Letter of James IV to James Hamilton, 1600

Notes on this document: James IV played all sides of the religious fence in
order to gain support for his accession. This letter appears to be written
for a Puritan audience.

Mr.Hambleton,

Although I never doubted and was ever sufficiently informed of the goodwill
borne towards me in all lawful sort (for otherwise I never did nor shall
require them) by all the honest subjects of England that sincerely profess
the only true religion, professed and by laws established in both these
countries (the bond of conscience being the only sure bond for tying of
men's affections to them whom to they owe a natural duty), yet, having the
same renewed and confirmed unto me bv your late advertisments, I have
thought good by this present, all written with mine own hand, to set you
down a meeting for them in this point. That is, that ye shall, in my name,
assure all the honest men ye can meet with that are affected that way, and
that in the princely word of a Christian king: that, as I have ever without
swerving professed and maintained the same religion within all the bounds
of my kingdom, so may they assure themselves that how soon it shall please
God lawfully to possess me with the crown of that kingdom wherein they are
subjects, I shall not only maintain and continue the profession of the
Gospel there, but withal not suffer or permit any other religion to be
professed and avowed within the bounds of that kingdom. But because you
have been, at your last being with me, particularly acquainted with my
intentions in this point, as also that yourself is so well known and
approved unto them there, ye shall by tongue more particularly inform them
of my mind herein, resolving them of such malicious calumnies and unjust
imputations as have been from time to time, by my undeserved enemies,
contrived against me. And thus I bid you heartily farewell.

JAMES R.

Document Source:British Library, Harl. 787,f.1

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    Copyright © 1997 The Gunpowder Plot Society; Transcribed by Jennifer
                                 O'Brien.