The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

Andrews, and then caused to cast him over the wall, spreading a false brute, That the said John seeking to fly, had broken his own neck. This ceased not Satan by all means to maintain his kingdom of Darkness, and to suppress the light of Christs Gospel. But mighty is he against whom they ••ght: for when the wicked were in greatest security, then began God to show his anger. For the third day of May, in the year of our Lord 1544 years,¹ without knowledge of any man in Scotland, (we mean of such as should have had the care of the Realm) was seen a great Navy of Ships arriving towards the Firth. The Posts came to the Governor and Cardinal (who both were in Edinburgh) what multitude of Ships were seen, and what course they took. This was on the Saturday before noon. Question was had, What should they mean? Some said, It is no doubt but they are English-men, and we fear that they will land. The Cardinal skipped, and said, It is the Island float, they are come to make a show,² and to put us in fear. I shall lodge all the men of War in mine eye, that shall land in Scotland. Still sitteth the Cardinal at his dinner, eating as though there had been no danger appearing. Men assembled to gaze upon the Ships, some to the Castle hill, some to the mountains, and other places eminent.³ But there was no question, With what Forces shall we resist, if we be invaded. Soon after six of the clock at night, were arrived, and had cast Anchor in the Road of Leith, more than two hundred Sail. Shortly after, the Admiral shot a flott Boat, which from Granton hills, till by East Leith, sounded the deep, and so returned to her Ship. Hereof were divers opinions; men of judgement foresaw what it meant, but no credit was given to any that would say, They minded to land, and so passed every man to his rest, as if the Ships had been a guard for their defence. Upon the point of day upon Sunday the fourth of May, address they for landing, and they ordered the Ships so, that a Galley or two laid their snouts to the hills: the small Ships, called Pinnaces and light Horse-men, approached as near as they could. The great Ships discharged their Soldiers into the smaller Vessels, and they by Boats set upon dry Land before ten of the clock, 10000 men, as was judged, and more.