The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

¹The more nigh deliverance and salvation approacheth, the more strong and vehement is the temptation of the Church of God. And the more nigh that Gods vengeance approacheth to the wicked, the more proud, cruel and arrogant are they.

¹The more nigh deliverance and salvation approacheth, the more strong and vehement is the temptation of the Church of God. And the more nigh that Gods vengeance approacheth to the wicked, the more proud, cruell and arrogant are they.

1. 1The fear is greatest, when deliverance is •ost nigh.The fear is greatest, when deliverance is •ost n•gh.

Whereby it commonly cometh to pass, That the very messengers of life are judged and deemed to be the authors of all mischief: And this in many histories is evident. When God had appointed to deliver the afflicted Israelites by the hand of Moses from the tyranny of the Egyptians, and Moses was sent to the presence of Pharaoh for the same purpose, such was their affliction and anguish by the cruelty which newly was exercised over them,¹ that with open mouths they cursed Moses (and no doubt in their hearts they hated God who sent him) alleging, That Moses and Aaron was the whole cause of their last extreme trouble.

Whereby it commonly cometh to passe, That the very messengers of life are judged and deemed to be the authors of all mischief: And this in many histories is evident. When God had appointed to deliver the afflicted Israelites by the hand of Moses from the tyranny of the Egyptians, and Moses was sent to the presence of Pharaoh for the same purpose, such was their affliction and anguish by the cruelty which newly was exercised over them,