A47584:550
The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland
The history of the reformation of the Church of Scotland containing five books : together with some treatises conducing to the history.The historie of the reformation of the Church of Scotland containing five books : together with some treatises conducing to the history.
London: printed by John Raworth for George Thomason and Octavian Pullen, 1644
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
These Letters being divulgate, the hearts of many were stirred, for they judged the Narration of the Queen Regent to have been true, others understood the same to be utterly false. But because the Lords desired that all men should judge in their cause, they set out the Declaration subsequent.
The DECLARATION of the Lords, against the former PROCLAMATION. WE are compelled unwillingly to answer the grievous accusations most unjustly laid to our charges by the Queen Regent, and her perverse Council, who cease not by all craft and malice to make us odious to our dearest brethren,1 natural Scottish-men, as that we pretended no other thing, but the subversion and overthrow of all just authority, when God knoweth we sought nothing, but, That such authority as God approveth by his Word, be established, honoured, and obeyed amongst us. True it is, that we have complained (and continually must complain, till God send redress) That our common Country is oppressed with strangers; That this inbringing of Soldiers with their wives and children, and planting of men of War in our free Townes; appeareth to us a ready way to conquest. And we most earnestly require all indifferent persons to be judge betwixt us and the Queen Regent in this cause, to wit, Whether our complaint be just or not? For, for what other purpose should she thus multiply strangers upon us, but only in respect of conquest:2 Which is a thing of late devised by her and her avaricious house. We are not ignorant that six years ago the question was demanded of a man of honest reputation; What number of men was able to daunt Scotland, and to bring it to the full obedience of France? She alleged, That to say that the fortification of Leith was of purpose devised in France, and that for that purpose were Monsieur de la Brosse, and the Bishop of Amiens sent to this Country; Is a thing so vain and untrue, that the contrary thereof is notorious to all men of free judgement. But evident it is, whatsoever she alleged, That since their arrival Leith was begun to be fortified. She alleged, That she seeing the defection of great Personages, was compelled