History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland, Book 5 · Floating text 3 – Floating text 4

History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland · Book 5 · Floating text 3 – Floating text 4

p. 420HEnry and Mary, By the Grace of God, King and Queen of Scots; To all and sundry Our Lieges and Subjects whom it may concerne, and to whose knowledge these Letters shall come, Greeting.

Forasmuch as in this Uprore lately raised up against us, by certaine Rebels; and their assistants, the authors thereof (to blinde the eyes of the simple people) have given them to understand, That the quarrell they have in hand is onelyonly Religion, thinking with that cloke to cover their ungodly designes, and so, under that plausible argument, to draw after them a large train of ignorant persons, easie to be seduced. Now for the preservation of our good Subjects, whose case were to be pitied, if they blindely should suffer themselves to be induced and trapped in so dangerous a snare, it hath pleased the goodnesse of God, by the utterance of their own mouthes and writings to us, to discover the poyson that before lay hid in their hearts, albeit to all persons of cleer judgment the same was evident enough before:Note how this agrees with our times. For what other thing [is this, but to dissolve the whole Policy, and in a manner to invert the very order] might move the principal raisers of this tumult to put themselves in Arms against us so unnaturally, upon whom we had bestowed so many benefits; But that the great honor we did them, they being thereof unworthy, made them misknow themselves; and their ambition could not be satisfied with heaping riches upon riches, & honor upon honor, unlesse they retain in their hands p. 421us, and our whole Realme to be led, used, and disposed at their pleasure. But this could not the multitude have perceived, if God (for disclosing their Hypocrisie) had not compelled them to utter their unreasonable desire to Governe; for now by Letters sent from themselves to us, which make plain profession, that the establishing of Religion will not content them,Let this be conferred with our times. but we must be forced to govern by Councell, such, as it shall please them to appoint us; a thing so farre beyond all measure, that we thinke the onelyonly mention of so unreasonable a demand is sufficient to make their nearest Kinsfolks their most mortall enemies, and all men to run on them without further scruple, that are zealous to have their native Countrey to remain still in the state of a Kingdome: For what other thing is this, but to dissolve the whole policie, and (in a manner) to invert the very order of nature, to make the Prince obey, and Subjects command. The like was never demanded by any of our most Noble Progenitors heretofore, yea, not of Governours and Regents; but the Prince and such as have filled their place chose their Councell of such as they thought most fit for the purpose. When we our selves were of lesse age, and at our first returning into this our Realme, we had free choice of our Councell at our pleasure, and now when we are at our full maturity, shall we be brought back to the state of Pupills, and be put under Tutory? So long as some of them bore the whole sway with us, this matter was never called in question; but now when they cannot be longer permitted to do and undoe all at their pleasure, they will put a Bridle into our mouthes, and give us a Councell chosen after their fantasie. This is the quarrell of Religion they made you beleeve they had in hand, This is the quarrell for which they would have you hazzard your Lands,Note diligenly Lives and goods, in the company of a certain number of Rebels against your naturall Prince. To speak in good language, they would be Kings themselves, or at the least leaving to us the bare Name and Title, and take to themselves the credit and whole administration of the Kingdome.

We have thought good to make publication hereof, to shew, that you suffer not your selves to be deceived under pretence of Religion, to follow them, who prefering their particular advancement to the publike tranquilitie; and having no care of you, in respect of themselves, would (if you would hearken to their voice) draw you after them, to your utter destruction. Assuring you that you have heretofore good experience of our clemency, and under our Wings enjoyed in peace the possession of your Goods, and lived at liberty of your Conscience, so may you be in full assurance of the like hereafter, and have us alwayes your good and loving Princes to so many as shall continue your selves in due obedience, and do the office of faithfull and naturall Subjects.

Given under our Signet at Saint Andrews the tenth of December, and of our Reignes the first and twentie three years. 1565.

p. 422NOw the Lords desired, next the establishing of Religion, That the Queens Majesty, in all the Affairs of the Realme and Common-wealth, should use the counsell and advice of the Nobility, and ancient blood of the same; whereas in the mean time the Councell of David and Francisco the Italians, with Fowler the Englishman, and Master Iames Balfour Parson of Flisk, was preferred before all others, save onelyonly the Earle of Athole, who was thought to be a man of grosse judgement, but neverthelesse in all things given to please the Queen. It was now finally come to this point, that in stead of Law, Justice and equity, onelyonly Will ruled in all things; there was thorow all the Countie set out a Proclamation in the King and Queens names, commanding all persons to come and meet them at Sterlin the first day of October following, with twenty dayes provision, under pain of life, lands and goods. It was uncertain whether their Majesties intended to passe from Sterlin or not, and I beleeve the principall men knew not well at that time; for a report was, That by reason the Castles of Hamilton and Draffen were kept Fortified and Victualled at the Dukes command, that they would passe to siege the said houses, & give them some shot of a Canon; others said, They would passe towards my L. of Argile, who had his people alwayes armed, whereof his neighbours were afraid, especially the Inhabitants of Athole and Lenox; but at length it was concluded that they should passe to Dumfreis, as shall be declared.

During this time there were Propositions made continually to the King and Queen, by the Lords, desiring alwayes their Majesties most humbly to receive them into their hands: Their Articles tended continually to these two Heads, viz. To abolish the Masse, root out Idolatry, and Establish the true Religion, And that they and the affaires of the Realm should be governed by the advice and counsell of the true Nobility of the same; offering themselves and their cause to be tried by the Lawes of the Countrey. Yet nothing could be accepted nor taken in good part, albeit the Master of Maxwell laboured by all meanes to redresse the matter, who also entertained the Lords most honourably in Dumfreis, for he had the government of all that Countrey. But he himself incurred the Queens wrath so, that he was summoned to present himself and appear before the King and Queens Majesties, after the same form that the rest of the Lords were charged with, and also commanded to give over the House of Lochmabben, and the Castle which he had in keeping for the Queen. And albeit he obeyed not, yet was he not put to the Horne, as the rest. Neverthelesse there was no man that doubted of his good will and partaking with the Lords, who in the mean time sent Robert Melvin to the Queen of England, and declared their state to her Majesty, desiring support.

Now the chief care and solicitude that was in the Court, was, By what means they might come to have money, for notwithstanding this great preparation for warre, and eminent appearance of trouble, yet were they destitute of the sinewes of Warre; albeit the Treasurers, and now Comptroller, to wit, the Laird of Tilbardin, had disbursed many thousands; yet there was no appearance of payment of souldiers, nor scarcely how the King and Queens Houses and pompous Trains should be upholden; there p. 423was about 600. Horsmen, besides the Guard and 3. Ensignes of footmen. The charge of the whole would amount to 1000. l. ster. every monethmonth; a thing surpassing the usuall manner of Scotland. At this time arrived the Earl of Bothwell, who was welcome, and graciously received by the Queen, and immediately placed in Councell, and made Lieutenant of the West and middle Marches. Now as every one of the Barons compounded to be exempted from this meeting; the E. of Athole demanded of Edinburgh 200. l. ster. but they refused to pay it; notwithstanding Octo. 27. there was a certain number of the principall and rich persons of the Town warned by a Macer to passe to the Palace of Hallyrudhouse to the King and Queen, who declared to them by their own mouthes, speaking that they had use for money, and therefore knowing them to be honest men and the inhabitants of the best Citie in their Countrey, they must needs charge them; and for security they should have other men bound for pledges, or any Hand therefore. The sum that they desired was 1000 l. sterl. and no lesse. They being astonished, made no answer; but Parson Flisk standing by, said, That seeing the King and Queens Majesties desired them so civilly, in a thing most lawfull in their necessitie, they did shew themselves not honest to keepe silence and give no answer to their Majesties, for that must needs be had of them which was required; and if they would not, they should be constrained by the Laws,So was the Citie of London for warre against Scotland, vexed for the leavie of mony which they would not abide; for some of them had deserved hanging (said he) because they had lent large summs of money to the King and Queens enemies, and Rebels; and therefore they must shortly suffer great punishment. Soon after they were called in one by one, and demanded how much they would lend? some made this excuse, and some that, by reason there were that offered to lend money; amongst whom there was one offered to lend 20 l. To him the Earle of Athole said, Thou art worthy to be hanged that speakest of 20 l. seeing the Princes charge thee so easily. Finally, they were all imprisoned, and souldiers set over them, having their Muskets ready charged, and their Match lighted, even in the house with them, where they remained all that night, and the next day till night; and then being changed from one prison to another, there were six chosen out and sent in the night to the Castle of Edinburgh, convoyed with Musketteers round about them, as if they had been Murtherers or most vile persons. At length (the third day) by means of the Laird of Craigmiller Provest, and some others, the summe was made more easie, to wit, a 1000 Marks sterling, to be paid immediately, and to have the superioritie of Leithin in Pledge (to wit) upon condition of Redemption. And besides the said summe of 1000 Marks sterlin they paid 1000 l. sterl. For the meeting at Dumfreis at the day appointed, for electing the officers, the Queen sent in a Ticket such as she would have them to chuse for Provest, Bailiffs, and Councell, whereof there was a number of Papists, the rest not worthy. Of the number given in by the Queen, they named such as should rule for that year; Notwithstanding without free Election, the Laird Craigmiller, remained Provest, who shewed himself most willing to set forward Religion, to punish vice, and to maintain the Common-wealth. All this time the Ministers cried out against the Masse and such Idolatry, for it was more advanced by the Queen then before.

p. 424The first day of October met in Edinburgh the Superintendant of Lothian, with all the Ministers under his charge, according to their ordinary custome; for every Superintendant used to convene the whole Ministery, and there it was complained on, That they could get no payment of their stipends, not only about the City, but thorow the whole Realm. Therefore after reasoning and consultation taken, they framed a supplication directed to the King and Queen, and immediately presented the same to their Majesties by M. Iohn Spottswood Superintendant of Lothian, and Master David Lindsey Minister of Leith; it contained in effect, That forasmuch as it had pleased the King and Queens Majesties (with advice of the Privie Councell) to grant unto the Ministers of the Word their stipends to be taken of the Thirds of the Benefices, which Stipends are now detained from the said Ministers by reason of the troubles and changing of the Comptroller, whereby they are not able to live; and therefore most humbly craved the King and Queens Majesty to cause them to be paid. Their answer was, That they would cause order to be taken therin to their contentment. Soon after the Lord Gordion came to Edinburgh, and left the most part of his people at Sterlin with his carriage; the King and Queen for hope of his good service to be done, restored him to his Fathers place, to the Earledome of Hintley, the Lands and Heritage thereof. October 8. the King and Queene marched forth of Edinburgh towards Dumfreis, and as they passed from the Pallace of Hallyrud-house all men were warned with Jack and Spear. The first night they came to Sterlin, and the next to Craford; the day after the Lairds of Drunlaurick and Lochinvar, met the Queen, albeit they had been with the Lords familiar enough. The Lords perceiving, that all hope of reconciliation was past, they rode to Ednam, where they remained till the Queen came to Dumfreis, and then they past to Carlile. Now the Master of Maxwell, who had entertained the Lords familiarly, and subscribed with them, and had spoken as highly against their enemies as any of themselves, and had received large mony by that means, to wit, 1000. l. to raise a Band or Troup of Horsmen; and that the same day the King and Queen came to Dumfreis; the third day after their coming he came to them, conveyed by the Earle Bothwell, with divers other Noblemen. At length the Earles of Athole and Hintley were Sureties for him, and all things past remitted, upon condition, that he should be a faithfull and obedient subject hereafter. The same day they made Musters, the next day the Army was dispersed, being about 18000. men; the King and Queen past to Lothinaben, where the Master of Maxwell gave a Banquet, and then forthwith marched to Tueddall, so to Peblis, and then to Edinburgh.

The best and chief part of the Nobility of this Realme, who also were the principall Instruments of the Reformation of Religion, and therefore were called the Lords of the Congregation, in manner above rehearsed, were banished and chased into England; they were courteously received and entertained by the Earle of Bedford Lieutenant,Note diligently upon the Borders of England. Soon after the Earle of Murray took Post towards London, leaving the rest of the Lords at Newcastle; every man supposed that the Earle of Murray should have been graciously received of the Queen of England, and that he should have gotten support according to his hearts desire; but farre p. 425beyond his expectation, he could get no audience of the Queen of England: But by means of the French Ambassadour, called Monsieur de Four, his true friend, he obtained audience. The Queen, with a fair countenance, demanded, How he, being a Rebell to her sister of Scotland, durst take the boldnesse upon him to come within her Realm? These and the like words got he, instead of the good and courteous entertainment expected. Finally, after private discourse, the Ambassadour being absent, she refused to give the Lords any support, denying plainly that ever she had promised any such thing as to support them,Note diligently Q… Elizabeth. saying, She never meant any such thing in that way; albeit her greatest familiars knew the contrary. In the end, the Earle of Murray said to her, Madame, whatsoever thing your Majestie meant in your heart, we are thereof ignorant; but thus much we know assuredly, That we had lately faithfull promises of ayd and support by your Ambassadour, and familiar servants, in your name: And further, we have your owne hand-writing; confirming the said promises. And afterward he took his leave, and came North-ward from London, towards Newcastle.

After the Earle of Murray his departure from the Court,Here mark either deep dissimulation, or a great inconstancy. the Queen sent them some ayd, and writ unto the Queen of Scotland in their favour: Whether she had promised it in private to the Earle of Murray, or whether she repented her of the harsh reception of the Earle of Murray.

At this time David Rizio Italian, began to be higher exalted, insomuch as there was no matter or thing of importance done without his advice. And during this time, the faithfull within this Realme were in great fear, looking for nothing but great trouble and persecution to be shortly. Yet Supplications and Intercessions were made thorowout all the Congregations, especially for such as were afficted and banished, That it would please God to give them patience, comfort, and constancy; and this especially was done at Edinburgh, where Iohn Knox used to call them that were banished, The best part of the Nobility, Chiefe Members of the Congregation: Whereof the Courtiers being advertised, they took occasion to revile and bewray his sayings, alleadging, He prayed for the Rebels, and desired the people to pray for them likewise. The Laird of Lethington chief Secretary, in presence of the King and Queens Majesties and Councell, confessed that he heard the Sermons, and said, There was nothing at that time spoken by the Minister, whereat any man need to be offended: And further, declared plainly, That by the Scripture it was lawfull to pray for all men.

In the end of November, the Lords with their complices, were summoned to appear the fourth day of February, for Treason, and laese Majestie: But in the mean time, such of the Nobility as had professed the Evangell of Christ, and had communicate with the Brethren at the Lords Table, were ever longer the more suspected by the Queen, who began to declare her self in the Months of November and December, to be maintainer of the Papists; for at her pleasure, the Earles of Lenox, p. 426Athole, and Cassels, with divers others, without any dissimulation known, went to the Masse openly in her Chappell: Yet neverthelesse the Earles of Huntley and Bothwell went not to Masse, albeit they were in great favour with the Queen. As for the King, he past his time in Hunting and Hawking, and such other pleasures as were agreeable to his appetite, having in his company Gentlemen willing to satisfie his will and affections.

About this time, in the beginning of as the Court remained at Edinburgh, the banished Lords by all means possible, by writings and their friends, made suit and means to the King and Queens Majesties, to be received into favour.

At this time the Abbot of Kylwinning came from Newcastle to Edinburgh, and after he had gotten audience of the King and Queen, with great difficulty he got Pardon for the Duke, and his friends and servants, upon this Condition, That he should passe into France; which he did soon after.

The five and twentieth of December convened in Edinburgh the Commissioners of the Churches within this Realme for the generall assemblie, There assisted to them the Earles of Morton and Marre, the Lord Lindsay, and Secretary Lethington, with some Barons and Gentlemen. The principall things that were agreed and concluded, were, That forasmuch as the Masse, with such Idolatry, and Papisticall Ceremonies, were still maintained, expresly against the Act of Parliament, and the Proclamations made at the Queens Arrivall; And that the Queen had promised that she would hear Conference and Disputation; That the Church therefore offered to prove by the Word of God, That the Doctrine preached within this Realme was according to the Scriptures; and that the Masse, with all the Papisticall Doctrine, was but the invention of men, and meer Idolatry.

Secondly, That by reason of the change of the Comptroller, who had put in new Collectors, forbidding them to deliver any thing to the Ministry, and by these means the Ministry was like to decay and fail, contrary to the Ordinance made in the yeer of God 1562. in favour and support of the Ministery. During this time, as the Papists flocked to Edinburgh for making Court, some of them that had been Friers, as black Abercrommy and Roger, presented supplication to the Queens Majesty, desiring in effect, That they might be permitted to preach; which was easily granted. The noyse was further, That they offered Disputation: For as the Court stood, they thought they had a great advantage already, by reason they knew the King to be of their Religion, as well as the Queen, with some part of the Nobility, who with the King after declared themselves openly: And especially the Queen was governed by the Earls of Lenox and Athole; but in matters most weighty, and of greatest importance, by David Rizio the Italian afore mentioned, who went under the name of the French Secretary; by whose means, all grave matters, of what weight soever, must passe; providing always, That his hands were anoynted. In the mean time he was a manifest enemy to the Evangell, and therefore a greater enemy to the banished Lords. And at this time, the principall Lords that waited at Court were divided in opinions; For the Earle of Morton Chancellor, with the Earle of p. 427Marr, and Secretary Lethington, were on the one part; and the Earles of Huntley and Bothwell on the other part, so that a certain drynesse was amongst them; neverthelesse, by means of the Earle of Athole, they were reconciled. Now as there was preparation made by the Papists for Christmas, the Queen being then at Masse, the King came publikely, and bare company; and the Friers Preached the dayes following, alwayes using another stile then they had done seven yeers before, during which time they had not Preached publikely: they were so little esteemed, that they continued not long in Preaching.

At the same time convened in Edinburgh the generall Assembly of the Ministers, and Commissioners of the Churches Reformed within this Realme: There assisted them of the Nobility, the Earles of Morton and Marr, the Lord Lindsay, and Secretary Lethington, with others. The chief things that were concluded in this Assembly, were, That for the avoyding of the plagues and scourges of God which appeared to come upon the people for their sins and ingratitude, there should be proclaimed by the Ministers a publike Fast, to be Universally observed thorowout all the Reformed Churches; which manner of Fasting was soon after devised by Iohn Knox, at the Command of the Church, and put in Print, wherefore needs not here to be recited in this place.At the end of this Book you shall finde this. What followed upon the said Fast, shall be plainly, God willing, declared. The second thing that was ordained in this Assembly, was, concerning the Ministers, who for want of payment of their stipends, were like to perish, or else to leave their Ministry: wherefore it was found necessary, That supplication should be made to the King and Queens Majesties; And for the same purpose, a certain uumber of the most able men were elected to go to their Majesties aforesaid, to lament and bemone their case; Which persons had Commission to propose some other things, as shall be declared. The names of them that past from the Church to the King and Queens Majesties, were, M. Iohn Spotswood, Superintendent of Lowthian; Iohn Winrame, Superintendent of Fyfe; M. Iohn Row, Minister of Perth; M. David Lyndsay, Minister of Leith, who easily obtained audience of the King and Queens Majesties: And after their reverence done, M. Iohn Row, in name of the rest, opened the matter, lamenting & bewailing the miserable state of the poor Ministers, who by publike command had been reasonably satisfied three yeers or more, by vertue of the Act made with advice of the honorable Privie Councell, for the taking up of the Thirds of the Benefices, which was especially made in their favours: Neverthelesse the Laird of Tillibardin, new Comptroller, would answer them nothing: Wherefore they besought their Majesties for relief. Secondly, seeing that in all Supplications made to the King and Queens Majesties by the Church at all times, they desired most earnestly that all Idolatry and superstition, and especially the Masse, should be rooted out and abolished quite out of this Realme; And that in the last generall Assembly of the Church, by their Commissioners, they had most earnestly desired the same; And that their answer was then, That they knew no impediment in the Masse; therefore the Assembly desired, That it might please their Highnesses to hear Disputation, to the end that such as now pretend to Preach in the Chappell Royall, and maintain p. 428such errours; the Truth being tryed by disputation, that they might be known to be abusers, submitting themselves alwayes to the Word of God written in the Scriptures. To this it was answered by the Queen, That she was alwayes minded that the Ministers should be paid their Stipends; and if there was any fault therein, the same came by some of their own sort, meaning the Comptroller Pittarow, who had the handling of the Thirds: Alwayes by the advice of her Councell she should cause such order to be taken therein, that none should have occasion to complain. As to the second, She would not jeopard her Religion upon such as were there present; for she knew well enough that the Protestants were more learned.

The Ministers and Commissioners of Churches perceiving nothing but delay, and driving off time, in the old manner, went home every one to their own Churches, waiting upon the good providence of God, continually making Supplication unto Almighty God, that it would please him of his mercy to remove the apparant plague. And in the mean time the Queen was busied with Banqueting about with some of the Lords of the Session of Edinburgh, and after with all men of Law, having continually in her company David Rizio, who sate at Table neer to her self, sometimes more privately then became a man of his Condition, for his over-great familiarity was already supected; and it was thought, That by his advice alone the Queens sharpnesse and extremity towards the Lords was maintained.

In the end of Ianuary arrived an Ambassadour from France, named Monsieur Rambullet, having with him about fourty Horse in Trayn, who came thorow England: He brought with him the Order of the Cockle from the King of France, to the King, who received the same at the Masse, in the Chappell of the Palace of Halyrud-house. There assisted the Earles of Lenox, Athole, and Eglington, with divers such other Papists as would please the Queen, who three dayes after caused the Herald to convene in Councell, and reasoned what Armes should be given to the King; some thought he should have the Armes of Scotland; some others said, Seeing it was not concluded in Parliament that he should have the Crown Matrimoniall, he could have Armes but onelyonly as Duke of Rothesay, Earle of Rosse, &c. The Queen bade give him onelyonly his due; whereby it was perceived her love waxed cold towards him. Finally, his Arms were left blank; and the Queen caused put her own name before her husbands in all Wrets; and thereafter she caused to leave out his name wholly: And because formerly he had signed every thing of any moment, she caused to make a Seale like the Kings, and gave it to David Rizio, who made use of it by the Queens Command, alleadging, That the King being at his Pastime, could not alwayes be present.

About the same time the Earle of Glencarne came from Barwicke to his owne Countrey. Soon after, the Earle of Bothwell was married unto the Earle of Huntley his sister. The Queene desired that the Marriage might be made in the Chappell at the Masse; which the Earle Bothwell would in no wise grant. Upon Sunday the third day of March, began the Fasting at Edinburgh. The seventh day of March, the p. 429Queen came from the Pallace of Hallirud-house to the Town in wondrous gorgious apparell, albeit the number of Lords and Train was not very great. In the mean time the King accompanied with seven or eight horse, went to the Leith to passe his time there, for hee was not like to get the Crown Matrimoniall.

In the Tolbooth was devised and named the Heads of the Articles that were drawn against the banished Lords; Upon the morrow and Saturday following, there was great reasoning concerning the Attainder; some alleadged, That the Summons was was not well Libelled or Dressed; others thought the matter of Treason was not sufficiently proved; and indeed they were still seeking proof, for there was no other way but the Queen would have them all attainted albeit the time was very short; the twelfth day of March should have been the day, which was the Tuesday following.

Now the matter was stayed by a marvellous Tragedy, for by the Lords (upon the Saturday before, which was the ninth of March, about Supper-time) David Rizio the Italian, named the French Secretary, was slain in the Gallery below Stairs (the King staying in the room with the Queen, told her, That the Designe was onelyonly to take order with that Villain) after that he had been taken violently from the Queens presence, who requested most earnestly for the saving of his life; which act was done by the Earle of Morton, the Lord Ruthven, the Lord Lindsay the Master of Ruthven, with divers other Gentlemen. They first purposed to have hanged him, and had provided Cords for the same purpose; but the great haste which they had, moved them to dispatch him with Whingers or Daggers, wherewith they gave him three and fifty strokes. They sent away and put forth all such persons as they suspected.

The Earles Bothwell and Hnntley hearing the noise and clamour, came suddenly to the Close, intending to have made work, if they had had a partie strong enough; but the Earle Morton commanded them to passe to their Chamber, or else they should doe worse: At the which words they retyred immediately, and so past forth at a back Window, they two alone, and with great fear came forth of the Towne to Edmistone, on foot, and from thence to Crichton.

This David Rizio was so foolish, that not onelyonly he had drawne unto him the managing of all Affaires, the King set aside, but also his Equipage and Train did surpasse the Kings; and at the Parliament that was to be, he was ordained to be Chancellour; which made the Lords conspire against him: They made a Bond to stand to the Religion and Liberties of the Countreys, and to free themselves of the slavery of the Villain David Rizio: The King and his father subscribed to the Bond, for they durst not trust the Kings word without his Signet.

There was a French Priest (called Iohn Daniot) who advised David Rizio to make his fortune, and be gone, for the Scots would not suffer him long. His answer was, That the Scots would bragg but not fight; then he advised him to beware of the Bastard. To this he answered, That the Bastard should never live in Scotland, in his time; (he meant the Earle Murray) but it happened, that one George Dowlas Bastard son to the Earle of p. 430Angus gave him the first stroke. The Queen when she heard he was dead, left weeping, and declared she would study revenge, which she did.

Immediatly it was noised in the Town of Edinburgh, that there was murther committed within the Kings Palace, wherefore the Provest caused to Ring the common Bell, or, Sonner le toksain, (as the French speaks) and straightway past to the Palace, having about four or five hundred men in warlike manner; and as they stood in the utter Court, the King called to the Provest, commanding him to passe home with his company, saying, The Queen and he were merry. But the Provest desired to hear the Queen speak her self; Whereunto it was answered by the King, Provest, know you not that I am King? I command you to passe home to your houses; and immediately they retired.

The next day (which was the second Sunday of our Fast in Edinburgh) there was a Proclamation made in the Kings Name, subscribed with his hand, That all Bishops, Abbots, and other Papists should avoid and depart the Town; which Proclamation was indeed observed, for they had a Flea in their Hose.

There were Letters sent forth in the Kings Name, and subscribed with his hand, to the Provest and Bailiffs of Edinburgh, the Bailiffs of Leith and Cannogate, commanding them to be ready in Armour to assist the King and his Company, and likewise other private writings directed to divers Lords and Gentlemen, to come with all expedition.

In the mean time the Queen being above measure enraged, offended and troubled, as the issue of the matter declared, sometime railing upon the King, and sometime crying out at the Windows, desired her servants to set her at libertie; for she was highly offended and troubled.

This same tenth of March the Earle of Murray, with the rest of the Lords and Noblemen that were with him, having received the Kings Letter, (for after the Bond, above named, was Subscribed, the King Wrote unto the banished Lords, to return into their Countrey, being one of the Articles of the said Bond) came at night to the Abbey, being also convoyed by the Lord Hume and a great company of the borderers, to the n…mber of 1000 horses. And first, after he had presented himself to the King, the Queen was informed of his sudden coming, and therefore sent unto him, commanding him to come to her; and he obeying, went to her, who with a singular gravitie received him, after that he had made his purgation, and declared the over-great affection which he bore continually to her Majestie. The Earles of Athole, Cathnes and Sutherland departed out of the Town, with the Bishops, upon the Munday, the third day after the slaughter of David Rizio. The Earles of Lenox, Murray, Morton, and Rothes, Lords Ruthven, Lindsay, Boyd, and Ocheltrie, sitting in Councell, desired the Queen, That forasmuch as the thing which was done could not be undone, that she would (for avoiding of greater inconveniences) forget the same, and take it as good service, seeing there were so many Noblemen restored. The Queen dissembling her displeasure and indignation, gave good words, neverthelesse she desired, That all persons armed or otherwise (being within the Palace at that time) should remove, leaving the Palace void of all, saving onelyonly her domestick servants. p. 431The Lords being perswaded by the uxorious King, and and the facile Earle of Murray, condescended to her desire, who finally the next morning, two hours before day, past to Seaton, and then to Dumbar, having in her company the simple King, who was allured by her sugred words; from Dumbar immediately were sent Pursuivants with Letters thorowout the Countrey; and especially Letters to the Noble-men and Barons, commanding them to come to Dumbar, to assist the King and Queen within five dayes: In the mean time the Lords being informed of the sudden departure, they were astonished, and knew not what were best for them to do: But because it was the self-same day (to wit, the twelfth day of March) that they were summoned unto; therefore having good opportunity, they past to the Tolbooth, which was richly hung with Tapistry, and orned (but not for them) and set themselves, making Protestations, the Earle of Glencarne, and some others, being present. The Earle of Argyle, who was written for by the King, came to Lithgow; and being informed of the matter, he remained there.

After this manner above specified, to wit, by the death of David Rizio, the Noble-men were relieved of their trouble, and restored to their places and rooms: And likewise the Church Reformed, and all that professed the Evangell within this Realm, after Fasting and Prayer, was delivered and freed from the apparant dangers which were like to have fallen upon them; For if the Parliament had taken effect, and proceeded, it was thought by all men of the best judgement, That the true Protestant Religion should have been wrackt, and Popery erected; and for the same purpose, there were certain Woodden Altars made, to the number of twelve, found ready in the Chappell of the Palace of Halyrud-house, which should have been erected in Saint Gyles his Church.

The Earles Bothwell and Huntley being informed of the King and Queenes sudden departure forth of Edinburgh, came to Dumbar, where they were most graciously received by the Queens Majesty; who consulting with them and the Master of Maxwell, together with Parson Owin, and Parson Fliske, chief Councellors, what was best to be done, and how she should be revenged upon the murtherers. At first they did intend to go forward, and leaving no manner of cruelty unpractised, putting to death all such as were suspected: This was the opinion of such as would obey their Queens rage and fury for their own advantage; But in the end they concluded, That she should come to Edinburgh with all the force and power she could make, and there proceed to Justice: And for the same purpose, she caused to summon, by open Proclamation, all persons of defence, and all Noble-men and Gentlemen, to come to her in Dumbar incontinent. In the mean time, the Captains laboured by all means to take up and enroll men and women. The Earles of Morton, Murray, Glencarne, Rothesse, with the rest that were in Edinburgh, being informed of the Queens fury and anger towards the committers of the slaughter, and perceiving they were not able to make any Party, thought it best to give place to her fury for a time; for they were divided in opinions, and finally, departed out of Edinburgh, upon Sunday the seventeenth of March, every one a severall way; for the Queens p. 437Majesty was now bent onelyonly against the slayers of David Rizio; and to the purpose she might be the better revenged upon them, she intended to give pardon to all such as before had been attainted, for whatsoever crime.

The eighteenth day of March, the King and Queen came to Edinburgh, having in their company horse and foot, to the number of 8000 men; whereof there were four Companies of Foot-men of War. The Town of Edinburgh went out to meet them, for fear of War. And finally, coming within the Town, in most awfull manner they caused to place their men of War within the Town, and likewise certain Field-Pieces against their Lodging, which was in the middle of the Town, over against the Salt Trove: Now a little before the Queenes entrance into the Towne, all that knew of her cruell pretence and hatred towards them, fled here and there; And amongst others, Master Iames Magill the Clerk Register, the Justice Clerk, and the common Clerk of the Towne: The chief Secretary Lethington was gone before; likewise Iohn Knox past West to Kyle: The men of War likewise kept the Ports or Gates. Within five days after their entry, there was a Proclamation made at the Market-Crosse, for the purgation of the King from the aforesaid slaughter; which made all understanding men laugh at the passages of things, since the King not onelyonly had given his consent, but also had subscribed the Bond afore-named; and the businesse was done in his name, and for his Honour, if he had had wisedome to know it. After this Proclamation, the King lost his credit among all men, and so his friends, by this his inconstancy and weaknesse.

And in the mean time the men of War committed great outrages in breaking up doors, thrusting themselves into every house: And albeit the number of them were not great, yet the whole Town was too little for them. Soon after, the King and Queen past to the Castle, and caused to warne all such as had absented themselves, by open Proclamation, to appear before their Majesties and the Privy Councell within six dayes, under pain of Rebellion; which practice was devised in the Earle of Huntleys case, before the Battell of Corrichy: And because they appeared not, they were denounced Rebells, and put to the Horne, and immediately thereafter, their Escheats given or taken up by the Treasurer. There was a certain number of the Towns-men charged to enter themselves prisoners in the Tolbooth, and with them were put in certain Gentlemen: Where, after they had remained eight dayes, they were convoyed down to the Palace by the men of War, and then kept by them eight dayes more: And of that number was Thomas Scot Sheriff deput… of S. Iohnston, who was condemned to death, and executed cruelly; to wit, hanged and quartered, for keeping the Queen in prison, as was alleadged, although it was by the Kings command: And two men likewise were condemned to death, and carried likewise to the Ladder foot; But the E. Bothwell presented the Queens Ring to the Provest, which then was Justice, for safety of their life. The names of those two were Io. Mobray Merchant, and Will. Harlow Sadler. About the same time, notwithstanding all this hurliburly, the Ministers of the Church, and professors of Religion ceased not; for the people, they convened to publike prayers & preaching with boldnesse; yea, a great number of Noble-men assisted likewise. The E. Bothwell p. 433had now, of all men, greatest accesse and familiarity with the Queen, so that nothing of any great importance was done without him; for he shewed favour to such as liked him; and amongst others, to the Lairds of Ormeston, Hawton, and Calder, who was so reconciled unto him, that by his favour they were relieved of great trouble.

The Earles of Argyle and Murray, at the Queens Command, past to Argyle, where, after they had remained about a MonethMonth, they were sent for by the Queene; and coming to Edinburgh, they were received by the Queene into the Castle, and banquetted, the Earles of Huntley and Bothwell being present.

At this time the King grew to be contemned and disesteemed, so that scarcely any Honour was done to him; and his Father likewise.

About Easter the King past to Sterlin, where he was Shriven, after the Papist manner: And in the meane time, at the Palace of Halyrud-house, in the Chappell, there resorted a great number to the Masse, albeit the Queen remained still in the Castle, with her Priests of the Chappell Royall, where they used Ceremonies after the Popish manner.

At the same time departed this life Master Iohn Sinclar, Bishop of Rosse, and Dean of Lestarrig, of whom hath been oft mention, President of the Colledge of Justice, called the Session; who also succeeded in the said Office and Dignity after the decease of his brother Master Iohn Sinclar, Bishop of Rosse, Dean of Glasgow, who departed this life at Paris, about a yeer before: They were both learned in the Laws, and given to maintain the Popish Religion, and therefore great enemies to the Protestants. A little before died Master Abrabam Crithton, who had been President likewise now in their rooms.

The Queen placed such as she pleased, and had done her service (alwayes very unfit) The Patrimony of the Kirk, Bishopricks, Abbeyes, and such other Benefices, were disposed by the Queen to Courtiers, Dancers, and Flatterers. The Earle Bothwell, whom the Queen preferred above all others, after the decease of David Rizio, had for his part Melrosse, Hadington, and New Bottell; likewise the Castle of Dumbar was given to him, with the principall Lands of the Earldome of Merche, which were of the Patrimony of the Crown.

At the same time the Superintendents, with the other Ministers of the Churches, perceiving the Ministery like to decay for lack of payment of Stipends to Ministers, they gave this Supplication at Edinburgh.

The Supplication of the Ministers to the Queene.

UNto your Majesty, and your most honourable Councel, most humbly and lamentably complains your Highnesse poor Orators, the Superintendents, and other Ministers of the Reformed Church of God, travelling thorowout all your Highnesse Realme, in teaching and instructing your Lieges in all Quarters, in the knowledge of God, and Christ Jesus his Son; That where your Majestie, with the advice of the Councell and Nobility aforesaid, moved by godly zeal, concluded and determined, That the travelling Ministery thorowout this Realme, should be maintained upon the Rents of the Benefices of this Realme of Scotland; p. 434and for that cause your Majesty, with the advice of the Councell and Nobility aforesaid, upon the 15 day of December 1562. in like manner concluded and determined, That if the said part of the Rents of the whole Benefices Ecclesiasticall within this Realme would be sufficient to maintain the Ministers thorowout the whole Realm, and to support your Majestie in the setting forward of your common affairs, should be employed accordingly: Failing thereof, the third part of the said fruits, or more, to be taken up yeerly in time coming, untill a generall Order be taken therein; as the Act made thereupon at more length bears: Which being afterward considered by your Majesty, the whole Thirds of the fruits aforesaid were propounded to the uses aforesaid, by Act of Councell. And we your Majesties poor Orators, put in peaceable possession of the part assigned by your Majestie to us, by the space of three yeers, or thereabouts, which we did enjoy without interruption; notwithstanding all this, now of late, we your Majesties poor Orators aforesaid, are put wrongfully and unjustly from their aforesaid part of the above specified Thirds, by your Majesties Officers, and thereby brought to such extreme penury, and extreme distresse, as we are not able any longer to maintain our selves. And albeit we have given in divers and sundry complaints to your Majestie herein, and have received divers promises of redresse; yet have we found no relief: Therefore we most humbly beseech your Majesty to consider our most grievous complaint, together with the right above specified, whereon the same is grounded. And if your Majestie, with the advice of your Councell aforesaid, findes our right sufficient to continue us in possession of our part assigned to us, while and untill a generall Order be taken; which possession was ratified by the yeerly allowance of your Majesties Exchequers accompt, That your Majesty would grant us Letters upon the aforesaid Act and Ordinance past thereupon, against all intromettors and medlers with the aforesaid Thirds, to answer and obey, according to the aforesaid Act and Ordinance of our possession proceeding thereupon; And likewise that we may have Letters, if need be, to arrest and stay the aforesaid Thirds in the possessors hands, while and untill sufficient caution be found to us, for our part aforesaid. And your answer most humbly we beseech.

This Supplication being presented by the Superintendent of Lowthian, and M. Iohn Craig, in the Castle of Edinburgh, was graciously received by the Queen, who promised that she would take sufficient order therein, so soon as the Nobility and Councell might convene.

The 19 of Iune, the Queen was delivered of a man-childe (the Prince in the aforesaid Castle) and immediately sent into France and England her Posts, to advertise the neighbour Princes, and to desire them to send Gossips or Wintesses of the Princes Baptisme.

In the mean time there was joy and triumph made in Edinburgh, and such other places where it was known, after thanks and praises given unto God, with Supplications for the godly Education of the Prince; and principally, wishing that he should be Baptized according to the manner and forme observed in the Reformed Churches within this Realme.

p. 435About the same time, to wit, the 25 of Iune, the generall Assembly of the whole Church convened at Edinburgh ▪ The Earles of Argyle and Murray assisted at the Assembly: Paul Methvin, who before, as we heard, was excommunicate, gave in his Supplication, and desired to be heard, as he had done divers times; for the said Paul had written oft times out of England to the Laird of Dun, and to divers others, most earnestly desiring to be received again into the Fellowship of the Church. After reasoning of the matter, it was finally granted, That he should be heard; And so being before the Assembly, and falling upon his knees, burst out with tears, and said, He was not worthy to appear in their presence; alwayes he desired them, for the love of God, to receive him to the open expression of his repentance. Shortly after, they appointed certain of the Ministers to prescribe to him the form of his declaration of Repentance, which was thus in effect, first, That he should present himself barefoot and bare-head, arayed in Sack-cloth, at the principall entry of Saint Gyles Kirk in Edinburgh, at seven hours in the morning upon the next Wednesday, and there to remain the space of an hour, the whole people beholding him, till the Prayer was made, Psalmes sung, and Text of Scripture was read, and then to come into into the place appointed, for expression of repentance, and tarry the time of Sermon; and to do so likewise the next Friday following, and also upon the Sunday; and then, in the face of the whole Church, to declare his repentance with his owne mouth. The same form and manner he should use in Iedwart and Dundie; And that being done, to present himself again at the next generall Assembly following in Winter, where he should be received to the Communion of the Church. When the said Paul had received the said Ordinance, he took it very grievously, alleadging, They had used over-great severity; Neverthelesse, being counselled and perswaded by divers notable Personages, he began well in Edinburgh to proceed, whereby a great number were moved with compassion of his state; and likewise in Iedwart: but he left his duty in Dundie, and passing again into England, the matter, not without offence to many, ceased.

The Ministers complaining that they could not be paid their Stipends, were licensed by the Assembly to passe to other Churches to Preach, but in no wise to leave the Ministery. And because that the Queens Majesty had promised often before to provide remedy, it was thought expedient that Supplication should be yet made, as before, That the Queens Majesty should cause such order to be taken, that the poor Ministers might be paid their Stipends. The Bishop of Galloway, who was brother to the Earle of Huntley, and now a great man in the Court, travelled much with the Queens Majesty in that matter, and got of her a good answer, and fair promises. A few yeers before, the said Bishop of Galloway desired of the generall Assembly to be made Superintendent of Galloway; but now being promoted to great Dignity, as to be of the number of the Lords of the Privy Councell,See in what sense proud ambitious men takes the name of Bishop. and likewise one of the Session, he would no more be called Over-looker, or Over-seer of Golloway, but Bishop: Alwayes truth it is, That he laboured much for his Nephew the Earle of Huntley, that he might be restored to his Lands and Honours; for the said Earle p. 436was new Chancellor, since the slaughter of David Rizio, and had for his clawback the Bishop of Rosse, Master Iohn Lesley, one of the chief Councellors to the Q…een: But of all men the Earle Bothwell was most in the Queens favour, so far, that all things past by him; yea, by his means the most part of all those that were partakers in the slaughter of David Rizio got remission and relief. But from that day he was not present at any Sermon,As is said before. albeit before he professed the Evangell by outward speaking, yet he never joyned to the Congregation. But this time the Earle of Cassells was contracted with the Lord of Glanes sister, by whose perswasion he became a Protestant, and caused, in the MonethMonth of August, to re…orm his Churches in Carrick, and promised to maintain the Doctrine of the Evangell.

The Queen not yet satisfied with the death of her man David, caused in August to be apprehended a man called Hary, who sometime had been of her Chappell Royall, but afterward became an exhorter in a Reformed Church; and for want of stipend, or other necessaries, past in service to my Lord Ruthuen, and chanced that night to be present when the said David was slaine; and so finally, he was condemned, and hanged, and quartered.

The King being now contemned of all men, because the Queen cared not for him, he went sometime to the Lenox to his father, and sometime to Sterlin, whither the Prince was carried a little before: Alwayes he was destitute of such things as were necessary for him, having scarcely six horses in Trayn. And being thus desolate, and half desperate, he sought means to go out of the Countrey: And about the same time, by the advice of Forlish Cagets, This inconstant yongman sometimes declared himself for the Protestant; witnesse his last Band: And now for the Papist. And as he left God, so he was left by him.he wrote to the Pope, to the King of Spain, and to the King of France, complaining of the state of the Countrey, which was all out of order, all because that Masse and Popery were not againe erected, giving the whole blame thereof to the Queen, as not managing the Catholike Cause aright: By some knave this poor Prince was betrayed, and the Queen got a Copie of these Letters into her hands, and therefore threatned him sore; and there was never after that, any appearance of love betwixt them.

The Churches of Geneva, Berne and Basill, with other Reformed Churches of Germany and France, sent to the whole Church of Scotland, the sum of the Confession of their Faith, desiring to know if they agreed in Uniformity of Doctrine, alleadging, That the Church of Scotland was dissonant in some Articles from them: Wherefore the Superintendents, with a great part of the other most qualified Ministers, convened in September in S. Andrews; and reading the said Letters, made answer, and sent word again, That they agreed in all points with those Churches, and differed in nothing from them: Albeit in the keeping of some Festivall days our Church assented not; for onelyonly the Sabbath day was kept in Scotland.

In the end of this Month the Earl Bothwell riding in pursuit of the theeves in Liddisdale, was ill hurt, and worse terrified, by a thief; for he believed surely to have departed forth of this life, and sent word thereof to the Queens Majesty, who soon after past forth of Iedwart to the Hermitage, to visite him, and give him comfort: And within a few dayes p. 431after she took sicknesse in a most extreme manner, for she lay two houres long, cold dead, as it were without breath, or any signe of life, at length she revived, by reason they had bound small Cords about her shackle bones, her knees and great toes, and speaking very softly, she desired the Lords to pray for her to God, she said the Creed in English, and desired my Lord of Murray, if she should chance to depart that he would not be over extreme such as was of her Religion; the Duke and he should have been Regents. The bruit went from Iedwart in the month of October, 1565. that the Queen was departed this life, or at least she could not live any time, wherefore there was continually prayers publikely made at the Church of Edinburgh, and divers other places for her conversion towards God, and amendment. Many were of opinion, That she should come to the Preaching, and renounce Popery; But all in vain, for God had some other thing to doe by her. The King being advertised, rid Post from Sterlin to Iedburgh, where he found the Queen somewhat convalesced, but she would scarce speak to him, and hardly give him presence or a good word; wherfore he returned immediately to Sterlin, where the Prince was, and after to Glascow to his Father.

There appeared great trouble over the whole Realm, and especially in the Countreys neer the borders, if the Queen had departed at that time. as she began to recover, the Earle Bothwell was brought in a Charriot from the Hermitage to Iedburgh, where he was cured of his wounds; in whose presence the Queen took more pleasure then in all the rest of the world; alwayes by his meanes most part of all that were out-lawed for the slaughter of David Rizio got reliefe, for there was no other meanes, but all things must needs passe by him; wherefore every man sought to him, where immediately favour was to be had, as before to David Rizio.

Soon after, the Queen passing along the borders, she came within the bounds of Barwick, where she viewed the Town at her pleasure a far off, being within half a Mile and lesse; all the Ordnance within Barwick were Discharged: The Captain came forth with fourscore Horses bravely arrayed, to do her honour, and offer her lawfull service. Then she came to Craigmiller, where she remained in November till she was advertised of the coming of the Ambassadors to the Baptisme of the Prince; and for that purpose there was great preparation made, not without the trouble of such as were supposed to have money in store, especially of Edinburgh; for there was borrowed a good round summe of money for the same businesse. All her care and solicitude was for that triumph. At the same time arrived the Counte de Briance, Embassadour of the King of France, who had a great Train. Soon after the Earle of Bedford went forth of England with a very gorgious company to the number of fourscore Horses, and passing to Sterlin he was humanly received of the Queens Majestie, and every day banquetted. The excessive expences and superfluous apparell, which was prepared at that time, exceeded farre all the preparation that ever had been devised or set forth afore that time in this Countrey. The 17 of December, 1566. in the great Hall of the Castle of Sterlin was the Prince baptized by the Bishop of Saint Andrews, at five a Clock at Even, with great Pompe, albeit with great paine could they finde men to beare the p. 438Torches, wherefore they took Boyes. The Queen laboured much with the Noblemen to bear the Salt, Grease and Candle, and such other things, but all refused; she found at last the Earls of Eglington, Athole, and the Lord Seaton, who assisted at the Baptisme, and brought in the said Trash. The Counte de Briance (being the French Ambassadour) assisted likewise. The Earle of Bedford brought for a Present from the Queen of England a Font of Gold, valued to be worth three thousand Crownes. Soon after the said Baptisme, as the Earle was in communing with the Queen, who entertained him most reverently, he began to say merrily to her, amongst other talking, Madame, I rejoyce very greatly at this time, seeing your Majestie hath here to serve you so many Noblemen, especially twelve Earles, whereof two onelyonly assist at this Baptisme to the Superstition of Popery. At the which saying the Queen kept good countenance. Soon after they banquetted in the said great Hall, where they wanted no prodigality. During the time of the Earle of Bedfords remaining at Sterlin, the Lords for the most part waited upon him, and conveyed him every day to the Sermon, and after to Banquetting.

The King remained in Sterlin all that time (never being present) kept his Chamber: his father hearing how he was used, writ to him to repaire unto him; who soon after went (without good-night) toward Glasgow to his Father; he was hardly a Mile out of Sterlin when the poyson (which had been given him) wroght so upon him, that he had very great pain and dolour in every part of his body. At length, being arrived at Glasgow, the Blisters brake out, of a blewish colour, so the Physitians presently knew the Disease to come by poyson; he was brought so low that nothing but death was expected; yet the strength of his youth at last did surmount the poison.

During the time of this Triumph the Queen was most liberall in all things that were demanded of her; amongst other things, she subscribed a writing for the maintenance of the Ministers in a reasonable proportion, which was to be taken up of the Thirds of Benefices: which writing being purchased by the Bishop of Galloway, was presented at the generall Assembly of the Church at Edinburgh, the five and twentieth day of December, 1566. where were conveened the Superintendents and other Ministers▪ in reasonable number, but very few Commssioners. The first matter that was there proposed, was concerning the said Writing lately obtained; and the most part of the Ministers being demanded their opinions in the matter, after advice, and passing a little aside, they answered very gravely, That it was their duty to preach to the people the Word of God truly and and sincerely, and to crave of the Auditors the things that were necessary for their sustentation, as of duty the Pastour might justly crave of their Flock; and further it became them not to have any care. Neverthelesse the Assembly taking in consideration, that the said Gifts granted by the Queens Majestie, was not to be refused; they ordained, That certaine faithfull men of every Shire should meet, and do their utmost diligence for gathering and receiving the said Corne and money, and likewise appointed the Superintendent of Lowthian, and Master Iohn Row to waite upon the Bishop of Galloway, and concurre and assist him for further expedition p. 439in the Court, that the said Guift mi…t be dispatched through the Seales.

In the same Assembly there was presented a Remonstrance by Writ by some Gentlemen of Kyle, containing in effect, That in asmuch as the Tythes ought to be given onelyonly to the Ministers and Schooles of the Word, and for maintenance of the poor, that therefore the Assembly would Statute and Ordain, That all the Professors of the Evangell should keep the same in their own hands to the effects aforesaid, and no way permit the Papists to meddle therewith. This Writing took no effect at that time, for there was none else but the Gentlemen of Kyle of that opinion. It was Statuted in the said Assembly, That such publike Fornicators, and scandalous livers as would not confesse their offences, nor come to declare their repentance, should be declared by the Minister to be out of the Church, and not of the body thereof, and their names to be declared publikely upon the Sunday.The Queen intending vengeance upon the poor King, and being in love with the Earle Bothwell, grants to the Protestants their Petitions, that they may be quiet, and not trouble her Plots. After this Assembly, the Bishop of Galloway (with the Superintendent of Lowthian and M. Iohn Row) passing to Sterlin, obtained their Demands in an ample manner at the Queens Majesties hand, according to their desire; and likewise they obtained for every Borough, a Guift or Donation of the Altarages, Annuals, and Obites, which before were given to the Papists, now to be disposed for the maintenance of the Ministers and Schooles within the Boroughs, and the rest to the poor or Hospitall. Notwithstanding the Domestick troubles that the Church of God in Scotland suffered in the time of these hurliburlies within the Kingdom, yet they were not unmindefull of the affliction of Iacob every where upon the face of the Earth; namely, they had before their Eyes the State and condition of the Church of God in England, witnesse this Letter from the Generall Assembly to the Rulers of the Church of God in England.