The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

which perceived, the Preacher said to the people that stood near them, I heartily pray you to make room to those two men, it may be that they be come to learn. And unto them he said, Come near (for they stood in the very entry of the door) for I assure you ye shall hear the Word of verity, which shall either seal in you this same day your salvation or condemnation. And so proceeded he in Doctrine, supposing they would have been quiet: But when he perceived them still to trouble the people that stood near them (for vehement was he against the false worshipping of God) he turned unto them the second time, and with an ireful countenance said, O Sergeants of Satan, and deceivers of the souls of men, Will ye neither hear Gods Truth, nor suffer others to hear it; Depart, and take this for your portion, God shall shortly confound and disclose your hypocrisy within this Realm; ye shall be abominable unto men, and your places and habitations shall be desolate. This Sentence he pronounced with great vehemency in the midst of the Sermon: And turning to the people, he said, You wicked men have provoked the Spirit of God to anger. And so he returned to his matter, and proceeded to the end. The days travel was ended, he came to Langindrie, and the two next Sundays preached in Tranent, with the like grace, and like confluence of people. In all his Sermons after his departure from Angus, he forespake the shortness of the time that he had to travel, and of his death, the day whereof approached nearer than any would believe. In the latter end of those days that are called the holy days of Christmas, past he, by consent of the Gentlemen, to Hadington, where it was supposed the greatest confluence of people should be, both by reason of the Town, and of the Country adjacent. The first day before noon, the auditors were reasonable, and yet nothing in comparison of that which used to be in that Church. But the afternoon, and the next day following before noon, the auditory was so slender, that many wondered. The cause was judged to have been, That the Earle Bothwell, who in those bounds used to have great credit and obedience, by procurement of the Cardinal, had given inhibition, as well unto the Town, as unto the Country, that they should not hear him, under the pain of his displeasure.

which perceived, the Preacher said to the people that stood neer them, I heartily pray you to make room to those two men, it may be that they be come to learne. And unto them he said, Come neer (for they stood in the very entry of the door) for I assure you ye shall hear the Word of verity, which shall either seal in you this same day your salvation or condemnation. And so proceeded he in Doctrine, supposing they would have been quiet: But when he perceived them still to trouble the people that stood neer them (for vehement was he against the false worshipping of God) he turned unto them the second time, and with an irefull countenance said, O Sergeants of Sathan, and deceivers of the souls of men, Will ye neither heare Gods Truth, nor suffer others to heare it; Depart, and take this for your portion, God shall shortly confound and disclose your hypocrisie within this Realme; ye shall be abominable unto men, and your places and habitations shall be desolate. This Sentence he pronounced with great vehemency in the midst of the Sermon: And turning to the people, he said, You wicked men have provoked the Spirit of God to anger. And so he returned to his matter, and proceeded to the end. The dayes travell was ended, he came to Langindrie, and the two next Sundays preached in Tranent, with the like grace, and like confluence of people. In all his Sermons after his departure from Augus, he forespake the shortnesse of the time that he had to travell, and of his death, the day whereof approached neerer than any would believe. In the latter end of those dayes that are called the holy dayes of Christmas, past he, by consent of the Gentlemen, to Hadington, where it was supposed the greatest confluence of people should be, both by reason of the Towne, and of the Countrey adjacent. The first day before noon, the auditors were reasonable, and yet nothing in comparison of that which used to be in that Church. But the afternoon, and the next day following before noon, the auditory was so slender, that many wondred. The cause was judged to have been, That the Earle Bothwell, who in those bounds used to have great credit and obedience, by procurement of the Cardinall, had given inhibition, as well unto the Towne, as unto the Countrey, that they should not hear him, under the pain of his displeasure.