The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

So were mens consciences beaten with the Word, that they had no respect to their own particular profit,¹ but only to abolish Idolatry, the places and Monuments thereof, in which they were so busy, and so laborious, that within two days these three great places, Monuments of Idolatry, to wit, the Black and Grey Thieves, and Charter-house Monks (a building of wondrous cost and greatness) was so destroyed, that the walls only did remain of all those great edifices. Which reported to the Queen, she was so enraged,² That she did vow utterly to destroy S. Johnston, man, woman, and child, and to consume the same by fire, and thereafter to salt it, in sign of a perpetual desolation. We suspecting nothing such cruelty, but thinking that such words might escape her in choler without purpose determined, because she was a woman, set on fire by the complaints of those hypocrites, who flocked unto her as Ravens to a carrion. We (we say) suspecting nothing such beastly cruelty, returned to our own houses: leaving in S. Johnston, John Knox to instruct the people, because they were young and rude in Christ. But she, set on fire partly by her own malice, partly by commandment of her friends in France, and not a little by bribes, which she and Monsieur Dosell received from the Bishops and the Priests here at home, did continue still in her rage. And first she sent for all the Nobility,³ to whom she complained, That we meant nothing but Rebellion: She did grievously lament the destruction of the Charter-house, because it was a Kings foundation, and there was the tomb of King James the first, and by such other persuasions she made the most part of them grant to pursue us. And then incontinent sent she for her French men: For that was, and ever hath been her joy, to see Scottish men dip one with another's blood. No man was at that time more frank against us then was Duke Hamilton, led by that cruel beast the Bishop of Saint Andrews, and by those that yet abuse him, the Abbot of Kilvinning, and Matthew Hamilton of Milburne, two chief enemies to the Duke and to his whole house, but in so far as thereby they may procure their own particular profit. These and such other pestilent Papists ceased not to cast fagots on the fire continually, crying, Forward upon these Heretics, we shall once rid this Realm of them.