The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

The Bishops Letter to the old Earle of Argyle. MY Lord, after most hearty commendations, this is to advertise your Lordship that we have directed this Bearer our Cousin towards your Lordship, in such business and affairs as concerneth your Lordships honour, profit, and great well-being, as the said Bearer will declare to your Lordship at more length. I pray your Lordship, effectually to advert thereto, and to have care to use your Lordships friends, that always hath wished the honour, profit, and prosperity of your Lordships house, as of our own. I pray you give credit to the Bearer. Jesus have your Lordship in everlasting keeping. Of Edinburgh, the five and twentieth day of March, Anno 1558. Sic subscribitur. Your Lordships at all power Saint Andrews.

The Bishops Letter to the old Earle of Argyle. MY Lord, after most hearty commendations, this is to advertise your Lordship that we have directed this Bearer our Cousin towards your Lordship, in such businesse and affaires as concerneth your Lordships honour, profit, and great well-being, as the said Bearer will declare to your Lordship at more length. I pray your Lordship, effectuously to advert thereto, and to have care to use your Lordships friends, that alwayes hath wished the honour, profit, and prosperity of your Lordships house, as of our own. I pray you give credit to the Bearer. Iesu have your Lordship in everlasting keeping. Of Edinburgh, the five and twentieth day of March, Anno 1558. Sic subscribitur. Your Lordships at all power Saint Andrews.

Follows the Credit. Memorandum, To Sir David Hamilton, to my Lord Earle of Argyle, in my behalf, and let him see and hear every Article. 1. Imprimis, To repeat the ancient blood of his house, how long it hath stood, how notable it hath been, and so many Noble-men hath been Earls, Lords and Knights thereof: How long they have reigned in their parts, true and obedient both to God and the Prince, without any spot in their days in any manner of sort: And to remember how many notable men are come of his house. 2. Secondly, To show him the great affection I bear towards him, his blood, house, and friends, and of the ardent desire I have of the perpetual standing of it in honour and fame, with all them that are come of it: Which is my part, for many and divers causes, as you shall see. 3. Thirdly, To show, my Lord, how heavy and displeasing it is to me, now to hear, That he who is and hath been so Noble a man, should be seduced and abused, by the flattery of such an infamed person of the Law, and men sworn Apostate, that under the pretence that he giveth himself forth as a Preacher of the