The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

Thus far did Hezekiah by Letters and Messengers provoke the people, declined from God, to repentance; not only in Judah where he reigned lawful King,¹ but also in Israel, subject then to another King. And albeit that by some wicked men his Messengers were mocked, yet as they lacked not their just punishment (for within six days after Samaria was destroyed, and Israel led captive by Salmanazar) so did not the zealous King Hezekiah desist to prosecute his duty in restoring the Religion to Gods perfect Ordinance, removing all abominations.

Thus far did Ezechias by Letters and Messengers provoke the people, declined from God, to repentance; not onely in Iuda where he raigned lawfull King,¹ but also in Israel, subject then to another King. And albeit that by some wicked men his Messengers were mocked, yet as they lacked not their just punishment (for within six dayes after Samaria was destroyed, and Israel led captive by Salmanazar) so did not the zealous King Ezechias desist to prosecute his duty in restoring the Religion to Gods perfect Ordinance, removing all abominations.

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¹The same is to be read of Josiah, who did not only restore the Religion, ⟨p. 15⟩but did further destroy all Monuments of Idolatry which of long time had remained: For it is written of him, That after that the Book of the Law was found, and that he asked counsel at the Prophetess Hulda, he sent and gathered all the Elders of Judah and Jerusalem, ²and standing in the Temple of the Lord, he made a Covenant, That all the people, from the great to the small, should walk after the Lord, should observe his Law, Statutes, and Testimonies, with all their heart, and with all their soul; and that they should ratify and confirm whatsoever was written in the Book of God. He further commanded Hilkias the high Priest,