The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

This Letter and discharge was so pleasing to the Flatterers of the said Earle, that they triumphed of it, and were glad to have gotten their occasion; for some envied, that so great familiarity was betwixt them; and therefore from the time they got once that occasion to separate, they ceased not to cast Oil in the burning Flame, which ceased not to burn, till that God by water of affliction began to slacken it, as we shall after hear. But least that they should altogether have been seen to have forsaken God,¹ (as in very deed, both God and his Word was very far from the hearts of the most part of the Courtiers of that Age, a few excepted) they began a new Shift, to wit, To speak of the punishment of Adultery, of Witchcraft, and to seek the restitution of Glebes or Manses to the Minister of the Church, and of the reparation of the Churches; and thereby they thought to have pleased the Godly that were highly offended at their slackness.

This Letter and discharge was so pleasing to the Flatterers of the said Earle, that they triumphed of it, and were glad to have gotten their occasion; for some envyed, that so great familiaritie was betwixt them; and therefore from the time they got once that occasion to separate, they ceased not to cast Oyle in the burning Flame, which ceased not to burne, till that God by water of affliction began to slacken it, as we shall after heare. But least that they should altogether have been seen to have forsaken God,¹ (as in very deed, both God and his Word was vey farre from the hearts of the most part of the Courtiers of that Age, a few excepted) they began a new Schift, to wit, To speak of the punishment of Adultery, of Witchcraft, and to seek the restitution of Gleibes or Manses to the Minister of the Church, and of the reparation of the Churches; and thereby they thought to have pleased the Godly that were highly offended at their slacknesse.

1. 1God knows if our times be better.God knowes if our times be better.