The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

The Form of the Protestation made in the Parliament holden at Edinburgh, Anno 1558. IT is not unknown to this Honourable Parliament, what controversy is now lately risen betwixt those that will be called the Prelates and ⟨p. 133⟩Rulers of the Church, and a great number of us the Nobility and Commonalty of the Realm, for the true worshipping of God, for the duty of Ministers, for the right Administration of Christ Jesus holy Sacraments. How that we have complained by our supplication to the Queen Regent, That our consciences are burdened with unprofitable Ceremonies; And that we are compelled to adhere to Idolary: That such as take upon them the Office Ecclesiastical, discharge no part thereof as becometh true Ministers to do; and finally, That we and our brethren are most injuriously oppressed by their usurped authority. And also we suppose it is a thing sufficiently known, That we were of mind at this present Parliament to seek redress of such enormities: but considering that the troubles of the time do not suffer such Reformation as we by Gods plain Word do require, we are enforced to delay that which most earnestly we desire: And yet lest that our silence should give occasion to our adversaries to think that we repent of our former enterprisers, we cannot cease to protest, for remedy against that most unjust tyranny which we heretofore have most patiently sustained. And first we protest, That seeing we cannot obtain a just Reformation according to Gods Word, that it be lawful to us to use our selves in matters of Religion and conscience, as we must answer unto God, unto such time as our adversaries be able to prove themselves the true Ministers of Christs Church, and to purge themselves of such crimes as we have already laid to their charge, offering our selves to prove the same whensoever the sacred Authority please to give us audience. Secondly we protest, That neither we, nor yet any other of the godly that list to join with us in the true Faith which is grounded upon the invincible Word of God, shall incur any danger of life or lands, or any political pain, for not observing such Acts as heretofore have passed in favour of our adversaries, neither yet for violating of such Rites as man without Gods Commandment or Word hath commanded.

The Forme of the Protestation made in the Parliament holden at Edinburgh, Anno 1558. IT is not unknowne to this Honourable Parliament, what controversie is now lately risen betwixt those that will be called the Prelats and ⟨p. 133⟩