The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

In his own presence George Steill, his greatest flatterer,¹ and greatest enemy to God that was in his Court, dropped off his horse, and died not saying one word that same day, that in audience of many, the said George had refused his portion of Christs Kingdom, if the prayers of the Virgin Mary should not bring him thereto. How terrible a Vision the said Prince saw lying in Lintlightow that night that Thomas Scot, Justice Clerk, died in Edinburgh, men of good credit can yet report: For afraid at midnight, or after, he called aloud for Torches, and raised all that lay beside him in the Palace, and told that Thomas Scot was dead; for he had been at him with a company of devils, and had said unto him these words; O we to the day that ever I knew thee or thy service; for serving of thee, against God, against his servants, and against Justice, I am adjudged to endless torment. How terrible voices the said Thomas Scot pronounced before his death, men of all estates heard; and some that yet live can witness his voice ever was, Justo Dei judicio condemnatus sum; that is, I am condemned by Gods just Judgement. He was most oppressed for th• delation and false accusation of such as professed Christs Evangel, as M. Thomas Mairioribanckes, and M. Heus Rig, then advocates, did confess to M. Henry Balnaves, who from the said Thomas Scot came to him, as he and M. Thomas Ballenden were sitting in Saint Giles Church, and asked him forgiveness of the said Thomas. None of these terrible forewarnings could either change or alter the heart of the infortunate and misled Prince, but ⟨p. 26⟩still he did proceed in his accustomed ways. For in the midst of these evils, he caused, to put hands on that notable man M. George Buchanan, to whom for his singular erudition and honest behaviour, was committed the charge to instruct some of his natural children: But by the merciful providence of God he escaped (albeit with great difficulty) the rage of those that sought his life; and remains alive to this day in the year of God 1566. to the glory of God, to the great honour of this nation, and to the comfort of those that delight in letters and virtue.

In his own presence George Steill, his greatest flatterer,¹ and greatest enemy to God that was in his Court, dropped off his horse, and died not saying one word that same day, that in audience of many, the said George had refused his portion of Christs Kingdom, if the prayers of the Virgin Mary should not bring him thereto. How terrible a Vision the said Prince saw lying in Lintlightow that night that Thomas Scot, Justice Clerk, died in Edinburgh, men of good credite can yet report: For afraid at midnight, or after, he called aloud for Torches, and raised all that lay beside him in the Pallace, and told that Thomas Scot was dead; for he had been at him with a company of devills, and had said unto him these words; O we to the day that ever I knew thee or thy service; for serving of thee, against God, against his servants, and against Iustice, I am adjudged to endlesse torment. How terrible voyces the said Thomas Scot pronounced before his death, men of all estates heard; and some that yet live can witnesse his voice ever was, Iusto Dei judicio condemnatus sum; that is, I am condemned by Gods just Judgement. He was most oppressed for th delation and false accusation of such as professed Christs Evangel, as M. Thomas Mairioribanckes, and M. Heus Rig, then advocates, did confesse to M. Henry Balnaves, who from the said Thomas Scot came to him, as he and M. Thomas Ballenden were sitting in Saint Giles Church, and asked him forgivenesse of the said Thomas. None of these terrible forewarnings could either change or alter the heart of the infortunate and misled Prince, but