The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

What motherly affection she hath declared to this Realm, and to the inhabitants of the same, her works have evidently declared, even since the first hour that she hath borne Authority. And albeit men will not this day see what danger hangs over our heads, yet fear we that ere it be long, experience shall teach some, that we have not feared without cause. The cruel murder and oppression used by those whom now she fostereth, is to us a sufficient argument what is to be looked for when her number is so multiplied, that our force shall not be able to gainstand their tyranny. Where she complaineth of our Preachers, affirming that unreverently they speak of Princes in general, and of her in particular, inducing the people thereby to defection from their duty, &c. And therefore that such a thing cannot be suffered. Because this occasion is laid against Gods true Ministers, we cannot but witness what course and order of Doctrine they have kept, and yet keep in that point. In public prayers they recommend to God all Princes in general,¹ and the Magistrates of this our native Realm in particular. In open audience they declare the Authority of Princes and Magistrates to be of God, and therefore they affirm that they ought to be honoured, feared, and obeyed, even for conscience sake; provided that they command nor require nothing expressly repugning to Gods Commandment and plain Will revealed in his holy Word. Moreover, they affirm, That if wicked persons abusing the Authority established by God, move Princes to command things manifestly wicked, That such as can and do bridle those inordinate appetites of misled Princes, cannot be accused as resistaries of the Authority, which is Gods good Ordinance. To bridle the rage and fury of misled Princes in free Kingdoms and Realms, they affirm it appertaineth to the Nobility, sworn and borne Councillors of the same, and also to the Barons and people, whose votes and consents are to be required in all great and weighty matters of the Common-wealth; which if they do not, they declare themselves criminal with their misled Princes, and so subject to the same vengeance of God, which they deserve, for that they pollute the seat of Justice, and do as it were make God author of Iniquity.

What motherly affection she hath declared to this Realm, and to the inhabitants of the same, her works have evidently declared, even since the first hour that she hath borne Authority. And albeit men will not this day see what danger hangs over our heads, yet fear we that ere it be long, experience shall teach some, that we have not feared without cause. The cruell murther and oppression used by those whom now she fostereth, is to us a sufficient argument what is to be looked for when her number is so multiplied, that our force shall not be able to gainstand their tyranny. Where she complaineth of our Preachers, affirming that unreverently they speak of Princes in generall, and of her in particular, inducing the people thereby to defection from their duty, &c. And therefore that such a thing cannot be suffered. Because this occasion is laid against Gods true Ministers, we cannot but witnesse what course and order of Doctrine they have kept, and yet keep in that point. In publike prayers they recommend to God all Princes in generall,