The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

For we being appointed, as ye know, touching Religion to be reasoned with all in the Council, at the day affixed, and no occasion made to break the same on our side (as is well known) yet come there forth writings and complaints,¹ That this day and that day we were prepared to invade the Queens person (when in very truth there was never such thing thought, as the very deed hath declared.) But because she was before deliberate to bring in French-men to both our destructions, that you should not stir therewith, she made you to understand, That those Bands came only for safety of her own person. O craft, brethren! O subtlety! But behold the end: They are come (yet not so many, no not the sixth part that she desired and looked for) and how, not only with weapons to defend her person, but with wives and children to plant in your native rooms, as they have already begun in the Town of Leith, the principal Port and Staple of this Realm. The gernall and furniture of the Council, and seat of Justice. And here will they dwell, till they may reinforce themselves with greater number of their fellow-Soldiers, to subdue ⟨p. 177⟩then the rest, if God withstand not. And yet her Majesty feared nor shamed not to write, if they were a hundred French-men for every one of them that is in Scotland, ²yet they should harm no man. Tell thou now Leith if that be true; If this be not a crafty entry to a manifest conquest fore-thought of old, judge you dear brethren: Thus to fortify our Towns, and even the principal Port of our Realm, and to lay so strong Garrisons of strangers therein, not only without any consent of the Nobility and Council of this Realm, but also express against their mind (as our Writ sent to her Majesty beareth record) if this be not to oppress the ancient Laws and Liberties of our Realm, let all wise men say to it.

For we being appointed, as ye know, touching Religion to be reasoned with all in the Councell, at the day affixed, and no occasion made to break the same on our side (as is well known) yet come there forth writings and complaints,¹ That this day and that day we were prepared to invade the Queens person (when in very truth there was never such thing thought, as the very deed hath declared.) But because she was before deliberate to bring in French-men to both our destructions, that you should not stir therewith, she made you to understand, That those Bands came onely for safety of her own person. O craft, brethren! O subtilty! But behold the end: They are come (yet not so many, no not the sixth part that she desired and looked for) and how, not onely with weapons to defend her person, but with wives and children to plant in your native rooms, as they have already begun in the Town of Leith, the principall Port and Staple of this Realm. The gernall and furniture of the Councell, and seat of Justice. And here will they dwell, till they may reinforce themselves with greater number of their fellow-Souldiers, to subdue