Town of Edenburgh; which is the Reason why, in all the
Divisions, Broiles, & Civill Feids (which have not been few)
in Scotland, the possession of that Port hath been especially, aimed
at; And at that time when the French had designed the
Conquest of this Nation, and had almost fastned the yoke about
their necks (from whence they were then delivered by
the English) the Queen Motherland Regent (who was a French
woman, and principall in the plot) made sure of Leith,
garrisoning it with her Frenchmen who made it impregnable
in the opinion of all but the English, whose valor first
taught the Queen the vanity of that opinion, and daring little
lesse than Impossibilities, at length won the Town, and
rescued this rascall Nation from the French slavery.
It is a wonder now to see, how obstinate and malicious
They are, and how their hearts are hardned against all the
Manifestations of Judgement from God, and offers of mercy
and compassion from man. But like Pastors like People; the
Priests are the foremost in this Predicament and notwithstanding
that his Excellencie hath dealt with them more like
Brethren than enemies, inviting them out of the Castle, with
promise of protection in their respective Cures, yet they return
nothing but hatred for good will, and the rest follow
their example. It is strange to consider the Temper of spirit
in these People, and what a peevish insolent obstinacie wee
discovered even among the Prisoners; some of them choosing
in a dogged humor to be pistol'd (as divers of Them
were) upon the place, rather than march on toward Berwick,
and most of those that did march, could not refrain
from Curses and Reviling, calling us Hereticks and Sectaries,
&c. Not a man of note among them is as yet come in
unto us; which gives cause to beleeve the old Saw will prove
true upon Them; Quos perdere vult Jupiter, hos prius dementat,
God having given them over to a Spirit of madnes, and
hardned their hearts to their ruine and destruction.
Old Leven (their quondam Idol)is quite out both of the
King's and Kirk's Books, but whether turn'd out by Command,
or an occasion of discontent, is the Question; we suppose