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
britain_n as_o our_o presbyterian_a brethren_n be_v earnest_a to_o have_v the_o present_a generation_n believe_v again_o pag._n 449_o the_o author_n narrate_v how_o henry_n queen_n mary_n husband_n &c_n &c_n be_v bury_v add_v in_o confirmation_n of_o his_o own_o veracity_n thus._n if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o solemn_a burial_n buchanan_n have_v want_v wit_n to_o relate_v otherwise_o see_v there_o will_v have_v be_v so_o many_o witness_n to_o testify_v the_o contrary_a therefore_o the_o contriver_n of_o the_o late_a history_n of_o queen_n mary_n want_v policy_n here_o to_o convey_v a_o lie_n thus_o i_o say_v the_o author_n vouch_v buchanan_n authority_n and_o it_o must_v be_v buchanan_n history_n that_o he_o refer_v to_o for_o there_o be_v not_o a_o syllable_n about_o henry_n burial_n to_o be_v find_v in_o any_o of_o his_o other_o write_n now_o not_o to_o insist_v on_o the_o incredibleness_n of_o knox_n run_v for_o shelter_n to_o buchanan_n authority_n concern_v a_o matter_n of_o fact_n so_o remarkable_a in_o its_o self_n and_o which_o happen_v in_o his_o own_o time_n in_o that_o very_a city_n in_o which_o he_o live_v and_o be_v minister_n not_o to_o insist_v on_o this_o i_o say_v buchanan_n himself_o in_o his_o dedication_n of_o his_o history_n to_o king_n james_n 6_o clear_o decide_v the_o matter_n he_o tell_v his_o majesty_n there_o be_v two_o consideration_n which_o chief_o put_v he_o upon_o write_v his_o history_n first_o he_o perceive_v his_o majesty_n have_v read_v and_o understand_v the_o history_n of_o almost_o all_o other_o nation_n and_o it_o be_v incongruous_a and_o unaccountable_a that_o he_o who_o be_v so_o well_o acquaint_v with_o foreign_a affair_n shall_v be_v a_o stranger_n to_o the_o history_n of_o his_o own_o kingdom_n second_o he_o be_v entrust_v with_o the_o king_n education_n he_o can_v not_o attend_v his_o majesty_n in_o that_o important_a office_n by_o reason_n of_o his_o old_a age_n and_o multiply_v infirmity_n he_o apply_v himself_o therefore_o to_o write_v his_o history_n thereby_o to_o compense_v the_o defect_n of_o his_o non-attendance_n etc._n etc._n and_o from_o both_o reason_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o knox_n be_v dead_a before_o buchannan_n apply_v himself_o to_o the_o write_n of_o his_o history_n for_o knox_n die_v anno_fw-la 1572._o k._n james_n be_v then_o but_o six_o year_n of_o age_n and_o be_v it_o credible_a that_o at_o that_o age_n he_o have_v read_v and_o get_v by_o heart_n the_o history_n of_o almost_o all_o other_o nation_n indeed_o buchanan_n survive_v knox_n by_o ten_o year_n and_o for_o a_o good_a many_o of_o they_o be_v able_a to_o wait_v and_o actual_o wait_v on_o the_o king_n so_o that_o it_o be_v clear_a it_o be_v towards_o the_o end_n of_o his_o day_n and_o after_o knox_n death_n that_o he_o apply_v himself_o to_o his_o history_n and_o it_o be_v very_o well_o know_v it_o be_v never_o publish_v till_o the_o year_n 1582._o but_o this_o be_v not_o all_o the_o author_n of_o that_o which_o be_v call_v knox_n history_n adduce_n buchanan_n authority_n for_o convel_v the_o credit_n of_o the_o contriver_n of_o the_o late_a history_n of_o queen_n mary_n which_o be_v write_v i_o can_v tell_v how_o long_o after_o buchanan_n be_v dead_a as_o well_o as_o knox._n further_n pag._n 306._o the_o author_n discourse_v thus_o the_o book_n of_o discipline_n have_v be_v of_o late_a so_o often_o publish_v that_o we_o shall_v forbear_v to_o print_v they_o at_o this_o time_n now_o there_o be_v never_o more_o than_o two_o book_n of_o discipline_n and_o the_o second_o be_v not_o so_o much_o as_o project_v till_o the_o year_n 1576_o i_o e._n 4_o year_n after_o knox_n have_v depart_v this_o life_n once_o more_o pag._n 286._o we_o read_v thus_o some_o in_o france_n after_o the_o sudden_a death_n of_o francis_n the_o second_o and_o call_v to_o mind_n the_o death_n of_o charles_n the_o nine_o in_o blood_n and_o the_o slaughter_n of_o henry_n the_o second_o do_v remark_n the_o tragical_a end_n of_o these_o three_o prince_n who_o have_v persecute_v god_n servant_n so_o cruel_o and_o indeed_o the_o follow_a king_n of_o france_n unto_o this_o day_n have_v find_v this_o true_a by_o their_o unfortunate_a and_o unexpected_a ends._n now_o charles_n the_o nine_o die_v not_o till_o the_o 30_o of_o may_n anno_fw-la 1574._o i._n e._n 18_o month_n after_o knox._n the_o follow_a king_n of_o france_n who_o make_v the_o unfortunate_a and_o unexpected_a end_n be_v henry_n the_o three_o and_o henry_n the_o four_o henry_n the_o three_o be_v not_o murder_v till_o the_o year_n 1589._o henry_n the_o four_o not_o till_o may_n 1610._o the_o former_a 17_o the_o latter_a 38_o year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o knox._n from_o this_o taste_n it_o be_v clear_a that_o that_o history_n at_o least_o as_o we_o now_o have_v it_o be_v not_o write_v by_o knox._n all_o that_o can_v be_v say_v with_o any_o shadow_n of_o probability_n be_v that_o knox_n provide_v some_o material_n for_o it_o but_o grant_v this_o how_o shall_v we_o be_v able_a to_o separate_v that_o which_o be_v spurious_a in_o it_o from_o that_o which_o be_v genuine_a all_o i_o can_v say_v be_v this_o it_o be_v plain_a to_o every_o one_o that_o read_v it_o that_o he_o have_v be_v a_o thorough-paced_n presbyterian_a who_o frame_v it_o as_o we_o have_v it_o by_o consequence_n its_o authority_n be_v stark_o naught_o for_o any_o thing_n in_o it_o that_o favour_n presbytery_n or_o bespatter_v prelacy_n and_o if_o it_o ought_v to_o have_v any_o credit_n at_o all_o it_o be_v only_o where_o the_o controversy_n about_o church_n government_n be_v no_o way_n interest_v or_o where_o it_o mention_n any_o thing_n that_o may_v be_v improven_v to_o the_o advantage_n of_o episcopacy_n just_a as_o the_o testimony_n of_o adversary_n be_v useful_a for_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o opposite_a party_n and_o not_o a_o aâ—e_n far_o so_o that_o i_o have_v reason_n if_o any_o man_n can_v have_v it_o to_o insist_v on_o its_o authority_n as_o i_o have_v frequent_o do_v but_o no_o presbyterian_a can_v in_o equity_n either_o plead_v or_o be_v allow_v the_o same_o privilege_n i_o can_v give_v the_o reader_n a_o surfeit_n of_o instance_n which_o can_v but_o appear_v to_o any_o consider_a person_n to_o be_v plain_a and_o notorious_a presbyterian_a corruption_n in_o it_o but_o i_o shall_v only_o represent_v one_o as_o be_v of_o considerable_a importance_n in_o the_o controversy_n which_o i_o have_v manage_v in_o my_o second_o enquiry_n and_o by_o that_o the_o reader_n may_v make_v a_o judgement_n of_o the_o author_n candour_n and_o integrity_n in_o other_o thing_n the_o english_a nonconformist_n zealous_a to_o be_v rid_v of_o the_o vestment_n and_o some_o other_o form_n and_o ceremony_n retain_v by_o the_o church_n of_o england_n which_o they_o reckon_v to_o be_v scandalous_a imposition_n write_v earnest_o as_o be_v know_v to_o several_a reform_a church_n and_o protestant_a divine_n beseech_v they_o to_o interpose_v with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n for_o a_o ease_n of_o these_o burden_n it_o seem_v they_o write_v to_o some_o in_o scotland_n also_o probable_o to_o mr._n knox_n he_o be_v of_o their_o acquaintance_n and_o they_o can_v not_o but_o be_v secure_a enough_o of_o his_o inclination_n consider_v how_o warm_a he_o have_v be_v about_o these_o matter_n at_o francfort_n however_o it_o be_v the_o church_n of_o scotland_n do_v actual_o interpose_v the_o general_a assembly_n meet_v at_o edinburgh_n decem._n 27._o anno_fw-la 1566_o order_v john_n knox_n to_o draw_v a_o letter_n to_o the_o english_a clergy_n in_o favour_n of_o those_o nonconformist_n this_o letter_n be_v subscribe_v and_o send_v now_o consider_v the_o trick_n of_o the_o author_n of_o the_o history_n attribute_v to_o knox._n the_o inscription_n of_o the_o letter_n as_o it_o be_v in_o spotswood_n petrie_n and_o the_o manuscript_n copy_n of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n be_v this_o the_o superintendent_o minister_n and_o commissioner_n of_o the_o church_n within_o the_o realm_n of_o scotland_n to_o their_o brethren_n the_o bishop_n and_o pastor_n of_o england_n who_o have_v renounce_v the_o roman_a antichrist_n and_o do_v profess_v with_o they_o the_o lord_n jesus_n in_o sincerity_n wish_v the_o increase_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n thus_o i_o say_v spotswoâ—d_n have_v it_o pag._n 198._o and_o the_o ms._n and_o petrie_n tom._n 2._o p._n 348._o have_v it_o in_o the_o same_o word_n only_o where_o spotswood_n have_v wish_v they_o have_v desire_v which_o make_v no_o material_a difference_n but_o the_o spurious_a knox_n have_v it_o thus_o pag._n 445._o the_o superintendent_o with_o other_o minister_n and_o commissioner_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o scotland_n to_o their_o brethren_n the_o bishop_n and_o pastor_n of_o god_n church_n in_o england_n who_o profess_v with_o we_o
canterbury_n 135._o to_o the_o bishop_n of_o london_n 316._o to_o ithavius_fw-la bishop_n of_o vladislavia_n date_v decem._n 1_o an._n 1558_o col._n or_o his_o resolution_n of_o that_o case_n if_o a_o bishop_n or_o curate_n join_v himself_o to_o the_o church_n etc._n etc._n 466._o or_o last_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o king_n of_o poland_n 190._o wherein_o he_o tell_v he_o that_o it_o be_v nothing_o but_o pride_n and_o ambition_n that_o introduce_v the_o pope_n supremacy_n that_o the_o ancient_a church_n have_v indeed_o her_o patriarch_n and_o primate_fw-la for_o the_o expedition_n of_o discipline_n and_o the_o preservation_n of_o unity_n as_o if_o in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o poland_n one_o archbishop_n shall_v have_v the_o precedency_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o bishop_n not_o that_o he_o may_v tyrannize_v over_o they_o but_o for_o order_n sake_n and_o for_o cherish_n unity_n among_o his_o colleague_n and_o brethren_n and_o next_o to_o he_o there_o shall_v be_v provincial_a or_o city_n bishop_n for_o keep_v all_o thing_n orderly_o in_o the_o church_n nature_n teach_v say_v he_o that_o from_o every_o college_n incumbat_fw-la one_o shall_v be_v choose_v who_o shall_v have_v the_o chief_a management_n of_o affair_n but_o it_o be_v another_o thing_n for_o one_o man_n as_o the_o pope_n do_v to_o arrogate_v that_o to_o himself_o which_o exceed_v all_o humane_a ability_n namely_o the_o power_n of_o govern_v the_o whole_a universe_n whoso_o shall_v perpend_v these_o write_n of_o mr._n calvin_n i_o say_v shall_v find_v that_o he_o be_v very_o far_o from_o maintain_v the_o vnlawfulness_n of_o prelacy_n nay_o far_a yet_o i_o challenge_v my_o presbyterian_a brethren_n upon_o their_o ingenuity_n to_o tell_v i_o whither_o it_o be_v not_o a_o good_a many_o year_n after_o 1560._o that_o beza_n himself_o the_o true_a founder_n of_o their_o sect_n condemn_v prelacy_n if_o he_o do_v condemn_v it_o i_o say_v if_o he_o do_v maintain_v the_o necessity_n of_o parity_n and_o condemn_v prelacy_n for_o however_o he_o may_v seem_v upon_o several_a occasion_n not_o only_o to_o give_v the_o preference_n to_o presbyterian_a government_n and_o represent_v it_o as_o the_o most_o eligible_a but_o to_o endeavour_v to_o found_v it_o on_o scripture_n and_o represent_v episcopacy_n as_o a_o humane_a invention_n yet_o i_o have_v not_o observe_v that_o any_o where_o 〈◊〉_d call_v it_o absolute_o or_o simple_o unlawful_a on_o the_o contrary_a he_o say_v in_o express_a term_n propositam_fw-la that_o it_o be_v tolerable_a when_o it_o be_v due_o bound_v when_o the_o pure_a canon_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n be_v keep_v in_o vigour_n to_o keep_v it_o within_o its_o proper_a limit_n sure_o i_o be_o he_o be_v not_o for_o separate_v from_o a_o church_n as_o our_o modern_a presbyterian_o be_v upon_o the_o account_n of_o its_o government_n be_v episcopal_a as_o may_v be_v make_v appear_v full_o from_o his_o letter_n so_o that_o whatever_o great_a degree_n of_o dislike_n to_o episcopacy_n he_o may_v have_v discover_v beyond_o his_o predecessor_n mr._n calvin_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o unreasonable_a to_o think_v that_o his_o great_a aim_n be_v no_o more_o than_o to_o justify_v the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n he_o live_v in_o and_o recommend_v it_o as_o a_o pattern_n to_o other_o church_n the_o scope_n of_o this_o whole_a consideration_n be_v this_o that_o if_o what_o i_o have_v assert_v be_v true_a if_o there_o be_v no_o such_o controversy_n agitate_a all_o the_o time_n our_o church_n be_v a_o reform_v nor_o for_o a_o good_a many_o year_n after_o then_o we_o have_v one_o fair_a presumption_n that_o our_o reformer_n be_v not_o presbyterian_o it_o be_v not_o likely_a that_o they_o be_v for_o the_o indispensibility_n of_o parity_n that_o be_v the_o side_n of_o a_o question_n which_o in_o these_o time_n be_v not_o begin_v to_o be_v toss_v and_o this_o presumption_n will_v appear_v yet_o more_o ponderous_a if_o ii_o it_o be_v consider_v that_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o our_o reformer_n have_v any_o peculiar_a motive_n or_o occasion_n for_o advert_v to_o the_o pretend_a evil_n of_o prelacy_n or_o any_o peculiar_a interest_n to_o determine_v they_o for_o parity_n beyond_o other_o church_n or_o that_o they_o be_v more_o sharp-sighted_a to_o espy_v fault_n in_o prelacy_n or_o have_v opportunity_n or_o inclination_n to_o search_v more_o diligent_o or_o inquire_v more_o narrow_o into_o these_o matter_n than_o other_o reformer_n the_o truth_n be_v the_o controversy_n about_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n be_v the_o great_a one_o which_o take_v up_o the_o thought_n of_o our_o reformer_n and_o employ_v their_o most_o serious_a application_n this_o be_v obvious_a to_o any_o who_o consider_v the_o account_n we_o have_v of_o they_o so_o very_o obvious_a that_o g._n r._n himself_o fair_o confess_v it_o in_o his_o first_o vind._o ad_fw-la quest._n 1._o where_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o error_n and_o idolatry_n of_o that_o way_n mean_v popery_n be_v so_o gross_a and_o of_o such_o immediate_a hazard_n to_o the_o soul_n of_o people_n that_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o our_o reformer_n mind_v these_o first_o and_o main_o and_o think_v it_o a_o great_a step_n to_o get_v these_o remove_v so_o that_o they_o take_v some_o more_o time_n to_o consult_v about_o the_o reform_n of_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n from_o which_o it_o be_v plain_a he_o confess_v the_o reformation_n of_o the_o church_n government_n be_v not_o the_o subject_n of_o their_o main_a think_v which_o indeed_o be_v very_o true_a and_o can_v but_o appear_v to_o be_v so_o to_o any_o who_o consider_v what_o a_o lame_a scheme_n be_v then_o dress_v up_o by_o they_o but_o however_o this_o be_v it_o be_v enough_o to_o my_o present_a purpose_n that_o our_o reformer_n be_v more_o employ_v in_o reform_v the_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n than_o in_o think_v about_o church_n government_n from_o which_o together_o with_o the_o former_a presumption_n which_o be_v that_o our_o present_a controversy_n be_v not_o begin_v to_o be_v agitate_a in_o these_o time_n one_o of_o two_o thing_n must_v follow_v unavoidable_o viz._n either_o 1._o that_o if_o they_o be_v for_o the_o divine_a and_o indispensible_a right_n of_o parity_n it_o be_v no_o great_a matter_n their_o authority_n be_v not_o much_o to_o be_v value_v in_o a_o question_n about_o which_o they_o have_v think_v so_o little_a or_o 2._o that_o it_o be_v to_o be_v presume_v they_o be_v not_o for_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o parity_n that_o be_v the_o side_n of_o a_o question_n which_o be_v not_o then_o agitate_a in_o any_o protestant_a church_n and_o as_o little_a in_o scotland_n as_o any_o to_o be_v ingenuous_a i_o think_v both_o inference_n good_a though_o it_o be_v only_o the_o last_o i_o be_o concern_v for_o at_o present_a but_o this_o be_v not_o all_o for_o iii_o so_o far_o as_o my_o opportunity_n will_v allow_v i_o i_o have_v have_v a_o special_a eye_n on_o all_o our_o reformer_n as_o i_o find_v they_o in_o our_o history_n i_o have_v notice_v their_o sentiment_n about_o church_n government_n as_o careful_o as_o i_o can_v and_o i_o have_v not_o find_v so_o much_o as_o one_o among_o they_o who_o have_v either_o direct_o or_o indirect_o assert_v the_o divine_a and_o unalterable_a right_n of_o parity_n by_o our_o reformer_n here_o i_o mean_v such_o as_o be_v either_o 1._o martyr_n or_o 2._o confessor_n for_o the_o reform_a religion_n before_o it_o have_v the_o countenance_n of_o civil_a authority_n or_o 3._o such_o as_o live_v when_o it_o be_v public_o establish_v and_o have_v a_o hand_n in_o bring_v it_o to_o that_o perfection_n such_o i_o think_v and_o such_o only_a deserve_v the_o name_n of_o our_o reformer_n and_o here_o again_o i_o dare_v be_v bold_a to_o challenge_v my_o presbyterian_a brethren_n to_o adduce_v clear_a and_o plain_a proof_n that_o so_o much_o as_o any_o one_o man_n of_o the_o whole_a number_n of_o our_o reformer_n be_v of_o the_o present_a principle_n of_o the_o party_n some_o of_o they_o indeed_o seem_v to_o have_v lay_v no_o great_a stress_n on_o holy_a order_n and_o to_o have_v be_v of_o opinion_n that_o personal_a gift_n and_o grace_n be_v a_o sufficient_a call_v to_o any_o man_n to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n and_o undertake_v the_o pastoral_a office_n thus_o that_o excellent_a person_n mr._n george_n wishart_n who_o in_o most_o thing_n seem_v to_o have_v just_a notion_n of_o the_o gospel_n spirit_n than_o most_o of_o our_o other_o reformer_n when_o at_o his_o trial_n he_o be_v charge_v with_o this_o article_n that_o every_o man_n be_v a_o priest_n and_o that_o the_o pope_n have_v no_o more_o power_n than_o another_o man_n answer_v to_o this_o purpose_n that_o st._n john_n say_v of_o all_o christian_n he_o have_v make_v we_o king_n and_o priest_n and_o st._n peter_n he_o have_v make_v we_o
be_o not_o now_o to_o enter_v into_o the_o controversy_n concern_v the_o dependence_n or_o independence_n of_o the_o church_n upon_o the_o state_n that_o fall_v not_o within_o the_o compass_n of_o my_o present_a undertake_n neither_o will_v i_o say_v that_o our_o presbyterian_o be_v in_o the_o wrong_n as_o to_o the_o true_a substantial_a matter_n agitate_a in_o that_o controversy_n all_o i_o be_o concern_v for_o at_o present_a be_v that_o in_o these_o time_n those_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n own_a a_o great_a dependence_n of_o the_o church_n upon_o the_o state_n and_o that_o our_o reformer_n agree_v with_o they_o in_o that_o principle_n and_o i_o think_v i_o may_v make_v short_a work_n of_o it_o for_o that_o that_o be_v the_o principle_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n in_o these_o time_n i_o think_v no_o man_n can_v ready_o deny_v who_o know_v any_o thing_n about_o she_o at_o and_o a_o good_a many_o year_n after_o her_o reformation_n all_o my_o business_n be_v to_o show_v that_o our_o reformer_n be_v of_o that_o same_o principle_n and_o i_o think_v that_o shall_v be_v easy_o make_v to_o appear_v for_o as_o to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n power_n to_o reform_v the_o church_n what_o can_v be_v more_o clear_a than_o the_o petition_v present_v to_o the_o queen_n regent_n in_o november_n 1558_o there_o our_o reformer_n tell_v her_o majesty_n 118._o that_o know_v no_o order_n place_v in_o this_o realm_n but_o her_o majesty_n and_o her_o grave_a council_n set_v to_o amend_v as_o well_o the_o disorder_n ecclesiastical_a as_o the_o default_n in_o the_o temporal_a regiment_n they_o do_v most_o humble_o prostrate_v themselves_o before_o her_o foot_n ask_v justice_n and_o her_o gracious_a help_n against_o such_o as_o false_o traduce_v and_o accuse_v they_o as_o heretic_n and_o schismatic_n etc._n etc._n in_o which_o address_n we_o have_v these_o two_o thing_n very_o clear_a and_o evident_a 1._o that_o they_o own_a that_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n have_v power_n to_o amend_v ecclesiastical_a disorder_n as_o well_o as_o temporal_a 2._o that_o in_o consequence_n of_o this_o they_o apply_v to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n for_o protection_n against_o the_o pursuit_n of_o the_o church_n and_o in_o their_o protestation_n give_v in_o to_o the_o parliament_n about_o that_o same_o time_n they_o most_o humble_o beseech_v the_o sacred_a authority_n to_o think_v of_o they_o as_o faithful_a and_o obedient_a subject_n and_o take_v they_o into_o its_o protection_n keep_v that_o indifferency_n which_o become_v god_n lieutenant_n to_o use_v towards_o those_o who_o in_o his_o name_n do_v call_v for_o defence_n against_o cruel_a oppressor_n etc._n etc._n mean_v the_o then_o churchman_n 120._o indeed_o none_o clear_a for_o this_o than_o knox_n himself_o as_o be_v to_o be_v see_v full_o in_o his_o appellation_n from_o the_o cruel_a and_o most_o unjust_a sentence_n pronounce_v against_o he_o by_o the_o false_a bishop_n and_o clergy_n of_o scotland_n as_o he_o himself_o name_v it_o for_o there_o 4._o he_o lay_v down_o and_o endeavour_n to_o prove_v this_o assertion_n that_o it_o be_v lawful_a to_o god_n prophet_n and_o to_o preacher_n of_o christ_n jesus_n to_o appeal_v from_o the_o sentence_n and_o judgement_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o temporal_a magistrate_n who_o by_o god_n law_n be_v bind_v to_o hear_v their_o cause_n and_o to_o defend_v they_o from_o tyranny_n and_o in_o that_o same_o appellation_n etc._n he_o larger_o assert_n and_o maintain_v the_o dependence_n of_o the_o church_n upon_o the_o state_n the_o order_v and_o reformation_n of_o religion_n with_o the_o instruction_n of_o subject_n he_o say_v do_v appertain_v especial_o to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n for_o why_o moses_n have_v great_a power_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o religion_n god_n reveal_v nothing_o particular_o to_o aaron_n the_o churchman_n but_o command_v he_o to_o depend_v from_o the_o mouth_n of_o moses_n the_o civil_a magistrate_n moses_n be_v impower_v to_o separate_v aaron_n and_o his_o son_n for_o the_o priesthood_n aaron_n and_o his_o son_n be_v subject_a to_o moses_n moses_n be_v so_o far_o prefer_v to_o aaron_n that_o the_o one_o command_v the_o other_o obey_v the_o king_n of_o israel_n be_v command_v to_o read_v the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n all_o the_o day_n of_o their_o life_n not_o only_o for_o their_o own_o private_a edification_n but_o for_o the_o public_a preservation_n of_o religion_n so_o david_n solomon_n asa_n jehosophat_n hezekiah_n josiah_n understand_v it_o and_o interest_v themselves_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o church_n according_o from_o which_o it_o be_v evident_a say_v he_o that_o the_o reformation_n of_o religion_n in_o all_o point_n together_o with_o the_o punishment_n of_o false_a teacher_n do_v appertain_v to_o the_o power_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n for_o what_o god_n require_v of_o they_o his_o justice_n must_v require_v of_o other_o have_v the_o like_a charge_n and_o authority_n what_o he_o do_v approve_v in_o they_o he_o can_v but_o approve_v in_o all_o other_o who_o with_o like_a zeal_n and_o sincerity_n do_v enterprise_n to_o purge_v the_o lord_n temple_n and_o sanctuary_n thus_o knox_n i_o say_v in_o that_o appellation_n i_o do_v not_o concern_v myself_o with_o the_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n of_o his_o position_n neither_o be_o i_o to_o justify_v or_o condemn_v his_o argument_n all_o i_o be_o to_o make_v of_o it_o be_v to_o ask_v my_o presbyterian_a brethren_n whither_o these_o principle_n of_o knox_n suit_n well_o with_o decline_v the_o civil_a magistrate_n as_o one_fw-mi incompetent_a judge_n in_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n with_o refuse_v to_o appear_v before_o he_o prima_fw-la instantia_fw-la for_o the_o trial_n of_o doctrine_n preach_v in_o the_o pulpit_n with_o the_o famous_a distinction_n of_o the_o king_n have_v power_n about_o church_n matter_n cumulative_a but_o not_o privative_a etc._n etc._n i_o be_o afraid_a it_o shall_v be_v hard_o enough_o to_o reconcile_v they_o i_o shall_v only_o instance_n in_o one_o principle_n more_o which_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v common_a to_o our_o and_o the_o english_a reformer_n but_o it_o be_v one_o of_o very_a weighty_a consequence_n and_o importance_n to_o my_o main_a design_n it_o be_v four_o that_o excellent_a rule_n of_o reformation_n viz._n that_o it_o be_v do_v according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n interpret_v by_o the_o monument_n and_o write_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n that_o ancient_a solid_a approven_v rule_n that_o rule_n so_o much_o commend_v by_o that_o excellent_a writer_n vincentius_n lirinensis_n 2._o that_o rule_n which_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o mankind_n can_v but_o justify_v when_o it_o be_v consider_v sober_o and_o serious_o without_o partiality_n or_o prejudice_n a_o rule_n indeed_o which_o have_v the_o reformer_n of_o the_o several_a church_n follow_v united_o and_o conscientious_o in_o those_o time_n when_o the_o church_n in_o the_o western_a part_n of_o europe_n be_v a_o reform_v we_o have_v not_o have_v so_o many_o different_a faith_n so_o many_o different_a modes_n of_o worship_n so_o many_o different_a government_n and_o discipline_n as_o alas_o this_o day_n divide_v the_o protestant_a church_n and_o by_o consequence_n weaken_v the_o protestant_a interest_n a_o rule_n which_o have_v the_o pretender_n to_o reform_a religion_n in_o scotland_n still_o stand_v by_o we_o have_v not_o possible_o have_v so_o many_o horrid_a rebellion_n so_o many_o unchristian_a division_n so_o many_o unaccountable_a revolution_n both_o in_o church_n and_o state_n as_o to_o our_o sad_a experience_n have_v in_o the_o result_n so_o unhinged_a all_o the_o principle_n of_o natural_a justice_n and_o honesty_n and_o disable_v nay_o eat_v out_o the_o principle_n of_o christianity_n among_o we_o that_o now_o we_o be_v not_o dispose_v so_o much_o for_o any_o thing_n as_o downright_a atheism_n but_o be_v our_o reformer_n indeed_o for_o this_o rule_n that_o shall_v be_v demonstrate_v by_o and_o by_o when_o we_o shall_v have_v occasion_n to_o bring_v it_o in_o again_o as_o natural_o to_o which_o opportunity_n i_o now_o refer_v it_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n let_v we_o brief_o sum_n up_o all_o that_o have_v be_v hitherto_o say_v and_o try_v to_o what_o it_o amount_v i_o have_v i_o think_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o while_o our_o reformation_n be_v a_o carry_v on_o and_o when_o it_o be_v establish_v anno_fw-la 156â—_n there_o be_v no_o such_o controversy_n agitate_a in_o the_o church_n as_o that_o concern_v the_o indispensible_a necessity_n of_o presbytery_n and_o the_o vnlawfulness_n of_o prelacy_n concern_v the_o divine_a right_n of_o parity_n or_o the_o vnallowableness_n of_o imparity_n among_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n i_o have_v say_v enough_o to_o make_v it_o credible_a that_o our_o scottish_a reformer_n have_v no_o peculiar_a occasion_n opportunity_n provocation_n ability_n for_o fall_v on_o that_o controversy_n or_o determine_v of_o it_o more_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
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
this_o purpose_n i_o shall_v only_o instance_n in_o a_o few_o thus_o the_o eight_o act_n parl._n 1_o jac._n 6._o hold_v in_o decemb._n 1567._o appoint_v the_o coronation_n oath_n to_o be_v swear_v by_o the_o king_n and_o it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o article_n of_o that_o oath_n that_o he_o shall_v rule_v the_o people_n commit_v to_o his_o charge_n according_a to_o the_o loveable_a law_n and_o constitution_n receive_v in_o this_o realm_n no_o wise_a repugnant_a to_o the_o word_n of_o the_o eternal_a god_n now_o i_o think_v this_o parliament_n make_v no_o question_n but_o that_o the_o fundamental_a law_n of_o the_o constitution_n of_o parliament_n be_v one_o of_o these_o loveable_a law_n and_o constitution_n receive_v in_o this_o realm_n no_o wise_a repugnant_a to_o the_o word_n of_o the_o eternal_a god_n indeed_o the_o 24_o the_o act_n of_o that_o same_o parliament_n be_v this_o word_n for_o word_n our_o sovereign_a lord_n with_o advice_n and_o consent_n of_o his_o regent_n and_o the_o three_o estate_n of_o parliament_n have_v ratify_v and_o ratify_v all_o civil_a privilege_n grant_v and_o give_v by_o our_o sovereign_a lord_n predecessor_n to_o the_o spiritual_a estate_n of_o this_o realm_n in_o all_o point_n after_o the_o form_n and_o tenor_n thereof_o than_o which_o there_o can_v be_v a_o more_o authentic_a commentary_n for_o find_v the_o true_a sense_n and_o meaning_n of_o the_o coronation_n oath_n in_o relation_n to_o our_o present_a purpose_n i_o shall_v only_o adduce_v two_o more_o but_o they_o be_v such_o two_o as_o be_v as_o good_a as_o two_o thousand_o the_o 130_o the_o act_n parl._n 8._o jac._n 6._o anno_fw-la 1584._o be_v this_o word_n for_o word_n the_o king_n majesty_n consider_v the_o honour_n and_o the_o authority_n of_o his_o supreme_a court_n of_o parliament_n continued_z past_o all_o memory_n of_o man_n unto_o these_o day_n as_o constitute_v upon_o the_o free_a vote_n of_o the_o three_o estate_n of_o this_o ancient_a kingdom_n by_o who_o the_o same_o under_o god_n have_v ever_o be_v uphold_v rebellious_a and_o traitorous_a subject_n punish_v the_o good_a and_o faithful_a preserve_v and_o maintain_v and_o the_o law_n and_o act_n of_o parliament_n by_o which_o all_o man_n be_v govern_v make_v and_o establish_v and_o find_v the_o power_n dignity_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o say_a court_n of_o parliament_n of_o late_a year_n call_v in_o some_o doubt_n at_o least_o some_o such_o as_o mr._n andrew_n melvil_n etc._n etc._n curious_o travel_v to_o have_v introduce_v some_o innovation_n thereanent_a his_o majesty_n firm_a will_n and_o mind_n always_o be_v as_o it_o be_v yet_o that_o the_o honour_n authority_n and_o dignity_n of_o his_o say_n three_o estate_n shall_v stand_v and_o continue_v in_o their_o own_o integrity_n according_a to_o the_o ancient_n and_o loveable_a custom_n bygone_a without_o any_o alteration_n or_o diminution_n therefore_o it_o be_v statute_v and_o ordain_v by_o our_o sovereign_a lord_n and_o his_o say_v three_o estate_n in_o this_o present_a parliament_n that_o none_o of_o his_o liege_n and_o subject_n presume_v or_o take_v upon_o hand_n to_o impugn_v the_o dignity_n and_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o say_v three_o estate_n or_o to_o seek_v or_o procure_v the_o innovation_n or_o diminution_n of_o the_o power_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o same_o three_o estate_n or_o any_o of_o they_o in_o time_n come_v under_o the_o pain_n of_o treason_n here_o i_o think_v the_o necessity_n of_o the_o three_o estate_n whereof_o the_o ecclesiastical_a be_v ever_o reckon_v the_o first_o be_v assert_v pretty_a fair_o neither_o be_v this_o act_n so_o far_o as_o i_o know_v formal_o repeal_v by_o any_o subsequent_a act_n and_o whosoever_o know_v any_o thing_n of_o the_o history_n of_o these_o time_n can_v but_o know_v that_o it_o be_v to_o crush_v the_o design_n set_v on_o foot_n then_o by_o some_o for_o innovate_a about_o the_o spiritual_a estate_n that_o this_o act_n be_v form_v the_o other_o which_o i_o promise_v be_v act_n 2._o parl._n 18._o jac._n 6._o hold_v anno_fw-la 1606._o entitle_v act_n anent_o the_o restitution_n of_o the_o estate_n of_o bishop_n in_o the_o preamble_n of_o which_o act_n we_o be_v tell_v that_o of_o late_a during_o his_o majesty_n young_a year_n and_o unsettle_a estate_n the_o ancient_n and_o fundamental_a policy_n consist_v in_o the_o maintenance_n of_o the_o three_o estate_n of_o parliament_n have_v be_v great_o impair_v and_o almost_o subvert_v special_o by_o the_o indirect_a abolish_n of_o the_o estate_n of_o bishop_n by_o the_o act_n of_o annexation_n of_o the_o temporality_n of_o benefice_n to_o the_o crown_n that_o the_o say_a estate_n of_o bishop_n be_v necessary_a estate_n of_o the_o parliament_n etc._n etc._n such_o be_v the_o sentiment_n of_o these_o time_n so_o essential_a be_v the_o ecclesiastical_a estate_n deem_v in_o the_o constitution_n of_o scottish_a parliament_n and_o no_o wonder_n for_o no_o man_n can_v doubt_v but_o it_o be_v as_o early_o as_o positive_o as_o inconte_o as_o fundamental_o and_o unalterable_o in_o the_o constitution_n as_o either_o the_o estate_n of_o noble_n or_o the_o estate_n of_o burrows_n there_o be_v no_o question_n i_o think_v about_o the_o burrows_n as_o for_o the_o estate_n of_o noble_n it_o be_v certain_a all_o baron_n be_v still_o reckon_v of_o the_o nobless_a the_o lesser_a baron_n in_o ancient_a time_n be_v still_o reckon_v a_o part_n of_o the_o second_o never_o a_o distinct_a estate_n of_o parliament_n and_o they_o must_v quit_v all_o pretension_n to_o be_v of_o the_o nobless_v when_o they_o set_v up_o for_o a_o distinct_a estate_n set_v up_o for_o such_o they_o be_v no_o more_o of_o the_o nobility_n than_o the_o burrows_n and_o then_o if_o two_o estate_n can_v vote_n out_o one_o and_o make_v a_o parliament_n without_o it_o if_o they_o can_v split_v one_o into_o two_o and_o so_o make_v up_o the_o three_o estate_n why_o may_v not_o one_o split_v itself_o as_o well_o into_o three_o why_o may_v not_o the_o two_o part_n of_o the_o split_a estate_n join_v together_o and_o vote_v out_o the_o estate_n of_o burrows_n why_o may_v not_o the_o nobility_n of_o the_o first_o magnitude_n join_v with_o the_o burrows_n to_o vote_n out_o the_o small_a baron_n why_o may_v not_o the_o small_a baron_n and_o the_o burrows_n vote_v out_o the_o great_a nobility_n after_o two_o have_v vote_v out_o one_o why_o may_v not_o one_o the_o more_o numerous_a vote_v out_o the_o other_o the_o less_o numerous_a when_o the_o parliament_n be_v reduce_v to_o one_o estate_n why_o may_v not_o that_o one_o divide_v and_o one_o half_a vote_n out_o the_o other_o and_o then_o subdivide_v and_o vote_v out_o till_o the_o whole_a parliament_n shall_v consist_v of_o the_o commissioner_n for_o rutherglen_n or_o the_o laird_n of_o or_o the_o earl_n of_o crawford_n nay_o why_o may_v not_o that_o one_o vote_v cut_v himself_o and_o leave_v the_o king_n without_o a_o parliament_n what_o a_o dangerous_a thing_n be_v it_o to_o shake_v foundation_n how_o do_v it_o unhinge_v all_o thing_n how_o plain_o do_v it_o pave_v the_o way_n for_o that_o which_o our_o brethren_n pretend_v to_o abhor_v so_o much_o viz._n a_o despotic_a power_n one_fw-mi absolute_a and_o unlimited_a monarchy_n but_o enough_o of_o this_o to_o conclude_v this_o point_n there_o be_v nothing_o more_o notorious_a than_o that_o the_o spiritual_a estate_n be_v still_o judge_v fundamental_a in_o the_o constitution_n of_o parliament_n be_v still_o call_v to_o parliament_n do_v still_o sit_v deliberate_a and_o vote_n in_o parliament_n till_o the_o year_n 1640_o that_o it_o be_v turn_v out_o by_o the_o then_o presbyterian_o and_o our_o present_a presbyterian_o follow_v their_o footstep_n have_v not_o only_o free_o part_v with_o but_o forward_o reject_v that_o ancient_n and_o valuable_a right_n of_o the_o church_n nay_o they_o have_v not_o only_o reject_v it_o but_o they_o declaim_v constant_o against_o it_o as_o a_o limb_n of_o antichrist_n and_o what_o not_o and_o have_v they_o not_o herein_o manifest_o deserted_n the_o undoubted_a principle_n and_o sentiment_n of_o our_o reformer_n it_o have_v be_v easy_a to_o have_v ennumerate_v a_o great_a many_o more_o of_o their_o notorious_a recession_n from_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o reformation_n e._n g._n i_o may_v have_v insist_v on_o their_o desert_v the_o principle_n and_o practice_n of_o our_o reformer_n about_o the_o constitution_n of_o general_n assembly_n about_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n about_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n power_n in_o church_n matter_n just_o or_o unjust_o be_v not_o the_o present_a question_n and_o many_o more_o thing_n of_o considerable_a importance_n nay_o which_o at_o first_o sight_n may_v seem_v a_o little_a strange_a as_o much_o as_o they_o may_v seem_v to_o have_v swallow_v down_o the_o principle_n of_o rebellion_n and_o arm_a resistance_n against_o lawful_a sovereign_a
the_o fundamental_a charter_n of_o presbytery_n as_o it_o have_v be_v late_o establish_v in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o scotland_n examine_v and_o disprove_v by_o the_o history_n record_n and_o public_a transaction_n of_o our_o nation_n together_o with_o a_o preface_n wherein_o the_o vindicator_n of_o the_o kirk_n be_v free_o put_v in_o mind_n of_o his_o habitual_a infirmity_n london_n print_v for_o c._n brome_n at_o the_o gun_n at_o the_o west_n end_v of_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1695._o the_o preface_n this_o article_n which_o i_o have_v now_o examine_v be_v no_o soon_o establish_v in_o our_o scottish_a claim_n of_o right_n than_o i_o turn_v serious_a to_o satisfy_v myself_o about_o it_o i_o think_v it_o concern_v i_o as_o a_o scottish_a man_n to_o understand_v as_o well_o as_o i_o can_v that_o which_o make_v such_o a_o figure_n in_o the_o original_a contract_n between_o king_n and_o people_n i_o think_v i_o be_v no_o less_o concern_v as_o a_o christian_a to_o be_v resolve_v about_o its_o merit_n i_o perceive_v it_o may_v ready_o affect_v my_o practice_n and_o though_o i_o abhor_v as_o hearty_o as_o any_o man_n all_o break_n of_o the_o church_n peace_n for_o rattle_n or_o nutshell_n yet_o i_o can_v not_o but_o reckon_v of_o it_o as_o a_o matter_n of_o conscience_n to_o i_o to_o endeavour_v to_o be_v sure_a that_o i_o build_v neither_o my_o faith_n nor_o my_o obedience_n in_o a_o matter_n of_o such_o consequence_n as_o i_o take_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n to_o be_v on_o a_o deceitful_a bottom_n perhaps_o i_o be_v bind_v to_o be_v inquisitive_a by_o some_o other_o reduplication_n not_o needful_a to_o be_v name_v i_o have_v not_o spend_v much_o application_n about_o it_o when_o i_o be_v satisfy_v and_o think_v i_o have_v ground_n to_o hope_n the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o nation_n after_o more_o deliberate_a researche_n may_v find_v it_o reasonable_a either_o to_o restore_v to_o the_o church_n her_o ancient_n and_o just_a government_n or_o settle_v the_o new_a one_o on_o some_o at_o least_o more_o specious_a basis._n but_o i_o be_v disappoint_v for_o three_o session_n of_o parliament_n be_v now_o over_o and_o the_o article_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v either_o retract_v or_o correct_v that_o on_o the_o contrary_a it_o have_v be_v still_o insist_v on_o and_o deem_v sufficient_a to_o support_v very_o weighty_a superstructure_n each_o session_n have_v erect_v some_o new_a thing_n or_o other_o upon_o it_o this_o with_o the_o importunity_n of_o some_o friend_n at_o last_o determine_v i_o to_o inquire_v more_o full_o and_o minutely_o into_o the_o value_n of_o the_o article_n and_o the_o work_n have_v swell_v to_o such_o a_o bulk_n as_o you_o see_v i_o confess_v i_o can_v apologise_v sufficient_o for_o my_o adventure_n to_o expose_v such_o one_fw-mi ill_a composure_n to_o the_o public_a view_n especial_o consider_v how_o nice_a and_o critical_a if_o not_o picq_v and_o humoursome_a a_o age_n we_o live_v in_o i_o ever_o think_v that_o much_o of_o the_o beauty_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o utility_n of_o book_n lay_v in_o good_a method_n and_o a_o distinct_a range_v of_o thought_n and_o i_o can_v promise_v that_o i_o have_v observe_v that_o so_o punctual_o as_o clear_a head_n may_v have_v do_v i_o have_v less_o reason_n to_o be_v confident_a of_o the_o style_n it_o be_v hard_a for_o most_o scottish_a man_n to_o arrive_v at_o any_o tolerable_a degree_n of_o english_a purity_n our_o great_a caution_n can_v prevent_v the_o steal_v of_o our_o own_o word_n and_o idiom_n into_o our_o pen_n and_o their_o drop_v thence_o into_o our_o write_n all_o thing_n consider_v i_o have_v as_o little_a reason_n to_o think_v i_o have_v guard_v or_o can_v guard_n against_o they_o as_o any_o scottish_a man_n for_o not_o only_o have_v my_o opportunity_n all_o my_o life_n be_v none_o of_o the_o best_a but_o for_o find_v material_n for_o the_o follow_a paper_n i_o be_v oblige_v to_o read_v so_o many_o book_n write_v in_o right_o broad_a scotch_a and_o take_v so_o many_o citation_n from_o they_o that_o it_o be_v little_a to_o be_v wonder_v if_o my_o book_n abound_v with_o scotticism_n i_o think_v myself_o bind_v to_o be_v faithful_a in_o my_o citation_n and_o i_o can_v promise_v i_o have_v be_v that_o i_o can_v not_o reason_n from_o the_o authority_n of_o these_o citation_n without_o use_v the_o term_n and_o phrase_n which_o be_v in_o they_o this_o no_o doubt_n make_v the_o scotticism_n numerous_a and_o i_o shall_v not_o deny_v that_o my_o familiar_a acquaintance_n with_o these_o book_n together_o with_o the_o prejudices_fw-la of_o education_n custom_n and_o constant_a converse_n in_o the_o plain_a scottish_a dialect_n may_v have_v occasion_v many_o more_o neither_o shall_v i_o be_v over_o confident_a that_o where_o i_o have_v adventure_v to_o reason_n any_o point_n i_o have_v do_v it_o to_o every_o man_n conviction_n i_o may_v have_v be_v as_o other_o man_n apt_a to_o impose_v on_o myself_o and_o think_v i_o have_v advance_v just_a proposition_n and_o draw_v fair_a consequence_n when_o i_o have_v not_o do_v it_o no_o doubt_n most_o man_n have_v such_o a_o kindness_n for_o themselves_o as_o too_o common_o incline_v they_o to_o applaud_v their_o own_o thought_n and_o judge_v their_o own_o reason_v just_a and_o solid_a when_o they_o be_v but_o coarse_a enough_o and_o other_o may_v very_o easy_o discover_v where_o the_o mistake_n lie_v yet_o this_o i_o can_v say_v for_o myself_o i_o have_v do_v what_o i_o can_v to_o guard_n against_o all_o such_o prejudice_n and_o partial_a bias_n sensible_n of_o these_o infirmity_n i_o entreat_v the_o reader_n favourable_a and_o benign_a censure_n this_o i_o can_v tell_v he_o ingenuous_o if_o i_o can_v have_v do_v better_a i_o shall_v not_o have_v grudge_v he_o the_o pleasure_n of_o it_o but_o perchance_o that_o which_o i_o be_o more_o concern_v to_o account_v for_o be_v what_o assistance_n i_o have_v for_o what_o i_o have_v advance_v in_o the_o follow_a sheet_n and_o here_o i_o must_v confess_v i_o have_v not_o all_o the_o advantage_n i_o can_v have_v wish_v such_o be_v my_o present_a circumstance_n that_o i_o can_v not_o rational_o propose_v to_o myself_o to_o have_v access_n to_o the_o public_a record_n either_o of_o church_n or_o state_n and_o no_o doubt_n in_o this_o i_o be_v at_o a_o considerable_a loss_n for_o he_o who_o transcribe_v from_o authentic_a record_n do_v it_o more_o secure_o than_o he_o who_o have_v thing_n only_o from_o second_o hand_n yet_o i_o do_v think_v this_o disadvantage_n be_v such_o as_o shall_v have_v entire_o discourage_v i_o from_o the_o attempt_n i_o have_v make_v for_o some_o of_o my_o author_n have_v access_n to_o the_o public_a register_n and_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o believe_v there_o be_v not_o much_o to_o be_v find_v there_o relate_v to_o the_o controversy_n i_o have_v manage_v which_o they_o have_v not_o publish_v so_o that_o though_o it_o be_v possible_a i_o may_v have_v be_v better_a yet_o i_o can_v think_v i_o be_v ill_o provide_v of_o help_n i_o can_v think_v any_o of_o my_o presbyterian_a brethren_n can_v be_v provide_v much_o better_a the_o principal_a author_n from_o which_o i_o have_v collect_v my_o material_n be_v these_o buchanan_n history_n publish_v at_o frankfort_n anno_fw-la 1594_o ieslie_n history_n at_o edinburgh_n 1675._o king_n james_n the_o sixth_n work_n in_o english_a at_o london_n 1616._o archbishop_n spotswood_n history_n of_o the_o reformation_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n at_o london_n anno_fw-la 1655._o his_o refutatio_fw-la libelli_fw-la etc._n etc._n lond._n an._n 1620._o the_o true_a history_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n etc._n etc._n say_v to_o be_v write_v by_o mr._n david_n calderwood_n publish_v an._n 1678._o mr._n petrie_n history_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n etc._n etc._n tom._n 2._o print_v at_o the_o hague_n anno_fw-la 1â—62_n sir_n james_n melvil_n memoir_n the_o old_a scottish_a liturgy_n the_o lord_n herbert_n history_n of_o the_o life_n of_o king_n henry_n 8._o doctor_n heylin_n and_o doctor_n burnet_n history_n of_o the_o reformation_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n calvin_n epistle_n print_v at_o geneva_n anno_fw-la 1617._o beza_n epistle_n till_o the_o year_n 1573._o act_n and_o monument_n by_o fox_n etc._n etc._n i_o have_v likewise_o consider_v our_o print_a act_n of_o parliament_n the_o print_a act_n of_o the_o general_a assembly_n from_o the_o year_n 1638._o and_o as_o many_o pamphlet_n as_o i_o can_v find_v relate_v to_o the_o matter_n on_o which_o i_o insist_v it_o be_v needless_a to_o name_v they_o here_o you_o may_v find_v they_o name_v as_o occasion_n require_v in_o my_o book_n there_o be_v two_o book_n which_o i_o must_v insist_v on_o a_o little_a one_o be_v a_o manuscript_n copy_n of_o the_o act_n of_o our_o scottish_a assembly_n from_o