The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

for their immunity and privilege, whereof so greatly they boast, is nothing else, but as if Thieves, Murderers, or Brigands should conspire amongst themselves, that they would never answer in judgement before any lawful Magistrate, to the end that their theft and murder should not be punished; even such (I say) is their wicked privilege, which neither they have of God the Father, neither of Christ Jesus, who hath revealed his Fathers Will to the world, neither yet of the Apostles nor primitive Church, as before is declared: But it is a thing conspired among themselves, to the end that their iniquity, detestable life and Tyranny may never be repressed,¹ nor reformed. And if they Object, That godly Emperors did grant and confirm the same. I answer,² That the godliness of no man is or can be sufficient Authority to justify a foolish and ungodly fact, such I mean, as God hath not allowed by his Word; for Abraham was a godly man, but the denial of his Wife was such a fact, as no godly man ought to imitate: The same might I show of David, Hezekiah, and Josiah, unto whom I think no man of judgement will prefer any Emperor since Christ, in holiness and wisdom, and yet are not their facts, no even such as appeared for good causes, to be approved nor followed. And therefore, I say, as error and ignorance remain always with the most perfect man in his life, so must their works be examined by another rule, then by their own holiness, if they shall be approved.

for their immunity and priviledge, whereof so greatly they boast, is nothing else, but as if Theeves, Murtherers, or Briggands should conspire amongst themselves, that they would never answer in judgement before any lawfull Magistrate, to the end that their theft and murther should not be punished; even such (I say) is their wicked priviledge, which neither they have of God the Father, neither of Christ Jesus, who hath revealed his Fathers Will to the world, neither yet of the Apostles nor primitive Church, as before is declared: But it is a thing conspired among themselves, to the end that their iniquity, detestable life and Tyrannie may never be repressed,¹ nor reformed. And if they Object, That godly Emperours did grant and confirm the same. I answer,²