History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland, Book 4 · Letter 5
The Superscription.
Wheresoever two or three are gathered together in my Name, there am I in the midst of them.
TIs not unknown unto you (dear brethren) what comfort and tranquility God gave unto us in times most dangerous, by our Christian Assemblies, and godly Conference, as oft as any danger appeared to any member or members of our own Body; And how that since we have neglected, or at least not frequented our Conventions and Assemblies, The adversaries of Christ Jesus his holy Evangell, have enterprised and boldned themselves, publikely and secretly to do many things odious in Gods presence, and most hurtfull to the true Religion, now of Gods great favour granted unto us: The holy Sacraments are abused by prophane Papists; Masses have been, and yet are said openly, and maintained:M. Rob. Font stricken in the head with a weapon by Cap. Lawder. The blood of some of our dearest Ministers hath been shed, without fear of punishment or correction craved by us. And now last are two of our dear Brethren; Patrick Cranston, and Androe Armstrong, summoned to under-lie the Law in the Tolbuith of Edinburgh the four and twentieth of this instant of October, for a fore-thought Fellony, pretended Murther, and for invading of the Queens Majesties Palace of Halyrud-house, with unlawfull convocation, &c. These terrible Summons are directed against our Brethren, because that they, with two or more, passed to the Abbey, upon Sunday the five and twentieth of August, to behold and note what persons repaired to the Masse. And because that upon the Sunday before (the Queen being absent) there resorted to that Idoll a rascall multitude, having openly the least devillish Ceremony (yea, even the conjuring of their accursed water) that ever they had in the time of greatest blindenesse: But because (I say) our said Brethren past, and that in most quiet manner, to note such abusers, these fearfull Summons are directed against them, to make, no doubt, a preparation upon a few, that a doore may be opened to execute cruelty upon a greater multitude. And if so it come to passe, God, no doubt, hath justly recompenced our former negligence and ingratitude towards him and his benefits, in our owne bosomes. God gave us a most notable Victory of his and our enemies: he brake their strength, and confounded their counsells; he left us at freedome, and purged the Realme, for the most part, of open Idolatry; To the end that we, ever mindefull of so wondrous a deliverance, should have kept this Realme cleane from such vile filthinesse, and damnable Idolatry. But we, alas, preferring the pleasure of flesh and blood, to the Pleasure and Commandment of God, have suffered that Idoll the Masse publikely to be erected againe: And therefore justly suffers he us now to fall in that danger, That to look to an Idolater going to his Idolatry, shall be reputed a crime little inferiour to Treason; God grant that we fall not farther. And now I, whom God of his mercy, hath made one amongst many, to travell in setting forward his true Religion within this Realme, seeing the same in danger of ruine, cannot but in conscience crave of you, my brethren of all states, that have professed the truth, your presence, comfort, and assistance at the said day in the Town of Edinburgh, even as ye tender the advancement of Gods glory, the safety of your brethren, and your own assurance; together with the preservation of the Church, in these appearing dangers: It may be (perchance) that perswasions be made to the Countrey, and that ye may be informed, that either your assembly is not necessary, or else that it will offend the upper Powers, and my good hope is that neither flattery nor fear shall make you so farre to decline from Christ Jesus,Bond to a mutuall defence in the cause of Religion. as that against your publike promise, and solemne Band, you will leave your Brethren in so just a cause; and albeit there were no great danger, yet cannot our Assembly be unprofitable, for many things requiring consultation, which cannot be had unlesse the wisest and godliest convene. And thus doubting nothing of the assistance of our God, if that we uniformly seek his glory, I cease farther to trouble you, committing you heartily to the protection of the Eternall.
JOHN KNOX. From Edinburgh the eighth day of October. 1563.
THe Brethren advertised by this Letter, prepared themselves, so many as was thought expedient for every Towne and Province, to keep the day appointed; but by the means of some false brethren, the Letter came to the hands of the Queene, and the manner was this, It was read in the Towne of Ayre, where was present Master Robert Cunningham, stiled Minister of F…itfurd, who then was holden a professor of the Evangell, (by what meanes we know not) gat the said Letter, and sent it with his token to Master Henry Sincleare, then President of the Seat and Colledge of Justice, stiled Bishop of Rosse, a perfect Hypocrite, and a conjured Enemie to Christ Jesus, whom God after stroke according to his deservings. The said Master Henry being Enemy to all that unfainedly professed the Lord Jesus, but chiefly to Iohn Knox, for the libertie of his Tongue, for he had affirmed,Note Pastors. as ever still he doth affirme, That a Bishop that receives profit and feeds not the Flock, (even by his owne labours) is both a Thiefe and a Murtherer: The said Master Henry (we say) thinking himselfe happie that he had found so good occasion to trouble him, whose life he hated, posted the said Letter, with his counsell, to the Queen, who then lay in Sterlin. The lettet being read, it was concluded by the Councell of the Cabinet, that is, by the most secret Councell. That it imported Treason; whereof the Queen did not a little rejoyce, for she thought once to be avenged of that her great Enemy. It was concluded, that the Nobilitie should be written for; that the condemnation should have the greater Authoritie, the day was appointed, about the midst of December ▪ which was kept of the whole Councell, and of divers others, such as the Master of Maxwell, the old Laird of Lethington, and the said President.
In the meane time the Earle of Murray returned from the North, to whom Secretary Lethington opened the matter, as best pleased him. The Master of Maxwell (after made Lord Heris) gave unto the said Iohn as it were a discharge of the familiaritie which before was great betwixt them,The Master of Maxwells discharge to Iohn Knox, and their reasoning together. unlesse that he would satisfie the Queen at her own will. The answer of Iohn Knox was, that he knew no offence done by him to the Queens Majestie, and therefore he knew not what satisfaction to make. No offence, (said he) Have you not written Letters, desiring the brethren from all parts to convene, to Andro Armstrong and Patrick Cranstons? That I grant, (said the other) but therein I acknowledge no offence done by me. No offence (said he) to convocate the Queens Leidges. Not for a just cause (said the other) for greater things were reputed no offence within these two yeers. The time (said he) is now other, for then our Soveraigne was absent, and now she is present. It is neither the absence nor the presence of the Queen (said he) that rules my conscience, but God plainly speaking in his Word; what was lawfull to me the last yeer, is yet lawfull, because my God is unchangeable.
Well (said the Master) I have given you my counsell, doe as you list, but I think you shall repent it if you bow not unto the Queen.
I understand not (said he) what you meane; I never made my selfe an adverse partie unto the Queens Majestie, except in the point of Religion, and thereunto I think you will not desire me to bow.
Well (said he) you are wise enough, but you will not finde that men will beare with you in times to come, as they have done in times by past.
If God stand my friend, (said the other) as I am assured he of his mercy will, so long as I depend upon his promise, and preferre his glory to my life and worldly profit, I little regard how men behave themselves towards me, neither yet know I wherinto any one man hath born with me in times by-past, unlesse it be, that of my mouth they have heard the Word of God, which in time to come if they refuse, my heart will be perfect, and for a season I will lament; but the incommodity will be their owne. And after these words (hereunto the Laird of Lochinvar was witnesse) they departed, but unto this day, the seventeenth day of December, 1571. yea, never in this life met they in such familiarity as before.
The bruit of the accusation of Iohn Knox being devulgate, Master Iohn Spence of Condie Advocate, a man of gentle nature, and one that professed the doctrine of the Evangell, came as it were in secret to Iohn Knox, to enquire the cause of that great bruite; to whom the said Iohn was plain in all things, and shewed unto him the double of the Letter; which heard and considered, he said, I thank God, I came unto you with a fearfull and sorrowfull heart, fearing that you had done such a Crime as Lawes might have punished, which would have been no small trouble to the heart of all such as have received the Word of life which you have preached; but I depart greatly rejoyced, as well because I see your own comfort, even in the midst of the troubles, as that I clearly understand, that you have committed no such Crime as you are bruited with; you will be accused (said he) but God will assist you; and so he departed.
The Earle of Murray and the Secretary sent for the said Iohn to the Clerk of the Registers house, and began to lament that he had so highly offended the Queens Majestie,Before they disdained not to come to his own house. for the which they feared should come a great inconvenience to him, if the businesse were not wisely foreseen; they shew what pains and travel they had taken to mittigate her anger, but they could finde nothing but extremity, unlesse that he himself would confesse his offence, and put him in her Majesties will. To which Heads the said Iohn answered, as follows:
I praise my God through Jesus Christ,Iohn Knox his answer. (said he) I have learned not to crie Conjuration and Treason at every thing that the godlesse multitude doth condemn, nether yet to fear the things that they fear; I have the testimony of a good conscience, that I have given no occasion to the Queens Majestie to be offended with me, for I have done nothing but my duty, and so whatsoever shall thereof ensue, my good hope is, that my God will give me patience to bear it; but to confesse an offence where my Conscience witnesseth there is none, far be it from me. How can it be defended (said Lethington) have you not made a Convocation of the Queens Leiges? If I have not (said he) a just defence for my fact, let me smart for it. Let us hear (said they) your defences, for we would be glad that you might be found innocent. Nay,Note a wise Reply. (said the other) I am informed by divers, that even by you my Lord Secretary, I am already condemned, and my cause prejudged, therefore I might be reputed a fool, if I would make you privie to my Defences. At these words they seemed both offended, and so the Secretary departed, but the said Earle remained still, and would have entred into further discourse of the state of the Court with the said Iohn; who answered, My Lord, I understand more then I would of the state of the Court, and therefore it is not needfull that your Lordship trouble me with the recounting thereof;This was the first time the Earle Murray spake with Iohn Knox after the Parliament if you stand in good case, I am content, and if you do not, as I fear you do not already, or else you shall not do it ere it be long, blame not me, you have the Councellors whom you have chosen, my weak judgement both they and you despised: I can do nothing but behold the end, which I pray God it be other then my troubled heart feareth.
Within four dayes the said Iohn was called before the Queen and Councell,Iohn Knox called before the Queen and Counsell in Decemb. 156…. betwixt 6 and seven a Clock at night; the season of the year was the midst of December; the report rising in the towne, That I. Knox was sent for by the Queen. The Brethren of the Town followed in such number, that the inner Close was full, and all the Staires, even to the Chamber door where the Queen and Counsell sate, who had been reasoning amongst themselves before, but had not fully satisfied the Secretaries minde. And so was the Queen retired to her Cabbinet, and the Lords were talking one with another, as occasion served. But upon the entry of Iohn Knox they were desired to take their places, as they did, sitting as Councellors one against another.
The Duke, according to his dignity, began the one side, upon the other side sate the Earle of Argile, and consequently followed the Earle of Murray, the Earle of Glencarne, the Earle of Mershall, the Lord Ruthven, the common Officers, Pittaro then Controller, the Justice Clerk, with Master Iohn Spence of Condie Advocate, and divers others stood by; removed from the Table, sate old Lethington father to the Secretary, Master Henry Sinclare then Bishop of Rosse, and Master Iames Makgill Clerke of the Register.
Things thus put in Order the Queen came forth, and that with no little worldly pompe, was placed in a Chaire having two faithfull Supporters, the Master of Maxwell upon the one Torre, and Secretary Lethington upon the other Torre of the Chaire, whereon hee waited diligently; at the time of the Accusation, sometime the one was speaking in her Eare, and sometime the other: Her pompe lacked nothing of an womanly gravitie; for when she saw Iohn Knox standing at the other end of the Table bare-headed; at the first she smiled, and after gave a guaf of laughter; whereunto her Placebo… gave their Plaudite, assenting with like countenance.
This is a good beginning (she said) but know you whereat I laugh? Yon man caused me to crie, and shed never a Tear himself; I will see if I can cause him to grieve. At that word the Secretary whispered her in the Eare, and she him again, and with that gave him a Letter; after the inspection whereof, he directed his visage and speech to Iohn Knox in this manner.
The Queens Majesty is informed, That you have travelled to raise a Tumult of her Subjects against her; and for Certification thereof, there is presented to her your owne Letter, subscribed in your name: Yet because her Majesty will do nothing without good advertisement, she hath convened you before this part of the Nobilitie, that they may witnesse betwixt you and her.
Let him acknowledge (said she) his owne hand-writing, and then shall we judge of the Contents of the Letter; and so was the Lettet sent from hand to hand to Iohn Knox, who taking inspection of it, said, I acknowledge this to be my hand-writing; and also I remember, that I indited a Letter in the month of October, giving signification to the Brethren in divers Quarters, of such things as displeased me; and so good opinion have I of the fidelity of the Scribes, that willingly they would not adulterate my originall; albeit that I left divers blanks subscribed with them. And so I acknowledge both the Hand-writing, and the Dictatement.
You have done more (said Lethington) then I would have done. Charity (said the other) is not suspitious. Well, well, (said the Queen) read your own Letter, and then answer to such things as shall be demanded of you. I shall do the best I can (said the other) and so with a loud voice he began to reade, as before is expressed. After that the Letter was read, it was presented again to M. Iohn Spence her Advocate; for the Queen commanded him to accuse, as he did, but very gently. After (we say) that the Letter was read, the Queen beholding the whole Table, said, Heard you ever (my Lords) a more dispightfull and Treasonable Letter? While that no man gave answer, Lethington addressed himself to Iohn Knox, and said, M. Knox, are you not sorry from your heart, and do you not repent that such a Letter hath passed your Pen, and from you hath come to the knowledge of others? I. Knox answered, My Lord Secretary, before I repent I must be taught of my offence. Offence, (said Lethington) if there were no more but the vocation of the Queenes Leiges, the offence cannot be denyed. Remember your selfe (my Lord) said the other, there is a difference betwixt a lawfull Vocation and an unlawfull: If I have been guilty in this, I have oft offended since I came last in Scotland; for what Vocation of Brethren hath ever been this day, unto which my Pen hath not served? and before this no man laid it to my charge as a crime. Then was then, and now is now (said Lethington) we have no need of such Vocation, as sometimes we have had. Iohn Knox answered, The time that hath been, is even now before my eyes; for I see the poor Flock in no lesse danger, then it hath been at any time before, except that the devill hath gotten a Vizard upon his face:Note this diligently. Before he came in with his own face, discovered by open Tyranny, seeking the destruction of all that refused Idolatry; and then, I think, you will confesse the Brethren lawfully assembled themselves for defence of their lives: And now the devill comes, under the cloke of Justice, to do that which God would not suffer him to do by strength. What is this (said the Queen) methinks you trifle with him: Who gave you Authority to make Convocation of my Lieges? Is not that Treason? No, Madame (said the Lord Rnthuen) for he makes Convocation of the people, to hear Prayer and Sermon, almost dayly: And what ever your Majestie or others thinke thereof, we think it no Treason. Hold your peace (said the Queen) let him answer for himself. I began Madame (said Iohn Knox) to reason with the Secretary (whom I take to be a better Dialectationer then your Majestie is) That all Convocation is not lawfull: And now my Lord Ruthuen hath given the instance; which if your Majestie will deny, I shall make my selfe ready for the proof. I will say nothing (said the Queen) against your Religion, nor against your convening to your Sermons: But what Authority have you to Convocate my subjects when you will, without any Commandment? I have no pleasure (said Iohn Knox) to decline from my former purpose; And yet, Madame, to satisfie your Majesties two questions, I answer, That at my will I never convened four persons in Scotland, but at the Order that the Brethren hath appointed, I have given divers Advertisements, and great multitudes have assembled thereupon. And if your Majestie complaineth, That this was done without your Majesties Commandment; I answer, So hath all that God hath blessed within this Realme, from the beginning of this action: And therefore, Madame, I must be convinced by a just Law, that I have done against the Duty of Gods Messenger, in writing of this Letter, before that I either be sorry, or yet repent for the doing of it, as my Lord Secretary would perswade me; for what I have done, I have done at the Commandment of the Generall Church of this Realme. And therefore I thinke I have done no wrong. You shall not escape so (said the Queene) Is it not Treason, my Lords, to accuse a Prince of cruelty; I thinke there are Acts of Parliament to be found, against such Whisperers. This was granted to be true of many: But wherein (said Master Iohn Knox) can I be accused? Reade this part of your Letter (said the Queene) which began, This fearfull Summons is directed against them (to wit, the Brethren aforesaid) to make, no doubt, a preparation upon a few, that a door may be opened to execute cruelty upon a greater multitude. Lord (said the Queen) What say you to that? While many doubted what the said Iohn should answer, he said unto the Queen, Is it lawfull for me, Madame, to answer for my self? Or shall I be condemned before I be heard? Say what you can (said she) for I thinke you have enough ado. I will first then desire (said he) of your Majestie,Note. Madame, and of this Honourable audience, Whether if your Majestie knows not that the obstinate Papists are deadly enemies to all that professe the Evangel of Jesus Christ; And that they most earnestly desire the extirpation of all them, and of the true Doctrine that is taught within this Realme?As the Irish Papists have done to Protestants in Ireland. The Queen held her peace; but all the Lords with common consent and voyce, said, God forbid that either the life of the faithfull, or yet the staying of the Doctrine, stood in the power of the Papists; for just experience hath taught us what cruelty is in their hearts. I must proceed then (said Iohn Knox) seeing that I perceive that all will grant, That it were a barbarous cruelty to destroy such a multitude as professed the Evangell of Jesus Christ within this Realme, which oftner then once or twice they attempted to do by force, as things done of late dayes do testifie: Whereof they being (by Gods providence) disappointed, have invented more crafty and dangerous practices, to wit, To make the Prince party,Let this be noted for this day. under colour of Law; and so, what they could not do by open force, they shall performe by crafty deceit: For who thinks (my Lords) That the insatiable cruelty of the Papists (within this Realme, I mean) shall end in the murthering of those two, now unjustly summoned, and more unjustly to be accused? I thinke no man of judgement can so esteem, but rather the direct contrary; that is, By this few number, they intend to prepare a way to their bloody enterprise against the whole. And therefore (Madame) cast up when you list, the Acts of your Parliaments, I have offended nothing against them; For I accuse not in my Letter your Majestie, nor yet your nature, of cruelty: But I affirm yet again, That the pestilent Papists, who have enflamed your Majestie without cause against these poore men at this present, are the sons of the devill, and therefore must obey the desires of their father, who hath beene a Murtherer from the beginning. You forget your selfe (said one) you are not in the Pulpit. I am in the place (said the other) where I am commanded in my conscience to speak the truth; and therefore the truth I speak, impugne it who so lists: And hereunto I adde (Madame) that honest, meeke and gentle natures (in appearance) by wicked and corrupt Councellors, may be changed and altered to the direct contrary. Example we have of Nero, whom in the beginning of his Empire we finde,Let the world judge what ensued. having some naturall shame; but after that his flatterers had encouraged him in all impiety, alleadging that nothing was either unhonest, or yet unlawfull in his Person, who was Emperour above others: When he had drunken of this Cup (I say) to what enormies he fell, the Histories beare witnesse. And now, Madame, to speak plain, Papists have your Majesties ear patent at all times; assure your Majestie, they are dangerous Councellors, and that your Mother found. As this was said, Lethington singled, and spake secretly to the Queene in her eare, What it was, that the Table heard not: But immediately she addressed her visage and speech to Iohn Knox, and said, Well, you speak fair enough here, before my Lords, but the last time I spake with you secretly, you caused me to weep many tears, and said to me stubbornly, Ye cared not for my weeping. Madame, (said the other) because now the second time your Majesty hath burthened me with that crime, I must answer, lest for my silence I be holden guilty: If your Majestie be ripely remembred, the Laird of Dun, yet living to testifie the truth, was present at that time, whereof your Majesty complaineth. Your Majesty accused me, That I had irreverently spoken of you in the Pulpit. That I denied. You said, What had I to do to speak of your Marriage? What was I, that I should meddle with such matters? I answered, As touching Nature, I was a worm of this earth; and yet a subject to this Common-wealth: But as touching the Office wherein it hath pleased God to place me,Note Pastors. I was a Watch-men both over the Realme, and over the Church of God gathered within the same; by reason whereof, I was bound in conscience to blow the Trumpet publikely, so oft as ever I saw any appearance of danger, either of the one, or of the other. But so it was, that a certaine brute affirmed, That a Traffique of Marriage was betwixt your Majestie and the Spanish Allia. Whereunto I said, That if your Nobility and State did agree, unlesse that both you and your husband should be straitly bound, that neither of you might hurt the Common-wealth, nor yet the poor Church of God within the same; in that case I should pronounce, That the consenters were troublers of the Common-wealth, and enemies unto God, and unto his Truth planted within the same. At these words, I grant, your Majestie stormed, and burst forth in an unreasonable weeping: what mitigation the Laird of Dun would have made, I suppose your Majesty hath not forgot: But while that nothing was able to stay your weeping, I was compelled to say, I take God to witnesse, I never took pleasure to see your Majestie make such regret; But seeing I have offered to your Majestie no such occasion, I must rather suffer your Majestie to take your own pleasure, then I dare conceale the truth, and so both betray the Church, and the Common-wealth. These were the most extreme words I spake that day. After that the Secretary had conferred with the Queen, he said, Master Knox, you may returne to your house for this night. I thank God and the Queens Majesty (said the other.) And (Madame) I pray God to purge your heart from Papistry, and to preserve you from the counsell of flatterers; for how pleasant that ere they appear to your ear, and corrupt affections for the time, experience hath taught us in what perplexity they have brought famous Princes. Lethington, and the Master of Maxwell, were that night the two stoups of her Chayre. Iohn Knox being departed, the Tables of the Lords, and others that were present, were demanded every one their voyce, If Iohn Knox had not offended the Queens Majestie? The Lords voted uniformly, That they could finde no offence (the Queen was past to her Cabinet.) The flatterers of the Court (and principally Lethington) raged. The Queen was brought again, and placed in the Chayre: And they commanded to vote over again: Which thing highly offended the whole Nobility, and began to speak in open audience, What? shall the Laird of Lethington have power to controll us? Or shall the presence of a woman cause us to offend God, and to condemne an innocent against our consciences, for the pleasure of any creature? And so the whole Nobility absolved Iohn Knox againe,Note diligently and praised God for his modestie, and for his plain and sensible answers. Yet before the end, one thing is to be noted▪ to wit, That amongst so many Placeboes (we mean the flatterers of the Court) there was not one that plainly durst condemne the said poore man, that was accused; God ruling their tongues, that sometimes ruled the tongue of Balaam, when gladly he would have cursed Gods people.
This perceived, the Queen began to upbraid Master Henry Sinclare, then Bishop of Rosse, and said (hearing his vote to agree with the rest) Trouble not the barne, I pray you, trouble him not, for he is newly wakened out of his sleep; Why should not the old fool follow them that past before him? The Bishop answered coldly, Your Majesty may consider, That it is neither affection to the man, nor love to his Profession, that moved me to absolve him, but the simple truth (which plainly appears in his defence) drawes me hereunto, albeit that others would have condemned him and it. This being said, the Lords and whole Assistants arose and departed. That night was neither dancing nor fidling in the Court, for our Soveraigne was disappointed of her purpose; which was, To have had Iohn Knox in her will, by voice of her Nobility. Iohn Knox absolved by the greatest part of the Nobility, from the crime intended against him, even in the presence of the Queen, she raged, and her Placeboes stormed: And so began new assaults to be made at the hands of the said Iohn Knox, to confesse an offence, and to put him in the Queens will, and she should promise, That his greatest punishment should be, But to go within the Castle of Edinburgh, and immediately to returne to his own house: He answered, God forbid that my confession should condemne these Noble-men, who in their conscience, and in displeasure of the Queen,Note the craft of the Court. have absolved me; And further I am assured, ye will not in earnest desire me to confesse an offence, unlesse that therewith you would desire me to cease from Preaching: For how can I exhort others to Peace, and Christian quietnesse, if I confesse my self an author and mover of sedition.
The generall Assembly of the Church approached, which began the five and twentieth of December, 1563. But the just Petitions of the Ministers, and Commissioners of Churches, wer… despised at the first, and that with these words; As Ministers will not follow our counsell, so will we suffer Ministers to labour for themselves, and see what speed they come. But then the whole Assembly said, If the Queen will not, we must; for both third and two parts are rigorously taken from us, and from our Tenants. If others (said one) will follow my counsell, the Guard and the Papists shall complaine, as long as our Ministers have done. At these words, the former sharpnesse was coloured, and the Speaker alleadged, That hee meant not of all Ministers: Christopher Goodman answered, My Lord Secretary, if you can shew me what just Title either the Queene hath to the Third, or the Papists to the two parts, then I think I should resolve you whether she were Debtor to Ministers within Burgh, or not: But thereto he received this check for answer; Ne sit Peregrinus curiosus in aliena Republica; that is, Let not a Stranger be curious in a strange Common-wealth. The man of God answered, Albeit I be a Stranger in your policy, yet so am I not in the Church of God; and therefore the care doth no lesse appertain to me in Scotland, then if I were in the middest of England. Note.Many wondred at the silence of Iohn Knox, for in all these quick reasonings he opened not his mouth; the cause thereof he himself expressed in these words:
I have travelled (Right Honourable and beloved Brethren) since my last arrivall within this Realme,I. Knox falsly reported of, his answer. in an upright conscience before my God, seeking nothing more (as he is witnesse) than the advancement of his glory, and the stability of his Church within this Realme; and of late dayes I have been accused as a seditious man, and as one that usurpeth to my selfe power that becometh me not: True it is that I have given advertisment unto the Brethren in divers Quarters, of the extremity intended against divers faithfull, for looking to a Priest going to Masse, and for observing of those that transgresse against just Laws; but that therein I have usurped further power then is given me, till that by you I be condemned, I utterly deny; for (I say) that by you, that is, By the charge of the Generall Assembly, I have all just power to advertise the Brethren from time 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 Name of God I crave your judgements. The danger that appeared to me in my Accusation was not so fearfull, as the words that came to my Ears were dolorous to my heart; for these words were plainly spoken, and that by some Protestants, What can the Pope do more, then to send forth his Letters, and require them to be obeyed. Let me have your judgements therefore whether I have usurped any power to my self; or if I have obeyed your commandment.
The Flatterers of the Court (amongst whom the Justice Clerk then not the least) began to storme, and said, shall we be compelled to justifie the rash judgements of men; My Lord (said Iohn Knox) you shall speak your pleasure for the present, of you I crave nothing, but the if Church that is here present, do not either absolve me, or else condemne me, never shall I in publike or in private, as a publike Minister, open my mouth in doctrine or reasoning.
After long contention the said Iohn being removed, the whole Church found, that a charge was given unto him, To advertise the Brethren in all Quarters, as oft as ever danger appeared; and therefore avowed that fact not to be his onelyonly,Remark false brethren. but the fact of the whole assembly. Thereat were the Queens Claw-backs more enraged then ever they were, for some of them had promised the Queen to get the said Iohn convinced, both by the Councell, and by the Church; and being frustrate of both, she and they thought themselves not a little disappointed.
In the very time of the generall Assembly there comes to publike knowledge, or naynous murther committed in the Court, yea not far from the Queens Lap; for a French-woman that served in the Queens Chamber had played the Whore with the Queens own Apothecary;Murther and Whoredome in the Court. the woman conceived and bare a Childe, whom with common consent the father and the mother murthered; yet were the cries of a new borne Childe heard, search was made, the Childe and the Mother were both apprehended, and so was both the man and the woman condemned to be hanged in the publike Street of Edinburgh. The punishment was notable because the Crime was hainous. But yet was not the Court purged of Whores and Whoredoms, which was the fountaine of such enormities, for it was well known, that shame hasted Marriage, betwixt Iohn Sempill called the Dancer, and Mary Leringston sirnamed the Lusty,Maries Regiment. what bruit the Maries and the rest of the Dancers of the Court had, the Ballads of that age did witnesse, which we for modesties sake omit, but this was the common complaint of all godly and wise men, That if they thought that such a Court should long continue, and if they looked for no better life to come, they would have wished their Sonnes and Daughters rather to have been brought up with Fidlers and Dancers, and to have been exercised in flinging upon a Floore, and in the rest that thereof followes, then to have been exercised in the company of the godly, and exercised in vertue, which in that Court was hated; and filthinesse not onelyonly maintained, but also rewarded; witnesse the Abbacie of Abercone, the Barony of Anchvermuchtie, and divers others pertaining to the Patrimony of the Crowne given in heritage to Skippers, and Dancers, and Dalliers with D…mes. This was the beginning of the Regiment of Mary Queen of Scots, and these were the fruits that she brought forth of France. Lord lo…k upon our miseries, and deliver us from the wickednesse of this corrupt Court, for thy own Names sake.
God from Heaven, and from the face of the Earth did declare, that he was offended at the iniquitie committed within this Realme; for upon the twentieth day of Ianuary there fell rain in great abundance,Great Wet and Frost in Ian. 1563. which in the falling freezed so vehemently, that the earth was but a shot of Ice; the Fowls, both great and small freezed, and might not flie, many dyed, and some were taken and laid beside the fire, that their feathers might dissolve;The Sea stood still, neither ebbed …or flowed for 24 houres. and that same monethmonth the Sea stood still, (as was clearly observed) and never ebbed nor flowed the space of foure and twenty hours: In the monethmonth of February, the fifteenth and eighteenth dayes thereof, there was seen in the Firmament battels arrayed, spears, and all other weapons, as it had been the joyning of two Armies: These things were not onelyonly observed, but also spoken of and constantly affirmed by men of judgement, and credit. But the Queen and our Court made merry, there was banquetting upon banquetting; the Queen would banquet with the Lords; and that was done onelyonly upon policy to remove her displeasure against them, because they would not at her devotion condemne Iohn Knox. To remove (we say) that jealousie, she made the Banquet to the whole Lords, whereat she would have the Duke amongst the rest. It behoved them to banquet her again; and so did banquetting continue till Lent ever after. But the poor Ministers were mocked, and reputed as Monsters; the Guard, and the Affairs of the Kitchin were so gripping, that the Minsters stipends could not be had; and yet at the Assembly last past, solemne promise was made in the Queens Name, by the mouth of Secretary Lethington, in the audience of the Nobilitie, and of the whole Assembly, who affirmed that he had commandment of her Highnesse, to promise full content unto all the Ministers within the Realme, and of such Order to be kept in all times to come, that the whole body of the Protestants should have occasion to stand content; The Earle of Murray affirmed the same, with many other faire promises given by writing, by Lethington himself; as in the Register of the Acts of the generall Assembly may be seene; but how that or yet any other thing promised in her name, to the Church of God, was observed, the world can witnesse.
The Ministers perceiving all things to tend to ruine, discharged their consciences in publike and in private, but they received for their labour hatred and indignation; and amongst others, that worthy servant of God Master Iohn Craig, speaking against the manifold corruption that then (without shame or fear declared it self, said, Sometimes was Hypocrites known by their noted habits, and we had men to be Monks, and women to be Nuns; but now all things are so changed, that we cannot discerne the Earle from the Abbot, nor the Nunne from him that would be esteemed the Nobleman; so that we have gotten a new order of Monkes and Nunnes; But, said he, seeing you are not ashamed of that unjust profit,Cucullus. would to God that you had therewith the Kowll, the Vaile and the Tayle joyned withall, that so you might appear in your own colours. This libertie did so provoke the choler of Lethington, that in open audience he gave himself to the Devill, If that after that day he should regard what became of the Ministers, but he would do what he could, that his companion should have a share with him: And let them bark and blow (said he) as loud as they list. And so that was the second time that he had given defiance unto the servants of God.
Whereupon arose whisperings and complaints, although the Flatterers of the Court, complaining that men were not charitably handled, might not since be reproved in generall, albeit men were not specially taxed, that all the world might know of whom the Preacher speakes; whereunto was this answer made, Let men be ashamed publikely to offend, and the Ministers shall abstain from specialities; but so long as Protestants are not ashamed manifestly to do against the Evangell of Jesus Christ, so long cannot the Ministers of God cease to crie, that God would be avenged upon such abusers of his holy Word.
Thus had the servants of God a double battaile, fighting upon the one side against the Idolatry and the rest of the abominations mentioned by the Court; and upon the other part, against the unthankefulnesse of such as sometimes would have been esteemed the chief Pillars of the Church within the Realme. The threatnings of Preachers was fearfull, but the Court thought it self in such security, that it could not miscarry.
The Queen after the Banquetting, kept a dyet (Monsieur Luserie a Frenchman, who had been accustomed with her malady before, being her Physitian) and therefore she for the second time made her progresse in the North, and commanded to Ward in the Castle of Edinburgh, the Earle of Caithnes, Note how this agrees with our time.for a Murther committed by his servants upon the Earle Mershals men; he obeyed, but he was suddenly released; for such blood-thirsty men, and Papists (such as he is) are good subjects thought at Court. Thy Kingdom come (O Lord) for in this Realme is nothing amongst such as should punish vice and maintain vertue, bu… abomination abounding without Bridle. The Flatterers of the Court did daily enrage against the poor Preachers; happiest was he that could invent the most bitter taunts, and disdainfull mocking of the Ministers; and at length they began to jest at the Terme of Idolatry, affirming that men knew not what they spake when they called the Masse Idolatry; yea, some proceeded further, and feared not at open Table to affirme, That they would sustaine the Argument that the Masse was no Idolatry. These things coming to the ears of the preachers, they were proclaimed in publike Pulpit of Edinbugh, with this complaint, directed by the speaker to his God;
O Lord, how long shal the wicked prevail against the just? how long wilt thou suffer thy Self and thy blessed Evangell to be despised of men? Of men (we say) that boast themselves Defenders of the truth; for of thy manifest and known Enemies we complain not, but of such as unto whom thou hast revealed thy light; for now it cometh to our Ears, that men (not Priests we say, but chief Protestants) will defend the Masse to be no Idolatry; if it so were, miserably have I been deceived, and miserably (alas, O Lord) have I deceived thy people; which thou knowest, (O Lord) I have ever more abhorred then a thousand deaths. But said he, (turning his face towards the Room where such men as had so affirmed, sate) If I be not able to prove the Masse to be the most abominable Idolatry that ever was used from the beginning of the world, I offer my self to suffer the punishment appointed by God to a false Preacher. And it appeareth unto me (saith the Preacher) that the Affirmers should be subject to the same Law; for it is the truth of God, that you persecute as a blasphemy; and it is the invention of the Devill, that obstinately against his Word you maintaine;Lethingtons counte…nce at the threatnings of the preacher. whereat albeit you now flute and flyre, as if so be all that were spoken were but winde; yet am I all fully assured, as I am assured that my GOD liveth, That some that hear this your defection, and railing against the truth and the servants of God,Let the world judge whether this hath come to passe, or not, what hath fallen since that time. shall see a part of Gods judgement powred forth upon this Realm, (and principally upon you that fastest cleave unto the favour of the Court;) for the abominations that are by you maintained. Albeit that such vehemency provoked tears from the eyes of some, yet these that knew themselves guilty, in a mocking manner, said, We must recant, and burne our Bill, for the Preachers are angry.
The generall assembly holden in Iune, 1564. approached, unto the which a great part of the Nobilitie (of those that are called Protestants) convened, some for assistance of the Ministers, and some to accuse them, as we shall after hear. A little before these troubles, which Sathan raised in the Body of the Church, began one David an Italian, to be great in the Court; the Queen used him for Secretary, for things that appertained to her secret affairs, or elsewhere: great men made suit unto him, and their suits were the better heard: But of his beginning and progresse, we delay now further to speak, and refer it unto another fitter occasion of time and place, because that his end will require the description of the whole. The first day of the generall Assembly, neither the Courtiers; nor the Lords that depended upon the Court, presented themselves in Session with their Brethren; whereat many wondred. One ancient and honourable man, the Laird of Lundie, said, Nay, I wonder not at their absence; but I wonder that at our last Assembly they drew themselves apart, and joyned not with us, but drew from us some of our Ministers, and willed them to conclude such things as were never proposed to the publike Assembly, very prejudiciall to the Liberty of the Church; and therefore my judgement is, That they shall be informed of this offence, which the whole Brethren have conceived of their former Fact; Humbly requiring, That if they be Brethren, that they would assist their Brethren with their presence and counsell, for we had never greater need: And if they be minded to fall back from us, it were better we knew it now, then afterwards. Thereto agreed the whole Assembly, and gave Commission to certaine Brethren, to signifie the mindes of the Assembly unto the Lords; which was done that same afternoon. The Courtiers at the first seemed a little offended, that they should be as it were suspected of defection; yet neverthelesse upon the morning they joyned with the Assembly, and came unto it; but they drew themselves (like as they did before) apart, and entred into the inner Councell-House. They were the Duke, the Earls of Argyle, Murray, Mortoune, Glencarne, Mershall, Lord Rosse, the Master of Maxwell, Secretary Lethington, the Justice Clerk, the Clerk of the Register, and the Laird of Pittarrow Comptroller.
After a little consultation, they directed a Messenger, M. George Hay, the Minister of the Court, requiring the Superintendents, and some of the learned Ministers, to confer with them. The Assembly answered, They convened to deliberate upon the common affairs of the Church, and therefore that they could not lack their Superintendents, and chiefe Ministers, whose judgements were so necessary, that the rest should sit (as it were) idle, without them; And therefore willed them, as oft before, That if they acknowledged themselves Members of the Church, that they would joyn with their Brethren, and propose in publike such things as they pleased, and so they should have the assistance of the whole, in all things that might stand with Gods Commandment: But to send from themselves a portion of their company, they understood, That thereof hurt and slander might arise, rather then any profit or comfort to the Church; for they feared that all men should not stand content with the conclusion, where the conference and reasonings were heard but of a few.
This answer was not given without cause; for no small travell was made, to have drawn some Ministers to the faction of the Courtiers, and to have sustained their Arguments and Opinions: But when it was conceived by the most politick amongst them, That they could not travell by that means, they prepared the matter in other termes, purging themselves, That they never meant to divide themselves from the Society of their Brethren, but because they had certain Heads to confer with certain Ministers. But the Assembly did still reply, That secret Conference would they not admit, in those Heads that should be concluded by generall Voice. The Lords promised, That no Conclusion should be taken, neither yet Vote required, till that both the Propositions and the Reasons should be heard and considered by the whole Body; and upon that condition were directed unto them, with expresse charge, To conclude nothing, without the knowledge and advise of the Assembly, The Laird of Dun, Superintendent of Angus, the Superintendents of Lothain and Fyfe, Master Iohn Row, Master Iohn Craig, William Christieson, Master David Lyndsay, Ministers; with the Rector of Saint Androes, and Master George Hay, the Superintendent of Glasgow: Master Iohn Willock was Moderator, and Iohn Knox waited upon the Scribe; And so were they appointed to sit with the Brethren: And yet because the principall complaint touched Iohn Knox, he was also called for.