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book_n begin_n famous_a great_a 33 3 2.1248 3 false
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A59435 The fundamental charter of Presbytery as it hath been lately established in the kingdom of Scotland examin'd and disprov'd by the history, records, and publick transactions of our nation : together with a preface, wherein the vindicator of the Kirk is freely put in mind of his habitual infirmities. Sage, John, 1652-1711. 1695 (1695) Wing S286; ESTC R33997 278,278 616

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may_v believe_v calderwood_n 76._o but_o neither_o the_o ms._n nor_o petrie_n have_v it_o 2._o the_o archbishop_n of_o st._n andrews_n be_v absent_a full_a power_n be_v give_v to_o m._n robert_n pont_n m._n james_n lawson_n david_n ferguson_n and_o the_o superintendent_n of_o lothian_n conjunct_o to_o cite_v he_o before_o they_o against_o such_o day_n or_o day_n as_o they_o shall_v think_v good_a to_o try_v and_o examine_v his_o entry_n and_o proceed_n etc._n etc._n with_o power_n also_o to_o summon_v the_o chapter_n of_o st._n andrews_n or_o so_o many_o of_o that_o chapter_n as_o they_o shall_v judge_v expedient_a and_o the_o ordainer_n or_o inaugurer_n of_o the_o say_a archbishop_n observe_v here_o the_o bishop_n in_o these_o time_n be_v ordain_v or_o inaugurate_v as_o they_o shall_v find_v good_a for_o the_o better_a trial_n of_o the_o premise_n and_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n to_o discharge_v he_o of_o further_a visitation_n till_o he_o shall_v be_v admit_v by_o the_o church_n 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coronation_n for_o i_o think_v none_o other_o can_v do_v it_o but_o the_o king_n and_o if_o so_o he_o must_v do_v it_o as_o king_n otherwise_o another_o may_v do_v it_o but_o then_o though_o i_o have_v grant_v our_o author_n this_o much_o that_o the_o rightful_a successor_n be_v king_n before_o he_o take_v the_o oath_n i_o think_v no_o reason_n can_v oblige_v i_o to_o grant_v what_o follow_v viz._n that_o the_o same_o may_v be_v say_v of_o one_o choose_a and_o proclaim_v by_o the_o supreme_a authority_n of_o the_o nation_n which_o be_v the_o case_n now_o in_o hand_n for_o not_o to_o insist_v on_o the_o liberty_n our_o author_n have_v take_v here_o to_o call_v their_o majesty_n elective_a sovereign_n in_o opposition_n to_o such_o as_o be_v hereditary_a though_o i_o think_v it_o be_v pretty_a bold_a in_o he_o to_o talk_v so_o i_o think_v this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o notable_a difference_n between_o one_fw-mi hereditary_a and_o one_fw-mi elective_a monarchy_n that_o in_o the_o 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import_v that_o they_o have_v resolve_v that_o w._n and_o m._n shall_v be_v k._n and_o q._n of_o scotland_n they_o enact_v their_o declaration_n contain_v the_o claim_n of_o right_n and_o their_o resolution_n to_o offer_v the_o crown_n only_o on_o the_o term_n of_o that_o claim_n and_o not_o only_o so_o but_o they_o make_v this_o follow_a act_n word_n for_o word_n forasmuch_o as_o the_o estate_n of_o this_o kingdom_n by_o their_o former_a act_n declare_v that_o they_o will_v continue_v undissolved_a until_o the_o government_n law_n and_o liberty_n of_o the_o kingdom_n shall_v be_v settle_v and_o secure_v and_o they_o have_v now_o proceed_v to_o resolve_v that_o w._n and_o m._n k._n and_o q._n of_o england_n be_v and_o be_v declare_v k._n and_o q._n of_o scotland_n and_o consider_v that_o the_o nation_n can_v be_v without_o government_n until_o the_o say_v k._n and_o q._n of_o england_n accept_v the_o offer_n of_o the_o crown_n according_a to_o the_o instrument_n of_o government_n and_o 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nature_n and_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o mankind_n one_o will_v think_v it_o be_v impudence_n enough_o in_o all_o conscience_n to_o have_v make_v so_o bold_a with_o common_a humanity_n and_o particular_o with_o the_o universal_a conviction_n of_o one_o native_a country_n as_o to_o a_o plain_a matter_n of_o fact_n but_o such_o be_v our_o author_n share_n of_o that_o dare_a talon_n that_o assist_v by_o it_o he_o can_v even_o flee_v in_o the_o face_n of_o his_o dear_a relation_n and_o leave_v they_o in_o the_o lurch_n rather_o than_o appear_v to_o have_v be_v worsted_n in_o his_o argument_n thus_o e._n g._n 8._o when_o he_o be_v put_v to_o it_o and_o can_v not_o otherwise_o make_v his_o escape_n he_o never_o make_v scruple_n to_o flee_v in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o present_a civil_a government_n he_o tell_v you_o indeed_o in_o his_o preface_n to_o 2_o vind._n §_o 6._o that_o one_o of_o his_o design_n in_o write_v his_o book_n be_v to_o vindicate_v and_o justify_v the_o act_n of_o the_o 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address_n and_o their_o protestation_n of_o loyalty_n to_o k_o j._n but_o i_o will_v fain_o know_v say_v g._n r._n by_o what_o topick_n either_o of_o these_o can_v be_v condemn_v i_o think_v i_o have_v hint_v at_o least_o at_o topick_n enough_o about_o that_o go_v we_o on_o now_o with_o our_o author_n they_o give_v thanks_o for_o restore_v they_o to_o their_o just_a right_n neither_o be_v this_o the_o matter_n they_o profess_v and_o practise_v loyalty_n towards_o their_o lawful_a sovereign_n though_o of_o a_o different_a religion_n from_o they_o here_o it_o be_v for_o do_v you_o hear_v he_o plain_o affirm_v that_o k._n i._o be_v a_o lawful_a sovereign_n now_o what_o be_v this_o less_o than_o strike_v at_o the_o very_a root_n of_o the_o present_a establishment_n be_v it_o not_o a_o direct_a contradict_v of_o the_o claim_n of_o right_n which_o declare_v that_o k._n j._n have_v forfeit_v the_o right_n to_o the_o crown_n by_o assume_v the_o regal_a power_n and_o act_v as_o king_n without_o 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four_o letter_n the_o case_n of_o the_o afflict_a clergy_n and_o the_o late_a letter_n for_o he_o have_v engrave_v on_o it_o such_o indelible_a character_n of_o disingenuity_n partiality_n injustice_n unfair_a deal_v effrontery_n ridiculousness_n etc._n etc._n as_o perhaps_o never_o book_n be_v injure_v or_o bespatter_v with_o since_o write_v of_o book_n be_v in_o fashion_n the_o reader_n may_v think_v this_o be_v a_o very_a strange_a charge_n but_o i_o can_v make_v it_o good_a to_o a_o demonstration_n by_o a_o very_a plain_a and_o obvious_a deduction_n thus_o some_o of_o the_o episcopal_a clergy_n think_v themselves_o oblige_v for_o their_o own_o vindication_n to_o give_v some_o short_a representation_n of_o their_o circumstance_n and_o the_o unkind_o treatment_n they_o have_v meet_v with_o from_o the_o presbyterian_a party_n an._n 1688_o 1689_o etc._n etc._n the_o whole_a nation_n know_v they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o feign_v instance_n or_o aggravate_v the_o circumstance_n of_o their_o suffering_n that_o they_o tell_v not_o the_o twenty_o part_n of_o what_o they_o suffer_v nor_o represent_v what_o they_o tell_v in_o all_o its_o proper_a blackness_n however_o so_o much_o be_v tell_v as_o be_v enough_o to_o represent_v the_o presbyterian_a temper_n in_o no_o very_a lovely_a colour_n the_o party_n be_v sensible_a of_o this_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o try_v if_o there_o be_v a_o possibiltty_a of_o collect_v and_o connect_v some_o rag_n to_o cover_v their_o shame_n and_o nakedness_n the_o expedient_a they_o agree_v to_o be_v that_o the_o account_n give_v by_o the_o episcopal_a clergy_n shall_v be_v answer_v and_o refute_v but_o then_o the_o difficulty_n be_v to_o find_v one_fw-mi author_n who_o have_v talent_n proper_a for_o such_o a_o task_n it_o be_v commit_v first_o to_o mr._n alexander_n pitcairn_n but_o after_o he_o have_v think_v some_o time_n about_o it_o it_o seem_v it_o stand_v with_o his_o stomach_n he_o have_v not_o so_o far_o abandon_v all_o principle_n of_o truth_n and_o honesty_n and_o ingenuity_n as_o be_v necessary_a for_o such_o one_fw-mi undertaking_a he_o resign_v the_o employment_n therefore_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o another_o general_n meet_v of_o the_o party_n and_o tell_v they_o he_o will_v have_v nothing_o to_o do_v with_o it_o this_o no_o doubt_n be_v a_o discouragement_n to_o all_o other_o of_o any_o wit_n or_o probity_n to_o undertake_v it_o for_o if_o it_o be_v to_o be_v do_v to_o any_o good_a purpose_n at_o all_o pitcairn_n be_v as_o fit_v for_o do_v of_o it_o as_o any_o of_o the_o sect_n and_o if_o he_o give_v it_o over_o after_o so_o much_o deliberation_n about_o it_o it_o be_v to_o be_v presume_v there_o be_v frost_n in_o it_o it_o be_v not_o safe_a to_o meddle_v with_o it_o thus_o it_o fall_v to_o the_o share_n of_o g._n r._n as_o he_o tell_v himself_o both_o in_o his_o preface_n and_o in_o the_o beginning_n of_o his_o book_n such_o one_fw-mi odd_a undertake_n do_v indeed_o require_v a_o suitable_a undertaker_n and_o now_o it_o have_v one_o as_o odd_o qualify_v for_o it_o as_o the_o world_n have_v hear_v of_o for_o if_o we_o may_v believe_v himself_o in_o his_o preface_n to_o his_o anim._n on_o d._n stillingfleet_n irenicum_fw-la for_o who_o but_o himself_o will_v have_v be_v at_o pain_n to_o write_v preface_n to_o his_o book_n he_o die_v a_o worthy_a and_o much_o lament_a author_n anno_fw-la 1662._o and_o so_o far_o as_o i_o can_v learn_v he_o continue_v thus_o in_o the_o state_n of_o the_o dead_a till_o towards_o the_o end_n of_o the_o year_n 1688._o i_o e._n about_o 26_o year_n then_o indeed_o he_o return_v to_o life_n now_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v imagine_v his_o soul_n all_o this_o while_n be_v either_o in_o the_o region_n of_o eternal_a reward_n or_o eternal_a punishment_n for_o then_o how_o shall_v it_o have_v return_v doubtless_o therefore_o it_o be_v in_o some_o purgatory_n but_o what_o purgatory_n be_v not_o easy_a to_o determine_v i_o be_o confident_a it_o be_v not_o the_o ordinary_a purgatory_n in_o which_o people_n be_v purge_v from_o the_o dregs_o of_o corruption_n they_o carry_v out_o of_o this_o world_n with_o they_o for_o he_o come_v alive_a again_o more_o corrupt_v and_o vicious_a than_o ever_o possible_o he_o have_v be_v in_o some_o new_a purgatory_n which_o the_o pope_n build_v late_o for_o keep_v a_o seminary_n of_o such_o as_o he_o let_v out_o upon_o occasion_n for_o plague_n to_o the_o protestant_a church_n whatever_o purgatory_n it_o be_v our_o author_n come_v out_o of_o it_o purge_v pretty_a clean_a of_o all_o principle_n of_o sense_n or_o shame_n or_o honesty_n and_o now_o who_o fit_a than_o he_o to_o be_v the_o vindicator_n of_o the_o kirk_n of_o scotland_n before_o his_o death_n he_o write_v only_o such_o book_n as_o be_v little_a in_o their_o own_o eye_n pref._n to_o anim._n on_o irenicum_fw-la but_o he_o venture_v on_o write_v such_o book_n as_o his_o second_o vindication_n after_o his_o resurrection_n i_o have_v give_v this_o account_n of_o our_o author_n and_o the_o occasion_n of_o his_o writing_n the_o book_n for_o fix_v the_o reader_n attention_n that_o he_o may_v consider_v it_o with_o the_o great_a application_n now_o in_o this_o book_n his_o second_a vindication_n i_o mean_v he_o reject_v by_o the_o bulk_n all_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o four_o letter_n because_o they_o be_v not_o attest_v as_o if_o forsooth_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o letter_n have_v have_v opportunity_n to_o have_v have_v all_o the_o particular_a case_n try_v in_o formal_a court_n before_o indifferent_a judge_n and_o with_o all_o the_o usual_a solemnity_n of_o process_n as_o if_o it_o have_v be_v their_o intention_n by_o their_o letter_n to_o have_v make_v formal_a pursuit_n for_o the_o injury_n have_v be_v do_v the_o clergy_n as_o if_o the_o world_n can_v not_o have_v easy_o discern_v that_o all_o their_o purpose_n in_o write_v these_o letter_n be_v not_o to_o sue_v legal_o for_o redress_v but_o to_o represent_v to_o their_o friend_n matter_n of_o fact_n in_o the_o common_a way_n of_o history_n well!_o to_o mend_v this_o however_o the_o case_n of_o the_o afflict_a clergy_n give_v he_o attestation_n enough_o in_o all_o conscience_n but_o do_v that_o satisfy_v he_o no_o more_o than_o if_o he_o have_v get_v none_o at_o all_o for_o they_o be_v not_o worth_a a_o button_n they_o be_v not_o probative_a they_o be_v but_o partial_a he_o have_v reason_n to_o reject_v every_o one_o of_o they_o thus_o when_o the_o author_n of_o the_o case_n etc._n etc._n cite_v d._n burnet_n g._n r._n reply_v in_o these_o word_n he_o far_o prove_v our_o persecution_n by_o cite_v some_o passage_n out_o of_o doctor_n burnet_n who_o be_v a_o party_n we_o be_v not_o to_o admit_v as_o a_o witness_n against_o we_o 85_o what_o no_o not_o d._n burnet_n no_o not_o the_o son_n of_o such_o a_o mother_n no_o not_o the_o nephew_n of_o such_o one_fw-mi uncle_n no_o not_o the_o brother_n of_o such_o a_o brother_n no_o not_o the_o cousin_n german_n of_o such_o a_o cousin_n german_n no_o not_o the_o man_n who_o have_v all_o alongst_o advise_v the_o scottish_a prelatist_n particular_o mr._n malcome_n one_o of_o the_o minister_n of_o edinburgh_n to_o return_v to_o their_o native_a country_n and_o submit_v to_o the_o ecclesiastical_a government_n now_o establish_v do_v you_o reject_v even_o he_o as_o a_o party_n but_o to_o proceed_v if_o the_o person_n who_o be_v barbarous_o use_v by_o the_o rabble_n give_v a_o account_n of_o his_o own_o usage_n and_o who_o can_v do_v it_o better_o and_o subscribe_v his_o name_n to_o it_o this_o be_v such_o one_fw-mi attestation_n as_o g._n r._n think_v fit_a to_o reject_v with_o a_o fie_o upon_o it_o it_o be_v testae_fw-la meipso_fw-la p._n 88_o and_o so_o not_o worth_a one_fw-mi halfpenny_n as_o if_o it_o have_v be_v possible_a for_o a_o minister_n when_o the_o rabble_n surprise_v he_o and_o come_v upon_o he_o unaware_o still_o to_o have_v have_v witness_n at_o hand_n for_o attest_v all_o their_o rudeness_n as_o if_o it_o have_v not_o be_v enough_o for_o all_o the_o design_n of_o such_o account_n that_o a_o man_n of_o know_a probity_n and_o reputation_n subscribe_v his_o own_o narration_n of_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o so_o near_o concern_v himself_o and_o thereby_o declare_v his_o readiness_n to_o make_v the_o matter_n appear_v as_o far_o as_o he_o be_v capable_a if_o the_o rabble_v minister_n adduce_v witness_n as_o be_v do_v in_o the_o case_n etc._n etc._n in_o several_a instance_n and_o they_o subscribe_v the_o account_n be_v he_o then_o satisfy_v never_o one_fw-mi ace_n more_o than_o before_o all_o of_o his_o witness_n be_v the_o swear_a enemy_n of_o presbyterian_o and_o in_o a_o combination_n to_o defame_v they_o p._n 88_o and_o again_o p._n
be_v such_o a_o fool_n as_o to_o stumble_v upon_o the_o same_o method_n himself_o condemn_v most_o in_o his_o adversary_n when_o he_o have_v any_o matter_n of_o fact_n to_o attest_v he_o be_v very_o careful_a as_o he_o tell_v frequent_o to_o have_v his_o particular_a information_n from_o all_o corner_n concern_v all_o the_o instance_n of_o rabble_a which_o be_v represent_v in_o the_o prelatic_a pamphlet_n but_o from_o who_o have_v he_o these_o information_n most_o from_o the_o very_a rabbler_n themselves_o it_o be_v both_o tedious_a and_o unprofitable_a to_o trace_v he_o through_o all_o instance_n one_o may_v be_v sufficient_a for_o one_fw-mi example_n and_o i_o shall_v choose_v the_o very_a first_o that_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o his_o book_n viz._n that_o of_o master_n gabriel_n russel_n minister_n at_o govean_n the_o author_n of_o the_o second_o letter_n have_v give_v a_o brief_a and_o a_o just_a account_n of_o the_o treatment_n that_o poor_a gentleman_n have_v meet_v with_o and_o g._n r._n convel_v it_o thus_o to_o this_o i_o oppose_v say_v he_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o story_n as_o it_o be_v attest_v by_o the_o subscription_n of_o nine_o person_n who_o be_v present_a i._n e._n nine_o of_o the_o rabbler_n for_o so_o mr._n russel_n himself_o assure_v i_o repeat_v over_o these_o very_a name_n which_o g._n r._n have_v in_o his_o book_n and_o be_v not_o this_o a_o pleasant_a attestation_n be_v it_o not_o pleasant_a i_o say_v to_o rely_v upon_o the_o testimony_n of_o such_o barbarous_a villain_n and_o take_v their_o own_o word_n for_o their_o own_o vindication_n yet_o there_o be_v one_o thing_n a_o great_a deal_n more_o pleasant_a yet_o in_o the_o story_n the_o author_n of_o the_o second_o letter_n have_v affirm_v that_o mr._n russel_n be_v beat_v by_o the_o rabble_n but_o they_o the_o nine_o who_o he_o adduce_n utter_o deny_v that_o any_o of_o they_o do_v beat_v he_o and_o it_o be_v true_a indeed_o none_o of_o these_o nine_o do_v beat_v he_o but_o it_o be_v as_o true_a that_o he_o be_v beat_v and_o one_o james_n col●uhoun_n be_v the_o person_n who_o do_v it_o and_o therefore_o his_o name_n be_v conceal_v and_o not_o set_v down_o with_o the_o other_o nine_o and_o now_o i_o refer_v it_o to_o the_o reader_n if_o it_o be_v not_o probable_a that_o he_o have_v get_v a_o parcel_n of_o sweet_a history_n from_o g._n r._n in_o his_o second_o vindication_n but_o i_o go_v on_o as_o he_o thus_o adduce_v the_o rabble_n witness_v for_o themselves_o so_o when_o he_o be_v put_v to_o it_o he_o never_o stand_v on_o adduce_v the_o testimony_n of_o single_a presbyterian_a minister_n witness_v for_o the_o honesty_n and_o integrity_n of_o the_o rabbler_n or_o in_o opposition_n to_o the_o prelatical_a relation_n thus_o in_o white_n be_v case_n p._n 32._o he_o adduce_n five_o man_n testify_v that_o the_o account_n of_o white_n be_v suffering_n be_v false_a etc._n etc._n and_o for_o the_o honesty_n of_o these_o five_o he_o tell_v we_o they_o have_v all_o their_o testimony_n from_o their_o minister_n that_o they_o be_v credible_a and_o famous_a witness_n and_o p._n 105._o he_o reject_v bullo_n account_n who_o be_v episcopal_a minister_n at_o stobo_n in_o one_o word_n thus_o in_o this_o narrative_n be_v many_o lie_v which_o be_v attest_v by_o mr._n william_n russel_n presbyterian_a minister_n at_o stobo_n but_o the_o best_a be_v after_o he_o have_v run_v down_o all_o the_o prelatical_a account_n by_o this_o upright_a deal_v of_o his_o and_o conclude_v they_o all_o most_o horrid_a liar_n and_o calumniator_n and_o all_o their_o relation_n most_o horrid_a lie_n and_o calumny_n he_o tell_v you_o grave_o in_o his_o preface_n §_o 6._o that_o the_o truth_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n assert_v in_o his_o book_n be_v not_o to_o be_v take_v from_o he_o but_o from_o his_o informer_n that_o he_o pretend_v to_o personal_a knowledge_n of_o few_o of_o they_o that_o therefore_o not_o his_o veracity_n but_o they_o be_v pledge_v for_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o account_n he_o have_v publish_v that_o if_o they_o have_v deceive_v he_o or_o be_v deceive_v themselves_o he_o be_v not_o to_o answer_v for_o it_o let_v the_o world_n judge_v if_o this_o be_v not_o a_o sure_a foot_n for_o support_v such_o superstructure_n as_o he_o raise_v upon_o it_o and_o if_o his_o second_o vindication_n be_v not_o a_o pleasant_a book_n be_v it_o possible_a for_o he_o to_o have_v farce_a it_o with_o more_o bare-faced_n iniquity_n what_o picqued_a the_o man_n so_o at_o his_o own_o book_n as_o to_o publish_v it_o with_o so_o many_o fair_a evidence_n of_o disingenuity_n partiality_n effrontery_n and_o downright_a ridiculousness_n about_o it_o what_o can_v move_v he_o to_o treat_v his_o own_o brat_n with_o so_o little_a compassion_n be_v not_o this_o even_o in_o a_o literal_a sense_n male_a natum_fw-la exponere_fw-la foetum_fw-la or_o rather_o what_o mean_v he_o by_o treat_v himself_o so_o unmerciful_o for_o who_o see_v not_o that_o all_o the_o infamy_n terminate_v on_o the_o author_n in_o the_o rebound_v but_o perchance_o now_o that_o he_o be_v a_o profound_a philosophic_a head_n of_o a_o college_n he_o may_v fall_v on_o a_o way_n to_o distinguish_v between_o his_o own_o and_o his_o book_n credit_n perchance_o he_o may_v think_v his_o own_o credit_n secure_a enough_o whatever_o hazard_n his_o book_n may_v run_v well!_o he_o may_v try_v it_o if_o he_o will_v but_o i_o will_v advise_v he_o not_o to_o be_v rash_a in_o fall_v out_o so_o with_o the_o book_n for_o as_o sorry_a a_o book_n as_o it_o be_v yet_o i_o perceive_v that_o with_o the_o assistance_n of_o a_o neighbour_n book_n it_o can_v serve_v he_o a_o trick_n that_o may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o put_v even_o his_o impudent_a self_n a_o little_a out_o of_o countenance_n i_o will_v be_v so_o kind_a to_o he_o as_o to_o let_v he_o see_v where_o the_o danger_n lie_v he_o may_v remember_v that_o the_o author_n of_o the_o second_o letter_n which_o by_o the_o most_o probable_a calculation_n i_o can_v make_v be_v write_v in_o december_n 1689_o or_o january_n 1690._o endeavour_v to_o make_v it_o appear_v as_o probable_a that_o the_o lead_a man_n in_o government_n be_v then_o very_o much_o incline_v to_o justify_v the_o expulsion_n of_o the_o clergy_n by_o the_o rabble_n and_o sustain_v their_o church_n vacuate_v by_o that_o expulsion_n and_o thereby_o cut_v off_o these_o poor_a man_n from_o all_o hope_n of_o be_v restore_v to_o their_o church_n or_o live_n though_o they_o have_v neither_o be_v convict_v of_o any_o crime_n nor_o deprive_v by_o any_o sentence_n now_o there_o be_v another_o book_n call_v one_fw-mi account_n of_o the_o late_a establishment_n of_o presbyterian_a government_n by_o the_o parliament_n anno_fw-la 1690._o which_o give_v a_o full_a and_o fair_a account_n how_o the_o thing_n be_v actual_o do_v how_o the_o expulsion_n of_o the_o clergy_n by_o the_o rabble_n be_v actual_o justify_v by_o that_o same_o act_n of_o parliament_n which_o establish_v presbyterian_a government_n if_o g._n r._n have_v not_o see_v that_o book_n or_o be_v resolve_v to_o reject_v its_o testimony_n because_o probable_o write_v by_o a_o party_n i_o can_v refer_v he_o to_o the_o universal_a conviction_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n that_o such_o a_o thing_n be_v do_v by_o that_o act_n of_o parliament_n nay_o i_o can_v refer_v he_o to_o the_o act_n of_o parliament_n itself_o that_o book_n tell_v also_o a_o shrewd_a story_n concern_v a_o presbyterian_a minister_n call_v mr._n gilbert_n rule_n who_o preach_v a_o sermon_n before_o the_o parliament_n on_o the_o 25_o of_o may_n be_v the_o sunday_n before_o the_o act_n be_v voted_n in_o the_o house_n and_o before_o he_o publish_v it_o write_v a_o preface_n to_o it_o after_o the_o act_n be_v voted_n in_o which_o he_o thank_v the_o house_n very_o hearty_o for_o vote_v such_o one_fw-mi act_n and_o if_o g._n r._n distrust_v that_o book_n i_o refer_v he_o to_o mr._n rule_n s_o print_a preface_n to_o his_o sermon_n where_o i_o be_o confident_a he_o may_v find_v satisfaction_n nay_o i_o dare_v appeal_n to_o g._n r._n himself_o if_o he_o know_v not_o all_o these_o thing_n to_o be_v true_a before_o he_o write_v one_o syllable_n of_o his_o second_o vindication_n for_o these_o thing_n be_v transact_v every_o one_o of_o they_o before_o the_o middle_n of_o june_n 1690_o and_o his_o second_o vindication_n come_v not_o abroad_o till_o more_o than_o a_o year_n after_o well!_o but_o what_o of_o all_o this_o how_o can_v this_o assist_v g._n r.'s_n book_n against_o himself_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v irritate_v to_o serve_v he_o a_o trick_n why_o turn_v over_o to_o p._n 43_o 44_o etc._n etc._n and_o consider_v how_o it_o discover_v in_o he_o such_o a_o brawny_a impudence_n as_o never_o ghost_n appear_v in_o humane_a shape_n be_v guilty_a
of_o before_o he_o for_o though_o the_o letter-man_n be_v full_o justify_v by_o the_o event_n though_o what_o he_o say_v seem_v to_o be_v intend_v by_o the_o government_n appear_v undeniable_o to_o have_v be_v intend_v by_o they_o in_o the_o execution_n though_o they_o justify_v the_o expulsion_n of_o the_o clergy_n by_o the_o rabble_n as_o plain_o and_o positive_o as_o one_fw-mi act_n of_o parliament_n can_v do_v it_o so_o plain_o and_o positive_o that_o the_o whole_a nation_n be_v sensible_a of_o it_o and_o cry_v shame_n upon_o it_o that_o some_o member_n in_o the_o very_a time_n resent_v it_o high_o call_v it_o one_fw-mi indelible_a reproach_n upon_o the_o justice_n of_o the_o nation_n that_o many_o member_n to_o this_o very_a minute_n will_v frank_o acknowledge_v there_o be_v never_o great_a or_o more_o notorious_a iniquity_n establish_v by_o a_o law_n tho_n g._n r._n know_v it_o so_o well_o and_o be_v so_o much_o please_v with_o it_o that_o he_o thank_v the_o parliament_n with_o all_o his_o soul_n for_o it_o tell_v they_o he_o and_o his_o party_n be_v fill_v with_o joy_n while_o they_o behold_v the_o religious_a regard_n which_o the_o high_a and_o honourable_a court_n of_o parliament_n have_v show_v to_o the_o mountain_n of_o the_o lord_n house_n above_o other_o mountain_n in_o the_o great_a step_n towards_o the_o establish_n thereof_o that_o they_o have_v make_v by_o their_o vote_n whereof_o that_o justification_n of_o the_o rabble_n be_v a_o great_a part_n though_o he_o pray_v that_o the_o lord_n will_v reward_v they_o for_o their_o good_a deed_n whereof_o this_o be_v one_o towards_o his_o house_n though_o all_o these_o thing_n be_v and_o be_v clear_a as_o the_o light_n and_o uncontrollable_a as_o matter_n of_o fact_n can_v be_v yet_o g._n r._n lash_v the_o letter-man_n till_o he_o have_v almost_o flay_v he_o make_v he_o a_o railer_n one_o who_o understand_v no_o logic_n a_o strainer_n at_o silly_a quibble_n one_o who_o have_v one_fw-mi extraordinary_n do_v of_o brow_n and_o who_o wit_n be_v a_o wool_n gather_v etc._n etc._n and_o all_o this_o for_o tell_v this_o plain_a truth_n that_o the_o government_n have_v a_o design_n to_o justify_v the_o expulsion_n of_o the_o clergy_n by_o the_o rabble_n thus_o i_o think_v i_o have_v make_v it_o appear_v how_o little_a tender_a g._n r._n be_v even_o of_o his_o own_o belove_a self_n when_o he_o be_v straighten_a in_o his_o argument_n i_o may_v have_v easy_o adduce_v more_o instance_n but_o the_o truth_n be_v i_o be_o now_o very_o weary_a of_o he_o and_o he_o himself_o have_v do_v himself_o the_o justice_n to_o represent_v himself_o to_o any_o man_n satisfaction_n who_o shall_v not_o be_v satisfy_v with_o the_o representation_n i_o have_v give_v of_o he_o for_o he_o have_v fair_o own_a that_o he_o set_v himself_o in_o opposition_n to_o those_o who_o he_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v the_o sober_a and_o wise_a of_o his_o party_n i_o do_v love_v to_o be_v unjust_a to_o he_o i_o will_v give_v it_o you_o in_o his_o own_o word_n as_o i_o find_v they_o 1_o vind._n ans._n to_o quest._n 5._o §_o 6._o he_o be_v complain_v of_o the_o persecution_n his_o party_n have_v meet_v with_o for_o keep_v conventicle_n etc._n etc._n and_o among_o other_o thing_n he_o discourse_v thus_o there_o may_v have_v be_v some_o shadow_n for_o such_o severity_n against_o meet_v at_o field-conventicle_n with_o arm_n though_o even_o that_o be_v in_o some_o case_n necessary_a but_o that_o be_v always_o disallow_v by_o the_o sober_a and_o wise_a presbyterian_o now_o it_o be_v plain_a there_o be_v here_o these_o two_o affirmative_n 1._o that_o meet_v with_o arm_n at_o field_n conventicle_n be_v in_o some_o case_n necessary_a this_o be_v our_o author_n sentiment_n 2._o that_o meet_v with_o arm_n at_o field_n conventicle_n be_v always_o disallow_v by_o the_o sober_a and_o wise_a presbyterian_o this_o i_o say_v he_o plain_o affirm_v to_o have_v be_v always_o the_o sentiment_n of_o the_o sober_a and_o wise_a by_o consequence_n be_v not_o both_o these_o affirmative_n join_v together_o equipollent_a to_o this_o complexe_n proposition_n though_o the_o sober_a and_o wise_a presbyterian_o do_v always_o disallow_v of_o meet_v with_o arm_n etc._n etc._n yet_o in_o my_o judgement_n it_o be_v sometime_o necessary_a and_o now_o have_v you_o not_o from_o his_o own_o friendly_a self_n a_o fair_a demonstration_n of_o his_o own_o folly_n and_o futility_n for_o who_o but_o a_o futile_a fool_n will_v have_v say_v that_o he_o differ_v in_o his_o sentiment_n from_o the_o sober_a and_o wise_a and_o now_o to_o bring_v all_o home_n to_o my_o original_a purpose_n by_o this_o time_n i_o think_v i_o have_v give_v reason_n enough_o for_o my_o refuse_v to_o accept_v of_o he_o for_o one_fw-mi answerer_n of_o my_o book_n no_o man_n on_o earth_n i_o think_v will_v willing_o enter_v the_o list_n with_o one_o who_o be_v so_o singular_a for_o four_o such_o cardinal_n talent_n though_o incurable_a ignorance_n and_o incorrigible_a nonsense_n may_v be_v something_o pitiable_a as_o be_v the_o vice_n of_o nature_n rather_o than_o choice_n yet_o it_o be_v no_o small_a persecution_n for_o one_o to_o be_v oblige_v to_o grapple_v with_o they_o what_o must_v it_o be_v then_o to_o be_v commit_v with_o the_o other_o two_o rank_a ill-nature_n i_o mean_v and_o the_o most_o stubborn_a impudence_n some_o ill_a nature_n may_v be_v cure_v man_n may_v be_v either_o cajole_v or_o cudgel_v out_o of_o they_o agelastus_n himself_o laugh_v once_o so_o do_v duk_n d_o alva_n but_o what_o hope_n can_v there_o be_v of_o one_o who_o common_a sense_n be_v so_o intrinsical_o vitiate_v that_o he_o can_v avouch_v the_o course_v and_o most_o scurrilous_a scold_a to_o be_v excessive_a civility_n but_o this_o be_v not_o the_o worst_a of_o it_o if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o thing_n venust_a or_o lepid_a any_o shadow_n of_o concinnity_n or_o festivity_n of_o jollity_n or_o good_a humour_n any_o thing_n like_o art_n or_o life_n or_o wit_n or_o salt_n in_o any_o one_o of_o fifty_o of_o his_o excessive_a civility_n if_o they_o have_v have_v the_o least_o tincture_n of_o the_o satire_n nay_o if_o their_o mein_fw-ge have_v resemble_v so_o much_o as_o the_o murgeon_n of_o one_fw-mi ape_n i_o can_v have_v pardon_v he_o and_o let_v his_o talon_n pass_v for_o tolerable_a there_o be_v something_o delightful_a in_o marvelism_n in_o well_o humour_a wantonness_n in_o lively_a and_o judicious_a drollery_n there_o may_v be_v some_o enormous_a stroke_n of_o beauty_n in_o a_o surprise_v banter_n some_o irregular_a sweetness_n in_o a_o well_o cook_v bitterness_n but_o who_o can_v think_v on_o drink_v nothing_o but_o corrupt_a vinegar_n what_o humane_a patience_n can_v be_v hardy_a enough_o for_o enter_v the_o list_n with_o pure_a barking_n and_o whine_v with_o original_a ●ullness_n who_o can_v think_v on_o arm_v himself_o against_o the_o horn_n of_o a_o snai●_n or_o set_v a_o match_n for_o mew_a with_o a_o melancholy_a cat_n but_o what_o can_v be_v say_v of_o his_o impudence_n his_o master-talent_n why_o to_o tell_v truth_n of_o it_o i_o be_o not_o able_a to_o define_v it_o and_o so_o i_o must_v let_v it_o alone_o i_o know_v nothing_o in_o nature_n like_o it_o it_o be_v too_o hard_a for_o all_o the_o idea_n or_o word_n i_o be_o master_n of_o be_v i_o to_o talk_v any_o more_o of_o it_o i_o shall_v design_v it_o his_o vndefineable_a attribute_n and_o now_o i_o think_v our_o author_n may_v be_v sensible_a that_o it_o be_v not_o a_o good_a thing_n to_o cast_v a_o bad_a copy_n to_o the_o world_n lest_o some_o for_o curiosity_n try_v if_o they_o can_v imitate_v it_o for_o my_o part_n i_o do_v acknowledge_v that_o i_o have_v cross_v my_o temper_n to_o make_v a_o experiment_n if_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v even_o with_o he_o to_o let_v he_o see_v that_o other_o as_o well_o as_o he_o if_o they_o set_v themselves_o for_o it_o may_v aim_v at_o least_o at_o argue_v the_o case_n cutting_o as_o he_o phrase_n it_o pref._n to_o 2_o vind._n §_o 6._o one_o thing_n i_o be_o sure_a of_o i_o have_v be_v faithful_a in_o my_o citation_n from_o his_o book_n and_o i_o be_o not_o conscious_a that_o i_o have_v so_o much_o as_o once_o force_v one_fw-mi unnatural_a sense_n on_o his_o word_n for_o this_o i_o be_o satisfy_v that_o what_o i_o have_v say_v be_v try_v with_o the_o great_a and_o most_o impartial_a accuracy_n but_o if_o he_o be_v such_o one_fw-mi author_n as_o i_o have_v true_o represent_v he_o to_o be_v i_o hope_v the_o world_n will_v allow_v that_o i_o have_v and_o still_o have_v reason_n to_o refuse_v to_o have_v any_o deal_v with_o he_o nay_o far_o i_o think_v it_o be_v nothing_o for_o the_o honour_n or_o reputation_n of_o his_o party_n that_o he_o be_v ever_o employ_v to_o
be_v the_o vindicator_n of_o their_o kirk_n if_o they_o can_v employ_v any_o civil_a discreet_a ingenuous_a person_n to_o write_v for_o they_o i_o shall_v be_v hearty_o satisfy_v and_o for_o his_o encouragement_n i_o do_v promise_n if_o he_o fall_v to_o my_o share_n i_o shall_v treat_v he_o suitable_o nay_o after_o all_o if_o even_o g._n r._n himself_o will_v lay_v aside_o such_o quality_n as_o i_o have_v demonstrate_v adhere_v to_o he_o if_o he_o will_v undertake_v to_o write_v with_o that_o gravity_n and_o civility_n that_o charity_n and_o modesty_n that_o honesty_n and_o ingenuity_n which_o may_v be_v think_v to_o become_v one_o of_o his_o age_n and_o character_n i_o can_v as_o yet_o admit_v of_o he_o for_o my_o adversary_n for_o i_o think_v the_o party_n can_v assign_v i_o a_o weak_a one_o and_o i_o do_v hereby_o promise_v he_o one_fw-mi equitable_a meeting_n finis_fw-la advertisement_n this_o book_n be_v design_v for_o the_o press_n december_n 1693._o the_o article_n that_o prelacy_n and_o the_o superiority_n of_o any_o office_n in_o the_o church_n above_o presbyter_n be_v and_o have_v be_v a_o great_a and_o insupportable_a grievance_n and_o trouble_v to_o this_o nation_n and_o contrary_a to_o the_o inclination_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o people_n ever_o since_o the_o reformation_n they_o have_v reform_v from_o popery_n by_o presbyter_n and_o therefore_o aught_o to_o be_v abolish_v this_o article_n be_v establish_v in_o our_o claim_n of_o right_n april_n 11_o 1689._o by_o virtue_n of_o this_o article_n prelacy_n be_v actual_o abolish_v by_o act_n of_o parliament_n july_n 22._o 1689._o upon_o the_o foot_n of_o this_o article_n presbyterian_a government_n be_v establish_v june_n 7._o anno_fw-la 1690._o this_o act_n establish_v presbyterian_a government_n be_v ratify_v in_o the_o whole_a head_n article_n and_o clause_n thereof_o june_n 12._o 1693._o it_o be_v indisputable_a then_o that_o this_o article_n be_v the_o great_a foundation_n of_o that_o great_a alteration_n which_o have_v be_v make_v in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n since_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o late_a revolution_n whether_o therefore_o this_o be_v a_o solid_a or_o a_o sandy_a foundation_n can_v but_o be_v deem_v a_o material_a question_n and_o i_o think_v i_o shall_v bid_v fair_a for_o the_o determination_n of_o this_o question_n if_o i_o can_v give_v clear_a and_o distinct_a satisfaction_n to_o these_o follow_a inquiry_n i._o whether_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n be_v reform_v sole_o by_o person_n clothe_v with_o the_o character_n of_o presbyter_n ii_o whether_o our_o scottish_a reformer_n whatever_o their_o character_n be_v be_v of_o the_o present_a presbyterian_a principle_n whether_o they_o be_v for_o the_o divine_a institution_n of_o parity_n and_o the_o unlawfulness_n of_o prelacy_n among_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n iii_o whether_o prelacy_n and_o the_o superiority_n of_o any_o office_n in_o the_o church_n above_o presbyter_n be_v a_o great_a and_o insupportable_a grievance_n and_o trouble_n to_o this_o nation_n and_o contrary_a to_o the_o inclination_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o people_n ever_o since_o the_o reformation_n iv._o whether_o it_o be_v such_o when_o this_o article_n be_v establish_v in_o the_o claim_n of_o right_a v._o whether_o suppose_v the_o premise_n in_o the_o article_n be_v true_a they_o will_v be_v of_o sufficient_a force_n to_o infer_v the_o conclusion_n viz._n that_o prelacy_n and_o the_o superiority_n of_o any_o office_n in_o the_o church_n aught_o to_o be_v abolish_v the_o determination_n of_o the_o main_a question_n i_o say_v may_v competent_o result_v from_o a_o perspicuous_a discussion_n of_o these_o five_o inquiry_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v attempt_v it_o as_o fair_o as_o i_o can_v leave_v to_o the_o world_n to_o judge_v equitable_o of_o my_o performance_n and_o without_o further_a preface_v i_o come_v to_o the_o first_o enquiry_n whether_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n be_v reform_v sole_o by_o person_n clothe_v with_o the_o character_n of_o presbyter_n if_o the_o framer_n of_o the_o article_n mean_v that_o it_o be_v in_o these_o word_n they_o have_v reform_v from_o popery_n by_o presbyter_n i_o think_v i_o be_o pretty_a sure_a they_o mean_v amiss_o for_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o obvious_a to_o one_o who_o read_v and_o compare_v our_o history_n than_o that_o person_n stand_v in_o other_o station_n and_o clothe_v with_o other_o character_n have_v a_o very_a great_a hand_n and_o be_v very_o considerable_a instrument_n in_o carry_v on_o our_o reformation_n particular_o 1._o there_o be_v prelate_n who_o concur_v in_o that_o work_n as_o well_o as_o presbyter_n knox_n say_v there_o be_v present_a in_o the_o parliament_n hold_v in_o august_n 1560._o which_o parliament_n give_v the_o first_o national_a establishment_n to_o our_o reformation_n the_o bishop_n of_o galloway_n the_o abbot_n of_o lundoris_fw-la culross_n st._n colmes-inih_a coldingham_n saint_n mary-isle_n and_o the_o subprior_n of_o st._n andrews_n with_o diverse_a other_o and_o of_o all_o these_o he_o say_v that_o they_o have_v renounce_v papistry_n and_o open_o profess_a jesus_n christ._n 260._o spotswood_n reckon_v up_o no_o few_o than_o eight_o of_o the_o spiritual_a estate_n all_o protestant_n choose_v at_o that_o time_n to_o be_v lord_n of_o the_o article_n namely_o 149._o the_o bishop_n of_o galloway_n and_o argyle_n the_o prior_n of_o st._n andrews_n the_o abbot_n of_o aberbrothoik_a kilwinning_n lundor_n newbottle_n and_o culross_n lay_v these_o two_o account_n together_o and_o you_o shall_v have_v at_o least_o a_o round_n dozen_o of_o reform_v prelate_n it_o be_v true_a spotswood_n say_v the_o popish_a prelate_n storm_v mighty_o at_o such_o a_o nomination_n for_o the_o article_n allege_v that_o some_o of_o they_o be_v mere_a laic_n but_o what_o if_o it_o be_v so_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o think_v our_o presbyterian_a brethren_n will_v not_o be_v fond_a to_o make_v much_o advantage_n of_o this_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o think_v they_o will_v not_o say_v that_o all_o those_o who_o they_o allow_v to_o have_v be_v reform_v presbyter_n be_v due_o and_o canonical_o ordain_v that_o they_o be_v solemn_o separate_v for_o the_o ministry_n by_o such_o as_o have_v commission_n and_o power_n to_o separate_a they_o and_o in_o such_o manner_n as_o have_v universal_o obtain_v from_o the_o apostle_n time_n in_o the_o separation_n of_o presbyter_n for_o their_o holy_a function_n the_o plain_a truth_n be_v 2._o our_o reformation_n be_v principal_o carry_v on_o by_o such_o as_o neither_o do_v nor_o can_v pretend_v to_o be_v canonical_o promote_v to_o holy_a order_n knox_n himself_o 127._o tell_v we_o that_o when_o the_o reformation_n begin_v to_o make_v its_o more_o public_a advances_n which_o be_v in_o the_o year_n 1558._o there_o be_v a_o great_a scarcety_n of_o preacher_n at_o that_o time_n say_v he_o we_o have_v no_o public_a minister_n of_o the_o word_n only_o do_v certain_a zealous_a man_n among_o who_o be_v the_o laird_n of_o dun_n david_n forress_n mr._n robert_n lockhart_n mr._n robert_n hamilton_n william_n harlaw_n and_o other_o exhort_v their_o brethren_n according_a to_o the_o gift_n and_o grace_n grant_v to_o they_o but_o short_o after_o do_v god_n stir_v up_o his_o servant_n paul_n methven_n etc._n etc._n here_o we_o have_v but_o a_o very_a diminutive_a account_n of_o they_o as_o to_o number_v and_o such_o a_o account_n as_o in_o its_o very_a air_n and_o countenance_n seem_v to_o own_o they_o be_v general_o but_o lay-brethren_n they_o be_v but_o zealous_a man_n not_o canonical_o ordain_v presbyter_n and_o if_o we_o may_v believe_v lesly_n paul_n methven_n be_v by_o occupation_n a_o baker_n and_o william_n harlaw_n a_o tailor_n 496._o the_o laird_n of_o dun_n that_o same_o very_a year_n be_v provost_n of_o montrose_n and_o as_o such_o send_v to_o france_n as_o one_o represent_v not_o the_o first_o or_o the_o spiritual_a but_o the_o three_o estate_n of_o parliament_n the_o burrows_n to_o attend_v at_o the_o celebration_n of_o the_o queen_n marriage_n with_o the_o dauphine_n of_o france_n 95._o he_o be_v indeed_o a_o gentleman_n of_o good_a esteem_n and_o quality_n and_o he_o be_v afterward_o as_o superintendent_n but_o it_o no_o where_o appear_v that_o he_o be_v ever_o receive_v into_o holy_a order_n nay_o 3._o after_o the_o pacification_n at_o leith_n which_o be_v conclude_v in_o july_n 1560_o when_o the_o minister_n be_v distribute_v among_o the_o several_a town_n we_o find_v but_o a_o very_a small_a number_n of_o they_o john_n knox_n be_v appoint_v for_o edinburgh_n christopher_n goodman_n for_o st._n andrews_n adam_n herriot_n for_o aberdeen_n john_n row_v for_o perth_n william_n chrystison_n for_o dundee_n david_n ferguson_n for_o dunfermline_n paul_n methven_n for_o jedburgh_n and_o mr._n david_n lindesay_n for_o leith_n beside_o these_o five_o be_v nominate_v to_o be_v superintendent_o spotswood_n for_o lothian_n and_o
mers_n winram_n for_o fife_n the_o laird_n of_o dun_n for_o angus_n and_o merns_n willock_n for_o glasgow_n and_o carsewell_n for_o argyle_n and_o the_o isle_n these_o be_v all_o who_o be_v reckon_v up_o by_o knox_n and_o spotswood_n 149._o and_o spotswood_n add_v with_o this_o small_a number_n be_v the_o plantation_n of_o the_o church_n at_o first_o undertake_v and_o can_v we_o think_v though_o all_o these_o have_v be_v presbyter_n due_o ordain_v that_o they_o be_v the_o only_a man_n who_o carry_v on_o the_o scottish_a reformation_n far_o yet_o 4._o petrie_n 222._o tell_v we_o that_o the_o first_o general_n assembly_n which_o be_v hold_v in_o dec._n 1560_o consist_v of_o 44_o person_n and_o i_o find_v exact_o 44_o name_n record_v in_o my_o mss._n extract_v of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n as_o the_o name_n of_o the_o member_n of_o that_o assembly_n but_o of_o all_o these_o 44_o there_o be_v not_o above_o nine_o at_o most_o who_o be_v call_v minister_n so_o that_o at_o least_o more_o than_o thirty_o be_v but_o lay-brethren_n according_a to_o the_o then_o way_n of_o reckon_a probable_o they_o be_v general_o such_o if_o you_o speak_v in_o the_o dialect_n and_o reckon_v by_o the_o measure_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n in_o all_o age_n in_o short_a 5._o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o evident_a to_o any_o who_o consider_v the_o history_n of_o these_o time_n than_o that_o they_o be_v general_o layman_n who_o promote_v our_o violent_a and_o disorder_v reformation_n as_o spotswood_n just_o call_v it_o 60._o and_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o think_v the_o sense_n of_o this_o be_v one_o argument_n which_o prevail_v with_o our_o reformer_n to_o declare_v against_o the_o ancient_n catholic_n and_o apostolic_a ceremony_n of_o imposition_n of_o hand_n in_o ordination_n as_o be_v to_o be_v see_v in_o the_o 4_o the_o head_n of_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n 154._o and_o as_o be_v general_o acknowledge_v thus_o i_o think_v i_o have_v sufficient_o deduce_v matter_n as_o to_o my_o first_o enquiry_n it_o have_v be_v easy_a to_o have_v insist_v long_o on_o it_o but_o i_o have_v no_o inclination_n for_o it_o consider_v that_o there_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o piety_n in_o dispatch_n when_o the_o long_a one_o insist_o on_o a_o subject_n of_o this_o nature_n he_o must_v still_o the_o more_o expose_v the_o failure_n of_o our_o reformation_n and_o the_o weakness_n of_o our_o reformer_n proceed_v we_o now_o to_o the_o second_o enquiry_n whether_o our_o scottish_a reformer_n whatever_o their_o character_n be_v be_v of_o the_o present_a presbyterian_a principle_n whether_o they_o be_v for_o the_o divine_a institution_n of_o parity_n and_o the_o vnlawfulness_n of_o prelacy_n among_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n this_o enquiry_n if_o i_o mistake_v not_o be_v pretty_a far_o in_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o main_a question_n for_o the_o article_n as_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o take_v it_o aim_n at_o this_o that_o our_o reformation_n be_v carry_v on_o with_o such_o a_o dislike_n to_o prelacy_n or_o the_o superiority_n of_o any_o office_n in_o the_o church_n above_o presbyter_n as_o make_v prelacy_n or_o such_o a_o superiority_n ever_o since_o a_o great_a and_o insupportable_a grievance_n and_o trouble_v to_o this_o nation_n etc._n etc._n but_o if_o this_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o article_n what_o else_o be_v it_o than_o that_o our_o reformer_n be_v presbyterian_a but_o whether_o or_o not_o this_o be_v true_o intend_v as_o it_o be_v true_o very_o hard_o to_o know_v what_o be_v intend_v in_o the_o article_n this_o be_v certain_a this_o enquiry_n be_v material_a and_o pertinent_a and_o if_o it_o face_n not_o the_o article_n direct_o undoubted_o i●_n do_v it_o by_o fair_a consequence_n it_o be_v as_o certain_a our_o presbyterian_a brethren_n use_v with_o confidence_n enough_o to_o assert_v that_o our_o reformer_n be_v of_o their_o principle_n this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o main_a argument_n by_o which_o they_o endeavour_v on_o all_o occasion_n to_o influence_n the_o populace_n and_o gain_v proselyte_n to_o their_o party_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o go_v as_o near_o to_o the_o bottom_n of_o this_o matter_n as_o i_o can_v and_o set_v it_o in_o its_o due_a light_n and_o i_o hope_v it_o shall_v appear_v to_o be_v competent_o do_v to_o all_o who_o shall_v attentive_o and_o impartial_o weigh_v the_o follow_a deduction_n and_o i._o let_v it_o be_v consider_v that_o while_o our_o reformation_n be_v on_o the_o wheel_n and_o for_o some_o year_n after_o its_o public_a establishment_n there_o be_v no_o such_o controversy_n agitate_a in_o europe_n as_o this_o concern_v the_o divine_a institution_n of_o parity_n or_o imparity_n among_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n the_o pope_n pretend_v universal_a headship_n be_v call_v in_o question_n indeed_o and_o call_v in_o question_n it_o be_v run_v down_o with_o all_o imaginable_a reason_n some_o year_n before_o the_o settlement_n of_o our_o reformation_n that_o controversy_n be_v one_o of_o the_o first_o which_o be_v accurate_o ventilate_v by_o the_o patron_n of_o reformation_n and_o it_o be_v very_o natural_a that_o it_o shall_v have_v be_v so_o consider_v what_o stress_n be_v lay_v upon_o it_o by_o the_o pontifician_n it_o be_v likewise_o true_a that_o the_o corruption_n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a estate_n be_v inquire_v into_o in_o most_o province_n every_o where_o where_o the_o truth_n begin_v to_o dawn_n and_o the_o reformation_n be_v encourage_v and_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v imagine_v but_o in_o such_o scrutiny_n bishop_n will_v be_v take_v notice_n of_o for_o their_o general_a defection_n from_o the_o ancient_a rule_n and_o measure_n of_o the_o episcopal_a office_n and_o the_o vast_a dissimilitude_n between_o they_o and_o those_o of_o the_o same_o order_n in_o the_o primitive_a time_n both_o as_o to_o the_o discharge_v of_o their_o trust_n and_o their_o way_n of_o live_v and_o who_o doubt_n but_o in_o these_o thing_n the_o popish_a bishop_n be_v too_o general_o culpable_a it_o be_v far_a true_a that_o some_o country_n when_o they_o reform_v religion_n and_o separate_v from_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n do_v set_v up_o new_a model_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n they_o erect_v as_o they_o think_v their_o civil_a constitution_n can_v best_a bear_v they_o and_o have_v once_o set_v they_o up_o what_o wonder_v if_o they_o do_v what_o they_o can_v to_o justify_v they_o and_o maintain_v their_o lawfulness_n thus_o for_o instance_n mr._n calvin_n erect_v a_o model_n of_o the_o democratical_a size_n at_o geneva_n because_o that_o state_n have_v then_o cast_v itself_o into_o a_o democracy_n and_o the_o protestant_n in_o france_n partly_o for_o conveniency_n partly_o in_o imitation_n of_o calvin_n platform_n fall_v upon_o a_o method_n of_o govern_v their_o church_n without_o bishop_n and_o so_o it_o fare_v with_o some_o other_o church_n as_o in_o switzerland_n etc._n etc._n while_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n other_o church_n think_v it_o enough_o for_o they_o to_o reform_v the_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n without_o alter_v the_o ancient_a form_n of_o government_n but_o then_o it_o be_v as_o evident_a as_o any_o thing_n in_o history_n that_o all_o this_o while_n from_o the_o first_o dawning_n of_o the_o reformation_n i_o mean_v till_o some_o year_n after_o the_o public_a establishment_n of_o our_o reformation_n that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o controversy_n insist_v on_o by_o protestant_n either_o in_o their_o debate_n with_o the_o papist_n or_o with_o one_o another_o as_o that_o about_o the_o divine_a and_o unalterable_a institution_n of_o parity_n or_o imparity_n among_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n and_o i_o dare_v confident_o challenge_v my_o presbyterian_a brethren_n to_o produce_v any_o one_o protestant_a confession_n of_o faith_n for_o their_o side_n of_o the_o question_n nay_o more_o i_o dare_v challenge_v they_o to_o instance_n in_o any_o one_o protestant_a divine_a of_o note_n who_o in_o these_o time_n maintain_v their_o side_n of_o the_o controversy_n who_o maintain_v the_o vnlawfulness_n of_o imparity_n among_o christian_a pastor_n before_o theodore_n beza_n do_v it_o if_o he_o do_v it_o sure_o i_o be_o they_o can_v without_o the_o great_a impudence_n pretend_v that_o mr._n calvin_n the_o only_a transmarine_a divine_a i_o can_v find_v consult_v by_o our_o reformer_n about_o matter_n relate_v to_o our_o reformation_n be_v of_o their_o principle_n for_o whoso_o shall_v be_v please_v to_o consult_v his_o commentary_n on_o the_o new_a testament_n particular_o on_o 1_o cor._n 11.2_o or_o some_o chapter_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o 4_o the_o book_n of_o institution_n or_o his_o book_n about_o the_o necessity_n of_o reform_v the_o church_n or_o his_o epistle_n particular_o his_o epistle_n direct_v to_o the_o protector_n of_o england_n date_v octob._n 22._o 1548._o or_o to_o cranmer_n archbishop_n of_o
a_o new_a meeting_n of_o the_o state_n be_v call_v and_o cassils_n be_v return_v to_o england_n with_o commission_n to_o tell_v henry_n that_o the_o scottish_a lord_n be_v content_a to_o relinquish_v the_o french_a on_o condition_n the_o match_n with_o the_o princess_n mary_n be_v secure_v 163._o it_o be_v true_a nothing_o follow_v upon_o this_o treaty_n but_o a_o truce_n for_o three_o year_n for_o what_o reason_n i_o know_v not_o but_o from_o the_o deduction_n i_o have_v brief_o make_v it_o may_v sufficient_o appear_v how_o weak_a the_o french_a and_o how_o strong_a the_o english_a interest_n be_v then_o in_o scotland_n so_o very_o strong_a as_o clear_o to_o overcome_v and_o almost_o quite_o extirpate_v the_o other_o well!_o do_v francis_n nothing_o to_o recover_v the_o scottish_a amity_n alas_o at_o that_o time_n he_o have_v great_a matter_n to_o employ_v his_o thought_n he_o lose_v his_o liberty_n at_o the_o battle_n of_o pavia_n anno_fw-la 1525_o and_o become_v the_o king_n of_o spain_n prisoner_n and_o be_v not_o restore_v to_o his_o freedom_n till_o henry_n interpose_v with_o a_o powerful_a mediation_n for_o which_o he_o enter_v into_o another_o league_n with_o henry_n 1527_o without_o mind_v the_o scot_n 519._o or_o be_v concern_v for_o their_o security_n this_o be_v a_o three_o slight_v put_v upon_o the_o scot_n by_o the_o french_a in_o their_o treaty_n with_o england_n it_o be_v true_a indeed_o francis_n do_v not_o enter_v into_o this_o league_n with_o henry_n overawe_v by_o his_o threat_n but_o constrain_v by_o his_o kindness_n and_o good_a office_n in_o his_o liberation_n from_o his_o spanish_a captivity_n but_o it_o be_v all_o one_o to_o the_o se●ts_n for_o what_o reason_n it_o be_v if_o they_o be_v deserted_n it_o be_v true_a indeed_o when_o james_n come_v to_o full_a age_n he_o have_v strong_a inclination_n for_o renew_v the_o old_a amity_n with_o france_n and_o no_o wonder_n consider_v how_o much_o he_o be_v manage_v by_o the_o clergy_n who_o abhor_v henry_n for_o shake_v off_o the_o pope_n authority_n and_o think_v themselves_o concern_v with_o all_o their_o may_v to_o guard_v against_o henry_n contagious_a influence_n as_o they_o deem_v they_o but_o however_o the_o king_n and_o clergy_n be_v incline_v it_o be_v evident_a the_o body_n of_o the_o nation_n continue_v constant_a in_o their_o so_o frequent_o provoke_v coldness_n to_o the_o french_a interest_n and_o in_o their_o good_a affection_n towards_o england_n so_o much_o that_o they_o will_v never_o thereafter_o at_o least_o all_o the_o time_n our_o reformation_n be_v a_o carry_v on_o follow_v either_o king_n or_o regent_n to_o invade_v england_n thus_o when_o james_n the_o five_o anno_fw-la 1542._o be_v very_o earnest_a for_o it_o the_o nobility_n general_o decline_v it_o and_o he_o be_v force_v to_o dismiss_v they_o and_o when_o short_o after_o that_o 435._o his_o earnestness_n that_o way_n it_o seem_v increase_v he_o order_v one_fw-mi army_n to_o meet_v at_o carlaverock_n intend_v therewith_o to_o enter_v england_n so_o soon_o as_o oliver_n sinclare_v be_v declare_v chief_a commander_n and_o the_o king_n intention_n be_v make_v know_v all_o throw_v away_o their_o arm_n and_o suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v take_v prisoner_n 529._o and_o when_o the_o earl_n of_o arran_n regent_n anno_fw-la ....._o go_v with_o a_o goodly_a army_n to_o besiege_v the_o church_n of_o coldingham_n which_o the_o english_a for_o the_o time_n have_v fortify_v he_o be_v force_v to_o run_v for_o it_o abrupt_o fear_v as_o buchanan_n say_v 544._o his_o friend_n pretend_v lest_o his_o army_n shall_v betray_v he_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o english_a and_o anno_fw-la 1557_o when_o the_o queen_n regent_n mary_n of_o lorraine_n be_v most_o earnest_a to_o have_v have_v england_n invade_v thereby_o to_o have_v make_v a_o diversion_n and_o ease_v france_n of_o the_o english_a force_n which_o be_v assist_v philip_n the_o second_o of_o spain_n against_o henry_n the_o second_o of_o france_n the_o nobility_n can_v by_o no_o mean_n be_v gain_v to_o do_v it_o as_o all_o our_o historian_n tell_v we_o i_o can_v have_v insist_v on_o this_o deduction_n far_o more_o large_o but_o i_o think_v what_o i_o have_v say_v may_v be_v sufficient_a for_o my_o purpose_n which_o be_v to_o show_v how_o much_o scotland_n be_v disengage_v of_o foreign_a influence_n and_o by_o consequence_n how_o much_o it_o be_v dispose_v to_o receive_v english_a impression_n from_o the_o very_o dawn_v of_o our_o reformation_n till_o its_o legal_a establishment_n 1560._o let_v we_o next_o try_v if_o according_a to_o these_o disposition_n the_o english_a influence_n be_v communicate_v and_o make_v suitable_a impression_n and_o i_o think_v in_o the_o one_a place_n no_o man_n can_v reasonable_o doubt_v but_o that_o it_o be_v fair_o credible_a they_o do_v for_o no_o man_n can_v deny_v that_o the_o reformation_n make_v a_o considerable_a figure_n in_o england_n more_o early_o than_o it_o do_v in_o scotland_n when_o light_n be_v thus_o arise_v in_o the_o isle_n it_o be_v natural_a for_o it_o to_o overspread_v both_o nation_n and_o it_o be_v as_o natural_a that_o the_o more_o and_o soon_o enlighten_v nation_n shall_v be_v the_o fountain_n of_o communication_n that_o be_v in_o plain_a term_n that_o scotland_n shall_v derive_v it_o under_o god_n from_o england_n especial_o consider_v how_o at_o that_o time_n they_o be_v mutual_o dispose_v towards_o one_o another_o indeed_o 2._o it_o be_v certain_a book_n deserve_v to_o be_v reckon_v among_o the_o prime_a vehicles_n of_o such_o light_a as_o we_o be_v now_o consider_v and_o it_o be_v as_o certain_a that_o the_o first_o book_n which_o enlighten_v scotland_n be_v bring_v from_o england_n tindal_n translate_v the_o new_a testament_n into_o english_a anno_fw-la 1531._o and_o copy_n of_o it_o be_v disperse_v here_o in_o considerable_a plenty_n and_o other_o useful_a book_n be_v then_o write_v also_o in_o the_o vulgar_a language_n which_o be_v common_a to_o both_o nation_n which_o come_v from_o england_n have_v great_a success_n in_o scotland_n as_o be_v evident_a even_o from_o knox_n history_n 38._o but_o this_o be_v not_o all_o the_o truth_n of_o all_o this_o will_v appear_v more_o full_o if_o 3._o we_o consider_v that_o king_n henry_n have_v no_o soon_o begin_v his_o reformation_n such_o as_o it_o be_v in_o england_n than_o he_o endeavour_v to_o transmit_v it_o into_o scotland_n he_o shake_v off_o the_o pope_n supremacy_n anno_fw-la 1534._o and_o he_o send_v the_o bishop_n of_o st._n david_n to_o his_o nephew_n james_n of_o scotland_n anno_fw-la 1535._o 70._o with_o book_n write_v in_o english_a contain_v the_o substance_n of_o christian_a religion_n earnest_o desire_v he_o to_o read_v they_o and_o join_v with_o he_o in_o carry_v on_o the_o reformation_n and_o herbert_n say_v 396._o henry_n be_v vast_o solicitous_a to_o draw_v james_n on_o his_o side_n as_o know_v of_o what_o consequence_n it_o be_v to_o keep_v his_o kingdom_n safe_a on_o that_o part_n and_o therefore_o labour_v still_o to_o induce_v he_o to_o abrogate_v the_o papal_a jurisdiction_n in_o his_o dominion_n and_o though_o this_o embassy_n of_o st._n david_n have_v not_o success_n yet_o henry_n give_v not_o over_o but_o continue_v to_o write_v letter_n to_o james_n insist_v still_o upon_o the_o same_o request_n petrie_n have_v transcribe_v one_o from_o fox_n 176._o wherein_o henry_n premonish_v require_v and_o most_o hearty_o pray_v jame_v to_o consider_v the_o supremacy_n grant_v by_o the_o holy_a scripture_n to_o prince_n in_o church_n matter_n to_o weigh_v what_o god_n word_n call_v a_o church_n to_o consider_v what_o superstition_n idolatry_n and_o blind_a abuse_n have_v creep_v into_o all_o realm_n to_o the_o high_a displeasure_n of_o god_n and_o what_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v by_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n and_o excommunication_n for_o the_o pope_n have_v then_o excommunicate_v henry_n and_o how_o no_o such_o censure_n can_v be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n or_o of_o any_o other_o man_n against_o he_o or_o any_o other_o prince_n have_v so_o just_a ground_n to_o avoid_v from_o the_o root_n and_o to_o abolish_v such_o one_fw-mi execrable_a authority_n as_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n have_v usurp_v and_o usurp_v upon_o all_o prince_n to_o their_o great_a damage_n request_v he_o for_o these_o reason_n to_o ponder_v of_o what_o hazard_n it_o may_v be_v to_o james_n himself_o if_o he_o agree_v to_o such_o censure_n and_o by_o such_o example_n give_v upperhand_n over_o himself_o and_o other_o prince_n to_o that_o usurper_n of_o rome_n to_o scourge_v all_o who_o will_v not_o kiss_v and_o adore_v the_o foot_n of_o that_o corrupt_a holiness_n which_o desire_v nothing_o but_o pride_n and_o the_o universal_a thrall_n of_o christendom_n etc._n etc._n here_o be_v earnestness_n for_o reformation_n in_o scotland_n with_o a_o witness_n and_o
trust_n and_o office_n as_o the_o clergy_n do_v then_o and_o they_o be_v satisfy_v and_o now_o if_o these_o reformer_n who_o thus_o petition_v and_o in_o their_o petition_n thus_o reason_v and_o agree_v to_o such_o a_o rule_n of_o reformation_n be_v for_o the_o divine_a institution_n of_o parity_n and_o the_o sacred_a right_n of_o presbytery_n nay_o if_o they_o be_v not_o not_o only_o for_o the_o lawfulness_n but_o the_o continuance_n of_o prelacy_n i_o must_v confess_v my_o ignorance_n to_o be_v very_o gross_a and_o so_o i_o refuse_v not_o correction_n for_o this_o evidence_n as_o i_o say_v we_o be_v behold_v to_o knox_n and_o to_o knox_n only_o it_o be_v true_a indeed_o calderwood_n 5_o give_v we_o the_o abstract_n of_o this_o petition_n but_o he_o conceal_v and_o suppress_v the_o whole_a pith_n and_o marrow_n of_o this_o article_n sum_v it_o up_o in_o these_o few_o ill-complexioned_a word_n that_o the_o slanderous_a and_o detestable_a life_n of_o the_o prelate_n and_o the_o state_n ecclesiastical_a may_v be_v reform_v which_o at_o first_o view_n one_o will_v imagine_v look_v kind_o towards_o presbytery_n but_o i_o be_o not_o surprise_v to_o find_v he_o thus_o at_o his_o trick_n it_o be_v but_o according_a to_o his_o custom_n to_o have_v set_v down_o the_o full_a article_n or_o to_o have_v abridge_v it_o so_o as_o that_o its_o force_n and_o purpose_n may_v have_v be_v see_v have_v be_v to_o disserve_v his_o cause_n and_o do_v one_fw-mi ill_a office_n to_o his_o idol_n parity_n and_o petrie_n as_o i_o have_v say_v be_v so_o wise_a as_o not_o to_o touch_v it_o at_o all_o lest_o it_o have_v burn_v his_o finger_n but_o that_o archbishop_n spotswood_n shall_v have_v overlookt_v it_o both_o in_o his_o history_n and_o in_o his_o refutatio_fw-la libelli_fw-la etc._n etc._n seem_v very_o strange_a for_o my_o part_n i_o shall_v rather_o think_v we_o have_v not_o his_o history_n entire_a and_o as_o he_o design_v it_o for_o the_o press_n for_o which_o i_o have_v hear_v other_o very_a pregnant_a presumption_n than_o that_o so_o great_a a_o man_n be_v guilty_a of_o so_o great_a one_fw-mi oscitancy_n but_o whatever_o be_v of_o this_o knox_n have_v it_o and_o that_o be_v enough_o and_o calderwood_n have_v abridge_v it_o and_o that_o be_v more_o than_o enough_o for_o my_o presbyterian_a brethren_n the_o three_o petition_n which_o i_o promise_v to_o adduce_v be_v that_o which_o be_v present_v to_o the_o parliament_n which_o establish_v the_o reformation_n anno_fw-la 1560._o for_o which_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o knox_n alone_o also_o at_o least_o so_o far_o as_o the_o present_a argument_n be_v concern_v 261._o for_o though_o both_o spotswood_n and_o petrie_n 219._o make_v mention_n of_o the_o petition_n or_o supplication_n yet_o neither_o of_o they_o have_v record_v that_o which_o i_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o calderwood_n be_v so_o accurate_a one_fw-mi historian_n as_o to_o take_v no_o notice_n of_o the_o petition_n that_o which_o i_o take_v notice_n of_o in_o it_o as_o it_o be_v in_o knox_n be_v that_o when_o our_o reformer_n come_v to_o crave_v the_o reformation_n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a state_n they_o bespeak_v the_o parliament_n thus_o and_o lest_o that_o your_o honour_n shall_v doubt_v in_o any_o of_o the_o premise_n they_o have_v affirm_v before_o that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n contain_v many_o pestiferous_a error_n that_o the_o sacrament_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v most_o shameful_o abuse_v and_o profane_v by_o the_o roman_a harlot_n that_o the_o true_a discipline_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n among_o that_o sect_n be_v utter_o extinguish_v and_o that_o the_o clergy_n of_o all_o man_n within_o the_o realm_n be_v most_o corrupt_a in_o life_n and_o manner_n etc._n etc._n we_o offer_v ourselves_o evident_o to_o prove_v that_o in_o all_o the_o rabble_n of_o the_o clergy_n there_o be_v not_o one_o lawful_a minister_n if_o god_n word_n the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o sincerity_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o their_o own_o ancient_a law_n shall_v judge_v of_o the_o election_n here_o i_o say_v our_o reformer_n insist_v on_o that_o same_o very_a rule_n for_o find_v if_o there_o be_v corruption_n in_o and_o by_o consequence_n for_o reform_v of_o the_o church_n on_o which_o they_o insist_v in_o the_o aforementioned_a petition_n from_o which_o it_o be_v evident_a they_o persist_v of_o the_o same_o sentiment_n and_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o draw_v the_o same_o inference_n such_o be_v the_o sentiment_n of_o our_o scottish_a reformer_n before_o the_o reform_a religion_n have_v the_o countenance_n of_o the_o civil_a government_n and_o act_n of_o parliament_n on_o its_o side_n and_o be_v make_v the_o national_a religion_n let_v we_o try_v next_o what_o kind_n of_o government_n they_o do_v establish_v when_o they_o have_v get_v law_n for_o they_o whither_o they_o establish_v a_o government_n that_o be_v to_o be_v manage_v by_o minister_n act_v in_o parity_n or_o in_o imparity_n and_o here_o i_o think_v the_o controversy_n may_v very_o soon_o be_v bring_v to_o a_o very_a fair_a issue_n the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n the_o act_n of_o many_o general_a assembly_n the_o act_n of_o many_o parliament_n both_o without_o interruption_n the_o unanimous_a consent_n of_o historian_n and_o the_o uncontroverted_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n for_o many_o year_n all_o concur_v to_o this_o assertion_n that_o the_o first_o establishment_n be_v of_o a_o government_n which_o be_v to_o be_v manage_v by_o superintendent_o and_o parochial_a minister_n elder_n and_o deacon_n act_v in_o subordination_n not_o in_o a_o state_n of_o parity_n with_o but_o in_o a_o state_n of_o inferiority_n in_o power_n and_o jurisdiction_n to_o these_o superintendent_o this_o establishment_n i_o say_v be_v so_o clear_a and_o undoubted_a from_o all_o these_o fountain_n that_o no_o more_o need_v be_v say_v upon_o the_o whole_a argument_n but_o because_o our_o presbyterian_a historian_n and_o antiquary_n though_o they_o can_v deny_v the_o thing_n do_v yet_o endeavour_v with_o all_o their_o may_v and_o cunning_a to_o intricate_a it_o and_o obscure_v it_o i_o shall_v further_o undertake_v two_o thing_n i._o i_o shall_v give_v the_o world_n a_o fair_a prospect_n of_o the_o power_n of_o superintendent_o as_o they_o be_v then_o establish_v and_o of_o the_o disparity_n betwixt_o they_o and_o parish_n minister_n ii_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o dissipate_v these_o mist_n whereby_o our_o presbyterian_a brethren_n be_v so_o very_a earnest_n to_o involve_v and_o darken_v this_o matter_n as_o for_o the_o i._o the_o world_n may_v competent_o see_v that_o superintendent_o as_o establish_v in_o scotland_n at_o the_o reformation_n have_v a_o considerable_a stock_n of_o prerogative_n or_o preeminency_n call_v they_o as_o you_o will_v which_o raise_v they_o far_o above_o other_o churchman_n far_o above_o the_o allowance_n of_o that_o parity_n our_o presbyterian_a brethren_n contend_v for_o so_o eager_o from_o the_o follow_a enumeration_n 1._o they_o have_v district_n or_o diocese_n of_o far_o large_a extent_n than_o other_o churchman_n private_a minister_n have_v only_o their_o private_a parish_n and_o may_v have_v be_v as_o many_o as_o there_o be_v church_n in_o the_o kingdom_n but_o according_a to_o the_o scheme_n lay_v down_o by_o our_o reformer_n in_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n head_n 5._o 158._o only_a ten_o or_o twelve_o superintendent_o be_v design_v to_o have_v the_o chief_a care_n as_o it_o be_v word_v in_o the_o prayer_n at_o the_o admission_n of_o a_o superintendent_n of_o all_o the_o church_n within_o the_o kingdom_n indeed_o ten_o be_v only_o there_o design_v but_o it_o be_v because_o of_o the_o scarcity_n of_o qualify_a man_n as_o we_o shall_v learn_v hereafter_o 2._o as_o they_o have_v large_a district_n than_o parish_n minister_n so_o there_o be_v correspondent_a specialty_n in_o their_o election_n parish_n minister_n be_v to_o enter_v to_o such_o church_n as_o have_v benefice_n by_o presentation_n from_o the_o patron_n and_o collation_n from_o the_o superintendent_n as_o be_v evident_a from_o act_n 7._o parl._n 1_o jam._n 6._o and_o many_o act_n of_o assembly_n as_o shall_v be_v full_o prove_v afterward_o if_o they_o be_v to_o serve_v where_o the_o benefice_n be_v actual_o possess_v by_o a_o papist_n they_o be_v to_o be_v choose_v by_o the_o people_n of_o the_o congregation_n by_o the_o appointment_n of_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n head_n 4._o 154._o but_o the_o election_n of_o superintendent_o be_v quite_o different_a they_o be_v to_o be_v nominate_v by_o the_o council_n and_o elect_v by_o the_o nobility_n and_o gentry_n etc._n etc._n within_o their_o diocese_n as_o have_v be_v already_o consider_v 3._o there_o be_v as_o great_a a_o difference_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o deposition_n if_o they_o deserve_v it_o parish_n minister_n by_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n head_n 8._o
have_v once_o transcribe_v already_o from_o his_o exhortation_n to_o england_n for_o the_o speedy_a embrace_v of_o christ_n gospel_n let_v no_o man_n be_v charge_v in_o preach_v of_o christ_n jesus_n say_v he_o 110._o above_o that_o which_o a_o man_n may_v do_v i_o mean_v that_o your_o bishopric_n be_v so_o divide_v that_o of_o every_o one_o as_o they_o be_v now_o for_o the_o most_o part_n may_v be_v make_v ten_o and_o so_o in_o every_o city_n and_o great_a town_n there_o may_v be_v place_v a_o godly_a learned_a man_n with_o so_o many_o join_v with_o he_o for_o preach_v and_o instruction_n as_o shall_v be_v think_v sufficient_a for_o the_o bound_n commit_v to_o their_o charge_n than_o which_o testimony_n it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o find_v a_o better_a comment_n upon_o that_o period_n of_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n pen_v also_o by_o knox_n himself_o which_o be_v the_o subject_n of_o our_o present_a controversy_n and_o it_o agree_v exact_o with_o my_o gloss_n for_o from_o this_o testimony_n it_o be_v clear_a that_o he_o be_v for_o a_o great_a number_n of_o bishop_n and_o little_a diocese_n and_o that_o in_o a_o church_n sufficient_o provide_v with_o minister_n the_o bishop_n shall_v not_o be_v oblige_v to_o travel_v from_o place_n to_o place_n for_o preach_v but_o may_v stay_v at_o the_o chief_a city_n or_o town_n of_o his_o diocese_n what_o i_o have_v say_v may_v be_v sufficient_a for_o prefer_v i_o to_o the_o presbyterian_a gloss_n but_o i_o have_v more_o to_o say_v for_o 3._o this_o sense_n of_o the_o period_n accord_v exact_o with_o the_o whole_a tenor_n of_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n in_o which_o there_o be_v not_o another_o syllable_n the_o most_o partial_a reader_n can_v say_v favour_v the_o mistake_a conceit_n about_o the_o temporariness_n of_o superintendency_n but_o much_o to_o the_o contrary_n thus_o in_o the_o head_n of_o the_o election_n of_o superintendent_o 1●9_n the_o very_o first_o word_n be_v such_o be_v the_o present_a necessity_n that_o the_o examination_n and_o admission_n of_o superintendent_o can_v be_v so_o strict_a as_o afterward_o it_o must_v clear_o import_v that_o as_o necessity_n force_v they_o to_o establish_v a_o small_a number_n at_o first_o so_o also_o to_o take_v they_o as_o they_o can_v have_v they_o but_o that_o a_o strict_a accuracy_n in_o their_o trial_n will_v be_v needful_a when_o the_o number_n of_o qualify_a man_n shall_v increase_v which_o run_v quite_o counter_a to_o the_o whole_a design_n of_o the_o presbyterian_a gloss._n again_o ibid._n if_o so_o many_o able_a man_n can_v be_v find_v at_o present_a as_o necessity_n require_v it_o be_v better_a that_o these_o province_n wait_v till_o god_n provide_v than_o that_o man_n unable_a to_o edify_v and_o govern_v the_o church_n be_v sudden_o place_v in_o the_o charge_n etc._n etc._n another_o demonstration_n why_o at_o that_o time_n they_o establish_v so_o few_o superintendent_o again_o ibid._n if_o any_o superintendent_n shall_v depart_v this_o life_n or_o happen_v to_o be_v depose_v rule_n be_v lay_v down_o for_o supply_v the_o vacancy_n but_o to_o what_o purpose_n if_o superintendency_n be_v to_o be_v of_o so_o short_a continuance_n far_o yet_o 160._o after_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v establish_v and_o three_o year_n be_v past_a no_o man_n shall_v be_v call_v to_o the_o office_n of_o a_o superintendent_n who_o have_v not_o two_o year_n at_o least_o give_v a_o proof_n of_o his_o faithful_a labour_n in_o the_o ministry_n of_o some_o church_n what_o can_v more_o plain_o import_v that_o the_o office_n be_v to_o be_v durable_a once_o more_o 163._o when_o this_o book_n of_o discipline_n come_v to_o the_o business_n of_o the_o university_n it_o suppose_v that_o superintendent_o and_o college_n be_v to_o be_v of_o equal_a continuance_n for_o the_o superintendent_n be_v still_o to_o be_v at_o the_o choose_n and_o instalment_n of_o principal_n and_o rector_n and_o the_o money_n collect_v for_o uphold_v the_o fabric_n be_v to_o be_v count_v yearly_o upon_o the_o 15_o day_n of_o november_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o superintendent_n of_o the_o bound_n and_o employ_v with_o his_o advice_n etc._n etc._n neither_o be_v this_o all_o yet_o for_o 4._o the_o form_n and_o order_n of_o the_o election_n of_o the_o superintendent_n to_o be_v find_v both_o in_o knox_n history_n etc._n and_o the_o old_a scottish_a liturgy_n be_v every_o way_n as_o patt_v for_o the_o continuance_n of_o the_o office_n as_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n for_o the_o first_o thing_n we_o meet_v with_o there_o as_o i_o have_v already_o observe_v be_v the_o necssity_n of_o minister_n and_o superintendent_o o●_n oversecr_v without_o any_o exception_n or_o speciality_n about_o the_o one_o more_o than_o the_o other_o and_o as_o our_o reformer_n have_v petition_v the_o government_n for_o the_o establishment_n of_o a_o method_n to_o be_v observe_v in_o the_o election_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n without_o any_o intimation_n of_o the_o temporariness_n of_o either_o office_n as_o we_o have_v show_v before_o so_o here_o we_o find_v it_o put_v in_o practice_n as_o have_v likewise_o before_o be_v observe_v without_o so_o much_o as_o one_o syllable_n favour_v the_o presbyterian_a side_n of_o the_o present_a controversy_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a all_o alongst_o for_o i_o thus_o the_o people_n be_v ask_v if_o they_o will_v obey_v and_o honour_v he_o as_o christ_n minister_n and_o comfort_n and_o assist_v he_o in_o every_o thing_n pertain_v to_o his_o charge_n and_o their_o answer_n be_v they_o will_v and_o they_o promise_v he_o such_o obedience_n as_o become_v sheep_n to_o give_v unto_o their_o pastor_n not_o so_o long_o as_o the_o present_a necessity_n force_v or_o the_o present_a exigence_n require_v but_o so_o long_o as_o he_o remain_v faithful_a in_o his_o charge_n in_o short_a the_o order_n or_o form_n for_o admit_v a_o superintendent_n and_o a_o parish_n minister_n be_v all_o one_o and_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o it_o import_v the_o one_o office_n to_o be_v temporary_a more_o than_o the_o other_o and_o however_o calderwood_n think_v fit_a to_o affirm_v that_o superintendent_o be_v not_o then_o establish_v as_o of_o divine_a institution_n yet_o in_o all_o this_o form_n the_o divine_a institution_n of_o their_o office_n be_v as_o much_o to_o be_v find_v as_o the_o divine_a institution_n of_o ordinary_a minister_n the_o people_n as_o we_o have_v it_o just_a now_o be_v ask_v if_o they_o will_v obey_v he_o as_o christ_n minister_n and_o he_o himself_o be_v ask_v if_o he_o know_v that_o the_o excellency_n of_o this_o office_n to_o the_o which_o god_n call_v he_o do_v require_v that_o his_o conversation_n shall_v be_v irreprehensible_a and_o again_o it_o be_v ask_v the_o people_n will_v you_o not_o acknowledge_v this_o your_o brother_n for_o the_o minister_n of_o christ_n jesus_n your_o overseer_n and_o pastor_n will_v you_o not_o maintain_v and_o comfort_v he_o in_o his_o ministry_n and_o watch_v over_o you_o against_o all_o such_o as_o wicked_o will_v rebel_v against_o god_n and_o his_o holy_a ordinance_n and_o in_o the_o prayer_n after_o his_o instalment_n we_o have_v this_o petition_n send_v unto_o this_o our_o brother_n who_o in_o thy_o name_n we_o have_v charge_v with_o the_o chief_z care_n of_o thy_o church_n within_o the_o bound_n of_o lothian_n etc._n etc._n thus_o our_o reformer_n think_v of_o superintendency_n when_o they_o compose_v this_o form_n now_o if_o they_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o god_n ordinance_n etc._n etc._n with_o what_o reason_n can_v it_o be_v say_v they_o design_v it_o mere_o to_o be_v temporary_a and_o for_o the_o then_o necessity_n of_o the_o church_n i_o think_v it_o will_v be_v hard_a to_o prove_v that_o it_o be_v the_o divinity_n of_o these_o time_n that_o man_n may_v dispense_v with_o divine_a institution_n but_o of_o this_o more_o afterward_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n proceed_v we_o to_o a_o further_o and_o indeed_o one_fw-mi irrefragable_a topick_n for_o confirm_v my_o side_n of_o the_o present_a controversy_n and_o that_o be_v 5._o that_o as_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n and_o the_o form_n of_o admit_v superintendent_o do_v both_o fair_o import_n that_o our_o reformer_n intend_v nothing_o less_o than_o the_o temporariness_n of_o superintendent_o so_o it_o be_v as_o clear_v from_o a_o vast_a number_n of_o act_n of_o general_a assembly_n most_o of_o these_o act_n i_o have_v already_o adduce_v for_o show_v the_o disparity_n between_o superintendent_o and_o ordinary_a minister_n when_o they_o be_v serious_o consider_v will_v be_v find_v uncontrovertible_o to_o this_o purpose_n but_o there_o be_v many_o more_o for_o example_n consider_v these_o follow_v the_o assembly_n may_v 27_o 1561._o mss._n address_v to_o the_o council_n that_o special_a and_o certain_a provision_n may_v be_v make_v for_o the_o maintenance_n of_o the_o
policy_n and_o government_n indeed_o to_o make_v governor_n subject_a to_o the_o censure_n and_o sentence_n of_o their_o subject_n what_o be_v it_o else_o than_o to_o subvert_v government_n to_o confound_v relation_n to_o sap_n the_o foundation_n of_o all_o order_n and_o politic_a establishment_n it_o be_v as_o king_n jame_v the_o six_o have_v it_o in_o his_o discourse_n about_o the_o true_a law_n of_o free_a monarchy_n 202._o and_o i_o can_v give_v it_o better_o to_o invert_v the_o order_n of_o all_o law_n and_o reason_n to_o make_v the_o command_v command_v the_o commander_n the_o judge_v judge_v their_o judge_n and_o they_o who_o be_v govern_v to_o govern_v their_o time_n about_o their_o lord_n and_o governor_n in_o short_a to_o give_v a_o just_a account_n of_o such_o a_o constitution_n it_o be_v very_o near_o of_o kin_n to_o that_o banter_v question_v i_o have_v sometime_o hear_v propose_v to_o child_n or_o idiot_n if_o you_o be_v above_o i_o and_o i_o above_o you_o which_o of_o we_o shall_v be_v uppermost_a i_o add_v further_o 2._o that_o as_o i_o take_v it_o our_o reformer_n put_v this_o in_o the_o constitution_n that_o they_o may_v appear_v consequential_a to_o a_o principle_n then_o espouse_v and_o put_v in_o practice_n by_o they_o about_o civil_a government_n which_o be_v that_o the_o king_n be_v superior_a to_o his_o subject_n in_o their_o distributive_a but_o inferior_a to_o they_o in_o their_o collective_a capacity_n universis_fw-la this_o principle_n i_o say_v in_o those_o day_n be_v in_o great_a credit_n knox_n have_v learn_v it_o from_o the_o democratians_n at_o geneva_n his_o authority_n be_v great_a and_o he_o be_v very_o fond_a of_o this_o principle_n and_o disseminated_a it_o with_o a_o singular_a zeal_n and_o confidence_n beside_o our_o reformer_n be_v then_o obnoxious_a to_o the_o civil_a government_n the_o stand_a law_n be_v against_o they_o and_o the_o sovereign_n persuasion_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n jump_v with_o the_o law_n this_o principle_n therefore_o have_v it_o be_v a_o good_a one_o come_v to_o they_o most_o seasonable_o and_o come_v to_o they_o in_o such_o a_o nick_n and_o withal_o meeting_n in_o they_o with_o scotch_a metal_n ingenium_fw-la they_o put_v it_o in_o practice_n and_o be_v put_v in_o practice_n god_n suffer_v it_o to_o be_v successful_a and_o the_o success_n be_v a_o new_a endearment_n and_o so_o it_o come_v to_o be_v a_o principle_n of_o credit_n and_o reputation_n indeed_o they_o have_v be_v very_o unthankful_a to_o it_o and_o inconsequential_a to_o boot_v if_o they_o have_v not_o adopt_v it_o into_o their_o ecclesiastical_a as_o well_o as_o their_o civil_a systeme_n and_o the_o superintendent_o have_v have_v a_o main_a hand_n in_o reduce_v it_o to_o practice_n against_o the_o prince_n can_v not_o take_v it_o ill_o if_o it_o be_v make_v a_o law_n to_o themselves_o it_o be_v but_o their_o own_o measure_n this_o i_o say_v i_o take_v to_o be_v the_o natural_a history_n of_o this_o part_n of_o the_o constitution_n nay_o 3._o so_o fond_a it_o seem_v they_o be_v of_o this_o principle_n that_o they_o extend_v it_o further_o so_o far_o as_o even_o to_o make_v minister_n accountable_a to_o their_o own_o eldership_n so_o it_o be_v express_o establish_v by_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n head_n 8._o 167._o the_o elder_n ought_v also_o to_o take_v heed_n to_o the_o life_n manner_n diligence_n and_o study_n of_o their_o minister_n and_o if_o he_o be_v worthy_a of_o admonition_n they_o must_v admonish_v he_o if_o of_o correction_n they_o must_v correct_v he_o and_o if_o he_o be_v worthy_a of_o deposition_n they_o with_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n and_o superintendent_n may_v depose_v he_o here_o be_v a_o pitch_n of_o democracy_n which_o i_o think_v our_o presbyterian_a brethren_n themselves_o as_o self_n deny_v as_o they_o be_v will_v not_o take_v with_o so_o very_o kind_o and_o yet_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o believe_v the_o compiler_n of_o the_o book_n never_o think_v 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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 ●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
reformation_n but_o petrie_n 218._o say_v it_o be_v express_o affirm_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o book_n itself_o that_o the_o commission_n be_v grant_v for_o compile_v it_o on_o the_o 29_o of_o april_n 1560._o and_o that_o they_o bring_v it_o to_o a_o conclusion_n as_o they_o can_v for_o the_o time_n before_o the_o 20_o of_o may_n a_o short_a enough_o time_n i_o think_v for_o a_o work_n of_o such_o importance_n so_o petrie_n affirm_v i_o say_v and_o it_o be_v apparent_a he_o be_v in_o the_o right_a for_o his_o account_n agree_v exact_o with_o the_o first_o nomination_n of_o superintendent_o which_o both_o knox_n and_o spotswood_n affirm_v to_o have_v be_v make_v in_o july_n that_o year_n 149._o and_o beside_o it_o fall_v in_o natural_o with_o the_o series_n of_o the_o history_n for_o the_o nobility_n and_o gentry_n have_v see_v the_o book_n and_o consider_v it_o before_o the_o parliament_n sit_v according_a to_o this_o account_n make_v it_o fair_o intelligible_a how_o it_o be_v entire_o neglect_v or_o rather_o reject_v not_o only_o so_o far_o as_o that_o it_o be_v never_o allow_v of_o nor_o approven_v by_o they_o as_o we_o shall_v learn_v by_o and_o by_o but_o so_o far_o that_o in_o that_o parliament_n no_o provision_n at_o all_o be_v make_v for_o the_o maintenance_n and_o subsistence_n of_o the_o reform_a minister_n for_o understand_v this_o more_o full_o yet_o it_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v that_o there_o have_v be_v disceptation_n and_o controversy_n the_o year_n before_o viz._n 1559._o about_o the_o disposal_n of_o the_o patrimony_n of_o the_o church_n this_o i_o learn_v from_o a_o letter_n of_o knox_n to_o calvin_n date_a august_n 28._o 1559._o to_o be_v see_v among_o calvin_n epistle_n col._n 441._o wherein_o he_o ask_v his_o sentiment_n about_o this_o question_n whither_o the_o yearly_a revenue_n may_v be_v pay_v to_o such_o as_o have_v be_v monk_n and_o popish_a priest_n even_o though_o they_o shall_v confess_v their_o former_a error_n consider_v that_o they_o neither_o serve_v the_o church_n nor_o be_v capable_a to_o do_v it_o and_o tell_v he_o frank_o videntur_fw-la that_o he_o have_v maintain_v the_o negative_a for_o which_o he_o be_v call_v too_o severe_a not_o only_o by_o the_o papist_n but_o even_o by_o many_o protestant_n from_o which_o it_o be_v plain_a not_o only_o that_o there_o be_v then_o controversy_n about_o the_o disposal_n of_o the_o patrimony_n of_o the_o church_n as_o i_o have_v say_v but_o also_o that_o knox_n and_o by_o very_o probable_a consequence_n the_o protestant_a preacher_n general_o be_v clear_a that_o the_o ecclesiastical_a revenue_n have_v be_v primary_o destinate_a to_o the_o church_n for_o the_o end_n of_o religion_n and_o therefore_o whatever_o person_n can_v not_o serve_v these_o end_n can_v have_v no_o just_a title_n to_o these_o revenue_n by_o which_o way_n of_o reason_v not_o only_o ignorant_a priest_n and_o monk_n but_o all_o lay_v man_n whatsoever_o be_v exclude_v from_o have_v any_o title_n to_o the_o patrimony_n of_o the_o church_n now_o while_o this_o controversy_n be_v in_o agitation_n as_o to_o point_v of_o right_n the_o guise_n be_v go_v against_o knox_n side_n of_o it_o as_o to_o matter_n of_o fact_n for_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n many_o abbey_n and_o monastery_n be_v throw_v down_o and_o the_o nobility_n and_o gentry_n be_v daily_o possess_v themselves_o of_o the_o estate_n that_o have_v belong_v to_o they_o and_o so_o before_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n which_o be_v knox_n performance_n and_o so_o no_o doubt_n contain_v his_o principle_n be_v compile_v they_o be_v find_v that_o there_o be_v something_o sweet_a in_o sacrilege_n and_o be_v by_o no_o mean_n willing_a to_o part_v with_o what_o they_o have_v get_v so_o fortunate_o as_o they_o think_v in_o their_o finger_n beside_o they_o foresee_v if_o knox_n project_n take_v place_n several_z other_z which_o they_o judge_v considerable_a inconvenient_n will_v follow_v if_o the_o monk_n and_o priest_n etc._n etc._n who_o acknowledge_v their_o former_a error_n shall_v be_v so_o treat_v what_o may_v they_o expect_v who_o persist_v in_o their_o adherence_n to_o the_o romish_a faith_n and_o interest_n though_o they_o be_v blind_v with_o superstition_n and_o error_n yet_o they_o be_v man_n they_o be_v scottish_a man_n nay_o they_o be_v general_o of_o their_o own_o blood_n and_o their_o very_a near_a kinsman_n and_o will_v it_o not_o be_v very_o hard_a to_o deprive_v they_o entire_o of_o their_o live_n and_o reduce_v they_o who_o have_v their_o estate_n settle_v upon_o they_o by_o law_n and_o have_v live_v so_o plentiful_o and_o so_o hospitable_o to_o such_o one_fw-mi hopeless_a state_n of_o misery_n and_o arrant_a beggary_n further_o by_o this_o scheme_n as_o they_o behove_v to_o part_v with_o what_o they_o have_v already_o gripe_v so_o their_o hope_n of_o ever_o have_v opportunity_n to_o profit_v themselves_o of_o the_o revenue_n of_o the_o church_n thereafter_o be_v more_o effectual_o discourage_v than_o they_o have_v be_v even_o in_o the_o time_n of_o popery_n the_o popish_a clergy_n by_o their_o rule_n be_v bind_v to_o live_v single_a they_o can_v not_o marry_v nor_o by_o consequence_n have_v lawful_a child_n to_o provide_v for_o the_o reform_a as_o the_o law_n of_o god_n allow_v they_o and_o their_o inclination_n prompt_v they_o indulge_v themselves_o the_o solace_n of_o wedlock_n and_o beget_v child_n and_o have_v family_n to_o maintain_v and_o provide_v for_o there_o be_v no_o such_o expectation_n therefore_o of_o easy_a lease_n and_o rich_a gift_n and_o hide_a legacy_n etc._n etc._n from_o they_o as_o from_o the_o popish_a clergy_n add_v to_o this_o the_o popish_a clergy_n foresee_v the_o ruin_n of_o the_o romish_a interest_n they_o see_v no_o likelihood_n of_o successor_n of_o their_o own_o stamp_n and_o principles_n they_o have_v a_o mighty_a spite_n at_o the_o reformation_n it_o be_v not_o likely_a therefore_o that_o they_o will_v be_v anxious_a what_o become_v of_o the_o patrimony_n of_o the_o church_n after_o they_o be_v go_v it_o be_v to_o be_v hope_v they_o may_v squander_v it_o away_o dilapidate_v alienate_v etc._n etc._n without_o difficulty_n as_o indeed_o they_o do_v and_o who_o but_o themselves_o the_o laity_n shall_v have_v all_o this_o gain_n upon_o these_o and_o the_o like_a consideration_n i_o say_v the_o nobility_n and_o gentry_n have_v no_o like_n to_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n and_o be_v once_o out_o of_o love_n with_o it_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o get_v argument_n enough_o against_o it_o the_o novelty_n and_o the_o numerous_a needless_a recession_n from_o the_o old_a polity_n which_o be_v in_o it_o furnish_v these_o both_o obvious_o and_o abundant_o so_o it_o be_v not_o only_o not_o establish_v but_o it_o seem_v the_o nobility_n and_o gentry_n who_o have_v ever_o the_o principal_a sway_n in_o scottish_a parliament_n to_o let_v the_o minister_n find_v how_o much_o they_o have_v displease_v they_o by_o such_o a_o draught_n resolve_v to_o serve_v they_o a_o trick_n indeed_o they_o serve_v they_o a_o monstrous_a one_o for_o though_o in_o the_o parliament_n 1560._o they_o establish_v the_o reformation_n as_o to_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n etc._n etc._n and_o by_o a_o legal_a definition_n make_v the_o protestant_n the_o national_a church_n yet_o they_o settle_v not_o so_o much_o as_o a_o groat_n of_o the_o church_n revenue_n upon_o its_o minister_n but_o continue_v the_o popish_a clergy_n during_o their_o life_n in_o their_o possession_n it_o be_v true_a indeed_o through_o the_o importunity_n of_o i._o knox_n and_o some_o other_o of_o the_o preacher_n some_o nobleman_n and_o gentleman_n subscribe_v the_o book_n in_o january_n 1560_o 1._o 175._o but_o as_o they_o be_v not_o serious_a as_o knox_n intimate_v so_o they_o do_v it_o with_o this_o express_a provision_n apparent_o level_v against_o one_o of_o the_o main_a design_n of_o the_o book_n that_o the_o bishop_n abbot_n prior_n and_o other_o prelate_n and_o benefice_a man_n who_o have_v already_o join_v themselves_o to_o the_o religion_n shall_v enjoy_v the_o rent_n of_o their_o benefice_n during_o their_o life_n they_o sustain_v the_o minister_n for_o their_o part_n etc._n etc._n but_o it_o be_v never_o general_o receive_v on_o the_o contrary_a it_o be_v treat_v in_o ridicule_n and_o call_v a_o devout_n imagination_n which_o offend_v knox_n exceed_o 174._o nay_o it_o seem_v the_o minister_n themselves_o be_v not_o general_o please_v with_o it_o after_o second_o thought_n or_o the_o laity_n have_v be_v more_o numerous_a in_o the_o general_n assembly_n hold_v in_o december_n 1561._o for_o as_o knox_n himself_o tell_v we_o 323._o when_o it_o be_v move_v there_o that_o the_o book_n shall_v be_v offer_v to_o the_o queen_n and_o her_o majesty_n shall_v be_v supplicate_v to_o ratify_v it_o the_o motion_n be_v reject_v the_o reformation_n thus_o establish_v
have_v full_o prove_v and_o which_o be_v all_o i_o still_o aim_v at_o yet_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o discover_v they_o be_v very_o far_o from_o keep_v close_o by_o the_o principle_n and_o measure_n of_o the_o primitive_a constitution_n of_o church_n government_n this_o be_v so_o very_o apparent_a to_o any_o who_o read_v the_o history_n of_o these_o time_n and_o be_v so_o visible_a in_o the_o deduction_n i_o have_v make_v that_o i_o shall_v insist_v no_o long_o on_o it_o second_o the_o truth_n of_o my_o charge_n may_v further_o appear_v from_o the_o instance_n of_o adamson_n advance_v this_o year_n 1576_o to_o the_o archbishopric_n of_o st._n andrews_n that_o nature_n have_v furnish_v he_o with_o a_o good_a stock_n and_o he_o be_v a_o smart_a man_n and_o cultivate_v beyond_o the_o ordinary_a size_n by_o many_o part_n of_o good_a literature_n be_v not_o deny_v by_o the_o presbyterian_a historian_n themselves_o they_o never_o attempt_v to_o represent_v he_o as_o a_o fool_n or_o a_o dunce_n though_o they_o be_v very_o eager_a to_o have_v he_o a_o man_n of_o trick_n and_o latitude_n now_o this_o prelate_n ignorance_n in_o true_a antiquity_n be_v remarkable_o visible_a in_o his_o subscribe_v to_o these_o proposition_n anno_fw-la 1580_o if_o we_o may_v believe_v calderwood_n 93.94_o the_o power_n and_o authority_n of_o all_o pastor_n be_v equal_a and_o alike_o great_a among_o themselves_o the_o name_n bishop_n be_v relative_n to_o the_o flock_n and_o not_o to_o the_o eldership_n for_o he_o be_v bishop_n of_o his_o flock_n and_o not_o of_o other_o pastor_n or_o fellow_n elder_n as_o for_o the_o pre-eminence_n that_o one_o bear_v over_o the_o rest_n it_o be_v the_o invention_n of_o man_n and_o not_o the_o institution_n of_o holy_a writ_n that_o the_o ordain_v and_o appoint_v of_o pastor_n which_o be_v also_o call_v the_o lay_v on_o of_o hand_n appertain_v not_o to_o one_o bishop_n only_o so_o be_v lawful_a election_n pass_v before_o but_o to_o those_o of_o the_o same_o province_n or_o presbytery_n and_o with_o the_o like_a jurisdiction_n and_o authority_n minister_n at_o their_o kirk_n that_o in_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a for_o eschew_v of_o private_a ordain_v of_o minister_n it_o be_v statute_v that_o no_o pastor_n shall_v be_v appoint_v without_o the_o consent_n of_o he_o who_o dwell_v or_o remain_v in_o the_o chief_a and_o principal_a city_n of_o the_o province_n which_o they_o call_v the_o metropolitan_a city_n that_o after_o in_o the_o latter_a council_n it_o be_v statute_v that_o thing_n may_v proceed_v more_o solemn_o and_o with_o great_a authority_n that_o the_o lay_v on_o of_o hand_n upon_o pastor_n after_o lawful_a election_n shall_v be_v by_o the_o metropolitan_a or_o bishop_n of_o the_o chief_a and_o principal_a town_n the_o rest_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o province_n vote_v thereto_o in_o which_o thing_n there_o be_v no_o other_o prerogative_n but_o only_o that_o of_o the_o town_n which_o for_o that_o cause_n be_v think_v most_o meet_a both_o for_o the_o conveen_n of_o the_o council_n and_o ordain_v of_o pastor_n with_o common_a consent_n and_o authority_n that_o the_o estate_n of_o the_o church_n be_v corrupt_v when_o the_o name_n bishop_n which_o before_o be_v common_a to_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o province_n begin_v without_o the_o authority_n of_o god_n word_n and_o ancient_a custom_n of_o the_o kirk_n to_o be_v attribute_v to_o one_o that_o the_o power_n of_o appoint_v and_o ordain_v minister_n and_o rule_v of_o kirk_n with_o the_o whole_a procuration_n of_o ecclesiastical_a discipline_n be_v now_o only_o devolve_v to_o one_o metropolitan_a the_o other_o pastor_n no_o way_n challenge_v their_o right_n and_o privilege_n therein_o of_o very_a slothfulness_n on_o the_o one_o part_n and_o the_o devil_n on_o the_o other_o go_v about_o crafty_o to_o lay_v the_o ground_n of_o the_o papistical_a supremacy_n from_o these_o and_o such_o other_o proposition_n sign_v by_o he_o at_o that_o time_n it_o may_v be_v judge_v i_o say_v if_o this_o prelate_n do_v not_o bewray_v a_o very_a profound_a ignorance_n in_o true_a ecclesiastical_a antiquity_n one_fw-mi arrant_a presbyterian_a can_v not_o have_v say_v can_v not_o have_v wish_v more_o indeed_o it_o be_v more_o than_o probable_a as_o perchance_o may_v appear_v by_o and_o by_o that_o these_o proposition_n be_v take_v out_o either_o formal_o or_o by_o collection_n of_o mr._n beza_n book_n de_n triplici_fw-la episcopatu_fw-la now_o if_o adamson_n be_v so_o little_o see_v in_o such_o matter_n what_o may_v we_o judge_v of_o the_o rest_n but_o this_o be_v not_o all_o for_o three_o there_o can_v be_v a_o great_a evidence_n of_o the_o deplorable_a unskilfulness_n of_o the_o clergy_n in_o these_o time_n in_o the_o ancient_a record_n of_o the_o church_n than_o their_o suffering_n melvil_n and_o his_o party_n to_o obtrude_v upon_o they_o the_o second_o book_n of_o discipline_n a_o split_v new_a democratical_a systeme_n a_o very_a farce_n of_o novelty_n never_o hear_v of_o before_o in_o the_o christian_a church_n for_o instance_n what_o else_o be_v the_o confound_a of_o the_o office_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n 9_o the_o make_v doctor_n or_o professor_n of_o divinity_n in_o college_n and_o university_n a_o distinct_a office_n and_o of_o divine_a institution_n tot_o the_o set_n up_o of_o lay-elder_n as_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n jure_fw-la divino_fw-la make_v they_o judge_n of_o man_n qualification_n to_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o sacrament_n visiter_n of_o the_o sick_a etc._n etc._n tot_fw-la make_v the_o college_n of_o presbyter_n in_o city_n in_o the_o primitive_a time_n lay_v eldership_n 16._o prohibit_v appeal_n from_o scottish_a general_n assembly_n to_o any_o judge_n civil_a or_o ecclesiastic_a 8._o and_o by_o consequence_n to_o oecumenick_n council_n be_v not_o these_o ancient_n and_o catholic_n assertion_n what_o footstep_n of_o these_o thing_n in_o true_a antiquity_n how_o easy_a have_v it_o be_v for_o man_n skill_v in_o the_o constitution_n government_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n to_o have_v lay_v open_a to_o the_o conviction_n of_o all_o sober_a man_n the_o novelty_n the_o vanity_n the_o inexpediency_n the_o impoliticalness_n the_o uncatholicalness_n of_o most_o if_o not_o all_o of_o these_o proposition_n if_o any_o further_a doubt_n can_v remain_v concern_v the_o little_a skill_n the_o clergy_n of_o scotland_n in_o these_o time_n have_v in_o these_o matter_n it_o may_v be_v further_o demonstate_v four_o from_o this_o plain_a matter_n of_o fact_n viz._n that_o that_o second_o book_n of_o discipline_n in_o many_o point_n be_v take_v word_n for_o word_n from_o mr._n beza_n answer_n to_o the_o question_n propose_v to_o he_o by_o the_o lord_n glamis_n than_o chancellor_n of_o scotland_n a_o fair_a evidence_n that_o our_o clergy_n at_o that_o time_n have_v not_o be_v very_o well_o see_v in_o ecclesiastical_a politic_n otherwise_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v think_v they_o will_v have_v be_v so_o impose_v on_o by_o a_o single_a stranger_n divine_a who_o visible_o aim_v at_o the_o propagation_n of_o the_o scheme_n which_o by_o chance_n have_v get_v foot_v in_o the_o church_n where_o he_o live_v his_o tractate_n de_fw-fr triplici_fw-la episcopatu_fw-la write_v of_o purpose_n for_o the_o advancement_n of_o presbyterianism_n in_o scotland_n carry_v visible_o in_o its_o whole_a train_n that_o its_o design_n be_v to_o draw_v our_o clergy_n from_o off_o the_o ancient_a polity_n of_o the_o church_n and_o his_o answer_n to_o the_o six_o question_n propose_v to_o he_o as_o i_o say_v by_o glanus_n contain_v the_o new_a scheme_n he_o advise_v they_o to_o now_o let_v we_o taste_v a_o little_a of_o his_o skill_n in_o the_o constitution_n and_o government_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n or_o if_o you_o please_v of_o his_o account_n of_o her_o policy_n i_o take_v his_o book_n as_o i_o find_v it_o among_o saravia_n work_n he_o be_v positive_a for_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o rule_v elder_n 8._o he_o affirm_v that_o bishop_n arrogate_a to_o themselves_o the_o power_n of_o ordination_n without_o god_n allowance_n 29._o that_o the_o chief_a foundation_n of_o all_o ecclesiastical_a function_n be_v popular_a election_n that_o this_o election_n and_o not_o ordination_n or_o imposition_n of_o hand_n make_v pastor_n or_o bishop_n that_o imposition_n of_o hand_n do_v no_o more_o than_o put_v they_o in_o possession_n of_o their_o ministry_n in_o the_o exercise_n of_o it_o as_o i_o take_v it_o the_o power_n whereof_o they_o have_v from_o that_o election_n that_o by_o consequence_n it_o be_v more_o proper_a to_o say_v that_o the_o father_n of_o the_o church_n be_v create_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o the_o suffrage_n of_o their_o child_n than_o by_o the_o bishop_n 30._o that_o saint_n paul_n in_o his_o first_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n in_o which_o he_o express_o write_v against_o and_o condemn_v the_o
schism_n which_o then_o prevail_v there_o as_o foresee_v that_o episcopacy_n may_v ready_o be_v deem_v a_o remedy_n against_o so_o great_a one_fw-mi evil_a join_v so●thenes_n with_o himself_o in_o the_o inscription_n of_o the_o epistle_n that_o by_o his_o own_o example_n he_o may_v teach_v how_o much_o that_o princeliness_n be_v to_o be_v avoid_v in_o ecclesiastical_a convention_n see_v the_o apostle_n themselves_o who_o be_v own_v to_o have_v be_v next_o to_o christ_n first_o in_o order_n and_o supreme_a in_o degree_n do_v yet_o exercise_n their_o power_n by_o the_o rule_n of_o parity_n 41._o who_o will_v not_o at_o first_o sight_n think_v this_o a_o pretty_a odd_a fetch_n but_o to_o go_v on_o he_o further_o affirm_v 43._o that_o episcopacy_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o proper_a remedy_n against_o schism_n that_o it_o have_v produce_v many_o grievous_a schism_n which_o have_v never_o be_v but_o for_o that_o humane_a invention_n that_o the_o papacy_n be_v the_o fruit_n of_o episcopacy_n 46._o that_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a by_o make_v that_o canon_n about_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o the_o ancient_a custom_n shall_v continue_v &c_n &c_n clear_v the_o way_n for_o the_o roman_a papacy_n which_o be_v then_o advance_v apace_o and_o found_v a_o throne_n for_o that_o whore_n that_o sit_v upon_o the_o seven_o mountain_n 58._o that_o the_o primitive_a church_n be_v in_o a_o flourish_a condition_n so_o long_o as_o their_o governor_n continue_v to_o act_n in_o parity_n and_o have_v not_o yield_v to_o prelacy_n 71._o and_o yet_o he_o have_v grant_v before_o 45._o that_o humane_a episcopacy_n as_o he_o call_v it_o be_v in_o vogue_n in_o ignatius_n his_o time_n etc._n etc._n so_o that_o i_o think_v they_o can_v not_o flourish_v much_o have_v so_o short_a a_o time_n to_o flourish_v in_o these_o few●_n of_o many_o such_o learned_a proposition_n i_o have_v collect_v out_o of_o that_o book_n which_o be_v so_o successful_a at_o that_o time_n in_o further_a and_o advance_v the_o presbyterian_a principle_n in_o scotland_n and_o can_v they_o be_v a_o learned_a clergy_n can_v they_o be_v great_a master_n at_o antiquity_n and_o ecclesiastical_a history_n who_o swallow_v down_o these_o proposition_n or_o be_v impose_v on_o by_o the_o book_n that_o contain_v they_o it_o be_v true_a this_o book_n come_v not_o to_o scotland_n till_o the_o end_n of_o the_o year_n 1577_o or_o the_o begin_n of_o 1578._o but_o i_o think_v it_o pardonable_a to_o anticipate_v so_o far_o as_o now_o to_o give_v this_o account_n of_o it_o consider_v how_o proper_a it_o be_v for_o my_o present_a purpose_n we_o shall_v have_v occasion_n to_o take_v further_a notice_n of_o it_o afterward_o thus_o i_o think_v i_o have_v make_v it_o appear_v how_o advantageous_a morton_n proposition_n be_v to_o the_o presbyterian_a party_n they_o have_v occasion_n by_o it_o to_o fall_v upon_o form_v a_o new_a scheme_n of_o church_n governmet_a and_o polity_n they_o be_v as_o well_o prepare_v as_o they_o can_v be_v for_o such_o a_o nick_n and_o they_o have_v a_o set_v of_o people_n to_o deal_v with_o who_o may_v easy_o be_v worsted_n in_o these_o controversy_n however_o it_o seem_v the_o common_a principle_n of_o politic_n which_o god_n and_o nature_n have_v make_v if_o not_o inseparable_a part_n at_o least_o ordinary_a concomitant_n of_o sound_n and_o solid_a reason_n do_v sometime_o make_v their_o appearance_n among_o they_o for_o that_o there_o have_v be_v disputation_n and_o contest_v and_o that_o some_o at_o least_o of_o the_o many_o proposition_n contain_v in_o the_o second_o book_n of_o discipline_n have_v be_v debate_v and_o toss_v be_v evident_a from_o the_o many_o conference_n be_v about_o it_o and_o the_o long_a time_n be_v spend_v before_o it_o be_v perfect_v and_o get_v its_o finish_v stroke_n from_o a_o general_n assembly_n as_o we_o shall_v find_v in_o our_o progress_n proceed_v we_o now_o in_o our_o deduction_n though_o the_o presbyterian_a faction_n have_v gain_v this_o advantage_n in_o the_o assembly_n 1576_o that_o they_o have_v allowance_n to_o draw_v a_o new_a scheme_n of_o polity_n to_o which_o they_o can_v not_o but_o apply_v themselves_o very_o cheerful_o yet_o it_o seem_v they_o be_v so_o much_o humble_v by_o the_o repulse_n they_o have_v get_v as_o to_o the_o main_a question_n viz._n the_o lawfulness_n of_o episcopacy_n that_o they_o think_v it_o not_o expedient_a to_o try_v the_o next_o assembly_n with_o it_o directly_z as_o they_o have_v do_v unsuccessful_o twice_o before_o but_o to_o wait_v a_o little_a till_o their_o party_n shall_v be_v strong_a and_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n to_o content_v themselves_o with_o such_o indirect_a blow_n as_o they_o can_v convenient_o give_v it_o such_o i_o say_v their_o deliberation_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v at_o the_o next_o assembly_n which_o be_v hold_v at_o edinburgh_n octob_n 24._o 1576._o for_o not_o so_o much_o as_o one_o word_n in_o that_o assembly_n concern_v the_o lawfulness_n or_o unlawfulness_n of_o prelacy_n either_o simple_o and_o in_o itself_o or_o complexe_o as_o then_o in_o use_n in_o scotland_n it_o be_v true_a certain_a brother_n say_v the_o ms._n some_o brethren_n say_v calderwood_n some_o say_v petrie_n 38●_n without_o question_n the_o melvilians_n propose_v that_o now_o that_o mr._n patrick_n adamson_n be_v nominate_v for_o the_o archbishopric_n of_o st._n andrews_n he_o may_v be_v try_v as_o to_o his_o sufficiency_n for_o such_o a_o station_n according_a to_o one_fw-mi act_n make_v in_o march_n 1575._o but_o it_o seem_v the_o major_a part_n of_o the_o assembly_n have_v not_o be_v for_o it_o for_o it_o be_v not_o do_v as_o we_o shall_v find_v afterward_o nay_o another_o act_n be_v fair_o dispense_v with_o by_o this_o assembly_n in_o favour_n of_o boyd_n archbishop_n of_o glasgow_n for_o be_v require_v to_o give_v his_o answer_n if_o he_o will_v take_v the_o charge_n of_o a_o particular_a flock_n according_a to_o the_o act_n make_v in_o april_n before_o he_o answer_v that_o he_o have_v enter_v to_o his_o bishopric_n according_a to_o the_o agreement_n at_o leith_n which_o be_v to_o stand_v in_o force_n during_o the_o king_n minority_n or_o till_o a_o parliament_n shall_v determine_v otherwise_o that_o he_o have_v give_v his_o oath_n to_o the_o king_n majesty_n in_o thing_n appertain_v to_o his_o highness_n that_o he_o be_v afraid_a he_o may_v incur_v the_o gild_n of_o perjury_n and_o be_v call_v in_o question_n by_o the_o king_n for_o change_v a_o member_n of_o state_n if_o he_o shall_v change_v any_o thing_n belong_v to_o the_o order_n manner_n privilege_n or_o power_n of_o his_o bishopric_n that_o therefore_o he_o can_v not_o bind_v himself_o to_o a_o particular_a flock_n nor_o prejudge_v the_o power_n of_o jurisdiction_n which_o he_o have_v receive_v with_o his_o bishopric_n etc._n etc._n thus_o he_o answer_v i_o say_v and_o the_o assembly_n at_o that_o time_n satisfy_v themselves_o so_o far_o with_o this_o answer_n that_o they_o press_v he_o no_o further_o but_o refer_v the_o matter_n to_o the_o next_o assembly_n as_o even_o both_o calderwood_n and_o petrie_n acknowledge_v 389._o a_o fair_a evidence_n that_o in_o this_o assembly_n the_o presbyterian_a party_n be_v the_o weak_a however_o one_o indirect_a step_n they_o gain_v in_o this_o assembly_n also_o by_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n head_n 9_o 170._o it_o be_v appoint_v that_o the_o country_n minister_n and_o reader_n shall_v meet_v upon_o a_o certain_a day_n of_o the_o week_n in_o such_o town_n within_o six_o mile_n distance_n as_o have_v school_n and_o to_o which_o there_o be_v repair_v of_o learned_a man_n to_o exercise_v themselves_o in_o the_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n in_o imitation_n of_o the_o practice_n in_o use_n among_o the_o corinthian_n mention_v 1_o cor._n 14.29_o these_o meeting_n it_o seem_v have_v be_v much_o neglect_v and_o disfrequent_v in_o most_o place_n it_o be_v therefore_o enact_v by_o this_o assembly_n that_o all_o minister_n within_o eight_o mile_n etc._n etc._n shall_v resort_v to_o the_o place_n of_o exercise_n each_o day_n of_o exercise_n etc._n etc._n this_o 388._o i_o say_v be_v useful_a for_o the_o presbyterian_a design_n for_o these_o meeting_n be_v afterward_o turn_v into_o presbytery_n as_o we_o shall_v find_v when_o we_o come_v to_o the_o year_n 1579._o and_o so_o it_o be_v very_o like_a the_o motion_n for_o revive_v they_o be_v make_v by_o those_o of_o the_o faction_n for_o no_o man_n can_v deny_v that_o they_o have_v still_o have_v enough_o of_o draught_n in_o their_o politic_n the_o next_o assembly_n be_v hold_v april_n 1_o anno_fw-la 1577._o no_o direct_a progress_n make_v now_o neither_o as_o to_o the_o main_a question_n and_o only_o these_o indirect_a one_o 1._o the_o archbishop_n of_o glasgow_n be_v oblige_v to_o take_v the_o charge_n of_o a_o particular_a flock_n if_o we_o
the_o work_n be_v set_v a_o go_v among_o the_o first_o thing_n do_v in_o this_o ass_n it_o be_v enact_v that_o bishop_n and_o all_o other_o bear_v ecclesiastical_a function_n shall_v be_v call_v by_o their_o own_o name_n or_o brethren_n in_o all_o time_n come_v 394_o no_o more_o lord_n bishop_n and_o it_o be_v but_o consequential_a to_o the_o great_a argument_n which_o be_v then_o and_o ever_o since_o have_v be_v in_o the_o mouth_n of_o all_o the_o party_n the_o lord_n of_o the_o gentile_n etc._n etc._n matt._n 20.25_o luke_n 22.25_o this_o be_v a_o step_n worthy_a of_o mr._n andrew_n humility_n which_o be_v not_o like_o other_o man_n humility_n consist_v in_o humble_v themselves_o but_o of_o a_o new_a species_n of_o its_o own_o consist_v in_o humble_v of_o his_o superior_n indeed_o after_o this_o he_o still_o treat_v his_o own_o ordinary_a the_o archbishop_n of_o glasgow_n in_o public_a according_a to_o this_o canon_n though_o when_o he_o be_v at_o his_o grace_n table_n where_o he_o get_v better_a entertainment_n than_o his_o own_o commons_o for_o he_o be_v then_o in_o the_o college_n of_o glasgow_n he_o can_v give_v he_o all_o his_o title_n of_o dignity_n and_o honour_n 303._o but_o another_o more_o important_a act_n be_v make_v by_o this_o assembly_n take_v it_o word_n for_o word_n from_o calderwood_n who_o agree_v exact_o with_o both_o the_o ms._n and_o pet._n 394._o forasmuch_o as_o there_o be_v great_a corruption_n in_o the_o state_n of_o bishop_n as_o they_o be_v present_o set_v up_o in_o this_o realm_n whereunto_o the_o assembly_n will_v provide_v some_o stay_n in_o time_n come_v so_o far_o as_o they_o may_v to_o the_o effect_n that_o far_a corruption_n may_v be_v bridle_v the_o assembly_n have_v conclude_v that_o no_o bishop_n shall_v be_v elect_v or_o admit_v before_o the_o next_o general_n assembly_n discharge_v all_o minister_n and_o chapter_n to_o proceed_v any_o way_n to_o the_o election_n of_o the_o say_a bishop_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n under_o the_o pain_n of_o perpetual_a deprivation_n and_o that_o this_o matter_n be_v propon_v first_o in_o the_o next_o assembly_n to_o be_v consult_v what_o far_a order_n shall_v be_v take_v therein_o here_o be_v ground_n gain_v indeed_o however_o this_o be_v but_o preparatory_a still_o nothing_o yet_o conclude_v concern_v the_o vnlawfulness_n of_o the_o office_n it_o be_v consistent_a with_o this_o act_n that_o episcopacy_n shall_v have_v continue_v its_o corruption_n be_v remove_v neither_o be_v we_o as_o yet_o tell_v what_o these_o corruption_n be_v it_o seem_v even_o the_o presbyterian_o themselves_z though_o in_o a_o fair_a condition_n now_o to_o be_v the_o prevail_a party_n have_v not_o yet_o agree_v about_o they_o indeed_o another_o assembly_n must_v be_v over_o before_o we_o can_v come_v by_o they_o leave_v they_o therefore_o till_o we_o come_v at_o they_o proceed_v we_o with_o this_o present_a assembly_n another_o fast_o be_v appoint_v by_o it_o the_o nation_n it_o seem_v be_v not_o yet_o sufficient_o dipose_v for_o presbytery_n rub_n and_o difficulty_n be_v still_o cast_v in_o the_o way_n and_o the_o good_a cause_n be_v deplorable_o retard_v so_o it_o be_v fair_o import_v in_o the_o act_n for_o this_o fast_a the_o corruption_n of_o all_o estate_n coldness_n in_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o professor_n that_o god_n will_v put_v it_o in_o the_o king_n heart_n and_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o estate_n of_o parliament_n to_o establish_v such_o a_o policy_n and_o discipline_n in_o the_o kirk_n as_o be_v crave_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n etc._n etc._n these_o be_v among_o the_o prime_a reason_n in_o the_o narrative_a of_o this_o act_n for_o fast_v 81._o indeed_o all_o this_o time_n the_o book_n of_o discipline_n be_v only_o in_o form_v it_o have_v not_o yet_o get_v the_o assembly_n approbation_n the_o next_o general_n assembly_n meet_v at_o stirling_n june_n 11._o this_o same_o year_n about_o six_o week_n or_o so_o after_o the_o dissolution_n of_o the_o former_a but_o the_o parliament_n be_v to_o sit_v and_o it_o be_v needful_a the_o assembly_n shall_v sit_v before_z to_o order_v ecclesiastic_a business_n for_o it_o and_o now_o it_o seem_v there_o be_v little_a struggle_n for_o the_o assembly_n all_o in_o one_o voice_n as_o it_o be_v in_o ms._n calderwood_n and_o petrie_n 395._o conclude_v that_o the_o act_n of_o the_o last_o assembly_n discharge_v the_o election_n of_o bishop_n etc._n etc._n shall_v be_v extend_v to_o all_o time_n come_v and_o here_o petrie_n stop_v but_o the_o ms._n and_o calderwood_n add_v ay_o and_o while_n the_o corruption_n of_o the_o estate_n of_o bishop_n be_v all_o utter_o take_v away_o and_o they_o ordain_v that_o all_o bishop_n already_o elect_v shall_v submit_v themselves_o to_o the_o gen._n ass._n concern_v the_o reformation_n of_o the_o corruption_n of_o that_o estate_n of_o bishop_n in_o their_o person_n which_o if_o they_o refuse_v to_o do_v after_o admonition_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v proceed_v against_o to_o excommunication_n this_o ass._n meet_v as_o i_o say_v on_o the_o 11_o the_o of_o june_n and_o indeed_o it_o seem_v the_o weather_n have_v be_v warm_a enough_o yet_o neither_o now_o do_v they_o adventure_v again_o upon_o the_o main_a question_n nor_o ennumerate_v the_o corruption_n of_o the_o estate_n of_o bishop_n by_o this_o assembly_n a_o commission_n be_v also_o grant_v to_o certain_a person_n to_o attend_v the_o parliament_n and_o petition_v that_o the_o book_n of_o discipline_n may_v be_v ratify_v though_o all_o the_o article_n be_v not_o as_o yet_o agree_v to_o a_o pretty_a odd_a overture_n to_o desire_v the_o parliament_n to_o ratify_v what_o they_o themselves_o have_v not_o perfect_o concert_v the_o next_o assembly_n meet_v at_o edinburgh_n octob._n 24._o of_o that_o same_o year_n 1578._o and_o it_o be_v but_o reasonable_a to_o have_v three_o assembly_n in_o six_o month_n when_o the_o church_n be_v so_o big_a with_o presbytery_n and_o now_o the_o corruption_n so_o frequent_o talk_v of_o before_o be_v ennumerate_v and_o the_o bishop_n be_v require_v to_o reform_v they_o in_o their_o person_n they_o be_v require_v 1._o to_o be_v minister_n or_o pastor_n of_o one_o flock_n 2._o to_o usurp_v no_o criminal_a jurisdiction_n 3._o not_o to_o vote_n in_o parliament_n in_o name_n of_o the_o kirk_n without_o commission_n from_o the_o general_n assembly_n 4._o not_o to_o take_v up_o for_o maintain_v their_o ambition_n and_o riotousness_n the_o emolument_n of_o the_o kirk_n which_o ought_v to_o sustain_v many_o pastor_n the_o school_n and_o the_o poor_a but_o to_o be_v content_a with_o reasonable_a live_n according_a to_o their_o office_n 5._o not_o to_o claim_v the_o title_n of_o temporal_a lord_n nor_o usurp_v civil_a jurisdiction_n whereby_o they_o may_v be_v abstract_v from_o their_o office_n 6._o not_o to_o empire_n it_o over_o particular_a eldership_n but_o be_v subject_n to_o the_o same_o so_o the_o ms._n calderwood_n and_o petrie_n have_v it_o though_o spotswood_n have_v the_o word_n presbytery_n 303._o which_o i_o take_v notice_n of_o because_o the_o unwary_a reader_n when_o he_o read_v presbytery_n in_o spotswood_n may_v take_v they_o for_o these_o ecclesiastical_a judicatories_n which_o now_o be_v so_o denominate_v whereas_o there_o be_v none_o such_o as_o yet_o in_o the_o nation_n 7._o not_o to_o usurp_v the_o power_n of_o the_o pastor_n say_v the_o ms._n nor_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o visit_v any_o bound_n not_o commit_v to_o they_o by_o the_o church_n 8._o and_o last_o if_o any_o more_o corruption_n shall_v afterward_o be_v find_v in_o the_o estate_n of_o bishop_n to_o consent_v to_o have_v they_o reform_v these_o be_v the_o corruption_n and_o particular_o at_o that_o same_o very_a time_n the_o two_o archbishop_n be_v require_v to_o reform_v they_o in_o their_o person_n what_o adamson_n archbishop_n of_o st._n andrews_n do_v or_o say_v on_o this_o occasion_n i_o know_v not_o but_o it_o seem_v he_o submit_v not_o for_o i_o find_v he_o again_z require_v to_o do_v it_o by_o the_o next_o assembly_n and_o that_o it_o be_v particular_o lay_v to_o his_o charge_n that_o he_o have_v oppose_v the_o ratification_n of_o the_o book_n in_o parliament_n but_o boyd_n archbishop_n of_o glasgow_n do_v certain_o behave_v at_o this_o assembly_n like_o a_o person_n of_o great_a worth_n and_o a_o man_n of_o courage_n suitable_a to_o his_o character_n give_v a_o brave_a and_o resolute_a answer_n you_o may_v see_v it_o in_o spot_n cald._n and_o pet._n 396._o i_o have_v not_o leisure_n to_o transcribe_v it_o but_o it_o please_v not_o the_o now_o too_o much_o presbyterian_a assembly_n and_o no_o wonder_n for_o he_o speak_v true_o like_o a_o bishop_n the_o next_o assembly_n be_v hold_v at_o edinburgh_n in_o july_n anno_fw-la 1579._o the_o king_n send_v a_o letter_n to_o they_o whereby_o he_o signify_v his_o dislike_n of_o their_o
the_o meeting_n of_o the_o four_o king_n against_o the_o five_o or_o of_o the_o five_o against_o the_o four_o mention_v in_o the_o 14_o the_o chapter_n of_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n for_o the_o meeting_n of_o these_o king_n be_v before_o our_o presbytery_n i_o think_v in_o order_n of_o time_n and_o these_o meeting_n of_o these_o king_n be_v as_o much_o like_o our_o present_a presbytery_n as_o those_o meeting_n be_v which_o be_v appoint_v at_o the_o reformation_n for_o the_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n so_o that_o even_o calderwood_n himself_o be_v but_o tri●ling_v when_o he_o say_v so_o but_o tri●ling_v be_v one_o thing_n and_o impudent_a sound_n of_o false_a history_n upon_o another_o man_n trifle_v be_v another_o but_o enough_o of_o this_o author_n at_o present_a we_o shall_v have_v further_a occasion_n of_o meeting_n with_o he_o this_o assembly_n be_v also_o earnest_a with_o the_o king_n that_o the_o book_n of_o policy_n may_v be_v far_o consider_v and_o that_o far_a conference_n may_v be_v have_v about_o it_o that_o the_o head_n not_o agree_v about_o may_v be_v compromise_v some_o way_n or_o other_o 88_o but_o the_o king_n it_o seem_v listen_v not_o for_o they_o be_v at_o it_o again_o in_o their_o next_o assembly_n and_o now_o that_o i_o have_v so_o frequent_o mention_v this_o second_o book_n of_o discipline_n and_o shall_v not_o have_v occasion_n to_o proceed_v much_o further_a in_o this_o wearisome_a deduction_n before_o i_o leave_v it_o i_o shall_v only_o say_v this_o much_o more_o about_o it_o as_o much_o stress_n as_o the_o presbyterian_a party_n lay_v on_o it_o afterward_o and_o continue_v still_o to_o lay_v on_o it_o as_o if_o it_o be_v so_o very_o exact_a a_o systeme_n of_o ecclesiastical_a polity_n yet_o at_o the_o beginning_n the_o compiler_n of_o it_o have_v no_o such_o confident_a sentiment_n about_o it_o for_o if_o we_o may_v believe_v spotswood_n 277._o and_o herein_o he_o be_v not_o contradict_v by_o any_o presbyterian_a historian_n when_o master_n david_n lindesay_n mr._n james_n lawson_n and_o mr._n robert_n pont_n be_v send_v by_o the_o assembly_n to_o present_v it_o to_o the_o regent_n morton_n in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o year_n 1577_o they_o entreat_v his_o grace_n to_o receive_v the_o article_n present_v to_o he_o and_o if_o any_o of_o they_o do_v seem_v not_o agreeable_a to_o reason_n to_o vouchsafe_v audience_n to_o the_o brethren_n who_o the_o assembly_n have_v name_v to_o attend_v not_o that_o they_o think_v it_o a_o work_n complete_a to_o which_o nothing_o may_v be_v add_v or_o from_o which_o nothing_o may_v be_v diminish_v for_o as_o god_n shall_v reveal_v further_o unto_o they_o they_o shall_v be_v willing_a to_o help_v and_o renew_v the_o same_o now_o upon_o this_o testimony_n i_o find_v this_o question_n whither_o the_o compiler_n of_o the_o second_o book_n of_o discipline_n can_v in_o reason_n have_v be_v earnest_a that_o this_o book_n which_o they_o acknowledge_v not_o to_o be_v a_o work_n so_o complete_a as_o that_o nothing_o can_v be_v add_v to_o it_o or_o take_v from_o it_o shall_v have_v be_v confirm_v by_o one_fw-mi oath_n and_o swear_v to_o as_o one_fw-mi unalterable_a rule_n of_o policy_n be_v they_o not_o injurious_a to_o they_o who_o make_v they_o capable_a of_o such_o a_o bare_a face_a absurdity_n indeed_o whatever_o our_o present_a presbyterian_o say_v and_o with_o how_o great_a assurance_n soever_o they_o talk_v to_o this_o purpose_n this_o be_v a_o demonstration_n that_o the_o compiler_n of_o it_o never_o intend_v nay_o can_v not_o intend_v that_o it_o shall_v be_v swear_v to_o in_o the_o negative_a confession_n that_o it_o be_v not_o swear_v to_o in_o that_o confession_n i_o think_v i_o can_v prove_v with_o as_o much_o evidence_n as_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n be_v capable_a of_o if_o it_o be_v needful_a to_o my_o present_a purpose_n but_o not_o be_v that_o i_o shall_v only_o give_v this_o further_a demonstration_n which_o come_v in_o here_o natural_o enough_o now_o that_o we_o have_v mention_v this_o book_n so_o often_o the_o negative_a confession_n be_v swear_v to_o and_o subscribe_v by_o the_o king_n and_o his_o council_n upon_o the_o 28._o of_o january_n 1580_o 1._o 96._o upon_o the_o second_o of_o march_n thereafter_o the_o king_n give_v out_o a_o proclamation_n order_v all_o the_o subject_n to_o subscribe_v it_o 97._o but_o the_o king_n have_v never_o approven_v never_o own_v but_o on_o the_o contrary_a have_v constant_o reject_v the_o second_o book_n of_o discipline_n nay_o it_o be_v not_o ratify_v get_v not_o its_o finish_n stroke_n from_o the_o general_n assembly_n itself_o till_o towards_o the_o end_n of_o april_n in_o that_o year_n 1581._o by_o necessary_a consequence_n i_o think_v it_o be_v not_o swear_v to_o in_o the_o negative_a confession_n and_o thus_o i_o leave_v it_o proceed_v we_o now_o to_o the_o next_o assembly_n it_o meet_v at_o dundee_n upon_o the_o twelve_o of_o july_n 1580._o full_a twenty_o year_n after_o the_o reformation_n for_o the_o parliament_n which_o establish_v the_o reformation_n as_o the_o presbyterian_a historian_n be_v earnest_a to_o have_v it_o have_v its_o first_o meet_v on_o the_o ten_o of_o july_n 1560._o this_o this_o be_v the_o assembly_n which_o after_o so_o many_o fencing_n and_o struggle_n give_v the_o deadly_a thrust_v to_o episcopacy_n i_o shall_v transcribe_v its_o act_n word_n for_o word_n from_o calderwood_n who_o have_v exact_o enough_o take_v it_o from_o the_o ms._n and_o both_o spotswood_n and_o petrie_n agree_v 402._o it_o be_v this_o forasmuch_o as_o the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n as_o it_o be_v now_o use_v and_o common_o take_v within_o this_o realm_n have_v no_o sure_a warrant_n authority_n nor_o good_a ground_n out_o of_o the_o book_n and_o scripture_n of_o god_n but_o be_v bring_v in_o by_o the_o folly_n and_o corruption_n of_o man_n invention_n to_o the_o great_a overthrow_n of_o the_o true_a kirk_n of_o god_n the_o whole_a assembly_n in_o one_o voice_n after_o liberty_n give_v to_o all_o man_n to_o reason_n in_o the_o matter_n none_o oppen_v themselves_o in_o defence_n of_o the_o say_v pretend_a office_n find_v and_o declare_v the_o same_o pretend_a office_n use_v and_o term_v as_o be_v abovesaid_a unlawful_a in_o the_o self_n as_o have_v neither_o fundament_n ground_n nor_o warrant_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o ordain_v that_o all_o such_o person_n as_o brook_v or_o hereafter_o shall_v brook_v the_o say_a office_n be_v charge_v simpliciter_fw-la to_o dimit_n quite_o and_o leave_v off_o the_o examine_v as_o one_fw-mi office_n whereunto_o they_o be_v not_o call_v by_o god_n and_o sicklike_a to_o desist_v and_o cease_v from_o preach_v ministration_n of_o the_o sacrament_n or_o use_v any_o way_n the_o office_n of_o pastor_n while_o they_o receive_v de_fw-fr novo_fw-la admission_n from_o the_o general_n assembly_n under_o the_o pain_n of_o excommunication_n to_o be_v use_v against_o they_o wherein_o if_o they_o be_v find_v disobedient_a or_o contraveen_n this_o act_n in_o any_o point_n the_o sentence_n of_o excommunication_n after_o due_a admonition_n to_o be_v execute_v against_o they_o this_o be_v the_o act._n perhaps_o it_o be_v no_o very_o great_a difficulty_n to_o impugn_v the_o infallibility_n of_o this_o true_a blue_a assembly_n and_o to_o expose_v the_o boldness_n the_o folly_n the_o iniquity_n the_o preposterous_a zeal_n which_o be_v conspicious_a in_o this_o act_n nay_o yet_o after_o all_o this_o to_o show_v that_o the_o zealot_n for_o parity_n have_v not_o arrive_v at_o that_o height_n of_o effrontery_n as_o to_o condemn_v prelacy_n as_o simple_o and_o in_o itself_o unlawful_a but_o by_o this_o time_n i_o think_v i_o have_v perform_v my_o promise_n and_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v no_o easy_a task_n to_o abolish_v episcopacy_n and_o introduce_v presbytery_n to_o turn_v down_o prelacy_n and_o set_v up_o parity_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n when_o it_o be_v first_o attempt_v in_o scotland_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v stop_v here_o and_o bring_v this_o long_a disquisition_n upon_o the_o second_o enquiry_n to_o a_o conclusion_n after_o i_o have_v recapitulated_n and_o represent_v in_o one_o entire_a view_n what_o i_o have_v at_o so_o great_a length_n deduce_v i_o have_v make_v it_o appear_v i_o think_v that_o no_o such_o article_n be_v believe_v profess_v or_o maintain_v by_o the_o body_n of_o any_o reform_a or_o reform_a church_n or_o by_o any_o eminent_a and_o famous_a divine_a in_o any_o reform_a or_o reform_a church_n while_o our_o church_n be_v a_o reform_v no_o such_o article_n i_o say_v as_o that_o of_o the_o divine_a and_o indispensible_a institution_n of_o parity_n and_o the_o vnlawfulness_n of_o prelacy_n or_o imparity_n among_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n i_o have_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o our_o
have_v the_o clear_a and_o consentient_a testimony_n of_o historian_n to_o this_o purpose_n petrie_n 352._o deliver_v it_o thus_o mercy_n and_o truth_n righteousness_n and_o peace_n have_v never_o since_o christ_n come_v in_o the_o flesh_n a_o more_o glorious_a meeting_n and_o amiable_a embrace_v on_o earth_n even_o so_o that_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n just_o obtain_v a_o name_n among_o the_o chief_a church_n and_o kingdom_n of_o the_o world_n the_o hot_a persecution_n have_v not_o great_a purity_n the_o most_o halcyon_n time_n have_v not_o more_o prosperity_n and_o peace_n the_o best_a reform_a church_n in_o other_o place_n scarce_o parallel_v their_o liberty_n and_o unity_n spotswood_n 258._o thus_o the_o superintendent_o be_v in_o such_o respect_n with_o all_o man_n as_o notwithstanding_o the_o dissension_n that_o be_v in_o the_o country_n no_o exception_n be_v take_v at_o their_o proceed_n by_o any_o of_o the_o party_n but_o all_o concur_v in_o the_o maintenance_n of_o 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not_o attend_v at_o synod_n and_o submit_v to_o their_o ordinary_n i_o do_v not_o remember_v any_o except_o two_o calderwood_n himself_o and_o one_o johnston_n at_o ancrum_n and_o even_o these_o two_o pretend_a other_o reason_n than_o scruple_n of_o conscience_n for_o their_o withdraw_n it_o be_v further_a observable_a that_o the_o stir_v which_o be_v make_v after_o the_o assembly_n at_o perth_n anno_fw-la 1618._o be_v not_o pretend_v to_o be_v upon_o the_o account_n of_o episcopacy_n those_o of_o the_o gang_n can_v not_o prevail_v it_o seem_v with_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o people_n to_o tumultuate_v on_o that_o account_n all_o that_o be_v pretend_v be_v the_o perth_n article_n neither_o do_v the_o humour_n against_o these_o article_n prevail_v much_o or_o far_o all_o the_o time_n king_n james_n live_v nor_o for_o the_o first_o twelve_o year_n of_o king_n charles_n his_o son_n and_o successor_n it_o fall_v asleep_a as_o it_o be_v till_o the_o clamour_n against_o the_o liturgy_n and_o book_n of_o canon_n awaken_v it_o anno_fw-la 1637_o and_o all_o that_o time_n i_o mean_v from_o the_o year_n 1610_o that_o episcopacy_n be_v restore_v till_o the_o year_n 1637_o that_o the_o covenant_a work_n be_v set_v on_o foot_n prelacy_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o great_a and_o insupportable_a grievance_n and_o trouble_v to_o this_o nation_n and_o contrary_a to_o the_o inclination_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o people_n that_o on_o the_o contrary_a it_o be_v not_o only_o general_o submit_v to_o but_o in_o very_o good_a esteem_n indeed_o it_o be_v certain_a the_o nation_n have_v never_o more_o peace_n more_o concord_n more_o plenty_n more_o profound_a quiet_a and_o prosperity_n than_o in_o that_o interval_n let_v no_o man_n reckon_v of_o these_o thing_n as_o naked_a assertion_n i_o can_v prove_v they_o and_o hereby_o i_o undertake_v with_o god_n allowance_n and_o assistance_n to_o prove_v all_o i_o have_v say_v and_o more_o if_o i_o shall_v be_v put_v to_o it_o but_o i_o think_v my_o cause_n require_v not_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v do_v at_o present_a nay_o further_o yet_o i_o do_v think_v it_o be_v one_fw-mi insuperable_a task_n if_o i_o shall_v undertake_v to_o maintain_v that_o when_o the_o covenant_a politic_a be_v set_v on_o foot_n anno_fw-la 1637._o prelacy_n be_v no_o such_o grievance_n to_o the_o nation_n this_o i_o be_o sure_a of_o it_o be_v not_o the_o contrariety_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o people_n inclination_n to_o prelacy_n that_o first_o give_v life_n and_o motion_n to_o that_o monstrous_a confederation_n sure_o i_o be_o it_o be_v pretty_a far_o advance_v before_o the_o lead_a confederate_n offer_v to_o fix_v on_o prelacy_n as_o one_o of_o their_o reason_n for_o it_o so_o very_o sure_a that_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o they_o be_v afraid_a of_o nothing_o more_o than_o that_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o people_n shall_v smell_v it_o out_o that_o they_o have_v design_n to_o overturn_v episcopacy_n how_o often_o do_v they_o protest_v to_o the_o marquis_n of_o hamilton_n then_o the_o king_n commissioner_n that_o their_o meaning_n be_v not_o to_o abolish_v episcopal_a government_n 115._o how_o frank_a be_v they_o to_o tell_v those_o who_o they_o be_v earnest_a to_o cajole_v into_o their_o covenant_n that_o they_o may_v very_o well_o swear_v it_o without_o prujudice_n to_o episcopacy_n 173._o nay_o how_o forward_o be_v the_o presbyterian_a minister_n themselves_o to_o propagate_v this_o pretence_n when_o the_o doctor_n of_o aberdeen_n tell_v the_o three_o who_o be_v send_v to_o that_o city_n to_o procure_v subscription_n that_o they_o can_v not_o swear_v the_o covenant_n because_o episcopacy_n be_v abjure_v in_o it_o be_v not_o these_o henderson_n and_o dickson_n very_a word_n in_o their_o answer_n to_o the_o four_o reply_n you_o will_v have_v all_o the_o covenanter_n against_o their_o intention_n and_o whither_o they_o will_v or_o not_o to_o disallow_v and_o condemn_v 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to_o take_v the_o test_n and_o have_v general_o do_v it_o that_o the_o clergy_n stand_v all_o for_o episcopacy_n there_o be_v of_o about_o a_o thousand_o scarce_o twenty_o trimmer_n betwixt_o the_o bishop_n and_o the_o presbyterian_a moderator_n which_o twenty_n together_o with_o all_o the_o presbyterian_a preacher_n can_v not_o make_v up_o the_o five_o part_n of_o such_o a_o number_n as_o the_o other_o side_n amount_v to_o that_o in_o all_o the_o university_n there_o be_v not_o four_o master_n head_n or_o fellow_n incline_v to_o presbytery_n that_o the_o college_n of_o justice_n and_o physic_n at_o edinburgh_n be_v so_o averse_a from_o it_o that_o the_o generality_n of_o they_o be_v ready_a last_o summer_n viz._n 1689_o to_o take_v arm_n in_o defence_n of_o their_o episcopal_a minister_n etc._n etc._n this_o book_n be_v publish_v i_o think_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o year_n 1690._o what_o great_a demonstration_n can_v any_o man_n desire_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o negative_a 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time_n exact_v but_o if_o they_o be_v to_o suffer_v no_o more_o can_v their_o fear_n of_o such_o suffering_n force_v they_o to_o take_v oath_n so_o contrary_a to_o their_o inclination_n abstract_v from_o the_o impiety_n of_o mock_v god_n and_o the_o wretchedness_n of_o cross_v one_o light_n which_o be_v conspicuous_a in_o swear_v against_o man_n persuasion_n can_v such_o suffering_n as_o these_o incline_v any_o man_n to_o swear_v to_o support_v one_fw-mi interest_n which_o he_o look_v on_o as_o so_o great_a and_o insupportable_a a_o grievance_n and_o trouble_v to_o the_o nation_n but_o this_o be_v not_o all_o for_o he_o add_v 2._o how_o many_o of_o these_o now_o when_o there_o be_v no_o force_n on_o they_o show_v that_o it_o be_v not_o choice_n but_o necessity_n that_o lead_v they_o that_o way_n i_o know_v he_o mean_v that_o many_o of_o these_o noble_n have_v now_o break_v through_o these_o oath_n let_v they_o answer_n for_o that_o but_o what_o have_v he_o to_o do_v in_o this_o case_n with_o his_o old_a friend_n necessity_n what_o necessity_n can_v force_v a_o man_n to_o do_v one_fw-mi ill_a thing_n beside_o can_v he_o prove_v that_o it_o be_v choice_n and_o not_o that_o same_o kind_n of_o necessity_n that_o lead_v they_o in_o the_o way_n they_o have_v late_o follow_v that_o man_n can_v be_v for_o this_o thing_n to_o day_n and_o the_o contrary_a to_o morrow_n be_v a_o great_a presumption_n that_o they_o do_v not_o much_o regard_n either_o but_o i_o think_v it_o will_v be_v a_o little_a hard_a to_o draw_v from_o it_o that_o they_o look_v upon_o the_o one_o as_o a_o great_a and_o insupportable_a grievance_n more_o than_o the_o other_o but_o the_o best_a follow_v 3._o many_o who_o seem_v to_o make_v conscience_n of_o these_o bond_n yet_o show_v no_o inclination_n to_o the_o thing_n they_o be_v bind_v to_o except_o by_o the_o constraint_n that_o they_o bring_v themselves_o under_o after_o this_o what_o may_v not_o our_o author_n make_v one_fw-mi argument_n that_o prelacy_n be_v such_o one_fw-mi ill-liked_a thing_n as_o he_o will_v have_v it_o see_v he_o have_v get_v even_o they_o to_o hate_v it_o who_o be_v conscientious_o for_o it_o neither_o be_v he_o less_o pleasant_a about_o the_o gentry_n he_o acknowledge_v they_o as_o general_o take_v the_o test_n which_o be_v enough_o for_o his_o adversary_n as_o have_v appear_v but_o how_o treat_v he_o the_o other_o topick_n about_o their_o not_o go_v to_o the_o presbyterian_a meeting_n when_o they_o have_v king_n james_n his_o toleration_n for_o it_o why_o a_o silly_a argument_n why_o so_o many_o do_v go_v but_o do_v his_o adversary_n lie_v gross_o or_o calumniate_v when_o he_o say_v that_o not_o 50_o gentleman_n in_o all_o the_o kingdom_n out_o of_o the_o west_n forsake_v their_o parish_n church_n and_o go_v to_o conventicle_n our_o vindicator_n dare_v not_o say_v he_o do_v and_o have_v he_o not_o make_v it_o evident_a that_o it_o be_v a_o silly_a argument_n but_o most_o other_o cleave_v to_o the_o former_a way_n he_o mean_v the_o episcopal_a communion_n because_o the_o law_n stand_v for_o it_o and_o the_o meeting-house_n seem_v to_o be_v of_o uncertain_a continuance_n but_o will_v they_o have_v cleaved_a to_o the_o former_a way_n if_o they_o have_v think_v it_o a_o great_a and_o insupportable_a grievance_n and_o trouble_v will_v they_o have_v so_o cross_v their_o inclination_n as_o to_o have_v adhere_v to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o episcopal_a church_n when_o it_o be_v evident_a the_o sting_n be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o law_n and_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v put_v in_o execution_n be_v they_o so_o fond_a or_o so_o afraid_a of_o a_o lifeless_a law_n if_o i_o may_v so_o call_v it_o that_o they_o will_v needs_o conform_v to_o it_o though_o they_o have_v no_o inclination_n for_o such_o conformity_n though_o what_o they_o conform_v with_o in_o obedience_n to_o that_o law_n be_v a_o great_a and_o insupportable_a grievance_n to_o they_o do_v our_o author_n and_o his_o party_n reckon_v upon_o these_o gentleman_n then_o as_o presbyterian_o and_o what_o though_o the_o meeting_n seem_v to_o be_v of_o uncertain_a continuance_n how_o many_o of_o the_o presbyterian_a party_n say_v in_o those_o day_n that_o they_o think_v themselves_o bind_v to_o take_v the_o benefit_n of_o the_o toleration_n though_o it_o shall_v be_v but_o of_o short_a continuance_n and_o that_o they_o can_v return_v to_o the_o church_n when_o it_o shall_v be_v retract_v may_v not_o all_o man_n have_v say_v and_o do_v so_o if_o they_o have_v be_v as_o much_o presbyterian_o it_o be_v true_a our_o author_n have_v some_o other_o thing_n on_o this_o subject_n in_o that_o first_o vindication_n but_o i_o shall_v consider_v they_o afterward_o this_o be_v g._n r.'s_n first_o essay_n on_o this_o controversy_n another_o parity_n man_n find_v belike_o that_o neither_o the_o plain_a dealer_n nor_o the_o vindicator_n have_v gain_v much_o credit_n by_o their_o performance_n think_v it_o not_o inconvenient_a for_o the_o service_n of_o his_o sect_n to_o publish_v a_o book_n entitle_v a_o further_a vindication_n of_o the_o present_a government_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n and_o therein_o to_o produce_v his_o argument_n for_o determine_v this_o controversy_n it_o be_v print_v in_o september_n i_o think_v in_o the_o year_n 1691._o it_o be_v true_a he_o write_v something_o like_o a_o gentleman_n and_o speak_v discreet_o of_o the_o episcopal_a clergy_n he_o have_v no_o scold_n in_o his_o book_n and_o be_v infinite_o far_o from_o g._n r.'s_n flat_a railwifery_n and_o i_o think_v myself_o oblige_v to_o thank_v he_o for_o his_o civility_n but_o after_o all_o this_o when_o he_o come_v to_o his_o argument_n for_o prove_v the_o point_n about_o the_o inclination_n of_o the_o people_n i_o do_v not_o think_v that_o he_o
assembly_n for_o to_o my_o skill_n which_o i_o confess_v be_v not_o very_o great_a it_o seem_v as_o we_o use_v to_o say_v to_o have_v both_o burn_v and_o blow_v patronage_n blow_v they_o by_o this_o act_n and_o burn_v they_o by_o ratify_v the_o book_n which_o condemn_v they_o but_o whatever_o be_v of_o this_o that_o which_o i_o observe_v 2._o be_v far_o more_o considerable_a for_o though_o the_o book_n condemn_v patronage_n yet_o our_o presbyterian_a brethren_n of_o the_o modern_a cut_n have_v no_o great_a advantage_n by_o it_o for_o it_o have_v nothing_o less_o in_o its_o prospect_n than_o to_o condemn_v they_o for_o make_v way_n for_o popular_a election_n indeed_o it_o give_v no_o countenance_n to_o such_o election_n far_o less_o do_v it_o suppose_v or_o assert_v they_o to_o be_v of_o divine_a right_n this_o be_v its_o determination_n in_o the_o 9_o the_o §_o of_o that_o 12._o cap._n the_o liberty_n of_o elect_v person_n to_o ecclesiastical_a function_n observe_v without_o interruption_n so_o long_o as_o the_o church_n be_v not_o corrupt_v by_o antichrist_n we_o desire_v to_o be_v restore_v and_o retain_v within_o this_o realm_n so_o as_o none_o be_v intrude_v upon_o any_o congregation_n either_o by_o the_o prince_n or_o any_o other_o inferior_a person_n without_o lawful_a election_n and_o the_o assent_n of_o the_o people_z over_o who_o the_o person_n be_v place_v according_a to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostolic_a and_o primitive_a church_n now_o 1._o consider_v that_o it_o be_v the_o common_a talk_n of_o the_o presbyterian_o of_o these_o time_n that_o antichristian_a corruption_n begin_v to_o pester_v the_o church_n so_o soon_o as_o episcopacy_n be_v introduce_v it_o be_v clear_a that_o that_o which_o they_o call_v the_o uninterrupted_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n must_v have_v descend_v according_a to_o themselves_o but_o for_o a_o very_a few_o year_n and_o i_o shall_v own_v myself_o their_o humble_a servant_n if_o our_o present_a presbyterian_o shall_v prove_v that_o popular_a election_n be_v in_o universal_a uninterrupted_a practice_n during_o that_o interval_n of_o their_o own_o make_n the_o interval_n i_o mean_v which_o they_o make_v between_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o the_o first_o introduction_n of_o episcopacy_n indeed_o 2._o the_o book_n plain_o distinguish_v between_o lawful_a election_n and_o the_o assent_n of_o the_o people_z and_o all_o the_o world_n know_v they_o be_v natural_o distinguishable_a and_o whosoever_o know_v any_o thing_n of_o the_o monument_n of_o these_o primitive_a time_n know_v they_o be_v actual_o distinguish_v and_o that_o all_o the_o people_n privilege_n be_v to_o assent_v not_o to_o elect_a they_o be_v not_o in_o use_n of_o elect_v if_o i_o mistake_v not_o till_o towards_o the_o end_n of_o the_o three_o century_n so_o that_o if_o we_o can_v believe_v the_o compiler_n of_o the_o book_n if_o they_o be_v for_o restore_v the_o primitive_a practice_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o understand_v that_o they_o mean_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o to_o restore_v popular_a election_n especial_o if_o 3._o it_o be_v consider_v that_o we_o have_v one_o very_o authentic_a explication_n of_o this_o 9_o the_o article_n of_o the_o 12._o cap._n of_o the_o second_o book_n of_o discipline_n hand_v down_o to_o we_o by_o calderwood_n himself_o 383._o the_o story_n be_v this_o king_n james_n the_o six_o continual_o vex_v with_o the_o turbulence_n of_o the_o presbyterian_a temper_n cause_v publish_v 55_o question_n and_o propose_v they_o to_o be_v sift_v think_v that_o clear_a and_o distinct_a resolution_n of_o they_o may_v contribute_v much_o for_o end_v many_o controversy_n agitate_a in_o those_o time_n between_o the_o kirk_n and_o the_o crown_n they_o be_v publish_v in_o february_n or_o january_n 159●_n they_o be_v to_o be_v see_v both_o in_o spotswood_n 38●_n and_o calderwoods_n history_n i_o be_o only_o concern_v at_o present_a for_o the_o three_o question_n which_o be_v this_o be_v not_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o flock_n and_o also_o of_o the_o patron_n necessary_a in_o the_o election_n of_o pastor_n now_o calderwood_n say_v that_o there_o be_v brethren_n delegated_a from_o every_o presbytery_n of_o fife_n who_o meet_v at_o st._n andrews_n upon_o the_o 21._o of_o february_n and_o have_v toss_v the_o king_n question_n sundry_a day_n give_v answer_n to_o every_o one_o of_o they_o particular_o to_o the_o three_o this_o be_v their_o answer_n the_o election_n of_o pastor_n shall_v be_v make_v by_o those_o who_o be_v pastor_n and_o doctor_n lawful_o call_v and_o who_o can_v try_v the_o gift_n necessary_o belong_v to_o pastor_n by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o to_o such_o as_o be_v so_o choose_v the_o flock_n and_o patron_n shall_v give_v their_o consent_n and_o protection_n 383._o now_o this_o i_o say_v be_v a_o very_a authentic_a explication_n of_o the_o word_n of_o the_o book_n for_o these_o delegate_n meet_v at_o st._n andrews_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o mr._n andrew_n melvil_n at_o that_o time_n principal_a of_o the_o new_a college_n be_v with_o they_o probable_o they_o meet_v in_o that_o city_n that_o he_o may_v be_v with_o they_o for_o sure_o i_o be_o it_o be_v not_o otherwise_o the_o most_o convenient_a place_n of_o the_o county_n for_o their_o meeting_n and_o have_v he_o with_o they_o they_o have_v one_o than_o who_o none_o on_o earth_n be_v capable_a of_o give_v a_o more_o authentic_a sense_n of_o the_o word_n of_o the_o book_n it_o be_v very_o easy_a to_o adduce_v more_o act_n of_o general_a assembly_n to_o this_o purpose_n but_o i_o be_o afraid_a i_o have_v insist_v too_o much_o on_o this_o subject_n already_o in_o short_a then_o the_o groundless_a fancy_n of_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o popular_a election_n be_v more_o proper_o one_fw-mi independent_a than_o a_o presbyterian_a principle_n the_o english_a presbyterian_o of_o the_o provincial_a assembly_n of_o london_n write_v zealous_o against_o it_o in_o their_o ius_n divinum_fw-la ministerii_fw-la evangelici_fw-la it_o be_v true_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o old_a presbyterian_a scheme_n it_o obtain_v not_o general_o among_o our_o scottish_a presbyterian_o till_o some_o year_n after_o 1638._o it_o be_v not_o adopt_v into_o their_o scheme_n till_o the_o general_n assembly_n 1649._o patronage_n be_v never_o take_v away_o by_o act_n of_o parliament_n till_o of_o late_a i._n e_o in_o the_o year_n 1690._o it_o be_v true_a g._n r._n in_o his_o true_a rrepresentation_n of_o presbyterian_a government_n 15._o say_v they_o be_v take_v away_o by_o law_n meaning_n no_o doubt_n by_o the_o act_n of_o the_o pretend_a parliament_n anno_fw-la 1649._o but_o he_o have_v just_a as_o much_o reason_n for_o call_v that_o rout_n a_o parliament_n or_o its_o act_n law_n as_o he_o have_v for_o make_v the_o suppress_n of_o popular_a election_n of_o minister_n a_o just_a cause_n for_o separate_v from_o the_o communion_n of_o a_o church_n thus_o i_o have_v insist_v on_o the_o recession_n of_o our_o present_a presbyterian_a brethren_n from_o the_o sentiment_n of_o our_o reformer_n about_o the_o public_a worship_n of_o the_o church_n and_o some_o of_o its_o appendage_n perchance_o i_o have_v do_v it_o too_o tedious_o if_o so_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o dispatch_v what_o remain_v more_o curtly_a iii_o they_o have_v also_o deserted_n our_o reformer_n in_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n the_o particular_n be_v too_o numerous_a to_o be_v insist_v on_o let_v any_o man_n compare_v the_o two_o book_n of_o discipline_n the_o first_o compile_v by_o our_o reformer_n anno_fw-la 1560_o the_o second_o by_o the_o presbyterian_o of_o the_o first_o edition_n and_o ratify_v by_o act_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n hold_v in_o april_n 1581._o and_o he_o shall_v find_v no_o scarcity_n of_o difference_n he_o shall_v find_v alteration_n innovation_n opposition_n contradiction_n etc._n etc._n let_v he_o compare_v the_o act_n of_o assembly_n after_o the_o year_n 1580_o with_o the_o act_n of_o assembly_n before_o and_o he_o shall_v find_v many_o more_o indeed_o our_o present_a presbyterian_o have_v make_v not_o a_o few_o notorious_a recession_n from_o the_o second_o the_o presbyterian_a book_n of_o discipline_n to_o instance_n in_o a_o few_o the_o three_o chapter_n of_o the_o second_o book_n of_o discipline_n be_v thus_o entitle_v how_o the_o person_n that_o bear_v ecclesiastical_a function_n be_v admit_v to_o their_o office_n this_o chap._n treat_v of_o such_o person_n in_o the_o general_a the_o particular_a order_n of_o pastor_n doctor_n elder_n etc._n etc._n be_v particular_o treat_v of_o in_o subsequent_a chapter●_n this_o three_o chapter_n treat_v thus_o of_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n in_o the_o general_n make_v two_o thing_n necessary_a to_o the_o outward_a call_n election_n and_o ordination_n §_o 6._o it_o define_v ordination_n to_o be_v the_o separation_n and_o sanctify_v of_o the_o person_n appoint_v by_o god_n and_o his_o
take_v from_o they_o without_o a_o direct_a cross_v of_o christ_n institution_n and_o the_o horrid_a sin_n of_o rob_v his_o people_n of_o their_o indisputable_a privilege_n patronage_n be_v one_fw-mi intolerable_a grievance_n and_o yoke_n of_o bondage_n on_o the_o church_n they_o have_v be_v always_o the_o cause_n of_o pester_v the_o church_n with_o a_o bad_a ministry_n they_o come_v in_o among_o the_o late_a antichristian_a corruption_n and_o usurpation_n etc._n etc._n this_o be_v their_o doctrine_n though_o it_o be_v obious_a to_o all_o the_o world_n they_o put_v strange_a comment_n on_o it_o by_o their_o practice_n well!_o what_o be_v the_o sentiment_n of_o our_o reformer_n in_o this_o matter_n the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n indeed_o affirm_v head_n 4._o that_o it_o appertain_v to_o the_o people_n and_o to_o every_o several_a congregation_n to_o elect_a their_o own_o minister_n but_o it_o have_v not_o so_o much_o as_o one_o syllable_n of_o the_o divine_a institution_n of_o such_o a_o privilege_n on_o the_o contrary_a in_o that_o same_o very_a breath_n it_o add_v and_o in_o case_n they_o be_v find_v negligent_a therein_o the_o space_n of_o 40_o day_n the_o superintendent_n with_o his_o council_n may_v present_v a_o man_n etc._n etc._n if_o this_o man_n after_o trial_n be_v find_v qualify_v and_o the_o church_n can_v just_o reprehend_v nothing_o in_o his_o life_n doctrine_n or_o utterance_n then_o we_o judge_v say_v our_o reformer_n the_o church_n which_o before_o be_v destitute_a unreasonable_a if_o they_o refuse_v he_o who_o the_o church_n do_v offer_v and_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v compel_v by_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o council_n and_o church_n to_o receive_v the_o person_n appoint_v and_o approve_v by_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o godly_a and_o learned_a unless_o that_o the_o same_o church_n have_v present_v a_o man_n better_o or_o as_o well_o qualify_v to_o examination_n before_o that_o the_o aforesaid_a trial_n be_v take_v of_o the_o person_n present_v by_o the_o council_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n as_o for_o example_n the_o council_n of_o the_o church_n present_v a_o man_n unto_o a_o church_n to_o be_v their_o minister_n not_o know_v that_o they_o be_v otherwise_o provide_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n the_o church_n have_v another_o sufficient_a in_o their_o judgement_n for_o that_o charge_n who_o they_o present_v to_o the_o learned_a minister_n and_o next_o reform_v church_n to_o be_v examine_v in_o this_o case_n the_o presentation_n of_o the_o people_n to_o who_o he_o shall_v be_v appoint_v pastor_n must_v be_v prefer_v to_o the_o presentation_n of_o the_o council_n or_o great_a church_n unless_o the_o person_n present_v by_o the_o inferior_a church_n be_v judge_v unable_a for_o the_o regiment_n by_o the_o learned_a for_o this_o be_v always_o to_o be_v avoid_v that_o no_o man_n be_v intrude_v or_o thrust_v in_o upon_o any_o congregation_n but_o this_o liberty_n with_o all_o care_n must_v be_v reserve_v for_o every_o several_a church_n to_o have_v their_o voice_n and_o suffrage_n in_o election_n of_o their_o minister_n yet_o we_o do_v not_o call_v that_o violent_a intrusion_n when_o the_o council_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n regard_v only_o the_o salvation_n of_o the_o people_n offer_v unto_o they_o a_o man_n sufficient_a to_o instruct_v they_o who_o they_o shall_v not_o be_v force_v to_o admit_v before_o just_a examination_n so_o that_o book_n add_v to_o this_o this_o consideration_n that_o at_o that_o time_n the_o popish_a clergy_n be_v in_o possession_n of_o all_o the_o benefice_n the_o reform_a clergy_n have_v not_o then_o so_o much_o as_o the_o prospect_n of_o the_o three_o which_o i_o have_v discourse_v of_o before_o these_o thing_n lay_v together_o it_o be_v obvious_a to_o perceive_v 1._o that_o it_o be_v only_o from_o prudential_n consideration_n our_o reformer_n be_v incline_v to_o give_v the_o people_n so_o much_o power_n at_o that_o time_n it_o be_v much_o for_o the_o conveniency_n of_o the_o minister_n who_o be_v to_o live_v by_o the_o benevolence_n of_o the_o parish_n etc._n etc._n they_o do_v not_o grant_v they_o this_o power_n as_o of_o divine_a right_n no_o such_o thing_n so_o much_o as_o once_o insinuate_v as_o i_o have_v say_v it_o be_v plain_o nothing_o but_o a_o liberty_n and_o no_o injury_n no_o violence_n be_v do_v to_o a_o parish_n even_o in_o these_o circumstance_n of_o the_o church_n when_o the_o council_n of_o the_o church_n give_v they_o a_o minister_n without_o their_o own_o election_n it_o be_v as_o plain_a 2._o that_o so_o far_o as_o can_v be_v collect_v from_o the_o whole_a period_n above_o our_o reformer_n the_o compiler_n of_o the_o book_n i_o mean_v abstract_v from_o the_o then_o circumstance_n of_o the_o church_n be_v more_o incline_v that_o the_o election_n of_o minister_n shall_v be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o clergy_n than_o of_o the_o people_n which_o i_o be_o much_o incline_v to_o think_v be_v not_o only_o then_o but_o a_o long_a time_n after_o the_o prevail_a sentiment_n and_o all_o the_o world_n see_v i_o be_o sure_a it_o be_v a_o sentiment_n utter_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o popular_a election_n i_o have_v be_v at_o pain_n to_o set_v the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n thus_o in_o its_o due_a light_n that_o our_o brethren_n may_v not_o complain_v it_o be_v neglect_v not_o that_o my_o cause_n require_v it_o for_o that_o book_n be_v never_o law_n either_o civil_a or_o ecclesiastical_a and_o so_o i_o may_v fair_o have_v omit_v it_o let_v we_o try_v next_o what_o be_v true_o the_o public_a and_o authoritative_a sentiment_n of_o our_o reformer_n the_o first_o which_o i_o find_v of_o that_o nature_n be_v the_o sentiment_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n hold_v in_o september_n 1565._o the_o general_a assembly_n hold_v in_o june_n immediate_o before_o have_v complain_v that_o some_o vacant_a benefice_n have_v be_v bestow_v by_o the_o queen_n on_o some_o nobleman_n and_o baron_n 342._o the_o queen_n answer_v she_o think_v it_o not_o reasonable_a to_o deprive_v she_o of_o the_o patronage_n belong_v to_o she_o and_o this_o general_a assembly_n in_o september_n answer_v thus_o our_o mind_n be_v not_o that_o her_o majesty_n or_o any_o other_o person_n shall_v be_v defraud_v of_o their_o just_a patronage_n but_o we_o mean_v whensoever_o her_o majesty_n or_o any_o other_o patron_n do_v present_a any_o person_n unto_o a_o benefice_n that_o the_o person_n present_v shall_v be_v try_v and_o examine_v by_o the_o judgement_n of_o learned_a man_n of_o the_o church_n such_o as_o be_v for_o the_o present_a the_o superintendent_o and_o as_o the_o presentation_n of_o the_o benefice_n belong_v to_o the_o patron_n so_o the_o collation_n by_o law_n and_o reason_n belong_v to_o the_o church_n 193._o agreeable_o we_o find_v by_o the_o 7_o act_n 1_o parl._n jac._n 6._o anno_fw-la 1567._o the_o parliament_n hold_v by_o murray_n regent_n it_o be_v enact_v in_o pursuance_n no_o doubt_n of_o the_o agreement_n between_o the_o nobility_n and_o baron_n and_o the_o clergy_n in_o the_o general_n assembly_n hold_v in_o july_n that_o year_n that_o the_o patron_n shall_v present_v a_o qualify_a person_n within_o six_o month_n to_o the_o superintendent_n of_o these_o part_n where_o the_o benefice_n lie_v etc._n etc._n and_o by_o the_o agreement_n at_o leith_n anno_fw-la 1572_o the_o right_a of_o patronage_n be_v reserve_v to_o the_o respective_a patron_n 52._o and_o by_o the_o general_n assembly_n hold_v in_o march_n 1574_o it_o be_v enact_v that_o collation_n upon_o presentation_n to_o benefice_n shall_v not_o be_v give_v without_o consent_n of_o three_o qualify_a minister_n etc._n etc._n 66._o the_o general_a assembly_n in_o august_n that_o same_o year_n supplicate_v the_o regent_n that_o bishop_n may_v be_v present_v to_o vacant_a bishopric_n as_o i_o have_v observe_v before_o by_o the_o general_n assembly_n hold_v in_o october_n 1578_o it_o be_v enact_v that_o presentation_n to_o benefice_n be_v direct_v to_o the_o commissioner_n of_o the_o country_n where_o the_o benefice_n lie_v 84._o it_o be_v true_a indeed_o the_o second_o book_n of_o discipline_n cap._n 12._o §_o 10._o condemn_v patronage_n as_o have_v no_o ground_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o contrary_a to_o the_o same_o and_o as_o contrary_a to_o the_o liberty_n of_o election_n of_o pastor_n and_o that_o which_o ought_v not_o to_o have_v place_n in_o the_o light_n of_o reformation_n 114._o but_o then_o it_o be_v as_o true_a 1._o that_o that_o same_o general_a assembly_n hold_v in_o april_n 1581._o which_o first_o ratify_v this_o second_o book_n of_o discipline_n statute_v and_o ordain_v that_o laic_a patronage_n shall_v remain_v whole_a unjointed_a and_o undivided_a unless_o with_o consent_n of_o the_o patron_n 99_o so_o that_o let_v they_o who_o can_v reconcile_v the_o act_n of_o this_o presbyterian_a