The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

Therefore We have thought good to notify unto you Our good mind foresaid, and desire you not to give ear nor credit to such vain imaginations, whereof, before God, no part entered in our conceit, nor suffer your selves be thereby led from your due obedience, assuring you, ye shall ever find with Us truth in promise, and a motherly love towards all you,¹ behaving your selves as Our obedient subjects. But of one thing We give you warning, That whereas some Preachers of the Congregation in their public Sermons speak irreverently and slanderously, as well of Princes in general, as of Our Self in particular, and of the obedience of higher Powers, inducing the people by that part of their Doctrine, to defection from their duty; which pertaineth nothing to Religion, but rather sedition and tumult, things direct quite contrary to Religion. Therefore We desire you to take order in your Towns and bounds, that when the Preachers repair thither, they use themselves more modestly in these behalfs, and in their Preaching not to meddle so much with Civill Policy, and Public Government, nor yet name Us, or other Princes, but with reverence, otherwise it will not be suffered. And seeing you have presently the Declaration of Our Intention, We desire likewise to know what shall be your part to Us, that We may understand what to trust for at your hands, whereof we desire a plain Declaration in writing with this Bearer, without delay. At Edinburgh the 28 of August, 1559.

Therefore We have thought good to notifie unto you Our good minde foresaid, and desire you not to give ear nor credit to such vain imaginations, whereof, before God, no part entered in our conceit, nor suffer your selves be thereby led from your due obedience, assuring you, ye shall ever finde with Us truth in promise, and a motherly love towards all you,¹ behaving your selves as Our obedient subjects. But of one thing We give you warning, That whereas some Preachers of the Congregation in their publike Sermons speak irreverently and slanderously, as well of Princes in generall, as of Our Selfe in particular, and of the obedience of higher Powers, inducing the people by that part of their Doctrine, to defection from their duty; which pertaineth nothing to Religion, but rather sedition and tumult, things direct quite contrary to Religion. Therefore We desire you to take order in your Towns and bounds, that when the Preachers repair thither, they use themselves more modestly in these behalfs, and in their Preaching not to meddle so much with Civill Policy, and Publike Government, nor yet name Us, or other Princes, but with reverence, otherwise it will not be suffered. And seeing you have presently the Declaration of Our Intention, We desire likewise to know what shall be your part to Us, that We may understand what to trust for at your hands, whereof we desire a plain Declaration in writing with this Bearer, without delay. At Edinburgh the 28 of August, 1559.