The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

The Brethren advertised by this Letter, prepared themselves, so many as was thought expedient for every Town and Province, to keep the day appointed; but by the means of some false brethren, the Letter came to the hands of the Queen, and the manner was this, It was read in the Town of Air, where was present Master Robert Cunningham, styled Minister of F•itfurd, who then was holden a professor of the Evangel, (by what means we know not) gat the said Letter, and sent it with his token to Master Henry Sincleare, then President of the Seat and College of Justice, styled Bishop of Ross, a perfect Hypocrite, and a conjured Enemy to Christ Jesus, whom God after stroke according to his deservings. The said Master Henry being Enemy to all that unfeignedly professed the Lord Jesus, but chiefly to John Knox, for the liberty of his Tongue, for he had affirmed,¹ as ever still he doth affirm, That a Bishop that receives profit and feeds not the Flock, (even by his own labours) is both a Thief and a Murderer: The said Master Henry (we say) thinking himself happy that he had found so good occasion to trouble him, whose life he hated, posted the said Letter, with his counsel, to the Queen, who then lay in Stirling. The letter being read, it was concluded by the Council of the Cabinet, that is, by the most secret Council. That it imported Treason; whereof the Queen did not a little rejoice, for she thought once to be avenged of that her great Enemy. It was concluded, that the Nobility should be written for; that the condemnation should have the greater Authority, the day was appointed, about the midst of December ▪ which was kept of the whole Council, and of divers others, such as the Master of Maxwell, the old Laird of Lethington, and the said President.

THe Brethren advertised by this Letter, prepared themselves, so many as was thought expedient for every Towne and Province, to keep the day appointed; but by the means of some false brethren, the Letter came to the hands of the Queene, and the manner was this, It was read in the Towne of Ayre, where was present Master Robert Cunningham, stiled Minister of F•itfurd, who then was holden a professor of the Evangell, (by what meanes we know not) gat the said Letter, and sent it with his token to Master Henry Sincleare, then President of the Seat and Colledge of Justice, stiled Bishop of Rosse, a perfect Hypocrite, and a conjured Enemie to Christ Jesus, whom God after stroke according to his deservings. The said Master Henry being Enemy to all that unfainedly professed the Lord Jesus, but chiefly to Iohn Knox, for the libertie of his Tongue, for he had affirmed,