History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland, Commentary 8
Addition.
WHen Ieremiah the Prophet, at the Commandment of God, had written the Sermons, threatnings, and plagues, which he had spoken against Israel and Iudah, Jerem. 36.and had commanded them to be read by Baruch his Scribe, because himself was excommunicated, and forbidden to enter into the Temple; by the providence of God it came to passe, That Michaiah the son of Gemariah, hearing the said Sermons, passed to the Kings House, and did communicate the matter with the rest of the Princes; who also, after they had read the same Volume of Ieremiah his Preachings, did not conceal the truth from Iehoiakim, who then did raigne in Ierusalem. But the proud and desperate Prince commanding the Book to be read in his presence, before he had heard three or four leaves of the same, did cut it, and cast it into the fire, notwithstanding that some of the Princes (I think not all) made request in the contrary. But the Prophet was charged by God to write again, and to say to Iehoiakim, Thus saith the Lord, Thou hast burnt this Book, saying, Why hast thou written in it according to this sentence? Assuredly the King of Babylon shall come, and shall destroy this land, and shall make it void of men and beasts. Therefore thus saith the Lord, of Jehoiakim the King, There shall not be one left alive to sit in the Seat of David: Their carkases shall be cast to the heat of the day, and to the frost of the night (whereby the Prophet did signifie, the most vile death, and most cruell torment) and I shall visite the iniquity of himself, and of his seed and servants: And I shall bring upon them, and upon the inhabitants of Ierusalem, and upon all Iudah, all the calamities which I have spoken against them: Albeit they would not hear. This is not written, Madame, for that time onelyonly, but to assure us, That the like punishment abideth the like contemners, of what state, condition, or degree that ever they be. I did write unto you before, having testimony of a good conscience, That I did it in the fear of my God, and by the motion of his holy Spirit (for the request of the faithfull brethren, in things lawfull, and appertaining to Gods glory, I cannot but judge to be the voice of the holy Ghost.) But how ye did accept the same my former writing, I do not otherwise then by conjectures understand: whether ye did reade it to the end, or not, I am uncertain: One thing I know, That ye did deliver it to one of your Prelats, saying, My Lord, Will ye reade a Pasquill? As charity perswadeth me to interpret things (doubtfully spoken) in the best sense; so my duty to God (who hath commanded me to flatter no Prince on the earth) compelleth me to say, That if no more ye esteem the Admonition of God, then the Cardinalls do the scoffing of Pasquills, that then he shall shortly send you messengers with whom ye shall not be able on that manner to jest. If my person be considered, I grant my th…eatnings are no more to be feared, then be the merry sports which fearfull men do father upon Pisquillus in Rome. But, Madame, if ye shall deeply consider, That GOD useth men (yea, and most commonly, those that be of lowest degree, and most abject before the world) to be his Messengers and Ambassadours, not onelyonly to notifie his will to the simple … but also to rebuke the most proud Tyrants and potent Princes, then will ye not judge the liquor by the outward appearance and nature of the vessell. For ye are not ignorant, That the most noble Wine is inclosed within the Tun made of Fraile wood,Amos 2. and that the precious oyntment is often kept within the pot made of Clay. If further ye shall consider, that God will do nothing touching the punishment of Realms and Nations, which he will not reveale to his servants the Prophets, whose tongues he will compell to speak somtimes contrary to the appetites and desires of their own hearts,Zach 15 and whose words he will perform, be they never so unapparent to the judgement of men,James 5. 1 Reg 17. 1 Reg. 18. If these ye do deeply weigh, then will ye fear the thing, which presently is not seen. Elias was but a man, as Saint Iames doth witnesse, like to his Brethren, and yet at his prayer was Achab the Idolater,1 Reg. 19. and all Israel with him punished three yeares and six moneths, God shutting up the heaven, that neither rain nor dew fell upon the earth the space afore written. And in the end, God so wrought by him,2 Reg 9. that Baals Priests were first confounded, and after justly punished. And albeit that Iesabel sought his blood, and by oath had determined his death,1 Reg 19. yet as she was frustrate of her intent, so could she not keep her own bones from the dogs, which punishment, the Prophet (God so ruling his tongue) had before appointed to that wicked woman. Albeit Madam, that the Messengers of God are not sent this day with visible miracles, because they teach none other doctrine then that which is confirmed with miracles from the beginning of the world: yet will not he (who hath promised to take charge over his poor and little flock, to the end) suffer the contempt of their Embassage, escape punishment and vengeance. For the truth it self hath said: He that heareth you, Mat 10.heareth me, and he that contemneth you, contemneth me. I did not speak unto you, Madam, by my former letter, neither yet do I now as Pasquillus doth to the Pope, and his carnall Cardinals in the behalf of such as dare not utter their names, but I come in the name of Christ Jesus, affirming, that the Religion, which ye maintain, is damnable Idolatry: the which I offer my self to prove by the most evident testimony of Gods Scriptures. And in this quarrell I present my self against all the Papists in the Realm, desiring none other Armour but Gods holy Word, and the liberty of my tongue. God move your heart to understand my Petition, to know the truth, and unfeinedly to follow the same, Amen.
REVEL. JOH. 21.
I am the beginning and the end. I will give to him that is a thirst, of the well of the water of life freely. He that overcommeth, shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearfull and unbelceving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all lyers shall have their part in the lake, which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.