The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

They had professed themselves plain enemies to Christ Jesus,¹ and to his blessed Evangel, and sought the death of Paul, yea, even by factions and treasonable conspiracy, and therefore by no means would he admit them either as Judges in his cause, or auditors of the same, as Festus required; But grounding himself upon strong reasons, to wit, That he had not offended the Jews, neither against the Law, but that he was innocent, therefore that no Judge ought to give him into the hands of his enemies: grounding, I say, his Appellation upon these reasons, he neither regarded the displeasure of Festus, ²neither yet the brute of the ignorant multitude, but boldly did appeal from all cognoscance of them, to the judgement of the Emperor, as said is. By these two examples, I doubt not but your Honours do understand, That it is lawful to the servants of God, oppressed by tyrants, to seek remedy against the same, be it by appellation from their sentence, or by imploring the help of Civill Magistrates: For what God hath approved in Jeremiah and Paul, he can condemn in none that are so dealt withal. I might allege some History of the primitive Church serving to the same purpose; as of Ambrose and Athanasius, of whom, the one would not be judged but at Milan, where that his Doctrine was heard of all his Church, and received and approved by many: And the other would in no wise give place to those Councils, where he knew that men conspiring against the Truth of God, should sit in Judgement and Consultation: But because the Scriptures of God are my only foundation and assurance in all matters of weight and importance, I have thought the two former testimonies sufficient, as well to approve my Appellation reasonable and just, as to declare to your Honours, That with safe conscience ye cannot refuse to admit the same. If any think it arrogancy or foolishness in me to compare my self with Jeremiah and Paul, let the same man understand,³ That as God is immutable, so is the Verity of his glorious Evangel of equal dignity, whensoever it is impugned, be the members suffering never so weak. What I think touching mine own person, God will reveal, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed: and such as with whom I have been conversant, can witness what arrogancy or pride they espy in me.