benefices were called Bishops had by their own usurpation and the slavish disposition of their brethren obtained some degree and power over them They did come into England and without the consent or knowledge of the Church received consecration and returning home did consecrate others like themselves II. Of their calling AS no man ought to presume to enter into any office Ecclesiasticall without an inward calling from God who only discerneth the intentions and desires of the heart whether they be earthly or heavenly whether they be set upon the glory of God and edifying of the Church or upon the means of this life So are there none here admitted without the approbation and judgement of men according to the rules of the Word and the received order of the Church This outward calling of the Officers of the Church doth consist in Election and Ordination after due triall and examination of their soundnesse in religion and godlinesse of life For the better understanding of the order of the calling of their Ministers it is to be considered That in every one almost of their Classes or greater Presbyteries there be Students of Divinity whereof some if they have opportunity of their Studies do make their abode within the bounds of the Presbytery and attend the meetings thereof Others who are the greater part stay at the Universities and in the time of vacation come home and wait upon the Presbytery The abilities of both the one sort and the other are tryed in private before the Presbytery and how soon they are found fit to come in publike they enter upon the exercise or prophecy with the Ministers of the Presbytery and at sometimes are employed and allowed to preach before the people By which mean their gifts and abilities are known to the people as their manners are manifest by their conversing amongst them Out of the number of these Proposants or as they call them Expectants the Pastor is nominated to the vacant place by the Eldership and by the Minister if any be with the consent and good liking of the people and if they can pitch upon none within the bounds of their own Presbytery they have their liberty to make their choice of an Expectant of good esteem and report in some other Presbytery The Person thus known and nominated is by the particular Eldership named to the greater Presbytery where he is examined of his skill in the Languages Latine Greek and Hebrew in his interpreting of Scripture in the controversies of Religion in his gift of exhortation in the holy and Ecclesiasticall History and Chronologie And first of all Of his life and manner of conversation wherein if he be found vitious or scandalous he is not to be admitted to any other examination Being thus examined and found qualified for that charge he is sent to the vacant place that the people hearing him may have the greater assurance of his gifts for edification After the people have heard him some Minister of the Presbytery is appointed to preach to that people of the necessity of the Ministery of the excellency of a faithfull Minister of the qualities of a Minister and of the obedience due to the Gospel or of some such Theme And at the same time a publike Edict is served That if any person or persons have any thing to object against the literature doctrine or life of such a man why he may not be a profitable Minister of such a Parish They shall appear before the Presbytery in such a place and at such a time that their objections may be tryed and discussed Upon the day appointed the Door-keeper of the Presbyterian meeting doth call three severall times if there be any to object against the Person nominated and if any thing be alleadged against him by any of that particular flock or any other to whom he is known it is duely and equally pondered by the Presbytery and if it be found to have any weight or the case be doubtfull the ordination is suspended till a more perfect triall Otherwise if there be nothing but silence they use to proceed So that no man is here obtruded upon the people against their open or tacite consent and approbation or without the voices of the particular Eldership with whom he is to serve in the Ministery But if the person nominated be a Pastor of some other flock and his faithfulnesse known in his former charge this processe is spared and his translation more speedily expede if there be no impediments of another kinde Upon the day appointed for accomplishing his election and for his ordination which is in due time made known to the Congregation and agreed upon with them a Fast is ordained to be kept with more than ordinary supplication for the assistance and blessing of God in a work of so great concernment And one of the Pastors of the Presbytery is appointed to preach to that people of the mutuall duties of Pastor and people All which being done the party who during the time of the exercise of publike worship hath been sitting in a conspicuous place before the Pulpit accompanied with the Elders and some Ministers of the Presbytery is called up and demanded concerning his willingnesse and desire to serve the Lord JESUS for the good of that people with other questions of that kinde and the people also are demanded whether they will receive him for their Pastor and submit themselves unto his Ministery in the Lord. Both having declared their readinesse and mutuall consent The Minister cometh from the Pulpit and with so many of the Ministers present as may conveniently come neer lay their hands upon his head and in the Name of JESUS do appoint him to be the Pastor of that people praying that from JESUS CHRIST who is at the right hand of the Father and giveth gifts unto men he may finde the demonstration of the Spirit and the power and blessing of GOD in his Ministery to the comfort of that people Therafter the whole Eldership give unto him the right hand of fellowship And last of all the Minister goeth to the Pulpit and concludeth the whole action with pertinent thanksgiving and prayers a Psalm is sung and the Assembly dissolved with the blessing By this it may appear that Pastors or Presbyters are not there admitted at large without assignation to a particular flock like Masters of Art or Doctors of Physick They conceive it to be as preposterous for Ordination to go before the Election of Ministers in the Church as it is first to Crown a King or Install a Magistrate and thereafter to choose him next in the ordination of their Ministers they use none of the ridiculous toyes and apish conceits of Popery but according to the simplicity of the Apostolicall and ancient Church content themselves with Fasting Prayer and Imposition of hands Prayer to bring down a blessing upon the person on whose head the hands are laid and Fasting to make the prayer to ascend the more
THE GOVERNMENT AND ORDER OF THE CHVRCH OF SCOTLAND NVMB. 23. and 24. How goodly are thy tents O Iacob and thy Tabernacles O Israel for this house full of silver and gold I would not curse for how shall I curse whom God hath not cursed or how shall I defie whom the Lord hath not defied COL 2. 5. Though I be absent in the flesh yet am I with you in the spirit joycing and beholding your order and the stedfastnesse of your faith in Christ. Printed Anno MDCXLI To the Reader MY desires at this time to know and to make known to others the form of Government and order of worship used in the Church of Scotland have brought these following lineaments to light There come daily into my hands without my seeking some one forme of Church Government or other as the divers Authors from their love to Reformation in their judgements did conceive But I must confesse they did the lesse relish with me that they were directions and modells without the example or practise of any of the Christian Churches and were Abstract Idea's of discipline in the minds of men and not Disciplina in Subjecto One I had Titled The forme of government used in the Church of Scotland but being nothing but an Abridgement and containing generalls onely It did not satisfie I found also many of the godly much wearied of the Prelacy who yet bow their shoulder to bear and couch down between the two burthens because being unacquainted with the Government of the Reformed Churches they do not know what to choose and fear as to them who are in the dark is usuall they know not what Such as these do rather suffer themselves to be led away with the policy of Pacuvius at Capua which in such a case was cmmendable then resolve to follow the faith of Abraham when the Lord called him Get the out of thy Countrey c. into a Land which I will shew thee Gen. 12. 1. What he was to forsake and the Terminus à quo of his removing he did know But whether he was to go and the Terminus ad quem he did not know resting assured that God would shew it him In our own affairs we may think the evill known to be better then the good unknown But it holdeth not in the matters of God nor when we speak of Malum turpe and bonum honestum the evill of sinne and the good of obedience But as they who travell from the South to the North losing the sight of the one Pole come in sight of the other and as they go on the North Pole is elevated to them by degrees So is it here if men would once forsake and turn their back upon that which they know to be wrong and would ask the way to Zion with their faces thither ward the Lord would teach them his way I must confesse that I did give too much ear and audience to the misinformation of many so may I call it now after true imformation who would have made me to believe 1. That the true government of that Church was Episcopall and that beside the order of Episcopacy there was nothing in that Church but disorder and confusion through the Parity of their Ministers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that all did speak and no man did hear any thing of another 2. That they had no certain rule or direction for their publike worship but that every man following his extemporary fansie did preach and pray what seemed good in his own eyes And 3. which was to me an huge rock of offence That they were enemies to Kings for no other cause but that they are Kings and out of a desire of Anarchy did preferre Democracie to Monarchicall Government Great crimes I can not deny and much to be abhorred for they are destructive of all Ecclesiasticall and Civile Order and do break both the staves of beauty and of bonds But upon tryall I did remember that if accusation were guiltinesse no party conld be innocent and found that it was nothing so as was alledged for concerning the first I called to minde the practise of a painter of old who being desired to represent the body of Hercules did expresse nothing of the lineaments of his face stature or members but did onely make a resemblance of the Lyons skin which he was wont to carry about as the badge of his strength and the Trophee of his honour Episcopacy was never the face nor order of that Church In the most part of their assemblies have they conflicted with it and by the strength of God obtaining the victory both of old and much more of late They may well number it among their spoiles The order of their Ministers each one standing in his own station and none usurping over another and the Subordination of their foure kindes of assemblies joyning the consent and obedience of the people are the face and strength of that Church Against the second The form of prayers administration of the Sacraments admission of Ministers Excommunication solemnizing os marriage visitation of the sick c. which are set down before their Psalm-Book and to which the Ministers are to conforme themselves is a sufficient witnesse for although they be not tyed to set formes and words yet are they not left at randome but for testifying their consent and keeping unity they have thelr directory and prescribed order No where hath preaching and the ministery more spirituall and lesse carnall liberty the Presbytery and assemblies encouraging to the one and restraining from the other And against the third Their Confession of Faith the doctrine and prayers of their Church their late declarations and remonstrances and what is contained in â—he conclusion of this Treatise expresse as much respect and reverence to magistracy as any Christian Prince will require I was also strongly drawn to the liking of that Church by the Testimonies given unto their Reformation by some of the most famous witnesses of this age One is of that worthy Scottish Martyr Mr. George Wischeart This Realm shall be illuminate with the light of Christs Gospel as clearly as ever was Realm since the dayes of the Apostles The house of God shall be builded in it yea it shall not lack watsoever the enemy imagine to the contrary the very top-stone the glory of God shall evidently appear and shall once triumph in despight of Satan But alas if the people shall be after unthankfull then fearfull and terrible shall the plagues be that after shall follow Hist. of the Church of Scotland pag. 108. Another of Beza Magnum hoc Dei munus quod una religionem puraÌ„ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doctrinae viz. retinendae vinculum in Scotiam intulistis Sic obsecro obtestor haec duo simul retinete ut uno amisso alterum diu permanere non posse semper memimeritis Sicut Episcopi papatum pepererunt ita pseudoepiscopos papatus reliquias EpicureismuÌ„ terris invecturos hanc
fervently This liberty of Election is in part prejudged hindred by Patronages and Presentations which are still in use there not by the rules of their discipline but by toleration of that w ch they cannot amend in the mean time procuring that in the case of presentations by Patrons the examination and tryall by the Presbytery is still the same The Congregation where he who is presented is to serve is called if they have ought to object against his Doctrine or life after they have heard him or that their consent may be had And if he be found Reus ambitus or to have gone about to procure a presentation he is repelled declared incapable of that place No Pastor may thrust himself upon a flock nor after his entry desert his charge or remove himself to another Congregation at his own pleasure The Deserters if any be are appointed to be admonished and in case of obstinacy to be excommunicated If a Minister upon lawfull and urgent causes desire to remove from one Congregation to another of if a Minister be called to another Congregation for which he is more fit or be called forth upon grave considerations for some publike employment tending to the common benefit of the Church This is not done by private transaction and particular agreement of Ministers and Congregations but by the wisedom and authority of the Presbyteries or Assemblies of the Church Nor is it done by them but upon such reasons as should move that Church wherein for the present he ministreth to give her consent for whose supply also either a convenient course is presently taken or the way of supply is seen to be easie The Minister thus removed from one Church to another receiveth no new ordination but by vertue of his first ordination he serveth in the place unto which he is called and elected Only at his admission one of the Presbytery who is appointed to preach of the duty of Pastors and people and to pray for a blessing recommendeth him to the Congregation who have before declared their willingnesse and desire to receive him and the Congregation to his care and fidelity And the Pastor if any be together with the Elders with whom he sitteth before the Pulpit take him by the hand Pastors and Ministers of the Word through old age sicknesse or other infirmitie being disabled to bear the weight and discharge the duty of their Pastorall charge Do notwithstanding still retain the honour of their office and comfort of maintenance during their lifetime And they performing what they are able in reaching government visitation and catechising others are joyned with them by the Presbytery and with the consent of the people to be their fellow labourers and to undergo the main charge The same course of election and admission for substance and in form according to the nature of their office is observed in the calling of other Officers as Ruling Elders and Deacons At the beginning and where there be none the Pastor with the gravest holiest and those of the soundest judgement and best affection to Religion do choose them with the consent of the rest of the people And where particular Elderships are already constitute the Pastor and the Elders who are now in office do choose such as are to succeed those who are removed by death or any other way or by vicissitude are to relieve such as are now in place And that the election of one or moe at first or afterward may proceed with the consent of the people their names are published and made known to the congregation by the Pastors that if ought may be objected against any of them why they may not be received to the office of an Elder or Deacon it may be examined and if it be found important others may be chosen When the day of their admission cometh the Pastor having fram'd his doctrine to the purpose calleth them up and remembring both them of their duty in their charge and the people of their submitting themselves unto them they arâ— solemnly received with lifted up hands giving their promises to be faithfull III. The discharge of their duties in particular and first of the Pastor 1. The order kept in Preaching THe Pastor is bound to teach the Word of God in season and out of season and beside all occasionall and week day Sermons which in Cities and Townes use to be at least two dayes every week The Congregation doth assemble twice on the Lords day and for this end notice is given of the time by the sound of a Bell. When so many of all sorts men and women masters and servants young and old as shall meet together are assembled The publike worship beginneth with prayer and reading some portion of holy Scripture both of the Old and New Testament which the people hear with attention and reverence and after reading the whole Congregation joyneth in singing some Psalm This reading and singing do continue till the Preaching begin At which time the Minister having prefaced a little for quickening and lifting up the hearts of the people first maketh a prayer for remission of sin Sanctification and all things needfull joyning also confession of sins and thanksgiving with speciall relation to the hearers After which in the forenoon is another Psalm and after the Psalm a prayer for a blessing upon the preaching of the Word His Text is ordinarily some part of that Book of Canonicall Scripture which in his judgement he conceiveth to be fittest for the times and the condition of his flock The Doctrine deduced is explained and confirmed by Scripture and fitly and faithfully applyed all in such methode manner and expression as may most edifie the hearers After Sermon he praiseth God and prayeth again for a blessing joyning earnest petitions for the Church Vniversall and for the coming of the Kingdom of Christ for all the afflicted Churches for the Churches in his M ajest Dominions for the Church of Scotland Ministery and People for the King the Queen the Prince and their whole Royall Progeny for all the members of that particular Congregation as well absent in their lawfull affairs as present for all that are afflicted among them in body minde or means The prayer ended a Psalm is sung and the people dismissed with a blessing In the afternoon either the same order in all things almost is followed in performing the parts of publike worship or some part of the Catechisme is expounded and thereafter so much time as may be spared is bestowed in Catechising some part of the Parish warned particularly to attend Beside the publike means they have other three helps for edification one is an ordinary course of Catechising on such dayes of the week as are judged to be fittest by the Pastor and Eldership Another is the visitation of families by the Pastors and the Elders each one in his own quarter for trying the manners of the people whether they walk worthy of the Gospel for setting and holding
of love joy godly sorrow thankfulnesse and whatsoever may concern them at that time or causeth be read the history of the Passion or some other part of Scripture which may work the same effect After all at the Table have received the Cup they rise from the Table and return in a quiet manner to their places another company cometh to the Table and so a third and a fourth till all have received in the same manner as the first during which time of removing of the one and approaching of the other the whole Congregation singeth some part of a Psalm touching the Passion or the love and kindenesse of God to his people as Psal. 22 or 103 c. After the last company hath received the Minister rising from the Table goeth to the Pulpit where after a short speech tending to thanksgiving he doth againe solemnely give thankes unto God for so great a mercy and prayeth as on other Sabbaths The prayer ended all joyn in singing a Psalm of praise sutable to the occasion and are dismissed with the blessing before which none are to depart unlesse in case of necessity The Communion being thus celebrated in the forenoon the people meet again in the afternoon at which time the Minister teacheth the Doctrine of thanksgiving and closeth the publike and solemn worship of that day from which the people use to depart refreshed with the grace and peace of God and strengthened with new and fresh resolutions to serve the Lord. 4. The order of publike fasting or humiliation SOmetimes the fast or humiliation is of larger extent to be observed by all the Churches in the Kingdome sometime more particular of one or more Congregations Sometimes the fast is kept one day only sometimes all the dayes of the week Sometimes on the Sabbath only especially in the Countrey Churches Sometimes upon some day of the week also as in Cities or Towns They neither make difference of dayes for humiliation nor do they keep any set fasts or feasts all is disposed and done according as the occasions and causes do presse or require as may serve most for the end intended and may best ply with the opportunities and necessities of the Congregation The Sabbath next before the fast notice is given of the Causes of humiliation and of the times to be observed with earnest exhortation to the people to prepare themselves for afflicting their soules and extraordinary humiliation In many places especially in Cities Towns and greater Villages or where the people may conveniently assemble The day before the fast the doctrine of preparation to the fast is taught expressing the nature and use thereof for averting the wrath of God The dayes of the fast from morning to evening are kept holy unto the Lord in the nature of an Extraordinary Sabbath with abstinence from meat and drink from delights and worldly labours with the exercises of reading the Law plain preaching interpretation and particular application deep humiliation and renting of the heart for sin large and hearty confessions of sin fervent supplications and earnest seeking of God by prayer for pardon with singing of penitentiall Psalms after which they have many times found wonderfull deliverances and extraordinary blessings from Heaven 5. The order of marriage ALthough marriage be no Sacrament nor part of the Worship of God yet they conceive that the Matrimoniall conjunction of Christians and members of the Church is most conveniently solemnized in the face of the Congregation with instruction out of Gods Word of the Institution use and ends of marriage and of the duties of married persons and with blessing by the Minister and with the prayers of the Church The parties are contracted before they be married and before they be contracted if there be any suspicion of their ignorance they are examined in the grounds of Religion and in their knowledge of the mutuall duties which they owe each to other Notice also is given of the consent of Parents or vice-Parents and that neither of them is contracted before to any other party nor any impediment from the degrees of Affinity or Consanguinity prohibited The contract and purpose of marriage is also published three severall Sabbaths before the same be solemnized and if there be nothing objected to hinder their marriage then are they solemnly married in the face of the Congregation before the ending of 40 dayes from the time of the contract They require for marriage the free consent of the parties come to the yeers of discretion and the knowledge and consent of the Parents they do not allow of the marrige of Infants nor secret and clandestine contracts and marriages nor do they use any idle rites or superstitious Ceremonies in the time of the Solemnization 6. The Order of Buriall of the dead THough Buriall be no part of the Worship of God nor of the work of the Ministry yet they think meet that an honest and competent number of Christians accompany the Christian friends of the dead unto the Grave that they may confer and comfort one another by the way and to see the Buriall done in a grave and decent manner remembring that sin is the cause of death that Christ hath overcome death and the grave and that they who die in the Lord shall rise again to life everlasting Their Burials are without singing or reading which the superstitious do conceive to be profitable for the dead without Funerall Sermons which do beget superstition and tend to flartery make the Gospel to be preached with respect of persons and are most pressed by such as do least regard Sermons at other times and without Feasting with affectate shews of mourning and any further pomp or Ceremony than civill differences and respects do require They conceive for many reasons that the places of the assembling of the people for the Word and Sacraments ought not to be places of Buriall which is therefore forbidden and for the most part is forborn in that Kingdom Registers are ordained to be kept of the namâ—â— and times of all that are baptized of all that are married and all that are married IV. Of Doctors and their Office and of Schools THe Church of Scotland hath had no other Doctors but Masters and Professors of Divinity in Universities and Colledges of which some use to be chosen to be Elders of particular Churches and Commissioners to the Nationall Assembly and besides these the Teachers of more private and particular Schools They use to be examined and tried both in their learning and life by the Presbitery and their charge is not only to bring up their schollers in humane literature and liberall Arts but also in Civill Conversation and good manners but especially in the Grounds of Christian Religion by way of Catechisme As the Doctors of Colledges do keep the meetings of the Presbitery and by course do prophesie or make the exercise with the Ministers so also do the masters of private Schooles for the greater part of them who
therefore are a part of the Seminarie of the publike Ministery are numbred among the expectants how soon they are enabled to enter upon the exercise and sometimes are imployed by the Ministers to help them in teaching and Catechising of the people The Universities also use to be visited by Commissioners delegated from the Nationall assembly that there be nothing taught by the Professors and Doctors but what is sound and consonant to the confession of faith and the received doctrine and order of the Church and to see that both Masters and Schollers do their duties diligently especially that their be no scandall nor corruption of maners In like maner the more private schooles are visited by the Presbiteries poore schollers of good ingines and expectation are provided in a great part of their maintenance by places of the foundation of Colledges which are appointed by the Founders or Reformers for that use and others are maintained by Contribution of particular Churches within every Presbitery which the Pastor or Elder bringeth unto them so soone as they are chosen by the Presbitery V. Of Elders and their Office THe Calling Election and admission of Elders is before spoken of The number of Elders in every Parish is not definit but doth vary according to the number and necessity of the people In some parishes ó in some 10 or 12 c. Such are chosen to be Elders as come neerest to the gifts and qualities required by the Apostle and after they are chosen are at all occasions exhorted by the Pastor to be ensamples to the flock and to watch over them faithfully against all corruptions in religion and life And as the Pastor should bee diligent in teaching and sowing the seed so are the Elders desired to be carefull in seeing and seeking the fruits in the people The Elders do attend with the Pastor in Chatechising the people do assist him In visiting the sick In admonishing all men of their duty and if any will not heare them they bring the disobedient before the Eldership In causing the acts of the assemblies as well particular as generall to be put in execution But a principall part of their duty is to joyne alwayes with the Pastor in the particular Eldership and in the other assemblies of the Church as they shall be called for exercising of discipline and governing the whole Congregation VI. Of the Deacons and their Office WHat maner of persons the Deacons ought to be the Scripture is plain and such they make choise of as are so qualified so far as may be The forme of their election is before expressed Their number must be considered of according to the number of the poore and the proportion of the Congregation as we spake before of the Elders Their maine duty is to collect receive and distribute not onely the almes for the poore but the whole Ecclesiasticall goods which are not assigned and appointed for the maintenance of particular persons These duties they must performe at the dscretion and by the appointment of the Pastor and Elders for which cause and not for government they are to be present at the ordinary meetings of the Eldership The meanes for the maintenance of the poore are collected by the Deacons the first day of the weeke and other dayes of the publike assembling of the people to the worship of God at the entry of the Church And if this prove not a competency then do the people either bring in their Charity on such dayes as are appointed by the Eldership or are willing to be taxed according as they shall be judged to be able In some Cities and Parishes where this order hath been carefully observed none have been suffered to beg and none have lacked Their Ministers beside their Gleab and Manse are all provided to certaine and the most part to competent stipends which are paid either in victuall or moneys or in both And if the charge of their family be great and their children put to Schooles or Colledges they are helped and supplied by the charity of the people which useth also to be extended if need be toward their widows and Orphanes after their decease of which the whole Eldership hath a speciall care Every parish almost hath some stock for the reliefe of strangers and for supply of the extraordinary necessities of their owne poore Hospitalls have their owne rents and the publike buildings of the Church are upholden by the Patron and the Freeholders of the Parish unto which if any be unwilling he is constrained by Law to pay his proportion The Second Part. I. Of the Assemblies of the Church and first in Generall NO man here were he never so eminent above others for Piety Wisdome or Learning or doth he never so much arrogate authority to himself hath the rains of Church Government in his hands to determine or to doe what seemeth good in his own eyes But all matters are advised determined and judged with common consent in the meetings and assemblies of the Church which for this end are of foure sorts and degrees which are commonly called by the names of Church sessions or particular Elderships or Consistories Presbyteries or Classes Provinciall Synods and Nationall or Generall Assemblies Each of these assemblies hath a President or Moderator who beginneth and endeth with prayer propoundeth matters to be treated procureth them to be debated if need bee in an orderly way that all may be heard and none interrupted unlesse he speak too much gathereth the voices which are noted by the Clerk and pronounceth the sentence or if there be an equality remitteth it to the greater Presbyterie each of them hath a Clerk or a Notary and a Register of all things debated and done by them especially of such matters as may be of future use None of these assemblies from the least to the greatest are to treat of matters pertaining to the civill Jurisdiction and Magistrate but only of matters Spirituall and Ecclesiasticall that the doctrine and worship may be kept in purity all things be done decently and in order in the particular Churches and that all the members of the Churches may walke worthy of the Gospell The lesser and inferiour assembly is subordinate to the superiour and greater so that if any person shall think himselfe wronged or distressed by the unjust proceeding of the inferiour assembly it is lawfull for him to seek reliefe of the greater providing it be done in an humble and peaceable way and in the right order by proceeding to the next greater assembly and so of the rest if need be taking them in their subordination untill either he be satisfied or which rarely commeth to passe he ascend unto the highest of all In matters difficult or such as belong to superiour assemblies References from the lesser are ordinary but nothing belonging to an inferiour assemblie is brought before a greater til either it cannot be setled or be disorderly done by them or some complaint arise And in that case so
for the present that the whole Congregation powre forth their supplications that God would grant him repentance and to come out of the snare of the devill If nothing be objected or if none for him witnesse any appearance of repentance then is the danger of the person and the weight of the sentence laid open the next Sabbath and he the second time prayed for publickly If at last upon the next Sabbath there be no signe of repentance then is he praied for the third time and there being no meane unassaied nor remedy left to reclaime him hee is strucken with the terrible sentence of excommunication with calling upon the Name of God to ratifie the sentence in Heaven and the people warned to hold him as an Heathen or a Publican and to shun all communion with him except in naturall and civill duties to be still performed by such as are bound It is to bee understood that where the crimes are such that they cry to the heavens for revenge waste the conscience and by the law of God deserve death and the transgressor certainly knowne the processe may be more summarie excommunication more hastned as on the other part of absolution the time would be longer and the triall of repentance more exact After excommunication he is permitted to come to the preaching of the Word yet so as it may appeare that he commeth as one not having communion with the Church Neither is he debarred from private counsell instruction admonition and prayer that in end his spirit may be saved If after excommunication the Eldership finde the signes of repentance as the good life and behaviour of the excommunicate declaration of the griefe of his heart and his humble submission to the order of the Church in all things that may reconcile him to God and his people they shall with joy of heart make it knowne to the Congregation by the Minister that they may also have joy over their brother repenting or if they have ought to object against â—he â—uth of his repentance they may give notice thereof at the next meeting of the Eldership where if nothing be alleaged against him after he hath obeyd the injunctions of the Eldership for his further humiliation and the better tryall of his repentance he is either brought before the greater Presbyterie as all other penitents for great crimes or by relation from his owne Eldership is to give them satisfaction in the signes of his repentance that he may be absolved As all publick penitents are received so is the excoÌ„municate absolved in the face of the congregaâ—ion before whom being brought by the Elders at the time appointed he maketh free confession of his sinne and mourneth for it cryeth to God for mercie seeketh to be reconciled to the Church and promiseth new obedience with which all being satisfied and willing to receive him into their common and mutuall consolation the Minister who preacheth for that time pronounceth him upon his repentance to bee absolved in the Name of Christ from his sinne and free of the censurs of the Church and have right through faith to Christ and all his benefits and ordinances praising God for his grace and praying that he may be fully accepted to his favour loosed in Heaven and heare the voice of joy and gladnesse After the sentence of absolution the Minister speaketh to him as to a brother exhorting him to watch and pray or comforting him if he have need the Elders imbrace him and the whole congregation keepeth communion with him as if he had never offended As the Presbyterie excommunicateth profane professors so doth it also depose Preachers if they be teachers of corrupt Doctrine if their lives continue scandalous after admonition if they be busie in renting the Church a sunder by schisme and division if they be given to blasphemie profanation of the Lords day simonie perjurie drunkennesse fighting or any other sinne for which whether in respect of the greatnesse of the sinne or by reason of the contempt and obstinacie when the sinne is not so great private persons are excommunicated and although they be upon their repentance absolved from the sentence of excommunication yet in some cases especially where the crime inferreth a perpetuall infamie are they never readmitted to the Ministery except upon the unanimous and most earnest desire of the whole Church where they served before IV. Of greater Presbyteries or Classes THe Presbyterie or Classicall meeting doth consist of particular neighbouring Churches in such a circuite as may conveniently meet together to the number of ten sixteene twentie or so many as the vicinitie of the places and parishes may well accommodate It is supposed that the whole particular Elderships cannot well assemble in one place ordinarily neither is it necessarie There be therefore beside the Minister or Ministers of the Congregation who are supposed to be perpetuall members of the Presbyterie some of speciall note chosen out of the Elders by them who receiving from them commission may represent the whole from each particular Eldership one of the Elders with the Minister or Ministers repaireth to the place of meeting so that the members of this Presbyteriall meeting are all the Ministers within the Circuit and one Elder delegated from each particular Eldership None of the Ministers are permitted to be absent unlesse they be detainâ—d by necessarie impediments or extraordinarie imployments And therefore the day of the meeting of the Presbyterie may not be destinate to ordinarie preaching Nor are they to wait that day upon solemnizing of mariages The names are called by the Clerk and the absents are noted and examined the next day upon the reasons of their absence and if any happen to absent themselves many dayes without reasonable causes they are set apart and censured as guiltie of the contempt or neglect of the order of the Church But the Elders are not so strictlie tied to ordinarie attendance but if there be any matter of great weight to be handled they are all warned to be present And if hee who was formerly Commissioner may not assist another Commissioner in his place may bee chosen by the Eldership It is permitted to the expectants having entered before upon the publick exercise or prophesie to sit by the Ministers and Elders in the meeting of the Presbyterie and to give their judgement of the doctrine but they have no voice when matters of doctrine or discipline are debated And in the handling of some matters which are thought fit to be concealed and kept secret till they be by common consent published they use to be removed Because the whole discipline in a manner is in the hands of the Presbyterie they are to meet once a week or fortnight upon a certaine day and in a certain place but in some places through the length and deepnesse of the way in winter they do not meet so often The subject and matters treated in the Presbytery are all the Ecclesiasticall matters of weight which
enquirie made from the rest if there bee any knowne scandall fault or negligence amongst them That it may be in a brotherly manner censured like as upon the day of the meeting of the Presbyterie next going before the Synod all the members of the Presbyterie suffer the like inquirie each one a part by all the rest As the Moderator beginneth and endeth everie session before and after noon with prayer so doth he somewhat more solemnlie close the Synod with some pithie and pertinent exhortation and heartie thanksgiving and praier unto God All matters where these Synods are ordinarily kept are with such diligence exped That the Ministers none of them having above a short daies journey and Tuesday being usually the first day of their meeting may return to their charge against the Lords day having notice of the day and place of the next following Synod and carrying with them such acts as are necessarie that they may be made known to their particular Elderships and congregations And thanks may be given in every Congregation for the good proceedings of the Synod and for the libertie of the Churches These Synods are not alwaies held at one time and therefore if there be cause some Commissioners are sent from one Synod to another for their judgement and advice in matters of difficultie which is reported at the following Synod for their further resolution and that so farre as is possible there may bee a conformitie in all things VI. Of Nationall Synods or Generall Assemblies THe nationall assemblie meeteth once in the yeare and the time of the following assembly agreed upon before the rising of the former or oftner pro re nata concerning which some Ministers have commission and warrant from the assemblie to give timely advertisement to the Presbyteries for choosing and sending their Commissioners This great assemblie useth to bee honoured with the Kings Majesties presence either in his royall Person or by his High Commissioner who doth all the parts of a Supreame Civill President In a peaceable ordering of the whole proceedings of so frequent and holy a meeting that all mens reasons and voices may be heard and in acquainting himselfe with the grounds of every constitution that shall be agreed upon that by his Princely authoritie they may be observed and if need require the sanction of the Civill Law may be added for which end also certaine Commissioners from the assemblie are sent to attend the Parliament It doth Consist of Commissioners from the Presbyteries or Classes three Ministers and one Eldâ—r from each Presbyterie who are chosen by the voices of the Ministers and Elders sent from the particular Elderships and of one Commissioner from the Church session of every royall Burgh that there may bee some proportion and equalitie Others also are permitted although not to voice yet to heare propound and debate provided that they first obtaine leave of the Moderator and that it may appear to be done animo aedificandi non tentandi The first day of the assemblie is kept with a solemne fast and humiliation wherein the whole Citie or Towne which is the Seat of the assemblie useth to joyne with powerfull preaching and earnest praiers from morning till night The particular Churches also throughout the Kingdome upon the daies of their publick meeting pray to God for his direction assistance and blessing unto the assemblie that they may bee led into all truth and all the Churches be refreshed with the sweet fruits thereof The next day the Moderator of the preceding assemblie beginneth with praier causeth the Clerk call the Presbyteries and take up the names of the Commissioners Ministers and Elders who give in their Commissions which being read examined and allowed they proceed to the chusing of a new Moderator keeping the same order which is set downe before in choosing the Moderator of the Provinciall Synod The new Moderator calleth for the Records of the Synods and by the voices of the assemblie chooseth a Committee for perusing and trying them a Committee for the bils complaints and petitions to be presented to the assemblie and such other Committees as are ordinarie for preparing of weightie matters for the assemblie and for cutting off idle and impertinent things that the dispatch may be the more speedie and easie when they shall be brought to open debate and voycing all references from Synods appellations grievances complaints petitions are here examined and answered Acts and constitutions for all the Churches are agreed upon with common consent and if there be any considerable contradiction and the doubts and scruples which are made be not satisfied matters are remitted to further deliberation till the next assemblie course is taken for planting of Churches with able Ministers that the Gospell may be spread through the whole Nation Rules are set downe by which the inferiour assemblies shall bee directed in all their proceedings all meanes used that the Church be not wronged neither by confounding the Civill and Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction nor by the abusing or interverting the patrimonie of the Church The Commissioners of each Presbyterie do carrie home with them a true copie of all such acts as doe concerne all the Churches that they may walk by one and the same rule The Moderator giveth forth Summons signed with his own hand and the hand of the Clerke for citing of persons in the name of the assemblie to compare before the next meeting thereof with certification of the censures of the Church in case of disobedience The Conclusion IN the authoritie of these assemblies Parochiall Presbyteriall Provinciall and Nationall and in the subordination of the lesser unto the greater or of more particular Elderships to the larger and generall Eldership doth consist the externall order strength and stedfastnesse of the Church of Scotland which is lovely and comfortable to all fearing God whether Pastor or professors and hath beene very awefull and terrible as an Armie with Banners to all Papists to all Hereticks Schismaticks Hirelings and all ungodly persons As upon the one part they break not the bruised reed nor quench the smoaking flax but do cherish and labour to bring to ripenesse and use the graine of Mustardseed in sincere beginners and the smallest talent in Preachers having the zeale of God So upon the other part no scandall of proud sinners escapeth censure no heresie or error is sooner hatched but is either presently spied out and crushed by some of the inferiour assemblies or if it be kept on foot and gather strength it is quite suppressed and extinguished in the generall assemblie which meeteth once in the year and never suffereth such bastard births to grow to be one yeare old which is a true and maine cause why no sects nor errours have appeared in the reformed Church of France and in the Churches of Scotland of the Low-Countries so long as they enjoyed the libertie and happinesse of assemblies which they did no sooner by the mercie of God recover but immediately at
their brightnesse the mists and mildewes gathered before were scattered and evanished And as by the order and power of these assemblies Foxes are taken that they spoile not the Vines and Gangrenes are prevented that they spread not against truth and unity all sorts of lewd and wicked men are discouraged and put to shame So is there excited among the Godly Ministers an holy emulation by acquaintance conference and by perceiving the gifts one of another which maketh them returne from the assemblies with a meane and humble conceipt of themselves and with new and strong resolutions for greater diligence in their studies and faithfulnesse in every Pastorall duty to the common benefit and edification of all the Churches all the Ministers are made more wise in matters of Governement and all the Congregations are affected with reverence to what is required of them by their particular Elderships as having the consent and approbation of the whole Church Many such fruits are reaped of these assemblies which without them no particular person or congregation can have any ground to hope for or expect They have no Arch-bishops Diocesan Bishops Suffraganes no Chapters no Curats dumbe nor idle Ministers no hirelings non-residents nor pluralists no Deanes nor Arch-Deacons no Chanters Sub-chanters nor Treasurers no Chancellors Officials nor Apparitors no Canons Peti-canons Prebends Singingmen nor boyes And yet without these and the like they have practise and use of all the ordinances of Christ all matters Ecclesiasticall determined remitting questions of tithes mariages divorcements c. to the civill Judge to whom they properlie do belong and all petitions complaints and Church grievances heard and redressed which they esteeme as the sweet yoke of Christ and think it a great ease both to their consciences and estates to be free of such bundles and burthens of trash and superfluities They conceive that to erect Presbyteries Synods and Nationall assemblies and still to keepe Prelates and the members of that Hierarchie is in the matter of Church government not unlike the Popish adding of Traditions to Scripture in the rule of faith or works unto faith in the point of justification c. additions to Christs institution being not only in respect of their author humane inventions and for any use they can have idlements vanities and follies but that they do also corrupt the purity and eat out the life of the ordinances of Christ. Here there is a superiority without tyrannie for no Minister hath a Papall or Monarchicall Jurisdiction over his own flock far lesse over other Pastors and over all the Congregations or a large Dioces Here there is a paritie without confusion and disorder for the Pastors are in order before the Elders and the Elders before the Deacons the Church is subordinate to the Presbyterie the Presbyterie to the Synod and the Synod to the Nationall assembly One Pastor also hath priority before another for age for zeale for gifts for his good deservings of the Church each one honouring him whom God hath honoured and as he beareth the image of God which was to bee seene amongst the Apostles themselves But none hath power or jurisdiction above others even as in nature one eye hath not power over another only the head hath power over all even as Christ over his Church The same may bee seene in the Common-wealth and in some of the offices of the Roman Church it selfe And lastly here there is a subjection without slaverie for the people are subject to the Pastors and Assemblies yet there is no Assemblie wherein everie particular Church hath not interest and power nor is there any thing done but they are if not actually yet virtually called to consent unto it As they have done and suffered much for vindicating and maintaining the libertie of their Religion that what belongeth unto God may be rendred unto God So do they desire that according to the rule of righteousnesse each man have his owne and above all men That the things which are Caesars be rendred unto him and to give him that which is Gods were a wronging both of God and Caesar. They have ever beene willing to taxes and to pay subsidies above that w ch they were able They joyne w th the inward reverence of their hearts externall honour and obedience in all things lawfull They powre forth their prayers to God in private and publick for all blessings spirituall and temporall upon his Royall Person and Government and upon his Progenie and for the same blessings upon the Queenes Majestie especially that God by his Spirit would give unto her the knowledge and love of the truth They long for her conversion as an happinesse to her selfe and a meane of great happinesse to the King to their Children and to all their Subjects And that the Lord may answer their praiers they think it incumbent to the Church of England nor can any bond whatsoever oblige them to the contrarie to use the best and most powerfull meanes and would most willingly in all humilitie love and respect joyne their endeavours for that blessed end And as they thus present their best desires and prayers so are they readie to sacrifice their lives to God for his Majesties good and in their hearts are grieved that their loyaltie which they account their no small glorie should have beene called in question Neither is this all But moreover they doe acknowledge that his Majestie as supreame Magistrate hath not onely charge over the Common-wealth but doth watch and hath inspection over the Church and Church matters but in a civill way Vos Episcopi in Ecclesia saith Constantine Ego extra Ecclesiam Episcopus à Deo constitutus sum And therefore that he is by his high calling and place Custos utriusque tabulae to command the precepts of the first table as well as of the second table to bee obeyed That he is Vindex Religionis by his sword as the Spirit of God in Scripture is Iudex and the Church is Index That hee hath power to turn the constitutions of the Church into lawes and to confirme them by the civill sanction in Parliament That he may constraine all his subjects to do dutie in matters of religion and may punish the transgressors That when debates arise about Religion hee hath power to call the Assemblies of the Church to be present and civilly preside in them and to examine their constitutions that he may discerne of them both as a Christian caring for his own soule and as supreame Magistrate watching over his people and that he may do all things which can prove him to be a kinde and carefull nursing Father They account all that is vomited out to the contrarie as that they liked Anarchie better then Monarchie and that they would turne a Kingdome into a democratie to be but the fictions and calumnies of the malitious enemies of God and his truth not unlike the lies which were devised against the Christians of old their consciences their words writings and actions even then when the world did put the worst constructions upon them were witnesses of the integritie of their hearts They doe still hold that there can bee no antipathy betwixt one ordinance of God and another By him Princes do reigne and hee hath also appointed the Officers and Government of his own house They do desire nothing more then that the Sonne of God may reigne and that with and under the Sonne of God the King may command and they as good subjects to Christ and the King may obey FINIS Sed quum omnia ratione animoque lustraris omnium societatum nulla est gravior nulla carior quum ea quae cum Repub. unicuique nostrum est Cari sunt Parentes Cari liberi propinqui familiares sed omnes omnium caritates patria una complexa est pro qua quis dubitet mortem oppetere si ei sit profuturus quo est detestabilior istorum immanitas qui lacerarunt omni scelere patriam in ea funditus delenda occupati sunt fuerunt Cicer. Offi. l. 1. Nec multo post illi quoque qui insulam Hii incolebant Monachi Scoticae Nationis cum bis quae sibi subdita erant monasteriis ad ritum paschae tonsurae Canonicum domino procurante perducti sunt c. And afterward Quod mira divinae factum constat dispensatione pietatis ut quoniam Gens illa qua noverat scientiam divinae cognitionis libenter ac sine invidia populo Anglorum communicare curavit ipsa quoque postmodum per Gentem Anglorum in eis quam minus habuerat ad perfectam vivendi norman perveniret Beda eccles hist. gentis Angl. l. 5. c. 23.