The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

And because that we would omit no diligence to declare our innocency to all men, we formed a Letter to those of the Nobility, who then persecuted us, as after followeth: To the Nobility of Scotland. The Congregation of Christ Jesus within the same, desire the spirit of righteous Judgement Because we are not ignorant that ye the Nobility of this Realm, who now persecute us, employing your whole study and force to maintain the kingdom of Satan, of superstition and Idolatry, are yet nevertheless divided in opinion. We the Congregation of Christ Jesus, by you unjustly persecuted,¹ have thought good, in one Letter, to write unto you severally. Ye are divided, we say, in opinion; for some of you think that we who have taken this enterprise to remove Idolatry, and the Monuments of the same, to erect the true Preaching of Christ Jesus, in the bounds committed to our Charges, are heretics, seditious men, and troublers of this Commonwealth, and therefore no punishment is sufficient for us; and so blinded with this rage, and under pretence to serve the Authority, ye proclaim War and destruction without all order of Law against us. To you, we say, that neither your blind zeal, neither yet the colour of Authority, ⟨p. 140⟩shall excuse you in Gods presence, who commandeth none to suffer death till that he be openly convinced in judgement, to have offended against God, and against his Law written; which no mortal creature is able to prove against us: for whatsoever we have done, the same we have done at Gods commandment, who plainly commands Idolatry, and all Monuments of the same to be destroyed and abolished.² Our earnest and long request hath been, and is, That in open Assembly it may be disputed, in presence of indifferent auditors, Whether that these abominations, named by the pestilent Papists, Religion, which they by fire and sword defend, be the true Religion of Jesus Christ or not? Now this humble request denied unto us, our lives are sought in most cruel manner: And the Nobility (whose duty is to defend innocents, and to bridle the fury and rage of wicked men,³ were it of Princes or Emperors) do notwithstanding follow their appetites, and arm your selves against us your brethren, and natural Country-men: yea, against us that be innocent and just, as concerning all such crimes as be laid to our charges.