Kingdom defeated our Forces and oppressed all that stood in any sort suspected of the Crime of Loyalty But it is evident from the History of these Times that the generality of the Presbyterians were so far from being forward in owning the King's Interest that at the same time when Cromwel was so successful in the South of Scâ—…tland as to have all besouth Forth under his Dominion great numbâ—…rs of them were assembled in Arms in the West and remonstrated against the Nation for owning the King's Interest And this much of the Loyalty of our Presbyterians This Author Pag. 53. to justifie the Procâ—…dings of their late General Assembly in refusing to admit some of the Episcopal Clergy into a share of their Government upon the Terms desired by K. William urges That they did noâ—…hing but what the Church of England Convocâ—…tion had done 〈◊〉 them who 〈◊〉 to admit thâ—… 〈◊〉 on the same King's dâ—…sire It were no small presumption in me to offer any Vindication of the Proceedings of those learned and worthy Meembers of the Convocation in England who at that time opposed the designed Comprehension of the Dissenters but I think I may be allowâ—…d to say that they wâ—…nt upon far better Grounds than our pretended General Assembly who refused to receive such of the Episcopal Clergy as condescended to address them upon that account I am not concerned here to enquire into the â—…awfulness of what these â—…piscopal Addressers did in desiring to be united with the Prâ—…sbyterians in the Government of the Church I shall not here so much as enter upon that Question My business at present is only to shew that the 〈◊〉 of Scotland are â—…ar more inexcusable in denying the Request of these Episcopal Ministers that addressed them than those of the English Convocation who obstructed the Union with the Dissenters upon the Terms that were then proposed and my Reasons are these First The Dissenters in England never offered any Address to the Convocotion declaring their Willingness to return to the Churches Communion upon her laying aside the use of these innocent Ceremonies which they pretend they cannot in Conscience comply with Had the Presbyterians given but the least intimation of their readiness to abandon their Schism upon the making of these Alterations the Clergy perhaps to further so desirable a Work might have easily been induced to grant them some Ease as to their unreasonable Scruples about those harmless Rites used in our Worship which tho' indisferent in their Nature yet are very signiâ—…icant in their Use. But it is to no purpose ever to expect to reclaim the Presbyterians from their Schism upon such Terms since they declare against the whole Body of the Common-Prayer and the Order of Episcopacy as unlawful and therefore to make Alterations in the manner of our Woâ—…hip which could have no other esfect but to create more Enemies to our Communion was no ways consistent with the Prudence that is required in Ecclesiastical Governours Now this is what the Scâ—…ts Assembly cannot urge in their Defence since those of the Lpiscopal Clergy who had the freedom to joyn with them in the Government of the Church Petitioned them upon that account and declared their readiness to concur with them in maintaining the Discipline of the Church and punishing scandalous and contumacious Offenders which were all the Acts of Government they deâ—…ired to share with them in As for their Presbyterian Ordinations they did indeed declare positively against them and refused to joyn with them in any such Acts as they thought to be direct Encroachments upon the Episcopal Power But Secondly There is another Reason which may have influenced the â—…nglish Convocation to oppose the Alterations in the form of our Worship which K. William did then desire them to make and that is Tâ—…e Preservation and Safâ—…ty of the whole Liturgy They were â—…t that time sensible of the fatal overthrow of their Neighbouring Church of Scâ—…tland how the Order and Constitution of its Governmâ—…nt was â—…uite overturned by the Presbyterians and not only the Biâ—…hops turned out both of their Spiritual and Temporal Rights but 〈◊〉 the greatest part of the Clergy most barbarously Treated â—…nd driven from their Houses and Churches This cruel Treatment which their Brethren in 〈◊〉 received from that Dissenting Party might juâ—…tly aâ—…arm the English Clergy to expect the same Usage from the Pâ—…esbyterians here as soon as they could thrust themselves into 〈◊〉 power of doing thâ—…m any mischief And therefore considering the great Interest the Presbyterians had in that â—…irst Parliament aâ—…ter the Revolution it was no ways safe for the Convocation to consent to the Dissolving of the present Act of Uniformity lest they should meet with such Obstacles in establishing another as they were hardly able at that time to grapple with The Presbyterian Members of that Parliament were so numerous that had the present Act of Uniformity been once dissolved they would have thâ—…own in so many Stops and Hinderances against a new Establishment of the â—…urgy by Act of Parliament they would have started so many new Scruples of Conscience to be solved about it and by this means occasioned such infinite deâ—…ys therein as would have made the Re-settlement of our Liturgy a tâ—…ing almost impossible If the Parliament had offered to ratisie the Service-Book with the Alterations the Convocation should think fit to make therein before they Dissolved this present Act of Uniformity I cannot tell but many Members of that Convocation might have been prevailed with to Consent to some Alterations in those indisferent Ceremonies the Presbyterians so groundlesly exclaim against that for the future they might not have the least pretence for continuing in their notorious and wretched Schism But for the Convocation to consent to the Dissolving the present Establishment without having any security for another is what none could expect from any prudent or reasonable Society Thirdly The Convocation in England might perhaps be the more remiss in promoting an Union with the Diâ—…senters upon the Terms proposed because they saw no probability of preserving thereby the Unity of the Church as long as the Presbyterians profess to own no common Principles of Unity with us that may still oblige them to remain in the Communion of the Church Unless they acknowledge our Biâ—…hops to be the Principles of Unity and that it is necessary for every one that intends to continue a Member of the Catholick Church to be united in their Communion I say unless they own these Catholick Painciples of Unity in common with us we can have no security that they will remain ours any longer than their Interest shews them their Duty And therefore an Union with them upon any other Terms in stead of preserving the Unity of the Church would be a ready way to enable them to make a greater rent and breach in our Communion whenever they should see it their Interest again to erect Altar against Altar But our Scots
SOME REMARKS Upon a late Pamphlet Entituled AN ANSWER TO THE Scots Presbyterian Eloquence WHEREIN The Innocency of the Episcopal Clergy is Vindicated and the Constitution and Government of out Church of Scotland Defended against the Lies and Calumnies of the Presbyterian Pamphleters Deut. XXXIII 29. Thine Enemies shall be found Liars unto thee and thou shalt tread upon their High Places Psal. V. 9. For there is no Faithfulness in their Mouth their Inward Part is very Wickedness IMPRIMATUR Dec. 20. 1693. Guil. Lancaster LONDON Printed for Joseph Hindmarsh at the Golden-Ball over-against the Royal-Exchange in Cornhil 1694. TO THE Most Reverend Father in God JOHN Lord Arch-Bishop of Glasgow May it please Your Grace HOW soon I entertained any thoughts Publishing a Discourse of this Natur in Vindication of our Church and Cle gy I was easily determined to send abroad under Your Lordships Protection You haâ—… been such an Eminent Sufferer and Confessor those woful Calamities of our Church and Nation have been Persecuted to such a height both in Person and Reputation meerly for the Defence of our common Principles that you may justly challenge the Patronage of such a Treatise as your due Your Merit having justly Advanced you to such a Dignity in the Church as to be a Father of the Clergy I therefore presume you will not decline to Espouse any thing that is Writ in a just Defence of their Innocency The most of those Persons whose Vindication I have here undertaken have sometimes lived in Your Graces Diocese are personally known to you and you have had frequent occasions to search into the whole course of their Life and Conversation so that I dare the more boldly Appeal to your Lordships Impartial Judgment if what I have said here in their Vindication be any more than is Just and Reasonable and what the severest Judge will readily acknowledge to be their due While the Enemies of the Church are at Work to Calumniate and Accuse the Clergy your Grace being placed in such an Eminent Station could not well expect to escape the Censure of their Malice The Office you bear in the Church and the Sacred Character you have stamped upon you expose you more Remarkably to the Malice of such Vermin as despise Religion and trample upon all that 's Sacred But your Lordships Character and Merit is so Universally known that whatever Malicious Reports are Raised upon you by the Enemies of our Church and Religion deserve noâ—… a particular Confutation However your Grace has been pleased to grâ—…tisie your Enemies so far as to take some Notice of their Calumnies and has Annexed to this Treatise such an irreâ—…ragable Assertion of your own Innocency as cannot fail henceforward to sâ—…op the Mouths of your most inverterate Enemies My Lord I don't question but you are alwayâ—… ready under your Troubles to practise that Christian Doctrine of Patience you have so often Recommended to others and I hope God in his own good time will puâ—… an end to these Nationaâ—… Judgments and recal your Lordship srom youâ—… Exile to be again an Ornament to our Church and to assist in the Rebuilding of the Second Temple and making it more Glorious and Beautisul than the former that to the Excellent Constitution of our Church-Discipline we may have added a set Form of Prayer and Devotion and then our Church shall again Flourish as a Palm-Tree and forever after be immoveable as a Rock So begging your Lordships Paternal Benediction I am with all Duty MY LORD Your Graces most Obsequious and Faithful Servant W. S. TO THE READER THE most effectual way of Undermining Religion is to bring those who propagate it into disgrace and contempt If once we Receive bad Impressions concerning the Lives and Morals of our Teachers we will not readily hearken to their Exhortations of Piety and Morality The Authority of our Spiritual Guides is at an End if we fancy them to be addicted to those very Sins and Vices which they so vehemently Preach and Exclaim against and denounce woful Judgmenâ—…s against all that practise them we easily believe that they are not in earnest with what they profess and we are Tempted from hence to conclude Religion to be a meer Cheat and Imposture This Method of subverting Religion has been always thought so successful that if we look back into the History of former Ages we shall find that since the first Plantation of Christianity it has been the constant practice of all its Enemies to Slander and Revile those that did promulgate it to accusâ—… them of the grossest Immoralities they could imagine thinking by this mâ—…ans to give such a fatal stroke to the Christian Religion as to prevent its Conquest over Judaism and the Pagan Worship Was not the Author of our Râ—…ligion himsâ—…lf the Holy and Blessed Jesus Reproached with the Title of a Glutton and a Wine-bibber Were not all his Followers evâ—…n in the first and purest Ages of Christianity chargâ—…d with Atheism for contemning the Worship of the Heathen Idols with incestuous Mixtures and with eating Childrens Flesh in their Holy and Sacred Mysteries This Heathâ—…nish and Abominable Practice of calumniating our Adversaries seems to have been copied by most of the Sectaries of the Christian Religion but I think by none more exactly than our Presbyterian Dissenters who have never failed to lay out all their Industâ—…y and Wit in contriving Forgerieâ—… and Calumnies against both Clergy and Laity of the Orthodox Communion In our late Civil Wars when the Presbyterian Schism prevailed over this whole Island when the Churches both of Scotland and England were quite overturned and the Clergy Persecuted and Exposed to the greatest Hardships of Poverty and Want their Persecutors to justifie this their Cruel and Barbarous Usage of them did industriously represent them to the credulous people as ignorant of their Profession and highly scandalous in their Lives loading them with the most Villanous and Immoral Crimâ—…s they could think of Thus were the whole Body of the English Clergy at that time maliciously assaulted and accused of all the Crimes their Enemies could invent against them as appears from the Centuries of Sâ—…andalous Ministers complained of to the Parliament Anno 1646. So likâ—…wise in their present Persecution against the Church of Scotland they revived their Old practice of Slandering those whom they had most unjustly Persecuted When they had Rabblâ—…d thâ—… Clergy from their Churches and Acted such Villanies and Indignities upon their Persons and Families as the most Savage Barbarians would have been ashamed of the Noise of this Persecution spreading abroad they found it convenient to Publish and Divulgâ—… all the Lies and Calumnies they could invent against our Clergy lest they should seem to have 〈◊〉 them without any ground and thinking likewise by this Stratagem to exasperate and raisâ—… the Indignation of all good Christians against them upon account of those heinous Villaniâ—…s with which they maliciously charged them Such Usage as this could not fail
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
Religion 24 The Sufferings of the Presbyterians no ways promoted by the Episcopal Clergy 25 The Ministers of State â—…nder K. Charles's Government sufficiently Vindicated from our Author's aspersions of Câ—…uelty 26 A short Narratiâ—… of the Proceedings of the Council against sonâ—… Ministers turned out in 1662. 27 Chap. II. THE Presbyterians have justified the Murder of the Archbishop of Sâ—… Andrews in the face â—…f Authority upon several occasions Pag. 29 Mitchel's Execution justified 30 The making the Inclinations of the People the Standart of the Church-Government is of very fatal consequence to the iâ—…terest of Religion Ibid. Tâ—… Presbyterians having made more Insurrections in the Kingdom in beâ—…alf of their Church-Government than tâ—…e Eiscopal Church have thought fiâ—… to do is no argument that Presbytery is more popular in Scotland than Episcopacy 32 This last Convention having abolished Episcopacy and established Presbytery is no good argument that the Presbyterians â—…ave the majority of the Nation on their side 33 The Methods used by the Episcopal â—…lergy for reclaiming the Dissâ—…nters shâ—…wn to be very effectual since at the time of K. James's Indulgence there were fâ—…w or no Presbyterians but what joyned in Communion with the Episcopal Church 3â—… The Prâ—…terian Practice in vilifying our Saviour's Prayer altogether in excusable Pag. 35 The malicious Characters this Author gives of the English and Scots Gentry as well as Glergy 36 The â—…etling or abrogating matters of Religion in complianâ—…e with the humours of the Populace stands directly in opposition to the propagating of the Christian Religion 37 The disingenâ—…ity of this Author and his Party in calling the English Common-Prayer-Book Popery 39 The lawfulness of observing Anniversary Days of Humanâ—… Institution asserted Ibid. The Murder of K. Charles â—…he First justly chargeable upon the Presbyterians in both Kingdoms and not upon the Nation in general 42 The behâ—…viour of the Scots Presbyterians ' towards K. Charles the Second upon his advancement to the Throne 46 That the English Convocation acted upon far better Grounds in refusing an Union with the 〈◊〉 than the Scots Assembly in rejecting the Addresses of those few Episcopal Clergy who addressed them proved by several Reasons 47 It is from the Civil Magistrate the Church derives all her Temporal Priviledges bâ—…t â—…e is in no wâ—…ys the Fountain of Spiritual Power 50 〈◊〉 account of the King's Supremacy in Scotland as it is there Established by tâ—… Laws of the Kingdom 52 The Church has the sole Power in Matters purely Spiritual but the Clergy are equally subject to the Civil Authority and liable to the same Punishments with the Laity 53 The Papists and Presbyterians extend the Church's Authority beyond its true Bounds in claiming an Exemption to the Clergy from Secular Punishmeâ—…ts till they be first condemned by the Church 54 The Church of England guilty of no breach of Promise in refâ—…sing an Union with the Dissenters upon the Terms proposed 56 The Presbyteriaâ—… Miâ—…isters â—…ave often assumed to thâ—…selves a Power of making Peace and War Ibid. The Presbyterians not without some ground stigmatized with the Reproachful Term of New Gospellers 57 Chap. III IT is not strange to see Persons after they have murdered robbed or any way injured their Adversaries to endeavour likewise to blacken them iâ—… their â—…me and Reputation the better to palliate their own wicked Actions against them Pag. 58 The Innocency of our Clergy sufficiently Vindicated from this 〈◊〉 Aspersions since in this present Persecution against them by the Presbyterians they cannot instance in four of their Number against whom they could find thâ—… lâ—…ast prâ—…tence to deprive them for Immoralities Pag. 59 Many of our Clâ—…rgy sufficiently Vindicated from this Libeller's accusations by the Author of an Appendix to a late Treatise Entituled An Apology for the Clergy of Scotland 60 Dr. Canaries fully Vindicated from the Calumnies brought against him by this Accuser and the Accuser's malice and disingenuity fully detected Ib. An account of Dean Hamilton's Process and his being absolved tâ—…from by the Privy-Council and the Criminal-Court 62 Our Author 's great mistake concerning Mr. Boyd 63 A full Relation of the Process concerning Mr. Hugh Blair aâ—…d of the indirect ways and means usâ—…d by the Presbyterian Party to stain his Reputation Ibid. The Story of Mr. â—…hisholm truly râ—…lated and he cleâ—…red from this Calumny 68 This Affair of Mr. Chisholm's a singular Instaâ—…e of the Villanous Arts and Practices of the Presbyâ—…erians to bring Contempt on the Episcopal Clergy 71 Mr. Waugh a Presbyterian Minister vindicated from the aspersions of this Liâ—…eller Ibid. Another Mistâ—…ke of our Author's concerning Mr. Gregory's being Minister at Torboulton 72 The notorious Falshood of the Râ—…lation about Mr. Pearson Ibid. A Vindication of Mr. Lawson Minister at Yrongray 72 A Testimony of Archbishop Cairncross in favour of Mr. Lawson 75 Another Testimony in his favour by the Presbytery of Dumâ—…reis 76 Archbishop Paterson his Letter Vindicating himself from the Aspâ—…rsions of this Libeller 〈◊〉 77 78 A Vindication of Archbishop Caiâ—…oss 83 Declaration of Mr. Richard Scot and Mr. Henry Knox. 85 Tâ—… Conclusion 87 SOME REMARKS Upon the ANSVVER TO THE Scots Presbyterian Eloquence In Vindication of the Clergy of Scotland from the Calumnies thrown upon them by the Author of that Pamphlet WHEN I â—…irst Read the Answer to the Scots Presbyterian Eloquence I conâ—…ess I was perfectly amazed to think that any sort of Men could be so Wicked as to shake off all ties of Humanity and Religion and Write in this Scurrilous and most unchristian manner This is such a mâ—…thod of Answering Books as I believe was never yet heard of The very Heathens and Infidels would blush at such Practices and what an Age must this needs be in which our Lot is cast that Christians who profess to own that Pure and Holy Religion should openly and avowedly Act such thing as the most Barbarous Nations would bâ—… ashamed to commit To Raâ—…e â—…ogether a parcel ofWicked and Prophane Stories and to charge them upon Men most of whom are known to be of an untainted Fame and Reputatlon and this without so much as one Witness to avouch for the Credit of what he says this is such a piece of Impudence and Villany as is not easily to be parallel'd Does our Author think that his bare Authority in aslerting these Lies and Aspersions without any other proof is sufficient to blemish the Reputation of any Man of Worth and Credit Or can he possibly imagine that any Men of Sense and Reason are so easily imposed upon as to believe these Calumnies to be true unless he had been more particular in the circumstances of time and place when most of these matters of Fact are said to be done and had produced the Testimony of some Famous and unexceptionable Witnesses to evince the Truth of what he says In the very beginning of his Pamphlet he declares himself an inveterate Enemy to the Church of England and
Flesh and to rescue himself from the Paws of that Roaring Lion which goeth about seeking whom he may devour We are all of us alas but too much exposed to the Frailties and Infirmities of our Nature and so have no great cause to Insult too much over the Fallings of our Brethren especially when they are so far from persisting in their wicked Courses that they heartily repent of the Wickedness they have committed and endeavour now to do that which is lawful and right that they may save their Souls alive And all the Instances in this Book containing Personal Reflexions upon the Life or Morals of any do not amount to above two or three which I have ground to believe were slipt into the Book without the consent or privity of the Author But the true design of this Discourse was to inform the World what great Damage did accrue to Religion by the ridiculous manner in which our Presbyterians are wont to handle all Matters that are Sacred how they infuse into the Minds of the People sordid and mean Notions of the Great and Eternal God how they often fright many into an unreasonable Despair of God's Mercy by the horrid and extravagant Notions which they entertain of the great Mystery of our Redemption and how by their ridiculous and nauseous Stuff which they vent in their Prayers and Sermons they expose the Sacred Mâ—…ies of our Religion to Scorn and Derision And I think the doing of this is so far from being a Crime that it is rather a Duty incumbent on us to forewarn People of the fatal Consequences that such Methods must needs have among us that all good Men who have any real concern for Religion being informed of these things may contribute their Endeavours for preventing that Deluge of Atheism and Impiety which has already begun to overflow these Nations and may justly be imputed to the Principles and Practices which these kind of pretending Gospellers have propagated among us and that being made sensible of the great Danger to which Religion by such Practices is exposed may for the future discountenance all such Men as without any Commission from God do usurp the Authority of his Ambassadors and by their Drollery and Ridicule prophane all that 's Sacred Yea I doubt not but Charity even to the Presâ—…yterian Preachers themselves partly moved â—…he Author to expose those extravagant Expressions in their Sermons and Books accoâ—…ding to that of St. Augustin Haec 〈◊〉 misericorditer irride ut iis râ—…denda ac fugienda commendes Do thou mercifully deride these Errors in Men that thou mayest move themselves to deâ—…ide and shun them This methinks is a pious and commendable Design enough and if the Author of this pretended Answer had but followed this method and offered to prove against the Episcopal Clergy what some of their Writers have done to a Demonstration against the Presbyterian Sect that in stead of Preaching the pure and sincere Woâ—…d of God they filled-their Sermons and Instructions with nothing but nauseous Stusf and Nonsense I say could he have proved these Things against them and had he abstained fâ—…om his Calumniating Aspeâ—…sions his Vindication of his own Party would not have been so generally condemned But being sensible of his Weakness on that side and that any Assertions of that nature in Prejudice of our Clergy could be easily conâ—…uted he was â—…esolved to attack them in a more Revengeful manner and to alledge Things against them which though most of â—…hem are as notoriously false as the other yet he knew could not be so easily disproved For in this case as I said before when a Man is accused of being guilty of some Scandals and Immoralities in his â—…ife and not the least Evidence brought to prove these Accusations the only way left him to purge himself is to appeal for his Innocency to the Testimony of those that have been most acquainted with the whole series and course of his Life But had he offered to urge any thing against them relating to the Matter of their Doctrine and Sermons he very well knew that was a thing too Publick and too Notorious to Falsifie in and that they could bring a Cloud of Witnesses against him to declare that they Preaâ—…h nothing but the Pure and Sincere Gospel of Christ and Administer hiâ—… Sacraments with that Gravity and Sincerity that becomes the Infinite and Eternal Being whom they represent here on Earth as his Ambassadors and whose Covenants they seal in his Name that they never approach the Throne of God but with the greatest Reverence and Devotion dâ—…claring by the outward Prostration of their Body what great and noble Thoughts they entertain of their Almighty Creator and of â—…he Sacred Offices they are about CHAP. I. HAving thus given you my Thoughts very freely of the General Design of this Pamphlet I shall in the next place trouble you with a few Remarks on the Particulars contained therein As for our Author's Dedication which I suppose he designs for a piece of Wit I can discern nothing in it but what is mean and silly His malicious Reflexions upon that Prelate whom he so scurrilously Treats in his Dedication and elsewhere are nothing but a meer Brutum fulmen and cannot in the least wound the Reputation of so great a Man he being a Person endued with such excellent Parts and his Merit having advanced him to such a Character in the Church that it puts him far beyond the reach of the greatest Malice of any such Scribler In his Preface he very civilly Compliments those Members of the Church of England who promoted the Design of the Comprehension with the Dissenters and tells them that in his many Reflexions on the Church of England he does not intend them but understands only that Faction which opposed His Majesties desire of Uniting his Subjects and goes under the Title of Ceremony-Mongers It were to no purpose to relate here the many venomous and ill-natured Reflexions on the Church of England which are scattered in all the Pages of this Pamphlet But by what he says in his Preface we may plainly see that he declares War against the most considerable part of the Church as being Enemies to all Religion and betrayers both of our Religious and Civil Rights And although he 's pleased to call them a Faction only of the Church yet he must own them to be such a Faction as are the greatest part and consequently the fullest Representative of the Society since by their Interest in the House of Convocation they opposed the Alterations that were then designed to be made in our Offices In the same Paragraph he inveighs bitterly against the Chief Ministers of State here in England who upon the Application of some of the Episcopal Clergy to this Government were pleased out of a Compassionate sense of their Miseries and Oppression to espouse their Interest and endeavour to procure them a Redress of their Grievances These Men he represents as having
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
towards the Royal Martyr K. 〈◊〉 I. how they acted against his Majesties Interest in a direct opâ—…sition to the whâ—…le â—…ody of the Nation When the whole â—…ingdom 〈◊〉 tâ—…ose who had formerly been deluded by the rest of the 〈◊〉 with the â—…alse and Hypocritical pretences of Reformation did unanimously embrace the King's Interest the Presbyteâ—…ians were so far from being sâ—…nsible of their Sin and Folly that they â—…ted aâ—…ainst him with the utmost Rigour of Malice and Enâ—… And yeâ—… tâ—…ese Men â—…ave now the Considence to protest They 〈◊〉 no hand 〈◊〉 â—…inging him to his Death as if the History of these â—…es were quiâ—… 〈◊〉 and no publick Monuments of their Treaâ—…nable and Rebâ—…llious Actings against that Prince remaining to 〈◊〉 â—…ternal 〈◊〉 and Reproach But this is not all the countenance and encouragement these Barbarous Parâ—…icides Received from our Presbyterians For when the â—…ws came to Scotland of a Treaty begun betwixt the King and Parliament of England Mr. Rob. Blair and Sir John Cheesly were â—…sently dispatched away by Order of the Presbyterian Ministers to joyn with Cromwel in obstructing the Treaty And upon their Arrival there wiâ—…h two other Commissioners Viz. The Earl of Lothian and Will. Glendinning froâ—… the Committee of Estates Cromwel began to shew himself for crushing the Treaty he drew up his Army towards London and sent in a Remonstrance to the Parliament shewing his disallowance of the Treaty and craved Justice as he call'd it to be done on the King Now these Presbyterian Commissioners not only concurred with Cromwel in this Remonstrance against the King but likewise remained at London during the whole time of the King's Tryal and Execution and never offered to Remonstrate against the Unjust and Unnatural proceedings against his Majesty They did indeed send down to Scotlanâ—… for Instructions relating to the King's Tryal and they were Ordered to endeavour the procuring a delay but in the mâ—…an timâ—… to be cautious not to offend the prevailing Party in â—…gland I know the Presbyterians will here pretend that the Guilt of this Act cannot be charged upon them solely since their 〈◊〉 from the Kirk Acted nothing in reference hereto but in conjunction with the Commissioners from the Committee of Estates But here we must consider that the Committee of Estates did now wholly consist of the Presbyterian Party the rest of the Members not daring to appear by Reason of their known Affection and Loyalâ—…y to their Prince For when the Scots Army was Defeated by Croâ—… at Preston many of our Noblemen and Gentlemen were 〈◊〉 killed in the Action others to a great Number taken Prisoners and such as had the Fortune to make their escape were â—…orced either to abscond or 〈◊〉 the Country to avoid the severities with which the Presbyterian Paâ—…ty who now had Usurped the Government of the Nation did persecute all such as were concerâ—…d in this Engagemâ—…nt for the Defence of the King's Person And by this means the Presbyterians got the whole management of the affairs of the Kingdom into tâ—…eir 〈◊〉 and acted there as they Listed so that although the Committâ—… of â—…states as well as Commission of the Kirk sent Commissioneâ—… to concur with the Kings Murderers in England yet the Guilt and shame of this Act cannot in any Reason be imputed to the generality of the Nation but only to the Presbyterian Crew whose actings have always tended to bring their Country into Disgrace and Contempt From hence I think it clearly appears that the Horrid Murder of this Royal Martyr is justly chargeable upon none of our Nation but the Presbyterian Sectaries and the like may be made evident in Relation to the Kingdom of England that the Presbyterians and other Sectaries of that Nation were the only Actors of that dismal Tragedy and did most cruelly Persecute the Church of England and its Mâ—…mbers for persevering in their Allegiance and Duty to their Sovereign But let us in the next place see what the behaviour of this Party was towards K Charles II. upon his advancement to the Throne for our Author tells us That what they suffered on his Account every body almost knowâ—… That our Presbyterians did consent to the pro â—…laiming of Charles II. King upon the News of his Fathers Murder is true but their Loyalty in this point was clogg'd with such Restâ—…ictions and Limitations as was not â—…asie for the King to comply with They forâ—…'d him before his Admission to the Crown to Sign a Dâ—…laration signifying his Penitency for the Sins of his Forefatâ—…rs in opposing the Work of God and his own in so long follâ—…wing thâ—…ir â—…ootsteps with a Resolution to accomplish and 〈◊〉 the Covenant in all its ends and purposes which also for the more 〈◊〉 they caused him to take and Swear And because his Majesty did at 〈◊〉 refuse to Sign this Declaration the 〈◊〉 of the Kirk did on the 1â—… of August 1650 Publish a 〈◊〉 commonly called the Act of the Westkirk wherein they 〈◊〉 they will not Espouse any Malignant Party or Quarrel and that they will not own the King nor his Interests otherwise than â—…ith â—… Subordination to God and so far as he owns and prosecutes the â—…ause of â—…od and disclaims his and his Fathers opposition to the Work of God and to the Covenant and likewise disowns all the â—…nemies thereof And in prosecution of this Declaration when the Kingdom had resolved to call home K. Charles II. and for that End had admitted to favour those who formerly were banished the Court and Nation as Malignants this gave the Zealous and bigotted Covenanters so great Offence that they protested aâ—…ainst all the present proceedings and declared that they had 〈◊〉 to the solemn â—…eague and its ends admitted to the Throne 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who was an Enemy and Opposer of the quiet of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and â—…irk And this Rigid Party having drawn to a 〈◊〉 in the West in the year 1650 Oct. 17. they Penned and 〈◊〉 a Paper which they called a Remonstrance of the Gentlemen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Ministers attâ—…ending the Forces in the West which they delivered into the Committee of Estates and from which afterwards they got the Name of Remonstrants Hence we see how this Merciful Prince was Treated by them in the very infancy of his Reign and what further disquiet and disturbance they afterward occasioned him is but too Notorious from the many Insurrections they raised against his Government and which occasioned the Enacting of those Laws the severity of which they now so grievously complain of What these Suâ—…ferings were which this Author alledges the Presbyterians met with for adhering to K. Charles II. I must confess I am altogether ignorant of unless he means that some of the more moderate of their Party were willing to own the King after he had taken the Covenant and therefore upon that account suffered in the common Calamity with the rest of the Nation when Cromwel with the English Army invaded our
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 mean time the Earl of Marr called from the Castle a Company of Musqueteers to Guard the King's Person upon the Notice whereof the multitude chose to disband and went away as confusedly as they met And whether such practices as these be not directly to invade the Temporal Sword and Usurp the Power of the Civil Magistrate I shall leave the Reader to Judge And if the Popish Bishops be guilty of the like practices with the Presbyterians in encroaching upon the Rights of the secular Magistrate it ought not in Reason to reflect upon the Bishops of the Reformed Communion since it is what we can be no more accountable for than for the Barbarous and inhumane practices of the Presbyterian party because they pretend to be our fellow Christians It is to these unjustifiable principles and practices of the Papists and Presbyterians that we owe all the encroachments that have been made upon the spiritual Power in these later days for the Popish Clergy together with the Presbyterians not being satisfied to assert only the independent Authority of the Church in matters purely Spiritual have endeavoured to extend its Jurisdiction so far as plainly to encroach upon the Rights of the secular Magistrate and to subject the State to the Church not only in Spiâ—…ituals but likewise in Temporals And this on the other Hand has Tempted many of the Laiâ—…y in these later Ages when Men are degenerated into such an indifferency and lukewarmness about matters of Religion that they look upon the Temporal concerns of this World to be of faâ—… greater Value and Concern than the Eternal Interest of our Souls upon all occasions to grasp at the Rights of the Church and to Rob her of that Spiritual Power and Auâ—…hority â—…ith which our Saviour has invested her independently of any humane Authority and which to Usurp from her is Sacriledge to the highest degree The second Reason our Author bringâ—… to prove the Church of England to be in the blame for refusing an Union with the Dissenters is That they believe most of the things in Controversie to be indiffâ—…rent whereas the Presbyterians look upon them as unlawful and that the Church of England were under promise to King James to have done it That the Church of Englâ—…nd had reasonable grounds to oppose an Union with the Dissenters upon the Terms then proposed I think I have sufficiently evinced already And that they are guilty of any breach of promise which they made concerning it while King James was here is what cannot well be alledged since they were always willing to receive them into the bosom of their Church and to Grant them all imaginable ease as to their unreasonable Scruples which might be consistent with the safety of their Church and Communion But to abolish the use of those Innocent and instructing Rites in our Worship meerly to satisfie the groundless scruples of the Presbyterians when they do not so much as offer to return to our Communion upon these Terms is what no reasonable man can well expect Our Author in this Paragraph seems to Tâ—…x the Episcopal Clergy with being addicted to Arminianism and Socinianism As for the latter I 'm confident there are few of them â—…ainted with these sort of principles they entertain the true Notions of the Son of God of his Divinity his Incarnation and Passion according as they are revealed unto us in the Holy Scriptures And as to the controverted Doctrines about Election Reprobation c. They are careful to observe St. Paul's Rule not to be followers of Arminius in these things any further than he is a follower of the Doctrine of our Saviour and his Apostles That the Presbyterian Ministers have often assumed to themselves a power of making Peace and War and have declared Engagements to defend the King's Person Honour and Prerogative which were made by the Parliament without their consent to be unlawful is so well known that I think there needs no great Rhetorick to convince us of the Truth thereof although this Author very confidently avers the contrary Pag. 56. If we but Read the History of the late Civil Wars under King Charles I. we shall find that in all these proceedings the Parliament or Committee of Estates appointed thereby to Govern the Nation never acted any thing in Relation either to Peace or War but in conjunction with the General Aâ—…sembly or Commission of the Kirk or if they chanced to pass any Aâ—…ts without their consent they were instantly declared â—…o be unlâ—…wful and of no Obligation And to prove the Truth of this we need no more but consult their proceedings in opposing â—…he King's Affairs in the year 1648. for when the Parliament of Scoâ—…lâ—…nd had resolved on an Engagement for delivering the King's person from his Imprisonment in England did not the Presbyterian Ministers prescribe some Articles to the Parliament for carrying on this War against England and because the Parliament did not comply with their desires herein they solemnly protested against all they had resolved on and thundered Curâ—…es and Damnation against all who did not oppose this Engagement Pag. 59. This Author is highly displeased with his Antagonist for throwing upon the Presbyterian party the reproachful Term of New Gospellers and he cannot apprehend what can be found in the Presbyterian Writings to ground this Accusation upon But I think â—…ruly when we conâ—…der the Nature of most of their Difcourses upon Religion the whole Tenour of their Sermons and Preachings it is not without some ground that they are Reproached with this distinguishing Character I do not say that they mainâ—…ain wholly a New and a Singular Gospel but I am sure they have so disguised the Gospel of our Saviour from its Ancient Purity and Simplicity that what they Preach is vastly different from the Doctrine of the Purer and Primitive Ages of Christianity They have corrupted most of its Doctrines with their Rude and Indigested Notions they have transformed the Meek and Calm Spirit of the Gospel into a Spirit of Bitterness and Revenge instead of converting their Swords into pruning Hooks and plow shares they to propagate their excentrick Notions of Religion maintain it lawful to resâ—…st the Supreme Powers and rather than fail of their designs to imbroil Nations into perpetual War and Bloodshed And this meâ—…hinks is quite another Gospel from what our Saviour has taught us in his Holy Scriptures where we have not the least encouragement to propagate Religion by force of Arms or any such indirect means There we find nothing more frequently inculcated to the Christian Converts than a Spirit of Meekness and Humility of Brotherly Love and Charity and to live peaceably with all Men as much as in us lieth We are not taught from thence to prosecute with the utmost Rigour of Malice and Revenge all such as differ â—…rom us in the lâ—…ast matters about Religion but we are rather exhorted to reclaim them from their Errors in the
that no Man came near to Mr. Lawson's â—…ouse and that neither his Wise nor Servants saw any Man come thither that Night This is a prooâ—… of our Author's Ingenuity of which he so oâ—…ten boasts throughout his Pamphlet pretending to abhor the Method of inventing Lies and to have inserted nothing but what he received from credâ—…ble hands It is likewise a most Notorious Falshood That five young Men werâ—… brought to Mr. Lawson and that he Swore these were the Men that Wounded him and did thereupon demand Justice The ground of â—…his story is thus After the Murther of the Archbishop of St. 〈◊〉 and feveral Violences done to the rest of the Clergy and other â—…oyal Subjects the King with Advice of his Privy Coâ—…ncil comâ—…anded his Forces to apprehend the Rebels whereever they could 〈◊〉 them or to kill them if they made any Resistance Next day â—…ter the Wounding of Mr. Lawson there was a narrow search made â—…hroughout the Country for such Rogues and the Souldiers falling â—…on a Party of them that made Resistance four of them were â—…illed upon the spot and two apprehended and Hanged near the Châ—…rch of Yrongray But those were none of them that were aâ—… Mr. Lawson's Wounding and therefore it is the height of injuâ—…ice as well as impudence to impute any thing of this to Mr. Lawâ—…on he having no hand in it and they suffering justly for distâ—…rbing the Peace of the Kingdom Mr. Lawson was so far from â—…hirsting aâ—…ter the Blood of his Persecutors that when Peter Stranâ—…er the principal Actor of this Tragedy was apprehended in Dumâ—…reis and Mr. Lawson being called for by my Lord Dunmore to â—…eclare whether that was the Man that Wounded him or not he â—…urning to the said Peter Stranger said if you be the Person that Wâ—…unded me the Lord sorgive you and I forgive you Whereupon although he was Imprisoned for his Rebellion yet he was never pursuâ—…d by Mr. Lawson and is yet alive and in some place of publiâ—…k Trust in that Kingdom Again Mr. Lawson is accused of Covetousness and of having exaâ—…ted 500 l. of his Parishioners which is an equal Falshood to the 〈◊〉 â—…or upon account of the Cruelties done by the Presbyterian Party to the Clergy in the West Country there was an Act made in K. Charles the II. his Reign that if any Clergyman was injureâ—… in his Body or Goods the Parishioners should be obliged to â—…ay 5â—…0 Marks Scots This was Enacted foâ—… preventing the Crueltiâ—…s and Outrages of the Presbyterian party The King's Advocate hâ—…aring of the Barbarous Usage of Mr. Lawson caused the Freeholders of the said Parish to be cited before the Privy 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 of the said Fine Mr. Lawson was so concerned hereat that not being able to Write himself because of his Wounds he caused a Letter to be Writ to his Grace the then Archbishop of Glasgow requesting for the mitigation of the ordinary Fine in such Cases And this his desire was Granted and the Parish only Fined in a 100 l. the fifth part only of the Sum alledged by the Libeller For the Truth of this Mr. Lawson Appeals to all the Freeholders iâ—… Yrongray being near thirty in Nuâ—…ber Now I would ask our Author if in all this carriage of Mr. Lawson's there be any thing that savours the least of Blood Thirstiness or Cruelty wherewith he so maliciously charges him But I don't much Wonder to see Mr. Lawson thus Calumniated by them for they had committed such Acts of Cruelty upon his person as they could not but be ashamed of so that the better to slur over their Cruelties against him they found it necessary to represent him to the World as the greatest Monster of Cruelty and Immorality and therefore they not only accuse him of Thirsting after the Blood of some of his Parishioners but likewise of being Drunk and Kissing his Wives Maid Mr. Lawson now Aged about 55 years was â—…ever charged Nay not in his younger days with any thing of that Nature But sor his â—…urther Vindication from all thâ—…se and other such Aspersions as this Libeller has maliciously slandered him with I shall subjoyn two Testimonies in his Favours sent me with this Information The first is of Archbishop Cairncross who was for the space of 17 years his Fellow Presbyter and afterwards his Diocesan It is as followeth London August 28. 1692. I Alex. Archbishop of Glasgow do hereby Testisie that Mr. James Lawson Minister of Yrongrey in the County of Galloway and Diocess of Glasgow in Scotland is â—… very Orthodox and Zealous Protâ—…stant and of good Esteem in the Church for his Pastoral Gifts and Pious and Exemplary Life in his Ministry And as he was forced away from his Church and Family by the Barâ—…arous Cruelty of a set of Presbyterians in that Nation so I do heartily recommend him to the tender Favour of all good and well affected Persons especially to the Reverend and Pious Clergy of the Church of England as a Person qualified to do Service in that Caurch as God in his Providence shall afford him occasion Given under our Hand and Seal the time and place aforesaid Alex. Glasguen The other Testimony is that of his Neighbouring Clergymen the Reverend Brethren of that Presbytery whereof he was a Member At Dumfreis June 17. 1690. WE Undersubscribers Ministers within the Presbytery of Dumfreis iu Scotland do Testifie and Declare that the Bearer hereof Mr. James Lawson Minister at Yrongray within the said Presbytery hath lived within the Precinct thereof twenty five years and an half and his behaviour hath been such as became the Gospel and his Doctrine such as became a Godly Minister decrying Romish Doctrines and Practices when in greatest Vigour in this Place and that for his Zealous Faithful and plain Dealing in the Service of his Master he was Wounded and left for Dead by some Ruffians at his own House upon the Eighteenth of February 1685. Wherefore we earnestly desire that he may have just Encouragement in such places as he shall happen to comâ—… to and be permitted to Pass and Repass about his lawful Affairs without Molestation since nothing moves him to Travel abroad but the Confusions Raised by an insolent Rabble in this place That the Premisses are of certain Truth is Attested Day and Place above Written by James Glendinning Minister at Traquair Ja. Litle Minister at Tinwald Jo. Malcolm Minister at Holywood A. Kincaid Minister at Terregles Mr. Alex. Meldrum Minister at Dunscore Mr. Rob. Gardner Minister at Rerick Since this malicious Libeller hath in this his Scurrilous Pamphlet Published so many Base Calumnies and Diabolical Lies against that most Reverend and Worthy Prelate Dr. Patterson Archbishop of Glasgow I have taken occasion here to insert his Grace's Letter containing a Full and Pathetick Vindication of himself which was sent to me by a Reverend and Worthy Friend of mine enclosed in this following Line London October 17. 1693. SIR I Hear that you are to Publish
Deâ—…amations may be credited among the Credulous or Prejudicate Vulgar yet I presume by this way you will not gain many Proselytes among those that are Good and Wise â—…or who that are endued with the common Principles of Justice and Charity will believe men guilty of groâ—…s Crimes upon your bare and naked Narration wiâ—…hout adducing the Attestation of any Witnesses or yet aâ—…y seeming or just Proof Or who that is endued with the sense of Reâ—…igion and Godliness can approve of the methods of â—…itter Malice Revenge and Unchristian Calumnies so contrair to all the Ruâ—…es of Humanity and Christâ—…anity foâ—…â—…upporting and promoting of any Party or Interâ—…st whatsoever And as equal Tenderness is to be had to a man's Reputation as to his Life I allow you to search and examine my Conversation and Life hitherto and Treat me but by the Rules of common Justice and I am Proof against your Malice What we have already observed concerning our Author's malice and disingenuity in these Instâ—…nces we have taken notice of may sâ—…rve I think as a sufficient Caution to all ingenuous and impâ—…ial Readers not to lay too great stress upon the Calumnies and Aspersions of this Author nor to entertain any the harder Thoughts of our Clergy for being bespattered by the Pen of this virulent Scribler For the candid Treatmâ—…nt which these Persons I have mentioned have met with in this Pâ—…mphlet may in a great meâ—…sure enable us to judge what Credit and Authority the reâ—…t of this Author's Aspersions on our Clergy ought to have since he deals so basely and difingâ—…nuously in all these Instances He invents Stories which he cannot sind the least shadow of Truth to justisiâ—… for the Truth of some of his matters of 〈◊〉 he appeals to Records where there is not the leâ—…st mention of thâ—…m to be found nâ—…y he sticks at nothing so he but can servâ—… hiâ—… main End and Design which is to bâ—…acken the Fame and Reputation of our Clergy and to render their Sacred Function odious to all Mankind I pray GOD to give this Author a dâ—…ep seâ—…se of the Villany of this his Design that hâ—… may Repent in time and sâ—…ve his Soul before it is too late It is a Scandal and a Reproach to our Religion that such Hellish and Diabolical Practices as this Author uses should be so much as heard of in any of those places where the Name of Christ is invocated such kind of Practices are so Inhumane and so contrary to the Spirit of Christianity that they must needs make the Authors and Abeâ—…tors of them stink in the Nostrils of all Good and Religious Men. All that I have â—…urther to add now is only to beg my Reader 's Pardon for detaining him so long in searching into the Rubbish of a parcel of Prophane and Lewd Stories I must needs own it is no very pleasing Task to me to be raking into such a Dunghil but finding the Reputation of some of our Clergy very much injured among Strangers by reason of the Calumnies and Aspersions of this obscure Writer I thought my self obâ—…iged from the Duty I owe to my Country and from thâ—… Respect we all ought to have for the Sacred Charactâ—…r of Christ's Ambassadors and Ministers to contribute my small Endeavours for asserting and vindicating the Oppressed Innocence of our â—…lergy and for detecting the Malice and Falshood of this Libeller's Asperâ—…ions In which I hope I have been so successful with this small â—…say that after perusal thereof every Disinteressed Peâ—…son will readily acknowledge That the Author of this Virulent Libel against our â—…lergy has been totally acted by the Spirit of Malice and Envy and has dealt so basely and disingenuously in all his Relations which I have had occasion to search into that his bare Accusation can be of no Authority against the most obnoxious Member of any Nation or Society FINIS The unchâ—… ritablâ—…ness and inhuma nity of th Authors dâ—… sign Pag. 1â—… This Methâ—…d of Writing 〈◊〉 with the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Râ—…ligion and thâ—… Laâ—… of Humane Sociâ—…ty The occâ—…sion of publisâ—… tâ—…e Sâ—…ots Presbyâ—…an Eloquence This Author Reflexions upon the Church of England and some of the Ministâ—… of State coâ—â— sidered 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in â—…otland â—…t by 〈◊〉 â—…rce and â—…ranny of 〈◊〉 Rulers â—…t by the 〈◊〉 and â—…robation the whole 〈◊〉 Anno 1572. â—…rl 3 Jac. 6. 〈◊〉 45 46 â—…c 〈◊〉 Perth â—…ss in Aug 〈◊〉 The 〈◊〉 in Scotland 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thâ—… sâ—…l Authoriâ—…y 〈◊〉 â—…o Bâ—…shops Theâ—…e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shâ—…wn to bâ—… nâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…n the 〈◊〉 Power Oâ—…r Autâ—…ors disingenuity in his 〈◊〉 â—…ous Râ—…lexions upon the Clergy â—…ome few of â—…he Episcopal 〈◊〉 offâ—…ring 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 can 〈◊〉 no 〈◊〉 Vindication of 〈◊〉 Lives anâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…e 〈◊〉 Parâ—…y Thâ—… Epâ—…scopal Clâ—…rgy have chargeâ—… thâ—… Presbyterians wâ—…th nâ—…thing râ—…lating to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but what 〈◊〉 havâ—… beâ—…n 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Aâ—…ko 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 first Govâ—…rnment of thâ—… Church of Scotland after â—…he 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Abolisâ—…ed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…nhappy Civâ—…l Wâ—…rs under the Râ—…ign of K. Chaâ—…les brokâ—… 〈◊〉 * Spotsw Refut Libel de Reg. Eccl. Scoâ—… p. 21. Ibiâ—… p. 26. * The occasion of settling Sâ—…perintendants in the Church of Scotland upon the Râ—…formation The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with the whole Epâ—…copal Authâ—…rity and Jurisdictâ—…on 〈◊〉 the Clâ—…rgy of their Dâ—…ceses * Spotsw Resut p. â—… 21. †Ass. at St. Johnstoâ—…n Sess. 2. July 26. 1563. Hi in Ministrorum ordinem ante coaptaâ—…i ad hoc 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 munus solennibus auspiciis de stinabantur destinaâ—…i eligebantur electi suâ—…ctionem inibant Spotsw Res. Libel p. 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ways temporary as to their Officâ—… but only as to the Name Spotsw â—…ist â—… 150 160. The Superâ—…ntendants giving an Account to a National Syâ—…od of their diligence in their Functions no Argument against their being Bishops Spotsw Refut p. 22. The Enacting of these Penal Laws against the Presbyterians which this Author has scraped together occasioned meerly bâ—… the frequent Rebellions of that Party * Vindication of the Government in Scotland during the Reign of K. Charles II. The Nation had sufficient ground to enaâ—…t 〈◊〉 Laws against the Presbyterians from thâ—…ir trâ—…asonable 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thâ—… 〈◊〉 Râ—…gns of K Ja. 6. 〈◊〉 â—… Ch. I. That this was the trâ—…e occasion of Enacting these Pâ—…nal Lawâ—… appears from our Aâ—…thors own Concessions It 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…he conâ—…ant practicâ—… of the 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unâ—…r thâ—… name of Râ—…ligion Tâ—… Suffâ—…rings of thâ—… Prâ—…sbyterians no ways prâ—…moted by thâ—… Episcopaâ—… Clâ—…rgy Vid. Spirit of Calumny The Minâ—…sters â—…f State undâ—…r King Charles's Govâ—…rnment sufficiently vindicated fâ—…om our Author's Aspâ—…rsions of Cruâ—…lty A short Narrative of the 〈◊〉 of the Councâ—…l against some 〈◊〉 â—…rned ouâ—… in 166â—… Vid. 〈◊〉 The 〈◊〉 havâ—… justisied tâ—…e Murder of the Archbishop of S. Andrews in the face of 〈◊〉 upon 〈◊〉 oâ—…cusions Page 37. Mitchel's Execution
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