The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

The Parliament dissolved, consultation was had, how the Church might be established in a good and godly policy, which by the Papists was altogether defaced. Commission and charge was given to Master John Winram Sub-prior of S. Andrews, Master John Spottiswood, John Willock, Master John Douglas Rector of S. Andrews, Master John Row, and John Knox, to draw in a Volume the Policy and Discipline of the Church, as well as they had done the Doctrine, which they did, and presented it to the Nobility,¹ who did peruse it many days. Some approved it, and willed the same to have been set forth by a Law, others perceiving their carnal liberty and worldly commodity somewhat to be impaired thereby, grudged, in so much that the name of the Book of Discipline became odious unto them. Every thing that repugned to their corrupt ⟨p. 276⟩imaginations was termed in their mockage, Devout imaginations. The cause we have before declared, some was licentious, some had greedily griped the possessions of the Church; and others thought that they would not lack their part of Christs Coat, yea, and that before that ever he was Crucified, as by the Preachers they were oft rebuked. The chief great man that had professed Christ Jesus, and refused to subscribe the Book of Discipline,² was the Lord Erskine. And no wonder, for besides that, he had a very evil woman to his wife, if the Poor, the Schools, and the Ministry of the Church had their own, his Kitchen would lack two parts and more, of that which he unjustly now possesseth. Assuredly some of us hath wondered how men that profess godliness could of so long continuance hear the threatenings of God against thieves and against their houses, and knowing themselves guilty, in such things as were openly rebuked, and that they never had remorse of conscience, neither yet intended to restore any thing of that which long they had stolen and reft. There were none within the Realm more unmerciful to the poor Ministers then were they which had greatest rents of the Churches. But in that we have perceived the old Proverb to be true; Nothing can suffice a wretch. And again, The belly hath no ears. Yet the same Book of Discipline was subscribed by a great part of the Nobility;

The Parliament dissolved, consultation was had, how the Church might be established in a good and godly policie, which by the Papists was altogether defaced. Commission and charge was given to Master Iohn Winram Sub-priour of S. Andrews, Master Iohn Spottiswood, Iohn Willock, Master Iohn Dowglas Rectour of S. Andrews, Master Iohn Row, and Iohn Knox, to draw in a Volume the Policie and Discipline of the Church, as well as they had done the Doctrine, which they did, and presented it to the Nobility,