God to have a tender conscience to make this their exercise to keep a good conscience both towards God man will be loath to condemne them in the least Yea or if they saw what a deluge of prophanity is now broken in upon these lands what unparalleled wickednesse is there perpetrated what abhomination of all sorts reigneth since this course of defection was begun Their hearts would tremble they would scar at such a course as is so destructive to the Kingdome of God within so advantagious for the promoveing of the maine interest of Satan never acknowledge that to be a divine truth which is not after Godlinesse Sure there is a principle in all the godly which will incline them to affect that course best which is most for promoveing the work of grace in souls abhore that which openeth a gap to all prophanity licentiousnesse And though they could disput none against such a course this were enough to make their gracious souls abhore it Let none say that such precisenesse refuseing to cede in a little will prove destructive to the Church by incenseing the civil Magistrat the more For God's way is alwayes the best both for particular persons for Churches an instance cannot be showne where a Church by her faithfull adhereing to the truth of God standing to her principles refuseing to goe back in the least hath ruined herself But upon the other hand it hath frequently been seen how a Church by her yeelding unto the snares of her adversaries through fear or prudence falsely so called hath brought ruine destruction insensibly upon herself The yeelding unto a little in the beginning of a defection hath proven the bane neck-break of Churches cedeing to little formes at first hath brought in the masse at last But now it is hoped that such as shall duely Christianly ponder the premisses shall not account the grounds of the sufferings of that Church people punctilioes or inconsiderable triffles whatever such as do not weighâ—… matters in the ballance of the sanctuary but according to their owne phancies may judge And therefore it may be thought that strangers who shall judge of matters according to the truth shall rather stand astonished wonder at the pusilanimity fainting of heart which hath there appeared at this time enquire what â—…s become of that Spirit of boldnesse zeal courage for the cause truth of God which formerly did act the faithfull ministers professours of the Land And where are all those worthies who set their faces against greater stormes then any that hath appeared of late And how is it that so many have out lived their own zeal faithfulnesse by silence at such a time when God in his dispensations did call upon thâ—… to cry aloud not to spare have betrayed the precious interests of Christ which their predecessours valued beyond their lives And how is it that this generation hath degenerated so far as their predecessours might be ignorant of them not acknowledge them have forgotten their former zeal May not the world wonder at this But what wonder is it that it be so when now their rock hath sold them the Lord hath shut them up when now the Lord hath been displeased and hath made them to drink the wine of astonishment for their provocations hath taken spirit courage from them that they may know at length how evill bitter a thing it is that they have forsaken the Lord their God And therefore this dispensation of the Lord unto that Church may ought to be improved by other protestant neighbour Churches as a warning from the Lord to repent returne unto him for because of her backslideings hath the Lord brought all this upon her he is a jealous God who will sparâ—… none but the greater their injoyments have been when these are abused to licentiousnesse not improved for the glory of God the advancement of the work of reformation of Churches of particular persons the sorâ—… will the plagues judgments be with which he will visit such It concerneth all about all who hear of the Lord 's dealing with her to repent remember from whence they are fallen to do their first works for because of her departing from the love of her espousals the kindenesse of her youth the Lord is now visiteing her with sore sharpe rodes Professions yea large professions will not save in the day of God's anger He searcheth the hearts the reines he loveth truth in the inward parts therefore the faire flourishes of outward professions will not satisfie if there be not more Covenanting with the Lord will not hold off judgments when conscience is not made of these covenants And now it hath not been Scotland's Covenanting with God that hath brought all this upon her But Scotlands dealing deceitfully in the Covenant For so long as she was with some singlenesse of heart aimeing honestly at the promoveing of the ends of the Covenant the Lord made her â—…errible unto all her adversaries made one chase an hundereth But so soon as this vow was forgotten the ends thereof not sincerely minded sought after then the Lord departed from her she could not shake her self as before Finally it would become all neighbour reformed Churches to be upon their guaird for the same Spirit that troubleth that Church now is the Spirit of Antichrist seeking to re-enter there after he hath been cast out with all his appurtenances in a most universall solemne manner the door barâ—…ed with solemne Covenants oaths made unto the most high And indeed hath gained great footing already for there is more popâ—…ry openly professed this day then hath been openly avowed almost these hundered of yeers And if Antichrist shall againe get possession there any may judge what hazard other Churches are into what cause they have to withstand the same if they can do no more for that effect to pray to him who will hear at length that he would hasten that day in his own time wherein it might be said Babilon the great is fallen is fallen is become the habitation of devils the hold of every foule Spirit so that the Kings of the earth who have Committed 〈◊〉 lived deliciously with her may bewaile her lament for her when they shall see the smoak of her burnings for he will at length judge the great whore which did corrupt the earth with her fornications will avenge the blood of his servants at her hand then shall that Church being fully freed from the yoke of prelacy other abhominations with others be glade rejoyce when that wicked with all his appurtenances shall be consumed with the Spirit of his mouth shall be destroyed with the brightnesse of his coming Even so come Lord Iesus AMEN The Contents THe INTRODUCTION Pag. 1. Sheweth
the Lord would do how shoon he would appeare for his oppressed people interest declare that he hath chosen Ziou hath desired it for his habitation then clothe her priests with salvation cause her saints to shout aloud for joy The popish prelaticall malignant faction have been losers when they thought themselves gainers all their victoryes have proven hurtfull to their owne cause And who can tell but this day which they think they have gained and the victory whereof they think themselves so firmly and certanely possessed as that they shall never lose it againe may prove the most fatal day that ever they saw a victory tending to the everlasting ruine of their cause interest 11. Thou mayest see these Covenants against which in this degenerate age reproach cannot sufficiently be poured forth vindicated And the lands obliged Covenanted lands before the Lord what ever course hath been taken by higher powers to loose the obligation This Gordian Knot will not be gotten so easily loosed as some would imagine People may think to close their eyes then reason themselves out of the obligation ofa Covenant oath taken before the Lord so cast themselves at liberty But that will only wreeth the heavy yoke ofGods curse straiter about their neck It is no small matter of admiration to hear how basely many men do speak of these holy bonds sacred Covenants But let men who take pleasure in venting the venome that is within say what they will Scotland hath no cause to be ashamed of these Covenants It was a sweet day when the nationall Covenant which had been long buried in oblivion was raised out of the dust renewed And it may be Scotland shall have as sweet a day when both that Covenant the solemne league Covenant which now lyeth buried under a heep of the ashes of contempt reproach shall be raised up renewed with great acclamation of joy It is true this seemeth not to be very probable now but Scotlands covenanted God liveth his arme is not shortened There was not very great probability of renewing the nationall Covenant some few years before when the prelats were tyrannizing at pleasure no man durst so much as complaine of any injury they did It is easie with God to put Spirit courage in people make them stand upon their feet become an exceeding great army who were before but dry bones yea very dry bones howbeit now that league Cov. be looked upon as a device contrived purposely to overturne the throne Yet as it hath already proven so againe it may prove as sure a pillar for the throne as any as effectuall a meane to preserve the same from being overturned as any other But Christian reader by what thou will see in the following sheets thou Mayest easily perceive that it is both a sinfull dangerous thing to break Covenant a sin which heathens have scarred at And therefore remember thy Covenants and vowes made unto the most high let not the speaches nor carriage of others who think they cannot exceed in casting out the venome of their heart against these Covenants lessen thine estimation of them but rather increase the same And the more thou hear others cry down these Covenants as null keep thy self under their tye so much the more carefully Make conscience of studying these Covenants the duties unto which thou standest bound before the Lord by vertue thereof It is true thou art noâ—… now in a capacity to Act for the carrying on of the endâ—… of those Covenants as some time thou hast been yet keep thy Spirit still under the impression of their obligeing force when thou cannot by acting promove the ends of the Covenant thou mayest do it by constancie in patient suffering for adhereing to that cause Covenant See what thou art obliged unto by vertue of these Covenants let never these duties be forgotten but as the Lord offereth occasion let it appear that thou art under the impression of the oath of God thus shalâ—… thou have peace joy when shame shall cover the faces of all Covenant breakers 12. Thou mayest see how this yoke of prelacy wreethed in former times about the necks of the inhabitants of Scotland did prove so intolerably grievous that they were made to groan under it and how they became restlesse untill they shook it off And experience this day doth prove how necessaryly it is attended with grievous oppression soul affliction It hath been found is seen this day how prelats have trampled do trample upon the nobility gentâ—…ie burgesses of the Land The land formerly hath found to day doth finde what the weight of a Saint Andrew's crosse of the prelate's râ—…het is And that their little finger is heavier then the loyns of Ministers whatever grudge out-cry there was against the discipline of the Church It is true they proclame liberty give way to all vice iniquity are leaders into these wicked wayes themselves are paterns patrons unto the people whom they encourage by their evil example to follow them in their trade of wickednesse it is like this is the only thing which maketh that Goyernment desirable unto many who love not to be curbed in their licentious wicked courses but desire to have the bridle laid upon their necks liberty to follow the swinge of their own corruptions beastly lusts Yet it may be that many are ere now wearying of them Yea who knoweth but before this time many of the nobles others of the land who did earnestly pant after a change of Church Government wishing the day wherein prelats might be re-established in their power faithfull Ministers oppressed put to the door that so they might enjoy full free liberty to commit sin with greadinesse do beginne to be think themselves to be sensible of their folly when they see how Prelats trade upon their necks not careing what disrespect they put upon them or how basely they use them when they see that they have acted below themselves below men when they made shipwrack of their consciences sold their souls to promove their ambitious designes to help them to ascend unto the tope of their intended grandour no doubt many are thinking with themselves that they have run too fast when they see that all the thanks that they are like to have from those who excell in ingratitude is to be trode upon as mire of the streets It is a bad reward but the just righteous hand of God may be seen in it to inslave the persons bodies of such who have voluntarily iâ—…slaved their souls to set them on high O that the nobles gentry of the land would at length resent this indignity observe the hand of God punishing them with a whipe of their own making when they see how undervalueingly these
to make way for repaireing of the ruines building up the breaches thereof for establishing the same on right sure foundations in your Maj. person family and to do those things when they were so litle expected in so quyet peaceable a way and without the effusion of Christian blood imbroyling the Kingdomes in the misery calamities of a new war And as we adore the wonderfull wise hand of God blesse his name who hath done these things so it is not only our practice for the present but our sincere resolution for the time to come to pouâ—… forth the fervent desires supplicatioâ—… of our soull unto the most high by whom kings reigne for the preservation saiftie of your Maj. person for the multiplication of his spirit increase of it upon you that you may imploy your power to his praise the comfort of his people for the Establishing of your just power greatnesse in subordination to him to be faithfull loyall rendering all the dutyes of honour subjection obedience to your Maj. that are due from humble loving subjects unto their native lawfull prince soveraigne And we desire to be perswaded with confidence to promise to ourselves that your Maj. will accept of those our professions as proceeding from loyall honest hearts allow us the protection countenance incouragement in our station callings that may be expected from a gracious king And considering the great happinesse that ariseth both to kirk and state all the members thereof by the mutuall good understanding betuixt the supreme Magistrat the faithfull of the land when it pleaseth divine providence so to dispose the many calamities miseries that in the holy justice just indignation of God do attend the separating or violating of these only sure foundations of states and 〈◊〉 kingdomes We are bold in the integrity of our hearts in the zeal of the glory of the Lord of the good of his church of your Maj. honour happinesse from the sense of manifold great obligations that be upon us before the Lord so to do particularly that of the Covenant That what lets we are not able of our selves to suppresse and overcome we shall reveal and make known that they may be prevented remedied Humbly to presente unto your Maj. and make known the great danger that threateneth religion and the work of reformation in the churches of God in these kingdomes from the desires and endeavour of the remanent of the popish prelaticall and malignant party therein which is begining to lift up the head not only to render hatefull but to bear downe many of your Maj. good subjects who have been imployed as instruments in the work have keeped within the bounds of their duty in promoveing preserving the same so far as humane frailty would permit but also to overthrow that blessed work it self and to reintroduce prelacy the ceremonies the service book and all these corruptions which were formerly cast out as inconsistent with that pure and spotelesse rule of church governement discipline and divine worshipe delivered to us in the word of God as a yoke of bondage that neither we nor our fathers were able to bear and though we know that that Spirit will not want its specious pretences plausible insinuations for compassing these ends yet as there cannot readily be greater disservice to the church of God to these Kingdoms to your Maj. honour happinesse then actings of that nature so we cannot without horrour of Spirit astonishment of heart think upon what dreadfull guiltinesse King Princes Ministers People shall be involved into what fearfull wrath shall attend them from the face of an angry jealous God if after all the light that he hath made to shine in these kingdomes from his blessed word for discovery of the error Impiety of these things after his hand hath been lifted up so high for casting out of the same after solemne vowes engadgments taken upon themselves before God angels men against them if they should againe lick up the vomit thereof God forbid that we should either hear or see such heart astonishing bitter things which would turne the mirth of the Lords people into mourning their songs into most sad lamentations Neither are we lesse apprehensive of the endeavours of the spirit of errour that possesseth Sectaries in these Nations which as it did at first promove a vast tolleration in things religious and afterwards did proceed to the frameing of mischief into a law so we doubt not but it will still be active unto the promoving procuring of the same under the specious pretext of liberty to tender consciences the effects whereof have in a few years past been so dreadfull that we cannot think of the continuing thereof but with much trembling fear Therefore knowing that to Kings Princes Rulers Magistrats appertaineth the purgation preservation of religion that nothing can contribute more unto the preserving and promoveing of religion the work of reformation then that all places of power trust be filled with men of a blamelesse christian conversation approven integrity known affection to the cause of God We your Maj. most humble supplicants subjects with bowed knees bended affections humbly supplicat your Maj. that you would imploy your royall power unto the preservation of the reformed religion in the church of Scotland in doctrine worship discipline governement for the reformation of Religion in the Kingdome of England Irland in doctrine worshipe discipline goverment and to the carrying on of the work of uniformity of religion in the church of God in the three Kingdomes in one confession of faith forme of church goverment directory of worshipe catechisâ—…ing and to the extirpation of popery prelacy superstition heresy schisme prophanesse whatsoever is contrary to sound doctrine the power of Godlinesse And that all places of trust under your Majest may be filled with such as have taken the Covenant are of approven integrity known affection to the cause of God If in a matter that so much concerneth the honour of God the good of his Church your Maj. honour happinesse we be jealous with a godly jealousy we know your Maj. wisdom lenity to be such as will easily pardon And the sense of our duty to God to your Maj. the fear of those kingdoms transgressions by building up againe the things that were destroyed constraineth us to be petitioners against the same earnestly to intreat that any beginnings of stumbling which already have been given in those things especially in the matter of Prelacy ceremonies the Servicebook in your Majesty chappell and family and other places of your Dominions may be removed and taken away And that there may be no
furder proceeding in these things which grieve the Spirit of God and give offence to your Maj. good subjects who are engadged with you in the same Covenant and work of reformation And that your Maj. for establishing the hearts and strengthening the hands of these who are faithfull in the work of the Lord for quashing the hopes endeavours of adversaries would be pleased to give publick signification of your approbation of the Covenant And of your purpose to adhere unto the same to carry on the work of God in these Kingdoms according thereunto that your Maj. eyes may be upon the faithfull of the land that they may dwell with you We hope your Maj. will not take offence 〈◊〉 we be the Lord's remembrancers to you That you were pleased a little before your coming to this kingdom afterwards at the time of your coronation to assure declare by your solemne Oath under your hand seal in the presence oâ—… Almighty God The searcher of hearts your allowance approbation of the Nationall Covenant the Solemne League Covenant faithfully obligeing your self to prosecute the ends thereof in your station calling that your Maj. for your self Successours should consent agree to all acts of Parl. enjoyning the nationall Cov Solemne League Cov. fully establishing Presbyteriall Gov directory for Worship confession of faith Cathecismes in the Kingdom of Scotland as they are approven by the Gen. Assemblies of this kirk And Parliaments of this Kingdom And that your Maj. should give your Royall assent to acts ordinances of Parl. past or to be past enjoyning the same in your Maj. Dominions that yow should observe these in your practice family should never make opposition to any of those Nor endeavour any change thereof And we desire to be persuaded that no length of time hath made your Maj. forget Or weakened in your Maj. heart the sense of the obligation of the great solemne Oath of God in the Covenants Yea that the afflictions where with God hath exercised your Maj. these years past the great wonderfull deliverance that of late he hath granted unto you hath fixed deeper Impressions upon your heart spirit that among all the kings of the earth Reformation of Religion shall have no greater friend then your Maj Yea that as yee are more excellent then the kings of the Earth in regaird of the purity of profession solemne engadgments unto God And long exercisednesse with manifold afflictions in the Lord 's setting you over these Kingdomes which are not only thorow grace the first fruites of the gentiles But also are among all we know in the World the most eminent for the power purity of the Gospel So shall your Maj. in your Princely Station dignity excell them in the zeal of God for the Kingdom of Iesus Christ And that by how much more your Maj. by the constitution good hand of the Almighty is lifted up above the sphere of your subjects by so much more shall your motion be more vigorous active unto the carrying about by the influence of your royall Head by your example all the Orbs of inferiour powers persones in these kingdomes in subordination to God your Maj. in the practice of godlinesse vertue It is the desire of our soul that your Maj. may be like unto David a man according to Gods own heart Like unto Solomon of an understanding heart to judge the Lord's people to discerne betwixt good bad Like unto Iehosaphat whose heart was lifted up in the wayes of the Lord Like unto Hezekiah eminent for godlinesse and integrity Like unto Iosiah who was of a tender heart did humble himself before God when he heard his word against Ierusalem the inhabitants of Iudah and not only made a Covenant before the Lord to walk after the Lord and keep his commandements with all his heart and with all his soul to performe the Covenant but also caused all that were in Ierusalem Benjamin to stand to it took away the abomination out of all the countreyes that pertained to all the children of Israël and made all that were present in Israël to serve even to serve the Lord their God So shall your Maj. inherite the honour blessing of these kings upon the earth and their happinesse in heaven So shall your Maj. person be preserved your government established over these kingdomes Which is the unfeigned desire and fervent supplication of your Maj. most humble loyall subjects Now the Reader having considered this humble addresse and supplication may judge if there was any thing therin either treasonable or seditious reflecting on his Maj. on the government of the kingdom of England or the constitution of the present Committy of Estates or any thing tending to the raiseing of new tumults and re-kindleing a civill warre among his Maj. good subjects as their enemies were pleased to give it out oâ—… which did deserve imprisonement yea whether it was not their duty the duty of all the Ministers of Scotland to be thus faithfull in giving timeous warning and faithfull exhortation unto their Prince that they might have prevented as much as lay in them the sad defection which was then feared indeed followed thereafter Nether let any say that such things might well be gathered from their other letters for they had nothing beside that letter save some scrols of a letter and some instructions to one of their number for no other purpose then for the communicating of the supplication unto the Ministers of their judgment in severall Presbyteries within the Synod of Glasgow for desiring their approbation thereof concurrence therein This is one sad dispensation But it is only the beginning of sorrow of much woe following SECTION IIII. The suffering of the Noble Marquise of Argile who was executed the 27 Day of May 1661. examined by law WHile the Parliament is in hand with reverend Mr Guthriâ—… who had been a prisoner since the 23 day of August 1660 of whom mention shall be made in the next section They have also the worthy renowned Marguese of Argile among their hands who though he had a maine hand in bringing home the king closeing the second treaty at Breda yet while he is going up to London after the kings late returne from exile to congratulat his Maj. returne is made prisoner in the Tour of London thereafter is sent down to Scotland indited of heigh treason before the Parl. at length is beheaded his head is stuck up upon the tolbooth of Edenburgh Questionlesse strangers will think it behoved to be some great matter for which the life of such an eminent famous nobleman who had been so renowned at home abroad for his faithfulnesse and constancy in carrying on the work cause of God was taken But the very truth is what ever
persecution is another question Elders are ordained appoynted to Churches Act. 14 23. Tit. 1 5. But enough of this in this place The first particular then must be a little more narrowly examined he sayeth That in some places at first there were noneplaced but only a Bishop Deacons for this he citeth Clement's Epistle saying The Apostles preaching through countreyes and cities ordained the first fruits of such as beleeved to be Bishops and Deacons But by Bishops here he cannot understand such Bishops as are now spoken of that is such as had power over Presbyters and Churches for himself doth abundantly cleare the contrary And what can be allaidged to prove that he meaneth only one Bishop in one place is not yet apparent only he referreth his reader to other testimonies which must also be looked upon examined But it is certaine the place it self speaketh as much for one Deacon in a place as for one Presbyter or Bishop for both are one as himself will acknowledge as clearly for moe Bishops as for moe Deacons in villages or cities 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here are as well Bishops in cities villages as Deacons But then he citeth Epiphanius contra Aeâ—…m Haeres 75. saying That at the first there were no Bishops appoynted then the Apostle writteth to Bishops Deacons for the Apostles could not setle all things at first for there was a necessity of Presbyters Deacons for by these two Officers all Ecclesiastick offices might be performed for where there was none found worthy to be a Bishop the place remained without one but where necessity required one there were some found fit some were ordained Bishops but for want of convenient number there could be no Presbyters found out in such places they were contented with the Bishop Deacons But what can Epiphanius or any other writter in his time do as to the clearing of what was the practice of the Apostles concerning which is the present discourse must their testimony be beleeved without a word of Scripture to warrand the same Yea must they be beleeved when they speak contrary to the word Be it so that there was a time in which there were Presbyters Deacons againe a time in which there were Bishops deacons what will this say so long as nothing is said to prove that these Bishops Presbyters were distinct officers not one the same as is supposed of the Bishops presbyters now under debate all this will never prove a distinct species of Government but alwayes one the same whether the presbyters be called presbyters or Bishops 3. Be it so that in some places there were only one Bishop or Presbyter deacons appoynted of which there can no warrand be seen in scripture for scripture sayeth that there were presbyters ordained 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Act. 14 23. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tit. 1 5. for it was to cities whither the Apostles did most resort to plante Churches not to countrey villages where gentilisme did long thereafter continue whence these of that religion were called Pagani what will this speak for Episcopall Government so long as this one Bishop could not be a Bishop properly so called not having presbyters under him Or doth he think that it is inconsistent with presbyterian Government that one preaching presbyter be set over a parish or a village that he others joyn with the presbyters one or moe of a Neighbour city in things of common concernment or must he rule in that village independently Mr Stillingfleet will not acknowledge this Nor can he say that he can exerce Episcopall power Therefore though this were granted to him the Government may still be presbyteriall 4 How can Epiphanius say that the Apostles could not setle all things at the first if they could not do it who could do it else had they not the Spirit in great measure to prompt them to do what was fit expedient either they could not get men fit to be Bishops or a sufficient number to be presbyters But this will suppone that at that time presbyters Bishops were destinct which Stilling fleet will not acknowledge Epiphanius cannot give one instance of a Bishop distinct from superiour unto preaching Presbyters setled in a Church alone with some few deacons The reader may see this passage more fully examined by Wallo Messalinus pag. 102. pag. 277. c. The next author which he citeth is Clemens Alexandrinus out of Eusebius saying That Iohn after his retâ—…n from Paâ—…mos went abroad into severall places in some constituting Bishops in some setting in order whole Churches in other choosing â—…ur one among the rest whom he set over the Church But of this the 〈◊〉 is utterly silent therefore it cannot be received as an undoâ—… ed thing what would Mr Stillingfleet gather from 〈◊〉 He seteth it down in the words of Walo Messalinus Pag. â—…25 In majoribus urbibus plures i. e. it is probable that there were moâ—… presbyters ordained in greater townes and fewer in lesser towâ—… bâ—… villages or litle parishes one only especially when there was no 〈◊〉 number of beleevers And now let any â—…dge it there câ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thing gathered thence for Episcopall Government 〈◊〉 thing for this end he must prove out of this passage 〈◊〉 doth nothing He must prove out of it that the 〈◊〉 some places did setle presbyterian Government 〈◊〉 places Episcopall otherwise he is but beating the winde for no asserters of Presbyterian Government did ever yet finde them selves necessitated to maintaine that the Apostles did set up an equall number of Presbyters in every Church or yet a plurality of preaching presbyters in each village or countrey place or such as the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so that though all this were granted his poynt would not yet be proved At leâ—… he citeth Ambrose or rather â—…ilarius in Eph. 4. saying primum enim c. i. e. at first all did teach all did baptize at any time or on any day but when the Church took in all places about there were conventicles instituted there were Governours other offices appoynted that so none might assume to himself that office which did not appertaine to him not being as yet ordained therefore the writtings of the Apostles do not in every poynt agree with the ordination which now is in use in the Church c. But how this can speak home to the poynt iâ—… not discernable For the author is to give the ground why the writings of the Apostles were not suiteable to the times in which he lived viz because matters were other wayes setled in his time then in the dayes of the Apostles and will any hence inferre that the Apostles setled Churches with distinct formes oâ—… models because after ages did so who will beleeve this consequence 2. There is no mention made