The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

One day in reasoning of this matter, the Secretary burst out in a piece of his colour, and said, The Ministers have thus much payed unto them by year, who ever yet said to the Queen, Grand mercies for it? was there ever a Minister that gave thanks to God for her Majesties liberality towards them? One singled, and answered, Assuredly, I think, that such as receive any thing gratis of the Queen, are unthankful if they acknowledge it not, both in heart and mind: But whether the Ministers be of that rank, or not, I greatly doubt▪ gratis I am sure they receive nothing, and whether they receive any at all from the Queen,¹ wise men may reason; I am assured, that neither third nor two parts ever appertained to any of her Predecessors within this Realm these thousand years last past, neither yet hath the Queens Flatterers better title to that which she usurps, be it in-giving to others, or taken it to her self, then the soldiers who crucified Jesus Christ had to divide his Garments amongst them. And if the truth may be spoken, she hath not so good Title as they had, for such spoil ought to be the reward of such men. And in that point the Soldiers were more gentle than the Queens Flatterers, for they parted not the Garments of our Saviour, till that he himself was hung upon the Cross; but her Flatterers do part the spoil whilst that poor Christ is yet preaching amongst you. But the wisdom of our God taketh trial of us by this means, knowing well enough what the Court faction have purposed to do: Let the Papists, who have the two parts, some that have their thirds free, and some that have gotten Abbeys, and few Lands, thank the Queen, and King, Placebo Domine, the poor Preachers will not yet flatter, for feeding of their bellies. These words were judged proud and intolerable, and engendered no small displeasure to the Speaker.

One day in reasoning of this matter, the Secretary burst out in a piece of his collor, and said, The Ministers have thus much payed unto them by year, who ever yet said to the Queen, Grand mercies for it? was there ever a Minister that gave thanks to God for her Majesties liberalitie towards them? One singled, and answered, Assuredly, I think, that such as receive any thing gratis of the Queen, are unthankfull if they acknowledge it not, both in heart and minde: But whether the Ministers be of that rank, or not, I greatly doubt▪ gratis I am sure they receive nothing, and whether they receive any at all from the Queen,