The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

After this the Papists and Friars, had no great heart of further disputation or reasoning, but invented another shift, which appeared to proceed from godliness,¹ and it was this: Every learned man in the Abbey, and in the University should Preach in the Parish Church his Sunday about. The Sub-Prior began, followed the Official, called Spittall (Sermons was penned) to offend no man, followed all the rest in their ranks. And so John Knox smelled out the craft, and in his Sermons which he made upon the Week-days, he prayed to God, that they should be as busy in Preaching, when there should be more want of it, then there was then.² Always (said he) I praise God that Christ Jesus is Preached, and nothing is said publicly against the Doctrine that ye have heard. If in my absence they shall speak any thing which in my presence they do not; I protest that ye suspend your judgement, till that it please God ye hear me again.

After this the Papists and Friers, had no great heart of further disputation or reasoning, but invented another shift, which appeared to proceed from godlinesse,¹ and it was this: Every learned man in the Abbey, and in the Universitie should Preach in the Parish Church his Sunday about. The Sub-Prior began, followed the Officiall, called Spittall (Sermons was penned) to offend no man, followed all the rest in their ranks. And so Iohn Knox smelled out the craft, and in his Sermons which he made upon the Weeke-dayes, he prayed to God, that they should be as busie in Preaching, when there should be more want of it, then there was then.² Alwayes (said he) I praise God that Christ Jesus is Preached, and nothing is said publikely against the Doctrine that ye have heard. If in my absence they shall speak any thing which in my presence they do not; I protest that ye suspend your judgement, till that it please God ye hear me againe.

1. 1The practises of Papists, that their wickedness should not be disclosed.