The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

which if you now refuse and deny me, I must remit my cause to God, adding this for conclusion, that commonly it is seen, That such as refuse the counsel of the faithful (appear it never so sharp) are compelled to follow the deceit of flatterers to their own perdition. ¹The mighty Spirit of the Lord Jesus move your heart to understand what is said, and give unto you the direction of his Spirit, and so rule you in all your actions and enterprises, that in you God may be glorified, his Kirk edified, and you your self, as a lively Member of the same, may be an example of virtue & godliness of life to all others. So be it. Of Edinb. 28 July, 1559.

which if you now refuse and deny me, I must remit my cause to God, adding this for conclusion, that commonly it is seen, That such as refuse the counsel of the faithfull (appear it never so sharp) are compelled to follow the deceit of flatterers to their own perdition. ¹The mighty Spirit of the Lord Jesus move your heart to understand what is said, and give unto you the direction of his Spirit, and so rule you in all your actions and enterprises, that in you God may be glorified, his Kirk edified, and you your self, as a lively Member of the same, may be an example of vertue & godlinesse of life to all others. So be it. Of Edinb. 28 Iuly, 1559.

1. 1Note.

These Letters were directed by Alexander Whitlaw, a man that oft had hazarded himself, and all that he had for the Cause of God, and for his friends, being in danger for the same Cause. Within a day or two after the departing of the said Alexander, there came a Letter from Sir Henry Percy to John Knox, requiring him to meet him at Annick the third day of August, for such affairs as he would not write nor yet communicate with any, but with the said John himself, while he was preparing himself for the journey (for Secretary Cecil had appointed to have met him at Stamford) the French-men furiously came forth of Dumbar, of purpose to have surprised the Lords being in Edinburgh, as in the second Book before is declared, which stayed the journey of the said John, till that God had delivered the innocents from that great danger, and then was he sent, having in his company M. Robert Hamilton, Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, directed from the Lords with full Commission and Instructions to decline their whole case and estate wherein they stood. Their passage was from Pittenweame by sea, they arrived at Holy-Island, and being advertised that Sir Henry Percy was absent from the North; They addressed themselves to Sir James Crofts, then Captain of Berwick, and Warden of the East Marches of England. They showed unto him their Credit and Commission; He received them courteously, and comforted them with his faithful Counsel,