Memorials of the family of Row

The third time the Angell met Balaam in so strait a way as the Asse
could not passe by, and Balaam beate the Asse againe, but the Lord made
the Asse to speake and reprove him for beating her, and then God opened
Balaams eyes. So the Bishops (being as blind as Balaam) have ridden and
beaten our Kirke so long, and taken us at such a strait, as wee were even
ready to be destroied. But God hath heard our cry, and wee pray him
also open the eyes of our adversaries who were even as blind as Balaam,
and were going as unlucky a way as hee, for they were posting to Rome
with a Poakmantie behind them, and what was in their Poakmantie (trow
ye ?) marry even the book of Common praier, the book of Canons, and or-
ders of the High Commission. Now, as sone as the Asse saw the Angell,
shee falls to flinging and over goes the Poakmantie, and it hung on the one
side of the Asse by one string, and the Bishops hang by the hamme on the
other side, so as they hang crosse the Asse (like a paire of paniers) stuft
full of Popish trash and trinkets. Faine would the blind Carle have beene
on the saddle againe, but hee could not; nay, so he might be set to ride
again, he would be content to leave his Poakmanty amongst us. But let
me exhort yee (deare Brethren) not to let such a swinger ride any more on
your Religion, for if he doe he will be sure one time or other to get the
Poakmantie behind him againe. . -»T
They have not onlie wounded the Kirke of Scotland, as I have tolde
you, and made an horse & an Asse of it, but they have betrayed it also for
a some of money, as Judas did Christ, yee ken, who betraid our Saviour,
not onlie hee that tooke money to betray him, but also those that were
silent in so good a cause, those that accuse him, those adjudged him, and
those that forsooke him. And I feare me, wee have them that betray our
Religion in all these waies, as I shall touch anon. But now I will see if I
can find out the false Judas that takes money or promotion to betray our
Religion. And I must now tell you a metaphoricall tale, I dare not say it
is true, but you shall have it as I had it.
When I was a little lad at Schoole, there was a young hopefull Theo-
logue and expectant who is now another manner of man (not such another
in the land,) And he being to preach of those words of Judas, Quid mihi
dabitis, §t. what will you give me and I will deliver him into your hands?
The young man loved his Text so well, as he tolde over and over againe,
both in Latine and Scottish ; There was a good olde man sitting neare him
and hearing him still upon that Text, thought to give him his answer; and
so standing up and looking upon him the next time that he said, what will
yee give me and I will deliver him unto you ? the old man answered, marry
thou shalt have a good fat Bishoprick; and then I am sure thou wilt be-
tray him indeed. Nowe yee may find out by this who hath betraied the
Kirke of Scotland.