The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

Neither is there any of Gods children (who hath attained to the years of discretion) so poor, but that he hath thus much to bestow upon the Ornaments and maintenance of their spiritual Tabernacle, when necessity requireth; neither yet is there any so rich, of whose hands God requireth any more:¹ For albeit that David gathered great substance for the building of the Temple, that Solomon with earnest diligence and incredible expenses erected and finished the same, That Hezekiah and Josiah purged the Religion ⟨p. 39⟩which before was corrupted: yet to them was God no further debtor in that respect, then he was to the most simple of the faithful posterity of faithful Abraham; for their diligence, zeal and works gave rather testimony and confession before men,² what honour they did bear to God; what love to his Word; what reverence to his Religion, then that any work proceeding from them did either establish, or yet increase Gods favour towards them, who freely did love them in Christ his Son, before the foundation of the world was laid: So that these forenamed, by their notable works, gave testimony of their unfeigned faith; and the same doth the poorest, that unfeignedly and openly professeth Christ Jesus, and doth embrace his glad tidings offered, That doth abhor Superstition, and fly from Idolatry. The poorest, I say, and most simple that this day on earth, in the days of this cruel persecution firmly believeth in Christ, and boldly doth confess him before this wicked generation,³ is no less acceptable before God, neither is judged in his presence to have done any less in promoting Christ his Cause, then is the King, that by his sword and power which he hath received of God, rooteth out Idolatry, and so advanceth Christs glory. But to return to our former purpose: It is no less required, I say, of the subject to believe in Christ, and to profess his true Religion, then of the Prince and King: And therefore I affirm, That in Gods presence it shall not excuse you to allege, That ye were no chief Rulers, and therefore that the care and reformation of Religion did not appertain unto you.

Neither is there any of Gods children (who hath attained to the yeers of discretion) so poor, but that he hath thus much to bestow upon the Ornaments and maintenance of their spirituall Tabernacle, when necessity requireth; neither yet is there any so rich, of whose hands God requireth any more: