The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

for his death was the cause (as is said) that many did awake from the deadly sleep of ignorance; and so did Jesus Christ the only true Light shine unto many, for the way taken of one. And albeit that these notable men did never after (M. John Fife only excepted) comfort their country with their bodily presence, yet made he them fructify in his Church, and raised them up Lights out of darkness, to the praise of his own mercy, and to the just condemnation of them that then ruled; To wit, of the King, Council, and Nobility, yea, of the whole people, who suffered such notable personages without crimes, counted to be unjustly persecuted, and so exiled; others were after even so dealt withal, but of them we shall speak in their own place.

for his death was the cause (as is said) that many did awake from the deadly sleep of ignorance; and so did Jesus Christ the onely true Lyght shine unto many, for the way taken of one. And albeit that these notable men did never after (M. Iohn Fyfe onely excepted) comfort their countrey with their bodily presence, yet made he them fructifie in his Church, and raised them up Lyghts out of darknesse, to the praise of his own mercy, and to the just condemnation of them that then ruled; To wit, of the King, Counsell, and Nobility, yea, of the whole people, who suffered such notable personages without crimes, counted to be unjustly persecuted, and so exiled; others were after even so dealt withall, but of them we shall speak in their own place.

No sooner gate the Bishops opportunity (which always they sought) but so soon renewed they the battle against Jesus Christ. For the aforesaid leprous Bishop in the year of God 1534.¹ caused to be summoned Sir William Kirk, ²Adam Days, Henry Kernes, John Stewart of Leith, with divers others, such as Master William Johnston Advocate, Master Henry Henderson, School-master of Edinburgh, of whom some compeered in the Abbey Kirk of Halyrud-house, and so abjured, and publicly burnt their Bills: others compeered not, and therefore was exiled. But in judgement were produced two, to wit, David Straton, a Gentleman, and Master Norman Gowrlay, a man of reasonable erudition, of whom we may shortly speak. In Master Norman appeared knowledge, albeit joined with weakness; But in David Straton could only be espied for the first; a hatred against the pride and avariciousness of Priests, for the cause of his delation was, he had made to himself one Fish-boat to go to the sea; The Bishop of Murray, then being Prior of Saint Andrews, and his agents, urged him for the tithe thereof; His answer was, If they would have tithe of that which his servants wan in the sea,