The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

¹This we put in memory, that the posterity to come may know that God once made his truth to triumph, but because some of our selves delighted more in darkness, than in light, God hath restrained our freedom, and put the whole body in bondage, yea, the greatest Flatterers have not escaped so free as they supposed, yea, the latter plagues appear yet to be worse than the first. Be merciful unto us, (O Lord) and deal with us not according ⟨p. 327⟩to our deservings, but look thou to the equity of the cause which thou hath put in our hands, and suffer not iniquity to oppress thy Trueth, for thy own names sake, O Lord.

¹This we put in memory, that the posterity to come may know that God once made his truth to triumph, but because some of our selves delighted more in darknesse, than in light, God hath restrained our freedom, and put the whole body in bondage, yea, the greatest Flatterers have not escaped so free as they supposed, yea, the latter plagues appear yet to be worse than the first. Be mercifull unto us, (O Lord) and deal with us not according ⟨p. 327⟩to our deservings, but look thou to the equitie of the cause which thou hath put in our hands, and suffer not iniquitie to oppresse thy Trueth, for thy own names sake, O Lord.

1. 1Note.

In this mean while,¹ to wit, in February, 1561. was Lord James, first made Earl of Murray, and then married one Agnes Keith, daughter to the Earl Marshall. The marriage was public in the Church of Edinburgh; at the blessing of the marriage they both got one admonition to behave themselves moderately in all things: For said the Preacher to him, The Church of God hath received comfort by you, and by your labours unto this day. In the which, if hereafter you shall be found fainter then you have been formerly, it will be said, That your Wife hath changed your nature. The greatness of the Banquet, and the vanity used thereat, offended many Godly; There began the Masking, which from year to year, hath continued since. Master Randolph, Agent for the Queen of England was then, and sometime after in no small esteem with our Queen: For his Mistress sake, she did drink to him in a Cup of Gold, which he possessed with great joy, more for the favour of the giver, then of the gift, and value thereof, and yet it was honourable. The things that then were in handling betwixt the two Queens, whereof Lethington, Secretary Cecil, and Master Randolph, were Ministers, were of great weight, as we will after hear.