The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

Thus ends M. Patricks Articles. And so we return to our History. When those cruel wolves had (as they supposed) clean devoured the prey, they found themselves in worse case then they were before; for then within S. Andrews, yea, almost within the whole Realm (who heard of that fact) there was none found who began not to inquire,¹ wherefore M. Patrick Hamilton was burnt, and when his Articles were rehearsed, Question was holden, if such Articles were necessary to be believed, under the pain of damnation. And so within short space, many began to call in doubt, that which before they held for a certain verity, insomuch that the University of S. Andrews and S. Leonards College, principally by the labours of Master Gawin Logy, ²the Novices of the Abbey, and by the sub-Prior, began to smell somewhat of the verity, and to espy the vanity of the received Superstition; yea, within few years after began both black and grey Friars publicly to Preach against the pride and idle life of Bishops,³ and against the abuses of the whole Ecclesiastical estate; amongst whom was one called Will. Arith• ; who in a Sermon preached in Dundee, spake somewhat more liberally against the licentious life of the Bishops, then they could well bear. He spake further against the abuse of cursing and of Miracles. The Bishop of Brechain, having his Parasites and Jack-men in the Town, buffeted the Friar, and called him Heretic. The Friar impatient of the injury received, past to S. Andrews, ⁴and did communicate the heads of his Sermon with Master John Mair, whose word then was holden as an Oracle, in matters of Religion; and being assured of him, than such Doctrine might well be defended, and that he would defend it, for it contained no Heresy. There was one day appointed to the said Friar, to make repetition of the same Sermon: and advertisement was given to all such as was offended at the former, to be present. And so in the Parish Church of S. Andrews upon the day appointed▪ appeared the said Friar, and had amongst his Auditors, M. John Mair, M. George Lockart, the Abbot of Gambuskeneth, M. Patrick Hepburn Prior of Saint Andrews, with all the Doctors, and Masters of the Universities.