The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

And so long (said the other) ye, and all others must be content, that I pray so, as I may be assured to be heard of my God; that is, That his good will may be done, either in making her comfortable to his Church; or if that he hath appointed her to be a scourge to the same, That we may have patience, and she may be bridled. Well, (said Lethington) Let us come to the second head? Where find ye, that the Scriptures calls any the bond slaves of Satan, or that the Prophets of God spake of Kings and Princes, so irreverently. The Scripture, said John Knox, saith, That by nature we are all the sons of wrath: Our Master Christ affirms, That such as do sin, are servants to sin, and that it is the only Son of God that sets men at freedom; now what difference there is betwixt the sons of wrath, the servants of sin, &c. And the slaves of Satan, I understand not, except I be taught; And if the sharpness of the term offend you, I ⟨p. 382⟩have not invented that phrase of speech, but have learned it out of Gods Scriptures; for these words I find spoken unto Paul, Behold I send thee unto the Gentiles, to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God. Mark the words, my Lord, and stir not at the speaking of the holy Ghost. And the same Apostle writing to his Scholar Timothy, ¹says, Instruct with meekness those that are contrary minded, if that God at any time will give them repentance, that they may know the truth, and come to amendment out of the snare of the Devil, which are taken of him at his will. If your Lordship do rightly consider these sentences, you shall not only find my words to be the words of the holy Ghost, but also the condition which I use to add, to have the assurance of Gods Scriptures.

And so long (said the other) yee, and all others must be content, that I pray so, as I may be assured to be heard of my God; that is, That his good will may be done, either in making her comfortable to his Church; or if that he hath appointed her to be a scourge to the same, That we may have patience, and she may be bridled. Well, (said Lethington) Let us come to the second head? Where finde ye, that the Scriptures calls any the bond slaves of Satan, or that the Prophets of God spake of Kings and Princes, so irreverently. The Scripture, said Iohn Knox, saith, That by nature wee are all the sonnes of wrath: Our Master Christ affirmes, That such as doe sinne, are servants to sinne, and that it is the onely Sonne of God that sets men at freedome; now what difference there is betwixt the sonnes of wrath, the servants of sinne, &c. And the slaves of Satan, I understand not, except I be taught; And if the sharpnesse of the terme offend you, I