The Company of the Castle are carried to France, and cast into Prison and the Galleys.
The galleys, well furnished with the spoil of the Castle, returned to France, after certain days. Escaping a great danger (for they all chapped[105]upon the back of the Sands), they arrived first at Fecamp, and thereafter passed up the water of Seine, and lay before Rouen. There the principal gentlemen, who looked for freedom, were dispersed, and put in sundry prisons. The rest were left in the galleys, and there miserably treated. Amongst these was the foresaid Master James Balfour, with his two brethren, David and Gilbert, men without God. We write this because we hear that the said Master James, principal misguider now of Scotland, denies that he had anything to do with the Castle of St. Andrews, or that ever he was in the galleys. In breach of express promises (but Princes have no fidelity further than for their own advantage), these things were done at Rouen, and then the galleys departed to Nantes, in Brittany, where they lay upon the water of Loire the whole winter.
The Papists rejoice, and the Regent receives the Pope's Thanks.
Then was the joy of the Papists both of Scotland and France in full perfection; for this was their song of triumph—
Priests content ye noo; priests content ye noo;For Norman and his company has filled the galleys fou.
Priests content ye noo; priests content ye noo;For Norman and his company has filled the galleys fou.
The Pope wrote his letters to the King of France, and to the Governor of Scotland, thanking them heartily for taking painsto revenge the death of his kind creature, the Cardinal of Scotland; and desiring them to continue in their severity as they had begun, that such things should not be attempted again. And so were all these that were taken in the Castle condemned to perpetual prison; and the ungodly believed that Christ Jesus should never have triumphed in Scotland after that.
In Scotland, that summer, there was nothing but mirth; for all things went with the priests, at their own pleasure. The Castle of St. Andrews was rased to the ground, the block-houses thereof were cast down, and the walls round about were demolished. Whether this was done to fulfil their law, which commands that places where Cardinals are slain shall so be used, or else for fear that England should have taken it, as afterwards they took Broughty Craig, we remit to the judgment of such as were consulted.
The Duke of Somerset invades Scotland.
This same year, 1547, in the beginning of September, an army of ten thousand men from England entered Scotland, by land, and some ships with ordnance came by sea. The Governor and the Archbishop, informed of this, gathered together the forces of Scotland and assembled at Edinburgh. The Protector of England, with the Earl of Warwick, and their army, remained at Preston, and about Prestonpans: for they had certain offers to propose unto the nobility of Scotland. These concerned the promises formerly made by them to King Harry. Before his death, he had gently required them to stand fast; and had undertaken that, if they would do so, they should have no trouble from him or his kingdom, but rather the help and comfort that he could give them in all things lawful. On this subject, a letter was now directed to the Governor and Council; but this fell into the hands of the Archbishop of St. Andrews, who, thinking that it could not be for his advantage that it should be divulged, suppressed it by his craft.
The Battle of Pinkie Cleuch.
Upon Friday, the ninth of September, the English army marched towards Leith, and the Scottish army marched from Edinburgh to Inveresk. The whole Scottish army was not assembled, and yet skirmishing began; for nothing was expected but victory without a stroke. TheProtector, the Earl of Warwick, the Lord Gray, and all the English captains were playing at the dice: no men were stouter than the priests and canons, with their shaven crowns and black jacks. The Earl of Warwick and the Lord Gray, who had the chief charge of the horsemen, perceiving the host to be molested by the Scottish prickers, and that the multitude were neither under order nor obedience (for they were divided from the great army), sent forth certain troops of horsemen, and some of their borderers, either to fight them, or else to put them out of their sight, so that they might not annoy the host. The skirmish grew hot, and at length the Scotsmen gave back, and fled without once turning. The chase continued far, both towards the east and towards the west. Many were slain, and he that now is Lord Home was afterwards surrendered to the Englishmen. The loss of these men neither moved the Governor, nor yet the Archbishop, his bastard brother. They would revenge the matter well enough upon the morrow; for they were hands enough (no word of God): the English heretics had no faces; they would not abide.
Upon the Saturday, the armies of both sides arrayed themselves. The English army took the mid part of Falside Hill, having their ordnance planted before them, and their ships and two galleys brought as near the land as the water would allow. The Scottish army stood at first in a reasonably strong position and in good order, having betwixt them and the English army the water of Esk, otherwise called Musselburgh Water. At length, on the Governor's behalf, with sound of trumpet, order was given that all men should march forward, and go over the water. Some say that this was procured by the Abbot of Dunfermline, and Master Hugh Rigg, for preservation of Carberry. Men of judgment did not like the move; for they thought it no wisdom to leave their strong position. But commandment upon commandment, and charge upon charge were given, and, thus urged, they obeyed unwillingly. The Earl of Angus was in the vanguard, and had in his company the gentlemen of Fife, Angus, Mearns, and the Westland, with many others that for love resorted to himand especially those that were professors of the Evangel; for they supposed that England would not make great pursuit of him. He passed first through the water, and arrayed his host directly before the enemies. The Earl of Huntly, and his Northland men followed. Last came the Duke, having in his company the Earl of Argyll, with his own friends, and the body of the realm.
The Englishmen, perceiving the danger, and that the Scotsmen intended to take the top of the hill, made haste to prevent the peril. The Lord Gray was commanded to give the charge with his men of arms. This he did, albeit the hazard was very unlikely; for the Earl of Angus's host stood even as a wall. These received the first assaulters upon the points of their spears (which were longer than those of the Englishmen) so rudely that fifty horse and men of the first rank lay dead at once, without any hurt being done to this Scots army, except that the spears of the two foremost ranks were broken. This discomfiture received, the rest of the horsemen fled; yea, some passed beyond Falside Hill. The Lord Gray himself was hurt in the mouth, and plainly refused to charge again; for, he said, "It was like running against a wall." The galleys, the ships, and the ordnance planted upon the mid hill shot terribly. The cross-fire of the ordnance of the galleys affrighted the Scots army wondrously. While every man laboured to draw from the north, whence the danger appeared, they began to reel, and at that point the English footmen were marching forward, albeit some of their horsemen were in flight. The Earl of Angus's army stood still, expecting that either Huntly or the Duke would rencounter the next battle; but it had been decreed that the favourers of England, and the heretics, as the priests called them, and the Englishmen should have the struggle to themselves for the day.
Panic arose, and, in an instant, those who before were victors and were not yet assaulted with any force, except with ordnance, as we have said, cast their spears from them and fled. Thus was God's power so evidently seen, that in one moment, yea, in one instant, both the armies were fleeing.From the hill, from those that hoped for no victory upon the English part, the shout arose, "They flee, they flee." At the first it could not be believed, but at last it was clearly seen that all had given back; and then began a cruel slaughter, which was the greater by reason of the late displeasure of the men at arms.
The chase and slaughter extended almost to Edinburgh, upon the one part, and be-west Dalkeith upon the other. The number of the slain upon the Scottish side was judged to be nigh ten thousand men. The Earl of Huntly was taken, and carried to London; but he relieved himself, being surety for many ransoms. Whether he did so honestly or unhonestly we know not; but, as the bruit passed, he used policy with England. In the same battle was slain the Master of Erskine, dearly beloved of the Queen, who made great lamentation for him, and bare his death in mind for many days. When the certainty of the discomfiture came, she was in Edinburgh, waiting for tidings; but with expedition she posted that same night to Stirling, with Monsieur D'Oysel, who was as fleyed[106]as "a fox when his hole is smoked." Thus did God take the second revenge upon the perjured Governor and such as assisted him to defend an unjust quarrel; albeit many innocents fell with the wicked. The English army came to Leith, and, after securing their prisoners and spoil, returned to England with this unlooked-for victory.
During the following winter, great hardships were inflicted upon all the Borders of Scotland. Broughty Craig was taken by the Englishmen, besieged by the Governor, but still kept. There Gavin, the best of the Hamiltons, was slain, and the ordnance lost. The Englishmen, encouraged, began to fortify the hill above Broughty House. The position was called the Fort of Broughty, and was very noisome[107]to Dundee. This it burned and laid waste; as it did the most part of Angus, which was not assured and under friendship with England.
At the Easter following, Haddington was fortified by the Englishmen. The most part of Lothian, from Edinburgh east,was either assured or laid waste. Thus did God plague in every quarter; but men were blind, and would not, or could not, consider the cause. The Lairds of Ormiston and Brunstone were banished, and afterwards forfeited, and so were all those of the Castle of St. Andrews.
The sure knowledge of the troubles of Scotland coming to France, there was prepared a navy and army. The navy was such as never was seen to come from France for the support of Scotland.... They arrived in Scotland in May 1549. Preparations were made for the siege of Haddington; but it was another thing that they meant, as the issue declared.
The Parliament at Haddington: Queen Mary is sold to France.
The whole body of the realm having assembled, the form of a Parliament was held in the Abbey of Haddington. The principal head was the marriage to the King of France of the Princess, who had formerly been contracted to King Edward; and her immediate transfer to France, by reason of the danger to her from the invasion of our old enemies of England. Some were corrupted with buds,[108]some were deceived by flattering promises, and some for fear were compelled to consent, for the French soldiers were the officers of arms in that Parliament. The Laird of Buccleuch, a bloody man, sware, with many "God's wounds," that "they that would not consent should do worse." The Governor got the Duchy of Châtelherault, with the order of the Cockle, a full discharge of all intromissions with the treasure and substance of King James the Fifth, and possession of the Castle of Dumbarton, until issue of the Queen's body should be seen. Upon these and other conditions, he stood content to sell his sovereign. Huntly, Argyll, and Angus were likewise made knights of the Cockle; and, for that and other good deeds received, they also sold their interest. In short, none was found to resist that unjust demand; and so the Queen was sold to go to France, to the end that in her youth she should drink of the liquor that should remain with her all her lifetime, for a plague to this realm, and for her final destruction. Therefore, albeit there now comes out from her a fire that consumes many, let noman wonder. She is the hand of God, who, in His displeasure, is punishing our former ingratitude....
The Siege of Haddington.
Once it was decided that our Queen, without further delay, should be delivered to France, the siege continued. There was great shooting, but no assaulting; and yet they had fair occasion offered unto them. For the Englishmen, approaching the town with powder, victuals, and men for the comforting of the besieged, lost an army of six thousand men. Sir Robert Bowes was taken prisoner, and the most part of the Borderers were either captured or slain. The town might justly have despaired of any further succour, but yet it held good; for the stout courage and prudent government of General Sir James Wilford did so inspire the whole captains and soldiers that they determined to die upon their walls. From the time that the Frenchmen had gotten the bone for which the dog barked, the pursuit of the town was slow. The siege was raised, and the Queen was conveyed by the west seas to France; and so the Cardinal of Lorraine got her into his keeping, a morsel meet for his own mouth....
That winter Monsieur de Dessé remained in Scotland with the bands of Frenchmen. They fortified Inveresk, to prevent the English from invading Edinburgh and Leith. Some skirmishes there were betwixt the one and the other, but no notable thing was done, except that the French almost took Haddington, as we shall see.
The French Fruits: Arrogance of the French Soldiery.
Thinking themselves more than masters in all parts of Scotland, and in Edinburgh principally, the French thought that they could do no wrong to any Scotsman. A certain Frenchman having delivered a culverin to George Tod, a Scotsman, to be stocked, he was bringing it through the street, when another Frenchman claimed it. He would have reft it from the said George; but he resisted, alleging that the Frenchman did wrong. Parties began to assemble to succour of the Scotsman, as well as to that of the Frenchman. Two of the Frenchmen were stricken down, and the rest were chased from the Cross to Niddrie's Wynd head. The Provost, being upon the street,apprehended two of the French, and was carrying them to the Tolbooth; when from Monsieur de Dessé's lodging and close issued forth Frenchmen, to the number of threescore persons. These, with drawn swords, resisted the said Provost. But the town, assembling, repulsed them, until they came to the Nether Bow. There Monsieur de La Chapelle, with the whole bands of Frenchmen in arms, rencountered the said Provost and repulsed him (for the town was without weapons for the most part), and then attacked all that they met. In the throat of the Bow were slain David Kirke and David Barbour, who were at the Provost's back, and then were slain the said Provost himself, who was Laird of Stenhouse and captain of the Castle, James Hamilton, his son, William Chapman, a godly man, Master William Stewart, William Purves, and a woman, named Elizabeth Stewart. Thereafter the soldiers tarried within the town, by force, from five o'clock until after seven at night, and then retired to the Canongate, as to their receptacle and refuge.
The whole town, yea, the Governor and Nobility, commoved at the unworthiness of this bold attempt, craved justice upon the malefactors, and threatened that they would otherwise execute justice on the whole. The Queen, craftily enough, Monsieur de Dessé, and Monsieur D'Oysel laboured for pacification, and did promise that "unless the Frenchmen, by themselves alone, should do such an act as might recompense the wrong that they had done, they should not refuse that justice should be executed, with rigour."
These fair words pleased our fools, and the French bands were the next night directed to Haddington. They approached the town a little after midnight, so secretly that they were never espied until the foremost were within the base court, and the whole company in the churchyard, not two pair of butt-lengths from the town. The soldiers, Englishmen, were all asleep, except the watch, which was slender, and yet the shout was raised, "Bows and bills: bows and bills," which in all towns of war signifies need of extreme defence, to avoid present danger. The affrighted arose; weapons that first came to hand serving for the need. One amongst many came to the east port, wherelay two great pieces of ordnance, and where the enemies were known to be. Crying to his fellows that were at the gate making defence, "Ware before," he fired a great piece, and thereafter another. God so conducted this discharge that, after it, no further pursuit was made. The bullets rebounded from the wall of the Friar Kirk, to the wall of St. Catherine's Chapel, which stood directly fornent it, and from the wall of the Chapel to the Kirk wall again, so often that there fell more than a hundred of the French, at those two shots only. The firing was continued, but the French retired with diligence, and returned to Edinburgh, without harm done, except the destruction of some drinking beer, which lay in the said Chapel and Kirk. Herein was ample satisfaction for the slaughter of the said captain and Provost, and for the slaughter of such as were slain with him. This was the beginning of the French fruits.
This winter also did the Laird of Raith most innocently suffer, the head of the said nobleman being stricken from him; especially because he was known to be one that unfeignedly favoured the truth of God's Word, and was a great friend to those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews. Of their deliverance, and of God's wondrous working with them during the time of their bondage, we must now speak, lest, in suppressing the record of so notable a work of God, we might justly be accused of ingratitude.
Of the Scots Prisoners in France, and their Deliverance.
The principals being confined in several houses, as before we have said, there was great labour to make them have a good opinion of the Mass. Chiefly was there travail with Norman Leslie, the Laird of Grange, and the Laird of Pitmilly, who were in the Castle of Cherbourg. Pressed to go to Mass with the captain, they answered that "The captain had commandment to keep their bodies, but he had no power to command their conscience." The captain replied that "He had power to command and to compel them to go where he would." They answered that "They would not refuse to go to any lawful place with him; but they would not, either for him or for the King, do anything that was against their conscience." The captain said,"Will ye not go to the Mass?" They answered, "No; and if ye would compel us, we will displease you further; for we will so use ourselves there that all those that are present shall know that we despite it."
Similar answers, and somewhat sharper, did William Kirkaldy, Peter Carmichael, and such as were with them in Mount St. Michael, give to their captain; for they said they would not only hear Mass every day, but that they would help to say it, provided that they might stick the priests. Master Henry Balnaves, who was in the Castle of Rouen, was most sharply assaulted of all; for, because he was judged learned, learned men were appointed to travail with him, and with them he had many conflicts. But, God so assisting him, they departed confounded, and he, by the power of God's Spirit, remained constant in the truth and profession of the same, without any wavering or declining to idolatry.
These that were in the galleys were threatened with torments, if they would not give reverence to the Mass; but the French could never make the poorest of that company give reverence to that idol. Yea, when, upon the Saturday night, they sang theirSalve Regina, the whole Scotsmen put on their caps, their hoods, or such things as they had to cover their heads; and when others were compelled to kiss a painted board, which they called "Notre Dame," they were not pressed more than once; for this was what happened. Soon after the arrival at Nantes, their greatSalvewas sung, and a glorious painted Lady was brought to be kissed, and was presented to one of the Scotsmen then chained, amongst others. He gently said, "Trouble me not; such an idol is accursed; and therefore I will not touch it." The patron and the arguesyn[109]with two officers, having the chief charge of all such matters, said, "Thou shalt handle it;" and so they violently thrust it to his face, and put it betwixt his hands. He, seeing the extremity, took the idol, and advisedly looking about, cast it into the river, saying, "Let our Lady now save herself: she is light enough; let her learn to swim." After that no Scotsman was urged with that idolatry.
These are things that appear to be of no great importance; and yet, if we do rightly consider, they express the same obedience as God required of His people Israel when they should be carried to Babylon. He gave charge unto them that, when they should see the Babylonians worship their gods of gold, silver, metal, and wood, they should say, "The gods that have not made the heaven and the earth shall perish from the heaven, and out of the earth."
John Knox prophesies of himself: his Confidence in God's Deliverance.
Master James Balfour being in the same galley as John Knox, and being wondrously familiar with him, would often ask his opinion whether he thought that they should ever be delivered. His answer ever was, from the day that they entered the galleys, that God, for His own glory, would deliver them from that bondage, even in this life. The second time that the galleys returned to Scotland, when they were lying betwixt Dundee and St. Andrews, and the said John was so extremely sick that few hoped his life, the said Master James willed him to look to the land, and asked if he knew it? He answered, "Yes, I know it well; for I see the steeple of the place in which God first in public opened my mouth to His glory. I am fully persuaded that, however weak I may now appear, I shall not depart this life until my tongue shall glorify His godly name in the same place." The said Master James reported this in presence of many famous witnesses, many years before the said John set his foot in Scotland this last time.
William Kirkaldy, then younger of Grange, Peter Carmichael, Robert and William Leslie, who were all together in Mount St. Michael, wrote to the said John, asking his counsel as to whether they might, with safe conscience, break their prison? His answer was that if, without the blood of any shed or spilt by them for their deliverance, they could set themselves at freedom, they might safely take it: but that he would never consent to their shedding any man's blood for their freedom. He added, further, that he was assured that God would deliver them and the rest of that company, even in the eyes of the world; but not by such means as we had looked for; that was, by the force of friends or by their otherlabours. He affirmed that they should not be delivered by such means, but that God would so work in the deliverance of them, that the praise thereof should redound to His glory only. He therefore urged every one to take any occasion for deliverance that God might offer, provided that nothing was done against God's express commandment.
John Knox was the more earnest in giving his counsel, because the old Laird of Grange, and others, were averse from their purpose, fearing lest the escaping of the others should be an occasion of their own worse treatment. Thereto the said John answered that such fear proceeded not from God's Spirit, but only from a blind love of self. No good purpose was to be stayed for things that were in the hands and power of God. In one instant, he added, God delivered all that company into the hands of unfaithful men, but so would He not relieve them. Some would He deliver by one means, and at one time, and others must, for a season, abide upon His good pleasure. In the end, they embraced this counsel. Upon the King's Even, when Frenchmen commonly drink liberally, the foresaid four persons, having the help and conduct of a boy of the house, bound all those that were in the Castle, put them in sundry houses, locked the doors upon them, took the keys from the captain, and departed without harm done to the person of any, or without touching anything that appertained to the King, the Captain, or the house.
Great search was made through the whole country for them. But it was God's good pleasure so to conduct them that they escaped the hands of the faithless, albeit it was with long travail, and endurance of great pain and poverty; for the French boy left them, and took with him the small poise that they had. Having neither money, nor knowledge of the country, and fearing that the boy should discover them, as in very deed he did, of purpose they divided themselves, changed their garments, and went in sundry parties. The two brethren, William and Robert Leslie (who now are become, the said Robert especially, enemies to Christ Jesus and to all virtue) came to Rouen. William Kirkaldy and Peter Carmichael, in beggars' garments, came to Le Conquet, andfor the space of twelve or thirteen weeks they travelled as poor mariners, from port to port, till at length they got a French ship, and landed in the west. From thence they came to England, where they met with the said John Knox, he and Alexander Clark having been delivered that same winter.
John Knox in England and on the Continent.
The said John was first appointed preacher to Berwick, then to Newcastle; and lastly, he was called to London and the south parts of England, where he remained until the death of King Edward the Sixth. Then he left England, and went to Geneva, where he remained in his private study, until he was called to be preacher to the English congregation at Frankfort. This call he obeyed, albeit unwillingly, at the commandment of that notable servant of God, John Calvin. He remained at Frankfort until some of the learned, more given to unprofitable ceremonies than to sincerity of religion, began to quarrel with him. These men, because they despaired of prevailing before the magistrate there in the overt purpose of establishing their corruptions, accused him of treason committed against the Emperor, and against their sovereign Queen Mary, in that, in hisAdmonition to England, he called the one little inferior to Nero, and the other more cruel than Jezebel. The magistrate, perceiving their malice and fearing that the said John should fall into the hands of his accusers by one means or another, gave secret warning to him to depart from the city; for they could not save him if he were required by the Emperor, or by the Queen of England, in the Emperor's name. So the said John returned to Geneva, from thence to Dieppe, and thereafter to Scotland, as we shall hear.
In the winter that the galleys remained in Scotland, there were delivered Master James Balfour, his two brethren, David and Gilbert, John Auchinleck, John Sibbald, John Gray, William Guthrie, and Stephen Bell. The gentlemen that remained in prisons were, by the procurement of the Queen-Dowager, set at liberty in the month of July 1550. These were shortly thereafter recalled to Scotland, their peace was proclaimed, and they themselves were restored to their lands, in despite of their enemies. And that was done in hatred ofthe Duke, and because France began to thirst to have the regiment of Scotland in her own hands. Howsoever it was, God made their enemies set them at liberty and freedom. There still remained a number of common servants in the galleys, but these were all delivered when the contract of peace was made betwixt France and England, after the taking of Boulogne. So was the whole company set at liberty, none perishing except James Melvin, who departed from the miseries of this life in the Castle of Brest in Brittany.
This we write, that the posterity to come may understand how potently God wrought in preserving and delivering those that had but a small knowledge of His truth, and for the love of the same hazarded all. We or our posterity may see a fearful dispersion of such as oppose themselves to impiety, or take upon them to punish the same otherwise than laws of men will permit: we may see them forsaken by men, and, as it were, despised and punished by God. But, if we do, let us not damn the persons that punish vice for just causes, nor yet despair that the same God that casts down, for causes unknown to us, will again raise up the persons dejected, to His glory and their comfort....
Haddington proves the Truth of Master George Wishart's Foreboding.
Haddington being in the hands of the English, and much herschip being done in the country (for what the Englishmen did not destroy, the French consumed), God did begin to fight for Scotland; for to the town named He sent so contagious a pest, that with great difficulty could the English garrison have their dead buried. They were oft reinforced with new men, but all was in vain. Hunger and pest were within the town, and the enemy, with a camp-volant,[110]lay about them and intercepted all victuals, unless these were brought by a convoy from Berwick; and the Council of England was compelled, in spring, to withdraw its forces from that place. So, after spoiling and burning some part of the town, they left it to be occupied by such as first should take possession—and those were the Frenchmen, with a mean number of the ancient inhabitants. Thus did God perform the words and thethreatening of His servant Master George Wishart, who said that, for their contempt of God's messenger, they should be visited with sword and fire, with pestilence, strangers, and famine.
Peace proclaimed (April 1550): the Papists resume Persecution.
After this, peace was contracted betwixt France and England and Scotland; and a separate contract of peace was made betwixt Scotland and Flanders, with all the Easterlings; so that Scotland had peace with the world. But yet the Bishops would make war with God. As soon as they got any quietness, they apprehended Adam Wallace, a simple man, without great learning, but zealous in godliness and of an upright life. He with his wife, Beatrice Livingston, frequented the company of the Lady Ormiston, for the instruction of her children during the trouble of her husband, who then was banished. That bastard, called Archbishop of St. Andrews, took the said Adam from the place of Winton, and carried him to Edinburgh. And, in the kirk of the black thieves, alias Friars, he was brought to trial before the Duke, the Earl of Huntly, divers others besides, and the Bishops and their rabble.
The faithful Testimony and Martyrdom of Adam Wallace.
Master John Lauder was accuser, and alleged that he took upon him to preach. He answered that he never considered himself worthy of so excellent a vocation, and therefore never took upon him to preach; but that he would not deny that, sometimes at the table and sometimes in other privy places, he had read the Scriptures, and had given such exhortation as God pleased to give him, to such as pleased to hear him. "Knave," quoth one, "what have ye to do to meddle with the Scriptures?" "I think," said he, "it is the duty of every Christian to seek the will of his God, and the assurance of his salvation, where it is to be found, and that is within his Old and New Testament." "What then," said another, "shall we leave to the bishops and kirkmen to do, if every man shall be a babbler upon the Bible?" "It becometh you," said he, "to speak more reverently of God and of His blessed Word. If the judge were incorrupt, he would punish you for your blasphemy. To your question, I answer that, albeit ye and I and other five thousand withinthis realm should read the Bible, and speak of it what God should give us to speak, yet should we leave more to the bishops to do than either they will or yet can well do. We leave to them to preach the Evangel of Jesus Christ publicly, and to feed the flock which He hath redeemed with His own blood, and hath commended to the care of all true pastors. When we leave this unto them, methinks we leave to them a heavy burden; and we do them no wrong if we search our own salvation where it is to be found, considering that they are but dumb dogs, and unsavoury salt that has altogether lost its season." The Bishops, offended, said, "What prating is this? Let his accusation be read."
And then was begun, "False traitor, heretic, thou didst baptize thine own bairn. Thou saidst there is no purgatory. Thou saidst that to pray to saints and for the dead is idolatry and a vain superstition, and so on. What sayest thou of these things?" He answered, "If I should be bound to answer, I would require an upright and indifferent judge." The Earl of Huntly disdainfully said, "Foolish man, wilt thou desire another judge than my Lord Duke's Grace, great Governor of Scotland, and my Lords the bishops, and the clergy here present?" Thereto he answered, "The bishops can be no judges of me; for they are open enemies to me and to the doctrine that I profess. And, as for my Lord Duke, I cannot tell if he has the knowledge that should be in him that should judge and discern betwixt lies and the truth, the inventions of men and the true worshipping of God. I desire God's Word," and with that he produced the Bible, "to be judge betwixt the bishops and me, and I am content that ye shall all hear. If by this book I shall be convicted to have taught, spoken, or done, in matters of religion, anything that repugns to God's will, I refuse not to die; but if I cannot be convicted, as I am assured by God's Word I shall not be, then I in God's name desire your assistance, that malicious men may not execute unjust tyranny upon me." The Earl of Huntly said, "What a babbling fool this is. Thou shalt get none other judges than these that sit here." Thereto the said Adam answered, "The good will of God be done. But be ye assured, my Lord, with such measureas ye mete to others, with the same measure it shall be meted to you again. I know that I shall die, but be ye assured that my blood will be required of your hands."
Alexander Earl of Glencairn, yet alive, then said to the Bishop of Orkney, and others that sat near him, "Take you yon, my lords of the clergy; for here I protest, for my part, that I consent not to his death." And so, without fear, the said Adam prepared to answer. As to the baptizing of his own child, he said, "It was and is as lawful to me, for lack of a true minister, to baptize my own child, as it was to Abraham to circumcise his son Ishmael and his family. And as for purgatory, praying to saints, and praying for the dead, I have read both the New and Old Testaments often, but I neither could find mention nor assurance of them; and, therefore, I believe that they are but mere inventions of man, devised for covetousness's sake." "What sayest thou of the Mass?" speired[111]the Earl of Huntly. He answered, "I say, my Lord, as my Master Jesus Christ says, 'That which is in greatest estimation before men is abomination before God.'" Then all cried out, "Heresy! heresy!" And so this simple servant of God was adjudged to the fire; which he patiently sustained that same afternoon, upon the Castle Hill.
Thus the Papists began again to pollute the land, which God had lately plagued. Their iniquity was not yet come to that full ripeness in which God willed that it should be made manifest to this whole realm that they were faggots prepared for the everlasting fire, and men whom neither plagues might correct, nor the light of God's Word convert from their darkness and impiety.
The Duke is deposed, and the Queen-Dowager is made Regent: 1554.
Peace contracted, the Queen-Dowager passed by sea to France, and took with her divers of the nobility of Scotland, to wit, the Earls Huntly, Glencairn, Marischall, and Cassillis, the Lords Maxwell and Fleming, and Sir George Douglas; together with all the King's natural sons, and divers barons and gentlemen of ecclesiastical estate, the Bishop of Galloway and many others, with promises that they should be richly rewarded for their good service.What they received we cannot tell; but few made ruse[112]at their returning. The Dowager practised somewhat with her brethren, the Duke of Guise and the Cardinal of Lorraine, and the Governor afterwards felt the weight of this: for shortly after her return he was deposed from the government—justly by God, but most unjustly by men—and she made Regent in the year of God 1554. A crown was put upon her head—as seemly a sight, if men had eyes, as to put a saddle upon the back of an unruly cow. Then did she begin to practise practice upon practice, how France might be advanced, her friends made rich, and she brought to immortal glory....
The Death and Virtues of Edward VI.
Thus did light and darkness strive within the realm of Scotland; the darkness ever before the world suppressing the light, from the death of that notable servant of God, Master Patrick Hamilton, unto the death of Edward Sixth, the most godly and most virtuous King that hath been known to have reigned in England or elsewhere these many years bypast, who departed the misery of this life on the sixth of July 1553. The death of this Prince was lamented by all the godly within Europe; for the graces given unto him by God, by nature as well as through erudition and godliness, passed the measure that is commonly given to other Princes in their greatest perfection, and yet he exceeded not sixteen years of age. What gravity beyond his years, what wisdom passing all expectation of man, and what dexterity in answering all questions proposed, were in that excellent Prince, the Ambassadors of all countries did bear witness. Yea, some that were mortal enemies to him and to his realm, amongst whom the Queen-Dowager of Scotland was not the least, could and did so testify. The said Queen-Dowager, returning from France through England, communed with him at length, and gave record, when she came to this realm, that she found more wisdom and solid judgment in young King Edward than she would have looked for in any three princes that were then in Europe. His liberality towards the godly and learned, persecuted in other realms, was remarkable. Germans, Frenchmen, Italians, Scots, Spaniards, Poles, Greeks, and Hebrewscan yet give sufficient document[113]of this. Martin Bucer, Peter Martyr, Joannes Alasco, and many others were honourably entertained upon his public stipends, as their patents can witness, and as they themselves during their lives never would have denied.
The superstitious Cruelty of Mary of England, and of the Queen Regent.
After the death of this most virtuous Prince, of whom the godless people of England, for the most part, were not worthy, Satan intended nothing less than that the light of Jesus Christ should have been utterly extinguished within the whole Isle of Britain. For there was raised up after him, in God's hot displeasure, that idolatrous Jezebel, mischievous Mary, of the Spaniards' blood; a cruel persecutrix of God's people, as the acts of her unhappy reign can sufficiently witness. And in Scotland, at that same time, as we have heard, there reigned that crafty practiser, Marie of Lorraine, then named Regent of Scotland; who, bound to the devotion of her two brethren, the Duke of Guise and the Cardinal of Lorraine, did only abide the opportunity to cut the throats of all those within the realm of Scotland in whom she suspected any knowledge of God. Satan thought that his kingdom of darkness was in quietness and rest, in the one realm as well as in the other; but that provident eye of the Eternal our God, who continually watches for preservation of His Church, did so dispose all things, that Satan shortly after found himself far disappointed in his conclusions. For in the cruel persecution carried on by that monster, Mary of England, godly men were dispersed among divers nations, and then it pleased the goodness of our God to send some of these unto us, for our comfort and instruction.
John Knox follows William Harlaw and John Willock to Scotland.
First came a simple man, William Harlaw, who, although his erudition excels not, is yet, for his zeal, and diligent plainness in doctrine, to this day worthy of praise, and remains a faithful member within the Church of Scotland. After him came that notable man, John Willock, with some commission from the Duchess of Embden to the Queen Regent. But his principal purposewas to ascertain what work God had for him in his native country. These two did sometimes assemble the brethren in several companies, and by their exhortations those began to be greatly encouraged, and did show that they had an earnest thirst of godliness. Last came John Knox, in the end of harvest, in the year of God 1555. Lodged in the house of that notable man of God, James Syme, he began to exhort secretly in that same house; and thereto repaired the Laird of Dun, David Forrest, and some certain personages of the town.
The good Testimony of Elizabeth Adamson, Mistress Barron.
Amongst these was Elizabeth Adamson, spouse to James Barron, burgess of Edinburgh, who had a troubled conscience, and delighted much in the company of the said John, because he, according to the grace given unto him, opened more fully the fountain of God's mercies, than did the common sort of teachers that she had heard before, for she had heard none but Friars. She did with much greediness drink of that fountain, and at her death she expressed the fruit of her hearing, to the great comfort of all those that repaired to her. Albeit she suffered most grievous torment in her body, from her mouth there was heard nothing but praising of God, except that sometimes she would lament the troubles of those that were troubled by her. When her sisters asked what she thought of the pain which she then suffered in body, in comparison with that with which sometimes she had been troubled in spirit, she answered, "A thousand years of this torment, and ten times more joined unto it, is not to be compared to the quarter of an hour that I suffered in my spirit. I thank my God, through Jesus Christ, that He has delivered me from that most fearful pain; and welcome be this, even so long as it pleaseth His godly Majesty to discipline me therewith."
A little before her departure, the said Elizabeth desired her sisters and some others that were beside her to sing a psalm. Amongst others, she appointed the Hundred and Third Psalm, beginning, "My soul, praise thou the Lord always." This ended, she said, "At the teaching of this Psalm, my troubled soul first began effectually to taste of the mercy of God, whichnow to me is more sweet and precious than were all the kingdoms of the earth given to me to possess for a thousand years." The priests urged her with their ceremonies and superstitions, but to them she answered, "Depart from me, ye sergeants of Satan; for I have refused, and in your own presence do refuse, all your abominations. That which ye call your Sacrament and Christ's body, as ye have deceived us to believe in times past, is nothing but an idol, and has nothing to do with the right institution of Jesus Christ. Therefore, in God's name, I command you not to trouble me." They departed, alleging that she raved, and wist not what she said. Shortly thereafter she slept in the Lord Jesus, to the no small comfort of those that saw her blessed departing. We could not omit mention of this worthy woman, who gave so notable a confession before the great light of God's Word did universally shine throughout this realm.
John Knox argues that the Mass is Idolatry.
At the first coming of the said John Knox, divers who had a zeal to godliness made small scruple to go to the Mass, or to communicate with the abused sacraments in the papistical manner. Perceiving this, he began, in privy conference as well as in preaching, to show the impiety of the Mass, and how dangerous it was to participate in any way with idolatry. The consciences of some were affrighted, and the matter began to agitate from man to man. So the said John was called to supper by the Laird of Dun for that purpose, and there were convened David Forrest, Master Robert Lockhart, John Willock, and William Maitland of Lethington, younger, a man of good learning, and of sharp wit and reasoning. The question was proposed, and it was answered by the said John that it was nowise lawful to a Christian to present himself to that idol. Nothing was omitted that might make for the temporiser, and yet was every head fully answered, and especially one wherein they thought their great defence stood, to wit, that Paul, at the commandment of James and the elders of Jerusalem, went to the temple and feigned to pay his vow with others. After a full discussion, William Maitland concluded, saying, "I see perfectly that our shifts will serve nothing beforeGod, seeing that they stand us in so small stead before man."
The answer of John Knox to the act of Paul, and to the commandment of James, was that Paul's act had nothing to do with their going to the Mass. To pay vows was sometimes God's commandment, and was never idolatry: but the Mass was from the beginning, and still remained odious idolatry. "Secondarily," said he, "I greatly doubt whether either James's commandment or Paul's obedience proceeded from the Holy Ghost...." After these and like reasonings, the Mass began to be abhorred by such as before had frequented it for the fashion, and for avoidance of slander, as then they termed it.