Letter From King James to Melville and some Masters
The following charge taken from Calderwood, (MS. vol. iv.
8.) is corrected by another copy which Wodrow has inserted in his Life of
Andrew Melville. (MSS. vol. xiv. BibI. Col. Glasg.)
Principall and
Masters of the New Colledge, we greet you well.
For as much as we are
informed certainly, That upon the Sunday, you assemble to your selves, a number
both of burgh and land, and preaches to them in the English tongue and inveigh
against the late Agreement, qwilch by the advice of the G. Assembly, was
appointed for the Quietnes of the Kirk and Realm ; by great inconvenieneys may
ensue: specially the Division of the members of the university, Gentlemen and
Burgesses, who by yt means are abstracted from their parish kirk and pastors
there ; We willing that no such occasion should ensue, and for the welifare and
quietnes of the Toun and kirk there have By thir presents thot Good, That ye
contean yourselves within the Bounds of your own vocation & calling, and in
such languages as ye profess for the Instruction of the youth and that in no
wise ye attempt Doctrine in English to ye people of the parish. we gave our
commandment to Mr. Andreu Melvill returning to the Colledge, that he should not
in any sort preach to the people; wherein if either ye or he continue we will
take further order in time coming, that our appointment be not so lightly
regarded. Thus we remit it from and to God,
From Hallyroodhous the 4. of
Feb. 1586
JAMES REX