it was
thought that he would get leave to proceed again, because the Council
perceived that it would bring the Queen of Scots in detestation." The
execution of the unfortunate Queen, which followed so soon after, or the
death of the Printer himself, in 1588, may have prevented its
completion. But copies had speedily come into circulation in its
unfinished state. Thus Dr. (afterwards Archbishop) Bancroft, who
frequently quotes this suppressed edition, says,--"If euer you meete
with the Historie of the Church of Scotland, penned by Maister Knox, and
printed by Vautrouillier: reade the pages quoted here in the
margent."--(A Survay of the pretended Holy Discipline, &c. Imprinted at
London, by Iohn Wolfe, 1593, 4to, p. 48.)

It is most inaccurately printed.[7] This may have been partly owing to
the state of the MS. which he had procured in Scotland, as well as to
haste in printing, and ignorance of the names of persons and places
which occur in the work.

The following is a fac-simile reprint of the first page, which
corresponds with pages 10-11 of the present volume:--

CHVRCH OF SCOTLAND. 17

BY THESE ARTICLES which God of his mercifull prouidence causeth the
enemies of his truth to keepe in their registers maye appeare how
mercifully God hath looked vppon this realme, retayning within it
some sparke of his light, euen in the time of greatest darknes.
Neither ought any m[=a] to wonder albeit that some things be obscurely
and some thinges doubtfully spoken. But rather ought al faithfull
to magnifie Gods mercy who without publike doctrine gaue so great
light. And further we ought to consider that seeing that the
enemies of Iesus Christe gathered the foresaide articles there
vppon to accuse the persones aforesaide, that they woulde depraue
the meaninge of Gods seruauntes so farre as they coulde, as we
doubt not but they haue done, in the heads of excommunication,
swearing and of matrimony: In the which it is no doubt but the
seruaunts of God did damne the abuse onelye, and not the right
ordinance of God: for who knowes not that excommunication in these
dayes was altogeather abused? That swearing aboundeth without
punishment or remorse of conscience: And that diuorcementes was
made, for such causes as worldly men had inuented: but to our
history. Albeit that the accusation of the Bishop and of his