Abbotsford Club > Historical memoirs of the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots, and a portion of the reign of King James the Sixth

14 HISTORIE OF THE REIGNE OF a.d. 1545.
Englifli fvd ; but upon great confiderations it was not thought fitt by the
Governor and his counfell. OnHe fix thoufand men were fent out, in
parties, everie day to forrage the cuntrie, who alwayes returned to the
camp at night. After the armie had lyen hear a fortnight, the Governor
retreated back, and diflblved his armie ; and Monfieur de Lorgis was
fent to Stirhn. Nothing more is recorded to have been done in relation
to warr this year, but fome Border inroads upon the Weft; in one of
whicli, Robert Maxwell, fone to the Lord Maxwell, was taken prifoner.
Divifions for matter of relligion and dodlrin for dyvers years paft had
been but in conception ; they are now at the poynt of birth, and rcddie to
ryfe; and fa6lions, private hatreds, contempt of lawes, difobedience to
the civil power begun to burft out, which in fhort tyme turned to open
rebellion. It is certain that in thefe dayes the Church in this kingdome
was in a lethargie; the members were all difeafed, and fchifms and
diftradlions in the Church were raging in many pairts of Cliriftendome.
Heer, were, in a corner of the wordle [world] far from thofe that
manadged affairs of the Church, and had almoft forgote our obedience,
prelats and biftiops, who fhould have governed the Church heer, were
turned lafie in fpiritual exercifes; priefts and the inferior Clergie were
become loofe and idle, and lafcivious, many of whom with a greedie
appetite embraced thofe liberties neulie preached. In a word, all was
out of fraim ; for the people in general (as it were) wearied with the old
Church government, and willing to accept of any novelties that agried
with there humors.
The firft thing of difobedience that fell out in publick, for caufe of
relligion, was this year, 154(3. The Cardinall procured the Governor to
goe, in way of circuit, and vifitt fome countries and touns in the north,
and execute juftice upon fome who were contemners of the Church and
epifcopall power. After he had been at fome others, he came to Perth ;
where fome people, both men and woemen, were put to death by law, for
adlions of contempt againft the Cardinall and his authoritie. From
thence he went to Dundie, and back again to Perth. Heer the Earle of
Rothes, and the Lord Gray, with many of there friends, cam to give there
attendance ; but the Governor, fufpedting them for fome other projects, not