The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

The Spirit of Wisdom, Constancy and Strength, be multiplied with you, by the favour of God our Father, and by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to my promise, my Right Honourable, I came to Deep the four and twentieth day of October, of full mind, by the good will of God, with the first Ships, to have visited you. But because two Letters not very pleasing unto the flesh were there presented unto me, I was compelled to stay for a time. The one was directed to my self, from ⟨p. 108⟩a faithful brother, which made mention, that a new consultation• was appointed for final conclusion of the matter before purposed; and willed me therefore to abide in these parts till the determination of the same. The other Letter was directed from a Gentleman to a friend, with charge to advertise me, That he had communed with all those that seemed most frank and fervent in the matter; and that in none did he find such boldness and constancy as was requisite for such an enterprise; but that some did (as he writeth) repent that ever any such thing was moved: Some were partly ashamed, and others were able to deny that ever they did consent to any such purpose, if any trial or question should be taken thereof, &c. Which Letters when I had considered, I was partly confounded, and partly was pierced with anguish and sorrow. Confounded I was, that I had so far travelled in the matter, moving the same to the most godly and most learned that this day we know to live in Europe, to the effect that I might have their judgements and grave counsels, for assurance as well of your consciences, as of mine, in all enterprises. And then that nothing should succeed of so long consultation, cannot but redound, either to your shame or mine. For either it shall appear that I was marvellous vain, being so solicited, where no necessity required; Or else that such as were movers thereto, lacked the ripeness of judgement in their first Vocation. To some it may appear, a small and light matter, that I have cast off, and as it were abandoned, as well my particular care, as my public Office and Charge, leaving my house and poor family destitute of all head, save God only, and committing that small (but to Christ dearly beloved) flock, over the which I was appointed one of the Ministers, to the charge of another. This, I say, to worldly men, may appear a small matter:

The Spirit of Wisedome, Constancie and Strength, be multiplied with you, by the favour of God our Father, and by the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ. ACcording to my promise, my Right Honourable, I came to Deape the four and twentieth day of October, of full minde, by the good will of God, with the first Ships, to have visited you. But because two Letters not very pleasing unto the flesh were there presented unto me, I was compelled to stay for a time. The one was directed to my self, from