The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

The fellow replied, To whom should it be said, but to God alone? The Master answers again, What shall we do then with the Saints? The fellow duplies, Give them Ave's and Credo's enough, that may suffice them, and too well too. If this was good Divinity, God knows. The second passage likewise is very well worth the knowing, and to this purpose very fit, which fell out about the same time with the former, that is, about the first beginning of the Reformation. A little before the death of George Wischard, there came home from Rome a fellow charged with very many holy Relics, and new things of great virtue, as he gave out; but the things were not to be had, nor any benefit by the sight or touching of them, without moneys. Now upon a holy day, in a village near Hadington, this Romish Peddler did open his pack, to try if he could vent any of his Wares among the Country people. Among other commodities, the good Merchant did show unto the people there was a Bell of much value, by reason of its great virtue; which he gave out to be this, That if any two parties had any difference, which could not be otherwise decided but by Oath, the truth of the Oath was to be made known by this Bell: for (said he) when any one sweareth, laying his hand on this Bell, if he swear true, he shall after the Oath sworn remove his hand easily from from the Bell, without any change to the Bell: But if he that sweareth having his hand upon the Bell sweareth falsely, his hand will stick to the Bell, and the Bell will rive asunder. Now we must tell you, That already there was a rift in the Bell, which this Romipete did affirm had happened by a false Oath of one that had sworn having his hand upon the Bell. At this tale the poor simple people were astonished, and fell in admiration. But among them was one Farmer, who had some light of the Truth of God; he drawing near the Romish Merchant, desired to have the Bell in his hand, to see it nearly. This desire was granted unto him. Then he takes the Bell, and looks on it, expressing great admiration at first; but immediately thereafter, he asked at the Romipete, ⟨image 41⟩if he would suffer him to swear in presence of the company, having his hand upon the Bell, for he had mind to take an Oath upon a weighty business. The man could not refuse him.

The fellow replied, To whom should it be said, but to God alone? The Master answers again, What shall we do then with the Saints? The fellow duplies, Give them Ave's and Credo's enough, that may suffice them, and too well too. If this was good Divinity, God knows. The second passage likewise is very well worth the knowing, and to this purpose very fit, which fell out about the same time with the former, that is, about the first beginning of the Reformation. A little before the death of George Wischard, there came home from Rome a fellow charged with very many holy Reliques, and new things of great vertue, as he gave out; but the things were not to be had, nor any benefit by the sight or touching of them, without moneys. Now upon a holy day, in a village neer Hadington, this Romish Pedler did open his pack, to try if he could vent any of his Wares among the Countrey people. Among other commodities, the good Merchant did shew unto the people there was a Bell of much value, by reason of its great vertue; which he gave out to be this, That if any two parties had any difference, which could not be otherwise decided but by Oath, the truth of the Oath was to be made known by this Bell: for (said he) when any one sweareth, laying his hand on this Bell, if he swear true, he shall after the Oath sworn remove his hand easily from from the Bell, without any change to the Bell: But if he that sweareth having his hand upon the Bell sweareth falsly, his hand will stick to the Bell, and the Bell will rive asunder. Now we must tell you, That already there was a rift in the Bell, which this Romipete did affirm had happened by a false Oath of one that had sworn having his hand upon the Bell. At this tale the poor simple people were astonished, and fell in admiration. But among them was one Fermer, who had some light of the Truth of God; he drawing neer the Romish Merchant, desired to have the Bell in his hand, to see it neerly. This desire was granted unto him. Then he takes the Bell, and looks on it, expressing great admiration at first; but immediately thereafter, he asked at the Romipete,