The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

Then the Princes and the people (saith the Text) said, ¹This man is not worthy of death, for he hath spoken to us in the Name of the Lord our God. And so, after some contention, was the Prophet delivered from that danger. This fact and history manifestly proveth whatsoever before I have affirmed; to wit, That it is lawful for the servants of God to call for the help of the Civill Magistrate, against the sentence of death, if it be unjust, by whomsoever it is pronounced; And also that the Civill Sword hath power to repress the fury of the Priests, and to absolve whom they have condemned: For the Prophet of God was condemned by those, who then only in earth were known to be the visible Church; to wit, the Priests and Prophets who were in Jerusalem, ²the successors of Aaron, to whom was given a charge to speak to the people in the Name of God, and a Precept given to the people to hear the Law from their mouths; to the which if any should be rebellious or inobedient, he should die the death without mercy. These men, I say, thus authorized by God, first did excommunicate Jeremiah, for that he did Preach otherwise then did the common sort of Prophets in Jerusalem: And last, apprehended him, as you have heard, pronouncing against him this sentence afore-written; from the which nevertheless the Prophet appealed, that is, Sought help and defence against the same, and that most earnestly did he crave of the Princes: For albeit he saith, I am in your hands, do with me as ye think righteous, he doth not contemn or neglect his life, as though he regarded not what should become of him, but in those his words most vehemently did he admonish the Princes and Rulers of the people, giving them to understand what God should require of them;³ as if he should say, Ye Princes of Judah, and Rulers of the people, to whom appertaineth indifferently to judge betwixt party and party, to justify the just man, and to condemn the malefactor,⁴ you have heard a sentence of death pronounced against me, by those whose lips ought not to speak deceit, because they are sanctified and appointed by God himself, to speak his Law, and to pronounce judgement with equity;