"Therefore we most humbly require that some other order may be taken with them, and that they be not set up again to empire above the people of God, or above any subject within this realm. For we fear that such usurpation to their former estate shall be in the end neither pleasing to themselves, nor profitable to them that would place them in that tyranny. If any think that a competent living should be assigned to them, we repugn not, provided that the labourers of the ground be not oppressed, the poor be not utterly neglected, the ministers of the Word be not so sharply treated as they now are, and, finally, that those idle bellies, who by law can crave nothing, shall confess that they receive their sustentation, not as a matter of debt, but as of benevolence. Our humble request is, therefore, that some speedy order may be taken that the poor labourers may find some relief, and that in every parish some portion of the teinds may be assigned to the sustentation of the poor within the same; and likewise that some public relief may be provided for the poor within burghs; that collectors may be appointed to gather, and that sharp account may be taken, as well of their receipts as of their disbursements. The farther consideration to be had towards our ministers, we in some part remit to your wisdoms, and to their particular complaints.
"Our fourth petition is for the manses, yards, and glebes, justly appertaining to the ministers, without which it is impossible for them quietly to serve their charges; and therefore we desire order to be taken therein without delay.
"Our fifth concerneth the inobedience of certain wicked persons, who not only trouble, and have troubled ministers in their functions, but also disobey the superintendents in their visitation. Of this we humbly crave remedy; not so much for any fear that we and our ministers have of the Papists, but for the love that we bear to the common tranquillity. For 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, some will think that they must begin where they left off. Heretofore they have borne all things patiently, in hope that laws should have bridled the wicked. If they be frustrated in this, albeit nothing is more odious to them than tumults and domestic discord, men will attempt the uttermost, before they behold with their own eyes the demolition of that House of God, which with travail and danger God hath within this realm erected by them.
"Lastly, we desire that such as have received remission of their Third be compelled to sustain the ministry within their bounds, else we forewarn your Grace and Council that we fear that the people will retain the whole in their hands, until such time as their ministry shall be sufficiently provided. We farther desire that the kirks be repaired according to an Act set forth by the Lords of Secret Council, before your Majesty's arrival in this country; that judges be appointed to hear the causes of divorcement, for the Kirk can no longer sustain that burden, especially since there is no punishment for the offenders; that sayers and hearers of Mass, profaners of the Sacraments, such as have entered into benefices by the Pope's bulls, and other such transgressors of the law made at your Grace's arrival within this realm, may be severely punished; else men will think that there is no truth meant in the making of such laws.
"Farther, we most humbly desire of your Grace and honourable Council a resolute answer to every one of the heads forewritten, that, the same being known, we may somewhat satisfy such as are grievously offended at manifest iniquity now maintained, at oppression under pretext of law done against the poor, and at the rebellious disobedience of many wicked persons against God's Word and holy ordinance.
"God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, so rule your hearts, and direct your Grace and Council's judgments by the dyttament[204] and illumination of His Holy Spirit, that ye may so answer that your consciences may be absolved in the presence of that righteous Judge, the Lord Jesus; and then we doubt not but that ye yourselves shall find felicity, and this poor realm, that long has been oppressed by wicked men, shall enjoy tranquillity and rest, with the true knowledge of God."
Secretary Lethington objects to the Terms of the Supplication.
These things were read in public Assembly, and approved by all. Some wished that more sharpness had been used, because the time so craved. But the monsieurs of the Court, and Secretary Lethington above others, could not abide such hard speaking; "For who ever saw it written," said he, "to a prince, that God would strike the head and the tail, or that, if Papists did what they should list, men would begin where they had left off?" Above all others, it was most offensive that the Queen was accused as if she would raise up Papists and Papistry again. To put that into the people's head was no less than treason; for oaths durst be made that she never meant such a thing.
It was answered that the Prophet Isaiah used such manner of speaking; and there was no doubt but that he was well acquainted in the Court, for it was supposed that he was of the King's stock. Howsoever it was, his words make manifest that he spake to the Court and courtiers, to judges, ladies, princes and priests. And yet, says he, "The Lord shall cut away the head and the tail," etc. "And so," said the first writer, "I find that such a phrase was used once before. If it offend you that we say, 'Men must begin where they left off,' in case the Papists do as they do; we would desire you to teach us, not so much how we shall speak, but rather what we shall do when our ministers are stricken, our superintendents are disobeyed, and a plain rebellion is decreed against all good order."
"Complain," said Lethington. "Whom to?" said the other. "To the Queen's Majesty," said he. "How long shall we do so?" quoth the whole. "Till ye get remedy," said the Justice Clerk: "give me their names, and I shall give you letters." "If the sheep," said one, "shall complain to the wolf that the wolves and whelps have devoured their lambs, the complainer may stand in danger; but the offender, we fear, shall have liberty to hunt after his prey." "Such comparisons," said Lethington, "are very unsavoury; for I am assured that the Queen will neither erect nor yet maintain Papistry." "Let your assurance," said another, "serve yourself; it cannot assure us; for her manifest proceedings speak the contrary."