The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

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.

We have a little above seen, how that by the flattery of some Court-preachers, the custome is brought into the Church, to give unto the Prince, not onely swelling, but blasphemous Titles in the publike Prayer, that is made by the Minister in the name of the Chruch; but although, this be too great an evill, and requireth Reformation, yet the flattery of some Preachers hath not stayed here; for they, according to their custome, 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 Vertuous, Pious, and Religious, when it is known to all, That for the most part they have little Vertue, lesse 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 wel-Reformed Churches have no such Customs; for among the other abuses whereof they have been purged, by the care and diligence of the faithfull 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.