In the same a.s.sembly, there was presented a remonstrance by writ, by some gentlemen of Kyle, containing in effect, That inasmuch as the Tythes ought to be given only to the Ministers of the Word, and Schools, and for maintenance of the poore, that therefore the a.s.sembly would statute and ordain, That all the Professors of the Evangell should keep the same in their own hands, to the effects aforesaid, and no way permit the Papists to meddle therewith. This writing took no effect at that time, for there was none else but the gentlemen of Kyle of that opinion. It was statuted in the said a.s.sembly, That such publike fornicators, and scandalous livers, as would not confesse their offences, nor come to declare their repentance, should be declared by the Minister to be out of the Church, and not of the body thereof, and their names to be declared publikely upon the Sunday.
[Sidenote: The Queen intending vengeance upon the poor King, and being in love with the Earl Bothwell, grants to the Protestants their pet.i.tions, that they may be quiet and not trouble her plots.]
After this a.s.sembly, the Bishop of Galloway (with the Superintendent of Lowthian and Master John Row) pa.s.sing to Sterlin, obtained their demands in an ample manner at the Queen"s Majesties hand, according to their desire; and likewise, they obtained for every borough, a gift or donation of the altarages, annuals, and obites, which before were given to the Papists, now to be disposed for the maintenance of the Ministers and Schools within the boroughs, and the rest to the Poor, or hospitall.
[It was ordained[1134] that humble supplication should be made to the Lords of Secret Councell concerning the Commission of Jurisdiction supposed to be granted to the Bishop of Saint Andrews, to the effect their honours may stay the same, in respect that the causes for the most part judged by his usurped authoritie, pertaine to the true Kirk; and also, because in respect of that coloured Commission, he might a.s.sume againe his old usurped authoritie, and the same might be a mean to oppresse the whole Kirk. The tenour of the Supplication followeth.
[1134] This paragraph, along with the following Supplication of the a.s.sembly, and Knox"s Letter to the Professors, ending on page 514, are supplied from the Edinburgh edition of the History, 1644, 4to, not being contained in the London edition of that year, folio.
"THE GENERALL a.s.sEMBLY OF THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND CONVEENED AT EDINBURGH THE 25. OF DECEMBER 1566, TO THE n.o.bILITIE OF THIS REALME THAT PROFESSE THE LORD JESUS WITH THEM, AND HAVE RENOUNCED THAT ROMANE ANTICHRIST, DESIRES CONSTANCIE IN FAITH, AND THE SPIRIT OF RIGHTEOUS JUDGEMENT.
[Sidenote: John Knox his supplication to the Councell, to recall the commission granted to the Archbishop of Saint Andrews.]
"SEEING that Satan, by all our negligences, (Right Honourable,) hath so far prevailed within this Realme of late dayes that we do stand in extream danger, not onely to losse our temporall possessions, but also to be deprived of the glorious Evangell of Jesus Christ, and so we and our posterity to be left in d.a.m.nable darknesse; We could no longer contain our selves, nor keep silence, lest by so doing we might be accused as guilty of the blood of such as shall perish for lack of admonition, as the Prophet threatneth. We therefore, in the fear of our G.o.d, and with grief and anguish of our heart, complain unto your Honours, (yea, we must complain unto G.o.d, and to all his obedient creatures,) that that conjured enemie of Jesus Christ, and cruell murtherer of our dear brethren, most falsly styled Archbishop of Saint Andrews, is reponed and restored, by signature past, to his former tyrannie: For not only are his ancient jurisdictions (as they are termed) of the whole Bishop.r.i.c.k of Saint Andrews granted unto him, but also the execution of judgement, confirmation of testaments, and donation of benefices, as more amply in his signature is expressed. If this be not to cure the head of that venomous beast, which once within this Realm, by the potent hand of G.o.d, was so broken downe and banished, that by tyranny it could not have hurt the faithfull, judge ye. His ancient jurisdiction was, that he with certaine colleagues collaterals, might have d.a.m.ned of heresie upon probation as pleased him, and then to take all that were suspected of heresie. What they have judged to be heresie heretofore, ye cannot be ignorant of; and whether they remaine in their former malice or not, their fruits and travels openly declare. The danger may be feared, say ye. But what remedie?
It is easie, and at hand, (Right Honourable,) if ye will not betray the cause of G.o.d, and leave your brethren, who will never be more subject to that usurped tyrannie then they will be to the Devill himselfe. Our Queene belike is not well informed: She ought not, nor justly may not break the laws of this Realm; and so consequently, she may not set up against us, without our consents, that Romane Antichrist againe: For in a lawfull and the most free Parliament that ever was in this Realm before, was that odious beast deprived of all jurisdiction, office and authority within the Realm. Her Majestie at her first arryvall, and by divers proclamations sensyne, hath expressly forbidden any other forme and face of Religion, then that which she found publikely established at her arryvall: Therefore she may not bring us (the greatest part of the subjects of this Realm) back again to bondage, till that as lawfull and free a Parliament as justly d.a.m.ned that Antichrist and his usurped tyranny, hath given decision betwixt us and him. If hereof, and of other things which no lesse concerne your selves then us, ye plainly and boldly admonish our Soveraigne, and without tumult only crave justice, the tyrants dare no more be seen in lawfull judgment, then dare the owles in day light. Weigh this matter as it is, and ye will finde it more weighty then it appeareth to many. Farther at this present we complain not, but humbly crave of your Honours a reasonable answer what ye will doe, in case such tyrants and devouring wolves begin to invade the flocke of Jesus Christ within this Realm, under what t.i.tle soever it be: For this we boldly professe, That we will never acknowledge such either pastors to our soules, or yet judges to our causes.
And if [that], for denyall thereof, we suffer either in body or in goods, we doubt not but we have not only a Judge to punish them that unjustly trouble us, but also an Advocate and strong Champion in Heaven to recompense them, who for his name"s sake suffer persecution: Whose Holy Spirit rule your hearts in his true fear to the end.
"Given in the Generall a.s.sembly and third Session thereof, at Edinburgh, the 27. of December, 1566."
Besides this Supplication of the a.s.sembly to the n.o.bility penned (as appeareth by the style) by John Knox, a Letter was written by John Knox in particular to the Professors, to advertise them of the danger of this commission or power granted to the said b.a.s.t.a.r.d, Bishop of Saint Andrews, the tenor whereof doth follow.
"_The Lord cometh, and shall not tarrie; Blessed shall he be whom he shall finde fighting against impietie._
[Sidenote: John Knox his Letter to the Professors,]
"To deplore the miseries of these our most wicked dayes (Beloved Brethren) can neither greatly profit us, neither yet relieve us of our present calamities; and yet utterly to keep silence, cannot lack the suspicion of apostacie, and plain defection from G.o.d, and from his truth, once by us publikely professed. For now are matters (that in years bypast have been denyed) so far discovered, that he who seeth not the plaine subversion of all true Religion within this Realm to be concluded, and decreed in the hearts of some, must either confesse himselfe blinde, or else an enemie to the Religion which we professe: For besides the open erecting of Idolatry in divers parts of this Realme, and besides the extreame povertie wherein our Ministers are brought, (by reason that idle bellies are fed upon that which justly appertaineth to such as truely preach Jesus Christ, and rightly and by order minister his blessed Sacraments,) that cruell murtherer of our brethren, falsly called Archbishop of Saint Andrews, most unjustly, and against all law, hath presumed to his former tyrannie, as a signature past for his rest.i.tution to his ancient jurisdiction (as it is termed) more fully doth proport. What end may be looked for of such beginnings, the halfe blinde may see, as we suppose. And yet, we have heard, that a certaine summe of money and victuals should be a.s.signed by the Queen"s Majestie for sustentation of our Ministrie. But how that any such a.s.signation, or any promise made thereof, can stand in any stable a.s.surance, when that Roman Antichrist (by just laws once banished from this Realme) shall be intrused above us, we can no wise understand. Yea, farther, we cannot see what a.s.surance any within this Realme that have professed the Lord Jesus can have of life or inheritance, if the head of that odious beast be cured amongst us. And therefore we yet again, in the bowels of Christ Jesus, crave of you to look into this matter, and to advertise us again, with reasonable expedition of your judgements, that in the feare of G.o.d, and with unitie of minds, we may proceed to crave justice, and oppone our selves to such tyrannie, as most unjustly is intended against us: For, if we think not that this last erecting of that wicked man, is the very setting up againe of that Romane Antichrist within this Realme, we are deprived of all right judgement. And what is that else, but to separate us and our posteritie from G.o.d; yea, and to cut our selves from the freedome of this Realme. We desire therefore that the wisest amongst you may consider the weight of this cause, which long hath been neglected, partly by our slouth, and partly by believing faire promises, by which to this hour we have been deceived. And therefore we ought to be the more vigilant and circ.u.mspect, especially seeing a Parliament is proclaimed.
"We have sent to you the forme of a Supplication and Articles, which we would have presented to the Queen"s Majestie. If it please you, we would ye should approve it by your subscriptions; or if you would alter it, we desire you so to do, and we shall allow whatsoever you shall propound, not repugnant to G.o.d. If it shall be thought expedient that Commissioners of Countries shall conveene, to reason upon the most weighty matters that now occurr, the time and place being appointed by you, and due advertis.e.m.e.nt being given to us, by G.o.d"s grace, there shall no fault be found in us; but as from the beginning we have neither spared substance nor life, so minde we not to faint unto the end, to maintaine the same, so long as we can finde the concurrence of brethren; of whom (as G.o.d forbid) if we be dest.i.tute, yet are we determined never to be subject to that Roman Antichrist, neither yet to his usurped tyrannie. But when we can doe no further to suppresse that odious beast, we minde to scale with our blood to our posteritie, that the bright knowledge of Jesus Christ hath banished that man of sinne, and his venomous doctrine, from our hearts and consciences.
Let this our Letter and request beare witnesse before G.o.d, before his angels, before the world, and before our own consciences, that we require you that have professed the Lord Jesus within this Realme, as well n.o.bilitie, as Gentlemen, Burgesses, and Commons, to deliberate upon the estate of things present; and specially whether that this usurped tyrannie of that Romane Antichrist shall be any longer suffered within this Realme, seeing that by just law it is already abolished. Secondly, Whether that we shall be bound to feed idle bellies upon the patrimonie of the Kirk, which justly appertaineth unto Ministers. Thirdly, Whether that Idolatrie, and other abominations, which now are more then evident, shall any longer by us be maintained and defended. Answer us as ye will answer to G.o.d, in whose feare we send these letters unto you, lest that our silence should be counted for consent unto such impietie. G.o.d take from our hearts the blinde love of our selves, and all unG.o.dly feare.
Amen. Let us know your mindes with expedition."]
Notwithstanding the domestick troubles that the Church of G.o.d had in Scotland in this turbulent time within the kingdome, yet they were not unmindfull of the affliction of Jacob every where upon the face of the earth; namely, they had before their eyes the state and condition of the Church of G.o.d in England: Witnesse this Letter from the Generall a.s.sembly to the Rulers of the Church of G.o.d in England; [wherein they intreat them to deal gently with the preachers their brethren about the Surplice and other apparell. John Knox formed the Letter in name of the a.s.sembly, as follows.][1135]
[1135] The words inclosed within brackets are added in the Edinburgh edit. 1644.
"THE SUPERINTENDENTS, WITH OTHER MINISTERS AND COMMISSIONERS OF THE CHURCH OF G.o.d IN THE KINGDOME OF SCOTLAND, TO THEIR BRETHREN, THE BISHOPS AND PASTOURS OF G.o.d"S CHURCH IN ENGLAND, WHO PROFESS WITH US IN SCOTLAND THE TRUTH OF JESUS CHRIST.
"BY word and letters it is come to our knowledge, (Reverend Brethren, Pastors of G.o.d"s word in the Church of England,) that divers of our Brethren (of whom some be of the most learned in England,) are deprived from all Ecclesiasticall function, namely, are forbidden to preach, and so by you are stopped to promote the Kingdom of G.o.d, because they have a scruple of conscience to use at the command of Authority such garments as idolaters in time of greatest darknesse, did use in their superst.i.tious and idolatrous service; which report cannot but be very grievous to our hearts, considering the sentence of the Apostle, "If ye bite and devour one another, take heed ye be not consumed one of another." We intend not at this present to enter into the question, which we hear is agitated and handled with greater vehemency by either partie, then well liketh us, to wit, Whether such Apparell be accounted amongst things indifferent or not; wherefore, (through the bowels of Jesus Christ,) we crave that Christian charitie may so farr prevaile with you, who are the pastors and guides of Christ"s flock in England, that ye doe one to another, as ye desire others to do to you. You cannot be ignorant what tendernesse is in a scrupulous conscience, and all that have knowledge are not alike perswaded; the consciences of some of you stirres not, with the wearing of such things; on the other side, many thousands (both G.o.dly and learned) are otherwayes perswaded, whose consciences are continually strucken with these sentences, "What hath Christ to doe with Beliall?" "What fellowship is there betwixt light and darknesse?" If surplice, corner-cap, and tippet, have been the badges of idolaters in the very act of their idolatry, what hath the preachers of Christian libertie, and the rebukers of superst.i.tion to do with the dregs of that Romish Beast? Yea, what is he that ought not to fear, either to take in his hand, or on his forehead, the prints and mark of that odious Beast? The brethren that refuse such unprofitable apparell, do neither condemn nor molest you who use such trifles. On the other side, if ye that use these things will do the like to your brethren, we doubt not but therein you shall please G.o.d, and comfort the hearts of many, which are wounded to see extremitie used against these G.o.dly brethren. Humane arguments or coloured rhetorick, we use none to perswade you, only in charity we desire you to mind the sentence of Peter, "Feed the flock of Christ which is committed to your charge, caring for it, not by constraint, but willingly; not being as lords of G.o.d"s heritages, but being examples to the flock." We further desire you to meditate upon that sentence of Paul, "Give no offence, neither to Jews, nor Gentiles, nor to the church of G.o.d." In what condition you and we both travell, at least are bound to travell for the promoting of Christ"s kingdom, you are not ignorant; therefore we are the more bold to exhort you to deal more wisely, then to trouble the G.o.dly for such vanities; for all things which seem lawfull, edifie not. If Authority urge you farther than your consciences can bear, we pray you remember, that the Ministers of the Church are called the "Light of the world," and "Salt of the earth;" all civill authority hath not alwayes the light of G.o.d shining before their eyes, in statutes and commands, for their affections savour too much of the earth and worldly wisdom: therefore we tell you, that ye ought to oppose your selves boldly, not only to all power that dare extoll it self against G.o.d, but also against all such as dare burthen the consciences of the faithfull, farther than G.o.d chargeth them in his own word. But we hope you will excuse our freedom in that we have entered in reasoning farther than we intended in the beginning. Now, again we return to our former request, which is, That the brethren among you, who refuse the Romish rags, may find of you, who use and urge them, such favour as our Head and Master commandeth each one of his members to shew to another, which we look to receive of your courtesie, not only because you will not offend G.o.d in troubling your brethren for such vain trifles, but also because you will not refuse the earnest request of us your Brethren, and fellow Ministers; in whom, although there appear no worldly pomp, yet we are a.s.sured, you will esteem us as G.o.d"s servants, travelling to set forth his glory against the Roman Antichrist. The dayes are evill, iniquitie aboundeth, and charitie (alas) waxeth cold; wherefore we ought to walk diligently, for the hour is uncertain when the Lord shall come, before whom we must all give an account of our administration. In conclusion, yet once more we desire you to be favourable one to another; the Lord Jesus rule your hearts in his fear unto the end, and give to you and us victorie over that conjured enemy of true Religion, (the Pope,) whose wounded head Sathan by all means strives to cure again; but to destruction shall he go, and all his maintainers, by the power of our Lord Jesus, to whose mighty protection we commit you.
"From our Generall a.s.sembly, Decemb. 27. 1566."
[When John Knox, the penner of this letter wrote thus of the superst.i.tious Apparell as a supplicant for the afflicted Brethren, what would he have written, think you, in another case. It is to be observed, that at the same time our worthy Brethren in England made their state known to Master Beza, who, upon their complaint, wrote a letter in their behalf at the same time to Doctor Grindall, Bishop of London, wherein he findeth fault with the manner of Apparrell appointed for Ministers with kneeling at the communion, and all significant ceremonies; which letter is the eight in order, among his Epistles. But obtaining no favour, he wrote the year following, (which was in Anno 1567,) another letter to this purpose, which is the twelfth in order amongst his Epistles, wherein he giveth his beloved brethren this advice; that rather then they should give their consents to the order of ordaining their Ministers to use the cope and surplice, and to the manner of excommunication that was used in the Church of England, that they should give place to manifest violence, and live as privat men. It is also to be observed, that the sincerer sort of the Ministrie in England had not yet a.s.saulted the jurisdiction and Church government, (which they did not till the year 1572, at which time they published their first and second Admonition to the Parliament,) but only had excepted against superst.i.tious apparell, and some other faults in the Service Booke. By the former a.s.sembly, the Reader of Bathgate was censured for baptizing of infants, and solemnizing of marriage, he being but a simple Reader, and for taking silver for the same from such as were without the parish. Hear you may see that they acknowledge not Reading Ministers, that is, that any administer the Sacraments, but he that was able to preach the word.][1136]
[1136] The above paragraph is not contained in the London edition 1614, but was added to the Edinburgh republication in that year.
[Sidenote: As she had lately gratified the Protestants by granting their Pet.i.tion, so at this time she yeelds unto the Papists their demands also, that she might be stopped by neither of them in her designe of vengeance and new love.]
At the same time, the Bishop of Saint Andrews, by means of the Earl Bothwell, procured a writing from the Queen"s Majesty, to be obeyed within the diocese of his jurisdiction, in all such causes as before in time of Popery were used in the Consistory, and therefore to discharge the new Commissioners; and for the same purpose came to Edinburgh in January, having a company of one hundred horses, or more, intending to take possession, according to his gift lately obtained.
The Provest being advertised thereof by the Earl of Murray, they sent to the Bishop three or four of the Councell, desiring him to desist from the said matter, for fear of trouble and sedition that might rise thereupon; whereby he was perswaded to desist at that time.
Soon after, the Queen came to Edinburgh, where she remained a few days. In the moneth of January she was informed that the King was recovered of the poyson given him at Sterlin, and therefore she past to Glasgow to visit him, and there tarried with him six days, using him wonderfully kindely, with many gracious and good words; and likewise his father, the Earl of Lenox, insomuch that all men marvelled whereto it should turn, considering the great contempt and drynesse that had been before so long together. The Queen, notwithstanding all the contempt that was given him, with a known design to take away his life, yet by her sweet words gains so far upon the uxorious husband, and his facile father, that he went in company with her to Edinburgh, where she had caused to lodge him at the Church of Field,[1137] in a lodging, lately bought by Master James Balfour, Clerk Register, truely very unmeet for a King. The Queen resorted often to visit him, and lay in the house two nights by him, (although her lodging was in the Palace of Halyrud-house.) Every man marvelled at this reconciliation and sudden change. The ninth of February, the King was murthered, and the house where he lay burned with powder, about twelve of the clock in the night: his body was cast forth in a yard, without the town wall, adjoining close by. There was a servant likewise murthered beside him, who had been also in the chamber with him. The people ran to behold this spectacle; and wondering thereat some judged one thing, some another.
[1137] Kirk of Field: see this volume, page 131, note 1.
Shortly thereafter, Bothwell came from the Abbey with a company of men of war, and caused the body of the King to be carryed to the next house; where, after a little, the chirurgions being convened at the Queen"s command to view and consider the manner of his death; most part gave out, to please the Queen, that he was blown in the ayre, albeit he had no mark of fire; and truly he was strangled. Soon after,[1138] he was carryed to the Abbey, and there buryed.
[1138] These words, "Soon after, he was carryed to the Abbey, and there buryed," are omitted in the 4to edit. 1644, and the two following paragraphs, enclosed within brackets, are interpolated. Both of these paragraphs are given verbatim in Calderwood"s History, vol.
ii. pp. 346, 347.
[When many of the common people had gazed long upon the King"s corpse, the Queen caused it to be brought down to the Pallace by some pioners.
She behold the corpse without any outward shew or signe of joy or sorrow. When the Lords had concluded amongst themselves that he should be honourablie buried, the Queen caused his corpse to be carried by some pioners in the night without solemnitie, and to be layed beside the sepulchre of David Rizio. If there had been any solemn buriall, Buchanan had wanted wit to relate otherwise, seeing there would have been so many witnesses to testifie the contrair. Therefore the contriver of the late Historie of Queen Marie[1139] wanted policie here to convoy a lee.
[1139] This paragraph is an evident interpolation, like some of these by David Buchanan in the former Books. George Buchanan"s History was first published in the year 1582; and the reference to the more recent work, may have been to "The Historie of the Life and Death of Mary Stuart, Queene of Scotland." London 1636, 12mo, and dedicated to Charles the First, by "W. Vdall;" as some remarks on George Buchanan"s writings occur at page 55.
The Queen, according to the ancient custom should have keeped herself 40. days within, and the doores and windowes should have been closed in token of mourning; but the windowes were opened, to let in light, the fourth day. Before the twelfth day, she went out to Scatoun, Bothwell never parting from her side. There she went out to the fields to behold games and pastimes. The King"s armour, horse, and household stuffe, were bestowed upon the murtherers. A certain taylour, when he was to reforme the King"s apparel to Bothwell, said jestingly, He acknowledged here the custom of the country, by which the clothes of the dead fall to the hangman.][1140]
[1140] See this page, note 1.
This tragicall end had Henry Steward, after he had been King eighteen moneths. A Prince of great linage, both by mother and father: He was of a comely stature, and none was like unto him within this island; he died under the age of one and twenty years; prompt and ready for all games and sports; much given to hawking and hunting, and running of horses, and likewise to playing on the lute, and also to Venus chamber: He was liberall enough: He could write and dictate well; but he was somewhat given to wine, and much feeding, and likewise to inconstancy; and proud beyond measure, and therefore contemned all others: He had learned to dissemble well enough, being from his youth misled up in Popery. Thus, within two years after his arriving in this Realm, he was highly by the Queen alone extolled; and, finally, had this infortunate end by her procurement and consent. To lay all other proofs aside, her marriage with Bothwell, who was the main executioner of the King, notwithstanding all the advices and counsells that the King of France, and the Queen of England, did earnestly and carefully give her, as other friends did likewise, witness anent their guilt.
Those that laid hands on the King to kill him, by Bothwell"s direction, was Sir James Balfour, Gilbert Balfour, David Chalmers, black John Spense, Francis, Sebastien, Jo. de Bourdeau, and Joseph, the brother of David Rizio: These last four were the Queen"s domesticks, and strangers. The reason why the King"s death was so hastened, because the affection or pa.s.sion of the Earl Bothwell could not bear so long a delay, as the procurement of a bill of divorce required, although the Romish clergie offered their service willingly to the business, namely, Bishop Hamilton, and so he came great again at Court; and he for the advancement of the business, did good offices to increase the hatred betwixt the King and Queen; yea, some that had been the chief instruments of the marriage of the King and Queen, offered the service for the divorce, seeing how the Queen"s inclination lay: So unhappy are Princes, that men, for their own ends, further them in all their inclinations and undertakings, be they never so bad or destructive to themselves.
The Earl of Lenox, in the mean time, wrote to the Queen, to cause punish Bothwell, with his other complices, for murthering the King.
The Queen, not daring openly to reject the Earl of Lenox his solicitation, did appoint a day for the triall of Bothwell, by an a.s.size;[1141] the members whereof was the Earl of Cathnes, President, the Earl of Ca.s.sels, (who at the first refused, but thereafter, being threatened to be put in prison, and under the pain of treason, was present by the Queen"s command,) John Hamilton, Commendator of Aberbrothok, Lord Rosse, Lord Semple, Lord Boyd, Lord Hereis, Lord Olyphant; the Master of Forbes, the Lairds of Lochinvar, Langton, Cambusnetham,[1142] Barnbougel, and Boyne: They, to please the Queen, and for fear, did p.r.o.nounce Bothwell not guilty, notwithstanding the manifest evidences of the cruell fact committed by Bothwell, who, before the tryall, did make himself strong by divers means; namely, by the possession of the Castle of Edinburgh, so that the accusers durst not appear, not being strong enough. The Earl of Marr did retire to Sterlin, and had committed to his charge the young Prince. All this was done in February.
[1141] The names and designations of the a.s.size on Bothwell"s trial, before the Court of Justicary at Edinburgh, 12th April 1567, are given by Keith, with the proceedings, extracted from the Books of Adjournal.
(Hist. vol. ii. pp. 541-548.)
[1142] In the folio edit. 1644, "Cambusidentham;" in the 4to edit., "Cambuskinneth." The person referred to was James Somerville of Cambusnethen in Lanarkshire.
In April, Bothwell called together sundry of the Lords, who had come to Edinburgh, to a meeting that was there; and having gained some before, made them all, what by fear, what by fair promises, first of their private state, and then of advancing the Papist"s Religion, to consent by their subscriptions to the marriage with the Queen. Then the Queen goes to Sterlin, to see her son: Bothwell makes a shew as if he were going to the Borders to suppresse robbers, and so he raiseth some men of war; which, when he had done, he turneth towards the way to Sterlin, where he meets the Queen, according to appointment betwixt them, and carrieth her to Dumbar, as it had been by force, although every one knew it was with the Queen"s liking. The prime n.o.bility convened at Sterlin, and from thence sent to her, to know whether or not she was taken against her will: She answered, That it was true she was taken against her will, but since her taking, she had no occasion to complain; yea, the courteous entertainment she had, made her forget and forgive all former offences. Those expressions were used by way of preface to the pardon, which was granted immediately thereafter to Bothwell; for, by Letters Patents, he was pardoned by the Queen, for laying violently hands upon her Majestie, and for all other crimes. So by this, &c.,[1143] the murther of the King was pardoned. During the Queen"s abode in Dunbar, there was letters of divorce demanded and granted unto Bothwell from his Lady, (who afterward was married to the Earl Sutherland,) she was sister to the Earl of Huntley. The ground of divorce was, the parties being within the degrees prohibited, could not be lawfully joyned: Next, because Bothwell was an adulterer, the marriage was voyd. The bill of divorce was granted by the Papisticall Court of the Archbishop of Saint Androis. And here mark how they juggle in sacred things; for when it pleaseth them, they untie the bond of marriage, as now, and as we have seen in the First Book of this History. When the Queen fell in distaste of the late King her husband, it was proposed unto her to have divorce upon the same ground from the King: To which, first ear was given, but after second thoughts, a bill of divorce was too tedious, (as we have now said,) and could not be stayed for, therefore the King must be dispatched.
[1143] "So by this, &c." This sentence is so printed in both edit.
1644, probably owing to some word in the M.S. being illegible. We might subst.i.tute, for instance, "So by this procedure, the murther of the King was pardoned."
[Sidenote: Note.]
The Queen, when Bothwell had obtained by the Archbishop a letter of divorce from his lawfull wife, sent a letter signed with her own hand to Master John Craig, minister of Edinburgh, commanding him to publish the band of matrimony betwixt her and Bothwell. Master John Craig, the next sermon day thereafter, declared in full congregation, that he had received such a command, but in conscience he could not obey it; the marriage was altogether unlawfull; and of that he would declare the reasons to the parties, if he had audience of them, otherwise he would make known his just reasons in the hearing of the people. Immediately thereafter, Bothwell sends for Master Craig to the Councell, where Master Craig told, first, That by an Act of the a.s.sembly, it was forbidden to allow the marriage of any divorced for adultery: The divorce of Bothwell from his lawfull wife, was by collusion, witnesse the quick dispatch thereof; for it was sought and had within ten days, and his contracting with the Queen instantly thereafter; then his rapt of the Queen, and the guilt of the King"s death, which was confirmed by this marriage: withall, he desired the Lords to stop the Queen[1144] from that infamous marriage. The Sunday after, he told publikely to the people, what he had said to the Councell; and he took heaven and earth to witnesse, that he detested that scandalous and infamous marriage; and that he discharged his conscience unto the Lords, who seemed unto him, as so many slaves, what by flattery, what by silence, to give way to that abomination. Upon this, he was called to the Councell again, and was reproved, as if he had exceeded the bounds of his calling. Whereunto he answered, That the bounds of his commission was the word of G.o.d, right reason, and good laws, against which he had said nothing; and by all these, offered to prove this marriage to be scandalous and infamous. At this he was stopped by Bothwell, and sent from the Councell. Notwithstanding all this done and said by Master Craig, and the opposition of many that wished well to the Queen, and were jealous of her honour, the marriage went on, and they were married the 15. of May. This makes good the Latino proverb, _Mala nubunt mense Maio_; and a Bishop must bless the marriage: The good Prelat was Bishop of Orkney:[1145] If there be a good work to be done, a Bishop must do it. Here mark the difference betwixt this worthy minister Master Craig, and this base Bishop.
[1144] It is impossible to vindicate the Queen"s conduct in "this infamous marriage," even when acquitted of being in any way accessory to Darnley"s murder. That event occurred on the 9th February 1566-7.
Bothwell, who was denounced as his murderer, submitted to a mock trial on the 12th April; and on the 19th, he obtained from the Queen in Parliament a ratification of several lands, &c., as Keeper of the Castle of Dunbar. On the 24th of the same month, the Queen was way-laid, and forcibly carried off to Dunbar, where she was coerced to agree to an alliance with a man who was then married. To accomplish this, Bothwell brought the Queen to the Castle of Edinburgh on the 29th April. He obtained a sentence of divorce from his first wife on the 7th May; his marriage with the Queen was proclaimed on the 12th of that month; and having created him Duke of Orkney, on the 15th their marriage was celebrated. Thus within the period of three months all these events happened. One month later, the Queen surrendered on Carberry-hill, and Bothwell made his escape: they never met after that day.
[1145] Adam Bothwell became successor to Bishop Reid, in the See of Orkney, and was admitted to the temporalities of the Bishopric, 14th October 1559. He was one of four Prelates who joined the Reformers. In 1564 he was appointed an Extraordinary Lord of Session; and an Ordinary Lord, 13th November 1565. He celebrated the marriage of Queen Mary and Bothwell, but afterwards took an active part in opposing him.
He also officiated at the baptism of James the Sixth. His conduct was viewed with suspicion by the Kirk, and various articles were alleged against him in the General a.s.sembly, 25th December 1567; but having submitted, and made a public confession of his offence, he was restored to his ministry. He exchanged the temporalities of his Bishopric with Lord Robert Stewart for the Abbey of Holyrood-House, which was ratified by a charter under the Great Seal, 25th September 1569. He died on the 23d August 1593, in the sixty-seventh year of his age, according to an inscription which still exists in the Abbey Church of Holyrood, with some Latin verses, by M. H. R., (Mr. Hercules Rollock.)
The Earl of Athole, immediately after the murther of the King, had retired home, waiting for the occasion to revenge the King"s death: But seeing this abominable marriage, he went to Sterlin, where other honest Lords with him had a meeting, and made a bond, to defend the young Prince from the murtherers of his father; as already they had had one plot to cut him off, which G.o.d in his mercy did prevent. The n.o.bles that entred in this bond, were the Earls of Argyle, Athole, Morton, Marr, and Glencarne; the Lords Lindsey and Boyd. Argyle thereafter, seduced by some fair words, fell off; and Boyd became a great factionary for Bothwell in all things. The Queen, soon after the marriage, was advised to send abroad an Amba.s.sadour to acquaint her forraigne friends and kindred; and this must be a Bishop: It is pity that any good work should be done without a Bishop: was not this a worthy employment for a pastor in G.o.d"s Church.[1146]
[1146] The Bishop here referred to, was William Chisholm, Bishop of Dunblane. His instructions concerning the Queen"s motives to take her husband, the Duke of Orkney, to be declared to the King of France, the Cardinal of Lorraine and others, in May 1567, are printed by Keith.