Errors and Superstitions should be allowed to exercise their Spiritual Jurisdiction in the Church and therefore they were excluded therefrom and others of the Reformed Communion being Vested with Episcopal Authority were surrogated in their stead and called by the Name of Superintendents the Sees of the Popish Bishops not being Esteemed void but supplied by Protestant Superintendents who did not enjoy any of the Temporal Priviledges and Honours annexed to the Bishopricks For although the Popish Bishops were restrained from the exercise of their Spiritual Power yet such respect was had to them that they were allowed during their Lives to possess all the Revenues of their Bishopriâ—…ks and to Sit and Vote in Parliament as Peers of the Realm But such of the Bishops as went along with the Reformation were allowed not only to enjoy all their Temporal Priviledges but likewise to exercise their Spiritual Authority in the Church and no Superintendants Named for their Diocefes as was for those of the Popish Bishops Now although we should grant our Author that their Form oâ—… Ordination was not diâ—…ferent yet it cannot be denied that they were invested with the whole Episcopal Authority and Jurisdiction over the Clergy of their several Dioceses which is the only Bugbear in Episcopacy with which the Presbyterians pretend to Quarrel because they Usurp Lordship and Dâ—…minion over their Brethren They were cloathed with full Power of Ordaining Presbyters of Suspending and Deposing them from their Sacred Function of censuring and punishing the Clergy according to their several Crimes and all this they were Authorized to do without asking the Advice or Consent of the rest of the Clergy which is more than our Bishops at present do ‖ All Appeals from Presbyters and the Inferiour Clergy were to be made to the Supâ—…rintendents they were to decide all Controversies in the Discipline of the Church to preside in Synods and to direct the Church Censures inslicted by the rest of the Clergy All the Presbyters within their Dioceses were required under the pain of Deposition to be subject to their Government and Authority and were not allowed without the consent and approbation of the Superintendents to transact any thing of moment in the Church So that they were invested with the whole Power and Jurisdiction that belongs to Bishops and this methinks should be enough to stop the Mouths of the Presbyterian Party who as I have already said exclaim against nothing in this Sacred Order but the Authority which Bishops are allowed to have over the rest of the Cleâ—…gy And as for their Ordinaâ—…ion it seems at lest that it was different from that of other Ministâ—…rs since those who were Nominated to be Superintendants were chose out of the Number of such as had already received the Orders of a Presbyter and yet upon their Election to a Superinâ—…endency they were again solemnly set apart by Prayer for â—…hat Oâ—…ice Now it cannot be imagined that they should again receive the same Orders of a Presbyter which had been already conferred upon them and therefore this second Mission mentioned upon their being chose Superintendents can be meant of nothing else but Episcopal Consecration or something in the sense of the Church at that time equivalent to it They â—…ad long before received the Ordination of Presbyters and now when they were Elected Superintendents they were set apart for that Office by certain solemn Rites and Ceremonies which is a plain Demonstration that they were in a manner Consecrated anew to that Sacred Function Besides it is not to be conceived how they above other Presbyters could be invested with this Power of conferring Orders and exercising other Acts of Jurisdiction which belong only to Bishops unless it were by having this Episcopal Authority conferred upon them by the hands of other Bishops and this they could without any difficulty obtain from the hands of those Bishops in Scotland who had imbraced the Reformed Communion However it is not peremptorily said here that the Ordination of Superintendents to the Episcopal Ofâ—…ice was altogether â—…anonical It is enough for our purpose that they being of new solemnly set apart for a more eminent Oâ—…ice in the Church The Clergy and Laiâ—…y had such a regard for the â—…piscopal Order That they considered the Superintendents as such and payed the same deference to them that formerly was due to the Bishops so that tho their distinct Ordinations would not bâ—… madâ—… evident from Hiâ—…tory to be Canonical yet their Power was undoubtedly Episcopal There is nothing more notoriously false than what this Author urges in the second place against the Superintendents That their Office was Temporary during the Exigence of the Church For in the Form of Church Policy which the Protestant Clergy offered to the Parliament in the year 1561 one of its Heads is concerning Superinâ—…endents and it is there appointed that the Election of Superintendants in after times should be stricter than the present circumstances would allow and the last Head of that Policy prescribes some conditions to be kept in future Elections of 〈◊〉 which is an evident proof that our first Reformers did not look upon the Office of Superintendents only as a Temporary thing The Name I grant indeed to have been temporary and to have laâ—…ted no longer in the Church than during the Natural Lives of the Popish Bishops For while they were alive their Bishopricks with respect to their Temporalities were not esteemed vacant and the Protestants who were set over their Dioceses were called by the Name of Superintendents they not being invested with the Temporal Priviledges of a Bishop but only with the spiritual Authority and Jurisdiction belonging to that Office but upon the Death of the Popish Bishops we find that whosoever was presented to any of these Dioceses now falling void by their Death they were not presented under the Name of Superintendents as thâ—…y had been formerly while the Popish Bishops were alive but had now the Title of Bishops given them and were invested with all the temporalties annexed to the Bishopricks Thus it is we sind in the Infancy of the Reformation both Bishops and Superintendants contemporary in the Church but in a few years after we have no mention of Superintendents and all the Governours of the Church go under the Name of Bishops And this I should think were enough to convince any unbyassed Reader that in those days the Office of Episcopacy and Superintendency were both the same The Third Argument which he brings against the Superintendents is That they were accountable to the Presbyters which is altogether inconsistent with Episcopacy Although Bishops at their first Institution were invested with an Absolute Power over their Flocks independent of any Authority but that of Jesus Christ their Head and were accountable to none for their right Administration of their Office but to him alone Yet in after Ages by a mutual compact among themselves they did agree that for the
been formerly Instruments to bring us under Popery and Slavery and whether this be not such a Reflexion on the present Government as does concern it to Punish severely I leave my Reader to judge since to accuse the Chief Ministers of State under any Government of such odious Crimes as Enslaving their Country is a direct Insinuation against the Government it self as if it by employing such kind of Instruments did really design those Mischiefs against the Nation with which they upbraid their Chief Ministers of State And here I cannot enough admire the Impudence of this Author to quarrel with the English Peers for medling in the Affairs of the Church of Scotland when he very well knows that the greatest Encouragement and Support the Presbyterian Party in that Kingdom have is from the inâ—…luence of some foreign Presbyterians And I would gladly know why an English Nobleman has not as good Right to concern himself in the Affairs of our Church as any Dutch Presbyterian But to take off all Church of England men from having any Pity or Compassion upon the Distressed State of our Church he endeavours to perswade them that the Constitution of Episcopacy in Scotland is so very sar disferent from that of England that although our Clergy are Sufferers sor the Primitive and Apostolical Government of Episcopacy by Law established in that Nation yet they cannot be said â—…o suffer for the Government and Discipline of the Church of England and so not deserve that Fellow-feeling and Countenance which some worthy Members of her Communion are pleased to shew them His first Instance to shew the dâ—…erence betwixt the two Constâ—…tutions is this That ours in Scotland was 〈◊〉 upon us by the Tyrâ—…nny of our 〈◊〉 Now suppose his Asseâ—…tion were tâ—…ue yet methinks 't is a very odd consequence that two Constitutions must needs be disferent in their Nature because disferent means were used to setâ—…le them in a Nation Could not the Tyranny of our Rulers have forced upon us the same Constitution with that of England as easily as one that is disferent But his Assertion is as notoriously false as the Consequence he endeavours to draw from it for in the Insancy of the Reformation our Church was governed by Bishops and Supâ—…rintendents and that form of Government was appâ—…oved of by the Unâ—…nimous Consent of the whole Nation both Clergy and Laiâ—…y* And as to these later Times our publick Records of Parliament can yet testifie that the Episcopal Government was so far from being sorced upon the Nation against their Will and Consent that it has been established and confirmed by Twenty seven successive Legal Paâ—…liaments It 's known that at the Restoration of the Royal Family the whole Nation having long groaned undâ—… the Yoke of 〈◊〉 they were very desirous to have their Primitive and Ancient Government of Episcopacy restored that they might be rescued fâ—…om the Tyranny and Confusion of the Presbyterian Anarchy under which tâ—…y had so severely smarted during their Usurpation and a great many of the Clergy I am sure the whole Diocese of Aberdeen almost to a Man addâ—…essed Hiâ—… Majesty upon this account His next Instance is That Presbytery being Engrafâ—…ed with our Reformation Prelacy could never attain to a kindly nor plenary Possession And to prove this he instances in our retaining of Kirk-Sessiâ—…ns Presbyteries and Synods even under Bishops That the Presbyterian Government had no Settlement in our Church for many Years aâ—…ter the Reformation I shall hereafter prove to the conviction of the most Obstinate But that Presbyters had a great Hand in Reforming us from the Errors and Superstitions of the Romish Church both in Scotland and other Nations where the Reformation happily prevailed is what we do not deny But does it hence follow that because Presbyters were more instrumental than Bishops in Promoting that great Work of the Reâ—…ormation that therefoâ—…e the Presbyterian Government ought to be Established wherever the Reformation obtains and that of Episcopacy overturn'd Or because Presbyters had the Happiness to be concerned in so good a Work does that therefore Authorize them to Usurp the Sacred Oâ—…fice of a Biâ—…hop without bâ—…ing duly Called and Ordained thereto by those whom our Saviour has appointed to convey that Authority Although some Bishops may chance to be backward and negligent in doing their Duty as those Popish Bishops â—…ho opposed the Reformation yet 't is altogether unreasonable that the whole Order should suffer for the Crimes of some particular Members of their Fraâ—…ernity What our Author means by saying Episcopacy never attained to a Plenary Possession among us I do not well apprehend â—…or ' â—…is plain the Constitution of our Episcopacy is such that thâ—… Biâ—…hop is â—…nvested with the sole Power of Ordination and Jurisdiction within his own particular District the whole Presbyters of his Diocese are subject to his Authority and own him for their Chief Governor in Matters purely Spiritual there is no Act of Discipline put in execution by the Inferior Clergy but by the Allowance and Approbation of their Diocâ—…san and I think this is such a full and plenaâ—…y Possession as may justly entitle them even to a through Setâ—…lement As â—…or his Instances of our Kirk-Sessions Presbyteriâ—… Synods Prâ—…vincial and National because this is a part of our Constitution not so very well known here in England I shall trouble my Reader wiâ—… this short account of them That which he calls the Kirk 〈◊〉 iâ—… a Court of Judicature established in every Parish consisting of the Minisâ—…er and some few Laicks of good Reputation that aâ—…e his Parishioners whom he associates to himself for giving him inâ—…ormation of the Manners and Conversation of his People that so he â—…eceiving from these Men exact Information of the state of â—…is Parish all scandalouâ—… and vicious Persons may be brought to condign Punishmâ—…nt The Presbyteries are a sort of Judicatory under the Episcopal Constitution consisting meerly of the Clergy â—…or every Diocese is divided into several Presbyteries each of which consist of about 12 Ministers or thereby some of them being more numerous than others This Judicatory meets at least once a Month and their chief business is to consult and advise about Affairs relating to their several Churchès and to examine the Qualifications of those that design to enter upon the Holy Ministry the Bishop never admiting any to Holy Orders but such as have their Approbation after several Exercises done before them If there happen any Matter of great Consequence and Importance in any Parish which the Minister is not willing to meddle in without the Advice of his Brethren he bâ—…ings it before this Judicatory and laying open the whole matter to them desires their Counsel and Direction how to proceed in such a weighty Affair of Punishing an obstinate Offiender who refuses to submit to the Censures of the Church This kind of Judicatory was not indeed known in our Church till near 26 Years
to Exercisâ—… the 〈◊〉 of the Clergy to see themselves so â—…njuriously Pâ—…rsecuted and Reviled But they had thiâ—… for thâ—…ir comfort that they received no worse Usagâ—… than their Master had done beforâ—… thâ—…m It is enough for the Disciple that he be as his Master and the Servant as his Lord if they have called the Master of the Housâ—… Beelzebub how much more shall they call them of his Houshold But thanks be to God thâ—… Lives and Conversations of the far greatest â—…art of our Clergy are so apparently Pious and Exemplary so exactly conform to the Character they bear of bâ—…ing Spiritual Guides Buâ—…ning and Shining Lights that as the Calumniâ—…s of their Adversaries cannot much injure their Reputation in this World so far less will thâ—…y be able to diminish that Eternal Reward laid up foâ—… them in the Life to come However when the Clergy are thus maliciously and unjustly Slandered and Reviled Religion does often suffer thereby and therefore in thiâ—… Case I think it is the Duty of every Christian to Espouse the Interest of Religion and to Vindicate the Clergy from those Aspersions their Enemies load thâ—…m withal There is not a more certain fore-runner of Atheism and Irreligion in a Nation than a contempt of the Clergy and it may justly provoke God to remove his Candlestick quite from us if we suffer his Ministers and Ambassadors to be Treated with such Reproach and Contâ—…mpt it is a shrewd Sign we have no great Respect for a Prince if we affront his Ambassador Although I am not in Holy Orders my sâ—…lf yet I have such a Veneration and Esteem for that Sacred Function that it raises my Indignation to a great height to see Ingenious and deserving Men Buffoon'd and Ridiculed meerly for their having devoted themsâ—…lves to the Holy Ministry for having Received the Title of being Christs Ambassadors to his Saints here on Earth Were they of any other Profession their Parts and Piety would make them to be much Regarded by all Men but because they have entred into the Office of the Holy Ministry that Office which our Saviour did not disdain to take upon himself and his Holy Apostles Gloried in they must therefore suffâ—…r all Indignitiâ—…s and Affronts â—…nd be Treated with greater Contempt and Igâ—…ominy than the meanest Artizan Is not this to Crucifie afresh the Lord of Life â—…nd Glory to put him again to opâ—…n shame to Mock him and to Spit upon him as the Jews â—…id bâ—…fore his Crucifixion For whatever Indigâ—…ity we offer to his Ministers here on Earth he â—…akes it as done to his own Person He that depiseth them despiseth him that sent them It was tâ—…is Respect alonâ—… which I have for the Ministeâ—…al Function that moved me to Write these few Remarks upon a late Scurrilous Libel against our Clergy Publishâ—…d by an obscure Anonymous Author who seâ—…ms to be more influenced by tâ—…e Spirit of Malice and Envy than of thâ—… Christian Râ—…ligion I was not a little concernâ—…d â—…o see so many Eminent and Deserving Men thus injured in 〈◊〉 Fame and Reputation and thaâ—… among Strangers to whom they were wholly unknown Were these Stories Published only in thâ—…ir own Country where the whole course of thâ—…ir Life is sufficiently known they might bid defiancâ—… to â—…he utmost Malice of their Enemies and to Anâ—…er any such malicious Libels against them thâ—…re would be altogâ—…ther superfluous Buâ—… when thâ—…se Râ—…ports are propagate amongst Strangâ—…rs who have no personal knowledge of the Mâ—…n who arâ—… thus abused it is nâ—…cessary to Write somâ—…thing in their Vindication and to prevent Peoplâ—…'s being farther imposâ—…d upon by such Liâ—…s and Calumnies This Author hath Writ a sâ—…cond Part of the Treatisâ—… which is herâ—… 〈◊〉 but that bâ—…ing already takâ—…n to Task by another Hand I take no Notice of it My businâ—…ss is only with his first Pamphlet wherein I have sufficiâ—…ntly shewn his Gross Prâ—…varications and Falshoods and confuted all the Shadows of Reasoning tâ—…at lyâ—… scattered in his Book My present Circumstances would not allow me to make an exact inquiry concâ—…rning all the particular Persons whom hâ—… hâ—…re Accuses of Immoralities I being at too great a distance from the Places where they do residâ—… But I have pick'd out the most considerable instances thosâ—… Persons whom he chargâ—…s with the most Atrocious Crimes and in his Accusations against them I have evidâ—…ntly provâ—…d him guilty of the highest Malice and Injusticâ—… which I think is sufficient to Ruin the Crâ—…dit of his Book in the râ—…st of the Instances among all Sober and Judicious Mâ—…n THE CONTENTS Introduction THE Uncharitableness and Inhumanity of this Author's Design Pag. 1 This method of Writing inconsistent with the Principles of our Religion and the Laws of Humane Society 3 The occasion of publishing the Scots Presbyterian Eloquence 5 Chap. I. THis Author's Reflections upon the Church of England and soâ—… of â—…he Ministers of State considered Pag. 9 Episcopacy established in Scotland not by the force and tyranny of our Rulers but by the consent and approbation of the whole Nation 10 The Bishops in Scotland investâ—…d with full Authority belonging to Bishops 11 A short account of some of our Church Judicatories Kirk-Sessions Presbyteries and Synods Ibid. These Judicatories shewn to be no Encroachment on the Episcopal Power 12 Our Author's disingenuity in his slanderous Reflections upon the Clergy 13 Some few of the Episcopal Clergy offering to joyn with the Presbyterians can be no sufficient Vindication of the Lives and Morals of the Presbyterian Party 14 Tâ—…e Episcopal Clâ—…rgy have charged the Presbyterians with nothing relating to their barbarous Persecution but what they have been ablc to prove from irrefragable Authorities 15 Episcopacy the first Government of the Church of Scotland after the Reformation and never there by Law abolished till the unhappy Civil Wars â—…nder the Râ—…ign of K. Charles the First broke out 16 〈◊〉 occasion of settling Superinâ—…endents in the Church of Scotland upon the Reformâ—… 17 The Superintendents invesâ—…ed with the whole Episcopal Authority and Jurisdiction over the Clergy of their Diocesses Pag. 18 The Mission of the Superintendent 's plainly different from that of other Ministers Ibid. Tâ—…e Superintendents no ways Temporary as to their Office but only as to the Namâ—… 19 The Superintendents giving an account to a National Synod of their Diligence in their Functions no Argument against their being Bishops 20 Tâ—… Enacting of these Pâ—…nal Laws against thâ—… Presbyterians which this Author has scraped together occasioned meerly by the frequenâ—… Rebellioâ—…s of that Party 21 Tâ—… Nation had sufficient ground to Enact these Laws against the Presbyterians from their Treasonable Practices under the former Râ—…igns of K. James the Sixth and K. Charles the First 22 â—…at this was the true occasion of Enacting these Penal Laws appears from our Author 's oâ—…n Concessions 23 〈◊〉 â—…s been the constant practice of the Presbyterians to shelter their Treasonable Designs under the Name of
after the Reformation The Synod is a Convocation of the whole Clergy of a Diocese with their Bishop who meet twice every Year to consult about Matters relating to their own particular Province National Synods commonly called General Assâ—…mblies consisting of all the Bishops and their Deans together with the Moderators of the several Presbyteries in their respective Dioceses and one Commissioner from each Presbytery joyned with the Moderator are called by the King Pro re natâ to Deliberate concerning the Affairs of the whole National Church In the Provincial Synods the Bishop takes care to examine iâ—… the several Presbyteries be diligent in their Duty of Punishing Offenders and if â—…ny of the Clergy be obnoxious to Censure hâ—…e they are Prosecuted â—…or their Misdemeanors Now â—…ese Judicatories are so far â—…rom being prejudicial to the Biâ—…hops Powâ—…r that they are rather a great Assistance to them for promoting â—…he Discipline of the Church and upon that account weâ—…e â—…irst Erected with the Consent and Allowance of the Bishops â—…hemselves they judging it very proper and convenient not to do any thing of great consequence to Religion without asking the Advice of their Clergy how they should behave themselves in a Matter of so great Importance And these Courts could not be look'd upon as any Encroachment upon the Episcopal Power since they so entirely depended on the Bishops Authority that without his Consent no Act of theirs could be valid But I think truly the Discipline of our Church is none of the things most to be blamed for we have some remains of the Primitive Discipline as yet among us which are to be found but in few National Churches at this day as appears from the Vestige we have of that Ancient custom of Communicatory Letters among the Bishops of the Primitive Church And as there is some Resemblance of it amongst our Bishops by dimissory Letters so it was still in force among the Inferior Clergy who were obliged to receive none into their Congregations till they first brought â—…ertificates from the Minister in whose Parish they formerly Lived testifying that during their residence among his Flock they had behaved themselves Christianly and Soberly and that â—…e knew nothing against them why they might not be admitted into any Christian Congregation without this they were never allowed to have the benefit of the Sacraments Had not â—…he Presbyterians by their Tumults and Commotions envied us the happiness of having the English Liturgy settled among us the Conâ—…titution and Discipline of our Church was such as made us inferiour to few National Churches And here I cannot but wonder at the Impudence of that Party that although they refused to joyn in Communion upon any Terms with the Episcopal Church as by Law Established yet they would take upon them to hinder them from settling among the Members of their own Commâ—…nion such a Form of Worship as they thought most agreeable to the Word of God and consonant to the practice of the Primitive Church Our Authors transient Reflexions upon the Clergy are dressed up in such Scurrilous and Obscene Language as must needs make any Man of a Virâ—…uous Education blush to Read them and therefore lest I should offend the Ears of the modest Reader by Repeating them I shall pass them over in silence till I come to consider his Third Part and aâ—… present only take Notice of those things in the Book which relate either to matter of Argument or matter of Fact And here I cannot omit his great protestations of his Ingenuâ—…us and fair Dâ—…aling in this Work whereby he thinks the more easily to captivate unthinking Readers into a belief of his Liâ—…s and Calumnies He pretends â—…o have inserted nothing but what he has Received from Credible Hands but he thinks it not fit to gratifie his Reader with an Account of the Names of those Câ—…edible Persons whose Authority he avouches for the Truth of his Aspersions Had he given us the Names of the persons with attested Declarations under their hands asserting the Truth of these things alledged against some of our Clergy we could have then known of what Credit and Authority the Testimony of those Persons ought to be had and it had been an easie matter to convince the World of the Falsehood and Forgery of his Calumnies and to purge those innocent persons from the Slanders cast upon them out of meer Malice and Envy But as â—…or our Authors Ingenuity in his Collection he has scraped together a great many Stoâ—…ies many of which are most notoriously False and have not the least shadow of Truth in them as I shall aâ—…terwards make appear and for the proof of some of them he Appeals to Records where no such thing is extant or to be seen as I have had particular occasion to enquire Some of his Accusations â—…re against such of the Clergy as were either Suspended or Deposed by the Church for their Immoralities and yet this Author imputes the Faults of these Men to the whole Society and is so disingenuous as not to acquaint his Reader with the Censures passed upon them by the Church Others again are Passages related of some Clergy-men who â—…ived under the Presbyterian Government duâ—…ing the times of its last Usurpation in that Kingdom which this Author is pleased to charge upon the present Episcopal Church and whether this be Fair and Ingenuous Dealing I appeal to any unbyassed Reader This Author insists much upon the Address presented to their General Assembly by some of the Episcopal Clergy desiring to be admitted into a share of their Church Government This he urges as a sufficient Vindication of the Lives and Morals of the Presbyterians or at least as an Argument that these Episcopal Addressers were no Honest Men themselves who desired to be associated with such Knaves as they 〈◊〉 the Presbytâ—…rians out for This Address was opâ—…osed by a great part of the Church of Scotland most of them looking upon it as unlawful and altogether inconsistent with the Prinples of Christian Communion to joyn any ways in Communion with thosâ—… whom they owned to be notorious Schismaticks as long as they persisted in their Schism so that it was but a few of the Clergy that were concerned therein and this they urge in their own Defence That notwithstanding the Nation was in a distracted â—…tate and Condition yet it concerned every individual Christian especially Clergy-men to lend their Assistance for the punishing of â—…candalous and Vicious Persons and therefore that although the Presbyterians had Usurped the Government of the Church yet the Episcopal Clergy who still retained possession of their Churches might consistently enough with their Principles joyn â—…ith them in â—…he puâ—…ishing of contumacious Offenders â—…specially since they were not obliged by this Act of Union to concur with them in their Presbyterian Ordinations or to own their Authority in matters purely Spiritual but only to Unite with them as a Company of Laicks
impowered by the State to Inflict censures upon obstinate Sinners These were the Terms proposed to them by the Civil Government for carrying on this Union and this they think they might have lawâ—…ully done without owning so much as the validity of their Ministry and I am sure much more without being obliged either to approve of or to enquire into their Lives and Conversations since in matters of Religion the bad â—…ives of Christians is never a sufficient Ground for separating from their Communion if it be in all other Respects lawful The design of the first part of this Pamphlet is to shew That the Episcopal Party bear an inveteraâ—…e Mâ—…lice against the Presbyterians and thereâ—…ore their Testimony ought not to be of any Authority in these Accusations whiâ—…h they bring against them But our Author if his Spirit of Revenge had not been too predominant might have saved himself all this trouble since the Episcopal Party do not oâ—…er to urge any thing against thâ—…m upon their own bare Authority but what they can evidently prove from Authentick Recoâ—…ds and from the Aâ—…testations of Men of â—…nspotted Fame and Credit who were Eye-Witnesses to mâ—…ny of the Villanies and Injuries done to our 〈◊〉 And this I am certain they have already done beyond thâ—… possibility of a Conâ—…utation in the Case â—…f â—…he Afflicâ—…ed Clergy â—…nd somâ—… other Discourses which they have Published relating to their latâ—… Barbarous Persecution Late I ought not to call it since it Rages almost as much now as ever It 's truâ—… the Clergy are not so much exposed to the Rage and â—…ury of the Rabble as they were by whose instigation is very well knowâ—… not very long ago But their Miseries are far fâ—…m bâ—…ing at an end they stiâ—…l remâ—…in in Exile from their Churches and Houses are exposed to all thâ—… Miseries of Poverty and Want have not the least 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 wherâ—…by they may gain Bread to 〈◊〉 their crying 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Misâ—…rie do daily increase upon them and whiâ—…h is most discouraging they have no prospect of Deliverance â—… pray â—…od may enable thâ—…m pâ—…tiently to undergo this Fiery Tryâ—…l to withstand all the Temptations of Interest and Worldâ—…y Poâ—…iticks and to remain firm and stedfast in asserting those Prinâ—…iples of our Reâ—…igion for which they at presenâ—… suffer that so having no other aim before their Eyes but to keep a Conscience void of Offence both towards God and Man thâ—…y mâ—…y have a well grounded hopâ—… of Receiving at laâ—… as a Reward of their Sufferings that Eternal Crown of Glory which Christ hath purchased to all those that suffer for well doing But let us pursue our Authors Thread of Discourse and see what the Grounds are whereon he Accuses the Episcopal Party with inveterate Malice against the Presbyterians And the first instance we meet with of this kind is That they were the First Aggressors and impugned the Governmâ—…nt of the Church of Scotland by Presbytery which was the first it had after the Reformation It is not a little surprizing to see what pains the Presbyterians take to delude the ignorant people into a belief That our sirst Reformers Condemned and Exploded the Ancient Government of the Church and that it was no less Odious to them than the Romish Superstitions When there is nothing more plain â—…rom History than that at the beginning of the Reformation there was not the least Controversie about the Church Government and the Bishops who did not oppose the Reformation were lest in full possession not only of all their Temporal Dignities but likewise of their Spiritual Authority and Jurisdiction Sucâ—… of the Bishops as persisted in the Romish Errors and Corruptiâ—…ns were not allowed to Exercise their Spiritual Authority over the Clergy but some of the Reformed Communion under the Name of Superintendants were placed over their Dioceses and invested with the whole Episcopal Jurisdiction and Authority over the Clergy of these Provinces who were obliged as appears from the Acts of our National Synods to pay to their Superintendents all the Canonical Obedience that is due to other Bishops And by a Commission of the Assembly met at Leith in January 1572 the Government of the Church was declared to be in the Arch-bishops and Bishops and their Elections to be made by the Dean and Chapter which Declaration was ratified by Act of Parliament the sâ—…me year and likewise by a General Assembly held at Perth in â—…gust thereafter Till the year 1575 about fifteen years after the â—…gal settlement of our Reformation there was not the least disturbance in the Kingdom about the Government of the Church that Mr. And. Mâ—…lvil returning ifrom Gâ—…eva where he had been bred up with the Presbyterian Parity began to raise Commotions in the Church by attempting to have the Geneva Model Established in 〈◊〉 But a fuâ—…ler Account of the Government of our Church after the Reformation you may see in a Treatise Published by Arch-bishop Spoâ—…swood upon this Subject and Entituled Refutatio Libelli de Regimine Ecclâ—…siae Scoâ—…icanae and likewise in a late Discourse where the same Argument is at Large considered and in which it is undeniably proved from the Records of Parliament that Episcopacy was not only the first Government Established in our Church immediately upon the Reformation but whaâ—… is more that although the Episcopal Authority was frequently Weakned and Interrupted by the popular Insurrections of the Presbyterian Party yet it was never by Law Abolished in that Kingdom till the unhappy Civil Wars broke out under the Reign of King Charles I. In the year 1592 when they pretend their great Idol of Parity was Erected there was indeed a greater Jurisdiction and Authority allowed by Act of Parliament to Presbyteries and Synods than what was Granted them before which the King was forced to yield to to put a stop to the many Seditions and Commotions raised by Melvil and his Accomplices But yet notwithstanding this the Bishops did still continue to exist by Law and in all Parliaments they did Sit and Vote as the first of the three Estates as appears from the Records of these Parliaments And in the year 1596. Lâ—…slie Bishop 〈◊〉 Ross dying at Brussels Mr. David Lindsay was presented by the King to the Bishoprick the very next year which is a plain demonstration that at that time Episcopacy was look'd upon as existent by Law all which is made out very plainly and evidently in this Apology But our Author will by no means allow thâ—… Superintendency Established in the Church by our first Reformers to be a Species of Prelacy And his Reasons are first That those Superintendents had the very same Form of Ordination with other Ministerâ—… Before I proceed to consider the force of this Objection it will be needful to premise something concerning the occasion of this Institution At the beginning of the Reformation it was not thought safe that the Popish Bishops who still adhered to their
Privy-Council yet I am sure there is not the least ground to urge it as an act of Severity in the Government since these Ministers were permitted to keep their Churches upon such easie Terms and the mildness of the Government towards them was such that many of them notwithstanding they absolutely refused to comply with this Act of Parliament or own the Authority of their Bishops were indulged by the favour of the Bishops to keep peaceable Possession of their Churches although this Author maliciously insinuates that all their Sufferings were occasioned by the Instigâ—…ion of â—…he Prâ—…lates But a â—…uller Account of this you have in a late Discourse Entituled An Account of the late Establishment of 〈◊〉 Government by the Parliament of Scotland Anno 1690. Pag. 14. CHAP. II. OUR Author in his Second Part conâ—…ines himself to a particular Consutation of the Treatise Entituled The Scots Presbyterian Elâ—…quence but before he bâ—…gins to take it to task he 's very high in his Panâ—…gyricks upon the Lordâ—… 〈◊〉 and Mâ—…lvil I don't incline to make any particular Reâ—…lexions either upon the Parts or Integâ—…ity of these two Lords the Tree may be easily known by its Fruits but this I must beg our Author's leave to say That as for their share in this baâ—…barous Peâ—…secution of our Clergy let them use all the means imaginable to conceal it from the Eyes of Strangers let them deny it never so impudently yet their own Consciences and the starving Oâ—…phans of many of our poor Cleâ—…gy will appear as dreadful Witnesses against them in that Great anâ—… Teâ—…rible Day when they are callâ—…d to give an Account of all their Actions whether good or bad And all the harm I wish them is that they may at last seriously reflect upon the great Injustice and Barbarity of theiâ—… Proceedings towards our Clergy that so by their unfeigned Repentance they may Atone for these Crimes and save their Souls in the Day of the Loâ—…d In the next place he accuses the Author of the Presbyterian Eloquâ—…nce for asserting a great many Untruths in his Book and p. 36. he instances in that of charging the Presbyterians with the Murder of the A. B P. of St. 〈◊〉 â—…or says he the Presbyterians were so far from approving it that thâ—…y refused the 〈◊〉 to those conâ—…erned in it particularly at the Scoâ—…s 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 What Abhorrence the Presbyterians in Holland had of this barbaâ—…ous Murder I cannot well say but this I 'm sure of that our Presbyterians in Scotland were so far from detesting it that they generally approved of it as a most Noble and Glorious Action and I dare boldly affirm that never one of the Party there refused to admit the Murderers to their Sacraments or ever offered to inflict any other Censure upon them for this heinous Villany On the contrary it is notorious how most of the Presbyterians that suffered for their Rebellion in Scotland did justifie this Murder in the face of Authority and commended it as an act of good Service done to God and his Church in delivering them from such an Oppressor This our Author's impudence caâ—… hardly serve him to deny boldly enough and therefore he 's satisfied rather to recriminate the Matter upon the Episcopal Party by charging the Privy-Council of Scâ—…tland with Hanging five Men in Magus-Moor as the 〈◊〉 Murderers though never one of them â—…ad seen a Bishop These Men were punished by a lawful Authority and conform to the Laws of the Land for though they were not the Murderers of the Archbishop of St. Andrews yet they were notoriously guilty of Treason and Rebellion against the Government and these Crimes being sufficiently proved against them and they justifying and approving of the Archbishop's murder I think it was no breach either of the Laws of God or Man to make them a publick â—…xample for the terâ—…ifying other wicked Offenders and securing the Peace of the Society for the future He says likewise That the Council hanged Mr. Mitchel for shooting at the said Archbishop though he missed â—…im But although this Villain happened to miss of his Design against the Archbishop of St. Andrews yet the Bishop of Orkney being then in Coach with the Archbishop was unfortunately wounded with the same Shot which occasioned his Death tho not very shortly after Now I can hardly think that any good Man would ever offer to condemn the punishing of such a Villany and râ—…ally I very much wonder that this Author regards so little the Credit and Reputation of his own Party as to oâ—…er so publickly to countenance or excuse such Villainous Practices as have justly rendred that Party odious to the whole World What he alledges about the Earl of Rothes and the Council their promising Mitchel his Life upon Confession is nothing but a meer Fiction For I am credibly informeâ—… that they solemnly declared before the Justice Court That they never made him any such Promise and certainly if they had they were all of them Men of more Honour and Integrity than to have retracted it This Author is at a great deal of pains to prove that Presbytery is moâ—…e popular in Scotland than Episcopaâ—…y which has ever been much insisted upon by the Presbyterians as a great Argument for the Lawfulness of their Government as if any Principle or Doctrine were the Trueâ—… because agreeable to the Inclinations of the People If this be the Standard of Truth why was not Christianity exploded and Heathenism still continued as being more suitable to the Humours of the People This is such a Foundation for the Truths of our Religion as will go near to subvert all its Doctrines since many of them are so far from being popular that they are downright Enemies to Fleâ—…h and Blood and oblige us to abstain from all those Worldly Pleasures which we so greedily pursue 'T is but a bad sign of the weakness of a Cause when they flee for shelter to the fickle and unconstant Humours of the Vulgar when they betake themselves to such weak and frivolous Arguments in defence of their Government 't is a shrewd indication they are at a loss for better to produce This new Method we have taken up to promote Religion by establishing nothing that is contrary to the Inclinations of a People may chance to have more fatal Consequences than we at present seem to be aware of The settling the Government of the Church upon such a slippery Foundation disposes People to look upon it as a thing altogether indifferent and ambulatory so that each Nation may set up what form of Church-Government they please But if we consider a little the Nature and Constitution of the Christian Religion we 'll soon find that the Government of the Church is not of such an ambulatory Nature and that it is a very essential part of the Constitution yea so essential that it is not in the power of Man to alter it For God having established
Assembly could have no such Pretence against those few Episcopal Clergy that â—…esired to be United to them in a share of the Government They were willing I suppose to own the same common Principles of Unity with the Presbyterians in reference to the Discipline of the Church that is to be governed by the major part of all their Assemblies and to submit always to what is carried by a Plurality of Voices in their Meetings though sometimes they themselves when they see it for their Interest destroy this Principle of Unity so fundamentally neceâ—…ary to all Democratical Societies and allow the lesser Number to preponderate the greater as in the Case which happened in the Synod of St. Andrews an 1591 about settling a Minister at Leuchars And this methinks is enough to shew that the Church of England had far more reasonable Grounds to oppose the Comprehension with the Dissenters than the Scots Presbyterians had to reject the desire of the Episcopal Addressers But this Author will needs have the Disadvantage appear wholly on the Church of England's â—…ide and therefore we must consider a little the Reasons he brings for his Assertion His first Reason is Because the King is really the Fountain of all their Church Power as â—…aving the making of the Bishops and does still remain Head of thâ—…ir Church whereas he hath actually renounced Name and Thing in Scotland where the whole Ecolesiastical Jurisdiction is by Law settled in the Church The King is indeed owned by the Church of England to be in his own Dominions Supream over all Persons and in all Causes Civil and Ecclesiastical but that he is the Fountain of all their Church Power is what I believe the most Erastian Principled among them never dreamed Their 37th Article asserts the contrary in as plain words as can be desired where it is said ' ' That they give not to their Princes the Ministring either of God's Word or of the Sacraments but that only Prerogative which they see to have been always given to all godly Princes in holy Scriptures by God himself that is That they should rule all Estates and Degrees committed to their Charge by God whether they be Ecclesiastical or Temporal and restrain with the Civil Sword the stubborn and evil Doers From whence 't is plain that the Church of England in her Articles allows the Civil Magistrate no Power or Jurisdiction in Matters purely Spiritual he cannot Administer the Sacraments nor Consecrate either Bishops or Priests neither can he inflict any Spiritual Censures upon obstinate Offenders The Civil Power may for strengthening the Hands of the Church and making her Discipline the more dreaded and regarded inforce her Spiritual Censures with Secular Punishments but can lay no claim to the Power of the Keys as his own Right It is from him the Church derives that Power of having Civil Penalties inflicted on such as contemn and despise thâ—… Ecclesiastical Censures as in the case of Excommunication which renders the Party excommunicated obnoxious to Temporal Imprisonment and incapacitates him from carrying on any Suit or Action in the Civil Courts The Church cannot by her own Authority use the Civil Sword to punish the stubborn and evil Doers and therefore in so far as the Civil Magistrate extends the Churches Jurisdiction to some Secular Matters and impowers her to inflict Civil Penalties for the better preserving of her Ecclesiastical Discipline the Clergy must own the King to be the Fountain from whence they derive this Power But as for their Spiritual Authority and Jurisdiction which only can be called properly the Church Power they derive it from a higher Original from God himself who is the true â—…ead of our Church and it cannot be conveyed to us by the Hands of any Lay-Person God has instituted a distinct Order of Men in our Church whom he has authorized to transmit this Spiritual Power down through all the Ages of Posterity that there might still be a constant Succession of Pastors and Governors in the Church to administer his Worâ—… and Sacraments to his People And it is from this Sacred Order of the Divine Appointment that our Clergy derive their Spiritual Power it is from their hands they receive Holy Orders and a Power of Ministring in Holy Things and none but they alone can Divest them of this Authority Our Author's Expression of the King 's having the making of the Bishops is somewhat ambiguous If he means that the King is allowed by the Church of England a Power to Consecrate and Separate the Bishops for their Sacred Function it is such a notorious Falshood as needs no Confutation the practice of the Church to the contrary being so visible But if his meaning is That the King has Power to Nominate any Clergy-man to a vacant Bishoprick it is no more than what they themselves allow to the Laity in their popular Elections And if the Laity in these Elections may be allowed to Nominate their own Pastor and Spiritual Guide I see no reason why the Church should be blamed for allowing the King to Nominate and Recommend to them a Person â—…itly Qualiâ—…ied for the Sacred Office of a Bishop especially since 't is to his Bounty they owe all the Temporal Priviledges and Honours which are annexed to the Episcopal Sees The same Power in the external ordering of Spiritual Matters with which the â—…ing is Invested by the Constitutions of this Church and Nation does likewise belong to him by the Laws of Scotland â—…e has the Power of Nominating the Bishops and 't is by his Authority the Clergy of that Kingdom are allowed to meddle in Secular Matters and to inâ—…lict any Civil Penalties upon such as dâ—…spise their Spiritual 〈◊〉 What this Author alledges about the Resâ—…inding of the whole Supremacy in Scâ—…tland by Act of Parliament since this Revolution is a gross mistake as may easily appear fâ—…om this short Narrative thereos By the 129th Act Parl. 8. â—… Jamâ—…s VI. the King 's Royal Prerogative of Supremacy over all Estates as well Spiritual as Temporal is acknowledged and ratiâ—…ied and it iâ—… dâ—…clared That none shall dâ—…cline the â—…ing's Power in 〈◊〉 Premisses under the pain of Treason Thereafter by the â—… Aâ—… 2. Parl. K Charlâ—…s II. there is an Expâ—…ication of this Act and Prerogative whereby it is declared That whatever Constitution the King sâ—…all make concerning the ordâ—…ing and disposing of the external Government of the Church shall be obeyed as Law This last Act was thought to give â—…he King too much Power since he might thereby have aboliâ—…hed the Government of the Church by his own immediate Authority and so there was some pretext for Rescinding this last Act and it is Rescindâ—…d by the first Act of the second Session of Parliament of â—… Wâ—…lliam but the â—…irst Act is not Rescinded and there was an 〈◊〉 Order to the Commissioner not to consent to any Act in prejâ—…dice theâ—…eof So that the King then by virtue
the Animadversions that you made upon one of the Libels printed against the Scots Clergy The Methods lately taken to ruin that Order of Men in Scotland are as Unjust as they are Diabolical It is a good while ago since I knew who was the Author of that Scurrilous Book and this made me think that the Archbishop of Glasgow needed no Apology against the Attempts of such a despicable Wretch yet it 's possible that what is once made Publick may fall into the hands of several Persons who are very apt to be abused and therefore I have sent here enclofed the Letter that the Archbishop wrote to me upon occasion of that Inâ—…amous Pamphlet I let it go abroad the rather that I am so seriously appealed to in the Letter it self I give you my hearty Thanks for your solid Confutatioâ—… of several malicious and obscene Lies propagated by that Calumniator I continue in all Sincerity and Affection Your Real Friend and Servant For my worthy Friend Mr. Edinburgh-Castle Jan. 21. 1693. Reverend Brother WE may say with Hezekiah This is a Day of Trouble and of Rebuke and of Blasphemy Just now when I am ordered to remove out of these Three Kingdoms and so to part from my numerous Family and ten Motherless Children when they most need my Care I am surprised to find in an obscene and virulent Pamphlet written undoubtedly by one of the First-born of the Father of Lies who dares not own his Villany Entituled An Answer to the Scots Presbyterian Eloquence Some Paragraphs and Passages impudently painting me as one of the most impure and 〈◊〉 Wretches that ever was cloathed in Human Flesh which if true should justly expose my Name to Infamy and my Life to Justice as the most viâ—…e prophane and sacrilegious Monster that ever bore a sacred Character Which I no sooner read than I fell on my Knees and as the same good King â—…ezekiah did with Senacherib's blasphemous Letter I spread it before the Lord in Prayer and in the innocence of my Heart and integrity of my Life I appealed to him â—…or a just Vindication not that I needed it amongst them to whom my Life and Manners are known but only amongst such as are Strangers to me and to this Kingdom upon whom this impudâ—…nt Son of 〈◊〉 designs to impose Not only the sense of Religion and Purity but even my Native Modesty sor attesting of which I do appeal to all the Men and Women in the World with whom I ever conversed whom I earnestly obtest ingenuously to declare if ever they heard one single obscene Word drop from my Tongue or ever perceived any immodest Insinuation either directly or indirectly in my Actings or Practice made me read these obscene Passages with great aversion and horror most of which I declare in the Presence of GOD I never heard nor read to be said or done by or charged upon any Mortal till I found them there asserted as things notoriously known of my self by this infamous Monster of Prophaneness as well as of villanous and impudent Lying Modesty will not allow me to repeat them since they deâ—…ile the Air and needs must pollute the Eyes of Readers and Ears of Hearers and therefore to convel and 〈◊〉 them I shall only say this That if the wicked Author will be so just to himself and to his Party as to come out from behind the Curtain pull off his Mask and prove any of these infamous Articles or Passages he asserts against me by two nay by any one single Witness or Person of known Virtue and Probity and of irreproachable Fame I shall not only offer my Name to Infamy but my Life to Justice and to encourage him so to do I hereby promise him as a Reward and shall find him good Surety for it tho my Circumstances are now very low of Two hundred Pounds Sterling and perhaps the silly Author needs such a charming Bait if he shall prove any single Article or Instance of those infamous and diabolical Aspersions and Calumnies Now if after this open Appeal and Challenge and offer of this Reward he shall not appear and avow himself the Author nor make at least any one Article of his many Instances against me appear to be true I shall then leave it to all mankind to judge if he is not the most wicked impudent lying Villain that ever put Pen to Paper or if I need any further Vindication especially considering that he asserts so many Persons to be privy to those impure and obscene Passages so that he cannot be straitned for want of Evidence and Witnesses and is very sure that the present Judges for I shall decline none will not provâ—… Partial upon my side I render devoutly Thanks to GOD who hath continued my Life thus long and granted me this opportunity thus to appeal and charge this wicked Author that so I may satisfie the World of my Innocence and that this may remain as a solid Witness sor me and my good Name after my Death against a Spirit of Lying and Calumny which as formerly against our pious and worthy Predecessors is now like to go sorth enraged and rampant against those of my Perswasion Order and Character from such who have long made Lies their Refuge Dear Brother You know I have lived long in this Church and Kingdom and have born a greater and more eminent Character both in Church and State than my weakness and imperfection did deserve you know also I did not want many and some of great â—…uality and Power who sometimes have been Enemies to me so that had â—… been such an abominable wicked and notour Monster as this infamous Scribler endeavours to paint me I had been as certainly as justly thrust out from the Counciâ—… Table and the Sacred Episcopal Office with disgrace and infamy for nothing could have supported such a villanous Wretch from feeling the Justice of this Church and Nation You have long conversed with me and I appeal to you and to all my Reverend Brethren Bishops Presbyters and Deacons to whom I am known nay to all mankind with whom I ever conversed and I conjure you and all them to declare to all men when occasion offers as in the fight of our great and omniscient Judge if ever you or they heard or perceived any manner of impure or so much as an immodest Word or Insinuation to flow from me and I am ready to stand or fall at that Bar accordingly There is a Party of Men in the World who Treat us as some Persecuting Heathens did the pure Primitive Christians whom they sowed up in Skins of Wolves Bears and other Savage Beasts and then hounded out their bloody Dogs to devour and tear them in pieces is it not enough that our Sacred Order is abolished our selves turned out of our Livings and Benefices so that many of us alas are reduced with our numerous Families to a state of starving that our Persons are assaulted and beaten in the open
justified Page 39. The making the Inclinations of the People the Standard of Church Governmâ—…nt is of very fatal consquences to the 〈◊〉 of Religâ—…on The â—…Presbyterians having made more Insurrections in the Kingdom in behalf of their Church Government than the Episcopal Church have thought fit to do is no Argumâ—…t tâ—…at 〈◊〉 is more 〈◊〉 in Scotland 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This lâ—…st Convâ—…ntion having abolisâ—… d Episcopacy and establishâ—…d Presbytâ—…ry is no good Argumâ—…nt that the Presbyterians have the majority of the Nation on their side Pag. 42. The Methods 〈◊〉 by the Epâ—…scopal 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 â—…he 〈◊〉 sâ—…ewn to be vâ—…ry 〈◊〉 sinâ—…â—…t the 〈◊〉 of K. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wâ—…re â—…w or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bâ—…t what â—…yned in Communion with the 〈◊〉 Câ—…urch Tâ—… 〈◊〉 practice in â—…Wirdâ—… oâ—…r 〈◊〉 Pâ—…yer altoâ—…ther 〈◊〉 * The Malicious Charactersthis Author gives of the English and Scots Gentry as well as Clerâ—…y Page 23. Page 38. Page 13. The settling or 〈◊〉 Matters of Religion in comâ—…liance with thâ—… Humâ—…urs of thâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The disingenuity of this Author and his Party in calling the English Common-Prayâ—…r Book Popery 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 day of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Godwyn ' s Moses and Aaron Pag. 138. Esther â—… 9. Serv. in Virg. p. 86. Macrob. Saturn l. 1. c. 16. The Murder of K. Ch. I. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 upon the 〈◊〉 in both Kingdoms and not upon thâ—… Nation in 〈◊〉 â—…r Burnets Mâ—…moirs of the Dâ—…kes of Hamâ—…lton Pag. 284. Bishop Gâ—…thries History of the Civil Wars iâ—… Scotland MS. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dr. Burneâ—… â—…bid p. 353. 〈◊〉 Guthries Hist. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The 〈◊〉 â—…f 〈◊〉 Scotâ—… 〈◊〉 towâ—…rd K. Charles II. â—…pen hiâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That the English Câ—…vocation acâ—…ed upon fâ—…r bâ—…tter Grounds in râ—…susing an Union with the 〈◊〉 than 〈◊〉 Scots Assâ—…mbly in rejecting 〈◊〉 Addresses of those feâ—… Episcop 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 them proveâ—… by 〈◊〉 Râ—…sons An accoâ—… of the King'â—… 〈◊〉 in Scotland as it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tâ—…e Church 〈◊〉 thâ—… sole Powâ—…r in 〈◊〉 purely Spiritual but the Clergy arâ—…â—…qually subjâ—…ct tâ—… the Civil Au 〈◊〉 anâ—… liable to the same 〈◊〉 wâ—…th the 〈◊〉 Spotsw Ref. lib. p. 65. Bishop â—…uthries Hâ—…st The Church of England the guilty of no breach of promisâ—… in râ—…susing an Union with thâ—… 〈◊〉 upâ—…n 〈◊〉 â—…rms propoâ—…i Tâ—…e 〈◊〉 Minâ—…sters have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 a Powâ—…r of making 〈◊〉 â—…nd War Burnets Mâ—…moirs of the Dukes of Hamilt p. 337 339 The Pâ—…esbyteria s not with u sâ—…me ground stigmatized wiâ—…h the râ—…p oachful Term of New Gospâ—…llers 〈◊〉 is not strange to see Persons after they have murdered robbed or any way injurâ—…d â—…heir 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 endeavoâ—…r 〈◊〉 to blackâ—…n thâ—…m in thâ—…ir 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bâ—…tter to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 own wickâ—…d Actions 〈◊〉 thâ—…m The 〈◊〉 of oâ—…r Clergy sufficienâ—…ly vindicâ—…ed srom this Libllâ—…r's aspersions since in thâ—… present 〈◊〉 agaâ—…nst thâ—…m by the 〈◊〉 tâ—…y cannot Instance in 〈◊〉 of their number against whom they could find the 〈◊〉 pretâ—…nce to deprive thâ—…m for Immoralities Many of our Clergy sufâ—…iciently vindicated from this Libeller's accusations by the Author of an Appendix to a late Treatise entituled An Apology for the Clergy of Scoâ—…laud Dr. Canaries fully vindicated from the Calumny brought agâ—…inst hâ—…m by this Accuser and the Accuser's Malice and 〈◊〉 fully 〈◊〉 An â—…ccount of Dâ—…an Hamilton's Process and his being absolv'd therefrom by the Privy-Council anâ—… 〈◊〉 Criminal â—…ourt * Page 6â—… Our Author 's great mistake concerning Mr. Boyd A full Relâ—…tion of the Procâ—…ss concâ—…rning Mr. Hugh Blair and of thâ—… indirect ways and means used by the Prosbyterian Party to stain his Reputation The â—…tory of Mr. Chisâ—…olm truly related and â—…e cleared from this Calumâ—…y This Affair of Mr. Chisholm's a singulaâ—… instance of the Villanous Arts and Practices of the Presbyterians to bring contâ—…mpt on the Episcopal Clergy Mr. Waugh a 〈◊〉 Ministâ—…r Vindicated from the Aspersions of this Liâ—…ller Another mistake of our Authors concâ—…rning Mr. Gregories bâ—…ing 〈◊〉 at Torbolton The notorious 〈◊〉 of the Râ—…lation aâ—…out Mr. Pearson A â—…indication of Mr. Lawson Miâ—…ster of Yrongray Vindication of Archbishop Cairncross The Conclusion
strong Delusions Indeed the Event proved far otherwise for in our late Distractions these Men who had been so mercifully dealt with were the most furious and violent in carrying on the Commotions â—…gainst the State and the Persecution againâ—…t the Clergy Nay their Ingratitude was such that they alone occasioned the rabbling of those very Clergy-men who had formerly been so instrumental in rescuing them from the Gallows But I would willingly ask our Aâ—…thor here Whether he can chargâ—… any of our Clergy with Petitioning the Government for the Execution of any of these Rebels as the custom was in former times when Presbytery had Usurped the Government both of Church and State Many Instances of this kind might be here produced to shew the Cruelty of the Presbyterian Party how their Teachers during the late Civil Wars did often Petition the Committee of Estates for a speedy Execution of the Prisâ—…ners when they were all of them Men of extraordinary Woâ—…th and Integrity and had no Crime alledged against them but Loyalty to thâ—…ir Prince as was done by the Commission of the Kirk 〈◊〉 aâ—… Pâ—…rth in the Year 1645 and how they have perswaded the Generals of their Armies to put those Prisoners to the 〈◊〉 of the Sword who had surrendred themselves upon Quarters asked and given as they did after the Defeat of Monâ—…rose by David Lâ—…sly at Philiphaugh in the same Year 1645. For the Foot in Montrose's Army surrendred themselves upon Quarters which the General readily granted but the Presbyterian Ministers who were then in the Army were highly enraged that Quarters should be given to such Wretches as they and declared it to be an act of most sinful Impiety to spare them and so by their Importunity they prevailed with D. Lâ—…sly to suffer the Army to be let loose upon them and cut them all in pieces Many such Instances of their Cruelty might be here produced from the History of these Times but I purposely forbear to mention any more of them This I think is all that is needful to be said here in Answer to our Author's First Part since Sir George Mackenzie in the above-named Treatise has already demonstrated to the satisfaction of all disinteressed Persons that what the Presbyterians suffered under the former Reigns was occasioned meerly by their own Rebellion and could not in any justice be imputed to the severity of the Government And the same Reasons that justifie the Government in Enacting these Laws against the Presbyterians wiâ—…l likewise Vindicate those Noble Persons who were employed either in the State or Army undâ—…r that Government from the Aspersions of Cruelty thrown upon them by thiâ—… Scribler If the Government be endangered by the Tumults and Insurrections of a Party must the Ministers thereof overlook such dangerous Practices and not put the Laws in execution against the Incendiaries of these Commotions Though I am certain it was done with the greatest Tenderness and Lenity imaginable by those Gentlemen whom this Author in his Pamphlet accuses of the greatest Cruelty Most of the Persons concerned in the Administration of Affairâ—… under that Government especially those whom he chiefly vents his Malice against Pag. 26. are known to be Men of such Worth and Merit that our Author does his Party no small prejudice by letting the World know that their Practices have been such as to provoke Men of that Honour and Quality to be their Enemies But before I put an end to this Chapter I must consider one Particular more which this Author urges as an Instance of the severity of that Government and where the Parties that did Susfer cannot be so 〈◊〉 said to have susfered for Rebellion though they may justly enough be charged with an obstinate and peevish Contâ—…pt of the lawful Commands of their Superiors It is Pag. 6. wâ—…ere he says That by the Instigation of the Prelates the Council by thâ—…ir Act Octob. 1662. turned out 300 Ministers out of thâ—…ir Churches without â—…ither Accusation Citation Conviction or Sentence or a Heaving allowed them To answer this Objection there needs no more but a true Narrative of the Matter of Fact which I shall here set down as briefly as I can and then leave it to the Judgment of my Reader whether this Matter when truly represented can be with any reason urged as an Instance of the Severity of that Government In the Year 1649. when there was no King in our 〈◊〉 and the Presbyterians at liberty to act as they listeâ—… the Right of Patronages was abolished by Act of Parliament and after the Restoration of the Royal Family there was an Act of Parliâ—…ment in the Year 1662 restoring this Right to the Patrons and requiring all the â—…lergy to take Presentations from them under theÌ„ pain of â—…orfeiting their Churches But that the present Incumbents who had entered to their Churches without a Pâ—…esentation from the Patron might not sustain any Damage by this Act it was thâ—…reby providâ—…d That the Patrons should give Presentations to none but to those Persons who were in actual possession of the Churches and had entred thereto by the Call of the People There were severâ—…l Pâ—…esbyterian Ministers who refused to give any Compliâ—…nce with this Act of 〈◊〉 and would take no Presentation from the Patron and therefore the Privy-Council issued out a Proclamation requiring all the Clergy comply with this Act of Parliament and declaring the Placâ—…s of those void who refused to yield Obedience thereto Upon which the Non-Compliers of their own accord so that there was no need 〈◊〉 of Accusation or Sentence against them abstained after the Time limited by the Act from the Exercise of thâ—…ir Ministry and tâ—…e Patrons took care to present others to the vacant Churches But I cannot see the least shadow of reason why this Act should bâ—… urged aâ—… an Instâ—…uce of so great severity in the Government since there was not the least harm thereby intended to the Clergy the design of the Act was only to secure the Rights of particular Persons which had been iâ—…croached upon in the Presbyterian Usurpations for the Ministers that had been in possession of their Churches before the Year 1649 and had received Presentations from the right Patrons were not included in this Act but remained in their Settlements as before and such as were now willing to own the Right of their Patâ—…ons by taking Presentations from them were allowed to keep their Churches and the Patrons obliged to give Presentations to them and to none else if they were willing to accept of them So that whatever may be objected against the Uncanonicalness of the Proceedings against them though even that may be justified since all the Bishops concurred with what was done by the Council in that matter that their Sentence of Deprivation ought to have been pronounced by a Spiritual rather than a Lay-Court and that thâ—… Bishops were more competent Judges to deprive them of the Exercise of their Miâ—…istry than the