The frenzy of the Earl of Arran.
The letters of John Knox, however, ensured that all things were done the more circumspectly; for he did plainly forewarn the Earl of Moray that he espied the Earl of Arran to be stricken with frenzy, and therefore would not have too great credit given to his words and inventions. And so it came to pass; for within few days the Earl's sickness increased; he devised of wondrous signs that he saw in the heaven; and, finally, he behaved himself in all things so foolishly that his frenzy could not be hid. Nevertheless, the Earl Bothwell and the Abbot of Kilwinning were detained in the Castle of St. Andrews, and convened before the Council, with the Earl of Arran, who ever stood firm in alleging that the Earl Bothwell proponed to him such things as he had advertised the Queen's Grace of. He stiffly denied that his father, the said Abbot, or his friends, knew anything of the matter, or that they intended any violence against him; and alleged that he had been enchanted so to think and write. Thereat the Queen, highly offended, committed him to prison with the other two, first in the Castle of St. Andrews, and thereafter in the Castle of Edinburgh....
John Knox reproves the Queen.
Things put in order in Fife, the Queen returned to Edinburgh, and then began dancing to grow hot; for her friends began to triumph in France. Sure information of this came to the ears of John Knox, for there were some that showed to him the state of things from time to time. He was assured that the Queen had danced excessively until after midnight, because she had received letters informing her that persecution was renewed in France, and that her uncles were beginning to stir their tail, and to trouble the whole realm of France. Upon occasion of this text, "And now understand, O ye kings, and be learned, ye that judge the earth," he began to tax the ignorance, the vanity, and the despite of princes against all virtue, and against all those in whom hatred of vice and love of virtue appeared.
He is summoned before the Queen.
Report of this sermon was made unto the Queen, and John Knox was sent for. Mr. Alexander Cockburn, of Ormiston, who had formerly been his scholar, and then was very familiar with him, was the messenger, and gave him some knowledge both of the report and of the reporters. The Queen was in her bedchamber, and with her, besides the ladies and the common servants, were the Lord James, the Earl Morton, Secretary Lethington, and some of the guard that had made the report. He was called, and accused of having spoken irreverently of the Queen, of travailing to bring her into the hatred and contempt of the people, and of exceeding the bounds of his text. Upon these three heads, the Queen herself made a long harangue or oration; to which the said John answered as follows:—
John Knox, states his Views concerning the Behaviour of Princes.
"Madam, this is oftentimes the just recompense which God giveth to the stubborn of the world. Because they will not hear God speaking for the comfort of the penitent, and the amendment of the wicked, they are oft compelled to hear the false report of others to their greater displeasure. I doubt not but that it came to the ears of proud Herod that our Master Christ Jesus called him fox; but they told him not how odious a thing it was before God to murder an innocent, as he had lately done before, causing John the Baptist to be beheaded, to reward the dancing of a harlot's daughter. Madam, if the reporters of my words had been honest men, they would have reported my words, and the circumstances of the same. But, because they would have credit in Court, and lack virtue worthy thereof, they must have somewhat to please your Majesty, if it were but flattery and lies. If your Grace take any pleasure in such persons, it will turn to your everlasting displeasure. Madam, had your own ears heard the whole matter that I entreated, ye could not justly have been offended with anything that I spake, if there be in you any sparkle of the Spirit of God, yea, of honesty or wisdom. Ye have heard their report; may it please your Grace to hear myself rehearse the sermon, as nearly as memory will serve.
"My text, Madam, was this, 'And now, O kings, understand; be learned, ye judges of the earth.' After, Madam, I had declared the dignity of kings and rulers, the honour in which God has placed them, and the obedience that is due unto them, as God's lieutenants, I demanded this: But, O alas! what account shall the most part of princes make before that Supreme Judge, whose throne and authority so manifestly and shamefully they abuse? This day is most true the complaint of Solomon that violence and oppression do occupy the throne of God here in this earth: murderers, bloodthirsty men, oppressors, and malefactors dare be bold to present themselves before kings and princes, and the poor saints of God are banished and exiled. What shall we say, but that the Devil hath taken possession of the throne of God, which ought to be fearful to all wicked doers, and a refuge to the innocent oppressed. How can it be otherwise? Princes will not understand; they will not be taught as God commands them. God's law they despise, His statutes and holy ordinances they will not understand; they are more exercised in fiddling and flinging than in reading or hearing God's most blessed Word; and fiddlers and flatterers, who commonly corrupt youth, are more precious in their eyes than are men of wisdom and gravity, who might, by wholesome admonition, beat down in them some part of that vanity and pride wherein all are born, but in princes taketh deep root and strength by wicked education.
Of Dancing.