The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

And so began they again to pollute the land which God had lately plagued, for yet their iniquity was not come to full ripeness, as that God would that they should be manifested to this whole Realm (as this day they are) to be Fagots prepared for everlasting fire; and to be men whom neither Plagues may correct, nor the light of Gods Word convert from their darkness and impiety.

And so began they again to pollute the land which God had lately plagued, for yet their iniquity was not come to full ripenesse, as that God would that they should be manifested to this whole Realme (as this day they are) to be Fagots prepared for everlasting fire; and to be men whom neither Plagues may correct, nor the light of Gods Word convert from their darknesse and impiety.

The Peace as is said, is contracted. The Queen Dowager past by sea to France, with Galleys that for that purpose were prepared, and took with her divers of the Nobility of Scotland. The Earls Huntley, Glencarne, Mershell, Cassiles: The Lords Maxwell, Fleming, Sir George Douglas, together with all the late Kings natural sons, and divers Barons, and Gentlemen of Ecclesiastical estate; the Bishop of Galloway, and many others, with promise that they should be richly rewarded for their good service. What they received we cannot tell, but few were made rich at their returning. The Dowager had to practise somewhat with her brethren, the Duke of Guise, and the Cardinal of Loraine. The weight whereof the Governor after felt; for shortly after her return, was the Governor deposed of the government (justly by God, but most unjustly by man) and she made Regent, in the year of our Lord 1554. and a Crown put upon her head, as seemly a sight (if men had eyes) as to put a Saddle upon the back of an unruly Cow. And so began she to practise, practise upon practise, How France might be advanced, her friends made rich, and she brought to immortal glory: For that was her common talk, So that I may procure the wealth and honour of my Friends, and a good fame unto my self, I regard not what God do after with me. And in very deed, in deep dissimulation to bring her own purpose to effect, she passed the common sort of women, as we will after hear. But yet God, to whose Gospel she declared her self enemy, in the end frustrated her of all her devices. Thus did light and darkness strive within the Realm of Scotland: The darkness ever before the World suppressing the light, from the death of that notable servant of God,