mediation, who
accordingly sent a Legate into Scotland, proposing a cessation of arms,
till the Pope should hear and decide the quarrel betwixt the two crowns,
that he might be informed of the right which Edward had to the crown of
Scotland; to this king Robert replied, "that the Pope could not be
ignorant of that business, because it had been often explained to his
predecessors, in the hearing of many cardinals then alive, who could
tell him if they pleased, what insolent answers pope Boniface received
from the English, while they were desired to desist from oppressing the
Scots: And now (said he) when it hath pleased God to give us the better
by some victories, by which we have not only recovered our own, but can
make them live as good neighboors, they have recourse to such treaties,
seeking to gain time in order to fall upon us again with greater force:
But in this his holiness must excuse me, for I will not be so unwise as
to let the advantage I have slip out of my hand." The Legate regarding
this answer as contemptuous, interdicted the kingdom and departed; but
K. Robert paying little regard to such proceedings, followed hard after
the Legate, and entering England, wasted all the adjacent countries with
fire and sword.

In the beginning of the fifteenth century, the reformation from Popery
began to dawn in Scotland; at this time there was pope against pope, nay
sometimes three of them at once, all excommunicating one another; which
schism lasted for about thirty years, and by an over-ruling providence
contributed much to the downfal of Antichrist, and to the revival of
real religion and learning in Scotland, and many parts in Europe; for
many embracing the opportunity now afforded to them, began to speak
openly against the heresy, tyranny, and immorality of the clergy. Among
those who preached publicly against these evils were John Huss, and
Jerome of Prague in Bohemia, John Wickliff in England, and John Resby,
an Englishman and scholar of Wickliff's in Scotland, who came hither
about the year 1407, and was called in question for some doctrines which
he taught against the Pope's supremacy; he was condemned to the fire,
which he endured with great constancy. About ten years after, one Paul
Craw a Bohemian and follower of Huss, was accused of heresy before such
as were then called Doctors of theology. The articles of charge were,
that he followed Huss and Wickliff in the opinion of the sacrament of
the supper, who d