contrary, and that ye may be informed either that your assembly
is not necessary, or else that it will offend the upper powers.
But my good hope is that neither flattery nor fear shall make you
so far to decline from Christ Jesus as that, against your public
promise and solemn bond, ye will desert your brethren in so just a
cause. Albeit there were no great danger, our assembly cannot be
unprofitable; many things require consultation, and this cannot be
had, unless the wisest and godliest convene. Thus, doubting nothing
of the assistance of our God if we uniformly seek His glory, I cease
further to trouble you, committing you heartily to the protection of
the Eternal."
[Sidenote: John Knox is betrayed.]
The brethren, advertised by this bill, prepared themselves (as many
as were thought expedient for every town and province) to keep
the day appointed. But by the means of false brethren, the letter
came to the hands of the Queen, in this manner. It was read in
the town of Ayr, where was present Robert Cunningham, minister of
Failford, who then was reputed an earnest professor of the Evangel.
He, by means we know not, got the said letter, and sent it with
his token to Master Henry Sinclair, then President of the Seat and
College of Justice, and styled Bishop of Ross, a perfect hypocrite,
and a conjured enemy of Christ Jesus, whom God afterwards struck
according to his deservings. The said Mr. Henry was enemy to all
that unfeignedly professed the Lord Jesus, but chiefly to John Knox,
for the liberty of his tongue; for he had affirmed, as ever still he
doth affirm, that a bishop that receives profit, and feeds not the
flock by his own labours, is both a thief and a murderer. The said
Mr. Henry, thinking himself happy to have found so good occasion to
trouble John Knox, whose life he hated, posted the said letter, with
his counsel, to the Queen, who then lay in Stirling.
[Sidenote: John Knox is accused of High Treason.]
The letter being read, it was concluded by the Council of the
Cabinet, that is, by the most secret Council, that it imported
treason; and the Queen was not a little rejoiced, for she thought to
be revenged for once on her great enemy. It was also concluded that
the Nobility should be written for, that the condemnation should
have the greater authority. The day appointed was about the midst
of December; and this was kept by the whole Council, and by divers
others, such as the Master of Maxwell, the old Laird of Lethington,
and the said President. In the meantime, the Earl of Moray returned
from the north, and to him the Secretary Lethington opened the
matter as best pleased him.
The Master of Maxwell gave the said John as it had been a discharge
of the familiarity which before was great between them, unless he
would agree to satisfy the Queen at her own sight.[217]
[217] That is, as she should dictate.
_Knox._ I know no offence done by me to the Queen's Majesty, and
therefore I wot not what satisfaction to make.
_Maxwell._ No offence! Have ye not written letters desiring the
brethren to convene from all parts to Andrew Armstrong and Patrick
Cranston's day?
_Knox._ That I grant, but therein I acknowledge no offence done by
me.
_Maxwell._ No offence, to convocate the Queen's lieges?
_Knox._ Not for so just a cause: greater things were reputed no
offence within these two years past.
_Maxwell._ The time is now other: then our Sovereign was absent, and
now she is present.
_Knox._ It is neither the absence nor the presence of the Queen that
rules my conscience, but God speaking plainly in His Word. What was
lawful to me last year is yet lawful, because my God is unchangeable.
_Maxwell._ Well, I have given you my counsel, do as ye list; but I
think ye shall repent it, if ye bow not to the Queen.
_Knox._ I understand not, Master, what ye mean. I never made myself
an adversary to the Queen's Majesty, except in the head of religion,
and therein I think ye will not desire me to bow.
_Maxwell._ Well, ye are wise enough; but ye will find that men will
not bear with you in times to come, as they have done in times
by-past.
_Knox._ If God stand my friend, as I am assured He of His mercy
will, so long as I depend upon His promise, and prefer His glory
to my life and worldly profit, I little regard how men behave
themselves towards me; nor yet know I wherein men have borne with me
in times past, unless it be that from my mouth they have heard the
Word of God. If, in times to come, they refuse it, my heart will be
pierced and for a season will lament; but the incommodity will be
their own.
After these words, of which the Laird of Lochinvar was witness, they
parted. To this day, the 17th of December, 1571, they have not met
in such familiarity as they had formerly.
[Sidenote: The Lord Advocate gives his Opinion.]
The bruit of the accusation of John Knox being divulged, Mr. John
Spens of Condie, Lord Advocate, a man of gentle nature, and one that
professed the doctrine of the Evangel, came, as it were in secret,
to John Knox, to inquire the cause of that great bruit. The said
John was plain to him in all things, and showed him the double[218]
of the letter. When he had heard and considered this, he said, "I
thank my God. I came to you with a fearful and sorrowful heart,
fearing that ye had done such a crime as laws might have punished.
That would have been no small trouble to the hearts of all who have
received the word of life which ye have preached. I depart greatly
rejoiced, as well because I perceive your own comfort, even in the
midst of your troubles, as that I clearly understand that ye have
committed no such crime as ye are burdened with. Ye will be accused,
but God will assist you." And so he departed.
[218] Duplicate.
[Sidenote: The Earl of Moray and Secretary Lethington reason with
John Knox.]
The Earl of Moray and the Secretary sent for the said John Knox to
the Clerk of Register's house, and began to lament that he had so
highly offended the Queen's Majesty. That, they feared, would come
to a great inconvenience to himself, if he were not wisely foreseen.
They showed what pains and travail they had taken to mitigate her
anger, but they could find nothing but extremity, unless he himself
would confess his offence, and put himself in her Grace's will.
_Knox._ I praise my God, through Jesus Christ, that I have learned
not to cry conjuration and treason at everything that the godless
multitude does condemn, or yet to fear the things that they fear.
I have the testimony of a good conscience that I have given no
occasion to the Queen's Majesty to be offended with me; for I have
done nothing but my duty. So, whatsoever shall ensue, my good hope
is that my God will give me patience to bear it. But far be it from
me to confess an offence where my conscience witnesseth there is
none.
_Lethington._ How can it be defended? Have ye not made convocation
of the Queen's lieges?
_Knox._ If I have not a just defence for my act, let me smart for it.
_Moray._ Let us hear your defences; we would be glad that ye might
be found innocent.
_Knox._ Nay, I am informed by divers, and even by you, my Lord
Secretary, that I am already condemned, and my cause prejudged.
Therefore I might be reputed a fool, if I would make you privy to my
defences.
At those words they seemed both offended; and the Secretary
departed. But the Earl of Moray remained still, and would have
entered into further discourse with the said John concerning the
state of the Court. But he answered, "My Lord, I understand more
than I would of the affairs of the Court; and therefore it is not
needful that your Lordship trouble with the recounting of it. If you
stand in good case, I am content; and if you do not, as I fear ye do
not already, or else ye shall not do before long, blame not me. Ye
have the counsellors whom ye have chosen; my weak judgment both ye
and they despised. I can do nothing but behold the end, which I pray
God may be other than my troubled heart feareth."
[Sidenote: John Knox is brought before the Queen and Privy Council.]
Within four days, the said John was called before the Queen and
Council betwixt six and seven o'clock at night. The season of the
year was the midst of December. The bruit rising in the town that
John Knox was sent for by the Queen, the brethren of the Kirk
followed in such number that the inner close was full, and all the
stairs, even to the chamber door where the Queen and Council sat.
These had been reasoning amongst themselves before, but had not
fully satisfied the Secretary's mind. And so the Queen had retired
to her cabinet, and the Lords were talking each one with other, as
occasion served. Upon the entrance of John Knox, they were commanded
to take their places, and did so, sitting as Councillors, one
opposite another.
The Duke of Chatelherault, according to his dignity, began the one
side. Upon the other side sat the Earl of Argyll, and in order
of precedence followed the Earl of Moray, the Earl of Glencairn,
the Earl Marischall, the Lord Ruthven, then the common officers,
Pittarrow, then Comptroller, the Justice Clerk, and Mr. John Spens
of Condie, Lord Advocate; divers others stood by. Removed from
the table sat old Lethington, father to the Secretary, Mr. Henry
Sinclair, then Bishop of Ross, and Mr. James M'Gill, Clerk Register.
[Sidenote: The Trial of John Knox for High Treason.]
Things thus put in order, the Queen came forth, and, with no
little worldly pomp, was placed in the chair, having two faithful
supporters, the Master of Maxwell upon the one tor[219] and
Secretary Lethington on the other tor of the chair. There they
waited diligently all the time of that accusation, sometimes the
one occupying her ear, sometimes the other. Her pomp lacked one
principal point, to wit, womanly gravity; for when she saw John
Knox standing at the other end of the table bare-headed, she first
smiled, and after gave a gawf of laughter. When her placeboes gave
their plaudits, affirming, with like countenance, "This is a good
beginning," she said: "But wot ye whereat I laugh? Yon man gared me
greet,[220] and grat never tear himself: I will see if I can gar him
greet." At that word the Secretary whispered her in the ear, and she
him again, and with that gave him a letter. After inspecting this,
he directed his visage and speech to John Knox.
[219] Arm.
[220] Weep.
_Lethington._ The Queen's Majesty is informed that ye have travailed
to raise a tumult of her subjects against her, and for certification
thereof, there is presented to her your own letter subscribed in
your name. Yet, because her Grace will do nothing without a good
advisement, she has convened you before this part of the Nobility,
that they may witness betwixt you and her.
_Queen._ Let him acknowledge his own handwriting, and then shall we
judge of the contents of the letter.
So the letter was presented from hand to hand to John Knox, who
examined it.
_Knox._ I gladly acknowledge this to be my handwriting; and also I
remember that I indited a letter to the brethren in sundry quarters,
in the month of October, giving signification of such things as
displeased me. So good opinion have I of the fidelity of the scribes
that they would not willingly adulterate my original, albeit I left
divers subscribed blanks with them, I acknowledge both handwriting
and ditement.[221]
[221] What is written.
_Lethington._ Ye have done more than I would have done.
_Knox._ Charity is not suspicious.
_Queen._ Well, well, read your own letter, and then answer to such
things as shall be demanded of you.
_Knox._ I shall do the best I can.
With loud voice he began to read the letter already quoted. After it
was read to the end, it was presented again to Mr. John Spens; for
the Queen commanded him to accuse, as he afterwards did, but very
gently.
_Queen._ Heard ye ever, my Lords, a more despiteful and treasonable
letter?
No man gave answer, and Lethington addressed himself to John Knox.
_Lethington._ Master Knox, are ye not sorry from your heart, and do
you not repent that such a letter has passed your pen, and from you
is come to the knowledge of others.
_Knox._ My Lord Secretary, before I repent I must be taught of my
offence.
_Lethington._ Offence! If there were no more than the convocation of
the Queen's lieges, the offence could not be denied.
_Knox._ Remember yourself, my Lord. There is a difference betwixt
a lawful convocation, and an unlawful. If I have been guilty in
this, I have often offended since I came last to Scotland: for what
convocation of the brethren has ever been to this day in which my
pen served not? Before this, no man laid it to my charge as a crime.
_Lethington._ Then was then, and now is now. We have no need of such
convocations as sometimes we have had.
_Knox._ The time that has been is even now before my eyes; for I
see the poor flock in no less danger than it has been at any time
before, except that the Devil has gotten a visor upon his face.
Before, he came in with his own face, discovered by open tyranny,
seeking the destruction of all that refused idolatry: and then, I
think ye will confess, the brethren lawfully assembled themselves
for defence of their lives. Now the Devil comes under the cloak of
justice, to do that which God would not suffer him to do by strength.
_Queen._ What is this? Methinks ye trifle with him. Who gave him
authority to make convocation of my lieges? Is not that treason?
_Lord Ruthven._ No, Madam, for he makes convocation of the people
to hear prayer and sermon almost daily; and, whatever your Grace or
others think thereof, we think it no treason.
_Queen._ Hold your peace, and let him make answer for himself.
_Knox._ Madam, I began to reason with the Secretary, whom I take
to be a far better dialectician than your Grace is, that all
convocations are not unlawful. And now my Lord Ruthven has given the
instance. If your Grace will deny this, I shall address myself to
the proof.
_Queen._ I will say nothing against your religion, nor against your
convening to your sermons. But what authority have ye to convocate
my subjects when ye will, without my commandment?
_Knox._ I have no pleasure to decline from the former purpose. And
yet, Madam, to satisfy your Grace's two questions, I answer that at
my will I never convened four persons in Scotland; but, upon the
instructions of the brethren, I have given divers notifications, and
great multitudes have assembled. If your Grace complain that this
was done without your Grace's commandment, I answer--So has all that
God has blessed within this realm from the beginning of this action.
Therefore, Madam, I must be convicted by a just law that I have done
against the duty of God's messenger in writing this letter, before
either I be sorry, or yet repent for the doing of it, as my Lord
Secretary would persuade me. What I have done, I have done at the
commandment of the general Kirk of this realm; and, therefore, I
think I have done no wrong.
_Queen._ Ye shall not escape so. Is it not treason, my Lords, to
accuse a prince of cruelty? I think there be Acts of Parliament
against such whisperers.
That was granted by many.
_Knox._ But wherein can I be accused?
_Queen._ Read this part of your own bill, which began, "These
fearful summonses are directed against them, to wit the brethren
foresaid, to make, no doubt, preparation upon a few, that a door may
be opened to execute cruelty upon a greater multitude." Lo, what say
ye to that?
Many doubted what the said John should answer.
_Knox._ Is it lawful for me, Madam, to answer for myself? Or shall I
be condemned before I be heard?
_Queen._ Say what ye can, for I think ye have enough ado.
_Knox._ I will first, then, desire this of your Grace, Madam, and
of this most honourable audience, whether your Grace knows not that
the obstinate Papists are deadly enemies to all such as profess
the Evangel of Jesus Christ, and that they most earnestly desire
the extermination of them, and of the true doctrine that is taught
within this realm?
The Queen held her peace; but all the Lords, with common voice,
said, "God forbid that either the lives of the faithful, or yet
the staying of teaching and preaching, stood in the power of the
Papists: just experience has told us what cruelty lies in their
hearts."
_Knox._ I must proceed, then, seeing that I perceive that all will
grant that it was a barbarous cruelty to destroy such a multitude as
profess the Evangel of Jesus Christ within this realm. This, oftener
than once or twice, has been attempted by force, as things done
of late days do testify. Disappointed by God and His providence,
the Papists have invented more crafty and dangerous practices, to
wit, to make the prince party, under colour of law: what they could
not do by open force, they hope to perform by crafty deceit. For
who thinks, my Lords, that the insatiable cruelty of the Papists
within this realm shall end in the murdering of these two brethren
now unjustly summoned, and more unjustly to be accused? I think
no man of judgment can so esteem, but rather the direct contrary;
that is, by this few number they intend to prepare a way to bloody
enterprises against the whole. Therefore, Madam, cast up when ye
list the Acts of your Parliament. I have offended nothing against
them. In my letter, I accuse neither your Grace nor your nature of
cruelty. But I affirm yet again that the pestilent Papists, who have
inflamed your Grace without cause against those poor men at this
present, are the sons of the Devil; and therefore must obey the
desires of their father, who has been a liar and a murderer from the
beginning.
_A Councillor._ Ye forget yourself, ye are not now in the pulpit.
_Knox._ I am in the place where I am demanded of conscience to
speak the truth; and therefore I speak. The truth I speak, impugn
it whoso list. And hereunto I add, Madam, that honest, gentle, and
meek natures by appearance, may, by wicked and corrupt counsellors,
be converted and altered to the direct contrary. We have example
in Nero, who, in the beginning of his empire, had some natural
shame; but, after his flatterers had encouraged him in all impiety,
alleging that nothing was either unhonest nor yet unlawful for the
personage of him who was emperor above others--when he had drunken
of this cup, I say, to what enormities he fell: the histories bear
witness. And now, Madam, to speak plainly, Papists and conjured
enemies to Jesus Christ have your Grace's ear patent at all times.
I assure your Grace they are dangerous counsellors, and that your
mother found.
As this was said, Lethington smiled, and spake secretly to the Queen
in her ear; what it was, the table heard not. But immediately she
addressed her visage, and spake to John Knox.
_Queen._ Well, ye speak fair enough here before my Lords; but the
last time I spake with you secretly, ye caused me greet many salt
tears, and said to me stubbornly that ye set not by my greeting.
_Knox._ Madam, because now, the second time, your Grace has burdened
me with that crime, I must answer, lest for my silence I be holden
guilty. If your Grace be ripely remembered, the Laird of Dun, yet
living to testify the truth, was present at the time whereof your
Grace complains. Your Grace accused me of having irreverently
handled you in the pulpit; that I denied. Ye said, What ado had I
to speak of your marriage? What was I, that I should mell with such
matters? I answered that, as touching nature, I was a worm of this
earth, and yet a subject of this commonwealth; but as touching the
office wherein it had pleased God to place me, I was a watchman,
both over the realm and over the Kirk of God gathered within the
same. For that reason, I was bound in conscience to blow the
trumpet publicly, oft as ever I saw any upfall,[222] any appearing
danger, either to the one or to the other. A certain bruit affirmed
that traffic of marriage was betwixt your Grace and the Spanish
ally; and as to that I said that if your Nobility and Estates did
agree--unless both ye and your husband should be so straitly bound
that neither of you might hurt this commonwealth, nor yet the poor
Kirk of God within the same--in that case I would pronounce that
the consenters were troublers of this commonwealth, and enemies to
God, and to His promise[223] planted within it. At these words, I
grant, your Grace stormed, and burst forth into an unreasonable
weeping. What mitigation the Laird of Dun would have made, I suppose
your Grace has not forgotten. While nothing was able to stay your
weeping, I was compelled to say, "I take God to record that I never
took pleasure to see any creature weep, yea, not my children when my
own hands had beaten them, much less can I rejoice to see your Grace
make such regret. But, seeing that I have offered your Grace no such
occasion, I must rather suffer your Grace to take your own pleasure,
before I dare conceal the truth, and so betray both the Kirk of God
and my commonwealth." These were the most extreme words that I spoke
that day.
[222] Incident; matter cast up.
[223] Evangel.
After the Secretary had conferred with the Queen, he said, "Mr.
Knox, ye may return to your house for this night."
"I thank God and the Queen's Majesty," said the other. "And, Madam,
I pray God to purge your heart from Papistry, and to preserve you
from the counsel of flatterers; for, however pleasant they appear to
your ear and corrupt affections for the time, experience has told us
into what perplexity they have brought famous princes."
Lethington and the Master of Maxwell were that night the two
stoops[224] of her chair.
[224] Supports.
[Sidenote: The Verdict of the Privy Council.]
John Knox being departed, it was demanded of the Lords and others
that were present, every man by his vote, whether John Knox had
not offended the Queen's Majesty. The Lords voted uniformly that
they could find no offence. The Queen had retired to her cabinet.
The flatterers of the Court, and Lethington principally, raged.
The Queen was brought again, and placed in her chair, and they
were commanded to vote over again. This highly offended the whole
Nobility, who began to speak in open audience. "What! shall the
Laird of Lethington have power to control us: or shall the presence
of a woman cause us to offend God, and to condemn an innocent
against our conscience, for pleasure of any creature?" And so
the whole Nobility absolved John Knox again, and praised God for
his modesty, and for his plain and sensible answers. Yea, before
the end, it is to be noted that, among so many placeboes, we mean
the flatterers of the Court, there was not one that plainly durst
condemn the poor man that was accused, this same God ruling their
tongue, as once He ruled the tongue of Balaam, when he would gladly
have cursed God's people.
[Sidenote: The Displeasure of the Queen.]
When this was perceived, the Queen began to upbraid Mr. Henry
Sinclair, then Bishop of Ross, and said, hearing his vote to agree
with the rest, "Trouble not the bairn: I pray you trouble him not;
for he is newly wakened out of his sleep. Why should not the old
fool follow the footsteps of them that have passed before him." The
bishop answered coldly, "Your Grace may consider that it is neither
affection to the man, nor yet love to his profession, that moves me
to absolve him; but the simple truth, which plainly appears in his
defence, draws me after it, albeit others would have condemned him."
This said, the Lords and whole assisters arose and departed. That
night was neither dancing nor fiddling in the Court; for Madam was
disappointed of her purpose, which was to have had John Knox at her
disposal by vote of her Nobility.
John Knox, absolved by the votes of the greatest part of the
Nobility from the crime intended against him, even in the presence
of the Queen, she raged, and the placeboes of the Court stormed.
And so began new assaults to be made upon the said John, to confess
an offence, and to put himself in the Queen's will, they promising
that his greatest punishment should be to go within the Castle of
Edinburgh, and immediately return to his own home. He answered, "God
forbid that my confession should condemn those noble men who for
their conscience' sake, and with the displeasure of the Queen, have
absolved me. And, further, I am assured that ye will not in earnest
desire me to confess an offence, unless ye would desire me to cease
from preaching: for how can I exhort others to peace and Christian
quietness, if I confess myself an author and mover of sedition?"
[Sidenote: The General Assembly: December 1563.]