The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

And that strict Accounts may be taken, as well for their Receipts, as of the disbursements. The further consideration to be had of our Ministers, we in some part remit to your wisdoms, and to their particular complaints. Our fourth Petition is for the Manse-Yards and Glebes justly appertaining to the Ministers, without the which it is impossible unto them quietly to serve their Charges; and therefore we desire that order be taken without delay. Our fifth concerns the disobedience of certain wicked persons, who not only trouble, and have troubled Ministers in their Functions, but also disobey the Superintendents in their Visitation: wherefore we humbly crave remedy; which we doubt, not so much for the fear that we and our Ministers have of the Papists, but for the love that we bear to the common tranquility. For this we cannot hide from your Majesty and Council, That if the Papists think to triumph where they may, and to do what they list, where there is not a party able to resist them: that some will think, That the godly must begin where they left, who heretofore have borne all rhings patiently, in hope that the Laws should have bridled the wicked;¹ whereof if they be frustrate (albeit that nothing is more odious to them then Tumults, and domestic Discord) yet will men attempt the uttermost, before that in their own eyes they behold the house of God demolished, which with travel and danger God hath within this Realm erected by them. Sixthly, we desire, That such as receive release of their Thirds, be compelled to sustain the Ministers within their Bounds, or else we forewarn your Majesty and Council, that we fear, That the people shall retain the whole in their hands, until such time as their Ministers be sufficiently provided. Seventhly, we desire the Churches to be repaired, according to an Act set forth by the Lords of the Secret Council, before your Majesties Arrival into this Country: That Judges be appointed to hear the causes of Divorcement; for the Church can no longer sustain the burden, especially, because there is no punishment for the offenders: That sayers and hearers of Masses, profaners of the Sacraments; such as have entered into Benefices by the Popes Bulls, and such other transgressors of the Law made at your Majesties Arrival within this Realm, may be severely punished;

And that strict Accounts may be taken, as well for their Recepts, as of the disbursements. The further consideration to be had of our Ministers, we in some part remit to your wisedoms, and to their particular complaints. Our fourth Petition is for the Mause-Yards and Gleebs justly appertaining to the Ministers, without the which it is impossible unto them quietly to serve their Charges; and therefore we desire that order be taken without delay. Our fifth concerns the disobedience of certain wicked persons, who not onely trouble, and have troubled Ministers in their Functions, but also disobey the Superintendents in their Visitation: wherefore we humbly crave remedy; which we doubt, not so much for the feare that we and our Ministers have of the Papists, but for the love that we bear to the common tranquility. For this we cannot hide from your Majesty and Councell, That if the Papists thinke to triumph where they may, and to do what they list, where there is not a party able to resist them: that some will thinke, That the godly must begin where they left, who heretofore have borne all rhings patiently, in hope that the Lawes should have bridled the wicked;