search anent the lawfulnesse or unlawfulnesse of things anent which in the time of the covenanting they were more hesitant and after discoverie to reject even that which formerly they thought more probable It is very evident that all the doubting in England anent moderat Episcopacy at the time of these ingagements do nothing impede why both they and we in our respective stations are not still obliged to reform that Church from all Episcopacie and to extirpate it as contrary to the Doctrine which is according to godlinesse So that Englands latitude as to this point is rather apparent then real and our obligations in order to both Kindomes are in effect objectivè the same I grant the Authors cited do understand the thing otherwise but not to tell yow that the proposals mentioned were neither made nor approven by all nor belike by the soundest Presbyterians in England that Mr Baxter is not singular in this only subject and that Timorcus who hath done very well in his main subject might have done better in this particular one thing I am confident to affirme that the ground which all of them lay down viz. that all manner of Episcopacy was not by the Covenant particularly abjured is most fallacious in asmuch as if it may be demonstrat from the word of God and experience that all manner of Episcopacy is repugnant thereto and to the power of godlinesse as I am sure it may and it hath been by me essayed its non-abjuration in special doth nothing militat against the import of the other general Article As for the other grounds contained in the Author's citations viz. the agreeablenesse of this presidencie to the scripture primitive times and the custome of our Kirk-sessions they are already answered what Mr Baxter addeth anent the Superintendents Visitors which we had in Scotland in the begining of the reformation it is as easily removed by the then infancy of our Church and extreme penurie of Pastors as his other argument from the temporary moderators chosen by Synods for the occasion and to them accountable is concludent as to the fixed presidents now under question To these Authorities the Author subjoines that Though we have the names of Dean Chapter and Commissarie yet that none of these under that name exerce any part of the discipline nor is this done by any other having delegation from the Bishops with a total exclusion of the communitie of Presbyters which is a great part of the difference betwixt that model of Prelacie to be extirpat and this with us Who would not pity such folly who knows not that Englands Prelacie was ever different from any Episcopacie that we had in this Church since the Reformation although by the way I must reminde my Reader how much by the late restitution it is advanced but if by the particular obligation to extirpate contained in the second Article of the League we be only bound to extirpat Englands Prelacie doth it therefore follow that notwitstanding of the obligement to preserve Presbyterie then setled in Scotland and in general to extirpate every thing contrary to sound Doctrine and the Power of Godlinesse and especially by vertue of the abjuration made by us of our former Episcopacy in the National Covenant that yet we are not bound to dissent from oppose the late restitution whereby Presbyterian Govern being overturned the same yea a worse bond of Episcopacie then what we abjured is restored Really these insinuations are so raw that I am ashamed to medle with them yet the Authors fancie which all that know him know to be in him a very overâ—ruling faculty being once lesed with this mistake anent the Article for extirpation he goes on and tells us that he will not deny that the generalitie of the people yea even of Ministers in Scotland might have understood that Article as against all Episcopacy But if he will credit truth he may be better informed viz. that though the generalitie might very well by the whole complexed tenor of that Article understand all Episcopacie to be sworne against yet it is most certain that they still understood their principal binding ingagement against it to flow from their abjuration in the year 1638. And their oath in both the National and League and Covenant to preserve and adhere to Presbyterian paritie then estabished and therefore the new discovery here Pretended as if the Covenant did admit in our Church a moderat Episcopacie notwithstanding our obligement to extirpate prelacy with all the ridiculous â—atle ensuing concerning the genuine consistencie of the words of the Article for extirpation with such a qualified and distinctive sense and also the meaning of many of the composers and imposers for a moderate â—piscopacy different from that Prelacie is but the continuance of the same delusion But now I hope to awaken this Dreamer who addes That unlesse we make it appeareâ— that the Episcopacie now in question with us in Scotland is either contrary to the word or to the miâ—igated sense of their own Oath it would seem more suitable to Chrisâ—ian chaâ—itie to yeeld to it as tollerable at least then to continue so inflexibly fast to their fiâ—st mistakes c. And with â—his I heartily close and therefore seing not to repeate in this place wâ—at I have already proved viz that the Episcopacy now among us is not so much as Christs or true Ecclesiastick-governmentâ— but meerly his Majesties usurpation over the houâ—e of God which all men ought to abhorre I say thaâ— seing I have in some measure proven that the Episcopacy in debate is contrary to the word and Whatever may be the impertinent mitigation offered of the Article to extiâ—pat no wayes proper to our purpose that yet it is diametrally opposit to the â—ational Covenant and our abjuration tâ—erein contained and â—he first Article of the League as above declared I hope our Adversaries will cease to accuse us of want of charity of inflexibilitie but ratâ—er yeeld themselves to the conviction of the truth specially to the obligation of our National Covenant which our Author hath hitherto very fatally and foolishly forgotten and thus I suppose the Bishop receiving better information of our grounds will at least cease from his presumptuous confidence untill â—e find out for us a more colourable solution As to what is added in the Papers of the aversion of some in England against the Covenant as being against all Episcopacy it is evidently a strain of the former ravery and therefore mis-regarding both the objection and solution I come to the next passage wherein the Author casting off all fear of God reverence to the most learned and pious Assemblies that ever sat in Britain respect due to as wise and honourable Parliaments as ever these Nations beheld the good opinion and charity he ought to have for men and Christians truly such and regard to his own credit being once far engaged in these wayes proceeds without the least
perjurious declaring against them It is therefore certain that as since the Reformation we had not in Scotland that species of Prelacie particularly described in the second Article of the Solemn League but the same was therein insert mainly in order to our neighbour Churches so the Episcopal Government at this day restored in Scotland is the same and worse then what we had before and the Presidencie now proposed was one of these very corruptions against which we are bound for ever to preserve this Church at that time therefra reformed But the Author sayes That the Presbyterians in England do generally take notice of this distinction viz. That by the Covenant the Prelacy only therein described and not moderat Episcopacie that is a form of Synodical Government conjunst with a fixed Presidencie is abjured And for proving this assertion he cites the two Papers of proposalls to his Majesty by the Presbyterian Brethen Anno 1661. Master Baxter in his treatise of Church-government and Theophilus Thimorcus in his vindication of the Covenant not to be against all manner of Episcopacy but that Prelacie only therein specified It is answered to measure our main obligation by the Covenant in order to the Church of Scoâ—land by that part of it which was principally intended for the Churches of England and Ireland is so grosse and dull an inadvertencie that I am sure nothing lesse then a judicial delusion could have made a man of the Authors knowledge and sobriety to lapse into it Nay seing that he himself doth note that when that Covenant was framed there was no Episcopacie at all in being in Scotland but in England only Is it not a wonder that thence concluding that the extirpation of that frame only could then be meant intended his logick should so pitifully fail him as not to adde and from that Church alone where it was seated which would have so clearly restricted the subject of that Article that I am certainâ— at on glance he had discovered all his applications of it unto Scotland as its primarie object to be impertinent But where there hath appeared no conscience in keeping why do we expect much sense in interpreting And we all know what kinde of person it is of whom Solomon saith that his eyes are in the ends of the earth To bring him back therefore to the purpose it is the obligation of the Church of Scotland Members thereof in order to its self anent which we do now inquire for clearing thereof it is granted that by the Solemn League the Church of Scotland being then established the preservation of that establishment with the duty of extirpation in so far as is necessary thereunto is only covenanted which though it do sufficiently exclude this fixed Presidencie as contrary to that establishment and also unto sound doctrine the power of godlinesse yet it is by the National Covenant its subjoined explication whereby not only the Episcopal Government which then was amongst us is now restored advanced but the Bishops their constant Moderatorship as a novation and corruption in this Church is plainly abjured By all which it is evident that as the League and Covenant being referred to the National by which the establishment in the former sworne to be preserved was first setled doth maniâ—estly exclude this Episcopus Praeses so the obligement in the League to extirpat the Prelacie therein described only applicable to the Churches where it then was is most improperly made use of for explaining our ingagement in order to our selves in the case controverted Now as to the citations of the English Authors adduced it is certain as to the present question we are not therein much concerned they speak of the obligation of the Covenant in order to England and how that Article of extirpation for that Church principally provided is to be understood the thing that pertaineth to us is to consider how far either by the League and Covenant or any other ingagement lying upon us we are bound against all corruptions to the preservation of the setlement we then enjoyed which are subjects quite distinct and thereby this heap of citations gathered by the Author is by one blast dissipated But lest it may appear hard that we should be bound to such a precise form in Scotland and England in that same Covenant left to such a latitude it is answered not to reflect upon what might have been the secret designs of some unsound men in this matter which we neither were bound nor could distinctly know this one thing is evident that for us in Scotland who could not expect that England groaning to be delivered from Prelacie should instantly upon our grant of assistance embrace Presbytery in all its forms of which they had not full and exact knowledge and no experience and withall seing we did hold Presbyterian government to be according to the word of God and knew the common estimation then made in England of the Câ—urches of Scotland Geneva the Netherlands and France as the best reformed the obligation provided in the Covenant to endeavour Englands reformation according to the word of God and the example of the best reformed Churches with the Article of extirpation subjoined in its full extent was certainly at that time all the assurance we could desire and upon which we did very rationally relyeâ— Neither is the same in the least impugned by that which is alledged out of the Authors cited viz. That many grave men of the Assembly of Divines desired that the word Prelacie might be explained because it was not all Episcopacy they were against and therefore the particular desâ—â—iption was subjoined as also some members of Parliament scrupling the meaning of Prelacy it was resolved with the consent of the Brâ—thren in â—cotland that the Oath was only intended against Prelacy as then in being in England And Mr Coleman administrating it unto the house of Lords diâ— so explaine it Because as it was indeed very consistent that in so far as England had then attained we should â—ave closed with them in a particular Oath for extirpating the evil discovered And yet for a further advance rest upon the more general obligements so surely and safely cautioned until God should give further light so the common acknowledgment of both parties that the then Prelacie was only expresly abjured and not all Episcopacie seeing no species of Episcopacie was on the other hand either by them reserved or by us consented to doth nothing contradict why both the rejecting of all Episcopacie setting up of Presbytery might not still be covenanted unto under the general provisions And therefore seeing it is very agreeable both to Truth and Righteousnesse that a Church convinced of evils but not so enlightned as to the remedies may covenante against the evils in particular and also to endeavour a full reformation according to the word of God and by vertue of this general obligement become bound to make a more exact
yet I am assured that as in it self it is most sound and rational so it may testifie on our part a most fair and ingenuous candor in asmuch as although the Englishes did first seek to us and willingly freely ingaged with us to the maintainance of the reformation whereunto we had then attained yâ—t in the confidence of the truth wherein it was bottomed and that it might appeare to the world how little we were either addicted to any thing as our own or inclined to abuse and impose upon their distress we agreed to Covenant to the endeavours of their reformation not precisely according to our example though vve vere fully persvvaded of its divine vvarrant but according to the unerring rule of the word of God to which we vvere alwayes and are still ready to submit all our ingagments and persvvasions and the example of the best reformed Churches the best arbiter of all exterior indifferences Now after this cause follows the obligation to Uniformity in these termâ—s And shall endeavour to bring the Churches of God in the three Kingdomes to the nearest conjunction and uniformity c. Which being the part of our Oath whereon our Author doth at present trifle I shall not trouble my Reader to rectifie his misrepresentation as if it were the common work of uniformity and not Englands particular Reformation that were referred to the Word of God But seeing by the obvious tenor of the whole Article the preservation of the reformed Religion in Scotland and the Reformation of England and Ireland according to the Word of God are premised as midses conducing and tendencies certainly concentring in this conjunction wished for I am confident every ingenuous man must acknowledge both the consistency of our Oath and the vanitie of our adversaries sophistrie And therefore it is answered 1. That suppose the intended uniformity and conjunction did require an alteration yet seeing the disconformity of either part maketh place for it even perfection it self imperfection by reason of their disconformity are capable of such a designe the necessity of an alteration to be made on both parts cannot be thence inferred So that the Author's conclusion from the unalterableness of Scotlands frame that the Article of uniformity is illusorie and in plain terms a perfect cheat is pitifully claudicant and unworthy of both his judgment and gravity 2. Although that the things Covenanted to be preserved in Scotland as being very acuratly tried and convincingly found to be agreable to the word of God are in effect both from their vvarrant and our Oath unalterable yet seeing that by reason of our sublunary state there are several external circumstances attending the worship aswell as the discipline and Government of the Church neither positively determined by the vvord of God nor comprehended in this our Oath for preservation that in these there is a latitude on all parts left to the improvement of providence and gratification of charitie for the more easie and happie obtaining of the uniformitie Covenanted is in itself evident and the very subject and intendment of this last clause as to any thing which may be thereby imported over above what the preceeding parts of the article do contain But 3. The palpablâ— fallacie of the Author's objection is that he falsely supposeth not only that the word of God may in order to uniformitie call for an alteration in Scotlands frame covenanted to be preserved but that even the swearers of this oath did thereto referre as not being fully ascertained and ultimatly determined as to the congruitie of that very establishment which in the same article they sweare to mantain whereas it is manifest from the tenor of the article and all other circumstances that as we in Scotland were assuredly perswaded that the things whereunto we had attained and which we sweare to preserve were according to the word of God and England also by concurring with us in the same ingagement did thereunto assent so it was in the same common perswasion that we engadged to endeavour Englands reformation according to the same rule and did in the holding and not altering of these obligations with a just accommodation of undetermined circumstances jointly vow and hope for the above mentioned uniformitie 4. As the certain conformitie of Scotlands then reformation to the word of God doth directly contradict the Authors supposition and the alterableness of the then constitution of Government in so far as we are sworn to preserve it is very consistent with the vowed uniformitie whereby the Authors argument is utterly ruined so we do constantly acknowledge the same word of God to be the supreme and unerring rule whereunto we heartily submit and therefore if the Author can shew that this rule either upon the account of uniformity or any other doth require an alteration of that Government whereunto we are bound it is in vain to redargue us from pretended inconsistencies in the words and contexture of our Oath seeing this is a direct and plain method by vvhich vve are most vvilling to be tryed The Author addes that if no hoofe or hair of the Scottish modell can be altered though both Scripture the example of the best reformed Churches and the vowed uniformity should require it then ought it in stead of according to the vvord of God c. to be rather according to the present forme of the Church of Scotland But 1. Waving the fraud and scorn of the Author's hoofes and haires vvhereof it is certain that his fixed Presidency unless so far as it is an excrementitious superfluity can be called none vvhy doth the Author cavil If the Scripture and the example of the best Reformed Churches do require an alteration of our modell let him shevv it and there is an end 2. I have already given a cleare account vvherefore the ingagment in the Covenant to Reformation in England did referre to the word of God c. rather then to any particular example 3. If upon the matter Englands covenanted Reformation in Discipline Government according to the Word of God c. do in effect resolve in an exact conformity to our then constitution doth it therefore follow that this part of our Oath is either a cheat or an abuse God forbid the Rule is too sacred to give ground to such a consequence And certainly the Author's second thoughts will correct his rashness But the Author subjoines that how this understanding of the Rule of Englands Reformation according to the VVord of God as certainly introductive of the then Scottish model would have past with our English Brethren and particularly with these present at the framing of that Covenant may easily be imagined It is answered 1. The question here mainly agitat is neither how the Englishes understood the ingagment of the Covenant in order to their own Reformation nor yet what may be its real import but plainly what we stand bound to by vertue of that article obliging us to preserve the Reformed
Religion in the Church of Scotland in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government and that thereby we are obliged to disown and reject the Authors Episcopacy and fixed Presidency from which our Government was at that time expresly reformed is that which I am perswaded he himself dare not seriously deny 2. Whatever meaning interest passion or prejudice may possibly devise yet that the words according to the VVord of God c. are in themselves most plain safe and sound cannot be controverted But 3. That under this very form of words both England did give and Scotland did obtain a sufficient asâ—urance for the setting up of Presbyterian Government in England as it was at that time established in Scotland is no hard matter to explain in as much as not only the Word of God the declared Rule doth thereto strictlie and antecedentlie tye as hath been made out but whoever herevvith considered the knovvledge the Englishes had of our then constitution the affectionat sympathie they had testified both in our labour and victorie vvhereby it vvas attained their frequent and significant insinuations in publict in privat in print and in speeches to this purpose their express ingaging to the preservation of our frame their brotherlie covenanting and concurring vvith us for the cause of God and many other circumstances vvill vvithout hesitation conclude that we had as pregnant grounds of persvvasion of there being like minded with us in this matter as could be demanded or expected by ingenuous men from a nation at that time so unsetled and discomposed And therefore seeing there was nothing for several years preceeding more clearlie and distinctlie held forth by us then that we judged the form of Government then in being among us to be the only Church Government agreeable to the word of God I think we may well take the Author's suggestion as if the Englishes would never have passed this sense and meaning of the words according to the word of God to be only a cunning hint to collour a confidence which canâ—ot be avowed It is true that in process of time the love of truth and zeal of God did much abate error abound in that Nation whence to many who desired a sutable licence the just severitie of Presbyterie became uneasie and odious but as that doth nothing convel the former arguments by me adduced so it is no less true that the sounder and better part of England not carried away by the present defection do still own Presbyterian Government as by us asserted to be the only Government that our Lord has appointed in his Church But our Author tells us yea it is not unknovvn hovv careful one of the English Commissioners vvas to have that clause inserted according to the vvord of God and hovv secure he thought himself and his Countrey by that expression from the inroade of Scottish Presbyterie upon them notvvithstanding that former Article premised in favours of it Well admit this to be a truth what then â— If one of them was a deceaver deceaved yet manifestly taken in his own craftiness what is either the work or the Covenant the worse If confident errors or treacheries be sufficient to consute the truth the Author needed not have called this witness to his assistance but seeing it is most certain that whoever that person was and whatever might have been his peculiar opinion and communication or correspondence with the author in it neither was there any such thing openly declared or treated nor hath it the least foundation in the words under debate but on the contrary is by them as manifestly confured as the Author now is to what he formerly professed most repugnant the thing is scarce worthy this my reflection and yet behold the conclusion that the Author drawes from it Thus saith he were the Contrivers of that Covenant bussied in patching it up to outwit one another by words and clauses hovv incoâ—herent and discordant soever to salve their different interests and opinions and to make it strong in odium tertii hovv vveake soever it might prove to discerning men by disagreeing and jarring vvith it self and a very Babel by the divided and confused language of its Architects And thus our Author having abandoned all Conscience of the Oath of God doth also cast off all shame and in his envy standeth not openly to contradict and blaspheme If he had premised any thing to give so much as a collour to this incoherence discordance and confusion objected somewhat in excuse of such conclusion might be indulged to his passion and interest But when nothing hath been alledged except a blind conjecture of some persons their different apprehensions of the soundest and plainest form of words contrarie to the undeniable evidence of the truth it selâ— and from which inconvenience the most pure light of divine revelation hath not been exempted upon thir grounds to inferre an accusation against the holy Covenant in the termes vve have heard can only be the effect of a most wicked indignation and apostatick malice Lord bow downe thine eare and heare open Lord thine eyes and see and hear the words of this man who hath set himself to reproach thy truth and woâ—k which thou hast manifestly owned and save I beseech thee thy People out of the hands of these evill men that all the Churches may know that thou art the holy Loâ—d God of truth vvho searcheth the reines and heart And therefore in return to this contempt and scorn I shall only here briefly adde to what I have in the former Discourse observed to this purpose 1. That all the forged ambiguities and inconsistencies that either the deceit of Hypocrites or perversness of open adversaries have hithâ—â—to laboured to fix upon the words and frame of this Oath are not only the fate of truth but according to its proper vertue by the serious consideration thereof in its own light most readily and satisfyingly salved 2. As the Covenant was attended by a most signal power and presence from on high so it s sincere prosecution was constantly blessed with a very beautiful concord and whoever divided from its genuine meaning and purpose did quickly also abandon the reverence and regard thereof which he once professed 3. That not only the forsakers of the Covenant do relinquish it without repentance and for the most part by the irritation of their own guilt and shame are exasperate to irrational railing and rage but if the revilings and persecutions of the ungodly World be the badge of truth the Covenant hath from the beginning been thereby very notably confirmed and all its true followers may herein rejoice and be exceeding glade as being by the Lord pronounced blessed 4. That as the beautie and glorie of the work of God were very visibly promoted both by the Covenant and its contrivers and confusion formerly and calamity and wasting consumption now the certain and manifest effects of mens svverving and backsliding from it and as in that