The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

And first came a simple man, William Harlaw, whose erudition, although it excel not, yet for his whole and diligent plainness in Doctrine, is he to this day worthy of praise, and remains a fruitful member within the Church of Scotland. After him came that notable man John Willocke, as one that had some Commission to the Queen Regent, from the Duchess of Emden. But his principal purpose was to essay what God would work by him in his native country. These two did sometimes in several companies assemble the brethren, who by their exhortations began greatly to be encouraged, and did show that they had an earnest thirst of godliness. And last came John Knox in the end of the harvest, Anno 1555. who first being lodged in the house of that notable man of God James Sime, began to exhort secretly in that same house, whereunto repaired the Laird of Dun, David Forrest, and some certain personages of the Town,¹ amongst whom was Elizabeth Adamson, then spouse to James Barron Burgess of Edinburgh, who by reason that she had a troubled conscience delighted much in the company of the said John, because that he, according to the grace given unto him, opened more fully the Fountain of Gods Mercies, then did the common sort of Teachers, ⟨p. 99⟩that she had heard before (for she had heard none except Friars) and did with such greediness drink thereof, that at her death she did express the fruit of her hearing, to the great comfort it of all those that repaired unto her. For albeit she suffered most grievous torment in her body, yet out of her mouth was heard nothing, but praising of God, except that sometimes she lamented the troubles of those that were troubled by her. Being sometimes demanded by her sisters; What she thought of that pain which she then suffered in body, in respect of that wherewith sometimes she was troubled in spirit. She answered, A thousand year of this torment, and ten times more joined unto it, is not to be compared in the quarter of an hour that I suffered in my spirit. I thank my God, through Jesus Christ, that hath delivered me from that fearful pain, and welcome be this, even so long as it pleaseth his godly Majesty to exercise me therewith. A little before her departure, she desired her sisters and some others that were beside her, to sing a Psalm, and amongst others she appointed the 103.

And first came a simple man, William Harlaw, whose erudition, although it excell not, yet for his whole and diligent plainnesse in Doctrine, is he to this day worthy of praise, and remaines a fruitfull member within the Church of Scotland. After him came that notable man Iohn Willocke, as one that had some Commission to the Queen Regent, from the Dutchesse of Emden. But his principall purpose was to essay what God would worke by him in his native countrey. These two did sometimes in severall companies assemble the brethren, who by their exhortations began greatly to be encouraged, and did shew that they had an earnest thirst of godlinesse. And last came Iohn Knox in the end of the harvest, Anno 1555. who first being lodged in the house of that notable man of God Iames Sime, began to exhort secretly in that same house, whereunto repaired the Laird of Dun, David Forresse, and some certain personages of the Town,