The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

Next, the Monks of several kinds gave themselves so to Begging, that the people were much eaten up by them, and the poor his portion was withdrawn; which occasioned a great murmur among the Commons. Upon this, there was a Decree made then, That only the Minorites, Praedicants, Carmelites, and Hermits of S. Augustine, should have liberty to beg: Whence they are called, The four Mendicants; Les quatre Mendiants.

Next, the Monks of severall kindes gave themselves so to Begging, that the people were much eaten up by them, and the poor his portion was withdrawn; which occasioned a great murmure among the Commons. Upon this, there was a Decree made then, That onely the Minorites, Praedicants, Carmelites, and Hermits of S. Augustine, should have liberty to beg: Whence they are called, The four Mendicants; Les quatre Mendiants.

Towards the end of this thirteenth Age fell out that great desolation of the State of Scotland, occasioned by the Controversy for the Succession of the Crown, betwixt Balliol and Bruce; Balliol being constrained by the States of Scotland to break the promise he had made to Edward of England, To subject the Crown of Scotland unto him, for judging the cause on his side. After much trouble and misery of War, the State of Scotland receives Robert Bruce, come of the second Branch, for King, recalling all the subjection and Allegiance that they had given to Balliol, because of his unworthiness to Reign: who, beside unfitness to bear rule over a Military People, had basely condescended to enslave that Nation, to whom their Liberty hath been so dear to this day, that for it, and the purity of true Religion, which both, by Gods mercy, they now enjoy, they have willingly and cheerfully undergone all hazard of life and means; judging, That if they suffered these two twins, Liberty and Religion, either to be infringed, or taken from them, they had nothing left them, whereby they might be called men.

Towards the end of this thirteenth Age fell out that great desolation of the State of Scotland, occasioned by the Controversie for the Succession of the Crown, betwixt Baliol and Bruce; Baliol being constrained by the States of Scotland to break the promise he had made to Edward of England, To subject the Crown of Scotland unto him, for judging the cause on his side. After much trouble and misery of War, the State of Scotland receives Robert Bruce, come of the second Branch, for King, recalling all the subjection and Allegiance that they had given to Baliol, because of his unworthinesse to Reign: who, beside unfitnesse to bear rule over a Military People, had basely condescended to enslave that Nation, to whom their Liberty hath been so dear to this day, that for it, and the purity of true Religion, which both, by Gods mercy, they now enjoy, they have willingly and cheerfully undergone all hazard of life and means; judging, That if they suffered these two twins, Liberty and Religion, either to be infringed, or taken from them, they had nothing left them, whereby they might be called men.