The Works of John Knox Volume II Part 16

There is a similar work ent.i.tled, "Commentariorum de Statu Religionis et Reipublicae in Regno Franciae, Pars I-V." by Joannes Serra.n.u.s, 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 ma.s.sacre 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 c.u.mpany, Thristing the blood of G.o.dlie 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 G.o.d 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 sea.s.sone.

The Quene of England and the Counsall, remitted our Amba.s.sadouris 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 amba.s.sadors 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 G.o.d 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 pa.s.sed 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 rea.s.sonying 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 rea.s.sone 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, a.s.suring him of the death of the King of France. Which devulgat and noysed abrode, a generall Conventioun of the haill n.o.bilitie 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 rea.s.sone 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 a.s.semblie was Maister Alexander Andersone, sub-princ.i.p.all of Abirdene,[304] a man more subtill and craftye then ather learned or G.o.dlie, 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 rea.s.sone 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 G.o.dis 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, const.i.tutionis, and ceremonies to come to tryall; and princ.i.p.allie, that the Messe, and the opinioun thairof by thame taught unto the people, mycht be laid to the squair-reull of G.o.ddis worde, and unto the rycht inst.i.tutioun 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 d.a.m.nable 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 Ecclesiae 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 G.o.d, that ye have denyed a sacrifice propitiatorie to be in the Ma.s.se; 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 a.s.sured of weall-doing? In G.o.d the Father, thair fallis no oblivioun: and yf ye will yitt schift and say, That ye offer it nott as G.o.d 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 rea.s.sone 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 n.o.bilitie 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 Princ.i.p.al of King's College, Aberdeen, in the year 1530.

The General a.s.sembly having appointed a visitation of the College in 1568, Anderson, with the Sub-Princ.i.p.al, 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 p.r.o.nounced 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 c.u.m 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 Princ.i.p.al 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 G.o.d 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 pa.s.sage 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 rea.s.sonis 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 G.o.ddis Scriptures could confute us, and by the same word establisse thair a.s.sertionis. "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 a.s.semblie 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 c.u.mpanye 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 G.o.d, 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 pa.s.sport, "being ordered by the n.o.bility 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, pa.s.sing 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 Ma.n.u.script 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 a.s.sembly, 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.

The Sermone finisched, it was declared be the same Minister, (maker thareof,) that the Lords of Secrete Councell had given charge and power to the Kirkis of Lauthiane, to chuse MR. JOHNE SPOTTISWODE[312]

Superintendent; and that sufficient warning was made be publict edict to the Kirks of Edinburghe, Linlythgow, Striveling, Tranent, Hadingtoun, and Dunbar; as also to Earles, Lords, Barones, Gentilmen, and uthers, having, or quho micht clame to have voite in Electioun, to be present that day, at that same hour; And, tharefore, inquisitioun was made, Quho wer present, and quho wer absent.

[312] Mr. John Spottiswood was born about the year 1510, and was educated at Glasgow. His name occurs in the University records, as incorporated in 1534, being designed "Servus domini Rectoris." In 1536 he had taken his degree as Master of Arts. He is said to have been in England from 1538 to 1543, and to have returned with the Earl of Glencairn. In 1548 he was presented to the Vicarage of Calder. Having early joined the Reformers, he was nominated as Superintendent of Lothian in July 1560, and was admitted, agreeably to the above form, 9th March 1561, without resigning his charge as minister of Calder.

(Wodrow Miscellany, vol. i. p. 367.) He may, with much more truth, be said to have "continued in this holy function, with the approbation of all good men, till his death," than to "have exercised fully the power, and discharged faithfully the office of a Bishop, though under another style;" (Life prefixed to Spottiswood's History, Lond. 1655, folio.) The office of Superintendent was merely temporary; and he himself displayed no a.s.sumption of authority over his brethren in the ministry, nor aspired after Episcopal dignity. He died 5th December 1585. His eldest son, who became his successor as Minister of Calder, was ultimately Archbishop of St. Andrews, and Lord Chancellor of Scotland.

Efter was called the said Mr. Johne, quho answering; the Minister demanded, Gif ony man knew ony cryme or offence to the said Mr. Johne, that mycht unabill him to be called to that office? And this he demanded thryis. Secundlie, Questioun was moved to the haill mult.i.tude, If thair was ony uther quhome they wald put in Electioun with the said Mr. Johne. The pepill wer asked, If they wald have the said Mr. Johne Superintendent? If they wald honour and obey him as Christis Minister? and comfort and a.s.sist him in every thing perteining to his Charge? They Answerit.--We will; and we do promeis unto him sick obedience as bec.u.methe the scheip to give unto thair Pastour, sa lang as he remains faythfull in his office.