The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

Well said John Knox, seeing Brother, God hath made you one to fill the chair of verity; wherein I am assured, we agree in all principal Heads of Doctrine; Let it never be said, That we agree not in disputation. John Knox was moved thus to speak, because he understood more of the craft then the other did. Well (said Lethington) I am somewhat better provided in this last Head, then I was in the other two: Master Knox, said he, yesterday we heard your Judgement upon the thirteenth to the Romans; we heard the mind of the Apostle well opened; we heard the causes why God hath established powers upon the earth; we heard of the necessity that mankind hath of the same; and we heard the duty of Magistrates sufficiently declared; But in two things I was offended, as I think some other more of my Lords that were present: which was, Ye made difference betwixt the Ordinance of God, and the persons that were placed in Authority: And ye affirmed, That men might refuse the persons, and yet not offend against Gods Ordinance; This is one, the other ye had no time to explain; but this me thought ye meant, That Subjects were not bound to obey their Princes, if they command unlawful things, but that they might refuse their Princes; and that they were not ever bound to suffer.

Well said Iohn Knox, seeing Brother, God hath made you one to fill the chaire of verity; wherein I am assured, we agree in all principall Heads of Doctrine; Let it never be said, That we agree not in disputation. Iohn Knox was moved thus to speake, because he understood more of the craft then the other did. Well (said Lethington) I am somewhat better provided in this last Head, then I was in the other two: Master Knox, said he, yesterday we heard your Judgement upon the thirteenth to the Romanes; we heard the minde of the Apostle well opened; we heard the causes why God hath established powers upon the earth; we heard of the necessitie that mankinde hath of the same; and wee heard the dutie of Magistrates sufficiently declared; But in two things I was offended, as I thinke some other more of my Lords that were present: which was, Ye made difference betwixt the Ordinance of God, and the persons that were placed in Authoritie: And ye affirmed, That men might refuse the persons, and yet not offend against Gods Ordinance; This is one, the other yee had no time to explaine; but this me thought ye meant, That Subjects were not bound to obey their Princes, if they command unlawfull things, but that they might refuse their Princes; and that they were not ever bound to suffer.