obligation and in that seem invincibly perswadedâ— it is very pertinent if true to declare the consistencie of the present government even with that obligation 'T is answered these insinuations of irregularity and violence being only general without so much as a condescendencie let be any verification I might very justly neglect them but being made by a person who after being eye witnes to the courses which he reproacheth did both take the Covenant himself and administrat it to others and now notwithstanding that all the cavillations and objections of adversaries have been answered without reply hath under his hand renounced it I can not pasâ—e them without â—ome admiration of such inconscionable insolence of which â— do hereby defye the Author to acquit himself by any rational and probable instanceâ— we â—ave indeed heard the proud calumnies of prevailing Adversaries but seing these are certain truths viz. â— That this Landbeing in the beginning lawfully ingaged in the National Covenant did upon the occasion of the ensuing and growing defections and novations very justly both renew and explaine their ingagements and also censure such who by refusing their assent did evidently declare their apostasie 2. That not only the communion of Saints but the very force of that obligement of constant defence and adherence contained in the National did so constrain us to make the League and Covenant as the visibly necesâ—ary mean for that end and without which conjunction the prelatick partie in England which had twice from thence perfidiously attacâ—qued us prevailing there had in all probabilitie overwhelmed us that the refusal of this second Covenant by any who had taken the first could not but be construed a breach thereof and expose them to condigne punishment 3. That the countenance and confirmation of Authority being demanded and unjustly refused to that for preservation and maintenance whereof Government it self was set up can not in reason make the deed so done for want thereof unlawful And 4. That the sufferings of recusants in our former times were either for the merit or number of the delinquents very small and inconsiderable and have been by the renversings and persecutionâ— of these laâ—e times so many degrees exceeded that it is ashame for any person of ingenuity by accusing the past and owning the present to shew such partialitie These I say being certain truths and so fully held out by several writings on our side it is impossible but the same being duely perpended all the vapour of this smoak must instantly evanish But in the next place comes the Authors kindnesse and charitie to relieve such who labour under an apprehended inconsistencie of these their Oaths with this fixed Presidencie in prosecution hereof he sayeth That if men would have the patience to inquire this our Episcopacie will be found not to be the same with that abjured for that is the government of Bishops absolutly by themselves and their Delegates Chancellours Archdeacons c. As it is expressed in the Article was on purpose expressed â—o difference that frame from other forms of Episcopacie particularly from that which is exercised by Bishops joyntly with Presbyters in Presbyteries and Synods which is now used in this Church And here I might again take notice of the grossness of this mistake supposing our present Church-government because forsooth it is not exercised by Chancellours Archdeacons and the rest expressed in the second Article of the Covenant therefore not to be that which was abjured but a distinct from managed by Bishops joyntly with Presbytersâ— whereas it is evident as the Sun-light that our Parliament did not only in preparation to the late change make void the obligation of our Covenants and all the Acts and Authority of former Parliaments whereby Episcopacie had been abrogate But also restore and redintegrat the estate of Bishops to a more full injoyment of Church power and prerogatives then formerly was granted unto them yea unto the sole possession and exercise thereof under his Majesty above all that their Predecessors did ever acclaim As both from the Act of Restitution and the consequent practices of our Bishops I have already plainly evinced that so it is beyond all controversie that the same Episcopacy abjured what ever it was was by our late Parliament again restored But Secondly admiâ—ting that our present frame were in esse such as it is represented or at least by the proposal of Accommodation offered As the mistake or rather wilfull error of this passage doth borrow its colour and preâ—ext from the second Article of the Covenant obliging us to the extirpation of Poperie and Prelacie that is to say c. according to the description there set down so the thing obvious to be observed for clearing thereof is that in order to our case in Scotland it is not the obligation of this second Article to extirpate that we are principally and in the first place to regard but it is the positive ingagement of the first binding as to Scotland to preserve and as to England and Ireland to reforme that is in a manner the key of the whole in as much as by the Church of Scotland and to endeavour the seâ—lement of the Church of England the second Article is manifestly subjoined by way of execution viz. that for attaining the ends of the first we should endeavour the extirpation of all things therein either generally or specially enumerat which two Articles the one to preserve the then constitution of our Church with so great contendings lately reformed from this corruption amongst others of the Bishops their constant Moderatiship and the otheâ— to extirpate every thing found to be contrary to sound doctrine and the Power of Godlinesse as Episcopacy in all its degrees had been by our Church declared to be doth certainly make up an obligation most directly opposite to and inconsistent with this Presidencie re-obtruded Thirdly If thir luk-warm Conciliators were as mindful to pay their vows to the most High as they are bold to devour that which is holy and after vows to make inquiry in place of this impertinent wresting and misapplication of these obligements in the League and Covenant which do more properly concerne the at-that-time-unsetled Estate of England and Ireland then the established condition of the Church of Scotland as we shall immediatly hear they would rather consider their own and our obligations by the National Covenant and how in that day of our distresse and wrestlings from under the yoke of Prelacie we swore unto the Lord to defend that Reformation whereunto we attained and constantly to reject and labour against all these Novations and corruptions from which we were then delivered Under which Head of Novations and Corruptions I am assured that every considerat person will so easily perceive this Presidencie and Moderatorship oâ— Bishops to have been abjured that he will almost as much wonder at the heedlesse expositions of our Adversaries put upon these Covenants as pity the sin of their
offends us is that admitting the thing were really performed by way of a solemn blessing in the manner represeâ—ted yet seeing this presidency being repugnant to our Lords command is not an holy but an unhallowed employment any form of benediction that can be thereto used is not only deâ—â—itute of any promise but a profanation of the holiness of God which he jealously loveth We do not therefore condemn this conservation as if vve judged that a grave and solemn admission to a high and holy employment were apt to unhallow it no this alledgeance doth too groslie and caloumniouslie beg the question But seeing it is certain that the Author will as soon prove gain to be godliness as he will rationally perswade that this high employment is holy it is evident that his grave and solemn admission is as little apt to hallow it or to be a proper instrument of making it better as the consecration of the high places was of old when they were commanded to be destroyed in it self allovvable or unto the Lord acceptable The next thing we meet with is That the degree or power of Bishops beyond other Presbyters is certainly not to be so fitly measured by any other rule as by the receaved practice of the primitive Church and canons of the most ancient Councels Very right why should not their origen and warrant and the measure and rule of their power go together But seeing we have found this primitive practice to be dislonant from and contrarie to the truth and simplicitie of the Gospel the first and chief rule the Author must pardon us in this matter to disown both his rule and measures and to hold us to this only unerring canon yet seeing he hath been pleased in his deep ingenuity to acquaint us with that wherein we account our selves but little concerned it will not be amiss that for our warning we take particular notice of the discoverie He adds then That by the forementioned practice and canons it will undoubtedly be found that they had not only some such particular power as what I know not but exortem eminenâ—em potestatem as Hierom speaks A man might hitherto have thought that if not all yet the main thing acclaimed by the Author to his Episcopus Praeses was a power of constant Moderation in Church meetings But here lest as I apprehend he should frustrat his solemn conseâ—ration or rather the special ordination which he hath just now asserted he deals a great deal more plainly and tels us not only in general of such a measure of power as may be gathered from primitive practice and ancient canons which certainlie may be as large as the most favourable conjecture from any probable pretence of either of these within the first three or four centuries of the declination of the primeve puritie pleaseth to form it but that by these same rules beside a certain particular povver vvhich he doth not specifie they should have potestatem exortem eminentem and this no doubt in a congruous enough construction of the frequent hyperbolies used by the fathers on this subject may arise as high as either ambition or interest shall please to to scrue it This being then the ambiguous and laxe comprehension of the Author's measures vvhat hath been the sinceritie of this Treatie or vvhat might have been the issue of an assenting close to it I suppose it may be obvious to everie mans reason For my ovvn part as I look upon this superior Episcopacie from the very fiâ—st degâ—ee of its ascending to have been in all the steps of its progress the continual decline oâ— pure châ—istianitie and advance of the Antichristian papacie and as I am convinced from clear Scripture light and undeniable experieâ—ce that all the pretâ—nces made â—or it and its power and priviledges either from the practices graces vertues or sufferings of those Centuries wherein it had its first rise and grouth are only the involutions of that strange misterie whereby it most secretly and subtillie proceeded to its most prodigious maâ—ifestation in the revelation of the Man of sin so I am perswaded in the same evidence that the accommodating of faithful men with it under whatsomever pretext whithin this land shall quicklie either prove the readvancing of its pride domination and wickedness or els the greater establishment of the supremacie to the as inâ—allible prejudice and ruine of the power and puritie of Religion the Devils grand designe in all these unwarranted contrivances But the Author addes for a salvo to these just feares that the foregoing passage may suggest that if the Spirit of our meek and lowly master did more possess the minds both of Bishops and Presbyters there would certainly be little or no dispute but the sweet contest of striving who should yeeld most and give most honor the one to the other Thus we find him alwayes a high pretender to Gospel rules when they seem to make for his advantage If he once attain to the possession of what either his phansie or interest do recommend to him then according to the strain of the former letters how full is he of the high elogies of peace of earnest longings after it how hateful odious is contention hatred nay it is the main antichristian character and in the same manner now that he is for Episcopacie its eminencie how sweetly would he seem to commend the spirit of our meek lowly Master But seeing it is without all controversy that if this spirit were indeed prevalent not only our disputs contests about thir matters would cease but the very subject oâ— them being at best a vain invention pretending to order vvould be totally removed my hearty vvish and desire is that the Author would rather endeavour to vvitness his sinceritie by a through and absolute conformitie then by such partial applications The 9 and last consideration which the Author offers is anent the great and known moderation of all the late Reformers the present reformed Churches and of the presbyterian brethâ—en in England concerning the episcopacy now in question But having before answered this abundantly I am not so much swayed with such alledgeances as here to make repetitions Only he sayes It is wonderful that we should affect so exorbitant an hight of Zeal and fervor in this point so far beyond what can be found in any of these we have named or any other society or party of men in the whole Christian world either of our own former times 'T is answered the zeal of God is so rare a thing in this evill and hipocritical generation and it and the worlds wonder do so often trist that I am only sorry that we have not provocked the Author and all men to more of it and that our reproch for Christ and consequently the matter of our rejoicing should amount to no more in midst of such backslidings and perverâ—ness then to the just and slender charge of a singular affâ—cted fâ—rvor
matters of God study his own way if we neglect this sure and excellent ordinance of a self-denyed and lowly Gospel ministrie with these prescriptions of truth humilitie and loveâ— given to us as the remedies against all disorder schisme and heresie and indulge to our own devices where wil we subsist I need not represent the subtilty and presumption of mens delusions specially for promoting that mysterie of iniquitie that worketh in Ecclesiastick aspirings If our blind probabilities were sufficient to authorize the means of peace and order there is no question carnal reason would again insinuat according to the pretensions that raised the Papacie and the frequent suggestions of our times in behalfe of the Magistrat that the proper and assured way to a firme establishment were to resolve either mans beleife or his obedience into the uncontrollable determinations either of the Pope or of the Princeâ— But as the disposiâ—ions of the Soveraign and only wise God are not to be fathomed let be regulat by our narrow and weak capacities so ought we alwayes to revere these peremtorie and seuere restraints where with he hath bounded the darrings of vain reason not so much as to think in these things above what is written specially in the case in hand when not only manifest disappointments as to the ends pretended but the worst of consequences have by a very visible progresse openly discovered both the folly and prejudice of this presidencie under question For evincing whereof I observe .2 that as it is not unto this fixed presidencie as such but unto the more abounding grace of God under these frequent and grievous persecutions wherewith the Church was then exercised that the singular order unity and charity of the primitive times is to be ascribed So the gradual advance of this Prostasia together with the joint and perpetual declines of true knowledge piety concurring increase of pride contention irreligion superstition are very pregnant evidences of its vanity I need not note that the first times to which this presidencie can lay any claime were the purest its first setting up as most acknowledge was in the second Centurie in a simple Protocathedria to the Senior Presbyter Shortly thereafter it turned to a Prostasia given by election and then stil ascending even under the discountenance and persecution of the Heathenish powers and people it did notwithstanding what by wresting the election in many places from the Presbyters and what by usurping the power of ordinantion and censures advance to a very high degree of Prelacie as is aboundantly confirmed by what may be gathered from the Records of these times and especially by good Cyprian his words to his Presbyters Epist. 6. A primordio Episcopatus mei statui nihil sine consilio vestro privata sententia gerere whereby as it were in opposition to the then corrupt custome of other Bishops he plainly insinuateth his contrary resolution Now what under this progresse of the Prostasia still pretending to be a remedy was the growth of the evils both of contentions schismes and heresies specially in the intervals of the Churches sufferings wherewith these several degrees were manifestly attended needeth not to be enforced by many instances That of Victor as to superstition contention and schisme who for a different observation of Pasch a weighty point forsooth did excommunicat the better halfe of the Christian world may stand for a thousand and as for Heresies their catalogues are almost endlesse But though its rise under so great pressures doth very convincingly argue the strong and subtile Spirit working in its elevation yet it was from the time of Constantin's Empire and the rising of the Sun of prosperitie upon the Church that it did yet more evidently begin to discover itself in its proper collours And from this period indeed it was that more and more exalting and explicating its powers it ceased not until through proud and fervid contentions of the prelats amongst themselves for precedencie more dangerous by far then al the pettie contests that could arise among Presbyters and these still varnished with he pretexts of unity peace and apostolick example but really animat by pride and ambition and accompanied with covetousness luxurie neglect of truth abounding of errors superstition and irreligion it at length arrived at the papacie which by its tyrannous infallibility and implicit faith did in the end indeed bring forth in the destroying of true knowledge and conscience an apparent peace and unity most like to that indifferencie in the matters of religion and surrender and abjection of conscience which the abettors of our supremacie do under the same plausible names and pretenses so much endeavour to introduce This being then the growth progresse and product of this Prostasia its lying pretense of remedying preventing schism in effect nothing els then the sutable revelation of that mysterie which at first did more latently begin to work under its lesse discernable appearances what judgment is to be made of it I leave to every mans ingenuity If it be objected that although the ensuing of Prelacie and Papacie and all their evils upon the ancient Episcopacy may give a colour to the premised discourse yet it is easie in such matters to strain observations and these consequences may be only its accidental and not its proper effects 'T is answered not to insist upon the natural and gradual connexion of the things represented more easie to be discerned by impartial reflection then perswaded by superfluous arguing it is very observable First that the great if not the sole reason that from the beginning hath been or can be alledged for the â—ixed presidencie viz. the eare of divisions and prevention of schisme was that which in the righteous judgment of God according to the deceivablenesse of unrighteousness was still made use of for carrying on the Mysterie of iniquitie until that at length it appeared in its own colours and discovered its effects infinitly more pernicious then the evils which it pretended to obviat 2 That in matters Religious the want of Divine institution and consequently of our Lords promise and blessing together with the actual following of bad fruits effects are a sufficient demonstration that the thing questioned is thereof properly productive I need not observe that it is upon this ground that the Popes Primacie and Headship is very justly charged with all Romes Superstitions and abominations If of old I sent them not therefore they shall not profit this People was by the Spirit of the Lord made a sure and firme conclusion shall not then the visible accomplishment I appointed it not and it hath not profited but been attended with many grievous mischiefs prove an evidence equally convincing But it is said admitting that this was indeed the course of its exaltation in these times yet the proposal of it being now made with a manifestly contrary designe and in effect to low and reduce Prelacie the preceeding representation is of
all these things or to contend for them blindfold without knowing them wheâ—her this be lawful righteous whether the common People be more knowing in their own Liberties and their representatives Privileges or conforming Ministers in his Majesties sublime prerogatives and extensive Iurisdictions I leave it to every impartial discerner But 3. What strange hodge podge indeed do we find in this ingagement all things spiritual ecclesiastick and temporal confounded in the Supremacie is not enough but the poor Intrant must further abjure all forreign Powers and â—urisdictions swear to defend all his Majesties Authorities and Privileges acknowledge upon Oath that he holds the Church and his possession of it if of the King's presentation under God of his Majestie doing homage unto the King and not unto God for the same if at the presentation of another under God by the King of the Patron thereof And lastly swear obedience to his Ordinarie in all lawful things even his Majesties authority though just now so fully recognosced not excepted Is not this an odde medly to be hudled up in a sacred oath Whereof whether every Article therein be more impertinent for an Intrant Minister of the Gospel or in it self more obscure and indistinct really I can not define But the Author goes on and tells us that It were ingenuously done to take some notice of any point of moderation or any thing else commendable even in our enemies and not to take any partie in the World for the absolute Standart and unfailing rule of truth and righteousnesse in all things And so it were indeed but I freely appeal to all ingenuous men if ever they heard ingenuitie exhorted to by two such disingenuous insinuations As first to recommend the moderation of a partie who after that they themselves had perjuriously broken their Covenant both to God and their Brethren did in such manner instigat the Powers to rigours exclusions and persecutions against all who in conscience did only refuse to owne and countenance their wicked Apostasy as had almost ruined a great part of the Kingdom and did at length wearie the very Actors And next to give out as if we were so implicitly wedded to our partie whereof the least Argument or vestige hath not been made appeare no nor is so much as alledged but but as al men do sufficiently know these restraints of want of power in the Clergieâ— and of better considerations in our Rulers that have produced the apparent quiet which is here pretended for moderation so we hope that by a full manifestation of the truth and righteousnesse of our way we have in such sort commended our selves to every mans conscience in the sigâ—t of God as there to leave this accuser of the brethren convicted and confounded boâ—h â—or his open perjury and craftâ— calumny But the Author as it seems fearing such a replyâ— provided a retrâ—at concluding But oh who would not long for the shadows of the evening and â—o bâ— at rest from all these poor childish trifling contestâ— I shall not say that since he walks so much in darknesse it is little wonder that he longe for shaddes But of this I am very certain that if he had laboured as seriously upon his Masters mâ—ssion to reconcile souls unto God as he seemeth to have travelled upon his Majesties commission â— to patch up a sinful Accommodation his hope of rest had been both more sweet and more assured and in place of the shadows of â—he evening he might have promised to himselfe the lâ—ght inaccessible for his everlasting refreshment But seing these very poor childishâ— trifling contests whereby he would cuningly decry all the just oppositions of the faithful to his evil course are in effect his own devices against the â—ingdome of our Lord Iesus the day wherein every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour shall make his work manifest when the fire shall try it And I heartily wish that the burning thereof may be all his losse After the body of one of these Letters we have a Postscript that is to say for all the longings for rest we just now heard of another whife As we know who once characâ—ered the Lords Servants when with much travel laâ—ouring in his work and herein the Author complementing wiâ—h an Apology otâ—er Churches joining Rome with England as is most supposible whâ—rein Episcopal-government is otherwiâ—e exercised wishes that â—he Aâ—gument ad hominem as he calls it by him used may be brought to the knowledge of such as know least of it and need it most And one part of his wish I am sure I have served by a very candid representation If the event misgive he must blame himself his design is to allay mens extreme fervor by the consideration that this very form which to us is hateful is to English Presbyterians desireable and that upon inquiry the Reformed Churches abroad will be found â—o be much of the same opinion But seeing I have already demonstrat our present form as established and exercised to be not only meer Prelacy but the very absurd usurpation of tâ—e Supremacy and have also at large excepted against â—he fixed Presidency of late proposed and shewed both what the soundest Presbyterians in England do think and all of them ought to think anent it Why doth our Author by such weak repeâ—itions pretend under the name of exâ—reme fervor to condemn an aveâ—sion which alas is in all to remisse One thing I shall only adde that whatever may be the thoughts of Presbyterians in England â— yet sure I am that their ingagements in order to Scotland are the same with ours and what these do import is already sufficiently declared As for the Reformed Châ—rches I neither decline nor use their testimonies We are fixed on surer foundations yet of this I am most perswaded that as abstracted general questions are but lame and blind discussions of cases of this nature so whereever our case shall be fully and clearly represented we shall report the assent of all the lovers of our Lord Iesus Châ—ist 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in incorruptness But we are told that perâ—aps it were not only lawful but expedient that these who now govern in â—his Church should in some insâ—ances use a little moâ—e authoriâ—ie then they do provided they applied their power â—o advance what is good and not at all againsâ— the truâ—h but alwayes for it And that all things being so far out of course the present condition of our Church Bâ— reason of the irreligion and profanitie that are gone forth from its Prophets unto the whole Land Doth require an extraordinary remedy I wish the Author were as sensible of â—he cause as he seems to be of the symptomes of the malady but to think that the present Church-governours in the conviction of all sober observers the main if not the only Authors of this mischief should be intrusted with the cure what more hopelesse or what more
by Proclamation cast out both of our places pulpits and parishes and that our former Church-assemblies being all at once in the same manner suppressed we never had any station in these present meetings pretending to the succession this pitiful quibling as if we had extirpate our selves when we was in effect expulsed iâ— but a poor and weak mint at witâ— altogether insufficient to colour its obvious impertinency As to what doth here ensue for proving that the preâ—ent Episcopal-government is not the same with that which by the Covenant we abjured and concerning the acceptation that it would find in England I am sure I have considered it at that length and discussed it upon such evident and certain grounds as neither the Authors reason nor his prejudice his impartiality nor partiality with all the patience he wished us and impatience which he himself often sheweth will be able satisfyingly to removeâ— Whether then the things mentioned in this place by the Author be indeed truths as he alledgeth or grosse errors and mistakes as I have evinced and his discerning in themâ— though the best he hathâ— sound or on the contrary a palpable delusionâ— I willingly leave it to the Readers ingenuity He saith if they be truths â— he is sure they are pertinent truths towards the healing of our sad divisions â—ut when he shall make as much serious search after the cause as he seemeth to be sensible of the effects then I am sure he shall acknowledge them to be not only untruths but most impertinent However if any list to be contentions he wisheth he could say of this Churchâ— we have no such custome And this wish I confesse is very consequent to both the Authors opinion and design For as we have heard him undervalue the Ordinance and Oath of God though most convincingly sealed amongst us by the Lords Power and presence unto modes and trifles to the effect he may gain to a compliance where he can not prevail by his simulat condescendencies so at present supposing them to be as little material as the length or shortnesse of the excrementitious hair he endeavours to enervat all the just opposition of the faithful with the reproach of strange contention But seing the things that we contend for do really merite that immovable stedfastnesse and constant perseverance so much commended by our Lords command and the example of all his followers we hope the custome of perfidious time-serving which the Prelats have so much practised in this distracted Church shall never be able to counterballance it And therefore as these men have by their vain carnal and violent contentions at best for their formalities butâ— in effect for fulfilling their sinâ—ul lusts and affections not only dis-edifiedâ— but destroyed and subverted the Church of God in this Land and disobeyed and disgraced the Prince of Peace whom they pretend to follow so let us as the fearers of the God of truth and true lovers of our Lord Iesus who is the Truth and also our Peace considering his example so much the more endure contradiction despise shame and reproach fight â—he good fight keep the faith and hold fast our integrity that we may attain unto that Crown of righteousnesse which the Lord the righteous Iudge shall give at that day unto all that love his appearing And now remaineth the Authors one word which he is sure is undeniable and he thinks very considerable and it is that he that cannot joyn with the present frame of this Church And if yow please to bring the matter nearer with the termes of the present Accommodation could not have lived in the Communion of the Christian Church in the time of the first most famous general Assembly of it the Conncil of Nice yea to go no higher though safely I might sayes he he must as certainly have separated from the whole catholick Church in the dayes of the holy Bishop and Martyr Cyprian upon this very scruple of the Government as Novatus did upon another occasion Whence the Author doth draw his assurance and whereon it is that he would have us to bestow our consideration I wish he had been more explicite That in the times to which he referres there was an Episcopacy well advanced in the Church and consequently a corruption contracted in its government and yet by all quietly comported with I do not deny and to this if it should be repliedâ— that there is a hudge disparity betwixt a corruption contracted in lawful government still holding the head and substance by our Lords authority given to His Church the worst that can be supposed of these primitive times and a Government fundamentally corrupt deriving all its power from him to whom it doth not belong and founded in an Antichristian â—upremacy the certain character of the present constitution I am confident the Author would not be able to make any satisfying reâ—urn But the true account of the matter is that in these ancient times this Prostasia having crept in and from small beginings and under very specious pretenses grown up insensibly in the Church and the mystery therein secretly working not having openly disclosed it self it is little wonder that though by the more discerning the evill might be feared yet never the lesse no remedy offering it was not directly opposed whereas in our dayes this latent corruption with its most pernicious tendency and bitterfruits being fully discovered and thereupon by us solemnly ejected and abjured and now onâ—â— re-obtruded under the guilding of some apparent condescendencies the better to suppresse the true Government of Gods house which we are bound to preserve and for establishing the Supâ—emacy the very consummation of this iniquity Certainly these things do import a most manifest difference I shall not here stand to cleare how that an Oath though taken upon a matter antecedently binding doth neverthelesse in such manner superinduce a â—urther obligation as doth not only more strictly bind to vigilance and circumspection but also to a measure of zeal against defection beyond the opposition to that same material transgression formerly required nor need I to put any in minde how that the sacrificing to the Lord in the high places permitted without reproof to Samuel David and Solomon before the building of the Temple did afterward make an exception from the integrity of succeeding Princes Certainly to judge that the continuance of an evill and a relapse into it are of the same nature and that at this time we may have the same compliance with this episcopal Presidency which once it found in the Church under quite different circumstances were grossly to confound times despise warnings trample upon deliverances and violate the Oath of God nay further to contradict even the principles of these times mentioned and that to that hight that I am assured were the same ancient Christians boasted of on liâ—e to see the sad effects that have ensued upon their well-meaning practices and the patrociny which is thence taken for the
backsliding and overtâ—rning of our dayesâ— their godly sorrow would work in them a carefulnesse a clearing of themselves an inâ—ignation a fear a vehement desire a zeal yea and a revenge above all the detestation that our Author and his followers do commonly calumniat as fury amongst us And Cyprian in place of his particular above cited Conâ—titutâ— c. opposed to the then aspiring Prelaâ—y would become a Presbyterian of the strictest form and therefore though I do not owne these accusations of schism total breach of communion with the Church wherein the Authour is pleased to state and phrase the difference of present practice from that of the ancient Church But on the contrary I have often and plainly declared that the sin attending the compliance urged is the plain cause and measure of our withdrawing Yet that our abstaining from the present Church-meetings so widely differing from these of the ancient Church and invironed with circumstances no lesse variant doth not give ground to so much as that seeming opposition in practice which the Author objects But on the contrary is the very same which all the faithful therein would have chosen upon the like exigence I am confident all true and serious observers will very readily acknowledge and consequently that this the Authors one and last word notwithstanding of the enforcing epithets of undeniable and very considerable wherewith he seconds it is neverthelesse nothing singular from all the rest premised Having thus largely digressed in the review of these Papers and therein discussed most of the arguments used for this Accommodation it remains that I follow forth the second Article where I left And though for the better reaching of the outmost of our Adversaries pretensions I have supposed Prelacy to be thereby reduced to a simple Presidency and in this sense argued against it yet since it is certain that the nomination and election of the Episcopus Praeses who when present is to preside and when absent doth at best only permit a precarious suffection is not to be committed to the Presbyteries suffrage but absolutely reserved to his Majesty and next that the general of all Church-affaires and what may be meant by management whether the decision only when proposed to the Assembly or both the proposing and deciding do seem to require a further explication I think the Article is further liable to these exceptions I shall not here repeat what I have said against the unwarrantablenesse and inevitable prejudice of the abridgement of tâ—e Churches just liberty in the choise of its Moderators in its several Assemblies and his Majesties usurpation in this point the thing which I at present note as defective and which was also much desiderat is a clear explanation whether the power and liberty of proposing be aswel offered in this Article to the free vote of the meetings as the power of deciding seems thereby to be conceded or whether according to the scheme of our National Synod as now setled by Authority of Parliament the power of proposing is not still to be the privilege of the constant moderatorâ— or rather his Majesties prerogative to be exercised by the meer intervention of the fixed Praeses as his instrument I shall not criticize nor ask how the proposal came to be set down in these terms That all Church-affaires shall he managed in Presbyteries Synods by their free vote rather then thus that they shall be managed by Presbyteries Synods their free vote Onely this I may affirme that the second member of my doubt is no lesse probable consonant to the tenor and prescript of the Act mentioned then evidently elusory of all the other liberties proposed But wherefore do I hesitat in these smaller mattersâ— The thing here principally to be observed is that as by the present establishment annexing Church power and jurisdiction to the Kings Crown and Prerogative and thereby subverting all true Church-government and making the pretended Presbyteries and Synods only the â—ing and the Prelats their pitiful Conventicles the first Article inviting to Presbyteries Synods is rendered vain and void all its cautions impertinent So the Supremacy now more then ever prevalentâ— is with this second article and all the offer of liberty therein held out plainly inconsistent for proof whereof I only desire that the two may be impartially compared The Article sayes that all Church-affaires shall be managed in Presbyteries or Synods by their free vote And the Act of Supremacy statutes that his Magesty may enact concerning all meetings and matters Ecclesiastick what in his Royal misdome he shall think fit How then can these two consist or in what manner can they be reconciled If these Meetings and the power of the Supremacy were both of the same kinde and did stand in the same line I know the subordination of Synods and Presbyteries to General Assemblies might easily explain the difficulty but seing a subordination of this â—ort betwixt these Courts and this high prerogative would in effect distroy their true being and essence and on the other hand to imagine that by this Accommodation there is any derogation of the Supremacy intended so much as to be connived at were foolish and presumtuous It is clear that the Supremacy and the liberty here pretended cannot rationally be composed if therefore the Accommodators would deal uprightly in this affair let them first shew us where these Presbyteries and Synods are to which they would have us to come and next cause us to understand the truâ—h and reality of the just liberty they seem to offer and then boast of their condescendencies But while they suppose things for uncontroverted grounds which are warrantably and plainly by us denied and then would ingage us by a form of specious concessions wanting al real foundation they only discover their own palpable weaknesse or more unpardonnable disingenuity The third Article bears If any difference fall out in the diocesian Synods betwixt any of the members thereof it shall be lawful to appeal to a Provincial or their Committy That this Provincial is founded upon and overswayed by the Supremacy and therâ—by manifestly disprovable as neither a true Ecclesiastick-Court nor enjoying any competent measure of power liberty is abundantly confirmed by the arguments above adduced against the preceeding articles The singularites that here occurre are that the constitution of a Provincial Assemâ—ly being a Court not in use amongst us should have been expresly declared 2. That if we may guesse at this by Vshers reduction and according to the present establishment it must consist of members viz. the Bishops and Deans or constant Moderators of the province both more unwarranâ—able as to their office and corrupt in their practices then the ordinary constituents of inferior meetings 3. That this provincial is to have a Committie which being yet very unlawfully established for a perpetual Court can only conduce to the greater strengthening of the Archbishop's primacy and the oversway of
contrivance We have heard in the second Article that he is willing that Chnrch-matters be managed in Presbyteries and Synods by the vote of the plurality a fair insinuation that the matter of Ordination shall be in the same manner transacted And in this Article he leaves the trial to the Presbytery consents that if possible the Ordination be at the parish Church where one shall be appointed to preach and lastly is content differences falling in be referred to the Superior Courts all fair generals But wherefore no mention who shall be the actual ordainers whether the Bishop and whole Presbytery or the Bishop alone in behalfe and as Mederator of the Presbytery or the Bishop alone as indeed something greater whether as in a superior order or only in a higher degree is but a School nicety then either a Presbyter or the Presbytery to whose office this part doth properly belong And as to these things though we be left in the dark yet many palpable indications lead us to feel this last to be the thing designed against which if I might now stand to debate I could show this not only to be contrary to Evangelick parity and simplicity and Apostolick practice and destitute even of these pretended testimonies of the next Ages for a fixed prostasia but that it hath been one of the main impostures of the prelatick Spirit first injuriously to usurpe and then mysteriously to involve the matter of Ordination that the Bishops might have the dignity to be its proper dispensators and the mystery of iniquity be the more thereby advanced But the point here most remakable is that apprehending his condescendencies might render him as being obnoxious to the plurality of voices of lesse power and influence in this affair Behold how craftily he goeth about to salve his negative which he may not for fear of a discovery plainly owne and that is by making the appointment of the day for ordaining to depend on his and the Presbyteries joynt agreement wherein if he please to be a dissenter It is certain that his not assenting to this circumstance will be of no lesse consequence for his purpose then if he had reserved unto himself an inhibiting veto upon the substance of the whole businesse Now that this power in what sort soever by him couched and covered is not to be allowed his want of any sufficient warrant for it doth aboundantly evinceâ— And further what the Scripture and Apostolick rule in this affair is these few considerations may in this place satisfie 1. That the power of Ordinantion is certainly annexed to dependent upon the pastoral charge for seing that the cure committed to the Apostles and by them to succeeding Pastors could not be perpetuat without a succession the evident reason of the thing it self with the import of that command The things that thou hast heard of me the same commit thou to faithful men who shall be able to teach others also do plainly perswade the assertion 2. As we find in Scripture the Apostles and others upon occasion by themselves alone ordaining so whereever a concurrence did offer we may observe the Act to be alwayes joyntly done and administrat so we find the twelve joyntly ordaining and laying their hands upon the seven Deacons without any prerogative acclaimed by Peter who yet if falshoods may be compared hath more apparent grounds in Scripture for his Primacy then can be shewed for the Presidency of any Bishop Next we have the fraternity of Prophets and Teachers at Antioch sending forth and imposing hands upou Barnabas and Saul by a like equall conjunction 3. It is said of Paul and Barnabas that they in a plural union Did ordain Elders in every Church And 4. it is manifest that Paul by reason of his concurrence with other Presbyters in the Ordination of Timothie doth attribut the same act indifferently to his own hands and to the hands of the Presbytery Which Scripture-grounds being joyned to the want of any probable reason for this singularity and the manifestly woful and sad consequences of this Episcopal imparity with the present unquestionable design of bearing down the just liberty and authority of the Lord's Ministers in a convenient Subserviency to mens lusts and wickednesse by the stiff and inflexible retaining of this privilege do I am confident make out the eccentrick preheminence acclaimed to be not only in it self unlawfull but by our solemn Oaths to maintain Presbytery and extirpat every thing that shall be found to be contrary to sound Doctrine and the power of godlinesse perpetually abjured Seing therefore that this Article doth certainly imply this corruption as I have above declared that it can have no better acceptance from us then the preceeding needeth no further reasoning As for the other trifling circumstances whereby the principal thing in it is endeavoured to be palliat they do not merite any more speciall inquiry The fift Article is It is not to be â—oubâ—ed but the Lord Commissioner will make good what he offered anent the establishment of Presbyteries and Synods and we trust his Grace will procuâ—e such security to the Brethren for declaring their judgment that they may do it without any hazard in counterveening any law and that the Bishop shall humbly and earnestly recommend this to his Grace This Article made up of uncertain assurances ridiculous trusts and the Bishop's conformable undertaking is already by me sufficientâ—y examined in the very entry of this discourse and there told that what the Commissioner did undertake anent the establishment of Presbyteries I did not exactly know but if it was that which is reported viz that they should be set up as preceeding the 1638. I thought it could contribute notâ—ing to the removal of our just exceptions I shall not here offend the Reader by a vain repetition but seing the grounds formerly laid down are very material and yet by the most part little adverted to it will not be amisse that after the full and plain account I have given of these matters I again run over them and 1. That according to the principles of truth Presbyteries are not founded in any humane establishment but in the right and Authority which our Lord hath given unto his Church is our constant perswasion so that though the accessory confirmation and countenance of the powers may be of great use to and no lesse acceptance with the Church yet it is no part of their original right 2. Before the 1638. and even until the Year 1661. Presbyteries were founded and did continue in this Church not by vertue of any Act of â—arliament whereby they were properly authorized but upon the basis of that intrinseck right which I have already mentioned Thus having conveened and settled themselves shortly after the Reformation they continued their possession uninterrupted until the Year 1661. It is true they obtained the confirmation of King and Parliament in the Year 1592. as also in the Year 1612. many corruptions introduced and
there is good reason to believe that it were not only Lawfull for these that now governe in this Church but if prejudice hindered not might prove expedient and useful for the good of the Church it self that they did use in some instances a little more authoritie nor they do and yet might still be very far off from proud and tyrannical domination never applying their power to obstruct what is good but to advance it and not at all against the truth but alwayes for it and while they do so the Atheisme and profanness that abounds cannot reasonablie be imputed to the nature of the Government as too commonly it is by some but rather to the schisme that is made by withdrawing and dividing from it For there is not a greater enemie in the World to the power of Religion then the wranglings and bitter contentions that are caused about the external formes of it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Nazianzen pathetically begins one of his orations for peace I confess I have sometime wondered to see some wise and good men after all that can be said to them make so great reckoning of certain Metaphysical exceptions against fome little words formalities of difference in the Government and set so little a value upon so great a thing as is the peace of the Church Oh when shall the loud and harsh noises of our debates be turned to the sweeter sound of united prayers for this blessed peace that we might cry with one heart and voice to the God of peace who alone can give it Pacem te poscimus omnes and if we be real supplicants for it we would bewar of being the disappointers of our own desires and of obstructing the blessing we pray for and therefore would mainly study a temper receptive of it and that is great meekness and charitie and certainly whatsoever partie or opinion we follow in this matter the badge by which we must be known to be followers of Iesus Christ is this that we love one another and that law unquestionably is of divine right and therefore would not be broken by bitter passion and revilings and rooted hatreds one against another for things about which the right is in dispute betwixt us and however that be are we Christians Then doubtless the things wherein we agree are incomparablely greater then these wherein we disagree and therefore in all reason should he more powerful to unite us then the other to divide us But to restrain my selfe and stop here if we love both our own and the Churches peace there be two things I conceive we should most carefully avoide the bestowing of too great zeal upon small things and too much fidence of opinion upon doubtful things It is a mad thing to rush on hard and boldly in the darke and we all know what kind of person it is of whom Solomon sayes That he rages and is confident The second Letter SIR The question betwixt us is not concerning Bishops governing absolutely by themselves and their delegates but concerning Bishops governing in conjunction with Presbyters in Presbyteries and Synods of which vve affirme That it is neither contrary to the Scriptures nor the example of the primitive Church but must agreeable to both If any think othervvayes let them produce their evidences of Scripture and antiquity If they say it is not enough to make such a forme lavvful that it is not contrary to Scripture but there ought to be an expresse command or rule in Scripture to vvarrand it they vvill sure be so just as to be subject to the same Lavv themselves Let them then produce such an express command or rule for their ovvn model of Kirk-sessions Presbyteries Synods Provincial National and a commission of the Kirk in their several dependences and subordinations for the ordinary and constant govâ—rnmâ—nt and exercise of discipline in the Church and the necesâ—ary changing of the moderators in these meetings excepting only that of the Kiâ—k-session vvherein the Minister is constanly to moderat for vvithout such an express rule as this a Bishop or fixed Prâ—sident may very vvel consist vvith that vvhole from they contend for And it is really and actually so at this present in this Church and they stand so much the rather obliged to bring a clear command for these Iudicatories and their subordinations because they affirme them to be of unquestionable divine right and the very Kingdome of Christ upon earth and the only lavvâ—ul and absolutely necessary Government of the Christian Church vvhâ—reas the asserters of other forms do not usuâ—lly speak so big If they shall say they are not against a fixed Prâ—sident or Bishop or call him vvhat you vvill for to contest about names â—specially in so grave a matter is trivial and childish but that the question is about their povvâ—r then vve beg that it may be so Let that be all the question betvvixt us and then vve hope the controversie vvill be quickly ended for vve trust vve shall be found not at all desireous to usurpe or effect any undue povver but rather to abate of that povver vvhich is reasonable and conforme even to primitive Episcopacie then that a schisme should continue in this Church upon that score But be it supposed that Bisbops do stretch their power somewhat beyond their line let all the World judge whether Ministers are for that ingaged to leave their Station and vvithdravv from those meetings of the Church vvhich themselves approve of for the exercise of Discipline yea and as many of them have done to separate from the publick Worship and vvhole communion of the Church because of some degree of vvrong done them as they think in that point of povver or vvether they had not sufficiently acquitted themselves and discharged there Consciences by free declaring of their opinion concerning that matter modestly desiring the redress of it patiently waiting for it though it be not presently redress'd continuing in the performance of their own duty to their power though others above them or about them do transgress theirs or seem at least to them to do so otherwise if we think our selves obliged for every thing that is or that vve judge faulty in other persons or in the frame of things to relinquish either the communion of it or our station in it vvhat vvill there be but endless svvarmes of separations and divisions in any Church under the Sun But there is one thing in this business of ours that stickes after all the rest The Covenant As to that waving all the irregularities of it though so many and so great that in the judgement of diverse both wise and good men they seem to annul the obligation of it suppose it still to bind all that took it and suppose likewise that the present Episcopacy in this Church is that same that was abjured in that Covenant yet the Article relating thereto obliges each one only to this to endeavour whithin there calling and station
parity cannot be concluded from our Saviour's command It shall not be so with you nor any other of his holy injunctions of moderation humility meekness for that would destroy all Church-government and all Superiority of Pastors over other Elders and Deacons and over their People If all imparitie of Rule in Ecclesiastick Persons were inconsistent with these great Laws of our holy profession the Apostles themselves would have been the first most signal transgressors It is answered If from the Text It shall not be so with you I were contending for an absolute paritie in all respects among all Church-officers and Members in as much as thereby all their distinction with the whole oversight of Pastors should be taken away without doubt the objection would be unanswerably concludent but seeing the divisions of Church-officers in extraordinarie and ordinarie and of the ordinarie in Pastors Elders and Deacons with the imparity thence resulting is not so much as by us questioned the laxeness of such arguing doth merite a more severe censure then at preseâ—t I am inclined to use It is therefore to be considered that as the several powers offices and gifts by our Lord institute in and given unto his Church with their beautiful order and subordination are by us very chearfully acknovvledged and no constructive imparitie that may be thence inâ—inferred in the least doubted so neither is the same a proper imparity a thing only incident to Officers of the same kind Nor if it vvere is it the imparitie at present under debate vvhich being an imparitie of place or other the like priviledge attribute to one exclusive of others of the same order is the only subject of the controversie Which standing thus in plain termes vvhether or not our Lord by appointing his Apostles and their successors the Ministers of the Gospel in the same equalitie of power as Brethren and quelling all there competitions about the majority and preâ—erence by reducing them to the lowe degree of Servants without any distinction except what may arise from a greater measure of humility and diligence hath thereby discharged all imparitie of power and presidencie among them I am confident that not only the simple proposal doth conclude the affirmative but render the absurditie here objected against it widely impeâ—tâ—nâ—nt I say then for a distinct answer 1. That the paritie by us pleaded is not indeed to be concluded from any of our Lords holy injunctions of Moderation humilitie and meekness to insinuat the tontrarie to be our assertion is not only a plain calumnie seeing all men know that the highest as vvell as the lovvest of men constitute in lavvful degrees are liable to these sacred instâ—uctions but also a desingenuous artifice to make it be thought that we take the command it shall not be so among you for a meer precept of that kind and thereby surrender one of our main arguments in as much as it is rather from the intimation it contains of the Apostles their future condition then from any precept of humilitie that may be thence inferred that it strongly concludeth my position 2. Although the command It shall not be so among you doth not prohibit the different orders and degrees of Church-officers whether extraordinarie or ordinarie of our Lords appointment which both manifest reason and the genuine import of the antithesis do plainly evince yet that all that superior eminencie and coactive authoritie whereby the Princes and great ones of the earth are properlie from others distinguished is here removed from Church administrations and Lordlie Prelacie with all its priviledges and dignities thereby discharged is obvious to the meanest capacity 3. As these words It shall not be so among you do in the first place clear the nature and manner of ecclesiastick in opposition to secular rule So it is from the ensuring ampliation but whosoever will be great among you let him be your Minister c. that consistentlie with the former declaration the paritie by us pleaded of ofâ—icers in the same order all imparitie whatsoever among Church-officers resulting meerly from a greater eminencie of place and dignity is utterly excluded I say resulting meerly from a greater eminencie c. For that Apostles Evangelists in respect of their extraordinarie qualities and employments and Pastors and ruling Elders in respect of their different charges are stated in a kind of imparitie is not at all controverted but the question being plainly concerning the lawfulness of an imparitie not from any special power trust or gift given by our Lord but from an higher place and dignitie having no other foundation then a greater measure and larger interest in the Government conâ—erred by man upon the person therewith vested I affirme that not only among officers of the same kind and order but among all Church-officers whatsoever this is an imparitie of rule in ecclesiastick persons as litle countenanced by the superioritie of Pastors over â—ther Elders and deacons and the whole sâ—ock or by the Apostles their practice as our Lords discourse and command to the twelve upon the sute of the brothers doth certainly condemne that Proedrie whereunto they pretended As for our Authors anticipation viz. that to say the Apostles were extraordinarie persons would upon the supposition of their imparity in the point of rule say nothing but that they were extraordinarie transgressors it is like many other his mistakes wherein thâ— glances of an iâ—consiâ—erat phansie do very visiliet preoccupy his judgment for seeing the imparitie which our Lord doth condemne and we do disown is an iâ—paritie consiâ—â—ing in the inequalitie of place and dignity in one and the same order and not that imparitie which ariseth from an extraordinarie office power or gift of our Lords ordaining it is evident that the imparitie of the Apostles extraordinarie officers compared with ordinarie Presbyters doth not in the least contradict and that the Author by imagining the answer of their being extraordinarie persons to import no more then that they were extraordinarie transgressors doth only shew his extraordinarie inadvertence And really when I consider that notwithstanding the different orders of offices which Christ hath ordained in the Church he hath nevertheless most expresly stated his Apostles and in their persons all succeeding Pastors in an exact equalitie and clearly discharged all pretensions to any sort of majoritie or preference among them and that even our adversaries themselves do not maintaiâ— their Episcopus Praeses by any claim of succession to these superior officers at first by our Lord institute I do not only wonder to find my Author in this objection so foolishly and rawly confounding the imparitie of place and preheminence in one and the same order by us from Gods word rejected with the imparitie of orders by the Lord established but am fully of the opinion that the more eminent degree of a fixed President is yet more unreasonable then the distin order of superior prelats although in the seeming acknowledgment of our
But yet the author saith that this is an excess not to be found in the vvhole Christian vvorld beside And if he cannot condescend on any instance clothed with our circumâ—â—ances and exactly parallel to our case is it not as manifest that the generality of this boast is a meer empty inconcludent flourish If he love to plead with such arguments let him produce me any one of all these Churches Societies or Parties which he musters up that after having experimented the evill and bitter fruits of episcopacy and searched after its origen and warrant unto a clear conviction of its want of divine institution and full discovery of the delusion of its rise and the wickedness of its tendencie did in a manner unanimouslly both by law canon and oath abrogat and reforme from it and when by the politick influence of Court designes and State projects and the practices of the Devil and his instruments the same episcopacy was restored seven times worse then of before and so with a most plenary confirmation of all these grievances formerly objected against it did in the most pure and conspicuous zeal of God that ever acted in any Nation reject this corrupt plant and bind themselves to maintain the true Ordinance of God introduced in its place and extirpat every thing thereto opposit by a most solemn Covenant and in consequence thereof enjoy the Gospel in very observable povver and plenty untill that by as gross perjury and violence as ever the Sun beheld this Covenant is again condemned the Lords work and Ordinance subsubverted and this old Episcopacy not only with a sevenfold but with a seventie and sevenfold encrease of all its corruptions and wickednesses re-esstablished and lastly the Supremacie the complement of all Ecclesiastical usurpations with an explication broader then all the pretensions of the Papacy is superadded For the better securing of all which abominations after full proof made of all that abused authority and power could do against a faithful non-conforming remnant policy at length doth instruct to propose an Accommodation upon termes seemingly indeed condescending but really corroborative of the present establishment and most visibly suppressive of any reliques of dissent or opposition which possibly might revive against it Now let the Author I say produce us an instance of any Church or Society thus circumstantiat if not only the faithful remnant therein but the generality of all the serious fearers of God and true lovers of our Lord Iesus shall not give their suffrage on our side nay the case being thus proposed as in truth it stands if even these to whom he appeals do not clearly declare for us then let us beare the scorn of singularitie and what worse he shall please to cast upon us forever But lest the Author imagine that vvhat I have here represented vvith an especial regard to the strengthening of the Lords People in this Land to vvhom none of these things are hidden or unknovvn doth rather proceed from an apprehension of a cross verdict upon the simple question of the fixed Presidencie from the Persons and Churches to vvhom he referres I grant that amongst the Reformers and in those Churches mentioned there may be found good men vvho not being led by the concernment of their own condition unto a more near and strict examination of the thing and rather comparing its appearing moderation with the exorbitancies of Prelacy then reducing matters to their first institution have written of it more indulgently and respectfully But as it hath not been the experimented and trying caâ—e of any Christian Church as it hath been of ours and as the Authors that seeme to favour it do all of them agree that it is not of divine institution but do unanimously recomend it upon that account so I am confident that if the examples of the same Reformers and Churches in occurrences of less importance may found a probable conjecture it may very fairly thence be concluded that if they had been or were now stated in the same circumstances with us they would as far exceed us in this faint and languishing zeal whereof we are accused as by the Author we are now construed to exceed them With what truth reason or civility then the Author is pleased according to the dull affectations of his oraculous wit to tell the World that there is no reason can be given of this our zeal unless that word of the Roman Philosopher Superstitio est error insanus it is no hard matter to judge But if he account it superstition for us aâ—ter our most convincing experiences of the woful evills of his episcopacie and no inferior perswasion that the way of Presbyterie is of divine appointment in this matter to adhere constantly to Scripture rules and Covenant ingagements vve freely confess vvith the Apostle Paul that after the vvay vvhich he calleth supestition so vve feare the God of our Fathers and love our Lord Iesus Christ beleeving all things that are vvritten and having hope also tovvards God vvho in the midst of the years can and may revive his vvork In vvhich profession though the Author do judge us to be beside our selves yet vve are ascertained that not only all the faithful that have any conscience in these things but also all ingenuous men will answer for us that Sir we are not mad but speak forth the words of truth and soberness It remains that I consider the Author's additional reflection upon our two Covenants And as to what he prefaces of his having sufficiently cleared that the Article of the League touching prelacie as it is there specified doth not at all concern the Episcopacy in queâ—â—ion I bâ—leeve I have as â—ufficienâ—ly clâ—ared both the Authors impertinency in this restriction and also the unquestionable concern of both our covenants from other heads in the episcopacy controverted But here he insinuats that of late he is informed That we now flie to the other Article of the Covenant ingaging us to maintain the Discipline and Government of the Church of Scotland as it was then in being and hereupon he wishes that we would impartially consider wether the present Episcopacy be inconsistent with that Discipline Government or if it will not rather be found to be corroboraâ—â—ve and perfective of it as apt to keep it in more union so to make it stronger and more lasting then it formerly proved or likely would be if it were again restored It is answered It is not here objected that by swearing to maintain the then established Discipline and Government we did not virtually renounce and abjure the present controverted Episcopacie no both the Reformation that had then so recently preceeded and the Reformation that hath since so directly overturned it do make this point too evident to be denied by the Author or any pretâ—nding to common sense But the summe of what is here proposed is that we were not well advised in that our Oath as having thereby excluded a special mean