A47584:892
The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland
The history of the reformation of the Church of Scotland containing five books : together with some treatises conducing to the history.The historie of the reformation of the Church of Scotland containing five books : together with some treatises conducing to the history.
London: printed by John Raworth for George Thomason and Octavian Pullen, 1644
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The Queen stormed at such freedom of speaking, but she could not amend it, for the Spirit of God, of boldness, and of wisdom had not left the most part of such as God had made Instruments in the beginning, they were of one mind to maintain the truth, and to suppress Idolatry, particularities had not divided them; and therefore could not the Devil working in the Court, and in Papists, do then what they would; and therefore the Court began to invent a new craft; The Queen advised, to send for John Knox to come to her where she lay,1 at Lochlevin; She dealt with him earnestly two hours before supper, that he would be the Instrument to persuade the people, and principally the Gentlemen of the West, not to put hand to punish any man for the using of themselves in their religions as pleased them. The other perceiving her craft willed her Majesty to punish Malefactors according to the Laws, and he durst promise quietness upon the par• of all them that professed the Lord Jesus within Scotland; But if her Majesty thought to delude the Laws, he said, he feared some would let the Papists understand,2 that without punishment they should no be suffered so manifestly to offend Gods Majesty. Will ye (quoth she) allow that they shall ⟨p. 353⟩take my Sword in their hand. The Sword of Justice (quoth he) Madame, is Gods, and is given to Princes and Rulers for one end: which if they transgress, sparing the wicked, and oppressing the Innocents. They that in the fear of God execute Judgement where God hath commanded, offend not God, although Kings do it not; neither yet sin they that bridle Kings to strike innocent men in their rage: The examples are evident; for Samuel spared not to slay Agag, the fat and delicate King of Amelek, whom King Saul had saved: Neither spared Elijah, Jezebels false Prophets, and Baals Priests, albeit that King Ahab was present: Phinehas was no Magistrate, and yet feared he not to strike Zimri and Cozbi, in the very act of filthy Fornication. And so, Madame, your Majesty may see that others then chief Magistrates may lawfully punish, and have punished the vice and crimes that God commands to be punished: For Power by Act of Parliament is given to all Judges within their own bounds, to search the Mass-mongers, or hearers of the same, and to punish them according to the Law.