Yf blynd affectioun rather lead you to have respect to the sustentatioun of those your carnall Freindis, who tyrannouslie have impyred above the poor flock of Christ Jesus, than that the zeall of Goddis glorie provock and move you to sett his oppressed Churche at fredome and libertie, we fear your scharpe and suddane punischmentis, and that the glorie and honour of this interpryse be reserved unto otheris.
And yitt shall this oure judgment abyd to the Generationis following for a monument and witness, how lovinglie God called you and this Realme[580] to repentance, what counsallouris God send unto you, and how ye [have] used the same. Yf obedientlie ye hear God now calling, we doubt not but he shall hear you in your greatest necessitie. But yf, following youre awin corrupt judgmentis, ye contempt his voice and vocatioun, we ar assured that your formare iniquitie, and present ingratitude, shall togither crave just punishment frome God, who can not long delay to execute his most just judgmentis, when, after many offenses and long blyndness, grace and mercy offered is contemptuouslie refused.
God the Father of oure Lord Jesus Christ, by the power of his Holy Spreit, so illuminat your heartis, that ye may clearlie see what is pleasing and acceptable in his presence; so bow the same till his obedience, that ye may prefer his reveilled will to your awin affectionis; and so strengthen you by the spreit of fortitude, that boldlie ye may punishe vyce, and maintene virtue within this Realme, to the praise and glorie of his Holy name; to the conforte and assurance of your awin Consciences, and to the consolatioun and good example of the Posteriteis following. Amen. So be it.
By your Honouris
Most humble Servitouris, etc.
Frome Edinburgh,
The 20 of Maij 1560.
Act of Secreit Counsall, xxvii Januarii, Anno &c., lxo.[581]
We, quhilkis hes subscryvit thir Presentis, haveand avysit with the Articles heirin specifeit, as is abone mentionat fra the begynning of this Book, thinkis the samin good, and conforme to Goddis Word in all pointis; conforme to the Notes and Additionis thairto eikit; and promittis to sett the samin fordwarte at the uttermost of oure poweris: Providing that the Bischoppis, Abbotis, Priouris, and otheris Prelattis and beneficit men, quhilkis ellis hes adjonit thame to us, bruik the reveneues of thair benefices during thair liftymes, thei susteanand and uphaldand the Ministerie and Ministeris, as is herein specifeit, for preaching of the Word, and ministering of the Sacramentis of God.
(Sic Subscribitur.)
James.[582]
James Hammylton.[583]
Ard. Ergyll.[584]
James Stewart.[585]
Rothess.[586] James Haliburton.[587]
R. Boyd.[588]
Alexr}. Campbell, Dene of Murray.[589]
Villiam OF Culros.[590]
Maister Alexr. Gordoun.[591]
Bargany Younger.[592]
Andro Ker of Fawdonsyd.[593]
T. Scott of Hanyng.[594]
Johne Lokhart of Barr.[595]
George Corrie of Kelwod.[596]
Johne Schaw of Halie.[597]
Andro Hammyltoun of Lethame.[598]
Glencarn.[599]
Uchiltrie.[600]
Sanquhar.[601]
Sanctjohns.[602]
William Lord Hay.[603]
Drumlangrike.[604]
Conyghamheid.[605]
Johne Maxwell.[606]
George Fentoun of that Ilk.[607]
Lochinware.[608]