elf to the reading of the antients, particularly Angustine's
and Jerome's works, with whom he was exceedingly pleased. He profited
considerably by the preaching of Thomas Guilliam, a black friar, of
sound judgment and doctrine; his discourses led him to study the holy
scriptures more closely, by which his spiritual knowledge was increased,
and such a zeal for the interest of religion begotten in him, as he
became the chief instrument in accomplishing the primitive reformation.

He was a disciple of Mr. George Wishart (as the reader has already seen
in the account of his life), which procured him the hatred of the Popish
clergy, who could not endure that light which, discovered their
idolatrous darkness.

After the death of cardinal Beaton, he retired into the castle of St.
Andrews, where he was confined for some time, but the castle being
obliged to surrender to the French, he became their prisoner, and was
sent aboard the gallies, from whence he made his escape about the year
1550, and went to England, where he preached for several years in
Berwick, Newcastle and London, with great applause; his fame at last
reached the years of king Edward VI. who offered him a bishopric, which
he rejected, as contrary to his principles.

During his stay in England, he was called before the council, and
required to answer the following questions:

1. Why he refused the benefice provided for him at London?

2. Whether he thought that no Christian might serve in the
ecclesiastical ministration, according to the laws and rites of the
realm of England?

3. If kneeling at the Lord's table was not indifferent?

To the first he said, That his conscience witnessed to him that he might
profit more in some other place than in London. To the second, That many
things needed reformation in the ministry of England, without which no
minister did or could discharge his duty before God; for no minister in
England had authority to separate the leprous from the whole, which was
a chief part of his office, and that he refused no office which might in
the least promote God's glory and the preaching of Christ's gospel. And
to the third he replied, That Christ's action was most perfect, that it
was most safe to follow his example, and that kneeling was a human
invention. The answer which he gave to this question, occasioned a
considerable deal of altercation betwixt the council and him. There were
present the bishops of Canterbury and Ely, the lord t