The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

How far we have sought support of England, or of any other Prince, and how just cause we had and have so to do, we shall shortly make manifest unto the world, To the praise of Gods holy Name, and to the confusion of all those that slander us for so doing: For this we fear not to confess, That as in this our enterprise, against the Devil, Idolatry, and the maintainers of the same, we chiefly and only seek Gods glory to be notified unto man,¹ sin to be punished, and virtue to be maintained: So where power faileth in our selves, we will seek it wheresoever GOD shall offer the same: And yet in so doing, we are assured neither to offend GOD, neither yet to do any thing repugnant to our Duties. ⟨p. 188⟩We heartily praise God, who moved the heart of the Earle of Arran to join himself with us his persecuted brethren. But how malicious a lye it is, That we have promised to set him up in Authority, the issue shall declare: God we take to record, That no such thing hath entered into our hearts, neither yet hath the said Earle, neither any to him appertaining, moved us unto any such matter: which if they should do, yet are we not so slender in judgement, that inconsiderately we would promise that, which after we would repent. We speak and write to the praise of Gods glory;² the least of us knoweth better what obedience is due to a lawful Authority, then she and her council doth practice the Office of such as worthily may sit upon the Seat of Justice: For we offer, and we perform all obedience which God hath commanded; and we deny neither Toll, Tribute, nor Fear, to her nor her Officers, we only bridle her blind rage, in the which she would erect and maintain Idolatry, and would murder our brethren, who refuse the same: But she doth utterly abuse the Authority established by God, she profaneth the Throne of his Majesty on earth, making the Seat of Justice, which ought to be the Sanctuary and Refuge of all godly and virtuous persons unjustly afflicted, to be a den and receptacle to Thieves, Murderers, Idolaters, Whoremongers, Adulterers, and of Blasphemers of God, and all godliness. It is more then evident what men they are, and long have been, whom she by her power maintaineth and defendeth; and also what hath been our conversation,³