The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

These things require I of your Honours to be granted unto me, to wit; That the Doctrine which our adversaries condemn for heresy,¹ may be tried by the simple and plain Word of God; That just Defences be admitted to us that sustain the Battle against this pestilent Generation of Antichrist; And that they be removed from judgement in our Cause, seeing that our accusation is not intended against any one particular person, but against that whole kingdom, which we doubt not to prove to be a power usurped against God,² against his Commandment, and against the Ordinance of Christ Jesus established in his Church by his chief Apostles; Yea, we doubt not to prove the kingdom of the Pope, to be the kingdom and power of Antichrist. And therefore, my Lords, I cannot cease in the Name of Christ Jesus, to require of you, That the matter may come to examination, and that ye the States of the Realm, by your Authority, compel such as will be called Bishops, not only to desist from their cruel murdering of such as do study to promote Gods glory, in detecting and disclosing the damnable impiety of that Man of Sin the Roman Antichrist; but also that ye compel them to answer to such crimes as shall be laid to their charge, for not righteously instructing the Flock committed to their cares.

These things require I of your Honours to be granted unto me, to wit; That the Doctrine which our adversaries condemn for heresie,¹ may be tried by the simple and plain Word of God; That just Defences be admitted to us that sustain the Battell against this pestilent Generation of Antichrist; And that they be removed from judgement in our Cause, seeing that our accusation is not intended against any one particular person, but against that whole kingdom, which we doubt not to prove to be a power usurped against God,² against his Commandment, and against the Ordinance of Christ Jesus established in his Church by his chief Apostles; Yea, we doubt not to prove the kingdom of the Pope, to be the kingdom and power of Antichrist. And therefore, my Lords, I cannot cease in the Name of Christ Jesus, to require of you, That the matter may come to examination, and that ye the States of the Realme, by your Authority, compell such as will be called Bishops, not onely to desist from their cruell murthering of such as do study to promote Gods glory, in detecting and disclosing the damnable impiety of that Man of Sin the Romane Antichrist; but also that ye compell them to answer to such crimes as shall be laid to their charge, for not righteously instructing the Flock committed to their cares.