History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland, Book 1 · Letter 3 – Letter 5
The Spirit of Wisedome, Constancie and Strength, be multiplied with you, by the favour of God our Father, and by the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ.
ACcording to my promise, my Right Honourable, I came to Deape the four and twentieth day of October, of full minde, by the good will of God, with the first Ships, to have visited you. But because two Letters not very pleasing unto the flesh were there presented unto me, I was compelled to stay for a time. The one was directed to my self, from a faithfull brother, which made mention, that a new consultation… was appointed for finall conclusion of the matter before purposed; and willed me therefore to abide in these parts till the determination of the same. The other Letter was directed from a Gentleman to a friend, with charge to advertise me, That he had communed with all those that seemed most franke and fervent in the matter; and that in none did he finde such boldnesse and constancy as was requisite for such an enterprise; but that some did (as he writeth) repent that ever any such thing was moved: Some were partly ashamed, and others were able to deny that ever they did consent to any such purpose, if any tryall or question should be taken thereof, &c. Which Letters when I had considered, I was partly confounded, and partly was pierced with anguish and sorrow. Confounded I was, that I had so far travelled in the matter, moving the same to the most godly and most learned that this day we know to live in Europe, to the effect that I might have their judgements and grave counsells, for assurance as well of your consciences, as of mine, in all enterprises. And then that nothing should succeed of so long consultation, cannot but redound, either to your shame or mine. For either it shall appeare that I was marvellous vain, being so solicited, where no necessity required; Or else that such as were movers thereto, lacked the ripenesse of judgement in their first Vocation. To some it may appeare, a small and light matter, that I have cast off, and as it were abandoned, as well my particular care, as my publike Office and Charge, leaving my house and poor family destitute of all head, save God only, and committing that small (but to Christ dearly beloved) flock, over the which I was appointed one of the Ministers, to the charge of another. This, I say, to worldly men, may appeare a small matter: But to me, it was and is such, that more worldly substance then I will expresse, could not have caused me willingly to behold the eyes of so many grave men weep at once for my cause, as that I did in taking my last good night from them: To whom if it please God that I returne, and question be demanded, What was the impediment of my purposed journey, judge you what I shall answer. The cause of my dolour and sorrow (God is my witnesse) is for nothing pertaining either to my corporall contentment, or worldly displeasure; but it is for the grievous plagues and punishments of God, which assuredly shall apprehend, not onelyonly you, but every inhabitant of that miserable Realm and Isle, except that the power of God, by the liberty of his Gospel, deliver you from Bondage. I mean not onelyonly that perpetuall fire and torment prepared for the devil,Note. and for such as denying Christ Jesus, and his knowne Verity, do follow the sons of wickednesse to perdition (which most is to be feared) but also that thraldome and misery that shall apprehend your owne bodies, your children, subjects, and posterity, whom ye have betrayed (in conscience I can except none that beare the name of Nobility) and presently fight to betray them and your Realme to the slavery of strangers. The War begun (although I acknowledge it to be the work of God) shall be your destruction, unlesse that betime remedie be provided. God open your eyes, that ye may espie and consider your own miserable estate. My words shall appear to some, sharp, and undiscreetly spoken. But as charity ought to interpret all things to the best, so ought wise men to understand, That a true friend cannot be a flatterer. Especially, when the questions of salvation both of body and soule are moved; and that not of one, nor of two, but as it were of a whole Realm or Nation. What are the sobs, and what is the affection of my troubled heart, God shall one day declare: But this will I adde to my former rigour and severity, to wit, If any perswade you for fear of dangers that may follow, to faint in your former purpose, be he so wise and friendly, let him be judged of you both foolish,Note. and your mortall enemy: Foolish, for because he understood nothing of Gods approved wisedome; and enemy unto you, because he laboured to separate you from Gods favour, provoking his vengeance, and grievous plagues against you: because he would, That ye should prefer your worldly rest to Gods praise and glory; and the friendship of the wicked, to the salvation of your brethren. I am not ignorant that fearfull troubles shall ensue your enterprise (as in my former Letters I did signifie unto you. Let the Papists themselves judge of what spirit these sentences could proceed.) But O joyfull and comfortable are the troubles and adversities, which man sustaineth for accomplishment of Gods will revealed by his word! For how terrible soever they appeare to the judgement of the naturall man, yet are they never able to devour, nor utterly to consume the sufferers: For the invisible and invincible power of God sustaineth and preserveth according to his promise, all such as with simplicity do obey him. The subtill craft of Pharaoh many yeers joyned with his bloody cruelty, was not able to destroy the male children of Israel; neither were the waters of the Red Sea, much lesse the rage of Pharaoh able to confound Moses, and the company which he conducted, and that because the one had Gods Promise that they should multiply; and the other had his Commandment to enter into such dangers. I would your wisedoms should consider that our God remaineth one, and is immutable; and that the Church of Christ Jesus hath the same promise of protection and defence,The duty of the Nobility. that Israel had of multiplication: And farther, That no lesse cause have ye to enter into your former enterprise, then Moses had to go to the presence of Pharaoh (for your vassalls, yea your brethren are oppressed, their bodies and souls holden in bondage, and God speaketh to your consciences, (unlesse ye be dead with the blinde world) that ye ought to hazard your owne lives (be it against Kings or Emperours) for their deliverance. For onelyonly for that cause are ye called Princes of the people.The letter lost by negligence and troubles. And ye receive of your Brethren, Honour, Tribute, and Homage, at Gods Commandment, not by reason of your Birth and Progenie (as the most part of men do falsly suppose) but by reason of your Office and Duty, which is to vindicate and deliver your subjects and brethren from all violence and oppression to the uttermost of your power. Advise diligently, I beseech you, with the points of that Letter which I directed to the whole Nobility; and let every man apply the matter and case to himself; for your conscience shall one day be compelled to acknowledge, That the Reformation of Religion, and of publike enormities,God grant that our Nobility would yet understand. doth appertaine to more then to the Clergie, or chief Rulers, called Kings. The mighty Spirit of the Lord Jesus rule and guide your counsells to your eternall glory, your eternall comfort, and to the consolation of your brethren. Amen.
From Deape the 27 of October. 1557.
These Letters received and read, together with others directed to the whole Nobility, and some to particular Gentlemen, as to the Lairds of Dun and Petarrow, new consultation was had what was best to be done; and in the end it was concluded, That they would follow forward their purpose once intended,Note. and would commit themselves, and whatsoever God had given them, into his hands, rather then they would suffer Idolatry so manifestly to raigne, and the Subjects of that Realme so to be defrauded, as long as they had been of the onelyonly food of their souls, the true Preaching of Christs Gospel. And that every one should be the more assured of other, a common Bond was made, and by some subscribed: The tenor thereof followeth.
The first Covenant of Scotland.WE perceiving how Sathan in his members, the Antichrists of our time, cruelly do rage, seeking to overthrow and destroy the Gospel of Christ, and his Congregation, ought, according to our bounden duty, to strive in our Masters Cause,1557 Those that then did oppose Popery, were called the Congregation.even unto the death, being certaine of the Victory in him: The which our duty being well considered▪ We do promise before the Majestie of God, and his Congregation, That we (by his grace) shall with all diligence continually apply our whole power, substance, and our very lives, to maintain, set forward, and establish the most blessed Word of God, and his Congregation: And shall labour according to our power, to have faithfull Ministers, truely and purely to minister Christs Gospel and Sacraments to his people. We shall maintain them, nourish them, and defend them; the whole Congregation of Christ, and every Member thereof according to our whole powers, and waging of our lives, against Sathan and all wicked power that doth intend Tyranny or trouble against the foresaid Congregation. Unto the which holy Word, and Congregation, we do joyne us; and so do forsake and renounce the Congregation of Sathan, with all the superstitious abomination and idolatry thereof. And moreover, shall declare our selves manifestly enemies thereto, By this our faithfull Promise before God,Note. testified to this Congregation, by our Subscription at these Presents.The Earl of Argyle the first man in this Covenant.
At Edinburgh the third of December, anno 1557. God called to witnesse. Sic subscribitur.
A. Earle of Argyle.
Glencarne.
Mortoun.
Archibald, Lord of Lorne.
Iohn Erskin of Dun,
Et caetera.
A little before that this Bond was subscribed by the fore-written, and many other Letters were directed again to Io. Knox from the said Lords,The third Vocation of Iohn Knox, by the Lords and Churches of Scotland. together with their Letters to M. Calvin, craving of him, That by his authority he would command the said Iohn once again to visite them. These Letters were delivered by the hands of M. Iohn Gray, in the MonethMonth of November, anno 1558. who at that same time past to Rome, for expedition of the Bowes of the Bp. of Rosse, to M. Henry Sinclar. Immediately after the subscription of this foresaid Bond, the Lords and Barons professing Christ Jesus, convened frequently in counsell: in the which these Heads were concluded: First, It is thought expedient, advised, and ordained, That in all Parishes of this Realm the Common-Prayer be read weekly on Sunday, and other Festivall dayes publikely in the Parish Churches, with the Lessons of the Old and New Testament, conformed to the order of the Book of Common Prayers. And if the Curats of the Parishes be qualified, to cause them to read the same. And if they be not, or if they refuse, that the most qualified in the Parish use and reade the same. Secondly, It is thought necessary, that Doctrine, Preaching, and Interpretation of Scriptures be had and used privately in quiet houses, without great conventions of the people thereto, while afterward that God move the Prince to grant publike Preaching by faithfull and true Ministers.
These two heads concerning the Religion, and some others concerning the policie being concluded, the old Earle of Argyle took the maintenance of Iohn Dowglas, caused him to Preach publikely in his house, and reformed many things according to his counsell. The same boldnesse tooke divers others, as well within Towns, as in the country, which did not a little trouble the Bishops and Queen Regent: As by this Letter and Credit committed to Sir David Hamilton, from the Bishop of S. Andrews to the said Earle of Argyle may be clearly understood.
The Bishops Letter to the old Earle of Argyle.
MY Lord, after most hearty commendations, this is to advertise your Lordship that we have directed this Bearer our Cousin towards your Lordship, in such businesse and affaires as concerneth your Lordships honour, profit, and great well-being, as the said Bearer will declare to your Lordship at more length. I pray your Lordship, effectuously to advert thereto, and to have care to use your Lordships friends, that alwayes hath wished the honour, profit, and prosperity of your Lordships house, as of our own. I pray you give credit to the Bearer. Iesu have your Lordship in everlasting keeping.
Of Edinburgh, the five and twentieth day of March, Anno 1558. Sic subscribitur. Your Lordships at all power Saint Andrews.