The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

Moreover, remaining in one place I was not so diligent as mine Office required; but sometime by counsel of carnal friends I spared the body; sometime I spent in worldly business of particular friends; and sometime in taking recreation and pastime by exercise of the body.

Moreover, remaining in one place I was not so diligent as mine Office required; but sometime by counsell of carnall friends I spared the body; sometime I spent in worldly businesse of particular friends; and sometime in taking recreation and pastime by exercise of the body.

And albeit men may judge these to be light and small offences, yet I acknowledge and confess, That unless pardon should be granted to me in Christs blood, that every one of these three offences aforenamed, that is to say, Lack of fervency in reproving sin, The lack of indifferency in feeding those that were hungry, And the lack of diligence in the execution of mine Office, deserved damnation.

And albeit men may judge these to be light and small offences, yet I acknowledge and confesse, That unlesse pardon should be granted to me in Christs blood, that every one of these three offences aforenamed, that is to say, Lack of fervency in reproving sin, The lack of indifferency in feeding those that were hungry, And the lack of diligence in the execution of mine Office, deserved damation.

¹And beside these, I was assaulted, yea, infected and corrupted with more gross sins; that is, My wicked nature desired the favours, the estimation and praise of men; against which albeit that sometime the Spirit of God did move me to fight, and earnestly did stir me (God knoweth I lye not) to sob and lament for those imperfections; yet never ceased they to trouble me when any occasion was offered: And so privily and craftily did they enter into my breast, that I could not perceive my self to be wounded, till vain-glory had almost gotten the upper hand.