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Reformation Scotland -- Reformation Petitions before the Scottish Parliament, 1558

"And, First, We protest, that seeing we cannot obtain a just reformation, according to God's word, that it be lawful to us to use ourselves in matters of religion and conscience, as we must answer unto God, unto such time as our adversaries be able to prove themselves the true ministers of Christ's Church, and to purge themselves of such crimes as we have already laid to their charge, offering ourselves to prove the same whensoever the sacred Authority [Ed.  i.e., the protective authority of the State] please to give us audience."

"Secondly, We protest, that neither we, nor yet any other that godly list to join with us in the true faith, which is grounded upon the invincible word of God, shall incur any danger in life or lands, or other political pains, for not observing such Acts as heretofore have passed in favour of our adversaries, neither yet for violating of such rites as man without God's commandment or word hath commanded."

"We, Thirdly, protest, that if any tumult or uproar shall arise amongst the members of this realm for the diversity of religion, and if it shall chance that abuses be violently reformed, that the crime thereof not be imputed to us, who most humbly do now seek all things to be reformed by an order: But rather whatsoever inconvenience shall happen to follow for lack of order taken, that may be imputed to those that do refuse the same."

"And last, We protest, that these our requests, proceeding from conscience, do tend to none other end, but to the reformation of abuses in religion only: Most humbly beseeching the sacred Authority to take us, faithful and obedient subjects, in protection against our adversaries; and to show unto us such indifference in our most just Petitions, as it becometh God's Lieutenants to do to those that in his name do call for defence against cruel oppressors and bloodthirsty tyrants."

Return to St. Giles' Cathedral

Source:
Knox, John, citing petitions before the Scottish Parliament, late 1558
History of the Reformation in Scotland, Volume 1, pp. 156-158,
Dickinson, William C. Ed.,
Philosophical Library, New York, 1950.

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