Bannatyne Club > Criminal trials in Scotland, from A.D. M.CCCC.LXXXVIII to A.D. M.DC.XXIV, embracing the entire reigns of James IV. and V., Mary Queen of Scots and James VI > Volume 2

300 CRIMINAL TRIALS. A.D. 1600.
Aug. IGOO. would not have elapsed, before his head would have borue Gowrie and tlie ]\Ias-
ter of Ruthven company, on the top of Edinburgh Tolbooth, for his daring and
treasonable conduct.
The sources from which the following Collection of Papers has been formed,
are Calderu-ooiV s MS. Church History, If^odrow's 3ISS., and the Biiik of the
Universal Kirk, from none of which, are any reprehensions against JVIr Ro-
bert Bruce to be looked for ; but, on the contrary, every thing is so stated by
them as to exliibit their Champion in the light of one ' persecuted for conscience
sake.' There is a ' Narrative by Mr Robert Bruce, concerning his troubles,' in
Calderwood's MSS. Adv. Library, M. 6. 9. No. 36, which has been printed in
the Miscellany of the Bannatyne Chib. It contains a considerable portion of
the Conferences here given ; but varies in language, and in other respects ; and
may be referred to by those who have access to that valuable work, and who
wish to look more minutely into this unparalleled affair.]
(1.) CoNFEEENCE leticeeu the Ministers of Edinburgh and the King.
Upon Tuifday the 12 of Augiifl, the Minifleiis of Edinhurgh were charged, be a Macer, to com-
pear before the King and Counfell. The King demanded at Mr Robert Bruce, in name of the reft,
' Wliy they had difobeyed him and his Counfell, and would not praife God for his delivery?' They
anfivered, ' thay had not difobeyed, but was all ready to liave praifed God for his Majefties delivery,
generally; as they did, upon tlie Sabbath immediatlie following; but tliey could not defcend unto
particulars, to qualifie what fort of danger it was; in refpect they had noe certainty.' ' Had yee not
my Letter,' fayes the King, ' to fliew yow the certaintie ?' ' Sir,' fayes 'Sir Robert, ' your Letter did bear
noe particular, but made mention only of a danger, in generall, and we were content to follow it.' ' Could
not my Coimfell,' faid the King, ' allure you of the particulars?" And withall addretleth hinifelf to the
Prefident, ' Alfured ye not tliem ?' fayes the King to the Prefident. The Prefident anfwered, ' Yes,
Sir, we all affured them of tlie certaintie of that Treafone.' ' Sir, with their honouris leave,' faid Mr R.
' they had received noe information, except David Moyfes Bill and John Grahame of Balgonie his Re-
port, who came in the mean tynie, when the Lords were fitting at Counfell ; and th.^ tuo Reports did
foe ijght againfl other, tliat noe man could find anie certaintie.' The Secretar ryfed up and faid, ' they
agreed very weill.' The Prefident faid the like. Mr Robert anfwered, ' he had Dauid Moyfes Letter
to Ihew, wliich would teflifie tlie contrare.' The King afted at laft, ' Noiv, are yee yet perfwaded ? Yee
have heard me, yee have heard my Minifter, yee have heard my Counfell, yee have heard the Earll of
3Iarr, touching the Report of this Treafone ; whither are yee yett fully perfwaded or not?' ' Surely,
Sir," fayes Mr Robert, ' I would have farther light, before I preached it to perfwade tlie people. If I
were but a private fubject, not a Paftor, I could reft upon your Majefties report as otheris doe.' Then
the King allied Mr James Balfour, ' Are yee fully perfwaded?' He anfwered, ' I will fpeak nothing
to the contrarie. Sir.' ' But are yee not perfwaded ?' fayes the King. ' Nott yett, Sir,' faid he. Mr
Williame Watfone anfivered after the fame manor. Mr Walter Balcanquall faid, that he would
' aftirme all that Mr David Lindfay preached in pulpite, in prefence of his Maieftie yefterday.'
' What faid Mr David ?' fayes the King. ' Mr David founded himfelf upon your Majefties report,
and made a faithfull rehearfall of your report ; and foe fall wee.' ' Think yee,' fayes the King, ' that
Mr David doubted of my report I' Mr David was fent for incontinent. They faid unto him, ' Are
yee not certainly perfwaded of this Treafone ?' ' Yes, Sir,' fayes he, ' I am perfwaded, in confcience,