History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland, Book 2 · Body of book two · Floating text 4 – Letter 15
At the Linkes of Leith, the 24 of July, 1559. It is appointed in manner following:
IN the first Congregation and their company, others then the inhabitants of the said Towne, shall remove themselves forth of the said Town the morrow at ten hours before noon the 25 of Iuly, and leave the same void and rid of them and their said company conform to the Queens Majesties pleasure and desire.
Item, The said Congregation shall cause the Irons of the Coyning-house taken away by them, be rendred and delivered to Master Robert Richeson; And likewise the Queens Majesties Palace of Halyrud-house to be left, and rendred again to M. John Balfour, or any other, having her Majesties sufficient power in the same matter, as it was resolved; and that betwixt the making of these Articles, and the morn at ten of the clock. For observing and keeping of these two Articles above written, the Lord Ruthuen, and the Laird of Pittarrow have entred themselves pledges.
Item, The said Lords of the Congregation, and all the members thereof, shall remain obedient subjects to our Lord and Ladies Authority, and to the Queen Regent in their place;In contemplation of these Articles, arose this proverb, Good day, Sir. John, till Ianury; Welcome, Sir John, till Ianuary. And shall obey all Laws, and laudable Customs of this Realme, as they were used before the moving of this tumult and controversie, excepting the cause of Religion, which shall be hereafter specified.
Item, The Congregation, nor any of them, shall not trouble or molest a Churchman by way of deed, nor yet shall make them any impediment in the peaceable brooking, enjoying, and uptaking of their Rents, Profits, and Duties of their Benefices, but that they may freely use and dispose upon the same, according to the Laws and Custome of this Realme, to the tenth of Ianuary next to come.
Item, The said Congregation, nor none of them, shall use in no wayes from thenceforth any force or violence in casting downe of Churches, Religious places, or apparell thereof, but the same shall stand harmlesse of them, unto the tenth day of January.
Item, The Town of Edinburgh shall without compulsion use and chuse what Religion, and manner thereof they please, to the said day; so that every man may have freedom to use his owne conscience to the day aforesaid.
Item, The Queen shall not interpose her Authority to molest or trouble the Preachers of the Congregation, nor their Ministry (to them that please to use the same) nor no other of the said Congregation, in their bodies, lands, goods, or possessions, Pensions, or whatsoever other kinde of goods they possesse; nor yet suffer the Clergie, or any other, either Spirituall or Temporall Iurisdiction to trouble them in any manner of sort, privately or openly, for the cause of Religion, or any other action depending thereupon, to the said tenth day of Ianuary within written; and that every man in particular live in the mean time according to his own conscience.
Item, That no men of War, French nor Scots, be laid in daily Garrison within the Town of Edinburgh, but to repair thereto to do thsir lawfull businesse, and thereafter to retire them to their Garrisons.
This alteration in words, and Order was made without knowledge and consent of those whose counsell we had used in all such causes before: For some of them perceiving we began to faint, and that we would appoint with unequall conditions, said, God hath wonderously assisted us in our greatest dangers: He hath stricken fear in the hearts of our enemies, when they supposed themselves most assured of Victory: Our case is not yet so desperate, that we need to grant to things unreasonable and ungodly;Note. which if we do, it is to be feared, That things shall not so prosperously succeed as they have done heretofore.
When all things were communed and agreed upon by mid persons, the Duke, and the Earle of Huntlie, who that day were against us, desired to speake with the Earles of Argyle and Glencarne, the Lord Iames, and others of our party; who obeying their requests, met with them at the Quarrell holes betwixt Leith and Edinburgh, who in conclusion promised to our Lords, The promise of the Duke and Earle of Huntly.That if the Queen brake to us any one jot of the Appointment then made, that they should declare themselves plain enemies to her, and friends to us. As much promised the Duke that he would do, in case that she would not remove her French-men at a reasonable day; for the oppression which they did was manifest to all men. This Appointment made and subscribed by the Duke, Monsieur Dosell and the Earle of Huntlie, the 25 of July, we returned to the Towne of Edinburgh, where we remained till the next day at noon, when after Sermon, dinner, and Proclamation made at the Market Crosse, in forme as followeth, we departed.
Forme of the Proclamations.
FORASMUCH as it hath pleased God that Appointment is made betwixt the Queen Regent and us the Lords Protestants of this Realme; We have thought good to signifie unto the chief Heads of the Appointment; which be these:
First, That no member of the Congregation shall be troubled in life, lands, goods, or possessions by the Queene, by her Authority, nor by any other justice within this Realme, for any thing done in this late Innovation, till that a Parliament hath decided things that be in controversie.
Secondly, That Idolatry shall not be erected where it is now at this day suppressed.
Thirdly, That the Preachers and Ministers shall not be troubled in the ministration, where they are already established, neither yet stopped to Preach wheresoever they shall happen to travell within this Realme.
Fourthly, That no Bands of men of War shall be laid in Garrison within the Town of Edinburgh.
The chief Heads of appointment concerning the liberty of Religion, and conservation of our brethren, we thought good to notifie unto you by this Proclamation; that in case wrong or injury be done by any of the contrary faction, to any member of our Body, complaint may be made unto us, to whom we promise, as we will answer to our God, our faithfull support, to the uttermost of our powers.
At this Proclamation, made with sound of Trumpet, were offended all the Papists: for first they alleadged, It was done in contempt of Authority. Secondarily, That we had proclaimed more then was contained in the Appointment. And last, That we in our Proclamation had made no mention of any thing promised unto them.Answer to th… complaint of the Papists. To such murmures we answered, That no just Anthority could think it self contemned, because that the truth was by us made manifest unto all, who otherwise might have pretended ignorance. Secondly, That we had proclaimed nothing which was not finally agreed upon in word and promise betwixt us and those with whom the Appointment was made, whatsoever the Scribes had after written, who in very deed had altered both in words and sentences our Articles, as they were first conceived: And yet if their owne writings were diligeutly examined, the self-same thing shall be found in substance. And last, To proclaim any thing in their favours, we thought it not necessary, knowing that in that behalf they themselves would be diligent enough. And in this we were nothing deceived, for within fifteen days after, there was not a Shaveling in Scotland, to whom Tenths, or any other Rents pertaineth, but he had that Article of the Appointment by heart, That the Church-men should be answered of Tenths, Rents, and all other duties; and that no man should trouble or molest them. We departing from Edinburgh the 26 of July, came first to Linlithqow, and after to Sterlin, where after consultation, the Band of defence, and maintenance of Religion, and for mutuall defence every one of the other, was subscribed of all that were there present.
The tenour of the Bond was thus:
WE foreseeing the craft and sleight of our Adversaries,The third Bond of mutuall defence at Sterlin▪ who trie all manner of wayes to circumvient us, and by privy means intend to assayle every one of us particularly, by fair heights and promises, therethrough to separate one of us from another, to our utter ruine and destruction. For remedy thereof, we faithfully and truely binde us in the presence of God, and as we tender the maintenance of true Religion, That none of us shall in time coming passe to the Queen Dowager, to talk or commune with her, for any Letter or Message sent by her unto us, or yet to be sent with consent of the rest, or common consultation thereupon: and how soon that either Message or Writing should come from her unto us, with all diligence we shall notifie the same one to another; so that nothing shall proceed therein without common consent of us all.
At Sterlin the first day of August, 1559.
This Band subscribed, and we foreseeing that the Queen and Bishops meant nothing but deceit, thought good to seek ayd and support of all Christian Princes against her tyranny,Note. in case we should be more sharply pursued. And because that England was of the same Religion, and lay next unto us, it was judged expedient first to prove them; which we did, by one or two Messengers, as hereafter, in its owne place, shall be more amply declared. After we had abided certaine dayes in Sterlin, the Earle of Argyle departed to Glasgow; and because he was to depart to his owne Countrey (with whom also passed the Lord Iames) to pacifie some trouble, which by the craft of the Queen was raised in his absence; he required the Earle of Glencarne, Lord Boyd, Lord Uchiltrie, and others of Kyle, to meet there, for some order to be taken that the brethren should not be oppressed; which with one consent they did, and appointed the tenth of September for the next convention at Sterlin.
…he first knowledge of the escaping of the E…rle of Arran out of France.While these things were in doing at Glasgow, Letters and a servant came from the Earle of Arran, to the Duke his father, signifying unto him, That by the providence of God he had escaped the French Kings hands, who most treasonably and most cruelly had sought his life, or at the least to have committed him to perpetuall prison: For the same time the said French King, seeing he could not have the Earle himself, caused put his younger brother,Let this be noted. a childe of such age as could not offend, in strait prison, where he yet remained, to wit, in the Month of October, the yeer of our Lord 1559. Which things were done by the power and craft of the Queen Dowager, at the time that the Duke and his friends were most ready to set forth her cause. These Letters received, and the estate of her two sons knowne,The just reward of the Du…e for leaving God. of whom one was escaped, and the other cast in vile prison, the Duke desired communing with the said Earle of Argyle; who partly against the will of some that loved him, rid unto the Duke from Glasgow to Hammilton, where abiding a night, he declared his judgement to the Duke, and to his friends, especially to Master Gawane Hammilton. The Duke required him and the Lord Iames to write their friendly and comfortable Letters to his son; which they most willingly did, and thereafter addressed them to their journey. But the very day of their departing, came one Boutancourt (from the Queen Regent with Letters, as was alleadged) from the King and Queen of France, to the Lord Iames, which he delivered with a bragging countenance, and many threatning words: the Tenour of his Letter was this:
The King his Letter to the Lord Iames.
MY Cousin, I have greatly marvelled when I understood the troubles that are happened in these parts. And yet I more marvell, That ye, in whom I had whole confidence, and who has the Honour to be so neer the Queen my wife, and has received from the late King my Father, from the Queen my wife, and from me such graces and favours that ye should be so forgetfull, as to make your selfe the Head, and one of the principall beginners and nourishers of the tumults and seditions that are seen there: The which because it is so strange to me, and so farre against the profession that ye at all times have made, I cannot well beleeve it. But if it be so, I cannot think but ye have been entised and led thereto by some persons, that have seduced you and caused you commit such a fault as I am assured you repent of already, which will be a great pleasure to me, to the effect I may lose a part of the occasion I have to be miscontent with you▪ as I will you to understand I am. Seeing you have so far deceived the esperance I had of you and your affection toward God, and the weale of our service, unto the which ye know, ye are as much and more obliged then any other of the Lords there. For this cause, desiring that the matters may be duely 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 cause me know the same by the effects, That you have another intention then this, which the follies by-past maketh me now to beleeve, doing all that ever ye can to reduce all things to their first estate, and put the same to the right and good obedience that you know to be due unto God and unto me.Brags …now. Otherwise ye may be well assured, that I will put to my hand, and that in good earnest, that you and all they who have done and do as ye do, shall feele (through your own fault) that which ye have deserved and merited. Even as I have given charge to this Gentle-man, present bearer, to make you know more largely of my part: for which cause I pray you credit him, even as ye would do my selfe. Praying God, my cousin, to have you in his holy and worthy protection.
Written at Paris the 17 day of July 1559.
The same Messenger brought also Letters from the Queen our Soveraigne, more sharp and threatning then the former: For her conclusion was; Vous en sentires la poincture a iamais.
His credit was,Note. That the King would spend the Crown of France, if that he were not revenged upon such seditious persons. That he would never have suspected such inobedience, and such defection from his own sister in him. To the which the said Lord Iames answered first by word, and then by writing, as followeth:
The Lord Iames his Letter to the King.
Sir,
MY most humble duty remembred, Your Majesties Letters I received from Paris the 17 of Iuly last, importing in effect, That your Majestie doth marvell that I being forgetfull of the graces and favours shewed me by the King of blessed memorie, your Majesties father, and the Queen my Soveraigne, should declare my selfe head, and one of the principall beginners of these alleadged Tumults and Seditions in these parts, deceiving thereby your Majesties expectation in all times had of me, with assurance, That if I did not declare by contrary effects my repentance, I, with the rest that had put, or yet putteth hand to this Work, should receive that reward, which we had deserved and merited.
SIR, It grieves me very heavily that the crime of ingratitude should b… laid to my charge, by your Majestie; and the rather, Th…t I perceive the same to have proceeded of sinister information of them (whose part it was not to have reported so, if true service past had been regarded.) And as touching the repentance, and declaration of the same by certaine effects, That your Majesty desires I shew. My conscience perswades me in these proceedings to have done nothing against God, not the dutifull obedience towards your Majesty, and the Queen my Soveraigne. Otherwise it should not have been to be repented and also amended already, accord…ng to your Majesties expectation of me. But your Majestie being truely informed and perswaded, That the thing which we have done, maketh for the advancement of Gods glory, without any manner of derogation to your Majesties due obedience; We doubt not but your Majestie shall be well contented with our proceedings, which being grounded upon the commandment of the eternall God, we dare not leave the same unaccomplished, onelyonly wishing and desiring, your Majestie did know the same, and the truth thereof, as we were perswaded in our consciences, and all them that are truly instructed in the eternall Word of our God, upon whom we cast our care from all dangers that may follow the accomplishment of his eternall will, and to whom we commend your Majestie, beseeching him to illuminate your heart with the Gospel of his eternall Truth,Note. to know your Majesties duty towards your poore Subjects, Gods chosen people, and what you ought to crave justly of them againe: for then we should have no occasion to feare your Majesties wrath and indignation, nor your Majesties suspition in our inobedience. The same God have your Majestie in his eternall saveguard.
At Dunbartane the 12 of August 1559.
This answer directed to the Queen our Soveraigne, and Francis her husband, the Queen Dowager received, and was bold upon it, as she might well enough, for it was supposed, That the former Letters were forged here at home in Scotland. The answer read by her, she said, That so proud an answer was never given to King, Prince, nor Princesse. And yet indifferent men, thought that he might have answered more sharply, and not have transgressed modesty nor trueth: For where they burden him with the great benefits which of them he had received, if in plain words he had purged himselfe; affirming, That the greatest benefit that ever he received of them,Note. was to spend in their service, that which God by others had provided for him; no honest man would have accused him, and no man could have been able to have convinced him of a lye; But Princes must be pardoned to speak what they please.
The residence of Iohn Willock in Edinburg.For the comfort of the brethren, and continuance of the Church in Edinburgh, was left there our deare brother Iohn Willock ▪ who for his faithfull labours and bold courage in that battell, deserves immortall praise. For when it was found dangerous that Iohn Knox, who before was elected Minister to the Church, should continue there: the brethren requested the said Iohn Willock to abide with them, lest that for lack of Ministers, Idolatry should be erected up again. To the which he so gladly consented, That it might evidently appeare, that he preferred the comfort of his brethren and the continuance of the Church there to his own life. One part of the French-men were appointed to lye in Garison at Leith, (that was the first benefit which they gate for their confederacie with them) the other part were appointed to lye in the Canon-gate, the Queen and her train abiding in the Abbey. Our brother Iohn Willock the day after our departure preached in S. Giles Church, and fervently exhorted the brethren to stand constant to the Truth which they had professed. At this, and some other Sermons was the Duke, and divers other of the Queens faction. This liberty of Preaching, and resort of all people thereto did highly offend the Queen and the other Papists. And first they began to give terrours to the Duke, affirming, That he would be reputed as one of the Congregation, if he gave his presence to the Sermons. Thereafter they began to require, That Masse might be set up again in S. Giles Church, and that the people should be set at liberty to chuse what Religion they would. For that said they was contained in the appointment, That the Town of Edinburgh should chuse what Religion they listed. For obtaining hereof were sent to the Town the Duke, the Earle of Huntly, and the Lord Seaton, to solicite all men to condiscend to the Queens minde, wherein the two last did labour what they could, the Duke not so, but as a beholder, of whom the brethren had good hope, and after many perswasions and threatnings made by the said Earle and Lord, the brethren stoutly and valiantly in the Lord Jesus, gain-said their most unjust Petitions. Reasoning, That as in conscience they might not suffer Idolatry to be erected, where Christ Jesus was truely Preached; so could not the Queen nor they require any such thing, unlesse she and they would plainely violate their Faith, and chiefe Article of the appointment. For it is plainely appointed, That no member of the Congregation shall be molested in any thing; That at the day of the appointment they peaceably possessed. But so it was, That we the brethren and Protestants of the Town of Edinburgh, with our Ministers the day of the appointment, did peaceably enjoy Saint Giles Church, appointed us for Preaching of Christs true Gospel, and right ministration of his holy Sacraments. Therefore without manifest violation of the appointment, you cannot remove us therefrom, untill a Parliament have decided the Controversie. This answer given, the whole brethren departed, and left the foresaid Earle, and Lord Seaton, then Provest of Edinburgh, still in the Tolbuith. Who perceiving that they could not prevaile in that manner, began to entreat that they would be quiet, and that they would so far condiscend to the Queens-pleasure, as that they would chuse them another within the Town, or at the least be content that Masse should be said, either after or before their Sermon. To the which, answer was given; That to give place to the devil (who was the chiefe Inventer of the Masse) for the pleasure of any creature,Note. they could not. They were in possession of that Church which they could not abandon, neither yet could they suffer Idolatry to be erected in the same, unlesse by violence they should be constrained so to do. And then they were determined to seek the next remedy. Which answer received, the Earle of Huntly did lovingly intreat them to quietnesse, faithfully promising, That in no sort they should be molested, so that they would be quiet, and make no farther uproare. To the which they were most willing, for they sought onelyonly to serve God, as he had commanded, and to keep their possession, according to the appointment: which by Gods grace they did, till the monethmonth of November, notwithstanding the great boasting of the enemy. For they did not onelyonly convene to the Preaching, daily suppl…cations and administration of Baptisme, but also the Lords Table was ministred, even in the eyes of the very enemy, to the great comfort of many afflicted consciences, and as God did strongly work with his true Ministers, and with his troubled Church: so did not the devil cease to inflame the malice of the Queen, and of the Papists with her. For that after her coming to the Abbey of Halyrud-house, she caused Masse to be said first in her own Chappell, and after in the Abbey where the Altars before were cast down. She discharged the Common-Prayers, and forbade to give any portion to such as were the principall young men who read them.The Queen Regents malice against poore men. Her malice extended in like manner to Cambu…kenneth, for there she discharged the portions of as many of the Canons as had forsaken Papistry: She gave commandment and inhibition, that the Abbot of Lyndors should be answered of any part of his living in the North, because he had submitted himselfe to the Congregation, and had put some Reformation to his place: By her consent and procurement was the Preachers Chaire broken in the Church of Leith, and Idolatry was erected in the same, where it was before suppressed. Her French Captains, with their Souldiers in great companies, in time of Preaching and Prayers resorted to Saint Giles Church in Edinburgh, and made their common deambulation therein with such loud talking, as no perfect audience could be had. And although the Minister was there-through oft times compelled to cry out on them, Praying to God to rid them of such Locusts, they neverthelesse continued still in their wicked purpose devised and ordained by the Queen, to have drawn our brethren of Edinburgh and them in cumber, so that she might have had any coloured occasion to have broken the League with them. Yet by Gods grace they behaved themselves so that she could finde no fault in them,Note. albeit in all these things before-named, and in every one of them she is justly accounted to have gaine-said the said appointment. We passe over the oppressing of our brethren in particular, which had been sufficient to have proved the appointment to have been plainly violated. For the Lord Seaton, without any occasion offered unto him, brake a chase upon Alexander Whitlam, as he came from Preston, accompanied with M. William Knox, towards Edinburgh, and ceased not to pursue him, till he came to the Towne of Ormeston. And this he did, supposing that the said Alexander had been Iohn Knox. In all this mean time, and while that moe French-men arived, they are not able to prove that we brake the appointment in any jote, except that a horned Cap was taken off a proud Priests head, and cut in four quarters, because he said, He would wear it in despight of the Congregation. In this mean time, the Queen, then Regent, knowing assuredly what force was shortly to come unto her, ceased not, by all meanes possible to cloke the in-coming of the French, and to inflame the hearts of our Countrey-men against us. And for that purpose she first wrote unto Duke Hamilton, in forme, as followeth.
The Queen Regents false flattering Letter to Duke Hamilton.
MY Lord and Cousin, after hearty commendations, We are informed that the Lords of the West-land Congregation intend to make a Convention and assembly of your kin and friends upon Gowan Moore, besides Glasgow, on Munday come eight dayes, the 28 day of August instant, for some high purpose against us, which we can scantly believe, considering they have no occasion on Our part so to do. And albeit we know the Appointment was made against and without Our advise, yet we accepted the same at your desire, and have since made no cause, whereby they might be moved to come in the contrary thereof. Like as we are yet minded to keep firme and stable all things promised by you in Our behalfe. We thinke on the other part, it is your duty to require them, that they violate not their part thereof in no wise. And in case they mean any evil towards Us, and so will break their promise, We believe ye will at the uttermost of your power convene with us, and compell them to do that thing which they ought, if they will not; praying you to have your self, your kin and friends, in readinesse to come to us, as ye shall be advertised by Proclamation, in case the Congregation assemble themselves for any purpose against Us, or the Tenour of the said Appointment: Assuring you, without they gather, and give first occasion, We shall not put you to any pains in that behalf. And that you advertise Us by writ what we may trust to herein by this Bearer, who will shew you the fervent minde we bear to have good concord with the said Congregation, what offers We have made them, and how desirous we are to draw them to the obedience of Our Soveraignes Authority, to whom you shall give credit: and God keep you.
At Edinburgh the tenth of August, 1559.
The like Letter she wrote to every Lord, Baron, and Gentleman, of this Tenour.
The Queen Regents Letter to the Barons.
TRusty friend, after hearty commendations, We doubt not but you have heard of the Appointment made beside Leith, betwixt the Duke, the Earle of Huntlie, and Monsieur Dosell, on the one part; And the Lords of the Congregation, on the other part: Which Appointment We have approved in all points, albeit it was taken without Our advise, and is minded to observe and keep all the contents thereof for Our part. Neverthelesse, as We are informed, the Lords of the Congregation intend shortly to convene all such persons as will assist them, for enterprising of some high purpose against Us, Our Authority, and Tenour of the said Appointment; which we cannot believe, seeing they neither have, nor shall have any occasion given thereto on Our part. But in case against all reason they should mean any such thing, We have thought it good to give warning to Our speciall friends of the advertisement We have gotten; and amongst the rest, to you, whom We esteem of that number, praying you to have your self, your kin and folks in readinesse to come to Us, and so forth, as in the other Letter above sent to the Duke, word by word.
After that by these Letters, and by the decitfull surmising of her soliciters, she had somewhat stirred up the hearts of the people against us, then she began openly to complain, That we were of minde to invade her Person,The practise of the Queen Regent. See how this agreeth with our times. That we would keep no part of the Appointment, and therefore she was compelled to crave assistance of all men, against our unjust pursuit. And this practise she used, as before is said, to abuse the simplicity of the people, that they should not suddenly espie for what purpose she brought in her new bands of men of War, who did arrive about the midst of August, to the number of 1000 men: The rest were appointed to come after with Monsieur de la Brosse, and with the Bishop of Ammians, who arrived the nineteenth day of September following, as if they had been Ambassadours:The arrivall of th French. But what was their Negotiation, the effect did declare, and they themselves could not long conceal; for by both tongue and pen they uttered, That they were sent for the extermination of all those that would not professe the Papist call Religion in all points. The Queens practise and craft could not blinde the eyes of all men, neither yet could her subtilty hide her owne shame, but that many did espy her deceit; and some spared not to speak their judgements liberally, who foreseeing the danger, gave advertisement, requiring that provision might be found, before that the evil should exceed our wisedome and strength to put fit remedy to it: For prudent men foresaw, That she pretended a plain conquest;Note. but to the end that the people should not suddenly stir, she would not bring in her full force at once (as before is said) but by continuall traffique purposed to augment her Army, so that in the end we should not be able to resist. But the greatest part of the Nobility, and many of the people, were so enchanted by her treasonable soliciters, that they would not hear nor credit the truth plainly spoken. The French then after the arriving of their new men, began to brag: then began they to divide the Lands and Lordships according to their owne fantasies;The division of the Lords lands by the French. for one was stiled, Monsieur de Argyle; another, Monsieur le Prior; the third Monsieur de Ruthwen; y…a, they were assured, in their own opinion, to possesse whatsoever they listed; so that some asked for the Rentalls and Revenues of divers mens lands, to the end that they might chuse the best: And yet in this mean time she was not ashamed to set out a Proclamation in this form: