The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

And now, because that from this time forward frequent mention will be made of the comfortable support that we in our greatest extremity received by Gods providence from our neighbours of England, we think it expedient simply to declare by what instruments that matter was first moved,¹ and by what means it came to pass that the Queen and Council of England, showed themselves so favourable unto us.

And now, because that from this time forward frequent mention will be made of the comfortable support that we in our greatest extremity received by Gods providence from our neighbours of England, we thinke it expedient simply to declare by what instruments that matter was first moved,¹ and by what means it came to passe that the Queen and Councel of England, shewed themselves so favourable unto us.

1. 1Remark the Scots acknowledgement of the English help.

As John Knox had fore-warned us by his Letters from Geneva, of all dangers that he foresaw to ensue our enterprise; so when he came to Dieppe, mindful of the same; and resolving with himself, what remedy God would please to offer, he took boldness to write to Sir William Cecil, Secretary of State in England, with whom the said John had been before familiarly acquainted, intending thereby to renew acquaintance, and so to open further of his mind. The tenor of his first Letter follows: The spirit of Judgement, Wisdom, and Sanctification, I wish unto you, by Jesus Christ. ¹AS I have no pleasure with long writing to trouble you (Right Honourable) whose mind I know to be taken up with most grave matters, so I mind not greatly to labour by long Preface, to conciliate your favours, which I suppose I have already (howsoever rumours brute the contrary) as the favour it becometh one member of Christs Body to have of another: The contents therefore of my present Letter shall be absolved in 2 points: In the former, I purpose to discharge in few words my conscience towards you: And in the other, sum what must I speak, for my own defence, and in defence of that poor Flock of late assembled in the most godly reformed Church and City of the world, Geneva: To you, Sir, I say, that as from God you have received, life, wisdom, honours, and the present estate in the which you now stand, so ought you wholly to apply the same to the advancement of his glory, who only is the author of life, the fountain of wisdom, and who most assuredly doth and will honour & glorify them that