horn_n of_o it_o still_o towards_o you_o you_o far_o insinuate_v that_o our_o reason_n be_v not_o solid_a and_o grave_a but_o velitation_n of_o such_o a_o sort_n as_o you_o look_v not_o for_o let_v the_o judicious_a reader_n pronounce_v his_o sentence_n of_o this_o only_o we_o wish_v that_o you_o have_v choose_v rather_o to_o satisfy_v than_o to_o contemn_v our_o reason_n that_o which_o you_o here_o again_o add_v concern_v the_o change_n of_o commissioner_n be_v answer_v in_o our_o four_o duplye_n 8._o to_o give_v light_n to_o your_o former_a discourse_n you_o subjoyne_v a_o distinction_n of_o discipline_n into_o three_o member_n first_o you_o say_v it_o be_v take_v for_o the_o rule_n of_o government_n of_o the_o church_n and_o censure_n of_o manner_n by_o office-bearer_n appoint_v by_o christ_n and_o thus_o you_o say_v it_o be_v unchangeable_a secondlie_o for_o constitution_n of_o counsel_n and_o act_n of_o parliament_n about_o matter_n of_o religion_n and_o thus_o you_o say_v it_o be_v alterable_a or_o constant_a according_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o particular_a objecte_n thirdlie_o for_o the_o order_n of_o circumstance_n to_o be_v observe_v in_o all_o action_n divine_a and_o humane_a and_o so_o you_o say_v it_o be_v variable_a first_o by_o these_o distinction_n the_o matter_n seem_v rather_o to_o be_v obscure_v than_o clear_v for_o you_o do_v not_o express_v in_o which_o of_o these_o sense_n the_o discipline_n mention_v in_o the_o negative_a confession_n be_v to_o be_v take_v which_o be_v the_o point_n require_v of_o you_o 9_o secondlie_o you_o seem_v by_o this_o distinction_n to_o entangle_v yourselves_o yet_o more_o for_o first_o if_o you_o take_v the_o name_n of_o discipline_n in_o any_o one_o or_o any_o two_o of_o these_o sense_n what_o say_v you_o to_o these_o follow_a word_n of_o your_o dispute_n against_o the_o english_a popish_a ceremony_n parte_fw-la 4._o cap._n 8._o sect._n 8_o the_o bishop_n do_v but_o needleslie_o question_n what_o be_v mean_v by_o the_o discipline_n whereof_o the_o oath_n speak_v for_o howsoever_o in_o ecclesiastical_a use_n it_o signify_v oftentime_n that_o policy_n which_o stand_v in_o the_o censure_v of_o manner_n yet_o in_o the_o oath_n it_o must_v be_v take_v in_o the_o large_a sense_n namely_o for_o the_o whole_a policy_n of_o the_o church_n for_o 1._o the_o whole_a policy_n of_o this_o church_n do_v at_o that_o time_n go_v under_o the_o name_n of_o discipline_n and_o those_o two_o book_n wherein_o this_o policy_n be_v contain_v be_v call_v the_o book_n of_o discipline_n and_o without_o all_o doubt_n they_o who_o swear_v the_o oath_n mean_v by_o discipline_n that_o whole_a policy_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o those_o book_n 10._o second_o when_o that_o little_a confession_n be_v frame_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n be_v only_o by_o presbyter_n and_o not_o by_o bishop_n and_o therefore_a if_o you_o think_v that_o the_o name_n of_o discipline_n in_o that_o confession_n comprehend_v under_o it_o the_o first_o part_n of_o your_o distinction_n which_o as_o we_o conceive_v you_o will_v not_o deny_v you_o may_v easy_o perceive_v that_o we_o be_v urge_v by_o you_o to_o swear_v and_o subscrybe_n against_o our_o conscience_n since_o we_o think_v the_o rule_n of_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n which_o then_o be_v to_o be_v changeable_a and_o that_o the_o government_n be_v lawful_o change_v by_o follow_v assembly_n and_o parliamente_n from_o presbyter_n to_o bishop_n 11._o thirdlie_o if_o these_o constitution_n of_o counsel_n concern_v object_n alterable_a mention_v in_o the_o second_o member_n of_o your_o distinction_n be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o with_o order_v of_o variable_a circumstance_n mention_v in_o the_o three_o member_n why_o have_v you_o distinguish_v the_o one_o from_o the_o other_o but_o if_o they_o be_v different_a than_o you_o grant_v that_o ecclesiastic_a constitution_n may_v be_v make_v concern_v some_o alterable_a matter_n of_o religion_n which_o be_v not_o bare_a circumstance_n which_o be_v repugnant_a to_o your_o ordinary_a doctrine_n 5._o where-by_a you_o maintain_v that_o nothing_o changeable_a be_v lest_o to_o the_o determination_n of_o the_o church_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n but_o only_a circumstance_n of_o action_n we_o can_v not_o see_v how_o you_o can_v maintain_v this_o doctrine_n and_o yet_o oppose_v the_o determination_n of_o the_o church_n concern_v ceremony_n which_o be_v indifferent_a 12._o we_o have_v reason_n to_o inquyre_v your_o judgement_n concern_v rite_n or_o ceremony_n which_o be_v not_o of_o divine_a institution_n whether_o they_o be_v lawful_a or_o not_o though_o you_o still_o shun_v the_o declare_v of_o it_o since_o by_o your_o covenant_n you_o intend_v a_o reformation_n of_o religion_n and_o a_o recover_n of_o the_o liberty_n and_o purity_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o you_o speak_v if_o you_o in_o your_o judgement_n condemn_v such_o ceremony_n as_o you_o insinuate_v we_o can_v not_o expect_v but_o that_o if_o you_o obtain_v your_o desire_n all_o such_o rite_n shall_v be_v expel_v and_o condemn_v especial_o since_o by_o this_o your_o late_a covenant_n you_o tie_v yourselves_o to_o that_o old_a covenant_n wherein_a you_o disclaim_v and_o detest_v all_o rite_n bring_v into_o the_o church_n etc._n without_o the_o word_n of_o god._n now_o we_o can_v not_o concur_v with_o you_o for_o promove_v this_o end_n because_o such_o a_o judgement_n be_v plain_a contrary_a to_o we_o yea_o contrary_a to_o the_o universal_a judgement_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_fw-mi repugnant_a also_o to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o protestant_a church_n and_o most_o famous_a divyne_n therein_o as_o may_v appear_v by_o the_o quotation_n on_o the_o margin_n but_o if_o you_o be_v of_o the_o same_o mind_n with_o we_o and_o think_v that_o there_o be_v some_o rite_n of_o that_o kind_n lawful_a why_o do_v you_o hide_v your_o mind_n from_o we_o and_o other_o since_o the_o acknowledgement_n and_o manifest_v of_o this_o truth_n will_v be_v no_o small_a advancement_n to_o your_o cause_n by_o remove_v this_o great_a offence_n of_o matrimonial_a benediction_n and_o godfather_n in_o baptism_n 13._o as_o for_o solemn_a blessing_n of_o marriage_n we_o ask_v what_o warrant_v you_o have_v for_o it_o by_o precept_n or_o practice_n set_v down_o in_o god_n word_n in_o your_o answer_n you_o insinuate_v that_o it_o be_v a_o blessing_n of_o the_o people_n command_v in_o the_o law_n and_o more_o plain_o we_o find_v this_o set_v down_o in_o the_o dispute_n against_o the_o english_a popish_a ceremony_n part_n 3._o cap._n 2._o sect_n 10._o yet_o plain_n it_o be_v from_o scripture_n itself_o that_o matrimonial_a benediction_n aught_o to_o be_v give_v by_o a_o pastor_n for_o god_n have_v command_v his_o minister_n to_o bless_v his_o people_n num_fw-la 6._o first_o who_o ever_o before_o you_o do_v ground_n the_o necessity_n of_o solemn_a blessing_n of_o marriage_n upon_o these_o word_n num_fw-la 6.23_o speak_v unto_o aaron_n and_o unto_o his_o son_n say_v on_o this_o wise_n you_o shall_v bless_v the_o child_n of_o israel_n say_v unto_o they_o the_o lord_n bless_v thou_o and_o keep_v thou_o etc._n etc._n learned_a melanchton_n be_v not_o so_o well_o verse_v in_o scripture_n as_o to_o see_v this_o for_o he_o say_v in_o his_o epistle_n pag._n 328._o you_o see_v that_o the_o rite_n of_o the_o ancient_n be_v that_o the_o brydegroome_n and_o bride_n be_v join_v before_o the_o altar_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n and_o with_o the_o incal_v of_o god._n which_o custom_n undoubtedlie_o have_v be_v ordain_v by_o the_o first_o father_n that_o we_o may_v consider_v that_o this_o conjunction_n be_v appoint_v by_o god_n and_o be_v assist_v by_o he_o 14._o secondlie_o by_o this_o commandment_n of_o god_n to_o bless_v the_o people_n num_n 6._o either_o there_o be_v a_o necessity_n lay_v upon_o the_o church_n to_o bless_v marriage_n solemn_o or_o not_o if_o you_o say_v there_o be_v not_o a_o necessity_n than_o there_o be_v no_o commandment_n of_o god_n there-anent_a for_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o obey_v god_n commandment_n if_o you_o say_v there_o be_v a_o necessity_n what_o say_v you_o then_o to_o your_o friend_n didoclave_n who_o in_o his_o altar_n of_o damascus_n pag._n 866_o affirm_v that_o neither_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o congregation_n nor_o blessing_n of_o the_o minister_n be_v necessary_a to_o this_o action_n and_o if_o you_o dissent_v herein_a from_o he_o you_o be_v hold_v to_o prove_v your_o opinion_n by_o a_o necessary_a consequence_n from_o holy_a scripture_n which_o we_o be_v persuade_v you_o be_v not_o able_a to_o do_v 15._o thirdlie_o the_o commandment_n to_o bless_v the_o people_n be_v no_o less_o if_o not_o more_o general_a than_o that_o 1._o cor._n 14.40_o let_v all_o thing_n be_v do_v decentlie_o and_o in_o order_n on_o the_o which_o word_n both_o ancient_a and_o recent_a
duplye_n of_o the_o minister_n &_o professor_n of_o aberdene_n to_o the_o second_o answer_n of_o some_o reverend_a brethren_n concern_v the_o late_a covenant_n if_o thou_o take_v forth_o the_o precious_a from_o the_o vile_a thou_o shall_v be_v as_o my_o mouth_n let_v they_o return_v unto_o thou_o but_o return_v not_o thou_o unto_o they_o jerem_n 15.19_o honour_n all_o man_n love_v the_o brotherhood_n fear_v god_n honour_n the_o king_n 1._o pet._n 2.17_o print_a in_o aberdene_n by_o edw._n raban_n 1638._o to_o the_o unpartial_a reader_n it_o may_v be_v you_o have_v not_o as_o yet_o hear_v the_o true_a relation_n of_o our_o proceed_n and_o carriage_n towards_o those_o two_o reverend_a brethren_n who_o come_v late_o hither_o to_o recommend_v to_o we_o and_o our_o people_n the_o late_a covenant_n we_o declare_v therefore_o to_o you_o that_o we_o hear_v of_o their_o come_n and_o intention_n and_o be_v of_o a_o contrary_a mind_n resolve_v that_o before_o we_o shall_v give_v consent_n that_o 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wherefore_o this_o be_v desire_v of_o we_o you_o may_v conjecture_v see_v they_o neither_o add_v nor_o diminish_v nor_o alter_v any_o thing_n in_o their_o answer_n upon_o the_o next_o friday_n at_o night_n we_o give_v our_o reply_v to_o the_o printer_n and_o to_o these_o reverend_a brethren_n who_o return_v not_o to_o this_o city_n until_o saturday_n follow_v we_o send_v a_o copy_n of_o our_o reply_v in_o writ_n on_o the_o lord_n day_n unto_o which_o we_o receive_v not_o their_o answer_n until_o they_o come_v from_o the_o press_n to_o wit_n on_o tuesday_n the_o fourteen_o of_o august_n that_o be_v eyghteene_a day_n after_o they_o have_v receive_v our_o reply_v what_o success_n these_o brethren_n have_v in_o their_o sermon_n which_o they_o preach_v here_o upon_o two_o several_a lord_n day_n it_o be_v sufficient_o know_v neither_o have_v they_o reason_n to_o talk_v so_o much_o of_o it_o as_o they_o do_v in_o their_o preface_n to_o the_o reader_n the_o first_o of_o these_o day_n some_o few_o who_o be_v think_v to_o be_v that_o way_n incline_v before_o subscryve_v their_o covenant_n but_o the_o next_o lord_n day_n they_o scarce_o prevail_v with_o any_o at_o all_o and_o a_o great_a many_o who_o hear_v they_o both_o these_o day_n profess_a that_o they_o return_v from_o their_o sermon_n more_o averse_a from_o the_o covenant_n than_o they_o be_v before_o now_o good_a reader_n we_o present_v to_o thou_o our_o reply_v to_o their_o second_o answer_n which_o for_o shortness_n cause_n we_o have_v call_v duplye_n we_o pray_v you_o consider_v they_o unpartiallie_o and_o if_o you_o reap_v any_o benefit_n by_o peruse_v they_o let_v it_o not_o be_v ascrybed_n unto_o we_o but_o to_o the_o invincible_a force_n of_o divyne_fw-mi truth_n we_o conclude_v with_o zorobabell_a say_v blessed_n be_v the_o god_n of_o truth_n and_o let_v all_o the_o people_n shout_n and_o say_v great_a be_v truth_n and_o mighty_a above_o all_o thing_n to_o our_o reverend_a brethren_n m_n r_o alexander_n henderson_n and_o m_o r_o david_n dickson_n that_o your_o answer_n reverend_a and_o dear_a brethren_n have_v not_o in_o any_o degree_n satisfy_v we_o we_o impute_v it_o not_o to_o your_o weakness_n who_o we_o know_v to_o be_v able_a man_n and_o much_o exercyse_v in_o the_o matter_n debate_v betwixt_o we_o but_o we_o impute_v it_o to_o the_o weakness_n of_o your_o cause_n and_o to_o that_o inability_n which_o be_v in_o all_o man_n as_o well_o as_o in_o you_o to_o bear_v out_o against_o the_o truth_n we_o be_v sorry_a that_o you_o be_v not_o so_o respective_a and_o favourable_a in_o your_o judgement_n of_o we_o for_o you_o plain_o declare_v in_o your_o preface_n that_o you_o suspect_v we_o of_o prejudice_n and_o that_o for_o two_o reason_n the_o first_o be_v that_o our_o demand_n which_o you_o conceive_v have_v be_v meerelie_o intend_v for_o you_o be_v publish_v before_o your_o come_n in_o print_n as_o also_o that_o our_o reply_v be_v print_v before_o we_o receive_v your_o last_o answer_n to_o they_o whence_o you_o conclude_v that_o we_o be_v rather_o aim_v at_o victory_n move_v thereto_o by_o prejudice_n than_o at_o satisfaction_n by_o search_v of_o the_o truth_n this_o reason_n be_v ground_v upon_o a_o mistake_n for_o although_o our_o demand_n at_o the_o first_o be_v intend_v for_o you_o only_o yet_o afterwards_o we_o resolve_v to_o print_v they_o as_o also_o our_o reply_v the_o print_v whereof_o do_v nowayes_o depend_v upon_o your_o second_o answer_n not_o for_o love_v of_o contention_n nor_o desire_n of_o victory_n god_n know_v but_o for_o such_o reason_n as_o we_o have_v express_v in_o our_o preface_n to_o the_o unpartial_a reader_n who_o we_o hope_v we_o have_v satisfy_v in_o this_o point_n your_o other_o reason_n be_v that_o the_o ground_n of_o your_o answer_n to_o we_o have_v prove_v satisfactory_a to_o other_o who_o for_o age_n and_o learning_n be_v prime_n man_n of_o this_o kingdom_n and_o to_o who_o our_o modesty_n will_v not_o suffer_v we_o to_o 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divine_n do_v ground_n the_o lawfullnesse_n of_o the_o ceremony_n which_o we_o allow_v 16._o fourthlie_o since_o that_o commandment_n of_o blessing_n the_o people_n be_v general_a what_o reason_n have_v you_o for_o not_o include_v other_o civil_a important_a contract_n especial_o that_o be_v perform_v with_o a_o vow_n or_o promissorie_a oath_n a_o vow_n make_v to_o god_n be_v a_o covenant_n with_o god_n as_o well_o as_o the_o matrimonial_a oath_n all_o vow_n and_o oath_n be_v act_n of_o religious_a worship_n although_o they_o be_v join_v to_o civil_a contract_n and_o therefore_a if_o because_o of_o the_o covenant_n with_o god_n you_o bless_v marriage_n solemn_o you_o ought_v to_o do_v the_o same_o to_o other_o civil_a contract_n wherein_a there_o be_v the_o like_a covenant_n by_o virtue_n of_o a_o oath_n or_o vow_n 17._o fiftlie_o whereas_a you_o say_v that_o though_o marriage_n be_v a_o paction_n meerlie_o civil_a yet_o because_o it_o be_v so_o important_a you_o will_v not_o 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