A47584:759
The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland
The history of the reformation of the Church of Scotland containing five books : together with some treatises conducing to the history.The historie of the reformation of the Church of Scotland containing five books : together with some treatises conducing to the history.
London: printed by John Raworth for George Thomason and Octavian Pullen, 1644
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
These Letters received and perused, albeit the States could not be convened, yet did the Council, and some others also in particular, return answers with reasonable diligence. The Tenor of our Letters was this: MADAME, Please your Majesty, that with judgement we have considered your Majesties Letters: And albeit the whole States could not suddenly be assembled, yet we thought expedient to signify somewhat of our minds unto your Majesty. Far be it from us, that either we take upon us, That infamy before the world, or grudge of conscience before our God, that we should lightly esteem the observation of that Peace lately contracted betwixt these two Realms. By what motives our Sovereign delayed the ratification thereof, we cannot tell: But of us (of us, we say, Madame, that have protested fidelity in our promise) her Majesty had none. Your Majesty cannot be ignorant, That in this Realm there are many enemies; and farther, That our Sovereign hath Councillors, whose judgements she in all such causes preferred to ours.1 Our obedience bindeth us, not only reverently to speak and write of our Sovereign, but also to judge and think: And yet your Majesty may be well assured, That in us shall be noted no blame, if that Peace be not ratified to your Majesties contentment: For God is witness, That our chief care in this earth, next the glory of God, is, That constant Peace may remain betwixt these two Realms, whereof your Majesty and Realm shall have sure experience, so long as our counsel or votes may stop the contrary. The benefit that we have received is so recent,2 that we cannot suddenly bury it in forgetfulness. We would desire your Majesty rather to be persuaded of us, That we to our powers will study to leave it in remembrance to our posterity. And thus with lawful and humble commendation of our service, we commit your Majesty to the Protection of the Omnipotent. Of Edinburgh the sixteenth day of July, 1561.
These Letters received and perused, albeit the States could not be convened, yet did the Councell, and some others also in particular, return answers with reasonable diligence. The Tenour of our Letters was this: MADAME, PLease your Majestie, that with judgement we have considered your Majesties Letters: And albeit the whole States could not suddenly be assembled, yet we thought expedient to signifie somewhat of our mindes unto your Majestie. Far be it from us, that either we take upon us, That infamy before the world, or grudge of conscience before our God, that we should lightly esteem the observation of that Peace lately contracted betwixt these two Realmes. By what motives our Soveraigne delayed the ratification thereof, we cannot tell: But of us (of us, we say, Madame, that have protested fidelity in our promise) her Majesty had none. Your Majestie cannot be ignorant, That in this Realme there are many enemies; and farther, That our Soveraigne hath Councellors, whose judgements she in all such causes preferred to ours.