History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland, Book 3 · Letter 4 – Letter 6
The Letter sent from the said Iohn to the Queens Majestie of England, being enclosed in the foresaid M. Ceciles Letter.
To the vertuous and godly Elizabeth, by the Grace of God, Queen of England: John Knox desireth the perpetuall comfort of his holy Spirit. MADAME,
AS your Majesties displeasure against me, most unjustly conceived, hath been and is to my wretched heart a burden grievous, and almost intolerable, so is the testimony of a clear conscience to me a stay and uphold, that I sinke not in despair, how vehement soever the temptations appear: For in Gods presence, my conscience beareth me record, That maliciously, nor of purpose, I never offended your Majesty, nor your Realme: And therefore, howsoever I be judged of man, I am sure to be absolved of him, who onelyonly knoweth the secrets of hearts. I cannot deny the writing of a Book against the usurped Authothority, and unjust Regiment of Women; neither yet am I minded to recant, or call back any principall Point or Proposition of the same, till truth and verity do further appear. But why that your Majesty, or any such, who unfainedly favour the liberty of England, be offended at the Author of such a Work, I can perceive no just occasion: For first, my Book touched not your Majesties Person in speciall, neither is it prejudiciall to any Liberty of the Realme, if the time of my writing be indifferently considered. How could I be enemy to your Majesties Person, for delivery whereof, I did more studie, and undertake further, then any of those who now accuseth me? And as concerning your Government, How could or can I envy that? which most I have wished for, and for which (as my weak memory will suffer) I render thanks unfainedly to God, to wit, That it hath pleased him of his eternall goodnesse to exalt your head (which sometime was in danger) to the manifestation of his glory, and extirpation of Idolatry. And as for my offence, which I have committed against England, either by writing that Book, or by any other work, I will not refuse that moderate and indifferent men judge and discerne betwixt me, and those that accuse me, viz. Whether of the parties do most hurt to the Liberty of England: I, who affirme that no woman may be exalted above any Realme, to make the Liberty of the same thrall, and subject to a strange, proud, and cruell Nation: Or they, that approve whatsoever pleaseth Princes for the time. If I were as well disposed to accuse, as some of them (to their own shame) have declared themselves, I nothing doubt, but that in few words I should let reasonable men understand, That some that this day lowly crouch and bow to your Majestie, and labour to make me odious in your eyes, did in your adversity neither shew themselves faithfull friends to your Majesty, neither yet so loving and carefull of the native Countrey, as they would be esteemed. But omitting the accusation of others, for my owne purgation, and your Majesties satisfaction, I say, That nothing contained in my book, is or can be prejudiciall to your Majesties just Regiment, providing that you be not found ungrate unto God, ungrate you will be proved in the presence of his Throne (howsoever that flatterers justifie your fact) if you transfer the glory of that honour in which you now stand, to any other thing, then to the dispensation of his mercy, which onelyonly maketh that lawfull to your Majestie, which Nature and Law denieth to all women, to command and bear rule over men. Neither would I that your Majesty should fear, That this your humiliation before God, should in any case infirm or weaken your Majesties just and lawfull Authority; Nay, Madame, such unfained confession of Gods benefits received, will be the establishment of the same, not only to your self, but also to your seed and Posterity: Where contrariwise, a proud conceit, and elevation of your self, will be the occasion that your Raigne will be unstable, troublesome, and short. God is witnesse, That unfainedly I both love and reverence you Majestie; yea, I pray that your Raigne may be both prosperous and quiet, and that for the quietnesse which Christs Members, before persecuted, have received under you. But yet if I should flatter your Majesty, I were no friend, but a deceivable traytor; and therefore in conscience I am compelled to say, That neither the consent of the people, the processe of time, nor multitude of men, can establish a Law which God shall approve; but whatsoever he approveth by his Eternall Word, that shall be approved, and stay constantly firme; and whatsoever he condemneth, shall be condemned, though all men on earth should travell for the justification of the same. And therefore, Madame, the onelyonly way to retain and keep the benefits of God, abundantly of late dayes poured upon you and your Realme, is unfainedly to render unto God, to his mercy, and undeserved grace, the whole glory of this your exaltation, forget your Birth, and all Title which hereupon doth hang; and consider deeply, How for fear of your life you did decline from God, and bow to Idolatry, going to Masse under your sister Mary her persecution of Gods Saints: Let it not appear a small offence in your eyes, That you have declined from Christ Jesus, in the day of your Battel: Neither yet would I that you should esteem that mercy to be vulgar and common which you have received, viz. That God hath covered your offence, Hath preserved your Person, when you were most unthankfull; And in the end, has exalted and raised you up, not onelyonly from the dust, but also from the ports of death; to rule above his people, for comfort of his Kirk. It appertaineth to you therefore, to ground the justice of your Authority, not on that Law, which from yeer to yeer doth change, but upon the eternall providence of him, who contrary to the ordinary course of Nature,Note. and without your deserving, hath exalted your head: If thus in Gods presence you humble your self; as in my heart I glorifie God for that rest granted to his afflicted Flock within England, under you a weak Instrument; so will I with tongue and pen justifie your Authority and Regiment, as the holy Ghost hath justified the same in Deborah, that blessed Mother in Israel. But if you neglect (as God forbid) these things, and shall begin to brag of your Birth, and to build your Authority and your Regiment upon your own Law; flatter you who so listeth, your felicity shall be short. Interpret my words in the best part, as written by him, who is no enemy to your Majestie. By divers Letters I have required to visite your Realme, not to seek my self, neither yet my own ease and benefit: which if you now refuse and deny me, I must remit my cause to God, adding this for conclusion, that commonly it is seen, That such as refuse the counsel of the faithfull (appear it never so sharp) are compelled to follow the deceit of flatterers to their own perdition. Note.The mighty Spirit of the Lord Jesus move your heart to understand what is said, and give unto you the direction of his Spirit, and so rule you in all your actions and enterprises, that in you God may be glorified, his Kirk edified, and you your self, as a lively Member of the same, may be an example of vertue & godlinesse of life to all others. So be it.
Of Edinb. 28 Iuly, 1559.
These Letters were directed by Alexander Whitlaw, a man that oft had hazarded himself, and all that he had for the Cause of God, and for his friends, being in danger for the same Cause. Within a day or two after the departing of the said Alexander, there came a Letter from Sir Henry Percie to Iohn Knox, requiring him to meet him at Annick the third day of August, for such affaires as he would not write nor yet communicate with any, but with the said Iohn himselfe, while he was preparing himselfe for the journey (for Secretary Cecill had appointed to have met him at Stampford) the French-men furiously came forth of Dumbar, of purpose to have surprised the Lords being in Edinburgh, as in the second Book before is declared, which stayed the journey of the said Iohn, till that God had delivered the innocents from that great danger, and then was he sent, having in his company M. Robert Hamilton, Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, directed from the Lords with full Commission and Instructions to decline their whole case and estate wherein they stood. Their passage was from Pittenweame by sea, they arrived at Holy-Iland, and being advertised that Sir Henry Percie was absent from the North; They addressed themselves to Sir Iames Crofts, then Captain of Barwick, and Warden of the East Marches of England. They shewed unto him their Credit and Commission; He received them courteously, and comforted them with his faithfull Counsell,Sir Iames Crofts counsell. which was, That they should travell no further, neither yet should they be seen in publike, and that for divers considerations. First, The Queen Regent had her spies in England. Secondly, The Queen and the Councell that favoured our faction, would that all things should be secret so long as they might. And last, said he, I think it not expedient, that in such rarity of Preachers, ye two be any long time absent from the Lords of the Congregation. And therefore (said he) ye shall do best to commit to writing your whole minde and Credit, and I shall promise to you upon my honour, to have answer at you, and at the Lords again, before that ye your selves can be at London. And where that your Letters cannot expresse all things so fully, as your presence could, I shall supply the same, not onelyonly by my pen, but also by my own presence, to such as will informe the Councell sufficiently of all things. The said Iohn and M. Robert followed his Councell (for it was faithfull, and proceeded of love at that time) they tarried with him very secretly within the Castle of Barwick two dayes. In the which time returned Alexander Whitlaw aforesaid, with answer to the Lords, and unto Iohn Knox. The tenour of whose Letter was this:
Master Cecils Letter to Iohn Knox.
Master Knox,
NOn est masculus neque f…min…, omnes enim ut ait Paulus, unum sumus in Christo Iesu benedictus vir qui confidit in Domino, & erit Dominus fiducia ejus. I have received you Letters, at the same time that I thought to have seen your selfe at Stamford. What is now hitherto the cause of your let, I know not. I forbeare to descend to the bottom of things, untill I may conferre with such one as ye are. And therefore if your chance shall be hereafter to come hither, I wish you furnished with good Credit, and power, to make good resolution. Although my answer to the Lords of the Congregation be somewhat obscure, yet upon further understanding ye shall finde the matter plaine. I need to wish you no more prudencie then Gods grace, whereof God send you plentie. And so I end,
Sic subscribitur. Yours as a member of the same body in Christ, M. Cecill. From Oxford the 28 of Iuly, 1559.
Albeit the said Iohn received this Letter at Barwick, yet would he answer nothing till that he had spoken with the Lords whom he found in Sterlin, and unto whom he delivered the answer sent from the Councell of England (for Alexander Whitlaw took sicknesse betwixt Barwick and Edinburgh, and was troubled by the Lord Seaton, as in the former Booke is declared) the answer sent by Master Cecill was so generall, that many amongst us despaired of any comfort to come from that Countrey. And therefore were determined that they would request no further. Iohn Knox laboured in the contrary, but he could prevaile no further, but that he should have licence and libertie to write as he thought best: And so took he upon him to answer for all, in forme as followeth.
Answer to Master Cecils writing.
TWo causes hindred me (Right Worshipfull) to visit you in any part in England. Before this no signification of your minde and pleasure was made unto me, for onelyonly did Sir Henry Percie will me to come and speake with him, which conveniently at that time I could not do, by reason that the French-men (which was the second cause of my stay) did then most furiously pursue us, while our company was dispersed, and then durst I not be absent for divers inconveniences; neither did I thinke my presence with you greatly necessary, considering that the matter (which I most desired) was opened and proposed. To the which I would have wished, That a more plaine and especiall answer should have been made. For albeit Master Whitlaw by his Credit, Master Kirkcaldie by his Letter, and I, both by Letters and by that which I had received from Sir Iames Crofts, did perswade your good mindes; yet could not the councell be otherwise perswaded, but that this alteration in France had altered your former purpose. It is not unknown what good will we three do beare to England: And therefore I wish, That rather your Pen, then our Credit, or any thing written to any of us, should assure the Lords and others, of your good mindes (who are now in number but five hundred.) Unlesse that money be furnished without delay to pay the Souldiers for their service past, and to retaine another thousand foot-men, with three hundred horse-men; till some stay be had in this danger, these Gentle-men will be compelled to leave the fields. I am assured, as flesh may be of flesh, That some of them will take a very hard life, before that ever they compose, either with the Queen Regent, or with France: but this I dare not promise at all, unlesse in they see greater forwardnesse. To support us, will appear excessive; and to break promise with France, will appear dangerous. But the losse of expences, in mine opinion, ought not to be esteemed from the first payment, neither yet the danger from the first appearance.Note a braggadoshie. France is most fervent to conquer us, and avoweth, That against us they will spend the Crown (so did mine own ears hear Butten Court bragge) But most assuredly I know, That unlesse by us they thought to make an entrie to you,Note. that they would not buy our poverty at that price. They labour to corrupt some of our great men by money (and some of our number are poore, as before I wrote, and cannot serve without support) some they threatned, and against others they have up one party in their owne Countrey. In this mean time, if ye lie by as neutralls, what will be the end, you may easily conjecture. And therefore, Sir, in the bowells of Christ Jesus, I require you to make plain answer, What the Gentlemen here may trust to, and what the Queens Majestie will do, may without long delay be put in execution. I rest in Christ Jesus.
Of Saint Iohnston the day of, &c.
Answer with great expedition was returned to this Letter, desiring some men of credit to be sent to the Lords to Barwicke, for the receiving of the money for the first support, with promise, That if the Lords of the Congregation meant no otherwise then before they had written, and if they would enter into League with honest Conditions, they should neither lack men nor money to their just Causes. Upon this answer was directed from the Lords to Barwicke, Note.Master Henry Balnaves, a man of good credit in both the Realmes; who suddenly returned with such a sum of money as served all the publike affairs till November next; when Iohn Cockburne of Ormeston, sent for the second support, and receiving the same, unhappily fell into the hands of the Earle Bothwell, was wounded, taken, and spoyled of a great Sum: upon which mischance, followed all the rest of the troubles before rehearsed. In the second Book preceding, we have declared how Secretary Leehington was directed to England: But one thing before we have passed by: In that our greatest dejection, this order was taken; That the Duke, the Earle of Glencarne, Lord Boyd, Lord Uchiltrie, and their friends, should remaine together at Glasgow, for comfort of the Countrey, and for giving of answers, as occasion should require; and that the Earle of Arrane, the Lord Iames, the Earle of Rothesse, the Master of Lindsay, and their adherents, should continue together within Fyfe for the same causes, that advertisements might go from the one to the other, as need required.Note. In the Negotiation of the Secretary Lethington with the Queen and Councell of England (in the which he travelled with no lesse wisedom and faithfulnesse, then happy successe) many things occurred that required the resolution of the whole Lords.
After that the Queen and Councell of England had concluded to send their Army to Scotland for expelling of the French, the Duke of Norfolke was sent to Barwick with full instructions, power and Commission to do in all things concerning the present affaires of Scotland, as the Queen and Councell in their own persons had power to do. Hereupon the said Duke required such a part of the Lords of Scotland, as had power and Commission from the whole, to meet him at such a day and place as pleased them to appoint. This advertisement came first to Glasgow by the meanes of the Master of Maxwell: Which read and considered by the Lords, conclusion was taken that they would meet at Carleil, and that was the procurement of the said Master of Maxwell for his ease. Hereupon were Letters directed from the Lords being in Glasgow, to Lord Iames, requiring him with all possible expedition to repaire towards them, for the purpose aforesaid. Which Letters read and advised upon, commandment was given to Iohn Knox to make the answer. For so it was appointed at division of the Lords, that he should answer for the part of those that were in Fyfe; and M. Henry Balnaves for the part of them that abode at Glasgow. The said Iohn answered as followeth.