The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

FRANCIS and MARY By the Grace of God, King and Queen of Scots, Dolphin and Dauphiness of Viennois: To Our loved Lyon King of Arms, &c. Our Sheriffs in that part conjunctly and severally specially constitute, greeting. Forasmuch as our dearest Mother Mary, Queen Dowager Regent of Our Realm, and Lords of our Secret Council, perceiving the seditious tumult raised by one part of our Lieges, naming themselves, The Congregation; who under pretence of Religion have put themselves in Arms. And that Our Mother, for satisfying of every mans conscience, and pacifying of the said troubles, had offered unto them to appoint a Parliament to be holden in January next to come (this was a manifest lie, for this was neither offered, nor by her once thought upon, till we required it) or sooner, if they had pleased, for establishing of a Universal order in matters of Religion by Our advice, and States of Our Religion, and in the mean time to suffer every man to live at liberty of Conscience without trouble, unto the time that the said order were taken by advise of Our foresaid States. And at last, because it appeareth much to stand upon Our Borough of Edinburgh, offered in like manner to let the inhabitants thereof choose what manner of Religion they would set up and use for that time, so that no man might allege that he was forced to do against his conscience. Which offer the Queen, Our said dearest Mother was at all times,¹ and yet is ready to fulfil. Nevertheless the said Congregation being of mind to receive no reasonable offers, hath since by open deed declared, That it is no Religion, nor any thing thereto pertaining that they seek, but only the subversion of Our Authority, and usurpation of Our Crown: In manifest witnessing whereof, they daily receive English-men with Messages unto them, and sendeth such like into England: And last of all, have violently intermitted, withtaken, and yet with-holds, the Irons of Our Coining-House, which is one of the chief Points that concerneth Our Crown: And such like have intromitted with our Palace of Halyrud-house. Our Will is therefore, &c.

FRANCIS and MARIE By the Grace of God, King and Qneen of Scots, Doulphin and Doulphinesse of Viennois: To Our loved Lyon King of Armes, &c. Our Sheriffs in that part conjunctly and severally specially constitute, greeting. Forasmuch as our dearest Mother Marie, Queen Dowager Regent of Our Realme, and Lords of our Secret Councell, perceiving the seditious tumult raised by one part of our Lieges, naming themselves, The Congregation; who under pretence of Religion have put themselves in Armes. And that Our Mother, for satisfying of every mans conscience, and pacifying of the said troubles, had offered unto them to appoint a Parliament to be holden in January next to come (this was a manifest lie, for this was neither offered, nor by her once thought upon, till we required it) or sooner, if they had pleased, for establishing of a Universall order in matters of Religion by Our advice, and States of Our Religion, and in the meane time to suffer every man to live at liberty of Conscience without trouble, unto the time that the said order were taken by advise of Our foresaid States. And at last, because it appeareth much to stand upon Our Burrough of Edinburgh, offered in like manner to let the inhabitants thereof chuse what manner of Religion they would set up and use for that time, so that no man might alleadge that he was forced to do against his conscience. Which offer the Queen, Our said dearest Mother was at all times,