The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

The like is to be seen in the Book of the Kings, both under Elisha and Isaiah the Prophets: For in the days of Joram, son of Ahab, was Samaria besieged by the King of Syria: In which Samaria no doubt (albeit the King and the most multitude were wicked) there was yet some members of Gods Elect Church, which were brought to such extreme famine,¹ that not only things of small price were sold beyond all measure; but also women against nature were compelled to eat their own children: In this same City Elisha the Prophet most commonly was most conversant and dwelt, by whose counsel and commandment, no doubt, the City was kept: For it appeareth, the King, to lay that to his charge, when he, hearing of the piteous complaint of the woman (who for hunger had eaten her own son) rent his clothes, with a solemn Oath and vow, That the head of Elisha should not stand upon his shoulders that day. If Elisha had not been of counsel, That the city should have been kept, Why should the King have more fumed against him, then against others? But whether he was the author of the defending the City or not, all is one to my purpose; for before the deliverance, was the Church in such extremity, that the chief Pastor of that time was sought to be killed by such as should have defended him.

The like is to be seen in the Book of the Kings, both under Elisha and Isaiah the Prophets: For in the dayes of Ioram, sonne of Achab, was Samaria besieged by the King of Syria: In which Samaria no doubt (albeit the King and the most multitude were wicked) there was yet some members of Gods Elect Church, which were brought to such extreme famine,¹ that not onely things of small price were sold beyond all measure; but also women against nature were compelled to eat their own children: In this same City Elisha the Prophet most commonly was most conversant and dwelt, by whose counsell and commandment, no doubt, the City was kept: For it appeareth, the King, to lay that to his charge, when he, hearing of the piteous complaint of the woman (who for hunger had eaten her own son) rent his clothes, with a solemne Oath and vow, That the head of Elisha should not stand upon his shoulders that day. If Elisha had not been of counsel, That the city should have been kept, Why should the King have more fumed against him, then against others? But whether he was the author of the defending the City or not, all is one to my purpose; for before the deliverance, was the Church in such extremity, that the chief Pastor of that time was sought to be killed by such as should have defended him.