I kn [...]w that was said to the scribis and pharises, wo be vnto zou that dois compas sea and land to mak zou ane proselyt, that is, to caus ony man change his sec or religioun. It is Ze quha hes compassett beath sea and land to draw men from the tre wreligioun and wor­scheping of god. As to ws, we de [...]yre na man to chan­ge his religioun, bot be the contrar we exhort to perscueir in that faith and religioun quhilk euerie ane promiset to God in his baptisme. It is ze thairfoir qu­ha dois incur that curs and maledictioun of our salue­oure, as zour maister throuch inwye causeth Adame our first parent be eiected from Paradise. Suay ze following as zit zour fatheris futstoppis, do trauel nicht and day according to Zour pouuer to seduce all mā frō the vnitie of the trew and Catholict kirk quhilk is Paradise in erth nocht cōtent os zour awin fall ze entyse wtheris to fol­lowz ou, to that effect that ze apeir nocht to perise zour alanc.

ALl this discurs is sa vane and sa litill to the propos, that I was nocht weill at quhat paire I suld begin. First he sais, that of tuay propositiones quhilkis ar verray trew, I collect ane conclusione maist fals and repugnant to all veritie. Ane Dia­lectitian wald ansuer, that schir Iohne knox hes nocht weill considderit the rewlis of Dialectik, to affirme ane fals conclusion to follow of trew premissis. Bot becaus I knaw his greit occupationis and sollicitude he hes of his wyf and childrine, that he culd nocht tack te­nt to sic trifflis I will pas this with silence, and [Page] tak tent [...]to sic trifflis I will. pas this with silence and will enter schortlie in the mater. He domandis ws two thingis, gif we wald establiss the Romane kirk to be the trew kirk. The first is that we schaw quhat sumeuer wes promised to Ierusalem to appertien onlie to the Romane kirk: I ansuer that the promeis appertenis to ane kirk quhilk suld be catholick or vniuerfall: lyk as we say I beleue the halie catholick kirk: suay gif na kirk or congregatioun of men quha professis the name of Christ at all tyme hes bene Catholick, nor zit is Catholick except the Romane kirk (quhilk dois nocht onlie comprehend the toun of Rome bot alsuay the haill warld, quhilk in vnitie of doctrine dois aggre with it) it followis necessarlie, that quhatsumeuer wes promised to [...]erusalem, dois onlie appertene to the Ro­mane kirk. And this to zour first domand.

the secund domand is that albe [...]d the promeis be maid to the Romane kirk we schaw mairour that it hes remanit in the first conuenant with oure Saluiour. This domand contenis in it ane maist wicked blasphe­mie: for Schir Iohne knox Supponis, that God micht promeis that quhilk he wald nocht accompleis, quhilk is no thing els bot to mak him ane liar. Thairfore it re­quiris na new ansuer, becaus. the promeis of God is fer me and certane, that gif he hes promised to mantene his kirk be the assistance of his holie spreit to the end of the warld, we aucht to be assured thairof quhatsumeuer Schir Iohne knox say: quhais impudencie and arro­gance is so great in this behalf that he apperis mair wicked, nor Sathan him self his Maister. Becaus albeid that the Romane kirk haue the promeis of God to be mantened, zet onles it proue that it hes bene, and is as [Page 5] zit mantenit, he will gif na credence nor authoritie thairto. And be the contrar albeid he and his ministers be destitute of all promeis, zet he will quhatsumeuer he says to be embraced as the trew and sincere woird of God. Gif his arrogance be greit, I leif the iugement to the reader. As to re place of Hieremie the propheit quhilk Ze cite, it makis no thing for zour opinione, bot reather is aganis Zow, becaus as the text schawis manifestlie, he spak nocht onlie to the preistes bot to the haill multi­tude, quhome he accusis that thay had maist enormlie transgressit the commandimentis of God, bot be­caus the people vsit to obiect to the prophetis quhen thai wer admonised be thame that thai had the tem­ple of the lord, euin as thairbie thai had bene in greit securitie, and na euill culd befall wnto thame. Hierrmie dois reiect sic obiectionis, sayand that sic vane persuasionis will no wais auale thame onles be sincere and onfenzed repentance thai turne wnto God, and leue accordinglie to his law. He de­nyed nocht [...]s ze affirme that thay had the trew kirk of God and that God was treulie worsehepit in the synagoge, bot admonised the people to gloir nocht in that as that thairthrowonlie thai micht pleis God lyk as we say now that it will nocht be proffitable to ws that we haue the trew kirk and the trew doctirne, onles oure lyf and maners correspond thairto. Bot lat ws pas fordward.

Ane argument quhilk uset euer to be obiected be Ca­tholick men aganis Zour new inuented kirk is this, The trew kirk of God aucht euer to be catholick or vniuersall: Zour kirk hes nocht euer bene vniuersall: thairfore it can nocht be the trew kirk of God. Ze­ansuer, [Page] that quhatsumeuer is vninersall is nocht consequentlie good, as Ze deduce be mony exemples. Qu­hilk ansuer as euerie man may sie is naway to the pro­pos Becaus albeit it wer granted to Zow that it war nocht sufficient to the trew kirk to be vniuersall, zit ze can nocht denye bot it is necessare. I hairfoir gif ze hed ansuerit to the propois, ze suld haiue schawin zour kirk to haue bene vniuersall at all tyme. Bot appe­randlie conuicted be zour conscience, and be expe­rience it self ze confesse all radie the contrar: and thair­foir reiectand that mark, quhilk of it self is maist e­uident, and approuit be all scriptures, ze seik refuge to ane vther mark, quhilk is far mair obscure, and onknawin, quhilk is, that the trew kirk of God aucht to be halie, For the halines of the kirk is onlie knauwin to him quha doith vnderstand the secretis and heartis of mē, and thairdy being only knauwin to God it can on naways be ane taikin to ws of the trew kirk. Bot gif ze wald affirme the halines of the kirk to confist in the dew and lauchfull administratioun of the sacramentis and cōdigne professione of the faith, as ze appeir to alle­ge▪ ze micht alsuay thairby perfytlie vnderst and that it is in Lykmaner obscuir and ane ondecydet controuersie. For all heret [...]kes hes continuallie vnto this present hour vsurped that as ane taikin and note for approba­tioun of thair kirk. As to the notis and taikines of tho trew kirk, thay suld be sua appropriat to it, that thay may nocht be vsurpet be fals propheites be onie meanis, as that the kirk is vniuersall, and that it hes contine­wall successioun of pastoures: Quhilk tuay markis did neuer as zet aggrie to onie assemblie or congregatioun of heretikes. Becaus that all heretikes hes decayet from [Page 6] the trew kirk, suay thair sinagoge at all tyme culd nocht be vniuersall, and be that same resson thay culd neuer be albe to schaw contineuatioun of thair pastou­res. Bot did euer gadder to thame selfis ane ordour of ministeris without onie lauchfull beginning, as testi­feis. S. Augustin in his questionis of the auld and new testament, saing, quhasoeuer hathe collected thame sel­fis ane seit nocht in tke kirk of God, we affirme it to be the cheir of pestilence. In respect thay do cummer and molest the ondouted ordour begun at Petir, and be continuall successioun of pastoures deducet vnto this present hour making to thame selfes ane ordour wit­hout beginning, and ane bodie without ane head. Qu­hairfoir in respect thais infallible and suir notes of the kirk of God can nocht be no meanes corespond to zour sinagoge, it is maist notoriouflie knawin that ze and the remanant of zour propheites ar alluterlie separat frō the trew kirk. zet pretermittād that of fiftie sectes quhilkis dois regne this day, euerie ane of thame dois attribuit to thame selfe the rycht administratioun of the sacramentis and the confessioun of faith, and bele­ues as ze do, that thay teche na thing bot the sinceir word of God. To preif that this mark dois on na way conuein to zour kirk, for the present I will wse bot ane aryument, The richt administratioun of ye sacramentis, and the confessioun of faith or onlie notes of the visible kirk: zour kirk afoir Iohne caluin was inuisible as ze cōfesse all reddie: Th [...]irfoir it culd nocht be knawin be the formar notes, and consequentlie the kirk of God hes bene destitute this monie kūdreth zeiris of hir maist certane and infallible markes, quhilk is ane great blasphemie. As quhain ze say that it wilbie verray hard to me and to all thame quhome ze call Iesuistis to [Page] preif that the Romane kirk onlie is halie, it is nawais hard bot verray easie. Becaus that the halines of the kirk is suay cōtonet with the forsaid no [...]es, that is, with the vniuersalitie and lauchfull suceession of pastouris that it can on na ways be separat. Thairfoir considde­ring that amangis all congregationis quha does profes the name of Christ, thai onlie quha dois adheir to the Romane kirk can be able to schaw sic successioun, with vniuersalitie it followis of necessitie that [...]rew halines do is onlie appertein to thame. And as Zour sinagoge is destitute of the formar notis, sua of necessitie it is de­stitute of all halines. Bot Schir Iohne knox to seduce the semple people do is argument sua, as gif the hali­nes of the kirk culd be separat fra the vniuersalitie thairof, and the lauchfull succession of Paustouris: qu­hilk is maist fals, erronius, and repugnant to all scriptu­res. For the Apostoles did conione thais [...]uay notes toge­ther, I beleif the halie catholick kirk. Becaus the kirk of God, as it is halie, sua it is caeholick or vniuersall, And onles Schir Iohne knox proué his kirk to be catho­lick, it is impossible that it be halie.

This ansuer is sa litill to the propos that it nedis al­maist na refutation. zit to the effect he appeir nocht to gloir of his awin folischenes, I vill discus sum­part mair diligentlie quhatsumeuir he says. As to his first propositioun that this promeis was made to Ierusa­lem or to mont Syon: gif he vnderstandis be Ierusalem the Synagoge of ye Iewis, it is necessare that all kingdo­me and natioun quha wald nocht pereis serue the Syna­goge: becaus Isaias spekes vniuersalie, and dois except na natioun, sua schir Iohne with the rest of his halie pro­pheites most be circumcydet. Gif he vnderstandis be Ie­rusalem the kingdome of Christ, his demandis quhilk is he askes ws ar vane. The first is quhat become of the faithfull that was▪ betuix the making of that promeis and the tyme quhilk the Romane kirk embracet the trew [Page 2] [...]eligioun: that demand I say is vane, for the promeis [...]aid to serue the kingdome of Christ culd oblis na man foir it begouth, suay all thay quha wis betuix the ma­ [...]ing of the said promeis and the beginning of the kin­ [...]dome of Christ culd nocht on na way be astricted to [...]he obseruatioun thairof. The secund is to schaw resi­ [...]natioun of this promeis maid to the kirk of Rome, [...]uhilk in lykmaner hes na place, for that quhilk is pro­ [...]esed to the kingdome of Christ can nocht be resignet to [...]a vther kingdome or natioun, as testefeis Daniel saing, [...]is kingdome sall nocht be geuin vnto ane other people. [...]uay quhatsumeuer he ansuer, he seis ane inconuneni [...] ̄t [...]o ensew, thairfoir his domandis being reiected as vane, [...]nd superfluous I wil returne to the explicatioun of the [...]rophecie of Isaias, quhais wordis can nocht be onder­ [...]tand bot of the trew kirk of Christ. To the quhilk onlie [...]ll natioun is bound to serue. The present controuersie [...] quhether gif this kirk be that quhilk this monie hun­ [...]rech zeir hes bene manifest to the warld and spred [...]hrouch ane greit pairt of it, or the new inuentet kirk of [...]ohne Caluine. The quhilk can nocht be better decyded [...]or to considder diligentlie the markes and signes qu­ [...]ilkes wer forspokin be the propheites to conuein to the [...]irk of Christ, And in lykemaner the ta [...]kines appro­ [...]et be Christ and his Apostolis: and to quhat, [...]umeuer kirk thai conuein, without forther dispu­ [...]atioun to confes it to be the trew kirk. And be [...]he contrar to reiect all congregatioun of men, as [...]he synagoge of Satban, with the quhilk the for­ [...]aid markes does nocht aggrie. And to begin at Isa­ [...]as quha maist cleirlie amonges all the propheites [...]es spoken of this kirk, he [...]estifies that the Zettis of [Page] it salbe euer oppen baith nicht and day: as he wald say becaus all natioun and kyngdome is bound to seru [...] the kirk, it salbe euer patent to receaue all quh [...] plesis to enter in it. Of the quhilk it followis neces­sarlie that it Salbie euer wisible and knawen to th [...] warld. Bot Zour kirk as ze confess zour selues, he [...] bene inuisible this monie hundreth zeris: Thairfor [...] it can nocht be that kir [...] of the quhilk Isaias maki [...] mentioun: and consequentlie it can nocht be the kir [...] of god.Esai. 60. He testifies mairour that the kinges and pri [...] ­es of the erth sall walk in the licht of it. This pro­phecie we find fulfillit in onr kirk, in the quhilk to be­gin at Constantine the great, so m [...]nie Emperoures he [...]randerit humble obedience and subiectioun, and s [...]moine kinges and princes, that it suld be verray har [...] to ony man to compt thame. As to Zour synagog [...] afoir thir maist miserable dayis it hes bene alluterl [...] onknawen, nocht onlie to the kinges and princes, bo [...] alsuay to the haill warld. He sais alsuay that Chris [...] sall ressaue the bourding of the [...]ynnes of his people▪ Esai. 53. quilairthrow for his in heritance he sall possede mo [...]nie. In the quhilk wordis he doeth testifie that Christ b [...] meanes of his passioun hes merited fra the father t [...] haue ane greit mul [...]itude for his inheritāce. the quhil [...] muleitude is sufficientlie declared be him quhair h [...] sais:Esai. 54. that the sonnes of the relict sall forther multipli [...]nor the sonnes of hir quha hathe ane housband. Qu [...]hilk wordis in respect S. Paul doith refer to the kirk [...] Christ, and the synagoge we collect tharbie necessarli [...] the sōnes of the kirk to exceid at all tyme be ane gre [...] number the sonnes of the synagoge.Gal. 4. Bot ze beand com [...]parit with the synagoge of the Iewis, Zour nombre [...] [Page 9] nocht corre spond to tharis in ony wayis. Thairfore ze can nocht be the inheritance of Christ.Gen. 17. we reid in lyk­maner in the buik of Genesis ane promeis maid to A­braham that his seid suld incres and multiplie lyk wn­to the sand of the sea and sterres of the heuin. Quhilk promeis was maid to him in the persone of Isaac, qu­ha being borne conforme to the promis [...]toun did repre­sent the Christi [...]nis, as is contenit in the fourt chaptour to the Galat: lyk as on the vther part [...]smael being bor­ne onlie conforme to the ca [...]nell generatioun, did repre­sent, and signifie the auld testamēt and synagoge of the Iewis. Sway according to the said promeis, the seid of [...]saac quhilk signifeit the Christianis, aucht to be in­cresset and multipliet gretumlie be zound the seid of Is­mael: bot the seid of Ismael as the experience it self [...]e­chis hes incresset mair nor thai quha hes prof [...]ssed Zour doctrine, and as Zet dois mair incress: quhairfore ze on na ways appertein to the seid of Abrahame. And in ane vther place it is propheceit that Esau sall do homage and obedience to his Zoungast brether Ia­cob.Gen. 25. Quhilk S. Paul in lykemaner doith attribuit to the synagoge,Rom. 9. and kirk of Christ, to the quhilk the sy­nagoge suid serue: bot the synagoge at na tyme hes seruet zoure kirk, becaus, as ze do confess it hes bene almaist euer in [...]isible. Malachias testi [...]ies that in the Kyngdome of Christ thair sal [...]e ane pure sacrifi­ce offered from the Orient to the Occident. Bot ze can nocht be able to schau ony kirk quhilk euer hes offeret sic sacrifice, except that onlie quhilk hes bene knawen and manifest to the warld: Thairfore that onlie is the trew kirk. And almaist all the propheites affirmes that the kirk of God salbe mair notefied and knawen [Page] at all tyme nor the synagoge of the Iewis: [...]l 2. [...]al. 71. [...]al. 102. bot zour kirk hes bene mair obscure this thowsand and fyue­hundreth zearis nor the synagoge, [...]ani 2. [...]alac. 1. [...]sai. 68. & [...]9. in respect thai haue had thair synagoge all this tyme visible, zouris be the contrar for the maist part hes bene inuisible: thay haue had, [...]gger. 1. all this tyme certane places deputed and ordonit to the Ceremoneis and exerceis of thair religioūze in pluc king doun of our kirkes dothe gif ane euident testimo­nie to all men that ze war destitute alluterlie of all sic places: suay that it is cle [...]rlie to vnderstand that Christ on na wa [...]s hes had that prouidence to wart zou, as he maste assuredlie promised to his kirk. Bot to cum to the new testament, lat ws considder quhow Christ promised his kirk to be as ane citie collocat on ane mon­tane, [...]at. 5. & [...]6. Ma [...]h. 18. & [...]8. the quh [...]lk he dothe promeis to edifie and erect in sic maner that the portes of hell suld nocht preuail a­ganis it bot continewand to the end of the warld suld haue the prerogatiue and power to decide all contro­uerseis, [...]phe 4. alsweil concernand maners as religioun. And to be schort, that it suld on na wayis inlaik pastow­res nor doctoures to the end of the warld. Quhilk maist ondoubted testimonies and signes of the kirk of God, gif we wald confer with zour kirk we can nocht espy thame to correspond to zou in ony point. First in respect zour kirk hathe remanit thir monie hun­dreth zearis in extreme darknes▪ and suay on na wais can retene the name of ane citie collocat on ane mon­tane. Secundlie, quhasumeuer in ony aige hes impu­gnet it, that haue reportet sic victorie that thay haue left na signe nor takin thair of to the posteritie. Third­lie consinddering ze confesse it to, haue al maist euer bene inuisible, ze ar constranit also to grant that it hes [Page 10] neuer decydet onie controuersie quihilk hes rissin a­manges Christiane men. Last to conclude, it is nocht possible to zou to imbring or mak mentioun of ony pastoures or doctoures thairof precedand the tyme of Caluin. Of the quhilk euerie man that is nocht alluterlie blindet and destitute of all iugement, may all reddie perceaue, that quhow mekle that euer ze gloir in the word of God, as euer did fals propheites, considdering ze ar destitute of all sic notes and ta [...]k­nes quhilk Christ hes appointet to his trew kirk, that all zour congregatioun and assemblie is na thing els bot the synagoge of Sathane: and consequentlie that na man quha adheris to zou, can be participand of the lyfe euerlasting quhilk is onlie promised to tha­me quha dois remane and perseueir in humilitie and obedience in the trew kirk of God to the end. Bot perchance ze will ansuer that I am deceaued in the interpretatioun of sic scripturis quhilkis I haue allegit aganis zow, as it is casuall to euerie man, onles he haue sum speciall assistance of the halie spreit, quhilk gif ze do, ze wil appardone me gif in lyk maner quhat­sumeuer interpretatioun ze bring in the contrar, I say that ze haue bene abused and begylit. Thairfor puttād asyde baith my iugement and zouris, I am content to receaue for iugis of this controuersie all pastouris and doctouris quha euer hes bene in the kirk of God betuix th [...] Apostolis and Iohne Caluin: and onles be ane vniuer­sall consent thai confes all, the kirk of God euer to haue bene visible and knawin to the warld, I am content to quyt my haill caus. And be the contrar gif ze can name ane onlie for this zour opinioun, I am content without f [...]rther disputatioun to admit quhatsumeuer. [Page] ze say to be trew. This micht, haue bene sufficient for ansuer to all thinges quhilkis ze haue obiected aganis me. zit that zour ministeres beleue nocht that we feare thame, or that we haue other opinione of thame nor that thai arfals prophetis quha hes ingyrit thame self to the vsurpatioun of the ministerie of the kirk, to the effect th [...] thay micht mair li [...]ntiouslie scrue thair l [...]st and b [...]llie, I will propoise at lenth quhat sumeuer ze say, and sall defraud zou of nathing, quhilk ony way may be to the auancement of zour caus.

OTheir ze haue calumniat my argumēt, or ze heue nocht onderstand it, for of the discours of my letter it is easie to euerie man to perceaue, that my argu­ment was this. That thai, quha afoir ane thowsand zeare, wes acknawlegit for trew Christianis throw the haill warid, professed the cōtrare religioun to that qu­hilk ze professe. Sway gif ze had ansuerit to the pro­pois, ze aucht to haue cōdamned thame as followares of fals and pernicious doctrine. Thairfore to omschew the difficultie of the mater, ze say, that the age of the kirk, aucht nocht to be compted frome the tyme quhen it plesis God, to reueal his word to ony natioun, Quhilk albeit it be trew, zet nocht withstanding, geuand that the word may be of lait re [...]elit to ony particalare na­tioun, it can nocht be of lait reuelit to the haill world: Quhilk we affirme of zour doctrine, becaus as the ex­perience it self teachis, it was onknawen immediatlie afoir ane hundreth zeare▪ nocht only to the realme of Scotland, bot alsua to the haill world. Thairfore it can nocht be the word of God, quhilk as it wes reuealit frō [Page] Christ, sua sen him it hes euer bene conseruet in the warld. And quhen euer it hes pleasit him to reueill it to ony natioun, quhilk afoir wes ignorant, he hes vsed thame as instrumentis thairof, to quhome of befoir it wes reuealit: sua that we aucht nocht to abyde ony new reuelatioun, maid to Iohne Caluin, or Schir Ioh­ne knox: bot to embrace that relig [...]oun quhilk anis being reuealit, and maid manifest to the warld, hes ac­cording to the promeis of Christ, be the assistance of the halie spreit, euer bene conseruet in it: lyk as it falbe conseruet, in despite of Sathan, and all his ministeris, to the end of the warld. Zet to cloik zour ignorance, ze ar nocht aschamed to compare zow to Abraham, and Helias: and zour kirk, to the kirk of God, quhilk wes in thair tyme. Bot to the effect, that na man be de­ceaued be sic vane persuasionis, I will declare, that nother ze may be compared onie way with thame, or zour new inuen [...]ed kirk, to that kirk quhilk that ac­knawlegit. For as concerning Abrahame, it is maist ag­greable to the veritie, that he did, with all constance re­tene, and profes that religioun, quhen he receaued the cir­cumcisioun of God, in the quhilk a lang tyme preceidād, he had bene instructed be his predecessouris: quhairin gif he had bene requerit, he culd haue sufficientlie scha­win, continuatioun from the beginning of the warld to him, and to thame be quhome he wes instructed. Quhair­fore gif zour proceding is be coincidād with Abrahame, we desyre zow to adduce sufficiēt testimonieto proue that religion, quhilk ze profes, to haue bene autorised in all agis, sen the tyme of Christ to zow or ellis be nocht so im­pudent, to compare zow to Abrahame, considdering it dothe nocht appeir, that Christ hes had les prouidēce of [Page 14] the kirk, sen se sched his maist pretious blude for it, nor he hade in the days of Abrahame. Bot perchance gif ze be nocht lyk Abrahame, ze wilbe lyk Helias: for as Helias reprouit Achab, together with the supersti­tioun, quhilk he, and the haill multitude did follow, notwithstanding the lang continuatioun of the same, to wit betuix the tyme of Hieroboam and that present tyme of Achab, sua ze, and zour prophetis dois re­proue all thame, quhasoeuer follouis the auld, and Catholict Religioun. Thairfoir we will discus quhe­ther zour religioun, or oures, be mair conforme to that, quhilk was professit be Helias. And to be schort He­lias did nocht induce ane new religioun, and of befoir vnknawin to the haill warld bot professit that, quhilk the synagoge of the Iewes had imbraced from the be­ginning, and to that present tyme continuet. suay He­lias, as said is of Abrahame, culd haue schawin succes­sioun of lawchtfull paustouris, quha had euer profes­sit his doctrine: And thairfoir reprouit Achab, becaus he had reiected the religioun, embraced be the Synago­ge, and did follow ane maist abominable superstitioun, of lait days institute be Hieroboam. Albeid ze wald syle the redars eys, euin as it had bene ane lāg tyme be­tuix Achab and Hieroboā, quhilk did nocht mekle ex­ceid the spaice of fourtie zearis. Bot gif ze had cōsidderit diligentlie, the historie of Helias and Achab, ze micht haue thairby vnderstād, zow and the remanēt of zour prophetis, to be iustlie cōparit to the prophetis of Achab:3. Reg. 1 [...]. for as is cōtenit in the third buke of the kingis, Hieroboā did cōstitute vnto him self tēplis in the heichast places, ād preistes of the cōmoū people, quhilk c [...] ̄trar to the cō ­stitutioū of the synagoge war nocht of the trybe of Leui. [Page] To quhome iustlie zour ministeris dothe correspond: for as in the synagoge, thay wer only lauchfull mini­steris, quha descenait of the try [...]e of Leui: suay in the new testamēt, thay ar onlie lauchfull ministeris, quha be the ordour of pre [...]sth [...]d has receaned sic power, and authoritie, lyke as we sall heirefter mair fullelie de­clair. Quhairfoir it dothe necessarlie follow that ze ar the pristis of Baal, haue and togidder with Hieroboam (I mene Caluin) sallin from the trew, and vniuersall kirk▪ to Idolatrie, that is, to zour phantasticall ima­ginations and dreamis, fra the quhilk ze ar callit here­tikes, lyke as the Grik word [...] doith signifie ele­ctioun, or chois, becaus ze haue chosin to zour self ane religioun, by the vniuersall consent of the haill warld: and suay as S. Paul says be verteis of zour awin iuge­ment, ze ar condemned,rtull. De [...]sc. heret. be resson as interpretis Ter­tullian, ze haue elect [...]d, and chosin that wnto zou, on the quhilk zour condemnatioun dothe iustlie follow, quhairfore ze mister nocht to call God so oft to witnes. quha has all reddy pronunced his sentence aganis zou, to be haldin as ane ethni [...]k, and publican, in respect, ze do nocht Obey his kirk▪ pri. Der­ [...]ecelesi. For as testifies Cipriane▪ he sall nocht in ony sort haue God to his father, quha re­fuset the kirk to h [...]s mother, and quh [...] is nocht ane membre of the bodie of Christ, can nocht be quikned [...]e his spreit.

THe probatioun quhilk I vsed in my letter to proue the kirk to be visible was, becaus Isaias testifies, that the hous of Iacob salbe builded vpon the top of ane montane: of the quhilk wordes I collect, that it suld be visible. Schir Iohne knox ansueris that he percea­ues nocht quhow that may be collected of the wordes of Isaias. Becaus he spekes onlie of glaid thinges promi­sed to Ierusalem, and mont Syon. In the quhilk ansuer, he declares no thing, bot his a wen blindnes. For the Pro­pheit testifies, that the hous of Iacob (be the quhilk the kirk au [...]ht to be vnderstand) salbe builded vpon the top of ane montane: Christ in his Euangell says,Mat. 5. that ane citt [...]e builded vpon ane montane, can n [...]cht be hid: of the quhilk, it followis necessarlie, that his kirk cā nocht be hid, and consequentlie it must be visible. Suay, other Isaias be that Metaphore schawis the kirk to be visible and manifest, or ellis it seruts to no thing at all quhilk is ane blasphemie. The wordes that followes, dois confer­me this so cleirlie, that no man onles he be blind can ony way dout thairof: Mony people, says he, sall flow to the hous of Iacob, to that effect, that thay may be taught the wayes of the lord: quhow is it possible that thay flow to the kirk, onles it be visible and manifest: or quhow is it possible, that thay be taught the wayes of the lord, onles thay acknaulege thois, be quhome thay ar to be instructed. Suay gif Schir Iohne had put on his [Page 17] specticles, he micht haue sene easalie, that Isaias dois testifie in thais wordes the kirk to be visible. I preter­mit the Grik text (quhilk ever, all maist S. Paul vsed in his citations, and euer hes bene in great authoritie) is so cleir for me, that it cā na way be thrawin to ane v­ther sence [...], that is, the montane of the lord salbe manifest. Suay dois the an­cient fatheres, euer allmaistreid this prophecie [...]as Ter­tullian, Cypriane,Tert. contr [...] Iud. Cyp. lib. 3. ad Quir. Augustene, and the rest. Thairfore, as apperis, noch [...] content of his first ansuer, he propones to vse ane vther, that is,Augu. de vni [...]tate ecclesi [...] ▪ that the prophecie of Isaias is nocht as zet compleit, bot in the progres. Quhilk maner of ansuering hes euer bene comoun to all fals prophe­tis. Gif this prophecie be nocht compleit, I wald de­mand at his ministers, quhether gif the hous of [...]acob, wes in the top of the montane, quhen the Apostlis, and disciplis of christ prechit his Euangell all maist throuch the haill warld: quhether gif than mony people, did flow vnto the montane of the lord: qnhether gif than, the montane of the quhilk Daniel makis mentioun, did occupie the hail erth:Dan. 2. quhether gif than christ receaued the inheritance, promised to him be his father eternall. I beleue quhousoeuer thay be impudent, thay dar nocht deny the premissis. Than I collect necessarlie, that lang afoir Iohne Caluin, or Iohne knox, the prophecie of I­saias was furthfilled, and the hous of Iocob was in the top of ane montane: that is, visible and manifest to the warld, suay it salbe visible and manifest, nocht onlie for ane hundreth zear, or two, bot for euer, as testifies the for said propheit: the zeties of the kirk salbe euer patent day and nycht: and so,Esa. 60. according to Schir Iohne knox awin interpretatioun, be the letter [Page] letter days, we vnderstand the hail tyme quhilk is betuix the publicatioun of the Euangell, and the day of iugement, during the quhilk, the hous of Iacob salbe in the top of the montane. Zet he will nocht be sati fiet onles we schaw him the place, in the quhilk the montane of the lord remanis. Thairfoir he speris at ws, quhair is this montane?Dan. 2. Daniel ansueris that it hes occupeit the hail erth: Zet Schir Iohne knox is so blind that he dois nocht se it, The scriptures teches ws that the inheritance, and kingdome of Christ, quhilk is his kirk, salbe euer spred through ane greit part of the warld, and mair ample and magnificent,Psal. 102. nor euer wes ony kingdome afoir him,Psal. 114. in the quhilk his name [...]uld be louit,Psal. 112. and glorifiet for euer, to the quhilk the kinges and princes of ye erth suld serue:Psal. 95. that it is ane greit marueill, that euer ony man suld be so impudent, to say, that Christ hes bene priuat of his kingdome and inheritance this mony hundreth Zearis: and that Sathan hes possessed the hoill warld, all king­domis, prouinces, cities: or that Christis kingdome hes bene alluterlie inuisible, and onknowen to the world. Zet tot [...]e effect, that Schir Iohne knox, nor his ministers haue na excūse, nor pretence of ignoran­ce in the day of iugement, I will ansuer direct [...]ie to his domād: that the montane of the lord is in france, Spā ­ze, Italie, Germanie, Pole, and sindrie v [...]heris partis of Europ, and in innumerable cuntreis of inde, batth Oriē ­tall and Occidentall, and nocht all [...]terlie expirit in in­gland and Sc [...]land. Suay that his kingdome is mair ample for the [...]resent, nor euer wes the empyre of the Gr [...]k [...]s, or Romanis. B [...]t I feir gretumly that his mini­sters ansuer, as the Donatistis dit to S.Aug. in epist. Augustene quhen [Page 18] the montane of the lord [says he] is schawin to thame,Ioan. tract. 1. thay say, it is nocht to montane of the lord, thai ar so blindit with thair a win phantasies becaus Schir Iohne will acknowlegeno place quhair this mōtane suld be, bot will onlie, that we haue recours to the spirituall pre­sence of Christ, quhilk is expreslie aganis Isaias, quhae sais, that mony people sall flow vnto this montane, quhilk in na ways thay culd do, onles thay did ac­knawlege sum certane place quhair it suld be: and re­pugnant to Christ him self, quhair he sais,Mat. 18. Gif thy bro­ther offend the accuse him to the kirk: we can mak nae accusatioun to the kirk, onles we acknawlege in quhat place it is. Of the quhilk is it appearis euidentlie, to be ane greit blasphemie quhilk Schir Iohne knox affir­mes, that Christ app [...]intes na certane place to ws, bot be the cotrar forbidd [...]s all obseruatioun of places. Zet lat ws considder ane litill his ressone, be the quhilk he is mouet to sic impietie. In Sainct Matthow Christ says, quhen euer tuo,Math. 18. or thre, ar gatherit in my na­me, thair I am in the middes of thame. Of this pro­pofitioun, Schir Iohne collectis, that Christ appoin­tes to ws no certane place, quhair we sall find him. I can nocht maruell aneuch of his impudencie, for in the same cheptour, a litill afoir the word is quhilk he rehersis for his opinioun, Christ commandis ws to gang to his kirk: than he dois nocht forbid all obseruat [...]oun of places, bot be the contrar prescryues ane certane place to the quhilk we suld haue recours: suay onles we say he repugnis to him self, Schir Iohne knox can na way collect of thais wordis, quhilk he citis for him, ony thing for the auancement of his opinioun, [Page] bot rather the contrar. For in that chaptour, Christ re­commandis to ws his lufe, and charitie, and obedience to his kirk: And ester, he proposis the reward thair of, that quhen sumeuer tuo, or thre, ar gadderit in his na­me, he salbe in the middis of thame. But afoir that thay be assured that thay ar gadderit in the name of Christ, thay most be assured that thay keip luf, and obediēce to his kirk: suay first thay aucht to be assured of the kirk, and of mutuall lufe, and charitie with vtheris: and thare [...]er thay may be assured, that thay ar gadderit in his name. Bot Schir Iohne dois peruert all ordour, in safar as he wald be certifiet, that we ar gathered in the name of Christ, afoir that we be assured of his kirk. At the end of zour ansuer, ze do inquire of me, gif the vuinersall warld, and all nations be call it to pas vp in the montane of the lord, and to the hous of the God of Iacob▪ quhy wald I nocht that Scotland passeth vp with the rest. Veralie I do nocht onlie maist effectiouslie desyre it, bot alsuay prays God that thay pas vp with all earnest full diligence. Bot I desyre nothing les, nor thay follow zow, or zour ministers as gyderis of tha­me: in caice thay do nocht only, nocht ascend to the hill, bot rather descend, errand aud straiand in the vales thairof. For treulie, gif Scotlande do onlie now of lait days, pas vp with zou to the montane of the lord, and at na tyme preceid and hath reiected the zok of idola­trie, nor embraced the Euangell of Christ, the estate thair of hes bene maist miserabill, and repugnant to all scriptures. For Isaias saith in the persone of Christ, the ilis of the sea [...], and schippes thair of dothe abyd me from the beginning.Isai. 60. Fra the quhilk expectatioun, I beleue nocht oure ile to haue bene secludit: nor zit fra that blythnes, [Page 19] quhair of Dauid maketh mentioun in this maner: The lord has regnit,Psal. 96. lat the erth re ose, together with mony iles. Bot gif the insatiable desyre of warldlie pōpe, and riches, hathe tholit zou to haue considderit the ancient histories, ze micht haue cleirlie perceaued, Scotland lang befoir zour days to haue passit vp to that montane: Ze mycht haue red quhow that Lucius king of Britanny,Marianus Scotus lib. 2. in vita Anso nini Impera­toris. did send legatis to Eleutherius bischop of Rome for the tyme, to the effect he micht be ende wit with the trew religioun. Lyke alsuay as ane litill efter,Polido. lib. 2. Donald king of Scottis,Nauclerus in sua histo. did send to the same effect, to Victor than bi­schop of Rome, during the empyre of Seuerus. Tertullian affirmith Britanny to the subdeit to the realme of Christ quhilk at na tyme culd be [...] wit to the Romane em­pyre. S.Veremūdus in sua hist. et in antiquis­simis scotorū annalibus. Hierome saith, that the Britānis, apperith nocht to thame selues to be halie aneuch nor deuoit, onles thay passit in pilgramage to Hierusalem.Tert. contra Iudeos. And in ane other place, dothe esteme Britanny amangis the principall,Hier. ad Marcel. and first partis of the Christianitie. Pelagius pretendit at sum tyme to haue seducit the realme of Scotland from this mōtane: bot Celestinus than bischop of Rome (as te­stifies Prosper) willing to put remeid thairto did send Palladius in Scotland ane mā of singular doctrine,Hier contra Luciferian. ād conuersatioun of lyf,Prosper con­tra collatorē quha nocht only conseruit the in­tegretie of Scotland in the formar estait, bot alsuay did conuert Orknay and the iles, to the trew religioū, quhair of the monument is dothe continew in Scotland to this present hour. Bot ze and zour factioun, willing to mak sum recompance worthie of this his labour did burne his body. Quhairfoir it is notoriusly knawē that Scotlād monie zeiris afoir zour day is, did pas vp to the montane of the loird, in the quhilk it hes fermelie cōti­newed [Page] thir mony hundreth zearis ago. Suay ze may esaly considder, quhow oniustlie ze requeir of ws, that the realme of Scotland pas vp in the montane of the lord with z [...]u, and the remanent of zour ministers.

NOw to cum to the conclusioun of my argument, quhilk wes that gif ze culd nocht schaw in qu­hat place of the warld zour kirk wes, immediatlie a­foir this thre hundreth zeir, that it culd nocht be the trew kirk. Ze ansuer it was Hierusale ane thousand and fynehundre [...]h zeir syne Quhilk gif it be direct, ony man may cleirlie vnderstād for ze do tak and assnme that for probatioun of zour caus quhilk is in gretast contro­uersie. Marouer, ze war nocht domandet quhair it wes afoir ane thousand and fyuehundreth zeiris, bot quhair it wes immediatlie afoir threhundreth zeris. Suay as zit, ze haue ansuerit nothing to the propos Thairfoir I will persist in my former domād, and gif zour ministers can no htschaw in quhat place the k [...]k of God wes immediatlie afo [...]r thir last thre hundret zeiris that ar constranit to grant that the inheritance of Christ, quhilk dois comprehend ewer ane greit part of the warld according to all scriptures,Mich. 4. was alluterlie inuisibill and vnkn [...]wē,Dan. 2. quhilk in it self is repugnāt To be schort I wald domand thame,Isai. 60. quhether gif during the tyme of the cō ceill of Nice,Psal. 2. thay quha was estemit for pastouris of the kirk,Psal. 21. wer pastouris in verray deide or nocht: for gif thay wer pastoures, the ministers and pastouris of our kirk (cōsiddering thai profes the self same doctrine with tha­me, and is chosin be ane lyk maner of vocatioun to the ministerie of the kirk) ar in lyk wais to be estemit as pas­toures. Gif thai quha was in the cōceill of Nice wes noc [...]t [Page] trew pastouris, I beleue that thay sall-nocht be albe to name ony trew pastour of the kirk, afoir Iohne Caluin. Quhilk gif it be according to Goddis word (in the quhilk ze appear to gloir) I leue the iugement to the readar.

VEralie gif thair had bene na thing in all zour bu­ke, bot th [...]s, of the quhilk ze micht haue bene cōui­cted to be ane fals propheit, this only wer sussicient. Ze say Christ dothe call all mā vnto him, bot it is maist cer­tane that he dois call no mā vnto him, bot be the mea­nes of his pastouris and ministers, as speciall instrumēt is thairof quhome he hes institute as ane sure way to ws, be the quhilk we suld cū vnto him: lyk as he saith, quha herith zou herith me, and quha contenit zou cōtemnit me. [...]nc. 10. For the apostolis, and thair successouris, ar appointed onlie to the gouernement of the kirk as testifies S. Luk, sayng, haue diligēt cure of zour selues,Acto. 20. and of the haill flok to the quhilk the halie gaist hes cōstitute zou, to the effect ze may gouerne the kirk of God. And suay in res­pect heir of quhasoeuer pretendis to vsurpe the ministe­rie of the kirk, be ane vther way ād resson, nor be the go­uernouris quhilk is the halie spreit hes constitute in it, thay ar ondoutedlie fals prophetis bot (as the experience it self teachis, and zour selues dois all reddie cōfes) ze ar on naways enterit in the ministerie of the kirk be this way▪ thairefoir necessarlie ze declair zour selues to be fals ꝓphetis Christ hes left this ordour in his kirk to the effect the trew pastouris suld be discernit from, the wol­fis, as may be cleirlie collected of the maste expresse word of God, and continuall obseruatioun from the be­ginning [Page 22] of the kirk to the present, for the apostolis doth nocht vsurpe thair authoritie,Ad Heb 5. bot wes callit and chosin thairto be Christ him self,Act 13. efter quhais asceosioun Ma­thaias in lyk maner wes ordanit and electit be thame,1. Timoth. 4. quhome Chast had appointitri to the gouernement of his kirk. And S.Act. 1. Paul, albeid he wes extraordinarlie cal­led, and anonted for ane apostole be the halie spreit, zit not withstanding he wes sent to Ananias to recea­ue baptisme, and thairefter passeth to [...]erusalem, to the effect he micht conferre his Euangell with the remanent of the apostolis.Acto. 9. to that end [as he testifiet] that he ran nocht in vane, as he wald say that his labourts [...] in pre­ching of the Euangell vther wais had nocht bene profi­table,Ad Gal. 2. onles he had prouin his doctrine with the vniuersall consent of the kirk quhilk wes than. And quhen he wes send conforme to the consuetude of the Apostlis to exercise that office, thay quha precedit dit indew him with the ord [...]ur of preisthed,Act. 13. to the effect he micht be acknawlegit be the haill pastouris of the kirk Be the quhilk not, the trew ministers as than was discernit frō the fals prophetis. sāct Paul in lykmaner (as he writtis) efter this forme and custome, did institute Titus and Ti­motheus, to the minist [...]ri [...] of the kirk, and wrelt and to Tymotheus, did cōmand him expreslie to admit na mā hastelie to sic ordour,1. Timoth. 4. as he had receauit f [...]ō him, Quhair throw we ar mast certanlie instructed, that sic or­dour and institutioun is necessarlie requirit to thame quha wald be estemit as lauchfull pastoures. Thair­fore considder gif ze and the remanent of zour pa­stouris h [...]s enterit be this means in the kirk of God, or at the leist, vnderstand zour selues thairbie, to be fals prophet [...], gif ze haue nocht acknawlegit that heir [Page] untill. For in thi [...] maner (as said is) the fals prophetes hes bene euer discernit from the lauchfull pastoures, as testifies Tertullian of the fals prophetis of his age, sayng, amongis the heretik [...]s ane bischop is constitute this day, and ane vther surrogat in his place the morne:Tert de Pres­heret. and sic­lyk beand ane deiken the day, the m [...]rne is constitute ane reader, for it is tolerable amangis thame, to attri­buit and inione spirituall offices to layke personis: Lyke alsuay as Cypriane writis, that quhasoeuer constitutes thame self pastouris without the ordinance of the law,Cyp. de vnit. e [...]cle. and indewit thame self with the tytill of ane b [...]schop without any ordinar power preceding, thaying yre tha­me in the kirck, contrar to the word and dispositioū ap­pointet be God. And in ane vther place, gif Nouatus (saith he) hes with him the kirk of God, than C [...]rne­lius of Rome necesserlie man be separat from the kirk:Epistola ad Magnum. and be the contrar gif Cornelius hes the trew kirk, Nouatus can na way appertene thairto, becaus as is cleir and manifest he hes succedit to na vther bischop, suay on na wais he can be ane lauchfull pastour of the kirk. Athanasius [as testifies Socrates] being schar­plie accusit be the Arrians, that he had interpry fit to brek the chalice,Socrates lib. i. cap. x. and cast doū the altar quhairō isc [...]yras did offer sacrifice,Theod [...]retus lib. 2. ca. 8. quha tēding to purge him self of this intollerabill cryme, grantit all th [...]t quhilk was obiectit, bot subion and him to haue iustile done it, in respect I­schyras, hed at na tyme receawis onie lauchfull pouar or ordour of preisteid be verteu of the quhilk he culd haue power, to mak sic sacrifice or oblatiō. S. H [...]er. being domā dit, quhat apperit to him of ane Hylarius quha had fallin from the kirk of God,Hier. cōt. Luciferianos. he ansuerit, that in respect he wes onlie ane de [...]ken, he culd haue na lawchfull [Page 23] power to ministrat that sacrament of the altar, nor in­stituat ministers indewed with the ordour of preisthed: And th [...]irfo [...]r throw his deith, his kirk suld necessarly pereis, for the trew kirk [sais he] an nocht consist with out ane preist. Gifs. Hierome and the rest of the do­ctouris of that age micht haue affirmeth the lyk of Zou I mak zour selues iugis. S. Augustene, together with the fatheris quha wes present with him in the fourt counceill of Carthage, at lenth dois declair this maner of institutioun of ministers, quhick euer in the kirk of God wes obseruet afoir him,Conc. 4. car [...]. can. 2. and is obseruit to this present: that ane preist aucht to be consecrat be the power and auctoritie of his bischop. And to conclu­de, lyk as na man at any tyme hes bene estemit ane Chri­stian, onles he had receaued the sacrament of baptisme: suay in lykwais, no man in ony age betuix Christ and his Apostolis and Iohne Caluin, hes bene estemit ane lauchf [...]ll minister of the kirk of God, quha had nocht receaued power, and authoritie, be the ordour of preist­hed fra his bischop, as fra him quha had ordinar power to constitut ministers in the kirk of God. This is sa ex­pres in Goddis word, and suay confirmit be the autho­ritie of all pastouris, quha euer hes flurished in ony age, or in ony prouince, that gif Schir Iohne knox ministers produce ane in the contrar, I salbe content, lyke as I haue said of befoir, to tyne the haill caus. Considdering thairfoir that the pasioures of the kirk, hes bene consti­tute the ane liniallie be the other, we man necessarlie grant contine watiou [...] of ministers, onles we wald alle­ge aganis all trew doctrine the kirk at sum tyme to haue alluterlie expyrit. Thus is cleirlie confirmat be S. Paul,Ephe. 4. quhair he sais, tha [...] Christ hes geuin sum to be [Page] apostolis, vtheris to be prophetis, pairt to be euangelistis, and vtheris in lykways to be pastoures, and doctoures to the edificatioun and beilding of his kirk continu­allie, unto the tyme we be vter [...]e perfyted [quhilk can nocht be afoir the da [...] of iugement (to the effect we be nocht seduced be euerie licht doctrine. In the quhilk word is, he declaris oppin [...]ie, that Christ will nocht leue his kirk destitute nor desolat, bot at all tyme will erect faithfull pastoures in it. Thairfoir it is nocht to be imputit to me, that I onlie do inquire of zou successioun of pastoures in zour allegit kirk: in re­spect the apostole S. Paul. doth affirme, that Christ hes appointed sic successioun in his kirk, and the an­cient fatheris ( [...]uha in [...]nderstanding of the scripturis of god apperandlie has nocht bene inferiouris to zow did continuallie [...]se this forme of inquisitioun, aganis all heresies quhilk dot he spring in thair days. Ireneus quha doth see Policarp the discipill of Iohne, sayith,Iren. 4. ron­tra Valēt. c. 44. that we au [...]ht d [...]w obedience to thais ministers in the kirk, quha haue and thair successioun fra the apostolis, ar gratiouslie indewed and adornet be God, with the spreit of veritie conioynet with thair pre minent successioun. Bot vtheruis quha do is decline fra the principall successioun to be haldin and reput as suspect, not withstanding all thai can allege. Tertullian also writis in this maner,Tert. de pre­scrip. Seretic. I desyre thair authoritie to be publiceit and schawin, be vertew of the quhilk thai do ingyre thame selues in the kirk, lat thame mak manifest the originall ground of thair kirk, lat thame in lyk maner schaw furth ordinar successioun of thair cheif pastoures, and bischoppis. Epiphanius haue and all togidder re­herset the cheif pastoures and bischoppis of the scit of [Page 24] Rome, subionis thir wordis, saing, lat na man maruell that we do mak m [...]tioun in particular of euerie ane, for be this the preeminent iurisdictioun of the kirk is maid manifest.Epiph. lib. [...]. de heres. c. 27. S. Hiero [...]e saith, I will disclois vnto zou that, quhilk dothe inuartlie appear vnto me maist ex­pedient, to embrace that kirk, quhilk being fundit be the apostolis, dothe remane vnto this present hour. And quhasoeuer dothe call thame selues Christianis,Hier. contr [...] Luciser. noch taking thair name from Christ, bot from sum other (as he wald say Caluinistis or lutheriens) it is out of all con­trouersie, that th [...] do nocht mak ony pairt of the kirk of god, b [...]t the verray sinagoge of the Antechrist. S. Augustene in lykw [...]is [...]aith, the aggreable and vniuer­sall consent of diuers people and nations, the authoritie foundit with miracles, contine wit and nurischet with hoip, and corroborat with cheritie doith retene me in the kirk: as in lik maner, the success [...]oun of pastouris be­gun at Petir (to quhome Christ committit his flok ester his resurrectioun) and cō [...]ine wit wi [...]hout interruptioun to this present.Aug. contra epist Maniche [...] Thairfoir it is nocht onlie thay quhome ze do call Iesuistis that affirmis ane continuall suc­cessioun of pastouris to be necessar in the kirk of God: bot alsuay S. Paul him self, and the haill ancient fathe­ris, quha euer hes bene sen the beginning of the kirk, and of it self it is maist cleir and euident. For as the k [...]rk of God can nocht consist without sacrament is and pre­ching of the word suay it can nocht consist without lau­chfull ministers: and cōsequēetlie as the kirk cā nocht expire at na tyme suay it cā noch t [...]e desti [...]ute of pastouris: of the quhilk the perpetuall successioun is necessarlie de ducit Th [...]irfoir ze mō appardoū ws gif we h [...]ueād the authoritie of the apostolis and anciēt fatheris mili [...]āt [Page] part, do esteme zou as fals prophetis. And veralie knox, quha at na tyme did acknawlage in his allegit kirk ony successioun of pastoures, nor confidderit fra quhome his forget authoritie did proceid, hes left ver­ray litill esperance to his posteritie, and vpspring, that ony successioun suld continew ony space in it, without ane suddane ruyne, and vter exterminioun. Quhilk ap­peris to me of maist singular probabilitie, it being con­suetit with darknes, and suay with lang proces can nocht sustene the licht. It is thairfoir maist expedient, that this imaginat kirk receaue and embrace agane the former darknes, within the quhilk it hes bene clo­sed this thousand and fyuehundreth zeiris bypast, with great peace and tranquillitie of the haill warld. As quhair ze say that the apostolis did nocht requeir successioun: folesche man is it nocht maist euidentlie knawen, that the Christiane religioun at that tyme did tak the beginning, to wit fra Christ and the Apostolis. quhow culd it be possibill than, euen at the originall point thairof, to schaw ony successioun. Gif ze had preuenit all otheris in teaching the Christiane reli­gioun, no man wald haue requer it successioun of zois: bot considdering the Christian religioun, and kirk of God hes bene foundet be the Apostolis, and hes contine­wit formallie vnto this day, ze ar astricted to schaw fra quhome ze haue ordourlie deducit zour doctrine and authoritie. Quhilk for samekle as ze can nocht iu­stifie, we may easalie collect that ze ar alluterlie sepa­rat from the kirk of God. Thairfoir as apperis, conui­cted be zour conscience and the veritie it selue, ze con­fes this zour ansuer rather to be ane scorne, nor ane di­rect ansuer, subionand that ze ar able to schau succes­ [...]ioun [Page 25] of pastouris in zour kirk. Now lat the reidar con­sidder this maist erronious and repugnant writer to him self, quha laitlie in his promiss is hes maist starklie de­nyed ony ordinar successioū of ministers, to be requirit in ony maner of wais be Christ or his disciplis in the kirk of God: now presentlie as inspyrit be sum new Apocalips or reuelatioun, alleg [...] him able to declair his doctrine pro­cedit frō the apostolis be continuatioun of pastouris: be resson he do is onlie profes that, quhilk the apostlis pro­fessit. Surelie, gif his former ansuer, according to his a­win saingis, wes rather ane skorne nor ane direct an­suer, he mon appardoun me gif I e [...]eme this his vther ansuer, no to be ane direct ansuer, bot ane direct skor­ne, becaus he do is vse that quhilk principallie consi­stis in cōtrouersie, as ane sure and ondouted propositio [...] ̄, for cōfirmatioū of his opinioū, nocht declarād, as he wes cheiflie domādit, be quhat meanis he ressauit his doctri­ne fra the apostolis. For gif he had receaued it be conti­nual succissioun of lauthfull pastouris (as he opperis to say) he suld haue schawin, as wes domādit of him thair institutioū, and lineall descense vnto his days, Quh [...]ir­foir it dothe clearlie appear that he hes brochs na an­suer, that doth in ony ways appertene to the purpos. It is thocht worthie of admiratioū, that the pastoures of his kirk hes cōtinewed in all agis, [...]ocht leuād any speciall memorie of thame to thair posteritie, considdering thair maist erniflifull diligēce in obseruatioū of the cōmandi­mentis of God, and espetiallie of this precept, incres and multiplie, suay that nane dot hink him appased in his consciēce, onles he posseid tuay or thre wyues at the leist: and to haue f [...]rther assurance in the day of iugemēt euin in the decrepit age (aganis the law of nature bot [Page] according to thair enangell) thai do ossociat to thanie sum faithfull sist [...]r of tender age, to the essect that the haill wardl may be witnes, that thai haue sparit na la­bouris for the setting furth of the euāg [...]ll, and the mul­tiplicatioun of the [...]lect [...] And zit notwithsta [...]ding thairof, during the space of ane thousand, fyu [...] hūdreth, and fif­tie zeris, we can find na vpspring, nor ony kind of generatioun of [...]hime onles it be thay quhilk the godlie pr [...] ­phetis of oure dais hes maist aboundātlie brocht surth. Heir I knaw nocht quhat thai cā ansuer, onles thai say that thair generatioun hes bene in all agis bot na testi­mony nor memorie thairof is left to the pesteritie, according to the prophecie of Dauid, thow sall destroy the fruit of [...]hame out of the [...]rth, and separat the seid of thame from the said of the sonnes of man,Mal. 21. becaus thai haue cons [...]itute eueil aganis the, and excogitat counsals quhilk tha [...] culd nocht establis.

FIrst of all I will adduce ane resson, quhilk may be able nocht onlie to braik doun, and ourethraw zour weak and sklender presumptionis foundit vpon colo­red meanis, and mier coniectur is▪ bot alsuay quhilk may iustlie moue ony man, to lichtlie and reiect zour haill doctrine, considder and zour discrepance in the cheif misteries, and essentiall pointes of oure faith. As amangis the rest, lather and his followars affirmis reall presens of the bodie of Christ in the sacrament of the alter▪ the Zuinglianis on the vther part onlie admittand ane signe and figure: Caluin ād Ze follouis nother preci­selie the ane, nor the vther opinioū,Caluin 4 in­stit. c. 17. sect 12 & 13. bot sum phātasticall and mōstruous imaginatioun lyke vnto thame boith Quha alltogidder allegis zour selues professouris of the word of god, and in semblable maner, all euāgelistis, euer cryād furth with ane accord, the scriptures to be maist patent and manifest, reiect ād all constitutioun and or­dinance of the kirk, and to conclude, euerilk ane per­suading him self to be verelie inspyred with the halie gaist. Heirfoir seing Zou to haue certan propositionis as fundament and gr [...]und of zour religioun, quhairin ze do all consent, and thairfray collect ād maist cōtrarious and repugnant conclusions, it doith necessarlie follow zour ground and foirsaid propositionis quhairin ze do aggre, to be maist erronious: in respect of sure and on­doutet premissis, the cōclusioun m̄o follow of the lyk fors and strenth. Quhairbie any man may easalie cōsider zour clokit religioun, and forgit inuētionis, onles he be [Page] (as ze) alluterlie addicted to his a win found phantasies and friuolus imaginations, or vther wais wors depra­uat. And to enter forther in the mater, Carolstadius ha­ueād forsak in the catholik and Christiane religioū and embraced the heresie of luther, being no les ambitious and couatous of gloir nor his maister, he culd nocht stand content, vntill he had forget thait maist perni­tious and abominabill errour quhilk ze do presentlie follow in the sacrament of the altar. Now I wald domand quhat maruelous and singular zeall of religioū, and haelie scripture, doith moue zow to affirme Carol stadius to be follow it rather than luther▪ gif Carolstadius dothe allege him to teache the sincere word of god, suay dois luther in lykmaner: gif Carolstadius approuis him self to be ane extraordinar propheit, in lykmaner lutharis wocatioun is extraodanr. Ze will perchance say Carol­stadius being forther illuminat, hes mair fullelie vnderstand the scriptures nor luther: gif ze in scotland do ad­here to that opinioun, the germans quha beleuis thame selues in no part inferiour to zow, geuis the lyk prerogaetiue and perfectioun preeminent to luther, Thairfoir we will fall in oure former questioun, quhether gif in dis­crepans of religioun, the decisioun suld be referrit to the germans, or left to zow in scotland. ze will perauen­tour cast in, that the mater cummand amanges zow to ressoning▪ micht be way of argument receaue the iust de­cisioun. [...]s it nocht maist notorious [...]e knowen, that d [...] ­ring the verie tyme of luther this mater wes deducet in c [...]ntrouersie, and earnestfullie ressonit the space of fourtene zearis, without ony determinat sentēce: ād efter luther his discipill uestphalus aganis zour maister Caluin did prosecute the same rather eik and the controuersie [Page 28] nor makand ony aggreable decisioun thairof. Thairfoir, gif ze beir ony great afectioun, or feruent zeall to the veritie, ze may easalie espy ane iust caus to repell and reiect sic pastouris quha being destitute of all ordinar power, hes na vther groūd nor fundamēt of thair religione, bot thair owin brane. we say th [...]n no les bauldlie nor treulie tha [...]t dois remane constantlie in the catholik k [...]rk, that be resson of the ondou [...]ed ground, and sure fundamentis of oure faith we all condescend in ane sentece, nocht on­lie presentlie in oure days, bot in lyk maner acknaw­legeing with the ancient fatheris (quha be ane lang space hes preced [...]th ws) that sincere, and ondoutet kirk quhilk cl [...]irlie we vnderstād to be gouern [...]t, and pres [...] ­uet be the holie goist, as ane stark pillar▪ and sure grōd of veritie: firmelie aprouād that quhilk the k [...]rk propo­nis to be beleuit, and cōdamnand that quhilk it declaris to be contrar, and repugnāt to the intergritie of the trew faith and religioun. [...]n all vther maters, sa far as the kirk doithe nocht establis ony sentence in a [...]her of the partes, reserues libertie to quhatsueuer persone, to beleue frellie thairin as he will.

Quhair ze ansuer zour inioyned iurisdictioun of teching of the word of God, to be limitat within the realme of scotland, and nocht extendet to foronars, I wald maist affectio [...]slie domand [...] zow to discl is and oppin, be quhais iniunctioun haue ze receauet thi [...] commandiment, considering in the four euangellis non sic commandiment can be found. Bot para [...]e [...]tur ze will seik recurss to the fyst euāgell, as ane cōmou [...] place to the rest of zour doctrine▪ The kirk c [...]ld noch [...]n ony w [...]s inione the lyk precept to Zou espetialie it benig, as ze say inuisible. Bot suppois it had bene cōmādit to zou, zit zear [Page] obleist to profes no doctrine discrepant from the do­ctrine of the kirk: than I say that of force ze mon affir­me the opinionis of luther-quhilk in essentiall maters of religioun ar repugnāt to zou, to be annullet and cōdamned, as maist wicked heresies, or els to condamnez our self. Bot ze apper and lie dar nocht cōdescend in nane of thois sentences, nother declar [...]nd thame as trew Chri­stianis nor zit afirmād thame as herety kis: albeid thay with greatar libertie as appeares, and mair frelie, dothe call zou nocht onlie heretikis, and fals prophetis, bot al­suy ambitious and alluter lie deprauat Consider quhat luther dothe wreit agains Bucerus ane of zour factioū: thais miserable personis (says he) do nocht stand in ony sort cōtent, haueād scatterit thair venenous doctrine in ane infinit nūber of thair a win buikis, [...]utherus epi [...]ola ad Her [...]agiu. onles thay infect the buikis of vtheris with the same. And in ane vther e­pistoll, exhortes the Marques of Bārdeburg, to permit on na ways in his landis and Iurisdictioun,Epistola ad Marchi Brā ­leb. sic as followis zour doctrine▪ Vestphalus the disciple of luther says, that sic as profesis zour religioun meri [...] is rather to be punished be the power and authoritie of the magistrat, nor to be confutet be disputatioun or writing of buikis. Considder in lykmaner quhat [...]e'anc [...]hon d [...]ith rehers of Carostaldius, quh [...] wes the first author of zour he­rosie [...] Carolstadi [...] (sais he) ane man cled with all inci­uilitie,Melanch. de [...]ena domini. and almaist weild withouting yne, without let­ters, zea euin without the cōmoun [...] of nature alluterlie [...]estitut of al humanitie, did start wp, and im­bring this presens tumult and controuersie, in quhome dois euidentlie regne all wicked operations, tending to maist greuous impieti, as quhair he hes embraced the verray doctrine of the Anabaeptistis. Of the quhilk [Page 29] it is easalie to perceaue, the great repugnance and [...]ōtra­rietie in essentiall maters of religioū, betuix zou and the rest of the prophetis quhilk ar rissin in thir maist misera­bill days, notwithstanding that ze haue all the lyk fun [...] damentis of religioun, the Lyk instinctioun of the halie gaist, and the lyk ext [...]aordinar vocatioun.

Bot ze allege in the primitiue hirk sindrie heresies to haue stertup▪ as quhair Paul did resist vnto Peter. And in lyk wais, as the controuersie of religioun betuix Barna­bas and S. Paul: albeid no man thairfoir culd haue had ony iust caus to haue denudeth and separat him self from the kirk.

Cōtroue [...] sies ni dide may befall nithe kirk, bot quhow oft soeuer thay happin, the kirk at no tyme is destitute of [...]ugis, be quhome with all expeditioun thay may be decydet. Quhilk we obserue to haue bene done maist vi gilantlie be the apostolis: as quhen the controuersie tuit­ching the obseruatioun of the law did vpspring, thay permittit nocht to euerie man to decerne efter his a win phātasie, bot reserued the determinatioun and decisioun to thame, quha wes appointed be god thairto: that is, t [...] the pastoures of the kirk, to quhome be the ordinance of God, the rest of the multitude wes obleist and bound to obey: Bot in zour sinagoge thair be ane infinit numbre of controuersies, aluterlie destitute of all Iuge: in respect euerie ane is accoustumet, to in [...] erpret the scripture as his opinioun do is leid him, and as euerie man be author of his awin religioun, suay doth constitute him self Iuge in all occurrand controu [...]rseis: quhilk clearlier ap­perit be experience, nor that it dois mister ony probatioū. Heirfoir it is euident and cleir, that no sic thing hes bene in the primitiue kirk, nor at any tyme in the kirk of [Page] [...]od, as we see dalie in zour synagoge. As quhair ze zay, that Peter did erre in the fayth, it is maist erro­nious: for Christ prayt for him that his faith suld on na wais decay, and zit ze ar so impudent to affirme, that the sone culd nocht obtene fra the father that quhilk he domandet. Tertullian sais, that thair wes na spot,Tert. de con­ [...]rip. hereti. nor errour of fath in Petir, bot of conuersatioun) as he dois call it) for he doithe knaw the vocatioun and calling of the Gentils to the Euangell: and the ceremonies of the Iewis nocht to haue bene in any wiis at that tyme ne­cessar, neuertheles during ane schort space to haue be­ne [...]olerabill▪ Galat. 2. quhair by the synagoge of the Iewis micht haue bene zirdit with honour: to the end that he ap­perit nocht, to constitute the Idolatrie of the Gentils, in the lyk preeminence and degree with the religioun of the Iewis. Bot becaus necligentlie he substrakit him self fra the gentils, quhom with of befoir he wes at the tabill, he was reprochit be S. Paul: in respect he apperet to dyuers, to approue the obseruation of the law as neces­sar. Be the quhilk occasioun Sainct Paull [...]ppinlie re­fusit to circumcide Titus, becaus opportunitie of tyme and place did nocht in ony wais serue, onles he had fal­lin [...] the lyke vyce in the quhilk Petir did fall, and be his exemple had persuader to mony, the circumci­sioun to be all [...]terlie necessar. Bot gif Sainct Paul had nocht considderit the circumstan [...]es, and had circum­cidet Titus he had falit nocht I say in ony errour of the fayth, bot necligentlie geuand otheris occasioun of sklander, as to bel [...]ue the obseruatioun of the law to haue be­ne necessar. Sic wes the faill of Peter, because he wes nocht circumspect to cōsidder the sklander quhilk culd enseu▪ Quhairf [...]ir, in thu pairt, dois onlie appear zour [Page 30] ignorance, that ze can nocht discerne betuix ane falt in maners, and in faith▪ for ze can put no reproche to the fayrh of Petir in this behalf, onles ze proue, that Sainct Petir beleuit the obseruatioun of the auld ceremoneis of the law, to haue bene necessa [...] as than, quhilk ze will neuer be able to do.

Bot in dide ze had mister of sum gude argument, quhen ze brocht this exemple of Paul and Barnabas, quhilk seruis no thing at all to zour propose. First be­caus thair wes no dissentioun betuix thame, concer­ning the faith or religioun, bot onlie of a mater par­ticular, and of litill wecht: to wit, gif it wes expe­dient in the great voyage quhilk thai wer to mak, to tak Sainct Marc, in thair cumpanie, quha had left thame of befoir in cypre apperandlie becaus he wes onhabill to indure the trauell quhilk thai bayth sustenit.Act. 15. Secundlie g [...]ue and, that be [...]uix Paull and Barnabas thair hade bene debait or controuersie in re­ligioun, zit at that present no certane decisioun of sic controuersie wes in the kirk of God, suay that it wes lesum to euerie ane of thame, to follow his a win iugement in that part. Bot efter the decisioun and deter­minatioun of the kirk, ze can nocht be able to schaw ony debait, or questioun, other betuix the Apostlis, or ony o­ther lauchfull pastouris that euer hes hene efter thame. Treulie it is ane mater worthie of admiratioun, gif Petir [as ze allege] did erre in the fayth, and Sainct Paul or Barnabas in lykmaner, nocht withstan­ding thay wer Apostolis ma [...]st surelie indewed, and illummat with the spreit of God: that ze and zour mi­nisters, dois so cleirlie comprehend the misteries of God, [Page] and the richt intelligence of the scriptures, that quhat­sume [...]er zesay, ze will that it be est [...]mit, and iugit, as the sinceir word of the God. Gif zour impudenci [...] be grea [...], or nocht to vsurp, mair to zour s [...]lu [...], norze attribute to [...] [...]r Paull, I leif the iugement to the reidar.

IT is said in the commun prouerb, ane liar suld be of gude memorie in the beginning of zour buke, ze af­firmet the sacrifice of the Messe to haue bene receaued of auld in the papisticall kirk, now be the contrar, ze alle­ge it to be of lait days inuentit. Bot that zour impudē ­cie be knawē and manifest to all men, I will adduce the plane, and sure testimonies of the maist ancient fathers, that euer hes bene in the kirk of God as cōcerning thais tua heades, quhilkis inspe [...]iall aboue the rest, apperis [Page] to zou to be destitute of all probatioun. And to begin at the bischop of Rome, quhome we affirme to be the suc­cessour of S. Petir quha was head and principall of the Apostol [...].

Christ sa [...]eth vnto Peter, thou art Peter▪ and vpon this rock I will build my kirk▪ [...]sath. 16. In the quhilk word is he orda ned Peter the fundatioun or heid of his kirk: vnto him he deliuerit the keyes of the kingdome of heuin, and cō ­mitted vnto him efter his resurrectioun his scheape to be fed: sua that thair is no scheip of Christ quhilkis ar nocht also the scheip of Peter, a [...] sais S. Bernard. [...]an. 21. The mi­nisters quha thi [...] kis nocht thame selues, comprehendit vnder the name of thais scheip, quhilkis Christ comendit to petir, mō cōfesse that thai ar nocht the scheip of Christ: otherwais gif thai wilbe the s [...]heip of Christ, let thame obey Peter, ād him that dothe succeid Peter in his office. Now becaus the present cōt [...]uersi [...] is quhou thais wor­dis of the scripture aucht to be vnderstand, in the quhilk Christ cōmit [...]it has flock to Peter▪ lat ws cōsidder in quhat maner the p [...]stours, and doctures of the kirk euer s [...]n the dayes of the Apostolis, hes interpreted thame. And to begin at S Paul [...]s a win discipill S Dionise quha in his buke de diuinis nominibus, affirmeth Peter to be the heid of all the Apostolis. [...]io. c. 3. [...]iuin. nom.

Anacletu [...], [...]n [...]c. epist. 3. quha wes in the Apostols tyme▪ saith that the holie Romā Apos [...]olicall kirk, obtenit supremacie, nocht of the Aposlolis bot of oure lord him self, as he sayeth to Peter, thow art Peter, &c. Thairfo [...]r this Apostolicall kirk, is maid the head of vther kirkes, by God, and by none vther.

Victor, quha wes nere vnto the tyme of the Apostolis, [...]usebius li. 5 eccl. hist c. 24 and bischop of Rome, pat in practise this authoritie, [Page 32] quhen he excommunicatet all the kirkes of asia, becaus that aggreit nocht with the Romane kirk. And albeid that he wes admonissed be letters send frō Ireneus, that he had nocht done discreitlie in that point, zet no man euerfād falt with him for vsing of sic authoritie for all men did knaw, and confesse, that he had authoritie to excommunicat quhom he thocht meite and expediēt. zepherin bischop▪ q [...]ha wes hi successour did call the Romane kirk mother of all kirkes, vnto the quhilk all con [...]rouersies auch to be brocht I omit (becaus I wilbe breue) the testimoneis of vthers Papes quho perauenture may seme to forther thair a win caus,zephe [...]in ep [...]stola ad ep [...]scopes Cicili [...] althocht no suspi­tioun at all, tuitching this mater, culd euer enter into ony wyse mānis heid, becaus thais ancient fathers wer maist holie men, and also martyris, quho sched thair blude for the trewth. Bot lat ws speik of vtheris,

Ireneus:Iren lib. 3. [...] [...]ersus haer [...] ses cap. 2. bot becaus it wald be oure lang to number the successionis of all kirk [...]s, declaring the traditioun of the gretast, and most ancient kirk [acknawlegit be all men and foundit at Rome be those tua maist glorious Apo­stolis, Petir and Paul] quhilk it receaued of the aposto­lis, and be cōtinuatioun deducit vnto ws, we confound all thais, quha reasson vther wais then thay aucht. For with the Romane kirk beresson of the preeminēt power thairof, euerilk kirk of necessi [...]ie most aggre.

Tertullian: wes ony thing hid from Pet [...]r, quho wes cal­lit the rock, vpō quhilk the kirk suld be builded, quha also obtenit the keyes of the kingdome of heuin,Tertul. de prescrip. he [...] and power to louss and bind in heuin and in erth. And in ane vther place, he acknaulegit in lykmaner the su­preme authoritie of the bischop of Rome.Idem aduer sus Praxea.

Cyprian: efter all this Zit forther, efter a fals and wrang bischop be the heretikis appointed to thame sel­ues,Cypr. lib. 1. cap 3. [Page] thay dar saill vpon the seas, and cary litters, from chismaticall and prophane persones, vnto the cheir of Peter and principall kirk, quhair vnitie of preisthed first began: nather do that think, that thai quhome to thai go vnto ar Romans, quha [...]s fay [...] his commendet be the Apostill, vnto quhome fals doctrine neuer culd haue acces. And in the samyng epistoll: heresies [sais he] or se­ctis, had neuer other beginning than this, that obediēce was nocht kepit to the preist of God, and that ane preist is nocht thocht in the kirk of God, to be the vicar of Christ.

Athanasius, with the rest quhilk wer present at the councell of Alexandria, [...] opi­ [...]ola conc: [...] ad Ro­ [...]anum pon­ [...]if. writeth in this sort to the Pape of Rome: God has not despiseth the prayars, and teiris of his seruandis, but has appointed zou, and zour pre decessouris, that is to say, the Apostoli call bischoppis in the tour of supremacie, and hathe commandit zou to succur ws, and to deliuer ws from all enemies, for vnto zou is committit all the iugement of vther bischoppis.

Chryso [...]tome: quhat God can be him self grant, that is,Chriso [...]t. [...]om 55. in Math. 16. remissioun of synn [...]s, he doth gif that unto man, to the effect that his kirk suld remane immouable, thocht mony wauis suld burst out vpon it, with great force: to the end alsuay, tha [...] the heid and pastour thairof [quha is bot ane fischar man] in fermenes, and stabit­nes, suld exceid the nature of the adamant, no [...]ht with­standing the ha [...]ll warld, wald resist [...].Ibidem. So the fa­ther sayeth vnto Hieremie: [...]haue put the as ane pillar of yrne, and as ane wall of bres: bot the father dothe cō stitute Hieremie onlie oure a [...]e people and natioun, bot Christ had constitute Peter our the haill world.

Op [...]atus Meleuitanus ignorance can nocht be obie­cti [...] [Page 33] vnto the, seing thou knawest that in the cietie of Ro­me, the bischopp is seat wes placed first for Peter, in the quhilk the said Peter satt,Opt. lib 2. contra Per­menianum. quha wes heid of all the apo­st [...]lise for the quhilk caus he wes callit Cephas, in qu­home as in ane, the vnitie of the kirk suld be cōceruet. And efter he had numered all the bischoppis from Pe­ter vnto Syricius he concludis in this maner: All the world aggreit with ws in ane communion and socie­tie with syricius, as to zou [says he mening of the Dona­tistis] schaw the benining of zour kirk gif ze can.

Hierome wrtttis to the bischop of Rome in this maner, I­speik with the successour of the fischer [that is Peter] and the discipill of the crose: [...] Damasum. and following nane as cheif bot Christ,S. Hierome being in asia acknawlegi [...] the Pape of Rome for his pastour. do c [...]nione my self, and tak pairt with zour halines, that is, with the cheir of Peter: I knaw that the kirk of God is buildet vpon that Rock: quha soeuer eateth the lam [...] out of this hous, is prophane: quha soeuer dothe nocht gadder with the doth scatter. Agane in the same epistell, he requireth the decisioū of the Romane bischop as of his pastour, towart ane inci­dant questioun, and offerit him self ready to change his mynd or opinion thairin gif it suld plais so to him.

Ambrose: Christ quha is heid, quhen he suld ascend vnto heuin left vnto ws Peter, as vicar and taikin of his lufe.Ambr. in 13. Luce. Agane, Satyrus callit vnto him the bischop, and domandit of him, quheter he aggreit with the Ro­mane kirk or nocht:Ide [...] de ob­tn fratri [...]. becaus he wald acknawlage, no v­ther for trew bischoppe bot thais quha adheret to the bis­choppe of Rome. Agane Peter is callit the rock of the kirk, that thairthrow the solid deuotiō of the kirk micht be signifiet ād declareth vnto ws, as oure lord saith thou art Peter and vpon this rock I well build my kirk. th [...] [Page] is callit a rock, becaus, he layt the first f [...]ndatioū of faith amangis he gentils, and becaus he berith (as a rock, quhilk can nocht be mouit) the wecht and burding of the haili wark.

Augustin: the principalitie, or preeminence of the apostolicall seit euer flurished in the kirk of Rome. [...]ug. opi. 163. Agane in ane vther place [writt and to the Pape] forsamekell as oure lord had placed thee in the seit apostolick, [...]dē [...]pist. 102. [...] ue est ad Rom. Pont. be ane speciall gift of his grace, I beseik thee wieth [...]f towart ws the dewitie and diligence of ane pastour. Agane gifthe ordour of bischoppis,Epist. 165. succeding the an [...] to the vther is to be cōsidderit, quhow mek be mair certanlie, and also hel sumlie do we compt from Peter: vnto qu­home representing the haill kirk▪ oure lord sayeth, vpon this rock I will build my kirk [...]ter Peter succedit [...]inus efter linus, Clement efter Clement, Anacletus, efter Anacletus Fuaristus efter cuaristus Alexander. efter Alexander Sixtus, e [...]ter Sixtus, Theleesphorus efter The­lehsporus: ginius efter [...]ginius Anicetus: efter Anicetus Pius efter pius Soter, efter Sotor [...]leutherius: efter [...]leu­therius victor: efter victor Sepherinus, efter Sepherinus Calixius: efter C [...]lixtus v [...]banus: efter Vrbanus Pon­tianus, efter Pontianus Antherius, efter Antherius Cambianus, efter Cambianus Cornelius, efter Cornelius Lu­c [...]us: efter Lucius, Stephan, efter Stephan, Xistus, efter Xistus Dionysius, efter Dionysius Felix, efter Felix Eu­tichianus efter Eutichianus Gaius: efter Gaius Marcel­linus: efter Marcellinus Marcellus: efter Marcellus Eusebius, efter Eusebius, Melchiades: efter Melchiades: Syluester: efter Syluester Mark: efter Mark: Iulius: efter Iulius, L [...]erius: efter Liberius Damasus: efter Dama­sus Cyricius: efter Cyritius Anastasius: In this ordour [Page 34] of successioun, thair is found no Donatest, (nor Calui­nist) and zit gif ony wicked man had crepit in so mony zeri [...], that culd nocht hurt the kirk, and innocent Christian: to quh [...]me God prouiding, sais, spek and of euill prelatis: do efter thair saingis, bot nocht efter thair doingis. with the forsaid doctouris and pastoures of the kirk▪ all the rest dois aggre, that it appearis nocht neces­far for the present, to adduce thair testimoneis, as of Basi­lius, Gregorius Naziauz enus▪ Epiphanius and vthe­ris quha with ane accord confirmis the authoritie and power of the seat of Rome, with the forsaid fatheris. It restis that we proue in lykmaner, that they ackaulegit all the sacrifice of the blude and bodie of Christ, to be of­fered in his kirk in rememberance of his death and pas­sicuntlyk as in the auld law, it wes prefigurat be the sa­crifite and immolatioun of brutall beast is, and to begin at Martialis quha did see Christ, speketh in this maner.

Martialis: for quhen the altars of Deuils wer brocht in dust, we commandit the altar of the onknawen God,Mart. in ep [...] ad episc. Bui [...]deg. to be rescrued, that it micht be hallowit. And a litill ef­ter: Sacrifice is offered vnto God the creatour vpon ane hallowit altar, nocht vnto man nor vnto angell: and a clene oblatioun is offered vnto God, nocht onlie vpon the hallowed altar, bot alsuay in euerie place: we do offer▪ as he him self dothe witnes, his [...]odie and blude for euerlasting lyfe: saing, God is a spreit, and he that wirschipis him, must worschip him in spreit and treuth, haueand ane immaculat bodie without syn, becaus he was conceaued of the halie gaist, fuffer [...]t the same to be [...]ffered vpon the altar of the croce: that quhilk the Iewes offerit of inuy, think and to tak away his name owt of the earth, we for oure saluatioun [Page] do offer on the halie altar, for our lord commandeth ws so to do in rememberance of him.

Ignatius the discipill of S. I [...]hā, it is nocht lauchfull without a bischop to baptise, [...]gnat. epist. [...]d smirnen. to offer, or to mak sacrifi­ce, bot quhatsoeuer sall seme gude to him, according to the plesour of God, that that quhilk thow dois may be salf and sure. Ignatius can nocht speik heir of the sa­crifice of prayar, quhilk is permittit to euerie man: bot of the sacrifice of the bodie and blode of Iesus Christ.

S. Dionise efter that he had declareth the ceremo­neis, for ane greit part, [...]i [...]ny. Ar [...]op. [...]ccl [...]siast. [...]hierem. c. 3. of the sacrifice of the Messe, spekis in this maner: Quhen the bischop and preistis hathe weschet thair handis with watter, the bischop standeth in the middest of the halie altar. And a litill efter he sayeth, bot quhen the bischop had com­mendet the diwin giftis,The consecra­tion of the Messe. he dothe cōsecrat the holie and heich misteries,The liftings of the Messe. and sch [...]wis oppinlie that quhilk he had commendeth couerit and hid in venerabill signis,The cōmmu­nione. and seruing reuerentlie the heuinlie giftis,The adoratio­ne of the sa­crament. he gothe to the halie resauing of thame, and exhorted vtheris that thay will also communicat, And nocht lang efter agane he saith. O diuine and verray halie ministerie, schaw thy self vnto ws, oppinlie and planlie opening the [...]id couerings of signes, and fill oure spirituall ces with the singular and manifest brichtnes of thy licht.

Anacletus: a bischop offering sacrifice to God, most haue with him witnessis (as is ordened) and ministers,Anaclet. epist. 1. quhilk may gif thair consent to the sacrifice.

IustinusIust. contra Triphonem: martyr dothe expone the place of Malachie the propheit (quhair he says that thair salbe ane pure sacrifice offered to God in his kirk from the orient to the occide [...]t) of the sacrifice of the coup, quhilk is [Page 35] offered be Christianis euery quhair.

Ireneus, Christ twik breid, ane of his creatures, and geuing thankes, sayith,Iren. lib. 4. aduersus her [...] sos c. 52. this is my bodie, and the coup in lykewa [...]s one of his creatures and confessit it to be his blude, and so taught a new oblatioun of the new testament, quhilk the kirk resauing of the apo­stolis, offeris to God throw the haill warld, of the qu­hilk thing Malachie ane of the tuelf prophetis spak af [...]ir hand, my will is nocht in zousais the lord, for in euerie place is offerit to my name ane pure sacrifice. And in ane vther place, quhow dar thow say, that oure flesch turnit into corruption,Idem lib. 4. c. 43. and nocht to receaue lyf, quhilk is nurischet of the bodie and blude of Iesus Christ. Thairfoir lat thame change thair mynd, or lat thame desist from the offering of the thingis forsaid. Heir it is manifest that in the tyme of I [...]eneus, that is fourtein hundreth zeir ag [...], the sacrifice of the bodie and blude of Christ wes offerit throch the haill warld

Tertullian, we do mak sacrifice or oblatioun for the dead, the day of thair doparting euery zeir.Tertull. de corona mili­tes. Et libro ad uxorem. Quhow may I be albe to declair the happines of that matrimonie, quhilk is knit be the kirk of God, and confirmit be the sacri [...]ice or oblatioun.

Cyprian: for gif Iesus Christ our lord and God heich preist of God the father,Cypr. lib. 2. epist. 3. first offerit this sacrifice in the letter suppar, and cōmandit the same to be maid in remembrance of him treulie than, that preist dothe richtlie vse the office and place of Christ, quho followit that quhilk he did. Agane, this sacrifice is perpetuall, and a brunt offering remaning for euer,Idem ser [...]de cena dimini. Idem epist. 9. lib. 7. no numbre of people consumis this breid. It is decretit that na [Page] memorie suld be maid of thame in the sacrifice or obla­tion, quha had constitute preistis or c [...]kis, tutouris, or curatoris in thair letter will, becaus that ar on worthie to be namit at the altar quhair the sacrifice is offerit, quha dois distract the preistis from the seruice of God to se­cular effaris▪ in the tyms of the persecuion of Deci [...]s 13. hnndreth zeiris ago, the sacrifice of the bodie and blude of christ wes offerit in his kirk▪ as is he [...]r mani­fest of S.Cyrillus Hierosol. cath. mi­stog. 4. Cypriane quha than tholit martyrdome.

cyrillus Hierosolimit.: we call vpon God, that he send his halie spreit vpon the giftis thair present, that he may mak the breid, the bodie of Christ, and the vyne, the blude of christ▪ for q [...]hatsoeuer the spreit sall tui [...] he is sanctifiet and changet. and aluill efter: we offer to thee this oblatioun, for all thame that be in necessitie and this onbludie sacrifice, for the vniue [...] sall peace of the haill kirk. And ef [...]erwart he declaris, quhow in this sacrifice we pray for thame that ar departit, that thair-throw thai may obtene remission of thair synnis, in the quhilk thai did depart from this warld. And at lenth almaist declaris the haill ceremoneis, quhilkis as zit▪ ar vsit in the sacrifice of the Messe▪ quhairofit is cleir, that during the tyme of the persecution of Iulianus apostata the sacrifice for said was offerit to God be his kirk.

Chrysost.Chrysost. ho­m [...]l. 17. ad Hebreos. quhat than, do we nocht mak oblationis and sacrifice to god, zea treulie we offer sacrifice euerilk day in rememberance of christis death, and this sacrifice is on, and nocht mony, vtherwais becaus Christ is offered in mony places, thair wald be mony Christis, quhilk na way is to be granted, becaus thair is bot ane Christ, qu­hilk euerilk quhair is offered.Id. m hom. 24 [...] ▪ ad Cotint. Agane, Christ hes prepa­rit to ws ane sacrifice, mair excellēt and noble nor wes [Page 36] the sacrifice of the auld law, for haue and changeit the auld sacrifice in thair place, he hes comādit thut he him self suld be offered.

Ambrosius testifies,Ambr▪ de his qui myst. initiātur c. 9. that be the omnipotencie of God, the bread quhilk is proposit in the a 'tar, is changit in the bodie of Christ, and the wyne in his blode, albeid it ap­peris vtherwais to oure sensis, becaus that our imbecil­litie culd nocht support, to receaue the bodie and blode of Iesus Christ, in thair awin formes▪ thairfoir to con­descend to oure infirmitie and weaknes, he genis ws his bodie and blude vnder the formes of thais thinges, with the quhilkis we ar daylie accustamat.Idem 6 de sa­crament. c. 1. Agane: as our lord Christ Iesus is the treu sone of God nocht as vther men, he grace, bot be nature of the verie substan­ce of his father, so that quhilk we receaue is the veray treu flesche of Christ, as he him self dois testifie. B [...]t pe­rauenture [sais he] thou will ask▪ quhou is it his treu flesch, or his treu blode, becaus I see nocht treu blode, bot onlie ane resemblance? I ansuer sais he, that the word of God is of sic strenth and efficacie, that it may chan­ge and turne the commoun curs of nature.Idem 4. de sacram c. Agane, he techis quhou the bodie of Christ is treulie offered, as ane trew sacrifice to God the father: thairfoir (sais he) the preist sais thais wordis, we beand myndfull of his maist glorius passioun, and rysing from death, and ascension vnto heauen, offer vnto thee this immaculat sacrifice, this ressonnable and onblodie sacrifice, this halie breid, and coup of euerlesting lyfe, The quhilk wor­dis ar to this day vsit in the sacrifice of the Messe.

Augustin:Aug. lib. confess. c. My mother Monica desyred onlie that me­morie micht be had of hir at thy altar o lord, quhair sche knen to be ministrat that halie sacrifice, quhairbie [Page] the synes of the warld was tane away. Agane: in the sacrifice of Melchisedech, first apperit the sacrifice quhilk at this day is offered to God, throuch the haill warld be the Christianis: and that is fulfill it, quhilk wes forspo­kin lang ago, thou art ane preist for euer efter the or­dour of Melchisedech.d [...]m lib 20. Quhilk he dois declair in ane vther place:on [...]r. Faustā [...]. 18. now the Christianis dois celebrat, the me­morie of the sacrifice done afoir, in the halie oblatioun, and receauing of the bodie and blode of Christ. And quhen the gentiles reprochet the Christian religioun, be­caus that it permittit sacrifice to be offered to thame, quha was departit out of this warld:dem lib. 22. S. Augustin an­sueris in this maner:le ciuit. c. 10. we beild nocht templis to oure mar tyres as to Godis, bot in memorie of thame, as of men departit furth of this warld, quhais saulis leuis with God: nother do we erect altaris, in the quhilk is we may offer sacrifice to martyris: bot we offer onlie sacrifice vn­to him, quha is the God of the martyris [albeid we of­fer in memorie of thame] becaus we ar the preistis of God and nocht of the martyris. The caluinistis in thair kirk dois nother permit altaris, preistis▪ sacrifice, nor me­morie of martyris. Of the quhilk it is manifest, that it is nocht that kirk, quhilk during S. Augustenis tyme wes spred throch the haill warld Quha writting to Dar­danus spekis of the sacrifice of the Messe, as of ane thing maist knowen to all men. Thou knawis weill sais he, in quhat sacrifice we say,Idem epi. 57. Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro, from the humilitie of ehe quhilk sacrifice, thair proudnes and arrogancie, is far away.

Possidonias: quha wes present with S. Augustin at his departing from this warld writtis,Possidonius in vita Augu. that the same day he die [...], the sacrifice of the Messe wes offerit for him: ly­ke [Page 37] alsuay as Optatus Mileuitanus,Opt. Mile [...]. lib. 6. contra Parm. quha wes afoir S. Au­gustin, obiect is to the Donatistis, that thai braik doun the altaris in the quhilkis afoir thay did offer sacrifice vnto God,Atha. in q ad Ant. q. 34. and as the Iewis quha crucified Christ, did trait his bodie contumelioustie in the croce, suay do thai trait his bodie in the altare.Naz. in car. ad episcopos. And to be schort, the samyng is confirmit be the rest of the fatheris,Basil in sua leiturgia. as be A­thanasius, Nazianzonus,Hier ad Mar­cellam. Basilius, Hieronymus, Cassio­dorus, Eusebius emissenus, Damaschenus, to pretermit ane infiuit numbre of vtheris.Euseb. serm. de paschate.

As to councellis, I will onlie cite the councell of Nice, quhilk na man dar reiect,Damasi. lib. 4. c. 14. onles he be alluterlie deplo­ret, and without the commoun sense of nature.Cassiodo. i [...] Psal. 19. In the forsaid councell we find it decreated in this maner. It is adducet befoir the halie and vniuersall councell, that in sum particular places and cities, certane dei­kens ar accustumet to ministrat the sacrament to the preistis,Conci. Nice. can. 14. the quhilk nother decreit, nor consuetude doith approue, that thay quha on nawais hes receaued power to offer the sacrifice, fuld ministrat the sacra­ment vnto thame, quha hes receaued sic power. Now to conclude, considdering the cheif and principall pairt of this sacrifice, consistis in the consecratioun of the bodie and blude of Christ, the pastoures and Doctouris of all agis, nocht onlie beleued maist assuredlie, the trew and naturall bodie of our Saluioure to be in the sacrament of the altar, bot also of that, as ane maist sure and certane ground, doith proif vther miste­ries of oure faith, quhen thai wer in controuersie, as quhen in the tyme of Ireneus it wes affirmed be sum, that oure bodies quhilkis of thair awin natuir [Page] wer mortall, and subiect to corruptio [...]n, culd on na way be maid immortall.Iren. 4. con. The forsaid doctour did ansuer in this maner, [...]eres c. 34. our bodies (says he) be [...] of the con­iunctioun of the bodie and bloode of Christ in the sa­crament, quhilk is ar immortall, ar in lyken [...] maid capabill of immortalitie. [...]f wenaus, and the fatheris of that age had beleued as the Caluinistis dois now, this argument hid bene alluterlie vane and of na strenth, as it is easie to [...]uerie man to perceaue in lyk­maner, quhen Martion did profes ane maist wicked and balspheamous heresie, aganis the incurnatioun of our Saluiour, affirmand him nocht to be ane man in ve­ray deide,Tert. 4. cont. bot onlie be externall apparence: Tertulliun to preif that he wes aue man as we ar,Martionem. and composed of flesche and bloode as we did argument suay, Christ sais he gaue his bloode to his disciplis in the letter suppar, blood can nocht proceid bot from ane trew bodie, chair­foir Christ hade ane trew bodie, and wes ane ver­ray man.

Esterwart, quhen Areius denyed the sone of God to be consubstantiall with the father, the catholick men did obiect that place of the Euangell quhair Christ says,Iohan. 10. I and the father ar ane: of the quhilk thai colle­cted the sone to be consubstantiall to the father. The Arrianis did ansuer, that na thing culd be collected of that place contrar to thair opinioun, interpreting the father and the sone to be ane, nocht as concerning nature, bot be mutuall luf and cheritie, lyk as we all ar ane with Christ. then the catholict men did reply, as testifies Hylarius, that we ar conioned with Christ,Hylar. 8. de [...]rinitate. nocht onlie be lufe and cheritie, bot also substantiallie and corporallie, be the participatioun of [Page 38] his bodie and blood in the sacrament, quhairthrow the impudencie of Ioh [...]e Caluin and his ministers is easalie perceaued.

In lykmaner, quhen Nestorius begouth to blaspeme our Saluiour Christ Iesus, say and, that he wes onlie, ane man, and in nawais God, the halie, and catholict fathers, dothe resson aganis him in this maner, as testi­fies Cyrillus Alexandrinus. In the dalie sacrifice of the kirk,Cyril epi. ad Nestorium. we receaue the flesch of Christ, nocht as a comoun flesch, nor zit as the flesch of him in quhome God did duell, as in ane tabernacle, bot as flesch conioned with the diuinitie: vtherwais it culd nocht haue strenth, to quicken and viuificat oure bodies,Iohan. 6. according to Chri­stis awin saing. quhlik is so cleir and manifest, that the heretykis thair selues dois gif ws sufficient testimo­nie thair of, Luther in ane of his epistolis says, that the haill warld with ane accord afoir thir seditious men,Luth. epi. ad Marchio. beleued the trew and naturall bodie of our Saluiour to be in the sacrament,Brādeburg. suay that it is na les impietie to trow vtherwais, nor to condamne the hall kirk of God and Christ him self and his apostolis of maist wicked and abominable heresie. And in ane vther place he writtis in this maner:Idem in epi ad fratres Argent. gif Carolstadius, sais he or ony vther, culd haue prouen vnto me, in the sacramēt of the altare to be onlie breid and wyne, he wald done me ane greit plesour, becaus thairthrou I did easalie un­derstand, that I micht haue done greit domage to the Papistrie, bot efter greit labouris quhilk I haue bestowet in that mater,Philipi: M [...] ­lanch. in es­stola ad fr­dericum M [...] ­cenium. I find my self bound and captiue, becaus the text of the scripture is sa plane, and manifest, that it can na wais be thrawin to no vther sence. Quhilk also is confirmet be Philip Melanc, hon, I know, sais he, [Page] I will appeir verray dule and of sober iugement to su [...] mē, becaus I do nocht interpreit the wordis of oure sal, uiour, Hoc est corpus meum, be ane trop or ane figure, bot treulie sais he, gif libertie be anis granted, to inter­preit the scriptures be sic tropis or figuris according to oure phantasie, we sall neuer be assured of the trew sen­ce and intelligence thairof, as he deducis verray weill be sindrie exemplis, and efterwart he concludis in this maner: as to me, to follow fic ane opinione, quhilk of lait is inuented be Carolstadius, ane maist vngodlie, and wicked man aganis so manifest scriptures, and the vniuersall consent of the kirk of God, quhilk euer hes bene afoir ws, I can haue na assurance in my consciēce. suay to returne to our purpois, I beleue that no mā is so blind, that dois nocht perceaue first zour impudencie, and secundlie that the sacrifice of the Messe hes euer be­ne in the kirk of God, sen it [...]egouth. Bot apperandlie ze wald play with ws fast and lous, for albeid ze require the testimoneis of the fathers to be producet, zit ze say, ze will gif thame no credence, bot insafar as as thai ar conforme to the word of God: euin as zour brane wer ane infallible reul thairof, that quhat sum­euer ze imaginat or dreme, nocht withstanding it be contrar to the vniuersall consent of the haill warld, zit becaus it procedis of zou, it aucht to be embraced as the word of God. Bot to the effect zour iuglarie he [...]n­derstand, I will oppin and manifest that quhilk de­ceaues zou, and the rest of zour ministres, coucer­ning the authoritie of the ancient fatheris of the kirk. we acknawlege the fatheris to haue bene men as ze do, and that thay micht haue fall [...]n in sindrie kynd of errouris, lyk as at sumtyme thay haue fallin: albeid, [Page 39] becaus thay did, at all tymes continew thame selues within the Catholick kirk, thair errouris culd on na wais ingendre ony preiudice to thair saluatioun. Bot quhair we do vse thair authorities for confirmatioun of our faith, we adduce thame onlie as witnes to ws, of that religion quhilk the catholik kirk during thair tyme did imbrace. Suay of necessite ze ar constranit, other to deny, that to be the trew kirk quhilk thay did acknawlage: or to embrace that doctrine quhilk in thair tyme the trew and catholick kirk imbraced. As be exemple, Ireneus testifies, that in his tyme the sacri­fice of the bodie and bloode of Christ wes offerit throucht the haill warld, suay dois testifie Iustine martyr.Iren. 4. c. 34. And to pretermit the rest. S. Augustene in ane thousand places.Iust. de dial. c. Tripho. Gif ze permit nocht sic sacrificies to be offeret in zour kirk,Aug. in epist. 33. & lib. 20. contra Faust. c. 38. it is necessar to zou to con­fes, that S. Augustene did nocht acknawlage the trew kirk, nor the rest of the fathers in lykmaner ci­ted of befoir.De ciuit. lib. 10. ca. 6. &. 20. Thairfoir we vse thair testimoneis, as ane necessar argument to be certifiet of that faith and religioun, quhilk euer hes bene taucht in the kirk of God sen it begouth, quhilk we do according to S. Paulis counsall, quha says, that Christ hes geuin his doctours and pastouris, to the effect we be nocht se­duced, and allured with euerie licht doctrine, quhilk ze on the vther pairt will nawais acknawlage, eue­rie ane excogitane to him self ane new forme of reli­gioun, contar to that quhilk hath bene establischet be the vniuersall consent of all nations. and maist cleielie expressed in the word of God.

HEir I pray the readar to considder diligētlie this in­u [...]sible kirk of Schir Iohne knox, be the quhilk he is constrani [...] to grant, that the Doctours and pastouris cited of bēsoir, dois naway appertene to the kirk of God: for it is maist certane that that kirk, quhilk thay ac­knawleges wes visible, ād manifest to the warld. Moro­wer the kirk to be inuisible it is maist erronious and re­pugnant to all scriptures: for quhat can be more mani­fest and clier,Isai. 60. nor that, quhilk of befoir wes cited of Isa­ias the portes of the kirk sall euer be patent baith nicht and day. And that, quhilk almaist all the prophets with ane v [...]ce dois testifie,Daniel. 2. that the kingdome and inheritāce of Christ▪ salbe mair triumphand and glorious,Psall. 88. nor euer [Page] wes [...]ny empyre or kingdome afoir him,Psal. 93. and that it sall continew in the former magnificence, to the end of the warld. Bot Sr. Iohne knox, of lait illuminat be sum new ent husiasme or reuelatioun, will be the contrar, that Sathan his maister posseid all visible kingdomes, nations citeis, and that Christ for his inheritance hes reserued onlie to him self, ane inuisible kingdome. Christ in lyk­wais the ondoubted fundatour of his awin kirk sp [...]i­k and to his apostolis, quhome he had constitute and or­danit pastoures thair of, schaweth the same to be visi­ble at all tyme, saying, ane citie situat vpon ane mon­tan can nocht be onknawen or hid,Math. 5. thairby willing his apostolis, and pastours to schene euin as ane bricht mirrour to vtheris in the veritie, as being constitute in sic preeminence, and prerogatiue aboue the rest, quhair thay culd nocht at ony tyme be onknawen, and thairfoir he dois call thame the licht of the warld. Quhilk wor­des in respect thay ar iustlie referret to the pastours, we do cōsequentlie imbring that the pastours being knawē the kirk necessarlie man be visible: and as the licht can nocht be in the darknes, suay the pastours of the kirk can nocht be inuisible. He testifies alsuay, that na man doth licht ane lanterne, putting it vnder ane firlot bot in ane chādler, to the effect the haill hous may haue licht: suay gif the euangell of Christ be the lanterne, be verteu of the quhilk the haill warld is illuminat, gif the kirk this mony hundreth zeris hath remanit inuisible, Christ hath collocat his euangell vnder ane firlot, qu­hik to allege, is ane maist abhominable impietie, and repugnan [...] to Christ him self. He saith alsuay, gif ony man offend zou, accuse him to the kirk: than he supposed his kirk necessarlie to be visible. And [Page 37] as this precept and comand of Christ, can nocht expyre afoir the end of the warld,Math. 18. suay euer to the end of the warld his kirk mon be visible. Moreower, in the funda­tioun and beilding of it he certifies ws, that on naways it salbe suppressed or ourcū be ony maner of tribulatioū or persecution, quhik the experiēce it self dois maist ful­lelie declair: for in the greuous and horribill persecutio­nis of nero,Math. 16. Domitianus, Decius, Diocletianus, and the rest, his kirk nocht onlie wes nocht obscured, or in ony way inuisible, but be the contrar mair declarie and publised to the warld, in safar that Diocletia­nus and Maximinianus, throch desperatioun that thay culd nocht exterminat,Niceph. li. 7. c. 20. and abolisse the name of Christ, deposit thair empyris, suay that we may iustlie affirme with al christiane men that hes bene afoir ws.zonaras in­uita Dioclet. San­guis martyrum semen ecclesiae. Sathan zonr mai­ster be this assault perceaue and him self of les strenth, nor that he culd euert the hous of God, did excogita­tat ane vther assault, na les dangerous and heuy to the pure flock of Christ, that becaus he culd nocht bring thamefra the professioune of the name of Christ, to maist abhominable Idolatrie, he did call vp to him self sum extraordinar prophetis lik zou, quha in deid wer alluterlie separat frome Christ, bot in externall apparence, apperit to be Christianis, to the effect, that mair easalie the pure, and simpill people, vnder the pre­text of the name of Christ, micht be seduced. Sic extra­ordinar prophetis hes bene callit heretikis, as we do call zou for the present, bot the hous of God, is sa weill beilded, and vpon ane sa firme and sure ground, that this assalt of Sathan, quhou dangerous that euer it be, may na mair nor the former assault. For as te­stifies [Page] Sainct Paul, heresies ar permitit, to the effect that thay, quha ar prouin be maid manifest: as he wald say, that be heresies the kirk is mair illustrat, and the veritie is mair tryet, and notoriouslie declaret vnto the warld. Quhilk in lykmaner, is confirmit be be expe­rience of all agis. To begin at Symon Mag [...], to Mar­tin Luther and Iohne Caluin. And in dide we may loue and glorifie God, that for correctioun of his kirk, he hes permittit sic heresies as we sec to ryse in our days: for nocht onlie be thame, the Catholick kirk is on na ways ourcum, nor the veritie obscured that it is maid mair cleir and euident, nor euer it wes afoir. For as to the multitude of Christiane men, it is gretumlie in­cressed sen Luther begouth to preche his fist Euangell, as concerning doctrine and eruditioun, alsueill in scripturis as in histories antiquittes, and all kynd of writtars: It is sa flurish▪ and in the Catholick kirk for the present, that: gif we wald compair thir days with thais in the quhilkis Luther begouth, for ane that wes ony way lernit, we ar able to produce ane thou sand. As to correctioun of maners [to pretermit ane i [...]finet numbre of thame quha from thair Idolatrie ar conuertit to the faish of Christ in sindrie cuntrais quhair the name of Christ wes nocht afoir acknawlegit we see sic reformatioun of all kynd of estait, that we haue greit occasioun to loue and glorifie God of his benefites. As concerning the religioun now professit be the Ca­tholick kirk, it is satryed be deductioun of all agis, hi­stories, vritters, to be that same self religioun, quhik euer hes bene embraced be Christian men, sen thay begouth, that na man, quha is nocht alluterlie repro­bat, or blindit in his awin fantasies, dar deny it. Suay [Page 42] we may easalie perceaue, that the force and strenth of Sathan, sall neuer be able to ourthraw the hous of God, nor his ministeris the lauchfull pastouris of the kirk. Quhairthrou it is maist cleir, that the kirk of God, lyk as it wes visible quhen it wes foundet be Christ, and be his Apostolis, suay in dispyte of Sathan and all his accōplesis, quhou gre [...]t that euer thair vproir or thundering be, sall romane visible to the end of the warld. and the spous of Crist sall euer be able to sing the triumphand and glorius sang of the quhilk Dauid makis mentioun in hir persone. Saepe expugnauerunt me a iu­uentute mea,Chrs. in Is [...] homil. 4. etenim non potuerunt mihi. Thairfoir the halie and glorious Doctour Chrysostome says, that it is easier the sone to be priuat,Aug. in epis▪ Ioā. tract. 2. and destitute of licht, nor the kirk to be onywais obscurit. S. Augustene alsuay, quha euer says he dois no [...]ht see the kirk, he is blind. And in ane vth r [...]place, the propheitis, says he, hes spoken [...]air cleirlie of the kirk nor of Christ,Idē in Psa 30. becaus thai knew be the spreit of Prophecie, that amangis thame quhasuld profes the name of Christ▪ thair wes to be mony contro­uerseis of the kirk, and for that caus, that na man suld be begylit in sa wechtie a mater, thai did speik sa cleirlie of it▪ And albeid the prophetis had nocht forspoken sa euidentlie, that the kirk at all tyme suld be visible, nor zit Christ him self, nor his a­postolis had left sa certa [...]e and [...]ndoubted testimony thairof: nocht withstanding the kirk of it selfis of sic nature, that it is nocht possible, that it be ordourlie con­tine wit and conseruit, onles it be in all agis visible. First becaus it is requisit to the conseruatioun of the kirk (considdering it is composed of mortall men) that sum men quha did nocht of befoir appertene vnto [Page] it, adione thame thairto: than I domand quhow can it be possible, that in all age thair be sum quha do adione thame to the kirk, onles in all age it be visible. More ower, it is requisit in lykmamer that the pastours of the kirk haue sum power and ordour, be the quhilk thay may be acknawlegit as lauchfull ministers: gif the kirk at ony tyme had bene inuisible, it followis ne­cessarli [...] that the ministers, quha dois immediatlie suc­ceid thairefter, becaus they haue nocht ressauit thir po­wer and authoritie be the kirk (considdering it wes as than inuisible) be destitute of all authoritie of lauchfull pastoures, suay that na man can be bound or obleist be the law of God, to obey thame, of the quhilk the ex­treme ruine and exterminione of the kirk dois necesser­lie follow. And to be schort I wald domand, gif zour kirk, this mony hundreth zearis: hes followit, and embraced that maner of wirschiping of God, and administratione of sacramentis, quhilk the catholick kirk, or as ze call it the papisticall kirk, hes followit or nocht. Gif ze ansuer, that it hes followit sic maner of wir schining of God as the Catholick kirk. then I collect necessarlie that zour haill kirk wes composet of hypo­critis, that is, of thame quha exterio [...] lie professit ane reli­gione, and in wartlie ane vther, and suay it culd nocht be the kirk of God. becaus in our beleif we say, I beleue the catholick kirk. Gif ze ansuer that zour kirk hes wirschiped God in ane vther maner, that is, as ze do now, and follow it the lyk administratione of sacramen­tis as ze do: than I collect necessarlie, that it wes visi­ble: becaus it is nocht possible, that in ane assemblie or congregatione of men, thay be diuers maners of worschiping of God, and of the administratione of Sacramētis, [Page 39] onles the ane pairt be knawin to the vther: suay of ne­cessitie thay aucht bayth to be visible. I pretermit, that in all contrais quhair the name of Christ euer hes be­ne professit, thair is historeis maist faythfullie conte­nand the beginning, cours, and continuall progres of the kirk, euin vnto this present aige: bot quhow ony historicall narratioun culd haue correspondit to ane inuisibll kirk, I can nocht full alie perceaue. As to the authoritie of the ancient fatheres, pastoures, councels, or assembleis of Christian men as said is, be ane vniuersall consent thay confirme this to be trew: in safar, that all the ministers of the world, can nocht be able to produce ane in the contrar, quha in ony aige hes bene estemit as ane lauchfull pastour of the kirk.Math. 5. This is the trew citie collocat on the montan, quhilk can nocht behid. This is the bricht lanterne, quhilk can nocht be put onder ane firlot, this is, the tabernacle of Christ,Psal. 18. collocat nocht in the darknes bot in the sone.Psal. 62. This is the hous of God, in the quhilk magnisicens and halines or to be found, euin to the end. Lat zou nocht heirfoir sa gretumlie be abu­sed, in zour awin phantasticall imaginations, as to beleue that quhilk is repugnant to sa manifest scriptu­res, and cleir testimoneis of the maist ancient fathers: and to conclude contrar to the vniuersall consent of the haill warld afoir zour zou. Bot perchance Schir Iohne knox hes fum demonstratione, or necessar ar­gument, be the quhilk he is mouit to say the kirk to be inuisible, thairfore I thocht expedient to ad­duce his resson, and motiue in that part: we beleue, says he, the kirk to be catholick, thairfoir it is inui­sibill. Thus is ane argument treulie maist subtile and [Page] strenthie, be the quhilk Schir Iohne knox prouis ne­cessarlie (gif he prouis ony thing) that his kirk is as z [...]t inuisible. Becaus gif he wer domandit, quhe­ther gif he beleuis the Catholick kirk or nocht: Gif he ansueris he beleuis nocht, than he wantis the maist chief article of his beleif. Gif he ansuer that he beleuis it, than according to his argument it fol­lowis necessarlie, that it is as zit inuisible. Thair­foir he is constranit to grant that of the forsaid ar­ticle of the faith, it can be naways prouen the kirk at ony tyme to be inuisible. For quhen the apostoles authoriset, and setfurth thais articles, thay did ac­knawlege the kirk: Bot gif Schir Iohne knox had be­ne in thais days, be this argument he wald haue ne­cessarlie collected the contrar, euin aganis the apo­stolis thame selues. Bot to proceid I will declair the ground quhairupon zour ignorance is foundet. We beleif the Catholick kirk, and neuertheles we see the pastouris of it, we se the externall administra­tioun of the sacramentis, we see the outwart signes and ceremoneis of religioun. zit to acknawlege tha­me quha vsis sie exercise of religione, to be the trew kirk of God, and gouernit be his halie spreit, it is necessare we haue fayth: suay at all tyme we beleue the halie and Catholick kirk, nocht obstant all ex­teriour appareill, quhilk is obiected to oure senses. As for exemple, the heretikes seis euidentlie the pastour [...], quhairof the Catholick kirk consistes, bot in respect altogether thay inlaik the verteu of faith, beleuis it nocht to be the trew kirk: thairfoir ne­cessarlie fayth is requeseit to beleue the kirk, euin [Page 44] quhen it is maist visible. Nor zit [as ze do maist fre­uolie and falslie affirme) Thomas beleued that quhilk he saw bot that quhilk he saw nocht: he saw Christ as concerning his humane nature, bot be faith he be­leued him to be God. Quhairfoir it is manisest, that zour argument adduced to preif the inuisibilie of the kirk, is vane and of nastrenth, Quhair ze conclude. the kirk of God to tak the wingis of ane Egle▪ and flee in the desert, ze cleirlie declair zour self ane fals pro­pheit: in respect that Christ hes commandit ws ex­preslie, to se [...]k him in his kirk and hes na les expreslie forbiddin to seik him in the desert. Thairfoir his kirk can nocht be in the desert. Bot grant and to zou that it had bene in the desert, ze suld haue schawin at mair lenth, quhow lang thair it hade remanit: and maist cheiflie of all, [...]old haue declarit be quhome as principall instrumēt [...] it had bene brocht furth of the desert. For as to ws, we haue sene nane of thame, qu­home ze say to haue bene in the desert, bot ane forlop­pen companie of monkis and freris, nocht out of the de­sert, bot of the closter to embrace the libertie of zour euangell: suay I feir grethumlee, that in quhatsumeuer desert zour kirk wes afoir zou, it do as zit thair in remane. Thus I am constranit to say, becaus thair is na thing in the quhilk ze vant mair, nor that Christ hes reseruet to him selfe mony thousandis, quha hes nocht bowit thair knie to Baal: As to zou all, consid­dering ze haue embraced samtyme our religioun, gif it be fals, ze haue all bowit zour knies to Baal: thairfoir of necessitie ze mon all pas to the de­sert [Page] to serce and inquyre thame, quh [...]me Christ hes reserued to him self, and quha hes nocht bowit as zit thair knies to Baal. Forther, gif zour kirk afoir Io­hne Caluin wes in the desert, and alluterlie inuisible, ze can nocht be assured in ony ways, quether gif it vsed sic scriptures as we vse or nocht: thairfoir ze haue na iust title [considering ze reiect the authoritie of oure kirk) to vsurpe oure scripturis in ony ways: for lyk as zour kirk wes in the desert, suay wes zour scriptures, and becaus that na man hes brocht tha­me furth of the desert as zit, we may instlie suspect that thay be sumpart discrepant from ouris, at the leist ze can nocht be assured in the contrar. Thairfoir of necessitie ze mon proue [considdering the scriptu­res can nocht be acknawlegit bot be the trew kirk) ether that zour inuisibill kirk hes vsit sic scriptu­res as we vse, or ellis ze can haue na iust title, nor authoritie to vsurpe oure scriptures.

As quhair ze say, that Elias be his exempill, dois confirme the kirk at sum tyme to haue bene in­uisible: gif we wald grant vnto zow that thing quhilk ze maist ernistfullie desire, to wit the kirk during the tyme of Elias to haue bene inuisibill, zit ze war no nerar zour propos. First becaus that in the self same tyme, we haue for oure part at the leist Elias, quhome we may produce as witnes aganis zow: zebe the contrar can nocht be able to name ane, during the tyme of the inuisibilitie of zour kirk. Secūd­lie the kirk of God hes at na tyme bene sa obscurit nor hid, bot he of his prouidence hes reseruit sindrie, as ane seminar, be quhome he hes prorogat his doctrine to the [Page 45] posteritie. Thairfoir gif ze wald haue followit the exem­pill of Elias, ze suld haue produced ane at the leist, in­dewit with the trew wirschiping of God fra quhome it had ordourlie cum vnto zow, and the remanent of zour prophetis. For in this maner we reid, that Elias did anoynt, and constitute Heliseus ane propheit. And gif ze wald considder the haill histories of the au'd testament, ze sall nocht be abill to find, that in ony tyme the trew wirshiping of God did sa perische, in the quhilk he hes nocht reseruet sum, as said is, as ane seminar to the posteritie. Quhilk, gif we see to haue sa prec [...]selie obseruit in the synagoge, quhik wes bot ane schaddou, and vmbre of the trew kirk, and at sū tyme wes to haue ane ēd: quhat thā suld we beleif of the kirk Christ, quha for inheretance hes receaued the hail warld. And as he testifies him self, the seid quhilk he hes plantit, that is his word, sall grow and multiplie euin to the end of the warld. For albeid that it, be pers [...]cutione, heresies, or vther meanis maid de­cay in sumpart of the warld: zit vniuersalie it sall nocht decay befoir the letter day, quhairfoir the exem­pill of Elias doth na ways help zou. Bot quhat gist preif euin during the tyme of Elias, the kirk to haue bene vi­sitill, mycht nocht the haill warld be iustoccasioun call zou ane maist impudent man, and worthie of oll puni­tioun, quha dois abuse the simple and ignorāt people be sic forgett and fals persuasions. Thairfoir, that zour impudencie be knawin to the haill warld, I ansuer re­solutlie, that in the tyme of Elias, and in that self same tyme quhilk ze allege, the kirk of God was visi­ble [Page] and manifest in the haill kinkdome of Iuda, the sa­crifice wes offerit in Hierusalem, the ceremoneis and exercise of religioun wes practised: Io saphat quha wes than king, was ane of the maist Godlie princes, that euer rāg in Iudatand to be schort, throw his haill empyre, all thing wes to be found [...]uhilk wes ony way requisit to the visibili ie of the kirk as i, manifest in the bu [...]kis of the kinges. It is trew, that in the kingdome of Israel the persecutioun wes greit, in sa far, that Elias beleuit that amang the prophetis of God he wes left his alane, bot S. Iohne knox, other be extreme ignorāce, or extre­me malice wald collect uniuersallie, that the haill kirk wes than inuisibill. becaus Elias mening of the persecu­tione of Achab onlie, and on naway of the kingdome of Iuda did say that he wes left his alane. Thairfoir to conclude this argumēt quhilk [...]sis to be the cheif groūd of the inuisibill kirk of Iohne Caluin, and S. Iohne knox is allut [...]rlie aganis thame: that onles thair mēstrals had lang syne tint all schame, thay suld be eschemit of sic vane and fantasticall doctrine, [...]gust. de [...]nit. ecclesie [...]tat. Mil. [...]nt. Perm. [...]iero. cont. [...]eif. Tert. [...] prescrip. [...]t. heret. & [...]d. Cypr. de [...]it. eccl. contrar to all scripture, to all othoritie, to all resson, foundit on sic freuol and vane imaginations reid S. Augustene. Optatios Mile­uitanus, S. Hierome, Tertullian, S. Cypriane, and thair ze will find at lēth, quhatsueuer I haue brocht aganis zou. Quhilk I say to that effect, that the reader per­ceaue, that ze haue vsit na vther argumentis, for the confirmatione of the maist cheif ground and pillar of zour religioun, that is to est thelis zour inuist ill kirk nor thay quha in all agis hes bene estemit as heretikis: And thad I, be the contrar to proue the kirk to be visi­ble in all age, and to haue continuall successioun of lau­chfull [Page 46] pastours and doctouris, do vse na vther argumē ­tis bot thais, quhilk in all agis, thay that wer estemit for Christiane men, and lau bfull pastouris of the kirk doth euer vse.

I Micht hane passit this iustlie onder silence, becaus it contenis nathing quhilk ony way is contrar to me. [...]ot in respect it abundet of maist impudent lyes, I culd [Page 49] [...]ocht be satisfiet in my conscience, [...]nl [...]s I had incidētlie admoneist the reader thairof, to the end he micht ac­knowlege the sinceritie of zour euāgell. As quhair ze reios sa gretumlie in the succes of zour dostrine, that it hes suay within schort space incresced, an multipliet: veralie I see na caus quhilk may in on [...] wais moue zou Suay, in that part: in respect God, quha of his infinit prouidence conse [...]ues his kirk at all tyme, hes in ane gre [...]t part purget it of men of zour faction: of the quhilk, sum be his iust iugement ar rutis out, as on profitable and pernicions to the hail warld, [...]theris vnderstanding thame selues to haue bene meruelouslie dec [...]aued, hes reunited thame selues agane to the Catholict faith. Suay that thair is few in th [...] haill warld, quha doith frielie profes zour doctrine, onles it be in [...]ngland, Scotland, and in the countie of [...]alatine in Germainie. Thairfoir it hes nocht sa gretum [...]lie incressed as ze beleue. and be the prouidēce of God the vanitie of it is daylie mair and mair espyed. Bot to pas fordwart, ze promeis first to ad­duce certane testimoneis, be verteu of the quhilk ze may be able to preif deprauation, nocht onlie of maners, bot alsuay of doctrine to haue bene in the Romane kirk. Bot haueād adduced sum testimoneis of abbat [...]oa­chim, and Auentinus, concernand onlie the corrup­tio [...] of maneris, and that bot of sum particulair persones ze do on nawais adduce ony testimonie, cō [...]orme to zour promeis quhairef deprauatiō of doctrine in ony sort may be collected: nor zit makād mention of ony, that did profes zour doctrine in ony age. For as cōcerning depraua­tioun of maneris in sum particulair, personis, we do grāt it allreddie wnto zou, suay that ze mistert nocht to haue hestowit sa mekill [...]yme, in probatioun thairof, lyk as [Page] gidder in his kirk to the day of iugement. Bot as ane euill dialectitien, of ane particular or tuay, wald col­lect the vniuersall to be trew. As quhair ze obserue ane smal numbre of Prelatis, or pastouris of the kirk to fall in ony [...]ce, ze collect the haill remanent to be alyke. Thairfoir behald quhat S. Augustene doth wreit in ane of his epistolis:Aug. epist. 137. Quhat is it [saith he] that thay do maist diligētlie obserue and nott, bot as ane particular bischop clerk, or religious man dothe fall, suay beleif thay of the pastouris: and zit nocht withstanding, quhen thay ob­serue ony particular woman conioned in matrimony, notet as ane adulterar, nother do thay mak diuorcemēt with thair wyues, nor accuses thair motheris of the lyk salt Suay albeid the Papes of Rome had bene [...]sic men as ze allege, it is no preiudice to the catholick religioū as S.August. lib. 2 contra lite [...]as pet [...]li ani c. 51. Augustin prouis aganis the heretikis of his age, quha did argument aganis him euin as ze do. Quhat euill (says he) hes the seit of Rome done [...]vnto the, in the quhilk sat vmquhile Petir, and in the quhilk Anasta­sius do [...] presentlie sit (Gregorius 13.) or the seat of Hie­rusalem, in the quhilk S. Iames vmquhil did sit, and in the quhilk presentlie Iohne dois [...]it, with quhome we do aggre in vnitie of doctrine, and fra quhome ze haue violentlie separat Zour selues: quhy callis thou the seat of Rome the chear of pestilence: gif thou obiectis that th [...]y leue licenciou [...]e, and nocht according to Goddis law, thow micht haue considderit, that Christ, nochtwithstanding he reproches the scribis and pharisees that thay war wicked me, zit he dois honour the chear of Moyses, in the quh [...]lk thay sat. Hactenus Augu­stinus. Bot in dide thair is tuo thingis worthie of admi­ratioun, in this discurs of Sr. Iohne knox the ane is, [Page 50] that haueand the space of fyue zeris to ansuer vnto my letter, espetiallie being assistit thairto be te haill concur­rence of his ministers, he employet nocht sumpart of that tyme, to perceaue of quhat author I had allegit that sentence, nihil infoelici [...] foelicitate peccantiū ▪ qua & lae talis nutritur tmpunitas, & mala volūtas tanquā inte rior hostis roboratur. Quhilk gif he had done, he had nocht committie so great ane falt into a mater so small, for quho w [...]eid it be no errour in his religioun, that he hes writtin towart this sentence, zit it is ane greit er­rour in eruditioun,Aug. epist. ad Marcel­linum. first to misknaw, that S. Augustin wes the author of that sentence (it spetiallie being co­mone and vulgar) and meakle mair to misknaw quhat it menis, or to quhat effect it wes said, for it wes nocht said aganis the Papis of Rome, as he fal [...]lie allegis, bot aganis the paganis of Rome, suay I maruell of his impu­dēcie, that nochtwithstanding he confessis him self to misknaw the author of it, zit he affirmes that it wes said aganis the Papis of Rome, I maruell alsuay that he vsis the authoritie of Abb [...]t Ioachim, to proue cor­ruptioun of doctrine in the Romane kirk, considering he confessis him to haue bene ane Paptist. And as is mani­fest of the concell of laterane,Con: later. can. 2. he submittit his haill writ tingis to the correctioun of the kirk of Rome: quhilk he wald nocht haue done, gif he had iugit it to haue follo­wit fals and corrupted doctr [...]ne. Suay Sr. Iohne knox in citing hi [...] authoritie, schawis cleirlie that he hes litill regard to the veritie, or ellis he suld haue bene eschamit to haue brocht sic mēnis testimoneis in confirmatio­ne of ony thing, quhilk concernis his doctrine or re­ligioun▪ bot becaus he is destitute of all gude and so­lid ground, he is constranit so to do, that he appei [...] [Page] nocht to the simple and ignorant people, quhilk he de­ceauis, to hald his toung. Suay all that quhilk he hes brocht of Ioachim prouis onlie sum corruptione and de­prauatioun of maners, to haue bene in the kirk during his tyme, quhilk we haue grātit al reddie without ony probatioun: And we adde thairto, onles thair had bene sum corruption of maners in our kirk, zour synagoge had euir riddin with ane thin court, becaus it is con­stitute onlie of the corrupted, and onprofitable membres of our kirk, that is, of Licentius and fil hie men, aban­don [...] to thair anwin plesures: quhilkis becaus thai culd nocht enioy in the catholick kirk according to thair professioun, thai haue institute ane synagoge to thame self: as be example freir Mar [...]in Luther ane man of greit verteu and austeritie of lyf, did begin the play, thare [...]er followit dene Iohne Ecolāpadius, and sindri [...] vthers in Germanye, as in Scotland, freir Iohne willox, done Iohne winraip, [...]chir Iohne knox, done Nicol spit­tel, and [...]indrie vtheris extraordinar prophetis, quha of thair a win power and authoritie, hes e [...]ekit and buil­dit suche notable ki [...]kis, that thay may iustlie be com­parit in halines and perfection of lyf, with the kirkis of Hierusalem, Achaia, and vtheris quhilks wer buildit be the apostlis thame self.

I Micht iustlie reiect quhat sumeuer z [...]cite of Auētinus becaus he is of no anthoritie, and mairour wes ane lu­ [...]herian, suay that it is na maruell that beand addicted [Page] beand addicted to his awin opinione he rayl sum [...]ty­mes aganis the papis of Rome. Gif ze wald haue hade ony credeit ze suld haue cited historiographoris of sum authoritie, and quha had bene afoir thir tu­multis, Zet that zour malice be knawin, I wil ordour­lie rehers quhat euer ze say, and to begin at Lotharius king of Vngarie, that the veritie [...]e mair fullelie per­ceauit I wil recoumpt the haill historie. Lothari [...] king of Vngarie hueand Thiebberg to his wyf, be ane licht phantasie and without occasion did mak diuorcement be the autoritie of Gontire bischop of Colane (fenzeand him myndfull te marie the said Gontires neice, to the effect he micht tharbie conqueis mair affectionatlie his authoritie) and of Thietgald, bischop of Ments, ane man bot simple and litil b [...]sene in the scriptures. Quhil­kes maters being rypelie considderit, be the Romane bischop did excomunicat Lotharius and de pryued the sadis tuay bischop [...]s in respect of thair concurrēce and assistance maid to him. Thietgald patientlie berand the mater did nocht in ony sort efterwart mel him self with the administratioun of his former office, as grantād him to haue bene iustlie deposed thairfra. Gon­terus did oppose him self in that pairt to the bischop of Rome, affirmand allmaist all that quhilk ze haue rehersie. This is the trew narratioun of the historie of Lotharius: now I will collect the strenth of zour argu­ment in few word [...]s: ane bischop of Germanie moued be ambitioun in ane iniust caus opposit him to the Pape of Rome, quhat can be collecked of this propositione I can nocht easelie perceaue. Thairfoir I leif the conclusion to be gadderit be zour ministers. As concerning the esti­matioun of that age of the [...]eat of Rome, it is first n [...] [Page 52] toriuslie knawin of the fourt councell of Constanti­nopole, quhairin wes hard the vniuersall and ag­greable consent of the haill pastouris of the k [...]rk during that tyme. And in lyk maner of loys Empri [...]ur of the oc­cidēt, quha passit him self to the bischop of Rome for the tyme, and of Michael Empriour of the [...]rient, quha in lykmaner did send his legatis: and alsuay of the haill writtars of that age. And last of all of the said Lotha­rius quha passit to Rome to Adrian the secund that suc­cedit to Nicolas the first, that he micht be absoluit fra his excommunicatiō, and forther to the effect he micht mair fullalie testifie his innocencie, and purge him of the crymes that wer obiected aganis him, desyrit to res­saue the blissit sacrament in teakin and confirmation thairof, the quhilk Adrian than bischop of Rome culd nocht refufe. Bot shortlie haueand receauet the sacra­ment, inlakit: quhair bie ze may perfytelie knaw qu­hat religioū the haill warld professit, and in quhat esti­matioun the authoritie of the seat of Rome was as than.

THe trew narra [...]tioun of the historie is this. Henrie the 4. haueand commitet sindrie and diue [Page 53] wechtie crymes, was excommunicat be Gregorius the [...] bischop of Rome, quha of befoir wes namit Heldebrand. During the quhilk tyme thair wes certane bischopis of Germanie fauorars of the empriour. amāgis the quhil­kis villiame bischop of Mastrich as principall accused the said Greg [...]ir as onlauchfullie electit,Lambertus de gestis ger­man▪ in fin [...] Buching [...]ru [...] in vita gre­gori 17. Cu­spinianus in vita henrici imerat. and on wor­thie of that seat: quha [...]throw be ane comoun concell a­mongis th [...]me thay did surrogat the bis [...]hop of Rauēne in his rowme. Bot considder the end of the tragedie (as ze call it) the said Henrie the fourt fenzeand emendi­ment of lyf, being accompanit with certan bischoppis passit to Rome during the vehemencie of the winter, and greit stormes, to the end he suld obtene absolution fra the said Gregorius. Bot schortlie thairefter brakand his promeis and falland in the lyk iniquitie, was within schort space throch the iust iugement of God deposed be his sone fra his empyre, and thair [...]y dreuin in dolour and displesour miserablie endit his lyf. And villiame bischop of mastrich principall and head of the said con­iuratione, e [...]ter he had bene oft accuctumet to excōmu­nicat this Gregour bischop of Rome, at the last did op­pinlie cry out in presence of the haill cōuentioun for the tyme, that he wes throw the iust iugement of God iustlie condamnit, in so far as he had nocht deulie schawin obedience to his superiouris, and had bene the author of so greit euillis, [...]nd iniquities, end and his lyf misera­blie in the said desperatiosū. Quhairthrou ony man may easalie perceaue gif this historie doith tend to the confirmatioun of zour opinioun. in respect thais bischoppis of Germanie had nocht allegit the said gregour on wor­thie of that seat, gif thay had denyit the Romane au­thoritie: lyk alsuay as thay wald nocht haue surrogat [Page] ane vther in his place: And the punitioun of God had nocht bene sa seueir aganis the Emperour him self and his principall accomplesis, onles his caus had bene iniust.

QVhat may be collected of this discurs I can nocht perfytlie vnderstand, onles ze wald say, that qu­hasoeuer at ony tyme hes opposit thame self to that seat,Eg [...]sippu [...] 3 de exi. P [...] c. 2. Ire [...] lib. 3. c. 3. to haue bene of zour factioun. Quhilk gif ze do ze suld nocht haue begun at the bischoppis of Germanie bot at Symon Magus, quh [...] opposit him self to Petir, quha wes the first bischop of Rome,Te [...]t de p [...] s [...]rip. haer [...] Eus [...]bius 2. c. 13. [...]. as testifies all the authoris cited of [...]efoir, and historicians, as Egesippus, Eusebius, Zonaras, Theodoretus, and the rest. Thairefter [Page] ze micht haue compted the Arriens. Pelagiens, Ne­storiens, and vtheris heretikis of all tymes following. Now that zour impudencie be knawin, I will declair in few wordis what the haill warld as than beleued concerning the authoritie of the seat of Rome. In the con [...]ill of lateran quhilk wes about that tyme, quhair thair wes gadderit, of sindry partis of the warl [...] four hundreth and [...]elf bischopis, togidder with the Patri­archis of the seattis of Constantinopill, and Hierusalē, it is decretit in the [...]ift decreit in this maner. [...]il. later. [...]. 5. It is statute and ordanit, be the vniuersall and aggreable conuen­tioun, concerning the renouatione of the priuilegis of prīcipall sea [...]is of the Patriarchis [...]s, that efter the Romane kirk, quhi [...]k be the prouidēce of god hes obtenit ordinar powar aboue the remanēt as mother of the hail faithfu­lis of Christ the seat of Cōstā [...]nople to haue immediat­lie thairefter the first place, Alexandria the secund, Anthiochia the third, and Hie [...]usalem the fourt, Bo [...] as quhair certane seditious bischoppis of Germanie, albeid nocht all, (as ze maist falslie affirme) opposed thame selues to the seat of Rome, the argument is lichtar, nor that it do mister any refutatioun. Bot in respect in all thais conspirationis, the bischop of the seat of Ro­me at all tymes hes reportit the victorie, it is ane sure argument, that his power and authoritie dois proceid of God, and that be him in despyte of tyranis and vther seditious personis, it is mantenet, and nocht be the strenth of man▪

Last, [...]teranus [...] [...]23. as concerning that quhilk ze adduce of Lois the fourt, it do [...] nawais mak in ony sort for zou: [...]rst becaus ze dar nocht affirme him to haue bene of zour factioun. Secundlie be resson his opositione follo­with [Page 55] of that becaus he was deposit from his Empyre, be the authoritie of the Romane bischop for the tyme, and thairbye iustlie thairefter did th [...]ill punitione for his inobedience.

ALbeid it be notoriuslie knauē to the haill world, of the diuers and wechtie cōtrouersies betuix the Lu­theriens and [...]aluinistes zet ze wald crafteli [...] dissem­ble the mater, as it war almaist onknawin to zou, or at the leist zeschaw si [...] cōtrouersies, quhilkis ar aman­gis zou to be friuoll, and of litill importance. [...]uay ze think it a mater of litill in portance, to beleue, gif the bodie of Christ, be contenit in the Sacrament of the altar [Page 56] or nocht: quhilk controuersie gif it apperits to zou fri­uoll, considder zour bauldnes and arrogance, quha dar reput the principall and cheif mistries of the faith, in sa small estimation, Bot gif ze beleue it of ony importance, zeschaw zour self ane greit hypocreit, that in sa wech­tie ane mater dois sa grethumlie dissemble. And quhow oppen that euer zour synagoge be, to receaue all men of large conscience, as zuinglianis, Lutherianis, and vthe­ris: zit Lutheris followars, as said is of befoir, thin­kis zou and thame of zour sect on worthie to be num­bret amonges trew Christiens, condemnand zow as heretikes, and followers of maist pernitius and wicked doctrine. And nocht monie zearis ago, be zuinglius Scholars in Tigurin, Caluins, zour mai­sters werkis, wer consecrat to the fyre. Suay, quhair ze say that ze do reuerence the congregagationis of the Lutherians, and zuinglians, as particular kirkis of Iesus Christ, ze condamne zour awin kirk, at the leist according to thair iugement, as the synagoge of Sathan.

IT hes bene cōmone to all fals prophetis sen the begin­ning of the kirk of God, to haif coloured thair veno­me with sum honest denominatioū: for thay did maist cleirlie vnder stād, gif thai had professit oppinlie thame [Page 57] selues to be si [...] men, as thay war in deid, thay wald haue bene destitute of all concurrence and audience. Quhairfoir willing to clo [...]k thair impietie, thay altoge­ther allegit, as ze do presentlie, that thay professit on­lie the pure, and sincere word of God. As to begin at Sy­mon Magus,Act. 8. quha callit him self the veray verteu of God.Aug. con. epi. Manichei. Manicheus in lyk maner did call him self Apostle of God. Marmetus affirmeth him to haue receaued his law out of the hand of God. And laitlie luther and Caluin, with thair accomplises, dois maist arrogantlie vāt thame selues, that all thair doctrine proceadis from the instinctione of the halie spreit. Suay zeschaw cleir­lie, that ze do follow in this behalf the fu [...]stoppes of fals prophetis that has bene afoir zou, quha euer wit­hout all probation (as ze do presentlie) did maist ar­rogantlie vsurpe to thame self that, quhilk ze vsurp.

As quhair ze allege, the man of sin to be reuelit in the seat of Rome, it is fa far repugnant to the veritie, that it is maist cleirlie, and euidentlie prouen be the word of God, and continuatioun of Pastoures of all agis, the bi­schop of Rome to be the successour of Petir, and pastour of the vniuersall kirk: that na man, quha wald nocht schaw utter ignorance conioyned with ext [...]eme malice, dar deny it. Gif ze wald haue had ony authoritie, or cre­dit, ze suld nocht haue spoken in sa wechtie ane mater, without all probatioun as ze do, euin as zour authori­tie wer sufficient, to persuade to all man, all to be trew, quhatsoeuer apperis to zour phantasticall brane. Thair­foir quhomekill that euer zegloir in zour awin vanirie and foleschenes, it is easie to euerie man, quha will dili­gentlie inquire zour authoritie, and vocatioun to the preching of the word, the continuatione ad successioun [Page] [...] kirk of God: bot that ze ar of this [...] quhilk is S. Paull makis mentione writtād [...] in this maner. Considder, and acknawle­ge that in the last days thair sall cum perrolus tymes, in the quhilkis salbe men,Speculū pr [...] ­phetarū luffars of thair a win selues, co­uatous, presumptious, proud, blaspheamours, in obedient to thair parēts, on thankfull, on halie, without mutuall affectioun, trucebrekers, fals accusars, palliards, rude and on meik despysars of the gude, tratours, hedie, van­tars, luffars of thame selues mair than of God, hauād out wartlie ane colour and apperance of halines, bot in­wartlie reiect and the verteu and strenth thairof: Turne away thairfoir from suche.

This gude reader I haue written schor [...]lie, according to my promis, quha [...] by I beleue all thing to be suffi­tientlie refused, quhilk Sr. Iohne knox hes ansu [...]red to my letter. As to his Ministers I will thay vnderstand that thay haue ado with ressonable men, and with men quha hes als great desyre of the kingdome of heuin and lyf euerlasting, as thay haue (to say no forther.) sua I dout na thing, gif [all contentioun and vane multi­plicatioun of wordis being pur asyde) thay ansuer dire­ctlie without all subterfuge, to that thing, quhilk is in questione or controuersie, that it salbe easie to euerie men to espy, quha defendis the richt caus, and quha intentis the wrang, Viher wais, it wilbe mair expedi [...] to thame to keip silence, and ansuer no thing at all, nor to expose thame self troch sic wane subterfugis as thay ordinarlie vse, to be mocked an scorned to be all men quha readis thair writtingis.