The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

This Conclusion (my Lords) I heard sustained and concluded, as I have said, in a most notable Auditory. The sustainer was a learned man, Master Thomas de Finola, Rector of the University, a man famous in that Country: Master Vincentins de Placentia affirmed the Conclusion to be most true and certain, agreeable both with the Law of God and man. The occasion of this disputation and conclusion, was a certain disorder and tyranny that was attempted by the Popes Governors, who began to make Innovations in the Country against the Laws that were before established, alleging themselves not to be subject to such Laws, by reason that they were not instituted by the People, but by the Pope, who was King of that Country: And therefore they having full Commission and Authority of the Pope, may alter and change Statutes and Ordinances of the Country, without any consent of the people. Against this usurped Tyranny, the learned and the people opposed themselves: And when that all reasons which the Popes Governors could allege were ⟨p. 396⟩heard and consulted, the Pope himself was fain to take up the matter, and to promise, not only to keep the Liberty of the people, but also that he should neither abrogate any Law nor Statute, neither yet make any new Law, without their own consent: And therefore, my Lord, (said he) my Vote and my Conscience is, That Princes are not only bound to keep Laws and Promises to their subjects;¹ But also, That in case they fail, they justly may be bridled: For the Band betwixt the Prince and the People is reciprocal.

This Conclusion (my Lords) I heard sustained and concluded, as I have said, in a most notable Auditory. The sustainer was a learned man, Master Thomas de Finola, Rector of the University, a man famous in that Countrey: Master Vincentins de Placentia affirmed the Conclusion to be most true and certain, agreeable both with the Law of God and man. The occasion of this disputation and conclusion, was a certain disorder and tyranny that was attempted by the Popes Governours, who began to make Innovations in the Countrie against the Laws that were before established, alleadging themselves not to be subject to such Laws, by reason that they were not instituted by the People, but by the Pope, who was King of that Countrey: And therefore they having full Commission and Authority of the Pope, may alter and change Statutes and Ordinances of the Countrey, without any consent of the people. Against this usurped Tyranny, the learned and the people opposed themselves: And when that all reasons which the Popes Governours could alleadge were