xcommunicated the archbishop of St. Andrews,
because he had been active in parliament for promoting a law which
restrained their seditious sermons; [*] nor could that prelate save
himself by any expedient from this terrible sentence, but by renouncing
all pretensions to ecclesiastical authority. One Gibson said in the
pulpit that Captain James Stuart (meaning the late earl of Arran) and
his wife, Jezebel, had been deemed the chief persecutors of the church;
but it was now seen that the king himself was the great offender; and
for this crime the preacher denounced against him the curse which
fell on Jeroboam, that he should die childless, and be the last of his
race.[**]

The secretary, Thirlstone, perceiving the king so much molested with
ecclesiastical affairs, and with the refractory disposition of the
clergy, advised him to leave them to their own courses; for that in a
short time they would become so intolerable, that the people would rise
against them, and drive them out of the country. "True," replied the
king; "if I purposed to undo the church and religion, your counsel were
good; but my intention is to maintain both; therefore cannot I suffer
the clergy to follow such a conduct, as will in the end bring religion
into contempt and derision."[***]

* Spotswood, p. 346, 346.

* Spotswood, p. 34[**?].

* Spotswood, p. 348.

CHAPTER XLII.

ELIZABETH.

{1586.} The dangers which arose from the character, principles, and
pretensions of the queen of Scots, had very early engaged Elizabeth to
consult, in her treatment of that unfortunate princess, the dictates
of jealousy and politics, rather than of friendship or generosity:
resentment of this usage had pushed Mary into enterprises which had
nearly threatened the repose and authority of Elizabeth: the rigor and
restraint thence redoubled upon the captive queen,[*] still impelled her
to attempt greater extremities; and while her impatience of confinement,
her revenge,[**] [20] and her high spirit concurred with religious zeal,
and the suggestions of desperate bigots, she was at last engaged in
designs which afforded her enemies, who watched the opportunity, a
pretence or reason for effecting her final ruin.

* Digges, p. 139. Haynes, p. 607.

** See note T. at the end of the volume.

The English seminary at Rheims had wrought themselves up to a high pitch
of rage and animosity against the queen. The recent persecutions