In respect of the Report of the brethren of the north, that gentlemen and burgesses are lyke to leave their houses for fear of the enemies, seeing their great insolence unrepressed at hame, returning of their wyves to the countrie againe, and their provisions in their houses and castles for their hame-coming, qwhilk is murmurit against in all the countrie:
For remedie, it is cravit that the Ladies of Huntlie and Arroll presently be brought back againe and placit in St Androis, my Lord Gordone sicklyke to be brought to the south, and put to the schools—their friends in the south to be wardit,—as Cluny, Geight, Abergaldie, Cowbairdie, Bonytowne, younger, Craige, younger, Alexander Hay of Auchmather, Mr Alexander Leslie of Peill, James Knowes, John Gordoune of Newtoune: to be apprehendit, Towie Barclay, Patrick Conn. And for this effect it was thoucht good that some Commissioners, the Provest of Aberdeen, with the Laird of Wedderburne, to be direct to the north, with the Kirk’s Commissioners already appoyntit.
The Commone Corruptiones of all Estates within this Realme.
Ane universall coldness and decay of zeale in all estates, joynit with ignorance and contempt of the word, ministrie, and sacraments; and qwhere no knowledge is, there is no sense nor feeling, qwhilk utters itself most manifestly be this, that they want religious exercises in their families, as of prayer and reading of the word; and qwhere the samen, for the maist pairt, is abused and profaned be cuiks, stewarts, jackmen, and such lyke;—the masters of the families ashamed to wse their exercises of godliness in their awne persones, and no conferrence at their tables, but of prophane, wanton, and worldlie matters.
Superstitione and Idolatrie intertaint, qwhilk utters itself in keeping of festivall dayes and bonefyres, pilgrimages, singing of carrolls, and Zuill.
Great blasphemie of the holy name of God in all estates, with horrible banning and curseing in all their speeches.
Profanation of the Sabbath, and speciallie in seed-tyme and harvest, and commone journeying on the Sabbath,—and trysting and worldlie turnes,—exerciseing all kynde of wanton games—keeping of markets—danceing—drinking, and suchlyke—little care and reverence of inferiours to their superiours; as suchlyke of superiours in dischargeing their dewtie to the inferiours—as qwhair children pleyes in law against parentes, and many of them marryes against their parents’ will and consent, and no care of thair parents for thair education in vertue and godliness.
Ane flood of bloodscheds and deadly feuds aryseing therupone, and universall assisting of bloodscheds for eludeing of lawes.
Adulteries, fornicationes, unlawfull marriages, and divorcements allowit by publick lawes and judges, and children begotten in such marriages declareit to be lawfull, excessive drinking and wawchting, gluttonie, qwhilk is no doubt the cause of dearth and famine,—gorgeous and vaine apparell,—filthie and bawdie speeches.