History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland, Book 4 (2 of 2)
If such dealing, which is too common amongst Protestants, be not to prefer flesh and blood, to God, to his Truth, to Religion, and to the oppressed Liberty of the Realme, let the world judge. The plagues have been, and in some places are present, that were before threatned; the rest approaches: And yet who from the heart cryeth, I hauehave offended, Now thou Lord knowes, in thee onelyonly is the trust of the oppr…ssed▪ for vain is the help of man. But now to returne we to our History.
The 19 day of August, The Queens Arriva…l from France 156…1561. betwixt seven and eight hours before noon, arrived Mary Queen of Scotland, then widow, with two Gallies out of France: In her company (besides her Gentlewomen called the Maries) were her Uncles, the Duke Aumale the grand Prior; the Marquesse d'Albuff. There accompanied her also, d'Anville son to the Constable of France, with other Gentlemen of inferiour Condition, besides servants and Officers. The very face of the Heaven, at the time of her Arrivall, did manifestly speak what comfort was brought into this Countrey with her (to wit) Sorrow,T…le & lugubre Coelum. Dolour, Darknesse, and all Impiety; For in the memory of man, that day of the yeer was never seen a more dolorous face of the Heaven, then was at her Arrivall, which two dayes after did so continue: For besides the Surface Wet and Corruption of the Ayre, the Mist was so thick and dark, that scarce might any man espie another the length of two payre of Butts: the Sun was not seen to shine two dayes before, nor two dayes after. That forewarning gave God unto us; but alas the most part were blinde.
At the sound of the Cannons, which the Galleyes shot, the multitude being advertised, happy was he or she that first must have the presence of the Queen; the Protestants were not the slowest: And therein they were not to be blamed. Because the Palace of Halyrud-house was not thorowly put in order (for her coming was more sudden then many looked for) she remained in Leith, till towards the evening, and then repaired thither. In the way betwixt Leith and the Abbey, met her the Rebells the Crafts-men, of whom we spake before; to wit, Those that had violated the Acts of the Magistrates, and had besieged the Proveist. The Queens first …ace in despight of Religion.But because she was sufficiently instructed that all they did was done in spight of their Religion, they were easily pardoned.
Fi…es of joy were set forth at night, and a Company of most honest men with Instruments of Musick, and with Musi…ians, gave their Salutations at her Chamber Window; The M…lody (as she alleadged) liked her well; and she willed the same to be continued some nights after with great diligence. The Lords repaired to her from all Quarters: and so was nothing understood but mirth and quietnesse, till the next Sunday, which was the 24 of August: When that preparations began to be made for that Idoll of the Masse to be said in the Chappell:The Queens. first Masse. Which perceived, the hearts of all the godly began to be emboldened; and men began openly to speak, Shall that Idoll be suffered again to take place within this Realme? It shall not. The Lord Lindsay (then but Master) with the Gentlemen of Fyfe, and others, plainly cryed in the Close or Yard, The Idolatrous Priests should die the death, according to Gods Law. One that carried in the Candle was evill affrayed; but then began flesh and blood fully to shew it self. There durst no Papist, neither yet any that came out of France, whisper: But the Lord Iames, the man whom all the godly did most reverence,Lord Iames, notwithstanding his sonner zeal to t…e Truth, complying with Court, favoureth Idolatry. took upon him to keep the Chappell door: his best excuse was, That he would stop all Scotish-men to enter in to the Masse; But it was and is sufficiently known, That the doore was kept that none should have entry to trouble the Priest; who after the M…sse was ended, was committed to the protection of the Lord Iohn of Coldingham, and Lord Robert of Halyrud-house; who then were both Protestants, and had Communicate at the Table of the Lord: Betwixt them two was the Priest conveyed to his Chamber. And so the godly departed with grief of heart,… godly reso…on. and after noon repaired to the Abbey in great companies, and gave plain signification, That they could not abide that the Land, which God by his power had purged from Idolatry, should in their eyes be polluted again: Which understood, there began complaint upon complaint. The old Duntebors, and others that had long served in the Court, and hoped to have no remission of sins, but by vertue of the Masse, cryed, They would away to France without delay, They could not live without the Masse: the same affirmed the Queens Uncles. And would to God that they all, together with the Masse,The end is not yet seen. had taken goodnight at the Realme for ever: for so had Scotland been rid of an unprofitable burthen of devouring strangers, and of the malediction of God, that hath stricken, and yet will strike for Idolatry.
The Councell assembled, disputation was had of the next remedy: Politicke heads were sent unto the Gentlemen, with these and the like perswasions:The persw…s… ons of the Courtiers. Why, alas, Will you chase our Soveraigne from us? She will incontinently returne to her Galleyes, and what then shall all Realmes say of us? May we not suffer her a little while? I doubt not but she will leave it: If we were not assured that she might be won, we should be also as great enemies to her Masse, as ye can be. Her Uncles will depart, and then shall we rule all at our pleasure: Would not we be also sorry to hurt the Religion, as any of you would be? With these and the like perswasions (we say) was the fervency of the Brethren quenched. And an Act was framed, the Tenour whereof followeth.