mers_n winram_n for_o fife_n the_o laird_n of_o dun_n for_o angus_n and_o merns_n willock_n for_o glasgow_n and_o carsewell_n for_o argyle_n and_o the_o isle_n these_o be_v all_o who_o be_v reckon_v up_o by_o knox_n and_o spotswood_n 149._o and_o spotswood_n add_v with_o this_o small_a number_n be_v the_o plantation_n of_o the_o church_n at_o first_o undertake_v and_o can_v we_o think_v though_o all_o these_o have_v be_v presbyter_n due_o ordain_v that_o they_o be_v the_o only_a man_n who_o carry_v on_o the_o scottish_a reformation_n far_o yet_o 4._o petrie_n 222._o tell_v we_o that_o the_o first_o general_n assembly_n which_o be_v hold_v in_o dec._n 1560_o consist_v of_o 44_o person_n and_o i_o find_v exact_o 44_o name_n record_v in_o my_o mss._n extract_v of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n as_o the_o name_n of_o the_o member_n of_o that_o assembly_n but_o of_o all_o these_o 44_o there_o be_v not_o above_o nine_o at_o most_o who_o be_v call_v minister_n so_o that_o at_o least_o more_o than_o thirty_o be_v but_o lay-brethren_n according_a to_o the_o then_o way_n of_o reckon_a probable_o they_o be_v general_o such_o if_o you_o speak_v in_o the_o dialect_n and_o reckon_v by_o the_o measure_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n in_o all_o age_n in_o short_a 5._o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o evident_a to_o any_o who_o consider_v the_o history_n of_o these_o time_n than_o that_o they_o be_v general_o layman_n who_o promote_v our_o violent_a and_o disorder_v reformation_n as_o spotswood_n just_o call_v it_o 60._o and_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o think_v the_o sense_n of_o this_o be_v one_o argument_n which_o prevail_v with_o our_o reformer_n to_o declare_v against_o the_o ancient_n catholic_n and_o apostolic_a ceremony_n of_o imposition_n of_o hand_n in_o ordination_n as_o be_v to_o be_v see_v in_o the_o 4_o the_o head_n of_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n 154._o and_o as_o be_v general_o acknowledge_v thus_o i_o think_v i_o have_v sufficient_o deduce_v matter_n as_o to_o my_o first_o enquiry_n it_o have_v be_v easy_a to_o have_v insist_v long_o on_o it_o but_o i_o have_v no_o inclination_n for_o it_o consider_v that_o there_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o piety_n in_o dispatch_n when_o the_o long_a one_o insist_o on_o a_o subject_n of_o this_o nature_n he_o must_v still_o the_o more_o expose_v the_o failure_n of_o our_o reformation_n and_o the_o weakness_n of_o our_o reformer_n proceed_v we_o now_o to_o the_o second_o enquiry_n whether_o our_o scottish_a reformer_n whatever_o their_o character_n be_v be_v of_o the_o present_a presbyterian_a principle_n whether_o they_o be_v for_o the_o divine_a institution_n of_o parity_n and_o the_o vnlawfulness_n of_o prelacy_n among_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n this_o enquiry_n if_o i_o mistake_v not_o be_v pretty_a far_o in_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o main_a question_n for_o the_o article_n as_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o take_v it_o aim_n at_o this_o that_o our_o reformation_n be_v carry_v on_o with_o such_o a_o dislike_n to_o prelacy_n or_o the_o superiority_n of_o any_o office_n in_o the_o church_n above_o presbyter_n as_o make_v prelacy_n or_o such_o a_o superiority_n ever_o since_o a_o great_a and_o insupportable_a grievance_n and_o trouble_v to_o this_o nation_n etc._n etc._n but_o if_o this_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o article_n what_o else_o be_v it_o than_o that_o our_o reformer_n be_v presbyterian_a but_o whether_o or_o not_o this_o be_v true_o intend_v as_o it_o be_v true_o very_o hard_o to_o know_v what_o be_v intend_v in_o the_o article_n this_o be_v certain_a this_o enquiry_n be_v material_a and_o pertinent_a and_o if_o it_o face_n not_o the_o article_n direct_o undoubted_o iâ—_n do_v it_o by_o fair_a consequence_n it_o be_v as_o certain_a our_o presbyterian_a brethren_n use_v with_o confidence_n enough_o to_o assert_v that_o our_o reformer_n be_v of_o their_o principle_n this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o main_a argument_n by_o which_o they_o endeavour_v on_o all_o occasion_n to_o influence_n the_o populace_n and_o gain_v proselyte_n to_o their_o party_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o go_v as_o near_o to_o the_o bottom_n of_o this_o matter_n as_o i_o can_v and_o set_v it_o in_o its_o due_a light_n and_o i_o hope_v it_o shall_v appear_v to_o be_v competent_o do_v to_o all_o who_o shall_v attentive_o and_o impartial_o weigh_v the_o follow_a deduction_n and_o i._o let_v it_o be_v consider_v that_o while_o our_o reformation_n be_v on_o the_o wheel_n and_o for_o some_o year_n after_o its_o public_a establishment_n there_o be_v no_o such_o controversy_n agitate_a in_o europe_n as_o this_o concern_v the_o divine_a institution_n of_o parity_n or_o imparity_n among_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n the_o pope_n pretend_v universal_a headship_n be_v call_v in_o question_n indeed_o and_o call_v in_o question_n it_o be_v run_v down_o with_o all_o imaginable_a reason_n some_o year_n before_o the_o settlement_n of_o our_o reformation_n that_o controversy_n be_v one_o of_o the_o first_o which_o be_v accurate_o ventilate_v by_o the_o patron_n of_o reformation_n and_o it_o be_v very_o natural_a that_o it_o shall_v have_v be_v so_o consider_v what_o stress_n be_v lay_v upon_o it_o by_o the_o pontifician_n it_o be_v likewise_o true_a that_o the_o corruption_n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a estate_n be_v inquire_v into_o in_o most_o province_n every_o where_o where_o the_o truth_n begin_v to_o dawn_n and_o the_o reformation_n be_v encourage_v and_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v imagine_v but_o in_o such_o scrutiny_n bishop_n will_v be_v take_v notice_n of_o for_o their_o general_a defection_n from_o the_o ancient_a rule_n and_o measure_n of_o the_o episcopal_a office_n and_o the_o vast_a dissimilitude_n between_o they_o and_o those_o of_o the_o same_o order_n in_o the_o primitive_a time_n both_o as_o to_o the_o discharge_v of_o their_o trust_n and_o their_o way_n of_o live_v and_o who_o doubt_n but_o in_o these_o thing_n the_o popish_a bishop_n be_v too_o general_o culpable_a it_o be_v far_a true_a that_o some_o country_n when_o they_o reform_v religion_n and_o separate_v from_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n do_v set_v up_o new_a model_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n they_o erect_v as_o they_o think_v their_o civil_a constitution_n can_v best_a bear_v they_o and_o have_v once_o set_v they_o up_o what_o wonder_v if_o they_o do_v what_o they_o can_v to_o justify_v they_o and_o maintain_v their_o lawfulness_n thus_o for_o instance_n mr._n calvin_n erect_v a_o model_n of_o the_o democratical_a size_n at_o geneva_n because_o that_o state_n have_v then_o cast_v itself_o into_o a_o democracy_n and_o the_o protestant_n in_o france_n partly_o for_o conveniency_n partly_o in_o imitation_n of_o calvin_n platform_n fall_v upon_o a_o method_n of_o govern_v their_o church_n without_o bishop_n and_o so_o it_o fare_v with_o some_o other_o church_n as_o in_o switzerland_n etc._n etc._n while_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n other_o church_n think_v it_o enough_o for_o they_o to_o reform_v the_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n without_o alter_v the_o ancient_a form_n of_o government_n but_o then_o it_o be_v as_o evident_a as_o any_o thing_n in_o history_n that_o all_o this_o while_n from_o the_o first_o dawning_n of_o the_o reformation_n i_o mean_v till_o some_o year_n after_o the_o public_a establishment_n of_o our_o reformation_n that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o controversy_n insist_v on_o by_o protestant_n either_o in_o their_o debate_n with_o the_o papist_n or_o with_o one_o another_o as_o that_o about_o the_o divine_a and_o unalterable_a institution_n of_o parity_n or_o imparity_n among_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n and_o i_o dare_v confident_o challenge_v my_o presbyterian_a brethren_n to_o produce_v any_o one_o protestant_a confession_n of_o faith_n for_o their_o side_n of_o the_o question_n nay_o more_o i_o dare_v challenge_v they_o to_o instance_n in_o any_o one_o protestant_a divine_a of_o note_n who_o in_o these_o time_n maintain_v their_o side_n of_o the_o controversy_n who_o maintain_v the_o vnlawfulness_n of_o imparity_n among_o christian_a pastor_n before_o theodore_n beza_n do_v it_o if_o he_o do_v it_o sure_o i_o be_o they_o can_v without_o the_o great_a impudence_n pretend_v that_o mr._n calvin_n the_o only_a transmarine_a divine_a i_o can_v find_v consult_v by_o our_o reformer_n about_o matter_n relate_v to_o our_o reformation_n be_v of_o their_o principle_n for_o whoso_o shall_v be_v please_v to_o consult_v his_o commentary_n on_o the_o new_a testament_n particular_o on_o 1_o cor._n 11.2_o or_o some_o chapter_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o 4_o the_o book_n of_o institution_n or_o his_o book_n about_o the_o necessity_n of_o reform_v the_o church_n or_o his_o epistle_n particular_o his_o epistle_n direct_v to_o the_o protector_n of_o england_n date_v octob._n 22._o 1548._o or_o to_o cranmer_n archbishop_n of_o
a_o kingly_a priesthood_n that_o therefore_o any_o man_n skilled_a in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o true_a faith_n of_o christ_n have_v power_n give_v he_o of_o god_n but_o he_o that_o be_v unlearned_a and_o not_o exercise_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n nor_o constant_a in_o the_o faith_n whatever_o his_o state_n or_o order_n be_v have_v no_o power_n to_o bind_v or_o to_o loose_v see_v he_o want_v the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o be_v the_o instrument_n of_o bind_v and_o lose_v 64._o and_o it_o be_v probable_a this_o be_v a_o prevail_a opinion_n in_o those_o time_n from_o the_o too_o common_a practice_n of_o it_o but_o have_v this_o any_o relation_n to_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o parity_n do_v it_o not_o strict_a equal_o against_o both_o order_n that_o of_o presbyter_n as_o well_o as_o that_o of_o bishop_n be_v it_o not_o plain_o to_o set_v up_o the_o ius_n laicorum_fw-la sacerdotale_fw-la in_o opposition_n to_o both_o and_o who_o can_v say_v but_o this_o opinion_n may_v have_v be_v in_o a_o breast_n which_o entertain_v no_o scruple_n about_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o episcopacy_n no_o doubt_v it_o may_v and_o no_o doubt_n it_o be_v actual_o so_o with_o this_o same_o holy_a martyr_n for_o he_o be_v not_o only_o willing_a that_o the_o then_o bishop_n though_o popish_a shall_v be_v his_o judge_n he_o not_o only_o give_v they_o still_o their_o title_n and_o pay_v they_o all_o the_o respect_n that_o be_v due_a to_o their_o order_n and_o character_n homage_v infinite_o scandalous_a with_o our_o modern_a presbyterian_o as_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v through_o all_o the_o step_n of_o his_o trial_n but_o in_o his_o last_o exhortation_n to_o the_o people_n at_o the_o very_a stake_n he_o bespeak_v they_o thus_o 70._o i_o beseech_v you_o brethren_n and_o sister_n to_o exhort_v your_o prelate_n to_o the_o learning_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n that_o they_o may_v be_v ashamed_a to_o do_v evil_a and_o learn_v to_o do_v good_a and_o if_o they_o will_v not_o convert_v themselves_o from_o their_o wicked_a error_n there_o shall_v hasty_o come_v upon_o they_o the_o wrath_n of_o god_n which_o they_o shall_v not_o eschew_v here_o you_o see_v the_o die_a martyr_n be_v earnest_a that_o the_o popish_a prelate_n may_v quit_v their_o error_n not_o their_o prelation_n what_o be_v there_o here_o that_o look_v like_o a_o divine-right-of-parity-man_n indeed_o he_o be_v none_o of_o that_o principle_n he_o have_v have_v his_o principle_n from_o england_n as_o we_o shall_v find_v hereafter_o only_o one_o thing_n more_o about_o he_o here_o he_o be_v not_o for_o club_n law_n reformation_n he_o be_v neither_o for_o violent_a possession_n of_o church_n not_o for_o propagate_a the_o cause_n by_o rabble_n if_o we_o may_v belieâ—â—_n knox_n account_n of_o he_o other_o again_z of_o our_o reformer_n declaim_v loud_o against_o the_o bishop_n of_o these_o time_n and_o condemn_v they_o severe_o and_o perhaps_o too_o deserve_o but_o what_o be_v this_o to_o the_o order_n do_v every_o man_n condemn_v the_o office_n who_o condemn_v this_o or_o that_o officer_n if_o so_o then_o sure_a the_o order_n of_o presbyter_n be_v as_o bad_a as_o the_o order_n of_o bishop_n in_o the_o judgement_n of_o our_o reformer_n for_o instance_n hear_v walter_n milne_n in_o his_o exhortation_n to_o the_o people_n at_o his_o martyrdom_n therefore_o as_o you_o will_v spot_n escape_v eternal_a death_n be_v no_o more_o seduce_v with_o the_o lie_v of_o who_o of_o bishop_n only_a no_o but_o of_o the_o whole_a collection_n of_o the_o priest_n abbot_n monk_n friar_n prior_n bishop_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o sect_n of_o antichrist_n but_o it_o be_v needless_a to_o adduce_v the_o testimony_n of_o private_a person_n we_o have_v the_o public_a deed_n of_o the_o protestant_n of_o these_o time_n very_o clear_a to_o this_o purpose_n thus_o they_o direct_v a_o declaration_n of_o their_o mind_n to_o the_o popish_a clergy_n under_o this_o title_n to_o the_o generation_n of_o antichrist_n the_o pestilent_a prelate_n and_o their_o shaveling_n within_o scotland_n etc._n etc._n 146._o and_o be_v not_o presbyter_n of_o the_o number_n of_o these_o shaveling_n and_o what_o can_v be_v more_o part_n to_o this_o purpose_n than_o the_o supplication_n which_o be_v present_v by_o our_o reformer_n to_o the_o parliament_n anno_fw-la 1560_o there_o they_o tell_v the_o estate_n that_o they_o can_v cease_v to_o crave_v of_o their_o honour_n the_o redress_n of_o such_o enormity_n as_o manifest_o be_v and_o of_o a_o long_a time_n have_v be_v commit_v by_o the_o place-holders_n of_o the_o ministry_n and_o other_o of_o the_o clergy_n they_o offer_v evident_o to_o prove_v that_o in_o all_o the_o rabble_n of_o the_o clergy_n there_o be_v not_o one_o lawful_a minister_n and_o therefore_o they_o crave_v that_o they_o may_v be_v decern_v unworthy_a of_o honour_n authority_n charge_n or_o care_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n etc._n etc._n 260._o whoso_o please_v may_v see_v more_o of_o their_o public_a representation_n to_o this_o effect_n in_o knox_n history_n 143._o now_o what_o can_v be_v more_o clear_a than_o that_o all_o this_o work_n be_v against_o presbyter_n as_o much_o as_o against_o bishop_n and_o by_o consequence_n against_o both_o office_n or_o against_o neither_o as_o indeed_o it_o be_v against_o neither_o as_o i_o shall_v afterward_o demonstrate_v from_o this_o same_o petition_n in_o short_a nothing_o can_v be_v more_o evident_a to_o one_fw-mi attentive_a reader_n than_o that_o in_o all_o these_o effort_n of_o the_o zeal_n of_o our_o reformer_n against_o the_o popish_a bishop_n it_o be_v only_o the_o popery_n and_o not_o at_o all_o the_o prelacy_n that_o be_v aim_v at_o they_o never_o condemn_v bishop_n as_o bishop_n but_o only_o as_o popish_a bishop_n i_o have_v insist_v the_o more_o large_o on_o these_o thing_n because_o i_o know_v people_n be_v apt_a to_o mistake_v in_o this_o matter_n who_o do_v not_o sufficient_o attend_v to_o the_o dialect_n of_o these_o time_n especial_o when_o they_o read_v the_o history_n which_o be_v common_o call_v john_n knox_n i_o return_v now_o to_o my_o purpose_n and_o repeat_v my_o assertion_n viz._n that_o our_o presbyterian_a brethren_n can_v adduce_v so_o much_o as_o one_o of_o our_o martyr_n our_o confessor_n or_o those_o who_o have_v any_o remarkable_a hand_n in_o the_o establishment_n of_o our_o reformation_n in_o the_o year_n 1560_o who_o be_v of_o the_o modern_a presbyterian_a principle_n three_o author_n have_v indeed_o attempt_v it_o the_o author_n of_o the_o pamphlet_n entitle_v the_o course_n of_o conformity_n mr._n calderwood_n and_o mr._n petrie_n the_o author_n of_o the_o course_n of_o conformity_n in_o his_o 4_o the_o chap._n reckon_v up_o a_o full_a dozen_o of_o such_o as_o he_o say_v give_v evident_a and_o full_a testimony_n against_o bishoprie_fw-la as_o he_o call_v it_o but_o he_o have_v not_o record_v the_o testimony_n of_o any_o one_o except_z knox._fw-la all_o the_o rest_n he_o prove_v to_o have_v be_v enemy_n to_o prelacy_n by_o this_o one_o argument_n they_o preach_v zealous_o against_o popery_n and_o bishoprie_fw-la be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a error_n and_o corruption_n of_o that_o he_o neither_o offer_v at_o prove_v his_o subsumption_n nor_o at_o adduce_v any_o other_o topick_n and_o have_v he_o not_o prove_v the_o point_n demonstrative_o beside_o some_o of_o his_o dozen_o be_v not_o hear_v of_o till_o several_a year_n after_o the_o reformation_n and_o so_o can_v be_v bring_v in_o bar_n against_o my_o challenge_n further_o he_o have_v have_v the_o ill_a luck_n to_o name_v such_o for_o the_o half_a of_o his_o dozen_o as_o will_v have_v laugh_v hearty_o to_o have_v hear_v themselves_o cite_v as_o patron_n of_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o parity_n particular_o mr._n willock_n who_o live_v and_o die_v superintendent_n of_o glasgow_n mr._n pont_n who_o die_v bishop_n of_o cathnes_n mr._n row_n who_o be_v one_o of_o the_o three_o who_o stand_v for_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o episcopacy_n when_o it_o be_v first_o call_v in_o question_n at_o the_o assembly_n in_o august_n 1575._o 69._o mr._n craig_n who_o calderwood_n himself_o censure_v severe_o for_o his_o forwardness_n to_o have_v the_o brethren_n subscrive_v that_o they_o shall_v give_v obedience_n to_o their_o ordinary_n and_o charge_n with_o make_v bitter_a invective_n against_o the_o sincerer_n sort_n as_o he_o call_v the_o non-subscribers_a 187._o i_o may_v add_v mr._n knox_n as_o shall_v be_v make_v appear_v by_z and_o by_z but_o i_o have_v take_v but_o too_o much_o notice_n of_o the_o course_n of_o conformity_n which_o be_v true_o one_o of_o the_o weak_a pamphlet_n be_v ever_o see_v in_o print_n and_o if_o that_o part_n of_o it_o which_o be_v against_o episcopacy_n be_v write_v by_o mr._n james_n melvil_n as_o calderwood_n affirm_v 536._o it_o be_v a_o demonstration_n that_o whatever_o his_o zeal_n be_v
office_n of_o superintendent_o whereunto_o they_o be_v force_v as_o they_o think_v by_o necessity_n etc._n etc._n and_o in_o his_o breviate_v of_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n 26._o he_o offer_v at_o a_o reason_n why_o it_o be_v so_o they_o make_v a_o difference_n at_o this_o time_n among_o minister_n some_o to_o be_v superintendent_o some_o to_o be_v ordinary_a minister_n not_o because_o superintendent_o be_v of_o divine_a institution_n as_o one_fw-mi order_n to_o be_v observe_v perpetual_o in_o the_o kirk_n but_o because_o they_o be_v force_v only_o at_o this_o time_n to_o make_v the_o difference_n lest_o if_o all_o minister_n shall_v be_v appoint_v to_o make_v continual_a residence_n in_o several_a place_n when_o there_o be_v so_o great_a rarity_n of_o preacher_n the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o realm_n shall_v be_v destitute_a of_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o word_n and_o g._n r._n in_o his_o first_o vindication_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n print_v at_o edinburgh_n 1691._o in_o answer_n to_o the_o first_o of_o the_o ten_o question_n follow_v calderwood_n exact_o as_o indeed_o he_o do_v all_o alongst_o and_o it_o seem_v he_o have_v never_o read_v another_o of_o our_o historian_n so_o that_o he_o have_v some_o reason_n to_o call_v he_o the_o historian_n ibid._n deliver_v it_o thus_o it_o be_v true_a the_o protestant_a church_n of_o scotland_n do_v set_v up_o superintendent_o but_o this_o be_v true_o and_o declare_v so_o to_o be_v from_o the_o force_n of_o necessity_n and_o design_v only_o for_o that_o present_a exigency_n of_o the_o church_n etc._n etc._n and_o more_o pointed_o in_o his_o true_a representation_n of_o presbyterian_a government_n print_v at_o edinburgh_n 1690._o prop._n 18._o where_o he_o lay_v it_o down_o as_o one_fw-mi undoubted_a truth_n that_o superintendency_n be_v only_o establish_v bring_v necessity_n when_o a_o qualify_a minister_n can_v scarce_o be_v have_v in_o a_o province_n etc._n etc._n and_o petrie_n seem_v to_o aim_v at_o the_o same_o way_n of_o reason_v now_o 218._o 1._o suppose_v all_o this_o true_a what_o ground_n have_v they_o gain_v by_o it_o do_v they_o not_o fair_o acknowledge_v that_o the_o prelacy_n of_o superintendent_o be_v establish_v at_o the_o reformation_n and_o be_v not_o that_o all_o i_o be_o concern_v for_o for_o the_o question_n be_v not_o whither_o superintendency_n be_v design_v to_o be_v perpetual_a or_o temporary_a but_o whither_o it_o be_v a_o prelacy_n and_o if_o it_o be_v a_o prelacy_n the_o church_n of_o scotland_n be_v not_o then_o govern_v by_o minister_n act_v in_o parity_n the_o perpetuity_n or_o temporariness_n of_o it_o do_v not_o affect_v its_o nature_n if_o it_o be_v a_o prelacy_n at_o all_o it_o be_v as_o real_o a_o prelacy_n though_o it_o have_v last_v but_o for_o a_o day_n as_o it_o have_v be_v though_o it_o have_v last_v till_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n just_o as_o our_o presbyterian_a brethren_n be_v as_o real_o addresser_n to_o k._n i._n by_o address_v once_o as_o they_o shall_v have_v be_v though_o they_o have_v continue_v address_v to_o he_o till_o this_o very_a minute_n this_o alone_a in_o all_o conscience_n may_v be_v enough_o for_o discuss_v this_o plea_n yet_o that_o i_o may_v not_o offend_v the_o party_n by_o seem_v to_o think_v so_o mean_o of_o this_o mighty_a argument_n i_o shall_v insist_v a_o little_a long_o and_o consider_v 2._o if_o they_o have_v any_o sufficient_a fund_z in_o the_o record_n of_o these_o time_n for_o this_o pretence_n and_o 3._o what_o force_n or_o solidity_n be_v in_o the_o reason_n insist_v on_o to_o make_v this_o pretence_n seem_v plausible_a as_o to_o the_o first_o viz._n whither_o there_o be_v any_o sufficient_a fund_z in_o the_o record_n of_o these_o time_n for_o this_o pretence_n all_o i_o have_v observe_v insist_v on_o for_o this_o be_v only_o one_o phrase_n in_o the_o five_o head_n of_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n at_o this_o time_n take_v the_o whole_a period_n as_o it_o be_v in_o petrie_n for_o he_o censure_v spotswood_n for_o curtail_v it_o as_o petrie_n have_v it_o it_o run_v thus_o if_o the_o minister_n who_o god_n have_v endue_v with_o his_o singular_a grace_n among_o we_o shall_v be_v appoint_v to_o several_a place_n there_o to_o make_v their_o continual_a residence_n the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o realm_n shall_v be_v destitute_a of_o all_o doctrine_n which_o shall_v not_o only_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o great_a murmur_n but_o also_o dangerous_a to_o the_o salvation_n of_o many_o and_o therefore_o we_o have_v think_v it_o a_o thing_n expedient_a at_o this_o time_n that_o from_o the_o whole_a number_n of_o godly_a and_o learned_a man_n now_o present_o in_o this_o realm_n be_v select_v ten_o or_o twelve_o for_o in_o so_o many_o province_n we_o have_v divide_v the_o whole_a to_o who_o charge_n and_o commandment_n shall_v be_v give_v to_o plant_v and_o erect_v kirk_n to_o set_v order_n and_o appoint_v minister_n to_o the_o country_n that_o shall_v be_v appoint_v to_o their_o care_n where_o none_o be_v now_o ibid_fw-la this_o be_v the_o whole_a foundation_n of_o the_o plea_n for_o the_o temporariness_n of_o superintendency_n but_o if_o i_o mistake_v not_o the_o true_a gloss_n of_o this_o period_n will_v amount_v to_o no_o more_o than_o this_o that_o because_o there_o be_v then_o so_o few_o man_n qualify_v for_o the_o office_n of_o superintendency_n though_o ten_o or_o twelve_o be_v by_o far_o too_o small_a a_o number_n for_o the_o whole_a kingdom_n yet_o at_o that_o time_n they_o think_v it_o expedient_a to_o establish_v no_o more_o and_o tho_o when_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v sufficient_o provide_v with_o minister_n it_o will_v be_v high_o reasonable_a that_o the_o superintendent_o shall_v have_v place_n appoint_v they_o for_o their_o continual_a residence_n yet_o in_o that_o juncture_n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o they_o shall_v be_v constant_o travel_v through_o their_o district_n to_o preach_v and_o plant_v church_n etc._n etc._n that_o the_o period_n will_v bear_v this_o gloss_n be_v obvious_a to_o any_o who_o consider_v it_o impartial_o and_o that_o this_o and_o not_o the_o presbyterian_a be_v the_o true_a gloss_n i_o hope_v may_v competent_o appear_v if_o these_o thing_n be_v consider_v 1._o it_o be_v notorious_a that_o the_o compiler_n of_o that_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n be_v general_o to_o their_o die_a day_n of_o prelatical_a principle_n they_o be_v six_o as_o knox_n tell_v we_o 283._o mr._n john_n winrame_n who_o die_v superintendent_n of_o strathern_n john_n spotswood_n who_o be_v many_o year_n a_o superintendent_n and_o a_o constant_a enemy_n to_o parity_n as_o appear_v from_o his_o son_n account_v of_o he_o 344._o john_n willock_n who_o die_v superintendent_n of_o the_o west_n john_n dowglas_n who_o die_v archbishop_n of_o st._n andrews_n john_n row_n who_o be_v one_o of_o the_o three_o that_o defend_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o episcopacy_n at_o the_o conference_n appoint_v by_o the_o general_n assembly_n 1575._o and_o john_n knox_n of_o who_o we_o have_v say_v enough_o already_o now_o i_o ask_v be_v it_o credible_a that_o these_o man_n all_o so_o much_o for_o prelacy_n all_o their_o life_n without_o any_o constraint_n on_o they_o as_o it_o be_v certain_a there_o be_v none_o shall_v while_o digest_v a_o model_n of_o policy_n have_v be_v only_o for_o a_o prelacy_n that_o be_v to_o be_v lay_v aside_o within_z god_n know_v how_o short_a a_o time_n so_o soon_o as_o the_o parish_n church_n can_v be_v plant_v with_o minister_n i_o know_v nothing_o can_v be_v say_v here_o unless_o it_o be_v that_o knox_n be_v not_o so_o prelatical_a as_o the_o rest_n and_o he_o will_v have_v it_o so_o and_o the_o rest_n have_v yield_v but_o there_o be_v no_o ground_n for_o this_o for_o 2._o even_o knox_n himself_o if_o he_o be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o history_n which_o bear_v his_o name_n among_o our_o presbyterian_a brethren_n assign_v a_o quite_o other_o reason_n than_o the_o then_o necessity_n of_o the_o church_n for_o the_o establishment_n of_o superintendency_n superintendent_o and_o overseer_n be_v nominate_v say_v he_o 260._o that_o all_o thing_n in_o the_o church_n may_v be_v carry_v with_o order_n and_o well_o a_o reason_n which_o as_o it_o hold_v since_o the_o apostle_n time_n will_v continue_v to_o hold_v so_o long_o as_o the_o church_n continue_v and_o be_v it_o not_o tell_v again_o in_o that_o same_o history_n 289._o that_o at_o the_o admission_n of_o spotswood_n to_o the_o superintendency_n of_o lothian_n john_n knox_n in_o his_o sermon_n assert_v the_o necessity_n of_o superintendent_o or_o overseer_n as_o well_o as_o minister_n the_o necessity_n i_o say_v and_o not_o the_o bare_a expediency_n in_o that_o juncture_n further_o now_o that_o i_o have_v knox_n on_o the_o stage_n i_o shall_v repeat_v over_o again_o a_o testimony_n of_o he_o which_o i_o
believe_v he_o will_v institute_v a_o model_n of_o government_n for_o his_o church_n which_o can_v not_o answer_v the_o end_n of_o its_o institution_n and_o be_v it_o not_o plain_a that_o parity_n can_v answer_v the_o end_n for_o which_o church_n government_n be_v institute_v if_o the_o church_n can_v be_v reduce_v to_o that_o state_n that_o the_o governor_n thereof_o force_v by_o necessity_n must_v lay_v it_o aside_o and_o for_o a_o time_n establish_v a_o prelacy_n beside_o what_o strange_a divinity_n be_v it_o to_o maintain_v that_o parity_n be_v of_o divine_a institution_n and_o yet_o may_v be_v lay_v aside_o in_o case_n of_o necessity_n it_o be_v true_a g._n r._n in_o his_o true_a representation_n of_o presbyterian_a government_n cite_v before_o be_v bold_a to_o publish_v to_o the_o world_n such_o divinity_n but_o let_v he_o talk_v what_o he_o will_v of_o the_o case_n of_o necessity_n the_o force_n of_o necessity_n the_o law_n of_o necessity_n let_v he_o put_v it_o in_o as_o many_o language_n as_o he_o please_v as_o well_o as_o he_o have_v do_v in_o latin_a tell_v that_o necessitas_fw-la quicquid_fw-la coegit_fw-la defendit_fw-la though_o i_o must_v confess_v i_o have_v see_v few_o author_n more_o unhappy_a at_o latin_a and_o all_o that_o shall_v never_o persuade_v i_o ought_v never_o persuade_v any_o christian_n that_o any_o necessity_n can_v oblige_v christian_n to_o forsake_v far_o less_o to_o cross_v christ_n institution_n for_o if_o it_o can_v oblige_v to_o do_v so_o in_o one_o case_n why_o not_o in_o all_o case_n indeed_o to_o talk_v of_o cross_v christ_n institution_n when_o force_v to_o it_o by_o the_o law_n of_o necessity_n what_o be_v it_o else_o than_o to_o open_v a_o door_n to_o gnosticism_n to_o infidelity_n to_o apostasy_n to_o all_o imaginable_a kind_n of_o antichristian_a perfidy_n and_o villainy_n but_o enough_o of_o this_o at_o present_a that_o which_o i_o be_o concern_v for_o be_v only_o this_o that_o be_v it_o be_v so_o very_o obvious_a and_o easy_a for_o our_o reformer_n to_o have_v cast_v the_o very_a first_o scheme_n of_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n according_a to_o the_o rule_n and_o exigency_n of_o parity_n if_o they_o have_v believe_v the_o divine_a and_o indispensable_a institution_n of_o it_o and_o be_v that_o they_o do_v it_o not_o we_o have_v all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n to_o believe_v that_o they_o believe_v no_o such_o principle_n for_o my_o part_n i_o be_o so_o far_o from_o think_v it_o reasonable_a that_o prelacy_n shall_v be_v only_o needful_a where_o there_o be_v a_o scarcity_n of_o man_n qualify_v to_o be_v minister_n that_o on_o the_o contrary_n i_o do_v profess_v i_o be_o of_o opinion_n that_o prelacy_n seem_v to_o be_v every_o whit_n as_o needful_a and_o expedient_a if_o not_o more_o suppose_v we_o have_v it_o in_o our_o power_n to_o cut_v and_o carve_v as_o we_o say_v on_o christ_n institution_n where_o there_o be_v many_o as_o where_o there_o be_v few_o minister_n sure_o i_o be_o experience_n have_v teach_v so_o and_o teach_v so_o daily_o and_o as_o sure_o i_o be_o it_o can_v with_o great_a reason_n be_v account_v for_o why_o it_o shall_v be_v so_o but_o if_o it_o be_v so_o i_o think_v it_o be_v only_o help_v at_o a_o dead_a lift_v as_o we_o say_v to_o say_v that_o superintendency_n be_v establish_v at_o our_o reformation_n only_o because_o of_o the_o scarcity_n of_o man_n qualify_v to_o be_v minister_n and_o so_o i_o proceed_v to_o our_o brethren_n next_o plea_n which_o be_v second_o that_o superintendency_n be_v not_o the_o same_o with_o episcopacy_n calderwood_n assign_v seven_o or_o eight_o difference_n between_o superintendent_o and_o bishop_n 27._o and_o his_o faithful_a disciple_n g._n r._n in_o his_o first_o vindication_n in_o answer_n to_o the_o first_o question_n resume_v the_o same_o plea_n and_o insist_o most_o on_o the_o same_o difference_n calderwood_n reckon_v thus_o 1._o in_o the_o election_n examination_n and_o admission_n of_o minister_n the_o superintendent_o be_v bind_v to_o the_o order_n prescribe_v in_o the_o 4_o the_o head_n of_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n which_o be_v far_o different_a from_o the_o order_n observe_v by_o prelate_n 2._o superintendent_o keep_v not_o the_o bound_n nor_o the_o limit_n of_o the_o old_a diocese_n 3._o superintendent_o may_v not_o remain_v above_o twenty_o day_n in_o any_o place_n till_o they_o have_v pass_v through_o the_o whole_a bound_n must_v preach_v at_o least_o thrice_o in_o the_o week_n must_v stay_v no_o long_o in_o the_o chief_a town_n of_o their_o charge_n than_o three_o or_o four_o month_n at_o most_o but_o must_v re-enter_v in_o visitation_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o kirk_n in_o their_o bound_n bishop_n think_v preach_v the_o least_o of_o their_o charge_n 4._o the_o election_n examination_n and_o admission_n of_o the_o superintendent_n be_v set_v down_o far_o different_a from_o the_o election_n examination_n and_o admission_n of_o bishop_n now_o adays_o etc._n etc._n 5._o superintendent_o be_v admit_v without_o other_o ceremony_n than_o sharp_a examination_n etc._n etc._n to_o the_o inauguration_n of_o a_o bishop_n be_v require_v the_o metropolitan_o consecration_n 6._o there_o be_v no_o degree_n of_o superior_a and_o inferior_a provincial_a and_o general_a superintendent_o it_o be_v otherwise_o in_o the_o hierarchy_n of_o the_o prelate_n etc._n etc._n i_o have_v set_v down_o these_o six_o huge_a difference_n without_o ever_o offer_v to_o consider_v they_o particular_o be_v they_o not_o huge_a difference_n behold_v they_o examine_v they_o careful_o be_v not_o each_o of_o they_o as_o essential_a and_o specific_a as_o another_o think_v not_o courteous_a reader_n it_o be_v malice_n or_o ill-will_a to_o episcopacy_n make_v our_o author_n muster_v up_o these_o difference_n these_o make_v but_o a_o small_a number_n if_o he_o have_v be_v act_v by_o passion_n or_o vicious_a byass_n if_o his_o malice_n have_v be_v vigorous_a and_o earnest_a to_o discharge_v itself_o that_o way_n he_o can_v have_v easy_o reckon_v six_o hundred_o every_o whit_n as_o considerable_a difference_n he_o may_v have_v tell_v they_o that_o bishop_n wear_v black_a hat_n and_o superintendent_o blue_a bonnet_n that_o bishop_n wear_v silk_n and_o superintendent_o tartan_n that_o bishop_n wear_v gown_n and_o cassock_n and_o superintendent_o trew_v and_o slash_v doublet_n and_o god_n know_v how_o many_o such_o difference_n he_o may_v have_v ready_o collect_v and_o if_o he_o have_v adduce_v such_o notable_a difference_n as_o these_o he_o have_v do_v every_o way_n as_o philosophical_o and_o as_o like_v a_o good_a difference-maker_n but_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n what_o be_v all_o this_o to_o parity_n or_o imparity_n among_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n do_v these_o difference_n he_o have_v adduce_v distinguish_v between_o bishop_n and_o superintendent_o as_o to_o pre-eminence_n of_o power_n and_o the_o essential_o of_o prelacy_n do_v they_o prove_v that_o superintendent_o have_v no_o prerogative_n no_o authority_n no_o jurisdiction_n over_o parish_n minister_n i_o have_v treat_v he_o thus_o coarse_o because_o i_o know_v no_o other_o way_n of_o treatment_n author_n deserve_v who_o will_v needs_o speak_v nonsense_n rather_o than_o speak_v nothing_o it_o be_v true_a indeed_o one_o difference_n he_o have_v mention_v which_o seem_v something_o material_a and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o account_v for_o it_o with_o some_o more_o seriousness_n it_o be_v that_o by_o the_o constitution_n as_o we_o have_v it_o both_o in_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n and_o the_o form_n and_o order_n of_o elect_a superintendent_o superintendent_o be_v make_v obnoxious_a to_o the_o trial_n and_o censure_n of_o the_o minister_n within_o their_o own_o diocese_n this_o i_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v true_a and_o i_o acknowledge_v further_o that_o herein_o there_o be_v a_o considerable_a difference_n between_o they_o and_o bishop_n as_o bishop_n stand_v eminence_v above_o presbyter_n in_o the_o primitive_a time_n and_o as_o they_o ought_v to_o stand_v eminence_v above_o they_o in_o all_o well_o constitute_v church_n but_o then_o i_o have_v these_o thing_n to_o say_v 1._o i_o shall_v not_o scruple_n to_o acknowledge_v that_o herein_o our_o reformer_n be_v in_o the_o wrong_n and_o that_o this_o be_v a_o great_a error_n in_o the_o constitution_n i_o do_v avowed_o profess_v i_o do_v think_v myself_o bind_v to_o justify_v every_o thing_n that_o be_v do_v by_o our_o reformer_n if_o that_o fall_v to_o any_o man_n share_n if_o fall_v to_o they_o who_o establish_v this_o article_n in_o the_o claim_n of_o right_n which_o give_v occasion_n to_o this_o whole_a enquiry_n that_o our_o reformer_n herein_o be_v in_o the_o wrong_n i_o say_v i_o make_v no_o scruple_n to_o acknowledge_v and_o i_o think_v it_o can_v but_o be_v obvious_a to_o all_o who_o have_v spend_v but_o a_o few_o thought_n about_o matter_n of_o
the_o year_n 1560_o till_o the_o year_n 1616._o our_o presbyterian_a brethren_n may_v be_v ready_a to_o reject_v its_o authority_n if_o it_o militate_v against_o they_o i_o give_v my_o reader_n therefore_o this_o brief_a account_n of_o it_o it_o be_v transcribe_v in_o the_o year_n 1638._o when_o the_o national_a covenant_n be_v in_o a_o flourish_a state_n for_o i_o find_v at_o the_o end_n of_o it_o the_o transcriber_n name_n and_o his_o designation_n write_v with_o the_o same_o hand_n by_o which_o the_o whole_a m_n s._n be_v write_v and_o he_o say_v he_o begin_v to_o transcribe_v upon_o the_o 15_o day_n of_o january_n 1638._o and_o complete_v his_o work_n on_o the_o 23d_o of_o april_n that_o same_o year_n he_o be_v such_o a_o reader_n as_o we_o have_v common_o in_o scotland_n in_o country_n parish_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v imagine_v it_o be_v transcribe_v then_o for_o serve_v the_o interest_n of_o episcopacy_n for_o as_o petrie_n and_o the_o presbyterian_o general_o affirm_v the_o prelate_n and_o prelatist_n dread_v nothing_o more_o in_o those_o day_n than_o that_o the_o old_a register_n of_o the_o kirk_n shall_v come_v abroad_o and_o it_o be_v about_o that_o time_n that_o mr._n petrie_n get_v his_o copy_n from_o which_o he_o publish_v so_o many_o act_n of_o our_o old_a general_n assembly_n nor_o be_v it_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o that_o as_o several_a copy_n then_o be_v so_o particular_o that_o which_o i_o have_v peruse_v be_v transcribe_v for_o the_o end_n of_o the_o good_a old_a cause_n this_o i_o be_o sure_a of_o the_o covenant_n as_o require_v then_o to_o be_v subscribe_v by_o the_o green_a table_n be_v set_v down_o at_o full_a length_n in_o the_o manuscript_n beside_o the_o style_n and_o language_n testify_v that_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v that_o the_o act_n of_o assembly_n which_o it_o contain_v have_v be_v transcribe_v word_n for_o word_n at_o first_o from_o the_o authentic_a record_n and_o if_o calderwood_n or_o petrie_n account_n of_o these_o act_n deserve_v any_o credit_n my_o m_n s._n can_v be_v reject_v for_o it_o have_v all_o they_o have_v publish_v and_o for_o the_o most_o part_n in_o the_o same_o term_n except_o where_o these_o author_n have_v alter_v the_o language_n sometime_o to_o make_v it_o more_o fashionable_a and_o intelligible_a sometime_o to_o serve_v their_o cause_n and_o the_o concern_v of_o their_o party_n it_o have_v chasm_n also_o and_o defect_n where_o they_o say_v leave_n have_v be_v tear_v from_o the_o original_a register_n and_o i_o have_v not_o adduce_v many_o act_n from_o it_o which_o either_o one_o or_o both_o these_o author_n have_v not_o likewise_o mention_v in_o their_o history_n calderwood_n have_v indeed_o conceal_v very_o many_o have_v intend_v it_o seem_v to_o publish_v nothing_o but_o what_o make_v for_o he_o though_o i_o think_v even_o in_o that_o his_o judgement_n have_v not_o sufficient_o keep_v pace_n with_o his_o inclination_n nay_o his_o supplement_n which_o he_o have_v subjoin_v to_o his_o history_n as_o well_o as_o the_o history_n itself_o be_v lame_a by_o his_o own_o acknowledgement_n for_o these_o be_v the_o very_a first_o word_n of_o it_o i_o have_v in_o the_o precede_a history_n only_o insert_v such_o act_n article_n and_o answer_n to_o question_n as_o belong_v to_o the_o scope_n of_o the_o history_n and_o form_n of_o church_n government_n some_o few_o except_v touch_v corruption_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n or_o the_o office_n and_o call_v of_o minister_n but_o because_o there_o be_v other_o act_n and_o article_n necessary_a to_o be_v know_v i_o have_v select_v such_o as_o be_v of_o great_a use_n pass_v by_o such_o as_o be_v temporary_a or_o concern_v only_o temporary_a office_n etc._n etc._n here_o be_v a_o clear_a confession_n that_o he_o have_v not_o give_v we_o all_o the_o act_n of_o assembly_n nay_o that_o he_o have_v not_o give_v all_o such_o as_o concern_v temporary_a office_n and_o among_o these_o we_o shall_v find_v he_o in_o the_o follow_a sheet_n more_o confident_o than_o warrantable_o reckon_v superintendency_n and_o the_o episcopacy_n which_o be_v agree_v to_o at_o leith_n anno_fw-la 1572._o i_o have_v mention_v these_o thing_n that_o the_o world_n may_v see_v it_o can_v be_v reasonable_a for_o our_o presbyterian_a brethren_n to_o insist_v on_o either_o calderwood_n authority_n or_o ingenuity_n against_o my_o mss._n how_o ingenuous_a or_o impartial_a he_o have_v be_v you_o may_v have_v opportunity_n to_o guess_v before_o you_o have_v get_v through_o the_o ensue_a paper_n petrie_n have_v indeed_o give_v we_o a_o great_a many_o more_o of_o the_o act_n of_o general_a assembly_n than_o calderwood_n have_v do_v as_o may_v appear_v to_o any_o who_o attend_v to_o the_o margin_n of_o my_o book_n but_o he_o also_o have_v the_o good_a cause_n to_o serve_v and_o therefore_o have_v corrupt_v some_o thing_n and_o conceal_v other_o thing_n as_o i_o have_v make_v appear_v however_o he_o have_v the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o what_o i_o have_v transcribe_v from_o the_o mss._n spotswood_n have_v few_o than_o either_o of_o the_o two_o presbyterian_a historian_n yet_o some_o he_o have_v which_o i_o find_v also_o in_o the_o ms._n and_o which_o they_o have_v both_o omit_v in_o short_a i_o have_v take_v but_o very_o few_o from_o it_o which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v in_o some_o one_o or_o more_o of_o these_o historian_n neither_o have_v i_o adduce_v so_o much_o as_o one_o from_o it_o nor_o be_v one_o in_o it_o which_o be_v not_o high_o agreeable_a to_o the_o state_n and_o circumstance_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o genius_n of_o the_o time_n for_o which_o it_o mention_n they_o so_o that_o upon_o the_o whole_a matter_n i_o see_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v of_o its_o be_v a_o faithful_a transcript_n and_o i_o think_v i_o may_v just_o say_v of_o it_o as_o optatus_n say_v of_o another_o ms._n upon_o the_o like_a occasion_n vetustas_fw-la membranarum_fw-la testimonium_fw-la perhibet_fw-la etc._n etc._n optat_fw-la milev_n lib._n 1._o f._n 7._o edit_n paris_n 1569_o it_o have_v all_o the_o mark_n of_o antiquity_n and_o integrity_n that_o it_o pretend_v to_o and_o there_o be_v nothing_o about_o it_o that_o render_v it_o suspicious_a the_o other_o book_n which_o i_o say_v require_v some_o far_a consideration_n be_v the_o history_n of_o the_o reformation_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n contain_v five_o book_n etc._n etc._n common_o attribute_v to_o john_n knox_n by_o our_o presbyterian_a brethren_n that_o which_o i_o have_v to_o say_v about_o it_o be_v chief_o that_o mr._n knox_n be_v not_o the_o author_n of_o it_o a._n b._n spotswood_n have_v prove_v this_o by_o demonstration_n in_o his_o history_n pag._n 267._o his_o demonstration_n be_v that_o the_o author_n whoever_o he_o be_v talk_v of_o one_o of_o our_o martyr_n remit_v the_o reader_n for_o a_o far_a declaration_n of_o his_o suffering_n to_o the_o act_n and_o monument_n of_o mr._n fox_n which_o come_v not_o to_o light_v till_o some_o twelve_o year_n after_o knox_n death_n mr._n patrick_n hamilton_n be_v the_o martyr_n and_o the_o reference_n be_v to_o be_v see_v pag._n 4._o of_o that_o history_n i_o be_o now_o consider_v beside_o this_o i_o have_v observe_v a_o great_a many_o more_o infallible_a proof_n that_o knox_n be_v not_o the_o author_n i_o shall_v only_o instance_n in_o some_o 3_o or_o 4._o thus_o pag._n 447._o the_o author_n have_v set_v down_o a_o copy_n of_o the_o letter_n send_v by_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n of_o which_o more_o by_o and_o by_o tell_v how_o the_o english_a nonconformist_n write_v to_o beza_n and_o beza_n to_o grindal_n bishop_n of_o london_n which_o letter_n of_o beza_n to_o grindal_n he_o say_v be_v the_o eight_o in_o order_n among_o beza_n epistle_n and_o in_o that_o same_o page_n he_o mention_n another_o of_o beza_n letter_n to_o grindal_n call_v it_o the_o twelve_o in_o number_n now_o it_o be_v certain_a beza_n epistle_n be_v not_o publish_v till_o the_o year_n 1573._o i_o e._n after_o knox_n death_n it_o may_v be_v observe_v also_o that_o he_o add_v far_a in_o that_o same_o page_n that_o the_o sincerer_n sort_n of_o the_o ministry_n in_o england_n have_v not_o yet_o assault_v the_o jurisdiction_n and_o church_n government_n which_o they_o do_v not_o till_o the_o year_n 1572._o at_o which_o time_n they_o publish_v their_o first_o and_o second_o admonition_n to_o the_o parliament_n but_o only_o have_v except_v against_o superstitious_a apparel_n and_o some_o other_o fault_n in_o the_o service_n book_n from_o which_o beside_o that_o it_o be_v evident_a knox_n can_v not_o be_v the_o author_n we_o may_v learn_v from_o the_o author_n confession_n whoever_o he_o be_v that_o the_o controversy_n about_o parity_n and_o imparity_n etc._n etc._n be_v not_o so_o early_o in_o
be_v the_o vindicator_n of_o their_o kirk_n if_o they_o can_v employ_v any_o civil_a discreet_a ingenuous_a person_n to_o write_v for_o they_o i_o shall_v be_v hearty_o satisfy_v and_o for_o his_o encouragement_n i_o do_v promise_n if_o he_o fall_v to_o my_o share_n i_o shall_v treat_v he_o suitable_o nay_o after_o all_o if_o even_o g._n r._n himself_o will_v lay_v aside_o such_o quality_n as_o i_o have_v demonstrate_v adhere_v to_o he_o if_o he_o will_v undertake_v to_o write_v with_o that_o gravity_n and_o civility_n that_o charity_n and_o modesty_n that_o honesty_n and_o ingenuity_n which_o may_v be_v think_v to_o become_v one_o of_o his_o age_n and_o character_n i_o can_v as_o yet_o admit_v of_o he_o for_o my_o adversary_n for_o i_o think_v the_o party_n can_v assign_v i_o a_o weak_a one_o and_o i_o do_v hereby_o promise_v he_o one_fw-mi equitable_a meeting_n finis_fw-la advertisement_n this_o book_n be_v design_v for_o the_o press_n december_n 1693._o the_o article_n that_o prelacy_n and_o the_o superiority_n of_o any_o office_n in_o the_o church_n above_o presbyter_n be_v and_o have_v be_v a_o great_a and_o insupportable_a grievance_n and_o trouble_v to_o this_o nation_n and_o contrary_a to_o the_o inclination_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o people_n ever_o since_o the_o reformation_n they_o have_v reform_v from_o popery_n by_o presbyter_n and_o therefore_o aught_o to_o be_v abolish_v this_o article_n be_v establish_v in_o our_o claim_n of_o right_n april_n 11_o 1689._o by_o virtue_n of_o this_o article_n prelacy_n be_v actual_o abolish_v by_o act_n of_o parliament_n july_n 22._o 1689._o upon_o the_o foot_n of_o this_o article_n presbyterian_a government_n be_v establish_v june_n 7._o anno_fw-la 1690._o this_o act_n establish_v presbyterian_a government_n be_v ratify_v in_o the_o whole_a head_n article_n and_o clause_n thereof_o june_n 12._o 1693._o it_o be_v indisputable_a then_o that_o this_o article_n be_v the_o great_a foundation_n of_o that_o great_a alteration_n which_o have_v be_v make_v in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n since_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o late_a revolution_n whether_o therefore_o this_o be_v a_o solid_a or_o a_o sandy_a foundation_n can_v but_o be_v deem_v a_o material_a question_n and_o i_o think_v i_o shall_v bid_v fair_a for_o the_o determination_n of_o this_o question_n if_o i_o can_v give_v clear_a and_o distinct_a satisfaction_n to_o these_o follow_a inquiry_n i._o whether_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n be_v reform_v sole_o by_o person_n clothe_v with_o the_o character_n of_o presbyter_n ii_o whether_o our_o scottish_a reformer_n whatever_o their_o character_n be_v be_v of_o the_o present_a presbyterian_a principle_n whether_o they_o be_v for_o the_o divine_a institution_n of_o parity_n and_o the_o unlawfulness_n of_o prelacy_n among_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n iii_o whether_o prelacy_n and_o the_o superiority_n of_o any_o office_n in_o the_o church_n above_o presbyter_n be_v a_o great_a and_o insupportable_a grievance_n and_o trouble_n to_o this_o nation_n and_o contrary_a to_o the_o inclination_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o people_n ever_o since_o the_o reformation_n iv._o whether_o it_o be_v such_o when_o this_o article_n be_v establish_v in_o the_o claim_n of_o right_a v._o whether_o suppose_v the_o premise_n in_o the_o article_n be_v true_a they_o will_v be_v of_o sufficient_a force_n to_o infer_v the_o conclusion_n viz._n that_o prelacy_n and_o the_o superiority_n of_o any_o office_n in_o the_o church_n aught_o to_o be_v abolish_v the_o determination_n of_o the_o main_a question_n i_o say_v may_v competent_o result_v from_o a_o perspicuous_a discussion_n of_o these_o five_o inquiry_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v attempt_v it_o as_o fair_o as_o i_o can_v leave_v to_o the_o world_n to_o judge_v equitable_o of_o my_o performance_n and_o without_o further_a preface_v i_o come_v to_o the_o first_o enquiry_n whether_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n be_v reform_v sole_o by_o person_n clothe_v with_o the_o character_n of_o presbyter_n if_o the_o framer_n of_o the_o article_n mean_v that_o it_o be_v in_o these_o word_n they_o have_v reform_v from_o popery_n by_o presbyter_n i_o think_v i_o be_o pretty_a sure_a they_o mean_v amiss_o for_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o obvious_a to_o one_o who_o read_v and_o compare_v our_o history_n than_o that_o person_n stand_v in_o other_o station_n and_o clothe_v with_o other_o character_n have_v a_o very_a great_a hand_n and_o be_v very_o considerable_a instrument_n in_o carry_v on_o our_o reformation_n particular_o 1._o there_o be_v prelate_n who_o concur_v in_o that_o work_n as_o well_o as_o presbyter_n knox_n say_v there_o be_v present_a in_o the_o parliament_n hold_v in_o august_n 1560._o which_o parliament_n give_v the_o first_o national_a establishment_n to_o our_o reformation_n the_o bishop_n of_o galloway_n the_o abbot_n of_o lundoris_fw-la culross_n st._n colmes-inih_a coldingham_n saint_n mary-isle_n and_o the_o subprior_n of_o st._n andrews_n with_o diverse_a other_o and_o of_o all_o these_o he_o say_v that_o they_o have_v renounce_v papistry_n and_o open_o profess_a jesus_n christ._n 260._o spotswood_n reckon_v up_o no_o few_o than_o eight_o of_o the_o spiritual_a estate_n all_o protestant_n choose_v at_o that_o time_n to_o be_v lord_n of_o the_o article_n namely_o 149._o the_o bishop_n of_o galloway_n and_o argyle_n the_o prior_n of_o st._n andrews_n the_o abbot_n of_o aberbrothoik_a kilwinning_n lundor_n newbottle_n and_o culross_n lay_v these_o two_o account_n together_o and_o you_o shall_v have_v at_o least_o a_o round_n dozen_o of_o reform_v prelate_n it_o be_v true_a spotswood_n say_v the_o popish_a prelate_n storm_v mighty_o at_o such_o a_o nomination_n for_o the_o article_n allege_v that_o some_o of_o they_o be_v mere_a laic_n but_o what_o if_o it_o be_v so_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o think_v our_o presbyterian_a brethren_n will_v not_o be_v fond_a to_o make_v much_o advantage_n of_o this_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o think_v they_o will_v not_o say_v that_o all_o those_o who_o they_o allow_v to_o have_v be_v reform_v presbyter_n be_v due_o and_o canonical_o ordain_v that_o they_o be_v solemn_o separate_v for_o the_o ministry_n by_o such_o as_o have_v commission_n and_o power_n to_o separate_a they_o and_o in_o such_o manner_n as_o have_v universal_o obtain_v from_o the_o apostle_n time_n in_o the_o separation_n of_o presbyter_n for_o their_o holy_a function_n the_o plain_a truth_n be_v 2._o our_o reformation_n be_v principal_o carry_v on_o by_o such_o as_o neither_o do_v nor_o can_v pretend_v to_o be_v canonical_o promote_v to_o holy_a order_n knox_n himself_o 127._o tell_v we_o that_o when_o the_o reformation_n begin_v to_o make_v its_o more_o public_a advances_n which_o be_v in_o the_o year_n 1558._o there_o be_v a_o great_a scarcety_n of_o preacher_n at_o that_o time_n say_v he_o we_o have_v no_o public_a minister_n of_o the_o word_n only_o do_v certain_a zealous_a man_n among_o who_o be_v the_o laird_n of_o dun_n david_n forress_n mr._n robert_n lockhart_n mr._n robert_n hamilton_n william_n harlaw_n and_o other_o exhort_v their_o brethren_n according_a to_o the_o gift_n and_o grace_n grant_v to_o they_o but_o short_o after_o do_v god_n stir_v up_o his_o servant_n paul_n methven_n etc._n etc._n here_o we_o have_v but_o a_o very_a diminutive_a account_n of_o they_o as_o to_o number_v and_o such_o a_o account_n as_o in_o its_o very_a air_n and_o countenance_n seem_v to_o own_o they_o be_v general_o but_o lay-brethren_n they_o be_v but_o zealous_a man_n not_o canonical_o ordain_v presbyter_n and_o if_o we_o may_v believe_v lesly_n paul_n methven_n be_v by_o occupation_n a_o baker_n and_o william_n harlaw_n a_o tailor_n 496._o the_o laird_n of_o dun_n that_o same_o very_a year_n be_v provost_n of_o montrose_n and_o as_o such_o send_v to_o france_n as_o one_o represent_v not_o the_o first_o or_o the_o spiritual_a but_o the_o three_o estate_n of_o parliament_n the_o burrows_n to_o attend_v at_o the_o celebration_n of_o the_o queen_n marriage_n with_o the_o dauphine_n of_o france_n 95._o he_o be_v indeed_o a_o gentleman_n of_o good_a esteem_n and_o quality_n and_o he_o be_v afterward_o as_o superintendent_n but_o it_o no_o where_o appear_v that_o he_o be_v ever_o receive_v into_o holy_a order_n nay_o 3._o after_o the_o pacification_n at_o leith_n which_o be_v conclude_v in_o july_n 1560_o when_o the_o minister_n be_v distribute_v among_o the_o several_a town_n we_o find_v but_o a_o very_a small_a number_n of_o they_o john_n knox_n be_v appoint_v for_o edinburgh_n christopher_n goodman_n for_o st._n andrews_n adam_n herriot_n for_o aberdeen_n john_n row_v for_o perth_n william_n chrystison_n for_o dundee_n david_n ferguson_n for_o dunfermline_n paul_n methven_n for_o jedburgh_n and_o mr._n david_n lindesay_n for_o leith_n beside_o these_o five_o be_v nominate_v to_o be_v superintendent_o spotswood_n for_o lothian_n and_o
canterbury_n 135._o to_o the_o bishop_n of_o london_n 316._o to_o ithavius_fw-la bishop_n of_o vladislavia_n date_v decem._n 1_o an._n 1558_o col._n or_o his_o resolution_n of_o that_o case_n if_o a_o bishop_n or_o curate_n join_v himself_o to_o the_o church_n etc._n etc._n 466._o or_o last_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o king_n of_o poland_n 190._o wherein_o he_o tell_v he_o that_o it_o be_v nothing_o but_o pride_n and_o ambition_n that_o introduce_v the_o pope_n supremacy_n that_o the_o ancient_a church_n have_v indeed_o her_o patriarch_n and_o primate_fw-la for_o the_o expedition_n of_o discipline_n and_o the_o preservation_n of_o unity_n as_o if_o in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o poland_n one_o archbishop_n shall_v have_v the_o precedency_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o bishop_n not_o that_o he_o may_v tyrannize_v over_o they_o but_o for_o order_n sake_n and_o for_o cherish_n unity_n among_o his_o colleague_n and_o brethren_n and_o next_o to_o he_o there_o shall_v be_v provincial_a or_o city_n bishop_n for_o keep_v all_o thing_n orderly_o in_o the_o church_n nature_n teach_v say_v he_o that_o from_o every_o college_n incumbat_fw-la one_o shall_v be_v choose_v who_o shall_v have_v the_o chief_a management_n of_o affair_n but_o it_o be_v another_o thing_n for_o one_o man_n as_o the_o pope_n do_v to_o arrogate_v that_o to_o himself_o which_o exceed_v all_o humane_a ability_n namely_o the_o power_n of_o govern_v the_o whole_a universe_n whoso_o shall_v perpend_v these_o write_n of_o mr._n calvin_n i_o say_v shall_v find_v that_o he_o be_v very_o far_o from_o maintain_v the_o vnlawfulness_n of_o prelacy_n nay_o far_a yet_o i_o challenge_v my_o presbyterian_a brethren_n upon_o their_o ingenuity_n to_o tell_v i_o whither_o it_o be_v not_o a_o good_a many_o year_n after_o 1560._o that_o beza_n himself_o the_o true_a founder_n of_o their_o sect_n condemn_v prelacy_n if_o he_o do_v condemn_v it_o i_o say_v if_o he_o do_v maintain_v the_o necessity_n of_o parity_n and_o condemn_v prelacy_n for_o however_o he_o may_v seem_v upon_o several_a occasion_n not_o only_o to_o give_v the_o preference_n to_o presbyterian_a government_n and_o represent_v it_o as_o the_o most_o eligible_a but_o to_o endeavour_v to_o found_v it_o on_o scripture_n and_o represent_v episcopacy_n as_o a_o humane_a invention_n yet_o i_o have_v not_o observe_v that_o any_o where_o 〈◊〉_d call_v it_o absolute_o or_o simple_o unlawful_a on_o the_o contrary_a he_o say_v in_o express_a term_n propositam_fw-la that_o it_o be_v tolerable_a when_o it_o be_v due_o bound_v when_o the_o pure_a canon_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n be_v keep_v in_o vigour_n to_o keep_v it_o within_o its_o proper_a limit_n sure_o i_o be_o he_o be_v not_o for_o separate_v from_o a_o church_n as_o our_o modern_a presbyterian_o be_v upon_o the_o account_n of_o its_o government_n be_v episcopal_a as_o may_v be_v make_v appear_v full_o from_o his_o letter_n so_o that_o whatever_o great_a degree_n of_o dislike_n to_o episcopacy_n he_o may_v have_v discover_v beyond_o his_o predecessor_n mr._n calvin_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o unreasonable_a to_o think_v that_o his_o great_a aim_n be_v no_o more_o than_o to_o justify_v the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n he_o live_v in_o and_o recommend_v it_o as_o a_o pattern_n to_o other_o church_n the_o scope_n of_o this_o whole_a consideration_n be_v this_o that_o if_o what_o i_o have_v assert_v be_v true_a if_o there_o be_v no_o such_o controversy_n agitate_a all_o the_o time_n our_o church_n be_v a_o reform_v nor_o for_o a_o good_a many_o year_n after_o then_o we_o have_v one_o fair_a presumption_n that_o our_o reformer_n be_v not_o presbyterian_o it_o be_v not_o likely_a that_o they_o be_v for_o the_o indispensibility_n of_o parity_n that_o be_v the_o side_n of_o a_o question_n which_o in_o these_o time_n be_v not_o begin_v to_o be_v toss_v and_o this_o presumption_n will_v appear_v yet_o more_o ponderous_a if_o ii_o it_o be_v consider_v that_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o our_o reformer_n have_v any_o peculiar_a motive_n or_o occasion_n for_o advert_v to_o the_o pretend_a evil_n of_o prelacy_n or_o any_o peculiar_a interest_n to_o determine_v they_o for_o parity_n beyond_o other_o church_n or_o that_o they_o be_v more_o sharp-sighted_a to_o espy_v fault_n in_o prelacy_n or_o have_v opportunity_n or_o inclination_n to_o search_v more_o diligent_o or_o inquire_v more_o narrow_o into_o these_o matter_n than_o other_o reformer_n the_o truth_n be_v the_o controversy_n about_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n be_v the_o great_a one_o which_o take_v up_o the_o thought_n of_o our_o reformer_n and_o employ_v their_o most_o serious_a application_n this_o be_v obvious_a to_o any_o who_o consider_v the_o account_n we_o have_v of_o they_o so_o very_o obvious_a that_o g._n r._n himself_o fair_o confess_v it_o in_o his_o first_o vind._o ad_fw-la quest._n 1._o where_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o error_n and_o idolatry_n of_o that_o way_n mean_v popery_n be_v so_o gross_a and_o of_o such_o immediate_a hazard_n to_o the_o soul_n of_o people_n that_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o our_o reformer_n mind_v these_o first_o and_o main_o and_o think_v it_o a_o great_a step_n to_o get_v these_o remove_v so_o that_o they_o take_v some_o more_o time_n to_o consult_v about_o the_o reform_n of_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n from_o which_o it_o be_v plain_a he_o confess_v the_o reformation_n of_o the_o church_n government_n be_v not_o the_o subject_n of_o their_o main_a think_v which_o indeed_o be_v very_o true_a and_o can_v but_o appear_v to_o be_v so_o to_o any_o who_o consider_v what_o a_o lame_a scheme_n be_v then_o dress_v up_o by_o they_o but_o however_o this_o be_v it_o be_v enough_o to_o my_o present_a purpose_n that_o our_o reformer_n be_v more_o employ_v in_o reform_v the_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n than_o in_o think_v about_o church_n government_n from_o which_o together_o with_o the_o former_a presumption_n which_o be_v that_o our_o present_a controversy_n be_v not_o begin_v to_o be_v agitate_a in_o these_o time_n one_o of_o two_o thing_n must_v follow_v unavoidable_o viz._n either_o 1._o that_o if_o they_o be_v for_o the_o divine_a and_o indispensible_a right_n of_o parity_n it_o be_v no_o great_a matter_n their_o authority_n be_v not_o much_o to_o be_v value_v in_o a_o question_n about_o which_o they_o have_v think_v so_o little_a or_o 2._o that_o it_o be_v to_o be_v presume_v they_o be_v not_o for_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o parity_n that_o be_v the_o side_n of_o a_o question_n which_o be_v not_o then_o agitate_a in_o any_o protestant_a church_n and_o as_o little_a in_o scotland_n as_o any_o to_o be_v ingenuous_a i_o think_v both_o inference_n good_a though_o it_o be_v only_o the_o last_o i_o be_o concern_v for_o at_o present_a but_o this_o be_v not_o all_o for_o iii_o so_o far_o as_o my_o opportunity_n will_v allow_v i_o i_o have_v have_v a_o special_a eye_n on_o all_o our_o reformer_n as_o i_o find_v they_o in_o our_o history_n i_o have_v notice_v their_o sentiment_n about_o church_n government_n as_o careful_o as_o i_o can_v and_o i_o have_v not_o find_v so_o much_o as_o one_o among_o they_o who_o have_v either_o direct_o or_o indirect_o assert_v the_o divine_a and_o unalterable_a right_n of_o parity_n by_o our_o reformer_n here_o i_o mean_v such_o as_o be_v either_o 1._o martyr_n or_o 2._o confessor_n for_o the_o reform_a religion_n before_o it_o have_v the_o countenance_n of_o civil_a authority_n or_o 3._o such_o as_o live_v when_o it_o be_v public_o establish_v and_o have_v a_o hand_n in_o bring_v it_o to_o that_o perfection_n such_o i_o think_v and_o such_o only_a deserve_v the_o name_n of_o our_o reformer_n and_o here_o again_o i_o dare_v be_v bold_a to_o challenge_v my_o presbyterian_a brethren_n to_o adduce_v clear_a and_o plain_a proof_n that_o so_o much_o as_o any_o one_o man_n of_o the_o whole_a number_n of_o our_o reformer_n be_v of_o the_o present_a principle_n of_o the_o party_n some_o of_o they_o indeed_o seem_v to_o have_v lay_v no_o great_a stress_n on_o holy_a order_n and_o to_o have_v be_v of_o opinion_n that_o personal_a gift_n and_o grace_n be_v a_o sufficient_a call_v to_o any_o man_n to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n and_o undertake_v the_o pastoral_a office_n thus_o that_o excellent_a person_n mr._n george_n wishart_n who_o in_o most_o thing_n seem_v to_o have_v just_a notion_n of_o the_o gospel_n spirit_n than_o most_o of_o our_o other_o reformer_n when_o at_o his_o trial_n he_o be_v charge_v with_o this_o article_n that_o every_o man_n be_v a_o priest_n and_o that_o the_o pope_n have_v no_o more_o power_n than_o another_o man_n answer_v to_o this_o purpose_n that_o st._n john_n say_v of_o all_o christian_n he_o have_v make_v we_o king_n and_o priest_n and_o st._n peter_n he_o have_v make_v we_o
call_v they_o 50000_o out_o of_o their_o benefice_n beside_o a_o vast_a sum_n which_o may_v arise_v out_o of_o the_o confiscate_v estate_n of_o heretic_n 50000_o crown_n be_v a_o good_a round_a sum_n in_o those_o day_n in_o scotland_n further_o how_o be_v they_o alarm_v what_o fear_n be_v they_o under_o what_o shape_n do_v they_o turn_v themselves_o in_o what_o trick_n do_v they_o play_v when_o the_o match_n betwixt_o edward_n and_o mary_n speak_v of_o before_o be_v in_o agitation_n 71._o the_o cardinal_n forge_v a_o will_n in_o the_o king_n name_n nominate_v himself_o the_o principal_a of_o four_o conjunct_a regent_n for_o manage_v the_o government_n during_o the_o queen_n minority_n intend_v thereby_o to_o secure_v the_o popish_a interest_n and_o prevent_v the_o come_n of_o the_o nobility_n from_o england_n who_o he_o know_v will_v lay_v out_o themselves_o with_o all_o their_o may_v to_o oppose_v he_o be_v his_o enemy_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o religion_n and_o advance_v the_o design_n of_o england_n this_n not_o succeed_v for_o the_o forgery_n be_v manifest_a his_o next_o care_n be_v that_o all_o the_o popish_a party_n shall_v tumultuate_v bawl_v and_o clamour_n confound_v and_o disturb_v the_o parliament_n all_o they_o can_v which_o indeed_o be_v do_v so_o successful_o that_o nothing_o can_v be_v do_v to_o purpose_n till_o he_o be_v commit_v to_o custody_n 533._o neither_o do_v this_o put_v a_o end_n to_o these_o practice_n of_o the_o party_n but_o so_o soon_o as_o the_o parliament_n have_v conclude_v the_o match_n be_v over_o and_o he_o set_v at_o liberty_n with_o the_o queen_n dowager_n advice_n who_o be_v all_o over_o french_a and_o papist_n he_o convene_v the_o clergy_n represent_v to_o they_o the_o impossibility_n of_o their_o stand_n the_o certain_a ruin_n of_o the_o catholic_n religion_n every_o thing_n that_o can_v be_v frightful_a to_o they_o unless_o that_o confederacy_n with_o england_n be_v break_v oblige_v they_o therefore_o to_o tax_v themselves_o and_o raise_v great_a sum_n of_o money_n for_o bribe_v some_o of_o the_o nobility_n that_o be_v not_o proof_n against_o its_o charm_n and_o beauty_n and_o to_o use_v all_o their_o rhetoric_n with_o other_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n and_o last_o it_o be_v conclude_v in_o that_o religious_a meeting_n that_o the_o match_n and_o alliance_n shall_v be_v preach_v against_o from_o the_o pulpit_n and_o that_o all_o possible_a pain_n shall_v be_v take_v to_o excite_v the_o populace_n to_o tumult_n and_o rabble_n and_o treat_v the_o english_a ambassador_n with_o all_o affront_a trick_n and_o rudeness_n 73._o in_o short_a the_o faction_n never_o give_v over_o till_o they_o have_v cajole_v the_o weak_a regent_n into_o one_fw-mi abjuration_n of_o protestancy_n as_o be_v tell_v before_o and_o reconcile_v he_o to_o the_o french_a which_o then_o in_o scotland_n be_v all_o one_o with_o the_o popish_a interest_n nay_o his_o holiness_n himself_o again_o interre_v himself_o in_o this_o juncture_n as_o lesly_n tell_v we_o 449._o send_v petrus_n franciscus_n contarenus_n patriarch_n of_o venice_n his_o legate_n into_o scotland_n to_o treat_v with_o the_o regent_n and_o the_o nobility_n in_o the_o pope_n name_n and_o promise_v they_o large_a assistance_n against_o the_o english_a if_o they_o will_v break_v the_o contract_n of_o marriage_n betwixt_o edward_n and_o mary_n 449._o which_o have_v so_o fatal_a one_fw-mi aspect_n towards_o the_o catholic_n religion_n by_o this_o taste_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o discern_v how_o much_o the_o popish_a party_n be_v persuade_v of_o the_o great_a influence_n england_n have_v on_o scotland_n in_o order_n to_o a_o reformation_n of_o religion_n and_o lay_v all_o together_o that_o have_v be_v say_v it_o be_v as_o easy_a to_o perceive_v they_o want_v not_o reason_n for_o such_o a_o persuasion_n have_v thus_o give_v a_o brief_a deduction_n of_o the_o state_n of_o our_o reformation_n in_o king_n henry_n time_n and_o make_v it_o apparent_a that_o it_o be_v much_o encourage_v and_o quicken_v by_o english_a influence_n then_o i_o think_v i_o need_v not_o insist_v much_o on_o the_o succeed_a reign_n brief_o then_o 7._o as_o edward_n the_o six_o have_v the_o same_o reason_n for_o intere_v himself_o in_o our_o scottish_a affair_n which_o his_o father_n henry_n have_v before_o he_o so_o we_o find_v his_o counsel_n be_v suit_v according_o no_o soon_o be_v henry_n dead_a and_o somerset_n warm_v in_o his_o protectoral_a chair_n than_o the_o demand_n about_o the_o match_n be_v renew_v and_o be_v reject_v by_o the_o popish_a party_n here_o who_o have_v our_o weak_a regent_n at_o their_o beck_n and_o be_v then_o the_o govern_v party_n the_o matter_n end_v in_o a_o bloody_a war._n somerset_n raise_v a_o great_a army_n and_o enter_v scotland_n but_o before_o it_o come_v to_o fight_v he_o send_v a_o letter_n to_o the_o scot_n 87._o write_v in_o such_o one_fw-mi oblige_v stile_n and_o contain_v so_o kind_a and_o so_o fair_a so_o equitable_a proposition_n that_o the_o regent_n advise_v by_o some_o papist_n about_o he_o think_v fit_a not_o to_o publish_v it_o to_o his_o army_n but_o to_o give_v out_o that_o it_o tend_v to_o quite_o contrary_a purpose_n than_o it_o real_o contain_v that_o it_o contain_v threat_n that_o the_o english_a be_v come_v to_o carry_v off_o the_o queen_n by_o force_n and_o ruin_n and_o enslave_v the_o nation_n etc._n etc._n dread_v no_o doubt_n that_o if_o he_o have_v deal_v candid_o and_o show_v the_o letter_n to_o such_o man_n of_o interest_n in_o the_o nation_n as_o be_v there_o it_o will_v have_v take_v so_o with_o they_o that_o they_o will_v have_v lay_v aside_o thought_n of_o fight_v indeed_o this_o be_v no_o groundless_a jealousy_n the_o matter_n be_v aboveboard_n for_o as_o buchanan_n tell_v we_o in_o the_o next_o convention_n of_o estate_n which_o be_v hold_v short_o after_o that_o fatal_a battle_n of_o pinkie_n 89._o those_o who_o be_v for_o the_o reformation_n be_v of_o the_o same_o religion_n with_o england_n be_v zealous_a for_o the_o english_a alliance_n and_o against_o send_v the_o queen_n into_o france_n and_o that_o they_o be_v the_o papist_n only_o who_o be_v for_o send_v she_o thither_o 8._o when_o edward_n die_v and_o his_o sister_n mary_n ascend_v the_o throne_n a_o heavy_a cloud_n indeed_o do_v hang_v over_o both_o nation_n and_o threaten_v a_o dreadful_a storm_n to_o the_o reformation_n of_o religion_n marry_o according_a to_o her_o surly_a humour_n fall_v to_o downright_a persecution_n in_o england_n and_o our_o q._n dowager_n have_v shoulder_v out_o arran_n and_o possess_v herself_o of_o the_o scottish_a regency_n in_o her_o subtle_a way_n be_v as_o zealous_a to_o maintain_v the_o superstition_n of_o popery_n use_v less_o cruelty_n indeed_o than_o mary_n but_o more_o policy_n and_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n and_o now_o the_o purgation_n of_o christianity_n seem_v to_o be_v bring_v to_o a_o lamentable_a stand_n in_o both_o kingdom_n and_o the_o hope_n of_o those_o to_o be_v quite_o dash_v who_o be_v breathe_v for_o the_o profession_n of_o that_o holy_a religion_n in_o its_o purity_n yet_o god_n in_o his_o kind_a providence_n do_v otherwise_o dispose_v of_o thing_n and_o make_v that_o a_o mean_n to_o advance_v religion_n among_o we_o which_o man_n think_v shall_v have_v utter_o extinguish_v it_o for_o some_o of_o those_o who_o flee_v from_o mary_n persecution_n in_o england_n take_v their_o refuge_n into_o this_o kingdom_n do_v not_o only_o help_v to_o keep_v the_o light_n which_o have_v begin_v to_o shine_v but_o make_v the_o sun_n to_o break_v up_o more_o clear_a than_o before_o as_o spotswood_n have_v it_o from_o knox._n 99_o for_o than_o come_v into_o scotland_n william_n harlaw_n john_n willock_n john_n knox_n etc._n etc._n of_o who_o more_o hereafter_o thus_o we_o be_v still_o derive_v more_o light_n and_o heat_n from_o england_n 9_o marry_o die_v and_o elizabeth_n succeed_v in_o november_n 1588._o our_o queen_n be_v then_o in_o france_n it_o be_v moral_o impossible_a to_o recover_v she_o thence_o the_o english_a influence_n which_o in_o henry_n and_o edward_n time_n have_v cherish_v our_o reformation_n except_o so_o far_o as_o god_n send_v we_o harlaw_n willock_n and_o knox_n by_o his_o special_a providence_n as_o i_o tell_v just_a now_o be_v quite_o cut_v off_o all_o the_o time_n of_o mary_n government_n our_o reformer_n therefore_o to_o make_v the_o best_a of_o a_o bad_a hand_n be_v earnest_a to_o be_v among_o the_o foremost_a courtier_n with_o the_o queen_n regent_n they_o be_v ready_a to_o serve_v her_o design_n with_o all_o possible_a frankness_n particular_o they_o be_v among_o the_o most_o forward_o for_o carry_v on_o the_o match_n with_o the_o dauphine_n of_o france_n and_o vote_v cheerful_o that_o he_o shall_v have_v the_o matrimonial_a crown_n confer_v upon_o he_o after_o the_o solemnisation_n of_o the_o marriage_n in_o
of_o the_o common_a prayer_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n or_o the_o genevian_a liturgy_n for_o we_o no_o where_o read_v of_o a_o three_o ever_o pretend_v to_o have_v be_v use_v in_o those_o time_n in_o scotland_n now_o that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o liturgy_n of_o geneva_n be_v plain_a for_o beside_o that_o it_o be_v utter_o incredible_a that_o there_o can_v have_v be_v so_o many_o copy_n of_o the_o genevian_a form_n in_o the_o vulgar_a language_n then_o in_o scotland_n as_o may_v serve_v so_o many_o parish_n church_n nay_o that_o it_o be_v high_o probable_a there_o be_v not_o so_o much_o as_o one_o beside_o this_o i_o say_v in_o the_o genevian_a form_n which_o be_v afterward_o use_v in_o scotland_n there_o be_v no_o order_n for_o no_o footstep_n of_o the_o observation_n of_o other_o holiday_n beside_o sunday_n neither_o be_v there_o any_o order_n in_o it_o for_o read_v of_o lesson_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n except_o in_o the_o treatise_n of_o fast_v which_o be_v not_o compile_v till_o the_o year_n 1565._o there_o indeed_o lesson_n be_v appoint_v such_o and_o such_o psalm_n and_o such_o and_o such_o history_n in_o the_o old_a but_o not_o so_o much_o as_o one_o tittle_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n in_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o book_n a_o deep_a silence_n about_o lesson_n than_o which_o there_o can_v be_v a_o clear_a demonstration_n that_o the_o book_n appoint_v to_o be_v use_v in_o december_n 1557_o be_v not_o that_o of_o geneva_n indeed_o 2._o none_o of_o our_o presbyterian_a historian_n neither_o petrie_n nor_o calderwood_n have_v the_o confidence_n to_o pretend_v nay_o to_o insinuate_v the_o possibility_n of_o its_o be_v the_o common_a order_n of_o geneva_n which_o it_o be_v very_o probable_a they_o will_v have_v do_v if_o they_o have_v have_v the_o small_a hope_n of_o make_v it_o feasible_a on_o the_o contrary_a calderwood_n seem_v fair_o to_o acknowledge_v that_o it_o be_v the_o english_a liturgy_n but_o then_o this_o acknowledgement_n lie_v at_o such_o a_o distance_n from_o the_o year_n 1557._o that_o no_o doubt_n he_o think_v himself_o pretty_a secure_a that_o few_o reader_n will_v reflect_v upon_o it_o as_o one_fw-mi acknowledgement_n he_o do_v not_o make_v it_o till_o he_o come_v to_o the_o year_n 1623._o when_o he_o have_v occasion_n to_o tell_v how_o the_o use_n of_o the_o english_a liturgy_n be_v bring_v into_o the_o new_a college_n of_o st._n andrews_n take_v it_o in_o his_o own_o word_n 800._o upon_o the_o 15_o the_o of_o january_n master_n robert_n howie_n principal_a of_o the_o new_a college_n of_o st._n andrews_n doctor_n wedderburn_n and_o doctor_n melvin_n be_v direct_v by_o a_o letter_n from_o doctor_n young_a in_o the_o king_n name_n to_o use_v the_o english_a liturgy_n morning_n and_o evening_n in_o the_o new_a college_n where_o all_o the_o student_n be_v present_a at_o morning_n and_o evening_n prayer_n which_o be_v present_o put_v in_o execution_n notwithstanding_o they_o want_v the_o warrant_n of_o any_o general_a assembly_n or_o of_o any_o continue_a practice_n of_o the_o form_n in_o time_n bypass_a since_o the_o reformation_n where_o you_o see_v he_o lay_v the_o stress_n of_o his_o argument_n against_o it_o on_z its_z nor_o have_v have_v a_o continue_a practice_n since_o the_o reformation_n which_o be_v a_o clear_a concession_n that_o at_o the_o reformation_n it_o be_v in_o practice_n though_o that_o practice_n be_v not_o continue_v but_o whither_o he_o acknowledge_v this_o or_o not_o be_v no_o great_a matter_n we_o have_v sufficient_a evidence_n for_o the_o point_n in_o hand_n without_o it_o for_o 3._o buchanan_n testimony_n which_o be_v adduce_v before_o about_o the_o scot_n subscrive_v to_o the_o worship_n and_o rite_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v unexceptionable_a and_o yet_o it_o be_v not_o all_o for_o 4._o the_o order_n as_o you_o see_v it_o appoint_v by_o the_o lord_n of_o the_o congregation_n decem._n 3d_o 1557._o be_v that_o the_o book_n there_o authorise_v be_v use_v in_o all_o church_n from_o that_o very_a date_n but_o we_o find_v by_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n 153._o that_o the_o order_n of_o geneva_n be_v only_o come_v in_o to_o be_v use_v then_o in_o some_o of_o the_o church_n i._n e._n 1560._o and_o it_o have_v nothing_o like_o a_o public_a establishment_n till_o the_o general_n assembly_n hold_v at_o edinburgh_n dec._n 25_o 1652._o for_o then_o and_o not_o till_o then_o it_o be_v conclude_v that_o one_fw-mi vniform_a order_n shall_v be_v keep_v in_o the_o ministration_n of_o the_o sacrament_n solemnisation_n of_o marriage_n and_o burial_n of_o the_o dead_a according_a to_o the_o kirk_n of_o geneva_n so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o mss._n and_o so_o petrie_n have_v it_o 233._o but_o nature_n work_v again_o with_o calderwood_n for_o he_o have_v no_o more_o but_o this_o it_o be_v ordain_v that_o one_fw-mi vniform_a order_n be_v keep_v in_o the_o ministration_n of_o the_o sacrament_n according_a to_o the_o book_n of_o geneva_n 32._o omit_v marriage_n and_o the_o burial_n of_o the_o dead_a marriage_n i_o believe_v to_o bear_v the_o other_o company_n for_o the_o burial_n of_o the_o dead_a be_v the_o dead_a flee_v why_o the_o book_n of_o geneva_n allow_v of_o funeral_n sermon_n as_o he_o himself_o acknowledge_v 24._o a_o mighty_a superstition_n in_o the_o opinion_n of_o presbyterian_n so_o that_o it_o will_v have_v be_v offensive_a to_o the_o sincerer_n sort_n as_o he_o common_o call_v those_o of_o his_o own_o gang_n and_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o exigence_n of_o the_o good_a cause_n to_o have_v let_v the_o world_n know_v that_o a_o general_n assembly_n have_v ratify_v the_o order_n of_o that_o book_n about_o burial_n and_o thereby_o have_v justify_v the_o superstition_n of_o funeral_n sermon_n nay_o 5._o it_o seem_v this_o act_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n decem._n 1562._o have_v not_o be_v strong_a enough_o for_o turn_v out_o the_o english_a liturgy_n and_o introduce_v the_o form_n of_o geneva_n for_o if_o we_o may_v believe_v calderwood_n himself_o 39_o the_o general_a assembly_n hold_v at_o edinburgh_n decem._n 25._o 1564._o find_v themselves_o concern_v to_o make_v another_o act_n ordain_v every_o minister_n exhorter_n and_o reader_n to_o have_v one_o of_o the_o psalm_n book_n late_o print_v at_o edinburgh_n and_o use_v the_o order_n contain_v therein_o in_o prayer_n marriage_n and_o administration_n of_o the_o sacrament_n where_o observe_v further_a that_o prayer_n not_o mention_v in_o the_o act_n 1562._o be_v now_o put_v in_o from_o which_o it_o may_v be_v probable_o conjecture_v that_o as_o much_o as_o knox_n be_v against_o the_o english_a liturgy_n he_o find_v many_o difficulty_n to_o get_v it_o lay_v aside_o so_o many_o that_o it_o have_v not_o only_o be_v use_v by_o some_o few_o or_o many_o i_o can_v tell_v in_o the_o ministration_n of_o the_o sacrament_n etc._n etc._n after_o the_o act_n 1562._o but_o the_o clergy_n have_v not_o find_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o forbear_v the_o use_n of_o it_o in_o the_o public_a prayer_n so_o that_o it_o be_v needful_a in_o this_o assembly_n 1564_o to_o make_v a_o new_a act_n restrict_v they_o both_o as_o to_o prayer_n and_o other_o ministration_n to_o the_o order_n of_o geneva_n and_o if_o this_o hold_v we_o have_v the_o english_a liturgy_n at_o least_o seven_o year_n in_o continue_a practice_n in_o scotland_n but_o it_o be_v enough_o for_o my_o main_a purpose_n that_o it_o be_v once_o universal_o in_o use_n which_o i_o think_v can_v be_v deny_v by_o any_o who_o impartial_o consider_v what_o have_v be_v say_v and_o now_o 6._o may_v not_o i_o adduce_v one_o testimony_n more_o it_o be_v true_a it_o be_v of_o a_o latter_a date_n but_o it_o be_v very_o plain_a and_o positive_a and_o what_o i_o have_v adduce_v already_o be_v security_n enough_o for_o its_o credibility_n it_o be_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o compiler_n of_o our_o scottish_a liturgy_n which_o make_v the_o great_a stir_n in_o the_o year_n 1637._o and_o be_v make_v one_o of_o the_o main_a pretence_n for_o the_o first_o eruption_n of_o that_o execrable_a rebellion_n which_o ensue_v the_o compiler_n of_o that_o liturgy_n i_o say_v in_o their_o preface_n to_o it_o tell_v we_o that_o it_o be_v then_o know_v that_o diverse_a year_n after_o the_o reformation_n we_o have_v no_o other_o order_n for_o common_a prayer_n but_o the_o english_a liturgy_n a_o three_o principle_n wherein_o our_o reformer_n agree_v with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o which_o stand_v in_o direct_a contradiction_n to_o the_o principle_n of_o our_o presbyterian_o be_v that_o they_o own_a the_o church_n have_v a_o great_a dependence_n on_o the_o state_n that_o it_o belong_v to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n to_o reform_v the_o church_n that_o people_n may_v appeal_v from_o the_o church_n to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n etc._n etc._n i_o
be_o not_o now_o to_o enter_v into_o the_o controversy_n concern_v the_o dependence_n or_o independence_n of_o the_o church_n upon_o the_o state_n that_o fall_v not_o within_o the_o compass_n of_o my_o present_a undertake_n neither_o will_v i_o say_v that_o our_o presbyterian_o be_v in_o the_o wrong_n as_o to_o the_o true_a substantial_a matter_n agitate_a in_o that_o controversy_n all_o i_o be_o concern_v for_o at_o present_a be_v that_o in_o these_o time_n those_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n own_a a_o great_a dependence_n of_o the_o church_n upon_o the_o state_n and_o that_o our_o reformer_n agree_v with_o they_o in_o that_o principle_n and_o i_o think_v i_o may_v make_v short_a work_n of_o it_o for_o that_o that_o be_v the_o principle_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n in_o these_o time_n i_o think_v no_o man_n can_v ready_o deny_v who_o know_v any_o thing_n about_o she_o at_o and_o a_o good_a many_o year_n after_o her_o reformation_n all_o my_o business_n be_v to_o show_v that_o our_o reformer_n be_v of_o that_o same_o principle_n and_o i_o think_v that_o shall_v be_v easy_o make_v to_o appear_v for_o as_o to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n power_n to_o reform_v the_o church_n what_o can_v be_v more_o clear_a than_o the_o petition_v present_v to_o the_o queen_n regent_n in_o november_n 1558_o there_o our_o reformer_n tell_v her_o majesty_n 118._o that_o know_v no_o order_n place_v in_o this_o realm_n but_o her_o majesty_n and_o her_o grave_a council_n set_v to_o amend_v as_o well_o the_o disorder_n ecclesiastical_a as_o the_o default_n in_o the_o temporal_a regiment_n they_o do_v most_o humble_o prostrate_v themselves_o before_o her_o foot_n ask_v justice_n and_o her_o gracious_a help_n against_o such_o as_o false_o traduce_v and_o accuse_v they_o as_o heretic_n and_o schismatic_n etc._n etc._n in_o which_o address_n we_o have_v these_o two_o thing_n very_o clear_a and_o evident_a 1._o that_o they_o own_a that_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n have_v power_n to_o amend_v ecclesiastical_a disorder_n as_o well_o as_o temporal_a 2._o that_o in_o consequence_n of_o this_o they_o apply_v to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n for_o protection_n against_o the_o pursuit_n of_o the_o church_n and_o in_o their_o protestation_n give_v in_o to_o the_o parliament_n about_o that_o same_o time_n they_o most_o humble_o beseech_v the_o sacred_a authority_n to_o think_v of_o they_o as_o faithful_a and_o obedient_a subject_n and_o take_v they_o into_o its_o protection_n keep_v that_o indifferency_n which_o become_v god_n lieutenant_n to_o use_v towards_o those_o who_o in_o his_o name_n do_v call_v for_o defence_n against_o cruel_a oppressor_n etc._n etc._n mean_v the_o then_o churchman_n 120._o indeed_o none_o clear_a for_o this_o than_o knox_n himself_o as_o be_v to_o be_v see_v full_o in_o his_o appellation_n from_o the_o cruel_a and_o most_o unjust_a sentence_n pronounce_v against_o he_o by_o the_o false_a bishop_n and_o clergy_n of_o scotland_n as_o he_o himself_o name_v it_o for_o there_o 4._o he_o lay_v down_o and_o endeavour_n to_o prove_v this_o assertion_n that_o it_o be_v lawful_a to_o god_n prophet_n and_o to_o preacher_n of_o christ_n jesus_n to_o appeal_v from_o the_o sentence_n and_o judgement_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o temporal_a magistrate_n who_o by_o god_n law_n be_v bind_v to_o hear_v their_o cause_n and_o to_o defend_v they_o from_o tyranny_n and_o in_o that_o same_o appellation_n etc._n he_o larger_o assert_n and_o maintain_v the_o dependence_n of_o the_o church_n upon_o the_o state_n the_o order_v and_o reformation_n of_o religion_n with_o the_o instruction_n of_o subject_n he_o say_v do_v appertain_v especial_o to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n for_o why_o moses_n have_v great_a power_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o religion_n god_n reveal_v nothing_o particular_o to_o aaron_n the_o churchman_n but_o command_v he_o to_o depend_v from_o the_o mouth_n of_o moses_n the_o civil_a magistrate_n moses_n be_v impower_v to_o separate_v aaron_n and_o his_o son_n for_o the_o priesthood_n aaron_n and_o his_o son_n be_v subject_a to_o moses_n moses_n be_v so_o far_o prefer_v to_o aaron_n that_o the_o one_o command_v the_o other_o obey_v the_o king_n of_o israel_n be_v command_v to_o read_v the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n all_o the_o day_n of_o their_o life_n not_o only_o for_o their_o own_o private_a edification_n but_o for_o the_o public_a preservation_n of_o religion_n so_o david_n solomon_n asa_n jehosophat_n hezekiah_n josiah_n understand_v it_o and_o interest_v themselves_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o church_n according_o from_o which_o it_o be_v evident_a say_v he_o that_o the_o reformation_n of_o religion_n in_o all_o point_n together_o with_o the_o punishment_n of_o false_a teacher_n do_v appertain_v to_o the_o power_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n for_o what_o god_n require_v of_o they_o his_o justice_n must_v require_v of_o other_o have_v the_o like_a charge_n and_o authority_n what_o he_o do_v approve_v in_o they_o he_o can_v but_o approve_v in_o all_o other_o who_o with_o like_a zeal_n and_o sincerity_n do_v enterprise_n to_o purge_v the_o lord_n temple_n and_o sanctuary_n thus_o knox_n i_o say_v in_o that_o appellation_n i_o do_v not_o concern_v myself_o with_o the_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n of_o his_o position_n neither_o be_o i_o to_o justify_v or_o condemn_v his_o argument_n all_o i_o be_o to_o make_v of_o it_o be_v to_o ask_v my_o presbyterian_a brethren_n whither_o these_o principle_n of_o knox_n suit_n well_o with_o decline_v the_o civil_a magistrate_n as_o one_fw-mi incompetent_a judge_n in_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n with_o refuse_v to_o appear_v before_o he_o prima_fw-la instantia_fw-la for_o the_o trial_n of_o doctrine_n preach_v in_o the_o pulpit_n with_o the_o famous_a distinction_n of_o the_o king_n have_v power_n about_o church_n matter_n cumulative_a but_o not_o privative_a etc._n etc._n i_o be_o afraid_a it_o shall_v be_v hard_o enough_o to_o reconcile_v they_o i_o shall_v only_o instance_n in_o one_o principle_n more_o which_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v common_a to_o our_o and_o the_o english_a reformer_n but_o it_o be_v one_o of_o very_a weighty_a consequence_n and_o importance_n to_o my_o main_a design_n it_o be_v four_o that_o excellent_a rule_n of_o reformation_n viz._n that_o it_o be_v do_v according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n interpret_v by_o the_o monument_n and_o write_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n that_o ancient_a solid_a approven_v rule_n that_o rule_n so_o much_o commend_v by_o that_o excellent_a writer_n vincentius_n lirinensis_n 2._o that_o rule_n which_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o mankind_n can_v but_o justify_v when_o it_o be_v consider_v sober_o and_o serious_o without_o partiality_n or_o prejudice_n a_o rule_n indeed_o which_o have_v the_o reformer_n of_o the_o several_a church_n follow_v united_o and_o conscientious_o in_o those_o time_n when_o the_o church_n in_o the_o western_a part_n of_o europe_n be_v a_o reform_v we_o have_v not_o have_v so_o many_o different_a faith_n so_o many_o different_a modes_n of_o worship_n so_o many_o different_a government_n and_o discipline_n as_o alas_o this_o day_n divide_v the_o protestant_a church_n and_o by_o consequence_n weaken_v the_o protestant_a interest_n a_o rule_n which_o have_v the_o pretender_n to_o reform_a religion_n in_o scotland_n still_o stand_v by_o we_o have_v not_o possible_o have_v so_o many_o horrid_a rebellion_n so_o many_o unchristian_a division_n so_o many_o unaccountable_a revolution_n both_o in_o church_n and_o state_n as_o to_o our_o sad_a experience_n have_v in_o the_o result_n so_o unhinged_a all_o the_o principle_n of_o natural_a justice_n and_o honesty_n and_o disable_v nay_o eat_v out_o the_o principle_n of_o christianity_n among_o we_o that_o now_o we_o be_v not_o dispose_v so_o much_o for_o any_o thing_n as_o downright_a atheism_n but_o be_v our_o reformer_n indeed_o for_o this_o rule_n that_o shall_v be_v demonstrate_v by_o and_o by_o when_o we_o shall_v have_v occasion_n to_o bring_v it_o in_o again_o as_o natural_o to_o which_o opportunity_n i_o now_o refer_v it_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n let_v we_o brief_o sum_n up_o all_o that_o have_v be_v hitherto_o say_v and_o try_v to_o what_o it_o amount_v i_o have_v i_o think_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o while_o our_o reformation_n be_v a_o carry_v on_o and_o when_o it_o be_v establish_v anno_fw-la 156â—_n there_o be_v no_o such_o controversy_n agitate_a in_o the_o church_n as_o that_o concern_v the_o indispensible_a necessity_n of_o presbytery_n and_o the_o vnlawfulness_n of_o prelacy_n concern_v the_o divine_a right_n of_o parity_n or_o the_o vnallowableness_n of_o imparity_n among_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n i_o have_v say_v enough_o to_o make_v it_o credible_a that_o our_o scottish_a reformer_n have_v no_o peculiar_a occasion_n opportunity_n provocation_n ability_n for_o fall_v on_o that_o controversy_n or_o determine_v of_o it_o more_o
168._o be_v deposable_a by_o the_o superintendent_n of_o the_o diocese_n and_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o parish_n where_o they_o be_v minister_n but_o of_o this_o more_o hereafter_o 160._o but_o by_o that_o same_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n the_o superintendent_n be_v to_o be_v judge_v by_o the_o minister_n and_o elder_n of_o his_o whole_a province_n over_o which_o he_o be_v appoint_v and_o if_o the_o minister_n and_o elder_n of_o the_o province_n be_v negligent_a in_o correct_v he_o one_o or_o two_o other_o superintendent_o with_o their_o minister_n and_o elder_n be_v to_o conveen_v he_o provide_v it_o be_v within_o his_o own_o province_n or_o chief_a town_n and_o inflict_v the_o censure_n which_o his_o offence_n deserve_v of_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o this_o afterward_o 4._o there_o be_v as_o remarkable_a a_o difference_n in_o point_n of_o ordination_n which_o in_o the_o then_o scottish_a stile_n be_v call_v admission_n private_a minister_n be_v to_o be_v admit_v by_o their_o superintendent_o as_o we_o shall_v find_v afterward_o but_o by_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n head_n 5._o 159._o superintendent_o be_v to_o be_v admit_v by_o the_o superintendent_o next_o adjacent_a with_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o province_n 5._o in_o the_o case_n of_o translation_n the_o general_n assembly_n hold_v at_o edinburgh_n decem._n 25._o 1562._o give_v power_n to_o every_o superintendent_n within_o his_o own_o bound_n in_o his_o synodal_n assembly_n with_o consent_n of_o the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o elder_n and_o minister_n of_o kirk_n to_o translate_v minister_n from_o one_o kirk_n to_o another_o as_o they_o shall_v consider_v the_o necessity_n charge_v the_o minister_n so_o translate_v to_o obey_v the_o voice_n and_o commandment_n of_o the_o superintendent_n 233._o but_o according_a to_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n head_n 5._o 160._o no_o superintendent_n may_v be_v translate_v at_o the_o pleasure_n or_o request_n of_o any_o one_o province_n without_o the_o council_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o that_o for_o grave_a cause_n and_o consideration_n 6._o a_o special_a care_n be_v to_o be_v take_v of_o his_o qualification_n and_o ability_n for_o such_o one_fw-mi important_a office_n for_o thus_o it_o be_v appoint_v by_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n head_n 5._o ibid_fw-la that_o after_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v establish_v and_o three_o year_n be_v past_a no_o man_n shall_v be_v call_v to_o the_o office_n of_o a_o superintendent_n who_o have_v not_o two_o year_n at_o least_o give_v a_o proof_n of_o his_o faithful_a labour_n in_o the_o ministry_n a_o caution_n simple_o unapplyable_a to_o parish_n minister_n 7._o he_o have_v a_o live_v provide_v for_o he_o by_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n head_n 5._o 157._o about_o five_o time_n as_o much_o yearly_a as_o be_v allot_v for_o any_o private_a minister_n and_o it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o this_o be_v in_o a_o time_n when_o the_o popish_a bishop_n still_o brook_v their_o benefice_n but_o when_o the_o resolution_n be_v anno_fw-la 1567._o to_o deprive_v all_o the_o popish_a clergy_n it_o be_v agree_v to_o in_o the_o general_n assembly_n by_o the_o churchman_n on_o the_o one_o hand_n and_o the_o lord_n and_o baron_n on_o the_o other_o that_o superintendent_o shall_v succeed_v in_o their_o place_n as_o both_o the_o mss._n and_o spotswood_n have_v it_o express_o 11._o 8._o superintendent_o by_o virtue_n of_o their_o office_n be_v constant_a member_n of_o the_o general_a assembly_n therefore_o the_o general_n assembly_n hold_v at_o perth_n june_n 25._o 1563._o statute_v that_o every_o superintendent_n be_v present_v the_o first_o day_n of_o the_o assembly_n under_o the_o pain_n of_o 40_o sh._n to_o be_v give_v to_o the_o poor_a without_o remission_n so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o mss._n but_o petrie_n have_v it_o bare_o that_o they_o shall_v conveen_v on_o the_o first_o day_n of_o every_o assembly_n 237._o and_o it_o seem_v because_o that_o punishment_n have_v not_o sufficient_a influence_n on_o they_o it_o be_v again_o ordain_v by_o the_o g._n ass._n at_o edinburgh_n march_v 6._o 1573._o that_o they_o shall_v be_v present_a in_o the_o assembly_n the_o first_o day_n before_o noon_n under_o the_o pain_n of_o lose_v one_o half_o of_o their_o stipend_n for_o a_o year_n etc._n etc._n so_o both_o the_o mss._n and_o petrie_n 379._o but_o as_o we_o shall_v find_v afterward_o such_o presence_n of_o parish_n minister_n be_v not_o allow_v far_o less_o necessary_a 9_o it_o belong_v to_o they_o to_o try_v those_o who_o stand_v candidate_n for_o the_o ministry_n thus_o 1._o b._n of_o disc._n head_n 4._o 157._o such_o as_o take_v upon_o they_o the_o office_n of_o preacher_n who_o shall_v not_o be_v find_v qualify_v therefore_o by_o the_o superintendent_n be_v by_o he_o to_o be_v placâ—d_v reader_n and_o again_o head_n 5._o 158._o no_o child_n nor_o person_n within_o the_o age_n of_o 21_o year_n may_v be_v admit_v to_o the_o office_n of_o a_o reader_n but_o such_o must_v be_v choose_v and_o admit_v by_o the_o superintendent_n as_o for_o their_o gravity_n and_o discretion_n may_v grace_v the_o function_n that_o they_o be_v call_v unto_o and_o the_o ass._n at_o edinburgh_n dec._n 15._o 1562._o ordain_v that_o inhibition_n be_v make_v against_o all_o such_o minister_n as_o have_v not_o be_v present_v by_o the_o people_n or_o a_o part_n thereof_o to_o thâ—_n superintendent_n and_o he_o after_o examination_n and_o trial_n have_v not_o appoint_v they_o to_o their_o charge_n so_o the_o mss._n and_o so_o petrie_n 233._o and_o spotswood_n cite_v another_o act_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n at_o edinburgh_n 1564._o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n 190._o 10._o as_o appear_v by_o that_o act_n of_o the_o assembly_n decem._n 25._o 1562._o just_a now_o cite_v and_o the_o 7_o act_n parl._n 1_o jac._n 6._o cite_v before_o also_o superintendent_o have_v the_o power_n of_o grant_v collation_n upon_o presentation_n and_o the_o assembly_n at_o perth_n hold_v in_o june_n 1563._o appoint_v that_o when_o any_o benefice_n chance_v to_o vaik_fw-mi or_o be_v now_o vacant_a that_o a_o qualify_a person_n be_v present_v to_o the_o superintendent_n of_o that_o province_n where_o the_o benefice_n lie_v and_o that_o he_o be_v find_v sufficient_a be_v admit_v etc._n etc._n so_o i_o find_v it_o cite_v by_o the_o author_n of_o episcopacy_n not_o abjure_v in_o scotland_n 11._o a_o superintendent_n have_v power_n to_o plant_v minister_n in_o church_n where_o the_o people_n be_v negligent_a to_o present_v timeous_o and_o indeed_o that_o power_n devolve_v much_o soon_o into_o his_o hand_n by_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n head_n 4._o 154._o than_o it_o do_v afterward_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o either_o bishop_n or_o presbytery_n for_o there_o it_o be_v order_v that_o if_o the_o people_n be_v find_v negligent_a in_o elect_v a_o minister_n the_o space_n of_o forty_o day_n the_o superintendent_n with_o his_o counsel_n may_v present_v unto_o they_o a_o man_n who_o they_o judge_v apt_a to_o feed_v the_o flock_n etc._n etc._n and_o as_o he_o have_v thus_o the_o power_n of_o try_v and_o collate_v minister_n and_o plant_v church_n in_o the_o case_n of_o a_o ius_n devolutum_fw-la so_o 12._o he_o have_v the_o power_n of_o ordination_n which_o as_o i_o say_v be_v then_o call_v admission_n as_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n cap._n 5._o and_o several_a act_n of_o assembly_n already_o cite_v 13._o all_o presbyter_n or_o parish_n minister_n once_o admit_v to_o church_n be_v bind_v to_o pay_v canonical_a obedience_n to_o their_o superintendent_o thus_o in_o the_o assembly_n at_o edinburgh_n june_n 30._o 1562._o it_o be_v conclude_v by_o the_o whole_a minister_n assemble_v that_o all_o minister_n shall_v be_v subject_a to_o the_o superintendent_o in_o all_o lawful_a admonition_n as_o be_v prescribe_v as_o well_o in_o the_o book_n of_o discipline_n as_o in_o the_o election_n of_o superintendent_o so_o the_o mss._n and_o by_o that_o aforecited_a act_n of_o the_o assembly_n at_o edinburgh_n decem._n 25._o 1562._o minister_n translate_v from_o one_o church_n to_o another_o be_v command_v to_o obey_v the_o voice_n and_o commandment_n of_o the_o superintendent_n indeed_o it_o be_v part_n of_o one_fw-mi article_n present_v by_o the_o church_n to_o the_o council_n may_v 27._o 1561._o that_o one_fw-mi act_n shall_v be_v make_v appoint_v a_o civil_a punishment_n for_o such_o as_o disobey_v or_o contemn_v the_o superintendent_o in_o their_o function_n 223._o 14._o he_o have_v power_n to_o visit_v all_o the_o church_n within_o his_o diocese_n and_o in_o that_o visitation_n they_o be_v the_o word_n of_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n head_n 5._o 159._o to_o try_v the_o life_n diligence_n and_o behaviour_n of_o the_o minister_n the_o order_n of_o their_o church_n the_o manner_n of_o their_o people_n how_o the_o poor_a be_v provide_v and_o how_o
policy_n and_o government_n indeed_o to_o make_v governor_n subject_a to_o the_o censure_n and_o sentence_n of_o their_o subject_n what_o be_v it_o else_o than_o to_o subvert_v government_n to_o confound_v relation_n to_o sap_n the_o foundation_n of_o all_o order_n and_o politic_a establishment_n it_o be_v as_o king_n jame_v the_o six_o have_v it_o in_o his_o discourse_n about_o the_o true_a law_n of_o free_a monarchy_n 202._o and_o i_o can_v give_v it_o better_o to_o invert_v the_o order_n of_o all_o law_n and_o reason_n to_o make_v the_o command_v command_v the_o commander_n the_o judge_v judge_v their_o judge_n and_o they_o who_o be_v govern_v to_o govern_v their_o time_n about_o their_o lord_n and_o governor_n in_o short_a to_o give_v a_o just_a account_n of_o such_o a_o constitution_n it_o be_v very_o near_o of_o kin_n to_o that_o banter_v question_v i_o have_v sometime_o hear_v propose_v to_o child_n or_o idiot_n if_o you_o be_v above_o i_o and_o i_o above_o you_o which_o of_o we_o shall_v be_v uppermost_a i_o add_v further_o 2._o that_o as_o i_o take_v it_o our_o reformer_n put_v this_o in_o the_o constitution_n that_o they_o may_v appear_v consequential_a to_o a_o principle_n then_o espouse_v and_o put_v in_o practice_n by_o they_o about_o civil_a government_n which_o be_v that_o the_o king_n be_v superior_a to_o his_o subject_n in_o their_o distributive_a but_o inferior_a to_o they_o in_o their_o collective_a capacity_n universis_fw-la this_o principle_n i_o say_v in_o those_o day_n be_v in_o great_a credit_n knox_n have_v learn_v it_o from_o the_o democratians_n at_o geneva_n his_o authority_n be_v great_a and_o he_o be_v very_o fond_a of_o this_o principle_n and_o disseminated_a it_o with_o a_o singular_a zeal_n and_o confidence_n beside_o our_o reformer_n be_v then_o obnoxious_a to_o the_o civil_a government_n the_o stand_a law_n be_v against_o they_o and_o the_o sovereign_n persuasion_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n jump_v with_o the_o law_n this_o principle_n therefore_o have_v it_o be_v a_o good_a one_o come_v to_o they_o most_o seasonable_o and_o come_v to_o they_o in_o such_o a_o nick_n and_o withal_o meeting_n in_o they_o with_o scotch_a metal_n ingenium_fw-la they_o put_v it_o in_o practice_n and_o be_v put_v in_o practice_n god_n suffer_v it_o to_o be_v successful_a and_o the_o success_n be_v a_o new_a endearment_n and_o so_o it_o come_v to_o be_v a_o principle_n of_o credit_n and_o reputation_n indeed_o they_o have_v be_v very_o unthankful_a to_o it_o and_o inconsequential_a to_o boot_v if_o they_o have_v not_o adopt_v it_o into_o their_o ecclesiastical_a as_o well_o as_o their_o civil_a systeme_n and_o the_o superintendent_o have_v have_v a_o main_a hand_n in_o reduce_v it_o to_o practice_n against_o the_o prince_n can_v not_o take_v it_o ill_o if_o it_o be_v make_v a_o law_n to_o themselves_o it_o be_v but_o their_o own_o measure_n this_o i_o say_v i_o take_v to_o be_v the_o natural_a history_n of_o this_o part_n of_o the_o constitution_n nay_o 3._o so_o fond_a it_o seem_v they_o be_v of_o this_o principle_n that_o they_o extend_v it_o further_o so_o far_o as_o even_o to_o make_v minister_n accountable_a to_o their_o own_o eldership_n so_o it_o be_v express_o establish_v by_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n head_n 8._o 167._o the_o elder_n ought_v also_o to_o take_v heed_n to_o the_o life_n manner_n diligence_n and_o study_n of_o their_o minister_n and_o if_o he_o be_v worthy_a of_o admonition_n they_o must_v admonish_v he_o if_o of_o correction_n they_o must_v correct_v he_o and_o if_o he_o be_v worthy_a of_o deposition_n they_o with_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n and_o superintendent_n may_v depose_v he_o here_o be_v a_o pitch_n of_o democracy_n which_o i_o think_v our_o presbyterian_a brethren_n themselves_o as_o self_n deny_v as_o they_o be_v will_v not_o take_v with_o so_o very_o kind_o and_o yet_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o believe_v the_o compiler_n of_o the_o book_n never_o think_v on_o put_v these_o elder_n in_o a_o state_n of_o parity_n with_o their_o minister_n though_o this_o be_v a_o demonstration_n that_o they_o have_v not_o be_v the_o great_a master_n at_o draw_v scheme_n of_o policy_n but_o to_o let_v this_o pass_v 4._o though_o this_o unpolitical_a stroke_n to_o call_v it_o no_o worse_o be_v make_v part_n of_o the_o constitution_n by_o that_o book_n as_o i_o have_v grant_v yet_o i_o have_v no_o where_o find_v that_o ever_o it_o be_v put_v in_o practice_n i_o have_v no_o where_o find_v that_o de_fw-fr facto_fw-la a_o superintendent_n be_v judge_v by_o his_o own_o synod_n whether_o it_o be_v that_o they_o behave_v so_o exact_o as_o that_o they_o be_v never_o censurable_a or_o that_o their_o synod_n have_v not_o the_o insolence_n to_o reduce_v a_o constitution_n so_o very_o absurd_a and_o unreasonable_a to_o practice_n i_o shall_v not_o be_v anxious_a to_o determine_v but_o it_o seem_v probable_a it_o have_v be_v as_o much_o if_o not_o more_o upon_o the_o 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be_v so_o frequent_o try_v by_o general_a assembly_n without_o the_o least_o intimation_n of_o their_o be_v at_o any_o time_n try_v by_o their_o own_o synod_n it_o seem_v reasonable_a to_o conclude_v that_o it_o have_v be_v think_v fit_a to_o let_v that_o unreasonable_a stretch_n in_o the_o first_o constitution_n fall_v into_o dissuetude_n but_o however_o this_o be_v i_o have_v all_o safe_a enough_o for_o 5._o such_o a_o constitution_n infer_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o parity_n among_o the_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n those_o who_o maintain_v that_o the_o king_n be_v inferior_a to_o his_o subject_n in_o their_o collection_n be_v not_o yet_o so_o extravagant_a as_o to_o say_v he_o be_v not_o superior_a to_o every_o one_o of_o they_o in_o their_o distribution_n they_o acknowledge_v he_o be_v major_a singulis_n and_o there_o be_v not_o a_o person_n in_o the_o kingdom_n who_o will_v be_v so_o unmannerly_a as_o to_o say_v that_o he_o stand_v upon_o the_o same_o level_n with_o his_o sovereign_n but_o what_o need_v more_o these_o same_o very_a presbyterian_a author_n who_o use_v this_o argument_n even_o while_o they_o use_v it_o confess_v that_o superintendent_o and_o ordinary_a parish_n minister_n do_v not_o act_v in_o parity_n and_o because_o they_o can_v deny_v it_o but_o must_v confess_v it_o whether_o they_o will_v or_o not_o they_o can_v forbear_v raise_v all_o the_o dust_n they_o can_v about_o it_o that_o unthinking_a people_n may_v not_o see_v clear_o that_o they_o do_v confess_v it_o and_o have_v it_o not_o be_v for_o this_o reason_n i_o be_o apt_a to_o think_v the_o world_n have_v never_o be_v plague_v with_o such_o pitiful_a jangle_n as_o such_o argument_n amount_v to_o neither_o be_v the_o next_o any_o better_a which_o be_v 3._o that_o superintendency_n be_v never_o establish_v by_o act_n of_o parliament_n this_o be_v g._n r.'s_n argument_n in_o his_o learned_a answer_n to_o the_o first_o of_o the_o ten_o question_n for_o there_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o superintendency_n be_v neither_o bring_v in_o nor_o cast_v out_o by_o act_n of_o parliament_n and_o what_o then_o do_v he_o love_v it_o the_o worse_a that_o it_o be_v establish_v pure_o by_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n how_o long_o since_o he_o turn_v â—ond_a of_o parliamentary_a establishment_n i_o wonder_v he_o be_v not_o afraid_a of_o the_o scandal_n of_o erastianism_n but_o to_o the_o point_n it_o be_v true_a indeed_o it_o be_v not_o bring_v in_o by_o act_n of_o parliament_n but_o then_o i_o think_v he_o himself_o can_v deny_v that_o it_o be_v countenance_v allow_v and_o approven_v by_o more_o than_o half_a a_o dozen_o of_o act_n of_o parliament_n which_o if_o our_o author_n understand_v any_o thing_n either_o of_o law_n or_o logic_n he_o must_v allow_v to_o be_v at_o least_o equivalent_a to_o a_o parliamentary_a inbringing_a i_o have_v these_o act_n in_o readiness_n to_o produce_v when_o
stipend_n be_v assign_v to_o they_o one_fw-mi article_n visible_o level_v as_o the_o former_a 5._o that_o doctor_n may_v be_v place_v in_o university_n and_o stipend_n grant_v they_o whereby_o not_o only_o they_o who_o be_v present_o place_v may_v have_v occasion_n to_o be_v diligent_a in_o their_o cure_n but_o other_o learned_a man_n may_v have_v occasion_n to_o seek_v place_n in_o college_n still_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n viz._n the_o find_v reasonable_a use_v for_o the_o patrimony_n of_o the_o church_n 6._o that_o his_o grace_n will_v take_v a_o general_n order_n with_o the_o poor_a especial_o in_o the_o abbey_n such_o as_o be_v aberbrothoick_a etc._n etc._n conform_v to_o the_o agreement_n at_o leith_n here_o not_o only_o the_o leith-agreement_n insist_v on_o but_o far_o pious_a use_n for_o the_o church_n patrimony_n 9_o that_o his_o grace_n will_v cause_v the_o book_n of_o the_o assignation_n of_o the_o kirk_n be_v deliver_v to_o the_o clerk_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n these_o book_n of_o assignation_n as_o they_o call_v they_o be_v the_o book_n wherein_o the_o name_n of_o the_o minister_n and_o their_o several_a proportion_n of_o the_o three_o be_v record_v it_o seem_v they_o be_v earnest_a to_o be_v repossess_v of_o their_o three_o see_v the_o regent_n have_v not_o keep_v promise_n to_o they_o but_o the_o eight_o article_n which_o by_o a_o pardonable_a inversion_n i_o hope_v i_o have_v reserve_v to_o the_o last_o place_n be_v of_o all_o the_o most_o considerable_a it_o be_v that_o his_o grace_n will_v provide_v qualify_v person_n for_o vacant_a bishopric_n let_v the_o candid_a reader_n judge_n now_o if_o episcopacy_n by_o the_o leith-article_n be_v force_v upon_o the_o church_n against_o her_o inclination_n if_o it_o be_v never_o approven_v when_o bishop_n be_v thus_o petition_v for_o by_o a_o general_n assembly_n if_o it_o be_v likely_a that_o the_o assembly_n in_o august_n 1572._o protest_v against_o it_o as_o a_o corruption_n if_o the_o act_n of_o the_o last_o assembly_n declare_v bishop_n to_o have_v no_o more_o power_n than_o superintendent_o have_v and_o make_v they_o accountable_a to_o the_o general_n assembly_n proceed_v from_o any_o dislike_n of_o episcopacy_n if_o this_o assembly_n petition_v thus_o for_o bishop_n believe_v the_o divine_a and_o indispensible_a institution_n of_o parity_n if_o both_o calderwood_n and_o petrie_n act_v not_o as_o become_v cautious_a pretbyterian_a historian_n the_o one_o by_o give_v we_o none_o the_o other_o by_o give_v we_o only_o a_o mince_a account_n of_o this_o petition_n well!_o by_o this_o time_n i_o think_v i_o have_v not_o entire_o disappoint_v my_o reader_n i_o think_v i_o have_v make_v it_o competent_o appear_v that_o the_o agreement_n at_o leith_n be_v fair_o and_o frequent_o allow_v approven_v and_o insist_v on_o by_o not_o a_o â—ew_a subsequent_a general_n assembly_n i_o can_v adduce_v some_o act_n more_o of_o the_o next_o ass_n which_o meet_v at_o eden_n march_n 7._o 1575._o but_o i_o think_v i_o have_v already_o make_v good_a my_o undertake_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v insist_v no_o further_o on_o this_o point_n only_o one_o thing_n i_o must_v add_v further_a it_o be_v this_o after_o the_o most_o impartial_a narrow_a and_o attentive_a search_n i_o can_v make_v i_o have_v not_o find_v all_o this_o while_n viz._n from_o the_o first_o public_a establishment_n of_o the_o reform_a religion_n in_o scotland_n anno_fw-la 1560._o so_o much_o as_o one_o indication_n of_o either_o public_a or_o private_a dislike_n to_o prelacy_n but_o that_o it_o constant_o and_o uninterrupted_o prevail_v and_o all_o person_n cheerful_o as_o well_o as_o quiet_o submit_v to_o it_o till_o the_o year_n 1575._o when_o it_o be_v first_o call_v in_o question_n and_o here_o i_o may_v fair_o shut_v up_o this_o long_a and_o perhaps_o nauseous_a discourse_n upon_o the_o second_o enquiry_n which_o i_o propose_v for_o whatever_o man_n our_o reformer_n be_v whatever_o their_o other_o principle_n may_v be_v i_o think_v i_o have_v make_v it_o plain_a that_o they_o be_v not_o for_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o parity_n or_o the_o vnlawfulness_n of_o the_o superiority_n of_o any_o office_n in_o the_o church_n above_o presbyter_n no_o such_o principle_n be_v process_v or_o insist_v on_o or_o offer_v to_o be_v reduce_v to_o practice_n by_o they_o before_o at_o or_o full_a fifteen_o year_n after_o the_o public_a establishment_n of_o the_o reformation_n and_o if_o this_o may_v not_o pass_v for_o sufficient_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o my_o resolution_n of_o the_o enquiry_n i_o know_v not_o what_o may_v however_o because_o the_o second_o thing_n i_o promise_v to_o show_v though_o not_o precise_o necessary_a to_o my_o main_a design_n may_v yet_o be_v so_o far_o useful_a as_o to_o bring_v considerable_o more_o of_o light_a to_o it_o and_o withal_o give_v the_o world_n a_o prospect_n of_o the_o rise_n and_o progress_n of_o presbytery_n in_o scotland_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o make_v good_a my_o undertake_n which_o be_v that_o after_o episcopacy_n be_v question_v it_o be_v not_o easy_o overturn_v its_o adversary_n meet_v with_o much_o resistance_n and_o opposition_n in_o their_o endeavour_n to_o subvert_v it_o i_o shall_v study_v brevity_n as_o much_o as_o the_o weight_n of_o the_o matter_n will_v allow_v i_o in_o short_a then_o take_v it_o thus_o master_n andrew_n melvil_n after_o some_o year_n spend_v at_o geneva_n return_v to_o scotland_n in_o july_n 1574._o he_o have_v live_v in_o that_o city_n under_o the_o influence_n of_o theodore_n beza_n the_o true_a parent_n of_o presbytery_n he_o be_v a_o man_n by_o nature_n fierce_a and_o fiery_a confident_a and_o peremptory_a peevish_a and_o ungovernable_a education_n in_o he_o have_v not_o sweeten_v nature_n but_o nature_n have_v sour_v education_n and_o both_o conspire_v together_o have_v trick_v he_o up_o into_o a_o true_a original_a a_o piece_n compound_v of_o pride_n and_o petulance_n of_o jeer_n and_o jangle_n of_o satyr_n and_o sarcasm_n of_o venom_n and_o vehemence_n he_o hate_v the_o crown_n as_o much_o as_o the_o mitre_n the_o sceptre_n as_o much_o as_o the_o crosier_n and_o can_v have_v make_v as_o bold_a with_o the_o purple_a 329._o as_o with_o the_o rochet_n 548._o his_o prime_a talon_n be_v lampoon_v and_o write_v anti-tami-cami-categorias's_a in_o a_o word_n he_o be_v the_o very_a archetypal_a bitter_a beard_n of_o the_o party_n this_o man_n thus_o accoutre_v be_v scarce_o warm_a at_o home_n when_o he_o begin_v to_o disseminate_v his_o sentiment_n insinuate_v they_o into_o other_o and_o make_v a_o party_n against_o prelacy_n and_o for_o the_o genevian_a model_n for_o this_o i_o need_v not_o depend_v on_o spotswood_n authority_n though_o he_o assert_v it_o plain_o 275._o i_o have_v a_o more_o authentic_a author_n for_o it_o if_o more_o authentic_a can_v be_v i_o have_v melvil_n himself_o for_o it_o in_o a_o letter_n to_o beza_n date_v novem._n 13._o 1579._o to_o be_v find_v both_o in_o petrie_n 401._o and_o in_o the_o pamphlet_n call_v vindiciae_fw-la philadelphi_n from_o which_o petrie_n have_v it_o of_o which_o letter_n the_o very_a first_o word_n be_v we_o have_v not_o cease_v these_o five_o year_n to_o fight_v against_o pseudepiscopacy_n etc._n etc._n now_o reckon_v five_o year_n backward_o from_o novem._n 1579._o and_o you_o stand_v at_o november_n 1574._o whereby_o we_o find_v that_o within_o three_o or_o four_o month_n after_o his_o arrival_n the_o plot_n be_v begin_v though_o it_o be_v near_o to_o a_o year_n thereafter_o before_o it_o come_v aboveboard_n have_v thus_o project_v his_o work_n and_o form_v his_o party_n the_o next_o care_n be_v to_o get_v one_o to_o table_n it_o fair_o he_o himself_o be_v but_o late_o come_v home_o he_o be_v much_o a_o stranger_n in_o the_o country_n have_v be_v ten_o year_n abroad_o he_o have_v be_v but_o at_o very_a few_o general_n assembly_n if_o at_o any_o his_o influence_n be_v but_o green_a and_o bud_a his_o authority_n but_o young_a and_o tender_a it_o be_v not_o fit_a for_o he_o among_o his_o first_o appearance_n to_o propose_v so_o great_a one_fw-mi innovation_n and_o it_o seem_v the_o think_v man_n of_o his_o party_n however_o resolute_o they_o may_v promise_v to_o back_o the_o motion_n when_o once_o fair_o table_v be_v yet_o a_o little_a shy_a to_o be_v the_o first_o proposer_n so_o it_o fall_v to_o the_o share_n of_o one_o who_o at_o that_o time_n be_v none_o of_o the_o great_a statesman_n john_n durie_n one_o of_o the_o minister_n of_o edinburgh_n be_v the_o person_n as_o spotswood_n describe_v he_o 457._o a_o sound_a heart_a man_n far_o from_o all_o dissimulation_n open_a profess_v what_o he_o think_v earnest_n and_o zealous_a in_o his_o cause_n whatever_o it_o be_v but_o too_o too_o credulous_a and_o easy_o to_o be_v impose_v on_o however_o that_o i_o may_v do_v he_o as_o much_o justice_n as_o
force_v to_o return_v to_o england_n mr._n henry_n kellegrew_n succeed_v in_o his_o stead_n in_o scotland_n 115._o that_o this_o killigrew_n at_o a_o private_a meeting_n tell_v himself_o plain_o 116._o that_o he_o be_v come_v to_o scotland_n with_o a_o commission_n contrary_a to_o his_o inclination_n which_o be_v to_o encourage_v faction_n etc._n etc._n thus_o practise_v queen_n elizabeth_n and_o such_o be_v her_o art_n and_o influence_n in_o scotland_n before_o she_o have_v the_o opportunity_n of_o improve_n the_o presbyterian_a humour_n to_o her_o purpose_n and_o can_v it_o be_v imagine_v she_o will_v not_o encourage_v it_o when_o once_o it_o get_v soot_v certain_o she_o understand_v it_o better_a than_o so_o the_o sect_n have_v set_v up_o a_o presbytery_n at_o wandsworth_n in_o surrey_n in_o the_o year_n 1572_o four_o year_n before_o morton_n make_v this_o proposition_n seven_o year_n before_o a_o presbytery_n be_v so_o much_o as_o hear_v of_o in_o scotland_n no_o doubt_v she_o know_v the_o spirit_n well_o enough_o and_o how_o apt_a and_o well_o suit_v it_o be_v for_o keep_v a_o state_n in_o disorder_n and_o trouble_v nay_o i_o have_v hear_v from_o know_v person_n that_o to_o this_o very_a day_n the_o treasury_n book_n of_o england_n if_o i_o remember_v right_a sure_o i_o be_o some_o english_a record_n or_o other_o bear_v the_o name_n of_o such_o scottish_a nobleman_n and_o minister_n as_o be_v that_o queen_n pensioner_n and_o what_o allowance_n they_o get_v for_o their_o service_n in_o foster_a and_o cherish_v sedition_n and_o confusion_n in_o their_o native_a country_n from_o this_o sample_n i_o think_v it_o be_v easy_a to_o collect_v at_o least_o that_o it_o be_v high_o probable_a that_o queen_n elizabeth_n be_v very_o willing_a that_o the_o presbyterian_a humour_n shall_v be_v encourage_v in_o scotland_n let_v we_o try_v 2._o if_o morton_n depend_v so_o much_o on_o she_o as_o may_v make_v it_o credible_a that_o he_o be_v subservient_fw-fr to_o her_o design_n in_o this_o politic_a and_o here_o the_o work_n be_v easy_a for_o he_o be_v her_o very_a creature_n he_o stand_v by_o she_o and_o he_o stand_v for_o she_o randolf_n and_o he_o be_v still_o in_o one_o bottom_n 110._o the_o whole_a country_n be_v abuse_v by_o randolf_n and_o morton_n morton_n and_o randolf_n contrive_v the_o parliament_n 1571._o mention_v before_o when_o lennox_n the_o regent_n be_v kill_v randolf_n be_v earnest_a to_o have_v morton_n succeed_v he_o 115._o randolf_n have_v no_o credit_n but_o with_o morton_n ibid._n killigrew_n tell_v sir_n james_n melvil_n at_o the_o private_a meeting_n mention_v before_o 116._o that_o the_o queen_n of_o england_n and_o her_o council_n build_v their_o course_n neither_o on_o the_o late_a regent_n lennox_n nor_o the_o present_a mar_n but_o entire_o on_o the_o earl_n of_o morton_n as_o only_o true_a to_o their_o interest_n morton_n after_o mar_n death_n be_v make_v regent_n england_z helping_z it_o with_o all_o their_o may_v 118._o and_o again_o in_o that_o same_o page_n sir_n james_n tell_v that_o those_o who_o be_v in_o the_o castle_n of_o edinburgh_n and_o stand_v for_o queen_n mary_n title_n be_v so_o sensible_a of_o all_o this_o that_o when_o morton_n send_v the_o same_o sir_n james_n to_o propose_v one_fw-mi accommodation_n to_o they_o he_o find_v it_o very_o hard_a to_o bring_v on_o one_fw-mi agreement_n between_o they_o and_o morton_n for_o the_o evil_a opinion_n that_o be_v then_o conceive_v of_o he_o and_o the_o hurtful_a mark_n they_o suppose_v by_o proof_n and_o appearance_n that_o he_o will_v shoot_v at_o be_v by_o nature_n covetous_a and_o too_o great_a with_o england_n and_o to_o make_v all_o this_o plain_a yet_o sir_n james_n tell_v we_o that_o morton_n entertain_v a_o secret_a grudge_n against_o his_o pupil_n the_o young_a king_n he_o be_v ever_o jealous_a that_o the_o king_n will_v be_v his_o ruin_n 118._o and_o england_n give_v great_a assistance_n to_o morton_n than_o to_o any_o former_a regent_n for_o they_o believe_v he_o aim_v at_o the_o same_o mark_n with_o themselves_o viz._n to_o intricate_a the_o king_n affair_n out_o of_o old_a jealousy_n between_o the_o stuart_n and_o the_o douglase_n 123._o now_o let_v all_o these_o thing_n be_v lay_v together_o and_o then_o let_v the_o judicious_a consider_v if_o it_o be_v not_o more_o than_o probable_a that_o as_o england_n have_v a_o main_a hand_n in_o the_o advancement_n of_o our_o reformation_n so_o it_o be_v not_o want_v to_o contribute_v for_o the_o encouragement_n of_o presbytery_n also_o and_o that_o morton_n play_v england_n game_n which_o be_v so_o much_o interweave_v with_o his_o own_o make_v this_o ill_a favour_a proposition_n to_o this_o gen._n ass._n but_o however_o this_o be_v â—lâ—â—her_o he_o have_v such_o a_o plot_n or_o not_o it_o be_v cleaâ—_n that_o his_o make_v this_o proposition_n have_v all_o the_o effect_n he_o can_v have_v project_v by_o be_v on_o such_o a_o plot._n for_o no_o soon_o have_v he_o make_v this_o proposition_n than_o it_o be_v greedy_o entertain_v it_o answer_v the_o melvilian_a wish_n and_o it_o be_v easy_a for_o they_o to_o find_v colourable_a topic_n for_o obtain_v the_o consent_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o assembly_n for_o most_o part_n of_o they_o be_v ready_a to_o acknowledge_v that_o there_o be_v defect_n and_o thing_n to_o be_v mend_v in_o the_o agreement_n at_o leith_n and_o it_o have_v be_v receive_v by_o the_o general_n assembly_n in_o august_n 1572._o for_o one_fw-mi interim_n only_a the_o revise_v of_o that_o agreement_n may_v end_v some_o controversy_n and_o the_o regent_n have_v make_v this_o proposition_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o he_o will_v ratify_v what_o they_o shall_v unanimous_o agree_v to_o etc._n etc._n these_o and_o the_o like_a argument_n i_o say_v might_n it_o be_v clear_a some_o argument_n do_v prevail_v with_o the_o assembly_n to_o entertain_v the_o proposition_n for_o a_o commission_n be_v forthwith_o draw_v to_o nineteen_o or_o twenty_o person_n to_o compose_v a_o second_o book_n of_o discipline_n 387._o a_o step_n by_o which_o at_o that_o time_n the_o presbyterian_a get_v a_o wonderful_a advantage_n over_o the_o other_o party_n for_o not_o only_o be_v melvil_n and_o lawson_n the_o two_o first_o rate_v presbyterian_o nominate_v among_o these_o commissioner_n but_o they_o have_v their_o business_n much_o premeditated_a they_o have_v spend_v much_o think_n about_o it_o and_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v they_o have_v mr._n beza_n bespeak_v to_o provide_v they_o with_o all_o the_o assistance_n he_o and_o his_o colleague_n at_o geneva_n can_v afford_v they_o whereas_o the_o rest_n be_v general_o very_o ignorant_a in_o controversy_n of_o that_o nature_n they_o have_v all_o alongst_o before_o that_o employ_v themselves_o main_o in_o the_o popish_a controversy_n and_o have_v not_o trouble_v their_o head_n much_o about_o the_o nicety_n of_o government_n they_o have_v take_v the_o ancient_a government_n so_o far_o at_o least_o as_o it_o subsist_v by_o imparity_n upon_o trust_n as_o they_o find_v it_o have_v be_v practise_v in_o all_o age_n of_o the_o church_n perceive_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o order_n and_o beauty_n in_o it_o and_o nothing_o that_o natural_o tend_v to_o have_v a_o bad_a influence_n on_o either_o the_o principle_n or_o the_o life_n of_o serious_a christianity_n and_o with_o that_o they_o be_v satisfy_v indeed_o even_o the_o best_a of_o they_o seem_v to_o have_v have_v very_o little_a skill_n in_o the_o true_a fountain_n whence_o the_o solid_a subsistence_n of_o the_o episcopal_a order_n be_v to_o be_v derive_v the_o scripture_n i_o mean_v not_o as_o gloss_v by_o the_o private_a spirit_n of_o every_o modern_a novelist_n but_o as_o interpret_v and_o understand_v by_o the_o first_o age_n as_o sense_v by_o the_o constant_a and_o universal_a practice_n of_o genuine_a primitive_a and_o catholic_n antiquity_n this_o charge_n of_o ignorance_n in_o the_o controversy_n about_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n which_o i_o have_v bring_v against_o the_o scottish_a clergy_n in_o these_o time_n will_v certain_o leave_v a_o blot_n upon_o myself_o if_o i_o can_v prove_v it_o but_o if_o i_o can_v prove_v it_o it_o be_v clear_a it_o be_v of_o considerable_a importance_n in_o the_o present_a disquisition_n and_o help_n much_o for_o come_v by_o a_o just_a comprehension_n to_o understand_v how_o presbytery_n be_v introduce_v into_o scotland_n and_o therefore_o i_o must_v again_o beg_v my_o reader_n patience_n till_o i_o adduce_v some_o evidence_n for_o it_o and_o first_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o charge_n may_v be_v obvious_o collect_v from_o the_o whole_a train_n of_o their_o proceed_n and_o management_n about_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o very_a first_o establishment_n of_o the_o reformation_n for_o however_o they_o establish_v a_o government_n which_o clear_o subsist_v by_o imparity_n as_o i_o
schism_n which_o then_o prevail_v there_o as_o foresee_v that_o episcopacy_n may_v ready_o be_v deem_v a_o remedy_n against_o so_o great_a one_fw-mi evil_a join_v soâ—thenes_n with_o himself_o in_o the_o inscription_n of_o the_o epistle_n that_o by_o his_o own_o example_n he_o may_v teach_v how_o much_o that_o princeliness_n be_v to_o be_v avoid_v in_o ecclesiastical_a convention_n see_v the_o apostle_n themselves_o who_o be_v own_v to_o have_v be_v next_o to_o christ_n first_o in_o order_n and_o supreme_a in_o degree_n do_v yet_o exercise_n their_o power_n by_o the_o rule_n of_o parity_n 41._o who_o will_v not_o at_o first_o sight_n think_v this_o a_o pretty_a odd_a fetch_n but_o to_o go_v on_o he_o further_o affirm_v 43._o that_o episcopacy_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o proper_a remedy_n against_o schism_n that_o it_o have_v produce_v many_o grievous_a schism_n which_o have_v never_o be_v but_o for_o that_o humane_a invention_n that_o the_o papacy_n be_v the_o fruit_n of_o episcopacy_n 46._o that_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a by_o make_v that_o canon_n about_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o the_o ancient_a custom_n shall_v continue_v &c_n &c_n clear_v the_o way_n for_o the_o roman_a papacy_n which_o be_v then_o advance_v apace_o and_o found_v a_o throne_n for_o that_o whore_n that_o sit_v upon_o the_o seven_o mountain_n 58._o that_o the_o primitive_a church_n be_v in_o a_o flourish_a condition_n so_o long_o as_o their_o governor_n continue_v to_o act_n in_o parity_n and_o have_v not_o yield_v to_o prelacy_n 71._o and_o yet_o he_o have_v grant_v before_o 45._o that_o humane_a episcopacy_n as_o he_o call_v it_o be_v in_o vogue_n in_o ignatius_n his_o time_n etc._n etc._n so_o that_o i_o think_v they_o can_v not_o flourish_v much_o have_v so_o short_a a_o time_n to_o flourish_v in_o these_o fewâ—_n of_o many_o such_o learned_a proposition_n i_o have_v collect_v out_o of_o that_o book_n which_o be_v so_o successful_a at_o that_o time_n in_o further_a and_o advance_v the_o presbyterian_a principle_n in_o scotland_n and_o can_v they_o be_v a_o learned_a clergy_n can_v they_o be_v great_a master_n at_o antiquity_n and_o ecclesiastical_a history_n who_o swallow_v down_o these_o proposition_n or_o be_v impose_v on_o by_o the_o book_n that_o contain_v they_o it_o be_v true_a this_o book_n come_v not_o to_o scotland_n till_o the_o end_n of_o the_o year_n 1577_o or_o the_o begin_n of_o 1578._o but_o i_o think_v it_o pardonable_a to_o anticipate_v so_o far_o as_o now_o to_o give_v this_o account_n of_o it_o consider_v how_o proper_a it_o be_v for_o my_o present_a purpose_n we_o shall_v have_v occasion_n to_o take_v further_a notice_n of_o it_o afterward_o thus_o i_o think_v i_o have_v make_v it_o appear_v how_o advantageous_a morton_n proposition_n be_v to_o the_o presbyterian_a party_n they_o have_v occasion_n by_o it_o to_o fall_v upon_o form_v a_o new_a scheme_n of_o church_n governmet_a and_o polity_n they_o be_v as_o well_o prepare_v as_o they_o can_v be_v for_o such_o a_o nick_n and_o they_o have_v a_o set_v of_o people_n to_o deal_v with_o who_o may_v easy_o be_v worsted_n in_o these_o controversy_n however_o it_o seem_v the_o common_a principle_n of_o politic_n which_o god_n and_o nature_n have_v make_v if_o not_o inseparable_a part_n at_o least_o ordinary_a concomitant_n of_o sound_n and_o solid_a reason_n do_v sometime_o make_v their_o appearance_n among_o they_o for_o that_o there_o have_v be_v disputation_n and_o contest_v and_o that_o some_o at_o least_o of_o the_o many_o proposition_n contain_v in_o the_o second_o book_n of_o discipline_n have_v be_v debate_v and_o toss_v be_v evident_a from_o the_o many_o conference_n be_v about_o it_o and_o the_o long_a time_n be_v spend_v before_o it_o be_v perfect_v and_o get_v its_o finish_v stroke_n from_o a_o general_n assembly_n as_o we_o shall_v find_v in_o our_o progress_n proceed_v we_o now_o in_o our_o deduction_n though_o the_o presbyterian_a faction_n have_v gain_v this_o advantage_n in_o the_o assembly_n 1576_o that_o they_o have_v allowance_n to_o draw_v a_o new_a scheme_n of_o polity_n to_o which_o they_o can_v not_o but_o apply_v themselves_o very_o cheerful_o yet_o it_o seem_v they_o be_v so_o much_o humble_v by_o the_o repulse_n they_o have_v get_v as_o to_o the_o main_a question_n viz._n the_o lawfulness_n of_o episcopacy_n that_o they_o think_v it_o not_o expedient_a to_o try_v the_o next_o assembly_n with_o it_o directly_z as_o they_o have_v do_v unsuccessful_o twice_o before_o but_o to_o wait_v a_o little_a till_o their_o party_n shall_v be_v strong_a and_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n to_o content_v themselves_o with_o such_o indirect_a blow_n as_o they_o can_v convenient_o give_v it_o such_o i_o say_v their_o deliberation_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v at_o the_o next_o assembly_n which_o be_v hold_v at_o edinburgh_n octob_n 24._o 1576._o for_o not_o so_o much_o as_o one_o word_n in_o that_o assembly_n concern_v the_o lawfulness_n or_o unlawfulness_n of_o prelacy_n either_o simple_o and_o in_o itself_o or_o complexe_o as_o then_o in_o use_n in_o scotland_n it_o be_v true_a certain_a brother_n say_v the_o ms._n some_o brethren_n say_v calderwood_n some_o say_v petrie_n 38â—_n without_o question_n the_o melvilians_n propose_v that_o now_o that_o mr._n patrick_n adamson_n be_v nominate_v for_o the_o archbishopric_n of_o st._n andrews_n he_o may_v be_v try_v as_o to_o his_o sufficiency_n for_o such_o a_o station_n according_a to_o one_fw-mi act_n make_v in_o march_n 1575._o but_o it_o seem_v the_o major_a part_n of_o the_o assembly_n have_v not_o be_v for_o it_o for_o it_o be_v not_o do_v as_o we_o shall_v find_v afterward_o nay_o another_o act_n be_v fair_o dispense_v with_o by_o this_o assembly_n in_o favour_n of_o boyd_n archbishop_n of_o glasgow_n for_o be_v require_v to_o give_v his_o answer_n if_o he_o will_v take_v the_o charge_n of_o a_o particular_a flock_n according_a to_o the_o act_n make_v in_o april_n before_o he_o answer_v that_o he_o have_v enter_v to_o his_o bishopric_n according_a to_o the_o agreement_n at_o leith_n which_o be_v to_o stand_v in_o force_n during_o the_o king_n minority_n or_o till_o a_o parliament_n shall_v determine_v otherwise_o that_o he_o have_v give_v his_o oath_n to_o the_o king_n majesty_n in_o thing_n appertain_v to_o his_o highness_n that_o he_o be_v afraid_a he_o may_v incur_v the_o gild_n of_o perjury_n and_o be_v call_v in_o question_n by_o the_o king_n for_o change_v a_o member_n of_o state_n if_o he_o shall_v change_v any_o thing_n belong_v to_o the_o order_n manner_n privilege_n or_o power_n of_o his_o bishopric_n that_o therefore_o he_o can_v not_o bind_v himself_o to_o a_o particular_a flock_n nor_o prejudge_v the_o power_n of_o jurisdiction_n which_o he_o have_v receive_v with_o his_o bishopric_n etc._n etc._n thus_o he_o answer_v i_o say_v and_o the_o assembly_n at_o that_o time_n satisfy_v themselves_o so_o far_o with_o this_o answer_n that_o they_o press_v he_o no_o further_o but_o refer_v the_o matter_n to_o the_o next_o assembly_n as_o even_o both_o calderwood_n and_o petrie_n acknowledge_v 389._o a_o fair_a evidence_n that_o in_o this_o assembly_n the_o presbyterian_a party_n be_v the_o weak_a however_o one_o indirect_a step_n they_o gain_v in_o this_o assembly_n also_o by_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n head_n 9_o 170._o it_o be_v appoint_v that_o the_o country_n minister_n and_o reader_n shall_v meet_v upon_o a_o certain_a day_n of_o the_o week_n in_o such_o town_n within_o six_o mile_n distance_n as_o have_v school_n and_o to_o which_o there_o be_v repair_v of_o learned_a man_n to_o exercise_v themselves_o in_o the_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n in_o imitation_n of_o the_o practice_n in_o use_n among_o the_o corinthian_n mention_v 1_o cor._n 14.29_o these_o meeting_n it_o seem_v have_v be_v much_o neglect_v and_o disfrequent_v in_o most_o place_n it_o be_v therefore_o enact_v by_o this_o assembly_n that_o all_o minister_n within_o eight_o mile_n etc._n etc._n shall_v resort_v to_o the_o place_n of_o exercise_n each_o day_n of_o exercise_n etc._n etc._n this_o 388._o i_o say_v be_v useful_a for_o the_o presbyterian_a design_n for_o these_o meeting_n be_v afterward_o turn_v into_o presbytery_n as_o we_o shall_v find_v when_o we_o come_v to_o the_o year_n 1579._o and_o so_o it_o be_v very_o like_a the_o motion_n for_o revive_v they_o be_v make_v by_o those_o of_o the_o faction_n for_o no_o man_n can_v deny_v that_o they_o have_v still_o have_v enough_o of_o draught_n in_o their_o politic_n the_o next_o assembly_n be_v hold_v april_n 1_o anno_fw-la 1577._o no_o direct_a progress_n make_v now_o neither_o as_o to_o the_o main_a question_n and_o only_o these_o indirect_a one_o 1._o the_o archbishop_n of_o glasgow_n be_v oblige_v to_o take_v the_o charge_n of_o a_o particular_a flock_n if_o we_o
the_o meeting_n of_o the_o four_o king_n against_o the_o five_o or_o of_o the_o five_o against_o the_o four_o mention_v in_o the_o 14_o the_o chapter_n of_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n for_o the_o meeting_n of_o these_o king_n be_v before_o our_o presbytery_n i_o think_v in_o order_n of_o time_n and_o these_o meeting_n of_o these_o king_n be_v as_o much_o like_o our_o present_a presbytery_n as_o those_o meeting_n be_v which_o be_v appoint_v at_o the_o reformation_n for_o the_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n so_o that_o even_o calderwood_n himself_o be_v but_o triâ—ling_v when_o he_o say_v so_o but_o triâ—ling_v be_v one_o thing_n and_o impudent_a sound_n of_o false_a history_n upon_o another_o man_n trifle_v be_v another_o but_o enough_o of_o this_o author_n at_o present_a we_o shall_v have_v further_a occasion_n of_o meeting_n with_o he_o this_o assembly_n be_v also_o earnest_a with_o the_o king_n that_o the_o book_n of_o policy_n may_v be_v far_o consider_v and_o that_o far_a conference_n may_v be_v have_v about_o it_o that_o the_o head_n not_o agree_v about_o may_v be_v compromise_v some_o way_n or_o other_o 88_o but_o the_o king_n it_o seem_v listen_v not_o for_o they_o be_v at_o it_o again_o in_o their_o next_o assembly_n and_o now_o that_o i_o have_v so_o frequent_o mention_v this_o second_o book_n of_o discipline_n and_o shall_v not_o have_v occasion_n to_o proceed_v much_o further_a in_o this_o wearisome_a deduction_n before_o i_o leave_v it_o i_o shall_v only_o say_v this_o much_o more_o about_o it_o as_o much_o stress_n as_o the_o presbyterian_a party_n lay_v on_o it_o afterward_o and_o continue_v still_o to_o lay_v on_o it_o as_o if_o it_o be_v so_o very_o exact_a a_o systeme_n of_o ecclesiastical_a polity_n yet_o at_o the_o beginning_n the_o compiler_n of_o it_o have_v no_o such_o confident_a sentiment_n about_o it_o for_o if_o we_o may_v believe_v spotswood_n 277._o and_o herein_o he_o be_v not_o contradict_v by_o any_o presbyterian_a historian_n when_o master_n david_n lindesay_n mr._n james_n lawson_n and_o mr._n robert_n pont_n be_v send_v by_o the_o assembly_n to_o present_v it_o to_o the_o regent_n morton_n in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o year_n 1577_o they_o entreat_v his_o grace_n to_o receive_v the_o article_n present_v to_o he_o and_o if_o any_o of_o they_o do_v seem_v not_o agreeable_a to_o reason_n to_o vouchsafe_v audience_n to_o the_o brethren_n who_o the_o assembly_n have_v name_v to_o attend_v not_o that_o they_o think_v it_o a_o work_n complete_a to_o which_o nothing_o may_v be_v add_v or_o from_o which_o nothing_o may_v be_v diminish_v for_o as_o god_n shall_v reveal_v further_o unto_o they_o they_o shall_v be_v willing_a to_o help_v and_o renew_v the_o same_o now_o upon_o this_o testimony_n i_o find_v this_o question_n whither_o the_o compiler_n of_o the_o second_o book_n of_o discipline_n can_v in_o reason_n have_v be_v earnest_a that_o this_o book_n which_o they_o acknowledge_v not_o to_o be_v a_o work_n so_o complete_a as_o that_o nothing_o can_v be_v add_v to_o it_o or_o take_v from_o it_o shall_v have_v be_v confirm_v by_o one_fw-mi oath_n and_o swear_v to_o as_o one_fw-mi unalterable_a rule_n of_o policy_n be_v they_o not_o injurious_a to_o they_o who_o make_v they_o capable_a of_o such_o a_o bare_a face_a absurdity_n indeed_o whatever_o our_o present_a presbyterian_o say_v and_o with_o how_o great_a assurance_n soever_o they_o talk_v to_o this_o purpose_n this_o be_v a_o demonstration_n that_o the_o compiler_n of_o it_o never_o intend_v nay_o can_v not_o intend_v that_o it_o shall_v be_v swear_v to_o in_o the_o negative_a confession_n that_o it_o be_v not_o swear_v to_o in_o that_o confession_n i_o think_v i_o can_v prove_v with_o as_o much_o evidence_n as_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n be_v capable_a of_o if_o it_o be_v needful_a to_o my_o present_a purpose_n but_o not_o be_v that_o i_o shall_v only_o give_v this_o further_a demonstration_n which_o come_v in_o here_o natural_o enough_o now_o that_o we_o have_v mention_v this_o book_n so_o often_o the_o negative_a confession_n be_v swear_v to_o and_o subscribe_v by_o the_o king_n and_o his_o council_n upon_o the_o 28._o of_o january_n 1580_o 1._o 96._o upon_o the_o second_o of_o march_n thereafter_o the_o king_n give_v out_o a_o proclamation_n order_v all_o the_o subject_n to_o subscribe_v it_o 97._o but_o the_o king_n have_v never_o approven_v never_o own_v but_o on_o the_o contrary_a have_v constant_o reject_v the_o second_o book_n of_o discipline_n nay_o it_o be_v not_o ratify_v get_v not_o its_o finish_n stroke_n from_o the_o general_n assembly_n itself_o till_o towards_o the_o end_n of_o april_n in_o that_o year_n 1581._o by_o necessary_a consequence_n i_o think_v it_o be_v not_o swear_v to_o in_o the_o negative_a confession_n and_o thus_o i_o leave_v it_o proceed_v we_o now_o to_o the_o next_o assembly_n it_o meet_v at_o dundee_n upon_o the_o twelve_o of_o july_n 1580._o full_a twenty_o year_n after_o the_o reformation_n for_o the_o parliament_n which_o establish_v the_o reformation_n as_o the_o presbyterian_a historian_n be_v earnest_a to_o have_v it_o have_v its_o first_o meet_v on_o the_o ten_o of_o july_n 1560._o this_o this_o be_v the_o assembly_n which_o after_o so_o many_o fencing_n and_o struggle_n give_v the_o deadly_a thrust_v to_o episcopacy_n i_o shall_v transcribe_v its_o act_n word_n for_o word_n from_o calderwood_n who_o have_v exact_o enough_o take_v it_o from_o the_o ms._n and_o both_o spotswood_n and_o petrie_n agree_v 402._o it_o be_v this_o forasmuch_o as_o the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n as_o it_o be_v now_o use_v and_o common_o take_v within_o this_o realm_n have_v no_o sure_a warrant_n authority_n nor_o good_a ground_n out_o of_o the_o book_n and_o scripture_n of_o god_n but_o be_v bring_v in_o by_o the_o folly_n and_o corruption_n of_o man_n invention_n to_o the_o great_a overthrow_n of_o the_o true_a kirk_n of_o god_n the_o whole_a assembly_n in_o one_o voice_n after_o liberty_n give_v to_o all_o man_n to_o reason_n in_o the_o matter_n none_o oppen_v themselves_o in_o defence_n of_o the_o say_v pretend_a office_n find_v and_o declare_v the_o same_o pretend_a office_n use_v and_o term_v as_o be_v abovesaid_a unlawful_a in_o the_o self_n as_o have_v neither_o fundament_n ground_n nor_o warrant_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o ordain_v that_o all_o such_o person_n as_o brook_v or_o hereafter_o shall_v brook_v the_o say_a office_n be_v charge_v simpliciter_fw-la to_o dimit_n quite_o and_o leave_v off_o the_o examine_v as_o one_fw-mi office_n whereunto_o they_o be_v not_o call_v by_o god_n and_o sicklike_a to_o desist_v and_o cease_v from_o preach_v ministration_n of_o the_o sacrament_n or_o use_v any_o way_n the_o office_n of_o pastor_n while_o they_o receive_v de_fw-fr novo_fw-la admission_n from_o the_o general_n assembly_n under_o the_o pain_n of_o excommunication_n to_o be_v use_v against_o they_o wherein_o if_o they_o be_v find_v disobedient_a or_o contraveen_n this_o act_n in_o any_o point_n the_o sentence_n of_o excommunication_n after_o due_a admonition_n to_o be_v execute_v against_o they_o this_o be_v the_o act._n perhaps_o it_o be_v no_o very_o great_a difficulty_n to_o impugn_v the_o infallibility_n of_o this_o true_a blue_a assembly_n and_o to_o expose_v the_o boldness_n the_o folly_n the_o iniquity_n the_o preposterous_a zeal_n which_o be_v conspicious_a in_o this_o act_n nay_o yet_o after_o all_o this_o to_o show_v that_o the_o zealot_n for_o parity_n have_v not_o arrive_v at_o that_o height_n of_o effrontery_n as_o to_o condemn_v prelacy_n as_o simple_o and_o in_o itself_o unlawful_a but_o by_o this_o time_n i_o think_v i_o have_v perform_v my_o promise_n and_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v no_o easy_a task_n to_o abolish_v episcopacy_n and_o introduce_v presbytery_n to_o turn_v down_o prelacy_n and_o set_v up_o parity_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n when_o it_o be_v first_o attempt_v in_o scotland_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v stop_v here_o and_o bring_v this_o long_a disquisition_n upon_o the_o second_o enquiry_n to_o a_o conclusion_n after_o i_o have_v recapitulated_n and_o represent_v in_o one_o entire_a view_n what_o i_o have_v at_o so_o great_a length_n deduce_v i_o have_v make_v it_o appear_v i_o think_v that_o no_o such_o article_n be_v believe_v profess_v or_o maintain_v by_o the_o body_n of_o any_o reform_a or_o reform_a church_n or_o by_o any_o eminent_a and_o famous_a divine_a in_o any_o reform_a or_o reform_a church_n while_o our_o church_n be_v a_o reform_v no_o such_o article_n i_o say_v as_o that_o of_o the_o divine_a and_o indispensible_a institution_n of_o parity_n and_o the_o vnlawfulness_n of_o prelacy_n or_o imparity_n among_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n i_o have_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o our_o
endure_v the_o trial_n of_o their_o own_o test._n and_o this_o bring_v i_o to_o inquire_v whither_o they_o have_v stick_v so_o precise_o by_o the_o principle_n of_o our_o reformer_n that_o they_o be_v in_o bona_n fide_fw-la to_o insist_v on_o such_o a_o topick_n and_o i_o think_v they_o will_v not_o be_v find_v to_o be_v so_o if_o i_o can_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o they_o have_v notorious_o desert_v the_o principle_n of_o our_o reformer_n i._o in_o the_o faith_n ii_o in_o the_o worship_n iii_o in_o the_o discipline_n and_o iv._o in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n i._o i_o say_v they_o have_v forsake_v our_o reformer_n as_o to_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o church_n our_o reformer_n digest_v a_o confession_n of_o faith_n anno_fw-la 1560._o they_o get_v it_o ratify_v in_o parliament_n that_o same_o year_n it_o be_v again_o ratify_v anno_fw-la 1567._o and_o in_o many_o subsequent_a parliament_n it_o continue_v still_o to_o be_v the_o public_a authorize_v standard_n of_o the_o faith_n of_o this_o national_a church_n for_o more_o than_o eighty_o year_n our_o reformer_n design_v it_o to_o be_v a_o perpetual_a and_o unalterable_a standard_n of_o the_o faith_n of_o this_o national_a church_n for_o ever_o when_o the_o baron_n and_o minister_n give_v in_o their_o petition_n to_o the_o parliament_n for_o one_fw-mi establishment_n of_o the_o reformation_n anno_fw-la 1560._o they_o be_v call_v upon_o and_o commandment_n give_v unto_o they_o to_o draw_v into_o plain_a and_o several_a head_n the_o sum_n of_o that_o doctrine_n which_o they_o will_v maintain_v and_o will_v desire_v the_o parliament_n to_o establish_v as_o wholesome_a true_a and_o only_o necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v and_o to_o be_v receive_v within_o the_o realm_n and_o they_o willing_o accept_v the_o command_n and_o within_o four_o day_n present_v the_o confession_n which_o be_v ratify_v 220._o and_o that_o its_o establishment_n may_v pass_v with_o the_o great_a solemnity_n and_o formality_n of_o law_n the_o earl_n marshal_v protest_v that_o it_o may_v never_o be_v alter_v 279._o yet_o now_o our_o presbyterian_a brethren_n have_v set_v up_o a_o quite_o different_a standard_n of_o faith_n namely_o the_o westminster_n confession_n and_o have_v get_v it_o now_o ratify_v by_o this_o current_a parliament_n anno_fw-la 1690._o it_o be_v never_o before_o ratify_v by_o act_n of_o parliament_n i_o call_v it_o a_o quite_o different_a standard_n of_o faith_n indeed_o whosoever_o diligent_o compare_v both_o confession_n shall_v ready_o find_v it_o such_o he_o shall_v not_o only_o find_v many_o thing_n keep_v out_o of_o the_o westminster_n confession_n which_o be_v in_o the_o confession_n of_o our_o reformer_n and_o many_o thing_n put_v in_o the_o westminster_n confession_n which_o be_v not_o in_o the_o confession_n of_o our_o reformer_n and_o many_o thing_n nice_o minutely_o precise_o and_o peremptory_o determine_v and_o that_o in_o the_o most_o mysterious_a matter_n in_o the_o westminster_n confession_n which_o our_o reformer_n think_v fit_a as_o be_v indeed_o proper_a to_o express_v in_o very_a general_n and_o accommodable_a term_n but_o he_o shall_v meet_v with_o not_o a_o few_o plain_n evident_a and_o irreconcilable_a contradiction_n and_o now_o by_o this_o present_a parliament_n in_o its_o last_o session_n particular_o upon_o the_o twelve_o day_n of_o june_n anno_fw-la 1693_o it_o be_v statute_v and_o ordain_v that_o no_o person_n be_v admit_v or_o continue_v for_o hereafter_o to_o be_v a_o minister_n or_o preacher_n within_o this_o church_n unless_o he_o subscribe_v the_o westminster_n confession_n declare_v it_o to_o be_v the_o confession_n of_o his_o faith_n and_o that_o he_o own_v the_o doctrine_n therein_o contain_v to_o be_v the_o true_a doctrine_n to_o which_o he_o will_v constant_o adhere_v and_o by_o unavoidable_a consequence_n he_o be_v bind_v to_o subscribe_v to_o and_o own_o god_n know_v how_o many_o proposition_n not_o only_o not_o require_v nor_o profess_v by_o our_o reformer_n but_o direct_o contrary_a to_o their_o faith_n and_o principle_n and_o now_o let_v the_o world_n judge_n if_o our_o presbyterian_a brethren_n be_v the_o successor_n of_o our_o reformer_n in_o point_n of_o faith_n ii_o they_o have_v forsake_v they_o yet_o more_o in_o the_o point_n of_o worship_n and_o here_o a_o vast_a field_n open_v for_o to_o this_o head_n i_o reduce_v artificial_o or_o inartificial_o be_v no_o great_a matter_n if_o i_o adduce_v nothing_o but_o wherein_o our_o brethren_n have_v desert_v our_o reformer_n the_o public_a prayer_n the_o public_a praise_n the_o public_a preach_v of_o the_o word_n the_o administration_n of_o the_o sacrament_n etc._n etc._n with_o all_o their_o ceremony_n solemnity_n and_o circumstance_n etc._n etc._n general_o whatever_o use_v to_o be_v comprehend_v in_o liturgy_n 1._o in_o the_o general_n our_o reformer_n be_v far_o from_o condemn_v liturgy_n or_o set-form_n in_o the_o public_a office_n of_o the_o church_n there_o be_v nothing_o more_o plain_a than_o that_o they_o prefer_v public_a composure_n to_o these_o that_o be_v private_a composure_n digest_v by_o the_o public_a spirit_n of_o the_o church_n to_o composure_n digest_v by_o the_o private_a spirit_n of_o particular_a minister_n and_o premeditate_a and_o well_o digest_v composure_n though_o perform_v by_o private_a person_n to_o the_o too_o frequent_o rash_a indigested_a incomposed_a performance_n of_o the_o extemporary_a gift_n they_o prefer_v office_n which_o be_v the_o production_n of_o grave_n sedate_n well_o ponder_v thought_n to_o office_n which_o be_v most_o the_o production_n of_o animal_n heat_n and_o warmth_n of_o fancy_n john_n knox_n himself_o one_o who_o have_v as_o much_o fire_n in_o his_o temper_n and_o be_v as_o much_o incline_v to_o have_v give_v scope_n to_o the_o extemporary_a spirit_n i_o be_o apt_a to_o think_v as_o any_o of_o our_o reformer_n have_v even_o a_o set_a form_n of_o grace_n or_o thanksgiving_n after_o meat_n 366._o he_o have_v a_o set-form_n of_o prayer_n for_o the_o public_a after_o sermon_n 384._o and_o he_o have_v set-form_n of_o prayer_n read_v every_o day_n in_o his_o family_n 266._o in_o conformity_n to_o this_o principle_n ouâ—_n reformer_n for_o seven_o year_n together_o use_v the_o liturgy_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o i_o have_v full_o prove_v when_o by_o the_o importunity_n and_o persuasion_n of_o john_n knox_n principal_o i_o be_o sure_a if_o not_o only_o they_o resolve_v to_o part_v with_o the_o english_a liturgy_n they_o continue_v still_o as_o far_o as_o ever_o from_o condemn_v liturgy_n they_o do_v not_o lay_v it_o aside_o to_o take_v up_o none_o they_o choose_v another_o to_o succeed_v it_o they_o choose_v that_o which_o go_v then_o general_o under_o the_o name_n of_o the_o order_n of_o geneva_n or_o the_o book_n of_o common_a order_n since_o under_o the_o name_n of_o knox_n liturgy_n or_o the_o old_a scottish_a liturgy_n this_o liturgy_n continue_v in_o use_n not_o only_o all_o the_o time_n the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n subsist_v by_o imparity_n after_o the_o reformation_n but_o even_o for_o many_o decade_n of_o year_n after_o the_o presbyterian_a spirit_n and_o party_n turn_v prevalent_a it_o be_v so_o universal_o receive_v and_o use_v and_o in_o so_o good_a esteem_n that_o when_o it_o be_v move_v by_o some_o in_o the_o assembly_n hold_v at_o burnt-island_n in_o march_n anno_fw-la 1601._o that_o there_o be_v sundry_a prayer_n in_o it_o which_o be_v not_o convenient_a for_o these_o time_n and_o a_o change_n be_v desirable_a the_o assembly_n reject_v the_o motion_n and_o think_v good_a that_o the_o prayer_n already_o contain_v in_o the_o book_n shall_v neither_o be_v alter_v nor_o delete_v but_o if_o any_o brother_n will_v have_v any_o other_o prayer_n add_v as_o more_o proper_a for_o the_o time_n they_o shall_v first_o present_v they_o to_o be_v try_v and_o allow_v by_o the_o general_n assembly_n 558._o here_o indeed_o be_v caution_n and_o concern_v about_o the_o public_a worship_n worthy_a of_o a_o general_n assembly_n nay_o the_o first-rate_a presbyterian_o themselves_o use_v the_o book_n as_o punctual_o as_o any_o other_o people_n when_o mr._n robert_n bruce_n of_o who_o zeal_n for_o the_o good_a cause_n no_o man_n i_o think_v can_v doubt_v be_v relegated_a to_o innerness_n anno_fw-la 1605._o he_o remain_v there_o four_o year_n teach_v every_o sabbath_n before_o noon_n and_o every_o wednesday_n and_o exercise_v at_o the_o read_n of_o the_o prayer_n every_o other_o night_n 496._o and_o master_n john_n strimgeour_n another_o prime_a champion_n for_o the_o cause_n when_o he_o appear_v before_o the_o high_a commission_n march_v 1_o anno_fw-la 1620_o and_o be_v challenge_v for_o not_o put_v in_o practice_n the_o five_o article_n of_o perth_n particular_o for_o not_o minister_a the_o eucharist_n to_o the_o people_n on_o their_o knee_n answer_v there_o be_v no_o warrantable_a form_n direct_v or_o approven_v by_o the_o kirk_n beside_o that_o
first_o book_n of_o discipline_n head_n 9_o 170._o we_o think_v necessary_a that_o every_o church_n have_v a_o bible_n in_o english_a and_o that_o the_o people_n conveen_v to_o hear_v the_o scripture_n read_v and_o interpret_v that_o by_o frequent_a read_n and_o hear_v the_o gross_a ignorance_n of_o the_o people_n may_v be_v remove_v and_o we_o judge_v it_o most_o expedient_a that_o the_o scripture_n be_v read_v in_o order_n that_o be_v that_o some_o one_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n be_v begin_v and_o follow_v forth_o to_o the_o end_n for_o a_o good_a many_o year_n after_o the_o reformation_n there_o be_v one_fw-mi order_n of_o man_n call_v reader_n who_o supply_v the_o want_n of_o minister_n in_o many_o parish_n their_o office_n be_v to_o read_v the_o scripture_n and_o the_o common_a prayer_n the_o scripture_n continue_v to_o be_v read_v in_o church_n for_o more_o than_o eighty_o year_n after_o the_o reformation_n in_o many_o parish_n the_o old_a bibles_n be_v still_o extant_a from_o which_o the_o scripture_n be_v read_v even_o the_o directory_n itself_o introduce_v not_o before_o the_o year_n 1645._o appoint_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v read_v public_o in_o church_n one_o chapter_n out_o of_o each_o testament_n at_o least_o every_o sunday_n before_o sermon_n as_o be_v part_n of_o the_o public_a worship_n of_o god_n and_o one_o meanâ—_n sanctify_v by_o he_o for_o the_o edify_v of_o his_o people_n yet_o now_o what_o a_o scandal_n will_v it_o be_v to_o have_v the_o scripture_n read_v in_o the_o presbyterian_a church_n the_o last_o day_n sermon_n take_v from_o the_o mouth_n of_o the_o powerful_a preacher_n by_o the_o inspire_a singer_n of_o godly_a george_n or_o gracious_a barbara_n in_o some_o church_n of_o no_o mean_a note_n have_v be_v deem_v more_o edify_v than_o the_o divine_a oracle_n the_o scripture_n must_v not_o be_v touch_v but_o by_o the_o man_n of_o god_n who_o can_v interpret_v they_o and_o he_o must_v read_v no_o more_o than_o he_o be_v just_o then_o to_o interpret_v what_o shall_v i_o say_v let_v protestant_n divine_v cant_n as_o they_o please_v about_o the_o perspicuity_n of_o the_o scripture_n it_o be_v a_o dangerous_a thing_n to_o have_v they_o read_v public_o without_o orthodox_n gloss_n to_o keep_v they_o close_o and_o true_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o godly_a and_o who_o know_v but_o it_o may_v be_v expedient_a to_o wrap_v they_o up_o again_o in_o the_o unknown_a tongue_n but_o enough_o of_o this_o 2._o as_o for_o sermon_n etc._n etc._n the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n give_v we_o the_o sentiment_n of_o our_o reformer_n thus_o the_o sunday_n in_o all_o town_n must_v precise_o be_v observe_v before_o and_o after_o noon_n before_o noon_n the_o word_n must_v be_v preach_v sacrament_n administer_v etc._n etc._n after_o noon_n the_o catechism_n must_v be_v teach_v and_o the_o young_a child_n examine_v thereupon_o in_o audience_n of_o all_o the_o people_n 168._o this_o continue_v the_o manner_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n for_o full_a twenty_o year_n after_o the_o reformation_n for_o i_o find_v no_o mention_n of_o afternoon_n sermon_n till_o the_o year_n 1580_o that_o it_o be_v enact_v by_o that_o same_o general_a assembly_n which_o condemn_a episcopacy_n that_o all_o pastor_n or_o minister_n shall_v diligent_o travel_v with_o their_o flock_n to_o conveen_n unto_o sermon_n after_o noon_n on_o sunday_n both_o they_o that_o be_v in_o landward_o and_o in_o burgh_n as_o they_o will_v answer_v unto_o god_n 40â—_n the_o whole_a kingdom_n know_v lecture_n before_o the_o forenoon_n sermon_n be_v not_o introduce_v till_o the_o day_n of_o the_o covenant_n and_o directory_n yet_o now_o a_o mighty_a stress_n be_v lay_v upon_o they_o and_o i_o myself_o have_v be_v tell_v that_o they_o be_v one_o good_a reason_n for_o forsake_v the_o episcopal_a communion_n where_o they_o be_v not_o use_v and_o go_v over_o to_o the_o presbyterian_o where_o they_o be_v to_o be_v have_v i_o be_o not_o to_o condemn_v a_o diligent_a instruction_n of_o the_o people_n but_o to_o speak_v free_o i_o be_o very_o much_o persuade_v the_o method_n of_o our_o reformer_n in_o have_v but_o one_o sermon_n and_o catechise_v after_o noon_n be_v every_o way_n as_o effectual_a for_o instruct_v the_o people_n in_o the_o substantial_a knowledge_n of_o our_o holy_a religion_n and_o press_v the_o practice_n of_o it_o as_o any_o method_n have_v be_v in_o use_n since_o much_o more_o may_v be_v say_v on_o this_o subject_n but_o from_o what_o i_o have_v say_v it_o be_v plain_a there_o be_v a_o great_a dissimilitude_n between_o our_o modern_a presbyterian_a and_o our_o reformer_n even_o in_o this_o point_n and_o that_o be_v enough_o for_o my_o purpose_n 4._o they_o have_v as_o little_o stick_v by_o the_o pattern_n of_o our_o reformer_n in_o the_o office_n of_o praise_n our_o reformer_n beside_o the_o psalm_n of_o david_n have_v and_o use_v several_a other_o hymn_n in_o metre_n they_o have_v the_o ten_o commandment_n the_o lord_n prayer_n the_o creed_n veni_fw-la creator_n the_o humble_a suit_n of_o a_o sinner_n the_o lamentation_n of_o a_o sinner_n the_o complaint_n of_o a_o sinner_n the_o magnificat_fw-la the_o nunc_fw-la dimittis_fw-la etc._n etc._n they_o never_o use_v to_o conclude_v their_o psalm_n without_o some_o christian_a doxology_n the_o gloria_fw-la patri_fw-la be_v most_o general_o use_v in_o the_o old_a psalm_n book_n it_o be_v turn_v into_o all_o the_o different_a kind_n of_o measure_n into_o which_o the_o psalm_n of_o david_n be_v put_v that_o it_o may_v still_o succeed_v in_o the_o conclusion_n without_o change_v the_o tune_n it_o be_v so_o general_o use_v that_o as_o doctor_n burnet_n in_o his_o second_o conference_n 182._o tell_v we_o even_o a_o presbyterian_a general_n take_v it_o in_o very_o ill_a part_n when_o it_o begin_v to_o be_v disuse_v yet_o now_o nothing_o in_o use_n with_o our_o present_a presbyterian_o but_o the_o psalm_n of_o david_n and_o these_o too_o for_o the_o most_o part_n without_o discrimination_n the_o gloria_fw-la patri_fw-la recover_v from_o desuetude_n at_o the_o last_o restitution_n of_o episcopacy_n and_o general_o use_v in_o the_o episcopal_a assembly_n these_o thirty_o year_n past_a be_v a_o mighty_a scandal_n to_o they_o so_o great_a that_o even_o such_o as_o come_v to_o church_n hang_v their_o head_n and_o sit_v silent_a general_o when_o it_o come_v to_o that_o part_n of_o the_o office_n have_v mention_v doctor_a burnet_n conference_n i_o will_v transcribe_v his_o whole_a period_n because_o some_o other_o thing_n than_o the_o gloria_fw-la patri_fw-la be_v concern_v in_o it_o when_o some_o designer_n say_v he_o for_o popularity_n in_o the_o western_a part_n of_o that_o kirk_n do_v begin_v to_o disuse_n the_o lord_n prayer_n in_o worship_n and_o the_o sing_v the_o conclusion_n or_o doxology_n after_o the_o psalm_n and_o the_o minister_n kneel_v for_o private_a devotion_n when_o he_o enter_v the_o pulpit_n the_o general_n assembly_n take_v this_o in_o very_o ill_a part_n and_o in_o the_o letter_n they_o write_v to_o the_o presbytery_n complain_v sad_o of_o a_o spirit_n of_o innovation_n be_v beginning_n to_o get_v into_o the_o kirk_n and_o to_o throw_v these_o laudable_a practice_n out_o of_o it_o mention_v the_o three_o i_o name_v which_o be_v command_v still_o to_o be_v practise_v and_o such_o as_o refuse_v obedience_n be_v appoint_v to_o be_v confer_v with_o in_o order_n to_o the_o give_v of_o they_o satisfaction_n and_o if_o they_o continue_v untractable_a the_o presbytery_n be_v to_o proceed_v against_o they_o as_o they_o shall_v be_v answerable_a to_o the_o next_o general_n assembly_n thus_o he_o and_o this_o letter_n he_o say_v he_o can_v produce_v authentical_o attest_v i_o doubt_v not_o he_o find_v it_o among_o his_o uncle_n waristown_n paper_n who_o be_v scribe_n to_o the_o rampant_a assembly_n from_o the_o year_n 1638_o and_o downward_o i_o wish_v the_o doctor_n have_v be_v at_o pain_n to_o have_v publish_v more_o of_o they_o if_o he_o have_v employ_v himself_o that_o way_n i_o be_o apt_a to_o think_v he_o have_v do_v his_o native_a country_n better_a service_n than_o he_o have_v do_v her_o sister_n kingdom_n by_o publish_v pastoral_n letter_n to_o be_v use_v he_o know_v how_o but_o even_o from_o what_o he_o have_v give_v we_o we_o may_v see_v how_o much_o the_o disuse_n of_o the_o lord_n prayer_n and_o the_o doxology_n be_v a_o late_a innovation_n as_o well_o as_o a_o recession_n from_o the_o pattern_n of_o our_o reformer_n and_o as_o for_o the_o decent_a and_o laudable_a custom_n of_o kneel_v for_o private_a devotion_n use_v by_o the_o minister_n when_o he_o enter_v the_o pulpit_n it_o may_v be_v reckon_v 5._o another_o presbyterian_a late_a recession_n it_o be_v certain_a it_o be_v use_v by_o our_o reformer_n it_o be_v as_o certain_a it_o continue_v in_o use_n till_o
thing_n or_o another_o that_o i_o have_v pursue_v this_o matter_n so_o far_o but_o if_o they_o shall_v i_o pray_v god_n forgive_v they_o for_o they_o be_v injurious_a to_o i_o the_o principle_n which_o prompt_v i_o to_o represent_v these_o thing_n be_v true_o that_o of_o fraternal_a correption_n my_o main_a design_n be_v to_o soften_v not_o irritate_fw-la they_o not_o to_o exasperate_v they_o but_o to_o bring_v they_o to_o a_o more_o manageable_a and_o consider_v temper_n for_o i_o can_v and_o do_v sincere_o protest_v that_o it_o be_v daily_o the_o earnest_a desire_n of_o my_o soul_n that_o all_o man_n may_v be_v save_v and_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n i_o wish_v all_o man_n christian_n and_o i_o wish_v all_o christian_n christian_n indeed_o in_o a_o special_a manner_n i_o wish_v our_o presbyterian_a brethren_n and_o we_o may_v yet_o be_v so_o much_o honour_v and_o bless_v of_o god_n that_o in_o the_o sincerity_n of_o brotherly_a kindness_n we_o may_v be_v all_o unite_v in_o one_o holy_a communion_n i_o wish_v we_o may_v all_o earnest_o contend_v with_o all_o christian_a forbearance_n fellow-feeling_n and_o charity_n as_o become_v the_o member_n of_o the_o one_o church_n whereof_o christ_n jesus_n be_v the_o head_n to_o have_v the_o poor_a divide_v desolate_v church_n of_o scotland_n restore_v to_o that_o peace_n purity_n and_o unity_n that_o order_n government_n and_o stability_n which_o our_o bless_a master_n have_v institute_v and_o command_v may_v almighty_a god_n inspire_v we_o all_o with_o the_o spirit_n of_o his_o son_n that_o our_o heart_n be_v purify_v by_o one_fw-mi humble_a and_o a_o lively_a faith_n the_o faith_n that_o work_v by_o love_n and_o our_o life_n reform_v according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o great_a purpose_n of_o our_o holy_a religion_n we_o may_v be_v all_o unanimous_o and_o dutiful_o dispose_v for_o so_o great_a so_o glorious_a so_o desirable_a a_o mercy_n and_o with_o this_o i_o end_v this_o five_o enquiry_n and_o now_o i_o think_v i_o have_v competent_o answer_v the_o end_n of_o my_o undertake_n which_o be_v to_o examine_v this_o article_n of_o our_o new_a claim_n of_o right_n and_o try_v its_o firmness_n and_o solidity_n i_o think_v i_o have_v comprise_v in_o these_o five_o inquiry_n every_o thing_n that_o be_v material_a in_o it_o consider_v either_o in_o itself_o or_o as_o it_o support_v the_o great_a alteration_n have_v be_v late_o make_v in_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n it_o may_v have_v be_v more_o narrow_o sift_v and_o sift_v more_o narrow_o it_o may_v have_v be_v find_v liable_a to_o many_o more_o exception_n for_o instance_n 1._o it_o may_v seem_v somewhat_o surprise_v that_o such_o one_fw-mi article_n shall_v have_v be_v put_v into_o a_o scottish_a claim_n of_o right_n that_o it_o shall_v have_v be_v make_v so_o seem_o fundamental_a at_o least_o in_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o scottish_a monarchy_n which_o be_v so_o famous_a and_o have_v be_v so_o much_o renown_v for_o its_o antiquity_n be_v ever_o such_o one_fw-mi article_n in_o a_o scottish_a claim_n of_o right_o before_o no_o man_n i_o think_v will_v say_v it_o be_v in_o the_o original_a contract_n make_v with_o fergus_n the_o first_o if_o any_o original_a contract_n be_v make_v with_o he_o for_o if_o he_o be_v he_o be_v advance_v to_o the_o throne_n 330_o year_n before_o our_o saviour_n birth_n if_o we_o may_v believe_v our_o historian_n and_o i_o think_v it_o be_v not_o one_fw-mi article_n in_o the_o original_a contract_n then_o that_o the_o christian_a church_n shall_v be_v so_o or_o so_o govern_v few_o man_n i_o think_v will_v say_v it_o be_v part_n of_o the_o original_a contract_n make_v with_o any_o scottish_a king_n before_o the_o reformation_n no_o man_n can_v produce_v any_o such_o article_n in_o any_o original_a contract_n make_v with_o king_n james_n the_o six_o king_n charles_n the_o first_o or_o king_n charles_n the_o second_o unless_o it_o be_v the_o solemn_a league_n and_o covenant_n or_o the_o act_n of_o the_o west_n kirk_n it_o can_v be_v say_v that_o it_o be_v in_o any_o original_a contract_n make_v with_o king_n james_n the_o seven_o for_o all_o the_o nation_n know_v it_o be_v declare_v by_o the_o meeting_n of_o estate_n that_o he_o forfeit_v his_o right_n to_o the_o crown_n for_o have_v make_v no_o original_a contract_n these_o be_v all_o the_o real_a or_o pretend_a king_n we_o have_v have_v since_o the_o reformation_n till_o the_o late_a revolution_n be_v not_o this_o article_n therefore_o a_o new_a fundamental_a add_v to_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o ancient_a scottish_a monarchy_n this_o be_v all_o upon_o the_o supposition_n that_o it_o be_v true_o a_o part_n of_o our_o new_a claim_n of_o right_n though_o indeed_o 2._o it_o may_v be_v make_v a_o question_n whither_o it_o can_v be_v just_o call_v a_o part_n of_o the_o claim_n of_o right_a it_o be_v very_o possible_a for_o one_o thing_n to_o be_v in_o another_o without_o be_v part_n of_o that_o other_o and_o one_o will_v think_v this_o article_n look_v very_o unlike_o a_o part_n of_o a_o claim_n of_o right_n it_o seem_v not_o to_o run_v in_o the_o stile_n that_o be_v proper_a for_o claim_n of_o right_n it_o be_v certain_a it_o run_v not_o in_o the_o stile_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o article_n all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o article_n tell_v we_o either_o what_o be_v contrary_a to_o law_n or_o what_o be_v the_o undoubted_a right_n of_o the_o people_n this_o article_n import_v nothing_o like_o either_o the_o one_o or_o the_o other_o it_o only_o declare_v prelacy_n to_o be_v a_o grievance_n etc._n etc._n this_o do_v not_o say_v that_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o law_n for_o law_n themselves_o may_v be_v and_o actual_o be_v declare_v to_o be_v grievance_n by_o the_o meeting_n of_o estate_n in_o another_o paper_n and_o the_o article_n declare_v that_o prelacy_n ought_v to_o be_v abolish_v be_v one_fw-mi argument_n that_o it_o subsist_v by_o law_n and_o it_o be_v abolish_v as_o subsist_v by_o law_n for_o the_o act_n which_o abolish_v it_o repeal_v the_o law_n by_o which_o it_o subsist_v neither_o be_v prelacy_n declare_v by_o the_o article_n to_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o right_n but_o only_o to_o the_o inclination_n of_o the_o people_n and_o i_o think_v it_o require_v no_o depth_n of_o metaphysical_a precision_n to_o distinguish_v between_o right_n and_o inclination_n indeed_o it_o seem_v obvious_a to_o any_o body_n that_o this_o article_n have_v have_v its_o situation_n more_o proper_o and_o natural_o among_o the_o grievance_n which_o be_v digest_v in_o another_o paper_n and_o therefore_o i_o say_v be_v only_o praeternatural_o and_o by_o apparent_a force_n thrust_v into_o the_o claim_n of_o right_n it_o may_v be_v make_v a_o question_n whither_o its_o be_v so_o there_o be_v enough_o to_o make_v it_o part_n of_o the_o claim_n of_o right_a or_o whither_o its_o nature_n shall_v not_o be_v regard_v rather_o than_o its_o post_n and_o it_o shall_v be_v construct_v to_o have_v no_o more_o weight_n than_o if_o it_o have_v be_v regular_o rank_v in_o its_o own_o category_n but_o such_o question_n be_v too_o hard_o for_o i_o and_o more_o proper_a for_o lawyer_n to_o determine_v neither_o shall_v i_o meddle_v 3._o with_o many_o other_o obvious_a difficulty_n which_o must_v necessary_o result_v from_o this_o article_n be_v make_v true_o a_o part_n of_o the_o original_a contract_n between_o king_n and_o people_n such_o as_o its_o make_v the_o settlement_n of_o the_o crown_n to_o depend_v not_o on_o right_a of_o inheritance_n or_o proximity_n of_o blood_n or_o any_o such_o ancient_n legal_a solid_a hereditary_a title_n but_o on_o the_o every_o day_n changeable_a inclination_n of_o the_o people_n for_o these_o be_v the_o main_a fund_z of_o the_o article_n and_o by_o the_o supposition_n the_o article_n be_v intrinsical_v and_o fundamental_a to_o the_o present_a settlement_n this_o i_o say_v and_o many_o more_o such_o which_o may_v be_v easy_o name_v seem_v a_o very_a considerable_a difficulty_n that_o may_v be_v urge_v on_o such_o a_o supposition_n but_o i_o shall_v not_o insist_v on_o they_o far_o 4._o beside_o all_o these_o awkward_a exception_n whither_o it_o be_v or_o be_v not_o a_o part_n of_o the_o claim_n of_o right_n the_o stile_n of_o it_o may_v deserve_v to_o be_v consider_v particular_o that_o phrase_n of_o prelacy_n be_v a_o great_a and_o insupportable_a grievance_n and_o trouble_v to_o the_o nation_n it_o be_v true_a i_o have_v in_o my_o three_o enquiry_n guess_v at_o its_o meaning_n but_o i_o do_v sincere_o acknowledge_v it_o be_v but_o guess_v and_o even_o yet_o i_o can_v do_v no_o more_o but_o guess_n about_o it_o do_v it_o not_o at_o first_o sight_n appear_v a_o little_a too_o big_a and_o swell_a be_v it_o not_o hard_a to_o find_v for_o it_o
the_o youth_n be_v instruct_v etc._n etc._n and_o further_o in_o these_o visitation_n he_o have_v power_n particular_o to_o take_v account_n of_o what_o book_n every_o minister_n have_v and_o how_o he_o profit_v from_o time_n to_o time_n by_o they_o by_o act_n of_o assem_fw-la at_o edinburgh_n june_n 29._o 1562._o so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o mss._n 15._o he_o have_v power_n to_o depose_v minister_n that_o deserve_v it_o as_o appear_v from_o the_o first_o book_n of_o discipline_n head_n 8._o already_o cite_v and_o by_o the_o assem_fw-la at_o edinburgh_n march_v 6._o 1573._o it_o be_v statute_v that_o if_o any_o minister_n reside_v not_o at_o the_o church_n where_o his_o charge_n be_v he_o shall_v be_v summon_v before_o his_o superintendent_n or_o commissioner_n of_o the_o province_n to_o who_o the_o assembly_n give_v power_n to_o depose_v he_o etc._n etc._n so_o the_o mss._n and_o potrie_n 378._o 16._o he_o have_v power_n to_o translate_v minister_n from_o one_o church_n to_o another_o as_o appear_v from_o the_o act_n already_o cite_v num._n 4._o and_o by_o one_fw-mi act_n of_o the_o assembly_n at_o edinburgh_n june_n 25._o 1564._o it_o be_v conclude_v that_o a_o minister_n be_v once_o place_v may_v not_o leave_v that_o congregation_n without_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o flock_n and_o consent_v of_o the_o superintendent_n or_o whole_a church_n i._n e._n a_o general_n assembly_n so_o the_o mss._n have_v so_o pet._n 340._o these_o be_v all_o power_n methinks_v scarce_o reconcileable_a with_o one_fw-mi opinion_n of_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o parity_n but_o there_o be_v more_o and_o perhaps_o more_o considerable_a as_o yet_o to_o follow_v for_o 17._o he_o have_v power_n to_o nominate_v minister_n to_o be_v member_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n this_o be_v clear_o assert_v by_o the_o act_n of_o two_o general_a assembly_n the_o first_o at_o edinburgh_n in_o june_n 1562._o where_o it_o be_v ordain_v that_o no_o minister_n leave_v his_o flock_n for_o come_v to_o the_o assembly_n except_o he_o have_v complaint_n to_o make_v or_o be_v complain_v of_o or_o at_o least_o be_v warn_v thereto_o by_o the_o superintendent_n so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o mss._n and_o spotswood_n cite_v it_o in_o his_o refutatio_fw-la libelli_fw-la etc._n etc._n the_o other_o act_n be_v make_v by_o the_o assembly_n hold_v at_o edinburgh_n july_n 1._o 1563._o which_o i_o find_v thus_o word_v in_o the_o mss._n fair_o agree_v with_o spotswood_n 219._o anent_o the_o order_n hereafter_o to_o be_v use_v in_o general_a assembly_n they_o all_o vote_v and_o conclude_v as_o follow_v viz._n that_o if_o the_o order_n already_o receive_v please_v not_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o plurality_n of_o voice_n it_o be_v reform_v in_o this_o manner_n first_o that_o none_o have_v place_n to_o vote_n except_o superintendent_o commissioner_n appoint_v for_o visit_v the_o kirk_n and_o minister_n bring_v with_o they_o present_v as_o person_n able_a to_o reason_n and_o have_v knowledge_n to_o judge_v with_o the_o aforenamed_a shall_v be_v join_v commissioner_n of_o burgh_n and_o shire_n together_o with_o commissioner_n of_o university_n second_o minister_n and_o commissioner_n shall_v be_v choose_v at_o the_o synodal_n convention_n of_o the_o diocese_n by_o consent_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o minister_n and_o gentleman_n that_o shall_v conveen_v at_o the_o say_v synodal_n convention_n etc._n etc._n from_o which_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o superintendent_n or_o commissioner_n who_o be_v a_o temporary_a superintendent_n nominate_v the_o minister_n they_o bring_v with_o they_o to_o the_o assembly_n and_o that_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o minister_n etc._n etc._n have_v only_o a_o power_n of_o consent_v and_o so_o it_o be_v thereafter_o inquisituri_fw-la practise_v unquestionable_o and_o if_o there_o be_v need_n of_o more_o light_n it_o may_v be_v copious_o receive_v from_o the_o lord_n glamis_n his_o letter_n to_o mr._n beza_n anno_fw-la 1576._o wherein_o he_o tell_v he_o that_o it_o have_v be_v the_o custom_n ever_o since_o the_o reformation_n that_o the_o superintendent_o or_o bishop_n still_o nominate_v the_o minister_n who_o meet_v in_o the_o general_a assembly_n than_o which_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o distinct_a and_o plain_a and_o this_o testimony_n be_v the_o more_o considerable_a that_o it_o be_v not_o glamis_n his_o own_o private_a deed_n but_o that_o which_o be_v the_o result_n of_o a_o considerable_a consult_v as_o we_o shall_v learn_v hereafter_o this_o be_v such_o a_o branch_n of_o episcopal_a power_n as_o mighty_o offend_v our_o presbyterian_a historian_n it_o seem_v for_o they_o have_v endeavour_v to_o obscure_v it_o as_o much_o as_o they_o can_v neither_o calderwood_n nor_o petrie_n mention_n the_o first_o of_o these_o two_o act_n they_o mention_v the_o second_o indeed_o but_o how_o calderwood_n 45._o huddle_v it_o up_o thus_o it_o be_v think_v meet_a for_o eschew_v of_o confusion_n that_o this_o order_n be_v follow_v that_o none_o have_v place_n nor_o power_n to_o vote_n except_o superintendent_o commissioner_n appoint_v for_o visit_v of_o kirk_n minister_n commissioner_n of_o burgh_n and_o shire_n together_o with_o the_o commissioner_n of_o university_n minister_n and_o commissioner_n of_o shire_n shall_v be_v choose_v at_o the_o synodal_n convention_n of_o the_o diocese_n with_o consent_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o minister_n and_o gentleman_n etc._n etc._n leave_v out_o entire_o these_o word_n bring_v with_o they_o i._n e._n with_o the_o superintendent_o and_o commissioner_n of_o kirk_n present_v as_o person_n able_a to_o reason_n and_o have_v knowledge_n to_o judge_v whereby_o the_o power_n of_o the_o superintendent_o and_o commissioner_n for_o visit_v of_o kirk_n be_v quite_o stifle_v and_o the_o whole_a sense_n of_o the_o act_n pervert_v for_o what_o sense_n be_v it_o i_o pray_v to_o say_v that_o the_o minister_n be_v to_o be_v choose_v by_o consent_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o minister_n when_o you_o tell_v not_o who_o be_v to_o choose_v or_o who_o they_o be_v to_o who_o choice_n or_o nomination_n the_o rest_n of_o the_o minister_n be_v to_o give_v that_o consent_n but_o it_o be_v no_o strange_a thing_n with_o this_o author_n to_o let_v sense_n shift_v for_o itself_o if_o the_o good_a cause_n can_v be_v otherwise_o serve_v neither_o be_v petrie_n less_o unfaithful_a for_o he_o not_o only_o draw_v the_o curtain_n over_o the_o whole_a power_n of_o the_o superintendent_n etc._n etc._n so_o that_o you_o can_v have_v the_o least_o glimpse_n of_o it_o from_o his_o account_n but_o he_o intermix_v lie_v to_o boot_v only_o he_o stumble_v not_o on_o nonsense_n he_o account_v thus_o 359._o because_o heretofore_o all_o minister_n that_o will_v come_v be_v admit_v to_o vote_n not_o one_o word_n of_o this_o in_o the_o narrative_a of_o the_o act_n as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o mss._n or_o any_o other_o historian_n and_o it_o be_v direct_o contrary_a to_o the_o act_n 1562._o already_o mention_v so_o that_o it_o be_v plain_a it_o be_v a_o figment_n of_o his_o own_o and_o now_o the_o number_n be_v increase_v and_o commissioner_n of_o shire_n be_v choose_v in_o the_o sheriff_n court_n no_o other_o historian_n or_o record_v i_o have_v see_v have_v one_o syllable_n of_o this_o either_o though_o it_o be_v probable_a enough_o it_o be_v so_o this_o assembly_n make_v one_fw-mi act_n of_o three_o part_n concern_v the_o admission_n of_o member_n 1._o that_o none_o shall_v have_v place_n to_o vote_n but_o superintendent_o commissioner_n for_o visit_a church_n minister_n and_o commissioner_n of_o shire_n and_o burgh_n choose_v as_o follow_v together_o with_o commissioner_n of_o university_n 2._o minister_n and_o commissioner_n of_o shire_n shall_v be_v choose_v at_o the_o synod_n of_o the_o bound_n by_o the_o minister_n and_o gentleman_n conveen_v there_o etc._n etc._n not_o with_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o minister_n etc._n etc._n you_o see_v as_o calderwood_n ridiculous_o have_v it_o but_z choose_v by_o the_o minister_n etc._n etc._n without_o the_o least_o syllable_n that_o may_v import_v the_o superintendent_o have_v any_o and_o far_o less_o the_o principal_a power_n in_o that_o election_n this_o be_v clean_a work_n of_o it_o thus_o i_o say_v these_o two_o historian_n of_o the_o party_n treat_v this_o notable_a branch_n of_o the_o power_n which_o our_o reformer_n think_v reasonable_a to_o confer_v on_o superintendent_o but_o we_o shall_v not_o want_v occasion_n enough_o for_o admire_v their_o ingenuity_n return_v we_o now_o to_o our_o task_n 18._o they_o have_v power_n to_o hold_v diocesan_n synod_n ordain_v further_o they_o be_v the_o word_n of_o one_fw-mi act_n of_o the_o ass._n hold_v in_o decem._n 1562._o as_o it_o be_v both_o in_o the_o mss._n and_o pet._n 233._o that_o the_o superintendent_o appoint_v synodal_n convention_n twice_o in_o the_o year_n viz._n in_o the_o month_n of_o april_n and_o october_n on_o such_o day_n of_o the_o say_a