A47584:234
The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland
The history of the reformation of the Church of Scotland containing five books : together with some treatises conducing to the history.The historie of the reformation of the Church of Scotland containing five books : together with some treatises conducing to the history.
London: printed by John Raworth for George Thomason and Octavian Pullen, 1644
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
About the same time, Captain John Berthwick Provost of Lithcow, was burnt in figure, but by Gods providence escaped their fury.1 2And this was done for a spectacle, and triumph to Mary of Lorraine, lately arrived from France, as wife to James the fifth King of Scots: what plagues she brought with her, and how they yet continue, such as are not blind may manifestly see. The rage of these bloody beasts proceeded so far, that the Kings Court it self escaped not that danger; for in it divers were suspected, and some accused. And yet ever did some light burst out in the midst of darkness; for the trueth of Christ Jesus entered even into the Cloisters as well of Friars and Monks as of Canons. John Lin, a grey Friar, left his hypocritical habit, and the den of those murderers, the grey Friars. A black Friar, called Friar Killor, set forth the History of Christs passion in form of a Play, which he both Preached and practised openly in Stirling, the King himself being present upon a Good-Friday in the Morning, in the which all things were so lively expressed, that the very simple people understood and confessed, That as the Priests and obstinate Pharisees persuaded the people to refuse Christ Jesus, and caused Pilate to condemn him; ⟨p. 24⟩So did the Bishops, and men called Religious, blind the people, and persuade Princes and Judges to persecute such as profess Christ Jesus his blessed Gospel. This plain speaking so inflamed the hearts of all that bare the Beasts mark, that they ceased not, till the said Friar Killer, and with him Friar Beaverege, Sir Duncan Symson, Robert Forester Gentleman, and Dean Thomas Forrat, Canon regular, and Vicar of Dolour, a man of upright life,3 who altogether were cruelly murdered in one fire upon the Castle hill the last of February, in the year of our Lord 1538.4 This cruelty was used by the aforesaid Cardinal, the Chancellor, the Bishop of Glasgow, and the incestuous Bishop of Dumblane. After that this cruelty was used in Edinburgh upon the Castle hill, to the effect that the rest of the Bishops might show themselves no less fervent to suppress the light of God,