religion_n in_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n in_o doctrine_n worship_n discipline_n and_o government_n and_o that_o thereby_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o disown_n and_o reject_v the_o author_n episcopacy_n and_o fix_a presidency_n from_o which_o our_o government_n be_v at_o that_o time_n express_o reform_v be_v that_o which_o i_o be_o persuade_v he_o himself_o dare_v not_o serious_o deny_v 2._o whatever_o mean_v interest_n passion_n or_o prejudice_n may_v possible_o devise_v yet_o that_o the_o word_n according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n etc._n etc._n be_v in_o themselves_o most_o plain_a safe_a and_o sound_a can_v be_v controvert_v but_o 3._o that_o under_o this_o very_a form_n of_o word_n both_o england_n do_v give_v and_o scotland_n do_v obtain_v a_o sufficient_a assurance_n for_o the_o set_n up_o of_o presbyterian_a government_n in_o england_n as_o it_o be_v at_o that_o time_n establish_v in_o scotland_n be_v no_o hard_a matter_n to_o explain_v in_o as_o much_o as_o not_o only_o the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o declare_a rule_n do_v thereto_o strict_o and_o antecedentlie_o tie_v as_o have_v be_v make_v out_o but_o whoever_o herewith_v consider_v the_o knowledge_n the_o english_v have_v of_o our_o then_o constitution_n the_o affectionate_a sympathy_n they_o have_v testify_v both_o in_o our_o labour_n and_o victory_n whereby_o it_o be_v attain_v their_o frequent_a and_o significant_a insinuation_n in_o public_a in_o private_a in_o print_n and_o in_o speech_n to_o this_o purpose_n their_o express_a engage_v to_o the_o preservation_n of_o our_o frame_n their_o brotherlie_a covenant_v and_o concur_v with_o we_o for_o the_o cause_n of_o god_n and_o many_o other_o circumstance_n will_v without_o hesitation_n conclude_v that_o we_o have_v as_o pregnant_a ground_n of_o persuasion_n of_o there_o be_v like_o mind_a with_o we_o in_o this_o matter_n as_o can_v be_v demand_v or_o expect_v by_o ingenuous_a man_n from_o a_o nation_n at_o that_o time_n so_o unsettle_a and_o discompose_v and_o therefore_o see_v there_o be_v nothing_o for_o several_a year_n precede_v more_o clear_o and_o distinctlie_o hold_v forth_o by_o we_o then_o that_o we_o judge_v the_o form_n of_o government_n then_o in_o be_v among_o we_o to_o be_v the_o only_a church_n government_n agreeable_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n i_o think_v we_o may_v well_o take_v the_o author_n suggestion_n as_o if_o the_o english_v will_v never_o have_v pass_v this_o sense_n and_o meaning_n of_o the_o word_n according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n to_o be_v only_o a_o cunning_a hint_n to_o colour_n a_o confidence_n which_o cannot_v be_v avow_v it_o be_v true_a that_o in_o process_n of_o time_n the_o love_n of_o truth_n and_o zeal_n of_o god_n do_v much_o abate_v &_o error_n abound_v in_o that_o nation_n whence_o to_o many_o who_o desire_v a_o suitable_a licence_n the_o just_a severity_n of_o presbytery_n become_v uneasy_a and_o odious_a but_o as_o that_o do_v nothing_o convel_v the_o former_a 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the_o covenant_n the_o worse_a if_o confident_a error_n or_o treachery_n be_v sufficient_a to_o consute_n the_o truth_n the_o author_n need_v not_o have_v call_v this_o witness_n to_o his_o assistance_n but_o see_v it_o be_v most_o certain_a that_o whoever_o that_o person_n be_v and_o whatever_o may_v have_v be_v his_o peculiar_a opinion_n and_o communication_n or_o correspondence_n with_o the_o author_n in_o it_o neither_o be_v there_o any_o such_o thing_n open_o declare_v or_o treat_v nor_o have_v it_o the_o least_o foundation_n in_o the_o word_n under_o debate_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_n be_v by_o they_o as_o manifest_o confure_v as_o the_o author_n now_o be_v to_o what_o he_o former_o profess_v most_o repugnant_a the_o thing_n be_v scarce_o worthy_a this_o my_o reflection_n and_o yet_o behold_v the_o conclusion_n that_o the_o author_n draw_v from_o it_o thus_o say_v he_o be_v the_o contriver_n of_o that_o covenant_n bussy_v in_o patch_v it_o up_o to_o outwit_v one_o another_o by_o word_n and_o clause_n how_o incoâ—herent_a and_o discordant_a soever_o to_o salve_v their_o different_a interest_n and_o opinion_n and_o to_o make_v it_o strong_a in_o odium_fw-la tertii_fw-la how_o weak_a soever_o it_o may_v prove_v to_o discern_a man_n by_o disagree_v and_o jar_v with_o itself_o and_o a_o very_a babel_n by_o the_o divide_a and_o confuse_a language_n of_o its_o architect_n and_o thus_o our_o author_n have_v abandon_v all_o conscience_n of_o the_o oath_n of_o god_n do_v also_o cast_v off_o all_o shame_n and_o in_o his_o envy_n stand_v not_o open_o to_o contradict_v and_o blaspheme_v if_o he_o have_v premise_v any_o thing_n to_o give_v so_o much_o as_o a_o colour_n to_o this_o incoherence_n discordance_n and_o confusion_n object_v somewhat_o in_o excuse_n of_o such_o conclusion_n may_v be_v indulge_v to_o his_o passion_n and_o interest_n but_o when_o nothing_o have_v be_v allege_v except_o a_o blind_a conjecture_n of_o some_o person_n their_o different_a apprehension_n of_o the_o sound_a and_o plain_a form_n of_o word_n contrary_a to_o the_o undeniable_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n it_o selâ—_n and_o from_o which_o inconvenience_n the_o most_o pure_a light_n of_o divine_a revelation_n have_v not_o be_v exempt_v upon_o their_o ground_n to_o infer_v a_o accusation_n against_o the_o holy_a covenant_n in_o the_o term_n we_o have_v hear_v can_v only_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o a_o most_o wicked_a indignation_n and_o apostatick_a malice_n lord_n bow_v down_o thy_o ear_n and_o hear_v open_a lord_n thy_o eye_n and_o see_v and_o hear_v the_o word_n of_o this_o man_n who_o have_v set_v himself_o to_o reproach_v thy_o truth_n and_o woâ—k_n which_o thou_o have_v manifest_o own_v and_o save_v i_o beseech_v thou_o thy_o people_n out_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o these_o evil_a man_n that_o all_o the_o church_n may_v know_v that_o thou_o be_v the_o holy_a loâ—d_n god_n of_o truth_n who_o search_v the_o reins_n and_o heart_n and_o therefore_o in_o return_n to_o this_o contempt_n and_o scorn_n i_o shall_v only_o here_o brief_o add_v to_o what_o i_o have_v in_o the_o former_a discourse_n observe_v to_o this_o purpose_n 1._o that_o all_o the_o forge_a ambiguity_n and_o inconsistency_n that_o either_o the_o deceit_n of_o hypocrite_n or_o perverseness_n of_o open_a adversary_n have_v hitherto_o labour_v to_o fix_v upon_o the_o word_n and_o frame_n of_o this_o oath_n be_v not_o only_o the_o fate_n of_o truth_n but_o according_a to_o its_o proper_a virtue_n by_o the_o serious_a consideration_n thereof_o in_o its_o own_o light_n most_o ready_o and_o satisfy_o salve_v 2._o as_o the_o covenant_n be_v attend_v by_o a_o most_o signal_n power_n and_o presence_n from_o on_o high_a so_o it_o be_v sincere_a prosecution_n be_v constant_o bless_v with_o a_o very_a beautiful_a concord_n and_o whoever_o divide_v from_o its_o genuine_a meaning_n and_o purpose_n do_v quick_o also_o abandon_v the_o reverence_n and_o regard_v thereof_o which_o he_o once_o profess_v 3._o that_o not_o only_o the_o forsaker_n of_o the_o covenant_n do_v relinquish_v it_o without_o repentance_n and_o for_o the_o most_o part_n by_o the_o irritation_n of_o their_o own_o guilt_n and_o shame_n be_v exasperate_v to_o irrational_a rail_n and_o rage_n but_o if_o the_o revile_n and_o persecution_n of_o the_o ungodly_a world_n be_v the_o badge_n of_o truth_n the_o covenant_n have_v from_o the_o beginning_n be_v thereby_o very_o notable_o confirm_v and_o all_o its_o true_a follower_n may_v herein_o rejoice_v and_o be_v exceed_v glade_n as_o be_v by_o the_o lord_n pronounce_v bless_v 4._o that_o as_o the_o beauty_n and_o glory_n of_o the_o work_n of_o god_n be_v very_o visible_o promote_v both_o by_o the_o covenant_n and_o its_o contriver_n and_o confusion_n former_o and_o calamity_n and_o waste_a consumption_n now_o the_o certain_a and_o manifest_a effect_n of_o man_n swerve_a and_o backslide_v from_o it_o and_o as_o in_o that_o
be_v evident_a to_o the_o author_n that_o that_o very_a scruple_n be_v make_v by_o some_o member_n in_o parliament_n and_o resolve_v with_o the_o consent_n of_o their_o brethren_n in_o scotland_n that_o the_o covenant_n be_v only_o intend_v against_o prelacy_n as_o than_o it_o be_v in_o be_v in_o england_n leave_v a_o latitude_n for_o episcopacy_n etc._n etc._n it_o will_v be_v note_v that_o when_o that_o covenant_n be_v frame_v there_o be_v no_o episcopacy_n at_o all_o in_o be_v in_o scotland_n but_o in_o england_n only_o so_o that_o the_o extirpation_n of_o that_o frame_n only_o can_v then_o be_v mean_v and_o intend_v likewise_o it_o will_v be_v consider_v that_o though_o there_o be_v in_o scotland_n at_o present_a the_o name_n of_o dean_n and_o chapter_n and_o commissary_n yet_o that_o none_o of_o tâ—ose_n at_o all_o do_v exerce_fw-la any_o part_n of_o the_o discipline_n under_o that_o name_n neither_o any_o other_o as_o chancellor_n or_o surrogat_n etc._n etc._n by_o delegation_n from_o bishop_n with_o a_o total_a exclusion_n of_o the_o community_n of_o presbyter_n from_o all_o power_n and_o share_v in_o it_o which_o be_v the_o great_a point_n of_o difference_n betwixt_o that_o model_n and_o this_o with_o we_o and_o import_v so_o much_o as_o to_o the_o main_a of_o discipline_n i_o do_v not_o deny_v that_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o people_n yea_o even_o of_o minister_n in_o scotland_n when_o they_o take_v the_o covenant_n may_v likewise_o understand_v that_o article_n as_o against_o all_o episcopacy_n whatsoever_o even_o the_o most_o moderate_a especial_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v restore_v under_o the_o express_a name_n of_o bishop_n and_o archbishop_n never_o consider_v how_o different_a the_o nature_n and_o model_n and_o way_n oâ—_n exercise_v it_o may_v be_v though_o under_o the_o same_o name_n and_o that_o the_o due_a regulate_v of_o the_o thing_n be_v much_o more_o to_o be_v regard_v then_o either_o the_o retain_v or_o alter_v of_o the_o name_n but_o though_o they_o do_v not_o then_o consider_v any_o such_o thing_n yet_o certain_o it_o concern_v they_o now_o to_o consider_v it_o when_o it_o be_v represent_v to_o they_o that_o not_o only_o the_o word_n of_o the_o oath_n itself_o do_v very_o genuinly_a consist_v with_o such_o a_o qualify_a &_o distinctive_a sense_n but_o that_o the_o very_a composer_n or_o empower_n of_o it_o or_o a_o considerable_a part_n of_o they_o do_v so_o understand_v and_o intend_v it_o and_o unless_o they_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o episcopacy_n now_o in_o question_n with_o we_o in_o scotland_n be_v either_o contrary_a to_o the_o word_n or_o to_o that_o mitigate_v sense_n of_o their_o own_o oath_n it_o will_v seem_v more_o suitable_a to_o christian_a charity_n &_o moderation_n rather_o to_o yield_v to_o it_o as_o tolerable_a at_o least_o then_o to_o continue_v so_o inflexible_o fast_o to_o their_o first_o mistake_n and_o excessive_a zeal_n as_o for_o love_n of_o it_o to_o divide_v from_o their_o church_n and_o break_v the_o bond_n of_o peace_n it_o may_v likewise_o be_v grant_v that_o some_o learned_a man_n in_o england_n who_o refuse_v to_o take_v the_o covenant_n do_v possible_o except_v against_o that_o article_n of_o it_o as_o signify_v the_o total_a renounciation_n and_o abolition_n of_o all_o episcopacy_n and_o see_v that_o be_v the_o real_a event_n and_o consequent_a of_o it_o and_o they_o have_v many_o other_o strong_a and_o weighty_a reason_n for_o refuse_v it_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o they_o be_v little_a curious_a to_o inquire_v what_o past_a among_o the_o contriver_n of_o it_o and_o what_o distinction_n or_o different_a sense_n either_o the_o word_n of_o that_o article_n may_v admit_v or_o those_o contriver_n may_v intend_v by_o they_o and_o the_o truth_n be_v that_o beside_o many_o other_o evil_n the_o iniquity_n and_o unhappiness_n of_o such_o oath_n and_o covenant_n lie_v much_o in_o this_o that_o be_v common_o frame_v by_o person_n that_o even_o among_o themselves_o be_v not_o â—ully_o of_o one_o mind_n but_o have_v there_o different_a opinion_n and_o interest_n to_o serve_v and_o it_o be_v so_o even_o in_o this_o they_o be_v common_o patch_v up_o of_o so_o many_o several_a article_n &_o clause_n &_o those_o too_o oâ—_n so_o versatile_a &_o ambiguous_a term_n that_o they_o prove_v most_o wretched_a snare_n thicket_n of_o brier_n &_o thorn_n to_o the_o conscience_n of_o those_o that_o be_v engage_v in_o they_o &_o matter_n of_o endless_a contention_n &_o disput_n among_o they_o about_o the_o true_a sense_n and_o intendment_n &_o the_o tie_n &_o obligement_n of_o those_o doubtful_a clause_n especial_o in_o some_o such_o alteration_n &_o revolution_n of_o affair_n as_o always_o may_v &_o often_o do_v even_o within_o few_o year_n follow_v after_o they_o for_o the_o model_n and_o production_n of_o such_o device_n be_v not_o usual_o long_o live_v and_o whatsoever_o may_v be_v say_v for_o their_o excuse_n in_o whole_a or_o in_o part_n who_o in_o yeeldance_n to_o the_o power_n that_o press_v it_o and_o the_o general_a opinion_n of_o this_o church_n at_o that_o time_n do_v take_v that_o covenant_n in_o the_o most_o moderate_a &_o least_o schismatical_a sense_n that_o the_o term_n can_v admit_v yet_o i_o know_v not_o what_o can_v be_v say_v to_o clear_v they_o of_o a_o very_a great_a sin_n that_o not_o only_o frame_v such_o a_o engine_n but_o violent_o impose_v it_o upon_o all_o rank_n of_o man_n not_o minister_n &_o other_o public_a person_n only_o but_o the_o whole_a body_n &_o community_n of_o the_o people_n thereby_o engage_v such_o drove_n of_o poor_a ignorant_a person_n to_o they_o know_v not_o what_o &_o to_o speak_v free_o to_o such_o a_o hodge_fw-mi podge_fw-mi of_o various_a concernment_n religious_a and_o civil_a as_o church-discipline_n and_o government_n the_o privilege_n of_o parliament_n and_o liberty_n of_o subject_n &_o condign_a punishment_n of_o malignant_n thing_n hard_a enough_o for_o the_o wise_a and_o learnede_a to_o draw_v the_o just_a line_n of_o and_o to_o give_v plain_a definition_n and_o decision_n of_o they_o &_o therefore_o certain_o as_o far_o off_o from_o the_o reach_n of_o poor_a country_n people_n understanding_n as_o from_o the_o true_a interest_n of_o their_o soul_n &_o yet_o to_o tie_v they_o by_o a_o religious_a and_o sacred_a oath_n either_o to_o know_v all_o these_o or_o to_o contend_v for_o they_o blindfold_a without_o know_v they_o can_v there_o be_v instance_a a_o great_a oppression_n and_o tyranny_n over_o conscience_n then_o this_o certain_o they_o that_o now_o govern_v in_o this_o church_n can_v be_v charge_v with_o any_o thing_n near_o or_o like_a unto_o it_o for_o whatsoever_o they_o require_v of_o intrant_n to_o the_o ministry_n they_o require_v neither_o subscription_n nor_o oath_n of_o minister_n already_o enter_v and_o far_o less_o of_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o people_n and_o it_o be_v ingenuous_o do_v to_o take_v some_o notice_n of_o any_o point_n of_o moderation_n or_o whatsoever_o else_o be_v real_o commendable_a even_o in_o those_o we_o account_v our_o great_a enemy_n &_o not_o to_o take_v any_o part_n in_o the_o world_n for_o the_o absolute_a standard_n and_o unfailing_a rule_n of_o truth_n and_o righteousness_n in_o all_o thing_n but_o oh_o who_o will_v not_o long_o for_o the_o shadow_n of_o the_o evening_n and_o to_o be_v at_o rest_n from_o all_o these_o poor_a childish_a trifle_a contest_v postscript_n whatsoever_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o copy_v out_o the_o passage_n cite_v in_o this_o paper_n &_o of_o add_v these_o few_o thought_n that_o then_o occur_v touch_v that_o subject_n i_o will_v have_v neither_o of_o they_o understode_fw-la as_o intend_a any_o way_n to_o reflect_v upon_o or_o judge_v other_o church_n where_o this_o government_n be_v otherwise_o exercise_v but_o what_o be_v here_o say_v be_v only_o argumentum_fw-la ad_fw-la hominem_fw-la &_o particular_o adapt_v to_o the_o person_n and_o notion_n and_o scruple_n we_o have_v to_o do_v withal_o in_o this_o church_n and_o though_o this_o be_v the_o figned_a to_o come_v to_o very_a few_o hand_n yet_o i_o wish_v that_o what_o be_v here_o represent_v be_v by_o some_o better_a way_n bring_v to_o the_o notice_n of_o such_o as_o know_v least_o of_o it_o and_o need_v it_o mostâ—_n that_o if_o it_o be_v posfible_a their_o extreme_a fervour_n may_v be_v somewhat_o allay_v by_o this_o consideration_n that_o this_o very_a form_n of_o government_n which_o be_v so_o hateful_a to_o they_o be_v by_o the_o presbyterian_o of_o the_o neighbour_n kingdom_n account_v a_o thing_n not_o only_o tolerable_a but_o desirable_a and_o i_o may_v add_v that_o upon_o due_a enquiry_n the_o reform_a church_n abroad_o will_v be_v find_v in_o a_o great_a part_n much_o of_o the_o same_o opinion_n yea_o i_o be_o not_o afraid_a to_o say_v yet_o further_o that_o i_o think_v
furious_a storm_n that_o break_v off_o and_o destroy_v the_o branch_n the_o root_n of_o the_o kingdom_n be_v by_o this_o bond_n make_v sure_a until_o the_o time_n of_o our_o restitution_n wherein_o it_o make_v the_o first_o and_o most_o air_o appearance_n so_o the_o remembrance_n of_o these_o thing_n may_v yet_o be_v ground_n of_o hope_n that_o the_o lord_n will_v arise_v and_o have_v mercy_n upon_o zion_n and_o in_o place_n of_o the_o babel-confusion_n wherewith_o these_o master_n of_o confusion_n and_o rebuilder_n of_o babylon_n do_v upbraid_v we_o cause_n his_o work_n appear_v unto_o his_o servant_n and_o his_o glory_n unto_o their_o child_n in_o the_o last_o place_n the_o author_n say_v he_o hear_v that_o some_o take_v the_o romish_a hierarchy_n in_o the_o national_a covenant_n for_o the_o same_o with_o our_o present_a episcopacy_n and_o that_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o gloss_n of_o glasgow_n which_o yet_o he_o say_v do_v gross_o corrupt_v the_o text_n for_o the_o romish_a 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as_o then_o reform_v in_o doctrine_n faith_n religion_n and_o discipline_n promise_v and_o swear_v by_o the_o great_a name_n of_o the_o lord_n our_o god_n that_o we_o shall_v continue_v in_o the_o obedience_n of_o the_o doctrine_n and_o discipline_n of_o this_o kirk_n and_o shall_v defend_v the_o same_o according_a to_o our_o vocation_n and_o power_n all_o the_o day_n of_o our_o life_n under_o which_o head_n especial_o that_o of_o discipline_n according_a to_o the_o usual_a phrase_n of_o these_o time_n as_o it_o be_v without_o controversy_n that_o the_o government_n then_o in_o be_v be_v contain_v so_o if_o we_o consider_v that_o the_o take_n and_o subscribe_v of_o this_o covenant_n in_o the_o year_n 1581._o and_o 1590._o be_v design_o enjoin_v by_o the_o general_a assembly_n for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o presbiterian_a government_n then_o complet_o perfect_v and_o unanimous_o agree_v to_o in_o the_o year_n 1581._o and_o universal_o settle_v and_o establish_v in_o the_o year_n 1590._o it_o be_v not_o possible_a that_o in_o this_o matter_n any_o shadow_n of_o scruple_n shall_v remain_v i_o may_v here_o add_v for_o a_o further_a evidence_n that_o when_o within_o a_o few_o year_n thereafrer_n king_n james_n and_o his_o court-faction_n take_v upon_o they_o to_o innovat_fw-la that_o form_n by_o the_o introduction_n of_o kirk-commissioner_n and_o constant_a moderator_n or_o fix_a precedent_n the_o faithful_a who_o oppose_v these_o course_n do_v as_o it_o appear_v by_o their_o write_n and_o public_a protestation_n yet_o extant_a very_o free_o testify_v against_o they_o as_o perjurious_a defection_n and_o breach_n of_o the_o oath_n of_o god_n which_o be_v a_o undeniable_a proof_n of_o the_o sense_n wherein_o it_o be_v take_v but_o the_o plain_a and_o obvious_a account_n of_o this_o oath_n which_o i_o have_v already_o exhibit_v be_v more_o than_o sufficient_a to_o vindicat_fw-la the_o consonancy_n and_o soundness_n of_o that_o interpretation_n make_v by_o the_o 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noticing_z of_o this_o reflection_n may_v almost_o be_v account_v a_o excess_n i_o may_v here_o add_v that_o if_o presbyterian_a government_n be_v offer_v to_o be_v true_o restore_v upon_o its_o own_o properâ—_n foundation_n and_o no_o thing_n impose_v beside_o this_o constant_a precedent_n both_o eligible_a &_o deposible_a by_o the_o court_n wherein_o he_o moderat_o the_o practice_n of_o withdraw_v will_v be_v liable_a to_o more_o probable_a exception_n but_o see_v the_o very_o low_a condescendence_n that_o probable_o can_v be_v conjecture_v be_v immens_o distant_a from_o this_o hypothesis_n and_o the_o exigence_n of_o a_o testimony_n flow_a from_o our_o present_a unrepented_a backslide_n with_o the_o far_o more_o probable_a ensue_a of_o evil_n then_o good_a upon_o a_o conjunction_n with_o the_o person_n and_o in_o the_o other_o circumstance_n obvious_a in_o our_o present_a condition_n do_v according_a to_o these_o ground_n and_o rule_n declare_v in_o my_o first_o discourse_n still_o persuade_v to_o a_o humble_a tender_a prudent_a and_o witness_v separation_n i_o do_v here_o put_v a_o period_n to_o these_o debate_n finis_fw-la