The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

After that by these Letters, and by the deceitful surmising of her solicitors, she had somewhat stirred up the hearts of the people against us, then she began openly to complain, That we were of mind to invade her Person,¹ That we would keep no part of the Appointment, and therefore she was compelled to crave assistance of all men, against our unjust pursuit. And this practise she used, as before is said, to abuse the simplicity of the people, that they should not suddenly espy for what purpose she brought in her new bands of men of War, who did arrive about the midst of August, to the number of 1000 men: The rest were appointed to ⟨p. 172⟩come after with Monsieur de la Brosse, and with the Bishop of Amiens, who arrived the nineteenth day of September following, as if they had been Ambassadors:² But what was their Negotiation, the effect did declare, and they themselves could not long conceal; for by both tongue and pen they uttered, That they were sent for the extermination of all those that would not profess the Papist call Religion in all points. The Queens practise and craft could not blind the eyes of all men, neither yet could her subtlety hide her own shame, but that many did espy her deceit; and some spared not to speak their judgements liberally, who foreseeing the danger, gave advertisement, requiring that provision might be found, before that the evil should exceed our wisdom and strength to put fit remedy to it: For prudent men foresaw, That she pretended a plain conquest;³ but to the end that the people should not suddenly stir, she would not bring in her full force at once (as before is said) but by continual traffic purposed to augment her Army, so that in the end we should not be able to resist. But the greatest part of the Nobility, and many of the people, were so enchanted by her treasonable solicitors, that they would not hear nor credit the truth plainly spoken. The French then after the arriving of their new men, began to brag: then began they to divide the Lands and Lordships according to their own fantasies;⁴ for one was styled, Monsieur de Argyle; another, Monsieur le Prior; the third Monsieur de Ruthven; ya, they were assured, in their own opinion, to possess whatsoever they listed; so that some asked for the Rentals and Revenues of divers mens lands, to the end that they might choose the best: