this_o purpose_n i_o shall_v only_o instance_n in_o a_o few_o thus_o the_o eight_o act_n parl._n 1_o jac._n 6._o hold_v in_o decemb._n 1567._o appoint_v the_o coronation_n oath_n to_o be_v swear_v by_o the_o king_n and_o it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o article_n of_o that_o oath_n that_o he_o shall_v rule_v the_o people_n commit_v to_o his_o charge_n according_a to_o the_o loveable_a law_n and_o constitution_n receive_v in_o this_o realm_n no_o wise_a repugnant_a to_o the_o word_n of_o the_o eternal_a god_n now_o i_o think_v this_o parliament_n make_v no_o question_n but_o that_o the_o fundamental_a law_n of_o the_o constitution_n of_o parliament_n be_v one_o of_o these_o loveable_a law_n and_o constitution_n receive_v in_o this_o realm_n no_o wise_a repugnant_a to_o the_o word_n of_o the_o eternal_a god_n indeed_o the_o 24_o the_o act_n of_o that_o same_o parliament_n be_v this_o word_n for_o word_n our_o sovereign_a lord_n with_o advice_n and_o consent_n of_o his_o regent_n and_o the_o three_o estate_n of_o parliament_n have_v ratify_v and_o ratify_v all_o civil_a privilege_n grant_v and_o give_v by_o our_o sovereign_a lord_n predecessor_n to_o the_o spiritual_a estate_n of_o this_o realm_n in_o all_o point_n after_o the_o form_n and_o tenor_n thereof_o than_o which_o there_o can_v be_v a_o more_o authentic_a commentary_n for_o find_v the_o true_a sense_n and_o meaning_n of_o the_o coronation_n oath_n in_o relation_n to_o our_o present_a purpose_n i_o shall_v only_o adduce_v two_o more_o but_o they_o be_v such_o two_o as_o be_v as_o good_a as_o two_o thousand_o the_o 130_o the_o act_n parl._n 8._o jac._n 6._o anno_fw-la 1584._o be_v this_o word_n for_o word_n the_o king_n majesty_n consider_v the_o honour_n and_o the_o authority_n of_o his_o supreme_a court_n of_o parliament_n continued_z past_o all_o memory_n of_o man_n unto_o these_o day_n as_o constitute_v upon_o the_o free_a vote_n of_o the_o three_o estate_n of_o this_o ancient_a kingdom_n by_o who_o the_o same_o under_o god_n have_v ever_o be_v uphold_v rebellious_a and_o traitorous_a subject_n punish_v the_o good_a and_o faithful_a preserve_v and_o maintain_v and_o the_o law_n and_o act_n of_o parliament_n by_o which_o all_o man_n be_v govern_v make_v and_o establish_v and_o find_v the_o power_n dignity_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o say_a court_n of_o parliament_n of_o late_a year_n call_v in_o some_o doubt_n at_o least_o some_o such_o as_o mr._n andrew_n melvil_n etc._n etc._n curious_o travel_v to_o have_v introduce_v some_o innovation_n thereanent_a his_o majesty_n firm_a will_n and_o mind_n always_o be_v as_o it_o be_v yet_o that_o the_o honour_n authority_n and_o dignity_n of_o his_o say_n three_o estate_n shall_v stand_v and_o continue_v in_o their_o own_o integrity_n according_a to_o the_o ancient_n and_o loveable_a custom_n bygone_a without_o any_o alteration_n or_o diminution_n therefore_o it_o be_v statute_v and_o ordain_v by_o our_o sovereign_a lord_n and_o his_o say_v three_o estate_n in_o this_o present_a parliament_n that_o none_o of_o his_o liege_n and_o subject_n presume_v or_o take_v upon_o hand_n to_o impugn_v the_o dignity_n and_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o say_v three_o estate_n or_o to_o seek_v or_o procure_v the_o innovation_n or_o diminution_n of_o the_o power_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o same_o three_o estate_n or_o any_o of_o they_o in_o time_n come_v under_o the_o pain_n of_o treason_n here_o i_o think_v the_o necessity_n of_o the_o three_o estate_n whereof_o the_o ecclesiastical_a be_v ever_o reckon_v the_o first_o be_v assert_v pretty_a fair_o neither_o be_v this_o act_n so_o far_o as_o i_o know_v formal_o repeal_v by_o any_o subsequent_a act_n and_o whosoever_o know_v any_o thing_n of_o the_o history_n of_o these_o time_n can_v but_o know_v that_o it_o be_v to_o crush_v the_o design_n set_v on_o foot_n then_o by_o some_o for_o innovate_a about_o the_o spiritual_a estate_n that_o this_o act_n be_v form_v the_o other_o which_o i_o promise_v be_v act_n 2._o parl._n 18._o jac._n 6._o hold_v anno_fw-la 1606._o entitle_v act_n anent_o the_o restitution_n of_o the_o estate_n of_o bishop_n in_o the_o preamble_n of_o which_o act_n we_o be_v tell_v that_o of_o late_a during_o his_o majesty_n young_a year_n and_o unsettle_a estate_n the_o ancient_n and_o fundamental_a policy_n consist_v in_o the_o maintenance_n of_o the_o three_o estate_n of_o parliament_n have_v be_v great_o impair_v and_o almost_o subvert_v special_o by_o the_o indirect_a abolish_n of_o the_o estate_n of_o bishop_n by_o the_o act_n of_o annexation_n of_o the_o temporality_n of_o benefice_n to_o the_o crown_n that_o the_o say_a estate_n of_o bishop_n be_v necessary_a estate_n of_o the_o parliament_n etc._n etc._n such_o be_v the_o sentiment_n of_o these_o time_n so_o essential_a be_v the_o ecclesiastical_a estate_n deem_v in_o the_o constitution_n of_o scottish_a parliament_n and_o no_o wonder_n for_o no_o man_n can_v doubt_v but_o it_o be_v as_o early_o as_o positive_o as_o inconte_o as_o fundamental_o and_o unalterable_o in_o the_o constitution_n as_o either_o the_o estate_n of_o noble_n or_o the_o estate_n of_o burrows_n there_o be_v no_o question_n i_o think_v about_o the_o burrows_n as_o for_o the_o estate_n of_o noble_n it_o be_v certain_a all_o baron_n be_v still_o reckon_v of_o the_o nobless_a the_o lesser_a baron_n in_o ancient_a time_n be_v still_o reckon_v a_o part_n of_o the_o second_o never_o a_o distinct_a estate_n of_o parliament_n and_o they_o must_v quit_v all_o pretension_n to_o be_v of_o the_o nobless_v when_o they_o set_v up_o for_o a_o distinct_a estate_n set_v up_o for_o such_o they_o be_v no_o more_o of_o the_o nobility_n than_o the_o burrows_n and_o then_o if_o two_o estate_n can_v vote_n out_o one_o and_o make_v a_o parliament_n without_o it_o if_o they_o can_v split_v one_o into_o two_o and_o so_o make_v up_o the_o three_o estate_n why_o may_v not_o one_o split_v itself_o as_o well_o into_o three_o why_o may_v not_o the_o two_o part_n of_o the_o split_a estate_n join_v together_o and_o vote_v out_o the_o estate_n of_o burrows_n why_o may_v not_o the_o nobility_n of_o the_o first_o magnitude_n join_v with_o the_o burrows_n to_o vote_n out_o the_o small_a baron_n why_o may_v not_o the_o small_a baron_n and_o the_o burrows_n vote_v out_o the_o great_a nobility_n after_o two_o have_v vote_v out_o one_o why_o may_v not_o one_o the_o more_o numerous_a vote_v out_o the_o other_o the_o less_o numerous_a when_o the_o parliament_n be_v reduce_v to_o one_o estate_n why_o may_v not_o that_o one_o divide_v and_o one_o half_a vote_n out_o the_o other_o and_o then_o subdivide_v and_o vote_v out_o till_o the_o whole_a parliament_n shall_v consist_v of_o the_o commissioner_n for_o rutherglen_n or_o the_o laird_n of_o or_o the_o earl_n of_o crawford_n nay_o why_o may_v not_o that_o one_o vote_v cut_v himself_o and_o leave_v the_o king_n without_o a_o parliament_n what_o a_o dangerous_a thing_n be_v it_o to_o shake_v foundation_n how_o do_v it_o unhinge_v all_o thing_n how_o plain_o do_v it_o pave_v the_o way_n for_o that_o which_o our_o brethren_n pretend_v to_o abhor_v so_o much_o viz._n a_o despotic_a power_n one_fw-mi absolute_a and_o unlimited_a monarchy_n but_o enough_o of_o this_o to_o conclude_v this_o point_n there_o be_v nothing_o more_o notorious_a than_o that_o the_o spiritual_a estate_n be_v still_o judge_v fundamental_a in_o the_o constitution_n of_o parliament_n be_v still_o call_v to_o parliament_n do_v still_o sit_v deliberate_a and_o vote_n in_o parliament_n till_o the_o year_n 1640_o that_o it_o be_v turn_v out_o by_o the_o then_o presbyterian_o and_o our_o present_a presbyterian_o follow_v their_o footstep_n have_v not_o only_o free_o part_v with_o but_o forward_o reject_v that_o ancient_n and_o valuable_a right_n of_o the_o church_n nay_o they_o have_v not_o only_o reject_v it_o but_o they_o declaim_v constant_o against_o it_o as_o a_o limb_n of_o antichrist_n and_o what_o not_o and_o have_v they_o not_o herein_o manifest_o deserted_n the_o undoubted_a principle_n and_o sentiment_n of_o our_o reformer_n it_o have_v be_v easy_a to_o have_v ennumerate_v a_o great_a many_o more_o of_o their_o notorious_a recession_n from_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o reformation_n e._n g._n i_o may_v have_v insist_v on_o their_o desert_v the_o principle_n and_o practice_n of_o our_o reformer_n about_o the_o constitution_n of_o general_n assembly_n about_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n about_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n power_n in_o church_n matter_n just_o or_o unjust_o be_v not_o the_o present_a question_n and_o many_o more_o thing_n of_o considerable_a importance_n nay_o which_o at_o first_o sight_n may_v seem_v a_o little_a strange_a as_o much_o as_o they_o may_v seem_v to_o have_v swallow_v down_o the_o principle_n of_o rebellion_n and_o arm_a resistance_n against_o lawful_a sovereign_a
mistake_v not_o it_o may_v try_v his_o reconcile_a skill_n to_o make_v what_o he_o say_v here_o and_o what_o he_o say_v on_o these_o occasion_n piece_n well_o together_o proceed_v we_o now_o to_o what_o he_o have_v say_v more_o about_o strachan_n defence_n the_o nation_n representative_a say_v he_o have_v then_o own_a he_o w._n as_o their_o king_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o contempt_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o nation_n for_o any_o man_n to_o refuse_v to_o own_v he_o when_o call_v to_o do_v so_o now_o what_o can_v move_v our_o author_n to_o such_o a_o stretch_n of_o his_o main_a talon_n as_o thus_o to_o say_v that_o the_o representative_a of_o the_o nation_n have_v own_v he_o as_o their_o king_n i_o confess_v i_o be_o not_o able_a to_o fathom_n for_o how_o can_v they_o own_v he_o as_o king_n so_o long_o as_o he_o have_v not_o take_v the_o oath_n nor_o agree_v to_o the_o claim_n of_o right_a if_o they_o own_a he_o as_o king_n before_o that_o be_v he_o not_o king_n before_o that_o but_o if_o he_o be_v king_n before_o that_o where_o be_v the_o use_n of_o the_o oath_n or_o the_o claim_n of_o right_a the_o estate_n indeed_o upon_o the_o 11_o the_o of_o april_n declare_v w._n and_o m._n to_o be_v the_o person_n to_o who_o they_o have_v resolve_v to_o offer_v the_o crown_n upon_o such_o and_o such_o condition_n as_o be_v evident_a from_o that_o day_n proclamation_n but_o the_o â—etter_a of_o the_o estate_n by_o which_o they_o actual_o make_v the_o offer_n of_o the_o crown_n on_o these_o condition_n be_v not_o write_v till_o april_n 24._o and_o the_o return_n bear_v that_o they_o have_v accept_v of_o the_o crown_n on_o these_o condition_n be_v date_v may_n 17._o and_o be_v not_o doctor_n strachan_n deprive_v even_o before_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o estate_n be_v send_v to_o london_n be_v not_o more_o than_o 24_o minister_n deprive_v before_o their_o majesty_n return_n come_v to_o edinburgh_n beside_o g._n r.'s_n impudence_n as_o sturdy_a as_o it_o be_v do_v not_o serve_v he_o it_o seem_v to_o give_v a_o faithful_a account_n of_o d._n strachan_n defence_n and_o grapple_v with_o all_o the_o force_n of_o it_o for_o the_o doctor_n if_o the_o author_n of_o the_o second_o letter_n be_v right_a make_v the_o supposition_n that_o w._n and_o m._n may_v refuse_v to_o take_v the_o crown_n with_o such_o condition_n this_o be_v so_o far_o from_o being_n one_fw-mi impossible_a that_o it_o be_v true_o a_o very_a reasonable_a a_o very_a equitable_a a_o very_a dutiful_a supposition_n now_o suppose_v they_o have_v do_v so_o will_v they_o have_v be_v k._n and_o q._n for_o all_o that_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o declaration_n of_o the_o estate_n of_o the_o 11_o the_o of_o april_n if_o so_o i_o ask_v again_o what_o the_o coronation_n oath_n or_o the_o claim_n of_o right_o signify_v or_o be_v the_o estate_n to_o make_v they_o k._n and_o q._n whither_o they_o will_v or_o not_o if_o upon_o that_o supposition_n they_o have_v not_o be_v k._n and_o q._n as_o undoubted_o they_o have_v not_o be_v then_o what_o can_v be_v more_o evident_a than_o that_o the_o proclamation_n of_o the_o 11_o the_o of_o april_n do_v no_o more_o than_o nominate_v they_o to_o be_v k._n and_o q._n upon_o their_o agree_v to_o such_o condition_n so_o that_o g._n r._n be_v even_o himself_o when_o he_o say_v that_o the_o nation_n representative_a have_v own_a they_o as_o k._n and_o q._n before_o the_o 13_o the_o of_o april_n i_o add_v further_o what_o though_o they_o have_v own_a they_o as_o k._n and_o q._n by_o their_o proclamation_n of_o the_o 11_o the_o of_o april_n do_v not_o the_o whole_a drift_n the_o whole_a design_n the_o whole_a train_n the_o whole_a tendency_n the_o whole_a aspect_n and_o the_o whole_a circumstance_n of_o the_o deliberation_n resolution_n and_o conclusion_n of_o the_o estate_n evident_o propose_v it_o to_o the_o dull_a apprehension_n that_o the_o crown_n be_v not_o to_o be_v grant_v to_o they_o but_o on_o such_o and_o such_o condition_n this_o question_n i_o propose_v for_o vindicate_v d._n strachan_n from_o the_o guilt_n of_o contempt_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o estate_n with_o which_o g._n r._n charge_v he_o for_o if_o the_o affirmative_a in_o the_o question_n be_v true_a and_o i_o think_v g._n r._n himself_o dare_v not_o to_o say_v it_o be_v false_a then_o i_o ask_v how_o it_o can_v be_v call_v a_o contempt_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o nation_n to_o have_v refuse_v then_o to_o own_o w._n and_o m._n as_o k._n and_o q._n how_o can_v he_o be_v say_v to_o contemn_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o nation_n who_o reason_n upon_o the_o nation_n authority_n who_o reason_n upon_o the_o force_n of_o all_o the_o deliberation_n resolution_n and_o conclusion_n of_o the_o representative_a body_n of_o the_o nation_n if_o do_v so_o he_o do_v yet_o contemn_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o nation_n i_o be_o apt_a to_o think_v it_o can_v be_v his_o fault_n he_o do_v but_o what_o a_o man_n must_v needs_o do_v when_o the_o nation_n make_v repugnant_a and_o contradictory_n determination_n but_o after_o all_o this_o be_v it_o not_o pleasant_a that_o g._n r._n forsooth_o shall_v so_o zealous_o exaggerate_v the_o crime_n of_o contemn_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o nation_n good_a man_n he_o pay_v it_o a_o wonderful_a dutifulness_n all_o his_o life_n far_o be_v it_o still_o from_o he_o to_o treat_v it_o with_o such_o contempt_n as_o dr._n strachan_n amount_v to_o but_o he_o have_v not_o yet_o do_v he_o answer_v further_a that_o it_o be_v a_o material_a mistake_n of_o the_o word_n of_o the_o claim_n of_o right_n that_o be_v allege_v in_o strachan_n defence_n which_o do_v not_o say_v none_o can_v be_v king_n or_o queen_n but_o that_o none_o can_v exercise_v the_o regal_a power_n till_o they_o have_v take_v the_o coronation_n oath_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o on_o the_o death_n of_o a_o king_n his_o rightful_a successor_n be_v king_n and_o may_v be_v pray_v for_o as_o such_o and_o such_o pray_v may_v be_v enjoin_v even_o before_o take_v of_o the_o oath_n the_o same_o may_v be_v say_v of_o one_o choose_a and_o proclaim_v by_o the_o supreme_a authority_n of_o the_o nation_n which_o be_v the_o case_n now_o in_o hand_n here_o be_v a_o piece_n of_o as_o odd_a stuff_n as_o one_o will_v wish_v to_o see_v for_o if_o it_o be_v a_o material_a mistake_n to_o say_v none_o can_v be_v king_n or_o queen_n when_o it_o shall_v have_v be_v say_v none_o can_v exercise_v the_o regal_a power_n it_o seem_v to_o i_o to_o have_v be_v a_o mistake_n make_v of_o very_o mathematical_a matter_n not_o of_o the_o solid_a sensible_a matter_n which_o can_v be_v feel_v and_o handle_v for_o my_o part_n i_o can_v forbear_v think_v it_o must_v be_v compound_v of_o negative_a quantity_n till_o i_o shall_v learn_v how_o one_o can_v be_v a_o king_n i._n e._n a_o person_n who_o have_v right_o to_o rule_n and_o act_n as_o king_n who_o have_v yet_o no_o right_a to_o exercise_v the_o regal_a power_n or_o act_n as_o king_n i_o know_v one_o may_v be_v physical_o incapable_a of_o exercise_v the_o regal_a power_n and_o act_v as_o king_n by_o himself_o in_o several_a case_n such_o as_o that_o of_o infancy_n etc._n etc._n yet_o even_o then_o he_o have_v right_o which_o be_v not_o a_o physical_a but_o a_o moral_a quality_n now_o i_o say_v i_o will_v fain_o understand_v how_o one_o can_v be_v a_o king_n without_o this_o moral_a quality_n or_o how_o he_o can_v have_v this_o moral_a quality_n call_v right_o and_o yet_o be_v moral_o incapable_a of_o exercise_v it_o i_o shall_v own_o g._n r._n be_v good_a at_o metaphysic_n if_o he_o can_v give_v one_fw-mi intelligible_a account_n of_o these_o thing_n well!_o but_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o on_o the_o death_n of_o a_o king_n his_o rightful_a successor_n be_v king_n and_o may_v be_v pray_v for_o as_o such_o and_o such_o pray_v may_v be_v enjoin_v even_o before_o take_v of_o the_o oath_n all_o this_o be_v true_a but_o than_o i_o affirm_v it_o be_v as_o true_a that_o that_o rightful_a successor_n who_o be_v king_n may_v and_o can_v exercise_v the_o regal_a power_n and_o act_n as_o king_n before_o he_o take_v the_o oath_n so_o i_o be_o sure_a our_o scottish_a monarch_n have_v do_v so_o the_o law_n allow_v they_o to_o do_v so_o of_o necessity_n they_o must_v do_v for_o instance_n they_o be_v not_o bind_v by_o law_n to_o take_v the_o oath_n but_o at_o their_o coronation_n and_o not_o to_o speak_v of_o other_o thing_n i_o think_v it_o be_v true_o one_fw-mi exercise_v of_o their_o regal_a power_n and_o act_v as_o king_n to_o appoint_v the_o preparation_n for_o the_o day_n the_o place_n the_o solemnity_n etc._n etc._n of_o their_o own_o
168._o be_v deposable_a by_o the_o superintendent_n of_o the_o diocese_n and_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o parish_n where_o they_o be_v minister_n but_o of_o this_o more_o hereafter_o 160._o but_o by_o that_o same_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n the_o superintendent_n be_v to_o be_v judge_v by_o the_o minister_n and_o elder_n of_o his_o whole_a province_n over_o which_o he_o be_v appoint_v and_o if_o the_o minister_n and_o elder_n of_o the_o province_n be_v negligent_a in_o correct_v he_o one_o or_o two_o other_o superintendent_o with_o their_o minister_n and_o elder_n be_v to_o conveen_v he_o provide_v it_o be_v within_o his_o own_o province_n or_o chief_a town_n and_o inflict_v the_o censure_n which_o his_o offence_n deserve_v of_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o this_o afterward_o 4._o there_o be_v as_o remarkable_a a_o difference_n in_o point_n of_o ordination_n which_o in_o the_o then_o scottish_a stile_n be_v call_v admission_n private_a minister_n be_v to_o be_v admit_v by_o their_o superintendent_o as_o we_o shall_v find_v afterward_o but_o by_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n head_n 5._o 159._o superintendent_o be_v to_o be_v admit_v by_o the_o superintendent_o next_o adjacent_a with_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o province_n 5._o in_o the_o case_n of_o translation_n the_o general_n assembly_n hold_v at_o edinburgh_n decem._n 25._o 1562._o give_v power_n to_o every_o superintendent_n within_o his_o own_o bound_n in_o his_o synodal_n assembly_n with_o consent_n of_o the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o elder_n and_o minister_n of_o kirk_n to_o translate_v minister_n from_o one_o kirk_n to_o another_o as_o they_o shall_v consider_v the_o necessity_n charge_v the_o minister_n so_o translate_v to_o obey_v the_o voice_n and_o commandment_n of_o the_o superintendent_n 233._o but_o according_a to_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n head_n 5._o 160._o no_o superintendent_n may_v be_v translate_v at_o the_o pleasure_n or_o request_n of_o any_o one_o province_n without_o the_o council_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o that_o for_o grave_a cause_n and_o consideration_n 6._o a_o special_a care_n be_v to_o be_v take_v of_o his_o qualification_n and_o ability_n for_o such_o one_fw-mi important_a office_n for_o thus_o it_o be_v appoint_v by_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n head_n 5._o ibid_fw-la that_o after_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v establish_v and_o three_o year_n be_v past_a no_o man_n shall_v be_v call_v to_o the_o office_n of_o a_o superintendent_n who_o have_v not_o two_o year_n at_o least_o give_v a_o proof_n of_o his_o faithful_a labour_n in_o the_o ministry_n a_o caution_n simple_o unapplyable_a to_o parish_n minister_n 7._o he_o have_v a_o live_v provide_v for_o he_o by_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n head_n 5._o 157._o about_o five_o time_n as_o much_o yearly_a as_o be_v allot_v for_o any_o private_a minister_n and_o it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o this_o be_v in_o a_o time_n when_o the_o popish_a bishop_n still_o brook_v their_o benefice_n but_o when_o the_o resolution_n be_v anno_fw-la 1567._o to_o deprive_v all_o the_o popish_a clergy_n it_o be_v agree_v to_o in_o the_o general_n assembly_n by_o the_o churchman_n on_o the_o one_o hand_n and_o the_o lord_n and_o baron_n on_o the_o other_o that_o superintendent_o shall_v succeed_v in_o their_o place_n as_o both_o the_o mss._n and_o spotswood_n have_v it_o express_o 11._o 8._o superintendent_o by_o virtue_n of_o their_o office_n be_v constant_a member_n of_o the_o general_a assembly_n therefore_o the_o general_n assembly_n hold_v at_o perth_n june_n 25._o 1563._o statute_v that_o every_o superintendent_n be_v present_v the_o first_o day_n of_o the_o assembly_n under_o the_o pain_n of_o 40_o sh._n to_o be_v give_v to_o the_o poor_a without_o remission_n so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o mss._n but_o petrie_n have_v it_o bare_o that_o they_o shall_v conveen_v on_o the_o first_o day_n of_o every_o assembly_n 237._o and_o it_o seem_v because_o that_o punishment_n have_v not_o sufficient_a influence_n on_o they_o it_o be_v again_o ordain_v by_o the_o g._n ass._n at_o edinburgh_n march_v 6._o 1573._o that_o they_o shall_v be_v present_a in_o the_o assembly_n the_o first_o day_n before_o noon_n under_o the_o pain_n of_o lose_v one_o half_o of_o their_o stipend_n for_o a_o year_n etc._n etc._n so_o both_o the_o mss._n and_o petrie_n 379._o but_o as_o we_o shall_v find_v afterward_o such_o presence_n of_o parish_n minister_n be_v not_o allow_v far_o less_o necessary_a 9_o it_o belong_v to_o they_o to_o try_v those_o who_o stand_v candidate_n for_o the_o ministry_n thus_o 1._o b._n of_o disc._n head_n 4._o 157._o such_o as_o take_v upon_o they_o the_o office_n of_o preacher_n who_o shall_v not_o be_v find_v qualify_v therefore_o by_o the_o superintendent_n be_v by_o he_o to_o be_v placâ—d_v reader_n and_o again_o head_n 5._o 158._o no_o child_n nor_o person_n within_o the_o age_n of_o 21_o year_n may_v be_v admit_v to_o the_o office_n of_o a_o reader_n but_o such_o must_v be_v choose_v and_o admit_v by_o the_o superintendent_n as_o for_o their_o gravity_n and_o discretion_n may_v grace_v the_o function_n that_o they_o be_v call_v unto_o and_o the_o ass._n at_o edinburgh_n dec._n 15._o 1562._o ordain_v that_o inhibition_n be_v make_v against_o all_o such_o minister_n as_o have_v not_o be_v present_v by_o the_o people_n or_o a_o part_n thereof_o to_o thâ—_n superintendent_n and_o he_o after_o examination_n and_o trial_n have_v not_o appoint_v they_o to_o their_o charge_n so_o the_o mss._n and_o so_o petrie_n 233._o and_o spotswood_n cite_v another_o act_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n at_o edinburgh_n 1564._o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n 190._o 10._o as_o appear_v by_o that_o act_n of_o the_o assembly_n decem._n 25._o 1562._o just_a now_o cite_v and_o the_o 7_o act_n parl._n 1_o jac._n 6._o cite_v before_o also_o superintendent_o have_v the_o power_n of_o grant_v collation_n upon_o presentation_n and_o the_o assembly_n at_o perth_n hold_v in_o june_n 1563._o appoint_v that_o when_o any_o benefice_n chance_v to_o vaik_fw-mi or_o be_v now_o vacant_a that_o a_o qualify_a person_n be_v present_v to_o the_o superintendent_n of_o that_o province_n where_o the_o benefice_n lie_v and_o that_o he_o be_v find_v sufficient_a be_v admit_v etc._n etc._n so_o i_o find_v it_o cite_v by_o the_o author_n of_o episcopacy_n not_o abjure_v in_o scotland_n 11._o a_o superintendent_n have_v power_n to_o plant_v minister_n in_o church_n where_o the_o people_n be_v negligent_a to_o present_v timeous_o and_o indeed_o that_o power_n devolve_v much_o soon_o into_o his_o hand_n by_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n head_n 4._o 154._o than_o it_o do_v afterward_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o either_o bishop_n or_o presbytery_n for_o there_o it_o be_v order_v that_o if_o the_o people_n be_v find_v negligent_a in_o elect_v a_o minister_n the_o space_n of_o forty_o day_n the_o superintendent_n with_o his_o counsel_n may_v present_v unto_o they_o a_o man_n who_o they_o judge_v apt_a to_o feed_v the_o flock_n etc._n etc._n and_o as_o he_o have_v thus_o the_o power_n of_o try_v and_o collate_v minister_n and_o plant_v church_n in_o the_o case_n of_o a_o ius_n devolutum_fw-la so_o 12._o he_o have_v the_o power_n of_o ordination_n which_o as_o i_o say_v be_v then_o call_v admission_n as_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n cap._n 5._o and_o several_a act_n of_o assembly_n already_o cite_v 13._o all_o presbyter_n or_o parish_n minister_n once_o admit_v to_o church_n be_v bind_v to_o pay_v canonical_a obedience_n to_o their_o superintendent_o thus_o in_o the_o assembly_n at_o edinburgh_n june_n 30._o 1562._o it_o be_v conclude_v by_o the_o whole_a minister_n assemble_v that_o all_o minister_n shall_v be_v subject_a to_o the_o superintendent_o in_o all_o lawful_a admonition_n as_o be_v prescribe_v as_o well_o in_o the_o book_n of_o discipline_n as_o in_o the_o election_n of_o superintendent_o so_o the_o mss._n and_o by_o that_o aforecited_a act_n of_o the_o assembly_n at_o edinburgh_n decem._n 25._o 1562._o minister_n translate_v from_o one_o church_n to_o another_o be_v command_v to_o obey_v the_o voice_n and_o commandment_n of_o the_o superintendent_n indeed_o it_o be_v part_n of_o one_fw-mi article_n present_v by_o the_o church_n to_o the_o council_n may_v 27._o 1561._o that_o one_fw-mi act_n shall_v be_v make_v appoint_v a_o civil_a punishment_n for_o such_o as_o disobey_v or_o contemn_v the_o superintendent_o in_o their_o function_n 223._o 14._o he_o have_v power_n to_o visit_v all_o the_o church_n within_o his_o diocese_n and_o in_o that_o visitation_n they_o be_v the_o word_n of_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n head_n 5._o 159._o to_o try_v the_o life_n diligence_n and_o behaviour_n of_o the_o minister_n the_o order_n of_o their_o church_n the_o manner_n of_o their_o people_n how_o the_o poor_a be_v provide_v and_o how_o
the_o youth_n be_v instruct_v etc._n etc._n and_o further_o in_o these_o visitation_n he_o have_v power_n particular_o to_o take_v account_n of_o what_o book_n every_o minister_n have_v and_o how_o he_o profit_v from_o time_n to_o time_n by_o they_o by_o act_n of_o assem_fw-la at_o edinburgh_n june_n 29._o 1562._o so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o mss._n 15._o he_o have_v power_n to_o depose_v minister_n that_o deserve_v it_o as_o appear_v from_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n head_n 8._o already_o cite_v and_o by_o the_o assem_fw-la at_o edinburgh_n march_v 6._o 1573._o it_o be_v statute_v that_o if_o any_o minister_n reside_v not_o at_o the_o church_n where_o his_o charge_n be_v he_o shall_v be_v summon_v before_o his_o superintendent_n or_o commissioner_n of_o the_o province_n to_o who_o the_o assembly_n give_v power_n to_o depose_v he_o etc._n etc._n so_o the_o mss._n and_o potrie_n 378._o 16._o he_o have_v power_n to_o translate_v minister_n from_o one_o church_n to_o another_o as_o appear_v from_o the_o act_n already_o cite_v num._n 4._o and_o by_o one_fw-mi act_n of_o the_o assembly_n at_o edinburgh_n june_n 25._o 1564._o it_o be_v conclude_v that_o a_o minister_n be_v once_o place_v may_v not_o leave_v that_o congregation_n without_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o flock_n and_o consent_v of_o the_o superintendent_n or_o whole_a church_n i._n e._n a_o general_n assembly_n so_o the_o mss._n have_v so_o pet._n 340._o these_o be_v all_o power_n methinks_v scarce_o reconcileable_a with_o one_fw-mi opinion_n of_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o parity_n but_o there_o be_v more_o and_o perhaps_o more_o considerable_a as_o yet_o to_o follow_v for_o 17._o he_o have_v power_n to_o nominate_v minister_n to_o be_v member_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n this_o be_v clear_o assert_v by_o the_o act_n of_o two_o general_a assembly_n the_o first_o at_o edinburgh_n in_o june_n 1562._o where_o it_o be_v ordain_v that_o no_o minister_n leave_v his_o flock_n for_o come_v to_o the_o assembly_n except_o he_o have_v complaint_n to_o make_v or_o be_v complain_v of_o or_o at_o least_o be_v warn_v thereto_o by_o the_o superintendent_n so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o mss._n and_o spotswood_n cite_v it_o in_o his_o refutatio_fw-la libelli_fw-la etc._n etc._n the_o other_o act_n be_v make_v by_o the_o assembly_n hold_v at_o edinburgh_n july_n 1._o 1563._o which_o i_o find_v thus_o word_v in_o the_o mss._n fair_o agree_v with_o spotswood_n 219._o anent_o the_o order_n hereafter_o to_o be_v use_v in_o general_a assembly_n they_o all_o vote_v and_o conclude_v as_o follow_v viz._n that_o if_o the_o order_n already_o receive_v please_v not_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o plurality_n of_o voice_n it_o be_v reform_v in_o this_o manner_n first_o that_o none_o have_v place_n to_o vote_n except_o superintendent_o commissioner_n appoint_v for_o visit_v the_o kirk_n and_o minister_n bring_v with_o they_o present_v as_o person_n able_a to_o reason_n and_o have_v knowledge_n to_o judge_v with_o the_o aforenamed_a shall_v be_v join_v commissioner_n of_o burgh_n and_o shire_n together_o with_o commissioner_n of_o university_n second_o minister_n and_o commissioner_n shall_v be_v choose_v at_o the_o synodal_n convention_n of_o the_o diocese_n by_o consent_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o minister_n and_o gentleman_n that_o shall_v conveen_v at_o the_o say_v synodal_n convention_n etc._n etc._n from_o which_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o superintendent_n or_o commissioner_n who_o be_v a_o temporary_a superintendent_n nominate_v the_o minister_n they_o bring_v with_o they_o to_o the_o assembly_n and_o that_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o minister_n etc._n etc._n have_v only_o a_o power_n of_o consent_v and_o so_o it_o be_v thereafter_o inquisituri_fw-la practise_v unquestionable_o and_o if_o there_o be_v need_n of_o more_o light_n it_o may_v be_v copious_o receive_v from_o the_o lord_n glamis_n his_o letter_n to_o mr._n beza_n anno_fw-la 1576._o wherein_o he_o tell_v he_o that_o it_o have_v be_v the_o custom_n ever_o since_o the_o reformation_n that_o the_o superintendent_o or_o bishop_n still_o nominate_v the_o minister_n who_o meet_v in_o the_o general_a assembly_n than_o which_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o distinct_a and_o plain_a and_o this_o testimony_n be_v the_o more_o considerable_a that_o it_o be_v not_o glamis_n his_o own_o private_a deed_n but_o that_o which_o be_v the_o result_n of_o a_o considerable_a consult_v as_o we_o shall_v learn_v hereafter_o this_o be_v such_o a_o branch_n of_o episcopal_a power_n as_o mighty_o offend_v our_o presbyterian_a historian_n it_o seem_v for_o they_o have_v endeavour_v to_o obscure_v it_o as_o much_o as_o they_o can_v neither_o calderwood_n nor_o petrie_n mention_n the_o first_o of_o these_o two_o act_n they_o mention_v the_o second_o indeed_o but_o how_o calderwood_n 45._o huddle_v it_o up_o thus_o it_o be_v think_v meet_a for_o eschew_v of_o confusion_n that_o this_o order_n be_v follow_v that_o none_o have_v place_n nor_o power_n to_o vote_n except_o superintendent_o commissioner_n appoint_v for_o visit_v of_o kirk_n minister_n commissioner_n of_o burgh_n and_o shire_n together_o with_o the_o commissioner_n of_o university_n minister_n and_o commissioner_n of_o shire_n shall_v be_v choose_v at_o the_o synodal_n convention_n of_o the_o diocese_n with_o consent_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o minister_n and_o gentleman_n etc._n etc._n leave_v out_o entire_o these_o word_n bring_v with_o they_o i._n e._n with_o the_o superintendent_o and_o commissioner_n of_o kirk_n present_v as_o person_n able_a to_o reason_n and_o have_v knowledge_n to_o judge_v whereby_o the_o power_n of_o the_o superintendent_o and_o commissioner_n for_o visit_v of_o kirk_n be_v quite_o stifle_v and_o the_o whole_a sense_n of_o the_o act_n pervert_v for_o what_o sense_n be_v it_o i_o pray_v to_o say_v that_o the_o minister_n be_v to_o be_v choose_v by_o consent_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o minister_n when_o you_o tell_v not_o who_o be_v to_o choose_v or_o who_o they_o be_v to_o who_o choice_n or_o nomination_n the_o rest_n of_o the_o minister_n be_v to_o give_v that_o consent_n but_o it_o be_v no_o strange_a thing_n with_o this_o author_n to_o let_v sense_n shift_v for_o itself_o if_o the_o good_a cause_n can_v be_v otherwise_o serve_v neither_o be_v petrie_n less_o unfaithful_a for_o he_o not_o only_o draw_v the_o curtain_n over_o the_o whole_a power_n of_o the_o superintendent_n etc._n etc._n so_o that_o you_o can_v have_v the_o least_o glimpse_n of_o it_o from_o his_o account_n but_o he_o intermix_v lie_v to_o boot_v only_o he_o stumble_v not_o on_o nonsense_n he_o account_v thus_o 359._o because_o heretofore_o all_o minister_n that_o will_v come_v be_v admit_v to_o vote_n not_o one_o word_n of_o this_o in_o the_o narrative_a of_o the_o act_n as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o mss._n or_o any_o other_o historian_n and_o it_o be_v direct_o contrary_a to_o the_o act_n 1562._o already_o mention_v so_o that_o it_o be_v plain_a it_o be_v a_o figment_n of_o his_o own_o and_o now_o the_o number_n be_v increase_v and_o commissioner_n of_o shire_n be_v choose_v in_o the_o sheriff_n court_n no_o other_o historian_n or_o record_v i_o have_v see_v have_v one_o syllable_n of_o this_o either_o though_o it_o be_v probable_a enough_o it_o be_v so_o this_o assembly_n make_v one_fw-mi act_n of_o three_o part_n concern_v the_o admission_n of_o member_n 1._o that_o none_o shall_v have_v place_n to_o vote_n but_o superintendent_o commissioner_n for_o visit_a church_n minister_n and_o commissioner_n of_o shire_n and_o burgh_n choose_v as_o follow_v together_o with_o commissioner_n of_o university_n 2._o minister_n and_o commissioner_n of_o shire_n shall_v be_v choose_v at_o the_o synod_n of_o the_o bound_n by_o the_o minister_n and_o gentleman_n conveen_v there_o etc._n etc._n not_o with_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o minister_n etc._n etc._n you_o see_v as_o calderwood_n ridiculous_o have_v it_o but_z choose_v by_o the_o minister_n etc._n etc._n without_o the_o least_o syllable_n that_o may_v import_v the_o superintendent_o have_v any_o and_o far_o less_o the_o principal_a power_n in_o that_o election_n this_o be_v clean_a work_n of_o it_o thus_o i_o say_v these_o two_o historian_n of_o the_o party_n treat_v this_o notable_a branch_n of_o the_o power_n which_o our_o reformer_n think_v reasonable_a to_o confer_v on_o superintendent_o but_o we_o shall_v not_o want_v occasion_n enough_o for_o admire_v their_o ingenuity_n return_v we_o now_o to_o our_o task_n 18._o they_o have_v power_n to_o hold_v diocesan_n synod_n ordain_v further_o they_o be_v the_o word_n of_o one_fw-mi act_n of_o the_o ass._n hold_v in_o decem._n 1562._o as_o it_o be_v both_o in_o the_o mss._n and_o pet._n 233._o that_o the_o superintendent_o appoint_v synodal_n convention_n twice_o in_o the_o year_n viz._n in_o the_o month_n of_o april_n and_o october_n on_o such_o day_n of_o the_o say_a
month_n as_o the_o superintendent_o shall_v think_v good_a whereby_o two_o thing_n appear_v 1._o that_o he_o have_v the_o sole_a appointment_n of_o the_o day_n of_o meeting_n 2._o that_o he_o alone_o be_v praeses_fw-la of_o the_o meeting_n indeed_o they_o be_v frequent_o or_o rather_o constant_o call_v his_o synod_n 19_o superintendent_o have_v power_n within_o their_o own_o bound_n to_o appoint_v diocesan_n fast_n grant_v to_o they_o by_o one_fw-mi act_n of_o the_o assembly_n hold_v at_o edinburgh_n march_v 5._o 1570._o for_o there_o it_o be_v enact_v that_o all_o superintendent_o and_o commissioner_n to_o plant_v kirk_n in_o their_o first_o synodal_n convention_n hereafter_o follow_v with_o the_o advice_n of_o their_o minister_n shall_v reason_n and_o appoint_v public_a fast_n if_o it_o shall_v be_v think_v necessary_a so_o the_o mss._n and_o petrie_n 369._o 20._o another_o considerable_a instance_n of_o the_o power_n of_o superintendent_o be_v that_o of_o modify_v or_o assign_v to_o parish_n minister_n their_o stipend_n or_o live_n this_o be_v clear_a from_o one_fw-mi act_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n hold_v at_o edinburgh_n on_o the_o seven_o of_o july_n 1569._o as_o it_o be_v both_o in_o the_o mss._n and_o petrie_n 365._o wherein_o the_o kirk_n present_o conveen_v find_v it_o most_o needful_a and_o expedient_a that_o all_o superintendent_o minister_n exhorter_n and_o reader_n shall_v have_v their_o own_o particular_a assignation_n out_o of_o the_o three_o of_o benefice_n as_o shall_v be_v more_o full_o discourse_v hereafter_o appoint_v they_o to_o be_v receive_v from_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o labourer_n respective_a or_o other_o addebt_v in_o payment_n of_o the_o three_o and_o therefore_o the_o kirk_n in_o one_o voice_n by_o this_o their_o act_n give_v their_o full_a power_n and_o commission_n to_o every_o superintendent_n and_o commissioner_n within_o their_o own_o bound_n with_o advice_n and_o consent_n of_o their_o synodal_n convention_n to_o give_v to_o every_o minister_n exhorte_a and_o reader_n particular_a assignation_n ad_fw-la vitam_fw-la as_o they_o shall_v find_v the_o same_o expedient_a under_o the_o superintendent_o subscription_n and_o minister_n aforesaid_a with_o all_o clause_n needful_a and_o expedient_a thereto_o which_o shall_v be_v as_o sufficient_a as_o if_o the_o same_o be_v speed_v by_o the_o general_n assembly_n of_o the_o kirk_n and_o as_o concern_v the_o superintendent_o and_o commissioner_n of_o kirk_n their_o provision_n and_o assignation_n to_o be_v make_v by_o the_o general_n assembly_n 21._o appeal_n be_v to_o be_v make_v to_o they_o from_o inferior_a judicatories_n thus_o by_o the_o assembly_n at_o perth_n in_o june_n 1563._o 33._o concern_v the_o order_n of_o appellation_n it_o be_v statute_v and_o ordain_v that_o if_o any_o person_n find_v himself_o hurt_v by_o any_o sentence_n give_v by_o any_o minister_n elder_n or_o deacon_n i._n e._n by_o any_o kirk_n session_n as_o we_o call_v they_o it_o shall_v be_v lawful_a for_o the_o person_n so_o hurt_v to_o appeal_v to_o the_o superintendent_n of_o the_o diocese_n and_o his_o synodal_n convention_n within_o ten_o day_n next_o after_o and_o the_o say_v superintendent_n shall_v take_v cognition_n whether_o it_o be_v well_o appeal_v or_o not_o and_o give_v his_o sentence_n thereupon_o it_o be_v true_a indeed_o and_o it_o be_v reasonable_a by_o the_o same_o act_n the_o person_n if_o he_o think_v himself_o injure_v by_o the_o superintendent_o sentence_n may_v appeal_v to_o the_o general_n assembly_n nay_o 22._o if_o the_o superintendent_n find_v it_o male_n appellatum_fw-la he_o have_v power_n of_o fine_v thus_o it_o be_v order_v by_o the_o same_o assembly_n if_o the_o appellant_n justify_v not_o his_o appellation_n before_o the_o superintendent_n and_o his_o convention_n aforesaid_a then_o the_o superintendent_n shall_v impute_v a_o pain_n upon_o the_o say_a appellant_n as_o â—e_n shall_v think_v good_a beside_o the_o expense_n of_o the_o party_n that_o he_o have_v this_o power_n be_v all_o i_o be_o concern_v for_o let_v other_o judge_v whether_o it_o be_v pure_o ecclesiastical_a and_o as_o the_o superintendent_n have_v this_o power_n of_o receive_v appeal_v make_v from_o inferior_a court_n so_o agreeable_o 23._o he_o have_v the_o power_n with_o the_o advice_n of_o his_o synod_n or_o such_o of_o the_o minister_n of_o his_o diocese_n as_o he_o shall_v choose_v for_o that_o purpose_n to_o determine_v intricate_a case_n of_o conscience_n or_o government_n thus_o by_o the_o assembly_n at_o edinburgh_n decem._n 25._o 1564._o 341._o it_o be_v ordain_v that_o no_o question_n be_v propon_v by_o any_o brother_n till_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o kirk_n and_o the_o order_n thereof_o be_v first_o treat_v and_o end_v and_o thereafter_o if_o any_o brother_n have_v a_o question_n worthy_a to_o be_v propon_v that_o the_o same_o be_v present_v in_o writ_n and_o if_o the_o same_o require_v hasty_a resolution_n it_o shall_v be_v decide_v in_o the_o present_a assembly_n before_o the_o end_n thereof_o otherwise_o the_o decision_n of_o the_o same_o shall_v be_v refer_v to_o every_o one_o of_o the_o superintendent_o within_o who_o bound_n the_o question_n be_v propon_v and_o they_o and_o every_o one_o of_o they_o with_o a_o certain_a number_n of_o minister_n as_o they_o shall_v think_v meet_a to_o appoint_v for_o assist_v shall_v hear_v the_o reason_n of_o the_o aforesaid_a question_n and_o thereafter_o present_a the_o reason_n in_o writ_n affirmative_a or_o negative_a which_o every_o one_o of_o they_o shall_v report_v to_o the_o next_o assembly_n again_o by_o the_o assembly_n hold_v at_o eden_n in_o july_n 1568._o 219._o it_o be_v statute_v and_o ordain_v that_o minister_n exhorter_n reader_n or_o other_o person_n hereafter_o trouble_v not_o nor_o molest_v the_o general_n assembly_n with_o such_o thing_n as_o superintendent_o may_v and_o aught_o to_o decide_v in_o their_o synodal_n convention_n and_o if_o any_o chance_n to_o do_v hereafter_o in_o the_o contrary_a their_o letter_n shall_v be_v reject_v which_o act_n as_o be_v obvious_a extend_v both_o to_o case_n of_o right_n and_o of_o fact_n and_o extend_v to_o case_n of_o fact_n it_o clear_v a_o little_a further_o the_o former_a head_n of_o appeal_n intimate_v fair_o that_o they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v make_v per_fw-la saltum_fw-la neither_o yet_o delation_n but_o do_v in_o their_o proper_a gradation_n be_v to_o be_v bring_v first_o before_o the_o superintendent_n and_o by_o he_o only_o if_o he_o think_v it_o needful_a to_o be_v advance_v before_o the_o general_n assembly_n but_o most_o home_n to_o the_o present_a point_n be_v the_o act_n of_o the_o assembly_n march_v 5._o 1571._o 369._o by_o which_o it_o be_v statute_v that_o all_o question_n be_v first_o propon_v to_o superintendent_o or_o commissioner_n in_o their_o synodal_n convention_n and_o there_o receive_v solution_n and_o if_o they_o think_v they_o too_o hard_o that_o they_o bring_v they_o to_o the_o general_n assembly_n but_o that_o no_o private_a minister_n bring_v question_n to_o the_o assembly_n prima_fw-la instantia_fw-la 24._o it_o belong_v to_o the_o superintendent_o particular_o to_o judge_v of_o divorce_n a_o point_n of_o great_a intricacy_n as_o well_o as_o importance_n thus_o i_o find_v the_o assembly_n at_o edinburgh_n decem._n 25._o 1562._o as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o mss._n ordain_v that_o no_o minister_n nor_o other_o bear_v office_n in_o the_o kirk_n take_v in_o hand_n to_o cognosce_fw-la or_o decide_v in_o the_o action_n of_o divorcement_n except_o the_o superintendent_o and_o they_o to_o who_o they_o shall_v give_v special_a commission_n 25._o it_o be_v a_o branch_n of_o their_o power_n also_o to_o enjoin_v penance_n to_o great_a criminal_n so_o the_o general_n assembly_n hold_v at_o edinburgh_n june_n 25._o 1564._o as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o mss._n where_o it_o be_v thus_o touch_v such_o as_o relapse_n the_o three_o time_n in_o any_o kind_n of_o crime_n such_o as_o fornication_n or_o drunkenness_n it_o be_v statute_v and_o ordain_v that_o no_o particular_a minister_n admit_v such_o person_n to_o repentance_n but_o that_o they_o send_v they_o to_o the_o superinâ—endent_n of_o the_o diocese_n where_o the_o crime_n be_v commit_v with_o information_n who_o shall_v give_v they_o such_o injunction_n as_o they_o think_v may_v make_v the_o offence_n to_o be_v hold_v in_o horror_n but_o chief_o that_o they_o compel_v the_o offender_n to_o satisfy_v where_o the_o offence_n be_v make_v more_o day_n than_o one_o as_o the_o superintendent_n shall_v think_v good_a and_o by_o the_o gen._n ass._n at_o eden_n march_n 5._o 1571._o 369._o it_o be_v ordain_v that_o adulterer_n and_o other_o such_o scandalous_a person_n shall_v hereafter_o be_v call_v by_o the_o superintendent_n or_o commissioner_n of_o the_o province_n to_o compear_v before_o their_o synodal_n convention_n and_o there_o receive_v their_o injunction_n and_o according_o we_o find_v the_o custom_n of_o the_o church_n in_o those_o time_n particular_o in_o
article_n about_o the_o three_o in_o execution_n yet_o the_o minister_n be_v force_v to_o wait_v long_o enough_o before_o they_o find_v the_o effect_n of_o it_o in_o short_a they_o continue_v in_o the_o same_o strait_n they_o have_v be_v in_o before_o for_o full_a two_o year_n thereafter_o that_o be_v till_o july_n 1569._o at_o which_o time_n i_o find_v by_o the_o mss._n and_o mr._n petrie_n 363._o the_o church_n be_v put_v in_o possession_n of_o the_o three_o for_o which_o their_o necessity_n make_v they_o very_o thankful_a as_o appear_v from_o the_o narrative_a of_o one_fw-mi act_n of_o their_o assembly_n at_o that_o time_n which_o run_v thus_o as_o i_o find_v it_o in_o the_o mss._n for_o asmuch_o as_o this_o long_a time_n by_o go_v the_o minister_n have_v be_v universal_o defraud_v and_o postpone_v of_o their_o stipend_n and_o now_o at_o last_o it_o have_v please_v god_n to_o move_v the_o heart_n of_o the_o superior_a power_n and_o the_o estate_n of_o this_o realm_n etc._n etc._n a_o narrative_n which_o it_o be_v probable_a they_o will_v not_o have_v use_v when_o the_o three_o be_v at_o first_o project_v for_o their_o maintenance_n sure_a i_o be_o of_o a_o quite_o different_a strain_n from_o knox_n resentment_n which_o i_o mention_v before_o but_o by_o this_o time_n experience_n have_v teach_v they_o to_o thank_v god_n for_o little_a and_o that_o it_o be_v even_o good_a to_o be_v get_v something_o however_o all_o this_o while_n they_o continue_v still_o to_o have_v the_o same_o sentiment_n concern_v the_o patrimony_n of_o the_o church_n that_o unless_o god_n by_o immediate_a revolution_n shall_v dispense_v with_o she_o right_o it_o belong_v to_o she_o unalienable_o that_o it_o be_v abominable_a sacrilege_n to_o defraud_v she_o of_o it_o and_o that_o neither_o church_n nor_o state_n can_v be_v happy_a so_o long_o as_o it_o be_v so_o much_o in_o the_o hand_n of_o laic_n and_o as_o they_o have_v still_o these_o sentiment_n and_o no_o wonder_n so_o long_o as_o they_o have_v any_o sense_n of_o religion_n so_o they_o be_v still_o use_v their_o best_a endeavour_n try_v all_o experiment_n and_o watch_v all_o opportunity_n to_o bring_v the_o nobility_n and_o gentry_n to_o a_o reasonable_a temper_n and_o to_o put_v the_o church_n in_o possession_n of_o her_o undoubted_a revenue_n but_o all_o in_o vain_a on_o the_o contrary_a these_o leech_n have_v once_o taste_v of_o her_o blood_n be_v thirst_v still_o for_o more_o and_o daily_a make_n far_a encroachment_n for_o a_o parliament_n meet_v in_o august_n 1571_o and_o make_v one_fw-mi act_n oblige_v all_o the_o subject_n who_o in_o former_a time_n have_v hold_v their_o land_n and_o possession_n of_o prior_n prioress_n convent_v of_o friar_n and_o nun_n etc._n etc._n thereafter_o to_o hold_v they_o of_o the_o crown_n this_o be_v one_fw-mi awaken_n one_fw-mi allarume_v act._n these_o who_o heretofore_o have_v possess_v themselves_o of_o the_o church_n patrimony_n have_v do_v it_o by_o force_n or_o by_o connivance_n without_o law_n and_o without_o title_n so_o there_o be_v still_o hope_n of_o recover_v what_o be_v possess_v so_o illegal_o but_o this_o be_v to_o give_v they_o law_n on_o their_o side_n as_o thing_n stand_v then_o it_o will_v be_v easy_a to_o obtain_v gift_n now_o that_o the_o king_n be_v make_v immediate_a superior_a and_o then_o there_o be_v no_o recover_n of_o what_o be_v thus_o colourable_o possess_v so_o i_o say_v it_o be_v one_fw-mi awaken_n act_n of_o parliament_n and_o indeed_o it_o rouse_v the_o spirit_n of_o the_o clergy_n and_o put_v they_o in_o a_o quick_a motion_n now_o they_o begin_v to_o see_v the_o error_n of_o draw_v the_o new_a scheme_n of_o polity_n in_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n and_o recede_v from_o the_o old_a one_o now_o they_o perceive_v sensible_o that_o that_o make_v of_o a_o new_a one_o have_v unhinged_a all_o the_o church_n interest_n and_o expose_v her_o patrimony_n and_o make_v it_o a_o prey_n to_o the_o ravenous_a laity_n and_o that_o it_o be_v therefore_o time_n high_a time_n for_o they_o to_o bethink_v themselves_o and_o try_v their_o strength_n and_o skill_n if_o possible_o a_o stop_n can_v be_v put_v to_o such_o notorious_a robbery_n 258._o and_o so_o i_o be_o fair_o introduce_v to_o the_o second_o model_n into_o which_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n be_v cast_v after_o the_o public_a establishment_n of_o the_o reformation_n for_o the_o general_n assembly_n of_o the_o church_n meet_v at_o stirling_n in_o that_o same_o month_n of_o august_n 1571._o give_v commission_n to_o certain_a brethren_n to_o go_v to_o the_o lord_n regent_n his_o grace_n and_o to_o the_o parliament_n humble_o to_o request_v and_o desire_n in_o name_n of_o the_o kirk_n the_o grant_n of_o such_o head_n and_o article_n and_o redress_v of_o such_o complaint_n as_o shall_v be_v give_v to_o they_o by_o the_o kirk_n etc._n etc._n so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o mss._n and_o so_o spotswood_n and_o petrie_n have_v it_o 371._o before_o i_o proceed_v there_o be_v one_o seem_v difficulty_n which_o must_v be_v remove_v it_o be_v that_o this_o general_a assembly_n meet_v before_o the_o parliament_n how_o then_o can_v it_o be_v that_o act_n of_o parliament_n which_o so_o awaken_v they_o but_o the_o solution_n be_v easy_a in_o those_o time_n parliament_n do_v not_o sit_v so_o long_o as_o they_o be_v in_o use_n to_o do_v now_o but_o all_o thing_n be_v prepare_v and_o in_o readiness_n before_o the_o parliament_n meet_v proclamation_n be_v make_v a_o month_n or_o so_o before_o the_o parliament_n be_v to_o meet_v require_v all_o bill_n to_o be_v give_v in_o to_o the_o register_n which_o be_v to_o be_v present_v in_o the_o succeed_a session_n of_o parliament_n that_o they_o may_v be_v bring_v to_o the_o king_n or_o regent_n to_o be_v peruse_v and_o consider_v by_o they_o and_o only_o such_o as_o they_o allow_v be_v to_o be_v put_v into_o the_o chancellor_n hand_n to_o be_v propon_v to_o the_o parliament_n and_o none_o other_o etc._n etc._n whoso_o please_v may_v see_v this_o account_n give_v by_o king_n james_n the_o six_o of_o scotland_n and_o first_o of_o england_n to_o his_o english_a parliament_n in_o his_o speech_n date_v 1607._o indeed_o the_o thing_n be_v notorious_a and_o calderwood_n himself_o give_v a_o remarkable_a instance_n of_o this_o method_n 759._o for_o he_o tell_v how_o in_o the_o end_n of_o april_n or_o beginning_n of_o may_n 1621._o a_o charge_n be_v publish_v by_o proclamation_n command_v all_o that_o have_v suit_n article_n or_o petition_n to_o propone_v to_o the_o parliament_n to_o give_v they_o into_o the_o clerk_n of_o the_o register_n before_o the_o twenty_o day_n of_o may_n that_o by_o he_o they_o may_v be_v present_v to_o so_o many_o of_o the_o council_n who_o be_v appoint_v by_o his_o majesty_n to_o meet_v some_o day_n before_o the_o parliament_n and_o to_o consider_v the_o say_v bill_n petition_n and_o article_n with_o certification_n that_o the_o same_o shall_v not_o be_v receive_v read_v nor_o vote_v in_o parliament_n except_o they_o be_v pass_v under_o his_o highness_n hand_n and_o yet_o the_o same_o calderwood_n tell_v we_o 764._o that_o the_o parliament_n be_v not_o appoint_v to_o meet_v till_o the_o twenty_o and_o three_o of_o july_n so_o that_o here_o be_v two_o full_a month_n between_o the_o give_v in_o of_o the_o bill_n etc._n etc._n and_o the_o meeting_n of_o the_o parliament_n this_o be_v the_o custom_n in_o those_o time_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o consider_v how_o the_o general_a assembly_n though_o it_o meet_v some_o day_n before_o the_o parliament_n may_v know_v very_o well_o what_o be_v to_o be_v do_v in_o parliament_n for_o if_o this_o bill_n be_v allow_v by_o the_o then_o regent_n to_o be_v present_v there_o be_v no_o doubt_n of_o its_o pass_n and_o that_o it_o be_v very_o well_o know_v what_o the_o parliament_n be_v to_o do_v in_o that_o matter_n may_v be_v further_a evident_a from_o john_n knox_n letter_n direct_v at_o that_o time_n to_o the_o general_n assembly_n wherein_o he_o be_v earnest_a with_o they_o that_o with_o all_o uprightness_n and_o strength_n in_o god_n they_o against_o and_o the_o mercyless_a devourer_n of_o the_o patrimony_n of_o the_o church_n tell_v they_o that_o 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 damnation_n but_o it_o be_v their_o duty_n to_o beware_v of_o communicate_v with_o their_o sin_n but_o by_o public_a protestation_n to_o make_v it_o know_v to_o the_o world_n that_o they_o be_v innocent_a of_o robbery_n which_o will_v ever_o long_o provoke_v god_n vengeance_n upon_o the_o committer_n etc._n etc._n from_o which_o nothing_o can_v be_v clear_a than_o that_o he_o have_v a_o special_a eye_n to_o that_o which_o be_v then_o in_o agitation_n and_o to_o be_v do_v by_o the_o parliament_n
and_o convince_v they_o from_o scripture_n and_o antiquity_n and_o ecclesiastical_a history_n etc._n etc._n that_o episcopacy_n be_v of_o divine_a institution_n or_o the_o best_a or_o a_o lawful_a government_n of_o the_o church_n if_o i_o mistake_v not_o such_o topic_n in_o these_o time_n be_v not_o much_o think_v on_o by_o our_o statesman_n but_o if_o they_o be_v such_o argument_n as_o i_o have_v give_v a_o specimen_fw-la of_o which_o they_o insist_v on_o as_o no_o doubt_n they_o be_v if_o they_o insist_v on_o any_o than_o i_o will_v fain_o know_v which_o of_o they_o it_o be_v that_o may_v not_o have_v be_v as_o ready_o insist_v on_o by_o the_o clergy_n as_o by_o the_o statesman_n nay_o consider_v that_o there_o be_v no_o scruple_n of_o conscience_n then_o concern_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o such_o a_o constitution_n how_o reasonable_a be_v it_o to_o think_v that_o the_o clergy_n may_v be_v as_o forward_o as_o the_o statesman_n can_v be_v to_o insist_v on_o these_o argument_n especial_o if_o it_o be_v further_o consider_v that_o beside_o these_o and_o the_o like_a argument_n the_o clergy_n have_v one_o very_o considerable_a argument_n to_o move_v they_o for_o the_o re-establishment_n of_o the_o old_a constitution_n which_o be_v that_o they_o have_v find_v by_o experience_n that_o the_o new_a scheme_n fall_v upon_o in_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n have_v do_v much_o hurt_v to_o the_o church_n as_o i_o have_v already_o observe_v that_o by_o forsake_v the_o old_a constitution_n the_o church_n have_v suffer_v too_o much_o already_o and_o that_o it_o be_v high_a time_n for_o they_o now_o to_o return_v to_o their_o old_a fond_a consider_v at_o what_o loss_n they_o have_v be_v since_o they_o have_v desert_v it_o and_o all_o this_o will_v appear_v more_o reasonable_a and_o credible_a still_o if_o two_o thing_n more_o be_v due_o consider_v the_o first_o be_v that_o the_o six_o clergyman_n who_o be_v commission_v by_o the_o assembly_n on_o this_o occasion_n to_o treat_v with_o the_o state_n be_v all_o sensible_a man_n man_n who_o understand_v the_o constitution_n both_o of_o church_n and_o state_n have_v head_n to_o comprehend_v the_o consequence_n of_o thing_n and_o be_v very_o far_o from_o be_v parity-man_n the_o second_o be_v the_o oddness_n to_o call_v it_o no_o worse_o of_o the_o reason_n which_o our_o author_n feign_v to_o have_v be_v the_o motive_n which_o make_v the_o court_n at_o that_o time_n so_o earnest_a for_o such_o one_fw-mi establishment_n namely_o that_o thereby_o they_o may_v gripe_v at_o the_o commodity_n as_o calderwood_n 55._o word_n it_o that_o be_v possess_v themselves_o of_o the_o church_n patrimony_n what_o have_v the_o clergy_n so_o sudden_o fall_v from_o their_o daily_a their_o constant_a their_o continual_a claim_n to_o the_o revenue_n of_o the_o church_n have_v they_o in_o one_fw-mi instant_a alter_v their_o sentiment_n about_o sacrilege_n and_o thing_n consecrate_v to_o holy_a use_n be_v they_o now_o willing_a to_o part_v with_o the_o church_n patrimony_n do_v that_o which_o move_v they_o to_o be_v so_o earnest_a for_o this_o meeting_n with_o the_o state_n miraculous_o flip_v out_o of_o their_o mind_n so_o that_o they_o inconcerned_o quate_fw-la their_o pretension_n and_o betray_v their_o own_o interest_n be_v they_o all_o fast_o asleep_a when_o they_o be_v at_o the_o conference_n so_o much_o asleep_a or_o senseless_a that_o they_o can_v not_o perceive_v the_o court_n intend_v they_o such_o a_o trick_n on_o the_o other_o hand_n if_o the_o court_n have_v such_o a_o design_n as_o be_v pretend_v i_o must_v confess_v i_o do_v not_o see_v how_o it_o be_v useful_a for_o they_o to_o fall_v on_o such_o a_o wild_a project_n for_o accomplish_v their_o purpose_n why_o be_v at_o all_o this_o pain_n to_o re-establish_a the_o old_a polity_n if_o the_o only_a purpose_n be_v to_o rob_v the_o church_n of_o her_o patrimony_n may_v not_o that_o have_v be_v do_v without_o as_o well_o as_o with_o it_o can_v they_o have_v wish_v the_o church_n in_o weak_a circumstance_n for_o assert_v she_o own_o right_n than_o she_o be_v in_o before_o this_o agreement_n be_v it_o not_o as_o easy_a to_o have_v possess_v themselves_o of_o a_o bishopric_n one_fw-mi abbacy_n a_o priory_n etc._n etc._n when_o there_o be_v no_o bishop_n nor_o abbot_n nor_o prior_n as_o when_o there_o be_v what_o a_o pitiful_a politic_a or_o rather_o what_o one_fw-mi insolent_a wickedness_n be_v it_o as_o it_o be_v to_o take_v a_o coat_n which_o be_v no_o man_n and_o put_v on_o one_o and_o possess_v he_o of_o it_o and_o call_v it_o his_o coat_n that_o they_o may_v rob_v he_o of_o it_o or_o make_v the_o uncharitable_a supposition_n that_o they_o can_v have_v venture_v on_o such_o a_o needless_a such_o a_o mad_a fetch_n of_o iniquity_n be_v all_o the_o clergy_n so_o shortsighted_a that_o they_o can_v not_o penetrate_v into_o such_o a_o palpable_a such_o a_o gross_a piece_n of_o cheatry_n but_o what_o need_v more_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o by_o that_o agreement_n the_o church_n patrimony_n be_v fair_o secure_v to_o she_o and_o she_o be_v put_v in_o far_o better_a condition_n than_o she_o be_v ever_o in_o before_o since_o the_o reformation_n let_v any_o man_n read_v over_o calderwoods_n account_n of_o the_o agreement_n and_o he_o must_v confess_v it_o and_o yet_o perhaps_o the_o account_n may_v be_v more_o full_a and_o clear_a in_o the_o book_n of_o council_n if_o they_o be_v extant_a it_o be_v true_a indeed_o the_o courtier_n afterward_o play_v their_o trick_n and_o rob_v the_o church_n and_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o they_o get_v some_o bad_a clergyman_n who_o be_v subâ—ervient_fw-fr to_o their_o purpose_n but_o this_o be_v so_o 〈◊〉_d from_o be_v pretend_v to_o be_v aim_v at_o by_o 〈◊〉_d courtier_n while_o the_o agreement_n be_v a_o mâ—kâ—ng_n it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o these_o clergyman_n mind_n who_o adjust_v matter_n at_o that_o time_n with_o the_o laity_n these_o courtier_n to_o give_v they_o the_o small_a advantage_n that_o way_n to_o allow_v they_o the_o least_o scope_n for_o such_o encroachment_n that_o on_o the_o contrary_a when_o afterward_o they_o find_v the_o nobility_n be_v take_v such_o method_n and_o plunder_v the_o church_n they_o complain_v mighty_o of_o it_o as_o a_o manifest_a breach_n of_o the_o agreement_n and_o one_fw-mi horrid_a iniquity_n but_o whatever_o truth_n be_v in_o all_o this_o reason_v i_o have_v spend_v on_o this_o point_n be_v not_o much_o material_a to_o my_o main_a purpose_n for_o whither_o at_o that_o time_n episcopacy_n be_v impose_v upon_o the_o church_n or_o not_o or_o if_o impose_v whither_o it_o be_v out_o of_o a_o bad_a design_n or_o not_o affect_v not_o in_o the_o least_o the_o principal_a controversy_n for_o however_o it_o be_v it_o be_v certain_a the_o church_n accept_v of_o it_o at_o that_o time_n which_o we_o be_v bind_v in_o charity_n to_o think_v a_o sufficient_a argument_n that_o she_o be_v not_o then_o of_o antiprelatical_a principle_n she_o have_v no_o such_o article_n in_o her_o creed_n as_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o parity_n which_o be_v the_o great_a point_n i_o be_o concern_v for_o in_o all_o this_o tedious_a controversy_n 3._o the_o three_o plea_n be_v the_o limitedness_n of_o the_o power_n which_o be_v then_o grant_v to_o bishop_n they_o have_v no_o more_o power_n grant_v they_o by_o this_o establishment_n than_o superintendent_o have_v enjoy_v before_o this_o all_o my_o author_n insist_v upon_o with_o great_a earnestness_n 8._o and_o i_o confess_v it_o be_v very_o true_a this_o be_v provide_v for_o both_o by_o the_o agreement_n at_o leith_n and_o by_o one_fw-mi act_n of_o the_o assembly_n hold_v at_o eden_n march_n 6._o 1574._o but_o then_o 1._o if_o they_o have_v the_o same_o power_n which_o superintendent_o have_v before_o i_o think_v they_o have_v true_o prelatic_a power_n they_o do_v not_o act_v in_o parity_n with_o other_o minister_n 2._o though_o they_o have_v no_o more_o power_n yet_o it_o be_v certain_a they_o have_v more_o privilege_n they_o be_v not_o answerable_a to_o their_o own_o synod_n but_o only_o to_o general_a assembly_n as_o be_v clear_a even_o from_o calderwoods_n own_o account_n of_o the_o agreement_n at_o leith_n 51._o in_o that_o point_n the_o absurd_a constitution_n in_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n be_v alter_v 3._o one_o thing_n more_o i_o can_v but_o observe_v here_o concern_v mr._n carlderwood_n this_o judicious_a historian_n when_o he_o be_v concern_v to_o raise_v dust_n about_o the_o prelacy_n of_o superintendent_o find_v easy_o 7_o or_o 8_o huge_a difference_n between_o superintendent_o and_o bishop_n and_o now_o that_o he_o be_v concern_v to_o raise_v dust_n about_o the_o prelacy_n of_o bishop_n he_o think_v he_o have_v gain_v a_o great_a point_n if_o he_o make_v it_o the_o same_o with_o the_o prelacy_n of_o
plain_a than_o that_o they_o receive_v the_o substance_n of_o the_o article_n and_o only_o protest_v against_o the_o scandalousness_n of_o the_o name_n use_v in_o they_o what_o reason_n they_o have_v for_o that_o beside_o the_o overzealous_a principle_n i_o mention_v before_o let_v the_o curious_a inquire_v that_o be_v none_o of_o my_o present_a business_n but_o they_o protest_v that_o they_o receive_v these_o article_n only_o for_o one_fw-mi interim_n true_a but_o how_o do_v it_o appear_v that_o they_o receive_v they_o only_o for_o one_fw-mi interim_n out_o of_o a_o dislike_n to_o episcopacy_n have_v they_o believe_v the_o divine_a right_n of_o parity_n how_o can_v they_o have_v receive_v they_o so_o much_o as_o for_o one_fw-mi interim_n how_o can_v they_o have_v receive_v they_o at_o all_o the_o truth_n be_v there_o be_v many_o thing_n in_o the_o article_n which_o require_v amendment_n even_o though_o the_o gen._n ass._n have_v believe_v the_o divine_a right_n of_o episcopacy_n and_o that_o they_o do_v not_o receive_v they_o for_o one_fw-mi interim_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o any_o dislike_n they_o have_v to_o episcopacy_n shall_v be_v make_v evident_a by_o and_o by_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n we_o have_v gain_v one_o point_n even_o that_o they_o be_v receive_v by_o this_o assembly_n unless_o receive_v for_o a_o interim_n be_v not_o receive_v but_o if_o they_o be_v receive_v i_o hope_v it_o be_v not_o true_a that_o they_o be_v never_o allow_v by_o a_o general_n assembly_n and_o if_o episcopacy_n be_v not_o protest_v against_o at_o all_o and_o if_o there_o be_v no_o such_o word_n or_o phrase_n in_o the_o act_n as_o have_v the_o least_o tendency_n to_o import_v that_o they_o judge_v it_o a_o corruption_n i_o hope_v it_o may_v consist_v well_o enough_o with_o the_o law_n of_o civility_n to_o say_v that_o g._n r._n be_v talk_v without_o book_n when_o he_o say_v it_o be_v protest_v against_o as_o a_o corruption_n by_o this_o general_a assembly_n i_o doubt_v if_o he_o have_v find_v any_o of_o the_o prelatist_n talk_v with_o so_o much_o confidence_n where_o they_o have_v so_o little_a ground_n he_o will_v have_v be_v at_o his_o belove_a lie_n and_o calumny_n but_o enough_o of_o this_o proceed_v we_o in_o our_o series_n by_o the_o universal_a order_n so_o it_o be_v word_v in_o the_o mss._n of_o the_o general_n ass._n hold_v at_o eden_n march_n 6._o 157â—_n 3._o it_o be_v statute_v and_o ordain_v that_o all_o bishop_n superintendent_o etc._n etc._n present_v themselves_o in_o every_o gen._n ass._n that_o hereafter_o shall_v be_v hold_v the_o first_o day_n of_o the_o assembly_n before_o noon_n etc._n etc._n 379._o again_o it_o be_v think_v most_o reasonable_a and_o expedient_a that_o bishop_n etc._n etc._n purchase_v general_a letter_n without_o any_o delay_n command_v all_o man_n to_o frequent_v preach_v and_o prayer_n according_a to_o the_o order_n receive_v in_o the_o congregation_n etc._n etc._n ibid._n in_o the_o ass._n hold_v at_o eden_n aug._n 6._o 1573._o the_o visitation_n book_n of_o bishop_n etc._n etc._n be_v produce_v and_o certain_a minister_n appoint_v to_o examine_v their_o diligence_n in_o visitation_n ibid._n in_o that_o same_o assembly_n petoun_z bishop_n of_o dunkeld_n be_v accuse_v that_o he_o have_v accept_v the_o name_n but_o have_v not_o exercise_v the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n not_o have_v proceed_v against_o papist_n within_o his_o bound_n he_o be_v also_o suspect_v of_o simony_n and_o perjury_n in_o that_o contrary_a to_o his_o oath_n at_o the_o receive_n of_o the_o bishopric_n he_o give_v acquittance_n and_o the_o earl_n of_o argyle_n receive_v the_o profit_n ib._n if_o these_o thing_n be_v true_a he_o be_v a_o foolish_a as_o well_o as_o a_o bad_a bishop_n but_o than_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o this_o assembly_n fair_o own_a episcopacy_n further_o that_o by_o the_o agreement_n at_o leith_n express_v provision_n be_v make_v against_o simony_n and_o dilapidation_n of_o benefice_n and_o that_o bishop_n shall_v swear_v to_o that_o purpose_n etc._n etc._n which_o i_o think_v be_v not_o well_o consistent_a with_o the_o plea_n insist_v on_o before_o viz._n that_o the_o agreement_n at_o leith_n be_v force_v on_o the_o clergy_n by_o the_o court_n out_o of_o a_o design_n it_o have_v upon_o the_o revenue_n of_o the_o church_n i_o find_v these_o further_a act_n make_v by_o this_o assembly_n in_o the_o mss._n touch_v they_o that_o receive_v excommunicate_n the_o whole_a kirk_n present_o assemble_v ordain_v all_o bishop_n etc._n etc._n to_o proceed_v to_o excommunication_n against_o all_o receiver_n of_o excommunicate_a person_n if_o after_o due_a admonition_n the_o receiver_n rebel_n and_o be_v disobedient_a the_o kirk_n ordain_v all_o bishop_n etc._n etc._n in_o their_o synodal_n convention_n to_o take_v a_o list_n of_o the_o name_n of_o the_o excommunicate_n within_o their_o jurisdiction_n and_o bring_v they_o to_o the_o general_a assembly_n to_o be_v publish_v to_o other_o bishop_n and_o superintendent_o etc._n etc._n that_o they_o by_o their_o minister_n in_o their_o province_n may_v divulgate_v the_o same_o in_o the_o whole_a country_n where_o excommunicate_v haunt_v the_o kirk_n present_o assemble_v ordain_v all_o bishop_n and_o superintendent_o etc._n etc._n to_o conveen_n before_o they_o all_o such_o person_n as_o shall_v be_v find_v suspect_v of_o consult_v with_o witch_n and_o find_v they_o guilty_a to_o cause_v they_o make_v public_a repentance_n etc._n etc._n that_o uniformity_n may_v be_v observe_v in_o process_n of_o excommunication_n it_o be_v ordain_v that_o bishop_n and_o superintendent_o etc._n etc._n shall_v direct_v their_o letter_n to_o minister_n where_o the_o person_n that_o be_v to_o be_v excommunicate_v dwell_v command_v the_o say_a minister_n to_o admonish_v according_o and_o in_o case_n of_o disobedience_n to_o proceed_v to_o excommunication_n and_o pronounce_v the_o sentence_n thereof_o upon_o a_o sunday_n in_o time_n of_o preach_v and_o thereafter_o the_o minister_n to_o endorse_v the_o say_a letter_n make_v mention_n of_o the_o day_n of_o their_o admonition_n and_o excommunication_n for_o disobedience_n aforesaid_a and_o to_o report_v to_o the_o say_a bishop_n etc._n etc._n according_a to_o the_o direction_n contain_v in_o the_o say_a letter_n 380._o petrie_n have_v the_o substance_n of_o most_o of_o these_o act_n but_o have_v be_v at_o pain_n to_o obscure_v they_o and_o no_o wonder_n for_o here_o be_v so_o many_o branch_n of_o true_a episcopal_a power_n establish_v in_o the_o person_n of_o these_o bishop_n that_o it_o can_v not_o but_o have_v appear_v very_o strange_a that_o a_o general_n assembly_n shall_v have_v confer_v they_o on_o they_o if_o there_o be_v such_o one_fw-mi aversion_n then_o to_o the_o order_n as_o he_o and_o his_o fellow_n be_v willing_a to_o have_v the_o world_n believe_v there_o be_v but_o honest_a calderwood_n be_v wise_a for_o he_o have_v not_o so_o much_o as_o one_fw-mi intimation_n of_o any_o one_o of_o they_o and_o calderwood_n have_v thus_o conceal_v they_o nay_o general_o all_o alongst_o whatever_o may_v make_v against_o his_o cause_n as_o much_o as_o he_o can_v what_o wonder_n if_o g._n r._n who_o know_v nothing_o in_o the_o matter_n but_o what_o calderwood_n tell_v he_o stumble_v upon_o such_o a_o notable_a piece_n of_o ignorance_n in_o his_o first_o vindication_n as_o to_o tell_v the_o world_n that_o nothing_o be_v restore_v at_o leith_n but_o the_o image_n of_o prelacy_n that_o these_o tulchan_n bishop_n have_v only_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n while_o nobleman_n and_o other_o have_v the_o revenue_n and_o the_o church_n all_o the_o power_n nay_o that_o notwithstanding_o of_o all_o be_v do_v at_o leith_n the_o real_a exercise_n of_o presbytery_n in_o all_o its_o meeting_n lesser_a and_o great_a continue_v and_o be_v allow_v but_o of_o this_o more_o hereafter_o the_o assembly_n hold_v at_o eden_n march_n 6._o 1574._o conclude_v concern_v the_o jurisdiction_n of_o bishop_n in_o their_o ecclesiastical_a function_n that_o it_o shall_v not_o exceed_v the_o jurisdiction_n of_o superintendent_o which_o heretofore_o they_o have_v have_v and_o present_o have_v and_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v subject_a to_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o general_n ass._n as_o member_n thereof_o as_o superintendent_o have_v be_v heretofore_o in_o all_o sort_n and_o again_o this_o assembly_n ordain_v that_o no_o bishop_n give_v collation_n of_o any_o benefice_n within_o the_o bound_n of_o superintendent_o within_o his_o diocese_n without_o their_o consent_n and_o testimonial_n subscribe_v with_o their_o hand_n and_o that_o bishop_n within_o their_o diocese_n visit_v by_o themselves_o where_o no_o superintendent_n be_v and_o give_v no_o collation_n of_o benefice_n without_o the_o consent_n of_o three_o well_o qualify_v minister_n here_o indeed_o both_o calderwood_n and_o petrie_n 383._o appear_v brisk_o and_o transcribe_v the_o mss._n word_n for_o word_n here_o be_v something_o like_o limit_v the_o power_n of_o
stipend_n be_v assign_v to_o they_o one_fw-mi article_n visible_o level_v as_o the_o former_a 5._o that_o doctor_n may_v be_v place_v in_o university_n and_o stipend_n grant_v they_o whereby_o not_o only_o they_o who_o be_v present_o place_v may_v have_v occasion_n to_o be_v diligent_a in_o their_o cure_n but_o other_o learned_a man_n may_v have_v occasion_n to_o seek_v place_n in_o college_n still_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n viz._n the_o find_v reasonable_a use_v for_o the_o patrimony_n of_o the_o church_n 6._o that_o his_o grace_n will_v take_v a_o general_n order_n with_o the_o poor_a especial_o in_o the_o abbey_n such_o as_o be_v aberbrothoick_a etc._n etc._n conform_v to_o the_o agreement_n at_o leith_n here_o not_o only_o the_o leith-agreement_n insist_v on_o but_o far_o pious_a use_n for_o the_o church_n patrimony_n 9_o that_o his_o grace_n will_v cause_v the_o book_n of_o the_o assignation_n of_o the_o kirk_n be_v deliver_v to_o the_o clerk_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n these_o book_n of_o assignation_n as_o they_o call_v they_o be_v the_o book_n wherein_o the_o name_n of_o the_o minister_n and_o their_o several_a proportion_n of_o the_o three_o be_v record_v it_o seem_v they_o be_v earnest_a to_o be_v repossess_v of_o their_o three_o see_v the_o regent_n have_v not_o keep_v promise_n to_o they_o but_o the_o eight_o article_n which_o by_o a_o pardonable_a inversion_n i_o hope_v i_o have_v reserve_v to_o the_o last_o place_n be_v of_o all_o the_o most_o considerable_a it_o be_v that_o his_o grace_n will_v provide_v qualify_v person_n for_o vacant_a bishopric_n let_v the_o candid_a reader_n judge_n now_o if_o episcopacy_n by_o the_o leith-article_n be_v force_v upon_o the_o church_n against_o her_o inclination_n if_o it_o be_v never_o approven_v when_o bishop_n be_v thus_o petition_v for_o by_o a_o general_n assembly_n if_o it_o be_v likely_a that_o the_o assembly_n in_o august_n 1572._o protest_v against_o it_o as_o a_o corruption_n if_o the_o act_n of_o the_o last_o assembly_n declare_v bishop_n to_o have_v no_o more_o power_n than_o superintendent_o have_v and_o make_v they_o accountable_a to_o the_o general_n assembly_n proceed_v from_o any_o dislike_n of_o episcopacy_n if_o this_o assembly_n petition_v thus_o for_o bishop_n believe_v the_o divine_a and_o indispensible_a institution_n of_o parity_n if_o both_o calderwood_n and_o petrie_n act_v not_o as_o become_v cautious_a pretbyterian_a historian_n the_o one_o by_o give_v we_o none_o the_o other_o by_o give_v we_o only_o a_o mince_a account_n of_o this_o petition_n well!_o by_o this_o time_n i_o think_v i_o have_v not_o entire_o disappoint_v my_o reader_n i_o think_v i_o have_v make_v it_o competent_o appear_v that_o the_o agreement_n at_o leith_n be_v fair_o and_o frequent_o allow_v approven_v and_o insist_v on_o by_o not_o a_o â—ew_a subsequent_a general_n assembly_n i_o can_v adduce_v some_o act_n more_o of_o the_o next_o ass_n which_o meet_v at_o eden_n march_n 7._o 1575._o but_o i_o think_v i_o have_v already_o make_v good_a my_o undertake_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v insist_v no_o further_o on_o this_o point_n only_o one_o thing_n i_o must_v add_v further_a it_o be_v this_o after_o the_o most_o impartial_a narrow_a and_o attentive_a search_n i_o can_v make_v i_o have_v not_o find_v all_o this_o while_n viz._n from_o the_o first_o public_a establishment_n of_o the_o reform_a religion_n in_o scotland_n anno_fw-la 1560._o so_o much_o as_o one_o indication_n of_o either_o public_a or_o private_a dislike_n to_o prelacy_n but_o that_o it_o constant_o and_o uninterrupted_o prevail_v and_o all_o person_n cheerful_o as_o well_o as_o quiet_o submit_v to_o it_o till_o the_o year_n 1575._o when_o it_o be_v first_o call_v in_o question_n and_o here_o i_o may_v fair_o shut_v up_o this_o long_a and_o perhaps_o nauseous_a discourse_n upon_o the_o second_o enquiry_n which_o i_o propose_v for_o whatever_o man_n our_o reformer_n be_v whatever_o their_o other_o principle_n may_v be_v i_o think_v i_o have_v make_v it_o plain_a that_o they_o be_v not_o for_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o parity_n or_o the_o vnlawfulness_n of_o the_o superiority_n of_o any_o office_n in_o the_o church_n above_o presbyter_n no_o such_o principle_n be_v process_v or_o insist_v on_o or_o offer_v to_o be_v reduce_v to_o practice_n by_o they_o before_o at_o or_o full_a fifteen_o year_n after_o the_o public_a establishment_n of_o the_o reformation_n and_o if_o this_o may_v not_o pass_v for_o sufficient_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o my_o resolution_n of_o the_o enquiry_n i_o know_v not_o what_o may_v however_o because_o the_o second_o thing_n i_o promise_v to_o show_v though_o not_o precise_o necessary_a to_o my_o main_a design_n may_v yet_o be_v so_o far_o useful_a as_o to_o bring_v considerable_o more_o of_o light_a to_o it_o and_o withal_o give_v the_o world_n a_o prospect_n of_o the_o rise_n and_o progress_n of_o presbytery_n in_o scotland_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o make_v good_a my_o undertake_n which_o be_v that_o after_o episcopacy_n be_v question_v it_o be_v not_o easy_o overturn_v its_o adversary_n meet_v with_o much_o resistance_n and_o opposition_n in_o their_o endeavour_n to_o subvert_v it_o i_o shall_v study_v brevity_n as_o much_o as_o the_o weight_n of_o the_o matter_n will_v allow_v i_o in_o short_a then_o take_v it_o thus_o master_n andrew_n melvil_n after_o some_o year_n spend_v at_o geneva_n return_v to_o scotland_n in_o july_n 1574._o he_o have_v live_v in_o that_o city_n under_o the_o influence_n of_o theodore_n beza_n the_o true_a parent_n of_o presbytery_n he_o be_v a_o man_n by_o nature_n fierce_a and_o fiery_a confident_a and_o peremptory_a peevish_a and_o ungovernable_a education_n in_o he_o have_v not_o sweeten_v nature_n but_o nature_n have_v sour_v education_n and_o both_o conspire_v together_o have_v trick_v he_o up_o into_o a_o true_a original_a a_o piece_n compound_v of_o pride_n and_o petulance_n of_o jeer_n and_o jangle_n of_o satyr_n and_o sarcasm_n of_o venom_n and_o vehemence_n he_o hate_v the_o crown_n as_o much_o as_o the_o mitre_n the_o sceptre_n as_o much_o as_o the_o crosier_n and_o can_v have_v make_v as_o bold_a with_o the_o purple_a 329._o as_o with_o the_o rochet_n 548._o his_o prime_a talon_n be_v lampoon_v and_o write_v anti-tami-cami-categorias's_a in_o a_o word_n he_o be_v the_o very_a archetypal_a bitter_a beard_n of_o the_o party_n this_o man_n thus_o accoutre_v be_v scarce_o warm_a at_o home_n when_o he_o begin_v to_o disseminate_v his_o sentiment_n insinuate_v they_o into_o other_o and_o make_v a_o party_n against_o prelacy_n and_o for_o the_o genevian_a model_n for_o this_o i_o need_v not_o depend_v on_o spotswood_n authority_n though_o he_o assert_v it_o plain_o 275._o i_o have_v a_o more_o authentic_a author_n for_o it_o if_o more_o authentic_a can_v be_v i_o have_v melvil_n himself_o for_o it_o in_o a_o letter_n to_o beza_n date_v novem._n 13._o 1579._o to_o be_v find_v both_o in_o petrie_n 401._o and_o in_o the_o pamphlet_n call_v vindiciae_fw-la philadelphi_n from_o which_o petrie_n have_v it_o of_o which_o letter_n the_o very_a first_o word_n be_v we_o have_v not_o cease_v these_o five_o year_n to_o fight_v against_o pseudepiscopacy_n etc._n etc._n now_o reckon_v five_o year_n backward_o from_o novem._n 1579._o and_o you_o stand_v at_o november_n 1574._o whereby_o we_o find_v that_o within_o three_o or_o four_o month_n after_o his_o arrival_n the_o plot_n be_v begin_v though_o it_o be_v near_o to_o a_o year_n thereafter_o before_o it_o come_v aboveboard_n have_v thus_o project_v his_o work_n and_o form_v his_o party_n the_o next_o care_n be_v to_o get_v one_o to_o table_n it_o fair_o he_o himself_o be_v but_o late_o come_v home_o he_o be_v much_o a_o stranger_n in_o the_o country_n have_v be_v ten_o year_n abroad_o he_o have_v be_v but_o at_o very_a few_o general_n assembly_n if_o at_o any_o his_o influence_n be_v but_o green_a and_o bud_a his_o authority_n but_o young_a and_o tender_a it_o be_v not_o fit_a for_o he_o among_o his_o first_o appearance_n to_o propose_v so_o great_a one_fw-mi innovation_n and_o it_o seem_v the_o think_v man_n of_o his_o party_n however_o resolute_o they_o may_v promise_v to_o back_o the_o motion_n when_o once_o fair_o table_v be_v yet_o a_o little_a shy_a to_o be_v the_o first_o proposer_n so_o it_o fall_v to_o the_o share_n of_o one_o who_o at_o that_o time_n be_v none_o of_o the_o great_a statesman_n john_n durie_n one_o of_o the_o minister_n of_o edinburgh_n be_v the_o person_n as_o spotswood_n describe_v he_o 457._o a_o sound_a heart_a man_n far_o from_o all_o dissimulation_n open_a profess_v what_o he_o think_v earnest_n and_o zealous_a in_o his_o cause_n whatever_o it_o be_v but_o too_o too_o credulous_a and_o easy_o to_o be_v impose_v on_o however_o that_o i_o may_v do_v he_o as_o much_o justice_n as_o
former_a proceed_n and_o fair_o advise_v they_o to_o show_v more_o temper_n and_o proceed_v more_o deliberate_o calderwood_n call_v it_o one_fw-mi harsh_a letter_n it_o be_v to_o be_v see_v word_n for_o word_n both_o in_o he_o and_o petrie_n 398._o but_o what_o have_v they_o to_o do_v with_o the_o king_n of_o this_o world_n especial_o such_o baby_n king_n as_o king_n james_n be_v then_o they_o i_o say_v who_o have_v now_o the_o government_n of_o christ_n kingdom_n to_o settle_v however_o no_o more_o be_v do_v against_o prelacy_n at_o this_o time_n than_o have_v be_v order_v former_o indeed_o there_o be_v little_o more_o to_o be_v do_v but_o to_o declare_v the_o office_n abolish_v but_o that_o it_o seem_v they_o be_v not_o yet_o ripe_a for_o perchance_o the_o corruption_n mention_v before_o have_v prove_v a_o little_a choke_v and_o people_n stomach_n can_v not_o be_v so_o soon_o dispose_v for_o another_o dish_n of_o such_o strong_a meat_n in_o one_fw-mi instant_a so_o that_o be_v reserve_v till_o the_o next_o assembly_n nevertheless_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n take_v we_o notice_n of_o one_o thing_n which_o we_o never_o hear_v of_o before_o which_o start_v up_o in_o this_o assembly_n and_o which_o must_v not_o be_v forget_v it_o be_v propose_v by_o the_o synod_n of_o lothian_n say_v calderwood_n 88_o that_o a_o general_n order_n may_v be_v take_v for_o erect_v of_o presbytery_n in_o place_n where_o public_a exercise_n be_v use_v until_o the_o polity_n of_o the_o church_n may_v be_v establish_v by_o law_n and_o it_o be_v answer_v by_o the_o assembly_n that_o the_o exercise_n be_v a_o presbytery_n 400._o a_o presbytery_n turn_v afterward_o and_o now_o be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o specific_a essential_a and_o indispensible_a part_n of_o the_o presbyterian_a constitution_n provincial_n synod_n can_v sit_v only_o twice_o in_o the_o year_n general_n assembly_n only_o once_o according_a to_o the_o constitution_n it_o be_v true_a it_o be_v allow_v to_o the_o king_n to_o convocate_v one_o extraordinary_o &_o pro_fw-la re_fw-la natà _fw-la as_o they_o call_v it_o and_o the_o kirk_n claim_v to_o have_v such_o a_o power_n too_o as_o she_o see_v occasion_n but_o then_o it_o be_v as_o true_a that_o king_n have_v be_v so_o disgu_v at_o such_o meeting_n that_o they_o have_v hinder_v general_a assembly_n to_o meet_v for_o many_o year_n so_o that_o their_o meeting_n be_v uncertain_a and_o in_o innumerable_a case_n there_o shall_v be_v too_o long_a a_o surcease_n of_o ecclesiastical_a justice_n if_o cause_n shall_v wait_v either_o on_o they_o or_o provincial_a synod_n the_o commission_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n as_o they_o call_v it_o be_v but_o one_fw-mi accidental_a thing_n the_o sudden_a dissolution_n of_o a_o general_n assembly_n can_v disappoint_v its_o very_a be_v as_o just_o now_o there_o be_v none_o nor_o have_v be_v since_o the_o last_o assembly_n which_o be_v so_o surprise_o dissolve_v in_o february_n 1692._o when_o there_o be_v such_o a_o court_n it_o common_o sit_v but_o once_o in_o three_o month_n and_o it_o meddle_v not_o with_o every_o matter_n beside_o many_o of_o themselves_o do_v not_o love_v it_o and_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o one_fw-mi error_n in_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o kirk_n for_o it_o be_v never_o make_v part_n of_o the_o constitution_n by_o any_o canon_n of_o the_o kirk_n nor_o act_n of_o parliament_n but_o a_o presbytery_n be_v a_o constant_a current_n court_n they_o may_v meet_v when_o they_o will_v sit_v while_o they_o will_v adjourn_v whither_o when_o how_o long_o how_o short_a time_n soever_o they_o will_n they_o have_v all_o the_o substantial_a power_n of_o government_n and_o discipline_n they_o have_v real_o a_o legislative_a power_n they_o can_v make_v act_n to_o bind_v themselves_o and_o all_o those_o who_o live_v within_o their_o jurisdiction_n and_o they_o have_v a_o very_a large_a do_v of_o executive_a power_n they_o can_v examine_v ordain_v admit_v suspend_v depose_v minister_n they_o can_v cite_v judge_n absolve_v condemn_v excommunicate_v whatsoever_o criminal_n the_o supreme_a power_n of_o the_o church_n under_o christ_n be_v radical_o and_o original_o in_o they_o it_o be_v in_o general_a assembly_n themselves_o derivative_o only_o and_o as_o they_o represent_v all_o the_o presbytery_n in_o the_o nation_n and_o if_o i_o mistake_v not_o if_o a_o general_n assembly_n shall_v enact_v any_o thing_n and_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o presbytery_n of_o the_o nation_n shall_v reprobate_a it_o it_o will_v not_o be_v bind_v and_o yet_o how_o necessary_a how_o useful_a how_o powerful_a so_o ever_o these_o court_n be_v though_o they_o be_v essential_a part_n of_o the_o constitution_n though_o they_o may_v be_v real_o say_v to_o be_v that_o which_o specify_v presbyterian_a government_n this_o time_n this_o seven_o or_o eight_o or_o ten_o of_o july_n anno_fw-la 1579_o be_v the_o first_o time_n they_o be_v hear_v of_o in_o scotland_n that_o which_o be_v call_v the_o exercise_n before_o be_v nothing_o like_o a_o court_n have_v no_o imaginable_a jurisdiction_n can_v neither_o enjoin_v penance_n to_o the_o small_a offender_n nor_o absolve_v he_o from_o it_o it_o can_v exert_v no_o act_n of_o authority_n it_o have_v not_o so_o much_o power_n as_o the_o mean_a kirk-session_n it_o be_v nothing_o like_o a_o presbytery_n and_o however_o it_o be_v say_v in_o this_o assembly_n that_o the_o exercise_n be_v a_o presbytery_n yet_o that_o say_v as_o omnipotent_a as_o a_o presbyterian_a assembly_n be_v do_v not_o make_v it_o one_o that_o be_v not_o a_o factive_a proposition_n there_o be_v no_o presbytery_n erect_v at_o this_o time_n the_o first_o that_o be_v erect_v be_v the_o presbytery_n of_o edenburg_n and_o if_o we_o may_v believe_v calderwood_n himself_o 116._o that_o presbytery_n be_v not_o erect_v till_o the_o thirty_o day_n of_o may_n 1581._o more_o time_n be_v run_v before_o the_o rest_n be_v erect_v they_o be_v not_o agree_v to_o by_o the_o king_n till_o the_o year_n 1586._o they_o be_v not_o ratify_v by_o parliament_n till_o the_o year_n 1592._o and_o now_o let_v the_o impartial_a reader_n judge_n if_o it_o be_v probable_a that_o our_o reformer_n who_o never_o think_v on_o presbytery_n be_v of_o the_o present_a presbyterian_a principle_n be_v they_o presbyterian_o who_o never_o understand_v never_o think_v of_o never_o dream_v of_o that_o which_o be_v so_o essential_a to_o the_o constitution_n of_o a_o church_n by_o divine_a institution_n according_a to_o the_o present_a presbyterian_a principle_n but_o do_v not_o g._n r._n in_o his_o first_o vindication_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n in_o answer_n to_o the_o first_o question_n §_o 8._o tell_v we_o that_o the_o real_a exercise_n of_o presbytery_n in_o all_o its_o meeting_n lesser_a and_o great_a continue_v and_o be_v allow_v in_o the_o year_n 1572_o etc._n etc._n true_o he_o say_v so_o but_o no_o man_n but_o himself_o ever_o say_v so_o but_o i_o know_v the_o natural_a history_n of_o this_o ignorant_a blunder_n his_o historian_n calderwood_n have_v say_v that_o the_o kirk_n of_o scotland_n ever_o since_o the_o beginning_n have_v four_o sort_n of_o assembly_n 29._o and_o this_o be_v enough_o for_o g._n r._n for_o what_o other_o can_v these_o four_o sort_n of_o assembly_n be_v than_o kirk-session_n presbytery_n provincial_a synod_n and_o general_a assembly_n but_o if_o he_o have_v with_o the_o least_o degree_n of_o any_o thing_n like_o attention_n read_v four_o or_o five_o line_n further_o he_o may_v have_v see_v that_o calderwood_n himself_o be_v far_o from_o have_v the_o brow_n to_o assert_v that_o presbytery_n be_v then_o in_o be_v for_o have_v say_v there_o be_v four_o sort_n of_o assembly_n from_o the_o beginning_n he_o go_v on_o to_o particularize_v they_o thus_o national_a which_o be_v common_o call_v general_n assembly_n provincial_a which_o be_v common_o call_v by_o the_o general_n name_n of_o synod_n weekly_a meeting_n of_o minister_n and_o reader_n for_o interpretation_n of_o the_o scripture_n whereunto_o succeed_v presbytery_n that_o be_v meeting_n of_o many_o minister_n and_o elder_n for_o the_o exercise_n of_o discipline_n and_o the_o eldership_n of_o every_o parish_n which_o other_o call_v a_o presbytery_n in_o which_o account_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o he_o do_v not_o call_v these_o weekly_a meeting_n for_o interpretation_n of_o the_o scripture_n presbytery_n but_o say_v that_o presbytery_n succeed_v to_o these_o weekly_a meeting_n and_o he_o give_v quite_o different_a description_n of_o these_o weekly_a meeting_n and_o presbytery_n make_v the_o weekly_a meeting_n to_o have_v be_v of_o minister_n and_o elder_n for_o the_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n and_o presbytery_n to_o have_v be_v as_o they_o still_o be_v meeting_n of_o many_o minister_n and_o elder_n for_o the_o exercise_n of_o discipline_n it_o be_v true_a he_o may_v have_v as_o well_o say_v that_o presbytery_n succeed_v to_o
compliment_n when_o he_o spend_v so_o many_o of_o his_o sweet_a word_n another_o of_o his_o phrase_n so_o very_o pleasant_o thus_o do_v g._n r._n defend_v this_o part_n of_o the_o article_n against_o the_o argument_n of_o his_o adversary_n but_o do_v he_o produce_v none_o for_o his_o own_o side_n of_o the_o controversy_n yes_o one_o and_o only_o one_o so_o far_o as_o i_o can_v remember_v it_o be_v in_o his_o answer_n to_o the_o first_o of_o the_o four_o letter_n §_o 7._o the_o letter_n write_v by_o the_o military_a chaplain_n as_o he_o be_v please_v to_o call_v he_o this_o military_a chaplain_n have_v say_v that_o the_o church_n party_n be_v predominant_a in_o this_o nation_n both_o for_o number_n and_o quality_n that_o it_o be_v not_o so_o say_v g._n r._n be_v evident_a from_o the_o constitution_n of_o our_o parliament_n this_o be_v the_o argument_n now_o not_o to_o enter_v upon_o dangerous_a or_o undutiful_a question_n about_o parliament_n i_o shall_v say_v no_o more_o at_o present_a but_o this_o when_o g._n r._n shall_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o all_o the_o act_n and_o deed_n of_o the_o present_a parliament_n have_v be_v all_o alongst_o agreeable_a to_o the_o inclination_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o people_n or_o when_o he_o shall_v secure_v the_o other_o part_n of_o the_o article_n against_o the_o dint_n of_o this_o his_o own_o good_a argument_n i_o mean_v when_o he_o shall_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o such_o reason_n be_v firm_a and_o solid_a in_o the_o present_a case_n and_o withal_o shall_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o deed_n and_o act_n of_o twenty_o seven_o parliament_n he_o know_v well_o enough_o who_o number_v they_o to_o he_o ratifying_n and_o consume_a episcopacy_n can_v or_o ought_v not_o to_o amount_v to_o as_o good_a one_fw-mi argument_n for_o the_o inclination_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o people_n in_o former_a time_n when_o he_o shall_v make_v these_o thing_n appear_v i_o say_v i_o shall_v then_o think_v a_o little_a more_o about_o his_o argument_n this_o i_o think_v be_v enough_o for_o he_o at_o present_a i_o shall_v consider_v it_o no_o more_o only_o now_o that_o he_o have_v bring_v the_o present_a parliament_n upon_o the_o stage_n i_o will_v take_v occasion_n to_o propose_v some_o few_o question_n which_o the_o mind_v of_o it_o suggest_v to_o i_o and_o i_o serious_o desire_v not_o g._n r._n but_o some_o true_o sensible_a ingenious_a and_o sober_a person_n of_o the_o presbyterian_a persuasion_n some_o person_n who_o have_v opportunity_n to_o know_v how_o matter_n go_v and_o a_o head_n to_o comprehend_v they_o and_o who_o have_v candour_n and_o conscience_n to_o relate_v thing_n as_o they_o true_o be_v or_o be_v to_o give_v plain_a frank_a direct_a and_o pertinent_a answer_n to_o they_o speak_v the_o sense_n of_o his_o heart_n open_o and_o distinct_o without_o mince_v and_o without_o tergiversation_n my_o question_n shall_v not_o in_o the_o least_o touch_v the_o dignity_n or_o authority_n of_o the_o parliament_n all_o i_o design_v they_o for_o be_v to_o bring_v light_n to_o the_o present_a controversy_n and_o i_o ask_v 1._o whither_o the_o presbyterian_a party_n do_v not_o exert_a and_o concentre_v all_o their_o wit_n and_o force_n all_o their_o counsel_n and_o cunning_a all_o their_o art_n and_o application_n all_o their_o skill_n and_o conduct_n in_o politic_n both_o before_o and_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o late_a revolution_n for_o get_v a_o meeting_n of_o estate_n form_v for_o their_o purpose_n 2._o whither_o the_o universal_a vnh_n of_o all_o thing_n then_o and_o the_o general_a surprise_n confusion_n and_o irresolution_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o nation_n occasion_v thereby_o do_v not_o contribute_v extraordinary_o for_o further_a the_o presbyterian_a design_n and_o project_n 3._o whither_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o when_o the_o estate_n first_o meet_v they_o have_v not_o both_o great_a and_o wellgrounded_n fear_v that_o their_o project_n may_v miscarry_v and_o they_o may_v be_v outvote_v in_o the_o meeting_n 4._o whither_o very_o many_o very_o considerable_a member_n have_v not_o desert_v the_o house_n before_o it_o be_v think_v seasonable_a to_o offer_v at_o put_v the_o article_n about_o church-government_n in_o the_o claim_n of_o right_a 5._o whither_o though_o they_o get_v this_o article_n thrust_v into_o the_o claim_n of_o right_n and_o make_v part_n of_o the_o original_a contract_n between_o king_n and_o people_n in_o the_o month_n of_o april_n 1689._o they_o be_v not_o to_o their_o great_a grief_n disappoint_v of_o the_o establishment_n of_o their_o form_n of_o church-government_n in_o the_o first_o session_n of_o parliament_n hold_v in_o june_n etc._n etc._n that_o same_o year_n 6._o whither_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o next_o session_n which_o be_v in_o april_n 1690._o they_o be_v not_o under_o very_o dreadful_a apprehension_n of_o another_o disappointment_n and_o whither_o they_o will_v not_o have_v be_v very_o near_o to_o if_o not_o in_o a_o state_n of_o despair_n if_o all_o the_o anti-presbyterian_a member_n have_v unanimous_o conveen_v and_o sit_v in_o parliament_n 7._o after_o they_o have_v recover_v from_o these_o fear_n and_o when_o they_o have_v the_o courage_n to_o propose_v the_o establishment_n of_o their_o government_n and_o it_o come_v to_o be_v vote_v in_o the_o house_n i_o ask_v if_o it_o be_v any_o thing_n like_o a_o full_a house_n plain_o if_o a_o three_o part_n of_o those_o who_o may_v have_v sâ—te_n as_o member_n be_v present_a 8._o whither_o all_o those_o member_n who_o vote_v for_o it_o at_o that_o time_n can_v be_v say_v to_o have_v do_v it_o from_o a_o principle_n of_o conscience_n or_o a_o firm_a persuasion_n they_o have_v that_o prelacy_n be_v a_o great_a and_o insupportable_a grievance_n and_o trouble_v to_o the_o nation_n and_o contrary_a to_o the_o inclination_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o people_n or_o whither_o it_o may_v be_v say_v without_o breach_n of_o charity_n that_o not_o a_o few_o of_o the_o few_o vote_v so_o main_o from_o other_o principle_n such_o as_o compliance_n with_o some_o lead_a statesman_n etc._n etc._n 9_o whither_o those_o of_o the_o presbyterian_a persuasion_n after_o they_o find_v that_o they_o have_v prevail_v in_o the_o parliament_n do_v not_o proceed_v to_o make_v the_o act_n oblige_v all_o person_n in_o public_a station_n to_o sign_n the_o declaration_n call_v the_o assurance_n as_o much_o if_o not_o more_o for_o secure_v the_o government_n in_o their_o own_o hand_n and_o keep_v out_o anti_n presbyterian_o than_o for_o strengthen_v k._n w.'s_n interest_n 10._o whither_o they_o have_v not_o in_o their_o prospect_n the_o great_a difficulty_n of_o get_v presbyterian_a minister_n plant_v in_o church_n if_o patronage_n shall_v continue_v when_o they_o make_v the_o act_n deprive_v patron_n of_o these_o their_o right_n and_o whither_o they_o have_v not_o in_o their_o prospect_n the_o as_o great_a difficulty_n of_o get_v such_o minister_n plant_v if_o according_a to_o the_o true_a presbyterian_a principle_n at_o least_o pretension_n the_o call_n of_o a_o minister_n shall_v have_v depend_v upon_o the_o plurality_n of_o voice_n in_o the_o parish_n when_o they_o consent_v to_o such_o a_o model_n for_o call_v of_o minister_n as_o be_v establish_v in_o that_o same_o session_n of_o parliament_n 11._o notwithstanding_o that_o act_n of_o parliament_n which_o abolish_v patronage_n do_v notorious_o encroach_v upon_o the_o people_n power_n legated_a to_o they_o by_o christ_n in_o his_o testament_n according_a to_o the_o genuine_a presbyterian_a principle_n by_o put_v the_o real_a power_n of_o call_v minister_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o presbytery_n for_o the_o great_a expedition_n and_o security_n of_o get_v presbyterian_a minister_n plant_v in_o church_n notwithstanding_o all_o this_o i_o say_v i_o ask_v whither_o they_o do_v not_o meet_v with_o many_o difficulty_n and_o much_o impediment_n and_o opposition_n in_o the_o plantation_n of_o such_o minister_n in_o very_a many_o parish_n in_o consequence_n of_o this_o i_o ask_v 12._o whither_o it_o be_v not_o the_o sense_n of_o these_o difficulty_n and_o opposition_n which_o so_o frequent_o encumber_a they_o that_o make_v the_o presbyterian_a minister_n so_o notorious_o betray_v their_o trust_n which_o they_o pretend_v to_o have_v as_o conservator_n of_o the_o liberty_n and_o privilege_n of_o christ_n kingdom_n and_o people_n when_o they_o consent_v that_o in_o the_o last_o session_n of_o parliament_n christ_n legacy_n shall_v be_v so_o clog_v and_o limit_v as_o that_o none_o shall_v have_v power_n of_o give_v voice_n in_o the_o call_n of_o minister_n till_o they_o shall_v first_o swear_v the_o oath_n of_o allegiance_n and_o sign_n the_o assurance_n 13._o and_o last_o i_o ask_v whither_o our_o presbyterian_a brethren_n will_v be_v content_a that_o all_o that_o have_v be_v do_v in_o reference_n to_o church_n matter_n since_o the_o begin_n of_o
dwell_v long_o on_o this_o subject_n but_o i_o be_o afraid_a i_o have_v notice_v it_o too_o much_o already_o to_o conclude_v then_o what_o be_v this_o standard_n else_o than_o the_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o hobbism_n that_o holy_a scheme_n for_o brutalize_a mankind_n and_o make_v religion_n reason_n revelation_n every_o thing_n that_o aim_v at_o make_v man_n manly_a to_o yield_v unto_o at_o least_o to_o depend_v on_o the_o frisk_n of_o flesh_n and_o blood_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o arrant_a sense_n and_o ungovernable_a passion_n and_o so_o i_o leave_v it_o but_o be_v the_o second_o reason_n any_o better_a if_o this_o church_n have_v be_v reform_v by_o presbyter_n will_v that_o have_v be_v a_o good_a argument_n for_o abolish_n prelacy_n who_o see_v not_o that_o it_o be_v much_o about_o the_o same_o size_n with_o the_o former_a indeed_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o think_v have_v the_o several_a church_n in_o the_o world_n erect_v their_o government_n by_o this_o rule_n we_o shall_v have_v have_v some_o pretty_a odd_a constitution_n thus_o the_o church_n collect_v of_o old_a among_o the_o indian_n by_o frumentius_n and_o aedesius_n shall_v have_v be_v govern_v still_o by_o laic_n for_o frumentius_n and_o aedesius_n be_v no_o more_o than_o laic_n when_o they_o first_o convert_v they_o thus_o all_o xaverius_n convert_v and_o their_o successor_n shall_v have_v be_v always_o govern_v by_o jesuit_n for_o it_o be_v past_a controversy_n xaverius_n be_v a_o jesuit_n thus_o the_o church_n of_o iberia_n and_o moravia_n shall_v have_v be_v govern_v by_o woman_n for_o if_o we_o may_v believe_v historian_n the_o gospel_n get_v first_o footing_n in_o these_o part_n by_o the_o ministry_n of_o female_n indeed_o if_o the_o argument_n have_v any_o strength_n at_o all_o it_o seem_v strong_a for_o these_o constitution_n than_o for_o presbytery_n in_o scotland_n inasmuch_o as_o it_o be_v more_o to_o convert_v infidel_n than_o only_o to_o reform_v a_o church_n which_o though_o corrupt_a be_v allow_v to_o be_v christian._n nay_o which_o be_v more_o and_o worse_o more_o contrary_a to_o the_o inclination_n of_o scotch_a presbyterian_o and_o worse_o for_o scotch_a presbytery_n by_o this_o way_n of_o reason_v episcopacy_n ought_v still_o hitherto_o to_o have_v continue_v and_o hereafter_o to_o continue_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n because_o that_o church_n be_v reform_v by_o her_o bishop_n but_o if_o so_o what_o can_v be_v say_v for_o the_o solemn_a league_n and_o covenant_n how_o shall_v we_o defend_v our_o forty-three-man_n and_o all_o the_o covenant_a work_n of_o reformation_n in_o that_o glorious_a period_n and_o if_o it_o must_v continue_v there_o what_o constant_a peril_n must_v our_o kirk_n needs_o be_v in_o especial_o so_o long_o as_o both_o kingdom_n be_v under_o one_o monarch_n what_o i_o have_v say_v i_o think_v may_v be_v enough_o in_o all_o conscience_n for_o this_o five_o enquiry_n but_o because_o it_o be_v obvious_a to_o the_o most_o overly_o observation_n that_o the_o framer_n of_o the_o article_n have_v not_o be_v so_o much_o concern_v for_o the_o strength_n and_o solidity_n of_o the_o reason_n they_o choose_v for_o support_v their_o conclusion_n as_o for_o their_o colour_n and_o aptitude_n to_o catch_v the_o vulgar_a and_o influence_n the_o populace_n and_o because_o our_o presbyterian_a brethren_n have_v of_o a_o long_a time_n be_v and_o still_o be_v in_o use_n to_o make_v zealous_a declamation_n and_o huge_a noise_n about_o succession_n to_o our_o reformer_n because_o the_o clamour_n on_o all_o occasion_n that_o those_o who_o stand_v for_o episcopacy_n have_v so_o much_o forsake_v the_o principle_n and_o maxim_n of_o the_o reformation_n that_o they_o pay_v our_o reformer_n so_o little_a respect_n and_o deference_n that_o they_o have_v secret_a grudge_n at_o the_o reformation_n that_o they_o will_v willing_o return_v to_o popery_n and_o what_o not_o whereas_o they_o themselves_o have_v a_o mighty_a veneration_n for_o those_o who_o reform_v the_o church_n of_o scotland_n they_o be_v their_o only_o true_a and_o genuine_a successor_n they_o be_v the_o only_a man_n who_o stand_v on_o the_o foot_n of_o the_o reformation_n the_o only_a sincere_a and_o heart-protestants_a the_o only_a real_a enemy_n to_o antichrist_n etc._n etc._n for_o these_o reason_n i_o say_v i_o shall_v beg_v the_o reader_n patience_n till_o i_o have_v discourse_v this_o point_n a_o little_a far_o and_o to_o deal_v frank_o and_o plain_o in_o the_o first_o place_n i_o own_o those_o of_o the_o episcopal_a persuasion_n in_o scotland_n do_v not_o think_v themselves_o bind_v to_o maintain_v all_o the_o principle_n or_o embrace_v all_o the_o sentiment_n or_o justify_v all_o the_o practice_n of_o our_o reformer_n it_o be_v true_a i_o speak_v only_o from_o myself_o i_o have_v no_o commission_n from_o other_o man_n to_o tell_v their_o sentiment_n yet_o i_o think_v the_o generality_n of_o my_o father_n and_o brethren_n will_v not_o be_v offend_v though_o i_o speak_v in_o the_o plural_a number_n and_o take_v they_o into_o the_o reckon_n and_o therefore_o i_o think_v i_o may_v safe_o say_v though_o we_o think_v our_o reformer_n consider_v their_o education_n and_o all_o their_o disadvantage_n be_v very_o considerable_a man_n and_o make_v very_o considerable_a progress_n in_o reform_v the_o church_n yet_o we_o do_v not_o believe_v they_o have_v one_fw-mi immediate_a allowance_n from_o heaven_n for_o all_o they_o say_v or_o do_v we_o believe_v they_o be_v not_o endue_v with_o the_o gift_n of_o infallibility_n inerrability_n or_o impeccability_n we_o believe_v and_o they_o believe_v so_o themselves_o that_o they_o have_v no_o commission_n no_o authority_n to_o establish_v new_a article_n of_o faith_n or_o make_v new_a condition_n of_o salvation_n we_o believe_v they_o have_v no_o power_n pretend_v to_o none_o for_o recede_v from_o the_o original_a and_o immovable_a standard_n of_o christian_a religion_n in_o consequence_n of_o this_o we_o believe_v and_o be_v confident_a that_o where_o they_o miss_v and_o be_v fallible_a it_o be_v very_o possible_a for_o they_o to_o do_v it_o of_o conformity_n to_o that_o standard_n we_o be_v at_o liberty_n to_o think_v otherwise_o than_o they_o think_v to_o profess_v otherwise_o than_o they_o profess_v we_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o follow_v they_o to_o instance_n in_o a_o few_o of_o many_o thing_n we_o own_o we_o can_v allow_v of_o the_o principle_n of_o popular_a reformation_n as_o it_o be_v assert_v and_o practise_v by_o our_o reformer_n we_o own_o indeed_o it_o be_v not_o only_o lawful_a but_o necessary_a for_o every_o man_n to_o reform_v himself_o both_o as_o to_o principle_n and_o practice_n when_o there_o be_v corruption_n in_o either_o and_o that_o not_o only_o without_o but_o against_o public_a authority_n whither_o civil_a or_o ecclesiastical_a far_o we_o own_o it_o be_v not_o only_o lawful_a but_o plain_a and_o indispensible_a duty_n in_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n to_o reform_v she_o act_v in_o their_o own_o sphere_n even_o against_o humane_a law_n in_o direct_a opposition_n to_o a_o thousand_o act_n of_o a_o thousand_o parliament_n i_o say_v act_v and_o keep_v within_o their_o own_o sphere_n i._n e._n so_o far_o as_o their_o spiritual_a power_n can_v go_v but_o no_o far_o keep_v within_o these_o their_o own_o bound_n they_o may_v and_o shall_v condemn_v heresy_n purge_v the_o public_a worship_n of_o corruption_n continue_v a_o succession_n of_o orthodox_n pastor_n etc._n etc._n in_o a_o word_n do_v every_o thing_n which_o be_v needful_a to_o be_v do_v for_o put_v and_o preserve_v the_o church_n commit_v to_o their_o care_n in_o that_o state_n of_o orthodoxy_n purity_n and_o unity_n which_o jesus_n christ_n from_o who_o they_o have_v their_o commission_n and_o to_o who_o they_o must_v be_v answerable_a have_v require_v by_o his_o holy_a institution_n but_o we_o can_v allow_v they_o to_o move_v excentrical_o to_o turn_v exorbitant_a to_o stir_v without_o their_o own_o vortex_n we_o can_v allow_v they_o to_o use_v any_o other_o than_o spiritual_a mean_n or_o to_o make_v any_o other_o than_o spiritual_a defence_n we_o think_v they_o shall_v still_o perform_v all_o dutiful_a submission_n to_o the_o civil_a power_n never_o resist_v by_o material_a arm_n never_o absolve_v subject_n from_o their_o allegiance_n to_o their_o civil_a sovereign_n never_o preach_v the_o damnable_a doctrine_n of_o depose_v king_n for_o heresy_n never_o attempt_v to_o make_v those_o who_o they_o shall_v make_v good_a christian_n bad_a subject_n but_o to_o teach_v they_o the_o great_a and_o fundamental_a doctrine_n of_o the_o cross_n and_o exemplify_v it_o to_o they_o in_o their_o practice_n when_o they_o be_v call_v to_o it_o this_o we_o profess_v and_o we_o do_v not_o think_v it_o popery_n but_o our_o reformer_n teach_v a_o quite_o different_a doctrine_n their_o doctrine_n be_v that_o it_o belong_v to_o the_o rabble_n to_o
prince_n maintain_v by_o our_o reformer_n yet_o even_o herein_o there_o be_v difference_n considerable_a difference_n our_o reformer_n as_o much_o as_o they_o be_v incline_v to_o rebel_n against_o king_n do_v yet_o maintain_v that_o they_o hold_v their_o crown_n immediate_o of_o god_n john_n knox_n in_o his_o sermon_n preach_v on_o the_o 19_o the_o of_o august_n 1565_o and_o afterward_o publish_v have_v this_o plain_a position_n that_o it_o be_v neither_o birth_n influence_n of_o star_n election_n of_o people_z force_v of_o arm_n nor_o final_o whatsoever_o can_v be_v comprehend_v under_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n that_o make_v the_o distinction_n between_o the_o superior_a power_n and_o the_o inferior_a or_o that_o do_v establish_v the_o royal_a throne_n of_o king_n but_o it_o be_v the_o only_a and_o perfect_a ordinance_n of_o god_n who_o will_v his_o terror_n power_n and_o majesty_n in_o a_o part_n to_o shine_v in_o the_o throne_n of_o king_n and_o in_o the_o face_n of_o judge_n etc._n etc._n neither_o be_v this_o only_a his_o private_a sentiment_n the_o 24_o the_o article_n of_o the_o confession_n of_o faith_n compile_v by_o our_o reformer_n and_o ratify_v by_o act_n of_o parliament_n be_v every_o whit_n as_o plain_a and_o decretory_n for_o there_o they_o profess_v to_o believe_v that_o empire_n kingdom_n dominion_n and_o city_n be_v distincted_a and_o ordain_v by_o god_n that_o the_o power_n and_o authority_n therein_o be_v god_n holy_a ordinance_n that_o person_n place_v in_o authority_n be_v to_o be_v love_v honour_a fear_v and_o hold_v in_o most_o reverend_a estimation_n because_o they_o be_v god_n lieutenant_n in_o who_o session_n god_n sit_v as_o judge_n to_o who_o by_o god_n be_v give_v the_o sword_n etc._n etc._n that_o therefore_o whosoever_o deny_v unto_o king_n their_o aid_n counsel_n or_o comfort_n while_o they_o vigilant_o travel_n in_o the_o execute_n of_o their_o office_n they_o deny_v their_o help_n support_v and_o counsel_n to_o god_n who_o by_o the_o presence_n of_o his_o lieutenant_n crave_v it_o of_o they_o so_o it_o be_v profess_v by_o our_o reformer_n how_o this_o principle_n can_v consist_v with_o their_o practice_n be_v none_o of_o my_o present_n concern_v that_o be_v no_o more_o than_o to_o show_v how_o our_o presbyterian_a brethren_n have_v desert_v they_o in_o this_o matter_n now_o our_o presbyterian_a brethren_n make_v king_n as_o such_o not_o god_n but_o the_o people_n creature_n by_o consequence_n not_o god_n but_o the_o people_n lieutenant_n the_o people_n set_v they_o on_o their_o throne_n they_o have_v their_o power_n from_o the_o people_n they_o be_v the_o people_n trustee_n they_o be_v accountable_a to_o the_o people_n so_o that_o whosoever_o deny_v his_o aid_n counsel_n or_o comfort_n to_o they_o while_o they_o vigilant_o travel_v in_o execute_v their_o office_n in_o true_a logic_n can_v be_v say_v to_o deny_v they_o only_o to_o the_o people_n even_o here_o then_o there_o be_v this_o great_a difference_n our_o reformer_n maintain_v one_o good_a principle_n in_o relation_n to_o sovereign_a power_n our_o present_a presbyterian_o have_v even_o reject_v that_o one_o good_a principle_n it_o be_v true_a indeed_o our_o reformer_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v inconsequential_a in_o substitute_v rebellious_a practice_n in_o the_o retinue_n of_o one_fw-mi orthodox_n principle_n and_o our_o presbyterian_a brethren_n seem_v to_o be_v consequential_a in_o have_v their_o principle_n and_o their_o practice_n of_o a_o piece_n but_o do_v this_o mend_v the_o matter_n nothing_o as_o i_o take_v it_o for_o all_o end_n here_o that_o our_o reformer_n believe_v right_o though_o they_o practise_v wrong_a but_o our_o presbyterian_a brethren_n be_v altogether_o wrong_a they_o neither_o believe_v nor_o practice_n right_o thus_o i_o say_v it_o have_v be_v no_o difficult_a task_n to_o have_v instance_a in_o many_o more_o of_o our_o presbyterian_a innovation_n but_o the_o taste_n i_o have_v give_v i_o think_v be_v sufficient_a for_o my_o purpose_n for_o lay_v together_o so_o many_o undeniable_a innovation_n so_o many_o palpable_a and_o notorious_a recession_n from_o the_o principle_n and_o practice_n of_o our_o reformer_n as_o i_o have_v adduce_v and_o these_o in_o so_o weighty_a and_o important_a matter_n as_o the_o doctrine_n worship_n discipline_n government_n and_o right_n of_o the_o church_n i_o may_v fair_o leave_v it_o to_o the_o world_n to_o judge_v if_o our_o brethren_n have_v just_a reason_n to_o insist_v so_o much_o upon_o the_o principle_n of_o our_o reformation_n or_o to_o entitle_v themselves_o as_o on_o all_o occasion_n they_o be_v so_o solicitous_a and_o forward_a to_o do_v the_o only_a real_a and_o genuine_a successor_n of_o our_o reformer_n neither_o be_v this_o all_o that_o may_v just_o pinch_v they_o they_o have_v not_o only_o recede_v from_o our_o scottish_a reformer_n but_o from_o all_o other_o reform_a church_n what_o reform_a church_n in_o christendom_n maintain_v all_o the_o article_n of_o the_o westminster_n confession_n what_o reform_a church_n require_v the_o profession_n of_o so_o many_o article_n not_o main_o for_o peace_n and_o unity_n but_o as_o a_o test_n of_o orthodoxy_n what_o reform_a church_n except_o our_o kirk_n maintain_v the_o divine_a institution_n of_o parity_n among_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n so_o as_o to_o make_v all_o kind_n of_o prelacy_n simple_o unlawful_a what_o reform_a church_n except_o the_o scottish_a want_v a_o liturgy_n what_o party_n in_o europe_n that_o assume_v the_o name_n of_o a_o national_a church_n condemn_v liturgy_n set_v form_n of_o prayer_n etc._n etc._n as_o unlawful_a except_o scottish_a presbyterian_o what_o transmarine_a reform_a church_n that_o be_v not_o lutheran_n condemn_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n what_o reform_a church_n maintain_v the_o divine_a institution_n and_o the_o indispensible_a necessity_n of_o rule_v elder_n in_o contradistinction_n to_o pastor_n what_o reform_a church_n maintain_v the_o divine_a institution_n and_o the_o unalienable_a right_n of_o popular_a election_n of_o pastor_n what_o reform_a church_n ever_o offer_v to_o maintain_v that_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n by_o bishop_n or_o a_o public_a liturgy_n or_o want_v of_o rule_v elder_n distinct_a from_o pastor_n or_o choose_v pastor_n otherwise_o than_o by_o the_o voice_n of_o the_o people_n or_o use_v some_o innocent_a and_o unforbidden_a ceremony_n as_o circumstance_n or_o appendage_n of_o divine_a worship_n or_o observe_v some_o day_n beside_o sunday_n be_v sufficient_a ground_n for_o break_v the_o peace_n of_o a_o church_n and_o divide_v her_o unity_n and_o set_v up_o altar_n against_o altar_n what_o reform_a church_n be_v ever_o bind_v by_o her_o rule_n and_o canon_n to_o require_v of_o all_o such_o as_o she_o admit_v to_o the_o participation_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n the_o subscription_n of_o such_o term_n as_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o solemn_a league_n and_o covenant_n what_o reform_a church_n do_v not_o satisfy_v herself_o with_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o faith_n contain_v in_o the_o apostle_n creed_n at_o baptism_n what_o reform_a church_n require_v the_o profession_n of_o such_o a_o vast_a such_o a_o numberless_a number_n of_o article_n and_o proposition_n as_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o westminster_n confession_n and_o the_o large_a and_o short_a catechism_n of_o all_o those_o who_o they_o receive_v into_o the_o catholic_n church_n what_o be_v this_o less_o than_o to_o make_v all_o these_o proposition_n necessary_a term_n of_o their_o communion_n and_o how_o impossible_a be_v it_o at_o this_o rate_n ever_o to_o think_v of_o a_o catholic_n communion_n among_o christian_n be_v not_o this_o needless_o and_o by_o consequence_n very_o criminal_o and_o unchristian_o to_o lay_v a_o fund_z for_o unavoidable_a unextinguishable_a and_o everlasting_a schism_n neither_o yet_o be_v this_o all_o the_o misery_n for_o consider_v the_o measure_n our_o brethren_n steer_v by_o there_o be_v little_a ground_n to_o hope_v that_o they_o shall_v ever_o turn_v weary_a of_o innovate_a the_o first_o brood_n of_o presbyterian_o the_o old_a melvilians_n invert_v as_o i_o have_v tell_v almost_o the_o whole_a scheme_n of_o our_o reformer_n the_o next_o birth_n the_o thirty-eight-man_n make_v innumerable_a recession_n from_o their_o progenitor_n the_o melvilians_n the_o present_a production_n have_v forsake_v most_o of_o the_o measure_n of_o the_o thirty-eight-man_n and_o what_o hope_n of_o their_o fix_v when_o shall_v it_o be_v proper_a for_o they_o to_o say_v we_o have_v do_v innovate_a hitherto_o we_o have_v innovate_v but_o we_o will_v innovate_v no_o far_o how_o dreadful_a a_o thing_n be_v it_o for_o man_n to_o give_v loose_a reins_o to_o the_o spirit_n of_o innovation_n but_o i_o shall_v not_o pursue_v this_o far_o i_o know_v the_o temper_n of_o our_o brethren_n it_o be_v but_o too_o too_o probable_a they_o may_v impute_v it_o to_o malice_n or_o revenge_n or_o one_fw-mi embitter_v spirit_n to_o some_o ill_a