ee thair naturall Prince, as thare usurped
power in thy actionis schawis,) why thy Hienes should lye no langar
blindit. Thow may considder, that thei pretend nothing ellis bot
only the mantenance and uphald of thair bardit mullis,[108]
augmenting of thare insatiable avarice, and continewall doune
thringing and swallowing up thy poore lieges; nether preaching nor
teaching out of the law of God, (as thei should,) to the rude,
ignorant people, bot ay contending wha may be maist hie, maist
riche, and nerrest thy Grace, to putt the temporall Lordis and
liegis out of thy counsall[109] and favour, who should be, and ar,
maist tendir servandis to thy Grace in all tyme of neid, to the
defence of thee and thy croune.

And whare thei desyre thy Grace to putt at thy temporale Lordis and
liegis, because thei dispise thair vitiouse lyif, what ellis intend
thei bot only thy death and destructioun? as thow may easilie
perceave, suppoise thei cullour thair false intent and mynd, with
the persute of heresye. For when thy baronis ar putt doun, what
arte thow bot the King of Bane?[110] and then of necessitie man be
guydit be thame: and thare, (no doubt,) whare ane blynd man is
guyd, mon be ane fall in the myre. Thairfoir lett thy Grace tack
hardiment and authoritie, quhilk thow hes of God, and suffer nott
thair crewell persecutioun to procead, without audience geving to
him that is accused, and just place of defence. And then, (no
dowbt,) thow shall haif thy liegis hartis, and all that thei cane
or may doo in tyme of neid; tranquillitie, justice, and policie in
thy realme, and finallie, the kingdom of the heavins. Please to gar
have this, or the copy, to the clergy and kirkmen, and keap the
principale, and thy Grace shall have experience gif I go aganis ane
worde that I haif hecht. I shall daylie maik my hartlie devotioun
for thy Grace, and for the prosperitie and wealfair of thy body and
saule. I doubt nott bott thy gratiouse Hienes will gif answere to
thir presentis unto the presentar of this to thy Hienes. Of Berwik,
by thy Hienes servand and Oratour.

(_Sic subscribitur_,) ALEXANDER SETOUN.

This letter was delivered to the Kingis awin handis, and of many
redd.[111] But what could greatlie[112] admonitionis availl, whare the
pryde and corruptioun o