History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland, Book 2 · Body of book two
While that the Queen Regent practised with the Prelats, how that Christ Jesus blessed Gospel might utterly be suppressed within Scotland, God so blessed the labours of his weak servants, that no small part of the Barons of this Realme began to abhorre the Tyranny of the Bishops:The first dou…t. God did so open their eyes, by the light of his Word, that they could cleerly discerne betwixt Idolatry, and the true honouring of God: Yea, men almost universally began to doubt whether they could (God not offended) give their bodily presence to the Masse, or yet offer their children to the Papisticall Baptisme. The doubts when the most godly,The second. and the most learned in Europe had answered, both by word and writing, affirming, That neither of both we might do, without perill of our souls, we began to be more troubled: For then also began men of estimation, and those that bare rule amongst us, to examine themselves concerning their duties, as well towards Reformation of Religion, as towards the just defence of their brethren most cruelly persecuted. And so began divers questions to be moved; to wit, If that with safe conscience such as were Iudges, Lords, and Rulers of the People, might serve the higher Powers in maintaining of Idolatry, Note.in persecuting their Brethren, and in suppressing Christs Truth: Or, Whether they to whom God in some case hath committed the Sword of Iustice, might suffer the blood of their Brethren to be shed in their presence, without any declaration that such Tyranny displeased them. Scriptures answering the doubts.By the plain Scriptures it was found, That a lively faith required a plaine Conf…ssion when Christs Truth is oppugned, That not onelyonly are they guilty that do evil, but also they that consent to evil. And plain it is, That they consent to evil, who seeing iniquity openly committed, by their silence seem to justifie and avow whatsoever is done.
These things being resolved, and sufficiently proved by evident Scriptures of God, we began every man to look more diligently to his Salvation: For the Idolatry and Tyranny of the Clergy (called the Church-men) was and is so manifest, that whosoever doth deny it, declareth himself ignorant of God, and enemy to Christ Jesus. We therefore, with humble confession of our former offences, with Fasting, and Supplication unto God, began to seek some remedy in so present a danger. And first it was concluded, That the Brethren in every Towne at certaine times should assemble together, to Common Prayers, to exercise, in reading of the Scriptures, till it should please God to give the gift of Exhortation by Sermon unto some, for the Comfort and Instruction of the rest.
And this our weake beginning God did so blesse, that within a few Moneths the hearts of many were so strengthned, that we sought to have the face of a Church amongst us, and open crimes to be punished without respect of persons: And for that purpose by common Election, were Elders appointed, to whom the whole Brethren promised Obedience: For at that time we had no publike Ministers of the Word; onelyonly did certaine zealous men (amongst whom was the Laird of Dun, This was called the privie Church.David Forresse, Master Robert Lockhart, Master Robert Hammilton, William Harlawe, and others) exhort their Brethren, according to the gifts and graces granted unto them. But shortly after did God stirre up his servant Paul Methuen (his latter fall ought not to deface the work of God in him) who in boldnesse of spirit began openly to Preach Christ Jesus in Dundie, in divers parts of Angus, and in Fyfe; and so did God worke with him, that many began openly to renounce their old Idolatry, and to submit themselves to Christ Jesus, and unto his blessed Ordinances; Insomuch that the Towne of Dundie began to erect the face of a Publike Church Reformed, in the which the Word was openly Preached, and Christs Sacraments truely ministred.
In this meane time did God send to us our deare Brother Iohn Willock, Iohn Willocke.a man godly, learned, and grave, who after his short abode at Dundie, repaired to Edinburgh, and there (notwithstanding his long and dangerous sicknesse) did so encourage the Brethren by godly Exhortations, that we began to deliberate upon some publike Reformation; For the corruption in Religion was such, that with safe conscience we could no longer sustaine it: Yet because we would attempt nothing without the knowledge of the sacred Authority, with one consent, after the deliberation of many dayes, it was concluded, That by our publike and common Supplication, we should attempt the favour, support, and assistance of the Queen then Regent, to a godly Reformation: And for that purpose, with all diligence after we had drawn our Oration and Petition as followeth, we appointed from amongst us a man whose age and yeers deserved Reverence, whose honesty and worship might have craved audience of any Magistrate on the earth; and whose faithfull Service to the Authority at all times hath been such, that in him could fall no suspition of unlawfull disobedience. This Orator was that ancient and honourable Father, Sir Iames Sandelandes of Calder, The Laird of Calder, elder.Knight; to whom we gave Commission and Power in all our names then present, before the Queene Regent to speak this: