The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

These Letters did not a little grieve us, who most unjustly were accused; for never a sentence of the Narrative true, except, That we stayed the Irons, and that for just cause; to wit, Because that daily there was such number of hard-heads printed, that the baseness thereof made all things exceeding dear; And therefore we were counselled by the wisest to stay the Irons while further order might be taken. The Queen Regent with all possible diligence posted for her Faction: Master James Balfour was not idle in the mean time. The Lords, to purge themselves of these odious crimes, wrote to her a Letter in form as after followeth:⟨p. 155⟩ Please your Majesty to be advertised, That it is come to our knowledge, that your Majesty hath set forth by your Letters openly proclaimed,¹ That we, called by name, The Congregation, under pretence and colour of Religion convene together to no other purpose, but to usurp our Sovereigns Authority, and to invade your person, representing theirs at this present. Which things appear to have proceeded of sinister information made to your Majesty by our enemies, considering that we never minded such thing, but only our mind and purpose was and is, To promote and set forth the glory of God, Maintain and defend the true Preachers of his Word, And according to the same abolish and put away Idolatry and false abuses which may not stand with the said Word of God. Beseeching your Majesty to bear patiently therewith, and interpose your Authority to the furtherance of the same, as is the duty of every Christian Prince, and good Magistrate. For as to the obedience of our Sovereigns Authority in all Civill and Politic matters, we are and shall be as obedient, as any other your Majesties subjects within the Realm. And that our convention is for no other purpose, but to save our Preachers and their auditors from the injury and violence of our enemies: Which should be more amply declared by some of us in your Majesties presence, if ye were not accompanied with such as have pursued our lives, and sought our blood. Thus we pray Almighty God to save your Highness in his eternal tuition. At Edinburgh the 2 of July, 1559.

These Letters did not a little grieve us, who most unjustly were accused; for never a sentence of the Narrative true, except, That we stayed the Irons, and that for just cause; to wit, Because that daily there was such number of hard-heads printed, that the basenesse thereof made all things exceeding dear; And therefore we were counselled by the wisest to stay the Irons while further order might be taken. The Queen Regent with all possible diligence posted for her Faction: Master Iames Balfour was not idle in the mean time. The Lords, to purge themselves of these odious crimes, wrote to her a Letter in form as after followeth: