plead for re-entrie That no Act passe in derogation or prejudice of the Actes alreadie granted in favour of reformation libertie of Assemblies convenient execution of Discipline c. or for corroboration of new opinions against the same whether Episcopacie or ceremonies the shadow thereof which for the peace of the Kirk by heavenly wisedome should be rejected rather then ratified That all Ministers that are removed from their Charges be restored to their places functions and stipends The happines to liue under his Majestie and his Heires ordinary Iudges and Rulers appointed by lawes and custome and established by the Actes of Parliament that our cause be lawfully cognosced according to order and justice before any sentence passe against our persons places and estates and not to be judged by any judicatorie forraigne and not established by the Lawes of our Country We trust that as Abraham composed the variance betwixt his own and Lots servants Moses interceded betwixt the Hebrews and Constantine betwixt the Ministers of the Kirk So the Lord shall giue you courage to intercede with his Majestie and his Highnesse fatherly disposition to set the pillars of the earth that were shaken and to take off the heavie burthens the burthensome ceremonies the burthensome censures and the hurthenous abuses which many haue groaned under And with a readie and royall hand to quench the beginning fire of deprivation of Ministers by Ministers of hindring Gods substantiall worship by him commanded and withdrawing from the people the appointed food of their soules and necessarie meanes of their faith and salvation of smiting of many a true shepheard and committing the flocke to many Wolues and blind guides of leaving the Papists cause and suppressing the best Ministers whereby they get rest to mischeife the Kirk and build up their own Synag gue and that for the sake of Ceremonies no more necessarie for the sâ—â— use of Christ then faiâ—ding for a chast maâ—â—on more readie to crosse the commandement of Christ wherby we are charged to pray to the Lord of the Harvest that he would thrust forth labâ—rer into his Harvest then for the edification of the body of Christ Thus â—â—mbly coÌ„manding the innocencie of our selues petitioners and our just right and possession of that reformation which we earnestly craue to be continued to your Honourable charitable judgement We pray God for Christs sake to enable you to doe that which may be acceptable to himself profitable to his Kirk and comfortable to your own soules at that day when we must all appeare before the â—â—dgement seat of Christ that man may receiue the thing which are done to his bodie according to that hee hath done whether it be good or ill and to blesse his Maâ— and Royall issue with peace and truth for ever And your Honours with sound Religion and loyaltie in this life and endlessâ— glorie with Christ for ever Archipp The supplication seemeth so reasonable and religious that no man needed to be ashamed to present it no man could refuse to accept it Epaph. It was indeed presented by a faithfull Minister in name of the Kirk and of his fellow Ministers in all humility and after the prescribed order to the hand appointed by Authority and obliged by office to receiue petitions of that kind from any corporation oâ—â—â—â—e leâ—ge of this Kingdom But after some refusals and sundry significations of unwillingnes it was received at last but subscribed by the Presenter and with su h misregard of the messengers of God and matters of his Kirk that he pla nly profâ—ssed his doubting whether he vvould exhibit it in Parliament or not Relegentem oportet esse religiosum nefas Archipp Notwithstanding all this diligence in proclamations conventions devising and presenting of petitions and supplications the Parliament was not holden then but in August what could be in doing in the two monthâ—s interjected For the estate of Bohome and the Palaâ—nate abroad cryed to hasten the subsidie for their present succour and safety And the Parents of Perth Articles at home longed to see the day when that birth of their braines should be perfected in a Parliament Epaph Parliament continuâ—e From the first of Iune vvhich vvas the appointed day the Parliament was continued to the twenty three of Iuly upon what causes in so urgent a necessity upon the one part and so earnest desire on the other it belongeth to the search of stately wits It is well known that the length of secret deliberation and shortnes of open determination is meetest for some matters And as well known amongst us that there vvas al 's great unwillingnesse to the one cause as affection to the other Nihil magâ—â— discriminis coÌ„sihis tam inimicum quam celeritas Qu câ—uid est incoctum non expromunt benecoctum duunt But the pretext behoved to attend the intended purpose And therefore during this delay great was the negotiation betwixt the rich Merchants of faire vvords and fine promises and the hungry servants of lingring hope who thought it now a fit time to draw up their particulars and the principall cause in one bargaine What will yâ—e giue me c. All these things c. Everie wit that had a venalâ— vote thought at this Market to repaire his losses to re-edifie his estate upon the ruines of the Kirk and faire words made fooles faine Our vigilant Bishops set themselues and send forth their explorators and Brokers to try the inclinations of Noblemen Commissioners of Shires Barones and Burgesses And as they were found affected cold hot or lukewarme they vvere vvrought upon to bee present absent or to resolue vvisely against the day appointed vvhereby many honest simple soules vvere put to a hard choice either to perill Religion or to vvant promotion NoÌ„ minus ego te spe quam tu me voâ—e tua delectasti and so made many to vvrong themselues in forsaking the truth vvhich vvas in their heart for hopes vvhich are never likely to fill their hand Where the feare of the Leaders of the course vvas greatest there albeit vvith a dissembled secrecie greatest confidence vvas professed by making it come to mens cares privily that Perth Articles vvould certainly bee ratified and therefore it vvas needlesse to oppone vvhich vvent through the Countrie as a Proclamation of victorie to dash some and as terrours of desperation to make others to crie Our opposition will doe us evill and the cause no good And servile spirits to determine where the mightie and multitude are there will wee bee By this crooked policie the sillie simpliâ—itie of many professours rawly resolved to stand in the day of tryall vvas deluded And Noblemen tempted to lurke in a diffiâ—ill time easily obtained licence vvithout great triall of a just cause as vvhose absence then presence vvas accounted better service Archipp When these two moneths of Preparation vvas thus past and the purpose matured vvhether vvas the appointed day observed Epaph. As there vvere preparatorie years betwixt
suffer You haue here to remember that old caution propounded by a Father to the Emperour Take away the perill of the statute c. It is permitted to the maintainers of novelties to use a continued plentifull and running speech which here is not to be found For if the entising speeches of mans wisedome were true tokens of wisedome indeed the swallowes as they are swifter may justly bee sayd to bee aboue man in wisedom Paul for the truth is rude in speaking his presence weak his speech contemptible But Tertullus pleading against him in a mask of eloquence is admired for his pompous stile The matters in question every where are so backed with all meanes of credit in the hands of the one partie and so borne down by vehement cries in the weaknes of the other Mutation having now turned up-side-down that where before the truth had favour to be spoken heard without fear In companies now a man must needs lay his hand upon his care for hearing the partie absent or fall in folly and shame to answer a matter before he hath heard it The truth is not to be measured by the means of them that speak for it and all calumnies are but swines flesh though they be dressed after a divers fashion The cause in controversie wronged by the violence of the time may justly complaine of impar congressus in respect of worldly helpes in the particulars following and many moe The new course hath the countenance of the world But it fareth with the ancient profession as with the Gospell it selfe Haue any of the rulers beleeved in him Excepting alwayes the honorable Peeres of the land whose loue is more large then their credit 2. The most part of the ancient ministers professors are removed either out of this life or out of their former mind and many out of their places and such as arise up and are admitted to the ministerie must sweare subscribe to maintaine and defend privatly and publickly the alterations inforced 3. There is very few to be found having courage for the truth to honor God with their credit riches such receiue the Gospell with a provision of safetie to their own estate the poore who receive the Gospell are willing but not able both to doe and suffer for the truth 4. The pations and proctours of this new plea are richly rewarded with a fat b nefice or great sume of the taxation and benefic s promised but the defenders are ready to be respected with Depriue and Confine 5. They haue a strong assistance but the other are few weak and if they be permitted to remain in their places they are tied to the daily pains of their callings and caâ—e of their families and if they be thrust forth they are forced to provide for their owne necessities having no time for these matters but stolne houres 6. The one partie hath libertie to meet with full help of all requisite meanes few or many where and when at their owne pleasure The other if two or three of them meet upon their lawfull affaires it is a scandall of Conventicle a matter of challenge 7 They are judges of their own cause and haue at their right hand the power of Kirk and policie but the cause of the other is like the widow the fatherlesse no man will heare it 8 To them all the Presses are open and expenses furnished Printers beyond sea are troubled upon suspicion of having the copies of the other 9 Their assertions are probations the contrary cause acknowledged for a found truth in secret is in publick respected as an errour 10 Threatned dangers maketh men afrayed to reade write or print in favours of the one all may be done to the advancement of the other with great commendation 11 For loue of peace and lack of meanes necessary purposes as the answer to a rabble of untruthes known to a many yet living hatched by Joan Fani Andrea Arch ep and favoured with a latine complexion of some despised Doctor and idle for lack of patients and presented to the world under the triumphing title Refutatio libelli de regimine Ecclesiae Scoticanae The answer to the Doctors Lyndesay David Brechin Michelson their bragging and begging pamphlets The answer to Mercenary Tilen his pragmaticall paraenesis c. are hid from the light while necessitie call for them Finally were there a change made of the prosperous case of the one cause with the adversity of the other or would the world but smile or frowne equally on both they would not busie the Printer and Reader so much But the aequivalent of that old truth poore Luther made many rich is in some sort verified in this cause and that which preaching substance against Papists could not procure pleading for ceremonies against Protestants hath procured The Defenders haue no other comfort but that they deliver their soules discharge their consciences and serue for witnesses 〈◊〉 the truth and least they be witnesses also against thee Take hâ—ed to thy selfe be not one of those who either for loue of the world wil not like a known truth or who fear to read know the truth lest they find themselues obliged to follow it and so either be moved to change their present course which may seem unprofitable or else be vâ—â—ed with a crying conscience for keeping it and that will proue unpleasant Think not their labours like the circlings made by Archimedes when Marcelius was on the sea and nigh unto the ports of Syracuse except thou remember also that by his weake meanes the Citie was a long time defended against the Roman enemie albeit at albeit last with the losse of his life Neither be thou over vvise to say they might haue been like the good Geographers who seldome trouble themselues with the description of smal Brooks but waite on till by confluence they make great rivers and are disburdened into sea For had the riverets either been dryed up in time or yet were drained in severall chanels the maine streame would not swell so big nor the great Whore that sitteth upon many waters proue so stately amongst us Onely first for stirring up thy own soule think with thy selfe how like the times of our Kirk may prooue unto the darkenesse of the ninth Centurie after Christ which the Centuriatours obserue to haue proceeded of foure pregnant causes 1 the excessiue loue of mâ—ns writtes with the neglect of Scripture 2 the praeeminence of some persons aboue others 3 the multiplication of ceremonies and humane inventions 4 persecution and oppression of the most sound in heart and judgement Secondly for judging of the Defenders part consider that howsoever they be commanded to loue such as hate them and pray for such as persecute them yet how small reason they haue to beleeue that they who persecute them thinke that in so doing they doe God good service And thirdly for thy own resolution remember that the sentence of Christs throne
to cover the ugly face of a strange monster Archip. The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water Prov. 17.14 And you seeme to have sayd that our present inundations did begin at that breach Epaph. It was so indeed 1 May 1597. Continued and increasing at Dundie for in the next assembly holden at Dundie the water becomes broader and the schisme begun at Perth groweth greater 1. by difference of judgement anent the confirmation of the former assembly holden at Perth 2. by diversitie of opinions concerning the setting down of some notes in forme of declaration of certaine of the acts concluded at Perth explaining his Maiesties and the assemblies meaning for the satisfaction of such as then vvere not acquainted therewith and now to be registred in this assembly at Dundie to remaine c. but like the glosse of Orleans 3. by indulgence for duetie directed in a new commission carying greater favour to the excommunicats their vassals their insinuating care of the dangers of the Kirk imminent from a higher cause 4. from a new forme of commission drawing power from the generall assembly to a few number of persons and aiming them for execution of some of the dangerous articles rashly yeelded to as did appeare in diverse attempts Lastly about excommunication and other points of Ecclesiasticall Iurisdiction And againe the spait of division swelleth to a great height the flouds encrease and prevaile in the assembly holden at Dundie the 7 of March 1597 1. by certaine greeves put in Articles by brethren of divers quarters of the countrey and given in against the the proceedings of the commissioners anent alterations made at Edinburgh and Santandros and forme of casting out and putting in ministers the vvhich greeves behoved to be buried otherwise no peace for the Kirke 2. for the commissioners presumption taking upon them vvithout expresse and particular warrant from the Kirk to treat with the parliament holden at Edinburgh the 19 of December 1597. anent the Kirkes vote in parliament she standing as yet in doubt if it should be thought leesome that the ministers should succeed in the prelates places for voting in Parliament 3. About the diversitie of Iudgement anent the conditions of the sayd vote some holding that the Kirk should be declared the third estate of parliament and authorized with all lawfull priviledges and having libertie as Barons and Burgesses have to choose their own commissioners others ready to take the same in what sort and vpon vvhat conditions it might bee had 4. About that woefull commission continued and enlarged vvith a seeming but sore clause for keeping the Ministers free of offences Archip. Your vvaters are like to grow to a sea vvherin the course of navigation looseth the sight of the one pole and entreth in some degrees of elevation of the other Beware of shipwrack of religion in the end Epaph. The truth is the division prevailing at Dundie becommeth a great sea at Montrose Preuailing at Montrose and bringeth in that Trojan horse so pleasantly palliat vvith a faire mantle of fine caveats and even then greedily gaped for by some foresmelling their own wealth honour in that Ecclesiasticall Tragedie but constantly refused by others foreseeing and fearing more sorrow to the Kirk in the conditions annexed then apprehending good in a seeming benefit so violently offred In that generall assembly the 18 day of March 1600 after many combats and braulings about the cautions restraining the commissioners voters in Parliament from corruption frowardly as it might be the caveats the lurking deceit of hierarchie vvere finally set downe Archip. These palliative caveats are in form and effect much like the professions set out by Foegadius and Servatio to save the Kirk as they imagined from Arrian perfidie but in event a furtherance to their blasphemous haeresie and cruell victorie It vvere better to hold theeves at the doore then wait upon them in the house that they steale not I vvould know before I proceed vvhat miseries followed upon this unhappy division and alteration made in these foure assemblies begun at Dundie and concluded at Montrose Epaph. Evils ensuing upon the former division The tongue and pen of another Nizianzene vvere not sufficient to deplore and expresse them to the full In the generall assembly holden at Bruntyland the next yeare 1601 May 12. and at Halyrood-house the yeare following 1602 November 10. these are pointed at Defection from the puritie zeale and practise of true religion proceeding from the just vvrath of God for dishonouring of our profession the negligence of the Ministers against Papists the desolation of divers parts of the countrey for lack of Pastors the neglecting of places of chiefest importance to the interest of religion in not planting them vvith sufficient Pastors the ouer-hasty admission of men to the ministerie before their sufficiencie be knowne the negligence of Ministers in reading the Scriptures and controversies betwixt the reformed Kirk and enemies thereof the uncomely carriage of Ministers framing themselves excessiuely to the humors of men in communications intemperance and light apparrell the distraction vvhich is supposed to bee from some of the ministerie and of themselves from themselves the desolation of the Kirke of Edinburgh the great favour showne to Papists and their great credit by that meanes in negligent education of noble mens children the impunitie of Saylers transporting and bringing within the countrey Seminarie Priests and Iesuits vvith their coffers and books that men suspect in religion when they are chalenged haue accesse to court during the time of their processe That the late reconciled Papists are not urged to performe the conditions agreed to at their reconciliation to the Kirke All vvhich were either caused or occasioned by the former division Epaph. It had been high time vpon these evident dangers and pittifull cryes of the Kirk to haue repented of the former division and to haue returned to their brotherly vnitie and Philadelphian profession Nec enim vllum maius concordiae vinculum quam timor externus Epaph. Multi clerici sunt progenies viperarum Policie did foresee that that happy course vvould not satisfie the burning lust of Hierarchie Second degree of defection for Iurisdiction usurpation and therefore they are so farre from once looking back to brotherly agreement upon equall conditions that esteeming the fire of division to be the most naturall element for their purpose they add fresh oyle by labouring to abolish the Iurisdiction of the Kirk and giving a dead stroake to her chiefe priviledge of holding of generall Assemblies ordinarily once in the yeare and after pro re nata which is the second essentiall degree of our defection Archip. I haue seen the rent of vnitie I beseech you to bee as plaine in this poynt that I may be informed upon what occasion and by what meanes the Kirk was deprived of that awfull power and faire libertie Epaph. According to the order usually observed Assemby at Aberdine
on the coÌ„trarie that it would please his Highnesse with advice of his estates in this present Parliament to ratifie againe of new the established goverment and discipline of the Kirke and confirme the cautions made in generall Assemblies namely where his Maiestie was present to save the Kirke and Realme from the most pestilent corruptions of that false Bishoprie that these fearfull dangers and inconveniences being thus prevented the blessing of grace peace and glory may be continued and multiplied upon the kings most excellent Maiestie his most honourable estates and whole realme and the Kirk and kingdome of Iesus Christ may flourish in all quietnes with holines and truth Amen Archip. Let others glory in their audacious conscience as there will ever be a Hiel found to reedifie Iericho although he know that it will cost him and his never so deare for my selfe I had rather in the basest estate abide the bensall of all episcopall authoritie without then the forcible contradiction of these reasons within set vpon the highest top of their ambition especially if the rest of the steppes bee answerable to the first Wearie not to goe through them with me And now shew me which was the second Epaph. It is easier for me to tell you now then it was for them to determine at that time when their preferment was so odious to the whole body of the ministerie yet it was seen at last that Invasio perpetuae dictaturae was viâ— ad imperium Second step of prelacie Perpetuall moderation and therfore let them first be constant moderators which was wrought by this engine First summa papaverum capita demetendi for in the yeare 1606 when this course was in hand the ministers and rulers of the kirk who stood in their watch were dissipate many were drawne out of the Countrey and after that they were long detained at Court for the modest cariage of single ministers in a matter proper for civill and ecclesiasticall jurisdiction as was the convention at Aberdein Some of them as Athanasius like Andrew Melvill and Hilarius like Iames Melvill haue died in exile others were permitted to returne but with restraint Of the rest remaining at home albeit some stand to this day in their owne stedfastnesse yet a great part wanting their former encouragement and loving the world were moved to leaue their long continued opposition Linlithgow Assembly 2 In the time of that absence and dissipation for advancing the Prelats to this second step of dignitie there is appointed at Linlithgow December 12 a convention in profession preparatorie for a generall Assembly but keeped like a generall assembly albeit inspired with another spirit consisting of Noble men Statesmen and such ministers as were readiest to take and give 3. It was pretended that the cause of the weaknesse of the kirk against the Papists was the appearance of the division in the ministerie and alienation of his maiesties minde from some ministers And that the cause of this cause vvas partly a feare of the subversion of the discipline and libertie of the Kirk by removing of Sessions Presbyteries Provinciall and generall Assemblies by some of their owne brethren vsurpation of vnlawfull Iurisdiction in their own persons a griefe for the afflicted case of their well affected brethren And vpon the other side that the charge of the kirk government was committed to men who had not wisedome and experience for keeping the kirk in quietnesse 4. For removing this cause upon the one side there was a declaration made in such generall and ambiguous tearmes as might both gull the simple making them to conceiue that there was no change intended and yet include their owne particular intention in case they should be examined afterward upon their own declaration The words are There is no purpose to subvert the Discipliâ—e of the Kirke of Scotland but rather to augment and strengthen the same so farre as it can serve for the weale of the Gospell and restraint of vice And say the whole Bishops it is not our intention to usurpe and exercise any tyrannous and vnlawfull Iurisdiction over our brethren nor to engyre our selves in any way vnlawfully in the Kirk government c. But for removing the cause upon the other side there was no declaration accepted that the wisest and most experienced men should be chosen thereafter But the Bishops must be constant moderators alwayes restrained by 13 severall cautions and bands not unlike the caveats at Montrose But that they play fast and loose in the end by casting to this provision If either upon his maiesties advice and proposition to the assembly or upon their owne supplication the generall assembly be moved thereafter to grant them any relaxation of any of the caveâ—ts which upon good reason might appeare to the sayd assembly to be over strait that this their promisâ— should make no derogation to their libertie Even as a little before they professed their willingnes to dimit their benefices at the pleasure of the assembly for taking away all offence from their brethren but with proviso that his Maâ— consent and approbation be had thereto Never a more pernitious and plausible assembly in this kirk every one of the Prelats Vatinius-like preventing accusation by confession and protestation And yet no intention but to bee perpetuat in their moderation for atchieving that which they all disclaimed in word Archip. Was the applause so great that there was no opposition Epaph. The opposition could not at the first be so great as at the first step by reason of the dissipation of the opponents the professed qualitie of the convention the faire pretexts the great promises c. By some the plat was embraced as a barre of brasse to hold out Bishops by others as a pathway to their preferment as the event did proue And many blinded before did see immediatly after that convention that the constant moderators were as was sayd at that time the little theeves entring at the narrow windowes to make open the doores to the great theeves In all the quarters of the countrey great disputation of the power of Ecclesiasticall assemblies in choosing their owne mouth and moderator I might produce the reasons that were penned at that time against this second step but that vvere infinite and the particulars were to some of the actors yet living intollerable Archip. I have heard of your adversaries that about these times there were faire offers made of conference and disputation for finall decision of all controverted matters but that they failed ever on your side Epaph. But the truth is another generall assembly but of the new sort consisting of Noble men Statesmen and many Ministers was keeped at Linlithgow Iuly 26 1608 vvhere all the causes of the diseases of the kirk vvhich vvere mightily then aggreged are brought to two heads one was the contempt and discredit of the kirk and of her vvonted government another most speciall cause was the distraction of the ministers
and through the spirit of slumber excusing himselfe from the common warning Giue an account of thy stewardship command a yong man in a place of service to doe vvhat pleaseth him whether of the two shall make the commentary upon that clause And must not such a tender flexible creature be more readie to please his Maker then to stand upon points to the vvhat becommeth his place Archip. So great alteration against so many strait bonds the omitting of the ratification of the reformed Christian Râ—ligion at such a time and the re-establishing of superstitious Antichristian ceremonies might haue made the hearts of the agents to quake the mindes of the multitude vvho vvere suffered to bee present to bee miscontent and the heavens and earth to bee astonished Epaph. Ye bring me now to the third point that I proponed wherein I may say Many witnessâ—â— oâ— aâ—â— sorts against the â—â—â—â—eding concluâ—â—on of Parliament that beside the Supplication Informations Admiâ—â—â—tions and Protestation of the Messengers of God put out of the town the mindes of the Actors the voyces of the people declaring their feare and griefe and the Heavens aboue vvere witnesses of the truth against that Act. Aâ—â—â—ip How can yee judge of the mindes of the Actors The Lord knoweth the hearts and tryeth the reines Epaph. And will also reward every man openly according to his vvorks done in 〈◊〉 Yet none of the Actors could say that in that action heaveÌ„ 〈◊〉 to honour God or to do good to his worship The most part of theâ— had professed freely in private many times before their dislike of the cause and crooked convoy thereof And the Lord in his vvise providence discovered the feare of their hearts that last day of the Parliament very early For about foure houres in the morning there went a pittifull cry through the high street of Edinburgh Eye fâ—â—â—ly Fire Fire The terrible sound of the common bell which is seldome heard but upon great motions filleth the cares of men raiseth many out of their beds and bringeth them in armes bare footed to the street thinking that the people had made some insurrection Through this confused confluence of people and trouble of the vvhole town albeit it was hard to discern whether Master or servant was readiest to doe homage to servile feare yet it vvas manifest that men in highest places and known to haue strongest hand in the present course were in greatest perturbation and perplexitie till they were assured that there was no other intention but to quench a fire wherby a lodging at the New will of the Cowgate was destroyed vvithout recoverie vvhich had been interpreted prodigious in any other place at such a time and at this time and place if the hearts of men had not been possessed vvith a greater fear at the first Archip. How vvere the people vvitnesses and by what meanes did they declare their judgement Epaph. It vvere a thing impossible to relate all their Observations As when the newes vvere first brought to Scotland that the Marquesse of Hammilton had undertaken that Commission it vvas â—â—grated by the best sort of all rankes that the sonne of so vvoâ—â—hie Parentâ—â— a nobleman of so great expectation and good affection to Kirk and Commonwealth should be tempted to giue proofe of his fortaine learning upon employment so directly crossing the will of the onâ— and weale of the other So the common-people partly out of their respect to him and partly out of their feare of his Commission had frequently in their mouthes â—hese old verses of Knight Keggow O wretched Scot when Keggow turnes thy King Then may thou doole and dolour daily sing For from the South great sorrow shall be bring Therefore o'r Scot right short shall be his ring And The time will come I trow as Thomas sayes Heardmen shall hunt you up through gartings gill Casting the padle and letting the plough stand still Again the last day of the Parliament great multitudes being conveened in the utter Court of Hâ—lyâ—oode-house to bâ—hold the solemnity order and honours as they were borne did obserue at the verie instant vvhen the Lords vvent to their horses and vvere now mounted a Swan flying over their heads from the North towards the South flaffings with her vvings muttering her ominous song whereat shaking their heads in their manner and whispering amongst themselues they declared vvhat opinion they had of the proceeding and vvhat feare of a bad conclusion Ar hip These two instances vvhatsoever forâ—e they haue in themselues are sufficient testimonies of the disposition and feares of the people But how was it that the heavens were witnesses at that time for I can not thinke that yee can like superstitious observation more then superstitious adoration Epaph. I loue not the snares of superstition which is the very reproach of the Godhead I know that faith in things divine and right reason in things civill is better directer then the observation of rare and prodigious events made by man who are guided by their senses Signes must follow and not lead the truth Lucretius ait Epiâ—urum magno metâ—â— liberasse humâ—nas mentes quod superstitiones â—ustulent fortuito geâ—â— omnia confirmaâ—t But I dare not deny the power of particular providence in all the works under the Sun lest vvith sensuall Epicures or vvith the secure world I be forced to distribute her heavenly praises betwixt her enemie fortune in secret and her handmaid nature in seen second causes The incomprehensible course of that highest providence in Gods admirable vvisedom to the foot of vvhose chair the highest link of the chaine of second causes is fast tied hath made the great changes of states whether of Kirkes or Commonwealthes to be sensible by concurring signes as it hath been ordinarie in all time by observation and record of these vvorks of God to giue warning to the vveak agents of great actions touching the great God in his honour and men in their happinesse to try themselues vvhether in their proceedings they haue vvalked dutifully with the convoy of truth going before with wisdome at the one hand charity at the other that so they may either rejoyce or repent or at least be coÌ„vinced against that day of the rightous judgmeÌ„t of God When the controversiâ— vvas betwixt Cyrillus and Nâ—storius vvhich by many Kâ—â—k men in the cast favouring Nestorius part vvas counted 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a â—â—aâ—lâ— about vvords especially by Acacius vvho called Cyâ—â—llus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 precise in termes And vvhen that Controversie vvas to be decreed by the Councell of Ephesus upon certaine signes and presages of hard successe this verse vvas ordinarie in the mouthes of men 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For when mischiefe hangs over the Kirk Then signes like these begin to work And Machiavel him selfe agreeth to the generall de Repub l. 1. c. â—6 through force of experience in the mutations of States but
God according to his vvill dischargeth all invention and vvil worship Coloss 2 all imitation of others vvithout the true Kirk Lev. 18 all translation of Gods owne ordinances 1 King 12 and finally all degrees to the least all signes all monuments meanes causes incentives occasions provocations beginnings of evill hat may tempt oâ— induce our hearts all shew and appearance of any of those evils And as every precept commands the communion of Saints to vvin our neighbour and to furthâ—r his salvation so every precept forbiddeth to haue any fellowship vvith the unfruitfull vvorkes of darkenesse or to be accessorie to other mens sinnes Whosoever faileth in any of them Quo ceremoniall loquendi gâ—nere legâ— imperato â—os tinetur mu ta quae in odio esse vrâ— bonis noâ—â—t Apost quarum quaâ—â—um est contagio Insius enim it Ambrosius noÌ„ solum crimen metuit sed conta ionem peccati Quintum est maula ex peccato His adde si placet sentum â— Thess 5 22 pecuni peccati quamvis a peccato perse aâ—â—nam Afferentes itaque dederum Iâ—câ—bo omnes deos alâ—ni populi qui erant in â—ann â—ua in aureâ—s quae â—rant in autibus sâ—â—â—â—â—sâ—â—ditque ea Iacob sub illa quercu quae prope Scheccâ—nam crat Iâ—â— in Iâ—â— 22. he faileth not in a ceremoniall as men vvould haue it but in a morall dutie His sin is not a sinne by accident but in it selfe and most kindly a sin directly against the law of God Peter Martyr proveth at length vvhat great evils there be in the occasions of evils Loâ— com p. 348. Iunius upon Iude v. 22 recordeth six things detestable to good men the sixt vvherof is the appearance of evils albeit in it selfe it be not evill which he maketh plaine by the example of Jacob and the like we may see in â—shâ—â— Elith Daniel Ierome upon Esay sheweth that by Gods stopping of the Israelites vvay vvith thornes lest they should returne to their former lovers that we haue need of a strong fence against Idolatry All our Divines use this Argument against the Lutheran Images Archipp Thinke ye that there is a divine determination passed upon the urged Ceremonies and that they fall in any sort ender the law morall Epaph. I put it our of question Besides the evill of Scandall The urged ceremonies transgressions against the first determination of the law Morall in respect wherof they be by accident sinnes and forbidden in the sixt commandement beside their externall superstition and idolatry vvhich cannot be denied more then that the glance of the eye that a gesture or a rash vvord of anger are Adultery and Murther by Christs own determination And as to command such glances of the eye and vvords or gestures of that sort howsoever they seeme nothing in the eye of the world were in Gods estimation to command adulterie and murther and to obey such lawes were to obey men rather then God so must we judge of authoritie and obedience in the other I say besides that they are many otherwaies transgressions of the second commandement iâ— in that thâ—y are occasions and shewes or appearance of another superstition and Idolatry more grosse and abominable For they are of that kind of evill actions vvherein there be two evils one externall that is seen to be done another internall imported and signified by that vvhich is done vvhich also is sometimes done sometimes not done according to the quality of the minde secret intention of he door For if the perill be great the doer simple as vvhen ignorant people kneel at the Sacrament both the evils concurre Another not so vvell informed as Peter Iudaizing vvith him and by his example might haue been indeed as superstitious as any of the Iewes vvhich he seemed onely to be And so it falleth out that there is a double guiltines both upon the strong and upon the weak Because they who are strong fall under the outward transgression and by their example make the vveak vvho can not distinguish and discern so punctually fall under the inward transgression vvhen vvith them they are committing the outward 2 They are transgressions of the second commandment as they be inventions of man and vvill worship or imitations of the enemies of God and a draught of that wine of Babels fornication wherwith the inhabitants of the earth haue been made drunk Revel 17 2 vvherof Gods people ought not to tast at all I am the Lord your God after the doing of the land of Egypt wherein yee dwelâ— shall yee not doe Levit. 18. Take heed to thy selfe that thou be not snared by following them Deut. 12. 3 As translations at least some of them of Gods own institutions Ministers like Gods Ministers dayes altars vestures likewise the sinne of Ieroboam ordaining a feast like unto the feast in Iudah 1 King 12 32 wherin the Proverbiall truth holds that the lâ—ker the â—se is to man the more deformed it is To leaue this first main determination of indifferencie let the stretching out of the hand and bowing of the knee in their nature be equally indifferent and the one capable of good anâ— evill â—s well as the other yet after determination of both by circumstances from God if vve condemne the one and command the other we may condemn murder and command idolatrie condemn the transgression of the second and command the transgression of the first table Archipp The Indiffâ—rencie of thâ—se ceremonies being taken away by divine determination of the morall law as ye haue made it sensible all the vvorld cannot makâ— them good or indifferent again As the fault of the first conâ—â—ction cannot be mended in thâ— second nor third so the errour of the first delibâ—ration upon thâ—se matters can neither be cureâ— by â—he caâ—â—on of the Kirk nor by the law of the Country It vvere good either to recant and vomit them up againe or else to let them passâ— with the excrements by the dungport For good nourishment I fâ—are shall they never proue but daily more and more the face of the Kirk shall become pale her knees feeble and armes vveak till all her beautie and strength be gone Your promise and my desire leades you now to the second determination Epaph. Second determâ—naâ—ion ceremonial The second I called Ceremoniall and Nationall making things ceremonially good or evill cleane or uncleane and therefore to be used or not to be used by the people of the Iewes by reason of divine institution which before in respect of morall and universall determination were left indifferent as having nothing intrinsecally in their own nature or by vertue of inherent circumstances vvhich might make them good or evill Archip. Aliis sacramentis preniÌ„ciare Christiâ— cum venturus esset aliis cum vâ—nisset annâ—â—â—aâ—o portuit sicut modo noâ—id ipsum â—oquentes divosiâ—is terum etiam compulit verba mutare siquiqu dem aliud est praenuntiare aâ—â—d 〈◊〉 aliud cum
their owne pleasure the rule for their use of a thing indifferent Others are so peremptorie that they affirme there is nothing in use indifferent I know not what to think Epaph. Distinguendum inter fidem et factuÌ„ inter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 inter actum nudum circumstantionâ—um Inter actum in specie individuo inter rem consideratam in actu signato actu exercite That indifferencie hath place onely in the generall or in the nature of the action and not in the particular or in the use it almost vniversally confessed vvhile men distinguish with the Apostle betwixt our faith and our fact vvith others betwixt our profession and our use betwixt the naked action and the action clothed vvith circumstances betwixt one action generall and Individuall Indifferencie of action can no more be found in the second sense then it can be denied in the first All the actions of man in his integritie vvere good all the actions of man in glory shall be good all the actions of man under sinne let the matter be most indifferent in nature are evill and all the actions of man under grace are either good or evill not one of them all indifferent Were all our actions ruled by the word as they ought to be all our actions would be good as they ought to be For howsoever the word be not as it ought not to be an Encyclopedia or generall summe of all Arts and Sciences an vniversal directorie for all our actions as they are naturall civill moral oeconomiall yet the particular determination of all our actions falleth under the rules of the word in so farre as they be Christian and spirituall according to the nature of all professions and Sciences coincident for the most part in the matter but distinct in their manner of consideration The lifting up of a straw the Schoolmens example may be an evill action and must be either good or evill especially proceeding of deliberation Rules of health and good manners forbid it in some cases and so doe rulers of divinitie There is no truth more unsavourie to the Libertine a greater paradox to the ignorant and of greater mocking to the worldling and yet never denied by any Philosopher or divine except some few vvho make a distinction betwixt actions proceeding of meere imagination and actions proceeding of deliberation in the one placing indifferencie and not in the other The Idlenesse of which distinction might be easily shewne but that it were not to our purpose vvhich runneth upon matters controverted concluded resisted and so proceeding of deliberation and not from imagination Hee that esteemeth it a matter indifferent for him to kneel or sit at the communion to observe or not to observe a festivall day now after it is called in question hath neither reason nor authoritie of any vvriter for him and therfore carrieth a note of singularie Archip. When I haue heard you I cannot deny the truth yet I am not perswaded For first I may say that it is Theologia in abstructo and not in concreto I know no man but every day doth many things indifferently 2. That ground will breed innumerable scruples of conscience and is the ready vvay to beget superstition 3. I know not vvhat things are requisite for making an action by nature indifferent to be good that all our actions may be good as yee say they ought to be Epaph. Yet all the Divines lay it for a ground and I would haue wished that yee had suppressed your first doubt In many things we sinne all idle vvords idle gestures lookes c. are scored up in the accompts of men For the second beware of profanity in declining of superstition But in the second and third both yee shall say that ye are satisfied if yee consider that as in naturall and artificiall bodies produced according to the course of nature and skill of Art there is a concurrencie of the worker â—onum est ex imegra caâ—sa 〈◊〉 vero ex singulis desecâ—â—us of the matter of the forme and of the end for their full accomplishment and perfection before God and man say that they are good Even so in some correspondence their must concurre the vvhole foure causes for accomplishing of every action morall or spirituall that it may be acceptable to God It is for the first necessary that the person or persons efficient be In Christ by faith vvithout which it is imposible to please God Four causes concurring to make a good action that the action be with the renewing spirit of God and of the working spirit of God 2 the matter or substance of the action be indeed either good or indifferent in respect of the object and that it be throughly known to be such If it be not either good or indifferent the action is done with an erronious conscience If it be not knowne to be such it is done either vvith a doubting Vâ—l errante vel dubitante vel haesitante vel repugnaâ—â—â—e conscientiâ— conscientia 〈◊〉 non minâ—â— Ã licitis quam ab illicitis â—oâ—ibet dubilâ—â—tâ—â— haestiâ—â—tem repugâ—â—â—teâ— vel tandeus audente conscientia or unresolved or contradicting conscience If there be a defect of both the action is done with a bold conscience the first is great the second greater the third the greatest sinne Archip. Nothing of all that can be denyed what say ye of the third and fourth cause the manner of doing and the end Epaph. The forme or manner of doing presupposeth the matter either to be good in respect of the object or to be indifferent and requireth a conformitie with the law of God in the circumstances Circumstantiae interdum constituunt actionem in specia morit aliâs reddunt actionem meliorem malam priorem For a good action may haue a twofold conformitie with the law one is principall and more substantiall in respect of the object vvhich is commanded we say may haue because sometimes the obiect is indifferent The other consisteth in the circumstances which sometimes make the action good or evill sometimes onely make the good action better or the evill worse but haue greatest sway where the obiect is indifferent for then the manner of doing as order decencie sobrietie doe in a manner specificate the action Archip. Ye seeme to confound for the circumstances containe all the foure causes as vvho vvhat c. which ye referre all to the formall cause or manner of doing Epaph. In the enumeration of circumstances vve must not take Quis who for the efficient cause but for his condition or qualitie as a privat or publick person a Pastor or a Professor a king or a subiect Nor quid vvhat for the matter or obiect but the qualitie thereof Mediatè vel immediatè actu vel virtute ut reqiusitus reddere queas rationem à fine cur hoc feceris vel â—miseris as whether it be a matter of salvation or