be_o not_o now_o to_o enter_v into_o the_o controversy_n concern_v the_o dependence_n or_o independence_n of_o the_o church_n upon_o the_o state_n that_o fall_v not_o within_o the_o compass_n of_o my_o present_a undertake_n neither_o will_v i_o say_v that_o our_o presbyterian_o be_v in_o the_o wrong_n as_o to_o the_o true_a substantial_a matter_n agitate_a in_o that_o controversy_n all_o i_o be_o concern_v for_o at_o present_a be_v that_o in_o these_o time_n those_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n own_a a_o great_a dependence_n of_o the_o church_n upon_o the_o state_n and_o that_o our_o reformer_n agree_v with_o they_o in_o that_o principle_n and_o i_o think_v i_o may_v make_v short_a work_n of_o it_o for_o that_o that_o be_v the_o principle_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n in_o these_o time_n i_o think_v no_o man_n can_v ready_o deny_v who_o know_v any_o thing_n about_o she_o at_o and_o a_o good_a many_o year_n after_o her_o reformation_n all_o my_o business_n be_v to_o show_v that_o our_o reformer_n be_v of_o that_o same_o principle_n and_o i_o think_v that_o shall_v be_v easy_o make_v to_o appear_v for_o as_o to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n power_n to_o reform_v the_o church_n what_o can_v be_v more_o clear_a than_o the_o petition_v present_v to_o the_o queen_n regent_n in_o november_n 1558_o there_o our_o reformer_n tell_v her_o majesty_n 118._o that_o know_v no_o order_n place_v in_o this_o realm_n but_o her_o majesty_n and_o her_o grave_a council_n set_v to_o amend_v as_o well_o the_o disorder_n ecclesiastical_a as_o the_o default_n in_o the_o temporal_a regiment_n they_o do_v most_o humble_o prostrate_v themselves_o before_o her_o foot_n ask_v justice_n and_o her_o gracious_a help_n against_o such_o as_o false_o traduce_v and_o accuse_v they_o as_o heretic_n and_o schismatic_n etc._n etc._n in_o which_o address_n we_o have_v these_o two_o thing_n very_o clear_a and_o evident_a 1._o that_o they_o own_a that_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n have_v power_n to_o amend_v ecclesiastical_a disorder_n as_o well_o as_o temporal_a 2._o that_o in_o consequence_n of_o this_o they_o apply_v to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n for_o protection_n against_o the_o pursuit_n of_o the_o church_n and_o in_o their_o protestation_n give_v in_o to_o the_o parliament_n about_o that_o same_o time_n they_o most_o humble_o beseech_v the_o sacred_a authority_n to_o think_v of_o they_o as_o faithful_a and_o obedient_a subject_n and_o take_v they_o into_o its_o protection_n keep_v that_o indifferency_n which_o become_v god_n lieutenant_n to_o use_v towards_o those_o who_o in_o his_o name_n do_v call_v for_o defence_n against_o cruel_a oppressor_n etc._n etc._n mean_v the_o then_o churchman_n 120._o indeed_o none_o clear_a for_o this_o than_o knox_n himself_o as_o be_v to_o be_v see_v full_o in_o his_o appellation_n from_o the_o cruel_a and_o most_o unjust_a sentence_n pronounce_v against_o he_o by_o the_o false_a bishop_n and_o clergy_n of_o scotland_n as_o he_o himself_o name_v it_o for_o there_o 4._o he_o lay_v down_o and_o endeavour_n to_o prove_v this_o assertion_n that_o it_o be_v lawful_a to_o god_n prophet_n and_o to_o preacher_n of_o christ_n jesus_n to_o appeal_v from_o the_o sentence_n and_o judgement_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o temporal_a magistrate_n who_o by_o god_n law_n be_v bind_v to_o hear_v their_o cause_n and_o to_o defend_v they_o from_o tyranny_n and_o in_o that_o same_o appellation_n etc._n he_o larger_o assert_n and_o maintain_v the_o dependence_n of_o the_o church_n upon_o the_o state_n the_o order_v and_o reformation_n of_o religion_n with_o the_o instruction_n of_o subject_n he_o say_v do_v appertain_v especial_o to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n for_o why_o moses_n have_v great_a power_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o religion_n god_n reveal_v nothing_o particular_o to_o aaron_n the_o churchman_n but_o command_v he_o to_o depend_v from_o the_o mouth_n of_o moses_n the_o civil_a magistrate_n moses_n be_v impower_v to_o separate_v aaron_n and_o his_o son_n for_o the_o priesthood_n aaron_n and_o his_o son_n be_v subject_a to_o moses_n moses_n be_v so_o far_o prefer_v to_o aaron_n that_o the_o one_o command_v the_o other_o obey_v the_o king_n of_o israel_n be_v command_v to_o read_v the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n all_o the_o day_n of_o their_o life_n not_o only_o for_o their_o own_o private_a edification_n but_o for_o the_o public_a preservation_n of_o religion_n so_o david_n solomon_n asa_n jehosophat_n hezekiah_n josiah_n understand_v it_o and_o interest_v themselves_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o church_n according_o from_o which_o it_o be_v evident_a say_v he_o that_o the_o reformation_n of_o religion_n in_o all_o point_n together_o with_o the_o punishment_n of_o false_a teacher_n do_v appertain_v to_o the_o power_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n for_o what_o god_n require_v of_o they_o his_o justice_n must_v require_v of_o other_o have_v the_o like_a charge_n and_o authority_n what_o he_o do_v approve_v in_o they_o he_o can_v but_o approve_v in_o all_o other_o who_o with_o like_a zeal_n and_o sincerity_n do_v enterprise_n to_o purge_v the_o lord_n temple_n and_o sanctuary_n thus_o knox_n i_o say_v in_o that_o appellation_n i_o do_v not_o concern_v myself_o with_o the_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n of_o his_o position_n neither_o be_o i_o to_o justify_v or_o condemn_v his_o argument_n all_o i_o be_o to_o make_v of_o it_o be_v to_o ask_v my_o presbyterian_a brethren_n whither_o these_o principle_n of_o knox_n suit_n well_o with_o decline_v the_o civil_a magistrate_n as_o one_fw-mi incompetent_a judge_n in_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n with_o refuse_v to_o appear_v before_o he_o prima_fw-la instantia_fw-la for_o the_o trial_n of_o doctrine_n preach_v in_o the_o pulpit_n with_o the_o famous_a distinction_n of_o the_o king_n have_v power_n about_o church_n matter_n cumulative_a but_o not_o privative_a etc._n etc._n i_o be_o afraid_a it_o shall_v be_v hard_o enough_o to_o reconcile_v they_o i_o shall_v only_o instance_n in_o one_o principle_n more_o which_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v common_a to_o our_o and_o the_o english_a reformer_n but_o it_o be_v one_o of_o very_a weighty_a consequence_n and_o importance_n to_o my_o main_a design_n it_o be_v four_o that_o excellent_a rule_n of_o reformation_n viz._n that_o it_o be_v do_v according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n interpret_v by_o the_o monument_n and_o write_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n that_o ancient_a solid_a approven_v rule_n that_o rule_n so_o much_o commend_v by_o that_o excellent_a writer_n vincentius_n lirinensis_n 2._o that_o rule_n which_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o mankind_n can_v but_o justify_v when_o it_o be_v consider_v sober_o and_o serious_o without_o partiality_n or_o prejudice_n a_o rule_n indeed_o which_o have_v the_o reformer_n of_o the_o several_a church_n follow_v united_o and_o conscientious_o in_o those_o time_n when_o the_o church_n in_o the_o western_a part_n of_o europe_n be_v a_o reform_v we_o have_v not_o have_v so_o many_o different_a faith_n so_o many_o different_a modes_n of_o worship_n so_o many_o different_a government_n and_o discipline_n as_o alas_o this_o day_n divide_v the_o protestant_a church_n and_o by_o consequence_n weaken_v the_o protestant_a interest_n a_o rule_n which_o have_v the_o pretender_n to_o reform_a religion_n in_o scotland_n still_o stand_v by_o we_o have_v not_o possible_o have_v so_o many_o horrid_a rebellion_n so_o many_o unchristian_a division_n so_o many_o unaccountable_a revolution_n both_o in_o church_n and_o state_n as_o to_o our_o sad_a experience_n have_v in_o the_o result_n so_o unhinged_a all_o the_o principle_n of_o natural_a justice_n and_o honesty_n and_o disable_v nay_o eat_v out_o the_o principle_n of_o christianity_n among_o we_o that_o now_o we_o be_v not_o dispose_v so_o much_o for_o any_o thing_n as_o downright_a atheism_n but_o be_v our_o reformer_n indeed_o for_o this_o rule_n that_o shall_v be_v demonstrate_v by_o and_o by_o when_o we_o shall_v have_v occasion_n to_o bring_v it_o in_o again_o as_o natural_o to_o which_o opportunity_n i_o now_o refer_v it_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n let_v we_o brief_o sum_n up_o all_o that_o have_v be_v hitherto_o say_v and_o try_v to_o what_o it_o amount_v i_o have_v i_o think_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o while_o our_o reformation_n be_v a_o carry_v on_o and_o when_o it_o be_v establish_v anno_fw-la 156â—_n there_o be_v no_o such_o controversy_n agitate_a in_o the_o church_n as_o that_o concern_v the_o indispensible_a necessity_n of_o presbytery_n and_o the_o vnlawfulness_n of_o prelacy_n concern_v the_o divine_a right_n of_o parity_n or_o the_o vnallowableness_n of_o imparity_n among_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n i_o have_v say_v enough_o to_o make_v it_o credible_a that_o our_o scottish_a reformer_n have_v no_o peculiar_a occasion_n opportunity_n provocation_n ability_n for_o fall_v on_o that_o controversy_n or_o determine_v of_o it_o more_o
superintendent_o what_o a_o mercy_n be_v it_o that_o ever_o poor_a prelacy_n outlive_v the_o dint_n of_o such_o doughty_a onset_n but_o it_o seem_v it_o must_v be_v a_o tough-lived_n thing_n and_o can_v be_v easy_o chase_v out_o of_o its_o nature_n there_o be_v another_o considerable_a thrust_v make_v at_o it_o by_o calderwood_n and_o his_o disciple_n g._n r._n 7._o which_o may_v come_v in_o as_o a_o succedaneum_n to_o the_o former_a argument_n what_o be_v it_o 〈◊〉_d be_v even_o that_o in_o the_o gen._n assembly_n at_o 〈◊〉_d march_n 6._o 1573._o david_n ferguson_n be_v choose_v moderator_n who_o be_v neither_o bishop_n nor_o superiâ—tenâ—ent_n and_o so_o down_o fall_v prelacy_n but_o so_o be_v 〈◊〉_d george_n buchanan_n in_o the_o assembly_n hold_v in_o july_n 1507._o who_o be_v neither_o superintendent_n bishop_n nor_o presbyter_n and_o so_o down_o fall_v presbytery_n nay_o down_o fall_v the_o whole_a ministry_n be_v not_o this_o a_o hard_a lock_n prelacy_n be_v bring_v to_o that_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v itself_o so_o long_o as_o one_o wrong_a step_n can_v be_v find_v to_o have_v be_v make_v by_o a_o scotch_a general_n assembly_n i_o have_v adduce_v and_o discuss_v all_o these_o plea_n not_o that_o i_o think_v my_o cause_n in_o any_o hazard_n by_o they_o but_o to_o let_v the_o world_n see_v what_o a_o party_n one_o have_v to_o deal_v with_o in_o his_o controversy_n whatever_o it_o be_v sense_n or_o nonsense_n if_o their_o cause_n require_v it_o they_o must_v not_o want_v a_o argument_n but_o to_o go_v on_o but_o 4._o the_o four_o and_o great_a plea_n be_v that_o this_o episcopacy_n be_v never_o own_v by_o the_o church_n it_o be_v never_o allow_v by_o the_o general_n assembly_n 7._o it_o be_v only_o tolerate_v for_o three_o or_o four_o year_n 56._o it_o be_v protest_v against_o as_o a_o corruption_n 7._o as_o these_o article_n be_v conclude_v without_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o assembly_n so_o the_o whole_a assembly_n oppose_v they_o earnest_o 376._o they_o be_v obtrude_v upon_o the_o church_n against_o she_o will._n 383._o the_o church_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o reformation_n oppose_v that_o kind_n of_o bishop_n 387._o the_o church_n do_v only_o for_o a_o time_n yield_v to_o civil_a authority_n yet_o so_o that_o she_o will_v endeavour_v to_o be_v free_a of_o these_o article_n 376._o these_o and_o many_o more_o such_o thing_n be_v bold_o and_o confident_o assert_v by_o calderwood_n petrie_n and_o the_o strenuous_a vindicator_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n who_o seldom_o miss_v of_o say_v what_o calderwood_n have_v say_v before_o he_o and_o i_o shall_v grant_v they_o be_v all_o say_v to_o purpose_n if_o they_o be_v true_a but_o how_o far_o they_o be_v from_o be_v that_o may_v sufficient_o appear_v i_o hope_v if_o i_o can_v make_v these_o thing_n evident_a 1._o that_o the_o agreement_n at_o leith_n be_v fair_o and_o frequent_o allow_v approven_v and_o insist_v on_o by_o many_o subsequent_a assembly_n 2._o that_o after_o episcopacy_n be_v question_v and_o a_o party_n appear_v against_o it_o it_o cost_v they_o much_o struggle_v and_o much_o time_n before_o they_o can_v get_v it_o abolish_v 1._o i_o say_v the_o agreement_n at_o leith_n be_v fair_o and_o frequent_o allow_v approven_v and_o insist_v on_o by_o many_o subsequent_a assembly_n this_o assertion_n can_v but_o appear_v true_a to_o any_o unbiased_a judgement_n that_o shall_v consider_v but_o these_o two_o thing_n 1._o that_o in_o every_o assembly_n for_o several_a year_n after_o that_o establishment_n or_o agreement_n or_o settlement_n at_o leith_n bishop_n be_v present_a and_o sit_v and_o vote_v as_o such_o and_o as_o such_o be_v oblige_v to_o be_v present_a and_o sit_v and_o vote_n etc._n etc._n as_o both_o calderwood_n and_o petrie_n acknowledge_v and_o shall_v be_v make_v appear_v by_o and_o by_o 2._o that_o these_o two_o author_n have_v be_v at_o special_a pain_n to_o let_v the_o world_n know_v how_o punctual_o they_o be_v try_v and_o sometime_o rebuke_v and_o censure_v for_o not_o discharge_v their_o office_n as_o they_o ought_v to_o have_v do_v both_o author_n i_o say_v have_v be_v very_a intent_n and_o careful_a to_o represent_v this_o in_o their_o account_n of_o the_o subsequent_a assembly_n i_o know_v their_o purpose_n herein_o be_v to_o expose_v the_o bishop_n and_o cast_v all_o the_o dirt_n they_o can_v upon_o episcopacy_n but_o then_o as_o i_o take_v it_o their_o pain_n that_o way_n have_v lucky_o furnish_v i_o with_o a_o plain_a demonstration_n of_o the_o falsehood_n of_o all_o they_o have_v say_v in_o this_o plea_n i_o be_o now_o consider_v for_o will_v these_o assembly_n have_v suffer_v they_o to_o be_v present_a and_o sit_v and_o vote_n as_o bishop_n will_v they_o have_v try_v and_o censure_v they_o as_o bishop_n will_v they_o have_v put_v they_o to_o their_o duty_n as_o bishop_n if_o they_o have_v not_o own_a they_o for_o bishop_n and_o be_v there_o any_o other_o fond_a for_o own_v they_o for_o bishop_n at_o that_o time_n except_o the_o agreement_n at_o leith_n this_o alone_a may_v be_v sufficient_a i_o say_v for_o dispatch_v this_o whole_a plea_n yet_o 3._o to_o put_v this_o matter_n beyond_o all_o possibility_n of_o ever_o be_v with_o the_o least_o colour_n of_o probability_n controvert_v hereafter_o i_o recommend_v to_o the_o reader_n consideration_n the_o follow_a series_n of_o act_n make_v by_o subsequent_a assembly_n the_o agreement_n at_o leith_n as_o be_v observe_v before_o be_v conclude_v 〈◊〉_d the_o first_o day_n of_o february_n anno_fw-la 1571_o 2._o 〈◊〉_d ordinary_a assembly_n meet_v at_o saint_n andrews_n on_o the_o six_o of_o march_n thereafter_o the_o archbishop_n of_o st._n andrews_n new_o advance_v to_o that_o see_v by_o the_o leith_n agreement_n be_v present_a and_o the_o first_o person_n name_v as_o calderwood_n himself_o have_v it_o 56._o to_o be_v of_o the_o committee_n that_o be_v appoint_v for_o revise_v the_o article_n agree_v upon_o at_o leith_n and_o one_fw-mi act_n be_v make_v in_o that_o assembly_n as_o it_o be_v both_o in_o the_o mss._n and_o petrie_n 375._o ordain_v the_o superintendent_n of_o fife_n to_o use_v his_o own_o jurisdiction_n as_o before_o in_o the_o province_n not_o subject_a to_o the_o archbishop_n of_o st._n andrews_n and_o request_v he_o to_o concur_v with_o the_o say_a archbishop_n in_o his_o visitation_n or_o otherwise_o when_o he_o require_v he_o until_o the_o next_o assembly_n and_o in_o like_a manner_n the_o superintendent_o of_o angus_n and_o lothian_n without_o prejudice_n of_o the_o say_a archbishop_n except_o by_o virtue_n of_o his_o commission_n by_o the_o assembly_n hold_v at_o perth_n august_n 6._o 1572._o this_o act_n be_v make_v forasmuch_o as_o in_o the_o assembly_n not_o the_o convention_n of_o the_o church_n hold_v at_o leith_n in_o january_n last_o certain_a commissioner_n be_v appoint_v to_o deal_v with_o the_o nobility_n and_o their_o commissioner_n to_o reason_n and_o conclude_v upon_o diverse_a article_n and_o head_n think_v good_a then_o to_o be_v confer_v upon_o according_a to_o which_o commission_n they_o have_v proceed_v in_o sundry_a convention_n be_v this_o consistent_a with_o petrie_n assertion_n that_o the_o same_o day_n they_o meet_v and_o conclude_v and_o have_v conclude_v for_o that_o time_n upon_o the_o head_n and_o article_n as_o the_o same_o produce_v in_o this_o assembly_n proport_n in_o which_o be_v consider_v be_v find_v certain_a name_n as_o archbishop_n dean_n archdeacon_n chancellor_n chapter_n which_o name_n be_v think_v slanderous_a and_o offensive_a in_o the_o ear_n of_o many_o of_o the_o brethren_n appear_v to_o found_v towards_o papistry_n therefore_o the_o whole_a assembly_n in_o one_o voice_n as_o well_o they_o who_o be_v in_o commission_n at_o leith_n as_o other_o solemn_o protest_v that_o they_o mean_v not_o by_o use_v such_o name_n to_o ratify_v consent_n or_o agree_v to_o any_o kind_n of_o papistry_n or_o superstition_n wish_v rather_o the_o say_a name_n to_o be_v change_v into_o other_o name_n that_o be_v not_o scandalous_a and_o offensive_a and_o in_o like_a manner_n they_o protest_v that_o the_o say_a head_n and_o article_n agree_v upon_o be_v only_o receive_v as_o one_fw-mi interim_n until_o far_o and_o more_o perfect_a order_n be_v obtain_v at_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o king_n majesty_n regent_n and_o nobility_n for_o the_o which_o they_o will_v press_v as_o occasion_n shall_v serve_v unto_o the_o which_o protestation_n the_o whole_a assembly_n in_o one_o voice_n adhere_v so_o the_o mss._n spot_n cald._n pet._n 376._o this_o be_v the_o act_n on_o which_o calderwood_n petrie_n and_o g._n r._n find_v their_o assertion_n that_o episcopacy_n as_o agree_v to_o at_o leith_n be_v protest_v against_o and_o earnest_o oppose_v by_o a_o general_n assembly_n but_o with_o what_o shadow_n of_o reason_n let_v any_o man_n consider_v for_o what_o can_v be_v more_o
of_o a_o sense_n they_o have_v of_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a estate_n now_o it_o be_v to_o be_v remember_v that_o those_o who_o appear_v for_o the_o queen_n be_v protestant_n as_o well_o as_o these_o who_o be_v for_o she_o son_n no_o man_n i_o think_v will_v deny_v but_o the_o subsistence_n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a estate_n and_o their_o vote_n in_o parliament_n be_v confirm_v and_o continue_v by_o the_o agreement_n of_o leith_n anno_fw-la 1572._o indeed_o when_o the_o project_n for_o parity_n among_o the_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n be_v set_v on_o foot_n by_o melvil_n anno_fw-la 1575._o and_o some_o of_o the_o clergy_n be_v gain_v to_o his_o side_n and_o they_o be_v use_v their_o utmost_a endeavour_n to_o have_v episcopacy_n overturn_v it_o seem_v this_o be_v a_o main_a difficulty_n to_o they_o a_o difficulty_n which_o do_v very_o much_o entangle_v and_o retard_v their_o purpose_n this_o i_o say_v that_o the_o overturning_a prelacy_n be_v the_o overturning_a one_o of_o the_o three_o estate_n of_o parliament_n this_o be_v evident_a not_o only_o from_o boyd_n arch_a bishop_n of_o glasgow_n his_o discourse_n to_o the_o general_n assembly_n anno_fw-la 1576._o mention_v before_o but_o also_o from_o the_o two_o letter_n i_o have_v often_o name_v which_o be_v write_v to_o mr._n beza_n the_o one_o by_o the_o lord_n glamis_n anno_fw-la 1576_o or_o 1577_o the_o other_o by_o mr._n melvil_n anno_fw-la 1579._o because_o they_o contribute_v so_o much_o light_n to_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n i_o shall_v once_o more_o resume_v they_o glamis_n be_v then_o chancellor_n of_o scotland_n it_o be_v manifest_a he_o write_v not_o indeliberate_o or_o without_o advice_n undoubted_o he_o state_v the_o question_n according_a to_o the_o sense_n the_o generality_n of_o people_n have_v then_o of_o it_o now_o he_o state_v it_o thus_o see_v every_o church_n have_v its_o own_o pastor_n and_o the_o power_n of_o pastor_n in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n seem_v to_o be_v equal_a the_o question_n be_v whither_o the_o office_n of_o bishop_n be_v necessary_a in_o the_o church_n for_o convocate_a these_o pastor_n when_o there_o be_v need_n for_o ordain_v pastor_n and_o for_o depose_v they_o for_o just_a cause_n or_o whither_o it_o be_v better_a that_o the_o pastor_n act_v in_o parity_n and_o subject_a to_o no_o superior_a bishop_n shall_v choose_v qualify_v man_n for_o the_o ministry_n with_o consent_n of_o the_o patron_n and_o the_o people_n and_o censure_n and_o depose_v &_o c._n for_o retain_v bishop_n we_o have_v these_o two_o motive_n one_o be_v the_o stubbornenss_n and_o ungovernableness_n of_o the_o people_n which_o can_v possible_o be_v keep_v within_o bound_n potest_fw-la if_o they_o be_v not_o overawe_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o these_o bishop_n in_o their_o visitation_n the_o other_o be_v that_o such_o be_v the_o constitution_n of_o the_o monarchy_n receptae_fw-la which_o have_v obtain_v time_n out_o of_o mind_n that_o as_o 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run_v the_o hazard_n of_o subvert_v the_o constitution_n to_o think_v of_o alter_v it_o or_o turn_v it_o out_o of_o door_n and_o melvil_n letter_n be_v clear_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n we_o have_v not_o cease_v these_o five_o year_n to_o fight_v against_o pseudepiscopacy_n many_o of_o the_o nobility_n resist_v we_o and_o to_o press_v the_o severity_n of_o discipline_n we_o have_v present_v unto_o his_o royal_a majesty_n and_o three_o estate_n of_o the_o realm_n both_o before_o and_o now_o in_o this_o parliament_n the_o form_n of_o discipline_n to_o be_v insert_v among_o the_o act_n and_o to_o be_v confirm_v by_o public_a authority_n we_o have_v the_o king_n mind_n bend_v towards_o we_o too_o far_o say_v i_o be_o sure_a if_o we_o may_v take_v that_o king_n own_o word_n for_o it_o but_o many_o of_o the_o peer_n against_o we_o for_o they_o allege_v if_o pseudepiscopacy_n be_v take_v away_o one_o of_o the_o estate_n be_v pull_v down_o if_o presbytery_n be_v erect_v the_o royal_a majesty_n be_v diminish_v etc._n etc._n it_o be_v true_a melvil_n himself_o here_o show_v no_o great_a kindness_n for_o the_o three_o estate_n but_o that_o be_v no_o great_a matter_n it_o be_v his_o humour_n to_o be_v singular_a all_o i_o be_o concern_v for_o be_v the_o public_a sentiment_n of_o the_o nation_n especial_o the_o nobility_n which_o we_o have_v so_o plain_a for_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a estate_n that_o nothing_o can_v be_v plain_o nay_o so_o indisputable_a be_v it_o then_o that_o this_o ecclesiastical_a estate_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a by_o the_o constitution_n that_o the_o presbyterian_o themselves_o never_o call_v it_o in_o question_n never_o offer_v to_o advance_v such_o a_o paradox_n as_o that_o it_o may_v be_v abolish_v after_o they_o have_v abolish_v episcopacy_n by_o their_o assembly_n 1580_o the_o king_n send_v several_a time_n to_o they_o tell_v they_o he_o can_v not_o want_v one_o of_o his_o three_o estate_n how_o will_v they_o provide_v he_o with_o one_fw-mi ecclesiastical_a estate_n now_o that_o they_o have_v abolish_v bishop_n whoso_o please_v to_o read_v calderwood_n himself_o shall_v find_v this_o point_n frequent_o insist_v on_o what_o return_n give_v they_o do_v they_o ever_o in_o the_o least_o offer_n to_o return_v that_o the_o having_z one_fw-mi ecclesiastical_a estate_n in_o parliament_n be_v a_o popish_a corruption_n that_o it_o be_v one_fw-mi unwarrantable_a constitution_n that_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a or_o that_o the_o constitution_n may_v be_v iâ—â—ire_a enough_o without_o it_o no_o such_o thing_n enter_v their_o thought_n on_o the_o contrary_a they_o be_v still_o clear_a for_o maintain_v it_o they_o have_v no_o inclination_n to_o part_v with_o such_o a_o valuable_a right_n of_o the_o church_n their_o answer_n to_o the_o king_n demand_n be_v still_o one_o and_o the_o same_o they_o be_v not_o against_o churchman_n have_a vote_n in_o parliament_n but_o none_o ought_v to_o vote_n in_o name_n of_o the_o church_n without_o commission_n from_o the_o church_n and_o this_o their_o sentiment_n they_o put_v in_o the_o very_a second_o book_n of_o discipline_n for_o these_o be_v word_n for_o word_n the_o seventeen_o and_o eighteen_o article_n of_o the_o eleven_o chapter_n 17._o we_o deny_v not_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n that_o minister_n may_v and_o shall_v assist_v their_o prince_n when_o they_o be_v require_v in_o all_o thing_n agreeable_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n whither_o it_o be_v in_o council_n or_o parliament_n or_o out_o of_o council_n provide_v always_o they_o neither_o neglect_v their_o own_o charge_n nor_o through_o slattery_n of_o prince_n hurt_v the_o public_a estate_n of_o the_o kirk_n 18._o but_o general_o we_o say_v that_o no_o pastor_n under_o whatsoever_o title_n of_o the_o kirk_n and_o special_o the_o abuse_a title_n in_o popery_n of_o prelate_n chapter_n and_o convent_v aught_o to_o attempt_v any_o thing_n in_o the_o church_n name_n either_o in_o parliament_n or_o out_o of_o council_n without_o the_o commission_n of_o the_o reform_a kirk_n within_o this_o realm_n 112._o and_o it_o be_v conclude_v in_o the_o assembly_n hold_v at_o dundee_n march_v 7._o 1598._o that_o it_o be_v necessary_a and_o expedient_a for_o the_o well_o of_o the_o kirk_n that_o the_o ministry_n as_o the_o three_o estate_n of_o this_o realm_n in_o name_n of_o the_o church_n have_v vote_n in_o parliament_n 420._o so_o indubitable_a be_v it_o in_o these_o time_n that_o the_o ecclesiastical_a estate_n be_v necessary_a and_o that_o it_o can_v not_o be_v want_v without_o the_o notorious_a subversion_n of_o the_o constitution_n of_o parliament_n indeed_o it_o be_v not_o only_o the_o sentiment_n of_o general_n assembly_n whatever_o side_n whither_o the_o prelatical_a or_o the_o presbyterian_a prevail_v but_o it_o be_v likewise_o the_o sentiment_n of_o all_o parliament_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o amass_o a_o great_a many_o act_n of_o a_o great_a many_o parliament_n to_o
the_o year_n 1560_o till_o the_o year_n 1616._o our_o presbyterian_a brethren_n may_v be_v ready_a to_o reject_v its_o authority_n if_o it_o militate_v against_o they_o i_o give_v my_o reader_n therefore_o this_o brief_a account_n of_o it_o it_o be_v transcribe_v in_o the_o year_n 1638._o when_o the_o national_a covenant_n be_v in_o a_o flourish_a state_n for_o i_o find_v at_o the_o end_n of_o it_o the_o transcriber_n name_n and_o his_o designation_n write_v with_o the_o same_o hand_n by_o which_o the_o whole_a m_n s._n be_v write_v and_o he_o say_v he_o begin_v to_o transcribe_v upon_o the_o 15_o day_n of_o january_n 1638._o and_o complete_v his_o work_n on_o the_o 23d_o of_o april_n that_o same_o year_n he_o be_v such_o a_o reader_n as_o we_o have_v common_o in_o scotland_n in_o country_n parish_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v imagine_v it_o be_v transcribe_v then_o for_o serve_v the_o interest_n of_o episcopacy_n for_o as_o petrie_n and_o the_o presbyterian_o general_o affirm_v the_o 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these_o act_n deserve_v any_o credit_n my_o m_n s._n can_v be_v reject_v for_o it_o have_v all_o they_o have_v publish_v and_o for_o the_o most_o part_n in_o the_o same_o term_n except_o where_o these_o author_n have_v alter_v the_o language_n sometime_o to_o make_v it_o more_o fashionable_a and_o intelligible_a sometime_o to_o serve_v their_o cause_n and_o the_o concern_v of_o their_o party_n it_o have_v chasm_n also_o and_o defect_n where_o they_o say_v leave_n have_v be_v tear_v from_o the_o original_a register_n and_o i_o have_v not_o adduce_v many_o act_n from_o it_o which_o either_o one_o or_o both_o these_o author_n have_v not_o likewise_o mention_v in_o their_o history_n calderwood_n have_v indeed_o conceal_v very_o many_o have_v intend_v it_o seem_v to_o publish_v nothing_o but_o what_o make_v for_o he_o though_o i_o think_v even_o in_o that_o his_o judgement_n have_v not_o sufficient_o keep_v pace_n with_o his_o inclination_n nay_o his_o supplement_n which_o he_o have_v subjoin_v to_o his_o history_n as_o well_o as_o the_o history_n itself_o be_v lame_a by_o his_o own_o acknowledgement_n for_o these_o be_v the_o very_a first_o word_n of_o it_o i_o have_v in_o the_o precede_a history_n only_o insert_v such_o act_n article_n and_o answer_n to_o question_n as_o belong_v to_o the_o scope_n of_o the_o history_n and_o form_n of_o church_n government_n some_o few_o except_v touch_v corruption_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n or_o the_o office_n and_o call_v of_o minister_n but_o because_o there_o be_v other_o act_n and_o article_n necessary_a to_o be_v know_v i_o have_v select_v such_o as_o be_v of_o great_a use_n pass_v by_o such_o as_o be_v temporary_a or_o concern_v only_o temporary_a office_n etc._n etc._n here_o be_v a_o clear_a confession_n that_o he_o have_v not_o give_v we_o all_o the_o act_n of_o assembly_n nay_o that_o he_o have_v not_o give_v all_o such_o as_o concern_v temporary_a office_n and_o among_o these_o we_o shall_v find_v he_o in_o the_o follow_a sheet_n more_o confident_o than_o warrantable_o reckon_v superintendency_n and_o the_o episcopacy_n which_o be_v agree_v to_o at_o leith_n anno_fw-la 1572._o i_o have_v mention_v these_o thing_n that_o the_o world_n may_v see_v it_o can_v be_v reasonable_a for_o our_o presbyterian_a brethren_n to_o insist_v on_o either_o calderwood_n authority_n or_o ingenuity_n against_o my_o mss._n how_o ingenuous_a or_o impartial_a he_o have_v be_v you_o may_v have_v opportunity_n to_o guess_v before_o you_o have_v get_v through_o the_o ensue_a paper_n petrie_n have_v indeed_o give_v we_o a_o great_a many_o more_o of_o the_o act_n of_o general_a assembly_n than_o calderwood_n have_v do_v as_o may_v appear_v to_o any_o who_o attend_v to_o the_o margin_n of_o my_o book_n but_o he_o also_o have_v the_o good_a cause_n to_o serve_v and_o therefore_o have_v corrupt_v some_o thing_n and_o conceal_v other_o thing_n as_o i_o have_v make_v appear_v however_o he_o have_v the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o what_o i_o have_v transcribe_v from_o the_o mss._n spotswood_n have_v few_o than_o either_o of_o the_o two_o presbyterian_a historian_n yet_o some_o he_o have_v which_o i_o find_v also_o in_o the_o ms._n and_o which_o they_o have_v both_o omit_v in_o short_a i_o have_v take_v but_o very_o few_o from_o it_o which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v in_o some_o one_o or_o more_o of_o these_o historian_n neither_o have_v i_o adduce_v so_o much_o as_o one_o from_o it_o nor_o be_v one_o in_o it_o which_o be_v not_o high_o agreeable_a to_o the_o state_n and_o circumstance_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o genius_n of_o the_o time_n for_o which_o it_o mention_n they_o so_o that_o upon_o the_o whole_a matter_n i_o see_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v of_o its_o be_v a_o faithful_a transcript_n and_o i_o think_v i_o may_v just_o say_v of_o it_o as_o optatus_n say_v of_o another_o ms._n upon_o the_o like_a occasion_n vetustas_fw-la membranarum_fw-la testimonium_fw-la perhibet_fw-la etc._n etc._n optat_fw-la milev_n lib._n 1._o f._n 7._o edit_n paris_n 1569_o it_o have_v all_o the_o mark_n of_o antiquity_n and_o integrity_n that_o it_o pretend_v to_o and_o there_o be_v nothing_o about_o it_o that_o render_v it_o suspicious_a the_o other_o book_n which_o i_o say_v require_v some_o far_a consideration_n be_v the_o history_n of_o the_o reformation_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n contain_v five_o book_n etc._n etc._n common_o attribute_v to_o john_n knox_n by_o our_o presbyterian_a brethren_n that_o which_o i_o have_v to_o say_v about_o it_o be_v chief_o that_o mr._n knox_n be_v not_o the_o author_n of_o it_o a._n b._n spotswood_n have_v prove_v this_o by_o demonstration_n in_o his_o history_n pag._n 267._o his_o demonstration_n be_v that_o the_o author_n whoever_o he_o be_v talk_v of_o one_o of_o our_o martyr_n remit_v the_o reader_n for_o a_o far_a declaration_n of_o his_o suffering_n to_o the_o act_n and_o monument_n of_o mr._n fox_n which_o come_v not_o to_o light_v till_o some_o twelve_o year_n after_o knox_n death_n mr._n patrick_n hamilton_n be_v the_o martyr_n and_o the_o reference_n be_v to_o be_v see_v pag._n 4._o of_o that_o history_n i_o be_o now_o consider_v beside_o this_o i_o have_v observe_v a_o great_a many_o more_o infallible_a proof_n that_o knox_n be_v not_o the_o author_n i_o shall_v only_o instance_n in_o some_o 3_o or_o 4._o thus_o pag._n 447._o the_o author_n have_v set_v down_o a_o copy_n of_o the_o letter_n send_v by_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n of_o which_o more_o by_o and_o by_o tell_v how_o the_o english_a nonconformist_n write_v to_o beza_n and_o beza_n to_o grindal_n bishop_n of_o london_n which_o letter_n of_o beza_n to_o grindal_n he_o say_v be_v the_o eight_o in_o order_n among_o beza_n epistle_n and_o in_o that_o same_o page_n he_o mention_n another_o of_o beza_n letter_n to_o grindal_n call_v it_o the_o twelve_o in_o number_n now_o it_o be_v certain_a beza_n epistle_n 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have_v full_o prove_v and_o which_o be_v all_o i_o still_o aim_v at_o yet_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o discover_v they_o be_v very_o far_o from_o keep_v close_o by_o the_o principle_n and_o measure_n of_o the_o primitive_a constitution_n of_o church_n government_n this_o be_v so_o very_o apparent_a to_o any_o who_o read_v the_o history_n of_o these_o time_n and_o be_v so_o visible_a in_o the_o deduction_n i_o have_v make_v that_o i_o shall_v insist_v no_o long_o on_o it_o second_o the_o truth_n of_o my_o charge_n may_v further_o appear_v from_o the_o instance_n of_o adamson_n advance_v this_o year_n 1576_o to_o the_o archbishopric_n of_o st._n andrews_n that_o nature_n have_v furnish_v he_o with_o a_o good_a stock_n and_o he_o be_v a_o smart_a man_n and_o cultivate_v beyond_o the_o ordinary_a size_n by_o many_o part_n of_o good_a literature_n be_v not_o deny_v by_o the_o presbyterian_a historian_n themselves_o they_o never_o attempt_v to_o represent_v he_o as_o a_o fool_n or_o a_o dunce_n 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man_n skill_v in_o the_o constitution_n government_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n to_o have_v lay_v open_a to_o the_o conviction_n of_o all_o sober_a man_n the_o novelty_n the_o vanity_n the_o inexpediency_n the_o impoliticalness_n the_o uncatholicalness_n of_o most_o if_o not_o all_o of_o these_o proposition_n if_o any_o further_a doubt_n can_v remain_v concern_v the_o little_a skill_n the_o clergy_n of_o scotland_n in_o these_o time_n have_v in_o these_o matter_n it_o may_v be_v further_o demonstate_v four_o from_o this_o plain_a matter_n of_o fact_n viz._n that_o that_o second_o book_n of_o discipline_n in_o many_o point_n be_v take_v word_n for_o word_n from_o mr._n beza_n answer_n to_o the_o question_n propose_v to_o he_o by_o the_o lord_n glamis_n than_o chancellor_n of_o scotland_n a_o fair_a evidence_n that_o our_o clergy_n at_o that_o time_n have_v not_o be_v very_o well_o see_v in_o ecclesiastical_a politic_n otherwise_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v think_v 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yet_o sufficient_o dipose_v for_o presbytery_n rub_n and_o difficulty_n be_v still_o cast_v in_o the_o way_n and_o the_o good_a cause_n be_v deplorable_o retard_v so_o it_o be_v fair_o import_v in_o the_o act_n for_o this_o fast_a the_o corruption_n of_o all_o estate_n coldness_n in_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o professor_n that_o god_n will_v put_v it_o in_o the_o king_n heart_n and_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o estate_n of_o parliament_n to_o establish_v such_o a_o policy_n and_o discipline_n in_o the_o kirk_n as_o be_v crave_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n etc._n etc._n these_o be_v among_o the_o prime_a reason_n in_o the_o narrative_a of_o this_o act_n for_o fast_v 81._o indeed_o all_o this_o time_n the_o book_n of_o discipline_n be_v only_o in_o form_v it_o have_v not_o yet_o get_v the_o assembly_n approbation_n the_o next_o general_n assembly_n meet_v at_o stirling_n june_n 11._o this_o same_o year_n about_o six_o week_n or_o so_o after_o the_o dissolution_n of_o the_o former_a but_o the_o parliament_n be_v to_o sit_v and_o it_o be_v needful_a the_o assembly_n shall_v sit_v before_z to_o order_v ecclesiastic_a business_n for_o it_o and_o now_o it_o seem_v there_o be_v little_a struggle_n for_o the_o assembly_n all_o in_o one_o voice_n as_o it_o be_v in_o ms._n calderwood_n and_o petrie_n 395._o conclude_v that_o the_o act_n of_o the_o last_o assembly_n discharge_v the_o election_n of_o bishop_n etc._n etc._n shall_v be_v extend_v to_o all_o time_n come_v and_o here_o petrie_n stop_v but_o the_o ms._n and_o calderwood_n add_v ay_o and_o while_n the_o corruption_n of_o the_o estate_n of_o bishop_n be_v all_o utter_o take_v away_o and_o they_o ordain_v that_o all_o bishop_n already_o elect_v shall_v submit_v themselves_o to_o the_o gen._n ass._n concern_v the_o reformation_n of_o the_o corruption_n of_o that_o estate_n of_o bishop_n in_o their_o person_n which_o if_o they_o refuse_v to_o do_v after_o admonition_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v proceed_v against_o to_o excommunication_n this_o ass._n meet_v as_o i_o say_v on_o the_o 11_o the_o of_o june_n and_o indeed_o it_o seem_v the_o weather_n have_v be_v warm_a enough_o yet_o neither_o now_o do_v they_o adventure_v again_o upon_o the_o main_a question_n nor_o ennumerate_v the_o corruption_n of_o the_o estate_n of_o bishop_n by_o this_o assembly_n a_o commission_n be_v also_o grant_v to_o certain_a person_n to_o attend_v the_o parliament_n and_o petition_v that_o the_o book_n of_o discipline_n may_v be_v ratify_v though_o all_o the_o article_n be_v not_o as_o yet_o agree_v to_o a_o pretty_a odd_a overture_n to_o desire_v the_o parliament_n to_o ratify_v what_o they_o themselves_o have_v not_o perfect_o concert_v the_o next_o assembly_n meet_v at_o edinburgh_n octob._n 24._o of_o that_o same_o year_n 1578._o and_o it_o be_v but_o reasonable_a to_o have_v three_o assembly_n in_o six_o month_n when_o the_o church_n be_v so_o big_a with_o presbytery_n and_o now_o the_o corruption_n so_o 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though_o spotswood_n have_v the_o word_n presbytery_n 303._o which_o i_o take_v notice_n of_o because_o the_o unwary_a reader_n when_o he_o read_v presbytery_n in_o spotswood_n may_v take_v they_o for_o these_o ecclesiastical_a judicatories_n which_o now_o be_v so_o denominate_v whereas_o there_o be_v none_o such_o as_o yet_o in_o the_o nation_n 7._o not_o to_o usurp_v the_o power_n of_o the_o pastor_n say_v the_o ms._n nor_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o visit_v any_o bound_n not_o commit_v to_o they_o by_o the_o church_n 8._o and_o last_o if_o any_o more_o corruption_n shall_v afterward_o be_v find_v in_o the_o estate_n of_o bishop_n to_o consent_v to_o have_v they_o reform_v these_o be_v the_o corruption_n and_o particular_o at_o that_o same_o very_a time_n the_o two_o archbishop_n be_v require_v to_o reform_v they_o in_o their_o person_n what_o adamson_n archbishop_n of_o st._n andrews_n do_v or_o say_v on_o this_o occasion_n i_o know_v not_o but_o it_o seem_v he_o submit_v not_o for_o i_o find_v he_o again_z require_v to_o do_v it_o by_o the_o next_o assembly_n and_o that_o it_o be_v particular_o lay_v to_o his_o charge_n that_o he_o have_v oppose_v the_o ratification_n of_o the_o book_n in_o parliament_n but_o boyd_n archbishop_n of_o glasgow_n do_v certain_o behave_v at_o this_o assembly_n like_o a_o person_n of_o great_a worth_n and_o a_o man_n of_o courage_n suitable_a to_o his_o character_n give_v a_o brave_a and_o resolute_a answer_n you_o may_v see_v it_o in_o spot_n cald._n and_o pet._n 396._o i_o have_v not_o leisure_n to_o transcribe_v it_o but_o it_o please_v not_o the_o now_o too_o much_o presbyterian_a assembly_n and_o no_o wonder_n for_o he_o speak_v true_o like_o a_o bishop_n the_o next_o assembly_n be_v hold_v at_o edinburgh_n in_o july_n anno_fw-la 1579._o the_o king_n send_v a_o letter_n to_o they_o whereby_o he_o signify_v his_o dislike_n of_o their_o