in_o opposition_n to_o this_o assertion_n another_o say_n of_o the_o same_o royal_a author_n mention_v a_o little_a below_o §_o 3._o his_o preface_n take_v notice_n of_o two_o opposite_a narrative_n concern_v episcopacy_n the_o one_o to_o the_o act_n restore_v it_o 1662._o the_o other_o to_o the_o act_n by_o which_o it_o be_v abolish_v 1689._o whether_o of_o these_o contain_v most_o truth_n and_o sincerity_n be_v not_o to_o be_v judge_v of_o but_o by_o enter_v on_o the_o merit_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o his_o pamphlet_n with_o this_o answer_n to_o it_o may_v contribute_v some_o light_n to_o it_o but_o that_o he_o suppose_v episcopacy_n to_o be_v best_a fit_v to_o keep_v out_o heresy_n be_v gratis_o dictum_fw-la and_o the_o falsehood_n of_o it_o be_v manifest_a if_o we_o account_v popery_n to_o be_v heresy_n the_o abomination_n of_o which_o arise_v and_o grow_v up_o under_o that_o government_n of_o the_o church_n in_o this_o nation_n what_o may_v be_v its_o effect_n in_o other_o church_n we_o do_v not_o now_o consider_v and_o our_o experience_n may_v inform_v we_o what_o step_n have_v be_v make_v not_o only_o towards_o the_o superstition_n but_o even_o the_o doctrine_n of_o popery_n under_o its_o wing_n since_o its_o restauration_n and_o how_o arminianism_n have_v be_v warm_v and_o get_v life_n by_o its_o influence_n in_o scotland_n be_v too_o well_o know_v he_o can_v be_v ignorant_a of_o what_o k._n james_n vi_o who_o authority_n in_o matter_n of_o truth_n he_o often_o bring_v as_o a_o argument_n use_v to_o say_v of_o presbytery_n as_o manage_v in_o scotland_n that_o no_o error_n can_v get_v foot_v there_o while_o kirk-session_n presbytery_n synod_n and_o general_a assembly_n stand_v in_o their_o force_n what_o evil_a speak_n and_o revile_v there_o be_v in_o the_o brief_a and_o true_a account_n of_o the_o suffering_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n occasion_v by_o the_o episcopalian_o since_o the_o year_n 1660._o i_o know_v not_o not_o have_v see_v that_o book_n but_o i_o be_o sure_a his_o party_n be_v in_o mala_fw-la fide_fw-la to_o challenge_v it_o their_o stile_n be_v such_o to_o the_o life_n not_o in_o this_o pamphlet_n only_o but_o especial_o in_o those_o before_o mention_v §_o 4._o the_o first_o of_o his_o question_n be_v whether_o presbytery_n as_o contrary_a to_o the_o episcopacy_n restore_v in_o scotland_n 1662._o be_v settle_v by_o law_n when_o the_o protestant_a religion_n come_v to_o have_v the_o legal_a establishment_n in_o that_o kingdom_n which_o question_n may_v be_v two_o way_n understand_v and_o neither_o of_o they_o much_o to_o his_o purpose_n either_o whether_o the_o protestant_a religion_n when_o it_o be_v settle_v by_o law_n find_v presbytery_n already_o establish_v which_o be_v a_o foolish_a question_n for_o who_o ever_o hear_v of_o presbytery_n under_o regnant_a popery_n we_o deny_v not_o episcopacy_n to_o be_v as_o old_a as_o popery_n or_o whether_o protestanism_n and_o presbytery_n be_v by_o law_n establish_v 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they_o take_v some_o more_o time_n to_o consult_v about_o the_o reform_n of_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n second_o it_o be_v possible_a at_o first_o when_o the_o nation_n be_v scarce_o creep_v out_o of_o popery_n to_o get_v a_o competent_a number_n of_o minister_n and_o elder_n who_o may_v manage_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n but_o this_o behove_v to_o be_v a_o work_n of_o time_n but_o what_o they_o do_v in_o this_o and_o what_o be_v their_o sentiment_n about_o church_n order_n we_o shall_v after_o have_v occasion_n to_o discourse_v §_o 5._o towards_o the_o resolution_n of_o his_o first_o question_n he_o tell_v we_o in_o several_a particular_n wherein_o all_o the_o dispute_n be_v that_o be_v intrinsic_a to_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o church_n government_n which_o his_o question_n he_o state_v with_o no_o great_a show_n of_o understanding_n in_o these_o controversy_n but_o that_o i_o insist_v not_o on_o that_o which_o be_v here_o chief_o to_o be_v observe_v be_v that_o he_o overlook_v that_o which_o be_v the_o chief_a yea_o the_o only_a question_v on_o which_o our_o controversy_n with_o the_o prelatist_n do_v turn_v viz._n whether_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o a_o single_a person_n or_o of_o a_o community_n whether_o the_o ruler_n of_o the_o church_n ought_v to_o manage_v that_o work_n in_o parity_n or_o one_o shall_v manage_v it_o as_o supreme_a and_o the_o rest_n in_o subordination_n to_o he_o the_o distort_a notion_n of_o a_o moderator_n in_o church_n meeting_n that_o he_o have_v take_v up_o seem_v to_o mislead_v he_o in_o this_o matter_n for_o we_o will_v not_o yield_v that_o the_o moderator_n qua_fw-la talis_fw-la be_v a_o church_n governor_n nor_o that_o he_o have_v any_o jurisdiction_n over_o his_o brethren_n his_o power_n be_v mere_o ordinative_a not_o decisive_a to_o be_v the_o mouth_n of_o the_o meeting_n not_o to_o be_v their_o will_n or_o command_a faculty_n to_o keep_v order_n in_o the_o manner_n and_o manage_v what_o come_v before_o they_o not_o to_o determine_v what_o be_v debate_v among_o they_o the_o author_n talk_v at_o random_n not_o know_v what_o he_o say_v nor_o whereof_o he_o affirm_v when_o he_o speak_v of_o our_o election_n of_o a_o moderator_n as_o do_v by_o the_o clergy_n as_o he_o speak_v lay-elder_n and_o deacon_n for_o where_o be_v it_o ever_o hear_v of_o that_o deacon_n have_v a_o vote_n in_o presbytery_n or_o synod_n among_o scotch_a presbyterian_o we_o count_v they_o though_o they_o be_v officer_n of_o divine_a appointment_n yet_o the_o servant_n of_o the_o church_n not_o her_o ruler_n they_o be_v employ_v about_o her_o good_n not_o in_o the_o government_n §_o 6._o he_o assert_v that_o the_o protestant_a religion_n be_v by_o law_n establish_v in_o anno_fw-la 1567._o and_o the_o constitution_n of_o bishop_n remain_v as_o the_o legal_a establishment_n and_o that_o presbytery_n be_v not_o legal_o settle_v till_o 1592._o his_o proof_n for_o this_o and_o objection_n that_o he_o obviate_v against_o it_o i_o shall_v consider_v after_o i_o have_v give_v a_o true_a historical_a account_n of_o the_o be_v and_o establishment_n of_o presbytery_n in_o this_o nation_n two_o thing_n we_o maintain_v as_o to_o this_o the_o former_a be_v that_o not_o episcopacy_n but_o a_o government_n manage_v by_o the_o teacher_n of_o the_o church_n act_v in_o common_a and_o in_o parity_n have_v place_n in_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n with_o its_o first_o christianity_n and_o some_o age_n after_o the_o other_o be_v that_o not_o episcopacy_n but_o presbytery_n be_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n as_o soon_o as_o it_o be_v reform_v from_o popery_n for_o the_o former_a though_o we_o assert_v not_o that_o the_o first_o christian_n in_o scotland_n have_v presbytery_n in_o all_o the_o mode_n of_o it_o as_o we_o have_v neither_o can_v we_o attain_v the_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o the_o act_n of_o these_o time_n by_o any_o record_n that_o be_v leave_v we_o yet_o that_o there_o be_v a_o parity_n and_o no_o prelacy_n among_o the_o church_n ruler_n in_o scotland_n for_o all_o agree_v that_o donald_n who_o enter_v upon_o the_o government_n in_o the_o year_n 199._o be_v the_o first_o christian_a king_n in_o scotland_n though_o it_o be_v rational_o think_v by_o the_o best_a historian_n that_o christianity_n be_v embrace_v by_o many_o of_o the_o people_n before_o that_o and_o baronius_n affirm_v that_o the_o scot_n receive_v the_o christian_a faith_n from_o pope_n victor_n have_v he_o say_v in_o his_o time_n we_o shall_v have_v assent_v full_o but_o what_o he_o say_v be_v enough_o to_o our_o purpose_n who_o be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n from_o 194._o to_o 203._o and_o it_o be_v clear_a from_o baronius_n and_o the_o current_n of_o historian_n that_o palladius_n be_v the_o first_o bishop_n of_o the_o scot_n
scot_n in_o their_o management_n of_o the_o government_n of_o christ_n house_n he_o know_v that_o scotland_n be_v but_o one_o and_o a_o small_a part_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n in_o which_o that_o government_n have_v be_v and_o be_v practise_v if_o there_o be_v any_o blame_n then_o in_o the_o practice_n of_o former_a time_n when_o presbytery_n be_v ascendent_a let_v it_o be_v impute_v rather_o to_o the_o praeservidum_fw-la scotorum_fw-la ingenium_fw-la in_o which_o they_o of_o the_o other_o party_n have_v far_o outgo_v we_o then_o to_o the_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n i_o mean_v that_o government_n of_o his_o house_n that_o we_o own_o but_o even_o scottish_a presbytery_n or_o that_o government_n as_o exercise_v in_o that_o national_a church_n will_v be_v able_a to_o stand_v before_o his_o argument_n though_o it_o be_v hard_a for_o any_o thing_n though_o never_o so_o good_a to_o bear_v up_o against_o lie_n and_o reproach_n §_o 3._o he_o shall_v have_v consider_v that_o there_o may_v be_v other_o dissenter_n live_v among_o presbyterian_o then_o episcopal_a man_n whereas_o all_o that_o he_o say_v on_o this_o head_n do_v only_o relate_v to_o they_o there_o may_v be_v a_o peculiar_a reason_n for_o their_o not_o bear_v with_o they_o who_o own_o prelacy_n viz._n because_o their_o church-government_n do_v necessary_o overtop_v bring_v into_o subjection_n and_o root_v out_o that_o government_n of_o the_o church_n which_o we_o own_v as_o christ_n institution_n it_o be_v against_o their_o principle_n to_o suffer_v minister_n and_o elder_n to_o live_v beside_o they_o who_o will_v adventure_v to_o govern_v any_o part_n of_o the_o church_n without_o subordination_n to_o the_o bishop_n and_o whatever_o indulgence_n have_v be_v in_o by_o past_a year_n give_v to_o presbyterian_o as_o we_o know_v it_o be_v design_v for_o no_o advantage_n to_o we_o without_o judge_v the_o secret_n of_o any_o body_n heart_n so_o we_o know_v that_o not_o only_o it_o be_v not_o the_o act_n of_o our_o churchman_n but_o nothing_o be_v more_o grievous_a to_o they_o and_o nothing_o they_o do_v more_o active_o oppose_v notwithstanding_o it_o be_v the_o principle_n and_o purpose_n of_o presbyterian_o not_o to_o exclude_v any_o of_o they_o from_o their_o religious_a assembly_n nor_o from_o any_o of_o the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n in_o they_o for_o their_o principle_n about_o church-government_n wherein_o they_o differ_v from_o we_o and_o for_o minister_n among_o they_o we_o be_v ready_a to_o give_v the_o right_a hand_n of_o fellowship_n and_o to_o admit_v to_o all_o the_o part_n of_o the_o exercise_n of_o their_o function_n among_o we_o such_o of_o they_o as_o shall_v not_o be_v make_v appear_v to_o be_v insufficient_a scandalous_a or_o erroneous_a or_o to_o be_v void_a of_o that_o holiness_n of_o life_n that_o become_v a_o minister_n and_o who_o shall_v be_v find_v willing_a to_o secure_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n that_o we_o own_o and_o to_o prosecute_v the_o end_n of_o it_o and_o not_o to_o exclude_v any_o simple_o for_o his_o opinion_n about_o church-government_n though_o the_o mean_a while_n we_o be_v not_o willing_a that_o all_o who_o will_v profess_v to_o own_o our_o churchway_n shall_v have_v a_o share_n in_o manage_v it_o with_o we_o because_o many_o such_o may_v be_v a_o scandal_n to_o it_o other_o may_v betray_v it_o neither_o can_v we_o allow_v that_o any_o of_o they_o shall_v exercise_v a_o prelacy_n over_o we_o or_o over_o the_o people_n of_o our_o charge_n further_o never_o any_o church_n or_o state_n give_v toleration_n to_o dissenter_n from_o the_o establish_a churchway_n but_o as_o it_o may_v rational_o be_v think_v a_o necessary_a relief_n to_o tender_a conscience_n but_o this_o reason_n for_o suffer_v episcopal_a man_n to_o practice_v their_o way_n among_o we_o at_o this_o time_n can_v without_o the_o great_a impudence_n and_o hypocrisy_n be_v pretend_v for_o refuse_v to_o receive_v the_o ordinance_n from_o presbyterian_o because_o they_o want_v episcopal_a ordination_n this_o can_v be_v from_o conscience_n see_v it_o be_v their_o constant_a practice_n when_o prelate_n rule_v this_o church_n they_o never_o require_v any_o of_o they_o to_o be_v re-ordained_n who_o have_v be_v ordain_v by_o presbyter_n and_o after_o comply_v with_o episcopacy_n neither_o can_v they_o pretend_v conscience_n for_o have_v a_o worship_n different_a from_o we_o i_o mean_v the_o english_a liturgy_n for_o when_o it_o be_v in_o their_o power_n to_o use_v it_o they_o never_o do_v wherefore_o there_o can_v be_v no_o pretence_n on_o which_o they_o can_v plead_v for_o toleration_n in_o these_o thing_n but_o humour_n and_o design_n and_o i_o hope_v it_o will_v not_o by_o impartial_a beholder_n be_v judge_v rigidity_n if_o the_o state_n deny_v a_o liberty_n to_o such_o person_n to_o make_v such_o innovation_n as_o never_o yet_o can_v get_v place_n in_o this_o church_n especial_o when_o it_o be_v too_o apparent_a that_o they_o who_o be_v most_o forward_o for_o such_o a_o liberty_n give_v ground_n to_o think_v that_o a_o design_n against_o the_o present_a civil_a government_n be_v at_o the_o bottom_n they_o be_v such_o as_o have_v no_o like_n to_o the_o present_a establishment_n §_o 4._o but_o this_o author_n have_v a_o mind_n to_o represent_v we_o in_o other_o colour_n and_o for_o a_o foundation_n of_o this_o his_o essay_n he_o say_v that_o the_o solemn_a league_n and_o covenant_n be_v the_o canon_n and_o the_o act_n of_o the_o general_a assembly_n the_o comment_n of_o the_o principle_n of_o scottish_a presbytery_n this_o be_v false_a the_o rule_n that_o we_o judge_v by_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o church_n government_n as_o well_o as_o in_o other_o thing_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o we_o use_v no_o other_o comment_n for_o our_o help_n to_o understand_v that_o rule_n but_o such_o as_o be_v found_v on_o the_o word_n itself_o and_o which_o we_o give_v sufficient_a warrant_n for_o i_o hope_v the_o reader_n will_v look_v on_o this_o loose_a talk_n as_o rail_a not_o argue_v he_o may_v know_v that_o presbytery_n be_v long_o in_o scotland_n before_o that_o covenant_n have_v a_o be_v and_o for_o act_n of_o general_a assembly_n they_o be_v no_o further_o our_o rule_n than_o they_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o supreme_a rule_n the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o to_o the_o principle_n of_o right_a reason_n neither_o do_v we_o look_v on_o they_o as_o infallible_a as_o he_o foolish_o feign_v pag._n 6._o what_o he_o or_o any_o other_o can_v make_v appear_v in_o they_o to_o be_v unwarrant_v we_o be_v ready_a to_o disow_v and_o we_o know_v they_o may_v be_v change_v by_o the_o same_o power_n that_o make_v they_o when_o any_o thing_n in_o they_o shall_v be_v find_v to_o be_v amiss_o or_o inconvenient_a for_o the_o present_a state_n of_o the_o church_n §_o 5._o he_o quarrel_v with_o three_o article_n of_o the_o covenant_n viz._n the_o one_a about_o preserve_v the_o government_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n the_o second_o that_o be_v against_o episcopacy_n and_o its_o dependent_n the_o 3d_o for_o defend_v one_o another_o in_o their_o adherence_n to_o this_o bond._n let_v any_o judge_n what_o be_v here_o consistent_a with_o a_o moderate_a and_o due_o limit_v toleration_n of_o dissenter_n be_v there_o no_o toleration_n of_o man_n who_o hold_v prelacy_n to_o be_v lawful_a without_o allow_v of_o prelacy_n itself_o and_o submit_v to_o its_o domination_n next_o he_o will_v prove_v his_o point_n from_o some_o act_n of_o general_a assembly_n but_o this_o he_o preface_v first_o with_o the_o peaceableness_n of_o the_o prelatic_a clergy_n in_o and_o after_o 1639._o when_o their_o church-goverment_n be_v destroy_v in_o that_o they_o neither_o raise_v tumult_n nor_o write_v book_n it_o be_v true_a they_o raise_v no_o tumult_n but_o they_o do_v what_o they_o can_v to_o raise_v war_n for_o continue_v on_o the_o neck_n of_o the_o people_n that_o yoke_n that_o they_o have_v wreathe_v on_o they_o and_o do_v effectual_o draw_v on_o a_o bloody_a war_n which_o have_v very_o sad_a effect_n and_o issue_v in_o the_o ruin_n of_o they_o and_o presbyterian_o too_o for_o a_o time_n and_o show_v well_o enough_o to_o raise_v church-tumult_n by_o their_o protest_v and_o disobedience_n to_o the_o sentence_n of_o the_o church_n for_o their_o not_o write_v book_n who_o hinder_v they_o unbiased_a man_n will_v impute_v it_o to_o somewhat_o else_o rather_o than_o to_o their_o peaceableness_n another_o part_n of_o his_o preface_n that_o they_o be_v not_o suffer_v to_o continue_v in_o their_o cure_n this_o be_v indeed_o true_a of_o the_o bishop_n as_o such_o they_o be_v not_o permit_v to_o exercise_v a_o prelacy_n over_o their_o brethren_n for_o that_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o government_n then_o establish_v yet_o as_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n none_o of_o they_o be_v deprive_v who_o be_v willing_a to_o preach_v
after_o it_o be_v approve_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o council_n and_o in_o it_o presbyterian_a government_n approve_v for_o it_o ow_v no_o fix_a officer_n in_o the_o church_n but_o pastor_n teacher_n elder_n and_o deacon_n what_o be_v to_o be_v think_v of_o the_o superintendent_o therein_o mention_v be_v after_o to_o be_v consider_v this_o discipline_n and_o the_o book_n contain_v it_o be_v subscribe_v to_o in_o january_n 1561._o 1560._o stilo_fw-it vetere_fw-la by_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o nobility_n december_n 1560._o a_o general_n assembly_n be_v hold_v where_o sit_v no_o churchman_n but_o minister_n another_o general_a assembly_n be_v hold_v decemb._n 25._o 1562._o where_o bishop_n be_v so_o far_o from_o church-domination_n that_o they_o and_o other_o minister_n who_o have_v not_o enter_v by_o the_o order_n in_o the_o book_n of_o discipline_n be_v inhibit_v till_o further_a trial_n 1563._o a_o general_n assembly_n at_o perth_n about_o the_o end_n of_o june_n give_v the_o same_o power_n or_o commission_n for_o plant_v kirk_n suspend_v deprive_v transplant_n minister_n etc._n etc._n to_o some_o minister_n that_o have_v be_v give_v to_o superintendent_o and_o it_o be_v notice_v by_o the_o historian_n that_o presbytery_n be_v not_o yet_o constitute_v because_o of_o the_o scarcity_n of_o minister_n what_o be_v there_o in_o all_o this_o that_o look_v like_o episcopal_a government_n another_o general_a assembly_n meet_v june_n 1565._o also_o decemb._n 25._o of_o the_o same_o year_n where_o the_o power_n of_o superintendent_o be_v a_o little_a clip_v also_o about_o the_o end_n of_o june_n 1567._o at_o a_o parliament_n hold_v at_o edinburgh_n decemb._n 15._o 1567._o several_a act_n be_v make_v about_o church_n affair_n where_o not_o only_a mention_n be_v make_v of_o synod_n and_o general_a assembly_n but_o appeal_v allow_v to_o the_o latter_a and_o from_o it_o appeal_v be_v forbid_v and_o a_o commission_n appoint_v to_o inquire_v into_o what_o point_n shall_v belong_v to_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o church_n and_o all_o church-jurisdiction_n forbid_v but_o what_o be_v or_o shall_v present_o be_v establish_v another_o general_a assembly_n decemb._n 25._o 1567._o also_o july_n 1568._o in_o both_o which_o superintendent_o be_v censure_v and_o a_o bishop_n to_o wit_n who_o have_v be_v such_o depose_v from_o the_o ministry_n in_o the_o last_o assembly_n it_o be_v appoint_v who_o shall_v vote_n in_o assembly_n and_o not_o one_o word_n of_o bishop_n another_o assembly_n july_n 1569._o another_o march_n one_a 1570._o where_o order_n be_v set_v down_o about_o choose_v the_o moderator_n there_o be_v no_o prelate_n to_o pretend_v to_o that_o privilege_n another_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o july_n 1570._o another_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o march_n 1571._o where_o again_o superintendent_o be_v limit_v in_o january_n 1572._o a_o convention_n of_o church_n man_n meet_v at_o leith_n who_o be_v too_o much_o influence_v by_o the_o court_n the_o council_n also_o with_o the_o regent_n appoint_v article_n to_o be_v draw_v for_o the_o policy_n of_o the_o kirk_n and_o after_o approve_v they_o by_o they_o be_v restore_v the_o image_n of_o prelacy_n yet_o the_o real_a exercise_n of_o presbytery_n in_o all_o its_o meeting_n lesser_a and_o great_a continue_v and_o be_v allow_v for_o these_o call_v tulchan_n bishop_n be_v set_v up_o who_o have_v the_o name_n of_o bishop_n while_o nobleman_n and_o other_o have_v the_o revenue_n and_o the_o church_n have_v the_o power_n this_o can_v be_v pretend_v to_o be_v a_o restore_n of_o prelacy_n more_o than_o of_o popish_a abbacy_n and_o priory_n which_o be_v then_o the_o same_o way_n bring_v in_o this_o constitution_n be_v never_o allow_v by_o the_o general_n assembly_n and_o it_o last_v but_o three_o or_o four_o year_n and_o as_o a_o corruption_n be_v protest_v against_o by_o the_o general_n assembly_n 6_o of_o august_n 1572._o in_o a_o assembly_n at_o edinburgh_n march_v 6._o 1573._o david_n ferguson_n be_v moderator_n though_o neither_o bishop_n nor_o superintendent_n another_o assembly_n august_n 6._o mr._n alexander_n arbuthnot_n principal_a of_o the_o old_a college_n of_o aberdeen_n be_v moderator_n assemb_v 1574._o conclude_v that_o the_o power_n of_o bishop_n shall_v be_v no_o more_o than_o that_o of_o superintendent_o in_o many_o of_o these_o assembly_n the_o policy_n of_o the_o church_n be_v revise_v and_o still_o carry_v on_o towards_o perfection_n after_o this_o in_o other_o assembly_n pain_n be_v take_v to_o perfect_v the_o policy_n of_o the_o church_n which_o at_o last_o come_v forth_o in_o the_o second_o book_n of_o policy_n agree_v on_o in_o the_o general_n assembly_n octob._n 25._o 1577._o also_o 1578._o at_o several_a assembly_n act_n be_v make_v against_o bishop_n the_o revise_v of_o the_o book_n of_o policy_n be_v delay_v in_o a_o parliament_n at_o sterling_a castle_n 1578._o call_v the_o imprison_v parliament_n general_n assembly_n july_n 13._o at_o dundie_n 1580._o condemn_a the_o office_n of_o bishop_n as_o unlawful_a another_o at_o edinburgh_n octob._n 20._o appoint_a a_o platform_n to_o be_v draw_v for_o presbytery_n 1581._o the_o second_o confession_n of_o faith_n be_v subscribe_v by_o the_o king_n and_o his_o household_n where_o episcopacy_n be_v condemn_v under_o the_o name_n of_o the_o hierarchy_n it_o be_v declare_v that_o no_o other_o church_n policy_n be_v to_o be_v allow_v save_o that_o which_o then_o be_v use_v which_o every_o one_o know_v be_v presbytery_n the_o same_o year_n the_o assembly_n cause_v registrate_n the_o book_n of_o policy_n among_o their_o acts._n in_o may_n 1584._o some_o act_n of_o parliament_n be_v make_v derogate_a from_o the_o liberty_n of_o the_o church_n but_o so_o little_a weight_n be_v lay_v on_o they_o that_o by_o the_o king_n command_n some_o minister_n be_v appoint_v to_o make_v animadversion_n on_o they_o to_o which_o the_o king_n answer_v explain_v and_o smooth_v most_o of_o these_o grievous_a acts._n in_o the_o assembly_n 1586._o commission_n for_o visitation_n be_v take_v from_o bishop_n superintendent_o and_o other_o and_o the_o church_n in_o several_a meeting_n declare_v against_o prelacy_n much_o contention_n there_o be_v between_o the_o church_n in_o her_o lesser_a and_o great_a assembly_n and_o a_o court-faction_n about_o prelacy_n which_o yet_o be_v never_o reestablish_v but_o at_o last_o in_o the_o parliament_n begin_v 29_o of_o march_n 1592._o it_o be_v utter_o abolish_v and_o presbyterial_a government_n full_o settle_v which_o archbishop_n spotswood_n in_o his_o history_n tho'he_n can_v deny_v yet_o do_v most_o disingenuous_o labour_v to_o obscure_v §_o 9_o let_v we_o now_o consider_v what_o ground_n the_o pamphleter_n lay_v for_o his_o conclusion_n and_o what_o be_v the_o conclusion_n he_o build_v on_o they_o the_o latter_a of_o these_o i_o first_o consider_v in_o it_o i_o observe_v first_o he_o be_v out_o in_o his_o arithmetic_n for_o between_o 1567._o and_o 1592._o be_v not_o 35_o but_o 25_o year_n another_o thing_n to_o be_v observe_v be_v that_o it_o can_v make_v nothing_o for_o his_o design_n that_o presbyterian_a government_n be_v not_o present_o establish_v by_o law_n with_o the_o protestant_a religion_n because_o then_o the_o nation_n have_v so_o late_o be_v whole_o popish_a and_o but_o few_o of_o the_o clergy_n or_o other_o learned_a man_n convert_v to_o the_o true_a religion_n there_o can_v not_o be_v a_o competent_a number_n of_o minister_n get_v who_o be_v tolerable_o qualify_v either_o to_o rule_v the_o church_n or_o to_o administer_v other_o ordinance_n and_o the_o space_n of_o 25_o year_n be_v not_o long_o for_o grow_v up_o of_o such_o a_o increase_n of_o useful_a plant_n as_o may_v furnish_v church_n and_o constitute_v presbytery_n every_o where_o in_o the_o nation_n especial_o if_o we_o consider_v what_o opposition_n be_v make_v to_o this_o settlement_n by_o the_o court_n and_o its_o dependent_n and_o how_o some_o unfaithful_a preacher_n comply_v with_o the_o court_n in_o hope_n of_o preferment_n from_o the_o year_n 1584._o it_o be_v rather_o to_o be_v wonder_v at_o that_o this_o work_n be_v so_o speedy_o bring_v to_o such_o issue_n and_o through_o such_o opposition_n let_v he_o make_v what_o advantage_n of_o his_o conclusion_n he_o can_v it_o be_v evident_a from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v that_o episcopacy_n never_o take_v place_n in_o the_o protestant_a church_n after_o the_o reformation_n till_o presbytery_n be_v full_o settle_v also_o that_o the_o inclination_n of_o the_o protestant_n people_n of_o scotland_n to_o speak_v in_o the_o dialect_n of_o our_o time_n be_v always_o for_o presbytery_n and_o strong_o against_o prelacy_n and_o that_o whatever_o the_o state_n do_v to_o retard_v this_o work_n the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n be_v always_o on_o the_o side_n of_o presbytery_n it_o be_v also_o evident_a that_o episcopal_a jurisdiction_n over_o the_o protestant_n be_v condemn_v by_o law_n in_o that_o same_o parliament_n
1567._o wherein_o the_o protestant_a religion_n be_v establish_v for_o it_o be_v there_o statute_n and_o ordain_v that_o no_o other_o jurisdiction_n ecclesiastical_a be_v acknowledge_v within_o this_o realm_n than_o that_o which_o be_v and_o shall_v be_v within_o this_o same_o kirk_n establish_v present_o or_o which_o flow_v therefrom_o concern_v preach_v the_o word_n correction_n of_o manner_n administration_n of_o sacrament_n now_o i_o hope_v none_o will_v affirm_v that_o prelatical_a jurisdiction_n than_o be_v or_o be_v soon_o after_o establish_v in_o the_o protestant_n church_n of_o scotland_n §_o 10._o the_o foundation_n on_o which_o he_o build_v his_o conclusion_n make_v as_o little_a against_o what_o we_o hold_v he_o say_v the_o constitution_n of_o bishop_n have_v then_o the_o public_a authority_n the_o popish_a bishop_n sit_v in_o this_o parliament_n which_o settle_v the_o reformation_n must_v in_o the_o construction_n of_o the_o law_n be_v confess_v to_o remain_v firm_a from_o 1567._o to_o 1592._o ans._n it_o be_v not_o deny_v that_o the_o constitution_n of_o bishop_n in_o regard_n of_o their_o temporalty_n such_o as_o sit_v in_o parliament_n etc._n etc._n remain_v after_o 1567._o yea_o neither_o do_v we_o say_v that_o that_o law_n take_v from_o they_o the_o authority_n they_o have_v over_o the_o popish_a church_n so_o far_o as_o than_o it_o be_v in_o being_n for_o this_o law_n do_v not_o pretend_v to_o unbishop_n they_o or_o make_v they_o no_o priest_n nor_o do_v it_o touch_v their_o pretend_a indelible_a character_n but_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o after_o this_o law_n they_o have_v no_o legal_a title_n to_o rule_v the_o protestant_a church_n and_o that_o by_o this_o nor_o any_o other_o law_n no_o other_o bishop_n be_v put_v in_o their_o room_n for_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o church_n to_o what_o he_o say_v of_o the_o popish_a bishop_n sit_v in_o a_o reform_a parliament_n i_o oppose_v what_o leslie_n bishop_n of_o rosse_n a_o papist_n have_v de_fw-fr gest_n scotorum_fw-la lib._n 10._o pag._n 536._o that_o concilium_fw-la à _fw-la sectae_fw-la nobilibus_fw-la cum_fw-la regina_fw-la habitum_fw-la nullo_n ecclesiastico_fw-la admisso_fw-la ubi_fw-la sancitum_fw-la ne_fw-la quis_fw-la quod_fw-la ad_fw-la religionem_fw-la attinet_fw-la quicquam_fw-la novi_fw-la moliretur_fw-la ex_fw-la hac_fw-la lege_fw-la inquit_fw-la omne_fw-la sive_fw-la haereseos_fw-la sive_fw-la inimicitiarum_fw-la sive_fw-la seditionis_fw-la malum_fw-la tanquam_fw-la ex_fw-la fonte_fw-la fluxit_fw-la another_o thing_n he_o allege_v or_o rather_o insinuate_v viz._n in_o the_o one_a book_n of_o policy_n a_o superintendency_n which_o be_v another_o model_n of_o episcopacy_n be_v set_v up_o ans._n it_o be_v true_a the_o protestant_a church_n of_o scotland_n in_o its_o infancy_n it_o be_v neither_o by_o a_o act_n of_o parliament_n that_o it_o be_v bring_v in_o nor_o that_o it_o be_v after_o cast_v out_o do_v set_v up_o superintendent_o but_o this_o be_v true_o and_o be_v so_o declare_v to_o be_v from_o the_o force_n of_o necessity_n and_o design_v only_o for_o that_o present_a exigency_n of_o the_o church_n neither_o be_v it_o ever_o intend_a to_o be_v the_o last_a way_n of_o manage_v the_o affair_n of_o that_o church_n at_o that_o time_n it_o be_v hard_a in_o a_o province_n to_o find_v two_o or_o three_o man_n qualify_v for_o any_o more_o work_n towards_o the_o edify_n of_o the_o church_n than_o read_v the_o scripture_n to_o the_o people_n and_o therefore_o they_o find_v it_o needful_a to_o appoint_v one_o qualify_v man_n in_o a_o province_n and_o at_o first_o few_o only_o five_o in_o all_o scotland_n who_o have_v commission_n from_o the_o church_n to_o go_v up_o and_o down_o and_o preach_v to_o visit_v church_n to_o plant_v and_o erect_v church_n they_o act_v only_o as_o delegate_n from_o the_o church_n and_o be_v accountable_a to_o every_o general_a assembly_n where_o they_o be_v frequent_o censure_v and_o ordinary_o the_o first_o work_n in_o the_o assembly_n be_v to_o try_v their_o administration_n as_o the_o number_n of_o minister_n grow_v their_o power_n be_v lessen_v and_o at_o last_o whole_o take_v away_o their_o commission_n be_v renew_v often_o other_o commissioner_n also_o beside_o they_o be_v sometime_o appoint_v with_o the_o same_o power_n they_o be_v never_o design_v to_o be_v instead_o of_o bishop_n for_o they_o do_v not_o keep_v to_o the_o old_a division_n of_o the_o popish_a diocese_n they_o may_v not_o stay_v above_o 20_o day_n in_o one_o place_n in_o their_o visitation_n they_o must_v preach_v thrice_o a_o week_n at_o least_o in_o their_o particular_a charge_n they_o must_v not_o remain_v above_o three_o or_o four_o month_n but_o go_v abroad_o to_o visitation_n again_o they_o must_v be_v subject_a to_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n in_o her_o provincial_a and_o general_a assembly_n all_o this_o consider_v let_v any_o one_o judge_n with_o what_o candour_n our_o author_n call_v a_o superintendency_n a_o new_a model_n of_o episcopacy_n it_o be_v evident_a from_o our_o church_n history_n that_o the_o protetestant_a church_n of_o scotland_n be_v so_o far_o from_o that_o sentiment_n that_o they_o have_v a_o strict_a eye_n over_o superintendent_o lest_o their_o power_n shall_v have_v degenerate_v into_o a_o lordly_a prelacy_n and_o that_o they_o lay_v aside_o the_o use_n of_o commission_n to_o churchman_n and_o give_v they_o such_o power_n as_o soon_o as_o the_o church_n can_v be_v provide_v with_o such_o number_n of_o minister_n as_o be_v needful_a question_n ii_o have_v bring_v his_o first_o question_n to_o so_o wise_a a_o conclusion_n he_o advance_v to_o a_o second_o which_o be_v whither_o ever_o presbytery_n be_v settle_v in_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n without_o constraint_n from_o tumultuous_a time_n what_o advantage_n to_o the_o cause_n of_o prelacy_n or_o detriment_n to_o presbytery_n be_v design_v by_o this_o question_n and_o the_o answer_n of_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o divine_v be_v every_o thing_n bad_a that_o have_v be_v do_v in_o tumultuous_a time_n do_v not_o the_o lord_n say_v daniel_n 9_o 25._o that_o he_o will_v build_v his_o house_n in_o troublous_a time_n will_v this_o man_n therefore_o condemn_v the_o reformation_n from_o popery_n in_o scotland_n for_o this_o that_o it_o be_v settle_v against_o the_o will_n of_o the_o queen_n and_o the_o popish_a grandee_n and_o some_o pretend_a but_o unfaithful_a protestant_n in_o a_o very_a tumultuous_a time_n it_o may_v be_v he_o will_v and_o his_o citation_n pag._n 4._o out_o of_o basil._n dor._n lib._n 2._o seem_v to_o import_v no_o less_o but_o if_o he_o thence_o conclude_v that_o popery_n be_v the_o truth_n and_o protestantism_n a_o error_n we_o shall_v then_o know_v where_o to_o find_v he_o and_o if_o he_o do_v not_o all_o that_o he_o here_o say_v be_v extra_fw-la oleas_fw-la vagari_fw-la but_o it_o may_v be_v the_o strength_n of_o his_o ratiocination_n lie_v in_o this_o that_o presbytery_n be_v settle_v by_o constraint_n and_o these_o by_o who_o authority_n it_o be_v do_v be_v by_o the_o tumult_n of_o the_o people_n force_v to_o it_o let_v we_o a_o little_a examine_v this_o first_o be_v every_o thing_n bid_v that_o man_n be_v force_v to_o ill_a man_n do_v few_o good_a thing_n willing_o and_o of_o their_o own_o proper_a motion_n by_o his_o way_n of_o reason_v the_o will_n and_o inclination_n of_o great_a man_n must_v be_v the_o standard_n of_o good_a and_o evil_n 2_o presbytery_n have_v a_o twofold_a settlement_n in_o scotland_n one_o by_o church-authority_n after_o search_v the_o scripture_n the_o general_a assembly_n of_o this_o church_n do_v find_v prelacy_n unwarrant_v there_o and_o that_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o that_o form_n of_o government_n that_o the_o apostle_n settle_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o ordinary_a office_n bearer_n of_o the_o house_n of_o god_n and_o this_o they_o declare_v authoritative_o in_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n christ_n i_o hope_v he_o will_v not_o say_v that_o this_o be_v do_v by_o constraint_n another_o settlement_n it_o have_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o king_n and_o parliament_n give_v their_o civil_a sanction_n to_o it_o neither_o can_v he_o allege_v that_o the_o parliament_n be_v any_o way_n constrain_v to_o this_o or_o that_o any_o force_n be_v put_v on_o they_o nothing_o appear_v but_o that_o the_o parliament_n 1592._o which_o make_v this_o settlement_n be_v as_o free_a in_o the_o election_n of_o its_o member_n in_o their_o consultation_n and_o voting_n as_o any_o that_o have_v be_v since_o and_o some_o will_v say_v more-free_a than_o these_o parliament_n which_o since_o have_v undo_v what_o they_o do_v it_o rest_v then_o that_o he_o must_v mean_v that_o the_o king_n be_v some_o way_n violent_v in_o that_o he_o assent_v to_o this_o act_n contrary_a to_o his_o own_o sentiment_n and_o inclination_n but_o this_o rest_v to_o be_v prove_v beside_o that_o it_o be_v a_o great_a reflection_n upon_o the_o conscientiousness_n and_o