Letter from Andrew Melville to Robert Durie at Leyden.
Right reverend and dearly beloved father in the Lord
Jesus, your last letter was full of kyndly stuffe, and so was very sweet to me,
namely your owne godly and constant resolution. Receave fra this bearar, your
sone Johne, his oration with thanks, and great hope he shall be a good
instrument after our departing. We have heard nothing farther of Scotts or
Inglish newes, but only the returning of Mr. Digby ambassadar from Spaine who
be now adjoyned to the secret counsall for his faithfull service. So that we
look to hear shortly of the L. Somerset & his la. and vyers their
acomplices. We expect the returning of our duke and prince from Parise this
weeke at the farrest, the peace being ratified from the parliament of Parise.
From Mr. Johne Forbess neuer a word haue we yet receaved, and so remaine we in
suspence: only the ministrie of Flissing as you wrait appears to say sumthing,
wheaeof I gather litle comfort or gratious answer from the monarche, Lord be
mercifull to his chosen and faithfull servants. I thank yon for Roseus and
Godartius, things goes not evill as we haue heard. But we cannot bot feare the
act from the state to the classes, howbeit we know not as yet the contents
thereof. I thank you also for Mr. Robert Bruce that constant confessor and
almost martyr of our Lonl Jesus. The Lord keep him and His for ever. I never
remember him and his without comfort and heart lift up to God And so alsoe when
I remember or hears or speaks of any of you all that suffers for Christ and his
church. Faine wold I heare good things from Mr. William Scotte, Mr. Johne
Carmicheil & Mr. Johne Dykes whous I hope the Lord hath not left destitute
of his good spirit, but that they shine as burning lamps in the mids of that
confused darkness. Mr. Patrick Symsone triumphes, whose ecclesiastick history 1
heare be cum furth bot not come to our hands. I cannot tell whats becum of Mr.
Jas. Carmichelis labours, or whether he be yet aliue. Mr. Johne Davidsone left
sum nots behind of our tyme, and so did Mr. Johne Jonstoun. I speak nothing of
my cousing. I wold all were safe to mak out a true narration to the posterity.
I left with my lufing and faithful gossep your father in law, Mr. Knox’s
letters. I wish them to be furthcuming Mak my hartly commendations to him &
his, and learne what you can of all. Let the bishops be mowdewarps. We will lay
our treasure in the heavins quher they be sure. Fed niche nearer to St. Androis
nor Darisie could not (saue) their fed sowe from the graue.My collect grauell
and gutte be messengers (bot not immportune) to spoile mu patience, bot to
exercise my faith. My health is better nor I wold looke for in this age,
praised be the thie true mediator To whose glorie it may serue, to the benefitt
of his church. My cummer and all the bairns be locked wp in my heart; whom I
recommend with you to the grace of our heavenly father in the bowels of the
Lord Jesus. This in great haiste, with commendations to all friends thair.
Tuus ut suus
An. Melvill
Sedani 24 Maij 1616