The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

Who, I say, would not think, that these are things not only spoken forth of good order and purpose, but also manifestly repugning one to another. For, to live, and not to live, to be so destroyed that no memorial remaineth; and to be so increased, that the coasts of the earth shall be ⟨p. 104⟩replenished, seem to import plain contradiction. For removing of this doubt, and for better understanding of the Prophets mind, we must understand, that the Prophet had to do with divers sorts of men; he had to do with the conjured and manifest enemies of Gods people, the Chaldees or Babylonians; even so such as profess CHRIST JESUS, have to do with the Turk and Saracens. He had to do with the Seed of Abraham, whereof there were three sorts. The ten Tribes all degenerate from the true worshipping of GOD, and corrupted with Idolatry, as this day are our pestilent Papists in all Realms and Nations, there rested only the Tribe of Judah at Jerusalem, where the form of true Religion was observed, the Law taught, and Ordinances of God outwardly kept; but yet there were in that body (I mean, in the body of the visible Church) a great number that were Hypocrites, as this day yet are among us that do profess the Lord Jesus, and have refused Papistry; not a few that were licentious livers, some that turned their back to God; that is, Had forsaken all true Religion, and some that lived a most abominable life, as Ezekiel saith in his vision;¹ and yet there were some godly, as a few Wheat Corns oppressed and hid among the multitude of Chaff: Now according to this diversity, the Prophet keepeth divers purposes, and yet in most perfect order.

Who, I say, would not think, that these are things not onely spoken forth of good order and purpose, but also manifestly repugning one to another. For, to live, and not to live, to be so destroyed that no memoriall remaineth; and to be so increased, that the coasts of the earth shalbe ⟨p. 104⟩replenished, seem to import plain contradiction. For removing of this doubt, and for better understanding of the Prophets minde, we must understand, that the Prophet had to do with divers sorts of men; he had to do with the conjured and manifest enemies of Gods people, the Caldees or Babylonians; even so such as professe CHRIST JESUS, have to doe with the Turke and Sarazens. He had to doe with the Seed of Abraham, whereof there were three sorts. The ten Tribes all degenerate from the true worshipping of GOD, and corrupted with Idolatry, as this day are our pestilent Papists in all Realms and Nations, there rested onely the Tribe of Iudah at Ierusalem, where the form of true Religion was observed, the Law taught, and Ordinances of God outwardly kept; but yet there were in that body (I mean, in the body of the visible Church) a great number that were Hypocrites, as this day yet are among us that do professe the Lord Jesus, and have refused Papistrie; not a few that were licentious livers, some that turned their backe to God; that is, Had foraken all true Religion, and som that lived a most abominable life, as Ezekiel saith in his vision;