The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

because he would, That ye should prefer your worldly rest to Gods praise and glory; and the friendship of the wicked, to the salvation of your brethren. I am not ignorant that fearful troubles shall ensue your enterprise (as in my former Letters I did signify unto you.¹) But O joyful and comfortable are the troubles and adversities, which man sustaineth for accomplishment of Gods will revealed by his word! For how terrible soever they appear to the judgement of the natural man, yet are they never able to devour, nor utterly to consume the sufferers: For the invisible and invincible power of God sustaineth and preserveth according to his promise, all such as with simplicity do obey him. The subtle craft of Pharaoh many years joined with his bloody cruelty, was not able to destroy the male children of Israel; neither were the waters of the Red Sea, much less the rage of Pharaoh able to confound Moses, and the company which he conducted, and that because the one had Gods Promise that they should multiply; and the other had his Commandment to enter into such dangers. I would your wisdoms should consider that our God remaineth one, and is immutable; and that the Church of Christ Jesus hath the same promise of protection and defence,² that Israel had of multiplication: And farther, That no less cause have ye to enter into your former enterprise, then Moses had to go to the presence of Pharaoh (for your vassals, yea your brethren are oppressed, their bodies and souls holden in bondage, and God speaketh to your consciences, (unless ye be dead with the blind world) that ye ought to hazard your own lives (be it against Kings or Emperors) for their deliverance. For only for that cause are ye called Princes of the people.³ And ye receive of your Brethren, Honour, Tribute, and Homage, at Gods Commandment, not by reason of your Birth and Progeny (as the most part of men do falsely suppose) but by reason of your Office and Duty, which is to vindicate and deliver your subjects and brethren from all violence and oppression to the uttermost of your power. Advise diligently, I beseech you, with the points of that Letter which I directed to the whole Nobility; and let every man apply the matter and case to himself;

because he would, That ye should prefer your worldly rest to Gods praise and glory; and the friendship of the wicked, to the salvation of your brethren. I am not ignorant that fearfull troubles shall ensue your enterprise (as in my former Letters I did signifie unto you.