The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

But because I cannot at this present discuss this argument as it appertaineth, I am compelled to omit it to better opportunity; and so returning to your Honours, I say, That if ye confess your selves baptized in the Lord Jesus, as of necessity ye must confess, That the care of Religion doth appertain to your charge: And if ye know that in your hands God hath put the sword, for the causes above expressed, then can ye not deny, but that the punishment of obstinate and malapert Idolaters (such as all your Bishops be) doth appertain to your Office, if after admonition they continue obstinate. I am not ignorant what be the vain defences of your proud Prelates; they claim, first, A prerogative and privilege, That they are exempted, and that by consent of Councils and Emperors, from all Jurisdiction of the Temporalty. And secondly, when they are convinced of manifest impiety, abuses and enormities, as well in their manners, as in Religion; neither fear nor shame they to affirm, That things so long established, cannot suddenly be reformed, although they be corrupted; but with process of time they promise to take order. But in few words, I answer,¹ That no privilege granted against the Ordinance and Statutes of God is to be observed, although all Councils and men on the earth have appointed the same: But against Gods Ordinance it is, That Idolaters, murderers, false Teachers, and Blasphemers, shall be exempted from punishment, as before is declared; and therefore in vain it is, that they claim for privilege, when God saith, The murderer shalt thou drive from my Altar, that he may die the death. And as to the Order and Reformation which they promise, that is to be looked or hoped for, when Satan, whose children and slaves they are, can change his nature. This answer, I doubt not, shall suffice the sober and godly reader: But yet, to the end that they may further see their own confusion, and that your Honours may the better understand what ye ought to do in so manifest a corruption and defection from God, I ask of them, What assurance they have of this their immunity, exemption or privilege? Who is the author of it? And what fruit it hath produced?² And first I say, That of God they have no assurance, neither yet can he be proved to be author of any such privilege. But the contrary is easy to be seen;

But because I cannot at this present discusse this argument as it appertaineth, I am compelled to omit it to better opportunity; and so returning to your Honours, I say, That if ye confesse your selves baptized in the Lord Jesus, as of necessity ye must confesse, That the care of Religion doth appertain to your charge: And if ye know that in your hands God hath put the sword, for the causes above expressed, then can ye not deny, but that the punishment of obstinate and malapert Idolaters (such as all your Bishops be) doth appertain to your Office, if after admonition they continue obstinate. I am not ignorant what be the vain defences of your proud Prelats; they claim, first, A prerogative and priviledge, That they are exempted, and that by consent of Councells and Emperouts, from all Jurisdiction of the Temporalty. And secondly, when they are convinced of manifest impiety, abuses and enormities, as well in their manners, as in Religion; neither fear nor shame they to affirm, That things so long established, cannot suddenly be reformed, although they be corrupted; but with processe of time they promise to take order. But in few words, I answer,