The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

A day or two before his death, he sent for Master David Lindsay, Master James Lauson, and the Elders and Deacons of the Church, to whom he said, The time is approaching, for which I have long thirsted, wherein I shall be relieved of all cares, and be with my Saviour Christ for ever: And now, God is my witness, whom I have served with my spirit, in the Gospel of his Son, That I have taught nothing but the true and solid Doctrine of the Gospel; and that the end I proposed in all my Doctrine, was, To instruct the ignorant, To confirm the weak, To comfort the consciences of those that were humbled under the sense of their sins, and born down with the threatenings of Gods Judgements: Such as were proud and rebellious, I am not ignorant that many have blamed, and yet do blame my too great rigour and severity; But God knoweth, That in my heart I never hated the persons of those against whom I thundered Gods Judgements; I did only hate their sins, and laboured, according to my power, to gain them to Christ: That I did forbear none, of whatsoever condition; I did it, out of the fear of my God, who hath placed me in the Function of his Ministry, and I know will bring me to an account. Now, brethren, for your selves; I have no more to say, but to warn you, That ⟨image 12⟩you take heed to the Flock over which God hath placed you Overseers, which he hath redeemed by the Blood of his only begotten Son. And you, Master Lauson, fight a good fight, do the Work of the Lord with courage, and with a willing mind: And God from above bless you, and the Church whereof you have charge: Against it (so long as it continueth in the Doctrine of the Truth) the gates of hell shall not prevail.

A day or two before his death, he sent for Master David Lindsay, Master James Lauson, and the Elders and Deacons of the Church, to whom he said, The time is approaching, for which I have long thirsted, wherein I shall be relieved of all cares, and be with my Saviour Christ for ever: And now, God is my witnesse, whom I have served with my spirit, in the Gospel of his Son, That I have taught nothing but the true and solid Doctrine of the Gospel; and that the end I proposed in all my Doctrine, was, To instruct the ignorant, To confirm the weak, To comfort the consciences of those that were humbled under the sense of their sins, and born down with the threatnings of Gods Judgements: Such as were proud and rebellious, I am not ignorant that many have blamed, and yet do blame my too great rigour and severity; But God knoweth, That in my heart I never hated the persons of those against whom I thundred Gods Judgements; I did onely hate their sins, and laboured, according to my power, to gain them to Christ: That I did forbear none, of whatsoever condition; I did it, out of the fear of my God, who hath placed me in the Function of his Ministery, and I know will bring me to an account. Now, brethren, for your selves; I have no more to say, but to warn you, That