The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

And further, to take the Barn-yards new gathered, the Gernalls replenished, and to sit down therein, and by force to put the just possessors and ancient inhabitants there-from, with their wives, children, and servants to shift for themselves in begging, if they have no other means, they being true Scottish-men, members of our Common-wealth, and our dear brethren and sisters, borne, fostered, and brought up in the bowels of our common and native Country, if this be not the manifest declaration of their old pretence, and mind towards the whole Scottish Nation; let your own conscience (brethren) be judge herein. Was all Leith of the Congregation?¹ No, I think not, yet were all alike served. Let this motherly care then be tried by the fruits thereof: First, by the great and exorbitant Taxations used upon you, and yet ten times greater pressed at, as ye know. Secondly, the utter depravation of our Coin, to purchase thereby money to entertain strangers, French Soldiers upon you, and to make them strong holds, lest you should sometime expel them out of your native rooms. Thirdly, by the daily re-enforcing of the said French Soldiers in strength and number, with wives and children, planting in your brethren's houses and possessions. Indeed her Majesty is, and hath been at all times careful to procure by her craft of fair words, of fair promises, and sometimes of buds to allure your simplicity to that point, to join your selves to her Soldiers, to daunt and oppress us, that you the remnant (we being cut off) may be an easy prey to her sleights: Which God of his infinite goodness hath now discovered to the eyes of all that list to behold. But credit the works (dear brethren) if ye will not credit us, and lay the example of Foreign nations, yea, even of our brethren, before your eyes, and procure not your own ruin willingly. If you tender true Religion, you see how her Majesty beareth her self plain enemy thereto, and maintaineth the tyranny of those idle bellies the Bishops, against Gods Church: If Religion be not persuaded unto you, yet cast you not away the care you ought to have over your Common-wealth, which you see manifestly and violently ruined before your eyes:

And further, to take the Barne-yards new gathered, the Gernalls replenished, and to sit down therein, and by force to put the just possessours and ancient inhabitants there-from, with their wives, children, and servants to shift for themselves in begging, if they have no other means, they being true Scottish-men, members of our Common-wealth, and our deare brethren and sisters, borne, fostred, and brought up in the bowels of our common and native Countrey, if this be not the manifest declaration of their old pretence, and minde towards the whole Scottish Nation; let your owne conscience (brethren) be judge herein. Was all Leith of the Congregation?