bond to maintain and assist the preaching of God's holy Evangel,
then, of His mere mercy, offered to this realm; and also the
ministers thereof against all persons, power, and authority, that
would oppose themselves to the doctrine proponed, and by them
received. And farther, with the same solemnity, it was protested
and promised, that every one should assist others, yea, the whole
body of the Protestants within the realm, in all lawful and just
actions, against all persons; so that whosoever should hurt, molest,
or trouble any of our body, should be reputed enemy to the whole,
unless the offender were content to submit himself to the judgment
of the Kirk, as established amongst us....
These things done at Ayr, the said John passed to Nithsdale and
Galloway, and there, in conference with the Master of Maxwell, a man
of great judgment and experience, he communicated such things as he
feared. Upon his suggestion, the Master wrote to the Earl Bothwell,
enjoining him to behave himself as became a faithful subject, and
to keep good quietness in the parts committed to his charge, for so
would the crime of his breaking ward be the more easily pardoned.
John Knox wrote to the Duke's Grace, and earnestly exhorted him
neither to give ear to the Archbishop, his bastard brother, nor yet
to the persuasion of the Earl of Huntly; for if he did, he assured
him, he and his house should come to a sudden ruin.
[Sidenote: The Result of John Knox's Labours in the South.]
By such means the south parts were kept in reasonable quietness,
during the time that the troubles were in brewing in the north. And
yet the Archbishop and the Abbot of Crossraguel did what in them lay
to raise some trouble. Besides the fearful bruits that they sparsed
abroad, sometimes that the Queen was taken; sometimes that the Earl
of Moray and all his band were slain; and sometimes that the Queen
had given herself to the Earl of Huntly,--besides such bruits, the
Archbishop, to disturb the country of Kyle, where quietness was
greatest, raised the Crawfords against the Reids for payment of the
Archbishop's Pasch fines; but that was stayed by the labours of
indifferent men, who favoured peace.
[Sidenote: The Abbot of Crossraguel and John Knox.]
The Abbot of Crossraguel requested an opportunity to dispute with
John Knox as to the maintenance of the Mass. This was granted to
him, and debate was held in Maybole during three days. The Abbot
had the advantage that he required; to wit, he took upon him to
prove that Melchisedec offered bread and wine to God, and this was
the ground upon which was founded the argument that the Mass was a
sacrifice, etc. But, in the travail of three days, no proof could be
produced for Melchisedec's oblation, as in the disputation (which
is to be had in print) may clearly appear. The Papists constantly
looked for a wolter,[206] and therefore made some brag of reasoning.
The Abbot further presented himself in the pulpit, but the voice of
Master George Hay so affrighted him, that, after one attempt, he
wearied of that exercise.
[206] Overturn.
[Sidenote: The Revolt of the Earl of Huntly.]
After the Queen was somewhat satisfied of hunting and other pastime,
she came to Aberdeen. There the Earl of Huntly and his Lady met her
with no small train. He remained in Court, was supposed to have
the greatest credit, departed with the Queen to Buchan, and met
her again at Rothiemay, expecting that she would accompany him to
Strathbogie. But, in the journey, certain word came to her that John
Gordon[207] had broken promise in not re-entering into ward; for his
father the Earl had promised that he should again enter within the
Castle of Stirling, and there abide the Queen's pleasure. But, with
or without his father's knowledge and consent, he refused to enter;
and this so offended the Queen that she would not go to Strathbogie,
but passed through Strathisla to Inverness, where the Castle was
denied to her. The captain had command to keep it, and looked for
relief which John of Gordon had promised; but, being frustrated in
this, the Castle was surrendered. The captain, named Gordon, was
executed; the rest were condemned, and the hands of some were bound,
but these escaped. This was the beginning of further trouble; for
the Earl of Huntly was offended, and began to assemble his folks,
sparing not to say that he would be revenged.[208]...
[207] Sir John Gordon, of Findlater, second son of the Earl of
Huntly. Confined in the Tolbooth of Edinburgh, for a murderous
attack upon Lord Ogilvy of Airly in a quarrel concerning property,
he had broken ward.--ED.
[208] He was denounced as a traitor. With a following of eight
hundred men, he encountered the Earl of Moray and the Queen's forces
outside Aberdeen, and was defeated and slain at the battle of
Corrichie.--ED.
[Sidenote: Of the Earl of Huntly.]
Upon the morrow after the discomfiture, the Lady Forbes, a woman
both wise and fearing God, came amongst many others to visit the
corpse of the said Earl; and seeing him lie upon the cold stones,
having only upon him a doublet of canvas, a pair of Scottish grey
hose, and a covering of arras-work, she said, "What stability
shall we judge to be in this world: there lieth he that yesterday
morning was holden the wisest, the richest, and a man of greatest
power within Scotland." In very deed, she lied not; for, in man's
opinion, under a prince, there was not such a one produced in this
realm these three hundred years. But felicity and worldly wisdom so
blinded him that in the end he perished in them, as shall all those
that despise God and trust in themselves....
[Sidenote: The Queen's Relations with the Earl of Moray.]
The Earl of Moray sent word of the marvellous victory to the
Queen, and humbly prayed her to show obedience to God and publicly
to convene with them, to give thanks to God for His notable
deliverance. She gloomed at the messenger and at the request, and
scarcely would give a good word or blithe countenance to any that
she knew to be earnest favourers of the Earl Moray, whose prosperity
was, and yet is, to her boldened heart, a very venom against him
for his godliness and upright plainness. For many days she bare no
better countenance; and thereby it might have been evidently espied
that she rejoiced not greatly in the success of that matter; and,
albeit she caused John Gordon and divers others to be executed, it
was the destruction of others that she sought.
[Sidenote: Rumours concerning the Queen's Marriage.]
In the meantime, there was much trouble in France; and the
intelligence and outward familiarity betwixt the two Queens was
great. Lethington was directed with large commission both to the
Queen of England and to the Guisians. The marriage of our Queen was
in every man's mouth. Some would have Spain; some the Emperor's
brother; some Lord Robert Dudley; some the Duke de Nemours; and some
unhappily guessed at the Lord Darnley. We know not what Lethington's
credit was; but, shortly after, there began to be much talk of the
Earl of Lennox, and of his son, the Lord Darnley. It was said that
Lethington spake with the Lady Margaret Douglas, and that Robert
Melvin received a horse, for the Secretary's use, from the Earl of
Lennox or from his wife. Howsoever it was, Master Fowler, servant to
the said Earl, came with letters to the Queen's Grace, and licence
was permitted to the Earl of Lennox to come to Scotland, to travail
in his lawful business. On the day that the licence was granted,
the Secretary said, "This day have I incurred the deadly hatred
of all the Hamiltons within Scotland, and have done them no less
displeasure than had I cutted their throats."
[Sidenote: The Queen and Earl Bothwell.]
The Earl Bothwell, who had broken ward, fearing apprehension,
prepared to pass to France; but, by storm of weather, he was driven
into England, where he was stayed, and the Queen of England offered
to surrender him. But our Queen answered that he was no rebel, and
requested that he should have liberty to pass whither it pleased
him. In this, Lethington helped not a little; for he travailed to
have friends in every faction of the Court. Thus the said Earl
obtained licence to pass to France.
[Sidenote: The Preachers admonish the Courtiers.]
The Court remained for the most part in Edinburgh, during the winter
after the death of the Earl of Huntly. The preachers were wondrously
vehement in reprehension of all manner of vice, which then began
to abound; and especially avarice, oppression of the poor, excess,
riotous cheer, banqueting, immoderate dancing, and the whoredom that
ensues. The courtiers began to storm, and to pick quarrels against
the preachers, alleging that all their preaching was turned to
railing.
One of them gave answer as follows: "It comes to our ears that
we are called railers. Albeit we wonder, we are not ashamed. The
most worthy servants of God that before us have travailed in this
vocation have so been styled. But the same God, who from the
beginning has punished the contempt of His Word, and has poured
forth His vengeance upon such proud mockers, shall not spare you;
yea, He shall not spare you before the eyes of this same wicked
generation, for whose pleasure ye despise all wholesome admonitions.
"Have ye not seen a greater than any of you sitting where presently
ye sit, pick his nails and pull down his bonnet over his eyes,
when idolatry, witchcraft, murder, oppression, and such vices were
rebuked? Was not his common talk, 'When these knaves have railed
their fill, will they then hold their peace?' Have ye not heard it
affirmed to his own face that God should revenge his blasphemy, even
in the eyes of such as were witnesses to his iniquity? Then was the
Earl of Huntly accused by you as the maintainer of idolatry, and
the only hinderer of all good order. Him has God punished, even
according to the threatenings that his and your ears heard; and by
your hands hath God executed His judgments.
"But what amendment in any case can be espied in you? Idolatry
was never in greater rest: virtue and virtuous men were never in
more contempt: vice was never more bold, never did it less fear
punishment. And yet, who guides the Queen and Court? Who but the
Protestants? O horrible slanderers of God, and of His holy Evangel.
Better it were for you plainly to renounce Christ Jesus, than thus
to expose His blessed Evangel to mockage. If God do not punish you,
so that this same age shall see and behold your punishment, the
Spirit of righteous judgment guides me not."...
[Sidenote: The General Assembly: 25th December 1562.]
At the General Assembly of the Church, holden the twenty-fifth of
December, the year of God 1562, great complaints were made that
churches lacked ministers; that ministers lacked their stipends;
that wicked men were permitted to be schoolmasters, and so to infect
the youth. One, Master Robert Cumin, schoolmaster in Arbroath, was
complained upon by the Laird of Dun, and sentence was pronounced
against him. It was farther complained that idolatry was erected in
divers parts of the realm; and some thought that new supplication
for redress should be presented to the Queen's Grace. Others
demanded, What answer was received on the former occasion? The
Superintendent of Lothian confessed the deliverance of it. "But,"
said he, "I received no answer." It was answered on behalf of the
Queen--for her supporters were ever there--that it was well known to
the whole realm what troubles had occurred since the last Assembly;
and, therefore, that they should not wonder that the Queen had not
answered: but they doubted not but that order would be taken betwixt
that and the Parliament which was appointed for May, and all men
should have occasion to stand content. This satisfied the whole
Assembly for that time. And this was the practice of the Queen and
of her Council to drive time with fair words....
[Sidenote: The Protestants deal with Idolaters and the Mass.]
The Papists, at Easter, 1563, had erected that idol, the Mass, in
divers parts of the realm; amongst these being the Archbishop of
St. Andrews, the Prior of Whithorn, with divers others of their
faction.... The brethren, universally offended, and espying that
the Queen did but mock them by her proclamations, determined to
put to their own hands, and to punish for example to others. So
some priests in the West-land were apprehended, and intimation was
made by the brethren to others, as to the Abbot of Crossraguel,
the Parson of Sanquhar, and such, that they should not proceed by
complaint to Queen or Council, but should execute the punishment
that God, in His Law, had appointed to idolaters, by such means as
they might, wherever these should be apprehended.
The Queen stormed at such freedom of speaking, but she could not
amend it; for the spirit of God, of boldness, and of wisdom, had not
then left the most part of those whom God had used as instruments in
the beginning. They were of one mind to maintain the truth of God,
and to suppress idolatry. Particularities had not divided them; and
therefore could not the Devil, working in the Queen and Papists,
then do what he would.
[Sidenote: Queen Mary and John Knox at Lochleven.]
The Queen began to invent a new craft. She sent for John Knox to
come to her at Lochleven. She travailed with him earnestly for two
hours before her supper, seeking that he would be the instrument
to persuade the people, and principally the gentlemen of the West,
not to put hands to punish men for conducting themselves in their
religion as pleased them. The other, perceiving her craft, said that
if her Grace would punish the malefactors according to the laws, he
could promise quietness upon the part of all them that professed
the Lord Jesus within Scotland. But, if her Majesty thought to
delude the laws, he said he feared that some would let the Papists
understand that they should not be suffered to offend God's Majesty
so manifestly, without punishment.
"Will ye," quoth she, "allow that they shall take _my_ sword in
their hand?"
"The sword of justice," quoth he, "Madam, is God's, and is given
to princes and rulers for an end. If they transgress this, sparing
the wicked, and oppressing innocents, they that, in the fear of
God, execute judgment where God has commanded, do not offend God,
although kings forbear; nor do those sin that bridle kings from
striking innocent men in their rage. The examples are evident;
Samuel feared not to slay Agag, the fat and delicate king of Amalek,
whom King Saul had saved.... And so, Madam, your Grace may see that
others than chief magistrates may lawfully punish, and have punished
the vice and crimes that God commands to be punished. In the present
case, I would earnestly pray your Majesty to take good advisement,
and that your Grace should let the Papists understand that their
attempts will not be suffered to go unpunished. For, by Act of
Parliament, power is given to all judges to search for Mass-mongers,
or the hearers of the same, within their own bounds, and to punish
them according to the law. It shall therefore be profitable to your
Majesty to consider what is the thing your Grace's subjects look to
receive of your Majesty, and what it is that ye ought to do to them
by mutual contract. They are only bound to obey you in God. Ye are
bound to keep laws for them. Ye crave of them service; they crave
of you protection and defence against wicked doers. Now, Madam, if
ye shall deny your duty to those who especially crave that ye shall
punish malefactors, think ye to receive full obedience of them? I
fear, Madam, ye shall not."
Herewith the Queen, being somewhat offended, passed to her supper.
John Knox left her, informed the Earl of Moray of the whole
reasoning, and departed, of final purpose to return to Edinburgh,
without any further communication with the Queen.
But before sunrise, upon the morrow, two messengers were directed to
him, commanding him not to depart until he spake with the Queen's
Majesty. This he did, meeting her at the hawking be-west Kinross.
Whether it was the night's sleep or a deep dissimulation locked
in her breast that made her forget her former anger, wise men may
doubt; but concerning that she never moved word, and began divers
other purposes, such as the offering of a ring to her by the Lord
Ruthven.
_Queen._ I cannot love Lord Ruthven, for I know him to use
enchantment, and yet is he one of my Privy Council.
_Knox._ Whom blames your Grace for that?
_Queen._ Lethington was the whole cause.
_Knox._ That man is absent for the present, Madam; and, therefore, I
will say nothing on that subject.
_Queen._ I understand that ye are appointed to go to Dumfries,
for the election of a Superintendent to be established in these
countries.
_Knox._ Yes, those quarters have great need, and some of the
Gentlemen so require.
_Queen._ But I hear that the Bishop of Athens would be
Superintendent.
_Knox._ He is one, Madam, that is put in election.
_Queen._ If ye knew him as well as I do, ye would never promote him
to that office, nor yet to any other within your Kirk.
_Knox._ What he has been, Madam, I neither know, nor yet will
I inquire. In time of darkness, what could we do but grope and
go wrong even as darkness carried us? If he fear not God now, he
deceives many more than me. And yet, Madam, I am assured that God
will not suffer His Church to be so far deceived as that an unworthy
man shall be elected, where free election is, and the Spirit of God
is earnestly called upon to decide betwixt the two.
_Queen._ Well, do as ye will, but that man is a dangerous man.
Therein the Queen was not deceived; for he had corrupted most part
of the Gentlemen, not only to nominate him, but also to elect
him. This perceived, the said John, Commissioner, delayed the
election, and left Mr. Robert Pont (who was put in election with the
foresaid Bishop) with the Master of Maxwell, that his doctrine and
conversation might be the better tried by those that had not known
him before. So the Bishop was frustrated of his purpose, for that
time. Yet was he, at that time, the man that was most familiar with
the said John, in his house and at table. When the Queen had talked
long with John Knox, he being oft willing to take his leave, she
said, "I have to open unto you one of the greatest matters that have
touched me since I came to this realm, and I must have your help in
it." Then she began to make a long discourse concerning her sister,
the Lady Argyll, how that she was not so circumspect in all things
as she wished her to be.
_Queen._ Yet, my Lord, her husband, whom I love, treats her not in
many things so honestly and so godly, as I think ye yourself would
require.
_Knox._ Madam, I have been troubled with that matter before, and
once I put such an end to it, before your Grace's arrival, that
both she and her friends seemed fully to stand content. She herself
promised before her friends that she should never complain to
creature until I should first understand their controversy by her
own mouth or an assured messenger. I have heard nothing from her;
and, therefore, I think there is nothing but concord.
_Queen._ Well, it is worse than ye believe. Do this much for my
sake, as once again to put them at unity. If she behave not herself
as she ought to do, she shall find no favours of me. But let not my
Lord know in anywise what I have requested of you in this matter;
for I would be very sorry to offend him in that or any other thing.
And now, as touching our reasoning yesternight, I promise to do as
ye required. I shall cause all offenders to be summoned, and ye
shall know that I shall minister justice.
_Knox._ I am assured, then, that ye shall please God, and enjoy rest
and tranquillity within your realm; and that is more profitable to
your Majesty than all the Pope's power can be.
And thus they parted.
This conference we have inserted to let the world see how deeply
Mary, Queen of Scotland, can dissemble; and how she could cause
men to think that she bare no indignation for any controversy
in religion, while in her heart there was nothing but venom and
destruction, as did appear shortly after.
[Sidenote: John Knox writes to the Earl of Argyll.]
John Knox departed, and prepared himself for his journey to
Dumfries; and from Glasgow, according to the Queen's commandment, he
wrote to the Earl of Argyll.... This letter was not well accepted
by the said Earl; and yet he uttered no part of his displeasure in
public, but contrarily showed himself most familiar with the said
John. He kept the diet at which the bishop and the rest of the
Papists were accused, and sat in judgment himself.
[Sidenote: The Massmongers are tried: 19th May 1563.]
The summonses were directed against the Massmongers with expedition,
and in the straitest form. The nineteenth day of May was appointed,
a day only before the Parliament. Of the Pope's knights there
compeared the Archbishop of St. Andrews, the Prior of Whithorn, the
Parson of Sanquhar, William Hamilton of Cammiskeyth, John Gordon of
Barskeocht, with divers others. The Protestants convened to crave
for justice. The Queen asked counsel of the Bishop of Ross, and of
the old Laird of Lethington (for the younger was absent, and so
the Protestants had the fewer unfriends), and they affirmed that
she must see her laws kept, or else she would get no obedience.
So preparation was made for their accusations. The Archbishop,
with his band of the exempted sort, made it nice[209] to enter
before the Earl of Argyll, who sat in judgment; but at last he
was compelled to enter within the bar. A merry man who now sleeps
in the Lord, Robert Norwell, instead of the Bishop's cross, bare
before him a steel hammer. The Archbishop and his band were not a
little offended at this, because the bishops' privileges were not
then current in Scotland, which day God grant our posterity may see
of longer continuance than we possessed it. The Archbishop and his
fellows, after much ado, and long drift of time, came within the
Queen's will, and were committed to ward, some to one place, some to
another. The Lady Erskine, a sweet morsel for the Devil's mouth, got
the bishops for her part.
[209] Made scruple.
[Sidenote: Parliament of May 1563.]
All this was done in a most deep craft, to abuse the simplicity of
the Protestants, so that they should not press the Queen with any
other thing concerning matter of religion at that Parliament, which
began within two days thereafter. She obtained of the Protestants
whatsoever she desired; for thus reasoned many, "We see what the
Queen has done; the like of this was never heard of within the
realm: we will bear with the Queen; we doubt not but all shall be
well." Others were of a contrary judgment, and forespake things as
they afterwards came to pass. They said that nothing was meant but
deceit; and that the Queen, as soon as ever Parliament was past,
would set the Papists at freedom. They therefore urged the Nobility
not to be abused. But because many had their private commodity to be
handled at that Parliament, the common cause was the less regarded.
[Sidenote: Queen Mary's Influence: "Vox Dianae."]
Such stinking pride of women as was seen at that Parliament was
never seen before in Scotland. Three sundry days the Queen rode to
the Tolbooth. On the first day she made a painted oration; and there
might have been heard among her flatterers, "_Vox Dianae!_ the voice
of a goddess, and not of a woman! God save that sweet face! Was
there ever orator that spake so properly and so sweetly!"
[Sidenote: Reformation is hindered by personal Interests.]