The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

Thus, I say, doth Moses call Aaron, and accuse him of the destruction of the whole people; and yet he perfectly understood that God had appointed him to be the high Priest, That he should bear upon his shoulders and upon his breast the names of the twelve Tribes of Israel, for whom ⟨p. 27⟩he was appointed to make sacrifice, prayers, and supplications. He knew his dignity was so great, that only he might enter within the most holy place;¹ but neither could his Office nor dignity exempt him from judgement, when he had offended. If any object, Aaron at that time was not anointed, and therefore was he subject to Moses; I have answered, That Moses being taught by the mouth of God did perfectly understand to what dignity Aaron was appointed, and yet he feared not to call him in judgement, and to compel him to make answer for his wicked fact. But if this answer doth not suffice, yet shall the Holy Ghost witness further in the matter. Solomon removed from honour Abiathar being the High Priest, and commanded him to cease from all function, and to live as a private man. Now if the Unction did exempt the Priest from Jurisdiction of the Civill Magistrate, Solomon did offend and injured Abiathar; for he was Anointed, and had carried the Ark before David; But God doth not reprove the fact of Solomon, neither yet doth Abiathar claim any prerogative by the reason of his Office, but rather doth the Holy Ghost approve the fact of Solomon, saying, Solomon ejected forth Abiathar, that he should not be the Priest of the Lord, ²that the word of the Lord might be performed which he spake upon the house of Eli. And Abiathar did think that he obtained great favour, in that he did escape the present death, which by his Conspiracy he had deserved. If any yet reason, That Abiathar was no otherwise subject to the judgement of the King, but as he was appointed to be the executor of that sentence, which GOD before had pronounced, as I will not greatly deny that reason, so require I that every man consider, That the same God who pronounced sentence against Eli and his house,³ hath pronounced also, That Idolaters,⁴