The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

That I be not condemned by multitude, custom, by Authority or Law devised by man; but that God himself may be judge betwixt me and my adversaries: Let God, I say, speak by his Law, by his Prophets, by Christ Jesus, or by his Apostles, and so let him pronounce what Religion he approveth; and then, be my enemies never so many, and appear they never so strong and so learned, no more do I fear victory, then did Elijah, being but one man, against the multitude of Baals Priests. And if they think to have advantage by their Councils and Doctors, this I further offer,¹ To admit the one and the other as witnesses in all matters debatable, three things (which justly cannot be denied) being granted unto me: First, That the most ancient Councils nighest to the Primitive Church, in which the learned and godly Fathers did examine all matters by Gods Word, may be holden of most Authority. Secondly, That no determination of Councils nor man be admitted against the plain Verity of Gods Word, nor against the determination of those four chief Councils, whose Authority hath been and is holden by them equal with the Authority of the four Evangelists. And last, That to no Doctor be given greater authority, then Augustine requireth to be given to his Writings;² to wit, If he plainly prove not his affirmation by Gods infallible Word, that then his sentence be rejected, and imputed to the error of a man.

That I be not condemned by multitude, custome, by Authority or Law devised by man; but that God himself may be judge betwixt me and my adversaries: Let God, I say, speak by his Law, by his Prophets, by Christ Jesus, or by his Apostles, and so let him pronounce what Religion he approveth; and then, be my enemies never so many, and appear they never so strong and so learned, no more do I fear victory, then did Elijah, being but one man, against the multitude of Baals Priests. And if they think to have advantage by their Councells and Doctors, this I further offer,¹ To admit the one and the other as witnesses in all matters debatable, three things (which justly cannot be denied) being granted unto me: First, That the most ancient Councells nighest to the Primitive Church, in which the learned and godly Fathers did examine all matters by Gods Word, may be holden of most Authority. Secondly, That no determination of Councells nor man be admitted against the plain Verity of Gods Word, nor against the determination of those four chief Councells, whose Authority hath been and is holden by them equall with the Authority of the four Evangelists. And last, That to no Doctor be given greater authority, then Augustine requireth to be given to his Writings;