The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

These and other things orderly done in lawful and free Parliament, we directed to France to our Sovereign Sir James Sandelandes Lord of Saint-John, with the Acts of the said Parliament, that by them they might be ratified, according to the promises of their Majesties Commissioners made to us, as by the Contract of Peace may evidently appear. But how the said Lord of Saint John was received and used, we list not to rehearse: But always no ratification brought he unto us, but that we little regarded, or yet do regard; for all that we did, was rather to show our dutiful obedience, then to beg of them any strength to our Religion,¹ which from God hath full power, and needed not the suffrage of man, but in so far as man had need to believe it, if that ever he shall have participation of the life everlasting. But somewhat must we answer to such as since hath whispered, that it was but a pretended Parliament, a privy Convention and no lawful Parliament.² Their reasons are, The King and Queen were in France, there was neither Sceptre, Sword, nor Crown born, &c.³ And some Principal Lords were absent. We answer, That we rather wish the Papists to be quiet then too curiously to travel in that Point: for it may be, while they think to hurt us, they give the Queen and her ⟨p. 275⟩authority a great blow, and yet amend themselves nothing. For in whose default we pray you was the Queen absent from this Realm? We think they will not be so shameless as that they will blame the Protestants thereof. Her person was absent, and that to no small grief of our hearts: But were not the States of her Realm assembled in her name? Yea, had they not her full power and Commission, yea, the Commission and commandment of her head the King of France, to convocate that Parliament, and to do all things that may be done in lawful Parliament?⁴ Even as if our Sovereigns had been there in proper persons: If they will limit the power of Princes to the places only where their bodily presence is, it will be thought strange; for so not only shall Kings be compelled to content them with one Realm, but also with one City: For the bodily presence of Kings can no more be in divers cities at one instant, then that they can be in divers Realms.