We Confesse and acknawledge impyres, kyngdomes, dominiounis, and
cities to be distincted and ordaned by God: the powers and authorities
in the same (be it of Emperouris in thair impyris, of Kingis in thair
realmes, Dukis and Princes in thair dominiounis, or of otheris
Magistratis in free cities,) to be Godis holy ordinance, ordeaned for
manifestatioun of his awin glorie, and for the singulare proffeit and
commodite of mankynd. So that whosoever goes about to tack away or to
confound the haill state of civile policies, now lang establisched, we
affirme the same men not onlie to be ennemyes to mankynd, but also
wickedlie to feght against Godis expressed will. We farther Confesse
and acknawledge, that sic personis as are placed in authoritie are to
be loved, honoured, feared, and holdin in most reverent estimatioun;
becaus [that] thei are the lieutennentis of God, in whose sessioun God
him self doeth sitt and judge, (yea evin the Judges and Princes thame
selfis,) to whome by God is gevin the sweard, to the praise and
defence of good men, and to revenge and puniss all open malefactouris.
Moreover, to Kingis, Princes, Reullaris, and Magistratis, we affirme
that cheiflie and maist principallie the reformatioun[257] and
purgatioun of the Religioun apperteanes; so that not onlie thei are
appointed for civile policey, bot also for mantenance of the trew
Religioun, and for suppressing of idolatrie and superstitioun
whatsomever, as in David, Josaphat, Ezechias, Josias, and otheris,
heychtlie commended for thair zeall in that caise, may be espyed. And
thairfoir we confesse and avow, that sick as resist the Supreme power,
(doing that thing which apperteanis to his charge,) do resist Goddis
ordinance, and thairfoir can not be guyltless. And farther, we
affirme, that whosoever deny unto thame thair aid, counsall, and
conforte, while the Princes and Reullaris vigilantlie travaill in the
executing[258] of thair office, that the same men deny thair help,
supporte, and counsall to God, who by the presence of his lieutennent
craveth it of thame.
[257] In the old printed copies, "conservatioun."
[258] In the old printed copies, "in executioun."