The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

I am not ignorant, that some Emperors of a certain zeal, and for some considerations granted liberties to the true Church, afflicted for their maintenance against Tyrants; but what serveth this for the defence of their Tyranny? If the Law must be understood according to the mind of the Lawgiver, then must they prove themselves Christs true and afflicted Church, before they can claim any privilege to appertain to them, for only to that Church were the privileges granted; it will not be their glorious Titles, neither yet the long possession of the name that can prevail in this so weighty a Cause; for all those had the Church of Jerusalem, which did crucify Christ, and did condemn his Doctrine. We offer to prove by their fruits and Tyranny, by the Prophets, and plain Scriptures of God, what trees and generation they be, to wit, unfruitful and rotten, apt for nothing, but to be cut and cast into Hell fire; yea, that they are the very kingdom of Antichrist, of whom we are commanded to beware.

I am not ignorant, that some Emperours of a certain zeale, and for some considerations granted liberties to the true Church, afflicted for their maintenance against Tyrants; but what serveth this for the defence of their Tyrannie? If the Law must be understood according to the minde of the Lawgiver, then must they prove themselves Christs true and afflicted Church, before they can claim any priviledge to appertaine to them, for onely to that Church were the priviledges granted; it will not be their glorious Titles, neither yet the long possession of the name that can prevail in this so weighty a Cause; for all those had the Church of Ierusalem, which did crucifie Christ, and did condemne his Doctrine. We offer to prove by their fruits and Tyrannie, by the Prophets, and plain Scriptures of God, what trees and generation they be, to wit, unfruitfull and rotten, apt for nothing, but to be cut and cast into Hell fire; yea, that they are the very kingdome of Antichrist, of whom we are commanded to beware.

Therefore, my Lords, to return to you, seeing that God hath armed your hands with the sword of Justice, seeing that his Law most straightly commandeth Idolaters and false Prophets to be punished with death, and that you be placed above your Subjects, to reign as fathers over their Children; and further, seeing that not only I, but with me many thousand famous, godly and learned persons, accuse your Bishops, and the whole rabble of the Papistical Clergy, of Idolatry, of Murder and Blasphemy against God committed: It appertaineth to your Honours to be vigilant and careful in so weighty a matter? The question is not of earthly substance, but of the glory of God, and of the Salvation of your selves, and of your brethren subject to your charge; in which if you (after this plain admonition) be negligent, there resteth no excuse by reason of ignorance; for in the name of God I require of you, That the Cause of Religion may be tried in your presence by the plain and simple Word of God; That your Bishops be compelled to desist from their Tyranny, That they be compelled to make answer for the neglecting of their Office for the substance of the poor, which unjustly they usurp, and prodigally they do spend; but principally for the false and deceivable Doctrine which is taught and defended by their false Prophets, flattering Friars, and other such venomous Locusts: Which thing if with single eyes ye do, (preferring Gods glory and the Salvation of your Brethren before all worldly Commodity) then shall the same God, who solemnly doth pronounce to honour those that do honour him, pour his benedictions plentifully upon you, he shall be your Buckler, protection and Captain, and shall repress by his strength and wisdom, whatsoever Satan by his supposts shall imagine against you I am not ignorant, that great troubles shall ensue your enterprise; for Satan will not be expelled from the possession of his usurped Kingdom without resistance: But if you (as is said) preferring Gods glory to your own lives, unfeignedly seek and study