The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

This Precept he requireth, not only that the King should himself fear God, keep his Law and Statutes, but that also he, as the chief Ruler, should provide that Gods true Religion should be kept inviolated of the people and flock which by God was committed to his charge.¹ And this did not only David and Solomon perfectly understand, but also some godly Kings in Judah, after the apostasy and idolatry that infected Israel by the means of Jeroboam, did employ their understanding, and execute their power in some notable Reformations: For Asa and ⟨p. 14⟩Jehoshaphat Kings in Judah, finding the Religion altogether corrupt, did apply their hearts (saith the holy Ghost) to serve the Lord, and to walk in his ways: And thereafter doth witness, That Asa removed from Honours his mother (some say grand-mother) because she had committed, and laboured to maintain Idolatry. And Jehoshaphat did not only refuse strange gods himself,² but also destroying the chief Monuments of Idolatry, did send forth the Levites to instruct the people. Whereof it is plain, That the one and the other did understand such Reformations to appertain to their duties.³ But the facts of Hezekiah and of Josiah do more clearly prove the power and duty of the Civill Magistrate in Reformation of Religion: Before the Reign of Hezekiah Religion was so corrupt, that the doors of the House of the Lord were shut up, the Lamps were extinguished, no Sacrifice was orderly made:⁴ But in the first year of his Reign, in the first month of the same, did the King open the doors of the Temple, bring in the Priests and Levites, and assembling them together, did speak unto them as followeth:⁵ Hear me, O ye Levites, and be ye sanctified now, and sanctify also the House of the Lord God of your fathers, and carry forth all filthiness (he meaneth, All monuments and vessels of Idolatry) for our fathers have transgressed, and have committed wickedness in the eyes of the Eternal our God, they have left him, and turned their faces from the Tabernacle of the Lord; and therefore is the wrath of the Lord come upon Judah and Jerusalem: Behold, our fathers have fallen by the sword, our sons, daughters, and wives are led into Captivity: But now have I purposed in my heart to make a Covenant with the Lord God of Israel, that he may turn the wrath of his fury from us.