Chapter XIII: MS. L. (3.)--A copy of the same volume, with these portions (12)

"My Cousing, I have bein greittumlie mervellitt, having understand
the trubillis that ar happinnit in thir pairtis; and yit mair
mervell that ye, of wham I had ane haill confidence, and alsua hes
this honour to be sua neir the Quenis Grace, my wiffe, and hes
resavit of umquhile the Kyngis Grace my father, hir Grace, and me,
sick graceis and favouris, that ye sould be sa forgetfull as to mak
youre self the heid, and ane of the principall begynnaris and
nureischaris of the tumultis and seditiounis thar ar sene thair.
The quhilk, becaus it is sa strange as it is, and syne against the
professioun that ye at all tymeis have maid, I can not gudlie
beleif it; and gif it be sa, I can not think bot ye have bene
entyseit and led thairto be sum personis that haif seduceit and
caussit yow commit sic ane falt, as I am assureit ye repent of
alreddy, quhilk will be ane greit emplesour[885] to me, to the
effect I mycht lose ane pairt of the occasioun I have to be
miscontent with yow, as I will yow to understand I am, seing sua
far ye have dissavit the esperance I had of yow, and your
effectioun towart God, and the weill of our service, unto the
quhilk ye knaw ye ar als mekill and mair obleist nor ony uther of
the Lordis thair. For this cause, desyrand that the materis mycht
be dutelie[886] amendit, and knawand quhat ye may heirintill, I
thocht gude on this maner to write unto yow, and pray yow to tak
heid to returne to the guid way, from quhilk ye ar declyneit, and
caus me knaw the samin be the effectis that ye have ane uther
attentioun nor this quhilk thir folies bipast makis me now to
beleif; doing all that ever ye can to reduce all thyngis to thair
first estait, and put the samin to the rycht and gud obedience that
ye knaw to be dew unto God and unto me: [SN: BRAGGIS NOW.[887]]
Utherwayis, ye may be weill assureit, that I will put to my hand,
and that in gud eirnest, that ye and all thay have done, and dois
as ye, sall[888] feill, (throw thair awin falt,) that quhilk thay
have deservit and meritit; evin as I have gevin charge to this
Gentilman, present beirar, to mak yow knaw mair largelie of my
pairt; for quhilk caus, I pray yow creddeit him, evin as ye wald
do my selff. Prayand God, my Cousing, to haif yow in his holy and
worthy protectioun.

"Writtin at Pareis, the xvij day of July 1559."

The samyn messinger brocht alssua letteris frome the Quene our Soverane, mair scharp and threatning than the former; for hir conclusioun was, "_Vous senteras la poincture a jamais_."[889]

This creddeit was, "That the Kyng wald spend the Croun of France, or that he war not revengeit upoun sick seditious personis. That he wald never have suspectit sick inobedience and sick defectioun frome his awin sister in him." To the quhilk the said Lord James ansuerit, first by word, and than by writting, as followis:--

"SCHIR,

"My dewtie rememberit. Your Majestieis letter I resavit frome
Pareis, the xvij of Julij last, proporting in effect, that your
Majestie sould mervell that I, being forgetfull of the graceis and
favouris schawing me be the King, of blissitt memorie, your
Majestieis Father, and the Quenis Grace, my Soverane, sould declair
my selff heid, and ane of the principall begynnaris of the allegeit
tumultis and seditioun in thir pairtis, desaving thairby your
Majestieis expectatioun at all tymis hard of me; with assurance,
that gif I did not declair by contrarie effectis my repentance, I,
with the rest that had put, or yitt putis handis to that wark,
sould resave the rewaird quhilk we had deservit and meritit.

"Schir, it grevis me heavelie that the cryme of ingratitude sould
be laid to my charge be your Hienes, and the rather that I persave
the same to haif proceidit of sinister informatioun, of thame
quhais pairt it was not sua to have reportit, gif trew service
bigane had bene regairdit. And as tuiching the repentance, and
declaratioun of the same be contrar effectis,[890] that your
Majestic desyris I schaw, my conscience perswaidis me in thir
proceidingis to have done na thing aganeis God, nor the
debtfull[891] obedience towartis your Hienes and the Queneis Grace
my Soverane, utherwayis it sould have bene to repent, and als
amendit allreddy, according to your Majestieis expectatioun of me.
Bot your Hienes being treulie informeit, and perswaidit that the
thyng quhilk we have done makis for the advancement of Godis
glorie, (as it dois in deid,) without ony maner derogatioun to your
Majesteis dew obedience, we dowt not bot your Majestie sall be
weill contentit with our proceidingis, quhilk being groundit upoun
the commandiment of the eternall God, we dar [nocht] leif the samyn
unaccompleischeit; onelie wisching and desyreing your Majestie did
knaw the same, and treuth thairof, as it is perswaidit to our
conscience, and all thame that ar treulie instructit in the
eternall word of our God, upoun quham we cast our cair for all
daingearis that may follow the accompleisment of his eternall will;
and to quham we commend your Hienes, beseiking him to illuminat
your hart with the evangell of his eternall trewth, to knaw your
Majestieis dewtie towartis[892] your pure subjectis, Godis chosin
pepill, and quhat ye aucht to craif justlie of thame agane; for
than we sould haif na occatioun to feir your Majestieis wraith and
indignatioun, nor your Hienes suspitioun in our inobedience. The
samyn God mot[893] have youre Majestie in his eternall saifgard.

"At Dumbartane, the 12 of August 1559."

This answer, directit to the Quene our Soverane, and to Francis hir husband, the Quene Dowager resavit, and was bold upoun it, as sche mycht weill yneuch; for it was suppoisit that the former letteris war forgeit heir at hame in Scotland. The answer red by hir, sche said, "That sua proud ane answer was never gevin to King, Prince, or Princess." And yitt indifferent men thocht that he mycht have answerit mair schairplie, and not have transgressit modestie nor treuth. For quhair thay burding him with the greit benefitis quhilk of thame he had resavit, gif in plane wordis he had purgeit him self, effirming, that the greitest benefit that ever he receavit of thame was to spend in thair service, that quhilk God be utheris had providit for him, na honest man wald have accusit him, and na man wald have bene abill to have convickit him of ane lye. Bot Princeis must be pardonit to speik quhat thay pleise.

[SN: THE RESIDENCE OF JOHNNE WILLOCK IN EDINBURGH.]

For confort of the brethren, and contynewance of the Kyrk in Edinburgh, was left thair our deir brother Johnne Willock, quha, for his faithfull laubouris and bald curage in that battell, deserves immortall prayse. For quhan it was fund dangerous that Johnne Knox, quha befoir was electit Minister[894] to that Kyrk, sould contynew thair, the brethren requeistit the said Johnne Willock to abyde with thame, least that, for laik of ministeris, idolatrie sould be erectit up agane. To the quhilk he sua glaidlie consentit, that it mycht evidentlie appeir, that he preferrit the confort of his brethren, and the contynewance of the Kirk thair, to his awin lyiff. One pairt of the Frensche men war appointtit to ly in garnesoun at Leith, (that was the first benefit thai gat for thair confideracie with thame,) the uthir pairt war appointit to ly in the Cannogait; the Quene and hir tryne abydeing in the Abbay. Oure brother Johnne Willock, the day efter our departure, prechit in Sanct Geillis Kirk, and ferventlie exhortit the brethren to stand constant in the trewth quhilk thay had professit. At this and sum uther sermondis was the Duke, and diverse utheris of the Queneis factioun. This libertie and preching, with resort of all pepill thairto, did hielie offend the Quene and the uther Papistis. And first thay began to gif terrouris to the Duke; affirmyng, that he wald he repute as ane of the Congregatioun, gif he gaif his presence to the sermondis. Thairefter thay begould[895] to requyre that Messe sould be sett up agane in Sanct Geillis kirk, and that the pepill sould be sett at libertie to chuse what religioun thay wald; for that, say thay, was contenit in the Appointmentt, that the town of Edinburgh sould cheis quhat religioun thay list. For obtening heirof, was send to the Tolbuith,[896] the Duke, the Erle of Huntlie, and the Lord Seytoun, to solist all men to condiscend to the Quenis mynd; quhairin the twa last did laubour that thay could, the Duik not sa, bot as ane behalder, of quham the brethren had guid esperance. And efter many perswationis and threatningis maid be the saidis Erle and Lord, the brethren, stoutlie and valiantlie in the Lord Jesus, ganesaid thair maist injust petitionis, reasonyng, "That as of conscience thay mycht nocht suffr idolatrie to be credit quhair Christ Jesus was treulie precheit, sua could nocht the Quene nor thay requyre any sick thyng, unless sche and thay wald plainlie violat thair faith and cheif article of the Appointment; for it is planelie appointit, That na member of the Congregatioun sall be molestit in any thing that, the day of the Appointment, be peaceabillie possessit. Bot sua it was that we, the Brethren and Protestantis of the toun of Edinburgh, with oure ministeris, the day of the Appointment, did peaceabillie possess Sanct Geilis Kirk,[897] appointit for us for preching of Christis trew Evangell, and rycht ministratioun of his holy Sacramentis. Thairfoir, without manifest violatioun of the Appointment, ye can not remove us thairfra, quhill ane Parliament have decydit the contraversie."

[SN: THE QUENE REGENTIS MALICE AGAINST PURE MEN.]

This answer gevin, the haill brethren depairtit, and left the foirsaid Erle, and Lord Seytoun the Provest of Edinburgh, still in the Tolbuyth; quha persaving that thay could not prevaill in that maner, bot began to entreat that thay wald be quyett, and that thay wald sa far condiscend to the Quenis plesour, as that thay wald chuse thame ane uthir Kirk[898] within the toun, or at the least be contentit that Messe sould be said ather efter or befoir thair sermonis. To the quhilk, ansuer was gevin, "That to gif place to the Devill, (quha was the cheif inventar of the Messe,) for the plesour of ony creature, thay could not. Thay war in possessioun of that Kirk, quhilk thay could not abandone; nether could thay suffer idolatrie be erectit in the samyn, unless be violence thay sould be constrancit sa to do; and than thay war determinit to seik the nixt remedy." Quhilk ansuer resavit, the Erle of Huntlie did lovinglie intreat thame to quyetnes; faithfullie promissing that in na sort thay sould be molestit, sa that thay wald be quyett, and mak na farther uproir. To the quhilk thay war maist willing; for thay socht onlie to serve God as he had commandit, and to keip thair possessioun, according to the Appointment; quhilk be Goddis grace thay did till the moneth of November, nochtwithstanding the greit bosting of the ennemy. For thay did not onlie convene to the preching, dailie supplicatiounis, and administratioun of Baptisme, bot alssua the Lordis Tabill was ministratt, evin in the eyis of the verray ennemy, to the greit confort of mony afflictit conscience. And as God did potentlie wirk with his trew Minister, and with his trubillit Kirk, so did nocht the Devill cease to enflamb the malice of the Quene, and of the Papistis with hir. For schort efter hir cuming to the Abbay of Halyrudhouse, sche caussit Messe to be said, first in hir awin Chapell, and efter in the Abbay, quhair the altaris befoir war cassin doun. Sche dischargit the Commoun Prayeris, and foirbad to gif ony portioun to sick as war the principall young men quha redd thame. Hir malice extendit in lik maner to Cambuskynneth;[899] for thair sche dischargeit the portionis of als many of the Channonis as had forsaikin Papistrie. Sche gaif command and inhibitioun, that the Abbot of Lundoris[900] sould be[901] ansuerit of any pairt of his leving in the North, becaus he had submitit him self to the Congregatioun, and had put sum reformatioun to his place. Be hir consent and retrahibitioun[902] was the preching stuleis brokin in the Kirk of Leith, and idolatrie was erectit in the samyn, quhair it was befoir suppressit. Hir Frensche Capitaneis, with thair suldiouris in greit companeis, in tyme of preching and prayeris, resortit to Sanct Geillis Kirk in Edinburgh, and maid thair commune deambulatour thairin, with sick lowd talking, as na perfyte audience could be had; and althocht the Minister was ofttymes thairthrow compellit to cry out on thame, praying to God to red thame of sick locustis; thay nevirtheless continewit still in thair wickit purpoise, devisit and ordaneit be the Quene, to have drawin our brethren of Edinburgh and thame in cummer; swa that sche mycht have had ony cullorat occatioun to have brokin the liegue with thame. Yitt, be Goddis grace, thay behaveit thame selfis swa, that sche could fynd na falt with thame; albeit in all thir thingis befoir nameit, and in every ane of thame, sche is worthelie comptit to have contravenit the sayd Appointment. We pass over the oppressing done of oure brethren in particular, quhilk had bene sufficient to have provin the Appointment to have bene playne violatit; for the Lord Seytoun, without ony occasioun offerrit unto him, brak a chaise upoun Alexander Quhitelaw,[903] as he came frome Prestoun, accumpaneit with Williame Knox,[904] towartis Edinburgh, and ceassit not to persew him till he came to the toun of Ormestoun: And this he did, supposing that the said Alexander Quhitelaw had bene Johnne Knox. In all this menetyme, and quhill that ma Frensche men arryvit, thay ar not abill to pruif that we brak the Appointment in any jote, except that ane hoirnit capp was taikin of ane proud preistis heid, and cut in four quarteris,[905] becaus he said he wald weir[906] it in dispyte of the Congregatioun.

[SN: THE QUENE REGENTIS FALSE FLATTERING LETTER TO THE DUKE.[907]]

In this menetyme, the Quene, then Regent, knawin assuredlie quhat force was schortlie to cum unto hir, ceassit not, by all meneis possibill, to cloik the incuming of the Frensche, and to enflamb the hartis of oure cuntrey men aganis us. And for that purpoise, sche first wrait to my Lord Duike, in forme as followis:--

"My Lord and Cousing,

"Efter hartlie commendatioun; We ar informit that the Lordis of the
Westland Congregatioun intendis to mak ane conventioun and
assembillie of thair kyn and freyndis upoun Govane Mure, besyde
Glasgw, on Monnunday cum viij dayis, the [21st] day[908] of August
instant, for sum hie purpoise aganeis us, quhilk we can nott
skantlie beleve,[909] considdering thay have na occasioun upoun our
pairt sa to do. And albeit ye knaw the Appointment was maid be our
avise,[910] yitt we acceptit the samin at your desyre, and hes
sensyne maid na cause quhairby thay mycht be movit to cum in the
contrair thairof. Lyke as we ar yitt myndit to keip firme and
stabill all thingis promesit be yow in our behalf. We think, on the
uther pairt, it is your dewatie to requyre tham, that thay
contravene not thair pairt thairof in na wyise;[911] and in caice
thay meane ony evill towartis us, and sua will breck thaire
promeise, we beleif ye will, at the uttermost of your power,
convene with us, and compell tham to do that thing quhilk thay
aucht, gif thay will nocht. Praying yow to have your selff, your
kin and freyndis, in reddynes to cum to us, as ye sall be
adverteist be proclamatioun, in caise the Congregatioun assembill
tham selffis for any purpoise aganeis us, or the tennour of the
said Appointment: assureand yow, without thay gadder, and mak first
occasioun, we sall nott put yow to any paneis in that behalf; and
that ye adverteis us in writt, quhat we may lippin to heirin with
this beirar, quha will schaw yow the fervent mynd we beir to have
concord with the said Congregatioun, quhat offeris we haif maid to
thame, and how desyrous we ar to draw thame to the obedience of our
Soveranis authoritie, to quham ye sall gif creddeit; and God keip
yow.

"At Edinburgh, the tent day of August 1559."

[SN: THE REGENTIS LETTER TO THE BARRONIS.]

The lyke letter sche wrait to everie Lord, Barroun, and Gentilman, of this tennour:--

"TREST FREYND,

"Efter hartlie commendatioun; We dowt nott bot ye have hard of the
Appointment maid besyde Leith, betuix my Lord Duik, the Erle of
Huntlie, and Monsieur Dosell, on the ane pairt, and the Lordis of
the Congregatioun, on the uther syde; quhilk Appointment we have
approvit in all poyntis, albeit it was taikin by our avise; and is
myndit to observe and keip all the contentis thairof for our pairt.
Nochtheless, we ar informeit, the saidis Lordis of the
Congregatioun intendis schortlie to convene all sick personeis as
will assist to thame, for interprysing of sum heycht purpoise
aganis us, our authoratie, and tennour of the said Appointment,
quhilk we can not beleif, seing thay nather haif, nor sall have,
ony occasioun gevin thairto on our pairt, and yit thinkis not
reassonabill, in caise thay meane ony sick thing: and thairfoir
have thocht it guid to gif wairning to oure speciall freyndis of
the adverteisment we have gottin, and amangis the rest, to yow,
quham we esteme of that nomber. Praying yow to have your self,
youre kin, and folkis in reddynes to cum to us."--And sua furth, as
in the uthir letter above sent to the Duike, word efter word.

[SN: THE PRACTISE OF QUENE REGENT.]

Efter that by thir letteris, and by the dissaitfull furnissing of hyr solistaris, sche had sumquhat steirit up the hairtis of the pepill against us, than sche began oppinlie to complayne, "That we war of mynd to invaid hir persone; that we wald keip na pairt of the Appointment; and thairfoir sche was compellit to crave the assistance of all men against our injust persute." And this practise sche usit, as befoir is said, to abuse the simplicitie of the pepill, that thay sould not suddanlie espy for quhat purpois sche brocht in hir new bandis of men of weir, quha did arryve about the middis of August to the nomber of ane thousand men. The rest war appointit to cum efter, with Monsieur de la Broche,[912] and with the Bischop of Amiance,[913] quha arryvit the nynetene day of September following, as gif thay had bene Ambassadouris: [SN: THE ARRYVELL OF THE FRENSCHE.[914]] bot quhat was thair negotiatioun, the effect did declair, and thay thame selffis could not long conceill; for baith be tung and pen thay utterit, "That thay war send for the utter exterminatioun of all thame that wald not professe the Papisticall religioun in all pointis." The Quenis practise nor craft could not blynd the eyeis of all men; nether yitt could hir subtiltie hyde hir awin schame, bot that many did espy hir desait: and sum spairit not to speik thair jugement liberallie; quha foirseing the dainger gaif adverteisment, requyring that provisioun mycht be fund, befoir that the evill sould exceid our wisdome and strenth to put remedy to the same; for prudent men foirsaw, that sche prctendit ane plane conqueist. Bot to the end, that the pepill sould not suddanlie stur, sche wald nocht bring in hir full force at aneis, (as befoir is said,) bot by continewall traffique purposit to augment hir army, so that in the end we sould not be abill to resist. Bot the greitest pairt of the Nobilitie, and many of the pepill, war so enchantit by hir treassonabill solistaris, that thay could not heir, nor creddeit the treuth planelie spokin. The Frensche than, efter the arryvell of thair new men, began to brag: [SN: THE DEVISIOUN OF THE LORDIS LANDIS BY THE FRENSCHE.] than began thay to devyde the landis and lordschippis according to thair awin fantaseis; for ane was styleit Monsieur de Ergyle; ane uther, Monsieur le Priour; the thrid, Monsieur de Ruthven; yea, thay war assureit, in thair awin opinioun, to possesse quhatsoever thay list, that sum askit the rentallis and revenewis of dyverse mennis landis, to the end that [thay] mycht chuse the best. And yitt in this menetyme, sche eschame nott to sett out ane Proclamatioun, in this forme:--

[SN: ANE PROCLAMATIOUN SETT OUT BE THE QUENE REGENT, TO BLIND THE VULGAR PEPILL.[915]]

"Forsamekle as we understand that certane seditious personis hes
inventit and blawin abrod dyvers rumouris and evill brutis, tending
thairby to steir up the hartis of the pepill, and swa to stope all
reconciliatiounis betuix us and our subjectis, being of the nomber
of the Congregatioun, and consequentlie to kyndill and nureise
continewall stryfe and devisioun in this realme, to the manifest
subvertioun of the haill Estaitis thairof; and amangis uther
purpoisses, hes maliciouslie devisit for that effect, and hes
perswaidit too many, that we haif violatit the Appointment laitlie
tane, in sa far as ony ma Frensche men sensyne ar cumit in: and
that we ar myndit to draw in greit forceis of men of weir furth of
France, to suppres the libertie of this realme, oppres the
inhabitantis thairof, and mak up straingaris with thair landis and
goodis: Quhilk reportis ar all (God knawis) maist vayne, fenzeit,
and untrew. For it is of treuth, that nathing hes bene done on oure
pairt sen the said Appointment, quhairby it may be allegeit, that
ony point thairof hes bene contravenit: nor yitt was at that tyme
any thing communit or concludit to stope the sending in of Frensche
men; as may cleirlie appeir be inspectioun of the said Appointment,
quhilk the beirar heirof hes presentlie to schaw. [SN: LETT THE
BISCHOP OF AMIANCE AND MONSIEUR DE LA BROCHE LETTERIS WRITTIN TO
FRANCE, WITNESS THAT.[916]] Quhat[evir] nomber of men of weir be
arryveit, we [have] sick regaird to our honour, and quyetnes of
this realme, that in caise in the rowme of everie ane Frensche man
that is in Scotland thair war ane hundreth at our command, yitt
sould not for that any joyt that is promesit be brokin, or any
alteratioun be maid be oure provocatioun; bot the said
Appointment[917] treulie and surelie observit in everie point, gif
the said Congregatioun will in lyk maner faithfullie keip thair
pairt thairof. Nor yitt meane we to truble any man in the
peaceabill possessioun of thair guidis and rowmes, nor yitt to
enreache[918] the Crowne, and far less any strangear, with your
substance; for our derrest sone and dochter, the King and Quene, ar
by Godis provisioun placeit in the rowme, quhair all men of
jugement may weill considder thay have na neid of any manis guidis.
And for our self, we seik na thing bot debtfull obedience unto
thame, sick as guid subjectis aucht to gif to thair Soveraneis,
without deminutioun of your liberteis and priveleigeis, or
alteratioun of your lawis.[919] Thairfoir, we thocht guid to
notifie unto yow our guid mynd foirsaid, and desyreis yow not to
gif eir nor creddeitt to sic vayne imaginationis, quhairof, befoir
God, no pairte ever enterit in our consait; nor suffer your selfis
be thairby led frome youre dew obedience; assureing yow, ye sall
ever fynd with us trewth in promeisses, and ane moderlie luif
towartis all; yow behaifand your selffis our[920] obedient
subjectis. [SN: FEW DAYIS EFTER DECLAIRIT THE TREUTH OF THIS] Bot
of one thing we gif yow wairning, that quhairas sum Prechearis of
the Congregatioun, in thair publict sermonis, speikis irreverentlie
and sklanderouslie, alsweill of Princeis in generall, as of our
self in particulare, and of the obedience to the hiear poweris;
induceing the pepill, be that pairt of thair doctrine, to
defectioun frome thair dewatie, quhilk pertenis na thing to
religioun, bot rather to seditioun and tumult, thingis direct
contrar to religioun: thairfoir we desyre yow to tak ordour in
youre toun and boundis, that quhan the Prechearis repairis thair,
thay use thame selfis mair modestlie in thay behalfis, and in thair
precheing not to mell sa mekle with civill policie and publict
governance, nor yit name us, or uther Princeis, bot with honour and
reverence, utherwayis it will nocht be sufferrit. [SN: JESABELL
WALD BE HONOURIT, BOT HELIAS WALD NOTT.] Attour,[921] sen ye haif
presentlie the declaratioun of our intentioun, we desire to knaw
lykwayis quhat sall be your pairt to us, that we may understand
quhat to lippin for at your handis; quhairof we desire ane playne
declaratioun in writt, with this beirar, without excuise or delay.

"At Edinburgh, the twentie aucht of August 1559."

This proclamatioun sche send be hir messingeris throwch all the cuntrey, and had hir solistaris in all pairtis, quha paynefullie travellit to bring men to hir opinioun; amangis quham thir war the principallis, Sir Johnne Bellenden, Justice Clerk; Maister James Balfour, Officiall of Lowthiane, Maister Thomas and Maister Williame Scottis, sonnis to the Laird of Balwerie,[922] Sir Robert Carnegy, and Maister Gawane Hammiltoun; quha for faynting of the bretheris hairtis, and drawing many to the Queneis factioun against thair natyve cuntrey, have declairit thame selfis ennemeis to God, and traytouris to thair commune wealth. Bot abuiff all utheris Maister James Balfour, Officiall for the tyme, aucht to be abhoirrit; for he, of ane auld professoure, is becum ane new denyare of Christ Jesus, and manifest blasphemar of his eternall veritie, aganis his knawlege and conscience; seiking to betray his brethren and natyve cuntrey in the handis of ane crewell and unfaithfull natioun.

The answer to this former proclamatioun was maid in forme as followis:--

"TO THE NOBILITIE, BURGHIS, AND COMMUNITIE OF THIS REALME OF
SCOTLAND, THE LORDIS, BARONIS, AND UTHERIS, BRETHERIN OF THE
CHRISTIANE CONGREGATIOUN, WISCHIS ENCREASE OF WISDOME, WITH THE
ADVANCEMENT OF THE GLORIE OF GOD, AND OF THE COMMUNWEALTH, &C. &C.

"The love of oure natyve cuntrey craifis, the defence of oure
honouris requyreis, and the synceritie of oure conscienceis
compellis us, (derrest Brethren,) to answer sum pairt to the last
writtingis and proclamatiounis sett furth be the Queneis Grace
Regent, no less to mak us and oure caus odiouse, than to abuse your
simplicitie to youre finall destructioun, conspyreit of auld, and
now alreaddy put to wark. And first, quhair sche allegeis certane
seditious personeis have of malice inventit and blawin abrod
diverse rumouris, [tending] thairby (as sche allegeis) to steir up
the hartis of the pepill to seditioun, be reassone that the
Frensche men ar croppin in of lait in our cuntrey; trew it is,
(deir Brethren,) that all sick as beir naturall lufe to thair
cuntrey, to yow, thair brethren, inhabitantis thairof, to our
housses, wyffis, bairneis, the esperance of your posteratie, and
schortlie to your commun-wealth, and the ancient lawis and
libertieis thairof, can not bot in hart lament, with mowth and
teiris complayne, the maist craftie assaultis devisit and
practisit, to the utter rewyne of all thir thyngis foirnameit; and
that sua manifestlie is gane to wark, that evin in our eyeis oure
derrest brethren, trew memberis of oure commun-welth, ar maist
crewellie oppressit by strangearis; in sa far that sum ar baneissit
thair awin housses, sum robbit and spuilzeit of thair substance,
conqueist by thair just laubouris in the sweit of thair browis; sum
crewellie murtherit at the pleasour of thir inhumane souldiouris;
and altogidder have thair lyvis in sick feir and dreddour, as gif
the ennemy war in the myddis of thame; so that nathing can seme
plesand unto thame, quhilk thay possess in the bowellis of thair
natyve cuntrey; sa neir jugeis everie man, (and not but just caus,)
the practise usit upoun thair brethren to approche nixt unto thame
thair selffis, wyffeis, bairneis, housses, and substanceis, quhilk
altogidder ar cassin at the feit of straingearis, men of weir, to
be by thame thus abusit att thair unbrydillit lustis desyre. Now,
if it be seditioun, (deir Brethren,) to complane, lament, and pour
furth befoir God the sorrowis [and] sobbis of oure dolorouse
hartis, crying to him for redress of thir enormyteis, (quhilk ellis
quhair is not to be found;) and thir altogidder dois [proceid] of
the unlauchfull halding of strange suldiouris over the heidis of
oure brethren; gif this to complayne be sedition, then indeid,
(deir Brethren,) can nane of us be purgeit of that cryme; for as in
verray hart we dampne sick inhumayne creweltie, with the wickit and
craftie pretence thairof, sua can we, nor dar we nott, neather be
mouthis speiking, nor yitt by keiping of silence, justifie the
same. Neather do we heir aggrege the breking of the Appointmentt
maid at Leith, (quhilk alwayis hes manifestlie bene done;) bot
quhan we remember quhat aith we have maid to our commun-welth, and
how the dewatie we aucht to the same compellis us to cry outt, that
hir Grace, be wickit and ungodlie counsall, gais maist craftelie
about utterlie to oppress the same, and ancient lawis and
libertieis thairof, alsweill aganeis the King of Francis promeise,
hir awin dewatie, in respect of the heich promotionis that sche
resavit thairby, quhilk justlie sould have caussit hir to have bene
indeid that quhilk sche wald be callit, (and is nathing less in
veritie,) to wit, ane cairfull mother ovir this commun-wealth; bot
quhat motherlie cair sche hes usit towardis yow, ye can not be
ignorant. [SN: LETT THE NOBILITIE JUGE HEIROF.] Haif ye nocht bene,
evin frome the first entres of hir regne, ever smytit and oppressit
with unaccustomit and exhorbitant taxatiounis, [more] than ever war
usit within this realme? Yea, and how far was it socht heir to have
bene brocht in upoun yow and your posteritie, under cullour to have
bene laid up in stoir for the weiris? The inquisitioun tane of all
your guidis, movable and immovabill, be way of testament; the
seiking of the haill coill and saltt of this realme, to have bene
laid up in stoir and gernall, and sche allane to have bene merchant
thairof, dois teache yow be experience sum of her motherlie cair.

"Agane, Quhat cair ower your commun-wealth dois hir Grace
instantlie beir, quhan evin now presentlie, and of ane lang tyme
bygane, be the ministerie of sum, (quha better deserve the
gallowis, than ever did Cochrane,[923]) sche dois sua corrupt the
layit[924] money, and lies brocht it in sick basenes, and sic
quantatie of scruiff, that all men that hes thair eyis oppin may
persaif ane extreme beggarie to be brocht thairthrow upoun the
haill realme, swa that the haill exchange and traffique to be had
with forane natiounis, (ane thing maist necessarie in all
commun-wealthis,) sall thairby be utterlie extinguissitt; and all
the ganeis resavit thairby is, that sche thairwith intertenis
strangearis upoun oure heidis. For, Brethren, ye knaw that hir
money hes servit for na uther purpoise in our commun-wealth this
lang tyme bigane; and the impunitie of thir wickit ministeris,
(quhame laitlie we spak of,) hes brocht the mater to sick ane
licentious enormitie, and plane contempt of the commun-wealth, that
now thay spair not planelie to brek doun and convert the guid and
stark money, cunzeit in our Soveraneis less age, into this thair
corruptit skruiff and baggage of Hard-heidis and Non Suntis,[925]
maist lyik that sche and thay had conspyreit to destroy all the
haill gud cunzey of this realme, and consequentlie that pairt of
the commun-wealth. [SN: LETT SIR ROBERT RICHARTSOUN, AND
UTHERIS,[926] ANSWER TO THIS.] Besydeis all this, thair clyppit
and rowngeit soussis,[927] quhilk had no passage thir three yeiris
past in the realme of France, ar commandit to have course in this
realme, to gratifie thairby hir new cumit suldiouris. And all thir
thingis togidder, ar done without the avise or consent of the
Nobilitie and Counsall of this realme, and manifestlie thairthrow,
against our ancient lawis and liberteis.

"Thridlie, Hir last and maist wechty proceiding, mair fullie
declairis hir motherlie cair hir Grace beiris to our commun-wealth
and us, quhan in tyme of peace, but any occatioun of forane weiris,
thowsandis of strangearis ar layd heir and thair upoun the neckis
of our pure memberis of this commun-wealth; thair idill bellyis fed
upoun the pure substance of the communitie, conqueist by thair just
laubouris in the panefull sueit of thair browis. Quhilk to be trew,
Dumbar, North-Berwick, Tranent, Prestounpanis, Mussilburgh, Leith,
Cannogait, Kingorne, Kirkcaldy, Dysert, with the depauperat saullis
that this day dwell thairin, can testifie; quhais oppressioun, as
doutless it is enterit in befoir the justice sait of God, sa aucht
it justlie to move oure hartis to have reuth and compassioun upoun
thir oure pure brethren, and at oure poweris to provide remedy for
the same. And albeit hir strangearis had bene garneissit with
money, (as ye knaw weill thay war nott,) yitt can thair heir lying
be na wayis bot maist hurtfull to our commun-wealth, seing that the
fertilitie of this realme hes never bene sa plenteouse, that it was
abill of any continewance to sustene the self, and inhabitantis
thairof, without support of forane cuntreis; far less abill,
besydeis the same, to susteane thowsandis of strangeris quhairwith
it is burdenit, to the derthing of all viweris,[928] as the murmour
and complaint of Edinburgh this day dois testifie. Bot to quhat
effect the commun-wealth is this way burdenit, the end dois
declair; for schortlie war thair brocht to the feyldis against our
Soveraneis trew liegeis, even us youre Brethren, quha, (God
knawis,) socht not ellis bot peace of conscience, under protectioun
of oure Soverane, and reformatioune of thir enormiteis, for na
uther caus bot that we wald nott renunce the Evangell of Jesus
Chryst, and subdew oure neckis under the tyranie of that man of
syn, the Romane Antichrist, and his foirsworne schavillingis, quha
at all tymeis moist tyrannicalie oppressit oure saullis with hunger
of Goddis trew word, and reft oure guidis and substanceis, to waist
the same upoun thair foull lustis and stynking harlottis.

"Bot, (O deir Brethren,) this was nocht the cheif pretence and
finall scope of hir proceidingis, (as thir dayis do weill declair;)
for had not God gevin in oure hartis to withstand that oppressioun
with weaponis of maist just defence, thow, O Sanct Johnestoun and
Dundie, had bene in na better estait nor youre sister of Leyth is
this day. For thocht we in verray deid (God is witnes) menit then
na thing bot, in the simplicitie of oure hartis, the mentenance of
trew religioun, and saiftie of oure brethren professouris of the
same, yit lay thair ane uther serpent lurking in the breist of our
adversareis, as this day, (prayse to God,) is planelie oppinnit to
all that list behald, to witt, to bring yow and us baith under the
perpetuall servitude of strangearis; for we being appointit, as ye
knaw, tuiching religioun to be reassonit in the Counsall at the day
affixt, and na occatioun maid to brek the same on our syde, (as is
weill knawin,) yitt come thair furth writtingis and complayntis,
that this day and that day we war prepairit to invaid hir Graceis
persone, (quhan in verray treuth thair was never sic thing thocht,
as the verray deid hes declairit;) bot becaus sche was befoir
deliberatt to bryng in Frensche men to bayth oure destructionis,
that ye sould nott stur thairwith, sche maid yow to understand,
that thay bandis came onlie for the saiftie of hir awin persone. O
craft, Brethren! O subtiltie! Bot behald the end. [SN: THE CAUS OF
THE FRENCHE MENIS CUMING WITH WYFFIS AND BAIRNEIS.] Thay ar cum,
(yitt not sa mony, na, not the saxt pairt that sche desyreit and
lukit for,) and how?[929] Not onlie with weaponis to defend hir
Graceis persone, bot with wyffis and bairneis, to plant in youre
natyve rowmeis,[930] as thay have alreddy begun in the toun of
Leith, the principall port and stapill of all this realme, the
gernall and furnitour of the Counsall and Sait of Justice: and heir
will thay duell, quhill thay may rainforce thame with greitar
nomber of thair fallow suldiouris, to subdew than the rest, gif God
withstand not. And yitt hir Grace feirit nor eschamit not to write,
'Gif thay war ane hundreth Frensche men for everie ane of thame
that is in Scotland, yitt thay sould harme na man.' Tell thow now,
Leith! gif that be trew: gif this be not ane crafty entrie to ane
manifest conqueist, foirthocht of auld, juge yow, deir Brethren!
Thus to forte our tounis, and evin the principall port of our
realme, and to lay sa strang garnisouns[931] of straingearis
thairin, without any consent of the Nobilitie and Counsall of this
realme, bot expres aganeis thair mynd, (as our writtingis send to
hir Grace beiris record,) gif this be not to oppres the ancient
lawis and libertieis of oure realme, lett all wise men say to
it.[932] And farther, to tak the barne-yairdis new gatherrit, the
gernallis replenischeit, the houssis garnissit, and to sitt doun
thairin, and be force to putt the just possessouris and ancient
inhabitantis thairfra, with thair wyffis, bairneis, and servandis,
to schyft [for] thame selfis in begging, gif thair be na uthir
meaneis, thay being trew Scottis men, memberis of our
commun-wealth, and our deir brethren and sisteris, borne, fosterit,
and brocht up in the bowellis of oure commune and natyve cuntrey:
gif this be not the manifest declaratioun of thair auld pretence
and mynd to the haill Scottis natioun, lett your awin conscience,
(Brethren,) be juge heirin. Was all Leith of the Congregatioun? Na,
I think nott; yitt war all alyk servit.

"Let this motherlie cair than be tryit be the fruttis thairof:
First, Be the greit and exhorbitant taxatiounis usit upoun yow, and
yitt ten tymeis greittar preissit at, as ye knaw. Secundlie, The
utter depravatioun of our counzie, to conqueiss tharby money to
interteyne strangearis, Frensche suldiouris, upoun yow, to mak
thame strong haldis, leist ye sould sumtyme expell thame out of
your natyve rowmeis.[933] Thridlie, Be the daylie rainforceing of
the said Frensche souldiouris, in strenth and nomber, with wyffis
and bairneis, planting in your brethrenis houssis and possessiouns.
Indeid, hir Grace is, and lies bene at all tymes cairfull to
procure be hir craft of fair wordis, fair promeissis, and sumtyme
buddis, to allure your simplicitie to that poynt, to joyne your
self to hir suldiouris, to dantoun and oppres us, that ye the
remanent, (we being cut of,) may be ane easie pray to hir slychtis,
quhilk God, of infinite gudnes, lies now discoveritt to the eyeis
of all that list to behald. Bot credeit the warkis, (deir
Brethren,) gif ye will not creddeit us; and lay the exampill of
forane natiouns, yea, of your awin brethren, befoir your eyis and
procure not your awin rewyne willinglie. Yff ye tender trew
religioun, ye see how hir Grace beiris hir[self] plane ennemy
thairto, and mentenis the tyrannie of thair idill bellies, the
Bischopis, aganeis Godis Kirk. Giff religioun be nott perswaidit
unto yow, yit cast ye not away the cair ye aucht to have ower your
commun-welth, quhilk ye see manifestlie and violentlie rewyneit
befoir your eyis. Gif this will nott move yow, remember your deir
wyffis, children, and posteratie, your ancient heretageis and
houssis; and think weill thir strangearis will regaird na mair
your rycht thairunto, than thay have done your brethrenis of Leyth,
quhan ever occatioun sall serve. Bot gif ye purpoise, as we dout
not bot that all thay that ather haif wit or manheid will declair
and prove indeid, to bruik your ancient rowmeis and heretageis,
conquerit maist valiantlie, and defendit be your maist nobill
progenitouris against all strangearis, invaidaris or the same, as
the Frenscheis pretendis planelie this day; gif ye will not he
slavis unto thame, and to have your liffis, your wiffis, your
bairnes, your substance, and quhatsoever is deir unto yow, cassin
at thair feitt, to be usit and abusit at the plesour of strange
suldiouris, as ye see your brethrenis at this day befoir your
eyeis; gif ye will not have experience sum day heirof in your awin
personeis, (as we suppone the least of yow wald not glaidlie have,
bot rather wald chuse with honour to die in defence of his awin
natyve rowme, than leif and serve sa schamefull ane servitud;)
than, Brethren, let us joyne our forceis, and baith with witt and
manheid resist thir begynningis, or ellis our libertieis heirefter
sall be deirar bocht. [SN: ANE PROVERB.] Lett us surelie[934] be
perswaidit, 'Quhan our nychtbouris house be on fyre, that we duell
nott without daingear.'[935] Lett na man withdraw himself heirfra:
and gif any will be sa unhappy and myschevous, (as we suppone nane
to be,) let us altogidder reput, hald, and use him, (as he is
indeid,) for ane ennemy to us, and to him self, and to his
commun-weill. The eternall and omnipotent God, the trew and onlie
revengear of the oppressit, be oure confort and oure protectour
against the fury and raige of the tyrantis of this warld; and
especiallie frome the insaciabill covetousnes of the
Guisianeis[936] generatioun. AMEN."

Besydis this, our publict letter, sum men answerit certane heidis of hir proclamatioun on this maner:--

"Gyff it be seditious to speik the treuth in all sobrietie, and to
complayne quhan thay ar woundit, or to call for help against unjust
tyrannie befoir that thair throttis be cutt, than can we not deny,
bot we ar criminall and giltie of tumult and seditioun. For we have
said that our commun-wealth is oppressit, that we and our brethren
ar hurt be the tyrrannie of strangearis, and that we feir bondage
and slaverie, seing that multitudeis of cruell murtheraris ar
daylie brocht in our cuntrey, without our counsall, or knawlege and
consent. We dispuit not sa mekill quhidder the bringing in of ma
Frensche men be violating of the Appointment, (quhilk the Quene nor
hir factioun can not deny to be manifestlie brokin be thame, in ma
caisses than ane,) as that we wald knaw, gif the heipping of
strangearis upoun strangearis above us, without our counsall or
consent, be ane thing that may stand with the libertie of our
realme, and with the proffitt of our commun wealth. It is not
unknawin to all men of jugement, that the fruitis of our cuntrey,
in the maist commun yeiris, be na mair than sufficient reassonabill
to nureis the borne inhabitantis of the same. Bot now, seing that
we have bene vexit with weiris, taikin upoun us at the plesour of
France, by the quhilk the maist fruttfull portioun of our cuntrey
in corneis hes bene waistit; quhatt man is sa blynd bot that he may
see, that sic bandis of ungodlie and idill suldiouris can be na
thing ellis bot ane occatioun to fameis our pure brethren? and in
this poynt we refuise nott, (quhilk is the cheif,) the jugement of
all naturall Scottis men."

The Quene Regent allegeit, "That althocht thair war ane hundreith
Frensche men for ane in Scotland, yitt sche is not myndit to
trubill any in his just possessioun." Quhairto we answer, "That we
disput not quhat sche intendis, (quhilk nochttheless, be probabill
conjectouris, is to be suspectit;) bot alwayis we affirme, that
sick ane multitude of Frensche men is ane burding, not onlie
unproffitabill, bot alssua intollerabill to this pure realme,
especiallie being intreatit as thay ar be hir and Monsieur Dosell;
for gif thair waigeis be payit out of France, than ar thay baith
(the Quene, we say, and Monsieur Dosell,) traytouris to the Kyng
and Counsall; for the pure communis of this realme have sustenit
thame with the sweit of thair browis, sence the contracting of the
peace, and sumquhat befoir.

"Quhat motherlie effectioun sche hes declairit to this realme, and
to the inhabitantis of the same, hir warkis have evidentlie
declairit, evin sence the first houre that sche hes borne
authoritie; and albeit men will not this day see quhat daingear
hyngis over thair heidis, yitt feir we, that or it be long,
experience sall teich sum that we feir not without cause. The
crewell murthar and oppressioun usit be thame quham now sche
fosteris, is till us ane sufficient argument, quhatt is to be
luikit for, quhan hir nomber is sa multipleit, that oure force sall
not be abill to gainestand thair tyranie.

[SN: THE DOCTRINE OF OUR PRECHARIS CONCERNING OBEDIENCE TO BE GEVIN
TO MAGISTRATTIS.[937]]

"Quhair sche complenis of our Prechearis, affirmyng that
irreverentlie thay speik of Princeis in generall, and of hir in
particular, induceing the pepill thairby to defectioun frome thair
dewatie, &c., and thairfor that sick thing can nott be sufferit:
Becaus this occatioun is had aganis[938] Godis trew Ministeris, we
can not bot witnes quhat tred and ordour of doctrine thay have
keipitt and yitt keip in that poynt. In publict prayeris thay
commend to God all Princeis in generall, and the Magistrattis of
this our natyve realme in particular. In oppin audience thay
declair the auctoratie of Princeis and Magistratis to be of God;
and thairfoir thay affirme, that thay aucht to be honourit, feirit,
obeyit, evin for conscience saik; providit that thay command nor
requyre nathing expreslie repugning to Godis commandiment and
plane will, reveillit in his holy worde. Mairover, thay affirme,
that gif wickit personeis, abusing the auctoratie estableischet be
God, command thingis manifestlie wickit, that sick as may and do
brydill thair inordinatt appetyteis of Princeis, can not be accusit
as resistaris of the aucthoratie, quhilk is Godis gud ordinance. To
brydill the fury and raige of Princeis in free kingdomes and
realmeis, thay affirme it appertenis to the Nobilitie, sworne and
borne Counsallouris of the same, and allsua to the Barronis and
Pepill, quhais voteis and consent ar to be requyreit in all greit
and wechty materis of the commun-welth. Quhilk gif thay do not,
thay declair thame selffis criminall with thair Princeis, and sa
subject to the same vengeance of God, quhilk thay deserve, for that
thay pollute the sait of justice, and do, as it war, mak God author
of iniquytie. Thay proclame and thay cry, that the same God quha
plaigit Pharoo, repulsit Senacherib, struik Herod with wormes, and
maid the bellies of dogis the grave and sepulchrie of despytefull
Jesabell, will nott spair the crewell Princeis, murtheraris of
Chrystis memberis in this our tyme. On this maner thay speik of
Princeis in generall, and of youre Grace in particular. [SN: LETT
SICK AS THIS DAY LEIF WITNES QUHAT GOD HES WROCHT SINCE THE
WRYTTING AND PUBLICATIOUN HEIROF.[939]] This onlie we have hard ane
of oure Prechearis say, rebuiking the vane excuise of sick as
flatter thame selffis, be reassone of the auctoratie; 'Many now a
dayis, (said he,) will have na uther religioun nor faith than the
Quene and the authoratie hes.'[940] Bot is it [not] posseble, that
the Quene be sa far blyndit that sche will haif na religioun, nor
na uther fayth, than may content to the Cardinall of Lorane? and
may it nott lykwyise be abill, that the Cardinall be sua corrupt,
that he will admitt na religioun quhilk dois nott establische the
Paip in his kingdome: Bot plane it is, that the Paip is lievetenent
to Sathan, and ennemy to Chryst Jesus, and to his perfyte
religioun. Lett men thairfoir considder quhat daingear thay stand
in, gif thair salvatioun sall depend upoun the Queneis faith and
religioun. Farder we have never hard any of oure Prechearis speik
of the Quene Regent, nether publictlie nor privatlie. Quhair hir
Grace declairis, 'It will nocht be sufferit that oure prechearis
mell with policie, nor speik of hir nor of uther Princeis bot with
reverence,' we answer, 'That as we will justifie and defend nathing
in oure prechearis, quhilk we fynd not God to have justifeit and
allowit in his messingeris befoir thame; sua dar we not forbid
thame oppinlie to reprehend that quhilk the Spreit of God, speiking
in the Propheitis and [SN: THE PROPHETTIS HAIF MIDDILLIT WITH
POLICEY, AND HIS REPROVIT THE CORRUPTIOUN THAIROF.] Apostillis, hes
reprehendit befoir thame. Helias did personallie reprove Achab and
Jesabell of idolatrie, of avarice, of murther; and sicklik Esaias
the Propheit callitt the magistrattis of Jerusalem in his tymeis
companzeounis to thevis, princeis of Sodome, brybe-takeris, and
murtheraris: He complenit that thair silver was turnit in to dross,
that thair wyne was myngleit with watter, and that justice was
bocht and sauld. Jeremias said, 'That the baneis of King Jehoiakim
sould widder with the sone.' Christ Jesus callit Herod a fox; and
Paul callit the Hie Preist ane payntit wall, and prayit unto God
that he sould strike him, because that against justice he commandit
him to be smyttin. Now gif the lyk or greittar corruptiounis be in
the warld this day, quha dar interprise to put silence to the
Spreit of God, quhilk [will] not be subject[941] to the appetyteis
of wickit Princeis?"

[SN: THE CUMING OF THE ERLE OF ARRANE TO SCOTLAND, AND HIS JOYNING WITH THE CONGREGATIOUN.[942]]

We have befoir said, that the tent day of September was appointit for ane Conventioun to be haldin at Striveling, to the quhilk repairit the maist pairt of the Lordis of the Congregatioun. At that same tyme arryvitt the Erle of Arrane, quha, efter that he had salutit his Father, came with the Erie of Ergyle and Lord James to Striviling to the said Conventioun. In quhilk diverse godlie men complenit upoun the tyrranie usit against thair brethren, and especiallie that ma Frensche men wer brocht in to oppress thair cuntrey. Efter the consultatioun of certane dayis, the principall Lordis, with my Lord of Arrane and Erie of Ergyle, past to Hammyltoun, for consultatioun to be taikin with my Lord Duikis Grace. And in this menetyme came assureit word that the Frensche men war begun to fortifie Leith; quhilk thing, as it did mair evidentlie discover[943] the Queneis craft, sua did deiplie greiff the hartis of the haill Nobilitie thair, quha, with ane consentt, aggreit to write unto the Quene, in forme as followis:--

[SN: LETTERIS TO THE QUENE REGENT.]

"At Hammyltoun, the xix[944] day of September 1559.

"Pleise Your Grace,

"We ar credibillie informeit, that your army of Frensche men sould
instantlie begin to plant in Leith, to fortifie the same, of mynd
to expell the ancient inhabitants thairof, our brethren of the
Congregatioun; quhairof we marvell not a littill, that your Grace
sould sua manifestlie brek the Appointment maid at Leith, but ony
provocatioun maid be us and our brethren. And seing the samyn is
done without ony maner consent of the Nobilitie and Counsale of
this realme, we esteme the same nocht onlie oppressioun of our pure
brethren, indwellaris of the said town, bot allsua verray
prejudiciall to the commun-wealth, and playne contrair to oure
ancient lawis and libertieis: Heirfoir desyreis your Grace to caus
the samyn warke interprysit, be stayit; and nott to attempt sua
raschlie and manifestlie against your Graceis promeis, against the
commun-wealth, the ancient lawis and libertieis thairof, (quhilk
thingis, besyde the glorie of God, ar maist deir and tender unto
us, and onlie our pretence;) utherwayis, assuring your Grace, we
will complayne to the haill Nobilitie and Communitie of this
realme, and maist eirnistlie seik for redress thairof. And thus,
recommending oure humyll service unto youre Hienes, your Graceis
answer maist eirnistlie we desire, quham we committ to the eternall
protectioun of God.

"At Hammyltoun, day and yeir forsaid. Be youre Graceis humyll and
obedient Servitouris."

(This letter was subscrivit with the handis of my Lord Duik, the Erie of Arrane, Argyle, Glencairne, and Menteith; be the Lordis Ruthwen, Uchiltre, Boyd, and by utheris diverse, Barronis and Gentilmen.)--To this requeist sche wald nott answer be writt, bot with ane letter of creddeit sche send Sir Robert Carnegy[945] and Maister David Boirthick,[946] tua, quham amangis many utheris, sche abusit, and by quham sche corruptit the hartis of the sempill. They travellit with the Duik, to bring him agane to the Queneis factioun. La Broche and the Bischop of Amiance were schort befoir arryvit; and, as it was brutit, war directit as ambassadouris; bot thay keipitt cloise thair haill commissioun: Thay onlie maid large promeisses to thame that wald be thairis, and leif the Congregatioun. The Quene did grevouslie complayne, that we haid intelligence with Ingland. [SN: THE PETITIOUN OF LABROCHE.] The conclusioun of thair commissioun was to solist my Lord Duike to put all in the Queneis will, and than wald sche be gratious aneuch. [SN: THE ANSWER.] It was answerit, "That na honest men durst committ thame selfis to the mercie of sick thrott-cuttaris[947] as sche had about hir; quham, gif sche wald remove, and joyne to hir ane Counsall of naturall Scottismen, permitting the religioun to have fre passage, than sould nane in Scotland be mair willing to serve hir Grace than sould the Lordis and Brethren of the Congregatioun be."

[SN: LETTER TO THE LORD ERSKIN.]

At the same tyme, the Duik his Grace and the Lordis wrait to my Lord Erskin, Capitane of Castell of Edinburgh, in forme as followis:

"MY LORD AND COUSING,