A47584:173
The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland
The history of the reformation of the Church of Scotland containing five books : together with some treatises conducing to the history.The historie of the reformation of the Church of Scotland containing five books : together with some treatises conducing to the history.
London: printed by John Raworth for George Thomason and Octavian Pullen, 1644
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
As in the beginning of the fifteenth age the Schism for the Papacy opened through Christendom many mens mouths, and busied their Pens to set forth the corruption of the Church, and the Vices of the Clergy; even so in the beginning of the sixteenth age, those that fought for the Bishopric of Saint Andrews, by their dissension gave occasion to many in Scotland to speak in public and private of the corruption of Church-mens Lives, Government and Doctrine in Scotland; which coming to the Popes ears, presently he sent unto the King, James the fourth, a Sword, with the Title of Protector of the Faith; as if all Christian Princes were not in duty bound to protect the Faith in Christ; but the Faith whi•h the Pope would have the King to protect, was his erroneous Doctrine, and Tyrannical Authority.
As in the beginning of the fifteenth age the Schisme for the Papacie opened thorow Christendom many mens mouthes, and busied their Pennes to set forth the corruption of the Church, and the Vices of the Clergie; even so in the beginning of the sixteenth age, those that fought for the Bishoprick of Saint Andrews, by their dissention gave occasion to many in Scotland to speak in publike and private of the corruption of Church-mens Lives, Government and Doctrine in Scotland; which coming to the Popes ears, presently he sent unto the King, Iames the fourth, a Sword, with the Title of Protector of the Faith; as if all Christian Princes were not in dutie bound to protect the Faith in Christ; but the Faith whi•h the Pope would have the King to protect, was his erroneous Doctrine, and Tyrannicall Authoritie.
Some few years after this, Henry the eighth was declared by the Pope, Defender of the Faith, and had the Sword likewise. James the 4 of Scotland being dead, now by the corrupt Courtiers the young inconsiderate King James was made believe, That the conferring of this new Title by the Pope, did bring unto him a great preeminence; yea, the Court Sycophants did not stick to call it, A new Royalty, when in effect it was nothing else but a new note of his Vassalage to Rome; and by the accepting of the Sword he did engage himself to make war for Rome; and so he did indeed, for sundry men