Linlithgow, and on the eighth day of December, in the year of God
1542, was delivered of Mary, that then was born, and now does reign
for a plague to this realm, as the progress of her whole life to
this day hath declared. The certainty that a daughter was born unto
him coming to his ears, the King turned from such as spake with him,
and said, "The devil go with it! It will end as it began: it came
from a woman; and it will end in a woman." After that, he spake not
many words that were sensible. But ever he harped upon his old song,
"Fie, fled Oliver! Is Oliver ta'en? All is lost."
[Sidenote: The Death of James V.]
In the meantime came the Cardinal, in the King's great extremity,
an apt comforter for a desperate man. He cried in his ear, "Take
order, Sire, with your realm: who shall rule during the minority
of your daughter? Ye have known my service, what will ye have
done? Shall there not be four regents chosen, and shall not I be
principal of them?" Whatsoever the King answered, documents were
taken that things should be as my Lord Cardinal thought expedient.
As many affirm, a dead man's hand was made to subscribe a blank,
that they might write above the signature what pleased them best.
This finished, the Cardinal posted to the Queen. At the first sight
of the Cardinal, she said, "Welcome, my Lord. Is not the King
dead?" Divers men are of divers opinions as to what moved her so to
conjecture. Many whisper that of old his part was in the pot, and
that the suspicion thereof caused him to be inhibited the Queen's
company. Howsoever it may have been before, it is plain that, after
the King's death, and during the Cardinal's life, whosoever might
guide the Court, he got his secret business sped by that gracious
lady, either by day or by night. Whether the tidings liked her or
not, she mended with as great expedition of that daughter as ever
she did before of any son she bare. The time of her purification was
accomplished sooner than the Levitical law appoints: but she was no
Jewess, and therefore in that she offended not.
King James departed this life on the thirteenth day of December, in
the year of God 1542, and on news thereof the hearts of men began
to be disclosed. All men lamented that the realm was left without a
male to succeed; yet some rejoiced that such an enemy to God's truth
was taken away. By some he was called a good poor-man's king; by
others he was termed a murderer of the nobility, and one that had
decreed their utter destruction. Some praised him for suppressing
theft and oppression; others dispraised him for the defiling of
men's wives and of virgins. Men spake as affection led them. And yet
none spake altogether beside the truth; for all these things were in
part so manifest that, as the virtues could not be denied, so could
not the vices be cloaked by any craft.
[Sidenote: The Cardinal claims the Regency.]
Throughout this realm the question of government was universally
moved. The Cardinal proclaimed the King's last will. Therein were
nominated four Protectors or Regents, of whom he himself was the
first and principal, with him being joined the Earls Huntly,
Argyll, and Moray. This was done on the Monday at the Market Cross
of Edinburgh. But on the Monday following the whole Regents had
remission from their usurpation. By the stout and wise counsel of
the Laird of Grange, the Earl of Arran, then second person to the
Crown, caused assemble the nobility of the realm, and required the
equity of their judgment in his just suit to be governor of this
realm during the minority of her to whom he would succeed, in the
event of her death without lawful succession. His friends convened,
the nobility assembled, and the day of decision was appointed. The
Cardinal and his faction opposed themselves to the government of one
man, and especially to the regiment of any called Hamilton: "For
who knows not," said the Cardinal, "that the Hamiltons are cruel
murderers, oppressors of innocence, proud, avaricious, double, and
false; and, finally, the pestilence in this commonwealth." Thereto
the said Earl answered, "Defraud me not of my right, and call me
what ye please. Whatsoever my friends have been, unto this day no
man has had cause to complain upon me, nor am I minded to flatter
any of my friends in their evil doing. By God's grace I shall be
as forward to correct their enormities as any within the realm can
reasonably require of me. And therefore, yet again, my Lords, in
God's name I crave that ye do me no wrong, nor defraud me of my just
title, before ye have experience of my government." At these words,
all that feared God or loved honesty were so moved that with one
voice they cried, "That petition is most just, and unless we would
act against God, justice, and equity, it cannot be denied."
[Sidenote: The Earl of Arran is proclaimed Regent.]
In despite of the Cardinal and his suborned faction, the Earl
of Arran was declared Governor, and with public proclamation so
announced to the people. The King's Palace, treasure, jewels,
garments, horse, and plate were delivered unto him by the officers
that had the former charge; and he was honoured, feared, and obeyed
more heartily than ever any king was before, so long as he abode
in God. Great favour was borne unto him, because it was bruited
that he favoured God's Word; and because it was well known that he
was one appointed to have been persecuted, as the scroll, found in
the King's pocket after his death, did witness. These two things,
together with an opinion that men had of his simplicity, did, in
the beginning, bow unto him the hearts of many who afterwards, with
dolour of heart, were compelled to change their opinions. We omit a
variety of matters, such as the order taken for keeping the young
Queen; the provision for the mother; and the home-calling of the
Douglases. These appertain to a universal history of the time. We
seek only to follow the progress of religion, and of the matters
that cannot be dissevered from the same.
[Sidenote: Thomas Williams and John Rough preach, in despite of the
Friars.]
The Governor being established in government, godly men repaired
unto him, and exhorted him to call to mind for what end God had
exalted him; out of what danger He had delivered him; and what
expectation all men of honesty had of him. At their suit, more than
of his own motion, Thomas Williams, a Black Friar, was called to be
preacher. The man was of solid judgment, reasonable letters for that
age, and of a prompt and good utterance: his doctrine was wholesome,
without great vehemence against superstition. John Rough, who after,
for the truth of Christ Jesus, suffered in England, in the days of
Mary of cursed memory, preached also sometimes, not so learnedly,
yet more simply, and more vehemently against all impiety. The
doctrine of these two provoked against them and against the Governor
the hatred of all that favoured darkness more than light, and their
own bellies more than God. These slaves of Satan, the Grey Friars
(and amongst the rest Friar Scott, who before had given himself
forth for the greatest professor of Christ Jesus within Scotland,
and under that colour had disclosed and so endangered many) croaked
like ravens, yea, rather they yelled and roared like devils in hell,
"Heresy! heresy! Williams and Rough will carry the Governor to the
devil."
[Sidenote: Edinburgh drowned in Superstition.]
The town of Edinburgh was, for the most part, drowned in
superstition: Edward Hope, young William Adamson, Sibella Lindsay,
Patrick Lindsay, Francis Aikman; and in the Canongate, John Mackay,
Ryngzean Brown, with a few others, had the bruit[48] of knowledge
in those days. One Wilson, servant to the Bishop of Dunkeld, who
neither knew the New Testament nor the Old, made a despiteful
railing ballad against the preachers and against the Governor, and
for this he narrowly escaped hanging. The Cardinal moved both heaven
and hell to trouble the Governor and to stay the preaching; but the
battle was stoutly fought for a season. He was taken prisoner, and
was confined first in Dalkeith, and after that in Seton. But, in the
end, by means of bribes given to Lord Seton and to the old Laird of
Lethington, he was restored to St. Andrews. Thence he wrought all
mischief, as we shall afterwards hear.
[48] Repute.
[Sidenote: Liberty to read the Scriptures is demanded.]
At the approach of Parliament before Easter, there began to be
question of abolishing certain tyrannical acts, formerly made at
the instance of the prelates, for maintaining of their kingdom of
darkness; to wit, the Act "that under pain of heresy, no man should
read any part of the Scriptures in the English tongue, nor yet any
tractate or exposition of any place of Scripture." Such articles
began to come into question, we say, and men began to inquire if it
was not as lawful to men that understood no Latin to use the Word of
their salvation in the tongue they understood, as it was for Latin
men to have it in Latin, and for Greeks or Hebrews to have it in
their tongues. It was answered that the first Kirk had forbidden
all tongues but these three. But men demanded when that inhibition
was given; and what Council had ordained that, considering that
Chrysostom complained that the people used not the Psalms, and
other holy books, in their own tongues? If it be said that these
were Greeks, and understood the Greek tongue, we answer that Christ
Jesus commanded His Word to be preached to all nations. Now, if it
ought to be preached to all nations, it must be preached in the
tongue they understand. If it be lawful to preach it and to hear it
preached in all tongues, why should it not be lawful to read it, and
to hear it read in all tongues, to the end that the people may try
the spirits, according to the commandment of the Apostle.
Beaten with these and other reasons, it was admitted that the Word
might be read in the vulgar tongue, provided that the translation
were true. It was demanded, what could be reprehended in the
translation used? Much searching was made, but nothing could be
found, except that "love," said they, was put in the place of
"charity." When they were asked what difference was betwixt the
one and the other, and whether they understood the nature of the
Greek term _Agape_, they were dumb. The Lord Ruthven, father to
him that prudently gave counsel to take just punishment upon that
knave Davie,[49] a stout and discreet man in the cause of God, and
Mr. Henry Balnaves, an old professor, reasoned for the party of the
seculars. For the Clergy, Hay, Dean of Restalrig, and certain old
bosses[50] with him.
[49] David Rizzio.
[50] Worthless characters.
[Sidenote: An open Bible is secured.]
The conclusion was that the Commissioners of Burghs and a part of
the nobility required of the Parliament that it might be enacted,
"That it should be lawful to every man to use the benefit of the
translation which then they had of the Bible and New Testament,
together with the benefit of other tracts containing wholesome
doctrine, until such time as the prelates and kirkmen should give
and set forth unto them a translation more correct." The clergy
hereto long repugned; but, in the end, convicted by reason and
by multitude of contrary votes, they also acquiesced. So, by Act
of Parliament, it was made free to all men and women to read the
Scriptures in their own tongue, or in the English tongue; and all
Acts of contrary effect were abolished.
[Sidenote: The Bible becomes fashionable.]
This was no small victory of Christ Jesus, fighting against the
conjured enemies of His truth; no small comfort to such as before
were so holden in bondage that they durst not have read the Lord's
Prayer, the Ten Commandments, or the Articles of their faith in the
English tongue, without being accused of heresy. Then might have
been seen the Bible lying upon almost every gentleman's table. The
New Testament was borne about in many men's hands. We grant that
some, alas! profaned that blessed Word; for some that, perchance,
had never read ten sentences in it had it most commonly in their
hands. They would chop their familiars on the cheek with it, and
say, "This has lain hid under my bed-foot these ten years." Others
would glory, "Oh! how often have I been in danger for this book.
How secretly have I stolen from my wife at midnight to read upon
it." Many did this to make court; for all men esteemed the Governor
the most fervent Protestant in Europe. Albeit many abused that
liberty granted by God miraculously, the knowledge of God wondrously
increased, and God gave His Holy Spirit to simple men in great
abundance. Then were set forth works in our own tongue, besides
those that came from England, disclosing the pride, the craft, the
tyranny, and the abuses of that Roman Antichrist.
[Sidenote: King Harry suggests the Betrothal of Queen Mary to Prince
Edward.]
The fame of our Governor was spread in divers countries, and many
praised God for him. King Harry sent unto him his Ambassador, Mr.
Sadler, and he lay in Edinburgh a great part of the summer. His
commission and negotiation was to contract a perpetual amity betwixt
England and Scotland. God seemed to have offered the occasion, and
to many men it appeared that from heaven He had declared His good
pleasure in that proposal. For, to King Harry, Jane Seymour (after
the death of Queen Katherine, and of all others that might have made
his marriage suspect) had borne a son, Edward the Sixth of blessed
memory, older some years than our Mistress, and unto us was left
a Queen. This wonderful providence of God caused men of greatest
judgment to enter into disputation with themselves, whether, with
good conscience, any man might repugn to the desires of the King of
England, considering that thereby all occasion of war might be cut
off, and great commodity might ensue to his realm. The offers of
King Harry were so large and his demands were so reasonable that all
that loved quietness were content therewith. There were sent from
the Parliament to King Harry, in commission, Sir William Hamilton,
Sir James Learmonth, and Mr. Henry Balnaves. These remained long in
England, and so travailed that all things concerning the marriage
betwixt Edward the Sixth and Mary Queen of Scots were agreed upon,
except the time of her deliverance to the custody of Englishmen.
[Sidenote: The Contract of Marriage is adjusted and ratified.]
For the final conclusion of this head, William, Earl of Glencairn,
and Sir George Douglas, were added to the former commissioners,
and to them were given ample commission and good instructions. Mr.
Sadler remained in Scotland. Communications passed frequently, yea,
the hands of our Lords were liberally anointed. Other commodities
were promised, and by some received; for divers persons taken at
Solway Moss were sent home, ransom free, upon promise of their
fidelity,--how this was kept, the issue will witness. In the end,
all were well content (the Cardinal, the Queen, and the faction of
France ever excepted), and solemnly, in the Abbey of Holyroodhouse,
the contract of marriage betwixt the persons foresaid, together
with all the clauses and conditions requisite for the faithful
observation thereof, was read in public audience, subscribed,
sealed, approved, and allowed by the Governor for his part, and the
Nobility and Lords for their part. That nothing should lack that
might fortify the matter, Christ's sacred body, as Papists term it,
was broken betwixt the said Governor and Master Sadler, Ambassador,
and received by them both as a sign and token of the unity of their
minds, inviolably to keep that contract, in all points, as they
looked to Christ Jesus to be saved, and to be reputed men worthy of
credit before the world in after time.
[Sidenote: The Papists refuse to acknowledge the Contract.]
The Papists raged against the Governor and against the Lords that
consented, and abode sweir[51] at the contract. They made a brag
that they would depose the Governor, and confound all. Without
delay, they raised their forces and came to Linlithgow, where the
young Queen was kept. But, upon the return of the Ambassadors from
England, pacification was made for that time. By the judgment of
eight persons for either party, chosen to judge whether anything
had been done by the Ambassadors, in contracting that marriage, for
which they had not sufficient power from the Council and Parliament,
it was found that all things had been done by them according to
their commission, and that these should stand. So the Seals of
England and Scotland were interchanged. Master James Foulis, then
Clerk of Register, received the Great Seal of England; and Master
Sadler received the Great Seal of Scotland. The heads of the
contract we pass by.
[51] Unwilling.
As soon as these things were ratified, the merchants made frack[52]
to sail, and to resume the traffic which had for some years been
hindered by the trouble of wars. From Edinburgh were freighted
twelve ships richly laden with the wares of Scotland. From other
towns and ports departed others. All arrived in Yarmouth; and
entered not only within roads, but also within ports and places
where ships might be arrested. Because of the lately contracted
amity and the gentle entertainment that they received at first, they
made no great expedition. Being, as they supposed, in security, they
spent the time in merriness, abiding upon the wind.
[52] Made bustling preparation.
[Sidenote: The Papists turn the Tables.]
In the meantime there arrived from France to Scotland the Abbot
of Paisley, called bastard brother to the Governor, but by many
esteemed son to Crichton, the old Bishop of Dunkeld, and with him
Master David Panter, afterwards Bishop of Ross. The bruit of the
learning and honest life of these two, and of their fervency and
uprightness in religion, was such that there was great hope that
their presence should have been comfortable to the Kirk of God. It
was constantly affirmed that, without delay, the one and the other
would occupy the pulpit, and truly preach Jesus Christ. Few days
disclosed their hypocrisy. What terrors, what promises, or what
enchanting boxes they brought from France, the common people knew
not, but shortly after it was seen that Friar Williams was inhibited
from preaching, and so departed to England. John Rough retired to
Kyle, a receptacle of God's servants of old.
The men of counsel, judgment, and godliness that had travailed to
promote the Governor, and that gave him faithful counsel in all
doubtful matters, were either craftily conveyed from him, or else,
by threats of hanging, were compelled to leave him. Of the former
number were the Laird of Grange, Master Henry Balnaves, Master
Thomas Bellenden, and Sir David Lyndsay of the Mount; men by whose
labours the Governor was promoted to honour, and by whose counsel he
so used himself at the beginning that the obedience given to him was
nothing inferior to that possessed by any king of Scotland for many
years before. Yea, it did surmount the common obedience, in that
it proceeded from love of those virtues that were supposed to have
been in him. Of the number of those that were threatened were Master
Michael Durham, Master David Borthwick, David Forrest, and David
Bothwell. These had counselled the Governor to have in his company
God-fearing men, and not to foster wicked men in their iniquity,
albeit they were called his friends and were of his surname.
When this counsel came to the ears of the foresaid Abbot and the
Hamiltons, who then repaired to the Court as ravens to the carrion,
it was said in plain words, "My Lord Governor and his friends will
never be in quietness, until a dozen of these knaves that abuse his
Grace be hanged."
These words were spoken in his own presence, and in the presence
of some of them that had better deserved than so to have been
entreated. The speaker was allowed his bold and plain speaking, and
the wicked counsel being tolerated, honest and godly men left the
Court and the Governor in the hands of such as led him so far from
God that he falsified his promise, dipped his hands in the blood of
the saints of God, and brought this commonwealth to the very point
of utter ruin. These were the first-fruits of the godliness and
learning of the Abbot of Paisley: hereafter we will hear more.
[Sidenote: The Abbot and the Cardinal next threaten the Regent.]
All honest and godly men once banished from the Court, the Abbot and
his council began to lay before the inconstant Governor the dangers
that might ensue the alteration and change of religion; the power
of the King of France; and the commodity that might come to him and
his house by retaining the ancient league with France. He was also
called on to consider the great danger that he brought upon himself
if, in any jot, he suffered the authority of the Pope to be violated
or called in question within this realm; for thereon alone stood the
security of his right to the succession of the Crown of this realm.
By God's Word, the divorcement of his father from Elizabeth Home,
his first wife, would not be found lawful, his second marriage would
be judged null, and he himself declared bastard. Caiaphas spake
prophecy, and wist not what he spake; for at that time there were
no men that truly feared God that minded any such thing. With their
whole force they would have fortified the title that God had given
unto him, and things done in time of darkness would never have been
called in question.
Another practice was used. The Cardinal, being now at liberty,
ceased not to traffic with such of the nobility as he might draw
to his faction or corrupt by any means, seeking thereby to raise a
party against the said Governor, and against such as stood fast for
the contract of marriage and peace with England. The said Cardinal,
the Earls Argyll, Huntly, and Bothwell, and the bishops and their
bands, assembled at Linlithgow: thereafter they passed to Stirling,
and took with them both the Queens, the mother and the daughter, and
threatened the deposition of the said Governor, as inobedient to
their Holy Mother the Kirk, as they term the harlot of Babylon, Rome.
[Sidenote: The Regent breaks Faith with England, and receives
Absolution.]
The inconstant man, not thoroughly grounded upon God, was left
destitute of all good counsel by his own default, and had the
wicked ever blowing in his ears, "What will ye do! Ye will destroy
yourself and your house for ever." Beaten with these temptations,
the unhappy man surrendered himself to the appetites of the wicked.
Quietly stealing away from the Lords that were with him in the
Palace of Holyroodhouse, he passed to Stirling, subjected himself
to the Cardinal and to his council, received absolution, renounced
the profession of the holy Evangel of Christ Jesus, and violated the
oath that he had made for observation of the contract and league
with England.
[Sidenote: King Harry remonstrates without avail.]
At that time our Queen was crowned, and new promise was made to
France. The certainty hereof coming to King Harry, our Scottish
ships were stayed, the sails taken from their rays,[53] and
the merchants and mariners were commanded to sure custody. New
commission was sent to Master Sadler, who still remained in
Scotland, to demand the reason for that sudden alteration, and to
travail by all means possible that the Governor might be called back
to his former godly purpose, and that he would not do so foolishly
and inhonestly, yea so cruelly and unmercifully, to the realm of
Scotland. He was assured that he would not only lose the commodities
offered and presently to be received, but that he would also expose
Scotland to the hazard of fire and sword, and other inconveniences
that might arise from the war that would follow upon the violation
of his faith: but nothing could avail. The Devil kept fast the grip
that he had got, yea, even all the days of his government. The
Cardinal got his eldest son in pledge, and kept him in the Castle of
St. Andrews until the day that God punished his pride.
[53] Yards.
[Sidenote: War is declared by King Harry.]