgment, confultation, or council, where
the caufe of fuch men as do accufe them is to be
tried.

Thele things require I of your honours to be
granted unto me, to -wit, that the do(flrine which
our adverfaries condemn for herefy, may be tried
by the fimple and plain word of God ; that the
jufl: defences be admitted to us that fuilain the
battle againft this ptflilent generation of antichrift;
and that they be removed from judgment in our
caufe- ; feeing that our accufation is not Intt ndefl
againfl any one particular perfon, but againfl that
whole kingdom, which we doubt not tt) prove td
be a power ufurped againfl God, agamfl his com-
mandment, and againfl the ordinance of Chi ill:
Jefus eflablifhed in his church by his chief apofllcsj
yea, we doubt not to prove the kingdom of thfe
pope, to be the kingdom and power of antichrifl:
and therefore, my lords, I cannot ceafe in' the namfc
of Chi ill. Jefus to require of you, that the mat-
ter may coiD'e to examination ; and that ye thfe
X X z eflates

343

The appellation of JOHN KNOX.

tflates of the realm, by your authority, compel
juch as will be called bifhops, not only to deHi^i
irjva their cruel murdering of fuch, as do Hudy
to promote God's glory, ia detedling and difclofing
the damnable impiety of that man of fm the Ro-
man antichrift ; but alfo, that ye compel them to
Anfwer to fuch crimes, as fhall be laid to their
charge, for not righteoufly inllrudting the flock
committed to their cares.

But here I know two things fnall be doubted :
the former, whether that my appellation is lawful
and to be admitted, feeing that I am condemned
as an heretic. And fecondly, Whether your ho-
nours are bound to defend fuch as call for your
fupport in that cafe, feeing that your bhhops (who
in matters of religion claim all authority to apper-
tain to them) have by their fentence already con-
jjsmned me.

The one and the other I nothing doubt moft
clearly to prove ; Fitji, That my appellation is
raofl lawful and juft ; and fecondly, That your
^lonours cannot refufe to defend me, thus calling
for your aid ; for, in refuling, ye declare your-
fclves rebellious to God, maintainers of murderers,
ap.d fiieddersof innocent blood.

How juft caufe I have by the civil law (as for their
canon, it is accurfed of God) to appeal from their
unjuft fentence, my purpofe is not to make long
dilcourfe ; only I will touch the points which all
^\cn confefs to be the juft caufes of appellation :
^irfl. Lawfully could I not be fumimoned by them,
being for that time ablent fiom their jurifdiftion,
vharged with the preaching of Chrift's gofpel iu a
I,Eee city, not fubjeft to their tyranny.

Secondly, To me was no intimation made of
thejjr fummons ; but fo fecret was their furmifed
malice, that the copy of fummons, being required,
'Y'a.a denied.

Thirdly, To the realm of Scotland could I have
had no free nor fure accefs, being before compelled
tp.quit the fame by their unjuft tyranny

Ajid lajily, To me they neither could, nor can be
competent and indiferent judges ; for that, before
^y fummons were raifed againft me, I had accufed
^^.emby letters pubhihed to the queen dowager,and
bad intended againft them all crimes, offering my-
lelf with hazard of life to prove the fame ; for the
which they are not only unworthy of ecclefiaftical
authority, but alfo of any fufferance within a com-
inon- wealth profeffiag Chrift. This my accufati-
on prcceeding their fummons, neither by the law
of God, neither yet by the law of man, can they
be to me competent judges, till place be granted

unto me openly to prove my accufation intended
againft them, and they be compelled to make an-
fwer as criminals : for I will plainly prove. That
not only bilhops, but alfo popes, have been remo-
ved from all authority, and pronouncing of judg-
ment, till they have purged themfclves of accufa-
tions laid againft them, Yea, further I will prove,
That bifhops and popes have mcft juftly been dc
prived from all honours and adminiftration, for
fmaller crim.es than I have to charge the whole
rabble of your bil^iops.

But, because this is not my chief ground, I will
ftand content for this prcfent to Ihosv, that it i»
lawful to God's prophets, and to preachei s of Chrift
Jtfus, to appeal from the fentence and judgment
of the viHble church, to the knowlege of the tem-
poral magiftrate, who by God's law is bound to
hear their caufes, and tp defend them, from tyran-
ny.

The prophet Jeremy was commanded by God
to ftand in the court of the houfc of the Lord, and
to pi each this lermon, in efft<fl: that Jerufalem
fnould be deftroyed, and be expofed in opprobry
to all nations of the earth ; and that alfo that fa-
mous temple of God ftiould be made delblate, like
unto Shiloh, becaufe the priefts, the prophets and
the people, did not walk in tke law which God'
hath propofed unto them, neither would they obey
the voices of the prophets, whom God fent to call,
them to repentance.

For this fermon, was Jeremy apprehended, and
a fentence of death pronounced againft him, and
that by the priefts, by the prophets, and by the
people : which things being reported in the ears of
the princes of Judah, they palled up to the kingV
houfe, to the temple of the Lord, and fat down in
judgment for further knowlege of the caufe : but
the priefts and prophets continued in their cruel-
fentence, which before they had pronounced, fay-
ing, * This m^an is worthy of death, for he hath

* prophefied againft this city as your ears have
' heard.' But Jeremy, fo moved by the holy Ghoft,
began his defence againft that their tyrannous {inr

I tence, in thefe words ; * The Lord (faith he) hath.
' fent me to prophecy againft this houfe, and a-

* gainft this city, aU the words which you haye-

* heard. Now therefore make good your ways,

* and hear the voice of the Lord your God, and

* then fhall he repent of the evil which he hath

* fpoken againft you. And as for me, behold, I

* am in your hands (fo doth he fpeak to the prince?)

* do to me as you think good and right : neverthe-
*kfs, know you this moft alTuredly, that if ye

* murdei

THE APPELLATION of JOHN KNO

X.

• rrturJer or flay me, ye fliall make yourfelves, this

• city, and the inhabitants of the fame, criminal
' and guilty of innocent blood ; for of a truth the
' Lord hath fent me to fpeak in your ears all thefe
' words.*

• Then the p -inces and the people (Hiith the
' text) faid, This man is not worthy of death, for
' he hath fpoken to us in the name of the Lord our

• Goi.' An J fo, after Ibme contention, was the
prophet delivered from that danger. This faft
an.l hirtory manifeftly proveth whatfoever before 1
have affirmed, to wit. That it is lawful for the
fervants of Goi to call for the help of the civil ma-
gilfrate, againfl thefentence of death, if it be un-
jull, by whom foever it is pronounced ; and alfo,
that the civil Ivvord hath power to reprefs the fury
oi the piiefts, and to abfolve whom they have con-
demned : for the propliet of God was condemned
by thofe, who then only in earth were known to
be the viilble church, to -wit, the priefts and pro-
phets who Were in Jerufalem, the fucce/Tors of
Aaron, to whom was given a charge to fpeak
Xj the people in the name of God, and a pre-
cept given to the people to hear the law from their
mouths; to the which, if any Ibould be rebellious
or inobedlent, he fhould die the death without
mercy. Thefe men, I fay, thus authorized by
God, firft did excommunicate Jeremy, for that
he did preach otherwife than did the common fort
of the prophets in Jerufalem ; and laft, appre-
hended him, as you have heard, pronouncing a-
gainfl: hirn this fenience above- written ; from the
which, neverthelefs the prophet appealed, that is,
fought help and defence againft the fame, and
that moft earneftly did he crave of the princes :
for albeit he faith, * I am in your hands, do with

* me as ye think righteous,' he doth not contemn
or negle6t his life, as though he regarded not
what (hould become of him ; but in thofe his
words moft vehemently did he admonifh the prin-
ces and rulers of the people, giving them to un*
derftand what God ftiould require of them ; as if
he {hould fay, ye princes of Judah, and rulers of
the people, to whom appertaineth indifferently to
judge betwixt party and party, to juflify the juft
man, and' to condemn the malefa<5lor, you have
heard a fentence of death pronounced againft me,
by thofe whofe lips ought not to fpeak deceit, be-
caafe they are fanftified and appointed by God
himfelf, to fpeak his law, and to pronounce judg-
ment with equity ; but as they have left the liv-
SigGod, and have taught the people vanity, fo
are they bsco.T-e mortal enemies, to all God's true

349

fervants, of whom I am one, rebuking their mi-
quity, apoftacy, and defection from God, which
IS the only caufe they feek my life. But a thing
moflr contrary to all equity, law and juflice it is,
that I, a man fent of God, to call them his peo-
ple, and you again to the true fervice of God,
from the which you are ail declined, Ihall fufFtr
the death, becaufe that my enemies do fo pro-
nounce fentence. I ftand in your prefence, whom
God hath made princes ; your power is above
their tyranny ; before you do I expofe my caufe,
I am in your hands, and cannot rtlill to fuiftr
what ye think jufir: but, \zi:t that my lenity and
patis;nce fhould either make you negligent in the
defence of me, in my juft caufe, appealing to
your judgment, either yet encourage my enemies
in feeking my blood, this one thing I 'dare not
conceal, That if ye murder me (which tiling ye
do, if ye defend me not) ye make not only my
enemies guilty of my blood,, but alfo yourfelvcbv
and this whole city..

By thefe words, I fay, it Is evident, that tht
prophet, of God, being condemned by the priefis,
and by the prophets of the vlfible church, did feek.
aid, fupport and defence at the princes and tem-
poral magiftrates threatening his blood to be. re-
quired at their hands, if they, by their authonty,.
did not defend him from the fury of bis enemie?-;
alledgingalfo- juil: caufes of his appellation, and
why he ought to have been defended,, ^c -u;//,
that he was fent of God to rebuke their, vices and
defe<fHon from God ; that he taught no doftrine
which God before had not pronounced in his law;
that he defired their converfion to God, conti-
nually calling upon them to walk in the ways
which God had approved : and therefore doth he
boldly crave of the princes, as of God's lieutenants,
to be defended from the blind lage and tyranny of"
the priefts, notwithftandihg that they claimed to
themfelves authority to judge all matters of religi-
on. And the fame did he when he was cafl'^ia
prifon, and thereafter was brought to the prefence
of king Zedekiah. After, Lfay he had defended
his innocency, affirming, That he neither had of-
fended againft the king, againft his fervants, nor
againft the people, at laft he made intercefllon to
the king for his life, faying, 'But now my lord

* the king, take heed, I befeech thee, let my

* prayer fall into thy prefence, command me not:
' to be carried again into the houfe of JonathaE

* the fcribe, that I die not there.'

And the text witnefleth, That the king com.-
manded the place of his imprifonmtnt to be

chan^d> .

^y^ THE APPELLx^TlO

changed. Whereof it is evident, that the pro-
phet did ofter than once feek help at the civil
power ; and that firll the princes, and thereafter
the kinir, did acknowlege, That it appertained to
their office to deliver him from the unjufl: fentence
^vhich was pronounced againft him. If any man
think that Jeremy did not appeal, becaufe he only
declared the wrong done unto hiin, and did but
crave defence according to his innocency ; let the
fame man underftand, that none otherwife do I
appeal from that falfe arid cruel fentence, which
yonr bifliops pronounced againft me ; neither yet
can there be any jufl caufe of appellation, but in-
nocency, or fufpiclon to be had, whether it be by
ignorance of a judge, or by malice and corrupti-
on of thofe, who, under the title of juftice, do
cxerclfe tyranny. If I were a thief, murderer,
bafphemer, open adulterer, or any offender
whom God's word commandeth to fufler for a
crime committed, my appellation were vain, and
toberejeaed: but I, being innocent, yea, the
doflrinc which your bilhops have condemned in
me, being God's eternal verity, have^ no lefs li-
-berty to crave your defence againft that cruelty,
"than had the prophet Jeremy to feek aid of the
princes and kings of Judah.

But this (laall more plainly appear in the faft of
St. Paul, who, after that he was apprehended in
' jerufalem, did f^rft claim the liberty of the Roman
citizens, for avoiding torment, when the captain
\vould have examined him by queftions : thereaf-
ter in the council, where no righteous judgment
-was to be hoped for, he affirmed, that he was a
Pharifee, and that he was accufed of the refurrec-
tron of the dead ; and laff, in the prefence of
Feftus, he appealed from all knowlege and judg-
ment of the prieft^ at Jerufalem, to the emperor :
of which laft point, becaufe it doth chiefly apper-
tain to this my caufe, I vv ill fomewhat fpeak.

After that Paul had divers times been accufed,
as in the a^s of the apoftles is manifeft, at the
laft the chief prlefts and their fac'fion came to Ce-
farea, with Feftus the prefident, v/ho prefented
unto them Paul in judgment, whom they accufed
of horrid Crimes, which neve'rthelels they could
not prove : the apoftle maintaining; that he had
offended neither againft the laW, nii-her againft
the temple, neither yet againft' the t'mperor.

' But Feftus willing to gra:iry the Jews, faid to

* Paul, Wilt th)U go up to jerufaleai, and there

* be judged of thefe things in inv prefence^ But

* Paul faid, I ftand at the juftiTo feat of the

* emperor, where it behoveth me to be judged ; I

N ofJOHN KNOX.

* have done no wrong to the Jews, as thou bet-

* ter knoweft : if 1 have done any thing unjuftiy,

* or yet committed any crime worthy of death, I

* refufe not to die: but if there be nothing of

* thefe things true whereof they accufe me, no

* man may give me to them : I appeal to Cefar.' It
may appear at the firft fight, that Paul did great
injury to Feftus the judge, and to the whole or-
der of the priefthood, who did hope greater e-
quity in a cruel tyrant, than in all that feflion,
and learned company; which thing, no doubt
Feftus did underfland, pronouncing thefe words,

* Haft thou appealed to Cefar ? Thou fhalt go to

* Cefar.' As if he would fay, I, as a man willing
to underftand the truth, before I pronounce fen-
tence, have required of thee to go to Jerufalem,
where the learned of thine own nation may hear
thy caufe, and decern in the fame. The coi;itro-
verfy ftandeth in matters of religion ; thou art ac-
cufed as an apoftate from the law, as a violator of
the temple, and a tranfgrelTor of the traditions of
their fathers, in which matters I am ignorant;
and therefore defire information by thofe that be
learned in the fame religion, whereof the queftiorx
is : and doft thou refufe fo many godly fathers to
hear thy caufe, and doft appeal to the emperor,,
preferring him to all our judgments, of no pur-
pofe, belike, but to delay time? thus, 1 fay, it
might have appeared that Paul did not only injury
to the judge and to the priefts, but alfo that
the caufe was greatly to be fufpedfed, partly for
that he did refufe the judgment of thofe that had
moft knowlege (as all men luppofed) of God's
wUl and religion ; and partly, becaufe he appeal-
ed to the emperor, who then was at Rome, far
abfcnt from Jerufalem, a man ignorant of God,
and enemy to all virtue. But the apoftle confi-
dering the nature of his enemies, and what things
they had intended againft him, even from the firfl
day he began freely to fpeak in the name of Chrift, '
did not fear to appeal from them, and from the
judge that would have gratified them. They had
profefTed themfelves plain enemies to Chrift Jefus,
and to his blefTed gofpel, and fought the death of
Paul, yea, even by faftions and treafonable con-
fpiracy ; and therefore by no means would he ad-
mit them either as judges in his caufe, or au(U-
tofs of the fame, as Feftus r^quiredi but ground-
ing himfeif upon ftrong reafons, to ivit, That he
had not oif ndcd -he Jews, neither againft the
law, but that he was inn- cent; therefote that no
judge ought to gii^e him into -he hands of hist ne-
rnies ; grounding, I fay, his appeilaiion i:pon

thefe

The appellation of JOHN KNOX.

thcfe reafons, he neither regarded the difpleafure
of Feflus, neither yet the report of the ignorant
multitude, but boldly did appeal from all cogno-
fcence of them to the judgment of the emperor,
as faid is.

By thefe two examples, I doubt not but your
honours do underftand, that it is lawful to the
fervants of God, opprefTed by tyrants, tofeek re-
medy againft the fame, be it by appellation from
their fentence, or by imploring the help of civil
magiftrates : for what God hath approved in Jere-
my and Paul, he can condemn in none that are
i'o dealt withal. I might alledge fome hiflory of
the primitive church lerving to the fame piirpole;
as of Ambrofe and Athanafuis, of whom, the one
would not be judged but at Millain, where that his
doctrine was heard of all his church, and receiv-
ed and approved by many ; and the other would
in nowavs give place to thcfe councils, where he
knew that men confpiring againfl the truth of God,
ihould fit in judgment and confutlation: but, be-
caufe the fcriptures of God are my only foundati-
on and afTurance in all matters of weight and im-
portance, I have thought the two former tefli-
monies fufficient, as well to approve my appellati-
on reafonable and jufl, as to declare to your ho-
nours, that with fafe confcience ye cannot refufe to
admit the fame.

If any think it arrogancy or foolifhnefs in me to
compare myfelf with Jeremy and Paul, let the
fame man underftand, that, as God is immutable,
fo is the verity of his glorious gofpel of equal
dignity, whenfoever it is impugned, be the mem-
bers fuffering never fo v/eak. What I think
touching mine own perfon, God will reveal, when
the fecrets of all hearts (hall be difclofed ; and fuch
as with whom I have been converfant, can witnefs
what arrogancy or pride they efpy in me: but
touching the doflrine and caufe, which that ad-
ulterous and peftilent generation of antichi-ifl's
fervants (who will be called bifnops amongfl you)
have condemned me, I neither fear nor fhame to
confels and avow before man and angel, to be the
eternal truth of the eternal God. And, in that
cafe, I doubt not to comipare myfelf with any
member in whom the truth hath been im.pugned
fmce the beginning: for as it was the truth which
Jeremy did preach in thefe words, ' The priefls

* have not known me, faith the Lord, but the

* pallors have treacheroufly declined and fallen
'hack from mc. The prophets have prophefied

* in Baal, and have gone after thofe things which

* canaat help. My people have kft the fountian

• .?5r

* of living water, and have digged themfelvcs

* pits, which can contain no water.'

As it was a truth, tliat the pafiors and v/atch-
m§n, in the days of Ifaiah, wtre become dumb
dogs, blind, ignorant, proud and avaricious ; and fi-
nally, as it was a truth, that the princes and the
priefls were murderers of Jefus Chrift, and cruel
perfecutors of his apoflles; fo likewife it is a truth
and that moft infalliable, that thofe who have
condemned me (the whole rabble of the papifli-
cal clergy) have declined from the true faith,
have given ear to deceiveable fpirits, and to doc-
trine of devils, and are the ftars fallen from ilic-
heaven to the earth, are fountains without water;
and finally, are enemies to Jefus Chrifl, deniers
of his virtue, and horrible blafphemers of his
death and paflion. And further, as that vifible
church had no crime, whereof juflly they could
accufe either prophets, or the apohles, except
their do6lrine only ; fo have not fuch as feek my
blood other crime to lay to my charge, eacep:,
that I affirm, as always I offer to prove, that the
religion which now is maintaiued by fire and fword,
is no lefs contrarious to the true religion taught
and eflablifhed by the apoflles, thanis darknef?to
light, or the devil to God; and alfo, that fach
as now do claim the title and name of churah are
no more the deS: fpoufe of Chrill: Jefus-, than
was the fynagogue of the Jews the true church of
Grod, when it cruified Chrill Jefus, condemned
his do(5frine, and perfecuted his apoflles. And
therefore, feeing that my battle is againfl the
proud and cruel hypocrites of this age, as that
battle of thofe mofi excellent inftruments vvas a-
gainff^ the falle prophets,' and malignant church
of their ages; neither ought any man to think it
ftrange that I compare myfelf with them, with
whom I fuflain a common caufe: neither oupht
your lordfhips judge yourfelves lefs addcbtcd and
bound to me, calling for your fupport, ihan did-
the princes of Jndah think themfelves bound to-
Jeremy, whom for that time they delivered, . not-
withflanding the fentence of death pronounced a-
gainfl him by the vifible church.

And thus niuch for the right of my appellation,
which. In the bov/els of Chrill Jefus, I require
your honours not to cfleem as a thing fupcrfious
and vain, but that ye admit k, and ahb accept me
in your prote(flion and defence, that, by you af=
fured, I may have accefs to my native country,
which I never offended; to the end that freely
and openly, in the prefence of the whole reaim^
I may give my confeflion of all fuch poinds, as thia.

daw

,^.x Th n A P P E L L A T I 0 N of JOHN KNOX.

d:-y be m controvcrfy; and iVifo, that you, by and defend the fnbjef^s committed to t1t;.li cIu-.jcg
vo:v." rauhority which ye have of God, compei fuch in all equity and juitice : I will not l.ibour tr; '.b.ew
u-s of lonp lime have blluJed and deceived both nntoyou whatought to be }our ftuc'y in inri'ntainj^
Vonrftrives and the people, to anfwcf to fuch thi "^s ing God's true honour, leit that in lo c;oinj> I lliould
iiB il\?M be laid to their charge. feem to make you lefs careful to God's true religi-

Eut kil thatfome doubt Vemain, that 1 require on, than were the Ethnics over their idolatry.
mere of you, than you of confcience are bound Vam, becaufe other petitions may appear more
to ?raut ; in few words, I hope 'c.y petition to be hard and difhcult to be granted, 1 purpofe briefly,
ihch, f.3 without God's heavy difplcafure ye can- but yet freely, to ipeak what God by his word
j'ot deny. My nttition is. That ye, whom God doth afTure me to be true, to wit, Firji, That in
.hath anpuinted headsin your common- wealth, with confcience you are bound to punifh malefadlors,
jingle eye do fludy to promote the glory of God, and to defend innocents imploring your help. 5g-
?o provide that your fubjedfs be rightly inflrufted condly, That God requireth of you, to provide
in his true religion, That they be defended from that your fubje(51s be rightly inflrudfed in his true
jil! onprefhort and r)-ranny, That true preachers religion ; and that the fame be by you reformed,
mav'be maintained^ and fiich as bhnd and deceive v/henfover abufes do creep in by the malice of Sa-
t-he' people, together a; fo with all idle bellies, which tan, and negligence of men, Andlaftly, That ye
do rob and opprefs the flock, may be removed and are bound to remove from honour, and to punifh
v-sunifned, as God's law prtfciibeth. And to the with death; if the crimiefo require, fuch as deceive
re; for-mance of every one of thele, do your offices the people, or defraud them of that food of their
and names, the honours and benehts which ye re- :iou!s, I mean, God's lively word. 1 he firfV and
ceive, theiaw of God univerlallygivcn toall mtn, fecond tire moif plain by the words of St. P.aul>
and the examples of moft godly princes, bind and thvis fpeaking of lawful powers.

* Let every foxd, /i;irh he, fubmit himfelf tinta

* the higiier power 3 ; lor there is no power but of
' God : Whofoever relilleth therefore the power,
' refifleth the ordinance of God ; and they that

* refi/1, fiiall r^cei\e ro thcrnfelves darnnation : for

oblige }ou.

My pinpofe is not to labour gready to prove,
that vour whole fludy ought to be, to promote the
gloiy of God; neither yet >.vill 1 £ivAy to alledge
all reafons that julUy m.ay be brought to prove,
that ye are not c:xalted to reign above your bre-
thren, as men without care and fbliciliide; for
ihefe are piinciples io grafted in nature, that very
F.thriics have confeffed the fame : for feeing that
God only hath placed you in his chair, hath ap-
pointed VGU to be his lieutenants, and by his own
ieal hatii nvarhed you to be maglflrates, and Ui
v.de above your br-ethrcn, to whom nature never-
thelefs hath made jou like in all -points (for in con-

' rulers are ix>t to be feared of thofe that do weU,

* but thofe that do evil. Wilt thou then be with-

* out fear of the power ? Do that which is good,

* and fo flralt thou be praifed of the famie: for he
*^is the m/inifler of God for thy well : but if thou

* do that which is evil, fear ; for he beareth not
' tiie fword for nought, for he is the m/mifler of

* God, to take vengeance on them that do evil,'
As the apoffle in thefe words mofl flraitly com

cepilon, birth, life, and death ye differ nothing mandeth obedience to be given to lawful powers,

from the common fort of men.; but God only, as pronouncing God's wrath and vengeance againft

faid is, hath promoted you, and of his fpecial fa- fuch as flrall reiifl the ordinance of God : fo doth

voar hath givta you this prerogative, to be called heafiign to the powers their offices, which be, to

Cods:) How iKJiiible ingratitude Avere it then, that take vengeance upon evil doers, to maintain the

Tou fl-iouki be Ibu'nd unfaithful to him, that hath well doers,andfoto m.inifler and rule in their office,

thus honoured joa ? And further, Vv^hat a nionllcr tiiat the fubjc^fs by them inay have a benefit, and

v/ere it, that \ou (liould be proved unmerciful to be pralicd in weli-doing. Now, if ye be powers

them, above whom ye are appointed to reign-, as ordained by God (and that 1 hope all men will grant)

fathers above their children ? Eet:aufe, 1 fay, that then by the plain words of the apoffieis the fword

fhe "Very Ethnics have granted, that the chief and given unto you by God, for rnaintaiance of the

Hrfl care of prince?, and of fucii as arc appointed
to rule above others, ought to be, to piomote the
g'.ory and honour of tiieir gods, ar^d to maintaiii
that religion which they fuppoll-d to have 'oetn
true ; and that 'their ftccnd ax\i v/as, to mainlcin

innoceirt, and for punifliment of ma'e'aftors : but
I, and my brethren with m.e accufed, do oilernot
only to prove ourfelves innocents in a)! things bid
to our charge, but alfo we offer mod evidently to
prove your blfnops to be the very peCtiknce, who

have

The appellation of JOHN KNOX.

have Infefted all Chriftianity : and therefore by the
piaia dcKlrme of the apoflle, you are bound to
maintain us, and panifli the other, being evident-
ly convinced, and proved criminal.

Moreover, the former words of the apollle do
teach, how far high powers are bound to their
fubjetfls, to ivit, that becaufe they are God's mini-
fters, by him ordained for the profit and utility of
others, mofl: diligently ought they to attend upon
the fame : for that caufe affigneth the Holy Ghofl,
commanding fabjefls to obey, and to pay tribute,
faying, * For this do ye pay tribute and toll ;' that
h, becaufe they are God's minifters, bsaring the
i-vord for your utility. Wherefore it is plain, that
there is no honour without a charge annexed. And
this one point 1 willi your wifdoms deeply to con-
fider. That God hath not placed you above your
brethren, to reign as tyrants, without refpeft of
either profit or commodity. You hear the Holy
Ghofl: wltnefs the contrary, affirming, That all
powers are God's miniflers, ordained for the well,
profit, and falvation of their fubjedls, and not
for their deftrudt'ion.

Could it befaid, I befeech you, That magiilratcs
inclofiug their fubje^s in a city without all viftuals,
or giving unto them no other vifluals but fuch as
were poifoned, did rule for the profit of their
fubjecis ? 1 trufl that none will be fo foolifh as fb
to affirm ; but that rather every difcreet perfon
would boldly affirm, That luca as fo did, were
unworthy of government. If we will not deny
that which Chrift Jefus affirmeth to be a truth in-
fallible, to ivit. That the foul is greater and more
precious than Is the body, then fhall we eafily efpy
how unworthy of authority be thofe that this day
debar their fubjefls from hearing of God'^ word,
and by fire and fword compel them to feed upon
the very poif^n of their fouls, the damnable doc-
trine of antichrlfl. And therefore in this point, I
iay, I cannot ceafe to admonifh your honours dili-
" gently to take heed over your charge, which Is
greater than the mofl: part of men fuppole.

It is not enough that you abllain from violent
Wrong and opprelfion, which ungodly men exer-
cife againft tiieir fubjefts ; butyeare further bound,
to wit, That ye rule above them for their well,
which ye cannot do, if that ye either by negligence
not providing true pallors,* or yet, by your mahi-
tenance of fuch as be ravening wolves, fuiFer their
fouls to flarve and perlfh for lack of the true food,,
which is Chrift's gofpel fincerely preached. It
will not excufe you in his prefence, v^ho will re-
quire account of every talent committed to your

3^3

charge, to fay, That ye fuppofed that the charge
of the fouls had been commicted to your blfhops :
No, no, my lords, fo ye cannot efcape God's judg-
ment ; for, if your biihops be proved to be no bl-
Ihops, but deceiveable thieves, and ravening wolves
(which I ofiiT myfelf to prove by God's word, by
law and councils ; yea, by the judgment of all the
godly learned, from the primitive church to this
day) then Ihall your permilfion and defence be re-
puted before God a participation with dieir thcit
and murder : for thus accufed the prophet Ifaiah
the princes of Jerufalem: ' Thy princes, fiith he,
' are apoflates (that is, obflinate refufers of God)
' and they are companions of thieves.' This grie-
vous accufation was laid agaiafl: them, albeit that
they ruled in that city, which fom.etime was called
holy, where then were the temple, rites, and ordi-
nances of God ; becaufe that not only they were'
wicked themfelves, but chiefly becaufe they main-
tained wicked men, their priefls and flalfe prophets.
In honours and authority : if they did not efcape
this accufation of the Holy Gholl in that age, look
ye neither to efcape the accufation nor the judg-
ment of Vv'icked men, to wit. That the one and
the other fliall drink the cup of God's wrath and
vengeance together. And, left ye Ihould deceive
yourfelves, efteeming your bifliops to be vh-tuous
and godly, this do I affirm, and oner myfelf to
prove the fame. That more wicked men than are
the whole rabble of your clergy, were never from
the beginning unlverfally known in any age ; yea,
Sodom and Gomorrah may be juflificd in refoect
of them, for they permitted juft Lot to dwell a-
mongfl them without any violence done to his bo-
dy, which that pellilqnt generation of yourlhavea
fort doth not, but mofl cruelly perfecute by fire
and fword the true members of Chrlfl's body, for
no other caufe, but for the truefervice and honour-
ing of God.

And therefore I fear not to affirm that, which
God will one day juflify. That by your offices ye
are bound, not only to reprefs their tyranny, but
alfo to punhh them as thieves and murderers, as
idolaters and blafphemers of God ; and in their-
rooms ye are bound to place true preachers of
ChriU's gofpel, for the inflrucflion, comfort, and
falvation of your fubjefls, above whom elfe Ihall
never the Holy Gholl acknowlege. That you rule
in juflice-for their profit. If ye pretend to peflefs
die kingdom with Chrifl Jefus, ye may not take
example neither by the ignorant multitude of prin-
ces, neither by the ungodly and cruel rulers of the
earth, of whom fome pafs their time in floth, iu-
Y y folency

354

The appellation of JOHN KNOX.

folency and riot, without refpefl had to God's ho-
nour, or to the ialvaiion' of their brethren; and
others moH cruelly opprefs, with proud Nimrod,
&ch as are fubje6l to them : but your pattern and
exan:ple muft be the praftice of thofe whom God
hath approved by the teftimony of his word, as
after ihall be declared.

Of the premilTes it is evident, 1 hat to lawful
powers is given the fword, for punifhment of ma-
iefaftors, for maintenance of innocents, and for
the profit and utility of their fubjefts. Now, let
us confider. Whether the reformation of religion
fallen in decay, and punifhment of falfe teachers,
do appertain to the civil magiflrate and nobility of
any realm. I am not ignorant,that Satan of old time,
for maintenance of his darknefs, hath obtained of
the blind world two chief points ; the former, he
hath perfuaded to princes, rulers, and magiftrates.
That the feeding of Chrifl's flock appertaineth no-
thing to their charge, but that it is rejefted upon
the bifhops, and flate ecclefiaflical. And, Second-
ly, That the reformation of religion, he i«- never
lb corrupt, and the punifhment of fuch as be fworn
ibldiers in their kingdom, are exempted from all
civil power, and are referved to themlelves, and to
their cognizance. But that no offender may juftly
be exempted from punifhment ; and that the or-
ttering and reformation of religion, with the in-
ilruftion of fubjecTls, doth efpecially appertain to
the civil magiflrate, fliall God's perfe(5l ordinance,
his plain word, and the fadls and examples of thofe
that of God are highly praifed, moft evidently de-
clare.

When God did eftablifh his law, ftatutes and
ceremoiiies in the midfl: of ifrael, he did not ex-
empt the matters of religion from the power of
Mcfes; but, as he gave him charge over the civil
policy, fo he put in his mouth and his hand ; that
is, he firfr revealed to him, and thereafter com-
manded to put in praftice, whatfoever was to be
taught or done in matters of religion. Nothing
did God reveal particularly to Aaron, but altoge-
ther v^as he commanded to depend from the mouth
of Mofes; yea, nothisg was he permitted to do to
himfelf, of to his children, either in his or their
inauguration and fanftification to the priefthood,
but all was committed to the care of Mofes : and
therefore were thefe words fo frequently repeated
to Moles, ' Thou fiialt feparate Aaron and his fons

* from the midft of the people of Ifrael, that they
*■ may execute the office of the prieAhood ; thou

* fhalt .make them garments, thou fhall anoint

* them, thou fhalt wafli them, thou fhalt fill theix.

* hands with facrifice :' and fo forth of every rite
and ceremony, that was to be done unto them, e-
fpecial commandment was given unto Mofes, That
he fhould do it. ;

Now, if Aaron and his fons were fubje<5t to Mo-
fes that they did nothing but at his commandment j
Who dare be fo bold as to affirm, That the civil
magiftrate hath nothing to do in matters of religi-
on ? For feeing that then God did fo f^raitly require
That even thofe who did bear the figure of Chrift,
fhould receive from the civil power, as it were, their
fanftification, and entrance into their office ; and
feeing alfo that Mofes M-as fo far preferred to Aaron,
that the one commanded, and the other did obey;
Who dare efteem that the civil power is now be-
come fb profane in God's eyes, that it is fequeflred
from all intromiffion with the matters of religion?
the Holy Ghoft in divers places declareth the con-
trary. For one of the chief precepts commanded
to the king, when that he fliould be placed in his
throne, was to write the example of the book of
the Lord's law, that it fliould be with him, that
he might read in it all the days of his life, that he
might learn to fear the Lord his God, and to keep
all the words of his law and his ffatutes to do
them. This precept he requireth, not only that
the king fhould himfelf fear God, keep his law and
Hatutes; but that alfo he, as the chief ruler, fhould
provide that God's true religion fhould be kept in-
violated of the people and flock which by God
was committed to his charge.

And this did not only David and Solomon per-
feffly underitand, but alfo fome godly kings ia
Judah, after the appoftacy and idolatry that infec-
ted Ifrael by the means of Jeroboam, did employ-
their underflanding, and execute their power in
fbme notable reformations : for Afa and Jehofha-
phat kings in Judah, finding the religion altogether
corrupt, did apply their hearts, faith the Holy
Ghoft, to ferve the Lord, and to walk in his ways?,
and thereafter did witnefs, that Afa removed from-
honours his mother, fome fay grandmother, becaufe
fhe had committed, and laboured to maintain ido-
latry. And Jehofhaphat did not only refufe flrange
gods himfelf, but alfo, deflroying the chief monu-
ments of idolatry, did fend forth the Levites to-
inftruft the people. Whereof it is plain. That
the one and the other did underftand fuch refor-
mations to appertain to their duties. But thefafts
of Zedekiah and of Jofiah do more clearly prove
the power and duty of the civil magiflrate in re-
formation of religion : before the reign of Zede-
kiah religion was fo corrupt, that the doors of the

houie:

The APPELLATIONofJOHNKNOX. 3^^

to God's perfeft ordinance, removing all aboml"

houfe of the Lord were fhut Up, the lamps were
cxtinguifhed, no facrifice was orderly made ; but
in the firft year of his reign, in the firft month of
the lame, did the king open the doors of the tem-
pJe, bring in the priefts and Levites, and aflem-
bling them together, did fpeak unto them as fol-
loweth : ' Hear me, O ye Levites, and be ye fanc-
tified now, and fanftify alfo the houfe of the
Lord God of your fathers, and carry forth all
filthinefs, (he meaneth, all monuments and vefTels
of idolatry) for our fathers have tranfgrcfTed, and
have committed wickednefsin the-eyesof the Eter-
nal our God ; they have left him, and turned their
f jces from the tabernacle of the Lord ; and there-
fore is the wrath of the Lord come upon Judah
and jerufalem : behold, our fathers have fallen by
the fword, our fons, daughters, and wives are
led into captivity ; but now have I purpofed in my
heart to make a covenant with the Lord God of
Ifrael, that he may turn the wrath of his fury
from us. And therefore, my fons (he fweetly ex-
hoiteth) be not faint, for the Lord hith chofen
you to hand in his prefence, and to ferve him.'

Such as are no more than blind, clearly may
perceive that the king doth acknowlege, That it
appertaineth to his charge, to reform the religion,
to appoint the Levites to their charges, and to ad-
moniOi them of their duty and office : which thing
he moft evidently declareth, writing his letters to
all Ifrael, to Ephraim and ManafTes, and fent the
fame by the hands of meffengers, having this te-
nor :

* Ye fons of Ifrael, return to the Lord God of
Abraham, Ilaac, and Ifrael, and he fhall turn to
the refidue that refterh from the hands of Afhur :
'be not as your rathers and as your brethren were,
who have tranfgrelTed againft the Lord God of their
fathers, who hath made them defolate, as j^ou fee.
♦Hold not your heart therefore, but give your hand
'unto the Lord, return unto his fancfluary, lerve
'him, and he fhall (hew mercy unto you, to your
fons and daughters, that are in bondage ; for he is
"pitiful, and eafy to be intreated.'

Thus far did Zedekiah by letters and mefTc^ngers
provoke the people, declined from God, to repent-
ance; not only in Judah where he reigned lawful
king, but alfo in Ifrael, fubjefl then to another
king : and albeit that by fome wicked men his mef-
fengers were mocked, yet as they lacked not their
jufl punifhment, (for within fix days after, Sama-
ria was deftroyed, and Ifrael led captive by Sal-
manezar) fo did not the zealous king Zedekiah de-
fifl: to profecute his duty in restoring the religion

nations.

The fame is of be read to Jofias, who did not
only reftore the religion, but did further deftroy
all monuments of idolatry, which of long time
had remained : for it is written of him, That after
that the book of the law was found, and that he
afked counfel at the prophetefs rlulda, he fent and
gathered all the elders of Judah and Jerufalem, and
ftanding in the temple of the Lord, he made a co-
venant. That all the people, from the great to the
fmall, fhould walk after the Lord, fhould obferve
his law, ftatutes, and teftimonies, widi all their
heart, and with all their foul ; and that they fhould
ratify and confirm whatfoever was written in die
book of God. He further commanded Hilkias the
high priefl, and the prlefls of the inferior order,
that they fhould carry forth of the temple of the
Lord all the vefTels that were made to Baal, which
he burnt, and did carry their powder to Bethel.
He did further deflroy all monuments of idolatry,
yea, even thofe that had remained from the days
of Solomon ; he did burn them, flamp them to
power, whereof one part he fcattered In the brook
Kidron, and the other part upon the fepulchres and
graves of the idolaters, whofe bones he did burn
upon the altars, where before they made facrifice,
not only in Judah, but alfo in Bethel, where Je-
roboam had crefted his idolatry : yea, he further
proceeded, and did kill the priefts of the high
places, who weie idolaters, and had deceived the
people ; he did kill them, I fay, and burnt their
bones upon their own altars, and lb returned to
Jerufalem. This reformation made Jofias, and
for the fame obtained this tcflimony of the Holy
Ghofl, that neither before him nor after him was
there any fuch king, who returned to God with
his whole foul, and with all his flrength, accord-
ing to all the law of Mofes,

Of which hiflories it is evident, that the refor-
mation of religion in all points, together with the
punifhmentof falfe teachers doth appertain to the
power of the civil magiflrate : for what God re-
quired of them, hisjuflice mufl require of others
having the like charge and authority; what he did
approve in them, he cannot but approve in all
others, M'howith like zeal and fincerlty do enterprife
to purge the lord's temple and fan<ftuary. What
God required of them, it is before declared,
/o -wit, that mofl diligently they fhould obferve
his law, ftatutes, and ceremonies, And how ac-
ceptable were their fa6fs to God, doth he hirti-
fclf witnefs ; for to fome he gave moft notable vic-
V y 2 lories

v-6

The APPELLATIO

tories without the haod of man; and, in their
moft defperate dangers, did declare his efpccial
favour towards them by figns fupernatural : to
others he fo eftablilhed the kingdom, that there
enemies were compelled to ftoop under their feet.
And the names of all he hath regiftered, not only
in the book of life, .but alio in the blefTed remem-
brance of all poflsiities fmce their days, which alfo
Ihall continue till the coming of the Lord Jefus,
who fliall reward with the crown of immortality,
not only xkcm, but alfo fuch as unfeignedly iludy
to do the will, and to promote the glory of his
heavenly Father, in the midfl: of this corrupted ge-
neration.

In confiJeration whereof, ought you, my lords,
all delay fct apart, to provide for the reformation
of religion ia your dominions and bounds, which
now is fo corrupt, that no part of Chriit's inftituti-
on remaineth in the original parity ; and therefore
of neceffity it is, that fpeedily ye provide for re-
formation, or elfe ye declare yourfdves not only
void of love towards your fubjecfs, but alfo to
Jive without care of your own falvation, yea,
without all fear and true reverence of GoJ.

Two things perchance may move you toefteem
thefe hiftories before briefly touched, to appertain
nothing to you ; Jirjl, becaufe you are no Jews,
but Gentiles. And, Secondly, becaufe you ai-e
no kings, but nobles in your realm.

But'^be not deceived; for neither of both can
. excufeyou in God's prefence from doing his duty :
for it is a thing more than certain, that whatfoever
God required of the civil magiflrate in IfraeLor
Judah, concerning the obfervation of true religi-
on, during the time of the law, the kxne doth he
require of lawful magiftrates profefling Chrifl:
Jefus in the time of the gofpel, as the Holy Ghoft
hath taught us by the mouth of David (Pfalm ii.)
faving, 'Be learned, you that judge the earth:

* kifs the Son, left that the Lord wax angry, and

• that ye perilli away.' This admonition doth not
extend to the judges under the law only, but doth
alfo include all fuch as be promoted to honours in
the time of the gofpel; when Chrift Jefus doth
reign and fight in his fpiritual kingdom, whofe
enemies in that pialm be firft moft fliarply taxed,
their fury exprefled, and vanity mocked; and
then are kings and judges, who think themfelves
free from all law and obedience, commanded to
repent their former blind rage; and judges are
charged to be learned, and laft , are comjnanded
to ferve the eternal God in fear, to rejoice before
him iu trembling, to kifs the Son, that is, to give

N OF JOHN KNOX.

him mofl humble obedience : wherefore it is evi-
dent, that the rulers, magiftrates, and judges
now in Chrift's kingdom, are no lefs bound to
obedience unto God, than were thofe under the
law ; and how is it poilible that any fhould be o-
bedient, who defpifeih his religion, in which
ftandeth the chief glory that man can give to God,
and is a fervice which God efpecially requireth of
kings and rulers ?

Which thing St. Auguftine plainly did not, writ-
ing to one Bonifacious a man of war, according
to the fame argument and purpofe which I labour
to perfuade your honours : for after that he hath,
in that his epiftle, declared the difference betwixt
the herefy of the Donatifts and Arians, and hath
fomewhat fpoken of their cruelty, he ftieweth the
way how their fury ihould and ought to be re-
preffed, and that it is lawful for the unjuftly af-
flifted, to feek fupport and defence at godly ma-
giftrates ; for thus he writeth, ' Either muft the
' verity be kept clofe, or elfe muft their cruelty
* be fuftained.' But if the verity fhould be con-
cealed, not only fhould none be faved, but alfo-
fliould many be loft through their deceit : but if
by preaching of the verity their fury fnould be
provoked more to rage, and by that means yet
fome were delivered, and made ftrong ; yet fliouJd
fear hinder many weaklings to follow the verity, if
their rage be not ftayed.

In thefe firft words, Auguftine fheweth three
reafons why the afBifted churcJi in thofe days cal-
led for the help of the emperor, and of godly ma-
giftrates, againft the fury of the perfecu tors. The
^rjl. The verity muft be fpoken, or elfe mankind
fhali perifli in error. The fecsnd, The verity be-
ing plainly fpoken, provoketh the adverfaries to
rage. And becaufe that fome did alledge, that
rather we ought to fuffer all injury, than to feek
liipportby man, he addeth the third realbn, to wit.
That many weak ones be not able to fuiFer perfe-
cution and death for the truth's fake, to whom
not the leaft refpeft ought to be had, that they
may be won from their error, and fo be brought
to greater ftrength.

Oh that the rulers of this age would ponder
and weigh the reafons of this godly writer, and
provide the remedy which he requireth in thefe
words following ! * Now, when the church was.

* thus affiifted, if any think, that rather they

* fhould have fuftained all calamity, than that help

* fhould have been afked of Chriftian emperors by
' the godly, he doth not well advert, that of fuch.

* negligence no good counts nor reaibns could be

* givea. ;

The appellation of JOHN

* given : for where fuch as would that no j nil laws

* fhould be made againfl their impiety, ?Uedged,
« that the apoflles fought no fuch things of the

* kings of the earth, they do not conlider that

* the time was otherways than it is now, and that

* all things are done in their own time. What
emptror then believed in Chrift, that he (hould

KNOX, ^ 2S'l

He did require of the emperor and kings in his
days profeiling Chrift, and manifeltly concludeth,
' That they cannot {^rve Chrilt, except that lo
* they do.' l.tt not your bifhops think that Au-
guiline fpeaketh for them, becaufe he named the
ku-k : let them read and underftand, that Au-
gufline wrireth for that church which profeffeth

•* people have imagined vanity ? The kings of the
** earth flood up, and princes have conveened to-
•* gether againfl the Lord, and againfl his anoint-
" ed ;■' ' That which is after in the fame pfalm,

* was not yet come to pafs,' " And now under-
** fland, O ye kings ; be learned, you that judge
** the earth, ferve the Lord in fear, and rejoice
" to him with trembling." ' How do kings ferve

* the Lord in fear, but in puni{hing, and by a

* godly feverity forbidding thole things which are

* done againfl the commandment of the Lord ?

* For, otherwife doth he ferve the Lord in fo far

* as he is man, otherwife in fo far as he is king.

* In fo far as he is a man, he ferveth him by living

* faithfully ; but, becaufe he is alfo king, he ferv-

* eth eftablifhing laws that command the things

* that be jufl, and that with a convenient rigour

* forbid things contrary. As Hezekiah ferved,

* deflroying the groves, the temples of idols, and

* the places which were builded againfl God's

* commandment ; fo ferved alfo Jofiah, doing the

* fame ; fo the king of the Ninevites compelling

* the whole city to mitigate the fury of the Lord ;.

* fo ferved Darius, giving into the power of Da^

* niel the idol to be broken, and his enemies to

* be call: to the lions ; fo ferved Nebuchadnezzar,
'* by a terrible law, forbidding all that were in his

* realm to blafpheme God. Herein therefore do
■•* kings ferve the Lord, in fb far as they are kings>

* when they do thefe things to ferve him, which

* none except kings are able to do.' He further
'proceed eth and concludeth. That, * As when
^wicked kings do reign, impiety cannot be bridled
' by laws, but rather is tyranny exercifed under

* the title of the fame ; fo it is a thing without
:* all reafon, that kings, profeiling the kaowlege

* and honour of God, fhould not regard nor care

* who did defend, nor who- did oppugn the kirk

* of God in their dominions.'

By thefe words of this ancient and godly writer,
your honours may perceive what I require of you,
to wit, To reprefs the tyranny of your bifliops,
and to defend the innocents profeiling the truth.

Arians, do

cruelly perfecute all fuch, as boldly fpeak Chrifl's
eternal verity, to manifefl their impiety and abo-
mination. But this much we have of Augufline,
That it appertaineth to the obedience and'^fervlce
which kings owe to God, as well now in the time
of the gofpel, as betore under the lav/, to defen'd
the afflifted for matters of religion, and to reprefs
the fury of the perfecuters by the rigor and feve-
rity of godly laws. For which caufe, no doubt
Ilaiah the prophet fiith. That kings fhould be
nourifhers of the church of God, that they fhould
abafe their heads, and lovingly embrace the chil-
dren of God. And thus, I fay, your honours
may evidendy fee, that the fame obedience doth
God require of rulers and princes in the time of
the gofpel, that he requu-^d in. tlie time of the
law.

If you do think that the reformation of religion,
and defence of the affliaed, doth not appertain to
you, becaufe you are no kings, but nobles and Hates
of a realm ; in two things you are deceived : frj?^
In that you do not advert, that David requireth
as well that the princes and judges of the earth to
be learned, and that they ferve and fear God, as
that he requireth that kings repent : if you there*
fore be judges and princes, as no m.an can deny
you to be, then, by the plain words of David,
you are charged to be learned, to ferve and fear
God ; which ye cannot do> if ye defpife the re-
formation of his religion. And this is your firfl
error.

The feccnd is. That ye neither know your duty
which ye owe to God, neither yet your authority
which of him ye have received, if ye, for pleafure
or fear of any earthly man, defpife God's true re-
ligion, and contemn your brethren that In hi^
name call for your fupport. Yom- duty is to
hear the voice of the Eternal, your God, and un-
feignedly to fludy to follew his precepts ; Who,
as is before faid, of fpecial mercy hath promoted
you to honours and dignity. His chief and prin-
cipal precept is. That with reverence ye receive
and enibrace his only beloved Sen Jcfus ; that ye

promote

353

The APPELLATION of JOHN KNOX.

promote to the uttermofl of your powers his true
religion ; and that ye defend your brethren and
fubje61s,' whom he hath put under your charge
and care. Now, if your king be a man ignorant
of God, enemy to his true religion, blinded by
fuperPtilion, and a perfecutor of Chrift's members,
Ihall ye beexcufed, if with fiience ye pafs over his
iniquity ? Be not deceived, my lords, ye are plac-
ed in authority for another purpofe than to flatter
your king in his folly and blind rage, to wit, that
23 with your bodies, flrengdi, riches and wifdom
ye are bound to affiil and defend him in all things
which by your advice he fliall take in hand for God's
glory, and for the prefervation of his common-
wealth and fubjeas ; fo by your authorities,
council, and admonition, ye are bound to correft
and reprefs whatfoever ye know him to attempt ex-
prefly repugning to God's word, honour, and
glory, or what ye fhall efpy him to do, be it by
ignorance, or be it by malice, againft his fubje<fls,
great or fmall : of which laft part of your obedi-
ence, if you defraud your king, ye commit againft
him no lefs treafon, than if ye did extracft from
him your due and promifed fupport, when by his
enemies unjuRly he were purfued.

But this part of their duty, I fear, do a fmall
number of the nobility of this age rightly confi-
der ; neither yet will they underftand that for that
purpofe hath God promoted them : for now the
common fong of all men is, ' We muft obey our

* kin^s, be they good or bad, for God hath com-

* manded it.' But horrible (hall the vengeance be,
that fl-iall be poured forth upon fuch blafphemers
©f God s holy name and ordinances ; for it is no
lefs blafphemy to fay. That God hath commanded
kincrs to be obeyed, when they command impiety,
than to fay. That God, by his precept is Author
and Maintainer of all iniquity. True it is, God
hath commanded kings to be obeyed ; but like
true it is, that in things which they commit
againft his glory, or when cruelly withour caufe,
they rage againft their brethren the members of
Chrift's"body,hehathcom.mandedno obedience, but
rather he hath approved, yea, and greatly rewarded
fuch as have oppofed themfelves to their ungodly
commandments and blind rage, as in the examples
of the three children, of Daniel, and Ebcd-mtlech,
it is evident.

The three children would neither bow nor
ftoop before the golden image at the command-
mentof the great king Nebuchadnezzar; Daniel did
cpenly pray, his vvindows being open, againft the
ertabiifhed law ef Darius and. of his council ; and

Ebed-melcch feared not to enter in before the pre-
fence of Zedekiah, and boldly to defend the caufe
and innocency of Jeremy the prophet, whom the
king and his council had condemned to death.
Every one of thefe fafts fliould this day be judg-
ed fociilh, by fuch as will not underfland what
God doth require of his children, when his verity
is oppugned, or his glory called in doubt ; fuc'hj
men, 1 lay, as prefer man to God, and things
prefent, to the heavenly inheritance, (hould have
judged every one of thefe ffubborn inobedience,
foolifh prefumption and hngularity, or elfe bold
controuling of the king and his wife council.

But how acceptable in God's prefence was this
refiflance to the ungodly commandments and de-
terminations of their king, the end didwitnefs; for
the three children were delivered from the furnace
of fire, and Daniel from the den of lions, to the
confufion of their enemies, to the better inflrufti-
on of the ignorant kings, and to the perpetual
comfort of God's afflifted children. And Ebed-
melech, in the day of the Lord's vifitation, when
the king and his council did drink the bitter cup
of God's vengeance, did find his life for a prey,
and did not fall by the edge of the fword, when
many thoufands did pei ifh : and this was fignlfied
unto him by the prophet himfelf, at the command-
ment of God, before that Jerufalem was deftroy-
ed. This promife and caufe were recited unto
him in thefe words, * I will bring my words upon
' this city unto evil, and not unio good ; but mofl:

* afTuredly I (hall deliver thee, becaufe thou haft

* trufted in me, faith the Lord.'

The truft and hope which Ebed-melech had in
God, made him bold to oppofe himfelf, being
but one, to the king and to his whole council,
who had condemned to death the prophet, whom
his confcience did acknowlcge to be innocent : for,
thus did he fpeak in prefence of the king, fitting
in the port of Benjamin ; * My lord the king,'
faith Ebedmtkch, * thefe men do wickedly in all

* things that they have done to Jeremy the prophet*'

Advert and take heed, my lords, that the men
who had condemned the prophet, were the king,
his princes and council ; and yet did one man ac-
€ufe them all of iniquity, and did boldly fpeak in
the defence of him, of whofe innocency he was
perfuaded : and the fame, I lay, is the duty of
every man in his vocation, but chiefly of the no-
bility, which is joined with their kings, to bridle
and rtprefs their folly aad blind rage: which
thing if the nobility do not, neither yet labour to
do, as they aie traitors to their king, £b do they'

provoke

The AP PE LL ATI ON OF J OHN K NOX. 35^

proke the wrath of God againH: themfelves, and
againfl the realm ; in which they abufe the autho-
rity which they have received of God, to maintain
virtue, and to fupprefs vice. And hereof 1 would
your honours were mofl certainly perfuaded, that
God will neither excule nobility nor people, but
the nobility leaft of all, that obey and follow their
kings in manifefl: iniquity ; but with the fame ven-
geance will God puniQi the prince, people, and
nobility, confpiring together againft him and his
holy ordinances, as in the punifhment upon Pha-
raoh, Ifrael, Judah, and Babylon, is evidently to
be (een ; for, Pharaoh was not drowned alone, but
his captains, chariots, and great army drank the
lame cup with him. The kings of Ifrael and Ju-
dah were not punilhed without company, but with
them were murdered the counfellors, their princes
imprifbned, and their people led captive : And why?
Becaufe none was found fo faithful to God, that
he durft enterprife to refift, nor gaitiftand the ma-
nifeft impiety of their princes. And therefore was
God's wrath poured forth upon the one and the
other.

But the more ample difcourfe of this argument
I defer to better opportunity ; only at this time
I thought expedient to admonifh you, That, be-
fore God, it fhall not excufe you to alledge. We
are no kings, and therefore neither can we reform
religion, nor yet defend fuch as be persecuted.
Confider, my lords, That ye are powers ordained
of God (as before is declared) and therefore doth
the reformation of religion, and the defence of fuch
as unjuftly are opprefTed, appertain to your charge
and care ; which thing fhall the lav/ of God (uni-
verfally given to be kept of all men) moft evident-
ly declare ; which is my lad and moll afTured rea-
Ibn, why, I fay, ye ought to remove from your
honours, and to punifh with death, fuch as God
hath condemned by his own mouth.

After that Mofes had declared what was true re-
ligion, to wit, To honour God as he commanded,
adding nothing to his word, neither yet dimdnhh-
ing any thing from it ; and after alfo that vehe-
mently he had exhorted the fame law to be ob-^
ferved, he denounced the punidiment againft the
tranfgrefTors, in thefe words, * If thy brother, fon,
^ daughter, wife or neighbour, whom: thou lovell

* as thine own life, folicitate thee lecretly, faying,
*'Let us go ferve other gods, whom neither thou

* nor thy fathers have known, confent not to him,

* hear him not, let not thine eye fpare him, fhew

* him no indulgency or favour, hide him not,
*• bat utterly kill hm 5 let thy hand be the firfl up-

* on him, that he may be Hain, and after, the hand
■ ' of the whole people.' Of thefe words of Mo-
fes, are two -things appmaining to our purpofe to
be noted ; the/zy? is, That fuch as folicitate on-
ly to idolatry, ought to be punifiied to death, with-
out favour or refpecH: of perfon : for he that will
not fuifer man to fpare his fon, his daughter, nor
his wife, but flraitly commandethpunifiiment'to be
taken upon the idolatrous (have they never fo ni^h
conjunftion v.-ith us) will not wink at the idolat?v
of others, of what flate or condition foever th'='v
be.

It is not unknown, that the prophets had reve-
lations of God, which were not common to the
people; as Samuel had the revelation, that Eli and
his pollerity fhouid be deftroyed ; that baul {hould
firft be king, and thereafter, that he fhouid be re-
jefted ; that David (hould reign for him : Micaiak
undcrRood by vifion, that Ahab (houid be killed in
the battle againft the Syrians ; Elias faw that dogs
ihould eat Jezebel in the forts of Jezreel ; Eliflia
did fee hunger come upon Ifrael, by the fpace of
feven years ; Jeremiah did forfee the deflruftion
of Jerufalem, and the time of their captivity.
And fo divers other prophets had divers revelati-
ons of God, which the people did not otherways
underfland, but by their affirmation ; and there-
fore in thofe days were the prophets named feers^
becaufe that God did open unto them that which
was hid from the multitude. Now if any, man
might have claimed any privilege from the rigour
of the law, or might have juftilied his faft, it
fhouid have been the prophet: for he might have
alkdged for himfelf his fmgle prerogative'^' that he
had above other men, to have God's*^ will revealed
unto him by vifion or by dream ; or, that God had
declared particularly unto him, that his pleafure
was, to be honoured in that manner, in fuch a
place, and by fuch means. But all fuch exculcs
doth God remove, commanding, That the prophet
that fhall fo folicite the people to ferve flrange gods,
flialldie the death, notwithftanding that he alledo-e
for himfelf dream, vifion or revelation : yea, al-
though: he promife miracles ; and although that
fuch things as he promiied fhouid come to pafs ;
yet, 1 fay, commandeth God that no credit be gi-
ven to him, but that he die the death, becaufe he
reacheth apoflacy and defeftion from God.

Hereby your honours may eafily fee. That none
provoking: the people to idolatry, ought to be ex-
empted from the puilinimcnt of death : for, if
neither that infcpaiable conjunftion, which God
himfelf hath ianctiiied betwixt man and wife, nei-
ther

36q

The appellation of JOHN KNOX.

t'aer that unfpeakable love grafted in nature, which
13 betwixt the father and the fon, neither yet that
reverence which God's people ought to bear to the
prophets, can excufe any man to fpare the offender,
or to conceal his offence ; what excufe can man
pretend, which God will accept ? Evident it is,
That no (lata, condition, nor honour can exempt
the idolater from the hands of God, when he fliall
call him to account, or fhall inflift puniftiment up-
on him for his offence : how {hall it then excofe
the people, that they, according to God's com-
niandmcnt, pur.iih not to dearh fuch as (hall folici-
tate, or violently draw the people to idolatry ?

And this is the drtt, which i would your ho-
nours Paould note of the former words, to ivity
That no perfon is exempted from puniniment, if
he can be manlfjftly convinced to have provoked
or led the people to idolatry : and this is mod evi-
dently declared in that folcmn oath and covenant
which Ala made with the people, to ferve God,
and to maintain his religion ; adding this penalty
to the tranfgreffors of it, to wit, That whofoever
fiiould nor feek the God of Ifrael ihould be killed,
were he great, or were he fmall ; M^ere it man, or
were it woman. And of this oath was the Lord
well plcafcd, he was found of them, and gave
them reft on every part, bccaufe they fought him
with their whole heart, and did fwear to punhh
the oiTcnders, according to the precept of his law,
without refpe6t of perfons. And this is it which,
I fay, I would your honours fliould note for the
firfl, That no idolater can be exempted from pu-
niihment by God's law.

The fecond is, That tlie punifliment of fuch
crimes as arc idolatry, blafphemy, and others that
touch the majeily of God, doth not appertain to
the king and chief rulers only, but alfo to the whole
tody of the people, and to every member of the
fiime, according to tlie vocation of every man, and
according to that poiTibility and occafion which
God doth minifler, to revenge the injury done a-
gainft his glory, when that impiety is manifeftly
known; ond that doth Mofes more plainly fpeak
in thefe words, ' If in any city, faith he, which the

* Lord thv God giveth to thee to dwell in them,

* thou fnalt hear this report; there arc fome men
' the fons of Belial pafTed from thee, and have fo-

* Jicited the citizens out of their cities by thefe
' words, Let us go and ferve flrange gods which

* you have not known ; fearch and enquire dili-
' gendy, and if it be true that fuch abomination
' is done in the midfl of thee, thou fnalt utterly

* ftrike the inhabitants of that city with the fword,

* thou flialt deftroy it, and whatfoever iswithin it;

* thou {halt gather the fpoil of it into the midit of

* the market- place, thou fliak bum that city v/Ith

* fire, and the fpoil of it to the Lord thy God, that

* it may be a heap of flones for ever, neither Ihall
' it be any more builded. Let nothing of that cx-
' ecration cleave to thy hand, that the Lord may

* turn from thee the fury of his wrath, and be mo-

* ved towards thee v/ith inward affeflion,'

Plain it is, That Mofes fpeaketh not, nor giveth
charge to kings, rulers and judges only, but he
commandeth the whole body of the people, yea,
and every member of the fame, according to their
poffibility ; and who dare be fo impudent, as to de-
ny this to be moft reafonabie and jnfi: ? For, feeing
that God had delivered the whole body from bon-
dage, and to the whole multitude had given his
law, and to the twelve tribes had he {lo diftributed
the inheritance of the land of Canaan, that no fa-
mily could complain that it was neglefled ; Was
not the, whole and every member addebted to con-
fefs and acknowlege the benefits of God ? Yea, had
it not been the part of every man to have fludied to
keep the pofTeflion which he had received ? Which
thing God did plainly pronounce they fliould not
do, except that in their hearts they did i'aniflify
the Lord God ; that they embraced and inviolably
kept his religion eflabliflied ; and finally, except
they did cut out iniquity from amongft them, de-
claring them'felves earnefl enemies to thole abomi-
nations, which God declared himfelf fo vehement-
ly to hate, that firfl he commanded the whole in-
habitants of that country to be deflroyed, and dll
monuments of their idolatry to be broken down :
and thereafter he alfo flraidy commandeth, That
a city declining to idolatry, (hould fall by the edge
of the fword, and that the whole fpoil of the fame
fhould be burned, no portion of it referved.

To the carnal man this may appear a rigorous
and fevere judgment ; yea, it may rather feem ta
be pronounced in a rage, than in wifdom : for
what city was ever ye f, in which, to man's judg-
ment, were not to be found many innocent perfons,
as infants, children and fome fimple and ignorant
fouls, who neither did nor could confent to fuch
impiety ? And yet we find no exception, but all
are appointed to the cruel death. And as concern-
ing the city, and the fpoil of tlie fame, man's rea-
fon cannot thmk, but that it might have been bet-
ter bellowed, than to be con fumed with fire, and
fo to profit no man : but in fuch cafes God's will

is,

The APPELLATIONofJOHNKNOX. y^i

in the city, in whofe foreheads did God command

is, That all creatures (loop, cover their faces, and
defift from reafoning. when commandment is given
to execute his judgment.

Albeit I could adduce divers caufes of fuch fe-
vcrlty, yet will I fearch none other than the Holy
Ghoil: hath alligned. Firji, That all Ifrael, hear-
ing the judgment, fhouldfear to commit the hke
abomination. And fecondiy, That the Lord might
turn from the fury of his anger, might be moved
towards the people with inward affcdion, be mer-
ciful unto them, and multiply them, according to
his oath made unto th..'Ir fathers. Which realbns,
as they are fufficient in God's children to correct
the murmuring of the grudging flelh; fo ought
they to provoke every man, as before I have faid,
to declare himfelf enemy to that, which fo highly
provoketh the wrath of God againil the whole
people: for, where Mofes fiith, ' Let the city be
* burned, and let no part of the fpoil cleave to thy
' hand, that the Lord may turn from the fury of
' his wrath, 6-c.' He plainly doth fignify, That
by the defection and idolatry of a . few, God's
wiath is kindled againfl the whole, which is never
quenched, till fuch puniihment be taken upon the
otf^nders, that whatfoe verier ved them in theit ido-
latry, be brought to dellruftion, becaufe that it is
execrable and accurfed before God, and therefore
he will not that it be reierved for any ufe of his
people.

1 am not ignorant that this law was not put in
execution, as God commanded ; but what did
thereof enfue and follow, hiftories declare,- to -wit.
Plague after plague, till Ifrael and Judah were led
in captivity, as the books of the Kings do witnefs.
The confideration whereof maketh me more bold
to affirm, That it is the duty of eveiy man, who
defireth to efcapc the plague and punifliment of
God, to declare himfelf enemy to idolatry, not
only in heart, hating the fame ; but alfo in exter-
nal geflure, declaring that he lamenceth, if he can
do no more, for fuch abominations. Which thing
was (liewed to the prophet Ezekiel, when he gave
him to underftand why he would deftroy Judah
with Ifrael ; and that he would remove his glory
from the temple and place that he had chofen, and
fo pour forth his wrath and indignation upon the
city that was full of blood and apoflacy, which
became fo impudent, that it durfl: be bold to fay,
' The Lord hath left the earth, and feeth not.' At
this time, i fay, the Lord revealed in vifion to his
prophet, who'they were that (liould find favour in
that miferable deflruftion, to wit, That thofe that
did mourn and lament for all the abominations done

to print and leal Tau, to the end that the deftroy-
er, who was commanded to ilrike the rell with-
out mercy, Ihould not hurt them in whom that
fign was found.

Of thefe premiffes, I fuppofe it is evident, That
the punifhment of idolatry doth not appertain to
kings only, but alfo to the whole people; yea, to
every member of the fame, according to his pof-
fibility : for that is a thing mofl alfured, 1 hat no
man can mourn, lament, and bevvail, for thofe
things which he will not remove to the uttermofl
of his power, if this be required of the whole
people, and of every man in his vocation, what
fliali be required of you, my lords, whom God
hath raifed up to be princes and rulers above your
brethren, whofe hands he hath armed with the
fword of juftice, yea, whom he hath appointed t&
be as bridles, to reprefs the rage and infolency
of your kings, whenfoever they pretend manifcflly
to tranfgrefs God's bleffed ordinance ?

If any think, that this my afnrmation, touch-
ing the punifliment of idolaters, is contrary to die
practice of the apoHles, who finding the Gentiles
in idolatry, did call them to repentance, requiring
no fuch punifliment let the fame man underfland,
That the Gentiles, before the preaching of Chrif^,
lived, as the apoflle fpeaketh, * Without God in
* the world,' drowned in idolatry, according to
the blindnefs and ignorance in which they were
holden, as a profane nation, whom God had never
openly avowed to be his people, had never recei-
ved in his houfliould, neither given unto them his
laws to be kept in religion nor policy ; and there-
fore did not the Holy Ghofl, calling them to repent-
ance, require of them any corporal punifliment,
according to the rigour of the law, unto the
which they were never fubjefts, as they that were
' Strangers from the common-wealth of Ifrael.'
But if any think, Ihat after that the Gentiles
were called from their vain converfation, and, by
embracing Chriil: Jefus, were received in the num-
ber of Abraham's children, and fo made one peo-
ple with the Jews believing ; if any think, I fay.
That then they were not bound to the fame obedi-
ence which God required of his people Ifrael, when
he confirmed his league and covenant with them ;
the fame appeareth to make Chrift inferior to Mo-
fes, and contrarious to the law of his heavenly
Father: for, if the contempt or tranfgreflion of
Mofes's law was worthy of death. What ftiould
we judge the contempt of Chrifl's ordinances to
be ? (i mean, after they be once received.) And
Z z if

,62

The appellation of JOHN KNOX.

if Chrift be not come to difTolve, but to fulfil the
h\v of his heavenly Father, (hall the liberty of his
gofpel be an occafion, that the efpecial glory of his
Father be trodden under foot, and regarded of no
man ? God forbid. The efpecial glory of God is,
That fuch as profefs themfelves lo be his people,
fhould hearken to his voice ; and amongft all the
voices of God revealed to the world, touching
puniiliment of vices, is none more evident, nei-
ther more fevere, than is that which is pronounced
againfl idolatry, the teachers and m.ainiainers of
the fame: and therefore I fear not to affirm, That
ihe Gentiles (I mean, every city, realm, pro^'i^ce, or
nation amongfl: the Gentiles embracing Chrid: Jefus,
and his true religion) be bound to the fame league
and covenant, that God made with his people If-
rael, when he promifed to root out the nations be-
fore them, in thefe words, ' Bev/are that thou

* make not any covenant with the inhabitants of

* the land, to the which thou comefl, left per-

* chance that this come in ruin, that is, be d'e-

* flruftion to thee ; but thou fhalt deflroy their al-

* ters, break their idols, and cut down their groves:

* fear no f Irange gods, nor worfliip them, neither

* yet make you, facrifice to them : but the Lord,

* who in his great power, and outflretched arm,

* hath brought you out of the land of Egypt, fliall

* you fear, him fhall you honour, him fliall you
' woriliip, to him fhall you make facrifice, his fia-

* tutes, judgments, laws, and commandments you
' fhall keep and obferve. This is the covenant
' which I have made with you, faith the Eternal,

* forget it not, neither yet fear ye other gods ; but

* fear you the Lord your God, and he fliall deliver

* you from the hands of all your enemies.'

To this lame law and covenant are the Gentiles
no lefs bound, than fometime were the Jews.
Whenfoever God doth illuminate the eyes of any
multitude, province, people, or city, and putteth
the fword in their own hand to remove fuch enor-
mities from amongft them, as before they knew to
be abominable ; then, I fay, are they no lefs bound
to purge their dominions, cities, and countries
from idolatry, than were the Ifraelites, what time
they received the pofleflion of the land of Canaan.
And moreover, I fay. If any go about to ereifl: and
fet up idolatry, or to teach defefllon from God,
after that the verity hath been received and ap-
proved, that then, not only the magiftrates, to
whom the fword is committed, but alfo the peo-
ple, arc bound by that oath which they have made
to God, to revenge, to the utmoft of their power,
the injury done againft his majefty.

Li univerfal defeflions, and in a general revolt
fuch as was in Ifrael after Jeroboam, there is a di-
verfe confideration ; for then, becaufe the whole
people were together confpired againft God, there
could none be found that would execute the pu-
nifliment, which God had commanded, till God
railed up Jehu, whom he appointed for that pur-
pofe. And the lame is to be confideredin all other
general defections, fuch as this day are in the pa-
piflry, where all are blinded, and all are declined
from God, and that of long continuance, fo thai
no ordinary juftice can be executed, but thepunifh-
ment muft be referved to God, and unto all fuct
means as he fhall appoint ; but I fpeak of fuch :
number, as, after they have received God's perfeCl
religion, do boldly profefs the fame, notwithfiand'
ing, that fome, or the moft part fall back (as o:
late days was in England) unto fuch a number, :
fay, it is lawful to punifli the idolaters with death
if by any means God give them power : for ib die
Jofliua and Ifrael determine to have done againf
the children of Reuben, Gad, and Manaflts, fa
their fufpe(51ed apoftacy and defeftion from God
And the whole tribes did in very deed execute tha
fliarp judgment againfl the tribe of JBenjamin, foj
a lefs offence than for idolatry. And the famt
ought to be done wherefoever Chrifl Jefus and hi:
gofpel is fo received in any realm, province, o;
city, that the magiflrates and people have folemn
ly vowed and promifed to defend the fame, as un
der king Edward of late days was done in £ng
land.

In fuch places, it is not oaly lawful to punifl
to the death, fuch as labour to fubvert the true re
lion, but the magiflrates and people are bound f(
to do, unlefs they will provoke the wrath of Go(
againlf themfelves ; and therefore, I fear not t<
affirm. That it had been the duty of the nobility
judges, rulers, and people of England, to havt
refiffed and gain-ftanded Mary their queen, witl
all the fort of her idolatrous priefls, together witl
all fuch as fhould have afl^fted her, when that fh<
and they openly began to fupprefs Chrifl's gofpel
to fhed the blood of the faints of God, and to e
reft that moft devilifli idolatry, the papiftical abo-
minations, and his ufurped tyranny, which onc<
moft juftly by common oath was baniflied fron
that realm.

But, becaufe I cannot at this prefent difcufs thi^i
argument as it appertaineth, I am compelled tt
omit it to better opportunity ; and fo returning ti;
your honours, I fay, that if ye confefs yourlelvei
baptized in the Lord Jefus, as of neceffity ye muf

confef?

to

The a P P 6 L L a T I O

Gonfefs that the care or religion doth appertain to
your charge : and if ye know that in yonr hands
God hath put the fword, for the caufes above ex-
preffed, then can ye not deny, but that the puniili-
ment of obilinate and malapert idolaters (iuch as
all your biiliops are) doth appertain to your ofhce,
if after admonition they concinue obifinatc. I am
not ignorant what are the vain defences of your
proud prelates; they claim, firfl, A prerogative
and privilege, that they are exempted, and that by
confent of councils and emperors, from ail jurif-
diftion of the temporality: Av\d, fecondly, When
they are convinced ofmaolfeft impiety, abufes and
enormities, as well in their manners, as in religion;
neither fear nor fhame they to afhrm. That things
fo long eifabllPiied, cannot faddenly be reformed,
although they be corrupted ; but with procefs of
time they promife to take order. But in few
words,

I anfwer, That no privilege granted againfl the
ordinance and ftatutes of God Is to be obferved,
although all councils and men on the earth have
appointed the fame : but agataft God's ordinance
it is, that idolaters, murdere: s, falfe teachers and
blafphemers, fhall be exempted from puniQiment,
as before is declared ; and therefore in vain it is,
that they claim for privilege, when God faith,

* The murderer flialt thou drive from my altar,

* that he may die the death.' And as to the order
and reformation which they promife, that is to
be looked or hoped for, when Satan whofe children
and flaves they are, can change his nature. This
anfwer, I doubt not, fhall fuffice the fober and god-
ly reader; but yet, to the end that they may fur-
ther fee their own confufjon, and that your ho-
nours may better underhand what ye ought to do
in fo manifeft a corruption and defecHon from God,
I afk of them, What afTurance they have of this
their immunity, exemption or privilege ? Who is
the author of it? And what fruit hath it produced ?
And firfl, I lay, That of God they have no aflu-
mance, neither yet can he be proved to be Author
of any fuch privilege : but the contrary is eafy to
be,fe°n; for God, in eflablifhing his orders in If-
cael, did fo fubjefl Aaron (in his priefthood, being
the figure of Chrifl) to Mofes, that he feared not
to call him in judgment, and to conftrain him to
igive accounts of his wicked deed in confentingto
idolatry, as the hiflory doth plainly witnefs : for
thus it is written ; * Then Moles tcok the calf

* which they had made, and burned it with fire,

* and did grind it to powder ; and fcattering it in

* the water, gave it to drink to tlie children of If-

N OF JOHN KNOX.

363

' rael,' declaring thereby the vanity of their idol,
and the abomination of the fame : and thereafter
Mofes faid to Aaron, ' What hath this people done
' to thee, that thou fliouidft brincr upon It fo j'reat
' a lin?

^ Thus, I fay, doth Mofes call Aaron, and accufe
him of the deftruction of the whole people ; and
yet he perfectly underffood, that God had appoint-
ed him to be the high priefl, that he Ihowld bear
upon his fliould-rs and upon his brcafi: the names
of the twelve tribes of Ifrael, for whom he was
appointed to make lacrifice, prayers, and fupplica-
tions. He knew his dignity was fo great, that on-
ly he might enter within the m.oft holy place ; but
neither could his office nor dignity exempt him
from judgment, when he had offended. If any ob-
ject, Aaron at that time was not anointed, and
therefore was he lubjefl to Mofes; I have anfwer-
ed, that Mofes being taught by the mouth of God,
did perfectly underfland to what digni:y Aaron
was appointed, and yet , he feared not to call him
in judgment, and to compel him to make anfwer
for his wicked faft. But if this anfwer doth not
fufhce, yet fhall the Koly Ghofl witnefs further in
the matter.

Solomon removed from honour Ablathar being
the high prieff, and commanded him to ceafe from
all function, and to live as a private man Now,
if the unftion did exempt the prieft from jurifdic-
tion of the civil magiflrate, Solomon did offend,
and injured Ablathar; for he was anointed, and
had carried the ark before David : but God doth
not reprove the fad of Solomon, neither yet doth
Ablathar claim any prerogative by reafon of his
office ; but rather doth the Holy Ghoft approve
the faff of Solomon, faying, ' Solomon ejeded
' forth Ablathar, that he fhould not be the prieft

* of the Lord, that the word of the Lord might

* be performed which he fpake upon the houfe of

* Eli.' And Ablathar did think that he obtained
great favour, in that he did efcape the prefent
death, which by his confpiracy he had deierved.
If any yet reafon, that Ablathar was no otherwife
fubjed to the judgment of the king, but as he
was appointed to be the executer of that fentence,
which God before had pronounced : as I will not
greatly deny that reafon, fo require I that every
man confider, that the fame God who pronounced
fentence againfl Eli and his houfe, hath pronounced
alfo, that idolaters, whoremongers, murderers and
blafphemers, fhall neither have portion in the king-
dom of God, neither ought to be permitted to
bear any rule in -his church and caigregation.

Z z 2 Now,

3*4

The appellation of JOHNKNOX.

Now, if the urnTtion and office fcived not Abia-
thar, becaufe that God's fentence muft needs be
performed ; Can any privilege, gran ted by man be
a buckler to malefaftors, that they fnali not be
fubjeft to the punifliments pronounced by God : I
think no man will be fo foolifh as fo to affirm ; for
A thing more than evident it is, that the whole
priefthood, in the time of the law, was bound to
give obedience to the civil powers ; and if any mem-
ber of the fame was found criminal, the fame was
fubieft to the punifliment of the fword, which God
had put into the hand of the magiftrate. And this
ordirvance of his Father did not Chrift difannul,
but rather did confirm the fame, commanding tri-
bute to be paid for himfelf and for Peter ; who per-
feftly knowing the mind of his mailer, writcth
thus in his epiilie ; * Submit yourfelvcs to all man-

* ner of ordinance of man (he excepteth fuch as are

* exprefiy repugning to God's commandment) for

* the Lord's Hike, whether it be to the king, as

* to the chief head, or unto rulers, as unto them
*- that are fent by him, for punifhment of evil-do-

* ers, and for the praife of them that do well.' The
fame doth the apoftie St, Paul mofl. plainly com-
mand in thefe words, * Let every foul be fubje(5l

* to the fuperior powers.'

Which places make it evident. That neither
Chrift, neither his apoflles, have given any afTu-
rance of this immunity and privilege which men of
church (as they will be termed) do this day claim ;
yea, it was a thing unknown to the primitive church
many years after the days of the apoflles : for
Chryfoftom, who ferved in the church at Conftan-
tinople four hundred years after Chrift's afcenfion,
and after that corruption was greatly increafed,
doth yet thus write upon the foreiaid words of the
apoflle, * This precept (fiith he) doth not apper-

* tain to fuch as are called feculars only, but even

* to thofe that are priefts and religious men :' and
after, he addeth, * Whether thou be apoftle, evan-

* gelifl:, prophet, or whofoever thou be, thou

* canft not be exem.p'ed from this fubjeftion.'
Hereof it is plain, Chryfofrom did not underftand
that God had exempted any perfon from obedi-
ence and fubjeftion of the civil power, neither
yet that he was author of fuch exemption and pri-
vilege, as papifts do this day claim. And the fame
was the judgment and uniform doftrine of the pri-
mitive church for many years after Chrift.

Your honours do wonder, I doubt not, from what
fountain then did this their immunity (as they term
it).and fmgular privilege fpring; I fhall fliortly touch
^that, which i§ evident in their own laws and hifto-

ries. When the bifhops of Rome, the very anti-
chrifts, had partly by fraud, and partly by vio-
lence, ufurped the fuperiority of fome places in
Italy, and mofi: unjuflly had fpoiled the emperors
of their rents and polfeffions, and had alio mur-
dered fome of their officers, as hiflories do wit-
nefs, then began pope after pope to praftife and
devife how they ffiould be exempted from the
judgment of princes, and from the equity of laws ;
and in this point they were mofl vigilant, till ai
length iniquity did fo prevail in their hands, accord-
ing as Daniel had before prophefied of them, thai
this fentence was pronounced, ' Neither by the em-

* peror, neither by the clergy, neither yet by th<

* people fi'iall the judge be judged. God wills (fait!

* Symmachus) that the caufes of others pe deter
' mined by men, but without all queflion he hatl
' referved the bifhop of this feat (underfland Rome

* to his own judgment.' And hereof divers popes
and expofitors of their laws would feem to giv(
reafons: for faith Agatho, ' All the precepts of th<
' apollolic ieat are a/Tared, as by the voice of Goc

* himfelf. The author of the glofs upon this ca
non, affirmeth, That if all the world would pro
nounce fentence againft the pope, yet ffiould hi
fentence prevail,; ' For, faith he, the pope hath i

* heavenly will, and therefore he may change th<

* nature of things, he may apply the fubflance of om

* thing to another, and of nothing he may mak(

* fomewhat ; and that fentence, v;hich was nothing

* that is, by his mind falfe and unjuft, he maj

* make fomewhat, that is, true and jufl : for, faitl
' he, in all things that pleafe him, his will is foi

* reafon ; neither is there any man that may afk o;

* him, why doff thou fo ? for he may difpenle abov<

* law, and of injuflice he may make juflice; foi
' he hath the fulnefs of all power.' And many o-
ther blafphemous fentences did they pronounce
every one after another, which, for ffiortnefs fake.
I omit, till at the end they obtained this moft her
rible decree, That, albeit in life and converfatioE
they were fo wicked, and deteftable, that not on
ly they condemned themfelves, but that alfo the}
drew to hell and perdition many thoufand.<; with
them, yet that none fhould prefiime to reprehend
or rebuke them.

This being eftablifhed for the head (albeit not
without fome contradiftion, for fome emperor
did require due obedience of them, as God's wore
commanded, and ancient bifhops had given before
to emperors, and to their laws ; but Satan prevail
ing fb in his fuit before the blind world, that th(
former fentences were confirmed j which powci

beiDi

The appellation

being granted to the head) then began provlfion to
be made for the reft of the metnbers in all realms
and countries, where they made refidence ; the
refiilt whereof we fee to be this, that none of that
peftilent generation (1 mean, the vermine of the
papiftical order) will be fubjefl to any civil magi-
ftrate, how enormous foever his crime be, but
will be referved to their own ordinary, as they
term it : and what fruits have hereof enfued, be
the world never fo blind, it cannot but witnefs ;
for how their head, that Roman antichrift, hath
been occupied, ever fmce the granting of fuch
privileges, hiflories do witnefs ; and of late the
inoft part of Europe, fubjeft to the plague of
God, to fire and fword, by his procurement hath
felt, and this day doth feel. The pride, ambiti-
on, envy, excefs, fraud, fpoil, opprelTion, mur-
der, filthy life and inceft, that is ufed and main-
tained amongft that rabble of priefts, friars,
monks, canons, bifhops and cardinals, cannot be
exprefTed.

1 fear not to affirm, neither doubt I to prove,
that the papiftical church is further degenerate
from the purity of Chrift's do6lrine, from the
footftcps of the apoftlcs, and from the manners of
the primitive church, than was the church of the
Jews from God's holy ftatutes, what time it did
crucify Chrift Jefus the only Meflias, and moft
cruelly perfecute his apoftles : and yet will our
papifts claim their privileges and ancient liberties ;
which if you grant unto ihem, my lords, ye fhall
afTuredly drink the cup of God's venteance with
them, and fliall be reputed before his prefence,
companions of thieves, and maintainers of mur-
derers, as is before declared : for their immunity
and privilege, whereof fo greatly they boaft, is
nothing elle, but as if thieves, murderers or
briggands (hould confpire amonft themfelves, that
they would never anfwer in judgment before any
lawful magiftrate, to the end that their theft and
murder (hould not be punifhed ; even fuch, I fay,
is their wicked privilege, which neither they have
of God the Father, neither of Chrift Jefus, who
hath revealed his Father's will to the world, nei-
ther yet of the apoftles nor primitive church, as
before is declared : but it is a thing confpired a-
mongft themfelves, to the end that their iniquity,
deteftable life and tyranny, may never be repref-
fed, nor reformed.

And if they objeft, that godly emperors did
grant and confirm the fame ; I anfwer, that the
godlinefs of no man is, or can be fufEcient autho-
rity tajuftify a foolifli and ungodly fa(5l, fuch, I

OF JOHN KNOX. 36^

mean, as God hath not allowed by his word; for
Abraham was a godly man, but the denial of his
wife was fuch a faft, as no godly man ought to
imitate: the fame might I fliew of David, Heze-
kiah and Jofiah, unto whom I tlunk no man of
judgment will prefer any emperor fmce Chrift, in
holinefs and wifdom ; and yet are not their fafts
or even fuch as appeared for good caufes, to be
approved nor followed. And therefore, I fay, as
error and ignorance remain always with the moft
perfect man in this life ; fo muft their works be
examined by another rule, than by their own ho-
linefs, if they fliall be approved.

But if this anfwer doth not fuffice, then will I
anfwer more fliortly, that no godly emperor fmce
Chrift's afcenfion hath granted any fuch prlvi!ef«e
to any fuch church or perfon, as they, the whole
generation of papifts, be at this day.

I am not ignorant, that fome emperors, of a
certain zeal, and for fome confiderations, granred
liberties to the true church afBi6l:ed for thei" main*
tenance againft tyrants ; but v.^hat fcrveth this for
the defence of their tyranny ? If the Ltvv muft be
underftood according to the mind of the Lawgiver, .
then muft they prove themfelves Chrift's true and
afllifted church, before they can claim any privi-
lege to appertain to them ; for only to that church
were the privileges granted. It will not be their
glorious titles, neither yet the long pofteilion of
the name, that can prevail in this fo weighty a
caufe ; for all thofe had the church of Jcruftlera,
which did crucify Chrift, and did condemn his
do6trine. We offer to prove by their fruits and
tyranny, by the prophets, and plain fcriptures of
God, what trees and generation they be, to wit,
unfruitful and rotten, apt for nothing, but to be
cut and caft into hell fire; yea, that they are the
very kingdom of antichrift, of whom we are com-
manded to beware.

Therefore, m^y lords, to return to you, feeinp-
that God hath armed your hands'^ with the fword of
juftice, feeing that his law moft ftraitly comm.and-
eth idolaters and falfe prophets to be punifiied
with death, and that you be placed above your
fubjefts, to reign as fathers over their children ;
and further, feeing that npt only I, but with me
many thousand famous, godly, and ' learned per-
fons, acGufe your bifhops, and the whole rabble
of the papifiical clergy, of idolatry, of murder
and bafphemy againft God committed : it apper-
taineth to your honours to be vigilant and careful
in fo weighty a matter. The queftion is not of
earthly fubftance, but of the glory of God, and

36^ Thie APPELLATIO

of the falvatiOH of yourfelves, and of your breth-
ren lubjedt to your charge ; in which if you,
after this plain admonition, be negligent, there
redeth no excufe by reafon of ignorance ; for, in
the name of God,' I require of you, That the
caufe of religion may be tried in your prefence by
the plain and fimple word of God ; that your bi-
fhops be compelled to defift fr®m their tyranny,
that they be compelled to make anlu'cr for the ne-
glefting of their office, for the fubfiifence of the
poor, vyhich unjafliy they ufurp and prodigally
they do fpend ; but principally for the falfe and
deceivablc do61rine which is taught and defended
by their falfe prophets, flattering friars, and other
fuch venomous locuifs : which thing if with fmgle
eyes ye do (preferring God's glory and the falva-
tion of your brethren before all worldly commo-
dity) then (liall the fame God, who folemnly doth
pronounce to honour thofe that do hpnour him,
pour his benediiSlions plentifully upon you ; he
ihall be your buckler, proteflion and captain, and
fliall reprefs, by his flrength and wifdom, what-
foever Satan, by his fuppofts, fhall imagine againfl
you.

I am not ignorant, that great troubles fiiall en-
fue your cnterprife ; for Satan wall not be expel-
led from the pofleffion of his ufurped kingdom
without refiflance : but if you, as is laid, prefer-
ring God's glory to your own lives, unfeignedly
feek and Ifudy to obey his blefTed will, then fliall
your deliverance be fuch, as evidently it fhall be
known, thr.t the angels of the Eternal do watch,
rnake war and fight for thofe that unfeignedly fear
the Lord : but, if you refuie this my moft rea-
fonable and juft petition, what defence that ever
yoa appear to have before men, then fliall God,
whom in me you contemn, refufe you ; he (hall
pour forth contempt upon 30U, and upon your
poilerity after you ; the fj^Irit of boldnefs and
wifdom fhall be taken from you, your enemies
fhall reign, and you ftiail die in bondage ; yea,
God fhall cut down the unfruitful trees, when
they do appear moft beautifully to flourifh, and
fhall fo burn the root, that after you, fhall nei-
ther twig nor branch again fpring to glory.

Hereof I need not to adduce unto you examples
from the former ages, and anci:;nt hiHiories: for
your brethren the nobility of England are a mirror
and glafs, in the which yc may behold God's juff
puniiliment ; for as they have refufed him and his
gofpel, which once in mouth they did profefs, fo
hath he refufed them, and hath taken from them
the fpirjt ef wifdom, bcldncfs and of counfel :

N OF JOHN KNOX.

they fee and feel their own mifery, and yet they
have no grace to avoid it : they hate the bondage
of flrangers, the pride of priefls, and the mou"-
flrous empire of a wicked woman ; and yet are
they compiled to bow their necks to the yoke of '
the devil, to obey whatfoever the proud Spaniards
and milled Mary lift to command ; and finally to
ftand like flaves with cap in hand, till the fervants
ol Satan, the fliaven fort, call them to council:
this fruit do they reap and gather of their former
rebellion and unfaithfulnefs towards God ; they
are left confufed in their own councils : He, whoni
in his members, for- the pleafure of a wicked wor
man, they have exiled, perfecuted and blafphem-
ed, doth now laugh them to fcorn, fufFtreth them
to be pined in bondage of moft wicked men ; and
finally, fhall judge them to the fire everlafting,
except that fpeedily and openly they repent of their
horrible treafon, which againft God, agalnft his
Son Chrift Jefus, and againft the liberty of their
own native country, they have committed. The
fame plagues fhall fall upon you, be you afTured,
if ye refufe the defence of his fervants that call for
your fupport.

My words are fliarp, but confider, my lords, that
they are not mine, but that they are the threaten-
ing of the Omnipotent, who afTuredly will per-
form the voices of his prophets, how that ever
carnal men defpife his admonitions. The fword
of God's wiath is already drawn, which of ne-
cefTity muft needs ftrike, when grace offered is
obftinately refufed. You have been long in bon-
dage of the devil, bllndnefs, error and idolatry
prevailing againft the ftmple truth of God in that
your realm, in which God hath made you princes
and rulers : but now doth God, of his great mer^
cy, call you to repentance, before he pour forth
the uttermoft of his vengeance ; tie crieth to your
ears, that your religion is nothing but idolatry ;
he accufeth you of the blood of his faints, which
hath, been flied by your permlfTion, aiTiftance and
powers : for the tyranny of thefe raging beafts
fhould have no force, if by your ftrength they were
not maintained. Of thofe horrible crimes doth God
now accufe you, not of purpofe to condemn you,
but mercifully to abfolve and pardon you, as
fometime he did thofe whom Peter accufed to have
killed the Scin of God, fo that ye be not of mln^
nor purpofe to juftify your former iniquity. Ini-
quity, I call not only the crimes and offences,
which have been, and yet remain in your manners
and lives, but that alfo which appeareth before
men moft holy, which with hazard of my life, I

offer

The appellation of JOHN KNOX.

oSer'to prove abomination before God ; tltatis, your
whole religion to be ib corrupt and vain, that no
true (ervant of God can communicate with it, be-
caufe that, in fo doing, he (houJd manifeftly deny
Chrift Jefus and his eternal verity. ^

I know that your biftiops, accompanied with
the fwarm of the papiftical vermine, fhall cry,
* A damned heretic ought not to be heard.'
But remember, my lords, what I proteflcd in the
beginning, upoi which ground I continually lland,
to wit, That I am no heretic, nor deceireable
teacher, but the fervant of Chrifl Jefus, a preach-
er of his infallible verity, innocent in all that they
call lay to my charge concerning my do<ftrine ;
and therefore by them, being enemies to Chriff, I
am unjulfly condemned : from which cruel fen-
tence I have appealed, and do appeal, as before
Jnention is made ; in the mean time, moll: hum-
bly requiring your honours to take me in your
proteiflion, to be auditors of my juft defences,
granting unto mc the fame liberty which Ahab a
wicked king, and Ifrael at tnat time a blinded
people, granted to Elijah, in the like caie ; that
is, that your bifliops, and the whole rabble of
your clergy, may be called before you, and before
that people whom they have deceived : that I be
Hot condemned by multitude, cuflom, by autho-
tity or law devifed by man ; but that God him-
felf may be judge betwixt me and my adverfaries:
let God, 1 fay, fpeak by his law, by his prophets,
by Chrift Jefus, or by his apoftles, and fo, let
iiim pronounce what religion he approveth ; and
then, be my enemies never fo many, and appear
they never fo ftrong and fo learned, no more do I
fear viftory, than did Elijah, being but one man,
againft the multitude of Baal's priefts.

And if they think to have advantage by
their councils and doftors, this I further offer,
to admit the one and the other as witneffes
in all matters debatable, three things, which
juftly cannot be denied, being granted unto me :
^rji. That the moft ancient councils nigheft to the
primitive church, in which the learned and godly
fathers did examine all matters by God's word,
may be holden of moft authority. Secondly, That
Ho determinations of councils, nor man, be ad-
mitted againft the plain verity of God's word, nor
againft the determination of thofe four chief
councils, whofe authority hath been, and is hol-
den by them equal with the authority of the four
evangelifts. And laji, That to no do(5tor be

3<^7'

given greater authority, than Auguftlne requireth
to be given to his writings ; to wit, if he plainly
prove not his affirmation by God's infallible word,
that then his fentence be rejefted, and imputed to
the error of a man,

Thefe things granted and admitted, I fhall no
more refufe the teftimonies of councils and dolors,
than fhall my adverfaries, But and if they will
juftify thofe councils, which maintain their pride
and ufurped authority, and will rcjeft thofe which
plainly have condemned all fuch tyranny, negli-
gence, and wicked life, as bifhops now do ufe :
and if further, they will fnatch a doubtful
fentence of a dodlor, and refufe his mind when he
fpeaketh plainly ; then will I fay. That all men
are liars ; that credit ought not "to be given to an.
unconftant witnefs ; and that no councils ought to
prevail, nor be admitted againft the fentence which
God hath pronounced.

And thus, my lords, in few words to conclude,
I have offered unto you a trial of my innocency j
1 have declared unto you what God requireth of
you, being placed above his people, as rulers and
princes ; I have offered unto you, and to the inha-
bitants of the realm, the verity of Chrift Jefus j
and, with the hazard of my life, I prefently offer
to prove the religion which amongft you is main-
tained by fire and fword, to be falfe, damnable
and diabolical. Which things if ye refufe, de-
fending tyrants in their tyranny, then I dare not
flatter, but as it was commanded to Ezekiel bold-
ly to proclaim ; fo muft I cry to you, that you
fhall perifh in your iniquity, that the Lord Jefus
fhall refufe fo many of you as m.alicioufly with-
ftand his eternal verity, and in the day of his ap-
parition, when all flefh fhall appear before him,
that he fhall repel you from his company, and fhall
command you to the fire which never fhall be
quenched ; and then, neither fhall the multitude
be able to refift, neither yet the counfcls of man
be able to prevail againft that fentence, which he
fhall pronounce.

* God, the Father of our Lord Jefus Chrift, by

* the power of his holy fpirit, fo rule and difpofe

* of your hearts, that of fimplicity ye may confider
' the things that be offered ; and that ye may take

* fuch order in the fame, as God in you may be-

* glorified, and Chrift's flock by you may be edifi-

* ed and comforted, to the praife and glory of our

* Lord Jefus Chrift, whofe omnipotent fpirit rule

* your hearts, in his truefeai^ to the end. Jtnen.

368

To his beloved Brethren, the Commonalty of SCOTLAND.

John Knox lui/ljeth Grace, Mercy and Peace, with the Spirit of righteous Judgment.

H A T I have required of the queen regent,
. . Hates and nobility, as 'of the chief heads,
for this preient, of the reahn, I cannot ceafe to
require of you (dearly beloved brethren) which be
the commonalty and body of the fame, to ivit,
That it (notwithflanding that falfe and cruel fen-
tence which your difguifed bifhops have pronounc-
ed againft me) would pleafe you to be fo favour-
able unto me, as to be indiiferent auditors of my
juft purgation : which to do, if God earntftly
moVe your hearts, as I nothing doubt but that
your enterprife (hall redound to the praife and
glory of his holy name ; fo am I affured, that ye
and your pofterity Ihall by that means receive moft
fmgular comfort, edification and profit ; for,
whta ye (hall hear the matter debated, ye (liall
eafily perceive and undsrftand, upon what ground
and foundation is bujlded that religion, which
amongft you is this day defended by fire and
fword.

As for mine own confcience, I am moft a(rured-
ly perfuaded, that whatfoever is uled in the papifti-
cal church, is altogether repugning to Chrift's
bleffed ordintmce, and is nothing but mortal ve-
nom ; of which whofoever drinketh, 1 am alTured-
ly perfuaded, that therewith he drinketh death
and damnation, except, by true converfion unto
God, he be purged from the (lime. But, becaufe
that long filence of God's word, hath begotten ig-
norance almofi: in all forts of men ; and ignorance,
joined with long cuflom, hath confirmed fuperfti-
tion in the hearts of many : I therefore, in the
nam.e of the Lord Jefus Chrifl:, defire audience,
as well of you the commonalty, my brethren, as
of the ftates and nobility of the realm, that in pu-
blic preaching I may have place amongfi you, at
.large to utter my mind, in all matters of controver-
fy this day in religion. And further, I defire, that
.ye, concurring with your nobility, would compel
your biihops and clergy to ceafe their tyranny : and
-alfo, that, for the better afTurance and infi:ru61ion
of your confcience, ye would compel your faid bi-
fhops and falfe teachers, to anfwer by the fcriptures
of God to fuch objections and crimes, as (hall be
,iaid agaiuil their vxia religion, falfe do'flrine,

wicked life, and flanderous converfation.

Here I know that it fhall be objedled, that I re-
quire of you a thing mofi: unreafonable, to ivitf
that ye (hould call your religion in doubt, which
hath been approved and eftablifhed by fo long
continuance and by the confent of (b many men
before you. But 1 (liortly anfwer, that neither is
the long continuance of time, neither yet the mul-
titude of men, a fufficient approbation, which
God will allow for our religion : for, as fome of
the ancient writers do witnefs, neither can long
procefs of time jufiify an error; neither can the
multitude of luch as follow it, change the nature
of the fame; but if it was an error in the begin-
ning, fo is it in the end ; and the longer that it be
followed, and the more that do receive it, it is
more pefiilent, and more to be avoided : for if an-
tiquity or multitude of men could juftify any reli-
gion, then was the idolatry of the Gentiles, and
now is the abomination of the Turks, good religi-
on ; for antiquity approved the one, and a multi-
tude hath received and doth defend the other.
But otherwife to anfwer, godly men may wonder,
from what fountain fuch a fentance doth flow,
that no man ought to try his faith and religion by
God's word, but that he fafely may believe and
follow every thing, which antiquity and multitude
have approved. The Spirit of God doth otherwife
teach us; for the wifdom of God, Chrifl: Jefus him-
felf, remitted his adverfaries to Mofes and the
fcriptures, to try by them, whether his doftrine
were of God, or not. The apoftles Paul and Pe-
ter comimand men to try the religion which they
profefs, by God's plain fcriptures, and do praile
men for fo doing. St. John flraitly commandeth,
that we believe not every fpirit, but to try the
fpirits, whether they be of God or not.

Now, fi-ciag that thefe evident teflimoiriles of
the Holy Ghofl will us to try our faith and religi-
on by the plain word of God, wonder it is, that
the papiils will not be content, that their religion
and do(flrine come under the trial of the fame. If
this lentence of Chrifl be true (as it is moll true,
feeing it fpringeth from the verity itfelf) ' \Vhofo
* doth evil hateth the light, neither will he come

< to

TO THE COMMONALTY of SCOTLAND.

to the light, left that his works be manifcfted and
' rebuked ;' then do our pwpids by their own fen-
cnoe condemn themfelves and their religion : for,
1 (o far as they refufe examination and trial, they
declare, that they know fome fault which the light
will utter; which is a caufe of their fear, and why
they claim that privilege, that no man difpute of
their religion. The verity and truth being of the
nature of fine purified gold, doth not fear the trial
of the furnace ; but the flubble and chaff of man's
inx'entions, fuch is their religion, may not abide
the flame of fire.

True it h, that Mahomet pronounced this fen-
Jf nee, that no mrm (hould, on pain of death, dif-
jputc or reafon of the ground of his religion ;
■^VliJch law, to this day, by the art of Satan, is ob-
•feived, amongfl the Turks, to their mortal blind-
hd^, and horrible blafpheming of the gofpel of
Chrirt Jefus, and of his true religion: and from
Mahomet (or rather from Satan the father of all
lies) hath the pope and his rabble learned this for-
mer lefTon, to wit, their religion fliould not be
difputed upon, but what the fathers have believed,
that ought and mnfl; the children approve : and,
in fo devifmg, Satan lacked not his forcfight ; for
no one thing hath more eflablifhed the kingdom of
that Roman antichrift, than this mofl: wicked de-
cree, to wit, that no man was permitted to reafon
©f his power, or to call his laws in doubt. This
IS moft afTured, that whenfoever the papiftical re-
ligion fliall come to examination, it ftiall be found
to have no other ground, than hath the religion
©f Mahomet, to zuit, man's invention, device and
dreams, overfhadowed with fome colour of God's
Iwdrd ; and therefore, brethren, feeing that the
"religion is to man, as the flomach to the body,
iwhich, if it be corrupted, doth infeft the whole
members, it is neceffary that the fame be examin-
!ed; and if it be found replenidied with pefiilent
j humours (I mean with the fantafies of men) then
ofneceflity it is, that thofe be purged, elfe fliall
your bodies and fouls perifli for ever : for of this
jl would ye were moll: certainly perfuade i that a
icorrupt religion defileth the whole life of man,
appear it never fo holy.

Neither would I, that ye fxioold efleem the re-
formation and care of religion lefs to appertain to
you, becaufe ye are no kings, rulers, judges, no-
bles, nor in ?.uthorit5r. Beloved brethren, ye are
God's creatures, created and formed to his own
image and nmliitude, for wbofe redemption was
fhed the mofl: precious blood of the only beloved
Son of Go'5, to whom he hath commanded his

3h

gofpel and glad tidings to be preached, and for
v'hom he hath prepared the hcaVenly inheritance;
fo that ye will not obftinately rcfufo', and difd^in-
tully contemn tlie means which he hath appointed
to obtain tl^e fame, to wit, his bleffed gofoeK
which now he ofTereth unto you, to the end that
ye may be faved : for the gofpel and glad tidings
of the kingdom truly preached, is the power of
God to the falvation of every believer. VvHuch to
credit and receive, you the commonalty are no lefs
addebted, than be your rulers and princes : fer al-
beit God hath put and ordained diffinaion and
difference betwixt the king and fubjeds, betwixt
the rulers and the common people, in the govern-
ment and adminiftration of civil policies,^yet m
the hope of the life to come, he hath made all e-
qual : for, as in Chrifl Jefus the Jew hath no
greater prerogative than batli the Gentile, the man
than hath the woman, the learned than the un-
learned, the lord than the fervant, but all are one
in him ; fo is there but one way and means to at-
tain to the participation of his benefits and fpiritual
graces, which is a lively faith, wori^ing by chari-
ty.

And therefore, I fay, that it doth no lefs apper-
tain to you, beloved brethren, to be afTured, that
your faith and religion be grounded and efiablifhed
upon the true and undoubted word of God, than
to your princes or rulers : for, as your bodies can-
not efcape corporal death, if with your princes ye
eat or drink deadly poifon (altho' it be by igno-
rance or negligence) fofhall ye not efcape tiieever-
lafling, if with them ye profefs a corrupt religion ;
yea, except in heart ye believe, and with mouth
ye confefs the Lord Jefus to be the only Saviour of
the world (which ye cannot do, except ye embrace
his gofpel offered) ye cannot efcape death and dam-
nation ; for, as thejufl livcth by his own faith,
fo doth the unfaithful perifh by his infidelity : and,*
as true faith is engendered, nouridied, and main-
tained in the hearts of God's eleft, by Chrifl's gof-
pel truly preached ; fo is infidelity and unbdief
foflered, by concealing and rcpreffmg the fam.e.
And thus, if ye look for the life everlafling, ye
muff try if ye ffand in the faith ; and if ye would
be afTured of a true and lively faith, ye mufl needs
have Chrift Jefus truly preached untoj-ou.

■ And this is the caufe, dear brethren, that fo oft
I repeat, and fo conlfantly I affirm, that to you it
doth no lefs appertain, than to your king or prin-
ces, to provide, that Chrifl Jefus be truly preach-
ed amongfl you, feeing that without his true
kaowlege, can neither of you both attain to falva-

A a a

lion

The admonition of JOHN KNOX

37*^

lion: and this is the point, wherein, I fay, all

men are equal, ' That all are defcended from A-

* dam, by whofe fm and inobedience did death en-

* ter into the world ; fo it behoved all that (hall ob-
' tain life, to be ingrafted in one. that is, in the Lord

* {efus, who being the juft fervant, doth by his
', knowlege juftify many ; to wit, all that unfeign-
' ediy believe in him.'

,0f &AS equality, and that God requireth no lefs
of the fubjeft, be he never fo poor, than of the
prince and rich men in matters of religion, he hath
given an evident declaration in the law of Mofes ;
tor when the tabernacle was builded, erected, and
fet in order, God did provide, how it, and^ the
thinTs p-rtaining to the feme, fhould be fullained,
io thlt they fnould not hl\ in decay : and this pro-
viiion (albeit heaven and earth obey his empire)
would he not take from the fecret and hid treafures
which ly difperfed in the veins of the earth, nei-
ther yet would he take it from the rich and potent
of the people ; but he did command, that every
one of the fons of Ifracl (v/ere he rich, or were he
poor) that came in count from 20 years and up-
ward, fhould yearly pay half a (liekel for an oblati-
on to the Lord, in the remembrance of their re-
demption, and for an expiation or cleanfmg of their
fouls ; which money God commanded fhould be
bellowed upon the ornaments and necelTaries of the
tabernacle of teflimony. He furthermore added a
precept, that the 1 ich fliould give no more for that
ufe, and in that behalf, than fhould the poor ;
neither yet that the poor fliould give any lefs than
fhould the ricli in that confideration.

This law, to man's reafon and judgment, may
appear very unreafonable ; for fome rich man might
have given a thoufand fhekels with lefs hurt of his
fubftance, than fome poor man might have paid
the half (hekel : and yet God maketh all equal,
and will that the one fhall pay no more than the
other, neither yet the poor lefs than the rich.
This law, I fay, may appear very unequal : bur,
if the caufe which God addeth be obferved, v/c
fliall find in the fame the great mercy and ineftim-
iible wifdom of God to appear, which caufe is ex-
prefled in thefe words, ' This money received from
' the children of Ifrael, thou fhalt give in for the

* fervice of the tabernacle, that it may be to the chil-
< dren of Ifrael, for a rem.embrance before the Lord,
' that he may be merciful to your fouls.' This
caiife, I fay, doth evidently declare, that, as the
whole multitude was delivered from the bondage
of Eygpt, by the mighty power of God alone ; fo
was every member of the fame, without refpeft of

perfons, fan(5lified by his grace, the richefl (in that
behalf nothing preferred before the poorefl : for,
by no merit and worthinefs of man was he moved
to choofe and to eftablifli his habitation and dwel-
ling amongfl them ; but their felicity, prerogative
and honour, which tkey had above all other nati-
ons, proceeded only from the fountain of his cta-
nal goodnefs, who loved them freely, as he freej^
had chofen them to be a prieftly kingdom, and ho-
ly people, from all nations of the earth, thus to
honour, them, that he would dwell in the midft
of them : he neither was moved, I fay, by the
wifdom of the wife, by the riches of the potent,
neither yet by the virtue and holinefs of any flate
amongfl them, but of mere goodnefs did he love
them, and with his prefence did he honour the
whole people; and therefore, to point out thf
fame his common love to the whole multitude, and
to cut off occafions of contention, and doubts d
confcience, he would receive no more from the
rich, than from the poor, for the maintenance ol
that his tabernacle, by the which was reprefented
his prefenee and habitation amongfl them.

If the rich had been preferred to the poor, then,
as the one fhould have been puffed up withpride,
as that he had been more acceptable to God, hy
reafon of his greater gift ; fo fhould the confcienct
of the other have been troubled and wounded,
thinking that his poverty was an impediment thai
he could not ftand in {o perfect favour with God..
as did the other ; becaufe he was not able to giv{
fo much, as did the rich, to the maintenance ol
his tabernacle: but he, who of mercy, as is faid,
did choofe his habitation amongfl them, and alfc
that befl knoweth what lieth within man, did
provide the remedy for the one, and for the otherj
making them equal in that behalf, who in othei
things were mofl unequal. If the poor fhould
have found himfelf grieved by reafon of that tasi,
and that as much was impofed upon him as upon
the rich, yet had he no fmall caufe of joy, thaij
God himfelf would pleafe to compare him, and tc|J
make him equal (in the maintenance of his taber-
nacle) to the moll rich and potent in Ifrael.

If this equality was commanded by God fon
maintenance ©f that tranfitory tabernacle, which
was but a Ihadow of a belter to come ; is not th(
fame required of us, who now have the verity
which is Chrifl Jefus ? who being clad with ouj
nature, is made ' Immanuel, t/jat is, God witl.

* us; whofe natural body, albeit it be receivec

* into the heavens, where he mufl abide till allixj

* compleat, that is forefpoken by the prophets, ye !

*hatl

TO THE COMMONALTY o» SCOTLAND.

37J

' i«th he promifed to be prefent with us to the
* end of the world.' And for that purpofe, and
for the more alTurance of his promife, he hatli tr-
. refted among us here in the earth, the fignsof his
own prefence with us, his fpiritual tabernacle, the
true preaching of his word, and right adminiftra-
I tion of his facraments ; to the maintenance where-
^ of, is no lefs bound the fubjeiH: than the pi ince,
i the poor than the rich : for, as the price, which
was given for man's redemption, is one ; fo God
requireth of all that fhall be partakers of the bene-
fits of the fame, alike duty; which is a plain con-
fefiion, that by Chrifl Jefus alone, we have re-
ceived whatfbever was lofl: in Adam.

Of the prince doth God require, that he refufe
himfelf, and that he follow Jefus Chrifl ; of the
fubjeft he requireth the fame. Of the kings and
judges it is required, that they kifs the Son ; that
is, give honour, fubje6tion and obedience to him:
and from fuch reverence doth not God exempt the
fubjeift that {hall be faved ; and that is that equa-
lity which is betwixt the kings and fubje(5fs,*the
moft rich or noble, and betwixt the pooreft and
men of loweft ftate, to wit, that, as the one is o-
bliged to believe in heart, and with mouth to con-
fefs the Lord Jefus to be the only Saviour of the
world ; fo alfo is the other. Neither is there any
of God's children (who hath attained to the years
of difcretion) fo poor, but that he hath thus much
to beftow upon the ornaments and maintenance of
their fpiritual tabernacle, when neceflity requireth ;
neither yet is there any fo rich, of whofe hands
God requireth any more : for, albeit that David
gathered great fubftance for the building of the
temple, that Solomon with earnefl diligence and
incredible expences ere6Ved and finifhed the fame,
that Hezekiah and Jofiah purged the religion
which before was corrupted ; yet to them was God
no further debter in that refpeft, than he w^as to
the mod fimple of the faithful pofterity of faithful
Abraham: for their diligence, zeal and works,
gave rather teftimony and confeflion before men,
what honour they did bear to God, what love to
his word, what reverence to his religion, than
that any work proceeding from them did either
eftablifh, or yet increafe God's favour towards
them, who freely did love them in Chrift his Son,
before the foundation of the world was laid : Co
that thefe forenamed, by their notable works, gave
teftimony of their unfeigned faith; and the fame
doth the pooreft, that unfeignedly and openly pro-
felTeth Chrift Jefus, and doth embrace his glad

tidings offered, that doth abhor fuperftition, and
flee from idolatry.

The pooreft, I fay, and moft fimple that this-
day on earth, in the days of this cruel perfecutloo,
firmly believeth in Chrift, and boldly doth confcfg
him before this wicked generation, is no lefs ac-
ceptable before God, neither is judged in his pre-
fence to have done any lefs in promoting Chrift's
caufe, than is the king, that by his fword and
power, which he hath received of God, rooteth
out idolatry, and fo advanceth Chrift's glory.
But, to return to our former purpofe, it is no lefs
required, I fay, of the fubjefl to believe in Chrift,
and to profefs his true religion, than of the prince
and king : and therefore I affirm, that in God's
prefence it ftiall not excufe you, to alledge, that
ye were no chief rulers, and therefore that the care
and reformation of religion did not appertain unto
you.

Ye, dear brethren, as before is faid, are the
creatures of God, created to his own image and
fimilitude ; to whom it is commanded, to hear the
voice of your heavenly Father, to embrace tis Son
Chrift Jefus, to flee from all doftrine and religion,
which he hath not approved by his own will, re-
vealed to us in his moft bleffed word; to which
precepts and charges, if ye be found inobedient,
ye fhall perifh in your iniquity, as rebels and ftub-
born fervants, that have no pleafure to obey the
good will of their fovereign Lord, who moft lov-
ingly doth call for your obedience : and therefore,
brethren, in this behalf, it is your part to be care-
ful and diligent ; for the queftion is not of things
temporal, which, although they be endangered,
yet by diligence and procefs of time may after be
redrefTed ; but it is of the damnation of your bodies
and fouls, and of the lofs of life everlafting, which
once loft can never be recovered : and therefore I
fay, that it behoveth you to be careful and diligent
in this fo weighty a matter, left that ye, contem-
ning this occafion, which God now ofFereth, find
not the like, although that after with groaning and
fobs ye languifti for the fame. And that ye be
not ignorant of what occafion I mean, in few
words I fhall exprefs it.

Not only I, but with me alfo divers other god-
ly and learned men, do offer unto you our labours,
faithfully to inftrufl you in the ways of the Eter-
nal, our God, and in the fmcerity of Chrift's gof-
pel, which this day, by the peftilent generation
of antlchrift (1 mean, by the pope, and by his
moft ungodly clergy) are almoft hid from the

eyes
A a a 2

■372

The A D M O N I T I O N OF JOHN KNOX

eyes of men : we offer to jeopard our lives for the
iiilvation of your fouls, and by manifeft fcriptures
to prove that religion, that amongft you is main-
tained by fire and fword, to be falfe, vain and di-
abolical. We require nothing of you, but that
patiently ye will hear our docTtrine, which is not
ours, but the do(51rine of ftilvation revealed to the
world by the only Son of God ; and that ye will
examine our reafons, by the which wc offer to prove
thepapillical religion to be abominable before God:
andlalljwerequirethat by your power the tyranny
of thofe cruel beafts (I mean, of priefts and friars)
may be bridled, till we have uttered our minds in
all matters this day debatable in religion: if thefe
things in the fear of God ye grant to nie, and un-
to others that unfeignedly, for your falvation,
and for God's glory require the fame, i am affur-
ed, that of God ye fhall be blelfed, whatfoever
Satan Ihall devife againft vou. But, and if ye
contemn or refafe God, who thus lovingly oflfer-
eth unto you falvation and life, ye Ihall neither e-
fcape plagues temporal, which Ihortly fliall appre-
hend you ; neither yet the torment prepared for
the devil, and for his angels, except by your
ipeedy repentance ye return to the Lord, whom ye
I efufe, if that ye refufe the mciTengers of his word.
But yet I think ye doubt what ye ought, and
may do, in this fo weighty a matter. In few words
I will declare my confcience in the one, and in the
other : ye ought to prefer the glory of God, and
the promoting of Chrifl's gofptl, and the falvati-
on of your fouls, to all things that be in the earth :
and ye, although ye be but fubjedls, may lawful-
ly require of your fuperiors, be it of your king,
be it of your lords, rulers and powers, that they
provide for you true preachers, and that they ex-
pel fuch as, under the name of paftors, devour
and deflroy the flock, not feeding the fame, as
Chrifl: Jefus hath commanded : and if in this peint
your fuperiors be negligent, or yet pretend to main-
tain tyrants in their tyranny,mofl:juIlIy ye may pro-
vide true teachers for yourfelves, paftors accord-
ing to the mind and heart of God, by wdiom ye
may be ftd with that mofl comfortable food of
your fouls, Chrift's gofpel truly preached. Ye
may moreover, in a peaceable manner, without
fedition, withhold the fruits and profits, which
your falfe bhhops and clergy moil: unjuflly re-
ceive of you, unto fuch time as they fhall falth-
t'ully do their charge and duties, which is. To
preach unto you Chrifb Jefus truly, rightly to mi-
aifter the lacraments according to his own inflitu-
jion ; and h to watch for the falvation of your

fouls, as is commanded by Chrlft JefuS himfelf,
and by his apoftles Paul and Peter.

If God fliall move your hearts in his true fear,
to begin to pradfife thele things, and to demand
and crave the fame of your fuperiors, which molt
lawfully ye may do, then I doubt not but, of his
great mercy and free grace, he will illuminate the
e3'es of your minds, that his undoubted verity will
be a lantern to your feet, to guide and lead you
in all the ways which godly wifdom doth approve ;
he will make your enemies tremble before your
faces ; he will eflablifh his gofpel amongft yon, to
the falvation and perpetual comfort of yourfelves,
and of your poilerity after you. But, and if, a-i
God forbid, the love of friends, the fear of your
princes, and the wiidom. of the world, draw yoti
back from God, and from his Son Chrift Jefus,
be ye certainly perfuaded. That ye fliall diink the
cup of his vengeance ; fo many, I mean, as Ihall
contemn and defpife this loving calling of your
heavenly Father.

*t will not excufe you, dear brethren, in the
prefence of God, neither yet will it avail yon ia
the day of his vifitation, to fay, * We were but

* fimple fubje^s, we could not redrefs the faults^

* and crimes of our rulers, biOiops and clergy :

* we called for reformation, and wilhed for the
' fame ; but lords brethren were bifhops, their

* fons were abbots, and the friends of great mea

* had the poffeflion of the church, and fo were
' we compelled to give obedience to all that they
' demanded.' Thefe vain excufes, I fay, will no'*
thing avail you in the prefence of God, who re-
quireth no lefs of the fubjecffs, than of their
rulers ; that they decline from evil, and that they
do good ; that they abftain from idolatry, fupcr-
ftition, blafphemy, murder, and other fuch like
horrible crimes, which his law forbiddeth ; and
yet neverthelefs are openly committed and malici-
oufly defended in that miferable realm.

And if ye think that ye are innocent, becaufe
ye are not the chief actors of fuch iniquity, ye arc
utterly deceived ; for God doth not only punifli
the cliief offenders, but with them doth he con- i
demn the confenters to fuch iniquity ; and all are
judged to confent, that, knowing impiety com-
mitted, give no teftlmony that the fame difpleaf-
eth them. To fpeak this matter more plain, As
your princes and rulers are criminal with youc
bifhops of all idolatry committed, and of all the
innocent blood that is fhed for the teftlmony of
Chrift's truth, and that becaufe they maintaia
them in their tyranny; fo are you (I mean fo.^

many.

TO THE COMMONALTY

many of you as give no plain confe^ion to the
contrary) criminal and gnilty with your princes
and rulers, in rhe fame crimes ; becaufe you affiii:
and maintain your princes in their blind rage, and
give no declaration that their tyranny difpkafeth
you.

This do(fl:rine, I know, is flrange to the blind
world ; but the verity of it hath been declared
in all notable puniihments from the beginning.
When the original world peri (hed by^ water; when
Sodom and Gomorrah were confumed by fire;
and finally, v/he'n Jerufalem was horribly deflroy-
ed ; doth any man think that all were alike
v/icked before the world ? Evident it is that they
were not, if they be judged according to their
external fa<5^s : for Ibme were young, and C(iuld
not be opprefTors, neither yet could defile them-
fclves with unnatural and beaftly lufls ; fome
were pitiful and gentle of nature, and did not
thirft for the blood of Chrifl, nor of his apolUes :
but did any efcape the plagues and vengeance
which did apprehend the multitude ? Let the
fcriptures witnefs, and the hiftories be confidered,
which plainly do teftify. That by the waters, all
fiefli in earth at that time did periQi ; (Noah and
hh family referved) that none efcaped in Sodom,
and in the other cities adjacent, except Lot
and his two daughters. And evident it is. That
in that famous city Jerufalem, in that laft and hor-
rible deftruction of the fame, none efcaped God's
vengeance, except ib many as before were dif-
perfed.

And what is the caufe of this feverity, feeing
that all were not alike offenders ? Let the flefh
ceafe to difpute with God, and let all men, by
thefe examples, learn betimes to flee, and avoid
the fociety and company of the proud contemners
of God, if that they Hft not to be partakers of their
plagues. The caufe is evident, if we can be fub-
jeft to God's judgment without grudging, v;hich in
themfelves are moll holy and juiV : for in the ori-
ginal world none was found, that either did refifl
tyranny and oppreflion that univerfally was ufed,
nor yet that earneflly reprehended the fame : ia
Sodom was none found that did gainlland that
furious and beaftly multitude, that did compafs
about and befiege the houfe of Lot ; none would,
believe Lot, that the city ftiould be deftroyed : .
and finally, in Jerufalem was found none that:
ftudied to reprefs the tyranny of the priefts, who ■.
were conjured againft Chrift and his gofpel; but.
all fainted (£ except ever fuch as gave wicncTs-

OF S C 0 T L A N D 373

with their blood, or their fleeing, that fuch im-
piety difpleafed them) all kept -illence ; by the
which all approved iniquity, and joined hands
with the tyrants, and fo were all arayed and fer,
as it had been, in one battle, againft the Omnipo-
tent, and againft his Son Jefus^Chrift : for who-
foever gathereth not with Chrift in the day of hi^
harveft, is judged to fcatter ; and therefore oP
one vengeance temporal v/ere they ail partakers.

Which thing, as before I have touched, ought
to move you to the deep confideration of your
duties in thefe laft and moft perillous times. The
iniquity of your bifnops is more than manlfeft.;
their filthy lives infeft the air ; the innocent blood
which they ihed, crieth vengeance in the ears of
our God ; the idolatry an'd abomination, which
openly they commit, and without puniflimtnc
maintain, doth corrupt and defile the whole land
and none am.ongft you do unfeignedly ftudy for
anyredrefs of fuch enormities. Will God in this
behalf hold you as innocents ? Be not deceived
dear brethren; God hath punifhed not only the
proud tyrants, filthy perfons, and cruel murder^
ers, but alfo fuch as with them did draw the yoke
of iniquity, was it by flattering their offences,
obeying their unjuft commandments, or in winking
at their manifeit iniquity: all fuch, I fay, God
once punifhed with the chief offenders. Be af-
fured, brethren, that, as he is immutable of na-
ture, fo will he not pardon you in that which he
hath punifhed in others ; and now the lefs, be-
caufe he hath plainly admonifhed you of the dan-
gers to coff»e, he hath offered- you his mercy be-
fore he pour forth his wrath and difpleafuse upon
thedifobedient..

* God the Father of our Lord Jefns" Chriff,.
who is the Father of glory, and God of all confo-
lation, give you the fpirit of v/ifdom, and open
unto you the knowledge of himfelf, by the means
of his dear fon, by the which ye mjty .attain to the
efpcrance and hope, that after the troubles of this-
tranfitory life, ye may be p;irtakers of the. glori-
ous inheritance which is^ prepared for- fuch as
refufe themfelves, and fight under the banner of
Chrifljefus in the day of this hisi battle: thit in
deep confideration ol the fume, ye. may learnto
prefer the inviflble and eternal joys, to the vain
pleafures that are prcfent. God further grant
you- his holy fpiiit, rightly to cosfider whati,
in his name, have rcquiied of yocr nobility, and
of the fubjecT-s, and move all together fo to an--
fiver,., that my peiition^be aot a tcitimony of your-

374 1'HE ADMONITION

I lift condemnation, when the Lord Jefns Hiall

OF JOHN KNOX

Flee from Babylon, if ye will not be partakers

sppsar to revenue the blood of his faints, and of her plagues
the contempt of his mofl holy word. Amen. Grace b? ivitk you.

Be ivitnefs to my appellaticniy
the 4th of July, 1558.
Sleep not in fin, for vengeance is prepared a- Tour brother to comtnand in godUnefs,

gainft the inobedient. John Knox,

A faithful ADMONITION made by John Knox, to the
true Profeffors of the Gofpel of Christ within the King-
dom of England,

John Knox -wijheth Grace, Mercy, and Peace from God the Father of our Lord Jefus Chrijt^
with the perpetual Comfort of the Holy Ghoji, to he 'with you for ever and ever^ dear Brethren,
the afflicted Members in Chrijl's Church in Ejigland,

HA V I N G no lefs defire to comfort fuch as
now be in trouble within the realm of Eng-
land, (and efpecially you for many caufes moft
dear to me) than hath the natural father to eafe
the grief and pain of his deareft child ; I have con-
fidered with myfelf, what argument or parcel of
God's fcriptures was moft convenient and meet
to be handled for your confolation, in thofe moft
dark and doloi*ous days : and fo (as for the fame
purpofe I was turning my book) I chanced to fee
a note in the margine written thus in Latin,
Videat Anglia, let England beware; which note
when I had confidered, I found, that the matter
written in my book in Latin, was this, ' Seldom
' it is that God woikcth any notable work to the
'. comfort of his church, but that trouble, fear,
' and labour cometh upon fuch as God hath ufed
'- for his fervants and workmen ; and alfo tribula-
' tion moft commonly foUoweth that church where
* Chrlft Jefus is moft truly preached.' This note
vvras made upon a place of fcripture written in the
14 chapter of St. Matthew's gofpel ; which place
deciareth, that after Chrift Jefus had ufed the
apoftleS as minifters and fervants to feed (as it had
been by their hands) five thoufand men, befides
women and children, with five barley loaves and
two fiihes ; he fent them to the fea, commanding _
them to pafs over before him to the other fide.
Which thing as they attempted to obey, and for
the fame purpofe did travail and row forth in the
fea, the night approached, the wind was contrary,

the vehement and raging ftorm arofe, and was
like to overthrow their poor boat and them.
When I confidered (as dolour and my fimplicity
would fulfer) the circumftance of the text, I be-
gan to reckon and afii account of myfelf (and,
as God knoweth, not without forrow and fobs)
whether at any time I had been fo plain by my
tongue, as God had opened his holy will and
wifdom in that matter unto me, as mine own pen
and note bear witnefs to my confcience : and fhort-
ly it came to my mind, that the fame place of
Icripture 1 had handled in your prefences, whea
God gave opportunity, and time for you to hear
God's meflenger fpeak the words of eternal life.
Whereforel thought nothing more expedient, than
ftiortly to call to mind again, fuch things as then
I truft were touched ; albeit peradventure neither
of me fo plainly uttered, neither of you fo plainly
perceived, as thefe moft dolorous days declare
the fame to us.

It fiiall not be neceflary to handle the text word
by word, but of the whole fum to gather certain
notes and obfervations, which fiiall not far difagree
from the ftate of thofe days, it fhall be fufficient.
And firft it is to be obferved, That after this great
miracle that Chrift had wrought, he neither would
retain with himlelf the multitude of people, whom
he had fed, neither yet his difciples ; but the one
he fent away, every man to return to his place of
accuftomed refidencf , and the others he lent to the
danger of the feas, not that he was ignorant what

ihould

TO THE PROFESSORS of the TRUTH in ENGLAND.

fiiould chance uato them, but knowing and fore-
feeing the tempell, yea, and appointing the fame
fo to trouble them.

It is not to be judged, that the only and true
Paftor would remove and fend av.'ay from him the
wandering and weak fheep, neither yet that the
only provident governor and guide would fet out
his rude warriors to fo great a jeopardy, without
fufficient and moft jufl caufe.

Why Chrift removed and fent away from him
the people, the evangelifl St. John declareth, fay-
ing, * When Jefus knew that they v/ere come to
^ * take him, that they might make him a king, he
* paifed iecretly (or alone) to the mountain.' Where-
ot it is plain what chietly moved Chrift to fend a-
way the people from him ; becaule that by him
they fought a carnal and worldly liberty, regard-
ing nothing his heavenly doflrine of the kingdom
of God his Father, which before he had taught
and declared unto them plainly, Ihewing them,
that fuch as would follow him muft fuffer for his
name's fake perfecution, muft be hated of all men,
muft deny themfelves, muft be fent forth as flieep
among wolves : but no part of this doftrine plea-
fed them, or could enter into their hearts ; but
their whole mind was upon their bellies, for fuffi-
cing whereof they deviled and imagined, that they
would appoint Chrift Jefus to be their v/orldly
king ; for he had power to multiply bread at his
pleafure. Which vain opinion and imagination
perceived by Chrift Jefus, he withdrew himfeif
from their company, to avoid all fuch fufpicion,
and to let them underftand. That no fuch honours
did agree with his vocation, who came to ferve,
and not to be ferved : and when this fame people
fought him again, he ftiarply rebuked them, be-
caufe they fought him more to have their bellies
fed with corruptible meat, than to have their fouls
nouriftied with lively bread that came down from
heaven. And thus in the people there was juft
caufe why Chrift (hould withdraw himfeif from
them for a time.

Why the difciples ftiould fuffer that great dan-
ger, fear and anguifh, St. Mark in his gofpel plain?
ly fheweth, faying, ' That their hearts were blind-

* ed, and therefore did neither remember, nor con-

* fider the miracle of the loaves ;' that is, albeit
with their hands they had touched that bread, by
which fo great a multitude was fed ; and albeit ai-
fo they had gathered up twelve bafketsfuJl of that
which remained of a few loaves, which, before
the miracle, a boy was able to have borne; yet did
they not rightly confider the infinite power of

375

Chx'ift Jefus by this wonderful miracle ; and there-
fore of neceffity it was, that in their own bodies
theyfhould fuifer trouble, for their better mftruc-
tion.

^ When I deeply confider (dear beloved in our Sa-
viour Chrift, how abundantly, and how miracu-
loufty the poor and fmall ftock of Chrift Jefus was
fed within the realm of England, under that eleft
and chofen vefTel of God to glory and honour, Ed-
ward the VI. and now again behold, not only the
difperfion and fcattering abroad, but alfo the ap-
pearing deftruftion of the fame, under thefe cur-
fed, cruel and abominable idolaters, methinks I fee
the fame caufes to have moved God, not only to-
withdraw his prefence from the multitude, but al-
fo to have fent his well-beloved fervants to the
travails of the feas, wherein they were fore to/fed
and turmoiled, and apparently m'oft like to perifh.
What were the afFeftions of the greateft multi-
tude that followed the gofpel in this former reft
and abundance, is eafy to be judged, if the life
and converfation of every man fliould have been
thorowly examined : for, who lived (in that reft)
as that he had refufed himfeif? Who lived in that
reft, as that he had been crucified with Chrift ?
Who lived in that reft, as that he had certainly
looked for trouble to come upon him ? Yea, who
lived not rather in delicacy and joy, and feeking
the v/orld and pleafures thereof, caring for the
flefh and carnal appetites, as though death and
fm had clean been devoured ? And what was this
elfe, than to make of Chrift an earthly kino- ? The
word that we profefFed, daily cried in aur ears^
That our kingdom, our joy, our reft and felicity'
neither was, is, nor ftiould be upon the earth, nei-
ther in any tranfitory thing thereof, but in heaven,
' into which we muft enter by many tribulations.*
But, alas ! we fteeped in fuch fecurity, that
the found of the trumpet could of many never be
perfeftly underftood, but always we perfnaded
ourfelves of a certain tranquillity, as though the
troubles, wJiereof mention is made withtn' the
fcriptures of God, appertained nothing at all to
this age, but unto fuch as of long time are palfed
before us ; and therefore was our heavenly Father
compelled to withdraw from us the prefence of his
Verity (whofe voice in thefe days we could not be-
lieve) to the end that more earneftly we may thirft
for the fame, and with more obedience embrace and
receive it, if ever it fliall pleafe jiis inhnlte good-^
nefs, in fuch abundance to reftore the fame again.
I mean nothing of thofe that followed SiiiO:
only for their beiiies.j for fucli, perceiving that

37^

The ad M O N I T I 0

they cor.Id not obtain their hearts defire of Chrift,
have grudged, and left him in body and heart :
which thing, their blafphenrious voices fpake againft
his eternal Veri'-y,. doih witnefs and deck-re. For
f:d\ brethren, be ve not moved, for in the time
of their profcL-Ron they were not of us, hut were
very diiTcniblcrs and hypocrites ; and therefore God
jafViy permiitcth that they blafpheme the truth,
v.'hich they never loved. I me;m not, that ever
I'uch diireinbiing hypocrites ftall embrace tlie Ve-
rity, but I n:ean fuch, as by infirmity of the ficih,
and by natural blindnefs (which in this life is never
altogether expelled) then could not give the very
obedience v/hich God's word required, neither now
by weaknefs of faith dare openly and boldly con-
fefs that, which their hearts know to be moA true,
and yet lament and mourn, both for the imperfec-
tion bypafl: and prefent ; from fuch ftiali not the
amiable prefencc of Chrift for ever be withdrawn ;
but vet ap-ain fiiall the eyes of their fore troubled
hearts behold and fee that light of Chrift's gofpcl,
wherein they moft delight. We the minifters who
were the dif^ributers of this bread (the true word
of God) wherewith the multitude within England
was fed, lacked not our offences, which alfo mov-
ed God to fend us to the fea. And becaufe the of-
fences of no 'man arefo manifeff unto me, us mine
own, I will only cenfure myfelf.

It is not unknown unto many, that I (the moft
wretched) was once of that number whom God
appointed to receive that bread (as it M-as broken
by Chrift Jefus) to diftribute and give the fame to
fuch, as he had called to this banquet, in that part
of his table, where he appoimcd me to Icrve. It
is not in my knowlege nor judgment to define, nor
determine what portion or quantity every man re-
ceived of this bread, neither yet how that which
they received agreed with their fVomachs; but of
this I am a(!\u-ed. That the benediflion of Chrifl
Jeibs fo muhiplied the portion which 1 received of
hisjiands, that during-the banquet (thisl write to
the praife of his name, and to the accufation of
rnhie own unthankfulntfs) the bread never failed
when the hungry foul craved or cried for food ;
and at the end of the banquet, mine own confci
encc beareth wltnefs, that mine hands gathered up
the crumbs that were left in fuch abundance, that
the banquet was full amongil: the refl. To be
plain, mine own confcience beareth record to my-
felf, hiOvv fmall vvas my learaing, and how weak I
was of judgment, when Chrift Jefus called me to
be his flev/ard ; and how mightily, day by day,
,aiiu time by rlTie, h? multiplied his graces with

N or JOHN KNOX

me, if I fhould conceal, I were molt wicked and
unthankful.

But alas I how bliiidcd was my heart, and how
little did I conHder the dignity of that i.>f^icc, ?.i>d
the power of God that then multipned, sind bleffed
the bread which the people received of my hand':,'
this day mine own confcience beareth witnefs to
myfelf. God I take to record in my cojifciencc,
that I delivered tlie fame bread that I received of
Clirift's hands ; and that I mdxed no poifon with
{he fame, that is, I teached Chrift's goipel without
any mixture of mens dreams, devices, or phanta-
fies. But, alas ! I did it not with fuch fervency,
v.ith fuch indifTerency, and with fuch diligence as
this day I know my duty was to have done.

Some com plainsd in thoie days, That the preach-
ers wereundifcreet perfons (yea, fome called them
railers and worfe) becauie they fpake againft the
manifeff iniquity of men, and efpecially of thofe
that then were placed in authority, as well in court,
as in other offices univerfnlly throughout the realm,
both in cities, towns and villages. And am.ongfl:
others peradventure my rude plainnefs difpleafed
fome, who did complain, that rafhly I did fpeak
of mens faults ; (o that all men might know and
perceive of whom I meant. But, alas ! this day
my confcience accufeth me, That I fpake not fo
plainly as my duty was to have done : for I ought
to have faid to the wicked man exprefly by his
name, * Thou fnalt die the death.' For I find
Jeremiah the prophet to have done fo to Pafhur
the high priefl, and to Zedekiah the king. And
not only he, but alfo Elijah, ElKha, Micah, Amos,
Daniel, Chrift Jefus himfelf, and after him his
apoflles, expreily to have named the blood-thirfly
tyrants, abominable idolaters, and diflem.bling hy^
pocrites of their days. If that we the preachers with-
in the realm of England, were appointed by God
to be the fait of the earth (as his other meCengers
were before us) Alas, why withheld v/e the fait,
where manifefl: compunction did appear ? (I accufe
none but myfelf.) The blind love that I did bear
to this my wicked carcafe, was the chief caufe that
I was not fervent and faithful enough in that be-
half: for I had no will to provoke the hatred of all
men againff m.e ; and therefore fo touched I the
vices of men in the prefence of the greatefl, that
they might fee themfelves to be offenders (I dare
not fi.y that I Vv^as the greatefl flatterer.) But yet
neverthelefs, I would not be feen to proclaim ma-
nifefb war again ft the manifeft wicked ; whereof
unfeignedly 1 alk my God mercy.

As I was not fo fervent in rebuking manifeft ini-
quity

TO THE PROFESSORS of t

quity, as It became me to have been ; fb was I
not fo indifferent, a feeder, as is required of
ChriA's fteward : for in preaching Chrift's gofpel,
albeit mine eye (as knowcth (Jod) was not much
upon worldly promotion, yet the love of friends,
and carnal affevflion of fome men, with whom I
was moft familiar, allured me to make more refi-
dence in one place than in another, having more
refpeft to the pleafure of a few, than to the ne-
ceffity of many. That day I thought I had not
fumed, if I had not been idle; but this day 1
know it was my duty to have had con fi deration
how long I had remained in one place, and how
many hungry fouls were in other places, to whom,
aJas ! none took pains to break and didribute the
bread of life.

Moreover, remaining in one place I was not di-
ligent as mine office required, but fometime by
counfel of carnal friends I fpared the body ; fome-
time I fpent in worldly bufinefs of particular
friend?, and fometime in taking recreation and
paflime by exercife of the body.

And albeit, men may judge thefe to be light and
fmall offences, yet I acknowlege and confefs, that
vmlefs pardon fnould be granted to me in Chrifl's
"blood, that every one of thele three offences afore-
named, that is to fay, Lack of fervency in reprov-
ing fm, the lack of indifferency in feeding thofe
that were hungry, and the lack of diligence in the
<;xecution of mine office, deferved damnation.

And befide thefe, 1 was affaulted, yea, infedled
and corrupted with more grofs fins ; that is, my
wicked nature defired the favours, the eftimation
-and praife of men ; againfl which, albeit that
fometime the Spirit of God did move me to .fight,
and earneflly did Rir me (God knoweth I lie not)
lo fob and lament for thofe imperfedfions; yet ne-
ver ceafed they to trouble me, when any occafion
was offered : and fo privily and craftily did they
enter into my breaft, that I could not perceive my-
felf to be wounded, till vain-glory had almoil: got-
ten the upper hand.

' O Lord, be merciful to my great offence, and
deal not with me according to my great iniquity,
but according to the multitude of thy mercies, re-
move from me the burden of my fm; for of pur-
,pofe and m,ind, to have avoided the vain difplea-
fure of man, I fpared little to offend thy majefty,'

Think not, beloved in the Lord, that thus I
accufe myfelf without juft caufe, as though in fo
.doing I might appear m.ore holy ; or that yet I do
it of purpofc and intent, by occafion thereof to
accufe others of my brethren, the true preachers

HE T RUTH IN ENGL AND. 377

ctf Chriff, of like or greater offences ; No, God
is judge to my confclence, that I do it even from
an unfeigned and fore troubled heart, as I that
know myfeif grievoufly to have offended the maje-
ify of my God, during the time that Chrift's gof-
pel had free paffage in England. And this I do
let you underfland that the taking away of the hea-
venly bread, and this great tempeil that now blow-
eth againfl the poor difciples of Chrlll within the
realm of England (as touching our part) cometh
from the great mercy of our heavenly Father, to
provoke us to unfeigned repentance; for, that
neither preacher nor profefTcr did rightly confider
the time of our merciful vifitation : but altogether
fo we Ipent the time, as though God's word hact
been preached raiher to fatisfy our fantafies, than
to reform our evil manners : which thing if we
earneilly reptnt, then ihail Jefus Chrift appear to
our comfort, be the florm never fo great, ' Hafte,
' O Lord, for thy name's fake.'

The fecond thing that I find to be noted, is.
The vehemency of the fear which the difciples en-
dured in that great danger, being of longer conti-
nuance than ever they had at any time before.

In St. Matthew's goipel it appeareth, That ano-
ther time there arofe a great ftormy tempeff, and
fore toffed the boat wherein Chrift's difciples were
labouring: but that was nigh the day-light, and
then they had Chrifl: with them in the fhip, whom
they awaked, and cried for help unto him (for at
that time he Qept in the boat) and fo were Ihortly
delivered from their fuddcn fear. But now were
they in the midft of the raging fea, and it was
night, and Chrift their comforter abfent from them,
and cometh not to them, neither in the firfi:, fe-
cond, nor third watch ; What fear think ye were
they in ? And what thoughts arofe out of their
fo troubled hearts, during that florm ? Such as
this day are in like -danger within the realm of
England, do by this florm better underffand, than
my pen can exprefs. But of one thing 1 am well
affured, I'hat Chrifr's prefence would in thatgreat
perplexity have been to them more comfortable
than ever it was before; and that patiently they
would have fuffered their incredulity to have beeii
rebuked, fo that they might have efcaped the pre-
ient death.

But profitable it fliallbe, and fomewhat to oui'
comfort, to conlider every parcel of their danger;
zndfrjt, ye fhall underfland. That when the dif-
ciples paffed to the fea, to obey Chrifl's command-
ment, it was fair weather, and no fuch tempeft
feen; but fuddenly the ftorm arofe, with aeon-
jB b b trarious

T 1' E ADMONITION of JOHN KNOX

37*

m'.vi'.->i'3 f!a\v of M'ind, when they were in the
miJft of thslr journey : for, if the tempcit had
been as great in the beginning of thch* entrance
into the L-a, as it was after when they were about
die inldft of their journey, neither would they
have adventured fuch a great danger ; neither yet
had it heen in their power to have attained to the
tnidft of the fea: and fo it may be evidently gather-
ed, that the fea v/as calm when they entered into
their journey.

Then it is to be remarked, by what means and
infrruments was this i^orm moved ; was the plun-
ging of their oars, and force of their fmali boat,
f>:ch as might ftir the waves of the great fea > No
doubtlefs : but the Holy Ghoft declareth, Tliat
the feas were moved by a Vehement and contrary
V, ind, which blew againft their (hip in the time of
•darknefs : but, feeing the wind is neither the com-
mander nor mover of itfelf, fome other caufe is to
be enquired, which hereafter we fhall touch.

And laff, it is to be noted and confidered, What
the difciples did in all this vehement tempefl: : tru-
ly they turned not to be driven back for land or
fnore, by the vehemency of the contrary wind ; for
fo it might be thought, that they could not have
efcaped fliipwreck and death ; but they continual-
ly laboured in rowing againff the wind, abiding
the ccafmg of that honible tempefl.

Coniider and mark, beloved in the Lord, what
w^e read here to have chanced to Chriff 's difciples,
and to their poor boat ; and you Hiall well per-
ceive, that the fame thing hath chanced, doth,
and fliall chance .to the true church and congregati-
on of Chrift (which is nothing elfe in this mifer-
able life but a poor tliip) travailing in the feas of
this unftable and troublefom.e world, toward the
iieavenly port, and haven of eternal felicity, which
Chrift Jeius hath appointed to his eleft.

This I might prove by the pofterit}^ of Jacob in
Egypt ; by the Ifraelitcs in their captivity ; and by
the church during the time that Chrifi: himfelf did
preach, (and fome time after his refurre^tion and
afcenfion) againil whom the vehement fform did
not rage immediately after they entered into the
lliip of their travail and tribulation : for the bloody
ientence of Pharaoh was not pronounced againll
the feed of Jacob, when he firft did enter into
Egypt ; neither was the cruel counfel and devilifa
device of proud Haman invented by and by, after
Ifrael and Judah were tranflated from their pofTef-
fions : neither yet, in the time of Chriil: Jefus,
being converfant with his apoftles in the flefli, was
there ufed any fuch tyranny againft the faints of

God. as fliortly after followed in the perftcvtion
of St. Stephen, and other difciples : but all thefe,
in the beginning of their travail with a contr«ry
wind, had alway fome calm ; that is, albtit they
had fome trouble, yet had they not extreme per
fecuticn.

Evcnfo. mofl dearly beloved, is happened nc^v
to the aiSidfed church of God within the realm of
England : at ail times the true word of God fuf-
fered contradi<flion and repugnancy ; and fo ib«
wind blew againff us, even from the beginning cf
the late uprifmg of the gofpel in England ; but I
yet it could not flop our courfe, till now of late
days, that the raging wind bloweth without bridle
tipon the unflable feas, in the midft whereof we
aie in this hoiir of darknefs.

To write my mind plainly unto you, beloved
brethien ; this wind that always hath blown a-
gainft the church of God, is the malice and hatred
of the devil, which rightly in this cafe is compa-
red to the wind : for, as the wind is invifible, and
yet the poor difciples feel that it troubleth and k t-
teth their flrip ; fo is the peflilent envy of the devil
working always in the hearts of the repiobate, fc
fubtile and crafty, that it cannot be efpied by God's
ele6t, nor by his mcffengers, till firA they feel
the blafls thereof to blow their fhip backward:
and as the vehement wind caufeth the waves of
the fea to rage, and yet the dead water nei-
ther knoweth what it doth, neither yet can it
ceafe nor refrain ; fo that both it is troubled bj
the wind, and alfo itfelf doth troub'e Chrifl'i
difciples in their poor (hip; fo by the envy and ma-
lice of the devil, are wicked and cruel, as well
fubjefts as princes (whofe hearts are like the ragin|
fea) compelled to perfecute and trouble the true
church of Chrifi: ; and yet fo blinded are they, and
fo enthralled under the bondage of the devil, thai
neither can they fee their manifeff iniquity, neithoi
yet can they ceafe to run to their own deffruftion.
And hereof, England, haft thou manifefl experi-
ence ; (for in the time of king Henry VIII.) how
tliew^olf, and wicked Winchefler, and others, bjj
the vehement wind of fix bloody articles (by the
devil devifed) intended to have overthrown the pooi
fliip and Chrift's difciples, is evidently known al
ready. But then had we Chrift Jefus with ui
deeping in the fliip, who did not defpife the faith-
ful crying of fuch as then were in trouble ; but
by his mighty power, gracious goodnefs, and in-l
vincible force of his holy word, he compelled thoft
wicked winds to ceafe, and the raging of thofe
feas to be ftilled and calm j fo that all the hearts o)

Goi'i

TO THE PROFESSORS of the T R U T H i n ENGLAND.

CiOtVs eletfl, withia the realm of England, did
onder at thatfiiddcn change, while that under a
:.-iinb the fearful edge of that devouring fword
was taken from the necks of the faithful ; and the
tyranny of thofe ravening aadblood-thlrlly wor/cs,
(I mean of wylie Winchefcer, and of fome other
his brethren, the fons of Helialj was reprcifcd for
a time: but yet ceafed not the devil to blow his
wind, by his wicked inftruments, who found the
means, how, againft nature, the one brother
fliould afTent to the death of the 'other: buc that
could not hinder the courfe of the travailing boar,
but forth (lie goeth in defpight of the devil, who
then more cruelly raged, perceiving his own ho-
nour and fervice, that is, his deteifable mafs, to
be difclofed and opened before the people, to be
damnable idolatry, and allured damnation to fuch
as put their trull in it ; and therefore began he
more craftily to work, and finding the fame inflru-
mcnts apt enough, whofe labours he had ufed be-
fo!-e, he blew fuch mortal hatred between two,
which appeared to be the chief pillars under the
king; for that wretched, alas-! and miferable
Northumberland could not be fatisfied, till fuch
time as fimple Somerfet moft unjuftly was bereft
of his life. What the devil and his mem.bers the
peftilent papifls meant, by his away- taking, God
compelled my tongue to fpeak in more places than
one; a vd fpecially before you, and in Newcaflle,
as Sir Robert Bradling did not forget a long time
after : God grant that he may underfland all other
matters fpoken before him then, and at other
times, as rightly as he did that mine interpretation
of the vineyard, whofe hedges, ditches, tovvX'rg
and wine-prefs God deflroyed, becaufe it would
bring forth no good fruit ; and that he may re-
member, that whatever was fpoken by my mouth
that day, is now complete, and come t(j pafs, ex-
cept that final deflruftion and vengeance is not yet
fallen upon the greateft offenders, as affuredly
fhortly it fliall, unlefs that he, and fom.e other of
his fort, that then were enemies to God's truth,
will fjjeedily repent (and that earneflly) their flub-
born diibbedience. God compelled m.y tongue, I
fay, openly to declare. That the devil and his mi-
ulfters intended only the fubverfion of God's true
religion, by that mortal hatred among thofe which
ought to have been moft alTuredly knit together by
Chrittian charity, and by benefits received ; and
cfpeclaiiy that the wicked and envious papifts (by
that ungodly breach of charity) diligently minded
the overthrow of him, that to his ov/n deitrudlion,
Drocured tlie death of his innocent friend : thus, I

IT^

lay, I\vas compelled of conflience oftner than once
to aiiiim, that fuch as fnw and in?tntcd the mean?
how the one ihould be taJ. en away, fi:w, and GiouM
find the m.cans alfo to take away the other; r.nd
that all that trouble was deviled by the dc^ il and
his inflrumtnts, to Hop ond let thrilVs difciples
and their poor boat; but that was not able, be-
caufe fhe was not yetccir:c to ihe midif of the
lea.

Tranfuhftantiation, tl-ebird that the devil hatch-
ed by pope Nicholas, and llnce that time foflered and
nourifhed by all his childien, prieflp, friars, monks,
and other his conjured imd fwoin foidicrs, and "a
thefe lafl days, chiefiy by Stephen Gardner, and
his black brood in Engkind ; tranfutflantiation, I.
fay, was then clearly confuted and mightily over-
thrown ; and therefore God hath pm wiidcm in
the tongues of his miniflcrs and meffcngers to ut-
ter that vain vanity; ivAd ipccially gave fuch
flrength to that reverend fatlier in God, Thomas
Cranmer, to cut the kr.ots of deviiiflifcphiftiy,
linked and knit by the devil's Gardner, and his
blind buzzards, to hold the verity of the ever- liv-
ing God under bondage, that lathcr I think they
fhall condemn his works, (which notvvichdanding
fhall continue and remain to thtir confufion) thaa
they (hall enterprize to anfwer the fame. And al-
fo God gave boldnefs and kncwlcge to the coui i
of parliament, to take away the round- clipfcd god,
wherein flandeth all the holinefs of papifts, and to
com.mand common bread to be ufed at the Lord's
table, and alfo to take a-.\-ay the moft part of fu-
perftitions, (kneeling at the Lord's fupper except-
ed) which before profaned Chrift's true religion.
Then, dear brethren, wau the boat in the midfl
of the fea, and fuddenly arifeth the horrible tera-
peft, moft fearful and dolorous ; ' Our king is
' taken away from us :' and the devil bloweth ia
fuch organs, as always he had found obedient t© ,
his precepts, and by them he inliameth the hearc
of that wretched and unhappy man, (whom I
judge more to be lamented, than hated) to covet
the imperial crown of England to be efta'^lillied to
his pofterity; and what thereupon hath fucceeded,
it is not now neceffary to be written.

■ Of this fhort difcourfe (beloved in the Lord)
you may confider and perceive two fpeciaL
notes ;

I . That the whole malice of the devil hath al- .
ways this end, to vex and overthrow^ Chrift's
afEi^ired church; for what elfe Intended the devil.
and his fervants, the peftilent papifts, by ail thefe
their crafty policies, during the time that Chrift's
Bb b 2 " golpei

TnaAD MONITION of JOHN KNOX

p[o(pd WAS peenched in Englandj than the fubvcr-
iion oF the faaie gofpel, and that they might re-
cover pj-.vcT to perfecute the faults o': God, as
this day in the hour of darkuefs they have obtain-
ed for a time, to their own deftruc^Vion ? let no
man wonder tho' I fay, that the crafty policiesof pefli-
lent papi As wrought al] ibemifchicf; for who could
move eaficr and better work greater niifchief ilian
fuch as bare authority and rule ? And who (I pray
you) ruled the roai\ in the court all this time, by
iiout courage and proudnefs of ftomach, bu^ Nor-
thumberland? Bat who, I pray you, under king
Edward, ruled all by con.nfel and wit ? Shall 1
name the man ? I will wiite no more plainly now
than my tongue fpake, the lafl fermon that it pleaf-
cd God that I did make before that innocent and
mo(\ godly king Edward VI. and before his coun-
cil at Weftminfter, and even to the faces of fuch
as of whom I meant ; handling this place of fcrip-
ture, ^d edit mecimi pancni, fi'/lidit adverfiis vie
cakaneumfmim; that is, 'He that eateth bread
* with me, hath lift up his heel againfl me ; I
made thii affirmation, tbf.t commonly it was feen,
that the mod godly princes had officers and chief
counfel'ors moft ungodjj, conjured enemies to
God's true religion, and traitors to their princes ;
not that their wickednefs and ungodlinefs was
fpeedily perceived and efpied out, of the faid prin-
ces and godly men, but rliat for a time thofe craf-
ty colourers could fb clcak their malice againft
God and his truth, and their hollow hearts toward
th^ir loving mafters, thar by worldly wifdom and
policy at length they attained to high promotions,
^nd, fpr the proof of this mine affirmation, I re-
cited the hiftories of Ahithophel, Shebnah and Ju-
das, of whom the two former had high offices and
promotions, with great authority, under the moft
godly princes David and Hezekiah ; and Judas was
purfe-maller whith Chrifl Jefus. And when I
had made Ibme difcourfe in that matter, I moved
;his queftion :

' Why permitted fo godly princes fo wicked
'•men to be of their council, and to bear office and
' authority under them V

To the which I anfwered, that either they fo a-
bounded in worldly wifdom, forefight and experi-
ence, touching the government of a common- wealth,
that their counfel appeared to be fo neceflary, that the
common-wealth could not lack them ; and fo, by the
colour to preferve the tranquillity and quietnefs in
realinSjthey were maintained in authority; or elfe they
kept their malice, which they bare towards their
makers and, God's true religion, fo feaei in their

breafls, that no man could efpy it, till, bv God s
permifiion, they waited for fuch occafion and op-
portunity, that they uttered all their mifchlcf io
plainly, that all the world might perceive it : and
that was moft evident by Ahithophel and Shebnah ;
for of Ahithophel it is written, that he was bavi i :^
moft fccret counfellor; and that, becaufe \'u cou-i-
fel in thofe days was like the oracle of God. A;i J
fehebnah vras unto good king Hezekiah fometIi:;e
comptroller, fometinie fecretary, and lafl of all
trealurcr, to the which offices he had never been
promoted under fo godly a prince, if the treaioa
and malice which he bare againfl: the king, and
againft God's true religion, had been mianifeftly
known. No, quoth I, Shebnah was a crafty fox,
and could fhew fuch a fair countenance to the
king, that neither he nor his council could efpy
his malicious treafon ; but the prophet Ifaiah was
commanded by God to go to his prefence, and to
declare his traiterous heart and miferable end.

Was David, faid I, and Hezekiah, princes of
great and godly gifts and experience, abufcd bv
crafty counfellors and diflembling hypocrites ?
What wonder is it then, that a young and inno-
cent king be deceived by crafty, covetous, wicked
and ungodly counfellors ? I am greatly afraid, tluu
/Ahithophel is counfellor, that Judas bears the purfc,
and that bhebnah is fcribe, comptroller and treafurcr.

This, and fomewhat more I fpake that day, not
in a corner (as many yet can witnefs) but even
before thofe whom my confcience judged worthy
of accufatlon : and this day no more do I wrife
(albeit I may juftly, becaufe they have declared
themfelves mofl manifeftly) but yet do I affirm,
that under that innocent king, peflilent papifts
had greatefl authority. Oh ! who was judged to
be the foul and life to the council, in every matter
of weighty importance ? who but Shebnah, who
could beft difpatch bufmefs, that the reft of the
council might hawk and hunt, and take their plea-
fure ? None like unto Shebnah. Who was moft
frank and ready to deftroy Somerfet, and fet up
Northumberland ? was it not Shebnah ? Who was
moft bold to cry Baftard, baftard, inceftuous ba-
ftard, Mary fhall never reign over us ? And who, I
pray you, was moft bufy to fay, fear not to fubfcribC'
with my lords of the king's majefty's moft honour-
able privy council ? Agree to his majefty's laft will
and perfect teftaraent, and let never that obftinate
woman come to authority, flie is an arrant papift,
ftie will fubvert the true religion, and will bring
in ftrangers to the deftruftion of this common-
wealth. Wliich of the council, I fay, had thefe;

and

TO THE PROFSSORS OF TEiE TRUTH in ENGLAND. 381.

and greater perfuafions againfl: Mary, to whom
no'.v he coudieth and kneeleth ? Shebnah the trea-
fnrer. And what intended iuch traiterous and
dldembrmg hypocrites by all thefe and fuch like
crafty flights and coMnterfeit conveyance? doubt-
lefs, the overthrow of Chrift's true reUgion, which
then began to flouriihi in England, the liberty
whereof fretted the guts of fuch peftilent papifts,
who now have gorten the days which they long
looked for, but yet to their own deflruftion and
fhame; for, in the fpite of their hearts, the
plagues of God (hall flrike them, they (liallbe com-
prehended in the fnare which they prepare for o-
thers ; for their own coanfels fliall make themfel-
ves- flaves to a proud, mifchievous, unfaithful,
and vile nation.

Now to the fecond note of oar difcourie, which
js this : albeit the tyrants of this earth have learn-
ed by long experience, that they are never able to
prevail againft God's truth ; yet, becaufe they are
bound (laves to their mafter the devil, they cannot
cea^c to p;rfecute the members of Chriff, when the
devil blows his wind in tiie darknefs of the night,
that is, when the light of Chrift's gofpel is taken
away, and the devil reigneth by idolatry, fuperfli-
tion and tyransy.

This mofl: evidently may be feen from the be-
ginning of this world to the time of Chrift, and
from thence till this day, Ifhmael might have
perceived, that he could not prevail againfl Ifaac,
becaufe God had made his promife unto him, as
no doubt Abraham their father teaclied to his
whole houfhold ; Efau likewife underftood the
fame of Jacob ; Pharaoh might plainly have feen
by many miracles, that Ifrael was God's people,
whom he could not utterly deftroy: and alfo the
fcribes and pharifees, and chief priefts, were ut-
terly convinced in their confcience, that Chrift's
whole doctrine was of God, and that to the profit
and commodity of man, his miracles and works
were wrought by the power of God ; and there-
fore, that they could never prevail againft him ;
and yet, as the devil ftirred them, none of thofe
could refrain to perfecute him, whom they knew,
moft certainly to be innocent.

This r write, that you (hall not wonder, albeit
now ye fee the poifoned papifts, wicked Winche-,
iter, and dreaming Bnrefme, with the reft of the
faftion (who fometimes were fo confounded, that
neither they durft, nor could fpeak nor write in
the defence of their herefics) now fo to rage and
triumph againlt the eternal truth of God, as tho'

they had never affayed the power of God fpeaking;
by hrs true mefTengcrs.

Wonder not herent, 1 fay, beloved brethren,'
that the t^Tants of this world are fo obedient, and
ready to follow the cruel connkrls of flich difguifed
monfters ; for neither can the one nor the other
refrain, becaufe both Ibrts are as fubjeft to oher
the devil, their prince and father, as the unflable
fea is to lift up the waves, when the vehement
wind bloweth upon it.

It is fearful to be heard, that the devil hath fuclr
power over any man, but yet the word of God
hath fo infrrucffed us ; and therefore, albeit it be
contrary to our phantafy, yet we muft believe it :
for the devil is called the prince and god of this-
world, becaufe he reigneth, and is honoured by
tyranny and idolatry in it.

He is called the prince of darknefs, that hatlr
power in the air ; it is faid, That he worketh in
the children of unbelief, becaufe he ftirreth them
to trouble God's elecf ; as he invaded Saul, and
compelled him to perfecute David ; and likewile
he entered into the heart of Judas, and moved
him to betray his Miifter. He is calk-d prirxe
over the fons of pride, and father of all thofe that
are liars, and enemies to God's truth ; over whom
he hath no lefs power this day, than fometimes he
had over Annas and Gajaphas, whom no man de-
nieth to have been led and moved by the dtvll to
perfecute Chrift Jefus and his moft true doftrine i
and therefore, wonder not, I fay, that now the
devil rageth in his obedient fervants, wylie Win-
chefter, dreaming Durefme, and bloodj Bonner,
with the reft of their bloody butcherly brood ;
for this is their hour and power granted unto
them; they cannot ceafe nor a/Twage their furious
fumes, for the devil their fire ftirreth and moveth,.
and carrieth them even at his will. But in tjiis
that I declare, the power of the devil working in .
cruel tyrants, think you that I attribute, or give
to him or them power at their pleafure ? No, not
fo, brethren, not fo : for, as the devil hath no
power to trouble the elements, bat as God Tnall
fuffer ; fo hath wordly tyrants (albeit the devil
hath fully poflefTed their hearts) no power at all •
to trouble tire faints of God, but as, their, bridie.-
fliall be loofed by God's hands. .

And herein, dear brethren, ftandeth my iin-
gular comfort this day, when I hear, that thofe
bloody tyrants, within the realm of England, do ^
kill, murder, deftroy and devour man and woman,,
as ravenous lions now loofed from bonds ; I lift."

The admonition of JOHN KNOX

up therefore the eyes of mine heart (as my ini-
quity and prefent dolour will fufFer) and to my
heavenly Father will I fay,

* O Lord, thofe cruel tyrants are loofed by thy
hand, to punifh our former ingratitude, whom,
we trull:, thou wilt not luffer to prevail for ever,
but when thou hail corrected us a little, and haft
declared nnto the world, the tyranny that lurked
in their boldened breafts, then wilt thou break
their jaw bones, and wilt flrut them up in their
oaves again, that the generation and poilerity fol-
lowing may praife thy holy name before thy con-
gregation. Jmen.'

When I feel any tafle or motion of thefe pro-
mifcs, then think I myfelf moft happy, and that I
have received a juil: compenfation, albeit I, and all
that to me in earth belongeth, fliould fufFer pre-
sent death, knowing, that God (hall yet Ihew
mercy to his affliftcd church within England, and
that he fliall reprcfs the pride of thefe prefent ty-
rants, like as he hath done of thofe that were be-
fore our days.

And therefore, beloved brethren, in our Savi-
our Jefus Chrift, hold up to God your hands that
are fainted through fear ; and let your hearts,
that have in thefa dolorous days flept in forrow,
awake, and hear the voice of your God, who
iweareth by himfelf. That he will not fuffer his
ch.urch to be opprefTed for ever, neither that he
will defpife our fobs to the end, if we will row
and flrive againfl: this vehement wind : I mean, if
that ye will not run back headlong to idolatry,
then fhall this ftorm be alTwaged in defpltc of the
devil ; Chritl Jefus fhall come with fpeed to your
deliverance, he fhall pierce thorow the wind,, and
the raging feas fliall obey, and bear his feet and
•boJy,"a3\he malTy, liable, and dry land. Be not
moved from the fare foundai:loa of your faith;
lor albeit that Chriil Jefus be abfcnt from you
(as he was from his difciples in that great florm)
by his bodily prefence, yet is he prefent by his
■mighty power and grace ; he flandeth upon the
mountain in fccurity and refl, that is, his flefh and
whole humanity is now in heaven, and can fufFer no
fuch trouble as fometimes he did, and yet he is full
of pity and compaflion, and xloth conGder all our
travail, anguith und labours ; wherefore it is not to ^
be doubted, but thathewill fuddenly appear to our
great comfort. The tyranny of this world cannot
keep back his coming, mere than the blupLcring
wind and raging feas let Chrifl come to his difciples,
when they looked for nothing but prefent death.

-And therefore, yet again 1 fay, beloved in the

Lord, let your hearts attend to the promlfes that
God hath made unto true repentant flnners, and
be fully perfuadcd with a conftant faith, that God
is always true, anc-l juIl in his performance of his
promifes. \ou liave heard thefe days fpoken of
very plainly, when your hearts iould fear no dan-
ger, becanfe yon were nigh the land, and the
llorm was not yet rilen ; tliat is, 5'e were young
fcholars of Chriil, when no peric-cution was felt
or feen : but now ye are come into the midft of
the lea (for, what part of England heard not of
your profeflion ?) and the vehement fiorm, where-
of we then almofl in every exhortation fpake of,
is now fuddenly rifen up. But what ? Hath God
brought you lb far forth, that you fhall both in
fouls and bodies every one perifii ? Nay, my whole
truft in God's mercy and truth is to the contrary.
For God brought not his people into Egypt, and
from thence through the red fea, to the intent they
fhould perilh, but that he in them flrould fhew a
mofl; glorious deliverance : neither fent Chrift his
apoftles into the midft of the fea, and fufFtring the
ftorm toafTault them and their fliip, to the intent
they fnould there perifh ; but becaufe he would
the more have his great goodnefs towards them,
felt and received, in fo mightily delivering them
out of the fear of perifhing ; giving us thereby an
example, that he would do the like to us, if we
abide conftant in our profeflion and faith, with-
drawing ourfelves from fuperftition and idolatry.
We gave you warning of thofe days long ago :
for the reverence of Chrift's blood, let thefe words
be noted ; ' The fame truth that fpake before of

* thefe dolorous days, forefpake alfo the everlaft-

* ing joy prepared for fuch as fhould continue to
' the end.' The trouble is come, G dear breth-
ren look for the comfort, and (after the example
of the apoftle) abide in lefifting this vehement
ftorm a hctle Ipacc.

The third watch is not yet ended : remember
that Chrift Jefus came not to his difciples till it
was the fourth watch, and they were then in no
lefs danger than you be now ; for their faith
fainted, and their bodies were in danger. But
Chrift Jefus came when they looked not for him ;
and lb fnall he do to you, if you v/ill continue in
ihc^profelFion that you have made. This dare I
be bold to proraife, in the name of him whofe
eternal \'erity and glorious gofpel ye have heard
and received, who alio putteth into my heart an
earneft thirff (God knoweth I lie not) oi' your fal-
vation, and fome care alfo for youi*bodies, which
now I will not exprefs.

Thus.

TO THE P R 0 F E S S O Pv S c? THE TRUTH i n £ N C L A N

u.

3?^

.1 '■.:>-

Thus fnortly have I pafTed through the oiura-
gious tempcfl, whcreia the difcipksofChriiiwtre
tempted, afttr that the great multitude v/crc by
Chrift fed in the defert, Oiiiittirxg many piofitable
notes which might well have been marked in the
text, becaufe my purpofe is at this prefent not to
be tedious nor yet carious, but only to note fuch
things as be agreeable to thefe mofl dolorous days.

And fo, let us now fpeak of the end of this
flovm and trouble, in which I find four things
chiefly to be noted :

FirJIy That the difciples at the prcfence of Chrifl
were more afraid than they were before.

SccoruUy, That Chrift ufe'ch no other inflru-
menr, but his \voi"d, to pacify their hearts.

7}jirdlj,, That Peter in a fervency firft left his
fiiip, and yet after feared.

Fourthly and Injily, That Chriit permitted nei-
ther Peter nor the refl of his difciples to perilli in
that fear, but glorloully delivered ail, and paciiied
the tempeif.

Their great fear, and the. caufe thereof, are
expre/Ted in the text, in thefe words, * When the

* difciples faw him walking upon the fea, they
' were afraid, faying, It is a fpirit ; and they cried

* through fear.'

It is not my purpofe in this treatife to fpeak of
fpirits, nor yet to difpute, whether fpirits good
or bad may appear and trouble men ; neither y^t
to enquire, why man's nature is afraid of fpirits,
and fo vehemently abhorreth their prefence and
company : but my purpofe is only to fpeak of
things neceffary for this time.

And, firff, let us confider, that there was three
caufes why the difciples knew not Chrifl, but
judged him to be a fpirit.

The firft caufe was. The darknefs of the night. .

The fecond was, The unacciijlomed vifion that
appeared.

And the third was, The danger and the tempeft,
in -which they fo earneflly laboured for the fafegiiard
ofthemfelves.

The darknefs, I fay, of thfe night letted their
eyes to fee him ; and it was above nature, that a
maffy, heavy and weighty body of a man (fuch as
they underflood their mafler Chrift to have) fliould
walk, go upon, or be borne up of the water of
the raging fea, and not fmk. And finally, the
horrour of the tempeft, and great danger that
they were in, perfuaded them to look for none
other, but certaihly to be drov/ned.

And fo all thefe three things concurring together,
coti^rmed in them this imagination, * That Chrili

* Jvfus, who came to their great coni'brt and de-

* liveraiice, was a fearful and wicked fpiiit appcar-

* lug to their deffru(5fion.'

V/hathere happened to Chrifl Jcfus himfelF,
that I might prove to have chanced, and dally to
happen to liie verity of his blefTed word in all ages
from the beginnifig.

For, as Chrift himfelf, in this their trouble,
was judged and efteemed by his difciples at the
firft light a fpirit, or fantaftical body ; fo is the
truth and fincere preaching of his glorious gofpe],
fent by God for man's coiiifort, deliverance from
fm, and quietnefs of confciencc, when it is firft
offered, and truly preached, it i?, 1 fay, no Icls
but judged to be JiCrefy and deceivable do.5frine,
fent by "Csio. devil to man's deftrutffion.

The caule hereof is the dark ignorance of God, ,
which in every age fince the beginning fo over-
whelmed the world, that fometimes God's verv
ele(5l were in like bliridncfs and error with the re-
probate, as Ab;aham was an idolater ; Mofes was
inftrufted in all the v/ays of the Egyptians ; Paul
a proud pharifee, conjured again ft Chrift and his
doffrine: and many in this our age, when the
truth of God was offered unto them, were fore
afraid, and cried againfl it, only becaufe the dark
clouds of ignorance had tioubled them before. But
this matter I omdt and let pafs, till more opportu-
nity.

The chief note that I would have- you well ob-
ferve and mark in this prepofferous fear of the dif-
ciples, is this ; .

' The more nigh deliverance and falvation ap-

* proacheth, the more ftrong and vehement is the

* temptation of the church of God ; and the more.
' nigh that God's vengeance approacheth to th;; .

* wicked, the more proud, cruel and arrogant are-
' they.'

Whereby it commonly cometh to pafs,- that the :
very meffengers of life are judged and deemed to
be the authors of all mifchief : and this in many
hiffories is evident. When God had appointed to ■
deliver the aflli6ted Ifraelites by the hand of Mofes
from the tyranny of the Egyptians, and Mofes was -
fent to the prefence of Pharaoh for the fame purpofe,^
fuch was their afFxiftion and anguifh by the cruelty
which newly was exercifed over them, that with ■
open mouths they curfed Mofes (and no doubt in<.
their hearts they hated God who fent him) alledg-
ing, that Mofes and Aaron v/as .the whole caufcr.
of their lafl extreme trouble.

The like is to be feen in the book of the Kings, ^
both uadef Elifha and Ifaiah. the pjop|iets : for in the.-

daysw

ADMONITION of

3S4 T H E

days of JovH-.n , ion of Ahab, was Samaria befieg-
Cil by the king of Syria: in which Samaria, no
■doubt (albeir tl:e king and the moil multitude
were wicked) there was yet fome members of
•fJod's eka chui'ch,. wb.ich were brought to fuch ex-
t! erne fa sn'ne, thatnot only things of fmall price were
foldberondallmeafure, but alfo women againft
natate'werecomnelied to eat their own children:
in this lame city Eiiraa the prophet moll common-
ly was mofc convcifant and dwelt, by whole
counfel and commandment, n.o doubt, the city

JOHN KNOX

tered the great multitude of Benhadad ; and by
his angel kilkd the hoft of Sennacherib ; and fo
delivered his abided, v/hen nothing appeared to
them but utter deflruftion. So ihali he do to
you, beloved brethren, if paticndy ye will abide
his conloiation and counfel. God open your eyes,
that ye may rightly underfland the meaning of my
writing. Amen.

But yet peradventure, you wonder not a little
why God permitteth fuch blood thirity tyrants to
molert and grieve his chofen church : I have re-

was kept • for it apoeareth, the king, to lay that cited fome caufes before, and yet more I could re-
to his chars^e. v/hen he, hearing of the piteous cite, but at this time 1 will hold me content with

complaint of the woman (who for hunger had eaten
her own fon) rent his clothes, with a iblemn oath
and vow, that the head of Eiiuia (honld not Hand
upon his Pnoulders that day. If EUtlia had not
been of counfel, that the city fhould have been
kept, why fiiould the king have more fumed
againfl him, than againft others ? But whether
he was the author of the defending of the city,
ur not, all is one to my purpofe ; for before the
deliverance was the church in fuch extremity, that
the chief pallor of that time was fought to be kil-
led by fuch as fhould have defended him.

The like is read of IJezekiah, who defending
his city jeruddem, and reliiting proud Sennache-
rib, no doubt obeying the counfel of Ifaiah, at
IcnfTth was fo oppreded with forrow and fliame,

one.

The jufiice of God is fuch, that he will not
pour torth his extreme vengeance upon the wick-
ed, unto fuch time as their iniquity be fo manifeft,
that their very flatterers cannot excufe it. Pha-
raoh was not deftroyed, till his own hou(hold-fer-
vants and fubjeds abhorred and condemned his
ftubborn difobedience.

Jezabcl and Athalia were not thruft from this
life into death, till all ifrael and Judah were wit-
nelFes of their cruelty and abominations. Judas
was not hanged, till the princes of the priefls bare
witneis of his traiterous a(ft and iniquity.

To pafs over the tyrants of old dmes, whom
God hath plagued, let us come to the tyrants,
which now are within the realm of England,

by'theblafphemous words of Pvablhakeh, that he whom God will not long fpare : if Stephen,
.had no other refuge, but in the temple of the '^-^~ ^-.i--. .. ^../i . ..^^ i....-i._..i-. .,,_
Xord, as a man defperate f-nd without comfort, to
open the dlfiainful letters fent unto him by that
haughty and proud tyrant.

By thefe and m.any hillories more, it is m.ofl
•evident, that the more nigh lalvation and deliver-
ance apjproacheth, the more vehement is the lemp-
'tation and trouble.

This 1 write to admonifli you, that albeit yet

Gardner, Cuthbert Tunilal, and butcherly iion-
ner, falfe bi;hops of Winchefler, Durefm.e, and
of London, had for their falfe do6>rine and trai-
terous afts fufftred death, when they juftly de-
fcrved the fame, then would arrant papllls have
alleged (as i and others have heard them do) that
they were men reformable ; that they were meet
inftruments for a com,mon-wealth ; that they
were not fo obflinate and malicious as they were

you nrail fee tribulation fo abound, that nothing judged, neither that they thirfted for the blood

ihall appear but extreme mifery, without all hope of any man : and of lady Mary, who hath not

•ofcomfon, that yet you decline not from God: heard, that fhe was fober, merciful, and one that

and that albeit fom.etimes ye be m^oved to hate the loved the common-wealth of England ? Had flic,

meiTcn^^ers of life, that therefore ye fnall not judge 1 fay, and fuch as now be of her peililent coun-

that God v/ill never Ihew mercy after. No, dear
brethren, as he hath dealt with odiers before you,
{o will he deal with you.

God will fufKr tribulation and dolour to a-
bound, that no manner of comfort (liall be fcen
in man, to the intent, that when deliverance com-
"tth, the glory may be his, whofe only word may
|)acify the tempe'A moft vehement.

He drowned Pharaoh and his army : he fcat-

cil, been dead before thefe days, then fliould not
their iniquity and cruelty fo manifeftly have ap-
peared to the world; for who could have thought,
that fuch cruelty could have entered into the heart
of a woman ? and into the heart of her that is cal-
led a vircin, that die would thirfl for the blood
of innocents, and of fuch as (by juit laws and
faithful wltneffes) can never be proved to have
•offended by therafelves ?

Ifirrd

TO THE PROFESSORS of the TRUTH in ENGLAND. 385

I find, that Athdia (through appetite to reign)
murdered the feed of the kings of Judah, and
thit Herodias daughter (at the defire of a vvhorifh
mother) obtain-^d the head of John tlie Baptilt ;
but yet that ever a woman fuffcred herfelt to be
called the moft blefled virgin, caufed fo much
blood to be fpilt for eftablilliing the ufurped au-
thority of the pope, I think the like is rare to be
found in fcripture or other hiftory.

I find that Jezabel (that curfed idolatrefs) cau-
fed the blood of the prophets of God to be ihed,
and Naboth to be murdered unjuffly for his own
vineyard ; but yet 1 think lire never ere6lcd half fo
many gibbets in all Ifrael, as mifchievous Mary
•hath done within London alone. But you papifts
will excufeyour Mary tlie virgin : w.U, let her be
•your virgin, and a goddefs meet to entertain fuch
idolaters, yet (hall I rightly lay to her charge, that
Jwhich I think nopapift within England will julUfy
nor defend; and therefore, O ye papiils, here I
will a little turn my pen unto you; anlwcr unto
this queftion, O ye feed of the ferpeiit ; Would
any of you have confelTed two years ago, that
■Mary, your miiTor, had been falfe, diflembling,
«nconftant, proud, and a breaker of promifes,
^except fuch promifes as fhe made to your god the
pope.to the great tliame and diflionour of her noble
•father ?) I amfure you would hardly have thought
it of her; and now, doth Ibe not manifeftly fhew
■herfelf to be an open traitorcrs to the imptrial
crown of England, contrary to the juA laws of the
realm, to bring in a ftranger, and make a proud
Spaniard king, to the Ihame, diflionour and de-
■ftruaion of the nobility; to the fpoil of their ho-
notirs, lands, poiTeffions, chief offices and pro
•motions of them and theirs; to the utter decay of
the tteafures, commodities, navy and fortifications
t^ the realm, to the abafing of the yeomandry,
•to the flavery *if the commonalty, to the over-
throw of Chriftianity and God's true religion; and
finally, to the utter fubverfion of the whole pub-
lic eftite and coTimon-weal'h ef England ? Let
Kdrfblk and Suffolk, let her own prom:i^ and pro-
damation, let her father's teftament, let the city
ef London, let the ancient laws aiid afts of parlia-
"l ments before eftablifhed in England, be judges
betwixt mine accuiaiion and her moil tyrannous

iniquity. , •

Firfl, her promife and proclamation did fignify
snd declare, That neither Ihe would bring in nei-
ther yet marry any firanger ; Norfolk, Suffolk,
and the city of London do teflify and witnefs the
wme. The anckat laws anci a<5ls of parliament

pronounce it treafon, to transfer the crown of Eng'.
land into the hands of a foreign nation ; and the
oath made to obferve the faid flatutes, erieth out.
That all ihey are perjured that conftnt to that het
traiterous fa6l.

Speak now, O ye papifcs, and defend your
inonftrous miffrefs, and deny, if yecan for fhame^
that (he hath not uttered herfelf, to be borne (alas
therefore!) to the ruin and deftru<ffion of noble
England ? Oh, \vho would ever have believed (t
write now in bitternefs of heart) that fuch unna-
tural cruelty fhould have had dominion over any
unrcalonable creature ! But the faying ieems to be
true, that the ufurped government of an afFedion-
ate woman, is a rage without, reafon.

Who vv'ould evci have thought, that the love of
that realm, which hath brought forth, which hath
nouriflied and fo nobly maintained that wicked
woman, fhould not have moved her heart with pi-
ty ? Who feeth not now, that flie in all her doings
declareth mofl manifelfly, that under an Englifh
name fhe beareth a Spaniard's heart ? If God, i
fay, had not for our fcourge, f aifercd her and her
ciuel council to have come to authority, then could
never thefe their abominations, cruelty and trtafcit
againflGod, againfl his faints, and agalnfi: the re-
alm, whofe liberties they are fworn to defend, lo
-manifeffly have been declared. And who ever
could have b>;lieved. That proud Gardner, and
treacherous Tunflal (whom all papiffs praifed, for
the love they bare to their country) could have be-
come fo manifeflly traiterous, not only againfl their
folemn oaths, that they fhould never confent nor
agree unto, that a foreign ih-anger fhould reign o-
ver England; but alio, that they would adjudge
the imperial crown of the fame to appertain to a
Spaniard by inheritance, or lineal defctnt ? O trai-
terous traitors ! how can you for fhame flisw your
faces ?

It cometh to my mind, that upon Chrlflmas day,
y^H«o 1552, preaching in New caftle upon Tyne,
and fpeaking againfl the obflinacy of the papifts,
I m.ide this affirmation, That whoibever in his
heart was enemy to Chrift's gofpel and doftrine,
which then wa^ preached within the realm of Eng-
land, was enemy alfo to God, and ftcret traitors
to the crown and common-wealth of England : foi-i
as they thirfled for nothing more than the king's
death, which their iniquity could procure ; fb they
regarded not who fhould reign over them, fo that
their idolatry might be e reeled again. How thcfe
my words at that time pleafed men, the crimes and
aflion intended agaioft me did declare. But let
C c c my

3S6

T HEAD MONITION of JOHN KNOX

rny very enemies now fay their confcience, if thofe
my words have not proved true ?

What is the caule that WInchefter, and the reft
of his pcAilent fcft, fo greedily would have a
Spaniard to reign over tngland ? The caufe is
raanifefl:; for, as that hellirn nation finraounteth
nil other in pride and whoredom, fo, for idolatry
uad vain papiftcal and devillili ceremonies, they
ra?.y rightly be called the very fens of fuperfiition ;
.'ind therefore are they found and judged by the
progeny of antichrift, moft apt inftiuments to main-
taint eftabliih and defend the kingdom of that
cruel beaft, v/hofe head and wound h lately cured
within England, which (alas for pity!) mufl now
be brought unto bondage and thraldom, that ptfli-
lent papifls may rtign without punifliment.

But, O thou bealt (I fpeak to thee Winchefter,
more cruel than any tyger) Ihall neither ihame, nor
fear, nor benefits received, bridle thy tyrannous
cruelty ? Art thou not afiiamed (thou bloody beaft)
to betray thy native counti-y, and the liberties of
the flime ? t'eareft thou not to open fuch a door
to all iniquity, that whole England fhould be made
a common ftews to Spaniards ? Wilt thou recom-
pcufe the benefits which thou haft received of that
realm with that ingratitude ? Remembereft thou
iiot, that England hath brought t-hee forth ? That
England nourifhed thee ? That England hath pro-
moted thee to riches, honour and high dignity ?
And wilt thou now, (O wretched captive) for all
Jhefe manifold benefits received, be the caufe that
England fhall not be England ? Yea verily, for fo
wilt thou gratify thy father the devil, and his lieu-
tenant the pope, v,^hom, with all his baggage, thou
3aboureft now (with tooth and nail) to make ffou-
j ifh again in England ; albeit, hke a difiembling
hypocrite, and double faced wretch, thou being
thereto compelled by the invincible verity of God's
holy word, wrote, long ago, thy book intituled,
Tme Obedience, againft that monftrous whore of
Babylon, and her falfly ufurped power and autho-
:fity: but now (to thy perpetual fhame) thou re-
turneft to thy vomit, and art become an open arch-
papift again. Furthermore, why feekeft thou the
blood of Thomas Granmer, of good father Hugh
Latimer, and of that moft learned and difcreet
man doftor Ridley ? Doft thou not confider, that
the lenity, fincere doftrine, pure life, godly conver-
fation, and difcreet counfel of thefe three is notably
known in more realms than England ? Art thou
Bot afhamed to feek the deftruftion of thofe, who
laboured for the fafeguard of thy life, and obtain-
ed the fame, Avhen thou juiftly ^efervedA death ?

But, O thou fon of Belial, well declareft thoir,
that nothing can modify the cruel m.alice, nor purge
the deadly venom of him, in whofe heart wicked-
nefs beareth the dominion; thou art like to Caia,,
and fellow to Judas the traitor, and therefore canfl
thou do nothing, but ihirft for the blood of Abel,
and betray Chrift Jefus and his eternal verity.

Thus, dear brethren, mufl the fons of the de-
vil declare their own impiety and ungodlinefs, that
when God's vengeance (which fliall not fleep) fhali
be poured forth upon them, all tongues fhall con-
fefs, acknowlege and fay, that God is lighteous ia
all his judgments; and to this end are cruel ty^
rants permitted and fuffered for a fpace and time,
not only to live in wealth and profperity, but alfo
to prevail and obtain vidfory, as touching the
flcfh, over the very faints of God, and over fuch
as enttrprife to refiff their fury at God's command-
ment. But now, to the fubfequent, and that
which followeth.

1 he inflrument and means wherewith Chrifl Je-
fus u fed to remove and put away the horrible fear
and anguifh of his difciples, is his holy word; for
fb it is written, ' But by and by Jefus fpake unto
' them, faying. Be of good comfort, it is I, be
' not afraid.' The natural man (that cannot
underfland the power of God) would have defired
fome other prefent comfort in fo great a danger;
as, either to have had the heavens to have opened,
and to have fhewed unto them fuch light in that
darkntfs, that Chrifl might have been fully known
by his own face ; or elfe, that the winds and ra-
ging waves of the feas fuddenly fhould have ceafed;
or feme other miracle that had been fubjeft to all
their fenfes, whereby they might have perfectly
known that they were delivered from all danger.
And truly, equal it had been to Chrifl Jefus to have
done any of thefe (or any work greater) as to have
faid, ' It is I, be not afraid :' but, willing to teach
us the dignity and effeflual power of his moft ho-
ly word, he ufeth no other inflrument to pacify
the great and horrible fear of his difciples, but the
fame his comfortable word, and lively voice ; and
this is not done only at one time, but whcnfoever
his church is in fuch flrait perplexity, that nothing
appeareth but extreme calamity, defolation and
ruin ; then the firlf comfoft that ever it receiveth,
is by the means of his word and promife ; as in the
troubles and temptations of Abraham, Ifaac, Ja-
cob, Mofes, David and Paul, may appear.

To Abraham was given no other defence, after
that he had difcomfited four kings (whofe. pofterir
ty aad iiaage, do doubt, he, being a ftrangen,

, , greatly

TO THE PROFESSORS of the T R U T H in ENGLAND.

3«7

greatly feared) but onJy this promife of God miide
?o him by his holy word, ' Fear not, Abraham, I
' :\m thy buckler ;' that is, thy protedion and de-
fence.

The fome we find of Ifaac, who fleeing from
the pLice of his accuftomed habitation, compelled
thereto by hunger, got no other comfort nor con-
duCl, but this promife only, ' 1 will be with thee.

In all the journies and temptations of Jacob, the
fame is to be efpied; as when he fled from his fa-
ther's houfe, for fear of his brother EHiu, when
he returned from Laban ; and when he feared the
inhabitants of the region of the Canaanites and
Perizzites, for the flaughter of the Sichemitts com-
mitted by his fons ; he received none other defence,
but only GoJ's word and promife.

And this in Mofes, and in the aflli'fled church
under him, is mod evident ; for when Mofes him-
felf was in fjch defpair, that he was bold to chide
with God, fiyint', * Why haft thou fent me ? For

* fmce that time I have come to Pharaoh, to fpc-ik

* in thy name, he hath oppreffed this people ; nei-

* ther yet hafl: thou delivered thy people.'

This fame expollulation of Mofes declareth how
fore he was tempted ; yea, and what opinion he
had conceived of God, that is. That God was ei-
ther impotent, and could not deliver his people
from fuch a tyrant's hands ; or elfe. That he was
mutable, and unjuft in his promifes. And this fame,
and forer temptations, afiaulted the people ; for,
in anguilli of heart, tliey both refufed God and
Mofes (as we before have partly touched,) And
"What means ufed God to comfort them in that great
'Extremity ? Did he ftraightway fuddenly kill Pha-
raoh, the great tyrant ? No. Did he fend them a
legion of angels to defend and deliver them ? No
fuch thing: but he only reciteth and beateth into
liieir cars his former promifes to them, which
oftenthiies they had before ; and yet the rehearfal
of the fame wrought fo mightily in the heart of
Mofes, that not only was bitternefs and defpair re-
moved away, but alfo he was enflamcd with fuch
boldnefs, that without fear he went again to the
prefence of the king, after he had been threaten-
ed and repulfed by him.

This 1 write, beloved in the Lord, that ye
knowing the word of God not only to be that
whereby were created heaven and earth, but alfo
to be the power of God to faivation, to all that
believe, the bright lantern to the feet of thofe
that by nature walk in darknefs, the life to thofe
that by fin are dead, a comfoi t to fuch as be ia
«i'ibttlation, the tower of defence to fuch as arc

moft feeble, the wifdom and great felicity of fuch
as delight in the fame; and to be fliort, You know
God's word to be of fuch efficacy anil flrength,
that thereby is fm purged, death vanquhhed, ty-
rants fupprefled, and finally, the devil, the author
of all mifchief overthrown and confounded : this,
I fay, I write, that ye, knowing this of the holy
word, and mofl: blefied gofpel and voice of God
(which once ye have heard, 1 truft, to your com-
fort) may now, in this hour of darknefs, and m.ofl:
raging tempeft, thirff and pray, that ye may hear
yet once again this amiable voice of our Saviour
Chrifl, ' be of good comfort, it is I, fear not ;'
and alio, that ye may receive lome confolation by
that bk/Ied gofpel which before you have profefled,
afTuredly knowing, that God fliall be no lefs mer-
ciful unto you, than he hath been to other afflidl:-
ed for his name's fake before you ; and, albeit that
God fpeedily removeth not this horrible darknefs,
neither fuddenly pacifieth this tempefl, yet (hall
he not fufl^er his tofled <hip to be drowned.

Remember, brethren, that God's vengeance
plagued not Pharaoh the firif year of his tyranny ;
neither did the dogs devour and confume both the
fleih and bones of wicked Jezabel, when fhe firil
ere<51ed and fet up her idolatry : and yet, as none
of them efcaptd due punirtimcnt, fo did God pre-
ferve his affiidled church, in dcfpite of Satan, and
of his blind and moil wretched fcrvants; as he
fliall not fail to do in this great tcmpeft and dark-
nefs within the realm of England. And therefore
yet again, beloved in the Lord, let the comfort of
God's promifes fomewhat quicken your dulled ipi-
rits ; exercife yourfelves now fecretjy, in revolving
that, which fometimes you have heard openly pro-
claimed in your ears ; and be every man now a
faithful preacher unto his brother : if your com-
munication be of Chrifl, afTuredly he will come
before you be aware : his word is like unto fweet
fmeUing ointment, or fragrant flowers, which ne-
ver can be moved nor handled, but forth goeth the
odour, to the comfort of thofe that fland by ;
which is nothing fo delegable, if the ointment re-
main within the box, and the flowers fland or ly
without touching or motion.

Mark well, dear brethren, before that Chrift
fpake, his difciples judged him to have been feme
wicked fpirit, which was to them no dele<n:able fa-
vour; but when he fpeaketh, the fweet found of
his voice pierceth their hearts : for what comfort
was in the hearts of his difciples, when they heard
thefe words, * Be of good comfort, it i3 If. thac
13, Judge not that I am a Spirit come to your de-
C c c 2 {tru0.ion;

,-^88

The admonition of JOHN KNOX

ftruflioii ; no, even I am come for your deliverance:
it is I, your Mafter ; yea, your Mafttr moft famili-
ar: It is I, whofe voice and do<^iine )on know,
for ye are my fheep : It is I, whofe works you
have feen, altho' perfcfliy } e confidered not the
fame : It is I, who commanded you to enter into
thisjourney, and therefore am I come to you now
in thcj hour of your trouble; and therefore, be
not afraid, this florm fhail ceafe, and you fhall be
delivered.

What comfort, I fay, dear brethren, was in the
hearts of the difciples, hearing Chrift's voice, and
Isnowing him by the fame, can neither the tongue
or pen of man cxprefs, but only fuch as after long
conflicl- anJ Ihife' (which is betwixt the flefh and
the fpirit, in the time of extreme troubles, when
Chvifl appcareth to be abfent) feel at laft the con-
folation of the Holy Ghofl, witnefs and declare.

And Peter giveth fome external fign, what
Chrlfl's word wrought inwardly in his heart : for,
immediately after he heard his mafter 's voice, he
faith, ' Lord, if it be thou, command me to come
* unto thee upon the waters.' Here it may be feen
what Chrid's voice had wrought in Peters heart:
truly not only a forgetting and contempt of the
great tempeft, but alfo fuch boldnefs and love,
that he could fear no danger following, but affu-
redly did believe, that his mafter Chi ift's puif-
fance, power and might was fuch, that nothing
might refift his word and commandment; and
«^herefore he faith, ' Command me to come:' as
tho' he {hould fay, I defire no more but the afTu-
rance of thy commandment : if thou wilt com-
mand, I am determined to obey ; for alTuredly I
.know, that the waters cannot prevail againft me,
tf thou fpeak the word : fo that whatfoever is pof-
fible unto thee, by thy will and word may be pof-
iible unto me.

Thus Chrift, to inftru^f Peter further, and us
by his example, condefcended to his petition, and
commanded him to come; and Peter quickly
leaving tlie fhip, came down from it, and walked
upon the waters, to come to Chrift. Thus far
cf Peter's fa^, in which lieth great abundance of
do(ftrine ; but I will pafs over all, that cfpecially
appertaineth not to the quality of this time with-
in the realm of England.

Before it is faid, (well beloved brethren) That
fomelimes the meHengers of life are judged to be
the very melTengers of death ; and that not only
•with the reprobate, but alfo with God's eleft ; as
■was Mofes with the Ifraelites, Jeremiah with the
city of Jerufalem, and Chrift himfelf with his

apoftles: but that is nota fm permanent, and that
abideth for ever with God's eleft ; but it vanifheth
away in liich fort, that not only they know the
voice of their Paftor, but alfo they earncftly ftudy
to obey and follow it, with the danger of their
own lives : for this is the fpecial dilFerence betwixt
the children of God. and the reprobate.

The one obeyeth God fpeaking by his mefleoy
gers, whom they embrace with unfeigned love;
and that they do, fometimes not only againft aH
worldly appearance, but alfo againft civil ftatute*
and ordinances of men: and therefore in their
greatcft extremity receive they comfort beyond ex-
peftation.

1 he other always rcfifteth God's mefTengerSi^
and hateth his word : and therefore, in their grea^
adverfity, God either taketh from them the pre-
ftnce of his word, or elfe they fall into fo deadly
defpair, that altho' God's melTengers be fent unto ,
them, yet neither can they receive comfort by
God's promifes, neither follow the counfel of God's
true melTengers, be it never fo perfect and fruitful.
Hereof have we many evident teftimonies vvithia
the fcriptures of God

Of Saul it is plain, that God fo left him, that
neither would he give him anfwer, by prophet,
dream, nor viilon.

To Ahaz king of Judah, in his great anguifh
and fear which he had conceived by the multitudf
of thofe that were conjured againft him, was fent
Ifaiah the prophet, to afture him by God's pro-
mife, that his enemies ftiould not prevail againft
him; and, to confirm him in the fame, the pro
phet required him to defire a fign of God, either
from the heaven, or beneath in the deep: but
fuch was the deadly defpair of him, that always
had defpifed God's prophets, and had moft abo-
minably defiled himlelf with idolatry, that no con-
folation could enter into his heart, but defperately,
and with a diffembling and feigned excufe, he re-
fufed all the offers of God.

And albeit God kept touch with that hypocrite
for that time (which was not done for his caufe,
but for the fafety of his afHi<rted church) yet after
eicaped he not the vengeance of God.

The like we read of Zedekiah, the wretched
and laft king of Judah, before the deftrudtion of
the city of Jernfalem, who, in his great fear, and
extreme anguifh, fent for Jeremiah the prophet^
and lecretly demanded of him, how he might e-
fcape the great danger that appeared, when the
Chaldeans befieged the city. And the prophet
boldly fpake and commanded the king, if he would

fave

tothePROFE SSORSof the TRUTH in ENGLAND.

3«9

iive his life and the city, to render and give up
himfelf into the hands of the king of Babylon.
But the iniferable king had no grace to follow the
prophet's counfel, bccaufe he never delighted in
the faid prophet's doftrine, neither yet had {hewed
un^o him any friendly favour ; but even as the ene-
mies of God, the chief priefts and falie prophets
required of the king, fo was the good prophet
evil ufed -, fometimes call into prifon, and fome-
times judged and condemned to die. The mofc e-
vident teifimony of the witful blinding of wicked
idolaters, is written and recited in tlie fame pro-
phet Jeremiah, as foUoweth.

After that the city of Jerufalcm was burnt and
deftroyed.. the king led away prifoner, his fens
and chief nobles fiain, and the whole vengeance of
God poured out upon the difobedlent ; yet there
was left a remnant in the land, to make ufe of and
poflTefs the fame, who called upon the prophet Je-
remiah, to know concerning them the will and plea-
fure of God, whether they {hould remain ftill m
the land of Judea, as was appointed and permit-
ted by the Chaldeans ; Or if they fliould depart,
and flee into Egypt : to certify them of this their
duty, they defire the prophet to pray unto God
for them, who condefcending and granting their
petition, promifed to keep back nothing from them,
-which the Lord God fhould open unto him. And
they in like manner taking God to record and wit-
nefs, made a folemn vow, to obey whatfoever the
Lord (hould anfwer unto him. But when the pro-
phet, by the infpiration of the Spirit of God, and
aflured revelation and knowlege of his will, com-
manded them to ' Remain ftill in the land' that
they were in, promifing them, if they would fo
do, That ' God would there plant them ; and that
he 'would repent of all the plagues that he had
brought upon them ; and that he would be with
them, to deliver them from the hands of the king
of Babylon. But contrariwife, * If they would
* not obey the voice of the Lord,' but would, a-
gainft his commandment, go to Egypt, thinking
that there they (hould live in reft and abundance,
without any fear of war, and penury of vidual,
then the very plagues which they feared, (hould
come upon them, and take them : for (f-iith the
prophet) it fhall come to pafs, " that all men that
obftinately will go to Egypt, there to remain, fhall
die, either by fvvord, by hunger or peftilence : but
when the prophet of God had dtc ared unto them
this plain fentence and will of God, I pray you
what was their anfwer ? The text declared it fay-
ing, * Thoa fpeakeft a lie, neither harh the T.ord

* our God fent thee unto us, commanding that we
' (hould not go into Egypt; but Baruch the fon of
' Neriah provoketh thee againft us, that he may

* give us into the power of the Chaldees, that they
' might kill us, and lead us prifontrs into Babylon.'
And thus they rcfuftd the counfel of Cod, and
followed their own fantafies.

Here may be tfpied in this people great obfiina-
cy and blindnefs ; for nothing which the Lord had
before fpoken by this prophet Jeremiah, had fallen
in vain; their own eyes had feen the plagues and
miferies, which he had threatened, take efftff in
every point, as he had fpoken before; yea, they
were yet green and frefh both in mind and prefencie,
(for the fiame and fire wherewith Jerufalem was
confumed and bui-nt, was then fcantly quenched)
and yet could they not believe his threatenings then
fpoken, neither yet could they follow his fruitful
counfel, given for their great wealth and fafeguard.
And why fo ? Becaufe they never delighted in
God's truth, neither had they repented their former
idolatry, but frill continued and rejoiced in the
fame, as manifeftly appeareth in the forty and
fourth chapter of the fame prophet; and therefore
would they and their wives have been in Egypt,
where all kind of idolatry and fupcrftition abound-
ed, that they (without reproach or rebuke) might
have their bellies full thereof in defpight of God's
holy laws and prophets.

In writing hereof, it came to my mind, that
after the death of that innocent and moft godly
king Edward VL while that great tumult was in
England, for the eftablifhing of that moft unhap-
py and wicked woman's authority, (I mean, of
Mary that now reigneth in God's wrath) in treat-
ing the fame argument in a town in Buckingham-
{hke, named the Haramer(ham, before a great con-
gregation, with forrowful heart and weeping eyes,
I fell into this exclamation :

• O England, now is God's wrath kindled a-
gainfl: thee, now hath he begun to punidi, as he
hath threatened a long while, by his true prophets'
and me(rengers; he hath taken from thee the crown
thy glory, and hath left thee without honour, as
a body without a head ; and this appeareth to be
only the beginning of forrows, which appeareth to
increafe ; for I perceive, that the heart, the tongue
and hand of one Fnglifhman is bent againft ano-
ther, and di^'iflon to be in the whole realm, which
is an alTured fign of dcfolation to come. O, Eng-
land, England, doft thou not confider, that thie
common- wealth is like a (hip failing on the fea ; "if •
thy mariners and governors (hall one confume ano-
ther

390

The ADMdNlTIdNoF JOHN KNOX

ther, flialt thou not fuffer fliipwreck in flier tpro-
cefs of time? O England, England, (alas!) thefe
plagues are poured upon thee, for that thou wouldfl
not know the mofl happy time of thy gentle vifita-
tlon : but wilt thou yet obey the voice of thy God,
and fubmit thyfelf to his holy words ? truly, if
thou wilt, thou (halt find mercy in his fight, and
theeflate of thy common- wealth Ihall be preferv-
ed.

* But, O England, England, if thou obflinate-
ly wilt return into Egypt, that is, if thou contraft
marriage, confederac) , or league with iuch prin-
ces, as do maintain and advance idolatry (fuch as
the emperor, who is no lefs enemy unto Chrifl:,
than ever was Nero ;) if for the pleafure and friend-
fhip, I fay, of fuch princes, thou returnefl to
thine old abominations, before ufed under the
papiflry, then alTuredly, O England, thou fhait
be plagued and brought to defolation, by the
means of thofe whofe favours thou feekefl, and
by whom thou art procured to fall from Chrifl,
and to ferve antichrill.'

This, aad much more in the dolour of my
heart, that day, in the audience of fuch as yet
may bear record, (through God's permiflion) I
then pronounced: the thing that I then m_oft fear-
ed, and which alfo my tongue fpake (that is, the
fubverfion of the true religion, and bringing in of
Grangers to reign over that realm) this day I fee
come to pafs in mens counfels and determinations ;
which, if they proceed and take effe^, as by men
it is concluded, then fo alTuredly as my God liv-
eth, and as fhofe Ifraelites that obftinately return-
ed into Egypt again, were plagued to the death ;
fo ihall England taHe what the Lord hath threatned
by his prophets before. God grant us true and
unfeigned repentance of our ii>rmer offences, God,
for his great mercies fake, lur up fome Phinthas,
Eiias, or Jehu, that the blood of abominable ido-
laters may pacify God's wrath, that it confume
not the whole multitud'e. Jmen.

Bat to return to our matter, of the premiffes it
is plain, that fuch as contemn God's eternal verity
and grace, can neither in their troubles receive
comfort by God's meffengers ; neither yet can they
follow the counfel of God, be it- never fo profit-
able ; but God giveth them over, and fufftreth
them to wander in their own vanities, to their
ownperdldon: whereas contrail wife, fuch as bear
a reverence to God's mofl holy word, are drawn
by the power and vertue of the fame, as before is
^faid, to believe, follow and c':ey that which God
<c»mtojm(kth, be It never fo hard, fo uno.pparent

or contrary to their afFt<ff ions ; and therefcre, aa
God always keepeth appointment with them, l©'
are they wondroufly preferved, when God's ven-
geances are poured forth upon the difobedient.
And this is mod evident in Abraham, at God's
commandment, leaving his country, and going
forth he knew not whither ; which was a thing not
fo eafy to be done, as it is to be fpoken or read.
It appeareth alfo in Abraham, believing God's
promiies, againft all appearance, and alfo in offer-
ing his Son Ifaac, agalhlf all fatherly love aad na-
tural affeftion. The fame is faid, in Mofes, Sa-
muel, Hezekiah, Micaiah, and other of the pro-
phets, which, at the commandment of God's word,
boldly pafTed to the prefence of tyrants, and there
to them did their meflage, as charge was givea
unto them.

But, left that fome fliould alledge, that thefc
examples appertain nothing to a multitude, becaufe
they were done in fingular men; I anfwer, we
will confider what the power of God's word hath
wrought in many at one inftance. After that the
Ifraelites had made the golden calf, and fo fallen
into Idolatry ; Mofes, coming down from the
mountain, and beholding their abominations, (the
honour that they gave to an idol) and the people
fpoiled of their ear-rings and Jewels, to their great
rebuke and fliame, was enflamed with fuch zeal,
indignation and wrath, that frji, he brake the
tables of the commandments ; then, he beat their
calf to powder, and gave it to them to drink, to
caufe them to underfland, that their filthy guts
fliould receive that which they worfliipped for
God ; 2s\d finally, he commanded that every man
that was of God fhould approach and come nigh
unto him : and the fons of Levi, faith the ttxt,
came to him ; to whom he faid, • Thus faith the
' Lord God of ifrael, let every man put his fword

* upon his thigh, and go in and out from port to

* port in the tents, and let every man kill his bro-

* ther, his neighbour, and every man his nigh

* kinfman : and the fons of Levi did according to

* the word of Mofes ; and there fell the fame day

* of the people nigh three thculand.' It is evident
by this hiflory, that the power of God's word,
pronounced by the mouth of a man, prevailed at
one time in a great number againft nature, and
compelled theni to be executcrs of God's vengeance,
regarding nothing theaffinity nor nighnefs of blood;
and al(o, that tlieir doing fo well pleafcd Mofes
the am.baftador of God, that he faid unto them,

* Confecrate your hands this day every man in his

* own fon, and in his own brother, that a fortu-

nate

TO THE PROFESSORS of the TRUTHin ENGLAND.

392

* nate benediftion may be given to you this day.'
As though he fhould fay, yo jr father Levi profaned
and defiled his hands, killing the bhechemites in
his blind rage, vv'hich moved his father Jacob, in
his laft teRament, to condemn, execrate and curfe
that his mofi vehement and ungodly zeal ; but be-
caufe in this work you liave preferred God's com-
mandment before blood, nature and alfo affecffion,
in place of that rebuke and curfe, you have obtain-
ed blefiing and praile.

The like puiiFance and virtue of God's working
in a mul itude is to be read in the prophet Jeremi-
ah ; who perceiving the time of God's vengeance
to draw nigh, and the city of Jtrufalem to be be-
fieged, boldly crieth out in his open fermon, laying,

* He that remaineth in this city fhall die either by

* fword, by hunger, or by peflilence. But he

* that fhall go forth to the Chaldeans, fhall live,
' and fhall find his foul for a prey.' This might
have appeared a deceivable, feditious and ungodly
fermon, to command fubjedfs to depart from the
obedience and defence of their native prince, rich
citizens and valiant foldiers from their pofTefhons
and ftrong holds, and to will them render themfel-
\Ss without all manner of refinance, into the hands
©f ftrangers, being their enenies : what carnal man
"would not have judged the perfuafions of the
prophet mofl: foolidi and falfe ? and yet in the
hearts of fuch as God had eledf ed and appointed
to hfe, fo etfeftually wrought this fermon, that
a great number of Jerufalem left their king, their
city, riches and friends, and obeyed the prophet's
counfel ; for fo may be efpied by the anfwer of
Zedekias the king, when Jeremiah counfellcd him,
■that he fhould render himfelf into the hands of
Nebuchadnezzar, he faith, * i fear thefe Jews,

* that are fled to the Chaldeans, left perchance

* they give me into their hands.'

Hhereof it is plain, that many were departed
from him, whom he feared more than he did his
enemies.

Many more teftimonies might be brought, to
declare how mightily God's word, fpoken by
anan, hath wrought in the hearts of great muhi-
tudes; as in the hearts of the Ninevites, who, at
Jonah's preaching, condemned their former religi-
on, converfation and life ; and in the hearts of
■thofe three thoufand, who at Peter's firft fermon
openly made after Chrift's afenfion, acknowleged
their offences, repented, and were foon after bap-
tifed. But thefe premifTes are fufficient to prove,
as wel-1 that God's word draweth his ele6l after it,
-agaiaft worldly appearance, againft natural alFefti-

ons, and againfl evil ftatutes and confUtutions ;
as alio, that fuch as obey God, fpeaking by hia
miaifters, never lacketh juft reward and rccom-
pence : for only fuch as obeyed the voice of the
prophet, found favour and grace, to the praife
and glory of God's name, whtn his juft ju,-lg:Titat3
took vengeance upon the difobedient. But now
briefly by notes we will touch the reft of Peter's
aft, and Chrift's merciful deliverance of him
which is the end of all troubles fuftained by God's
eleft.

And fii-ft. That Peter feeing a mijhty M'lnd,
was afraid, and lb when he began to fink, he cried,
' Lord fave me,' are three things principally to be
noted.

The firft, From whence cometh the fear of Cod's
eUEl ?

The fecond. What is the caife that they faint
and fall in adverfity F

The third, fVhjt reftcth -with them in thg time
cf this fear and dcr-ivn-jinking ?

^ And firft, it is plain, that fo long as Peter had
his eyes fixed upon Chrift, and attended upon no
other thing but the voice of Chrift, he was bold
and whhout fear : but when he faw a mighty wind
(not that the wind was vifible,. but the vehement
ftorm and waves of the fea that were ftirred up
and carried by the wind were feen) then began he
to fear, and to reafon, no doubt, in his heart,
that better it had been for him to have remained
in his fliip, for fo might Chrift have come to him :
but now the ftorm and rage of wind was fo vehe-
ment, that he could never come to Chrift, and fo
he greatly feared. Whereof it is plain, that the
only caufe of our fear that have left our fhip, and
thorow the ftorms of the fea would go to Chrift
with Peter, is, that we more confider the dangers
and letts that are in our journey, than we do the
almighty power of him that hath commanded us
to come to himfelf. And this is a fin common to
all the eleft and chofen children of God, that when-
foever they fee a vehement trouble appearing to lett
them, and drive them back frooi the obedience of
God, then begin they to fear and to doubt of God's
power and good will.

With this fear was Abraham ftricken, v/hen he
denied his wife. This ftorm faw Mofes, whei:i
he refufed to be God's raeffenger. And Hezekiah's
fore complaint declareth, that more he belived,
confidered, and looked upon the proud voices, and
great power of Sennacherib, than he. did the pro-
miles of the prophet.

This I note for this purpofe, that albeit this

late

39^

The admonition of JOHN KNOX

late and inofl raglig ftorm within the realm of
Enjjland, hath taken froin you the prefence of
Chrlft for a time, fo that you have doubted whe-
ther it was Chrilr which you ftiw before, or not ;
and albeit that the vehemency of this contrary
wind, that would drive you from Chrift, hath fo
employed your ears, that almoft you have forgot-
t' a what he was who commanded you to come to
liimfelf, when that he cried, ' Com.e unto me, all
« ye that labour and are burdened, and I Qiall refrefh
* you ; pafs from Babylon, O my people, 6c: Al-
b.;it, I fay, that this raging tempeft hath If ricken
fuch fear in your heart, that aimod all is for-ot-
ten ; yet, dear brethren, defpair not, fuch offences
have chanced to God's ele6t before you. If ob-
ftinatcly ye (hall not continue, yet fliall you find
mercy and grace. It had been your duty indeed,
and agreeable to your profeilion, to have looked
to Chrift alone, and to have contemned all impe-
tiiments ; but fuch perfection is not aKvay with
man, but happy is he that feeleth himfelf to fink.
The caufe that God's eleft begin to faint and
to fink down in the time of great adverfity, is fear
and unbelief, as in Peter doth appear ; for fo long
as he neither feared danger, neither mifirufi:ed
Chrift's word, fo long the waves (above, and con-
trary to their nature) did obey and ferve his feet,
as they had been the dry, folid and fure ground :
but lb foon as he began to defpair and fear, fo foon
began he to fink : to inflruft us, that lively faith
maketh man bold, and is able to carry us thro'
fuch perils as be uncapable to nature; but when
faith beginneth to faint, then beginneth man to
imk down in every danger : as in the hifiorics be-
fore rehearfed, it may appear, and in the prophets,
it is plain; for Elias at God's commandment paf-
fing to the prefence of king Ahab, in the fervency
of his faith, obtained the fire to come from heaven,
and to confume his facrifice, by which alfo he was
made fo bold, that in the prefence of the king he
feared nothing to kill his falfe prophets. But the
ftme Elias heating of the managing and threatenings
•f cui fed Jezabel, and confidering that the wrath
of a wicked woman could by no reaionable means
be appeafed, he faw a (form, and feared the fame,
andfohc prepaied to fiee ; which he doth not
without fome finking down ; for be began to reafon
and difpute with God, vhich never can be done
by the creature, without foolifhnefs and offence.
The fame we find in Jeremy and many more.
But the Queff ion may be afktd, ' beeing Chrifi

* knew before what fiiould happen to Peter, why

• did he not hinder him fFom coming iron> his

* boat ? or elfe, Why did he not fo confirm him
' in fai:h, that he fhould not have do.ibted V

To which m.ay be anfwcred. Albeit that we
could render no reafon of this work of Chriff's,
yet were the work itfelf a fufficient reafon ;
and it were enough to anfwer, that fo it pleafed
him, who is not bound to render a reafon of all
hii- works : but yet, if we fhall mark with dili-
gence to what office Peter was to be called, and
and what offences long refted with him, wt ihall
find moff juff and neceffary caufes of this work of
Chriff, and down finking of Peter. It is plain,
that Peter had many notable virtues, as a zeal and
fervency towards Chrift's glory, and a readinefs
and forvvardnefs to obey his commandments ; but
it is like plain, that of long continuance there
refteth with Peter a defire of honour and worldly
reff (and that moved him to perfiiade Chrifi that
he fhould not die.) There reflcd \vith him pride,
prefnmption, and a truft in himfelf ; which pre-
fumption and vain truft in his own ffrength, un-
lefs it had been correcftd, he had never been fit
to have fed Chrift's fiock : and fuch fins can ne-
ver be fully correifled or reformed, till they ^e
felt, known, and confeffed. Doubtlefs, fo arro-
gant is our nature, that neither will it know nor
confefs the infirmity of itfelf, until fuch time as it
hath a trial by manifcft experience : this is mof^
plain by Peter, long after this tempt ft ; for whea
Chrift faid to his difcipks, ' This night fhall ye

* all be offended in me,' Peter boldly bragged,
and faid, ' Albeit that all fhould be offended and

* fhould fiec from thee, yet fhall not 1 be offend- /
' ed ; but 1 am ready to go to prifon, and to die

* wiih thee.' 'J his was a bold prefnmption, and
an arrogant promife, fpoken in contempt of all his
brethren, from which he could not be reduced by
Chrift's admonition ; but the more that Chrift fhew-
ed him, that he fhould deny him, the more bold was
he to affirm the contrary ; as though his mafter
Chiift (the Author of all truth, yea, rather truth
itfelf) fliould make a loud lie : and therefore of
neceffity it was, that he fhould prove in experi-
ence, what was the frailty of man's nature, and
what was the the imbecility and weaknefs of faith,
even in thofe that were his chief apoftles, which
had continually hend his heavenly do<5lrine, feen
daily his wonderful miracles, which had heard
themfelves fo many adonitions of him, which alio
followed and obeyed him in many things. That
imbecility and weaknefs of faith, if Peter had not
proved and felt it in himfelf, neither could fee
lightly have piT-jfed Gcd's infinite goodnefs, aad

embraced

TO THE PROFESSORS of the TRUTH in ENGLAND.

393

etnbraced his free mercy, neither had he been
apt and meet to have been a paftor to the weak
fheep and tender lambs of Chrift, but he ftiould
have been as proud a contemner and defpifer of
his weak brethren, as the arrogant papifts, that
contemn and defpife all godly and great learned
men, though they be a thoufand parts more ex-
cellent than they.

But to correct and inform both prefumptuous
arrogancy and frail imbecility and weaknefs ot
faith, Peter was permitted once to link, and thrice
moll fliamefuUy to refufe and deny his mafter;
to the intent that, by the knowlege of his own
weaknefs, he might be the more able to inflrufl
others of the fame; and alio that he might more
largely magnify God's free grace and mighty de-
liverance: and that Chrilt taught him before his
falling, faying, * When thou art converted,
* Ilrengthen thy brethren :' as though Chrift
fnould have faid, Peter, yet art thou too proud to
be a pallor, thou canfl not Hoop nor bow thy
back down to take up tlie weak (hcep, thou doll
not yet know thine own infirmity and weaknefs,
aad therefore cand thou do nothing but defpife
the weak ones ; but when thou iTialt be inllruft-
ed by experience of thine own felf, what hid ini-
quity lurketh within the nature of man, then flialt
thou learn to be humble, and floop among other
finners; and alio (halt be an exam pie to others which
after (hall offend, as thou didit ; fo that, if they
repent as thou didft, they need not defpalr of mercy,
but may truH moll alFurediy of Chrill to obtain
grace, mercy and forgivenefs of fms, as thou didlt.

This fruit have we to gather, dear brethren, of
Peter's down-fmking in the fea, which was a fe-
cret knowlege and privy admonition, that he after
fhould deny Chrift, that we are affured by the
voice of Chrift, if in the time of trouble and ex-
treme danger we cry with Peter, we fliall be de-
livered as he was^ and if we mourn for our de-
nial of Chrift, as he did, we fhall find the fame
grace and favour at Chrift's hand, that he found.

But now let us touch the third note, which is
tills, That with God's eledl in their greateft fear
and danger there rcftexh fome fmall fpark of faith,
which by one means or other declareth itfelf, al-
beit the afflidfed perfon, in fear or danger, doth
not prefently perceive the lame ; as here in Peter
is moft clear and manifcft. For perceiving him-
felf to fink down, he cried, faying, ' Lord fave
* me ;' which words were a declaration of a live-
ly and quick faith, which lay hid within h'^s af-
fii^ed and fore perplexed heart, whofe nature is

(I mean of faith) to hope againft hope, that is,
againft all appearance or likelihood to look for
.help and deliverance, as the words of Peter wit-
nefs that he did. He law nothing but the raging:
lea, ready to fwallow him up ; hevfclt uothing bu'
himfeif finking down in body, and i'oii troubkJ ii
heart; and yet he cried, * Lord, lave me.' Which
words firft declare, that he knew the povv-cr of
Chrift able to deliver him : for fooliOintfs it had
been to have called for the help of him, v^-hom Ik
had known to be impotent and unable to help.

The calling for Chrift's help by prayer, in this
extreme danger declared alf^ that Peter had iomc
hope, through his gracious goodncfs, to obtain
deliverance. For, in extreme perils, impoffible it
is that the heart of man can cry far God's help,
without fome hope of his mercy.

It is alfo to be noted. That in his ^reat jeo-
pardy Peter murmureth not againft Chrift; neither
doth he impute or lay any crime or blame upon
Chrft,albeit,at his commandment he had left hisboat.
He faith not, 'Why letteft thou me fink, feeing that
' I have obeyed thy commandment :' Moreover,
Peter afketh help at Chrift alone, of whom he v/as
perfuaded, both could and wouLl help at a pinch.
He cried not upon Abraham, Jacob, Mofes, Sa-
muel, David ; neither upon any other of the pa-
triarchs, prophets or faints departed ; neither yet
upon his own fellows in the boat, but upon Chrift,
at whofe commandment he had left the boat.

All thefe things together confidered, declare,
that Peter in this his extreme fear and danger had
yet fome fpaik of faith (albeit in that prefent jeo-
pardy he had neither confolation nor comfort ;)
for thefe premifTes are undoubted tokens that he
had faith. But now to the end, which is this ;

' And immediately Jefus ftretchcd forth his
' hand, and caught him, and faid unto him, Q

* thou of little faith, wherefore didft thou doubt ?

* and when they were come into the fliip, the

* wind ceafed ; and they that were in the ftiip

* came and worfhipped him, fajing. Of a truth
' thou art the Son of God : and immediately the
' /hip was at the land whither they went.'

Hereof firft is to be noted. That God is always
nigh to thofe that call upon him faithfully ; and io
willing is he to deliver them, that neither can fear
nor extreme danger hinder his godly hind. Peter
was finking down, and looked for no other thing
but prefent death, and yet the hand of Chrift
prevented him. That that was vifibly and open-
ly done to Peter in that his great peril, is inviiibly
and fecretly done to Chrift's holy church, and to
D d d the

3^4 The ADMONITION gf

the chofen members of Chiift's myftical body in all

ages.

How nigh and ready was the hand of God to
deliver his people Ifrael, when they were almoft
overwhelmed with defpair in the days of Mofes,
and Efther, the hiftory doth witnefs : how nigh
was God to Daniel amonglt the lions, to Jonah in
the whale's belly, to Peter m the prifon, is like-
wife moft evidently declared in the holy fcriptures:
how fnddenly and beyond all expeftation was
David many times delivered from Saul's tyranny,
his own heart confefTed, and compelled his pen to
write, and tongue to fmg, %ing, ' He fent from
* above, and hath delivered me, he hath drawn
' me forth of many waters.'

Open your eai-s, dear brethren, and let your
hearts underfland, that as our God is unchange-

' .tiiis
iTorm

abl
day

fo is not ills gracious hand fhortened
Our fear and trouble is great, the ft
that bloweth againft us is fore and vehement, and
we appear to be drowned in the deep : but. If
%ve unfeignedly know the danger, and will call
for deliverance, the Lord's hand is nigher than
the fv.-oi-d of our enemies.

The (harp rebuke that Chrift Jefus gave to Pe-
ter, teacheth us, That God doth not flatter nor
conceal the faults of his eleff, but makcth them
manifeft, to the end that the offenders may re-
pent, and that others may avoid the like offences.
That Chrirt called Peter of httle faith, argueth
and declareth, as we before have noted, that Pe-
ter was not altogether faithlefs, but that he faint-
ed, or was uncertain in his faith ; for fo found-
eth the Greek term oUgomiJlos ; whereof we
©ught to be admonl filed, that in paffmg to Chrift
through the ftorms of this world, is not only re-
quired a fervent faith in the beginning, but alfo a
conftancy to the end, as Chrifl faith, ' He that
* continueth to the end fhall be faved ;' and St.
Paul, * Unlefs a man (hall ftrive lawfully, he
< fhall not be crowned.' The remembrance of
this ought to put us in mind, that the moft fer-
^nt man, and fuch as have long continued in
profeffion of Chrift, is not yet fure to ftand at all
Jiours, but that he is fubje^ to many dangers,
;>nd that he ought to fear his own frailty ; as tlie
apoftle teacheth us, faying, ' Let him that think-
*■ eth he ftandeth, take heed left he fall :' for, if
5*eter, that began fo fervently, yet fainted ere he
«ame to Chrift, what ought we to fear, in whoift
Inch fervency was never found ? No doubt we
ought to tremble and fear the worft, and by the
ItRowkge of owr own weaknefs, with the apoftles

JOHN KNOX

incelfantly to pray, ' O Lord, incrtal'f^ our faith*
Chrifl's demand and queflion, afkii g Peter, ' \\ hy
* doubteft thou :' containeth in itfeif a vehtm.ercy,
as if he (hould have faid. Whether doubttft thou
of my power, or ot my promifes, or of my good-
will ? If my power had not been fufficient to have
faved thee, then could I neither have come to thee
thorow the fiormy lea, neither have made the wa-
ters obey thee, when thou begannefl to come ta-
me ; and if my guod-will had not been to have
delivered thee and thy brethren, then had I not
appeared unto you, neither had I calkd upon thee,
but^^iad permitted the ttmpefl to devour and fwal-
low you up : but confidering that your eye faw
me prefent, your cars heard my voice, and thou
Peter efpecially kneweft the fame, and obeyedft
my commandment, why then doubtefl: thou J
Beloved brethren, if this fame demand and quefti-
on were laid to our charge, we fliould have lefs
pretence of excufe than had Peter ; for he might
have alledged, that he was not advertifed that any
great florm (hould have rifen betwixt him and
Chriff, which juHly we cannot alledge ; for, fmcc
that time that Chrifl hath appeared unto us by
the brightntfs of his word, and called upon us by
his lively voice, he hath continually blown in our
ears, that perfecution and trouble fhould follo\*'
the Vv'ord that we profeffed ; which days are now
prefent. * Alas then, why doubt we throw this
' Iform to go to Chrift ? Support, O Lord, and
* let us fink no further.'

Albeit that Peter faintedin faith, and therefoi^e
was worthy moft Iharply to be rebuked ; yet doth'
not Chrift leave him in the fea, neither long per
mitted he that fear and temptft to continue ; but
firft they entered both into the (hip, and thereafter
the wind ceafed ; and laft, their (hip arrived,.
without longer delay, at the place for which they"
long had laboured.

O bleffed and happy are thofe that patiently »*•
bide this deliverance of the Lord ! the raging leas
(hall not devour them ; albeit they have fainted
yet fhall not Chrift Jefus leave them behind in the
ftormy fea, but fuddenly he ftiall ftretch forth his
mighty hand, and fhall place them in the fhip a
mongft their brethren ; that is, he fhall condudl thertt-
to the number of his eledf and alBifled church, witb
whom he will continue to the end of the world.

The majefty of his prefence fhall put to filence-
this boifterous wind, the m.alice and envy of the
devil, which fo bloweth in the hearts of princes,
prelates, kings, and of earthly men, and altoge-
ther they are conjured againft the Lord, and a-

gainfi:

TO THE PROFSSOHS 6F THE TRUTH IN ENGLAND.

gainft his anointed Chrift; in defpite of whom, he
fafely fhall conduft, convey, and carry his fore
troubled flock to the life and reit for which they
travel.

Albeit, I fay, that fometimes they have fainted
in their journey, albeit that weakneis in faith per-
mitted them to fmk, yet from the hand of Chrift
can they not be rent ; he may not fuffvrr them to
drown, nor the deep to devour them : bur for the
glory of his own name he muft deliver, for they are
co-iimitted to his charge, protection and keeping ;
and therefore muft he keep and defend iuch as he
hath received of his Father, from fin, from death,
from devil and hell.

The remembrance of thefe promifes is to mine
own heart, fuch occafion of comfort, as neither
can any tongue nor pen exprefs : but yet perad-
venture foms there are of God's ele<5l, that cannot
be comforted in this tempeff, by any meditations
of God's eleftion or defence; but father behold-
ing fuch, as fometimes boldly have profelTed
Chrift's verity, now to be returned to their ac-
cuftomed abominations ; and alfo, tbemfelves to
be overcome with fear, thit againft their know-
lege and confcience they (loop to an idol, and with
their prefence maintain the lame ; and being at
this point, they begin to reafon, whether it be
pofTible, that the members of Chrift's body may
be permitted fo horribly to fall to the denial of
their head, and in the fame to remain of long con-
tinuance : and from this reafoning they enter in
dolour, and from dolour they begin to fmk to the
gates of he'd, and ports of defpair.

The dolour and fear of fuch, I grant to be
moft juft : for, Oh how fearful is it, for the love
of this tranfitory life, in the pr>:fence of man to deny
Chrift Jefus, and his known and undoubted verity !

But yet to fuch as be not obftinate contemners
«f God. and of all godlinefs, I would give this
my weak counfel, that rather they ftiould appeal
to m.ercy, than by the fcvere judgments of God
to pronounce againft themfelves the fearful fcntence
of condemnation ^ and to confider, that God in-
cludeth all under wibelief, that he may have mer-
>'-y upon all : that the Lord killeth and giveth life,
^e leadeth down to hell, and yet lifteth up again.
But I will not that any man think, that by this
?r.y counfel 1 either juftify fuch as horribly are re-
turned back to their vomit, either yet that I flatter
ii-Tch as maintain that abomiKable idol with thch"
<laily prefence : God forbid ; for then were 1 but
a bliiKl guide, leading tlie bfind headlong to p^r-

395

dition : only, God knoweth the dolour and fob^
of my heart, for fuch as I hear daily to turn back-
But the caufe of my counfel is, th?.t I know the
confcience of fome to be fo tender, that whenfo-
ever they feel themfelves troubled with fear,
wounded with anguifii, or to have Hidden back
in any point, that then they judge their faith to
be quenched, and themfelves to be unworthy of
God's mercies for ever ; to fuch direft I my coun-
fel, to thofe, I mean, that rather offend by weak-
nefs and infirmity, than of malice and fct purpofe.
And I would that fuch fhould underftand and con-
fider, that all Chrift's apoftles flsd from him, and
denied him in their hearts : and alfo I v,'ould they
ftiould confider, that no man from the beginning '
ftood in greater fear, greater danger, nor "greater
doubt, thin Peter did, when Chrift's prefence was
taken from him ; yea, no man felt lefs comfort,
nor faw lefs appearance of deliverance ; and yet
neither were the difciples rejcfted for ever, nei-
ther was Peter permitted to drown in that deep.

But fome (hall objeff. Faith was not utterly
quenched in them ; and therefore they got deli-
verance, and were reftored to comfort.

Anfw. That is it which 1 would that the afflid--
ed and troubled confciences in this age ftiould con-
fider, that neither fear, neither danger, neither
yet doubting nor backfiiding, can utterly deftroy
and quench the faith of God's elecf, but that al-
ways there remaineth with them fome root and
fpark of faith, howbeit in their anguifii they nei-
ther feel nor can difcern the fame. Yet fome may
demand. How ftiall it ie known in whom the
fpark and root of faith remaineth, and in whom
not, feeing that all flee from Chrift, and bow
down to idolatry ? Hard it is, and in a manner
impoftible, that one man fiiould wittingly judge
of another, (for that could not Elijah do of the
Ifraeirtes of his days) but every man may eafily
judge of himfelf : for the root of faith is of that
nature, that long it will not be idle, butofnecef-
fity, by procefs of time, it will fend forth fome
branches that may be feen and felt by the outward
man, if It rem.ain lively in the heart; as you
heard it did in Peter, compelling him to cry upon
Chrift, when that he was in greateft neceftity.
Wilt thou have a trial, whether the root of faitlh
remaineth with iliee or not ? (I fpeak to fuch as
are weak, and not to proud contemners of God.)

r. Feeleft thou thy foul fainting in faith, as
Peter felt his body fink down in the waters ?

?,. Art thou as fore afraid that thy foul ftioutd
■t> tt d 2 dron^n

The a D M 0 N I T I 0

if thou confenteft to, or obeyeft

39^

(irown in hell,

idolatry, as Peter was, that his body fhould drown

ia the waiters ?

--. Ucfn-e(i thou as earneftly the deliverance ot
thy foul, as Peter did the deliverance of his

body ? ^ . , , , V

4. Believed thou that Chrifl is able to deliver
thy foul, and that he will do the fame according to

his promife ? , , -r

5*. Doft thou call upon him without hypocnly,
now in the day of thy trouble ?

6. Do'l thou third for his prefence, and for the
liberty of his word again ?

J. Mourneft ihou for the great abominations
that now overflow the realm of England ?

If thefe premifPes, I fay, remain in thy heart,
then art thou not altogether deftitute of faith, nei-
ther (halt thou defcend to perdition for ever; but
mercifully fnall the Lord llretch forth his mighty
hand, and Hialt deliver thee from the very throat
and bottom of hell : but by what means that he
ihall perform that his merciful work, it neither ap-
'oertaineth to thee to demand, nor to me to define;
but this is requifite, and is our bounden duty,
that inch means as the hand of our God fhall
.)lier, (to avoid idolatry) we refufe not, but that
willingly wc embrace the fom.e, albeit it partly
dUagree to our affections. Neither yet think I
that fuddenly, and by one means, Ifiall all the
faithful in England be delivered from idolatry:
ao, it may be, that God fo ftrengthen the hearts
of fome of thofe that have fainted before, that
they will refift idolatry^ to the death; and that
were a glorious and triumphant delivei-ance : of
others God may fo touch the hearts, that they
will rather choofe to walk and .go as pilgrims^
from realm to realm, fuffering hunger, cold, heat,
thlrft, wearinefs, and poverty, than. that they wiU
abide (having all abundance) in fubjeffion to ido-
latry : to fome may God offer fuch occafion, that
In defpite of idolaters (be they princes or prelates)
they may remain within thek own dominions, and
yet neither bow their knees to Baal, neither yet
lack the lively food of God's moft holy word.

If God offer unto us any fuch means, let us
affuredly know. That Chrift Jefus ftretcheth forth
his hand unto us, willing to deliver us from that
danger wherein many are like to perifh ; and
therefore let us not refufe it, but with gladnefs let
us take hold of it, knowing that God hath a thou-
fand means (very unappearing to man's judgment)
whereby he will deliver, fupport and comfort
his aiHided church. Ani therefore, moH dearly

N OF JOHN KNOX

beloved in our Saviour Jefus Chrift, confiderln^
that the remembrance of Chrift's banquet (where-
of, I doubt not, fome of you have tafted with com-
fort and joy) is not yet utterly taken from your
mind; and that we have entered in this journey at
Chrifl's commandment ; confidering, that we find
the fea- winds blow contrary and againft us, as be-
fore w^as prophefied unto us ; and that we fee the
fame tempeft rage againft us, that ever hath raged
againft Chrift's eledf church : and confidering alfo,
that we feel 9urfelves ready to faint, and like to be
oppreffed by thefe fiormy feas ; let us profirate
ourfeives before the throne of grace, in the pre-
fence of our heavenly Father, and in the bitter-
nefs of our hearts let us confefs our offences., and
for Chriff Jeius fake let us afl: deliverance and mer-
cy, faying, with fobs and groanings from our trou-
bled hearts.

C O ]\I P L A I N T.

* O God, the heathen are entered into thine in-
heritance, they have defiled thy holy temple, and
have profaned thy bleffed ordinance : in place of
thy joyful figns, they have ereff ed their abominable
idolatry: the deadly cup of all blafphemy is refto-
red again to their harlot's hand, thy prophets are
perfecuted, and none are permitted to fpeak thy
word freely : the poor fheep of thy paflure are
commanded to drink the venomous waters of mens
traditions. But, O Lord, thou knowefl how fore
they grieve us; but fuch is the tyranny of thefe
moft cruel beafts, that plainly they fay, * They
* fhall root us out at once, fo that no remembrance
' fiiall remain of us on earth.'

* O Lord, thou knoweft that we are but flefh,
and that we have no power of ourfeives to withh
fland their tyranny ; and therefore, O Father, o-
pen the eyes of thy mercy upon us, and confirm
thou in us the work which thine own mercy hath
begun. We acknowlegc and confefs, 0 Lord, that
we are puniflied moft juftly, becaufewe lightly re-?
garded the time of our merciful vifitation. Thy
biefled gofpel was in our ears like a lover's fong,
it pleafed us for a time, but, alas! our lives did
nothing agree with thy flatutes and holy command-
ments ; and thus we acknowlege, that our iniqui-
ty hath compelled thy jufiice to take the light of
thy word from the v.'hole realm of England. But
be thou mindful, O Lord, that it is thy truth
which we have profefTed, and that thy enemies
blafpheme thy holy name, and our profefTion, with-
out caufe: thy holy gofpel is called herefy, and

we

TO THE PROFESSORS of the TRUTHin ENGLAND.

we are accufed as traitors, for profeffing the fame.
Be merciful therefore, U Lord, and be falvatioa
unto us in this time of oar anguifli ; albtit our
fins accufe and condemn us, yet do thou according
to thine own name. We have offended againfr
thee, our fins and iniquities are without number,
and yet art thou in the midft of us. O Lord, al-
beit that tyrants bear luleover our bodies, yet
thirfl our fouls for die comfort of thy word: cor-
reiSl us therefore, but not in thy hot difpleafure ;
fpare thy people, and permit not thine inheritance
to be in rebuke for ever. Let fuch, O Lord, as
tiow are moif afflifted, yet once again praife thy
holy name before thy congregation : reprefs the pride
of thofe blood- thirfty tyrants ; confume them in
their anger, according to the reproach which they
have laid againft thy holy name. Pour forth thy
vengeance upon them, and let our eyes behold the
blood of thy faints required of their hands : de-
lay not thy vengeance, O Lord, but let death de-
vour them in hafte; let the earth fwallow them
up, and let them go down quick to the hells : for
there is no hope of their amendment, the fear and
reverence of thy holy name is quite banifhed from
their hearts ; and therefore yet again, O Lord, con-
iume them; conlume them in thine anger, and let
them never bring rheir wicked counfels to effecTt ;
but, according to the godly powers, let them be
taken in the fnare which they have prepared for
thine ele6l. Look upon us, O Lord, with the
eyes of thy mercy, and fhew pity upon us thy
weak and fore opprefTed fiock : gather us yet once
again to the wholefom treafures of thy mod holy
word, that openly we may confefs thy bleffed
name within the realm of England. Grant this,
O heavenly Father, for Chrift Jefus thy Son's
iake. Amen.^

If on this manner, or oiherwife (as God fhall
put in our hearts) without hypocrify in the pre-
fence of our God (refpedling more his glory than
our private wealth) continually we pour forth our
complaint, confeffion and prayers ; then, fo alTu-
redly as our God livcth, and as we feel thefe pre-
fent troubles, fhall our God himfelf rife to our de-
fence ; he fhall confound the counfels of our ene-
mies, and trouble the wits of fuch as moA wrong-
fully trouble us. He fhall fend Jehu to execute has .
jufl judgments againft idolaters, and againff fuch
as obflinately defend them. Yea, the chief men
of our times fliall not efcape the vengeance and
plagues that are prepared for their portion. The

307

flatterers and maintainers of her abominations Oiall'
drink the cup of God's wrath. Atuf, in defpite
of the devil, Hiail yet the glory of Chriff jefus,
and the brightnefs of his countenance fo fiiine in
our hearts by the prefence of his grace, and bciore
our eyes by the true preaching of his gofpel, that
altogether we fhall fall before him, and fav, ' O
Lord, thou art our God, we fliall extol t'lee,' and
fliall confefs thy name, for thou hafl brought won-
drous things to pafs according to thy counfels,.
which albeit they appear to be far off, jet are they
true and mofl afTurcd. Thou hafl brought to ru-
in the places of tyrants ; and therefore Paall the-
afflifted magnify thee, and the city of tyrannical
nations fliall fear thee. Thou hafl been, O Lord,
a ffrong defence to the poor, a fure place of re-
fuge to the affli^1:ed in the time of his aaguifh.'

This no doubt, dear brethren, fliall o°i€ day be-
the fong of God's elecft within the realm, of Eng-
land, after that God hath poured forth his veno?-
ance upon thefe difobedicnt and blood thirfly ty-
rants, which now triumph in all abominations :
and therefore yet again, beloved in the Lord, abide
patiently the Lord's deliverance, avoiding and fly-
ing fuch offences, as may feparate and divide you
from the bleffed fellowlliip of the Lord Jefus at'
his ^ fecond coming. Watch and pray, refia the-
devil, and row againff this vehement tempeff, and'
fliortly fhall the Lord come to the comfort of your
hearts, which now are opprefTed with anguiHi and
care; but then, fhall ye fo rejoice, that through
gladnefs you fhall f;ay, 'Behold, this is our Go\

• we have waited upon him, and he hath f^ived

* us :' This is our Lord, we have long thirfled for
his coming, now fhall we rejoice and be glad ia
his falvation. Amen. The great bifhop of our-
fouls, Jefus our Lord fo itrengthen and affift your
troubled Hearts with the mighty comfort of his
Holy Ghoff, that earthly tyrants nor worldly tor-
ments have no power to drive you from the hope
and expedfation of that kingdom, which for the
ele(ff was prepared from the beginning by our hea-
venly Father, to whom be all praife and honour,
now and ever, Amen, .

Remember me, dear brethren, in your daily
prayers. The grace of. our Lord Jefus . Chrifl be
with you all. Amen. .

Tours wit.h/orrouful heart, ..

John Knox;

Tha.

y-c%

he COPY of a L E T 1^ E R delivered to Q^ieen
My\RY, Regent of Scotland, from John Knox Minifter
of God's Word, in the Year of our Lord, 1556: And there-
after augmented and explained by the Author, in the Year of
our Lord, 1558.

To the rnoft Excellent Princes M A R

Mad ATI,

. H E caufe v/hich moved me to prefeiit this
_ my fuppilcation unto your majefly, enlarged,
and in iome places explained (being in the realm of
Scotland in the month of May, 1556, I caufed to
be prtfented to your majefly) is the incredible rage
of fuch as bear the title of bifnops, who, againit
nil juffice and equity, have pronounced againll: me
a moft cruel fentence, condemning my body to
lire, my foul to damnation, and all doftrine taught
by me, to be falfe, deceivable and heretical : If
this injury did tend to me alone, having the tefli-
wony of a good confcience, \vith fdence I could
pafs the matter, being affured^ that fuch as they
curfe and expel their fynagogues, for fr.ch oaufes,
ihall God blefs, and Chrifl Jefus receive in his eter-
nal fociety : butconfidering that this their blafphe-
my is vomited forth againll: the eternal truth of
Chrift's gofpel (whereof it hath pleifed the great
mercy of God to make me a minifler) I cannot
ceafe to notify, as well to your m.ajefty, as to them,
that {o little am I afraid of their tyrannical and fur-
mifed fentence, that in place of the pifture (if God
impede not my purpofe) they iliall have the body to
juilify that do.5frin€, which they (members of Sa-
tan) blafphemouny do condemn. Advertifing your
■majefly in the mean time. That from them, their
fentence and tyranny, and from all thofe that lift
to maintain them In the liimc, I do appeal to a;
kwfiivland general council-, befeeching your maje-
fly to take ill good part, that! call yon for witnefs,
'tliat I have required the liberty of tongne, and my
caufe to be heard before your majeny, and the bo-
dy of the realm, before that any i^ach procels
was laid againfl me, as this my letter direfted- to
your majeliy doth teftify.

The beginning of the LETTER.

f^ fi ^ H E eternal providence of the fa^-nc God,

JL who hath appointed his chofen children to

^ht in this tranlitory and wretched life, a battle

Y, Dowsger Regent of Scotland.

ftrong and difficil, hath alfo appointed their final
victory by a marvellous fafhion, and the manner of
their prefervation in their battle more marvelloup.
Their vi^ory ftandeth not in refifting, but in fuf-
fering ; as our fovercign mafler pronounceth to his
difciples, that ' In patience they fhould pofTefs their
' fouls.' And the fame forcfaw the prophet Ifaiah,
when that he painteth forth all other battles to be
with vioknce, tumult, and blood fhedding; but
the vi'ffory of God's people to be in quietnefs, fi-
lence and hope ; meaning, that all o'hers that ob-
tain viftory, do enforce themfelvts to refi-fl their
adverfaries, to fhed blood and to murder ; but fo
do not the eleifi of God, but all things they fuftain
at the commandment of him, who hath appointed
them to fufFer ; being moft affuredly perfuaded,
that then only they triumph, when all men judge
them opprefTcd : for in the crofs of Chrift always
is included a fecret and hid vi(nory, never well
known, till the fufferer appear altogether to be,
as it were, exterminare; for then only did the
blood of Abel cry to God, when proud Cain judged
all memory of his brother to have been exiinguifh-
ed: and fo, I fay, their viflory is marvellous ; zvtA
how that they can be preferved, and not brought
to utter confufion, the eye of man perceiveth not :
but he, whofe power is infinite, by fecret and hid
motions, toucheth the hearts of fuch, as to man'*
judgment hath power to deflroy them; with very
pity and compaflion, to fave his people, as (in
times pafr) he did the hearts of the Egyptian mid-
wive?, to preferve the men-children of the Hi-ae-
lites, when command' was given of Pharaoh foif
their deffru(flion ; the heart of Pharaoh's daughter
likewifc, to pity Mofes in his young infancy, ex-
pofed t<3 the danger of the waters; the heart ©f
Nebuchadnezzar, to preferve the captives alive,
and liberally to nourilb the children that were
found apt to letters ; and finally, the heart of Cy-
rus, to fet at liberty the people of God, after long
bondage and thraldom. And thus doth the invi-

fible

To THE QJU EEN REGENT of SCOT LAN 0.

399'

fible power and love of God manifcft itfelf towards
hi.- c !efl frorn time to time, for two caules fpeciaily,
Fir/}, To comfort his weak waniours in tlieir ma-
nifold temptarions, letting them underAand, that he
is able to compel fuch as fometimes were enemies
to his people, to fight their caufe, and to promote
their deliverance. And fc-condly , To give a teftimo-
ny of his favour to them, that by all appearance did
live before (as St, Paul fpeaketh) wanting God in
the world, as (Irangers from the common- wealth
of Ifrael, and without the league of his merciful
promi'". and free grace made to his church: for
who would have affirmed, That any of thefe per-
fons aforenamed, had been of that nature and cle-
mency, before occafions were ofrered unto them ?
But the works of mercy fliewed to the afRi^led,
have left to us affurance, that God ufed them as
velTels of his honour : for pity and mercy fhewed
to Chrift's a!fli6fed flock, as they never lacked re-
ward temporal; fo, if they be continued, and be
not changed into cruelty, are aflaredfignsandfeals
of everlaft ing mercy to be received from God,
who by his holy Spirit moveth their heart to fliew
mercy to the people of God opprefTed and afflift-
ed.

ADDITION.

• This preface 1 ufed, to give your majefly oc-
cafion more deeply to confider, what hath been the
condition of Chrift's members from the beginning,
that, in fo doing, 5'e might fee, that it is no new
thing, that the faints of God be opprcITed in the
world ; that ye, moved by earneft contemplation
of the fame, might alfo fludy rather to fave them
from murder (altho' by the wicked counfels of ma-
ny ye were provoked to the contrary) than to en-
gage yourfelf to the corrupt clergy, who are fer-
vants to fin and Satan, whofe fury is bent againfl:
God and his verity.' But this after followeth in
,€iir letter, which thus proceedeth.:.

LETTER.

Your majtfly perchance doth wonder, to what
pnrpofe thofe things are reciied ; and I in very deed
cannot wonder enough, that occafion is ofTered to
me (a worm mod wretched) to recite the fame at
this prefent; for 1 have looked rather fur 'he fen-
tence of death, than to have wiitten to yoi r 'naje
fty in tbeCs laft and nion wickc;d days, in v,'hich
Satan fc blindeth the h.arf- of nuii'V, that inno-
ctnr: ? ■: ■ iv.'emned, thdr caufe never uied..

ADDITION.

' Hereof ye cannot be ignorant: for bcfldes
thefe whom ye hear from time to time mofl cruelly
to be murdered in France, Italy, Spain Flanders,
and now of late years befides you in England, for
no other caufe, but that they profcfs ChiiA Jefus
to be the only Saviour of the world, the only Me-
diator betwixt God and man, the only facrifice
acceptable for the fms of all the faithful ; and final-
ly, the only head to his church: befides thefe, I
iay (of whom 5e hear the report) ye have been
witnefs, that fome within the realm of Scotland,
for the fime caufe, moft cruelly have been murder-
ed, whofe caufe was never heatd with indifTeren--
cy; but murderer?, fitting in the feat of jufliccy
have (hed the blood of Chrift's true witnefles;
which albeit did then appear to be confumcd away
with fire, yet it is recent in the prefence of him
for whofe caufe they did fuffer, and ceafeth not
to call for vengeance, v.'ith the blood of Abei,
to fall upon, not only fuch as were immediate and
next authors of that murder ; but alfo, upon all
thofe, that maintain thofe tyrants in their tyranny,
or that do confent to their beafily cruelty, or that
do not flop, having the power in hand. Take
not this as the affirm.ation of any man, but hear
and confider the voice of the Son of God, * Fulfil,
' faith he, the meafure of your fathers, that all
' the blood, which hath been fhed fince the blood'
' of Abel the jufl, till the blood of Zacharias, ^c.
* miy come upon this generation.' Hereby it is
evident, that the murderers of our time, as well,
as in the time of Chriff, are guilty of all the
blood that hath been filed from the beglnnin'^.
Fearful I grant is the fentence, yet it is mofi equal
and jufi; for whofoever fii.eddeth the blood of
any one of Chrifi: Jefus's member?, for profeffing
of his truth, confenteth to all the murder which
hath been made fince the beginning for that caufe.
So that, as there is one communion of all God's,
eleft, of whom every member is participant cf the
holy juftice of Chrifi:. fo is there a communion a-
mong the reprobate, by which, every one of the
ferpent's feed are criminal, and guilty of all iniqui-
ty which the whole body ccmmitteth, becaufe they
are altogether againft Chrifi Jefus, and againft his
eternal verity, every one ferving Satan the prince
of this world, in their rank, age, dtgree and tfiate.
The murderers of their brethren which this day
live, are guiltv with Cain of the blood of ^bel :
the kings aprV princes, which bv power opprefs the?
J,' opk of God, and will not luffcr^ that iIk pfo-

A LETTER of JOHN KNOX

400

pie truly worHiIp God as he hath commanded, but
will retain them in Egypt, are brethren and compa-
nions to Pharaoh : the prelates and priefts, whofe
-horrible iniquities and inlblent life have inteaed all
■ realms where they reign, have, with their fathers
the old Pharifees, taken away the key of knowlege,
and have Ouit up the kingdom of heaven before
men; fo that neither they themfelvcs will enter,
neither yet will they fuffer others to enter into the
fame: and the multitude, blinded, fome by igno-
rance, fome by fear, and by infatiable appetite of
.their part of the fpoil (for Chrift being crucified,
the foldiers parted amongll them his garments) are
conjured to defend thofe murderers, proud pefti-
lent prelates, againfl Chrilf Jefus, and againft his
poor flock ; and therefore, becaufe of one crime,
they are guilty .(which is, of trcafon and rebellion
^gainft Chrifl) of one torment they fhall all tafte,
which is, of the fire that never ihall be quenched.
' And' herein ought you, madam, to be circum-
fpeftand careful, if that ye hope for the life to
come : for if the confent which proceedeth of ig-
.norance and blindnefs^ bringeth deftruaion and
death (as Chrlif our maffer doth witnefs, faying,

* If the blind lead the blind, they fnali both fall

* into the ditch') what Ihall become of the proud
and malicious contemners of God's verity offered ?
But our doftrine, perchance, fhall be denied to be
the verity. Whereunto I anfwer. That fo was the
doaiine of Neah, of Mofes, of the prophets, of
Chrifl Jefus, and of his apodles ; and yet the ori
ginai world periflicd by water, Sodom and Gomor-
rah by fire delcending from heaven ; Pharaoh and
his adherents in the lied Sea; the city of Jerufa-
km, and the whole nation of the Jews, by punifli-
ment and plagues, notwithflanding that the whole
muhitude cried, This is a new doftrine, this is he-

<refy, and tendeth to fedition. Our petition is.
That our doftrine may be tried by the plain word
of God ; that liberty be granted to utter and de-
clare our minds at large in every article and point
which now are in controverfy : Which if ye deny,
giving ear to Chrift's enemies (who condemn his
doarine for hcrefy) ye Qiall drink the cup of God's
vvrath with them.' But now to the former letter.

L E T T E R.

X -BOtTBT not, but the rumours which have
come to your majefly's ears, of me, have been fuch,
;that, if all reports were true, I were unworthy to
ijlve upon the earth j and wonder it is, that the

voices of the multitude fliouldnotfo have Inflamed
your majefly's heart with juft hatred of fuch an
one, as I am accufed to be, that all accefs to pity
fhould have been fliut up. I am truduced as an
heretic, accufed as a falfe teacher and feducer of
the people, befides other opprobries, which (af-
firmed by men of worldly honour and eftimation)
may eafily kindle the wrath of magiftrates, where
innocence is not known. But blelfed be God the
Father of our Lord Jefus Chrifl:, who, by the dew
of his heavenly grace, hath fo quenched the fire of
difpkafure, as yet, in your majefly's heart (which
of late days Ihaveunderflood) that Satan Is fruflirate
of his enterprife and purpofe, which is to my heart
no fmall.comfort ; not fo much (God is my witnefs)
for any benefit that I can receive in this miferable
life, by proteaion of any earthly creature (for the
cup which it behoveth me to drink, is appointed
by the wifdom of him wbofe counfels are not
changeable) as that I am for that benefit, which I
am affured your m.ajeffy ftiall receive, if that ye con-
tinue in like moderation and clemency toward o-
thers, that mofi unjuflly arc and fhall be accufed,
as that your majefly hath begun towards me, and
my moif defpcrate caufe ; that is, if that by godly
wifdom ye faall fludy to bridle the fury and rage
of them, who, for the maintenance of their world-
ly pomp, regard nothing the cruel murdering of
fimple innocents : then fhall he, who doth pro-
nounce mercy to appertain to the merciful, and
piomifeth that a cup of cold water, given for his
name's fake, fhall not lack reward ; firfl caufe your
happy government to bepralfedin this prefent age,
and in pofterities to come; and lafl, recompenfe
your godly pains and fludy, with that joy and glory,
which ' Eye hath not feen, nor yet can enter into
Vthe heart of mortal creature.'

ADDITION.

* If Chrifl's words were efleemed true, that of
every idle word an account fliall be given, and that
nothing is fo fecretly done, which fhall not come
to knowlege and light ; I fuppofe, that the tongues
cf men fhould be better bridled, than impudently
to fpeak' their pleafuie in matters unknown: for,
albeit that the true fear of God fliould not move
them to fpeak truth; yet v>rould I think (if any
fpark of humanity remained) that worldly fliame
fliould impede them to lie. When reafonipg wa«
before your majefly, what man it was that preach-
ed in Air, and divers were of divers opinions ; fome

affirming^

TO THE Q^U E E N REG

I affirming, that it was an Englilhinan, and fome fup-
pofmg the contrary ; a prelate, not of the leafl
pride, faid, Nay, No Englifhman, but it is Knox
that knave. It was my Lord's pleafure fo to bap-
tize a poor man, the reafon whereof, if it (hould
be required, his rochet and mitre muft ftand for
authority. What further liberty he ufed in de-
fining things like uncertain to him, to wit, of my
learning and doctrine at this prefent, I omit, la-

, menting more that fuch peftilent tongues have li-
berty to fpeak in the prefence of princes, than that
I am forry for any hurt that their venom can do to
me in body or fame ; for what hath my life and con-
verfation been, fmce it hath pleafed God to call me
from the puddle of papiftry, let my very enemies

I fpeak ; and what learning 1 have, they may prove
when they pleafe. The report of your majefty's
moderation, as well at that time, as after, when
fuit was made for my taking, moved me to write
this my other letter ; in which, albeit I have not
played the orator, trimming and decking the matter
for the pleafure of itching and delicate ears ; yet
doth my confcience bear me record. That with
fimplicity I have advertifed you of a mortal danger,
as this portion fubfequent fhall prove.'

LETTER.

Superfluous and foolifh it fliall appear to
many. That I a man of low eftate and condition,
dare enterprifeto admonifiia princefsfo honourable,
endowed with wifdom, and gr ices fmgular: but
when I confider the honour which God command-
€th to be given to magiflrates, which, no doubt
(if it be true honour) containeth in itfelf, in law-
ful things, obedience, and in all things love and
reverence ; when further I confider the trouble-
fom ftate of Chrift's true religion, this day op-
prefTed by blindnefs of men ; and laflly, the great
multitude of flatterers, and the rare number of
them that boldly and plainly, dare fpeak the naked
verity in prefence of their princels, and principally
in the caufe of Chrill: Jefus : thefe things, I fay, con-
fidered, whatlbever any man fhall judge of my en-
terprife, I am compelled to fay, That,
• Unlefs in your government, and in ufmg of
power, your majefly be found different from the
multitude of princes, and head-rulers, that this
pre-eminence wherein ye are placed, fhall be your
dejeclion to torment, and, pain everlafting. This
propofition is fore, but alas it is fo true, that, if
I (hould conceal and hide it from your majefly,

E N T OF S C O T L A N D. 401

I committed no Icfs treafon againfl: your majefly,
than if I did fee you by imprudcncy take a cup
which 1 knew to be poifoned, or invenomed, and
yet would not admoniili you to abflain from drink-
ing of the fame.

The religion which this day men defend by fire
and fword, is a cup invenomed, of which v/hofo-
ever drinketh, (except that, by true repentance,
he after drink of the water of life) drinketh there-
with damnation and death.

How, and by whom it hath been envenomed ;
if it were no more tedious to your majcfty to read
or hear, than it is painful to me to vvriteor rehearfe,
I would notfpare tlie labour. But for this prefent,
I have thought it fome difcharge of one part of my
duty, if I, of very love, admonifh your majefty of
the danger; which 1 do, as God one day fhall de-
clare, preferring your majefty's falvation, and the
falvation of the people (new committed to your
charge) before any corporal benefit, that can re-
dound to myfelf.

ADDITION.

* A s Satan by craft hath corrupted the moft
holy ordinances of God's precepts, 1 mean of the
firft table, in the place of the fpiritual honouring
of God, introducing mens dreams, inventions, and
phantafies; fo hath he, abuiing the weaknefs of
man, corrupted the precepts of the fecond table,
touching the honour which is due to parents, un-
der whom are comprehended princesand teachers :
for now the devil hath fo blinded the fenfes of ma-
ny, that they cannot, or at leafl will not leara
what appertaineth to God, and what to Cefar.
But becaufe the Spirit of God hath faid, honour
the king ; therefore, whatfoever they command,
be it right or wrong, muft be obeyed. But heavy
fhall the judgment be, which fhall apprehend fuch
blafpemers'of God's majefly, who dare be fo bold
as to affirm, that God hath commanded any crea-
ture to be obeyed againft himfelf. Againfl God it
is, That, for the commandment of any prince, be
he never fo potent, men fhall commit idolatry, em-
brace a religion which God hath not approved by
his word, or confirm by their filence, wicked and
blafphemous laws, made againft the honour of his
majefly : men, I lay, that fo do, give no true o-
hedience ; but, as they are apoftates from God, fo
are they traitors to their princes, whom by flatte-
ry they confirm in rebelling againft God : only
they which to the death refill fuch wicked laws
E e e and

A LETTER of JOHN KNOX

4«2

and decrees, are acceptable to God, and faithful
to their princes : as were the three children in the
prefence of Nebuchadnezzar, and Daniel in the
days of Darius (the Perfian emperor) whofe con-
ftant and free confeffion, as it glorified God, fo
did it notify as well to thofe tyrants, as to all ages
following, the great blafphemy, which in thtir
rage and fury they committed againit God, from
the which (by all appearance) neither of both fo
fuddenly (hould have been called, if the three
children had bswed amongft the reft and Daniel
■ had not declared the confeffion of his faith ; which
was,with windows open to pray towards Jerufalem,
manifeftly thereby declaring, that he did not con-
fent to the blafpemous law and decree, which was
eftablifhed by the king and his council. Experi-
ence hath taught us what furmifes and blafpemies
the adverfaries of Chrift Jefus, of his eternal verity,
do invent and devife againft fuch as begin to deteft
their impiety; they are accufed to be authors of
fedition, raifers of tumults, violaters of common
orders, ii:ic.

I anfwer with the prophet Ifaiah, That all is not
reputed before God fedition and conjuration, which
the foolifh multitude lb efteemeth ; neither yet is
every tumult and breach of public order, contrary
to God's commandment; for Chrift Jefus him-
felf coming to take the fpoil from the ftrong-
armed, who before did keep his houfe in quietnefs,
is not come to fend peace, but a fword, and to
make a mandifaftent from his Father, zsc. His pro
phets before him, and apoftles after him, feared
not to break public order, eftabli(hed againft God,
and in fo doing, to move, as it were, the one half
of people, nations, and cities againft the other ; and
yet I truft that none, except the hired fervant of
Satan, will accufe Chrift of fedition, nor the
apoftles of the troubling of common-wealths.
True it is, that the moft wholfom medicine moft
troubleth (for a time) the body repleniflied with
wicked and corrupted humours; but the caufe
thereof is known to be, not in the medicine, but in
the body fubjeft to malady : even fo the true word
of God, when it entereth to fight where Satan hath
borne dominion (as he ftill doth in the whole pa-
piftry) cannot but appear to be occafion of g^-eat
trouble. But, madam, more profitable it is, tiiat
the peftilent humours be expelled with pain, than
that they be nourifhed, to the deftruftion of the
body. The papiftical religion is a mortal pefti-
lence, which fliall alTuredly bring to death eternal
the bodies and fouls from the which it is not pur-

ged in this life ; and therefore take heed betimes,
God calleth upon you, beware that ye fhut not up
your ears; judge not the matter after the vilenefs
of my body, whom God hath appointed ambafTa-
dor and meflenger unto you, but with reverence
and fear confider him Mhofe meflage 1 bear. \
come to you in the name of the eternal God, and
of Chrift Jefus his Son, to whom the Father hath
committed all power, whom he hath eftabliflied
fovereign Judge over all fleih, before whefe throne
you muft make account with what reverence yon
hear fuch as he fendeth. It fhall not excufe you
to fay or think, that you doubt whether 1 be fent
of God or no; I cry unto you, That the religion
which the princes and blinded papifts maintain
with fire and fword, is not the religion of Chrift ;
that your proud prelates are none of Chrift's Hfhops \
I admonifii you, that Chrift's flock is opprefted by
them : and therefore I require, and that yet again
in the name of the Lord Jefus, that with indifte-
rency I may be heard to preach, to rcafon, and to
difpute in that caule ; which if you deny, you de-
clare yourfelf to bear no reverence to Chrift, nor
love to his true religion.'

LETTER.

But you think, peradventure, That the care
of religion is net committed to magiftrates, but to
the biftiops and ftate ecclefiaftical, as they term
it ; but deceive not yourfelf, for the negligence of
biftiops ftiall no lefs be required of the hands of
the magiftrates, than ftiall the oppreiTion of falle
Judges; for they unjuftly promote, fofter and
maintain the one and the other ; the falfe and cor-
rupt judge to fpoil the goods, and to opprefs the
bodies of the fimple, but the proud prelates do
kings maintain to murder the fouls, for which the
blood of Chrift Jefus was ftied ; and that they doy
either by withholding from them the true word of
life, or elfe by caufing a peftilent doftrine to be
taught unto them, fuch as now is taught in the
papiftical churches. I know that you wonder, how
that the religion which Is univerfally received can
be fo damnable, and corrupted: but if you con*
fider, That ever from the beginning, the muld-
tude hath declined from God, (yea, even in the
people, to whom he (pake by his law and prophets)
if ye fliall confider the complaint of the Holy
Ghoft, complaining, that nations, people, princes,
and kings of the earth have raged, made confpira*
cies, aad holden couafels againft the Lord, and

againft

TO THE Q^a EEN REGENT o» SCOTLAND.

agalnft his anointed Chrift Jefus ; further, if ye
ihali confider the queftion, which Jefus himfelf
doth move in thefe words, * When the Son of

* man (hall come, fhall he find faith on the earth ?'
And laftly, if your majefty (hall confider the ma-
nifeft contempt of God, and of all his holy pre-
cepts, which this day reign without punifhment,
upon the face of the whole earth ; for, as Hofea
complaineth, there is no verity, there is no mercy,
there is no truth this day among men, but lies,
perjury, and opprcflion overflow all, and blood
toucheth blood ; that is, every iniquity is joined
to another : if deeply, I fay, your majefty will
contemplate the univerfal corruption that this day
reigneth in all {lates, then fhall your majefty ceafe
to wonder, that many are called, and few chofen,
and you ihall begin to tremble and fear to follow
the multitude to perdition : the univerfal defe<5fion,
whereof St, Paul doth prophecy, is eafy to be
cfpied, as well in religion as in manners. The
corruption of life is evident, and religion is not
judged, nor meafured by the plain word of God,
but by cuflom, confuetude, will, confent, and
determinations of men. But, fhall he who hath
pronounced all cogitations of man's heart to be
vain at all times, accept the counfels and confents

•^ men, for a religion pleafmg and acceptable be-
fore him ? Let not your majefty be deceived, God
cannot lie, God cannot deny himfelf ; he hath
witnefTed from the beginning, That no religion
pleafeth him, except that which he by his own
word hath commanded and eftablifhed : the verity
itfelf pronounceth this fentence, ' In vain do they

* worfhip me, teaching for doarines the precepts

* of men.' And alfo, * All plantation, which my
« heavenly Father hath not planted, fhall be rooted

* out.' Before the coming of his well beloved Son
in the Re(h, feverely he punifhed all fuch, as durfl
enterprife to alter or change his ceremonies and
ftatutes; as in Saul, Uzziah, Nadab, Abihu, is
to be read: and will he now, after that he hath
opened his counfel to the world by his only Son,
whom he commandeth to be heard, and after that
by his holy Spirit, fpeaking in his apoflles, he
hath eftablifhed the religion, in which he would
have his true worfhippers to abide unto the end ;
will he, now, I fay, admit meas inventions, in
the matter of religion, which he reputed for dam-
nable idolatry ? It men and angels would affirm.
That he will or may do it, his own verity fhall
convince them of a lie ; for this fentence he pro-
nounceth. ' Not that which feemeth good in thy

* eyes, (halt thou do to the Lord thy God, but

403

* that which the Lord thy God hath cammanded

* thee, that do thou ; add nothing unto it, dimi-

* nifh nothing from it.' Which, fealing up his
New Teflament, he repeateth in thefe words,

* That which ye have, hold till I come, <i>c,' And
therefore yet again, it repenteth me not to fay, that
in this point, which is chief and principal, your
majefty muft difaffent from the multitude'of rulers,
or elfe you can poffefs no portion with Chriil Jefus
in his kingdom and glory.

ADDITION.

* Knowing by what craft Satan laboureth con-
tinually to keep the world in blindnefs, 1 added
thefe two former points, to luit. That ye fhoulci
not think yourfelf free from the reformation of re-
ligion, becaufe ye have bifiiops within your realm ; ,
neither yet that ye fliould judge that religion moll
perfe^f , which the multitude by wrong cuftom have
embraced. In thefe two points doth Satan bufjiy
labour ; Firji, That no civil magiftrate prefume to
take cognifance in the caufe of religion, for that
muft be deferred to the determination of the church.
Secondly, That impofTible it is, that that religion
fhould be falfe, which fo long time, fo many coun-
cils, and fo great a multitude of men, fo divers na-
tions have allowed, authorifed and confirmed.
What is the duty of magiftrates, and what
power the people have in fuch cafes granted by
God, my purpofe is to write in a feveral letter to
the nobiiity and ftates of the realm ; and there-
fore, to avoid tedioufnefs and repetition of one
thing, I now fuperfede. x'\nd as touching the fe-
cond, if ye rightly confider the teftimonies of
fcriptures, which I have before alledged, I truft
ye fhall find that objeftion fufficiendy anfwered;
for, if the opinion of the multitude ought always
to be preferred, then did God injury to the origi-
nal world, for they were all of one mind, to iviff
conjured againft God (except Noah and his family.)
And if antiquity of time fhall be confidered in fuch
cafes, then fhall not only the idolatry of the Gen-
tiles, but alfo the falfe religion of Mahomet be
preferred to the papiftry ; for both the one and the
other is more an Jent than is the papiftcal religion :
yea, Mahomet had eftabliflied his Alcoran, before
any pope in Rome was crowned with a triple
crown. But as touching antiquity, I am content
with Tertullian to fay, Let that be the moft pure
and perfeft religion, which fhall be proved moft
ancient ; for this is a chief point, wherein I will
E e e 2 join

A LETTER of JOHN KNOX

404

joia with all the papifls on the earth, that their
religion (fuch as it is this day) is not of fuch an-
tiquity, as is that which we contend to be the true
and only religion, acceptable before God : neither
yet that their church is the catholic church, but
that it is of late days, in refped of Chrifl's infti-
tution, crept in and devifed by man, and there-
fore am bold to affirm it odious and abominable :
for this is our chief propofition, that in the reli-
gion of God, his ov/n word ought only to be con-
fidered ; that no authority of man or angel ought
in that cafe to be refpedled. And as for their
councils, when the matter fhall come to trial, it
fliall be eafily feen for whom the moft godiy and
moil ancient councils, fnail moft plainly fpeak. ^ I
will prove by a council, that of more authority
is the fentence of one man (founded upon the
fimple truth of God) than is the determination of
the whole council, without the aftlirance of the
word : but that all their determinations, which
V'C oppugn, are not only maintained without an
alTurance of fcriptures, but alfo are eftablifned a-
gainft the truth of the fame, yea, and for the moft
part againft the decrees of the former councils, I
o.fer myfelf evidently to prove. But now to the
reft of the former letter.

LETTER..

An orator and God's meflenger alfo might
juftly require of 5'ou now (by God's hand pro-
moted to high dignity) a motherly pity upon
your fubjefts ; a juftice inflexible to be ufed a-
gajnft murderers and common opprelTors ; a heart
void of avarice and partiality ; a mind ftudious
and careful for maintenance of that realm and
common- wealth (above whom God hath placed
you, and by it hath m.ade you honourable) with
the reft of virtues, which not only God's fcrip-
tures, but alfo writers (illum.inated only with the
light of nature) require in God's rulers : bur vain
it is to crave reformation of manners, where reli-
gion is corrupted ; for, like as a man cannot do
ihe oiHce of a man, till firft he have a being and
life ; fo to work works pleafmg in the fight of
God the Father, can no man do without the Spi-
rit of Jefus Chrift, which doth not abide in the
hearts of idolaters : and therefore the moft godly
princes, Jofiah, Hezekiah, and JehoQiaphat,
Peeking God's favour to reft upon them, and upon
their people, before all things, began to reform the
religion J for it Is as the ftomach within the body,

which, if it be corrupted, of neceiTity it infe(fl:eth the
whole body: and therefore (often I repeat that, which
to be done is moft neceffary) if your majefty pre-
tend to reign with Chrift Jefus, then it behoveth
you to take care of his true religion, which this
day within your realm is fo deformed, that no
part of Chrift's ordinances remain in their firft
ftrength and original purity ; which, I praife God,
to me is lefs difficult to prove, than dangerous to
fpeak; and yet neither the one nor the other I
fear, partly, becaufe the love of eternal life
quencheth the terror of temporal death ; and
partly, becaufe I would, with St. Paul, wi(h
myfelf accurfed from Chrift (as touching earthly
pleafure) for the falvation of^my brethren, and
illumination of your majefty ; which thing, work,
and very deed, and not bare writing, fhall witncfs
and declare, if 1 may purchafe the liberty of tongue
but forty days only.

ADDITION.

* The wife andfacund Democrltus had fometlraes
a familiar fentence, Thathontftit was to commend
fuch works as were worthy of praife ; but to praife
things that were wicked, could not proceed but from
a decdvable mind : and Themlftias, a nhilofopher
of great fame feeing the hall of Jovinian the Ro-
man emperor replenilhed with flatterers faid, Of
their m.anners it may be efpied, that more they
worfhip the fceptre and the purple, than God ;
fignifying, that they little regarded whether the
emperor were godly or ungodly, fo that they
might retain themfelves in favour with him Al-
beit that thofe were ethnicks, and neither had the
know lege of God, as we pretend, neither had
given fo plain a confeflion, to declare themfelves
enemies to all iniquity (as we have done by bap-
tifm, and by our whole profefTion of Chritlianity)
yet do their words condemn no fmall number of
us, and chiefly fuch as be converfant with princes:
for who in thefe miferable days judgeth himfelf to '
have offended, albeit he praife, allow and main-
tain whatfoever the princes and upper-powers de-
vife ; yea, although it be to opprefs and to fpoit
the poor, to pull from them their very fkins, and,
as the prophet faith, ' To break their bones, and
• to cut them in pieces, as fiefh for the caldron or
pot ;' yet I fay, that the princes fhall not lack:
judges to cry, It is right, it is for the common-
weal, for defence of the realm, and eafe of the-_
fubjedls ; fo that the ftate of times is even now
fuch, as whea the proohet complained, faying/

* The

To THE C^U EEN REGENT of SCOTLAND.

« The princes a(k, and the judge is ready to give,'
not his own, but the life and blood of the poor.
How foon a great man hath fpoken the corruption
of his mind, ho hath his flatterers ready to applaud
and confirm whatfoever he fpeaketh. And let the
princes be of what religion they pleafe, that is all
one to the moft part of men ; fo that, with abnega-
tion of God, of his honour, and religion, they may
retain the friendfhip of the court. But alas ! how
miferable be princes that are fo abufed, and how
contagious a peftilence be fuch flatterers to com-
' mon-wealths, empires and realms, God hath de-
clared even from the beginning, to paint out the
mifchief, which from them proceedeth to fuch as
give ear unto them. The ancient writers compare
them to harlots, to ravens, and to mod ravenous
beafls; and not without caufe : for, as - harlots
can never abide, that their lovers fl:fould return to
repentance and fobernels of mind ; fo cannot flat-
terers fuftain, that fuch as they deceive, fliall come
to right judgment : and, as ravens pike out the
eyes of dead carions, and as ravenous beafts devour
the fame ; fo do flatterers, being more cruel, pike
out the eyes of living men, and blinding the
eyes of their undeiflanding and judgment, do
expofe them to be devoured in body and foul,
to Satan.

This we have by profane writers only ; but ths
holy spirit teacheth us this infallible truth. That
where iniquity reigneth in a common- wealth, and
none is found boldly and openly to reprehend the
fame, that there Ihall fudden vengeance and.de-
Ilruftion follow. For thus it is writcen and pro-
nounced by the prophet Ezekiel, ' Shalt thou not

* judge the city of blood, which hath made idols l

* Whofe rulers flied blood to the uttermofl of their

* power ? They have defpiied my holy things*

* they have devifed iniquity, and have performed

* the fame. The conjuration of prophets, hath

* gathered up the riches^ and whatfoever. is pre-

* cious within the fame. The priefls violently

* have torn and rent my law. The people of the

* land hath wrought deceitfully, . they have op-

* prefled the poor, and have done violence to the

* flranger v/ithout judgment ; and I have fought

* of them a man to repair the hedge, and to fland

* in the gap before me, but I have found none;

* therefore have I poured forth 'my wrath upon
'•them, and in the fire of my hot difpleafure I

* have confumed them.' Advert, madam, for thefe
are not the words of mortal man, but of the eter-
nal God, and were not fpoken againfl Jerufalem
only, but againil evsry realm snd naiicnj that fo

405

offendethi. The fms that here be named, are
idolatry in all, avarice and cruelty in the princej;
and rulers, conjurationof the prophets, to defend
the wicked deceit, fraud, and violence in the
common people ; and finally, an univerfal filence
of all men, none being found to reprehend thefe
enormities. Would to God, that I might with
Jafety of confcience excufe you, your counfel, and
the idolaters of that realm from any of thefe crimes
aforenamed !

The idolatry which is committed, is more evi-
dent than that it can be denied : the avarice and
cruelty as well of yourfelf, as of fuch as be in au-
thority, may be known by the fafts ; for fame
carrieth the voices of the poor (opprelTed by into-
lerable taxes) not only to us here, in a ifrange
country; but, 1 am affured, to the ears of the
God of hofts. The confpiracy and conjuration of
your falfe prophets is known to the world ; and yet
is none found fo faithful to God, nor merciful to
your majefty, that freely v/ill and dare admonifii
you to repent, before that God rife himfelf in
judgment. When I name repentance, 1 mean no
outward fliew of holinefsj which commonly is-
found in hypocrites ; but I mean a true converfi-
on to the Lord God from your whole heart, with
a damning of all fuperfiition and idolatry, in
which ye have been nouriihed, which with your
prefence ye have decored, and to your power .■
maintained and defended, Unlefs,- I fayj that this ■
poifon be purged from your heart, (be^ your out- ■
ward life never lb gliftering before the world) yet, .
in the prefence of God, it is but abominable. Yea
further, I fay. That where this venom of the fer-
pent (idolatry I mean) lurketh in the heart, it is
impolTible but thatj at one time or other, it Ihall
produce pefiilent fruits, albeit peradventure not
openly before men, yet before God no lefs odious,
than the fa61:s of murderers, publicans, and har-
lots ; and therefore, in my former letter, I faid,
that fuperfluous it was to require reformation of
manners, where the religion is corrupted ; which. ^
yet a^-ain I repeat, to the end, that your majefiy '
more deeply may weigh the matter. But now tos
the reft of the fame m.y former letter.'

L E T T E Pv,

I AM not ignorant how dangerous a thing it'
appeareth to the natural m.an, to innovate any
thing in matters of religion ; and partly I confider,
that your power, madam, is not fo frte, as a pu>

biic^

4o6

A LETTER of JOHN KNOX

blic reformation perchance would require. But,
if your raajefty fliall confider the danger and dam-
nation perpetual, which inevitably hangeth upon
all maintainers of a falfe religion, then fhall the
greateft danger eafily devour and fwallow up the
fmaller : if ye Ihall confider, that either you muft
ferve God to life everlafting, or elfe ferve the
world to death and damnation ; then, albeit that
man and angel ihould dilfwade you, ye will choofe
life, and refufe death. And if further, ye fhall
confider, that the very life confifteth in the know-
lege of the only true God, and of his Son Chrill
Jefus, and that true knowlege hath annexed with
it God's true wor/hip and honour, which requir-
eth a teflimony of his own will, exprefftd by his
word, that fuch honour doth pleafe him : if you
do earneftly meditate thefe things aforefaid; then,
albeit ye cannot do fuddenly what ye would, yet
fhall ye not ceafe to do what ye may. Your ma-
jelly cannot haftily abolifh fuperftition, and re-
move from offices unprofitable pallors, of whom
fpeaketh Ezekiel the prophet, which to a public
reformation, is requifite and neceffary ; but, if
the zeal of God's glory be fervent in your majcfly's
heart, ye will not by wicked laws maintain idola-
try, neither will ye fuffer the fury of bilhops to
murder and devour the poor members of Chrift's
body, as in times pafl they have been accuflom-
cd : which thing, if either by blind ignorance ye
do, or yet for the pleafure of others within this
realm, permit to be done, then, except ye fpeedi-
ly repent, ye and your pofterity fhall fuddenly
feel the depreffing hand of him, who hath exalted
you : you fhall be compelled, will ye or not, to
know that he is eternal, againft whom ye addrcfs
the battle ; and that it is he that moderateth the
times, and difpofeth kingdoms, eje£ling from au-
thority fuch as be inobedicnt, and placing others
According to his good pkafure : that it is he that
glorifieth them that do glorify him, and poureth
forth contempt upon princes that rebel againft his
graces ollered.

ADDITION.

* I N writing of this parcel, as I remembered
the impediments which might call you back from
God, and from his true obedience ; fo did I con-
fider what occafioH you had to tremble and to fear
before his Majefty, and to undergo the lofs of all
the worldly glory, for the promoting of the glory
of God, I do confider, tliat your power is but

borrowed, extraordinary, and unftable, for you
have it but by permiHion of others ; and feldonj
it is, that women do long reign with felicity and
joy. Your moll fpecial friends moreover, blinded
by the vanity of this world, yea, being drunken
with the blood of that Roman harlot, are mortal
enemies to Chrift Jefus, and to his true religion.
Thefe things may eafily abafh the mind of a wo-
man not coafirmed by grace ; but yet. If you will
alittle confider with me the caufes why that yc
ought to hazard all for the glory of God in this
behalf, the former terrors fhall fuddenly vanifh.
I do not efleem that thing greateft, which perad-
venturc fome others do, to wit, That if yc fhall
enterprife to innovate any thing in matters of re-
ligion, that then ye fhall lofe your authority, and
alfo the favour of your carnal friends.

I look further, to -wit. To the judgment of
God, who hath begun already to declare himfe'lf
angry with you, with your feed, and pollerity ;
yea, with the whole realm, above which it fhouj-d
have ruled. Impute not to fortune, that firft
your two fons were fuddenly taken from you,
within the fpace of fix hours, and after your
hufband, reft, as it were, by violence, from life
and honour ; the memorial of his name, fucceflion,
and royal dignity, perifhing with himfelf; for,
albeit the ufurped abufe, or rather tyranny of fome
realms, have permitted women to fucceed to the
honour of their fathers ; yet muft their glory be
transferred to the houfe of a ftranger : and lb I
fay. That with himfelf was hurried, his name,
fucceflion, and royal dignity, as he himfelf did
apprehend in dying : and in this, if ye efpy not
the anger and hot difpleafui e of God (threatening
you and the reft of your pofterity with the lame
plague) ye are more obftinate than 1 would wifh
you to be. I would ye (hould ponder and confi-
der deeply with yourfelf, that God ufeth not to
punifh realms and nations with fuch rare plagues
without great caufe : neither ufeth he to rcftore to
honours and glory, the houfe which he beginneth
once to dejedt, till repentance of the former crimes
be found. You may perchance doubt, what
crimes fliould have been in your hufband, you, or
the realm, for the which God fhould fo grievoufl jt
have puniflied you.

I anfwer, 1 he maintenance and defence of moll
horrid idolatry, with the fhedding of the blood of
the faints of God, who laboured to notify and re-
buke the fame : this, I fay, (other iniquities omit-
ted) is fuch a crime before the eyes of his Majefty,
that, for the fame, he hath poured forth his extreme

ven-

TO THE QJJ E E N

tengcance upon kings, and upon their pofterity,
depriving them from honours and dignity for ever ;
as by the hiftories of the books of the kings is
moft evident. To Jfroboam it is faid, ' Becaufe
I have exalted thee from the midft of the people,
and have made thee prince over my people Ifrael,
i have rent the kingdom from th« houfe of Da-
Tid, for idolatry alfo, and have given it unto
thee : but thou haft not been as David my fer-
vant, 6c. but thou haft done wickedly above all
that 'have gone before thee ; for thou haft made
to thee other gods, and molten images, to pro-
voke me, and haft caft me behind thy back ;
therefore Oiall I bring affli(5lion upon the houfe
of Jeroboam, and I (hall deftroy to Jeroboam,
all that pifs agalnft the wall (fignifying thereby
the male-children) and fliall caft forth the pofte-
rity of Jeroboam, as dung is caft forth, till it be

confumed ' . n i •

This fentence was not only executed againft this
Idolatei, but alfo againft the reft of idolaters in
that realm, as they fucceedcd one after another :
for to Baalha, whom God ufed as an inftrument
to root out the feed of Jeroboam, it is faid, ' Be-

* caufe thou haft walked in the way of Jeroboam,
«and haft caufed my people to fin, that thou
*lhouldft provoke me in their fins; therefore

* ftiall I cut down the pofterity of Baafha, and the
«• pofterity of his houfe, and fhall make thy houfe

* as the houfe of Jeroboam. He that ftiall die to
« BaaOia in the city, him (hall dogs eat ; and he
« that ftiall die in the field, him (hall the fowls de-
«vour.' Of the fame cup, and for the fame caufe,
drank Ela and Ahab, yea, and the pofterity of
Jehu, following the footfteps of their forefathers.

By thefe examples, you may evidently efpy,
That idolatry is the caufe why God deftroyeth the
pofterity of princes ; not only of thofe that firft in-
vent abominations, but alfo of fuch as follow and
defend the fame. Confider, madam, that God hath
begun very (liarply with you, taking from you, as
h were together, two children and a hulband :
he hath begun, I fay, to declare himfelf angry ;,
beware that ye provoke not the eyes of his Ma-
jefty. It will not be the haughty looks of the
proud, the ftrsngth of your friends, nor multitude
of men, that can juftify your caufe in his prefence ;
if you prefume ta rebel againft him (and againft
him you rebel) if you deny my moft humble re-
queft which I make in his name, and it is this ;
■with the hazard of mine own life, I offer to prove,
diat religion which^now you maintain, to be falfe,
tfecdvable, and abomioatioQ before God \ and that

REGENT OT SCOTLAND.

407

I ftiall do by moft evident teftimonies of his blefled,
holy, and infallible word : if this, I fay, you de-
ny, (rebelling againft God) the favour of your
friends ftiall little avail you, when he fliall declare
himfelf enemy to you -, which, aftiire yourfelf, he
will ftiortly do, if you begin to difplay the banner
of your malice againft him. Let not the profpe-
rity of others, be they princes, queens, kings, or
emperors, bolden you to contemn God, and his
loving admonition : they ftiall drink the cup of his
wrath, every one in their rank, as he hath ap-
pointed them. No realm in thefe quarters (ex-
cept it, that next lieth to you) hath he fo mani-
feftly ftiicken with his terrible rod, as he hath
done you, and your realm ; and therefore, it be-
cometh you firft to ftoop, except that you will have
the threatenings pronounced by Ifaiah the prophet,
ratified unto you ; to ivit. That your fudden de-
ftrud^ion be as the mtten wall, and your break-
ing, as the breaking of a potfherd, which is bro-
ken without pity ; fo that no portion of it can be
found able either to carry fire or water : whereby
the prophet doth fignify, that the proud con-
temners of God, and of his admonltiens, ftiall {o
perifti from all honours, that they fiiali have no-
thing worthy of memorial behind them in the
earth ; yea, if they do leave any thing, as it ftiali
be unprofitable, fo ftiall it be in execraiion and
hatred to the elefl of God ; and therefore, thus pro-
ceedeth my former letter.

LETTER.

How dangerous foever it ftiall appear t© the
fle(h, to obey God, and to make war againft the
devil, the prince of darknefs,. pride, and fuperfti-
tion ; yet, if your majefty look to have yourfelf
and feed to continue in honour worldly and ever-
lafting, fubjeft yourfelf betimes under the hand of
him that is Omnipotent, embrace his will, defpile
not his teftament, refufe not his graces offered ;
when he calleth upon you, withdraw not your ear.
Be not led away with the vain opinion, that your
church cannot err : be ye moft- affuredly perfuad-
ed, that fo far as in life ye fee them degenerate^
from Chrift's true apoftles, fo in religion are they
further corrupted. Lay the book of God before-
your eyes, and let it be judge to that which Ihyi-
which if ye, with fear and reverence, obey, as did
Jofias the admonitions of the prophetefs, then
ftiall he, by whom kings do reign, crown your bat-
tle with double benedi^ion, and revi'ard you with

•wifdom^-

40 8

A LETTER of JOHN KNOX

■wifdom, riches, glory, honour, and long life in
this regiment temporal, and with life everlafting,
when the king of kings (whofe members now
do cry for your help) the Lord Jefus fliall ap-
pear in judgment, accompanied with his angels,
before whom ye fhall make account of your pre-
fent regiment, when the proud and dilbbedient
ihall cry, Mountains, fall upon us, and hide us
from the face of the Lord. But then it ihall be
too late, becaufe they contemned his voice, when
he lovingly called.

God the Father of our Lord Jefus Chrift, by
the power of his holy fpirit, move your heart fo
to confider, and accept the things that be faid,
that they be not a teflimony of your juft condemna-
tion in that great day of the Lord Jefus, to whofe
omnipotent Spirit I unfeignedly commit your ma-
Jefly.

ADDITION

When Jeremiah the prophet, at the com-
mandment of God, had written the fermons,
threatenings, and plagues, which he had fpoken
againft Ifrael and Judah, and had commanded
them to be read by Baruch his icribe, becaufe
himfelf was excommunicated, and forbidden to
enter into the temple ; by the providence of God
it came to pafs, that Mlchaiah the fon of Gemc-
riah, 'hearing the faid fermons, pafled to the king's
houfe, and did communicate the matter with the
reft of the princes ; who alfo, , after they had read
the fame volume of Jeremiah's preachings, did not
conceal the truth from Jehoiakim, who then did
reign in Jeruialem. But the proud and defperate
prince commanding the book to be read in his
prefence, before he had heard three or four leaves
of the fame, did cut it, and caft it into the fire,
notwithftanding that fome of the princes, I think
not all, made requeft in the contrary. But the
prophet was charged by God to write again, and
to fay to Jehoiakim, ' Thus faith the Lord, thou

* haft burnt this book, faying, why haft thou

* written in it according to this fentence ? AfTured-
■' ly the king of Babylon, fiiall come, and fliall

* deftroy this land, and fliall make it void of men

* and beafts : therefore thus faith the Lord of Je-

* hoiakim the king, There ftiall not be one left

* alive, to fit in the feat of David : their carcafes

* fhall be caft to the beat of the day, and to the
'* froft of the night (whereby the prophet did
^^ilgnify the moft vile death, and moft cruel tor-

' ment) and I fhall vifit the iniquity of himfelf,

* and of his feed and fervants : and I fhall bring

* upon them, and upon the inhabitants of Jeru-

* falem, and upon all Judah, all the calamities

* which I have fpoken againft them : albeit they .
' would not hear.' '

This Is not written, madam, for that, time on-
ly, but to affure us, that the like punifhment a-
bideth the like contemners ; of what frate, condi-
tion, or degree that ever they be. I did write
unto you before, having teftimony of a good con-
fcience, that I did it in the fear of my God, and
by the motion his holy Spirit (for the requeft of
the faithful brethren, in things lawful, and apper-
taining to God's glory, I cannot but judge to be'
the voice of the Holy Ghoft.) But how ye did
accept the fame my former writing, I do no other-
wife than by conjeftures underftand : whether ye
did read it to the end, or not, I amunceitain:
one thing I know. That ye did deliver it to one of
your prelates, faying, * My lord, will ye read a

* pafquil ?' As charity perfuadeth me to interprete
things, doubtfully fpokcR, in the beft fenfe ; fo
my duty to God (who hath commanded mc to
flatter no prince on earth) compelleth me to lay,
That if no more ye efleem the admonition of God,
than the cardinals do the fcoffing of palquils ; that
then he fhall fhortly fend you melTengers with
whom ye fhall not be able on that manner to jeft.
If my perfon be confidered, I grant my threaten-
ings are no more to be feared, than be the merry
fports which fearing men do father upon Pafquillus
in Rome.

But, madam, if ye fhall deeply confider, that
God ufeth men (yea, and moft commonly, thofe
that be of loweft degree, and moft abj eft before
the world) to be his meffengers and ambafTadors,
not only to notify his will to the fimple people,
but alfo to rebuke the moft proud tyrants and po-
tent princes, then will ye not judge the liquor by
the outward appearance and nature of the vefTel.
For ye are not ignorant, that the moft noble wine
is inclofed within the tun made of frail wood, and
that the precious ointment is often kept within the
pot made of clay. If further ye fhall confider,
that God will do nothing, touching the punifh-
ment of realms and nations, which he will not re-
veal to his fervants the prophets, whofe tongues
he will compel to fpeak fometimes contrary to the
appetites and defires of their own hearts, and
whofe words he will perform, be they never fo un-
apparent to the judgment of men ; if thefe ye do
deeply weigh, then will ye fear the thing which

prefently

TO THE Q_U EEN REGENT of SCOTLx^>jD.

presently is not feen. Elias was but a man, as St.
James doth witnefs, like to his brethren ; and yet
at his prayer was Ahab the idolater, and all Ifrael
with him puniflied, three years and fix months ;
God Shutting up the heaven, that neither rain nor
dew fell upon the earth the fpace afore-written.
And in the end, God fo wrought by him, that
Baal's prieils were firft confounded, and after jufl-
ly punifhed. And albeit that Jezabel fought his
blood, and by oath had determined his death ;
yet, as (lie was fruftrate of her intent, fo could fhe
^ keep her own bones from the dogs : which
uirhment the prophet (God fo ruling his
tongue) had before appointed to that wicked
woman.

Albeit, madam, tiiat the mefTengers of God are
QOt ient this day with vifible miracles, becaufe
they teach none other do^lrine than that which is
confirmed with miracles, from the beginning of
the world ; yet will not he (who hath promifed
to take charge over his poor and little flock, to
the end) fuffer the contempt of their embaflage to
efcape punifhment and vengeance : for the Truth
itfelf hath faid, ' He that heareth you, heareth
me ; and he that contemneth you, contemneth
• me.' I did not fpeak unto you, madam, by my

i!op

former letter, neither yet do I now as Pau-.iiiJiis
doth to the pope, and his carnal cardinals, in tha
behalf of fuch as dare not utter their names ; but:
1 come in the name of Chrift Jcfus, affirming, that
the religion, which ye maintain, is damnable ido-
latry ; the which I offer myfelf to prove by the
mofl evident teftimony of God's fcrjptures : and,
in this quarrel, I prefcnt myfelf againfl all the
papifls in the realm ; defiring none other armour
but God's holy word, and the liberty of my.
tongue. God move your heart to underftand my
petition, to know the truth, and unfeignedly to
follow the feme. Amen,

Revelation xxi. 6, 7, 8.

* I am the beginning and the end. I will give to
' him that is athirft of the well of the water of life
freely. He thatovercometh, fhall inherit all things,
and I will be his God, and he fhall be my fon.
But the fearful and unbelieving, and the abomi-
nable, and murderers, and whorem.ongers, and
forcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, (hall have
their part in the lake which burneth with fire and
brimftone, which is the fecond death.'

A brief EXHORTATION to England, for the fpeedy
embracing of Christ's Gofpel, heretofore, by the tyranny of
Mary, fuppreiTed and baniihed, 1559.

Heb. vL. ver. 7, 8. 7he earth which drinketh in the rain, that oft cometh upon it, and bringeth forth
herbs meet for them that drefs it, receiveth bkjfingof God : but the ground -which beareth thorns, is
^proved, and near unto curfing, whofe end is to be burned.

ret

It the realm of England, and to all the ejiates ivithin the fame, John Knox ivifheth true repentance
to be given from God the Father of our Lord J-efus Chriji, -with the Spirit of vjifdom^ difcretion, and
undcrjianding.

AFTER that I had fortiewhat confidered,
what from the beginning have been the great
nercies of God towards his affliffed people ; and
vhat alfo have been his ieverc judgments execut-

ed againft fuch as, either preferring darknefs t»
light, did follow the devices and inventions of
men ; either that, enraged by the malice of Sataa,
have declared themfelves open enemies to God,
F f f and

An exhortation of JOHN Ki^OX to ENGLAND,

love and fatherly care fo conftant and unmoveabk,
that nothing could utterly change it from his peo-
ple, until his deareil: Son, Chrift Jefus, did come
of them and amongft them, to notify and declare
that fovercign felicity promifed to Abraham ; I
mean, thai all nations fhould be blefTed in his feed,
■which was Chrift Jefus, who coming amongff his
own, was of them rejeded, denied, refufed, and
fhamefuUy put to death upon a crofs betwixt two
thieves. And yet, fo tender was God's care over
them, that (before their wicked and polluted
hands were externally, almofk walhen from his
blood) he fent unto them the meflage of reconci-
liation, not only unto thefe that were at Jerufalem,
but even to fuch as were difperfed amongft the
Gentiles, as in the Afts of the apoftles is plainly
witnefled : for this prerogative had ever the Jewfe^
that tirft to them were offered the glad tidings at
the kingdom of Clirift, until fuch time as they
declared themfelves, by open blafphemies, conti-
nual refinance, and a-uel perfecution, moft wor-
thy to be deprived of that honour. This long
fufferance and careful calling of that unthankftf)
people, proceeded from the fame fountain, frotfe
the which their firil vocation did proceed and ifow,
that is, from his eternal goodnefs, which did ft
long fight againft their malice, that all creatures
muft juftify God in his fearful, but yet mofl jufl
judgments once executed, and yet remained upoE
that rebellious people.

1 he fame order, I fee, doth God keep witi'
thee, O thou happy and moft unhappy England
Happy, not only becaufe thy God, by his owi
hand, hath oft delivered thee from corporal bon
dage of divers and flrange nations, as of Saxons
Romans, Goths and Danes ; but efpecially, fo;
that by the power of his eternal verity (and tha
of his free grace without thy deierving) he di(
of late years break and deftroy the intolerabl
yoke of thy fpiritual captivity, and brought the
forth as it had been from the bottom of hell, an(
from the thraldom of Satan (in which thou wa(
holden blinded by idolatry and fuperftition) toth
fellowfliip of his angels, and to the pofTeflion c!
that rich inheritance prepared to his deareft chil
dren with Chrill Jefus his Son. But, O unhappj
and more than unhappy, that haft declared thyfel
fo unthankful and rebellious to fo loving and met
clful a Father, who firfl gave thee life, when the
didft ly polluted in thy blood, and dead inth
fm, and now doth fufFer himfelf to be thy Goc
Governor and Father, after that thou moil: twi
terottfly, confpiring with Satan by folemn oald

hit

410

and to his verity revealed ; I thought it my duty,
in fev/ words, to require of thee, and that m God's
name, O England, in general, the fame repentance
and true converfion unto God, that I have required
of thefe to whom before particularly I wrote : for,
in very deed, when in dolour of heart I wrote this
former letter, I neither looked, nor could believe,
tha^ the Lord Jefus would fo fuddenly knock at
thy gate, or call upon thee in thy open ftreets,
ofFerino himfelf to pardon thy iniquity ; yea, to
enter into thy houfe and fo to abide, and make
his habitation with thee, who fo inobediently had
rejefted his yoke, fo difdainfully had troden un-
der foot the blood of his teftament, and fo cruel-
ly had murdered thefe that were fent to call thee
to repentance. This thy horrible ingratitude con-
fidered, I did rather look for puniQiments and
plagues', univerfally to have been poured forth,
than for mercy, by the found of his trumpet, fo
fuddenly to have been offered to any within that
miferable ille. But, when I did nibre deeply
weit^h, that fuch is the infinite goodnefs of God,
and'^that fuch alfo be the bright beams of his moft
juft judgments, that whenfoever' he taktth into
his proteftion, by the covenant of his word, any
realm, nation, province or city, (fo that of mercy
he becometh to them Conduftor, Teacher, Pro-
teftor and Father) he never cafteth off the fame
care and fatherly affeftion, which in his word he
doth once pronounce, until they do utterly declare
themfelves unworthy of his prefence.

When this, I fay, I did confider and weigh, I
was in judgment fome what reformed ; for I find that
fuch was his care and conftant love to the whole
feed of Abraham (I mean, of thofe that defcended
of Jacob) that, albeit in many things they provoked
him to anger, yet did his infinite goodnefs ever
find, and make a way by the which his mercy was
fenfibly felt of the people, even in their greateft
extremities : for, not only did he often pardon
their offences, long keep them in the land which
he had promifed, and given to the feed of Abra-
ham, but alfo he was with them in fire and water;
yea, when they were as rotten carious (buried, as
it had been in their graves, in Babylon) yet did
he lay in pledge the glory of his own name for
their deliverance, yea, and faithfully, above man's
expectation, did he perform it; for he brake
down the pride of Babylon, and fo did open the
prifon, and brake up the iron gates which held
them in that thraldom. And why fo ? ' For my

* own name's fake, faith he, will I do this, and

* my glory will I give to no other.' Thus was his

FOR THE SPEEDY EMBRACI

haft renounced hlG verity. O unhappy, and more
than unhappy art thou, I fay, if that this thy trea-
fonable defeft ion, and God's loving kindnefs, yet
calling thee to his favours, doth not pierce thy
heart with unfeigned repentance ; for, as this mer-
cy and love of thy God furmounteth the reach of
ail mens underftanding ; fo cannot his juflice long
delay to pour forth thefe horrible vengeances,
which thy monftrous unthankfulnefs hath long
deferved, if thou (as God forbid) now fliut up
thine ear, blind thme eyes, and fo harden thine
heart, that neither thou wilt hear, fee, nor un-
derftand the greatnefs of thy fall, and that ine-
ftimable goodnefs of thy God, thus lovingly cal-
ling thee to thine ancient honours and digni-
ties again. I neither dare nor will ceafe now by
my pen, be it never fo rude, to cry unto thee that
which fometime, from the mouth of my mader
Chrift Jefus, 1 have pronounced in the hearing of
many, that, if thou fhalt not know this merciful
vifitation of the Lord thy God, and fo prepare
thyfelf with a penitent and thankful heart to
receive (yet while time is) his large graces offered,
that then thy habitation ftiall be left defolate, and
where thou haft, of a long time, been a delegable
garden, planted by the Lord's own hand, thou
ftialt become a barren wildernefs, apt for nothing
but to be burnt and confumed. with fire.

The warrant of this my proclamation, and fen-
tence (how foolifh and vain foever it appear to
man's reafon) I have not by the conje(n:ure, nor
opinion of man, but from the mouth of my God,
thus fpeaking by Mofes ; ' Beware, laith he, that
.* aaaongft you be not a root that beareth gall and

* wormwood ; fo that, when he fliall hear the

* words of this execration, fliall yet promlfe to

* himfelf felicity in his heart, laying, Peace ftiall

* be to me, although I walk after the luft of mine
:* own heart, <bc. The Lord will not be merci-

* ful, faith Mofes, to fuch an one, but the fury
.* of the Eternal, and his hot difpleafure Ihall byrfl:

* forth againft fuch a man, and upon him fnall ly
• * (that is continually abide) all the execrations

* that be written in this book. And the Lord ftiall
,*blot out his name from under heaven.' Thus

far fpeaketh he againft particular men : and againft
'the whole multitude, he proceedeth in this man-
ner ; ' The generation following, your fons which

* ftiall arife after you, and the ft ranger that ftiall

* come from a far country, v/hen they fiiaft fee the

* plagues of this land, and the incurable difeafes,

* by which it ftiall languifti and confume, as it

* were by brimftone and fait, burning the whole

NG OF CHRIST'S GOSPEL. 411

* land ; fo that it cannot be Ibvvn, neither 5'et in it

* doth any herb fpring nor arife, 6c. Then ftiall
' all nations fay, Why hath the Lord done thus to

* this land ? O what meancth the wrath of God's
' great fury ? And they fliall anfwer, Becaufe they

* have left the covenant of the Lord God of their

* fathers, which he did make with them when he

* brought them out of Egypt ; for they have gone

* and ferved other gods whom they knew not;

* and therefore was the fury of the Lord kindled

* againft this land, fo that he brought upon it all

* the execrations and curfes written in this book ;

* and the Lord, in his wrath, fury and great in-

* dignation, hath rooted them out of their owa

* land, and hath difperled them into another land,

* as this day doth witnefs.' This fame is written,
with greater circumftances, in the book of Leviti-
cus ; (Lev.xxvi.) which, if you compare with this,
and confjder God's eternal verity to have its effeft
in every age and nation, which fo dorh offend ; then
ftialt thou fee, O England, that this is the judg-
ment v/hich thou fhalt not, nor canft not efcape,
if fpeedily thou repent not of thy fnameful defecti-
on, and with all humility return to the Lord,
whom fo traiteroufly and fo publicly of late days
thou haft refufed : for thefe levere judgments once
executed againft Ifrael and Judah, may be to thee
(who once haft profefTed thyfelf fubjedl to God,
and haft unthankfully departed from his fervice,
and yet of mercy is again called) a mirror and glafs,
in which thou mayeff behold what ftiall be thy fi-
nal and miferable deftrudlion, if, by unfeigned and
fpeedy repentance, thou remove not the A'engeance
which hangeth over thy head : and, to the end
that thou mayeft the better try and examine thy-
felf, I will fhortly touch the ftubborn inobedience
of that people, the long patience and gentle dealing
of God, and their moli miferable and lamentable
deftru6lion.

Three hundred years and more, from the de-
parture of the ten tribes from the houfe and roy-
al feat of David, did Judah provoke God to dif-
pleafure, now by idolatry, now by hill-altars, now
by confederacy and joyning of hands with wicked
princes and ungodly nations, by whom they were
ever drawn, from depending and trufting upon
God, to the vain truft and confidence of men,
Againft thefe and other vices, from time to time,
did God lend his prophets to call them to repen-
tance, and did alio raifc up fome times good and
godly kings to make public reformation, as touch-
ing the religion : but what reformation was found
F f f 2 m

412 An exhortation dF JOMN KNOX to ENGLAND,

in lUe, manners and converfation, what rever-
ence the multitude did bear unto God, how the
religion was embraced in their hearts, and how
lonq it was retained in fuch perfection, as was
commanded, the prophets do teach, and hiftories
bear witn^fs : for it is plainly affirmed, that even
in the days of the mofl godly kings, I mean, of
Ezekias, and Jofias, the fcribes and lawyers did
write deceitfully, to thruil: cut the weak ones
from their caufe, to fpoil the widow and to op-
prefs the orphan ; there judges were bribers, and
their princes were partakers with thieves. They
faid, that evil was good, and good evil ; they
would have pleafant things fpoken unto them
and commanded that no mention fhould be made
of the holy one of Ifrael, for his word was a bur-
den unto them.. Of the nobility forne were trai-
tors, {cms avaricious, fome inconftant as waver-
ing reeds, fomb greedy dogs and infatiable wolves,
devoLuing the prey, wherefoever they might catch
it. The people of the land were deceitful, all
handy- crafts, merchandife, and victuals were cor-
rupt by their coveteous praftifes; they were ready,
but it was to flander and opprefs the poor, the
needy and the if ranger. The conjuration of pro-
phets was in the midft of them, even as a roaring
lion. They healed the fores and botches of the
people, princes and governors, with unprofitable
plaifters, and laid foft pillov/s under the heads of
fuch as fecurely ilept in all iniquity.. The priefls
had violently rent afunder the law of God : they
had prophaned his fm6fuary by their own inventi-
ons, and by retaining fuch a mixed and invenomed
religion, as from old idolaters they had received ; and
becaufe it pleafed their kings, chief rulers and gover-
nors, it muff needs be good, and plcafe them. They
made no difference betwixt that which was holy and
■clean, which proceeded from God, and that which
was prophane and filthy, which wicked idolaters had
invented and devifed. The paftors, finally, were
become dumb dogs, their watchmen were blind,
givtn to excefs, llothfulnefs and fleep. To be
Ihort, they came to that corruption that the lord
did ieek a man to repair his hedge again, and to
ftand in the gap before him, that the land fhould
not be waffed, but yet he found none; for all
were declined, all fought their own advantage:
no man called for juftice and equity, no man was
judged of faith and verity; they brought forth
cockatrice- eggs; their feet ran to mifchief; they
made hafte to fhed innocent blood ; they neither
knew, neither yet would know the way of peace :
yea, all things cam,e to fuch horrible confufion,

that the truth was banifhed, and whofoever dc^
parted from iniquity, was made a prey to all meil:
which things, when the Lord confldered, and ditf
fee that none would fet themfeives to oppone fuch
horrible iniquity, his own arm gave him falvation",
and his own juf]:ice did hold him up. ' He poured
forth (after divers plagues) his fury upon that na-
tion at once, and in the hot fire of his anger he
confumed them, and fo did reward their wicked
ways upon their own heads, as before was threat-
ened by the mouth Mofes.

Thefe teftimonies, and many more which (to
avoid prolixity) I omit, we have of the prophets,
declaring how corrupt the whole body was even
in the days of the m.off godly kings, yea, even m
the days when plagues were upon them. And hif^
tories do witnefs, that no fooner did ever any i-
dolater rife, but that fo foon from the highefl
degree to the lowcft, from the prince to the pro-
phet, a mean number excepted, were all ready to
obey whatfbever was commanded by fuch as were
placed in honour and authority. The hiflories
do further witnefs, that the princes of Judah after
the death of Jehoiada, by whole wife Joafh was
preferved in that moft cruel murder of all the
kingly feed made by xA.thaliah, and by whofe moft
faithful diligence the fame Joafh was in the feventh
year of his age made king over Judah, the cove-
nant and league, before broken by idolatry, was
renev.'ed again betwixt God and the people, and
betwixt the people and the king, to wit. That
the one and the other fhould be the people of the
Lord ; by the renewing of which covenant, un-
happy and cruel Athaliah was killed, the people
did enter into the houfe of Baal, brake it dowa
with its altars and images even to powder ; and
finally, before the altars of Baal, did moft juftly
kill Mattan Baal's great prieff. After the death, I fay, ,
of Jehoiada, by whofc godly providence all thefe
things were brought to pafs, the princes of Judali
came and bowed themfeives unto the king, mak-
ing no doubt this petition unto him, that thef
might have the religion which long had been re-
tained amongft the kings of Judah, even from the
days of Solomon, and that they fhould not be (9
ftraitly bound as the covenant made by Jehoiada
commanded, fo they would not return (as may
appear they did alledge) to Baal, but ftand con-
tent with their hill-altars, their thickets of wood
and ancient idols. And that this was their petiti-
on, the hiftory giveth plain light ; for it faith,
' And the king heard them, and they, leaving the
* houfe of the Lord the God of their fathers, ferv-

' ed

FOR TKE SPEEDY EMBRACING OF C H R I S T's G O S P E L.

' ed thickets and idols ;' which thing, albeit it did
fo difpleafe the Lord, that he fent his prophets
fharply to rebuke their unthankful defeftion, yet
was there no redrefs ; for the king, princes and
people were confpired againfl: God, and fo from
idolatry proceeded to cruel murder, as the hiflo-
ries do witnefs, in the days of Ahaz. The fame
abominations remained inall eftates : for Uriah the
high priefl: himfelf, at the commandment of the
king, bniided an altar, as the king had fent him a
pattern from Damafcus, and fo left the altar of the
Lord, and burnt facrifice upon that great altar.

In the days of Hezekias, that zealous and godly
king, how the hearts </ the nobility and people
were fet towards God's true religion, may appear
by the fequel ; for flraight after his death, the
whole multitude did return with Manaffes unto
idolatry, abominations, and cruel murder ; yea,
even while the king did leave that treafonable trai-
tor Sriebna (enemy to God, to his true worQiip,
and to his prophets) as treafurer, and in higheft
authority. Jeremiah and Ezekiel do witnefs, that
the princes, prophets and people were fo corrupt,
even to the very day of the deftrudlion ; yea, and
after the iame, that Zedekiah (of nature by all ap-
pearance not very cruel, but yet faint- hearted for
lack of faith) was compelled at their commandment
to put Jeremiah in prifon, and to give them per-
miffion to put him to death at their pleafures;
whofe life by God's mighty providence being yet
preferved, and he being called to the prefence of
the king, to whom he gave in God's name moft
wholefom counlel, yet durfl: not the k'ing, for
fear of his princes, neither follow the fame, nei-
ther yet let them underftand what communication
was betwixt the prophet and him. Ezekiel in his
vifion faw the people and princes declined from
God, and did hear alfo thefe words fpoken by God,

* The iniquity of the houfe of Ifrael and Judah is

* greal above meafure : the earth is full of blood,

* and the city full of defection ; for they have

* faid, The Lord hath left the earth, and the

* Lord feech us not.'

After that m.ofl: miierable deftruflion of Jerufa-
lem, when a remnant of the poor people and no-
bility (who had efcaped the edge of the fword)
were left in the land with the prophet Jeremy,
and Gedaliah the fon of Ahikam^ their old venom
of rebellion againfl God and his revealed will, was
nothing purged : for albeit Johanan the fonof Ka-
reah, and Jezaniah the fon of Hofliajah, with the
v/hole people, had promifed unto Jeremy by a fo-
lema oath, to,do whatfoever the Lord fliould.com-

4J-3

mand them by his mouth; yet, when he com-
manded them in the name of the Lord to abide in
the land, and not to carry the people to Egypt,
they neither feared nor ailiaraed to fay unto "him,

* Thou fpeakelf a lie, the Lord hath not fent thee

* to us, commanding that we fhould not go to

* Egypt. To Egypt will we go, and we will fervc
' the queen of heaven, even as our ancient kings
' and fathers did before us.' And fo, in defpiVe
of God, of his prophet and of his word revealed
unto them, departed from the land, which the
Lord had -given to the feed of Abraham, unto
Egypt infefted with all idolatry. And thus from
their original they continued in their rebellion even
to the end, till they did utterly forfake God : for,
whatfoever they pretended, it was nothing elfe but
a plain denial of God, of his league and covenant,
to contrail familiarity, alliance or peace againfl his
plain precept, with that nation from whofe tyran-
ny the Lord had before delivered their fathers ; and
therefore he gave them mofl flrait commandment,
that they fhould never return to that bondage.

How long and how patiently did God fioht
againfl their rebellion, is eafy to be underflood by
the hiflories and prophets ; but how fevere in the
end were the plagues and juf't vengeance poured
out upon the kings, princes and people, the very
Ethnics themfelves did give teflimony and record.
Their land and cities were fpoiled, burnt and left
defolate, and women for hunger were compelled
to eat their own children. Often were they brought
in thraldom and fubjeftion of flraiagers. And fi-
nally, the glory of the Lord was removed from
his fanfluary, which he himfelf did fweur that he
would prophane, by reafon of their great abomi-
nations. And fo he did; for k was buint, the
veffels and ornaments of it carried to Babylon, the
whole nobility of Judah and the king's fons were
killed in his own prefence ; after which mofl mifg-
rable fight, his own eyes were put out, and him-
felf led captive to Babylon, where he rem?jned
prifoner till his death. Tlisey that departed to Egypt
did never return again to Jcrufalem-, but perifla-
ed mofl miferabl)^ as the prophet did threaten.

This is the glafs, this is the mirror, O England,
in which I wrould that daily thou, fliouldfl behold;
what fliall be the final end of thefe that do abufe
the long fuffering of God, moft mercifully calling-;-;
all to repentance. If thou flialt think thyfelf pure
and clean from any of the crimes which before
is noted in that people, alas, thou fhak declare thy-
felf more than impudent ; for, all other your im-
quities omitted, this your lafl and uiiiverfaL tura-

An exhortation of JOHN KNOX to ENGLAND,

VI 4

ing from God, by the opea denial of his gofpei
profeiTed, declareth you from the higheft to the
joweft manifed traitors agdnfl his Divine Majefty.
.It is yon all together, who moil cruelly have Oied
the blood of a number of your brethren and fifters,
•which from under the altar cry to be revenged.
There is no perfon guiltlels in God's prefence, who
-have bowed their knees to idolatry, (whatfoever
excufe they lift to pretend) but, as all are idolaters,
fo they are, and (hall be reputed murderers before
God, which do not waOi away that infamy and
innocent blood by unfeigned repentance.

No other alTurance will I require, that your
plagues are at hand, and that your deftruftion ap-
proacheth, than that I lliall underftand, that ye
do juftify yourfelves in this your former iniquity.
Abfolve and flatter you who fo lift, God the Fa-
ther, his Son Chritl: Jefus, his holy angels, the
creatures fenfible and infenfible in heaven and
earth, fhall rife in judgment, and (hall condemn
you, if in time you repent not. The caufe why
I wrap you all in idolatry, all in murd«r, and all
in one and the hme iniquity, is. That none of you
hath done your duty, none hath remembered his
©ffice and charge, which was to have refifted to
the uttermoft of your powers that impiety at the
beginning: but ye have all followed the wicked
commandment, and all have confented to cruel
murder, in fo far as, in your eyes, your brethren
have moft unjuftly fuffered, and none opened his
mouth to complain of that injury, cruelty, and
murder. I do ever except fuch as either by their
death, by abftainlng from idolatry, or by avoid-
ing the realm, for iniquity in the fame committed,
did give teftimony that fuch an horrible falling
from" God did inwardly grieve them ; but all the
reft, even from the higheft to the loweft, I fear
no more to accufe of idolatr}^, of treafon againft
God committed, and of cruel murdering of their
brethren, than did Zacharias the fon of Jehoiada
fear to fay to the king, princes, and people of Ju-
dah, * Why have ye tranfgrefTed the command-
*.ments of the eternal God? it fhail not profper-

* oufly fucceed unto you, but even as ye have left

* the Lord, fo fhall he leave you.'

And albeit my blood lliould be fhed for this my
affirmp.tinn, as his was, yet having the teftimony
of a good confcience, that I Ipeak not, nor write
not of private malice againft any man's perfon, I
will ftill cry as before : for at your hands (unlefs
•that fpeedily and unfeignedly ye repent) fliall God
srequire, not only all the blood that lately hath been
ifhed by your moft wicked permiflion, but ^Ifo of

all thofe that for the fame caufe have fuiFered from;
the beginning. Tremble therefore, fear, coafefs,
and unfeignedly repent, that ye may efcape the
vengeance prepared. Your humiliation, confeilion
and repentance may now obtain no lefs of God's
great mercy, than did Jofias, his nobles and peo-
ple in the fame cafe, to whom in all things ye are
fo like, as one beam is to another ; for no crime is
fo hainous, which God will not caft in the bottom
of the fea, and bury in perpetual oblivion, if ye
with unfeigned hearts turn to the Lord yonr God,
whom fo grievoully ye have offended. This con-
verfion and repentance requireth, no doubt, a re-
formation, a removing and fuppreffingof all abufes,
all wrong, all violence, all oppreilion and fraud,
how long, in whom, and by whornfoever they
have been maintained, praftifed or committed.

But, remitting all other things to fuch as God
fhall further move with his holy Spirit to inftru6l
you, I fay, that your converfion to God and un-
feigned repentance requireth two things : Firji,
That the religion, and true honour of God, may
be once brought to that purity which his word re-
quireth. Secondly, That order may be taken, fo
far as in you lieth, that the fame religion, which
God approveth, may be kept inviolable amongft
you for ever, and that the people univerfally may
be inftrufted in the fame. For the firft point,
touching the reformation of religion, ye muft at
once fo purge and expel all dregs of papiftry, fu-
perftitlon and idolatry, that thou, O England,
muft judge and hold execrable and accurfed, what-
foever God hath not fan6liiied to thee by his blef-
fed word, or by the aftion of our Mafler Chrift
Jefus. The gliftering beauty of vain ceremonies,
the heaps of things pertaining nothing to edifica-
tion, by whcmfoever they were invented, juftified
or maintained, ought at once to be removed, and
fo trodden under the obedience of God's word,
that continually this fentence fhould be prefent
in thy heart, and ready in thy mouth, * Not

* that which appeareth good in thine own eyes

* flialt thou do to the Lord thy God, but what the

* Lord thy God hath commanded thee, 6'c.' Let
not then the king and his proceedings, whatfoever
they be, not agreeable to the Lord's holy word, be
a fnare to thy confcience.

O curfed were the hearts that ever deviled that
phrafe in matters of religion, whereby the fimple
people were brought to one of thefe two inconve-
niences ; to wit, That either they did efteem eve-
ry religion good and acceptable to God, Which the
king and parliament did approve ; or elfe, that

God's

Foa THE SPEEDY EMBRACING OF CHRIST'S GOSPEL. 415

God's religion, honour, and fervlce, was nothing
elfe but devices of men. O England, England !
let this blafphemy firlV of all others be removed ;
for, O how horrible is it to remember, that the
religion and honouring of the eternal God, Ihall
be fubje<fl to the appetite of foolifh and uncon-
ftant men ! Let God's bleffed word alone be the
rule and line to meafure his majefty's religion :
v/hat it commandeth, let it be obeyed ; what it
commandeth not, let that be execrable, becaufe it
hath not the lanflification of God's word, under
what title or name foever it be publi(hed. Halt
Ro longer on both parts, let not thefe voices pre-
vail in your parliament, this to our judgment is
good and godly ; this the people cannot well bear ;
this repugneth not to God's word, and when the
people are better inftrufled, then may we proceed
further.

O mefiengers of Satan, now do I write, which
fome times I have faid to your faces, That what-
foever God, in matters of religion, hath not fan<5li-
fied by his exprefs word, the fame I fay before
his majefty remaineth execrable, polluted, and de-
filed. And fo. in few words, this is the firft
point which your true converfion requireth, to
ivit, That his own only word reform his religion.
The inviolable prefervation of God's religion
(which is the fecond point) requireth two princi-
pal things ; the one is, That no power nor liberty
be permitted to any (of what eftate, degree or au-
thority foever they be) either to live without the
yoke of difcipline by God's word commanded,
either yet to alter, change, difanul, or difTolve the
leaft one jot in religion, which from God's mouth
thou haft received : but let his holy and blefTed or-
dinances, by Chrift Jefus commanded to his kirk,
be within thy limits and bounds fo fure and efla-
" "blifhed, that if prince, king, or emperor would en-
terprife to change or difanul the fame, that he be
by thee reputed enemy to God ; and therefore un-
worthy to reign above his people : yea, that the
fame man, or men, that go about todeftroy God's
true religion once eftabliflhed, and toeredt idolatry,
which God detefteth, be adjudged to death, ac-
cording to God's commandment ; the negligence
of which part hath made you all (thefe only except-
ed which before I have exprefTed) murderers of your
brethren, denyers ©f Chrift Jefus, and manifeft
traitors to God's fovereign majefty.

Which horrible crimes if ye will avoid in time
coming, then muft ye (I mean the princes, rulers,
and people of the realm) by folemn covenant re-
new the oath betwixt God and you, in that form.

and as Afa king of Judah did in the like cafe ;

* They made a covenant (faith the hiftory, 2 Chr.

* XV.) that they would feek the Lord God of their

* fathers, with all their hearts, and with all their
' fouls ; and that whofoever (hould not feek the

* Lord God of Ifrael, he /hould die the death.
' whether he were great or fmall, man or woman.
' And they did fwcar unto the Lord with a great

* oath, and with the found of a trumpet, and

* with pfalms ; and at this oath did all the Jews

* rejoice : for with their whole heart they did

* fwear, and they fought God with unfeigned af-

* feftion, and he was found ; and the Lord save

* them reft on every fide.' This is thy duty,"and
this is the only remedy, O England, to ftay God's
vengeance, which long thou haft deferved, and
fhall not efcape, if his religion and honour be fub-
je(ft to mutation and change, as oft as thy rulers
lift, or as byreafon of death they (hall be changed.
And fo this briefly is the firft thing, which thou
muft, with invocation of God's name, provide for
eftabliftiing of his true religion.

The other part, touching the inftruftion of the
people, ftandeth much in the faithful diligence of
thofe, to whom the charge of preaching fhall be
committed : but, when 1 remember that horrible
confufion which before was maintained, even by
thofe who would be efteemed chief pillars of reli-
gion, I do more fear to be plain in this matter,
than in all which before I have fpokcn ; for it may
be, that, in fpeaking the funple truth, I may dif-
pleafe thefe, whom willingly for no earthly profit
1 would offend : neverthelefs, feeing the caufe is
not mine, but appertaineth to Chrift Jefus, and to-
the feeding of that flock, which fo earneftly and'
tenderly, he recommended to Peter, and to all his;
faithful paftors to the world's end, whatfoever-
man fliall judge ; I dare not ceafe, in God's name,,
to require of you a fevere reformation of thefe
things, which before were utterly difordered.

And Firji, In the name of the Lord Jefus, I
require of you, that no dumb dog, no poifoned
and peftilent papift, none who before hath perfc-
Guted God's children, or obftinately maintained
idolatry, be placed above the people of God, to
infecH: and poifon (for other profit they fliall de»^
none) the fouls of thofe whom Chrift Jefus hath-
redeemed with his precious blood.

Secondly, That benefice upon benefice be heap--
ed upon no man, but that a fufficient charge, with
a competent ftipend, be affigned to the workmen •;
for O how horrible was that confufion, that one
man ftiouid be permitted, to have two, three, four^ -

£ve,.

4i6 An exhortation of JO

^ve, fix, or ifcven benefices, who fcarcely in the
year did fo often preach ! y^a, that a man fhould
^tiave the charge of them whofe faces he never law.
Let that peftilence proceeding from avarice be ut-
-terly avoided ; let not men at thtir pkafure preach
when and where they lift .; but, fo ibon as a god-
ly order may be eftablifhed, let ths parts and
bounds be afligned to every man. London in time .
paftwas indifferently provided for; but, alas! what
barbarous ignorance was in the reft of the realm ?
Thirdly, Let no man be charged, in preaching
■of Chrift Jefus, above that which a man may do :
1 mean, that your biOiopricks be fo divided, that
of every one (as they are now, for the moft part)
may be made ten ; and fo in every city and great
town there may be placed a godly learned man, with
fo many joined with him, for preaching and inftruc-
tion, as fhall be thought fuificient for the bounds
committed to their charge ; theutility whereof you
fhall underftand within few years, greatly to redound
to the profit of the fimple flock: for the great domi-
nions and charge of your proud prelates (impoffi-
ble by one man to be difcharged) are no part of
Chrift's true miniftry, but are the maintenance of
•the tyranny firft invented, and yet retained by the
Roman antichrift.

Fourthly, That diligent heed be taken, that fuch
to whom the office of preaching is committed, dif-
tharge and do their duties ; for it is not, nor will
«ot be, the chanting nor mummellingover of certain
pfalters, the reading of chapters for mattins and e-
■vening-fong, or of homilies only (be they never fo
godly) that can feed the fouls of the hungry fheep :
-Chrift himfelf,his holy apoftles,and that eleft velfel
Paul, do teach us another leffon, all commanding us
to preach, yea, to preach Chrift crucified. What
efficacy the living voice hath above the naked let-
ter which is read, the hungry and thirfty do feel
•to their com^fort. But the other maketh for Mr.
Parfon's purpofe, who, retaining in his hand a
number of benefices, appointed luch in his phce,
as are altogether dcftitute of the gift of preaching ;
i»ut let all fuch belly- gods be whipped out of God's
.holy temple.

Fifthly, Let none that be appointed to labour
in Chrift's vineyard, be intangled with civil af-
fairs (and, as you call them, the aftliirs of the
realm) except it be when the civil magiftrate, and
th& minifters of the word allemble together for ex-
ecution of difciplinc, which is a thing eafy to be
done, without withdrawing any perfon from his
•charge, if that which was before exprclTed be ob-
£ervs:d : for, as touching their yearly coming to

HN KNOX TO ENGLAND,

parliament, for matters of religion, it fl:all be fuper-
flaous and vain, if God's true religion be once {q
eftabli filed, that after it never be called in controver-
fy ; and as touching execution of difcipline,thatmufi:
be done in every city and fhire,where the magiftrates
and minifters are joined together, without any relpeft
of perfons : fo that the minifters, albeit they lack
the glorious title of lords, and the devilifti pomp
which before appeared in proud prelates, yet mufl:
they be fo ftout, and fo bold in God's caufe, that
if the king would ufurp any other authority in
God's religion, than becometh a member of Chrift's
body, that firft hs be admonifhed according to
God's word ; and after, if he contemn the fame,
that he be fubje(^l to the yoke of difcipline, to whom
they, fhall boldly fay, as Azariah the high prieft
faid unto Uzziah king of Judah, * It is not lawful
' for thee, Uzziah, to offer incenfe, but it apper-
' taincth to the priefts, and the fons of Aaron,
' who are confecrated, to burn it: pafs out there-
' fore, for thou haft offended ; which thing fiiall
* not redound to thy glory.' This, I fay, is the
duty of all Chrift's faithful minifters, whenfoever
any man, be he king or empei or, ufurpeth to him-
felf authority againft God, to rebuke him openly,
to refift and gainftand him to the uttermoft of their
power, whom the Lord by the fpirit of his mouth
and power of his word ftiall confound, even as he
did the pride of Uzziah, if they be ffrong and va-
liant in God's caufe.

Now, laji of all (omitting things of no lels im-
portance to your wifdoms) for the prefervation of
religion, it is moft expedient, that fchools be un-
iverfally ere6fed in cities and all chief towns, the
overfight whereof to be committed to the magi-
ftrates, and godly learned men of the faid cities
and towns, that, of the youth religioufly inftruc-
ted amongft them, a feed may be referved and con-
tinued, for the profit of Chrift's kirk in all ages.
It remaineth briefly to anfwer to tnvo things,
which may give you occafion to faint in the Lord's
work. Firji, The lack of workmen to put things
in fuch order as is. requifite. And Secondly, the
fear of tumult and fedition within yourfeives, or
invafion of foreign nations. In God's name 1 fear
not to affirm, that neither the one nor the other
fliall hurt you in the end, if with your whole
hearts ye feek God's glory to be prompted, and
all forts of abominations to be rooted out : for, if
.ye pray with earneft affeftion, he fliall endue fuch
as ye knov/ not, with wifdom and knowiege, to
rule in his kirk to the comfort of his flock. There
be more labourers than the eyes of men fee, that

pro-

FOR THE SPEEDY EMBRACI

profitably would -work in the Lord's harveft : and
as for fear of enemies, they may, with Korah,
Dathan and Abiram, confpire againft Mofes and
Aaron ; with the Moabites and Ammonites, a-
gainfl Jehofhaphat ; or with proud Sennacherib,
againft Hezekiah and afflicted Sion : but rather,
ere thou fhalt be confounded (if with a perfefl
heart thou feek the Lord thy God, (hall the earth
open and devour fuch rebels ; rather fhall thine
enemits every one murder another; and rather (hall
t^ie angels of the Lord fight for thy deliverance,
ere tkc work be hindered, and perifli in thine hands.
But if thou, O England, for any refpe(5l, delay
thy repentance and converfion unto God ; if thou
flialt liill fofler in thy bofom the generation of vi-
pers; if thou (halt retain in honour and authority
fuch, as have declared themfelves enemies to God and
to his eternal truth, not by any infirmity, but of de-
termined malice and fet purpefe, to murder and de-
ftroy God's children ; if finally, thou fhalt not
ftudy to root out, and cut off fuch rotten mem-
bers, as can do nothing but infeft the whole bo-
dy ; then calll to witnefs againft thee both hea-
ven and earth, that I and others, the fervants of
God, who faithfully, and in time, have warned
thee of thy duty, and vengeance to come, are, and
Ihall be clean from the blood which (hortly fhall
perifli, if thou contemn the admonition of God's
mefiengers. Too late (hall it be for thee to howl,
when the flame of God's hot difpleafure fhall be-
gin to burn : it will not then be the flattering
enticements and vain policies of fuch, as feek more
themfelves than Chrift's glory, that will extin-
guilh it ; no, it ihall burn, and fhall delh-oy the

NG OF CHRIST'S GOSPEL. 41.7

head and the tail, the prince and the falfe prophet,
the root, and the branches of fuch impiety. Be
warned therefore, if thou lift, and efcape ven-
geance, which is already prepared for the inobe-
dient.

But O ye that in fbrrow of heart fee theie abo-
minations, that lament and do not pollute your-
felves with them, let your hearts reft upon the
Eternal, who (hall be unto you a rock and a ftrong
caftle of defence.

And then, although heaven and earth ihould
be confounded, yet fhall his mercy deliver you
from danger ; and in very experience and joy of
heart ye fhall fing, * O Lord, thou art our God,

* we fhall exalt and confefs thy name, for thou

* haft done wondrous things. Thy counfels are

* profound, far off to man's judgment, but yet are
' they true and fure. The ftrong tents and pala-
' ces of the proud haft thou brought to ruin, fo

* that they fhall never be reftored again : and

* therefore the ftrong people fliall glorify thee ;

* yea, the cities of tyrannous nations fhall fear

* thee. Behold, this is our God, we have waited
' for him, and he hath faved us. This is the

* Lord whom we looked for, we fhall rejoice and

* be joyful in his falvation.' This, I fay, fhall be
the fong which in experience of the Lord's deli-
verance your hearts fhall fing, even when God's
moft fevere judgments fhall in your eyes be exe-
cuted againft the ungodly : and therefore, call
thou for ftrength to continue to the end.

From Geneva^ the 1 2th
•f January, 1559.

^%t

THE

THE

FIRST BLAST

O F T H E

R U M P E T

AGAINSTTHE

MONSTROUS REGIMENT of WOMEN.

The T R E F A C E.

The Kingdom appertaineth to our GOD.

O N D E R it Is, that amongft fo many pregnant wits, as the IHc of Great Britain hath produ-
ced, io many godly and zealous preachers as England did fometime nourifh, and amongft fc
many learned, and men of grave judgment as at this day by Ifabel are exiled, none is found fo flout oi
courage, fo faithful to God, nor loving to their native country, that th«y dure admonifh the inhabi-
tants of that ifle, how abominable before God is the empire or rule of a wicked woman, yea of a trai-
torefs, and baflard, and what a people or nation left deftitute of a lawful head may do', by the autho-
rity of God's word, in eleaing and appointing common rulers and magiftrates. That ifle alas ' foi
the contempt and horrible abuie of God's mercies offered, and for the fhameful revolting to Satan from
Chnft Jefus and from his gofpel once profefTed, doth jufVly merit to be left in the hands of their owe
counfel, and fo to come to confufion, and bondage of flrangers. But yet I fear, that this univerfal
negligence of fuch as were fometimes efleemed watchmen, (hall rather aggravate our former ingratitude/
than excufe this our univerfal ungodly filence in fo weighty a matter. We fee our country fet forth for
a prey to foreign nations, we bear the blood of our brethren, the members of Chrifl Jefus, mofl crud^
y to be ihed and the monftrous empire of a cruel woman (the fecret eounfel of God excepted) we
know to be the only occafion of all thefe miferies ; and yet, with filenee we pafs the time as thoueli
the matter appertained nothing to us. But the contrary examples of the ancient prophets, move me
to doubt of this faa : for Ifrael did univerfally decline from God by embracing idolatry under JerO^
^°?"^> '^Tr n ^^^y ^onnnued, even to the deftruaion of their common-wealth ; * and Judah with Te^
rufalem did foUow the vile fuperflitioa and open iniquity of Samaria: yet the prophets of God ceafed
not to admoniji the one and the other; yea, even after God had poured forth his plagues upon them':
for Jeremy f did write to the captives ia BabyloD, aad did corre^ their errors, plaikly inftruaing them

fEzeH. xvi. tJerm.xxix^

rhe P R E F A C &, 4,p

who did remain in that idolatrous nation. Ezekiel* from the midft of his brethren prifoners of Chal"
dea, did write his vifion to thofe that were in Jerufalem ; and, fharply rebuking their vices, afiured
fhem, that they (hould not efcape God's vengeance, by reafon of their abominations committed.

The fame prophets, for comfort of God's affli(5ted faints, who lay hid amongft the reprobate of that
;ige, (as corn doth commonly amongft the chaff) did prophecy the changes of kingdoms, the punifh-
ment of tyrants, and the vengeance which God would execute tjpon the opprcfTors of his people.
• The fame did Daniel, and the reft of the prophets, every one in tlieir Icafon, f by whofe examples,
and by the plain precept which was given to Ezekiel, commanding that he Ihall fay to the wicked, * Thou
« ilialt die the death.'

We, ill this miferable age, are bound to admonifh the world, and tyrants thereof, of their fudden
ieflruflion, and to afTure them, and to cry to them, whether they will hear or not, That the blood of
the faints, which by them is fhed continually, crieth and cravcth vengeance, in the prefence of the
Lord of Hofts. And further, it is our duty to open the thing revealed to us, unto the ignorant and
blind world ; unlefs that, tO our condemnation, we lift to wrap up and hide the talent committed to
mt charge. I am aflured, that God hath revealed to fome in this our age, that it is more than a mon-
[ler in nature, that a woman fhould reign and have empire above a man. - And yet with us all there
■s fuch filencc, as if God therewith were nothing offended. The natural man, enemy to God, fnall
find, I know, many caufes why no fuch dodlrine ought to be publifhed. Firji, For that it may feem to
tend to fedition. Secondly, It fhall be dangerous, not only to the writer or publisher, but alfo to all
fuch as fhall read or favour the fame. Thirdly, It fhall not amend the chief offenders, partly becaufe
t fhall never come to their ears, partly becaufe they will not be admonifhed in fuch cafes. I anfwer, If
iny of thefe be a fufficient reafon, that truth known fhall be concealed, then were the ancient prophets
^f God very fools, who provided not better for their own quietnefs, than to hazard their lives for re-
D'jVmg of vices, and for the opening of fuch crimes as were not known to the world ; and Chriff Jefus
did injury to his apoftles, commanding them to preach * Repentance and remiflion of fins i-n his name
* to every realm and nation;' and Paul did not underftand his own hberty, when he cried,! ' Wo to
' me, ifl preachnot thegofpel.' If fear, I fay, of perfecution, flandcr, or any inconveniency before-
^ named, might have excufed, and difcharged the fervants of God, from plainly rebuking the fins of the
!<: world, juft caufe had every one of them to have ccafed from their office ; for fuddenly their dodlrine
was accufcd by terms of /edition, of new learning, and of treafon. § Perfecution and vehement trouble
did fhortly come upon the profeffors, with the preachers; kings, princes, and worldly rulers, did con-
fpire againft God, and his anointed Chrift Jefus. But did any of thefe move the prophets andapoftle'-
to faint in their vocation ? No, but by the refiftance which the devil made by his fuppofts, were thev
the more inflamed, to publifli the truth revealed unto them ; and to witnefs with their blood, thatgrie-
ivous condemnation and God's heavy vengeance fliould follow the proud contempt of graces offered
The fidelity, bold courage and conftancy of thofe that are paffed before us, ought to provoke us to fol-
low their footfteps, unlefs we look for another kingdom, than Chrift hath promifed to fuch as perfevere
in the profeflion of his name to the end. If any think that the empire of women is not of fuch impor-
tance that for the fupprefTmg of the fame, any man is bound to hazard his life. I anfwer, that to fup-
iprefs it is in the hand of God alone ; but to utter the impiety and abomination thereof, I fay, it is ia
the hand of every true meffenger of God, to whom the truth is revealed in that behalf. ' God's meffen-
igers much preach repentance and admonifh the offenders of their offences ; but neither of both can be

I done, except the confclence of the offenders be accufed and convi<5led of tranfgrefiion. And therefore

II fay, that of neceffity it is, that this monftriferous empire of women (which among all enormities this
I day abounding is moftdeteftable and damnable) be openly revealed and plainly declared to the world

I to the end that fome may repent and be faved. Now, to fuch as think, that it will be long before fuch
■•doftrine come to thefe ears of the offenders; I anfwer, that the verity of God is of that nature, that
one time or other it will purchafe to itfelf audience ; it is an odour and a finell that cannot be fuppref-
fed; yea, it is a trumpet that will found in defpite of the adverfaries ; it will compel the very enemies
to their confufion, to teftify and bear witnefs of it: for I find that the prophecy and preaching of Elifha,
was declared in the hall of the 'king of Syria, by the fervant, and flatterers of the fame wicked kin^'
■ making mention, that Elifha declared, to the king of Ifrael, whatfoever the faid king of Syria fpoke ?r

Ggga his

* Ezck. vii. viii. ix. f Ifa. xiii. Jer. xlvi. Ezek. xxxvi, ± i Cor. ix. i Mat. xxn, Afts xvlil
xxi. Pfal. ii, Afts iv.

4io rhe PREFACE.

his moiT: fecret chamber. * And the wondrous works of Jefus Chrifl: were notified to Herod, not In any
great commendation of his do6lrine; but rather to fignify, that Chrifl called that tyrant a fox, and
that he did no more regard his authority than John the Baptift, whom Herod before had beheaded for
the liberty of his tongue, f Thus it is certain, that the fame, as well of Chrift's dodlrine as of his
works, came to the ears of Herod. Even fo may the found of our weak Trumpet, by the fupport of
ibme wind, (blow it from the fouth or from the north) come to the ears of thofe offenders. But whe-
ther it do or not, yet we dare not ceafe to blow as God will give us ftrength. For we are debtors to
more than to princes, to -wit, to the multitude of our brethren, of whom, no doubt, a great number
have heretofore offended by error and ignorance, giving their fulfrages, confent and help to eflablifn
women in their kingdoms and empire, notwithftanding how abominable, odious and deteftable is all
fuch ufurped authority in God's prefence. And therefore mufl the truth be plainly fpoken, that the
iimple and rude multitude may be admonirned, and all, concerning the danger which may hereof enfuc.
1 have laid mine account what the finifhing of this work may coft me for own part. Hr/?, I am not
Ignorant how difficile and dangerous it is to fpeak againft a common error, efpecially when the ambiti-
ous minds of men and women are called to the obedience of God's fimple commandment : for to the
moft part of men lawful and godly appeareth, whatfoever antiquity hath received. Secondly, I look to
have mine adverfaries not only of the ignorant multitude, but alfo of the wife, polite and quiet fpirits
of the world : and thus I am mofl certainly perfuaded, that my labour fhall not efcape reprehenfion of
many. But becaufe I renaember the accompts of the talents received muft be made to him, who nei-
vher refpefteth the multitude, neither yet approveth the wifdom, policy, peace nor antiquity, conclud-
inof or determining any thing againft his eternal will, revealed to us in his mofl bleffed word, 1 am com-
pelled to cover mine eyes, and fhut mine ears, that I neither fee the multitude that in this matter (hall
withftand me, neither hear thcopprobries, nor confider the dangers which I may incur for uttering the
fame. I fhall be called foolifh, curious defpiteful, and a fower of fedition ; and one day perhaps (al-
fho' now I be namelefs) I may be attainted of treafon. But feeing impoffible it is, but that either I
Ihall offend daily, calling to my confcience, that I ought to manifefl the verity known, or elfe that I
ihall difpleafe the world for doing the fame ; I am determined to obey God, notwithflanding that the
world fhould rage thereat. I know that the world offended may (by God's permiffion) kill the body;
6ut God's majefly being offended, hath power to punifh foul and body for ever. God is offended when
liis precepts are contemned, and his threatenings effeemed to be of no effeft : and amongft his manifold
precepts given to his proph«ts, and amongfl his threatenings, none is more vehement than that which
is pronounced to Ezekiel in thefe words, % * Son of man, I have fet thee a watch-man unto the houfe

* of Ifrael, therefore thou fhalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me; when I fay un-

* to the wicked, O wicked man, thou fhalt furely die, if thou does not fpeak to warn the wicked from

* hrs way, that wicked man fhall die in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at thine hand ; never-
" thelefs, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it, if he do not turn from his way, he fhall
" die in his iniquity, but thou hafl delivered ihy foul.' This precept, 1 fay, with the threatening an-
aexed, together with the reft that was fpoken in the fame chapter, not to Ezekiel only, but to every
one, whom God placeth watch-man over his people and flock (and watch-men are they, whofe eyes he
(doth open, and whofe confcience he pricketh to admonifh the ungodly) compelleth me to utter mycoa-
fcience in this matter, notwithftanding that the whole world fhould be offended with me for fo doing.

If any wonder why I do conceal my name, let him be affured, that the fear of corporal punifhment
'is neither the only, neither the chief caufe. My purpofe is thrice to blow the Trumpet in the fame
matter, if God fo permit. Twice I intend to do it without name^ but, at the laft Blall to take the
iblame upon myfelf, that all others may be purged.

* Kings vi.. 12, f Mat. xiv. ij: Ezek. sguiUu

THE

All

The First B L A S T, to awake Women Degenerate.

To promote a woman to bear ruk, fuperiorl-
ty, dominion, or empire, above any realm,
nation or city, is repugnant to nature, contumely
to God, a thing moft contrarious to his revealed
will and approved ordinance, and finally the lub-
verfion of good order, of all equity and juftice.

Firjl, I fay and affirm, that the empire of a
woman'is repugnant to nature : for who can deny
but it repugneth to nature, that the blind fhall be
appointed to lead and conduft fuch as do fee, that
the weak, fick and impotent perfons, ftiould nou-
rish and keep the hail and ftrong ; and finally, that
thefoolilh, mad and phrentic, fhall govern the dif-
creet, and give counfel to fuch as are of fober mind ?
And fuch are all women compared to man in bear-
ing authority. For their fight in civil regiment is
but blindnefs, their ftrength weaknefs, their coun-
fel fooliOinefs, and judgment phrenzy, if it be
rightly confidered. I except fuch as God by fin-
gular privilege, and for certain caufes, known only
to himfelf, hath exeemed from the common rank
of women, and dofpeak of women, as nature and
experience do this day declare them.

Nature, I fay, doth paint them forth to be weak,
frail, impatient, feeble and foolifii ; and experience
hath declared them to be unconftant, variable,
cruel, and void of the fpirit of counfel and
regiment. For thefe notable faults which in all
ages have been efpied in them, men have not only
removed them from rule and authority, but alfo
fome have thought that men fubje<^ to the coun-
fel and empire of their wives, were unworthy of
all public office. What difference fhall we put
(faith Ariftotle* in the fecond of his Politics)
whether women bear authority, or hulbands that
obey the empire of their wives, be appointed to be
magiftrates ? For the injuftice, confufion and dif-
order which doth follow the one, muft needs, fol-
low the other. The fame author further reafon-
cth, that the policy or regiment of the Lacede-
monians (who other wife amongft the Grecians
were moft excellent) was not worthy to be reputed
nor accounted amongft the number of common-
wealths well goveraed, becaufe the magiftrates and
rulers of the fame, were too much given to pjeafe

and obey their wives. What would this writer, I ■
pray you, have faid to that realm or nation, where
a woman fitteth crowned in parliament among the
midft of men. O fearful and terrible are thy
judgments, O Lord, which hath thus aba fed man
for his iniquity. If Ariflotle and others illuminated
only by the light of nature, did fee and pronounce
caufes fufficient why women ought not to bear
rule or authority, 1 am fure, if they were living
this day, to fee a woman fitting in judgment, or'
riding from parliament in the midft of men, ha-
ving the royal crown upon her head, the fword
and fceptre borne before her, in fign that admini-
ftration of juftice was in her power, they would
be fo aftonifhed with fuch a fight, that they would
judge the world to be transformed into Amazones,f
and that fuch a metamorphofis and change was
made of all the men of that country, as poets do
ftign.was made of all the companions of Ulyfles, or
at leaft, that albeit the outward form of men re-
mains, yet fhould they judge that their hearts were
changed from the wifdom, underftanding and cou-
rage of men to the foolifh fondnefs and cowardice
of women ; yea, they further fhould pronounce
that where v/omen reign and be in authority, their
vanity muft needs be preferred to virtue, ambition
and pridd to. temperance and modefty, and finally,
that Avarice, the mother of all mifchief muft needs
there devour equity and juftice.

But let us hear what others have feen and de-
creed in this matter.

In the rules of the law thus it is written, * Wo-
* men are removed from all civil and public office,
' fo that they neither may be judges, neither may
' occupy the place of the magiftrate; neither yet
'may be fpeakers for others.' The fame is re-
peated in the third and fixtecnth books of the Di-
geftes X there among certain perfons which are for-
bidden, nepro alias pojiulent, that is, That they be
no fpeakers nor advocates for others,women are for-
bidden, and this caufe is added, that they do not
againfl fhamefulnefs intermeddle them felves with
the caufes of others ; neither yet that they pre-
fume to ufe the offices- due to men. The law in
the fame place doth further declare, that a natu-
ral

* 2 Pol. Arift. t Amazones were monftrous women, that could not abide the regiment of meng
and therefore killed their hufband. Read Jujiine. Arift. 2 Pol. Lib. 50 de regulis juris. % -^»^. 3^
v6. Digejlorum ad Jenatus confid, Fellmnum. Lib. 3. de pojlulationey Tit i. -

The FiAST blast ofthB TRUMPET,

ral ^lamcfaftnefs ought to be In woman kind,
which mdfl: certainly (he lofeth whenfoever flie ta-
keth upon her the office and eftate of man, as in
Calphurnia* was evidently declared, for (he ha-
Ting licence to fpcak before the fenate, at length
becomes To impudent and importune, that by her
babling fhe troubled the whole aflfembly, and fo
gave occafion that this lav/ was eftablifhed. In the
6rft book of the Digeftes, | the condition of the
woman is pronounced in many cafes to be worfe
than of the man. As in jurlsdlftion, faith the
law in receiving of cvire and tuition, in adoption,
in public accufatlon, in delation, in all popular ac-
tion, and in motherly power which fhe bath not
upon her ov/n fons. The law further will not per-
mit, that a woman give any thing to her hulband,
kecaufe It Is againft the nature of her kind, being
the inferior member, to prefume to give any thing
to her head. The law doth moreover pronounce
womankind to be moft avaricious; which is a
\ice intolerable in thofethat fhouldruleor minifter
iuftice. And AriAotle.t as before is touched,
doth plainly affirm, that whenfoever women bear
dominion, there mufl needs the people be dlforder-
cd, living and abounding in all intemperance, given
to pride, excefs and vanity ; and in the end, that
they mufl needs come to confufion and ruin.
Would to God the examples were not fo manifefl
to the further declaration of the Imperfedllons,
natural weaknefs, and inordinate appetites of wo-
men. I might adduce hIftorIes,§ proving fome
women to have died for fudden joy; fome for im-
■patlence have murdered themselves, fome to have
burned with fuch inordinate luft, that for the
quenching of the fame, they have betrayed to ftran-
gers their country and city ; and to have been fo
defirous of dominion, || that for obtaining thereof,
they have murthered the children of their own
fons, yea fome have killed with cruelty their own
hulbands and children. But to me it is fufficlent
(becaufe this part of nature is not my mofl fure
foundation) to have proved that men illuminated
only by the light of nature, have feen and deter-
mined, that it is a thing moft oppugnant to nature,
that a woman rule and govern over man, for thefe

that Will not permit a woman to have power over
her own fons, will far lefs permit her to have rule
over a realm. And thefe that will not fufFer her
to fpeak in defence of thofe that be accufed, nor
admit her accufation intended againft man, far lefs
would fufFer her to fit in judgment, crowned with
the royal crown, tifurping the authority in the
midfl of men. %

But now to the fecond part of nature, in which
1 include the revealed will and perfecfl ordinance
of God ; againft this part of nature, I fay it doth
manlfeflly repugn, that any woman fhall reign or
bear dominion over man. For God firft by order
of the creation, and after by the curfe and male-
diftion pronounced againfl the woman, by rcafon
of her rebellion, hath declared the contrary. Fir/},
I fay, the woman in her greateft perfeftion was
made to ferve and obey man, not to rule and com-
mand him. ' Man is not of the woman, (faith

* Paul, I Cor. xi. 8, 9, 10.) but the woman of

* the man. And man was not created for the wo-

* man, but the woman for the man: for thiseaufe
' ought the woman to have power upon her head ;*
this is a coverture in fign of fubjeft ion. But after her
fall and rebellion againff God there was put upon
her a new necefTity, and fhe was made fubjeft to
man by the irrevocable fentence of God, pronoun-
ced in thefe words, (Gen. iii. 16.) 'I will gready
' multiply thy forrow and thy conception, withfor-
' rowfhalt thou bear thy children, and thy will fhall

* be fubje(ft to thy man : and he fhall have domi-

* nion over thee.' From the former part of this
maledI<fi:Ion, neither art, nobility, policy, nor law
made by man can deliver womankind. For who-
foever attaineth to that honour to be a mother,
proveth by experience the effect and ftrength of
God's word. But, alas ! ignorance of God, am-
bition and tyranny have fludled to abolifh and
defl:roy the fecond part of God's punifhment ; for
women are lifted up to be heads over realms, and
to rule above men at their pleafure and appetites :
but horrible Is the vengeance, which Is prepared
for the promoters, and for the perfons promoted,
except they fpeedlly repent, for they fhall be dc-
jefted from the glory of the fons of God to the

flavery

* Calphurnia. f Defiatu homlniim. Tit. 8. By the civil law power is taken from women over their
own children, Dig. Lib. 24. de donatione inter virumi; foem. Lib. i. Dig. de legibus et fenatttscon.
Tit. 3. :|: Politic. 2. Great imperfedllons of women„ § Romllda the wife of Glfulphus betrayed to
Oocanus the dukedom of Friual in Italy. Jane queen of Naples hanged her hufband, Athalia defiroyed
all the feed royal, 2 Kings, il. || lerne, Anton, ifabelL % The lefs things are denied to women, there-
fore the greater cannot be granted.

Against the MONSTROUS R E G I M E N T oy WOMEN

flavery of the devil, and to the torment that is
prepared for all fuch, as do exalt themfelves againft
God. Againft God can be nothing more manifefl,
than that a woman fhould be exalted to reign a-
bove man : for the contrary fentence hath God
pronounced in thefe words, * Thy will (liall be
' fubjefl to ihy hulband, and he Ihall bear domini-
* on over thee.' Thus did God, not only make
Adam lord and governor over Eve's body; but
even over her appetites and will, and thereby de-
Je(fled all women from empire and dominion above
man : fo that no woman can ever prefume to reign,
but the fame fhe mull needs do in defpite of God,
and in contempt of his punilhment and maledifti-
on. I am not ignorant, that the moft part of men
underfland thispartof themaledi(ftionto be meant
of the fubjeftion of the wife to her hulband, and of
the dominion which he beareth above her ; but
the Holy Ghoft taketh from all women all kind of
fuperiority and power over man, fpeaking by the
mouth of St. Paul, (i Tim, ii,) as follows, ' I

* fuffer not a woman to teach, neither yet to ufurp

* authority above man.' Here he nameth women
in general, excepting none : and in the firft epiftle
to the Corinthians, chap. xiv. the apoftle permit-
teth that all perfons may prophecy one after ano
ther,that all may learn, and all may be comforted;
and, left the plurality of fpeakers fhould have bred
confufioa, he addeth, * The fpirit of the prophets,

* are fubjeft to the prophets;' as if he (hould fay,
God {hall always raife up fbme to whom the veri-
ty {hall be revealed, and to fuch you {hall give
place, albeit they fit in the loweft place. And
thus the apoftle would have prophecying an exer-
cife to be free to the whole church that every one
ftiould communicate with the congregation what
God had revealed to them, providing it were done
orderly. But from this general privilege he fe-
cludeth all women, faying, (i Cor^ xiv.) ' Let wo-

* men keep filence in the congregation :' And why
r pray you? Was it becaufe he thought no wo-,
men to have any knowlege ? No, he giveth another,
faying, * Let her be fubjeft as the law faith.' In
the words is firfl: to be noted,' that the apoftle cal-
leth the former fentence pronounced againft wo-
man a law, that is, the immutable decree of God,
who, by his own voice, hath fubjeded her to one
member of the congregation, that is, to her huf-
band. Whereupon the Holy Ghoft concludeth,
That {he may never rule, nor bear empire above
man, for ftie that is made fubjeft to one, may ne-

ver be preferred to many. And that by the Holy
Ghoft is manifeftly expreffed in thefe words, ' I
* fuflFer not a woman to ufurp authority abore man.'
So both by God's law and the interpretation of
the Holy Ghoft, women are utterly forbidden to
occupy the place of God in the offices forefaid,
which he has a/figned to man, whom he hath ap-
pointed to be his lieutenant on earth. The apoftle
taketh power from all women tofpeak in the affem^
bly: * Erga, He permitteth no woman to rule a-
bove man. The former part of the argument is
evident, and fo the concluiion doth of neceffity
follow; for he that taketh from woman the leaft
part of authority, will not permit unto her that
which is greateft : But greater It is f to reign a-
bove realms and nations, to publifh and make faws,
to appoint judges and minifters^ than to fpeak in
the congregation. Woman's judgment, fentence,
or opinion purpofed in the congregation may be
judged by all, may be correfted by the learned,
and reformed by the godly. But woman being
promoted in fovereign authority,, her laws muft
be obeyed, her opinion follov/ed, and her tyranny
maintained, fuppofe it be exprefly againft God and
the profit of the common-wealth. And therefore
yet again I repeat, that a woman, promoted to fit
in the feat of God, that is, to teach, to judge, or
to reign above the man is amonfter in nature, con-
tumely to God, and a thing moft repugnant to his
will and ordinance. That you may underftand
thismy judgment to be no new interpretation of
God's fcriptures, 1 will recite the minds of fome
ancient writers in the fame matter. Tertullian, J
in his book of IVojnan's appareU after he hath fliew-
edmany caufes why gorgeous apparel is abomi-
nable and odious in a woman, he addeth thefe
words, fpeaking, as it were, to every woman by
name, ' Doth thou not know, faith he, that thou
« art Eva ? The fentence of God liveth, and is ef-
' fedlually againft thy kind ; and in this world, of

* neceffity it is that the punifliment alfo live ; thou

* art the port and gate of the devil, thou art:- the

* firft tranfgreffor of God's law ; thou didft per-

* fuade and eafily deceive him, whom the devii

* durft not affault ; for thy merits (that iff for thy '
« death) it behoved the Son of God to fuffer death...
« And doth it yet abide in thy mind to deck thee •

* above thy {kin coats ?' By thefe and many other ■
grave fentences, and quick interrogations did this
godly writer labour to -bring every woman in con-
templation of herfelf that {he might avoid and ab-

ho£>

* A ftroBg. argument, f Note.. % Tertullian. dc habitu mulierwn.

The first BLAST of the TRUMPET,

424

hor whatfoevcr thing might puff her up with pride,
cr that might be an occalion that fhe fhould forget
the fentence, which God hath- pronounced againft
the whole race and daughters of Eva ; and what I
pray you is more -able to caufe woman forget her
own condition, than if (lie be lifted up in authority
. above man ? It is a thing very difficile to man (be
. he never fo coaflant) promoted to honours not to
be tickled fomewhat with pride, for the wind of
.vain glory doth eafily carry up the dry duft of the
earth. But as for woman, it is no more poffible
that fhe' being fet aloft in authority above man (hall
refift the motions of tride, than it is poffibk to
the weak reed, or to the turning weather- cock, not
to bow or turn at the vehemencyof theunconflant
wind : And therefore the fime writer expreily for-
biddeth all women to intermeddle with the office
of- man, for thus he writcth in his book,* De
■ virginibus velMidis, ' It is not permitted to a wo-
• * man to fpeak in the congregation neither to

* teach, neither to baptize, neither to vindicate to

* herfelf any office of man,' The fame he fpeaketh
yet more plainly in the preface of his fixth book
againft Maricon, f when he, recounting certain

- monflrous things, which were to be feen at the
fca called Euxinum, among the reft he reciteth,
there is a great monfter in nature, that women in
thofe parts were not tamed nor emboied by con-
.fideration of their own fex and kind, but that all
,ihame laid apart, they made expences upon weapons
.and learned the tates.of war, having more pleafure
..to fight than to marry, and be fubjeft to man.

Thus TertuUian, who taketh from woman all
. office appertaining to man, would never fuffi;r her
, to reign above man ; and he that judged it a mon-
fter in nature, that a woman ffiould exercife wea-
pons, would judge it, no doubt, to be a monfter
of monfters, that a woman fhould be exalted a-
bove a whole realm and nation. Of the fame mind
is Origen, and divers others whofe fentences lo-
mit, to avoid prolixity.

Auguftine, in his 22 book againft Faufl;us,:{:
;proveth that a woman ought to do fervice to her
hulband as unto God; affirming, that in nothing
hath woman equal power with man, except that
neither hath power cf their cwn bodies, by which
.he would plainly include, that woman ought ne-
ver to pretend nor third for that power and autho-

rity which is due to man. And, ill another plaisa
he affirmeth, § that woman ought to be reprefi*ed
and bridled betimes, if fhe afpires to any domini-
on ; alledging, that dangerous it is tofuffer her to
proceed, altho' it be in temporal and corporal
things, and thereto he addeth thcfe words ; * God

* feeth not for a time, neither is there any new
' thing in his fight, and knowlcge,* meaning there-
by that what God hath feen in one woman (as con-
cerning dominion and having of authority) the
fame he feeth in all ; and what he hath forbidden
to one, the fame hath he forbidden to all, and
this moft evidently ; yet in another place he writ-
eth , moving this qucflion, ' How can womaa

* be the image of God, feeing fhe is fubjeft to
' man, and hath neither authority to teach, to be

* witn«fs, nor to judge, much lefs to rule or bear
'empire?' 'Woman, faith Auguftine, compared
' to other creatures, is the Image of God, || for (he
' beareih dominion ov^r them ; but compared to
' man, flie may not be called the Image of God,

* for fhe beareth not rule nor Jordffiip over man,

* but ought to obey him, &c.' And how woman
ought to obey him, he fpeaketh f yet more clear-
ly in thefe words, ' The woman fliall be fubjeift
' unto man as unto Chrif>, dc.' With Auguf^ine
agreeth in every point St. Ambrofe, who thus
writethin his Hexaemeron, ** ^ Adam was deceived

* by Eva, and not Eva by Adam, and therefore
' juff it is, that woman receive and acknowlege

* him for governor whom fire called to fm, leaft

* again fhe flideby womanly facility;' and writing
upon the epiftle to the Ephefians, chap. v. he
faith, -jf * Let women be fubje£t to their own
' hufbands as unto the Lord, for the man is head
' to the woman, 6'C".' As the congregation is
fubjeft to Chrift, even fo ought women to be to
their hufbands in all things. He proceedeth fur-
ther, faying, ' Women are commanded to be fub-'

* jeft to mea by the law of nature, bccaufe that

* man is the beginner of the woman : for as Chri-ft

* is the head of the church, fo is man of the wo-

* man ; from Chrift the church took beginning,

* and therefore it is fubje6l unto him, even fo did

* woman take beginning from man, that fhe (hould
' be fubjeft.' If any man think that all thefe former
fentences be fpofcen only of the fubjeftion of the
married woman to her hulband; as before I have

proved

* Tertul. lib. 8. de virg. velandis. f In proem, lib.- 6. contra Marclon. 4^ Aug. lib. 22. centra
.Fauftinum, cap. si- § De trinitate, lib. 12. cap.y. \\ hi ^leji. Vet.Teft. ^ejl. 4^. ^, Lib.de
M»ntineiitiA Cap. 4. ^* Ambrofe in Hexaemeron, lib. 5. cat. 7. f f Idemfvper Ephef. chap, 5.

AGAINST THE MONSTROUS REGIMENT of WOMEN.

proved the contrary, by the plain words and rea-
foning of St. Paul, fo (hall I iliortly do the fame
by other teftimonies of the forefaid writers. The
fame Ambrofe, ^ writing upon the fecond chapter
of the iirrt epiftle to Timothy, after he hath fpoken
much of the fimple arrayment of women, he add-
cth thefe words, ' Woman ought not only to have

* fimple rayment, but all authority is to be denied

* unto her: for (he muft be in fubjedlion to man

* (of whom fhe hath taken her original) as well in
' habit as in fervice.' xAnd after a few words he
faith, * becaufe death entered into the world by her,

* there is no boldnefs that ought to be permitted
' unto her, but fhe ought to be in humility.'

* Hereof it is plain, that from all women married
or unmarried, is all authority taken to execute
aijy office that appertaineth to man : yea plain it is,
that all women are commanded to ferve, to be in
humility and fubjeftion, which thing the fame
writer fpeaketh yet more plainly in thefe words, *
' It is not permitted to women to fpeak, but to be

* in filence as the la\v faith. What faith the law i*

* Unto thy hulband fhall thy converfien be, and he

* fliall bear dominion over thee.' * This is a fpeci-
' al law (faith Ambrofe) whofe fentence left it

' * fhould be violated, infirmed, or made weak,

* women are commanded tobeinfiience.' Here he
includeth all women, and yet he proceedeth fur-
ther in the fame place, faying. * It is a Ihame for

* them to prefume to fpeak of the law, in the houfe

* of the Lord, who hath commanded them to be

* fubjeft to their men.' But moft plainly fpeaketh
he, writing upon the xvi. chapter of the epiftle
to the Romans, upon thele words, * Salute Rufus
' and his mother.' ' For this, faith Ambrofe, did

* the apoftle place Rufus before his mother, for

* the ele6lion of the adminiftration of the grace of

* God.'t In the which a woman hath no place
by the adminiftration of God's grace is underftood,
not only the preaching of the word and adminiftra-
tion of the facraments, by which God's grace is
prefented and ordinarily diftributed to man, but
alfo the admir.iftration of civil juftice, by the which
virtue ought to be maintained and vices punifhed,
the execution whereof no lefs is denied to woman
than is the preaching of the gofpel, or adminiftra-
tion of the facraments, as hereafter ftiall moft
plainly appear. Chryfoftom among the. Grecian
writers of no fmali credit, fpeaking in rebuke of

men, who in his days were become inferior to fome
women in wit and godlinefs, hath thefe words ;:|:
' For this caufe was woman put under tliy power
' (he fpeaketh to man in general) and thou waft
' pronounced Lord over her, that ftie fliould obey

* thee, and that the head fhould not follow the feet/
But often we fee, that he who in his order ought
to be the head, doth not keep the order of the fee;:
(that is doth not rule the ket,) and that flie that:
is in place of the feet is conftitute to be head. He
fpeaketh the words, as it were in admiration that
man was become fo brutifh, that he did not con-
fider it to be a thing moft monftrous, that women
fhould be preferred to men in any thing, whom
God hath fubjefted to man in all things. He pro-
ceedeth faying, « Neverthelefs it is the part of the
' man, with diligent care to repel the woman, that

* giveth him wicked counfel, and any woman whicli

* gave that peftilent counfel unto man, ought at all

* times to have the punifhment, which was given

* to Eva, founding in her ears.' And in another
place he bringeth in God fpeaking to the woman
in this fort. § ' Becaufe thou left him, of whofe

* nature thou waft participant, and from whom

* thou waft formed, and has had pleafure to have

* familiarity with that wicked beaft, and would take

* his counfel ; therefore I fubjedf thee to man, and

* I appoint him to be thy Lord ; and becaufe thou
' couldeft not bear rule, learn well to be ruled.'
Why they fhould not bear rule, he declareth in
other places, |1 f lying, * Womankind is impruden :

* and foft (or flexible) imprudent, becaufe fhe can-
' not confider with wifdom and reafon the things
' which file heareth and feeth, and fofr, becaufe

* fhe is ealily bowed.' I know Chryfoftom bring-
eth in thefe words, to declare the caufe why falfe
prophets do commonly deceive M'omen, becaufe
they are eafily perfuaded to any opinion, efpecially
if it be againft God ; and becaufe they lack pru-
dence and right reafon to judge the things that be
fpoken, they who are appointed to govern others,
ought to be conftant, ftable, prudent in doing e-
very thing with difcretion and reafon, which vir-
tues women cannot have in equality with men ; for
that he doth witnefs in another place, ** faying.

* Women have in themfelves a tickling and ftudy
' of vain-glory, and that they may have common
' with men ; they are fuddenly moved to anger,

* and that they have alfo in common with Ibme men :

H h h 'But

f Ambrofe yi//)^r cap. 2. i Tim. * Ambrofe in i Ep. ad Cor, cap. 14. Gen. 3. f Rufus is by St.
Paul fainted before his mother, i C-liryfoft. Homil 17. in Gen. § Homil. 1 5. in Genef. | In Matth.
xxiii. Horn. 44. ** Jd Ephef. Cap. iv. Serm. 3 .

I>26

The firts blast of the TRUMPET,

' Bat the virtues in \vhicl\ they excel, they have
' not common with man ; therefore the apoftle has

* removed them from the office of teaching, which

* is an evident proof, that in virtue they differ far
' from man.'

This writer further proceedeth, and after he
hath in many words lamented the effeminate man-
ners of men, he finally concludeth, * That not-
' withfianding that men be degenerate, yet may
' not w^cmen ufurp any authority above them.' And
in the end he addeth thefe words, ' Thcfe things do
' I not fpeak to extol women, but to the confufion

* ind fiiame of ourfelves, and to admoniOi us to

* take again the dominion, that is meet and con-
' venient for us ; not only that powder, which is
' according to the excellency of dignity, -but that

* which is according to providence, and according.
' to help and virtue, for then is the body in bell
' proportion, when it hath the befl governor : but

* women can never be the beft governor, becaufe in

* the nature of all women lurlieth fuch vices, as in

* good governors are not tolerable.' Which the
fame writer expreffeth in thefe words : '* Woman-
« kind, faith he, is raQi and fool hardy ; and their

* covetoufnefs is hke the gulph of hell that is un-

* fitiable.' And therefore in another place f he
willeth, that woman fliall have nothing to do in
judgment in common afHiirs, or in the regiment
"of the common-wealth, becaufe fhe is impatient
of troubles, but that Ihe (hall live in tranquility
and quietnefs. And if Ihe have occafion to go
from the houfe, that yet (lie fhall have no matter
of trouble neither to follow her, neither to be of-
fered unto her, as commonly there mufl: be to fuch
as bear authority.

And W'ith Chryfoftom fully agreeth Bafilius
Magnus, in a fermon, which he maketh upon fome
places of fcripture, % wherein he reproves divers
vices, and among the reff , he affirmeth woman to
be a tender creature, flexible, foft and pitiful,
which nature God hath given unto her, that fhe
may be apt to nouriih children. The which fa-
cility of the woman did Satan abufe, and thereby
brought her from God's obedience. And there-
fore in divers other places doth he conclude, that
ihe is not apt to bear rule, and that fhe is forbid-
den to teach.

Thus having proved, by the determinations and
laws, illuminated only by the light of nature, by
the order of God's creation, by the curfe and
Biaiedidion pronounced againft woman, by the

mouth of St. Paul, who is the interpreter of God's.
fentence and law, and finally by the minds oT
thef^ writers, who in God's church have been
always holden in greatefl reverence, that it is a
thing molt repugnant to nature, to God's will
and appointed ordinance; yea that it cannot ba
without contumely agalnft God, that a womaa
fhould be promoted to dominion or empire, to'
reign over man, be it in realm, nation, province
or city. Now reifeth in few words to be fhew-'
ed, that the fame empire of woman is the fub-
vcrfioa of good order, equity and juftice.

Augufline j] defineth good order to be that thing,
by which God hath appointed and ordained all
things. Augufline § will admit no order, where
God's appointment is abfent. And in another place
he faith, ' Order is a difpofition giving their own
* proper places to things, which are unequal;'
\vhich he termeth in Latin, parium 6" difparhan, .
that is, of things equal or like, or things unequal
or unlike ; of w^hich two places, and of the whole
difputation, which is contained in his fecond book
Dc crdinc, it is evident, that whatfover is done
without the affurance of God's will, or elfe a-'
gainfl his will revealed in his word, is done againfl'
order. But fuch is the empire and regiment of all'
women : therefore, I fay, it is e thing plainly re-'
pugnant to good order; yea it is the lubverfion of
the fame.

If any pleafe to reje<fl Augufune's definition, as'
either not proper to this purpole, or elfe as infuf-'
ficient to prove my intent, let the fsme man under-
fland, that in fo doing he hath infirmed my argu- .
ment nothing. For, as I depend not upon the at-'-
terminations of men, fo 1 think my caufe no
weaker, albeit their authority be denied unto me,
providing that God's revealed will fland evident-
Oil my fide. That God hath fubjedfed woman-
kind to man, by the order of his creation, and by
the curfe that he hath pronounced againif her, is
before declared. Befides thefe, he hath fet before
our eyes two other mirrors and glafTes, in which
he willeth that we fhould behold the order, which •
he hath appointed and eflabllfhed in nature ; the'
one is the natural body of man, the other is the;
politic or civil body of that common wealth, in'
which God by his own word hath appointed an "
order. In man's natural body, God hath appoint-
ed an order, that the head fhould occupy the up--
permofl place ; and the head hath he joined with
the body, that from it doth life and motion flow

to

* In Cap. xxii. Joh. Homil. 87. t In John. Hom. 41 . % Bafiiius in aliquot fcriptum hcos. If. Aug,
de crd. ib. I. Cap. x. § De civit. Dei, Lib. xix. Caf.vSiu

Against the MONSTROUS REGIMENT of WOMEN.

4-7

to the reft of the members. In the head he hath
placed the eye to fee, the ear to hear, and the
tongue to fpeak, which offices are appointed to
none other members of the body. The reft of
the members have every one their own place and
office, but no member may have the place or office
of the head, for, who would not judge that bo-
dy to be a monfter, where there were no head e-
minent above the reft, but that the eyes were in
the hands, the tongue and the mouth beneath in
the belly, and the cars in the feet : no lefs is the
body of that common-wealth, where a woman
bj.ireth empire, for either doth it lack a lawful
h.\id (as in very deed it doth) or elfe an idol is ex-
alted inftead of the true head. An idol I call that
v.'hich hath the form and appearance, but lacketh
the virtue and ftrength, which the name and pro-
portion doth relemble and promife. I confefs a
realm, m.ay in defpite of God (he of his wile judg-
ment fo giving them over into a reprobate mind)
exalt up a woman to that monftriferoi;s honour,
to be efteemed as head. But impoffible it is to
man or angel to give unto her the properties and
perfeft offices of a lawful head ; for the fame God
that denied power to the hands to fpeak, to the
belly to hear, and to the feet to fee, hath denied
to the wom.an power to command man, and hath
taken away wifdom to confider, and provi-
dence to forfee the things that be profitable to
the common- wealth ; yea, finally, he hath pro-
nounced plainly, that man is head to woman, even
as Chrift is head to all men. *

If men in a blind rage fliould afTemble together
and appoint themfelves another head than Jefus
Chrift (as the papifts have done their Roman anti-
chrift) ftiould therefore Chrift lofe his own digni-
ty, or fhould God give to that counterfeit head
power to give life to the body, to fee whatfoever
might endamage or hurt it, to fpeak in defence,
and to hear the requefts of every fubjefl ? It is
certain, that he would not, for that honour, which
before all time, he hath appointed to his only Son,
will he give to no creature befides : no m.ore will
he admit or accept woman to be lawful head over
ipan, although man, devil and angel will conjure
in her favour,

• Chryfjftom explaining thefc words of the a-
poftle, ' The head of the woman is the man,' he
compareth God in his univerfal regiment, to a king
fitting in his royal majefty, to whom all his fnb-
jefts being commanded to give homage and obe-

dience appear before him, bearing every one fucli
a badge and cognizance of dignity and honour,
as he hath given to them ; which, if they defpifs
or contemn, then do they difhonour their king.
Even fo, faith he, ought m.en and women to ap-
pear before God bearing the enfigns of the condi-
tion, which they have rectived from him; mr.n
hath received a certain glory and digraty above the
woman, and therefore ought he to appear before
his high Majefty, bearing the fign of his honour,
having no coverture upon his head, to wirnefs that
on earth man hath no head, (beware Chryfoftom
what thou fayeft, thou (halt be reputed a traitor,
if Engllflim.en hear thee, for they muft^ have my
fovereign lady and miftrefs, and Scotland hath
drunken alfo the inchantmentand venom of Circes)
but v/oman ought to be covered, to witnefs that
on earth file hath a head, that is, man. True it
is, Chryfoftom, woman is covered in both the
faid realms, but it is not with the fign of fubjefll-
on, but with the royal crown, a fign of fuperio-
rity. To that he anfwereth in thefe words: What
if: man negleifl his honour? He is no lefs to be
mocked, faith he, than if a king ftiould depof;j
himfclf of his diadem or crown, and royal eftate,
and cloath himfelf in the habit of a flave. What
1 pray now Ihould this godly father have faid, if
he had feen the crown, fceptre and fword, which
are the enfigns of the royal dignity, given to a
wom.an curfed of God, and all the men of a re-
alm to fall down before her ? I am afiiired he
fhould have judged them not only foolifli, but alfo
enraged and flaves to Satan, manifeftly fighting a-
gainft God and his appointed order. The more I
confider the ibbyerfion of God's order, which he
hath placed generally in all things, the more I do
wonder at the blindnefs of man, who doth not
confider himfelf in this cafe fo degenerate, that the
brute beafts are to be preferred unto him in this
behalf : for nature hath in all beafts printed a cer-
tain mark of dominion in the male, and a certain
fubje<ffion in the fem.ale, which they keep invio-
late : for no man ever faw the lion make obedience or
ftoup before the lionefs ; neither yet can it be prov-
ed, that the hind taketh the conducing of the
herd amongft the harts . And yet, alas, man, wha
by the mouth of God hath dominion appointed to
him over woman, doth not only, to his own
fhame, ftoop under the obedience of woman, but
alfo, in defpite of God, and his appointed order^
rejoiceth and maintaineth that monftrous authori-
H h h 2 ty.

^ I Cor. jci.

428

TiiE FIRST BLAST OF THE TRUMPET,

ty, as a thing lawful and j uft.- — The infolent joys,
the bonefires^nd banquerings, which were in Lon-
don and elfewhere in England when that curfed
Jefabel was proclaimed queen, did witnefs to my
heart, that men were become more than inraged ;
for elfe how could they have fo rejoiced at their own
confufion and certain deftrudlion ? For what man
was there of fobafe judgment (fuppofmg that he
had any light of God) who did not fee the erect-
ing of that monfler to be the overthrow of the true
religion, and the afTured deftru(5tion of England,
and of the ancient liberties thereof ? And yet never-
rhelefs all men to triumph, as ii^ God had delivered
them from all calamities. If any man think tbefe
my words fiiarp or vehement, let him ' confider,
that the offence is more hainous than could be ex-
prefled by words. God, for his great mercy's
fake illuminate the eyes of men, that they may
perceive into what milerable bondage they be
brought by the monftriferous empire of wo-
men. The fecond giafs, which God hath fet be-
fore man's eyes, wherein he may behold the or-
der, which pleafes his wifdom concerning autho-
rity and dominion, is the common-wealth, to
xvhich it hath plcafed his majefty to give laws, ffa-
tutes, rites and ceremonies, not only concern-
ing religion, but alfo touching the policy and
regiment of the fame. And againff that order
it doth manifeftly repugn, that any woman (hall
occupy the throne of God, that is, the royal feat,
which he by his word hath appointed to man;
as in giving the law to Ifrael, concerning the elec-
tion of a king is evident: for thus it is written,*

* If thou {halt fay, I will fet a king over me, like as

* all the nations that aie about me, thou flialt make

* thee, a king, whom the Lord thy God fhall
" choofe, one from among thy brethren (lialt thou

* appoint king over thee, thou mayfl not fet a
" ftranger over thee, that is not thy brother,' Here
cxprefly is a man appointed to be chofen king, and
a man native, amongft themfelves ; by which
precept is all women and all ftrangers fecluded.

What may be objedted for the part or eleff ion
of a flranger, fliall be, God willing, anfwered in
the blaft of the fecond trumpet ; for this prefent,
I fay, that the electing of a woman to that honour,
is not only to invert the order which God hath
eflablifhed, but alfo to defile and pollute (fo far as
in man lyeth) the throne and feat of God, which
he hath faftified and appointed for man only, as
his minifler and lieutenant on eartii. If any think

* Deut.xvii. 14. 15. t M i. t Deut. xvil.

that the forefaid h\^ did bind the Jews only, let
the fame man confider that the ekaion of a W
and appointing of judges, did neither appertain to
the ceremonial law, neither yet was it meer judici-
al, but that it did flow from the moral law, as aa
ordinance having a refpeft to the confervation of
both tables ; for the office of the magiflrate ouaht
to have the firft and chief refpeft to God's glo%,
commanded and contained in the former table, as
IS evident by that which God enjoined by Jolhua
when he was admitted governor over his people
m thefe words; f ' Tho-u {halt divide the inheri-

* tance to this people, the which I fware to their

* fathers to give them ; only be thou flrong and
' very courageous, that thou mayeft obferve to do

* all the law which Mofes my fervant commanded

* thee : turn not from it to the right hand nor to
' the left, that thou mayeft profper whitherfoever
'^ thou goeft. Let not the book of the law depart
I from thy mouth but meditate therein day and

* night, that thou maye'ft obferve to do according
' to all that is written therein. For then fliall thy
'^ ways profptr, and thou fhalt have good fuccefs,
' 6c. And the fame precept giveth God by the
mouth of Mofes to kings after they be elected in
thefe words; ± ' When he fhall fit in the throne,

* or feat of his kingdom, he fiiall wrhe to himfelf
^' a copy of this law in a book, and that fliall be
^' with him, that he may read in it all the days of

* his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his

* God, and to keep all the words of this law, and

* all thefe ftatutes that he may do them, 6c.' By
thefe two places it is evident, that principally it
appertaineth to the king or chief magiftrate to
know God's will, to be inflruaed in his law and
statutes, and to promote his glory, with his whole
heart and ftudy, which be the chief points of the
firfl table. No man denieth, but that the fword
is committed to the magiftrate, to the end, that
he fliould punifli vice and maintain virtue. He
oughtnot only to punifli adultery, theft, murder,
but alfo fuch vices as openly impugn God's glory)
as idolatry, blafphemy, and manifefl herefy taught
and obffinately maintained, as the hiftories and
notable afts of Ezekias, Jehofophat, andjofiasdo
plainly teach us, whole care was not only to glori-
fy God in their own life, but alfo to bring their
fubjedfs t© the true worfliip of God; and therefore
they deflroyed all monuments of idolatry, puniflied
to death the teachers thereof, and removed from
office and honours fuch as v/ere maintaineis of the

fame.

AGAINST THE MONSTROUS REGIMENT of WOMEN

fame, whereby, I fuppofe, it is evident, that the
office of the king, or fupreme magiftrate, hath
refpevfl to the moral law, and to the confervation
of both tables. Now if the moral law be the con-
iVint and unchangeable will of God, to the which
the Gentile is no iefs bound than was the Jew ;
and if God willeth that among the gentiles the mi-
niflers and executers of the law be now appointed,
as fometimes they were amongft the Jews ; fur-
ther, if the execution of juftice be no Iefs requifite
in the policy of the Gentiles, then ever it was a-
mongft the Jews, what man can be fo foolifh as to
fuppofe or believe that God will now admit thefe
perlons to fit in judgem.ent, or to reign over men in
the common-wealth of the Gentiles, whom he by
his exprefs word and ordinance did before debar
and feclude from the fame ? And that women
were fecluded from the royal feat (befides the pla-
ces before recited of the ele6lion of a king, and
befides the places of the new teftament which be
molf evident) the order and election which was
keeped in Judah and Ifrael doth manifeflly declare,
for when the males of the kingly flock failed (as
oft it chanced in Ifrael and fometimes in Judah) it
never entered into the people's hearts to choofe and
promote to honour any of the king's daughters,
had he never fo many. For they knowing God's
vengeance to be poured forth upon the father by
the away-taking of his fons, they had no further
refpe<5f to his fiock, but eledted fuch a man or
other as they judged moil: apt for that honour and
authority ; of which premifes I conclude, as before,
that to promote a woman to be head over man is
-repugnant to nature, and a thing contrarious to
that order, which God hath approved in that com-
mon-wealth which he did inffitute, and rule by
his word. But now to the lafl point, tovjit, that
the empire of a woman is a thing repugnant to ju-
flice and the deftruftion of tve\-y common- wealth
when it is received, in few words (becauie the mat-
ter is more than evident) I fay, if juftice be a con-
ftant and perpetual will to give to every perfon
their own right (as the moft learned in all ages
have defined it to be) then to give, or will to give
to any perfon that which is not their right, mull:
repugn to Juflice. But to reign above man can
never be the right of any woman, becaufe it is
a thing denied to her by God, as. before is de-
clared. Therefore to promote her to that ellate
or dignity can be nothing elfe but repugnancy to
juflice. If any find fault withjuflice as it is de-
fined, he may well accufe othcis, but me he fnali
not hurt, for 1 have the warrand of him who afT.ir-
ediy will defend the c^uarrel, and he commands th

429

me to cry that whatfoever repugneth to his will
exprelTed in his facred word repugneth to juflice.
But that women have authority above men repumi
eth to his will expreffed in his word ; and there-
fore at my author's commandment without fear I
conclude that all fuch authority repugneth to ju-
flice. The firft part of the argument is a prin-
ciple not only univerfally received, but alfo deeply
printed in the heart of man, fo that no Iefs the re-
probate are coafted and conftrained to acknowlep-e
the fame, than be the chofen children of God al-
beit 10 divers ends. The eledt with difpleafure
of their fai5l confefs their offence having acctfs to
grace and mercy, as did Adam, David, Peter and
all other penitent offenders. But the reprobate,
notwithflanding they are compelled to acknowlege
the will of God to be juff, the which they have
offended^ yet are they never inv/ardly difpleafed
with their iniquity, but rage and complain, and
ftorm againft God, whofe vengeance they cannot.
efcape, as did Cain, Judas, Herod, Julian the a-
poftate, yea Jefabel and Athalia : For Cnin no doubt
was Gonvift in confcience that he had done aoainff
juftice in murdering of his brother. Judas did o-
penly confefs before the high-priefl that he had
finned in betraying innocent blood, Herod being
f^ricken by the angel did mock thefe his flatteiers,
faying unto them. Behold your God (meaninf?
himfelf) cannot now preferve himfeif from coirup"^
tion and worms. Julianus was compelled in the
end to cry, * O Galilean (fo always in contempt
' did he name our faviour Jefus Chriff) thou haft
' now overcome;-' and who doubts but Jefabel and
Athalia were convifted in their cankered con-
fciences to acknowlege, that the m.urder which they
had committed, and the empire which the one had
fix years ufurped, were repugnant to juflice : E-
ven fo fhall they, I doubt not, which do this day
poffefs and maintain their monflriferous authority
of women, fhortly be compelled to acknowleo-J,
that their ffudies and devices have been bent againft
God, and that all fuch authority as women have
ufurped repugneth to juftice: becaufe (as I have
faid.) it repugneth to God's will expreffed in his
iacred word. Here might I bring in the oppref-
fion and injultice which is committed againff re-
alms, which fometimes have lived free, and now-
are brought in bondage of forreign nations, bv
reafon of this monftriferous authority, and empire
of women. But that I delay till better opportuni-
ty. And now I think it expedient fuch objedlions
as carnal men, ignorant, of God, ufe to make for
maintenance of this tyranny (authority it is not.
v/Githy to be called) and moft imjuft empire of;

Mt^

'The first blast opthe TRUMPET,

women.* Fir/i they do objefl the example of
Dsborah and ofHulda the prophetefs, of whom the
• one judged ifcel, and the other by all appearence
did teach and exhort, -f I anfiver, The men that
objefl the fame are not altogether ignorant that
examples have no flrength, when the queftion is
of law : as if I (hould afk what marrige is lawful ?
and it lliould be anfwered, that lawful it is to
man not only to have io many wives at once, but
alfo to marry two fifters, and to enjoy them both
living at once, becaufe David, Jacob and Solomon
fervants of God had the flime.I truft no man would
juftify the vanity of this reafon : or if the queftion
were demanded, if a chriflian with good confcience
may defraud, or Heal, or deceive, and anfwcr were
made that fo he might by the example of the Ifrae-
lites, who, at God's commandment, deceived the
Egyptians, and fpoiled them of their garments,
gold and filver. I think likewife this reaibn (hould
be mocked. And what greater force, I pray you,
hath the former argument ? Deborah did rule in
Ifrael, and Hulda fpake prophecy in Judah: £r-
go. It is lawful for women to reign above re-
alms, or to teach in the prefcnce of men. The
confequence is vain, and of none efFe6f, for of
p.trticular examples we may eftablifh no common
law, but are always bound to the law written,
and to the comm.andment exprelTed in the fame.
But the law writtai and pronounced by God for-
biddeth no lefs that any woman reigne over man,
than it forbiddeth man to take plurality of wives,
to marry two fillers living at once, to flea), to
robb, to murder, to lie. If any of thefe hath
been tranfgrefied, and yet God hatli not imputed
tliefome; it maketh not the hke faft lawful to
us, for God being free, may, for fuch canfes as
be approved by his unfcrutable wildom, difpenfe
with the rigour of his own law, and may ufe his
creature? at his pleafure. But the fim.e power is
not permitted unto man, whom he hath made
fubje'^ to his law, and not to the examples of fa-
thers. I think this fufficcnt to rtafonable and mo-
derate fpiiits. But to reprefs the raging of wo-
raeni madnefs, I will defcend fomewhat deeper in
the matter, and not fear toafhrm, that as v^^efind
a contrary fpirlt in all thofe moft wicked women
that this day be exalted in^o this tyrranous autho-
■rity to the fpirlt that w.v-, in thefe godly matrons,
ib I fear not to affirm, that their condition is un-

like, and their end fnall be divers. X In thefe ma-
trons we find that the fpirit of mercy, truth and
jultice, and humility did reign, and that under
them God did fhew mercy to his people, delivering
them from the tyranny of Grangers, and from the
venom of idolatry, but in thcie of our ages, we
find cruelty, fahhood, pride, covetoufnefs, deceit,
oppreffion, the fpirit of Jelabel and Athalia, and
under them fimple people opprelled, true religion
extinguiflied, and the blood of ChriA's members
moft cruelly ftied ; and finally, the titles and li-
berties of ancient realms taken from the julf pof-
felTors, and given and betrayed into the hands of
ftrangers.

But to profecute my purpofe, let fuch as defend
thefe monfters intheir tyranny proved, J^r/l, That
their fovereign miftrcfs be like to Deborah in god-
linefs and piety, and fecondly, That the fame fuc-
cefs doth follow their tyranny, which did follow
the extraordinary regiment of that godly matron,
which although they were able to do (as they
never fliall be, let them blow till they burft) yet
fhall her example profit them nothing at all. For
they are never able to prove, that Deborah, or
any other godly matron (having the commendati-
on of the Holy Ghoff, within the fcriptures) hath
ufurped authority above any nation, by reafon of
their birth and blood; neither yet did they claim
it by right or inheritance, but God by his lingular
privilege, favour and grace, exempted Deborah
from the common malldidion given in that behalf
to woman, and againft nature, he made her pru-
dent in counfel, flrong in courage, happy in regi-
ment, and a bleffed mother, and a deliverer of
his people. The \\;hich he did, partly to advance
the powder of his majeffy, in giving falvation and
deliverance, by the means of the moft weak veflcls,
and partly to confound all men of that age, becaufe
they had for the moft part declined from his obe-
dience; but what maketh this for Mary and her
match Philip ? One thing I would afic fuch as de-
pend upon the example of Deborah, whether fhe
was a widow or wife when fne judged Ifrael, and
when God gave under her that notable vitftory
to his people ? If they anfwer, file was a wi-
dow, I would lay againft them the teftimony of
the Holy Gholl, witneiling that flie was the wife
of Lapidoth j] : and if they will allege, that fhe
might fo be called, notwithftanding that her huf-

band

* Objccfhion i. Judg. iv, Paral, 34. | Examples againft law have no ftrength when the qucfllon
as^©f law. t An antlihefis betwixt the former matrons and our Jelabels. \\ Judic. iv.

Against the MONSTROUS REGIMENT of Vv^ 0 M E N.

band wo.s dead ; I urge them further, that they
are not able to prove it to be any common phraie
and manner oF Ipeech in fcriptures, that a woman
fliould be called ihe wife of a dead tnan, except
there be fome note added, whereby it may be
known that her hulband is departed, as is witncfT-
ed of Anna*-; But in the place of the Judges, there
is no note added, that her hulband fliould be dead,
but rather the contrary is expreffed f : for the
text laith, ' In that time, a woman named Debo^

* rah, a prophetefs, wife to Lapidoth, judged If-

* rael,' The Holy GhoH: plainly fpeaketh, that
what time flie judged Ifrael flie was wife to Lapi-
doth. If flie was wife, and if flie ruled all alone
in 'frael, then I afl:, did fhe not prefer her huf-
band to that honour, to be captain and leader of
the hofl of the Lord ? If any think that it was her
huiband, the text proveth the contrary, for it af-
firmeth, that Barak of the tribe of Nephtali was
appointed to that office. If Baiak had been her
hulband, to what purpofe Ihould the Holy GhoU:
fo diligently have noted the tribe, and another
name than was before expreflt:d i* Yea, to what .
purpofe fliould it be noted, that file fent and cal-
led him i Thus Idoubt not but every reafonable
man doth confider, that this Barak was not her
hulband, and that her judgment or government
in Ifrael was no ufurped power, as our queens
unjuftly this day pofl^efs, but that it was the fpirit
of prophefy that refted upon her, what time the
multitude of the people had wrought wickedly in
the eyes of the Lord, by which fpirit flie did re-
buke the idolatry and iniquity of the people, ex-
hort them to repentance, and in the end bring
them this comfort, that God fliould deliver them
from the bondage and thraldom of their enemies.
And this flie might do, notwithflanding that ano-
ther did occupy the place of the fupreme magi-
flrate (if any was in thofe days in Ifrael) for fo I
find did Huldah, the '^vife of Sallum, in the days
of Jofias king of Judah :}:, fpeak prophefy, and
comfort the king ; and yet he refigned to her nei-
ther the fceptre nor the fword.

That this our interpretation, how that Debo-
rah did judge in Ifrael, was the true meaning of
the Holy GhoU, the pondering of the hiflory fliall
manifeftly prove : when ftie fendeth for Barak, flie,
faith not to him ; I being thy princefs, thy fove-
reign lady and queen, command thee upon thine .
allegeance, and upon pain of treafon, to go and
gather an army ; but flie fpeaketh as one that had

43-

a fpecial revelation from God, which was neither
known to Barak nor to the people, faying, ' Hath

* not the Lord God of Ifrael commanded thee.'
Such lilce when flie had delivered to him the v. hole
counlel of God, appointing unto him the number
of his foldiers, the tribes out of vvliich they fl.iouid
be gathered, the place of the battle, and h.ad af-
fured him of the vicftory in God's name, which H-.e
could not have done without a fpecial rev elaticli-
froxTi heaven, he faulted, and openly rctufed to en^
ter into journey, except the prophetefs v/ould ac-
company him. But what, did (he ufe agaiufl him
any external power ■ did (he threaten him widi re-
bellion and death ? No, no; but for aiTurance of
his faint heart, bcingcontent to go with him, {"he
pronounceth, that the glory fliould not be his la
that journey, but that "the Lord fliould fell Sifera
into the hand of a woman. ' Hereby it is evident,
that Dtborah did all by the fpirit'r .' fword the
word of God, and not by any ufarped temporal
regiment nor authority over Ifrael, as our queens
do this day claim.

In Ifrael, I fuppofe, at that time, there was no
lawful niagiftrate, by reafon of their great ai?.icli-
on, for fo witnefleth the hiftory, fiying, 'And

* Ehud being dead, the Lord fold Ifrael' into the
hand of Jabin king of Canaan ;' and he by Sifera
his captain affified Ifrael greatly the fpace of
twenty years : and Deborah herfelf in her fong of
thanklgiving confefl^eth, that before flie did arile as
a mother in Ifrael, and in the days of ja-1, there
was nothing but ccnfufion and trouble. If any
fl:ick to the term alledging the Holy Ghofl faith, .

* That flie judged Ifrael ;' let them underfland,
that neither doth the Hebrevv' word, neither yet
the Latin, always flgnify civil judgment, or the
execution of the temporal fword, but molt,
commonly is taken in the icnfc which we have be-
fore exprefl; for of Clirifl- it is u^id, ' He fliall
' judge many nations, and that he fliall pronounce
'judgment to the Gentiles ;' and yet it is evident,
that he was no minifler of 'lie temporal fvvoru,
God commandeth Judah and Jerufalem to judge
between him and his vineyard, and yet he appoint-
ed not all them to be civil magi Urates. . To Eze-
kiel I! it is faid, * Shalt thou not judge them, Ton''.

* of man?' And after, ' Thou fon of man, flialt
' thou not judge ? flialt thou not judge, I fay, the
' city of blood ? And alfo, ' Behold 1 fliall judge

* betwixt bead and beaft. And fuch places in ■
great numbers are to be found throughout the

whok. .

* Luke il t Judlc. iv. 4., 1 2Reg.^22. || Eick. xx. 2t, 3,4.

43

The firstBLAST op the TRUMPET,

whole fcrlptures. And yet I truft no man will be
fo foolifh as to think, that any of the prophets
were appointed by God to be politic judges, or to
punlfh the fins of men by corporal puniOiment.
No, the manner of their judgment is exprefied in
thefe words *, ' Declare to them all their abomi-

* nation-s ; and thou fhalt fay to them, Thus faith

* the Lord God, a city fhedding blood in the midft

* of her, that her time may approach, and which

* hath made idols againfl herfelf, that (he might

* be polluted ; thou haft tranfgrefied in the blood
' that thou haft fhed, and art polluted in the idols

* which thou haft made.'

ThuSjI fay, do God's prophets judge, pronounc-
ing the fentencc of God againft malefaclors. And
fo I doubt not but Deborah judged at that time,
when Ifrael had declined from God, rebuking their
defe<fi:ion, and exhorting them to repentance with-
out ufurpation of any civil authority: and if the
people gave to her for a time any reverence or ho-
nour, as her godlinefs and happy counfel did vvell
deferve, yet it was no fuch empire as our monffers
claim ; for, which of her fons or nearefl kinfmen
left file ruier and judge in Ifrael after her? The
Holy Ghoft exprelTeth no fuch thing : wherefore
it is evident, that by her example God offereth
no occafion to eflabliQi any regiment of women
above men, realms and nations, f but it is not law-
ful, fay fome, that women have their right and in-
heritance, likeas the daughters of Zalphead w^re
commanded by the mouth of Mofesi to have
their portion of ground in their tribe ? I anfwer,
it is both lawful and equitable, that women pof-
fefs their inheritance. But I add therewith, that
to bear rule and authority over men, can never be
right norinheritance to a woman : for that can never
be jufi inheritance to any perfon, which God by his
word has plainly denied unto them : But to all
women God hath denied authority above men, as
mod m.anifeftly is before declai-ed : therefore to
iier it can ne%'er be inheritance. The portion of
Zalphead's daughters was not to reign over any
one tribe, nor yet over any one man within Ifrael,
but only thfit they might have a portion of ground
r.mongfi: the men of their tribe, left; that the name
of their father fhould be aboliflied. And this was
granted to them without any refpc6l had to any
civil regiment. And what maketh this, I pray
you, for the sftabliQiing this monftrons empire of
women ? Although women may fucced to the pof-
^feffion, fubfiance, patrimony or inheritance of
their fathers, yet they may not fucced in their fa-

ther's offices, leaft of all to that ofKce, the execu-
tor whereof doth occupy the place and throne of
God.

One thing there is yet to beobferved in the law
made concerning the inheritance of the daughters of
Zalphead, to ivit, \\ that it was forbidden to
them to marry without their own tribe, left fuch
portion as fell to their lot ftiould be transferred
from one tribe to another, and fo fliould the tribe
of Manaffes be defrauded and fpoiled of their juft
inheritance by their occafion, Wonder it is, that
the patrons of our ladies did not confider this law,
before they counfelled the blind princes and un-
worthy nobles of their country to betray the liber-
ties thereof, into the hands of ftrangers, England
for latisfying the inordinate appetites of that cruel
monfter Mary (unworthy, by reafon of her bloody
tyranny, of the name of a woman) betrayed, alas,
to the proud Spaniard : and Scotland, by the rafh
madnefs of foolifh governors, and by the prad^ice
of a crafty dame, religned likewife under the title
of marriage into the power of France. Doth fuch
tranflations of realms pleaie God's juftice ? or is the
poffeffon by fuch means lawful in God's fight ?
Affuredly no, for if God would not permit that
the inheritance, commodity and ufual fence, which
may be gathered of the portion of ground limited
and afligned to one tribe of the children of Ifrael
fliould pafs to another, by the marriage of any
daughter, notwithfianding that they were all one
people, ipeaking one tongue, defcended of one fa-
ther, profeflbrs of one God and one religion. Will
he fuffer that the laws, liberties, com.modities,
and fruits of whole realms be given into the power
and diftribu lion of others by reafon of marriage,
efpecially in the powers of fuch as, befides that of
a ftrange tongue, of ftrange names, and laws,
but alfo ignorant of God, enemies to his truth,
deniers of Chrift Jefus, perfecuters of his true
members, and haters of all virtue. The Spani-
ards, for very difpite which they do bear againfl
Chrift Jefus, whom their fore- fathers did crucifiy
(for Jews they are, as hiftories do witnefs, and
themfelves confefs) do this day make plain war a-
gainft all true profeffors of his holy gofpel. And
the French king and his peftilent prelates, by the
flaming fires, which lick up the innocent blood of
Chrilf 's members, and by cruel edidfs do notify
and proclai.m how blindly and outrageoufly they
f ght againft the verity of God. And yet to thefe
two cruel tyrants, France and Spain, is the right
and poflcfEon of England and Scotland appointed.

But

Ezck. xxii. t 2 Objection. 1 Numb- xxvii.-Jj Numb, xxxvl.

Against the MONSTROUS REGIMENT of WOMEN. 433

Bat jaft and lawful (hall that pofTeffion never be
till God do change the ftatute of his juft law,
which he will not do for the pleafure of man ; for
he hath not created the earth to fatisfy the ambi-
tion of two or three tyrants, but for the univerfal
feed of Adam, and hath appointed and defined
the bounds of their inhabitation, affigning to
divers nation?, divers countries, as he himfelf con-
fefleth, fpeaking to Ifrael in thefe words ;* ' You

* fliall pafs by the bounds and limits of your bre-

* thren, the foas of Efau, who dwell in mount Seir.
« They (hall fear you ; but take diligent heed that

* you (how net yourfelves cruel againft them, for

* I will give you no part of their land, no not the

* breadth of a foot; for mount Seir I have given
« to Efau to be polTefTed.' And the fame doth he
witnefs of the fons of Lot, to whom he had given
Arre to be pofTelTed. And Mofes plainly affirm-
eth, i That when the Almighty did diflribute
and divide pofleffions to the Gentiles, and when
he did difperfe and fcatter the fons of men, that
then he did appoint the limits and bounds of the
people, for the number of the fons of Ifrael,
•whereof it is plain, that God hath not expofed the
earth in prey to tyrants, making all things lawful,
which by violance and murder they may pofTefs ;
but that he hath appointed to every feveral nation
a feveral pofleffion, willing them to ftand content
(as nature did teach an Ethnik to affirm) t with

'that portion, which by lot and juft means they
had enjoyed. For what caufe God permitteth this
his diftribution to be troubled, and realms and an-
cient nations to be pofTefTed of ftrangers ? I delay
at the time to intreat.

But come to a third objeftion.| The con-
fent, fay our ladies advocates, of realms, and

* laws pronounced and admitted in this behalf, long
confuetude and cuoftom, together with the felicity
of fome women in empires, haye cftabliflied their
authority. I anfwer, neither was the tyranny of
princes, neither the fooli(hnefs of people, neither
wicked laws made againft God, neither yet the
felicity that in this earth may hereof enfue, make
that thing lawful, which he by his word hath ma-
nlfeftly condemned ; for if the approbation of prin-
ces and p^ple, and laws made by men, or the
confent of realms; may eftablifh any thing againft
God and his word, then Ihould idolatry be prefer-
red to true religion : for more realms and nations,
more laws and decrees publifhed by emperors, with
common confent of their councils have eftablifticd

the one, than have approved the other : and yet I
think that no man of found judgment, will there-
fore juftify and defend idolatry : no more ought
any man this odious empire of women, although
it were approved of all men by their laws : for the
fame God, that in plain words forbiddeth idolatry,
doth alfo forbid the authority of women over men.
1 know thefe, who maintain this monftrous em-
pire, have yet two main fhifts. Firfi, They al-
ledge, f That albeit women may not abfolutely
reign by themfelves, becaufe they may neither fit
in judgment, neither pronounce fentence, neither
execute any public office, yet they may do fuch
things by their lieutenants, deputes, and judges
fubftitute. Secondly, Say they, a woman born
to rule over any realm, may choofe her own huf-
band, and to him fhe may transfer and give her
authority and right. To both I anfwer in few
words. Fir/}, That from a corrupt and venomed
fountain can fpring no wholefom waters. Second-
ly, That no perfon hath power to give the thing
which doth not juftly appertain to themfelves.
But the authority of a woman is a corrupted foun-
tain, and therefore from her can never fpring any
lawful officer. She is not born to rule over man,
and therefore fhe can appoint none by her gift nor
by her power (which fhe hath not) to the place of
a lawful magiftrate : and therefore whofoever rc-
ceiveth of a woman office or authority, are adul-
terous and baftard office bearers before God.
This may appear ftrange at the firft, but if we
will look with an indifferent eye, the reafon fliall
fuddenly appear the cafe. Suppofe that a tyrant
by confpiracy ufurped the royal feat and dignity
of a king, and in the fame did fo eftablifli himfelf
that he appointed officers, and did what pleafed
him for a time ; and in this mean time the native
king made ftraight inhibition to all his fubjefts
that none ffiould acknowlege him nor receive digni-
ty of him, yet neverthelefs they would honour thd
fame traitor as king, and become his officers in all
affairs of the realm. If after the native prince did
recover his juft honour and poffeffion, fhould he
repute or efteem any man of the traitor's appointment
for a lawful magiftrate ? Or for his friend and true
fubjeft ? Or fhould he not rather without fentence
condemn the head with the members ? And if he
fhould do fb, who were able to accufe him of ri-
gour, much lefs to condemn his fentence of inju-
ftice ? and dare we deny the fame power to God
in the like cafe ? for that woman raigneth above
I i i man.

Deut. ii. fDeut. xxxii. | Cicero offic. Lib. i . Jjeaions. f Cbjeaion 4.

The first BLAST of the TRUMPET,

434

man, fnc hath obtained it by treafon and confpira-
cy; hov; can it be then, that (he being guiUy and
criminal of treafon againft God comitted, can ap-
point any officer pleafmg in liis fight ? It is impof-
fiblc.

Wherefore let men that receive ot women
tiuthot ity, honour or office be moft furely perfuad-
ed, that in fo maintaining that ufurped power,
they declare themfelves enemies to God. If any
think that becaufe the realm and eftates thereof
have given their confents unto a woman, and have
eflablifhed her and her authority, and therefore it
is lawful and acceptable to God, let the fame men
remember what 1 have faid before, to -wit, that
man cannot approve the doing nor confent of any
muhitude, concluding any thing againft his word
and ordinance. And therefore they muft have a
more aflTured defence againft God's wrath, elfe they
fliall not be able to ftand in the prefence of the
confuming fire. That is, they muft acknowlege
that the regiment of a woman is a thing moft odi-
ous in the prefence of God ; they muft refufe to
be her officers, becnufe (lie is a traitourefs and rebel
againft God ; and finally they muft ftudy to reprefs
her inordinate pride and tyranny to the uttermoft
of their powers.

The fame is the duty of the nobility and
eftates by whofe blindnefs a woman is promoted.
Firjl, In fo far as they have moft hainouily of-
fended God, placing in authority fuch as God
by his word hath removed from the fame: un-
feinedly they ought to call for mercy, and being
admonifhed of their error and damnable fadt, in
fign and token of true repentance, with common
confent they ought to retreat that which unadvifed-
]y and by ignorance they have pronounced, and
without further delay to remove from authority
all fuch perfons as by ufurpation, violence, or
tyranny do poffefs the fame. For fo Ifrael and Ju-
dah after they had revolted from David, and Judah
alone in the days of Athalia.* For after that fhe
by murdering her fon's children had the empire o-
ver the land, and had moft unhappily regined in
Judah fix years, Jehojada the High-prieft called
together the captains and chief rulers of the peo-
ple, and fhewing to them the king's fon Joas did
bmd them by an oath to depofe that wicked wo-
man, and to promote the king to his royal feat,
which they faithfully did, killing at his command
not only that cruel and mifchievous woman, but
alfo the people did deftroy the temple of Baal,

brake his alters and images, and kill Mathan Baal's
high-prieft before his alters. The fame is the
duty as well of the eftates as of the people that
have been blinded: firft they ought to remove
from honour and authority that monfler in nature.
So call I a woman cled in the habit of a man, yea
a woman againft nature reigning above man. iS<?-
condly,\i any perfon prefume to defend that impie-
ty, they ought not to fear firft to pronounce, and
thereafter to execute againft them the fentence of
death. If any be affraid to violate the oath of o-
bedience which they have made to fuch monfters,
let them moft affiiredly be perfuaded, that as the
beginning of their oaths proceeding from ignorance
was fin, fo is the obftinate purpofe to keep the
fame nothing but plain rebellion againft God. But
of this matter in the/econd blq/l, God willing, we
fhall fpeak more at large.

Now to put an end to the ^rfi blaji ; let all
men take heed what quarrel and caufe from hence-
forth. If God raife up any noble heart to vindi-
cate the liberty of his country, and to fupprefs the
monftrous empire of women ; let all fuch as fhall
prefume to defend them in the fame moft certainly
know that in fo doing they lift their hands againft
God, and that one day they fliall find his power
to fight againft their foolifhnefs. Let not Chrift'S
faithful fouldiers be utterly difcouraged ; neither
let the tyrants rejoice, albeit for a time they tri-
umph. For the caufe why he fuffereth his fouldi-
ers to fall in battle (as by holy fcripture may be
gathered) is fometimes to bear down the pride oi
flefh, fometimes to punifh the offences of his own
children, and to bring them to unfeined acknow-
legement of the fame. You know the caufe of the
Ifraclites, who did fight againft Benjamin was moft
juft, for it was to punifh that mofl horrible abo-
mination of thefe fons of Belial abufing the Le-
vit's wife, whom the Benjamites did defend, and
they had God's precept to affijre them of well-do-
ing, for he not only commanded them to fight,
but alfb appointed Judah to be their leader and
captain. But becaufe at the firfl they trufted xts
their multitude, power and ftrength, therefore
they fell twice in battel againft thefe moft wicked
adulterers. Yet after they had weeped before thf
Lord, after they had fafted and made facrifice ir,
fign of their unfeined repentance, they fo prevailec
againft that proud tribe of Benjamin, that aftei
twenty five thoufand ftrong men of war were kill-
ed in battle, they deftroyed man, woman, child

and

* Reg. II. tJiidic. 20,

Against the MONSTROUS REGIMENT of WOMEN.

A3S

and beafl: as well in the fields as in the cities, which
all were burned with fire : fo that of that whole
tribe remained only fix hundred men, who fled to
the wildernefs, where they remained four months,
and fo were iaved. The fame God who did exe-
cut thisgrivous punifhment, even by the hands of
thofe whom he fuffered twice to be overcome in
battel, doth this day retain his power and juftice.
But curfed Jezebel of England, with the peflilent
and deteftable generation of papifts, make no little
bragg and boaft that they have triumph'd not on-
ly agairifi: wit but alfo againfl all fuch as have en-
terprized any thing againft them or their proceed-
ings: but let her and them confider that yet they
have not prevailed againft God. His throne is
more high than the length of their horns can be
able to reach, Let them further confider, that in
the beginning of this their bloody reign, the har-
veft of their iniquity was not come to full maturity
and ripenefs : No, it was fo green (fo fecret I mean,
{o covered, and fo hid with hypocrify) that fome
(even of the fervants of God) thought it not impof-
lible that wolves might be changed into lambs,
and alfo that the viper might remove her natural
venom. But God who doth reveal in his time ap-
pointed the fecrets of hearts, and that will have
his judgments juflified, even by the very wicked,
hath now given open teftimony of her and their
beaftly cruelty.

So that now, not only the blood of father Lati-
mer, difcreat and learned Ridley, innocent lady
Jean Dudley, atid many other fuch as fire hath

confumed, and the fword of tyranny moft unjuftly
hath flain, doth call for vengeance in the ear of
the Lord of hofts, but alfo the fobs and tears of
the poor opprefTed, the groanings of the Lord'i:
watchmen, yea and every earthly creature abufed
by their tyranny, do continually cry and call for
hafty execution of the fame, I fear not to fay,
that the day of vengeance, which fhall apprehend,
that horrible monfter Jezebel of England, and fuch
as maintain her monflrous cruelty, is already ap-
pointed in the counfel of the eternal : and I verily
believe, that it is fo near, that (he fhall not reign
fo long in tyranny as hitherto Ihe hath done, when
God ftiall declare himfelf to be her enemy, and
ftiall pour forth contempt upon her according to
her cruelty. Her empire and reign is a wall with-
out foundation; I mean the fame authority of all
women : It hath been under- propped this blind
time bygone, with the foolifhnefs of the people ;
and with the wicked laws of ignorant and tyran-
nous princes. But the fire of God's word is already
laid to thefe rotten props (I mean the pope's law
with the reft) and prefently they burn, albeit we
efpy not the flame. When they are confumed
as fhortly they will be, for ftubble and dry timber
cannot long endure the fire) that rotten wall, the
ufurped and unjuft empire of women, fliall fall by
itfelf in defpite of all men to the deftruftion of fo
many as fhall labour to with-hold it. And there-
fore let all men be advertifed, for the trumpet
hath once blown.

liiz

JOHN

436

CONTENTS OFT HE SECOND BLAST.

JOHN K N O X /(? //;^ R E A D E R.

BECx\USE many are offended at the firft
blaft of the trumpet, in which I affirm, that
to promote a woman to bear rule, or empire above
any realm, nation or city, is repugnant to nature,
contumly to God, and a thing moft contrarious
to his revealed and approved ordinance : and be-
caufe alfo, that feme hath promifed (as I under-
fland) a confutation of the fame, I have delayed
the fecond blall:, till fuch time as their reafons ap-
pear, by the which I either may be reformed in
opinion, or elfe Ihall have further occafion more
fimply and plainly to utter my judgment. Yet in
the mean lime for the discharge of my confcience,
and for avoiding fufpition, which might be ingen-
dred by reafon of my filence, I could not ceafe to
notify thefe fubfequent proportions, which by
God's grace I purpofe to entreat in the fecond blaft
promifed.

I . It is not birth only nor propinquity of blood,
that maketh a king lawfully to reign above a peo-

ple profefling Chrift Jefus, and his eternal verity
but in his ele(flion muft the ordinance, which God
hath eftablilhed, in the eleftion of inferiour judges
be obferved.

2. No manifeft idolater nor notorious tranfgref-
for of God's holy precepts ought to be promoted
to any public regiment, honour or dignity in any
realm, province or city, that hath fubjefted them-
felves to Chrid Jefus and to his bleffed gofpel.

3 . Neither can oath nor promife bind any fuch
people to obey and maintain tyrants againft God
and againft his truth known.

4. But if either rafhly they have promoted any
manifeft wicked perfon, or yet ignorantly have
chofen fuch a one, as after declareth himfelf un-
worthy of regiment above the people of God (and
fuch be all idolaters and cruel perfecuters) moft
juftly may the fame men depofe and punifh him,
that unadvifedly before they did nominate, appoint
and eledt.

Matth. vi. If the eye he fingle^ the luhole body Jhallhe clear.

A LETTER of John Knox's to the People of Edinburgh, firft
printed at Stirling by Robert Lekpreuik, ^//;?o ^57^-

To his loving brethren whom Cod once gathered in the church o/" Edinburgh, and now are difperfed for
trial of our faith ^ &c.

THE troubles of thejuftfhall fhortly come
to an end, to the glory of God, and to their
eternal comfort. Beloved brethren in the Lord
jefus, partakers now of his affliftions, iftheinha-
bility of body would fuffer, I would write a long
letter : but being in that eflate, that 1 may not
write with my own hand two lins, I muft abide
the good leafure of God, and defireyou to have me
excufed that I have not fooner vifited you into this
your dolorous perfecution. When I call to mind the
fearful threatnings of God, that have been often times
thundered out into your ears, and doth confider thefe
prefent days, in the midft of my dolour, I praile my
God, that Satan hath not gotten the full victory, as
he pretended. For this feperation which now is made
to the grief of many hearts, is yet a fecure docu-

ment, that the word of God, hath not loft the whole
ffrength in you : but that God working thereby, hath
pulled you forth from the midft of the wicked, left
that ye ftiould be with them condemned, who now
moft manifeftly rebclleth,bothagainft Godand man.
Of one thing I muft put you in mind, and I
pray God that ye may fruitfully remember : that
the word of God preached by the mouth of man,
is not a vain found and words fpoken without a
purpofe; but is the fummoning of God himfelf,
forewarning men before the judgment come. Ye
have heard it plainly fpoken, that we would till
Egypt again, in diipite of Jeremiah and all admo-
nitions : which threatning for that time, was not
only mocked, but alfo boldly fpoken againft. But
whether this day declareth the truth of that and

other

JOHN KNOX'S LETTER.

other threatnings, let the very blind world judge.
For what can be to return to Egypt, if to join
hands with idolaters be nat? Yea, to ereft an au-
thority (by God juftly damned) without order,
both againft God and man ? Such men when they
were fpoken unto, and were plainly admoni(hed of
their appearing defeftion, could not abide to be
called proud contemners of God) who now fpareth
not, at every moment to blafpheme God and by
their wicked works plainly to deny, that there is a
God that maketh difference betwixt vice and vir-
tue.

Rejoice therefore, and praife God's meraes,
who hath called you from the company of fuch:
and continue conftant into that, that God of his
mercy hath wrought into you, toivit, a fear to re-
main in the faftion of the wicked ; which fear, I
pray God may dayly increafe into your hearts. I
know the aflaults that ye (hall fuffer, are fore and
hard to be gainftanded ; and therefore be you fer-
vent in prayer that ye repent not, that God' hath
chofen you to fufFer affliftion with his fon Jcfus
Chrift. Hard it is, I fay, to gainftand flefti and
blood, and whatfoever is moft precious into this
life only, in hope of that kingdom promifed. And
yet only they, that continueth to the end fhall, ftand
in aflurance before the Lord Jefus, into that gener-
al day, when virtue fhall receive a juft reward,
(and vice with the workers of impiety) ihail
fufFer wrath and vengeance without end.

Be not ye fclandred at the multitude of them
that have joined hands with impiety. * For if they

* had been of us' (as faint John faith) * they had

* remained with us.' But this their defeftion doth
plainly declare, that when they were with us,
they were but as corrupted humors within the

437

body, which behoved to be expelled forth, before
the body could convalefce and come to perfection
again. Lament their fall, but follow not their
trade. For howfoever they profper into their at-
tempt, the end thereof fhall be their deflrufticn
temporal and eternal, unlefs fpeedy repentance
prevent God's judgments; which to wifh is godly,
but to believe is foolifh prefumption, as oftentimes
ye have heard.

Look not for final victory, before that the
ftrength and pride of flefh be beaten down ; nei-
ther be ye difcouraged, albeit that iniquity pro-
fper before the world.

For the time of their felicity, which troubletb
you for the prefent, fhall be fhort. Join not with
them therefore, as ye will avoide plagues prefent,
and condemnation eternal. Be faithful and loving
one to another. Let bitternefs and fufpicion be
fare out of your hearts : and let every one watch
for the prefervation of another, without grudg-
ing or murmuring ; being afTured, that as God
hath appointed you to fufFer afSiftion for righte-
oufnefs fake, fo hath he appointed you to pofTefs
a kingdom ; wherein neither Satan, fm nor death
(hall have power to moleft you. Rejoice in the
Lord, that he hath counted you worthy to fufFer
for his names fake. Pray for me, brethren, that
I may fight my battel lawfully, to the end. The
Lord Jcfus preferve you now and ever. Amen,.
At St. Andrews, the I'jth
of July, 1571-

Tour brother to porwer in Chriji Jefiis,

JoHisr Knox.

If I might write, I would exhort you, to remember,, that by ..many tribulations we mull enter into
the kingdom of heaven.

^o H n:

4-S

JOHN KNOX, the Servant of JESUS C FI R I S T, in preaching of his holy Cofpel, to the
benevolent Reader dfireth Grace and Peace, -with the Spirit of righteous Judgment.

O N D E R not, Chriftian reader that all my ftudy and travail within the fcriptures of God,
thefe twenty years, I have fet forth nothing in expounding any portion of fcripture, except
this only rude and indigeAed fermon, preached by me in the public audience of the church of Edin-
burgh, the 19th of Augufc Jnno 1565. That 1 did not in writing communicate my judgment upon
the fcriptures, 1 have ever thought myfelf to have moft jull: reafon ; for, confidering myfelf rather
called of my God to inftruft the ignorant, comfort the forrowful, confirm the weak, and rebuke the
proud, by tongue and lively voice, in thefe moft corrupt (fays, than to compofe books for the age to
come, 'feeing that fo much Is Written, and (by men of moft fingular erudition) and yet fo little well
obfervincT, i decreed to contain myfelf within the bounds of that vocation, whereunto 1 found myfelf
efpcially called.

I dare not deny (left that in fo doing I fhould be injurious to the giver) but that God hath revealed
unto me fecrets unknown to the world ; and alfo, that he hath made my tongue a trumpet, to fore-
warn realms and nations ; yea, certain great revelations of mutations and changes, when no fuch
thinf^s were feared, nor yet was appearing ; a portion whereof cannot the world deny (be it never fo
blind) to be fulfilled ; and the reft, alas ! 1 fear fhall follow with greater hafte, and in more full per-
feclion, than my forrowful heart defireth : notwithftanding thefe revelations and alTurances, I did ever
iibftain to commit any thing to writing, contented only to have obeyed the charge of him who com-
manded me to cry.

If any then will afk. To what purpofe this only fermon is fet forth, and greater matters omitted ? I
anfwer, To let fuch as Satan hitth not altogether blinded fee, upon how fmall occafions great oiFence
is now conceived. This fermon is it, for the which, from my bed, I was called before the council ;
and, after long reafoning, I was by fome forbidden to preach in Edinburgh, fo long as the king and
queen were in town. This fermon is it, that fo offendeth fuch as would pleafe the court, and will
not appear to be enemies to the truth ; yet they dare affirm, that I exceeded the bounds of God's
.meflenger: I have therefore faithfully committed unto writing, whatfoever I could remember might
have been offenfive in that fermon, to the end, that as well the enemies of God's truth, as the pro-
feflbrs of the fame, may either note unto me wherein I have offended, or at theleaftceafe to condemn
me, before they have convinced me by God's manifcft word.

if any man think it eafy unto me, to mitigate by my pen the Inconfideratc (harpnefs of my tongue,
and fo cannot men freely judge of that my fermon ; I anfwer, That I am neither fo impudent, that I
will ftudy to abufe the world in this great light ; neither yet fo void of the fear of my God, that I will
avow a lie in his own prefence : and no lefs do I efteem it to be a lie, to deny or conceal that which in
his name 1 have once pronounced, than to affirm, that God hath fpoken, when his word alTures me
not of the fame. For in the public place I confult not with flefh and blood, what I fhall propofe to
the people ; but as the Spirit of my God, who hath fent me, and unto whom I muft anfwer, moveth.
me, fo J fpeak : and when I have once pronounced threatenings in his name (how unpleafant foever
they he to the world) I dare no more deny them, than I dare deny that God hath made me his meflen-
g;'r, to fo -ewarn the inobedient of th( ir afTured deftrudlion

\t that fermon were auditors unto me, not only profcftbrs of the truth, and fuch as favour me, but
rank paplfts, dUrembiing hypocrites, and no fmall number of covetous clawbacks of the new court :
now I wil' appeal to the confcience of them all, as they will anfwer in the prefence of the eternal God,
that either they bear me record, now writing the truth, or elfe note unto me the fentences offenfive
then by me pronounced, and now omitted in writing : for in God's prefence I proteft, that, fo far as
my memorv would f^rve me, 1 have written more vehemently, than in the adfion I fpake and pronounc-
ed ; but of purpofe I have omitted perfufions and cxhortatiQQS, which then were made, ^tadam
■hie defunt,

A S E R.

E

R

M

O

N

PREACHED BY

JOHN KNOX, 1565.

Isaiah xxvi. 13, 14, 15, 16, &c.

0 Lord our God, other lords befides thee have had dominion over us ; but by thee only ivill we make men^
tion of thy name.

They are dead, they fiall not live, they are deceafed, they JJjall 7iot rife ; therefore hafi thou vijited and'
defrayed them, and made all their memory to perifh.

Thou haft increafed the nation, 0 Lord, thou haft increafed the nation, thou art glorified, thou haft re-
moved it far unt<i the ends of the earth.

Lord, in troubii have they vifted thee, they poured out a prayer ivhen thy chajiening -was upon them, &c. .

AS the cunning mariner, being mafter, hav-
ing his fhip tofled with a vehement tempeft,
and contrary winds, is compelled oft to traverfe,
left that, either by too much refifting to the vio-
lence of the waves, his veflel might be overwhelm-
ed ; or by too much liberty granted, to be carried
whither the fury of the tempeft would, his fhip
ftiould be driven upon the Ihore, and fo make fhip-
Wreck : even fb doth our prophet Ifalah in this
text, which now you have heard read ; for he,
forefeeing the great dcfolation that was decreed in
the council of the Eternal, againft Jeruialem and
Judah, to wit. That the whole people, that bare
the name of God, fhould be difperfed, that the
holy city fliould be deftroyed, the temple wherein
was the ark of the covenant, and where God had
promifed to give his own prefence, fhould be burnt
■with iire, and the king taken, his fons in his own
prefence murdered, his own eyes immediately af-
ter to be put out ; the nobility, fome cruelly mur-
dered, fome fhamefuUy led away captives ; and
finally, the whole feed of Abraham razed, as it
were, from the face of the earth : the prophet, I
fay, fearing thefe horrible callamities, doth, as it
were, fome times fuffer himfelf, and the people

committed to his charge, to be carried away with
the violence of the tempeft, without further re-
fiftence than by pouring forth his and their dolor-
ous complaints before the majefty of God, as in
the 13, 17, and 18 verfes of this prefent text
we may read. At other times he valiantly refift-
eth the defperate tempeft, and pronounceth the
fearful deftru6lion of all fuch as trouble the church
of God ; which he pronounceth, that God will
multiply even in fuch time, as when it appeareth
utterly to be exterminate : but, becaufe there is
no final reft to the whole body till tliat the head
return to judgment, he calleth the ai^ifted to pa-
tience, and promifeth fuch a vifitation, as where-
by the wickednefs of the wicked fliall be difclofed,
and finally recompenfed in their bofoms.

Thefe are the chief points of which, by the
grace of God, we intend more largely at this pre-
fent to fpeak ;

Firft, The prophet faith, * O Lord our God,
* other lords befides thee have ruled us.'

This, no doubt, is the beginmng of the dolor-
ous complaint, in the which he complaineth of
the unjuft tyranny that the poor afflidled Ifraelites
fuftaiaed during the time of their captivity. True

.12-'

A SERMON PREACHED BY JOHN KNOX.

it is, that the prophet was gathered to his fathers
in pej-".e, before that this apprehended the people :
for a hundred years after his deceafe was not the
people led away captive ; yet he, forefeeing the
aflurance of ihe calamity, did beforehand indite
and jdlftate unto them the complaint, that after
they Aould make. But at the firft fight it appear-
eth, that the complaint hath but fmall weight:
for, what new thing was it, that other lords
than God in his own perfon ruled them, feeing
that fuch had been their regiment from the begin-
wing ? For who knoweth not that Mofes, Aaron
andjofhua, the judges, Samuel, David, and other
godly rulers, v^cre men, and not God ; and io
other lords than God, ruled them in their great-
eft profperity.

For the better underftanding of this complaint,
and of the mind of the prophet, we mn^firji ob-
ferve from whence all authority floweth ; and
fecondly, to what end powers are appointed by God :
the which two points being difcufTed, wc fhall the
better underftand, what lords and what authority
jule beCdc God, and who they are in whom God
and his merciful prefence rules.

The/rji is refolved to us by the words of the
apoftle, laying, * There is no power but of God.'
David bringeth in the eternal God, fpeaking to
judges and rulers faying, ' i have faid, ye are
- * gods, and fons of the Moft High.' Pfal. Ixxxii.
And Solomon, in the perfon of God, affirmeth
the fame, faying, * by me kings reign, and princes
' difcerfi the things that are juft.' Of which place
. it is evident, that it is neither birth, influence of
flars, eleftion of people, force of arms, nor finally,
whatfoever can be comprehended under the pov/er
of nature, that makes the diftincl^ion betwixt the
fuperior power and the inferior or that doth efta-
blifh the royal throne of kings ; but it is the only
and perfe6l ordinance of God, who willeth his ter-
or, power and majefty, in a part to (hine in the
thrones of kings, and in the faces of judges, and
. that for the profit and comfort of man : fo that,
whofoever would ftudy to deface that order of re-
.giment that God hath eftabliflied, and by his holy
word allowed, and bring kim in fuch a confufion,
as no difference fhould be betwixt the upper
fpo'.vecs and the fubje<n:s, doth nothing but evert,
and tarn upfide down the very throne of God,
which he wills to be fixed here upon earth ; as in
the end and caufe of this ordinance more plainly
fnall appear : which is the fecond point we have
to obferve, for the better underftanding of the
prophet's words and mind.

The end and caufe then, why God printcih in
the weak and feeble flefh of man, this image of
his own power and majefty, is not to pu0'up flefh
in opinion of itfelf ; neither yet that the heart of
him, that is exalted above others, fhali be lifted
up by prcfumption and pride, and fo defpife others ;
but that he fhall confider, that he is appointed
lieutenant to one, whofe eyes continually watch u-
pon him, to fee and examine how he behaveth
himfelf in his oflice. St. Paul in few words de-
clareth the end wherefore the fword is committed
to the powers, faying, ' It is to the punifliment of

* the wicked doers, and unto the praife of fuch as

* do well.' Rom, xi.

Of which words, it is evident, that the (word of
God is not committed to the hand of man, to ule
as it pleafeth him, but only to punifh vice and
maintain virtue, that men may live in fuch fociety,
as before God is acceptable. And this is the very
and only caufe, why God hath appointed powers
in this earth.

For fuch is the furious rage of man's corrupt
nature, that, unlefs fevere punishment were ap-
pointed, and put in execution upon malefactors ;
better it were, that man fhould live among brutes
and wild beafts, than among men. But at this
prefent I dare not enter into the defcription of this
common place ; for fo fhould I not fatisfy the text,
which by God's grace I purpofe to ablblve. This
only by the way, I would that fuch as are placed
in authority, fhould confider, whether they reiga
and rule by God, fo that God ruleth them, or if
they rule without, befides, and againft God, of
whom our prophet here doth complain.

If any lift to take trial of this point, it is not
hard : for Mofes in the eledion of judges, and of
a king, defcribeth, not only, what perfons fhall be
chofen to that honour ; but doth alfo give to him
that is eledled and chofen, the rule by the which
he fhall try himfelf, whether God reign in him or
not, * Wheti he fhall fit upon the throne of his *

* kingdom, he fnall write to himfelf an exemplar

* this law, in a book by the priefts and Levites ;

* it fhall be with him, and he fhall read therein,
' all the days of his life : that he may learn to fear

* the Lord his God, and to keep all the words of
' his law, and thefe ftatutes, that he may do them ;

* that his heart be not lifted up above his brethren,

* and that he turn not from the commandment, to

* the right hand, nor to the left. Deut, xvii

The fame is repeated to Jofliua, in his inaugura-
tion to the regiment of the people by God himfelf,
faying, * Let not the book of this law depart from

thy

A SERMON PREACH

* thy mouth, but meditate in it day and night, that

* thou mayeft keep it, and do according to all that

* which is written in it. For then (hall thy way

* be profperous, and thou (halt do prudently.'
Jofh. i.

The^r/l thing then that God craveth of him,
that is called to the honour of a king, is, * The

* knowlege of his will revealed in his word.*

The/econd is, * An upright and willing mind to

* put in execution fuch things as God commandeth

* in his law, without declining to the right, or to
■* the left hand.'

Kings then have not an ablblute power, to do
in their regiment what pleafeth them, but their
power is limited by God's word ; fo that, if they
flrlke where God hath not commanded, they are
but murderers ; and if they fpare where God hath
commanded to ftrike, they and their throne are
criminal and guilty of the wickednefs, that abound-
eth upon the face of the earth, for lack of punilh-
ment.

O that kings and princes would confider what
account (hall be craved of them, as well of their
ignorance and mifknowlege of God's will, as for
the neglefling of their office ! But now, to return
to the words of the prophet ; in the perfon of the
whole people he doth complain unto God, that the
Babylonians (whom he calleth, other lords bc-
iides God, both becaufe of their ignorance of God,
and by reafon of their cruelty and inhumanity)
had long ruled over them in great rigour, without
pity or corapaffion had upon the ancient men, and
famous matrons : for they, being mortal enemies
to the people of God, fought by all means to ag-
gravate their yoke, yea, utterly to have extermi-
nate the memory of them, and of their religion,
from the face of the earth.

After thtfirjl part of this dolorous complaint,
the prophet declareth the proteftation of the people,
laying, * Neverthelefs in thee (hall we remember

* thy name' (others read it, * But we will remem-

* ber thee only, and thy name') but in the Hebrew
there Is no conjunftion copulative in that ientence.
The mind of the prophet is plain, to wit. That,
notwithftanding the long fuftained a(fli(fl:ion, the
people of God declined not to a falfe and vain reli-
gion, but remembred God, that Ibmetime appear-
ed to them in his merciful prefence ; which albeit
then they faw not, yet would they ftill remember
his name ; that is, they would call to mind the
doftrine and promife, which at fometime they
heard, albeit in their profperity they did not fuf-
ficiently glorify God, who fo mercifully ruled in

EDBYjOHNKNOX. 441

the midft of them. The temptation, no doubt,
of the Ifraelites was great in thofe days ; they
were carried captives from the land of Canaan,
which was to them the gage and pledge of God's
favour towards them ; for it was the inheritance
that God promifed to Abraham, and to his feed
for ever. The league and covenant of God's pro-
teflion, appeared to have been broken ; they la-
mentably complain, that they faw not their accuf-
tomed figns of God's merciful prefence. The
true prophets were few, and the abominations
ufcd in Babylon were exceeding many : and fo it
might have appeared to them, that in vain it was,
that they were called the poflerity of Abraham,
or that ever they had received the law, or form of
right religion from God. That we may the better
feel it in ourf«lves, the temptation, I fay, was
even fuch, as if God fhould utterly deflroy all or-
der and policy, that this day is within his church,
that the true preaching of the word (houJd be
fuppreffed, the right ufe of facraments abolilhed,
idolatry and papiAical abomination ereded up a-
gain ; and therewith, that our bodies (hould be
taken prifoners by Turks; or other manifeft ene-
mies of God, and of all godlinefs. Such, I fay, was
their temptation ; how notable, then is this their
confe(rion that in bondage they make, to -wit. That
they will remember God ; albeit, he hath appear-
ed to turn his face from them, they will remem-
ber his name, and will call to mind the deliverance
promifed ?

Hereof have we to confider, what is our duty,
if God bring us (as for our ©(fences and unthank-
fulnefs juflly he may) to the like extremity : this
confe(rion is not the fah" flattering words of hypo-
crites, lying and bathing in their pleafures ; but it
is the mighty operation of the Spirit of God,
who leavcth not his own deftitute of fome comfort,
in their mo(^ dcfperate calamities. This is then
our duty, not only to confefs our God in time of
peace and quietnefs, but he chiefly craveth, that
we avow him in the midfl of his and our enemies ;
and this is not in us to do, but it behoveth that
the Spirit of God work in us, above all power of
nature : and thus we ought earneftly to meditate
before the battle rife more vehement, which ap-
peareth not to be far o(f. But now muil we enter
ia fomewhat more deeply to confider thefe judg-
ments of God.

This people dealt with all, as we have heard, was

the only people upon the face of the earth, to whom

God was rightly known ; among them only were

his laws, (tatutes, ordinances, and facrifices nfed,

K k k and

A SERMON PREACHED BY JOHN KNOX.

i4-

md put in piMiStlce ; they only invocated his name,
•lad to them alone had he promifed his prote<5lion
and affiftance : what then fhould be the caufe,
that he lliould give them over into this great re-
proach, and bring them into fuch extremity, as
his own name, in them, fliould be blafphemed ? The
prophet Ezekiel, that law this horrible deftruftion
fore-fpoken by Ifaiah put in juft execution, giveth
an anfwer in thefe words, « I gave unto them laws

* that were good, in the which, whoioever ftiould

* walk, fliould live in them ; but they would not

* walk in my ways, but rebelled againft me ; and

* therefore, I have given unto them laws that are

* not good, and judgments, in the which they
' fhall not live,' Ezek. xx. The writers of the
books of Kings and Chronicles declare this in more
plain words, faying, 'The Lord fen t unto them

* his prophets, rifing early, defiring of them to

* return unto the Lord, and to amend their wick-

* ed wavs' (for he would have fpared his people,
and hls'tabernacle) ' but they mocked his fervants,

* and would not return unto the Lord their God to
' walk in his ways.' 2 Kings xvii. Yea, Judahitfelf
kept not the precepts of the Lord God, but walked
in the manners and ordinances of Ifrael ; that is, of
iuch as then had declined to idolatry from the days
of JtToboam : and therefore, the Lord God abhor-
»-cd the whole feed of Ifrael, that is, the whole
body of the people ; he punithed them, and gave
them into the hands of thofe that fpoiled them, and
fo he cafr them out from his prefence.

Hereof it is evident, that their difobedience un-
to God, and unto the voices of his prophets, was
the caufe of their deftruaion. Now, have we to
take heed how we fhould ufe the good laws of
God, that is, his will revealed unto us in his word,
and that order of juftice, that by him, for the
comfort of man, is eftablifhed amongft men. It
is no doubt but that obedience is the mofl accept-
able facrifice unto God, and that which above all
things he requireth, that when he manifedeth
himfelfby his word, that men follow according
to their vocation and commandment. Now, fo it
is, that God, by that great paftor our Lord Jefus,
now manifeftly in his word calleth us from all im-
piety, as well of body, as of mind, to holinefs of
life, and to his fpiritual fervice ; and, for this
purpofe, he hath erefted the throne of his mercy
among us, the true preaching of his word, toge-
ther with the right adminiftration of his faera-
ments : but what is our obedience, let every man
examine his own confcience, and confider what
flatutes and laws \ve would have to be given «nto
us.

Wouldft thou, O Scotland, have a king to rclgn
over thee in juftice, equity, and mercy ? Subjeft
thou thyfelf to the Lord thy God, obey his com-
mandments, and magnify thou thy word that cal-
leth unto thee, * This is the way, walk in it -,'
Ifa. XXX. and if thou wilt not, flatter not thyfelf ;
the fame juflice remaineth this day in God to pu-
nifh thee, Scotland, and thee, Edinburgh in efpe-
cial, that before puniflied the land of Judah, and
the city of Jerufalem. Every realm or nation
(faith the prophet Jeremiah) that likewife ofFend-
eth, fhall be likewife punifhed ; Jer. ix. but if
thou {halt fee impiety placed in the feat of juftice
above thee, fo that in the throne of God (as So-
lomon doth complain) Ecclef. iii. reigneth nothing
but fraud and violence, accufe thine own ingrati-
tude and rebellion . againft God ; for that is the
only caule, why G-od taketh away (as the fame
prophet in another place doth fpeak) ' The ftrong
' man and the man of war, the judge and the pro-

* phet, the prudent and the aged, the captain and

* the honourable, the counfellor and the cunning

* artificer ; and I will appoint, faith the Lord,

* children to be their princes, and babes fhall rule
' over them. Children are extortioners of my
' people, and women have rule over them,' Ifa. iii.

If thefe calamities, I fay, apprehend us, fo that
we lee nothing but the oppreffion of good men,
and of all godlinefs, and wicked men without God
to reign over us ; let us accufe and condemn our-
felves, as the only caufe of our own miieries. For
if we had heard the voice of the Lord our God,
and given upright obedience unto the fame, God
fhould have multiplied our peace, and fhould have
rewarded our obedience b&fore the eyes of the
world. But now let us hear what the prophet faith
further.

* The dead fhall not live, faith he, neither fhall
« the tyrants, nor the dead arife, becaufe thou

* haft vifitcd and fcattered them, and deftroyed

* all their memory,' ver. 14.

From this 1 4 verfe, unto the end of the 1 9, il:
appeareth, that the prophet obferveth no order;
yea, that he fpeaketh things diredfly repugning
one to another ; for, firft, he faith, * The dead

* fhall not live : after, he affirmeth, thy dead mea

* fhall live. Secondly, he faith. Thou haft vifited

* and fcattered them, and deftroyed all their me-

* mory : immediately after, he faith, thou haft in-
' creafed thy nation, O Lord, thou haft increafed

* thy nation. They have vifited thee, and hare

* poured forth a prayer before thee,' ver. 15.

Who, 1 fay, would not think, that thefe are
things not only fpoken forth of good order and

purpofe,

A S E R M 0 J^ PREACHED BY JOHN KNOX.

445

purpofe, but alio manifeftly repugning one to a-
nother ? For to live, and not to live, to be lb de-
ftroyed that no memorial remaineth, and to be Co
incrcafed that the coafls ot' the earth fhall be re-
plenifhed, feem to import plain contradiaion.
For removing of this doubt, and for better under-
ftanding of the prophet's mind, we muft under-
ftand, that the prophet had to do with divers forts
of men ; he had to do with the conjured and ma-
nifeft enemies of God's people, the Chaldeans or
Babylonians ; even fo fuch as profefs Chrift Jefus,
have to do with the Turks and Sarazens. He had
to do with the feed of Abraham, whereof there
were three forts. The ten tribes all degenerate
from the Une worlhipping of God, and corrupted
with idolatry, as this day are our peftilent papifts
in all realms and nations ; there refted only the
tribe of Judahat Jerufalem, where the form of
true religion was obferved, the law taught, and
ordinances of God outwardly kept : but yet there
were in that body (I mean, in the body of the vi-
fible church) a great number that were hypocrites,
as this day yet are among us that do profefs the
Lord Jefus, and have refuied papiflry ; not a few
that were licentious livers, fome that turned their
back to God, that is, had forfaken all true religi-
on ; and fome that lived a mod abominable life,
as Ezekiel faith in his vifion; and yet there were
fome godly, as a few wheat-corns opprefled and
hid among the multitude of chaff: now, accor-
ding to this diverfity, the prophet keepeth divers
purpofes, and yet in moft perfeft order.

And Jirji (after the firft part of the complaint
of the afflifted, as we have heard in vehemency of
fpirit) heburfteth forth againft all the proud ene-
mies of God's people, againft all fuch as trouble
them, and againft all fuch as mock and forfake
God, and faith, * The dead fhall not live, the proud

* giants fhall not rife, thou haft fcattered them,

* and deftroyed their memorial.' In which words
he fighteth againft the prefent temptation and do-
lorous ftate of God's people, and againft the info-
lent pride of fuch as opprefTed them ; as if the pro-
phet fhould fay, O ye troublers of God's people,
howfoever it appeareth to you in this your bloody
rage, that God regardeth not your cruelty, nor
confidereth not what violence you do to his poor
afHifted ; yet ftiall ye be vifitcd, yea, your carca-
fes fhall fall and ly as (linking carious upon the
face of the earth, ye fhall fall without hope of life,
or of a blefTed refurreftion ; yea, howfoever ye
^ther your fubftance, and augment your families,
ye ftiall be fo fcattered, that ye (hall leave no me-

morial of you to the pofterities to come, but that
which fhall be execrable and odious.

Hereof have the tyrants their admonition, and
the affllfted church ineftimable comfort: the ty-
rants that do opprefs, fliall receive the fame end
that they did, which have pafTed before ; that is,
they fhall die and fall with fliame, without
hope of refurredtion, as is forefaid : not that they
(hall not arife to their own confufion and juft con-
demnation ; but that they fhall not recover power,
to trouble the fervants of God ; neither yet fhall the
wicked arife, as David faith,in thecouncilof the juft.
Now have the wicked their councils, their thrones,
and finally handling, for the moft part, of all things
that are upon the face of the earth; but the poor
fervants of God are reputed unworthy of men's
prefence, envyed, mocked; yea, they are more
vile before thele proud tyrants, than is the very
dirt and mire that is troden under foot : but, in
that glorious refurredtion, this ftate fhall be chang-
ed; for then fhall fuch as now, by their abomin-
able living and cruelty, deftroy the earth, and
moleft God's children, fee him whom they have
pierced ; they fliall fee the glory of fuch as now
they perfecute, to their terror and everlafting con-
fufion. The remembrance hereof ought to make
us patient in the days of aifli<ftion, and fo to com-
fort us, that when we fee tyrants in their blind
rage tread under foot the faints of God, that utterly
we defpair not, as if there were neither wifdom,
juftice nor power above in the heavens, to reprefs
fuch tyrants, and to redrefs the dolours of the un-
juftly afflidled: no, brethren, let us be afTured,
that the right-hand of the Lord will change the
ftate of things that be moft defperate. In our God
there is wifdom and power, in a moment to change
the joy and mirth of our enemies into everlafting
mourning, and our forrows into joy and gladnefs
that fhall have no end.

Let us therefore, in thefe apparent calamities,
(and marvel not that I fay calamities apparent ; for
he that feeth not a fire begun, that fhall burn more
than we look for, unlefs God of his mercy quench
it, is more than blind) not be difcouraged, but
with unfeigned repentance let us return to the
Lord our God, let us accufe and condemn our for-
mer negligence, and ftedfaftly depend upon his
promifed deliverance ; fo fhall our temporal forrows
be converted into everlafting joy. The doubt
that might be moved concerning the deftrudlion of
thofe whom God exalteth, fhall be difcuffed, if time
will fuffer, after that we have pafTed throughout
the text. Now proceedeth the prophet, and faith,
K k k 2 « Thoa

A SERMON PSEACHED fiV JOHN KNOX.

444

• Thou haft increafed the nations, O Lord,
' thou haft increafed the nations ; thou art made

* glorious, thou haft enlarged all the coafts of the

• earth.' verfe 1 5.

* Lord, in trouble,' <bc. verfe 16.

In thefe words the prophet giveth confolation
to the afflifted, afluring them, that how horrible
foever that defolation fhould be, yet ftiould the
feed of Abraham be fo multiplied, that it ftiould
replenifti the coafts of the earth; yea, that God
ihould be more glorified in their affliction, than he
•was during the time of their profperity.. This
promlfe, no doubt, was incredible when it was
made ; for who could have been perfuaded, that
the deftruclion of Jerufalem ftiould have been the
means, whereby the nation of the Jews ftiould have
been increafed ? feeing that much rather it appear-
ed, that the overthrow of Jerufalem ftiould have
been the very aboliftiing of the feed of Abraham :
but we muft confider, to what end it was that
God revealed himfelf to Abraham, and what is con-
tained in the promife of the multiplication of his
feed, and the benedi(flion promifed thereto.

Firjl, God revealed himfelf to Abraham, and
that by the means of his word, to let all flefti after
underftand, that God fij-ft called man, and reveal-
ed himfelf unto him ; that flefti can do nothing
but rebel againft God ; for Abraham, no doubt,
was an idolater, before that God called him from
Ur of the Chaldees. The promife was made,
that the feed of Abraham ftiould be multiplied as
the ftars of heaven, and as the fand of the fea ;
which is not fimply to be underftood of his natural
ieed, although it was fometimes greatiy increafed;
butrather of fuch as ftiould become the fpiritual
feed of Abraham, as the apoftle fpeaketh. Now,
if we be able to prove, that the right knowlege of
God, his wifdom, juftice, mercy and power, was
more amply declared in their captivity, than ever
it was at any time before, then can we not deny,
but that God (even when to man's judgment he
had utterly razed them from the face of the earth)
did increafe the nation of the Jews, fo that he was
glorified in them, and did extend the coafts of the
earth for their habitation. And, for the better
underftanding hereof, let us ftiortly try the hifto-
ries from their captivity to their deliverance ; and
after the fame, to the coming of the Meflias.

It is no doubt, but that Satan intended, by the
difperfion of the Jews, fo to have prophaned the
whole feed of Abraham, that among them ftiould
neither have remained the true knowlege of God,
nor yet the fpirit of fanftification, but that all

ftiould have come to a like contempt of God : for,
I pray you, for what purpofe was it, that Da-
niel and his fellows were taken into the king's
court, were commanded to be fet at 'the king's
table, and were put to the fchools of their di-
vines, foothfayers and aftrologians? It may be
thought, that it proceeded of the kings humanity,
and of a zeal that he had, that they ftiould be
brought up in virtue and good learning ; and I
doubt not but it was fb underftood of a great num-
ber of the Jews : but the fecret pra<flice of the devil
was underftood of Daniel, when he refufed to de-
file himfelf with the king's meat, which was for-
bidden to the feed of Abraham in the law of their
God. Well, God beginneth ftiortly after to ftiew
himfelf mindful of his promife made by his pro-
phet, and to trouble Nebuchadnezzar himfelf, by
ftiewing to him a vifion in his dream ; which did
the more trouble him, becaufe he could not forget
the terror of it, neither yet could he remember
what the vifion and the parcels thereof were :
whereupon were called all divines, interpreters of
dreams, and foothfayers, of whom the king de-
manded, if they could let him underftand what he
had dreamed : but while that they anfwer, that
fuch a queftion ufed not to be demanded of any
foothiayer or magician, for the refolution thereof
only appertained to the gods, whofe habitation was
not with men, the charge was given, that they all
fliould be flain ; and amongft the reft Daniel was
fought (whofe innocency the devil envied) to have
fuffered the fame judgment: he reclaimeth, and
afketh time to difclofe that fecret ; (I only touch
the hiftory, to let you fee by what means God in-
creafeth his knowlege) which being granted, the
vifion is revealed unto him ; he ftieweth the fame
unto the king, with the true interpretation of it ;
adding, that the knowlege thereof came not from
the ftars, but only from the God of Abraham,
who only was and is the true God. Which thing
underftood, the king burft forth In his confeflion,
faying, * Of a truth your God is the moft excellent

* of all gods, and he is Lord of kings, and only
' he that revealeth the fecrets, feeing that thou

* couldft open this fecret.' And when Nebuchad-
nezzar after that, puffed up in pride by the counfel
of his wicked nobility, would make an image,
before the which he would, that all tongues and
nations fubjeft to him ftiould make adoration ; and
that Shadrach, Mefliach and Abed-nego would not
obey his unjuft commandment, and fo were caft
into the flaming furnace of fire ; and yet by God's
angels were fo preferved, that no fmell of fire re-
mained

A SERMON PREACHED BY JOHN KNOX.

445

rnained ki their perfons nor garments : this fame
king giveth a more notable confeffion, faying,

* The Lord God of Shadrach, Mefhachand Abed-

* nego, is to be praifed, who have fent his angels,
' and delivered his worfhippers that put truft in

* him, who have done againft the king's command-
' ment ; who have rather given their own bodies

* to torment, than that they would worfhip another

* god, except then- own God. By me therefore

* is there made a decree, that whefoevcr fhall blaf-

* pheme the God of Shadrach, Melhach and Abed-

* nego, that he /hall be cut in pieces, and his houfe

* fhall be made deteftable.' Dan. iii.

Thus we fee how God began, even almoft in
the beginning of their captivity, to notify his name,
to multiply his knowlege, and fet forth as well
his power as his wifdom, and true worfhlpping,
by thofe that were taken prifoners, yea, that were
defpifed, and of all men contemned ; fo that the
name and fear of the God of Abraham was never
before notified to fo many realms and nations. This
wondrous work of God proceeded from one em-
pire to another ; for Daniel being promoted to
great honour by Darius king of Perfians and Medes,
falleth into a defperate danger ; for he was committed
to prifon among lions, bccaufe that he was depre-
hended, breaking the king's injunction ; not that
the king defired the deftru(5lion of God's fervants,
but becaufe the corrupt idolaters, that in hatred
of Daniel had procured that law to be made, urged
the king againft his nature ; but God by his angel
did ftop the lions mouths, and fo preferved his
fervant : which confidered, with the fudden dc-
Jftruftion of Daniel's enemies by the fame lions,
> king Darius, befides his own confeffion, wrote to
all people, tongues and nations, after this form ;
« It is decreed by me, that in all the dominions of
« my kingdom, men (hall fear and reverence the
« God of Daniel, becaufe he is the living God,

* abiding for ever, whole kingdom (hall not be de-

* deftroyed, and his dominion remaineth; who

* faveth and delivereth, and flieweth figns and won-

* ders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered

* Daniel from the lions.

This knowlege was yet further increafed in the
days of Cyrus, who giving freedom to the captives
to return to their own native country, giveth this
confelfion : 'Thus faith Cyrus the king of Perfians,

* all the kingdoms of the earth hath the Lord God

* of heaven given unto me, and hath commanded me,

* that a houfe be built to him in. Jerufalem, which

* is in Judah. Whofoever therefore of you, that

* are of his people, let the Lord his God be with

* him, and let him pafs up to Jerufalem, and let

* him build the houfe-of the Lord God of Ifrael;

* for he only is God that is in Jerufalem.' Efd. ii.
Time will not fufFer me to intreat the points of this
confeffion, neither yet did I for that purpofe ad-
duce the hiftory ; but only to let us fee, how con-
ftantly God kept his promife in increafing his
people, and in augmenting his true knowlege,
when that both they that were the feed of Abra-
ham, and that religion which they pofiefTed ap-
peared utterly to have been extinguiftied above
men's expeftation. I fay, he brought freedom out
of bondage, light out of darknefs, and life out of
death. lam not ignorant, that the building of
the temple, and reparation of the walls of Jerufa-
lem, were long (laid, fo that the work had many
enemies ; but fo did the hand of God prevail in
the end, that a decree was made by Darius (by
him I fuppofe that fucceeded to Cambyfes) not only
that all things Recefiary for the building of the
temple, and for the lacrifices that were to be there
burnt, fhould be miniftred upon the king's char-
ges ; but alfo, * that whofoever fliould hinder that

* work, or change that decree, that a balk fhould^

* be taken out of his houfe, and that he finould be

* hanged thereupon ; yea, that his houfe fhou? i

* be made a dunghill ;' Efd. vi. and thereto he ad-
deth a prayer, faying, * The God of heaven, who

* hath placed his name there, root out every king

* and people' (0 that kings and nations would ur-
derftand!) « that fhall put his hand, either to

* change or to hurt this houfe of God that is in Jer
rufalem.' Andfo, in defpite of Satan,, was the
temple builded, the walls repaired,, and the city
inhabited ; and in the mofl defperate dangers it
was preferved, till that the Meffias promifed, the
glory of the fecond temple came, manifefted himr
felf to the world, fulFered and rofe again, accordr
ing to the fcriptures j. and fo, by fending forth his
gofpel from Jerufalem, did replenifii the earth with
the true knowlege of God : and fo did God in per-
feftion increafe the nation> and the fpiritual feed of
Abraham.

Wherefore, dear brethren, we have no fmall:
conlblation, if the flateof all things be this day
rightly confidered ; we fee in what fury and rage
the world for the moft part is now raifed, againft
the poor church of Jefus Chrift, unto the which he
hath proclaimed liberty, after the fearful bondage of
that fpiritual Babylon, in the which we have been
holden captives longer fpace, than Ifrael was prifoner
in Babylon itfelf : for, if we fhall confider, upon the
one part, the multitude of thofe that live wholly
without Ghrift ; and, upon the other part, the
blind rage of the peftilent papifts ; what Ihall we
think of the fmall number of them tliat do pro-
- - - ■ • fefs

44^

SERMON PREACHED BY JOHN KNOX.

fefs Chrift Jefus, but that they are as a poor fheep,
already feized in the claws of the lion ; yea, that
they, and the true religion which they profefs,
fhall in a moment utterly be confumed ?

But agalnft this fearful temptation, let us be ar-
med with the promife of God, to wit, that he will
betheproteftorof his church; yea, that he will
multiply it, even when to man's judgment it ap-
peareth utterly to be exterminated. This promife
hath our God performed, in the multiplication of
Abraham's feed, in prefervation of it, when Satan
laboured utterly to have deflroyed it, in deliverance
of the fame, as we have heard, from Babylon, He
hath fent his Son Chrift Jefus, clade in our flefh,
who have tafted of all our inhrmities (fm excep-
ted) who hath promifed to be with tis to the end
of the world; he hath further kept promife in pu-
blication, yea, in the reftitution of his glorious
gofpel : fhall we then think, that he will leave his
church deftitute in this moft dangerous age ? Only
let us ftick to his truth, and ftudy to conform our
lives to the fame, and he Ihall multiply his know-
lege, and increafe his people. But now let us hear
^/hat the prophet faith more ;

< Lord, in trouble have they vifited thee, they

* poured out a prayer when thy chaftening was upon ^

* them.'

The prophet meaneth, that fuch as in the tinie
of quictnefs did not rightly regard God nor his
judgments, were compelled by (harp correftions
to feek God; yea, by cries and dolorous com-
plaints to vifit him. True it is, that fuch obedi-
ence deferveth fmall praife before men; for who
can praife, or accept that in good part, which Com-
eth as it were of mere compulfion ? and yet rare it
is, that any of God's children do give unfeigned
-obedience, until the hand of God turn them : for
if quietnefs and profperity make them not utterly
to forget their duty, both towards God and man,
as David for a feafon, yet it maketh them carelefs,
infolent, and in many things unmindful of thofe
things that God chiefly craveth of them; which
imperfeftion efpied, and the danger that thereof
might enfue, -our heavenly Father vifiteth the fins
of his children, but in the rod of his mercy, by
the which they are moved to return to their God,
to accufe their former negligence, and to promife
better obedience in all times hereafter, as David
confeffeth. faying, ' Before I fell in affliaion I
' went aftray, but now will I keep thy ftatutes.'

But yet, for the better underftanding of the pro-
phet's mind, we may confider how God dotli vifit

man, and how man doth vifit God ; and what dif-
ference there is betwixt the vifitation of God up-
on the reprobate, and his vifitation upon the cho-
fen.

God fometimes vifiteth the reprobate, in his hot
difpleafure, pouring upon them his plagues for
their long rebellion; as we have heard before,
that he vifited the proud, and deftroyed their me-
mory. Other times God is faid to vifit his people,
being in affliftion, to whom he fendeth comfort
or promife of deliverance, as he did vifit the feed
of Abraham, being opprefl^ed in Egypt. And
Zachary faith, that God had vifited his people,
and fent unto them hope of deliverance, when John
the Baptift was born. But of none of thefe vifita-
tions fpeaketh our prophet here, but of that only
which we have already touched, to wit, when that
God layeth his correftion upon his own children,
to call them from the venemous breafts of this
corrupt world, that they fuck not in over great a-
bundance the poifon thereof ; and doth, as it were,
wean them from their mothers paps, that they
may learn to receive other nouriftiment. True it
is, that this weaning {or fpeaning, as we term It)
from worldly pleafure, is a thing ftrange to the
flefli ; and yet it is a thing fo necefi'ary to God's;
children, that, unlefs they be weaned from the
pleafures of the world, they can never feed upon
that delegable milk of God's eternal verity; for
the corruption of the one doth either hinder the
other to be received, or elfe fo troubleth the whole
powers of man, that the foul can never fo digefl
the truth of God, as that he ought to do.

Albeit this appeareth hard, yet it is mofi: evi-
dent ; for what liquor can we receive from the
breaftsof the world, but that which is in the
world ? What that is, the apofi:le John teacheth,
faying, ' Whatfoever is in the world, is either the

* luft of the eyes, the lulls of the flefh, or the pride

* of life.' I John ii. Now, feeing thai thefe are not of
the Father, but of the world, bow can it be, that
our fouls can feed upon chaftity, temperance and
humility, fo long as that our ftomachs are reple-
nifhed with the corruption of thefe vices ?

Now fo it is, that willingly, flefli can never re-
fufe thefe fore- named, but rather ftill delighteth
itfelf in every one of them ; yea, in them all, as
the examples are but too evident,

It behoveth therefore, that God himfelf ftiall
violently pull his children from thefe venemous
breafl:s, that when they lack the liquor and poifon
of the one, they may vifit him, and learn to be
nouriflied of him. Oh if the eyes of worldly prin-
ces

A SERMON PREACH

ces ftiould be opened, that they might fee with
what humour and liquor their fouls are ted, while
that their whole delight confifteth in pride, ambi-
tion, andtheluftsof the linking flefti! We un-
derfland then how God doth vifit men as well
by this fevere judgments, as by his merciful vilita-
tion of deliverance from trouble, or by brmging
trouble upon his chofen for their humiliation ; and
now it refteth to underftand how man vifiteth God.
Man doth vifit God, when he appeareth in his
prefence, be it to the hearing of his word or to
the participation of his facraments; as the people
of Ifrael, befides the obfervation of their Sabbaths
and daily oblations, were commanded thrice a year
to prefent themfelves before the prefence of the ta-
bernacle, and as we do, and as often as we prefent
ourfelves to the hearing of the word; for there is
the footftool, yea, there is the face and throne ot
God himfelf, wherefoever the gofpelof JelusChrilt
is truly preached, and his facraments rightly mini-

ftered. ^ ^ , , . . 1

■ Bu t men may on this fort vifit God hypocritical-
ly for they may come for the fafhion, they may
hear with deaf ears; yea, they may underfland,
and yet never determine with themfelves to obey
that which God requireth: and let fueh men be
affured, that he (who fearcheth the fecrets ot
.hearts) will be avenged of all fuch ; for nothing
can be to God more odious, than to mock him
in his own prefence. Let every man therefore ex-
amine himfelf, with what mind, and what purpofe
he cometh to hear the word of God ; yea, with
what ear he heareth it, and what teftimony his
heart giveth unto him, when that God command-
eth virtue, and forbiddeth impiety.

Repineft thou when God requireth obedience ?
Thou heareft to thine own condemnation. Mock-
eft thou at God's threatenings ? Thou (halt feel the
weiaht and truth of them, albeit too late, when
flelh and blood cannot deliver thee from his hand.
But the vifitation (whereof our prophet fpeaketh)
is only proper to the fons of God, who in the
time when God taketh from them the pleafures of
the world, or flieweth his angry countenance unto
them, have the irrecourfe unto him, and, confeffing
tticir former negligence with troubled hearts, cry
for his mercy. This vifitation is not proper to iUl
affiifted, but appertaineth only to God's children :
for the reprobates can never have accefs to God's
mercy in time of their tribulation, and that becaufe
they abufe as well his long patience, as the manifold
benefits they receive from his hands ; for, as the
lame prophet heretofore faith,. * Let the wicked

ED BY JOHN KNOX. '44^

' obtain mercy, yet (hall he never learn wifdom,

* but in the land of righteoufnefs,' that is, where
this very knowlege of God aboundeth, ' he will do

* wickedly.' Which is a crime above all others a-
bominable ; for to what end is it that God ereftetli
his throne among us, but that we (hould fear him ?
Why doth he reveal his holy will unto us, but
that we (hould obey it? Why doth he deliver us
from trouble, but that we Ihould be witnefles un-
to the world, that he is gracious and merciful ?

Now, when that men, bearing their duty, and
knowing what God requireth of them, do mala-
pertly fight againft all equity and jufilce, what, I
pray you, do they elfe, but make manifeft war a-
gainft God ? Yea, when they have received from
God fuch deliverance, that they cannot deny but
that G-od himfelf hath in his great mercy vifitfd
them, and yet that they continue wicked as before ;
what deferve they but effe6t«ally to be given over
unto a reprobate fenfe,. that headlong they may
run to ruin, both of body and foul ? It is almoft
incredible that a man fhould be ib enraged againft
God, that neither his plagues, nor yet his mercy
fhewed, (hould move him to repentance; but be-
caufe the fcriptures bear witnefs of the one and the
other, let us ceafe to marvel, and let us firmly
believe, that fuch things as have been, are even
prefently before our eyes, albeit many, blinded
by affection, cannot fee them.

Ahab (as in the book of the Kings it is written)
received many notable benefits of the hand ot God,
who did vifit him in divers forts, ibmetimes by his
plagues, fometimes by his word, and fometimes-
by his merciful deliverance; he made him king,
and, for the idolatry ufed by him and his wife, he
plagued whole Ifrael by famine ; he revealed to
him his will and true religion by the prophet Eli-
jah; he gave unto him fundry deliverances, but
one moft fpecial, when proud Benhadad came to
befiege Samaria, and was not content to re-
ceive Ahab's gold, filver, fons, daughters and
wives ; but alfo required, that his fervants (hould
have at their pleafure whatfoever was delegable
in Samaria : true it is, that his elders and people
willed him not to hear the proud tyrant; but, wha
made unto him the promife of deliverance ? And
who appointed and put his army in order ? Who
alfured him of viftory ? The prophet of God only,
who a(rured him, that by the fervants of the prin-
ces of the provinces, who in number were only two
hundred thirty and two, he (hould deface the great
army, in the which there were two and thirty
kings with ail their forces : and as. the prophet of

A48

A SERMOltJ PREACHE» BY JOHN KNOX.

GcxI promifed, fo it came to pafs; viiftory was ob-
tained, not once only, but twice, and that by the
merciful vifitation of the Lord.

But how did Ahab vifit God again for his great
benefit received? Did he remove his idolatry?
Did he correct his idolatrous wife Jezabel ? No,
we find no fuch thing, but the one and the other,
we find to have continued and increafed in former
impiety : but what was the end thereof ? The
laft vifitation of God was, that dogs licked the
blood of the one, and did eat the flefti of the other.
In few words then we underftand, what difference
there is betwixt the vifitation of God upon the re-
probate, and his vifitation upon his chofen : the
reprobate are vifited, but never truly humbled,
nor yet amended ; the chofen being vifited, they
fob, and they cry unto God for mercy ; which ob-
tained, they magnify God's name, and after de-
clare the fruits of repentance. Let us therefore
that hear thefe judgments of our God, call for the
affiftance of his holy Spirit, that howfoever it pleaf-
€th him to vifit us, that we may fteop under his
merciful hands, and unfeignedly cry to him when
he corre(fbeth us ; and fo fliall we know in experi-
.ence, that our cries and complaints were not in
vain. But.let us hear what the prophet faith fur-
ther ;

* Like as a woman, faith he, with child, that
■' draweth near the travail, is in forrow, and cry-

* eth in her pains, fo have we been in thy fight,

* O Lord, we have conceived, we have borne in

* vain, as though we fiiould have brought forth

* the wind.' ver. J7.

' Salvations were not made to the earth, neither
« did the inhabitants of the earth fall.' ver. 18.

This is the fecond part of the prophet's com-
plaint, in the which he, in the perlbn of .God's
people, complaineth, that of their great affli<fVion
there appeared no end. This fame fimilitudc is
ufed by our Mafter Jefus Chrift ; for, when he
fpeaketh of the troubles of his church, he compar-
eth them to the pains of a woman travailing in her
child-birth. But it is to another end ; for there
he promifeth exceeding and permanent joy, after
a fort, though it appear trouble. But here is the
trouble long and vehement, albeit the fruit of it
was not fuddenly efpled. He fpeaketh no doubt
of that long and dolorous time of their captivity,
in the which they continually travailed for deliver-
ance, but obtained it not before the complete end
of 70 years: during the which time, the earth,
that is, the land of Judah, which fometimes was
ianftified unto Cod, but was then given to be

prophaned by wicked people, got no help, noi-
perceived any deliverance : for the inhabitants of
the world fell not, that is, the tyrants and oppref-
fors of God's people were not taken away, but
ftill remained and continued blafphemers of God,
and troublers of his church. But, becaufe I per-
ceive the hours to pafs more fwiftly than they have
feemed at other times, I mind to contrafl that
which refleth of this text into certain pdnts.

* The prophet, firft, fighteth againfl the prc-
' fent defpair ; after he introduceth God himfelf

* calling upon his people ; and, laft of all, he alTur-

* eth his afflidled, that God will come, and re-
' quire account of all the blood-thirfty tyrants of

* the earth, ver. 1 9, 20.

• Firft, Fighting againft the prefent defpair, he

* iaith. Thy dead fliall live, even my body (or

* with my body) fliall they arife ; awake and

* fing, ye that dwell in the duft; for thy dew is

* as the dew of herbs.' ver. 1 9.

The prophet here pierceth through all impedi-
ments that nature could objeft ; and, by the vic-
tory of faith, he overcometh, not only the com-
mon enemies, but the great and laft enemy of all,
io wit, death itfelf : for this would he fay. Lord,
I fee nothing to thy cholen, but milery to follow
mifery, and one affliftlon to fucced another ; yea,
in the end I fee, that death fhould devour thy
deareft children. But yet, O Lord, I fee thy pro-
mife to be true, and thy lore to remain towards
thy chofen, even when death appeared to have de-
voured them : ' For thy dead Ihall live, yea, not

* only fliall they live, but my very dead carcafe

* fliall arife;' and fo I fee honour and glory to fuc-
ceed this temporal (hame, I fee joy permanent to
come after trouble, order to fpring out of this ter-
rible confufion ; and, finally, I fee that life (hall
devour death, fo that death fliall be deftroyed,
and fo thy fervants fhall have life. This, I fay,
is the viftory of faith, when in the midft of death,
through the Hght of God's word, the afflldled fee
life. Hypocrites, in the time of quietnefs and
profperity, can generally confefs, that God is true
in his promifes ; but bring them to the extremity,
and there ceafeth the hypocrite further to truft in
God, than he feeth natural means, wheieby God
ufeth to work : But the true faithful, when ali
hope of natural means faileth, then flee they to God
himfelf, and to the truth of his promife, who is
above nature ; yei, whofe works are not fo fub-
jeft to the ordinary courfe of nature, that when
nature faileth; his power and promife fail alfo there-
with.

Let

A SERMON PRE ACHED

Let us furthef obferve, that the prophet here
fpeaketh not of all dead in general, but faith,

• Thy dead, O Lord, fliall live :' in which words
he maketh difference betwixt thofe that die in the
Lord, and thofe that die in their natural corrup-
tion, and in the old Adam. Die in the Lord can
none, except thofe that live in him (I mean, thofe
that attain to the years of difcretion) and none
iivcin him, but thofe that, with the apoftle, can
lay, * 1 live, and yet not I, but Chrlft Jefus that
dwelleth in me; the life that I now live, I have
by the faith of the fon of God Gal. li, not that I
mean, that the faithful have at all hours fuch fenfe
of the life everlafting, that they fear not the death
and the troubles of this life ; no, not fo, for the
faith of God's children is weak, yea, and in many
things impcrfe(5l : but I mean, tliat fuch as in
^eath, and after death Oiall live, niufr communicate
in this life with Jefus Chrift, and mulf be regene-
rate by the feed of life ; that is, by the word of the
everlafting God, which whofoeverdeipifeth, refuf-
cth life and joy everlailing.

The prophet transferreth all the promifes of
God to himfelf, faying, ' even my dead body fhall

* arife ;' and immediatly after, giveth command-
ment and charge to the dwellers in the dufl, that
is, to the dead carcafes of thofe that were departed
(for the fpirit and foul of man dwelleth not in the
dull) * that they fliould awake, that they fhould
' fmg and rejoice ;' for they fhould arife and
fpring up from the eai th, even as the herbs do,
after they have received the dew from above.

Time will not fuffer that thefe particulars be fo
largely treated as they ought to be, and as 1 gladly
\yould ; therefore let us confider, that the prophet,
In transferring the power and promife of God to
liimfelf, doth not vindicate to himlelf any particu-
lar prerogative above the people ot God, as that he
alone fliould live and arife, and not they alfo; but
hft doth it, to let them underiland, that he taught
•a do6trine whereof he was certain, yea, and where-
of they fliould liave experience after his death : as
if he fliould fay, my words appear to you now to
be incredible, but the day fhail come, that I fliall
be taken from you, my carcafe fhall be inclofed
in the bofom of the earth ; and therefore fhall ye
be led away captives to Babylon, where ye fhall
remain many days and years, as it were buried in
your fepulchres.

Hut then call to mind, that I laid unto you be-
fore hand, that my body fhall arife ; even fo fhall
ye rife from your graves Strt ot Babylon, and be
reflortd to your own country, and city of Jerufa-

BY JOHN K N 0 If. ^40

lem : this, I doubt not, is the true meanliig of ijie
prophet. The charge that he giveth to the dwel-
lers in the duff, is to exprefs the power of Clod's
word, whereby he not only givcih life, wherf--
death apparently had prevailed; but alfo, by ir,
he calleth things that are not, even as if they were.
True it is, that the prophet Ifaiah faw not thede-
flrudion of Jerufalem, much lefs could he fee the
reflitution of it with his corporal eyes; but he
kaveth this, as it were, in tedament with them,
that, when they were in the extremity of all bon-
dage, they fliould call to mind what the prophet
of God had before fpoken.

And lefl that his doftrine, and this promife of
God made unto them by his mouth, fhould have
been forgotten (as we are ever prone and ready to
forget God's promifes, when we* are ^refTed witli
any forrow) God railed up unto them, in the midfl
of their calamity, his prophet Ezekiel, unto whom,
among many other vifions, he gave this ; 'The
' hand of the Lord fiifl led him in a place, which
' was full of dryand difpcrfed bones,' Ezek. xxxvil.
the queftion was demanded of the prophet, if thefe
bones, being wondrous dry, fhould live? The
prophet anfwered, the knowlege thereof appertain-
ed unto God. Charge was given unto him, that
he fhould fpeak unto the dry bones, and fay,
' Thus faith the Lord God to thefe bones, behold,

* I fhall give you breath, and you fliall live :
' I fhall give unto you finews, flefh, and fkin, and

* you fhall live' And while the prophet fpake
(as he was commanded) he heard a Voice, and he
faw every bo,tie join in his marrow; he faw them;
covered with flelli and fkin albeit there was no
fpirit of life in them. He v;as commanded again
to fpeak, and to fay, * Thus faith the Lord God,
come, O Spirit, from the four quarters, and blow
in thefe that are flain, that they may live, x^ind
as he prophefied, the fpirit of life came; they liv-
ed and flood upon their feet. Now doth the Lord
interpret what this vifion meant, faying, ' O fon
' of man, thefe bones are the whole houfe of Ifraeh
'Behold, they fay, our bones are dried, our hope-

* is perillied we are plainly cut off. But behold,

* faith the Lord, I will open your graves, I will
' bring you forth of them, ye fliall live, and come
' unto the land of lirael, and ye fhall know that I

* am the Lord.'

This vifion, I fay, given to the prophet, and
by the prophet preached to the people, when they
thought that God had utterly forgotten them,
compelled them more diligently to advert, what
the former prophets had fpoken. It is no doubt,
L I 1 but

450

A SERMON PREACHED BY JOHN KNOX.

but they carried with them, both the prophecy
of Ifaiah and Jeremiah, fo that the prophet Ezekiel
is a commentary to thefe words of Ifaiah, where
he faith, * Thy dead, O Lord, fliall live, with

* my body they fliall arife.' The prophet bring-
eth in this fimilitude of the des^ to anfwer unto that
part of their fidelity, who can believe no further
of God's promifes, than they are able to appre-
hend by natural judgment ; as he would fay, think
ye this impoffible, that God (hall give life unto you,
and bring you to an eftate of a common- wealth
again, after that ye be dead, and as it were razed
from the face of the earth ? But, why do not ye con-
iider, what God worketh from year to year in the
order of nature ? Sometimes ye fee the face of the
earth decked and^bsaudfied wifh herbs, flowers,
grafs, and ftuits ;' again, ye fee the fame utterly
taken away by ftorms, and vehemency of the win-
ter: what doth God to replenidi the earth again,
and to rertore the beauty thereof? He fendethdown
his fmall and fort dew, the drops whereof, in their
defcending, are neither great nor vifible, and yet
thereby are the pores and fecret veins of the earth,
which before by vehemency of frofl and cold were
ihut up, opened again, and fo doth the earth pro-
duce again the like herbs, flowers, end fruits:
Ihail ye then think, that the dew of God's heavenly
grace (hall not be as efFeftnal in you to whom he
hath made his promife, as that it is in the herbs
and fruits that from year to year bud forth and
decay ? If ye do fo, the prophet would fay your
incredibility is inexcufable ; becaufe ye do neither
rightly weigh the power,nor the promife of yourG od.

''The like flmilitude ufeth the apoftle Paul a-
gainfl: fuch, as called the refurreftion in doubt,
becaufe that by natural judgment they could not
apprehend that fle(h once putrified, and dKTolved,
as it were, in other fubftance, ftiould rife again, and
return again to the fame fubftance and nature : ' O

* fool faith he, that which thou foweft is not quick-
■* ened, except it die; and that which thou foweft,

* thou fowefl; not that body that fliall be, but bare
■* corn, as it falleth, of wheat, or fome other, but God

* giveth it a body as it pleafeth him, even to every

* feed his own body.' In which words and fen-
tence, the apoftle ftiarply rebuketh the grofs igno-
rance of the Corinthians, who began to call in doubt
the chief article of our faith, the refurre^lion of the
flefti after that it was once diflblved, becaufe that
natural judgment, as faidhe, reclaimed thereto; he
reproveth, I fay, their grofs ignorance, becaufe they
might have feen and confidered fome proof and
document thereof in the very orderof nature | for

albeit the wheat, or other corn caft In the earthy
appeareth to die or putrify, and fo to be loft, yet
we fee that it is not peri(hed, but that it fruftifi-
eth according to God's will and ordinance.

Now, if the power of God be fo manifefV ift
raifmg up of the fruits of the earth, unto the
which no particular promife is made by God, what
fliall be his pov;er and vcrtue in raifing up of our
bodies, feeing that thereto he is bound by the fo-,
lemn promife of Jefus Chrift his eternal wifdom,.
and the verity itfelf that cannot lie ? Yea, feeing
that the members mufl once communicate with the
glory of the head, how Ihall our bodies, which
a) e flefli of his fle(h, and bone of his bones, ly flill
for ever in corruption, feeing that our head Jefus
Chiift is now exalted in his glory ? neither ytt is
this power and good will of God to be reflrained
unto the laft and general refurre6lion only, but
we ought to confider it in the marvellous preferva-
tion of his church, and in the raifmg up of the
fame from the very bottom of death, when by ty-
rants it hath been opprefled from age to age.

Now, of the former words of the prophet, we
have to gather this comfort, that if at any time
we fee the face of the church within this realm fb
defaced (as I think it fliall be fooner thaji we look
for) when we (hall fee, I fay, virtue to be defpif-
ed, vice to be maintained, the verity of God to
be impugned, lies and mens inventions holden in
authority ; and finally, when we fhall fee the true
religion of our God, and the zealous obfervers of
the fame, to be troden under the feet of fuch as ia
their heart fay, * That there is no God:' Pfal. xiv.
let us then call to mind what have been the wondrous
v/orks of our God from the beginning, that it is
his propar office to bring light out ofdarknefs,
order out of confufion, life out of death ; and
finally, that this is he, that calleth things that are
not, even as if they were, as before we have heard :
and if in the day of our temptation (which in my
judgment approacheth fafl) we be thus armed, if
our incredulity cannot utterly be removed; yet
fhall it fo be corrected, that damnable defpair op-
prefs us not. But now let us hear how the prophet
proceedeth ;

* Come, faith he, thou my people,enter within ^
thy chamber, fliut thy door after thee, hide thy-
fe.lfavery little while, until the indignation pafs
over.'

Here the prophet bringeth in God amiably, cal-
ling upon his people to come to himfelf, and to
refl with him, until fuch time as the fury and
fharp plagues fhould be executed upon the wicked

/ and

A SERMON PREACH

and inobedlent. It may appear at the iiriT: fight,
that all thefe words of the prophet in the perfon of
God calling the people unto rti\, are ipoken in vain ;
for we neither find chambers, nor reft more pre-
pared for the deareft children of God (fo far as
man's judgment can difcern, than there was for the
rebellious and difobedient ; for fuch as fell not by
the edge of the fword, or died not of peftilence,
or by hunger, were either carried captives unto
Babylon, or elfe departed after into Egypt, fo that
none of Abraham's feed had either chamber or quiet
place to remain within the land of Canaan. For
the refolution hereof, we muft underftand, that
albeit the chambers whereunto God called his cho-
fen, be not vifible, yet notwithftanding they are
certain, and offer unto God's children quiet habi-
tation in fpirit, howfoever the flelh be travailed and
tormented.

The chambers are then God's fure promifes,
unto the which God's people are commanded to
refort ; yea, within the which they are command-
ed to clofe themfelves in the time ol greateft adver-
fity. The manner of fpeaking is borrowed from
that judgment and forefight, which God hath print-
ed in this our nature ; for when that men efpy
great tempefts appearing to come, willingly they
will not remain uncovered upon the fields, but
ftraightway they will draw them to their houfes or
holds, that they may efcape the vehemency of the
■fame ; and if they fear any enemy to purfue them,
they will fliut their doors, to the end that fuddenly
the enemy Ihould not have entry.

After this manner God fpeaketh to his people ;
as if he (hould fay, the tempeft that fhall come up-
'On this whole nation, fliall be fo terrible, that 'no-
thing ihall appear but extermination to come upon
the whole body : but, thou my people, I fay, that
heareft my word, bclieveft the fame, and tremblefl:
at the threataings of my prophets, now when the
world doth infolently refift: let fuch, I fay, enter
within the fecret chamber of my promifes, let them
■contain themfelves quietly there ; yea, let them
fhut the door upon them, and fuffer not infidelity,
the ^nortal enemy of my truth, and of ray people
that depend thereupon, to have free entry to
trouble them (yea, farther to murder) in mypro-
mife; and fo fhali they perceive that my indignati-
on (hall pafs, and that fuch as depend upon me,
ihall be faved.

Thus we may perceive the meaning of the pro-
phet ; whereof, we have firfl to obferve, that God
acknowlegeth them for his people, tl^t are in great-

EDBYJOHNKNOX. 451

eit affliaion; yea, fuch as are reputed unworthy of
men's prefence, are yet admitted within the fecret
chamber of God. Let no man think that fltfh and
blood can fuddenly attain to that comfort ; and
therefore moft expedient it is, that we be frequently
exercifed in meditation of the fame. Eafy it is, I
grant, in time of profperity, to fay, and to think,
that God is our God, and that we are his people ; but
when he hath given us over into the hands of our ene-
mies and turned, as it were, his back unto us, then I
fay, flill to reclaim him to be our God, and to have
this affurance, tiiat we are his people, proceedeth
wholly from the holy Spirit of God, as is the great-
eft vidlory of faith, which overcometh the world;
for increafe whereof, we ought continually to pray.
This do6lrine we fhall not think ftrange, if \xc
fhall confider how fuddenly our fpirits are carried
away from our God, and from believing his pro-
mife : fo foon as any great temptation doth apprehend
us, then begin we to doubt, if ever we believed
God's promifes; if God will fulfil them to us. If
we abide in his favour, if he regardeth and Icok-
eth upon the violence and injury that is done unto
us; and a multitude of fuch cogitations, which
before lurked quietly in our corrupted hearts, burft
violently forth when we are opprefTed with any
defperate calamity. Againft the which, this is the
remedy, once to apprehend, and ftill to retain
God to be our God, and firinly to believe, that we
are his people whom he loveth, and will defend,
not only in affiifiion, but-even in the midft of death
itfelf.

^Secondly, Let trs obferve, that the judgments
cf our God never were, nor yet fhall be fo vehe-
ment upon the face of the earth, but that there
hath been, and fhall be, fome lecret habitation pre-
pared in the fan^lnary of God, for fome of his cho-
fen, wh.re they fhall be preferved until the indig-
nation pafs by ; and that God prepareth a time,
that they may glorify him again, before the face
of the world, that fometimes deipifed them ; and
this ought to be unto us no imall comfort in thefe
appearing dangeis, to ivif, that we be furely per-
fuaded, that how vehement foever the tempefl
fhaU be, that it yet fliall pafs over, and fome of us
fliall be preferved to glorify the name of our God,
as is aforefaid.

Two vices lurk in this our nature ; the one is,
that we cannot tremble at God's threatnings, before
that the plagues apprehend us, albeit that we fee
caufemoftjuft, why that his fierce wrath fhould
burn as a devouring fire : the other is, that when
L 1 1 2 cila*

M 0 N r 11 E A c rt E D 6 Y

Y^l A S E R

'f.alariilties before pi-onounced, fail upon r.s, then
l>epiti we to iiiik down in delpair. io that we never
iook for any comlun.ib]e end ol the fume.

To con'tct this our mortal intiviniiy, in time of
quietnefs we ought to confidcr what is the juiiice
of our God, and how odious fm is; and, above all
other, how odious idolatry is in his prefcnce, who
hath forbidden it, and who hath lo feverely pu-
nifhed it in all ages from the beginning : and in the
time of our aiRi<ff ion we ought toconfider, what have
been the wondrous works of our God, in prelerva-
tion of his church, when it hath been in uttermoft
extremity: for never fhall we find the church
humbled under the hands of traitors, and cruelly
tormented by them, but therewith we Ihall find
God's jufl vengeance to fall upon the cruel perfecu-
tors, and his merciful deliverance to be Pnewed to
the afBie^ted : and, in taking of this trial, we (hould
not only call to mind the hiftories of ancient times,
but alfo we (hould diligently mark, what notable
works God hath wrought, even in this our age, as
well upon the one as upon the other. We ought not to
think, that our God beareth lefs love to his ch\n ch
this day, than that he hath done from the begin-
ning ; for, as our God in his own nature is immut-
able, fo remaineth his love towards his elcft al-
ways unchangeable: for, as in Chrift Jefus he
hath chofen his church, before the beginning of
all ages; fo by him will he maintain and preferve
the lame unto the end : yea, he will quiet the
florms, and caufe the earth to open her mouth,
and receive thefe raging fioods of violent waters,
caft out by the dragon, to drown and carry away
the woman, which is the fpoufe of Jefus Chrift,
unto whom God for his own name's fake will be
the perpetual protcflor.

I'his faw that notable fervant of Jefus Chrift,
Atbanafius, who (being exiled from Alexandria
by that blafphemous apoftate Julian the emperor)
laid unto his flock, who bitterly wept for his envious
banifliment, ' Weep not, but be of good comfort,
' faid he, for this little cloud will fuddenly vanifti.'
A little cloud he called both the emperor himfelf and
his cruel tyranny, and albeit that fmall appearance
there w"Js of any deliverance to the church of
God, or yet of any puniftrment to have apprehend-
ed the proud tyrants when the man of God pro-
nounced thefe words, ' Yet (hortly after God did
* give witnefs, that thofe words did not proceed
' from flefli nor blood, but from God's very Spirit.'
For not long after, being in warefare, he received
a deadly wound, whether by his own hand, or by
one of his own folditis, the writers clearly cQUclude

things to

JOHN KNOX.

not ; but cafting his own blood againft the heaveti,'
he faid, Fiaj?i tandem GaUlece, that is, ' At lafV
' thou haft overcome, thou Galilean:' foindefpite
he term.ed the Lord Jefus, and fo periflred that
tyrant in his own iniquity; the ftorm cealed, and
the church of God received new comfort.

Such ftiall be the end of all cruel perfecutors,
their reign (hall be fliort, their end miferable,
and their name fliall be left in execrations to God's
people; and yet Ihall the church of God remain
to God's glory, after all ftorms. But now fhort-
ly, let us come to the laft point :

* For behold, faith the prophet, the Lord will

* come out of his place, to vilit the iniquity of the

* inhabitants of the earth upon them, and the earth

* fhall diiclofe her blood, and fhiali no more hide

* her llain.' ver. 21 . Becaufe that the final end of the
troubles of God's chofen fhall not be, before that
the Lord Jefus (hall return to reftore all
their full perfeftion.

The prophet bringeth forth the eternal God, as
it were, from his own place and habitation, and
therewith iheweth the caufe of his coming to be,
that he might take account of ail fuch as have
wrought wickedly; for that he meaneth, where
he faith, ' He will vifit the iniquity of the inha-

* bitants of the earth upon them.' And left that
any Ihculd think, that the wrong doers are fo
many, that they cannot be called to an account,
he giveth unto the earth, as it were, an office and
charge, to bear witnefs againft all thofe that have
wrought wickedly, and chiefly againft thofe that
have Ihed innocent blood from the beginning ; and
failh, * That the earth ftiall difclofe her blood, and
' fhall no more hide her flain men.'

If tyrants of the earth, and fuch as delight ia
the fhedding of blood, ftiould be perfuaded that
this fentcnce is true, they would not (o furioufly
come to their own deftrucftion ; for what man can
be fo enraged, that he would willingly do even
before the eyes of God that which might provoke
his majefty to anger; yea, provoke him to become
his enemy for ever, if that he underftood, how
fearful a thing it is to fall into the hands of the li-
ving God ?

The caufe then of this blind fury of the world,
is the ignorance of God, and that men think that
God is but an idol; and that there is no knowlege
above, that beholdeth their tyranny; neither yet
juft ice that will, nor power that can reprefs their
impiety: but;^et the fpirit of truth doth witnefs
the coDtrary, affiiming, that, as the eyes of the

Lord

A SERMON PiiEi^CHED BY JOHN KNOX.

Lord are upon the jull:, and, as his ears are ready
to receive their fobbing and pra3'ers ; lo is his an^ry
vifaqe agiinft fuch as work iniquity ? he hateth
and holdeth in abDmination every deceitful and
blood-lhritty man, whereof he hath given fuffici-
ent dociiment from age to age, in preierving the
one, or at leaft in revenging of their caufe and ia
punilhing of the other.

Where it is faid, ' That the Lord will come

* from his place, and that he will vifit the iniquity

* of the inhabitants of the earth upon them, and
that the earth fhall difclofe her blood ;' we have
to confider, what molf commonly hath been, and
what fhall be the condition of the church of God,
to vjit, that it is not only hated, mocked and de-
fpifed, but that it is expofed, as it were in a prey,
unto the fury of the wicked ; fo that the blood of
the children of God is fpilt like unto water upon
the fice of the earth.

The v.nderftanding whereof, albeit it be unplea-
lant to the fleih, yet to us it is moft profitable,
left that we. feeing the cruel entreatings of God's
fervants, begin to fo.i fake the fpoufe of Jefus Chrifi:,
"becaufe that (lie is not fo dealt withal in this un-
thuakful world, as the juft and upright dealing of
God's children do defcrve ; but contrariwife, for
mercy they receive cruelty, for doing good to many
of all the reprobate they receive evil. And this is
decreed in God's eternal council, that the members
may follow the trace of the head ; to the end that
God in his juft judgment flionld finally condemn
the wicked : for, how flwuld he punifh the inha-
bitants of the earth, if their iniquity deierved it
not ? How fhould the earth difclofe our blood, if
it fhould not be unjuftly fpilt ? We muft then
commit ourfelves into the hands of our God, and
lay down our necks ; yea, and patiently fuffer our
blood to be fhed, that the righteous judge may
require account, as moft affuredly he fhall, of all
the blood that hath been fhed, from the blood of
Abel the juft, till the day that the earth fhall dif-
ciole the lame. I fay, every one that fheddeth,
or confenteth to flied the blood of God's children,
ihall be guilty of the whole ; fo that all the blood
of God's children fliall cry vengeance, not only in
general, bat alfo in particular, upon every one
that hath flied the blood of any that unjuftly fuf-
fered.

And, if any think It ftrange, that fuch as live
this day can be guilty of the blood that was flied
in the days of the apoftles, let them confider, that
the verity itfelf pronounced, That all the blood
that was fhed from the days of Abel, unto the

^53

days o[ Zacharia, fhould coixic upon tiat un-
thankful generation, that heard his doaiine :.vd
refufcd it.

The realbn is evident ; for, as there is two
heads and captams that rule over the whole world
to wit, Jefus Chrift, the prince of Juftice ;uui
■ peace ; and Satan, called the prince of the wmld
fo are they but two armies that have coaiini;cd
battle from the beginning, and fliall fight unto tlie
end : The quarrel is one, which the army of Je-
fus Chrifi do fuftain, and which the reprobate do
perfecute, toiuit, The eternal truth of the etern-i I
God, and the image of jefus Chrift printed in his
elea : fo that whofocver in any age perfecuteth-
any one member of Jefus Chrift, for his truih's
fake, fubfcribeth, as it were, with his hand th-
perfecution of all that have pifled before him'

And this ought the tyrants of this age dieply
to confider ; for they fliall be guilty, not only of
the biood-ftied by themfelves, but of all (as is faid)
that hath been flied for the caufe of Jefus Chrift
from the beginning of the world.

Let the faithful not be difcouraged, ahhcugh
they be appointed as Iheep to the flaughter-houle-
for he, for whofe fake they fuffer, fhall not for-
get to revenge their caufe. I am not ignorant
that flefli and blood will think that kind of fupport
too too late, for we had rather be preferved ftill
alive, than to have our blood revenged after our
death : and truly, if our felicity flood in this life
or if death temporal fliould bring unto us any da-
mage, our defire in that behalf were not to be dif-
allowed or condemned : but, feeing that death is
common to all, and that this temporal life is nothin?
but mifery, and that death doth fully join us with
our God, and giveth unto us the poffeffion of our
mhentance, why fliould we think it ftrange to leave
this world, and go to our Head and foverei(^n Cap-
tain Jefus Chrift > ° ^

Lafily, We have to obfcrve this maimer of
fpeakmg, where the prophet faith, that ' th^
* earth fliall difclofe her blood :' in which words'
the prophet would accufe the cruelty of thofe that
dare fo unmercifully and vehemently force, from
the breafts of the earth, the deareft chUdren of
God, and cruelly cut their throats in her bofom,
who is by God appointed the common mother of
mankind, fo that flie unwillingly is compelled to-
open her mouth and receive their blood.

If fuch tyranny were ufed againft any natural-
woman, as violently to pull her infant from her
breafts, cut the throat of it in her own bofom,
and compel her to receive the blood of her dear

child

•4'5'4

A SERMON PREACHED BY JOHN KNOX.

child in her own mouth, all nations would hold
the faft fo abominable, that the like had never been
done in the courfe of nature : no lefs wickednefs
commit they that fhed the blood of God's children
upon the face of their common mother, the earth
(as I faid before:) but be of good courage, 0 lit-
tle and defpifed flock of Chrifl Jefus, for he that
feeth your grief, hath ;power to revenge it ; he
will not fuffer one tear of yours to fall, but it
fliall be kept and referved in his bottle, till the
fulnefs thereof be poured down from heaven,
upon thofe that caufed you to weep and mourn :
this your merciful God, I fay, will not fuffer
your blood for ever to be covered with the earth ;
nay, the flaming fires that have licked up the
blood of any of our brethren ; the earth that
hath been defiled with it, 1 fay, with the blood
of God's children ; for otherwife, to flied the
blood of the cruel blood-fliedders, is to purge
the land from blood, and as it were to fanftify
it : the earth, I fay, fhall purge herfelf of it, and
Ihew it before the face of God ; yea, the beafts,
fowls, and other creatures whatsoever, fliall be
compelled to render that which they have receiv-
ed, be it flefh, blood, or bones, that appertained
to thy children, O Lord, which altogether thou
flialt glorify, according to thy promife, made to
us in our Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrifl:, thy
well beloved Son ; to whom, with thee, and the
Holy Ghofl, be honour, praife and glory for ever
and ever. Amen.

Let us now humble ourfelves in the prefence of
our God, and from the bottom of our hearts, let
us defire him to aflifl us with the power of his
Holy Spirit ; that albeit, for our former negli-
.genccs, God givetli us over into the hands of
others than fuch as rule in his fear, that yet he
letteth us not forget his mercy, and that glorious
•name, that hath been proclaimed amongfi: us ; but
that we may look thorow the dolorous (torm of

his prefent difpleafure, and fee as well what pu-
nifhment he hath appointed for the cruel tyrants,
as what reward he hath laid in ftore for fuch as
continue in his fear to the end : that it would fur-
ther pleafe him to aflift, that albeit we fee his
church fo diminiflied, that it appears to be brought
(as it were) to utter extermination, that we may
be aflured, that in our God there is great power
and will, to increafe the number of his choftn,
until they be enlarged to the uttermoft parts of
the earth : give us, O Lord, hearts to vifit thee
in time of affliction ; and albeit we fee no end of
our dolours, yet our faith and hope may conduft
us to the aflured hope of that joyful refurredion^
in the which we fliall poflefs the fruit of that for
which we now labour : in the mean time, grant
unto us, O Lord, to repofe ourfelves in the fanc-
tuary of thy promife, that in thee we may find
comfort, till that this thy great indignation, be-
gun amongfi: us, may pafs over, and thou thyfelf
appear to the comfort of thy afllidled, and to the
terror of thine and our enemies.

Let lis pray with heart and mouth,

* Almighty God and merciful Father, ^c. Lord,

* into thy hands 1 commend my fpirit, for the ter-

* rible roaring of guns, and the noife of armour do

* fo pierce my heart, that my foul thirfleth to de-

* part. Be merciful to thy flock, O Lord, and ^t

* thy good pleafure put end to my mifery.'

The laji day of Augufi 1565, at four of the clock
in the afternoon^ -written indigefly, but yet
iruely, fo far as memory would ferve, of thofe
things that in public I f pake on Sunday, A-
guji 1 9 ; for the which I was difcharged to
preach for a time.

John Knox.

AN-

A N

ADMONITION

T 0

England and Scotland to call them to repentance, written by

Antoni Gilby.

WHEREAS many have written many pro-
fitable admonitions to you twain, O Eng-
land and Scotland, both making one ifland moft
happy, if you could know your own happinefs ;
fome againft the regiment of women, wherewith
ye are both plagued ; fome againft unlawful obe-
dience, and the admitting of Grangers to be your
kings ; fome declaring the vile nature of the Spa-
niards, whom thou O England, to thy deftrudli-
on maintaineft ; fome the pride of the Frenchmen,
whom thou, O Scotland, to thy ruin received :
and many hundreds with pen, with tongue, with
■word, with writing, with jeopardy and lofs of
lands, goods, and lives, have admonifhed you
both twain of that cankered poifon of papiftry,
that ye fofler and pamper to -your own perdition,
and utter deflrudlion of fouls and bodies, of your-
felves and yours for now and ever* I thought it
my duty (feeing your deftruftion. to man's judg-
ment to draw fo near) how much or little foever
they have prevailed, yet once again to admonifh
you both, to give teftimony to that truth, which
.my brethren have written, and elpecially to ftir
your hearts to repentance, or at the leaft to offer
myfelf a witnefs againft you : fori the juftice of
God and hSs righteous judgments, which doubt-
lefs (if your hearts be hardened) againft you both
are at hand to be uttered. .

Thus by our writings, whom it pleafeth God
to ftir up of your nations, all men, that now Uve,
and that fhall come after us, fhall have. can fe alfo
to praife the mercy of God, that fo oft admonifh-
eth before he do flrike, and to confider his juft
punifhment, when he fliall pour forth his ven-
geance. Give ear therefore betimes, O Britain
(for of that name both rejoiceth) whilft the Lord
calleth, exhorteth, . and admonifheth, that is the
acceptable time, when he will be found. If ye re-
fufe the time offered ye cannot have it afterward
though with tears, (as did Efau) ye- da feem to ■
feek it.

Yet once again in God's behalf, I do offer you ■
the very means, which if God of his mercies grant
you grace to follow, I doubt nothing but that of
all your enemies fpeedily ye fhall be delivered. Ye
rejoice at this word, I am fure, if you have any
hope of the performance. . Then hearken to the
matter, which I do write unto you,, not furth of
men's dreams nor fables, nor furth of prophane
hiftories, painted with man's wifdom, vain elo-
quence, or fubtile reafons, but furth of the in-
fallible truth of God's word, and by fuch plain
demonftrations, as fhall be able to convince every
one of your own confciences, be he never fo obfti-
nate. I w^H afk no further judges. Is not this God's
curfe and threatening, amongft many others pro-
nounced''

AsC ANTON! GILBY to ENGLAND and S C 0 T L A N 1^.

nounccJ cgalnfl the finful jand and diibbedient
people ?

' That flangfrs fliould devour the fruit of thy
■iiad, that the ihang^^r ibould climb above thee,
and thon Hiould come down and be liis inferior; he
(hall be the head and thon the tall. The Lord
ihall bring upon thee a people far off, v/hofe
rongue thou canit not underhand, thy Ilrong walls
-u'herein thou trufted, fhall be deih-oyed,* 6t.
ih not Ifuiah reckon this alio as the ex-
kednefs ot the

'h
.\n.l d

ti'cniity of all plagues for the v
people to have ' women railed up to rule over
rou ?' But what faith the fame prophet in the
beginniHg of his prophefy for a lemedy againll
thefe and all other e^/ils ?

' Your hands are full of blood, fdith he, O you
princes of Sodom, and you people of Gomorrah,
but wafn ViDU, make you clean, take away your
wicked thoughts forth of my fight. Ceafe to do
evil, learn to do well, feek judgment, help the
opprcfTed, Cf:. then will I turn my hand to thee,
and try out all thy drofs, and take away thy tin,
and I Yvill reilore thy judges as afore- time, and
oounfcllors, as of old.' And Moles laid before in
the place alleged, 'That if thou wilt hear the
voice of the Lord thy God, and do his command-
ments, thou (halt be bleHed in the town, and blef-
I'cd in the field. The Lord (liall caufe thine ene-
mies, that rife up againfl thtc, to fall before
thee,' 6t.

Lo the way in few words, O Britain, to win
God's favour, and therefore to overcome thine
enemies. But to print this more deeply into your
hearts, O ye princes and people ot that ifland,
v/hom God hath begun to puniili, feek I warn you
no fhifting holes to excufe your faults, no pol'iti-
c.il practices to refifr God's vengeance.

And firft I fpeak to you (O rulers and princes
of both the realms) repent your treafon, and be-
wail your unthaukfulnefs. Foi» by no other means
can you efcape God's judgments. You ftomach, I
know, to be called traitors, but what Taall it avail
to fpare die name, where the fa<fl3 are more than
evident. You hath God erefted amongft your
brethren, to the end that by your wifdom and
godly regiment your fubjecls fhould be kept as
v.x'lt from domclf ical oppreffion, as from bondage
and llavery of frrangcrs. But ye alas, declining
from God, are m.ade the iaftruments to betray
and {ell the liberty of thofe, for whom ye ought
vo havefpent 5'our lives. For your confent and
^iTdhn.ce is the, caufe, that ft rangers covv^ op-

prefs and devour the poor wahin your realms :
who fiiortly, if God call you not to repentance,
ftiall rccompcnce you, as ye have deferved. For
the cup, which your brethren do now drink, fhall
be put In your hands, and yon fhall drink the
dregs of it to }our deflruiSlion. And wondei it
is if ye be become fo foolifh and fo blind, that ye
think yourfelves able long to continue, and to be
fafe, when your brethren round about you fhall
perilh : that you can pack your matters well
enough with the princes, that ye can make you
ffrong with marriages, with flatteries, and other
fond praftices, or that v/ith your multitude or
flrength ye can efcape the' days of vengeance, or
that ye can hide yourfelves in holes or corners.
Nay though yon fiiould hide you in the hills,
God can draw you thence, if you had the eagle
wings to fly beyond the eafl leas, you cannot
avoid God's prefence.

Submit yourfelves therefore unto him, which
holdeth your breath in your noflrils,. who with
one blaft of his mouth c^n d< f!:roy all his ene-
mies. Embrace his Son Chrifl, left ye perifh,
and for your obAinacy againft him and his word,
repent betimes, as we all i^o admonifh. Repent
for 3-our cruelties againfl his fervants, and tbs
contempt of his word fo plainly offered, as it was
never fince the beginning of the world. Repent,
we <:ry repent. For i-epentance is the only way
of your redrefs and deliverance. Did God ever
long fpare any people, whom he hath taught by
his prophets, without fome evident repentance ?
Or ufeth any father to pardon his child, whom
he hath begun to chaflife, w-ithout fome token
of repentance ? Confider how the Lord hath in-
treated Ifrael and Judah his own people : how oft
they trefpafled, and how he gave them over into
the hand of their enemies. But whenfoever they
repented and turned again to God unfeignedly,
he fent them judges -and deliverers, kings and
faviours. This way then of repentance and un-
feigned turning to God by obedience, is the only
way before God accepted and allowed. There-
fore was Noah fent to the old w^orld to bring this
docffrine of repentance, and all the old prophets,
as Elias, Eliiha, Ifaiah, Jeremiah and Malachy,
and he, who excelled all the prophets, John the ■
Baptifl. Any of whofe fliles, fharp rebukes of
fmners if I fhould now ufe, it would be thought
full flrange, and hardly would be fufftred : yet
were any of their lefTons, whereby they called to
repentance, mofl n;eet for our time and age,

and

ANTONI GILBY to ENGLAND and SCOTLAND.

457

2flc! nothing difagreeing from this my prefent
purpofe. For the fame Spirit Hill ftriveth againfl
the malice of our times, though in divers inftru-
ments and fandry forts and falliions. Noah pro-
nounceth, that within an hundred and twenty years
all flefli fhould be deflroyed. We have many Noahs
that fo crieth in oar times, yet no man repenteth.
All ftie time, that Noah was preparing for the
ark to avoid God's vengeance, the multitude de-
rided this holy prophet, as the multitude of you
two realms doth at this day deride all th^m, that
bv obedience to God's word, feek the means ap-
pointed to avoid God's judgments. Then the
people would not repent, but as they fhould
live for ever, they married, they banqueted, they
builded, they planted, deriding God's meffenger.
Do not you the like ? I appeal to your own con-
fciences. You marry, but not in God, but to
betray yout country, you banquet and build with
the blood of the poor.

1 he Lord calleth to fafting, faith the prophet
Ifaiah, to mortify themfelves, and to kill their
lufts, but they kill (heep and bullocks, Jeremiah
crieth for tears and lamentation, they laugh and
mock. Malachy cried to the people of his time,

* Turn unto me and I will turn to you,' faith the

* Lord of Hofls,' and they proudly anfwer,

* Wherein fhall we return ?' Are ye not fuch ?
Do not ye aflc wherein fhall we return, when ye
will not know your fins ? when ye cannot con-
fefs, nor acknowlege your faults, though ye go a

• whoring in every ftreet, town and village with
your idols ? though the blood of the opprefTed
cry every where againfl: you for vengeance ? So
that feeing no token of repentance I cannot cry
unto you with John Baptifl, * O ye generation of

* vipers, who hath taught you to flee from the

* wrath to come ?'

O that I might fee fo good tokais, that ye
would fear God's wrath and vengeance. But
this mull I fay to you both to your confufion,
and fhame, that ye are fuch vipers and ferpents,
until I fee better tokens. You tlo what you can
to deftroy your parents, you cafl off God your
heavenly Father, ye will not fear him calling you
to repentance, you deftroy and baniHi your fpirit-
ual fathers, which once had begotten you as fpi-
ritual children by the word of truth, you confume
your country, which hath given you corporal life,
you fling with tongues and tales, all that would
■draw you from your wickednefs.

Finally, Man, woman, and cMld, mx either

venomed with your poifbns, or flinged v ith your
tales. In you are fulfilled the words of David,

* Their throat is an open fepulchre, with their

* tongues they have deceived, the poifoa of afps

* is under their lips, their mouths are full of
' curfes and bitternefs, their feet are fwift to fhed

* blood, deftruflion and wretchednefs are in their
' ways, and the way of peace they have not known,
' the fear of God is not before their eyes,' 6^.

I do know your tender ears, you cannot be grated,
with fuch fharp fentences of condemnation, that
thus prick you to the hearts : howbeit thus it be-
hoveth, that ye be taught to judge yourfelves, that
in the end ye be not damned with the wicked world.
But I will wound you no more with the words of
the prophets, with the fayings of David, or of
this holy faint of God John the Baptifl, but with
our Saviour Chrifl's two mofl fweet parables of
the two fons, and of the tilemen, to whom he
fet his vineyard, I will labour to fet before
your eyes your rebellion, hypocrify, and cruelty,
if fo I can bring any of you to repentance.
Our Saviour Chrift putteth forth this parable,

* A certain man had two fons, and he came to

* the firft, and faid. Son go and work to day in

* my vineyard. Who anfwered, I will not, but

* afterwards repented and went. Then came he

* to the fecond, and faid likewife, and he anfwer-

* ed, I will Sir, but went not.'

Wherein a wonderful comfort firfl is to be con-
fidcred, how the Lord our God maker of heaven
and earth doth humble himfelf not only to be cal-
led a man, a hufbandman, a houfholder, and fucli
like, but he abafeth himfelf of mercy to us vile
earth and afhes, that his fbn becometh man, to
make mankind glorious in his fight, to make all
thofe that do not refufe his grace offered, of the
flaves of Satan, his Ions by adoption. You are
his fons, you are his vineyard, you are as dear
unto him, as the apple of his eye, as Mofes fpeak-
eth, if you can believe it ; he fweareth that yu«
fhall be his inheritance, and he will be yours, it
ye will only receive his grace and believe him,
when he fweareth, will ye call his truth inta
doubt ? His glory into fliaiiie by your mifbelief ?
Better it were, that all creatures fliould perifli,
heaven, man and angels, than that God fhould
not have credit, or that his glory in the leall jot
fhould be diminifhed. He hath called you by
his word now many a time to work in his vine-
yard, I afk what you have anfwered, your con-
fcience g^i witncfs, and all the world feeth ir.
M m ai Soxc

458

AN

TONI GILBY TO ENGLAND and SCOTLAND.

Some of you have fald plain, like rebellious chil-
dren, that ye would ROt do it, that ye would not
work. in your Father's vineyard.

Shall I apply this part to Scotland ? I may
right well do it, and alfo to a great part in Eng-
land. But Scotland indeed called mofl plainly
and evidently through the mercies of God, both
by their own faithful country-men, and alfo by
earned travail of our Engli(h nation to come to
the Lord's vineyard in the time of king Edward,
hath, to the damage of both, continually refufed,
as the confcience of many this day beareth wit-
nefs.

That time, as ye know, the vineyard in Eng-
land by the children of God was not altogether
neglefted, and then moft earneA were ye, O
brethren of Scotland, required to join hands with
us in the Lord's work, but Satan alas would not
fuffer it. His old foftered malice, and Anti-
chrift his fon could not abide, that Chrift
fliould grow fo ftrciig, by joining that iile
together in perfeft religion, whom God hath
fo many ways coupled and ftrengthened by his
work in nature : the papifts praftifed all their
fine crafts, in England, Scotland, and in France,
that the Gofpellers fliould not with fo flrong
walls be defended, left this one ifland fhould be-
come a fafe fanftuary, as it began to be, to all
the perfecuted in all places. They move fturdy
flomachs, they difpenfe with perjuries, they
work by their crafty confeffions, they raife up
war in the end, whereby ye, dear brethren of
Scotland, were fore plagued.

Of all thefe traiterous flights ye cannot be ig-
norant. For yet it is not palTed the memory of
jnan, that your king made promife to have met
king Henry the VIIL at York : whofe purpofe
(albeit in other things I do not allow him) in
that cafe was moft godly and praife-worthy.
For it was to m.ake an end of that ungodly war,
and cruel murder, which long had continued be-
twixt the tv/o realms. Your king, I fay, made
promife to meet him ; the breach whereof, as it
was the occafion of much trouble, fo it is evi-
dently known, that 3'our cardinal and his clergy,
laboured and procured the fame. For it is not
unknown to fome amongft you, how many thou-
fand crowns the churchmen did promife for main-
tenance of the war, which king Henry did de-
nounce by the reafon of that breach.

Superfluous it were to me, to recite all the
cau(es moving your peftilent priefts to folicitate

your king to that infidelity. But this is moft
evident, that they feared nothing, but the fall of
their glory, and the trouble of their kingdom,
which then in England began to be ftiaken by
fuppreffing of the abbies. This moved your priefts
earneftly to labour, that your king fliould falfly
break his promife. But what affliffion ye fu-
flained by that and other their praflices, your-
felves can witnefs. For your borders were de-
flroyed, your nobility for the moft part were
taken pijfoners, and your king for forrow fud-
denly died.

But thefe your miferies did nothing move your
priefts to repentance, but rather did inflame them
againft God, and againft the profit of their na-
tive realm. For when again, after the death of
your king, your friendfhip and favours were
fought, firft by king Henry, and after his death
by king Edward his fon, and by him, who then
was chofen protector, how craftily, 1 fay, did
then your priefts undermind all, ye are not ig-
norant.

When your governor, with the confent of the
moft part of the nobility, had folemnly fworn in
the abbey of Halirood houfe. Sir Ralph Sadler
then being ambaflador for England, to perform
the marriage contradled betwixt king Edward and
your young queen, and faithfully to ftand to
every point concluded and agreed for performance
of that union, when feals were interchanged, and
the ambaflador difmiflfed, what ftur, tumult, and
fedidon raifed your cardinals in that your realm, it
is not unknown, to ivit, how that by his craft and
malice the realm w-as divided, the governor com-
pelled to feek his favour, tc violate his oath, and
fo to become infamous for ever. And finally, by
the pride of the papifts was tha>t league broken.

But what did thereof enfue ? Edinburgh, Leith,
Dundee, yea the moft part of the realm did feel.
Your fliips were ftayed, your goods were loft,
your chief towns were burned, and at the end
the beauty of your realm did fall by the edge of
the fword, the hand of God manifeftly fighting
againft you, becaufe againft your folemn oath ye
did fight againft them, who fought your favours
by that godly conjunftion, which before was pro-
mifcd. But ftill proceeded your enemies the,
clergy, and their adherents in their purpofed ma-
lice. Wonder not that I term them your ene-
mies. For albeit they be your country-men, yet
becaufe they feek nothing more, than the main-
tenance of their own kingdom, which is the

power

ANTONI GILBY to ENGLAND

'power of darknefs, and the kingdom of ancichrifl:,
- they are become conjured enemies to ev.ery cit^l^
. tiation or man, that labour to come to the know-
lege of the truth. That peAilfnt generation, I
fay, did not ceafe, till they obtained their par-
.pofe, by delivering your young queen to the
•hands of the French king, afTuredly minding by
that means to cut for ever the knot of the friend-
ship, that might have enfued betwixt England
and Scotland by that godly conjunftion. What
the papifts feared is manifeft. For then Chrifl:
Jefus being more purely preached in England,
than at any time before, would fhortly have fup-
preffed their pride and vain glory : and therefore
they raged, that he (hould not reign above them
alfo. Bat whit is like to apprehend you, for be-
caufe \"e did not betimes withftand their moft
wicked counfels, wife men do confider. How
l»eavy and unpleafant Ihall the burden and yoke
of a Frenchman be to your fhouldffl-s and necks,
God grant that experience do not teach you.

But to return to my former purpofe, by all
thofe means rehearfed, by his meifengers, by
the blood of his laints flied amongft you, by fli-
Tours and friendlliip, by war and the fword, yea
by famine and peflilence, and all other means,
hath God your merciful Father called you to la-
bour in his vineyard, but to this day, alas, we
hear not of your humble obedience, but flill ye
fay with ftubborn faces, we will not labour, we
will not be bound to fuch thraldom, to abide the
burdens of the vineyard. Ye think perchance. I
am too fharp, and that I accufe you more than
you deferve. For amongft you, many do know
the will of your Father, and many make profeili-
on of his gofpel, but confider, brethren, that it
is not enough to know the commandment, and to
profefs the fame in mouth, but it is neceffary,
that ye refufe yourfelves your own pleafures,
appetites, iind your own wifdom, if ye fliall be
judged faithful labourers in the Lord's vineyard,
and that ye bear the burdens together with your
brethren, and fuffer heat, and iweat, before ye
tafte the fruits with them. God will not fland
content, that ye look over the hedge, and behold
the labours of your brethren, but he requireih,
that ye put your hands alfo to your labours, that
ye travail continually to pluck up all unprofitable
weeds, albeit in fo doing the thorns prick you to
the hard bones : that ye affifl your brethren in
their labours, though*it be with the jeopardy of
your lives, the lofs of your fubftancej and difplea- ■

AND SCOTLAND. 459
fure of the whole earth. Except that thus ye be
minded to labour, the Lord of the vineyard will
not acknowlege you for his faithful lervanis. And
becaufc this matter is of weight and great impor-
tance, 1 will Ipeak Ibmewhat more' plainly' for
your Inltrudtion.

It is reported (to the great comfort of all god-
ly that hear it) that forne of you, dear brethren

of Scotland, do defire Chriir Ji^fus to be fair!

f-

Ily

preached amongll you, which tiling, if from the
heart you dehre, and with godly wildom and flout
courage follow your purpo.'e and enterDrize, ye
fhall be blelTed of the Lord for ever. But in the
beginning ye muft beware that ye follow not the
example of your brethren of England, in whofe
hands albeit the work of the Lord appeared to
profper for a time, yet becaule the eye was not
fingle, we fee to our grief the overthrow of the
fame. They began to plant Chrift Jefus in the
hearts of the people, and to baniili that Romiili
antichrifl, they did drive out the filthy fwinc
from their dens and holes (I mean the monks and
other fuch paplflical vcrmdn from their cloifters
and abbies.)

This was a good beginning, but alas in the
one and the other their was great fault. For the
banifhing of that Romifh antichrift was rather by
the fear of the laws pronounced againfl him by ads
of parliament, than by the lively preaching of
Chrill Jefus, and by the difcovering of his abo-
minations. And the fuppreflion of the abbies did
]-ather fmell of avarice, than of true religion.
Thofe venemous locufts, which before wete
holden within their cloifters, were then fent
abroad to deftroy all good and green herbs. For
fuperftitious friars, ignorant monks, and idle ab-
bots, were made archbiQiops, bifhops, perfons,
vicars, and fuch as ought to feed the fouls of men :
who thus fet at liberty, did continually root up the
Lord's vineyard. And one crafty gardiner, whofe
name was Stephen, having wolf-like conditions,
did maintain many a wolf, did fow wicked feed
in the garden, and cherifned many weeds to de-
face the vineyard. And his maid Mary, who af-
ter was his miflrefs, now married to Phiiip,
wanting no will to wickednefs when fhe was at
the weakefl, nor flomach to do evil, v/hen fhe got
the mallery, did cherifh many weeds.

Thefe two, I fay, have fo broken the hedges

of the fame vineyard, (God fo punhhing the fins

of thofe, that ought to have made better p-ovifion

for the fame) that the hulbandmen are hanged

M m m 2 ^ up.

46o ANTONI GILBY to ENGLAND and SCOTLAND.

np, the diggers, dreflers, and planters are banifh-
ed, prilbned and burned. Such havock is made,
that all wild hearts have power to pollute the fanc-
tuary of the Lord.

O heavens, behold her cruelty, O earth, cry
for vengeance, O feas, and defert mountains,
■witnefTesof her wickednefs, break forth againft this
monfter of England. But whether do I run, by
the bitternefs of my grief ? I muft needs leave
thee, O Scotland, after that I have advertifed thee
of this, that thou follow not the example, as I
have faid, of England: but in the bowels of
Chriil: Jefus I exhort thee, that if thou pretend-
eft any reformation in religion, which is the chief
labour of the vineyard, that thou do it at the firft
with a lingle eye, and all fimplicity, that from
year to year thou be not compelled to change, as
was England, but let thy reformation be full and
plain, according to God's holy will and word
without addition. Let all the plants, which thy
heavenly Father hath not planted, be rooted out
at once, let not avarice blind thee, neither yet
worldly wifdom difcourage thy heart, let none
bear the name of a teacher, that is known to be
a fofterer of fuperftition, or any kind of wicked-
nefs. And thou fo doing foalt move God of his
great mercy to fend unto thee faithful workmen
in abundance, to blefs the work, that thou pre-
tendcft in the vineyard, and to preferve thee to
the glory of his own name, and to thy everlafting
comfort. Thus muft thou Scotland repent ihy
former inobedience, if that thou wilt be approved
of the Lord.

And now do I return to thee, O England, I do
liken thee to the fccond fon in the parable, which
anfwcred his father with flattering words, faying,
* I go, father, but yet he went not at all.' For
£nce the time that I had any remembrance, our
heavenly Father, of his great mercy hath not
ceafed to call thee in to his vineyard, and to thefe
late days thou haft faid always, that thou wouldeft
enter and be obedient.

In the time of king Henry the VIIL when by
Tendale, Frith, Bylany, and other his faithful fer-
viits, God called England to drefs his vineyard,
many promifed full fair, whom I could name.
But what fruit followed ? Nothing but bitter
grapes, yea briars and brambles, the wormwood
of avarice, the gall of cruelty, the poifon of filthy
fornication, flowing from head to foot, the con-
tempt of God and oj»en defence of the cake-idol
by open proclamatloa to. be. read in the churches

in the ftead of God's fcriptures. Thus was there
♦no reformation, but a deformation in the time of
that tyrant and leatcherous monfter. The boar,
I grant, was bufy rooting and digging in the earth,
and all his piggs that followed him. But they
fought only for the pleafant fruits, that they
winded with their long fnouts. And for their
own bellies fake, they rooted up many weeds,
but they turned the ground fo, mingled good and
bad together, fweet and four, medicine and poifon,
they made, 1 fay, fuch confufion of religion and
laws, that no good thing could grow, but by great
miracle, under fuch gardiners. And no marvel, if
it be rightly confidered : for this boar raged
againft God, againft devil, againft Chrift, and
againft antichrift, as the foam that he caft out
againft Luther, the racing forth of the name of
the pope, and yet allowing his laws, and his
murder of many Chriftian foldicrs, and of mapy.
papifts, do »clearly and evidently teftify unto us.
Efpecially the burning of Barnes, Jeremy, and
Garrat, three faithful preachers of the truth, and
hanging the fame day for maintenance of the pope
Powel, Abel, and Pethcrftone, do clearly paint
his beaftlintfs, that he cared for n© manner of
religion. This monftrous boar, for all this, muft
needs be called the head of the church, on pain
of treafon ; difplacing Chrift our only head, who
ought alone to have this title.

"Wherefore in this point, O England, ye were
no better than the Romifti antichrift, who by the
fame title maketh himfelf a God, fitteth in men's
confciences, baniflieth the word of God, as did-
your king Henry, whom ye fo magnify. For in
his beft time nothing was hard, but the king's
book, and the king's proceedings, the king's
homelies in the churches, where God's word
fliould have been preached. So made you your
king a god, believing nothing but that he allow-
ed. But how he died, I will not write for fhame;.
I will not name how he turned to his vomit ; I
will not write your other wickednefs of thofe times^
your murders without meafure, adulteries and in-
cefts of your king, his lords and commons. It
grieveth me to write thofe evils of my country,
fave only that I muft needs declare, what fruits
were found in the vineyard after you promifed to
work therein, to move you to repentance and to
juftify God's judgements, how grievoufly foever
he ftiall plague you hereafter. Wherefore I defirc
you to call to remembrance your beft ftate under
king Edward, when all men with general confent

promifed

ANTONI GILBY to ENGLAND \^ d S C O T L N D. i6i

promifed to work in the vineyard, and ye fhall
have caufe I doubt not to lament your wickednefs,
that fo contemned the voice of God for your own
lufts, for your cruelty, for your covetoufnefs, that
the name of God was by your vanities evil fpoken of
in other nations. 1 will aame no particular things,
becaufe I reverence thofe times, fave only the kil-
ling of both the king's uncles, and the prifonment
of Hoper for popifh garments. God grant you all re-
penting hearts, for no order nor ftate did any part
of his duty in thole days. Sm to fpeak of the beft,
whereof ye ufed to boaft', your religion was but an
Englifti mafins, patched forth of the pope's portefs,
many things were in your great book fuperiUcious
and foolilh, all were driven to a prefcript fervice
like the papifts, that they fhould think their duties
difcharged, if the number were faid of pfalms and
chapters.

Finally, there could no difcipline be brought
into the church, nor corre<flion of manners. I
will touch no futther abufes, yet willing and de-
firing you to confider them in your hearts, that
knowing your negligence ye may bring forth fruits
of repentance. For this 1 admonifli you (O ye
people of England) wherefoever you be Icattered
or placed, that only ye do right fpeedily repent of
your former negligence, it is not the Spaniards,
only, that ye have to fear, as rods of God's wrath,
but all other nations, France, Turky, and Den-
mark, yea all creatures fhall be armed againfl you
for the contempt of thofc times, when our heavenly
Father fo mercifully called you. To what contempt
was God's word and the admonition of his prophets
come in all eftates, before God did flrike, fome
men are not ignorant. Tha preachers themfelves
for the moil part could find no fault in religion,
but that the church was poor and lacked living.

Truth it is, that the abbey-lands and other
fuch revenues, as afore appertained to the papifli-
cal church, were mofl wickedly and ungodly fpent,
but yet many things would have been retbcmed,
before that the kitching had been better provided
for to. our prelates in England. It was moft evi-
dent, that many of you under the cloke of religion
ferved your own bellies: fome were fo' bufy to
heap benefice upon benefice, fome to labour in par-
liament for purchafing of lands, that the time
■was fmall, which could be found for the reforma-
tion of abufes, and very little, which was fpent
upon the feeding of your flocks. I need not now
to examine particular crimes of preachers. Only
I fay, tha,t the gofpei was fo lightly edeeaisd, that

the moft part of men thought rather that God
(hould bow and obey to their appetJes, than that
they fliould be fubjedl to his holy commandments.
For the commons did continue in malice and re-
bellion, in craft and fubtility, notwithftanding all
laws that could be devifed for reformation of abufes.
The merchants had their own fouls to fell for gains,
the gentlemen were become Nemrods and giants,
and the nobility and council would fuffer no re-
bukes of God's mefTengers, though their offences
were never fo manifeft. Let thofe, that preached
in the court, the Lent before king Edward deceaf-
ed, fpeak their confcicnce, and accufe me, if I
lie, yea let a writting written by that mlferable
man, then duke of Northumberland to maftcr
Harlow for that time bifiiop of Harford, be
brought to light, and it ihall tefiify, that he
afhamed not to fay, that the liberty of the preach-
ers tongues would caufe the council and nobility
to rife up againfl them : for they could not fufitr
fo to be intreated.

Thefe were the fruits even in the time of har-
veft, a little before the winter came. And of the
time of Mary, what fhould 1 write ? England is
now fo miferable, that no pen can paint it. It
ceafeth to be in the number of childien, becaufe-
it openly defpiteth God the Father. It hath cafl
off the truth known and confefTed, and fblioweth
lies and errors, which once it detefied. It build-
eth the building, which it once deflroyed : i'r
raifeth up the idols, which once were there con-
founded : it murdereth the faints, it maintaineth
Baals prophets by the commandment of Jezabel.
Such are the evil hu (bands, that i!bw haunt the vine-
yard, fo that this is true, that our Saviour Chrifl
faith, ' The Lord himfelf hath planted a fair virre-

* yard, he hedged it round about, and buildeda
^ tower, 6*c. and when the time of the fruit drew

* near, he fent his fervants to tha tile- men to r«-

* ceive the fruits thereof, but diey caught his fer-

* vants, they beat one, they killed another, and
' floned others. Again ha fent other fervants
' more, and they ferved them likewife.'

What need any expofition to apply this unto
England? All is fulfilled, that iS' fpoken in that
parable, only they do wait for the Son himfelf,
for to come, that they may handle him like wiie,.
as they have done his fervants.. But all is one,
faith our Saviour Chrifl, * That which ye do to

* one of thefe little ones, the fame ye do to me,'
be it good or bad. ' Why dofl thou perfecute me,'
faith Chrifl to Saul, when he was, a& li&naw. i%.

^62 A^TONI GILBY to ENGLAND

at the light hand of God his Father in the hea-
vens. Therefore they perfecute, they banilh,
they burn Chrift the Son of God in his members.
The judgment therefore now remaineth, which
the wicked then gave againfl: themfeh-es. That down by them therefore, as he hath done other

AND SCOTLAND.

but are open idolaters, blafphemers, perfecutors
of tlie faints of God, that careth neither for hea-
ven nor hell, God nor devil, {o that they may win
lands, towns and countries. God fliall hew vou

* the Lord of the vineyard will cruelly deflroy
' thofe.evil perfons, and will let forth his vineyard

* unto other hulbandmen.'

And the confirmation of the fame by the lentence
of the chief judge, that ' the kingdom of God

* (hall be taken from fuch, and given to a people,

* that fliall bring forth the fruits thereof.'

The which judgment is begun in England, and
iliortly alas will be fully executed and finidied
without right fpeedy repentance. Some hope is
in Scotland, which hath not fliewed forth any
iiich cruelty, and hath not contemned the known
treafures : but like wanton children have contemn-
ed the commandment of their father, pardy of
frailty, partly of ignorance. But England, the
fervant that knew the will of his Lord and Mafler,
which was once lightened with moft clear beams,
which hath taffed of the fweetnefs of the word of

God, and of the joys of the world to come, which judged never fo ftrong, or inexpugnable '
hath abjured antichrift, and all idolatry, which Calice lately taken admonith you
hath beaded to profefs Chrift with great boldnefs

nations by like means an4 caufes, and they fliall fan
you forth of your own huflvs and homes, to make
you vagabonds and beggars, and after pofTefs
your lands and goods, as God threatened by Mo-
fes, as was before alleged. Truft not to thy
ftrength afterward, when thy enemy is letded,
if thou have no flrength to refift his beginnings,
no more than thou canft overcome a» canker that
hath over-run many members. That God would
not have you to truft to your force of men,
towns, or caftles, there is enough examples, that
you both have felt to your grief. And I cannot
write without mourning. For hov/ little availed
the multitude and ftout courage of you, dear
brethren of Scotland, at Muflelburgh, or Pink-
field, the carcafes alas of many thoufands, whq>
that day fell on the edge of the f'vvord, may teach
you. And how vain be all flrengths, be they

Let

before all the world, muft be beaten with many
ftripes, it cannot be avoided.

But to be fliort, this only remaineth for both thefe
nations, that they repent and return into the vine-
yard with the firft fon. For neither fhall ignorance
excufc any land or nation, as is plain in the ifl to the
Romans, neither can any people be received without
ih.e fruits of repen%ince, as John Baptift proclaimeth.

The fruits of repentance I call not only to
know your fins, and to lament them, but to
amend your lives, and to make ftraight the Lord's
paths, by refifting Satan and Cm, and obeying
God ill doing the works of righteoufnefs, and
executing God's precepts and judgments, fo long
amongft you contemned. * For even nov/ is the
' ax put to the root of the tree, fo that every tree
' that bi-in^eth not forth good fruit, fliall be hewn

* down, and caft into the fire. The Lord hath

* now his fan in his hand, and will purge his
' flour, and gather the wheat into his garner, but

* will burn the cliafF with unquenchable hre.'

Repent therefore, whilft ye have time, before ye
be fanned, hewn down and fired. When I do behold
both your two realms, 1 fee the fan, I fee the ax.
But this 1 am fure is the beginning of your ruin,
that ye do marry with flrangers, and give your
power to foreign nations, fuch as fear not God,

But I do leave fuch examples to your confidera-
tions to teach you to call to the living Lord, who
offereth hirnfelf, as a merciful Father unto you,
flill calling you to repentance by words, by writ-
ings, and moft gentle corre(fbions, if ye will not
be hard-hearted.

Yet here have we to lament the miferable ffate
of mankind, which is fb leduced by the fubtile
ft rpent ; that he cannot know his mifery, when
he is admonifhed, nor perceive his perdition,
when it drawcth fb near. When the fervants of
God fet forth his truth, they are charged to trou-
ble realms and countries, as was Elias : when
they warn men not to join hands with wicked
kings and princes, they are counted traitors, as
was Ifaiah and Jeremiah. Such is man's malice.
But if there be a God, that is firft of all to be
fought, and without whom nothing can be profi-
table unto us, but without him all things are un-
happy and accurfed : if the kingdom o^ God and
the righteoufnefs thereof mufl firft be fought, and
then all things fliall be miniftered : if our heaven-
ly King muff before man be obeyed, then all fuch
doftrine, as calleth us from man to God, is ealy
to be perceived, and ought not to be refiffed.

Wherefore I do admonifli and exhort you both
in the name of the living God, that howfoever
you have hitherto fliewed yourfelves the fervants

of

ANTONI GILBY to

of men to bear and to flatter with the world, that
now ye learn in God's caufe to defpife the faces of
men, to bend yourfelves againft this wicked world,
neither regarding the vifars of honours, vain titles
nor dignities any further than they feek God's on-
ly glory ; for his glory will he not fuffer to be
contemned for any caufe. No, he will pour con-
tempt on thofe princes that flrive againfl his truth,
but thofe that glorify him, will he glorify. And
what kingdom, realm or nation foever it be, that
will not feek to fandlify his name, they (hall in
the day of God's grievous vifitation, which is now
at hand, be utterly confounded, their flrength
fhall be flraw, their honours (hall be fhame, and
all their idolatrous priefts, in whofe lies they de-
light, together with their idols, with whom they
are bewitched, fliall be ftubble and brimflone to
burn together, when the wrath of the Lord of
Holts Ihall fet them on fire. The pricfts fliall
not lave their gods, nor the gods their worfiiip-
pers, but both alike accurfed Ihall they peridi for
ever.

And though our merciful Father hath long
fufFered heretofore in the time of ignorance, yet
now in the end of the world he calleth all people
fo plainly by his word to repentance, that he muft
needs take fpeedy vengeance, if his calling be
contemned, efpecially becaufe the day cannot long
be delayed, wherein he hath determined to judge
all people and nations of the whole world, and to
put an end to wickedncfs.

Wherefore to conclude, behold, your only remedy
remaineth to repent your time of ignorance, of flub-
bornnefs, of cruelty, of idolatry, wherein ye have
ib long continued. And now wirh all diligence
to ieek for knowlege of the word of God, and
openly to profefs the gofpel, which is the power
of God, whereof ye ought not to be afhamed.
Ceafe at the iafl from your old flubbornnefs,
whereby ye have defer ved vengeance, and labour
in the vineyard with all meeknefs, that ye may
receive mercy and grace : ceafe from your cruel-
ty againfl Chrift's members, and leara to fuffer
for Chrift's fake, if ye will be true Chriftians :
banifh all idolatry and popifli fuperftition fron^
amongft you, elfe can you have no part in Chrift's
kingdom, no more than Chrlft can be partaker
with antichrift. Pray to the Lord of Hofts and
armies to give you the courage, flrength and
means. The Lord's arm is not (hortened now, no
more than of old. Be flrong therefore in the
Lord, for the defence of the truth, though ali the

ENGLAND
world rife

AND SCOTLAND. 463

againft it. Now when the battle is
fierce againft the living God for dead idols, (even
for the vile wafer-cake, the moft vain idol that
ever was) againft the gofpel of Chrift for the in-
ventions of antichrift, againft Chriftr's members
for popifh ceremonies, can any of you,, that will
be counted God's children, ftlll halt of both
hands ? If that cake backed in iron tongs^ not
able to abide a blaft of \Yind, be the eternal God,
follow it ; but if he only be God, that hath cre-
ated the heavens, abhore fuch vile idols, that have
no force to fave themfelves : if Chrift's gofpel and
doflrine be fufficient to falvation, and by receiv-
ing of it ye are called Chriftians, away with all
antichrift's inventions brought into your Romifli
churches : if you hope to have any part with
Chrilt, cherhh his members and maintain them
againft their enemies the papifts, and the bifhop
of Rome the very antichrift.

What ftrength, what force, what power, what
counfel foever ye have of God, bend all to this
end and purpofe, as ye will make anfwer to your
heavenly King for the talent received. If you
have no regard of thofe principle points, which
only or chiefly fliould be before your eyes, go to with
your foreign marriages, join France to Scotland,
and Spain to England, if it be polTible, yet ihall
ye all be confounded. The Lord fhall plague
you one with another, until you be confumed,
your ftrength, wherein ye truft, fliall be ftiaken
to nought, your courage fliall be cowardice, your
W'ifdom fliall be folly, and the Lord of Hofts by your
ruin and deftrutffion will be renowned and praifed,
and his juft judgments throughout the earth fhali
be honoured and feared.

Whereof the contrary, if you will mainrala
God's truth in the earth, he will receive you as
his children into the heavens, if you conf'efs his-
Chrift before this wicked generation, Chrift fliall
confefs you before his Father in the heavens, la
the prefence of his angels. But if you perfift
frubbornly to banifh God's words, and his Sou
Chrift in his members forth of j^our earthly king-
doms, how can ye look for any part in his heaveii-
]y kingdom ? ]\%ich more if ye continue to m.ur-
der his mefTengers, what can ye look for amongft
5'ourfelves, but that ye fliould dig one in another's
befly to be your own murderers ? So that if ye
will ftill remain, after all thefe admonitions, m
your murders and idolatries, be fure, that in this
world you fliall have enough of your idolatries,
and you fhali be filled wLdi bloody murders, anti

m.

464 ANTONI GILBY to ENGLAND and SCOTLAND.

in the end ye fliall be 'judged without the gates
' of the heavenly Jei ufalem amongft the dogs,
'enchanters, whoremongers, and murderers, and
' idolaters, with all ihofe that loveth lies. But he
' that overcometh, all thefc fhall inherit ail

* things, and 1 will be his God, faith the Lord,
' and he (hall be my ion. Whereas the fearful in

* God's caufe, the unbelieving, the abominable,

* the murderers, whoremongers, forcerers and

* idolaters, fhall have their part in the lack that
' bnrneth with fire and brimftone.'

Lo here is the choice of life and death, of
mifery and wealth offered nnto you by God's
mercies, and the means how you may win God's
favour opened, whereby only ye may prevail
againfl your enemies. God grant you hearts

to anfwer as the people did to Jofhua, olTering;
the like choice ; ' God forbid,' fay they, ' that
' we fhould forfake God, we will ferve the Lord
' our God, and obey his voice, for he is our

* God.'

And we, your banifhed brethren, by the pow-
er of God, to provoke you forward, will thus
pronounce with Jofhua, ' That we and our fami-

* lies will ferve the Lord God, though all nations

* run to idols,' though all people do perfecute us.
We know that Satan hath but a fhort time to
rage, and that Chrifl our captain right fpeedily
will crown his foldiers, to whom, as he is the
eternal God with his Father, be all honour and
glory, for ever and ever. So be it.

THE

THE

F :l R S r -\ N D SECOND

BOOKS OF DISCIPLINE;

Together with fome

ACT S

OF THE

GENERAL ASSEMBLY,

CLEARING AND CONFIRMING THE SAME;

A N D A N

ACT OF PARLIAMENT.

Exodus xxv. 9.

According to all that I Jbeiv thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the mjlrw
ments thereof even fs Jhall ye make it.

4^7

THE

P R E F A C E.

A

\ FTER th^fe dark and dreadful day^ of barbarous blindnefs, and fuperftkion, wherein by the
r\ deceit of dumb dogs, bloody wars for many years had covered the face of this land, it pleafed the
"bountifulnefs of God, in that riches of his love, as not regarding the time of former ignorance with
a marvellous mercy to vifit this realm, by fending, not one Jonah to fuch a Nineveh, or one Phillip to
fuch a Samaria, but firft ic\v, fince many, and all faithful, holy, wife, frank to preach the gofpel ia
Scotland, as in another Antiochia. At the terror of thefe trim^pets, like fmoke before the wind were
quickly driven away, not only the darknefs of idolatry, and damnable diflenfion among the members
of this kingdom, wherein confifted the ftrength of that bloody beaft, by whofe tyrannous cruelty, and
dcceiveable ways, princes and people, were fhamefully abufed, and often compelled with the claws of
violence to fhed the blood of the iiiints, yea, to keep the book of the unchangeable telbment of Jefus
Chrift, under the cover of a flrange tongue, as a clafped book, that it fhould not be read : but alfo
many of that antichriflian left, who in the time of perfecution had ufed the curious arts of that king-
dom of lies, and fervice of Baal, were turned to the truth of God, and preached the word of his grace,
fo that in a fhort time that Romilh Jericho fell, the people that fat in darknefs, faw a great light, and
where the power of Satan had prevailed, the throne of Chrift was fet up, the word increafed and the
Lord added to the kirk from day to day, fuch as were to be faved; fo magnifying the ftrength of his
own arm againft his enemies, in that profperous time, that neither proud Anakims, nor crafty Gibeo-
nities, were able to ftand before the Spirit that fpake in thefe men of God, when they were but few ;
and though they walked in the fleOi, yet did they not war after the flelh, but by the fpiritnal arms of
bold preaching, reverent miniftration of the facraments, and fmcere ruling of the flock of Chrift witii
difcretion,' and without partiality, and always praying, and often fafting, they banifhed athelfm, bar-
barity, and papiftry, quenched the hre of contentions, prevented dangers, planted the kirks, teachcd
and perfuaded gfeat and fmall, poor and rich, and perfons of all eftates, to profefs the gofpel. And
howibever th^ were daily crofted with deceit, and oppofition, fo led they diverfity in the hand of
amity, that all things concerning the great work of that glorious reformation to the praife of God, and
the comfort of the godly, were wifely and firmly appointed. In thofe happy days the fervants of the
Lord in love, were like Jonathan and David ; in courage like Gideon's 300, in unity like the faints that
fir/l received the gofpel ; in care and diligence like the builders of the wall of Jerufalem, and fo march-
ing like the Lord's armies. Then were they neither defpifed nor abhorred, but received as the angels
of God; and yet in the Lord's troops, neither for work, nor war, were there to be found any pompous
prelate, abbot, prior, biiTiop or archbirtiop, that loves to fliine in dignity, and rejoice in rent, with ths
contempt of their brethren, and negle(ff of the Lord's fervice. O Scotland ! what was then thy felicity ?
Then didft thou fing and ftiout with the voice of joy; ' God will arife, and his enemies ftiall be fcat-

* tared ; they alfo that hate him ftiall fty before. Thou haft brought a vine out of Egypt. Thou hafl:

* caft out the heathen, and planted it. Thoa madeft room for it, and didft caufe it to take root, and

* it filled the land, &c.'

The fuperftitious ii^noran^, the perverfe papift, t;he crafty parafite, and the felf-loving politician,
the Chriftian coloured belly god, and the loofe-liver, the time-ferver, and all the forts of that filthy
feft, that hates to be rciWmed, often confpired againft the building of that glorious temple, but all
in vain ; for by the power of God they were difappointed. Yet in thefe laft days fome dangerous Dali-
lah have betrayed Sampfon, and told wherein his ftrength lay, with no lefs hurt to this kirk, then was
performed by the falfe brethcra, who v;ere craftily fent in, and crept in privily amongft the faithful
to fpy out theji- liberty which they had la Chrift Jefti-s, that they might bring them ucto bondage. It

N n o 2 5^

468 T H E P R E F A C E.

is clearly known to mr.ny in this kingdom, and in foreign parts, what a wall for defence, and a band
for peace, and progrcfs of ths gofpslj-vvas that heavenly difcipline, whereby brotherly amity, and facred
harmony 'of prince, pafiors, and profeiTors were fo continued and increafed, that all as one man, did
rtand together for the dodlrine, facraments, and kirk, government, againft the adverfaries, either lurk-
ing or profefled. It was the hedge of the Lord's vineyard and the hammer whereby the horns both of
adverfaries, and dlfobeyers, were" beaten and broken. And of this happy mean it might be truly faid,
that in the ftrength of it, more than by our own virtue, were we flrong and prevailed. And to fhar-
pen our love it°is thus written, by a flranger, but a friend. 'Albeit it be neceffary, that they who
have their city in heaven, repofe altogether thereupon, yet nothing fhould let us to behold, as it were
heaven upon earth, that is, the power of God in his own, ac. By mofl evident reafons i judge the
kirk of Scotland to be of this fort. In the which, the many mighty, and long continuing afTaults of Satan,
the like whereof, as I think, no nation fuftained, could neither defile the purity of doftrine, nor bow
the rule of right' difcipline. This is a great gift of God, that he hath brought together to Scotland,
both the purity of religion, and difcipline, whereby, as in a bond, the doftrine is fafely kept. I pray
and b^feech you fo to keep thefe two together, as that ye may be affured, thxt if the one fall, the other
can no ways long fland.'

It cannot be denied, bu t by the fpnce of 50 years and above, Scotland ran well, the doftrine was i»
fach fort preached, and difcipline appointed, and praclifed ; yea, both profefled, eflablifhed, and con-
iranjly d;;^"<:rnded ; not only by thofe faithful men, that went before, but by them who followed, and
vet live, in fuch concord of kirk, and policy, that the like thereof is fcarccly to-be found in flory, or
feen with evts ia any nation, fmce the revelation of the myflery of the gofpel to the firft apoflles. But
nov/ o- late, v/ith piety tofpeak it, no uncircumcifed Philiftinc, or Affyrian, but fome of the difciples,.
deftrouE to fit at the rirrht hand, and pretending to reftcre again the kingdom to Ifrael, the kirk to her
old rents, and privileges, at firft did minch, and fpairingly fpeak, but afterward praftife and loudly
pj-cach ; that, except after the manner of other nations, the kirk of Scotland admitted again prelates,
the p.-inces rS that wicked hierarchy, with fome untrufly traditions, and change of things indifferent,
as they tsim them, but in eff<iO: the difgraclng of paAors, rejecting of elders, deftroying of affemblies,
and fafliioning, doctrine, difcipline, ftcraments, confelTions of faith, forms of prayer, and all in a
new iliape ; it cannot be faved, nor vindicate from poverty and contempt, but by the means of this
malady obtruded for a remedy. Not only thefe evils, howfoever at the beginning feeming fmall, hath fo'
grown, tliat, like netdes in a foul ground, they not only bud and bloom; but aboundantly bring^
forth divifions, diffenfions, and unkindly contentions among brethren, to the great joy of the enemies,
and grief and offence of them that fear God. This flrange fire hath entered in the city of God, and
horribly burns on, and yet is it fo, that fuch as may will not, and fuch as are willing cannot, and they
that Aiould be firft, are leaft zealous and forward to offer their pains, either to clear and defend the
truth, to pacify their brethren, or to plead the caufe of difcipline againft the calumnies and cavillations
of fuch as by promodng of novelties, feeks promotion; but uncharitable fpeechcs, and pefliferous pens
of deffenfion, fretting as a canker, increafeth unto more ungodlinefs; dangerous diffolution, the
daughter of divifion, and the undoubted fore-runner of defolation daily proclaims the defacing, if not
the fall of this reformed kirk. As if no care fhould be taken that the fpoufe of Jcfus Chriff, who fo
. long like a chafle virgin hath fhined in purity before her Lord in this land, fhould now be flained with
Corah's ambition, Balaam's wages, and Efau's profannenefs, altar againft altar, and brother againft bro-
ther. In this cafe, fo pitiful, and good caufe fo univerfally neglefted, if not deferted ; it fliould be
our hearts defire, and prayer to God to be found faithful, when with grief we may juftly fay of the
old friends, and new adverfaries of difcipline. * It is time for the Lord to work, for they have deftroyed

* thy laws.' And of her conftant friends boldly avow, * therefore love they thy commandments above ■

* gold, yea above moftfine gold.' Could this pregmaticalcourfe of dangerous defertion from a truth fo long
profefled, whereof none, or few can be ignorant, work in our hearts, now almoft lukewarm, a la-
borious love, and holy zeal for that truth whereof we are perfuaded; we might then be fully affured
that as it was faid in the book of the wars of the Lord, what he did in the r«d fea, and in the brooks
of Arnon, the banners of his power being difplayed for Ifrael, as well at their entry into Canaan againft
the nations,, as at their coming out of Egypt againft Pharaoh : fo through the wonderful working of
his equivaleat power, and uochangeabk love, it fhould be remembered ia the records of tfce reformed

kirks.

The .T K V, F A C E. 46-j

kirks of Scotland, that what he did hrfl in fubilance, that he did lall i/i-ccrcmonv, n^ak^t t :]y^ end ot"
his own work againft apoftates from dirdpline, profefled by thcmfelvcs, and in that rcfpcl'l i-oritLi>j cc'i
brotherly unity, and dividfrs of brethren, anfwerab'e to the happy beginnings thereof" apain It cruel pt;r-
fecutors, and wicked heretics, is the Lord changed, bec^iife he changes rhe manner oi his worklnL}' ?
God forbid. For although he declare not. in our times who belong to him by miraculous rirc fcnt hoax
heiven, as in the days ox'" Elijah ; the earth opens not her mouth, as in the days of Corah ; he rains j-joi-r'
fliowres of brimftone iipoa the Sodomits of tljis age ; he turns not fuch as look back into pillars of fai?:
to feafon others ; neither is his favour manifefted towards his own fecret ones in earthly and vifible bkf-
iings, fo wonderfully as of-old, yet the God of Ifrael is our God, and the God of the Old Tcflamentii
the God of the New, and better Teflament, having ftill aiecret and equivalent providence molt wifcK'
difpoi'ed, and framed for the well of his kirk, according to the diverlity of the ages fucceedinc; one aftci
another. So that no wife heart perceiving the courfe thereof could willi another than the preftnt, how-
fosver the folly of inHdelity blinds men to affect the mir.acles, eafe, and outward profpcrity of formci-
generations, and if thefe fail, to call themfelves headlong in defpcration, defeftion, or atheifm. Yea,
becaufe he works not as before, in their hafle, they conclude, that he works not at all. It were our
wifdom, who live in the laft times, rather to determine with onrfelve?, that as in great and extraordi-
nary plauges, fmall and common difeafes are fwallowed up ; fo Vv-iil the Lord, leaving all other war-
nings, have all ears to be lift up in fear, to the hearing of the loud trumpet of the goipel, fummoniarr
all fleih before the judgment leat of Chriif, that they may mofb of .all tremble at that lafl fentence^
which debars men for ever from the face of God, and in the mean time^ will have the life of his ouu
children hid with Chrift, that in a holy conformity with him, they m.ay by many affii<ftions enter into
his kingdom. As the prefent profperity of the common fort doth make their fear the greater -^ fo the
crolfes of the kirk fnould make them with the greater courage, to lift up their heads.'^and while the
day of their redemption draws near, to walk with the greater fidelity in their vocations, buHdina the;
houfe of God with the one hand, and fighting with the other, againfl enemies of all forts, efpa;ially
thefe Sanballates, and Tobiahs, who labour to make other knks abroad, and a great number of the
Paftors and people at home, to think that a great part of the walls of Chriil's kirk, bullded within this
nanon, fince our delivery from the Romifli captivity, are fo weak, that if a fox fliall go up upon them,,
he (liould break them down. And now forfooth the new work rifing in place of the old to be more
firm, and of the old foundation, when the myftery of iniquity, after long woiking in fccrft was feca
manifeftcd, there was a new face brought upon the kirk. The pure fountain of holy fcripture troubled'
with the puddle of trilling traditions, ceremonies brought in, and will worihip, and damnable idolatry
fet up, apoftolical difcipline abolilhed, and popifh policy exalted. Yet fuch is the wilfulnefs of men,,
knowing the weaknefs of error, and force of the truth, that multitudes in the fucceeding times have
not blu(hed to bring in thefe novelties under the name of ancient verities-,, yea, without fliame, or fear,
to affirm that this lafl was the primitive and natural face of their mother. It may be feen in theie days,
that after a large time, this lecond myftery working under cover, yet always perceived by fom.e in this
land, is now at lafl brought to light, according to the warnings of the wife watchmen of this kirk, and-
hath changed the comely countenance of Chrift's fpoufe, further than the lovers of the truth would have
thought, into the antichrifl complexion of that whore of Babel-, and without God's preventing mercy ^,
and our fpcedy repentance the lofs of a great fubflance for a^foul conformity ;. and yet,, howloever all
men cry, that the ancient way was the bell, and as they love honefty, they will be the fons of conflan-
cy, and firmly retain the ancient difcipline of the reforined kirk of Scotland. They have renounced no-
thing, they have abjured nothing : yea, if any whifper of a fall from the firft love, they are
quickly marked, as wilful pkading for fliadows, and making of fchifms: and fo fuch as would flrivc
to fland, muft fuffer for their fault, who hath wrought the change.. As that old painteiv intending-
to reprefent the body of Herculus, exprefTed nothing of the lineaments of his face, ftature, or members,"
contenting himfelf with the refemblance of the lions fkin, which he was wont to carry, as the badge of
his ftrength, and trophy of his honour : fo fome of his prentices, for the beautiful face of this kirk,
and heavenly proportion of her divine difcipline do fet before the. eyes of men of this time, who never
faw the fair face, nor felt the flrength of ancient order, thatix)aring lions fkin of epifccpacy, thegreat-
ejQ: monfler that this kirk had conflidled with, in the mofl part of her meetings, and whofe fkin withiite
thefe few years was commonly repute among the refl of the fpoils taken from her enenies. As it was:

4J6 The PREFACE.

the courage tk wife Cato againft the braggers of arrogant Greeks, perverting all verity and antiquity of
hiftory, and ufurping the honour of the invention of all things, to write a book deOrginibuSy for vindicating
the truth from ufurping prerfumption : and as in latter times many have happily laboured in difcovering
the Roman inventions, and bringing to light the beginnings and progrefs of error and idolatry, creep-
ing in and corrupting that kirk. It were likewife to be wifhed, for the well of this kirk, and her
<- lufc of coiitroverfies, that tlic a<5ls of the general affemblics, fo often viiitcd and prepared for public
!i(<^, were now according to the intention and care of the kirk, together with the books of dicipline,
wh'icXx faould be H.'^hts for dlreftioti, and laws for decifion of controverfies arillng thereabout, faithfully
pernlcd and printed.

for the prefent neceffity, yc have here the firfl: and feeond books of difcipline, with certain ai5ls of
'the Airk for clearing your doubts, and confirming the truth againft fuch, as delight in vails of obfcuri-
ty, and circuits of circumvention. As there was never any miracle wrought for conRiting of athcifts,
becaufe every work of God is a miracle ag.iinfl: them : fo there needs no argument, to flop the mouths
of adverjaries for difcipline, who would leem. to Hand to their own oath and ancient profeflion, becaufe
every line almoft of thefe books, will be an argument againft them ; if truth fhall obtrude herfelf to
the kn.owlcgj of men, not fuff^-ring Chem to be fo forgetful and ignorant, as perhaps they would feem,
•God forbid, that any fhould think that his refolution to be rich andflately, fliould fo fuprefs liis light,
and fray his m.ind from thinking that true, Nvh'ch we would wifli v/ere falle, that wei-e the fin of a
witty malignant: Hac efl fummn delidi nolle agnofcerc quod ignorare non potes : it were much better,
that as many as through ignorance of the edablifiied order in the kirk have been milled, would now re-
pent their negligence and dangerous courfe, when they fhail iee a good daughter of an evil mother.
This truth brought to light to be the fruit of onr divifion, as perlccucion in former times hath brought
forth purity, and herefy the truth of doctrine; fo hath this Ht of dinra(flion among brethren brought
this draught of difcipline to the view of the world; to fo many as have flood, by the grace of God, to
the defence of their profeffion, a flrong confirmation ; and to fuch as are tofTed with doubtings, a
.t;icar refolution. Let it be no derogation to the truth here exprelTed, nor to the labours of thefe faith-
ful fathers, who penned and put in rcgifier the fame, but a great imputation and guiltinefs lying upon
the fucceeding age, who deprived themfelves of fuch a benefit, and the kirk of Inch a defence. Though
t!iC book of God's covenant lay long hid in the temple, yet Jofiah rejoiced when it came to light. Very
Jezabelcould not be flayed from magnifying of Baal by all the dalhes he fufFered from heaven and earth.
And Chouldnot Chrifliansbe afhamed to be Jcfs afFeftionate to verity, than fhe to idolatry, and namely
a truth concerning Chritl's kingly office, and the miniflers of his kingdom, without the truth whereof
■we can neither have comfort of bis prophecy nor prieflhood. It is the Lord's great mercy, that in the
'reformation of this kirk he hath been preached, and profefTed, King, Fried, and Prophet. And it
fhall be the. glory of this land, thankfully to ackncwlege that incomprehenfible benefit, and always
carefully to keep whole without rent, and to carry a reverent efiimatisin to the great work of the glorious
reformation of this kirk. For this effeft ye mufi arm yourfclvcs againft the lords of tonguts, who
have faid, With our tongues will we prevail. Of that generation iome will dafii you by the odious
name of Puritan, and yet one of that lordly fort is forced toconfefs, that Scots profeflbrs are unto him
■Puritans from the fonn of external government, but not from religion, which both is and may be one
and the fame, vv'here the external form of goveraraent is different and contrary, who albeit they be
milerably taken with that their own form, yet in the rcfi: ofthc doctrine they are fafiiciently orthodox.
Others, lilce wicked creditors dcftrcying the obligation, whereby they are bound for debtful obedience,
fammarily deny, that ever this kirk had any approved difcipline, except that which is printed and placed
in the pfalm books. A third ibrt, making fuch paftors,' who at the beginning were called fuperinten-
Gfuts, to be figure-3, paterns. forerunners, or lieutenaiits of bifnops fuch ns ncv/ are, would move the
world to believe, that they follow the firfl difcipline. A fourth kind, wandering in the wUdernefs of
unbounded indif^crency, takes upon them lodeiermine all doubts of difclpiine, by honour, eafe, or gain.
And fome, of GaUio'sdifporition it may be, hidly eflceming all religion a matter of fpecch, fpare not
to proclaim, tha: ftriving about fuch trifles is^necdlefs. For your incouragement againd: fuch, and o-
theis of the like difpofition, it hath plealed the Lord to fet on work our pens ; and in his ov/n time, if
iprefiimption be obfcinate, he will infpire them with greater love of his truth, to whom he hath given
iknovvlc^^e la ineafire above them who ha^h put to their hand; and increale their knowlege, -in whofe

hearts

THir PREFACE. 471

kearts he hath wrought fome love, howfoever their knowlege be far inferior to many of iliea's who
fland for the truth.

It is to be remembered, that the true friends of difcipline are the minlfters of the blefTcd gofpcl of
Jefus Chrift, agreeing id doftrine, and adminiilration of the facraments, and the people uf this rer.lm
tliat profefs Chrift, as he is now offered in his gofpel, and do communicate with the holy iacramcnts (as
in the reformed kirk of this realm they are publicly admiuiftered) according to the cont'efljon of faith ;
and that fuch as were cloathed with the kirk rents, or greedily gaped after the fame, as abbots, piiors,
prioreflefs, biftiops, commendators, and other facriligious ufurpers of kirk-livings, as they had place
in policy, and credit in court, or council, either profefTedly or craftily, have refilled the courle of the
gofpel, and the difcipline thereof, as may be feen in thefe conflifls, whereby the kirk hath ever llrivcn
for deliverance from their ufurpation ; till now the zeal of benefices having devoured the zeal of difci-
pline, old oppcfites are thought to be her moft loving familiars, and her old friends her greatefl: enemies.
A llraage cafe, and yet very cafual for the kirk by feeking worldly preferment, to loofe fpiritual fer-
yauts, as one laid, * Never a minifter got a great benefice, but he fpiltit, or it fpilt him.'

It^m, Thaj under the name of difcipline is to be undcrilood not only the particulars exprelTed in thefe
two books, but alfo theatffs, conftitutions, and pradlices agreed upon,, and recorded in the re'^ifters of
the general and provinal afiemblies, prelbyteries, and kirk feflions.

Thirdly, To confider the different conditions of the kirk in her infancy, in her growing, and in her
ripe age, and accordingly to accommodate the difcipline to practice, as the condition of the time per-
mitted or required, and wifely to diftinguifn betwixt the kirks purpofe and intention in every particu-
lar, and their pofTibility to perform and pra6^ile, as circumftances concurred, or were contrary. As for
example, they intended rcfidentminifters, one or more, as kirk's were of largencfs, with elders and dea-
cons. Item, Dodtors of divinity for fchools, affemblies general, provincial, weekly meetings for the
interpretation of the fcripture, which afterward at Edinburgh the 7 th day of July, 1 579 were judged
to be a prelbytry: and they abhorred' anarchy, oligarchy, and hierarchy: but with great pains and
frequent meetings was abufes condemned ; and order eflablidied ; {o that for lake of ordinary minifters
planted, and in that refpefl lake of lawful afiemblies, they were forced occafionally to ufe fuperinten-
dents, and vifiters of countries, who afterward in the general affembly holden arEdinburgh the 4th of
Auguft 1 5^90 when prelbyteries- were. welV.and orderly conilitute, were-declared neither to beneceffary,
aor expedient.

Fourthly, The firft and fecond books of difcipline penned by the minifbers of the reformed
kirk, and the firft book at the charge and commandment of the great council of Scotland, fub-
fcribed by the greateft part thereof, and afterward by many more, as may be feen in the adts of the
kirk : the fecond book ftanding inferted in public regifter of the kirk, ordained to be fubfcribed by di-
vers adls of the affembly, and confirmed by practice, are both for one end, t9vjit, To direft reforma-
tion in dodlrine, facraments, and exercife of difcipline, and to refifl idolatry and corruptions. The^^
firft hath more particular purpofes : the fecofidfets down more fully, and particularly the jurifdidlion
of the kirk, as it agrees, or is diftinguilBed from the civil policy, the office-bearers of the kirk with
their duty, the affemblies of the kirk, and diftinftions thereof ; the patrimony of the kirk, and diftri-
bution thereof; the office of a Chriftian magiftrate in the kirk ; certain heads of reformation, with the
utility of the faid books, 6c. Itcvj, Eiiher of the f^d books Goafirm the other, and neither- of themi
aboliih, or ianovaic the other.

^ C T S

A

C

T

S

o F. THm-> :

GENERAL ASSEMBLY,

For

clcarino;

and confirmmo; the faid Books of Discipline,
and againft the adverfaries thereof.

For the Firji Book.

Edinburgh Jidy ~0 E C A U S E the lives of mi-

B'

30, 1562. JJ nifters ought to be fuch, as
thereby others may be provoked to godlirrefs, it
becomes them fiift to be tried, after the trial of the
fuperintendents, if any man have whereof to ac-
•cule them in life, doftrinc, or execution of their
office. After the miniflers, mulf the elders of e-
very kirk be tried, '6c. * In that whole ordinance

* anent trial, and in the conflitution following a-

* nent the fubjeftion of all forts of miniflcrs to the

* diicipllne of the kirk, there is no mention of bi-

* fliops, or any forts of prelates, as not ackrxOwleg-

* ed to have any place in the miniflry of the refor-

* med kirk.

Ibldjm. Mr. Alexander Gordon, called bidiop
of Galloway, making petition for the fuperinten-
dency ot Galloway, was refufed, becaufe he had not
obferved the order of calling fuperintendents, and
in the mean time was required to fubfcribe the
book of difcipline. * Where it is evident that by

* his cipifcopacy he might exercife no minifterial

* duty, and although he was prefcnted by the Lords,
' yet they would not admit him to be fuperinten-

* dent, except he fubfcribcd the book of difcipline.

* And let this be remembered for the fubfcription of

* others, of whom there may be feen a great num-
■* b^ at the end of the faid book.

Ibidem. It is concluded by the whole miniflers
aflembled, that all miniflers (hall be fubjedl to their
fuperintendents, in all lawful admonitions, as is
prelcribed as w^U in the book of difcipline, as in
the election of fuperintendents. * Here obferve
two things, jf^y? That iuperlntendents might not do
what pleafed them : fecondly. That obedience to
be performed to them was injoined by the kirk,
and fet down in the book of difcipline, and in the
ele<flion of fuperintendents.

Ibidem. A minifter lawfully admitted, fhall not
be removed, but according to the order of the
book of difcipline, fo that the faid book is both the
warrant of orderly admiffion, and orderly remov-
ing-

Edinburgh De'tejn. 25, 1562. According to the
fourth head of the book of difcipline concerning
the lawful elecflion of minillers, the alTembly or-
dains, that inhibition fhall be made to all and fun-
dry perfons, now ferving in the miniflry, who
hath not entered into their charges by the order ia
this fame head appointed. And this adl to have
ftrength as well againft them that are called bi-
fhops, as others pretending any miniftry within the
kirk.

Edinburgh Decern. 25. 1563. It was thought
needful, for further confirmatioa of the book of

difci-

ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 47^

dlfclpHiis, that the eirl Mar(hal, lord Ruthven,
lord fecretary, the coitimendator o^ Kilwinning, the
biihop of Orkney, clerk ofregifter, juftice clerk,
Mr. Henry Balnaves, David Forrefter, and Mr.
George Buchanan, or any three, or four of them,
fliould overiee the faid book, and diligently confi-
der the contents thereof, noting their judgment in
writ, and report the fame to the next alfembly ge-

neral of the kirk : or if any parliament chance to
be in the mean time; that they report their judg-
ments to the lords of the articles, that fhail happen
to be chofen before the faid parliament. * By theic
it is evident, that our kirk acknovvleged the firfl
book to be the book of difcipline and no ways to
be aboliflied, but for the ufe of the kirk to be fur-
ther confirmed.

For the Second Book of Difcipline,

Edinburgh June \ N E N T the caufes of the

A

25, 1564. Jr\. kirk, and jurifdiftion there-
of, the aflembly appointed, the laird of Dunn,
Mr. John Winram, Mr. John Spottifwod, Mr. John
Willock, fuperintendents, Mr. John Row, George
Ha}^ Robert Pont, Chriftopher Gudman, Tho-
mas Drummond, John Kno'i, John Craig, John
Rutherfurd, George Buchanan, Robert Hamilton,
Clement little, the lairds of Lundie, Elphlnilon,
Karnal, Kers, and Thomas Scot of Abbottilhall,
to conveen the morrow after the preaching, and to
realbn and confer anent the fliid caufes, andju-
rifdi«51ion.

Edinburgh Decern. 2<J, 1566. Ordains an
humble fupplication to be made to the lords of fe-
cret council, anent the commilTion of jurifdiiflion,
fuppofed to be gran ted tothebidiop of St. Andrews,
to the effe^l, that their honours may flay the fam«,
in refpefl that thefe caufes, for the mofl part,
judgedby his ufurped authority pertain to the kirk,
and howbeitfor hope of good things the kirk did
overiee the queen's majefly's commifTion given to
fuch men, who for the moll part were our brethren,
yet can the affembly no ways be content, that the
bifhop of St. Andrews, a conjured enemy to
Chrill, ufe that jurifdidlion, as alio in refpe(Sl: of
that coloured commiffion, he might ufurp again,
his old ufurped authority, and the fame might be
the mean to opprefs the whole kirk by his corrapt
judgment.

Edinburgh Decern. 25, 1567. The whole afTtm-
bly thought meet that certain brethren be appoint-
ed to concur at all times with fuch perfons of par-
liament, or fecret council, as my lord regents
grace hath nominate for fuch affairs as pertain to
the kirk and jurifdidfion thereof, and alfo for de-
cifion of queflions that may occur in the mean time,
viz. MefTrs. John Knox, and John Craig minifters
of Edinburgh: the fuperintendents of Angus, and
Lothian, David Borthwick, Thomas Mackcalzan,

David Lindfey minlfler at Leith, George Hay at
Ruthven, and John Row at St. Johnfloun.

Edinburgh July 25, 1 567. Letters direfted from
the afTembly by their commilTioners, to the earls,
lords, and Barons, viz. Tlie earls Huntly, Argyl,
Caffils, Rothes, Marflial, Ivlonteath, and Glen-
cairn, to the lords Boyd, Drummond, Sanchar,
Hercs, Yefler, Cathcart, Mr. of Graham, Flem-
ing, Lcvingflon, Forbes, Salton, Glammis, Ogil-
vie, Mr. of Sinclair, Gray, Oliphant, Methven,
Innsrmeth, Mr. of Somervel, Barons, Lochlnvar,
Garlics, Iheriff of Air, Glenurquher, Sir James
Hamilton, Bonington, commendatories, Arbroath,
Kilwinning, Dunfermling, St. Colms, Newbottlc,
Holyroodhoufe fhewing them that the alTembly
had of long time travailed both in public and pri-
vate, with all cflates, continually craving of their
honours in fpecial, that the courfeof the gofpel of
falvation now once of the liberal mercy of Godre-
flored to this realm, might continue to all their
comforts, and their pofterities. And that for
the furthering and maintaining thereof, a perfect
policy and full liberty might be granted to this
reformed kirk within Scotland, <oc.

Edijiburgh July i. 1568. An article prefented
to my lord regent. That his grace would caufe fucli
as are appointed of the council, conveen with them
that are appointed of the afTembly, to confer anent
the jurifdi<Slion of the kirk, and to decide therein,,
that time and place may be coudefcended upon to
that effefl, and that it be done before the parliament.

Edinburgh July i, 1569. My lord regent's
grace ordanis the perfons nominated in the aft of
parliament to conveen the time of the next checker,,
and define and limitate the jurifdiflion of the kirk,
according to the word of God, and aft of parlia-
ment made thcreancnt. Extra6l. aB.ftcrctarii con-
filii, Alexander Hay.

Edinburgh March 5, i 570. Articles pertaining

to the jurifdiftion of the kirk to be proponed to

O o o the

ACTS OT TH3 GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

474

the regent's grace and fecret council, and fought to
he appointed by them. i. That the kirk have the
3 udgment of true and falfe religion, of doiflrine,
hcreiics, and fuch like, annexed to the preaching
of the word, and miniftration of the facraments.
%. Eeledion, examination, and admiffion of theni,
thatareadmitted to the miniftry, or other fundfi-
ons of the kirk, charge of fouls, and ecclefiaftical
benefices, the fufpenfion, and deprivation of them
therefrom for lawful caufes. 3. All things con-
cerning the difcipline of the kirk which ftand in
ccrreftion of manners, admonitions, excommi>ni-
catious, and receiving to repentance. 4. The
judgment of ecclefiaflical matters betwixt perfons
that are in the kirk, and efpecially among them
ihatare conftitutein the miniftry, .as well concer-
ning beneficiary caufes, as others. 5. Jurifdicfti-
on to proceed by admonitions, to the procefs of
excommunication, if need be, againft them that
rob the patrimony of the .^irk, pertaining to the
•mlniilry, orotherways intromit therewith unjuftly,
'.vhereb'y the miniftry is in danger to decay by oc-
ca'Ion of the poverty of the miniftcrs. 6. And
becaufe the Conjunf^ionof marriages pertains to
the miniilry, the C;.ufe5 of adherence and divorce-
ments ought alfo to pertain to them, as naturally
annexed thereto.

Edinburgh Jpril 24, i^-je.ScJf. 6. Brethren
aopointed to make an overture of the policy, and
itjrifdii^fion of the kirk, 6c. For the weft country,
the blfnop of Glafgow, MefTrs. Andrew Melvil,
.Andrew Hay, James Ciaig, David Cunningham.
For Lothian, MefTrs Robert Pont, James Lawfon,
David Lindfay, Clement Little, and Alexander
Sym. For Fife, the fuperintendent thereof, with
the principal mailers of the univerfity. For Angus,
and Merns, the laird of Dun, William Chryfte-
fon, John Row, William R-ind, John Dunkefon;.
For Aberdeen, MefTrs. John Craig, Alexander
Arbuthnot, George Hay, and their perfons tocoa^
veen, ilk country and rank in the places following,
viz. The weft in Glafgow. Lothian, in Edin-
burgh. Fife, in St. Andrews. Angus, in Mon-
trofe, the firft Tuefday of June next to come, to
confer and advife upon the faid matter-, and to
have general meetings or conventions, two, or one
at leafV, of ilk country, ia Stirling, the laft of
July thereafter, to communicate and cognofce u-
pon their v/hole travails and labours taken herein,
and to confer hereupon, and report what they
have found, and conceived in the faid matter, to
the next afTembly.

Rdinkirgh OHr.ij 1577. The brethreo de-

pute to the conceiving and forming of the heads ol
the policy of the kirk, being called to give account
of their diligence, prefented the fame as they had
made partition thereof at the aflembly in Stirling.
The heads penned bymafter John Row, and James
lawfon, were read, and nothing faid againfV, ex-
cept that one of the faid Mr. John, his articles
was referred to further difputation. All men be-
ing required, that had any good reafon or argu-
ment to propone, in the contrary to alledge the
fame ; or if they would not publicly reafon on the
faid head, to refort to the faid commiflioners,
where travail fliould be taken to fatisfy them ; jsav-
ing to them liberty alfo, before the heads be rc-
collefted and ordered in one body, to make ar-
gument, as they think good againft the fame.

The laird of Dun thought the head given to
him obfcure. The aflembly defired him to con-
fer with the remaining commifTioners the next
morning at fevcn o'clock, that he might be refolved
of the mer>ning thereof.

The remanent heads being prolix v/ere thought
good to be contrafted in fhort proportions to be
prefented to public reading.

Sejf. 2. The head committed to Mr. Andrew
Hay, being read in face of the aflembly, nothing
W£S proponed againft the fame, except the article
ancnt the fufpenfion of minifters, referred to fur-
ther reafoning. David Fergiifon his part being
read, the 18 th article was referred, and nothing
fpoken againft the reft. The points committed to
MefTrs. Andrew Hay, Robert Pont, David Lindfay,
nothing alledged in the contrary. The heads
committed to Mr. John Craig read, fome things
were defired to be contracted, and others referred
to further reafoning.

Se([. 3. The whole labours of the brethren ta-
ken upon the matter, and argument of the policy
being wholly read in public audience of the afTem-
bly, it was thought expedient that their whole tra-
vails and work in this matter being now difperfed^
ftiould be revifed and pxirfued by fome brethren,
and digefted and difpofed in good and convenient
order, to be thereafter prefented to the aflembly.
And for that elfefl the afTembly appointed the bre-
thren MefTrs. James Lawfon, Andrew Melvil,
John Craig, George Hay, to conveen together to
appoint the hours and place thereto, and to remain
thereat while the matter be brought to an end.
And in the mean time, if it pleafe any to rea-
fon with them in the matter, to have accefs there-
to.

Self, 6, CommifTioner? dire^ed from this aflem-

biy

ACTS OP THB GE

bly to the regents grace for informliig his gracd
anent the travails of the kirk in the matter and ar-
gument of the policy, returned, and reported,
his grace iiked well of their travails, and labours
they took in that matter, requiring expedition,
and hafty out-red thereof.

Scjf. 9. The brethren appointed to colle<ft the
heads of the policy prefented before, reported
the iame gathered and colle(fted in order, and di-
gerted in one body, and all men were required,
that Jiad good reafon, or argument to propone, to
(jffer them thereto. Three heads were called in
doubt, one de DiaconatUy another dc jure Patro-
vafuT, the third de divortiis, wherein they were
not refolved, nor fatisfied. As to the reft, no-
thing was thought in the contrary, nor opponed
thereto.

Thefe three heads ftanding in controverfy, and
difputed in iitramque partem, yet further dii-
putation was referved to the next morning, to any
man that liked to take the part of reafoning upon
him againft the faid heads. Becaufe the matter of the
policy of the kirk collected by the brethren, is not
yet in fuch perfect form, as is rcquifite, and fan-
dry things are largely intreated, which would be
more fummarily handled, others required further
dilatation, for recolleifling thereof, and putting the
feme in good order, and form, and for avoiding
of fnperfluity, and obfcurity, the fubftantials be-
ing kept, the alTembly prefently hath willed their
beloved brethren, MefTrs. Robert Pont, and James
Lawfon, to take travail and labour in the premifles.
And to the effeft, that the work may be the bet-
ter compleat, and in readinefs againft the next ge-
neral affembly, which is ordained to begin at E-
dinburgh the 25 of OvElober next to come, the
aflTembly hath ordained their brethren the laird of
Dun, MelTrs. Alexander Arbuthnot, Andrew
Melvil, John Craig, Andrew Hay, George Hay,
John Row, David Liudfay, John Dunkefon, to
ailetnble and conveen together the 19 of October
next in Edinburgh, to revife and conilder the tra-
vails of the laid brethren, that the fame may be
the more advifedly proponed publicly, as is faid.
In the meaa time fuch as pleafe to reafon Li tl^
matter, to have a!ccefs to the faid brethren. And
likewife ordained the vifitors of countries, to make
iotimattott to- the Barons, that the faid work is in
hateds, and to be treated in the next general conv«i-
lioQ defiring their prefence and concurrence thereto.

Edinl^urgh QSfr. 25, 1577. Becaufe the mat-
xet of the policy, and jurifdiifbion of the kirk, com-
mitted to the reco!k<fling, forming, and difpoling

KERAL ASSEMBLY. 475

of certain brethren^ being now prefented by them,
was thought expedient to be propounded and in^
treated the morrow after the reading of the gene-
ral heads thereof. The whole brethren were re-
quired to advife with themfelves, if they found
any otiier head neceffary to be difputed than thole,
and to lignify the fame to the alTembly to-morrov/.
My lord regent's grace defired the affembly to pro-
ceed forward earncftly in the policy, wherein thc.y
were labouring and to put the fame to an end.

The reft of this day being confumed in exami-
nation of the travails taken upon the policy, as is
noted thereupon to the next feffion, the affem-
bly ordains it to be poceeded further in.

ScJ. 6. This feffion being wholly employed
in reafoning upon the heads of the jurifdiaion of
the kirk, the fame argument was ordained to be
followed out the morrow, fo far as time may ferve
thereunto.

Edinr. Ocl. 25. 1 577. The heads of the policy and
jurifdiaion of the kirk being wholly read, ar,d
thought good that the fame fhould be prefented to
my lord regent's grace, as agreed upon by reafonjng
among the brethren, faving the head de Dlaconatu,
which is ordained to be given in with a note, that
the fame is agreed upon by the moft part of the af-
fembly, without prejudice of further reafoning, to
the effedl that the faid heads may be put in vzundo,
difpofed and fet in good order, according to tiie
mind of the affembly, the affembly hath willed
Meffrs, John Lawfon, Robert Pont, Davrd Liud-
fay, and the clerk of the affembly to labour with
diligence therein, and the fame being put in mund9
by them according to the original to be feen, and
revifed, by John Dunkefon, David Fergufon, the
laird of Dun, Meffrs. James Cavmichael, and
John Brand, and being feen by them according to
the faid original, to be prefented by the faid MefTrs.
James Lawfon, Robert Pont, and David Lindfay,
together with a fupplication penned and delivered
to them by the alTembly unto my lord regent's
grace, and in cafe conferrence and reafoning be
fought by his grace upon the faid heads prefented
to his grace, the affembly hath ordained the laird
of Dun, MefTers. Patrick Adamfon, John Craig,
John Row, Alexander Arbuthnot, Andrew Met-
vil, James Lawfon, Robert Pont, David Lindfay^
An<kew Hay, George Hay, and John Dunkefon,
to concur and wait upon the faid conferrence, as
they fhatl be advertifed by liis grace.

Edinburgh April 24, 1578. For as much as

the general aflembly hath thought meet, that the

travails taken by them upon the policy, fhail be

'O <y o 2 ;prefente(|

410

ACTS 05 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

prefented to the kings majeily, and his highnefs
council, it was found meet that before the copies
thereof were delivered, they fiiould be yet reviewed
and overfeen by MefTrs. Robert Pont, James Law-
fon, and David Lindfay, and being written over,
according to the original, one copy fhould be pre-
fented by rhem to his highnefs, with a fupplieation
penned by them to that effeft, and another copy
to the council. The time to be at the difcretion
oi: the faid brethren, lb it be before the general faft.
And in cafe conterr.:ncc and reaibning be craved n-
pon the faid heads, the affembly hath nominated
?>Iefrrs. John Craig, Alexander Arbuthnot, the
laird of Dun, William Chriftefon, John Row,
David Frrgafon, Robert Pont, James Lawfon,
David Lindfay, John Dunkefon, Andrew Melvil,
Andrew Hay, James Craig, to concur and conveen
at fuch times appointed ,by the king and council,
as adv^ertifement fhall be lijade to them by the fuid
three brethren. And that the faid commiffioners
at the faid conferrence, reafon alfo in the head of
the ceremonies and how far minillers may meddle
with civil affairs, and if they may vote in council
or parliament.

Edinburgh April 24, 1578. It was required,
that if any brother had any reafonable doubt, or
argument to propone anent the head de Diaconatii,
that he fliould be ready the morrow to offer his
reafons, where he fhall be heard and refolved.

According to the ordinance made yeflerday, all
perfons that have any reafonable doubt, or argu-
ment to propone againfl the head of the policy,
were required to propone the fame, and none of-
fered any argument to the contrary.

Iljidem. The general ailembly of the kirk find-
ing univerfal corruption of the whole eflates of
the body of this realm, the great coldnefs and flack-
nefs in religion, in the greateft part of the profef-
fors of the fame, with the daily increafe of all
kind of fearful fins and enormities, as incefl, adul-
teries, murders, and namely recently committed in
Edinburgh, and Stirling, curfed facriledge, ungod-
ly fedition and divifion within the bowels of the
realm, with all manner of difordered and ungodly
living, which juftly hath provoked our God, al-
though long fuffering, and patient, to ftretch out
his arm in his anger, to corre<Sl and vifit the ini-
,(^uity of the land, and namely by the prefent pe-
iiury, famine, and hunger, joyned with the civil
and inteftine feditions, whereunto doubtlefs great-
er judgments muft fucceed, if thefe his corredfions
work no reformation nor amendment in mens
hearts. Seeing alfo the bloody conclufions of the
<M\d councils of that IWicaa beaft, tending to ex-

termine, and rafe from the face of all Europe, the
true light of the bleffed word of falvation': for.
thefe caufes, and that God of his mercy would
blefs the king's highnefs, and his government, and
make him to have a happy and profperous govern-
ment, as alfo to put in his highnefs heart, and in
the hearts of his noble eftatcs of parliament, not
only to make and eilablifb good politic law's for
the well and good government of the realm-
but alfo to fet and ellabliili fuch a policy, and
difcipline in the kirk, as is craved in the word of
God, and is contained, and penned already to be
prefented to his highnefs, and council, that in
the one, and the other, God may have his due
praife, and the age to come an example of upright
and godly dealing. Therefore the affembly hath
ordained the aft preceeding hereanent, to be pre-
clfely kept in all points.

Stirling Jiine ^o. 1578. Forafmuch as in
thelafl affembly commiffion was given to certain
brethren to prefent to the king's highnefs and coun-
cil, the heads of the policy of the kirk, with a
fupplieation to his grace. The affembly defired
the report of the brethren's proceedings, who ex-
pounded, and fhew, that according to their com-
miffion, they exhibit to the king's majefty, a co-
py of the heads of the policy ," with the fupplieati-
on unto his grace, who gave a very comfortable
and good anfwer, that not only would he concur
with the kirk in all things that might advance the
true religion prefently profeffed within this realm,
but alfo would be a procutor for the kirk, and
thereafter his grace prefented to the council the
faid fupplieation, who nominate perfons to confer
in the matter, and by his majefly's procurement
obtained of the council, that they might choofe fo
many minifters to confer, as was at length agreed
upon, which conferrence is ready to be fhown.

Edin. 051. 29, 1 578. In refpe<fl: that at the deVirfr
of the affembly, a certain of the nobility were con-
veened, viz. my lord chancellor, the earl of Montrofe,
my lord Seatoun, my lord Lindfay, it was exponed
and fhown to the moderator of this affembly, what
care, and fludy the affembly had taken to enter-
tain and keep the purity of the fmcere word of God,
unmixed with the invention of their own heads[
which their fpecial care was to referve to the po-
flerity hereafter. And feeing that the true religi-
on is not able to continue, nor endure long, with-
out a good difcipline and policy, in that part have
they alfo imployed their wit, and ffudy, and
drawn forth out of the pure fountains of God's
word, fuch a difcipline as is meet to remain in the
Idrk, which they prefented tp the king's majefly,

with

ACTS 0 » t H E GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

'^/ /

with their fufiplication, at whofe direftion certain
commiffioncrs were appointed to reafon with fuch
as were deputed by the kirk, where the whole
matter being difputcd, was refolved and agreed,
except a few heads, and thereafter again prefentcd
' to the lords of the articles, that the faid difcipline
might have place, and be eftablifhed by the a6fs
.^nd laws of the realm, wherein neverthelefs their
travails have not fucceeded, praying therefore the
nobility prefent, as well openly to make profetlion
to the nflembly, if they will allow, and maintain
the religion prefcntly eftablilhed within this realm,
as alfo the policy and difcipline already fpoken of,
and to labour at the king and councils hands, for
an anfwer to the heads following, to wit, That
his grace and council will eflablifh fuch heads of the
policy, as were already refolved and agreed upon
by the faid commiffioners, and caufe fuch others
as were not finally agreed on to be reafoned, and
put to an end, and that his grace and council will
reflore to the kirk the aft of parliament concern-
ing the thirds : and that none vote in the parlia-
ment in nam.e of the kirk, except fuch as (hall
have commiflion from the kirk to that effedt. And
that prefentations to benehces be directed to the
comm.iiTioners of countries, where the benefices
ly. And to the end that that matter may be the
better and fooner expede, that their lordlhips
would appoint fuch time convenient thereto, as
they may bsfi fpare, that fuch of the brethren as
fhall be named thereto, may wait upon their ho-
nours. Hereunto the faid noblemen anfwered, that
a part of them had made a public profeffion of this
religion before, always now they declare and pro-
fefs the religion prefently profeiTed within this re-
alm, and that they fliall maintain the fame to their
power. As to the reft they think good, the king
and his council be fuited, and they fliall infili
with the king for anfwer thereto. The time to
that efftft: they ftiall notify to the alTembly the
morrow.

Edinburgh July 7, 1 579. That becaufe in the
laft conferrence holden at Stirling by his grace's
command concerning the policy of the kirk, cer-
tain articles thereanent remain yet unrefolved, and
referred to further conferrence, therefore the al-
fembly craves of his majefly, that perfons unfpotted
of fuch corruptions, as are defired to be reformed,
may be norainate by his majefty to proceed in the
further conferrence upon the faid policy, and time
and place to be appointed to that efFeft.

Ibidem. The queflion being proponed by the
fynods of Lothian to the general alTembly anent a

general order to be taken for creftlng of prefbyter-
ies in places where public exercife is ufed, unto the
time the policy of the kirk be eftabliPned by law.
It is anfwered that the exercife may be judged to
be a pre/bytery.

Dundee July 12, 1580. An article propoun-
ded by the commiffioners of the kirk to his majelly
and council, that the book of policy may be efla-
blifhed by an aft of privy council, while a parlia-
ment be had, at which it may be confirmed.

Glafgovj April 24, 1 581. Forafmuch as travails
have been taken in the forming of the policy of
the kirk, and divers fuits made to the magifirate
for approbation thereof, which albeit hath not yet
taken the happy effeft, which good men would
crave, yet that the polfcrity fiiould judge well of
the prefent age, and of the meaning of the kirk,
the alTembly hath concluded, that the book of po-
licy agreed to in divers afTemblJes before, fhould
be rcglftraie amongft the afts of the afFemblits,
and remain therein ad pertetuam rei mcmariam.
And the copies thereof to be taken by ev.a y pref-
bytery, of the which book the tenor folioweth,

Edinburgh Jug. 4, 1 5^90. P. Galloway modera-
tor. Forafmuch as it is certain, that the word of
God cannot be kept in its own fincerity, without
the holy discipline be had in obfervance. It is there-
fore by common confent of the whole brethren,
and commiiTioners prefent, concluded, that who-
ibever hath born office in the miniflry of the kirk
within this realm, or that prefently bears, or fliall
hereafter bear office herein, (hall be charged by
every particular prelbytery where their refidence
is, to fubfcribe the heads of difcipline of the kiric
of this realm, at length fet down and allowed by
aft of the whole aflembly, in the book of policy,
which is regiflrate in the afi^embly books, and name-
ly the heads controverted by enemies- of the dilcip-
line of the reformed kirk of this realm, betwixt
and the next fynodal aflemblres of the provinces,
under the pain of excommunication to be execut-
ed againfl: the non-fubfcribers, and theprclbyterics.
which fhall be found remifs or negligent herein, to
receive puWic rebuke of the whole aflembly. And
to the effeft the faid difcipline rnay be known, as
it ought to be, to the whole brethren. It is or-
dained that the moderator of each prefbytcry fhalf
receive from the clerk of the affembly, a copy of
the faid book under his fubfcription, u pon the ex-
pences of the prcfbytery, betwixt and the firfl: day
of September next to come, under the pain to be
openly accufed in face of the whole affembly.

ACTS OP THB GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Edinburgh July 2, 1591. The a/Tembly ordains,
that the difcipline contained in the afts of the ge-
neral aflembly, be kept as well in Angus 4nd
Men>*, as in all other parts.

JlIs concenwig i1je adverfaries ofdijlipline.

It is to be tnarked, that fuch as adhered topapijlry^
iverc enemies both to reformation and difcipline,
and fuch as embraced the true religion, "whether
kirkmen or other prof effors, and yet poffeffcdthe
hirk rents, ixjere not only unhearty friends, but
■under colour, and in policy, as great hindcrers,
as lovers of the benefices and livings belonging
to thefervice of Cod,

Edinburgh July 30, 1562. Alexander
Gordon being bhhop of Galloway, is no other-
wife acknowleged by the aflembly in reipe^l of fpi-
ritual fundtion, than as a private man void of ju-
rifdiflign : and therefore he and the reft of that
fort, are not fin^ply fet down by their title of bi-
fliop, but by a note as it were of degradation, fo
called, tonvit, bycuftom, but by no right.

Edinburgh Decern. 25, 1562. The faid Mr. Al-
-exander Gordon without refpe<fl to his place, or
bifhoprick, is inroiled after the fuperintendents,
and is thus defigned, Mr, Alexander Gordon, in-
titulate bifliop of Galloway, and is there leited
for the fuperintendency of Dumfries, Lidifdale,
and Galloway, and gets commifTion to prefent
miniftei ;, jexhorters, and readers, for planting of
kirks, and to do fuch other things as hath beea
laeretofore aecuftomed.

St, Jobnjioun Jiin^ 25, J 5 63 . Mr, Alexander
Gordon, named bifhop of Galloway, was removed
out of the alTembly, and accufed by the laird of
■Gairles; his excufes were not found altogether re-
levant, and therefore the aflembly appointed
order to be taken anent the matter complained u-
pon.

Ibidem. The afl'erably ordained commiflions to
be given to the blfliops of Galloway, Orkney and
Caithnefs,for the fpace of a year after the date here-
of, toplant kirks, i;c. within their own bounds,
and that the bi(hopof Galloway haunt, as well the
flicnlffdom of Wigtoun, as the flewartry of JCir-
kudbrlght, reckoned within his bounds.

fbidem. It was then ordained, that when any
benefice fliall chance to be vacant, or is now vacant
that a qualified perfon be prefented to the fuperin-
tiendeat of that proviace, where the benefice vakes,

and that he being fufficicnt, be admitted minlflef
to that kirk which is deftitute of a pallor, that ig-
norant idiots be not placed in fuchroofiis, by them
that are yet called bifhops, and are not.

Ibidem. Mr. Robert Pont complained upon the
bifliop of Damblain, that the faid bifliop lately
faid, and caufed fay mafs in Dumblain, contrary
to the tenor of the afl made thereanent. (drc.

Ibidem. Remember to make fupplication to the
queen's majefly and her council, for remitting the
thirds, or any part thereof to the bifliops, that are
elected by the kirk, to be commiflioners to plant
kirks within their bounds.

Ibidem. A fentence of unquhile James B. of Rofs,
commiflloner to unquhile James archb. of St.
Andrews, pronounced againft James Hamilton of
Kmcavel, was declared wicked, ungodly, and
wrongfully led.

Edinburgh Decern. 25, 1566. Bifliops, abbots,
priors, and other perfons beneficed, being of
the kirk, who receive tinds and await not on the
flock committed to their crre, neither prefent
themfelvcs to the general afTembly, are ordained
to be fummoned by ihc fuperintendents to com-
pear at the next general a/fernbly, to give their
ailiibnce, and counfel in fuch things, as appertain
to Chriflian religion, and preaching of the true
word, and further to know the ordinance of the
kirk to be made thereanent.

Edinburgh Decern. 25, 1567. Adam, called
B. of Orkney, and commiflioner, occupied the
room of a magiflrate in the fefllion, his flieep wan-
dering without a paflor, and retains in his com-
pany Sir Francis Bothwel, a rank papift to whom
he hath given benefices, and placed him as minifler
in thofe kuks, as alfo that he folemnized the mar-
riage of the queen, and earl of Bothwel 6c. and
for the faid caufes was deprived.

Ibidem. Alexander called B. of Galloway, com-
UTiflioner, accufed that he hath not viflted,' thefe
three years by gone, or thereby, his kirks within
his charge ; that he hath given himfeif over altoge-
ther to haunt the court, and clean left the office of
vifiting, and planting the kir^cs, and hath now
procured to be one of the feflion, and privy coun-
cil, which cannot agree with the office of a paftor
or biftiop, and alfb hath refigned Inchfcbaffray in
favoiMrs of a young child, and fet divers lands irt
few. Compearing, granted publicly that he had
offended ia all things laid to his charge. Aad
for certain confiderations the affembly continued
him fliil, ufttiJl the next aflembly, updtt certaia
^adi.ti<=)fls of his diiigence ia his chkrgc.

Edin»

ACTS OP THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Edinburgh July i, 156S. No man ought to
enjoy or poITefs the patrimony of the kirk, with-
«ut doing of their dutiful fcrvice. And becaufe it
is known that there are many of that nuinber, to
whom God hath given fuch gifts, wherethrough
they might profit greatly in the kirk of God, it
was thought necefTary, that admonitions be made
by the whole aflembly, to fuch as brook benefices,
that they apply themfelves according to the gifts
given to them by God, and as tb^e kirk fhall judge
them able, to enter in the miniflery, and continue
therein. And becaufe ail the fald perfons are not
prefent to hear the voice of the afTembly, it is or-
dained, that fuperinteadests and commiiFioners,
that fhaU be appointed for planting, and vifning
of kirks, give the fime admonitions particularly to
the faid perfons within their bounds, requiring
them in name of the aflembly to be at the next ge-
neral afTembly, (be.

IlnJern. An article prefcnted to my lord regent's
grace, bearing, That it is thought very unreafbnable
that the papills, enemies to God's kirk, and his com-
mon-wealth, and others, that labour not in the
miniftry, fhall poflefs freely, without impoiition,
the two part of the benefices, and the kirk, which
labours, fhall not polTefs the third.

Ibidem. The B. of Orkney re ftored again, and
Mr. JohnRow appointed commiffioner of Galloway.
Edinburgh July^ 5. i^6i). Ordains Alexander
Gordon fometimes commiffioner of Galloway to
repair to the next general afTembly of the kirk, to
anfwer to fuch things as (hall be laid to his charge,
^c. And in the mean time inhibits him to ufe
any fun<51ion within the kirk of God, conform to
theadl made againft him the 8th of July 1568
in the general afTembly.

Ibidem. Adam bifliop of Orkney was accufed
for not fulfilling of the injunflions appointed to
him by the afTembly in the month of July 1 568.

Stirling Ferbuary, 2$. 1569, Adam of Orkney
being called to the office of a bifhoprick, and pro-
moted to the profits thereof, and (ufFered by the
kirk, receives charge to preach the gofpel, to be
alfo commiflioner of the country of Orkney, which
he received, and exercifcd for a certain fpace, while
now of late he made a fimoniacal change with the
abbacy of Holyrood-houfe, although yet brook-
ing the name, and filled bilhop of the feme.; con-
trary to all laws both of God and man, made a-
gainfl fimony. Secondly, he dinjitted his cure in
the hands of an unqualified perfon, without the
confent of the kirk, leaving the flock deftitute
without a flieepherd, whereby not only, ignorance

'^I'r

is increafed, but alfb moft abonndafttly ali vice and
horrible crimes there are co.nmitttd, as the num-
ber of 6co perfons, convift of incefl, aduhery niivi
fornication, bears witnefs. Thirdly, h? liath i;iv tn
hlmfelf daily to the execution of the funcRion o^"
a temporal judge, as to be a lord of k{^:oA\, which
requires the whole man, and fo righily in ncithc ?
can he exercife both : and fliles himiclf witli Ro-
man titles, as Reverent Father in God, which per-
tains to no minifter of Chrifl Jefus, nor is given
to any of them in fcripture. Fourthly, in^reat
hurt, and defraud of the kirk, he hath bought .iU
the thirds of the abbacy of Holyrood houfe, at
Icafl, he hath made fmioniacal change thereof
with the rents of Orkney. Fifthly, he hath kft
the kirks, partly unplanted, and partly plantt,d,
buideflitute ofprovifion. Sixthly, fomc of the
kirks are fheepfolds, and fome of them ruinous.
Seventhly, he hath traduced both publicly and pri-
vately the miniflers of Edinburgh, abfented him-
felf from preaching in that kirk, and from receiv-
ing the facraments.

Edinburgh July, 5. 1570. Excommunicatio.i
directed again Patrick called B. of Murray to be
executed by Mr. Robert Pont commiflioner there,
with the afliftance of the miniflers of Edinburgh.
Edinburgh March, 5. 1570. Robert B. of
Gaithnefs to afTjft John Gray of Fordei in vifiting the
kirks there.

Edinburgh Aug. 6. 1573. John. bifliop of St,
Andrews accufed, firflthat he had given a benefice
to Mr. George Lauder fufpedf of p'apiflry 2. That
he overfaw adultery in Bruntifland. 3. He fulFered
Mr. Magnus Hulciotoly uncontrooled under old a-
dultery. 4. That he viflted by others, and not
by himfelf. 5. That in his default the exercife
of St. Andrews was likely to decay. 6. That fuch
as had offended in Lothian, he receives in St,
Andrews, and admits fome to fun6tion in the kirk,
that are not able, and untried, chiefly fuch as-
come out of Lothian, and Mers.

Ibidem. [Mr. James Paton B; of Dbnkell.]
The whole afTembly hears that he hath received
the name of bifliop, but hath not ufed the of-
fice of a bifliop, within his bounds he hath not
proceeded againfl: papifts, he is fufpe<51: offlmony.
betwixt the earl of Argyle aad him anent the pro-
fits of the biflioprick ; he is fufpedl of perjury m
receiving the fame biflioprick, becaufe he gives ac-
quittanceSj and the earl receives the filver of the •
biflioprick.

Ibidefu. Alexander Gordon R, of Galloway-
accufed : i. That ite intruded himfelf in the office.

480

ACTS OF THi GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

of ti'ie inhilAry, within the burgh of Edinburgh.
2. lie PsrAiudsd and enticed the people to rebel a-
^lifld our Sovereign lord, 3. He refufcd to pray
tor Oiir fovercign lord, approving another authori-
ty. 4. Being forbidden by the general airembly to
have anv iiitromiffion with the parilhoners ot
flolyrood-iioufe, he compelled them to receive the
fAcrament, then abuied by him within Edinburgh,
canfing his pretended baillies, and the men ol war,
to compel the faid poor people. 5. Being fworn
by his iblemn oath, for due obedience to our fove-
reign lord, and his grace's regent, and authority,
brake his laid oath, by fitting in pretended parlia-
ment for difpofleffing our faid fovereign lord of
his royal crown, and authority. 6. Openly in pul-
pit, he gave thanks for the flaughter of Matthew
earl of Lennox, of good memory, faying that it
was God's moft juft judgment, and exhorted the
people to do the fame. 7. That he was a perver-
ter of the people, not only before the reformation,
but alfo divers times fmce. It was concluded,
that he (hould make public repentance in fackcloth
three feveral Sundays, firjl, in the kirk of Edin-
burgh ; fecondly, in Holyrood houfe ; thirdly, in
the queen's coiledge, under the pain of excommu-
nication.

Ibidem. Alexander Hay, clerk to the fccret
council, prefented certain heads proponed by my
lord regent to the prefent affembly, whereof one
follows. My lord regent's grace minds, that with
all convenient diligence qualltied perfons (hall be
promoted to the bilTiopricks now vacant, the delay
whereof hath not been in his own grace his default,
but by reafon fome entry was mar'e to thefelivings,
in favours of certain noblemen before his acceptati-
on of the government ; yet his grace is. per fuaded,
that qualified perfons fliall fpeedily be prefented,
and in cafe of failzy, will not foil without theo-
thers knowlege and confent to prefent.

Edinburgh March, 6. 1573. The affembly
hath concluded, that the juriidicffion of bifnops in
their ecclefiaftical fundlion {hall not exceed the ju-
rifdiftion of fuperintendents, which heretofore'
they have had, and prefently have, and that they
ihall willingly be fubjeft to the difcipline appointed
by the general afllmbly, as members thereof, as
the fuperintendents have been heretofore in all forts,
and that no bhhops give collation of any benefice
within the bounds of fuperintendents, without
their conftnt, and tefiimonial fubfcrlbed with their
hands. And that bilhops in their own. diocefes,
yjfit by ihemfelves, wher£ no fuperiotendejits are,

and give no collation of benefices, without confent
of three well qualified minifters, <bc.

Ibidem. The bifliop of Dunkel ordained to
confefs his favlt publicly in the kirk of Dunkel,
for not executing the fentence of the kirk againfl
the earlof Athol.

Ihtnem. George, bifhop of Murray, ordained
to be fummcned to make his purgation of the for-
nication alledged committed by him with the lady
Ardrofs.

Edinburgh Augnji, 7. r 574. Bidiops, fuperin-
tendents, or commiffioners of countrys, that be
found negligent in their office, or do not their
debtful charge, either in their vifitation, teaching,
or life, the affembly hath decreed and ordained,
that they (hall be punifhed and corre(5led according
to the quality of their faults, either by admoniti-
on, public repentance, fufpenfion or deprivation
ftmpUciter, at the fight of the faid affembly.

Edinburgh March, 7. 1574. Bifhop of Dun-
kel, B. of Brechin, B, of Murray, B. of Glafgow,
removed, and particularly complained on.

Edinburgh Augvjl, 6. 1575. The bifhops of
Galloway, Dunkel, Brechi.i, Dumblain, Yles.
being prefent, John Dury one of the rainiflers of
Edinburgh protefled, that the trial of bilbops pre-
judge not the opinions and reafons which he and_
other brethren of his mind, had to oppone againfl
the faid office, and name of bifhop.

Ibidem. Anent the queftion propounded by
certain brethren, whether if the bifhops, as they
are nov/ in Scotland, have their function of the
word of God, or not : or the chapiters appointed
for creating of them in this reformed kirk, for bet-
ter refolution hereof, the general affembly of the
kirk appoints, Mr. John Craig, minifler at Aber-
deen, Mr. James Lawfon, minifler at Edinburgh,
and Mr. Andrew Melvil, principal of the coiledge
of Glafgow on' the one part, Mr. George Hay,
commiffioner of Caithncfs, Mr. John Row, minifler
of Pearth, and Mr. David Lindfay minifler at
Leith on the other part, to conveen, reafon, and
confer upon the faid queflion, and to report their
judgments and opinions thereupon, to the affemb-
ly before the diffolving thereof, if they be refolved
betwixt and the fame.

Ibidem. They think It not expedient prefently
to anfwer direffly to the firfl queflion, but if any
bifliop fhall be cholen who hath no fuch qualities
as the word of God requireth, let him be tried by
the general affembly d^ novo and fo dcpofed.

The

ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

481

'the points •wherein they agree concerning the office of
a biJJjop orfuperintendent.

Firft, the name of bifhop is common to all them
that hath any particular flock, over the which he
hath a peculiar charge, as well to preach the word,
as to minifter the lacraments, and to execute the
ecclefiaftical difcipline, with confcnt of his elders.
And this is his chief funftion by the word of God.

Out of this number may be chofen fome to have
power to vifit fuch reafonable bounds, befidcs his
own flock, as the general aflembly fliall appoint,
,and in thefe bounds to appoint minifters, with con-
fent of the minifters of that province, and the con •■
fent of the flock to whom they be appointed. Alfo
to appoint elders and deacons in every particular
congregation, where there is none, with conlent
of the psople thereof, and to fufpend minifters for
reafonable caufes with confent of the minifters fore-
fkid.

Edinburgh Jpril, 5, 1576. Bifhops being
prefent their diligence is tried, and they are accuf-
ed for want of particular flocks, dilapidation and
other faults.

- Ibidem. Anent the advice and opinion of the
brethren giv-en concerning the queftion moved a-
nent bifhops, the whole aflembly, for the greateft
part, after reafoning, and long difputation upon e-
very article of the faid brethren's opinion, and ad-
vice, reiblutely affirmed, and approved the fame,
and every article thereof, as is alfo abo^e fet down.
And to the efFeft that the £iid articles condefcended
upon by the faid afl!embly, may be the better follow-
ed out, and ready execution n;.iy enfue thereupon,
as appertains, ordains the bifhops which hath not
as yet received the charge of a particular congrega-
tion, to condefcend the morrow, what particular
flocks they will accept to take the cure of.

Ibidem. For the more commodious vifitation of
countries, there is appointed for every fhire four or
five bifliops, fuperintendents, and minifters, and
articles of vifitation fet down.

Ibidem. Anent the demand of Mr. Andrew Hay
parfon of Ranthrow, if every vifiter within his own
bounds hath like power, and jurifdi<5tion to plant
minifters, fufpend, and depofe for reafonable caule :
the aflembly refolved affimative, that they have
alike power and jurifdiflion therein, as is contain-
ed in the particular articles concerning the jurifdic-
tion of the vifiters.

Edin. Jpril 24, 1578. For as much as there is
great corruption in the eftate of bifliops, as they are
prefeatly made ia this realm, whereunto the kirk

would provide fome ftay in time coming, fb /ar a.>
they may, to the effed that further corruption may
be bridled : therefore the afl^embly hath concluded,
that no more bifliops fliall be elefted, or made here-
after before the next general aflembly of the kirk,
difcharging all minifters and chapiters to proceed
any ways in the eledfion of the faid bifliops, in the
mean time, under the pain of perpetual deprivation
from their offices.

Stirling July, 11. 157 5. The a6l above writ-
ten extended to all times to come, and all biihops
already defied required to fubmit themfeives to
the general afl^embly, concerning the retormatioii
of the corruption of that eftate, which fubmifllon
the B, of Dumblainwllliogly offered to the affem-
bly.

Sefs. 4. Dundee July, 12. 1580. For as
much as the office of a bifliop, as it is now ufed,
and commonly taken within this realm, hath na
fure warrant, authority, nor good ground out of
the for iptures, bnt is brought in by the folly and
corruption of men's inventions, to the great over-
throw of the kirk of God. The whole aflembly
of the kirk in one voice, after liberty given to
all men to reafon in the matter, none oppon-
ing himfelf in defending the lliid pretended of-
fice: finds and declares the fame pretended of-
fice_ ufed and termed, as is abovelliid, unlawful
in itfelf, as having neither foundation, ground,
nor warrant within the word of God, and ordains,
that all fuch perfons, as bruik or fliall bruik here-
after the faid office, fliall be charged Amply to de-
mit, quite, and leave the fame, as an office
whereunto they are not called of God. And fuch
like to defift, and ceafe from all preaching, mini-
ftradon of the facraments, or ufing any way the
office of paftors, while they receive de novo admif-
fion from the general affembly, under the pain of
excommunication to be ufed againft them. Where-
in if they be found difobedient, or contradict thi;;
afl in any point, the fentence of excommunication
after due admonitions to be executed againft them.
And for better execution of the faid aft, it is ftat-
ed, thatafynodal aflembly fhall be holden in every
province, where any ufurping bifhops are, and be-
;gin the i8th of Auguft next to come, whereto
they fliall be called, and fummoned by the vifitors
of the faid countries, to compeir before their fy-
nodal affemblies, and namely, the bifliop of fir,
Andrews, to compeir in Saint Andrews, the bifhop
of Aberdeen in Aberdeen, the bifliop of GlalgoxV
in Glafgow, the bifhop of Murray in Elgin, to
give obedience to the faid aft, which if tfcy re-
P p p fuie

aBi

ACTS OF PARLIAMENT.

fufe to do, that the fald fynodal afTemblies fhall ap-
point certain brethren of then- miniftry, to give
them public admonitions out of the pulpit, and
warn them in cafe they difobey, to compair before
ihc next general aflembly to be holden at Edin-

burgh, the 2oth of Oclober next to come, t<>
hear the fentence of excommunication pronounced
againfl them for their difobedience. And to this
aft the B. of Dumblain agreed fubmitting hiuifdf

lo be rukd thereby.

The twelfth Parliament holden at Edinburgh, the 5 th of June,
. the year of God. 1592 years, by the right excellent, right
high and mighty prince James Y\, by the grace of God,
of Scotland: with advice of his three eftates.

't5

Jcing

Ratification of the liberty nf the true kirk : of general and fynodal affemblies : of prefy tries ; of
difcipline. All laws of idolatry are abrogate : of prefentation to benefices.

U II fovereign lord, and eftates of this prc-
fent parliamenr; following the laudable,
and good example of their predccelfors : hath ra-
tilicd, and approved, and by the tenor of this pre-
fent a6f , ratifies and approves all liberties, privile-
ges, immunities, and freedoms whatfoever, given
•and granted by his highnefs, his regents in his
name, or any of his predeceifors, to the true and
holy kirk prefcntly «ft:abli(licd within this realm,
i,nd declared in the firfl aft of his highnefs parlia-
raent the twenty day of Oftober, the year of God
1579 years. And all, and whatfoever afts of
parliament, and ftatutes made before by his
highnefs, and his regents, anent the liberty and
freedom of the faid kirk ; and fpecially the firlt
aft of. parliament, holden at Edinburgh, the
a4th d^y of Oftober, the year of God 1581,
with tiie whole particular afts there menti-
oned : which fhall be as fufficient as if the fame
were here exprelfed : and all other afts of parlia-
ipaent made fmce, in favour of the true kirk, and
fuch like, ratifies and approves the general afTem-
blies appointed by the faid kirk, and declares that
it fhall be lawful to the kirk and minifters every
year, i^t the leaft, and oftener pro re not a, as occa-
ijon and necellity (liall require, to hold and keep
general afTemblies: providing that the king's ma-
jcfty, or his commiflioners with them, to be ap-
pointed by his highnefs, be prefent at every ge-
jicval alTembly, before the dilTolving thereof, no-

minate and appoint time and place, when and
where the next general aflembly (hall be holden :
and in cafe neither his majeily, nor his faid com-
miflioners be prefent for the time in that town,
where the faid general alTembly is holden: then
and in that cafe it ihail be lawful to the laid general
afTembly by themfelves, to nominate and appoint
time and place, where the next general afTembly
of the kirk Ihall be kept, and holden, as they have
been in ufe to do in times by paft. And alfo, rati-
fies and approves the provincial and fynodal aflem-r
blies to be holden • y the faid kirk and minifters
twice every year, as they have been, and prelent-
ly are in ufe to do within every province of this
realm : and ratifies and approves the prefbyterics,
and particular fefTions appointed by the faid kirk,
with the whole difcipline and jurifdiftion of the
fame kirk, agreed upon by his majefty in confer-
rence had by his highnefs with certain of the mi-
nifters, conveened to that effeft. Of the which
articles the tenor follows : matters to. be intreated in
provincial afi^emblies : their affemblies are confti-r
tute for weighty matters, nccefTary to be intreatqct
by mutual confent, and afTiftance of brethren with^
in the province, as need requires. This afTembly
hath power to handle, order, and redrefs all things
omitted or done amifs in the particular afTemblies..
It hath power to depofe the office bearers of that
province, for good and juft caufes defer ving de^
privation. And generally thofe aftemblies have

ACTS 07 PARLIAMENT.

45j

the whole power of the particular elderfhlps,
whereof they are collefted. Matters to be in-
treated in the prefbyteries. The power of the
prefby teries is to ufe diligent labours in the bounds
committed to their charge, that the kirks be kept
in good order : to enquire diligently of naughty
and ungodly perfons, and to travail to bring them
in the way again by admonition, or threatning of
God's judgments, or by correflion. Itappertains
to the elderfhip to take heed that the word of God
be purely preached within their bounds, the facra-
ments rightly adminiflred, the difcipline entertained,
and eccTefiaftical goods uncorruptly diftributed.
It belongs to this kind of aflemblies, to caufe the
ordinances made by the aflemblies provincial, na-
tional and general to be kept and put in execution,
to make conftitutions which concern to prepon in
in the kirk for decent order in the particular kirk
where they govern : providing that they alter no
rules made by the provincial, or general afTemblies.
And that they make the provindal aflemblies fore-
faid, privy to the rules that they fliall make : and
to abolifh conflitutions tending to the hurt of«the
fame. It hath power to excommunicate the ob-
flinare, formal procefs being kd, and due Interval
of times obferved. Anent particular kirks if they
be lawfully ruled by fufficlent minlfters and feffion
they have power and jurifdiftion in their ov/n con-
gregation in matters ecclefiaftical. And decrees
and declares the aflemblies, prelbyteries, and fcf-
fions, jurifdiflion and difcipline forefaid, to be in
all times coming, moftjuft, good and godly in
themfelf, notvvithftanding of whatlbever ftatutes,
afls, canons, civil, or municipal laws made to the
contrary. To the which, and every one of them
thefe prefents fliall make cxprefs derogation. And
becaufc there are divers afts of parliament made In
favour of the pa pi ftical kirk, tending to the preju-
dice of the liberty of the true kirk of God prefent-
ly profeflTed within this realm, jurifdidllon and dif-
cipline thereof ; which (land yet in the books of
the a<n:s of parliament not abrogated nor annulled :
therefore his highnefs and eftates forefaid, hath
abrogated, cafl^d, ard annulled, and by the tenor
hereof, abrogates, caflies, and annulls, allad^sof
parliament made by any of his highnefs's p'redecef-
fors, for maintainance of fuperftition and idolatry
■withal, and whatfoever a^s, laws and flatutes
made at any time before the day and date hereof,
againft the liberty of the true kirk, jnrifdiftion

and difcipline thereof, as the fame Is ufed and ex-
ercifed within this realm.

And in fpeclal, that part of the a6l of parlia-
ment, holden at Stirling, the fourth day of No-
vember, the year of God 1443 years, command-
ing obedience to be given to Eugenius the pope
for the time : the aft made by king James IIL ia
his parliament holden at Edinburgh, the 24th of
February, the year of God 1480 years. And all
other afts whereby the pope's authority Is efla-
bliflied. The aft of king James the III. in his
parliament holden at Edinburgh, the 20th of
November, the year of God 1469 years, anent
the Saturday, and others vigils to be holy days
from even-fong to even-fong.

Item. That part of the aft made by the queen
regent, in the parliament holden at Edinburgh
the I ft day of February', the year of God 1551
years, giving fpeclal licence for holding of Pafche
and Zuill. Item. The king's majefly and efrates
aforefaid, declare, that the 1 29 aft of the parlia-
ment holden at Edinburgh, the 2 2d day of May,
the year of God 1584 j'ears, fliall no v.'ays be
prejudicial, nor derogate any thing from the pri-
vilege that God hath given to the fplritual office-
bearers in the kirk, concerning heads of religion,
matters of herefy, excommunication, collation,
or deprivation of minlflers, or any fnch like
efl^entlal cenfures, fpecially grounded and having
warrant of the word of God. It£m. Cur fove-
relgn lord, and eftates of parliament aforefiVid,
abrogates, cafles, and annihiJates the afts of the fame
parliament holden at Edinburgh the (aid year oi
God 1584 years, granting commiflion to bifliops
and other judges, conftitute in ecclefjafllcal caufes,
to receive his highnefs's prefentatlon to benefices,
to give collation thereupon, and to put order to
all caufes ecclefiaflical, wlvch his majefly, and
eflates aforefaid declares to be expired In themfelf,
and to be null in time coming, of none avail,
force or efFeft. And therefore ordains all prefen-
tatlons to benefices to be direft to the particular
prefbyteries in all time coming, with full power
to give collation thereupon, and to put order to
all matters and caufes ccciefiafllcal within their
bounds, according to the difcipline of the kirk ;
providing the forelaid prelbyteries be bound and a-
flrifted, to receive and admit whatfoever qualified
minifter, prefentcd by hisraajtfly, or like patrons.

P p p 2

T H fc

!84

THE

F I R S T

BOOK

0 F

S C I P L I N E.

To the great council of Scotland now admitted to the govern-
ment, by the providence of God, and by the common confent
of the ertatcs thereof.

T(,i>r ho:-ioufs humble fcrvants atid minijlers (f Chrijl Jeftis ivithin the fame, imifl? grace, mef'
cy, and peace from Cod the Father of our Lord Jefiis Chrifi, -with the perpetual increafe of the
Holy Spirit.

■-\FvOM your honours we received a charge
L dated at Edinburgh the 29th of April, in the
yaar of cur Lord i 560, 1 equiring and command-
ing us in the name of the eternal God, as we will
9nfwer in his prcfence, to commit to writing, and
in a book deliver to your wifdoms our judgments
lov.chlng the reformation of religion which hereto-
fore in this realm, (as in others,) hath been utterly
*.crrupted : upon the receipt whereof, (fo many of
Ti.'s as were in this town,) did conveen, and in uni-
ty of mind do offer unto your wifdoms thefe fub-
ftquents, for common order and uniformity to be
obferved in this realm concerning doftrine, admi-
niftratioo of facraments, election of minifters,
provifion for their fuflentation, ecclefiaftical difci-
pline, and policy of the church ; moft humbly
requiring your honours, that as you look for par-
ticipation with Chrift Jefus, that neither ye admit
any thing which God's plain word Ihall not ap-
prove-, neither yet that ye ihall rejeft fuch ordi-

nances as equity, juftlce, andGod's word dofpecify.
For as we will not bind your wifdoms to our judg-
ments further than we are able to prove by God's
plain fcriptures : fo mufl we moft humbly crave
of you, even as ye will anfwer in God's prefence
(before whom both ye and we muft appear to ren-
der accounts of all our fa(5f s) that ye repudiate no-
thing for plcafure and affeftion of men, which ye
be not able to improve by God's written and reveal-
ed word.

The firfl head of doElrine.

SEEING that Chrift Jefus is he whom God
the Father hath commanded only to be heard
and followed of his ftieep, we judge it neceftary
that his gofpel be truly and openly preached in
every church and aftembly of this realm, and that
all doflrines repugnant to the lame, be utterly re-
prefled, as damnable to man's falvation.

rbf

Tub first book of DISCIPLINE.

4&?

the explication cf thcfirjl head.

LEST that upon this generality, ungodly
men take occafion to cavil, this we add tor
explication. By preaching of the gofpel we under-
Hand not only thefcriptures of the New Teikment,
but allb of the old, to ivit, the law, prophets,
and hiflories, in which Chrift Jefos is no Ids con-
tained in figure, then we have him now exprefled
in verity. And therefore -with the apoftle we at-
firm, that all fcripturc infplred of God is profitable
to inftruft, to reprove, and to exhort. In which
books of old and New Teflaments, we affirm that
all things necelTary for the inftruftion of thechurch,
and to make the man of God perfefl, is contained
and fufficiently expreffed.

By the contrary doflrine we underltand whatio-
ever men by laws, councils, or conftitutions,
have impofed upon the confciences of men, with-
out the exprelTcd commandment of God's word,
fuch as be the vows of chaftity, forefwearing of
marriage, binding of men and women to feveral
and difguifed apparels, to the fuperftitious obler-
vation of falling days, difference of meat for con-
fcience fake, prayer for the dead, and keepmg of
holy days of certain faints commanded by man, fuch
as be all thofe that the papifts have invented, as the
feafts (as they term them) of the apoftles, martyrs,
virgins, of Chriftmas, circumfion, epiphany, pu-
rification, and other fond feafts of our lady : which
things becaufe in God's fcriptures they neither
have commandment nor alTurance, we judge them
utterly to be abolilhed from this realm : affirming
farther that the obHinate maintainers and teachers
of fuch abominations ought not to efcape the pu-
nilhment of the ci'/il magiftrate.

The fccond head offacraments..

T 0 Chrift Jefus his holy gofpel truely preach-
ed, of neceffity it is, that his holy facra-
mentsbe annexed, and truely miniftred, as feals
and vifible confirmations of the fpiritual promifes
contained in the word-, and they be two, to ivit,
Baptifm, and the holy fupper of the Lord Jei us,
which are then rightly miniilred, when by a law-
ful minifter the people, before the adminiftration
of the fame, are plainly. inftru<Sh;d, and put in
mind of God's free grace and mercy, offered unto
the penitent in Cbjift Jefua: when. God's promifes

are rehearfed, the end and ufe offacraments preach-
ed and declared, and that in fuch a tongue as the
people do undcrftand : when farther to them is no-
thing added, from them nothing dimininud, and
in their practice nothing changed bciidts the inlli-
tutioa of the Lord Jefus, and pradtice of his holy
apoftles.

And albeit the order of Geneva ^vhich now Is-
ufed in fome of our churches, is fufficient to in-
ftru(Sl the diligent reader how that both thefe fa-
craments may be rightly miniftred, yet for aa uni-
formity to be kept, we have thought good to add
this as fuperaboundant.

In baptifm we acknowlege nothing to be ufed
except the element of water onely (that t'ne word
and declaration of the promifes ought to preceed we
have faid before) wherefore whofoever prefumeth
in baptifm to ufe oil, fait, wax, fpittle, conjuration
and croffingjaccufeth the perfect inftitution of Chrift
Jefus, of imperfection. For it was void of all
fuch inventions devifed by men, and fuch as woulcf ,
prefume to alter Chrift's perfect ordinance yott
ought feverely to punifli.

The table of the Lord is then moft rightly ml^
niftred whzn it approacheth moft near to Chrift's
own aOion. But plain it is, that at fupper Chrift
Jeftis fat with his difeiples; and therefore do* we
judge that fitting at a table i^.inoft convenient tT>'
that holy aftion, that bread and wine o'jght to be
there, that thanks ought to be given, diftribution.
of the fame made, and commaiidment given that
tiie bread fhould be taken and ea^en, and that all!
fhould likewife drink of the cup i-if wine, with de-
claration what both the one and »he other is: we
fuppofe no godly man will doubt. For as touch-
ing the damnable error of the papifts,. who daic
defraud the common people of the one part of that
holy facrament, to ivit, of the cup of the Lord's
blood, we fuppofe their eiror to be fo manifeft-,
that it needeth no confutation: neither yet interM
we to confute any thing in this our ]impie cor\h{-
fion: but to offer public difpntation to.all. that lift:
to oppugn any thing affirmed' by iiy»

That the minifter break the bread, and diftribute-
the fame to thofe that be ne.Ktunto him, command-
ing the reft, every one with reverence and Sobriety
to break with other, we think it neareif: to Ghiift's-
aifiion, and to the perfect pradtiae, as we read \\\
Saint Paul; during the which action we think ir
neceffary, that ferae comfortable pla.Ges' of the fcrip-
ture be read, which may bring- iii mind thadeat^.
of Chrift Jefus, and the benefit of tlic lame.. Ykh
feeing that, in that: action we ought chicfiy ro n?-

manbvtr

4*86

Tnt FIRST BOOK o» DISCIPLINE.

member the Lord's death, v/c judge the fcrjptures
making menriaa of the fa;r.c, mofi: apt to f^ir up
our dull minds then, and at all times. Let the
difcretion of the minifters appoint the places to
be read as they think good. What times we
think mofi: convenient for the adminiftration of
the one and of the other of thefe facraments, fhall
ibt declared in the policy of the church.

The third head touching the abolijbing cf idolatry.

S we require Chrift Jefus to be truely preach-

ed, and his holy facraments rightly minilired,

fo can not ceafe to require idolatry, with all nio-
'Tiuments and places of the fame, as abbies, monke-
ries, friers, nunrics, chappels, chanteries, cathedral
churches, canonries, colleges, others then pre-
fendy are pai itli churches or fchools, to be utter-
ly fupprefled in all bounds and places of this realm
(except only palaces, manfions, and dwelling
places adjacent thereto, with orchards and yards
•of the fame) as alfo that idolatry may be removed
from the prefence of all perfons of what eftate
or condition that ever they be wi'ihia this re-
alm.

For let your honours afTuredly be perfuaded,
•that where idolatry is maintained, or permitted,
where it may be fupprelTed, that there (hall God's
^wrath reign, not only upon the blind and obftinate
idolater, but alfo the negligent fufferers, efpecially
if God hath armed their hands with power to
upprefs fuch abominations.

By idolatry we underftand, the mafs, invocati-
on of faints, adoration of images, and the keeping
and retaining of the fame. And finally all honour-
ing of God, not contained in his holy word.

The fourth head concerning jninijlers^ and their la-u}-
fulele^ion.

N a church reformed, or tending to reformati-
on, none ought to prefume either to preach,
either yet to minifter the facraments, till that or-
derly they be called to the fame. Ordinary vocati-
on confiileth in eleflion, examination, and admif-
fion. And becaufe that elecflion of miniflers in
this curfcd papiflry hath altogether been abufed,
wetbink expedient tointreat it more largely. It
.-ippertaineth to the people, and to every feveral
congregation to eledl their minifter. And in cafe
that ihey be found negligent thereinthe fpace of

forty days : the beft reformed church, to ijuit, the
church of the fuperintendent with his council,
may prefent unto them a man whom they judge
apt, to feed the flock of Chrift Jefus, who mufi:
be examined as well in life and manners, as in
dodlrlne and knowlege. And as this may be done
with more exaft diligence, the perfons that are
to be examined, muft be commanded to appear
before men of foundefi: judgement remaining in
fome principal town next adjacent unto them, as
they that be in Fife, Angus, Mearns or Straith-
earn, to prefent themfelves in St. Andrews, thefe
that be in Lothian, Merfe or Tevotdale to Edin-
burgh, and likewife thofe that be in other coun-
tries mufi refort to the beft reformed city and
town, that is, to the town of the fuperintendent,
where firfl in the fchools, or failing thereof in o-
pen aflembly, and before the congregation, they
muft give declaration of their gifts, utterance and
knowlege, by interpreting fome place of fcripture
to be appointed by the miniftry, which being end-
ed, the perfot that is prefented, or that oiFereth
himfelf to the adminiftration of the church, muft-
be examined by the minifters and elders of the
church, and that openly, and before all that lift
to hear, in all the chief points that now be In con-
troverfy betwixt us and the papifts, anabaptifts,
arrians, or other fuch enemies to the chriftian re-
ligion. In which, if he be found found, able to
perfuade by wholefome doflrine, and to convince
the gain-fayer, then muft he be diredled to the
church and congregation where he (hould ferve,
that there in open audience of his flock in divers
public fermons, he may give confeffion of his faith
in the article of juftification, in the office of Chrift
Jefus, of the number, effect, and ufe of the fa-
craments, and finally of the whole religion which
heretofore hath been corrupted by the papifts. If
his doffrine be found wholefome and able to in-
ftrufl the fimple, and if the church juftly can re-
prehend nothing in his life, dodlrine, nor utter-
ance, then we judge the church, which before
was deftitute, unreafonable, if they refufe him
whom the church did offer ; and they fheuld be
compelled by the cenfure of the council and church,
to receive the perfon appointed, and approved by
the judgment of the godly and learned: unlefe
that the fame church, have prefented a man better,
or as well qualified to the examination, before
that this forefaid trial was taken of the perfon pre-
fented by the council of the whole church. As
for example, the council of the church, prefents
to any church a man -to be their nunifter, not

know

The first BOOK of DISCIPLINE.

4 /

knowing that they are otherwife provided : in the
mean time, the church is provided of another, fuf-
ficicnt in their judgment for that charge, whom
they prefent to the learned minifters, and next re-
formed church to be examined. In this cafe the
prefentation ot the people to whom he fhould be
appointed paftcr, mufl be preferred to the prefenta-
tion of the council, or greater church, unlefs the
perfbn prefented by the inferior church be judged
unable for the government by the learned. For alto-
gether this is to be avoided, that any man be vio-
lently intruded or thrufl in upon any congregation.
But this liberty with all care mufl: be referved to
€very feveral church, to have their votes and fuff-
rages in eledtion of their miniflers. But violent
intrufion we call not, when the council of the
church in the fear of God, and for the falvation
of the people, offcreth unto them a fufhcient man
to inftru6t them, whom they fliall not be forced
to admit before juft examination, as before is
faid.

What may unable any per/on, that he may not be
admitted to the minijiry of the church.

IT is to be obferved, that no perfon, noted,
with public infamy, or being unable to edify the
church by wholefome do<flrine, or being known
of corrupt judgment, be either promoted to the
government of the church, or yet .retained in ecclefi-
allical adminiftraiion.

Explication.

BY public infamy we undcrftand, not the com-
mon fms and offences which any hath com-
mitted in time of blindnefs, by fragility, (if of the
fame by a better and more fober. converiation he
hath declared himfelf verily penitent) but fuch ca-
pital crimes as the civil fword ought and may pu-
nifh with death by the word of God. For bendes
that the apoftle requireth the life of miniflers to
be fo irreprchenfible, that they have a good tefti-
inony from thofe that be without, we judge it a ^
thing unfeemly and dangerous, that he (hall have
public authority to preach to others life everlafting, ,
from whom the civil magiftrate may take the life
temporal for a time publicly committed. . And if
any objeft, that the prince hath pardoned his of-
fence, and that he hath publicly repented, and fo •
not oaly his life is in afliirance, but alfo that he..

may be received to the minillry of the church, we
anfwer, that repentance doth not take away the
temporal puniOiment of the law, nuthcr doth the
pardon of the prince remove his infamy before
man.

That the life and converfation of the perfon pre-
fented, or to be eleded may be the more cK-arK'
known, public edi(51:s fhould be diredted to ail
parts of this realm, or at the leafl: to thofe parts
where the perfon had been moft convtrfant : as
where he was nourifhed in letters, or where f.e
continued "fince the years of infancy and childhood
were paffcd. Straight commandment would be
given that if any capital crimes were committed by
him, that they lliould be notified ; as if he had
committed wilful murder, adultery, if he v/ere a
common fornicator; a thief, a drunkard, a fighter,
brav.'lcr, or contentious perfon. Thtfe edidl? ought
to be notified in the chief cities, with the like chr.r'^e
and commandment, with declaration that iiich as
concealed his fins known did deceive and betray
(fo far as in them lay) the chu.'-ch which is the
fpoufe of Chriil Jefus, and did communicate v^ith,
the fms of that wicked man.

AdmijJ^on.

THE admiffion of minlAe.rs to their offices ^
muff confif^ in confeni of the people, and
church whereto they fhali be appointed, and ap-
probation of the. learned minifLcrs appointed for,
their examination.

^We judge it expedient that the admiffi^xa of.
rainiffers be in open audience, that fome fpccial;
minifler make a fermon touching the.duty and of-
fice of minifters, touching their. manners, cosiver--
fation and life: as alfo touching the obedience
which the church oweth to their minilki s. Gom-
mandment fhould be given as well to the minifter
as to the people, both being preicnt: to -vcit.^ \Xrix
he with all careful diligence attended upon the
flock of Chriff Jefus over the which he is appoint-- .
ed preacher. That he will walk in the prelence.
of God fo fincerely, that the graces of the holy
Spirit may be multiplied into him, and in the. pre--
fence of men fo fobtrlyand uprighily, that his jife
may confirm in. the eyes v-i men, that v^hich by
tongue and word he perfuadtd unto others. Tlie
people would be- exhorted to reverence and ho- -
nour their miniflers, chofen as the ftrvants and
ambafTadors* of the Lord |eft3s, obeying the com- .
mandmtnts which they proncurce fiom God's

SBC.CtCi,.,

48S

The first BOOK of DISCIPLINE.

mouth and book, evea as they would obey God
j/imfelf. For wholoever iieareth Chiift's miniflers,
Jieareth himfHf, and whofoever rejefteth and def-
pif-ch their ciiriilbiy and exhortation, rejefteth
4md defplkdi ChriQ J'efus. Other ceremony then
the public approbation of the people, and declara-
tion of the chief mlniikr, that the perfon there
prefented is appointed to ferve the church, we
cannot approve, for ^beit the apoflles uled im-
pofi lion of hands, yet feeing the miracle is ccaf-
cd, the ufing of the ceremony we judge not nccelfa-

ry.

The minider elefted, or prefentcd, examined,
and as faid is, publicly admitted, may neither
leave the flock at his pleafare to which he had pro-
mifed his fidelity and labours, nehher yet may the
flock reject nor change him at their appetite, un-
leis they be able lo convifl him of fuch crimes as
delerve depofltion, whereof we (hall after fpeak.
We mean not but that the whole church, or the
ir.oft part thereof, for juft confiderations, may
transfer a miniller from one church to another:
neither yet mean we, that men who nov/ ferve as
it were of benevolence, may not be appointed and
defted to ferve in other places, but-once being fo-
lemnly eleded, and admitted, we cannot ap-
prove that they (liould change at their own plea.

We are not ignoramt that the rarity ot godly
and learned men, "(hall feem to fome a jufc reafon
why that fo flrait and lliarp examination (hould
not be taken univerfally, for fo it {fiall appear,
rliat the raoft part of the kirks (hall have no mi-
iiifter at all. But let thefe men underhand, that
the lack of able men (hall not excufe us before
God, if by gut confent unable men be placed over
the flock of Chrift Jefus. As alfo that amongft
the gentiles godly and learned men were alfo rare,
as they be now amongfl: ns, when the apoftle gave
the fame rule to try and examine miniflers, which
we now follow. And lafl, let them underfland
that it is alike to have no minifter at all, and to
have an idol in the place of a true minifler : yea
and in fome cafe it is worfe, for thofe that be ut-
terly deflitute of mdniflers, will be diligent to
Search for them ; but thofe that have a vain (ha-
llow, docomjnor.ly without further care content
themfelves with the fame, and fo remain they con-
tinually deceived, thinking :that they have a miniflcr,
v/hen in very deed they have none. For we can-
not judge him a difpanfator of God's myfleries,
that in no wife can break the bread of life to the
iainting and hungry Ms. l^either ]u6gQ we

that the facraments can be rightly miniflred bv
him in whofe mouth God hath put no fermon of
exhortation. The chiefefl: remedy left to your
honours, and to us, in all this rarity of true mi-
niflers, is fervent prayer unto God, that it will
pleafe his mercy to thruft out faithful workmen in
this his harveft. And next, that your honours,
with confent of the church, are bound by 3our au^
thority to compel fuch men as have gifts and frraces
able to edify the church of God, that they beflow
them where greateft neceffity (hall be known. For
no man may be permitted to live idle, or as them-
felves lifl. But m.uft be appointed to travail where
your wifdoms and the church fliall think expedi-
ent : we cannot prefcribe unto your honours cer-
tain rules how that ye fhall diftribute the miniflers
and learned men, whom God hath already fent un-
to you. But hereof we are aflfured, that it greatly
hindereth the progrefs of Chrifl's gofpel within
this poor realm, that fome altogether abflraft their
labours from the church, and others remain alto
gether in one place, the moft part of them being
idle. And therefore of your honours we require
in God's name, that by your authority, which yc
have of God, ye compell all men to whom God
hath given any talent to perfuade by wholfome
doftrine, to beflow the fame, if they be called by
the churcli to the advancement of Chrifl's glory,
and the comfort oi his troubled flock. And that
ye with the confent of the church, affign unto
your chiefefl workmen, not only towns to remain
in, but alfo provinces, that by their faithful la-
bours, churches may be erefled, and order eflab-
lilhed where none is now. And if on this manner
ye fliall ufe your power and authority, chiefly feek-
ing God's glory, and the comfort of your brethren,
we doubt not but God (hall blefs you and your
enterprifes.

For Readers.

TO the churches where no miniflers can be
had prefently, mufl be appointed the moft
apt men that difliniftly can read the common pray-
ers and the fcriptures, to exercife both themfelves
and the church, till ihey grow to greater perfedi-
on, and in procefsof time, he that is but a reader,
may attain to a farther degree, and by the confent
of the church, and diicreet miniflers, may be per-
mitted to minifter the facraments, but not before
that he be able fomewhat to perfuade by wholfome
do6frine, beflde his reading, and be admitted to

the

The first BOO

the miniftry, as befoie is fl«d. Some we know
that of long time have profefTed Chrift Jefus, whofe
honeft converfatioa deferveth praife of all godly men,
and whofe knowlege alfo might greatly help the
Cm pie, and yet they only content themfelves with
reading ; thele mufl be animated, and by gentle ad-
monition encouraged by fome exhortation to com- '
fort their brethren, and fo they may be admitted
tD adminiflration of the facraments ; but fuch
readers as neither have had exercile, nor continu-
ance in Chrift's true religion, mufl abflain from
miniftration of the facraments, till they give decla-
ration and witneiling of their honefly and further
knowlege, that none be admitted to preach, but
they that are qualified therefore, but rather be re-
tained readers, and fuch as are preachers already,
not found qualified therefore, by the fuperinten-
dent, be placed to be readers.

The fifth head concerning the provi/ion for the Mini-
Jiers, and for the dijlribution of the rents and
poffejfions jujlly appertaining to the Church.

SEeing that of our mafter Chrift Jefus, and his
apoftle Paul we have, that the workman is
worthy of his reward, and that the mouth of the
labouring ox ought not to be mulled, of neceffity
It is, that honeft provifion be made for the mini-
fters, which we require to be fuch, that they have
neither occafion of folicitude, neither yet of info
lence and wantonnefs. And this provifion muft be
made not only for their own fuftentation, during
their lives : but alfo for their wives and children
after them. For we judge it a thing moft con-
trary to reafon, godlinefs and equity, that the
widow and the children of him who in his life,
did faithfully ferve in the kirk of God, and for that
caufe did not carefully make provifion for his fa-
mily, fhould after his death be left comfortkfs of
all provifion : which provifion for the wives of the
minifl-ers after their deceafe, is to be remitted to
the difcretion of the kirk. Difficult it is to ap-
point a feveral fiipend to every minifter, by reafon
that the charge and neceffity of all, will not be a-
like. For fome will be continuers in one place,
Ibme will be compelled to travel, and oft to change
their dwelling place (if they fliall have charge of
divers kirks) amongft thefe foTie will be burdened
with wife and children, and one with more than o-
thers, and fome perhaps will be fingle men. If
equal fiipends fhould be appointed to thele that in
charge ftiould be fo unequal, either ihould the one

K OP D I S C I P L I N E. 489'

fufTer penury, or elfe (hould the other have fuper-
fluity and too much. We judge therefore that e-
very minifier have lufficient whereupon to keep an
houfe, and be fufiained honeftly in all things necef-
fary, as well for the keeping of his houfe and
clothes, fleih, fifli, books, fire, and other things
necefi^ary, off the rents and treafury of the kirk, at
the difcretion of the congregation, conform to the
quality of the perfon, and neceffity of the time :
wherein it is thought good, that every minifi:er
fliall have at leafi forty bolls of meal, twenty fix
bolls malt, to find his houfe bread and drink, and
more fo much as the difcretion of the church finds
necefiTary ; befides money for buying of other provi-
fion to his houfe and other necefiaries : the modifi-
cation whereof is referred to the judgment of the
kirk, to be made every year at the choofing of the
elders and deacons of the kirk. Providing always
that there be advanced to every minifier fufficient
provifion for a quarter of a year beforehand of all
things. But to him that travels from place to
place, whom we call fuperintendent, who remains
as it were a month or lefs in one place for eftablilh-
ing of the kirk, and for the fame purpofe changing
to another, mufl confideraiion be had. And there-
fore to fuch we think fix chalders bear, nine chal-
ders meal, three chalders oats, fix hundred merks
money, to be eiked and paired at the difcretion of
the prince and council of the realm, to be payed
to him in manner forefaid. The children of the
miniflers, mufl have the liberties of the cities next .
adjacent, where their fathers laboured, freely
granted. They muft have the priviledges in fchools,
and burfaries in colleges ; that is, that they (hall
be fuftained at learning, if they be found apt there-
to : and failing thereof, that they be put to fome
handy-craft, or exercifed in fome vertuous induf-
try, whereby they may be profitable members of
the common- wealth, and the fame we require of
their daughters : to ivit, that they be vertuoufly
brought up, and honeftly doted when they come
to maturity of years, at the difcretion of the kirk.
And this in God's prefence we witnefs, we require
not fo much for ourfelves, or for any that apper-
tain to us, as that we do it for the increafe of ver-
tue and learning, and for the profit of the pofleri-
ty to come. It is not to be fuppofed that any
man will dedicate himfelf and his children fo ta
God and to his kirk, that they look for no world-
ly commodity, but this cankered nature which we
bear, is provoked to follow vertue when it feeth
profit and honour thereto annexed ; and contrari-
ly, then is vertue in many defpifed, whtn vertuous
Q^q q ^vA

The first BOOK op DISCIPLINE.

49^

and godly men are without honour : and fory
^V'O^J^id we be that poverty (hould difcourage men
from ftudy, and following of the way of vertue,
by which they might ediiy the kirk and flock of
Cb IH: Jefus. No'thing have we fpoken of the fti-
perid of readers, btcaufc it they can do nothing bn t
read, they neither can be called nor judged true
iiiinirtery, and yet regard mufl be had to their la-
, botirs ; but fo '■hat they may be fpurred forward
to vtrtje, and' not by aii/ ftipend appointed fot*
their reading to be nrtained hi that eltate. To a
reiidtr therefore that is newly entred', forty marks,
CA more or Icfs, as parifhioners and readers can a-
g'-ee, is fiifficieni : provided that he teach the chil-
dren of the pariPn, which he Hvuft do, befide the
reading of the common prayers, and books of the
Old and New Teftament. If from reading he be-
gin to exhort, and explain the fcriptares, then
ought his ftipend to be augmented, till finally he
come to the honour of a minifter. But if he be
found unable after two years, then muft he be re-
moved from that office, and difchargtd of all fti-
pend, that another may be proved as Long, For
tivis always is to be avoided, that none who is judg-
ed unable to come at any time to fome reafonable
knowlege whereby he may edify the kirk, (halF
be pecpemally fuftained upon the charge of the
}drk. Farther it mull be avoided,, that no child,,
nor perfoa within age, that is, -within twenty one
years of age, be admitted to the offite of a reader.
But readers ought to be endued with gravity anct
difcretion, left by their lightnefs the prayers or
fcriptures. read be of lefs price or eftimation. It
's to be noted that the reader be put in the kirk at
ihe admifiion of the fuperintendent. The other
fort of readers, who have long continued in godli^
Jiefs, and have fome gift of exhortation, who are
<.?hope to di tain to the degree of a miniffer, and
tea£h, the childfcn; j we think an hundred mcrks,
©r more or lefs, at the difcretion of the kirk, may
be appointed; fo that dif?ei ence be made, as faid
is, betwixt them and the RMnifters, that openly
greach the word and minifter the facraments,

Refis yet two forts of people to be provided for,
upon that which is called the patrimony of the kirk,.
0-7'wit, the poor, and teachers of the youth.
Every feveral kirk mufl provide for the poor with-
in itfelf : for feai ful and horrible it is, that the
-poor, whom, not only God the Father in his law,
but Chrin- Jefus in his golpel, and the holy Spirit
fp-aking by St.. Paul hath fo earneftly commended
io our c:ire ; are unlverfally fo contemned and def-
piied. We are not patrons for flubbora and idle

beggars, who running from place to place make a
craft of their begging, whom the civil magifirate.
ought to punifti. But for the widow and father-,
lefs, the aged, impotent or lamed, who neither
can nor may travel, for their fuflentation ; we fay
that God commands his people to be careful, and
therefore for fuch, as alio for perfont of honefly
fallen into decay and poverty, ought fuch provifion
to be made, that of our abundance their indigence
might be relieved. How this moft conveniently,,
and moft eafily may be done in every city, and o-
ther parts of this realm, God will fhew you wif-
dom, and the means, fo that your minds be godlily
inclined thereto. All muff not be fuffered to beg,
that gladly would fo do, neither yet mufi: beggar*
remain where they would ; but the ffout and
flrong beggers muft be compelled to work ; and e-
very ptrfon thar may riot work, muff be compelled
to repair to the place whei e he or (he was born,
unlefs of long continuance they have remained ia
one place, and there reafonable proviiion muff be
made for fuffentation as the kirk fiiall appoint.
The order nor fums in our judgments can not par-
ticularly be appointed untill fuch times as the poos
of every city, town and parifh be compe'kd to re-
pair to the places where they were born, or oF
their refidence, where their names and numtcr
mufl: be taken and put in roll, and then may the
wifdom of the kirk appoint ffipends according-

TTie head of the fuperintendent s.

BECAUSE we have appointed a larger
fripend tt) them that fhall be fuperintendcnts
then to the reft of the minifters, we have thought
good to fjgnify to your honours fuch reafons as ,
moved us to make difference betwixt preachers at.
this time, as alfo how many fuperintendents we
think neceflary, with their bounds, office, ele<ffi-
on and caufes that may delerve depofition from that .
charge^

We confider that if the minifters. whom God
hath endowed with his lingular graces amongft uS'
fhould be appointed to feveral places there to make
their continual refidence, that then the gpeateffc
part of the realm ffiould be deftitute of all do6f rine :
which (hould not only be the occafion of great
murmur, but alfo be dangerous to the falvatica
of many. And therefore we have thought it a-
thing moft expedient at this time, that from the
whole number of godly and learned men, now

prefentljr

THE FIRST BOOK of DISCIPLINE.

49'*

prelentlyin this re-ilm, be (dcQed ten or twelve
'(for in i'o many provinces we have divided the
whole) to whom charge and commandment fhould
be given, to plant and eredl kirks, to fct, order,
and appoint miniiicrs, ss the former order pre-
fcribes, to the countries that (hall be appointed to
|hexr c?re where none are now. And by their
means, your love and common care over all inha-
.bitants of this realm, to whom you are equally
debiors, fhall evidently appear ; as alfo the fimple
and igiioraut, who perchance have never heard
Jefus Chrift truely preached, fliall come to fome
knowlege : by the which many that are dead in
fuperftition and ignorance, ftiall attain to fome
fee-ling of godlinsfs, by the which they may be
provoked to fearch and feek farther knowlege of
God, and his true religion and worfliippiag:
where by the contrary, it they (liall be negiefted,
then fhall they not only grudge, but alfo feek the
means whereby they may continue in their blind-
Iiefs, or return to their accuftomed idolatry ; and
therefore nothing we defire more earneftly than
that Chrifl: Jefus be univerfally once preached
throughout this realm, which (liall not fuddenly
be, unlefs that by you, men be appointed, and
compelled, faithfully to travail in fuch provinces
as to them fhall be affigned.

The tl<tWS of the places of reftdence andfeveral dh-
cejfes ef the fuperintendenti .

. . 'T^Hefuperlntendent of Orkney, whofe
Inpnmis, J|^ ^j^^^^^ ^^U comprehend the ifles,

Orkney, Zetland. andCathnes, and Strathnavcr, his
refidence to be in Kirkwal,

The fuperintendent of Rofs, whofe diocefe fliall
comprehend Rofs, Sutherland, Murray, with the
ines of the Sky, and Lev/is with the adjacents :
his refidence to be in the chanonry of Rofs.

The fuperintendent of Argyle, whofe diocefe
fiiall comprehend Argyle. Kintyre, Lorn, the fouth
illes, Arran and Bute with their adjacents, with
Lochhaber: his refidence to be in Argyle.

The fuperintendent of Aberdeen, whofe diocefe
js betwixt Dee and Spay containing the fherriffdom
of Ab-rdeen and Bamf : whofe refidence fliall be in
old Aberdeen.

The fuperintendent of Brcchen, whofe diocefe
iliall be the whole fhtrriffdoms of the Merns, Angus
snd the brae of Mar to Dee : his refidence to be in
Brechen.

The fuperintendent cf Fife and Fotheringharo

to Stirling, and the whole fherrificlom of Perth:
his refidence to be in St. Andrews.

The fuperintendent of Edinburgh, whofe dio-
cefe ftiall comprcliend the whole fhtrritrdom of Lo-
thian and Stirling, and the fouth fide of the water
of Forth, his refidence to be in Edinburgh.

The fuperintendent of Jedburgh, whole diocefe
fhall comprehend the whole Tivotdale, Tweedale,
Liddifdale, and thereto is added by confcnt of the
whole kirk, the Mcrfe, Lawderdale and Weddale,
with the forrefl of Etrick : his refidence to be in
Jedburgh.'

The fuperintendent of Glafgow, whofe diocefe
fhall comprehend Clidfdale, Renfrew, Monteeth,
Lennox, Kyle and Cunningham : his i-efidence ta
be in Glafgow.

The fuperintendent of Dumfries, whofe diocefe
fhall comprehend Galloway, Cariick, Mthifdale,
Annandale with the refl of the dales in the weft :
his refidence to be in Dumfries

Thofe men muft not be fuffered to live as your
idle bifliops have done heretofore: neither mu fir
they remain where gladly they would, but tkey
mult be preachers themfelves, and fuch as may not
make long refidence in any place till their -Idrks bo
planted and provided of minifters, or at the leaft
of readers. Charge mufl he given to them that
they remain in no place above twenty days in their
vifitation, till they have paffed through their whole
bounds. They mufl thrice every week preach at
the leaft ; and when they return to their principal
town and refidence, they mufl be likewife exercif-
cd in preaching and edification of the kirk: and
yet they mufl not be fuffered to continue there fo
long, that they may feem to ncglecl their other
kirks: but after they have remained in their chief
town three or four months at mofl, they fhall be
compelled (unlefs by ficknefs they be retained^
to re-enter in vifitation. In which they fnall not
only preach, but alfo examine the life, diligencer
and behaviour of the miniflers, as alfo the or-
der of the kirks, the manners of the people.
They mufl farther confider how the poor be
provided, how the youth be inftrucled: they
mufl admonidi where admonition needeth, and
drefs fuch things as by good counfel they be
able to appeafe. And finally they muft note fuch
crimes as be hainous, that by the cenfure cf the
kirk the fame may be correfted. If the fiifcrin-
tendent be found negligent in rny of the chief
points of his office, and fpecially if he be noted
negligent in preaching of the word, and vifitati-
on of ihe Kirks; or if he be convifV of fud:i crimes,

492

The first BOOK ov DISCIPLINE.

which in common minifters are damned, he muft
be depofed, without refpedl of his perfon, or of-
fice.

The eknion offiiperintendents.

IN this prefent neceffity, the nomination, ex-
aniination, and admiffion of the fuperintendent,
cannot be fo ftraight, as we require, andasafcer-
warJ it m\\^ be. For this prefent, therefore we
think it expedient, that either your honours by
yonrfeives nominate fo many as may ferve the iore-
writfen provinces: or that ye give commiffion to
luch men as ye fuppofe the fear of God to be in,
to do the fame. And the fame rocn being caljd
in your prefence fliall be by you, and fuch as your
honour pleafe to call unto you for confultation in
that cafe, appointed to their provinces. V/e think it
expedient, and neceflliry, that as well the gentle-
men, asburgeffes of every dioces be made privy at
the fame to the eleftion of the fuperintendents ; as
well to bring the kirk in fome praftice of her hber-
ty, as that the paflor may be the better favoured
of the flock whom themfelves have chofen. If
your honours cannot find, for this-prefcnt, (o many
-able as necefiity requireth, than in our judgments,
more profitable it is thofe provinces vaike till God
provide better for them, then that men unable to
cdiiiy and govern the kirk, fo fuddenly be placed
'in that charge; for experience hath teached us
vvhat peftilence hath been ingendred in the kirk by
men i:nable to difcharge their ofHces. When
therefore after three years any fuperintendent (hall
'iepart, or chance to be depofed, the chief town
within the province, toivit, the miniflers, elders
and -deacons, .with the magiftrate and council of
the fame town, (hall nominate, and by public edidf s
proclaim, as well to the fuperintendents, as to
iwo or three provinces next adjacent, two or three
of the moft learned and godly minifters within the
whole realm, that from amongfl them, one with
public confent, may be cleffed and appointed to
the office then vacant : and this the chief town
fliall bs bound to do within the fpace of twenty
days*, which being expired, and no man prefent-
ed-, then fliail three of the next adjacent provinces
with v^alent of their fuperintendents, miniflers
;)ndeV.ers, enter in the right and privilege of the
tovi'n, and fliall prefent every one of them, one or
two, if U'-ey life, to the chief town to be examin-
c;d, as the order requires. As alfo it fhall be law-
lul for all th? kirks of the diocefe to nominate

within the fame time, fuch perfons as they think
worthy to fland iii election, who all muft be put ia
an edift.

After nomination to be made, public edifts mufV
be fent forth, warning all men that have any ex-
ception againft the perfons nominate, or againft
any of them, to be pfefent in the chief town at
the day affixed, and place, to objedl what they
can againft the election of any of them. Thirty
days we think fufficient to be afTigned thereto.
Thirty days we mean after the nomination be made ;
which day of the cle6f ion being come, the whole
minifters of the province, with three or four fu-
perintendents next adjacent,, or that fliall be there-
to nominated fhall examine, not only the learning,
but alfo the manners, prudence and hability to
govern the kirk, of all thefe that be nominated :
that he who ftiall be found moft worthy may be
burdened with the charge. If the minifters of the
whole provhices fhould bring with them the votes
of them that were committed to their care, the
eleffion fhould be the more free. But always the
votes of them that conveen, fhould be required.
The examinations muft be pubhcly made. They
that ftand in eleftion muft publicly preach, and
men muft be charged in the name of God, to
vote according to confcience, and not after afFeffi-
on.

If any thing be objefted againft him that ftand-
erh in ele6lion, the fuperintendents and minifter^'
muft confider whether the obje<ftibn be made of
confcience or malice, and they muft anfwer ac-
cordingly. Other ceremonies than fharp examin-
ation, approbation of the minifters, and fuperin-
tendents, with the public conlent of the elder?
and people, we cannot allow.

The fuperintendent being elefted, and appoint-
ed to his charge, muft be fubjeft to the ctnfure . .
and correflion of minifters and elders, not of his'j
chief town only, but alfo of the whole province, '
over the which he is appointed overfeer.

If his offence be known, and the minifters and
elders of the town and province be negligent in
corredfing of him, then the next one or two fu-
perintendents with their minifters and elders,
may conveen him, and the minifters and elders of
his chief town (provided that it be within his own
province or chief town may accuie or correct as-
well the fuperintendent in thefe things that are
worthy of corredtion, as the minifters and elders
of their negligence and ungodly toUerance of his
offence.

Whatlbever crime deferves depofttion or correc-
tion,

The first BOOK of DISCIPLINE.

493

tioti of any other mmifter, deferveth the fame
in the fuperintendent, without exception of per-
fons. '

After that the kirk is eftabiifhed, and three
years be pafTed, wc require that no man be called
to the office of a fuperintendent, who hath not at
the Jeaft two years given declaration of his faithful
labours in the miniftry of the fame kirk.

Mo fuperintendent may be transferred at the
pleafure or requeft of any one province, no not
without the confent of the whole council of the
kirk, and that for grave caufes and confiderati-
ons.

of one thing in the end we mufl: admonKh your
honours, to ivity that in the appointing of the fu-
perintendents for this prefent, ye difappoint not
your chief towns, and where learning is exercifed,
of fuch minifters as more may profit by refidence
in ons place, than by continual travail from place
to place. For if ye fo do, the youth in thefe
places fliall lack the profound Interpretation of
fcripture : and fo fliall it be long before your gar-
den fend forth many plants ; where by the contra-
ry, if one or two towns be continually exercifed
as they may, the commonwealth fhall fhortly
feaft of their fruit, to the comfort of the god-

For thefchooh,

SEEING that the office and duty of the god-
ly magiftrate, is not only to purge the church
of God from all fuperllision, and to fet it at li-
berty from tyranny and bondage, but alfo to pro^
vide at the utmoft of his power, how it may abide
in fome purity in the pollerity following, we can
-but freely communicate our judgments with your
honours in this behalf.

The necejfity of fchooh.

EEING that God hath determined that his
kirk here in earth fliall be taught not by an-
gels, but by men ; and feeing that men are born
ignorant of God, and of all godlinefs, and feeing
alio he ceafes to illuminate men mlraculoufly, .fud-
denly changing them as he did the apoftles, and
Others in the primitive kirk : of neceffity it is that
your honours be moif careful for the vertuous edu-
cation, and godly up-bri-ngingof the youth of this
realm : if either ye now third uiifcign^clly for the

advancement of ChriA's glory, or yet deHre the con-
tinuance of his benefits to the generation follow-
ing. For as the youth muft fucceed to us, fo we
ought to be careful that they have knowlege and
erudition to profit and comfort that which ought
to be moft dear to us, to wit, the kirk and fpoufe
of our Lord Jefus Of neceflity therefore ws
judge it, that every feveral kirk have one fchool-
maiier appointed, fuch a one at leaft as is able to
teach gramm.er, and the Latin tongue, if the town
be of any reputation. If it be in a place where the
people conveen to the doflrine but once in the
week, then mufl either the reader or the minifter
there appointed, take care over the children and
youth of the parifli, to infl:ru6t them in the fiifl
rudiments, and efpecially in the catechifm, as
We have it now tranflated in th^ book of the
common order, called the order of Geneva,
And further we think it expedient, that in every
notable town, and fpecially in the town of the fu-
perintendent, there be erefled a college, in which
the arts at leaft logick and rhethorick, together
with the tongues, be read by fufficient maflers,
for whom honeft flipends muft be appointed. As
alfo provifion for thofe that be poor, and not able
by themfelves, nor by their friends to be fuflained
at letters, and in fpecial thefe that come from
Landward. The fruit and commodity hereof
Hiall fuddenly appear, tor firft, the youth and
tender children (hall be nouriflied, and brought
up in Tertue in prefence of their friends, by whofe
good attendance many inconveniencies may be avoid-
ed, in which the youth commonly fall, either by
overmuch liberty, which they have in ftrange and
unknown places, while they cannot rule themfelves :
or elfe for lack of good attendance, and fuch necel-
fity as their tender age requires. Secondly, the
excrcife of children in every kirk, fliall be great
inflrudion to the aged. Lafl, the great fchools,
called the univerfities, fhall be replenifhed with
thefe that fhall be apt to learning. For this muft
be carefully provided, that no father of what eflate
or contilition that ever he be, ufe his children at
his own fantafie, efpecially in their youth, but
all mufl be compelled to bring up their children in
learning and vertue.

The rich ?.nd potent may not be permitted to
fufFer their childi'en to fpend tlieir youth, in vaiii
idlcnefs as heretofore they have done : but they
muil be exhorted, and by the cenfure of the kirk
compelled to dedicate their fons by good exercifes
to the profit of the kirk, and common-wealth.:
and 'that they mufl do of their o."n-espences be-'

•494

The first BOOK of DISCIPLINE.

caute they are able. The children of the peer
mull: be fupporicd and fuftained of the charge of
the kirk, trial being taken whether the fpirit of
docility be in them found, or not : if they be
found apt to learning and letters, then may they
not (we mean, neither the fons of the rich, nor
yet of the poor) be permitted to rejeft learning,
but muif be charged to continue their fludy, fo
that the common-wealtb may hfive fome comfort
by them. And for this purpofe muft difcreet, grave,
and learned men be appointed to vii3l: fchools for
the trial of their exerciie, profit and co:Qtinuance :
#9 ivU, the mlnlfter and elders, and t.">e reft of
learned men In every town (ball in every -t^narter
make examination how the youth have pTofit-
sd.

And certain times muft be appointed to reading
and learning of the catechifm, and certain to the
grammer and to the Latin tongues, and a certain
to the arts of pilofophy, and the tongues ; and
certain to that ftudy in the which they intend chief-
ly to travail for the profit of the cornmon-wealth.
Which time being expired, we mean in every courfe,
the children iliould either proceed to farther knov/-
lege, or elfe they muft be fet to fome hand} craft,
or to fome other profitable exercife ; providing al-
ways that fir ft they have fuither knowlege of
■Chriftian religion : to nvit, the knowlege of God's
law and commandments, the ufe and office of the
fame : thechief articles of the beleef, the right form
to pray unto God ; the number, ufe, and efPeft of
the lacraraents : the true knowlege of Chrift Jefus,
of his office and natures, and fuch others, without
the knowlege whereof neither any man defervts to
be called a Chriftian, neither ought any to be ad-
mitted to the participation of the Lord's table :
and therefore thefe principles ought and muft be
learned in the youth.

TJje times appointed to every courfe.

TW O years we think more than fufficient to
learn to read perfeftly, to anfwcr to the ca
techifm, and to have fome entiles in the firft rudi-
ments of grammer to the full accomplifhment
whereof (we mean of the grammer) we think other
three years or four at moft fufficient, to the arts,
io wit, logick and rhetorick, and to th€ Greek
tongue 4 years, and the reft till the age of 24
years, to be fpent in that ftudy, wherein the lear-
ner would profit the church, or commonwealth,
be it in the laws, phyfick, or divinity j which

time of 24 years being fpent in the fchools, the
learner muft be removed to ferve the church or
commonwealth, unlefs he be found a necefiary
reader in this fame college or univerfity. If God
fhali move your hearts to eftabliffi and execute this
order, and put thefe things in pradlice, your whole
realm, we doubt not, within few years wiH ferve
iiTelf of true preachers, and of other officers necef-
iary for the common-weaith.

O/t^e ereSlion ofuniverftties.

THE grammer fchool being ere^f^ed, and of
the tongues (as we have faid) next we think
it necefiary there be three univerfities in this whole
realm, eftablilhed in three towns accuftomed. The
firft in St. Andrews, the fecond in Glafgow, and
the third in Aberdeen. And in the firft unverfity
and principle, to ivif, St. Andrews, that there be
three colleges, sad in the firft college, which is
the entry, of the univerfity, there be four claffes,
or feages, the firft to the new fuppofts, ffiall be
only Diaknica, next only MatheT^'-atica, the third
of phylick only, the fourth of medicine. And in
the fecond cclledge, two clafies or leageS, the
firft of moral philofophy, the fecond of the laws*
And in the third colledge two claffes or feages,
the firft of the tongues, to wit, Greek and Hebrew,
the fecond of divinity.

Of readers^ and of the degrees and time of Jliidy

It m T ^ ^^^ ^^^ colledge and firft clafs, fiiafl
' X be a reader of DialeRica, who fiiall
accompliffi his courfe thereof in a year. In Mat he-
matica, which is the fecond clafs, ffiall be a reader
which fiiall compLat his courfe of Arithmetic,
Geometry, Cofmography, and Aftiology in one
year. In the third clafe ffiall be a reader of natur-
al Philofophy, who ffiall compleat his courfe in
one year. And who after thefe three years by
trial and examination, ffiall be found fufficiently
inftrudfed in the forefaid fciences, ffiall be Laureat,
andGraduatin Ppilofophy. in the fourth clafe,
ffiall be a reader of Medicine, who fiiall compleat
his courle in five years, after the ftudy of the
which time, being by examination found fuffici-
ent, they ffiall be graduat in medicine.

Item, In the I'econd college, in the firft clafs,
one reader only in the Ethicks, Oeconomicks, and
Politicks, who ffiall compleat his cowrfe in the

fpace

The first BOOK

(pace of one year. In the fecond clafs fliall be
two readers in the Municipal and Roman laws,
who fliail compleat his courle in four years, after
which time being by examination found fufficient,
they fhall be graduate in the laws.

Item, In the third college, in the firft clafs. one
reader of the Hebrew, and another of the Greek
tongue, who fliall compleat the grammar thereof
in three months, and the remnant of the year,
the reader of the Hebrew fliall interpret one book
of Moles, the prophets or the pfaltns, fo that this
courfe and clafs flial! continue one year. The read-
er of the Greek fliall interpret fome book of Plato,
together with fome place of the New Teflament. In
the fecond clafs ihaU be two readers in divinity,
the one in the New Teftamenit, the other in the
old, who fhall compleat their courie in five years :
after which time, who ihail be found by examina-
tion fufficient, they fliall be graduate in divinity.

Item, We think expedient that none be admitted
to the firfl college, and to be fuppofts of the uni-
verfity, unlefs he have from the mafler of the
fchool, and minifler of the town where he was in-
l\ru61ed in the tongues, a teftimony of his lear-
ning, docility, age and parentage: and likewife
trial be taken by certain examinators, depute by
the re<flor and principals of the fame. And if he
be found fufficiently inftrui5fed in the DialeElica,
he fliall incontinent the lame year be promoted to-
the clafs of Mathematka.

Iterriy That none be admitted to the clafs of Me-
dicine, but he that fliall have his teftimonial of his
time well fpent in Didkclica^y Mathematical and
Phyfick, and of his docility in the laft.

Item, That none be admitted'unto the clafs of the
Jaws, but he that fhall have fufficient teflimonials
of his time well fpent in DiakSlica,. Mathcmatica,
Pbyjlca, E thicks, Oeconomicks, and Politicks^
and of 1 lis docility in the lafi:.

Item, That none be admitted unto the clafs and
feage of divinity, but Ite that fliall have fufficient
teftimonials of his time well fpent in DialeSlica,
Mathematica, Phyfica, Ethica, Oeconomka, and
Politka, and the Hebrew tongue, and of his doci-
lity in the moral Philofophy, and the Hebrew
tongue. But neither fliall fuch as apply them to
hear the laws, be compelled to hear Medicine ;
neither fuch as apply them to hear divinity, be
compelled to hear either Medicine or yet the laws.

Item,, In the fecond univerfity, which is Glaf-
gow, fliall be two colleges cnly : in the fir ft fliall
be a clafs of Dialc^ka, another of Mathematkaf

OF D I S C I P L I N E. 405

the third of Phyf-ca, ordered in all forts as St.
Andrews,

Item, In the fecond, fourclaflls, the iirll of moral
philofophy, Ethicks, Oeconomiclcs, and Phyfick.
The fecond of the Municipal and Roman laws.
The third, of the Hebrew tongue. The fourth
of divinity, which ftiall be ordered in all forts to
that we have written m the order of the univerfity
of St. Andrews.

The third univerfity of Aberdeen fhall be con-
form to this univerfity of Glafgow in all forts.

Ite7n, We think needful that there be chofen
of the body of the univerfity to every college, a
principal man of learning, difcretion and diligence,
who fliall receive the whole rents of the college,
and diftribute ih.^ fame according to the erection
of the college, and fhall daily hearken the diet
counts, adjoining to him weekly one of the readers
or regents, above whom he fhali take attendance
upon their diligence, as well in their reading as
exercifing of the youth in the matter taught upon
the policy and uphold of the place, and for punifh-
ment of crimes fhall hold a weekly conventioiv
with the whole members of the college. He fliall'
be countable yearly to the fuperintcndent, re<flor,
and the principals conveened, about the firfl of
November. His ekiflion fhajl be this fort. There
fhall be three of the mofl fufKcient men of the uni-
verfity (not principals already nominate by the mem-
ber s of the college fworn tofollow their confciences)-
whofe principal is departed and publicly proponed
through the whole univerfity, after the which
time eight days, by the fuperintendent himfelf, or
his fpecial procurator, with the recflor, and the.
reft of the principals, as a chapter, conveened, fliall' /
confirm one of the three they think mofl fuflkient,^
being before fworn to do the fame w ith a fingle:
eye without reloe^l to feud or favour.

Item, In every college we think needful at leaft;
a fteward, a cook, a gardiner, and porter, who
fliall be fubjedl to difcipllne of the principal, as
the reft.

Item, That every univerfity haven beddal fub-
je61- to ferve at all times throughout the whole uni-
verfity, as the re<5tor and principal ihall com"
mand.

Item, That every univerfity have a re^orchofea
from year to year as fliall follow. The principals .
being conveened with the whole regents- chapter!)'
fhall be fworn that every man in his- room fliall*
nominate fuch a one as his confcitnce flirJi teflify
10 be iroll fufHtier.t to bear fuch-diargc and uigni*

49^

The first BOOK op DISCIPLINE.

ty : and three of them that [hall be ofteft nominat-
ed llialibe put in edift publicly fifteen^ days before
Michaelmafs, and then ihall on Michaelmars even
conveen the whole principlas, regents and liippofls,
that are graduate, or at the leaft (ludled their time
in Ethlc'/vS, Oeconomicks, and Politicks and any
others younger, and every one firfl: proteft in God's
prefence to follow the fmcere didlates of their con-
fcience (hall nominate one of the three, and he that
hath moft votes fliail be confirmed by the fuperin-
tcndcnt and principals, and his duty with an ex-
hortation proponed unto him, and this to be the
twenty eight day of September, and thereafter trial
to be taken hinc inde of his juft and godly govern-
ment, and of the reil's lawful fubmiifion and obe-
dience, he fhall be propyncd by the univerfity at
his entry with a new garment, bearing infignia
Magifiratus, and he holden monthly to vifit
every college, and with his prefence decore and
examine the le<Stions and exercife thereof. His af-
felTors (hall be a lawyer and a theologe, with whofe
advice he fhall decide all queftions civil betwixt
the members of the univerfity. If any without
the univerfity purfue a member thereof, or he be
purfued by a member of the fame, he fhall afTifl
the provofl and baillies in thefe cafes or other
judges competent, to fee juftice be miniffred : in
likewife, if any of the univerfity be criminally pur-
fued, he fliall affifl the judges competent, and fee
that juf\ice be miniflred.

Item, We think expedient that in every college
in every univerfity, there be 24 burfars, divided
equally in all the claffes and feges as is above ex-
premit ; that is, in St. Andrews 72 burfars, in
Glafgow 48 burfars, in Aberdeen 48, to be fu-
ftained only in meat upon the charges of the col-
lege, and to be admitted at the examination of
the miniflry and chaptor of principals in the uni-
verfity, as well in the docility of the perfons of-
fered, as of the ability of their parents to fuftaia
them themfelvt s, and not to burden the common-
wealth with them.

Of the fi'ipends and expences necejfary

T T 7 E think expedient that the univerfities
atem, Yy ^^ ^^^^^ ^-^^^ temporal lands, with

rents and revenues of the bifhopricks temporality,
and of the kirks collegiate fo far as their ordinary
charges Ihall require, and therefore that it would
plcafe your honours, by advice of your honourable
council, and vote of parliament, to do the fame, and

to the efFe<fl the fame may be fhortly 634jjcde, we
have recollected the fums we think necefTary for
the fame.

Imprimis, For the ordinary ftipend of the dia-
leftician reader, the mathematician, phifician a -id
moral philofopher, we think fufficient an hundred \
pounds for every one of them.

Item, For the ftipend of every reader in medicine
and laws, a hundreth thirty three pounds 6 s,
8d.

Item, To every reader in Hebrew Greek and di-
vinity, 200 po^inds.

Item, To every principal of a college 200
pounds.

Item, To every fteward 1 6 pounds.

Item, to every gardiner, to every cook and por-
ter to every one of them ten marks.

Item, To the board of every burfar without the
clafs of theology, 20 pounds.

Item, In the clafs of theolog\% which will be
only 12 perfons in St. Andrews, 24 pounds.

Sum of yearly and ordinary expences in the

univerfity of St. Andrews, 3976 pounds.
Sum of yearly and ordinary expences of Glaf-
gow, 2922 pounds.
Aberdeen as much.

Sum of the ordinary charges of the whole
9820 pound.

Item, The beddals flipend fhall be of every in-
trant and fuppofl of the univerfity 2 fhillings, of
every one gaduate in philofophy" 3 fhillings, of
every one graduate in medicine or laws, 4 fhillings,
in theology 5 fhillings, all burfars being except-
ed.

Item, We have thought good for building and
upholding of the places, a general colkff be made,
and that every earl's fon at his entry to the univer-
fity, fhall give 40 Jhil. and likewife at every gra-
duation ^ojhil. Item, each lord s fon likewife at
fuch time, 'iofbil. each freeholding baron's fon 20
JfM. every fewar and fubflantious gentlemans fon i
mark. Item, every fubflantious hufband and bur-
ges's fon, at each time io Jhil Item, every one of
the reft, not excepting the burfai s, 5_/6/7. at each
time. And that this be gathered in a common
box, put in keeping to the principal of the theolo-
gians, eyery principal having a key thvreof, to be
counted each year once with the reft of principals
to be laid in the fame, about the 1 5 day of Novem-
ber, in prefence of the fuperintendent, reffor and
whole principals, and with their whole confent,
or at leaft the moft part of them referred, and im-
ployed only upon the building and upholding of

the

THE FIRST BOOK of DISCIPLINE.

0.0'

the places, and repairing of the fame, ever as ne-
ceffity (IwU require. And therefore the reftor
with his alTiftaats, fliall be obliged to vifit the
pLices each year once, incontinent after he be pro-
moEed upon the laft of Oftober, or thereby.

Of the privileges of the univerfty.

SEEING we defire that innocency (liould
defend us rather than privilege, we think
that each perfon of the univerfity Ihouid anfwer
before the provoft and baihfFs of each town where
the univcrfities are, of all crimes whereof they are
accufed, only that the re<5for be aflefTor to them in
the fiid anions. In civil matters, if the queftion
be betwixt members of the univerfity, on each
fide making their refidence and exercife therein for
the time in that cafe the party called fhall not be
holden to anfwer but only before the reftor and
his affeflbrs heretofore exprimed. In all other
cafes of civil purfuit, the general rule of the law
to be obferved, aBor fcquatiir forum rei, <bc.

Item, That the re^lor and all inferior members
of the univerfity be exempted from all taxations,
impofts, charges of war, or any other charge that
may onerate or abftradl him or them from the care
of his office, fuch as tutory, curatory, or any fuch
like that are eftablifhed, or hereafter fhall be efta-
bliflied in our common-weal, to the efFeft that
(without trouble) they may wait on the upbring-
ing of the youth in learning, and beftow their time
only in that moft neceffary exercife.

AH other things touching the books to be read
in every clafs, and all fuch particular affairs we
refer to the difcretion of the maflers, principals
and regents, with their well advifed counfel ; not
doubting but if God fliall grant quietnefs, and give
your wifdoms grace to fet forward letters in the
tort preicribed, ye fhall leave wifdom and learning
to your poflerity, a treafure more to be efleemcd
then any earthly treafure, ye are able to amafs for
them, which without wifdom are more able to be
their ruin and confufion, than help and comfort.
And as this is moft true, fo we leave it with the
reft of the commodities to be weighed by your
honours's wifdom, and fet forward by your autho-
rity to the moft high advancement of this common-
wealth committed to your charge.

the ftxth head of the rents and patrimony rf iha
church.

THESE two forts of men, that is to fay,
minifters, and the poor, together with the
fchools, when order flial'; be taken thereancnr,
muft be fuftained upon the charges of the kirk;
and therefore provifion muft be made, how, and by
whom fuch fums muft be lifted. But before we
enter into this head, we muft crave of your ho-
nours, in the name of the eternal God, and of hi?
Son Chrift Jefus, that ye have refpeft to your
poor brethren, the labourers and manurcrs of the
ground ; who by thefe cruel beafts the papifts have
before been opprefl, that their life to them hath
been dolorous and bitter. If ye will have God
author and approver of this reformation, ye muft
not follow their foot-fteps, but ye muft have com-
paflion of your brethren, appointing them to pay
reafonable teinds, that they may find fome benefit
of Chrift Jefus now preached unto them.

With the grief of our hearts we hear, that fome
gentlemen are now as cruel over their tenants, as
ever were the papifts, requiring of them whatfo-
ever they afore payed to the kirk, fo that the pa-
piftical tyranny fhall only be changed into the ty-
ranny of the lord and laird. We dare not flatter
your honours, neither yet is it profitable for you
that we fo do. If we permit cruelty to be ufed,
neither fliall ye, who by your authority ought to
gainftand fuch oppreffion, nor yet they that ufe
the fame efcape God's heavy and fearful judgments.
The gentlemen, barons, earls, lords and others,
muft be content to five upon their juft rents, and
fuffer the kirk to be reftored to her liberty; that
in her reftitution, the poor, who heretofore by
the cruel papifts have been fpoiled and oppreflfed,
may now receive fome comfort and relaxation,
that their teinds and other exaOions be clean
difcharged, and no more taken in -times coming.
The uppermoftclaith, corps- prefent; clerk mail,
the pafche offering, teind ale and all handlings up-
land, can neither be required nor received of good
confcience. Neither do we judge it to proceed of
juftice, that any man fhould pofTefs the teinds of
another, but we think it a moft reafonable thing
that every man have the ufe of his own teinds,
provided that he anfwer to the deacons and trea-
furers of the kirk of that which by juftice fliall be
appointed to him. We require tiie deacofiS and trea-
11 r f furers

49*

The first BOOK of DISCIPLINE.

fureis raiher to receive the rents, then the mini-
icers themfelves, becaufe that of the teu^ds muft
not only the minifter be fuftained, but aifo the
poor and fchools. And therefore we thmk it ex-
pedient that common treafurers: to wit, the dea-
cons be appointed from year to year, to receive the
whole rents appertainiog to the kirk, and that
t;oiiiinandment be given that none be permitted
either to receive or yet to intromitt with any thing
apperti^ining to tlie fuftentation of the perfbns fore-
Hiid, but fuch as by cominon confcnt of the kirk
are thereto appointed.

If any think this prejudicial to the tacks and af-
fedations of them that now pofTcfs die reinds. Let
them underfland that their unjuft pofTeffion is no
pofTeflion before God ; for they of whom they re-
ceived their title, and prefuppofed right or warrant,
were thieves and murderers, and had no power fo to
alienate the patrimoney, and common good of the
kirk. And yet we are not fo extreme but that we wirti
jufl: recompenfe to be made to fuch as have debur-
fed fums of money to the unjuft poffcfrors, fo that
St hath not been done of kite days in prejudice of
the kirk. But fuch as are found and known to be
done of plain coUufion, in no ways ought to be
maintained by you : and for that purpofe we think
it mofb expedient that wholbever have afTedation of
ieinds and kirks, be openly warned to produce
their afTedation and alTurance, that cognition being
taken, the jufl tackfmenmay have the jufl and rea-
fonable recompenfe for the years that are to run,
the profit of the years pafl being confidered and
deduced, and the unjnfl and furmifed may^be fer-
ved accordingly, fo that the kirk in the end may
receive her liberty and freedom, and that only for
the relief of the poor. Your honours may eahly
underfland that we fpeak not now for ourfelves,
but in favour of the labourers defrauded and opprefl
by the priefls, and by their confederate penfioners ;
for while that the priefls penfioner's idle belly is
delicately fed, the poor, to whom the portion of
that appertains, was pyned with hunger, and more-
over the true labourer was compelled to pay that
which he ought not. For the labourer is neither
ilebtor to .the dumb dog, called the bifhop, neither
yet to his hired penfioner, but is debtor only to the
kirk. And the kirk is bound to llifiain and nou-
rifh of her charges, the perfons before mentioned,
to imt, the miniflers of the word, the poor, and
ihe teachers of the youth. But now to return to
ihe former head. The fums able to fuflain the
foreaamed perfons, and to furnifh all things apper-
rsining to the prefervation of good order and policy

within the kirk, mufl be lifted ofF die tenths, to
wit, the tenth fh^af, hay, hemp, lint, fiOies,
tenth ca!f, tenth lamb, tenth wool, tenth foal[
tenth cheefe. And becaufe that we know that the
tenth reafonably taken as is before exprefTed, will
not fuffice todifcharge the former neceflity: we
think that all things doted to hofpitality, and an-
nual rents both in burgh and land, pertaining to
the priefls, chantory colleges, chappLuiaries, and
the friars of all orders, to the filters of the fcenes,
and fuch others be retained ftill in the ufe of the
kirk or kirks within the towns and pariflies where
they were doted. Furthermore, to the upholding '
of the univerfities, and fuflentation of the fuperin-
tcndents. The whole revenue of the temporality
of the bifhops, deans, and archdtan's lands, and
of all rents of lands pertaining to the cathedral
kirks whatfoever. And further, merchants and
rich craftfmen in free burghs, having nothing to
do with the manuring of the ground, mufl take
fome provifion of their cities, towns, and dwelling
places for to fupport the need of the kirk.

To the miniflers, and failing thereof, the readers,
mufl be reflored their manfes, and gleibs, for elk.
they cannot ferve the flock at all times, as their
duty is. If any gleib exceed fix acres of ground,
the refl to remain in the hands of the poffefTors
till order be taken therein.

The receivers and coUeflors of thefe rents and
duties, mufl be deacons or treafurcrs appointed
from year to year in every kirk, and by the conv.
mon confent, and free eletflion of the kirk. The
deacons mufl diflribute no part of that which is
colle<fted, but by command of the miniflers and
elders. And that they may command nothing to
be delivered, but as the kirk hath before determin-
ed, to wit, the deacons fhall of the firfl part pay
the fums either quarterly, or from half year to
half year, to the miniflers, which the kirk hath,
appointed. The fame they fliall do to the fchool-
maflers, readers, and hoipital, .if any be, receiving
always an acquittance for their difcharge. If any
extroardinary lums be to be delivered, then mufl
the miniflers, elders, and deacons, confult whether
the deliverance of fuch fums, doth Hand with the
common utility of the kirk, or not. And if they •
do univerfally condefcend and agree upon the affir-
mative or negative, than becaufe they are in credit
and office for the year, they may do as befl feems ;
but if there be any controverfy amongfl themfeives'
the whole kirk mufl be made privy,^and after that
the matter be proponed, and the reafons ; the judg-
ment of the kirk with the miniflers confen t ihall

prevail..

The F I R S T B O 0 K op D I S C r P L I N E

eating all fuch, ^sweIl thofewhom the civi! fwor^

prevail. The deacons fhall be compelled and
bound to mike accounts to the minifter and ciders
of that which they received, as oft as the policy
fnall appoint : and the elders, when they are chang-
ed (which muft be every year) muft clear their
accounts before fuch auditors as the kirk fnall ap-
point: and both the deacons and elders being
changed fhail deliver to them that (hall be new e-
lefted, all Turns of money, corns and other j^rofits
refling in tJ.aeir hands : the tickets whereof muft
be delivered to the fuperintendents in their vifitati-
on, and by them to the great council of the kirk ;
that as well the aboundance as the indigence, of
every kirk may be evidently known, that a reafon-
able equality may be had throughout this whole
realm. If this order be perf eft ly kept, corruption
cannot fuddenly enter. For the free and yearly
eleftion of deacons and elders (hall lufFer none to
ufurp a perpetual dominion over the kirk, the
knowlege of the rental (hall falT.r them to receive
no more, than whereof they fhall be bound to make
accounts: the deliverance of money to the new
officers (liall not fuffer private men ufe in their
private bufinefs, that which appertains to the
public affairs of the kirk.

Thefeventh head of ecdefiajlical dlfc'ipline.

AS that no common-wealth can flouridi, or long
endure, without good laws and (harp exe-
cution of the fame ; fo neither can the kirk of God
be brought to purit}', neither yet be retained in
the fiime without the order of ecclefiaQical difcip-
line, which flands in reproving and correcting of
the faults, which the civil fword either doth ne-
glefl, or not punifh: blafphemy, adultery, mur-
der, pt.rjury, and other crimes capital, worthy of
death, ought not properly to fall under cenfure of
the kirk ; becaufe all fuch open tranfgreflbrs of
God's laws, ought to be taken away by the civil
fword. But drunkennefs, excels, be it in apparel,
or be it in eating or drinking, fornication, oppr ef-
iing of the poor by exactions, deceiving of them
ia buying and felling, by wrong met and meafure,
wanton words and licentious living tending to flan-
der, do openly appertain to the kirk of God to pu-
nilh them, as God's word commands. But be-
caufe this accurfed papiftry hath brought in fuch

' confufion into the world, that neither was virtue
rightly praifed, neither yet vice feverely punished,
the kirk of God is compelled to draw the fword
which of God (he hath received, againft fuch open

. s.nd maaifeft coutemoers, cur/ing, and excommuni-

ought to punilh, as the other, from all paiticic.v
tion with her in prayers and (iicramcnts, rill open
repentance appear manifeflly in them. As the or-
der and proceeding to excommunication ought to
be flow and grave, fo being once pronounced a-
gamlt any perlon of what eft ate or condition that
ever they be, it muft be kept with all leverity. For
laws made and not kept, engender contempt of
vertue, and bring in confufion and liberty to fit>..
And therefore this order we think expedient to be
obferved afore, and after excommunication. Firft.
if the offence be fecret or known to few men, and
rather ftands in fufpicion than in manifeft probation,
the offender ought to be privately admoniiTied, t»
abftain from all appearance of evil, which if he pro-
mife to do, and declare himfelf fober, honeft, and
one that fears God, and fears to offend his brethren,
then may the fecret admonition, fuffice for his
correftion. But if he either contemn the admoni-
tion, or after promife made do fhew himfelf no
more clrcumfpeft than he was before, then muft:
the minifter admonifti him, to whom if he be
found inobedient they muft proceed according to the
rule of Chrlft, as after ftiall be declared. If the
crime be public, and fuch as is hainous, as forni-
cation, drunkennefs, fighting, common fwearin^,
or execration, then ought the offender to be calkd
in prefence of the minifter, elders and deacons,
where his fin and trefpafs ought to be declared and
aggreged, fo that his confcience may feel how far
he hath offended God, and what flandcr he hath
raifed in the kirk. If figns of unfeigned repen-
tance appear in him, and if he require to be admit-
ted to public repentance, the minifter may appoint;
unto him a day when the whole kirk conveens to-
gether, that in prefence of all he may teftify his
repentance, which before he profeffed. Which
if he accept, and with reverence confefs his fm,
doing the fame, and earneftly deft ring the congre-
gation to pray to God with him for mercy, and to
accept him in their fociety notwithftanding the
former offence; then the kirk may and ought to
receive him as a penitent. For the kirk ought to
be no more fevere, than God declares himfelf to
be, who wltneft^es that in whatfoever hour a fjn-
ner unfeignedly repents, and turns from Jiis wicked
way, that he will not remember one of his iniqui-
ties. And therefore ought the kirk diligently to
advert that it excommunicate not thcfe whom God
abfolves. If .the offender. called before the minl-
ftry be found ftubborn, hard hearted or in whom
no fign of repentance appears, then muft .he be di-
P*- J" r a milted

The FtRST BOOK of DISCIPLINE.

mkted with an exhortation to confider the danger-
ous eftate in which he ftands ; aflliring him that if
ihey find in him no other tokens of amendment of
life, that they will be compelled to feek a further
remedy. If he within a certain fpace fliew his re-
pentance to the miniftry, they may prefent him to
the kirk, as before is faid : if he continue not in
}(is repentance, then muft the kirk be advertifed,
that fuch crimes are committed amonglt them,
which by the miniftry hath been reprehended, and
the pcrfons provoked to repent, whereof becaufe
no figns appear unto them, they could not but fig-
nify unto the kirk the crimes, but not the perfon :
requiring them earneftly to call to God to move
and touch the heart of the offender, fo that fudden-
ly and earneilly he may repent. If the perfon ma-
lign, the next days of public aflembljs the crime
and the perfon muft be both notified unto the kirk,
and their judgments muft be required, If that fuch
crimes ought to be fuffered unpunifhed among
them ; requeft alfo fliould be made to the moft dif-
creet and neareft friend of the offender to travail
with hitn to bring him to knowlege of himfelf, and
of his dangerous eftate, with a commandment giv-
en to all men to call to God far the converfion of
ihe impenitent. If a folemn and fpecial prayer
were drawn for that purpofe the thing fhould be
more gravely done. The third Sunday the mini-
ller ought to require, if the impenitent have de-
clared any figns of repentance to one of the mini-
ftry; and if he have, then may the minifter ap-
point him to be examined by the whole miniftry,
<^lther then inftantly, or another day affixed to the
x:onfiftory: and if repentance appear, as well for
hh crime, as for his long contempt, then he may
be prefcnted to the kirk, and make his confeifion
to be accepted as before is faid : but if no man fig-
aify his repentance, then ought he to be excom-
municated, and by the mouth of the minifter, and
^oufent of the miniftry, and commandment of the
kirk muft fuch a contemner be pronounced excom-
jnunicate from God, and from all fociety of the
kirk. After which fentcnce may no perfon (his
wife and family only excepted) have any kind of
converfatlon with him, be it in eating and drink-
ing, buying and felling; yea, in faluting or talking
with him, except that it be at commandment or
licence of the miniftry for his converfion, that he,
by fuch means confounded, feeing himfelf abhor-
red of the godly and faithful, may have occafion
to repent and fo be faved. The fentence of excom-
munication muft be publifned univerfally through-
ouit 'vhe realm, kft that any man fhould pretend ig-

norance. His children begotten and born after
that fentence, and before his repentance may not
be admitted to baptifm, till either they be of age to
require the fame, or elfe that the mother, or fome
of his fpecial friends, members of the kirk, offer
and prefent the child, abhorring and damning
the iniquity, and obi^inate contempt of the impeni-
tent.

If any man fhould thinTv it fevere that the child
fliould be punifhed for the iniquity of the father:
let him undtrftand that the facraments appertain to
the faithful and their feed; but fuch as ftubbornly
contemn ail godly admonition, and obftinately re-
main in their iniquity, cannot be accounted a-
mongft the faithful.

w

The order for public offenders t

E have fpoken nothing of them that commit
horrible Climes, as murderers, manflayers,
adulterers ; for fuch, as we have laid, the civil fword
ought to punifh to death : but in cafe they be per-
mitted to live, then mufl the kirk as is before faid,
drav/ the fword, which of God fhe hath received,
holding them as accurfed even in their very fa^l.
The offender being firft called, and order of the kirk
ufed againft him in the fame manner, as the per-
fons for their cbftinate impenitency are publicly ex-
communicate. So that the obftinate impenitent
after the fentence of excommunicadon, and the
murderer or adulterer ftand in one cafe, as con-
cerning the judgment of the kirk. That is, nei-
ther of both may be received in the fellow ftiip of
the kirk to prayers or facraments (but to hearing
the word they may) till firft they offer themfelves
to the miniftry, humbly requiring the minifters
and elders to pray to God for them, and alfo to
be interceffors to the kirk that thty may be admit*
ted to public repentance, and to the fruition of the
benefits of Chrift Jefus, diftributed to the mem-
bers of his body. If this requeft be humbly made,
then may not the minifters rtfufe to fignify the
fame ento the kirk, the next day of public preach-
ing, the minifter giving exhortation to the kirk,
to pray to God to perform the W'ork which he ap-
pears to have begun, working in the hear^ of the
offender, unfeigned repentance of his grievous
crime and offence, and feeling of his great mercy
by the operation of the holy Spirit. 1 hereafter
one day ought publicly to be affigncd unto him to
give open confeffion of his offence and contempt,
and fo to make public fatisfaftion to the kirk of

God:

The F I R S T BOOK of DISCIPLINE.

SOI

God : which day the offender mull appear in pre-
fence of the whole ku-k, with his own mouth dam-
ning his own i:Tipiety, publicly confeffing the fame :
defining God of his mercy and grace, and his con-
gregation, that it would pleafe them to receive
him in their fociety, as before is faid. The mini-
{ler, muft examine him diligently whether he finds
a hatred or difpleafure of his fin, as well of his
contempt, as of his crime : which if he confefs,
he muft travail with him, to fee what hope he
hath of God's mercies, and if he find him reafon-
ably inftrufted in the knowlege of Chrift Jefus,
in the vertue of his death, then may the minifler
comfort him with God's infallible promifes, and
demand of the kirk if they be content to receive
that creature of God whom Satan before had
drav/n in his nets, into the fociety of their body,
feeing that he declared hitnfelf penitent. "Which
if the kirk grant, as they cannot jufdy deny the
fame, then ought the minifter in public prayer
to commend him to God, to confefs the fin of that
offender before the whole kirk, defiring mercy and
grace for Chrift Jefus fake. Which prayer being
ended, the minifter ought to exhort the kirk to re-
ceive that penitent brother in their favours, as
they require God to receive themfelves when they
offend. And in fign of their confent, the elders,
and chief men of the kirk, fhali take the penitent
by the hand, and one or two in the name of the
reft fhall kifs and embrace him with reverence and
gravity, as a member of Chrift Jefus. Which be
ing done, the minifter fhall exhort the received that
he take diligent heed in times coming that Satan
trap him not in fuch crimes, admonilhinir him that
he will not ceafe to tempt and try by all means
polTible to bring him from that obedience which
he" hath given to God, and to the oidinance of
Jefus Chrift. The exhortation being ended, the
minifter ought to give public thanks unto God for
the converfion of their brother, and for all benefits
which we receive of Chrift Jefus, praying for the
increafe and continuance of the fame. It the pe-
nitent after he hath offered himfelf unto the mini-
firy, or to the kirk, be found ignorant of the
principal points of our religion, and chiefly in the
articles of juftlficatlon, and of the oftice of Chrift
Jefus. then ought he to be exaftly inftrucSfed be-
fore he be received, for a mocking of God it is to
receive them to repentance, vv^ho know not where-
in ftandeth their remedy, when they repent their
fm>

PerfcnsfubjeB to difclpUne.

TO difcipline, muft all the eftates within this
realm be fubjeft , as well the rulers, as they
that are ruled : yea, and the preachers themfelves,
as well as the poor within the kirk : and becaufe
the eye and mouth of the kirk ought to be moft
fingle, and irreprehenfible, the life and converlati-
on of the minifter ought to be diligently tried,
whereof we fliall fpeak after that we have fpoken
of the eleftion of elders and deacons, who muft
affift the minifter in all public affairs of the kirk.

The eighth head toucfnng the eleBion of elders and
deacons.

ME N of beft knowlege in God's word, and
cleaneft life, men faithful and of moft ho-
neft converfation that can be found in the kirk,
muft be nominate to be in ele^ion, and their names
muft be publicly read to the v/hole kirk by the mi-
nifter, giving them advertifement, that from a-
mongft them muft be chofen elders and deacons.
If any of thefe nominate be noted with public in-
famy, he ought to be repelled. For it is not feem-
ly that the fervant of corruption fhall have autho-
rity to judge in the kirk of God.

If any man know others of better qualities with-
in the kirk, than thefe that be nominate. Jet them
be put in the eleftion, that the kirk may have the
choice.

If the kirk be of fmaller number than that feniors
and deacons can be chofen from amongft them ;
then may they well be joined to the next adjacent
kirks. For the plurality of kirks without minifters
and order, fhall rather hurt than edify.

The eleffion of eiders and deacons ought to be
ufed every year Once, which we judge to be moft
convenient at the firft day of Auguft, left of long
continuence of fuch officers, men prefume upon
the liberty of the kirk. It hurtcth not that one
be received in office more years then one, fo that he
be appointed yearly by common and fres eIe6fion,
provided always, that the deacons and treafurers
be not compelled to receive the office again for the
fpace of three years.

How the votes and fuffrages may be beft receiv-
ed;t fo that every man may give his vote freely e-

|02 The first BOOK of DISCIPLINE.

very feveral kirk may take fuch order as beft feems
them.

The elders being ekfted. muft be admom{hed

of their office, which is to aflift the minifters in
.^.11 public afEiirs of the kirk, to -wit, in determin-
ing and iadgin<^ caufes, in giving admonition to
the licentious liver, in having refpedl to the manners
and converfation of all men within their charge.
For by the gravity of the feniors, the light and un-
bridled life°of the licentious, muft be corrcfted
and bridled. Yea the Teniors pught to take heed
■to the like mannerf:, diligence and ftudy of their
•miniftcrs. If he be worthy of admonition, they
muft admonifh him; of correaion,^ they muft
corre(51: bim : and it he be worthy of depofition,
they with confent of the kirk, and fuperintendent,
■may depofs him, fo that his crime deierve fo. If
a minifter be light of converfation, by his elders
and deacons he ought to be admonidred. If he be
negligent in ftudy, or one that waits not upon his
charge, ©r fiock, or one that propones not faithful
doftrine, he deferves (harper admonidon and cor-
i-eftion. To the which if he be found ftubborn
and inobedient, then may the feniors of the kirk
complain to the miniftry of the two next adjacent
kirks, where men of greater gravity are to whofe
admonition if he be found inobedient, he ought
to be difcharged of his miniftry, till his repentance
sppear, and a place be vacant for him. If any
minifter be deprehended in any notable crime, as
whoredom, adultery, man {laughter, perjury,
teaching of herefy, or any other deferving death,
or that may be a note of perpetual infamy, he
ought to be depofed for ever. By herefy we mean
pernicious doftrine plainly taught, and openly de-
fended, againft the foundations and principles of
our faith: and fuch a crime we judge to deferve
perpetual depofition from the miniftry. For moft
dangerous we know it to be to commit the flock
to a man infe<-T:ed with the peftilence of herefy.
Some crimes deferve depofition for a time, and
while the perfon give declaration of greater gravity
and honcfty. And if a minifter be deprehended,
drinking, brawling, or fighting, an open fianderer,
or infamer of his neighbours, faiffious, and a fow-
€r of difcord. he muft be commanded toceafe from
his miniftry, till he declare fome fign of repentance,
upon the w^iicbirhe kirk (hall abide him in the fpace
of nventy days, or further, as the kirk fnail think
'expedient, before tb^y proceed to a new ekftion.
Every inferior kirk (ball by one of their feniors,
undone of their deacons, once in the year, notify
.unto tiie minifters of the fuperintendf nt's kirk, the

life, manners, ftudy and diligence of their mini-
fters, to the end the difcretion oflbmemay cor-
real: the levity of others. Not only muft the life
and manners, of minifters come under ccnfure and
judgment of the kirk, but alfo their wives, chil-
dren, and family, judgment muft be taken, that
he neither live riotoufij^ neither yet avaricioufly ;
yea refpect muft be had, how they fpend the ftipend
appointed to their living. If a reafonable ftipend
be (appointed, and they live avaricioufly, they muft
be admonifbed to live as they receive : for as excefs
and fuperfluity is not tolerable in a minifter, fo is
-avarice, and the careful ibllicitude of money, ut-
terly to be damned In Chrift's fervants, and efpeci-
ally in them that are fed upon the charge of the
kirk. We judge it unfeemly and untoUerable, thr.t
minifters (hall be boaided in common ale houfe?,
or in taverns, neither yet muft a minifter be per-
mitted to frequent and commonly haunt the court,
unlefs it be for a time when he is either fent by
the kirk, or called for by the authority, for
his counfel and judgment in civil affairs, neither
yet muft he be one of the council, -be he judged
never fo apt for the purpofe. But either muft he
ceafe from the miniftry (which at his own pleafure
he may not do) or clfe from bearing charge in civil
alfairs, unlefs it be to aflift the parliament, if he
be called.

The office of deacons, as before is faid, is to re-
ceive the rents, and gather the alms of the
kirk, to keep and diftribute the fame, as by
the minifters and kirk (hall be appointed, they
may alio alfift in judgment with the minifter and
elders, and may be admitted to read in aflembly,
if they be required, and be able thereto.

The elders and deacons with their wives and
houlhold, (hould be under the fame cenfure that
is prefcribed for the minifters. For they muft be
careful over their office, and feeing they are judges
over other's manners, their own converfation ought
to be irreprehenlible. They muft be fober, lovers
and maintainers ofconcoid and peace: and finally,
they ought to be examples of godlinefs to others.
And if the contrary thereof appear, they muft be
admoniflied thereof by the minifters, or fome of
their brethren of the miniftry, if the fault be fecret :
and if the fault be open and known, they muft be
rebuked before the miniftry, and the fame order
keptagainft the fenior and deacon, that before isde-
fcribed againft- the minifter. We think it not ne-
ceftary, that any public ftipend (hall be appointed,
cither to the elders, or yet to the deacons, becaufe
their travail continues but for a year, and alfo be-
caufe

The first BOOK of DISCIPLINE.

S^t

caufe that they are not To occupied with the affairs
of the kirk, but that reafonably they may attend
upon their domeftic bufmefs.

The ninth head concerning the policy of the kirk.

POLICY we call an exercife of the kirk in
fuch things as may bring the rude and igno-
rant to knowiege, or elfe inflame the learned to
greater fervency, or to retain the kirk in good or-
der ; and thereof there be two forts, the one ut-
terly necelTary, as that the word be truly preached,
the facraments rightly miniftred, common prayers
publicly made, that the children and rude perfons
be inftrufled in the chief points of religion, and
that offences be corre<fted and punifhed. Thefe
things be fo neceffary, that without the fame there
is no face of a vifible kirk. The other is profit-
able, but not merely neceflary. That pfalms
■ fhould be fung, that certain places of the fcripture
be read when there is no fermon, that this day or
that, few or many in the week, the kirk fhould
affemble. Of thefe and fuch others^ we cannot
fee how a certain order can be eflablifhed. For in
(ome kirks the pfalms may conveniently be fung, ,
in others perchance they cannot. Some kirks con-
veen every day, fome twice, fome thrice in the
week, fome peichancebut once, in this and fuch
like muft every particular kirk by their conient
appoint their own policy. In great towns we
think expedient, that every day there be either
fermon, or common prayers, with fome exercife
of reading of fcriptures. What day the public
fermon is, we can neither require nor greatly ap-
prove, that the common prayers be publicly uied ;
lefl that we (hall either fofler the people in fuptr-
flition, who come to the prayers, as they come to
the mafs, or elfe give them occafion, that they
think them no prayers, but which be made before
and after fermons.

In every notable town, we require that one day.
befide the Sunday, be appointed to the fermon
and prayers, which during the time of fermon
muO: be kept free from all exercife of labour, as
well of , the m.after as of the fervant. In fmaller
towns, as Ave have faid, the common confent of
the kiik mufl: put order, but the Sunday muft
ftraidy be kept both before and afternoon in all
towns. Before noon muft the word be preached,
and iacrainenrs mini fired, as alfo marriage folem-
nizc-d, if occafion offer; afternoon muft the young
children.be publicly examined in their catechifm .

in the audience of the people, whereof the mini-
fter muft take great diligence, as well to caufe the
people undcritand the queftion proponed, as an-
fwers, and that doaiiue, tnat may be colkaed
t hereof.

The order, and how much is appointed for every
Sunday is already diftinguilhed in the book of our
common order, which cattchifm is the moft per-
fect that ever yet was ufed in the kirk; and after-
noon may baptifm be miniftred, when occafion is-
offered of great travail before noon. It is alfo to-
be obferved, that prayers be afternoon upon Sun-
day, where there is neither preachiag nor cate-
chifm. It appertains to the policy of the kirk to-
appoint the times when the facraments fhall be.
miniftred. Baptifm may be miniftred v/henfoevcr
the word is preached. But we think it more ex-
pedient that it be miniflred upon Sunday, or upon
the day of prayers only after the fermon ; partly
to renvove this grofs error, by the which many are
deceived, thinking that children be d.amned if they
die without baptifm; and partly ro make the peo-
ple have greater reverence to the adminiflration of
the facraments than they have : for we fee the peo-
ple begin already to wax weary hy reafon of the
frequent repetition of thofe promifes.

Four times in the year wc think fufficientto the
adminiftraiion of the Lord's table, which we defire
to be diftinfted, that the fiiperftition of times may
be avoided fo far as may be. For your honours
are not ignorant how fuperftitioufly th€ people run
to that action at Pafche, even as if the time gave
vertue to the facrament; and how the reft of the
whole year, they are carelefs and negligent, as if
it appertained not unto them, but at that time only.
V/e think therefore moft txpediont, that the firft
Sunday of March be appointed for one time, the
firft Sunday of June for another; the firft Sunday
of September for the third; the firft Sunday of
December for the fourth. We do not deny but
any feveral kirk for reafonable caufes may change
the time, and may minifter oftner, but W€ ftudy
to reprefs fuperftitioh. Alf minifters muft be ad-
monifhed to be more careful to inftrucf the ignor-
ant, than ready to ferve their appetite^ and to ufe
more fharp examination, than indulgence, in ad-
mitting to thefe great myfieries fuch as be ignorant:,
of the ufe and virtu© of the fam'e. And therefore ■
we think that the adminiftration of the table ought:
never to be without examination pafling before, .
and fprcially of them v/hofe knovvleg^is' fufpe6t...
We think that none are to be admitted to this my- -
ftery, who cannot fonnally fay the Lord's prayer,-.

th©-,:

5^4

The first BOOK o^ DISCIPLINE.

the ankles of the belief, and declare the fum of the
law. Further, ws think it a thing moft expedient
and neceflary, that every kirk have the Bible in En-
glifli, and that the people be commanded to con-
veen and hear the plain reading and interpretation
of the fcripture, as the kirk (hall appoint. By fre-
quent reading, this grofs ignorance, which in this
curfed papiftrv hath overflowed all, may partly be
removed. We think it moft expedient that the
fcripture be read in order: that is, that fome
one book of the old or new Teftament be begun
and orderly read to the end : and the fame we judge
of preaching, where theminifter for the moft part
remains in one place. For this fivipping and diva-
gation from place to place of fcripture, be it in
reading, or be it in preaching, we judge not fo
profitable to edify the kirk, as the continual follow-
ing of one text. Every mafter of hoUil.old muft
be commanded either to inftruft, or caufe to be
inftrufted, his children, fervants, and family, in
the principals of the chriftian religion without the
knowlege whereof, ought none to be admitted to
the table of the Lord Jefus. For fuch as be fo dull,
and fo ignorant, that they can neither try them-
felves, nor yet know the dij»/ity and myftery of
that aftion, cannot eat and drink of that tabje
wwthily. And therefore of neceffity we judge,
that every year at the leaft, public examination be
had by the minifters and elders, of the knowlege
of every perfon within the kirk ; to -wit, that every
mafter and miftrefs of houfhoid come themfelyes,
and their family, fo many as be come to maturity,
before the minifter and elders, and give confeflion
of their faith, if they underftand not, nor cannot re-
;hearfe the commandments of God's law, know not
how to pray, neither wherein their righteoufnefs
ftands, or confifts, they ought not to be admitted to
the Lord's table. And if they ftubbornly contemn,
and fuffer their children and fervants to continue
in wilful ignorance, the difcipline of the kirk
muft proceed againft them to excommunication :
and then muft that matter be referred to the civil
magiftrate. For feeing that the juft lives by his
own faith, and Chrift Jefus juftifies by knowlege
of himfelf, infufferable we judge it that men be
permitted to live and continue in ignorance, as
members of the kirk.

Moreover, men, women, children, would be
exhorted to exercife thcmfelves in pfalms, that
when the kirk doth conveen and fing, they may
be the more able together, with common hearts and
voices to praife God. In private houfes we think it
expedient, that the m&ft ^rave and difcreet per-

fon, ufe the common prayers at morning and at
night, for the comfort and inftru61ion of others.
For feeing that we behold and fee the hand of God
now pi-efently ftriking us with divers plagues, we
think it a contempt of his judgments, or provoca-
tion of his anger more to be kindled againft us,
if we be not moved to repentance of our former
unthankfulnefs, and to earneft invocation of his
name, whofe only power may, and great mercy
will, if v/e unfeignedly turn unto him, remove
from us thefe terrible plagues, which now for our
iniquities hang over our heads. * Convert us 0
' Lord, and we fhall be converted.'

For prophccying, or interpreting of the fcrlptures.

0 the end that the kirk of God may have a
trial of men's knowlege, judgments, graces
and utterances, as alfo fuch that have fomewhat
profited in God's word, may from time to time
grow, in more full perfection to ferve the kirk, as
neceflity fliall require, it is moft expedient that in
every town. Where fchools and repair of learned
men are, there be in one certain day every week
appointed to that exercile, which St. Paul calls pro-
phccying ; the order whereof is exprefted by him
in theie words. ' Let two or three prophets fpeak,

* and let the reft judge, but if any thing be reveal-

* ed to him that fits by, let the former keep filence;

* ye may one by one prophefy that all may learn,

* and all may receive confolation. And the Spirit,

* that is, the judgments of the prophets, arefub-

* jedf to the prophets.' By which words of the
apoftle, it is evidt nt that in the kirk of Corinth,
when they did afTemble for that purpofe, fome
place of fcripture was read, upon the which one
firft gave his judgment to the inftru(5lion and con-
folation of the auditors: after whom did another,
either confirm what the former had faid, or added
what he had omitted, or did gently correcft, or
explain more properly, where the whole verity
was not revealed to the former. And in cafe things
were hid from the one, and from the other, liber-
ty was given for a third to fpeak his judgment to
the edification of the kirk. Above which number
of three (as appears) they pafi^ed not for avoiding
of confufion. This exercife is a thing moft necef-
fary for the kirk of God this day in Scotland. For
thereby, as is faid, (hall the kirk have judgment,
and knowlege of the graces, gifts, and utterances
of every man wiihln their body. The fimplf, and
fuch as have fomewhat profited, fhall be encour-
aged

The second BOOK of DISCIPLINE.

5°:

aged dally to fludy, and to proceed in knowlege
the kirk lliall be edified. For this exercife muft
be patent to fuch, as Hit to hear and learn, and e-
very man (hall have liberty to utter and declare his
mind and knowlege to the comfort and confolaiion
of the kirk. But leaft of this profitable exercife,
therfi arife debate and ftrife; curious, peregrine,
and unprofitable quellions are to be avoided. All
inte\ pretation difagreeing from the principles of our
faith, repugning to charity, or that (lands in plain
contradiiftion with any o^er manifefl place of fcrip-
ture, is to be reje<Sled. The interpreter in this
exercife, may not take to himfelf the liberty of a
public preacher (yea, although he be a minifter
appointed) but he muft bind himfelf to his text,
that he enter not in degreiTion, or in explaining
common places, he may ufe no invi£live in that
exercife, unlefs it be of fobriety in confuting here-
fies : in exhortations or admonitions he mufl be
(hort, that the time may be fpent in opening the
mind of the Holy Ghoft in that place : following
the fequil and dependance of the text, and obfer-
ving fuch notes, as may inftruff and edify the au-
ditory for avoiding of contention : neither may the
interpreter, nor any in the afTembly move any qucl-
tion in open audience, whereto himfelf is not able
togive relblution, without reafoning with another
but every rhan ought to fpeak his own judgment
to the edification of the kirk.

If any be noted >virh curiofity of bringing in of
/Irange doflrine, he muft be admonifhcd by the
moderator, minifters and elders, immediately after
the interpretation is ended.

The whole minifters, a number of them that
are of the aflembly. ought to conveen together,
where examination fhould be had, how the per-
fons that did iafeipret, did handle and convty the
matrer (fhey thc^mfelves being removed) to each
muft be given his cenfure. After the vvhich, the
perfon being calkd the faults (if any notable be
found) are noted, and the perfon gently admonifh-
€d.

In that afTembly are all queOion? and doubts, if
any arife, refolved without contention ; the mini-
vers of the parifh kirks in landwart adjacent to e-
very chief town, and the n aders, if they have any
gift of inteipretation within fix miles, mufl concur
and affift thcle thur prophecy within the towns, to
the end that they themfelves may either learn, or
others may learn by them. And moreover men
in whom is fuppofed to be any gift which might
edify the church, if they were well imployed,
mufi be charged by tlie miniHcr ar.d elders, to

join themfelves with the fefTion, and company of
interpreters, to the end that the kit k may judge
whether they be able to ferve to God's glory, and
to the profit of the kirk in the vocation of minifbi s
or not : and if any be found difobedicnt, and not
willing to communicate the gifts and fpecial graces
of God with their brethren, after fuflicient admo-
nition, difcipline muft proceed againft them, pro-
vided that the civil magiflrate concur with the
judgment and eledfion of the kirk. For no man
may be permitted as beft pleafeth him, to live with-
in the kirk of God, but every man muft be con-
ftrained by fraternal admonition, and correff ion to
beftow his labours, when of the kirk he is requir-
ed to the edification of others. What day in the
week is moft convenient for that exercife, what
books of fcripture fhall be moft profitable to read,
we refer to the judgment of every particular kirk,
we mean, to the wifdom of the minifter and el-
ders.

Of marriage,

BECAUSE that marriage, the bleffed or-
dinanceofGod, m this curfcdpapiftry, ha^^h
partly been contemned, and partly hath been fb
weakened, that the parties conjoyned could never be
afTured in confcience, if the bifhops and prelates
lift to difTolve the fame, we have thought good to
ftiew o jr judgments how fuch confufion in times
coming tnay be avoic'ed.

And firft public inhibition muft be made, that
no perfon under the power or obedience of others;
fuch as fons and daughters, and thofe that be un-
der curators, ntithrr mtn nor women contradl
marriage privately, and without knowlege of their
parents, tutors or curators, under whofe power
they are for the time : which if they do, the cen-
fure and difcipline of the kirK to proceed againft
them. If the fon or daughter, or other, liave
their heart touched with the d^fire of marriage,
they are bound to give honour to their parents,
that they open unto them their affeflicn, afldng
their counfel and affiftance, how that motion,
which they judge to be of God, may be perfor-
med. If the father, friend or mafter, gainfrand
their requeft, and have no other caufe than the
common fort of men have; to wit, lack of goods,
and becaufe they are not fo high born, as thty re-
quire, yet muft rot the parties whofe hearts are
touched, make any covenant till further declarati-
on be made unto the kirk of God, acd therefcr-
" S f f , after

5o6

The first BOOK of DISCIPLINE.

after that they have opened their minds to their pa-
rents, or fuch others as have charge over them, they
rauft declare it to the minifter alfo, or to^ the civil
magiftrate, requiring them to travail with their
parents for their confent, which to do they are
bound. And if they, to wit, the minifter or ma
giftrate, find no caufe, that is juft, why the mar-
riage required, may not be fulfilled, then after
fuflicient admonition, to the father, friend, maf-
ter, or fuperior, that none of them refilt the work
of God, the miniftcr or magiUrate may enter in
the pbce of parents, and be confenti-^g to their
juft requefts, may admit them to marriage; for
the work of God ought not to be hindred, by the
corrupt affcfftions of worldly men. The work of
God Ave call, when two hearts, without filthinefs
before committed, arc fo joyned, and both require
and are content to live together in that holy band
of matrimony. If any commit fornication with
that woman he requires in marriage, they do both
lof-^ this f ^refaid benefit as well of the kirk as
of the magiftrate; for neither of both onght to be
interceirors or advocates for filthy fornicators. But
the father, or neareft friend, whofe daughter be-
ing a virgin is deflowered, hath pov/cr by the law of
God to compel the man that did that injury, to
marry his daughter : and if the father will not ac-
cept him by reafon of his offence, then may he re
quire the dowry of his daughter, which if the of-
fender be not able to pay, then ought the civil
magiftrate to puniQi his body by fome other pu-
nifhment. And becaufe whoredom, fornication,
adultery, are fins moft common in this realm; \\c
require of your honours in the name of the eternal
God, that fevere punidiment, according as God
hath commanded, be executed againfl: fuch wick-
ed contemners. For we doubt not, but fuch en-
ormities and crimes openly committed, provoke
ihe wrath of God, as the apoftle fpeaketh, not
only upon the offenders, but upon fuch places,
where without puniHiment they are committed.
but to return to our former purpofe. Marriage
ought not to be contrafled amongft: perfons, that
have no eleftion for lack of underflanding. And
therefore wc afnrm that bairns and infants cannot
lawfully be married in their minor age, to ivit^ the
man within 14 years, and the woman 12 years at
leafV. Which if it have been, and they have kept
themfelves always feperate, we cannot judge them
to adhere, as men and wives, by reafon of that
promife which in God's prefence was no promife
at all : but if in years of jirdgment they have em-
braced the on£ the other, then by reafon of that

\a[\. confent, they have ratified that which others
have permitted for them in their youth.

In a reformed kirk marriage ought not to be fe-
cretly ufed, but in open face, and public audience
of the kirk, and for avoiding of dangers, expedi-
ent it is, that the banns be publicly proclaimed 3
Sundays, unlefs the perfons be fo known, that no
fufpicion of danger may arife : and then may the
time be fliortned at the difcretion of the miniftry.
But no ways can we admit marriage to be ufed se-
cretly, how honourable fobver the perfons be. The
Sunday before the noon we think moil expedient
for marriage, and it be ufed no day elfe, without the
confent of the wholeminiftry.Marriage once lawfully
contracltd, may not be difTolvcd at man's pleafure,
as our mafter Chrift Jefus doth witnefs, unlefs a-
daltery be committed; which being fufficiendy
proved In prefence of the civil magiftrate, the inno-
cent (if they fo require) ought to be pronounced
free, and the oiFender ought to fuffer death, as
God hath commanded. If the civil fword fool-
ilhly fpare the life of the offender, yet may not the
kirk be negligent in their office, which is to ex-
communicate the wicked, and to repute them as
dead members, and to pronounce the innocent
party to be at freedom, be they never fo honour-
able before the world. If the life be fparcd, as
it ought not to be to the offenders, and if fruits
of repentance of long time appear in them, and if
they earneftly defire to be reconciled with the
kirk, we judge they may be received to the par-
ticipation of the facramcnts, and other benefits of
the kirk. For we would not that the kirk fhould
hold them excommunicate, whom God abfolved,
that is the penitent. If any demand whether that
the offender after reconciliation with the kirk, may
not marry again. We anfwer, that if they cannot
live continently,, and if the neceffity be fuch, as
that they fear further offence of God, we cannot
forbid them to ufe the remedy ordained of God, .
If the party offended, may be reconciled to the of-
fender, then we judge that on no ways it fhall be ■
lawful to the offender to marry any other, except
the party that before hath been offended ; and' the ,
folemnization of the latter marriage muft be in the %
open face of the kirk, like as the former, but with- ■
out proclamation of banns.

This we do offer as the beft counfel that God .
giveth unto us in fo doubtful as cafe, but the.
moft perfeft reformation were, if your honours '
would give to God his honour and glory, that yc
would prefer his exprefs commandment to your
ov/Q corrupt judgments, efpecially inpunifhing of

thefe

The first BOOK

thefe crimes, which he commandeth to be punifh-
ed with death. For (b (hoiild ye declare your-
felves God's true obedient officers, and your cotn-
on wealth (hould be rid of innumerable troub-
les.

We mean not that fins committed in our former
blindnefs (which be almoft buried in oblivion) fliall
be called again to examination and judgment. But
we require that the law may be now, and hereafter
foeftablifhed and execute, that this ungodly im-
punity of fin have no place within this realm. For
in the fear of God we fignify unto your honours,
that whofoever perfuades you, that ye may pardon
where God commandeth death, deceives your
fouls, and provokes you to offend God's majef-

Of burial

U RIAL In all ^ges hath been holden in
eftimation to fignify that the fame body
which was committed to the earth fhould not ut-
terly perifh, but fhould rife again, and the fime
we would have kept within this realm. Provided
that iuperfiition, idolatry, aftd whatfbevcr hath
proceeded of a falfe opinion, and for advantage
fake, may be avoided, as finging of maft, placebo
and dirige, and all other prayers over, or for the
dead, which are not only fuperftilious and vain,
but alfo are idolatry, and do repugn to the plain
fcriptures of God, For plain it is, that every one
that dieth, deparfeth either in the faith of Chrifl
Jefus, or departeth in incredulity. Plain it is,
that they that depart in the true faith of Chrift
Jefus reft from their labours, and from death CiO
go to life everlafting; as by our maftcr and his
apoftles we are taught. But wholbever departeth
in unbelief, or in incredulity, fhall never fee life,
but the wrath of God abides upon him. And fo
we fay, that prayers for the dead are not only fu-
perftirious and vain, but do exprefly repugn to
the manifeft fcriptures and verity thereof. For a-
voiding of all inconvencies we judge it beft, that
neither finging, nor reading be at a burial. For
albeit things fung and read may admonifli fomeof
the living to prepare themfelves for death, yet
fliall fome fuperftitious think, that finging, and
reading of the living may profit the dead. And
therefore we think it moft expedient, that the
dead be conveyed to the place of burial with fjni'i
honeft company of the kirk, without either fing-
ing or reading.; yea, without all kind of ceremony

0 P D I s C I P L I N E. 507

heretofore ufed, other than that the dead be com-
mitted to the grave, with fuch gravity andfobri-
ety, as thofe that be prefent may feem to fear the
judgments of Gud, and to hate fin which is the
cauie of death.

We are not ignorant, that fome require a fer-
mon at the burial or elfe fome place of fcripture
to be read, to put the living in mind that they
are mortal, and that hkewife they muft die. But
let thefe men underfiand, that the fcrmons which
be daily made, ferve for that ufe, which if men
defpife, the funeral fermons fhall rather nourifh
fuperffition, and a faifc opinion, as before is faid,
than that they fhall bring fuch pcrfons to a godly
confideration of their own fiate. Befidcs, either
fhall the minifters for the moll part be occupied
in funeral fcrmons, or e'fe they fliall have refpe6t
of perfons, preaching at the burials of the lich
and honourable, but keeping fiknce when the poor
and defpifed departeth, and this with Mc con*
fcience cannot the minifler do. For feeinp- that
before God, there is no rerpeft of perfons^ and
that their miniflry appertaineth to all alike, what-
foever they do to the rich in refpecT: of their mini-
firy, the fame they are bound to do to the pooreft
under their charge. In refpe(fl of divers inconve--
nJences we think it neither feemly that the kirk
appointed to preaching and miniflration of the fa-
craments ihall be made a place of burial, but that
fome other feci^et and convenient place, lying in the
moft free air, be appointed for that ufe, which
place ought to be walled and fenced about, and
kept for that ufe only.

For reparation of the kirki .

EAST that the word of God, and minl-
ftration of the facraments by unfeemlinefsof
the place come in contempt, of neceflity iris, that
the kirk and place where the people ought pub-
licly to conveen, be with expedition repaired with
doors, windows, thatch, and with £«ch preparati-
on vvithin, as appertaineth as well to the inajclly
of God, as unto the cafe and comBiodity of tire
people, and bccaufe we know the flothfnlntfs cf
men in this behalf, and in all other, which niay
not redound to their private commodity, llrait
charge and commandment muft be given, that
v/ithin a certain day the reparation mnft be begun,
and within another day to be riffixed l-y your ho-
nours, thr^.t it may be finifhed. Penalties ani

« f f 2 ili;n;^

5o8

The second BOOK of

fums of money muft be enjoined and without par-
don taken from the contemners.

The reparation would be according to the abili-
ty and number of kirks. Every kirk muft have
do:)rs, clofe v/indows of glafs, thatch able to with-
hold rain, a bell to covocate the people together,
a pulpit, a bafon tor baptizing, and tables for mi-
niflration of the Lord's fuppcr. In greater kirks,
and where the congregation is great in number,
mufl reparation be made within the kirk, for the
quiet and commodious receiving of the people.
The expences are to be lifted partly of the people,
and partly of the teinds, at the confideration ot the
minillry.

For priu'jljnent of thofe th.it profane th: f.i:r.im?nts
and contemn the word of God, and dare prefume
to vnnifter them not being thereto lawfully cal-
led.

AS Satan hath never ceafed from the begin-
ning, to draw mankind in one of two extre-
mities, to wit, that men fhould either be fo ra-
viQied with gazing upon vifible creatures, that
forgetting the caufe wherefore they are ordained,
attributed unto them avertue andlpower which God
hath not granted unto them: or elfe that men
fhould fo contemn and defpife God's blefTed ordi-
nance, and holy inftitutions, as if that neither in
the right ufe of them there were any profit, nei-
ther yet in their prophanations there were any
danger. As this way, we fay Satan hath blinded
the mod part of mankind from the beginning : fo
doubt we not but that he will ftrive to continue
in his malice even to the end. Our eyes have feen
and prefently do fee the experience of the one, aind
of the other. What was the opinion of the moft
part of men, of the facrament of Chrift's body and
blood, during the darknefs of fuperftition, is not
unknown? How it was gazed upon, kneeled unto,
born in proceffion, and finally worQiipped and ho-
noured as Chrift Jefus himfelf. And fo long as
Satan might then retain men in that damnable ido-
latry, he was quiet, as one that poflefled his king-
dom of darknefs peaceably. But fince that it hath
pi a(ed the mercies of God to reveal unto the un-
thankful world the light of his word, the right ufe
and adminiftration of his facraments, he aflays
man upon the contrary part. For where not long
ago men flood in fuch admiration of that idol the
mafs, that none durft have prefumed to have laid
;hc mafs, but the (haven fort, the bead's marked

DISCIPLINE.

men ; fome dare now be fo bold as wirhout ail vo-
cation to minifter, as they fuppofe, the true facra-
ments in open afiemblies : and fome idiots (yet
more wickedly and impudently) dare counterftic
in their houfe, that which the true minifttrs do
in the open congregations. They piefume we
fay, to do it inhoufes without revtrence, without
word preached, aud without miniller. This con-
tempt proceeds, no doubt, from the malice and
craft of that ferpent, who firll deceived man of
purpofe to deface the glory of Chrift's gofpel, and
to bring his bleffed lacraments in a peipetual con-
tempt : and further, your honours may clearly fee
how ftubbornlv and proudly the mod part dtfpifes
the golpel Of Chrid Jefus offered unto you, whom
unkfs that fliaiply and doutly ye refid, we mtaa
as well the manitcd defpifers, as the prophaner of
the facraments, ye (hali find the pernicious ene-
mies ere it be long. And therefore in the name of
the eternal God, and: of his Soa Chrid Jefus, we
require of jour'honours that v/ithout delay, drait
laws be made againd the one, and the other.

We dare not prelcribe un*o vou, what penalties
fhall be required of fuch : but this we ^ear not to
affirm, that the one and the other deferve death.
For if he who doth falfify the feai, fubfcription,
or coin of a king is judged worthy of death, what
fliall we think of him who plainly doth falfify the
feals of Chrid Jefus, Prince of the kings of the
earth? If L»arius pronounced that a balk diould
be taken from the houfe of that man, and he him-
felf hanged upon it, that durd attempt to hinder
the re-edifying of the material temple, what fhali
we lay of thole, that contemptuoufly blafpheme
God, and manifedly hinder the temple of God,
which is the fouls and bodies of the eleft to be
purged by the true preaching of Chrid Jefus, from
the fuperdition and damnable idolatry in which
they have been long plunged, and holden captive ?
If ye, as God forbid, declare yourlelves carelefs
over the true religion, God will not fuffer your
negligence unpunifhed : and therefore more ear-
nedly we require that drait laws may be made a-
gaind the dubborn contemners of Chrid Jefus,
and againd fuch as dare prefume to minider his
facraments, not orderly called to that office, leaft
while that there be none found to gaindand im-
piety, the wrath of God be kindled againd the
whole.

The papidical priefts have neither power, nor
authority to minider the facraments of Chrid Jefus,
becaufe that in their mouth is not the fermon of
exhortatioo : and therefore to them mud drait ia-

hibitiaa

The second BOOK op DISCIPLINE.

509

hibition be made, notwithftanding any ufurpatioa
they have had in the time of blindnefs. It is nei-
ther the clipping of their crowns, the greafmg of
their fingers, nor the blowing of the dumb dogs
called the bilhops, neither the laying on of their
hands, that maketh minifters of Chrift Jefus.
But the Spirit of God inwardly firft moving the
hearts to fcek Chrifl's glory, and the profit of his
kirk, and thereafter the nomination oi the people
the examination of the learned, and pablic admif-
fion (as before is faid) make men lawful minifters
of the word and lacraments. We fjji ak of an or-
dinary vocation ; and not of that which is extraor-
dinary, when God by himfelf, and by his only
power, raifeth up to the miuiftry fuch as befi pleaf-
eth his wifdom.

The Conclufion.

THUS have we in thefe few heads offered
unto your honours our judgments, accord-
ing as we were commanded, touching the refor-
mation of things, which heretofore have altoge-
ther been abufed in this curfed papifiry. We
doubt not but fome of our petitions ftiall appear
flrange unto you at the firfi fight. But if your
wifdoms deeply confider, that we muft anfwer
not only unto man, but alfo before the throne of
the eternal God, and of his Son Chrift Jefus ; for
the counfel which we give in this fo grave a mat-
ter, your honours (hall eafily confider, that more
fafe it is to us to fall into the difpleafure of all
men in the earth, than to offend the majefly of
God, whofe juftice cannot fuffer flatterers, and
deceitful counfellors unpunifhed. That we re-
quire the kirk to be fet at fuch liberty, that (he
neither be compelled to feed idle bellies, neither
yet to fuflain the tyranny which heretofore hath
been by violence maintained ; we know we fliall
offend many, but if we (hould keep filence hereof,
we are mofl affured to offend the juft and righte-
ous God, who by the mouth of his apoftle hath
pronounced this fentence ; * He that laboureth
* not, let him not eat.' If we in this behalf, or
in any other, require or afk any other thing than
by God's expreis commandment^ by equity and

good confcience ve are bound to grant ; let it be
noted, and after repudiate. But if we require
nothing which God requireth not alfo,_ let your
honours take heed, how ye gainfiand the charge
of him, whofc hand and punifhment ye cannot
efcape. If blind affeffion rather lead you to
have refpe£l to the fuftentation of thefe your
carnal friends, who tyrannoufly have umpired
above the flock of Chrill Jefus, than that - the
zeal of Chrift Jefus his glory provoke and move
you to fet his oppreffed kirk at freedom and li-
berty, we fear your (harp and fudden punifh-
ments, and that the glory and honour of this en-
terprize be referved unto others. And yet fhall
this our judgment abide to the generations fol-
lowing for a monument and wltnefs how lovingly
God called you, and this nation to repentance ;;
what counfellors God fent unto you, and how ye
have ufed the fame. If obediently ye hear God
now calling, we doubt not but he fhall hear yoa
in your greateff neceffity. Bat if, following your
own corrupt judgments, ye contemn his voice and
vocation, we are affured that your former iniqui-
ty, and prefent ingratitude, fhall together crave
great punifhment from God, who cannot long
delay to execute his mofl juf\ judgments, when
after many offences and long blindnefs, grace and
mercy offered is contempiuoufly refufed,

God the Father of our Lord Jefus Chriff, by
the power of his holy Spirit, fo illuminate your
hearts, that ye may clearly fee what is pleafing
and acceptable in his prefence, and fo bow the
fame to his obedience, that ye may prefer his re-
vealed will to your own affeffions. And fo
flrengthen you by the fpirit of fortitude, that
boldly ye may punifh vice and maintain vertue
within this realm, to the praife and glory of his
holy name, to the comfort and afFurance of your
own confciences, and to the confolation, and
the good example of the pofierity folicwing,
Aynen,

From Edinburgh the 20th
of May y 1560.

By your honours mofi humble ferv ants.

jm^

S^o

The first BOOK of DISCIPJLINE.

A3 of the Secret Council, i-jth of January, Anno 1560.

WE who have fubfcribed thefe prefents,
having advifed with the articles herein fpe-
cified, as is above mentioned from the beginning
of this book, think the fame good and conform
to God's word in all points; conform to the
notes and additions hereto added : and promifes to
fet the fame forward to the uttermoft of our
'powers. Providing that the bifhops, abbots.

priors, and others prelates and beneficed men who
already have adjoined themfelves to us, bruik the
revenues of their benefices during their life- times,
they fufiaining and upholding the miniftry and
miniflers, as herein is fpecified, for the preaching
of the word, and miniftering of the facraments.

Sic fubfcribititr.

Jaraes Hamilton.
Archibald Argyle.
James Stewart.
Rothes.
Boy a,

Willliam lord Hay.
Alexander Campbell.
Mr. Alexander Gordon,
.Glencairn.
Ochiltry.
Sanquhar.
S. Jones.
JVilUam Culrofs.

Drumlangrig,
Barga,nny younger,
Lochinvar.
Cumiinghamhead.
James Halibiirton.
John Lcchart of Bar.
John Shaxv of Haly.
Scott of Hanning.
James Maxwell.
George Fenton of that Ilk.
Andrew Ker of Fadonfide.
Andrew Hamilton of Lethan,
Dean of Murray.

THE

THE

#

SECOND

O O K

O F

D I S C I P L I N E

Heads and Conclusions of tke Policy o£ the Kirk»/

c H A p. I.

Of the kirk and policy thereof in general^ and ivherein it is different from thi civil policy.

THE kirk of God fometimes is largely taken,
for all them that profefs the gofpel of Jefus
Ghrift, and fo it is a company and fellowftiip not
only of the godly, but alfo of hypocrites profef-
iing always outwardly the true religion.

Other times it is taken for the godly and eleft
only, and fometimes for tbem that exercife fpiri-
tual fun(^ion in the congregation of them that pro-
fefs the truth.

The kirk in this lad fenfe hath a certain power
granted by God, according to the which it ufes a
proper jurif diction and government, exerciled to
the comfort of the whole kirk.

This power ecclefiaAical is an authority granted
by God the Father, through the Mediator Jefus
Chrifl, unto his kirk gathered, and having the
ground in the word of God to be put in executi-
on by them, unto whom the fpiritual government
of the kirk by lawful calling is committed.

The policy of the kirk flowing from this
power, is an order or form of fpiritual govern-
ment, which is cxercifed by the members ap-
pointed thereto by the word of God : and there-
fore is given immediately to the office-bearers, by

whom it is cxercifed to the weal of the whole
body.

This power is diverfely ufed : for fometimes it
is feverally cxercifed, chiefly by the teachers,
fometimes conjun^ly by mutual confent of thenJ
that bear the office and charge, after the form of
judgment. The former is only called potcjias-
ordiniSy and the other potejlas jurifdiElionis.

Thefe two kinds of power have both one au-
thority, oneground, one final caufe, but are dif-
ferent in the manner, and form of execution, as
is evident by the fpeaking of our Mailer in the
1 6th and i8th of Matthew:**!

This power and policy ecclefiaflical, is different
and diflinfl in its o\m nature from that power
and policy, which is called civil power, and ap-
pertaineth to the civil government of the common-
wealth : albeit they be both of God, and tend to
one end, if they be rightly ufed, viz. to advance
the glory of: God, and to have .godly and good .
fubjefts.

For this power ecclefiaflickl floweth immedi-
ately from God, and the Mediator Jefus ChrifV,
and is fpiritual, not having a temporal head in the

earth--

The second BOOK of DISCIPLINE.

5x2

earth, but only Chrift, the only fpiritual King and
Governor of his kirk.

It is a tide falfcly ufurped by antichrif^, to call
himfelf head of the kirk, and ought not to be at-^
tributed to angel, nor to man, oi what eflate that
ever he be, faving to Chrift the oniy head and mo-
narch in the kirk.

Therel-ore this power and policy of th^ kirk
fliouldlean upon the word imniediately, as che on-
ly ground thereof, and {iionid be taken from the
pure fountains of the fcriptures, the kirk hearing
the voice of Chrilt the oniy fpiritual king, and be-
ing ruled by his laws.

It is proper to kings, princes and magiflrates to
be called lords, and dominators over their fubjefts
whom they govern civilly, but it is proper to Chrift
only to be called Lord and Mafter in the fpiritual
government of the kirk, and all others that bear of-
Sce therein, ought not to ufurp dominion therein,
nor be called lords, but only minirters, difciples,
and fcrvants. For it is Chrift's proper office to
command and rule his kirk univerfally, and every
particular kirk through his Spirit and word, by the
miniftry of men.

Notwithftanding, as the minifters and others of
the ccclefjaftical eftate are fubjeff to the civil ma-
giftrate, fo ought the perfon of the magiftrate be
i"ubje<5l to the kirk fpiritual, and in eccleliaftical
government. And the excrcife of both thefe ju-
rifdiftions cannot ftand in one perfon ordinary.

1 he civil power is called the power of the
fword, and the other the power of the keys.

Xhe civil power fliould command the fpir 'ual
to exercife, and to exercile, and do their office
according to the word of God ; The fpirirual rul-
ers Hiould require the chriftian magiftrate to mani-
iterjufdce, and punith vice, and to maintain the
liberty and quietnefs of the kirk within their
bounds.

The magiftrate commandeth external things for
external peace and quietnefs amongft the fubjedfs :
t!:e minifter handleth externa} things only for con-
fcience caufe.

The magiftrate handleth external things only,
and anions done before men, but the fpiritual rul-
er judgeth both inward affeftions, and external
a<5lions in refpect of confcienee by the word of
God.

The civil magiflrate craves and gets obedience

bythefwoid, and other external means, but the

^liniftry, by the fpiritual fword, and fpiritual

jjicars. - ' ■ .

i ne magiftrate neither ought to preach, mini-

fter the facraments, nor execute the cenfures of
the kirk, not yet prefcribe any rule, how it fhould
be done, but command the minifter to obferve the
rule commanded la the v/ord, and punifti the tranf-
greffors by civil means. The minlfters exercife
not the civil jurifuidion, but teach the magiftrate,
how it iliould be exercifed according to the word.

The magiftrate ought to aflift, maintain and
fortify the jiirifdi6lion of the kirk. The minifters
fhould affift their princes in all things agreeable to
the word, providing they negle6f not their own
charge by involving themielves in civil affairs.

Finally, as minifters are fubjtft to the judg-
ment and punifhment of the magiftrate in external
things, if they offend : fo ought the magiftrates
to iubmit themfllves to the difcipline of the kirk,
if they tranfgrefs in matters of confcienee and re-
ligion.

CHAP. 11.

Of the po'icy of the kirk, and perfons and office-
bearers to whom the adminijl ration is committed.

AS in the civil policy, the whole common-
wealth confifteth in them that are governors,
or magiftrates, and them that are governed, or
fubjcfts. So in the policy of the kirk fome are
appointed to be rulers, and the reft of the mem-
bers thereof to be ruled, and obey according to
the word of God, and infpiration of his Spirit, al-
ways under one head and chief governor, Jefus
Chrift.

/igain, the whole po'icy of the kirk confifteth
in three things, in do<^rine, difcipline. and diftri-
bution. With doctrine is annexed the admini-
ft ration of facraments : and according to the parts
of this divifion, arilL-th a fort of threefold officers
in the kit k, to wit, of minifters preachers, elders
governors, and deacons diftrihuters. And all thefe
may be called by a general word, minifters of the
kirk. For albeit the kirk of God he ruled and go-
verned by Jefus Chrift, who is the only king, high
prieft, and head thereof, yet he ufeth the miniftry
of men, as the moft neceflary midds for that
purpofe.

For fo he hath from time to time, before the law,
under the law, and in the time of the gofpel, for
our great comfort, raif.d up men endued with the ^ :^
gifts of the Spirit, for the fpiritual government of
his kirk, exercifing by them his own power,
through his Spi it and word to the building of
the fime. And

The second BOOK of DISCIPLINE.

And to take away all occaflon of tyranny, he
will that they fhould rule with mutual confent
©f brethren, equality of power, every one accord^
ing to their fun<f>ion3.

In the new ttftament, and time of the gofpel,
he hath ufed the miniftry of the apoflles, prophets,
€vangelilb, paftors, and doctors in adminiftration
of the word: the elderfliip for good order, and
adminiftration of the difcipline : the deaconfhip to
fjave the cure of the ecclefiaftical goods.

Some of thefe ecclefiaftical functions arc ordi-
nary, and fome extraordinary or temporary. There
be three extraordinary fuadions; the office of the
apoftle, the evangelift, and of th« prophet, which
are not perpetual, and now have ceafed in the kirk
of God, except when it pleafed God extraordina-
rily for a time to ftirr fome of them up again.

There are four ordinary funt^lions or offices in
the kirk of God, the office of the paftor, minifttr
or bifhop, the dodor, pralbyter or elder, and
the deacon.

Thefe offices are ordinary, and ought to con-
tinue perpetually in the kirk, as neceffary for the
government and policy thereof, and no more of-
iices ought to be received or fuffered in the kirk of
God, eftablifhed according to his word.

Therefore all the ambitious titles invented in
the kingdom of antichrlft, and in his ufurped hie-
rarchy, which are not of one of thefe four forts, to-
gether with the offices depending thereupon, in
oae word ought to be rejcfted.

CHAP. III.

How the perfons that bear cccle/ii>Jtlca} fundms,
are to be admitted to their office.

Vocation or calling is common to all that
ffiould bear office within the kirk, which is
a Idwful way, by the which qualified perfons are
promoted to any fpiritual office within the kirk of
God.

Without this lawful calling it was never lawful
for any perfon to meddle with any funflion eccle-
liaftical.

There are two ibrts of calling, one extraordi-
nary by God immediately, as was of the prophets
and apoftles, which in kirks eftablilhed, and well
already reformed hath no place.

The other calling is ordinary, which bcfides the
calling of God, and inward teftimony of a good
COofcience, is the lawful approbation, and out-

ward judgment of men, according to God's word,
and order eftabliffied in his kirk.
• None ought to prefume to enter in any office
ecclefiaftical without this good teftimony before
God, who only knows the hearts of men.

T his ordinary and outward calling hath two
parts, elefVion and ordination. Election is the
choofing out of a perfon, or perfons, moft able*
to the office that vakes, by the judgment of the
clderfhip, and confent of the congregation, to which
the perfon or perfons (hall be appointed.

The qualities in general requiflte in all them.
who flionld bear charge in the kirk, confift in
foundnefs of religion, and godlinefs of life, accor-
ding as they are fufficiently fet forth in the word.

In the order of ele(5lion it is to be efchewed, that:
any perfon be intruded in any offices of the kirk,
contrary to the will of the congregation to which
they are appointed, or without the voice of the
elderffiip.

None ought to be Intruded, or placed in the
places already planted, or in any room that vak^r:
not, for any worldly refpefl : and that which h
called the benefice ought to be nothirxg elfe, but.
the ftipend of the minifters that tie lawfully cal-
led.

Ordination is the feparatlon and fanftifying of
the perfon appointed to God and his kirk, after he
be well tried and fo':,nd qualified.

The ceremonies of ordination are fafting, earneft:
prayer, ar^ impofition of hands of the elderfhip.

•All chofe, as they muft be raifed up by God,
Slid by hifii made able for the work whereto they
are called; fo ought they to know their melTage
to be limited within God's word, without the
bounds of the which they ought not to pafs.

All thofe fliould take thefe titles and names only
(left they be exalted and pufFt up in themfelves)
which the fcriptures give unto them, as thefe
which import labour, travail and work, and are
names of offices and fervice, and not of idleoefs,
dignity, worldly honour or pre-eminence, which-
by Chrift our malfer is exprefly reproved and for-
bidden.

All thefe office-bearers fhould have their own
■particular flocks amongft whom they exerciife their
charge.

All fhould make fefidence with them, and take
the infpeflion and overfight of them, every one iii
his vocation.

And generally thefe two things ought they all to
refpeft: the glory of God, and edifying of his
-kirk, ia difcharging their duties in their calling.
T r t CHAP.

^14

The second, book of 1M S C I P L 1 N E.

C H A P, IV.

Of the office' bean rs in particular y ^ndfrjl of the
pqftors or minijierf,

PAflors, bifliops, or mlnifters,. are they who
are appointed to particular congregations,
•which they rule by the word of God, and: over
the which they watch. In refpeft whereof, fome-
times they are called paftors, becaufe they feed their
J congregation ; fometimes Epifcopi, or bifhops,
.bccaufe they watch above their flock; fometimes
minifters, by reafon of their fervice and office, and
.fometimes 4]fo prclbyters or feniors, for the gravi-
ty in manners which they ought to have in taking
care of the fpiritual government, \yhich ought to
be moft dear unto them.

They that are called unto the miniftry, or that
offer themfelves thereunto, ought not to. be dcfted
■without any certain flock be afligned unto them.

No man ought to infinuate himfelf, or ufurp
■^his office without lawful calling. , ,

They who are once called by ,God, ^nd duly e-
kfted by man, after that they have once accepted
the charge (rf the tniniftry, may not leave their
fundlions.

The deferters fliould V admonifficd, and in
cafe of obftinacy, finally excommunicated.

No paflor may leave his flock vi^hout licence
of the provincial, or national aflembly, ^vhich if
he do, after admonition not obeyed, let tht -en-
furers of the kirk fir ike upon him.

Unto the paftors appertains teaching of the word
€>f God, in feafon and out of feafon, publicly and
privately, always travailing to edify, and difcharge
Ms coafcience, as God's word preicribes to him.

Unto the paftors only appertains the adminiftra-
tion of the facraments, in like manner as the ad-
ininiftration of the word : for both are appointed
by God, as means to teach us, the one by the ear,
and the other by the eyes, and other fenfes, that
by both, knosvlege may be transferred to the
mind.

* . It appertains by the lame reafon; to the paftor to
pray for the people, and namely for the flock com-
mitted to his charge, and to blefs them in the
name of the Lord, who will not fuffer the bleffings
»f his faithful fervants to be fruftrafe.

He ought alfo to watch above the manners of
his flock, that the better he may apply the doc-
^rjtie 'o th sm in reprehending the iiiflciute perfons,

and exhorting the godly to continue in the fear of"
the Lord. . ,

It appertains to the minifter after lawful pro-
ceeding by the elderfhip, to pronounce the fentence
of binding and loofing upon any peribn, according
unto the power of the keys granted unto the kirk.

It belongs to him likewife, after lawful proceed-
ing in the matter by the elderfhip, to fokmi ize
marriage betwixt them that are to be joined there-
in, and to pronounce the ble fling of the Lord up-
on them, that enter in that holy bond in the
fear of God.

And generally all public denunciations that are
to be made in the kirk before the congicgation
. concerning tht ecclefiafticai affairs belorjging to the
qffice of a minifter : for he is as mcflengtr and
heranld betwixt God and the people in all there af-
fairs..

CHAP. V.

Of dolors y (ind their office f and of the fchoth,

ON E of the two ordinary and perpetual fund"!-
ons that travail in the word, is the office of
the doftor, who may be alfo called prcphet, bifliop,,
elder, catechifer, that is, teacher of the catechifm,
and rudiments of religion.

His office is to open up the mind of the Spirit
of God in the fcriptures Amply, without fuch ap-
plications as the minifters nfe, to the end that the.
faithful may be inftrudfed, and found doftrine
taught, and that the purity of the gofpel be not
coirtiptcd through ignorance, or evil opinions.

He IS. different from the paftor, not only in
name, but indwerfity of gifts. For to the deft or
is given the word of i nowlege, to open up by
fimple teaching the myften^.; of faith, to the
paftor the gift of wifdom, to apply. the fai^e by ex-
hortation to the manners of the flock as CK.c&fion
craveth.

Under the name and office of a doftor we com-
prehend alfo the order in fchools, colleges, and
univerfities, which hath been from time to time
carefully maintained, as well among the Jews and
Chriftians, as alfo among the profane nations.

The doftor being an elder, as faid is, ftiould
affift: the paftor in the government of the kirk, and
concur with the elders his brethren in all afTem-
blies ; by reafon the interpretation of the word,
which is only judge in ecdeliaftical matters, is
committed to his charge,- .

. ■ ' Bur:

The second BOOK of DISCIPLINE.

But to preach uato the people, to minifter the
liicraraents, and to celebrate marriages, pertain
not to the doftor, unlefs he be otherwife called
ordinarily : howbeit the paftor may teach in the
fchools, as he who hath the gift of knowiege,
©ftentimes meets for that end, as the examples of
Poly carpus J and others teftify ; <bc.

CHAP VI.
Of elder Sy and their office.

TH E word elder in tlie fcripture, fometimes
is the name of age, fometimes of office.
When it is the name of any office, fometimes it is
taken largely, comprehending as well the paf-
tors and dodors, ' as them who are called feniors or
..elders.

In this our divifion, we call thefe elders, whom
the apoftles call prefidents or governors. Their
office as it is ordinary, fo is it perpetual and al-
ways neceflary in the kirk of God. The el-
derfhip is a Spiritual fundtion, as is the mini-
ftry.

Elders once lawfully called to the office, and
having gifts from God meet to exercife the fame,
may not leave it again. Albeit fuch a number
©f elders may be chofen in certain congregations,
that one part of them may relieve another for a
reafonable fpace, as was among the Levites under
the law in ferving of the temple.

The number of the elders in every congregati-
on cannot well be limited, but fhould be accord-
ing to the bounds and neceffity of the people.

It is not neceflary that all elders be alfo teachers
of the word, albeit the chief ought to be fuch and
fo are worthy of double honour.

What manner of perfons they ought to be, we
refer it to the exprefs word, and namdy the canons
written by the apoflle Paul.

Their office is as well feverally, as conjuniftly,
to watch diligently upon the flock committed to
their charge, both publicly, and privately, that
no corruption of religion, or manners, enter therein.

As the pallors and do6>ors fhould be diligent
IQ teaching and fbwing the feed of the word, fb
the elders fhould be careful in leeking the fruit of
ike fame in the people.

It appertains to them to affifl the paftor in ex-
amination of them that come to the Lord's table :
ttemy iavifiting the fick.
' Ttey ftKwid caafe the a^s of the aflTerablies,

as well 'particular as general to be put in exccutioa
carefully.

They flioiild be diligent in admoniffiing all
men of their duty according to the rule of , the gof-
pel.

Things that they cannot corredV by private
adraoniiions they fhould bring to the eiderfliip.

Their principal office is to hold afTemblies with
the paflors and doftors who are alfo of their num-
ber, for eftablifl-iing of good order and executi-
on of difcipline, unto the which afTemblies all per-
fons are fubjcft that remain within their bound?.

CHAP. VII.

Oftheelderfbips, ajfemblkst and difcipline.

ELDERSHIPS and afTemblies are com-
monly conflitute of paftors, dofVors, and
fuch as we commonly call elders, that labour not
in the word and do^rine, of whom, andof whofe
feveral power hath been fpoken.

AfTemblies are of four forts. For either are
they of particular kirks and congregations one or
more, or of a province, or of a whole nation, or
of all and divers nations profeffing one lefus
Chrift.

All the ccclefiaftical afTemblies have power tq
conveen lawfully together for treating of things^
concerning the kirk, and pertaining to their cha^e.,
They have power to 'appoint times, and places
to that efTedl,. and at one meeting to apppiot.tfae
dyet, time and place for another.

In all afTemblies a moderator fhould be chofen
by common confent of the whole, brethren con-
veened, who fhould propone matters, gather the
votes, and caufe good order to be kept in the af-
femblies.

Diligence fhould be taken, chiefly by the mo-
derator, that only eccleflaflical things be handled
in the aflemblies, and that there be no medling
with any thing pertaining to the civil jurifdiftion.
Every afTembly hath power to fend forth from
them of their own number, one or more vifitors
to fee how ail things be ruled in the bounds of their
jurifdiftion.

Vifitation of more kirks is no ordinary office
ecclefiaftick in the perfon of one man, neither may
the name of a bifhop be attribute to the vifitor
only, neither is it necefTary to abide always in one
man's perfon, but it is the part of the elderfhip
to fend out qualified perfons to vifit pro re j^ata,
T t i: 2 "Thr

SECOND BOOK of DISCIPLINE.

.51^ The

The final end of afTemblies is firft to keep the
religion and doftrine in purity without error and
corruption. Next, to keep comelinefs and good
order in the kirk.

For this order's caufe, they may make certain
rules and conftitutions appertaining to the good
behaviours of all the members of the kirk in their
vocation.

They have power --.Ko to abrogate and abolifh
nil ftatutes and ordinances concerning ecclefiaftical
nutters, that are found noifome and unpiofitable,
nad agree not with the time, or are abufed by the
people.

They have power to execute ecclefiaflical dif-
cipline and punifhment upon all tranlgrefibrs, and
proud contemners of the good order and policy
of the kirk, and To the whole difcipline is in their
hands.

The firfl kind and fort of airembHes, although
they be within particular congregations, yet they
exercife the power, authority and jurifdltftion of
the kirk with mutual confent, and therefore bear
fometimcs the name of the kirk.

When we fpeak of the elders of the particular
congregations, we mean not that every particular
paridi kirk can, or may have their own particular
elderfliips, efpecially in landward; but we think
three, four, more or fewer pacticular kirks, may
have one elderftiip common to them all, to judge
their ecclefiaflical caufes.

Yet this is meet, that fome of the elder3.be cho-
fcn out of cvei'y particular congregation, to con-
cur witli the reft of their brethren in the common
.t;flembly, and to. take up the delations of off^n.-
<;e5^ within their own kirks, and bring them to tha
«jj?femb]y.

This we gather of the pracflice of the primitive
kirk, where eiders or colleges of feniors were con-
flituteia cities and famous places.

The power of their particular elderlhips is to
ufe dili,?ent labours- in the bounds committed to
their ch^ge, that the kirks bs kept in good order,
to inquire diligently in naughty and unruly per-
fons, and travail to bring them in the way again,
cither ^y -"^monition or threateoingof God's judg-
ments ; or by correflicn.

It pertains to the elderfhip to take heed, that:
tive word of God be purely preached within their
bounds, the hicraments rightly miniftrcd, the dii-
cipline rightly maintained, and^ the ecclefiaftical
goods uncorruptly difcributcd.

It belongs to this kind of aflembly, to caufe the
■-^r-'inanc^s - m^.dc b.v t'oe a-lTembli^js provindril,

national, and general, to be kept, and put In exe-
cution.

To make conftitutions which concern to prepon
in the kirk, for the decent order of thefe particu-
lar kirks, where they govern : providing they alter
no rules made by the general, or provincial affcm-
blies, and that ihey make the provincial aflemhlies
forefetn of thefe rules that they ftiall make and a-
boliiTi them that tend to the hurt of the {lime.

It hath pov/er to excommunicate the obfti-
nate.

The power of eleflion of them v/ho bear eccle-
fiaftical charges, p;;rtains to this kind of aflcmbly
within their own bounds, bting well cre^ed, and
conftitute of many paftors, and elders of fufficient
ability.

By the like reafon their depofition alfo pertains
to this kind of aflembly, as of them that teach
erronious and corrupt do'firine, that be of flander-
ous life, and after admonition defift not, that be
given to fchifm, or rebellion againft the kirk,
manifeft blafphemy, fimonie, corruption of bribes,
falfhood, perjury, whoredom, theft, drunkenefs,
fighting worthy of punirhment by the law, ufury,
dancing, infamy, and all others, that deferve re-
paration from the kirk.

Thefe alfo who are altogether found unfaffici-
ent to execute their charge ftiould be depofed^
whereof other kirks fliould be advertifed, thac.
they receive not the perfons depofed.

Yet they ought not to be depofed, who through.-
age, ficknefs, or other accidents, become unmeet
to do their office, in which cafe their honour fliould
remain to them, their kirk fhould maintain them j.
and others ought to be provided to do their of-
fice.

Provincial aHemblies we call lawful conventions
of the paftors, doiftors, and other elders of a pro-
vince, gathered for the common affairs of the kirks
thereof, which alfo may be called the conferrence
of the kirk and brethren.

Thefe aftemblies.are inftitute for weighty mat-
ters to.be in treated by mutual confent and af-
flftance of the brethren within that province, as
need' requires.

This aflembly hath power to handle, order, snd
redrefs all things committed Or done anfrifs in the
particular aflembliea.

It hath power to depofe the office-bearers of"
that province for good and jaft caufes defer ving de-
privation.

And generally thefe affemblies have the whole
power of the particular dderfhips where(rfthey are
collect: cd. The

The second BOOK of DISCIPL'INE.

5'7

The national aflembly, which is general to us,
is a lawful convention of the whole kirks of the
the realm or nation where it is ufed and gathered,
f jr the common affairs of the kirk, and may be
called the general elderfhip of the whole kirks in
tne realm. Nona are fubje£l to repair to this af-
fembly to vote, but ecclefiaflical perfons to fuch
a number, as (hall be thought good by the fame
aflembly, not excluding other perfons that will
repair to the faid affembly to propone, hear, and
peafon.

This affembly is inftitute, that all things either
committed, or done amifs in the provincial afTem-
blies, may be redreffed and handled, and things
generally f erving for the weal of the whole body of
the kirk within the realm may be forefeen, intreat-
ed, and fot forth to God's glory.

It ihoald take care, that kirks be planted in
places whc;re they are not planted.

It fhould prefcribe the rule how the other
two kinds of aflemblies fhould proceed in all
things.

This aflembly fhould take heed, that the fpiri-
tual jurifdidlion, and civil, be not confounded to
the hurt of the kirk: that the patrimony of the
kirk be not confumed, nor abufed ; and generally
concerning all weighty affairs that concern the
weal and good order of the whole kirks of the
realm, it ought to interponc authority there-
to.

There is befides thefe, an other more general
kind of affembly, which is of all nations, and all
cftatcs of perfons within the kirk, reprefenling the
univerCil kirk of Clirifi:, which may be Called pro-
perly the general affembly, or general council of
the kirk of God.

Thife affemblies were appointed and called to-
gether efpecially, when any great fchifm or contro-
verfy in doflrine did arife in the kirk, and were
convocate at command of godly emperors being
for the time, for avoiding of fchifms within the
univerfal kirk of God, which becaufe they pertain
not to the particular eftate of any realm we ceafc
further to fpeak of them.

CHAP. VIIL

Of the decctsn^ and their office, the laji erdlnary
fiinciion in the kirk.

TH E word diaconos fometimes is largely taken,
comprehending ail them thai; bear officQ-iu

the minillry, and fpiritual funaion in the kirk.

But now, as we fpeak, it is taken only for them,
unto whom the colle(flion and diflribution of the
alms of the faithful and ecclefiaflical goods both
belong.

The office of the deacons fo taken, is an ordin-
ary and perpetual ecclefiaflical fundion in the kirk
of ChrifV.

Of what properties and duties he ought to be
that is called to this funftion, we remit" it to the
manifefl fcripturcs.

The deacon ought to be called and elefted, as
the reA of the fpiritual officers, of the which e-
leclion was fpokcn before.

Their office and power is to receive, and to di-
flribute the whole ecclefiaflical goods unto them,
to whom they are appointed.

This they ought to do according to the judg-
ment, and appointment of the prefbyteries, or el-
derfhips (of the which the deacons are not) that
the patrimony of the kirk and poor, be not con-
verted to private men's ufes, nor wrongfully diflri?
buted.

CHAP. IX.

Oft he patrimony of thekirk^,anddiJlrib'ution thereof..

BY the patrimony of the kirk, we mean what-
foever thing hath been at any time before, or
(hall be in times coming given, or by confent of
univerfal cuftom of countries profefling the chrir
ftian religion applied to the public ufe and utility
of the kirk.

So that under the patrimony we comprehend all
things given, or to be given to the kirk and fer-
vice of God, as lands, biggings, poffefiions, anual-
rents, and all fuch like, wherewith the kirk is
doted, either by donations, foundations,- mortifi-
cations, or any other lawful title of kings, princes,
©r any perfons inferior to them, together with the-
continualioblations of the faithful.

We comprehend alfo all fuch things, as by laws:
or cuftom, or ufe of countries have been- applied
to the ufe and utility of the kirk; of the which,
fort are fiends, manfes, gleibs, aad fuch like,,
which by common and municipallaws and univer-
fal cuflom are poffeffed by the kirk.

To take any of this patrimony by un'awfu!"
means, and convert it to the particular and pro-
fane cfe of any pcrfoti, we hold, it a. detcfiabie
faorilt'ge lxfot^,(^od..

5if8

The second BOOK ob DISCIPLINE.

The goods ecdefiaftical ought to be coUefted,
and diftributed by the deacons, as the word of
God appoints, that they who bear office in the
kirk be provided for without care or folicitude.

In the apoflolic kirk, the deacons were appoint-
ed to colleft and diftribute what fum foever was
colleded of the faithful, to diftribute unto the
neceffityof the faints, fo that none lacked amongft
the faithful.

Thefe colleftlons were not only of that which
was coUefted in manner of alms, as fome fuppofe,
but of other goods, moveable, and unmoveable,
of lands and pofreffioBs, the price whereof was
brought to the feet of the apoftles.

This office continued in the deacon's hands, who
intromltted with the whole goods of the kirk, ay
until the eflate thereof was corrupted by an-
tichrift, as the ancient canons bear witnefs.

The fame canons make mention of a four fold
diftributlon of the patrimony of the kirk, whereof
one part \yas applied to the pafter or biihop for his
fuftentation and hofpitality ; another to the elders
and deacons, and all the clergy ; the third to the
poor, fick perfons and Grangers ; the fourth to
the upholding other affairs of the kirk, efpecially
extraordinary.

We add hereunto the fchools ai>d fchoolmafters
alfo, who ought and may be well fuftained of
the fame goods, and are comprehended under the
clergy. To Whom we join alfo clerks of afTem-
blies, as well particular as general, fyndics or pro-
cutors of the kirk affairs, takers up of pfalms, and
fuch like other ordinary officers of the kirk, fo far
..as they are neceffary.

C HAP.

X.

^/ the office of a Chrijlian magi/irate in the kirk.

ALthough all the members of the kirk be hol-
den every one in their vocation, and accor-
din'g thereto, to advance the kingdom of Jefus
Chrift, fo far as lieth in their, power, yet chiefly
chriftian princes, and other magiflrates, are holden
to do the fame.

For they are called in the fcripture nourifhers
of the kirk, for fo much as by them it is, or at
leafl ought to be maintained, foftered, upholden,
'and defended againft all that would procure the
hurt thereof.

So it pertains to the office of ^ chriftian magi-
llratc, to affift and fortify the godly proceedir<gS
of the kirk in all behalfs ; and nam.elv t^-lee that
'he public cftatc and miniflry tJ:.;-feDf 'be maintaia-

ed and fuftained, as it appertwns, according to
God's word.

To fee that the kirk be not invaded, nor hurt
by falfe teachers, and hirelings, nor the rooms
thereof be occupied by dumb dogs, or idle bellies.

Toaffift and maintain the difcipline of the kirk,
and punifti them civilly, that will not obey the
cenfure of the fame, without confounding always
the one jurifdicflion with the other.

To fee that fufficient provifion be made for the
miniftry, the fchools, and the poor: and if they
have not fufficient to await upon their charges, to
fupply their indigence even with their own rents,
if need require.

To hold hand as well to the faving of their per-
Ions from injury and open violence, as to their
rents and pofleffions, that they be not defrauded,
robbed, or fpoiled thereof.

Not to fuffer the patrimony of the kirk to be
applied to profane and unlawful ufes, or be de-
voured by idle bellies, and fuch as have no lawful
fundiion in the kirk, to the hurt of the miniftry,
fchools, poor, and other godly ufes, whereupon
the fame ought to be beflowed.

To make laws and conftituticns agreeable to
God's word, for advancement of the kirk, and po-
licy thereof, without ufurping any thing that per-
tains to the civil fword, but belongs to the
offices that are merely ecclefiaflical, as is the mini-
Hry of the word and facraments, ufing ecclefiafli-
cal difcipline, and the fpiritual execution thereof,
or any part of the power of the fpiritual keys,
which our Mafter gave to the apoflles, and their
true fucceflbrs.

And although kings and princes that be godly,
fometimes by their own authority, when the kirk
is corrupted and all things out of order ; place
minillers, and reflore the true fervice oi the Lord,
after the example of fome godly kings of Judah,
and divers godly emperors, and kings alfo in the
light of the new teftament. Yet where the mini-
flry of the kirk is once lawfully conftitute, and
they that are placed do their office faithfully, all
godly princes and magiftrates ought to hear, and
obey their voice, and reverence themajefty of the
Son of God fpeaking in them.

CHAP. XI.

Of the prefent abufes remaining in the kirk^
•which ive defire to be reformed.

AS it is the duty of the godly magiflrate to
maintain the pr<;fent liberty, which God hath

.^ranted

Thb 5E^6Ni5J fed 6

granted by the preaching of his word, and the
true adminiftration of the fhcraments within this
realm : fo is it to provide, that all abufes which
yet remain in the kirk, be removed, and utterly
taken away.

Therefore firft the admiflion of men to papiftical
titles of benefices, fuch as ferte not, nor have no
fun(5lion in the reformed kirk o^ Chrift, as ab.bots,
commendators, priors, priorelfeS: aiid other titles of
abbeys, whofe places aic no\v for the moft part by
the juft judgment: of God dcmoli'hed, and purged
of idolatry, is plain abufe, and is not to receive
the kingdom of Chrill amongll us, but rather to
refufe it.

Such like that they that of old were called the
chapiters and convents of abbits, cathedral kirks,
and like places, ferve for nothing now,, but tofet
fews and tacks, if any thing be left of the kirk
lands and ttinds, in hurt and p) ejodice thereof, as
daily experience teacheth, and therefore ought to
be utterly abrogate and aboiiOiei.

Of the like nature are the deans, archdeacons,
chantors, tub- chan tors, treafnrers, chancellors
and others having the like titles flowing from the
pope and canon law only, who have no place in the
reformed kirk.

The kirks alfo which are united together, and
joined by annexation to, their benefices, ought to
be feparateci and divided, and given to qualified
xninifters, as' God's word craves

Neither oraght fuch abufers of the kirk's patri-
mony to have vote in parliament, nor fit in coun-
cil under the name of the kirk and khkmen, to the
hurt and prejudice of the liberty thereof, and
laws of the realm' made in favour of the reformed

K OF »T5^I?lI5?r 519

fore was declared. For it ss-not a nnme offuper}'

kirk.

Much lefsis it Uwfu], that any perfon amongfl:
thefe in^n /liould havj?. five, fixteen, twenty or more
kirks, all craving the charge of foula; and bruik
the patrimony thereof, either by admiffion of the
prince, or of the kirk, in this light of the gofpel.
For it is but a mocking tocrave reformation, where
fuch like have place.

And iQ fo far, as in the order taken at Lelth in
the year of our Lord 1571, it appears that fuch
may be admitted, being found qualified ; either
that pretended order 4s againft: all good order, or
elfe it muft be underftood not of them that be
qualified in worldly affairs, or to ferve in court,
but fuch as are qualified to teach God's word, hav-
iDg their lawful admilfion of the kirk.
* As to bidiops, if the name epifcopos be properly ,
^^m, thqr are all oae with the miuiflers, as be-

ority, and lordfiiip, but of office and v/atching.

Yet becaufein the corruption of the kirk, this
name (as others) hath been abufed, and yet Ks
likely to be, we cannot allow the fafhion of thefe
new chofen bilhops, neither of the chapiters that
are dehors of them to fuch offices, as they are
chofen unto.

^ True biihops fhould addift thcmfelves to a par-
ticular flock, which fundry of them refufe, neither
fliould they ufurp lordfhip over their brethren, and
over the inheritance of Chrift, as thefe men do.

Paftors, in fo far as they are paftors, have not
the office of vifitation of more kirks joined to the
pafforfhip, without it be given to them.

It is a corruption, that bifhops fhould have fur-
ther bounds tovifit, than they may lawfully.

Neman ought to have- the office of vifitation>
but he that is lawfully chofen thereunto.

The elderfhips being well eftablilhed, have
power to fend out vifitors one or more, withcom-
miffion tovifit the boimds within their elderfhip,
and likewife after count taken of them, either con-
tiraue them, or remove them from time to time, to
the which elderfhips they ftiall be always fubjedf.
Criminal jurifdidtion in the perfon of a paftor, .
is a corruptioiK-

It agreeth not with the word of God, thatbi-
fhops fhould b« paftors of paftors, paftors of many-
flocks, and yet without a certain flock, and with-
out ordinary teaching.

It agreeth not with the fcriptures, that they
/hould be exeemed from the correaion of their bre-
thren, and difcipline of the particular elderftiip of
the kirk, where they fhall ferve, neither that they
ufurp the office of vifitation of other kirks, nor
any other funftion befides other minifters, but fo .
far as fhall be committed to them by the kirk.
_ Wherefore, we defire the biftiops that now'are»
either to agree to that order that God's word re-
quires in them, as the general kirk will prefcribe-:
unto them, not paffing their bounds, either m-.
ecclefiaftfcal or civil affairs, or elk to be depofed ''
from all funftion in the kh-k. a

We deny not in the mean time, but minifters - 1
may and (hoald affift their princes when they are
required,^ in all things agreeable to the v/ordb',
whether it be in council or parliament, or other- "
ways, providing always they neither negledl dieir-.^
own charges, nor- through flattery of princes.^
hurt the public eftate of the kirk. " '"

But generally, we fay no perfon, under wha t-
foever title-of the kirk > aad efpecially the abufec 1

title&^

The 5EC0N!> BOOK of DISCIPLINE,

520

-riricc in pr.pif^ry, of prelates, convents, and chap-
ters, ought to attempt any aa in the kirks name,
either in council, or parliament, or out of council,
having no commiflion of the reformed kirk within
this realm.

And by aft of parliament it is provided, that the
paplftical kirk and jurifdiaion iTiould have no place
within the {l\me, and no bifhop nor other prelate
in times coming (hoiald ufe any jurifdiaioR flowing
from his authority. .rj-n-

Andaanin, that no other ecclefiafticaljunfdiai-
<m (liould be acknowleged within this realm but
that which is, and (hall be in the reformed kirk,
and flowing therefrom.

So we efteem holding of chapiters in papiltical
manner, either in cathedral kirks, abbies, colleges,
or other conventual places, ufurping the name and
authority of the kirk, to hurt the patrimony there-
of, or ufe any other aa to the prejudice of the
fame, flnce the year of our Lord 1560 years, to
the abufe and corruption, contrary to the liberty
of the true kirk, and laws of the realm, and there-
fore ought to be annulled, reduced, and in times
coming utterly difcharged.

The dependances alfo of the papiftical junfdic-
tion are to be aboliOied, of the which fort is ming-
kdiurifdiaion of thecomminaries,in fofar as they
meddle with ecclefiaftical matters, and have no
commiflion of the kirk thereto, but were ekaed
in time of our fovereign's mother, when things
were out of order. It is an ablurd thmg that lun-
dry of them having no funaion of the kirk, (hould
be judges tp mlnift^rs, and dcpofe them from their
rooms. Therefore they either would be difcharg-
ed to meddle with ecclefiaftical matters, or it
would be limited to them in what matters they
Eight be judges, and not hurt the liberty of the

kirk.

They alfo that of before were ecckfialtic eltate
in the pope's kirk, or that arc admitted of new to
the papiAical titks, and aow are tolerate by the
laws of the realm to poflefs the two part of their
ecckfiaftical rents, ought not have any further li-
berty, but to intromit with the portion afligned
and granted to them for their lifetimes, and not
imder the abufed titks which they had to difpone
the kirk rents, fet tacks and fews thereof at their
J>leafure, to the great hurt of the kirk and poor
labourers, that dwell upon the kirk lands, contra-
ry to al* good confcience and order.

CHAP. XII.

Certain Jpecial heads of reformation vjhich ive cravo.

WHATSOEVER hath been fpoken of
the offices of the kirk, the feveral power of
the office bearers, their conjuna power alfo, and
laft of the patrimony of the kirk, we underfland
it to be the right reformation, which God craves
at our hands, that the kirk be ordered according
thereto, as with that order, which is mofl agree-
able to the word.

But becaule fomething would be touched in par-
ticular, concerning the eflate of the country," and
that which we principally feek to be reformed in
the fame, we have colkaed them in thefe heads
following.

Seeing the whole country is divided in provinces,
and thtffe provinces again are divided in parishes,
as well in land ward, as in towns ; in ever) parifh
and reafonable congregation thtre w^ould be placed
one or more paftors to feed the flock, and no paf-
tor or minifter always to be burdened with the
particular charge of more kirks or flocks than one
only.

And btcaufe it will be thought hard to find out
paftors or miniflers to all the parifli kirks of the
realm, as well in land ward, as in towns, we think
by the advice of fuch, ascomnriffion maybe given
to by the kirk and prince, pariflies in land ward
or fmall villages, may be joyned two or three or
more, in (ome places together, and the principal
and moft commodious kirks to fland, and be re-
paired fufficiently, aad qualified miniflers placed
therein ; and the other kirks, which are not found
neceffary, may be fuffered to decay, th^ir kirk-
yards always being kept for burial places, and in
fome places where need requires a parifh, where
the congregation is over great for one kirk, may be
divided in two or more.

Doaors fliould be appointed in univerfities,
colleges, and in other places needful, and fuffici-
ently provided for, to open up the meaning of the
fcriptures, and to have the charge of fchools, and
teach the rudiments of religion.

As for elders there fliould be fome to be cen-
furers of the manners of the people, one or more
in every congregation, but not aa aflembly of el-
ders

Tkb second book op DISCIPLIN^li.

filers in every particular kirk, but only in towns,
and famous places, where refort of men of judg-
ment and ability to that efFeft may be had, where
the elders of the particular kirks about may con-
veen together, and have a common elderfhip, and
aflembly place among them, to treat of all things
that concerns the congregations of which they have
the overfight.

And as there ought to be men appointed to unite
and divide the parifhes, as neceffity and commodi-
ty requires : fo would there be appointed by the
general kirk, with aflent of the prince, fuch men
as fear God, and know the flate of the countries,
that were able to nominate and defign the places,
where the particular elderfliips fhould conveen,
taking confideration of the diocefe, as they were
divided of old, and of the eftate of the countries,
and provinces of the realm.

Likewife concerning provincial and fynodal af-
iemblies confideration were eafy to be taken, how
many and in what places they were to be holden,
and how oft they fhould conveen, ought to be re-
ferred to the liberty of the general kirk, and order
to be appointed therein.

The national aflemblies of this country, called
commonly the general alTembiies, ought always
to be retained in their own liberty, and have their
own place.

With power to the kirk to appoint times
and places convenient for the fame, and all men,
as well magiftrates, as inferiors to be fubjeft to
the judgment of the fame, in ecclefiaftical caufes,
■withoutaay reclamation or appellation to any judge,
civil or ecclefiaftical within the realm.

^The liberty of the eleftions of perfons called to
the ecclefialtical funftions, and obferved without
interruption, fo long as the kirk was not corrupted
by antidirift, we delire to be reftored and retained
within this realm.

So that none be intruded upon any congregati-
on, either by the prince, or any inferior perfon,
without lawful ele6lion, and the aflent of the peo-
ple over whom the perfon is placed, as the practice
of the apoflolical and primitive kirk, and good order
craves.

And becaufc this order, which God's word craves,
cannot ftand with patronages and prefentation
to benefices ufed in the pope's kirk, we defire all
them, that truly fear God, earneflly to confider,
that for as much as the names of patronages and
benefices together with the elfeft thereof have
flowed from the pope, and corruption of the can-
fioa law only, in (q far as thereby any peifoa was

5^1

intruded or placed over kirks h^vmgCuram(ir.;v:r
rum.

And for as much as that manner of proceediaa
hath no ground in the word of God, but is con-
trary to the fame, and to the faid liberty of eleai-
on, they ought not now to have place in this light
of reformation. And therefore, whofuever wii:
embrace God's word, and defire tlie kingdom ol
his Son Chrifl: Jefus to be advanced, they will alfo
embrace, and receive that policy and order which
the word of God, and upright eftate of his kirk
craves, otherwife it is in vain that they have profell
the fame.

Notwithflanding as concerning other patronages
of benefices that have not Ci/rtim animarwn. as
they fpeak : fuch as are chaplainries, prebendaries
founded upon temporal lands, anuals, and fucit
like, may be referred unto the ancient patrons, to
difpone hereupon, when they vake, to fcholar's
burfaries,as they are required by aO: of parliament.

As for the kirk rents in general we defire that
order be admitted and maintained amongfl us,
that may ftand with the fincerity of God's word,
and praflice of the purity of the kirk of Chrift.

To wit, 1 hat as was before fpoken, the whole
rent and patrimony of the kirk, excepting the fmall
patronages before mentioned, may be divided in
four portions : one thereof to be afligned to the
pallor for his entertainment, and hofpitality; an-
other to the elders, deacons and other officers of
the kirk, fuch as clerks of affemblies, takers up
of the pfalms, beddals and keepers of the kirk, fo
far as is neceffary: joyning with them alfo the
doflors, and fchools, to help the ancient founda-
tions where need requires : the third portion to be
bellowed upon the poor members of the faithful,
and hofpitals: the fourth for reparation of the
Idrks, and other extraordinary charges as are pro-
fitable for the kirk, and alfo for the common-
wealth, if need require.

We defire therefore the ecclefiafiical goods to
be uplifted, and diflributed faithfully to whom
they appertain, and that by the miniflry of the
deacons, to whofe office properly the colleftion
and diftribution thereof belongs, that the poor
may be anfwered of their portion thereof, and they
of the miniftry live without care and folicitude :
as alfo the reft of the treafury of the kirk may be
referved, and beflowed to their right ufes.

If the deacons be elected with fuch qualities as
God's word craves to be in them, there is no fear,
that they fhall abufe themfelves in their office, as
the profane colle<n:or5 did before.

U u U Yf'-:

5'"^

The second BOOK of DISCIPLINE.

Yet becaufe this vocation appears to many to be
dangerous, let them be obliged, as they were of
old, to a yearly count to the paftorsand elderfhip,
and if the kirk and prince think expedient, let
cautioners be obliged for their fidelity, that the
Sirk rents on no ways be dilapidat.

And to the effe<51: this order may take place, it
13 to be provided that all other intrometters with
tne kirk rent, collectors general or fpecial, whether
it be by appointment of the prince, or otherways,
may be denuded of further intromiflion therewith,
and fuffc-r the kirk rents in time coming to be whol-
ly iiT-rometted with, by the miniftry of the deacons,
and dlftribute to the ufe before mentioned.

And alfo to the effeft, that the ecckfiaflical
rents may fuffice to the ufes, for the which they
ar- to be appointed : we think it neceffary to be
de ned, that all alienations, fetting of fews, or
tacks of the rents of the kirk, as well lands as
teinds, in hurt and diminution of the old rentals,
be reduced and annuled, and the patrimony of the
kirk reftored to the former old liberty.

And likewife, that in times coming the teinds
be fet to none, but to the labourers of the ground,
or elfe not fet at all, as was agreed upon, and fub-
fcribed by the nobility of before.

CHAP. XIII.

TJk tifility thatfows from this reformation to all
ejiates.

SEEING the end of this fpirltual governmest
and policy, whereof we fpeak, is, that God
may be glorified, the kingdom of Jefus Chrift ad-
vanced, and all who are of his my fiical body, may
live peaceable in confcience, Therefore v/e dare
boldly affirm, that all thefe who have true refpedt
to thefe ends, will even for confcience caufe glad-
ly agree and conform themfelves to this order,
and advance the fame, fo far as lyeth in them,
that their confcience being fet at reft, they may
be repleniflied with fpiritual gladoefs in giving full
obedience to that which God's word, and the tef-
timony of their own confcience doth crave, and
xefufing all corruption contrary to the fame.

Next ihall become an example and pattern of
<fTood and godly order to other nations, countries,
and kirks profeffing the fame religion with us,
that as they have glorified God in our continuing
in the fincerity of the word hitherto, without any
errors, praife be to his name. So they have the
like ocgafion in our converfationj when as we con-

form ourfelves to that difcipline, policy, and good >
order, which the fame word, and purity of refop- '
mation craveth at our hands. Othcrwife that
fearful fentence may be juftly faid to us, * The

* fervant knowing the will of his mailer, and not

* doing it, (be.

Moreover, if we have any pity or refpeO^ to the
poor members of Jefus Chi ift, who fo greatly in-
creafe and multiply amongft us, we will not fuffer i
them to be longer defrauded of that part of the
patrimony of the kirk, which juftly belongs unio
them, and by this order, if it be duly put to ex-
ecution, the burden of them ftiall be taken off us
to our great comfort, the ftreets fhall de cleanfed
of the cryings and murmurings of them, as we
ftiall no more be any fcandal to other nations, as
we have hitherto been for not taking order with
the poor amongft us, and caufing the word which
we prcfefs to be evil fpoken off, giving occafion of
flander to the enemies, and offending the confti-
ences of the fimple and godly.

Befides this, it fhall be a great eafe and com-
modity to the whole common people, in relieving
them of the building and upholding their kirks,
in building of bridges and other like public
works: to the labourers of the ground in pay-
ment of their teinds, and fhortly in all thefe things,
wherein they have been hitherto rigoroufly
handled by them that were falfly called kirk men,
their tackfmen, factors, chamberlains and extor-
tioners.

finally, to the kings majcfty, and common-
wealth of the country this profit (hall redound,
that the other affairs of the kirk being fufficiently
provided, according to the diftribution, of the
which hath been fpoken : the fuperplus being col-
lefted in the treafury of the kirk may be profit?
ably imployed, and liberally beftowed upon the
extraordinary fuppor tof the ffairs of the princeand
common wealth, and fpecially of that part which
is appointed for reparation of kirks.

So to conclude, all being willing to apply them-
felves to this order, the people fuffering themfeves
to be ruled according thereto; the princes and
magiflrates not being exeemed, and thefe that are
placed in the ecclefiaftical eftate rightly ruling and
governing, God (hall be glorified, the kirk edifi-
ed, and the bounds thereof enlarged, Chrift Jefus
and his kingdom fet up, Satan, and his kingdom
fubverted, and God fhall dwell in the midft of us,
to our comfort, through Jefus Chrift, who toge-
ther with the Father and the Holy Ghoft; abides
bleffed ia ali eteroity, Amen, .

A M

^"t^

J\ V-/ 1

OF THE

GENERAL ASSEMBLY,

Approving a Form of Process In the Judicatories of the
Church, with relation to Scandals and Cenfures,

Edinburgh, i8th Jpril 170,7. SefT, li,

THE general afTembly having this day and at feveral former diets had read in their audience the
Overtures concerning a Form of Procefs in the judicatories of this church with relation to fcan-
dals and cenfures, which were tranfmitted by the late general aflembly to the feveral prelbyteries for
their judgment thereupon, and hawng maturely confidered the faids whole overtures with the remarks
and obfervations of preibyteries made uporr'the fame, after full reafoning, both in committees and open
afTembly upon the feveral particulars contained in the faid form of procefs, the general afTembly did by
their votes nemine contra dicente, and hereby do ratify and approve the forefaid Form of Procefs as now
amended in the whole heads and articles thereof, and appoint and ordain the fame to be
obferved and pradlifed by the rcfpeflive judicatories of this church as an a^ and ordinance of af-
fembly, and as fixed binding rules and diredlions in the whole matters therein contained, except the
7, 8 and 9 paragraphs of the fourth chapter and what concerns the preffing of the oath of purgation. As
to which the general afTembly fupercedes at this time to enjoin the obfervation thereof as pofitive ftand-
Ing rules, but they did and hereby do unanimoufly recommend to the feveral prefbyteries and other ju-
dicatories of the church, that they regulate themfelves according to the advice therein infmuated, as
they fhall find to tend mofl: for edification; The tenor of which Form of Procefs follows.

U u « s THE

THE

FORM ofPROCESS

IN THE

Judicatories of the Church of SCOTLAND)

With relation to

SCANDALS AND CENSURES.

CHAP.

I.

Conarnlng church government, difctplinef fcandah and cenfures in general.

OUR Lordjefus Chrlfl hath inftituted a go-
vernment, and governors ecclefiaftical in his
houfe, with power to meet for the order and go-
vernment thereof ; and to that purpofe, the apo-
ftlcs did immediately receive the keys from the
hands of their Lord and Mafter Jefus Chrift, and
did ufe and exercife the fame upon all occafions,
and Chrifl hath from time to time furnifhed fome
in his church with gifts for government, and with
commilTion to exercife it when called thereunto,
and has promifcd his prefence to be with them to
the end of the world.

2. It is agreeable to, and founded on the word
God, that fomc others, befides thefe who labour
in the word and doftrine be church governors, to
join with the minifters of the word in the govern-
ment of the church, and exercife of difcipline and
overfight of the manners of the people, which of-

. fleers are called ruling elders : As alfo, that the
church be governed by feveral forts of judi-
catories, and one in fubordination to the other,
fuch as kirk-feffions, preibyteries, provincial fy-
nods and general affemblies.

3. Church difcipline and cenfures, forjudging
and removing of offences are of great ufe and ne-
ccfl'Ity in the church, that the name of God by

reafon of ungodly and wicked perfons living in the
church, be not blalphemed, nor his wrath pro-
voked againft his people, that the godly be not
leavened with, but prelerved from the centagion,
and ftricken with fear, and that fmners who are to
be cenfured may be afhamed, to the deftruftion of
the flefli, and laving of the fpirit in the day of
the Lord Jefus.

4. Nothing ought to be admitted by any church
judicatory as the ground of a procefs for cenfure,
but what hath been declared cenfurable by the
word of God, or fome afl of univerfal cuflom of
this national church agreeable thereto ; and the fe-
veral judicatories of this church ought to take time-
ous notice of all fcandals : But it is judged, that if
a fcandal fhall happen not to be noticed in order to
cenfure for the fpace of five years. It fhould not
be again revived, fo as to enter in a procefs there-
anent, unlefs it be of an heinous nature, or become
again flagrant, but the confclences of fuch perfons
ought to be ferioully dealt with in private to bring
them to a fenfe of their fin and duty.

5. Thefe affemblies or church judicatories be-
fore-mentioned have power toconveen and call be-
fore them any perfons within their own bounds,
whom the ecclefiaftic bufmefs, which is before

them

The form op PROCESS.

52<r

them doth concern, either as party witnefs or o-
therwife, and to examine them according to
the nature of the affair, and to hear and determine
in fuch cafes as (hall orderly come before them,
and accordingly difpenfe church cenfures.

6. If a perfon be charged with a Icandal, who
lives within the bounds of another pari(h, the kirk
leflion of the pari(h where that perfon refides
(hould be defired to caufe cite that perfon to anf-
wer before the feilion in whofe bounds the fcandai
happened, and the fame courfe is to be followed
in fuch cafes by the other judicatories of the church,
feeing for orders lake they fhould not prefume to
exercife their authority without their own bounds.

7. The minifter of the word being in office
above that of the ruling elder, cannot be liable to
the ccnfure of the kii k-feifion, but to the fuperior
iudicatoriesof the church.

CHAP. II.

Concerning the entering cf precedes, citation- of par-
ties, and witnejjes, and taking depofitions , and
anent fugitives from difcipline.

M Embers of kirk fe/uons are wifely to confider
the information they get of fcandals, and
confult with their minifler thereanent, even be-
fore the fame be communicate to others, that
thereby the fpreading of the fcandai may be pre-
vented, and it may be removed by private admo-
nition according to our Lord and Saviour's rule,
Matth. xviii. 1 5. which if amendment follow, is
the far better way of gaining and recovering a
lapfed brother, whereas the needlefs fpreading of
a fcandai does fometimes harden the guilty, grieve
the godly, and is difhonourable to religion.

2. When any bufinefs is moved in a church ju-
dicatory, whether by information, petition or o-
therwife, they are in the firft place to confider,
whether the matter in its circumftantial cafe be
proper for them to enter upon, and whether it be
orderly brought in, and proper for them to cog-
nofce and dilcufs it themfelves, or prepare it for
fuperior judicatories, and fhould endeavour to
fhorten their work as much as with the edification
of the church they can, efpeclally as to the head
of fcandai, but ftill on all occafions the office bear-
ers in the houfe of God are to (hew all prudent
zeal againfl fin.

3. In proceeding in all caufes, where there is any
perfon or parties coaceraed, the. judicatory is to

fte, tliat before they proceed, thefe pcrfons or
parties be duly fifted before them by a legal and
timeous citation in write, bearing its caufe, cither
at the inftance of a party complaining, or at leaft
by order of the judicatory ; and if they be rcfiding
within the parifh, the fame may be upon forty
eight hours advertifement, and the execution of
the fummonds bearing its caufe, and made before
two or three witnefles infert, is to be returned by
the beadle or officer in writing, and the perfons
cited, called at the door ; and this is efpecially to
be obferved by pre(byteries and other fuperior ju-
dicatories of the church.

4. Sometimes It may be fit that the party be
privately fpoken to, before any citation be given
or procefs begun, for their better gaining, in which
cafe the minifler is to exercife, his own difcretion,
and take the concurrence of elders and others with
him but if the party cited as above, appear not,
there ought to be a fecond and then a third citati-
on given by the order of the feffions and pre(by tries,
either perfonally, or left at their dwelling houfe be-
fore the judicatory declare the perfon contumacious,
unlefs the party be cited to appear before a fuperi-
or judicatory by reference or appeal, in which
cafe there is not that need of fo many citations, be-
fore the fuperior judicatory, the party having a(St-
ually appeared before the inferior judicatory; and
being cited apudaEla to appear before the fuperior,
and the fame marked in the minutes, or having
been declared contumacious before the caufe was
brought before the fuperior judicatory.

5. All citations aji>z/^ a^^ are premptory, and
if inflrufted, infer contumacy if not obeyed.

6. If the perfon do notappear on the third cita-
tion, or upon a citation apud aUa, and no relevant
excufe adduced and verehed, though in that cafe
he be cenfurable for contumacy, yet it may be fit
the judicatory proceed to take cognition, either by
examining witnelTes upon oath, or by other docu-
ments of the verity of the fcandals delated againft
him, before they cenfure him for contumacy.

7. If the party appear, then the moderator is to
inform the perfon of the occafion of his being cal-
iedi and to give him if defired, a (hort note in
writing thereof^ with the names of the witnefies-
that are to he made ufe of.

8. There feems to be no need of accufers or in-
formers in ecclefiaflic procefles, where the fame
are not raifedat the inflance of a party complaining
formerly, but the party if cited by order of the
judicatory, is to anfwer the judicatory in what is
laid to his charge : yet fo, that if the party cited

52*5

The form of PROCESS.

;be foimd innoctiit and acquitted, thofe who in-
formed the judicatory, whether the party require
it or not, ought to be noticed, for either their
calumny or imprudence, as the judicatory fhall find
caufe.

9. If there be witnefTes to be made ufe of in
the procefs, a lifl of their names ought to be given
to the defenders fome time before, or at leaft at
iheir compearance, and the witnelTes ought to be
timeoufly cited to give evidence, and if they re-
fufe after three citations given, and executions re-
turned, may be proceeded with as contumacious,
jbt if judged needful, after the £r(\ or fecond ci-
lation, application may be made to the civil magi-
ihate, that he may oblige them to appear.

10. Before the witnefles be judicially examined,
Xhe accufed perfon is to be called, and the rele-
vancy of the lybel difcufled, and if the defender
compear, he may objeft againft any of them, and
if the objection be relevant, and made evident to
the judicatory, the witnefTes are to becaft, but a per-
fon's being the delator or informer, doth not hinder
him to be a witnefs, except in the cafe where he
formerly complained for his own intereft, or of
pregnant prefumptions of malice againft the perfon
accufed,

r II. Though.there be no relevant ohjeftion, yet
the witnefTes are folemnly to be purged of malice,
bribe or good deed done or to be done,' and of
partial counfel.

12. The witnefTes are to be examined in pre-
fence of the accufed party if compearing, and he
may defire the moderator to propofe fuch quefti-
ons or crofs queftions to the witnefTes, as may
tend to his exculpation, which if the judicatory
think pertinent are to be propofed, but no accufed
perfon is to interrupt the witnefles, or fpeak dur-
ing the time of depofition.

i^. If the party accufed do before probation
-effer grounds of exculpation to be proven by wit-
nefTes, the moderator and clerk, if required, are
to give warrant to cite the witnefTes upon the par-
ije's charges, the relevancy of the offered exculpa-
tion being firfl: confidered and fuftained by the ju-
dicatory, and if the exculpation be fully proven as
to the fubftance of the fcandal, all further proof of
the lybel andaccufationmufl there fift, and the de-
fender is to be aflbilzied, and if the lybel be fpecial as
to the time and place of a fafl, and the accufed more
pregnantly allege and clearly prove alibi, but if the
fubftance of the fcandal be once fuffained and depon
ed upon, there can be no place for exculpation,
^nlefs it be as to fome extenuating or alleviating

circumftances not contrary to, but confiilent with
the depofitions already taken.

1 4. If the witnelTes cannot fnbfcribe their names
to their depofitions, the clerk is to mark that they
declare they cannot write, and the moderator is to
fubfcribe the fame, whether they can fubfcribe or
nor.

1 5. After the depofitions arc ended, the parties
being removed, the members of the judicatory at
the fame or fome after dyet thereto appointed, are
to advife the jcaufe, and there and then to reafon
the affair calmly, fpeaking always to the moderator
one after anotht;r, without interrupting one ano-
ther, ufmg no refle<fl:ing language to, or of one a-
nother, nor too long harrangucs or digreffions.

1 6. If any perfon or perfons under procels for
fcandals abfcond, they fliall after being called be-
fore the judicatory and not compearing, be cited
firft from the pulpit of the parilh where the pro-
cefs depends and where they refide, and if they do
not thereupon appear before the judicatory before
whom the procefs depends, they are by order of
the preibytery to be cited from the pulpits of all
the kirks within their bounds to compear before
the prcfbytery ; and if they do not then compear,
they are to be declared fugitive from the church
difcipline, and the lame intimate in all the kirks
within the bounds of the preibytery, defiring,
that if any knows of the faid fugitives, they may
acquaint the minifter or elder of the bounds there-
of, and the preibytery are to fift there until they
get further notice of thefe perfons.

CHAP.

III.

Concerning /wearers, cur/ers, profanen of the
Lord's day, drunkards and other fcandals of that

'nature.

IT may fall out that one fingle a*^: of drunken-
nefs or breach of the Lord's day, difobedience
to parents, or of fwearing, curling, fcolding,
fighting, lying, cheating or ftealing, may be cloth-
ed with fuch circumflancts, as may be a juft
ground of procefs immediately, and even bring the
perfons guilty under the cenfure of the lefler ex-
communication and fufpenfion from the benefit of
the fealing ordinances, and require their appear-
ance in prefence of the congregation to be rebuked,,
before relaxation, but the weight of this is duly
to be pondered, and church judicatories and mem-
bers thereof, are to coniider, whether the private

admonition

The form ofPROCESj,.

admonition of perfons alledged and found guilty
of the above fcandals, if not cloathed with fuch
circumftances of the bringing them to public,
will tend meft to edification, and proceed accord-
ingly.

2. But ordinarily in all fuch offences, the guil-
ty for the firfl fault would be fpoken to in private
by the minirter or an elder and admonifhed, and
on promife from a fenfe of guilt to amend they may
lift there.

3 . But if the perfon relapfe, he ftiould be cal-
led bi-fore the feffion, and if found guilty may be
there judicially rebuked, where theleflionon pro-
mife, from a due fenfe of fm, to amend may again

m,

4. But if the perfon amend not after that, the
feffion fhould orderly proceed iinlefs repentance
appear and due fatisfa^lion be offered, till they in-
R'ld: the ctnfure of the lefler excommunication
and {ufptnfloa from the benefit of the fealing or-
dinances, under which the cenfured are to ly till
amendment and reformation.

5. With refpefl: to fcandals, the groffnefs where-
of makes it neceflary ^o bring the perfons guilty
oftener than- once before the congregation, the rules
prefcribed by the fourth afl: of the general afTem-
bly anno one thoufandfevcn hundred and five are
to be followed.

6. If the guilty perfons continue in this condi-
tion, or ly under the cenfure of the lefler excom-
munication a confiderable time, and yet be found
frequently relapfing in thefe vices they are cenfur-
ed for, it may be conftrufted fuch a degree of con-
tBmacy, and fo aggravate the crime as to found
a procefs of the ceufurc of the higher excommuni-
cation, which is to be inflifled, or not, as may
tend mod to the reclaiming of the guilty perfon
and edification of the churdi.

CHAP. VI.

C&ncernlng thefinof fornkathn, adultery and Jean-
daloiis carriage tending thereto..

IN delations about the fin of uncleanefs, it falls
frequently out, that when the matter is put
to the firifteft trial, all that can be proven is Ijut
prefumptions of guilt or fcandalous behaviour, and
not the aft of uncleannefs, the fame being a work
of darknefs; and therefore this fhould oblige the
kirk feflibn to be very cautious how to admit the
public entering a procefs without good warrand,

5^?

where there is not a child in the cafe, nnlefs the
fcandal be very flagrant.

2. Many of thefc anions which give cccafion
to the raifing a fcandal of uncleannefs, are fuch as
are not themfclves alone publicly cenfurable, but
to be paft by wiih a private rebuke or admcniti»
on.

3. Yet fome of thefe anions \vhich come under
the name of fcandalous behaviour, may be fo lafci-
vious and obfcene, and clothed with fuch circum-
ftances, as may be as offenfive as the ad of un-
cleannefs itfelf, and as cenfurable.

4. If a married woman whofe hufband Hath
been nottourly abfent for a confiderable time, be-
yond the ordinarv time that women ufe to go with
child, be found with child, this alfo may give
ground to a kirk feflion for a procefs againfl her;
but in this cafe judicatories would be prudent m
confidering well all circumflances,- and whether
or not the perfon hath been always of entire fame
before, as alfo how the public fame now runs.

5. When an unmarried woman is known to be
with child, the fame gives ground to a kirk feflion
for a procefs againft her, and after flie is cited be-
fore the feflion and appeareth, flie is to be inter-
rogate who is the father of that child, and though
in other cafes the divulging of a fecret may be very
imprudent and indeed the raifing of a fcandal,.
yetinthi* cafe where there is a child, whereby
there is an undeniable fcandal, and the keeping
fecret of the father a ground of greater oflTencCj
and of fufpefting many innocent perfons, if flic*
difcover not the father^ flie is to be looked upon as
contumacious.

6. Prudence may fometimes require that the per-
fon ftie nameth to be the father of the child, be in-
formed thereof, and fpoke to privately, and if he
deny the fame, he is ferioufly to be dealt with to
confefs, but if he ftill deny, then the feflTion is to
caufe cite him to appear before them.

7. In this procefs when the delated father com-

peareth, he is to be interrogate, and if he deny,

he is to be confronted with the woman, and the

preftimptions, as particularly held forth as pofll-

ble, and all along there fliould be private treating

with him, in all meeknefs, charity and ferioufnefs,

and if after all this he deny, though the woman's -

teflimony can be no fufficient evidence againft'

him, yet pregrant prefamptions, fuch as fufpicious

frequenting her company, or h^'xngfolus cum/ok'

in loco fufpeao, or in fufpe<^ pofl:u res and fuch

like which he cannot difprove to the fatisfaflioa -

ofthefdrion,.may folay the guilt upon him, as

to.

5*5

The form of PROCESS.

Ihew him, that there appears no other way of re-
moving the fcandal, but his appearance to be pub-
licly rebuked therefore; if he will not fubmit
himfelf to be rebuked as above, it perhaps may
be more for edification that a true narrative of the
cafe be laid before the congregation, and intima-
tion given that there can be no further procedure
in that matter, till God in his providence give
further light, to fift there at the time, than that
an oath be preft, and upon refufal proceed to the
higher excommunication ; but if the perfon accuf-
ed do offer his oath of purgation, and crave the
privilege thereof, the prelby tery may (if they (hall
judge it for edification and removing of the fcan-
<lal,) allow the fame which may be to this purpofe.
** I A. B. now under procefs before presbtry of
•* for that fm of alleged to be commit-

*' ted by me with C. D. and lying under that
*' grievous flander, being repute as one guilty of
*' that fm ; 1 for ending of the laid procefs and giv-
** ing fatisfaflion to all good people, do declare be-
" fore God and this that i am innocent

*' and free of the faid fin of or baving

" carnal knowlege of the faid C. D. and hereby
*' can the great God, the judger and avenger of
*' all faKhood, to be witnefs and judge againfl: me
" in this matter if I be guilty ; and this I do by
*' taking his blefled name in my mouth, and fwear-
*' ing by him, who is the great judge, punifher
*' and .avenger as faid is , and that in the fincerity
" of my heart according to the truth of the mat-
** ter and mine own confcience, as 1 fliall anfwer
" to God in the laft and great day, when I fhall
** (land before him to anfwer for all that I do in
" the flefh, and as I would partake of his glory in
** heaven after this life is at an end."

8. In taking this oath for purgation, all tend-
ernefs and caution is to be ufed, nor is the feflion
to prefs any man thereto, but they are to deal with
him and his confcience, as in the fight of God,
and if he offer to give his oath, the judicatory
are to accept it or not as they fhall fee caufe, and
then to proceed to remove the fcandal, with the
advice of the prefbytery, as may be mofl to edifi-
cation ; but this oath is not to be taken in any cafe
but this, when the prefumptions are fo great that
thsy create luch jealoufy in that congregation and
fefTion, that nothing will remove the fufpicion but
£he man's oath of purgation, and when his oath
will probably remove the fcandal and fufpicion,
in all othercafes this-oath is in vain, and fo (hould
not be admitted, and never but by advice ©f the
preToytery.

9. This oath for purgation is to be taken either
before the kirk feffion or prefbytery, or the con-
gregations as the prelby tery fhall determine, and
if the oath be taken before the feffion or prefbytery,
it is to be intimate to the congregation that fuch >a
perfon hath taken fuch an oath, and the party may
be obliged to be prefent in the congregation, and
may be put publicly to own his purging himfelf by
oath, and fo be declared free from thealleged fcandal.

10. After an end is made as above with the de-
lated father, the woman is to be dealt with to give
the true father and if after all ferious dealing and
due diligence, fhe give no other, fhe is to be cen-
fured according to the quality of the offence con-
fefl by her, without naming the perfon delated by
her, the judicatory referving place for further cen-
fure upon further difcovery.

1 1 . If the woman who hath brought forth the
child, doth declare fhe knowcth not the father, al-
ledging flie was forced, as in the fields by a per-
fon unknown, or any the like reafoa; in thefe
cafes great prudence is to be ufed, the former be-
haviour of the woman exadfly fearched into, and
file ferioully dealt with to be ingenious, and if llie
hath been of entire fame, fhe may be put to it to
declare the truth as if fhe were upon oath, but not
without the advice of the prefbytery, and no for-
mal oath fliould be taken, and if the woman con-
fefs (lie was not forced, but doth not know the
man, whether married or unmarried, the fame
cenfure is to be inflided upon her, as in the cafe
of adultery.

1 2. If a perfon doth voluntarily confefs unclean-
nefs, and if there be no child, and the cafe be
brought to the kirk feffion, the feflion is to inquire
what prefumptions there are of the truth of the
thing confeft, or what may have moved the perfoa
to make that conftffion, whether it floweth from
difquietnefs of mind, or from finiftrous defign,
as when a man fuing to a woman for marriage is
denyed, and for revenge, or for to obtain his de-
fire fpreads the report that he hath been guilty
with her, they are to be dealt with, according as
the prefumptions upon fearch, are found, or not.

13. If it be found that there is no ground for
the confeffion, and that it is falfe, the perfon con-
feffing is to be cenfured as defaming himfelf, and
like wife as a flanderer of the other party ; and with-
al application is to be made by the feffion to the
civil magiftrate, that he may be punifhed accor-
ding to law.

1.4. If there be need of witneffes, the dire<5fions
formerly meationed chapter id, are to be followed.

I (T, When

The form of PROCESS

5^^

T i;. When perfons guilty of unclcannefs live
one in one parifh, and another in another parifh,
the procefs againft them, and cenfures are to be
before the fefuon of the parifh where the woman
lieveth, or where the fcandal is moft nottoiir.

16. If a fcandal of uncleanncfs be committed
vs'here neither parties refides, as if perfons having
Uieir fixed refidcnce in one parifh do commit un-
cleannefsin another parifh, or perhaps in the fields,
or in the time of fairs or mercats ; in thefe cafes,
they are to be proceffed and cenfured where their
ordinary abode, except the place of their abode
be at a confiderable diftance from the place where
the fm was committed, and the fcandal be mofl
flagrant where it was committed.

17. When there is a fcandal of uncleannefs
whereof perfons are guilty living in different parifh-
es, the fefTion where the fm was committed is to
acquaint the other fefHons where any of the perfons
refides, who are ex debito to caufe fummon thefe
perfons to appear before that feiTion, where the
fcandal is to be tryed.

1 8. When a perfon is convift of fcandal by a
feffion of another congregation than his own, and
the cenfurc of the lefTer excommnication is inf^idl-
ed, the feffion is to fend an account thereof to that
feffion to which he belongs, but there is no need
of any other ftntence of his own feffion, to fix the
cenfure on him, but only a public intimation there-
of to be made in his own parifh.

19. When a perfon is cenfured and abfolved
from his fcandal in another congregation than
where he lives, he is to bring a teftimonial of his
abfolution, which is to be intimate to the congre-
gation he lives in, if tlie fcandal be alfo flagrant
there ; otherways it will be fufficient to intimate
the fame to the feffion, and the fame is to be done
in the cafe of the profeffion of repentance where
there has been a fentence of the leffcr excommuni-
cation.

CHAP. V.

Concerning appeals from a kirkfejfion to a prejly-
try^ &c.

AL L perfons who judge tbemfelves leafed by
the procedure or fen:ence of a kirk- feffion,
may appeal to the prefbytry by declaring and pro-
tefting at paffing of the fentence, and fhould there-
upon according to die eight aft of the general af-
fembly 1 694, give ia the appeal with the reafons

thereof in write, to the moctiator or clerk of the
fe/fion, within the fpacc of ten days after the time
of appealing, and procure extrafts thereof, and
preftnt the fame to the next meeting of the pref-
bytcry thereafter, if there be a competent time, at
lead ten days ^ree betwixt the time of appealing
and the meeting of the prefbytry; and fliould
then infill in the appeal, wherein if the appealant
fail, the appeal ipfofacio falls and becomes null,
and the appealant is to be held as contumacious,
and proceeded againfl accordingly by the kirk fef-
fion.

2. When an appeal is brought from a kirk
feffion to a prefbytry, the prefbytry is to confi-
der, whether the caufe is of that nature, as it bc-
hoveth at length to come to the prefbytry by the
courfe of difcipline; before the final determination
thereof, as if it be in a procefs of alledged adultery
or fuch like, then the prefbytry to fave tbemfelves
time may fall upon the confideration of the affair
without infifiing much upon the bene or male ap»
pellatum, though it feem to be prepofieroufiy ap-
pealed.

3. But if the caufe be fuch as the kirk feffion
are the competent and proper judges of, even to
its ultimat decifion, and if there hath been no
oiufe given by the kirk feffion, by their breaking
the rules of an orderly procefs, either by the
courfe of the procefs, or by the incompetency of
the cenfure, the prefbytry is not to fuflain the
appeal.

4. If the prefbytry do not fuflain the appeal,
and find there hath been fome fault, paffion or
culpable miflake in the appealant, the prefbytry
is to infiifl fome cenfure, fuch as a reproof before
the prefbytry, or appoint an acknowleging of
their precipitancy before their own feffion or fuch
like, on thefe appealers they find to have been ma-
licious and litigious, thereby to prevent unnecceJ
fary appeals, and that befide remitting back to the
feffion, to fland either to the cenfure of the feffion,
if it be inflicfed already, or to fifl tbemfelves cur-
ing the procefs if it be depending.

5. If the appeal be fuflained, and yet upon pro-
ceeding on the caufe the prefbytry find the appeal-
ant ccnfurable, it is always to be minded, that
whatever cenfure be inflicfttd to remove the offence
he hath given to the prefbyti 3% yet the appealant
if found guilty is to undergo a cenfure, either be-
fore the kiik- feffion or congregation he belongs
to, fuch as the prefbytry thinks he defer ves eifc
prefbytries will be always troubled with ap-
peals.

X X s 6. ]f

T IS E F O R M OF PROCESS.

6. If oa ilie other hand, on trial of the procefs, the
preibytry find the kirk-feffion hath unwarantably
Proceeded, either in contribating to the rifmg of
k icandil, or infllfting thecenfure without a fut-
tident caufe, and th.ereby the appealant leafed ; the
preibytry is not only to afToiizie the appealant, but
to take iQch ways as may be proper and effeftaal
to vindicate the appealant's ianoceacy, and wipe off
the fcandal taken at him.

7. Herein the preibytry is to exercife great pru-
dence, doing juflice to the innocent, yet fo, as
not to weaken tiie kirk feffion's authority in that
confrregation, if in juflice it can be avoided.

8^ But fuch an emergent may very well occafi-
on the prelbytries giving the miniiler and elders of
that feffion fuitable enjnn(5fions and rules to walk
by, or private admonitions, or to call for a vilita-
tion of their feffion regifter.

9. The fame method is to be followed in ap-
peals from presbytries to fynods, and from fynods
fo general affemblies.

10. An appeal being made by parties, fliould
iifl: the execution of the fentence appealed from,
only while the appeal is duly and diligently profe-
ciite, and may thereby be determined, otherwife
not, unlefs the judicatory appealed to, receive the
appeal, and take the affair before them, and in
that cafe the judicatory appealed from, is to fifl
until the appeal be difcuft.

CHAP. Vi.

Concerning proceffes, ivhich natively begin at the
kirk- feffion, but are not to be brought to a final
deter mi n^ation by them.

THERE are fome procefies, which natively begin
at the kirk feffion, which, for the atrocity of
the fcandal, or difficulty in the affilr, or general
concern, the feffion having the opportunity of fre-
quent meetings of the presbytry to have recourfe
there unto, do not determine of themfelves, fuch
as icandals of inceft, adultery, trilapfes in fornica-
tion, murder, atheifm, idolatry, wntchcraft, charm-
ing, and herefy and error, vented and made pub-
He by any ia the congregation, fchifm and fepara-
tion from the public ordinances, proceffes in order
to the highell cenfures of the church, and conti-
nued contumacy; but the kirk- feffion having re-
ceived information of fuch grof? fcandabj they are

to weigh the fame according to the rules and'di-
re£lions preicribed them in procefles, which be-^
long to their peculiar province, and if they find
good ground for a procefs, they are to deal with
the perfon accufed to confefs, that which now can-
not be hid nor amended, till fatisfa6lion be made
to the church, which when done the feffion is to
refer the cafe, and fend an extract of their pro-
cedure thercanent to the presbytry.

2. When there is no conteflion of the fcandab
above mentioned, the feffion are not to proceed to
lead probation by witneffes or prefumptions, till an
account of the matter be brought by reference to
the presbytry as aforefaid, and the presbytry do
thereupon appoint the feffion to proceed aild lead'
probation ; and after probation is led, the fame is
to be brought to the presbytry, who may inflift
what cenfure they fee caufe.

3. Sometimes it will fall out that the procefs is
fb clear, as in a cafe of judicial confeffiion, that the
kirk- feffion may fummon the delinquent when be-
fore them apiid a^a, to compear before the prcf-
bytry, without previous acqainting them thereof,
but where there is any difficulty, the kirk feffion
(hould inform the presbytry and take their advice
before a party be fummoned before them.

4. When the party or parties compear before
the presbytry, if they confefs and profefs repen-
tance for their fm, then the presbytry having'
gravely rebuked, and ferioufly exhorted the party
or parties, are to determine the cenfure, and pre-
fcribe the time and place of the parties their pro-
feffionof their repentance publicly in the church of
that congregation where the procefs began, the
fcandal being there to be taken away, or remit
them to the feffion to receive orders thereanent.

5. It is thought more fit that the delinquents be
appointed to rem.ove the fcandal in the congregati-
on, where the offence is moft flagrant, efpecially
if they refidc there, rather than in the place where-
it was committed, if it be not public there, and
that intimation of the removing thereof be made in
other places, if the judicatory fhall find it needful.

6. When perfons cenlured for thefe groffer fcan-
dals do apply to the kirk feffion for relaxation, they
may both be privately conferred with, and like-
ways their acknowledgments heard before the fef-
fion, but they ought not to be brought before the
congregation, in order to their abfolution, nor-
abfolved, but by advice and order of the presby-
try.

CHAP.

The form of PROCESS.

5J^

CHAP. VII.

Concerning procejjes againji miniflers.

ALL procefTes againfi: any miniO-er, are to
.l\. begin before the prelbytry to which he be-
longeth, and not before the kirk feflion of his own
parilh.

2. The credit and fucceis of the gofpel (in the
way of an ordinary mean) much depending on
the entire credit and reputation of miniflers their
ibund doftrine and holy converfation, no ftain
thereof ought lightly to be received, nor when it
comes before a judicatory ought to be negligendy
enquired into, or when found evident, ought to
be iiightly cenfured.

^. And bccaufe a fcandal committed by a mini-
fterh.uh on thefe accounts many aggravations, and
once raifed, though it may be found to be without
any ground, yet it is not eafily wipt of; therefore
a pr-ibvtry would exaftly ponder by whofe infor-
mation and complaint it comes firfl before them,
and a prelbytry is not fo far to receive the infor-
mation, as to proceed to the citation of a minifter
or any way begin the procefs, until there be firft
fome perfon, who under his hand gives in the
complaint, with fome account of its probability,
and undertakes to make out the lybel. ido Or
at le.aft do before the prcibytry undertake to make
it out under the pain of being cenfured as flander-
ers. Or ^tio. That the/"^?n<i clamofa of the fcan-
dal be fo great, as that the prelbytry for their
own vindication fee thcmfelves neceffitat to begin
the procefs, without any particular acculer : but
the presbytry in this cafe would be careful, firft,
to enquire into the rife, occafion, brotchers and
grounds of xKufama clamofa.

4. All chriftians ought to be fo prudent and
•warv in accufing minifters of any cenfurable fault,
as that they ought neither to publifh nor fpread
the fame, nor accufe the minifter before the pres-
bytery without firft acquainring, theminifter him-
felf if they can have accefs thereto, and th°n, if
need be, fome of the moft prudent of the minifters
and elders of that presbytery, and their advice got
in the affair,

5. If there fhall be groimd found to enter in a
procefs againfl: amiriift r, the presbytry fhould firfl
confider the lybel, then order him to be cited, and
to get a full copy, with a lift of the witnefTes
names to be led for proving thereof, and a formal

citation in write is to be made either pcrfoixally, or
at his dwelling houfe, bearing a competent time
allowed to give in nnfwer to the lybel, and his 'Ml-
defence and objeaions againll witnefTes, at leail-
ten free days before the day of compearance, and
the citation fhould bear the date when given, and
the names of tr.e witnelies to the giving thereof;
and the execution bearing its date, with the names
• and deiignations of the witneflcs fhould be made
in write and figned by the offier and witnefles,
which being accordingly returned, he is to be cal-
led, and if he compear, the lybel is to be read un-
to him, and he is to be enquirer' if he has any an-
fwers to give in to the lybel* that they may be read
and confidered, in order to the difcuffing of the
relevancy, and if the presbytry find the fame, and
that there is caufe to infift, they are to endeavour
to bring him to a confefTiOn, whereby he may moft
glorify God ; and if he confefs, and the matter
confeft be of a fcandalous nature, cenfurable in
others, jiich as the fm of uncleannefs, or fome o-
ther grofs fcandal, the presbytry (whatever be the
nature of his penitency, though to the conviftion
of all) are injlanter to depofe him ab officio, and to
appoint him in due time to appear before the con-
gregation where the fcandal was given, and in his
own parifh, fi)r removing the offence, by the pub-
lic profeflion of his repentance.

6. If a minifter be accufed of any fcandal, and cit-
ed to appear before his own presbytry, and do ab-
fent himfelf by leaving the place, and be contuma-
cious without making any relevant excufe, after a
new public citation and intimation made at his own
church when the congregation is met, lie is to be
holden as confeft, and to be dcpofed and cenfured
injlanter with the lefTer excommunication ; but if
atterfome time he do ijot return and fubjecfl him-
felf to the cenfures of the church, he may be pro-
ceded againft till he be cenfured with the greater
excommunication, if the judicatory fee caufe for it.
7. If theminifter accufed do appear and deny the
fa6t after the relevancy is found, the presbvtry pro-
ceeding to probation, and to find the truth of the
matter, all the circumftances are to be exacTdy can-
vafTed, and the accufed heard to objecfl againft the
witnefTes. As aHo, hefliould be allowed to be
prefent at the examination, and modeftly to crofs
interrogate, and then the reputation of the wit-
nefTes and their hability duly regarded, and the ex-
aminations confidered. If after confi deration of
all thefe, the judicatory fliall find the fcandal fuf-
ficiently proven, they are to proceed to cenfurc,
as adviled ia the cafe of confeffion in paragraph 5 ; h .
X X X 2 *"' S, l^

: - Th E F O R M

8. Ii tht iLiaiitr : 1 to the minifler's charge be
luch pracVices r.s In their own nature maniteflly
fubvert that order, unity and peace, which Chrifl
bath eftabliflied in his church, or unfonndnefs and
hetrodoxie in doftrine, tlien great caution would
be ufed, and the knowlege and underilanding of
■witnefTes much looked into, and withal, if the er-
rors be not grofs and ftricking at the vitals of re-
ligion, or if they be not pertinacioufly ftuck unto,
or induftrioufly fpread, with a vifible defign to
corrupt, or that the errors are not fpreading among
the people, then lenitives, admonitions, Infrrudfi-
ons and frequent conferences are to be tried to re-
claim without cutting of?, and the advice of other
presbytries fought, and unlefs the thing be doing
much hurt, fo as it admitts of no delay, the fynod
or general affembly may be advifed with in the af-
fair, and the fame intimate to the minifter con-
cerned.

9. If the lybel and complai nt brought againft
a minifter be a multitude of fmaller things
laid together, as feveral afts of negligence or other
unfuitable a£lions, the presbytry in proceeding
therein are to make a presbyterial vifitation of that
parifh to which the minifter belongs, and at the
faid vifitation, are firft to fee if any of thefe things
jiow laid to the minifters charge, were committed
prior to the lafi: presbyterial vifitation of that pa-
ri(h, and whether they were then laid to his
cV:arge, and if they were not, it would be tryed,
hovv they come to be laid to his charge now.

10. If the presbytery find thefe things laid to
his charge, to be committed fince the laft vifitati-
on, or Hud a fatisfying reafon wherefore they were
not then tabled, they are to enquire what diligence
hath been ufed in acquanting the minifter with the
offence taken at thefe things when firft committed
by him, and how fcir the minifter hath been guilty
of giving offence, after he knew offence to be ta-
ken.

11. It would likewife in this cafe be enquired,
■whether any of the complainers did firft in a pr-
dent private way infcH-m any of the neighbour ..li-
nifters, of fome of thefe things committed by their
Hiinifter, who is now challenged, before thefe of-
fences came to be {o many, as to merit a public
and fcdemn trial, and accordingly the presbytry
is to judge.

12, If the presbytery find upon trial, the com-
l^at to refolve upon the minifter's having commit-
ted fuch a<5^s of infirmity or paffion, as confidering
all the eircumftancfis may be either amended and
ih?.jpeQple'l5Uisfie«^j and no fuch offeace taken^

OP PROCESS,
or at leaft not to remain, fo as to hinder the mini-

fler's profiting the people, and that the offence was
taken by the minifter's own people only or mainly;
then the presbytry is to take all prudent ways to
fatisfy and rt claim both minifter and people, and
do away the offence.

13. But before a minifter depofed for fcandal- I
ous carriage can be reftored to the exercife of the
miniftry, there would not only be convincing evi-
dences of a deep forrow for fin, but an eminent
and examplary humble walk, and edifying conver-
fation, fo apparent and convincing as bath worn
out and healed the wound the fcandal gave.

14. Immediately on the minifter's being depofed
by the presbytry, the fentence is to be intimate in
his congregation, the church declared vacant, the
planting thereof with another minifter haftened,
and never delayed on the expecflation of his being
reponed, it being almoft impoffible, that ever he
can prove ufeful in that parifh again.

CHAP. VIII.

Concerning proceffes in order to the cenfureof the
greater excoTnmunication.

Since there Is a diftinftion betwixt the greater
and the leffer excommunication, it feems that
whatever have been the caufes of the firft procefs,
yet ordinarily all proceffes that are in order to the
greater excommunication are to be grounded on
manifeft contumacy, or obftinate continuance in
fcandalous pradtices ; and where there is no mani-
feft contumacy, or continuance as aforefaid, the leffer
excommunication needs only have place. Ye t in fomc
extraordinary^ cafes, the church according to fcrip-
ture warrant hath fummarly excommunicated per-
fons guilty of nottour atrocious fcandalous fins, tO'
fhew the church's abbhorrence of fuch wickednefs.

2. Even v;here there hath been a fcandal delat-
ed, and contumacy following by not appearing, it
would be confidered, whether any fcandalous prac-
tice hath been proven, or not, if not proven, then
only the fimple contumacy is to be proceeded a-
gainft, for which it were hard to go a greater
length than the leffer excommunication.

3. If the fcandal hath been proven, and the
cenfure of the lefler excommunication intimated as
in chapter third ; It feems moft reafonable that
there be no farther proceeding, unlefs the fcandal
be grofs, or of an hainous nature, or that it is
fpreading and infeftious, as in herefies or fchifm
la the church, to which afes contumacy is to

CO

The form of PROCESS.

to be proceeded agamic in order to the greater ex-
communication.

4. The kirk feffion having brought the procefs
to an intimation oi the cenfure of the lefTer excom-
munication, before they infli(5l the fame, they are
to refer the affair to the presbytry, bringing their
whole proceedings before the presbytry in wiite,
that the presbytry may thereby have a clear and full
view of the whole affair.

5 The presbytry finding the kirk feffion hath
orderly proceeded, and that the Icffer excommuni-
cation is not fufficient, and that the affair is fo
weighty as to oblige then to enter on the procefs,
they are to caufe their officer to cite the fcandalous
perfon.

6. If the party appear, then the presbytry is
to proceed in the enquiry at the accufed, about
the fcandal alleged and lybelled, and if he deny it,
then they are to proceed and lead probation as in
other cafes.

7. But if the party appear not, but contemn
the citation, the presbytery caufeth renew the feme,
until he hath got three citations, and after the
three citations, he is to be cited out of the pulpit :
and for the further conviftion of all concerned,
intimation is to be made, that the judicatory will
proceed and enquire into the prefumptions or pro-
bation of the guilt, and this is to be done although
the delinquent be abfent.

8. Then the presbytry is to order the minifter
of the congregation next Sabbath after forenoon's
fermon, to acquaint the congregation what pro-
ceedings the kirk-feffion firft, and thereafter the
presbytry had made in the affair, and how con-
tumacious the party was, and that the presbytry
intended to proceed to the higheft cenfurc ; and
til* minifter is gravely to admonifh the party (if
prefent) to repent and fubmit himfelf to the drf-
cipline of the church, threatening him, if he con-
tinue impenitent, that the church will proceed,
yea though he be abfent, the minifter is to ac-
quaint the people, that the church require him
to repent and fubmit as above faid, under the fore-
faid certificatioa.

9. There lliould be three public admonitions,
and a presbytry (hould interveen betwixt each ad-
monition; and if after all, that perfon continue im-
penitent or contumacious, the fame is to be re-
prefented to the presbytry, who are thereupon
to appoint pwWic prayers thrice to be made, in
which the rainifter is to exhort the congregation
Icrioufly to join with him in prayer, for the fcan-
^Qus impenitent or contumacious perfon, which

53.?

he IS folemnly to put up to God, humbly begain,,
that he would deal with the foul of the imptni"
tent, and convince him of the evil of his ways

10. Thefe public prayers of the church are to
be put up three feveral Sabbath days, a presbytry
(where its meeting are more frequent once a month
at left) mterveening betwixt each public prayer,
both to (hew the churches tendernefs towards
their lapfed brother their earneftnefs to have him
reclaimed, and likewife to create a greater regard
and terror of that dreadful cenfure, both in the
party and in all the people.

11. If after all, the fcandalous perfon makes no
application, but continue impenitent ; thepresb^w
try after prayer is to pafs fentence and appoint
a minifter to intimate the fame, and to fiaew the
presbytries reiolution to proceed upon fuch a Sab-
bath as they fhall name, for pronouncing that
dreadful fentence folemnly in face of the congrega-
tion unlefs either the party or fome for him,
lignity fome relevant ground to flop their proce-
dure. '^

12. That day being come, It were fit the minifter
did preach a fermon fuited to that folemn occafion,
or at left after fermon the minifter fhould fhow the
congregation, what he is going about, introducing
the narrative of the procefs, with a difcourfe con-
cerning the nature, ufe and end of church cenftires,
particularly that of the greater excommunication,
it he hath not done it fully in his fermon.

^ 13. Then narrating all the fteps of the- procefs
ra order, fiiewing the churches faithfulnefs and
tendernefs towards the fcandalous perfon, and de-
claring his obftinateimpenitency; and that no vw
after all other means were ufed, there remained
only that of cutting of the fcandalous perfon from
the fociety of the faithful, and intimating the
churches warrand and order to him fo- to do.

14. And before the minifter pronounce the fen-
tence, he is to pray and defire all the congregation
to join with him therein, that God would grant
repentance to the obftinate perfon, would graciouf-
\j blefs his own ordinance, and make the cenibre
effeftual, both to edify others, and to be a meaa
to reclaim the obftinate finner

15. Then after prayer, the minifter is with
great gravity and authority to- pronounce the cen-
fure, ftiewing his warrand from our Lord's com-
mand, and the apoflrle Paul's direftion, and reca-
pitulating- the prefbytries warrand in obedieijce
thereunto, and refuming the fcandalous and obfti-
nate perfon's behaviour, whom he is to name ^ he
therefore in the name and aothority oi our LorcE

S34

The form of process.

and Mater Jefus Chrlft doth in verbis de prafenti
pronounce and declare him or her excommunicated
and fhut out from the communion of the faithful,
debarring that perfon from their privilcdges, and
In the words of the apoftle, delivering that perfon
over to Satan, which fentence is to be intimate ac-
cording to the 9th a6l of the anembly y^nno 1704.

1 6. If after prayer or before the cenfure be pro-
nounced, the fcandalous perfon do make any pu-
blic fignification of his repentance, and of his de-
iire to have the cenfure flopt, the minifler upon
apparent ferioufnefs in the fcandabus perfon, which
he fhev/eth to the congregation, may thereupon
delay pronouncing the fentence, till he report to
the presbytry at their next meeting, who are then
to deal with the fcandalous perfon as they (hall
find caufe.

17. After the pronounclation of this fentence,
the people are to be warned that they hold that
perfon to be caft out of the communion of the
church, and that they (hun all unneceffar yconverfe
with him or her, neverthelefs excommunication
diffolveth not the bonds of civil or natural relati-
ons, nor exempts from the dutys belonging to
them.

1 8. Although it be the duty of paflors and ru-
ling elders to ufe all diligence and vigilance, both
by doftrine and difcipline refpeftively, for preven-
ting and purging out fuch errors, hercfies, fchifm
and Scandals ascend to the detriment and diilur-
bancecfthe church; yetbecaufeit may fallout
through the pride and flubbornefs of offenders,
that thefe means alone will not be effeflnal to ihat
purpofe ; It is therefore necelTary after all this, to
imploy the aid of the civil magiftratc, who ought
to ufe his coercive power for the fuppreffing of all
fuch offences and vindicating the difcipline of the
church from contempt.

CHAP. IX.

Concerning the order of proceeding to abfolution.

F after excommunication, the figns of re-
pentance appear in the excommunicated per-
fon, fuch as godly forro?/, for having incurred
God's heavy difpleafure by his fin, occafioned
grief to his brethren, and juflly provoked the
church to cafi: him out of their communion, to-
gether with a full purpofe cf heart to turn from
his fm unto God through Chrill, and to reform
lis life and converfation? with an humble defire

of recovering peace with God and his people, and
to be reftored to the favour of God and light of
his countenance through the blood of Jefus Chrift
and to the communion of the Church, and the
presbytry upon his application be fatisfied there-
with, and judge that he ought to be abiblved, and
thereupon give warrand for his abfolution ; He
is to be brought before the congregation, and
there alfo to make free confefTion of his fm and
- forrow for it, to call upon God for mercy in Chrift,
to feek to be reftored to the communion of the
church, promifing to God through grace new o-
bedience, and more holy and circufpe6t walking
as becomes the gofpel, and that this appearance
before the congregation, be as often as church ju-
dicatories fhall find may be for edification and
tryal of the proftfling penitent's lincerity, and be-
ing fatiified in this ; then the minifler and con-
gregation are to praife God, who delighteth not
in the death of a finner, but rather that he
fhould rtptnt and live; as alfo for blefTmg the or-
dinance of excoinmunication, and making it efftc-
tiial by his Spirit to the recovering of this offen-
der, to rongnify the mercy of God through Jefus
Chrift, in pardoning and receiving to his favour
the moft grievous offenders whenfoever they un-
fcignedlv repent and forfakc their fins; but before
the minifler proceed to abfolution, he is to pray
with the congregation to diis cffeft. * That the

* Lord Jefus Chrifl Prophet, Prieft and King of his
' church, who with the preaching of the gofpel

* hath joined the power to bind and looie the fins

* of men, who hath alfo declared that whofocver

* by his minif^ers is bound on earth, fhall be

* bound in heaven, and alfo that whofoever is

* loofed by the fame, fliail beloofedandabfolvedin

* heaven, would mercifully accept his crer rr.re.

* N. Whom Satan of long time hath holden in

* bondage, fo that he not only drew him to iniquity,

* but ..l>b fo hardened his heart, that he defpiled all

* admonidons, for the which his fin and contempt,

* the church was compelled to excommunicate him

* from the fociety of the faithful; but now feeing

* the Holy Spirit by his grace hath fb prevailed

* that he is returned and profelleth repentance to-

* ward God and faith toward our Lord Jefus

* Chrifl, that it may pleafe God by his Spirit and

* grace to make him a fincere and unfeigned ptni-

* tent, and for the obedience ofotir Loid Jefus

* Chrifl uuto death, fo to accept of this poor be-

* lieving and returning finner, that his former

* difobedience be never laid to his charge, and

* that he may encreafe ia all godlinefs, fo that

©atnS

* Satan In the end may be troden under feet by

* the power of our Lord Jefus Chrift, and God

* may be glorified, the church edifird, and the

* penitent faved in the day of the Lord.

2. Then (hall follow thafentence of abfolution
in thefe or the like words : * Whereas thou A'".

* haft for thy fin been (hut oat from thecommu-

* nion of the faithful, and haft now manifefted

* thy repentance wherein the church refteth satisfi-

* ed, I in the name of the Lord Jefus, before this

* congregation pronounce and declare thee abfolved

* fron the fentence o^ excommunication formerly

* denounced againft thee, and do receive thee to

T H E F O R M o F P R O C E S S. . ^^^

the communion of the church, and the free ufe

_- .,,,-, w.Av. iijw .is,K, uii;

* of all the ordinances of Chrift, that thou mayeft

* be partaker of ail his benefits to thy eternal falva-

* tion,'

3. After this fentence of abfolution, the minl-
fter fpeaketh to him as to a brother, exhorting
him to watch and pray, and comfortiag him as
there (hall be caufe : the elders embrace, and the
whole congregation holdeth communion with him,
as one of their own, and the abfolution fliould be
intimate in all the churches where the excommU'
cation was intimate.

FINIS.

An Alphabedcal INDEX, pomrin<> at feme notable Paflapcs in

this Hiftory.

A Apparel fupcrftitious conJeimcd in thcEnirlKh 3 ^3

Page. Application of regal duties, to princes and

AA R O N's digni tv, freed him not from j udg- J "ffg^^s ^SV

ment ' 363 Appointment concluded at Perth, prefently

Abbey of Holyroodhoufe burnt by the Eng- broken j ^ ^

lifhmen 82 Argyle's anfwers, to the biQiop of St. An-

Abbot of Paiflay (of many names) arivcs from drew's articles j ^y

France 78 Argyle's charge, at death, to his fon anent

Abraham and feed, -while in, and freed of re^gion i^^,

bondage, differ 304 Argyle and L. James treat, for agreement at

Afl agaiail the mafs, the fayers and hearers Perth , ^^

of it 237 they both dcftrt the (^ regent, and

Aft abolifhing the pope's authority in Scot- avow it j ^ j

land ihid. Arithe, a friar, his fcrmon at St. Andrews 62

Ac'lfor deftrojing the monuments ofidola- Arrival of the Engliih fhips in the Enh of

try 244 Fortli ip-

A6t and proclamation for defence of the pa- Articles 34, againft profeifors of the truth ca

pias, 6t. 253 Articles of appointment at Leith, in July,
Afts anent the thirds of bifhop's rents, df, 261 ^559- 92
Adam Reid's bold and godly anfwers 54 Articles of Agreement at Leith, 6c. Jnno.
Adam Wallact^ his accufation and anfwers 1 1 5 ^S^o. 214
is burnt on the Caflle-Hill for herefy al- Articles and petition of the general affembly

ledged 116 to the queen, 6c. 310

Adminillration of the facraments in purity 250 Articles (fix) required to be ratified in parlia-

Admonition to the commonalty of Scotland 368 ment ^ ^ oj^

to the profefforsofthe truth in England 374 thefe articles anfwered by the queen

Second admonition and requeft to the Q^ nerielr, ^17

regent 181 Aflault made upon the French-meti in Leith,

Advertifement to the reader of God's juftjudg '^S^^- 7.1 1

ment 99 A/furance (or truce) a few days at Coupar-

Advertifement unto the profeflbrs of the truth 336 Muir j ^^

Agreement of this, with other reformed Augu^in's words, how kings fliouid fei vc

churches 333 Goa ^ o^^^

Ambaffador's letter, of negotiations, with Q^ Authority and power of kings Is not unlimited 441

of Scots at Paris. 245

AmbafTadors fent to England for conllant af- B
fiilance 233

Ambaflador from K, of Sweeden, for mar- "O A L FOUR (Sir James) diiTenibles and

riage with QJVIary 271 JD apoaatifeth **' " "' iq^

Anointing kings, fince Chrlft, the pope's in- Bands of matrimony between the queen i.nd

vention 54 Bothwel ' ^ o.-.j

it was formerly a figure of Chrift's they arc married with oficncc la May

unftion 306 1567 j^,;-

nd raifc

Atichrifi's great words and blafphcmies 103 prefsa bond, and raife men to dtiend

Appellation of John Knox to the eftates of them • 1^2

Scotland 34^ , Banquc&i.T

r.S I N D E X.

Banqueting and miith at the court inlleadof

moumiijg 295

Beaton (Ja-res) A. bidiop of St. Andrews,

ii plurality man 55
Bidiop oi" Glaigow's ridiculous fermon at Air 84
of St. Andrews letter of credit to

Argyle. 125

Bifnop? intrench on the king's humour and

fovereignity 68

■ pretend reformation infomecircumftan-

tials . 130
not feedinp- the flock are thieves and mur-

derers 289

Bhdphemy, and blafphcmous expreffions. ♦ 236
Blooti (hedders of chriflians, are guilty with

Cain, Gc. 453

Bond of mutual defence, in the caufeof reli-

' gion 289

BocA for defence of the young prince 341

Book of difcipline, or church policy, drawn

up

fubfcribed and approved in form

232
233

}3othwel (earl) takes Mr. VVidiart

■ robs Ormifton, bringing 4000 crowns

from Berwick 186
married to Huntley's fifler 228 divor-
ced from her 341
is preferred to all with the queen, after

D. Rizio 331
is hurt at the border, vifited by the

queen, and cured 334
his paffion could not await divorce of

the king 34^

— ^ is put to an alTize, for murdering the

king il^id'
pardoned, carrying off the queen, and

all other crimes 341

his challenge is accepted by feveral lords 344

~ declared murderer, and- loco crowns

bid for him il^iJ.

Brethren in Kyle remonfl.rate againft the mafs 3 1 2
Brochtie craig, why feiztd by the lords, 6^. 178
Buchanan (George) perfecuted, but efcapeth 69
.burning of the biiJ, a fign of recantation 68

CALF with two heads, flicwcd to

x^ the queen regent ^ 119

Calarr-nies of the queen regent, ngainfPthe

Lords, ■'^r. i?3

Calumnks may prevail for a time 1 80

Carbery- field, near Muflelburgh, not bloody 343
Cardinal Beaton's cruelty ere. noticed ,. bS

He is taktn and confined, but makes

his efcape ' 1^

fie imprifoned earl Rothes, lord Gray,

6c 81

His cruelty upon fome in St. Johnftoun ibid

His boafis of lecurity from his enemies j^8

His caflle is ftized 29 May 1 546, he iS

flain . 9()

Captives taken in the caftle are ill entertained. 1 1 2

Captives fet at liberty in July 1550 114

Cafile of St, Andrews befeiged in Augufl

until January 100

the heads of appointment with the be-

fiegers Hid.

Cartle befieged the fecond time, July, 1547 106
Cart le of Semple taken in, and why 233

Caufes moving the nobility to oppofe tyran-
ny, 6t. 179
Caufes why Chrirt's difciples knew not him 383
Caufes of fear in the ele6t 391
Caufes why faints be now perfecuted 399
Cecil's letter to John Knox, and the an-

fwer 202, 203

Ceremonies abide not the fire of God's word 105
Chalmers of Gaithgirth's bold words to the

queen regent 1 20

Charadfer of bifhops, wolves, thieves, mur-
derers, (ifc 244

of the Hamiltons, by cardinal Beaton 75

Chatellet and the queen were too familiar 280

her defire concerning him and his

death ibid*

Chrirt is ours, and hath done for us, 6c. 57

Chrifl: came not to the difciples till the 4th

watch 377

Chrirt and his word, in all ages mirtaken ibid.

He ales his wcwd, to relieve his people 386

Churchmen engage the king in a war with

Henry VIII 7 J

Church of malignants without the word 103
Church of Rome, is the queen's church that

fhe'll nurfe 256

Civil wars afford fome refpite to God's flock 66
Clawbacks enraged at abfolving Mr. Knox. 294
Cloths of the dead fall to the hangman 340

Coldinghame's lart! words, or meffage to the
• queen ' .< •■ 287

Comet, cidkd, fiery beffom, appears No-
vember 1554. ■• '(I19

Coining

Coining-irons, why flayed by the
■lords ■ ^59

CommifTioners fent to the Weft, by the gencr-
^alalTemblv ' ... ^^^

Commotions raifed by the Gordons at Aber-

, d"- ' ^^

Communication of the earl of Bothwel wieh ^^

John Knox ^ ^'

Communing with queen regent's party, at ^

Prertoun . i i

Communing the 2d, of John Knox with the

zoo

queen , , •

Comparilbn, betwixt faith, hope and charity 59
Comparifon between fathers and princes 25c

Complaint in prayer, with confed-.on 39^

Conclufion realoned and determined at Bono-

nia -^

Conclufions, five, proved by the reafcnmg

with Bothwel 3°7

Conditions, in admitting of councils and doc-

QOl

tors
Confeffion of faith, profcfTed in Scotland 221

Confederacy and league tnade with England 199
Congregation, the oppofcrs of popery, lo cal-
led ^'^"^
Gonfrregation and preachers flayed at Perth 142
Congregation comes to Edinburgh to reform 156
Conqueft of Scotland intended by the French 2c6
Contraa at Berwick, between Scotland and

England n. ^ '

Convention of the eflates at Edinburgh, 21 It

Oftober 1559 ^,. , , ^^^

Convention of the nobility at Edinburgh,

why o

Converfion of the queen doubtful to fome 29S
Convocation of leiges may be lawful or unlaw-
ful . u ll\
Correthy field, or Bara bank fight 2 ;0

Corruption prevails by carnal reafons 251

Coundl's anfwer to the queen of England 248
Counfel to the weak in faith in time ot trial 395
Coupar-muir, many affembled without blood, ^

in June £559 , , , , '^^^

Court-air, and holy-water inchanting to

254
Covenant, the firft at Edinburgh, 3d Decern- ^^

ber r c C7 "
Th€ iecond made at Perth, 31ft May •

150

-ii rhe third, or band ofdefence at St ir-

^^The fourth, at Leith. 27th April i 5^0 210
Covenant betwixt Scotland and England 21S

D E X.

S-':^9

Covenant or bond at Air, Anno 15O- 214

Creature can never difputc with God without fin 3 29
Crown martrimonial, a court folecifm the fe-

cond time 314

Cruelty of Scots whores, harlots to the

French 2 i ^

D

ANGERS, and dalliers with dames,
preferred at court - 294

David Rizio, an Italian, becomes great in

court 296
Familiar with the queen, nothing done

without him 31?.
Has over great familiarity, and is {u^^pec

ted 328

. He gets a feal, like the king's, to ufe

for him / ibid.

His charafter and carriage, while alive 329

He isflain (juftly p. 114) by nobles 9th

March 1566 ^ _ H^'uL

Dean John Annan declines difputation with

Mr. Knox. 10 1

Dean of Refialrig, a fpeaker of treafon againft

God 285

Death of Panter and Reid bifhop of Orkney 121
Death of a French plunderer in a tub 196

Death of Francis king of France, queen

Mary's husband 233
made alteration in France, England and

Sootland 255

Debates in the afiembly anent the fu plication 273
Declaration, or claim of the blind, lame, 6c.

againft friars 13®

Declaration of the lords againft the queen

regent's proclamation 176'

Defection general diftinguhird from particu-
lar 3^2-
Defence juft attd necelTary, againftcruelty and

tyranny ^45

Delivery of St: Johnftoun again refolved 1 54

Demands of the French ambafiador 24 1

D^^painure of the lords from Edinburgh to -

Stirling ^^9

Defpightfulnefs of the papifts at Edinburgh ibid.
Devirreigns by idolatry, fupperftition and -•

tyranny 3"^

Difference betvvTsen the perfon> and the au-
' thority ^ ' . M^

Difcipies fore afraid, tha' troubled at fea.beforesy^

Difco.Qfi.ture

54"^

INDEX.

Difcorntilure of the congregutlcn at

Ldth twke 287, 288

DUp'utation acceprted with condiiions 138

Diiilmalaiion, or inconftancy in queen Elila-

beth 326

Dlftributlon of the minifters to feveral places 2\li
Diverfe ways of deliverance of believers . 396
Divifion of the lords lands by the French in

fancy ^ ^7

Doftrine of obedience to rnagiftrates 1 7 2

Do(n-rines damnable, repugnant to fcripture 219
Duke Han:iilton's purgation by proclamation 281
Dunbar A. B. of Glafgow a fool, and the

cardinal proud 89

Duntibers, French dames, and priefts have

mafs 288

Dury, bifliop of Galloway, his infidel death 1 11
Duty of the nobility anent reformation, <tc 1 24
Duty to defend innocents and bridle tyrants 145
Duty of magiftrate^ declared from Rom. 13. 353
Duty of God's people to confefs him, <tc ^440
Duty of magifhatcs, required in the fcrip-

tures _ 404

Duty of people to covenant folemnly, as did

Afa, 6c. 2 Chr. 15 4^5

Duty of all Chrift's miniflers to refill every

ulurper, 6c, 4'^

EARL of Arran made governor, reafons
thereof 7^

oppofition made to him, he renounce th 78

is reckon'd Baftard, and earl Lennox

his rival ^ f^iJ

he joins with the congregation. 1 27

Earl of Glencairn's refolution provokes many 147

he hafteth with relief to St. Johnftoun 149

Earl Marifhal's vote, Vith folemn proteftation 231

Elifabeth quear* advauced to the crown cf

England 1 7 r

Enemies of truth, are oft great politicians 380
England's intcreft is not to let Scotland perifh 198

called htretick for renouncing the pope 71

their miftry may be a mirror to Scotland 366

their calamities by the Spaniih king 385

England's duty, in the days of execrable ido-

latrefs Mary
Engliihgct llrengths delivered to them
their help and fupport acknovvleged by

the Scots
Englifli army enters into Scotland for aid
Epiftk ro the reader, before Mr. Knox's

printed fermon
Equality iiluftrated by the equal offering,

Exod. 30.
El Heine, captain of the caftle is againfl the

lords
his plain words to the queen regent

Earl Huntley's odd prayer before battle
his corps brought to Edinburgh, he is

forfeited
Earl of Murray denounced rebel and Argyle,

6c
— ~' he is conftitue and proclaimed regent
Edorar the fir ft king anointed in Scotland,

1 100
Edinburgh burnt and fpoikd by the Englilh,

1 544
Edinburgh-caftle, as commanded, (lioots at

the tov/n
Edwiii-d VI. king of England, died 6th July

I - "f

412
83

196
210

43S

1 89
213

heii againfl the book of dilcipline, why 232

Elcape of Mr. Kirkcaldy and others from pri-

fon
Examples of the piiefls refifiing Uzziah

of Paul's appeal to Ctfar, improven

Examples extraordinary, conform to the law,

imitabie
of good king Hezekiah and Jofiah pre-

fented

thefe do pertain to chriftian powers

of the three children, Daniel and Ebed-

meltch

113
306

305

354
356

358

277
284

319

345

54
82

116

Exclamation againfl: England, by Mr. Knox 389
Exhortation by him to the lords, 6c. at Cou-

par 1 94

to the defied miniiler, or fuperintendent 239

to God's people in England in time of

trouble 396

Exhortation to England for embracing the

gofpel 409

Experience of Abraham, Ifaac, Jacob, David,

6c. 393

FACTS of Pharaoh, and of king Saul,
applied 146

Fa6ts of ancient prophets, pertain to our age 30©
Faftof a prophet, anointing Jehu to execute,

6c 305

Faith, what it is, whence, and how it a6leth 58
— — in Jefus Chrift, compared with incredu-
litv 59

. refteth

I N D E X.

270
119
404

237
174

■- refteth with God's people in greateft

danger 393

Faith I'Ot quenched by fear, danger, nor

doubting 395

Falaw road at All-hallow tide 1542, fruftrate7i
Famine and dearth for idolatry of rulers, ^c. 281
Fear is greateft, when deliverance is neareft 383
Fidd'ing and flinging, fiddlers and flatterers,

at court
Fi e fiom heaven burns corns in both realms
Flatt; rers in courts, a contagious peflileace
Form of the ele6>ion of fuperintendents, &c.
Fortification of Leith, by the French, alarms

al^
Fray among crofs bearers at Glafgow church 90
Frinch gallies, 20 arrive atSt. Andrews, 1 547 106

^^theirnavy 8i ftilps, e^f. arrive Jnno 1 549 1 10

their forces arrive in parcels 1 559 167

they come with their wives and children,

why 1917:

fliew their cruelty on aged, infirm, 6-c. 167

many drowned, while coming againft us 193

French captain with his band flain in Fife 195,
French wafte and deftroy towns and countries-

near Leith 209

Matrick's cruel faft at Glafgow i^d

French faftion, their pradifiHgs, to raife

new troubles 234

French ambaflador deals for peace to Both-

wel, <irc. 343
Frenzie difcovered in the earl of Arraa 269
Friar Forefl: burnt at St. Andrews i 526 66
Four friars, etc. burnt for profefling true re-
ligion i 68
two gray, moleft the people hearing Mr.

Wifhart ' 86
their oppulent convents fpoiled at Perth

1559 148

Froft unufual, fea not ebbing andflowing for

24 hours 295

Furrour (Alexander) his examination and an-

fwers 63

543-

GENERAL afl'embly of the church,
May 28 th 1561, fupplicate

In December that year, divifion of

lords at court
-t-r — In June 1 562, handle notable heads- of
order, efr.

In December 25 th the iamc year, great

complaints, etc:

144

2-59
271

27$

G.A. 25th December 1563, quick reafon-
mgs among members 204

G.A. in June 1564, fomc nobles alTift,
fomeaccufe minifters 206

'n December 1564, anfwers to P.
Methven's petition , 10

In July 1565, the church" national

prefcnt articles ,1^

In December 25 th this year, two heads con-
cluded , 27

Appoint public fafling in march itid

— — Met at Edinburgh, 25th June 1566,
fupplicate 032

Met there, December 25th that year,

why then ^24

Met in June ^567, fend letters to the

lords j4^

Agree on eight articles to be ratified in^

parliament ^d

George Wifhart (Mr.) came to Scotland in

»S44

8

George Wifliart's (Mr.) words in Dundee,

when prohibit preaching 84
He preached at Air, in Machlin-Muir,

<5rr. iMd

returns to Dundee in their calamity ibid '

Saves the prieft, fent there to murder

him 8^ .

■ Efcapes a 2d plot, Idid for this life at

Montrofe il,id
His prophecy anent himfelf, and 'thtt

church of Scotland ihid

He preached at Leith, at Invensflc, ^•c. 86

Threatned the^ friars that molefted the^-

people iiid
Denounced vengeance againft Haddingr,

toun 87

He tfi taken by BothrWel at Ormiftoun- 88

— — Is carried from Editibargh to St. An-
drews, 1 546 89
His Oration befefre. the prelates, p* 9or

and anfwers 92-
Unjuft fentence againft him, hrspwiyep^

before deathr 96-
His MaV-tyrdom, and feveral fentiments^

thereanent p^r
His words againft Haddingtoun. arc v&i

rifled. 1^4^

God craves that we ft^buld 6ppo»fe tniqnky,

drc. 30 J-
He' can and doth change, thiags ift a

moment 3,44

Ood's mefleogers may appeal from unj^ift (kn-^

2i- z-K- te«ic«,ifr

54-^

INDEX.

tences, and civil po->vcr9 ihould admit
their appeal and fup port them 34^

. His judgments appeaf to carnal men ri-
gorous 3^^

He brings not his people to trouble for

hurt 382

. His word hath power ^ad efficacy with

it 387

r- HiswGrksarefufficientrcafonforthem-

felves _ 392

' He is near to deliver, in extreme peril 393

— ' — His. word the only ground of true reli-
gion ^ 403
His promifes are the chambers, that

his people mufi: enter 45^

Coodraan (Mr.) a minifler, anfwered, and is

check'd 294

A goofe eaten on Friday, coft four men their

lives S2

'€!ordon, for purfuing lord Ogilvy, is impri-

foned 274

Gofpel, what it is, good tidings, ^ir^. 57

-Government of an ill woman is rage without

reafon 3^5

"Ground of the papiftical religion, time, coun

cils, multitude

Heads demanded of the qii-een rsgent by pfo-
teflants j 58

Heads of appointment: notified by- procUr^^a-
tion ^62

Heads that rule over the whole world are

two, Chrifl and Satan 4;^?,

Henry VIII. fends an ambaHador, to contract pei*-

petual amity betv/ixt England and Scot-
land, and marriage 77

He arrefts the Scots fliips, or. for

breach of contract ^p

Denounced war, kept merchants, 'Urc.

prifoners ihid

Henry king of France dies in his pride, 1559 1 60

Henry Stuart, lord Darnley, arrives in Scot-
land 1 565 j 1 1

Is made earl of Rofs, p. 317 duke of

Rothefay 310

Banns of his and the queen's marriage

proclaimed ibid

Their progrefs againft the proteftant

lords, ©T. 323

He is murdered 9th February 1567,

buried obfcurely 339

H

HAD D I N T O U N pofTefTed and forti-
fied by the Englifhmen 109

'Tis befieged, and a parliament held-

in the abbey there 1 549, in which they
conclude the young queen's marriage 110

The town almoft furprized by the

Frenchmen 1 1 1

— — ' ris infefted with peftilence and fa-
nzine 114

Halderig road upon the borders in 1 542 71

Haliburton, a captain, dies, confeffing his
Faith. 188

Mr. Patrick Hamilton is raifed a witnefs Jhn&

1527 55

•^— — His Determinations of the law, of

faith, ^c. 57

John Hamilton of Milburn, a famous clerk,

— His character, carriage, age and end 340
404 Hiilory of queen Mary wants policy here,

convoys a lie ibid

Honours which raagiflrates receive of God,

fhould move them to promote his religion 352
Hope, a truAy looking for things promifed 60
Hume-caftle recovered from the Englifh 1 la

Hypocritical oftentation of worldlings with

bibles 77

Hypocrites are made manifeft in the day of

trouble 37<5

KING James bom la Edinburgh-caflle
17th June 1566 332-

Rapiized at Stirling 17th December,

with pomp 334

Crown ^ ilfid. in July 1567 34^

Idol, ftock-Gile, or young St. Gile cafi:

down i2£

Idolatry is no way to be countenanced 117

illiterate 108 Idolatry aboliftied, and images broken ia
©uke Hamilton, ^c. againft the congrega Perth 143

tion at Perth 143 Ere<n:ed there again, contrary the ap-

Hamiitons againft Bothwel and the Marquis,

a fray, <irc.
Heads concerning religion concluded by the

pointment
266 Idolatry is introduced with the queien,- and

145

Ctt up

t2A

252

Tdoiatry tobe pumiW without refpea of
perfoiis . . 359

Idolatry ef a few brings wrath on the raulti-
tude . ^ . 361

Idolatry is the mother^f all vice and immo-
rality/ ,405

idolatry defended is deftruftion to princes

and pofterity 407

kreraiah's caufe and words applied by Mr.

'XT'

Knox . 30^

Jeremiah's cafe and appeal to the prtaces im^

proved , ,. -, j^^

Image of old St. Gile at Edinburgh abolillied 12a
Imagination by the queen called confcience 257
Imaginations corrupt (fo termed) and devout 23 2
Inhumanity of the mercilefs French at Leith 212
Inftruflions to the Scots commiffioners to

Berwick ^"^^

Intelligence with England grievous to the

queen regent ^7:>

Mr. John Craig's free and faithful dealing

withBothwcl, 6c. 34^

St. Johnftoun defends their liberty againit

lord Gray, 6c. r , r^u -a ^^

St. Johnftoun embraced the gofpel of Chriit,

I tj CO i4~

.. Their firft aflembly for defence of
preachers, 6c. . ^'^'^

Summoned to furrender, communing

there, 6c. '54

An Italian polTet, or French figs kill nobles 121
Judgment of the learned in all ages was free 2 5 5
Juft caufe of appellation, and what Is not juft 3 50

K

D E X. 543

March with 18000 to Dnmfiles a-

gainft the lords 325^

Kings may be refi&d lav, fuijy by the people 301

GulUy of crhriCj, faould fufFer as offen-

ders ^-V

Kiaghorn taken snd pcncfl by the F;-.2nchmen 194
Kirkcaldy of Grange valiant againfl the

French

ip:

KENNEDY and Ruffcl condemned by
biihop of Glafgow, 6c.
King James V. anfwer to cardinal, etc. accu-

fing the lords .
Foretels his own death, he died at

Falkland
King Henry's inconftancy and weakneis ob-

fervable . ,
He grows into contempt with the

queen, and all
Complains to the pope, and to popiln

prmces _, ^ •'*'•'

__ ispoifoned at Stirling, recovers at Glal-

gow •_«.

— - He and queen Mary prepare war.againft

(hows difpleafurc at Mr. Knox's fermoa ^M

6c}
72
74

331

il'id

Cuts the bridge of Tiliibody befori

them 19^'

Knave, Mr. Knox fo termed by a mitred
prelate 40 1

Mr, Knox enters the caftle of St, Andrcv.-s in
1547 lor

— His vocation to theminiflry by the peo-
ple il^id

— His firfl fermon againfi: antichrifl:,
pope, etc. 102

— Divers opinions of his forefaid fermon 103
■ — Articles drawn from his dofirine dif-
puted i^i(^
■ — Reafoning with the fnb- prior and friaF
Arbuckle 104

— Proteflation that he be heard, ere peo-
ple judge 106

— His fentiments of the caflle of St. An-
drews 107

— Is detained all winter in the French
gallies il'i^
—• Foretels temporal deliverance of, and
eounfels the captives 1 1 2
-— Deliver'd, preaches at Berwick, New-
caftle, London 113
.— Accufed of treafon at Frankfort, efcapes il)id
Returns to Scotland the end of har-

vefti555 '^'7

— - preaches frequently, fome nobles at-
tending him I i^
.— Called to Geneva, is burnt In effigie,

and appeals ^ ^ 9

.— His fecond call by the lords from Gene-
va, March 1556 122
.— His third vocation by lords and church
of Scotland ^25

Knox arrived from France, when preachers
were fummoned ^42

His oration to the lords at Perth, and

melTage to Q. regent M^

His refolution to preach, though threat-
ened, at St. Andrews 15^

His letter to the queen regent 26th Oc-
tober 15 59 '?.®

•uis

I N

— • Wis, judgnunt in the deprivation of

queen regent 1 83 "
-Uh fcrmon at Stirling on Pfal. Ixxx.

with application i8p
His letters to Sir W. Cecil, C^Elifabeth

and lords 204
His judgment upon fuffering the mafs

again 254
Anfv.'ers the queen's accufations againft

him 338
preached in Berwick, Ncwcaflle and

Londoii, iive years ii'id
His judgment of queen Mary, firft and

m 258
Judgment of the thirds of bifhop's rents

6c 263
His travels in the Wert, p. 275 letter

to Argyle 283

-^ His difcharge to the earl of Murray 284

~— " difcourfe of God's mercies, and man's

ingratitude 285

affirmation ancnt the queen's marriage ibid

Difcoune to the ladies at court 286

Form of prayer In three petitions 287

Letter advertifing the brethren toafTem-

bk 288
Called before the queen and council

thereupon 290
His defence againfl the charge of trcafon,

and anfwers, 294
Anfwer to Lethington. 297 His^ prayer

for the queen 298

i,- — Darefuftuin no. untrue pofiuon. on Rom

xiii, I. S-io

LA D Y Forbes Iiei- words on Huntley's,
difcomfiture 278

Lawder a priert, v/uh a roll of curfmgs, &c. 91
The law and golpel oppofed, as contrary. 58
The law, though pcrfeft, cannot give life

Through our imperfeftion 25-

A law againfl adultery, 6c. the guilty to be

carted 247

Laws- made, j^nno 1534, againft reformati-
on 66
Leafings of the fons of the father of lies 236
Lcith defer ts thfe congregation, and furren-

ders to the French r6o

' ^yhat title the queen has to Lcith, and

hov^ 177"

D E X,

Summoned by the lords, 25th October

I5S9 185

Beiieged three months by 8000 men 2ro

Earl Lennox and his lady imprifoned in the
tower, ere. 27 1

Lethington reforms the fupplication into flat-
tery ^ 274

His prayer before battle at Aberdeen 277

His politic pra(flice in England and

Scotland 287

He, with others, condemns Mr. Knox

of trealbn 29 1

Gives himfelf to the devil conditional-
ly 295

His harangue at the general aiTembly

1564 297

Letter with demands to the parliament 1558 139

1-etter to the queen regent by the congregati-
on at Perth 144

To the nobility of Scodand, monitory

6r. 145.

To the peflilent prelates and Shavelings

in Scotland 14^

— ^ — A third to the queen regent by the lords
2d July 1559 157

Of Lord James, in anfwer to the king

of France and queen 1 64

By the general aflembly to their breth-
ren in England, e^c. 338

Letter (with additions) to the queen regent
by Mr. Knox; 398

Letters to queen regent by the nobility. 172
By lord James 175

Letters minatory to I>. Ofel, and other French
men of war 204

To the Q^regent, t^ earl of Argyle and

lord James 213

• By the K. and Q^ of France to lord

James, feigned 163,

Liberality of lordjames, earl of Murray, for

the public 237

Lindfay (Sir David) of the mount, with the
reformed 10 1

Lockhart (Mr. Robert) his negotiations for the
queen regent 180

Ldlards of Kyle, of whom 30 are accufed
6c. 53

Lord James ambafiador, eicapes danger at
Paris 244

Lords letter to Icvd Erfkine, captain of the

Q2i{\k,6c, ■ ■ ■ 173

Theii"-

i 'N D

Lords, their firft letter to Sir William CecU,
anent fupplies '99

They abide part at Glafgow, part m

Fife 204

Their anfwer to the French ambafla-

dor's demands ^44

Divide from the brethren in the gene-
ral afTembly ^97

Get no fupport or fupply at Edinburgh 321

Lords of the congregation, the chief nobility
are exiled 3 ^y'

Lords abfent are fummoned againft a fet day ibid

, not compearing, all mufl be attainted

6c. 328

return on the king's letter, after Davie's

<!eath ac. 33°

M

MAGISTRATES fuperior and in-
ferior, their power is God's ordinance 229
Ma]ice of the devil compared to the ftormy

wind , . 378

Maitland of Lethington, how and why he left

Leirh

His mockage of God in his mefiengers

Marriage conti a6tcdby commiflioners, betwixt

king Edward VI. and Mary queen of Scots ;

the contracft figntd, etc.
Marriage of lord James, earl of murray
Marriage of Henry Stuart and queen Mary

July 19. 15*^5

Mary of Lorrain, wife to king James V. arriv-
ed 1537

Mary queen in England, and Mary regent m
Scotland, both ill

Made of Orleans, dancing, mufic, etc.

Mafs cannot be defended by the papifts etc.

One is more teriible than loooo en-
emies

. 'Tis the invention of men, an abomi-
nation

Bended up again with all mifchicvous

folemnity.
Is the fountain of all impiety and im-

188
219

78

265

320
68

116

266
236

254
257
258

morality 272

Mafs-mongers taken and brought to judgment 283
Mafter of Maxwel's difcharge to John

Knox, etc. 289

Mafter of Maxwel's words in the general ai-

fembly , , 298

Merriment of an EngliOiman at St. Gile's fray x 2 1

E X. 545

A merry faft, a painted lady caft into the ri-
ver 112

Miln (Walter) condemned and burnt, 1558 139

Minifters of Chrift not to wait on the court 27 1

Miniifers have a double battle to fight, etc. 29^

Their complaint to God againfl mock-
ers ibid

Supplicate the king and queen for their

flipends 324

■ Admonifhed of their duty by one's con-
teflion 37^

Modificators oftheminiftersffipends appoint-
ed 264

Money received from England by the lords
etc 205

Money demanded of Edinburgh by the court
in Loan 324

Monks preach againft the bifhops vices. 6?

Monuments of idolatry, great edifices demo-
lifhed 145

Mammling pfalters, or reading homilies, can-
not feed hungry fouls 416

Murder and whoredom difcovered at court 294

N

A Navy of Ihips arrives at Leith, 3d May
1544 8^

Neceffity of general afTemblies in the church 260
Negotiation betwixt the queens of England

and Scotland 271

The nobility abfolve Mr. Knox of all crimes

allcdged 293

Nobles are born, and fworn protestors of

commons _ * 84

. They feek money in loan at Berwick,

etc. 18^
They being abfent, are denounced re-
bels, etc. 3J*
Norfolk (duke of) treats with the lords at

Berwick 206
his comfortable melTage to the be-

fiegers of Leith 2 1 2
Notes by Mr. Knox, on Matth. xiv. 22, etc. 374
Four notes on the end of the ftorm and

trouble 3^3

o

BEDIENCE unto princes mufl: not
be unlawful 4°^

^ a a a Obftiaac-y

54<^

INDEX'.

Obfliascy aad great bli<i(ingfs in fmners 3 88

Occafion painted with a bald hind-head, why 284
Occunencesfrom 1567, when this hiftory

ends, till 1 644, when it was printed, are
^ exhibiie in the epiftle prefatory iii, xii

Offer oi the papiils, with referves, is rejec-
■ ted 108

Offer of found ^p^rijie with filvation to

Seoiiand 3.7^

Offers ot the profellants to the queen regent,

6~c. IS9

Oliver iiindair, lieutenant general at Holway

mofs road 74

' Is taken without fighting a ftroke, fly-
ing nianfully 75
— — compared to Beahadad at SaojariA, 300-

defeat 1000 ^ ^^'^

Oration and petition, Scots proteftants to

queen regent ^37

Order of monks and nuns, a new one

brocght in ^9?

Order of Paul Methven's repentance 33 2

PAPIST S cannot, or will not come to
difputation r "^^

I?afT;me3 of Mr. Knox's life and death, ^xprel-

fsd Pref. - ^^'^' ^° ^^

Paul Craw burnt with a^ brafs-ball in his mouth 53
Paul's faft anent a vow,' etc. unwarrantable 1 1 7
Paul Methven's fupplication to the general af-

fcmbly . .310

Parliament enaas reading the fcnptures m

ScotiOi 77

A Parliament lawful, and free without the

king's prefence j ^^^

Peace made between France, England and

Scotland ^ M

People may execute God's judgments on

then- kmgs : >^-)

Perfuafions^of courtie::s to fpare the queen's

idolatry ^5^

Peter was not faiihlefs, yet feared and fam-

ted ^ 393

. Confidered not his own v/eaknefs _ 388

Petition of the prot^ftants for rendering Perth 194
Petition of proteflants in other churches 347

Petition of John Knox, in anfwer to an ob-

je6>ion 35.2

The petition of fuch as be perfecuted by pa-

pifts ... 403

Pinky-deugh, or Friday's chafe 108-

Placeboes inform the f^rtigainft Mr. Knox .285
Flatter the queen and deal craftily with

him ■

29:

Poor of three fort, labourers, beggars-, mi-

nifters 272

Poulet the treafurer compared to Shebna, 6"c. 380'
Power not in the prince alone, but flates alfo '248
Power, and the perfon cloihed with it, dif-

fer far

301

Praclices of papifts to coyer wickcdnefs, (be. 106,

Prayer for a bleffing and affilfance to the e-
levied 2j8.

Prayer, v/ith a condirion or doubt, warrant-
able 3ipp

Prayer of the author, and hU exhortation to
others 383

Prayer book compiled by Abp. Laud, revifed
at Rome, Pref. viii

Preachers, Thomas Snilliam and John
Kough, imploy'd, 1543 76

Preachers in Scotland after king Edward's
death, 1553, who 116

7'he preachers all put to the horn as rebels 142.

Their admonition after Huntley's death 278

Their free preaching againft vice, cal-
led railino: ihid

Their defence, and foretelling judg-
ments on fome 275)

Preachers are called the fait of the earth, why 337

Prelates by their fruits proven evil trees 146

Prelates, fome left antichrift, and adhered
to Chrill 21.91

Prelates termed place holders of the miniflry il>id

Prelates claim prerogaiive and privilege in vain 36^

— — Hiftories Ihew whence they arrogate
immunity 364.

Maintainers of their privileges plagued

with them 365

Prefence of God, fymbclical and fpiritual
figns of it 37I'

The Prince is limited, his will is not law 214, 21 5

Princes mifmformed- againfl God's fervants 255-

Proclamation by the queen regent to delude
the people 17 5"

Proclamation by the lords, anfweriag the o-
ther 1 7 *•

— ^ Of the agreement and peace, 8 th July
1560 _ -ii7

Proclamation by king and queen againft the
lords, as rebels 3^3

proclamation by the lords, declaring Both-
^yelmurd^,^ 342

2 N P E X.

— — Another by the queea on the contrary,

dff. 34?.

ProfefTjrs cf the truth called Lollards 2

Profe/fors of the gafpel caU^d the congrega-
tion 143

l^ronilfeof duke Hamikon, Huntley, ^r. to
the lords 162

Pn>phets touched poJicy, reproved corrupLl
ons thereof 172

Th. propiiets pr'uilegcs laved them not froin
death 359

Propofitions madi by the lords to the king
and queen 323

Two propofitions to be noticed by pinces 401

Profperirvracceedingafacl; Ihews it is approv-
ed, ho V 306

Profpcriiy for a tini: p'oves not rv4igion good 407

Proteftation made in parliament at Edinburgh
1558 140

Proteiiation againft the queen's mafs» cVc. 253

Proteftation in favours of the earl Boihwel
attainted 314

Proteftants their firfl petition in Scotland,
what 250

A proverb, luelcome Sir John tUL Jaciuary,
whence 161

A proverb on Pittarro the comptroller, dege-
nerate 264

Provoft of Edinburgh, ^^c.flain by theFrench-
tneu 211

Furgatory proven by the friar from Virgil 105

Q.

QU'EEN Mary born at Linlithgow, 8th
November 1542 75

Her marriage- contract ratified lecondtime 78

Re- contracted or fold to France in 1549 loi

Queen mother pafTeth to France with fomc

nobles 1 16-

Queen regent, with French faffion, decrees

war with England rip-

-p — - Grants fome liberty to the reformed,

with reflriftions 13^

-: Her blafphemy againft miniflers and

Preaching 141, 194;
Her hypocrify, malice, craft and falf-

hood evident 1.38, 142, 150, 1,65,
Her vow to dedroy Perth, and com-
plaint againft it 143
" Her falfe fgggcllioas agiiail the congre-

g^ioa. i»48

— Is freely warned of the danger and end
of her courfe

Scoilingat the lords requiring reforma-
tion

n

140

ton

Her falfe flattering letter to duke Hamil-

159

I go

— Her craft, praaifing upon all the
lords, 6-.. 204

Can n-'ake no promife fhe,can keep, or

the lo'd's credit

^5^ 179

Her letter and credit by lyon-herauld to

th lords, " 182

Qu jcn regent's order of her fufpenfion, and

ariicles againft her 1S2.
Deprivation intimate to her, v;ith the

council's letter igr,
Her joy and behaviour at the French

viflory, etc. igr
Her valedi61;ory maledi<51ion to ill coun-

fellors 2J I

— Her cruelty exprefl ?gainfl the prote-
flants 212'

— Her miferable death in the caMe, 9th
June 1560 213

— Her burial four months thereafter in . -

France 242

Queen of England's letter to the Scots lords,
etc. 247

Queen Mary's arrival from France, 19th Au-
guft I 561 252

With her came dolour, darknefs, and

all impiety ibid

Her firft practice is flattery, and pre-
tending confcience 254

Her firft confereace with John

Knox 254 to 256

She is amazed,, and her countenance al-
tered ibid

Her £ril progr.efs to Stirling, Perth,.

dx. 258

Her firfVfTay fancied in Holyrood houfe 259J

She difallows all conventions of the.

church ibid

• Her mirth and dancing until the mor-
ning 269>,

• Vifits the north, where devjfed troubles

arife 274^

Her marringe varioufly talked of by

many 2.78,-

Chides Mr. Kuox. fbr his ^jainnjefs ia:

gulgit, weeps 28^

liiiterates.

INDEX.

Liberates the imprifoned paplfls, vifits Reformation by the lords of St. Andrews, in

thewefl 287 1559 15^

— » Her carriage, when (he had Mr. Knox Of religion pertains to civil powers 354

a pannel 29 1 Belongs to all who hope for life evcrlaft-

Shews her pur pofe to marry lord Darn- ing 369

ly 3 "* ^ ^^ ^^^^ diforders, in England, is requir-

— Her letter to the town council of Edin- ed 415

5u,-ah 3^3 Reformers moved to take up the fword of juft

-^ Is once prefent at a proteftant baptifm defence 134

gf^^ 3 1 8 Relief brought by lords and lairds, to their

— Commands four proteftants to be in- brethren 149

carcerate, etc. ^"^'^ Religion and common- weal poftpon'd to in-

Writes circular ktt^ers to many of the tereft 284

lords, etc 3 'i 9 Religion among the people, attended with two

Is more afraid of fafting etc. than of inconveniences 41^

i 0000 men 3^7 Religion vain and idolatrous, what fo called 347

Declares ftie'U ftudy revenge of David Religion is to be tried by the word of God 368

Rizio's death 329 Rdigion corrupted, brings a corrupt life with

— Retires early, with the king, etc. to it 304

Dunbar privately 330 Remora to enemies defigns, by the D. of

Pardons all the attainted lords, to be a- Buckingham's death, pref. VII

venoed on flayers of David Rizio ihid Repentance requires that religion be reform'd,

— Bears a man- child in Edinburgh caftle, kept pure, 6r. 414

19 June 1566 332 Resby (Jamti) burnt 1422, for teftifying a-

Vifits Bothwel, lately hurt-, her paf- gainft the pope 53

fion at Jedburgh 334 Reward of dancers, faid to be to drink in

Grants the Proteflants petitions, and hell 270

wjiy 335 Right that princes have to churches patri-

— Goes to Glafgow to vifit the king re mony ^ 264
covering there 339 Riot committed in Edinburgh by three lords 265

— Pretends a neceffity to take arms a- Robin Hood, a foolifti play, turn'd to a pro-
gainft the lords, etc. 343 ^'^^^ 241

— Sends Bothwel ofF, and furrenders to Roger (John) a black friar, godly and learn-

the Lords, 6c. 344 ed is murdered 82

She is fent prifoner to the caftle in RymebyE, of Gleavern upon the gray friai:;s 70

Lochlevin i^^d

Subfcribes a renunciation of the crown,

6l: 34? S
Queftion if the queen's Idolatrous mafs may

be hindred 258, 303 ^ AN DI L A N D S of calder, the church's

C^caionsanentreformation,withanfwers 134,200 ^ commifiioner to (^ regent 136

Sands (Anoiew took two French (hips in the

R Firth of Forth 195

Satan has obtained two things of the world

RAITH, (the laird) fuffers death, for what 354

writing to his fon m Scales made in St. Giles church for fcaling

Readers not allowed to adminifter the facra- Leith 185

ments 339 Scoon fpoiled and burnt, in June 1559 155,156

Reafoning between the queen and John Knox 281 Scroll of the nobility, held hereticks by pre-

Reafoning betwixt fecretary Lethington and lates, given K. James 72

him 29 7 to3o8 Security of the EngUlh, belieging Leith flays

Reconcilutioa betwixt the earls of Arran and many 240

Bothwei 2<)8 fentencc

I N D E X.

51p.

Sentence pronounced agalnll Mr. Knoxappeal- Sufpenfion of the Q^ regent from authority,

cdfrom 347 prodaimed ' i8c

Sharp fen tence againft idolaters, executed 390
Sermon preached by Mr. Knox, upon Ifa. rp

xxvi. 13, err. ^39

Seton (Alexander) a black friar's poHtions con- ^ARBART priefl. ferved with Eafl-

cermngthehw, c^. 64 ^ er- eggs on the troie '^'^^^^^\^

Seton s acculation, and bold witty anlwer to - *'^ ^'^

the billiop ihid

His letter to K. James V. from Ber-

wick 6^

Sheep at length know the voice of their paf-

tors 388

The niip tofled is a figure of Chrift's church 378
Sinclair, dean of Reflalrig, his hypocrify de-

te<5led 128

Sklrmlfh with the Frenchmen at petticur 194

Skirmifhingat and nearDyfort with the French 195
Skirmifhing at Leith, where 300 French fell

firft 210

Slaves of Satan, how princes are fo termed,

6'f. 300

Spaniards be the fons of pride and fuperftiti-

on 386

Speaking of an old matron, when Scoon

burned 156

Spence of Condie condoles Mr. Knox's ca]e 290
Stirling taken by the lords, preventing the

French 1 56

Straiton and Gourley, two gentlemen, burnt

1534 67

Subje6ls nolefs bound to believe than kings 269

■ May require true preachers from rulers 372

• Do offend oft with their princes, how

fo 373

• They (hall be puniOied with their prin-
ces why ibid

Supplication of the proteflants to the parlia-
ment 2 1 9

To the council, requiring feveral arti-
cles 243

Of the profefTors of the gofpel, for juflice 265

■ By the aflembly to the queen againif the

mafs, 6c. 271

Againft idolaters, mafs-mongers and o-

thers 3 1 2

Of the miniflers to the queen for their

flipends 332

By the general afilmbly to the lords, a-

gainft wrong <6c. 336

Support fought by the lords from England,
and why 17^

eggs uii me crone 3

A tempefl of wind and rain impedes the army's

march ^22

Temptations of God's people in Enriand

^554 " 335

Thankfgiving for deliverance from the French 21 8
Thieves on the borders, 50 taken and execut-

i!*^ . 271

Threatenings qualified without any flattery 367
Throgmorton comes ambaffador from Eng-
land .1^.

Tippet, furplice, d^c. badges of idolatry 338
Tithe of fifh demanded by bilhops agents 67

Tokens of love between the two queens 310

Townfmenimprifoned for Davie's death 331

Tranfu-bftantiation overthrown by Th. Cranmer 3 7^
Treafon among the council, 1559, dilcover-

ingalL 186
Treafon it is, to conceal treafon in others 26S
Treatife of juitification by Mr. Balnaves, print-
ed 1584" 112
Trial of Pairi Methven's adultery at Jedburgh 279
• He is convidl, deprived and excommu-
nicated ii^iJ
ri al of one's faith, in declining times, etc. 39-
Tuefday's chafe near Haddingtoun, 1 544 1 1 o
The tyranny of the Frenchmen is hatef^ul to

the Scots
Tyranny, cruelly contrived and praflifed
Tyrants cannot ceale toperfecute Chrift's mem-

21 [

234

bers

3sr

U, V, w.

TH E unfaithful are all in bondage to one
tyrant 300

Unthankfulnefs it is, to conceal the gifts of

God 3^6

Unthrifts of the time, and court chaplains ad-

moniflied 269

Varience betwixt the earl of Murray and John

Knox 280,

"Viftory to be found in the crofs of Chrift 328

Vifions of Sir James Hamilton and Thomas

Scot, to K. James V. 69..

H b b h. The.

^■^Q

I N P E X'.

iR>ne tyrants.

The vocation of God, mak-

Votes anent removal of the queen's mafs
Whoredom and idolatry agree well together
Whofo can, and delivers not the innocent, is

guilty
Why ? and what produce a fad affirmitive
Why all are held guilty of common corrupti-
on
Why no lawjs executed againft the Gentiles,

idolaters
Why God lets tribulation abound and continue 384
Why Peter was fufFered to fink, and to fall after 393

We have lefs pretence of excufe than

Peter had 394

Wickednefs of bifhops is {helteredat the court 1 78
'Wickednefs muft fometime declare itfelf, ^c. 386
Will ruled, inftead of law, <bc. at the court 3 24
Willock (Mr. John) his 2d return to Scotland 1 20
• difcourfe anent the Q^regent's fufpenfion 1 82

233
212
302

302
361

Windphefter upbraided of treachery andt in-
gratitude 3'86

Wind that blew in the days of K. Henry YUI. 378

Windram (Mr. J,phn) his fermon againft hg-
rdy, etc. po

Word of God, ancient laws and councils, fafe
Topicks 347

Is powerful, moves great multitudes

Ibmetimes 390

Words of the dying Q^ regent may warn o-
ther princes 213

Works tho' good, make us not right^eous, nor
good, ^c. 60

Worldly princes are conjured againft God, (^c. 394

When the gofpel was embraced by the Scots,
and how ; the denominations of the cbuntry
and people, of the Culdees; of Paladius,
enthralling the church to Rome ; paflages
of hiflory in the feverai ages, thence until
the reformation. Pref. p. xxiv. to 1.

CONTENTS of the Books of Discipline and Form

of Process,

TH E books of difcipline
1 he preface
AfVs of the general aflembly
A(fl of parliament
The firft book of difcipline
The firft head of do6lrinc
The explication of the firil head
The fecond head of iacraments

465

467
472
482
484

ibid
485

ibid

The third head touching the aboliiihing of

idolatry 486

The fourth head concerning minifters, and

their lawful eleflion ibid

What may unable any perfon, that he may

not be admitted to the miniflry 487

Explication ibid

Admiffion ibid

For readers 488

The fifth head concerning the provifion for
minifters, and for the diftribution of rents
and pofleffions j«ftly appertaining to the
church 489

The head for the fuperintendents 490

The names of the places of refidence and fe-
verai dioceiles of the fuperintendents 49 1
The eleftioa of fuperintendents 49 i
For fchools • 493
The aeccfTity offchooT? ibid

The times appointed to every courfe 494

Of the erection of univerfities ibid

Of readers, and of the degrees and time of

ftudy ibid

Of the flipends and of the cxpences neceflary 496
Of the privileges of the univerfity 497

The fixth head of the rents and patrimony

of the church ibid

The feventh head of ecclefiaftical difcipline 499
The order for public offenders 500

Perfbns fubjeft to difcipline 501

The eight head touching the eleftioa of el-
ders and deacons ibid
The ninth head concerning the policy of the

church 50J

For prophecying, or interpreting of the fcrip-

tures 504

Of marriage 50^

Of burial 507

For reparation of the kirks ibid

For punifhment of thofe that profane the fa-

craments <i;c. 508

The conclufion 509

Aft of the fecret council, 17th of January
Jnm 1560 510

The fetond book of difcipline 5 1 1

^ Of

r 0 N T E N

^

s.

*M

9f the policy of tl>e kirk aad perfons and of-
fice-bearers to whom the adnaiaiftratioa is
committed 51a

How the •'perfons that bear eccleftaftical func-
tions are to be admitted to their office 513

Of office bearers in particular, and fiill of
payors and minifters 514

Of doctors, and their office, and of the
fchools Wid

Of elders, and their office 5^5

Of the elderfhips, aflemblies, and difcipline ibid

Of deacons and their office, the laft ordinary
function in the kirk 517

Of the patrimoney of the kirk, and diftribu-
tion thereof ibid

Of the office of a Chriftian magifhrate in the
kirk 518

Of the prefent abufes remaining in the kirk,
which we defire to be reformed ibid

Certain fpecial heads of reformation which we
crave 520

The utility that flows from this reformation
toalleftates 52 s

524

ibii

An aiTt of the general a/Tembly approving a
form of procefs, 6"c.

The form of procefs

Chap. 1. Concerning church government,
difcipline, <bc.

Chap. 2. Concerning the entering of pro-
cefs, citation of parties, <bc.

Chap. 3. Concerning fwearers, curfers, drc. 526

Cmap. 4. Concerning the fin of furnication,
adultery, <bc. e^-j

Chap. 5. Concerning appeals from a kirk-
fcflion to a prefljytry, he. r2d

Chap. 6. Concerning profefTcs, which na-
tively begin at the kirk feffion but are not to
be brought to a final determination by them 530

Chap. 7. Concerning procefTes againft mini-
lUrs

Chap. 8. Concerning procefTes in order to
the cenfure of the greater excommunica-
tion

Chap. 9. Concerning the order of proceed-
ing to abfolution 534

53^

532

Aa

An alphabetical List of SUBSCRIBERS NAMES.

A

William Allan ftaymaker in Newport
Robert Auld mafon there
Mifs Janny AUifon in Thornhill
Alexander Ainflie one of the prefent baillics of Jed-
burgh
John Addle junior coal-hewer at Jordan-hill
John Aitkin weax'erin Kirkintilloch
William Adam wright in Birbiflown
Robert Adam miller in Houflon
John Angus wright in Carlellown
David Angles wright there
James Aitkman fhoemaker in Glafgow
James Adam of Burnhoufe
John Adam baxter in Buchlyvie
James Adam weaver at Honeyhome
Thomas Adam weaver in Glafgow
Johil Anderfon fmith there
Thomas Aitken weaver there
.Robert Auld fmith in Dairy
Patrick Anderfon wright in Greenock .
Walter Aitken tennent in Dalmuir
Bartholomew Agie papermaker there
Alexander Alexander farmer in Braid
James x'^relkine wigmaker in Dundee
John Anderfon ropemaker there
George Archer tayior there
William Anderfon weaver there
j^naArnot in Byrehills
Colin Aiifon merchant in Montrofe 7 copies
Alexander Anderfon tenant in Balmoffie-mill
Robert Airth in mains of RoiTie near Montrofe
William Allan in Munch hill
\Vm. Anderfon itrvt. to Mr. Faukonerof Mounton
Tames Anderfon at mill of little Kethwick
Thomas Aitkin merchant in Kirkaldie
William Ainflie tenant in Clitough
William Aitkin late deacon of the weavers Glafgow
Robert Archibald weaver in the Gorbals
John Allan in Dalvait Bonnill
Tohn Adam in Kirkintilloch
B
r|-^He Revd. Mr. James Beatie minifter of the

X gofpel at Mary town
Alexander Buchanan of Auchinmar
Colin Buchanan cuflomhoufe officer at Greenock
John Baird printer in Glafgow
John Brown tayior in Byrehills
Alexander Bontron wright there
David Balfouj- in Bonnyfide
John Blfiet at Innergowrie
John Brown dyer in Dronly
Alexandfv Butchard there.

Baily Butchard merchant in Arbroath

George Blair at Cluny coal-work

John Bell at Cadham in Fife

James Black merchant in Anftruther

Alexander Bruce mefTr. there

John Bell there

John Brown wright in Pittenweem

John Bell there

William Bogie farmer

Robert BolwtU late balllie of Jedbnrgi;.

William Brown late treafurer there

James Black merchant there

James Birnie fmith in Newport

William Boyd ropemaker there

Alexander Barnhill maltman there

John Brown merchant there

William Black fmith in Thornhill

James Bowie fmith there

John Baird mafon in Glafgow

Robert Barr maltman there

James Boyd cooper there

Robert Buchanan tayior in Newport 3 copies

John Bell bookfellerin Edinburgh 2 copies

William Buchanan fmith in Glafgow

James Burns fhoemaker there

David Brownlees millner at Clayflap

Robert Beveridge coal-hewer in Partick

James Barr papermaker in Dallholm

William Buchanan coopar in Kirkintilloch

Robert Buchanan merchant there

John Brown tenant in Muckrat

Malcomc Brown in Lenox-mill

William Blair in Calpilfown

John Brown tenant in Coft

Andrew Brown millwright in Campfie

John Brown brewer's clerk in Glafgow

James Brown clerk to the king's Shugarhoule there

Jamt!sBalloch tenant in Blarelkyth

Archibald Buchanan weaver in Glafgow

James Buchanan fhoemaker there

Andrew Brown toll-gatherer there

George Buchanan wright in Keirhill

John Buchanan merchant in Balfron

John Baird merchant in Fintrey

James Brown in Coldavie

John Ballantine wiight in Ligat

John Buntin farmer in mains there

Duncan Buchanan carrier in Tomadow

Robert Buchanan wright

Robert Bryfon wigmaker in Glafgow

William Burnfide weaver in Pollock Shaws

John Burnfide fmith there

I\'Iiingo Brown merchant in Cmnnock

Hugh

SUBSCRIBERS NAMES.

5^3

Thomas Buchanan officer of the fait- duty at

Inverkeithing 1 4 copies
iiiigh Brown merchant in Dairy
Wiiliam Biggert weaver in Bulbie
Mr. Robert Brown fchoolmaller ai Stevenflon
]ames Brown taylor in Dundee
Euphan Boyd there
Andrev/ Black weaver there
Williaia Beaty taylor there
James Binns currier there
Peter Bell chapman there

c

\ Lexaader Copland of Collifton Efq ;
J\ Mr. John Chalmers macer to the court of Ex-
chequer
William Cornfoot farmer
James Clark mafon

Patrick Cefcr merchant in Collinsburgh
Robert Cation mafon in Anftruther
Thomas Cuverhill merchant in Jedburgh
Mr. Robert Chiiholm fchool mafter there
Robert Cherry plaifterer in Newport
James Colquhoun taylor in Fartick
Elizabeth Colquhoun indweller there
James Corbet gardlner at Killcrmoot
William Coklay pott painter In Glafgow
James Clark faddle- tree-maker there
John Calder tenant in Baldoran
John Chambers in Sandyhole
William Campbell weaver in Glafgow
Elizabeth Cowper relief of Wiiliam Aitkmaa mail-
man there
Robert Colquhoun at Touch 1 2 copies
Peter Campbell in Stirhng
Andrew Carrick fewer in Buchlyvie^
Tames Connel weaver in hill of Balgalr
John CaiTels farmer in Arngibbon
John Cochran merchant in Glafgow
Francis Caldwell flioemaker there
Thomas Chambers junior taylor there
Robert Cherres weaver in Calton
Thomas Cherres weaver there
Alexander Chrichton in mill of Meufe
Patrick Currans taylor in Dundee
Alexander Cowper there 2 copies
Alexander Campbell merchant there^
James Cowper raaltman there 2 copies
Patrick Crichton writer there
Alexander Collie printer there
Baillie Thomas Crichton merchant there-
Robert Carmichael tenant in Byrehiils
Tames Carmichael tenant there
Mr,. WnUam Craigliead fchocOaiafe at MoaiiietH

John Chalmers in Ealyth
Alexander Cockburn baxter in Fiuierrow
James Cairncrols at Mounton
William Gumming coal grieve in Fusfat
Robert Craig cooper in Glafgow
Robert Craig late deacon of the hammermen theiA.-
D

SI R Archibald Denham of Weflhill Bart.
The revd. Mr. John Duncan minifter of
the gofpel at Alloa
James Dick papermaker at Ballgray
Andrew Dunn tenent in Binn
James Dick weaver in Forebank
Robert Downie in Campfie
William Downie weaver in Kirktown
Alexander Dunn tenant in Spitlehill
John Dunn tenant in Townhead
Robert Downie horfe-fetter Glafgow 2 copies
Alexander Downie weaver there
Robert Downie farmer in fpittle
Andrew Dryfdale coal grieve at Bannockbura
John Dunn farmer in wefter Gartcaron
John Duncan baker in Glafgow
William Dalgleifli in Drumcragie
John Dougal weaver in Calton
Robert Donald innkeeper in Glafgow
James Dick wright in Pollockfliaws
James Douglafs Haymaker in Kilmarnock,
Prober t Diekfon tidefman at Greenock
John Douglafs farmer in Balwhandraa
William Dunn farmer in Hunterflon
James Dick farmer in Glenfide
William Dorat fhoemaker in Dundee
Robert Dorat flioemaker there
Deacon Duncan weaver, there
Daniel Dewars weaver there
John Donald junr. weaver there'
James Dewer in Cluny-mill
Walter Dryden malon in Lcchmabeir'
Mrs. DIckefon

Archibald Douglas late baillie of Jedburgir
James Duff brewer in Newport
John Duff brewer there

Alexander Donaldfon (hoemaker in Thornhi.5
John Darling weaver in Glafgow
James Deans currier there
George Deans weaver in Shaws-
E
A Ndrew Eulng tenant in eafler Gartcaronr-
I\ Thomas Edmond merchant in Partidt:
John Eadie cork-cutter in Glafgow _
Alexander Euing portioner of Ledrffe
Alexander Euing portioner of Balloch);

^M SUBSCRIBE

Robert Ednaond tenaAt in ByrtliiFs

F
OEvi Mr. John Fergufoii minlfter of tl^
J-V gofpel at Port
The revd. Mr James Frafer mmifter of the

gofpeJat Abefs
Archibald Freebairn mafon in Partick
James Freebairn junior mafon there
James Farrie in BaJgrochan mill
John Fergnfon tennant in JvPOriftown
Mr. JohnFinlayfon fchoDlmafler in Killearn
^ exander Forlyth fear, coal-hewer at Bannockburn
Alexander Foriyth junr. coal-hewer there

iTf^''"^^' "''^°=' at Lint-mill of Arnfinlay
joleph Forre/ler farmer in Gar tagruder Kilmaro-
nock

Bonald Fergufon fhoemaker In BJairfefnoch

John fergufon farmer in Letter

William Folder fifher at Leven

Hugh Fernle weaver in PollockOiaws

Worge Fife merchant in Dundee

John Falconer merchant there 2 copies

James Finlayfon there

William Fife taylor there

William Forbes there

William Folds weaver there

Alexander Fleeming weaver in Byrhills

James Ferrier printer in Edinburgh

John Fergufon flioemaker at Lochmaben

James Fleeming merchant in wefler Anftruther

James Fearn brewer in Newport

Alexander Fergufon weaver in Thornhill

Alexander Fergufon wright there

John Finlay wright there

Malcome Fleeming Clerk in Cumbernauld

Wilham Ferrier coal- hewer in Byres

John FiHier tennant in Balantone

THe revd. Mr. William Gibb miaifler of
the gofpel at Balmeny in Fife
William GalbraithofBlackhoufe
John Galbraith taylor in Ballafark
William Galbraith farmer in Garfland
Hugh Galbraith tenant in uppermains of Buchly-
vie

James Galbraith flaxdre/Ter in Muirhead of Arn-
finlay

William Galbraith baker in Glafgow
James Galbraith wright in Newport
Jaro.es Graham wright in Glafgow 2 copies
L)owgal Graham printer there 2 copies
Archibald Glen pot painter there
John Gillies pot painter there
John Gemmel weaver there

R S N A M E S.

John Gilhllan in Kirkintilloch
William Gilhllan wright in Baldow
James Gibb portioner in Bahnore
Alexander Gillies junior brick layer GlaTgow
Michael Grieve (hoemaker there
Alexander Gardiner of wefter Balfunning

Dowglafs in the parifh of Drymen in Lennox
Alexander Gilfillan carrier in Balgair
Helen Gibfon in Bent of KilfaiTet
John Gilfillan fewer in Buchlyvie
John Gardiner flaxdreffer at Auchintroig
John Graham inn-keeper in Inverougles 2 copies
Mr Walter Graham charity fchool mailer at Aber-

roil

James Gray weaver in Glafgow

John Gillies weaver there

Wniiam Gilchrifl dyer in Kilmarnock

William Gardiner brewer in old Kilpatrick

Patrick Gillefpie officer of excife at iitevenflon

Thomas Gibb maltman there

James Gillefpie baker in Newport

James Glasford cooper there

James Gilmour weaver in Cumbermuld

H

HEnry Hall of Hall head Efq ;
John Hamilton of Grange Efq ;
The revd. Mr. John f lill minlfter of the gof-
pel at St. Andrews
John Henderfon faddle-tree-maker in Glafgow
Robert Hill workman in Partick
Hugh Hamilton fervant at Ballgray
George Henderfon faddle- tree maker Glafgow
James Hamilton brewer in Kirkintilloch
James Hamilton fervant in Towr
James Haldan tenant in the land of Balquarrage
John Harvie tenant in Gribloeh
James Henderfon at Bi(hop bridge 4n Calder
Robert Harvie tenant in townhe!d Gargunnock
John Harvie tenant in Muirhead of Arnfinley
John Harvie weaver in Dcepflon
David Haldan fmith at Porjt
John Harvie weaver
David Henderfon ^v■right In Glafgow
James Howflon hammerman there
John Haniilton barber there
Mr. Francis Holden fchoolmafter at Bonill
John Hart mafon in Poliockfhaws
James Howfton wright in old Kilpatrick
Alexander Howfton miller at Dalnottar mila
John Hutton taylor in Dundee
James Henderfon weaver there
John Hutton weaver there
William Hendry weaver there

Charles

SUBSCRIBERS NAMES.

Charles Halckn printer in Edinburgh

Robert Henderfon in Couper of F'iXe

John Hope in Glenoucher

James Ho^rg at Mountoun

William Hodge baker in Anftruther

Mrs. Halliday

Raines Maftwell one of the prefent baillies of

"^ ^Jedburgh

George Huggans miliar in the Wefl-mill
I

THe revd. Mr. George Johnfton mi-
nifter of the gofpel at Monickie
John Johnfton mafon in Govan
William Jarvie coal-mafter at Pollockfhaws
Matthew Jack cooper at Greenock
David JobfoD writer in Dundee*
Alexander Juftice baker there
Thomas Jackfon weaver there
Adam Johnfton Cuftomhoufe- officer there
David Johnfton weaver there
Alexander Irvine printer in Glafgow
George Johnfton weaver in Shaws
K

MR. John Knox preacher of the gofpel at
Thornhill
Robert Key miller in Fintrey
John Kincaid in Miltown
William Knox tennant in Carnoch 2 copies
Robert Knox Gardiner in Stirling
Bartholomew Kn^x at Bannockburn 1 2 copies
David Kirk merchant in Alioa
John Key in Arnmanwell
Joha Ker farmer in Arngibbon
Thomas Kinloch weaver in Edinburgh .
James Kirkwood weaver in Caltown
John Kyle portioner of Cubriefhaw
John Kelfo taylor in Dundee
William Keith fhoemaker there
James Key ienior fhipmafter there
James Kings weaver in Crail
Matthew Kirkland baker in Glafgow
Andrew Kirkwood in Eaft barns Hadddinrrtoim ihire

D\v\d Lind of Baillyholl Efq; Clydfdale
James Lockhart merchant
Walter Leney fhoemaker in Arnmore
John Lapflie lint-drefler in Clayflap
William Lyle coal-hewer at Jordan- hili
Robert Law papermaker at Ballygray
Gilbert Lang portioner in Bogghead
James Lang wright in Newport
John Lang wright there
Robert Lang of Sixton
WiUter Lang baker in GUfgow

555

David Lighten weaver in Glafgow
Robert Loudian In Balanton-
John Leney fmith at Balfioa
Milliam Leney farmer in Park of Cramanan
John Leney in Shean
John Leney merchant in Tomard
John Leney fiioemaker in Garten ftary
Andrew Leney of Redlairdfton
Mifs Margaret Leitch, daughter to Robert LtLich

late bailhe in Glafgow
John Logan Boat-man at BonlU
Jean Logan in Kilmaronock
Hugh Lyle miller in Stevenfron
Henry Leik carpenter in Greenock
Archibald Lecide fhoemaker in Dumbarton
John Lockhirt farmer in Bogg
John Lamb fliipmafter in Dundee
M

MR. Thomas Mafon preacher of the gof-
pel at St. Andrews
The revd Mr. James Mitchell minifter of the

goipel to the AfFociaie congregation at Balfron
The revd. Mr. James Mitchell minifter of thegof-

pel in old Aberdeen
Colin M'ken^ie of Montgerald Efq;
David Marfhall at Hoptonhoufe
Daniel M'Leod of Kilmorice Efq ;
John Maxwel excife ofHcer in Auchtermuchtv
Charles Merrylees vintener in Clayflap
Robert Millar fhoemaker in Partick
John Millar dyer in Partick
James M'Ledoe weaver there
John Muir papermaker there
Thomas Millar taylor there
Robert M'Lintock merchant in Glafgow
Alexander M'Laren merchant there
James Millar tenant in Head-dikes
David Millar tenant in Mains
James Marfhall of Watfhood
John Marfhall portioner in Balmore
James M'Kirro coal grieve at Camplie
Archibald M'Kirro mafon there
John M'Arthur fhoemaker in Calton Glafgow
John M'Vey portioner in Kirkintilloch
John M'Nnab tenant in Wylicsfauld
Robert Morifon tenant in Birbifton
David Millar of Forans merchant there
James Morifon weaver in Glafgow
Andrew M'Lehofe weaver there
Peter M'Adam weaver there
John M'Farland weaver there
William M'Alafter land labourer there
James M'Adam brewer in Balantons

T\Hi:iarH

5S^

SUBSCRIBERS NAMES.

William M 'Gibbon farmer in Balkngrue
?>Iary Marjoiibanks merchaat in Thornhill
David Modralof Muir miln
William M'Farland fervant to Badendailech
James M'Arthur fmith at Poublack
John Millar officer to Culkroich
Thomas Murray in Stirling caftle
George Mercer multerer at Tiliybody miln
Walter Morifon (hoemaker in Gargunnock
Thomas M'Laws v/orkmaii there
James Millar tenant there
Robert Meban merchant in Stirling
James Marlhall Ihoemakex there
Andrew M'Luckie tenant in Gartree
WiliiaiTi M'Lay fewer in Buchlyvie
James M'Gowan maltman there
William M'Dowallbookfeller in Greenock 1 6 copies
Alexander M'Adam weaver in Glafgow
James M'Gil deacon of the hammermen there
Daniel M'Allum printer there
Mr. Alexander M^Kechnie fchodmafler there
John Muir of Garfarii
.Alexander M'Aulay wig maker in Glafgow
Mr. John Morgan writer in Edinburgh
James M'Kirdie napkin printer in Mill-brae
James M'Millan weaver in Shaws
Thopas M'Gowan carrier in Balfron
John Murdoch fmith in Clayflap
James MEuan merchant at hill of Balgair
William Millar tenant at Ballachairn
Mr. John Mitchell fchoolmafter in Kllmaronock
James M'Kean fewer there
James M'Aulay maltman at Bollamschall
Andrew M'Kay tenant in Offrance of Gartfaraa
Andrev/ M 'Gibbon maltman in Dykehead
John M' Gibbon farmer in Arnelerich
John MGibbon farmer in Mains
Andrew M'Gibbon farmer there
William Morifon miller at Cardrofs
John M'Farland tenant in Gartur
John M'Kcrracher farmer in wai d of Goody
John M'ifaac cooper in Kilmadock
William M Gibbon farmer in Garden
Andrew M'Ewen farmer in neither Ballaird
Daniel Morifon weaver in Glafgov/
NielM'Brayn manager to Mr. Stirlings faftory there
Robert Maxwell taylor there
James M'Kenzie weaver there
Mr. James Moiiach writing mailer and accomptanjt

there
AlLn M'Rocket dyer there
W illiam M Dowal dyer there
James M'Gilchrift weaver in Caltowtt
T",h;> I/rLawj journeyman taylor inGlafgpw

Mlfs Agnes Mackie there

Mrs. Murdoch there

Alexander Maxwel wright in Bn.chr.n.^n

Robert M'Farland tenant in Arachy

John M'Gregor tenant in mains of Buchanan

John Mathie farm.er in Stevenfton

John M'Govin merchant in Mauchlan

James Meuros bookfeller in Kilmarnock i 2 copies

James Mitchell baker in Grttnock

William M'Kellar cooper there

James M''Liefli fmith there

John Muir portioncr of Drummiln

John M 'Quaker herd in Corsbie

William Malcom weaver in Weil: Kilbride

David M 'Queen fhoemaker there

William Miln taylor in Dundee

William Millar merchant there

Peter Matthew flioemaker there

Daniel M'Dugal currier there

Thomas Moodie weaver there

John Miln weaver there

David Matthew weaver there

James M'Ewen weaver there

David Millar wigmaker there

Thomas Moor founder there

Thomas Morgan vintner there

Charles Methifoa weaver there

Thomas Millar merchant there

John Mowat tenant in Pitmillo

John Morifon bookfeller in Perth 1 3 copies

Henry Moodie wright at Balbanie near Arbroatli 6>

copies
Mr. James Mitchell fchoolmafter at Creich
Robert Mardial in Craigrothie
John Mackie merchant in St. Monans
Mr. John Martin precentor in Anftrutherr
Samuel M'Kenzie weaver in Thornhill
John Menzies weaver there
James M'Kenit© weaver there
James Marjoribanks fewer near Thornhill
George Millar cooper in Glafgow
Gilbert M'Onechy fmith there
Andrew M'Kean fhoemaker in Anderfloo;
Pvobert Moor five-wright in Rutherglen
John Morifon wright in Caltown
N

THomas Neilfbn tenant in BalmenoGh-
David Neil weaver in Glafgow
Alexander Norie tenant in Carnoch
William Neilfon tenant at Meeting- houfe
John Neilfon weaver at Gokland-miia
John Nairn weaver in Caltown

John Nivea weaver ia Greeaock

lokn

SUBSCRIBERS NAMES.

John Norwal boat-man at Perth
John Nofs in Hofpital-miln
Mrs. Nairn

o

MRs. Orme millener in Dundee
James Ogilvie Taylor in Glafgow
P

Robert Perrie mafon in Partick
Mungo Provan tenant in Ballingdroich
William Pollock' in Eaglefome
John Patrick merchant in Barnicaflk in England,

3 copies
George Paterfon fhoemakcr in Gargunnock
Thomas Prefton weaver in Paffley
Andrew Paterlbn fhoemaker in Glafgow
Robert Paterfon workman thiere
James Paterfon weaver ia PoUockfhaws
Gavin Peacock weaver there
James Paterfon officer for the laird of Suceoth,

for the lands of Dalnotter
John Paul farmer in Carlieth
James Paul farmer in Old-Kil pa trick
David Pollock over-feer of the light- houfe of littJe

Commera
William Paton maltraan in Dundee
John Paton weaver there
Thomas Paul currier there
Alexander Paterfon v/eaver there
James Pinkerfton at Grange gate- fide Edinburgh
James Paton at-Cluny coal-hill
Baillie James Peat merchant in Anftruther
James Parker (hoemaker in Newport
James Pc^iock mafon in Glafgow
James Paterfon fmith in Carntin
Gabriel Park hillman to Lightburn coalwork
William Purden wright in Glalgow

R

TH E revd. Mi- Gtorge Reid minlfler of the
gofpel at Ochiltree

William Ruflel printer in Glafgow

David Richardfon weaver in Partick

John Rankin mafon there

James Robertfon lint-drefler there

James Robertfon' mafon there

Robert Rankin tenant in Champleftown

Thomas Reid portioner in Carleftown

James Ranki'a wright in Campfie

John Rankin flax-drefler there
John Richmond weaver in Glafgow
Patrick Robb tackfman in miln oFGefTaatllly
James Robertfon tenant- In Gribloch
Thomas Rae tenant in Gargunnock
William Robertfon Efq; Stirling
Robert Ki(k tolman in KiHj'th-

557

William Reid in Auchinbowie

John Robertfon farmer in Garden

William Robertfon wright there

William Roger taylor in Caltown

James Ruat wright

Archibald Robertfon boat-man at Bonill

John Ritchie in Kilmarnock

Robert Reid fmith in Old-Kilpatrick

James Reid fmith in Crawford's dyke

Archibald Reid fmith in Dumbarton

John Rafide of Wood- fide

Thomas Robertfon farmer in Careling

John Rafide farmer in Raftily

James Rafide junior in parifli of x^rdruflan

George Robertfon weaver in Dundee

Peter Rankin flioemaker in Leven

James Redpath in Collington.

Andrew Reid

David Rodger merchant in St. Monans

James Robertfon merchant at Thornhill

James Ruflel portioner in Cumbernauld

s

TH E revd. Mr. James Scot miniftcr of th&
gofpel at Mu thill
Mr. Andrew Smith fchoolmailer in Partick
Robert Storrer at Flifk
Walter Scot baker in Edinburgh
James Stocks merchant in St. Monans
John Spence wright in Newport
William Smith painter there
James Shaw horfe-hh-er there 2 copies
James Scot ftioemaker there
Andrew Summars maltman near Thornhiil
David Steven fon baker ia Glalgow
Baillie John Simfon of wefter Balloch
John Smith pott painter in Glafgow
Robert Steven wheat miller at Partick
Mark Scot of wardhill
Alexander Stevenfon mafon in Burnfide
John Stirling fervant in Tour
John Smith hammerman in Gonockan
John Struthers maltfter in Glafgow
John Stirling portioner in Kirkintilloch
James Scot fmith in Glafgow
Mr. Andrew Stuart portioner of Norriftoa.
John Spittle merchant in Thornhill
John Stevenfon in Arnfinlay
James Sands farmer In Whitehiil
James Sands farmer in Cragan
Robert Sands in Arnvicar
John Stuart weaver at Gardrofs/
Robert Stirling
Archibald Smitlr
loha Shiiray fartner in Newbura

D d d d «Qf>erc

58

SUBSCRIBERS M. A M E ^.

Robert Shirray in Knowhead

James Scott

John Stuart weaver in Pollock Shaws

Robert Spear portioner of Dalgarven KilwiDnrng

parifn
Donald Shavv fawer In Greenock
John Shearer boatman in Crawfords dyke
Robert Scott farmer in Woodfide
James Spence Gardiner in Dundee
Patrick. Smith merchant there
Jofeph Syme taylor there
Wiliiam fteel fnoemaker there
John Scobie (hoemaker there
John Suttor weaver there
William S tor month (liilor there
Patrick Smith wig- maker there
David Simfon weaver there
William Scott merchant in Windy-miin
John Smith indweller in Edinburgh
Robert Simfon at Drumelzier
David Swan in Markinch
Thom.as Smith in Fife

T
Ohn Todd weaver In Glafgow
Andrew Telford pot- painter there-
James Thomfon pot- painter there
William Tannoch mafon- in Kilwannet
Charles Taylor farmer in ArnvicaE
George Taylor in Ballengreu:
Peter Taylor weaver in Rufkie
David Thomfon- farmer in Inchie

John Taylor baker in Glafgow

William Taflie (kinner in Shaws

James Thornfon weaver in Caltowa

John Thomfon- %^'Teaver there

Duncan Taylor boat-man in Cardrofs

]ames Thomfon Taylor in PoUockfnawrs

William Taflie mafon. there

William Telfer weaver in Greenock

William Thomfon weaver in Stevenfto®

Mrs. Thomfon; in Dundee

Alexander Thain baker there

Henry Tullo maltman. there

Alexander- Thomfon weaver there

George Taylor maltman in Thornhill

u

J Ames ¥re in; Hbnyhome
Archibald Ure in midd Glenbog;
.James Ure tenant in Arngibbon
John Ure merchant in Arnfiniay
James Ure weaver in Ballavorift
Andrew Ure there
William Ure tenant in Blarfefnocb

w

He revd. Mr. James Wright minifter of the
gofpel at BJalrlogie

James Wilkie merchant in Pailley

Alexander Weir bookfeUer there

William Weroch taylor in Campfie

James Walker baker in Rutherglen

Jofeph WhitehlU printer In Glafgow

James Wallace printer there

Thomas Walker mafon in Govan

Patrick White land-labourer at Jordanhill

John Wilfon weaver in Wardhill

William Wilfon in eafter Balgrpchan

Walter Wilfon weaver in Glafgov/.

George Wardrop weaver there

James Wardrop weaver there

John Wilibn Gardiner there

John Wordy tenant ia Polmeafe

John Watt flatter in Surling

Mr. Alexander Wingat fchoolmafler in Gargunnock

Robert Winchefler merchant in Kincalrn-

Duncan Wright tenant in Buchlyvie

Andrew Wright farmer in Gardea *'

John White weaver in Glafgow

George Wright baker there

Daniel Wilfon merchant there

Alexander WiUiamfon of Peters- hill'

Thomas Watt taylor in Glafgow

Mrs. Watfon there

George Walker weaver in Pollockfliaws

John White workman there

Elizabeth Woodfide fhopkeeper in GreenoGt

Alexander Wood mafon in Dundee

Andrew Waddel weaver there

Andrew Wright weaver there

Elizabeth Watfon In Drumfhirdy muire

James Wallace weaver near Markinch

John Wight tenant in Cowiland

James VVilkie mafon in Colllnglburghs

James Warn farmer

Thomas Winterup prefent dean of the guild ®f

Jedburgh
John Wright prefent conveener there
John Wilfon cooper in Glafgow
James Whyte weaver there

Y,

J Ames Young por- painter in Glaigoy;
David Young fervant to Balgaii'
James Voung weaver in Dundee
Thomas Young ftilpmafter there
James Young blackfmith in Leith
John Yetts there
James Younger wea.ver in Caltown

z

Ohn Zuill in wefter BalgrochaB

John Zulu taylor at Balfron
Thomas Zuill farmer in Garchei
Xohn Zuill ftaymaker ia Glafgow