The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

Your Honours do wonder, I doubt not, from what Fountain then did this their immunity (as they term it) and singular privilege spring; I shall shortly touch that, which is evident in their own Law and Histories. When the Bishops of Rome, the very Antichrists had partly by fraud, and partly by violence usurped the superiority of some places in Italy, and most unjustly had spoiled the Emperors of their Rents and possessions, and had also murdered some of their Officers,¹ as Histories do witness, then began Pope after Pope to practise and devise, how they should be exempted from the judgment of Princes, and from the equity of Laws; and in this point they were most vigilant, till at length iniquity did so prevail in their hands, according as Daniel had before prophesied of them, that this sentence was pronounced, Neither by the Emperor, neither by the Clergy, neither yet by the people shall the Judge be judged. ²God will (saith Symmachus) that the causes of others be determined by men, but without all question he hath reserved the Bishop of this Seat (understanding Rome) to his own judgement. And hereof diverse Popes, and Expositors of their Laws would seem to give reasons; for saith Agatho, All the Precepts of the Apostolic Seat are assured, ³as by the voice of God himself. The Author of the gloss upon this Canon, affirmeth, That if all the world would pronounce sentence against the Pope,⁴ yet should his sentence prevail; For (saith he) the Pope hath a Heavenly will, and therefore he may change the nature of things, he may apply the substance of one thing to another, and of nothing he may make somewhat; and that sentence, which was nothing (that is) by his mind false and unjust, he may make somewhat that is true and just; for (saith he) in all things that please him his will is for reason; neither is there any man that may ask of him, Why doest thou so? for he may dispense above Law, and of injustice he may make justice; for he hath the fullness of all power. And many other blasphemous sentences did they pronounce every one after other, which for shortness sake I omit, till at the end they obtained this most horrible Decree;