The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

And the first is committed, namely, by their prelatical Clergy, who withdraw from the Prince a great part of his due, when they study to exempt themselves from his Obedience, and take from him any inspection upon them, namely, concerning the discharge of their calling, although by Gods Ordinance it be a main part of his Office, to see God served, and worshipped, according to his Will revealed in his sacred Word.

And the first is committed, namely, by their prelaticall Clergy, who withdraw from the Prince a great part of his due, when they study to exempt themselves from his Obedience, and take from him any inspection upon them, namely, concerning the discharge of their calling, although by Gods Ordinance it be a main part of his Office, to see God served, and worshipped, according to his Will revealed in his sacred Word.

We have a little above seen, how that by the flattery of some Court-preachers, the custom is brought into the Church, to give unto the Prince, not only swelling, but blasphemous Titles in the public Prayer, that is made by the Minister in the name of the Church; but although, this be too great an evil, and requireth Reformation, yet the flattery of some Preachers hath not stayed here; for they, according to their custom, having addicted themselves to any one, whom they conceive may help them to preferment, stick not in the pulpit, where all relation should be ⟨image 37⟩laid aside, save that of a Minister of Gods Word, to publish themselves, yea, in their Prayers, to be varlets to this man, or that man; and, what is worse yet, in the Prayer they call their Masters and Lords Virtuous, Pious, and Religious, when it is known to all, That for the most part they have little Virtue, less Piety, and no Religion at all. To have pointed at these things, shall suffice for this place. If any man will be contentious for these practices, I answer him, That the well-Reformed Churches have no such Customs; for among the other abuses whereof they have been purged, by the care and diligence of the faithful Vine-dressers, under Gods blessing, they have been pruned of this rotten Bud of slavish flattery, as a corruption much opposite and contrary to the dignity and power of the Gospel. But let us return, after this long Digression.