be_v the_o vindicator_n of_o their_o kirk_n if_o they_o can_v employ_v any_o civil_a discreet_a ingenuous_a person_n to_o write_v for_o they_o i_o shall_v be_v hearty_o satisfy_v and_o for_o his_o encouragement_n i_o do_v promise_n if_o he_o fall_v to_o my_o share_n i_o shall_v treat_v he_o suitable_o nay_o after_o all_o if_o even_o g._n r._n himself_o will_v lay_v aside_o such_o quality_n as_o i_o have_v demonstrate_v adhere_v to_o he_o if_o he_o will_v undertake_v to_o write_v with_o that_o gravity_n and_o civility_n that_o charity_n and_o modesty_n that_o honesty_n and_o ingenuity_n which_o may_v be_v think_v to_o become_v one_o of_o his_o age_n and_o character_n i_o can_v as_o yet_o admit_v of_o he_o for_o my_o adversary_n for_o i_o think_v the_o party_n can_v assign_v i_o a_o weak_a one_o and_o i_o do_v hereby_o promise_v he_o one_fw-mi equitable_a meeting_n finis_fw-la advertisement_n this_o book_n be_v design_v for_o the_o press_n december_n 1693._o the_o article_n that_o prelacy_n and_o the_o superiority_n of_o any_o office_n in_o the_o church_n above_o presbyter_n be_v and_o have_v be_v a_o great_a and_o insupportable_a grievance_n and_o trouble_v to_o this_o nation_n and_o contrary_a to_o the_o inclination_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o people_n ever_o since_o the_o reformation_n they_o have_v reform_v from_o popery_n by_o presbyter_n and_o therefore_o aught_o to_o be_v abolish_v this_o article_n be_v establish_v in_o our_o claim_n of_o right_n april_n 11_o 1689._o by_o virtue_n of_o this_o article_n prelacy_n be_v actual_o abolish_v by_o act_n of_o parliament_n july_n 22._o 1689._o upon_o the_o foot_n of_o this_o article_n presbyterian_a government_n be_v establish_v june_n 7._o anno_fw-la 1690._o this_o act_n establish_v presbyterian_a government_n be_v ratify_v in_o the_o whole_a head_n article_n and_o clause_n thereof_o june_n 12._o 1693._o it_o be_v indisputable_a then_o that_o this_o article_n be_v the_o great_a foundation_n of_o that_o great_a alteration_n which_o have_v be_v make_v in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n since_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o late_a revolution_n whether_o therefore_o this_o be_v a_o solid_a or_o a_o sandy_a foundation_n can_v but_o be_v deem_v a_o material_a question_n and_o i_o think_v i_o shall_v bid_v fair_a for_o the_o determination_n of_o this_o question_n if_o i_o can_v give_v clear_a and_o distinct_a satisfaction_n to_o these_o follow_a inquiry_n i._o whether_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n be_v reform_v sole_o by_o person_n clothe_v with_o the_o character_n of_o presbyter_n ii_o whether_o our_o scottish_a reformer_n whatever_o their_o character_n be_v be_v of_o the_o present_a presbyterian_a principle_n whether_o they_o be_v for_o the_o divine_a institution_n of_o parity_n and_o the_o unlawfulness_n of_o prelacy_n among_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n iii_o whether_o prelacy_n and_o the_o superiority_n of_o any_o office_n in_o the_o church_n above_o presbyter_n be_v a_o great_a and_o insupportable_a grievance_n and_o trouble_n to_o this_o nation_n and_o contrary_a to_o the_o inclination_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o people_n ever_o since_o the_o reformation_n iv._o whether_o it_o be_v such_o when_o this_o article_n be_v establish_v in_o the_o claim_n of_o right_a v._o whether_o suppose_v the_o premise_n in_o the_o article_n be_v true_a they_o will_v be_v of_o sufficient_a force_n to_o infer_v the_o conclusion_n viz._n that_o prelacy_n and_o the_o superiority_n of_o any_o office_n in_o the_o church_n aught_o to_o be_v abolish_v the_o determination_n of_o the_o main_a question_n i_o say_v may_v competent_o result_v from_o a_o perspicuous_a discussion_n of_o these_o five_o inquiry_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v attempt_v it_o as_o fair_o as_o i_o can_v leave_v to_o the_o world_n to_o judge_v equitable_o of_o my_o performance_n and_o without_o further_a preface_v i_o come_v to_o the_o first_o enquiry_n whether_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n be_v reform_v sole_o by_o person_n clothe_v with_o the_o character_n of_o presbyter_n if_o the_o framer_n of_o the_o article_n mean_v that_o it_o be_v in_o these_o word_n they_o have_v reform_v from_o popery_n by_o presbyter_n i_o think_v i_o be_o pretty_a sure_a they_o mean_v amiss_o for_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o obvious_a to_o one_o who_o read_v and_o compare_v our_o history_n than_o that_o person_n stand_v in_o other_o station_n and_o clothe_v with_o other_o character_n have_v a_o very_a great_a hand_n and_o be_v very_o considerable_a instrument_n in_o carry_v on_o our_o reformation_n particular_o 1._o there_o be_v prelate_n who_o concur_v in_o that_o work_n as_o well_o as_o presbyter_n knox_n say_v there_o be_v present_a in_o the_o parliament_n hold_v in_o august_n 1560._o which_o parliament_n give_v the_o first_o national_a establishment_n to_o our_o reformation_n the_o bishop_n of_o galloway_n the_o abbot_n of_o lundoris_fw-la culross_n st._n colmes-inih_a coldingham_n saint_n mary-isle_n and_o the_o subprior_n of_o st._n andrews_n with_o diverse_a other_o and_o of_o all_o these_o he_o say_v that_o they_o have_v renounce_v papistry_n and_o open_o profess_a jesus_n christ._n 260._o spotswood_n reckon_v up_o no_o few_o than_o eight_o of_o the_o spiritual_a estate_n all_o protestant_n choose_v at_o that_o time_n to_o be_v lord_n of_o the_o article_n namely_o 149._o the_o bishop_n of_o galloway_n and_o argyle_n the_o prior_n of_o st._n andrews_n the_o abbot_n of_o aberbrothoik_a kilwinning_n lundor_n newbottle_n and_o culross_n lay_v these_o two_o account_n together_o and_o you_o shall_v have_v at_o least_o a_o round_n dozen_o of_o reform_v prelate_n it_o be_v true_a spotswood_n say_v the_o popish_a prelate_n storm_v mighty_o at_o such_o a_o nomination_n for_o the_o article_n allege_v that_o some_o of_o they_o be_v mere_a laic_n but_o what_o if_o it_o be_v so_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o think_v our_o presbyterian_a brethren_n will_v not_o be_v fond_a to_o make_v much_o advantage_n of_o this_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o think_v they_o will_v not_o say_v that_o all_o those_o who_o they_o allow_v to_o have_v be_v reform_v presbyter_n be_v due_o and_o canonical_o ordain_v that_o they_o be_v solemn_o separate_v for_o the_o ministry_n by_o such_o as_o have_v commission_n and_o power_n to_o separate_a they_o and_o in_o such_o manner_n as_o have_v universal_o obtain_v from_o the_o apostle_n time_n in_o the_o separation_n of_o presbyter_n for_o their_o holy_a function_n the_o plain_a truth_n be_v 2._o our_o reformation_n be_v principal_o carry_v on_o by_o such_o as_o neither_o do_v nor_o can_v pretend_v to_o be_v canonical_o promote_v to_o holy_a order_n knox_n himself_o 127._o tell_v we_o that_o when_o the_o reformation_n begin_v to_o make_v its_o more_o public_a advances_n which_o be_v in_o the_o year_n 1558._o there_o be_v a_o great_a scarcety_n of_o preacher_n at_o that_o time_n say_v he_o we_o have_v no_o public_a minister_n of_o the_o word_n only_o do_v certain_a zealous_a man_n among_o who_o be_v the_o laird_n of_o dun_n david_n forress_n mr._n robert_n lockhart_n mr._n robert_n hamilton_n william_n harlaw_n and_o other_o exhort_v their_o brethren_n according_a to_o the_o gift_n and_o grace_n grant_v to_o they_o but_o short_o after_o do_v god_n stir_v up_o his_o servant_n paul_n methven_n etc._n etc._n here_o we_o have_v but_o a_o very_a diminutive_a account_n of_o they_o as_o to_o number_v and_o such_o a_o account_n as_o in_o its_o very_a air_n and_o countenance_n seem_v to_o own_o they_o be_v general_o but_o lay-brethren_n they_o be_v but_o zealous_a man_n not_o canonical_o ordain_v presbyter_n and_o if_o we_o may_v believe_v lesly_n paul_n methven_n be_v by_o occupation_n a_o baker_n and_o william_n harlaw_n a_o tailor_n 496._o the_o laird_n of_o dun_n that_o same_o very_a year_n be_v provost_n of_o montrose_n and_o as_o such_o send_v to_o france_n as_o one_o represent_v not_o the_o first_o or_o the_o spiritual_a but_o the_o three_o estate_n of_o parliament_n the_o burrows_n to_o attend_v at_o the_o celebration_n of_o the_o queen_n marriage_n with_o the_o dauphine_n of_o france_n 95._o he_o be_v indeed_o a_o gentleman_n of_o good_a esteem_n and_o quality_n and_o he_o be_v afterward_o as_o superintendent_n but_o it_o no_o where_o appear_v that_o he_o be_v ever_o receive_v into_o holy_a order_n nay_o 3._o after_o the_o pacification_n at_o leith_n which_o be_v conclude_v in_o july_n 1560_o when_o the_o minister_n be_v distribute_v among_o the_o several_a town_n we_o find_v but_o a_o very_a small_a number_n of_o they_o john_n knox_n be_v appoint_v for_o edinburgh_n christopher_n goodman_n for_o st._n andrews_n adam_n herriot_n for_o aberdeen_n john_n row_v for_o perth_n william_n chrystison_n for_o dundee_n david_n ferguson_n for_o dunfermline_n paul_n methven_n for_o jedburgh_n and_o mr._n david_n lindesay_n for_o leith_n beside_o these_o five_o be_v nominate_v to_o be_v superintendent_o spotswood_n for_o lothian_n and_o
the_o work_n be_v set_v a_o go_v among_o the_o first_o thing_n do_v in_o this_o ass_n it_o be_v enact_v that_o bishop_n and_o all_o other_o bear_v ecclesiastical_a function_n shall_v be_v call_v by_o their_o own_o name_n or_o brethren_n in_o all_o time_n come_v 394_o no_o more_o lord_n bishop_n and_o it_o be_v but_o consequential_a to_o the_o great_a argument_n which_o be_v then_o and_o ever_o since_o have_v be_v in_o the_o mouth_n of_o all_o the_o party_n the_o lord_n of_o the_o gentile_n etc._n etc._n matt._n 20.25_o luke_n 22.25_o this_o be_v a_o step_n worthy_a of_o mr._n andrew_n humility_n which_o be_v not_o like_o other_o man_n humility_n consist_v in_o humble_v themselves_o but_o of_o a_o new_a species_n of_o its_o own_o consist_v in_o humble_v of_o his_o superior_n indeed_o after_o this_o he_o still_o treat_v his_o own_o ordinary_a the_o archbishop_n of_o glasgow_n in_o public_a according_a to_o this_o canon_n though_o when_o he_o be_v at_o his_o grace_n table_n where_o he_o get_v better_a entertainment_n than_o his_o own_o commons_o for_o he_o be_v then_o in_o the_o college_n of_o glasgow_n he_o can_v give_v he_o all_o his_o title_n of_o dignity_n and_o honour_n 303._o but_o another_o more_o important_a act_n be_v make_v by_o this_o assembly_n take_v it_o word_n for_o word_n from_o calderwood_n who_o agree_v exact_o with_o both_o the_o ms._n and_o pet._n 394._o forasmuch_o as_o there_o be_v great_a corruption_n in_o the_o state_n of_o bishop_n as_o they_o be_v present_o set_v up_o in_o this_o realm_n whereunto_o the_o assembly_n will_v provide_v some_o stay_n in_o time_n come_v so_o far_o as_o they_o may_v to_o the_o effect_n that_o far_a corruption_n may_v be_v bridle_v the_o assembly_n have_v conclude_v that_o no_o bishop_n shall_v be_v elect_v or_o admit_v before_o the_o next_o general_n assembly_n discharge_v all_o minister_n and_o chapter_n to_o proceed_v any_o way_n to_o the_o election_n of_o the_o say_a bishop_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n under_o the_o pain_n of_o perpetual_a deprivation_n and_o that_o this_o matter_n be_v propon_v first_o in_o the_o next_o assembly_n to_o be_v consult_v what_o far_a order_n shall_v be_v take_v therein_o here_o be_v ground_n gain_v indeed_o however_o this_o be_v but_o preparatory_a still_o nothing_o yet_o conclude_v concern_v the_o vnlawfulness_n of_o the_o office_n it_o be_v consistent_a with_o this_o act_n that_o episcopacy_n shall_v have_v continue_v its_o corruption_n be_v remove_v neither_o be_v we_o as_o yet_o tell_v what_o these_o corruption_n be_v it_o seem_v even_o the_o presbyterian_o themselves_z though_o in_o a_o fair_a condition_n now_o to_o be_v the_o prevail_a party_n have_v not_o yet_o agree_v about_o they_o indeed_o another_o assembly_n must_v be_v over_o before_o we_o can_v come_v by_o they_o leave_v they_o therefore_o till_o we_o come_v at_o they_o proceed_v we_o with_o this_o present_a assembly_n another_o fast_o be_v appoint_v by_o it_o the_o nation_n it_o seem_v be_v not_o yet_o sufficient_o dipose_v for_o presbytery_n rub_n and_o difficulty_n be_v still_o cast_v in_o the_o way_n and_o the_o good_a cause_n be_v deplorable_o retard_v so_o it_o be_v fair_o import_v in_o the_o act_n for_o this_o fast_a the_o corruption_n of_o all_o estate_n coldness_n in_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o professor_n that_o god_n will_v put_v it_o in_o the_o king_n heart_n and_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o estate_n of_o parliament_n to_o establish_v such_o a_o policy_n and_o discipline_n in_o the_o kirk_n as_o be_v crave_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n etc._n etc._n these_o be_v among_o the_o prime_a reason_n in_o the_o narrative_a of_o this_o act_n for_o fast_v 81._o indeed_o all_o this_o time_n the_o book_n of_o discipline_n be_v only_o in_o form_v it_o have_v not_o yet_o get_v the_o assembly_n approbation_n the_o next_o general_n assembly_n meet_v at_o stirling_n june_n 11._o this_o same_o year_n about_o six_o week_n or_o so_o after_o the_o dissolution_n of_o the_o former_a but_o the_o parliament_n be_v to_o sit_v and_o it_o be_v needful_a the_o assembly_n shall_v sit_v before_z to_o order_v ecclesiastic_a business_n for_o it_o and_o now_o it_o seem_v there_o be_v little_a struggle_n for_o the_o assembly_n all_o in_o one_o voice_n as_o it_o be_v in_o ms._n calderwood_n and_o petrie_n 395._o conclude_v that_o the_o act_n of_o the_o last_o assembly_n discharge_v the_o election_n of_o bishop_n etc._n etc._n shall_v be_v extend_v to_o all_o time_n come_v and_o here_o petrie_n stop_v but_o the_o ms._n and_o calderwood_n add_v ay_o and_o while_n the_o corruption_n of_o the_o estate_n of_o bishop_n be_v all_o utter_o take_v away_o and_o they_o ordain_v that_o all_o bishop_n already_o elect_v shall_v submit_v themselves_o to_o the_o gen._n ass._n concern_v the_o reformation_n of_o the_o corruption_n of_o that_o estate_n of_o bishop_n in_o their_o person_n which_o if_o they_o refuse_v to_o do_v after_o admonition_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v proceed_v against_o to_o excommunication_n this_o ass._n meet_v as_o i_o say_v on_o the_o 11_o the_o of_o june_n and_o indeed_o it_o seem_v the_o weather_n have_v be_v warm_a enough_o yet_o neither_o now_o do_v they_o adventure_v again_o upon_o the_o main_a question_n nor_o ennumerate_v the_o corruption_n of_o the_o estate_n of_o bishop_n by_o this_o assembly_n a_o commission_n be_v also_o grant_v to_o certain_a person_n to_o attend_v the_o parliament_n and_o petition_v that_o the_o book_n of_o discipline_n may_v be_v ratify_v though_o all_o the_o article_n be_v not_o as_o yet_o agree_v to_o a_o pretty_a odd_a overture_n to_o desire_v the_o parliament_n to_o ratify_v what_o they_o themselves_o have_v not_o perfect_o concert_v the_o next_o assembly_n meet_v at_o edinburgh_n octob._n 24._o of_o that_o same_o year_n 1578._o and_o it_o be_v but_o reasonable_a to_o have_v three_o assembly_n in_o six_o month_n when_o the_o church_n be_v so_o big_a with_o presbytery_n and_o now_o the_o corruption_n so_o frequent_o talk_v of_o before_o be_v ennumerate_v and_o the_o bishop_n be_v require_v to_o reform_v they_o in_o their_o person_n they_o be_v require_v 1._o to_o be_v minister_n or_o pastor_n of_o one_o flock_n 2._o to_o usurp_v no_o criminal_a jurisdiction_n 3._o not_o to_o vote_n in_o parliament_n in_o name_n of_o the_o kirk_n without_o commission_n from_o the_o general_n assembly_n 4._o not_o to_o take_v up_o for_o maintain_v their_o ambition_n and_o riotousness_n the_o emolument_n of_o the_o kirk_n which_o ought_v to_o sustain_v many_o pastor_n the_o school_n and_o the_o poor_a but_o to_o be_v content_a with_o reasonable_a live_n according_a to_o their_o office_n 5._o not_o to_o claim_v the_o title_n of_o temporal_a lord_n nor_o usurp_v civil_a jurisdiction_n whereby_o they_o may_v be_v abstract_v from_o their_o office_n 6._o not_o to_o empire_n it_o over_o particular_a eldership_n but_o be_v subject_n to_o the_o same_o so_o the_o ms._n calderwood_n and_o petrie_n have_v it_o though_o spotswood_n have_v the_o word_n presbytery_n 303._o which_o i_o take_v notice_n of_o because_o the_o unwary_a reader_n when_o he_o read_v presbytery_n in_o spotswood_n may_v take_v they_o for_o these_o ecclesiastical_a judicatories_n which_o now_o be_v so_o denominate_v whereas_o there_o be_v none_o such_o as_o yet_o in_o the_o nation_n 7._o not_o to_o usurp_v the_o power_n of_o the_o pastor_n say_v the_o ms._n nor_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o visit_v any_o bound_n not_o commit_v to_o they_o by_o the_o church_n 8._o and_o last_o if_o any_o more_o corruption_n shall_v afterward_o be_v find_v in_o the_o estate_n of_o bishop_n to_o consent_v to_o have_v they_o reform_v these_o be_v the_o corruption_n and_o particular_o at_o that_o same_o very_a time_n the_o two_o archbishop_n be_v require_v to_o reform_v they_o in_o their_o person_n what_o adamson_n archbishop_n of_o st._n andrews_n do_v or_o say_v on_o this_o occasion_n i_o know_v not_o but_o it_o seem_v he_o submit_v not_o for_o i_o find_v he_o again_z require_v to_o do_v it_o by_o the_o next_o assembly_n and_o that_o it_o be_v particular_o lay_v to_o his_o charge_n that_o he_o have_v oppose_v the_o ratification_n of_o the_o book_n in_o parliament_n but_o boyd_n archbishop_n of_o glasgow_n do_v certain_o behave_v at_o this_o assembly_n like_o a_o person_n of_o great_a worth_n and_o a_o man_n of_o courage_n suitable_a to_o his_o character_n give_v a_o brave_a and_o resolute_a answer_n you_o may_v see_v it_o in_o spot_n cald._n and_o pet._n 396._o i_o have_v not_o leisure_n to_o transcribe_v it_o but_o it_o please_v not_o the_o now_o too_o much_o presbyterian_a assembly_n and_o no_o wonder_n for_o he_o speak_v true_o like_o a_o bishop_n the_o next_o assembly_n be_v hold_v at_o edinburgh_n in_o july_n anno_fw-la 1579._o the_o king_n send_v a_o letter_n to_o they_o whereby_o he_o signify_v his_o dislike_n of_o their_o
the_o meeting_n of_o the_o four_o king_n against_o the_o five_o or_o of_o the_o five_o against_o the_o four_o mention_v in_o the_o 14_o the_o chapter_n of_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n for_o the_o meeting_n of_o these_o king_n be_v before_o our_o presbytery_n i_o think_v in_o order_n of_o time_n and_o these_o meeting_n of_o these_o king_n be_v as_o much_o like_o our_o present_a presbytery_n as_o those_o meeting_n be_v which_o be_v appoint_v at_o the_o reformation_n for_o the_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n so_o that_o even_o calderwood_n himself_o be_v but_o triâ—ling_v when_o he_o say_v so_o but_o triâ—ling_v be_v one_o thing_n and_o impudent_a sound_n of_o false_a history_n upon_o another_o man_n trifle_v be_v another_o but_o enough_o of_o this_o author_n at_o present_a we_o shall_v have_v further_a occasion_n of_o meeting_n with_o he_o this_o assembly_n be_v also_o earnest_a with_o the_o king_n that_o the_o book_n of_o policy_n may_v be_v far_o consider_v and_o that_o far_a conference_n may_v be_v have_v about_o it_o that_o the_o head_n not_o agree_v about_o may_v be_v compromise_v some_o way_n or_o other_o 88_o but_o the_o king_n it_o seem_v listen_v not_o for_o they_o be_v at_o it_o again_o in_o their_o next_o assembly_n and_o now_o that_o i_o have_v so_o frequent_o mention_v this_o second_o book_n of_o discipline_n and_o shall_v not_o have_v occasion_n to_o proceed_v much_o further_a in_o this_o wearisome_a deduction_n before_o i_o leave_v it_o i_o shall_v only_o say_v this_o much_o more_o about_o it_o as_o much_o stress_n as_o the_o presbyterian_a party_n lay_v on_o it_o afterward_o and_o continue_v still_o to_o lay_v on_o it_o as_o if_o it_o be_v so_o very_o exact_a a_o systeme_n of_o ecclesiastical_a polity_n yet_o at_o the_o beginning_n the_o compiler_n of_o it_o have_v no_o such_o confident_a sentiment_n about_o it_o for_o if_o we_o may_v believe_v spotswood_n 277._o and_o herein_o he_o be_v not_o contradict_v by_o any_o presbyterian_a historian_n when_o master_n david_n lindesay_n mr._n james_n lawson_n and_o mr._n robert_n pont_n be_v send_v by_o the_o assembly_n to_o present_v it_o to_o the_o regent_n morton_n in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o year_n 1577_o they_o entreat_v his_o grace_n to_o receive_v the_o article_n present_v to_o he_o and_o if_o any_o of_o they_o do_v seem_v not_o agreeable_a to_o reason_n to_o vouchsafe_v audience_n to_o the_o brethren_n who_o the_o assembly_n have_v name_v to_o attend_v not_o that_o they_o think_v it_o a_o work_n complete_a to_o which_o nothing_o may_v be_v add_v or_o from_o which_o nothing_o may_v be_v diminish_v for_o as_o god_n shall_v reveal_v further_o unto_o they_o they_o shall_v be_v willing_a to_o help_v and_o renew_v the_o same_o now_o upon_o this_o testimony_n i_o find_v this_o question_n whither_o the_o compiler_n of_o the_o second_o book_n of_o discipline_n can_v in_o reason_n have_v be_v earnest_a that_o this_o book_n which_o they_o acknowledge_v not_o to_o be_v a_o work_n so_o complete_a as_o that_o nothing_o can_v be_v add_v to_o it_o or_o take_v from_o it_o shall_v have_v be_v confirm_v by_o one_fw-mi oath_n and_o swear_v to_o as_o one_fw-mi unalterable_a rule_n of_o policy_n be_v they_o not_o injurious_a to_o they_o who_o make_v they_o capable_a of_o such_o a_o bare_a face_a absurdity_n indeed_o whatever_o our_o present_a presbyterian_o say_v and_o with_o how_o great_a assurance_n soever_o they_o talk_v to_o this_o purpose_n this_o be_v a_o demonstration_n that_o the_o compiler_n of_o it_o never_o intend_v nay_o can_v not_o intend_v that_o it_o shall_v be_v swear_v to_o in_o the_o negative_a confession_n that_o it_o be_v not_o swear_v to_o in_o that_o confession_n i_o think_v i_o can_v prove_v with_o as_o much_o evidence_n as_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n be_v capable_a of_o if_o it_o be_v needful_a to_o my_o present_a purpose_n but_o not_o be_v that_o i_o shall_v only_o give_v this_o further_a demonstration_n which_o come_v in_o here_o natural_o enough_o now_o that_o we_o have_v mention_v this_o book_n so_o often_o the_o negative_a confession_n be_v swear_v to_o and_o subscribe_v by_o the_o king_n and_o his_o council_n upon_o the_o 28._o of_o january_n 1580_o 1._o 96._o upon_o the_o second_o of_o march_n thereafter_o the_o king_n give_v out_o a_o proclamation_n order_v all_o the_o subject_n to_o subscribe_v it_o 97._o but_o the_o king_n have_v never_o approven_v never_o own_v but_o on_o the_o contrary_a have_v constant_o reject_v the_o second_o book_n of_o discipline_n nay_o it_o be_v not_o ratify_v get_v not_o its_o finish_n stroke_n from_o the_o general_n assembly_n itself_o till_o towards_o the_o end_n of_o april_n in_o that_o year_n 1581._o by_o necessary_a consequence_n i_o think_v it_o be_v not_o swear_v to_o in_o the_o negative_a confession_n and_o thus_o i_o leave_v it_o proceed_v we_o now_o to_o the_o next_o assembly_n it_o meet_v at_o dundee_n upon_o the_o twelve_o of_o july_n 1580._o full_a twenty_o year_n after_o the_o reformation_n for_o the_o parliament_n which_o establish_v the_o reformation_n as_o the_o presbyterian_a historian_n be_v earnest_a to_o have_v it_o have_v its_o first_o meet_v on_o the_o ten_o of_o july_n 1560._o this_o this_o be_v the_o assembly_n which_o after_o so_o many_o fencing_n and_o struggle_n give_v the_o deadly_a thrust_v to_o episcopacy_n i_o shall_v transcribe_v its_o act_n word_n for_o word_n from_o calderwood_n who_o have_v exact_o enough_o take_v it_o from_o the_o ms._n and_o both_o spotswood_n and_o petrie_n agree_v 402._o it_o be_v this_o forasmuch_o as_o the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n as_o it_o be_v now_o use_v and_o common_o take_v within_o this_o realm_n have_v no_o sure_a warrant_n authority_n nor_o good_a ground_n out_o of_o the_o book_n and_o scripture_n of_o god_n but_o be_v bring_v in_o by_o the_o folly_n and_o corruption_n of_o man_n invention_n to_o the_o great_a overthrow_n of_o the_o true_a kirk_n of_o god_n the_o whole_a assembly_n in_o one_o voice_n after_o liberty_n give_v to_o all_o man_n to_o reason_n in_o the_o matter_n none_o oppen_v themselves_o in_o defence_n of_o the_o say_v pretend_a office_n find_v and_o declare_v the_o same_o pretend_a office_n use_v and_o term_v as_o be_v abovesaid_a unlawful_a in_o the_o self_n as_o have_v neither_o fundament_n ground_n nor_o warrant_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o ordain_v that_o all_o such_o person_n as_o brook_v or_o hereafter_o shall_v brook_v the_o say_a office_n be_v charge_v simpliciter_fw-la to_o dimit_n quite_o and_o leave_v off_o the_o examine_v as_o one_fw-mi office_n whereunto_o they_o be_v not_o call_v by_o god_n and_o sicklike_a to_o desist_v and_o cease_v from_o preach_v ministration_n of_o the_o sacrament_n or_o use_v any_o way_n the_o office_n of_o pastor_n while_o they_o receive_v de_fw-fr novo_fw-la admission_n from_o the_o general_n assembly_n under_o the_o pain_n of_o excommunication_n to_o be_v use_v against_o they_o wherein_o if_o they_o be_v find_v disobedient_a or_o contraveen_n this_o act_n in_o any_o point_n the_o sentence_n of_o excommunication_n after_o due_a admonition_n to_o be_v execute_v against_o they_o this_o be_v the_o act._n perhaps_o it_o be_v no_o very_o great_a difficulty_n to_o impugn_v the_o infallibility_n of_o this_o true_a blue_a assembly_n and_o to_o expose_v the_o boldness_n the_o folly_n the_o iniquity_n the_o preposterous_a zeal_n which_o be_v conspicious_a in_o this_o act_n nay_o yet_o after_o all_o this_o to_o show_v that_o the_o zealot_n for_o parity_n have_v not_o arrive_v at_o that_o height_n of_o effrontery_n as_o to_o condemn_v prelacy_n as_o simple_o and_o in_o itself_o unlawful_a but_o by_o this_o time_n i_o think_v i_o have_v perform_v my_o promise_n and_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v no_o easy_a task_n to_o abolish_v episcopacy_n and_o introduce_v presbytery_n to_o turn_v down_o prelacy_n and_o set_v up_o parity_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n when_o it_o be_v first_o attempt_v in_o scotland_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v stop_v here_o and_o bring_v this_o long_a disquisition_n upon_o the_o second_o enquiry_n to_o a_o conclusion_n after_o i_o have_v recapitulated_n and_o represent_v in_o one_o entire_a view_n what_o i_o have_v at_o so_o great_a length_n deduce_v i_o have_v make_v it_o appear_v i_o think_v that_o no_o such_o article_n be_v believe_v profess_v or_o maintain_v by_o the_o body_n of_o any_o reform_a or_o reform_a church_n or_o by_o any_o eminent_a and_o famous_a divine_a in_o any_o reform_a or_o reform_a church_n while_o our_o church_n be_v a_o reform_v no_o such_o article_n i_o say_v as_o that_o of_o the_o divine_a and_o indispensible_a institution_n of_o parity_n and_o the_o vnlawfulness_n of_o prelacy_n or_o imparity_n among_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n i_o have_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o our_o
compliment_n when_o he_o spend_v so_o many_o of_o his_o sweet_a word_n another_o of_o his_o phrase_n so_o very_o pleasant_o thus_o do_v g._n r._n defend_v this_o part_n of_o the_o article_n against_o the_o argument_n of_o his_o adversary_n but_o do_v he_o produce_v none_o for_o his_o own_o side_n of_o the_o controversy_n yes_o one_o and_o only_o one_o so_o far_o as_o i_o can_v remember_v it_o be_v in_o his_o answer_n to_o the_o first_o of_o the_o four_o letter_n §_o 7._o the_o letter_n write_v by_o the_o military_a chaplain_n as_o he_o be_v please_v to_o call_v he_o this_o military_a chaplain_n have_v say_v that_o the_o church_n party_n be_v predominant_a in_o this_o nation_n both_o for_o number_n and_o quality_n that_o it_o be_v not_o so_o say_v g._n r._n be_v evident_a from_o the_o constitution_n of_o our_o parliament_n this_o be_v the_o argument_n now_o not_o to_o enter_v upon_o dangerous_a or_o undutiful_a question_n about_o parliament_n i_o shall_v say_v no_o more_o at_o present_a but_o this_o when_o g._n r._n shall_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o all_o the_o act_n and_o deed_n of_o the_o present_a parliament_n have_v be_v all_o alongst_o agreeable_a to_o the_o inclination_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o people_n or_o when_o he_o shall_v secure_v the_o other_o part_n of_o the_o article_n against_o the_o dint_n of_o this_o his_o own_o good_a argument_n i_o mean_v when_o he_o shall_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o such_o reason_n be_v firm_a and_o solid_a in_o the_o present_a case_n and_o withal_o shall_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o deed_n and_o act_n of_o twenty_o seven_o parliament_n he_o know_v well_o enough_o who_o number_v they_o to_o he_o ratifying_n and_o consume_a episcopacy_n can_v or_o ought_v not_o to_o amount_v to_o as_o good_a one_fw-mi argument_n for_o the_o inclination_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o people_n in_o former_a time_n when_o he_o shall_v make_v these_o thing_n appear_v i_o say_v i_o shall_v then_o think_v a_o little_a more_o about_o his_o argument_n this_o i_o think_v be_v enough_o for_o he_o at_o present_a i_o shall_v consider_v it_o no_o more_o only_o now_o that_o he_o have_v bring_v the_o present_a parliament_n upon_o the_o stage_n i_o will_v take_v occasion_n to_o propose_v some_o few_o question_n which_o the_o mind_v of_o it_o suggest_v to_o i_o and_o i_o serious_o desire_v not_o g._n r._n but_o some_o true_o sensible_a ingenious_a and_o sober_a person_n of_o the_o presbyterian_a persuasion_n some_o person_n who_o have_v opportunity_n to_o know_v how_o matter_n go_v and_o a_o head_n to_o comprehend_v they_o and_o who_o have_v candour_n and_o conscience_n to_o relate_v thing_n as_o they_o true_o be_v or_o be_v to_o give_v plain_a frank_a direct_a and_o pertinent_a answer_n to_o they_o speak_v the_o sense_n of_o his_o heart_n open_o and_o distinct_o without_o mince_v and_o without_o tergiversation_n my_o question_n shall_v not_o in_o the_o least_o touch_v the_o dignity_n or_o authority_n of_o the_o parliament_n all_o i_o design_v they_o for_o be_v to_o bring_v light_n to_o the_o present_a controversy_n and_o i_o ask_v 1._o whither_o the_o presbyterian_a party_n do_v not_o exert_a and_o concentre_v all_o their_o wit_n and_o force_n all_o their_o counsel_n and_o cunning_a all_o their_o art_n and_o application_n all_o their_o skill_n and_o conduct_n in_o politic_n both_o before_o and_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o late_a revolution_n for_o get_v a_o meeting_n of_o estate_n form_v for_o their_o purpose_n 2._o whither_o the_o universal_a vnh_n of_o all_o thing_n then_o and_o the_o general_a surprise_n confusion_n and_o irresolution_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o nation_n occasion_v thereby_o do_v not_o contribute_v extraordinary_o for_o further_a the_o presbyterian_a design_n and_o project_n 3._o whither_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o when_o the_o estate_n first_o meet_v they_o have_v not_o both_o great_a and_o wellgrounded_n fear_v that_o their_o project_n may_v miscarry_v and_o they_o may_v be_v outvote_v in_o the_o meeting_n 4._o whither_o very_o many_o very_o considerable_a member_n have_v not_o desert_v the_o house_n before_o it_o be_v think_v seasonable_a to_o offer_v at_o put_v the_o article_n about_o church-government_n in_o the_o claim_n of_o right_a 5._o whither_o though_o they_o get_v this_o article_n thrust_v into_o the_o claim_n of_o right_n and_o make_v part_n of_o the_o original_a contract_n between_o king_n and_o people_n in_o the_o month_n of_o april_n 1689._o they_o be_v not_o to_o their_o great_a grief_n disappoint_v of_o the_o establishment_n of_o their_o form_n of_o church-government_n in_o the_o first_o session_n of_o parliament_n hold_v in_o june_n etc._n etc._n that_o same_o year_n 6._o whither_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o next_o session_n which_o be_v in_o april_n 1690._o they_o be_v not_o under_o very_o dreadful_a apprehension_n of_o another_o disappointment_n and_o whither_o they_o will_v not_o have_v be_v very_o near_o to_o if_o not_o in_o a_o state_n of_o despair_n if_o all_o the_o anti-presbyterian_a member_n have_v unanimous_o conveen_v and_o sit_v in_o parliament_n 7._o after_o they_o have_v recover_v from_o these_o fear_n and_o when_o they_o have_v the_o courage_n to_o propose_v the_o establishment_n of_o their_o government_n and_o it_o come_v to_o be_v vote_v in_o the_o house_n i_o ask_v if_o it_o be_v any_o thing_n like_o a_o full_a house_n plain_o if_o a_o three_o part_n of_o those_o who_o may_v have_v sâ—te_n as_o member_n be_v present_a 8._o whither_o all_o those_o member_n who_o vote_v for_o it_o at_o that_o time_n can_v be_v say_v to_o have_v do_v it_o from_o a_o principle_n of_o conscience_n or_o a_o firm_a persuasion_n they_o have_v that_o prelacy_n be_v a_o great_a and_o insupportable_a grievance_n and_o trouble_v to_o the_o nation_n and_o contrary_a to_o the_o inclination_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o people_n or_o whither_o it_o may_v be_v say_v without_o breach_n of_o charity_n that_o not_o a_o few_o of_o the_o few_o vote_v so_o main_o from_o other_o principle_n such_o as_o compliance_n with_o some_o lead_a statesman_n etc._n etc._n 9_o whither_o those_o of_o the_o presbyterian_a persuasion_n after_o they_o find_v that_o they_o have_v prevail_v in_o the_o parliament_n do_v not_o proceed_v to_o make_v the_o act_n oblige_v all_o person_n in_o public_a station_n to_o sign_n the_o declaration_n call_v the_o assurance_n as_o much_o if_o not_o more_o for_o secure_v the_o government_n in_o their_o own_o hand_n and_o keep_v out_o anti_n presbyterian_o than_o for_o strengthen_v k._n w.'s_n interest_n 10._o whither_o they_o have_v not_o in_o their_o prospect_n the_o great_a difficulty_n of_o get_v presbyterian_a minister_n plant_v in_o church_n if_o patronage_n shall_v continue_v when_o they_o make_v the_o act_n deprive_v patron_n of_o these_o their_o right_n and_o whither_o they_o have_v not_o in_o their_o prospect_n the_o as_o great_a difficulty_n of_o get_v such_o minister_n plant_v if_o according_a to_o the_o true_a presbyterian_a principle_n at_o least_o pretension_n the_o call_n of_o a_o minister_n shall_v have_v depend_v upon_o the_o plurality_n of_o voice_n in_o the_o parish_n when_o they_o consent_v to_o such_o a_o model_n for_o call_v of_o minister_n as_o be_v establish_v in_o that_o same_o session_n of_o parliament_n 11._o notwithstanding_o that_o act_n of_o parliament_n which_o abolish_v patronage_n do_v notorious_o encroach_v upon_o the_o people_n power_n legated_a to_o they_o by_o christ_n in_o his_o testament_n according_a to_o the_o genuine_a presbyterian_a principle_n by_o put_v the_o real_a power_n of_o call_v minister_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o presbytery_n for_o the_o great_a expedition_n and_o security_n of_o get_v presbyterian_a minister_n plant_v in_o church_n notwithstanding_o all_o this_o i_o say_v i_o ask_v whither_o they_o do_v not_o meet_v with_o many_o difficulty_n and_o much_o impediment_n and_o opposition_n in_o the_o plantation_n of_o such_o minister_n in_o very_a many_o parish_n in_o consequence_n of_o this_o i_o ask_v 12._o whither_o it_o be_v not_o the_o sense_n of_o these_o difficulty_n and_o opposition_n which_o so_o frequent_o encumber_a they_o that_o make_v the_o presbyterian_a minister_n so_o notorious_o betray_v their_o trust_n which_o they_o pretend_v to_o have_v as_o conservator_n of_o the_o liberty_n and_o privilege_n of_o christ_n kingdom_n and_o people_n when_o they_o consent_v that_o in_o the_o last_o session_n of_o parliament_n christ_n legacy_n shall_v be_v so_o clog_v and_o limit_v as_o that_o none_o shall_v have_v power_n of_o give_v voice_n in_o the_o call_n of_o minister_n till_o they_o shall_v first_o swear_v the_o oath_n of_o allegiance_n and_o sign_n the_o assurance_n 13._o and_o last_o i_o ask_v whither_o our_o presbyterian_a brethren_n will_v be_v content_a that_o all_o that_o have_v be_v do_v in_o reference_n to_o church_n matter_n since_o the_o begin_n of_o
the_o year_n 1560_o till_o the_o year_n 1616._o our_o presbyterian_a brethren_n may_v be_v ready_a to_o reject_v its_o authority_n if_o it_o militate_v against_o they_o i_o give_v my_o reader_n therefore_o this_o brief_a account_n of_o it_o it_o be_v transcribe_v in_o the_o year_n 1638._o when_o the_o national_a covenant_n be_v in_o a_o flourish_a state_n for_o i_o find_v at_o the_o end_n of_o it_o the_o transcriber_n name_n and_o his_o designation_n write_v with_o the_o same_o hand_n by_o which_o the_o whole_a m_n s._n be_v write_v and_o he_o say_v he_o begin_v to_o transcribe_v upon_o the_o 15_o day_n of_o january_n 1638._o and_o complete_v his_o work_n on_o the_o 23d_o of_o april_n that_o same_o year_n he_o be_v such_o a_o reader_n as_o we_o have_v common_o in_o scotland_n in_o country_n parish_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v imagine_v it_o be_v transcribe_v then_o for_o serve_v the_o interest_n of_o episcopacy_n for_o as_o petrie_n and_o the_o presbyterian_o general_o affirm_v the_o prelate_n and_o prelatist_n dread_v nothing_o more_o in_o those_o day_n than_o that_o the_o old_a register_n of_o the_o kirk_n shall_v come_v abroad_o and_o it_o be_v about_o that_o time_n that_o mr._n petrie_n get_v his_o copy_n from_o which_o he_o publish_v so_o many_o act_n of_o our_o old_a general_n assembly_n nor_o be_v it_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o that_o as_o several_a copy_n then_o be_v so_o particular_o that_o which_o i_o have_v peruse_v be_v transcribe_v for_o the_o end_n of_o the_o good_a old_a cause_n this_o i_o be_o sure_a of_o the_o covenant_n as_o require_v then_o to_o be_v subscribe_v by_o the_o green_a table_n be_v set_v down_o at_o full_a length_n in_o the_o manuscript_n beside_o the_o style_n and_o language_n testify_v that_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v that_o the_o act_n of_o assembly_n which_o it_o contain_v have_v be_v transcribe_v word_n for_o word_n at_o first_o from_o the_o authentic_a record_n and_o if_o calderwood_n or_o petrie_n account_n of_o these_o act_n deserve_v any_o credit_n my_o m_n s._n can_v be_v reject_v for_o it_o have_v all_o they_o have_v publish_v and_o for_o the_o most_o part_n in_o the_o same_o term_n except_o where_o these_o author_n have_v alter_v the_o language_n sometime_o to_o make_v it_o more_o fashionable_a and_o intelligible_a sometime_o to_o serve_v their_o cause_n and_o the_o concern_v of_o their_o party_n it_o have_v chasm_n also_o and_o defect_n where_o they_o say_v leave_n have_v be_v tear_v from_o the_o original_a register_n and_o i_o have_v not_o adduce_v many_o act_n from_o it_o which_o either_o one_o or_o both_o these_o author_n have_v not_o likewise_o mention_v in_o their_o history_n calderwood_n have_v indeed_o conceal_v very_o many_o have_v intend_v it_o seem_v to_o publish_v nothing_o but_o what_o make_v for_o he_o though_o i_o think_v even_o in_o that_o his_o judgement_n have_v not_o sufficient_o keep_v pace_n with_o his_o inclination_n nay_o his_o supplement_n which_o he_o have_v subjoin_v to_o his_o history_n as_o well_o as_o the_o history_n itself_o be_v lame_a by_o his_o own_o acknowledgement_n for_o these_o be_v the_o very_a first_o word_n of_o it_o i_o have_v in_o the_o precede_a history_n only_o insert_v such_o act_n article_n and_o answer_n to_o question_n as_o belong_v to_o the_o scope_n of_o the_o history_n and_o form_n of_o church_n government_n some_o few_o except_v touch_v corruption_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n or_o the_o office_n and_o call_v of_o minister_n but_o because_o there_o be_v other_o act_n and_o article_n necessary_a to_o be_v know_v i_o have_v select_v such_o as_o be_v of_o great_a use_n pass_v by_o such_o as_o be_v temporary_a or_o concern_v only_o temporary_a office_n etc._n etc._n here_o be_v a_o clear_a confession_n that_o he_o have_v not_o give_v we_o all_o the_o act_n of_o assembly_n nay_o that_o he_o have_v not_o give_v all_o such_o as_o concern_v temporary_a office_n and_o among_o these_o we_o shall_v find_v he_o in_o the_o follow_a sheet_n more_o confident_o than_o warrantable_o reckon_v superintendency_n and_o the_o episcopacy_n which_o be_v agree_v to_o at_o leith_n anno_fw-la 1572._o i_o have_v mention_v these_o thing_n that_o the_o world_n may_v see_v it_o can_v be_v reasonable_a for_o our_o presbyterian_a brethren_n to_o insist_v on_o either_o calderwood_n authority_n or_o ingenuity_n against_o my_o mss._n how_o ingenuous_a or_o impartial_a he_o have_v be_v you_o may_v have_v opportunity_n to_o guess_v before_o you_o have_v get_v through_o the_o ensue_a paper_n petrie_n have_v indeed_o give_v we_o a_o great_a many_o more_o of_o the_o act_n of_o general_a assembly_n than_o calderwood_n have_v do_v as_o may_v appear_v to_o any_o who_o attend_v to_o the_o margin_n of_o my_o book_n but_o he_o also_o have_v the_o good_a cause_n to_o serve_v and_o therefore_o have_v corrupt_v some_o thing_n and_o conceal_v other_o thing_n as_o i_o have_v make_v appear_v however_o he_o have_v the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o what_o i_o have_v transcribe_v from_o the_o mss._n spotswood_n have_v few_o than_o either_o of_o the_o two_o presbyterian_a historian_n yet_o some_o he_o have_v which_o i_o find_v also_o in_o the_o ms._n and_o which_o they_o have_v both_o omit_v in_o short_a i_o have_v take_v but_o very_o few_o from_o it_o which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v in_o some_o one_o or_o more_o of_o these_o historian_n neither_o have_v i_o adduce_v so_o much_o as_o one_o from_o it_o nor_o be_v one_o in_o it_o which_o be_v not_o high_o agreeable_a to_o the_o state_n and_o circumstance_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o genius_n of_o the_o time_n for_o which_o it_o mention_n they_o so_o that_o upon_o the_o whole_a matter_n i_o see_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v of_o its_o be_v a_o faithful_a transcript_n and_o i_o think_v i_o may_v just_o say_v of_o it_o as_o optatus_n say_v of_o another_o ms._n upon_o the_o like_a occasion_n vetustas_fw-la membranarum_fw-la testimonium_fw-la perhibet_fw-la etc._n etc._n optat_fw-la milev_n lib._n 1._o f._n 7._o edit_n paris_n 1569_o it_o have_v all_o the_o mark_n of_o antiquity_n and_o integrity_n that_o it_o pretend_v to_o and_o there_o be_v nothing_o about_o it_o that_o render_v it_o suspicious_a the_o other_o book_n which_o i_o say_v require_v some_o far_a consideration_n be_v the_o history_n of_o the_o reformation_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n contain_v five_o book_n etc._n etc._n common_o attribute_v to_o john_n knox_n by_o our_o presbyterian_a brethren_n that_o which_o i_o have_v to_o say_v about_o it_o be_v chief_o that_o mr._n knox_n be_v not_o the_o author_n of_o it_o a._n b._n spotswood_n have_v prove_v this_o by_o demonstration_n in_o his_o history_n pag._n 267._o his_o demonstration_n be_v that_o the_o author_n whoever_o he_o be_v talk_v of_o one_o of_o our_o martyr_n remit_v the_o reader_n for_o a_o far_a declaration_n of_o his_o suffering_n to_o the_o act_n and_o monument_n of_o mr._n fox_n which_o come_v not_o to_o light_v till_o some_o twelve_o year_n after_o knox_n death_n mr._n patrick_n hamilton_n be_v the_o martyr_n and_o the_o reference_n be_v to_o be_v see_v pag._n 4._o of_o that_o history_n i_o be_o now_o consider_v beside_o this_o i_o have_v observe_v a_o great_a many_o more_o infallible_a proof_n that_o knox_n be_v not_o the_o author_n i_o shall_v only_o instance_n in_o some_o 3_o or_o 4._o thus_o pag._n 447._o the_o author_n have_v set_v down_o a_o copy_n of_o the_o letter_n send_v by_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n of_o which_o more_o by_o and_o by_o tell_v how_o the_o english_a nonconformist_n write_v to_o beza_n and_o beza_n to_o grindal_n bishop_n of_o london_n which_o letter_n of_o beza_n to_o grindal_n he_o say_v be_v the_o eight_o in_o order_n among_o beza_n epistle_n and_o in_o that_o same_o page_n he_o mention_n another_o of_o beza_n letter_n to_o grindal_n call_v it_o the_o twelve_o in_o number_n now_o it_o be_v certain_a beza_n epistle_n be_v not_o publish_v till_o the_o year_n 1573._o i_o e._n after_o knox_n death_n it_o may_v be_v observe_v also_o that_o he_o add_v far_a in_o that_o same_o page_n that_o the_o sincerer_n sort_n of_o the_o ministry_n in_o england_n have_v not_o yet_o assault_v the_o jurisdiction_n and_o church_n government_n which_o they_o do_v not_o till_o the_o year_n 1572._o at_o which_o time_n they_o publish_v their_o first_o and_o second_o admonition_n to_o the_o parliament_n but_o only_o have_v except_v against_o superstitious_a apparel_n and_o some_o other_o fault_n in_o the_o service_n book_n from_o which_o beside_o that_o it_o be_v evident_a knox_n can_v not_o be_v the_o author_n we_o may_v learn_v from_o the_o author_n confession_n whoever_o he_o be_v that_o the_o controversy_n about_o parity_n and_o imparity_n etc._n etc._n be_v not_o so_o early_o in_o
coronation_n for_o i_o think_v none_o other_o can_v do_v it_o but_o the_o king_n and_o if_o so_o he_o must_v do_v it_o as_o king_n otherwise_o another_o may_v do_v it_o but_o then_o though_o i_o have_v grant_v our_o author_n this_o much_o that_o the_o rightful_a successor_n be_v king_n before_o he_o take_v the_o oath_n i_o think_v no_o reason_n can_v oblige_v i_o to_o grant_v what_o follow_v viz._n that_o the_o same_o may_v be_v say_v of_o one_o choose_a and_o proclaim_v by_o the_o supreme_a authority_n of_o the_o nation_n which_o be_v the_o case_n now_o in_o hand_n for_o not_o to_o insist_v on_o the_o liberty_n our_o author_n have_v take_v here_o to_o call_v their_o majesty_n elective_a sovereign_n in_o opposition_n to_o such_o as_o be_v hereditary_a though_o i_o think_v it_o be_v pretty_a bold_a in_o he_o to_o talk_v so_o i_o think_v this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o notable_a difference_n between_o one_fw-mi hereditary_a and_o one_fw-mi elective_a monarchy_n that_o in_o the_o 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import_v that_o they_o have_v resolve_v that_o w._n and_o m._n shall_v be_v k._n and_o q._n of_o scotland_n they_o enact_v their_o declaration_n contain_v the_o claim_n of_o right_n and_o their_o resolution_n to_o offer_v the_o crown_n only_o on_o the_o term_n of_o that_o claim_n and_o not_o only_o so_o but_o they_o make_v this_o follow_a act_n word_n for_o word_n forasmuch_o as_o the_o estate_n of_o this_o kingdom_n by_o their_o former_a act_n declare_v that_o they_o will_v continue_v undissolved_a until_o the_o government_n law_n and_o liberty_n of_o the_o kingdom_n shall_v be_v settle_v and_o secure_v and_o they_o have_v now_o proceed_v to_o resolve_v that_o w._n and_o m._n k._n and_o q._n of_o england_n be_v and_o be_v declare_v k._n and_o q._n of_o scotland_n and_o consider_v that_o the_o nation_n can_v be_v without_o government_n until_o the_o say_v k._n and_o q._n of_o england_n accept_v the_o offer_n of_o the_o crown_n according_a to_o the_o instrument_n of_o government_n and_o take_v the_o oath_n require_v before_o they_o enter_v to_o the_o exercise_n of_o the_o regal_a power_n therefore_o the_o say_a estate_n do_v hereby_o declare_v and_o enact_v that_o they_o will_v continue_v in_o the_o government_n as_o former_o until_o their_o majesty_n acceptance_n of_o the_o crown_n and_o their_o take_n of_o the_o say_a oath_n be_v make_v know_v to_o they_o if_o this_o act_n do_v not_o make_v it_o evident_a that_o there_o be_v no_o material_a mistake_n of_o the_o word_n of_o the_o claim_n of_o right_n in_o dr._n strachan_n defence_n but_o that_o the_o doctor_n plead_v and_o reason_v upon_o the_o manifest_a principle_n of_o the_o meeting_n of_o estate_n if_o it_o do_v not_o demonstrate_v that_o the_o doctor_n plea_n be_v solid_a and_o irrefragable_a and_o if_o it_o follow_v not_o by_o necessary_a consequence_n that_o it_o be_v one_fw-mi unaccoutable_a proceed_n of_o the_o committee_n of_o estate_n to_o deprive_v the_o doctor_n and_o near_o to_o thirty_o more_o for_o not_o pray_v for_o w._n and_o m._n as_o k._n and_o q._n of_o scotland_n before_o they_o be_v or_o can_v be_v k_o and_o q._n of_o scotland_n let_v the_o intelligent_a reader_n judge_n but_o if_o these_o inference_n be_v notorious_o just_a then_o let_v he_o judge_v again_o if_o g._n r._n by_o offer_v to_o invalidate_v the_o dr._n be_v defence_n be_v not_o guilty_a of_o a_o palpable_a indiscretion_n in_o refresh_v the_o memory_n of_o such_o a_o unaccountable_a proceed_n of_o the_o meeting_n of_o the_o committee_n of_o estate_n which_o have_v be_v far_o better_o bury_v in_o perpetual_a oblivion_n and_o last_o let_v he_o judge_v if_o it_o argue_v not_o more_o than_o one_fw-mi ordinary_a impudence_n in_o g._n r._n to_o have_v attempt_v the_o defence_n of_o that_o procedure_n and_o if_o such_o one_fw-mi attempt_n be_v not_o with_o a_o fetch_v of_o his_o talon_n peculiar_a to_o himself_o to_o offer_v violence_n to_o reason_n and_o law_n to_o justice_n and_o equity_n to_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o mankind_n one_o will_v think_v it_o be_v impudence_n enough_o in_o all_o conscience_n to_o have_v make_v so_o bold_a with_o common_a humanity_n and_o particular_o with_o the_o universal_a conviction_n of_o one_o native_a country_n as_o to_o a_o plain_a matter_n of_o fact_n but_o such_o be_v our_o author_n share_n of_o that_o dare_a talon_n that_o assist_v by_o it_o he_o can_v even_o flee_v in_o the_o face_n of_o his_o dear_a relation_n and_o leave_v they_o in_o the_o lurch_n rather_o than_o appear_v to_o have_v be_v worsted_n in_o his_o argument_n thus_o e._n g._n 8._o when_o he_o be_v put_v to_o it_o and_o can_v not_o otherwise_o make_v his_o escape_n he_o never_o make_v scruple_n to_o flee_v in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o present_a civil_a government_n he_o tell_v you_o indeed_o in_o his_o preface_n to_o 2_o vind._n §_o 6._o that_o one_o of_o his_o design_n in_o write_v his_o book_n be_v to_o vindicate_v and_o justify_v the_o act_n of_o the_o civil_a government_n believe_v he_o on_o many_o occasion_n and_o he_o be_v a_o most_o dutiful_a subject_n there_o can_v be_v a_o great_a reverencer_n of_o authority_n he_o tell_v you_o it_o be_v a_o saucy_a boldness_n for_o private_a person_n to_o meddle_v with_o the_o design_n of_o legislator_n 2_o vind._n p._n 112_o and_o god_n know_v how_o frequent_o he_o expose_v his_o adversary_n to_o the_o resentment_n of_o the_o civil_a government_n how_o zealous_a be_v he_o for_o stretch_v neck_n &_o c._n and_o yet_o for_o all_o this_o as_o much_o as_o he_o be_v oblige_v to_o it_o as_o great_a a_o veneration_n as_o he_o pretend_v for_o it_o it_o must_v not_o only_o shift_v for_o itself_o but_o he_o must_v run_v through_o its_o side_n if_o he_o have_v not_o another_o hole_n to_o escape_v by_o i_o shall_v only_o take_v notice_n of_o two_o instance_n of_o his_o behaviour_n this_o way_n the_o first_o be_v in_o his_o 2_o vind._n p._n 22_o his_o adversary_n have_v laugh_v at_o the_o presbyterian_a address_n and_o their_o protestation_n of_o loyalty_n to_o k_o j._n but_o i_o will_v fain_o know_v say_v g._n r._n by_o what_o topick_n either_o of_o these_o can_v be_v condemn_v i_o think_v i_o have_v hint_v at_o least_o at_o topick_n enough_o about_o that_o go_v we_o on_o now_o with_o our_o author_n they_o give_v thanks_o for_o restore_v they_o to_o their_o just_a right_n neither_o be_v this_o the_o matter_n they_o profess_v and_o practise_v loyalty_n towards_o their_o lawful_a sovereign_n though_o of_o a_o different_a religion_n from_o they_o here_o it_o be_v for_o do_v you_o hear_v he_o plain_o affirm_v that_o k._n i._o be_v a_o lawful_a sovereign_n now_o what_o be_v this_o less_o than_o strike_v at_o the_o very_a root_n of_o the_o present_a establishment_n be_v it_o not_o a_o direct_a contradict_v of_o the_o claim_n of_o right_n which_o declare_v that_o k._n j._n have_v forfeit_v the_o right_n to_o the_o crown_n by_o assume_v the_o regal_a power_n and_o act_v as_o king_n without_o ever_o take_v the_o oath_n require_v by_o law_n i._o e._n manifest_o for_o not_o be_v a_o lawful_a sovereign_n if_o thus_o to_o contradict_v its_o very_a foundation_n strike_v not_o at_o the_o root_n of_o the_o present_a constitution_n let_v the_o world_n judge_n but_o so_o it_o be_v that_o our_o author_n can_v not_o otherwise_o justify_v the_o presbyterian_a address_n etc._n etc._n again_o one_o of_o his_o adversary_n have_v argue_v that_o episcopacy_n be_v abolish_v by_o the_o parliament_n as_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o inclination_n of_o the_o people_n and_o therefore_o if_o the_o people_n shall_v alter_v their_o inclination_n it_o may_v be_v restore_v by_o another_o parliament_n one_o will_v think_v there_o be_v reason_n here_o and_o it_o seem_v g._n r._n be_v sensible_a of_o it_o and_o
be_v such_o a_o fool_n as_o to_o stumble_v upon_o the_o same_o method_n himself_o condemn_v most_o in_o his_o adversary_n when_o he_o have_v any_o matter_n of_o fact_n to_o attest_v he_o be_v very_o careful_a as_o he_o tell_v frequent_o to_o have_v his_o particular_a information_n from_o all_o corner_n concern_v all_o the_o instance_n of_o rabble_a which_o be_v represent_v in_o the_o prelatic_a pamphlet_n but_o from_o who_o have_v he_o these_o information_n most_o from_o the_o very_a rabbler_n themselves_o it_o be_v both_o tedious_a and_o unprofitable_a to_o trace_v he_o through_o all_o instance_n one_o may_v be_v sufficient_a for_o one_fw-mi example_n and_o i_o shall_v choose_v the_o very_a first_o that_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o his_o book_n viz._n that_o of_o master_n gabriel_n russel_n minister_n at_o govean_n the_o author_n of_o the_o second_o letter_n have_v give_v a_o brief_a and_o a_o just_a account_n of_o the_o treatment_n that_o poor_a gentleman_n have_v meet_v with_o and_o 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testimony_n from_o their_o minister_n that_o they_o be_v credible_a and_o famous_a witness_n and_o p._n 105._o he_o reject_v bullo_n account_n who_o be_v episcopal_a minister_n at_o stobo_n in_o one_o word_n thus_o in_o this_o narrative_n be_v many_o lie_v which_o be_v attest_v by_o mr._n william_n russel_n presbyterian_a minister_n at_o stobo_n but_o the_o best_a be_v after_o he_o have_v run_v down_o all_o the_o prelatical_a account_n by_o this_o upright_a deal_v of_o his_o and_o conclude_v they_o all_o most_o horrid_a liar_n and_o calumniator_n and_o all_o their_o relation_n most_o horrid_a lie_n and_o calumny_n he_o tell_v you_o grave_o in_o his_o preface_n §_o 6._o that_o the_o truth_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n assert_v in_o his_o book_n be_v not_o to_o be_v take_v from_o he_o but_o from_o his_o informer_n that_o he_o pretend_v to_o personal_a knowledge_n of_o few_o of_o they_o that_o therefore_o not_o his_o veracity_n but_o they_o be_v pledge_v for_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o account_n he_o have_v publish_v that_o if_o they_o have_v deceive_v he_o or_o be_v deceive_v themselves_o he_o be_v not_o to_o answer_v for_o it_o let_v the_o world_n judge_v if_o this_o be_v not_o a_o sure_a foot_n for_o support_v such_o superstructure_n as_o he_o raise_v upon_o it_o and_o if_o his_o second_o vindication_n be_v not_o a_o pleasant_a book_n be_v it_o possible_a for_o he_o to_o have_v farce_a it_o with_o more_o bare-faced_n iniquity_n what_o picqued_a the_o man_n so_o at_o his_o own_o book_n as_o to_o publish_v it_o with_o so_o many_o fair_a evidence_n of_o disingenuity_n partiality_n effrontery_n and_o downright_a ridiculousness_n about_o it_o what_o can_v move_v he_o to_o treat_v his_o own_o brat_n with_o so_o little_a compassion_n be_v not_o this_o even_o in_o a_o literal_a sense_n male_a natum_fw-la exponere_fw-la foetum_fw-la or_o rather_o what_o mean_v he_o by_o treat_v himself_o so_o unmerciful_o for_o who_o see_v not_o that_o all_o the_o infamy_n terminate_v on_o the_o author_n in_o the_o rebound_v but_o perchance_o now_o that_o he_o be_v a_o profound_a philosophic_a head_n of_o a_o college_n he_o may_v fall_v on_o a_o way_n to_o distinguish_v between_o his_o own_o and_o his_o book_n credit_n perchance_o he_o may_v think_v his_o own_o credit_n secure_a enough_o whatever_o hazard_n his_o book_n may_v run_v well!_o he_o may_v try_v it_o if_o he_o will_v but_o i_o will_v advise_v he_o not_o to_o be_v rash_a in_o fall_v out_o so_o with_o the_o book_n for_o as_o sorry_a a_o book_n as_o it_o be_v yet_o i_o perceive_v that_o with_o the_o assistance_n of_o a_o neighbour_n book_n it_o can_v serve_v he_o a_o trick_n that_o may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o put_v even_o his_o impudent_a self_n a_o little_a out_o of_o countenance_n i_o will_v be_v so_o kind_a to_o he_o as_o to_o let_v he_o see_v where_o the_o danger_n lie_v he_o may_v remember_v that_o the_o author_n of_o the_o second_o letter_n which_o by_o the_o most_o probable_a calculation_n i_o can_v make_v be_v write_v in_o december_n 1689_o or_o january_n 1690._o endeavour_v to_o make_v it_o appear_v as_o probable_a that_o the_o lead_a man_n in_o government_n be_v then_o very_o much_o incline_v to_o justify_v the_o expulsion_n of_o the_o clergy_n by_o the_o rabble_n and_o sustain_v their_o church_n vacuate_v by_o that_o expulsion_n and_o thereby_o cut_v off_o these_o poor_a man_n from_o all_o hope_n of_o be_v restore_v to_o their_o church_n or_o live_n though_o they_o have_v neither_o be_v convict_v of_o any_o crime_n nor_o deprive_v by_o any_o sentence_n now_o there_o be_v another_o book_n call_v one_fw-mi account_n of_o the_o late_a establishment_n of_o presbyterian_a government_n by_o the_o parliament_n anno_fw-la 1690._o which_o give_v a_o full_a and_o fair_a account_n how_o the_o thing_n be_v actual_o do_v how_o the_o expulsion_n of_o the_o clergy_n by_o the_o rabble_n be_v actual_o justify_v by_o that_o same_o act_n of_o parliament_n which_o establish_v presbyterian_a 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confident_a he_o may_v find_v satisfaction_n nay_o i_o dare_v appeal_n to_o g._n r._n himself_o if_o he_o know_v not_o all_o these_o thing_n to_o be_v true_a before_o he_o write_v one_o syllable_n of_o his_o second_o vindication_n for_o these_o thing_n be_v transact_v every_o one_o of_o they_o before_o the_o middle_n of_o june_n 1690_o and_o his_o second_o vindication_n come_v not_o abroad_o till_o more_o than_o a_o year_n after_o well!_o but_o what_o of_o all_o this_o how_o can_v this_o assist_v g._n r.'s_n book_n against_o himself_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v irritate_v to_o serve_v he_o a_o trick_n why_o turn_v over_o to_o p._n 43_o 44_o etc._n etc._n and_o consider_v how_o it_o discover_v in_o he_o such_o a_o brawny_a impudence_n as_o never_o ghost_n appear_v in_o humane_a shape_n be_v guilty_a
against_o prelacy_n it_o be_v not_o according_a to_o much_o knowledge_n mr._n petrie_n mention_n only_o two_o of_o our_o reformer_n as_o divine_a right-of_a parity_n man_n the_o earl_n of_o murray_n who_o be_v regent_n and_o mr._n knox_n calderwood_n insist_o on_o knox_n but_o do_v not_o mention_n murray_n petry_n evidence_n about_o murray_n 366._o be_v that_o he_o have_v read_v of_o he_o that_o by_o his_o letter_n he_o do_v inform_v queen_n elizabeth_n of_o the_o honour_n and_o happiness_n that_o will_v attend_v her_o crown_n and_o state_n upon_o the_o establishment_n of_o christ_n government_n and_o of_o the_o profitable_a use_v whereunto_o the_o rich_a benefice_n of_o bishop_n may_v be_v apply_v but_o i._o he_o tell_v not_o in_o what_o author_n he_o read_v this_o and_o none_o who_o know_v mr._n petry_n byass_n will_v think_v it_o unreasonable_a to_o require_v some_o other_o thing_n to_o rely_v on_o than_o his_o own_o bare_a authority_n 2._o if_o we_o shall_v rest_v on_o his_o authority_n and_o allow_v that_o murray_n write_v so_o because_o mr._n petrie_n say_v it_o yet_o how_o will_v it_o follow_v that_o his_o lordship_n be_v for_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o parity_n may_v not_o he_o have_v be_v against_o the_o temporal_a dignity_n and_o the_o rich_a benefice_n of_o the_o english_a bishop_n without_o be_v against_o prelacy_n how_o many_o have_v be_v so_o indeed_o 3_o there_o be_v all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n to_o believe_v that_o if_o murray_n do_v write_v so_o to_o the_o english_a queen_n this_o be_v all_o he_o aim_v at_o for_o have_v he_o be_v for_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o parity_n will_v he_o ever_o have_v so_o much_o countenance_v imparity_n in_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n be_v not_o he_o one_o of_o the_o subscriber_n of_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n 175._o wherein_o imparity_n be_v so_o formal_o establish_v be_v not_o he_o regent_n in_o december_n 1567._o and_o do_v not_o he_o then_o give_v the_o royal_a assent_n to_o 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have_v apply_v it_o for_o the_o ratification_n approbation_n and_o perpetual_a confirmation_n of_o the_o same_o law_n in_o their_o whole_a head_n article_n and_o clause_n which_o seem_v to_o themselves_o so_o scandalous_a and_o wicked_a but_o the_o earl_n of_o murray_n while_o regent_n have_v no_o such_o temptation_n i_o believe_v he_o have_v no_o such_o yield_a conscience_n if_o he_o have_v i_o do_v think_v his_o authority_n be_v much_o to_o be_v value_v once_o more_o i_o think_v it_o be_v very_o strange_a that_o he_o shall_v have_v be_v for_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o parity_n and_o yet_o shall_v never_o have_v speak_v so_o much_o out_o consider_v his_o occasion_n except_o in_o his_o private_a letter_n to_o queen_n eliz._n the_o only_a person_n now_o to_o be_v consider_v be_v john_n knox._n he_o be_v certain_o a_o prime_a instrument_n in_o the_o advancement_n of_o our_o reformation_n his_o authority_n be_v great_a and_o his_o sentiment_n be_v very_o influential_a and_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v deny_v but_o it_o be_v of_o some_o weight_n in_o the_o present_a question_n to_o know_v what_o be_v his_o judgement_n i_o shall_v therefore_o endeavour_v to_o account_v for_o his_o principle_n a_o little_a more_o full_o and_o â—_o shall_v do_v it_o by_o these_o step_n 1._o i_o shall_v show_v the_o insufficiency_n of_o the_o argument_n that_o be_v adduce_v by_o our_o brethren_n to_o prove_v he_o presbyterian_a 2._o i_o shall_v adduce_v the_o argument_n which_o incline_v i_o to_o think_v he_o be_v not_o the_o great_a argument_n insist_v on_o by_o the_o author_n of_o the_o course_n of_o conformity_n and_o mr._n petrie_n 375._o be_v take_v from_o a_o letter_n of_o knox_n direct_v to_o the_o general_n assembly_n hold_v at_o stirling_n in_o august_n 1571._o the_o word_n be_v these_o unfaithful_a and_o traitor_n to_o the_o flock_n shall_v you_o be_v before_o the_o lord_n jesus_n if_o that_o with_o your_o consent_n direct_o or_o indirect_o you_o suffer_v unworthy_a man_n to_o be_v thrust_v in_o within_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o kirk_n under_o what_o pretence_n that_o ever_o it_o be_v remember_v the_o judge_n before_o who_o you_o must_v make_v a_o account_n and_o resist_v that_o tyranny_n as_o you_o will_v avoid_v hell_n fire_n so_o the_o author_n of_o the_o course_n of_o conformity_n without_o the_o least_o attempt_n to_o let_v the_o world_n see_v where_o the_o argument_n lay_v mr._n petrie_n be_v indeed_o a_o little_a more_o discreet_a he_o tell_v we_o where_o it_o lie_v john_n knox_n in_o his_o letter_n to_o the_o assembly_n by_o the_o word_n tyranny_n mean_v episcopacy_n so_o he_o but_o without_o any_o full_a deduction_n and_o be_v not_o this_o a_o demonstration_n that_o knox_n be_v presbyterian_a and_o yet_o after_o all_o this_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o make_v more_o of_o the_o letter_n when_o it_o be_v narrow_o consider_v than_o that_o knox_n deem_v it_o a_o pernicious_a and_o tyrannical_a thing_n for_o any_o person_n or_o person_n whatsoever_o to_o thrust_v unworthy_a man_n into_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o church_n and_o minister_n who_o will_v make_v conscience_n of_o their_o call_v and_o trust_v must_v resist_v such_o encroachment_n with_o all_o possible_a concern_v and_o courage_n no_o man_n i_o say_v can_v make_v more_o of_o the_o letter_n and_o who_o doubt_v but_o mr._n knox_n be_v so_o far_o in_o the_o right_a but_o then_o let_v any_o man_n who_o look_v not_o through_o mr._n petry_n spectacle_n tell_v i_o what_o this_o have_v to_o do_v with_o parity_n or_o imparity_n the_o next_o argument_n be_v insist_v on_o both_o by_o petrie_n and_o calderwood_n 374._o it_o be_v that_o knox_n be_v at_o st._n andrews_n in_o feb._n 1571_o 2_o when_o douglas_n be_v advance_v to_o that_o see_v that_o he_o refuse_v to_o inaugurate_a he_o nay_o that_o in_o the_o audience_n of_o many_o then_o present_a he_o denounce_v anathema_n to_o the_o giver_n and_o anathema_n to_o the_o receiver_n and_o if_o you_o ask_v calderwoods_n evidence_n for_o this_o he_o tell_v you_o he_o find_v it_o in_o a_o certain_a manuscript_n than_o which_o what_o can_v be_v more_o apodectick_a to_o be_v short_a though_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o give_v credit_n to_o calderwood_n and_o his_o uncertain_a certain_a manuscript_n and_o to_o believe_v that_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v true_a and_o that_o knox_n say_v and_o do_v so_o yet_o by_o what_o consequence_n will_v it_o follow_v that_o he_o be_v for_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o parity_n to_o deal_v frank_o it_o be_v like_a enough_o that_o knox_n say_v so_o and_o it_o be_v very_o probable_a he_o have_v reason_n to_o say_v so_o in_o that_o instance_n for_o at_o that_o time_n dreadful_a invasion_n be_v make_v upon_o the_o patrimony_n of_o the_o church_n none_o more_o deep_a in_o that_o iniquity_n than_o the_o earl_n of_o morton_n than_o chancellor_n by_o who_o influence_n douglas_n be_v prefer_v to_o that_o archbishopric_n and_o so_o it_o be_v like_a enough_o that_o knox_n who_o all_o his_o life_n be_v singular_o zealous_a for_o the_o right_n of_o the_o church_n upon_o suspicion_n if_o not_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o some_o dirty_a bargain_n between_o morton_n and_o douglas_n express_v suitable_a resentment_n but_o that_o it_o be_v not_o from_o any_o persuasion_n he_o have_v of_o the_o unlawfulness_n of_o prelacy_n be_v clear_a even_o from_o what_o calderwood_n and_o petrie_n themselves_o have_v record_v within_o a_o pag._n or_o two_o 875._o for_o both_o tell_v we_o that_o when_o the_o next_o assembly_n continue_v douglas_n in_o the_o rectorate_v of_o the_o university_n of_o st._n andrews_n a_o station_n he_o have_v be_v in_o before_o he_o be_v raise_v to_o the_o archbishopric_n john_n knox_n regret_v that_o so_o many_o office_n be_v lay_v on_o one_o old_a man_n which_o scarce_o 20_o of_o the_o best_a gift_n be_v able_a to_o bear_v for_o as_o
trust_n and_o office_n as_o the_o clergy_n do_v then_o and_o they_o be_v satisfy_v and_o now_o if_o these_o reformer_n who_o thus_o petition_v and_o in_o their_o petition_n thus_o reason_v and_o agree_v to_o such_o a_o rule_n of_o reformation_n be_v for_o the_o divine_a institution_n of_o parity_n and_o the_o sacred_a right_n of_o presbytery_n nay_o if_o they_o be_v not_o not_o only_o for_o the_o lawfulness_n but_o the_o continuance_n of_o prelacy_n i_o must_v confess_v my_o ignorance_n to_o be_v very_o gross_a and_o so_o i_o refuse_v not_o correction_n for_o this_o evidence_n as_o i_o say_v we_o be_v behold_v to_o knox_n and_o to_o knox_n only_o it_o be_v true_a indeed_o calderwood_n 5_o give_v we_o the_o abstract_n of_o this_o petition_n but_o he_o conceal_v and_o suppress_v the_o whole_a pith_n and_o marrow_n of_o this_o article_n sum_v it_o up_o in_o these_o few_o ill-complexioned_a word_n that_o the_o slanderous_a and_o detestable_a life_n of_o the_o prelate_n and_o the_o state_n ecclesiastical_a may_v be_v reform_v which_o at_o first_o view_n one_o will_v imagine_v look_v kind_o towards_o presbytery_n but_o i_o be_o not_o surprise_v to_o find_v he_o thus_o at_o his_o trick_n it_o be_v but_o according_a to_o his_o custom_n to_o have_v set_v down_o the_o full_a article_n or_o to_o have_v abridge_v it_o so_o as_o that_o its_o force_n and_o purpose_n may_v have_v be_v see_v have_v be_v to_o disserve_v his_o cause_n and_o do_v one_fw-mi ill_a office_n to_o his_o idol_n parity_n and_o petrie_n as_o i_o have_v say_v be_v so_o wise_a as_o not_o to_o touch_v it_o at_o all_o lest_o it_o have_v burn_v his_o finger_n but_o that_o archbishop_n spotswood_n shall_v have_v overlookt_v it_o both_o in_o his_o history_n and_o in_o his_o refutatio_fw-la libelli_fw-la etc._n etc._n seem_v very_o strange_a for_o my_o part_n i_o shall_v rather_o think_v we_o have_v not_o his_o history_n entire_a and_o as_o he_o design_v it_o for_o the_o press_n for_o which_o i_o have_v hear_v other_o very_a pregnant_a presumption_n than_o that_o so_o great_a a_o man_n be_v guilty_a of_o so_o great_a one_fw-mi oscitancy_n but_o whatever_o be_v of_o this_o knox_n have_v it_o and_o that_o be_v enough_o and_o calderwood_n have_v abridge_v it_o and_o that_o be_v more_o than_o enough_o for_o my_o presbyterian_a brethren_n the_o three_o petition_n which_o i_o promise_v to_o adduce_v be_v that_o which_o be_v present_v to_o the_o parliament_n which_o establish_v the_o reformation_n anno_fw-la 1560._o for_o which_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o knox_n alone_o also_o at_o least_o so_o far_o as_o the_o present_a argument_n be_v concern_v 261._o for_o though_o both_o spotswood_n and_o petrie_n 219._o make_v mention_n of_o the_o petition_n or_o supplication_n yet_o neither_o of_o they_o have_v record_v that_o which_o i_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o calderwood_n be_v so_o accurate_a one_fw-mi historian_n as_o to_o take_v no_o notice_n of_o the_o petition_n that_o which_o i_o take_v notice_n of_o in_o it_o as_o it_o be_v in_o knox_n be_v that_o when_o our_o reformer_n come_v to_o crave_v the_o reformation_n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a state_n they_o bespeak_v the_o parliament_n thus_o and_o lest_o that_o your_o honour_n shall_v doubt_v in_o any_o of_o the_o premise_n they_o have_v affirm_v before_o that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n contain_v many_o pestiferous_a error_n that_o the_o sacrament_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v most_o shameful_o abuse_v and_o profane_v by_o the_o roman_a harlot_n that_o the_o true_a discipline_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n among_o that_o sect_n be_v utter_o extinguish_v and_o that_o the_o clergy_n of_o all_o man_n within_o the_o realm_n be_v most_o corrupt_a in_o life_n and_o manner_n etc._n etc._n we_o offer_v ourselves_o evident_o to_o prove_v that_o in_o all_o the_o rabble_n of_o the_o clergy_n there_o be_v not_o one_o lawful_a minister_n if_o god_n word_n the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o sincerity_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o their_o own_o ancient_a law_n shall_v judge_v of_o the_o election_n here_o i_o say_v our_o reformer_n insist_v on_o that_o same_o very_a rule_n for_o find_v if_o there_o be_v corruption_n in_o and_o by_o consequence_n for_o reform_v of_o the_o church_n on_o which_o they_o insist_v in_o the_o aforementioned_a petition_n from_o which_o it_o be_v evident_a they_o persist_v of_o the_o same_o sentiment_n and_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o draw_v the_o same_o inference_n such_o be_v the_o sentiment_n of_o our_o scottish_a reformer_n before_o the_o reform_a religion_n have_v the_o countenance_n of_o the_o civil_a government_n and_o act_n of_o parliament_n on_o its_o side_n and_o be_v make_v the_o national_a religion_n let_v we_o try_v next_o what_o kind_n of_o government_n they_o do_v establish_v when_o they_o have_v get_v law_n for_o they_o whither_o they_o establish_v a_o government_n that_o be_v to_o be_v manage_v by_o minister_n act_v in_o parity_n or_o in_o imparity_n and_o here_o i_o think_v the_o controversy_n may_v very_o soon_o be_v bring_v to_o a_o very_a fair_a issue_n the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n the_o act_n of_o many_o general_a assembly_n the_o act_n of_o many_o parliament_n both_o without_o interruption_n the_o unanimous_a consent_n of_o historian_n and_o the_o uncontroverted_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n for_o many_o year_n all_o concur_v to_o this_o assertion_n that_o the_o first_o establishment_n be_v of_o a_o government_n which_o be_v to_o be_v manage_v by_o superintendent_o and_o parochial_a minister_n elder_n and_o deacon_n act_v in_o subordination_n not_o in_o a_o state_n of_o parity_n with_o but_o in_o a_o state_n of_o inferiority_n in_o power_n and_o jurisdiction_n to_o these_o superintendent_o this_o establishment_n i_o say_v be_v so_o clear_a and_o undoubted_a from_o all_o these_o fountain_n that_o no_o more_o need_v be_v say_v upon_o the_o whole_a argument_n but_o because_o our_o presbyterian_a historian_n and_o antiquary_n though_o they_o can_v deny_v the_o thing_n do_v yet_o endeavour_v with_o all_o their_o may_v and_o cunning_a to_o intricate_a it_o and_o obscure_v it_o i_o shall_v further_o undertake_v two_o thing_n i._o i_o shall_v give_v the_o world_n a_o fair_a prospect_n of_o the_o power_n of_o superintendent_o as_o they_o be_v then_o establish_v and_o of_o the_o disparity_n betwixt_o they_o and_o parish_n minister_n ii_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o dissipate_v these_o mist_n whereby_o our_o presbyterian_a brethren_n be_v so_o very_a earnest_n to_o involve_v and_o darken_v this_o matter_n as_o for_o the_o i._o the_o world_n may_v competent_o see_v that_o superintendent_o as_o establish_v in_o scotland_n at_o the_o reformation_n have_v a_o considerable_a stock_n of_o prerogative_n or_o preeminency_n call_v they_o as_o you_o will_v which_o raise_v they_o far_o above_o other_o churchman_n far_o above_o the_o allowance_n of_o that_o parity_n our_o presbyterian_a brethren_n contend_v for_o so_o eager_o from_o the_o follow_a enumeration_n 1._o they_o have_v district_n or_o diocese_n of_o far_o large_a extent_n than_o other_o churchman_n private_a minister_n have_v only_o their_o private_a parish_n and_o may_v have_v be_v as_o many_o as_o there_o be_v church_n in_o the_o kingdom_n but_o according_a to_o the_o scheme_n lay_v down_o by_o our_o reformer_n in_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n head_n 5._o 158._o only_a ten_o or_o twelve_o superintendent_o be_v design_v to_o have_v the_o chief_a care_n as_o it_o be_v word_v in_o the_o prayer_n at_o the_o admission_n of_o a_o superintendent_n of_o all_o the_o church_n within_o the_o kingdom_n indeed_o ten_o be_v only_o there_o design_v but_o it_o be_v because_o of_o the_o scarcity_n of_o qualify_a man_n as_o we_o shall_v learn_v hereafter_o 2._o as_o they_o have_v large_a district_n than_o parish_n minister_n so_o there_o be_v correspondent_a specialty_n in_o their_o election_n parish_n minister_n be_v to_o enter_v to_o such_o church_n as_o have_v benefice_n by_o presentation_n from_o the_o patron_n and_o collation_n from_o the_o superintendent_n as_o be_v evident_a from_o act_n 7._o parl._n 1_o jam._n 6._o and_o many_o act_n of_o assembly_n as_o shall_v be_v full_o prove_v afterward_o if_o they_o be_v to_o serve_v where_o the_o benefice_n be_v actual_o possess_v by_o a_o papist_n they_o be_v to_o be_v choose_v by_o the_o people_n of_o the_o congregation_n by_o the_o appointment_n of_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n head_n 4._o 154._o but_o the_o election_n of_o superintendent_o be_v quite_o different_a they_o be_v to_o be_v nominate_v by_o the_o council_n and_o elect_v by_o the_o nobility_n and_o gentry_n etc._n etc._n within_o their_o diocese_n as_o have_v be_v already_o consider_v 3._o there_o be_v as_o great_a a_o difference_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o deposition_n if_o they_o deserve_v it_o parish_n minister_n by_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n head_n 8._o
the_o case_n of_o the_o countess_n of_o argyle_n anno_fw-la 1567._o she_o have_v be_v guilty_a of_o a_o mighty_a scandal_n in_o be_v present_a at_o the_o christen_n of_o the_o prince_n afterward_o james_n the_o six_o which_o be_v perform_v after_o the_o popish_a manner_n she_o behove_v therefore_o to_o give_v satisfaction_n to_o the_o church_n and_o be_v order_v to_o do_v it_o by_o the_o general_n assembly_n in_o such_o manner_n and_o at_o such_o time_n as_o the_o superintendent_n of_o lothian_n within_o who_o bound_n the_o scandal_n be_v commit_v shall_v appoint_v so_o both_o spot_n and_o pet._n 359._o 26._o another_o branch_n be_v to_o restore_v criminal_n to_o the_o exercise_n of_o their_o office_n if_o they_o have_v any_o dependence_n on_o the_o church_n after_o they_o have_v perform_v their_o penance_n and_o receive_v absolution_n thus_o thomas_n duncanson_n reader_n at_o sterling_n have_v fall_v in_o the_o sin_n of_o fornication_n for_o this_o he_o be_v silence_v he_o have_v perform_v his_o penance_n and_o be_v absolve_v then_o the_o question_n be_v put_v to_o the_o general_n ass._n meet_v at_o eden_n decem._n 25._o 1563._o whither_o have_v make_v public_a repentance_n he_o may_v be_v restore_v to_o his_o office_n and_o the_o assembly_n determine_v he_o may_v not_o till_o the_o church_n of_o stirling_n shall_v make_v request_n to_o the_o superintendent_n for_o he_o 242._o 27._o to_o the_o superintendent_o be_v reserve_v the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n in_o case_n of_o contumacy_n etc._n etc._n thus_o it_o be_v statute_v by_o the_o gen._n ass._n at_o eden_n july_n 1._o 1562._o that_o in_o case_n of_o contumacy_n the_o minister_n give_v notice_n to_o the_o superintendent_n with_o who_o advice_n excommunication_n be_v to_o be_v pronounce_v so_o the_o mss._n and_o both_o the_o mss._n and_o petrie_n have_v another_o long_a act_n of_o the_o assembly_n hold_v at_o eden_n sept._n 25._o 1565._o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n 346._o 28._o it_o belong_v also_o to_o they_o to_o delate_v atrocious_a criminal_n to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n that_o condign_a corporal_a punishment_n may_v be_v inflict_v on_o they_o to_o this_o purpose_n i_o find_v it_o enact_v by_o a_o convention_n of_o the_o kirk_n as_o it_o be_v call_v in_o the_o mss._n meet_v at_o eden_n decem._n 15._o 1567._o to_o wait_v on_o the_o motion_n of_o the_o parliament_n that_o minister_n elder_n and_o deacon_n make_v search_v within_o their_o bound_n if_o the_o crime_n of_o incest_n or_o adultery_n be_v commit_v and_o to_o signify_v the_o same_o to_o the_o superintendent_n that_o he_o may_v notifye_v it_o to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n such_o be_v the_o power_n of_o superintendent_o in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n and_o her_o discipline_n but_o because_o several_a thing_n may_v have_v relation_n to_o the_o church_n though_o not_o formal_o and_o direct_o yet_o reductive_o and_o by_o way_n of_o analogical_a subordination_n their_o power_n extend_v even_o to_o these_o thing_n also_o i_o shall_v only_o instance_n in_o two_o 29._o then_o because_o university_n college_n and_o school_n be_v the_o seminary_n of_o learning_n and_o by_o consequence_n nursery_n for_o the_o ministry_n the_o power_n of_o superintendent_o over_o they_o be_v very_o considerable_a thus_o by_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n head_n 5._o 162._o if_o e._n g._n the_o principal_a or_o head_n of_o any_o college_n within_o the_o university_n of_o st._n andrews_n die_v the_o member_n of_o the_o college_n be_v swear_v to_o follow_v their_o conscience_n be_v to_o nominate_v three_o of_o the_o most_o sufficient_a man_n within_o the_o university_n this_o do_v the_o superintendent_n of_o pife_n by_o himself_o or_o his_o special_a procurator_n with_o the_o rector_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o principal_n be_v to_o choose_v one_o of_o these_o three_o and_o constitute_v he_o principal_a and_o when_o the_o rector_n be_v choose_v he_o be_v to_o be_v confirm_v by_o the_o superintendent_n 163._o by_o that_o same_o book_n and_o again_o by_o that_o same_o book_n ibid._n the_o money_n collect_v in_o every_o college_n for_o uphold_v the_o fabric_n be_v to_o be_v count_v and_o employ_v at_o the_o sight_n of_o the_o superintendent_n further_o the_o gen._n ass._n convene_v at_o eden_n jan._n 25._o 1565._o present_v this_o article_n in_o a_o petition_n to_o the_o queen_n that_o none_o may_v be_v permit_v to_o have_v charge_n of_o school_n college_n or_o university_n etc._n etc._n but_o such_o as_o shall_v be_v try_v by_o the_o superintendent_o so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o mss._n it_o be_v true_a it_o be_v not_o grant_v at_o that_o time_n but_o it_o show_v the_o inclination_n of_o our_o reformer_n as_o much_o as_o if_o it_o have_v be_v grant_v and_o because_o it_o be_v not_o grant_v then_o it_o be_v propose_v again_o in_o the_o ass._n in_o july_n 1567._o and_o consent_v to_o by_o the_o nobility_n and_o gentry_n and_o ratify_v by_o the_o eleven_o act_n of_o the_o first_o parliament_n of_o king_n james_n the_o six_o in_o december_n that_o same_o year_n and_o according_o we_o find_v the_o laird_n of_o dun._n superintendent_n of_o angus_n and_o mearns_n in_o july_n 1568._o hold_v at_o visitation_n of_o the_o university_n of_o aberdeen_n and_o by_o formal_a sentence_n turn_v out_o all_o the_o popish_a member_n the_o very_a air_n and_o stile_n of_o the_o sentence_n as_o petrie_n have_v it_o 362._o be_v a_o notable_a evidence_n of_o the_o paramount_n power_n of_o superintendent_o for_o thus_o it_o run_v i_o john_n areskin_n superintendent_n of_o angus_n and_o mearns_n have_v commission_n of_o the_o church_n to_o visit_v the_o sheriffdom_n of_o aberdeen_n and_o bamf_n by_o the_o advice_n counsel_n and_o consent_v of_o the_o minister_n elder_n and_o commissioner_n of_o the_o church_n present_a decern_v conclude_v and_o for_o final_a sentence_n pronounce_v that_o master_n alexander_n anderson_n etc._n etc._n 30._o because_o bad_a principle_n may_v be_v disseminated_a by_o bad_a book_n and_o thereby_o both_o the_o purity_n and_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n may_v be_v endanger_v the_o revise_v and_o licens_v of_o book_n be_v commit_v to_o the_o care_n of_o the_o superintendent_o by_o the_o general_n ass._n hold_v in_o june_n 1563._o whereby_o it_o be_v ordain_v that_o no_o work_n be_v set_v forth_o in_o print_n neither_o yet_o publish_v in_o writ_n touch_v religion_n or_o doctrine_n until_o such_o time_n as_o it_o shall_v be_v present_v to_o the_o superintendent_n of_o the_o diocese_n and_o advise_v and_o approven_v by_o he_o or_o by_o such_o as_o he_o shall_v call_v of_o the_o most_o learned_a within_o his_o bound_n etc._n etc._n 237._o thus_o i_o have_v collect_v no_o few_o than_o thirty_o disparity_n betwixt_o superintendent_o as_o they_o be_v establish_v in_o scotland_n by_o our_o reformer_n and_o private_a parish_n minister_n each_o of_o they_o a_o demonstration_n of_o inequality_n either_o of_o power_n or_o figure_n perchance_o a_o more_o nice_a and_o accurate_a enquirer_n may_v find_v out_o more_o but_o methinks_v these_o may_v be_v sufficient_a for_o my_o purpose_n which_o be_v to_o give_v the_o world_n a_o fair_a prospect_n of_o the_o pre-eminence_n of_o superintendent_o and_o of_o the_o difference_n betwixt_o they_o and_o other_o churchman_n and_o have_v thus_o perform_v the_o first_o part_n of_o my_o undertake_n it_o be_v obvious_a to_o all_o who_o can_v pretend_v to_o be_v of_o the_o think_v part_n of_o mankind_n that_o the_o second_o part_n be_v needless_a for_o if_o these_o 30_o disparity_n amount_v not_o to_o one_fw-mi invincible_a proof_n that_o our_o church_n at_o the_o reformation_n be_v not_o govern_v by_o minister_n act_v in_o parity_n i_o may_v just_o despair_v of_o ever_o prove_v any_o thing_n yet_o because_o i_o know_v many_o simple_a and_o less_o think_v people_n be_v impose_v on_o by_o the_o noise_n and_o dust_n our_o presbyterian_a brethren_n have_v raise_v about_o this_o matter_n i_o shall_v proceed_v to_o the_o next_o thing_n i_o undertake_v which_o be_v ii_o to_o dissipate_v these_o mist_n wherewith_o our_o parity-man_n be_v so_o very_a earnest_n to_o involve_v and_o darken_v this_o prelatical_a power_n of_o superintendent_o they_o may_v be_v reduce_v to_o these_o three_o 1._o the_o establishment_n of_o superintendent_o be_v only_o temporary_a and_o for_o the_o then_o necessity_n of_o the_o church_n superintendency_n be_v not_o intend_v to_o be_v a_o perpetual_a stand_a office_n 2._o it_o be_v not_o the_o same_o with_o episcopacy_n 3._o it_o be_v never_o establish_v by_o act_n of_o parliament_n 1._o it_o be_v plead_v that_o superintendency_n be_v only_o design_v to_o be_v a_o temporary_a not_o a_o perpetual_a stand_a office_n in_o the_o church_n thus_o calderwood_n 25._o speak_v of_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n we_o may_v safe_o say_v say_v he_o the_o whole_a be_v recommend_v to_o be_v perpetual_o observe_v except_o some_o few_o thing_n as_o the_o
policy_n and_o government_n indeed_o to_o make_v governor_n subject_a to_o the_o censure_n and_o sentence_n of_o their_o subject_n what_o be_v it_o else_o than_o to_o subvert_v government_n to_o confound_v relation_n to_o sap_n the_o foundation_n of_o all_o order_n and_o politic_a establishment_n it_o be_v as_o king_n jame_v the_o six_o have_v it_o in_o his_o discourse_n about_o the_o true_a law_n of_o free_a monarchy_n 202._o and_o i_o can_v give_v it_o better_o to_o invert_v the_o order_n of_o all_o law_n and_o reason_n to_o make_v the_o command_v command_v the_o commander_n the_o judge_v judge_v their_o judge_n and_o they_o who_o be_v govern_v to_o govern_v their_o time_n about_o their_o lord_n and_o governor_n in_o short_a to_o give_v a_o just_a account_n of_o such_o a_o constitution_n it_o be_v very_o near_o of_o kin_n to_o that_o banter_v question_v i_o have_v sometime_o hear_v propose_v to_o child_n or_o idiot_n if_o you_o be_v above_o i_o and_o i_o above_o you_o which_o of_o we_o shall_v be_v uppermost_a i_o add_v further_o 2._o that_o as_o i_o take_v it_o our_o reformer_n put_v this_o in_o the_o constitution_n that_o they_o may_v appear_v consequential_a to_o a_o principle_n then_o espouse_v and_o put_v in_o practice_n by_o they_o about_o civil_a government_n which_o be_v that_o the_o king_n be_v superior_a to_o his_o subject_n in_o their_o distributive_a but_o inferior_a to_o they_o in_o their_o collective_a capacity_n universis_fw-la this_o principle_n i_o say_v in_o those_o day_n be_v in_o great_a credit_n knox_n have_v learn_v it_o from_o the_o democratians_n at_o geneva_n his_o authority_n be_v great_a and_o he_o be_v very_o fond_a of_o this_o principle_n and_o disseminated_a it_o with_o a_o singular_a zeal_n and_o confidence_n beside_o our_o reformer_n be_v then_o obnoxious_a to_o the_o civil_a government_n the_o stand_a law_n be_v against_o they_o and_o the_o sovereign_n persuasion_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n jump_v with_o the_o law_n this_o principle_n therefore_o have_v it_o be_v a_o good_a one_o come_v to_o they_o most_o seasonable_o and_o come_v to_o they_o in_o such_o a_o nick_n and_o withal_o meeting_n in_o they_o with_o scotch_a metal_n ingenium_fw-la they_o put_v it_o in_o practice_n and_o be_v put_v in_o practice_n god_n suffer_v it_o to_o be_v successful_a and_o the_o success_n be_v a_o new_a endearment_n and_o so_o it_o come_v to_o be_v a_o principle_n of_o credit_n and_o reputation_n indeed_o they_o have_v be_v very_o unthankful_a to_o it_o and_o inconsequential_a to_o boot_v if_o they_o have_v not_o adopt_v it_o into_o their_o ecclesiastical_a as_o well_o as_o their_o civil_a systeme_n and_o the_o superintendent_o have_v have_v a_o main_a hand_n in_o reduce_v it_o to_o practice_n against_o the_o prince_n can_v not_o take_v it_o ill_o if_o it_o be_v make_v a_o law_n to_o themselves_o it_o be_v but_o their_o own_o measure_n this_o i_o say_v i_o take_v to_o be_v the_o natural_a history_n of_o this_o part_n of_o the_o constitution_n nay_o 3._o so_o fond_a it_o seem_v they_o be_v of_o this_o principle_n that_o they_o extend_v it_o further_o so_o far_o as_o even_o to_o make_v minister_n accountable_a to_o their_o own_o eldership_n so_o it_o be_v express_o establish_v by_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n head_n 8._o 167._o the_o elder_n ought_v also_o to_o take_v heed_n to_o the_o life_n manner_n diligence_n and_o study_n of_o their_o minister_n and_o if_o he_o be_v worthy_a of_o admonition_n they_o must_v admonish_v he_o if_o of_o correction_n they_o must_v correct_v he_o and_o if_o he_o be_v worthy_a of_o deposition_n they_o with_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n and_o superintendent_n may_v depose_v he_o here_o be_v a_o pitch_n of_o democracy_n which_o i_o think_v our_o presbyterian_a brethren_n themselves_o as_o self_n deny_v as_o they_o be_v will_v not_o take_v with_o so_o very_o kind_o and_o yet_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o believe_v the_o compiler_n of_o the_o book_n never_o think_v on_o put_v these_o elder_n in_o a_o state_n of_o parity_n with_o their_o minister_n though_o this_o be_v a_o demonstration_n that_o they_o have_v not_o be_v the_o great_a master_n at_o draw_v scheme_n of_o policy_n but_o to_o let_v this_o pass_v 4._o though_o this_o unpolitical_a stroke_n to_o call_v it_o no_o worse_o be_v make_v part_n of_o the_o constitution_n by_o that_o book_n as_o i_o have_v grant_v yet_o i_o have_v no_o where_o find_v that_o ever_o it_o be_v put_v in_o practice_n i_o have_v no_o where_o find_v that_o de_fw-fr facto_fw-la a_o superintendent_n be_v judge_v by_o his_o own_o synod_n whether_o it_o be_v that_o they_o behave_v so_o exact_o as_o that_o they_o be_v never_o censurable_a or_o that_o their_o synod_n have_v not_o the_o insolence_n to_o reduce_v a_o constitution_n so_o very_o absurd_a and_o unreasonable_a to_o practice_n i_o shall_v not_o be_v anxious_a to_o determine_v but_o it_o seem_v probable_a it_o have_v be_v as_o much_o if_o not_o more_o upon_o the_o latter_a account_n than_o the_o former_a for_o i_o find_v superintendent_o frequent_o try_v and_o sometime_o censure_v by_o general_a assembly_n and_o there_o be_v reason_n for_o it_o suppose_v that_o general_a assembly_n as_o then_o constitute_v be_v fit_a to_o be_v the_o supreme_a judicatories_n of_o the_o national_a church_n for_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n that_o superintendent_o shall_v have_v be_v pope_n i._n e._n absolute_a and_o unaccountable_a so_o that_o if_o i_o be_o not_o mistake_v our_o brethren_n raise_v dust_n to_o little_a purpose_n when_o they_o make_v so_o much_o noise_n about_o the_o accountableness_n of_o superintendent_o to_o general_n assembly_n as_o if_o that_o make_v a_o difference_n between_o they_o and_o bishop_n for_o i_o know_v no_o man_n that_o make_v bishop_n unaccountable_a especial_o when_o they_o be_v confederated_a in_o a_o national_a church_n but_o this_o by_o the_o way_n that_o which_o i_o take_v notice_n of_o be_v that_o see_v we_o find_v they_o be_v so_o frequent_o try_v by_o general_a assembly_n without_o the_o least_o intimation_n of_o their_o be_v at_o any_o time_n try_v by_o their_o own_o synod_n it_o seem_v reasonable_a to_o conclude_v that_o it_o have_v be_v think_v fit_a to_o let_v that_o unreasonable_a stretch_n in_o the_o first_o constitution_n fall_v into_o dissuetude_n but_o however_o this_o be_v i_o have_v all_o safe_a enough_o for_o 5._o such_o a_o constitution_n infer_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o parity_n among_o the_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n those_o who_o maintain_v that_o the_o king_n be_v inferior_a to_o his_o subject_n in_o their_o collection_n be_v not_o yet_o so_o extravagant_a as_o to_o say_v he_o be_v not_o superior_a to_o every_o one_o of_o they_o in_o their_o distribution_n they_o acknowledge_v he_o be_v major_a singulis_n and_o there_o be_v not_o a_o person_n in_o the_o kingdom_n who_o will_v be_v so_o unmannerly_a as_o to_o say_v that_o he_o stand_v upon_o the_o same_o level_n with_o his_o sovereign_n but_o what_o need_v more_o these_o same_o very_a presbyterian_a author_n who_o use_v this_o argument_n even_o while_o they_o use_v it_o confess_v that_o superintendent_o and_o ordinary_a parish_n minister_n do_v not_o act_v in_o parity_n and_o because_o they_o can_v deny_v it_o but_o must_v confess_v it_o whether_o they_o will_v or_o not_o they_o can_v forbear_v raise_v all_o the_o dust_n they_o can_v about_o it_o that_o unthinking_a people_n may_v not_o see_v clear_o that_o they_o do_v confess_v it_o and_o have_v it_o not_o be_v for_o this_o reason_n i_o be_o apt_a to_o think_v the_o world_n have_v never_o be_v plague_v with_o such_o pitiful_a jangle_n as_o such_o argument_n amount_v to_o neither_o be_v the_o next_o any_o better_a which_o be_v 3._o that_o superintendency_n be_v never_o establish_v by_o act_n of_o parliament_n this_o be_v g._n r.'s_n argument_n in_o his_o learned_a answer_n to_o the_o first_o of_o the_o ten_o question_n for_o there_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o superintendency_n be_v neither_o bring_v in_o nor_o cast_v out_o by_o act_n of_o parliament_n and_o what_o then_o do_v he_o love_v it_o the_o worse_a that_o it_o be_v establish_v pure_o by_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n how_o long_o since_o he_o turn_v â—ond_a of_o parliamentary_a establishment_n i_o wonder_v he_o be_v not_o afraid_a of_o the_o scandal_n of_o erastianism_n but_o to_o the_o point_n it_o be_v true_a indeed_o it_o be_v not_o bring_v in_o by_o act_n of_o parliament_n but_o then_o i_o think_v he_o himself_o can_v deny_v that_o it_o be_v countenance_v allow_v and_o approven_v by_o more_o than_o half_a a_o dozen_o of_o act_n of_o parliament_n which_o if_o our_o author_n understand_v any_o thing_n either_o of_o law_n or_o logic_n he_o must_v allow_v to_o be_v at_o least_o equivalent_a to_o a_o parliamentary_a inbringing_a i_o have_v these_o act_n in_o readiness_n to_o produce_v when_o
370._o have_v thus_o remove_v this_o seem_a difficulty_n i_o return_v to_o my_o purpose_n the_o earl_n of_o lennox_n be_v then_o regent_n he_o be_v murder_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o parliament_n so_o at_o that_o time_n thing_n be_v in_o confusion_n and_o these_o commissioner_n from_o the_o general_n assembly_n can_v do_v nothing_o in_o their_o business_n the_o earl_n of_o mar_n succeed_v in_o the_o regency_n application_n be_v make_v to_o he_o it_o be_v agree_v to_o between_o his_o grace_n and_o the_o clergy_n who_o apply_v to_o he_o that_o a_o meeting_n shall_v be_v keep_v between_o so_o many_o for_o the_o church_n and_o so_o many_o for_o the_o state_n for_o adjust_v matter_n for_o this_o end_n one_fw-mi assembly_n be_v keep_v at_o leith_n on_o the_o 12_o of_o january_n 1571_o 2._o by_o this_o assembly_n six_o be_v delegated_a to_o meet_v with_o as_o many_o to_o be_v nominate_v by_o the_o council_n to_o treat_v reason_n and_o conclude_v concern_v the_o settlement_n of_o the_o polity_n of_o the_o church_n after_o diverse_a meeting_n and_o long_a deliberation_n as_o spotswood_n have_v it_o 260._o they_o come_v to_o a_o agreement_n which_o be_v in_o effect_n that_o the_o old_a polity_n shall_v revive_v and_o take_v place_n only_o with_o some_o little_a alteration_n which_o seem_v necessary_a from_o the_o change_n that_o have_v be_v make_v in_o religion_n whoso_o please_v may_v see_v it_o more_o large_o in_o calderwood_n etc._n who_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o whole_a scheme_n be_v register_v in_o the_o book_n of_o council_n more_o brief_o in_o spotswood_n and_o petrie_n 273._o in_o short_a it_o be_v a_o constitution_n much_o the_o same_o with_o that_o which_o we_o have_v ever_o since_o have_v in_o the_o time_n of_o episcopacy_n for_o by_o this_o agreement_n those_o who_o be_v to_o have_v the_o old_a prelatical_a power_n be_v also_o to_o have_v the_o old_a prelatical_a name_n and_o title_n of_o archbishop_n and_o bishop_n the_o old_a division_n of_o the_o diocese_n be_v to_o take_v place_n the_o patrimony_n of_o the_o church_n be_v to_o run_v much_o in_o the_o old_a channel_n particular_o express_a provision_n be_v make_v concern_v chapter_n abbot_n prior_n etc._n etc._n that_o they_o shall_v be_v continue_v and_o enjoy_v their_o old_a right_n and_o privilege_n as_o churchman_n and_o general_o thing_n be_v put_v in_o a_o regular_a course_n this_o be_v the_o second_o model_n not_o a_o new_a one_o of_o polity_n establish_v in_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n after_o the_o reformation_n at_o a_o pretty_a good_a distance_n i_o think_v from_o the_o rule_n and_o exigency_n of_o parity_n the_o truth_n be_v both_o calderwood_n and_o petrie_n acknowledge_v it_o be_v imparity_n with_o a_o witness_n the_o thing_n be_v so_o manifest_a they_o have_v not_o the_o brow_n to_o deny_v it_o all_o their_o endeavour_n be_v only_o to_o impugn_v the_o authority_n of_o this_o constitution_n or_o raise_v cloud_n about_o it_o or_o find_v weakness_n in_o it_o so_o far_o as_o i_o can_v collect_v no_o man_n ever_o affirm_v that_o at_o this_o time_n the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n be_v presbyterian_a except_o g._n r._n who_o be_v true_o singular_a for_o his_o skill_n in_o these_o matter_n but_o we_o shall_v have_v some_o time_n or_o other_o occasion_n to_o consider_v he_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n let_v we_o consider_v calderwood_n and_o petrie_n plea_n against_o this_o establishment_n they_o may_v be_v reduce_v to_o these_o four_o 1._o the_o incompetency_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o meeting_n at_o leith_n in_o january_n 1571_o 2._o 2._o the_o force_n which_o be_v at_o that_o time_n put_v upon_o the_o minister_n by_o the_o court_n which_o will_v needs_o have_v that_o establishment_n take_v place_n 3._o the_o limitedness_n of_o the_o power_n then_o grant_v to_o bishop_n 4._o the_o reluctancy_n which_o the_o subsequent_a assembly_n discover_v against_o that_o establishment_n these_o be_v the_o most_o material_a plea_n they_o insist_v on_o and_o i_o shall_v consider_v how_o far_o they_o may_v hold_v the_o 1._o plea_n be_v the_o incompetency_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o meeting_n at_o leith_n jan._n 12._o 1571_o 2._o which_o give_v commission_n to_o the_o six_o for_o agree_v with_o the_o state_n to_o such_o one_fw-mi establishment_n it_o be_v not_o call_v one_fw-mi assembly_n but_o a_o convention_n in_o the_o register_n the_o ordinary_a assembly_n be_v not_o appoint_v to_o be_v hold_v till_o the_o 6_o the_o of_o march_n thereafter_o 372._o as_o it_o be_v only_o a_o convention_n so_o it_o be_v in_o very_o great_a haste_n it_o seem_v and_o take_v not_o time_n to_o consider_v thing_n of_o such_o importance_n so_o deliberate_o as_o they_o ought_v to_o have_v be_v consider_v 374._o it_o be_v a_o corrupt_a convention_n for_o it_o allow_v master_n robert_n pont_n a_o minister_n to_o be_v a_o lord_n of_o the_o session_n 375._o these_o be_v the_o reason_n they_o insist_v on_o to_o prove_v the_o authority_n of_o that_o meet_v incompetent_a and_o now_o to_o examine_v they_o brief_o when_o i_o consider_v these_o argument_n and_o for_o what_o end_n they_o be_v adduce_v i_o must_v declare_v i_o can_v but_o admire_v the_o force_n of_o prejudice_n and_o partiality_n how_o much_o they_o blind_v man_n eye_n and_o distort_v their_o reason_n and_o bias_n they_o to_o the_o most_o ridiculous_a undertake_n for_o what_o though_o the_o next_o ordinary_a assembly_n be_v not_o appoint_v to_o meet_v till_o march_v thereafter_o do_v not_o even_o the_o presbyterian_o themselves_o maintain_v the_o lawfulness_n yea_o the_o necessity_n of_o call_v general_a assembly_n extraordinary_o upon_o extraordinary_a occasion_n pro_fw-la re_fw-mi nata_fw-la as_o they_o call_v it_o how_o many_o such_o have_v be_v call_v since_o the_o reformation_n how_o much_o do_v they_o insist_v on_o this_o pretence_n anno_fw-la 1638_o and_o what_o though_o the_o register_n call_v this_o meeting_n a_o convention_n be_v it_o therefore_o no_o assembly_n be_v there_o such_o a_o opposition_n between_o the_o word_n convention_n and_o assembly_n that_o both_o can_v possible_o signify_v the_o same_o thing_n do_v not_o calderwood_n acknowledge_v that_o they_o vote_v themselves_o one_fw-mi assembly_n in_o their_o second_o session_n do_v he_o not_o acknowledge_v that_o all_o the_o ordinary_a member_n be_v there_o which_o use_v to_o constitute_v assembly_n but_o what_o if_o it_o can_v be_v find_v that_o one_fw-mi undoubted_a uncontroverted_a assembly_n own_a it_o as_o one_fw-mi assembly_n and_o its_o authority_n as_o the_o authority_n of_o one_fw-mi assembly_n what_o be_v become_v of_o this_o fine_a argument_n then_o but_o can_v this_o be_v do_v indeed_o yes_o it_o can_v and_o these_o same_o very_a author_n have_v give_v it_o in_o these_o same_o very_a history_n 376._o in_o which_o they_o use_v this_o as_o one_fw-mi argument_n and_o not_o very_o far_o from_o the_o same_o very_a page_n both_o of_o they_o i_o say_v tell_v that_o the_o general_n assembly_n hold_v at_o perth_n in_o august_n immediate_o thereafter_o make_v one_fw-mi act_n which_o begin_v thus_o forasmuch_o as_o the_o assembly_n hold_v in_o leith_n in_o january_n last_o etc._n etc._n but_o if_o it_o be_v one_fw-mi assembly_n yet_o it_o be_v in_o too_o great_a haste_n it_o do_v not_o thing_n deliberate_o why_o so_o no_o reason_n be_v adduce_v no_o reason_n can_v be_v adduce_v for_o say_v so_o the_o subject_a they_o be_v to_o treat_v of_o be_v no_o new_a one_o it_o be_v a_o subject_a that_o have_v employ_v all_o their_o head_n for_o several_a month_n before_o their_o great_a business_n at_o that_o time_n be_v to_o give_v a_o commission_n to_o some_o member_n to_o meet_v with_o the_o delegate_n of_o the_o state_n to_o adjust_a matter_n about_o the_o polity_n and_o patrimony_n of_o the_o church_n this_o commission_n be_v not_o give_v till_o the_o three_o session_n as_o calderwood_n himself_o acknowledge_v 49._o where_o then_o be_v the_o great_a haste_n lay_v it_o in_o do_v a_o thing_n in_o their_o three_o session_n which_o may_v have_v be_v do_v in_o the_o first_o but_o be_v not_o these_o commissioner_n in_o too_o great_a haste_n to_o come_v to_o one_fw-mi agreement_n when_o they_o meet_v with_o the_o delegate_n of_o the_o state_n yes_o if_o we_o may_v believe_v petrie_n for_o he_o say_v 353._o that_o the_o same_o day_n viz._n january_n 16._o the_o commissioner_n convene_v and_o conclude_v etc._n etc._n but_o he_o may_v say_v with_o that_o same_o integrity_n whatever_o he_o please_v for_o not_o to_o insist_v on_o spotswood_n account_n 260._o who_o say_v it_o be_v after_o diverse_a meeting_n and_o long_a deliberation_n that_o they_o come_v to_o their_o conclusion_n not_o to_o insist_v on_o his_o authority_n i_o say_v because_o he_o may_v be_v suspect_v as_o partial_a do_v not_o calderwood_n 50._o express_o acknowledge_v that_o they_o begin_v their_o conference_n upon_o the_o
people_n engage_v in_o their_o rebellious_a and_o schismatical_a confederacy_n they_o take_v off_o the_o mask_n and_o condemn_a episcopacy_n in_o their_o pack_v assembly_n anno_fw-la 1638_o declare_v with_o more_o than_o jesuitish_a impudence_n that_o notwithstanding_o of_o their_o protestation_n so_o frequent_o and_o public_o make_v to_o the_o contrary_a it_o be_v abjure_v in_o their_o covenant_n and_o yet_o i_o dare_v advance_v this_o paradox_n that_o even_o then_o it_o be_v not_o one_fw-mi insupportable_a grievance_n to_o the_o presbyterian_o themselves_z far_o less_o to_o the_o whole_a nation_n i_o own_o this_o to_o be_v a_o paradox_n and_o therefore_o i_o must_v ask_v my_o reader_n allowance_n to_o give_v my_o reason_n for_o which_o i_o have_v dare_v to_o advance_v it_o it_o be_v this_o consider_v how_o much_o prelacy_n affect_v the_o church_n as_o a_o society_n of_o how_o great_a consequence_n it_o be_v in_o the_o concern_v of_o the_o church_n whatever_o it_o be_v in_o itself_o it_o can_v in_o reason_n be_v call_v one_fw-mi insupportable_a grievance_n to_o such_o as_o be_v satisfy_v they_o can_v live_v safe_o and_o without_o sin_n in_o the_o communion_n of_o that_o church_n where_o it_o prevail_v if_o such_o can_v call_v it_o a_o grievance_n at_o all_o i_o think_v they_o can_v just_o call_v it_o more_o than_o a_o supportable_a grievance_n i_o think_v it_o can_v be_v just_o call_v one_fw-mi insupportable_a grievance_n till_o it_o can_v justify_v and_o by_o consequence_n necessitate_v a_o separation_n from_o that_o church_n which_o have_v it_o in_o its_o constitution_n how_o can_v that_o be_v call_v one_fw-mi insupportable_a grievance_n especial_o in_o church_n matter_n where_o grievance_n and_o corruption_n if_o i_o take_v they_o right_n must_v be_v term_n very_o much_o equivalent_a to_o those_o who_o can_v safe_o support_v it_o i._o e._n live_v under_o it_o without_o sin_n and_o with_o a_o safe_a conscience_n continue_v in_o the_o church_n communion_n while_o it_o be_v in_o the_o church_n government_n how_o can_v that_o be_v call_v insupportable_a which_o be_v not_o of_o such_o malignity_n in_o a_o church_n as_o to_o make_v her_o communion_n sinful_a how_o can_v that_o be_v call_v insupportable_a in_o ecclesiastical_a concern_v or_o religious_a matter_n to_o those_o who_o be_v persuade_v they_o may_v bear_v it_o or_o with_o it_o without_o disturb_v their_o inward_a peace_n or_o endanger_v their_o eternal_a interest_n now_o such_o in_o these_o time_n be_v all_o the_o presbyterian_o at_o least_o general_o in_o the_o nation_n they_o do_v not_o think_v upon_o break_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n upon_o separate_v from_o the_o solemn_a assembly_n under_o prelacy_n and_o set_v up_o presbyterian_a altar_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o episcopal_a altar_n they_o still_o keep_v up_o one_o communion_n in_o the_o nation_n they_o do_v not_o refuse_v to_o join_v in_o the_o public_a ordinance_n the_o solemn_a worship_n of_o god_n and_o the_o sacrament_n with_o their_o prelatic_a brethren_n all_o this_o be_v so_o well_o know_v that_o none_o i_o think_v will_v call_v it_o in_o question_n indeed_o that_o height_n of_o antipathy_n to_o prelacy_n have_v not_o prevail_v among_o the_o party_n no_o not_o when_o episcopacy_n have_v its_o fetter_n strike_v off_o anno_fw-la 1662._o for_o then_o and_o for_o some_o year_n after_o the_o presbyterian_o general_o both_o pastor_n and_o people_n keep_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n and_o join_v with_o the_o conformist_n in_o the_o public_a ordinance_n and_o i_o believe_v there_o be_v hundred_o of_o thousand_o in_o scotland_n who_o remember_v very_o well_o how_o short_a a_o time_n it_o be_v since_o they_o betake_v themselves_o to_o conventicle_n and_o turn_v avow_v schismatic_n i_o confess_v the_o reason_n i_o have_v just_a now_o insist_v on_o can_v militate_v so_o pat_o against_o such_o for_o if_o they_o have_v reason_n to_o separate_v they_o have_v the_o same_o reason_n to_o call_v prelacy_n one_fw-mi insupportable_a grievance_n no_o more_o and_o no_o other_o but_o i_o can_v see_v how_o the_o force_n of_o it_o can_v be_v well_o avoid_v by_o they_o in_o respect_n of_o their_o predecessor_n who_o have_v not_o the_o boldness_n to_o separate_v upon_o the_o account_n of_o prelacy_n but_o it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o those_o presbyterian_o who_o live_v anno_fw-la 1637._o and_o downward_o shake_v off_o prelacy_n and_o will_v bear_v it_o no_o long_o and_o be_v it_o not_o then_o one_fw-mi insupportable_a grievance_n to_o they_o true_o indeed_o for_o remove_v the_o pretend_a corruption_n of_o prelacy_n they_o then_o venture_v upon_o the_o real_o horrid_a sin_n of_o rebellion_n against_o their_o prince_n they_o embroil_v three_o famous_a and_o flourish_a kingdom_n they_o break_v down_o the_o beautiful_a and_o ancient_a structure_n of_o government_n both_o in_o church_n and_o state_n they_o shed_v ocean_n of_o christian_a blood_n and_o make_v the_o nation_n welter_v in_o gore_n they_o give_v up_o themselves_o to_o all_o the_o wildness_n of_o rage_n and_o fury_n they_o glory_v in_o treason_n and_o treachery_n in_o oppression_n and_o murder_n in_o fierceness_n and_o unbridle_a tyranny_n they_o drench_v innumerable_a miss-led_n soul_n in_o the_o crimson_a guilt_n of_o schism_n and_o sedition_n of_o rebellion_n and_o faction_n of_o perfidy_n and_o perjury_n in_o short_a they_o open_v the_o way_n to_o such_o one_fw-mi inundation_n of_o hypocrisy_n and_o irreligion_n of_o confusion_n and_o calamity_n as_o can_v easy_o be_v parallel_v in_o history_n and_o for_o all_o these_o thing_n they_o pretend_v their_o antipathy_n to_o prelacy_n and_o yet_o after_o all_o this_o i_o be_o where_o i_o be_v consider_v their_o aforesaid_a principle_n and_o practice_n as_o to_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n they_o can_v not_o call_v it_o one_fw-mi insupportable_a grievance_n they_o do_v not_o true_o find_v it_o such_o have_v they_o real_o and_o sincere_o in_o true_a christian_a simplicity_n and_o sobriety_n find_v or_o feel_v it_o such_o they_o will_v no_o doubt_n have_v look_v on_o it_o as_o a_o forcible_a ground_n for_o separate_v from_o the_o communion_n in_o which_o it_o prevail_v as_o the_o protestant_n in_o germany_n find_v their_o centum_fw-la gravamina_fw-la for_o separate_v from_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o have_v make_v it_o that_o indeed_o and_o then_o to_o have_v suffer_v patient_o if_o they_o have_v be_v persecute_v for_o it_o without_o turn_v to_o the_o antichristian_a course_n of_o arm_a resistance_n have_v have_v some_o colour_n of_o one_fw-mi argument_n that_o they_o deem_v it_o one_fw-mi insupportable_a grievance_n but_o the_o fierce_a fight_v against_o it_o so_o long_o as_o they_o can_v allow_v themselves_o to_o live_v in_o the_o communion_n which_o own_a it_o can_v never_o infer_v that_o it_o be_v to_o they_o one_fw-mi insupportable_a grievance_n at_o most_o if_o it_o be_v it_o be_v to_o wanton_a humour_n and_o wildfire_n only_o and_o not_o to_o conscience_n and_o real_a christian_a conviction_n and_o so_o i_o leave_v this_o argument_n i_o can_v easy_o insist_v more_o large_o on_o this_o enquiry_n but_o to_o avoid_a tediousness_n i_o shall_v advance_v only_o one_o thing_n more_o it_o be_v a_o challenge_n to_o my_o presbyterian_a brethren_n to_o produce_v but_o one_o public_a deed_n one_o solemn_a or_o considerable_a appearance_n of_o the_o nation_n take_v either_o collective_o or_o representative_o which_o by_o any_o tolerable_a construction_n or_o interpretation_n can_v import_v that_o prelacy_n or_o the_o superiority_n of_o any_o office_n in_o the_o church_n above_o presbyter_n be_v a_o great_a and_o insupportable_a grievance_n and_o trouble_n to_o this_o nation_n and_o contrary_a to_o the_o inclination_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o people_n for_o full_a thirty_o year_n after_o the_o reformation_n the_o learned_a g._n r._n think_v he_o have_v find_v one_o indeed_o it_o seem_v for_o he_o introduce_v it_o very_o brisk_o in_o his_o first_o vindication_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n in_o answer_n to_o the_o first_o question_n §_o 9_o hear_v he_o it_o be_v evident_a say_v he_o that_o episcopal_a jurisdiction_n over_o the_o protestant_n be_v condemn_v by_o law_n in_o that_o same_o parliament_n 1567._o wherein_o the_o protestant_a religion_n be_v establish_v what_o no_o less_o than_o evident_a let_v we_o try_v this_o parliamentary_a condemnation_n it_o be_v there_o statute_n and_o ordain_v that_o no_o other_o jurisdiction_n ecclesiastical_a be_v acknowledge_v within_o this_o realm_n than_o that_o which_o be_v and_o shall_v be_v within_o this_o same_o kirk_n establish_v present_o or_o which_o flow_v therefrom_o concern_v preach_v the_o word_n correct_v of_o manner_n administration_n of_o sacrament_n so_o he_o no_o man_n who_o know_v this_o author_n and_o his_o way_n of_o writing_n will_v ready_o think_v it_o be_v ill_a manner_n to_o examine_v whither_o he_o cite_v right_o i_o turn_v over_o therefore_o all_o the_o act_n of_o that_o parliament_n
which_o be_v in_o print_n and_o i_o think_v his_o citation_n shall_v scarce_o be_v find_v among_o the_o unprint_v one_o but_o can_v not_o find_v this_o citation_n of_o our_o author_n what_o be_v next_o to_o be_v do_v i_o know_v that_o full_a well_o i_o turn_v to_o the_o 43._o page_n of_o his_o historian_n calderwood_n and_o there_o i_o find_v it_o word_n for_o word_n well!_o but_o be_v there_o no_o such_o period_n to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o act_n of_o that_o parliament_n not_o one_o indeed_o it_o be_v true_a there_o be_v one_fw-mi act_n the_o six_o in_o number_n entitle_v anent_o the_o true_a and_o holy_a kirk_n and_o of_o they_o that_o be_v declare_v to_o be_v of_o the_o same_o which_o act_n i_o find_v insist_v on_o by_o the_o covenanter_n anno_fw-la 1638._o in_o their_o answer_n to_o the_o marquis_n of_o hamiltons_n declaration_n at_o edinburgh_n in_o december_n that_o year_n as_o be_v to_o be_v see_v in_o the_o large_a declaration_n 352._o as_o condemn_v episcopacy_n it_o be_v very_o probable_a this_o may_v be_v the_o act_n calderwood_n think_v he_o abridge_v in_o these_o word_n borrow_v from_o he_o by_o g._n r._n i_o shall_v set_v it_o down_o word_n for_o word_n that_o the_o world_n may_v judge_v if_o episcopacy_n be_v condemn_v by_o it_o forasmuch_o as_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o bless_a evangel_n of_o jesus_n christ_n who_o god_n of_o his_o mercy_n have_v now_o raise_v up_o among_o we_o or_o hereafter_o shall_v raise_v agree_v with_o they_o who_o now_o live_v in_o doctrine_n and_o administration_n of_o the_o sacrament_n as_o in_o the_o reform_a kirk_n of_o this_o realm_n they_o be_v public_o administrate_n according_a to_o the_o confession_n of_o faith_n our_o sovereign_a lord_n with_o advice_n of_o my_o lord_n regent_n and_o three_o estate_n of_o this_o present_a parliament_n have_v declare_v and_o declare_v the_o aforesaid_a person_n to_o be_v the_o only_a true_a and_o holy_a kirk_n of_o jesus_n christ_n within_o this_o realm_n and_o decern_v and_o declare_v that_o all_o and_o sundry_a who_o either_o gainsay_v the_o word_n of_o the_o evangel_n receive_v and_o approve_v as_o the_o head_n of_o the_o confession_n of_o faith_n profess_v in_o parliament_n before_z in_o the_o year_n of_o god_n 1560._o year_n as_o also_o specify_v in_o the_o act_n of_o this_o parliament_n more_o particular_o do_v express_v and_o now_o ratify_v and_o approve_v in_o this_o present_a parliament_n or_o that_o refuse_v the_o participation_n of_o the_o holy_a sacrament_n as_o they_o be_v now_o ministrate_n to_o be_v no_o member_n of_o the_o say_v kirk_n within_o this_o realm_n present_o profess_v so_o long_o as_o they_o keep_v themselves_o so_o divide_v from_o the_o society_n of_o christ_n body_n this_o be_v the_o act_n now_o here_o not_o one_o word_n of_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n either_o foreign_a or_o domestic_a not_o one_o word_n of_o any_o jurisdiction_n within_o this_o realm_n or_o in_o the_o kirk_n within_o this_o realm_n or_o that_o shall_v ever_o flow_v from_o the_o say_v kirk_n not_o one_o word_n of_o correct_v of_o manner_n from_o which_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o if_o this_o be_v the_o act_n calderwood_n aim_v at_o he_o give_v the_o world_n a_o very_a odd_a abridgement_n of_o it_o and_o g._n r._n shall_v consider_v thing_n a_o little_a better_o and_o not_o take_v they_o upon_o trust_n to_o find_v argument_n on_o they_o so_o ridiculous_o but_o do_v not_o this_o act_n condemn_v episcopacy_n let_v the_o world_n judge_n if_o it_o do_v what_o can_v be_v more_o plain_a than_o that_o all_o this_o act_n aim_v at_o be_v only_o to_o define_v that_o church_n which_o then_o be_v to_o have_v the_o legal_a establshment_n and_o the_o countenance_n of_o the_o civil_a authority_n this_o church_n it_o define_v to_o be_v that_o society_n of_o pastor_n and_o people_n which_o profess_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o evangel_n etc._n etc._n according_a to_o the_o confession_n of_o faith_n then_o establish_v it_o be_v plain_a i_o say_v this_o be_v all_o that_o act_n aim_v at_o not_o one_o word_n of_o jurisdiction_n or_o discipline_n of_o government_n or_o polity_n of_o episcopacy_n or_o presbytery_n of_o prelacy_n or_o parity_n of_o equality_n or_o inequality_n among_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n whatever_o the_o form_n of_o government_n be_v then_o in_o the_o church_n or_o whatever_o it_o may_v be_v afterward_o be_v all_o one_o to_o this_o act_n so_o long_o as_o pastor_n whither_o act_v in_o parity_n or_o imparity_n and_o people_n keep_v by_o the_o same_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o same_o manner_n of_o admini_v the_o sacrament_n what_o be_v there_o here_o like_o a_o condemnation_n of_o episcopal_a jurisdiction_n be_v this_o the_o way_n of_o parliamentary_a condemnation_n to_o condemn_v one_fw-mi office_n or_o one_fw-mi order_n or_o a_o jurisdiction_n call_v it_o as_o you_o will_v without_o either_o name_n it_o or_o describe_v it_o in_o term_n so_o circumstantiate_v as_o the_o world_n may_v understand_v by_o they_o that_o it_o be_v mean_v to_o condemn_v a_o thing_n especial_o a_o thing_n of_o so_o great_a importance_n without_o so_o much_o as_o repeal_n any_o one_o of_o many_o act_n which_o establish_v or_o ratify_v it_o before_o sure_o if_o this_o act_n condemn_v episcopacy_n this_o parliament_n happen_v upon_o a_o new_a style_n a_o singular_a style_n a_o style_n never_o use_v before_o never_o use_v since_o beside_o if_o this_o be_v the_o act_n g._n r._n intend_v i_o will_v earnest_o desire_v he_o to_o name_n but_o any_o one_o man_n who_o live_v in_o these_o time_n and_o understand_v episcopacy_n to_o have_v be_v condemn_v by_o this_o act._n how_o blind_a be_v master_n andrew_n melvil_n how_o blind_a be_v all_o the_o presbyterian_a fraternity_n that_o all_o the_o five_o year_n they_o be_v fight_v against_o prelacy_n can_v never_o hit_v on_o this_o act_n and_o prove_v that_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v no_o long_o tolerate_v see_v it_o be_v against_o one_fw-mi act_n of_o parliament_n be_v they_o so_o little_o careful_a of_o act_n of_o parliamant_n that_o they_o will_v not_o have_v be_v at_o pain_n to_o cite_v they_o for_o their_o purpose_n mr._n andrew_n melvil_n in_o his_o so_o often_o mention_v letter_n to_o beza_n date_v novemb_n 13._o 1579._o write_v thus_o we_o have_v not_o cease_v these_o five_o year_n to_o fight_v against_o pseudepiscopacy_n many_o of_o the_o nobility_n resist_v we_o and_o to_o press_v the_o severity_n of_o discipline_n we_o have_v many_o of_o the_o peer_n against_o we_o for_o they_o allege_v if_o pseudepiscopacy_n be_v take_v away_o one_o of_o the_o estate_n be_v pull_v down_o etc._n etc._n now_o how_o easy_a have_v it_o be_v for_o he_o to_o have_v stop_v the_o mouth_n of_o these_o peer_n by_o tell_v they_o that_o it_o be_v take_v away_o already_o by_o this_o act_n of_o parliament_n what_o a_o dunce_n be_v the_o l._n glamis_n chancellor_n of_o scotland_n by_o consequence_n one_o oblige_v by_o his_o station_n to_o understand_v something_o i_o think_v of_o the_o law_n of_o the_o nation_n and_o all_o those_o who_o he_o consult_v about_o the_o letter_n he_o write_v to_o the_o same_o beza_n that_o neither_o he_o nor_o they_o know_v any_o thing_n of_o this_o act_n of_o parliament_n but_o tell_v the_o gentleman_n blunt_o that_o episcopacy_n subsist_v by_o law_n periculosum_fw-la that_o the_o prelate_n make_v one_o of_o the_o three_o estate_n that_o nothing_o can_v be_v do_v in_o parliament_n without_o they_o and_o that_o the_o legal_a establishment_n of_o the_o order_n and_o its_o lie_v so_o very_a near_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o civil_a constitution_n make_v it_o extreme_o dangerous_a to_o alter_v it_o far_o more_o to_o abolish_v it_o but_o what_o need_v more_o let_v the_o reader_n cast_v back_o his_o eye_n on_o the_o article_n agree_v on_o betwixt_o the_o church_n and_o the_o nobility_n and_o baron_n in_o july_n 1567._o that_o same_o year_n by_o which_o it_o be_v provide_v that_o all_o the_o popish_a bishop_n shall_v be_v deprive_v and_o that_o superintendent_o shall_v succeed_v in_o their_o place_n and_o then_o let_v he_o consider_v if_o it_o be_v probable_a that_o episcopacy_n be_v condemn_v by_o this_o act_n of_o parliament_n but_o g._n r._n continue_v i_o hope_v say_v he_o none_o will_v affirm_v that_o prelatical_a jurisdiction_n then_o be_v or_o be_v soon_o after_o establish_v in_o the_o protestant_a church_n of_o scotland_n be_v not_o our_o author_n pretty_a forward_o at_o hope_v will_v none_o affirm_v it_o i_o do_v affirm_v it_o and_o i_o do_v affirm_v that_o if_o our_o author_n have_v but_o look_v to_o the_o very_a next_o act_n of_o that_o parliament_n the_o seven_o in_o number_n nay_o if_o he_o have_v but_o cast_v his_o eye_n some_o ten_o line_n upward_o in_o that_o same_o 43._o page_n of_o calderwoods_n history_n he_o will_v have_v see_v the_o prelacy_n of_o
they_o come_v not_o up_o it_o seem_v to_o the_o full_a measure_n of_o rigiditie_n which_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o assembly_n require_v for_o whoso_o please_v to_o turn_v over_o in_o the_o register_n to_o the_o 31_o st_z of_o january_n 1648_o 9_o shall_v find_v that_o the_o commission_n of_o the_o kirk_n the_o authentic_a vehicle_n of_o the_o public_a spirit_n of_o the_o kirk_n during_o the_o interval_n between_o assembly_n write_v a_o letter_n to_o the_o presbytery_n require_v great_a accuracy_n in_o the_o trial_n of_o malignant_n and_o admit_v people_n to_o the_o renovation_n of_o the_o covenant_n prohibit_v kirk-session_n to_o meddle_v in_o such_o matter_n and_o order_v all_o to_o be_v do_v by_o the_o presbytery_n themselves_o except_o very_o difficult_a case_n which_o be_v to_o be_v refer_v to_o the_o commission_n of_o the_o kirk_n and_o to_o secure_v this_o side_n also_o let_v he_o turn_v over_o to_o the_o act_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n anno_fw-la 1649_o and_o he_o shall_v find_v first_o act_n entitle_v approbation_n of_o the_o proceed_n of_o the_o commissioner_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n by_o which_o act_n that_o assembly_n act_v by_o that_o same_o spirit_n with_o the_o former_a find_v that_o the_o commissioner_n appoint_v anno_fw-la 1648._o have_v be_v zealous_a diligent_a and_o faithful_a in_o the_o discharge_n of_o the_o trust_v commit_v to_o they_o and_o therefore_o do_v unanimous_o approve_v and_o ratify_v the_o whole_a proceed_n act_n and_o conclusion_n of_o the_o say_a commission_n appoint_v mr._n john_n bell_n moderator_n pro_fw-la tempore_fw-la to_o return_v they_o hearty_a thanks_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o assembly_n for_o their_o great_a pain_n travel_n and_o fidelity_n if_o it_o be_v say_v far_o that_o our_o present_a presbyterian_o require_v not_o now_o that_o condition_n of_o take_v the_o covenant_n of_o those_o they_o admit_v to_o the_o sacrament_n i_o reply_v 1._o do_v not_o the_o cameronian_n who_o in_o all_o true_a logic_n be_v to_o be_v repute_v the_o true_a presbyterian_o observe_v it_o punctual_o 2._o how_o can_v our_o present_a regnant_n presbyterian_o justify_v their_o omission_n of_o it_o by_o their_o own_o principle_n the_o act_n bind_v they_o for_o it_o stand_v as_o yet_o unrepealed_a by_o any_o subsequent_a general_n assembly_n by_o the_o common_a principle_n of_o reason_n they_o be_v bind_v either_o to_o obey_v that_o act_n or_o reprobate_n the_o assembly_n which_o make_v it_o this_o i_o be_o sure_a of_o they_o can_v neither_o plead_v the_o dissuetude_n of_o that_o act_n nor_o any_o peculiarity_n in_o the_o reason_n of_o it_o for_o their_o neglect_v it_o more_o than_o many_o other_o act_n which_o they_o own_v still_o to_o be_v in_o vigour_n but_o i_o be_o afraid_a my_o reader_n have_v too_o much_o of_o this_o thus_o i_o have_v show_v in_o part_n how_o much_o our_o presbyterian_a brethren_n have_v deserted_n the_o rule_n and_o rite_n of_o our_o reformer_n about_o the_o sacrament_n proceed_v we_o now_o to_o other_o liturgical_a office_n 8._o then_o our_o reformer_n not_o only_o appoint_v a_o form_n for_o the_o celebration_n of_o marriage_n to_o be_v see_v in_o the_o old_a liturgy_n but_o in_o that_o form_n some_o thing_n agree_v word_n for_o word_n with_o the_o english_a form_n particular_o the_o charge_n to_o the_o person_n to_o be_v marry_v to_o declare_v if_o they_o know_v any_o impediment_n etc._n etc._n a_o solemn_a blessing_n be_v also_o appoint_v to_o be_v pronounce_v on_o the_o marry_a person_n and_o after_o that_o the_o 128_o psalm_n to_o be_v sing_v etc._n etc._n beside_o it_o be_v express_o appoint_v by_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n that_o marriage_n shall_v be_v only_o solemnize_v on_o sunday_n in_o the_o forenoon_n after_o sermon_n cap._n 9_o 169._o and_o this_o be_v so_o universal_o observe_v that_o the_o introduction_n of_o marry_v on_o other_o day_n be_v remarkable_a for_o it_o be_v propose_v to_o the_o general_n assembly_n hold_v at_o edenburg_n july_n 7._o anno_fw-la 1579_o as_o a_o doubt_n whither_o it_o be_v lawful_a to_o marry_v on_o week_n day_n a_o sufficient_a number_n be_v present_a and_o join_v preach_v thereunto_o and_o the_o general_n assembly_n resolve_v it_o be_v lawful_a 400._o but_o our_o present_a presbyterian_o if_o i_o mistake_v not_o make_v it_o rather_o a_o doubt_n whither_o it_o be_v lawful_a to_o marry_v on_o sunday_n sure_o i_o be_o it_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o their_o principle_n to_o do_v it_o by_o a_o form_n as_o sure_o i_o be_o though_o they_o be_v for_o a_o form_n they_o can_v not_o well_o digest_v the_o form_n of_o our_o reformer_n which_o smell_v so_o rank_o of_o the_o english_a corruption_n i_o know_v not_o if_o they_o use_v solemn_o to_o bless_v the_o marry_a pair_n if_o they_o do_v it_o not_o i_o know_v they_o have_v deserted_n their_o own_o second_o book_n of_o discipline_n i_o think_v they_o will_v not_o deny_v but_o the_o sing_n of_o the_o 128_o psalm_n in_o the_o church_n immediate_o after_o the_o person_n be_v marry_v be_v out_o of_o fashion_n with_o they_o 9_o they_o have_v also_o forsake_v our_o reformer_n in_o the_o burial_n of_o the_o dead_a it_o be_v true_a indeed_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n seem_v to_o be_v against_o funeral_n sermon_n neither_o do_v it_o frank_o allow_v of_o read_v suitable_a portion_n of_o scripture_n and_o sing_v psalm_n at_o burial_n yet_o it_o be_v far_o from_o condemn_v these_o office_n we_o be_v not_o so_o precise_a in_o this_o say_v the_o compiler_n but_o that_o we_o be_v content_v that_o particular_a church_n with_o consent_n of_o the_o minister_n do_v that_o which_o they_o shall_v find_v most_o fit_v as_o they_o will_v answer_v to_o god_n and_o the_o assembly_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n within_o this_o realm_n 173._o but_o the_o old_a liturgy_n which_o be_v authorize_v by_o two_o general_a assembly_n which_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n can_v never_o pretend_v to_o have_v not_o only_o a_o form_n for_o visit_v the_o sick_a not_o observe_v i_o be_o sure_a by_o our_o present_a presbyterian_o but_o express_o allow_v of_o funeral_n sermon_n these_o be_v its_o very_a word_n about_o burial_n the_o corpse_n shall_v be_v reverent_o bring_v to_o the_o grave_a accompany_v with_o the_o congregation_n without_o any_o further_a ceremony_n which_o be_v bury_v the_o minister_n if_o he_o be_v present_a and_o require_v go_v to_o the_o church_n if_o it_o be_v not_o too_o far_o off_o and_o make_v some_o comfortable_a exhortation_n to_o the_o people_n touch_v death_n and_o the_o resurrection_n then_o bless_v the_o people_n and_o dismiss_v they_o to_o our_o present_a presbyterian_o funeral_n sermon_n be_v as_o the_o worship_v of_o relic_n they_o be_v every_o whit_n as_o ill_o as_o pray_v for_o the_o dead_a and_o the_o doctrine_n of_o purgatory_n one_o thing_n more_o i_o shall_v take_v notice_n of_o in_o the_o old_a liturgy_n it_o be_v 10._o the_o form_n and_o order_n of_o the_o election_n of_o the_o superintendent_n which_o may_v serve_v in_o election_n of_o all_o other_o minister_n i_o shall_v not_o repeat_v what_o i_o have_v already_o observe_v as_o to_o this_o point_n concern_v our_o presbyterian_o condemn_v the_o office_n of_o superintendent_o and_o their_o forsake_v our_o reformer_n as_o to_o the_o ceremony_n of_o imposition_n of_o hand_n in_o ordination_n a_o point_n wherein_o our_o reformer_n i_o confess_v be_v somewhat_o unaccountable_a that_o which_o i_o take_v notice_n of_o now_o be_v that_o that_o form_n continue_v at_o least_o for_o sixty_o year_n to_o be_v use_v in_o ordination_n particular_o it_o be_v in_o use_n even_o with_o the_o parity_n man_n anno_fw-la 1618._o as_o be_v evident_a from_o calderwood_n 712._o and_o it_o be_v insist_v on_o by_o they_o then_o as_o a_o form_n which_o be_v to_o be_v repute_v so_o venerable_a and_o of_o such_o weight_n that_o any_o recession_n from_o it_o be_v one_fw-mi intolerable_a innovation_n and_o yet_o i_o refer_v it_o to_o our_o present_a presbyterian_o themselves_o if_o they_o can_v say_v that_o they_o have_v not_o entire_o deserted_n it_o because_o the_o designation_n of_o the_o person_n to_o be_v ordain_v be_v prior_n in_o order_n of_o nature_n to_o his_o ordination_n i_o shall_v add_v as_o one_fw-mi appendage_fw-mi to_o this_o head_n the_o discrepance_n between_o our_o reformer_n and_o our_o present_a presbyterian_o about_o patronage_n and_o popular_a election_n of_o minister_n our_o present_a presbyterian_o every_o body_n know_v be_v zealous_a for_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o popular_a election_n the_o power_n of_o choose_v their_o own_o minister_n the_o person_n who_o be_v to_o have_v the_o charge_n of_o their_o soul_n be_v a_o privilege_n which_o christ_n by_o his_o testament_n have_v bequeath_v to_o his_o people_n it_o be_v his_o legacy_n to_o they_o one_fw-mi unalienable_a part_n of_o their_o spiritual_a property_n it_o can_v be_v
assembly_n for_o to_o my_o skill_n which_o i_o confess_v be_v not_o very_o great_a it_o seem_v as_o we_o use_v to_o say_v to_o have_v both_o burn_v and_o blow_v patronage_n blow_v they_o by_o this_o act_n and_o burn_v they_o by_o ratify_v the_o book_n which_o condemn_v they_o but_o whatever_o be_v of_o this_o that_o which_o i_o observe_v 2._o be_v far_o more_o considerable_a for_o though_o the_o book_n condemn_v patronage_n yet_o our_o presbyterian_a brethren_n of_o the_o modern_a cut_n have_v no_o great_a advantage_n by_o it_o for_o it_o have_v nothing_o less_o in_o its_o prospect_n than_o to_o condemn_v they_o for_o make_v way_n for_o popular_a election_n indeed_o it_o give_v no_o countenance_n to_o such_o election_n far_o less_o do_v it_o suppose_v or_o assert_v they_o to_o be_v of_o divine_a right_n this_o be_v its_o determination_n in_o the_o 9_o the_o §_o of_o that_o 12._o cap._n the_o liberty_n of_o elect_v person_n to_o ecclesiastical_a function_n observe_v without_o interruption_n so_o long_o as_o the_o church_n be_v not_o corrupt_v by_o antichrist_n we_o desire_v to_o be_v restore_v and_o retain_v within_o this_o realm_n so_o as_o none_o be_v intrude_v upon_o any_o congregation_n either_o by_o the_o prince_n or_o any_o other_o inferior_a person_n without_o lawful_a election_n and_o the_o assent_n of_o the_o people_z over_o who_o the_o person_n be_v place_v according_a to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostolic_a and_o primitive_a church_n now_o 1._o consider_v that_o it_o be_v the_o common_a talk_n of_o the_o presbyterian_o of_o these_o time_n that_o antichristian_a corruption_n begin_v to_o pester_v the_o church_n so_o soon_o as_o episcopacy_n be_v introduce_v it_o be_v clear_a that_o that_o which_o they_o call_v the_o uninterrupted_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n must_v have_v descend_v according_a to_o themselves_o but_o for_o a_o very_a few_o year_n and_o i_o shall_v own_v myself_o their_o humble_a servant_n if_o our_o present_a presbyterian_o shall_v prove_v that_o popular_a election_n be_v in_o universal_a uninterrupted_a practice_n during_o that_o interval_n of_o their_o own_o make_n the_o interval_n i_o mean_v which_o they_o make_v between_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o the_o first_o introduction_n of_o episcopacy_n indeed_o 2._o the_o book_n plain_o distinguish_v between_o lawful_a election_n and_o the_o assent_n of_o the_o people_z and_o all_o the_o world_n know_v they_o be_v natural_o distinguishable_a and_o whosoever_o know_v any_o thing_n of_o the_o monument_n of_o these_o primitive_a time_n know_v they_o be_v actual_o distinguish_v and_o that_o all_o the_o people_n privilege_n be_v to_o assent_v not_o to_o elect_a they_o be_v not_o in_o use_n of_o elect_v if_o i_o mistake_v not_o till_o towards_o the_o end_n of_o the_o three_o century_n so_o that_o if_o we_o can_v believe_v the_o compiler_n of_o the_o book_n if_o they_o be_v for_o restore_v the_o primitive_a practice_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o understand_v that_o they_o mean_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o to_o restore_v popular_a election_n especial_o if_o 3._o it_o be_v consider_v that_o we_o have_v one_o very_o authentic_a explication_n of_o this_o 9_o the_o article_n of_o the_o 12._o cap._n of_o the_o second_o book_n of_o discipline_n hand_v down_o to_o we_o by_o calderwood_n himself_o 383._o the_o story_n be_v this_o king_n james_n the_o six_o continual_o vex_v with_o the_o turbulence_n of_o the_o presbyterian_a temper_n cause_v publish_v 55_o question_n and_o propose_v they_o to_o be_v sift_v think_v that_o clear_a and_o distinct_a resolution_n of_o they_o may_v contribute_v much_o for_o end_v many_o controversy_n agitate_a in_o those_o time_n between_o the_o kirk_n and_o the_o crown_n they_o be_v publish_v in_o february_n or_o january_n 159â—_n they_o be_v to_o be_v see_v both_o in_o spotswood_n 38â—_n and_o calderwoods_n history_n i_o be_o only_o concern_v at_o present_a for_o the_o three_o question_n which_o be_v this_o be_v not_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o flock_n and_o also_o of_o the_o patron_n necessary_a in_o the_o election_n of_o pastor_n now_o calderwood_n say_v that_o there_o be_v brethren_n delegated_a from_o every_o presbytery_n of_o fife_n who_o meet_v at_o st._n andrews_n upon_o the_o 21._o of_o february_n and_o have_v toss_v the_o king_n question_n sundry_a day_n give_v answer_n to_o every_o one_o of_o they_o particular_o to_o the_o three_o this_o be_v their_o answer_n the_o election_n of_o pastor_n shall_v be_v make_v by_o those_o who_o be_v pastor_n and_o doctor_n lawful_o call_v and_o who_o can_v try_v the_o gift_n necessary_o belong_v to_o pastor_n by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o to_o such_o as_o be_v so_o choose_v the_o flock_n and_o patron_n shall_v give_v their_o consent_n and_o protection_n 383._o now_o this_o i_o say_v be_v a_o very_a authentic_a explication_n of_o the_o word_n of_o the_o book_n for_o these_o delegate_n meet_v at_o st._n andrews_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o mr._n andrew_n melvil_n at_o that_o time_n principal_a of_o the_o new_a college_n be_v with_o they_o probable_o they_o meet_v in_o that_o city_n that_o he_o may_v be_v with_o they_o for_o sure_o i_o be_o it_o be_v not_o otherwise_o the_o most_o convenient_a place_n of_o the_o county_n for_o their_o meeting_n and_o have_v he_o with_o they_o they_o have_v one_o than_o who_o none_o on_o earth_n be_v capable_a of_o give_v a_o more_o authentic_a sense_n of_o the_o word_n of_o the_o book_n it_o be_v very_o easy_a to_o adduce_v more_o act_n of_o general_a assembly_n to_o this_o purpose_n but_o i_o be_o afraid_a i_o have_v insist_v too_o much_o on_o this_o subject_n already_o in_o short_a then_o the_o groundless_a fancy_n of_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o popular_a election_n be_v more_o proper_o one_fw-mi independent_a than_o a_o presbyterian_a principle_n the_o english_a presbyterian_o of_o the_o provincial_a assembly_n of_o london_n write_v zealous_o against_o it_o in_o their_o ius_n divinum_fw-la ministerii_fw-la evangelici_fw-la it_o be_v true_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o old_a presbyterian_a scheme_n it_o obtain_v not_o general_o among_o our_o scottish_a presbyterian_o till_o some_o year_n after_o 1638._o it_o be_v not_o adopt_v into_o their_o scheme_n till_o the_o general_n assembly_n 1649._o patronage_n be_v never_o take_v away_o by_o act_n of_o parliament_n till_o of_o late_a i._n e_o in_o the_o year_n 1690._o it_o be_v true_a g._n r._n in_o his_o true_a rrepresentation_n of_o presbyterian_a government_n 15._o say_v they_o be_v take_v away_o by_o law_n meaning_n no_o doubt_n by_o the_o act_n of_o the_o pretend_a parliament_n anno_fw-la 1649._o but_o he_o have_v just_a as_o much_o reason_n for_o call_v that_o rout_n a_o parliament_n or_o its_o act_n law_n as_o he_o have_v for_o make_v the_o suppress_n of_o popular_a election_n of_o minister_n a_o just_a cause_n for_o separate_v from_o the_o communion_n of_o a_o church_n thus_o i_o have_v insist_v on_o the_o recession_n of_o our_o present_a presbyterian_a brethren_n from_o the_o sentiment_n of_o our_o reformer_n about_o the_o public_a worship_n of_o the_o church_n and_o some_o of_o its_o appendage_n perchance_o i_o have_v do_v it_o too_o tedious_o if_o so_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o dispatch_v what_o remain_v more_o curtly_a iii_o they_o have_v also_o deserted_n our_o reformer_n in_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n the_o particular_n be_v too_o numerous_a to_o be_v insist_v on_o let_v any_o man_n compare_v the_o two_o book_n of_o discipline_n the_o first_o compile_v by_o our_o reformer_n anno_fw-la 1560_o the_o second_o by_o the_o presbyterian_o of_o the_o first_o edition_n and_o ratify_v by_o act_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n hold_v in_o april_n 1581._o and_o he_o shall_v find_v no_o scarcity_n of_o difference_n he_o shall_v find_v alteration_n innovation_n opposition_n contradiction_n etc._n etc._n let_v he_o compare_v the_o act_n of_o assembly_n after_o the_o year_n 1580_o with_o the_o act_n of_o assembly_n before_o and_o he_o shall_v find_v many_o more_o indeed_o our_o present_a presbyterian_o have_v make_v not_o a_o few_o notorious_a recession_n from_o the_o second_o the_o presbyterian_a book_n of_o discipline_n to_o instance_n in_o a_o few_o the_o three_o chapter_n of_o the_o second_o book_n of_o discipline_n be_v thus_o entitle_v how_o the_o person_n that_o bear_v ecclesiastical_a function_n be_v admit_v to_o their_o office_n this_o chap._n treat_v of_o such_o person_n in_o the_o general_a the_o particular_a order_n of_o pastor_n doctor_n elder_n etc._n etc._n be_v particular_o treat_v of_o in_o subsequent_a chapterâ—_n this_o three_o chapter_n treat_v thus_o of_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n in_o the_o general_n make_v two_o thing_n necessary_a to_o the_o outward_a call_n election_n and_o ordination_n §_o 6._o it_o define_v ordination_n to_o be_v the_o separation_n and_o sanctify_v of_o the_o person_n appoint_v by_o god_n and_o his_o
of_o a_o sense_n they_o have_v of_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a estate_n now_o it_o be_v to_o be_v remember_v that_o those_o who_o appear_v for_o the_o queen_n be_v protestant_n as_o well_o as_o these_o who_o be_v for_o she_o son_n no_o man_n i_o think_v will_v deny_v but_o the_o subsistence_n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a estate_n and_o their_o vote_n in_o parliament_n be_v confirm_v and_o continue_v by_o the_o agreement_n of_o leith_n anno_fw-la 1572._o indeed_o when_o the_o project_n for_o parity_n among_o the_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n be_v set_v on_o foot_n by_o melvil_n anno_fw-la 1575._o and_o some_o of_o the_o clergy_n be_v gain_v to_o his_o side_n and_o they_o be_v use_v their_o utmost_a endeavour_n to_o have_v episcopacy_n overturn_v it_o seem_v this_o be_v a_o main_a difficulty_n to_o they_o a_o difficulty_n which_o do_v very_o much_o entangle_v and_o retard_v their_o purpose_n this_o i_o say_v that_o the_o overturning_a prelacy_n be_v the_o overturning_a one_o of_o the_o three_o estate_n of_o parliament_n this_o be_v evident_a not_o only_o from_o boyd_n arch_a bishop_n of_o glasgow_n his_o discourse_n to_o the_o general_n assembly_n anno_fw-la 1576._o mention_v before_o but_o also_o from_o the_o two_o letter_n i_o have_v often_o name_v which_o be_v write_v to_o mr._n beza_n the_o one_o by_o the_o lord_n glamis_n anno_fw-la 1576_o or_o 1577_o the_o other_o by_o mr._n melvil_n anno_fw-la 1579._o because_o they_o contribute_v so_o much_o light_n to_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n i_o shall_v once_o more_o resume_v they_o glamis_n be_v then_o chancellor_n of_o scotland_n it_o be_v manifest_a he_o write_v not_o indeliberate_o or_o without_o advice_n undoubted_o he_o state_v the_o question_n according_a to_o the_o sense_n the_o generality_n of_o people_n have_v then_o of_o it_o now_o he_o state_v it_o thus_o see_v every_o church_n have_v its_o own_o pastor_n and_o the_o power_n of_o pastor_n in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n seem_v to_o be_v equal_a the_o question_n be_v whither_o the_o office_n of_o bishop_n be_v necessary_a in_o the_o church_n for_o convocate_a these_o pastor_n when_o there_o be_v need_n for_o ordain_v pastor_n and_o for_o depose_v they_o for_o just_a cause_n or_o whither_o it_o be_v better_a that_o the_o pastor_n act_v in_o parity_n and_o subject_a to_o no_o superior_a bishop_n shall_v choose_v qualify_v man_n for_o the_o ministry_n with_o consent_n of_o the_o patron_n and_o the_o people_n and_o censure_n and_o depose_v &_o c._n for_o retain_v bishop_n we_o have_v these_o two_o motive_n one_o be_v the_o stubbornenss_n and_o ungovernableness_n of_o the_o people_n which_o can_v possible_o be_v keep_v within_o bound_n potest_fw-la if_o they_o be_v not_o overawe_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o these_o bishop_n in_o their_o visitation_n the_o other_o be_v that_o such_o be_v the_o constitution_n of_o the_o monarchy_n receptae_fw-la which_o have_v obtain_v time_n out_o of_o mind_n that_o as_o often_o as_o the_o parliament_n meet_v for_o consult_v about_o thing_n pertain_v to_o the_o safety_n of_o the_o republic_n nothing_o can_v be_v determine_v without_o the_o bishop_n who_o make_v the_o three_o estate_n of_o the_o kingdom_n which_o to_o change_v or_o subvert_v will_v be_v extreme_o perilous_a to_o the_o kingdom_n so_o he_o from_o which_o we_o may_v learn_v two_o thing_n the_o first_o be_v a_o far_a confirmation_n of_o what_o i_o have_v before_o assert_v to_o have_v be_v the_o sentiment_n of_o these_o time_n concern_v the_o election_n of_o pastor_n namely_o that_o it_o be_v that_o they_o shall_v be_v elect_v by_o the_o clergy_n and_o that_o the_o people_n shall_v have_v no_o other_o power_n than_o that_o of_o consent_v the_o other_o be_v pat_o in_o relation_n to_o our_o present_a business_n namely_o that_o the_o ecclesiastical_a estate_n be_v judge_v necessary_a by_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o monarchy_n it_o can_v not_o be_v want_v in_o parliament_n it_o be_v to_o run_v the_o hazard_n of_o subvert_v the_o constitution_n to_o think_v of_o alter_v it_o or_o turn_v it_o out_o of_o door_n and_o melvil_n letter_n be_v clear_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n we_o have_v not_o cease_v these_o five_o year_n to_o fight_v against_o pseudepiscopacy_n many_o of_o the_o nobility_n resist_v we_o and_o to_o press_v the_o severity_n of_o discipline_n we_o have_v present_v unto_o his_o royal_a majesty_n and_o three_o estate_n of_o the_o realm_n both_o before_o and_o now_o in_o this_o parliament_n the_o form_n of_o discipline_n to_o be_v insert_v among_o the_o act_n and_o to_o be_v confirm_v by_o public_a authority_n we_o have_v the_o king_n mind_n bend_v towards_o we_o too_o far_o say_v i_o be_o sure_a if_o we_o may_v take_v that_o king_n own_o word_n for_o it_o but_o many_o of_o the_o peer_n against_o we_o for_o they_o allege_v if_o pseudepiscopacy_n be_v take_v away_o one_o of_o the_o estate_n be_v pull_v down_o if_o presbytery_n be_v erect_v the_o royal_a majesty_n be_v diminish_v etc._n etc._n it_o be_v true_a melvil_n himself_o here_o show_v no_o great_a kindness_n for_o the_o three_o estate_n but_o that_o be_v no_o great_a matter_n it_o be_v his_o humour_n to_o be_v singular_a all_o i_o be_o concern_v for_o be_v the_o public_a sentiment_n of_o the_o nation_n especial_o the_o nobility_n which_o we_o have_v so_o plain_a for_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a estate_n that_o nothing_o can_v be_v plain_o nay_o so_o indisputable_a be_v it_o then_o that_o this_o ecclesiastical_a estate_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a by_o the_o constitution_n that_o the_o presbyterian_o themselves_o never_o call_v it_o in_o question_n never_o offer_v to_o advance_v such_o a_o paradox_n as_o that_o it_o may_v be_v abolish_v after_o they_o have_v abolish_v episcopacy_n by_o their_o assembly_n 1580_o the_o king_n send_v several_a time_n to_o they_o tell_v they_o he_o can_v not_o want_v one_o of_o his_o three_o estate_n how_o will_v they_o provide_v he_o with_o one_fw-mi ecclesiastical_a estate_n now_o that_o they_o have_v abolish_v bishop_n whoso_o please_v to_o read_v calderwood_n himself_o shall_v find_v this_o point_n frequent_o insist_v on_o what_o return_n give_v they_o do_v they_o ever_o in_o the_o least_o offer_n to_o return_v that_o the_o having_z one_fw-mi ecclesiastical_a estate_n in_o parliament_n be_v a_o popish_a corruption_n that_o it_o be_v one_fw-mi unwarrantable_a constitution_n that_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a or_o that_o the_o constitution_n may_v be_v iâ—â—ire_a enough_o without_o it_o no_o such_o thing_n enter_v their_o thought_n on_o the_o contrary_a they_o be_v still_o clear_a for_o maintain_v it_o they_o have_v no_o inclination_n to_o part_v with_o such_o a_o valuable_a right_n of_o the_o church_n their_o answer_n to_o the_o king_n demand_n be_v still_o one_o and_o the_o same_o they_o be_v not_o against_o churchman_n have_a vote_n in_o parliament_n but_o none_o ought_v to_o vote_n in_o name_n of_o the_o church_n without_o commission_n from_o the_o church_n and_o this_o their_o sentiment_n they_o put_v in_o the_o very_a second_o book_n of_o discipline_n for_o these_o be_v word_n for_o word_n the_o seventeen_o and_o eighteen_o article_n of_o the_o eleven_o chapter_n 17._o we_o deny_v not_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n that_o minister_n may_v and_o shall_v assist_v their_o prince_n when_o they_o be_v require_v in_o all_o thing_n agreeable_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n whither_o it_o be_v in_o council_n or_o parliament_n or_o out_o of_o council_n provide_v always_o they_o neither_o neglect_v their_o own_o charge_n nor_o through_o slattery_n of_o prince_n hurt_v the_o public_a estate_n of_o the_o kirk_n 18._o but_o general_o we_o say_v that_o no_o pastor_n under_o whatsoever_o title_n of_o the_o kirk_n and_o special_o the_o abuse_a title_n in_o popery_n of_o prelate_n chapter_n and_o convent_v aught_o to_o attempt_v any_o thing_n in_o the_o church_n name_n either_o in_o parliament_n or_o out_o of_o council_n without_o the_o commission_n of_o the_o reform_a kirk_n within_o this_o realm_n 112._o and_o it_o be_v conclude_v in_o the_o assembly_n hold_v at_o dundee_n march_v 7._o 1598._o that_o it_o be_v necessary_a and_o expedient_a for_o the_o well_o of_o the_o kirk_n that_o the_o ministry_n as_o the_o three_o estate_n of_o this_o realm_n in_o name_n of_o the_o church_n have_v vote_n in_o parliament_n 420._o so_o indubitable_a be_v it_o in_o these_o time_n that_o the_o ecclesiastical_a estate_n be_v necessary_a and_o that_o it_o can_v not_o be_v want_v without_o the_o notorious_a subversion_n of_o the_o constitution_n of_o parliament_n indeed_o it_o be_v not_o only_o the_o sentiment_n of_o general_n assembly_n whatever_o side_n whither_o the_o prelatical_a or_o the_o presbyterian_a prevail_v but_o it_o be_v likewise_o the_o sentiment_n of_o all_o parliament_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o amass_o a_o great_a many_o act_n of_o a_o great_a many_o parliament_n to_o
take_v from_o they_o without_o a_o direct_a cross_v of_o christ_n institution_n and_o the_o horrid_a sin_n of_o rob_v his_o people_n of_o their_o indisputable_a privilege_n patronage_n be_v one_fw-mi intolerable_a grievance_n and_o yoke_n of_o bondage_n on_o the_o church_n they_o have_v be_v always_o the_o cause_n of_o pester_v the_o church_n with_o a_o bad_a ministry_n they_o come_v in_o among_o the_o late_a antichristian_a corruption_n and_o usurpation_n etc._n etc._n this_o be_v their_o doctrine_n though_o it_o be_v obious_a to_o all_o the_o world_n they_o put_v strange_a comment_n on_o it_o by_o their_o practice_n well!_o what_o be_v the_o sentiment_n of_o our_o reformer_n in_o this_o matter_n the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n indeed_o affirm_v head_n 4._o that_o it_o appertain_v to_o the_o people_n and_o to_o every_o several_a congregation_n to_o elect_a their_o own_o minister_n but_o it_o have_v not_o so_o much_o as_o one_o syllable_n of_o the_o divine_a institution_n of_o such_o a_o privilege_n on_o the_o contrary_a in_o that_o same_o very_a breath_n it_o add_v and_o in_o case_n they_o be_v find_v negligent_a therein_o the_o space_n of_o 40_o day_n the_o superintendent_n with_o his_o council_n may_v present_v a_o man_n etc._n etc._n if_o this_o man_n after_o trial_n be_v find_v qualify_v and_o the_o church_n can_v just_o reprehend_v nothing_o in_o his_o life_n doctrine_n or_o utterance_n then_o we_o judge_v say_v our_o reformer_n the_o church_n which_o before_o be_v destitute_a unreasonable_a if_o they_o refuse_v he_o who_o the_o church_n do_v offer_v and_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v compel_v by_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o council_n and_o church_n to_o receive_v the_o person_n appoint_v and_o approve_v by_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o godly_a and_o learned_a unless_o that_o the_o same_o church_n have_v present_v a_o man_n better_o or_o as_o well_o qualify_v to_o examination_n before_o that_o the_o aforesaid_a trial_n be_v take_v of_o the_o person_n present_v by_o the_o council_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n as_o for_o example_n the_o council_n of_o the_o church_n present_v a_o man_n unto_o a_o church_n to_o be_v their_o minister_n not_o know_v that_o they_o be_v otherwise_o provide_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n the_o church_n have_v another_o sufficient_a in_o their_o judgement_n for_o that_o charge_n who_o they_o present_v to_o the_o learned_a minister_n and_o next_o reform_v church_n to_o be_v examine_v in_o this_o case_n the_o presentation_n of_o the_o people_n to_o who_o he_o shall_v be_v appoint_v pastor_n must_v be_v prefer_v to_o the_o presentation_n of_o the_o council_n or_o great_a church_n unless_o the_o person_n present_v by_o the_o inferior_a church_n be_v judge_v unable_a for_o the_o regiment_n by_o the_o learned_a for_o this_o be_v always_o to_o be_v avoid_v that_o no_o man_n be_v intrude_v or_o thrust_v in_o upon_o any_o congregation_n but_o this_o liberty_n with_o all_o care_n must_v be_v reserve_v for_o every_o several_a church_n to_o have_v their_o voice_n and_o suffrage_n in_o election_n of_o their_o minister_n yet_o we_o do_v not_o call_v that_o violent_a intrusion_n when_o the_o council_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n regard_v only_o the_o salvation_n of_o the_o people_n offer_v unto_o they_o a_o man_n sufficient_a to_o instruct_v they_o who_o they_o shall_v not_o be_v force_v to_o admit_v before_o just_a examination_n so_o that_o book_n add_v to_o this_o this_o consideration_n that_o at_o that_o time_n the_o popish_a clergy_n be_v in_o possession_n of_o all_o the_o benefice_n the_o reform_a clergy_n have_v not_o then_o so_o much_o as_o the_o prospect_n of_o the_o three_o which_o i_o have_v discourse_v of_o before_o these_o thing_n lay_v together_o it_o be_v obvious_a to_o perceive_v 1._o that_o it_o be_v only_o from_o prudential_n consideration_n our_o reformer_n be_v incline_v to_o give_v the_o people_n so_o much_o power_n at_o that_o time_n it_o be_v much_o for_o the_o conveniency_n of_o the_o minister_n who_o be_v to_o live_v by_o the_o benevolence_n of_o the_o parish_n etc._n etc._n they_o do_v not_o grant_v they_o this_o power_n as_o of_o divine_a right_n no_o such_o thing_n so_o much_o as_o once_o insinuate_v as_o i_o have_v say_v it_o be_v plain_o nothing_o but_o a_o liberty_n and_o no_o injury_n no_o violence_n be_v do_v to_o a_o parish_n even_o in_o these_o circumstance_n of_o the_o church_n when_o the_o council_n of_o the_o church_n give_v they_o a_o minister_n without_o their_o own_o election_n it_o be_v as_o plain_a 2._o that_o so_o far_o as_o can_v be_v collect_v from_o the_o whole_a period_n above_o our_o reformer_n the_o compiler_n of_o the_o book_n i_o mean_v abstract_v from_o the_o then_o circumstance_n of_o the_o church_n be_v more_o incline_v that_o the_o election_n of_o minister_n shall_v be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o clergy_n than_o of_o the_o people_n which_o i_o be_o much_o incline_v to_o think_v be_v not_o only_o then_o but_o a_o long_a time_n after_o the_o prevail_a sentiment_n and_o all_o the_o world_n see_v i_o be_o sure_a it_o be_v a_o sentiment_n utter_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o popular_a election_n i_o have_v be_v at_o pain_n to_o set_v the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n thus_o in_o its_o due_a light_n that_o our_o brethren_n may_v not_o complain_v it_o be_v neglect_v not_o that_o my_o cause_n require_v it_o for_o that_o book_n be_v never_o law_n either_o civil_a or_o ecclesiastical_a and_o so_o i_o may_v fair_o have_v omit_v it_o let_v we_o try_v next_o what_o be_v true_o the_o public_a and_o authoritative_a sentiment_n of_o our_o reformer_n the_o first_o which_o i_o find_v of_o that_o nature_n be_v the_o sentiment_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n hold_v in_o september_n 1565._o the_o general_a assembly_n hold_v in_o june_n immediate_o before_o have_v complain_v that_o some_o vacant_a benefice_n have_v be_v bestow_v by_o the_o queen_n on_o some_o nobleman_n and_o baron_n 342._o the_o queen_n answer_v she_o think_v it_o not_o reasonable_a to_o deprive_v she_o of_o the_o patronage_n belong_v to_o she_o and_o this_o general_a assembly_n in_o september_n answer_v thus_o our_o mind_n be_v not_o that_o her_o majesty_n or_o any_o other_o person_n shall_v be_v defraud_v of_o their_o just_a patronage_n but_o we_o mean_v whensoever_o her_o majesty_n or_o any_o other_o patron_n do_v present_a any_o person_n unto_o a_o benefice_n that_o the_o person_n present_v shall_v be_v try_v and_o examine_v by_o the_o judgement_n of_o learned_a man_n of_o the_o church_n such_o as_o be_v for_o the_o present_a the_o superintendent_o and_o as_o the_o presentation_n of_o the_o benefice_n belong_v to_o the_o patron_n so_o the_o collation_n by_o law_n and_o reason_n belong_v to_o the_o church_n 193._o agreeable_o we_o find_v by_o the_o 7_o act_n 1_o parl._n jac._n 6._o anno_fw-la 1567._o the_o parliament_n hold_v by_o murray_n regent_n it_o be_v enact_v in_o pursuance_n no_o doubt_n of_o the_o agreement_n between_o the_o nobility_n and_o baron_n and_o the_o clergy_n in_o the_o general_n assembly_n hold_v in_o july_n that_o year_n that_o the_o patron_n shall_v present_v a_o qualify_a person_n within_o six_o month_n to_o the_o superintendent_n of_o these_o part_n where_o the_o benefice_n lie_v etc._n etc._n and_o by_o the_o agreement_n at_o leith_n anno_fw-la 1572_o the_o right_a of_o patronage_n be_v reserve_v to_o the_o respective_a patron_n 52._o and_o by_o the_o general_n assembly_n hold_v in_o march_n 1574_o it_o be_v enact_v that_o collation_n upon_o presentation_n to_o benefice_n shall_v not_o be_v give_v without_o consent_n of_o three_o qualify_a minister_n etc._n etc._n 66._o the_o general_a assembly_n in_o august_n that_o same_o year_n supplicate_v the_o regent_n that_o bishop_n may_v be_v present_v to_o vacant_a bishopric_n as_o i_o have_v observe_v before_o by_o the_o general_n assembly_n hold_v in_o october_n 1578_o it_o be_v enact_v that_o presentation_n to_o benefice_n be_v direct_v to_o the_o commissioner_n of_o the_o country_n where_o the_o benefice_n lie_v 84._o it_o be_v true_a indeed_o the_o second_o book_n of_o discipline_n cap._n 12._o §_o 10._o condemn_v patronage_n as_o have_v no_o ground_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o contrary_a to_o the_o same_o and_o as_o contrary_a to_o the_o liberty_n of_o election_n of_o pastor_n and_o that_o which_o ought_v not_o to_o have_v place_n in_o the_o light_n of_o reformation_n 114._o but_o then_o it_o be_v as_o true_a 1._o that_o that_o same_o general_a assembly_n hold_v in_o april_n 1581._o which_o first_o ratify_v this_o second_o book_n of_o discipline_n statute_v and_o ordain_v that_o laic_a patronage_n shall_v remain_v whole_a unjointed_a and_o undivided_a unless_o with_o consent_n of_o the_o patron_n 99_o so_o that_o let_v they_o who_o can_v reconcile_v the_o act_n of_o this_o presbyterian_a