The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

while strangers possessed her Realm, we stayed it from danger. And now, having promised to keep good Peace with her, and with you her subjects, we have observed it; and shall be sorry if either she or you shall give us contrary cause.¹ In a matter so profitable to both the Realms, we think it strange that your Queen hath no better advice: And therefore we do require you all, being the States of that Realm, upon whom the burden resteth, to consider this matter deeply,² and to make us answer, whereunto we may trust. And if ⟨p. 300⟩you shall think meet she shall thus leave the Peace imperfect, by breaking of her solemn promise, contrary to the order of all Princes, we shall be well content to accept your answer, and shall be as careless to see the Peace, as ye shall give us cause; And doubt not, by the grace of God, but whosoever of you shall incline thereto, shall soonest repent. You must be content with our plain writing. And on the other side, if you continue all in one mind, to have the Peace inviolably kept, and shall so by your advice procure the Queen to ratify it, we also plainly promise you, That we will also continue our good disposition to keep the same in such good terms as now it is: And in so doing, the honour of Almighty God shall be duly sought and promoted in both Realms, The Queen your Sovereign shall enjoy her State with your surety, and your selves possess that which ye have with tranquility; to the increase of your Families and Posterities, which by the frequent Wars heretofore your antecessors never had long in one state. To conclude, we require you to advertise us of what mind you be, specially if you all continue in that mind, that you mean to have the Peace betwixt both the Realms perpetually kept: And if you shall forbear any longer to advertise us, ye shall give us some occasion of doubt, whereof more hurt may grow then good. From, &c.

while strangers possessed her Realme, we stayed it from danger. And now, having promised to keep good Peace with her, and with you her subjects, we have observed it; and shall be sorry if either she or you shall give us contrary cause.¹ In a matter so profitable to both the Realmes, we think it strange that your Queene hath no better advice: And therefore we do require you all, being the States of that Realme, upon whom the burden resteth, to consider this matter deeply,