While that the Queen Regent practised with the Prelates, how that Christ Jesus blessed Gospel might utterly be suppressed within Scotland, God so blessed the labours of his weak servants, that no small part of the Barons of this Realm began to abhor the Tyranny of the Bishops:1 God did so open their eyes, by the light of his Word, that they could clearly discern betwixt Idolatry, and the true honouring of God: Yea, men almost universally began to doubt whether they could (God not offended) give their bodily presence to the Mass, or yet offer their children to the Papistical Baptism. The doubts when the most godly,2 and the most learned in Europe had answered, both by word and writing, affirming, That neither of both we might do, without peril of our souls, we began to be more troubled: For then also began men of estimation, and those that bare rule amongst us, to examine themselves concerning their duties, as well towards Reformation of Religion, as towards the just defence of their brethren most cruelly persecuted. And so began divers questions to be moved; to wit, If that with safe conscience such as were Judges, Lords, and Rulers of the People, might serve the higher Powers in maintaining of Idolatry, 3in persecuting their Brethren, and in suppressing Christs Truth: Or, Whether they to whom God in some case hath committed the Sword of Justice, might suffer the blood of their Brethren to be shed in their presence, without any declaration that such Tyranny displeased them. 4By the plain Scriptures it was found, That a lively faith required a plain Conf•ssion when Christs Truth is oppugned, That not only are they guilty that do evil, but also they that consent to evil. And plain it is, That they consent to evil, who seeing iniquity openly committed, by their silence seem to justify and avow whatsoever is done.
While that the Queen Regent practised with the Prelats, how that Christ Jesus blessed Gospel might utterly be suppressed within Scotland, God so blessed the labours of his weak servants, that no small part of the Barons of this Realme began to abhorre the Tyranny of the Bishops:1 God did so open their eyes, by the light of his Word, that they could cleerly discerne betwixt Idolatry, and the true honouring of God: Yea, men almost universally began to doubt whether they could (God not offended) give their bodily presence to the Masse, or yet offer their children to the Papisticall Baptisme. The doubts when the most godly,2 and the most learned in Europe had answered, both by word and writing, affirming, That neither of both we might do, without perill of our souls, we began to be more troubled: For then also began men of estimation, and those that bare rule amongst us, to examine themselves concerning their duties, as well towards Reformation of Religion, as towards the just defence of their brethren most cruelly persecuted. And so began divers questions to be moved; to wit, If that with safe conscience such as were Iudges, Lords, and Rulers of the People, might serve the higher Powers in maintaining of Idolatry, 3in persecuting their Brethren, and in suppressing Christs Truth: Or, Whether they to whom God in some case hath committed the Sword of Iustice, might suffer the blood of their Brethren to be shed in their presence, without any declaration that such Tyranny displeased them. 4By the plain Scriptures it was found, That a lively faith required a plaine Conf•ssion when Christs Truth is oppugned, That not onely are they guilty that do evil, but also they that consent to evil. And plain it is, That they consent to evil, who seeing iniquity openly committed, by their silence seem to justifie and avow whatsoever is done.
- 1The first dou•t.
- 2The second.
- 3Note.
- 4Scriptures answering the doubts.
