indisputably proves ;) this being an undoubted fact, the exertions which they have used to bring us into contempt by the repetition of stale lies and unfounded aspersions, when they have no new crimes and misdemeanours to allege against us, must subject them to the charge of being foul and odious calumniators.

We bless our most gracious God, whose only cause this is, that no example of Insurrection and Rebellion has ever been discovered in any of those kingdoms, principalities, or commonwealths which have embraced the Reformation. We have not subverted any Monarchy; we have not curtailed the authority of any Prince; we have not excited sedition in any Republic. The Kings of England, Denmark, and Sweden-the Dukes of Saxony-the Counts of the Palatinate, -the Marquesses of Brandenburgh-the Landgraves of Hesse-the Swiss Cantons, and the free Cities of Strasburgh, Basle, Frankfort, Ulm, Augsburgh, and Nurembergh, all enjoy the same privileges, and exercise the same authority as before the Reformation; or rather we ought to say, are in a more flourishing condition: the people being now far better instructed in the

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duty of obedience to their Governors and Magistrates.* Let our traducers visit those countries where, through God's blessing, the Reformation is established: where will they find the Majesty of Kings more respected? Where does there exist less Pride and Tyranny? Where is the Monarch received with equal Devotion and Loy

* It had been infinitely for the Honor of the Reformation, if the same modesty, loyalty, and duty, had ever attended the Professors of it. But, alas, our Author lived and wrote in a critical moment, before the Scotch tumults, the civil wars of France, and the revolt of the Netherlands; those that have confirmed the truth of the Popish objections, by ill principles which they borrowed from them, and worse practices, would do well to consider what answer they shall give in the day of judgment, for the sin and scandal they have brought upon the Reformation; but when all is done, blessed be God, the Church of England and her Children have maintained this doctrine inviolably, and the Honour of the Church thereby unspotted to this day, though she has suffered very much for her fidelity and loyalty. Editor's Note to Edition, 1685.

"In public prayers they recommend to God all Princes in generall, and the Magistrates of this our native Realme in particular. In open audience they declare the authority of Princes and Magistrates to be of God, and therefore they affirm that they ought to be honoured, feared, and obeyed, even for conscience sake, provided they command nor require nothing expressly repugning to God's commandment and plain will revealed in his Holy Word."

History of the Reformation in Scotland, p. 179. Lond, Ed. 1644.

alty? Where are the Populace less addicted to Riot? Where, in a word, does the Government, both Civil and Ecclesiastical, enjoy greater Tranquillity?

It may perhaps be urged, that, from the first preaching of this doctrine, the lower orders throughout Germany have been in a state of tumultuous insurrection. What then? Did not Martin Luther, who first disseminated these principles, and laid the foundation of this establishment, violently attack them in his writings, and reduce them to their allegiance and duty?

Some ignorant men have indeed brought forward as an argument against us the Revolution in Switzerland; when Leopold the Archduke of Austria was slain, and the liberty of the Cantons established. This event however took place (as

* Martin Luther, as cited by Sleidanus, says, "God commands all men universally to obey the Magistrates, with fear and reverence;" and in another passage adds, in speaking of the Rebels who were then in open insurrection in many parts of Germany, "Ye take the sword, and withstand the authority of the Magistrate, whom God hath appointed. Is not this rashly to abuse the name of God ?” Johan Sleidanus, lib. v.

all Historians agree,) above two hundred and sixty years before, under Pope Boniface VIIIth; when the greatest deference was paid to the Papal authority; full two hundred years before Hulderic Zuinglius began to preach the Gospel, or was even born. But from that period up to the present day they have uniformly enjoyed a state of the most perfect tranquillity, both in relation to foreign wars and intestine commotions; so that if it were a crime to deliver their Country from a Foreign Yoke, when exposed to the utmost Tyranny and Oppression; still it is both unjust, and malicious to stigmatize us with the crimes of others, or visit the sins of their forefathers upon the present generation.

But oh eternal God! shall the Roman Pontiff accuse us of Treason? Will he pretend to teach the people Subjection, and Obedience to Magistrates? Or has he any regard to the Ma

* How far the Popes were accustomed to practise the humility they pretended to inculcate, may be fully comprehended, if we consider the assertion of Cardinal Francisco Zarabella,— "The Pope," says this enlightened and unpretending Christian, "acts according to his wishes, although they be unlawful, and is greater than God himself," Zarabella's Works.

jesty of Kings? Why then does he suffer himself to be stiled by his servile parasites, *LORD of LORDS! (which none of the ancient Roman Bishops ever allowed), as if he considered all Kings and Princes, however remote their dominions, however extended their authority, as his Vassals and Slaves? Why does he exalt himself as KING OF KINGS; and claim dominion over them as his subjects? Why does he compel both Emperors and Monarchs to swear fealty to him? Why does he boast that the Emperor's Majesty is a thousand-fold inferior to his; and that, because God placed two lights in the firmament; and because heaven and earth were not created at two distinct periods, but had one

It would be well if the Successors of Gregory the Great, in the Pontifical Chair, would call to mind the words of that illustrious man, when addressing the Emperor Maurice on a similar subject; namely, the assumption of Universal Authority by the Bishop of Constantinople;-"Your Majesty must restrain him, who thus attacks the immunities of the holy Universal Church; who puffeth himself up with pride; who desireth to enjoy a title of superior eminence; who, moreover, by a private assumption of dignity, (calling himself the sovereign Bishop) exalts himself above the honour of your Empire."

Gregorius, lib. iv. Epist. 32. + Augustus Steuchus. Antonius de Rosellis, &c,

De Major. et obed, solit