The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

To the Reader.

Here I present unto thee a Piece, I dare promise, worthy of thy reading; wherein thou hast a true and plain Relation (without disguising) of many memorable Passages happened in the Church of God, and likewise some notable ones in the State of the Kingdom of Scotland, from the very first settling of State and Church in that Country. But namely, and chiefly, thou hast here related what principally passed in Church and State in this our Country, during the great Work of purging the Church from the Superstitions and Idolatry, and freeing both Church and State from the Tyranny and Slavery of Popery, until the coming of King James, our late Sovereign, to the Crown of Scotland. Further, beside the true and faithful Relation of many Occurrences that fell out in these days in Scotland, thou hast unfolded unto thee, and made plain, the strong Reasons, and necessary Causes that moved these men who are here named, although infirm and weak in themselves, to undergo the great Work of Reformation: With the solid Grounds upon which they went on with this weighty Business willingly and cheerfully, notwithstanding the great rubs and difficulties they met withal, through the help and assistance of God, who by them, mean Instruments, brought things to pass, in despite of the malice and stratagems of Satan, with his agents, for the good of his People, and the settling of his Church in Purity and Liberty.

HEre I present unto thee a Piece, I dare promise, worthy of thy reading; wherein thou hast a true and plain Relation (without disguising) of many memorable Passages happened in the Church of God, and likewise some notable ones in the State of the Kingdom of Scotland, from the very first setling of State and Church in that Countrey. But namely, and chiefly, thou hast here related what principally passed in Church and State in this our Countrey, during the great Work of purging the Church from the Superstitions and Idolatry, and freeing both Church and State from the Tyranny and Slavery of Popery, untill the coming of King James, our late Soveraign, to the Crown of Scotland. Further, beside the true and faithfull Relation of many Occurrences that fell out in these dayes in Scotland, thou hast unfolded unto thee, and made plain, the strong Reasons, and necessery Causes that moved these men who are here named, although infirm and weake in themselves, to undergo the great Work of Reformation: With the solid Grounds upon which they went on with this weighty Businesse willingly and cheerfully, notwithstanding the great rubs and difficulties they met withall, through the help and assistance of God, who by them, mean Instruments, brought things to passe, in despight of the malice and stratagems of Sathan, with his agents, for the good of his People, and the setling of his Church in Purity and Liberty.