A47584:1508
The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland
The history of the reformation of the Church of Scotland containing five books : together with some treatises conducing to the history.The historie of the reformation of the Church of Scotland containing five books : together with some treatises conducing to the history.
London: printed by John Raworth for George Thomason and Octavian Pullen, 1644
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Of which words, it is evident, That the sword of God is not committed to the hand of man,1 to use as it pleaseth him, but only to punish vice, and maintain virtue, that men may live in such society, as before God is acceptable. And this is the very and only cause, why God hath appointed powers in this Earth.
Of which words, it is evident, That the sword of God is not committed to the hand of man,1 to use as it pleaseth him, but onely to punish vice, and maintain vertue, that men may live in such society, as before God is acceptable. And this is the very and onely cause, why God hath appointed powers in this Earth.
- 1Note.
For such is the furious rage of mans corrupt nature, That unless severe punishment were appointed, and put in execution upon malefactors; Better it were, that man should live among brute and wild Beasts, then among men. But at this present, I dare not enter into the description of this common place; for so should I not satisfy the Text, which by Gods grace I purpose to absolve. This only by the way, I would that such as are placed in Authority, should consider, Whether they reign and rule by God, so that God ruleth them or if they rule without, besides, and against God, of whom our Prophet here doth complain.
For such is the furious rage of mans corrupt nature, That unlesse severe punishment were appointed, and put in execution upon malefactors; Better it were, that man should live among brute and wilde Beasts, then among men. But at this present, I dare not enter into the description of this common place; for so should I not satisfie the Text, which by Gods grace I purpose to absolve. This onely by the way, I would that such as are placed in Authority, should consider, Whether they raign and rule by God, so that God ruleth them or if they rule without, besides, and against God, of whom our Prophet here doth complain.