——— “Filios Dei.” Scot here alters “Filii” to the objective, because it follows “doo interpret”. He does the same elsewhere, whether it be English verb or preposition that precedes. Thus, 422, we have “Vitas Patrum”, because it follows “prooved”; 458, “in Speculo exemplorum”; and 381, “in Circulo Salomonis; 544, “Spiritum”, because the words follow “signifieth”. We find one instance of the same in Nash’s Summers Last Will and Test.
[P. 90]. “He accuseth.” Bodin, ii, 6.
[P. 91]. “A faggot maker.” Bodin, ii, 6.
[P. 94]. “In the western ilands”, as in the “still vexed Bermoothes”.
[P. 95]. “Saccaring bell” = a sacring bell, the bell rung at the elevation of the host, when all true, i.e., Roman Catholic, worshippers fall on their knees.
——— “A morrowe masse”—a morning mass. All masses, except, I think, on Christmas Day and Good Friday, and except in certain churches, where the older usage was by prescription allowed, being in Scot’s time, and now, celebrated before noon. This rule was made by the Pope in 1550-58.
[P. 99]. “(His reason onelie reserved).” Not Bodin’s reason, but that of the sailor.
[P. 104]. “Abacuck.” Bel and the Dragon, 36, 37.
——— “One syllable nor five words.” A curiously sounding phrase; but he seems to have used “syllable” as we do, figuratively, meaning, “in the same sense”, while the five words are, “not even differing five words in the form of expression”.
[P. 107]. “Witch is disposed”, [to plague] being understood.