The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

¹1. That the whole malice of the Devil hath always this end, To vex and overthrow Christs afflicted Church; for what else intended the Devil and his servants (the pestilent Papists) by all these their crafty policies, during the time that Christs Gospel was preached in England, then the subversion of the same Gospel, and that they might recover power to persecute the Saints of God, as this day in the hour of darkness they have obtained for a time, to their own destruction. Let no man wonder though I say, That the crafty policies of pestilent Papists wrought all the mischief, for who could more easier and better work greater mischief, then such as bare authority and rule. And who (I pray you) ruled the roast in the Court all this time, by stout courage and proudness of stomach, but Northumberland? But who (I pray you) under King Edward, ²ruled all by counsel and wit? Shall I name the man? I will writ no more plainly now then my tongue spake the last Sermon, That it pleased God that I should make before that Innocent and most godly King Edward the sixth, and before his Council at Westminster, and even to the faces of such as of whom I meant.³ Handling this place of Scripture, Qui edit mecum panem sustulit adversus me calcaneum suum; that is, He that eateth bread with me, hath lift up his heel against me. I made this affirmation, That commonly it was seen,⁴ that the most godly Princes had Officers and chief Councillors most ungodly, conjured enemies to Gods true Religion, and Traitors to their Princes, not that their wickedness and ungodliness was speedily perceived and espied out of the said Princes and godly men,⁵ but that for time those crafty colourers could so cloak their malice against God and his truth, and their hollow hearts toward their loving Masters, that by worldly wisdom and policy at length they attained to high promotions.⁶ And for the proof of this mine affirmation, I recited the Histories of Ahithophel, Shebna, and Judas; of whom the two former had high Offices and promotions with great