The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

The dumb Doctors, and the rest of that forsworn rabble began to suspect him, and yet said they nothing publicly, till Lent was ended. And he passed to Dundee: And then one in his absence, hired to that purpose, openly condemned the whole Doctrine that before he had taught. Which coming to the ears of the said Friar Alexander, then being in Dundee, without delay he returned to Saint Andrews, ¹caused immediately to toll the Bell, and to give signification that he would preach, as that he did indeed, in the which Sermon he affirmeth (and that more plainly than at any other time) whatsoever in all his whole Sermons he had taught before, the whole Lent past; adding, That within Scotland there were no true Bishops, if that Bishops should be known by such notes and virtues as S. Paul requires in Bishops. This delation flew with wings to the Bishops ears, who without ⟨p. 18⟩further delay sent for the said Friar Alexander, who began sharply to accuse that he had so slanderously spoken of the dignity of Bishops, as to say, That it behoved a Bishop to be a Preacher or else he were but a dumb dog, and fed not the flock, but fed his own belly. The man being witty, and minding that which was his most assured defence, said, My Lord▪ The reporters of such things are manifest liars. Whereat the Bishop rejoiced, and said, Your answer pleaseth me well; I never could think of you that ye would be so foolish as to affirm such things: Where are the knaves that have brought me this tale? Who comparing and affirming the same that they did before, he still replied, That they were liars. But while the witnesses were multiplied, and men were brought to attention, he turned him to the Bishop, and said, My Lord, ye may hear and consider, what ears these Asses have,² who cannot discern betwixt Paul, Isaiah, Zechariah, and Malachi, and Friar Alexander Seton. In very deed, My Lord, I said, That Paul saith, It behoveth a Bishop to be a Teacher; Isaiah said, That they that fed not the flock are dumb dogs; and Zechariah saith, They are idle Pastors: I of mine own head affirmed nothing, but declared what the Spirit of God before pronounced: At whom, my Lord, if ye be not offended, justly ye cannot be offended at me. And so yet again, my Lord, I say, That they are manifest liars that reported unto you that I said, That ye and others that preach not, are no Bishops, but belly-gods.