minister whom the Apostles in their time doe approue and the Pastor and not the prelate is the last minister to whom the Apostles when they were to remoue or were neare unto death did recommend the care of the Kirks and therefore the Pastor and not the prelate is the minister warranted by the Apostles The PRELATE denyed of Christ would father himselfe upon the Apostles and finding no warrant from their doctrine or practise in Scripture albeit the Acts of the Apostles containe the historie of many yeeres after Christs ascension He seemeth to be sure of the ecclesiasticall historie recorded in the Apostles times by Apostolick institution a begunne succession of Bishops in Ierusalem Rome Alexandria Antioch c. But here also he standeth without because the bishops of those places were either Apostles and therefore could not be properly Bishops or els ordinarie pastors of no greater place nor power except for age gift then other presbyters labouring with them Such were Linus Clemens Cletus Anacletus fellow presbyters at Rome at one time one of them living some space after another and to shewe the order of succession from the Apostles against Hereticks who urged it they were numbred as if they had not lived at one time and in the line of succession were called Bishops by Eusebius and others after him agreeable to the corruption of their owne tymes when now men had of their owne head put a difference betwixt a Bishop and a pastor and not according to the puritie of the primitiue times of which they did write when a pastor and a bishop was one and the same 4. The PASTOR is the divine and Apostolick bishop of the lawfulnesse of whose calling and power in the primitiue Kirk after the Apostles there was no question The pastor by consent of antiquitie when now by humane wisedome the constant moderator was brought in and called the Bishop had right and power not by grant but by his office not onely to preach the Word minister the Sacraments and use the keyes in binding and loosing the conscience but also with the fellow presbyters to ordaine ministers and in the presbyteriall provinciall and nationall assemblies to decide controversies to make constitutions to inflict censures euen upon Bishops and by his pastorall authoritie to doe all things necessarie for the edification of the Kirk And this right and power that God gaue him he maintained in some Kirks in the most corrupt times when now Antichrist was set on his chaire and prelacie for the most part of humane was become satanicall The PRELATE holden at the doore by Christ and his Apostles after their times by the ambition of some pastors and simplicitie of others when he had long hung on got in the foote to be constant moderator but not finding entrie at the first for his greate head made up of sole ordination of monarchicall jurisdiction of civill power worldly pompe and superstitious ceremonies he hydeth his miter in the mysterie of iniquitie going on with it foote for foote and draweth in by fraude and force one limme after another till at last after many ages and much working for he atteyned not to the degree of an Archbishop till after the Councell of Nice he sheweth himselfe Lord in the house of God having no more of the first institution of a Bishop then the ship Argo had of her first buylding when after her expedition shee had lyen at a full sea some hundreds of yeares or the beggers cloake patched with many clouts and coulours that hath passed through some generations which he it may be makes more of then of a parliament robe hath of the first shaping 5. The PASTOR as became the humble servant of Christ and a minister of the New Testament procured and maintained the dignitie and true honour of his ministerie by holding forth the glorious light of the Gospell in his doctrine and the shyning light of holynes in his conversation esteeming the preaching of the glad tydings of peace to be the beautie of ministers righteousnes their robe and ornament The PRELATE tooke him to the contrarie course for his credite and transformed the beautifull simplicitie of Christs Kingdome into the glorie of the kingdome of the world albeit when he was of his old stampe his greatest dignitie was his chaire and faythfull teaching the flower of his garland yet now degenerating from his first sinceritie and being infected with secular smoake he came to be cast in the mould of the first Beast his chaire gaue place to his Consistorie and throne his jurisdiction and government honoured with the title of preheminence caried all the credit Teaching as a base worke was giuen over to the pettie presbyters and everie office in the Kirk was counted a dignitie worthie of honour lesse or more as it had more or lesse jurisdiction annexed as these are more or lesse honourable in the common wealth that haue more or lesse civill authoritie And thus prelacie came up and preaching came downe and the Kirk became more worldly then the world it selfe 6. The PASTOR when all was going wrong some raysing contentions others gaping after honours the braines of many being bigge with heresies all giuen to heape up superstition and Atheisme and the prelate with his popish hierarchie possessing both the holy citie and outward court he then gaue testimonie to the trueth kept still the temple and within the temple kept in the light as two oliue trees growing up by the sides of the candlestick and dropping downe from the branches oyle into the lampes for the comfort of such as Jehovah Shammah had chosen for life and would saue from the deluge of defection The PRELATE once possessed into the Kirk never ceased till he had changed the Kirk into a court power ecclesiasticall into civill policie the Scripture into tradition the trueth into heresie sinceritie into superstition the worship of God into Idolatrie as the worship of images Saincts and bread-worship the pure ordinances of God into Masses Altars Images Garments Fasting and follies of Paganisme and Iudaisme like a smoake out of the bottomlesse pitte growing grosser and thicker everie day and in the middest of the myst built up his greatnes upon the ruins not onely of the Kirks but of the commonwealths of the world for when the starres of heauen fell into the earth the mountaines and Ilands were moved out of tbeir places and as this unhappy milt swelled bigge in the bodie with wealth and honour the life of religion became faint the Princes and Nobles of the earth like the noble parts in the body decayed and the meaner ones like the hands and feete withered away The Popes felicitie was the whole worlds miserie and so was the Prelates to severall nations and provinces 7. The PASTOR and with him the godly of the time wearied with long opposition poured out their heavie complaints that the grief of the Kirk was more bitter
Roman policie and the fundamentall lavv by vvhich that people squared all their other lavves according to their ovvne Maxime Let the safety of the people be the souveraigne lauv The Kirk of Jesus Christ hath better reason to think that the safety of the Kirk should be the rule and end of all Ecclesiasticall policie although the forme of externall Worship and of the government of the house of God were not prescribed by the Lord himselfe in his Word but left arbitrarie to men to be framed by their Canons and Constitutions yet this must be holden as infallible That it is the best forme of government vvhich by reason and experience is found to be best for the vveale and safety of the Kirk Unto this generall both Prelate and Pastor vvill vvithout question condescend but they differ in the particular what this is vvherein the good and weale of the Kirk doeth consist For the Prelate places the weale of the Kirk in her outvvard peace and prosperitie thinketh the Kirk vvell constituted and in good case vvhen she florisheth in wealth and vvorldly dignities But herein he abuseth the christian World three wayes First that he measures and determines the good estate of the Kirk by her outvvard face and not by her invvard grace by the health of her bodye rather then of her soule by that which is accidentall to the Kirk and which she may eyther haue or vvante and yet continue a true Kirk and not by that vvhi his essentiall and proper to the very nature and being of a Kirk Secondly that he judgeth that to be the vveale of the Kirk vvhich hath many times proved her vvrack being abused as commonly it hath happened He taketh poyson for a preservatiue and surfett of peace and prosperity excesse of vvealth and vvorldly honours vvhich are her deadly disease to be her health best constitution Too large bestovving of riches and preferments upon the ministers of the Kirk bred that contagion vvithin her bovvels vvhich turned almost to her death in the ende for thereby defection grevv by degrees till arâ— st under the Man of 〈◊〉 it came to the heigth Thirdly that he measures the good estate of the Kirk by himselfe and the rest of the members of that Hierarchicall bodye as though it vvent vvell vvith the vvhole Kirk vvhen Bishops stand and reigne like the Kings of the nations and as though the ministery vveâ—e sufficiently vindicated from poverty and contempt vvherâ—tvvelue or thirteene of the number are clymed up like 〈◊〉 the highest places that vvith their evill favoured mingeotâ—â—â— they mâ—y moue laughter to all that beholde them from belovv or like foules flovven up to the highest roofes shooting dovvne their filthy excrements upon the rest that sitt in the lovver roomes But the Pastor esteemes the good an weale of the Kirk by her spirituall estate that is by a sound fayth a pure vvorship and a holy conversation as she stands or decayes in these so is shee eyrher in a good constitution or languishing and as she is furnished vvith all the meanes that may preserue and increase these so she eyther prospers or decayes This judgment of the Pastor is grounded upon verie good reasons For upon this estate of the Kirk necessarily depends the glory of God and salvation of soules which are the tvvo things that make the difference betvvixt the Kirk of God and all other soâ—ieties of men in the vvorld and therefore the Pastor hath reason to thinke that all the riches of the earth all the glorie of all the kingdomes of the vvorld are not to be put in ballance vvith the glory of God and the salvation of soules that vvhich God vvith his ovvne bloud hath purchased and redeemed Now vvhether the good of the Kirk in these things be better procured and preserved by the Prelate or by the Pastor let them be typed by comparing them in the particulars follovving I. THE PASTOR his principall care is to preserue the puritie of doctrine in the Kirk that Christs flock may be fedde with the wholesome word of life and to oppose all contrarie and unprofitable doctrine as poysonable and pernitious to the peoples soules and for that purpose interteyneth in weekely meetings the exercise of the word where the doctrine delivered by one is judged by all the rest whether it be sound and profitable and taketh such order vvith the Papists the greate corrupters of doctrine and enemies to the peoples soules that eyther he converteth them or cutteth them off from the communion of the Kirk with the spirituall sword and exhorteth the Magistrate to execute the lawes made against them whereby it came to passe that contrarie doctrine and vayn and curious teaching either entred not into our Kirk or was suddainly repressed and put to the doore and Papistrie that had place before was well nigh put out of the land The PRELATE hath neyther leasure nor liking to looke to such exercise and accounts no heresie so worthy his animadversion as the alleaged heresie of Aerius and his followers It is manifest in historie from the beginning that the heresies that haue most endangered the Kirk haue either beene forged by the ingines or favoured and borne out by the authoritie and credit of Prelates b and this day diverse false and dangerous doctrines are partly vented and partly wincked at by them neyther thinketh he papists greate enemies to the Kirk but as the Iewish priests entertayned the Sadduces albeit enemies to true religion and hated Christians as their deadly foes and as the Papist can agree with the formall Protestant but thinks the unconformable Calvenist his irreconcileable enemie so the Prelate could agree with the common Papist for all his blaspheamous doctrine and profession because he is a friend to his Hierarchie But the Reformed Christian whom he calleth the Calvinist and Puritane he can by no meanes beare because he is professed unfriend to his Hierarchie A Prelate as a Prelate is not opposite to the Papist but to the Protestant 2. The PASTOR knowing that a litle leaven leaveneth the whole lumpe thinketh it dangerous for the peoples soules to borrowe eyther substance or ceremonie of religion from Antichristian corruption and therefore warneth the people to beware of the least beginnings and appearances of evill and while he deliberates aboute ceremonies fittest for ordor and decencie he intends nothing of his owne but the edification of the kirk and in the practise of ceremonies circumstances orderly appointed he looketh to the peace of the Kirk that it be not broken and to the consciences of the weake that they be not offended The PRELATE liketh to simbolize with Antichrist his Ceremonies putting the Papists in hope that the bodie and substance of theâ— superstition may be resumed by time where the shadowes and ceremonieâ— are so highly regarded He intends nothing in appointing them but the maintenance of his owne estate and dignitie because he seeth and sayth Nâ—
our cause vvhich is no mans particular but Christs ovvne cause should be heard at last and righteously determined that everiething in the house of the God of heauen might be done after the vvill of the God of heauen then vvhich there can be nothing more reasonable and vvhich is the summe of all our desires Our adversaries upon the contrarie out of the experience they finde of his Majesties disposition to equitie out of the conscience they haue of the iniquitie of the cause that they maintaine onely because it maintaineth their greatnes haue used all meanes to prevent his tryall haue stopped so farre as may be all vvaies of information according to the craftie counsell giuen to Pericles not being able to make account haue done vvhat they can that thâ—y be not called to account When Commissioners vvere to goe to his Majestie they vvould haue none but their ovvne vvhen some that vvere not their ovvne vvere chosen by a meeting of the Kirk they vvould not haue them to goe vvhich hath made us after long vvaiting in silence and many essayes to resolue in ende there being no other vvay left unto us vvith all submission of minde to send up our Pastor and Prelate in print vvho haue been impeded by the Prelates to come together in person Neither can it offend the Prelate that the Pastor speak the trueth this one time for himselfe and the Prelate since the Prelate so many times hath spoken his pleasure for both Our silence and ceasing in the cause vvould giue greatest vvorldly ease to our selues and greatest contentment to our adversaries vvho novv crye nothing but peace peace that is a peaceable possession of their honours and vvealth and a cruell oppression of their brethren But vvithall vvould proue us to be unfaythfull both to our God and to our King for beside the obligation that is commune to us vvith other reformed Kirks vve stand bound by solemne oath covenant and subscription published to the vvorld to defend the doctrin and discipline of this Kirk and to oppose the Hierarchie and all rites and ceremonies added to the vvorship of God Silence in such a cause may be sinne to other Kirks but to us it is perjurie in the sight of God and vvould also proue us unfaithfull to our King For hovvsoever the Prelates professe in publick That no Ceremonie no Bishop no Bishop no King and doe suggest in secret the service that they can doe to Monarchie they doe but minde themselues and their ovvne Idoll That government of the Kirk is most usefull for kings and kingdomes vvhich is best vvarranted by the Word of God by vvhom Kings reigne and kingdomes are established The pillars of his Majesties Throne are of Gods ovvn making Religion upon the right hand Righteousnes upon the left The pompe of Ceremonies and pride of prelacie are pillars artificially vvrought by the vvitte of man for setting up and supporting the Popes tyranny No Ceremony no Prelate no Prelate no Pope VVhen his Majesties vvisedome hath searched all these creitis of this controversie let us be reputed the vvorst of all men let us all be censured silenced consined deprived or exiled as some of us are and haue beene for a long time If the cause that vve maintain shall be found any other but that vve desire that God beserved his house ruled according to his ovvne vvill and if it shall not be found that the Kirk of God perfect in order and office-bearers vvithout Prelates and their ceremonies may be governed upon a small part of their great rents vvith more honour to God vvith more heartie obedience to the Kings Majestie vvith greater riches and glorie to the Crovvne vvith greater contentment to the body of the vvhole kirk kingdome greater peace amongst our selues and greater terror to Satan all his traine of heresie prophanesse and persecution as vve shall be ready to demonstrate particularly if this vvhich follovveth be not sufficient vvhensoever his Majestie shall be pleased to require and vvhich vve are assured his Majestie vvil perceiue upon small consideration for a minde inclined by divine povver to religion and pietie vvill not at first sight discerne be possessed vvith the loue of the heauenly beautie of the house of God they both proceeding from the same spirit God alsufficient blesse his Majestie both in peace and vvarre both in religion justice vvith such successe as may be seene euen by the envious eye of the enemy to be from the finger and favour of God and may also make his happie gouvernment to be a matter of gratulation to the Godly and to be admired and remembred by the posteritie as the measure and example of their desires vvhen they shall be vvishing for a religious and righteous King THE FIRST PART The Pastor Prelate compared by the VVord of God THat the Worship of God the Government of the Kirk vvhich is the house of God are to be learned out of his ovvn Word it is a trueth against the vvhich the gates of Hell shall never prevaile For vve ought to giue this glorie to God that all his bookes are full and vvritten on both sides as the booke of nature the booke of providence and the booke of conscience is perfect so also the scripture vvhich is the booke of grace is perfect We ought to giue this glorie to the sonne of God that as he is a perfect high Priest for reconciliation he is also a perfect Prophet for revelation and a perfect King and lawgiver for ruling of his owne Kirk and kingdome We ought also to giue this glorie to the Spirit of God that as he purposed to set dovvne a Covenant a Testament and a perfect Canon so in fulnes of wisedome he hath performed his purpose We ought humbly to acknowledge that the Kirk hath no power vvhether by translation of divine ordinances from the old to the new Testament under pretext of pietie or by imitation of the enemie seeme it never so charitable or by mans invention let it appeare never so plausible to make new lawes or to institute any nevv office or office-bearer any minister or part of ministration in the house of God But that it is her parte to see the will of God obeyed and to appoint Canons and Constitutions for the orderly and decent disposing of things before instituted We call here the Prelates and Pastors of Conformitie to a threefold consideration FIRST that they agree not amongst themselues about the matters in question some of them affirming that their Hierarchie is warranted by divine authoritie others confessing it is onely by ancient custome and a third sort defending neither of the tvvo but that it is Apostolick Againe some of them make the forme of Kirk government to be universall and perpetuall others holding it to be conformable to civill policie as if man might prescribe unto God what forme of government is fittest for his house
Congregation that they exercise no civill Iurisdiction The Confession of Fayth sworne and subscribed wherein they oblige themselues to continew in the doctrine discipline of this Kirk The same yeere it was declared in the generall assemblie that the office of the Prelate was unlawfull in it selfe and had no warrant in the Word of God thereafter renued in covenant The PRELATE and men of that disposition having in the ende nothing to oppone professed that they agreed in their consciences consented to the Acts of the Kirk swore and subscribed the Confession of fayth renewed the covenant with the Kirk and helped to put on the coap-stone of the Kirk of God with their owne hands Like as the same Confession of fayth was subscribed by those that are now in the proudest places of prelacie and who haue proved since the chiefest instruments of all the alterations in the Discipline and externall worship of God and ring-leaders in the defection of the Kirk with what consciene may be seene by their unhonest excuses their poore shifts and shamelesse raylings against that which they did once so much reverence all to be seene as they are published in print 4. The PASTOR and men of God desyring to testifie their thankfulnesse for so singular favour vouchsafed upon this Kirk and nation to employ the benefite of the discipline now established for the libertie of the kingdome of Christ and against the tyrannie of sinne and Sathan addressed themselues all as one man with greate fidelitie courage for the work of God urged residence and diligence in ministers kept with successe from heaven their publike and solemne humiliations made the pulpits to sounde against papistrie and profanenesse set all men on work as they had grace or place for purging the countrie of all corruptions and defending the Kirk against her profest enemies who never ceased by negociating with the Pope Spanish King unnaturally to labour for their owne and her ruyne whereof the divine providence had disappointed them in 88. The PRELATES authoritie at this time lay deade and men of that disposition made no greate Dinne But the Kirk then unlike that which she is now comely as Ierusalem terrible as an armie with banners against all her enemies did stand whole and sound in unitie and concord of her ministers authoritie of her assemblies divine order of her ministerie puritie of externall worship with greate power and presence of the Spirit of God in many congregations of the land till at last for unitie division entred into the Kirk prelacie that had slepte before as wakened againe and this mysterie beginneth to worke of new neyther by any cause offered by the pastors of the Kirk at the 17 of December as the enemie calumniates for after long tryall they were founde faultlesse and faythfull by his Majesties owne testimonie Nor yet upon that occasion for the meeting of the Kirk for making that charge was indicted before that 17 day But the cause was a plot contryved before for procuring peace to the popish Lords to make warre amongst the ministerie and to divide them amongst themselues For this effect 55 Problems were framed to call the established discipline of the Kirk in question and as one and the same time way was made for reconciliation of the Popish Lords and for restitution of the popish prelates And the Schisme of our Kirk so well compacted before began at that time not upon their parte who stande for the discipline but by some of the Prelates disposition that is of flattering and worldly mynded Ministers who gaue other answers to thirteene of the fiftie fiue articles concerning the government of the Kirk then their worthy brethren desired So that if the cause or occasion maketh the Schismatick the Prelate is the Schismatick and not the Pastor 5. The PASTOR and men of God as they had been diligent to establish the government of the Kirk according to the will of Christ and after it was by the blessing of God established were faythfull in using it for the honour of God and good of the Kirk so now when it beganne craftily to be called in question were carefull according to their office and oath to stand to the defence thereof both against professed enemies and against the Schisme begunne by their owne brethren albeit they could not at the first haue beene perswaded that their brethren would ever so foully forget themselues as against their greate oath in the sight of God and the world to take upon them the dominion of Prelates and for their owne back and belly to trouble the Kirk and marre all the worship of God as they haue done The PRELATE through the Schisme at that time begunne by himselfe savouring the sweetnesse of wealth and honour forgetteth his oath his office and all followeth greedily upon the Sent and clymbeth craftily by degrees and betime to the heigth that he could not advance himselfe to at once First with much adoe and many protestations that he meaned nothing against the discipline established but desires to vindicate the Ministerie from povertie and contempt gets libertie for to vote in parliament for the Kirk but with such caveats as would haue kept him from his present prelacie if he had kept them as he was obliged Secondly fiue yeres thereafter he was made constant moderator that of the presbyterie onely where he was resident and not of the Synods upon as faire precepts and with the like protestations and cautions Thirdly being Lord of Parliament Lord of Councell patrone of beneficens Modifier of Ministers stipends he was armed also with the power of the High commission and having two swords might doe against the Kirk what he pleased Thereafter incontinent he usurped the power of ordination and jurisdiction And at last albeit without consent or knowledge of the Kirk of Scotland wente and resumed consecration in England and since that time hath taken upon him and hath exercised the plenarie power and office of a bishop in the Kirk no lesse then if the assemblie of this Kirk had chosen him to the name and office of a Bishop which as yet they haue never done the most corrupt of their owne assemblies granting onely the negatiue power of ordination and Iurisdiction to them who were never called Bishops by any warrant from the Kirk but onely in the vulgar speach frō the titles they had to benefices in which respect civill persons beneficed were called Bishops in former times 6. The PASTOR and men of God seeking neither profit nor preferment to themselues expelled the Prelate all his Ceremonies out of the Kirk of Christ by no other meanes but such as became the faythfull Ministers of Iesus Christ as preaching praying penning advising with the best reformed Kirks reasoning in assemblies and after libertie granted to all to oppone the consente oath and subscription of the Adversaries The PRELATE seeking nothing but his owne
prosit and preferment is restored againe by such meanes as better beseeme his Ministers who hath beene a murtherer and lyar from the beginning then the sincere Ministers of Iesus Christ For crafte and crueltie hath been their wayes Their craft was to remoue their strongest opponents out of the Countrie that they might not be present in assemblies to espye their proceedings and to reason against them to abolish the true libertie and authoritie of assemblies to protest that they were seeking no prelacie neyther of the Popish nor English kinde and that they had no purpose to subverte the Discipline received but to deliver the Kirk from disgrace and to be the more mightie to oppose her enemies Iesuites and Papists to falsifie the acts of the Kirk to promise to keepe all the cautions and conditions made to hold them in order which now they professe they never minded to doe c. Their cruelty hath beene to boast to banish imprison depriue confine silence c. 7. The PASTOR and men of God all this time of defection gaue testimonie to the trueth opposed against the severall steppes of the prelates ambition by all the meanes that became him to use as publick preaching supplicating reasoning protesting and suffring and when the prelate was triumphing in the height of his dignitie they could not comparing the first temple with the second but declare the griefe of their hearts for the change and their greate feare of alteration to be made in the worship of God when now the hedge of the Kirk was broken downe and an open way made for all corruption The PRELATE is of the Clergie that seldome is seene penitent and therefore as against all the meanes used by the Pastor he had altered the government of the Kirk so he enters next upon the worship Service of God and will haue a new confession of Fayth new Catechisme new formes of prayer new observation of dayes new Formes of ministration of the Sacraments which he first practised himselfe against the acts and order of the Kirk And since convened an assembly of his owne making to drawe on the practise of others And thirdly he hath involved the honorable estates of the Kingdome into his greate guiltinesse by their ratification in parliament which hath brought an inundation of evils into this Kirk and countrey 8. The PASTOR and men of God considering what the Kirk was before what the reformation was and what conformitie is what the proceedings of the one and of the other haue beene seeth Religion wearing away pityeth the young ones that never haue seene better times laments ever the multitude that can not see the evils of the present and resolveth for himselfe to hold constant to the ende against Papists prelates Arminians and whatsoever can arise to waite with patience what the Lord will doe for his people and when he is gone to leaue a testimonie behinde him of the twofold miserie of impietie and iniquitie that he hath seene in this land The PRELATE hath forgotten what himselfe and the kirk was once he hath wrought a greater defection in this kirk in the shorte tyme of his Episcopacie then was in the primitiue kirk for some hundreths of yeares and is so farre yet blinded with the loue of his place in the world that he maketh his worldly credite the Canon and his prelacie the touchstone of the tryall of all Religion The Pope shall no more be Antichrist Papistrie may be borne with Arminianisme may be brought in because they can keepe company with Prelacie The Reformation is Puritanisme precisenesse Separation and intollerable because it can not cohabitate with prelacie The Gods of the Nations were sociall and could liue togither but the God of Israel is a jealous God The Prelates objection THE PRELATE will objest that albeit he can neither justifie all his owne proceedings of late nor yours of old as all men haue their owne infirmities yet that ye doe him wronge by your deduction in confounding times that would be distinguished Because from the Reformation to the comming of some Scollars from Geneva with presbyterall discipline this kirk was ruled by prelates and the Superintendents in the beginning were the same in substance that the prelates are now The Pastors answer ALL men haue their owne infirmities but good men are not presumpteously bold for the loue of the world to hold on in a course of defection against so many obligations froÌ„ themselues and so many warnings froÌ„ good men Infirmitie one thing and presumption another The pastors of the Kirk of Scotland had begunne to roote out bishoprie and to condemne it in their assemblies before these Scollers came from Geneve but never condemned but allowed the charge of Superintendents appointed for a time in the beginnings of the Kirk the one and the other being different in substance For The Superintendent according to the Canon of the Kirk was admitted as an other Minister without consecration af any bishop The Prelate is chosen for fashion by Deane and Chapter without any Canon of the Kirk with solemne consecration of the Metropolitane and their bishops The Superintendent appropriated not the power of ordination and jurisdiction but both remayned common to other ministers The Prelate hath taken to himselfe the power to ordeyne and depose Ministers and to decree excommunication The Superintendents made not a Hierarchie of Archsuperintendents and others inferior some generall and some provinciall some Primates and some Suffraganes some Archdeanes and some Deanes c. The Prelates haue set up a Hierarchie of all these The Suâ—erintendent was subject to the censure not onely of the nationall but of the provinciall Kirk where he superintended The Prelate is subject to no censure hut may doe what and may goe whither he will and no man aske him why he hath done so The Superintendents charge was meerely ecclesiasticall and more in preaching then in government The Prelate is more in ruling then in preaching more in the world then in the Kirk The Sup. acknowledged his charge to be but temporarie ofteÌ„ desired to lay it downe before the general assembly The Prel thinketh his office to be perpetuall by reason vertue of his consecration The Sup. had no greater power theÌ„ the commissioners of provinces in respect of his superinteÌ„dencie was rather a coÌ„missioner of the Kirk then an officebearer essentially different from the pastor The prel neyther hath received commission from the Kirk nor meaneth to render a reckoning to them nor account of himselfe as of a commissioner but thinketh his office essentially diverse from the office of the pastor as the pastors office is from the deacons The pope may as well say that the Euangelists were popes as the prelate that the Superintendents were prelates THE FIFTH PART The Pastor Prelate compared by the weale of the Kirk and the peoples soules THE saeftie and good of the State vvas the maine ende of
Religion be established and God served in their dominions according to his ovvne Word It hath ever been the greatest commendation of Princes that they haue begunne their government vvith the Reformation of Religion as many vvorthy Princes haue done both before and after the comming of Christ for God preferreth Kings unto all others and therefore Kings should haste to honour GOD aboue all others Or that they haue exceeded all vvho vvent before them in this religious and Royall Chaire AZA tooke avvay Idolatrie but JEHOSHAPHAT removed the high-places also EZEKIAH vvent further and brake the Brazen Serpent albeit a monument of Gods mercie But this vvas the sinne of his Reformation that he razed not the Idoll Temples vvhich vvas kept to good JOSIAH vvho therefore hath this testimonie to the ende of the World that like unto him there vvas no King before him that turned to the LORD vvith all his heart vvith all his soule and vvith all his might Upon the other part true Religion although it propone for the principall ends the Glorie of GOD and the Safetie of the KIRK yet it serveth many vvayes for the Civill good and vvorldly benefite of Kings and Kingdomes Because the true Religion and no other maketh Kings and Kingdomes to serue that GOD that giueth both Heauenly and Earthly Kingdomes Who looseth the Bands of Kings and girdeth their loynes vvith a girdle Who is the onely Judge that putteth dovvne one and setteth up an other And therefore godlynesse hath the promise and true Religion hath many blessinges attending It is a blessed thing vvhen a King or a Kingdome serveth that GOD by vvhom kings reigne and vvho giveth and taketh avvay kingdomes at his pleaure Next because it qualifieth and disposeth every man for his ovvne place It maketh rulers to know that every Kingdome is under a greater Kingdome and as they are advanced aboue all others that they haue so much the greater account to make It maketh the subjects to obey for conscience sake and subdueth the people under theyr Prince which made Theodosius to acknowledge that his empire consisted more by Christian religion then by all other meanes It keepeth true peace both publick and private and when peace can be no longer kept it followeth after it to find it againe Jt maketh men just and temperate in time of peace not by restraint vvhich positiue lavves doe but by mortification With Christians to think that vvickednes is sinne Whether of the tvvo commandeth more fully sayth Tertullian he vvho sayth Thou shalt not kill or he who sayth thou shalt not be angry vvhich of the tvvo is more perfect to forbid adulterie or to restraine the eyes from concupiscencs c. It maketh every man to practise Christianitie in the particular duties of his calling In the time of war it maketh men couragious to feare none but him that can kill the soule In persecution it maketh invincible patience Without confusion it giveth at all times unto God that vvhich is Gods and unto Caesar that vvhich is Caesars and vvithout usurpation or injurie to any it giveth unto Noblemen Statesmen Barons Burgesses and all from the highest to the lovvest in the Kingdome their ovvn places preferments and priviledges according to the soveraigne lavv of justice All estates haue neede of this divine influence and of all these comfortable effects and every religion promiseth them all but onely Christian Religion is able to performe them and the more Christian it is that is the more neare that it cometh to the puritie simplicitie of Christ and his Apostles both in doctrine and discipline and the more christianly that is the more povverfully it be urged upon the consciences of men the more effectually it proveth for these happy ones Let us then upon this ground proceede to our tryall vvhether the Pastor or Prelate be more profitable for the Countrey and Common vvealth THE PASTOR preserveth the prosperous estate of the Kingdome and commonwealth by labouring to preserue pietie righteousnesse and temperance in the Land and by oppusing with al his might against Idolatrie and all sorts of impietie against unrighteousnesse and all sorts of injurie whether by craft or violence and against intemperancie incontinencie unlawfull mariages divorces and whatsoever kinde of impurities for these three where they reigne he knoweth to be more neare and certaine causes first of the many calamities and judgements of God and then of the alterations and periodes of states and Kingdomes then eyther the intricate numbers of Plato or the unchanged course of the heauens or what other cause is pretended by philosophers or politicks because these where they raigne they threatten a ruine from the true fatalitie of Gods providence justice doe shake the pillars of all humane societie as Idolatrie the pillars of the Kirk unrighteousnes of the Cōmon-wealth and intemperance of the family one of the three falling the other two cannot long endure The PRELATE upon the contrarie by taking in his owne hands the power of the generall assembly which was a great terror to sinne by depriving some worthy pastors of their places and others of their authoritie in censuring of sinne by destroying the discipline of the Kirk and by his owne many unlawfull practises and permissions hath giuen way to Idolatrie blaspbemie and the prophanation of the Sabbath to all sorts of Scandalous and notorious Sinnes of unrighteousnesse uncleannes and of the abuse of Gods creatures for which the wrath of God commeth upon the world But most of all by bringing a great part of the kingdome under the guiltines of the violation of the covenant of God and of doing against their oath and Subscription hath drawne on many visitations from the hand of God doeth dayly provoke the Lord to further wrath stryketh at the pillars of all Societies and posteth on the periods of State and Kingdome 2. The PASTOR accounteth vertue trueth righteousnesse Christian simplicitie and prudence to be the best policie not onely for his owne practise but for all that are in authoritie and for all societies and therefore pronounceth anathema upon the chiefest axiomes of Machiavels arte whom he judgeth to be as pernicious a master of policie as Antichrist is for matters of Religion and these two to be the principall supposts of Sathan the direct enemy of Christian fayth and obedience and the craftie subverters of Kirks and Commonwealths unfitte for all but most unfitte for us whom grace hath favoured with the light of the trueth and nature hath fashioned to be open and plaine The PRELATES practises doe proclaime what policie pleaseth him best Simulation dissimulation falsehoode and Flattery are knowen to be the wayes of his promotion He standeth in his grandeur and possesseth his peace by promising good service in parliament to the King against the Nobilitie and blowing the bellowes of dissention betwixt them he warmeth himselfe at the fire he hath raysed betwixt the King and Kirk
that be onely may be eminent both in Kirk and Commonwealth and all others may render him blinde obedience and respect He devoureth that himselfe which should entertaine particular schooles he filleth the places of students without tryall of their ingines to pleasure his friends and suyters contrarie to the will of the maisters and the Acts of the foundations he filleth the places of learning not with the learnedst but the welthiest sort who for any vigilancie of his might both corrupt the humane sciences and bring strange fire into the house of God If a learned man happen to attaine to one of their highest places which they call the rewards of learning incontinent their learning beginneth to decay and their former gifts to wither away So that their greate places and prelacies eyther finde them or make them unlearned 7. The PASTOR by the gouvernment of the Kirk prescribed in the word is strong to resist or represse Schismes heresies corruptions and all the spirituall power of sinne and Sathan but hath no strength to withstand the temporall power and authoritie of Princes The same gouvernment sorts with monarchie no lesse then with Aristocrasie through the wisdome of the Sonne of God who fitteth the same for all nations and diverse formes of civill policie The Pastor acknowledgeth his Prince to be his onely Bishop and overseer superintendent over the whole Kirk in his dominions as being the preserver of the liberties of the Kirk and keeper of both tables To whom also the generall assembly of the Kirk of some few commissioners chosen by them and convened when it is thought expedient by the Kings Commissioner may giue his Majestie better and more speedy satisfaction in Kirk affaires and with greater loue and contentment of the whole Kirk and of all his Majesties loving subjects then can be giuen by the thirteene Prelates All which may be done upon a small parte of the prelates rent for bearing the charges of his Majesties Commissioner who also may be changed at his Majesties pleasure The PRELATE and his gouvernment it weake to withstand the spirituall forces of sinne and Sathan but is strong to oppose the temporall power of princes and hath beene of all enemies the most dangerous to monarchie for howsoever now while opposition is made he flatter fawne upon the Prince for his owne standing yet if all Ministers and the whole Kingdome did acknowledge his Superioritie of binde the conscience the Primate of the Kirk would be powerfull then any Subject in the kingdome and might proue as terrible to Kings whatsoever their Religion were as Popes haue beene to Emperors and Prelates haue beene to Kings in former times He hath no power for all his credite and Lordly authority to get any thing done to his Majesties satisfaction and with contentment of the Kirk for all the craft and violence that hath been so long bended never one whole famous congregation within the Kingdome is eyther conquested or like to be subdued to his Conformitie but eyther the better or greater part or both haue resisted And yet for his Lordly maintenance he hath impayred the rent of the crowne in so farre as it was aided by the collectorie he pulleth from the King the rents of great benefices the homage of Vassales with their commodities Regalities other priviledges more proper for the Scepter then the Shepheards staffe 8. The PASTOR desyreth no other title but to be called the minister of the towne or parish he stryveth with no man for precedencie he seekth no place in the Common wealth neyther in Counsell Session nor Exchequor but stirreth up and soundeth the Trumpet in the eare of the generous spirits of the Kingdome to shewe themselues worthy of their owne places and whether he be Minister in brough or land he is a Common servant to all from the highest to the lowest to parents and children to Masters fervants in all pastorall dueties while he liveth he harmeth none but helping all procuring honour to the greater maintenance to the poorer sorte when his life is brought to a comfortable end every soule blesseth him and all mourne for him as for a common parent The PRELATE according to the politicall axiome When vertue waineth Vanity waxeth and many titles much vanitie disdayning to he called any more the Minister of Christ hath taken upon him the Titles of the Nobilitie My Lord of Orknay My Lord or Cathnes My Lord of Murray My Lord of Argyl c. with the title he taketh the place before them and filleth their places in Councell and Session and when risen up from his dunghill he is set on high places and is drunken with his new honours he lefteth his eares like Isis Asse aud as handmaides when they become mistresses he waxeth so insolent that he can not be borne In his owne citie he will haue momage of all overtruleth the election of their Magistrates harmeth both parents and children through the Countrey by giving warrant far suddaine and secret mariages without proclamation which the verye Counsell of Trent cannot but allow he taketh the honour of the greater to himselfe and spends that upon his pride which should serue for the poorer sorte And when after many wishes his life at last is brought to an ende the whole Diocie is filled with joy and his owne familie and friends are filled with centempt and disgrace 9. The PASTOR maketh the Kingdome fitte for warre against the time that necessities giue alarme for by labouring to make the people truly religious he maketh them resolute for both parts of Christian fortitude actiue and passiue for doing valiantly and suffering constantly In the time of peace he stirreth them up against softnesse and intemperancie to diligence and labour whereby their bodies are the more able and durable He strengtheneth also the nerues of warre by contenting himselfe with a meane estate by his doctrine and example teaching people to spare in peace for the time of warre The PRELATE maketh the Kingdome unfitte for warre for by his government the people loose true fortitude with the loue of Religion that if they haue any kinde of Courage for battayle it is not so much the invincible courage of Christian Religion as the carnall and bastard Fortitude of Paganisme which in comparison of the former hath ever been but pusillanimitie By his oversight of ryoting and idlenes their bodies become weake and effeminate and by his owne large rents and his example of prodigalitie which to them is a law he enervates the estate and cutts asunder the sinewes of warre The Prelates objection THE Prelate will object that if you that are Pastors understoode eyther the manners of the people or the grounds of policie ye would see that neyther can Noblemen and others giuen to their pleasure beare your simple and censorious forme of preaching nor your austeere and precise forme of discipline and life nor yet can the High Court of Parliament wante