History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland, Book 4 (1 of 2)
THE FOVRTH BOOK OF The Progresse and Continuance of true Religion within SCOTLAND.
IN the former Bookes (Gentle Reader) thou mayest clearly see how potently God hath performed in these our last and wicked dayes, as well as in the ages that have passed before us, the promises that are made to the servants of God, by the Prophet Isaiah, in these words,Isaiah 40 31. They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as Eagles, they shall run, and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. This promise, we say, such as Satan hath not utterly blinded, may see performed in us,A true acknowledgment o… mans weaknesse, to the glory of God; and as it was then, so hath it been in this last Reformation. the Professours of Christ Jesus, within this Realme of Scotland, with no lesse evidence, then it was in any age, that ever passed before us. For what was our force? What was our number? Yea, what wisdome or worldly policie was in us, to have brought to any good end so great an enterprise? our very enemies can bear witnesse. And yet in how great purity God did establish amongst us his true Religion, as well in Doctrine as in Ceremonies? To what confusion and fear were Idolaters, adulterers, and all publike transgressours of Gods Commandments within short time brought, the publike Orders of the Church, yet, by the merciemercy of God preserved, and the punishment executed against malefactours, can testifie unto the world. For as touching the administration of the Sacraments used in our Churches, we are bold to affirme, That there is no Realme this day upon the face of the earth, that hath them in greater puritie; yea, we can speak the Trueth, whomsoever we offend, there is none (no Realme I meane) that hath them in the like purity, for all others, how sincere that ever the Doctrine be that by some is taught, retain in their Churches, and in the Ministers thereof, some footsteps of Antichrist,As it was then, so it is now, by Gods mercies …o that Nation. and dregs of Papistry: But we (all praise to God alone) have nothing within our Churches that ever flowed from that man of Sin. And this we acknowledge to be the strength given to us of God, because we esteemed not our selves wise in our owne eyes; but understanding our own wisedome to be but meer foolishnesse before our God, laid it aside, and followed onelyonly that which we found approved by himselfe.
In this point could never our enemies cause us to faint; for our first Petition was,The first Petition of the Protestants of Scotland. That the Reverend face of the first, Primitive and Apostolike Church should be reduced again to the eyes and knowledge of men. And in that point (we say) our God hath strengthned us, till that the Work was finished, as the world may see. And as concerning the suppressing of vice, yea, and of the abolishing of all such things as might nourish Impiety within the Realm, the Acts and Statutes of the principall Towns reformed, will yet testifie:Let this be noted for example. For what Adulterer, what Fornicator, what known Masse-monger or pestilent Papist durst have been seen in publike, within any Reformed Town within this Realme, before that the Queen arrived? And this Victory to his Word, and terrour to all filthy livers, did God work by such as yet live, and remaine witnesses (whether they will or not) of the aforesaid works of God.
We say our God suffered none of these, whom he first called to the Battell to perish or to fall, the while that he made them Victors of their enemies: For even as God suffered none of those whom he called from Egypt, to perish in the Red Sea, how fearfull that ever the danger appeared; so suffered he none of us to be approved, nor yet to be taken from this life, till that now the Pharaohs, then one, was drowned, and we set at freedom, without all danger of our enemies; to let both us and our Posterity understand, That such as follow the conducting of God, cannot perish, albeit they walked in the very shadow of death. But from whence (alas) cometh this miserable dispersion of Gods people within this Realme this day, in May 1561? And what is the cause that now the just is compelled to keep silence, good men are banished, Murtherers, and such as are knowne unworthy of common Society) if Justice were put in execution) bear the whole Regiment and sway within this Realme?
The cause of the trouble within Scotland, flowed from the Courtiers who seemed to professe the Evangell.We answer, Because that suddenly the most part of us declined from the purity of Gods Word, and began to follow the world, and so againe shake hands with the devill, and with Idolatry, as in the fourth Book we will heare.
For while that Papists were so confounded, that none within the Realme durst more avow the hearing or saying of Masse, then the theeves of Tiddisdale durst avow their stouth or stealing, in the presence of any upright Judge: No ware Protestants found who are not ashamed at Tables, and other open places, to aske, Why may not these men have their Masse, and the forme of their Religion? What can that hurt us, or our Religion? And from these two, Why and What, at last sprang out this Affirmative, The Queens Masse and her Priests will we maintain; This hand and this Rapier shall fight in their defence, &c.
The Inconveniences were shown both by Tongue and Pen; but the advertisers were judged to be men of unequall Spirits; Their Credit was defaced at the hands of such, as before were not ashamed to have used their Counsell in matters of greater importance, to have refused the Masse.
But then my Lord, my Master may not be thus used; he hath that Honour to be the Queens Brother;He means the Lo…d Iames, Earle Murray. And therefore we will that all men shall understand, That he must tender her as his Sister: And whosoever will counsell him to displease her, or the least that pertains unto her, shall not finde him their friend; yea, they are worthy to be hanged, that would so counsell him, &c. These and the like reasons took such deep root in flesh and blood, and was (as yet alas they are) preferred to God, and to his Messengers, rebuking vice and vanity, that from thence hath all our misery proceeded.
For as before,The corruption that entred the Queens Court. so even yet, although the Ministers be set to beg, the Guard and the men of Warre must be served; Though the blood of the Ministers must be spilt, yet it is the Queens Servants that did it. Although Masse be multiplied in all Quarters of the Realme, Who can stop the Queens Subjects to live of the Queens Religion? Although Innocent men be Imprisoned, it is the Queens pleasure. So she is offended at such men,The Theologie of the Court, and their reason…. although under pretence of Justice, Innocents be murthered: The Lords shall weep, but the Queenes minde must be satisfied. Nobles of the Realme, Barons and Councellors are banished, their Escheats disposed of, and their lives most unjustly pursued.Wicked Councellors …athers all th…ir mischiev…us plots upon misled Princes, and causeth them to take all things upon them This was written when the seco…d rank of the Lord… was banished, Anno 1560 after Dan…s s…aughter. The Queen hath lost her trusty Servant David, he was deare unto her; and therefore for her Honour sake, she must show rigour to revenge his death. And yet farther, albeit that some knew that she hath plainly purposed to wrack and undo the Religion within this Realme; That to that Romane Antichrist she hath made her promise; And that from him she hath taken money to uphold his pomp within this Realme, yet will they let the people understand, That the Queen will establish Religion, and provide all things orderly, if she were once delivered.