The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

And what Dexterity in answering in all things proposed, were in that excellent Prince. The Ambassadors of all Countries (yea, some that were mortal enemies to him, and to his ⟨p. 98⟩Realm, amongst whom the Queen Dowager of Scotland was not the least) could and did testify: For the said Queen Dowager returning from France through England, communed with him at length, and gave record when she came to this Realm, That she found more wisdom and solid judgement in young King Edward, then she would have looked for in any three Princes that were then in Europe. His liberality towards the godly and learned that were in other Realms persecuted was such, as Germans, French-men, Italians, Scots, Spaniards, Polonians, Grecians, and Hebrews born, can yet give sufficient document. For how honourably was Martin Bucer, Peter Martyr, John Alasco, Emanuel Gualterus, and many others upon his public stipends entertained, their parents can witness, and they themselves during their lives would never have denied. After the death of this most virtuous Prince; of whom the godless people of England (for the most part) were not worthy, Satan intended nothing less then the light of Jesus Christ utterly to have been extinguished within the whole Isle of Britain. For after him was raised up in Gods hot displeasure, that Idolatress and mischievous Mary of the Spaniards blood, a cruel persecutrix of Gods people, as the acts of her unhappy reign can sufficiently witness. And in Scotland that same time (as we have heard) reigned that crafty practiser, Mary of Loraine, then named Regent of Scotland, who bound to the devotion of her two brethren, the Duke of Guise, and Cardinal of Loraine, did only abide the opportunity to cut the throat of all those, in whom she suspected any knowledge of God to be within the Realm of Scotland. And so thought Satan that his kingdom of darkness was in quietness and rest, as well in the one Realm as in the other. But that provident eye of our eternal God, who continually watches for preservation of his Church, did so order all things, that Satan shortly after found himself far disappointed of his conclusion taken. For in that cruel persecution used by Queen Mary of England, ¹were godly men dispersed into divers nations; of whom it pleased the goodness of God to send some unto us for our comfort and instruction.

And what Dexterity in answering in all things proposed, were in that excellent Prince. The Ambassadours of all Countries (yea, some that were mortall enemies to him, and to his