The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

In dolour shalt thou bear thy children. It is bruited, That my book is, or shall be written against, or answered: If so be Sir, I greatly fear, That flatterers shall more hurt then help the matter which they would seem to maintain; for except my error be plainly shown and confuted, by better authority then by such Laws as from year to year may and do change, I dare not promise silence in so weighty a business; lest that in so doing, I shall appear to betray the Verity which is not subject to the mutability of time. And if any think me either enemy to the person, or yet to the Regiment of her, whom God hath now promoted, they are utterly deceived in me, for the miraculous Work of God, comforting his afflicted by an infirm vessel, I do acknowledge, and I will obey the power of his most potent hand (raising up whom best pleaseth his Mercy, to suppress such as fight against his glory) albeit that both nature, and Gods most perfect Ordinance repugn to such Regiment. More plainly to speak, If Queen Elizabeth shall confess, That the extraordinary dispensation of Gods great mercy, makes that lawful unto her, which both nature and Gods Laws do deny unto all women; then shall none in England be more willing to maintain her lawful authority then I shall be: But if (Gods wondrous work set aside) she ground (as God forbid) the justness of her Title upon consuetude Laws and Ordinances ⟨p. 221⟩of men: Then I am assured, That as such foolish presumption doth highly offend Gods supreme Majesty; so do I greatly fear, That her ingratitude shall not long lack punishment. And this in the name of the eternal God, and of his Son Jesus Christ (before whom, both you and I shall stand to make an account of all counsel we give) I require you to signify unto her Majesty, in my name; Adding, That only humility and desertion of her self before God, shall be the firmness and stability of the Throne, which I know shall be assaulted mo ways then one. If this you conceal from her Majesty, I will make it patent to the world, That thus far I have communicated with you; having also further to speak, if my judgement may be heard.

In dolour shalt thou beare thy children. It is bruited, That my book is, or shall be written against, or answered: If so be Sir, I greatly feare, That flatterers shall more hurt then helpe the matter which they would seem to maintaine; for except my errour be plainly shewne and confuted, by better authority then by such Lawes as from yeere to yeere may and do change, I dare not promise silence in so weighty a businesse; lest that in so doing, I shall appeare to betray the Verity which is not subject to the mutabilitie of time. And if any thinke me either enemy to the person, or yet to the Regiment of her, whom God hath now promoted, they are utterly deceived in me, for the miraculous Work of God, comforting his afflicted by an infirme vessell, I do acknowledge, and I will obey the power of his most potent hand (raising up whom best pleaseth his Mercy, to suppresse such as fight against his glory) albeit that both nature, and Gods most perfect Ordinance repugne to such Regiment. More plainly to speak, If Queen Elizabeth shall confesse, That the extraordinary dispensation of Gods great mercy, makes that lawfull unto her, which both nature and Gods Lawes do deny unto all women; then shall none in England be more willing to maintaine her lawfull authority then I shall be: But if (Gods wondrous worke set aside) she ground (as God forbid) the justnesse of her Title upon consuetude Lawes and Ordinances