History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland, Book 2 · Body of book two · Floating text 10 – Floating text 11
Articles against the Queen Regent.
1559AT Edinburgh the one and twentieth day of October, 1556.
the Nobility, Barons and Burgesses convened, to advise upon the affairs of the Common-wealth, and to ayd, support and succour the same, perceiving and lamenting the enterprised destruction of their said Common-wealth, and overthrow of the liberties of their native Countrey, by the means of the Queen Regent, and certain strangers her privie Counsellors, plain contrary to our Soveraign Lord and Ladies mind, and direct against the counsell of the Nobility, to proceed by little and little, even unto the uttermost ruine; So that the urgent necessity of the Common-wealth may no longer suffer delay, and earnestly craveth our support. Seeing therefore that the said Q. Regent (abusing and overpassing our Soveraigne Lord and Ladies Commission given and granted to her) hath in all her proceedings pursued the Barons and Burgesses within this Realme,The enormities committed by the Queen Regent. with Weapons and Armour of strangers, without any Processe and order of Law, they being our Soveraigne Lord and Ladies true Lieges, and never called nor convinced of any crime by any judgement lawfull. As first, at S. Iohnston, in the monethmonth of May, she assembled her Army against the Towne, and the Inhabitants thereof, never called nor convinced of any crime, onelyonly because they professed the true Worship of God, conform to his most sacred Word. 2. And likewise in the monethmonth of June last, without any order or calling going before, invaded the persons of sundry Noble-men and Barons with force of Armes, convened at S. Andrews, onelyonly for Cause of Religion, as is notoriously known, they never being called nor convinced of any crime. 3. Again, laid Garrisons the same monethmonth upon the Inhabitants of the said Town, oppressing the liberties of the Queens true Lieges: For fear of which her Garrisons, a great part of the Inhabitants thereof fled from the Towne, and durst not resort again unto their houses and heritages, untill they were restored by Arms; they notwithstanding never being called nor convinced of any crime. 4. Further, at that same time did thrust in upon the heads of the Inhabitants of the said Towne, Provest, and Bayliffs, against all order of Election, as lately in this month of September she had done in other Towns of Edinburgh and Iedburgh, and divers other places, in manifest oppression of our Liberties. 5. declaring her evill minde towards the Nobility, Commonalty, and whole Nation, she hath brought in strangers, and daily pretends to bring in greater force of the same, pretending a manifest Conquest of our native rooms and Countrey, as the deed it self declareth; in so far, as she having brought in the said strangers without any advise of Councell and Nobility, and contrary to their expresse minde sent to her in Writing, hath placed and planted her said strangers in one of the principall Towns and parts of the Realm, sending continually for greater Forces, willing thereby to suppresse the Common-weale, and liberty of our native Countrey, to make us and our posterity slaves to strangers for ever; which, as it is intolerable to Common-wealths and free Countreys, so it is very prejudiciall to our Soveraign Lady and her Heirs whatsoever, in case our Soveraigne Lady decease without Heirs of her Person. And to performe these her wicked enterprises, conceived (as appeareth) of inveterate malice against our whole Countrey and Nation, caused (without any consent or advise of the Councell and Nobility) to coyn lead Money, so base, and of such quantity, that the whole Realme shall be depauperate, and all Traffique with forraigne Nations everted thereby. 6. Again, she so placeth and maintaineth against the pleasure of the Councell of this Realme, a stranger in one of the greatest Offices of credit in this Realme, that is in keeping of the Great Seal thereof,Her daughter followed the same, for to Davie was delivered the Great Seal. wherein great perills may be ingendred to the Common-weale, and Liberty thereof. 7. Further, lately sent the Great Seal forth of this Realme by the said stranger, against the advice of the said Councell, to what effect, God knoweth. 8. And hath also by this means altered the old Law and Custome of this our Realme, ever obser-served in the Graces and Pardons granted bo our Soveraigns to all their Lieges, being repentant of their offences committed against their Majesties, or the Lieges of the Realme. And hath introduced a new captious stile and form of the said Pardons and Remissions, conform to the practices of France, tending thereby to draw the said Lieges of this Realm, by processe of time, into a deceivable snare, and further shall creep in the whole subversion and alteration of the remanent Laws of this Realme, contrary to the Contents of the Appointment of Marriage. 9. And also Peace being accorded amongst the Princes, retaineth the great Army of strangers, after commandment sent by the King of France to retire the same, making excuse that they were retained for the suppressing the attempts of the Lieges of this Realme; albeit the whole subjects thereof of all estates,Note. is, and ever hath been readie to give all dutifull obedience to their Soveraignes, and their lawfull ministers proceeding by Gods Ordinance: And the same Army of strangers not being paid in wages, was laid by her upon the necks of the poor Commonalty of our native Countrey, who were compelled by force to defraud themselves, their wives and children, of that poor substance which they might purchase with the sweat of their brows, to satisfie their hunger and necessities, and quit the same to sustain the idle bellies of her strangers; through the which, in all parts rose such heavy lamentation and complaint of the Commonalty, accusing the Counsell and Nobility of their sloth, that as the same oppression we doubt not hath entred in before the Justice Seat of God, so hath it moved our hearts to pity and compassion. And for redresse of the same, with other great offences committed against the publike weale of this Realme, we have convened here as said is: and as oftentimes before have most humbly and with all reverence desired and required the said Queen Regent to redresse the said enormities,Note. and especially to remove her strangers from the necks of the poor Commonalty, and to desist from enterprising of fortification of Strengths within this Realme, against the expresse will of the Nobility and Councell of the same; yet we being convened the more strong for fear of her strangers, who we saw presume no other thing, but with Arms to pursue our lives and possessions, Besought her to remove the fear of the same, and make the Town Patent to all our Soveraigne Lord and Ladies Lieges. The same in no wise would she grant unto, but when some of our company in peaceable manner went to view the Towne, there was both great and small Munition shot forth at them. And seeing therefore that neither accesse was granted to be used, nor yet she would joyn her self to us to consult upon the Affairs of our Common-wealth, as that we be borne Councellors to the same by ancient Laws of the Realme: But fearing lest the judgement of the Counsell would reform, as necessity required▪ the aforesaid enormities, she refuseth all manner of assistance with us, and by force and violence intendeth to suppresse the Liberties of our Common-weale, and of us the favourers of the same. We therefore, so many of the Nobility, Barons, and Provests of our Boroughs, as are touched with the care of the Common-weale (unto the which we acknowledge our selves, not onelyonly borne, but also sworne Protectors and Defenders, against all and whatsoever invaders of the same) and moved by the foresaid proceedings notorious, and with the lamentable complaint of oppression of our Commonalty, our fellow members of the same. Perceiving farther, That the present necessity of our Common-weale may suffer no delay, being convened (as said is) presently in Edinburgh, for support of our Common-weal, and ripely consulted and advised, taken the fear of God before our eyes, for the causes foresaid, which are notorious, with one consent and common vote. Every man in order his judgement being required, in the Name and Authority of our Soveraign Lord and Lady, suspend the said Commission granted by our said Soveraigne to the said Queen Dowager,Note. discharging her of all Administration or Authority she hath, or may have thereby, unto the next Parliament; to be set by our advice and consent: And that because the said Queen, by the foresaid faults notorious, declareth her selfe enemy to our Common-weale, abusing the Power of the said Authority, to the destruction of the same: And likewise we discharge all members of her said Authority from thenceforth; and that no Coyn be coyned from thenceforth, without expresse consent of the said Councell and Nobility, conform to the Laws of this Realme, which we maintain, And ordaine this to be notified and proclaimed by Officers of Arms, in all head Boroughs within the Realm of Scotland.
In witnesse of the which our common consent and free Vote, we have subscribed this present act of suspension with our hands, day, yeere, and place aforesaid. Sic subscribitur. By us the Nobility and Commons of the Protestants of the Church of Scotland.
After that this our act of suspension was by sound of Trumpet divulgate at the Market-Crosse of Edinburgh, we dismissed the Herald with this Answer.
MADAME,
WE received your Answer, and heard the credit of Lion King of Armes, whereby we gathered sufficiently your perseverance in evil minde towards us, the glory of God, our Common-weale, and Liberty of our native Countrey. For safety of the which, according to our duty, we have in our Soveraign Lord and Ladies name suspended your Commission, and all administration of policie which you may pretend thereby, being most assuredly perswaded, That your proceedings are direct contrary to our Soveraigne Lord and Ladies will, which we ever esteem to be for the weale, and not for the hurt of this our Commonwealth. And as you will not acknowledge us our Soveraigne Lord and Lady, their true Barons, and Leiges for your Subjects and Counsel, no more will we acknowledge you for any Regent or lawfull Magistrate unto us, seeing, if any authority ye have by reason of our Soveraignes Commission granted unto you, The same for most worthy reasons is worthily suspended by us,Note. in the name and authority of our Soveraigne, whose counsell we are of in the affaires of this our Common-weale.All done in the Soveraign… Name, as they do now a-day… And forasmuch as we are determinate with hazard of our lives to set that Town at liberty wherein you have most wrongfully planted your Souldiers and strangers; For the reverence we owe to your person, as mother to our Soveraigne Lady, we require your Highnesse to transport your person therefrom, seeing we are constrained for the necessity of the Common-weale, to follow the same by Arms, being denied oft the liberty thereof by sundry requisitions made oft before. Again, we desire you cause depart with you out of the said Town, any person having Commission in Embassie, if any such be, or in Lieutenantship of our Soveraigns, together with all French-men Souldiers, being within the same (whose blood we thirst not, because of the old amity and friendship betwixt the Realme of France and us; which amity by the occasion of the marriage of our Soveraigne Lady to the King of that Realm, should rather increase then decrease.) And this we pray your Highnesse and them both to do, within the space of twenty foure houres, for the reverence we owe to your persons. And thus recommending our humble service to you, we commit your Highnesse to the eternall protection of God. At Edinburgh, the 24 of October 1559.
Your Highnesse humble servitors
The day following we summoned the Town of Leith by the sound of Trumpet, in forme as followeth.
I Require and charge in the name of our Soveraign Lord and Ladie, and of the Counsell presently in Edinburgh, That all Scots and French-men of whatsoever estate and degree they be, depart out of the Towne of Lieth within the space of twelve houres, and make the same patent to all and sundry our Soveraigne Ladies Leiges: For seeing we have no such hatred at either the one or the other that we thirst the blood of any of the two, for the one is our naturall brother, born, nourished, and brought up within the bowels of one common Countrey, and with the other our nation hath continued long amity and allie, and hopeth that so shall do, so long as they use us as friends, and not strive to make slaves of friends, which this strengthening of our Towns pretendeth. And therefore most heartily desire, that one and the other to desist from fortifying or maintaining of this Town, in our Soveraignes and their said Councells name, requiring them to make the same free within the space of twelve houres.
Defiance given, there was skirmishing, without great slaughter, preparation of Scales and Ladders was made for the Assault, which was concluded by common consent of the Nobility and Barons. The Scales were appointed to be made in Saint Giles Church, so that Preaching was neglected, which did not a little grieve the Preachers, and many godly with them. The Preachers spared not openly to say, That they feared the successe of that enterprise should not be prosperous, because the beginning appeared to bring with it some contempt of God and of his Word; other places, said they, had been more apt for such Preparations, then where the people conveaned to Common-Prayers and unto Preaching. In very deed the audience was wonderfully troubled all that time, which (with other disorder espied amongst us) gave occasion to our Preachers to affirme,Note. That God could not suffer such contempt of his Word and abuses of his Grace, long to be unpunished. The Queen had amongst us her assured espies, who did not onelyonly signifie unto her what was our estate: but also what was our counsell, purposes, and devices. Some of our own company were vehemently suspected to be the very betrayers of all our secrets; for a boy of the Officials of Lowthian, Master Iames Balfour, was taken carrying a Writ, which did open the most secret thing that was devised in the Councell;Treason among the counsell. yea, those very things which were thought to have been known but to very few. By such domesticall enemies were not onelyonly our purposes frustrate, but also our determinations were oft times overthrowne and changed. The Dukes friends gave unto him such terrours,The Duke and his friends fearfull. The ungodly Souldiers. that he was greatly troubled, and by his feare, were troubled many others. The men of Warre (for the most part were men without God or honesty) made a mutiny, because they lacked a part of their wages. They had done the same in Linlithquow before, where they made a Proclamation, That they would serve any man, to suppresse the Congregation, and set up the Masse againe. They made a fray upon my Lord Argyles Hie-land men, and slew one of the principall men of his Chamber, who notwithstanding, behaved himselfe so moderately, and so studious to pacifie that tumult, that many wondered, as well of his prudent councell and stoutnesse, as of the great obedience of his company. The ungodly Souldiers in hatred of goodnesse and good men, continuing in their disorder, mocked the Laird of Tullibarne, and other Noble-men, who exhorted them to quietnesse. All these troubles were practised by the Queene,The Queen… Regents practises. and put in execution by the Traitours among our selves: Who albeit then lurked, and yet are not manifestly noted, yet we doubt not but God shall make them knowne to their confusion, and to the example of others. To pacifie the men of Warre a collection was devised: But because some were poore, and some were niggards and avaritious, there could no sufficient sum be obtained. It was thought expedient that a Coyne-House should be made; That every Noble-man should Coyn his Silver-work and Plate,The fact of the councell. to supply the present necessity. And there-through David Forresse, Iohn Hart and others, who before had charge of the Coyning-House, did promise their faithfull labours. But when the matter came to the very point,The treason of Iohn …. the said Iohn Hart and others of his faction stole away, and took with them the instruments apt for that purpose; Whether this was done by the falshood and feeblenesse of the said Iohn, or the practising of others, is yet uncertaine. Rested then no hope amongst our selves, that any Money could be furnished: And therefore it was concluded by a few of those whom we judged most secret, That Sir Ralph Sadler and Sir Iames Crofts, then having charge at Barwick, should be tempted, If they would support us with any reasonable sum in that urgent necessitie. And for that purpose was the Laird of Ormeston directed unto them, in so secret manner as we could devise. But yet our counsell was disclosed to the Queen, who appointed the Lord Bothwell (as himselfe confessed) to wait upon the returning of the said Laird, as that he did with all diligence, and so being assuredly informed, by what way he came, the said Earle Bothwell foreset his way, and comming upon him unaware, did take him, after that he was evil wounded in the head, for neither could he get his ledd Horse, not his steele Bonnet; with him was taken the sum of foure thousand Crowns of the Sun,Note the kindnesse of the English in need. which the forenamed Sir Ralph and Sir Iames most lovingly had sent for our support. By the brute hereof coming to our eares, our dolour was doubled, not so much for losse of the Money, as for the losse of the Gentlemen whom we suspected to have been slain, or at the least, that he should be delivered to the Queene hands. And so upon the sudden the Earle of Arrane, the Lord Iames, the Master of Maxwell, with the most part of the Horse-men, tooke purpose to pursue the said Earle Bothwell, if they might apprehend him in Crychton or Morhan, whitherto (as they were informed) he had retired himselfe after his treasonable act: We call his act treasonable, because that three dayes before he had sent his especiall servant, Master Michael Balfo…re, to us to Edinburgh, to purchase of the Lords of the Councell License to come and speak with us, which we granted, after that he had promised, That in the mean time he should neither hurt us,The E. Bothwe…l false in promise and his treasonable fact. nor yet any to us appertaining, till that he should write his answer again, Whether that he would joyne with us or not. He gave us farther to understand, That he would discharge himselfe of the Queene, and thereafter would assist us. And yet in this meane time he cruelly and traiterously hurt and spoiled the Noble-man aforesaid. Albeit that the departure and counsell of the Earle of Arrane and Lord Iames, with their company aforesaid, was very sudden and secret, yet was the Earle Bothwell, then being in Crychton, advertised, and so escaped with the money which he tooke with himselfe, as the Captaine of his house Iohn Somerwaile (which was taken without long pursuit) confessed and affirmed;Note. Because that the Noble-men that sought redresse, sought rather his safetie and reconciliation, then destruction and hatred. They committed his house to the custodie of a Captain, to wit, Captain Forbesse. To whom, and to all Souldiers there left, was given a sharpe commandment, That all things found within the said house of Crychton (which were put in inventory, in presence of the Lords) should be kept till that the Earle Bothwell should give answer, Whether he would make restitution or not: time of advertisment was granted unto him, the whole day subsequent, till going down of the sun. In absence of the said Lords and horsemen (we meane the same day that they departed, which was the last of October) the Provest and Town of Dundie, together with some Souldiers, passed forth of the Town of Edinburgh, and carried with them some great Ordnance, to shoot at Leith. The Duke, the Earle of Glencarne, and the rest of the Noble-men were gone to the Preaching, where they continued almost till noone. The French being advertised by one named Clerk (who after was apprehended) that our horsemen were absent, and that the whole company were at dinner, issued, and with great expedition came to the place where our Ordnance was laid.The first departing of the Congregation. The Town of Dundie with a few other, resisted a while, as well with the Ordnance as hakbuts, but being left by our ungodly and feeble Souldiers, who fled without stroke offered or given, they were compelled to give back, and so to leave the Ordnance to the enemies, who further pursued the fugitives, to wit, to the midst of the Canongate, and to the foot of Leith winde.The cruelty of the French. Their cruelty began then to discover it selfe, for the maimed, the aged, the women and children, found no greater favour in their fury, then did the strong man, who made resistance. It was very apparant, that among our selves there was some treason. For when upon the first alarme all men made haste for reliefe of their brethren, whom in very deed we might have saved, and at least we might have saved the Ordnance, and have kept the Cannongate from danger. For we were once marched forward with bold courage,Note this diligently. but then (we say) was a shout raised amongst our selves (God will disclose the traitours one day) affirming, That the whole French Company were entred in at Leith-winde upon our backs. What clamour and disorder did then suddenly arise, we list not to expresse with multiplication of words. The horsmen, and some of those that ought to have put order to others, over-rode their poor brethren at the entry of the nether Bow. The cry of discomfort arose in the Towne, the wicked and malignant blasphemed. The feeble (amongst whom the Justice Clerk, Sir Iohn Ballenden was) fled without delay. With great difficulty could they be kept in at the West Port. M. Gawan Hamilton cryed with a loud voice, Drinke now as ye have brewed. The French perceiving by the clamour of our fray, followed as said is, to the midst of the Cannon-gate, to no great number, but a twenty or thirty of their foot losse; for in the mean time the rest retired themselves with our Ordinance.The Earle of Argyle. The Earle of Argyle and his men were the first that stopped the flying of our men, and compelled the Port to be opened after that it was shut. But in very deed, Lord Robert Stewart, Lord Robert Stewart.Abbot of Halyrud-house was the first that issued forth; after him followed many upon the backs of the French. At last came the Duke, and then was no man more busie, then was M. Gawan Hamilton aforesaid. The French burnt a Back-house, and took some spoile from the poor of the Cannon-gate. They slue a Papist, and a drunken Priest named Sir Thomas Sklaitter, an aged man, a woman giving suck, and her childe; and of our Souldiers, to the number of ten: Certain were taken, amongst whom Captain Mowet was one, M. Charles Geddes, domestick to the Master of Maxwell. The Capt. of the Castle that day shot a Shot at the French, declaring them thereby friends to us, and enemy to them, but he suddenly repented of well-doing.The Castle shot one Shot. The Queen glad of Victory, sate upon the Rampart, to salute and welcome her victorious souldiers: one brought a Kirtle, another a Petticoat, the third a Pot or Pan; and of envy, more then womanly laughter, she asked, Where bought ye your ware? Ie pense que vous l'aues achete sans argent. The Queen Regents rejoycing and unwomanly behaviour.This was the great and motherly care which she took for the trouble of the poor subjects of this Realme. The Earle Bothwell lifted up in his owne conceit, by reason of this our repulse and discomfiture, utterly refused any restitution; and so within two dayes after was his house spoyled, in which were no things of great importance, his Evidences, and certain Clothing excepted. From that day back the carriage of money was dejected, with great difficulty could men be retained in the Towne; yea, some of the greatest estimation determined with themselves to leave the enterprise; many fled away secretly, and those that did abide (a very few excepted) appeared destitute of counsell and manhood.The counsel of the Master of Maxwell. The Master of Maxwell, a man stout and witty, foreseeing the danger, desired most gravely either to take such order, that they might remaine to the terrour of the enemy, or else that they should retire themselves with their Ordnance, and Banners displayed in order. But the wits of men being dashed, no counsell could prevaile. We continued from Wednesday the last of October, till Munday the fifth of November, never two or three abiding firme in one opinion the space of four and twenty houres. The pestilent wits of the Queens practisers did then exercise themselves (God shall recompence their malicious craft in their owne bosome, we doubt not) for they caused two godly and forward young men, the Lairds of Farnihaste and Cesfurd, who once had gladly joyned themselves with us, to with-draw themselves and their friends. The same they did to the Earle Morton, who promised to be ours, but did not plainly joyn. They enticed the Captain of the Castle to deny us support, in case we were pursued. And finally, the counsell of some was no lesse pestiferous against us, then was the counsell of Achitophel against David, and his discomfited souldiers. (Render Lord to the wicked according to their malice.) Upon Munday the fifth of November did the French issue out of Leith betimes in the morning, for keeping of the Victualls which should have come to us, we being troubled among our selves, and as said is divided in opinions, were neither circumspect when they did issue, neither yet did we follow with such expedition as had been meet for them that would have sought our advantage. Our souldiers could scarcely be driven forth of the Towne: The Earle of Arran, Lord Iames, and certain with them, made haste; many honest men then followed, and made such diligence, that they caused the French once to retire somewhat affrayedly. The rest that were in Leith perceiving the danger of their fellows, issued out for their succour. The Earle of Arran and Lord Iames aforesaid,The last disc…m…tu…e upon Munday. being more forward then prudent and circumspect, did compell the Captains, as is alleadged, to bring their men so nigh, that either they must needs have hazarded battell with the whole French-men (and that under the mercy of their Cannons also) or else they must needs retire in a very narrow corner: For our men were approached neer to Lestarrig: The one part of the French were upon the North toward the Sea, the other part marched from Leith to Edinburgh; and yet they marched so, that we could have foughten with neither Company before that they should have joyned. We took purpose therefore to retire towards the Towne, and that in haste, left that the former Company of the French should either have invaded the Towne before that we could have come to the rescue thereof, or else have cut us off from the entry of the Abbey of Halyrud-house; as apparantly they had done, if that the Laird of Grange, and Alexander Whitlaw, with a few Horse-men, had not stayed both their Horse-men and Foot-men. The Company which was next us perceiving that we retired, with speed sent forth their skirmishers, to the number of three or four hundred, who took us at a disadvantage, before us having the mire of Lestarrig betwixt us and them: and we were enclosed by the Park ditch, so that in no wise we could avoid their shot. The Horse-men followed upon our heels, and slue divers. Our own Horse-men over-rode our Foot-men; and so by reason of the narrownesse of the place, there was no resistance made. The Earle of Arran, the Lord Iames, in great danger, lighted amongst the Foot-men, exhorting them to have some respect to order, and to the safety of their brethren, whom by their flying they exposed to murther, and so were criminall of their death. Captain Alexander Halyburnetoun, a man that feared God, tarried with certain of his Souldiers behinde, and made resistance, till that he was first shot, and then taken; but being known, those cruell murtherers wounded him in divers parts to the death, and yet as it were by the power of God, he was brought in to the Towne, where in few, but yet most plaine words, he gave Confession of his Faith, testifying, That he doubted nothing of Gods mercy, purchased to him by the Blood of Christ Jesus, neither yet that he repented that it pleased God to make him worthy to shed his blood,The death of Alexander Haliburnton Captaine. and spend his life in defence of so just a Cause. And thus, with the dolour of many, he ended his dolour, and did enter (we doubt not) into that blessed Immortality, within two hours after our departure. There were slain to the number of twenty four or thirty men, the most part poor. There was taken the Laird of Pitmillie, the Laird of Pharnie younger, the Master of Bowchane, George Cuwell of Dundie, and some others of lower rank, Iohn Dumbar Lieutenant to Captain Movet, Captain David Murray had his horse slain, and himselfe hurt in the legge.
Few dayes before our first departure,How, and why William Maitland left Leith. which was upon Alhallow Even, William Maitland of Lethington younger, Secretary to the Queen, perceiving himself not onelyonly to be suspected as one that favoured our part, but also to stand in danger of his life, if he should remain amongst so ungodly a company; for whensoever matters came in question, he spared not to speak his conscience: which liberty of tongue, and gravity of judgement, the French did highly disdain. Which perceived by him, he conveyed himself away in the morning, and tendred himself to M. Kirkcaldie Laird of Grange; who coming to us, did exhort us to constancy, assuring us, That in the Queen there was nothing but craft and deceit. He travelled exceedingly to have retained the Lords together, and most prudently laid before their eyes the dangers that might ensue their departing from the Towne: but fear and dolour had so seized the hearts of all, that they could admit no consolation. The Earle of Arran, and the Lord Iames offered to abide, if any reasonable company would abide with them; but men did so steal away, that the wit of man could not stay them: yea, some of the greatest determined plainly, That they would not abide. The Captain of the Castle,The Lord Erskin declared himself enemy to the Congregation. then Lord Erskin, would promise unto us no favour, but said, He must needs declare himself friend to those that were able to support and defend him. Which answer given to the Lord Iames, discouraged those that before determined to have abidden the uttermost, rather then to have abandoned the Towne, so that the Castle would have stood their friend: but the contrary declared, every man took purpose for himself. The complaints of the brethren within the Towne of Edinburgh was lamentable and sore: the wicked then began to spue forth the venome which then lurked in their cankred hearts: The godly, as well those that were departed, as the inhabitants of the Town, were so troubled, that some of them would have preferred death to life at Gods pleasure. For avoiding of danger, it was concluded, That they should depart at midnight. The Duke made provision for his Ordnance, and caused it to be sent before, but the rest was left to the care of the Captain of the Castle, who received it, as well that which appertained to the Lord Iames, as that of Dundie. The despightfull tongues of the wicked rayled upon us, calling us Traytors and Hereticks; every one provoked other to cast stones at us: One cryed, Alas if I might see another defie given;The despight of the Papists of Edinburgh. Give advertisement to the French-men, that they may come, and we shall help them now to cut the throats of these hereticks. And thus, as the sword of dolour passed thorow our hearts, so were the cogitations and former determinations of many hearts then revealed: For we would never have believed that our naturall Countrey-men and women could have wished our destruction so unmercifully,The worst is not yet come upon our enemies. and have so rejoyced in our adversity (God move their hearts to repentance) for else we fear that he whose Cause we sustain, shall let them feel the weight of the yoke of cruell strangers, into whose hands they wished us to have been betrayed. We stayed not, till we came to Sterlin, which we did the day after that we departed from Edinburgh; for it was concluded, that there consultation should be taken, What was the next remedy in so desperate a matter. The next Wednesday, which was the 7 of November, Iohn Knox preached (Iohn Willock was gone into England, as before he appointed) and treated of the 5, 6, 7, and 8 Verses of the 80 Psalm, where David, in the person of the afflicted people of God, speaketh this in the fourth Verse: