contradicentibus_fw-la as_o be_v manifest_a by_o history_n in_o the_o successor_n of_o mark_n at_o alexandria_n and_o other_o can_v it_o be_v imagine_v that_o such_o a_o thing_n as_o the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n shall_v have_v be_v set_v up_o so_o early_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o they_o not_o contradict_v it_o have_v it_o be_v contrary_a to_o christ_n mind_n how_o unlikely_a be_v it_o that_o in_o those_o time_n when_o the_o piety_n and_o zeal_n of_o christian_n be_v so_o great_a and_o knowledge_n too_o there_o shall_v have_v be_v no_o opposition_n to_o the_o office_n of_o bishop_n have_v it_o be_v judge_v a_o wrong_v of_o christ_n ordinance_n how_o unlikely_a be_v it_o that_o in_o time_n of_o such_o fiery_a persecution_n christ_n minister_n shall_v be_v carry_v with_o ambition_n to_o seek_v the_o superiority_n over_o other_o in_o a_o office_n against_o his_o mind_n or_o that_o people_n will_v have_v yield_v to_o the_o ambitious_a course_n of_o pastor_n how_o 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dignity_n and_o order_n of_o bishop_n and_o be_v therefore_o count_v by_o epiphanius_n and_o augustine_n no_o child_n in_o knowledge_n a_o heretic_n in_o whatever_o sense_n they_o mean_v and_o also_o he_o be_v just_o censure_v and_o condemn_v by_o blondel_n gers_n bucer_n molinaeus_n to_o andrews_n as_o a_o disturber_n of_o a_o lawful_a order_n in_o the_o church_n albeit_o they_o can_v come_v up_o to_o think_v that_o episcopacy_n be_v a_o divine_a institution_n or_o apostolical_a now_o let_v brethren_n in_o modesty_n consider_v how_o unlike_o it_o be_v that_o the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n shall_v be_v contrary_a to_o the_o institution_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o word_n that_o begin_v so_o early_o even_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n without_o their_o contradiction_n that_o be_v so_o universal_o submit_v to_o by_o the_o primitive_a christian_n in_o their_o most_o fiery_a trial_n that_o have_v continue_v in_o the_o christian_n church_n not_o only_o these_o infect_v with_o the_o roman_a apostasy_n but_o the_o eastern_a church_n that_o disclaim_v the_o pope_n supremacy_n and_o that_o for_o 1500._o year_n after_o christ_n without_o any_o contradiction_n save_v of_o one_o man_n who_o never_o have_v a_o marrow_n no_o not_o i_o whatever_o be_v say_v concern_v he_o by_o some_o that_o be_v still_o own_a by_o most_o of_o the_o reform_a church_n who_o have_v reject_v the_o pope_n not_o only_o by_o these_o of_o the_o lutheran_n way_n under_o the_o name_n of_o superintendent_o quid_fw-la est_fw-la episcopus_fw-la nisi_fw-la superintendens_fw-la say_v jerom_n epist_n ad_fw-la euagrum_fw-la but_o also_o by_o some_o of_o the_o calvinean_a way_n as_o may_v be_v see_v by_o zepperus_n eccles_n pol._n and_o formal_o that_o be_v even_o own_a as_o lawful_a be_v well-moderated_n by_o the_o stout_a disputer_n against_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o it_o albeit_o man_n in_o their_o passionate_a strain_n to_o popular_a auditory_n sometime_o cry_v out_o upon_o the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n as_o a_o anti-christian_n and_o popish_a domination_n yet_o in_o the_o protestant_n episcopacy_n that_o be_v own_v there_o be_v no_o more_o of_o the_o pope_n then_o there_o be_v of_o a_o mass-priest_n in_o a_o minister_n or_o of_o a_o conclave_n of_o cardinal-presbyters_a in_o a_o commission_n of_o the_o church_n or_o a_o presbytery_n the_o episcopacy_n that_o be_v now_o be_v the_o very_a primitive_a episcopacy_n which_o timorcus_n descrive_v ep._n 10._o sect._n 25._o affirm_v to_o be_v that_o nothing_o in_o ordination_n or_o jurisdiction_n be_v do_v by_o brethren_n under_o the_o bishop_n without_o he_o and_o he_o alone_o do_v nothing_o without_o they_o in_o these_o and_o avow_v the_o same_o not_o to_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o covenant_n the_o episcopacy_n that_o now_o be_v be_v that_o same_o office_n for_o substance_n which_o ignatius_n have_v at_o antioch_n polycarp_n at_o smyrna_n â—ornâ—lius_fw-la in_o rome_n iraeneus_n at_o lion_n in_o france_n cyprian_n in_o carthage_n and_o many_o other_o have_v in_o other_o place_n before_o the_o niven_n council_n and_o which_o chrysostome_n augustine_n and_o many_o other_o have_v after_o and_o it_o shall_v be_v our_o desire_n to_o god_n that_o our_o bishop_n as_o they_o hold_v the_o same_o office_n and_o place_n for_o substance_n these_o do_v so_o they_o may_v imitate_v their_o virtue_n and_o grace_n and_o be_v notable_a instrument_n for_o advance_v god_n glory_n in_o their_o station_n but_o 3._o it_o will_v be_v consider_v that_o the_o hold_v of_o episcopacy_n as_o a_o government_n unlawful_a and_o contrary_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n will_v cast_v too_o great_a a_o imputation_n upon_o this_o reform_a church_n of_o scotland_n for_o lay_v aside_o the_o time_n of_o war_n and_o confusion_n since_o the_o year_n 1638._o wherein_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o noise_n of_o arm_n and_o army_n there_o have_v be_v small_a opportunity_n for_o a_o serious_a free_a disquisition_n anent_o these_o matter_n it_o will_v be_v find_v that_o before_o that_o year_n episcopacy_n have_v be_v for_o a_o far_o long_a time_n own_v by_o this_o reform_a church_n then_o presbytery_n have_v be_v for_o until_o the_o year_n 1580._o episcopacy_n be_v not_o abolish_v in_o scotland_n the_o office_n of_o bishop_n be_v real_o use_v in_o scotland_n till_o the_o year_n 1580._o in_o which_o the_o general_a assembly_n at_o dundee_n declare_v it_o unlawful_a and_o yet_o they_o can_v not_o get_v their_o presbytery_n set_v up_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o land_n till_o twelve_o year_n after_o in_o the_o year_n 1592._o but_o evident_a it_o be_v that_o at_o the_o time_n of_o make_v that_o act_n at_o dundee_n bishop_n be_v in_o the_o land_n for_o so_o the_o act_n itself_o in_o the_o body_n of_o it_o import_v forasmuch_o say_v they_o as_o the_o office_n of_o bishop_n be_v now_o use_v in_o this_o realm_n etc._n etc._n and_o be_v clear_a also_o from_o their_o order_n they_o give_v to_o process_n the_o several_a bishop_n if_o they_o lay_v not_o down_o their_o office_n now_o from_o the_o time_n of_o general_a reformation_n from_o popery_n to_o the_o time_n of_o that_o act_n of_o dundee_n there_o be_v full_a twenty_o year_n the_o reformation_n be_v in_o the_o year_n 1560._o during_o all_o which_o time_n the_o church_n of_o scotland_n be_v govern_v by_o some_o singulares_fw-la personae_fw-la particular_a person_n in_o several_a circuit_n in_o the_o land_n some_o under_o the_o name_n of_o superintendent_o commissioner_n or_o visitor_n of_o country_n some_o under_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n where_o popish_a bishop_n embrace_v the_o reformation_n they_o have_v their_o power_n continue_v and_o commission_n give_v to_o they_o for_o ordain_v minister_n and_o use_v jurisdiction_n and_o when_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n present_v any_o orthodox_n to_o vacant_a bishopric_n they_o be_v accept_v of_o by_o the_o assembly_n edinburgh_n aug._n 6._o 1573._o where_o the_o regent_n promise_v to_o the_o assembly_n that_o qualify_v person_n shall_v be_v present_v to_o vacant_a bishopric_n the_o assembly_n conclude_v that_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o bishop_n in_o their_o ecclesiastical_a function_n shall_v not_o exceed_v the_o jurisdiction_n of_o superintendent_o and_o the_o superintendent_n of_o lothian_n be_v call_v by_o john_n knox_n at_o his_o installing_n anno_fw-la 1560._o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n of_o lothian_n and_o these_o who_o represent_v that_o country_n promise_v to_o give_v obedience_n to_o he_o as_o become_v the_o sheep_n to_o their_o pastor_n it_o be_v manifest_a then_o that_o for_o twenty_o year_n after_o the_o reformation_n bishop_n whether_o under_o that_o name_n or_o other_o name_n continue_v in_o scotland_n and_o it_o be_v remarkable_a that_o our_o reformer_n be_v wise_a man_n then_o to_o put_v a_o presbytery_n in_o their_o creed_n for_o in_o the_o confession_n registrate_v in_o parliament_n anno_fw-la 1567._o which_o before_o have_v be_v present_v though_o they_o have_v zeal_n enough_o against_o
all_o thing_n that_o favour_v of_o popery_n yet_o in_o their_o confession_n there_o be_v nothing_o against_o bishop_n nor_o for_o a_o presbytery_n and_o act_n 24._o the_o former_a civil_a privilege_n of_o the_o spiritual_a state_n of_o the_o realm_n be_v ratify_v according_o bishop_n do_v sit_v in_o that_o parliament_n also_o in_o the_o same_o confession_n they_o say_v not_o one_o policy_n or_o order_n can_v be_v for_o all_o church_n and_o all_o time_n but_o after_o the_o year_n 1580._o wherein_o the_o office_n of_o bishop_n be_v abrogate_a by_o the_o assembly_n albeit_o some_o provincial_a synod_n be_v set_v up_o in_o the_o place_n of_o the_o out_v bishop_n and_o superintendent_o in_o these_o province_n yet_o be_v there_o no_o presbytery_n before_o the_o year_n 1586._o nor_o any_o of_o these_o judicatories_n legal_o establish_v before_o 1592._o and_o within_o eighteen_o year_n after_o that_o or_o twenty_o bishop_n be_v set_v up_o again_o by_o the_o act_n of_o assembly_n 1610._o and_o ratify_v in_o parliament_n 1612._o and_o continue_v so_o the_o space_n of_o twenty_o eight_o year_n till_o the_o assembly_n at_o glasgow_n 1638._o so_o it_o may_v be_v easy_o see_v the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n be_v no_o great_a stranger_n to_o this_o church_n since_o the_o reformation_n of_o religion_n but_o have_v be_v long_o own_v than_o presbytery_n in_o time_n of_o peace_n and_o modesty_n will_v require_v we_o shall_v not_o be_v ready_a to_o condemn_v this_o reform_a church_n as_o have_v in_o those_o time_n own_v a_o government_n unlawful_a and_o against_o the_o word_n of_o god_n especial_o when_o the_o different_a fruit_n of_o government_n by_o presbytery_n and_o episcopacy_n have_v be_v to_o our_o cost_n sad_o experience_v but_o now_o we_o come_v to_o the_o three_o difficulty_n anent_o the_o oath_n of_o the_o covenant_n this_o be_v popular_o plead_v by_o such_o as_o do_v not_o penetrate_v into_o the_o controversy_n anent_o the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n in_o point_n of_o lawfulness_n or_o unlawfulness_n indeed_o the_o bond_n of_o a_o lawful_a covenant_n be_v so_o sacred_a a_o tie_n that_o without_o contempt_n of_o the_o holy_a majesty_n of_o god_n it_o can_v be_v violate_v nor_o without_o great_a sin_n no_o creature_n can_v absolve_v we_o from_o it_o nor_o dispense_v with_o it_o nor_o be_v we_o to_o break_v it_o for_o any_o temporal_a advantage_n terror_n or_o trouble_n yet_o suppose_v the_o covenant_n to_o be_v lawful_a which_o be_v not_o prove_v it_o be_v sure_a 1._o that_o a_o lawful_a oath_n may_v cease_v to_o bind_v we_o so_o that_o though_o we_o do_v not_o that_o which_o be_v under_o oath_n promise_v to_o be_v do_v yet_o there_o be_v no_o perjury_n semper_fw-la perjurus_fw-la est_fw-la qui_fw-la non_fw-la intendit_fw-la quod_fw-la promittit_fw-la non_fw-la semper_fw-la perjurus_fw-la est_fw-la qui_fw-la non_fw-la perficit_fw-la quoth_v promisit_fw-la sub_fw-la juramento_fw-la say_v the_o casuist_n 2._o it_o be_v certain_a that_o a_o lawful_a although_o in_o the_o interpretation_n of_o it_o it_o be_v stricti_fw-la juris_fw-la and_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v according_a to_o the_o intention_n of_o the_o giver_n of_o it_o and_o as_o the_o plain_a word_n bear_v yet_o it_o bind_v not_o in_o the_o sense_n which_o any_o ignorant_a mind_n or_o over-scrupulous_a conscience_n may_v put_v upon_o it_o or_o that_o some_o person_n upon_o partial_a design_n may_v put_v upon_o it_o videndum_fw-la est_fw-la say_v casuist_n ne_fw-la stricta_fw-la interpretatio_fw-la abeat_fw-la in_o nimis_fw-la strictam_fw-la &_o rigidam_fw-la 3._o it_o be_v certain_a a_o unlawful_a oath_n do_v never_o nor_o do_v bind_v any_o conscience_n to_o do_v according_a to_o it_o though_o it_o bind_v to_o repentance_n for_o make_v of_o it_o and_o adhere_v to_o it_o in_o consider_v and_o apply_v these_o thing_n as_o to_o the_o first_o it_o will_v be_v remember_v that_o a_o oath_n howsoever_o in_o itself_o lawful_a yet_o the_o case_n may_v be_v such_o that_o by_o 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power_n to_o determine_v of_o it_o the_o oath_n of_o the_o inferior_a or_o subject_a person_n cease_v to_o oblige_v he_o and_o be_v loose_v when_o the_o superior_a consent_v not_o to_o what_o he_o have_v swear_v this_o be_v both_o agreeable_a to_o reason_n because_o no_o deed_n of_o a_o person_n inferior_a or_o subject_a to_o other_o shall_v prejudge_v the_o right_n of_o the_o superior_a nor_o take_v from_o he_o any_o power_n allow_v to_o he_o by_o god_n in_o any_o thing_n and_o also_o all_o sound_a divine_n do_v acknowledge_v this_o upon_o the_o common_a equity_n of_o that_o law_n numb_a 30._o 4._o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o second_o article_n of_o the_o couâ—nant_n be_v not_o of_o indifferent_a nature_n but_o determine_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o so_o not_o under_o the_o power_n of_o a_o superior_a on_o earth_n to_o determine_v in_o it_o it_o will_v be_v remember_v that_o in_o all_o this_o part_n of_o the_o discourse_n where_o the_o cease_n of_o the_o obligation_n of_o the_o covenant_n be_v speak_v of_o as_o to_o the_o second_o article_n they_o be_v deal_v with_o who_o plead_v the_o obligation_n of_o the_o covenant_n only_o and_o upon_o that_o account_n do_v scruple_n as_o for_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o lawfulness_n or_o unlawfulness_n of_o episcopacy_n in_o itself_o a_o little_a of_o it_o be_v speak_v to_o before_o and_o the_o trial_n of_o that_o be_v matter_n for_o long_a disquisisition_n and_o man_n will_v not_o be_v too_o peremptory_a in_o condemn_v episcopacy_n if_o they_o serious_o consider_v that_o the_o able_a pen_n that_o ever_o engage_v in_o this_o controversy_n have_v find_v it_o a_o task_n too_o hard_o for_o they_o to_o demonstrate_v episcopacy_n to_o be_v in_o itself_o unlawful_a and_o if_o we_o ask_v the_o judgement_n of_o the_o most_o eminent_a reform_a divine_n we_o shall_v find_v very_o few_o or_o none_o learned_a sober_a and_o faithful_a in_o the_o point_n who_o do_v judge_v it_o to_o be_v forbid_v 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that_o article_n the_o covenant_n be_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v in_o sensu_fw-la divisô_o but_o compositô_o which_o sure_v to_o mr._n baxter_n complex_fw-la frame_n and_o therefore_o assert_n that_o continue_v of_o bishop_n with_o a_o negative_a voice_n in_o ordination_n and_o ministerial_a meeting_n may_v be_v permit_v without_o breach_n of_o covenant_n and_o if_o it_o be_v so_o as_o this_o learned_a man_n and_o other_o mention_v concede_fw-la what_o reason_n be_v there_o to_o bend_v the_o covenant_n against_o the_o present_a episcopacy_n of_o scotland_n which_o be_v establish_v to_o govern_v the_o church_n not_o exclude_v but_o with_o consent_n of_o presbyter_n with_o as_o great_a moderation_n as_o any_o be_v in_o the_o primitive_a episcopacy_n but_o it_o will_v be_v say_v than_o we_o stand_v bind_v against_o the_o english_a prelacy_n as_o it_o be_v explain_v in_o the_o covenant_n ans_fw-fr it_o will_v be_v time_n to_o dispute_v that_o when_o we_o be_v call_v to_o live_v under_o 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episcopacy_n be_v not_o mention_v as_o abjure_v so_o neither_o be_v it_o abjure_v by_o the_o national_a covenant_n as_o it_o be_v enjoin_v to_o be_v subscribe_v anno_fw-la 1580._o it_o be_v allege_v that_o under_o the_o name_n of_o the_o pope_n wicked_a hierarchy_n the_o office_n of_o episcopacy_n be_v abjure_v but_o they_o who_o say_v so_o will_v consider_v that_o the_o abjure_v of_o the_o pope_n wicked_a hierarchy_n import_v not_o a_o abjuration_n of_o the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n more_o than_o the_o office_n of_o a_o presbyter_n or_o a_o deacon_n which_o be_v part_n of_o that_o hierarchy_n so_o call_v by_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n canon_n sess_z 7._o as_o well_o as_o the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n if_o the_o covenant_n do_v not_o under_o that_o expression_n abjure_v these_o office_n neither_o do_v it_o abjure_v the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n see_v these_o be_v part_n of_o that_o which_o the_o papist_n call_v hierarchy_n as_o well_o as_o this_o the_o intent_n of_o that_o 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the_o fountain_n and_o head_n of_o the_o church_n under_o christ_n and_o the_o corruption_n adhere_v to_o these_o office_n and_o flow_v from_o he_o so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v his_o depend_v on_o he_o corrupt_v by_o he_o there_o be_v wickedness_n in_o they_o or_o join_v to_o they_o and_o so_o they_o be_v abjure_v as_o in_o another_o word_n of_o that_o covenant_n his_o blasphemous_a priesthood_n be_v abjure_v yet_o in_o that_o the_o office_n of_o presbyter_n be_v not_o abjure_v but_o mean_a time_n the_o office_n themselves_o which_o be_v say_v to_o make_v up_o that_o hierarchy_n be_v not_o abjure_v nor_o be_v to_o be_v reject_v but_o purge_v from_o what_o be_v his_o or_o any_o dependence_n on_o he_o or_o corruption_n flow_v from_o he_o and_o so_o the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n among_o protestant_n bishop_n now_o be_v loose_v from_o that_o dependence_n from_o the_o sea_n of_o rome_n and_o the_o pope_n who_o as_o head_n of_o the_o church_n claim_v a_o plenitude_n of_o power_n over_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o make_v all_o christian_a bishop_n and_o minister_n but_o as_o his_o slave_n and_o vassal_n portion_v out_o to_o they_o such_o measure_n of_o jurisdiction_n as_o he_o think_v fit_a as_o their_o style_n in_o this_o country_n import_v of_o old_a ego_fw-la n._n dei_fw-la apostolicae_fw-la sedis_fw-la gratiâ_fw-la episcopus_fw-la i_o say_v the_o office_n of_o the_o protestant_n bishop_n be_v no_o more_o a_o part_n now_o of_o the_o pope_n wicked_a hierarchy_n then_o be_v the_o office_n of_o a_o minister_n or_o deacon_n but_o further_o it_o may_v appear_v that_o under_o the_o name_n of_o the_o pope_n wicked_a hierarchy_n the_o office_n of_o bishop_n be_v not_o abjure_v in_o the_o national_a covenant_n 1._o the_o enjoyner_n of_o that_o covenant_n to_o be_v take_v by_o the_o subject_n be_v king_n james_n of_o bless_a memory_n he_o have_v himself_o with_o his_o family_n subscribe_v that_o oath_n and_o covenant_n give_v charge_n to_o all_o commissioner_n and_o minister_n within_o the_o realm_n to_o crave_v the_o same_o confession_n from_o their_o parishioner_n and_o proceed_v against_o the_o refuser_n as_o the_o word_n of_o the_o charge_n bear_v march_z 2._o 1580._o this_o be_v the_o first_o injunction_n for_o take_v the_o covenant_n which_o be_v main_o intend_v for_o secure_v the_o religion_n and_o the_o king_n who_o favour_v it_o and_o profess_v it_o from_o papist_n who_o be_v sound_a practise_v with_o foreigner_n against_o he_o and_o it_o and_o for_o clear_v the_o king_n and_o his_o court_n from_o aspersion_n but_o that_o the_o king_n by_o that_o covenant_n intend_v the_o abjuration_n of_o the_o office_n of_o protestant_n episcopacy_n it_o be_v most_o improbable_a and_o by_o many_o thing_n the_o contrary_a appear_v 1._o the_o instrument_n in_o pen_v that_o covenant_n at_o the_o king_n command_n be_v mr._n john_n craig_n his_o minister_n a_o very_a learned_a man_n who_o but_o nine_o year_n before_o jan_n 12._o anno_fw-la 1571._o have_v give_v his_o consent_n in_o the_o assembly_n of_o the_o church_n which_o then_o do_v meet_v at_o leith_n that_o commissioner_n may_v be_v appoint_v to_o join_v with_o these_o who_o the_o council_n shall_v appoint_v for_o settle_v the_o policy_n of_o the_o church_n of_o these_o commissioner_n he_o himself_o be_v one_o and_o with_o he_o dun_n the_o superintendent_n of_o angus_n winrame_n superintendent_n of_o fyfe_n and_o other_o the_o resolution_n they_o come_v to_o be_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v of_o the_o most_o qualify_v of_o the_o ministry_n some_o choose_v by_o the_o chapter_n of_o the_o cathedral_n church_n to_o who_o vacant_a archbishoprics_a and_o bishopric_n may_v be_v dispon_v and_o they_o to_o have_v power_n of_o ordination_n and_o to_o exerce_fw-la spiritual_fw-la jurisdiction_n in_o their_o several_a diocese_n and_o at_o the_o ordination_n of_o minister_n to_o exact_v a_o oath_n of_o they_o for_o acknowledge_v his_o majesty_n authority_n
and_o for_o obedience_n to_o their_o ordinary_n in_o all_o thing_n lawful_a and_o according_o some_o be_v provide_v to_o bishopric_n at_o that_o time_n neither_o do_v the_o church_n in_o the_o follow_a assembly_n at_o st._n andrews_n march_n 1571._o take_v exception_n at_o these_o article_n of_o agreement_n it_o be_v true_a at_o perth_n august_n 1572._o they_o receive_v the_o same_o but_o with_o a_o protestation_n it_o be_v only_o for_o a_o interim_n etc._n etc._n but_o this_o we_o may_v say_v that_o the_o learned_a penner_n of_o the_o national_a covenant_n allow_v of_o bishop_n a_o few_o year_n before_o this_o covenant_n nor_o be_v there_o any_o evidence_n that_o he_o change_v his_o mind_n or_o that_o he_o do_v in_o that_o draught_n of_o the_o confession_n mean_v protestant_n bishop_n which_o then_o he_o approve_v by_o the_o pope_n wicked_a hierarchy_n which_o be_v abjure_v 2._o as_o for_o the_o king_n himself_o that_o he_o mind_v no_o abjuration_n of_o the_o office_n of_o a_o 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to_o swear_v against_o the_o church-government_n that_o be_v then_o in_o the_o country_n and_o be_v not_o reject_v by_o the_o church_n till_o july_n 12_o 1580._o yea_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o king_n and_o his_o council_n mind_v not_o to_o swear_v down_o protestant_n episcopacy_n by_o that_o covenant_n for_o suppose_v the_o general_n assembly_n in_o that_o same_o year_n 1580_o july_n 12._o do_v pass_v a_o act_n against_o episcopacy_n the_o like_a whereof_o have_v not_o be_v do_v in_o this_o church_n before_o yet_o the_o very_a year_n follow_v 1581._o though_o the_o king_n and_o council_n have_v present_v the_o confession_n to_o the_o assembly_n to_o be_v subscribe_v by_o they_o and_o the_o people_n in_o several_a parish_n at_o their_o order_n or_o by_o their_o persuasion_n yet_o that_o very_o same_o year_n a_o act_n of_o council_n be_v make_v confirm_v express_o that_o agreement_n 1571._o at_o leith_n concern_v archbishop_n and_o bishop_n and_o this_o be_v do_v six_o month_n 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have_v a_o way_n of_o use_v liberty_n enough_o and_o more_o than_o be_v sit_v and_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o covenant_n in_o the_o intention_n of_o king_n and_o council_n who_o enjoin_v it_o first_o and_o transmit_v it_o to_o the_o assembly_n and_o subject_n do_v not_o abjure_v episcopacy_n why_o shall_v the_o subject_n take_v themselves_o bind_v as_o swear_v down_o episcopacy_n by_o that_o oath_n see_v every_o oath_n be_v to_o be_v take_v in_o the_o declare_a sense_n of_o the_o imposer_n which_o be_v consistent_a with_o the_o word_n of_o it_o but_o it_o will_v be_v yet_o say_v that_o the_o general_n assembly_n at_o glasgow_n 1638._o have_v declare_v that_o in_o that_o national_a covenant_n episcopacy_n be_v abjure_v in_o the_o year_n 1580_o and_o they_o enjoin_v that_o all_o shall_v subscribe_v according_a to_o the_o determination_n of_o that_o assembly_n and_o many_o have_v do_v so_o ans_fw-fr 1._o it_o seem_v very_o strange_a that_o any_o assembly_n or_o company_n of_o man_n 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that_o covenant_n be_v never_o hear_v to_o plead_v against_o episcopacy_n though_o they_o love_v it_o not_o upon_o that_o ground_n and_o that_o fifty_o eight_o year_n after_o when_o most_o or_o all_o of_o these_o first_o taker_n of_o it_o be_v wear_v out_o a_o generation_n rise_v that_o will_v plead_v that_o their_o ancestor_n take_v that_o covenant_n in_o that_o sense_n abjure_v episcopacy_n whereas_o there_o be_v in_o no_o act_n of_o these_o ancient_a assembly_n after_o the_o covenant_n be_v take_v or_o at_o the_o take_n of_o it_o any_o assertion_n that_o it_o be_v their_o mind_n in_o take_v that_o covenant_n to_o abjure_v episcopacy_n and_o that_o episcopacy_n be_v not_o in_o the_o intention_n of_o the_o taker_n of_o the_o national_a covenant_n of_o old_a abjure_v by_o the_o covenant_n no_o nor_o unlawful_a in_o itself_o even_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o assembly_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n may_v appear_v in_o that_o within_o six_o year_n after_o that_o year_n 1580._o a_o general_n assembly_n at_o edinburgh_n do_v declare_v that_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n have_v a_o special_a charge_n and_o function_n thereto_o annex_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o that_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o the_o general_n assembly_n to_o admit_v a_o bishop_n to_o a_o benefice_n prefer_v by_o the_o king_n majesty_n with_o power_n to_o admit_v visit_v and_o deprive_v minister_n and_o to_o be_v moderator_n of_o presbytery_n where_o they_o be_v resident_a and_o subject_a only_o to_o the_o sentence_n of_o the_o general_a assembly_n it_o seem_v within_o six_o year_n the_o general_n assembly_n at_o edinburgh_n retract_v the_o act_n of_o dundee_n 1581._o but_o 3._o strange_a it_o be_v that_o the_o company_n meet_v at_o glasgow_n a_o assembly_n against_o which_o as_o much_o be_v say_v and_o upon_o good_a ground_n as_o against_o any_o other_o in_o our_o church_n have_v power_n
four_o thing_n the_o brethren_n will_v consider_v anent_o their_o refusal_n to_o concur_v in_o synod_n and_o presbytery_n before_o it_o be_v hint_v at_o and_o it_o be_v this_o they_o have_v for_o many_o year_n concur_v in_o do_v common_a duty_n in_o presbytery_n and_o synod_n with_o these_o who_o they_o look_v upon_o as_o fix_v a_o sinful_a schism_n as_o the_o other_o they_o charge_v they_o with_o apostasic_a from_o former_a principle_n yet_o with_o these_o they_o concur_v in_o common_a duty_n so_o far_o as_o they_o can_v get_v their_o concurrence_n and_o complain_v of_o their_o separate_a way_n when_o they_o refuse_v and_o be_v they_o not_o bind_v against_o schism_n and_o the_o maker_n of_o it_o by_o the_o covenant_n and_o word_n of_o god_n too_o as_o against_o any_o thing_n else_o that_o be_v now_o make_v the_o pretence_n of_o separation_n from_o the_o judicatories_n five_o brethren_n will_v consider_v if_o in_o this_o their_o present_a practice_n they_o do_v not_o fall_v short_a 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they_o who_o live_v in_o these_o time_n and_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o stand_n of_o synod_n at_o the_o time_n when_o bishop_n be_v bring_v in_o upon_o they_o in_o our_o ancestor_n day_n whereas_o now_o they_o be_v not_o stand_v when_o bishop_n be_v bring_v in_o but_o raise_v and_o sit_v now_o as_o hold_v and_o depend_v upon_o episcopacy_n it_o shall_v not_o be_v deny_v there_o be_v some_o disparity_n and_o difference_n between_o the_o case_n of_o minister_n now_o and_o then_o simile_n non_fw-la est_fw-la idem_fw-la but_o any_o difference_n that_o be_v observe_v be_v impertinent_a and_o not_o material_a to_o this_o purpose_n to_o make_v the_o concurrence_n in_o these_o synod_n now_o to_o be_v unlawful_a which_o be_v to_o our_o ancestor_n lawful_a for_o as_o to_o the_o former_a ground_n of_o disparity_n it_o be_v certain_a minister_n then_o account_v themselves_o as_o real_o bind_v against_o the_o allowance_n of_o episcopal_a government_n both_o by_o the_o covenant_n and_o by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o any_o do_v judge_v themselves_o engage_v against_o it_o by_o late_a bond_n whether_o they_o do_v mistake_v in_o this_o or_o nor_o we_o say_v nothing_o but_o that_o they_o do_v so_o judge_n it_o be_v out_o of_o question_n and_o yet_o they_o think_v their_o practice_n in_o concur_v in_o all_o lawful_a matter_n in_o synod_n and_o presbytery_n consistent_a enough_o with_o their_o judgement_n touch_v episcopacy_n and_o their_o bond_n against_o it_o and_o as_o to_o the_o latter_a of_o these_o difference_n it_o can_v be_v nothing_o material_a as_o the_o render_v concurrence_n with_o synod_n and_o presbytery_n now_o unlawful_a which_o then_o may_v be_v lawful_a for_o the_o meeting_n now_o and_o then_o be_v of_o the_o same_o constitution_n nothing_o alter_v nor_o be_v there_o any_o thing_n in_o these_o meeting_n to_o affright_v from_o concurrence_n in_o they_o now_o more_o than_o at_o that_o time_n nor_o any_o more_o hold_v of_o or_o dependency_n on_o bishop_n now_o when_o the_o king_n majesty_n have_v take_v off_o the_o restraint_n which_o for_o a_o time_n he_o put_v on_o then_o if_o he_o have_v not_o at_o all_o restrain_v they_o neither_o any_o more_o than_o be_v of_o these_o synod_n and_o presbytery_n which_o of_o old_a do_v sit_v when_o bishop_n be_v bring_v in_o upon_o they_o neither_o be_v it_o likely_a that_o minister_n who_o now_o refuse_v concurrence_n will_v have_v give_v it_o have_v their_o judicatory_n not_o be_v restrain_v from_o meeting_n this_o seem_v a_o very_a bare_a pretext_n six_o brethren_n will_v consider_v well_o if_o in_o refuse_v to_o concur_v with_o their_o brethren_n in_o undoubted_a duty_n where_o they_o may_v salve_v their_o conscience_n by_o humble_a modest_a express_v what_o they_o judge_v amiss_o they_o do_v not_o run_v themselves_o either_o upon_o the_o rock_n of_o ecclesiastical_a independency_n in_o their_o several_a congregation_n in_o administration_n of_o discipline_n if_o they_o mind_v to_o have_v any_o discipline_n at_o all_o or_o to_o combine_v in_o clandestine_v presbytery_n of_o their_o own_o which_o they_o may_v consider_v how_o either_o it_o shall_v be_v take_v by_o the_o christian_n magistrate_n or_o how_o it_o shall_v relish_v of_o that_o spirit_n of_o unity_n and_o love_n that_o shall_v be_v among_o christ_n minister_n and_o whereaway_n in_o end_n this_o principle_n of_o division_n from_o their_o brethren_n in_o unquestioned_a duty_n may_v lead_v they_o whether_o to_o divide_v also_o from_o their_o brethren_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o to_o teach_v people_n so_o to_o do_v somewhat_o of_o this_o be_v already_o see_v and_o to_o endeavour_v the_o fix_v of_o a_o perpetual_a schism_n the_o seed_n whereof_o be_v sow_v with_o too_o much_o animosity_n 4._o now_o come_v to_o be_v consider_v the_o case_n of_o such_o brethren_n of_o the_o ministry_n as_o choose_v rather_o to_o quit_v their_o ministry_n then_o once_o come_v in_o term_n with_o these_o upon_o who_o the_o law_n have_v settle_v a_o power_n to_o order_v they_o in_o the_o exercise_n of_o the_o same_o it_o will_v be_v most_o serious_o think_v of_o whether_o it_o be_v right_a that_o any_o minister_n of_o christ_n shall_v set_v their_o ministry_n the_o service_n of_o god_n the_o benefit_n which_o the_o lord_n people_n may_v have_v by_o their_o good_a gift_n to_o say_v nothing_o of_o the_o interest_n of_o their_o family_n at_o so_o low_a a_o rate_n as_o not_o to_o have_v use_v all_o lawful_a mean_n try_v at_o least_o upon_o what_o term_n they_o may_v enjoy_v their_o ministry_n before_o they_o have_v fall_v upon_o that_o extremity_n to_o desert_n it_o if_o any_o man_n will_v say_v it_o be_v no_o lawful_a mean_n to_o speak_v with_o a_o bishop_n in_o that_o matter_n though_o it_o may_v tend_v to_o his_o continuance_n in_o the_o ministry_n and_o perhaps_o may_v be_v in_o some_o measure_n disappoint_v in_o his_o fear_n he_o have_v need_n to_o examine_v well_o whether_o conceit_n or_o conscience_n rule_v most_o there_o and_o to_o think_v of_o it_o how_o he_o can_v justify_v the_o desert_v of_o his_o ministry_n without_o the_o utmost_a essay_n to_o hold_v it_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o it_o be_v a_o new_a and_o rare_a case_n that_o man_n will_v rather_o embrace_v suffer_v then_o once_o speak_v one_o word_n to_o person_n entrust_v with_o power_n by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n whatever_o they_o be_v to_o try_v at_o they_o upon_o what_o term_n they_o may_v be_v permit_v to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n the_o comfort_n it_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v of_o suffer_v upon_o such_o a_o account_n will_v not_o run_v very_o clear_a but_o it_o will_v be_v say_v the_o thing_n that_o be_v stick_v at_o be_v the_o canonical_a oath_n enjoin_v by_o law_n and_o which_o the_o bishop_n will_v require_v this_o some_o say_v they_o can_v take_v conceive_v it_o contradictory_n to_o the_o covenant_n and_o to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n but_o 1._o such_o as_o have_v not_o so_o much_o as_o come_v in_o term_n with_o the_o bishop_n and_o of_o who_o that_o oath_n or_o promise_v have_v not_o be_v particular_o require_v seem_v to_o leap_v too_o soon_o to_o suffering_n before_o it_o come_v to_o they_o and_o before_o they_o have_v try_v if_o possible_o there_o may_v have_v be_v relevant_a ground_n for_o dispense_n with_o the_o law_n towards_o they_o have_v they_o be_v personal_o put_v to_o take_v that_o oath_n and_o if_o so_o there_o can_v be_v no_o dispense_n with_o they_o nor_o they_o able_a to_o digest_v that_o oath_n than_o they_o have_v more_o clearness_n in_o their_o undergo_a suffering_n 2._o as_o to_o contradiction_n to_o the_o covenant_n if_o timorcus_n pag._n 37._o may_v be_v believe_v and_o he_o seem_v tender_a in_o the_o matter_n of_o other_o there_o be_v no_o contradiction_n between_o the_o canonical_a oath_n and_o the_o covenant_n he_o