noble just much owned honoured of God There is the greater ground of hope that God will helpe such as shall undertake the defence thereof the cavils of men who may be looked upon as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in most of these particulars are tâ—…e lesse to be feared But Christian reader what entertainment so ever it shall have with these who have out lived their zeale integrity have shamefully declined in the day of tryall And have betrayed the cause interest of Christ therefore shall looke upon themselves as not a little concerned herein pinched hereby being unwilling to have their evils ript up laid open to the view of the world Let it have a Christian entertâ—…inment with thee though it come late to thy hands through the injurie of the times let it not be the lesse welcome If the Lord shall be pleased to blesse it it may be of use for thy strengthning in this growing storme upon severall accounts grounds whereof I hint but a few 1. By what is said here thou mayest see that the cause thou sufferest for is the good old cause That same Spirit which acted the Prelats other enemies of the Church of Scotland from the beginning is now raging in her present enemies The same designe is hath been endeavoured driven on all a longs How various so ever the pretexts colours have been under which they have sought to cover themselves the covering hath proved too narrow for them first prelacy then popery was intend first last It is the same cause in the defence of which Christs worthies of old did act suffer so long as they could stand in the defence whereof they were not afrayed to beare the displeasure of King court to hazard life liberty all which waâ—… dear unto them If then the same Spirit doth act worke in the enemies of the Church now which did act worke in their predecessours of old pray thou that the same Spirit of God may act thee all the faithfull of the land which did appeare in the worthy valiant Champions of old whether thou be called to act or suffer for his sake 2. Thou mayest know from what is here related that the cause for which thou art now suffering was brought very low before these times And that the adversaries thereof have often got up to a great height yet the good cause hath got above them And how Acts of Parliament one after another all the devices of the adversary to seale the grave And to make it sure could not keep this cause of Christ from a glorious resurrection Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth might the Church of Scotland then have said many a time have they afflicted me from my youth yet have they not prevailed against me The plowers plowed upon my back made long their furrowes The Lord is righteous he hath cut asunder the coards of the wicked And shall it not yet hold true that all they who hate Zion shall be confounded turned back be made as the grasse upon the house topes which withereth be fore it be grown up There is no cause of despondency of spirit or of giving over the cause as lost there is hope in Israel concerning this matter his people may still hope trust in his name who hath wrought salvation of old He who did put that wicked party to shame confusion of face in former times made the name of Prelats to stink their posterity to be as cursed vagabonds wandering up down bearing the marks of god's displeasure still liveth reigneth doth no more approve of the Ungodly of this generation Nor of their more then barbarous carriage who have laboured to out strip their predecessours in perfidious treachery Then he did them who of old did set themselves against the Lord his Christ yea much lesse It is true the men of this generation think they have pins for stopping of such holes which their predecessours could not stop but he who sitteth in the heavens doth laugh at them hath them in derision He seeth that their day is coming It is easie with him to cause the sword which they have drawn to slay such as are of upright conversation enter into their own hearts to break the bowes which they have bent to cast down the poor needy Our God liveth reigneth shall reigne let Kings of clay rage as they will Therefore cast not away your confidence which hath a great recompence of reward for yee have need of patience that after ye have done the will of God ye may receâ—…ve the promise For yet a little while he that shall come will come will not tarry 3. Thou mayestsee that this cause work against which the wicked have conspired set themselves hath been signally owned approved of by the Lord for which he hath fought 〈◊〉 his right hand done valiantly whereby he hath got himself a name among the nations And who knoweth what God will yet doe for his great name which in this day of rebuke blasphemy is greatly reproached Hath he begun will he not finish his worke It is true the provocations of his people doe keep them long in the wildernes yet he who hath frequently wrought for his names sake that it should not be blasphemed amongst the heathen will still be tender of the same sith at this day there is much blasphemy belched forth by persons of all ranks against the great glorious works of God as much if not more then at any time or in any age wherein hath been lesse light The people of God need not be hopelesse much lesse conclude That God who is jealous of his own glory will not give it to another will suffer it now to be given to the devil on whom his work is fathered But rather will certanely be avenged on those prodigiously unparallelably impious sacrilegious persons How dreadfull a thing is it to say that Christ casteth out devils by Beelzebub the prince of devils 4. Thou mayest see clearly that the cause for which thou dost now suffer is the cause of Christ His enemies would pul the crown from off his head the scepter out of his hand by this meanes make him no King in over his Church consequently no mediatour For as mediatour he is a King in over his Kingdome that is his Church in which he dwelleth over which he ruleth with his scepter of righteousnesse They will not have his Kingdome a free Kingdome consequently they will not have him a free King They will not allow to him the liberty of appoynting or instituteing his own officers or to rule his Kingdome by his owne lawes courts ordinances censures Nor will they suffer Church-administrations to be performed in his name authority as in
the Lord would do how shoon he would appeare for his oppressed people interest declare that he hath chosen Ziou hath desired it for his habitation then clothe her priests with salvation cause her saints to shout aloud for joy The popish prelaticall malignant faction have been losers when they thought themselves gainers all their victoryes have proven hurtfull to their owne cause And who can tell but this day which they think they have gained and the victory whereof they think themselves so firmly and certanely possessed as that they shall never lose it againe may prove the most fatal day that ever they saw a victory tending to the everlasting ruine of their cause interest 11. Thou mayest see these Covenants against which in this degenerate age reproach cannot sufficiently be poured forth vindicated And the lands obliged Covenanted lands before the Lord what ever course hath been taken by higher powers to loose the obligation This Gordian Knot will not be gotten so easily loosed as some would imagine People may think to close their eyes then reason themselves out of the obligation ofa Covenant oath taken before the Lord so cast themselves at liberty But that will only wreeth the heavy yoke ofGods curse straiter about their neck It is no small matter of admiration to hear how basely many men do speak of these holy bonds sacred Covenants But let men who take pleasure in venting the venome that is within say what they will Scotland hath no cause to be ashamed of these Covenants It was a sweet day when the nationall Covenant which had been long buried in oblivion was raised out of the dust renewed And it may be Scotland shall have as sweet a day when both that Covenant the solemne league Covenant which now lyeth buried under a heep of the ashes of contempt reproach shall be raised up renewed with great acclamation of joy It is true this seemeth not to be very probable now but Scotlands covenanted God liveth his arme is not shortened There was not very great probability of renewing the nationall Covenant some few years before when the prelats were tyrannizing at pleasure no man durst so much as complaine of any injury they did It is easie with God to put Spirit courage in people make them stand upon their feet become an exceeding great army who were before but dry bones yea very dry bones howbeit now that league Cov. be looked upon as a device contrived purposely to overturne the throne Yet as it hath already proven so againe it may prove as sure a pillar for the throne as any as effectuall a meane to preserve the same from being overturned as any other But Christian reader by what thou will see in the following sheets thou Mayest easily perceive that it is both a sinfull dangerous thing to break Covenant a sin which heathens have scarred at And therefore remember thy Covenants and vowes made unto the most high let not the speaches nor carriage of others who think they cannot exceed in casting out the venome of their heart against these Covenants lessen thine estimation of them but rather increase the same And the more thou hear others cry down these Covenants as null keep thy self under their tye so much the more carefully Make conscience of studying these Covenants the duties unto which thou standest bound before the Lord by vertue thereof It is true thou art noâ—… now in a capacity to Act for the carrying on of the endâ—… of those Covenants as some time thou hast been yet keep thy Spirit still under the impression of their obligeing force when thou cannot by acting promove the ends of the Covenant thou mayest do it by constancie in patient suffering for adhereing to that cause Covenant See what thou art obliged unto by vertue of these Covenants let never these duties be forgotten but as the Lord offereth occasion let it appear that thou art under the impression of the oath of God thus shalâ—… thou have peace joy when shame shall cover the faces of all Covenant breakers 12. Thou mayest see how this yoke of prelacy wreethed in former times about the necks of the inhabitants of Scotland did prove so intolerably grievous that they were made to groan under it and how they became restlesse untill they shook it off And experience this day doth prove how necessaryly it is attended with grievous oppression soul affliction It hath been found is seen this day how prelats have trampled do trample upon the nobility gentâ—…ie burgesses of the Land The land formerly hath found to day doth finde what the weight of a Saint Andrew's crosse of the prelate's râ—…het is And that their little finger is heavier then the loyns of Ministers whatever grudge out-cry there was against the discipline of the Church It is true they proclame liberty give way to all vice iniquity are leaders into these wicked wayes themselves are paterns patrons unto the people whom they encourage by their evil example to follow them in their trade of wickednesse it is like this is the only thing which maketh that Goyernment desirable unto many who love not to be curbed in their licentious wicked courses but desire to have the bridle laid upon their necks liberty to follow the swinge of their own corruptions beastly lusts Yet it may be that many are ere now wearying of them Yea who knoweth but before this time many of the nobles others of the land who did earnestly pant after a change of Church Government wishing the day wherein prelats might be re-established in their power faithfull Ministers oppressed put to the door that so they might enjoy full free liberty to commit sin with greadinesse do beginne to be think themselves to be sensible of their folly when they see how Prelats trade upon their necks not careing what disrespect they put upon them or how basely they use them when they see that they have acted below themselves below men when they made shipwrack of their consciences sold their souls to promove their ambitious designes to help them to ascend unto the tope of their intended grandour no doubt many are thinking with themselves that they have run too fast when they see that all the thanks that they are like to have from those who excell in ingratitude is to be trode upon as mire of the streets It is a bad reward but the just righteous hand of God may be seen in it to inslave the persons bodies of such who have voluntarily iâ—…slaved their souls to set them on high O that the nobles gentry of the land would at length resent this indignity observe the hand of God punishing them with a whipe of their own making when they see how undervalueingly these
AN Apologeticall Relation Of the particular sufferings of the faithfull Mâ—…nisters professours of the Church of Scotland since August 1660. Wherein severall questions usefull for the time are discussed The King 's preroâ—…gative over Parliaments people soberly enquired into The lawfulnes of defensive war cleared The supreme Magistrats power in Church matters examined Mr Stilling fleet 's notion concerning the divine right of formes of Church Government considered The author of thâ—… seasonable case answered other particulars such as the hearing of the Curats appearing before the high commission court c. canvassed Together with the rise reigne ruine of the former 〈◊〉 lats in Scotland Being A brieff account from History of the Government of the Church of Scotland from the beginning of the many troubles which Prelats have created to her first last For satisfaction of strangers incouragement of present 〈◊〉 By a well wisher to the good old cause JER 50 34. Their Redeemer is strong The Lord of hosts is his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shall thorówly plead their cause that he may give rest to the land 〈◊〉 quiet the inhabitants of Babylon MIC 7 9 10. I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sumed 〈◊〉 him untill he plead my cause execute Iudgement for me â—…e 〈◊〉 bring me fâ—…rth to light I shall behold his righteousnes then sheâ—… that 〈◊〉 mine enemy shall see it shame shall cover her which said unto me 〈◊〉 is the Lord thy God Mine eyes shall behold her now shall she be 〈◊〉 down as the mire of the streets ISA. 51 22 23. Thus saith the Lord thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people Behold I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling 〈◊〉 the dregs of the cup of my fury thou shalt no more drink it again But I â—…ll put it into the hand of them who afflict thee which have said to thy soule 〈◊〉 down that we may goe over thou hast laid thy body as the ground 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…reas to them that went over Printed in the Yeer 1665 The Epistle to the READER Christian Reader This is a time wherein little or nothing is heard from the Churches of Christ all the world over but lamentation woeâ—… partly by reason of grievous afflictions sore persecution which is none of the worst conditions partly by reason of woefull and shamefull defection falling from former zeale integrity occasioned either by the temptations which usually attend sharpe tryalls of affliction whereby the weakness of many perversness of heart in moe is discovered Or without any such force of externall temptation from an inward decay of life love wearying of God his wayes the Worst condition that a Church can be in which is now the Epidemicall plague of this age Hence it is that the Lord seemeth to be angry with all ready to reject some of his Churches which to him are as a generation of his wrath Have not his people set up their abominations in the house which is called by his name to pollute it And may it not be feared that the curse shall devoure the earth they that dwell therein shall be made desolate because they have transgressed the lawes changed the ordinances broken the everlasting Covenant There appeareth now hanging over the head of the poor little flock of Christ a black dreadfull cloud threatning no lesse then utter ruine overthrow or at least speaking a loude alarme for awaking the secure sleâ—…ping Bride It is most sad to behold how little the Churches of Christ in every place are affected with this imminent stroke ready to light on all to see some of them quiet at rest singing a requiem to themselves as if though dispensations from the Lord doe speak the contrary to all who will but open their eyes their mountaine stood so strong as never to be moved This deadness deepe security when all things speak an approaching storme as it doth evidence a great Judgement spirituall plague from God upon the Spirits of people so it dothpresage no less then remediless â—…uine if God in the riches of his mercy prevent it not What a dreadfull night of confusion astonishment must be at hand when there is such blackness without And such deadness prodigious security within Are not the enemies of the Church as Gebal Ammen Amalek The Philistines those of â—…yre Assur the Children of Lot who are early late at their master's work devising plotting the ruine destruction of the interest Kingdome of Christ Are they not all combined together acted with the same Spirit of Antichrist for this very end purpose to helpe forward as with one shoulder to raise up his fallen interest heale his wound And are they not setting themselves to thrust King Iesus from his throne to put the crowne from his head the scepter out of his hand so to prey upon devour his little flock that if it were possible they should be no more a nation nor their name remembered any more And are they not about the swallowing up of the protestant interest as in a moment And what is the Church of Christ doing all this while Doth she stir up her selfe to call upon her head husband or to awake the watch man of Isreal who neither slumbereth nor sleepeth Is she upon her watch-tower looking out guarding against the approaching enemy or observing his motions Ah not so She is fast a sleepe while the enemy is within the walls And which is more sad lamentable with her own hands she hath helped to make the breach in the wall at which the enemy hath entered now hath faire advantage given him to accomplish his bloody designe against the protestant cause interest So little hath she gained by her sinfull compliance with the opinions practises of Antichristian men whether through base feare or carnall prudence even the cutting of it off And the bringing of his people back againe unto Babylon Who knoweth but though the Lord's enemies shall at last be troden under as straw for the dunghill he shall spread forth his hands in the midst of them as he that swimmeth spreadeth forth his hands to swim bring down their pride together with the spoiles of their hands lay low in the dust bring to the ground even the high fortresse of their wall so make all his enemies know that there is a King in Zion who shall must reigne untill all his foes be made his footstoole the onely wise God who knoweth how to turne every thing to the best may suffer the adversaries to prosper in their device designe so give up many of the people called by his name to the sword of the enemy that others may be alarmed awaked from their sleep put to their prayers even to calling upon God with their whole heart
were sworne to maintaine according to their place power their lives lands possessions liberties as scottish men as Christians into the hands of their implacable enemies Were these valient worthies now living who are gone off the stage with honour credite heating seeing what they might now heare see how would they stand astonished at this degenerated generation that so easily quite with that which they did lose their blood lives to purchase obtaine Yea to see or heare the self same persons who but twelue or Sixteen years ago were jeoparding their lives with them for the same cause either condemning that practice or carrying themselves so indifferently now as if these matters appeared but tâ—…islles not worth the contending for Whosoever they be who now seem to be ashamed of that cause of themselves in contributeing their help for the promoveing of the same It may be thought that it was not conscience that moved them thereunto but some other ends otherwayes their judgements would not so soon alter seing there is no other argument now seen but the winde changed from south to North which dispensation useth not to worke much upon consciences what ever it may do upon other principles If the former generations had been of such a cowardish disposition how had Scotland been delivered If they had walked upon no other principles but such as would have changed when the storme did beginne to blow upon their faces where had the land been ere now And if there be no other spirits in Scotland this day where may it be imagined shall that Church be found ere long 7. Thou mayest hereby be more enabled to disput against prelacy then possibly thou was having now seen how what way it was brought in into the Church formerly how it is ushered in to day And when it is established by force over the Churches belly how it proveth the bane of all Church order piety edification And this is a strong argument to prevaile with such as have the root of the matter in them enough to make them question such a way as no way of Christ's To say that the abuse of the power by such as are in possession of it will not plead much against the power it self will be of â—…o fore in this case where the jus of the power cannot pretend heigher then to be humanum And if its admirers should alledge that it is founded upon a jus divinum These necessary consequences as so many propria quarto medo will sufficiently ground an improbation Scotland never saw prelates without such a long traine of hellish consequences discovering to any judicious eye their rise to be from below And if the prelats now in place had thought it of their concernment they might have cut off that long taile but it seemeth if they had done so they would have lost somewhat that they thought essentiall to themselves therefore as if they had thought all the abuse whereof their predecessours were guilty was their too much lenity forbearing to persecute the godly banish piety They have made the poor Church feel that their little finger is heavier then the loynes of their forefathers And so the argument of the vulgar is confirmed with a witnesse become more unanswerable then ever 8. Thou mayest likewise have arguments put into thy mouth whereby to defend thine own practices in standing to thy former principles stope the mouth of thine adversaries before thou was willing to suffer for Christ his interest though thou could not disput much for him his truth that was a great evidence of love And now thou mayest get some help in disputing for the truth by the arguments set down in the following sheets And the few arguments which thou will finde there may bring others to thy minde thus thou mayest be helped to meet thine adversary without fear 9. But if these adversaries be of such a disposition as to take advantage of thy speaking or argueing for truth to bring thee into trouble therefore in prudence thou will think it best to keep silence Thou mavest here by be confirmed in thine own minde of the unlawfulnesse of such courses as the current of the times would draw thee unto as it doth others how unjustly thou art persecuted for refuseing to comply with such sinfull wayes And further because it is like the malice of Satan his instruments will not rest here but they will still be deviseing new wayes to lay snares for the consciences of such as walk uprightly by what is said to the particulars handled in the following sheets thou mayest be helped to judge of new emergent questions which thou mayest be exercised with afterward so to know how thou oughtest to carry thy self in reference to these new tryals 10. Thou mayest have some ground of hope That the Lord's end in suffering this sudden sad Change to continue so long is but to juâ—…ge more fully his Church from the much drosse corruption which otherwayes in all probability had never been purged away It is possible that these by-past yeers of prosperity her most afflicted condition being a prosperous state when compared with her present condition have done the Church of Scoâ—…l more harm by reason of corruption within then many yeers of sad adversity shall do The former prelats had a time before they came to their height all those many yeers wherein hâ—…y were on the riseing hand after they came to the possession of their full power the Lord was trying purging his Church And at length when his time came who waiteth that he may be gracious loseth not a fit opportunity of doing good to his Church people he brought the Church of Scotland out of the furnace laid her stones with faire colours her foundations with Saphites So that the yeers 1638 1639 were as glorious years as any which she hath seen since And these prelats though they have made great haste in their rise yet must have some time to do that work in which the Lord is imploying them as his lixes one day discovereth more now then a yeer formerly could have done One prelat blessed be the Lord who is master of work doth more then many purging committees could do Why then should we weary We know not what the Lord is about to do but when we consider what were his dispensations in former times unto that Church we may now hope that he will bring the Church of Scotland out of the furnace as faire beautifull as ever if not more So that these who saw the foundation of the old temple laid An. 1638. c. Shall not have cause to weep when they see her foundations laid of new the Lord reviveing the stones out of the rubbish which are burnt If his people were humbled did not stand in the way of their own mercies who can tell what
onely to the prophets 2. The libertie of the Church and Discipline presently exercised was confirmed by diverse acts of Parliament and the office-bearers were now in peaceable Possession thereof And this he did and a Copy hereof was sent through the Presbiteries to see if they would owne the same and in testimonie of their chearfull hearty owning therof it was subscribed by three or fowre hundereth Ministers This displeased the King so that he by open proclamation commanded the Commissioners of the Church to depart out of Edenburgh within twenty fowr houres under the paine of rebellion but notwithstanding of this they resolve to stay to see that the Church priviledges should not be wronged send some of their number to speake to his Mâ—…j unto whom he answered that if Mr. Black would passe from his Declinature or if they would declare that the Declinature was not a generall but onely a particular one used in Mr. Blacks case alone as being a cause of slander pertaining to the judgement of the Church he would passe from the pursuite of Mr. Black But after consultation the Comissioners resolved to adhere unto the Declinature unlesse his Maj. would passe from the processe remitt the same unto the Church Judicatory would make an act of Councill declareing that no minister should be charged for his preaching c. Whereupon the King charged the Commissioners of new to depart caused cite Mr. Black unto the last of November withall dischargeth all Barons Gentlemen others to meet with ministers in their Church assemblies without his licence When the day of Mr Blacks compearance cometh the Commissioners presente a supplication desiring them to remitt the question unto the Judge competent but the Councill goeth on therefore they protest that the processe in hand whatsoever followed thereupon should not prejudge the liberty of the Church in maters of Doctrine Afterward the King sendeth unto the Commissioners shewing he would be content with Mr. Blacks simple declaration of the truth But worthy Mr. Bruce answered That if the mater did touch Mr Black alone they were content but the liberty of Christs Kingdome had received such a wound by the Proclamations published the last Satterday that day by the usurpation of the Council that if Mr Blacks life the life of twenty others had been taken it had not grieved the hearts of the godly so much that either these things behoved to be retreated or they would oppose so long as they had breath Then the King condiscended to publish by a Declaration that he would not diminish any lawfull power or liberty which they or their Assemblies had either by the Word of God or lawes of the land that the proclamation discharging Barons others to meet with ministers was onely meaned of their meeting in armes that the Interloquâ—…tor of the Council should not be used against Mr Black or any other minister untill a lawfull General Assembly providing that Mr Black would declare in his presence the truth of the points libelled before some ministers But afternoon the Kings minde was found changed because Mr Black would not acknowledge an offence he is condemned by the Council his punishment is remitted to the King till his pleasure were known he is confined Then there is a bond devised to be subscribed by all the ministers under the paine of the lose of their stipends The tenor wherof followeth Wee the Pastors ministers of Gods word undersubscribing humbly acknowledging our duty to God obedience to the King our Souveraigne Lord whom for conscience cause we ought to obey Confesse that his Grace is soveraigne Judge to us each one of us in all causes of sedition treason other criminal civill maters to all our speaches which may import the saids crimes albeit uttered by any of us publickly in the pulpits which God forbid or in any other place that the said pulpits nor any other place whatsoever hath not that priviledge immunity to be occasion or pretence to any of us of declining of his Maj judgement in any of the saids civill or criminall causes intended against us in any time coming but rather that our offence is the greater incase which God forbid any of us commit such crimes in the saids pulpits before the people where the word of Gods truth salvation should be preached by us to our flocks In witness wherof of the humble acknowledgement of our duty in the premisses we have subscribed these presents with our hands are content that the famine be registrat in the books of secret Councell in futuram rei memoriam But faithfull ministers refused upon all hazards to subscribe the same seeing that it was a crossing of their Declinatour contrarie to the acts of the Generall Assembly to the acts of Parliament made in favours of the Church yea to the word of God because by this bond they should have acknowledged the King to be both supreme onely Judge over ministers in all causes so to have power of Judging deposing them yea of judging trying their preaching if it be but coloured with treason sedition of schisme in the Church which is sedition and seeing thereby they should be bound up from faithfull dealing in the name of the Lord because they saw it was devysed of purpose as a snare to their consciences After this Anno 1596. the king driveth on his designe indicteth an Assembly at perth formeth 55 problemes by which the Discipline of the Church formerly established was questioned to be there debatéd these problems with the following Historie at more length are to be seen in the Historie penned by Reverend laborious Mr Petry therefore a short relation shall suffice here being perswaded by his Courtiours that he should never gaine his purpose till first he took some course to breake the Union of the Church he prevaileth with Mr Patrik Galloway Mr Iames Nicolson who had been chief a little before in advising Mr Black to decline causeth Sr Patrick Murray deal with the ministers of the North to subscribe the bond to choose such such persons to the meeting at Perth and when the time of meeting cometh these Commissioners from the North were seen going in companies to the king Mr Nicolson was with the king till mid-night They were for all this two dayes in debating whether they were a lawfull Generall Assembly but honest men protested against it The meeting at length condiscendeth to these particulars 1. That no minister should reprove his maiesties lawes acts or ordinances untill such time as first he had by advyce of Presbitery Synod or Assembly complained or sought remedy of the same 2. That none should be named in pulpit except the fault were notour by the persons being fugitive convicted by ane Assise Excommunicated contumacious after citation or lawfull
not fainedly O that they were wise would speedily prevent this deadly blow by repentance by serious considering how they have fallen from their first love have forgotten their first workes O that they would think of returning to the most high with fasting weeping mourning renting their hearts not their garments of turning unto the Lord their God who is gracious mercifull slow to anger of great Kindness repenteth him of the evill However his people are called to minde that word Isa. 26 20 22. Come my people enter thou into thy chamber shut thy doores about thee hide thy self as it were for a little moment untill the indignation be over past for behold the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity The earth also shall disclose her bloâ—…d shall no more cover her slain In these following sheets there is some account given thee of the sad deplorable condition of the Church of Christ in Scotland It is wonderfull to see how variously Satan doth assault the Churches of God some one way some another That crasty cunning adversary doth suite his baits snares to the severall complexions of people Churches against which he opposeth himselfe Some have the tryall of cruel mockings scourgings others meet with bonds imprisonment and others with triall of some other Kinde Against some Satan doth raise cruel bloody persecutions others he endeavoureth to draw away from their stedfastness zeale by ensnareing allurements a third sort he invadeth with all his troupes forces at once And thus is the lately glorious Church of Scotland tried this day Upon the one hand he raiseth up against her men of corrupt mindes destitute of the truth who make sharpe their tounges like a Serpent under whose lips is the poison of adders These have vented doe vent most bitter slanders reproaches against her the way of reformation which the hand of God wrought in her On the other hand he hath raised within her a most cruel persecution by a popish prelaticall malignant party setting them on with rage against all who desire to keepe themselves unspotted free of the contagions of this evill time forceing some by cruel sore persecution ensnareing others that are more simple deceiving drawing them into their nâ—…t thereby causing many to comply with them in their wicked wayes to run with them unto the same excesse of sin wickednes Yet hithertill for which the name of the Lord is alone to be Magnified the designes devices of these Matchiavellian Ahitophels bloody persecuters have not taken such effect as they either wished or expected It is true many Alas too too many have been carried away with the streame and willingly walked after the commandement to the great dishonour of God amazement of nations about rejoycing of the heart of the ungodly to the great stumbling grief of the truely tender godly in that land so as the defection of that Church may be matter of astonishment to the present after generations Yet it is her mercy that there are not a few in her whom conscience Christian tenderness in their walke hath exposed to sad sufferings who therow grace have resolved to keep their garments cleane to preferre the peace of a good conscience to all the treasures of Egypt holding faith a good conscience of which many make shipwrack in the Lord their master's strength to hold fast their integrity to maintaine their ground though bonds afflictions should abide them The justification defence of such is the intended scope of this following treatise Which how well managed is left to thy discretion to Judge It is like such a worthy noble cause may suffer prejudice through the weakness of him who here doth appeare in its defence wherefore it is wished that some more able pen be engadged in this worke for clearing to the world the present sad case of that Church And vindicating her from aspersions calumnies which her adversaries laboure to fasten upon her To speak in the justification of such a mother would well become the most eminent of her Children It would be so far from being below them a disparagement that they might justly account it their glory to lay out themselves in the out most of their strength parts for the defence of such a cause when so few doe avow openly declare their owning of adherence to it But untill the Lord shall be pleased to stir up set on worke some more able to prompt them with a spirit of zeale courage for such an undertaking thou must rest satisfied with this poor essay for the time Only thou mayest give charity to the author that it was not his intention to wronge in the least so glorious a cause But seeing none else did undertake or appeare in it for any thing known to him He desired in a few words that something though it should prove little better then nothing might be said in for it to make it known how worthy it were the thoughts paines of a more able head hand to deale in Many It is like will be the exceptions taken at this piece moe then can now either be thought upon or obviated such as are most obvious wee shall endeavour to remove by briefly touching answering them Some may think it strange that a piece of this nature intended as appeareth from its straine for satisfaction of Churches abroad cometh not forth in a latine-dresse It is true it was intended at first so moulded drawn up as it might be published to the world in latine for the satisfying of strangers Churches abroad But upon second thoughts When the case of the suffering people in that Church Kingdome was considered It was thought expedient that it should first be published in English That such as had hithertil valiantly resisted to the losse of their meanes liberty might be strengthened confirmed in their resolution And the more encouraged to endure afflictions when they should see that they did suffer for righteousness sake that they were called thereto of God that others might be quickened to fol low their footsteps who had so cheerfully gone before them in the way Having hereby their doubts cleared scruples removed their judgements convinced in the point of duety this was found even necessary at such a time when their temptations did abound their faintings were like to grow when such as were able to give advice in difficult cases to encourage the weak were thrust away So the consulting of their present necessity did hasten it forth in this dresse Besides that many both in England Ireland may receive information edification hereby of which they should have been deprived if it had been published in latine Afterward if it be thought
who sometime could not only have beene a member but a president of any judicatory in Europe have spoken for the cause interest of Christ before Kings to the stopping of the mouths of gainsayers He was triumphed over particularly by the Archprelat Sharp who then with the black crue of his false brotherhood did sit in Parliament as constituting the third Estate And was condemned to die in the manner abovementioned So that that Parliament which was consecrated with the blood of two Noble witnesses in the entry was shut up and closed with the blood death of this worthy witnesse But which is to be remembered with admiration behold this half dead man when the day of his death came had a wonderfull reviving was beyond the expectation of all graciously visited mightyly assisted of God hearing the many prayers of his people put up in his behalf So as hee gave a noble testimony to that honourable cause worke In carrying on of which he had been honoured of God to be a worthy instrument from the beginning And Christ triumphed in him over all his enemies that watched for his halting as the reader may see by his speech carriage on the scaffold set down in Print But he may have hereafter more full satisfaction both concerning him the Noble Marquis of Argile famous Mr Guthry when the world shall see their Processes their defences in Print or when these following sheets shall be reprinted if that shall be thought expedient necessary not only for these now mentioned particulars but also for further explaineing confirming vindicating of any or all of the rest of the purposes here spoken to after fuller information had in those particulars Till then let the reader rest satisfied with the hints that are given here in the following sheets of the case carriage of those worthies pardone what is spoken short unsuitable to their worth As to those who have appeared before the High commission court induced thereto by the evil counsell of some others or the not thorow narrow examination of the complex-case as circumstantiated or being otherwayes circumvented And are now suffering upon some other account wherein they found more clearness satisfaction And as to others also who have not fully seen the evill of some things which in the following debate are clearly demonstrated to be sinfull yet as to other particulars are endeavouring to keep their former integrity to guaird against complyance Let none of those think that any thing here is said intentionally to put them to shame or to proclame before the world their weakness defection or to make glad the heart of the wicked for if there had been any other way for vindicating such as doe suffer upon the account of these particulars and for preventing the fall of others into the same snare this way had never been made choise of therefore seeing nothing is said upon any sinfull or sinister designe these brethren Christians will take this smiting as a Kindness these reproofs as an excellent oyle that will not break the head They will not take in evil part the discovery here made They are of another spiâ—…it then to be embittered at such free full â—…iping up of the evils of the course which many in this houâ—…e of darkness do follow Yea it cannot but be hoped certainly expected that such as truely feare the Lord will blesse his name with all their heart for such things made known to them that in time they may repent of the same see cause of wondering at his goodness mercy in not leaving them to themselves in other particulars of tryall notwithstanding of their sailing of duty in that their begun tryall And who knoweth but serious mourning and repenting before the Lord for fainting so far would open a doore for a great in-come of joy and consolation to the sweetning of the bitterness of suffering to the strengthning and bearing up of their soules under their mighty pressures So then the designe both Operantis Operis being good let no tender Christian be displeased with the way of the prosâ—…cution of these particulars or think that there is too much sharpness used that the consequences are drawn too strait For if in the Particulars themselves truth be maintained as may be supposed will be granted the arguments made use of can give no just offence especially such as are drawn from the Covenants which now are trampled upon by this sinfull backslyding Generation upon which many otherwise not ill minded think not much especially now when it is reckoned a crime once to name them as standing in force obligeing the lands And when the Spirit of these who carry on with violence this woefull course of defection are so enraged at the same that they cannot endure to heare a Covenant so much as named though it were even the Covenant of grace This however incredibleiâ—… may seeme to be will hardly be received by a Christian eare is a well known truth Now at such a time to put people in minde of their ingagements unto God to discover how such such practises are contrary to their Covenant obligations vowes cannot justly be condemned but approved of all who desire to stand fast in this houre of temptation It is beyond all question the Particulars here asserted shall meet with much contradiction from men of corrupt mindes whose principles will lead them to oppose what here is spoken in vindication of truth of the honest sufferers of Christ And upon that account it may be expected that the same honour shall be done to this which hath been done to other more worthy pieces viz. that it shall be committed to the fire there to receive a quick dispatch answer which will be so far from lessening the credit of the booke that it will render it much more desireable confirme the weake concerning the truth of the Particulars here spoken to of the unanswerableness of the arguments here made use of so the authors expectations shall be fully answered But if they shall doe it the justice to commit it to examiners one or moâ—… who with sobriety moderation shall publish their exceptions to the contrary shall examine these papers by the word of God right reason the fundamentall municipall lawes of Scotland the particulars here spoken to shall be revindicated The Lord granting life strength liberty from all their exceptions Only let not such as undertake this taske improve the advantage of authority now on their side so far as to doe nothing but raile at randome stuff their reply with unbeseeming to say no worse And Unchristian expressions outcries of treason treason for in that case it will be thought expedient not to answer such in their folly A good cause is a mighty second to a weak man And so being perswaded that the cause is
reason they ought to be if he be King head of his Church He must have no more liberty to exerce his jurisdiction by the Ministery of his inferiour officers within their dominions territories then seemeth good in their eyes The discipline of his house must be exerced only in so far as they think good to permit And thus it is undeny able that they look on Christ as an evil neighbour as no good friend to Caesar They think his Kingdom is of this world therefore it must have no place within any of their Kingdomes territories Thus thou seest that in end the controversy cometh to this Whether Christ or man shall reigne in the Church as head supream Governour thereof And whether the interest of Christ or of man shall be preferred And to preferre the interest of a man unto the interest of Christ hath heretofore been accounted malignancy of the deepest dye But what shall become of this controversie how shall it end Are they or shall they be able to put our Lord from his throne out of his possession No he is set upon the holy hill Zion by a mighty hand his inheritance among the heathen is given to him by a surer deed of gift then that he should be so easily put from it He hath a rod of yron that will dash in pieces as a potters vessel all his enemies be they never so great mighty He is too strong a party for all the potèntats mighty ones of the earth therefore this which is the grand controversy of those times shall must be decided in favours of those who stand upon Christ's side maintaine his right he is a strong captaine will run thorow all the hosts of his adversaries Christ's sufferers then may rejoyce what ever affliction they are or can be put to endure for this cause which is a cause that doth highly concerne Christ the royall prerogatives of his crown Kingdome his glory as he is the only head of â—…his Church seing they may certanely expect the victory â—…re all be done And seing as famous worthy Mr 〈◊〉 in the preface to his Aaronâ—… rode blossoming sheweth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Christ is 〈◊〉 King hath a Kingdome 〈◊〉 in his Church distinct frâ—…m the Kingdoms of the world 〈◊〉 civil Governmeâ—… 〈◊〉 this commendation and 〈◊〉 â—…oue all â—…hen 〈◊〉 that Christ himself suffered 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and sealeâ—… it with his blood For it may be 〈◊〉 fâ—…om the 〈◊〉 of his passion that this was the only pâ—…nt of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was 〈◊〉 And avouched by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Joh. 18 33 36 37. and Luk. 23 3. was most aggravated prosecuted and driven home by the jewes Luk. 23 2. Joh. 19 v. 12 15. Was prevalent with Pilat as the cause condemning him to die Joh. 19 12 13. And was mentioned also in the superscription upon his crosse Joh 19 19. And although in reference to God and in respect of satisfaction made to divine justice for our sinnes his death was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a price of redemption yet in reference to men who did persecute accuse and condemne him his death was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a martyr's testimony sealing such a truth Thus he Christ is a good second will not suffer any who contend for his crown throne scepter privileges roy all prerogatives of his Kingdom to be put to the worse If he pleade for any cause we may be sure he will plead for his own Let not then his constant valient sufferers feare for greater is he who is with for them then they who are against them Christ alone is more then match party against all Kings princes potentats Parliaments popes prelats Kingdomes armyes Yea all the Posse of devils men Therefore they may be assured that he his cause shall be victorious For he must reigne untill all his enemies be made his foot stool 5. Thou mayest see That the truth for which thou dost suffer is a truth which is after godlinesse tending to the promoveing of piety of the power of godlinesse Whileas the contrary cause course leadeth to all prophanity debauchery as experience doth this day evidently undenyably prove this is no small ground of comfort for the way which is not of for God cannot stand You may pray against your adversaries as really wicked driveing on a designe of wickednesse which is evidently demonstrated by their acts actings Their enmity against opposition unto godly faithfull Zealous able conscientious Ministers of the Gospell unto Christian meetings exercises As also their pressing of Godly conscientious persons unto perjury blasphemy which is the height of wickednesse do put the matter beyond all doubt And is not this enough to make thy soull loath stand a loos from these wayes And to blesse God for his preserving thy soull from their counsels courses so from partaking of their judgments which doe certainly make haste For God is of purer eyes then to look upon iniquity Therefore he will not alwayes look on these that deal treacherously hold his peace when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous then he The Lord hath ordained them for judgment the mighty God hath established them for correction when Agâ—…silaus did hear that Tissaphâ—…rnes a captaine of Persia had broken his Covenant which he had made with him was raiseing an army to come against him he was very glade said se magnam habâ—…re gratiam Tissapherni quod perjurio suo deos homines sibs infensos reddidisset adversae vero parti propitios He thanked him heartily that by his perjury he had made both God man angry at himself favourable to him and his cause may not his people be perswaded that God iâ—… this day displeased with the Covenant breakers who are not satisfied with their own treacherous dealing perfidiousnesse but will have all others intangled in the same guilt 6. Thou mayest see that Action which is now so much branded with the vile contemptible names of treachery rebellion I mean Scotlands defending of it self against its bloody enemies cleared from all these imputations foule calumnies changes of times make many Changes in peoples judgement at this time it may be feared that many have Changed their opinion because they see the watter runing in another channell then it did formerly are now ready to condemne these noble worthies valient champions who jâ—…oparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field have shed their blood in that cause which is a more grievous guilt then many do now apprehend But here thou seest how little cause there is for condemning that Action Yea what necessity there was laid upon Scoâ—…l to stand to their defence as they would not have betrayed the cause interest of Christ which they
the times as to condemne their own former proceedings to intertaine strange unbeseeming thoughts of the wonderfull works of the righthand of the most High wrought among them so become ashamed of their cause durst not adventure to speake in their own justification Therefor being consident of the good acceptance which this undertaking shall meet with from compassionate Christianly affected churches people about persuaded that God whose interest Cause this is will in his own good time arise plead the same vindicate his work from all the aspersions calumnies of men by a reviving therof in the middest of the years a best irring of himself for the carying on of the same untill the copstone be put on therby give such ane unanswerable Apologie as shall be sufficient to stop the mouths of all adversaries to confirme his followers comfort the saddened hearts of his sufferers This present piece of worke was the more chearfully undertaken to the end beside what use the present suffering members of that church might make hereof for their own satisfaction incouragement strengthening in the Lord that such of the nighbour churches about whose ears have been filled with the slanderous reports to the vexing of their souls raised by the adversaries of that church caryed on by all the art of hell to the strengthening confirming of their ill cause may be undeceived rightly informed touching the truestate of affaires in that church And to this end it will be sufficient in the first place to give a short clear Historicall relation of the troubles which the former Prelats which were in that church did creat unto her both in their rising when they did come unto their hieght of the wonderfull maner of the Lords bringing them down casting them out of that land church with shame disgrace And then to give some vieu of the present state of that church by mentioning some particulars which are the grounds of the present sufferings of the people of God there clearing the equity justice of their cause who have choysed affliction rathen then sin when by this means it shall be seen from what an exellent desirable state that church is now fallen as in a moment into what a condition of wo lamentation she is now plunged all who are Christianly affected with the afflictions of Joseph may be moved to compassionat her case to sympathize with her if they can do no more be stirred up to minde that bleeding swooning almost expiring church of Scotland at the throne of grace SECTION I. Shewing how the church of Scotland was long governed without Prelats after what maner they did arise to their height there without the Churches consent IT is not unknown that according to the testimonie of Origen Tertullian the Scots did embrace the faith amongst the first probablie as Buchan sheweth they received it from some of Iohn's disciples who fled by reason of the persecution caused by that bloudy Domitian so that about the year 203. which was the 4 year of King Donald the first Christian Religion was publickly professed the King himself his Queen diverse of the Nobles being solemnely baptized after which he purposed to root out Heathenisme out of the Kingdome but was hindered by wars with the emperour Severus There after about the year 277 King Cratilinth intended a Reformation but was much hindered by the heathenish Priests called Druides from their sacrificing in groves under oaks as some suppose who by their subtyle insinuations power had much influence upon the people yet the Lord did seconde the intentions of this good King sent several worthy men both ministers privat Christians from the South parts of Britan where the Nynth Tenth Persecution under Aurelius Disclesian did rage these for their single retired life were called Culdees quasicultores Dei more probably then because of their living in Cels and this work continowed till about the year 360 then did meet with a great interruption by reason of civill wars wherby the land was wasted all thâ—… Scots banished untill about the year 420 when Fergus the second came into Scotland whose son Ewen sent for the exiled Culdees gave them great encouragement they did set themselves to their worke And this continowed untill about the year 452 when Palladius being sent into Britaine by Pope Celestin came into Scotland who by his subtile insinuationâ—… did gaine so much upon the simple people as that in a short time he moved them to consent unto a change of the governement of the church into Prelacy himself became the Arch prelate But befor this Palladius came Scotland never saw a Prelate if our ancient Historiographers be to be beleeved such as Balcus in his Historie of the Britons c. cent 14. cap 6. saying Ante palladium Scoti c. befor Palladius came the Scots had their Bishops ministers by the ministry of the word of God chosen by the suffrage of the people after the custome of those of Asia but those things did not please the Romanes Beda in his History of England Lib. 1. who sayeth Palladiuâ—… ad Scotos c. i. e. Palladius was sent unto the Scots who beleeved in Christ by Celestin the Pope of Rome as their first Bishop Prosper in his Chron ad An. 436 saying Ad Scotos c. i e. unto the Scots then beleeving in Christ Palladius is ordained by Pope Celestin sent thither the first Bishop Iohn Fordon in his Scottish Chronic. lib. 3. c. 8. saying Ante Palladis adventum c. i. e befor the coming of Palladius the Scots had for teachers of the faith ministers of the Sacraments presbiters onely or Monks following the customes of the primitive church Iohannes Major speaking of the same Palladius who sayeth per sacerdotes monaches c. i. e. the Scots were instructed in the Christian faith by Priests Monks without any Bishop and Buchanan who sayeth nam ad id usque tempus c. i. e. to that very time speaking of Palladius coming into Scotland changing the governement the churches were ruled by monks without Bishops It is true Spotiswood in his late History would make the world beleeve that in the dayes of the Culdees there was no governement in the Church of Scotland but Prelaticall because Boetius sayeth that those priests or Culdees were wont for their better governement to elect some out of their number by common suffrage to be chief principall among them without whose knowledge consent nothing was done in any mater of importance that the person so elected was called Scotorum Episcopus farther as if his bare dissenting from Buchan would be enongh to blast the reputation weaken the credite of that Renowned Historian he sayeth p. 7. of his History what warrant he i. e. Buchan
professeth repentance with such solemne obtestations as affected the whole Assembly Upon this the sentence is delayed the presbitery of Glasgow is appointed to advertise the provinciall Synod of Lothian who were ordained to excommunicate him in case he relapsed And as they feared so he returned to his vomit with violence intended to enter the pulpit when the presbitery according to the appointment of the Generall Assembly were beginning a processe against him the Laird of Minto provost of the Town presented a warrant from his Maj. to stay the processe when they were going on he pulleth forth Mr. Iohn Howeson minister at Cambuslang Moderator imprisoned him in the Tolbooth But for all this Mr. Montgomery is excommunicated by Mr. Iohn Davidson the same was intimated in all the Churches The council declareth the sentence null against this the Ministers of Edenburgh give open testimonies in their preaching for this cause they are commanded to remove out of the Town within the space of twenty fowre houres At this time there was an Assembly sitting at Edenburgh who send some of their number with a supplication to his Majesty wherein they shew That indeed he was the Head of the Commonwealth but onely a member of the Church as a châ—…f member he should have the chief care thereof but now it was not so thâ—…r decrees are resâ—…inded they are forced by his servants Ministers are drawâ—…e out of pulpits that he was playing the pope usurping both the swords and when they come present it unto the Council the Earle of Arran cryeth out if there were any that durst subscribe the same where upon Mr. Andro Melvin answereth we dare taking a penne out of the clerks hand sayeth to his brethren who were commissionated with him comeforward so he they did subscribe the same This storme is not yet blowne over for the next year 1583. Mr. Andro Melvin is summoned before the Council for saying in his preaching That ministers should presente to princes the example of their predecessours as Daniel did the exemple of Nebuchadnâ—…zar to Belteshar But now if any should hold forth what evill King James the third got by a company of flatterers it would be presently said that he had gone from his text must be accused of treasone But when he compeareth he declineth their judgement affâ—…ming that what was spoken in pulpit ought first to be tried by the presbytery that they could not in primâ instantià medle therewith But they proceed though they could get nothing proven for his declining he is commanded to the Castle of Edenburgh then to Blackness but being advertised of his danger by his friends he retireth unto Berwick Annâ—… 1584. the storme groweth to a height for in May there is a parliament suddainly conveened which dischargeth all Church judicatories giveth the King power over all causes civil and ecclesiastick dischargeth all declining of the King his Council in any mater civil or ecclesiastick under the paine of treason also all Ministers to meddle in sermons with the affairs of his Highness his Estate see act 129 130 131 134. of the 8. parl of King James sixt when Mr David Lindsay Minister at Leith was sent by his brâ—…thren to intreatâ—…the King to paâ—…e no act in prejudice of the Church he is committed to Blackness there detained prisoner 47. weeks And Mrs Andro Polwart Patrick Galloway Iames Carmichel are denounced rebels are forced to flee into England So are the Ministers of Edinburgh forced to retire leaving an Apology behinde them But for all this when the acts of this Parliament were publishing Mr Robert Pont protested taking Instruments that the Church should not be obliged to yeeld obedience thereunto being denounced rebell he fleth into England Now is Mr Montgomery established Bishop of Glasgow one Mr Adamson as naughty vicious as any is setled in St Andrews no sooner get they up their head but as soon they execute their tyranny rage against the rest of the Ministry compelling them to promise obedience to them as their ordinaries under the paine of banishment confinement imprisonement deposition sequestration of their stipends Whereupon many in this day of trial did faint subscribe thinking it a sufficient salvo to adde according to the Word of God but afterward mourned for it Now none durst pray for the Ministers who had fled under the paine of treason so dark a day was this But neer the end of the next year there is a change as Court the Ministers returne a Parliament is called at Lithgow but nothing is done in favours oâ—… the Church At length 1586. the King was desirous to have some setling in the Church appointeth a Conference in February at Halyâ—…od house where some articles were drawne up referred to the General Assembly As 1. That the Bishop should have a care of one flock 2. That some Ministers should be added to him without whose counsell he should do nothing 3. His doctrine should be examined by the meeting 4. His power should be of Order not of Jurisdiction 5. Beside his own Church he might have the inspection of moe when the Assembly meeteth in May they could not assent to all these articles yet at length seeing they could not have all which they desired they accorde to this that both Bishops and Commissioners should be subject to the triall of the Generall Assembly that where they did reside they should moderate provinciall Synods Presbyteries in the meane time the order of the Presbyteries was sett down they proceed to examine the processe of Mr Adamson who had declined the provincial Synod of St Andrews he submitteth And the next year Anno 1587. Mr Montgomery resigned his place so was absolved from the sentence of Excommunication by the Assembly When the Parliament doth conveen this year Anno 1587. there are some Prelats who would sit there in name of the Church but when the Church perceived this Mrs David Lindsay Robert Pont were sent to desire that they might be removed as having no authority from the Church the most of them no function in it at all The prelats finding themselves now in a staggering condition thought it was their best to ingratiate themselves in his Majesties favour thereby secure themselves in their places therefore condiscended unto the Act of Annexation of all the Temporalites of benefices unto the Crown which was a dilapidating of the Church rents It is true Spotiswood putteth another face upon this busines in his History but the man could change with the times speake another thing in his English History then he durst speak in his Latine refutation for there he sayeth In summâ Ecclesiasticorum persidià proximis Comitâ—…is Anno 1587. transacta decreto ordinum actibus intervenientibus insinuata Nam Episcopi durissima quaeque à fratrâ—…bus
them concerning the day which was the second not the fifth that so such as would meet the second day being so few might easily be moved to dissolve before the rest came who would intend onely to keep the fifth day But the honest party perceiving how their liberties were now in danger did resolve to meet at Aberdeen accordingly there cometh from parts neerby some against the second of July unto whom Lawreston his Maj. Commissioner presented a letter from the Councell desired an answer They replyed that they behooved first to constitute themselves after he had withdrawn they choosed a moderator Clerk then read the letter wherein there were two things desired first that they would dissolve the meeting next that they would appoint no other day untill his Maj. were advertised As to the first they answered that they were ready to dissolve the meeting there being so few present To the next they answered that if Lawreston as his Maj. Commissioner would name a day they would aggree thereto if not they behooved to preserve their liberty so seeing Lawreston refused they appointed the next Assembly to be at Aberdeen the last Tuysday of Sept. advertised Presbiteries therof When Lawreston seeth this he protesteth against them as no lawfull Generall Assembly giveth his reasons which were answered they protest to the contrary thereupon by a messenger of armes he chargeth them to depairt under the paine of treason because as he alledged he had discharged them the night before by open proclamation at the mercat Crosse to conveen under the paine of treason he causeth denounce them rebells Whereupon in Septr Mr Welsh Mr Forbes were imprisoned by the Councill in Blackenesse in Octr. others were incarcerat In the mean time there is a Declaration dated at Hampton Court Septr 26. indicting an Assembly at Dundy the last Tuysday of July next Now the imprisoned ministers petitioned that the triall of that Generall Assembly might be referred to the indicted assembly at Dundee but are not heard And therefore when they are sisted before the Councill Octr 24. seeing that certainly the Assembly would be condemned they give in this Declinature following please your Lo The approbation or disallowance of a Generall assembly hath been should be a matter spirituall alwayes cognosced judged by the Church as Judges Competent within this Realme seing we are called before your Lo to hear see it found declared that we have contemptuously seditiously conveened assembled our selves in a Generall assembly at Aberdeen the first Tuysday of July last the said assembly to be declared unlawfull as an more length is contained in the summonds executed against us We in consideration of the premisses other reasons to be given in by us have just cause to decline your Lo. judgement as no wayes competent in the Cause above specified by these presents we simpliciter decline the same seing we are most willing to submit our selves unto the triall of a Ge nerall Assembly which is onely the Judge competent When the King heareth of this Declinature he lent down directions to the Councell to proceed against them according to the lawes sent down the Earle of Dumbar for that effect Whereupon six of them viz Mrs Iohn Forbes Iohn Welch Andrew Duncan Iohn Sharp Robert Dury Alexander Strachan are endited of high treason upon the act of Parliament 1584. sisted before an Assise at Lithgow and what by illegall procedures threatenings with fair promises used by the Earle of Dumber unto the Assisers some of whom were his own near kinssolk particularly by assurances that the king would not take their life they are declared guiltie of treason by nine of the fifteen Assisers so sent back to their prisons Then doth the king send for Mrs Andro Melvin Iames Melvin Iames Balfour William Watson William Scot Iohn Carmichel Adam Colt detaineth them long at London seeking to intangle them with questions at length Mr Andro Melvin is imprisoned in the Tower till the Duke of Bulloigne three years thereafter procureth liberty to him to go with him Mr Iames Melvin dieth at Berwick the rest are confined to severall places of the countrey While these ministers are at London the king signifieth his minde that the six condemned ministers should be banished out of his Dominions the other eight should be consined as followeth Viz Mr Farme in Bute Mr Monro in Kâ—…ntire Mr Youngson in Arran Mr Irvine in Orkney Mr VVilliam Forbes in Yetland Mr Gray in Caitnesse Mr English in Southerland Mr Rosse in Lewes In this same year Anno 1606. there is a parliament conveened in July which acknowledgeth his Maj. soveraigne authority princely power royall prerogative priviledge of the Crowne over all Estates persons causes promiseth to maintaine the same with their lives lands goods restoreth the bishops to their ancient accustomed honour dignities Prerogatives Previleges livings lands teinds rents thirds estates rescindeth the act of annexation Unto this Parliament the Commissioners from Synods presbiteries gave in a protestation desiring them to keep within their due bounds reserve unto the Lord that glory which he will communicate neither to man nor angel viz to prescribe from his holy mountaine a lively patterne according to which his own tabernacle should be framed that they would not bring into the kirke of God the Ordinance of man which hath been found the ground of much evill of that Antichristian Hierarchie That they would not build Iericho againe contrare to their oath subscription nor suffer that Estate of Bishops to arise which they offered to prove to be against the word of God the ancient Fathers Canons of the Church the moderne most learned godly Divines the Doctrine Constitution of the Church of Scotland the lawes of the Realme the well honour of the kings Maj. the peace quyetness of the realme the well of all every one of the subjects and then In the name of the Church in generall of their presbyteries in their own name of all other pastors for discharging of their duety consciences they did protest against bishopry bishops against the Erection Confirmation or Ratification thereof requireing the famine to be Registrated This protestation was subscribed by many ministers among others by Mr Adam Banatine Mr Iohn Abernethy Mr VVilliam Couper who afterward became bishops themselves When prelats are thus advanced to their civill dignities there are wayes essayed for advancing them in their spirituall power and this same year there is an assembly indicted at Lithgow the 10 of December but onely some presbyteries in whom the king confided most were advertised hereof the businesse was carried so closely that the moderator of the last assembly knew nothing of it Here after some debate the overture propounded by his
of one though their own father before their tyrannicall Court Now is there a black cloud over the Church for many years piety is dayly decaying formality profanity increasing the godly are mourning lamenting the wicked rejoyceing But the Prelats have not yet ended their purpose For Anno 1633. when King Charles was present at a Parliament there is an Act carried through but not without some opposition made thereunto by some of the Nobles granting power to his Maj. to command what habits he pleaseth for all men in office whether in Church or State that as a priviledge annexed to the Crowne by this means a door was opened to bring in the Surplice the Corner cap other trash These worthies being traduced by the Prelats as contemners of authority sowers of sedition in Church State procure the kings displeasure by their freedome For the king did not onely chide them openly but with his own hand he wrote down their names as disloyall subjects which made these Nobles thinke of drawing up a supplication which being drawn up by William Haig his Maj. solicitour was committed to the trust of the Earle of Rothes Lord Loudoun to present it as they found conveniency but they perceiving that it would not be well accepted resolved to keep it up But at length some way or other a copy thereof cometh to the Bishops hands they deliver it unto the king withall complaine of those Noble-men as standing in the way of his subjects yeelding chearfull obedience And upon their importunat requeests there is a Commission granted to certaine persons as a committee to proceed against the Authors abettors of that supplication as guilty of sedition treason Whereupon William Haig fleeth all his goods are confiscat Some Noblemen are questioned the Lord Balmerino who had the supplication in his custody is imprisoned at length condemned to die but obtaineth pardon Now the prelats do reigne there being none who durst peep or move a wing against them The Achprelate of Saint Andrews was Chancellour other eight of the prelats were in great places being either Lords of the privy Councell or Lords of the Exchequer being thus lifted up in power honour they are puffed up with pride what durst they not attempt now thinke they Therefore they proceed to do more wickedness draw up a book of Canons which was printed approven by the Kings Maj. all were commanded to obey the Bishops in all points By this book that which remained of presbyterian governement is taken away Parochiall Sessions Classicall Presbyteries are accounted Conventicles Ruleing Elders Deacons are cast out of the Church all Ecclesiasticall causes are brought only to the Pelats tribunall So were they about the drawing up of a Liturgy a Book of Ordination against which before ever they were printed or seen all were discharged to speak under the pain of Excommunication And at length the book of Common Prayer is published imposed on the Church by the kings command as the onely forme of publick divine worship Every Parish is commanded to have two at least of these books under the paine of horning being punished as rebells And a strict command cometh forth enjoyning the same to be used from Pasch forward Anno 1637. But some of the Prelats as of Rose Dumblaine did anticipate the day made use of it in their Cathedralls Others of the Prelats propone the matter to their Synods but the Ministers replyed that such a change should not be made without a Nationall Assembly but it was answered that they were the Representatives of the Church However some prelats gave Ministers liberty to advise untill Octob. but through the furious importunity of some a letter is procured from his Maj. commanding the useing of the Liturgy with all expedition in the Churches of Edinburgh The Ministers being called to see what they would do such as refused are presently suspended SECTION II. The way how the Lord brought down these Prelats the History continued IT was sad lamentable to see what a face the Church of Scotland had now No hedge of Discipline to keep the vineyaird from foxes wilde boars all the Discipline which was was tyrannie over consciences over mens persons estates profanitie was not curbed but encouraged Prelats themselves being chief in all those crying abhominations as will be cleared ere long yea that poor Church was now posteing fast to Rome The Prelats their underlings beside the points of Arminianisme which were accounted speciall pieces of their qualification did avow openly severall points of Popery so that it was taught publickly in the chief Citie That the Pope was not Antichrist And thus all things were growing worse the worship corrupted like to be corrupted more the mindes of people were filled with feares that God would depairt leave that Church altogether so thattheir case looked most deplorable desperat like But asoftentimes the Church people of God have found him who was the hope ofIsrael the Saviour thereof in times of trouble a ready help in time of need so did the poor Church of Scotland finde it now by experience that whē the storme was sorest it was neerest an end that this was as the darke houre before the dawning of the day for now the Lord awaketh as one after wine looketh through the cloud with Compassion on a long tossed sorely afflicted Church which had groaned under oppression of cruell task-masters till they could do no more sheweth that his hand was not shortened that it could not save but that he was the hearer of prayer that now his appointed time was come to take vengeance on his adversaries even the vengeance of his Temple And as ordinariely the Lords great works appear to carnall reason to be despicable at the beginning so the Lord began this great change alteration of affaires in that poor Church in a way that seemed not to promise much yet such a way it was as the hand of God was to be seen in it and seen carrying of it on wonderfully as shall appear In obedience to his Maj. last letter which commanded the reading of the liturgie in all haste the Bishop of Edenburgh the first sabbath day thereafter resolved to do it when he beginneth there ariseth a tumult among the people begun by some women which encreased so as that the prelate when he came out of the Church did hardly escape in the rest of the Churches of Edenburgh the reading was stopped Immediatly after dinner the Secret Counsell did meet resolve to search out the authors of this tumult commanded the use of the service book all to speake reverently of the Bishops but notwithstanding of this the people rage more then ever against the Prelats after the afternoons sermon they set upon the Prelate with stones forced him to
year 1662. or in time comeing as having no right thereto and that they do not acknowledge them for their lawfull pastours in repaireing to their sermones under the paine of being punished as frequenters of private conventicles meetings commanding chargeing the saids Ministers to remove themselves their families out of their parishes betuixt the first day of Novemb. thereafter not to reside within the bounds of their respective presbyteries This was very sad threatening no lesse then ruine to Ministers and their poor families to be put from their houses in the middest of winter to seek new places of abode not having the small stipend which was due to them allowed for to transport their families with all or to provide themselves in necessaries But yet they resolved to cast themselves on Gods providence trusting in his word accounting it better to suffer affliction with the people of God to enjoy peace of conscience then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season and accordingly did remove themselves By which meanes there were some hundereds of parishes left destitute the shepherds were scattered up down the land seeking a sheltering place for themselves It was a sad lamentable sight to see the sad farewell betwixt the loving pastor his beloved floke the teares the cryes and the bitter groanes that were there Now were the breasts pulled from the mouthes of the young infants the table was drawne the people were made to wander up downe the mountaines seeking the word of the Lord could not finde it they had silent Sabbaths empty pulpites some countrey sides were hereby laid utterly desolate And what could these faithfull Ministers do in this case but sigh groan to God seeing they could not in conscience yeeld obedience unto these commands therefore they resolved to be subject for conscience sake and to submit unto the punishment of banishment out of the bounds of the presbytery where they lived which was afterward made more sad for they were commanded to remove Twenty miles from their own parish Church Six miles from a a cathedrall three or foure miles from a brugh Now judge o reader whether this cruelty would not have more beseemed Turks how little cause there was for all this severity rigour to Ministers who had been endeavouring with some measure of faithfulnesse On their part fruitfulnesse through the Lor'ds blessing on their labours to enlarge the Kingdome of Iesus Christ to build up poor souls in their most holy faith because they would not give obedience unto such Acts as were but snares for the conscience to which obedience could not be yeelded without sin SECTION X. The oath of Alleagiance explained as to its civil part some reasons Against the taking thereof even upon that account adduced The act rescissory his Maj. prerogative canvassed AFter that there were some other Ministers whom the forementioned Acts did not reach removed out of some of the chief cities Brevi manu without any processe There are some wayes devised how moe of these might be removed with some colour or pretext therefore some Six or Seven were called before the Parliament at their second session and because they refused to take the oath which was tendered they were sentenced with banishment by act of Parliament ordained to remove off the Kingdome so soon as his Maj. commissioner should signify his minde the reanent But this sentence was not put in execution possibly because they saw an inconsistencie betuixt this deed an Act which they had made the former year in their first session By which all such as refuised to take that oath were to be uncapable of any publicke trust to be looked upon as persones disaffected to his Maj authority government this was all But in Decemb. 1662. The privy councell called some other Ministers before them tendered the oath unto them because of their refuiseing of the same they banished them out of all his Maj. dominions then gave them a bond to subscribe wherein they did binde themselves to remove out of all his Maj. dominions within a moneth not to returne under the paine of death otherwayes they would commit them to close imprisonment there keep them untill they had occasion to send them elswhere Whereupon these Ministers saw a necessity of subscribeing that bond of banishment Though it was very hard to binde themselves to remove within so short a time that in the midst of winter But strange it is that when the King himself by his oath at his coronation is bound to rule the land by the lawes and constitutions received therein This his councell which by the fundamentall lawes of the land as appeareth by the 12 Act of the 2 parliam of King Iames 4. whereby they are first established is to give his highness a true and essauld counsell in all matters concerning his Maj. and his realnie and to be responsall and accusable to the King and his estates of their counsell so is a judicatory subordinat unto the Parliament accountable to censur able by them would banish such as the lawes of the land did not account worthy of banishment whether they would do right if they should punish with death such a fault as by the Established lawes of the land deserved only to be punished by a fine or a summe of money let lawyers judge whether this be not an arbitrary illegall power which they have assumed any that considereth what is said the act 27. of the 2. Parliam of Char. 1. may judge possibly it was for this cause that they resuised to give an extract of their sentence although it was humbly craved But to clear what good grounds there were yet are for refuiseing to take that oath Let first the oath it self be considered compared with the former oath of alleagiance The oath now tendered is thus worded in the acts of this Parliament severall times I for testification of my faithfull obedience to my most gracious redoubted soveraigne Charles King of Great-Britaine france Irland c. affirme testify declare by this my solemne oath That I acknowledge my said soveraigne only supreme governour of this Kingdom over all persones in all causes that no forraigne prince power or state or person civill or â—…elesiasticke hath any jurisdiction power or superiority over the same and therefore do utterly reâ—…nce all forâ—…aigne power jurisdictions authorities shall at my out most power defend assist maintaine his Maj. jurisdiction foâ—…elaid against all deadly shall never decline his Maj. power jurisdiction as I shall answer to God This is the oath which they call the oath of alleagiance but is indeed very far different therefrom as will easily appear to any who will compare the same with that oath of alleagiance which King Iames treateth of in his dialogue
Prins Soveraigne power of Parliaments c. Where the matter is fully cleared both in poynt of law conscience which was published by order of Parliament and a book intituled de jure Magistratus insubditos Trochreg's commentary on the Ephesians where he will finde this question prudently judiciously and satisfactorily handled from pag. 911. to 925. Thus in some measure is this Ninth particular cleared the Iawfulnesse of Scotland's defensive warre clearly showne hereby the unlawfulnesse of swearing any oath which might have imported a condemning of that warre is also demonstrated By what hath been said to this Ninth particular the Tenth last is likewise cleared viz. The lawfulnesse of Scotland their seizing upon the Castles within themselves For if it be lawfull for a land to defend themselves to use resistence by armes in their own necessary defence It is also lawfull for them to seize upon such castles strengths as may prove a fit necessary meane of defence It is lawfull to possesse these keep them out against the enemies of the countrey who if they had them would make use of them for the destruction of the land for the subversion of Religion Lives liberties What ever law will allow of self defence will also allow the use of all fit meanes for that end For the end includeth the meanes leading to the end Moreover these Castles Fortifications were originally appointed for the saifty security of the Kingdome of none else therefore at the learge treaty it is concluded in answer to the second demand That the Castle of Edinburgh and other strengths of the Kingdome should with the advice of the Estates of the Parliament according to their first fundation be fournished and used for defence and security of the Kingdom So that hereby the King approved of all which was done in this businesse before acknowledged that according to their first fundation they were for the Kingdom 's advantage It is true these Castles were annexed to the Crown Parl. 11. Act 41. King Iames 11. but that was done to guaird against the poverty of the real me for all that the King might not give them away in fee or heritage nor in franck tenement without the advice deliverance decreet of the whole Parliament And for great soon reasonable causes of the realme otherwise any alienation or disposition was to be of no avail And it was enacted that the Kings of Scotland should be sworne at their coronation to keep his statute in all points Act 9. Parl. 9. king Iam. 6. sayeth that These Castles are for the welfare of the realme as well as for his Maj. behoofe so Act. 125. Parl. 7. K. Iam. 6. The Castles are called the keyes of the realme So though the King hath the custody command of them yet it is alwayes in order to the right end that is for the saifty good of the countrey if he should make use of them for the ruine destruction of the countrey they should be abused might lawfully be taken out of his hand converted to the right use as when a father turning mad will kill his children with a sword the children may lawfully take the sword from him with which he was bound to defend them against the common enemy make use of it in their own defence Castles fortifications are not the King's patrimony but belong to him as King Governour of the land so that he is to make no use of them but for the countreyes good he cannot dispone sell them as he may do other things that belong to his patrimony Therefore Scotl. cannot be blamed for seizing on these for their own saifty seing this is their native end the only thing they were ordained for Nor can any be blamed for refuseing that oath which would have imported a condemning of this lawfull necessary deed Thus reader thou hast shortly laid before thee a hint of what clear grounds there were of stumbling at the taking of this oath as to the very civil part thereof seing this civil supremacy is must be the same with his perogative his prerogative is such as hath been showne A difference betuixt the supremacy the prerogative is not imaginable unlesse it be this that the supremacy is more comprehensive taketh in all the prerogative something more yea by some posteriour acts they are made of one the same latitude as in the act for the national Synod the setling of the external government of the church is said to belong to his Maj. as an inherent right of the crown how by vertue of his prerogative royall and supreme authority so that his prerogative royall supreme authority are made one if they be one as to ecclesiastical matters much more must they be one the same as to civill matters more clearly in the King's commission for the heigh commission where it is said His Maj. by vertue of his royall prerogative in all causes and over all persons etc so that any may see that his supremacy over all causes is one the same thing with his prerogative Moreover this is certane that who soever do acknowledge recognosce the King 's power supremacy in all causes and over all persons do acknowledge recognosce all that which they say agreeth to him as King and who soever do acknowledge recognosce this do acknowledge recognosce his royall prerogatives for his royall prerogatives are such things as agree to him as King because they are annexed to the crown as they say It is true in their 11 act of parl the acknowledgment of his Maj. prerogative is mentioned beside the oath of alleagiance But that will nor make them to differ so far yea the acknowledgment of his Maj. prerogative is but explicatory of a part of that supremacy mentioned in the oath of alleagiance So that his prerogative over parliaments over their actions over all other subjects is but a part of that supremacy which they say he hath over all persons in all causes So in the oath for asserting his majesties prerogative defensive armes the Kingdomes entering in a league with England all their proceedings in the work of reformation are condemned this cannot be denyed though there be an expresse oath afterward conceived of purpose for that end viz the declaration set forth â—…ept 2. 1662. SECTION XII The meaning of the oath of Alleagiance as to its ecclesiastick part opened some reasons why upon that account it could not be taken THe civil part of this oath of alleagiance being thus spoken to in the next place the ecclesiastick part must be handled when this is but explained reasons without much difficulty will appear why as to that part of it it could not then nor as yet can in conscience be subscribed unto In this part as in the other the sense
which the tenderers thereof do put upon it must be searched sought for out of their acts for though it could have been wished both reason religion would have required it that after the example of Abraham they had made the oath as plaine easie as might be so that the sense meaning of it had been obvious to all or had annexed such a glosse meaneing as the words in ordinary construction would bear tender Christians might saifly assent unto yet there was no such thing done yea not being desired to do it would they do it yea nor would they suffer any to enquire at them in what sense they would have the oath taken yea which is more they made an act dischargeing all to offer any sense of the oath under the paine of treason So that there is no way now left to finde out the meaning of the oath as to this part but by their acts actings which when considered together with some other things usefull in this bussinesse will help to cleare the true sense thereof Three things then must be spoken to 1. The rise progresse of this bussinesse which is imported by this part of the oath viz the Kings supremacy over persons ecclesiastick in ecclesiastick causes in England 2. The rise progresse of it in Scotland 3. Some acts deeds of the King Parliament who now tender it As to the first of these It is notour enough what King Henry the Eight did when upon some privat discontents he shook off the Pop's supremacy Anno 1530. for having caught the Clergy in a Premunire for countenanceing some way or other the Pop's legat he would not be satisfied with their payment of 100000. lib unlesse also they would acknowledge him for the supreme head of the Church on earth which after some debate in their Synod both in the upper lower house of convocation was condescended to in forme as followeth cujus c. of which Church viz the Church of England we recognosce his Maj. to be the singular protectour the only supreme Lord so far as Christ's lawes will permitt the supreme head This was subscribed unto by all put into their publicke acts or instruments presented to the King afterward Parl. 24. c. 12. upon this ground it was statuted ordained that all ecclesiasticall suites controversies should be determined within the Kingdom all appeals to Rome were prohibited and Parl. 25. c. 20. The manner of electing of Archbishops Bishops was altered that power given granted to the King and upon this same foundation Parl. 26. c. 1. it was declared that the King is supreme head of the Church of England that he should have all honours preheminences which were annexed unto that title after this there followed another act c. 3. for Tenths first fruits as appertaineing to that head-shipe supreme authority Hence also Anno 1532. The convocation submitting unto the King's Maj. promiseth in verbo sacerdotis That they would never from thence forth presume to attempt allaidge clame or put in ure enact promulge or execute any new canons constitutions ordinances provinciall or others or by whatsoever name they shall be called in the convocation unlesse the Kings most royall assent may to them be had to make promulge execute the same that his Maj. do give his most royall assent authority in that behalfe Which deed of theirs the Parliament did shortly thereafter ratifie in these termes That none of the said clergy from thence forth should presume to allaidge clame or put in ure any constitutions or ordinances provinciall or synodall or any other canons nor should enact promulge or execute any such canons constitutions or ordinances by whatsoever name or names they may be called in their convocations in time coming which alwayes shall be assembled by the Kings write unlesse the same clergy may have the kings most royall assent license to make promulge execute such canons constitutions ordinances provinicall synodall upon paine of evry one of the said clergy doing the contrary to this act thereof convicted to suffer imprisonment and make fine at the king's will 25. Parl. c. 19. So Parl. 35. c. 1. There was another oath devised ratified which was to be imposed upon the subject for the more clear asserting of the King's supremacy By these Particulars any may see that Peter Martyr had good ground to say as he doth on 1. Sam. 8. That King Henry took all that power to himself which the Pope challenged atque hoâ—… fortasse est quod Rex Angliae voluit se secundum Christum appellari caput ecclesiae putavit enim campâ—…testatem quam sibi Papa usur paverat suamesse in reguo suo ad se pertinere i. e he would there fore be called head of the Church next under Christ because he thought that all that power which the Pope did usurpe did belong to him within his own dominions and he had good ground to say that it was a proud title which gave much offence unto the godly Nor was it without reason that judicious Calvin did inveigh so much against that title in his commentary on Amos 7. saying qui juitio tantopere etc. i e. They who at the first did so much extoll Henry king of England were no doubt inconsider as men they gave unto him the supreme power over all and this did alwayes wound me They were blasphemous when they called him supreme head of the Church under Christ. So that Peter Heylyn must not be beleeved when he telleth the world in his discourse of the reformation of the Church of England pag. 13. That thâ—…se statuts which concerne the kings supremacy are not introductory of any new right that was not in the crown before but only declaratory of an old againe pag. 48. 49. That when the supremacy was recognized by the Clergy in their convocation to king Henry 8. It was only the restoreing of him to his propper and originall power invaded by the popes of these later ages for that title of supreme head not only seemed to have some what in it of an innovation as himself is forced to acknowledge in the following words but really had an innovation in it of no small consequence as shall appeare But this title of supreme head gave offence both at home abroad therefore Queen Elizabeth did change it into this of supreme governour over all persons as well in all causes ecclesiastick as civill in these tearms it was keeped is to this day But all this change did not much help the matter for many were offended even there at and what wonder seing it seemed to attribute to her Maj. no lesse spirituall jurisdiction power then what the former oath did importe Whereupon the Queen in the first year of her reigne after the Parliament had condescended on the forementioned oath published an
admonition in her injunctions of purpose to explaine interpret the sense meaning thereof gave it this sense That nothing was is or shall be meant or intended by the same oath to have any other duty alleagiance or bond required by the same then was acknowledged to be due to the most noble kings of famous memory King Henry 8. her Maj. father King Edward 6. her Maj. brother That her Maj. neither doth nor ever will challenge any other authority then that which was challenged lately used by the saids noble kings which is and was of ancient time due to the imperiall crowne of this realme That is under God to have the soveraignity rule over all manner of persones borne within these realmes dominions countreyes of what estate either ecclesiasticall or temporall soever they be so as no other forraigne power shall or ought to have any superiority over them And this was confirmed by Parliament 5. Eliz. cap. 1. But neither did this remove the offence for still the oath did import more then soveraignity over all persones even over all causes also and it was certaine that King Henry 8. did both challenge use more power then that therefore the convocation of the clergy meeting Anno 1562. took notice of the offence saw a necessity of declareing another sense for the satisfaction of all this they did Artic. 37. declaring signifying That there was no authority in sacred matters contained under that title but that only prerogative which had been given alwayes to all Godly princes in holy scriptures by God himself viz That they should rule all Estates and degrees committed to their charge by God whether they be Ecclesiasticall or temporall and to resâ—…raine with the civil sword the stbbâ—…rn and evildoâ—…rs as also to exclude thereby the Bishop of Rome from having any jurisdiction in the realme of England this Article was assented unto by the Parliament 13. of Eliz. c. 12. is insert in the statute book But under favour any may see that this covering was not sufficient to hide the deformites of that oath as worded for all the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome was hereby excluded now the Bish. of Rome's power was more then civil for it was ecclesiastick also the oath gave unto the Queen that which was taken away from the Pope more over supreme governour in causes ecclesiastick importeth more then this explication doth And therefore it had been much better if no more had been intended then this explication saifly taken doth hold forth to have changed the words of the oath made them more conformable to the glosse for every one who readeth seeth this sense will not be able to discerne an harmony betwixt them the oath as worded holding forth more then the glosse hence it was that for all this glosse the English divines were put to much trouble to defend themselves when sorely pressed with the words of the oath they seemed to be at some losse disadvantage were constrained to run from the words of the oath unto the glosse which is a sufficient proof that if no more be intended by the oath then what is held forth in the glosse giveÌ„ the oath ought to be otherwayes worded hence also it is that all the followers of Erastus to this day do look upon the Church of Engl. as wholly of their judgment this puteth such divines as write against Erastianisme to great paines to search out the meaning of the English divines to answere that objection certanely these divines would have wished that the oath had been otherwise worded So that adversaries might have had lesse ground to boast of the Church of Englands being of their judgment Yea Triglandius in dissâ—…rt de Civil Eccles. pot Waveth the English divines in this poynt fearing possibly that he should not be able to extricate himself out of the thicket of difficulties which he might see before him therefore sayeth Cap. 8. Pag. 154 155. Controversiam Anglorum i. 〈◊〉 We owne not the controversie of the Englishes with Papists upon this subject aâ—… owrs for we are not of the judgment of Papists nor are we necessitated to defend our judgment by the judgment of the English divines And again in his Amapologia Pag. 726. Col. 2. Quamvis non diâ—…eamur c. Though we cannot deny but they i. e. the Englishes in respect of the usurped hierarchie there and the King's power over it have extended the King's supremacy furder then it ought to have been And Apollonius in his Ius Majestatis Part. 1. Pag. 11. telleth us that Some reformed divines in the heat of disput against the Papists out of hatred to the Roman hierarchy did turne a little out of the right way that they spoke according to the lawes of that Kingdome common-wealth in which they lived This especially is to be noted in those divines who wrote of the King's supremacy in the Kingdome of England The learned have seen the writtings of Lancelot Tooker Burchill Thomson and Salcobrig c. And the writtings of their adversaries who debated with them concerning the King's supremacy all who are not slaves in their judgments unto the great ones of the World may see clearly that there are failings on both hands And againe out of Didoclave Pag. 43. he telleth us That albeit they did blote out the metaphoricall title of the head of the Church lest it should give offence put in its place the Supreme Governour Yet the sense was the same for Henry of Salisburry sayeth That the King of England is the primat of the Church of England that he is a mixed person having both Ecclesiastick temporal Jurisdiction that in a supreme way proveth from the statute I. Eliz that the jurisdict Eccl. which was or might have been exercised by any spirituall or Church power for visiting the Ecclesiastick state order for reforming bringing into order punishing Churchmen all sort of errors schismes abuses offences enormities within the Kingdome is for ever annexed unto the Crown So that it is too too apparent that severall of the English divines run a furder length give a larger exposition of the supremacy So dangerous a thing is it to admit of oaths which must have strained glosses commentaries for clearing of them which the words will not in a faire construction bear moreover if any consult the later actings of King Parliament there in England they shall see a far other sense put upon it such as plead for the present change of Church government there walk much upon this supremacy particularly the author of the grand case asketh how any man who hath taken or is willing to take that oath can speak against the King's power of setting up what forme of Church government he pleaseth in the Church which whether it may not make Englishmen of a truely tender conscience
scruple now at the taking of that oath let wise men judge Next as to the rise of this power over the Church the occasion of this oath in Scotland seing it may sufficiently be gathered from the short historical narration of the government of the Church set down Sect. 1. a short recapitulation will be sufficient here In the confession of faith which was ratified approved by the Parliament Anno 1560. againe ratified insert in the records Anno 1567 cap. 25. the power in Church matters which is there given unto the civil Magistrat is in these words That to them chiefly and most principally appertaineth the conservation purgation of religion and they are appoynted for the maintenance of the true religion and for suppressing of idolaâ—…ry and superstition in that same Parl. An. 1567 Act 2. there is an act which was made Anno 1560. ratified ordaineing that the â—…ishop of Rome called the Pope have no jurisdiction or authority within this realme and that none of his Maj. subjects suite or desire title or right of the said Bishop of Rome or his sect to any thing within his realme under the paine of banishment c. and that no Bishop use any jurisdiction in time coming by the said Bishop of Romes authority under the paine forsaid whereby the Popes authority was quite rejected not only in civil matters but in Church matters yet there is no expresse word of the Kings being invested with any such power Anno 1568. There was one Thomas Bassenden Printer in Edinburgh who did printe a book intituled the fall of the Roman Church and in that book the King was called the supreme head of the Church This gave great offence moved the generall assembly to cause call in these books to delete that title of the Kings But all this did not preserve the Church from incroachments for when Montgom pretended Archb. of Glasgow was proceeded against the king summoned the whole synod of Lothian before him afterward when this same Mr Montgomery was summoned before the Nationall Assembly there came a Messinger of armes from his Maj. to discharge the Assembly under the paine of rebellion of puting of them to the horne to proceed any furder whereupon the assembly did complaine of this incroachment April 27 Anno 1580. as such the like whereof had never been made before But this availed not for Mr Balcanquell Mr Dury were summoned before the Councell for some freedome which they had used in preaching Of this the Assembly did complaine againe which occasioned a conference betwixt the King some Ministers the result whereof was That in all time coming the tryal of Ministers doctrine should be referred to Church Iudicatories as the only competent Iudge But this was soon forgotten for Anno 1581. Mr Balcanquell was againe accused the privileges of the Church were incroached upon which did put the Church to supplicat Anno 1582. complaine that His Maj. by advice of some consellours was about to take the spirituall Power authority upon himself propperly belonging unto Christ as the King head of his church of the ministery the execution thereof unto such as bear office in ecclesiasticall government so that in his person some men presse to erect a new Popedome as if his Maj. could not be full King head of the commonwealth unlesse the spirituall as well as the temporall power should be put into his hand unlesse Christ be bereft of his authority the two jurisdictions confounded which God hath divided which tendeth directly to the wrecke of all true relig it their next assembly there was an article drawn up to be presented unto his Maj. to this affect That seing the jurisdiction of the Church was granted by God the Father through our Mediator JESUS CHRIST given to those only who by preaching overseeing bear office within the same to be exercised not by the injunctions of men but by the only rule of God's Word That an Act of Parliament concerning the liberty jurisdiction of the Church be so plainely declared that hereafter none other under whatsoever pretence have any colour to ascribe or take upon them any part thereof in placeing or displaceing of Ministers of God's Word in spirituall livings or offices without the Churches admission or in stopping the mouthes of preachers or taking upon them the judgment or tryall of doctrine or of hindering or disannulling the censures of the Church or exeeming any offendour there from By the endeavours of these faithfull worthies any may see what a Spirit was stirring then when the King would assume to himself spirituall power authority so rob Christ of that which belongeth to him as King head of the Church make himself a Pope the fountaine of all power jurisdiction both civill ecclesiastick challenge power to give commission for deposeing ordaineing of Ministers hinder free preaching to try censure doctrine to anull all Church censures as he pleased This was the Spirit that was then stirring at court this is the supremacy to the life this was it which court parasites said did belong unto the crown let the Church say do to the contrary what she could Hence a little after this Mr Melvin was accused for his sermon after he had declined the King his Councell as incompetent judges in that cause was forced to withdraw to Berwick for fear of his life Anno 1584. The Parliament which was suddainely convocated did put the copestone upon this bussinesse gave the King in forme what he had assumed to himself formerly upon the matter in their very first Act give him Royal power and authority over all Estates as well spiritual as temporal within the realme And Statute and ordaine that he and his heires or successours be themselves and their Councels in all time coming judges competent to all persones of whatsoever Estate degree function 〈◊〉 condition they be of spiritual or temporal in all matters that none decline their judgement in the premisses under the paine of treason From this supremacy flowed the impowering of Bishops with Church jurisdiction as commissioners from the King so that when the King wrote unto a Prelat he stilled him Our beloved Clerck Commissioner in Ecclesiastical causes So that by this supremacy the power of Church jurisdiction was made propper to the King the exercise thereof was committed by him to whom he would After this blast was something blown over Anno 1592. Papists others at court stirr up his Maj. against the government of the Church so that when the commissioners of the Generall Assembly had met had sent some of their number to shew the King what offence was taken at his calling home the Popish Lords he was offended asked how they durst meet without his warrâ—…nd But Mr Andrew Melvin answered That there were two Kings two
Kingdomes in Scotland that Christ was a King the Church his Kingdome that he himself was a subject unto Christ a member of his Church neither head nor King thereof that the spirituall office bearers to whom he had committed the government of his Church had power warrant to conveen But the King went on told the Ministers thereafter That there should be no agreement betwixt him them untill the marches of their jurisdiction were rid that they might not speak in pulpit of the affaires of the Estate or Councell that no Generall Assembly should meet without his special command that Church judicatures should meddle with fornication luch like scandalls but not with causes whereupon his lawes do strick shortly thereafter Mr Blake was summoned did decline his declinature was owned by severall hundereds of Ministers when King Iames saw this he laboured to ensnare the Ministery therefore invented the bond which was mentioned Sect. 1. Pag. 27. whereby any may see what was intended designed But when he is in possession of the crown of England then the poor Church findeth his hand heavier then formerly for Anno 1606. Six Ministers were convicted of treason condemned for declineing the councell as an incompetent judge in matters ecclesiastick all by vertue of the Act of Parl. 1584. And the Parliament which did meet that yeer 1606. to make all sure did acknowledge his Maj. soveraigne authority princely power royall perogative privilege of his crown over all Estates persons and causes whatsoever and ratifieth approveth and perpetually confirmeth the same at absolutely amply and freely in all respects and considerations as ever his 〈◊〉 or any of his royall progenitoure Kings of Scotland in any time by gone possessed used and exercised Thus was the copestone of this supremacy put on againe And at that pretended assembly at Glasgow Aâ—…no 1610. it was acknowledged that The indiction of the Generall Assembly did appertaine unto his Maj. by the prerogative of his royall crown And it was ordained that the oath which is set down before pag. 37. be sworne by all ministers at their ordination the Parliament which conveened Anno 1612. ratified all this And finally Anno 1633. in the 1 Parl. of King Charles Act 3. that Act which was made Anno 1606. was againe ratified this conclusion was drawne from it that he hath power to prescribe what apparell he thinketh fit for Kirk men which was done of purpose for this end that his Maj. might with greater facility get the use of the surplice by Ministers established by law and practised And now by all this any may see what is the nature of that supremacy which the higher powers have been all alongs grasping after which the faithfull servants of Christ have been withstanding according to their power But in the last place the sense meaning of this late Parliament which did tender the oath must be sought out of their acts actings out of some commissions granted by his Maj. thereby it shall be seen what ground there was of scrupling at the oath how the feares of such as did then scruple at the oath were not groundlesse seing the after actings of king Parliaâ—… have abundantly confirmed the apprehentions which such had of their giving to the King of his taking more power in Church matters then themselves would then acknowledge or confesse did belong to him Now for clearing what power was then is now assumed by given to the King in Church matters these particulars may be noticed 1. When these Six or Seven Ministers who were cited before the Parliament had offored a sense in which they would willingly have taken the oath they could not be heard though they granted unto him in their sâ—…nse offered as much power in Church matters as the word of God the confessions of faith both of the Church of Scotland of other reformed Churches did allow for they did grant that his soveraignity did retch ecclesiastik causes objectively though in its own nature it was alwayes civill extrinsick But this did not satisfie therefore it was evident enough that they did intend some other thing by that oath then every one could well see 2. In the 4. Act of their first session it is made a part of the Kings prerogative That none of his heighnesse subjects of whatsoever quality state or function presume to convocat conveen or assemble themselves for holding of councells to treat consult determine in any matter of state civil or ecclesiastick except in ordinary judgments without his Maj. speciall command of expresse license had obtained thereto under the paines c. By which it is apparent that they will have no Church judicatories without his command or license otherwise his prerogative is violated so it is a piece of his perogative supremacy to have all these assemblies depending â—…o upon him as civill meetings do that is that they shall be null without his expresse consent and command for this part of the act is in every word conforme relative to that black act Anno 1584. viz act 3. parl 8. King Iam. 6 by which all Church judicatories which had been set up conforme to the second book of discipline viz sessions presbyteries synods were discharged 3. In the 16 Act of the first session concerning religion and Church government they say That as to the government of the Church his Maj. will make it his care to setle secure the same in such a frame as shall be most agreeable to the word of God most suiteable to monarchicall governement most complying with the publicke peace quyet of the Kingdome in the meane time his Maj. with advice consent foresaid doth allow the present administration by sessions presbyteries Synods So that by this act it is clear that they think that there is no particular forme of Church government sâ—…t down in the word 2. That every nation is left at liberty in this to choose what forme they will as most suitâ—…ing to civil government complying with the people temper 3. That he is judge of what forme of government is most agreeable to the word of God 4. That this governement must be some other government then that which is by Sessions Presbyteries and Synods which is but allowed in the interim 4. There is a commission or act from his Maj. for a Nationall Synod ratified by Parliament in their second Session which is worth the noticeing the Act is thus worded For as much as the ordering disposall of the externall government of the Churh the nomination of the persones by whose advice matters relating to the famine are to be setled doth belong to his Maj. as an inherent right of the Crown by vertue of his prerogative Royall supreme authority in causes Ecclesiastick And in prosecution of this trust his Maj. considering how
not put to take that acknowledgement they could not refuse the oath upon the account of these consequences contained in the acknowledgement Ans. So is the Declaration dated Sep. 2 1662. Set down as distinct from the Acknowledgement yet who ever sweareth subscribeth the Acknowledgement doth sweare subscribe the Declaration upon the matter so is it here who ever taketh the oath of alleagiance doth upon the matter take the acknowledgem also for it is not possible to see any discrepancy betwixt them save such as is betwixt the text the commentary for the acknowledgm is nothing else upon the matter then an explication or Exegesis of the oath in the acknowledgem the same thing is said assirmed in plaine full clear tearmes which is but in generall affirmed in the oath By their Acts they declare what things they account privileges of the crowne all these they comprehend under his supremacy so in their account his supremacy over all persons the prerogatives royall or privileges of the crowne are all one Therefore they could not acknowledge this supremacy because they could not acknowledge the prerogatives royall See this objection further answered above Pag. 168. In the next place there are objections of another nature which must be answered as 1. Obj. Such as refuse this oath of alleagiance declare that they are not dutyfull loyall subjects which Ministers Christians ought not to do Ans. It hath been showne at the beginning of the tenth Section what difference there is betwixt this oath the oath of alleagaince there is no Minister or Christian who would scruple at the taking of the pure oath of alleagiance Yea they would account themselves obliged to take the same if there were any necessity or just suspition of disloyalty in them which might occasion the same King Iames in his book called God the King sheweth that those treacherous persones who occasioned the frameing of the oath of alleagiance were the Pope's bloody emissaries following the principles of Rome practiseing unparalleled treacherie against King Queen Parliament among whom none will have the fore head to reckon such as did now refuse the oath as it was tendered It is the supremacy in Church state which only was scrupled at the acknowledging of this supremacy is no part of alleagiance for one may acknowledge his father to be his father though he should not say that he hath power as a father over his soul conscience one may acknowledge the King of Britane lawfull King of his dominions though he should not acknowledge him to have as much dominion power over them as the great Turk usurpeth over his dominions And therefore letnone so interpret that passage of the Apology for the ministers of England pag. 2. Where they prove that they cannot be challenged as guilty of Laese Majestie because they acknowledge that the King is defender of the faith in all causes the supreme head Governour over all persons as well ecclesiastik as civil as if they would assert that all in Scotland who do refuse this oath acknowledgement were guilty of Laese Majesty merely upon the account of their refuseing of the oath seing as hath been showne their case the case of Scotland is not every way the same though they give out this as an evidence of their loyalty yet they do not pitch upon it as proprium quarto modo unto a true loyal subject 2. Obj. Will you allow his Maj. no power in Church matters Ans. yes Even all that power which the first confession of the Church of Scotland doth allow viz. tho conservation purgation of religion the maintenance of the true religion the suppressing of idolatry and superstition as also all that which the later confession concluded by the Assembly of divines at Westminster doth allow As also as much as sound reformed divines grant unto him according to the word of God He hath power over the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 things extrinsecall that properly belong unto the outward man are common to the Church with other societies He is Custos utâ—…sque tabulae in a civill manner must have a care of both the tables of the law It were tedious here to set down all the particulars See Gillespy in his Aarons rod blossoming lib. 2. cap. 3. the CXI Propositions which are full enough to this purpose 3. Obj. Why then was this oath refused seing no more was required thereby Ans. More yea much more was required as appeareth by what hath been said cleared from their Acts actings especially from their refuseing of the sense given in by these Ministers who were detained so long prisoners in the Tolbooth thereafter banished which was large enough possibly larger then some of these who gave it afterward upon second thoughts would approve It is beyond questioning that this Parliament giveth unto the King by vertue of this prerogative as annexed to the crown far more then ever the confession of faith of that Chuch or any other protestant reformed Church did give And as they give so he taketh more as might be evidenced by his letter unto the Archbishop of York if it were now at hand 4. Obj. But whatever they assume to themselves it is not much matter Seing none 〈◊〉 put to affirme that so much power doth belong unto him the oath tendered hath not so much in it in terminis Ans. When an oath is contrived in such generall comprehensive termes as may take in much when there is no other way to finde out the iust latitude meaning of it but by their Acts actings who tender it it is of much concernment to know what sense their actions will put upon it for by their actions the true sense must be learned For it is a received known principle that oaths must be taken according to their known sense meaning of the words who tender the same because oaths were first invented for their security therefore whosoever would deal honestly Christianly in taking an oath must take it in the very sense that it is understood in by such as tender it Otherwise the holy name of God shall be taken in vaine the takers of the oath shall deal deceitfully in frustrating the end of the oath the designe of the tenderers thereof To take an oath Quatenus Eatenus in fo far will not satisfie as worthie D. Voetius judgeth de Pol. Eccl. p. 283. 5. Obj. This shienesse were good in case the oath as worded could bear such a sense as is supposed to be meaned by the tenderers But it is not so here Ans. It is certane the oath as to the part controverted is conceived in generall termes It is certane that their sense who tender it is not sound it is certane that there is nothing in the oath contradicting their sense meaning Yea it is certane that the very
oath it self as worded will take in all their sense meaning For it giveth to him a supremacy of power both over Civill Ecclesistick persones causes all persons all causes will take in both supreme Governour over all these persons in all these causes will take in a great power a very large supremacy Yea the very grammaticall construction of the oath will bear this large sense fully enough Any of understanding may easily see these three things here 1. That the King is the same way supreme Governour over Church men as he is over Civill men 2. That he is made the same way Governour in Church causes as in Civill causes And 3. That he is the same way Governour over Church men in their Church capacity or in their Church causes actions as over Civil men in their civil capacities in their Civill causes actions 6. Obj. The sense can be no other then this That he is supreme Governour over all persons what ever action they be about as if he were in a ship he should be supreme Governour over all the persons there what ever their trade or occupation were of the Governour of the ship among the rest And yet it will not follow that he is the supreme Governour of the action of guideing the ship but only that the Governour of the ship while he is guideing her is a subject And just so is it here as to Churchmen Ans. Even his supremacy over civill persons in civill causes is much to be questioned as hath been said But to wave this here their Acts deeds which are more authentick interpretations of the oath then any privat conjectures speak some other thing were the oath worded thus he is supreme Governour over all Persons this objection would have some colour but when it is said in all causes yea in all causes all is wrong Next it is certane from what hath been said Sect. 10 11. that they intend more as to the civill part then that he is supreme Governour over civill persons that they remaine subjects while about civill Actions For he is made supreme Governour over civill persons in civill causes And must it not be so likewise as to the Church part seing the oath puteth no difference lesse or more betwixt them 3. One maine end of the oath was to shoulder out the Pope his power this was an immediat cognition of Church affaires a power not only over persons but over causes And what was taken from the Pope with the one hand was devolved on the King with the other 4. The simile is a plaine dissimile as it is set down but make the parallel run thus There is a forraigner within the ship challenging power of making lawes to all persons within it particularly to the pilote power of judging him in his actions as pilote betwixt whom the Prince the debate cometh to that height that he is ejected to the end he may never be re-admitted the Prince imposeth an oath upon all within the Vessâ—…ll particularly upon the pilote seamen That they should acknowledge him to be their only supreme Governour in all their actions causes And then any of ordinary capacity may discerne whether or not the pilot be not bound by his oath to acknowledge some thing more then that he is a civill subject while he is about his calling work But all this is to no purpose now seing their Acts actings make the bussinesse clear enough as is shown above 7. Obj. Where a Civil Magist. is affirmed to be Govern of his dominions by common intendment this must be understoodof a civil government may not be extended to that of another kinde Ans. With all due respect to the reverend author of this reply viz. Bishop Vsher in his speach concerning the oath of supremacy in the Starre Chamber in Irland This doth not satisfie because by the same reason might one who were clear for the primacy of Scotland lawfully swear that the Archprelat of Saint Andrews were supreme Governour of Scotland over all persons in all causes because by parity of reason when the governement of a Church officer is spoken of by common intendment this must be understood of an Ecclesiastick governement may not be extended to that of another kinde And yet no doubt this oath would be scrupled at notwithstanding of that common intendment But 2. Their acts deeds destroy that common intendment respect must be had to their intendment not to the common intendment 3. Even as to this common intendment in respect of the civil part it hath been showne what just ground of scruple there was 8. Obj. No other thing can be understood for he is capable of no more the predicat can agree no further to the subject then its capacity will permit Ans. This is a shift for Children but for none else For. 1. Such subjects are seen to assume to themselves more then they are truely by any law of God capable of 2. By this meanes one might swear that the civil Magistrat were Head husband King saviour of the Church without all hazard of perjurie for these predicats can agree to him no further then he is capable As also one might lawfully swear that the Pope were supreme civil judge of the King's Dominions yea swear the greatest untruths imaginable but such Salvo's will prove too narrow to cover perjury in the day of accounts 3. Oaths are the end of controversies but this oath should then decide no controversie For the King's power should be as uncertaine as ever it was for all this oath 4. The question is not so much what power doth really appertaine unto the civil Magistat but another thing founded on this viz. what power may one lawfully say swear doth indeed belong to him And will any be so prophane grosse as to say It may be acknowledged by oath that he hath more power then indeed he hath Such like metaphisicall distinctions will not defend from the wrath of God in the day when he shall be a swift witnesse against all false swearers 9. Obj. Is it faife to contend with heigher powers about such things bring on such sad sufferings Ans. Christians should be most taken up with duty should not value sufferings They should buy the truth by no means sell it this matter under debate is no small bussinesse whatever some may think Not to mention here the sad consequences of this oath as to the civil part thereof if the Ecclesiastick part therof be only noticed it will appear to be a matter of greater moment then every one will beleeve as may appear from the reasons mentioned Sect 12. Men who would be accounted loyal subjects unto a King of clay will think it their duty to stand contend for a small inconsiderable bit of a thing going under the name of
footsteps of a standing controversy for Zions interest the work of God against the common enemies thereof the prelaticall malignant faction But now take this weak inconsiderable appearing in the fields against these corruptions away what appearance of a standing controversie shall posterity see Shall not they conclude that the day is lost and the cause gone when they see that this generation hath fled the field or rather sold betrayed the cause by owneing countenancing complying with the enemy that there is no standing testimony against corruptions or nothing seen in the practices or carriage of their fathers that may in the least signifie their dissatisfaction with these courses Where as if there were but this much of a standing difference betwixt the people of God the common enemies of Zion to be seen posterity would in some measure be keeped from being deceived would see the interest of Christ not killed nor buried quicke but living though in a bleeding condition this would occasion their engadging for Christ interessing themselves in the quarrell And it is far better to see the cause of Christ owned though by suffering blood then sold betrayed by base flenching complyin gwith persecuters 4. There is not a more ready way to harden encourage the enemie in their wicked malicious way of opposing the work of God then thus to countenance them in obedience to this act This is a way to strengthen their hands in their wicked courses for then they encourage themselves in evill when they see how they are countenanced by all that there is no disrespect put upon them nor dissatisfaction evidenced against their courses then they conclude that they are approved of all this hardeneth them so that they never once think of the evill of their wayes Whereas were they disowned notwithstanding of the act it would cool their courage possibly occasion some reflecting thoughts upon their courses sometime or other And who knoweth what might follow It is more then probable that the people of God are not freed from seeking the conviction repentance ◅dfiication even of these their malicious enemies And it is certane they may not encourage them in their evil wayes nor do any thing which may really tend to harden them in their wicked courses And therefore if obedience to this act will in all probability have this effect it ought to be forborne 5. By giving obedience unto this act they should stumble the truely tender in conscience by encourageing them to do contrary to their light conscience after their example when they are not clear to hear them they are imboldened or stirred up thereunto when they see others doing so thus they are ready to halt in the wayes of the Lord this is a grievous sin to seek to destroy those for whom Christ died But it will be objected That hearing the word is duty so if any stumble thereat it will be but a scandall taken not given Ans. The question is not whether it be a duty to hear the word or not but whether it be a duty to hear the word out of such mens mouths that in obedience to the act or so as the act doth enjoyne if this be not a necessary duty the objection falleth to the ground for it is not at hearing of the word that men do stumble but at hearing of such men preach who are not lawfully called This solution will be cleared by considering what is the Apostle's answere in matters of meat drinke Rom. 14 1. Cor. 8 10. He would have them forbeareing such or such meat at such or such a time when there were hazard of stumbling thereat for his part he resolved never to eat flesh rather then by eating thereof he should stumble any weak Christian yet it is an indispensable duty to eat meat there is a command for it the command doth alwayes oblige though not ad semper to all times So then though it be a commanded necessary duty to eat meat yet it is no necessary indispensable duty to eat such or such a sort of meat as fish or flesh nor is it necessary to eat alwayes at such or such a time but both may be forborn for the scandall offeńce of the weak So the parallel will run clearly it is a duty to hear the Gospell preached but it is not a necessary indispensable duty to hear such or such a man alwayes so in this case scandall may have place as well as in the case of meats Paul's arguments are of force here And therefore Christians should be tender of those for whom Christ died be loath to occasion their stumbling by doing that which is not a necessary indispensable duty as it is circumstantiated 6. By yeelding obedience unto this act they should cast themselves into snares temptations that because many of those intruders if not all of them do teach false doctrine tending to seduce the hearers crying up the lawfulnesse of prelacy venting bitter invectives against presbyterian government inveighing against the covenant so teaching incouraging people to follow them in open perjury condemning the work of reformation as being nothing else but treason sedition which were blasphemy Beside some poynts of Arminianisme Popery which some of them are venting now then Seing then there is such false Doctrine held forth taught with such boldnesse impudencie can it be lawfull for simple people to attend such when their souls are in such hazard to be seduced thereby when the Spirit of God sayeth cease to hear the instruction that causeth to erre from the words of knowledge Prov. 19 27. Beware of false Prophets is a command that is of force now as well as of old Iohn in his second Epistle v. 10 11. sayeth that if there come any unto you bring not this Doctrine receive him not unto your house neither bid him God speed for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil◅ it is sure then Iohn would never advise people to goe constantly or ordinarily to hear such deceivers who bring not with them the Doctrine of Christ. He who would not have the lesse done would never consent unto the more Paul writting to the Romans Chap. 16 v 17 18. sayeth Now I beseach you brethren Marke them which cause divisions offences contrary to the Doctrine which yee have learned avoid them for they that are such serve not our Lord Iesus Christ but their own belly by good words faire speaches deceive the hearts of the simple Here is a clear warrand for avoiding that will at least include a refuseing obedience to this Act such as teach things contrary to the Doctrine which hath been already received Learned out of the word do thereby cause divisions offences have nothing before their eyes but
Church is lawfull when the case so falleth out that union cannot be keeped up with her with out sin much more will a forbearing to hant the ordinances in such a particular parish to attend the Ministerie of such a particular person be iustified as no sinfull separation when the contrary cannot be done without siâ—… so it is in this case as hath been showne above Reverend Famous Doct. Voâ—…tius 〈◊〉 Eccles. Pag. 68. Quaest. 17. Granteth that upon some such occasion one may â—…bstean from explicite communion with a particular Church for these reasons 1. Such communion is not absolutly Necessary necessitaâ—… Mediâ—… nor yet necessitaâ—… praeceptâ—… when the Christian shall have more peace of conscience free exercise of Christian duâ—… else where 2. such persons may keep communion with other purer Churches in other places And Famous Mr Rutherford in his due right of presbyteries Pag. 253. Pag. 254. Where he is laying down some considerations about the degrees of separation sheweth us That there is a separation negative or a non union as That in Augustin's time when the faithfull did separate from the Donaâ—…sts which is lawfull landable now if there be a separation here it can only be a negative separation not a positive separation He sheweth us againe ibid. That there is a separation from the Church in the most worst part a separation from the least best part that these who separate from the worst greatest part do notwithstanding remaine a part of a part in the visible Church because they do not separate from the Church according to the least best part thereof as the godly in England who refused the popish ceremâ—…nies Aâ—…tichristian Bishops Hence it will follow that though now people should withdraw from communion with the greatest part of the Church which is now corrupted they cannot be accounted separatists because they hold still communion with the better though lesser part Moreover he sayeth Pag. 254 255. That there may be causes of non-union with a Church which are not sufficient causes of a separation as before the jewes came to blaspheme openly as they did Act 1â—… 44 45 46 18. 16. there was no just cause why any should have joyned to the Church of the jewes seing there was a cleaner Church to which converts might joyne themselves Act 2 40 41 42. And whether or not the reasons formerly laid down will be a just cause of non union which is all we plead for let the reader judge Lastly he tels us ibid Pag. 255. When the greatest part of a Church maketh defection from the truth the lesser part remaineing sound the greatest part is the Church of separatists though the manyest greatest part in the Actuall exercise of discipline be the Church yet in the case of right discipline the best though fewest 〈◊〉 the Church For truth 〈◊〉 like life that retireth from the manyesâ—… members unto the heart there remaineth in its fountaine in case of dangere So that it is the Major part which hath made defection that is to be accounted separatists not such as stand to their principles though they cannot complye of joyne with the corrupt majoriti Hence it is aboundantly clear that such as refused to obey this Act cannot be accused as guilty of sinfull separation It will be objected thirdly That by refuseing to obey that Act they declare they look not on these men as Ministers if they account them no Ministers they must say that their baptizeing is no baptizeing also that the Church of Scotland now is no organicall Church And that such do well who refuse to bring their Children unto them to be baptized Ans. 1. Though it were affirmed positively as it is not that all of these men were no Ministers Yet it would not follow that the Church of Scotland were no organicall Church because all these ministers who are now violently restrained from exerceing their Ministeriall function are Ministers officers of the Church of Scotland though bound up from exerceing their office for as no deed of a Magistrat can loose a Minister's relation so long as his life is in him unto the Church universall so no deed of the Magistrats can loose a Ministers relation to the nationall Church whereof he is a member so long as he remaineth â—…vis regnâ—… is not banished out of that Kingdome Yea reverend Apollâ—…nius in his jus Majestatis circa sacra Par. 1. Pag. 331. thinketh that when a Minister is wrongously put from his charge by a Magistrat he remaineth still a Minister of that Church from which he is banished jure divino Because of his call hath a right to exerce all his Church power there as a wife ravished from her husband remaineth still his wife because of the marriage covenant which is inviolable therefore all these Ministers who are yet within the Kingdom are reall officers of the Church of Scotland full compleat officers as to the power only they are violently restrained from the actuall exercise of that power And therefore the Church of Scotland is still an organicall Church as a man is an orgâ—…nicall body when bound hand foot so as he can neither work nor walk But 2. Whatever may be thought ofsome of these men whose being reall officers in the Church of God as was said may much be questioned what sad consequences may follow upon the nulling of their office let these see to it who either send such forth or imploy them Yet as to all of them this forbearing to yeeld obedience unto this Act will not ground the consequence alledged For there is a difference betuixtthe not owneing dis-countenanceing of a man as no Minister at all or no Minister of the Church universall And dis-owneing or dis-countenanceing him as not being their minister in particular or as pastor of such a particular flock It is certane a man may be a Minister of the Church universall yet not the Minister of such or such a particular place It is certane a man's relation unto such or such a particular flock may be Changed by transportation when his relation unto the Church universall abideth And so it is certane that a denying of one to be a Minister of such or such a particular flock will not by any good consequence be a denying of him to be a Minister at all Many things may loâ—…se a Minister's relation to such or such a particular congregation which will not a null his relation unto the Church universall And when his relation to such a particular flock is loosed that particular flock is loosed from being a flock owneing him as their Minister for relata se muâ—…uo ponunt et tollunt And when such or such particular persons refuse to owne such a man as their pastor in particular it cannot be inferred that therefore they deny him to be a Minister at all Unlesse this consequence
but the Church judicature also in so doing should acknowledge the validity of the sentence and consequently the lawfulnesse of the power from which it did slow But it will be objected 1. That that sentence cometh not from the Bishop alone but from a Synod whereof he is only the moderator Ans. Though the sentence be given out at the meeting of such as are underlings to complyers with him Yet the sentence is only his sentence this he is pleased to signifie unto all at their meeting left they should forget it so mistake him themselves both And he indeed maketh a fashion of asking their votes to the end they may be partakers of the guilt of the odium with himself But he acknowledgeth them to have no power unlesse it be to give their counsell advice But. 2. It hath been showne above that such meetings are no lawfull Church judicatures no presbyterian meetings but prelaticall conventions conventicles set up of purpose for his ends for the carrying on of his designes And their not compeering before these meetings sayeth they did not acknowledge them to be lawfull meetings therefore they cannot now acknowledge their sentence It will be objected 2. That though they ought not to be submitted unto as prelats or coâ—…rts of prelats Yet they ought to be submitted unto as the King's commissioners their sentence is in so far to be reverenced Ans. Whether they sit Act there as principall or as commissioners yet any such sentence proceeding from them is a non-habente poâ—…estatem from such as have no power For of themselves they have no such power they can have no such power from the King for nemo pâ—…test dare quod non habet the King can not give them the power which he hath not The King cannot depose a Minister immediatly It is true he may put a lawfull judicature to whom this power doth properly belong to do it or he may imprison or banish consequently put from the exercise in such a place but formally he cannot give out any Church censure of suspension or deposition against any Minister therefore he can commit no such power unto any man whether he be a civil man or a Church man And thus It is still clear that this sentence should not be submitted unto if it were no more but for this one cause because it should be an acknowledgeing of the Magistrat's power in the matter of Church censures which is an assertion unto which no sound reformed divine will assent It will be objected 3. That seing it is certane such shall be put from their Ministerie ere long however for if they submit not unto the sentence the civil Magistrat will either banish or imprisone or some other way put them from it whether they will or not were it not faifer then to prevent further suffering to themselves theirs by submitting in time Ans. It is true that in all probability the civill powers will not suffer such to preach long after such a sentence is dissobeyed But yet it is the duty of all so to carry themselves when suffering is at hand as that they may have most peace of conscience quietnesse under the crosse And it is certane they shall have far more peace who continue preaching as opportunity offereth notwithstanding of any such sentence untill some phisicall restraint or what is equivalent be laid upon them Then such as shall willingly submit unto an unlawfull sentence proceeding from an unlawfull judicature deriveing power from an empty fountaine thereby give offence great scandall both to good bad It will be Objected 4. That submission to judicaturies established by law is necessarie Either obedience active or passive is necessary otherwise there shall be no order Ans. Whatever may be said anent submission or non-submission unto the unjust sentences of lawfull judicatures Yet it will be clear that no submission should be yeelded unto the unjust sentences of unlawfull judicatures For the authors of the review examination of that book intituled Protesters no subverters and Presbytery no Papacy grant Pag. 96. This much saying we plead not for submission to officers judicatories not of Christ's own institution such as not only popes but prelates were no lawfull Church officers so that here their arguments conclude not taken from the practice of Ministers not submitting to the sentences of prelats in the Church So that then all the Church of Scotland as to this particular it seemeth was of one judgment and thought that Ministers should not submit unto prelats passing a sentence of suspension or deposition against them these prelats being no lawfull Church officers so it is clear that this non-submission in this case is no new thing in that Church but was the practice of severall worthy precious men before as the book before mentioned sheweth which instances are worth the noticeing now SECTION XVIII It is lawfull for the people to hear those suffering Ministers to meet for prayer other Christian exercises in private WHen the poor people cannot in conscience attend the ministry of such as are thrust in upon them against their will for the reasons already given their temptation groweth double upon them their trouble increaseth for now when they goe to hear such Ministers as they may lawfully hear either in publict or in private it is a cause sufficient for persecution yea or if they meet two or three together in any privat place for prayer conference or any other Christian exercise they are in hazard to be hailed to prison punished as keepers of conventicles Doubtlesse it cannot be very necessary to speak much for the justification defence of those who either have suffered or may hereafter suffer upon that account seing few who owne Christianity or know the sweet of Christian exercises and of Christian fellowshipe will condemne such as value the good advantage of their souls beyond their bodies yet lest some should be moved to think that at such a time such wayes should be forborn a little must be spoken to justify both those courses And first for their going to heare either in publick or privat such Ministers as are still lawfull Ministers what ever sentence hath passed against them have given a faithfull testimony unto the truth by adhereing to their principles notwithstanding of all the sufferings they do or can meet with much needeth not be said seing 1. They are so expresly often commanded to heare the word of truth to heare what is the minde of the Lord for by the Ministery of his servants doth God manifest his minde unto his people The priests lips should preserve knowledge and the people should seek the law at their mouth who are the messingers of the Lord of hosts It is their duty to waite at the posts of wisdomes doors this will be undenyable 2. There is an innate desire in the saints after the word
dayes of their life And among other things referred to the determination of the Generall assembly this concerning the civil places power of Kirk men was one And accordingly the Generall Assembly did determine act sess 25 Decemb. 19. 1638. That it was both inexpedient unlawfull for pastors separated unto the Gospell to brook civil places offices the next day there was an act made for subscribing of the covenant accord ing to this determination for say they it is found by the confession of faith that the five articles of Perth and the civil places and power of Kirkmen are declared to be unlawfull The assembly alloweth and approveth of the same in all heads and articles thereof and ordaineth that all ministers masters of universities colleges schoolâ—… and all others who have not already subscribed the said confession and covenant shall subscribe the same with these words prefixed to the subscription viz. The article of this covenant which was at the first subscription referred to the determination of the Gen. assembly being now determined at Glasgow in Dec. 1638. And thereby-the civill places power of Kirkmen being declared to be unlawfull We subscribe according to the determination of the same free lawfull generall assembly So that it is most clear that none can owne this judicature without the breach of this covenant so explained because they cannot acknowledge this judicature but withall they must acknowledge the civil power places of Kirkmen It will be objected That the Commissioners of that court and particularly the prelats may be owned as his Maj. Commissioners so it will be lawfull enough to compear be fore them Ans. If they be looked on as his Maj. Commissioners Then either as his commissioners in spirituall matters or in civill matters If as his commissioners in Church matters then no Minister or Christian could owne them as cloathed with such a power because his Maj. hath no such power from God therefore they can have no power from him by vertue of this Commission moreover compearing before them under that notion as having power of Church censuras by vertue of a commission from the King is an acknowledging of such a power in the King which is contrary to truth as is showne above If as his commissioners in matters civil then Church men should be owned as having civil power which were contrary to the clear word of Christ to the expresse determination of the Assembly also contrary unto the nationall covenant But it will be objected in the next place That upon the same ground no man might lawfully compear before the High court of Parliament because prelats are now made constituent members thereof so compearing before them would be an acknowledging of the lawfulnesse of the Church men their having civil places power Ans. It is true they may do nothing that may be an approving of their having civil places civil power therefore thâ—…ough they might not decline the court of Parliament in a civil businesse yet at their first compearance they would be necessitated to declare that they do not acknowledge nor approve of Church men their having civill places and power to protest that by their compearance before the High court of Parliament they might not be looked upon as approving thereof which protestation might in this case salve the conscience but no wayes in the other case of appearing before the High commission that because the Parliament is a full compleat court without the prelats so that though they were laid aside the Parliament would be a Parliament still but without the prelats the high Commission is no court for one of them at least is sine quo non so that lay these all aside you have no high commission courtâ—… therefore they being essentiall members of the court it is impossible to compear protest that in compearing you do not acknowledge their civil power without a self contradiction for in your protestation you have them virtually laid by as no constituent members if they be no constituent members there is no court yet your compearance sayeth that they are a court so it would be a palpable contradiction to protest against these as no constituent members yet stand before them answere as before a court But as to the Parliament the case is far different for when the prelats are there laid aside there is a full compleet court remaineing before which you may stand answere for your selfe the Parliament hath been may be a full compleat Parliament without prelats but the high commission never was a court without prelats may be a court with full power authority when there are no other constituent members beside prelats Some may object in the third place say This High commission court doth not meddle with Church censures therefore cannot be looked on as a Church judicature meddleing with Church causes Church censures but is only a civil court medleing with civil causes viz. the putting of the Acts of parliament to execution Ans. 1. Though this were granted Yet there is ground enough of scrupleing at the owneing of the same as may be seen in the 4 7 9 10 11. reasons formerly adduced But. 2. It is not very materiall to consider either how little or how much of their power they do put unto execution but the maine thing is to see what power they may exerce Now the best way to finde out this is to look to their commission which will abundantly cleare us in this Their commission sheweth how far their power doth reach or what actions or causes fall within the compasse of their power And by this we can best take up the nature of the judicature So that if their commission give them power to suspende depose excommunicate every one must look upon them as a judicature having that power whether they should alwayes or never exerce it And that their commission granteth to them this power will not be denyed by any who hath ever seen the same And that part of it which was cited doth cleare it suffeciently And therefore it is a mixed judicature being as well Ecclesiastick as civil If it be replyed That properly they have no power of suspending deposeing excommunicating immediatly But the meaneing is they are to cause the respective Church judicatures to suspende depose excommunicate for the Act or commission containeing their power sayeth they have power to appoynt ministers to be censured by suspension or depâ—…ion It is Answered 1. They have power to appoynt Ministers to be censured by suspension or deposition the same way that they have power to appoynt them others to be punished by fineing confineing committing incarcerating but this power they execute not by putting other civil judicatures to do it but they themselves immediatly do it therefore so have they power granted to them to do the other immediatly
because of the palpable breach of a Covenant Or such a peace as is very consistent with the curse vengeance of God pursueing the quarrell of a broken Covenent But whoever he be he tryeth his skill strength in pulling down both the solemne league Covenant with which he both beginneth endeth the nationall Covenant which he fighteth against on the bye his strength in this matter must be tryed In dealing with the Solemue league covenant he layeth downe three maine grounds The first is this pag. 22. That an oath howsoever in it self lawfull yet the case may be such that by something following after it may cease to binde yea the case may be such that it can not lawfully be keeped It will not be necessary to examine this at any length as it is here set down but it will be sufficient to examine it in so far as it maketh for the purpose in hand that will be by examineing Whether the cases wherein he alledgeth this holdeth good will suite the Covenant now under consideration He mentioneth three cases The first is this When the matter of an oath is such as doth belong unto a superiour to determine in then the oath of the inferiour ceaseth to â—…blige when the superiour consenteth not to what is sworne This is both agreeable to reason because no deed of the inferiour can prejudge the right of the superiour also sound divines do acknowledge this upon the common equitie of that law Numb 30 4. Unto which these things may be replyed 1. Whether the relation betwixt subjects Magistrats be so strait as is the relation betwixt parents Children betwixt huâ—…band wife may be some what questioned as to the matter in hand the one being naturall the other but politicall the one such as cannot be changed at will the other such as may A man may Choose to live under what Magistrat he will but a woman cannot cast off her parents her husband when she will take others therefore there may be a greater latitude allowed in the one case then in the other whether Magistrats subjects come within the compasse of that text Numb 30 May be questioned also seing there is nothing in the text hinting at this Yea though Moses be speaking to the heads of the tribes concerning the Children of Israel yet he maketh no mention of this case nor of any other except of two viz. a woman under a husband a woman not sorisfamiliat though analogies may be allowed in some cases yet there ought to be a clear ground out of the word for such analogies as will founde an argument against the obligeing force of oaths such analogies as will warrand consciences in this case had need to be very clear undoubted 2. Though this analogie were ganted yet this case will speak nothing to the poynt in hand unlesse it were proved that there were no civil Magistrats in Scotland beside the King that all Even the Estates of Parliament convâ—…ened in Parliament were subjects nothing else but subjects so though the Parliament all the land at the command of the Parliament should take an oath it should not binde if the King dissented therefrom But there is enough said above to show that supreme soveragnitie did never so reside in the Kings of Scotland as that Parliaments even in their Parliamentary capacity were no sharers thereof And this one thing is enough to disprove this phancy viz. That the legislative power which is an eminent part of severaignitie did alwayes in paâ—…t at least belong unto the Parliament of Scotland for they statute ordaine together with their soveraigne Lord therefore they are called the Acts of Parliament Yea without a Parliament the King can make no lawes yea nor can he make a law without all the Estates of Parliament But of the power of the Parliaments of Scotland in making lawes yea over the King himself enough hath been said therefore this case doth not concerne the matter in hand 3. Let this be given though it cannot be granted Yet this case will not help his cause because it can hold good in no other things but such in which the inferiour is subordinat to the superiour is by the law of God subject unto him as the doughter in the matter of her marriage or the like is subjected unto her parents the married wife in the disposall of domestick goods affaires is subjected unto her husband but in matters of religion in morall duties no wife is so subjected unto her husband nor doughter unto her parents as that they can loose the obligation of their vowes promises Yea in this case it will be easily ganted that inferiours may vow Covenant not only without but even against the command of superiours for it is alwayes better to obey God then men Now it hath been showne above that these Covenants are about morall duties matters of religion wherein inferiours are not to waite upon their superiours But must advance whether they will or not But to this he replyeth Pag. â—…3 That such as plead the obligation of the Covenant in the matter of Episcopacy must suppone that it is indifferent or not unlawfull for if by God's word 〈◊〉 be found unlawfull then whether there had been a Covenant against it or not it cannot be allowed It is Answered 1. It will not be a fit place here to lanch forth into the disput concerning Episcopacy more is already said against it by many famous worthie divines then is or in haste will be Answered as for what this Author is pleased to say for it against presbyterie else where in his pamphlet it is but that which hath been said said over againe by others before him who knew to put their arguments in a better dresse then he doth is sufficiently answered by others but if he had brought any new arguments forth to the field it had then been fit to have taken some notice of them But 2 whereas he thinketh that such as plead the Covenant obligation must suppon that Episcopacy is a thing indifferent that presbytery is nothing else he runeth alone without the company of any casuist or divine for all do grant that an oath may be de re lâ—…cita possibili concerning a matter lawfull and possible and particularly that it may bâ—… about a matter morally good that in things morally good an oath hath an obligeing force ad quae praestanda sayeth D Sander sâ—…n de jur prâ—…m obl pâ—…ael 3. § 6 vel injurati tenemur jurati multo tenemur magis accedente sciliceâ—… ei quaepraefuit ex praecepto nova obligatione ex jureâ—…urando i e. for the doing of those things which we are bound to do though not under an oath being under an oath we are much more bound for to the former obligation ariseing from the command there
is a new obligation added ariseing from the oath Had not the Covenants oaths which the children of Israel swore concerning morall dutyes the law the worshipe of God an additionall tye obligation Ier. 50 5. Ios. 24. Deut. 29 3. By this meanes this author would take away this piece of God's worship service of vowing swearing unto him for it must either be about things necessary or about things indifferent But he will have no oath or vow made about things necessary because sayes he that is needlesse nor will he have any oath or vow made about things indifferent as shall be seen afterward so if he speak truth there ought to be no vowes or oaths at all 4. But why may not people look even to the Covenant obligation in things determined by the word Doth not God lay the breach of Covenant oftentimes unto the charge of his people doth not this say that they were bound to look to their promises obligations It is true that oaths Covenants should not be the only ground upon which to plead the lawfulnesse of such or such things yet these promises vowes Covenants ought to have their own secondary place So then it is a poor thing to say that such as plead for the standing force obligation of the Covenant must suppone that Episcopacy is a thing indifferent for by this same reason they must suppone also that the other great duties which are engadged to in that Covenant relating to true religion a holy life from which himself sayeth Pag. 37. no power on earth can loose to which they are indispensably tyed are of an indifferent nature which were most reasonlesse absurd 5. This is a hard case unto which this author would bring the Covenanters viz. That either they must quite the obligation of the Covenant or else say that all those particulars sworne to in the second article which is the article he mainely instanceth are but matters of indifferency and consequently say that not only prelacy in it's height as Hierarchicall but poperie heresie schisme every thing which is contrary to sound doctrine the power of godlinesse are matters of indifferencie But would he say so in his own case If one who had taken the oath of alleagiance or fidelity to his lawfull prince or the oath de fideli administratione in some office or other should afterward alledge that these bondes did not binde him for either the matter there obliged to was a thing indifferent if so he was not bound to wrong his liberty or else duties antecedent to the oath then the oath hath no force on him he is no way perjured though he crosse a hundered of those oaths Now what will this author reply in this case hath he not as it is usuall for such as pleaâ—…d for error in seeking to wound the Covenanters killed himself what evasions he findeth out for subjects to reject all the bondes of oaths imposed by superiours every one seeth And whether in so doing he doth his Maj. good service Acteth the part of a loyall subject and faithfull casuist any may judge But to proceed in the examination of the case set downe 4. Let this also be given unto this Author though it may not be granted he will not gaine his cause for let it be supponed that Episcopacy is a thing indifferent will it thence follow that the Church may not determine in a matter of indifferencie concerning Church government without the supreme Magistrat's expresse consent Whether is the Church or the Magistrat the fittest judge of that government which best suiteth the Church tendeth most to edification is most expedient whether are the Churches that live under the Turk more able to judge of the most expedient edifying way of Church government or the Turk himself If he reply That he speaketh of Christian Magistrats It is answered That heathens are as essentially Magistrats as Christians are that text Numb 30. groundeth no more an analogy for Christian Magistrats then for heathens And if that be a law then he would remember that non est distinguendum ubi lex non distinguit that Christians may be subjects unto heathen Magistrats is beyond all question And therefore if this argueing hold good a Christian Church living under the Turk might not vow to maintaine and follow such a forme of Church government as they judged most agreeable to the word of God most advantagious for the ends of government because forsooth it were a prejudging of the right of the great Turk their superiour If he reply that the case is altered because of the Turk 's granting liberty unto these Churches to do in these things as they think meet Ans. Then the Turk is a better friend unto the Church then the Christian Magistrat it were better for the Church to be under the Turk then under a Christian Magistrat 5. Let all this be yet granted by way of supposition he will not gaine his poynt for their oath in this Covenant doth not prejudge the right of the superiour because they sweare only to endeavour in their severall places callings such such alterations what incroachment can this make upon the superiours right May not a wife or a doughter sweare in their places according to their callings to endeavour the alteration of such or such a thing in the family yet never attempt it without the consent of the parent or husband May not here oath be lawfull binde hâ—…re to use all faire lawfull meanes to move incline the parent or husband there unto So that what ever he be pleased to say of the way of Scotland their carrying on that businesse in which how sowlely he erreth may be showne hereafter were it granted to him will make nothing against the Covenant concerning the obligation of which is the difference now Till then he make it appear that the Covenant as worded did directly prejudge the right of the superiour his alledgiance is frivolous groundlesse 6. This might be granted to him also which yet cannot be done his cause gaine no advantage that for this reason Because that place Numb 30. Exponed accord-to his owne glosse commentary maketh for the Covenanters every way For. 1. They had no open dissent declared It is true there is mention made of a proclamation declareing it unlawfull to enter into that Covenant but Mr Crofton in his Analepsis Analephthe Pag. 120. sayeth that it was not regular being done without the advice of his Councell who are vailed by the session of Parliament sheweth also how it was a breach of privilege But as to that this may satisfie That as that proclamation did not anull the act but only prohibite it so it did not concerne them in Scotland Now if the parent or husband hold his peace the oath is confirmed requiritur sayeth doct Sanders de jur prom obl
quod sicri non debuit factum valet nor knowing well how to guaird against this deceit which he hideth with a multitude of words his challenges must be answered All which he sayeth on this head is some thing to these three particulars 1. The want of authority in the imposeing 2. The generality of the termes in which it is conceived 3. Some incongruitie in the 3d article The summe of what he sayeth unto the first of these is this To carry on a publick oath without the soveraigne power is without any example among jewes or Christians It is a speciall royalty of the King to have power of imposeing an oath on all his subjects especially where the oath hath a direct aime for raiseing armes Such leagues are inhibited by the lawes of the land Ia. 6â—… Parl. 10. Act. 12. Mary Parl. 9. Act. 75. Now this Covenant was carryed on in England by a meeting of Parliament excludeing one of the Estates and in Scotland by a committee of Estates Ans. what if all this be granted Will it therefore follow that the obligation of the Covenant is loosed Nay himself dar not say so for he addeth Now although this could not nullify the obligation of the Covenant were the matter of it undoubtedly lawfull and otherwise still obligeing yet it were well if unlawfulnesse in regaird of this defect were acknowledged So that all which he would have of the Covenanters now for proof of their sincerity is that they would give as publick testimony against the sinfull way of entering into that bonde as against that siâ—… as they suppose of breaking it But what would this advantage his cause And seeing he saw that it would not advantage his cause why did he spend time paines in vaine He is at a weak passe now when he can bring no arguments but such as himself must needs answere discover the weaknesse of But it is like out of a desire to have it going well with the Covenanters he would have them repenting of the misse which was made But by his favour they must first be convinced of the errour ere they can say that they have erred and ere they be convinced of an errour in that Particular they must see more cogent arguments then any which he hath yet brought For as for that committee of Estates which he sayeth did carry on that Covenant in Scotland it had power for that effect from the convention of Estates their deed was approven in all poynts by the next meeting of Parliament Anno 1644. the lawfulnesse of which convention Parliament hath been shown above and as for the Parliament of England Mr Croften Timorcus have sufficiently spoken to that and as for Scotlands entering into a league with England without the King's consent it hath been vindicated before So hath it been showne how the Parliaments of Scotland do partake of the soveraignity with the King and have power of warre so all which he here sayeth is answered already Only because he desireth some examples of the like among Iewes or Christians though there be no great necessity for this businesse yet some few instances shall be brought first among the Iewes there are two eminent examples one in the dayes of Asa King of Iuda 2. Chron. 15. where many strangers of Ephraim manassâ—…h Simeon fell to Asa out of Israel in abundance when they saw that the Lord his God was with him v. 9. And entered into a Covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with great solemnity v. 12 14. that without the consent of their own King Another in the dayes of Hezekiah when he came to the throne which was in the third yeer of Hoshea King of Israel 2. King 18 1. In the first year of his reigne 2. Chron. 29. 3. this was six yeers before the Kingdome of Israel was wasted destroyed by Salmanassâ—…r King of Assyria 2. King 17 6. beginneth a work of reformation said it was was in his heart to maâ—…e a Covenant with the Lord God of Israel 2 Chron 29 10. And he sent to Israell writting letters to Ephraim Manasseh desireing them to come up to the house of the Lord accordingly diverse of Asher Manasseh Zebulon 2. Chron. 30 1 11. joyned with him in that Covenanted work of reformation here are some of the subjects of Basha Hoshea without their consent or approbation joyning in a Covenant or bond with another King Kingdom which would seem more treasonable like then for the subjects of one King to joyn together in Covenant for the good of King Kingdome to carry on a work of reformation no doubt this advocat darre not condemne this deed of those subjects of Hoshea or Basha As for such Covenants among Christians instances in abundance may be given some have already been named as that betwixt the first reformers of Scotland the Queen of England these in France Germany the Low countreyes Helvetia piemont c. so a few moe shall suffice If he had read the History of the reformation of the Church of Scotland he had seen there severall examples of Covenants entered into by Christians without the consent of the supreme Magistrat viz. one Anno 1557 subscribed by Argile Glencarne Morton Lorn others Another at Perth Anno 1559. subscribed by Argile Iohn Stuart Glencarn Boid Vchiltree c. A third at Sterlin that same yeer subscribed by many A fourth at Leth Anno 1560. subscribed by all the nobilite barons gentlemen others professing Christ Iesus in Scotland a fift at Aire Anno 1562. subscribed by severall noblemen gentlemen In Sleidan's commentaries Lib 7. Anno 1529. there is a Covenant betwixt the city Strausbrugh which was under the command jurisdiction of the Emperour three of the cities of Helvetia viz. Tigurum Berna Basil about assisting deseâ—…ding one another in the cause of religion this was without the consent approbation of the emperour as appeareth by the letter written to Strausbrugh from the dyet of the Empire againe An. 1530. there was a Covenant betwixt the Laâ—…dgrave of Hesse those three cities Tigur or Zurich Basil Strausburg anent mutuall defencein the cause of religion That same yeer the protestants meet at Smalcald draw up a Covenant for mutuall defence in religion it was subscribed by Albert Gebert of Mansfeldt by the cities of Magdeburgh Breme Sleidan sheweth also lib. 19. That in February 1547. the nobles of Boheme meeting at Prague entered into a Covenant among themselves for the defence of their liberty whether Ferdinand would or not The second particular is about the generality of the termes wherein the Covenant is expressed The summe of what he sayeth here is this The Covenant was purposely framed in generall and homonymous termes that all the sects might lurck under it And so the Sectarian army when they invaded Scotland did pretend the
he may not execute the fiercenesse of his anger nor returne to destroy Ephraim seing he is God not man For he is a God who is gracious long suffering slow to anger of great kindenesse repenteth him of the evil who knoweth if he will returne repent leave a blessing behinde him That poor Church will be very far disappoynted of â—…et expectation if in stead of Christian sympathy pity compassion she shall meet with unbrotherly unchristian dealing at the hands of any if there shall be any such as will be ready to condemne her as suffering upon very slender inconsiderable grounds as it will be no small matter of grief sorrow unto the already sorrowfull mourning Church yea an addition unto her affliction so it will yeeld these little comfort in the day when the cup shall passe over unto them to reflect upon their unchristian thoughts sharpe censures of a poor member of Christ's body while lying under the feet of oppressours such as said to her soul bow down that we may goeover It is true the infinitly wise God hath thought fit to try that Church with more searching tryalls then he did England Irland it was the policy of her adversaries to beginne with such small things to the end they might get such as they desired drawne into their net then they weresure piece piece to get them brought alongs to countenance them in all their courses as sad experience hath proved For some who at the first resolved to goe some length for peace cause having no purpose to move one foot further to whom if it had been then said that ere all were done they would go such a length as now they have gone with Hazael they would have replyed are we dogs to do such things are now going all the length desired scrupleing at nothing which is a warning to all to beware of the beginnings of a defection And indeed for as great as the defection apostasie in that Church is at present for as great a conspiracy as is found among her prophets If the tryall had been nothing more searching then that wherewith the Neigh bour Churches were tryed there would not have been so many that would have depairted from their former principles as there are this day And therefore it was a mercy unto many in these Neighbour Churches that their sieve was not more narrow searching it is no small mercy unto particular persons when they see their enemies in their owne colours the baite is not able to cover the hook wherewith their adversaries think to catch them And it is likewise a mercy will be so found acknowledged in end unto the Church of Scotl that God hath followed such a way with her as shall prove most discovering consequently most purging by making her drosse to appear bringing to light in a short time more corruption â—…aughtinesse then in all probability would have been found out many a yeer if God had not taken this course But now let none blame those who have desired to keep their garments clean to adhere zealously constantly unto their former principles therefore have refused complyance in the least would not willingly quite with a hoof or sell a bit of the precious truth of God There is a time when such things are very momentous considerable which at other times seem not to be of much concernment Armies may yeeld more unto their enemies at another time place then when they are keeping a considerable passe the loseing of which would prove of great disadvantage unto themselves an in-let unto all the enemies forces There is a time when such things must be stood at which if abstracted from that time place would signifie little or nothing whether done or not done The giving of a book or of a piece of paper out of the hands of the martyres was at that time as so circumstantiated a maine businesse when they were upon the poynt of avouching truth for God A little matter when it becometh Casus confessionis is of great moment Mordecay's beck is no small matter Daniel's closeing of his windowes is a great businesse as it was then circumstantiated And doolfull experience in all ages hath made it appear what mischief hath followed upon yeelding unto the adversaries in small-like matters in the begining of a defection what through inadvertancy what otherwayes by little little the pope came to his throne not in one day by little little came prelats formerly to their height in that Church therefore as before so now the honest party thought themselves called of God to withstand beginnings not to cede in the smallest-like matters when they saw that the opening of never so smal a passage would be enough to occasion the drowning of all as according to the proverb the brunt child doth scar the fire so that Church cannot be blamed for keeping such a distance from that plague of prelacy which formerly had brunt up consumed all the vitals of religion the whole power of Godlinesse had made that Church to look like an harlot not like the spouse of Christ Especially after God had wrought such wonderfull deliverances unto her had graciously delivered her from that yron furnace with his out-stretched arme had brought downe all her enemies Should they againe break his commandements joyn in affinity with the people of those abhominations would not God be angry with them till he had consumed them so that there should be no remnant nor escapeing And it is very remarkable that there are none who have hitherto rued their suffering upon that account but rather they are all blessing the name of the Lord for that he hath keeped them from yeelding in the least And though their adversaries the prelats be useing barbarous inhumane let be unchristian wayes to afflict them still more more by procureing acts to be made dischargeing any Charity to be extended to them or their families who are now suffering for the cause of God Yet they have no cause to compleane God for whose sake they are suffering is provideing for them with all is comforting them with the consolations of the Holy ghost supporting their spirits keeping them from fainting encourageing them so that they resolve through his grace never to comply with these workers of iniquity lest they partake of their judgments Yea they are perswaded that if any members of the Christian Churches abroad who had the root of the matter within them were in their souls stead they would no more comply with this present course of defection then they have done or desire to do So that what ever can be looked for from men of corrupt mindes such as are enemies to the truth to the power of godlinesse Yet they are sure that such as know what it is to walk with