History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland, Book 3 · Letter 7
To the Duke, and the other Lords at Glasgow.
AFter humble commendation of my service: Albeit I have written more then once to Master Henry Balnaves, what things have misliked me in your slow proceedings, as well in supporting your brethren, who many dayes have sustained extreame danger in these parts, as in making provision how the enemie might have been annoyed, who lay few in number, nigh to your Quarters in Sterlin. And in making likewise provision, how the expectation of our friends, who long have waited for your answer, might have been satisfied. Albeit (I say) that of these things I have before complained, yet, in conscience, I am compelled to signifie unto your Honours, That unlesse of these and other enormities I shall see some redresse, I am assured, That the end shall be such,Note. as godly men shall mourne, that a good Cause shall perish for lacke of Wisdome and Diligence. In my last Letters to Master Henry Balnaves, I declared, That your especiall friends in England wonder, that no greater expedition is made, the weight of the matter being considered. If the fault be in the Duke and his friends, I wrote also, That the greatest losse should be his and theirs in the end. And now I cannot cease, both to wonder and lament, That your whole Councell was so destitute of Wisdome and Discretion, as to charge this poore man the Priour, to come to you to Glasgow, and thereafter to go to Carleil, for such affaires as are to be handled. Was there none amongst you who did foresee what inconveniences might ensue his absence from these parts? I cease to speake of the dangers by the enemie. Your friends have lyen in your Haven now fifteene dayes past, (what was their former travell it is not unknowne) they have never received comfort of any man (him onelyonly excepted) more then if they had lyen upon the coast of their mortall enemy. Do ye not consider, That such a company shall need comfort and provision from time to time? Remove him, and who abideth there who carefully will travell in that or any other weighty matter in these parts? Did ye not farther consider, That he that had begun to meddle with the Gentlemen, who have declared themselves back-friends heretofore; and also that order should have been taken for such as have been neutrall; now by reason of his absence, the one shall escape without admonition, and the other shall be at their own liberty. I am assured that the enemy shall not sleep, neither in that, nor in other affairs, to undermine you and your whole Cause, and especially to hurt this part of the Countrey, to revenge their former folly. If none of these former causes should have moved you to have considered that such a journey (at such a time) was not meet for him, neither yet for them that must accompany him: yet discreet men would have considered, that the men that have lien in their jacks, and travelled their horses continuall the space of a monethmonth, required some longer rest, first to themselves, then but especially to their horses, before they had been charged to such a journey, as yet they have not had. The Priour may for satisfaction of your unreasonable mindes, enterprise the purpose; but I am assured he shall not be able to have six honest men in all Fyfe to accompany him; and how that either standeth with your Honors, or with his safety, judge ye your selves. But yet wonder it is, that ye did not consider, To what pain and griefe shall ye put our friends of England, especially the Duke of Norfolk and his Councell, whom ye shall cause to travell the most wearisome and troublesome way that is in England. In mine opinion, whosoever gave you that counsell, either lacked right judgement in things to be done, or else had too much respect to his own ease, and too small regard to the travell and damage of their brethren. A common cause, requireth a common concurrence, and that every man bear his burden proportionable. But prudent and indifferent men espie the contrary in this cause, especially of late dayes; for the weakest are most grievously charged, and they to whom the matter most belongeth, and to whom justly greatest burden is due, are exempted in a manner, both from travell and expences. To speak the matter plainly, wise men do wonder, what the Dukes friends do mean, that they are so slack and backward in this cause; In other actions they have been judged stout and forward, and in this, which is the greatest that ever he or they had in hand, they appear destitute both of grace and courage. I am not ignorant that they that are most inward of his counsell,Note. are enemies to God, and therefore cannot but be enemies to this Cause. But wonder it is, That he and his other friends should not consider, That the losse of this godly enterprise, shall be the rooting out of them and their posterity from this Realme. Considering, my Lords, That by Gods providence ye are joyned with the Duke in this common Cause, admonish him plainly of the danger to come, will him to beware of the counsell of those that are plainly infected with Superstition,Note. with Pride, and with the venome of particular profit: which if he do not at your admonition, he shall smart before he be aware. And if ye cease to put him in minde of his duty, it may be that for your silence ye shall drinke some portion of the plague with him. Take my plain speaking, as proceeding from him that is not your enemy, being also uncertaine, when I shall have occasion to write hereafter. God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ assist you with the Spirit of wisedom and fortitude, that to his glory, and to your Lordships common comfort, ye may performe that thing which godlily was once begun, Amen.
From Saint Andrewes the 6 of February in haste, 1559. Sic subscribitur, Your Lordships to command in godlinesse, J. K.
Upon the receit of this Letter, and consultation had hereupon, a new conclusion was taken; to wit, That they would visite the said Duke of Norfolke at Barwicke where he was. Thus far we have digressed from the text of our History, to let the Posterity that shall follow understand by what instruments God wrought the familiarity and friendship that after we found in England. Now we returne to our former History.
The parts of Fyfe set at freedom from the Bondage of these bloody worms, solemne thanks were given in S. Andrews unto God for his mighty deliverance. Shortly after the Earle of Arrane and Lord Iames apprehended the Lairds of Wemes, Seafield, Bawgony, Durie, and others, that assisted the French, but they were set shortly at freedom upon such conditions, as they minded never to keep, for such men have neither faith nor honesty. Master Iames Balfour, who was the greatest practiser, and had drawn the Band of the Balfours, escaped. The English Ships daily multiplied, till that they were able to keep the whole Fyrth, whereat the French and Queen Regent enraged, began to execute their tyranny upon the parts of Lowthiane that lay nigh to Edinburgh. Let M. David Borthwicke witnesse what favour his wife and place of Adeston found of the French, for all the service that he did to the Queen Regent.
In the midst of February were directed to England, from the Duke and the Congregation, the Lord Iames, Lord Ruthuen, the Mast of Maxwell, the Master of Lindsay, Master Henry Balnaves, and the Laird of Pittarrow; who with their honest companies and Commission departed by Sea all, except the Master of Maxwell, to Barwicke; Where there met them the Duke of Norfolke, Lieutenant to the Queen of England, and with him a great company of the Gentlemen of the North, with some also of the South, having full power to contract with the Nobility of Scotland, as they did, upon such Conditions as are in the same Contract specified: and because we have heard the malicious tongues of wicked men make false report of that our fact, we have faithfully and truely inserted in this our History the said Contract, as well that which was made at Leith, during the siege, as that which was first made at Barwicke, that the memory thereof may abide to our Posterity, to the end that they may judge with indifferency, Whether that we have done any thing prejudiciall to our Common-wealth, or yet contrarious unto the dutifull obedience which true subjects owe to their Superiours;Note. whose Authority ought to defend and maintain the Liberty and Freedom of the Realms committed to their Charge, and not to oppresse and betray the same to stranger. The Tenour of our Contract followeth: