The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

Moreover, The flattering Preachers, unrequired in the public prayers in the name of the Church, call the Prince forsooth, The Breath of our Nostrils, taking for his ground, the words of Jeremiah, in his Lamentations, Chap. 4. vers. 20. Which words, by the Current of the Ancients, and Septuagint, are to be understood of Christ Jesus; True it is, The Rabbins have interpreted the words of one of the Kings of Judah, to wit, Josiah, or Zedekias; and hence some of the later Expositors have explained these words, That first and literally they may be applied to one of the Kings of Judah, who were all figures of Christ to come, but principally, and mainly the words are to be understood of Christ Jesus, by the consent of all; So to attribute these words to any Prince earthly, cannot be without offence to Christ; For who can be said properly, and well, To be the Breath of our Nostrils, but he, who inspireth into us life, that is God. In like manner, the inconsiderate Ministers of the Gospel, abusing the Text of the eightieth Psalm, which, by the consent of all, is understood of Christ truly, and of David, as a figure ⟨image 37⟩of Christ to come, call the King, The man of thy right hand, this in no ways, without Blasphemy, can be attributed unto any earthly Prince; for none is to be said a figure of Christ, as David, and his Successors were by a particular dispensation. But if misapplying, and mistaking of Texts of Scripture will do business,¹ since Magistrates are said to be gods, you may as well call the Prince god, as the Roman Emperor was of old by some so called, and now the Pope, by his Court-parasites: which Title of god, no Prince will suffer to be given unto him; Surely, as it is a very great crime, not to give due respect, reverence, and obedience unto him, whom God hath set over us for our good, according to his wise Ordinance; so on the other side, it is a huge sin to Idolize the Prince, making him a god, when he is but a weak, and infirm man, servant of God. This second fault is committed chiefly by the Sycophants and Parasites, who have no other Church, nor Chapel, but the Court, and make Petition to none, but to the King, whom to please, they wholly study, that they may catch somewhat to satisfy their inordinate desires.

Moreover, The flattering Preachers, unrequired in the publike prayers in the name of the Church, call the Prince forsooth, The Breath of our Nostrils, taking for his ground, the words of Ieremy, in his Lamentations, Chap. 4. vers. 20. Which words, by the Current of the Ancients, and Septuagint, are to be understood of Christ Jesus; True it is, The Rabbins have interpreted the words of one of the Kings of Iudah, to wit, Iosias, or Zedekias; and hence some of the later Expositors have explained these words, That first and literally they may be applyed to one of the Kings of Judah, who were all figures of Christ to come, but principally, and mainly the words are to be understood of Christ Iesus, by the consent of all; So to attribute these words to any Prince earthly, cannot be without offense to Christ; For who can be said properly, and well, To be the Breath of our Nostrils, but he, who inspireth into us life, that is God. In like manner, the inconsiderate Ministers of the Gospel, abusing the Text of the eightieth Psalm, which, by the consent of all, is understood of Christ truely, and of David, as a figure