Selected quad for the lemma: act_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
act_n	law_n	parliament_n	prerogative_n	2,334	5	9.9399	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A61705	Some remarks upon a late pamphlet, entituled, An answer to the Scots Presbyterian eloquence wherein the innocency of the Episcopal clergy is vindicated, and the constitution and government of our Church of Scotland defended, against the lies and calumnies of the Presbyterian pamphleters.	Strachan, William.; Ridpath, George, d. 1726. Answer to the Scots Presbyterian eloquence.	1694 (1694)	Wing S5776; ESTC R1954	92,648	108

assembly_n can_v have_v no_o such_o pretence_n against_o those_o few_o episcopal_a clergy_n that_o ●…esired_v to_o be_v unite_v to_o they_o in_o a_o share_n of_o the_o government_n they_o be_v willing_a i_o suppose_v to_o own_o the_o same_o common_a principle_n of_o unity_n with_o the_o presbyterian_o in_o reference_n to_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n that_o be_v to_o be_v govern_v by_o the_o major_a part_n of_o all_o their_o assembly_n and_o to_o submit_v always_o to_o what_o be_v carry_v by_o a_o plurality_n of_o voice_n in_o their_o meeting_n though_o sometime_o they_o themselves_o when_o they_o see_v it_o for_o their_o interest_n destroy_v this_o principle_n of_o unity_n so_o fundamental_o nece●…ary_a to_o all_o democratical_a society_n and_o allow_v the_o lesser_a number_n to_o preponderate_v the_o great_a as_o in_o the_o case_n which_o happen_v in_o the_o synod_n of_o st._n andrews_n a_o 1591._o about_o settle_v a_o minister_n at_o leuchars_n and_o this_o methinks_v be_v enough_o to_o show_v that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v far_o more_o reasonable_a ground_n to_o oppose_v the_o comprehension_n with_o the_o dissenter_n than_o the_o scots_a presbyterian_o have_v to_o reject_v the_o desire_n of_o the_o episcopal_a addresser_n but_o this_o author_n will_v needs_o have_v the_o disadvantage_n appear_v whole_o on_o the_o church_n of_o england_n ●…ide_n and_o therefore_o we_o must_v consider_v a_o little_a the_o reason_n he_o bring_v for_o his_o assertion_n his_o first_o reason_n be_v because_o the_o king_n be_v real_o the_o fountain_n of_o all_o their_o r●…sons_n church_n power_n as_o ●…aving_v the_o make_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o do_v still_o remain_v head_n of_o th●…ir_a church_n whereas_o he_o have_v actual_o renounce_v name_n and_o thing_n in_o scotland_n where_o the_o whole_a ecolesiastical_a jurisdiction_n be_v by_o law_n settle_v in_o the_o church_n the_o king_n be_v indeed_o own_a by_o the_o church_n of_o england_n to_o be_v in_o his_o own_o dominion_n supreme_a over_o all_o person_n and_o in_o all_o cause_n civil_a and_o ecclesiastical_a but_o that_o he_o be_v the_o fountain_n of_o all_o their_o church_n power_n be_v what_o i_o believe_v the_o most_o erastian_n principled_a among_o they_o never_o dream_v their_o 37th_o article_n assert_v the_o contrary_a in_o as_o plain_a word_n as_o can_v be_v desire_v where_o it_o be_v say_v '_o '_o that_o they_o give_v not_o to_o their_o prince_n the_o minister_a either_o of_o god_n word_n or_o of_o the_o sacrament_n but_o that_o only_a prerogative_n which_o they_o see_v to_o have_v be_v always_o give_v to_o all_o godly_a prince_n in_o holy_a scripture_n by_o god_n himself_o that_o be_v that_o they_o shall_v rule_v all_o estate_n and_o degree_n commit_v to_o their_o charge_n by_o god_n whether_o they_o be_v ecclesiastical_a or_o temporal_a and_o restrain_v with_o the_o civil_a sword_n the_o stubborn_a and_o evil_a doer_n from_o whence_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n in_o her_o article_n allow_v the_o civil_a magistrate_n no_o power_n or_o jurisdiction_n in_o matter_n pure_o spiritual_a he_o can_v administer_v the_o sacrament_n nor_o consecrate_v either_o bishop_n or_o priest_n neither_o can_v he_o inflict_v any_o spiritual_a censure_n upon_o obstinate_a offender_n the_o civil_a power_n may_v for_o strengthen_v the_o hand_n of_o the_o church_n and_o make_v her_o discipline_n the_o more_o dread_a and_o regard_v enforce_v she_o spiritual_a censure_n with_o secular_a punishment_n but_o can_v lay_v no_o claim_n to_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n as_o his_o own_o right_n it_o be_v from_o he_o the_o church_n derive_v that_o power_n of_o have_v civil_a penalty_n inflict_v on_o such_o as_o contemn_v and_o despise_v th●…_n ecclesiastical_a censure_n as_o in_o the_o case_n of_o excommunication_n which_o render_v the_o party_n excommunicate_v obnoxious_a to_o temporal_a imprisonment_n and_o incapacitates_fw-la he_o from_o carrying_z on_o any_o suit_n or_o action_n in_o the_o civil_a court_n the_o church_n can_v by_o her_o own_o authority_n use_v the_o civil_a sword_n to_o punish_v the_o stubborn_a and_o evil_a doer_n and_o therefore_o in_o so_o far_o as_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n extend_v the_o church_n jurisdiction_n to_o some_o secular_a matter_n and_o empower_n she_o to_o inflict_v civil_a penalty_n for_o the_o better_a preserve_n of_o her_o ecclesiastical_a discipline_n the_o clergy_n must_v own_v the_o king_n to_o be_v the_o fountain_n from_o whence_o they_o derive_v this_o power_n but_o as_o for_o their_o spiritual_a authority_n and_o jurisdiction_n which_o only_o can_v be_v call_v proper_o the_o church_n power_n they_o derive_v it_o from_o a_o high_a original_a from_o god_n himself_o who_o be_v the_o true_a ●…ead_n of_o our_o church_n and_o it_o can_v be_v convey_v to_o we_o by_o the_o hand_n of_o any_o lay-person_n god_n have_v institute_v a_o distinct_a order_n of_o man_n in_o our_o church_n who_o he_o have_v authorize_v to_o transmit_v this_o spiritual_a power_n down_o through_o all_o the_o age_n of_o posterity_n that_o there_o may_v still_o be_v a_o constant_a succession_n of_o pastor_n and_o governor_n in_o the_o church_n to_o administer_v his_o wor●…_n and_o sacrament_n to_o his_o people_n and_o it_o be_v from_o this_o sacred_a order_n of_o the_o divine_a appointment_n that_o our_o clergy_n derive_v their_o spiritual_a power_n it_o be_v from_o their_o hand_n they_o receive_v holy_a order_n and_o a_o power_n of_o minister_a in_o holy_a thing_n and_o none_o but_o they_o alone_o can_v divest_v they_o of_o this_o authority_n our_o author_n expression_n of_o the_o king_n be_v have_v the_o make_n of_o the_o bishop_n be_v somewhat_o ambiguous_a if_o he_o mean_v that_o the_o king_n be_v allow_v by_o the_o church_n of_o england_n a_o power_n to_o consecrate_v and_o separate_a the_o bishop_n for_o their_o sacred_a function_n it_o be_v such_o a_o notorious_a falsehood_n as_o need_v no_o confutation_n the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n to_o the_o contrary_n be_v so_o visible_a but_o if_o his_o meaning_n be_v that_o the_o king_n have_v power_n to_o nominate_v any_o clergyman_n to_o a_o vacant_a bishopric_n it_o be_v no_o more_o than_o what_o they_o themselves_o allow_v to_o the_o laity_n in_o their_o popular_a election_n and_o if_o the_o laity_n in_o these_o election_n may_v be_v allow_v to_o nominate_v their_o own_o pastor_n and_o spiritual_a guide_n i_o see_v no_o reason_n why_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v blame_v for_o allow_v the_o king_n to_o nominate_v and_o recommend_v to_o they_o a_o person_n ●…itly_o quali●…ied_v for_o the_o sacred_a office_n of_o a_o bishop_n especial_o since_o it_o be_v to_o his_o bounty_n they_o owe_v all_o the_o temporal_a privilege_n and_o honour_n which_o be_v annex_v to_o the_o episcopal_a see_v the_o same_o power_n in_o the_o external_a order_n of_o spiritual_a matter_n 〈◊〉_d with_o which_o the_o ●…ing_n be_v invest_v by_o the_o constitution_n of_o this_o church_n and_o nation_n do_v likewise_o belong_v to_o he_o by_o the_o law_n of_o scotland_n ●…e_o have_v the_o power_n of_o nominate_v the_o bishop_n and_o it_o be_v by_o his_o authority_n the_o clergy_n of_o that_o kingdom_n be_v allow_v to_o meddle_v in_o secular_a matter_n and_o to_o in●…lict_v any_o civil_a penalty_n upon_o such_o as_o d●…spise_v their_o spiritual_a 〈◊〉_d what_o this_o author_n allege_v about_o the_o res●…inding_n of_o the_o whole_a supremacy_n in_o sc●…tland_n by_o act_n of_o parliament_n since_o this_o revolution_n be_v a_o gross_a mistake_n as_o may_v easy_o appear_v f●…om_o this_o short_a narrative_n thereos_fw-la by_o the_o 129th_o act_n parl._n 8._o ●…_n jam●…s_fw-la vi_o the_o king_n be_v royal_a prerogative_n of_o supremacy_n over_o all_o estate_n as_o well_o spiritual_a as_o temporal_a be_v acknowledge_v and_o rati●…ied_v and_o it_o i●…_n d●…clared_v that_o none_o shall_v d●…cline_v the_o ●…ing's_n power_n in_o 〈◊〉_d premise_n under_o the_o pain_n of_o treason_n thereafter_o by_o the_o ●…_n a●…_n 2._o parl._n k_o charl●…s_v ii_o there_o be_v a_o exp●…ication_n of_o this_o act_n and_o prerogative_n whereby_o it_o be_v declare_v that_o whatever_o constitution_n the_o king_n s●…all_v make_v concern_v the_o ord●…ing_n and_o dispose_n of_o the_o external_a government_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v obey_v as_o law_n this_o last_o act_n be_v think_v to_o give_v ●…he_a king_n too_o much_o power_n since_o he_o may_v thereby_o have_v aboli●…hed_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n by_o his_o own_o immediate_a authority_n and_o so_o there_o be_v some_o pretext_n for_o rescind_v this_o last_o act_n and_o it_o be_v rescind●…d_v by_o the_o first_o act_n of_o the_o second_o session_n of_o parliament_n of_o ●…_n w●…lliam_n but_o the_o ●…irst_n act_n be_v not_o rescind_v and_o there_o be_v a_o 〈◊〉_d order_n to_o the_o commissioner_n not_o to_o consent_v to_o any_o act_n in_o prej●…dice_n the●…eof_o so_o that_o the_o king_n then_o by_o virtue_n

better_a preserve_v the_o unity_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n each_o bishop_n shall_v be_v accountable_a for_o his_o administration_n to_o the_o whole_a college_n of_o bishop_n and_o therefore_o although_o the_o bishop_n shall_v yield_v up_o some_o of_o their_o right_n and_o for_o the_o entertain_v the_o better_a correspondence_n with_o the_o clergy_n of_o their_o diocese_n condescend_v to_o give_v they_o a_o account_n of_o their_o diligence_n in_o the_o office_n of_o their_o function_n yet_o this_o can_v not_o be_v suppose_v to_o degrade_v they_o of_o their_o office_n or_o make_v they_o to_o be_v no_o bishop_n we_o grant_v that_o the_o superintendent_o do_v yearly_o give_v a_o account_n of_o their_o diligence_n in_o their_o function_n to_o a_o national_a synod_n but_o this_o synod_n consist_v of_o none_o but_o the_o superintendent_o and_o bishop_n of_o the_o other_o dioce●…es_n and_o of_o the_o most_o eminent_a of_o the_o presbyter_n who_o be_v allow_v by_o the_o superintendant_o to_o sit_v in_o that_o meeting_n there_o be_v no_o minister_n permit_v to_o be_v a_o member_n of_o that_o synod_n till_o he_o be_v first_o approve_v of_o by_o the_o superintendant_o 22._o as_o a_o person_n sit_o qualify_v to_o judge_v of_o such_o matter_n as_o be_v bring_v be●…ore_o that_o assembly_n and_o i_o will_v willing_o know_v of_o this_o author_n whether_o the_o superintendant_o be_v any_o more_o a●…countable_a to_o this_o national_a synod_n than_o the_o bishop_n who_o go_v along_o with_o the_o reformation_n and_o notwithstanding_o of_o this_o their_o be_v accountable_a be_v still_o look_v upon_o as_o bishop_n and_o leave_v in_o full_a possession_n of_o all_o their_o temporal_a and_o spiritual_a right_n which_o they_o enjoy_v before_o the_o reformation_n and_o if_o those_o man_n who_o be_v acknowledge_v on_o all_o hand_n to_o be_v bishop_n be_v as_o much_o accountable_a as_o the_o superintend●…nts_n than_o it_o be_v no_o argument_n that_o the_o latter_a be_v no_o bishop_n the_o next_o instance_n which_o this_o author_n bring_v of_o the_o episcopal_a party_n party_n their_o bear_v a_o inveterate_a malice_n against_o the_o presbyterian_o be_v a_o long_a enumeration_n of_o the_o law_n and_o statute_n make_v by_o king_n charles_n ii_o and_o his_o parliament_n for_o suppress_v the_o many_o sedition_n and_o rebellion_n raise_v against_o his_o government_n by_o the_o presbyterian_a faction_n he_o sum_v up_o all_o the_o act_n of_o parliament_n make_v against_o that_o rebellious_a crew_n and_o these_o he_o high_o aggravate_v as_o the_o great_a instance_n of_o cruelty_n in_o any_o government_n but_o as_o to_o this_o point_n the_o learned_a and_o worthy_a sir_n george_n mackenzie_n have_v quite_o stop_v the_o mouth_n of_o this_o clamour_v party_n by_o his_o excellent_a treatise_n write_v in_o defence_n of_o the_o proceed_n of_o the_o government_n of_o k._n charles_n ii_o against_o the_o ii_o presbyterian_a dissenter_n he_o have_v there_o give_v we_o a_o summary_n account_v of_o the_o mild_a and_o calm_a method_n use_v by_o the_o government_n to_o reclaim_v this_o obstinate_a party_n who_o be_v even_o harden_v in_o their_o rebellious_a principle_n he_o show_v that_o the_o enact_v of_o these_o penal_a ●…aws_n against_o they_o which_o this_o author_n have_v scrape_v together_o be_v nothing_o but_o what_o the_o governor_n of_o any_o nation_n will_v have_v be_v out_o of_o absolute_a necessity_n force_v to_o do_v for_o its_o safety_n and_o security_n he_o have_v collect_v the_o most_o considerable_a of_o the_o pretend_a instance_n of_o cruelty_n against_o particular_a person_n which_o the_o presbyterian_o do_v now_o most_o grievous_o complain_v of_o and_o do_v most_o insist_v upon_o in_o their_o rail_n and_o belching_n against_o the_o government_n to_o all_o these_o instance_n he_o have_v give_v such_o a_o full_a and_o satisfactory_a answer_n that_o every_o impartial_a reader_n must_v needs_o own_v and_o acknowledge_v that_o these_o person_n meet_v with_o no_o severity_n but_o what_o their_o rebellious_a and_o treasonable_a act_n against_o the_o government_n do_v just_o deserve_v that_o the_o punishment_n inslict_v upon_o they_o for_o their_o op●…n_n and_o avow_a design_n of_o subvert_v the_o monarchy_n be_v conform_v to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o nation_n and_o the_o proceed_n in_o their_o trial_n very_o fair_a and_o legal_a and_o that_o the_o method_n of_o proceed_v in_o our_o criminal_a court_n of_o scotland_n which_o this_o author_n so_o gross_o belie_v pag._n 30._o 31._o be_v the_o fair_a and_o just_a and_o the_o panna●…s_v indulge_v the_o great_a advantage_n for_o their_o own_o defence_n of_o any_o nation_n in_o europe_n all_o which_o he_o have_v clear_o demonstrate_v to_o the_o conviction_n of_o every_o disi●…teressed_v person_n who_o upon_o read_v the_o history_n of_o these_o time_n will_v be_v apt_a to_o say_v that_o the_o mildness_n and_o clemency_n of_o that_o government_n towards_o the_o rebellious_a sectary_n be_v its_o great_a cruelty_n so_o that_o it_o be_v but_o labour_n in_o vain_a for_o this_o author_n to_o be_v so_o full_a and_o copious_a in_o relate_v these_o suffering_n of_o his_o party_n unless_o he_o can_v disprove_v what_o sir_n george_n mackenzie_n and_o other_o have_v demonstrate_v against_o they_o of_o their_o be_v guilty_a of_o such_o srequent_a sedition_n and_o rebellion_n against_o the_o state_n as_o will_v have_v provoke_v the_o mild_a government_n on_o earth_n to_o have_v quite_o extirpate_v they_o but_o all_o the_o attempt_n which_o either_o this_o author_n or_o another_o who_o pretend_v to_o answer_v the_o vindication_n of_o k._n charles_n ii_o governm●…nt_n make_v that_o way_n be_v only_o some_o weak_a esfort_n upon_o sir_n george_n personal_a ●…ame_n and_o reputation_n which_o be_v sound_v upon_o such_o a_o rock_n as_o the_o great_a malice_n of_o this_o party_n be_v not_o able_a to_o undermine_v his_o admirable_a quality_n of_o learning_n loyalty_n and_o religion_n have_v so_o just_o recommend_v he_o to_o the_o favour_n and_o esteem_v of_o all_o virtuou●…_n and_o ingenious_a man_n that_o for_o these_o scribbler_n to_o attempt_v the_o blemish_v of_o his_o ●…ame_n be_v to_o as_o little_a purpose_n as_o the_o dog_n bark_v at_o th●…_n moon_n what_o this_o author_n allege_v against_o sir_n george_n ingenuous_a deal_n i._n in_o his_o vindication_n of_o print_v some_o fanatical_a covenant_n and_o declaration_n publish_v by_o the_o presbyterian_o and_o the_o urge_v these_o as_o ●…_n ground_n ●…or_n enac●…ing_v those_o severe_a law_n against_o they_o although_o the_o law_n wer●…_n make_v long_o before_o the_o publish_n of_o th●…se_a declaration_n i_o say_v what_o he_o allege_v on_o this_o score_n be_v most_o notorious_o false_a for_o these_o covenant_n and_o declaration_n be_v only_o annex_v to_o sir_n g●…orge's_n vindication_n of_o the_o government_n by_o the_o publisher_n and_o that_o with_o design_n to_o let_v the_o world_n see_v with_o what_o impudence_n this_o party_n do_v accuse_v the_o government_n of_o severity_n when_o it_o appear_v from_o their_o own_o authentic_a declaration_n that_o they_o be_v still_o pe●…sisting_v obstinate_o in_o their_o wicked_a and_o rebellious_a practice_n against_o the_o state_n there_o be_v no_o necessity_n of_o recur_v to_o these_o posteriour_a declaration_n of_o rebellion_n to_o justify_v the_o make_n of_o these_o law_n against_o the_o presbyterian_o since_o their_o former_a trea●…onable_a act_n under_o the_o reign_v of_o k._n james_n vi_o and_o k._n charles_n i._o be_v sufficient_a ground_n to_o direct_v the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o nation_n to_o enact_v such_o law_n as_o may_v tend_v most_o ●…o_o suppress_v the_o sedition_n of_o rebel_n and_o secure_v the_o peace_n and_o quiet_a of_o the_o kingdom_n their_o srequent_a insurrection_n against_o k._n jam●…s_n vi_o in_o lay_v violent_a hand_n on_o his_o person_n at_o the_o castle_n of_o ruthven_n in_o the_o year_n 1582_o and_o keep_v he_o prisoner_n th●…re_o for_o several_a month_n together_o in_o raise_v a_o army_n against_o he_o in_o the_o year_n 1585._o in_o the_o south_n part_n of_o the_o kingdom_n and_o advance_v therewith_o straight_o towards_o st●…rlin_n where_o the_o king_n then_o be_v and_o in_o tumultuous_o get_v to_o arm_n at_o edinburgh_n and_o there_o besiege_v the_o session-house_n where_o the_o king_n and_o his_o counsellor_n be_v meet_v together_o and_o by_o that_o insurrection_n have_v like_a to_o have_v do_v considerable_a mischief_n have_v not_o their_o rage_n be_v stop_v by_o the_o loyalty_n of_o some_o citizen_n who_o instant_o assemble_v together_o in_o defence_n of_o the_o king_n person_n and_o the_o many_o other_o commotion_n they_o raise_v against_o his_o government_n by_o their_o seditious_a libel_n and_o sermon_n beside_o that_o the_o whole_a reign_n of_o king_n charles_n the_o first_o that_o mo●…t_o just_a and_o clement_a prince_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o perpetual_a succession_n of_o rebellion_n raise_v against_o he_o by_o these_o presbyterian_a votary_n i_o say_v all_o these_o

impower_v by_o the_o state_n to_o inflict_v censure_n upon_o obstinate_a sinner_n these_o be_v the_o term_n propose_v to_o they_o by_o the_o civil_a government_n for_o carry_v on_o this_o union_n and_o this_o they_o think_v they_o may_v have_v law●…ully_o do_v without_o own_v so_o much_o as_o the_o validity_n of_o their_o ministry_n and_o i_o be_o sure_a much_o more_o without_o be_v oblige_v either_o to_o approve_v of_o or_o to_o inquire_v into_o their_o life_n and_o conversation_n since_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n the_o bad_a ●…ives_n of_o christian_n be_v never_o a_o sufficient_a ground_n for_o separate_v from_o their_o communion_n if_o it_o be_v in_o all_o other_o respect_v lawful_a the_o design_n of_o the_o first_o part_n of_o this_o pamphlet_n be_v to_o show_v that_o the_o 〈◊〉_d episcopal_a party_n bear_v a_o invetera●…e_a m●…lice_n against_o the_o presbyterian_o and_o there●…ore_o their_o testimony_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v of_o any_o authority_n in_o these_o accusation_n whi●…h_v they_o bring_v against_o they_o but_o our_o author_n if_o his_o spirit_n of_o revenge_n have_v not_o be_v too_o predominant_a may_v have_v save_v himself_o all_o this_o trouble_n since_o the_o episcopal_a party_n do_v not_o o●…er_v to_o urge_v any_o thing_n against_o th●…m_n upon_o their_o own_o bare_a authority_n but_o what_o they_o can_v evident_o prove_v from_o authentic_a reco●…ds_n and_o from_o the_o a●…testations_n of_o man_n of_o ●…nspotted_a fame_n and_o credit_n who_o be_v eye-witness_n to_o m●…ny_v of_o the_o villainy_n and_o injury_n do_v to_o our_o 〈◊〉_d and_o this_o i_o be_o certain_a they_o have_v already_o do_v beyond_o th●…_n possibility_n of_o a_o con●…utation_n in_o the_o case_n ●…f_n ●…he_v afflic●…ed_v clergy_n ●…nd_v som●…_n other_o discourse_n which_o they_o have_v publish_v relate_v to_o their_o lat●…_n barbarous_a persecution_n late_o i_o ought_v not_o to_o call_v it_o since_o it_o rage_v almost_o as_o much_o now_o as_o ever_o it_o be_v tru●…_n the_o clergy_n be_v not_o so_o much_o expose_v to_o the_o rage_n and_o ●…ury_n of_o the_o rabble_n as_o they_o be_v by_o who_o instigation_n be_v very_o well_o know●…_n not_o very_o long_o ago_o but_o their_o misery_n be_v far_o f●…m_a b●…ing_n at_o a_o end_n they_o sti●…l_v rem●…in_v in_o exile_n from_o their_o church_n and_o house_n be_v expose_v to_o all_o th●…_n misery_n of_o poverty_n and_o want_n have_v not_o the_o least_o 〈◊〉_d of_o 〈◊〉_d wher●…by_o they_o may_v gain_v bread_n to_o 〈◊〉_d their_o cry_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d mis●…rie_n do_v daily_a increase_n upon_o they_o and_o whi●…h_n be_v most_o discourage_a they_o have_v no_o prospect_n of_o deliverance_n ●…_n pray_v ●…od_a may_v enable_v th●…m_o p●…tiently_o to_o undergo_v this_o fiery_a try●…l_n to_o withstand_v all_o the_o temptation_n of_o interest_n and_o world●…y_a po●…iticks_n and_o to_o remain_v firm_a and_o steadfast_a in_o assert_v those_o prin●…iples_n of_o our_o re●…igion_n for_o which_o they_o at_o presen●…_n suffer_v that_o so_o have_v no_o other_o aim_n before_o their_o eye_n but_o to_o keep_v a_o conscience_n void_a of_o offence_n both_o towards_o god_n and_o man_n th●…y_v m●…y_o have_v a_o well_o ground_a hop●…_n of_o receive_v at_o la●…_n as_o a_o reward_n of_o their_o suffering_n that_o eternal_a crown_n of_o glory_n which_o christ_n have_v purchase_v to_o all_o those_o that_o suffer_v for_o well_o do_v but_o let_v we_o pursue_v our_o author_n thread_n of_o discourse_n and_o see_v what_o 〈◊〉_d the_o ground_n be_v whereon_o he_o accuse_v the_o episcopal_a party_n with_o inveterate_a malice_n against_o the_o presbyterian_o and_o the_o first_o instance_n we_o meet_v with_o of_o this_o kind_n be_v that_o they_o be_v the_o first_o aggressor_n and_o impugn_a the_o governm●…nt_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n by_o presbytery_n which_o be_v the_o first_o it_o have_v after_o the_o reformation_n it_o be_v not_o a_o little_a surprise_v to_o see_v what_o pain_n the_o presbyterian_o take_v to_o delude_v the_o ignorant_a people_n into_o a_o belief_n that_o our_o first_o reformer_n condemn_v and_o explode_v the_o ancient_a government_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o it_o be_v no_o less_o odious_a to_o they_o than_o the_o romish_a superstition_n when_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o plain_a ●…rom_fw-mi history_n than_o that_o at_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o reformation_n there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o controversy_n about_o the_o church_n government_n and_o the_o bishop_n who_o do_v not_o oppose_v the_o reformation_n be_v lest_o in_o full_a possession_n not_o only_o of_o all_o their_o temporal_a dignity_n but_o likewise_o of_o their_o spiritual_a authority_n and_o jurisdiction_n suc●…_n of_o the_o bishop_n as_o persist_v in_o the_o romish_a error_n and_o corrupti●…ns_n be_v not_o allow_v to_o exercise_n their_o spiritual_a authority_n over_o the_o clergy_n but_o some_o of_o the_o reform_a communion_n under_o the_o name_n of_o superintendant_o be_v place_v over_o their_o diocese_n and_o invest_v with_o the_o whole_a episcopal_a jurisdiction_n and_o authority_n over_o the_o clergy_n of_o these_o province_n who_o be_v oblige_v as_o appear_v from_o the_o act_n of_o our_o national_a synod_n 21._o to_o pay_v to_o their_o superintendent_o all_o the_o canonical_a obedience_n that_o be_v due_a to_o other_o bishop_n and_o by_o a_o commission_n of_o the_o assembly_n meet_v at_o leith_n in_o january_n 1572_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n be_v declare_v to_o be_v in_o the_o archbishop_n and_o bishop_n and_o their_o election_n to_o be_v make_v by_o the_o dean_n and_o chapter_n which_o declaration_n be_v ratify_v by_o act_n of_o parliament_n the_o 26._o s●…me_a year_n and_o likewise_o by_o a_o general_n assembly_n hold_v at_o perth_n in_o ●…gust_n thereafter_o till_o the_o year_n 1575._o about_o fifteen_o year_n after_o the_o ●…gal_a settlement_n of_o our_o reformation_n there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o disturbance_n in_o the_o kingdom_n about_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n that_o mr._n and._n m●…lvil_n return_v ifrom_o g●…eva_n where_o he_o have_v be_v breed_v up_o with_o the_o presbyterian_a parity_n begin_v to_o raise_v commotion_n in_o the_o church_n by_o attempt_v to_o have_v the_o geneva_n model_n establish_v in_o 〈◊〉_d but_o a_o fu●…ler_a account_n of_o the_o government_n of_o our_o church_n after_o the_o reformation_n you_o may_v see_v in_o a_o treatise_n publish_v by_o archbishop_n spo●…swood_n upon_o this_o subject_a and_o entitle_v refutatio_fw-la libelli_fw-la de_fw-la regimine_fw-la eccl●…siae_fw-la sco●…icanae_n and_o likewise_o in_o a_o late_a discourse_n 26._o where_o the_o same_o argument_n be_v at_o large_a consider_v and_o in_o which_o it_o be_v undeniable_o prove_v from_o the_o record_n of_o parliament_n that_o episcopacy_n be_v not_o only_o the_o first_o government_n establish_v in_o our_o church_n immediate_o upon_o the_o reformation_n but_o wha●…_n be_v more_o that_o although_o the_o episcopal_a authority_n be_v frequent_o weaken_v and_o interrupt_v by_o the_o popular_a insurrection_n of_o the_o presbyterian_a party_n yet_o it_o be_v never_o by_o law_n abolish_v in_o that_o kingdom_n till_o the_o unhappy_a civil_a war_n break_v out_o under_o the_o reign_n of_o king_n charles_n i._n in_o the_o year_n 1592._o when_o they_o pretend_v their_o great_a idol_n of_o parity_n be_v erect_v there_o be_v indeed_o a_o great_a jurisdiction_n and_o authority_n allow_v by_o act_n of_o parliament_n to_o presbytery_n and_o synod_n than_o what_o be_v grant_v they_o before_o which_o the_o king_n be_v force_v to_o yield_v to_o to_o put_v a_o stop_n to_o the_o many_o sedition_n and_o commotion_n raise_v by_o melvil_n and_o his_o accomplice_n but_o yet_o notwithstanding_o this_o the_o bishop_n do_v still_o continue_v to_o exist_v by_o law_n and_o in_o all_o parliament_n they_o do_v sit_v and_o vote_n as_o the_o first_o of_o the_o three_o estate_n as_o appear_v from_o the_o record_n of_o these_o parliament_n and_o in_o the_o year_n 1596._o l●…slie_o bishop_n 〈◊〉_d ross_n die_v at_o brussels_n mr._n david_n lindsay_n be_v present_v by_o the_o king_n to_o the_o bishopric_n the_o very_a next_o year_n which_o be_v a_o plain_a demonstration_n that_o at_o that_o time_n episcopacy_n be_v look_v upon_o as_o existent_a by_o law_n all_o which_o be_v make_v out_o very_o plain_o and_o evident_o in_o this_o apology_n but_o our_o author_n will_v by_o no_o mean_n allow_v th●…_n superintendency_n establish_v r●…formation_n in_o the_o church_n by_o our_o first_o reformer_n to_o be_v a_o species_n of_o prelacy_n and_o his_o reason_n be_v first_o that_o those_o superintendent_o have_v the_o very_a same_o form_n of_o ordination_n with_o other_o minister●…_n before_o i_o proceed_v to_o consider_v the_o force_n of_o this_o objection_n it_o will_v be_v needful_a to_o premise_v something_o concern_v the_o occasion_n of_o this_o institution_n at_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o reformation_n it_o be_v not_o think_v safe_a that_o the_o popish_a bishop_n who_o still_o adhere_v to_o their_o