The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

First, God revealed himself to Abraham, and that by the means of his Word; to let all flesh after understand, That God first called man, and revealed himself unto him,¹ that flesh can do nothing but rebel against God; for Abraham (no doubt) was an Idolater before that God called him from Ur of the Chaldees; The Promise was made, That the Seed of Abraham should be multiplied as the Stars of heaven, ²and as the sand of the sea; which is ⟨p. 106⟩not simply to be understood of his natural Seed, as though it was sometimes greatly increased; but rather of such as should become the spiritual Seed of Abraham, as the Apostle speaketh; Now if we be able to prove, That the right knowledge of God, his Wisdom, Justice, Mercy and Power, was more amply declared in their captivity, then ever it was at any time before, then can we not deny, but that God (even when to mans judgement he had utterly razed them from the face of the earth) did increase the Nation of the Jews, so that he was glorified in them, and did extend the Coasts of the earth for their habitation. And for the better understanding hereof, let us shortly try the Histories, from their Captivity to their deliverance, and after the same, to the coming of the Messiah.

First, God revealed himself to Abraham, and that by the means of his Word; to let all flesh after understand, That God first called man, and revealed himself unto him,¹ that flesh can do nothing but rebell against God; for Abraham (no doubt) was an Idolater before that God called him from Ur of the Caldees; The Promise was made, That the Seed of Abraham should be multiplyed as the Stars of heaven, ²and as the sand of the sea; which is ⟨p. 106⟩not simply to be understood of his naturall Seed, as though it was sometimes greatly increased; but rather of such as should become the spirituall Seed of Abraham, as the Apostle speaketh; Now if we be able to prove, That the right knowledge of God, his Wisdom, Justice, Mercy and Power, was more amply declared in their captivity, then ever it was at any time before, then can we not deny, but that God (even when to mans judgement he had utterly rased them from the face of the earth) did increase the Nation of the Iews, so that he was glorified in them, and did extend the Coasts of the earth for their habitation. And for the better undestanding hereof, let us shortly trie the Histories, from their Captivitie to their deliverance, and after the same, to the comming of the Messias.