[609] In MS. L4, is this note at the top margin, "This Preface was not written by Mr. Knox untill the moneth of Maij 1566." This indeed we learn from Knox's own words, in the second following page. In the MS. 1566, the commencement of Book Fourth forms part of one of the re-written quires or sets. [610] MS. G, has always "Kirk;" MSS. M, and L4, "Churche." [611] In MS. G, "some" is omitted. In MS. L 4, "some degrees." [612] In the margin of MS. G, "Witness the tippets and cornered cappes." [Sidenote: THE FIRST PETITIOUN OF THE PROTESTANTIS OF SCOTLAND.] In this poynt could never our enemyes caus us to fainte, for Our first Petitioun was, "That the reverent face of the primitive and apostolick Churche should be reduced agane to the eyes and knowledge of men."[613] And in that poynt, we say, our God hath strenthened us till that the work was finished, as the world may see. And as concerning the suppressing of vice, yea, and of the abolishing of all suche thingis as myght nureise impietie within the Realme, the actes and statutis of the principale Townes reformed will yitt testifie: For what adulterar, what fornicatour, what knawin messe-mongare, or pestilent Papist, durst have been seen in publict, within any reformed town within this Realme, befoir that the Quene arryved? And this victorie to his wourde, and terrour to all fylthie lyvaris, did oure God wirk by such as yit leave and remaine witnesses (whither thei will or not) of the foirsaid workis of our God. We say, our God suffered none of those whome he first called to the battell, to perishe or to fall, till that he maid thame victouris of thair ennemyes: For evin as God suffered none of those whome he called frome Egypt to perishe in the Red Sea, how fearfull that ever the danger appeared; so suffered he none of us to be oppressed, nor yit to be takkin from this lyeff, till that mo Pharaoes then one war drowned, and we set at fredome, without all dangear of our ennemyes; to lett boyth us and our posteritie understand, that suche as follow the conducting of God can not perishe, albeit that thei walked in the verray schaddo of death. [613] See the Petitions referred to, in vol. i. pp. 306, 333, &c. [Sidenote: THE CAUS OF THE TRUBILLIS OF THE KIRK WITHIN SCOTLAND FLOWED FROME THE COURTEIRS THAT SEEMED TO PROFESS THE EVANGELL.][614] [614] MS. L 4, adds to this marginal note, the words, "and did it not,"