The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

All Authority which God hath established, is good and perfect, and is to be obeyed of all men, yea, under pain of damnation. But do ye not understand,¹ That there is a great difference betwixt the Authority which is Gods Ordinance, and the persons of those which are placed in Authority; the Authority and Gods Ordinances can never do wrong, for it commandeth that vice and wicked men be punished,² and virtue with virtuous men and just be maintained. But the corrupt person placed in this Authority, may offend, and most commonly doth contrary to this Authority: and is then the corruption of man to be followed, by reason that it is clothed with the name of Authority? Or shall those that obey the wicked commandment of those that are placed in Authority, be excusable before God? Not so, not so, but the plagues and vengeances of God taken upon Kings their servants and subjects,³ do witness to us the plain contrary. Pharaoh was a King,⁴ and had his Authority of God, who commanded his subjects to murder and torment the Israelites, and at last most cruelly to persecute their lives: But was their obedience (blind rage it should be called) excusable before God? the Universal plague doth plainly declare, That the wicked Commander, and those that obeyed, were alike guilty before God. And if the example of Pharaoh shall be rejected,⁵ because he was an Ethnic, then let us consider the facts of Saul: He was a King anointed of God, appointed to reign over his people;⁶ he commanded to persecute David, because (as he alleged) David was a Traitor, and Usurper of the Crown: And likewise commanded Ahimeleck the High Priest and his fellows to be slain: But did God approve any part of this obedience? evident it is, That he did not. And think ye that God will approve in you, that which he did condemn in others? be not deceived; with God there is no such partiality. If ye obey the unjust commandments of wicked Rulers, ye shall suffer Gods vengeance and just punishment with them. And therefore, as ye tender your own salvation, we most earnestly require of you moderation, and that ye stay your selves, and the fury of others, from persecuting of us, till our cause be tried in open and lawful Judgement.