Iesus then that the zeale of Christ Iesus his glory provoke and move you to set his oppressed Kirk at freedome and libertie wee feare your sharpe and suddaine punishments and that the glory and honor of this enterprise be reserved unto others And yet shall this our judgement abide to the generations following for a monument and witnesse how lovingly God called you and this nation to Repentance what counsellours God sent unto you and how you have used the same If obediently ye heare God now calling we doubt not but he shall heare you in your greatest necessitie But if following your owne corrupt judgements ye contemne his voice and vocation we are assured that your former iniquitie and present ingratitude shall together crave great punishment from God who cannot long delay to execute his most just judgements when after many offences and long blindnesse grace and mercy offered is contemptuously refused God the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ by the power of his holy Spirit so illuminate your hearts that ye may cleerly see what is pleasing and acceptable in his presence and so bow the same to his obedience that ye may preferre his revealed will to your owne affections And so strengthen you by the Spirit of Fortitude that boldly yee may punish vice and maintaine vertue within this Realme to the praise and glory of his holy Name to the comfort and assurance of your own consciences and to the consolation and the good example of the posterity following Amen By your Honours most humble servitors From Edinburgh the 20. of May. 1560. Act of Secret Counsell 17 Januarii anno 1560. WEE which have subscribed thir presents having advised with the Articles herein specified as is above mentioned from the beginning of this book thinkes the same good and conforme to Gods Word in all points conforme to the notes and additions hereto eiked and promises to set the same forward to the uttermost of our powers Providing that the Bishops Abbots Priors and other Prelates and benificed men which else have adjoyned them to us bruik the revenues of their benefices during their life times they sustaining and upholding the Ministry and Ministers as herein is specified for the Preaching of the Word and ministring of the Sacraments sic subscribitur James Hamiltoun Archbald Argyle James Stewart Rothes Boid William Lord Hay Alexander Cambell M. Alexander Gordoun Glencarne Vchiltrie Sanquhare S. Jhones William of Culrosse Drumlangrig Bargannie yonger Lochinvar Cunninghamhead James Haliburtoun Ihone Lochart of Bar. Jone Schaw of Halie Scot of Haning James Maxwell George Fentoun of that ilk Andro Ker of Fadounside Andro Hamiltoun of Lethane Deane of Murray The second Booke of Discipline Heads and Conclusions of the Policie of the Kirk CHAP. I. Of the Kirk and policie thereof in generall and wherein it is different from the civill policie THE Kirk of God sometimes is largely taken for all them that professe the Evangell of Iesus Christ and so it is a company and fellowship not onely of the godly but also of hypocrites professing alwayes outwardly the true Religion Other times it is taken for the Godly and Elect only and sometimes for them that exercise spirituall function in the congregation of them that professe the truth The Kirk in this last sense hath a certain power granted by God according to which it uses a proper jurisdiction and government exercised to the comfort of the whole Kirk This power Ecclesiasticall is an authoritie granted by God the Father through the Mediator Iesus Christ unto his Kirke gathered and having the ground in the Word of God to be put in execution by them unto whom the spirituall government of the Kirk by lawfull calling is committed The Policie of the Kirk flowing from this power is an order or forme of spirituall government which is exercised by the members appointed thereto by the Word of God and therefore is given immediately to the office-bearers by whom it is exercised to the weale of the whole body This power is diversly used for sometime it is severally exercised chiefly by the teachers sometime conjunctly by mutuall consent of them that bear the office and charge after the form of judgement The former is onely called potestas ordinis and the other potestas jurisdictionis These two kinds of power have both one authority one ground one finall cause but are different in the manner and forme of execution as is evident by the speaking of our Master in the 16 and 18 of Matthew This power and policy Ecclesiasticall is different and distinct in the own nature from that power and policy which is called Civill power and appertaineth to the Civill government of the Common wealth albeit they be both of God and tend to one end if they be rightly used viz. to advance the glory of God and to have godly and good subjects For this power Ecclesiasticall floweth immediately from God and the mediator Jesus Christ and is spirituall not having a temporall head in the earth but only Christ the only spirituall King and governour of his Kirk It is a title falsly usurped by Antichrist to call himself head of the Kirk and ought not to be attributed to Angel nor man of what estate that ever he be saving to Christ the onely head and Monarch in the Kirk Therefore this power and policy of the Kirk should leane upon the word immediatly as the onely ground thereof and should be taken from the pure fountains of the scriptures the Kirk hearing the voice of Christ the only spirituall King and being ruled by his laws It is proper to Kings Princes and Magistrates to be called Lords and dominators over their subjects whom they govern civilly but it is proper to Christ onely to be called Lord and Master in the Spirituall government of the Kirk and all others that bear office therein ought not to usurp dominion therein nor be called Lords but only Ministers Disciples and servants For it is Christs proper office to command and rule his Kirk universally and every particular Kirk through his spirit and word by the ministery of men Notwithstanding as the Ministers and others of the Ecclesiasticall estate are subject to the Magistrate civill so ought the person of the Magistrate be subject to the Kirk spiritually and in Ecclesiasticall government And the exercise of both these jurisdictions cannot stand in one person ordinary The Civill power is called the power of the Sword and the other the power of the Keys The civill power should command the spirituall to exercise and to doe their office according to the word of God The spirituall rulers should require the Christian magistrate to minister justice and punish vice and to maintaine the liberty and quietnes of the Kirk within their bounds The Magistrate commandeth externall things for externall peace and quietnesse amongst the subjects the Minister handleth externall things onely for conscience cause The Magistrate handleth externall things only and actions done before men but
they govern Providing that they alter no rules made by the Provinciall or generall Assemblies And that they make the Provinciall Assemblies foresaid privie to the rules that they shall make and to abolish Constitutions tending to the hurt of the same It hath power to excommunicate the obstinate for mall processe being led and due intervall of times observed Anent particular Kirkes if they bee lawfully ruled by sufficient Ministers and Session they have power and Jurisdiction in their owne Congregation in matters Ecclesiasticall And decrees and declares the Assemblies Presbyteries and Sessions Jurisdiction and Discipline foresaid to bee in all times comming most just good and godly in the selfe Notwithstanding of whatsoever Statutes Acts Canons Civill or Municipall lawes made to the contrary To the which and every one of them their presents shall make expresse derogation And because there are divers Acts of Parliament made in favour of the Papisticall Kirk tending to the prejudice of the liberty of the true Kirk of God presently professed within this Realme Jurisdiction and Discipline thereof which stand yet in the bookes of the Acts of Parliament not abrogated nor annulled Therefore his Highnesse and Estates foresaid hath abrogated cassed and annulled and by the Tenour hereof abrogates casses and annulles all Acts of Parliament made by any of his Highnesse Predecessours for maintenance of superstition and idolatry withall and whatsoever Acts Lawes and Statutes made at any time before the day and date hereof against the liberty of the true Kirk Jurisdiction and Discipline thereof as the same is used and exercised within this Realme And in speciall that part of the Act of Parliament holden at Sterling the fourth day of November the yeare of God 1443. yeares commanding obedience to be given to Eugenius the Pope for the time The Act made by King Iames the third in his Parliament holden at Edinburgh the 24. of February the yeare of God 1480. yeares And all other Acts whereby the Popes authority is established The Act of King Iames the third in his Parliament holden at Edinburgh the 20. of November the yeare of God 1469. yeares anent the Saturday and other vigils to be holy dayes from Evensong to Evensong Item that part of the Act made by the Queene Regent in the Parliament holden at Edinburgh the first day of February the yeare of God 1551. yeares giving speciall licence for holding of Pasche and Zuill Item the Kings Majesty and Estates foresaid declares that the 129. Act of the Parliament holden at Edinburgh the two and twentieth of May the yeare of God 1584. yeares shall no wayes be prejudiciall nor derogate any thing from the priviledge that God hath given to the spirituall Office-bearers in the Kirk concerning heads of Religion matters of Heresie excommunication collation or deprivation of Ministers or any such like essentiall censures specially grounded and having warrant of the word of God Item our Soveraigne Lord and Estates of Parliament fore-said abrogates casses and annihilates the Acts of the same Parliament holden at Edinburgh the said yeare 1584. yeares granting commission to Bishops and other Judges constitute in Ecclesiasticall causes to receive his Highnesse presentation to Benefices to give collation thereupon and to put order to all causes Ecclesiasticall which his Majesty and Estates afore-said declares to bee expired in the selfe and to bee null in time comming of none availe force or effect And therefore ordaines all Presentations to Benefices to be direct to the particular Presbyteries in all time comming with full power to give collation thereupon and to put order to all matters and causes Ecclesiasticall within their bounds according to the Discipline of the Kirk providing the fore-said Presbyteries be bound and astricted to receive and admit whatsoever qualified Minister presented by his Majesty or laicke Patrons THE FIRST BOOKE OF DISCIPLINE To the great Councell of Scotland now admitted to the Regiment by the providence of God and by the Common consent of the Estates thereof Your Honours humble Servitours and Ministers of Christ Jesus within the same wish grace mercy and peace from God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with the perpetuall increase of the holy Spirit FRom your Honours weereceived a charge dased at Edinburgh the 29. of April in the yeare of our Lord 1560. requiring and commanding us in the name of the eternall God as wee will answer in his presence to commit to writing and in abooke deliver to your wisedomes our judgements touching the reformation of Religion which heretofore in this Realme as in others hath beene utterly corrupted upon the receit whereof so many of us as were in this Towne did conveene and in unity of minde doe offer unto your wisedomes these subsequents for common order and uniformity to bee observed in this Realme concerning doctrine administration of Sacraments election of Ministers provision for their sustentation Ecclesiasticall discipline and policy of the Church Most humbly requiring your Honours that as you looke for participation with Christ Jesus that neither ye admit any thing which Gods plaine word shall not approve neither yet that ye shall reject such ordinances as equity justice and Gods word doe specifie For as wee will not bind your wisedomes to our judgements further then wee are able to prove by Gods plaine Scriptures so must we most humbly crave of you even as ye will answer in Gods presence before whom both ye and wee must appeare to render accounts of all our facts that ye repudiate nothing for pleasure and affection of men which ye bee not able to improve by Gods written and revealed word The first head of Doctrine SEing that Christ Jesus is he whom God the Father hath commanded onely to bee heard and followed of his sheepe wee judge it necessary that his Gospell bee truely and openly preached in every Church and Assembly of this Realme and that all doctrine repugnant to the same be utterly repressed as damnable to mans salvation The explication of the first head LEst that upon this generality ungodly men take occasion to cavill this wee adde for explication By preaching of the Gospell wee understand not onely the Scriptures of the new Testament but also of the old to wit the Law Prophets and Histories in which Christ Jesus is no lesse contained in figure then wee have him now expressed in verity And therefore with the Apostle we affirme that all Scripture inspired of God is profitable to in struct to reprove and to exhort In which bookes of old and new Testaments we affirme that all thing necessary for the instruction of the Church and to make the man of God perfect is contained and sufficiently expressed By the contrary doctrine wee understand whatsoever men by lawes counsells or constitutions have imposed upon the conseiences of men without the expressed commandement of Gods word such as bee the vowes of chastity for swearing of marriage binding of men and women to severall and disguised apparells to the superstitious
and Elders of the Church and that openly and before all that list to heare in all the chiefe points that now bee in controversie betwixt us and the Papists Anabaptists Arrians or other such enemies to the Christian Religion In which if hee bee found sound able to perswade by wholesome doctrine and to convince the gaine-sayer then must hee bee directed to the Church and Congregation where hee should serve that there in open andience of his Flock in diverse publick Sermons hee may give confession of his faith in the article of Justification in the Office of Christ Jesus of the number effect and use of the Sacraments and finally of the whole Religion which heretofore hath beene corrupted by the Papists If his doctrine bee found wholesome and able to instruct the simple and if the Church justly can reprehend nothing in his life doctrine nor utterance then wee judge the Church which before was destitute unreasonable if they tefuse him whom the Church did offer and they should bee compelled by the censure of the Councell and Church to receive the person appointed and approved by the judgement of the godly and learned unlesse that the same Church have presented a man better or as well qualified to the examination before that this foresaid triall was taken of the person presented by the councell of the whole Church As for example The councell of the Church presents to any Church a man to bee their Minister not knowing that they are otherwise provided in the meane time the Church is provided of another sufficient in their judgment for that charge whom they prefent to the learned Ministers and next reformed Church to be examined In this case the presentation of the people to whom hee should bee appointed Pastor must bee preferred to the presentation of the councell or greater Church unlesse the person presented by the inferiour Church bee judged unable of the Regiment by the Learned For altogether this is to bee avoided that any man bee violently intruded or thrust in upon any Congregation But this liberty with all care must bee reserved to every severall Church to have their Votes and Suffrages in election of their Ministers But violent intrusion wee call not when the councell of the Church in the feare of God and for the salvation of the people offereth unto them a sfficient man to instruct them whom they shall not bee forced to admit before just examination as before is said What may unable any person that hee may not bee admitted to the Ministery of the Church IT is to bee observed that no person noted with publique infamy or being unable to edifie the Church by wholesome doctrine or being knowne of corrupt judgment bee either promoted to the regiment of the Church or yet retained in Ecclesiasticall administration Explication BY publick infamy wee understand not the common sinnes and offences which any hath committed in time of blindnes by fragility if of the same by a better and more sober conversation hee hath declared himselfe verily penitent but such capitall crimes as the Civill sword ought and may punish with death by the word of God For besides that the Apostle requireth the life of Ministers to bee so irreprehensible that they have a good testimonie from those that bee without wee judge it a thing unseemly and dangerous that hee shall have publick authority to preach to others life everlasting from whom the Civill Magistrate may take the life temporall for a crime publickly committed And if any object that the Prince hath pardoned his offence and that hee hath publickly repented and so not only his life is in assurance but also that he may bee received to the Ministery of the Church Wee answer that repentance doth not take away the temporall punishment of the Law neither doth the pardon of the Prince remove his infamie before man That the life and conversation of the person presented or to be elected may be the more clearely knowne publick edicts should be directed to all parts of this Realme or at the least to those parts where the person had beene most conversant as where hee was nourished in letters or where hee continued since the yeares of infancie and childhood were passed Straight commandement would bee given that if any capitall crimes were committed by him that they should bee notified as if hee had committed wilfull murder adultery if hee were a common fornicator a thiefe a drunkard a fighter brawler or contentious person These Edicts ought to bee notified in the chiefe Cities with the like charge and commandement with declaration that such as concealed his sinnes knowne did deceive and betray so farre as in them lay the Church which is the Spouse of Christ Jesus and did communicate with the sinnes of that wicked man Admission THe Admission of Ministers to their offices must consist in consent of the people and Church whereto they shall be appointed and approbation of the learned Ministers appointed for their examination Wee judge it expedient that the Admission of Ministers bee in open audience that some speciall Minister make a Sermon touching the dutie and office of Ministers touching their manners conversation and life as also touching the obedience which the Church oweth to their Ministers Commandement should bee given as well to the Minister as to the people both being present to wit That he with all carefull diligence attend upon the flock of Christ Jesus over the which hee is appointed Preacher That hee will walke in the presence of God so sincerely that the graces of the Holy spirit may bee multiplied into him and in the presence of men so soberly and uprightly that his life may confirme in the eyes of men that which by tongue and word hee perswaded unto others The people would bee exhorted to reverence and honor their Ministers chosen as the servants and Embassadors of the Lord Jesus obeying the commandements which they pronounce from Gods mouth and book even as they would obey God himfelfe For whosoever heareth Christs Ministers heareth himselfe and whosoever rejecteth and despiseth their ministery and exhortation rejecteth and despiseth Christ Iesus Other ceremony then the publick approbation of the people and declaration of the chiefe Minister that the person there presented is appointed to serve the Church wee cannot approve for labeit the Apostles used imposition of hands yet seeing the miracle is ceased the using of the ceremony wee judge not necessary The Minister elected or presented examined and as said is publickly admitted may neither leave the flocke at his pleasure to which hee had promised his fidelity and labours neither yet may the flock reject nor change him at their appetite unlesse they bee able to convict him of such crimes as deserve deposition whereof we shall after speake Wee mean not but that the whole Church or the most part thereof for just considerations may transferre a minister from one Church to another neither yet meane wee that men who now serve as
the spirituall ruler judgeth both inward affections and externall actions in respect of conscience by the word of God The Civill Magistrate craves and gets obedience by the sword and other externall meanes but the Ministery by the spirituall sword and spirituall means The Magistrate neither ought to preach minister the sacraments nor execute the censures of the Kirk nor yet prescribe any rule how it should be done but command the Ministers to observe the rule commanded in the word and punish the transgressors by Civill meanes The Ministers exerce not the Civill jurisdiction but teach the Magistrate how it should bee exercised according to the word The Magistrate ought to assist maintaine and fortifie the jurisdiction of the Kirk The Ministers should assist their Princes in all things agreeable to the word providing they neglect not their own charge by involving themselves in civill affaires Finally as Ministers are subject to the judgement and punishment of the Magistrate in externall things if they offend so ought the Magistrates to submit themselves to the discipline of the Kirk if they transgresse in matters of Conscience and Religion CHAP. II. Of the Policie of the Kirk and persons and office-bearers to whom the administration is committed AS in the civill policy the whole Commonweale consisteth in them that are governors or Magistrates and them that are governed or subjects So in the policy of the Kirk some are appointed to be rulers and the rest of the members thereof to be ruled and obey according to the word of God and inspiration of his spirit alwayes under one head and chiefe governour Jesus Christ Again the whole policy of the Kirk consisteth in three things in Doctrine Discipline and Distribution With Doctrine is annexed the administration of Sacraments and according to the parts of this division ariseth a sort of threefold officers in the Kirk to wit of Ministers Preachers Elders Governours and Deacons distributers And all these may be called by a generall word Ministers of the Kirk For albeit the Kirk of God be ruled and governed by Jesus Christ who is the only King high Priest and head thereof yet he useth the ministery of men as the most necessary middes for this purpose For so he hath from time to time before the Law under the Law and in the time of the Evangell for our great comfort raised us men indued with the gifts of the spirit for the spirituall government of his Kirk exercising by them his own power through his spirit and word to the building of the same And to take away all occasion of tyranny he will that they should rule with mutuall consent of brether and equality of power every one according to their functions In the new Testament and time of the Evangell he hath used the Ministery of the Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors and Doctors in administration of the word The Eldership for good order and administration of the Discipline The Deaconship to have the cure of the Ecclesiasticall goods Some of their Ecclesiasticall function are ordinary and some extraordinary or temporary There be three extraordinary functions The office of the Apostle the Evangelist and of the Prophet which are not perpetuall and now have ceased in the Kirk of God except when it pleased God extraordinarily for a time to stirre some of them up againe There are foure ordinary functions or offices in the Kirk of God the office of the pastor Minister or Bishop the Doctor Presbyter or Elder and the Deacon Their offices are ordinary and ought to continue perpetually in the Kirk as necessary for the government and policy thereof and no more offices ought to be received or suffered in the Kirk of God established according to his word Therefore all the ambitious titles invented in the kingdome of Antichrist and in his usurped Hierarchy which are not of one of these soure sorts together with the offices depending thereupon in one word ought to be rejected CHAP. III. How the persons that bear Ecclesiasticall function are to be admitted to their office VOcation or calling is common to all that should beare office within the Kirk which is a lawfull way by the which qualified persons are promoted to any spirituall office within the Kirk of God Without this lawfull calling it was never leasome to any person to meddle with any function Ecclesiasticall There are two sorts of Calling one extraordinary by God immediately as was of the Prophets and Apostles which in Kirks established and well already reformed hath no place The other calling is ordinary which besides the calling of God and inward testimony of a good conscience is the lawfull approbation and outward judgement of men according to Gods word and order established in his Kirk None ought to presume to enter in any office Ecclesiasticall without this good testimony before God who onely knows the hearts of men This ordinary and outward calling hath two parts election and ordination Election is the choosing out of a person or persons most able to the office that vakes by the judgement of the Eldership and consent of the Congregation to which shall be the person or persons appointed The qualities in generall requisite in all them who should beare charge in the Kirk consist in soundnesse of Religion and godlinesse of life according as they are sufficiently set forth in the Word In the order of Election it is to be eschewed that any person be intruded in any offices of the Kirk contrary to the will of the congregation to which they are appointed or without the volce of the Eldership None ought to be intruded or placed in the placea already planted or in any room that vakes not for any worldly respect and that which is called the benefice ought to be nothing else but the stipend of the Ministers that are lawfully called Ordination is the separation and sanctifying of the person appointed to God and his Kirk after he be well tried and found qualified The Ceremonies of Ordination are fasting earnest Prayer and imposition of hands of the Eldership All thir as they must be raised up by God and by him made able for the work whereto they are called so ought they know their message to be limited within Gods word without the bounds of the which they ought not to passe All thir should take these titles and names onely lest they be exalted and puft up in themselves which the Scriptures gives unto them as these which import labour travell and work and are names of offices and service and not of idlenesse dignity worldly honour or preheminence which by Christ our Master is expresly reproved and forbidden All these office-bearers should have their own particular flocks amongst whom they exercise their charge All should make refidence with them and take the inspection and overfight of them every one in his vocation And generally thir twa things ought they all to respect the glory of God and edifying of his kirk in discharging their duties in