fervently This liberty of Election is in part prejudged hindred by Patronages and Presentations which are still in use there not by the rules of their discipline but by toleration of that w ch they cannot amend in the mean time procuring that in the case of presentations by Patrons the examination and tryall by the Presbytery is still the same The Congregation where he who is presented is to serve is called if they have ought to object against his Doctrine or life after they have heard him or that their consent may be had And if he be found Reus ambitus or to have gone about to procure a presentation he is repelled declared incapable of that place No Pastor may thrust himself upon a flock nor after his entry desert his charge or remove himself to another Congregation at his own pleasure The Deserters if any be are appointed to be admonished and in case of obstinacy to be excommunicated If a Minister upon lawfull and urgent causes desire to remove from one Congregation to another of if a Minister be called to another Congregation for which he is more fit or be called forth upon grave considerations for some publike employment tending to the common benefit of the Church This is not done by private transaction and particular agreement of Ministers and Congregations but by the wisedom and authority of the Presbyteries or Assemblies of the Church Nor is it done by them but upon such reasons as should move that Church wherein for the present he ministreth to give her consent for whose supply also either a convenient course is presently taken or the way of supply is seen to be easie The Minister thus removed from one Church to another receiveth no new ordination but by vertue of his first ordination he serveth in the place unto which he is called and elected Only at his admission one of the Presbytery who is appointed to preach of the duty of Pastors and people and to pray for a blessing recommendeth him to the Congregation who have before declared their willingnesse and desire to receive him and the Congregation to his care and fidelity And the Pastor if any be together with the Elders with whom he sitteth before the Pulpit take him by the hand Pastors and Ministers of the Word through old age sicknesse or other infirmitie being disabled to bear the weight and discharge the duty of their Pastorall charge Do notwithstanding still retain the honour of their office and comfort of maintenance during their lifetime And they performing what they are able in reaching government visitation and catechising others are joyned with them by the Presbytery and with the consent of the people to be their fellow labourers and to undergo the main charge The same course of election and admission for substance and in form according to the nature of their office is observed in the calling of other Officers as Ruling Elders and Deacons At the beginning and where there be none the Pastor with the gravest holiest and those of the soundest judgement and best affection to Religion do choose them with the consent of the rest of the people And where particular Elderships are already constitute the Pastor and the Elders who are now in office do choose such as are to succeed those who are removed by death or any other way or by vicissitude are to relieve such as are now in place And that the election of one or moe at first or afterward may proceed with the consent of the people their names are published and made known to the congregation by the Pastors that if ought may be objected against any of them why they may not be received to the office of an Elder or Deacon it may be examined and if it be found important others may be chosen When the day of their admission cometh the Pastor having fram'd his doctrine to the purpose calleth them up and remembring both them of their duty in their charge and the people of their submitting themselves unto them they arâ— solemnly received with lifted up hands giving their promises to be faithfull III. The discharge of their duties in particular and first of the Pastor 1. The order kept in Preaching THe Pastor is bound to teach the Word of God in season and out of season and beside all occasionall and week day Sermons which in Cities and Townes use to be at least two dayes every week The Congregation doth assemble twice on the Lords day and for this end notice is given of the time by the sound of a Bell. When so many of all sorts men and women masters and servants young and old as shall meet together are assembled The publike worship beginneth with prayer and reading some portion of holy Scripture both of the Old and New Testament which the people hear with attention and reverence and after reading the whole Congregation joyneth in singing some Psalm This reading and singing do continue till the Preaching begin At which time the Minister having prefaced a little for quickening and lifting up the hearts of the people first maketh a prayer for remission of sin Sanctification and all things needfull joyning also confession of sins and thanksgiving with speciall relation to the hearers After which in the forenoon is another Psalm and after the Psalm a prayer for a blessing upon the preaching of the Word His Text is ordinarily some part of that Book of Canonicall Scripture which in his judgement he conceiveth to be fittest for the times and the condition of his flock The Doctrine deduced is explained and confirmed by Scripture and fitly and faithfully applyed all in such methode manner and expression as may most edifie the hearers After Sermon he praiseth God and prayeth again for a blessing joyning earnest petitions for the Church Vniversall and for the coming of the Kingdom of Christ for all the afflicted Churches for the Churches in his M ajest Dominions for the Church of Scotland Ministery and People for the King the Queen the Prince and their whole Royall Progeny for all the members of that particular Congregation as well absent in their lawfull affairs as present for all that are afflicted among them in body minde or means The prayer ended a Psalm is sung and the people dismissed with a blessing In the afternoon either the same order in all things almost is followed in performing the parts of publike worship or some part of the Catechisme is expounded and thereafter so much time as may be spared is bestowed in Catechising some part of the Parish warned particularly to attend Beside the publike means they have other three helps for edification one is an ordinary course of Catechising on such dayes of the week as are judged to be fittest by the Pastor and Eldership Another is the visitation of families by the Pastors and the Elders each one in his own quarter for trying the manners of the people whether they walk worthy of the Gospel for setting and holding
therefore are a part of the Seminarie of the publike Ministery are numbred among the expectants how soon they are enabled to enter upon the exercise and sometimes are imployed by the Ministers to help them in teaching and Catechising of the people The Universities also use to be visited by Commissioners delegated from the Nationall assembly that there be nothing taught by the Professors and Doctors but what is sound and consonant to the confession of faith and the received doctrine and order of the Church and to see that both Masters and Schollers do their duties diligently especially that their be no scandall nor corruption of maners In like maner the more private schooles are visited by the Presbiteries poore schollers of good ingines and expectation are provided in a great part of their maintenance by places of the foundation of Colledges which are appointed by the Founders or Reformers for that use and others are maintained by Contribution of particular Churches within every Presbitery which the Pastor or Elder bringeth unto them so soone as they are chosen by the Presbitery V. Of Elders and their Office THe Calling Election and admission of Elders is before spoken of The number of Elders in every Parish is not definit but doth vary according to the number and necessity of the people In some parishes ó in some 10 or 12 c. Such are chosen to be Elders as come neerest to the gifts and qualities required by the Apostle and after they are chosen are at all occasions exhorted by the Pastor to be ensamples to the flock and to watch over them faithfully against all corruptions in religion and life And as the Pastor should bee diligent in teaching and sowing the seed so are the Elders desired to be carefull in seeing and seeking the fruits in the people The Elders do attend with the Pastor in Chatechising the people do assist him In visiting the sick In admonishing all men of their duty and if any will not heare them they bring the disobedient before the Eldership In causing the acts of the assemblies as well particular as generall to be put in execution But a principall part of their duty is to joyne alwayes with the Pastor in the particular Eldership and in the other assemblies of the Church as they shall be called for exercising of discipline and governing the whole Congregation VI. Of the Deacons and their Office WHat maner of persons the Deacons ought to be the Scripture is plain and such they make choise of as are so qualified so far as may be The forme of their election is before expressed Their number must be considered of according to the number of the poore and the proportion of the Congregation as we spake before of the Elders Their maine duty is to collect receive and distribute not onely the almes for the poore but the whole Ecclesiasticall goods which are not assigned and appointed for the maintenance of particular persons These duties they must performe at the dscretion and by the appointment of the Pastor and Elders for which cause and not for government they are to be present at the ordinary meetings of the Eldership The meanes for the maintenance of the poore are collected by the Deacons the first day of the weeke and other dayes of the publike assembling of the people to the worship of God at the entry of the Church And if this prove not a competency then do the people either bring in their Charity on such dayes as are appointed by the Eldership or are willing to be taxed according as they shall be judged to be able In some Cities and Parishes where this order hath been carefully observed none have been suffered to beg and none have lacked Their Ministers beside their Gleab and Manse are all provided to certaine and the most part to competent stipends which are paid either in victuall or moneys or in both And if the charge of their family be great and their children put to Schooles or Colledges they are helped and supplied by the charity of the people which useth also to be extended if need be toward their widows and Orphanes after their decease of which the whole Eldership hath a speciall care Every parish almost hath some stock for the reliefe of strangers and for supply of the extraordinary necessities of their owne poore Hospitalls have their owne rents and the publike buildings of the Church are upholden by the Patron and the Freeholders of the Parish unto which if any be unwilling he is constrained by Law to pay his proportion The Second Part. I. Of the Assemblies of the Church and first in Generall NO man here were he never so eminent above others for Piety Wisdome or Learning or doth he never so much arrogate authority to himself hath the rains of Church Government in his hands to determine or to doe what seemeth good in his own eyes But all matters are advised determined and judged with common consent in the meetings and assemblies of the Church which for this end are of foure sorts and degrees which are commonly called by the names of Church sessions or particular Elderships or Consistories Presbyteries or Classes Provinciall Synods and Nationall or Generall Assemblies Each of these assemblies hath a President or Moderator who beginneth and endeth with prayer propoundeth matters to be treated procureth them to be debated if need bee in an orderly way that all may be heard and none interrupted unlesse he speak too much gathereth the voices which are noted by the Clerk and pronounceth the sentence or if there be an equality remitteth it to the greater Presbyterie each of them hath a Clerk or a Notary and a Register of all things debated and done by them especially of such matters as may be of future use None of these assemblies from the least to the greatest are to treat of matters pertaining to the civill Jurisdiction and Magistrate but only of matters Spirituall and Ecclesiasticall that the doctrine and worship may be kept in purity all things be done decently and in order in the particular Churches and that all the members of the Churches may walke worthy of the Gospell The lesser and inferiour assembly is subordinate to the superiour and greater so that if any person shall think himselfe wronged or distressed by the unjust proceeding of the inferiour assembly it is lawfull for him to seek reliefe of the greater providing it be done in an humble and peaceable way and in the right order by proceeding to the next greater assembly and so of the rest if need be taking them in their subordination untill either he be satisfied or which rarely commeth to passe he ascend unto the highest of all In matters difficult or such as belong to superiour assemblies References from the lesser are ordinary but nothing belonging to an inferiour assemblie is brought before a greater til either it cannot be setled or be disorderly done by them or some complaint arise And in that case so
benefices were called Bishops had by their own usurpation and the slavish disposition of their brethren obtained some degree and power over them They did come into England and without the consent or knowledge of the Church received consecration and returning home did consecrate others like themselves II. Of their calling AS no man ought to presume to enter into any office Ecclesiasticall without an inward calling from God who only discerneth the intentions and desires of the heart whether they be earthly or heavenly whether they be set upon the glory of God and edifying of the Church or upon the means of this life So are there none here admitted without the approbation and judgement of men according to the rules of the Word and the received order of the Church This outward calling of the Officers of the Church doth consist in Election and Ordination after due triall and examination of their soundnesse in religion and godlinesse of life For the better understanding of the order of the calling of their Ministers it is to be considered That in every one almost of their Classes or greater Presbyteries there be Students of Divinity whereof some if they have opportunity of their Studies do make their abode within the bounds of the Presbytery and attend the meetings thereof Others who are the greater part stay at the Universities and in the time of vacation come home and wait upon the Presbytery The abilities of both the one sort and the other are tryed in private before the Presbytery and how soon they are found fit to come in publike they enter upon the exercise or prophecy with the Ministers of the Presbytery and at sometimes are employed and allowed to preach before the people By which mean their gifts and abilities are known to the people as their manners are manifest by their conversing amongst them Out of the number of these Proposants or as they call them Expectants the Pastor is nominated to the vacant place by the Eldership and by the Minister if any be with the consent and good liking of the people and if they can pitch upon none within the bounds of their own Presbytery they have their liberty to make their choice of an Expectant of good esteem and report in some other Presbytery The Person thus known and nominated is by the particular Eldership named to the greater Presbytery where he is examined of his skill in the Languages Latine Greek and Hebrew in his interpreting of Scripture in the controversies of Religion in his gift of exhortation in the holy and Ecclesiasticall History and Chronologie And first of all Of his life and manner of conversation wherein if he be found vitious or scandalous he is not to be admitted to any other examination Being thus examined and found qualified for that charge he is sent to the vacant place that the people hearing him may have the greater assurance of his gifts for edification After the people have heard him some Minister of the Presbytery is appointed to preach to that people of the necessity of the Ministery of the excellency of a faithfull Minister of the qualities of a Minister and of the obedience due to the Gospel or of some such Theme And at the same time a publike Edict is served That if any person or persons have any thing to object against the literature doctrine or life of such a man why he may not be a profitable Minister of such a Parish They shall appear before the Presbytery in such a place and at such a time that their objections may be tryed and discussed Upon the day appointed the Door-keeper of the Presbyterian meeting doth call three severall times if there be any to object against the Person nominated and if any thing be alleadged against him by any of that particular flock or any other to whom he is known it is duely and equally pondered by the Presbytery and if it be found to have any weight or the case be doubtfull the ordination is suspended till a more perfect triall Otherwise if there be nothing but silence they use to proceed So that no man is here obtruded upon the people against their open or tacite consent and approbation or without the voices of the particular Eldership with whom he is to serve in the Ministery But if the person nominated be a Pastor of some other flock and his faithfulnesse known in his former charge this processe is spared and his translation more speedily expede if there be no impediments of another kinde Upon the day appointed for accomplishing his election and for his ordination which is in due time made known to the Congregation and agreed upon with them a Fast is ordained to be kept with more than ordinary supplication for the assistance and blessing of God in a work of so great concernment And one of the Pastors of the Presbytery is appointed to preach to that people of the mutuall duties of Pastor and people All which being done the party who during the time of the exercise of publike worship hath been sitting in a conspicuous place before the Pulpit accompanied with the Elders and some Ministers of the Presbytery is called up and demanded concerning his willingnesse and desire to serve the Lord JESUS for the good of that people with other questions of that kinde and the people also are demanded whether they will receive him for their Pastor and submit themselves unto his Ministery in the Lord. Both having declared their readinesse and mutuall consent The Minister cometh from the Pulpit and with so many of the Ministers present as may conveniently come neer lay their hands upon his head and in the Name of JESUS do appoint him to be the Pastor of that people praying that from JESUS CHRIST who is at the right hand of the Father and giveth gifts unto men he may finde the demonstration of the Spirit and the power and blessing of GOD in his Ministery to the comfort of that people Therafter the whole Eldership give unto him the right hand of fellowship And last of all the Minister goeth to the Pulpit and concludeth the whole action with pertinent thanksgiving and prayers a Psalm is sung and the Assembly dissolved with the blessing By this it may appear that Pastors or Presbyters are not there admitted at large without assignation to a particular flock like Masters of Art or Doctors of Physick They conceive it to be as preposterous for Ordination to go before the Election of Ministers in the Church as it is first to Crown a King or Install a Magistrate and thereafter to choose him next in the ordination of their Ministers they use none of the ridiculous toyes and apish conceits of Popery but according to the simplicity of the Apostolicall and ancient Church content themselves with Fasting Prayer and Imposition of hands Prayer to bring down a blessing upon the person on whose head the hands are laid and Fasting to make the prayer to ascend the more
up religious exercise in families And that the Pastor from his particular knowledge of the flock committed to him may apply his doctrine and pray the more pertinently in publike The third is Examination of all sorts of persons who are not known to have some good measure of knowledge before the Communion All these parts of the Ministery in publike and private are performed more diligently or negligently according to the faithfulnesse or unfaithfulnesse of the Minister who hath according to his work his praise or censure at the visitation of the Church by the greater Presbytery No Minister there is suffered to be a non-resident or to have the charge of more Churches But if two small contiguous Parishes be united by the assembly to make up a competent congregation he Preacheth sometime in the one and sometime in the other Church as the people do desire and the Eldership doth direct 2. The order of Baptisme NO other but the Pastor who preacheth the Word hath the power of the Ministration of the Sacraments And concerning Baptisme it useth not to be hastened before some day of the publike meeting of the Congregation nor delayed after but upon necessary impediments and is never ministred in private houses Notice is given thereof in due time to the Pastor and that by the Father of the child if he be not justly hindered that a word may be spoken to him in season After Sermon on the week dayes and after Sermon in the afternoon on the Lords day The Pastor remaining in the same place where he hath Preached and having water in a large Basin provided with a fair Linnen-cloth in a convenient place and in a decent manner The Father or in his necessary absence some other man who is reputed godly presenteth the child to be Baptized The action is begun with a short and pertinent prayer next some words of instruction touching the Author nature use and end of this Sacrament the duties to be performed in the one time of the person to be Baptized and of the parent or viceparent Thirdly he that presenteth the childe maketh confession of the Faith into which the childe is to be Baptized and promiseth to bring up the childe in that Faith and in the fear of God Fourthly the Minister being informed of the name of the childe Baptizeth the childe so named by sprinkling with water Into the name of the Father Son and holy Ghost Lastly the Minister concludeth as well the publike worship for that time as the action with thanksgiving for the Word and Sacraments and with prayer for a blessing and with such Petitions as he useth at other times after Sermon and in end dismisseth the Congregation with the blessing 3. The order of ministring the Communion or the Lords Supper THe Sacrament of the Lords Supper is more frequently ministred in some Congregations then in other according to the number of the Communicants and the Proficiency of the People in the way of Christ and in some places upon one Sabbath in other places upon two or three Sabbaths as it may be done most conveniently which is determined by the Minister and Eldership of the Church None are admited to the Lords Supper but such as upon examination are found to have a compeâ—ent measure of knowledge in the grounds of Christian Religion and the doctrine of the Sacraments and are able according to the Apostles Commandement and professe themselves willing to examine themselves and to renew their Covenant made with God in Baptisme promising to walk as beseemeth Christians and to submit themselves to all the Ordinances of Christ. The ignorant the Scandalous the obstinate and such as are under Censure or publike admonition in the way to censure are not admitted Neither are strangers received but upon sufficient testimony or otherwise be very well known The Sabbath day next before the Communion shall be celebrated publike warning thereof is made by the Pastor and of the doctrine of preparation to be taught the last day of the week or at least toward the end of the week That the Communicants may be the better prepared by the use of the means both in private and publike Upon the day of the Communion notice being given after the doctrine of preparation of the houres of meeting which useth to be before the ordinary time observed other Sabbaths a large Table decently covered is so placed as that the Communicants may best sit about it and the whole Congregation may both hear and behold The Preface prayers and preaching of that day are all framed to the present matter of the Sacrament and the duties of the receivers after Sermon immediatly the Pastor useâ—h an exhortation and debarreth from the Table all ignorant prophane and scandalous persons which being done he goeth from the Pulpit and sitteth down with the people at the Table where the bread standing before him in great Basins fitly prepared for breaking and distribution and the wine in large Cups in like manner he first readeth and shortly expoundeth the words of Institution shewing the nature use and end of the Sacrament and the duties of the Communicants next he useth a prayer wherein he both giveth thanks especially for the Inestimable benefit of Redemption and for the means of the Word and Sacraments particularly of this Sacrament and prayeth earnestly to God for his powerfull presence and effectuall working to accompany his own Ordinance to the comfort of his people now to communicate The Elements thus being Sanctified by the Word and Prayer the Minister Sacramentally breaketh the bread taketh and eateth himself and delivereth to the people sitting in decent and reverent manner about the Table but without difference of degrees or acceptions of persons these that are neerest the Minister having received the bread do divide it from hand to hand amongst themselves when the Minister delivereth the bread according to the commandment and example of Christ he commandeth the people to take and eat saying Take ye eat ye this is the Body of the Lord which is broken for you Do it in remembrance of him After all at the Table have taken and eaten the Minister taketh the Cup and drinking first himself he giveth it to the neerest saying This Cup is the New Testament in the Blood of the Lord Iesus which is shed for many for the remission of sins drink ye all of it for as often as ye do eat this Bread and drink this Cup ye do shew the Lords death till he come All this time the Elders in a competent number and in a grave and reverent manner do attend about the Table that all who are admitted to the Table may have the bread and wine in their own place and order of sitting the Minister also continuing in his place after the giving of the Elements doth either by his own speech stir up the Communicants to Spirituall meditations of faith of the great love of God in Christ and of the Passion of Christ and to holy affections
of love joy godly sorrow thankfulnesse and whatsoever may concern them at that time or causeth be read the history of the Passion or some other part of Scripture which may work the same effect After all at the Table have received the Cup they rise from the Table and return in a quiet manner to their places another company cometh to the Table and so a third and a fourth till all have received in the same manner as the first during which time of removing of the one and approaching of the other the whole Congregation singeth some part of a Psalm touching the Passion or the love and kindenesse of God to his people as Psal. 22 or 103 c. After the last company hath received the Minister rising from the Table goeth to the Pulpit where after a short speech tending to thanksgiving he doth againe solemnely give thankes unto God for so great a mercy and prayeth as on other Sabbaths The prayer ended all joyn in singing a Psalm of praise sutable to the occasion and are dismissed with the blessing before which none are to depart unlesse in case of necessity The Communion being thus celebrated in the forenoon the people meet again in the afternoon at which time the Minister teacheth the Doctrine of thanksgiving and closeth the publike and solemn worship of that day from which the people use to depart refreshed with the grace and peace of God and strengthened with new and fresh resolutions to serve the Lord. 4. The order of publike fasting or humiliation SOmetimes the fast or humiliation is of larger extent to be observed by all the Churches in the Kingdome sometime more particular of one or more Congregations Sometimes the fast is kept one day only sometimes all the dayes of the week Sometimes on the Sabbath only especially in the Countrey Churches Sometimes upon some day of the week also as in Cities or Towns They neither make difference of dayes for humiliation nor do they keep any set fasts or feasts all is disposed and done according as the occasions and causes do presse or require as may serve most for the end intended and may best ply with the opportunities and necessities of the Congregation The Sabbath next before the fast notice is given of the Causes of humiliation and of the times to be observed with earnest exhortation to the people to prepare themselves for afflicting their soules and extraordinary humiliation In many places especially in Cities Towns and greater Villages or where the people may conveniently assemble The day before the fast the doctrine of preparation to the fast is taught expressing the nature and use thereof for averting the wrath of God The dayes of the fast from morning to evening are kept holy unto the Lord in the nature of an Extraordinary Sabbath with abstinence from meat and drink from delights and worldly labours with the exercises of reading the Law plain preaching interpretation and particular application deep humiliation and renting of the heart for sin large and hearty confessions of sin fervent supplications and earnest seeking of God by prayer for pardon with singing of penitentiall Psalms after which they have many times found wonderfull deliverances and extraordinary blessings from Heaven 5. The order of marriage ALthough marriage be no Sacrament nor part of the Worship of God yet they conceive that the Matrimoniall conjunction of Christians and members of the Church is most conveniently solemnized in the face of the Congregation with instruction out of Gods Word of the Institution use and ends of marriage and of the duties of married persons and with blessing by the Minister and with the prayers of the Church The parties are contracted before they be married and before they be contracted if there be any suspicion of their ignorance they are examined in the grounds of Religion and in their knowledge of the mutuall duties which they owe each to other Notice also is given of the consent of Parents or vice-Parents and that neither of them is contracted before to any other party nor any impediment from the degrees of Affinity or Consanguinity prohibited The contract and purpose of marriage is also published three severall Sabbaths before the same be solemnized and if there be nothing objected to hinder their marriage then are they solemnly married in the face of the Congregation before the ending of 40 dayes from the time of the contract They require for marriage the free consent of the parties come to the yeers of discretion and the knowledge and consent of the Parents they do not allow of the marrige of Infants nor secret and clandestine contracts and marriages nor do they use any idle rites or superstitious Ceremonies in the time of the Solemnization 6. The Order of Buriall of the dead THough Buriall be no part of the Worship of God nor of the work of the Ministry yet they think meet that an honest and competent number of Christians accompany the Christian friends of the dead unto the Grave that they may confer and comfort one another by the way and to see the Buriall done in a grave and decent manner remembring that sin is the cause of death that Christ hath overcome death and the grave and that they who die in the Lord shall rise again to life everlasting Their Burials are without singing or reading which the superstitious do conceive to be profitable for the dead without Funerall Sermons which do beget superstition and tend to flartery make the Gospel to be preached with respect of persons and are most pressed by such as do least regard Sermons at other times and without Feasting with affectate shews of mourning and any further pomp or Ceremony than civill differences and respects do require They conceive for many reasons that the places of the assembling of the people for the Word and Sacraments ought not to be places of Buriall which is therefore forbidden and for the most part is forborn in that Kingdom Registers are ordained to be kept of the namâ—â— and times of all that are baptized of all that are married and all that are married IV. Of Doctors and their Office and of Schools THe Church of Scotland hath had no other Doctors but Masters and Professors of Divinity in Universities and Colledges of which some use to be chosen to be Elders of particular Churches and Commissioners to the Nationall Assembly and besides these the Teachers of more private and particular Schools They use to be examined and tried both in their learning and life by the Presbitery and their charge is not only to bring up their schollers in humane literature and liberall Arts but also in Civill Conversation and good manners but especially in the Grounds of Christian Religion by way of Catechisme As the Doctors of Colledges do keep the meetings of the Presbitery and by course do prophesie or make the exercise with the Ministers so also do the masters of private Schooles for the greater part of them who
their brightnesse the mists and mildewes gathered before were scattered and evanished And as by the order and power of these assemblies Foxes are taken that they spoile not the Vines and Gangrenes are prevented that they spread not against truth and unity all sorts of lewd and wicked men are discouraged and put to shame So is there excited among the Godly Ministers an holy emulation by acquaintance conference and by perceiving the gifts one of another which maketh them returne from the assemblies with a meane and humble conceipt of themselves and with new and strong resolutions for greater diligence in their studies and faithfulnesse in every Pastorall duty to the common benefit and edification of all the Churches all the Ministers are made more wise in matters of Governement and all the Congregations are affected with reverence to what is required of them by their particular Elderships as having the consent and approbation of the whole Church Many such fruits are reaped of these assemblies which without them no particular person or congregation can have any ground to hope for or expect They have no Arch-bishops Diocesan Bishops Suffraganes no Chapters no Curats dumbe nor idle Ministers no hirelings non-residents nor pluralists no Deanes nor Arch-Deacons no Chanters Sub-chanters nor Treasurers no Chancellors Officials nor Apparitors no Canons Peti-canons Prebends Singingmen nor boyes And yet without these and the like they have practise and use of all the ordinances of Christ all matters Ecclesiasticall determined remitting questions of tithes mariages divorcements c. to the civill Judge to whom they properlie do belong and all petitions complaints and Church grievances heard and redressed which they esteeme as the sweet yoke of Christ and think it a great ease both to their consciences and estates to be free of such bundles and burthens of trash and superfluities They conceive that to erect Presbyteries Synods and Nationall assemblies and still to keepe Prelates and the members of that Hierarchie is in the matter of Church government not unlike the Popish adding of Traditions to Scripture in the rule of faith or works unto faith in the point of justification c. additions to Christs institution being not only in respect of their author humane inventions and for any use they can have idlements vanities and follies but that they do also corrupt the purity and eat out the life of the ordinances of Christ. Here there is a superiority without tyrannie for no Minister hath a Papall or Monarchicall Jurisdiction over his own flock far lesse over other Pastors and over all the Congregations or a large Dioces Here there is a paritie without confusion and disorder for the Pastors are in order before the Elders and the Elders before the Deacons the Church is subordinate to the Presbyterie the Presbyterie to the Synod and the Synod to the Nationall assembly One Pastor also hath priority before another for age for zeale for gifts for his good deservings of the Church each one honouring him whom God hath honoured and as he beareth the image of God which was to bee seene amongst the Apostles themselves But none hath power or jurisdiction above others even as in nature one eye hath not power over another only the head hath power over all even as Christ over his Church The same may bee seene in the Common-wealth and in some of the offices of the Roman Church it selfe And lastly here there is a subjection without slaverie for the people are subject to the Pastors and Assemblies yet there is no Assemblie wherein everie particular Church hath not interest and power nor is there any thing done but they are if not actually yet virtually called to consent unto it As they have done and suffered much for vindicating and maintaining the libertie of their Religion that what belongeth unto God may be rendred unto God So do they desire that according to the rule of righteousnesse each man have his owne and above all men That the things which are Caesars be rendred unto him and to give him that which is Gods were a wronging both of God and Caesar. They have ever beene willing to taxes and to pay subsidies above that w ch they were able They joyne w th the inward reverence of their hearts externall honour and obedience in all things lawfull They powre forth their prayers to God in private and publick for all blessings spirituall and temporall upon his Royall Person and Government and upon his Progenie and for the same blessings upon the Queenes Majestie especially that God by his Spirit would give unto her the knowledge and love of the truth They long for her conversion as an happinesse to her selfe and a meane of great happinesse to the King to their Children and to all their Subjects And that the Lord may answer their praiers they think it incumbent to the Church of England nor can any bond whatsoever oblige them to the contrarie to use the best and most powerfull meanes and would most willingly in all humilitie love and respect joyne their endeavours for that blessed end And as they thus present their best desires and prayers so are they readie to sacrifice their lives to God for his Majesties good and in their hearts are grieved that their loyaltie which they account their no small glorie should have beene called in question Neither is this all But moreover they doe acknowledge that his Majestie as supreame Magistrate hath not onely charge over the Common-wealth but doth watch and hath inspection over the Church and Church matters but in a civill way Vos Episcopi in Ecclesia saith Constantine Ego extra Ecclesiam Episcopus à Deo constitutus sum And therefore that he is by his high calling and place Custos utriusque tabulae to command the precepts of the first table as well as of the second table to bee obeyed That he is Vindex Religionis by his sword as the Spirit of God in Scripture is Iudex and the Church is Index That hee hath power to turn the constitutions of the Church into lawes and to confirme them by the civill sanction in Parliament That he may constraine all his subjects to do dutie in matters of religion and may punish the transgressors That when debates arise about Religion hee hath power to call the Assemblies of the Church to be present and civilly preside in them and to examine their constitutions that he may discerne of them both as a Christian caring for his own soule and as supreame Magistrate watching over his people and that he may do all things which can prove him to be a kinde and carefull nursing Father They account all that is vomited out to the contrarie as that they liked Anarchie better then Monarchie and that they would turne a Kingdome into a democratie to be but the fictions and calumnies of the malitious enemies of God and his truth not unlike the lies which were devised against the Christians of old their consciences their words writings and actions even then when the world did put the worst constructions upon them were witnesses of the integritie of their hearts They doe still hold that there can bee no antipathy betwixt one ordinance of God and another By him Princes do reigne and hee hath also appointed the Officers and Government of his own house They do desire nothing more then that the Sonne of God may reigne and that with and under the Sonne of God the King may command and they as good subjects to Christ and the King may obey FINIS Sed quum omnia ratione animoque lustraris omnium societatum nulla est gravior nulla carior quum ea quae cum Repub. unicuique nostrum est Cari sunt Parentes Cari liberi propinqui familiares sed omnes omnium caritates patria una complexa est pro qua quis dubitet mortem oppetere si ei sit profuturus quo est detestabilior istorum immanitas qui lacerarunt omni scelere patriam in ea funditus delenda occupati sunt fuerunt Cicer. Offi. l. 1. Nec multo post illi quoque qui insulam Hii incolebant Monachi Scoticae Nationis cum bis quae sibi subdita erant monasteriis ad ritum paschae tonsurae Canonicum domino procurante perducti sunt c. And afterward Quod mira divinae factum constat dispensatione pietatis ut quoniam Gens illa qua noverat scientiam divinae cognitionis libenter ac sine invidia populo Anglorum communicare curavit ipsa quoque postmodum per Gentem Anglorum in eis quam minus habuerat ad perfectam vivendi norman perveniret Beda eccles hist. gentis Angl. l. 5. c. 23.