The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

And secondly, That the Lord might turn from the fury of his anger, might be moved towards the people with inward affection, be merciful unto them, and multiply them, according to his Oath made unto their fathers. Which reasons, as they are sufficient in Gods children to correct the murmuring of the grudging flesh, so ought they to provoke every man, as before I have said, to declare himself enemy to that which so highly provoketh the wrath of God against the whole people: For where Moses saith, Let the City be burned, and let no part of the spoil cleave to thy hand, that the Lord may return from the fury of his wrath, ¹&c. he plainly doth signify, That by the defection and Idolatry of a few, Gods wrath is kindled against the whole, which is never quenched, till such punishment be taken upon the offenders, that whatsoever served them in their Idolatry, be brought to destruction, because that it is execrable and accursed before God, and therefore he will not that it be reserved for any use of his people. I am not ignorant that this Law was not put in execution, as God commanded; But what did thereof ensue and follow, histories declare; to wit, Plague after plague, till Israel and Judah were led in Captivity, as the Books of the Kings do witness. The consideration whereof maketh me more bo•d to affirm, That it is the duty of every man who desireth to escape the plague and punishment of God, To declare himself enemy to Idolatry, not only in heart, hating the same, but also in external gesture, declaring that he lamenteth, if he can do no more, for such abominations. Which thing was showed to the Prophet Ezekiel, ²when he gave him to understand why he would destroy Judah with Israel; and that he would remove his glory from the Temple and place that he had chosen,³ and so pour forth his wrath and indignation upon the City that was full of blood and apostasy, which became so impudent, that it durst be bold to say, The Lord hath left the earth, and seeth not. And this time, I say, the Lord revealed in vision to his Prophet, who they were that should find favour in that miserable destruction;

And secondly, That the Lord might turn from the fury of his anger, might be moved towards the people with inward affection, be mercifull unto them, and multiply them, according to his Oath made unto their fathers. Which reasons, as they are sufficient in Gods children to correct the murmuring of the grudging flesh, so ought they to provoke every man, as before I have said, to declare himself enemy to that which so highly provoketh the wrath of God against the whole people: For where Moses saith, Let the City be burned, and let no part of the spoyl cleave to thy hand, that the Lord may return from the fury of his wrath,