the kingdome of Sathan, of superstitioun and idolatrie, ar yit
nochttheles devidit in opinioun; We, the Congregatioun of Christ
Jesus by yow injustlie persecuted, have thocht good, in one letter,
to write unto yow severallie. Ye ar devidit, we say, in opinioun;
for sum of yow think that we who have tackin upoun us this
interpryise to remove idolatrie, and the monumentis of the same, to
erect the trew preaching of Chryst Jesus in the boundis committit
to our chargis, ar Heretickis, seditious men, and trubilleris of
this commone wealth; and thairfoir that no punischment is
sufficient for us: and so, blyndit with this rage, and under
pretens to serve the Authoritie, ye proclame warre, and threattin
distructioun without all ordour of law aganis us. To yow, we say,
that nather your blynd zeale, nather yit the colour of authoritie,
sall excuse yow in Godis presence, who commandeth "None to suffer
death, till that he be opinlie convictit in jugement, to have
offendit against God, and against his law writtin," whiche no
mortall creature is able to prove against us: for quhatsoevir we
have done, the same we have done at Godis commandiment, who
planelie commandis idolatrie, and all monumentis of the same to be
destroyed and abolisshed, Oure ernist and long requeist hath bein,
and is, that in opin assemblie it may be disputit in presence of
indifferent auditouris, [SN: THE PERPETUALL REQUEIST OF THE
PROTESTANTIS OF SCOTLAND.] "Whether that theis abhominationis,
namit by the pestilent Papistis, religioun, whiche thay by fyre and
sweard defend, be the trew religioun of Christ Jesus or not?" Now,
this our humbill requeast denyed unto us, our lyves ar sought in
most crewell maner. And ye, the Nobilitie, (whose dewetie is to
defend innocentis, and to brydle the fury and raige of wicked men,
wer it of Princes or Emperouris,) do nochtwithstanding follow thare
appetytis, and arme your selfis against us, your bretherin, and
naturall cuntriemen; yea, against us that be innocent and just, as
concerning all suche crymes as be layid to our chargis. Yf ye think
that we be criminall becaus that we dissent from your opinioun,
considder, we beseiche yow, that the Prophetis under the law, the
Apostles of Christ Jesus efter his Assentioun, his primitive
Churche, and holy Marty