"That sche woundered how any durst presume to command her in that
realme, whiche neaded not to be conquest by any force, considering
that it was allready conqueissed by marriage; that Frenche men
could nott be justlie called strangearis, seing that thei war
naturalized; and thairfoir that sche wald neather maik that Toun
patent, neather yitt send any man away, bot as sche thocht
expedient. Sche accused the Duik of violating his promeise: Sche
maid long protestatioun of her love towardis the commoun-wealth of
Scotland; and in the end commanded, that under pane of treassone,
all assistaris to the Duke and unto us, should departe from the
toune of Edinburgh."[995]
This answer receaved, credite heard, preconceaved malice sufficientlie
espyed, consultatioun was tacken what was expedient to be done. And for
the first it was concluded, that the Herauld should be stayed till
farder determinatioun should be tacken.
[SN: THE ORDOUR OF THE SUSPENSIOUN OF THE QUEIN REGENT, FROM
AUTHORITIE WITHIN SCOTLAND.]
The haill Nobilitie, Baronis, and Broughes, then present, wer commanded
to convene in the Tolbuyth of Edinburgh, the same xxj day of October,
for deliberatioun of these materis. Whare the hole caus being exponed by
the Lord Ruthven, the questioun was proponed, "Whetther sche that so
contempteouslie refuissed the most humill requeist of the borne
Counsallouris of the realm, being also bott a Regent, whose pretenses
threatned the boundage of the hole commoun-wealth, awght to be sufferred
so tyrannouslie to impyre above tham?" And because that this questioun
had nott bene befoir disputed in open assemblie, it was thoght
expedient that the judgement of the Preachearis should be required; who
being called and instructed in the caise, Johne Willok, who befoir had
susteaned the burthen of the Churche in Edinburgh, commanded[996] to
speik, maid discourse, as followeth, affirmyng:--
[SN: THE DISCOURSE OF JOHNE WILLOCK.]
"First, That albeit Magistratis be Goddes ordinance, having of him
power and authoritie, yitt is not thair power so largelie extended,
but that is bounded and limited by God in his word.
"And Secundarlie, That as subjectis ar commanded to obey thair
magistratis, so ar magistratis commanded to geve some dewitie to
the subjectis; so that God by his word, hes prescribed the office
of the one and of the other.
"Thridlie, That albeit God hath appointed magistratis his
lievtennentis on earth, and hes honored thame with his awin title,
calling thame goddis, that yitt he did never so establess any, but
that for just causses thei mycht have bene depryved.
"Fourtlie, That in deposing of Princes, and those that had bene in
authoritie, God did nott alwyise use his immediate poware; but
sometymes he used other meanis whiche his wisedome thocht good and
justice approved, as by Asa he removed Maacha his awin mother from
honour and authoritie, whiche befoir sche had brooked; by Jehu he
destroyed Joram, and the haill posteritie of Achab; and by diverse
otheris he had deposed from authoritie those whome befoir he had
establesshed by his awin worde." [SN: The causes.] And heirupoun
concluded he, "That since the Quene Regent denyed her cheaf dewitie
to the subjectis of this realme, whiche was to minister justice
unto thame indifferentlie, to preserve thair liberties from
invasioun of strangearis, and to suffer thame have Godis word
freelie and openlie preached amanges thame; seing, moreover, that
the Quene Regent wes ane open and obstinat idolatress, a vehement
manteanare of all superstitioun and idolatrie; and, finallie, that
sche utterlie dispysed the counsall and requeistis of the
Nobilitie, he could see no reassone why they, the borne
Counsallouris, Nobilitie, and Baronis of the realme, mycht nott
justlie deprive her from all regiment and authoritie amanges
thame."
[SN: The judgement of Johne Knox, in the dispositioun of the Quein
Regent.]
Heirefter was the judgement of Johne Knox required, who, approving the
sentence of his Brother, added,--
"First, That the iniquitie of the Quene Regent, and mysordour owght
in nowyis to withdraw neather our heartis, neather yitt the heartis
of other subjectis, from the obedience dew unto our Soveranis.
"Secundarly, That and yf we deposed the said Quene Regent rather of
malice and privat invy, than for the preservatioun of the
commoun-wealth, and for that her synnes appeared incurable, that we
should nott escheap Godis just punishment, howsoever that sche had
deserved rejectioun from honouris.
"And Thridlie, He required that no suche sentence should be
pronunced against her, bott that upoun her knawin and oppen
reapentance, and upoun her conversioun to the commoun-wealth, and
submissioun to the Nobilitie, place should be granted unto her of
regresse to the same honouris from the whiche, for just causses,
sche justlie might be deprived."
The votes of everie man particularlie by him self required, and everie
man commanded to speik, as he wald ansure to God, what his conscience
judged in that mater, thair was none found, amonges the hole number, who
did nott, by his awin toung consent to her deprivatioun. Thairefter was
her process[997] committed to writt, and registrat, as followeth:--
[SN: THE ENORMITIES COMMITTED BY THE QUEIN REGENT.]
"At Edinburgh, the twenty one day of October 1559. The Nobilitie,
Baronis, and Broughes convenit to advise upoun the affairis of the
commoun-weall, and to ayde, supporte, and succour the samyn,
perceaving and lamenting the interprysed destructioun of thair said
commoun-weall, and overthrow of the libertie of thair native
cuntree, be the meanes of the Quene Regent, and certane strangearis
her Prevey Counsallouris, plane contrarie oure Soveranes Lord and
Ladyis mynd, and direct against the counsall of the Nobilitie, to
proceid by litill and litill evin unto the uttermost, sa that the
urgent necessitie of the commoun-weall may suffer na langare delay,
and earnestlie craves our supporte: Seing heirfoir that the said
Quene Regent, (abusing and owir passing our Soveranes Lord and
Ladyis commissioun, gevin and granted to her,) hes in all her
proceidingis, persewit the Baronis and Broughes within this realme,
with weapones and armour of strangearis, butt ony process or ordour
of law, thei being oure Soverane Lord and Ladyis trew liegis, and
never called nor convict in any cryme be ony judgement lauchfull;
as first at Sanct Johnestoun, in the moneyth of Maij, sche
assembled her army against the towne and inhabitantis thairof,
never called nor convict in any cryme, for that thei professed trew
wirschip of God, conforme to his moist sacrat worde; and lyikwyis
in the moneyth of Junij last, without any lauchfull ordour or
calling going befoir, invaded the persones of syndre Noble men and
Baronis with force of armes convenit at Sanctandrois, onlie for
caus of religioun, as is notoriouslie knawin, thei never being
callit nor convict in ony cryme: Attour layed garnisonis the same
moneth upoun the inhabitantis of the said toun of Sanct Johnestoun,
oppressing the liberties of the Quenis trew lieges; for feir of
whiche her garnisones, ane great parte of the inhabitantis thairof,
fled of the towne, and durst nott resorte agane unto thair housses
and heretages, whill thei war restored be armes, thei
notwithstanding never being called nor convict in any cryme. And
farder, that samyn tyme did thrust in upoun the headis of the
inhabitantis of the said towne Provest and Baillies, against all
ordour of electioun; as laitlie, in this last moneth of September,
sche had done in the townes of Edinburgh and Jedburgh, and diverse
utheris plaices, in manifest[998] oppressioun of our liberties.
Last of all, declairing her evill mynd toward the Nobilitie,
commountie,[999] and haill natioun, hes brocht in strangearis, and
dalie pretendis to bring in grettar force of the samyn; pretending
ane manifest conqueast of our native rowmes and countree, as the
deid it self declaires: in sa far as sche heaving brocht in the
saidis strangearis, but ony advise of the said Counsall and
Nobilitie, and contrair thair expresse mynd send to her Grace in
writt, hes plaicet and planted her saidis strangearis in ane of the
principall townis and portis of the realme, sending continewallie
for grettar forces, willing thairby to suppress the commoun-weall,
and libertie of our native countree, to mak us and our posteritie
slaves to strangearis for ever: Whiche, as it is intollerable in
commoun-wealthis and free cuntreis, sa is it verray prejudiciall to
our Soverane Ladye, and her airis quhatsumever, in caise our
Soverane Lord deceise butt airis of hir Grace's persone; and to
perfurneise hir wicked interpises,[1000] consavit (as appeiris) of
inveterat malice against our cuntree and natioun, causes (but any
consent or advise of the Counsall and Nobilitie) cunzie
layit-money, sa base, and of sick quantitie, that the hole realme
shalbe depauperat, and all traffique with forane nationis evertit
thairby; And attour, her Grace places and manteanes, contrair the
pleasour of the Counsall of this realme, are strangear in ane of
the greattest offices of credite within this realme, that is, in
keaping of the Great Seall[1001] thairof, quhairintill great
parrellis may be ingenerat to the commoun-weall and libertie
thairof: [SN: HIR DOUGHTER FOLLOWED THE SAME; FOR TO DAVY WAS
DELIVERED THE GREATT SEALL.[1002]] And farder, laitlie send the
said Great Seall furth of this realme be the said strangeare,
contrair the advise of the said Counsall, to what effect God
knawis; and hes ellis be his meanes alterat the auld law and
consuetude of our realme, ever observit in the graces and pardonis
granted be our Soveranes to all thair liegis being repentand of
thair offenses committed against thair Hienes or the liegis of the
realme; and hes introducit a new captiouse styill and forme of the
saidis pardonis and remissionis, attending to the practise of
France, tending thairby to draw the saidis liegis of this realme,
be process of tyme, in a deceavable snair; and farder, sall creipe
in the haill subversioun and alteratioun of the remanent lawis of
this realme, in contrair the contentis of the Appointment of
Marriage; and als peace being accordit amanges the Princes,
reteanes the great armye of strangearis after command send be the
King of France to reteyre the same, maiking excuise that thei war
reteaned for suppressing of the attemptatis of the liegis of this
realme, albeit the haill subjectis thairof, of all estaitis, is
and ever hes bene reddy to give all debtfull obedience to thair
Soveranis, and thair lawchfull ministeris, proceiding, be Godis
ordinance: And the said armye of strangearis not being payed of
waiges, was layed be her Grace upoun the neckis of the poore
communitie of our native countree, who was compelled be force to
defraude tham selfis, thair wyffis, and barnes, of that poore
substance quhilk thei mycht conqueiss with the sweit of thair
browis, to satisfie thair hungar and necessiteis, and quyte the
samyn to susteane the idill bellies of thir strangearis. Throw the
whiche in all partis raise sick havye lamentatioun, and complaint
of the communitie, accusing the Nobilitie and Counsall of thair
slewth, that as the same oppressioun we dowbt nott hes entered in
befoir the justice-seat of God, sa hes it movit our heartis to
rewth and compassioun. And for redressing of the samyn, with other
great offenses committed against the publict weall of this realme,
we have convened hear, as said is; and as oft tymes of befoir, hes
maist humblie, and with all reverence, desyred and required the
said Quene Regent, to redress the saidis enormities, and
especiallie to remove her strangearis from the neckis of the poore
communitie, and to desist fra interprysing or fortificatioun of
strenthis within this realme, against the express will of the
Nobilitie and Counsall of the same: Yitt we being convened the mair
stark for feir of her strangearis, whome we saw presume na other
thing bot with armes to persew our lyves and possessiounis, besoght
hir Grace to remove the feare of the samyn, and mak the Towne
patent to all our Soverane Lord and Ladyis liegis; the same on
nawyise wald her Grace grant unto; but when some of our cumpany in
peciable maner went to view the said towne, thair wes boyth great
and small munitioun schot furth at thame. And seing thairfoir that
neather access was granted to be used, nor yitt her Grace wald
joyne her self to us, to consult upoun the effairis of our
commoun-weall, as we that be borne Counsallouris to the same, be
the ancient lawis of the realme; but fearing the judgement of the
Counsall wald reforme, as necessitie requyred, the foirsaid
enormities, sche refuisses all maner of assistance with us, and be
force and violence intendis to suppresse the liberties of our
commoun-weall, and of us the favoraris of the samyn: WE, thairfoir,
sa mony of the Nobilitie, Barones, and Provest of Burrowes, as ar
tweichet with the cair of the commoun-weall, (unto the whiche we
acknowledge our self nott onlie borne, bot alswa sworne
protectouris and defendaris, against all and whatsomever invaidaris
of the same,) and moved be the foirsaidis proceidingis notorious,
and with the lamentable complaynt of oppressioun of our communitie,
our fallow memberis of the samyn: perceaving farder, that the
present necessitie of our commoun-weill may suffer na delay, being
convenit (as said is) presentlie in Edinburgh, for supporte of our
commoun-weall, and ryplie consulted and advisit, taking the fear of
God befoir our eyis, for the causses foirsaidis, whiche ar
notorious, with one consent and commoun vote, ilk man in ordour his
judgement being required, In name and authoritie of our Soverane
Lord and Lady, Suspendis the said Commissioun granted be our saidis
Soveranis to the said Quene Dowager; dischargeing her of all
administratioun or authoritie sche hes or may have thairby, unto
the nixt Parliament to be sett be our advise and consent; and that
becaus the said Quene, be the foirsaidis faltis notorious,
declairis hir self ennemye to our commoun-weall, abusing the power
of the said authoritie, to the destructioun of the samyn. And
lyikwyise, we discharge all members of her said authoritie fra
thinfurth; and that na cunze be cunzeit fra thinfurth without
expresse consent of the said Counsall and Nobilitie, conforme to
the lawis of this realme, whiche we manteane: And ordanis this to
be notifeid and proclamed be Officiaris of Armes, in all head
Burghis within the realme of Scotland. In witnes of the whiche,
our commoun consent and free vote, we have subscrivit this present
Act of Suspensioun with our handis, day, yeare, and place
foirsaidis."
[(_Sic subscribitur_,)
BY US, THE NOBILITY AND COMMOUNS OF THE PROTESTANTS
OF THE CHURCHE OF SCOTLAND.][1003]
After that this our Act of Suspensioun was by sound of trumpett divulgat
at the Mercat Croce of Edinburgh, we dismissed the Herauld with this
answer:--
"PLEIS YOUR GRACE,
"We resavit your answer, and heard the Credit of Lyoun King of
Armes, whairby we gathered sufficientlie your perseverance in evill
mynd toward us, the glorie of God, our commoun-weall, and libertie
of our native countrey. For savetie of the whiche, according to our
dewitie, We have in our Soverane Lord and Ladyeis name suspended
your Commissioun, and all administratioun of the policey your Grace
may pretend thairby, being maist assuiredlie persuaded, your
proceidingis[1004] ar direct contrair our Soveranes Lord and Ladyis
will, whiche we ever esteame to be for the weall, and nott for the
hurte of this our commoun-wealth. And as your Grace will nott
acknawledge us, our Soverane Lord and Ladyis liegis, trew barones
and liegis, for your subjectis and Counsall, na mair will we
acknawledge yow for any Regent[1005] or lauchfull Magistrat unto
us; seing, gif any auctoritie ye have be reassone of our Soveranis
commissioun granted unto your Grace, the same, for maist wechtie
reassones, is worthelie suspended be us, in the name and authoritie
of our Soveranis, whais counsall we ar of in the effares of this
our commoun-weall. And for als mekle as we ar determinat, with
hasard of our lyves, to sett that towne[1006] at libertie, whairin
ye have most wrangouslie planted[1007] your soldiouris and
strangearis, for the reverence we aucht to your persone, as Mother
to our Soverane Lady, we require your Grace to transporte your
persone thairfra, seing we ar constrayned,[1008] for the necessitie
of the commoun-weall, to sute the samyn be armes, being denyed of
the libertie thairof, be sindree requisitionis maid of befoir.
Attour, your Grace wald caus departe with yow out of the said
towne, ony persone havand commissioun in ambassadore, yf any sick
be, or in lieutennentschip of our Soveranis, together with all
Frenchemen, soldiouris, being within the same, (whais bloode we
thrust nott, becaus of the auld amitie and freindschip betuix the
realme of France, and us, whiche amitie, be occasioun of the
mariage of our Soverane Lady to the King of that realme, should
rather increase nor decrease;) and this we pray your Grace and
thame bayth to do within the space of twenty four houris, for the
reverence we awcht unto your persones. And thus recommending our
humill service to your Grace, we committ your Hienes to the
eternall protectioun of God.
"At Edinburgh, the xxiij day[1009] of October 1559.
"Your Graces humile Servitouris."[1010]
The day following, we summoned the towne of Leyth by the sound of
trumpet, in forme as followeth:--
"I require and charge, in name of oure Soverane Lord and Lady, and
of the Counsall presentlie in Edinburgh, that all Scottis and
Frenche men, of whatsumever estait and degree thai be, that thei
departe of this towne of Leyth within the space of twelf houris,
and maik the samyn patent to all and sindrie our Soverane Ladyis
liegis; for seing we have na sick haitrent at eyther that ane or
that other,[1011] that we thrust the bloode of any of the twa, for
that ane is our naturall brother, borne, nurished, and broght up
within the bowellis of ane commoun countree; and with that other,
our natioun hes continewed lang amitie and allya, and hopis that sa
shall do sa lang as swa thei list to use us, and nott suite to maik
slavis of freindis, whiche this strenthnyng of oure townis
pretendis. And thairfoir maist hartlie desyres that ane and that
uther, to desist frome fortifeing and manteanyng of this towne, in
our Soveranis and thair said Counsallis name, desyres thame to maik
the same free within the space of xij houris."
[SN: TREASSON AMONGIS THE COUNSALL.]
Defiance gevin, thair was skarmissing, without great slawchtter.
Preparatioun of scailles[1012] and ledderis was maid for the assault,
whiche was concluded by commoun consent of the Nobilitie and Barones.
The scailles war appointed to be maid in Sanct Gelis Churche, so that
preaching was neglected, whiche did nott a little greve the Preachearis,
and many godlie with thame. The Preacharis spared not openlie to say,
"That thei feared the successe of that interpryse should nott be
prosperous, becaus the begynnyng appeired to bring with it some contempt
of God and of his word. Other places, (said thei,) had bene more apt for
suche preparationis, then whare the people convenit to commoun prayeris
and unto preacheing." In verray deid the audience was wounderfullie
trubled all that[1013] tyme, whiche (and other mysordour espyed amanges
us) gave occasioun to the Preachearis to efferme, "That God could nott
suffer suche contempt of his worde, and abuses of his grace, long to be
unpunished." The Quene had amangis us her assured espiallis, who did not
onlie signifie unto her what wes our estait, bot also what was our
counsall, purposes, and devises. Borne of our awin company war
vehementlie suspected to be the verray betrayouris of all our
secreattis; for a boy of the Officiallis of Lowthiane, Maister James
Balfour,[1014] was tackin carying a writting, whiche did open the maist
secreat thing was devised in the Counsall; yea, these verray thingis
whiche war thocht[1015] to have bene knawin but to a verray few.
[SN: THE DUCK AND HIS FREINDIS FEIRFULL.]
By suche domesticall ennemyis war nott onlie our purposes frustrat, bot
also our determinationis wer oftyme owerthrowin and changed. The Dukis
freindis geve unto him suche terrouris, that he was greatlie trubled;
and by his fear war trubled many otheris. [SN: THE UNGODLIE SOLDIOURIS.]
The men of warr (for the maist parte wer men without God or honestie)
made a mutiney, becaus thai lacked a parte of thair waiges: Thei had
done the same in Lynlythqw befoir, quhair thei maid a proclamatioun,
"That thei wald serve any man to suppress the Congregatioun, and sett up
the Messe agane." Thai maid a fray upoun the Erle of Ergylis Hieland
men, and slew one of the principall children of his chalmer; who
notwithstanding behaved him self so moderatlie, and so studiouse to
pacifie that tumult, that many woundered alsweill of his prudent
counsall and stowtness, as of the great obedience of his cumpany. The
ungodlie soldiouris notwithstanding maligned, and continewing in thair
mysordour, thei boasted the Lard of Tullybarne[1016] and uther Noble
men, who cohorted thame to quyetness. [SN: THE QUEIN REGENTIS
PRACTISES.] All these trubles war practised by the Quene, and putt in
executioun by the tratouris amangis our selff; who, albeit they then
lurked, and yitt ar not manifestlie noted, yitt we dowbt not but God
shall utter thame to thair confusioun, and to the example of utheris. To
pacifie the men of warr, a collectioun was devised. But becaus some wer
poore, and some wer nigardis and avaritiouse, thair could no sufficient
sowme be obteined. [SN: THE FACT OF THE COUNSALL.] It was thocht
expedient that a cunze should be erected, that everie Noble man should
cunzie his silver work to supplie the present necessitie; and thairthrow
David Forress, Johne Harte,[1017] and utheris who befoir had charge of
the Cunzie-house,[1018] did promeise thair faythfull lawbouris. [SN: THE
TREASOUN OF JOHNE HEART.] Bot when the mater come to the verray point,
the said Johne Heart, and utheris of his factioun, stall away, and tuk
with thame the instrumentis apt for thair purpose. Whetther this was
done by the falsheid and feablenes of the said Johnne, or the practising
of otheris, is yitt uncertane. Rested then no hoip amangis our selfis
that any money could be furnessed; and thairfoir it was concluded, by a
few of those whom we judged most secreat, that Schir Raiff Saidlair, and
Schir James Croftis,[1019] then having charge at Berwik, should be
tempted, yf thei wald supporte us with any reassonable soume in that
urgent necessitie. And for that purpose, was the Lard of Ormestoun
directed unto thame in so secreat maner as we could devise. Bot yit our
counsall was disclosed to the Quene, who appointed the Lord Bothwell,
(as him selff confessed,) to wait upoun the returnyng of the said Lard,
as that he did with all diligence; and so being assuredlie informed by
what way he came, the said Erle Bothwell foirsett[1020] his way, and
cuming upoun him at unwares, did tack him, after that he was evill
wounded in the heid;[1021] for nether could he gett his led horse, nor
yitt his steall bonet. With him was tacken the sowme of four thowsand
crownis of the sone, whiche the forenammed Schir Raiff and Schir James
moist lovinglie had send for our supporte. The bruit heirof cuming to
our earis, oure dolour was dowbled; not so muche for the loss of the
money, as for the tynsall of the gentilman, whome we suspected to have
bene slane, or at the least that he should be delivered to the Quenis
handis. And so upoun the suddane, the Erle of Errane, the Lord James,
the Maister of Maxwell, with the most parte of the horsemen, took
purpose to persew the said Erle Bothwell, yf thei mycht apprehend him in
Creychttoun or Morhame, whittherto (as thei war informed) he had
reteared him self after his treassonable fact: We call his fact
treassonable, becaus that thrie dayis befoir he had send his especiall
servand, Maister Michaell Balfour, to us to Edinburgh, to purchese of
the Lordis of the Counsall licence to come and speak us; whiche we
granted, efter that he had promesed, that in the meantyme he should
neather hurte us, neather yitt any till us appertenyng, till that he
should writt his answer agane, whitther that he wald joyne with us or
not. [SN: THE ERLE BOTHWELL FALS IN PROMEISE, AND HIS TREASONABLE FACT.]
He gave us farder to understand, that he wald discharge him self of the
Quene, and thairefter wald assist us. And yitt in this meantyme, he
crewelly and tratorouslie hurte and spuilzeid the noble man foirsaid.
Albeit that the departure and counsall of the Erle of Arrane and Lord
James, with thair cumpany foirsaid, wes verray suddane and secreat; yitt
was the Erle Bothwell,[1022] then being in Crychttoun, advertissed, and
so eschaiped with the money, whiche he took with him self, as the
Capitane of his house, John Somervaill, (whiche was tackin without lang
persuyte,) confessed and affermed. Becaus the Noble men that soght
redress, soght rather his saiftie and reconsiliatioun; then destructioun
and haitrent thei committed his house to the custody of a capitane, to
witt, Capitane Forbess, to whome, and to all soldiouris thair left, was
gevin a schairpe commandiment, that all thingis found within the said
hous of Crychttoun,[1023] (which war putt in inventorie in presence of
the Lordis,) should be keipt till that the Erle Bothwell should geve
answer, whitther he wald maik restitutioun or nott. Tyme of advertisment
was granted unto him the hole day subsequent, till going doune of the
sone.
In absence of the saidis Lordis and horsemen, (we meane the same day
that thei departed, whiche wes the last of October,) the Provest and
towne of Dundye, togetther with some soldiouris, passed furth of the
toune of Edinburgh, and caryed with thame some great ordinance to
schuitt at Leyth. The Duck his Grace, the Erle of Glencarne, and the
rest of the Noble men, wer gone to the preacheing, whair thei continewed
to nye twelf houris. The Frenche being advertissed by ane named[1024]
Clerk, (who after was apprehended,) that our horsemen wer absent, and
that the hole companye wer at dennar, issched, and with great
expeditioun came to the place whair our ordinance wes laid. [SN: THE
FIRST DEFAIR[1025] OF THE CONGREGATIOUN.] The towne of Dundye, with a
few otheris, resisted a whill, alsweall with thair ordinance as
haquebuttis; but being left of our ungodlye and feable soldiouris, who
fled without strok offered or gevin, thei war compelled to give back,
and so to leave the ordinance to the ennemyis, who did farder persew the
fugitives, to witt, to the myddis of the Cannogaite, and to the fute of
Leyth Wynd. [SN: THE CRUELTIE OF THE FRENCHE.] Thair crewelty then began
to discover the self; for the decrepit, the aiged, the women and
childrein, fand no greater favouris in thair furye, then did the strang
man, who maid resistance.
It was verray appeiring, that amanges our selfis thair wes some
treassoun. For when, upoun the first alarm, all man maid haist for
releve of thair brethren, whome in verray deid we mycht have saved, and
at least we mycht have saved the ordinance, and have keapt the Cannogait
from danger; for we wer anis merched fordwarte with bold curage, but
then, (we say,) wes a schowt reased amonges our selfis, (God will
discloise the traytouris one day,) affermyng "That the hole Frenche
cumpanye war entered in at Leyth Wynd upoun our backis." What clamor and
misordour did then suddanelie arryise, we list nott to expresse with
multiplicatioun of wordis. The horsemen, and some of those that aught to
have putt ordour to otheris, over-rod thair poore brethren at the
enteress of the Netthir Bow. The crye of discomforte arose in the toun;
the wicked and malignant blasphemed; the feable, (amanges whome the
Justice Clerk, Schir Johne Bannatyne[1026] was,) fledd without mercye:
With great difficultie could thei be keapt in at the Weast Porte.
Maister Gavin Hammyltoun[1027] cryed with a lowd voce, "Drynk now as ye
have browen." The Frenche perceaving, be the clamour of our fray,
followed, as said is, to the myddis of the Cannogait, to no great
nomber, bott a twenty or thretty of thair _infantes perdues_.[1028] For
in that meantyme the rest reteired thame selves with our ordinance. [SN:
THE ERLE OF ERGYLE.] The Erle of Ergyle and his men wer the first that
stopped the fleying of our men, and compelled the Porte to be opened
efter that it was schoot. [SN: LORD ROBERT STEWART.] Bott in verray
deid, Lord Robert Stewarte,[1029] Abbot of Halyrudehouse, was the first
that isched out. After him followed many upoun the backis of the
Frenche. At last cam my Lord Duck, and then was no man mair frack nor
was Maister Gavin Hammyltoun foirsaid. The Frenche brunt a baikhouse,
and tooke some spuilzie from the poores of the Cannogait. Thei slew a
Papist and dronken preast, named Schir Thomas Sklatter, ane aiged man, a
woman gevin sowk and her child, and of oure soldiouris to the nomber of
ten. Certane wer tane, amongis whome Capitane Mowat was one, [and]
Maister Charles Geddes, servitour to the Maister of Maxwell.
[SN: THE CASTELL SCHOT ONE SHOTT.]
The Castell[1030] that day schot ane schott at the Frenche, declairing
thame thairby freindis to us, and ennemy to thame; bott he suddanelie
repented of weall-doing. [SN: THE QUEIN REGENTIS REJOSING, AND
UNWOMANLIE BEHAVIOUR.] The Queyn glad of victorye, sat upoun the
ramparte to salute and welcome hir victorious suddartis.[1031] One
brought a kirtill, one uther ane pettycote, the thrid, a pote or pane;
and of invy more then womanlie lawchtter, sche asked, "Whair bocht ye
your ware? _Je pense_[1032] _que vous l'aves achete sans argent._"[1033]
This was the great and motherlie cayre whiche schee tooke for the truble
of the poore subjectis of this realme.
[SN: THE COUNSALL OF THE MAISTER OF MAXWELL.]
The Erle Bothwell, lifted up in his awin conceat, be reassoun of this
our repulse and disconfitour, utterlie refused any restitutioun; and so
within two dayis after was his house spulzeid, in whiche war no thingis
of ony great importance, his evidentis and certane clothing excepted.
Frome that day back, the curage of many was dejected. With great
difficultie could men be reteaned in the towne; yea, some of the
greatast estimatioun determined with thame selfis to leave the
interpryise. Many fled away secreatlie, and those that did abyd, (a
verray few excepted,) appeared destitut of counsall and manheid. The
Maister of Maxwell,[1034] a man stowt and wittie, foirseing the danger,
desyrit moist gravelie eyther to tak suche ordour that thei mycht remane
to the terrour of the ennemy, or ellis that thei should reteyre thame
selfis with thair ordinance and baneris displeyed in ordour. But the
wittis of men being dasched, no counsall could prevaill. Thus we
continewed from the Wednisday, the last of October, till Mononday the
fyft of November,[1035] never two or thrie abyding ferme in one opinioun
the space of twenty-four houris. The pestilent wittis of the Quenis
practisaris did then exercise thame selfis, (God sall recompanse thair
maliciouse craft in thair awin bosome, we dowbt not;) for thei caused
two godlie and fordward young men, the Lardis of Pharnyherst and
Cesfurd,[1036] who ones had glaidlie joyned thame selfis with us, to
withdraw thame selfis and thair freindis: The same thei did to the Erle
Mortoun, who promissed to be oures, but did never planelie joyne. Thei
intysed the Capitane of the Castell to deny us supporte, in caise we war
persewed; and, finallie, the counsall of some was no less pestiferous
against us, then was the counsall of Achitophell against David and his
discomforted soldiouris. "Rander, O Lord, to the wicked according to
thair malice."
[SN: THE LAST DISCOMFITURE UPOUN MONUNDAY.]
Upoun Mononday, the fyft[1037] of November, did the Frenche ische out of
Leyth betymes, for kepping[1038] of the victuallis whiche should have
cumed to us. We being trubled amanges our selfis, and, as said is,
devided in opinionis, wer neather circumspect when thei did ische,
neather yitt did we follow with suche expeditioun as had bene meitt for
men that wald have sought our advantage. Our soldiouris could skarslie
be dong furth of the towne. The Erle of Arrane, Lord James, and a
certane with thame, maid haist. Many honest man then followed, and maid
suche diligence, that thei caused the Frenche ones to retear somewhat
effrayedlie. The rest that ware in Leyth, perceaving the danger of
thair fallowis, isshed out for thair succurse. The Erle of Arrane and
Lord James foirsaid, being more fordward nor prudent and circumspect,
did compell the Capitanes, as is allegeit, to bring thare men so ney,
that eyther thei must neidis have hasarded battell with the hole Frenche
men, (and that under the mercy of thair cannonis also,) or ellis thei
must neidis reteyre in a verray narrow cure.[1039] For our men warr
approched ney[1040] to Restalrig. The one parte of the Frenche wer upoun
the north towardis the sea, the other parte marched frome Leyth to
Edinburgh; and yitt thei marched so, that we could have foughten neather
cumpany, befoir that thei should have joyned. We took purpoise thairfoir
to reteire towardis the towne, and that with expeditioun, least that the
formare cumpany of the Frenche should eyther have invaided the towne,
befoir that we could have cumed to the reskew thairof, or ellis have
cutted us of from the entress, at the Abbay of Halyrudhouse, as
appeirandlie thei had done, yf that the Lard of Grange and Alexander
Quhytlaw, with a few horsemen, had nott stayed boith thair horsemen and
thair footmen. The cumpany whiche was nixt us, perceaving that we
reteired with speid, send furth thair skyrmissaris, to the nomber of
thre or foure hundreth, who took us att ane disadvantage; befoir us
having the myre of Restalrig[1041] betuix us and thame, so that in no
wise we could charge thame; and we war inclosed by the park dyke,[1042]
so that in nowyse we could avoid thair schott. Thair horsmen followed
upoun our taillis, and slew diverse; our awin[1043] horsemen over-rode
our futemen; and so be reassoun of the narrowness of the place, thair
was no resistance maid. The Erle of Arrane, and Lord James, in great
danger, lyghted amanges the footmen, exhorting thame to have some
respect to ordour, and to the saiftie of thair brethren, whome, by thair
fleying, thei exponed to murther, and so war cryminall of thair deth.
Capitane Alexander Halyburtoun, a man that feared God, taryed with
certane of his soldiouris behynd, and maid resistance, till that he was
first schote and tackin. Bot being knawin, those cruell murtheraris
wounded him in diverse partis to the death.[1044] And yit, as it war by
the power of God, he was brocht in to the toun, whair in few, but yit
most plane wordis, he gave confessioun of his fayth, testifeing, "That
he dowbted nothing of Godis mercy, purchassed to him by the bloode of
Christ Jesus; neather yit that he repented, that it pleased God to maik
him worthie to sched his bloode, and spend his lyif in the defence of so
just a cause." [SN: THE DEATH OF ALEXANDER HALYBURTOUN, CAPITANE.]
And thus, with the dolour of many, he ended his dolour, and did enter,
(we dowt nott,) in that blessed immortalitie within two houris efter
that we war defait.[1045] Thare war slane to the nomber of twenty-four
or thretty men, the maist parte poore. Thair war tackin the Lard of
Pitmyllie, the Lard of Pharny youngar, the Maister of Bowchane, George
Luvell of Dundie,[1046] and some otheris of lowar estait; Johnne Dunbar,
Lieutennent to Capitane Mowet.[1047] Capitane David Murray had his horse
slane, and him self hurte[1048] in the leg.
[SN: HOW AND WHY WILLIAM MAITLAND LEFT LEYTH.]
Few dayis befoir oure first defait, whiche was upon Alhallow Evin,[1049]
Williame Maitland of Lethingtoun younger,[1050] Secreattar to the Quene,
perceaving him self not onlye to be suspected as one that favored our
parte, bot also to stand in danger of his lyiff, yf he should remane
amangis sa ungodlie a cumpany; for quhensoevir materis came in
questioun, he spaired not to speik his conscience; whiche libertie of
toung, and gravitie of judgement, the Frenche did heyghlie disdane.
Whiche perceaved by him, he convoyed him self away in a mornyng, and
randered him self to Maister Kirkcaldye, Lard of Grange, who cuming to
us, did exhorte us to constancie, assuring us, that in the Quene thair
was nothing but craft and deceat. He travailled exceidinglie to have
reteaned the Lordis togidder, and maist prudentlie laid befoir thair
eyis the dangearis that myeht ensew thair departing of the town. Bot
fear and dolour had so seazed[1051] the hartis of all, that thei could
admitt no consolatioun. The Erle of Arrane, and Lord James, offered to
abyd, yff any reassonable cumpany wald abyd with thame. Bott men did so
steall away, that the witt of man could not stay thame. Yea, some of the
greatast determined planelie that thei wald not abyd. [SN: THE LORD
ERSKYN DECLAIRED HIM SELF ENNEMYE TO THE CONGREGATIOUN.] The Capitane of
the Castell, than Lord Ersken, wald promeise unto us no favouris. But
said, "He most neidis declair himself freind to those that war able to
supporte and defend him." Whiche answer gevin to the Lord James,[1052]
discoraged those that befoir had determined to have biddin the
uttermost, rather then to have abandoned the towne, so that the Castell
wald have stand[1053] thair friend. But the contrarie declaired, everie
man took purpose for him self. The complaintis of the brethren within
the towne of Edinburgh was lamentable and sore. The wicked then began to
spew furth the vennoum whiche befoir lurked in thare cankered hearte.
The godly, alsweall those that war departed, as the inhabitants of the
towne, wer so trubled, that some of thame wald have preferred death to
lyve, at Godis pleasur. For avoiding of danger, it was concludit that
thei should departe at mydnycht. The Duik maid provisioun for his
ordinance, and caused it to be send befoir; but the rest was left to the
cayr of the Capitane of the Castell, who receaved it, alsweall that
whiche appertenith to Lord James, as that of Dundy. [SN: THE DISPYTE OF
THE PAPISTIS OF EDINBURGH.] The dispytfull toungis of the wicked raylled
upoun us, calling us traytouris and heretiques: everie ane provoked
other to cast stanes at us. One cryed, "Allace, yf I mycht see;" ane
other, "Fye, give advertisment to the Frenche men that thei may come,
and we shall help thame now to cutt the throttis of these heretiques."
And thus, as the sword of dolour passed throught our heartis, so war the
cogitationis and formar determinationis of many heartis then reveilled.
[SN: THE WORST IS NOT YIT COME TO OUR ENNEMYES.] For we wald never have
belevit that our naturall countrey men and wemen could have wisshed our
destructioun so unmercifullie, and have so rejosed in our adversitie:
God move thair heartis to repentance! for ellis we fear that He whose
caus we susteane sall lett thame feill the weght of the yock of crewell
strangearis, in whose handis thei wisshed us to have bene betrayed. We
stayed nott till that we came to Striveling, whiche we did the day efter
that we departed from Edinburgh; for it was concluded, that thair
consultatioun should be tacken, what was the nixt remeady in so desperat
a mater.
[SN: THE SERMOUN OF JOHNE KNOX, IN STRYVELING, IN THE GREATEST OF
OUR TRUBLES.]
The nixt Wedinsday, whiche was the 7. of November,[1054] Johnne Knox
preached, (Johne Willock was departed to England, as befoir he had
appointed,) and entreated the 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 versicules of the
Fourscoir Psalme, whair David, in the persoune of the afflicted people
of God, speaketh thus:[1055] The fourt verse: "O thow the Eternall, the
God of hostis, how long shall thow be angree against the prayer of thy
people. 5. Thow hest fed us with the bread of tearis, and hath gevin to
us tearis to drynk in great measure. 6. Thow hest maid us a stryf unto
our nychtbouris, and our ennemyis laugh us to scorne amangis thame
selfis. 7. O God of hostis, turne us agane: maik thy face to schyne, and
we shalbe saved." [8. Thow hes brocht a vine out of Egypte: thow hes
cast out the heathen, and planted it.][1056] &c.
[SN: THE ARGUMENT OF THE 80. PSALME.]
This Psalme had the said Johne begun in Edinburgh, as it war foirseing
our calamitie, of whiche in verray deid he did not obscurelie speik,
butt planelie did admonishe us, that he was assured of trubles
suddanelie to come; and thairfoir exhorted all men to prayeris. He
entreated the three first versicles in Edinburgh, to the conforte of
many. He declaired the argument of the Psalme, affermeing for his
judgment, that it was maid by David him self, who, in the spreitt of
prophesye, foirsaw the miserable estait of Godis people, especiallie
after that the Ten Tribes wer devided, and departed frome the obedience
of Juda; for it was nott, (said he,) without caus that Josephe, Ephraim,
Benjamin, and Manasse, war especiallie named, and nott Juda; to witt,
becaus that thei came first to calamitie, and war translaited from thair
awin inheritance, whill that Juda yitt possessed the kingdome. He
confessed that justlie thei war punished for idolatrie committed. But he
affirmed, that amanges thame continewalie thair remaned some trew
wirschipparis of God, for whose conforte war the Propheittis send,
alsweill to call thame to reapentance, as to assure thame of
deliverance, and of the promisse of God to be performed unto thame.
[SN: THE DIVISIOUN.]
He divided the Psalme in three partis, to wit, in a prayer: 2. In the
ground whairupoun thair prayer was founded: 3. And in the lamentable
complaintis, and the vow whiche thei maik to God. Thare prayer was,
"That God should convert and turne thame; that he should maik his face
to schyn upoun thame; and that he should restoir thame to thair formar
dignitie." The groundis and fundationis of thair prayeris ware, 1. That
God him self had becum pastour and governour unto thame: 2. That he had
tacken the protectioun of thame in his awin hand: 3. That he had chosin
his habitatioun amangis thame: 4. That he had delivered thame frome
bondage and thraldome: 5. That he had multiplyed and blessed thame with
many notable benedictionis. Upoun those Two partis he gave these
notis:--
First, That the felicitie of Godis people may not be measured by any
externall appeirance; for oftyn it is, that the same people, to whome
God becumis not onlye creator, bot also pastour and protectour, is more
seveirlie intreated, then those nationis whair verray ignorance and
contempt of God reigneth.
Secondlie, That God never maid his acquentance and leigue with any
people by his worde, bott that thare he had some of his elect; who,
albeit thei suffered for a tyme in the myddis of the wicked, yitt in the
end thei fand conforte, and felt in verray experience, that Godis
promisses ar nott in vane.
Thridlie, That these prayeris wer dyted unto the people by the Holy
Ghost, befoir thei came to the uttermost of truble, till assure thame
that God, by whose Spreit the prayare was dited, wald nott contempt the
same in the myddis of thair calamities.
The Thrid parte, conteynyng the lamentable complaynt, he entreated in
Stryveling, in presence of my Lord Duik, and of the hole Counsall. In
the expositioun whairof, he declaired, Whairfoir God somtymes suffered
his chosin flock to be exponed to mockage, to dangearis, and to
appeiring destructioun; to witt, that thei may feill the vehemencye of
Godis indignatioun; that thei may knaw how litill strenth is in thair
selfis; that thei may leave a testimony to the generationis following,
alsweill of the malice of the Devill against Goddis people, as of the
mervaillouse werk of God, in preserving his litill flock by far other
meanes then man can espye. In explanyng these wordis, "How long shall
thow be angree, O Lord, against the prayer of thy people?" he declaired,
How dolorouse and fearfull it was to feght against that tentatioun, that
God turned away his face from our prayaris; for that was nothing ellis
then to comprehend and conceave God to be armed to our destructioun:
whiche temptatioun no flesche can abyd nor owercome, onless the mychtie
Spreit of God interpone the self suddanelie.
The example he gave, the impatience of Saule, when God wald nott hear
his prayaris. The difference betuix the elect and reprobate in that
temptatioun, he planelie declaired to be, that the elect, susteaned by
the secreat power of Goddis Spreit, did still call upoun God, albeit
that he appeared to contempt thair prayaris; whiche, (said he,) is the
sacrifice most acceptable to God, and is in a maner evin to feght with
God, and to ovircum him, as Jacob did in warsling with his Angell. Butt
the reprobat, (said he,) being denyed of thair requeastis at Godis hand,
do eather cease to pray, and altogitther contempt God, who straitlie
commandeth us to call upoun him in the day of adversitie; or ellis thei
seik at the Devill that whiche thei see thei can nott obteane by God.
In the Secound parte he declared, how hard it was to this corrupt nature
of ouris not to rejose and putt confidence in the self, when God geveth
victorye; and thairfoir how necessare it was that man by afflictioun
should be brocht to the knawledge of his awin infirmitie, least that,
puffed up with vane confidence, he maik ane idoll of his awin strenth,
as did King Nabuchadnezzar. He did gravelie disput upoun the nature of
the blynd warld, whiche, in all ages, hath insolentlie rejosed when God
did chasten his awin children, whose glory and honour, becaus the
reprobat can never see, thairfoir thei dispyise thame, and the
wonderouse werk of God in thame. And yit, (said he,) the joy and
rejosing of the warld is but meare sorrow, becaus the end of it tendith
to suddane destructioun, as the ryatouse banquetting of Balthasar
declaireth. Applying these headis to the tyme and personis, (he said,)
yf none of Goddis children had suffered befoir us the same injureis that
presentlie we susteane, these our trubles wald appear intollerable;
suche is our tender delicacie, and self luif of our awin flesche, that
those thingis whiche we lychtlie pass over in otheris, we can greatlie
complane of, yf thei tweiche our selfis. I dowbt not bot that some of us
have ofter then ones redd this Psalme, as also that we have redd and
heard the travaill and trubles of our ancient fatheris.[1057] But whiche
of us, eather in reading or hearing thair dolouris and temptationis, did
so discend in to oure selfis that we felt the bitterness of thair
passionis? I think none. And thairfoir hes God brocht us to some
experience in our awin personis.
[SN: _SPECIALIS APPLICATIO_]
But, yit, because the mater may appeir obscure, onless it be more
propirlie applyed, I can nott bot of conscience use suche plainnes as
God shall grant unto me. Oure faces ar this day confounded, oure
ennemyes triumphe, oure heartis have quaiked for fear, and yitt thei
remane oppressed with sorrow and schame. But what shall we think to be
the verray cause that God hath thus dejected us? Yf I shall say, our
synnes and formar unthankfulness to God, I speik the treuth. Butt yitt I
spack more generalie then necessitie required: for when the synnes of
men ar rebucked in generall, seldome it is that man discendeth within
him self, accusing and dampnyng in him self that whiche most displeaseth
God. Butt rather he dowttis that to be a cause, whiche befoir God is no
cause in deid. For example, the Israelitis, feghting against the tribe
of Benjamin, wer twise discomfeitted, with the loss of fourtie thowsand
men. Thei lamented and bewailled boyth first and last; but we fynd nott
that thei cam to the knawledge of thair offence and synne, whiche wes
the cause that thei fell in the edge of the sworde; but rather thei
dowted that to have bene a cause of thair mysfortoun, whiche God had
commanded: for thei ask, "Shall we go and feght any more against our
brethren, the sonnes of Benjamin?" By whiche questioun, it is evident,
that thei supposed that the caus of thair overthrow and discomfeit was,
becaus thei had lifted the sword against thair brethren and naturall
countreymen. And yitt, the expresse commandiment of God that wes gevin
unto thame, did deliver thame from all cryme in that caise. And yitt, no
dowte but that thare wes some caus in the Israelitis that God gave thame
so over in the handis of those wicked men, against whom he send thame,
by his awin expressed commandiment, till execut his judgementis.
[SN: LETT SCOTLAND YITT TACK HEAD.] Suche as do weall mark the
historye and the estait of that people, may easilie see the caus why God
wes offended. All the haill people had declyned from God; idolatrie was
manteaned by the commoun consent of the multitude; and as the text
sayeth, "Everie man did that whiche appeareth good in his awin eyis." In
this meantyme, the Levite compleaned of the vilanye that was done unto
him self, and unto his wyf, whiche oppressed by the Benjamites of
Gibeah, died under thare fylthy lustis. Whiche horrible fact inflammed
the heartis of the hole people to taik vengeance upoun that
abhominatioun: and thairin thei offended not; but in this thei failled,
that thei go to execut judgement against the wicked, without any
reapentance or remorse of conscience of thair formare offenses, and
defectioun from God. And, farther, becaus thei war a great multitude,
and the other war far inferiour unto thame, thei trusted in thair awin
strenth, and thought thame selfis able aneuch to do thair purpose,
without any invocatioun of the name of God. Bot after that thei had
twise provin the vanitie of thair awin strenth, thei fasted and prayed,
and being humbled befoir God, thai receaved a more favorable answer, ane
assured promeise of the victorye. The lyik may be amangis us, albeit
suddanelie we do nott espye it. And to the end that everie man may the
bettir examyne him self, I will devide our hole cumpany in two sortes of
men: The one ar those that from the begynnyng of this truble have
susteaned the commoun danger with thair brethren: The other be those
whiche laitlie be joyned to our fallowschip. In the one and in the
other, I fear, that just caus shalbe found that God should thus have
humiled us. And albeit, that this appear strange at the first hearing,
yitt yf everie man shall examyn him self, and speik as that his
conscience dites unto him, I dowbt not bot he shall subscrive my
sentence. Lett us begyn at our selves, who longast hes continewed in
this battell. When we war a few nomber, in comparisoun of our ennemyes,
when we had neather Erle nor Lord (a few excepted) to conforte us, we
called upoun God; we tooke him for our protectour, defence, and onlie
refuge. Amanges us was heard no braggin of multitude, of our strenth,
nor pollecey: we did onlye sob to God, to have respect to the equitie of
our cause, and to the crewell persute of the tyranefull ennemye. Butt
since that our nomber hath bene thus multiplyed, and cheaflie sen my
Lord Duik[1058] his Grace with his freindis have bene joyned with us,
thair was nothing heard, bot "This Lord will bring these many hundreth
spearis: this man hath the credite to perswaid this cuntrey; yf this
Erle be ouris, no man in suche a boundis will truble us." And thus the
best of us all, that befoir felt Godis potent hand to be our defence,
hath of lait dayis putt flesche to be our arme. Butt whairin yit hathe
my Lord Duik his Grace and his freindis offended? It may be that, as we
haif trusted in thame, so have thei putt too muche confidence in thair
awin strenth. But granting so be not,[1059] I see a cause most just, why
the Duik and his freindis should thus be confounded amangis the rest of
thair brethren. I have nott yit forgottin what was the dolour and
anguishe of my awin hearte, when at Sanet Johnestoun, Cowper Mure, and
Edinburgh Crages, those crewell murtheraris, that now hath putt us to
this dishonour, threatned our present destructioun: my Lord Duik his
Grace and his freindis at all the three jornayes, wes to thame a great
conforte, and unto us a great discorage; for his name and authoritie did
more effray and astonise us, then did the force of the other; yea,
without his assistance, thei could not have compelled us to appoint with
the Quene upoun so unequall conditionis. I am uncertane yf my Lordis
Grace hath unfeanedlie repented of that his assistance to those
murtheraris unjustlie persewing us. Yea, I am uncertane yff he hath
reapented of that innocent bloode of Chrystes blessed Martyres, whiche
was sched in his defalt. But lett it be that so he hath done, (as I hear
that he hath confessed his offence befoir the Lordis and Brethren of the
Congregatioun,) yit I am assured, that neather he, nether yit his
freindis, did feall befoir this tyme the anguishe and greaf of heartis
whiche we felt, when in thair blynd furye thei persewed us: And
thairfoir hath God justlie permitted both thame and us to fall in this
confusioun at ones: us, for that we putt our trust and confidence in
man; and thame, becaus that thei should feill in thair awin hearttis how
bytter was the coupe which thei maid otheris to drynk befoir thame.
[SN: _CONCLUSIO._] Restis that boith thei and we turne to the
Eternall oure God, (who beattis doun to death, to the intent that he may
raise up agane, to leav the remembrance of his wonderouse deliverance,
to the praise of his awin name,) whiche yf we do unfeanedlie, I no more
dowbt but that this our dolour, confusioun, and feare, shalbe turned
into joy, honour, and boldness, then that I dowt that God gave victorye
to the Israelitis over the Benjamites, after that twise with ignominye
thei war repulsed and doung back. [SN: LETT THE PAPISTIS AND
GREATEST ENNEMYIS WITNESS.] Yea, whatsoever shall become of us and of
our mortall carcasses, I dowt not but that this caus, (in dyspite of
Sathan,) shall prevaill in the realme of Scotland. For, as it is the
eternall trewth of the eternall God, so shall it ones prevaill,
howsoever for a time it be impugned. It may be that God shall plague
some, for that thei delyte nott in the trewth, albeit for warldlye
respectis thei seame to favour it. Yea, God may tak some of his dearest
children away befoir that thair eyis see greattar trubles. Bott neather
shall the one nor the other so hynder this actioun, but in the end it
shall triumphe.
* * * * *
This Sermoun ended, in the whiche he did vehementlie exhorte all man to
amendment of lyffe, to prayaris, and to the warkis of charitie, the
myndis of men began wounderouslye to be erected. And immediatlie after
dennare, the Lordis passed to Counsall,[1060] unto the whiche the said
Johnne Knox was called to mack invocatioun of the name of God, (for
other preachearis war nane with us at that tyme.) In the end it was
concluded, that Williame Maitland[1061] foirsaid should pas to Londoun
to expone our estait and conditioun to the Quein and Counsall, and that
the Noble men should departe to thair quyett, to the sextene day of
December, whiche tyme was appointed to the nixt Conventioun in
Striveling, as in this our Thrid Booke following shalbe more amplie
declaired.
ENDIS THE SECOUND BOOKE OF THE HISTORYE OF THE PROGRESSE OF RELIGIOUN
WITHIN SCOTLAND.[1062]
_Look upoun us, O Lorde, in the multitude of thy mercyes; for we ar
brought evin to the deape of the dongeoun._