writers As for the new obtruded Lord Bishops to the Kirk of this Realme we haue not heard much of their reasoning as yet for their part only shreuding them selfe by authority and arme of man whence they alledge Donation with power c. To the quhilk albeit many things may be replyed yet we answer thus only with the Apostle The weapons of our warfaire are not carnall 2 Cor 10. 4. The abuse present practise the more is to be lamē ted that such injquity is done in so great light of the Gospell after long profession of the same that in place of light men should imbrace darknes loue the honor of the world more thā the honor of Christ Iesus not onely comming against the truth but also against their owne profession avoument having preached and practised the true Christian Discipline by Ministers and Elders according to the word and Institution of Christ opponing them selfes alwayes unto Antichristiā authority practise of Papal Bishops Is not this to begine in the spirit end in the flesh And who hath bewitched you so Now for conclusion seeyng holy scripture practise of the Apostolicall and Primitiue Kirk and Christian Kirkes in succeeding times the learned sincere Antiquitie both in Councells and by writing with all reformed Kirkes every where truely professing the Gospell with the best of the leater writers of our time Forrain within this Yle stand on our side for Kirk governement by Ministers assisting Elders according to the word against the Governement of Lord Bishops their authority practis in the Kirk of Christ we being I say compassed with such great cloud of witnesses let us hold fast the true profession of Doctrine Discipline according to the word without wavering or halting praying continually That the God of our Lord lesus Christ the Father of glory might giue unto us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the acknow ledgment of him strenthned with all might throw his glorious power that we being like mindit having the same loue being of one accord and of the same iudgment we may doe that which is pleasant and acceptable in his sight through Christ to whom be praise for ever and ever Amen DOCTOR REIGNOLDS HIS LETTER TO SIR FRAVNcis Knollis concerning Doctor Bancrofts Sermon at Paules crosse 9. Feb 1588. In the Parliament time ALbeit Right Honorable I take greater comforte in labouring to discover and overthrow the Errors of Iesuites and Papists enemyes of Religion thā of the Ministers of Christ yet seeing it hath pleased your Honor to requyer me to shew mine opinion of some thinges which certeine of these men mainteyne stand in I thought it my duty by the example of Levie who sayd of his Father and Mother I regard them not nor acknowledged he his brethren to declare the truth without respect of persons Of the two poynts therfore in Doctor Bancrofts Sermon which your Honor mentioneth one is concernning that he seemeth to avouch The superioritie which Bishops haue among us over the Clergie to be Gods owne Ordinance though not by expresse words yet by necessary consequence In that he affir meth their opiniō who oppugne that that superiority to be Heresie Wherin I must confesse he hath committed an oversight in my judgment and himselfe I thinke if he be advertised ther of will acknowledge it For having said first that Aerius affirmeth that ther was no differēce by the word of God betwixt a Preist and a Bishop and afterward that Martin and his companions do mainteine this opinion of Aerius he addeth that Aerius persisting therein was condemned for an heretike by the generall consent of the whole Church and likwise that Martins and all his companions opini on hath herein been condemned for heresie Touching Martine if any man behaue himselfe otherwayes than in discretion and charitie he ought let the blame be layd where the fault is I defend him not but if by the way he utter a truth mingled with whatsoever else it is not reason that that which is of God should be cōdemned for that which is of man no more thá the doctrine of the resurrection should be reproved because and held by the Pharises Wherefore removing the odious name of Martin from that which in sincerity and loue is to be dealt with it appeareth by the aforesayd words of D. Bancroft that he avoucheth the Superiority which Bishops haue over the Cleargie to be of Gods owne ordinance For he improveth the impugners of it as holding with Aerius that there is no difference by the word of God betwixt a Preist and a Bishop which he could not doe with reason unlesse he himselfe appro ved the Bishops superiority as established by Gods word and he addeth that their opinion who gayne say it is Heresie wherof it insueth he thinke it contrary to Gods word sith Heresy is an error repugnant to the truth of the word of God as according to the Scriptures our owne Church doth teach us Now the Argumēts which he bringeth to proue it an heresy are partely overweake partly untrue overweake that he beginneth with out of Epiphanius untrue that he adjoyneth of the general consent of the Church For though Epiphanius do say that Aerius his assertion is full of solly yet he disproveth not the reason which Aerius stood on out of the scriptures nay he dealeth so in seeking to disproue it that Bellarmine the Iesuite though desirous to make the best of Epiphanius whose opinion herein he mainteyneth against the Protestants yet is forced to confesse that Epiphanius his ans wer is not all of the wisest nor any way can fit the text As for the generall consent of the whole Church which D. Bācrost saith condemned that opinion of Aerius for an Heresy and himselfe for an Heretike because he persisted in it that is a large speach but what proofe hath he that the whole Church did so It ap peareth he saith in Epiphanius It doth not and the contrary appeareth by S. Ierome and sondry others who lived some in the same time som after Epiphanius even S. Austin himself though D. Bancroft cite him as bearing witnes therof likewise I grant S. Austin in his booke of heresies ascribeth this to Aerius for one that he sayd Presbiterum ab episcopo nulla differentia de beri discerni but it is one thing to say there ought to be no difference betwixt the which Aerius saying condemned the Churches order yea made a schisme therein and so is censured by S. Austen counting it an heresie as in Epiphaus he tooke it recorded himselfe as he witnesseth not knowing how farre the name of Heresie should be stretched another thing to say that by the word of God there is no difference betwixt them but by the order and custome of the Church which S. Austen sayth in effect himselfe so farre was he
of the Gospell hereby day lie falling to decay much a doe also hath ben for making of a constant moderatorin every part which caried but a show for a time and to be away only to posses Bishops with parpetuall domination quhilk also by the godly and learned was discovered and abhorred knawing that of old frō the same practise haue proceeded the degrees of Romane Primacie defacing and overthrowing the true Government of Christ his Church Atlast after many overshadowing clouds the effect and operation of this worke hath broken through the cloud with thunder flacks striking upon god ly sincere Teachers of this land The end of all is The Altar of Conformitie must be set up and Kirke Governement must be turned over into the hands of Lord Bishops supportters of the Altar etc Which kind of Governement if it be lawfull or can stand with the word of God that we haue to examine in this part In the former part the order and Forme of true christian Discipline with Duties Offices Ministeries according to the Institution of Christ hath ben declared by the cleare and sound groundes of the word which government offices and Ministeries thereof we haue demonstrat to be perpetuall sufficient and to haue continuance to the glorious comming of Christ Iesus Now this part shall conteine a Refutation of the contrarie Gorvernement by Lord Bishops their Episcopall Domination insisting upon the same grounds layd doun afore and thus we proceid Whatsoevir is contrarie to the Institutiof Christ his wrettin word is Antichristian and is to be banished out of the Kirk of God But Governement by Lord Bishopps with Episcopall domination is contrarie to the Institution of Christ and his written word Therefore it is Antichristian and is to be banishit out of the Kirk of God The Proposition can not be denyed by faithfull Christians the word of God being of absolute perfection both for substance and Ceremonies against the which no exception can be made except by Atheists or Papistes holding the Pope of Rome may dispēce with the word or equalling his traditions with the word The controversie therefore staudeth in the Assumption whether the Governement of the Kirke apperteineth to Lord Bishops or not whither to Lord Bishops apperteineth a Lordly Domination Quhilk both to be contrary to the word of God thus we proue The first proufe doth arise from the Examination of the right use of the name Bishope which against the minde of Scripture is abused making it a nāe of speciall office with a speciall dignitie prerogatiue Prelacie aboue the rest of the disposers and Teachers of the word appropriating unto Bishops Lordship or Lordly domination making Prelats of Pastors and Princes of Prelats The name of Bishop EPISCOPOS signifieth as touching this Argument ane Inspector or Overseer caring for thē that are committed to his charge Quhilk name is commō to all Pastors Doctors or Teachers and Elders in the Kirk As is evident by expresse Scripture in these places following The Apostle Paul sending for the Elders of the Kirk of Ephesus Act. 20. ver 17. And speaking to the same Elders he cales thē Bishops Take heed thersore to your selues and to all the flocke whairof the holy Ghost hath made you overseers EPISCOPOVS to feade the Kirke of God Marke faith Ierom how calling the Elders of one Citie of Ephesus he intituleth the same men Bishops In like manner the Apostle Peter ca. 5. v. 1. 2. useth the same word speaking to the Teachers Rulers of the Kirk Feed the flocke of God saith he quhilk dependeth upon you caring for it or according to the originall Episcopountes that is doing the parte of ane Overseer or Bishop being common to Pastors As may further appeare by these places Phil 1. 1. Tit 1. 5. 7. 1. Tim 3. 1. 2. Frō quhilk places these conclusions are necessarily inferred 1. The name of Bichop being common to Pastors Teachers and Rulers it is not to be appropriate to any one with title power or prerogatiue aboue the rest 2 Here is restrayned the function and charge of these Overseers to one flocke over quhilk the Holy Ghost hath placed them Therefore presumption it is against the holy Ghost to a Bishope for to claime the charge of many Kirkes over many Bishops or Pastors and he not resident at one Kirke as the miserable abuse and practise is begun in this Realme The Second proufe The Scripture hath disposed distributed by Christ his Institution the Regiment of the Kirk and offices and Ministeries therof to Pastors Doctors and Elders making no mention of speciall offices titles or dignities of Papal Bishops so cal led by his Maiestie Basil dor pag 44. or Prelats c. Therfore the Regiment of the Kirk cannot be claimed by Papal Bishopes or Prelates by Scripture or by Christ his Institution and so the usurpation of Papal Bishops and Prelats in the Kirk Governement must be Antichristian The first part is evident and cleare deducit in the former parte of this Treatise out of scriptutes wherein is expressed the Institution of the foresayd offices and Ministeries of Pastors Doctors and Elders Wherupon the other part touching Papal Bichops with their titles dignities and prerogatiues c. Hes this cleare inference that they are not warranted by scripture as sayd is For if there were any sick Bishops or Prelates with office Titles power and dignities aboue the rest then the scripture would haue set them downe more distinctly and precisely than any of the rest for the hieer place that one occupieth in the kirk of the more necessity he is vnto the Kirk for this cause the more carefull would Christ the Head of the Kirke haue bene in poynting him out and distinguishing him from other We see in the Old Testament the High Preist his Title Office Function and speciall Administration and juris diction is more particularly and pre cisely set downe than the Office of any of the inferior Preists and Levites And so in the New Testament if any such had bene aboue the rest their title power dignitie and office more particularly precisly had ben poynted out then of Pastors Teachers and Elders c But the contrary we see in scripture wherein the offices Ministeries and power of Pastors Teachers Elders is clerely set furth But no sick thing of Papal Bishops Prelats and the rest of that order Therefore can these no wayes stand with scripture 3. Quhilk forder is to be cleared by examinyng and trying the Titles Dignities and Domination of Papal Bischops Prelates c Who following the Romāe Antichrist claime to themselues a twofold power Civill and Ecclesiasticall quhilk are the two Hornes of the Secund Beast Apoc 13. 11. As some good Divines do expond Quhilk both powers by the devise of Satan as two swords haue served the Pope of Rome that Antichrist to tread doun the greatest powers on earth of Emperors Kings and Princes and
in Parliament As likwise the generall assemblie his Majestie being present thereat hes found the same lawfull expedient we wald humbly and most earnestly beseech all such to consider first that the kingdom of Iesus Christ the officebearers and lawes therof nether should nor can suffer any derogation addition diminution or alteratiō besides the prescript of his holy word by any inventions or doings of men Civil or Ecclesiasticall And we are able by the grace of God and will offer our selues to proue that this Bishopprik to be erected is against the word of God the Auncient Fathers and Canons of the Kirke the moderne most learned godly divines the doctrine and Constitution of the Kirke of Scotland since the first reformation of religion within the same Countrie the lawes of the Realme ratifiyng the governement of the Kirk by the generall and Provinciall Assemblies Presbiteries and Sessions also against the weil and Honor of the Kings most excellent Majestie the weale and Honor of the Realme and quietnes thereof the established estate weale of the Kirke in the Doctrine Discipline and patrimonie therof the weale and honor of your LL. the most anciēt estate of this Realme and finally against the weil of all and every one of the good subjects thereof in soule body and substance Next that the Act of Parliamēt granting vote in Parliament to Ministers is with a speciall provision that nothing therby be derogatorie or prejudiciall to the present established Discipline of the Kirk and Iurisdiction therof in generall and Synodall Assemblies Presbiteries and Sessions Thirdly and last the generall Assemblie the King his Majestie sitting voting and consenting therin fearing the cor ruption of that office hes circumscribed and bounded the same with a nūber of Cautions All which to gether with such other as shall be concluded upon by the Assembly were thought expedient to be insert in the body of the Act of Parliament that is to be made for confirmation of their vote in Parliamen as most necessary substantial parts of the same And the said Assemblie hath not agreed to giue therunto the name of Bishops for feare of importing the old Corruption Pompe Tyranny of Papall Bishops but ordained them to be called Commissioners for the Kirke to vote in Parliament And it is of verity that according to thes cautions neither hath those men now called Bi shops entred to that office of Commissionarie to vote in Parl iament neither since their ingyring haue they behaved themselues therin And therefore in the name of the Lord Iesus Christ who shall hold that great Court of Parliament to judge both the quicke and the dead at his glorious manifesta tion and in name of the Kirk in generall so happily well established with in this Realme and whereof the sayd Realme hath reaped the comfortable fruite of peace vnity free from heresie schisme and dissention these 46 yeeres by past also in name of our Presbyteries from quhilk we haue our Commission and in our owne names Officebearers and Pastors within the same for discharging of our necessarie dvty and disburdening of our consciences in particular We except and protest against the sayd Bishopprike Bishops and the erection confirmation or ratification thereof at this present Parliament Most humblie craving that this our Protestation may be admitted by your Honours and registrat amongst the Acts and Statutes of the same incaice as God forbid these Bishoppricks be erected ratified or confirmed therein A TREATISE OF KIRKE GOVERNEMENT CONSISTING OF two partes whereof this former conteineth a Demonstration of true Christian Discipline according to the word of God used in the Kirke of Scotland THis writing is not directed to carie out invectiue speaches with reviling and wrathfull wordes against any in the Kirke of God knowing that the wrath of man accomplisheth not the righteousnes of God But this writting is appoynted to be ane pleader even in the gates of Ierusalem for Sion sake and for truth and righteousnes sake breaking forth from Sion as the light and salvation as ane burning lamp to all beleivers wishing that it may be read of all with indifferencie considered of all with wisedome sobriety and embraced of all that loue truth and righteousnes according to the merite and sincere meaning therof It shall be devided in to two principall heades The one shal conteine an Demonstration of Christian Discipline true Kirk Governement by Ministers and assisting Elders according to the word of God practised in the Apostolique Primitiue Kirke used and practised in the Kirke of Scotland these many yeares receaved and embraced by all the professors within the same and established by lawes and Actes of Parliament to the glorie of God through Christ Iesus and to the weill and comfort of the whole Kirke within this Realme The other parte shall conteine an Refutation of the Episcopall Domination and Lordship begun to be urged in our Kirk of late by Conformitie with England quhilk is of late gredely embraced even by those who not onely had professed teached and practised the true Discipline of the Kirk of Scotland but also with solemne oath had sworne and subscribed to it The matter is of greatest weight concerning the true Discipline and Gubernation of the house of God which is the Kirk of the living God Therefore O Lord of light the author of every good donation send out thy light and thy truth and direct this heart this hand pen aright unto the glory of thy great name and clearing of thy everlasting truth Now all by matters being set a side it shal be expedient needfull for our proceedings to lay downe some positi ons principals as groundes to build vpon enforcing all that haue forsaken the Romane Synogogue to consent First the Lord Iesus by the appoynt ment of his Father is onely head Eph. 1. 21 22 23. King Lord and suprem Governour of his Kirke quhilk with his bloud here one earth he hath sprinkled and wished Apoc 7 14. and having ledd captivitie captiue ascending up to the heavens Eph 4 8. sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Col. 3. 1. Heb 1. 3. ruling his Kirk powerfully by his spirit Scepter of his word Isa 11. 1. 2. 4. 49. 21. psal 110. 2. Heb 1. 8. Onely King and law-giver having power onely by his lawes to bind the conscience of man Isai. 9. 6 7. 33. 22. Iames. 4. 12. Revel 3 7. 1 Tim 6. 15 And therfore let no mortall man equal himselfe in this high prerogatiue with the Sonne of God being in his Kirke only Monarch and only Head Isa. 29. 13. 14. Mich 4. 7. Luc 1 32. 33. 1. Cor 3 18 19. Eph 1 22 4 15 Col 1 18. 2 8 9 10. 18 19 23. Secondly this supreame Governor Isai 9 6 Christ Iesus hath not left his Kirk which is his body mained or imperfect destitute of right Covernement
Cor 4 1. furnished from aboue with giftes Eph 4 8. Rom 12 6. 1. Pet 4. 10. calling Rom 10. 15. Heb. 5 4 and power Ioh 20 21 22 23. according to the prescription of Scripture as sayd is For Kirk Governement are set out in the word of God 1 The persons to whō is given the charge of rule and Governement 2. Their Calling 3. Their Giftes 4. Their Office power distinctly their power junctly and manner thereof Which all by the grace of God shall clearely be demonstrate by onely Scripture The persons are Extraordinary and Ordinar Extraordinary as Apostles Prophets Evangelists whose offices serving for a time haue ceassed As for the persons Ordinar we shall finde their institution with their Offices expressed in these places 1 Tim. 3 2. Tit 1. 5 6. 7. Act. 6 3. 4. 14. 23. 20. 17. 28. etc Eph 4 11. Rom 6. 7. 8. 1. Cor 12. 5. 8. 1 Pet 5. 2. 3. 2. Tim 4. 2. Heb 13 17. 2 Cor 5. 20. Vocation or calling is common to all the office bearers Ministers with in the Kirke quhilk is a lawfull way whereby persons graced with meete giftes are admitted to a spirituall office of one certaine flocke and Congregation Here three things are necessary First without lawfull calling let none presume to this honor to exercise any spirituall Function or Ministerie Rom 10. 15 Heb. 5. 4 Math. 9. 38 Secondly let no man presume to clime up by intrusion or to enter in any other way than by the Dore Ioh 10. 1. Thirdly none ought to enter in without inward testimony of giftes graces and good conscience before God of whō for whose service is the calling Isa ó 67. 8. 9. Ier 1. 6. 9. Math 10 1. Ioh 20 22. 23. This Ordinar lawfull calling consisteth of two partes Election Ordination Election is the lawfull choyse of the person graced with meete giftes for the office wherunto he is called Election should be after triell Act 1 21. 22 et 6◠1. Tim 3. 10. By free choyse and at the judgment of the Church Act 1. 21 23. et 6. 3. 5. et 14 23. The Ceremonies therof by Humiliation fasting and Prayer Act 1. 24. et 14. 23. Ordination is the seperating and designing of that person chosen unto the Office of the Ministerie Act 13. 2. Likewise to be used with fasting and prayer by imposition of handes of the Presbyterie Act 13. 3. et 14. 23. 1. Tim. 4. 14. et 5. 22. Their giftes properties and cōditions in Doctrine manners are distinctly set downe limited in scripture prescriving what man every one must be The Pastor must be apt to Teach and exhort Deut 33. 12. Mal 2. 7. Rom 12. 8. 1. Cor 12. 8. 1. Tim 3. 2. no young Scholer 1 Tim 3. 6. able to devide the word aright 2. Tim 2. 15. holding fast the faithfull word Tit 1. 9. able to exhorte rebuke reproue by wholsome doctrine 2 Tim 4. 2. In māners he must be a lover of goodnes Tit 1. 8. wise righteous holy temperate in his life unreprovable of good report c 1 Tim 3. 2. 3. 4. 7. Tit 1. 6. 7. 8. The Doctor or Teacher likewise must be apt to Teach Mal 2 7 Rom 12 7. 1 Cor 12 8. and to deliver sound and wholesome doctrine according to the word Tit 1. 9. mightie in the scripture Act 18. 24. able to revince the gaine sayers c Act 6 9 10. Tit 1 9. The name of Elder in scripture is used diversly sometime for the name of age 1. Tim 5 1. Sometime for Office 1 Tim 5. 17. 19. Iam. 514. againe signifiyng office somtime largely it comprehendeth Pastors Doctors and those that are called morespecially Presbyters Seniors or Elders Act. 14. 23. 1. Tim. 5. 17. 1. Pet. 5. 1. Here speaking of Elders particularly we vnderstand those that labour in the oversight of the manners of the people whom the Apostle calleth Presidents and Governours Rom 12. 8. 1 Cor 12 18. Then Elders must be men of wisedome knowledge sound judgment endued with the spirit of God Num 11. 25. Deut. 1. 13. able to discerne vigilant and diligent in overseing Act. 20. 28. Rom 12. 8. Sober gentle modest loving temperate c 1. Tim 3. et 5. The Deacons must be men of good report keeping the Mistery of faith in a pure conscience indued also with the ho ly Ghost Graue Temperat not given to excesse of filthy lucre Act 16. 3. 1. Tim 3. 8. 9. 12. 13. This farre concerning their giftes and properties their office care function charge is severally set out in Scripture as followes The Pastor should feede the sheep of Christ Iesus in greene and wholsome pastures of the word sheewing them the waters and way to life Psal 23. 1. 2. Deut 33 10. Rom 12 8. Ioh. 21. 15. Act 20 28. 1. Pet 5 1. c having continuall care to watch over the soules of these which they must giue an accompt of Heb 13. 17. discerning the diseases ap plying the word according to every disease and every time and occurrant danger Ezech. 33. et 34. chapt praying and blessing and sealing up to the faithfull the promises of God by the Sacraments loving cherishing and defending the flocke from ravenous beasts Ioh 10. 11. 12. The Office of an Teacher or Doctor hath been mentioned before whose cheife and speciall charge is to Teach playne pure and sound Doctrine preserving knowledge resisting error building upon the only true ground stone which is Christ Iesus Gold silver and pretious stones c. 1 Cor 3. 11. 12. et 1. 17. 12. 8. 1. Tim 4. 16. et 6. 20. Eph 2 20. Heb 6. 1. 1. Pet 2. 2. The Elder or Presbyter his office and distinct charge before also was mentioned their cheife care is to be readie assistants according to the ordinance of God to the Pastors Teachers helping to beare their burding caring for the weil quietnes peace and good order in the Kirke taking heed to themselues the people 2. Chron 19. 8. Act 20. 17. 28. and 21. 18. Rom 12. 8. 1. Pet 5. 2. 1. Cor 12. 28. The Office of the Deacon is to collect the benevolence of the faithfull and faithfully to distribute the same according to the necessitie of the Saints by the direction of the Kirk Act 6. 3. Rom. 12. 8. This much anent the offices and ministeries institute and prescrived by Christ in his word which albeit be diverse distinct both in giftes functi ons yet they as members of one Body serue for the use of the Sainctes and edification of the body of Christ. Rom 12 4 5 c Eph 4 11 12. 13 16. 1. Cor 12 7. 12 25. Vnto these Office-bearers and Governours Christ hath given also a certaine limitate power to be exercised by them according to the word in his Kirk A power severally Math 16. 19. 20. Rom 12. 3. 6. 7. 8. and a power joyntly with Paritie
and mutuall consent to be exercised for avoyding of Tyranny Math 18 17 18 19 20. 1. Cor 5 4. 5. both having one authority from the same head and author Christ Iesus both tending to the same end both comprehended vnder the name of the Keyes of the kingdome of Heaven The Keyes of the kingdome of heaven are given joyntly to the Rulers of the Kirke that whatsoever they bind on earth shal be boūd in heaven Math 18. 18. This power is not to be used according to their arbitrement and will but at the will according to the Testament of him who hath given this power and hath limited it in his written word presciving the order usage and end thereof Math 18. 15. 16. 17. 18. 20. The order and usage is this If the offence of thy brother be private admonish him privately between him thee with loving admonition with an brotherly care to woone the brother offender If he refuse to harken unto thee take two or three brethren with thee for the same purpose if he weil not harken unto them shew the matter unto the Kirke The care of the Kirke in like manner is to deale with him as with ane brother not to hold him as an enimy 2. Thes. 3. 15. but gravly and lovingly to admonish perswad him and to pray for him to proue if at any time the Lord will giue unto him repentance 2. Cor. 10. 8. et 13. 10. 2. Tim 2 25. 26. If the offender be obstinate can not be drowne unto repentance then in the name of the Lord Iesus with consent of the Congregation reverently and with prayer Excommunication is to be used in casting him out of the Kirk and giving him over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh c. and is to be holden as ane Heathen and Publican c. Math 19 17. 1. Cor. 5. 4. 5. Thus farr touching private offence If the fault be publike the faulter is publikly to be rebooked and admonished 1 Tim 5 10. The admonitions alwayes must be done circumspectly seasoned with truth gravitie loue and peace ever ayming for the safitie of the offender and notthe destruction And a speciall care is to be had of every weake offender with discretion of offences Mat 18 15. Gal. 6 1 2. 2. Tim 2. 24. Rom. 14. 13 19. Iam 5 19. 20. If admonitions prevaile not to drawe him to repentance thē to proceid to Excommunication as sayd is If the offender be broght to repentance let the repentance receaving againe to the Kirk be according to the proportion of the offence if the offēce be publique the repentance and recep tion publique if private private alwayes let the repentance be in submis sion without hypocrisie giving glory unto God Math 18. 15. Luk 17. 4. 2. Cor. 2. 6. 7. Moreover there is given liberty and power to the rulers of the Kirk to exercise this Christian Discipline according to the necessity of the estate of the Kirke and according to the occurrant dangers and diseases in Assem blies convened together in the name of the Lord Iesus consisting cheifely of Ministers Doctors and Elders Assemblies are Particular or Generall Particular as Presbyteries or Provinciall Assemblies Generall consisting of on Nation convocat together for the Common weil peace and quietnes of the Kirke The warrād of these Assemblies with the practise is evident by the word Math. 18. 17. 18. 1. Tim. 4. 14. 1. Cor 5 4. c. and 14 32. Act 15 6 12. 22. 25. and hath the practise of Kirkes at all times and necessities as sayd is before This much shortly anent the power offices and Ministeries in the Kirk Governement according to the Institution of Christ expressed clearely in his word And all for the edification and preservation of the Bodie of Christ for the repayring of the Sanctes to the honor of God by Christ Iesus through all generations for ever Eph 4. 12. I add hereunto two demonstrations needfull viz. That these offices Ministeries as they haue been set downe are perpetuall and sufficient for the Governement of the Kirk of Christ. The first thus I proue 1. The Apostle Paul commādeth Timothie to keep this Governemēt and precepts given there anent to that glorious comming of the Lord Iesus 1. Tim. 3. 21. 6. 14. 15. Secondly all the offices within the Kirk mentioned Rom. 12. 6 7. 8. are called mēbers of the Body of the Kirk ver 4. 5. 1. Cor. 12. 27. 28. 29. which is the Bodie of Christ Iesus Eph 1 22 23 et 4 12. whereupon followeth this probation if the Kirk of Christ quhilk is his Body be perfect and must continue vn to the comming of Christ these Offices Ministeries must haue the same continuance except we will say that Christ his Body is imperfect or mained or the Kirke of Christ shall cease here upon earth before his comming quhilk both are absurd Thridly if Christ Iesus be only Lord and Governour of his Kirk which is his kingdome heir on earth and seeing he must rule and Governe his kingdome unto his comming by his owne officers and by his lawes by himselfe institute prescrived in his word Rom 12. 3. 6. 7. 8. 1. Cor. 12. 28. 14. 37. Eph. 4. 8. 11. 12. It followeth that these offices and lawes continue unto his comming except we will say that Christ shall ceasse to be Governour of his Kirk and those lawes to be imperfect Ferdly seeing the object and endes whair about these offices ar occupied whairunto they are destinat quhilk before hath been declared must haue continuance therefore the offices and Ministeries appoynted for those uses ends must also continue to the end quhilk necessities no man can avoyde or elude as for example There must be heresies and offences c and therfore there must be a correcting power in the Kirk 1. Cor. 11. 19. with offices ministeries meete for preventing restrayning and expelling the foresayd or like corruptions As for the Second to witt that the foresayd offices Ministeries are sufficient for the Regiment of Christ his Kirk heir on earth thus I proue it 1. If they be not sufficient then Christ can not be honored as perfite Governour of his Kirk neither is his word perfect but some thing may be added therunto which is absurd Deut. 4. 2. et 12. 32. 2. If these be imperfect then man may erect new offices add new Ministeries and giue new giftes and graces accordingly and if man may add he may also detract which both are false and absurd 111. These offices functions before mētioned haue gifts and graces needfull and sufficient for the discharge of the Ministerie of the word of the Sacraments and of Discipline for the Edification of the body of Christ c. Eph 4 11 12. therefore they must be sufficient IV. If these offices and Ministeries of the Governement of the Kirke under the Gospell be insufficient imperfect then the
estate of Christ his Kirke under the Gospell must be inferior unto the estate of the Kirke under the law which had the accomplishment of all offices ministeries and lawes needfull and sufficient for the regiment therof But none will graunt that the estate of the Kirke of Christ is inferior to the estate of the Kirk under the law Therefore the aforesayd offices are sufficient for the Governement of the Kirk of the New Testament And therefore this forme order of Government by the foresayd offices and Ministeries of Preachers and assisting Elders being grounded vpon the written word of God practise of the Apostles Kirkes in their time Rom 12. 6 7 8. Eph 4. 11 12. Act 14 23. et 20. 17. 28. 1. Tim 5. 17. Tit 1 5 c. It can admit no prescription or change by any mortall man or by any humane tradition whatsoever Which forme of Discipline as it hath been practised in the Apostolicall and Primitiue Kirke quhilk is evident by scriptures afore aledged so hath it the testimony of antiquitie in the auncient Kirkes as is collected not very obscurely out of Ignatius Epist ad Trallen Tertul in Apoc. cap. 39. et lib de Baptism Christian. Cyprian lib 2. Epist. 5 et lib. 3 Epist. 10. 18. 22. et lib. 4. 5. Augusti de verb. Dom. in Math Serm. 19. But more clearly out of Ambrose in 1 Tim. 5 1 Ierom in Isai 2. et ad Rustic Epist 16. Possidonius in vita Augustini Socrates Eccle. hist. lib. 5. ca. 20. and others also alledged be the defenders of this christian and true Kirke Governement Amongst the quhilk I cannot passe by for proofes sake the cleare sayinges of Ambrose and Ierom. Ambrose writteth thus upon 1 Tim. 5 Whence it is that both the Synagage and afterward the Kirk had Elders without whos counsell nothing was done in the Kirk Quhilk by what negligence it is growne out of use I know not unlesse perhaps by the slouthfulnes or rather prid of the Teachers whilst they alone will seeme to be something Ierom ad Tit. cap. 1. Vntill schismes were made in religion by the diuely suggestion the Kirkes were governed by the common counsell of Elders and in the same place speaking of the corruption that followed therafter addeth this But this was rather by custome than by the truth of the Lords disposing This forme of Discipline according to the word the Kirk of Scotland hath used many years by past being authorised and ratified by the three Estates in Parliament receaved and practised by all the Preachers within the whole Realme with on consent concord even by thē also who now haue made defection frō it taking upon thē Episcopall authority Siclik it hath the testimony of all the reformed Kirkes in Europe in France in Freisland in Geneva in Helvetia Polonia Vngaria in Palatinatu in Germania Saxonia Bohemia in Suedia Dania and all other reformed Kirkes except Englād alone Siclik also it hath the testimony generally of the Divīes of later times as Zuinglius Martir Aretius Calvinus Bucer Hiperius Bullingerius Musculus Hemingius Beza Olevianus Iunius Sadael Nowel Fulke Whitakers with all other learned famous Preachers in the Countries reformed professing truely the Gospell only Englād excepted wherin also the best yea the greatest parte haue sought and dayly seiks the liberty of the same Governement according to the word most clearely haue defended it with their penne and most pithie writtings and most constantly haue avouched it by their manifold suffrings at home and abrode for the glorifiyng of God and the witnessing of the truth of Christ Iesus All that afore hath been breifly sayd anent the deduction of this purpose may be more largely intreated and more particularly handled if any within this land will proue so obstinat as to refuse consent to the truth of Christ Iesus THE SECOND PART OF KIRKE GOVERNEMENT CONTEINING AREfutation of Episcopall Governement by Lord Bishopes IT pleased our Heavenly Father to compasse us with compassion and mercy whē we were lying in darknes and under the shadow of death by sen ding his owne deare Sonne Christ Iesus with the brightnes of his Gospell delivering us from Idolatry and super stition and the darknes of the former times vnder the bondage and tyranny of Antichrist and that by the Ministery of few not the greatest to the great admiration of the world And forder of the same mercy it hath pleased him from time to time to multiply the nūber of the faithfull and to increase his graces among men for the beutifiyng of his Kirk within this land and finally to croune his owne worke adding the keepstone of sincerity both of doctrine and Discipline as it was prophesied by that holy Martyr M. George Wiseheart quhilk two glorious staues our Kirke hath brooked with Concord Unitie with peace prosperity many yeares within the gates of Ierusalem in this land wherby our Kirk by the unspeak ble bountifulnes of God became famous renoumed and in great accōpt before many others amonge forren Nations and Kirkes reformed in Europe For the which belongeth everlasting prayse to this our boūtifull God through his Sonne Iesus Christ our deare Saviour But now of late hath risen ane whirle wind among our selues like the whirle winde that devoured the children of Iob shaking the foure corners of the house of God and throwing doun the kepston and this wind of discord Schisme and dissention is not come from the wildernes but risē from our owne bowels and the riches of the Temple dispoyled not by Assyri ans Chaldeans or Arabians but by the Preistes and Ministers themselfes hom-bredd and borne in the bosome of our Kirke and fostered sometime by the sincere milke of the Gospell who also haue made avoumemt of the same sinceritie both of Doctrine and Discipline not only in Preaching and practising but also with solemne Oath binding themselfes therto From quhilk an manifest slyding backe and Apostasie is seene this day lamented with greiff by the godly and mocked be the enemyes the Papists and Atheists whose number strength and power daylie in cresseth by this lamentable renting inbringing of Episcopall Gubernation be Lord Bishops quhilk before had ben banished with Antichristian corruptions from the Kirk of Scotland For the working of this Mysterie many intentions haue bene proponed many sheapes cullours haue bene changed As for example in the begining nothing for such was meened but Ministers to haue vote in Parliament and that to vindicat the Ministerie from povertie and cōtempt c. quhilk practise God even then at the begining discovered unto his servantes and they unto the world foretelling the effectes that visibly now appeares before the eyes of the world viz. renting of our Church overthrowing of Christian Discipline setting up a fewe Episcopall men with contempt bondage and povertie of the rest which this day is to be seene to the great greife of the godly and hinderance