The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

Now so it is, that willingly, flesh can never refuse these forenamed, but rather still delighteth it self in every one of them; yea, in them all, as the examples are but too evident.

It behoveth therefore, that God himself shall violently pull his children from these venomous breasts, that when they lack the liquor and poison of the one, they may visit him, and learn to be nourished of him. Oh if the eyes of worldly Princes should be opened, that they might see with what humour and liquor their souls are fed, while that their whole delight consisteth in pride, ambition, and lusts of the stinking flesh. We understand then how God doth visit men, as well by his severe judgements, as by his merciful visitation of deliverance from trouble, or by bringing trouble upon his chosen for their humiliation: And now it resteth to understand how man visiteth God: Man doth visit God, when he appeareth in his presence; be it to the hearing of his Word, or to the participation of his Sacraments; as the people of Israel, besides the observation of their Sabbaths and daily oblations, were commanded thrice a year to present themselves before the presence of the Tabernacle, and as we do, and as often as we present our selves to the hearing of the Word; for there is the footstool, yea, there is the face and throne of God himself, wheresoever the Gospel of Jesus Christ is truly Preached, and his Sacraments rightly ministered.

It behoveth therefore, that God himself shall violently pull his children from these venemous breasts, that when they lack the liquor and poyson of the one, they may visite him, and learn to be nourished of him. Oh if the eyes of worldly Princes should be opened, that they might see with what humour and liquor their souls are fed, while that their whole delight consisteth in pride, ambition, and lusts of the stinking flesh. We understand then how God doth visite men, as well by his severe judgements, as by his mercifull visitation of deliverance from trouble, or by bringing trouble upon his chosen for their humiliation: And now it resteth to understand how man visiteth God: Man doth visite God, when he appeareth in his presence; be it to the hearing of his Word, or to the participation of his Sacraments; as the people of Israel, besides the observation of their Sabbaths and daily oblations, were commanded thrice a yeer to present themselves before the presence of the Tabernacle, and as we do, and as often as we present our selves to the hearing of the Word; for there is the footstool, yea, there is the face and throne of God himself, wheresoever the Gospel of Jesus Christ is truely Preached, and his Sacraments rightly ministred.