most_o of_o the_o foresaid_a proposition_n all_o these_o popular_a and_o tumultuary_a engagement_n be_v in_o their_o very_a essence_n combination_n among_o factious_a subject_n without_o and_o against_o the_o know_a will_n and_o consent_n of_o supreme_a authority_n and_o that_o not_o to_o caâ—â—y_v on_o or_o pursue_v laudbale_n and_o settle_a law_n but_o without_o all_o parallel_n to_o reverse_v and_o repeal_v establish_v and_o stand_a law_n against_o the_o royal_a will_n of_o our_o sovereign_a lawgiver_n and_o therefore_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o most_o rigid_a at_o this_o day_n acknowledge_v to_o have_v have_v much_o sin_n in_o they_o upon_o this_o very_a score_n much_o may_v be_v say_v in_o discovery_n of_o the_o sinfulness_n and_o unlawfulnesse_n of_o these_o late_a covenant_n and_o oath_n not_o only_o in_o regard_n of_o their_o efficient_a cause_n as_o make_v by_o subject_n against_o the_o will_n of_o their_o sovereign_n in_o such_o thing_n as_o necessary_o require_v his_o consent_n but_o further_o in_o respect_n of_o their_o subject-matter_n as_o be_v guilty_a of_o high_a injustice_n to_o the_o right_n of_o the_o king_n both_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o combination_n without_o he_o and_o of_o conditional_a allegiance_n to_o and_o preservation_n of_o he_o as_o also_o the_o alter_n of_o religion_n establish_v by_o law_n without_o his_o consent_n and_o as_o engage_v to_o accuse_v all_o malignant_n not_o accept_v a_o man_n own_o self_n and_o to_o endeavour_v that_o all_o such_o may_v be_v bring_v to_o punishment_n without_o hope_n of_o mercy_n or_o pardon_n bind_v also_o to_o pull_v down_o the_o establish_a church-government_n before_o agreement_n upon_o another_o and_o every_o man_n to_o go_v before_o another_o in_o the_o example_n of_o reformation_n without_o either_o wait_a for_o the_o minister_n to_o direct_v or_o magistrate_n authority_n to_o lead_v the_o way_n then_o these_o what_o can_v be_v more_o unjust_a bind_v also_o to_o impossibility_n as_o to_o defend_v and_o assist_v all_z that_o engage_v into_o these_o oâ—tâ—s_n and_o never_o to_o offer_v their_o opinion_n to_o neutrality_n or_o indifferency_n the_o very_a take_v also_o of_o these_o oath_n be_v in_o fact_n direct_o contradicent_fw-la to_o the_o formal_a word_n thereof_o for_o whereas_o they_o swear_v to_o extirpate_v schism_n and_o faction_n and_o to_o preserve_v the_o liberty_n of_o the_o kingdom_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o king_n the_o very_a take_n and_o enforce_v of_o these_o oath_n be_v a_o vow_a schism_n from_o their_o mother-church_n a_o swear_a faction_n against_o their_o more_o loyal_a neighbour_n the_o great_a prejudice_n to_o the_o liberty_n of_o the_o kingdom_n the_o take_n of_o these_o be_v destructive_a to_o all_o legal_a public_a liberty_n and_o the_o high_a contempt_n that_o can_v be_v offer_v to_o the_o king_n authority_n as_o appear_v not_o only_o from_o what_o be_v abovesaid_a but_o further_a in_o this_o that_o some_o of_o these_o oath_n do_v engage_v absolute_o to_o preserve_v the_o power_n of_o parliament_n but_o the_o king_n person_n and_o authority_n with_o reservation_n for_o this_o end_n forsooth_o that_o the_o world_n may_v judge_v of_o their_o loyalty_n and_o how_o they_o have_v no_o intention_n to_o diminish_v his_o just_a power_n but_o leave_v this_o short_a word_n by_o enlarge_n on_o these_o and_o such_o like_a peccancy_n of_o these_o late_a covenant-oath_n shall_v swell_v into_o a_o volume_n we_o shall_v forhear_v nor_o shall_v we_o speak_v of_o the_o unparalelled_a fraud_n and_o force_n practise_v in_o impose_v these_o oath_n upon_o honest_a and_o wel-meaning_n subject_n neither_o of_o the_o grand_a impostur_n whereby_o factious_a and_o self-designing_a man_n do_v specious_o usher-in_a and_o drive-on_a their_o own_o base_a carnal_a interest_n under_o the_o colour_n of_o the_o interest_n of_o jesus_n christ_n in_o our_o sadly-experienced_n late_a tragedy_n and_o shall_v brief_o draw_v a_o corrolary_n from_o these_o above-specified_n proposition_n concern_v the_o point_n of_o episcopal_a government_n in_o this_o church_n and_o the_o sâ—eming_a obligation_n of_o the_o subject_n in_o this_o land_n by_o their_o oath_n and_o vow_n against_o it_o and_o it_o be_v this_o 1._o that_o these_o oath_n in_o the_o first_o place_n be_v in_o the_o judgement_n of_o many_o of_o the_o most_o sober_a and_o learned_a simple_o sinful_a and_o unjust_a upon_o the_o score_n of_o their_o tendency_n to_o the_o extirpation_n of_o that_o form_n of_o church-government_n which_o they_o conceive_v to_o be_v of_o divine_a right_n and_o institution_n so_o that_o in_o order_n to_o all_o these_o who_o be_v then_o or_o be_v yet_o of_o persuasion_n that_o episcopacyis_n jure_fw-la divino_fw-la these_o oath_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v any_o wise_a in_o point_n of_o conscience_n bind_v and_o sure_a more_o may_v be_v say_v for_o a_o divine_a right_n and_o institution_n of_o a_o imparity_n in_o degree_n and_o even_o in_o office_n among_o church-guides_a and_o so_o for_o episcopacy_n then_o can_v be_v for_o any_o other_o form_n or_o model_n of_o church-government_n in_o the_o world_n but_o second_o pass_v this_o and_o suppose_v only_o episcopal_a government_n to_o have_v be_v upon_o the_o matter_n indifferent_a as_o i_o trust_v the_o more_o modest_a sober_a and_o moderate_a will_v ready_o acknowledge_v then_o for_o subject_n to_o engage_v by_o covenant_n or_o oath_n for_o the_o utter_a extirpation_n thereof_o without_o the_o concurrence_n of_o supreme_a authority_n nay_o and_o against_o the_o consent_n and_o express_v will_n of_o the_o sovereign_a magistrate_n and_o the_o establish_a stand_v law_n of_o this_o kingdom_n of_o which_o the_o king_n alone_o be_v the_o fountain_n and_o origine_fw-la cum_fw-la ipse_fw-la sit_fw-la author_n juris_fw-la ut_fw-la bracton_n lib._n 3._o troth_n 1._o c._n 9_o and_o as_o another_o eminent_a in_o law_n say_v well_o vita_fw-la &_o caput_fw-la &_o autoritas_fw-la in_o principe_fw-la est_fw-la omnium_fw-la quae_fw-la in_o republica_fw-la agi_fw-la solent_fw-la how_o sinful_a then_o must_v needs_o these_o oath_n and_o engagement_n have_v be_v how_o contrary_a to_o the_o just_a right_n of_o the_o sovereign_n who_o in_o adiaphoris_n and_o indifferent_n be_v acknowledge_v by_o all_o to_o be_v summus_n &_o supremus_fw-la arbiter_n and_o therefore_o how_o invalid_a and_o insufficient_a as_o to_o obligation_n upon_o any_o who_o have_v be_v ensnare_v by_o they_o be_v obvious_a to_o every_o eye_n that_o will_v not_o shut_v itself_o against_o convince_a light_n how_o much_o also_o such_o be_v concern_v hearty_o to_o homologat_n and_o close_o with_o his_o majesti_n gracious_a resolution_n in_o the_o present_a setlement_n of_o this_o long_o toss_v church_n be_v as_o apparent_a but_o three_o as_o to_o the_o most_o rigid_a who_o to_o the_o admiration_n of_o the_o true_o sober_a will_v assert_v a_o intrinsical_v unlawfulnesse_n and_o sinfulness_n in_o episcopal_a government_n however_o so_o well_o regulate_v i_o say_v that_o even_o their_o oath_n for_o the_o extirpation_n of_o episcopal_a government_n can_v oblige_v even_o as_o to_o they_o be_v that_o for_o private_a subject_n by_o themselves_o to_o endeavour_v to_o establish_v or_o prefer_v any_o new_a law_n however_o so_o just_a and_o laudable_a in_o itself_o or_o to_o reverse_v and_o rescind_v any_o stand_a law_n however_o so_o unjust_a and_o sinful_a against_o or_o without_o the_o sovereign_n will_n and_o royal_a conseâ—â—_n be_v heinous_o sinful_a and_o rebellious_a and_o in_o itself_o and_o fine_a operis_fw-la plain_o anarchical_a and_o eversive_a of_o all_o government_n whatsoever_o and_o i_o trust_v no_o oath_n to_o act_v rebellion_n sin_n or_o anarchy_n will_v be_v suppose_v by_o any_o sober_a to_o be_v bind_v unless_o it_o be_v to_o a_o speedy_a and_o hearty_a repentance_n so_o that_o even_o the_o engagement_n and_o oath_n of_o those_o who_o be_v most_o rigid_a in_o this_o matter_n be_v in_o themselves_o beyond_o all_o contradiction_n sinful_a and_o therefore_o can_v in_o no_o way_n be_v obligative_n even_o as_o to_o those_o so_o that_o upon_o what_o ever_o account_n else_o it_o may_v be_v that_o it_o please_v some_o man_n zealous_o to_o engage_v against_o episcopacy_n in_o its_o present_a setlement_n and_o re-establishment_n it_o can_v be_v upon_o the_o value_n of_o their_o oath_n as_o they_o will_v make_v simple_a people_n to_o believe_v as_o if_o that_o be_v a_o indispensablety_n stress_v their_o conscience_n that_o be_v in_o its_o own_o nature_n sinful_a all_o combination_n without_o sovereign_a consent_n be_v such_o as_o themselves_o will_v now_o free_o acknowledge_v and_o therefore_o they_o can_v but_o see_v themselves_o in_o conscience_n oblige_v to_o reverse_v and_o mourn_v for_o these_o their_o sinful_a oath_n and_o to_o deal_v a_o little_a free_o so_o much_o talk_v of_o oath_n and_o indispensable_a oath_n with_o the_o frequent_a threat_n of_o the_o danger_n of_o perjury_n which_o have_v be_v so_o much_o thunder_v out_o to_o fright_v wel-meaning_n and_o tender_a christian_n can_v
a_o brief_a resolution_n of_o the_o present_a case_n of_o the_o subject_n of_o scotland_n in_o order_n to_o episcopal_a government_n by_o sacred_a authority_n reestablish_v in_o this_o kingdom_n or_o episcopus_fw-la scoticanus_n redivivus_fw-la for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o the_o people_n authore_fw-la phil-alethio_a hos_fw-la 10._o 4._o they_o have_v speak_v word_n swear_v false_o in_o make_v a_o covenant_n thus_o judgement_n spring_v up_o as_o hemlock_n in_o the_o furrow_n of_o the_o field_n numb_a 30._o 5_o 8_o 12_o 13_o 15_o 16._o if_o the_o husband_n or_o father_n shall_v any_o wise_a disallow_v of_o the_o vow_n or_o oath_n of_o his_o wife_n or_o daughter_n after_o that_o he_o have_v hear_v they_o they_o do_v become_v void_a and_o neither_o stand_v nor_o bind_v and_o the_o lord_n shall_v forgive_v she_o because_o the_o husband_n or_o father_n disallow_v she_o print_a in_o the_o year_n 1661._o a_o brief_a resolution_n of_o the_o present_a case_n of_o the_o subject_n of_o scotland_n in_o order_n to_o episcopal_a government_n re-establish_v by_o sacred_a authority_n in_o this_o kingdom_n case_n whether_o the_o liege_n of_o scotland_n have_v any_o real_a necessity_n impose_v on_o they_o by_o any_o oath_n or_o covenant_n to_o any_o just_a scruple_v of_o close_v with_o episcopacy_n to_o which_o by_o sacred_a authority_n this_o kingdom_n be_v late_o restore_v with_o what_o caution_n and_o wariness_n man_n ought_v to_o embark_v themselves_o in_o all_o manner_n of_o engagement_n need_v not_o much_o oil_n or_o labour_n spend_v upon_o the_o enquiry_n scripture_n alone_o be_v sufficient_o able_a to_o instruct_v we_o sometime_o term_v it_o a_o bond_n ezek._n 20_o 37._o sometime_o a_o snare_n prov._n 6._o 2._o and_o very_o he_o who_o do_v unadvised_o engage_v do_v many_o a_o time_n entangle_v himself_o in_o a_o intrigue_n of_o inextricable_a difficulty_n out_o of_o which_o he_o can_v so_o easy_o wind_v himself_o especial_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o oath_n in_o the_o time_n of_o popular_a confusion_n man_n then_o be_v â—noxious_a to_o so_o many_o precipice_n of_o danger_n in_o make_v shipwreck_n of_o conscience_n through_o error_n and_o misprision_a on_o the_o one_o hand_n with_o fear_n and_o force_n on_o the_o other_o we_o need_v not_o much_o range_v abroad_o in_o the_o inquest_n after_o witness_n to_o this_o truth_n our_o own_o homebred_a late_a popular_a covenant_n and_o engagement_n bear_v so_o much_o lamentable_a evidence_n of_o it_o upon_o they_o to_o this_o very_a day_n whileas_o these_o be_v still_o make_v use_n of_o as_o the_o master-engine_n of_o some_o polypragmatick-male-content_n for_o stave_a of_o honest_a and_o well-meaning_a people_n from_o that_o duty_n they_o owe_v to_o god_n their_o mother-church_n and_o our_o gracious_a and_o undoubted_a sovereign_n by_o make_v it_o their_o constant_a and_o zealous_a endeavour_n to_o invegle_v the_o people_n by_o present_v these_o as_o indispensable_a bond_n which_o be_v indeed_o but_o so_o many_o snare_n and_o so_o many_o flaxen_a fetter_n and_o cobweb_n which_o themselves_o in_o the_o most_o essential_a point_n do_v break_v through_o at_o pleasure_n as_o god-willing_o shall_v be_v make_v clear_o to_o appear_v in_o the_o sequel_n of_o this_o discourse_n and_o yet_o amuse_v the_o vulgar_a who_o reach_v not_o to_o the_o depth_n of_o thing_n as_o if_o these_o be_v inviolable_a and_o indissoluble_a sacred_a wyth_n wherein_o they_o must_v lie_v tie_v neck_n and_o heel_n that_o therefore_o we_o may_v make_v appear_v how_o far_o the_o late_a oath_n covenant_n etc._n etc._n whereby_o the_o people_n of_o this_o land_n do_v engage_v themselves_o against_o episcopal_a government_n in_o this_o church_n do_v bound_v and_o how_o far_o they_o may_v be_v dispense_v with_o as_o to_o a_o after-performance_n and_o so_o whether_o to_o be_v reckon_v among_o sacred_a bond_n or_o sinful_a snare_n i_o shall_v howbeit_o asmuch_o have_v be_v already_o say_v to_o discover_v the_o sinfulness_n and_o invalidity_n of_o these_o oath_n etc._n etc._n by_o his_o late_a majesty_n of_o immortal_a memory_n in_o his_o admirable_a book_n and_o debate_n etc._n etc._n and_o by_o the_o learned_a &_o renown_a doctor_n of_o aberdene_n in_o their_o demand_n &_o duply_n as_o may_v put_v to_o silence_v all_o those_o who_o together_o with_o their_o duty_n have_v not_o forfault_v a_o sober_a rational_a mind_n lay_v down_o very_o brief_o some_o few_o irrefragable_a proposition_n concern_v the_o bindingnesse_n of_o oath_n and_o covenant_n in_o the_o general_a from_o which_o i_o shall_v draw_v a_o resolution_n of_o the_o case_n in_o hand_n by_o way_n of_o corrolary_n and_o then_o leave_v it_o upon_o the_o sober_a and_o impartial_a consideration_n of_o all_o un-prejudged_n to_o resolve_v whether_o these_o covenant-engagement_n be_v the_o indispensable_a oath_n of_o god_n as_o some_o â—o_o usual_o phrase_n it_o for_o amuse_v the_o simple_a or_o not_o as_o for_o these_o pâ—nciples_n and_o proposition_n which_o i_o trust_v may_v infer_v a_o full_a and_o satisfactory_a solution_n of_o the_o present_a case_n i_o shall_v study_v brevity_n reduce_v they_o all_o to_o these_o eight_o follow_v propos_fw-fr jma_fw-la there_o be_v this_o first_o proposition_n no_o man_n may_v swear_v or_o by_o subtlety_n or_o violence_n induce_v other_o to_o swear_v unlawful_o this_o be_v full_a of_o evidence_n none_o be_v free_a to_o sin_n or_o any-wise_a to_o engage_v other_o to_o sin_n but_o to_o swear_v or_o to_o induce_v another_o by_o any_o mean_n to_o swear_v unlawful_o be_v beyond_o all_o peradventure_o sinful_a and_o therefore_o etc._n etc._n but_o we_o leave_v this_o on_o its_o own_o evidence_n and_o go_v to_o the_o next_o propos_fw-fr 2da_fw-la there_o be_v this_o second_o proposition_n that_o be_v not_o a_o lawful_a or_o justifiable_a oath_n which_o be_v not_o attend_v with_o truth_n righteousness_n and_o judgement_n this_o proposition_n be_v borrow_v from_o the_o prophet_n jeremiah_n jer._n 4._o 2._o thou_o shall_v swear_v the_o lord_n live_v in_o truth_n in_o righteousness_n and_o in_o judgement_n where_o we_o find_v the_o holy_a ghost_n lay_v down_o three_o grand_a qualification_n of_o a_o lawful_a oath_n viz._n 1._o that_o it_o be_v in_o truth_n which_o require_v not_o only_o that_o the_o thing_n swear_v be_v true_a but_o also_o candour_n and_o sincerity_n in_o the_o undertake_n without_o all_o falsehood_n and_o double-mindednesse_a 2._o that_o it_o be_v in_o righteousness_n which_o require_v that_o the_o thing_n swear_v be_v just_a and_o in_o itself_o lawful_a to_o be_v undertake_v which_o be_v all_o one_o with_o that_o which_o judicious_a casuist_n speak_v viz._n that_o the_o oath_n be_v undertake_v super_fw-la re_fw-la licitâ_fw-la since_o god_n be_v not_o to_o be_v assume_v either_o for_o witness_n or_o overseer_n of_o a_o thing_n simple_o unjust_a as_o if_o the_o matter_n swear_v be_v unlawful_a he_o be_v who_o be_v a_o god_n of_o most_o pure_a eye_n and_o can_v behold_v iniquity_n and_o moreover_o because_o it_o bind_v a_o man_n to_o the_o do_v of_o a_o thing_n which_o yet_o the_o very_a intrinsical_a condition_n of_o the_o matter_n refuse_v a_o performance_n of_o upon_o this_o ground_n herod_n be_v not_o bind_v notwithstanding_o his_o promise_n and_o oath_n to_o deliver_v the_o baptist_n head_n to_o herodias_n her_o daughter_n no_o more_o be_v these_o forty_o conspirator_n against_o st._n paul_n act._n 23._o 12_o 13_o etc._n etc._n neither_o david_n by_o his_o have_v swear_v and_o vow_v the_o destruction_n of_o churlish_a nabal_n 1_o sam._n 25._o 22_o etc._n etc._n and_o then_o 3._o that_o it_o be_v in_o judgement_n which_o require_v that_o the_o thing_n undertake_v by_o oath_n be_v not_o unmeet_a and_o undue_a to_o be_v perform_v but_o due_a and_o convenient_a and_z which_o be_v most_o import_v that_o it_o be_v deliberate_o and_o pensiculate_o set_v about_o these_o three_o qualification_n be_v ingredient_n absolute_o necessary_a for_o constitute_v a_o lawful_a oath_n be_v that_o it_o be_v intrinsical_o sinful_a to_o swear_v either_o false_o or_o unjust_o or_o to_o swear_v the_o performance_n of_o that_o which_o be_v unmeet_a and_o inconvenient_a to_o be_v undertake_v as_o also_o to_o engage_v rash_o unadvised_o and_o without_o deliberation_n into_o any_o covenant_n or_o oath_n whatsoever_o but_o propos_fw-fr 3ia_fw-la there_o be_v this_o three_o proposition_n a_o promissory_n oath_n which_o be_v undertake_v to_o the_o certain_a prejudice_n of_o another_o man_n just_a right_n can_v be_v attend_v with_o justice_n this_o need_v not_o much_o debate_n upon_o its_o evidence_n be_v that_o justitia_fw-la tribuit_fw-la â—uique_fw-la snum_fw-la justice_n be_v a_o virtue_n whereby_o to_o every_o man_n his_o due_a and_o own_o be_v render_v if_o therefore_o any_o oath_n engage_v to_o the_o performance_n of_o that_o which_o do_v clear_o prejudge_v any_o other_o in_o that_o which_o be_v his_o due_a and_o just_a right_n it_o be_v a_o unrighteous_a oath_n and_o because_o of_o its_o injustice_n be_v
of_o itself_o vacate_v from_o be_v bind_v or_o obligatory_a but_o propos_fw-fr 4ta_fw-la there_o be_v this_o four_o proposition_n no_o prejudice_n or_o violence_n do_v to_o the_o right_n of_o any_o other_o man_n can_v be_v so_o high_o dangerous_a and_o sinful_a as_o that_o prejudice_n and_o violence_n which_o be_v do_v to_o the_o just_a right_n of_o the_o supreme_a magistrate_n and_o his_o sovereign_a authority_n this_o be_v undeniable_o irrefragable_a for_o in_o so_o far_o as_o the_o public_a interest_n be_v beyond_o the_o private_a in_o regard_n of_o worth_n and_o excellence_n and_o as_o to_o intemerable_a preservation_n so_o far_o be_v the_o prejudice_n do_v to_o the_o just_a right_n of_o the_o sovereign_a magistrate_n and_o his_o authority_n incomparable_o sinful_a beyond_o what_o can_v be_v do_v to_o the_o right_n of_o any_o private_a subject_n or_o subject_n whatsoever_o but_o propos_fw-fr 5ta_fw-la there_o be_v this_o five_o proposition_n the_o just_a right_n of_o the_o 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and_o ruin_n of_o all_o government_n and_o supreme_a power_n so_o that_o any_o who_o will_v may_v by_o a_o confederacy_n rebel_n upon_o one_o pretext_n or_o another_o hence_o it_o be_v evident_a there_o can_v be_v no_o great_a encroachment_n upon_o no_o high_a prejudice_n do_v unto_o sovereign_a authority_n then_o for_o subject_n in_o any-wise_a to_o combine_v or_o bound_v themselves_o against_o the_o supreme_a royal_a will_n and_o without_o consent_n of_o the_o sovereign_n and_o if_o it_o be_v so_o high_a a_o prejudice_n do_v to_o the_o just_a right_n of_o the_o sovereign_n for_o subject_n in_o any_o case_n to_o combine_v or_o confederate_n without_o he_o be_v it_o even_o to_o the_o carry_v on_o of_o stand_v and_o know_a law_n what_o a_o heinous_a injury_n must_v it_o infer_v upon_o the_o sovereign_n just_a right_n for_o subject_n to_o combine_v for_o the_o reverse_v and_o repeal_n of_o establish_a and_o stand_a law_n without_o nay_o and_o forcible_o against_o royal_a command_n be_v not_o this_o the_o most_o superlative_a and_o transcendent_a prejudice_n which_o can_v be_v do_v to_o the_o just_a right_n of_o the_o supreme_a authority_n but_o here_o now_o that_o we_o may_v a_o little_a more_o unfold_v this_o proposition_n it_o will_v be_v notice_v that_o it_o be_v deem_v a_o favourable_a plea_n by_o some_o for_o subject_n though_o in_o no_o case_n else_o yet_o in_o the_o concern_v of_o religion_n to_o combine_v and_o confederate_n without_o the_o allowance_n or_o consent_n of_o sovereign_a authority_n for_o redress_v abuse_n and_o reform_a disorder_n therein_o especial_o when_o the_o supreme_a magistrate_n be_v require_v thereto_o do_v deny_v his_o concurrence_n and_o withhold_v the_o shoulder_n but_o such_o man_n they_o be_v not_o aware_a that_o in_o this_o they_o join_v issue_n with_o fanatic_a anabaptist_n and_o the_o bloody_a of_o the_o pope_n devotionary_n who_o with_o they_o in_o this_o resemble_v sampson_n fox_n be_v link_v together_o by_o the_o tail_n though_o their_o head_n look_v different_a way_n and_o with_o they_o cry_v up_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o carry_v on_o a_o reformation_n in_o religion_n by_o outward_a force_n and_o violence_n so_o much_o contrary_n to_o the_o way_n and_o word_n of_o god_n joh._n 18._o 36._o my_o kingdom_n be_v not_o of_o this_o world_n etc._n etc._n if_o it_o be_v my_o servant_n will_v fight_v where_o bless_a christ_n jesus_n do_v plain_o insinuate_v that_o his_o kingdom_n be_v spiritual_a can_v must_v not_o be_v advance_v with_o temporal_a arm_n for_o the_o weapon_n of_o the_o christian_n warfare_n be_v not_o carnal_a but_o spiritual_a 2_o cor._n 10._o 4._o there_o be_v no_o command_n from_o christ_n to_o kill_v and_o slay_v the_o common_a enemy_n of_o our_o religion_n but_o contrariwise_o to_o pray_v for_o our_o persecuter_n and_o not_o to_o resist_v evil_a matth._n 5._o 44._o see_v also_o other_o scripture_n such_o as_o zech._n 4._o 6._o 1_o tim._n 6._o 2._o and_o 2_o tim._n 2._o 25_o etc._n etc._n nay_o and_o this_o course_n it_o be_v against_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o religion_n itself_o for_o faith_n which_o be_v the_o soul_n of_o religion_n be_v a_o inward_a act_n of_o the_o soul_n which_o all_o the_o force_n in_o the_o world_n can_v neither_o plant_v nor_o extirpate_v â—am_fw-la suddenda_fw-la non_fw-la cogenda_fw-la est_fw-la conformable_a to_o this_o be_v the_o constant_a doctrine_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o pious_a sober_a primitive_a church_n which_o have_v learn_v better_a what_o belong_v to_o authority_n then_o to_o resist_v the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n even_o in_o a_o heathen_a caesar_n who_o religion_n enjoin_v they_o not_o to_o kill_v but_o to_o be_v kill_v for_o it_o nor_o be_v this_o for_o want_n of_o ability_n but_o of_o authority_n as_o we_o read_v in_o the_o most_o ancient_a apologist_n for_o the_o christian_a faith_n such_o as_o arnob._n lactant._n cyprian_n count_v demetr_v tertull._n in_o apol_n &_o ad_fw-la scap._n just_n in_o tryph._n august_n in_o psalm_n 144._o ambros_n in_o luc_fw-fr 22._o 38._o athan._n epist_n ad_fw-la solit_fw-la vitam_fw-la agentes_fw-la etc._n etc._n then_o further_o popular_a reformation_n or_o covenant_v for_o reformation_n of_o religion_n without_o concurrence_n of_o the_o supreme_a magistrate_n have_v no_o warrantable_a precedent_n but_o rather_o to_o the_o contrary_a in_o sacred_a writ_n see_v those_o scripture_n at_o convenience_n deut._n 29._o 2_o 10_o 11_o 12_o etc._n etc._n josh_n 24._o 25._o 2_o king_n 23._o 23._o 2_o chron._n 15._o 8_o 12._o and_o cap._n 29._o 3_o 10._o and_o cap._n 34._o 31_o 32._o ezra_n 10._o 3_o 4_o 5._o in_o all_o which_o and_o in_o many_o the_o like_a you_o have_v ever_o the_o chief_a magistrate_n moses_n joshua_n hezekiah_n josiah_n etc._n etc._n concur_v or_o rather_o go_v before_o the_o people_n as_o their_o place_n require_v in_o the_o several_a reformation_n therein_o mentionate_a but_o no_o where_o the_o people_n covenant_v upon_o a_o reformation_n of_o religion_n 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consent_n but_o sure_o this_o as_o it_o
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of_o this_o church_n be_v recover_v into_o those_o hand_n out_o of_o which_o it_o be_v wrest_v by_o violence_n and_o injustice_n and_o what_o a_o needless_a noise_n be_v it_o that_o be_v so_o much_o raise_v by_o the_o zealous_a clamour_n of_o some_o against_o episcopacy_n may_v it_o not_o be_v remember_v that_o it_o be_v declare_v by_o the_o contriver_n and_o abettor_n of_o the_o covenant_n in_o its_o first_o rise_n that_o though_o they_o suppose_v episcopacy_n to_o be_v against_o law_n in_o scotland_n yet_o they_o do_v not_o require_v any_o by_o take_v of_o the_o covenant_n to_o abjure_v it_o but_o that_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o shall_v be_v forbear_v and_o the_o matter_n refer_v to_o a_o free_a general_n assembly_n see_v minister_n answ_n to_o the_o 4._o dem_fw-ge of_o the_o doctor_n of_o aberdene_n and_o one_o will_v think_v that_o the_o edge_n of_o such_o preposterous_a zeal_n may_v have_v be_v rather_o blunt_v then_o sharpen_v by_o these_o last_o three_o and_o twenty_o year_n 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which_o have_v be_v still_o own_v in_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n when_o order_n and_o government_n do_v overtop_v faction_n and_o interest_n and_o ever_o still_o till_o sedition_n tumult_n insurrection_n and_o rebellion_n do_v go_v current_n for_o discipline_n and_o order_n and_o in_o a_o word_n a_o government_n which_o by_o the_o universal_a consent_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christendom_n both_o in_o asia_n africa_n grece_n russia_n and_o other_o part_n of_o europe_n that_o never_o acknowledge_v any_o subjection_n to_o or_o dependence_n upon_o the_o see_v of_o rome_n have_v be_v constant_o embrace_v and_o the_o opugner_n of_o it_o general_o brand_v for_o heretic_n which_o of_o all_o other_o form_n have_v undoubt_v the_o best_a title_n to_o divine_a or_o apostolical_a institution_n against_o which_o nothing_o be_v or_o ever_o can_v be_v object_v but_o the_o humane_a infirmity_n and_o personal_a fail_n of_o some_o particular_a man_n from_o which_o no_o government_n be_v or_o can_v be_v total_o exempt_v and_o privilege_v which_o in_o the_o most_o of_o these_o few_o church_n who_o want_v it_o some_z whereof_z be_v under_o the_o want_n of_o bishop_n because_o they_o can_v tell_v how_o to_o come_v by_o they_o their_o prince_n be_v of_o a_o different_a religion_n and_o so_o will_v allow_v none_o but_o of_o their_o own_o other_o there_o be_v who_o be_v willing_o without_o they_o because_o settle_v in_o such_o a_o government_n as_o they_o find_v most_o suitable_a to_o a_o popular_a state_n and_o dare_v not_o venture_v upon_o a_o change_n all_o other_o enjoy_v the_o felicity_n of_o episcopal_a government_n either_o the_o thing_n and_o name_n both_o or_o else_o the_o thing_n under_o another_o name_n viz._n superintendent_o inspector_n &c._n &c._n by_o their_o best_a and_o able_a minister_n have_v be_v frequent_o desire_v our_o practice_n sure_a be_v without_o all_o parallel_n in_o that_o never_o do_v we_o read_v of_o any_o church_n before_o a_o mislead_v faction_n in_o this_o our_o church_n of_o scotland_n that_o ever_o turn_v out_o their_o bishop_n if_o they_o be_v of_o the_o same_o religion_n vow_v to_o root_v they_o out_o by_o the_o sword_n contrary_a to_o the_o command_n of_o the_o supreme_a lawful_a magistrate_n so_o that_o we_o must_v needs_o accuse_v all_o the_o world_n beside_o ourselves_o of_o folly_n antichristianism_n and_o ignorance_n or_o then_o resolve_v to_o forbear_v our_o peevish_a quarrelling_n against_o this_o government_n of_o the_o church_n by_o bishop_n to_o which_o through_o god_n mercy_n and_o his_o majesty_n care_n this_o break_a church_n be_v again_o restore_v to_o all_o the_o former_a it_o may_v be_v add_v that_o in_o all_o the_o bible_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v sound_n that_o the_o power_n either_o of_o ordination_n of_o jurisdiction_n ever_o be_v exercise_v by_o a_o singl_n presbytery_n yea_o and_o it_o be_v none_o of_o the_o least_o of_o doubt_n whether_o there_o be_v mention_n of_o any_o judicial_a consistory_n of_o single_a presbyter_n simpliciter_fw-la pares_fw-la in_o all_o sacred_a writ_n without_o delegation_n from_o and_o in_o a_o dependence_n upon_o a_o superior_a power_n reside_v in_o a_o single_a person_n if_o then_o the_o design_n of_o some_o zelots_n against_o episcopacy_n may_v not_o seem_v to_o have_v worse_o at_o the_o bottom_n and_o do_v not_o tend_v to_o lead_v subject_n into_o misconstruction_n of_o his_o majesty_n gracious_a intention_n let_v the_o impartial_a determine_v so_o that_o to_o draw_v towards_o a_o conclusion_n we_o may_v see_v how_o contrary_a such_o oath_n and_o vow_n be_v to_o the_o duty_n which_o good_a subject_n by_o virtue_n of_o their_o relation_n and_o as_o subject_n they_o owe_v to_o their_o sovereign_n how_o contrary_a to_o due_a allegiance_n how_o obstructive_a and_o repugnant_a to_o the_o performance_n of_o the_o great_a moral_a duty_n of_o obedience_n due_a by_o subject_n to_o supreme_a authority_n and_o the_o establish_a law_n thereof_o as_o also_o how_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o welfare_n of_o the_o church_n and_o state_n we_o live_v in_o and_o