The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

Addition.

AS Satan by craft hath corrupted the most holy Ordinances of Gods precepts, I mean of the first Table, in the place of the spiritual honouring of God, introducing mens dreams, inventions, and fantasies. So hath he, abusing the weakness of man, corrupted the precepts of the second Table, Touching the honour which is due to Parents, under whom are comprehended Princes and Teachers. For now the devil hath so blinded the senses of many, that they cannot, or at least, will not learn what appertaineth to God,¹ and what to Caesar. But because the spirit of God hath said, Honour the King; therefore, whatsoever they command, be it right or wrong, must be obeyed. But heavy shall the judgement be, which shall apprehend such blasphemers of Gods Majesty, who dare be so bold as to affirm, That God hath commanded any creature to be obeyed against himself.² Against God it is, That for the commandment of any Prince, be he never so potent, men shall commit Idolatry, embrace a Religion which God hath not approved by his Word, or confirm, by their silence, wicked and blasphemous Laws, made against the honour of his Majesty. Men I say, that so do, give no true obedience, but as they are Apostates from God, so are they Traitors to their Princes, whom by flattery they confirm in rebelling against God; only, they which to the death resist such wicked laws and decrees, are acceptable to God, and faithful to their Princes;³ As were the three children in the presence of Nebuchadnezzar, and Daniel in the days of Darius (the Persian Emperor) whose constant and free confession, as it glorified God, so did it notify as well to those tyrants, as to all ages following, the great blasphemy which in their rage and fury they committed against God, from the which (by all appearance) neither of both so suddenly should have been called, if the three children had bowed among the rest, and Daniel had not declared the confession of his faith; Which was, with Windows open to pray towards Jerusalem, manifestly thereby declaring, That he did not consent to the blasphemous law, and decree, which was established by the King and his Counsel. Experience hath taught us what surmises and blasphemies the adversaries of Christ Jesus, of his eternal verity, do invent and devise against such as begin to detect their impiety.