The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

Having no less desire to comfort such as now be in trouble within the Realm of England, (and specially you for many causes most dear to me) then hath the natural Father to ease the grief and pain of his dearest Child; I have considered with my self, what argument or parcel of Gods Scriptures was most convenient and meet to be handled for your consolation in these most dark and dolorous days:¹ And so (as for the same purpose I was turning my Book) I chanced to see a Note in the Margin written thus in Latin, Videas Anglia, Let England beware; which Note when I had considered, I found, that the matter written in my Book in Latin, was this, Seldom it is that God worketh any notable work to the comfort of his Church, but that trouble, fear, and labour cometh ⟨p. 44⟩upon such as God hath used for his Servants and Workmen; and also tribulation most commonly followeth that Church were Christ Jesus is most truly preached. This Note was made upon a place of Scripture written in the fourteenth Chapter of Saint Matthews Gospel; which place declareth, That after Christ Jesus had used the Apostles as Ministers and Servants to feed (as it had been by their hands) five thousand men, beside women and children, with five Barley Loaves and two Fishes; he sent them to the Sea, commanding them to pass over before him to the other side. Which thing as they attempted to obey,² and for the same purpose did travel and row forth in the Sea, the night approached, the wind was contrary, the vehement and raging storm arose, and was like to overthrow their poor Boat and them. When I considered (as dolour and my simplicity would suffer) the circumstances of the Text, I began to reckon and ask account of my self (and as God knoweth, not without sorrow and sobs) whether at any time I had been so plain by my tongue, as God had opened his holy Will and Wisdom in that matter unto me, as mine own Pen and Note bear witness to my conscience: And shortly it came to my mind, that the same place of Scripture I had handled in your presences, when God gave opportunity and time for you to hear Gods Messenger speak the words of eternal life. Wherefore I thought nothing more expedient, then shortly to call to mind again such things as then I trust were touched;

HAving no lesse desire to comfort such as now be in trouble within the Realm of England, (and specially you for many causes most dear to me) then hath the naturall Father to ease the griefe and pain of his dearest Childe; I have considered with my selfe, what argument or parcell of Gods Scriptures was most convenient and meet to be handled for your consolation in these most dark and dolorous dayes: