The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

To this Letter was no answer made: for shortly the said John Knox made forward to Scotland by sea, when he landed the third of May, and had such success, as is in the second book declared. The said John being in S. Andrews, after Cowper-Moore, entered in deep discourse with the Laird of Grange;¹ the danger is very evident, but the support was not easy to be seen. After many words John Knox burst forth as followeth; If England would foresee their own commodity, yea, if they would consider the danger wherein themselves stand, they would not suffer us to perish in this quarrel; for France hath no less decreed the conquest of England then of Scotland. After long reasoning, it was concluded betwixt them two, That support ⟨p. 222⟩should be craved of England: And for that purpose the said Laird of Grange, first wrote to Sir Henry Percy, and after rode from Edinburgh and spake with him; to whom he made so plain demonstration of the danger appearing to England, that he took upon him to write to Secretary Cecil, who with expedition returned answer back again, giving him to understand, That our enterprise altogether misliked not the Council, albeit that they desired further resolution of the principal Lords. Which thing understood, it was concluded to write to him plainly our whole purpose. The tenor of our Letter was this: The first Letter to Sir William Cecil, from the Lords of the Congregation. The contents of a Letter directed by you (right Worshipful) to Sir Henry Percy, was notified unto us by Master Kirkcaldy of Grange this Sunday the 26 of July:² By the which we perceive that the said Laird of Grange, of zeal, and faithful heart which he beareth to the furtherance of this our great, and before the world, dangerous enterprise, hath travelled with you, as with an unfeigned favourer of Christs true Religion, and of the liberty of our Country, for knowledge of your minds towards us, in case that we be assaulted by any foreign invasion, or greater power then we be well able to resist. Your comfortable answer to this question we have considered, to our joy and comfort, as also your motions,³ and what you demand; To wit, What the Protestants within this Realm do purpose; To what end we mean to direct our actions; How we will, and how we be able to accomplish the same; What doubts we have of any adversary power;