Knox to Sir Henry Percy
1559.
KNOX TO SIR HENRY PERCY.
Superfluus I thought to write anything to Mr.
Secreatary Cycill, considdering that I have opened the hole case to you.
Ye will especially remember those heades that be noted with this sing X, and requyr ansuer with diligence.
This other ticket ye please to send to Sir Hary Percy for my discharge and these letteres directed to Maistres Bowes, I besecli you deliver to Mr. George her sone, to be send unto hir, for I know sche longeht for knowledge of my estaite : their ar dated att Sanct Andrewes, from whens ye may alledge ye have receaved them amongis otheris.
Thus yet I desier your felicitie in Christ Jesus.^ XTX.
Knox to Sir Henry Percy.
After harty commendations, albeit my desyr was vehement to have spoken yow att this present, asweall for farther acquentaunce as for discharge of my deuty and commission (for unto you was I no less directed than to Sir James Croftes), yit becaus of the schortnes of tym limited unto me, and because of the uncertaintie of your present residence, I was compelled to return without the confort of your presence.
The whole mater I have left in Articles with the said Sir James, not dowbting but the sam hie will communicatt with you, beseching you hartlie to do possible diligence, that answer may be had with expeditioun.
Mr. Kyrkcaldye doht hartlie salut you.
The grace of the Lord Jesus rest with you.
From Holy Yland, the / second of August 1559, att nyclit, in great haist.
Youris to his power in godlines, John Knox.
Postscriptum.—Commandement was geven unto me, by the Lordes Protestantes, to requyr of yow such favoviris that the * Not signed, uor is the address preArticles or Instructions (pp. 56-58) are served, but both this aud the above in Knox's hand.
LETTERS, ETC.
1559. entress of the Lord Marisclial, yoiire preasoner, may be prolonged, in case thay write unto you for tlie sam; for yf his father can be maid assured, upon thare part the presence of the young man wilbe confortable unto thame instantlie ; for we ar assured that this Appointment will not stand, for the Queen
Eegent hath already broken it, and therfor we can be no lougar bound than we be able to mack our party good upon the feildis.
It will please you, Sir, to signifye eytlier to me, eyther to Mr.
Kyrkcaldye, your pleasure in this case, for the Lordis will not write except thai be assured of your favouris and good will.
Eest in Christ Jesus.
To the worshipfuU Sir Hary Percye knyght. Warden Deputy of the marches of England.
Deliver this in haist.
XX.— Sir Henry Percy to Cecill.
After most humble and harty commendatiouns, ye shall 'understand, that since my departure from Norhani, ther hathe anyved at the Holy Island Mr. Knoxe, in suche unsecreat sort, that it is openlie knowen bothe unto England and Scotland; wherfore I think he hathe not discreatlie used his comminge, for the Dowager of Scotland hathe soe burthened me, bothe by letters to my Lord of Northumberland, as by messuage yesterdaie with the Lord Bothewell and Sir James Magill, that I should have conference with the Priour of St. Androwes, and the residue of the Congregatioun ; wherfor this thinge woU cause me to be the more mistrusted, but for the profe therof, I am assured she is able to mak by anie meanes.
The contentes of Mr. Knoxe comminge, Sir James Crofts hathe declared unto me, that he hathe certified unto you the hole effect of his commissioun; and receiving a letter from Mr. Knoxe, I have thought good to send it unto you, to tli' end youe maie see and understand all ther hole doinge to me in this weishtie matter.
Also
1559.
SIR H. PERCY TO CECILL.
I receyved another from the L. P.^ concerninge newis that Sir James willed me to certifie ; and more over, I willed the L. P. to use a cipher that I sent him, which ye may perceive as well by his ticket as by Mr. Knox letter And thus I leave to trouble you anie further, wishing the daly encrease of your howse.
Frome Barwicke, the fourthe of Awguste 1559.
Your most humblie at commaundment, Heney Pekcy.
To the Eight Honorable Sir William Cecill knight, Secretarie to the Queues Maiestie, etc.
XXI.
The Peiok of St. Andeews^ to Peecy.^ Teust Friend, we resavit your writting with maist harty charity, and sal do heirefter conforme to the samyn, God willing
: forthir, the man you desyritt suld cum and speik you, sal, gif it pleis God to grant the oportunite, cum in be the West bordour, and meit with you in Alnwyck or Neucastyl, within the space of viij or x days ; quhair unto refferis al other thingis, commending you in the meyn tym to the protectioun of God, be your awin at uttermost. We also resavit your cyfre, and sal use the samyn accordingly.
(Not signed?) XXII.— SiE James Ceoft to Cecill.^ Whitlav*^ cam hither yesterday, who the same night departed with Master Knox in to Scotland.
Hit semeth that you ^ The Lord Prior (of St. Andrews), ^ This and the following note were Lord James Stewart. enclosed in Sir Henry Percy's previous 2 Lord James Stewart, afterwards letter.
Earl of Murrny.
* In cipher, and interlined.
LETTERS, ETC.
1559. loked to speke with Knox, who sayetli that in no wyse he can be long from his flocke ; and, besydes, he is not hym self mete to treate of so greate matters, but thinks rather to devise that Master Henry Balneves, or some other wyse man, may be sent to you.
Hit is now then tyme to determine what to do, for I see greate perill to both the Eealmes by wasting of tyme.
And thus I commyte ye to God.
At Berwicke, the iiijth of Auguste 1559.
Youris to commaunde, James Ckoft.
XXIII.
Lords of the Congregation to Sir J. Croft.
With our harty commandations, we have understand by our last messenger, as weall the good mynde of our freinds as the things which offende theanie. We have great cause to magnifie
God, for that he bowest the hartes of men to treuht, equitye, and justice, with God for witness, we or he meanes
; but that we ar judges slowe, negligent, and cold in our proceadings, we ar sory that any man should have that opinion of us, especiallie those whom we most especiallie favour.
Ye are not ignorant, Sir, how difficil it is to persuade a multitude to the revolt of an Authoritie established.
The last tym that we war persewed, our enemies war in nomber thrise more then we
; besides that, the Castell of Edinburgh declared thei seK plaine enemy to us att our utermost necessitie, which was our cause of disappointment.
God grant our freinds no less fervencye in this common actioun then yet hath appeared amonge us.
Our suriht substance and nomber being considerred, we meane nothing but plaine simplicitie and a brotherhe connection, without long delay, for we haite all doublnes ; and for farther answer to their letters receaved, we have appointed a Convention at Glasgow, whare all things shalbe resolved mor fuUie, and ye tharof