e thair awin
particulare proffeitt. These and suche other pestilent Papistes ceassed
nott to cast faggotis on the fyre, continewalie cryeing, "Fordwarte
upoun these Heretiques; we shall ones rydd this realme of thame."

The certantie heirof cuming to our knowledge, some of us repaired to the
Toune agane, about the 22 day of Maij, and thare did abyde for the
conforte of our brethrein. Whare, after invocatioun of the name of God,
we began to putt the Toune and ourselfis in suche strenth, as we thought
myght best for our just defence. And, becaus we war nott utterlie
dispared of the Quenis favouris, we cawsed to forme a lettir to hir
Grace, as followeth:--

"TO THE QUENIS GRACE REGENT, ALL HUMILL OBEDIENCE AND DEWITIE
PREMISSED.

"As heirtofoir, with jeopard of our lyves, and yitt with willing
hartes, we haif served the Authoritie of Scotland, and your Grace,
now Regent in this Realme, in service to our bodyes dangerous and
painefull; so now, with most dolorous myndis we ar constraned, by
injust tyrannye purposed against us, to declair unto your Grace,
That except this crueltie be stayed by your wisdome, we wilbe
compelled to tak the sweard of just defence aganis all that shall
persew us for the mater of religioun, and for our conscience saik;
whiche awght not, nor may nott be subject to mortale creatures,
farder than be God's worde man be able to prove that he hath power
to command us. We signifie moreover unto your Grace, That yf by
rigour we be compelled to scale the extreme defence, that we will
nott onlie notife our innocencie and petitionis to the King of
France, to our Maistres and to her Housband, bot also to the
Princes and Counsall of everie Christiane Realme, declairing unto
thame, that this cruell, injust, and most tyrannicall murther,
intended aganis townes and multitudis, wes, and is the onlie caus
of our revolt from our accustomed obedience, whiche, in God's
presence, we faythfullie promeise to our Soverane Maistres, to hir
Husband, and unto your Grace Regent; provided, that our consciences
may lyve in that peace and libertie whiche Christ Jesus hath
purchassed till us by his bloode; and that we may have his worde
trewlie preached, and holie Sacramentis ryghtlie ministrat unto us,
without whiche we fermelie purpose never to be subject to mortall
man: [SN: O WHAIR IS THIS F