A47584:12
The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland
The history of the reformation of the Church of Scotland containing five books : together with some treatises conducing to the history.The historie of the reformation of the Church of Scotland containing five books : together with some treatises conducing to the history.
London: printed by John Raworth for George Thomason and Octavian Pullen, 1644
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
All these things are set down plainly and simply, in familiar and homely Language; Yet so, that they may be with ease apprehended and understood by any one. From what thou hast here, written in this Volume, although there were no other Writings in this kind extant, thou mayest see easily, by what means the great Mystery of Iniquity, from the very first Rise, hath been set afoot, and constantly, ever since, hath been carried on; to wit, By cunning Devices, impudent Lies, continued and crafty Plots, under specious Pretexts, and open Oppression, Tyranny, and Cruelties, within Scotland, till the year of Christ 1567. After which time, the enemies of God, and of his People, have not been sleeping, till this present, more then formerly. Wherefore, for thy good, Christian Reader, I have thought fit in this place to point at some main Occurrences from that time till now.
All these things are set down plainly and simply, in familiar and homely Language; Yet so, that they may be with ease apprehended and understood by any one. From what thou hast here, written in this Volume, although there were no other Writings in this kinde extant, thou mayest see easily, by what means the great Mystery of Iniquity, from the very first Rise, hath been set afoot, and constantly, ever since, hath been carried on; to wit, By cunning Devices, impudent Lyes, continued and crafty Plots, under specious Pretexts, and open Oppression, Tyranny, and Cruelties, within Scotland, till the yeer of Christ 1567. After which time, the enemies of God, and of his People, have not been sleeping, till this present, more then formerly. Wherefore, for thy good, Christian Reader, I have thought fit in this place to point at some main Occurrences from that time till now.
First then, the adversaries of Truth and Goodness, under the specious Pretext of restoring Queen Mary to her Liberty, and of re-establishing her in full Authority, and sole Power, did disquiet and trouble both Church and State in Scotland, both with open Force, and subtle Plots, for some years, that is, to the 1573 year. But finding that all their Undertakings, under this pretext, proved to be in vain, and without success, and standing to their main Design of undoing ⟨image 4⟩