The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

Now of the former words of the Prophet, we have to gather this comfort, That if at any time we see the face of the Church within this Realm so defaced (as I think it shall be sooner then we look for) when we shall see, I say, virtue to be despised, vice to be maintained, ⟨p. 116⟩the verity of God to be impugned, lies and mens inventions holden in authority; and finally, when we shall see the true Religion of our God, and the zealous observers of the same, to be trodden under the feet of such as in their heart say,¹ That there is no God. Let us then call to mind what have been the wondrous works of our God from the beginning, that it is his proper Office to bring forth light out of darkness, order out of confusion, life out of death; and finally, that it is he, that calleth things that are not, even as if they were, as before we have heard: And if in the day of our temptation (which in my judgement approacheth fast) we be thus armed, if our incredulity cannot utterly be removed, yet shall it so be corrected, that damnable despair oppress us not. But now let us hear how the Prophet proceedeth: Come (saith he) thou my people, enter within thy chamber, shut thy door after thee, hide thy self a very little while, until the indignation pass over.

Now of the former words of the Prophet, we have to gather this comfort, That if at any time we see the face of the Church within this Realm so defaced (as I think it shall be sooner then we look for) when we shall see, I say, vertue to be despised, vice to be maintained, ⟨p. 116⟩the verity of God to be impugned, lies and mens inventions holden in authoritie; and finally, when we shall see the true Religion of our God, and the zealous observers of the same, to be trodden under the feet of such as in their heart say,¹ That there is no God. Let us then call to mind what have been the wonderous works of our God from the beginning, that it is his proper Office to bring forth light out of darknesse, order out of confusion, life out of death; and finally, that it is he, that calleth things that are not, even as if they were, as before we have heard: And if in the day of our temptation (which in my judgement approacheth fast) wee be thus armed, if our incredulity cannot utterly be removed, yet shall it so be corrected, that damnable despaire oppresse us not. But now let us hear how the Prophet proceedeth: Come (saith he) thou my people, enter within thy chamber, shut thy door after thee, hide thy self a very little while, untill the indignation passe over.