Chapter VI: Appendix (6)

THIS oure CONFESSIOUN was publictlie red, first in audience of the Lordis of Articles, and after in audience of the haill Parliament; whair war present, not onlie suche as professed Christ Jesus, but also a great number of the adversaries of our religioun, suche as the foirnamed Bishoppis, and some others of the Temporall Estate, who war commanded in Goddis name to object, yf thei could, any thing against that doctrine. Some of our Ministeris war present, standing upoun thair feit, reddye to have ansuered, in caise any wald haif defended the Papistrie, and impugned oure affirmatives: but whill that no objectioun was maid, thair was a day appointed to voting in that and other headis. Oure Confessioun was redd, everie article by itself, over agane, as thei war wryttin in ordour, and the vottis of everie man war requyred accordinglie. Of the Temporall Estate onlie voted in the contrair, the Erle of Atholl,[264] the Lordis Somervaill[265] and Borthwik;[266] and yit for thair disassenting thei produced no bettir reassone, but, "We will beleve as oure fatheris beleved." The Bischoppis, (Papisticall, we meane,) spack nothing. The rest of the haill thre Estaittis, by thair publict votes, affirmed the doctrine; and many, the rather, becaus that the Bischoppis wold nor durst say nothing in the contrair; for this was the vote of the Erle Merschell,[267]--"It is long since I have had some favour unto the trewth, and since that I have had a suspitioun of the Papisticall religioun; but, I praise my God, this day hes fully resolved me in the one and the other. For seing that my Lordis Bischoppis, who for thair learing can, and for the zeall that thei should bear to the veritie, wold, as I suppose, ganesay any thing that directlie repugnes to the veritie of God; seing, I say, my Lordis Bischoppis heir present speakis nothing in the contrair of the doctrine proponed, I can nott but hold it to be the verie trewth of God, and the contrarie to be deceavable doctrine. And thairfoir, so far as in me lyeth, I approve the one and dampne the other: And do farther ask of God, that not onlie I, but also all my posteritie, may enjoy the comforte of the doctrin that this day our earis have hearde. And yitt more, I man vote, as it war by way of protestatioun, that yf any persones ecclesiasticall shall after this oppone thame selfis to this our Confessioun, that thei have no place nor credite, considdering that thei having long advisement, and full knawledge of this oure Confessioun, none is now found in lauchfull, free, and quyete Parliament to oppone thame selfis to that whiche we professe: And thairfoir, yf any of this gencratioun pretend to do it after this, I protest he be repute rather one that loveth his awin commoditie and the glorie of the world, than the trewth of God, and the salvatioun of menis saullis."

[264] John Stewart, fourth Earl of Atholl. He succeeded his father in
1542. He enjoyed the favour of Queen Mary, and promoted her marriage
with Darnley. He afterwards joined in the Association, and signed the
warrant for the Queen's custody in Loch-Leven. In 1577, he became Lord
Chancellor of Scotland, and died 24th April 1579.

[265] James sixth Lord Somerville, succeeded to the title in 1550.
From Sadler's Correspondence it appears he was in England in 1543, as
a hostage for his father, who had been taken prisoner at Solway.
(State Papers, vol. i. pp. 182, 348.) His name occurs as signing the
Bond in April 1560: (see page 63.) It may be questioned, therefore,
whether Knox is quite correct in the names of the persons whom he
mentions as having openly opposed the Confession in Parliament. See in
the Appendix an extract from Randolph the English envoy's letter to
Sir William Cecil, on the 19th of August, in which he says, "of the
Temporal Lords, the Earl of Cassillis, and the Earl of Caithness, said
Noe; the rest of the Lords, with common consent, allowed the same."
(Tytler's Hist. of Scotland, vol. vi. p. 184, note.) Lord Sommerville,
who continued his adherence to the Queen's party, at the battle of
Langsyde, in May 1568, was severely wounded; and he died in the month
of December following.

[266] John fifth Lord Borthwick, in 1543, was served heir of his
father, William fourth Lord Borthwick, (his elder brother, the Master
of Borthwick, having died without issue.) He assisted the Queen Regent
in her contests with the Lords of the Congregation, and died in 1565.

[267] William Keith, fourth Earl Marischall, who succeeded his
grandfather in 1530. In 1541 he was appointed Extraordinary Lord of
Session. See vol. i. p. 251. note 2. He died 7th October 1581, having
spent many of his latter years in retirement, in his Castle of
Dunnottar.

After the voting and ratificatioun of this oure Confessioun, by the haill body of the Parliament, thair war also pronunced two Actis, the one against the Masse and the abuse of the Sacramentis, and the other against the Supreamacye of the Pape;[268] the tenouris whairof followis:--

[268] The Acts referred to were renewed in the Parliament, held by the
Regent Earl of Murray, in December 1567. There was likewise another
Act annulling all former Acts made for the maintenance of Idolatry, or
"contrary to the Confession of Fayth, published in this Parliament."
It was only by such ratifications that any proceedings of the
Parliament in 1560 were recorded. The Acts alluded to were republished
in a separate form, along with some of a subsequent date, connected
with Religion.--1st, in an edition "Imprintit at Edinburgh, be Johne
Ros, Anno Do. 1580," 4to; and 2dly, at "Edinburgh, prentit be Robert
Waldegrave," 1593, 4to.

THE ACT AGAINST THE MESSE.[269]

IN the Parliament haldin at Edinburgh, the tent of Julij, the year of God J^m fyve hundreth threscoir yearis, the said Parliament being continewed to the first of August nixt thairafter following, with continewatioun of dayis, upoun the twenty-four day of the said moneth of August, the Thre Estaitis then being present: The whiche day, forsamekle as Almychtie God be his maist trew and blessed worde, hes declaired the reverence and honour quhilk should be gevin to him: and, be his Sone Jesus Christ, has declaired the trew use of the Sacramentis, willing the same to be used according to his will and worde: Be the quhilk it is notour and perfitlie knawin that the Sacramentis of Baptisme and of the body and bloode of Jesus Christ, hes bene in all tymes bygane corrupted be the Papisticall Kirk, and be thair usurpit ministeris; and presentlie, notwithstanding the Reformatioun allreaddy maide according to Goddis worde, yit nottheless thair is some of the same Papis Kirk that stubburnelie perseveris in thair wicked idolatrie, sayand Messe, and Baptizand conforme to the Papis Kirk, prophanand thairthrow the Sacramentis foirsaidis, in quyett and secreatt places, regardand thairthrow nowther God nor his worde: Thairfoir it is statut and ordeaned in this present Parliament, that na maner of persone nor personis, in ony tyme cuming, administrat ony of the Sacramentis foirsaidis secreatlie, or ony other maner of way, but thei that ar admitted and havand power to that effect; nor say Messe, nor yit hear Messe, nor he present thairat, under the paine of confiscatioun of all thair goodis, [movabill and unmovabill,] and punisheing of thair bodyis at the discretioun of the Magistrattis, within whais jurisdiction sick personis happynnis to be apprehended, for the first fault; banisching of the Realme, for the secound fault; and justifieing to the dead, for the thrid falt: And ordainis all Schireffis, Stewartis, Bailleis, and thair deputtis, Provestis, and Bailleis of Burrowis, and otheris judges whatsumever, within this Realme, to taik diligent suyt and inquisitioun within thair boundis, whair ony sick usurped ministerie is used; Messe saying, or thei that beis present at the doing thairof, ratifeand and apprevand the samyn, and tack and apprehend thame, to the effect that the panis above wrettin may be execut upon thame.

_Extractum de libro Parliamenti, per me, etc._

(_Sic subscribitur_,)
JACOBUS M^CGILL.[270]

[269] The title in the Acts of Parliament 1567, is, "Anent the Messe
abolischit, and punisching of all that heiris or sayis the
samin.--Cap. v."

[270] Mr. James M^cGill, Clerk Register: see a subsequent note.

THE ACT FOR ABOLISHING THE JURISDICTIOUN OF THE PAPE.[271]

IN the Parliament haldin at Edinburgh, the tent day of Julij, the year of God J^m V^c lx yearis, and thairefter continewit to the first day of August nixt thairefter following, with continewatioun of dayes, upoun the xxiiij of the said moneth of August:[272] The thre Estaitis, then being present, understanding that the jurisdictioun and authoritie of the Bischope of Rome, callit the Pape, usit [with]in this Realme in tymes bypast, hes [not onlie bene contumelious to the Eternall God, but also] verry hurtsome and prejudiciall to our Soveranis authoritie, and commoun weall of this Realme: Thairfoir hes statut and ordainit, that the Bischope of Rome, [callit the Paip,] have na jurisdictioun nor authoritie [with]in this Realme in tymes cuming; and that nane of oure said Soveranis subjectis sute or desyre, in ony tyme heirefter, tytill or rycht, be the said Bischope of Rome or his sect, to ony thing within this Realme, under the panis of Barratrie; that is to say, proscriptioun, banishment, and never to bruik honour, office, nor dignitie within this Realme: And the contraveaneris heirof, to be callit befoir the Justice or his deputtis, or befoir the Lordis of the Sessioun, and punist thairfoir according to the lawis of this Realme: And the furnessaris of thame with fynance of money, and purchessaris of thair tytle of rycht, or manteaneris and defenderis of thame, sall incurr the samyn panis: And that na Bischope, nor uther Prelatt of this Realme, use ony jurisdictioun in tymes to cum, be the said Bischope of Rome's authoritie, under the paine foirsaid.

_Extractum, etc._

[271] The title in the Acts of Parliament 1567, is, "Anent the
abolissing of the Pape, and his usurpit authoritie.--Cap. iii."

[272] See note to the preceding Act, which was passed on the same day.

These and other thingis ordourlie done in lauchfull and free Parliament,[273] we direct to France, to our Soveranis, Sir James Sandelandis, Lord of Sanct Johne,[274] with the Actes of the said Parliament, that by thame thei mycht be ratifeid according to the promeisse of thair Heyghness Commissionaris maid to us, as by the Contract of Peace most evidentlie may appear. Bot how the said Lord of Sanct Johne was entreated we list nott reherse; but alwyis no Ratificatioun brought he unto us.[275] But that we litill regarded, or yit do regarde; for all that we did was rather to schaw our debtfull obedience, then to bege of thame any strenth to our Religioun, whiche from God hes full powar, and neideth nott the suffrage of man, but in so far as man hath neid to beleve it, yf that ever he shall have participatioun of the lyfe everlesting. But somewhat most we answer to suche as since hes whispered, that it was but a pretended Parliament and a privye conventioun, and no lauchfull Parliament. Thair reassonis ar, the King and Quene war in France; thair was neather sceptour, sweard, nor croune borne, &c., and some principall Lordis war absent. We answer, That we rather wishe the Papistis to be quyett, nor too curiouslie to travell in that head; for it may be, that whill thei think to hurte us, thei tack the Quene and hir authoritie a great blawe, and yitt amend thame selffis nothing. For in whose defalt, we pray yow, was the Quene absent frome this Realme? We think thei will not be so schameless as that thei will blame the Protestantis thairof. Her persone was absent, and [that] to no small greaff of our hartis. But war nott the Estaitis of hir Realme assembled in hir name? Yea, had thei nott hir full power and commissioun, yea, the commissioun and commandiment of hir head the King of France, to convocat that Parliament, and to do all thingis that may be done in lauchfull Parliament, evin as yf oure Soveranis had bene thair in proper personis? Yf thei will limitat the power of princes to the places onlie whair thair bodelye presence is, it will be thocht strange; for so not onlie shall Kingis be compellit to content thame with one Realme, but also with one citie; for the bodilie presence of Kingis can no more be in diverse cities in one instant, then that thei can be in diverse Realmes. Hitherto we haif understand, that whairsoever the Counsallouris of the King, with his power and commissioun, ar assembled to do any thing at his commandiment, that thair is the Kingis sufficient presence and authoritie, whairsoever his awin body be leving at fredome and libertie. Which, yf the Papistis deny, we will find faultis with thame, and with the princes whome thei have abused, that more will annoy thame then anything that we can lose by the insufficiencie of that Parliament; whiche not the less we ar bold to affirme, to have bene more lauchfull, and more free then any Parliament that thei ar able to produce this hundreth year befoir it, or yitt any that hath ensewed since it was; for in it, the votes of men war free, and gevin of conscience: in otheris thei war bought or gevin at the devotioun of the prince. All thingis in it concluded ar able to abyde the tryall, and nott to be consumed at the prufe of the fyre. Off otheris the godly may justly call in dowbt thingis determined.

[273] As already mentioned, no record of the proceedings of this
Parliament in August 1560, was included in any of the printed
collections of the Public Statutes, until Mr. Thomson restored the
three Acts, (see page 123, note 1,) along with the Confession of
Faith, in his edition of Acta Parl. Scot., vol. ii. pp. 525-535. An
abstract of the proceedings was furnished to Bishop Keith, by Father
Innes, from Archbishop Beaton's MSS. in the Scots College, Paris: a
copy of this abstract will be given in the Appendix, along with the
extract of Randolph's letter, mentioned at page 121, note 2.

[274] James Sandilands, second son of Sir James Sandilands of Calder,
(see vol. i. page 301,) became Preceptor of Torphichen, (ib. page
249,) and in virtue of this office, under the title of Lord St. John,
he had a seat in Parliament. He was employed in several embassies; and
with the rest of his family he joined the Reformers; this mission to
France shews the estimation in which he was held. Having obtained a
grant of the possessions of the Knights Templars and Hospitallers in
Scotland in 1563, the same were erected into a Free Barony or a
Temporal Lordship, in his favour, by Queen Mary, as Lord Torphichen;
and he relinquished his former title of Lord St. John. See the copy of
the Charter, dated 24th January 1563-4, with several interesting
notices regarding the Templar Lands and Dignities, by Mr. Maidment, in
the Spottiswoode Miscellany, (vol. ii. pp. 17-32,) Edinb. 1845, 8vo.
James Lord Torphichen, died 29th November 1596, leaving no issue, and
his estates and title devolved on his grand-nephew, James Sandilands
of Calder.

[275] See note 1, page 131.

To the sweard and sceptour, nor yitt to the absence of some Lordis, we ansuere nothing; for oure adversaries know weall yneuche that the one is rather a pompe and gloriouse vane ceremonye, than a substantiall point of necessitie, requyred to a lauchfull Parliament; and the absence of some prejudges nott the poweris of the present, providing that dew advertisement be made unto thame. But now we returne to oure Historye.

THE Parliament dissolved, consultatioun was had, how the Kirk mycht be establissed in a good and godlie Policy, whiche by the Papistes was altogether defaced. Commissioun and charge was gevin to Mr. Johne Winram[276] Suppriour of Sanctandrois, Maister Johne Spottiswoode, Johne Willok, Mr. John Douglas Rectour of Sanctandrois, Maister Johne Row, and Johne Knox, to draw in a volume the Polecey and Disciplyn of the Kirk, as weill as thei had done the Doctrin; whiche thei did and presented to the Nobilitie, who did peruse it many dayis. Some approved it, and willed the samyn have bene sett furth be a law. Otheris, perceaving thair carnall libertie and worldlie commoditie somewhat to be impaired thairby grudged, insomuche that the name of the Book of Discipline became odious unto thame. Everie thing that repugned to thair corrupt affectionis, was termed in thair mockage, "devote imaginationis." The caus we have befoir declaired; some war licentious; some had greadelie gripped to the possessionis of the Kirk; and otheris thought that thei wald nott lack thair parte of Christis coat; yea, and that befoir that ever he was hanged, as by the Preachearis thei war oft rebuked. The cheaf great man that had professed Christ Jesus, and refuissed to subscrive the Book of Discipline, was the Lord Erskyn;[277] and no wonder, for besydis that he has a verray Jesabell to his wyffe, yf the poore, the schooles, and the ministerie of the Kirk had thair awin, his keching wald lack two parttis and more, of that whiche he injustlie now possesses. Assuredlye some of us have woundered how men that professe godlynes could of so long continewance hear the threatnyngis of God against theavis and against thair housses, and knowing thame selfis guyltie in suche thingis, as war openlie rebucked, and that thei never had remorse of conscience, neather yitt intended to restore any thingis of that, whiche long thei had stollen and reft. Thair was none within the Realme more unmercyfull to the poore Ministeris then war thei whiche had greatest rentis of the Churches. But in that we have perceaved the old proverbe to be trew, "Nothing can suffice a wreche;" and agane, "The bellie hes none earis." Yitt the same Book of Discipline was subscrived by a great parte of the Nobilitie: to witt, the Duckis Grace, the Erle of Arrane, the Erles Ergyle, Glencarne, Merschall, Menteth, Mortoun, Rothes, Lord James, now Erle of Murray; Lordis Yester, Boyd, Vchiltree; Maister of Maxwell,[278] Lord Lyndesay elder, and the Maister now Lord;[279] Baronis Drumlanryg, Lochinwar, Garleise, Bargany; Mr. Alexander Gordoun Byschop of Galloway, Alexander Campbell Deane of Murray, with a great number mo, subscrived and approved the said Book of Discipline,[280] in the Tolbuyth of Edinburgh, the twenty-sevin day of Januare, the year of God J^m V^c threscoir yearis, by thair approbatioun, in these wordis:--

[276] In Knox's MS. 1566, the names of Winram and Douglas are added on
the margin, apparently in his own hand; in the text being simply
styled, "_the_ Suppriour," &c., and "_the_ Rectour," &c., "the," being
afterwards deleted. In Vautr. edit., and the later MSS., the names are
introduced into the text. The transcriber of MS. G, has, however,
omitted the name of "John Willok," as one of the compilers of the Book
of Discipline.

[277] This charge of avarice was made against John Lord Erskine,
afterwards Earl of Mar, and Regent of Scotland; who had married
Annabella Murray, eldest daughter of Sir William Murray of
Tullibardine, and Catherine, daughter of Sir Duncan Campbell of
Glenurchy.

[278] In MS. G, "Maister of Maxwell, thairefter Lord Herise." Sir John
Maxwell, in virtue of his marriage with the eldest daughter and
co-heiress of William third Lord Herries, assumed that title in 1567.

[279] John fifth Lord Lindesay of Byres, died in 1563, and was
succeeded by his eldest son Patrick, Master of Lindesay.

[280] Upon comparing this list of names with the signatures attached
to the Book of Discipline, it will be seen that Knox's amanuensis has
unfortunately copied them only in part, as the names of the Earls of
Marischal, Monteith, and Morton, and a few others here specified, are
not given. See the end of Book Third, in the present volume.

"WE quhilk have subscrivit thir presentis, havand advised with the Articles herein specified, and as is above mentionat, from the begyning of this Book, thinkis the samyn goode, and conforme to Goddis word in all poyntis, conforme to the notes and additionis thairto eikked; and promittis to sett the same fordwarte at the uttermost of oure poweris, providing that the Bischoppis, Abbottis, Priouris, and utheris Prelattis and beneficed men, quhilkis ellis have adjoyned thameselfis to us, bruik the revenues of thair benefices during thair lyfetymes, thei susteanyng and upholding the Ministerie and Ministeris, as is heirin specified, for preaching of the worde, and ministring of the sacramentis."

What be the contentis of the haill Book, and how that this promeise was illuded frome tyme to tyme, we will after hear.

* * * * *

Schort after the said Parliament, war send from the counsall Ambassadouris to England, the Erles Mortoun and Glencarne, togidder with William Maitland of Lethingtoun youngare. The cheaf poynt of thair commissioun was earnestlie to crave the constant assistance of the Quenis Majestie of England, against all forane invasioun, and to propone the Earle of Arrane (who then was in no small estimatioun with us) to the Quene of England in mariage.[281]

[281] In the Acta Parl. Scot., vol. ii. p. 605, "The Commission of the
Estates to move Queene Elizabeth of England to tak the Erle of Arran
to hir husband," in August 1560, is inserted, with the signatures,
from the original, preserved among the Hamilton archives. This
Commission authorized "that honorable personis be sent in ambassat fra
and on behalf of the Estates." The ambassadors, the Earls of Morton
and Glencairn, and Maitland of Lethington, set out from Edinburgh,
accompanied with fifty-four horse, on the 11th or 12th October 1560.
(Diurnal of Occurrents, p. 62.) They returned on the 3d of January
1560-61. (Ib. pp. 63, 281.)

That same tyme was the Castell of Sempill[282] besieged and tane, because the Lord thairof disobeyed the lawes and ordinances of the Counsall in many thingis, and especiallie in that, that he wold manteane the idolatrie of the Messe, and also that he besett the way to the Erle of Arrane, with a great gathering, as he was ryding with his accustumed companye.

[282] "My Lord Duke and the Earl of Arrane, his son, on the 24th
September 1560, departit to cast doun my Lord Sempills hous;" and on
the 14th October, "the Castell of Sempill was tane be my Lord Duke."
(Diurnal of Occurrents, pp. 62, 63.)

Castle Semple is in the parish of Lochwinnoch, and county of Renfrew, and stood at the northern end of the lake called Lochwinnoch, from which the parish derived its name: it was demolished in the year 1735, and replaced by a modern mansion.

The Papistis war proude, for thei looked for ane new armye from France at the nixt spring, and thairof was thair no small appearance, yf God had not otherwyse provided. For France utterlie refused the confirmatioun of the peace contracted at Leyth, wald ratifie no parte of oure Parliament, dismissed the Lord of Sanct Johne without any resolute ansure,[283] begane to gather new bandis of throte-cuttaris, and to maik great preparatioun for schippes. Thei farther send befoir thame certane practisaris (amonges whome the Lord Seatoun,[284] who had departed with the Frenche out of Leyth was one) to rouse up new trubles within this Realme. And all this came partlie of the malice of the house of Gwise, who had avowed to revenge the displeasour of thair sister, boyth upoun England and Scotland, and partlie by instigatioun of proud Beatoun, falslie called Bischope of Glasgu, of Dury, Abbot of Dumfermeling, Saulles Seatoun,[285] and Mr. John Sinklar, Dene of Restarick,[286] with suche utheris of the Frenche factioun,[287] who had openlie spokin, that thei had refused all portioun of Scotland, onless that it war under the government of a Frenche man. "Recompense thame, O Lord, as thou knowest maist expedient for thy awin glorie, and for the perpetuall schame of all tratouris to thair commoun-wealth."

[283] The journey of Lord St. John seems to have been delayed for
nearly a month after the dissolution of Parliament. Robert Melville,
who was to have accompanied him, addressed a letter to the Lady
Cecill, on the 21st September, in which he says, "quhilk journay is
alterit, and thought mare expedient that my Lord of Senjhone pass in
France, quhaire I daire not go at this tyme. Seeing my Lord is
desirous to offer his service untoyour Ladyship," &c. (Haynes's State
Papers, p. 362.)--"Upoun the xxiij day of September, the zeir of God
1560 zeiris, James Lord of Sanctjohne was directit as ambassadour, and
departit to France, throw the Realme of Ingland, to obtane
eonfirmatioun of the Quenis grace of this Realme, and hir Spouse,
upoun the Actis maid of the Parliament foirsaid." (Diurnal of
Occurrents, pp. 62, 280.) The same authority states, that on the 19th
December, "James Lord Sanctjohne come furth of France to Edinburgh,
and obtenit little or nathing of his errands expeid." (ib. p. 281.)

[284] George sixth Lord Seaton, was one of the Commissioners sent to
France in 1558, at the marriage of Queen Mary. On the Queen's return
to Scotland, he was appointed Master of the Household, and remained
attached to her in all her misfortunes.

[285] So in the different MSS.; but it may be suggested, whether the
name is not a mistake for the Abbot of Sauls Seat, (_Sedes Avimarum_,)
in Wigtonshire.

[286] In MS. G, "Restalrig."--Sinclair's name is added on the margin
of MS. 1566.

[287] The persons of the French faction here named, have been
previously mentioned by Knox, viz. James Beaton, Archbishop of
Glasgow, (vol. i. p. 252, note 2,) who survived till the year 1603;
George Durie, Abbot of Dunfermline, (vol. i. p. 183, note 2); and John
Sinclair, Dean of Restalrig, (vol. i. p. 265, note 2,) became Bishop
of Brechin in 1563. See _infra_, p. 141. Beaton and Seaton arrived at
Paris on the 3d of August. (Tytler's Hist. vol. vi. p. 176.)

[Sidenote: THE DEATH OF THE YONG KING OF FRANCE, HUSBAND TO OUR JESABELL.]

The certane knowledge of all these thingis came to our earis, whairat many war effrayed; for diverse suspected that England wald nott be so fordwarde in tymes to cum, considering that thair formar expensses war so great. The principall conforte remaned with the preacheouris; for thei assured us in Goddis name, that God should performe in all perfectioun that worke in our handis, the begyning whairof he had so mychtelie mainteaned, becaus it was not ouris, but his awin; and thairfoir exhorted us that we should constantlie proceid to reforme all abuses, and to plant the ministerie of the Churche, as by Goddis word we mycht justifie it, and then committ the successe of all to our God, in whose power the dispositioun of kingdomes standis. And so we begane to do, for troubles appearing, maid us give ear to the admonitionis of Goddis servandis. And whill that we had skarslie begune agane to implore the helpe of our God, and to schaw some signes of our obedience unto his messingeris, and holy worde, lo! the potent hand of God from above send unto us a wonderfull and most joyfull deliverance: For unhappy Francis, husband to our Soverane, suddandlie perissheth of a rottin ear. But becaus the death of that child was nott onlie the cause of joy to us in Scotland, but also by it war the faythfull in France delivered, as it ware, from the present death, we think expedient to entreat the same somewhat more largelie.

[Sidenote: CORRECTED BE MR. GEORGE.][288]

[288] There can be little doubt that by "Mr. George," we are to
understand Mr. GEORGE BUCHANAN. He was in France at the time of the
King's death, and it is highly probable he may not only have furnished
Knox with the information contained in this paragraph, but also have
supplied him with the translation of the Latin verses on page 136. The
style of this version corresponds so much with the prose writings and
the few letters of Buchanan written in his native tongue, as to
warrant this ascription: but in either case, whether translated by
Buchanan or Knox, these lines may be esteemed a literary curiosity.
Buchanan returned to Scotland about the same time with Mary Queen of
Scots, in the summer or autumn of 1561.

These cruell and conjured ennemyes of God, and of all godlynes, the Duck of Gwyse, the Cardinall of Lorane, and thair factioun, who then at thair awin appetite plaide the tyrantis in France, had determined the destructioun[289] of all that professed the trew knowledge of Jesus Christ within that Realme. What tyranny laite befoir thei had used at Amboyse, the historie of France doth witness. Now, in Orleance, in the moneth of November, conveyned the King, unhappie Francis, the Quene oure Soverane, and the Quene Mother, the Duck of Gweise, with all his factioun, the King of Navar, and the Prince his brother.[290] So that great was the confluence of the Nobilitie; but greater was the assemblie of the murtheraris; for thair was nott a hangman in all France whiche was nott thair. The preasonis ware full of the trew servandis of God: the King of Navar and the Prince war constitut preasonaris. The Schereff of Orleance, a man fearing God, was tackin, and so war many otheris of the toune. Breiflie, thair was none that professed God or godlyness within that toune, that looked nott for the extreamitie; for the walles and yettis war nycht and day keapt with tha garnysonis of the Gwysianes: miserable men war dalie browght in to suffer judgement, but none was suffered to departe furth butt at the devotioun of the tyrantis. And so thei proceided till the tent or twelft[291] of December, when that thei thowght tyme to putt thair bloody counsall in executioun, and for that purpoise conclusioun was tackin that the King should departe of the toune, and lye at a certane place; whiche was done to this intent, that thair should no suyte be maid to the King for the saiftie of any manis lyfe, whome thei thowght worthy of death. And so was the Kingis house in Orleance broken up, his beddis, cofferis, and tapistree sent away; his awin buttis putt on, he sitting at the Messe, immediatlie thairafter to have departed, and so thair tyrannie to have begune,--when all thingis, we say, war into this readdyness to sched the bloode of innocentis, the Eternall, our God, who ever watches for the preservatioun of his awin, begane to work, and suddandlie did put his awin werk in executioun. For as the said King satt at Messe, he was suddandlie strikkin with ane aposthume, in that deaf eare that never wald hear the treuth of God; and so was he caryed to ane void house, layd upoun a palliase unto suche tyme as a cannabie was sett up unto him; whair he lay till the fyftene day of December, in the year of God J^m V^c threscoir yearis,[292] when his glorie perished, and the pryde of the stubburne heart evanished in smok. And so was the snare brokin, the tyrantis disappoynted of thair crueltye; those that war appointed to death rased, as it war out of thair graves; and we, who by our foolischnes had maid our selves slaves to strangearis, war restored agane to freedome and libertie of a free Realme.

[289] The account here given is not exaggerated, as the French
Protestants were subjected to fearful persecutions, and the number of
persons brought to the stake on account of religion, from time to
time, would scarcely be credited, unless for the undeniable testimony
of contemporary writers. The sudden death of Francis the Second, had
undoubtedly the effect of preventing some intended atrocities against
the Reformed party in France.

[290] A blank space of about two lines left here in MS. 1566, as if to
insert some additional names.

[291] See next page, note 2.

[292] The date here assigned for the death of the French monarch, is
incorrect. He died on the 5th, not the 15th of December 1560,
(although Mezeray, the French historian, says it was on the 4th of
that month,) after a short reign of sixteen months and twenty-four
days, in the 17th year of his age.

"Oh! that we had heartis deaplie to considder what ar thy wonderouse workis, O Lord, that we mycht praise Thee in the myddest of this most obstinat and wicked generatioun, and leave the memoriall of the same to oure posterities, whiche, allace, we fear, shall forget thy inestimable benefites." The godlie in France, upoun this suddane death, sett furth in these verses ane admonitioun to Kingis:--

AD HUJUS TEMPORIS MONARCHAS PROTREPTICON CARMEN.[293]

Consiliis Christum oppugnans et fraudibus, ingens
Regum ille terror Carolus:
Ipsis ridiculis pueris, furiosus, et excors,
Totus repente corruit.
Tuque Henrice, malis dum consultoribus utens,
Sitis piorum sanguinem:
Ipse tuo vecors, inopina, cæde peremptus
Terram imbuisti sanguine.
Henrici deinceps, sectans vestigia patris
Franciscus infoelix puer,
Clamantem Christum surda dum negligit aure,
Aure putrefacta corruit.
Versuti, fatui, surdi, hæc spectacula, Reges,
Vos sapere vel mori jubent.

[293] The writer of these verses is unknown. They occur in an
anonymous work, containing much curious and important matter relating
to the state of Religion in France, entitled, "Commentaires de l'Estat
de la Religion et Republique soubs les Rois Henry et Francois seconds,
et Charles neufieme. (1556-1561.)--M.D.LXV." 8vo. foll. 262. The above
"Vers Latins faicts sur la mort du Roy Francois," are thus introduced
at fol. 100:

"Non long temps apres furent divulguez quelques vers Latins faicts sur
la mort dudict Roy Francois, du Roy Henry son pere, et de l'Empereur
Charles cinquieme, qui m'ont semblé estre dignes de memoire, et
d'estre conservez a la posterité: lesquels pourtant i'ay voulu icy
adiouster, la superscription estant telle qu'il s'ensuit ey apres.

"AD HVIVS TEMPORIS
προτρεπτικον
Monarchas προτρεπτικον Carmen.

_Consiliis Christum oppugnans," &c._

There is a similar work entitled, "Commentariorum de Statu Religionis
et Reipublicæ in Regno Franciæ, Pars I-V." by Joannes Serranus, a
learned divine. The author of the "Commentaires," was Peter de la
Place, an eminent lawyer, whom Henry the Second had appointed King's
Advocate and President of the Court of Aids, in Paris. In 1560, he
openly avowed himself a Protestant, which obliged him to leave Paris,
and in the troubles that followed, his library and effects were
pillaged or destroyed; and he himself eventually became one of the
victims in the atrocious massacre of the Protestants on the eve of St.
Bartholomew, 25th August 1572.

THE MEANYNG WHAIROF IS, THAT CHARLES--

KYNGE CHARLES that tyrane terrible,
Withstanding Christ with witt and craft,
As mocking stock most miserable,
Endit at ones ragine and daft.[294]
Then Henrie through evill cumpany,
Thristing the blood of godlie men,
With his awin blood, schedd suddantlie,
Was maid to wait the end ye ken.[295]
Last, Francis, that unhappie child,
His Father's footsteps following plane,
To Christ crying, deafe eares did yeild,
Ane rotten eare then was his baine.
O craftie, deif, and foolische Kyngs,
These fearfull judgments gone befoir you,
Biddeth you be wyser in your reignes,
Or schamefull death will sone devoir you.

[294] The Emperor Charles the Fifth, and King of Spain. After having
abdicated his throne to his son Philip the Second, in October 1555, he
took up his retreat in the convent of St. Just, in the Province of
Estramadura, in Spain. The change from an active life, and his
mortified ambition, led to acts of fantastic devotion, which betrayed
a weakness of understanding. He died 21st September 1558.

[295] Henry the Second, King of France. His death, on the 10th July
1559, is previously mentioned by Knox: see vol. i. p. 371.

The death of this King maid great alteratioun in Fraunce, England, and Scotland. France was erected in some esperance, that the tyranny of the Gwysianis should no longar ring above thame, becaus that God at unwares had brokin the staff whairupoun thei leaned. But, allace, thei war deceaved: for the simplicitie of some was so abused, that, against the lawes of the Realme, to the Quene Mother was committed regiment: which lifted up asweill the Duck of Gwyse, as the cruell Cardinall for a seassone.

The Quene of England and the Counsall, remitted our Ambassadouris with answer, "That sche wald nott marye hastelye, and, thairfoir, willed the Counsall of Scotland, and the Erle of Arrane, foirsaid, nott to depend upoun any hope thairof."[296] What motives she had, we omitt.

[296] This projected alliance with Elizabeth was the chief object, as
mentioned at page 130, for which the Parliament had sent ambassadors
to the Court of England. This scheme being thus frustrated, the death
of Francis the Second suggested a similar alliance with Queen Mary.

The pryde of the Papists of Scotland begane to be abated, and some that ever had schawin thame selfis ennemyes unto us, begane to think, and planelie to speak, (amanges whom the auld Schiref of Ayr[297] was one,) that thei perceaved God to feght for us. The Erle of Arrane him self did more patientlie abyd the repulse of the Quene of England, becaus that he was nott altogitther without hope that the Quene of Scotland bare unto him some favour. And so he wrait unto her, and send for credite a ryng, whiche the said Quene our Soverane knew well yneuch. The letter and ring war baith presented to the Quene, and of her receaved. Answer was returned to the said Erle, after the whiche he maid no farther persuyte in that mater: and yitt, not the less, he bare it heavelie in harte,[298] and more heavelie then many wold have wissed.

[297] Sir Hugh Campbell of Loudon, heritable Sheriff of the county of
Ayr, had succeeded his father, Sir Hugh, in the year 1508. He survived
till February 1561-2. His son and successor, Sir Matthew Campbell, was
a zealous and decided supporter of the Reformation.

[298] The disappointment that attended his overtures of marriage with
Queen Mary, seems to have preyed on the Earl of Arran's spirits, and
before long to have unfitted him for all public employment.

* * * * *

The certaintie of the death foirsaid was signified unto us both by sea and land. By sea receaved Johnne Knox (who then had great intelligence both with the churches,[299] and some of the Courte of France) letteris, that the King was mortallye seak, and could nott weall eschap the death. Which letteris receaved, that same day at afternoon, he passed to the Duckis Grace, to his awin ludging at the Kirk of Feild,[300] [with] whome he fand the Lord James in conference togitther, (the Erle of Arrane was in Jedburgh,) to whome he opened such newis as he had receaved, and willed thame to be of good conforte; for, said he, the advertissare never hes yitt abused me: it is the same gentilman that first gave us knawledge of the slauchter of Hary King of France; and shew unto thame the letter, but wold nott expresse the manis name. Whill thei war reassonying in diverse purposes; and he upoun the one parte conforting thame, and thei upoun the other parte conforting him, (for he was in no small heaviness be reassone of the late death of his dear bedfellow, Marjorie Bowis,)[301] whill (we say) thei three war familiarlie commonyng togetther, thair came a messinger from the Lord Grey,[302] furth of Berwick, with letteris, assuring him of the death of the King of France. Which devulgat and noysed abrode, a generall Conventioun of the haill Nobilitie was appointed to be holdin at Edinburgh the fyvetene[303] day of Januare following, in the whiche the Booke of Discipline was perused newlie oure agane, for some pretended ignorance, be reassone thei had not heard it.

[299] In MS. G, "the Kyrk."

[300] The Kirk of Field was the name usually given to the Collegiate
Church of St. Mary in the Fields, Edinburgh. It stood on the site of
the College; and was the scene, as related in Book Fifth, of Darnley's
Murder in 1566.

[301] In MS. G, she is erroneously named "Marie Bowes;" her death took
place towards the end of December 1560.

[302] Lord Grey de Wilton: see _supra_, p. 65.

[303] In MS. G, "the fyft day." The 5th was a Sunday; the 15th
Wednesday.

[Sidenote: AND AFTER WAS MADE BYSCHOPE OF ROSS.]

In that assemblie was Maister Alexander Andersone, sub-principall of Abirdene,[304] a man more subtill and craftye then ather learned or godlie, called, who refused to dispute in his fayth, abusing a place of Tertulliane to cloik his ignorance. It was ansuered unto him, That Tertulliane should nott prejudge the authoritie of the Holy Ghost, who, by the mouth of Peter, commandis us to geve reassone for our faith to everie one that requires the same of us. It was farther answered, That we neather required him neather yitt any man to dispute in any pointe concernyng our fayth, whiche was grounded upoun Godis word, and fully expressed within his holy Scriptures; for all that we belevit without contraversie. But we required of him, as of the rest of Papistis, that thei wald suffer thair doctrin, constitutionis, and ceremonies to come to tryall; and principallie, that the Messe, and the opinioun thairof by thame taught unto the people, mycht be laid to the squair-reull of Goddis worde, and unto the rycht institutioun of Jesus Christ, that thei mycht understand whither that thair Preacheris offended or nott, in that, that thei affirmed, "The actioun of the Messe to be expressedlye repugnyng unto the last Supper of the Lord Jesus; the sayar of it to committ horrible blasphemye, in usurping upoun him the office of Christ; the hearars to committ damnable idolatrie, and the opinioun of it conceaved to be derogatioun, and as it war, disanulling of Christis death." Whill that the said Maister Alexander denyed that the preast took upoun him Christis office, to offer for syne, as was alledged, a Messe book was produced, and in the begyning of the Canon war these wordis redd: _Suscipe, Sancta Trinitas, hanc oblationem, quam ego indignus peccator offero tibi vivo Deo et vero, pro peccatis meis, pro peccatis totius Ecclesiæ vivorum et mortuorum, &c._[305] "Now, (said the reasonare,) yf to offer for the synnes of the haill Kirk was nott the office of Christ Jesus, yea, that office that to him onlie mycht, and may apparteane, lett the Scripture judge. And yf a vyle knave, whome ye call the preast, proudlie tackis the same upoun him, lett your awin hook witnesse." The said Maister Alexander ansuered, "Christ offered the propitiatorie, and that could nane do but he; but we offer the remembrance." Whairto it was ansuered, "We praise God, that ye have denyed a sacrifice propitiatorie to be in the Masse; and yet we offer to prove, that in mo then a hundreth places of your Papisticall Doctouris, this propositioun is affirmed, 'The Messe is a sacrifice propitiatorie.' But, to the secound parte, whair ye allege that ye offer Christ in remembrance, we ask, first, Unto whome do ye offer him? and nixt, By what authoritie are ye assured of weall-doing? In God the Father, thair fallis no oblivioun: and yf ye will yitt schift and say, That ye offer it nott as God war forgetfull, but as willing to apply Christis merittis to his Churche; we demand of you, What power and commandiment ye have so to do? We know that our Maister, Christ Jesus, commanded his Apostles to do that whiche he did 'in remembrance of him;' but plane it is, that Christ took bread, gave thankis, braik bread, and gave it to his disciples, saying, 'Tak ye, eat ye; this is my body whiche is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me,' &c. Here we fynd a commandiment to tak, to eat, to tak and to drink; but to offer Christis body eather for remembrance or applicatioun, we fynd not: and thairfoir, we say, to tack upoun you ane office which is nott gevin unto you, is injust usurpatioun, and no lauchfull power." The said Maister Alexander being more then astonished, wold have schifted; but then the Lordis willed him to ansuer directlie. Whairto he ansured, "That he was better seane in philosophie, then in theologie." Then was commanded Maister Johne Leslie, (who then was Parsone of Une, and now Lord Abbote of Londoris,)[306] to ansuer to the formare argument: and he with grait gravitie begane to answer, "Yf our Maister have nothing to say to it, I have nothing; for I knaw nothing but the Cannoun Law: and the greatest reassone that ever I could fynd thair, is _Nolumus_ and _Volumus_." And yitt we understand that now he is the onlie patrone of the Messe. But it is no mervall, for he understoode that he is a Preastis gett; and thairfoir we should nott wonder albeit that the auld trowane verse be trew, _Patrem sequitur sua proles_. The Nobilitie hearing that neather the one nor the other wold ansure directlie, said, "We have bene miserable deceaved heirtofoir; for yf the Messe may not obteane remissioun of synnes to the quick and to the dead, whairfoir war all the Abacyes so richelie doted with oure temporall landis?"

[304] Mr. Alexander Anderson, parson of Methlik, and vicar of Kinkell,
was appointed Principal of King's College, Aberdeen, in the year 1530.
The General Assembly having appointed a visitation of the College in
1568, Anderson, with the Sub-Principal, and three of the Regents or
Professors, were summoned "as very obstinate Papists," and having
refused to subscribe the Confession of Faith, and the Acts 1560, and
1567, they were deposed by order of the Lord Regent and Council, the
sentence being pronounced by John Erskine of Dun, Superintendent of
Angus and Mearns, 30th June 1569. (Calderwood's Hist. vol. ii. p. 491;
Booke of the Kirk, vol. i. pp. 141-143.)

Bishop Lesley, who was personally concerned in the disputation
mentioned by Knox, says, the Lords of the Congregation, (in the winter
of 1560,) "Causit summone sindrie of the best learnit men out of all
the partes of the Realme to cum to Edinburgh, to gif reasone of thair
faith and professione of thair religeoune. Amangis the quhilkis thair
was causit to compeir furth of the Universitie of Aberdene, Mr. John
Leslye, Official of Aberdene, licentiat in boith the lawis, Mr.
Alexander Anderson Principal of the College, Professor of Theologie,
and sindrie utheris." He adds, that after "very sharpe and hard
disputations," with Knox, Willock, and Goodman, "nothing was
concludit, for everie ane of thame remanit constant in thair awin
professione." (Hist. p. 293.)

[305] That is, "Holy Trinity, accept this oblation, which I, an
unworthy sinner, present to thee the living and true God for my own
sins, and for the sins of the whole Church of the quick and the dead,"
&c.

[306] A short notice of Lesley, Bishop of Ross, will be given in the
Appendix, under the head of Abbots of Lundores. But here it may be
mentioned, that the words in the margin, "AND AFTER WAS MADE BYSCHOPE
OF ROSS," are written in a different hand, (most likely by Knox
himself,) and clearly posterior to the rest of the page. By attending
therefore to the dates of Lesley's successive appointments, this
serves to fix the period when this portion of the History was written
to the earlier part of the year 1566.

[Sidenote: THE LYEING DEANE OF RESTALRIG CALLED SYNCLARE.][307]

[307] This marginal note occurs in no other copy; and the words "now
to affirme," were evidently written during Sinclair's life; and along
with the similar mention of the Dean of Restalrig, in the Author's
emphatic terms, "as a perfect hypocrite," (vol. i. p. 265,) it
corroborates the supposition that the greater portion of this MS. must
have been written in the year 1566. It will be seen from the footnotes
on the passage referred to, that Mr. John Sinclair, Dean of Restalrig,
was promoted to the See of Brechin in 1563, and became President of
the Court of Session, 13th November 1565. He died at Edinburgh, 9th
April 1566.

Thus much we thocht good to insert here, becaus that some Papistis ar nott eschamed now to affirme, That thei with thair reassonis could never be hearde; but that all that we did, we did by fyn force; when that the haill Realme knawis, that we ever requyred thame to speak thair judgmentis freelie, not onlie promissing unto thame protectioun and defense, but also that we should subscrive with thame, yf thei by Goddis Scriptures could confute us, and by the same word establisse thair assertionis. "But who can correct the leasingis of such as in all thingis schaw thame selves the sones of the Father of all lyes. Preserve us, Lord, from that perverst and malitious generatioun. AMEN."

* * * * *

AT this same Assemblie was the Lord James appoynted to go to France to the Quene oure Soverane;[308] and a Parliament was appointed to begyn the twenty of Maij nixt following; for at that tyme was the returne of the said Lord James looked for. And so was that Conventioun dissolved without any other thing of importance concluded. The said Lord James prepared him for his jornay; (for albeit he past in the publict effairis, he susteaned the charge of his awin expensses; and yit thair never past fra this Realme in the cumpanye of one man so many, and so honest, throwght England to France.) Befoir he departed, he was foirwarned asweill of the danger in France, as of the Quenis craft, (not that we then suspected her nature, but that we understoode the malice of hir freindis:) he was planelie premonisshed, that yf ever he condiscended that sche should have Messe publictlie or privatlie within the Realme of Scotland, that then betrayed he the caus of God, and exponed the religioun evin to the uttermoist danger that he could do. That sche should have Messe publictlie, he affirmed that he should never consent: but to have it secreatlie in hir chalmer, who could stopp hir? The danger was schawin; and so he departed.

[308] Lord James Stewart was appointed to repair to Queen Mary, by the
Convention, 15th January 1560-1. Chalmers is undoubtedly correct when
he says, he had no authority, to persuade the Queen to return to
Scotland. (Life of Queen Mary, vol. iii. p. 141.) But Lord James, as
we are informed by Randolph, was in no hurry to depart "till he see
what will be done at the ensuing Parliament." (Ib.) In a letter to
Cecil, 7th February 1560-1, he desires a passport, "being ordered by
the Nobility and Council, to our Sovereign, for declaration of our
duty and devotion to her Highness." (Ib.) He left Edinburgh, on his
way to France, 18th March, passing through England, where he was well
entertained, and reached the town of Diziers, where Queen Mary was
residing, on the 15th April 1561. (Bishop Lesley's History, p. 294.)

* * * * *

The Electioun of the Superintendentis heirefter followed in this maner:[309]--

[309] In the MS. 1566, of Knox's History, several blank pages occur
after these words; but the deficiency, consisting of the "Forme and
Order of the Election of Superintendents," &c., (ending at page 150 of
the present volume,) has been supplied from the Glasgow MS., collated
with a copy annexed to "The Ordour of Excommunication," &c., subjoined
to an edition of the Psalms and Prayers, printed at Edinburgh, by
Robert Charteris, 1596. It is also included in the "Collection of
Confessions of Faith," &c., vol. ii. p. 625, Edinb. 1722. The Editor
says, he has printed it according to an edition by Robert Lekprevik
1569; and that "it differs little from the ordinary copies that are
printed with the old Psalms, but in the manner of spelling of words."

The Editor of the Collection of Confessions, thus mentions the Order
of Election of Elders and Deacons: "It is uncertain when this was
written; but it is in the Manuscript copy of Knox's History, which is
in the College Library of Glasgow, and is printed at Edinburgh, with
other publick papers, by Robert Lekprevik, Anno 1569, according to
which this edition is printed. It is approved by the General Assembly,
April 1582, Sess. 12, in these words,--'Concerning ane General Ordor
of Admission to the Office of Eldaris, referris it to the Ordor usit
at Edinburgh, quhilk we approve.'"

The Admonition or prayer at the end, (see page 154,) in its reference
to the King and Regent, apparently fixes the date to the year 1568.

. . . . . .

THE FORME AND ORDOUR OF THE ELECTIOUN OF THE SUPERINTENDENTS, QUHILK MAY SERVE ALSO IN ELECTIOUN OF ALL UTHER MINISTERS. AT EDINBURGHE THE 9TH OF MERCHE 1560[310] YEIRIS, JOHNE KNOX BEING MINISTER.[311]

[310] That is, 9th March 1560-1.

[311] In some copies, "Moderator."

FIRST was made a Sermone, in the quhilk thir Heids war intreated. First, The necessity of Ministers and Superintendents. 2. The crymes and vyces that micht unable thame [of the ministrie]. 3. The vertues required in thame. And last, Quhidder sick as by publict consent of the Kyrk wer callit to sick Office, micht refuis the same.