The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

find therefore the means that I may speak with such a one as you will credit in all things. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ rest with you. I heartily beseech you to have my service recommended to the Queens Majesty, adding, That whosoever maketh me odious to her Majesty, seeketh somewhat besides the glory of God, and her Majesties prosperity, and therefore cannot be assured and unfeigned friends from, &c. The Letter sent from the said John to the Queens Majesty of England, being enclosed in the foresaid M. Cecil's Letter. To the virtuous and godly Elizabeth, by the Grace of God, Queen of England: John Knox desireth the perpetual comfort of his holy Spirit. MADAME, AS your Majesties displeasure against me, most unjustly conceived, hath been and is to my wretched heart a burden grievous, and almost ⟨p. 225⟩intolerable, so is the testimony of a clear conscience to me a stay and uphold, that I sink not in despair, how vehement soever the temptations appear: For in Gods presence, my conscience beareth me record, That maliciously, nor of purpose, I never offended your Majesty, nor your Realm: And therefore, howsoever I be judged of man, I am sure to be absolved of him, who only knoweth the secrets of hearts. I cannot deny the writing of a Book against the usurped Authority, and unjust Regiment of Women; neither yet am I minded to recant, or call back any principal Point or Proposition of the same, till truth and verity do further appear. But why that your Majesty, or any such, who unfeignedly favour the liberty of England, be offended at the Author of such a Work, I can perceive no just occasion: For first, my Book touched not your Majesties Person in special, neither is it prejudicial to any Liberty of the Realm, if the time of my writing be indifferently considered. How could I be enemy to your Majesties Person, for delivery whereof, I did more study, and undertake further, then any of those who now accuseth me? And as concerning your Government, How could or can I envy that? which most I have wished for, and for which (as my weak memory will suffer) I render thanks unfeignedly to God, to wit, That it hath pleased him of his eternal goodness to exalt your head (which sometime was in danger) to the manifestation of his glory, and extirpation of Idolatry.

finde therefore the means that I may speake with such a one as you will credit in all things. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ rest with you. I heartily beseech you to have my service recommended to the Queens Majesty, adding, That whosoever maketh me odious to her Majestie, seeketh somewhat besides the glory of God, and her Majesties prosperity, and therefore cannot be assured and unfained friends from, &c. The Letter sent from the said Iohn to the Queens Majestie of England, being enclosed in the foresaid M. Ceciles Letter. To the vertuous and godly Elizabeth, by the Grace of God, Queen of England: John Knox desireth the perpetuall comfort of his holy Spirit. MADAME, AS your Majesties displeasure against me, most unjustly conceived, hath been and is to my wretched heart a burden grievous, and almost