The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

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 ⟨p. 145⟩Regent, That we in whom she in her blind rage doth persecute, are Gods servants, faithful and obedient Subjects to the authority of this Realm: That that Religion which she pretendeth to maintain by fire and sword, is not the true Religion of Christ Jesus, but is express contrary to the same, a superstition devised by the brain of man,¹ which I offer my self to prove against all that within Scotland will maintain the contrary, liberty of tongue being granted unto me, and Gods written Word being admitted for judge. 2. I further require your honours in my name to say unto the Queen, That as oft before I have written, so now I say, That this her enterprise shall not prosperously succeed in the end, and albeit for a time she trouble the Saints of God, for she fights not against man only, but against the eternal God, and his invincible Verity, and therefore the end shall be her confusion, unless betimes she repent and desist. These things I require of you, in the Name of the eternal God, as from my mouth, to say unto her Majesty, adding, That I have been, and am a more assured friend to her Majesty, then they, that either flattering her, as servants to her corrupt appetites, or else inflame her against us, who seek nothing but Gods glory to be advanced; Vice to be suppressed; and Verity to be maintained in this poor Realm.

The Oration of Iohn Knox to the Lords. THe present troubles, honourable Lords, ought to move the hearts, not onely of the true servants of God, but also of all such as beare any favour unto our Countrey and naturall Countrey-men, to descend within themselves, and deepely to consider, what shall be the end of this pretended tyrannie. The rage of Satan seeketh the destruction of all those that within this Realme professe Christ Iesus, and they that inflame the Queene, and you the Nobles against us, regard not who prevaile, provided that they may abuse the world, and live at their pleasure, as heretofore they have done: yea, I feare 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 principall which I have to speak, omitting the same to be considered, by the wisdome 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 Queene