The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

¹Thus (dear brethren) must the sons of the Devil declare their own impiety and ungodliness, that when Gods vengeance (which shall not sleep) shall be poured forth upon them, all Tongues shall confess, acknowledge and say, That God is righteous in all his judgements: And to this end are cruel Tyrants permitted and suffered for a space and time, not only to live in wealth and prosperity,² but also to prevail and obtain victory as touching the flesh, over the very Saints of God, and over such as enterpriseth to resist their fury at Gods commandment. But now to the subsequent, and that which followeth.

¹Thus (dear brethren) must the sons of the Devill declare their own impietie and ungodlinesse, that when Gods vengeance (which shall not sleep) shall be poured forth upon them, all Tongues shall confesse, acknowledge and say, That God is righteous in all his judgements: And to this end are cruell Tyrants permitted and suffered for a space and time, not onely to live in wealth and prosperity,² but also to prevaile and obtain victory as touching the flesh, over the very Saints of God, and over such as enterpriseth to resist their fury at Gods commandment. But now to the subsequent, and that which followeth.

1. 1The wicked must declare their selves.
2. 2Apocalip. 13.

The Instrument and means wherewith Christ Jesus used to remove and put away the horrible fear and anguish of his Disciples, is his only word; for so it is written, But by and by Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good comfort, it is I, be not afraid. The natural man (that cannot understand the power of God) would have desired some other present comfort in so great a danger; as, Either to have had the heavens to have opened, and to have showed unto them such light in that darkness, that Christ might have been fully known by his own face; or else, That the Winds and raging Waves of the Seas suddenly should have ceased: or some other Miracle that had been subject to all their senses, whereby they might have perfectly known that they were delivered from all danger. And truly, equal it had been to Christ Jesus to have done any of these (or any work greater) as to have said, It is I, be not afraid: But willing to teach us the dignity and effectual power of his most Holy Word, he useth no other Instrument to pacify the great and horrible fear of his Disciples, but the same his comfortable Word, and lively Voice; and this is not done