be_v the_o only_a term_n and_o condition_n on_o which_o man_n will_v gratify_v the_o church_n that_o she_o subject_n herself_o and_o her_o spiritual_a liberty_n to_o such_o a_o yoke_n of_o slavery_n as_o this_o privilege_n import_v i_o be_o sure_a the_o church_n will_v be_v better_o without_o such_o favour_n than_o with_o they_o iv_o if_o there_o be_v once_o a_o reasonable_a competency_n settle_v upon_o the_o church_n for_o the_o maintenance_n of_o her_o pastor_n and_o other_o pious_a and_o necessary_a use_n or_o if_o what_o be_v once_o settle_v and_o sacrilegious_o take_v from_o she_o be_v again_o restore_v and_o that_o faithful_o administrat_fw-la without_o dilapidation_n and_o misapplication_n there_o will_v be_v but_o little_a need_n of_o encouragement_n for_o any_o far_a addition_n it_o have_v be_v observe_v in_o all_o age_n that_o excess_n in_o this_o matter_n have_v be_v more_o fatal_a to_o the_o true_a interest_n of_o the_o church_n than_o any_o defect_n can_v be_v too_o much_o 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privilege_n of_o patronage_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o this_o discouragement_n be_v but_o the_o fallacia_fw-la non_fw-la causae_fw-la pro_fw-la causa_fw-la for_o the_o truth_n be_v that_o which_o be_v the_o only_a cause_n of_o people_n discouragement_n in_o the_o bestow_n of_o their_o good_n for_o pious_a use_n be_v the_o scandalous_a and_o sacrilegious_a mismanagment_n of_o the_o uncontraverted_a patrimony_n of_o the_o church_n by_o misapply_v it_o contrary_a to_o its_o design_n and_o nature_n of_o which_o there_o be_v no_o sort_n of_o man_n under_o heaven_n so_o guilty_a as_o many_o of_o the_o patron_n be_v the_o lord_n himself_o tell_v his_o servant_n moses_n no_o devouted_a thing_n that_o a_o man_n shall_v devout_a unto_o the_o lord_n of_o all_o that_o he_o have_v both_o of_o man_n and_o beast_n 28._o levit._fw-la 27_o 28._o and_o of_o the_o field_n of_o his_o possession_n shall_v be_v sell_v and_o redeem_v and_o much_o less_o sacrilegious_o rob_v every_o devouted_a thing_n be_v most_o holy_a unto_o the_o lord_n deo_fw-la dicata_fw-la say_v amandus_n polanus_fw-la ei_o sacra_fw-la maneant_fw-la 2._o polanus_fw-la in_o danel_n cap._n 1._o v._n 2._o nam_fw-la si_fw-la be_v zelus_fw-la in_o rege_fw-la idololatrico_fw-la scilicet_fw-la nebuchadnezare_n fuit_fw-la ut_fw-la censuerit_fw-la vasa_fw-la deo_fw-la israelis_fw-la sancta_fw-la non_fw-la alio_fw-la quam_fw-la in_o svi_fw-la dei_fw-la seu_fw-la potius_fw-la idoli_fw-la fanum_fw-la infereuda_fw-la multo_fw-la magis_fw-la christiani_n magistratus_fw-la bona_fw-la illa_fw-la quae_fw-la tempore_fw-la papatus_fw-la deo_fw-la dicata_fw-la fuerunt_fw-la usibus_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la relinquere_fw-la debent_fw-la imo_fw-la quanto_fw-la magis_fw-la episcopos_fw-la id_fw-la facere_fw-la decet_fw-la i_o e._n that_o which_o be_v once_o devout_v to_o god_n aught_o to_o remain_v holy_a to_o he_o for_o if_o the_o zeal_n of_o a_o idolatrous_a prince_n to_o wit_n nebuchadnezar_n oblige_v he_o to_o believe_v that_o the_o holy_a vessel_n of_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n be_v not_o to_o be_v otherways_o dispose_v of_o but_o for_o the_o service_n of_o his_o own_o god_n or_o rather_o his_o idol_n temple_n much_o more_o ought_v a_o christian_a magistrate_n to_o leave_v these_o good_n for_o the_o use_n of_o the_o church_n which_o in_o the_o time_n of_o popery_n be_v consecrat_v for_o pious_a use_n etc._n etc._n see_v and_o compare_v this_o with_o ezra_n 1.7.8_o where_o all_o these_o vessel_n be_v return_v to_o their_o right_n and_o proper_a use_n our_o own_o rollock_n inveigh_v very_o sharp_o against_o the_o sacrilege_n of_o this_o nation_n in_o his_o time_n in_o misapply_v to_o the_o use_n of_o private_a person_n what_o be_v take_v from_o the_o popish_a church_n and_o cit_v such_o as_o be_v guilty_a to_o answer_v it_o before_o the_o tribunal_n of_o the_o sovereign_n and_o impartial_a judge_n of_o all_o the_o earth_n dan._n rollock_n in_o dan._n and_o he_o tell_v they_o that_o though_o they_o slight_a and_o neglect_v his_o warning_n it_o shall_v be_v a_o stand_a witness_n against_o they_o to_o render_v they_o inexcusable_a etc._n etc._n and_o our_o famous_a and_o worthy_a reformer_n mr._n knox_n who_o testimony_n i_o value_v above_o a_o thousand_o other_o in_o a_o letter_n date_v in_o august_n 1571._o direct_a to_o the_o general_a assembly_n at_o stirling_n speak_v his_o mind_n very_o free_o on_o this_o subject_n with_o all_o the_o earnestness_n &_o sincerity_n of_o a_o person_n that_o be_v look_v very_o short_o to_o step_v over_o the_o threshold_n of_o time_n into_o eternity_n take_v his_o own_o word_n because_o say_v he_o the_o daily_a decay_n of_o my_o natural_a strength_n threaten_v i_o with_o a_o sudden_a departure_n from_o this_o valley_n of_o misery_n therefore_o of_o love_n and_o conscience_n i_o exhort_v you_o yea_o in_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n i_o charge_v and_o command_v you_o that_o you_o take_v heed_n to_o yourselves_o and_o to_o the_o flock_n of_o god_n and_o that_o with_o the_o like_a uprightness_n and_o strength_n in_o god_n you_o gainstand_v the_o merciless_a devourer_n of_o the_o patrimony_n of_o the_o church_n if_o man_n will_v spoil_v let_v they_o do_v it_o to_o their_o own_o peril_n and_o condemnation_n but_o communicate_v you_o not_o with_o their_o sin_n of_o whatsoever_o state_n they_o be_v neither_o by_o consent_n nor_o by_o silence_n but_o with_o public_a protestation_n make_v know_v to_o the_o world_n that_o you_o be_v innocent_a of_o such_o robbery_n which_o will_v ere_o it_o be_v long_o provock_n god_n vengeance_n on_o the_o committer_n of_o it_o &c_n &c_n and_o i_o be_o sure_a the_o experience_n of_o many_o family_n in_o scotland_n may_v confirm_v this_o religione_fw-la mutatâ_fw-la say_v a_o learned_a lawyer_n &_o sic_fw-la statu_fw-la priori_fw-la inverso_fw-la hoc.t._n finkel_n hoc.t._n patronus_fw-la curabit_fw-la ut_fw-la bona_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la &_o piis_fw-la usibus_fw-la legata_fw-la non_fw-la tantum_fw-la preserventur_fw-la &_o augeantur_fw-la sed_fw-la ad_fw-la usum_fw-la alium_fw-la aeque_fw-la pium_fw-la convertantur_fw-la puta_fw-la ad_fw-la cultum_fw-la alium_fw-la divinum_fw-la ad_fw-la salutem_fw-la rei_fw-la publicae_fw-la ad_fw-la conservandum_fw-la ministerium_fw-la ad_fw-la sum_fw-la scholarum_fw-la pauperes_fw-la juvandos_fw-mi nosocomia_n condenda_fw-la etc._n etc._n i._n e._n when_o there_o be_v a_o alteration_n of_o religion_n and_o by_o consequence_n a_o inversion_n of_o the_o former_a state_n of_o affair_n a_o patron_n ought_v to_o take_v care_n that_o the_o good_n of_o the_o church_n and_o what_o be_v leave_v for_o pious_a use_n be_v not_o only_o preserve_v and_o augment_v but_o that_o they_o be_v apply_v to_o other_o as_o pious_a use_n as_o for_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n in_o a_o lawful_a manner_n for_o the_o safety_n of_o the_o common_a wealth_n for_o the_o maintain_n of_o the_o ministry_n for_o the_o use_n of_o school_n the_o help_n of_o the_o poor_a the_o build_n of_o hospital_n etc._n etc._n vi_o i_o may_v add_v the_o joint_a testimony_n of_o our_o own_o church_n in_o her_o book_n of_o discipline_n etc._n etc._n &_o many_o other_o thing_n but_o this_o be_v a_o head_n that_o i_o have_v but_o accidental_o fall_v upon_o and_o a_o subject_a that_o will_v lead_v i_o out_o a_o great_a length_n and_o much_o far_a than_o the_o design_n of_o this_o discourse_n will_v allow_v i_o shall_v leave_v it_o such_o as_o desire_v far_a information_n may_v find_v enough_o and_o too_o much_o to_o satisfy_v their_o curiosity_n in_o the_o public_a record_n of_o the_o nation_n they_o may_v also_o consult_v the_o learned_a sir_n henry_n spelman_n tractat_fw-la de_fw-la non_fw-la temerandis_fw-la ecclesit_n and_o his_o large_a work_n of_o teith_n they_o may_v also_o see_v d._n forbes's_fw-fr gemitus_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la sect_n viii_o the_o ground_n of_o patronage_n from_o a_o grant_n or_o concession_n of_o the_o church_n examine_v i._o the_o next_o ground_n that_o be_v urge_v for_o a_o foundation_n to_o the_o right_n of_o patronage_n be_v that_o the_o patron_n of_o kirk_n and_o benefice_n enjoy_v the_o privilege_n acclaim_v in_o reference_n to_o the_o
nor_o to_o magistrate_n as_o such_o because_o jesus_n christ_n who_o appoint_v and_o institute_v the_o the_o ministry_n have_v prescribe_v nothing_o singular_a concern_v these_o order_n nor_o have_v communicate_v any_o new_a right_n to_o they_o and_o have_v leave_v his_o church_n very_o well_o order_v without_o they_o vii_o and_o if_o these_o privilege_n of_o patronage_n be_v without_o foundation_n either_o from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n or_o from_o moral_a use_n and_o necessity_n as_o we_o have_v already_o prove_v and_o shall_v yet_o far_o clear_v they_o can_v be_v nothing_o else_o but_o unjust_a and_o unreasonable_a usurpation_n and_o as_o usurpation_n in_o all_o society_n be_v deserve_o very_o odious_a so_o a_o fortiori_fw-la in_o the_o church_n of_o the_o live_a god_n the_o most_o true_o free_a society_n on_o earth_n who_o liberty_n and_o privilege_n be_v purchase_v at_o no_o low_a rate_n than_o the_o most_o precious_a blood_n of_o the_o immaculate_a lamb_n and_o eternal_a son_n of_o god_n they_o must_v be_v much_o more_o detestable_a sure_o i_o be_o if_o the_o most_o eminent_a and_o judicious_a congregation_n in_o the_o land_n shall_v claim_v such_o a_o privilege_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o choice_n and_o maintenance_n of_o the_o mean_a servant_n in_o the_o patron_n be_v family_n he_o will_v with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o reason_n look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o most_o intolerable_a usurpation_n and_o oppression_n for_o as_o our_o patron_n do_v maintain_v that_o de_fw-fr jure_fw-la they_o be_v not_o oblige_v to_o seek_v the_o advice_n of_o either_o presbitry_n or_o paroch_n to_o the_o nomination_n and_o election_n of_o a_o pastor_n but_o that_o both_o be_v oblige_v to_o accept_v the_o person_n who_o the_o patron_n present_v if_o he_o be_v find_v in_o any_o measure_n external_o qualify_v for_o the_o office_n of_o a_o pastor_n in_o general_a without_o any_o other_o enquiry_n or_o consideration_n so_o to_o do_v they_o right_o the_o practice_n of_o patron_n in_o this_o matter_n have_v be_v no_o way_n disagreeable_a to_o their_o claim_n unless_o it_o be_v to_o the_o worse_o viii_o we_o have_v but_o too_o much_o reason_n to_o apprehend_v that_o this_o unjust_a and_o unwarrantable_a usurpation_n be_v one_o of_o these_o cry_a sin_n by_o which_o god_n have_v be_v provoke_v in_o his_o justice_n to_o lay_v waist_n and_o desolate_a most_o of_o the_o great_a family_n of_o the_o land._n there_o be_v many_o stand_a monument_n of_o god_n wrath_n and_o displeasure_n against_o such_o as_o meddle_v in_o the_o affair_n of_o his_o house_n without_o his_o own_o warrant_n and_o appointment_n saul_n vzziah_n and_o vzzah_n be_v record_v among_o other_o not_o as_o idle_a story_n but_o as_o warn_n to_o man_n in_o all_o after-age_n of_o the_o church_n not_o to_o partake_v in_o their_o sin_n leave_v they_o also_o partake_v in_o their_o plague_n vzzah_n have_v a_o much_o fair_a and_o better_a pretext_n 9_o 2_o sam_n 6_o 6_o 1_o chron_n 13_o 9_o to_o put_v his_o hand_n to_o the_o ark_n of_o the_o lord_n than_o any_o of_o our_o patron_n have_v for_o their_o acclaimed_a privilege_n he_o but_o touch_v the_o ark_n of_o god_n in_o a_o case_n where_o he_o think_v a_o extreme_a and_o indispensible_a necessity_n oblige_v he_o to_o it_o and_o yet_o the_o lord_n will_v not_o let_v his_o rash_a and_o preposteous_a zeal_n pass_v unpunished_a because_o he_o act_v without_o a_o warrant_n for_o though_o he_o be_v a_o levite_n and_o as_o such_o be_v command_v to_o carry_v the_o ark_n on_o his_o shoulder_n but_o not_o on_o a_o cart_n yet_o be_v no_o priest_n it_o be_v unlawful_a for_o he_o to_o touch_v it_o with_o his_o hand_n 15._o numb_a 4_o 15._o and_o therefore_o the_o lord_n be_v please_v to_o single_a he_o out_o and_o to_o make_v he_o a_o example_n of_o his_o justice_n and_o displeasure_n both_o for_o the_o general_a sin_n of_o the_o congregation_n in_o carry_v the_o ark_n on_o a_o cart_n and_o not_o upon_o the_o shoulder_n of_o the_o levite_n and_o for_o his_o own_o particular_a sin_n in_o stretch_v forth_o his_o hand_n to_o touch_v it_o without_o a_o lawful_a call_n though_o his_o pretext_n and_o the_o seem_a necessity_n of_o it_o be_v such_o that_o even_o david_n a_o man_n according_a to_o god_n own_o heart_n be_v tempt_v to_o fret_v at_o so_o heavy_a and_o unproportioned_a a_o punishment_n of_o so_o slight_a and_o trivial_a a_o fault_n as_o he_o think_v this_o be_v ix_o and_o that_o this_o power_n of_o patronage_n be_v no_o institution_n of_o god_n appointment_n may_v yet_o far_o be_v clear_a from_o this_o that_o all_o lawful_a power_n that_o be_v of_o god_n be_v either_o civil_a or_o ecclesiastic_a and_o spiritual_a for_o as_o to_o mix_v power_n that_o be_v such_o as_o be_v neither_o pure_o civil_a nor_o pure_o spiritual_a and_o ecclesiastic_a and_o such_o as_o give_v the_o office-bearer_n of_o the_o church_n a_o interest_n in_o the_o management_n of_o secular_a affair_n and_o give_v secular_a power_n a_o interest_n in_o sacris_fw-la we_o must_v free_o disow_v they_o as_o have_v no_o foundation_n eitherin_o divinity_n or_o good_a policy_n but_o express_o contrary_a to_o both_o and_o as_o have_v ever_o be_v find_v by_o the_o church_n dear_a buy_v experience_n to_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o weak_a device_n of_o ambitious_a and_o aspire_a man_n to_o mar_v the_o progress_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o to_o bring_v the_o church_n in_o subjection_n to_o a_o strange_a head_n plant_n that_o be_v not_o of_o our_o heavenly_a father_n plant_v and_o most_o unbecoming_a the_o wisdom_n of_o any_o christian_a church_n or_o state_n to_o tolerat_a and_o allow_v and_o certain_o as_o the_o magistrate_n or_o civil_a power_n of_o a_o nation_n have_v no_o warrant_n to_o meddle_v in_o sacris_fw-la so_o there_o be_v no_o conscientious_a minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o will_v find_v his_o charge_n so_o weighty_a without_o any_o far_a addition_n of_o secular_a affair_n that_o he_o must_v say_v from_o the_o sense_n of_o his_o own_o weakness_n and_o the_o great_a extent_n of_o the_o duty_n of_o his_o function_n with_o the_o great_a apostle_n of_o the_o gentile_n who_o be_v sufficient_a for_o these_o thing_n i_o ergo_fw-la tu_fw-la say_v bernard_n to_o eugenius_n et_fw-la usurpare_fw-la tibi_fw-la aut_fw-la dominans_fw-la apostolatum_fw-la aut_fw-la apostolicus_n dominatum_fw-la such_o a_o mixture_n as_o this_o be_v manifest_o contrary_a to_o the_o dictate_v of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n who_o have_v express_o tell_v we_o that_o his_o kingdom_n be_v not_o of_o this_o world_n but_o a_o poor_a and_o contemptible_a handful_n in_o the_o eye_n of_o man_n take_v out_o of_o the_o world._n and_o therefore_o as_o our_o bless_a lord_n never_o give_v any_o instruction_n or_o precept_n 15.19_o see_v luk_n 22.25_o math_n 20.25_o john_n 15.19_o to_o the_o civil_a power_n to_o meddle_v in_o sacris_fw-la so_o he_o never_o give_v any_o direction_n to_o the_o office-bearer_n of_o the_o church_n for_o the_o administration_n of_o civil_a affair_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a as_o we_o former_o hint_v express_o discharge_v the_o same_o and_o therefore_o we_o may_v well_o give_v such_o unwarrantable_a mixture_n that_o suitable_a epiphonema_n apage_fw-la hoc_fw-la mixtum_fw-la genus_fw-la hominum_fw-la prolemque_fw-la biformem_fw-la x_o and_o that_o this_o power_n of_o patronage_n be_v one_o of_o these_o amphibious_a and_o irregular_a invention_n may_v be_v clear_a not_o only_o from_o these_o many_o confuse_a opinion_n of_o these_o canonist_n themselves_o on_o this_o head_n but_o also_o from_o these_o undeniable_a ground_n for_o first_o that_o this_o power_n of_o patronage_n be_v not_o a_o power_n true_o civil_a may_v be_v sufficient_o evince_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o these_o act_n in_o which_o it_o be_v exerce_v to_o wit_n the_o look_v out_o nomination_n and_o election_n of_o the_o ministry_n and_o the_o negative_a interest_n acclaim_v therein_o and_o in_o their_o maintenance_n all_o which_o be_v action_n of_o a_o spiritual_a and_o ecclesiastic_a nature_n and_o such_o as_o by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v always_o give_v to_o the_o church_n and_o to_o none_o other_o as_o we_o shall_v see_v hereafter_o and_o according_o in_o the_o primitive_a and_o apostolic_a time_n and_o some_o hundred_o of_o year_n thereafter_o the_o look_v out_o and_o election_n of_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v still_o manage_v by_o the_o church_n herself_o without_o the_o interposition_n of_o patron_n and_o the_o maintenance_n of_o the_o ministry_n be_v a_o part_n of_o that_o trust_n in_o which_o the_o deacon_n a_o ordinary_a and_o stand_a office_n in_o the_o church_n be_v employ_v as_o we_o have_v already_o see_v xi_o and_o though_o the_o conveyance_n and_o confirmation_n of_o the_o most_o part_n of_o patronage_n have_v be_v from_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n by_o right_n under_o the_o great_a seal_n etc._n etc._n yet_o this_o can_v prove_v that_o
can_v not_o be_v otherwise_o have_v to_o the_o keep_n up_o of_o such_o a_o abuse_n when_o it_o may_v be_v take_v away_o as_o it_o be_v once_o well_o take_v away_o be_v a_o consequence_n beyond_o all_o rational_a comprehension_n those_o minister_n ordinary_o have_v the_o voluntar_n consent_n of_o the_o church_n and_o people_n interest_v which_o make_v up_o the_o substance_n of_o election_n and_o if_o they_o have_v not_o this_o i_o do_v not_o see_v how_o they_o can_v have_v be_v free_a of_o the_o guilt_n of_o have_v run_v unsent_a ubi_fw-la libertas_fw-la electionis_fw-la say_v doctor_n ames_n ab_fw-la episcopis_fw-la 29._o de_fw-fr casibus_fw-la cons_n cap_n 25_o 25_o 29._o magistratu_fw-la patronis_fw-la imminuitur_fw-la quamvis_fw-la electio_fw-la non_fw-la sit_fw-la eo_fw-la modo_fw-la et_fw-la gradu_fw-la libera_fw-la quo_fw-la oportet_fw-la consensus_fw-la tamen_fw-la voluntarius_fw-la ut_fw-la in_o conjugio_fw-la sic_fw-la in_o ministerio_fw-la licet_fw-la iniquis_fw-la rationibus_fw-la procuretur_fw-la essentiam_fw-la habet_fw-la electionis_fw-la et_fw-la vocationis_fw-la necessario_fw-la requisitae_fw-la that_o be_v though_o in_o such_o case_n the_o election_n be_v not_o in_o that_o manner_n and_o to_o that_o degree_n so_o free_a as_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v yet_o the_o voluntary_a consent_n of_o these_o interest_v as_o in_o the_o case_n of_o marriage_n so_o in_o this_o of_o the_o ministry_n have_v the_o necessary_a essence_n and_o substance_n of_o one_fw-mi election_n and_o call._n sect_n xv_o patronage_n be_v a_o symbolise_n with_o idolater_n and_o against_o the_o doctrine_n and_o discipline_n of_o this_o church_n i._o the_o last_o ground_n that_o we_o shall_v insist_v upon_o against_o the_o interest_n of_o patronage_n be_v that_o it_o be_v a_o popish_a device_n without_o any_o use_n or_o necessity_n ought_v even_o upon_o that_o account_n to_o be_v reject_v i_o grant_v indeed_o that_o it_o be_v no_o sufficient_a argument_n simple_o to_o say_v that_o a_o thing_n be_v devise_v or_o practise_v by_o the_o popish_a church_n if_o it_o be_v found_v on_o any_o necessity_n either_o of_o mean_n or_o precept_n that_o be_v if_o it_o be_v either_o moral_o necessary_a or_o positive_o command_v but_o we_o may_v well_o conclude_v that_o the_o comply_v and_o symbolise_v with_o idolater_n in_o thing_n unnecessary_a or_o even_o thing_n simple_o indifferent_a be_v sinful_a and_o unlawful_a thus_o we_o find_v the_o lord_n prohibit_v his_o people_n from_o comply_v with_o or_o imitation_n of_o the_o heathen_a in_o cut_v the_o hair_n 27_o lev_n 19_o 27_o or_o round_v the_o corner_n of_o the_o head_n &c_n &c_n which_o be_v thing_n in_o themselves_o at_o worst_a but_o indifferent_a and_o therefore_o a_o fortiori_fw-la and_o much_o more_o be_v it_o unjustifiable_a to_o comply_v with_o idolater_n in_o keep_v up_o and_o maintain_v such_o popish_a device_n as_o be_v not_o only_o in_o themselves_o useless_a and_o unnecessary_a but_o be_v likeways_o clear_o prejudcial_a and_o destructive_a to_o the_o interest_n and_o liberty_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o have_v moreover_o a_o natural_a tendency_n to_o foster_v superstition_n and_o a_o anti-evangelical_a opinion_n of_o merit_n ii_o and_o that_o this_o power_n of_o patronage_n be_v of_o that_o nature_n be_v abundant_o clear_a from_o what_o be_v already_o say_v in_o the_o begin_n and_o progress_n of_o this_o discourse_n and_o to_o this_o day_n where_o ever_o it_o be_v maintain_v in_o its_o â—ull_a latitude_n as_o in_o the_o popish_a church_n daily_a experience_n confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o charge_n for_o as_o superstition_n and_o the_o opinion_n of_o merit_n be_v the_o great_a principle_n that_o give_v birth_n and_o life_n to_o this_o corrupt_a and_o useless_a invention_n and_o have_v multiply_v patronage_n to_o so_o vast_a a_o number_n as_o will_v appear_v to_o any_o that_o will_v peruse_v the_o popish_a writer_n so_o it_o be_v but_o little_a wonder_n that_o this_o power_n still_o retain_v a_o native_a tendency_n to_o foster_v these_o breast_n from_o which_o it_o draw_v its_o first_o strength_n and_o aliment_n there_o be_v nothing_o more_o natural_a than_o for_o a_o thing_n both_o to_o preserve_v and_o be_v preserve_v by_o the_o same_o mean_n by_o which_o it_o begin_v at_o first_o to_o have_v a_o be_v it_o be_v easy_a to_o enlarge_v upon_o this_o consideration_n but_o the_o thing_n itself_o be_v abundant_o clear_a i_o shall_v leave_v it_o to_o the_o reader_n be_v own_o consideration_n that_o will_v furnish_v he_o with_o more_o than_o be_v necessary_a to_o set_v down_o in_o this_o discourse_n which_o have_v already_o exceed_v the_o brevity_n at_o first_o design_v iii_o there_o be_v many_o other_o ground_n that_o may_v be_v insist_v on_o against_o the_o interest_n of_o patronage_n but_o these_o already_o propose_v i_o hope_v upon_o due_a consideration_n will_v be_v find_v to_o be_v a_o sufficient_a proof_n of_o our_o assertion_n and_o the_o intend_a brevity_n of_o this_o essay_n will_v not_o allow_v i_o to_o enlarge_v any_o far_o and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v only_o add_v that_o this_o power_n of_o patronage_n be_v contrary_a to_o the_o doctrine_n discipline_n and_o government_n of_o this_o church_n receive_v from_o the_o first_o dawn_v of_o the_o reformation_n from_o popery_n as_o have_v be_v show_v in_o the_o entry_n of_o this_o discourse_n &_o shall_v not_o now_o be_v resume_v which_o the_o whole_a nation_n have_v so_o often_o and_o solemn_o vow_v and_o engage_v to_o maintain_v and_o it_o be_v hope_v that_o none_o who_o have_v be_v bear_v and_o baptise_a in_o this_o national_a church_n will_v upon_o serious_a and_o deliberate_a reflection_n think_v this_o device_n which_o be_v so_o unwarrantable_a useless_a and_o offensive_a and_o so_o prejudicial_a and_o destructive_a to_o the_o worship_n and_o service_n of_o god_n and_o the_o good_a of_o the_o soul_n of_o his_o people_n of_o so_o much_o worth_n and_o value_n as_o to_o run_v themselves_o and_o their_o posterity_n by_o the_o defence_n and_o practice_n of_o it_o under_o the_o hazard_n that_o the_o breach_n of_o such_o solemn_a eagagment_n may_v bring_v upon_o they_o iv_o and_o what_o ever_o disorder_n may_v bepretend_v by_o the_o adversary_n of_o religion_n to_o have_v be_v in_o go_v about_o the_o reformation_n either_o in_o this_o 〈◊〉_d other_o country_n yet_o as_o it_o be_v not_o much_o to_o be_v admire_v if_o in_o such_o a_o horrid_a confusion_n and_o darkness_n as_o the_o affair_n of_o both_o church_n and_o state_n be_v bring_v to_o at_o that_o time_n there_o be_v something_o of_o a_o unavoidable_a superpurge_n upon_o a_o body_n full_a of_o so_o gross_a humour_n and_o fix_v and_o inveterate_a disease_n where_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o the_o best_a physician_n at_o the_o first_o to_o know_v the_o quantum_fw-la sufficit_fw-la and_o the_o just_a and_o true_a do_v requisite_a for_o such_o a_o untractable_a patient_n especial_o after_o all_o that_o they_o call_v regular_n and_o orderly_a method_n have_v be_v so_o often_o attempt_v with_o out_o the_o least_o success_n omne_fw-la enim_fw-la pharmacum_fw-la habet_fw-la in_o se_fw-la aliquid_fw-la veneni_fw-la et_fw-la omne_fw-la medicum_fw-la aliquid_fw-la violenti_fw-la et_fw-la nullum_fw-la est_fw-la magnum_fw-la exemplum_fw-la sine_fw-la aliqua_fw-la mixtura_fw-la injustitiae_fw-la there_o be_v no_o drug_n without_o some_o mixture_n of_o poison_n no_o physic_n without_o something_o violent_a in_o it_o nor_o any_o great_a example_n or_o advantage_n without_o some_o small_a loss_n which_o yet_o our_o adversary_n will_v be_v very_o much_o straighten_a to_o instruct_v so_o sure_o i_o be_o in_o the_o present_a case_n this_o corrupt_a power_n of_o patronage_n be_v once_o take_v away_o not_o in_o any_o disorderly_a manner_n nor_o so_o sudden_o as_o it_o may_v have_v be_v but_o after_o a_o long_a tract_n of_o time_n and_o much_o trouble_n and_o pain_n be_v abolish_v by_o public_a authority_n in_o the_o most_o calm_a and_o deliberate_a method_n imaginable_a sect_n xvi_o a_o pretence_n that_o the_o patron_n meddle_v with_o nothing_o of_o election_n or_o what_o be_v proper_o ecclesiastical_a i._o i_o come_v now_o to_o the_o last_o part_n of_o the_o method_n propose_v which_o be_v to_o examine_v such_o pretence_n as_o may_v be_v offer_v to_o extenuate_v the_o injury_n that_o we_o have_v demonstrate_v the_o church_n sustain_v by_o occasion_n of_o the_o corrupt_a and_o useless_a privilege_n of_o patronage_n and_o to_o clear_v that_o the_o church_n prejudice_n thereby_o be_v not_o so_o great_a as_o it_o be_v represent_v to_o be_v ii_o the_o first_o pretence_n of_o this_o nature_n we_o meet_v with_o be_v that_o the_o privilege_n acclaim_v in_o the_o call_v of_o a_o minister_n can_v be_v say_v to_o be_v any_o right_n of_o election_n for_o when_o a_o patron_n present_v a_o minister_n he_o make_v no_o formal_a election_n but_o leave_v that_o and_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a part_n viz._n trial_n and_o admission_n entire_o to_o the_o presbytery_n so_o