The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

To the which when he had answered simply, and as the trueth was, to wit, That we Convened for none other purpose, but only to assist our brethren, who then were most unjustly persecuted, and therefore we desired them faithfully to report our answer, and to be intercessors to the Queen Regent, That such cruelty should not be used against us, considering that we had offered in our former Letters, as well to the Queens Majesty, as to the Nobility, our matter to be tried in lawful judgement. They promised fidelity in that behalf, which also they kept. The day after, which was the five and twentieth of May, before that the said Lords departed, in the morning John Knox desired to speak with the same Lords, which granted unto him, he was conveyed to their Lodging by the Laird of Balvarde; and thus began,

To the which when he had answered simply, and as the trueth was, to wit, That we Convened for none other purpose, but onely to assist our brethren, who then were most unjustly persecuted, and therefore we desired them faithfully to report our answer, and to be intercessors to the Queen Regent, That such cruelty should not be used against us, considering that we had offered in our former Letters, as well to the Queens Majesty, as to the Nobility, our matter to be tried in lawfull judgement. They promised fidelity in that behalfe, which also they kept. The day after, which was the five and twentieth of May, before that the said Lords departed, in the morning Iohn Knox desired to speak with the same Lords, which granted unto him, he was conveyed to their Lodging by the Laird of Balvarde; and thus began,

The Oration of John Knox to the Lords. The present troubles, honourable Lords, ought to move the hearts, not only of the true servants of God, but also of all such as bear any favour unto our Country and natural Country-men, to descend within themselves, and deeply to consider, what shall be the end of this pretended tyranny. The rage of Satan seeketh the destruction of all those that within this Realm profess Christ Jesus, and they that inflame the Queen, and you the Nobles against us, regard not who prevail, provided that they may abuse the world, and live at their pleasure, as heretofore they have done: yea, I fear that some seek nothing more, then the effusion of Scottish blood, to the end that their possessions may be more patent to others. But because that this is not the principal which I have to speak, omitting the same to be considered, by the wisdom of those to whom the care of the Common-wealth appertaineth. 1. I most humbly require of you, my Lords, in my name, to say to the Queen