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cause_n authority_n church_n see_v 1,737 5 3.7569 3 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A75377 An account of the methods and motives of the late union and submission to the assembly offered and subscribed by Mr. Thomas Lining, Mr. Allexander Sheilds, Mr. William Boyd 1691 (1691) Wing A324B; ESTC R229748 40,969 47

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the_o lord_n because_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o house_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v lay_v tet_n some_o of_o they_o that_o have_v see_v the_o first_o house_n weep_v with_o a_o loud_a voice_n so_o that_o the_o people_n can_v not_o discern_v the_o noise_n of_o the_o shout_n of_o joy_n from_o the_o noise_n of_o weep_v so_o at_o this_o time_n we_o be_v call_v to_o rejoice_v with_o thanksgiving_n for_o &_o we_o shall_v indeed_o be_v very_o ungrate_a and_o unworthy_a if_o we_o do_v not_o acknowledge_v with_o praise_n and_o admiration_n the_o mercy_n of_o god_n which_o endure_v for_o ever_o manifest_v &_o magnify_v in_o the_o progress_n of_o this_o work_n hitherto_o that_o at_o the_o time_n appoint_v of_o god_n the_o least_o expect_a by_o we_o at_o the_o time_n of_o our_o great_a extremity_n and_o our_o enemy_n great_a insolency_n the_o lord_n have_v be_v please_v in_o sovereign_a mercy_n instead_o of_o overtake_v we_o with_o judgement_n threaten_v for_o our_o sin_n and_o without_o wait_v on_o 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notwithstanding_o all_o former_a provocation_n on_o the_o other_o hand_n we_o think_v to_o continue_v division_n and_o separtion_n at_o the_o time_n will_v tend_v rather_o to_o the_o scandal_n and_o reproach_n of_o all_o our_o former_a witnessing_n than_o to_o the_o strengthen_n of_o the_o same_o for_o it_o may_v verify_v what_o use_v to_o be_v allege_v against_o we_o that_o we_o maintain_v such_o principle_n as_o will_v dissolve_v all_o union_n &_o order_n in_o the_o world_n the_o best_a confutation_n of_o which_o reproach_n be_v now_o to_o make_v the_o contrare_fw-la appear_v by_o union_n as_o soon_o as_o ever_o we_o have_v gor_o a_o fond_a for_o it_o which_o now_o there_o be_v when_o we_o have_v all_o one_o common_a testimony_n against_o papery_n prelacy_n erastianisme_n tyranny_n and_o schism_n and_o every_o thing_n contrary_a to_o sound_v doctrine_n and_o the_o power_n of_o godliness_n peace_n be_v within_o jerusalem_n wall_n and_o prosperity_n within_o her_o palace_n finis_fw-la
toleration_n we_o have_v be_v several_a time_n consult_v about_o some_o endeavour_n in_o our_o poor_a capacity_n to_o discharge_v that_o duty_n with_o the_o least_o tumult_n or_o trouble_n to_o the_o country_n that_o be_v possible_a not_o be_v able_a any_o long_o to_o endure_v to_o see_v this_o pure_o reform_v and_o covenant_v land_n pollute_v again_o with_o idolatry_n and_o impunity_n of_o the_o entycer_n thereunto_o and_o thereby_o expose_v to_o the_o ineluctable_a wrath_n of_o the_o most_o high_a without_o some_o witness_n of_o our_o indignation_n at_o the_o same_o and_o thereupon_o have_v appoint_v this_o same_o concurrence_n of_o our_o brethren_n at_o this_o present_a meeting_n this_o same_o day_n to_o conclude_v upon_o some_o course_n to_o effectuate_v it_o yet_o as_o many_o of_o our_o brethren_n in_o several_a corner_n of_o the_o land_n without_o any_o correspondence_n or_o communication_n with_o one_o another_o be_v animate_v and_o encourage_v at_o one_o and_o the_o same_o 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and_o go_v hame_z and_o live_v in_o quiet_a so_o long_o as_o either_o duty_n or_o safety_n will_v permit_v we_o for_o tho'_o we_o be_v through_o grace_n as_o ready_a as_o ever_o to_o suffer_v persecution_n upon_o the_o same_o head_n of_o truth_n that_o we_o have_v hitherto_o contend_v for_o and_o resolve_v rather_o to_o loss_n our_o dear_a blood_n then_o to_o part_v with_o one_o hoof_n of_o they_o and_o be_v as_o resolute_a as_o ever_o to_o defend_v ourselves_o &_o all_o our_o covenant_v brother_n in_o the_o common_a cause_n &_o testimony_n against_o all_o assault_n of_o our_o malignant_a enemy_n so_o far_o as_o we_o can_v resist_v yet_o if_o they_o will_v forhear_v to_o persist_v in_o their_o persecute_v and_o murder_v we_o for_o the_o time_n we_o intend_v not_o to_o take_v or_o seek_v revenge_n of_o they_o until_o we_o see_v what_o access_n the_o lord_n our_o avenger_n will_v give_v to_o a_o legal_a prosecution_n of_o they_o only_o this_o much_o opposition_n they_o must_v expect_v that_o we_o will_v not_o embodie_o with_o they_o in_o any_o association_n for_o the_o cause_n which_o they_o have_v betray_v &_o destroy_v nor_o with_o any_o other_o know_v &_o avow_a enemy_n of_o truth_n and_o godliness_n religion_n and_o liberty_n but_o since_o the_o lord_n have_v in_o his_o wonderful_a providence_n which_o we_o adore_v raise_v up_o help_v and_o honour_v the_o illustrious_a prince_n of_o orange_n to_o be_v a_o instrument_n in_o his_o hand_n of_o break_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n the_o unsupportable_a yoke_n of_o that_o absolute_a tyranny_n under_o which_o we_o have_v be_v long_o howl_v as_o we_o pray_v the_o lord_n so_o to_o incline_v his_o heart_n to_o favour_v the_o lord_n righteous_a cause_n and_o that_o he_o may_v pity_v and_o not_o permit_v the_o yet_o remain_v ireacherous_a and_o truculent_a promotter_n abettor_n and_o executioner_n of_o that_o tyranny_n to_o devour_v and_o destroy_v we_o any_o more_o so_o we_o mind_n in_o due_a season_n to_o remonstrate_v to_o his_o highness_n the_o unparalelled_a grievance_n and_o severity_n we_o have_v sustain_v from_o they_o and_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n do_v our_o best_a in_o dependence_n on_o the_o lord_n strength_n to_o defend_v ourselves_o against_o their_o insult_v final_o we_o conclude_v declare_v our_o cordial_a and_o constant_a adherence_n to_o the_o good_a old_a way_n and_o cause_n of_o scotland_n covenant_v reformation_n in_o all_o it_o be_v receive_v and_o establish_v doctrine_n worship_n discipline_n and_o government_n according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n confession_n of_o faith_n catechism_n national_a covenant_n &_o solemn_a league_n solemn_a acknowledgement_n of_o sin_n and_o engagement_n to_o duty_n cause_n of_o wrath_n act_n of_o general_a assembly_n both_o the_o ancient_a unrepeal_v act_n and_o those_o from_o 1638._o to_o 1650._o and_o all_o the_o testomony_n protestation_n remonstrance_n and_o declaration_n of_o old_a and_o of_o late_a found_v upon_o and_o consonant_a to_o the_o same_o against_o popery_n prelacy_n erastianism_n sectarianism_n tyranny_n and_o all_o the_o encroachment_n of_o absolute_a power_n over_o law_n and_o liberty_n of_o church_n and_o state_n either_o by_o persecution_n or_o toleration_n this_o in_o short_a be_v the_o state_n of_o our_o testimony_n transmit_v to_o we_o from_o our_o renown_a ancestor_n seal_v by_o the_o martyr_n and_o confessor_n of_o christ_n in_o our_o day_n which_o we_o hope_v the_o lord_n will_v more_o and_o more_o vindicate_v and_o propagate_v to_o posterity_n publish_a at_o douglass_n the_o 4_o the_o of_o january_n 1689._o thereafter_o beginning_n to_o get_v more_o converse_n with_o some_o of_o our_o brethren_n which_o the_o violence_n of_o persecution_n preclude_v all_o access_n to_o before_o and_o this_o converse_n beget_v more_o desire_n of_o unity_n and_o amity_n with_o they_o we_o entertain_v the_o first_o motion_n from_o some_o of_o the_o reverend_a minister_n of_o glasgow_n to_o confer_v with_o they_o about_o point_n of_o difference_n and_o method_n of_o compose_v they_o the_o conference_n at_o that_o time_n produce_v only_o some_o jangle_n and_o at_o length_n some_o overture_n tender_v on_o both_o side_n wherein_o we_o can_v not_o agree_v these_o reverend_a brethren_n propose_v after_o some_o premit_v consideration_n press_v the_o necessity_n of_o union_n that_o a_o act_n of_o oblivion_n be_v agree_v upon_o for_o all_o failling_n about_o point_n or_o practice_n controvert_v among_o presbyterian_o since_o the_o year_n 1650_o to_o this_o day_n and_o that_o the_o basis_n of_o our_o union_n be_v the_o holy_a scripture_n sense_v and_o apply_v for_o the_o resolution_n of_o all_o controvert_v practice_n among_o we_o according_a to_o the_o laudable_a constitution_n custom_n practice_n act_n of_o our_o national_a assembly_n book_n of_o discipline_n gonfession_n of_o faith_n covenant_n etc._n etc._n that_o caution_n be_v observe_v from_o all_o reflection_n etc._n etc._n that_o after_o sight_v and_o approve_v their_o ordination_n and_o licenses_fw-la
privative_o by_o withhold_v other_o necessary_a instruction_n and_o warning_n murder_v their_o soul_n 6._o because_o they_o be_v and_o be_v upon_o all_o these_o account_n scandalous_a and_o the_o object_n of_o the_o church_n censure_n and_o tho'_o through_o the_o iniquity_n of_o the_o time_n their_o deserve_a censure_n hitherto_o have_v not_o be_v inflict_v yet_o they_o stand_v upon_o the_o matter_n convict_v by_o clear_a scripture_n ground_n and_o by_o the_o stand_a act_n and_o judicial_a decision_n of_o this_o church_n in_o her_o supreme_a judicatories_n 7._o because_o this_o hear_n and_o sumit_v to_o they_o be_v require_v as_o a_o badge_n test_n and_o evidence_n of_o due_a acknowledgement_n of_o and_o hearty_a compylance_n with_o erastianism_n and_o prelacy_n or_o his_o majesty_n government_n ecclesiastic_a act._n parl._n 1_o char._n 2._o july_n 10._o 1663._o which_o make_v it_o a_o case_n of_o confession_n to_o withstand_v it_o 8._o because_o by_o our_o covenant_n we_o be_v oblige_v to_o stand_v at_o a_o distance_n from_o such_o course_n of_o defection_n and_o to_o extirpate_v they_o yet_o in_o contradiction_n hereunto_o we_o be_v command_v by_o the_o rescinder_n of_o the_o covenant_n to_o bear_v the_o prelatic_a curate_n as_o a_o badge_n of_o our_o yield_n to_o the_o rescind_n of_o the_o govenant_n 9_o because_o this_o course_n be_v offensive_a and_o stumble_v both_o in_o harden_v those_o that_o comply_v with_o prelacy_n and_o weaken_v the_o hand_n of_o those_o that_o oppose_v it_o and_o infer_v a_o condemn_v of_o their_o suffering_n upon_o this_o head_n especial_o 10._o when_o communion_n with_o they_o be_v so_o state_v that_o therein_o be_v not_o only_o a_o case_n of_o controversy_n among_o the_o godly_a in_o which_o always_o abstinence_n be_v the_o sure_a side_n nor_o only_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o many_o a_o case_n of_o confession_n which_o be_v always_o dangerous_a to_o contradict_v and_o condemn_v but_o undeniable_o a_o case_n of_o competition_n between_o the_o true_a church_n of_o scotland_n her_o minister_n and_o professor_n own_v and_o adhere_v to_o her_o holy_a establishment_n claim_v a_o divine_a right_n to_o their_o office_n and_o privilege_n contend_v for_o the_o church_n reformation_n and_o a_o schismatical_a party_n set_v up_o a_o new_a church_n in_o a_o new_a order_n under_o a_o new_a head_n rob_v they_o of_o their_o office_n and_o privilege_n and_o overturning_a the_o reformation_n we_o must_v presume_v to_o plead_v also_o that_o enquiry_n be_v make_v unto_o the_o heinous_a and_o heaven-daring_a affront_n do_v to_o the_o holiness_n of_o god_n in_o the_o horrid_a violation_n of_o our_o holy_a covenant_n national_a and_o solemn_a league_n not_o only_a how_o the_o popish_a prelatical_a and_o malignant_a party_n have_v break_v they_o enact_v the_o breach_n of_o they_o by_o law_n burn_v they_o and_o endeavour_v to_o bury_v they_o by_o make_v it_o a_o capital_a crime_n to_o own_o their_o obligation_n and_o by_o bring_v in_o and_o substitute_v in_o their_o room_n conscience_n ensnare_a anti-covenant_n oath_n bond_n and_o engagement_n renounce_v the_o former_a and_o oblige_v to_o course_n contradictory_n thereunto_o but_o that_o it_o may_v be_v consider_v how_o many_o way_n minister_n and_o professor_n in_o this_o time_n of_o tentation_n and_o tribulation_n have_v be_v guilty_a of_o breach_n of_o these_o holy_a covenant_n particular_o by_o consent_v unto_o subscribe_v swear_v and_o take_v any_o of_o the_o new_a multiply_v mischievous_o contrive_v captious_o conceive_v and_o tyrannical_o impose_v oath_n test_n or_o bond_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n since_o the_o overturning_a of_o the_o covenant_v reformation_n and_o establishment_n of_o prelacy_n and_o by_o persuade_v people_n to_o take_v they_o and_o forbear_v a_o necessary_a warning_n of_o the_o danger_n of_o they_o and_o leave_v people_n in_o the_o dark_a to_o determine_v themselves_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o these_o snare_n all_o which_o we_o plead_v and_o protest_v against_o as_o sinful_a and_o scandalous_a 1_o because_o all_o of_o they_o do_v infer_v import_n and_o imply_v a_o sinful_a unitive_a conjunction_n incorporation_n association_n and_o confederacy_n with_o the_o people_n of_o these_o abomination_n that_o be_v promote_a a_o course_n of_o apostasy_n from_o god._n 2_o because_o all_o of_o they_o be_v incapable_a of_o the_o qualification_n require_v in_o sacred_a engagement_n to_o be_v take_v in_o truth_n righteousness_n and_o judgement_n 3_o because_o all_o of_o they_o in_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o imposer_n interpret_v by_o their_o act_n and_o act_n be_v condemnatory_n of_o and_o contradictory_n unto_o the_o covenant_n &_o some_o part_n of_o the_o covenant_v reformation_n 4_o because_o by_o the_o ancient_a act_n of_o assembly_n all_o public_a oath_n impose_v by_o the_o malignant_a party_n without_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n be_v condemn_v july_n 28._o 1648._o ante_fw-la merid_fw-la sess_n 18._o and_o those_o minister_n be_v ordain_v to_o be_v censure_v who_o subscribe_v any_o bond_n or_o take_v any_o oath_n not_o approven_v by_o the_o general_n assembly_n or_o by_o their_o counsel_n countenance_n or_o approbation_n make_v themselves_o accessary_a to_o the_o take_n of_o such_o bond_n and_o oath_n in_o like_a manner_n we_o dare_v not_o forbear_v to_o cry_n and_o crave_v that_o it_o may_v be_v consider_v what_o wrong_v christ_n have_v receive_v from_o the_o erastian_n and_o antichristian_a usurpation_n of_o the_o supremacy_n encroach_a upon_o the_o prerogative_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n his_o incommunicable_a headship_n and_o kingship_n as_o mediator_n give_v to_o a_o man_n a_o magisterial_a and_o architectonick_a power_n to_o alter_v and_o innovate_v authorize_v and_o exauctorate_v allow_v or_o restrain_v and_o dispose_v of_o the_o government_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n according_a to_o his_o pleasure_n invade_v the_o liberty_n of_o the_o gospel_n church_n introduce_v a_o civil_a dominion_n upon_o her_o government_n contrare_fw-la to_o its_o nature_n be_v only_o a_o ministerial-stewardship_n distinct_a from_o the_o civil_a government_n in_o its_o nature_n cause_n end_n officer_n and_o act_n and_o give_v to_o the_o magistrate_n the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n without_o and_o against_o christ_n donation_n and_o authority_n even_o the_o dogmatic_a critic_n and_o diatactick_a decisive_n suffrage_n and_o power_n in_o cause_n ecclesiastic_a which_o christ_n have_v entrust_v to_o the_o church_n representative_n and_o deny_v to_o the_o church_n the_o exercise_n of_o these_o key_n and_o power_n without_o the_o magistrate_n warrant_v and_o indulgence_n we_o crave_v also_o that_o it_o may_v be_v inquire_v into_o how_o far_o this_o encroachment_n have_v be_v connive_v at_o submit_v unto_o comply_v with_o homologate_a strengthen_v and_o establish_v by_o receive_v and_o accept_v without_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n yea_o against_o the_o express_a dissent_n and_o testimony_n of_o some_o faithful_a minister_n to_o the_o contrare_fw-la the_o indulgence_n anno_fw-la 1669_o and_o 1679_o and_o by_o the_o silence_n of_o other_o not_o witness_v against_o the_o same_o and_o other_o censure_v the_o faithful_a for_o discover_v the_o sinfulness_n thereof_o which_o we_o remonstrate_v upon_o these_o ground_n complex_o consider_v 1_o because_o as_o the_o contrivance_n and_o end_n of_o the_o grant_n thereof_o be_v to_o advance_v and_o establish_v the_o supremacy_n to_o engage_v presbyterian_o either_o to_o cooperate_v towards_o the_o settle_n and_o strengthen_v thereof_o or_o to_o surcease_v from_o oppose_v the_o peaceable_a possession_n of_o the_o granter_n usurpation_n and_o to_o extort_v from_o they_o at_o least_o a_o indirect_a recognizance_n of_o acknowledge_a subordination_n in_o ministerial_a exercise_n to_o his_o usurp_a power_n in_o a_o way_n which_o will_v he_o best_o acquiesce_v in_o to_o suppress_v the_o preach_a and_o propagation_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o persecute_a meetin_n in_o house_n and_o field_n so_o necessary_a at_o that_o time_n and_o to_o divide_v and_o increase_v difference_n and_o animosity_n among_o presbyterian_o by_o insinuate_v upon_o these_o call_v the_o more_o moderate_a to_o commend_v the_o indulg_a his_o clemency_n while_o other_o nonconformist_n adhere_v to_o interdict_a duty_n be_v just_o complain_v of_o the_o effect_n of_o his_o severity_n and_o as_o the_o woeful_a effect_n of_o it_o strengthen_v the_o supremacy_n weaken_v the_o hand_n of_o these_o that_o witness_v against_o it_o extinguish_v zeal_n and_o increase_v many_o division_n do_v correspond_v with_o these_o wretched_a design_n so_o these_o can_v not_o be_v counteracted_a but_o very_o much_o strengthen_v and_o promot_v by_o the_o acceptance_n of_o the_o indulgence_n which_o in_o its_o own_o nature_n be_v so_o palpable_o subservient_fw-fr thereto_o even_o tho'_o there_o have_v be_v a_o testimony_n against_o these_o design_n and_o end_n yet_o when_o the_o mean_v adapt_v to_o these_o end_n be_v comply_v with_o it_o be_v render_v irrite_fw-la and_o contra_fw-la factam_fw-la 2_o because_o as_o the_o supremacy_n receive_v