Iesus then that the zeale of Christ Iesus his glory provoke and move you to set his oppressed Kirk at freedome and libertie wee feare your sharpe and suddaine punishments and that the glory and honor of this enterprise be reserved unto others And yet shall this our judgement abide to the generations following for a monument and witnesse how lovingly God called you and this nation to Repentance what counsellours God sent unto you and how you have used the same If obediently ye heare God now calling we doubt not but he shall heare you in your greatest necessitie But if following your owne corrupt judgements ye contemne his voice and vocation we are assured that your former iniquitie and present ingratitude shall together crave great punishment from God who cannot long delay to execute his most just judgements when after many offences and long blindnesse grace and mercy offered is contemptuously refused God the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ by the power of his holy Spirit so illuminate your hearts that ye may cleerly see what is pleasing and acceptable in his presence and so bow the same to his obedience that ye may preferre his revealed will to your owne affections And so strengthen you by the Spirit of Fortitude that boldly yee may punish vice and maintaine vertue within this Realme to the praise and glory of his holy Name to the comfort and assurance of your own consciences and to the consolation and the good example of the posterity following Amen By your Honours most humble servitors From Edinburgh the 20. of May. 1560. Act of Secret Counsell 17 Januarii anno 1560. WEE which have subscribed thir presents having advised with the Articles herein specified as is above mentioned from the beginning of this book thinkes the same good and conforme to Gods Word in all points conforme to the notes and additions hereto eiked and promises to set the same forward to the uttermost of our powers Providing that the Bishops Abbots Priors and other Prelates and benificed men which else have adjoyned them to us bruik the revenues of their benefices during their life times they sustaining and upholding the Ministry and Ministers as herein is specified for the Preaching of the Word and ministring of the Sacraments sic subscribitur James Hamiltoun Archbald Argyle James Stewart Rothes Boid William Lord Hay Alexander Cambell M. Alexander Gordoun Glencarne Vchiltrie Sanquhare S. Jhones William of Culrosse Drumlangrig Bargannie yonger Lochinvar Cunninghamhead James Haliburtoun Ihone Lochart of Bar. Jone Schaw of Halie Scot of Haning James Maxwell George Fentoun of that ilk Andro Ker of Fadounside Andro Hamiltoun of Lethane Deane of Murray The second Booke of Discipline Heads and Conclusions of the Policie of the Kirk CHAP. I. Of the Kirk and policie thereof in generall and wherein it is different from the civill policie THE Kirk of God sometimes is largely taken for all them that professe the Evangell of Iesus Christ and so it is a company and fellowship not onely of the godly but also of hypocrites professing alwayes outwardly the true Religion Other times it is taken for the Godly and Elect only and sometimes for them that exercise spirituall function in the congregation of them that professe the truth The Kirk in this last sense hath a certain power granted by God according to which it uses a proper jurisdiction and government exercised to the comfort of the whole Kirk This power Ecclesiasticall is an authoritie granted by God the Father through the Mediator Iesus Christ unto his Kirke gathered and having the ground in the Word of God to be put in execution by them unto whom the spirituall government of the Kirk by lawfull calling is committed The Policie of the Kirk flowing from this power is an order or forme of spirituall government which is exercised by the members appointed thereto by the Word of God and therefore is given immediately to the office-bearers by whom it is exercised to the weale of the whole body This power is diversly used for sometime it is severally exercised chiefly by the teachers sometime conjunctly by mutuall consent of them that bear the office and charge after the form of judgement The former is onely called potestas ordinis and the other potestas jurisdictionis These two kinds of power have both one authority one ground one finall cause but are different in the manner and forme of execution as is evident by the speaking of our Master in the 16 and 18 of Matthew This power and policy Ecclesiasticall is different and distinct in the own nature from that power and policy which is called Civill power and appertaineth to the Civill government of the Common wealth albeit they be both of God and tend to one end if they be rightly used viz. to advance the glory of God and to have godly and good subjects For this power Ecclesiasticall floweth immediately from God and the mediator Jesus Christ and is spirituall not having a temporall head in the earth but only Christ the only spirituall King and governour of his Kirk It is a title falsly usurped by Antichrist to call himself head of the Kirk and ought not to be attributed to Angel nor man of what estate that ever he be saving to Christ the onely head and Monarch in the Kirk Therefore this power and policy of the Kirk should leane upon the word immediatly as the onely ground thereof and should be taken from the pure fountains of the scriptures the Kirk hearing the voice of Christ the only spirituall King and being ruled by his laws It is proper to Kings Princes and Magistrates to be called Lords and dominators over their subjects whom they govern civilly but it is proper to Christ onely to be called Lord and Master in the Spirituall government of the Kirk and all others that bear office therein ought not to usurp dominion therein nor be called Lords but only Ministers Disciples and servants For it is Christs proper office to command and rule his Kirk universally and every particular Kirk through his spirit and word by the ministery of men Notwithstanding as the Ministers and others of the Ecclesiasticall estate are subject to the Magistrate civill so ought the person of the Magistrate be subject to the Kirk spiritually and in Ecclesiasticall government And the exercise of both these jurisdictions cannot stand in one person ordinary The Civill power is called the power of the Sword and the other the power of the Keys The civill power should command the spirituall to exercise and to doe their office according to the word of God The spirituall rulers should require the Christian magistrate to minister justice and punish vice and to maintaine the liberty and quietnes of the Kirk within their bounds The Magistrate commandeth externall things for externall peace and quietnesse amongst the subjects the Minister handleth externall things onely for conscience cause The Magistrate handleth externall things only and actions done before men but
they govern Providing that they alter no rules made by the Provinciall or generall Assemblies And that they make the Provinciall Assemblies foresaid privie to the rules that they shall make and to abolish Constitutions tending to the hurt of the same It hath power to excommunicate the obstinate for mall processe being led and due intervall of times observed Anent particular Kirkes if they bee lawfully ruled by sufficient Ministers and Session they have power and Jurisdiction in their owne Congregation in matters Ecclesiasticall And decrees and declares the Assemblies Presbyteries and Sessions Jurisdiction and Discipline foresaid to bee in all times comming most just good and godly in the selfe Notwithstanding of whatsoever Statutes Acts Canons Civill or Municipall lawes made to the contrary To the which and every one of them their presents shall make expresse derogation And because there are divers Acts of Parliament made in favour of the Papisticall Kirk tending to the prejudice of the liberty of the true Kirk of God presently professed within this Realme Jurisdiction and Discipline thereof which stand yet in the bookes of the Acts of Parliament not abrogated nor annulled Therefore his Highnesse and Estates foresaid hath abrogated cassed and annulled and by the Tenour hereof abrogates casses and annulles all Acts of Parliament made by any of his Highnesse Predecessours for maintenance of superstition and idolatry withall and whatsoever Acts Lawes and Statutes made at any time before the day and date hereof against the liberty of the true Kirk Jurisdiction and Discipline thereof as the same is used and exercised within this Realme And in speciall that part of the Act of Parliament holden at Sterling the fourth day of November the yeare of God 1443. yeares commanding obedience to be given to Eugenius the Pope for the time The Act made by King Iames the third in his Parliament holden at Edinburgh the 24. of February the yeare of God 1480. yeares And all other Acts whereby the Popes authority is established The Act of King Iames the third in his Parliament holden at Edinburgh the 20. of November the yeare of God 1469. yeares anent the Saturday and other vigils to be holy dayes from Evensong to Evensong Item that part of the Act made by the Queene Regent in the Parliament holden at Edinburgh the first day of February the yeare of God 1551. yeares giving speciall licence for holding of Pasche and Zuill Item the Kings Majesty and Estates foresaid declares that the 129. Act of the Parliament holden at Edinburgh the two and twentieth of May the yeare of God 1584. yeares shall no wayes be prejudiciall nor derogate any thing from the priviledge that God hath given to the spirituall Office-bearers in the Kirk concerning heads of Religion matters of Heresie excommunication collation or deprivation of Ministers or any such like essentiall censures specially grounded and having warrant of the word of God Item our Soveraigne Lord and Estates of Parliament fore-said abrogates casses and annihilates the Acts of the same Parliament holden at Edinburgh the said yeare 1584. yeares granting commission to Bishops and other Judges constitute in Ecclesiasticall causes to receive his Highnesse presentation to Benefices to give collation thereupon and to put order to all causes Ecclesiasticall which his Majesty and Estates afore-said declares to bee expired in the selfe and to bee null in time comming of none availe force or effect And therefore ordaines all Presentations to Benefices to be direct to the particular Presbyteries in all time comming with full power to give collation thereupon and to put order to all matters and causes Ecclesiasticall within their bounds according to the Discipline of the Kirk providing the fore-said Presbyteries be bound and astricted to receive and admit whatsoever qualified Minister presented by his Majesty or laicke Patrons THE FIRST BOOKE OF DISCIPLINE To the great Councell of Scotland now admitted to the Regiment by the providence of God and by the Common consent of the Estates thereof Your Honours humble Servitours and Ministers of Christ Jesus within the same wish grace mercy and peace from God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with the perpetuall increase of the holy Spirit FRom your Honours weereceived a charge dased at Edinburgh the 29. of April in the yeare of our Lord 1560. requiring and commanding us in the name of the eternall God as wee will answer in his presence to commit to writing and in abooke deliver to your wisedomes our judgements touching the reformation of Religion which heretofore in this Realme as in others hath beene utterly corrupted upon the receit whereof so many of us as were in this Towne did conveene and in unity of minde doe offer unto your wisedomes these subsequents for common order and uniformity to bee observed in this Realme concerning doctrine administration of Sacraments election of Ministers provision for their sustentation Ecclesiasticall discipline and policy of the Church Most humbly requiring your Honours that as you looke for participation with Christ Jesus that neither ye admit any thing which Gods plaine word shall not approve neither yet that ye shall reject such ordinances as equity justice and Gods word doe specifie For as wee will not bind your wisedomes to our judgements further then wee are able to prove by Gods plaine Scriptures so must we most humbly crave of you even as ye will answer in Gods presence before whom both ye and wee must appeare to render accounts of all our facts that ye repudiate nothing for pleasure and affection of men which ye bee not able to improve by Gods written and revealed word The first head of Doctrine SEing that Christ Jesus is he whom God the Father hath commanded onely to bee heard and followed of his sheepe wee judge it necessary that his Gospell bee truely and openly preached in every Church and Assembly of this Realme and that all doctrine repugnant to the same be utterly repressed as damnable to mans salvation The explication of the first head LEst that upon this generality ungodly men take occasion to cavill this wee adde for explication By preaching of the Gospell wee understand not onely the Scriptures of the new Testament but also of the old to wit the Law Prophets and Histories in which Christ Jesus is no lesse contained in figure then wee have him now expressed in verity And therefore with the Apostle we affirme that all Scripture inspired of God is profitable to in struct to reprove and to exhort In which bookes of old and new Testaments we affirme that all thing necessary for the instruction of the Church and to make the man of God perfect is contained and sufficiently expressed By the contrary doctrine wee understand whatsoever men by lawes counsells or constitutions have imposed upon the conseiences of men without the expressed commandement of Gods word such as bee the vowes of chastity for swearing of marriage binding of men and women to severall and disguised apparells to the superstitious
Soveraigne Lord and his Graces Regent and authority brake his said oath by sitting in pretended Parliament for dispossessing of our said Soveraigne Lord of his royall crowne and authority 6. Openly in Pulpi the gave thanks for the flaughter of Matthew Earl of Lennox of good memory saying that it was God most just judgement and exhorted the people to doe the same 7. That hee was a perverter of the people not onely before the reformation but also divers times since It was concluded that he should make publique repentance in Sackcloth three severall Sundaies First in the Kirk of Edinburgh Secondly in Halyrud-hous Thirdly in the Queenes Colledge under the paine of Excommunication Alexander Hay Ibidem Clerke to the secret Councell presented certaine heads proponed by my Lord Regent to the present Assembly whereof one followes My Lord Regents Grace mindes that with all convenient diligence qualified persons shall be promoted to the Bishopricks now vacant the delay whereof hath not beene in his owne Grace his default but by reason some entresse was made to these livings in favours of certaine Noble-men before his acceptation of the Regiment yet his Grace is perswaded that qualified persons shall speedily bee presented and in case of failzie will not faile without the others knowledge and consent to present The Assembly hath concluded Edinburgh Mar. 6. 1573. that the Jurisdiction of Bishops in their Ecclesiasticall function shall not exceed the Jurisdiction of Super-intendents which heretofore they have had and presently have and that they shall willingly bee subject to the Discipline appointed by the generall Assembly as members thereof as the Super-intendents have beene heretofore in all sorts and that no Bishops give collation of any benefice within the bounds of Superintendents without their consent and testimoniall subscrived with their hands And that Bishops in their owne Dioceses visit by themselves where no Super-intendents are and give no collation of benefices without consent of three well qualified Ministers c. The Bishop of Dunkell ordained to confesse his fault publickly in the Kirk of Dunkell Ibidem for not executing the sentence of the Kirk against the Earle of Athol George Bishop of Murray Ibidem ordained to be summoned to make his Purgation of the fornication alledged committed by him with the Lady Ardrosse Bishops Super-intendents or Commissioners of Countries Edinburgh August 7. 1574. that be found negligent in their office or doe not their debtfull charge either in their visitation teaching or life the Assembly hath decreed and ordained that they shall be punished and corrected according to the quality of their faults either by admonition publick repentance suspension or deprivation simpliciter at the sight of the said Assembly Bishop of Dunkell Bishop of Brechin Bishop of Murray Edinburgh Mar. 7. 1574. Bishop of Glasgow removed and particularly complained on The Bishops of Galloway Dunkell Brechin Dumblaine Yles Edinburgh Augusti 6. 1575. being present Iohn Durie one of the Ministers of Edinburgh protested that the triall of Bishops prejudge not the opinions and reasons which hee and other brethren of his minde had to oppone against the said office and name of Bishop Anent the question propounded by certaine brethren Ibidem whether if the Bishops as they are now in Scotland have their function of the word of God or not or the Chapiters appointed for creating of them in this reformed Kirk for better resolution hereof the generall Assembly of the Kirk appoints Mr. Iohn Craig Minister at Aberdene Mr. Iames Lowson Minister at Edinburgh and Mr. Androw Melvil principall of the colledge of Glasgow on the one part Mr. George Hay Commissioner of Caitnes Mr. Iohn Row Minister of Pearth and Mr. David Lindsay Minister at Leith on the other part to conveen reason and conferre upon the said question and to report their judgements and opinions thereupon to the Assembly before the dissolving thereof if they be resolved betwixt and the same They think it not expedient presently to answer directly to the first question Ibidem but if any Bishop shall be chosen who hath no such qualities as the word of God requireth let him be tried by the generall Assembly de novo and so deposed The points wherein they agree concerning the Office of a Bishop or Super-intendent FIrst the name of Bishop is common to all them that hath any particular flock over the which hee hath a peculiar charge as well to preach the word as to Minister the Sacraments and to execute the Ecclesiasticall Discipline with consent of his Elders And this is his chiefe function by the word of God Out of this number may be chosen some to have power to visit such reasonable bounds besides his owne flock as the generall Assembly shall appoint and in these bounds to appoint Ministers with consent of the Ministers of that Province and the consent of the flock to whom they be appointed Also to appoint Elders and Deacons in every particular Congregation where there is none with consent of the people thereof and to suspend Ministers for reasonable causes with consent of the Ministers foresaid Bishops being present Edinburgh April is 5. 1576. Ibidem their diligence is tried and they are accused for want of particular flockes dilapidation and other faults Anent the advice and opinion of the brethren given concerning the question moved anent Bishops the whole Assembly for the greatest part after reasoning and long disputation upon every Article of the said brethrens opinion and advice resolutely affirmed and approved the same and every Article thereof as is also above set downe And to the effect that the said Articles condescended upon by the said Assembly may be the better followed out and ready execution may ensue thereupon as appertaines ordaines the Bishops which hath not as yet received the charge of a particular Congregation to condescend the morne what particular flocks they will accept to take the cure of For the more commodious visitation of Countries Ibidem there is appointed for every Shire foure or five Bishops Super-intendents and Ministers and Articles of visitation set downe Anent the demand of Mr. Androw Hay Parson of Ranthrow Ibidem if every Vifiter within his owne bounds hath like power and jurisdiction to plant Ministers suspend and depose for reasonable cause The Assembly resolved affirmative that they have alike power and jurisdiction therein as is contained in the particular Articies concerning the jurisdiction of the Visiters For as much as there is great corruption in the estate of Bishops as they are presently made in this Realme Edivburgh Aprilis 24. 1578. whereunto the Kirk would provide some stay in time comming so farre as they may to the effect that further corruption may be bridled therefore the Assembly hath concluded that no more Bishops shall bee elected or made hereafter before the next generall Assembly of the Kirk discharging all Ministers and Chapiters to proceed any wayes
in the election of the said Bishops in the meane time under the paine of perpetuall deprivation from their offices The Act above written extended to all times to come Sterling Iulti 11. 1578. and all Bishops already elected required to submit themselves to the generall Assembly concerning the reformation of the corruption of that estate which submission the Bishop of Dunblane willingly offered to the Assembly Sess 4. For as much as the office of a Bishop as it is now used Dundie Iulii 12. 1580. Bishops as they are judged unlawfull discharged and commonly taken within this Realme hath no sure warrant authority nor good ground out of the Scriptures but is brought in by the folly and corruption of mens inventions to the great overthrow of the Kirk of God The whole Assembly of the Kirk in one voice after liberty given to all men to reason in the matter none opponing himselfe in defending the said pretended Office Findes and declares the same pretended Office used and termed as is abovesaid unlawfull in the selfe as having neither fundament ground nor warrant within the word of God and ordaines That all such persons as bruike or shall bruike hereafter the said Office shall be charged simply to dimit quite and leave off the same as an Office where into they are not called of God And such like to desist and cease from all preaching ministration of the Sacraments or using any way the Office of Pastors while they receive de novo admission from the generall Assembly under the paine of Excommunication to be used against them Wherein if they be found disobedient or contradict this act in any point the sentence of Excommunication after due admonitions to bee executed against them Synodall Assem blies appointed And for better execution of the said Act It is statute that a Synodall Assembly shall be holden in every Province where any usurping Bishops are and begin the 18. of August next to come whereto they shall be called and summoned by the Visitors of the said Countries to compeire before their Synodall Assemblies and namely the Bishop of Saint Andrewes to compeir in Saint Andrewes The Bishop of Aberdene in Aberdene The Bishop of Glascow in Glascow The Bishop of Murray in Elgyne to give obedience to the said Act which if they refuse to doe That the said Synodall Assemblies shall appoint certaine brethren of their Ministery to give them publick Admonitions out of the Pulpit and warnethem in case they disobey To compeir before the next generall Assembly to be holden at Edinburgh the 20. of October next to come to heare the sentence of Excommunication pronounced against them for their disobedience And to this Act the Bishop of Dunblane agreed submitting himselfe to bee ruled thereby The twelfth Parliament holden at Edinburgh the fifth of Iune the yeare of God 1592. yeares by the right excellent right high and mighty Prince IAMES the sixt by the Grace of God King of Scottes with advice of his Three Estates Ratification of the liberty of the true Kirk Of gener all and Synodall Assemblies Of Presbyteries Of Discipline All lawes of Idolatry are abrogate Of Presentation to Benefices OUR Soveraigne Lord and Estates of this present Parliament following the laudable and good example of their Predecessors hath ratified and approved and by the Tenour of this present Act ratifies and approves all liberties priviledges immunities and freedomes whatsoever given and granted by his Highnesse his Regents in his name or any of his Predecessours to the true and holy Kirk presently established within this Realme and declared in the first Act of his Highnesse Parliament the twenty day of October the yeare of God 1579. yeares And all and whatsoever Acts of Parliament and Statutes made of before by his Highnesse and his Regents anent the liberty and freedome of the said Kirk and specially the first Act of Parliament holden at Edinburgh the twenty foure day of October the yeare of God 1581. yeares with the whole particular Acts there mentioned Which shall be as sufficient as if the same were here expressed and all other Acts of Parliament made since in favour of the true Kirk and such like ratifies and approves the generall Assemblies appointed by the said Kirk and declares that it shall bee lawfull to the Kirk and Ministers every yeare at the least and oftner pro re nata as occasion and necessity shall require to hold and keepe generall Assemblies Providing that the Kings Majesty or his Commissioners with them to bee appointed by his Highnesse bee present at ilk Generall Assembly before the dissolving thereof nominate and appoint time and place when and where the next generall Assembly shall bee holden and in case neither his Majesty nor his said Commissioners be present for the time in that Towne where the said generall Assembly is holden Then and in that case it shall bee leasum to the said generall Assembly by themselves to nominate and appoint time and place where the next generall Assembly of the Kirk shall bee kept and holden as they have beene in use to doe in times by past And also ratifies and approves the Provinciall and Synodall Assemblies to bee holden by the said Kirk and Ministers twice ilk yeare as they have beene and presently are in use to doe within every Province of this Realme And ratifies and approves the Presbyteries and particular Sessions appointed by the said Kirk with the whole Discipline and Jurisdiction of the same Kirk agreed upon by his Majcsty in conference had by his Highnesse with certaine of the Ministers conveened to that effect Of the which Articles the Tenour followes Matters to bee intreated in Provinciall Assemblies Their Assemblies are constitute for weighty matters necessary to be intreated by mutuall consent and assistance of brothren within the Province as need requires This Assembly hath power to handle order and redresse all things omitted or done amisse in the particular Assemblies It hath power to depose the office bearers of that Province for good and just causes deserving deprivation And generally their Assemblies have the whole power of the particular Elderships whereof they are collected Matters to be intreated in the Presbyteries The power of the Presbyteries is to use diligent labours in the bounds committed to their charge that the Kirkes be kept in good order To enquire diligently of naughty and ungodly persons and to travell to bring them in the way again by Admonition or threatning of Gods judgements or by correction It appertaines to the Eldership to take heed that the word of God bee purely preached within their bounds the Sacraments rightly ministred the Discipline entertained and Ecclesiasticall goods uncorruptly distributed It belongs to this kind of Assemblies to cause the ordinances made by the Assemblies Provinciall Nationall generall to be kept and put in execution to make Constitutions which concerne 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Kirk for decent order in the particular Kirk where
within the Kirk for the quiet and commodious receiving of the people The expenses are to be lifted partly of the people and partly of the teinds at the consideration of the Ministry For punishment of those that profane the Sacraments and contemne the word of God and dare presume to minister them not being thereto lawfully called AS Satan hath never ceased from the beginning to draw mankind in one of two extremities to wit that men should eitheir be so ravished with gazing upon the visible creatures that forgetting the cause wherefore they are ordained they attributed unto them a vertue and power which God hath not granted unto them or else that men should so contemn and despise Gods blessed Ordinance and holy institutions as if that neither in the right use of them there were any profit neither yet in their profanations there were any danger As this way we say Satan hath blinded the most part of mankinde from the beginning so doubt we not but that he will strive to continue in his malice even to the end Our eyes have seen and presently doe see the experience of the one and of the other What was the opinion of the most part of men of the Sacrament of Christs body and bloud during the darknesse of superstition is not unknowne How it was gazed upon kneeled unto born in procession and finally worshipped honoured as Christ Jesus himselfe And so long at Satan might then retaine men in that damnable idolatrie he was quiet as one that possessed his kingdome of darknes peaceably But since that it hath pleased the mercies of God to reveale unto the unthankfull world the light of his Word the right use and administration of his Sacraments he assayes man upon the contrary part For where not long agoe men stood in such admiration of that idol the Masse that none durst have presumed to have said the Masse but the shaven sort the beasts marked men some dare now be so bold as without all vocation to minister as they suppose the true Sacraments in open Assemblies and some idiots yet more wickedly and impudently dare counterfeit in their house that which the true Ministers doe in the open Congregations They presume we say to doe it in houses without reverence without Word Preached and without Minister This contempt proceeds no doubt from the malice and craft of that Serpent who first deceived man of purpose to deface the glory of Christs Evangell and to bring his blessed Sacraments in a perpetuall contempt And further your Honors may cleerly see how stubbornly and proudly the most part despises the Evangell of Christ Jesus offered unto you whom unlesse that sharply and stoutly ye resist we mean as well the manifest despiser as the prophaner of the Sacraments ye shall finde them pernicious enemies ere it be long And therefore in the Name of the Eternall God and of his Son Christ Iesus we require of your Honors that without delay strait Lawes be made against the one and the other We dare not prescribe unto you what penalties shall be required of such But this we feare not to affirme that the one and the other deserve death For if he who doth falsifie the seale subscription or coine of a King is judged worthy of death what shall we thinke of him who plainly doth falsifie the Seales of Christ Jesus Prince of the Kings of the earth If Darius pronounced that a balk should be taken from the house of that man and he himself hanged upon it that durst attempt to hinder the re-edifying of the materiall Temple what shall we say of those that contemptuously blaspheme God and manifestly hinder the Temple of God which is the soules and bodies of the elect to be purged by the true Preaching of Christ Jesus from the superstition and damnable Idolatry in which they have been long plunged and holden captive If ye as God forbid declare your selves carelesse over the true Religion God will not suffer your negligence unpunished and therefore more earnestly we require that strait Lawes may be made against the stubborne contemners of Christ Iesus and against such as dare presume to minister his Sacraments not orderly called to that Office least while that there be none found to gainstand impietie the wrath of God be kindled against the whole The Papisticall Priests have neither power nor authoritie to minister the Sacraments of Christ Jesus because that in their mouth is not the Sermon of exhortation and therefore to them must strait Inhibition be made notwithstanding any usurpation they have had in the time of blindnesse It is neither the clipping of their crownes the greasing of their fingers not the blowing of the dumbe dogges called the Bishops neither the laying on of their hands that maketh Ministers of Christ Iesus But the Spirit of God inwardly first moving the hearts to seek Christs glory and the profit of his Kirk and thereafter the nomination of the people the examination of the learned and publike admission as before is said make men lawfull Ministers of the Word and Sacraments We speak of an ordinary vocation and not of that which is extraordinary when God by himselfe and by his onely power raiseth up to the Ministery such as best pleaseth his wisedome The Conclusion THUS have we in these few heads offered unto your Honors our judgements according as we were commanded touching the reformation of things which heretofore have altogether been abused in this cursed Papistrie We doubt not but some of our petitions shall appeare strange unto you at the first fight But if your wisedomes deeply consider that we must answere not only unto man but also before the throne of the eternall God and of his Son Christ Iesus for the counsell which we give in this so grave a matter your Honors shall easily consider that more assured it is to us to fall in the displeasure of all men in the earth then to offend the Majestie of God whose justice cannot suffer flatterers and deceitfull counsellors unpunished That we require the Kirk to be set at such liberty that she neither be compelled to feed Idle-bellies neither yet to sustaine the tyrannie which heretofore hath been by violence maintained wee know we shall offend many but if we should keep filence hereof wee are most assured to offend the just and Righteous God who by the mouth of his Apostle hath pronounced this sentence He that laboureth not let him not eat If we in this behalfe or in any other require or aske any other thing then by Gods expresse Commandement by equity and good conscience ye are bound to grant let it be noted and after repudiate But if wee require nothing which God requireth not also let your Honors take heed how we gainestand the charge of him whose hand and punishment yee cannot escape If blinde affections rather lead you to have respect to the sustentation of these your carnall friends who tyranously have impyred above the flock of Christ
their bounds CHAP. VII Of the Elderships Assemblies and Discipline ELderships and Assemblies are commonly constitute of Pastors Doctors and such as we commonly call Elders that labour not in the word and Doctrine of whom and of whose severall power hath been spoken Assemblies are of foure sorts For either are they of particular Kirks and Congregations ane or moe or of a Province or of a whole Nation or of all and divers Nations professing one Jesus Christ All the Ecclesiasticall Assemblies have power to convene lawfully together for treating of things concerning the Kirk and pertaining to their charge They have power to appoint times and places to that effect and at one meeting to appoint the dyet time and place for another In all Assemblies an Moderatour should be chosen by common consent of the whole brethren convened who should propone matters gather the votes and cause good order to be kept in assemblies Diligence should be taken chiefly by the Moderator that onely Ecclesiasticall things be handled in the assemblies and that there be no medling with any thing pertaining to the civill jurisdiction Every Assembly hath power to send forth from them of their own number ane or moe visitours to see how all things be ruled in the bounds of their jurisdiction Visitation of moe Kirks is no ordinary Office Ecclesiastick in the person of one man neither may the name of a Bishop be attribute to the visitor onely neither is it necessary to abide alwayes in one mans person but it is the part of the Eldership to send out qualified persons to visit prore nata The finall end of assemblies is first to keep the Religion and Doctrine in purity without error and corruption Next to keep comlinesse and good order in the Kirk For this orders cause they may make certaine rules and constitutions appertaining to the good behaviours of all the members of the kirk in their vocation They have power also to abrogate and abolish all Statutes and Ordinances concerning Ecclesisticall matters that are found noysome and unprofitable and agree not with the time or are abused by the people They have power to execute Ecclesiasticall Discipline and punishment upon all transgressors and proud contemners of the good order and policy of the Kirk and so the whole Discipline is in their hands The first kinde and sort of assemblies although they be within particular Congregation yet they exerce the power authority and Jurisdiction of the Kirk with mutuall consent and therefore beare sometime the name of the Kirk When we speake of the Elders of the particular Congregations we mean not that every particular Parish-kirk can or may have their own particular Elderships specially in Landward but we thinke three foure moe or fewer particular kirks may have one Eldership common to them all to judge their Ecclesiasticall causes Yet this is meet That some of the Elders be chosen out of every particular Congregation to concur with the rest of their brethren in the common Assembly and to take up the delations of offences within their own kirks and bring them to the Assembly This we gather of the practise of the Primitive kirke where Elders or Colledges of Seniors were constitute in Cities and famous places The power of their particular Elderships is to use diligent labors in the bounds committed to their charge that the kirks be kept in good order to inquire diligently in naughty unruly persons and travell to bring them in the way againe either by admonition or threatning of Gods judgements or by correction It pertaines to the Eldership to take heed that the word of God be purely preached within their bounds the Sacraments rightly ministred the Discipline rightly maintained and the Ecclefiasticall goods uncorruptly distributed It belongs to this kind of Assembly to cause the ordinances made by the Assemblies provinciall nationall and generall to be kept and put in execution To make constitutions which concerne 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the kirk for the decent order of these particular kirks where they govern Providing they alter no rules made by generall or provinciall Assemblies and that they make the provinciall Assemblies fore-seen of these rules that they shall make and abolish them that tend to the hurt of the same It hath power to excommunicate the obstinate The power of election of them who beare Ecclesiasticall charges pertaines to this kinde of Assembly within their own bounds being well erected and constitute of many Pastors and Elders of sufficient abilitie By the like reason their deposition also pertaines to this kinde of Assembly as of them that teach erronious and corrupt Doctrine that be of slanderous life and after admonition desist not that be given to schisme or rebellion against the kirk manifest blasphemy fimony corruption of bribes falshood perjury whoredome theft drunkennesse fighting worthy of punishment by the Law usury dancing infamy and all others that deserve separation from the kirk These also who are altogether found unsufficient to execute their charge should be deposed whereof other kirks would be advertised that they receive not the persons deposed Yet they ought not to be deposed who through age fickenesse or other accidents become unmeet to do their office in which case their honour should remaine to them their kirk should maintaine them and others ought to be provided to doe their office Provinciall assembles we call lawfull conventions of Pastors Doctors and other Elders of a Province gathered for the common affaires of the kirk thereof which also may be called the conference of the kirk and brethren Their assembles are institute for weighty matters to be intreated by mutuall consent and assistance of the brethren within that Province as need requires This assembly hath power to handle order and redresse all things committed or done amisse in the particular assemblies It hath power to depose the office-bearers of that province for good and just causes deserving deprivation And generally their assemblies have the whole power of the particular Elderships whereof they are collected The Nationall assembly which is generall to us is a lawfull convention of the whole kirks of the Realm or Nation where it is used and gathered for the common affaires of the kirk and may be called the generall Eldership of the whol kirks in the Realm None are subject to repaire to this assembly to vote but Ecclefiasticall persons to such a number as shall be thought good by the same Assembly not excluding other persons that will repaire to the said Assembly to propone hear and reason This Assembly is institute that all things either committed or done amisse in the Provinciall Assemblies may be redressed and handled and things generally serving for the weale of the whole body of the kirk within the Realm may be forescen intreated and set forth to Gods glory It should take care that kirks be planted in places where they are not planted It should prescribe the rule how the other two kindes of Assemblies