The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

But so busy and circumspect were the Modificators (because it was a new Office the term must also be new) that the Ministers should not be over-wanton; That a hundred ^*Marks was sufficient to a single man, being a common Minister: Three hundred Marks was the highest that was appointed to any, except the Superintendents, and a few others; shortly, Whether it was the ingratitude of their own hearts, or the care that they had to enrich the Queen, we know not: But the poor Ministers, Readers and Exhorters, cried out to the heaven (as their complaints in all assemblies do witness) That neither were they able to live upon the Stipends appointed, neither could they get payment of that small thing that was appointed, so faine would the Controllers have played the good Valet,² and have satisfied the Queen, or else their own profit: The good Laird of Pittaro was an earnest Professor of Christ, but the great Devil receive the Controller, for he and his Collectors are become greedy factors. To put an end to this unpleasing matter; When the brethren complained ⟨p. 326⟩of their poverty; it was disdainfully answered of some, There are many Lairds that have not so much to spend, when men did reason, that the Vocation of Ministers craved of them, books, quietness, study, and travel to edify the Church of Christ Jesus, when many Lairds were waiting upon their worldly business; and therefore that the stipends of Ministers, who had no other industry, but to live upon that which was appointed, ought not to be mollified according to the living of other common men, who might and did daily augment their Rents by some other industry. When such reasons were laid before them, they got none other answer, but, The Queen can spare no greater Sums; Oft was it cried out in their ears, O happy servants of the Devil, and miserable servants of Jesus Christ, if after this life there were nor Hell nor Heaven: For to the servants of the Devil, these dumb Dogs, and horrid Bishops; To one of those idle bellies, I say, ten thousand was not enough, but to the servants of Christ, that painfully preach his Evangel, a hundred will suffice; how can that be sustained?

But so busie and circumspect were the Modificators (because it was a new Office the terme must also be new) that the Ministers should not be over-wanton; That a hundred