The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

The Queens Proclamation. For so much as it is understood by the Queen, that the Duke of Chattellawralt hath lately directed his Missives into all parts of this Realm, making mention that the French-men late arrived with their wives and children, are begun to plant in Leith, to the ruin of the Common-weal, which he and his partakers will not pass over with patient beholding, desiring to know what will be every mans part. And that the fortification of Leith, is a purpose devised in France, and that therefore Monsieur de la Brosse, and the Bishop of Amiens, are come to this country. A thing so vain and untrue, that the contrary thereof is known to all men of free judgement. Therefore the Queen, willing that the occasions whereby her Majesty was moved so to do, be made patent, and what have been her proceedings since the appointment last made on the Links beside Leith. ⟨p. 185⟩To the effect that the trueth of all things being made manifest, every man may understand how unjustly that a desire to suppress the liberty of this Realm is laid to her charge; we have thought expedient to make this discourse following. First, although after the said appointment, divers of the said Congregation, and that not of the meanest sort, hath violently broken the points thereof, and made sundry occasions of new cumber. The same was in a part winked at, and over-looked, in hope that they in time would remember their duty, and abstain from such evil behaviour, which conversion her Majesty ever sought, rather then any punishment, with such care and solicitude by all means, and in the mean time nothing was provided for her own security. But at last by their frequent Messages to and from England, ¹their intelligence then was perceived, yet her Majesty trusted the Queen of England (let them seek as they please) will do the office of a Christian Princess, in time of a sworn Peace, through which, force was to her Majesty, seeing so great defection of great personages, to have recourse to the Law of Nature. And like as a small Bird, being pursued, will provide some nest, so her Majesty could do no less in cases of pursuit, but provide some sure retract for her self and her company, and to that effect chose the Town of Leith, as a place convenient therefore:

The Queens Proclamation. FOr so much as it is understood by the Queen, that the Duke of Chattellawralt hath lately directed his Missives into all parts of this Realm, making mention that the French-men late arrived with their wives and children, are begun to plant in Leith, to the ruine of the Common-weale, which he and his partakers will not passe over with patient beholding, desiring to know what will be every mans part. And that the fortification of Leith, is a purpose devised in France, and that therefore Monsieur de la Brosse, and the Bishop of Amiens, are come to this countrey. A thing so vaine and untrue, that the contrary thereof is knowne to all men of free judgement. Therefore the Queen, willing that the occasions whereby her Majesty was moved so to do, be made patent, and what have been her proceedings since the appointment last made on the Linkes beside Leith.