Paule Methven,[739] (his
latter fall[740] aught not to deface the work of God in him,) who in
boldnes of spreit begane opinlie to preache Christ Jesus, in Dundie, in
diverse partes of Anguss, and in Fyffe; and so did God work with him,
that many began opinly to abrenunce thare ald idolatrie, and to submitt
thame selfis to Christ Jesus, and unto his blessed ordinances; insomuch
that the toune of Dundee began to erect the face of a publict churche
Reformed, in the which the Worde was openlie preached, and Christis
Sacramentcs trewlie ministrat.

In this meantyme did God send to us our deare brother, Johne
Willock,[741] ane man godly, learned, and grave, who, after his schorte
abode at Dundie, repared to Edinburgh, and thare (notwithstanding his
long and dangerous seiknes) did so encorage the brethren by godly
exhortationis, that we began to deliberat upoun some publict
Reformatioun; for the corruptioun in religioun was such, that with salf
conscience we could na langar susteane it. Yitt becaus we wold attempt
nothing without the knowledge of the sacrate authoritie,[742] with one
consent, after the deliberatioun of many dayes, it was concluded, that
by our publict and commoun Supplicatioun, we should attempt the
favouris, supporte, and assistance of the Quein then Regent, to a godly
Reformatioun. [SN: THE LARD OF CALDAR ELDAR.] And for that purpoise,
after we had drawin our oraisoun and petitionis, as followeth, we
appointed from amanges us a man whose age and yearis deserved reverence,
whose honestie and wirschip mycht have craved audience of ony magistrate
on earth, and whose faithfull service to the authoritie at all tymes had
bein suche, that in him culd fall no suspitioun of unlawfull
disobedience. This Oratour was that auncient and honorable father, Schir
James Sandelandes of Calder, knycht,[743] to whome we geve commissioun
and power in all our names then present, befoir the Quein Regent thus to
speak:--

THE FIRST ORATIOUN, AND PETITIOUN, OF THE PROTESTANTES
OF SCOTLAND TO THE QUEIN REGENT.

Albeit we have of long tyme conteyned our selfis in that modestie,
(Maist Noble Princess,) that neyther the exile of body, tynsall of
goodis, nor perishing of this mortall lyif, wes able to convein us
to ask at your Grace reformatioun and redress of those wrangis, and
of that sore greaff, patientlie borne of us in bodyes and myndes of
so long tyme; yitt ar we no