realm, which was to minister justice unto them indifferently, to
preserve their liberties from invasion by strangers, and to suffer
them to have God's Word freely and openly preached amongst them.
Moreover, she was an open and obstinate idolatress, a vehement
maintainer of all superstition and idolatry; and, finally, she had
utterly despised the counsel and requests of the nobility. Upon
these grounds he argued that there was no reason why they, the born
counsellors, nobility, and barons of the realm, might not justly
deprive her from all regiment and authority amongst them."...
The individual vote of every man being required, and every man
commanded to speak what his conscience judged in that matter, as he
would answer to God, there was none found amongst the whole number
who did not, by his own tongue, consent to her deprivation....
After our Act of Suspension was by sound of trumpet divulged at the
Market Cross of Edinburgh, we dismissed the herald with his answer,
and on the following day we summoned the town of Leith by the sound
of trumpet, requiring, in name of the King and Queen and of the
Council then in Edinburgh, that all Scots and French men,[145] of
whatsoever estate and degree they should be, to depart from the
town of Leith within the space of twelve hours, and "make the same
patent to all and sundry our Sovereign Lady's lieges."...
[145] That is, men-at-arms.
[Sidenote: The Siege of Leith is commenced: Traitors hinder the
Protestants.]
Defiance given, there was skirmishing, without great slaughter.
Preparation of scaills[146] and ladders was made for the assault,
which had been agreed upon by common consent of the nobility and
barons. The scaills were appointed to be made in St. Giles's
Church, and preaching was neglected. This not a little grieved the
preachers, and many godly persons.... The Queen had amongst us her
assured spies, who did not only signify unto her what was our state,
but also what were our counsel, purposes, and devices. Some of our
own company were vehemently suspected to be the very betrayers of
all our secrets. A boy of the Official of Lothian, Master James
Balfour, was caught carrying a writing which disclosed the most
secret thing that was devised in the Council; yea, these very things
which were thought only to have been known to a very few.
[146] Scaling-ladder.
[Sidenote: Hardships of the Protestant Party: the Soldiers demand
their Pay.]
By such domestic enemies not only were our purposes frustrated,
but also our determinations were often overthrown and changed. The
Duke's friends sought to alarm him, and he was greatly troubled; by
his fear many others were troubled. The men of war, for the most
part men without God or honesty, made a mutiny, because they lacked
a part of their wages.... All these troubles were practised by the
Queen, and put into execution by the traitors amongst ourselves....
To pacify the men of war, a collection was devised. But, because
some were poor and some were niggardly and avaricious, no sufficient
sum could be obtained. It was thought expedient that a cunyie[147]
should be erected, so that every nobleman might cunyie his silver to
supply the immediate necessity. David Forrest, John Hart, and others
who before had charge of the Cunyie-house, promised their faithful
labours; but, when the matter came to the very point, the said John
Hart and others of his faction stole away, and took with them the
necessary tools....
[147] Mint.
[Sidenote: Four thousand Crowns are sent from England, and captured
by Lord Bothwell.]
There now remained no hope that any money could be furnished among
ourselves; and therefore it was concluded by a few of those whom
we judged most secret that inquiry should be directed to Sir Ralph
Sadler, and Sir James Crofts, then having charge at Berwick, to
ascertain whether they would support us with any reasonable sum in
that urgent necessity. And for that purpose the Laird of Ormiston
was directed to them in as secret manner as we could devise. But our
counsel was disclosed to the Queen, who appointed the Lord Bothwell,
as he himself confessed, to await the return of the said Laird. That
he did with all diligence; and, being assuredly informed by what way
he would come, the said Earl Bothwell foreset his way, and, coming
upon him at unawares, did capture him, and the sum of four thousand
crowns of the sun, which Sir Ralph Sadler and Sir James Crofts had
most lovingly sent for our support.... The Earl of Arran, the Lord
James, the Master of Maxwell, with the most part of the horsemen,
took sudden purpose to pursue the said Earl of Bothwell, in the hope
that they might apprehend him in Crichton or Morham.... But, albeit
the departure and counsel of the Earl of Arran and Lord James was
very sudden and secret, the Earl Bothwell, then being in Crichton,
received information of this, and so escaped with the money....
[Sidenote: The Men of Dundee lose their Guns.]
In the absence of the said Lords and horsemen (we mean the same day
that they departed, which was the last of October) the Provost and
town of Dundee, together with some soldiers, issued from the town
of Edinburgh, and carried with them some great ordnance to shoot at
Leith.... The French being notified that our horsemen were absent,
and that the whole company were at dinner, made a sortie, and with
great expedition came to the place where our ordnance was laid. The
town of Dundee, with a few others, resisted for a while, with their
ordnance as well as hackbuts; but, being left by our ungodly and
feeble soldiers, who fled without stroke offered or given, they were
compelled to give back, and so to leave the ordnance to the enemies.
These pursued the fugitives to the middle of the Canongate, and to
the foot of Leith Wynd. Their cruelty then began to discover itself;
for the decrepit, the aged, the women and children, found no greater
favour in their fury than did the strong man who made resistance.
[Sidenote: The ill Results of further Treachery.]
It was very apparent that amongst ourselves there was some treason.
Upon the first alarm, all men made haste to come to the relief of
their brethren, and in very deed we might have saved them, and at
least we might have saved the ordnance, and have kept the Canongate
from danger; for we were at once marched forward with bold courage.
But then a shout was raised amongst ourselves (God will disclose
the traitors one day) affirming that the whole French company had
entered Leith Wynd at our backs. What clamour and disorder then
suddenly arose, we list not to express with multiplication of words.
The horsemen and some of those that ought to have maintained order
overrode their poor brethren at the entrance of the Nether Bow.
The cry of distress arose in the town; the wicked and malignant
blasphemed; the feeble (amongst whom was the Justice Clerk, Sir John
Bellenden) fled without mercy. With great difficulty could they be
kept in at the West Port.... In the meantime, the French retired
themselves with our ordnance....
[Sidenote: The Cause of the Protestants is in Eclipse.]
From that day forward, the courage of many was dejected. With
great difficulty could men be retained in the town; yea, some of
the greatest estimation determined to abandon the enterprise.
Many fled away secretly, and those that did abide--a very few
excepted--appeared destitute of counsel and manhood.... Thus we
continued from Wednesday, the last of October, until Monday the
fifth of November, never two or three abiding firm in one opinion
for the space of twenty-four hours.... Upon the last-named day,
the French made an early sally from Leith, for the purpose of
kepping[148] the victuals which should have come to us. We being
troubled amongst ourselves, and divided in opinions, were neither
circumspect when they did ish,[149] nor did we follow with such
expedition as had been meet for men that would have sought our
advantage....
[148] Intercepting.
[149] Come forth; issue.
[Sidenote: Maitland of Lethington joins the Lords of the
Congregation.]
William Maitland of Lethington, younger, Secretary to the Queen,
perceiving himself not only to be suspected as one that favoured
our part, but also to stand in danger of his life if he should
remain amongst so ungodly a company, surrendered himself to Master
Kirkaldy, Laird of Grange. He, coming to us, exhorted us to
constancy, assuring us that there was nothing but craft and deceit
in the Queen. He travailed exceedingly to keep the Lords together,
and most prudently laid before their eyes the dangers that might
ensue upon their departing from the town. But fear and dolour had
seized the hearts of all, and they could admit no consolation.
The Earl of Arran, and Lord James, offered to abide, if any
reasonable company would abide with them. But men continued to steal
away, and the wit of man could not stay them. Yea, some of the
greatest determined plainly that they would not abide. The Captain
of the Castle, then Lord Erskine, would promise us no favours,
but said he must needs declare himself friend to those that were
able to support and defend him. When this answer was given to the
Lord James, it discouraged those that before had determined to
have abided the uttermost, rather than abandon the town, had but
the Castle stood their friend. But the contrary being declared,
every man consulted his own safety. The complaint of the brethren
within the town of Edinburgh was lamentable and sore. The wicked,
too, began to spue forth the venom which lurked in their cankered
heart....
[Sidenote: The Retreat from Edinburgh.]
It was finally agreed to withdraw from Edinburgh; and, to avoid
danger, it was decided that the forces should depart at midnight.
The Duke made provision for his ordnance, and caused it to be sent
before; but the rest was left to the care of the Captain of the
Castle, who received it, both that of the Lord James, and that of
Dundee. The despiteful tongues of the wicked railed upon us, calling
us traitors and heretics: every one provoked the other to cast
stones at us. One cried, "Alas, if I might see;" another, "Fie, give
advertisement to the Frenchmen that they may come, and we shall
help them now to cut the throats of these heretics." And thus, as
the sword of dolour passed through our hearts, the cogitations and
former determinations of many hearts were then revealed. We would
never have believed that our natural countrymen and women would have
wished our destruction so unmercifully, and have so rejoiced in our
adversity.... We stayed not until we came to Stirling, which we did
the day after that we departed from Edinburgh; for it was concluded,
that consultation should be taken there as to the next remedy in so
desperate a matter.
[Sidenote: John Knox preaches at Stirling: a notable Sermon on the
Discipline of Providence.]
The next Wednesday, which was the seventh of November, John Knox
preached (John Willock having departed to England, as he had
previously arranged) and treated of the fourth, fifth, sixth,
seventh, and eighth versicles of the Fourscore Psalm.... In his
exposition he declared the reasons for which God sometimes suffered
His chosen flock to be exposed to mockage, to dangers, and to
apparent destruction: to wit, that they might feel the vehemency of
God's indignation; that they might know how little strength was in
themselves; that they might leave a testimony to the generations
following, as well of the malice of the Devil against God's people,
as of the marvellous work of God in preserving His little flock by
far other means than man can espy. In explaining these words, "How
long shalt Thou be angry, O Lord, against the prayer of Thy people?"
he declared how dolorous and fearful it was to fight against the
temptation to believe that God turned away His face from our
prayers, for that was nothing else than to comprehend and conceive
God to be armed for our destruction. This temptation no flesh could
abide or overcome, unless the mighty Spirit of God interponed
Himself suddenly.
By way of example, he noted the impatience of Saul, when God would
not hear his prayers. He plainly declared that the difference
between the elect and reprobate in that temptation was that the
elect, sustained by the secret power of God's Spirit, did still
call upon God, albeit He appeared to contemn their prayers. That,
he said, was the sacrifice most acceptable to God, and was in a
manner even to fight with God, and to overcome Him, as Jacob did
in warselling with His Angel. But the reprobate, said he, being
denied of their requests at God's hand, either ceased to pray, and
altogether contemned God, albeit He had straitly commanded us to
call upon Him in the day of adversity; or else they sought from the
Devil that which they saw they could not obtain from God.
In the second part, he declared how hard it was to this corrupt
nature of ours not to rejoice and put confidence in itself when
God gave victory; and, therefore, how necessary it was that man by
affliction should be brought to the knowledge of his own infirmity,
lest, puffed up with vain confidence, he should make an idol of his
own strength, as did King Nebuchadnezzar. He gravely disputed upon
the nature of the blind world, which, in all ages, had insolently
rejoiced when God did chasten His own children. The reprobate could
never see their glory and honour, and therefore despised them, and
the wondrous work of God in them. "And yet," said he, "the joy
and rejoicing of the world is but mere sorrow, because the end of
it tendeth to sudden destruction, as the riotous banqueting of
Belshazzar declareth.... I doubt not that some of us have oftener
than once read this Psalm, as also that we have read and heard the
travail and troubles of our ancient fathers. But which of us, either
in reading or hearing their dolours and temptations, did so descend
into ourselves that we felt the bitterness of their passions? I
think none. And therefore has God brought us to some experience in
our own persons....
"When we were few in number, in comparison with our enemies, when we
had neither Earl nor Lord, a few excepted, to comfort us, we called
upon God; we took Him for our protector, defence, and only refuge.
Amongst us, we heard no bragging of multitude, of our strength, nor
policy: we did only sob to God, to have respect to the equity of our
cause, and to the cruel pursuit of the tyrannous enemy. But since
our number hath been thus multiplied, and chiefly since my Lord
Duke's Grace and his friends have been joined with us, there has
been nothing heard, but, 'This Lord will bring these many hundred
spears:' 'this man hath the credit to persuade this country:'[150]
'if this Earl be ours, no man in such a bounds will trouble us.' And
thus the best of us all, who formerly felt God's potent hand to be
our defence, have of late days put flesh to be our arm....
[150] District.
"I am uncertain if my Lord's Grace hath unfeignedly repented of
his assistance to these murderers unjustly pursuing us. Yea, I am
uncertain if he hath repented of that innocent blood of Christ's
blessed martyrs which was shed in his default. But let it be that so
he hath done (as I hear that he hath confessed his offence before
the Lords and Brethren of the Congregation), I am yet assured that
neither he nor his friends have felt before this time the anguish
and grief of heart suffered by us when in their blind fury they
pursued us. Therefore hath God justly permitted both them and us
to fall into this confusion at the same time: us, because we put
our trust and confidence in man; and them, that they should feel
in their own hearts how bitter was the cup which they made others
drink. It only remains that both they and we should turn to the
Eternal our God, who beats down to death, to the intent that He
may raise up again, and leave the remembrance of His wondrous
deliverance, to the praise of His own name....
"Yea, whatever shall become of us and of our mortal carcases, I
doubt not but that this cause, in despite of Satan, shall prevail
in the realm of Scotland. For, as it is the eternal truth of the
eternal God, so shall it once prevail, howsoever for a time it be
impugned. It may be that God shall plague some because they delight
not in the truth, albeit for worldly respects they seem to favour
it. Yea, God may take some of His dearest children away before their
eyes see greater troubles. But neither shall the one nor the other
hinder this action, and in the end it shall triumph."
Upon the conclusion of this sermon, in which John Knox had
vehemently exhorted all men to amendment of life, to prayers, and
to the works of charity, the minds of men began wondrously to be
erected.... In the end, it was concluded that William Maitland
should go to London to lay our estate and condition before the
Queen and Council, and that the Noblemen should go home and remain
quiet until the sixteenth day of December. That date was appointed
for the next Convention in Stirling, as in our Third Book shall be
more amply declared.
_Look upon us, O Lord, in the multitude of Thy mercies; for we are
brought even to the deep of the dungeon._
BOOK THIRD.[151]
1559-1561.
[151] _The Third Book of the Progress of True Religion within the
Realm of Scotland._
[Sidenote: The Regent possesses Edinburgh: Arran is proclaimed
Traitor.]
After our dolorous departure from Edinburgh, the fury and the
rage of the French increased; for then neither man nor woman that
professed Christ Jesus durst be seen within that town. The houses
of the most honest men were given by the Queen to the Frenchmen for
a part of their reward. The Earl Bothwell, by sound of trumpet,
proclaimed the Earl of Arran traitor, with other despiteful words;
and all this was done for the pleasure and at the suggestion of the
Queen Regent, who then thought the battle was won, without fear of
further resistance. Great practising she made towards obtaining the
Castle of Edinburgh. The French made faggots and other preparations
for assaulting the Castle, by force or by treason. But God wrought
so potently with the Captain, the Lord Erskine, that neither did the
Queen prevail by flattery, nor the French by treason.
[Sidenote: French Reinforcements meet with Disaster at Sea.]
With all diligence, intelligence was sent to the Duke of Guise, who
was then virtual King of France, requiring him to use expedition, if
he desired the full conquest of Scotland. He delayed no time, and
sent away a new army with his brother, Marquis D'Elboeuf, and the
Count de Martigues, promising that he himself should follow. But the
righteous God, who in mercy looketh upon the affliction of those
that unfeignedly sob unto Him, fought for us by His own outstretched
arm. One night, upon the coast of Holland, eighteen ensigns of them
were drowned, so that there only remained the ship in which were the
two leaders with their ladies. These, violently driven back again
to Dieppe, were compelled to confess that God fought for the defence
of Scotland.
[Sidenote: News from England: a waiting Game is played.]
Robert Melvin, who had gone to London in company with the Secretary,
a little before Christmas, now returned from England and brought
certain Articles to be answered by us. Thereupon the Nobility
convened at Stirling, and returned answer with diligence. The
French, informed of this, marched to Linlithgow, spoiled the Duke's
house, and wasted his lands of Kinneil; thereafter coming to
Stirling, where they remained for some days. The Duke, and the Earls
of Argyll and Glencairn, with their friends, moved on to Glasgow,
the Earl of Arran and Lord James, to St. Andrews; for charge had
been given to all the Protestant Nobility to conserve their forces
until God should send them further support.
[Sidenote: The French invade Fife.]
The French laid their plans for assaulting Fife first; for it had
stirred their great indignation. Their purpose was to have taken
and fortified the town, the Abbey, and the Castle of St. Andrews.
So they came to Culross, after that to Dunfermline, and then to
Burntisland, where they began to fortify. But they soon had reason
to desist and march to Kinghorn. For, when the Earl of Arran and
the Lord James learned that the French had departed from Stirling,
they departed also from St. Andrews, and began to assemble their
forces at Cupar. They also sent their men of war to Kinghorn; and to
them there resorted divers of the coast side, who were of mind to
resist at the beginning, rather than when the French had destroyed
a part of their towns. As the Lords had given express command that
nothing should be hazarded until they themselves were present, the
Lord Ruthven, a man of great experience, and inferior to few in
stoutness, was dispatched to Kinghorn.
[Sidenote: An Affair at Pettycur.]
The men of war, and the rascal multitude, perceiving Frenchmen
landing from certain boats which had come from Leith, determined
to stop their coming ashore. Not considering the enemies that
approached from Burntisland, they unadvisedly rushed down to the
Pettycur, as the brae be-west Kinghorn is called, and at the
sea-coast began skirmishing. They never took heed to the enemy
that approached by land, until the horsemen charged down upon their
backs, and the whole bands met them in the face. They were thus
compelled to give back, with the loss of six or seven men killed,
and some others taken prisoner. The reason why there was so small a
loss in so great a danger was, next to the merciful providence of
God, the sudden coming of the Lord Ruthven. Immediately after our
men had given back, he and his company came to the head of the brae,
and stayed the French footmen, while some of ours broke upon their
horsemen, and so repulsed them that they did no further hurt to our
footmen.
[Sidenote: The French occupy Kinghorn.]
The French took Kinghorn, and there they lay, wasting the country
about, as well Papists as Protestants, yea, even those that were
confederate with them, such as Seafield, Wemyss, Balmuto, Balweary,
and others, enemies to God and traitors to their country. They
spared not the sheep, the oxen, the kine, and horse of these men,
and some say that their wives and daughters got favours of the
French soldiers. Thus did God recompense the Papists in their own
bosoms, for, besides the defiling of their houses, two of them
received more damage than did all the gentlemen that professed the
Evangel within Fife, the Laird of Grange only excepted. His house of
the Grange the French overthrew by gunpowder.
The Queen Regent, proud of this victory, burst forth in blasphemous
railing, and said, "Where is now John Knox's God? My God is now
stronger than his, yea, even in Fife." To her friends in France she
posted news that thousands of the heretics had been slain, and that
the rest were fled; and required that some nobleman would come and
take the glory of that victory. Upon that information, the Count
de Martigues, with two ships, and some captains and horse, were
directed to come to Scotland; but little to their own advantage, as
we shall hear.
[Sidenote: John Knox preaches at Cupar.]
The Lords of the Congregation, offended at the foolishness of the
rascal multitude, recalled the men of war, and remained certain
days at Cupar. To them repaired John Knox, and, in our greatest
desperation, preached a most comfortable sermon. His subject was,
"The danger in which the disciples of Christ Jesus stood when they
were in the midst of the sea, and Jesus was upon the mountain." He
exhorted us not to faint, but still to row against these contrary
blasts, until Jesus Christ should come; "for," said he, "I am as
assuredly persuaded that God shall deliver us from the extreme
trouble, as I am assured that this is the Evangel of Jesus Christ
which I preach unto you this day. I am assured, albeit I cannot
assure you, by reason of this present rage; God grant that ye may
acknowledge His hand, after your eyes have seen His deliverance."
In that sermon he comforted many. And yet he offended the Earl of
Arran, who apprehended that certain words were spoken in reproach of
him, because he kept himself more close and solitary than many men
would have wished.
[Sidenote: The Campaign in Fife.]