or heritable tennents of such Friers Nunnes places and their heires .... shall hold their fues and tenendries of our Soverain Lord and his successors ..... and the fue maills services duties .... shall appertain unto our Soverain Lord c. Hence it appeares that at that time they were thinking upon security of the possessions which before did appertain unto these that were called the Spirituality and here the fues services and such petty things are declared to belong unto the King but at that time weightier matters were in hand for others had gote the Lands and rents stock and tiths which they would not quite unto King nor Church and thereupon the doubt arose by what title and right they may possesse them Hither belongeth what is written in The Historicall Narration of the Governement of the Church which is common now in writ and said to have been penned by William Scot that eminent Minister at Couper title The second course for Bishops Superintendents and Commissioners 1. Mathew Earle of Lennox Regent holding a Parliament at Sterlin in August year 1571. the Superintendent of Fife inhibited Master John Douglas Rector of the University of Santandrews who a litle before was presented unto the bishoprick of Santandrews by meanes of the Earle Morton to vote in Parliament in name of the Church untill he be admitted and allowed by the Church Under pain of excommunication The Earle of Morton commanded him to vote as Bishop of Santandrews Under the pain of treason The Regent was killed and John Earle of Marre was chosen Regent About the beginning of November the Collectors of the Church were discharged by Letters proclamed at Santandrews to gather the thirds because as was alledged Ministers stipend were not payd nor the Superplus which was allotted to the Kings house out of the thirds But it was judged that that Proclamation was procured at the instance of the Earle Mortoun whom Master John douglas had informed by Letter that the Collector would not suffer him to uplift certain duties belonging to the Bishoprick The Superintendent of Anguise in a prolixe Letter unto the Regent complained of that inhibition and that Benefices are conferred and Bishops set-up without advice consent of the Church In another he complaines of the great misorder at the last Parliament in creating Bishops planting them and giving them vote in Parliament as Bishops in despite of the Church and high contempt of God the Church opponing against that miss-order Seing the Church hath the power of examination admission to Ecclesiasticall offices Benefices of spirituall cure whither Bishopricks or inferior Benefices Lest it should seem that Ministers out of avarice or ambition sought the possession of great Benefices he letteth his Gr. understand that the Church hath continually suted in their Articles consented-unto subscribed by the most part of the Nobility that when any Benefices shall vake having many Churches joyned there unto all the Churches should be divided and conferred severally to severall men and every man to serve at his own Church in which mind all that beare office do continue If the dismembring of great Benefices can not be granted at this time he doubteth not but the Church will consent that if the Benefices and offices belonging their unto be conferred according to the order before mentioned to assigne such portion as may be spared above the reasonable sustentation of the Ministry of such Benefices to the mantenance of the Kings house and common affaires till further order be taken in these matters The Regent answereth Their meaning was mis-taken their meaning was and still is to procure the reforming of things dis-ordered any way al 's far as may bee and the fault is this the Policy of the Church is not perfected nor is there any sort of conference among godly men well minded according to Gods judgement how the matter may be amended He sent also a discharge of that inhibition lately made The Superintendent of Anguise at the Regent's desire wrote unto other Superintendents Commissioners that they would conveen to consult what order shall be taken for provision to the Kings house out of the thirds and upon some particulars concerning the Policy of the Church and disposition of 1572. The Conference at Lieth some Benefices Upon the twelth of January 1572. or 1571. according to the olde reckoning the beginning of the year the Superint and Comm. of visitation and Commissioners from some towns and Churches conveen at Lieth This meeting in the Register is called A convention but in the second Session they concluded It should have the force and power of a G. Assemb Nevertheless they ordain that the Moderator of the last assembly shall continue till the next ordinary assembly and that all who are present now shall repair to it also They declare in the third Session that they had not tâ—me to stay and therefore upon the 15 day gave power and commission to the Superintendents of Fife Anguise Willam Lundy of that ilk Andrew hay Commis of Cliddsdale Da. Lindsay Commis of Kile Ro. Pont Commis of Murray John Craig one of the Ministers at Edinburgh or any four of them to compear before my Lord Regent and so many of the Secret Counsell as he shall appoint in this month of January to conferre and reason upon such heads articles as shall be propoâ—nded unto them by him and the Counsell to conclude conform to the Instructions given unto them by this assembly and to report their conclusions to the next Assembly Morton Chancellor William L. Ruthuen Treasurer Robert Commendator of Dumfernlin Secretary James Macgill Clerk-register Sir John Balantine Justice-Clerck Colin Campbell of Glenurquhy and Adam Bishop of Orknay were sent Commissioners from the Counsell on the 16. day of January To conveen all or any four of them with the Commissioners named by the Church to treat and conclude on all matters tending to the ordering establishing the Policy of the Church the sustentation of Ministers support of the Kings house and common affaires of the realm to continue in such order as shall bee agreed upon untill his Highness perfect age or till the same be altered by the three States of Parliament The same day the Commissioners conveen and conclude that the names and tittles of Bishops and Archbishops be not altered nor the bounds of the old Diocies confounded That there be a Chapter of Ministers annexed to every Metropolitane and Cathedrall See thath during the vacancy the Dean or failing the Dean the next in dignity of the Chapter use the Jurisdiction in Spiritualibus which the Bishop might have used That the Archbishops and Bishops exerce no farther Jurisdiction by their spirituall function than the Superintendents had and presently exerce till the same be agreed-upon The Archbishops and Bishops be subject to to the Church and G. Assemblies in Spiritualibus as they are unto the King in Temporalibus That they have the advice of sixe
true pastors can not without treason against their spirituall king abstain from fighting against such proceedings with such sprirituall armor as are given them potent throgh God for overthrowing these bulwarks mounts erected for sacking the Lords Jerusalem Decemb. 10. Da. Black was charged to go north within sixe dayes and remain by north the North-water till his Majesty declared his will Under the pain of rebellion and putting him to the horn Decemb. 11. the Commissioners were informed that a great number of missives were written and ready to be directed through the Countrey for calling a convention of Estates and a Generall assembly the tenor followes Wee greet you well As wee have ever carryed a speciall good will to the effectuating of the policy of the Church of which wee have often conference with the Pastors and Ministry so wee and they both resolving now in end that the whole order of the said policy shall be particularly condescended agreed upon for avoiding sundry questions controversies that may fall out to the slander danger of religion Wee have for that effect appointed alswell a generall Convention of our Estates as a Generall Assembly of the Ministry to hold here in Edinb the first day of February next To treat and resolve all questions standing in controversy or difference between the Civill and Ecclesiasticall judgement or any way concerning the policy and externall governing of the Church and therefore will wee effectually desireand request you that you fail not all excuses set apart to be present at our Convention the day place foresaid precisely to give your best advice opinion in that matter as you tender the effectuating there of the well of religion and Estate and will shew yourselves our dutifull and affected subjects So wee committ you to Gods protection From Halirud house the day of Decemb. 1596. Here the reader may more clearly perceive that the alteration of the established government was intended before the 17. day of December and that not only the marches of the Jurifdiction Civille and ecclesiastcall were sought to be ridd but the order of the church-government was to be called into question howbeit thereafter nothing was pretended at first but the restraint of application of doctrine and Ministers vote in Parliament to vindicat them from poverty and contempt because otherwise strong opposition was feared On decemb 14. the Commissioners of the Generall assembly exhorted the Ministers of the presbytery of Edinburgh as they will answer unto God and the Church in so necessary a time To call before them such persons of highest ranks as are known or may be found to be malicious enemies and to proceed against them to excommunication The same day the charge that was given out against the Commissioners of the Church was proclamed with sound of trumpet After advisement they thought it lawfull to disobey so unlawfull charges but nedless and not expedient seing after them others might succed and so the work might proceed So they resolve to depart committing the cause unto God and the diligent care of the presbytery of Edinburgh but fearing the fearfull tentation of poverty micht prevaile with the weaker sort and move them to subscribe a Band which might captiously import the King and Counsells power to judge of Ministers doctrin be cause the King had said the day prâ—ceeding They who will not subscribe shall want their stipends they thought it requisite to send unto every presbytery a declaration of their proceedings The minute of their proceedings I have now set down In their declaration they write plainly that when they were insisting with his Majesty to appear in action against the forfeited Earls he had converted all his actions against the Ministry with hoter intention than he could be moved against the adversaries this long time that so they may be driven from prosecuting their suits against the Papists and to employ themselves wholly in defense of preaching disciplin that the restraint of rebuking censuring sin was the principall Butt aimed at in all this action because the mystery of iniquity which hath been intended begun and is going forward whither the purpose be to thrall the gospell by Injunctions or by a policy equivalent to injunctions or to bring-in liberty of conscience or if to draw more papistry which is to be feared for many reasons and will be reveeled in time being such as can not abide the light of reprehension the only advantage of their cause is thought to consist in extinguishing the light which can discover the unlawfulness of it that so they may walk-on in darknes without all challenge untill the truth be overthrown And because impiety dar not as yet be so impudent to crave in express termes that swine be not rebuked it is sought only that his Majesty and Counsell be acknowledged judges in matters Civile and criminall treasonable and seditious which shall be uttered by any Minister in his doctrin thinking to draw the rebuke of sin in King Counsell or their proceedings under the name of one of these crimes and so either to restrain the liberty of preaching or to punish it under the name of some vice by a pretense of law and justice and so by time to bind the word of God and let sin pass with lifted up hand to the highest c. Yee see now whaâ— was the controversy betwixt the King and the Ministry The sum of all The King would have the Ministers to heare the offers made by the forfeited Earls that they might be reconciled unto the Church On the other side Ministers urge that they be removed out of the Country again and that he do the office of a Magistrate as becomes him for their treasonous conspiracy the pardon whereof he had professed in the beginning to be above his reach and their offers import conference but no confession of an offense nor were made in sincerity as the event did prove This could not be obtained therefore pulpits sounded against the favorers of these as became faithfull watchmen to discharge duty in so dangerous a time Publick rebuke of publick and crying sins was called into question and so was the established disciplin and they were driven from the offensive to the defensive part The Ministry craved but the tryall of Ministers in the first instance to be appertaining unto the Ecclesiasticall Judicatory for application of doctrine to the rebuke of corruptions and publick offenses as they should be by the word of God practises in former times but it was refused What sins did reigne in the land the catalogue drawn up by the late assem witnesseth ..... Had they not reason then to blow the trumpet and forewarn the people of Gods judgements and now when the chief enemies forfeited for unnaturall conspiracy were suffered to return and abide in the Country The wild border-men stood in greater awe of excommunication by a presbytery than of Letters of horning I know a Noble man confessed that
Bishop or Beneficed person whatever because it is a distraction from his vocation Under pain of deprivation 4. Some articles were sent unto the Lord Regent namely that stipends be granted unto a Superintendent in every Province whither it bee where no Bishop is or wheâ—e is a Bishop who can not dischage his office as Santandrews Glasgow That in every Church destitute of a Minister such persons may be presented and â—tipends be granted unto them as are here present and whose names shall be delivered by the Bb. Superint or Commissioners 5. A complaint was made against the Bishop of Dunkell for ministration of the Lords Supper upon woâ—k-dayes and he is forbidden to do so again but only upon the Lords day according to the order of other Churches 6. If any Parliament shall be called or any other weighty cause require the presence of the Body of the Assembly the Superintendent of Lothian James Lowson Minister at Edinburgh and David Lindsay Minister at Lieth shall give timous premonition unto the Brethren to conveen and that Convention shall be reputed an Assembly 7. The absents from the assembly shall be charged to compear in the next to be censured for their absence Note 1. James Boyd was enduced by the Lord Boyd to accept the title of the Bishoprick of Glasgow which that Lord had purchased for his own gain of the revenues and in the former Act he is named as unable unto the office and in the same assembly he excused his negligence in the Church-affaires because he was employd in other affairs of that office 2. Within some weeks after that assembly John called Archbishop of Santandrews went into the pulpit topreach and falling down died 3. By an Act under the privy Signet of the date November 21. 1574. it appeares that John erskin so long as he had been Superintendent had not been in the Shiref-court though he was a Baron and at that time had exemption granted both for time by past and to come during his continuance in that office XII The National Assembly conveenes at Edinb March 7. as they 1575. The 28. Assembly then did reckon year 1574. where were Earles Lords bb Superindents c. James Boyd Bishop of Glasgow is chosen Moderator 1. The bb of Dunkell Brechin Murray and of Glasgow were removed and complaints made against every one of them Alexander Bishop of Galloway now submitteth himselfe Upon his submission and by solicitation of the Lord Regent he obtaines dispensation to be accepted if he will confesle his offence in the church of Halirudhouse only 2. It is ordained that none be admitted unto the office of a Bishop unless he be examined and approved by the Assembly 3. No Comoedies nor tragoedies or such playes should be made on any history of Canonicall Scriptures nor on the sabboth day If any Minister be the writer of such a play he shall be deprived of his Ministry As for playes of another subject they also should be examined before they be propounded publickly 3. Whereas Andrew Graham hath been presented unto the bishoprick of Dunblain undet the name of a Preacher albeit he be not one and it is alledged that there hath been no conclusion that all Bb. should first be Preachers and so if he be qualified to be a Preacher the presentation should be accepted therefore the assembly appointeth him to preach on wednesday upon Rom. 5. 1. and nameth certain persons to be present 4. Bishops Superintendents and every Minister are enjoined to admonish all such as were Papists within their bounds and have subscribed the Confession of faith according to the Act of Parliament that they should also participate of the Sacrament duly with their own congregation under pain that they shall be held Relapse and be censured with excommunication It may appear from these what manner of Bishops these were and that the Presenters of them aimed at their own advantadge and not at the good of the Church In the Assembly at Edinburgh August 6. were The 29. Assembly Bb. Superintendents c. Robert Pont is chosen Moderator 1 When Bb. were removed to be censured John Dury Minister at Edinburgh protesteth that the tryall of Bishops shall not prejudge the opinions and reasons which he and other Brethren have against the office of such Bishops 2. Alexander Bishop of Galloway delivereth an attestation of his satisfaction according to the ordinance he is restored to the liberty of preaching and standes still suspended from commission of visitation but is ordered to assist John Row Commissioner of Galloway pro hac vice 3. The Bishop of Dunkell is ordained to reside with his family at Dunkell before the next Assembly Under pain of deprivation Hee is also accused of dilapidation of his Benefice hee craves that he may have the liberty of an Advocate to plead for him this is refused but he should answer for himself or chuse a Minister to argue for him within three days 4. Because comely and decent apparell is requisite in all men especially in these which have function in the Church therefore all Ministers and Preachers are forbidden to have any broudering bagaries of velvet on gown on cloke or coat or have any cutting out of their cloaths stitching with silk pesments or lace all variant colours on sherts rings bracelets buttons of silver or of any metall all velvet satine tafety any licht color but that all their habite be of grave color to the end the good word of God be not slandered by them and their immoderateness And that their vifes be subject unto the same ordinance 5. Because the long continuance of Commissioners may induce some ambition other inconvenients after long reasoning it is concluded by the grearter part that the Commissioners shall be changed yearly 6. Eight Articles to be presented unto the Lord Regent 1. for planting the word throghout the realm it is petitioned that such Ministers as are not as yet placed may be received Ministers which have many churches may be relieved and Commissioners be â—ased and Bb having too great a charge may be helped And prouision of Commissioners may be payd for these two years bypast and in time coming 2. That such impediments may be removed which hinder the progresse of the doctrine such as abundance of vice un punished markets on the Lords day and the troubling of Ministers in execution of theit Ministry 3. That the order concerning the poore which before was begun may be put to full execution and to that effect a portion of the tyths which is the Churche's patrimony aâ—swell of the two parts as of the thirds may be employd for their sustentation as necessity craves 4. Because the Schools are the fountains from which Ministers must flow that provision may be made for them not only for Students remaining within the realm but for some men of good engine which by this Church shall be found fit to visite other Churches and Vniversities for their furtherance in learning and
support thereby for relieff of the comon charges of our estate there being so great alteration and diminution of the Rents and so great confusion other ways entred in that matter during these 20. years and more now by past And therefore a form and order must be prescribed likly to have continuance unto posterity to the removing of all occasions of complaint For furtherance thereof there is by commandement and advice of such of our Counsell and Ministers as conferred on this purpose some form drawn how Elderships may be constituted of parishons lying together small parishons to be united and the great divided for the better sustentation of the Ministers and the more commodious resort of the people to their churches There is also the form of Our Letter to be written to some of the principall Noble and Gentle men and certain of the Ministers within the bounds of every Eldership To conveen advise and report unto Vs their advice in things required by Us in Our said Letter betwixt and the 24. day of Juny next This wee thought convenient to communicat with you unto the assembly to be convened at Glasgow Requiring them in Our name to consider thereof and to send Vs their opinion and judgement concerning this intended work and of any thing that they would wish either to be added or diminished in the form of Our Letter or otherwise before the same shall be directed where in if care diligence shall be taken by them as Our intention God willing is to do for the furtherance thereof as becomes Vs Wee have no doubt but God shall send frutefull success of Our travells to the removing of the great disorder confusion now standing for want of reformation These grounds advised well and agreed-upon apparently it shall not only with reasonable time make the Ministers to be finally provided of their livings but it shall bring the Ecclesiasticall disciplin to be far better exercised and execut over all this realâ— than it is presently It being declared first what every Presbytery may cognosce-upon next what shall be in every Synodall Assembly and last what causes shal be deâ—olved to the Generall assembly and what persons shall orderly need to repair thereunto and have vote There The report of these Our Letters returning the sooner it may be provided by diligent travells so as the good order now intended may take beginning at the first day of November next without longer delay and if our Parliament upon any necessary occasion shall be conveened in the mean time the said order or so much thereof as shall be in readiness may be past and approved in form of law The second article was answered in such sort as Wee trust they were satisfied with it To answer the third Article the desire thereof must be more speciall before it receive a speciall answer They have to consider in whose default and negligence the persons complained-upon in the fourth Article remain unpunished Our answer to the fifth Article is sufficient untill upon farther advice it may be made more speciall Order is taken concerning the desire of the seventh article There is some order already begun for the further help and comfort of the Earle of Arran which shal be followed as occasion shall serve Wee have caused and still will cause the Conference to be keept for furtherance of all things requisite that may set foreward the Policy whill the same may be established by law Our former answers are reasonable and no opposition hath been in the contrary Moreover you shall let the assembly understand that in the particular conference by past sundry matters have been agreed-on in generall terms as they were talked-of and put in memory but not put in such form termes as is meet to be put in Articles unto Our Estats in Parliament to be approved as particular lawes and therefore let the assembly appoint some of their number to extend and put these articles in such form and order as they would wish them to be past in Parliament specially in these Heads That the assembly will enquire and cause inform Vs of the speciall names of persons culpable in the faults noted in the Act of their assembly at Dundy to wit That the Bishops and Commissioners may be admonished to refuse Readers the titles of Benefices vaking since November 1. although presentation hath hapned to bee That the assembly declare how many sufficient and welqualified Ministers are presently in Scotland and in what place they wish them rather ro serve And that they give their advice how other churches whereunto Ministers can not be had presently may be served untill mo Ministers may be had and the present old possessors of the Benefices be departed this life That they give us their opinion and advice of that portion of the rents pertaâ—ning to the Churches before the alteration of religion which they think shall fall unto Us if all Benefices were now vaking And in the mean time what wee shall have yearly for suport of Our estate and publick affaiâ—s of Our realm that they consider the form and proceeding how the taxation for the spirituall mens part shall be payd in time coming as also to make us some likely good overture for the persons that shall occupy the place of the Spirituall Estate in Our Parliament in time coming and after the decease of the present possessors of the place in respect of the great decay of the rents That they send Us their good advice how a form of judgement may be established untill a Parliament for calling of persons provided to Benefices since our coronation to be deprived there from upon the clauses irritant contained in their provisions for not doing their duty in their vocations buâ— leaving their charges and medling with secular business That the assembly give their advice upon the form of presentation that Wee shall give unto these that shall be provided to Benefices if this Order take effect to whom our presentation shall be directed what shall be the form and order of the tryall or how shall the person be tryed and what form of admission and Collation In answer the assembly propoundes these Heads to be considered as a ground That besids the diocies of Argyle and the Iâ—les of which bounds rentalls were never given up there are in Scotland about nyne hundred and twenty four churches of these sundry are small parishons and some are of greater bounds that the parishoners may not conveniently conveen to their parish-churches It is thought meet therefore to reduce these 924. churches to 600. and every church to have a Minister Their stipends to be in four degrees an hundred at 500. Marks the peece two hundred at 300. Marks the peece two hundred at 100 pounds the peece and one hundred at 100 Marks the peece or somwhat more or lesse as it may be modified according to the possibility of the rent payd in that place These considerations are to be taken although all
manners and corruptions of men jestingly asking In what Scripture could they find a Bishop for a thousand pound horse-corn and poultry and when they are teaching of love how could they find Judas 10. He oppugned the doctrin of Christ who pronounces that the most part are rebellious and shall perish 11. He denied that in the new Testament is mention of a presbytery or eldership 12. He accused the Ministers of pasquils of grudging of trouble and confusion and said Where is it what fault can they find with the Court as for myselfe I finde none 13. The Church being traduced by pasquills and infamous libells not only purged he not the Church or himself having good occasion but rather approved the same 14. In his preaching against the Ministry he used the very words of the libels that were casten into the Kings Chamber against them 15. This quarter of year by past he hath been negligent in doctrin disciplin and assisting the eldership In Sess 18. whereas Andrew meluin had by word given these articles now he gives them in writ and the Assembly assigneth to him the next day to prove the particulares and ordaines to warn Robert Mongomery to compear the next day at ten a clok to hear witnesses and probation received In Sess 20. the brethren that were sent unto the King with these articles of accusation return with answer that he had aceepted them very graciously and is content that the accusation proceed against Robert as a Minister and more that in the heads of religion he agreeth with his heart with the Church of Scotland albeit in some heads of policy he is not as yet resolved Then Andrew Melvin produceth his witnesses in the accusation to wit David Weemes Minister at Glasgow John Craig Pa. Adamson John Howeson c. All being eight in number give their oath and yet lest the said Robert say that he is defraâ—ded of any lawfull defence in his absence the Ass reserves place to any objection he hath against these witnesses if he come upon moonday at ten a clok and ordaines the same Robert because he hath departed out of the town to be instantly examined by five Ministers and two Barons or any three of them where they can find him and his deposition to be put in writ and reported unto the Assembly And for further probation if his accuser will take any other time Ordaines the said Robert to be warned unto that time In Sess 23. The Assembly gives Commission unto the Presbytery of Sterlin to summon Robert Mongomery before them to try examin his life conversation and accusations to be given against him and to report their diligence unto the next Synod of Lothian Unto whom the Assembly gives power to proceed against him according to the tryall and process deduced against him by the presbytery Under the pain of disobedience And also chargeth the said Robert to continue in the Ministry of the Church of Sterlin and not to medle with any orher function in the Church namely in aspiring to the bishoprick of Glasgow against the word of God and Acts of the Church or to vexe any of his brethren with his admission thereunto Under the pain of excommunication to be deduced against him in case of disobedience by the said presbytery and the sentence of excommunication to be execut by them with advice and concurrence of John Dury David Ferguson John Duncanson and John Dykes And this charge to be intimated by the Moderator of the Assembly unto the said Robert that he pretend not ignorance 11. In Sess 11. these heads were referred by the Synod of Lothian unto the G. Ass 1. That an universall order be made by the G. ass for examination admission and ordination of Ministers 2. To enquire what persons of the Ministry shall designe gleebs and manâ—es and seing the Synod of Lothian hath thought good that every Presbyt shall direct some of their own number for that effect within their bounds Wee crave the consent of the Gen. assembly and that the same may be universall and where is not a presbytery To appoint who shall design them 2. Who shall wait upon the Platt or Committee for modifying of Ministers stipends 3. What answer shall be given to the Kings Letter concerning the union and division of churches 5. That there may be an uniformity in summoning persons before the presbytery and in the process there 6. To suit that the tryall and admission of all Masters of schools be now enioyned unto the presbyteries 7. Seing wee in our Synod have agreed that disputation shall be every day of Exercise in every presbytery especially upon the controversies betwixt us and the adversaries for avoiding negligence in Ministers and that we may the better withstand the adversary That the Gen. assembly would appoint a generall order therein 8. What order shall be used with Ministers and Readers that set their gleebs and manse 9. That an article be sought by the Gen. assembly at the Parliament that all marriages without consent of parents without proclamation of banns or without other solemmities according to the order of the Church be declared null 10. To crave an Act of Parliament to be made against them that pass in pilgrimages and use superstition at wells crosses images or other Popish idolatry or obserâ—e feasts or dayes dedicat to Saints and set out fires for superstition 11. Seing the Act of Parliament appoints them that are convict of notorious adultery and by the ambiguous exposition of the word Notorious no execution followes Therefere for avoiding the plagues of God hanging over this wholl country for this crime that the Gen. assembly would crave an Act of Parliament for punishment of all persons whosoever are lawfully convict of adultery 12. Seing an Act of Parliament is made for discharging of markets on sunday and no execution followes whereby people absent themselfes from the Church and continue in ignorance and so atheism increases Desire that some order may be taken in this Parliament against Magistrats that put not the Act in execution Notwithstanding any particular dispensation 13. To crave an Act of Parliament for provision of gleebâ— and manfes unto the Ministers at Abbey-churches as others have 14. Because there is an Act of Parliament that all Provestries and Prebendaries shall be given to Students to maintain them at a schoole and very many of that sort are of cure of souls and parish-churches And nevertheless they are given to Courâ—iers Therefore wee desire that there may be an Act of Parliament that all Provestries and Prebendaries joyned with cure of souls may be given to none but to Ministers and so many as are given may be null in time coming And that Prebendaries which were founded for Schools or Masters teaching there be given according to the foundation to Masters for instructing the youth and if these be disponed otherwise the disposition to be null Follow answers unto these Unto 1. Will. Crysteson Andr. Melvin Thom. Smeton
he hath committed apostasy and therefore to have incurred the censure of an apostate The next day he sendeth a supplication offering to subscribe the Confession of faith or within 40. dayes to passe out of the realm and to this effect craving to be freed from captivity The Assembly desireth a Bailive of Edinburgh present to take order with him according to the Act of Parliament and to set him free upon caution VI. Concerning the hainous murder of the Earle of Murry committed by the Earle of Huntly and his complices the Assembly gives order and strait command unto the brethren of the presbytery of Brechin who have already entered in process with him to proceed with concurrence of two brethren of each presbytery of Anguse and Merns against him for that cruell fact according to the acts of the Assembly VII Whereas an act was made in the last Parliament concerning deposed Ministers it is thought meet at the next Parliament or Convention of Estates To crave that because it hat been enacted that notwithstanding a Pastor be deposed yet the tacks and titles set by him shall stand It be now provided and added unto that Act that if the tack or title be set after the committing of the fact for which the person is deposed that such tacks factories or titles whatsoever shall be null or of none availl In the Parliament begun Juny 5. The four petitions of the Assembly were taken into consideration whereof the second and third were denied but for the first all former Acts of Parliaments for liberty of the true Church were ratified as also the Parliament ratifieth and approves the Generall assemblies appointed Act of Parliament concerning the disciplin of the Church by the Church and declares that it shal be lawfull to the Church and Ministers every year at the least and ofter pro re nata as occasion and necessity shall require to hold and keep generall assemblies Providing that the Kings Majesty or his Commissioners with them to be appointed by his Hieness be present at each generall Assem before the dissolving thereof nominate appoint time and place when or where the next generall assembly shall be holden and if neither his Ma. nor his said Commissioners be present for the time in that Town where the Assembly shal be holden in that case it be lawfull to the said Gen. assembly by themselves to nominate appoint time place where the next Gen. assembly shall be keept as they have been in use to do in time by past And also ratifieth and approves the Synodall or Provinciall assemblies to be held by the said Church and Ministers twice every year as they have been and presently are in use to do within every Province of this realm And ratifieth approves the presbyteries and particular Sessions appointed by the said Church with the wholl jurisdiction disciplin of the said Church agreed upon by his Majesty in Conference had by his Hieness with certain of the Ministers conveened for that effect of which articles the tenor followes Matters to he treated in the Provinciall assemblies These assemblies are constltute for weighty matters necessary to be treated by mutuall consent and assistance of brethren within the Province as need requires This Assembly hath power to handle order redresse all things omitted or done amisse in the particular assemblies It hath power to depose the office-bearers of that Province fot good just cause deserving deprivation and generally these Assemblies have the whol power of the particular Elderships whereof they are collected Matters to be treated in the Presbyteries The power of the Presbyteries is to give diligent labors in the bounds committed to their charge that the Churches be keept in good order to enquire diligently of naughty ungodly persons and to travell to bring them into the way again by admonition or threatning of Gods judgements or by correction It appertaines unto the Eldership to take head that the word of God be purely preached within their boundes the Sacraments rightly administred the disciplin entertained and ecclesiasticall goodes uncorruptly distributed It belongs unto this kind of assembly to cause the ordinances made by the Assemblies Provinciall Nationall or Generall to be keept and put in execution to make constitutions which concern TÃ’ PREPON in the Church for decent order in the particular Church where they govern Providing that they alter no rules made by the Provinciall or Generall Assemblies and that they make the Provinciall privy of the rules that they shall make And to abolish constitutions tending to the hurt of the same It hath power to excommunicat the obstinat formall process being led and due intervall of times observed Of particular Churches if they be lawfully ruled by sufficient Ministry Session they have power jurisdiction in their own congtegation in matters eccelesiasticall And decernes and declares the said Assemblies presbyteries and Sessions jurisdiction disciplin thereof foresaid to be in all time coming most just good and godly in the self Notwithstanding whatsoever Statutes Acts Canon Civill or Municipall lawes made in the contrair To the which and every one of them these presents shall make expresse derogation And so followes an abrogation of many Acts made in time of Papistry in favors of the Papisticall Church Also the 129. Act of the Parliament An. 1584. was annulled that it should in no way be prejudiciall nor any way derogatory to the priviledge that God hath given to the spirituall Office-bearers in the Church concerning heads of Religion matters of heresy excommunication collation or deprivation of Ministers or any the like essentiall censures specially grounded and having warrand of God's word Item then was annulled the act of that same Parliament granting commission to Bishops and other Judges constitute in Ecclesiasticall causes to receive his Hieness presentations unto Benefices to give collation thereupon and to put order in all causes ecclesiasticall which his Majesty and Estates foresaids declare to be expired in itself and to be null in time coming and of none availe force nor effect And therefore ordaines all presentations to Benefices to be directed unto the particulare Presbyteries in all time coming with full power to give collation thereupon and to put order to all matters ecclesiasticall within their boundes according to the disciplin of the Church Providing the foresaid Presbyteries be astricted bound to receive and admit whatsoever qualified Minister presented by his Majesty or laick patrones Lykwise an act that unqualified persons being deprived the Benefice vakes and the Patron not presenting the right of presentation pertaines to the Presbytery without prejudice of the tacks set before the deprivation Lykewise an Act concerning Manses and glebes at cathedrall and Abbey-churches Item an act ratifying approving all acts of Parliament Secret Counsell and all Proclamations made before against Jesuits Seminary-priests and receipters of any of them also decerning that in all time coming the saying of Masse receipting of
made known unto God And lib. 8. Ep. 36. They who come after us will see worse times so that in comparison of their times they will judge that we have had happy daies Yea Gregory not only foresaw Gregory deviseth new Rites yet tieth not others unto them this defection but he was not the least agent in multiplying new Rites he did frame a new order of Divine Service or as they call it a new Mass where it is clear that the former manner did not please him And li. 7. indict 2. Ep. 63. he shews that some of his friends both Greeks and Latines did grumble against it and in the end of that Epistle it is remarkable that he saith Nevertheless if that of Constantinople or any other Church hath any good I am ready to follow in goodness even my inferiours to whom I forbid unlawfull things for he is a fool who thinks himself chief and that he will not learn the good things that he seeth And when Augustine whom he sent into Britain did ask him seeing the faith is one why are the customes of the Churches diverse And why is one sort of Mass in Rome and another in France Gregory answers Thy Brother-hood knows the custom of the Roman Church in which you have been nourished but it pleaseth me that whether in the Church of Rome or of France or in any other thou hast seen any thing that may more please the Almighty God that thou diligently follow it and in that Church of the English which in respect of the Faith is new they ordain the best things that thou hast seen in many Churches for things are not to be loved for the places but the places must be loved for the good things therefore chuse thou out of every Church what things are godly pious and right and these being gathered into a bundle put thou into the minds of the English for customes Interrog August resp 3. Whence it is clear that although Gregory was the Authour of the Mass yet he did not bind all men to follow it nor any other Ceremonies In his answer to Augustin's sixth question he saith The holy Law forbids to uncover the filthiness Degrees of kindred of kindred therefore it is necessary now that the third and fourth degree may lawfully marry but should altogether abstain from the second Here he wresteth Scripture and restraineth the degrees which God permits Then Augustine asketh in his 7. question Whether those who are so unlawfully married shall be commanded to divorce and shall be denied of the Communion Gregory answereth Because many in that nation while they were infidels were mixed in that unlawfull marriage when they come into the faith they are to be admonished to abstain and let them know that it is an heinous sin let them tremble at the fearfull judgement of God lest for their carnal pleasure they suffer everlasting torments and yet they are not to be deprived of the Communion of the Holy Body and Bloud of the Lord lest we seem to revenge on them the things whereunto they had bound themselves in their ignorance before the Laurel of Baptism for at this time the holy Church correcteth some things in zeal suffereth some things in meekness dissembleth some things in prudence that oft by tollerance and connivance she may amend the ill which she hateth But all they who imbrace the faith are to be admonished that they do not such a thing and if they shall then do it they are to be deprived of the Communion of the body and bloud of the Lord. Here is a good advice in this but still he aimeth at his own conceit He deviseth a superstitious manner of consecrating Churches which the posteritie have changed he did foster the fond conceits of men by too credulous believing the false miracles of his time saith M. Canus in Theol. In Vita Gregor loc lib. 11. cap. 6. He praied for delivering the soul of Trajan out of Hell Pope Siricius who lived an 387. was the first who contradicted marriage of Priests and Deacons Gratian. dist 82. and forbad their societie with their wives whom they had married And Pope Pelagius did ordain that Deacons who had wives should either put them away or leave their Benefice Ibid. but then Pope Gregory judgeth it contrarie unto the Gospel to put away a wife unless it be for fornication and he ordained that no sub-Deacon should be admitted unless he promise chastitie and he thought by this means to bring single life upon the Clergie seeing they must be Deacons ere they be Priests Pol. Verg. de invent rer lib. 5. cap. 4. Nevertheless afterwards when he finds that Priests lived not continentlie and thereby many children were murthered as he saw 6000. heads of children taken out of a pond see hereafter in the 9. Centurie in the Epistle of Huldricus Bishop of Augusta he annulleth his own Act and saith It is better to marry then to burn and murther he was credulous of Purgatorie of which it follows For these and other conceits Gregory is called worse then any of his Predecessours but for his soundness in other articles and for his vertues worthy of praise he is commended above all his Successours for he taught far otherwise then the Church of Rome doth now In lib. 4. Ep. 40. he perswadeth Leander a Physician to diligent The faith of Gregory for matter of doctrine reading of the Scriptures and that upon such reasons that concern all men saying The Scripture is an Epistle sent from God to his creatures if thou receivest a Letter from an earthly King thou wilt not rest nor sleep till thou understandest it but the King of Heaven and God of Men and Angels hath sent his Letters unto thee for the good of thy soul and yet thou neglectest the reading of them I pray thee therefore study them and meditate daily on the words of thy Creatour And in the preface on Job unto Bishop Leander cap. 4. In the Scripture is milk for babes and meat for the stronger There is a river plain and deep wherein lambs may wade and Elephants may swim He hath the same again in Ezek. lib. 1. hom 9. in the end of this he saith whatsoever serves for edification and instruction is contained in the holy Scriptures In Iob lib. 19. cap. 17. The books of Maccabees are not Canonical Scripture and he permits an excuse of citing a testimony out of them to wit he doth not inordinately herein because they are written for edification albeit they be not Canonical Again lib. 5. cap. 7. he saith Our righteousness is found to be unrighteous when it is narrowly examined and it stinketh in the censure of the Judge which glistereth in the esteem of the worker And lib. 18. cap. 25. some rejoice in their own power and they do glory that they are redeemed by their preceding merits whose assertion certainly is contrary to it self for while they say They are innocent and redeemed
accept them as it pleased thee to aceept the gifts of thy righteous servant Abel and the sacrifice of our Patriarch Abraham These words did still untill the Reformation remain in the Canon of the Mass And on Paul's day the words of the Secretum were read We beseech thee O Lord sanctifie the gifts of the people by the prayers of thy blessed Apostle Paul that those things which are acceptable unto thee by thy institution may be more acceptable by the patrociny of him praying These and many other prayers of the Mass cannot otherwise be understood without blasphemy Then of the gifts of the people Cassander in Liturgic cap. 27. hath these words from Expositio Ordinis Romani All the people coming into the Church should sacrifice and ex Decretis Fabiani We ordain that on every Lord's day the oblation of the Altar be made by all the men and women both of Bread and Wine Again at first they were wont to communicate daily Cyprian de Orat. Domi. at the 4 petition saith We receive the Eucharist daily On these words Pammelius hath marked that the same custom continued at Rome and in Spain till the daies of Jerom and at Millan till Ambrose but had failed sooner in the East Church Augustine in his 118 Epistle sheweth the different custom of communicating in some places ofter and in others more seldom It may be thought that when Christians had place zeal did decrease and the people did not communicate so oft and so the offerings were the fewer Then the Fathers did complain of the rarity of Communicants and exhorted the people to communicate at least every Lord's day and did absolutely inveigh against their rarity as absurd and zeal-less and said that when they came it was not for thirst of grace or remorse of sin but for solemnity Chrysost on 1 Cor. 11. hom 28. These exhortations and reproofs prevailed not therefore an Act was made binding the people to communicate each Lord's day Gratian. de consecr dist 2. cap. Quotâ—die Neither was this order obeyed therefore was another that they should communicate thrice yearly at the Feasts of Christ's Nativity Resurrection and the Pentecost Ibid. cap. Saeculares For all this the people would not communicate so oft therefore a Law was made that all the people should communicate at Pasch And then daily communion was forgot amongst the people When the Priests saw that Laws would not move the people to communicate oft and to bring their offerings they devised another damnable means they taught the people that the Lord's Supper is not only a Sacrament and so profitable to them only but it is a Sacrifice to God and profitable to all the beholders of it and by their offerings they may find mercy and grace Yea lastly not to the offerers and beholders only but to all for whom the Priest offereth it as well absent as present whether alive or dead and at last both to the soul and all other necessities They were the more bold to teach so because the Fathers had improperly and dangerously called the Sacrament a Sacrifice And upon this doctrine was multiplied the riches and wealth of the Church by donations of prebendaries chanouries lands yearly revenues as is to be seen in their Charters I offer unto God the things contained in this clanter for the remission of my sins and of my Parents sins to maintain the service of God in Sacrifices and Masses They who have seen the Rights or Writs of Church-lands or revenues know this This doctrine took deep root for it was gainfull unto the Priests and easie unto the people for what can be thought more easie Men wallowing in sin hear a Mass and bring an offering to a Priest and get remission no searching of the heart nor mortification required this was not the streight way and who was not able to do it Nor can it be shewed that such doctrine was heard in the Church before the seventh Century to wit they give heed to lies and apparitions of deceiving spirits or deceitfull and feigned apparitions and so left the truth All that is spoken of this purpose declares that at first the action of offering was not the action of the Priest but of the people and the thing offered was not the Sacrament nor the Son of God but the gifts of the people as is manifest for in the daies of Pope Gregory the I the words a little from the beginning of the Canon are not Which we offer unto thee but Which each of them offer unto thee Afterwards the Priests turn them to their action and their action was called the sacrifice and all their prayers which before were in dedication of their offerings the Priests turn to the consecration of the Bread and Wine which the Priest and one with him do take This change is manifest by the Canon of the Mass whereof I have touched some words and namely Accept the gifts as thou didst accept the gifts of Abel Abraham and Melchisedek .... command that these things be carried by the hands of thy Angel unto the Altar above And when it was generally so called a Sacrifice Raban sheweth in what sense the best sort understand it De Institut Cleric lib. 1. cap. 31. Sacrificium dictum quasi sacrum factum .... that is a sacrifice is an holy action because by mystical prayer it is consecrated in remembrance of the Lord's passion And Thomas Aquin. part 3. qu. 83. art 1. The celebration of this Sacrament is called a Sacrifice for two causes first because as Augustin ad Simpli Images are called by the names of things whereof they are Images as looking to a Picture we say This is Cicero But the celebration of this Sacrament is a representative Image of the Passion of Christ who is the true Sacrifice Hence Ambrose on Hebr. cap. 10 By Christ was the Sacrifice once offered c. What therefore do we we do therefore every day offer in remembrance of his death Another way in respect of the effect of Christ's passion to wit because by this Sacrament we are made partakers of the fruit of the Lord's suffering and therefore in a secret Dominical Prayer it is said How oft the commemoration of this Sacrifice is celebrated the work of our redemption is exerced And therefore saith he in respect of the first way it may be said that Christ was offered even in the figures of the Old-Testament as it is said Apoc. 13. the Lamb slain from the beginning of the World but in respect of the other way it is proper unto this Sacrament because Christ is offered in celebration thereof So far he If he and many others who have written the like had beleeved that the Sacrament is properly a Sacrifice or else the same Sacrifice with Christ's suffering or an iteration of it why did they not teach so in express words Therefore we may conclude that for 1300 years they thought not the Sacrament to be a Sacrifice properly but did
and People might be stirred up to zeal and study of good works 12. A form of hearing Confessions and prescribing pennance was ordered Ca. 13. Eight principal vices were declared that all men might know them and by the help of God abstain from them Ca. 14. Bishops were commanded to read more diligently the Scriptures and writing of the Fathers and to preach unto the people Ca. 17. Bishops and Abbots should not permit wanton jests in their hearing but have with them the poor and needy and the word of God should be sounding beside them Ca. 35. As the Lord commandeth no servile work should be done on the Lord's day nor Markets be held Ca. 39. Tithes should be given fully Ca. 40. Prayers and Oblations should be made for the Emperour and his children that God would preserve them in all felicity in this world and of his mercy make them rejoice with the holy Angels in the world to come 4. At Cabilon it was ordained that Bishops and Priests should read the Scriptures diligently and teach their people they should maintain and erect Schools for young ones Priests and Monks were rebuked which did perswade people to give liberally unto Churches and Monasteries that themselves might live at more ease and they order that all such goods as Parents at their death had given foolishly should be restored unto their children Bishops and Priests should not be drunk for how can such rebuke the people They should not meddle with civil affairs nor exact any thing from the inferiour Priests nor for chrism nor for dedication of Churches or ordination of Priests They who give publick scandal should make publick repentance Concerning Pilgrimages they note many faults Clarks think themselves free from discharging their office and cleansed from their sin if they go to such or such places Laicks think they may do what they will if they go thither and pray Noblemen under pretext of Pilgrimage to wards Rome or Turone do spoil many poor subjects and poor folks go in Pilgrimage that they may have the more free occasion of begging and many times say that they are going thither when they have no such purpose and some are so foolish that they think the only sight of such places cleanseth them from their sins And how all these things may be redressed they expect the will of the Emperour and not a word of reformation by the Pope 5. At Aken was a Councel by command of Lewis the Godly There it was decreed amongst other things First That every Church should have sufficient maintenance for the Priest that none need to beg 2. None of the Clergy of whatsoever degree should wear any cloath of Scarlet or such precious colour nor have rings on their fingers 3. Prelats should not have too large houses nor many horses nor frequent harlots nor play at dice nor have gold or silver on their shoos slippers nor girdles Whence may be understood the pride and pomp of Prelates in those daies which gave occasion unto Platina to say O if thou Lewis wert now alive the Church hath need of thy holy statutes and censure all orders of the Church are now so luxurious and voluptuous thou wouldest see now not only men which haply might seem light but horses and other beasts cloathed in purpure with a company of young men running before and another of older following after not upon Asses as Christ did who is the only example of living well upon earth but upon fierce and harnished horses as if they were triumphing over an enemy I will not speak saith he of their silver vessels and precious houshold-stuff seeing the ancient dishes of Italy and ornaments of Attalus and vessels of Corinth are nothing in respect of them and what follows on this their intemperance I forbear to mention 6. At Melda upon the River Matrona was a Synod assembled by Charls the II where among other Canons it was decreed First That every Bishop should have in his house one which according to the pure mind of the Catholick Fathers who is able to instruct the Priests in the faith and commandments of God lest the house of God which is his Church should be without the Lantern of the Word 2. That Presbyters should not be suffered to continue abroad but that they dwell at their Church 3. A charge was given in the name of Christ unto all Bishops unto Kings and all in authority and unto all who have power in election and ordination in any Order Ecclesiastical that none be admitted by simony by whatsoever faction promise or gift either by the person or another for him 4. That no Bishop do retire into a remote place for his own ease and so neglect his charge but that he visit his Parishes diligently and he with his children live in chastity sobriety and hospitality 5. That the damnable custom of some Bishops be amended who never or seldom visit their people although the Lord hath said I have set thee a Watch-man c. 7. At Rome was a Synod of 47 Bishops convened by Pope Leo the IV at the command of Lotharius where these former Canons were confirmed in other words and moreover that a Bishop should not be consecrated unless the Clergy and People do crave him Priests should be diligent in searching the Scriptures and in teaching the people and should not permit games in their sight Priests should not be taken up with senory hunting hawking or any rural work nor go abroad without a sacerdotal habit Abbots must be able to cognosce and amend whatsoever might be done amiss by their brethren 8. At Valentia An. 855. was a Councel by command of the same Lotharius there was three Metropolitans Remigius of Lions Agilmar of Vienna Roland of Arles and 14 Bishops with a venerable company of Priests and Deacons Six Canons were enacted The first for eschuing all new-coined words in doctrine Ca. 2. God foreknows and hath eternally foreknown both the good things which the godly were to do and the evil which the wicked were to do because we have the voice of the Scriptures saying O eternal God which knowest all things and hid things ere they be done Dan. 13. we faithfully hold and it pleaseth to hold still that He foreknew that good men were to be good by his grace and according to the same grace were to receive everlasting reward and that he foreknew that the wicked were to be wicked through their own wickedness and were to be damned with everlasting punishment through his justice as the Psalmist saith Power belongeth to God and unto him belongeth mercy that he may render unto every one according to their works and the Apostle teacheth To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek glory and honour and immortality he gives eternal life but unto them which are contentious ...... And again In flaming fire rendring vengeance on them which know not God .... And that the foreknowledge of God did not put upon any evil man any
no satisfaction for Pennance onely they shew themselves to the Priests who anoint them with oyl in token of the remission of their sins 15. Onely on Maundy Thursday they do consecrate for the sick and keep it the whole year after and think it more holy that day then any other neither do they fast on any Saturday save onely on Easter-even 16. They have but five Orders as Clerks Deacons Sub-Deacons Priests and Bishops whereas the Romish Church hath nine Orders according to the nine Orders of Angels 17. In their Orders they make no vow of single life alledging the Canon J. N. Priest or Deacon shall not put away my wife as it were for honesties sake 18. Every year on certain days they excommunicate the Church of Rome and all the Latins as Heretiques 19. They excommunicate him who striketh a Priest 20. Their Emperor doth name Patriarchs Bishops and others of the Clergy and deposeth them at his pleasure also he giveth Benefices to whom he listeth and retaineth the Fruits of the same Benefices as it pleaseth him 21. They blame the Latins because they eat not flesh eggs nor cheese on Friday 22. They hold against the Latins for celebrating without consecrated Churches and fasting on the Sabbath days and for permitting menstruous women to enter into Churches before their purifying also for suffering dogs or other beasts to enter into Churches 23. They use not to kneel at their devotion yea not to the body of Christ but one day in the year affirming that the Latins like goats or beasts prostrate themselves on the ground in their prayers 24. They permit not the Latins to celebrate on their Altars and if it chance a Latin Priest celebrate on their Altar by and by they wash it in token of abomination and false sacrifice 25. They condemn the worship of Images as idolatry These are the Articles contained in the said Register But there are many more in the Book of Catholique Traditions published in the French tongue by Th. A. I. C. and translated into English and printed at London ann 1610. out of which I have drawn these Articles 1. All the Apostles were equally universal Pastors and no primacy given to Peter who was never at Rome but when he was martyred 2. To say that the Church is grounded on the stone of Rome is hard and grievous and not far from the Jewish baseness to include the Church within a Town 3. St. John ending his life after Peter had the first place among all Evangelists and Bishops and he never taught that Rome by divine right ought to be the Lady of other Churches 4. But after St. John the Bishop of Rome obtained the first place among the Bishops within the Roman Empire for seeing the Citizens of Rome reigned above other Cities he had been proud and audacious who would have preferred himself before their Bishop especially without Ordinance of a Council 5. The Churches of Italy and others their neighbors by lapse of time gave to the Church of Rome not onely the first place but also superintendence over the Bishops near them in particular to give his advice in matters that happened until a Synod might be held yet never any presidency or power was given to the Church of Rome above other Churches 6. As all the Apostles were equal in Authority so they left behinde them every one diverse Successors of equal Authority 7. He who accuseth the Scriptures accuseth God the Author thereof but God is void of blame and the Scriptures contain the whole matter of faith 8. Those onely are Canonical Books which were contained in the Ark and written in Hebrew before or in Greek after the coming of the Lord. 9. They hold they were the first Nations converted unto Christ and in that regard they are the men who truly and purely maintain the Traditions of the Primitive Church as it was taught them by the Apostles 10. Faith is an assurance of the love of God and he who doubteth cannot approach unto God with confidence 11. The saying of Paul It is not in him who runneth nor in him who willeth prevents two mischiefs One that no man exalt himself for grant that thou runnest or endeavorest yet think not what thou doest well is thine for if thou be not inspired from above all is vain Another that no man deem that he shall be crowned without service 12. Faith is imputed to justification faith sufficeth for all faith absolveth justifieth and maketh partaker of eternal glory for God requireth no other thing but compunction and mourning 13. When we praise good Works we mean not to exalt our selves by them or to put our trust in them but we desire men would give themselves thereunto as to things necessary unto salvation and which every one is bound to exercise according to his power following the commandment of God 14 They communicate under Both elements and they have one fashion for the Communicants in the Church and another for the Sick the Priests with little or no reverence eat the remanent elements which are not eaten by the faithful but for the sick it is kept all the year being consecrate the week before Easter 15. They celebrate the Liturgy in their own Language that the people may understand 16. The Bishop of Rome cannot by his Indulgences deliver any from these temporal punishments which God inflicteth neither ought he to dispense with the fulfilling of all these works of repentance which are possible c. The most part of these last differences are fallen twixt the east and western Churches since the 11. Century and in them all we finde that the differences are either calumnies articulated by the Church of Rome or matters of Discipline or Ceremony or then our Reformed Church agreeth with them 8. The Bishop of Millan had the next place in Italy unto the Bishop of How Millan became subject unto Rome Rome he had eighteen Suffragan Bishops under him twenty two Ordinary Cardinals and divers other Offices of mark he was always named by the King of Lombardie neither he nor any of his Clergy trotted at any time to Rome This was a great moat in the Priests eyes and therefore the Popes ofttimes sought to bring Millan into subjection unto their See but the Millanoyes still kept their liberty At last ann 1059. Ariald Clericus Decumanus conspired with Landulfus Cotta praefatus populi against the Arch-Bishop Wido and made a pretext that married Priests ought to be exautorate Wido assembled all his Bishops and Clergy at Fontanetum with common consent it was denied that Priests should have liberty of marriage Then was great strife in the Town the Nobility defended Wido and the People were for Landulf who sent Ariald to Pope Nicolaus II. accusing the Clergy of Millan and requiring him to send some Judges to try the matter He was glad of the occasion and sent Peter Damian Bishop of Ostia and Anselm Bishop of Luca. So soon as Damian began to talk
seen that his grace to save a man agreeth with free-will so that grace alone can save a man though his free-will can do nothing as in Infants and in them which have not understanding for grace doth continually help natural free-will which without grace can do nothing unto salvation by giving unto the will righteousness which it may keep by free-will and albeit he give it not unto all men because he sheweth mercy on whom he willeth and whom he willeth he hardneth yet he giveth it unto none for any preceeding merit because who hath given unto God and it shall be repayed unto him But if the will keep by free-will what it hath received it attaineth either increase of received righteousness or power according to good will or some reward All these things are the fruit of the first grace even grace for grace and therefore it is all to be imputed unto grace because it is neither of him which willeth that he willeth nor of him which runneth that he runneth but of God which sheweth mercy And therefore except God onely it is said unto all others What hast thou that thou hast not received why gloriest thou as if thou hadst not received So I have translated that Chapter word by word one may quarrel that I have translated attaineth for meretur but I have done so according to the use of the word as I have marked in other places and because it so agreeth with the words following All these things are the fruits of grace even grace for grace In the next Chapter Anselm saith As none hath righteousness but by preveening grace so none keepeth it but by following grace for howbeit it be kept by free-will yet it is not so much to be imputed unto free-will as unto grace when righteousness is kept because free-will hath and keepeth it not but by grace preveening and following Lastly seeing all things are according as God disposeth whatsoever a man hath that helpeth free-will to accept or keep his righteousness whereof I speak it is to be imputed unto his grace In these particulars then the former testimonies are according to the minde of Anselm As for that testimony concerning the sacrifice of Christ he hath a Treatise De Sacramento altaris wherein he speaketh much of the change of the bread and seemeth to be puzzled in reconciling the sentence of Pope Nicolaus II. with the ancient Fathers but in c. 12. he speaketh of the maner how the things of the Sacrament are to be judged thus seeing the things of the Sacrament are so we should think of the things as they are spiritual things in a spiritual maner and when we receive the flesh of Jesus from the altar we should be solicitous that in our thoughts we rest not on the flesh and be not quickned by the Spirit for if we be not quickned by the Spirit the flesh profiteth nothing for if in our thought we rest on the flesh of our Saviour we not onely shall not be quickned by the Spirit but neither can we understand how the flesh of Christ a man can be eaten by man but as those which were hard in heart understood it unto whom the speech of Christ seemed hard and they went back for they understood it carnally for they thought he would cut off pieces of his flesh and give them to eat therefore we should think of that body of the Lord spiritually and in a divine maner and discern it humbly that is we should think it diverse from all other food and eat the spiritual flesh of Christ in a spiritual maner that is it is received in a Sacrament of his true flesh on the altar And again we should think that the very flesh which was crucified and buried is not also torn in the Sacrament nor broken nor devoured after the maner of common flesh but under the similitude of bread to be broken and offered and never consumed for it is not after a wicked maner killed by us but holily sacrificed and thus do we set forth Christ's death till he come again For we do now this humbly upon earth what he as the Son doth for us in heaven where he as our Advocate interceedeth with the Father for us To interceed for us is to present for us in some maner before God the Father the flesh which he took for us and of us Therefore we do sacrifice the body of Christ when by certain piety of faith we believe it to be certain and do sanctifie it and we do hold fast this faith unto his honor by whom he who sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all one For the death of Christ needeth not to be done again because when it is once done it is sufficient to everlasting salvation Ambrose saith Christ hath died once and was made an oblation for our sins what do we then do we not offer every day yes we do offer but in remembrance of his death and there is but one sacrifice and not many How one and not many because Christ was offered but once and this sacrifice is the example thereof it is the same and the same continually therefore it is but one sacrifice else because he is offered in many places there be many Christs no no but one Christ every where here he is full and there he is full for as what is offered every where is one body and not many bodies so it is but one sacrifice but the Priest is he who offered the sacrifice which cleanseth us and we now offer the same sacrifice which being offered then cannot be consumed What we do now is done in remembrance of that which was done as he saith Do this in remembrance of me we offer not another sacrifice but the same continually or rather we do this in remembrance of that sacrifice and unto him we do vow and render our selves and his gifts in us and on the solemn feasts and on certain days we do dedicate and consecrate the remembrance of his benefices lest time bring upon us ungrate oblivion thereof What was Anselm's judgement in the doctrine of justification appeareth by an Admonition pro moribundo Order for demanding the sick where he ordereth the Priest to ask the dying man Brother art thou glad to die in the faith of Christ Ans Yea Brother Hast thou a purpose to amend thy life if God will give thee space to live Ans Yea Brother Believest thou that thou canst not be saved by thy own merits or any other way but by the death of Christ Yea. Givest thou him thanks for the same with all thy heart Yea. Then go on and so long as thou livest give him thanks and hide thy self in his death role thy self on it and put thy trust in no other thing and if the Lord would judge thee say O Lord I put the death of Jesus Christ betwixt thee and me and otherwise I will not contend with-thee If he say Thou hast deserved condemnation say thou I lay
they are letcherous in such a maner that they have not broken any bond of marriage Ibid. cap. 3. It is not possible that any of these whom God hath predestinated unto the Crown can lose their Crown it may be and it hath come to pass that some lose the Crown whom God hath called by a visible calling or which might have been heard by man Ibid. lib. 6. cap. 11. Excepting the Apostles whatsoever other thing afterwards is said let it be cut off neither have any authority therefore albeit after the Apostles there be any holy man how wise soever he be let him not have that authority seeing the Lord speaketh in the Scriptures Ibid. lib. 11. cap. 20. Possibly one will say Since Christ overcame death and ascended into the heavens doth he descend thence again surely he descendeth but invisibly all the world hath heard his descending when a sound was heard from heaven as of the Spirit coming and filled the house where they were sitting did not Christ then descend from heaven Is the substance or Majesty of the Son separated from the Spirit that when the holy Ghost descendeth the Son of God descendeth not also certainly he descendeth not in the form of his manhood yet undoubtedly he descendeth in his uncircumscribed Deity or in the Spirit that he giveth and he descendeth to visit the Nations by his Messengers whom he inspireth 9. Bernard in Epist 56. ad Gaufrid Episco Carnot writeth that Notbert Praemonstratensis did teach that Antichrist was before the doors and to be revealed in the same age Within these few days saith Bernard there I obtained to see this mans face and I learned many things from an heavenly fistule to wit from his mouth Behold what account this Author made of him who spake thus Hen. Oraeus in Nomenclat saith this Notbert was the beginner of the Order of Monks in the Diocy of Magdeburgh Pol. Vergil de inven rer lib. 7. cap. 3. calleth him a Priest of Lorrain and saith that he began that most exact Order after the rule of Augustinians as also in that Chapter and the preceeding he sheweth that sundry others seeing about that time that the Monastical institutions were not observed men becoming always worse and worse and godliness was corrupted by riches quae pietas ut mater illas à principio Ordini pepererat quotidie sunt qui ignaviae suae potius quà m religioni consulant therefore they would reform the Order and added some new Rites for distinction from others of the same Order who were become looser and by these means the number of Orders were multiplied 10. Theodoricus Abbot of St. Trudo at Leodium about the year 1120. said Simon Magus now reigneth at Rome and not Simon Peter and Simony is in place of the Gospel what may we not have if we have money In Catal. test verit lib. 14. are some of his verses concerning the Government of the Church he saith Vt Mopso Nisa corvo datur ecâ—e columba Qualis pullus erit quem fert commixtio talis Hence it appeareth that good men at that time bewailed the wretched condition of the Church 11. Hugo de S. Victore by Nation a Saxon and Abbot of S. Victor at Paris was in great account about the year 1130. His works are extant in three Tomes In one place he saith The Clerks of our time know not the Law nor learn they it but they study vanity ease surfeiting and drunkenness they are often in the streets seldom in the Churches slow to search the faults of sinners and ready to follow the trace of hares they give more bread to dogs then to the poor their beds are better arayed then the altars the barking of dogs and lowing of oxen is more pleasant unto God then the singing of such Clerks their preaching may be dispised whose life is contemned Of our communion with Christ he saith on Iohn 6. The Lord shewing a difference betwixt the bread he gave and which they did eat in the wilderness saith I am the bread of life for he is the bread wherewith an hungry soul is refreshed which is when true faith embraceth him for by faith we love him and by love we are united unto Christ which is our life therefore this spiritual bread is eaten by faith even without Sacramental eating and is profitable unto salvation dayly we have need of this bread while this present life endureth and so said Augustine Why preparest thou thy teeth and stomach believe and thou hast eaten On Chapter 20. he saith Whose sins ye forgive i. e. whose sins are forgiven by you God also forgiveth them this is spoken generally not onely unto the Apostles as some say this is the prerogative of the Apostles but it is spoken and granted unto all their successors On Rom. 3. The written Law is called the Law of works because men under the Law thought that all their righteousness was in the works of the Law but the Law of Faith and Grace is so called because men under Grace set the sum and efficacy of their salvation on Grace onely knowing that as no man is saved by righteousness of his works so none is justified by works of his righteousness for righteousness is not of good works but good works are of righteousness On Chapter 4. If man had not sinned he should have had perfect righteousness which consisteth in the perfect fulfilling of God's commands so that he should have had no lust against reason and he might have loved God with all his heart but after sin and for sin man cannot have this perfect righteousness unto which eternal life is justly due but God of his grace giveth faith unto man and of the same grace reputeth it for that perfection as if he had the perfection of righteousness De Scriptura Scriptor Sacris cap. 1. he saith That Scripture onely is truly called Divine which was from the Spirit of God and written by those who spoke by God's Spirit that maketh a man divine and reformeth him according to the image of God by teaching to know him and by exhorting to love him whatsoever is taught therein is truth whatsoever is commanded is good and whatsoever is promised is blessedness for God is truth without falshood goodness without wickedness and blessedness without misery In cap. 6 7. All Divine Scripture is contained in the Old and New Testaments and when he hath divided the Old Testament into the Law Prophets and Hagiographa and hath reckoned the Books that are in the Hebrew Canon he addeth There be also other Books as Wisdom the Books of Syracides Judith Tobias and the Maccabees that are read indeed but are not rolled in the Canon Catol test ver lib. 15. Likewise De Sacramentis fidei lib. 1. cap. 28. If it be asked What is original sin in us It is a corruption or vice by which in our birth we draw ignorance in our minde and concupiscence in the flesh And cap. 19. In the
pontem In Sion omnibus est via plebibus in Phlegetontem Stat sibi gloria pompa superbia divitiarum Hoc prope tempore nemo studens fore pons animarum Qui stat in agmine primus in ordine Presbyteratus Est vitio levis officio brevis inguine fractus Then of the Prelates and Clergy he saith Vos volo credere quod volo dicere Pseudoprophetas Nulla feracius ac numerosius hâc tulit aetas His sacra nomina sacraque tegmina corda superba Agnus eis patet in tunica latet anguis in herba Quilibet improbus extat episcopus Abba creatur Vi precio prece Dignus homo nece sceptra lucratur Nullus ei timor haudque sui memor est aliarum Non sine Simone sed sine canone dux animarum When he hath hinted at the manifold impieties of the Clergy he striketh again at the head Per sibi pervia Pastor it ostia fur aliunde Lex mala furibus his subeuntibus intrat abunde O mala secula venditur Infula Pontificalis Infula venditur haud reprehenditur emptio talis Venditur annulus hinc lucra Romulus urget auget Est modo mortua Roma superflua quando resurget Roma superfluit arida corruit afflua plena Clamitat tacet erigit jacet dat egena Roma dat omnibus omnia dantibus omnia Romae Cum pretio quia juris ibi via jus perit omne Fas mihi scribere fas mihi dicere Roma peristi Obruta moenibus obruta moribus occubuisti Aurea pectora castaque pectora jam perierunt Tempora pessima scilicet ultima jam subierunt Stat simulatio corruit actio Relligionis Heu sua propria deputat omnia Rex Babylonis Behold here he calleth Rome Babylon and the Pope the King of it 24. In that Century were many pamphlets and rhimes written in all languages almost against the errors and vices of Popes Bishops and Clergy namely a book was written having the picture of Christ casting buyers and sellers out of the Temple and another of the Pope sitting upon his throne above each were some rhimes written shewing the maners of the times above the Pope thus Curia vult marcas bursus exhaurit arcas Si bursaeparcas fuge Papas Patriarchas Si dederis marcas eis impleveris arcas Culpâ solveris quacunque ligatus eris Intus quis tu quis ego sum quid quaeris ut intrem Fers aliquid non Staforis Fero. Quid Satis Intra 25. In Tom. 2. Concilior printed at Colein An. 1551. is a little book with Abuses in the Church this title Opusculum Tripartitum de negotiis Ecclesiae In the third part thereof are noted many filthy abuses in the Church and faults of the Clergy and Prelates are noted Cap. 1. It is commonly heard how wicked women say That they have more gain by their sin on one festival day then in an whole week or fifteen working-days It is also sure of many other sins that they be innumerably more committed on festival days then in other days and therefore it seemeth it were more acceptable unto God that there were fewer festival days in the Church or at least that workmen might after the hearing of the Service go about their work seeing many have not maintenance to themselves and their families but by their work and the wealthier sort do waste more on festival days in tap-houses then in other days In some Cathedral Churches is a custom that when some Canons will not pay unto the Clerks what is due the Clerks suspend them from the Service and so in these Churches is no Service and sometimes for a very naughty occasion it were better that other punishments were laid on these Canons In many Cathedral Churches so few Clerks are present at the Canonical hours that sometimes they be scarcely four or six albeit in these Churches a great multitude of them have their entertainment for that Service onely now all these abuses might be helped and especially that men be not compelled unto new festivals Cap. 2. Because no inferior dare speak against the Roman Church it were very decent that the Lord Pope and the Lords the Cardinals would diligently observe what things are to be reformed in the Roman Church and that they would begin there to the end the reformation which belongeth unto them of others may have the better success for behold how great mischief and scandal hath flowed through all the world that I speak not of other things in so many vacations of Popes that have happened in our days Cap. 3. All the world is offended and speaketh against the multitude of poor religious men who are not now called Religious but Trutannii this turneth to the great contempt of that Religion Albeit that Order may be called good and there be some good men among them yet it seemeth expedient that they be not multiplied except onely in so far as the world may be able conveniently to bear them Cap. 4. Seeing bad Prelates are the cause of innumerable evils there should be greater diligence in their admission by a prudent trial of the person by them who are not accustomed to lye Again there is so great difficulty in the deposition of Prelates according to the Laws by the multitude of witnesses which is required that none of them how wicked soever they be is feared for deposition and therefore innumerable Churches lying many years under a pestiferous Prelate are destroyed both temporally and spiritually therefore it seemeth expedient that a Law were made for removing wicked Prelates more easily whence a double benefit would follow to wit the deliverance of the Churches which perish under them and a fear in other bad Prelates It seemeth also that there is not so great reason of keeping this difficulty now as was of old because then all the Prelates almost were good men and their adversaries rose wickedly against them but now none accuseth a Prelate but they which are good men and are moved with the zeal of God against bad Prelates There is so great negligence of Prelates in correcting that seldom any is heard to correct even they who are reputed to be good men and seeing many evils follow upon this some remedy should be provided There is so great vanity and prodigality in the families of many Prelates in their clothes cutted watered flowered and their shoe-ties of gold and such other many things that in the Court of any secular Prince or King is not found so great vanity and it were decent that in the families of the Successors of the Apostles stricter discipline were seen in their habit or accoutrement as was ordained by Laws Cap. 6. Rich Benefices are bestowed for the most part on such persons which never reside there and scarcely will ye finde a Bishop which dispenseth not easily with their non-residence to the great dammage of souls When a Curate putteth a Vicar in his Parish there is no respect unto the
all deceiving tyranny fraud and oppression of truth I will not speak of their filthiness more then Sodomitish did these high Priests employ their times so that then Rome did deserve to be called the synagogue of Satan or seat of the Divel and justly might be reputed the habitation of foul spirits and the sink of all uncleanness Revel 2 18. Wherefore when they went to their general Councels or their Legates were sent unto the Nations under colour of reconciliation and reformation it may seem that so oft did Satan come out from the presence of the Lord to smite Job for whatsoever he is said in the Scriptures to have done the same did these his hooded Vicars nor did their hellish madness spare the most puissant Princes but hereafter shall the Kingdom of Abaddon which is the King of Locusts or Friers of the begging Order by their sophistry lay waste and destroy all things until Pope Julius the II. that is the space of 260. years but that the Lord will have sparks of honesty to be seen here and there 6. So many Cardinals were poisoned at the last election that they which were alive would not conveen until the Emperor did charge them to go on with the election with certification that if they would not he would cause his Soldiers to plunder their Lands Cities and houses and until the French King told them that he would choose a Pope for the Church of his own Kingdom Mat. Paris INNOCENTIUS the IV. was then chosen he was one of these whom the Emperor had under arrest and had been familiar with him but now he forgot his kindeness and without delay did confirm the sentence of Pope Gregory against the Emperor so the wars did continue He profered the Kingdom of Italy unto Edmund for a certain sum of money but his father Henry King of England was scant of money saith Mat. Par. that he could not perform what was required because he had foolishly tied his Kingdom unto the Popish Merchants In the Councel at Lions which Bellarmin calleth the thirtieth general Councel he would not delay his curse three days against the Emperor albeit he understood that the Emperor was upon his journey to come before him and satisfie He ordained the feast Octava festivitatis Mariae And that Cardinals should ride with foot-mantles ◠〈…〉 ◠garments and red hats and red clokes for honor of their Order saith Platina or in imitation of the Jewish Priests saith Po. Virg. de inven rer lib. 4. cap. 9. or rather it came so pass that the prophecy might be fulfilled and the Beast be cloathed in scarlet Revel 17. 3. He added unto the Decretals and honored the Dominicks with apostatical they say Apostolical honors and priviledges and advanced them unto Bishopricks and in favor of Curates he discharged all begging Friers to exercise any of their function Mortous Appeal lib. 5. cap. 4. § 6. ex Azor. Iesui Thus he did ramverse the priviledge granted by Pope Honorius the III. After the Councel when he heard that the Imperial forces did prevail in sundry places he like a lion robbed of his whelps rageth and leaveth no means unessayed to cut off the Emperor especially he enticeth some of his domesticks Theobald Francis James de Mora Pandulf de Fasanellis and William de S. Severino to lie in wait for his life either by poison secretly or by weapons violently it was made known unto the Emperor and yet he could not be so watchful but he was poisoned in Pulia as appeareth by his Letters unto his Brother in law Henry the III. King of England The doers of this fact saith he being accompanied with a number of Friers Minorites do openly avow that they are about the affairs of the Mother Church of Rome and that they are signed by Apostolical Letters against us and the Pope is the Author of our death and disinheriting Matth. Parisien So soon as the Pope heard of the Emperor's death he taketh his journey into Italy when he went from Lions the Bishop and other chief men of the City did accompany him and unto them he said I have done much good in this City since I came into it At that time were but three or four Stews in it now is but one howbeit a large one from the East-gate to the West-gate Idem ad An. 1251. He coming into Italy ceased not to draw the Cities cleaving unto the Emperor from his Son Conrade yea at the same time when Lewes the French King and his Navy were in great peril of the Turks in Syria he caused to proclaim greater pardon unto all who would fight against Conrade then he or any Pope had profered to fight against the Turks for he caused it to be preached in all the pulpits of Italy If any will fight against Conrade both the signed that is the fighter under the sign of the Cross and his father and mother shall have pardon of all their sins When he heard of Conrades death he laughed loudly and said I am glad and let all the Church of Rome rejoyce for now our two greatest enemies are out of the way Conrade King of Siciles and Robert Bishop of Lincoln And immediately he went unto Naples to take possession of that Kingdom Not long thereafter he directeth Letters into England to take up the dead body of the before named Robert and cause him to be proclaimed an Heathen the same night after this direction he thought that the same Robert did smite him on the side and for his impiety did threaten him with the judgement of God the next day his side was very sore and within few days he died Matth. Paris 7. ALEXANDER the IV. was chosen at Naples when the See had been vacant two years His first exploit was to follow the wars moved by his Predecessors against Manfred then King of both Sicilies to this effect he sent his locusts the Friers to preach that every one should send Subsidy unto the holy wars against the enemy of the Church Some did see the Pope's insatiable greediness and others were perswaded and so all Italy was in an uproar He rewarded his Friers with red hats and cornered caps He gave the Kingdoms of Sicily and Pulia unto Edmund Son of Henry III. King of England for the conquering and for this effect he sent Legate Rostand to collect all the tenths of England and Scotland against Manfred still prevailing not onely in Naples but in Hetruria and Lombardie and many abominable things saith Matth. Paris did flow from the sulphurous fount of the Roman Church fie for sorrow to the dammage of many Such an exaction was not heard as the Pope craved at that time Rostand said in the Assembl◠at London All the Churches belong unto my Master the Pope One Leonard in name of the Bishops said It is true for defence but not for possession nor dissipation as all things belong unto the King In a word at three several meetings he
have any propriety but they may have the use of utensils of books and other moveables that they shall get lawfully and the Friers may use such things as their General or Provincials shall think good reserving the dominion of the houses and places unto such as is known it belongeth unto neither may they sell their moveables or give them away from their Order unless a Cardinal of the Roman Church who shall be Governor of the Order shall give power and consent unto their General or Provincials Innocentius the IV. declared that the propriety of the Minorites goods belongeth unto the Apostolical See and he gave them power to appoint Procurators who might sell or any way change their goods for their use and to change the Procurators as they thought good And so though they had vowed simple poverty yet they devised ways of possession yea they sought the possessions of other Monks and as Matth. Paris saith ad An. 1235. it was told them It is a shame unto them and scandal unto others to change their rule and profession so soon Their way of purchasing was thus They had liberty to hear confessions as the Dominicans had to preach and they did ask persons of whatsoever quality Hast thou made thy confession If it were answered Yea they said To whom if it were answered To our Priest the Frier said What an idiot is that he never learned Divinity nor hath he read the Decrees nor hath he learned to solve a question those Priests are blinde guides of the blinde come unto us we can distinguish between leprosie and leprosie unto us are the mysteries and secrets of God revealed confess unto us to whom so great priviledges are granted by the Apostolical See Therefore many Nobles and others left their Bishops and Priests and made their confessions unto the Friers and gave them their tithes and offerings as is manifest by the querulous Letters that were collected by Petrus de Vineis Epist lib. 1. And then the Friers began to rear up georgeous buildings for themselves and the Priests were for the most part but contemned and poor Some Popes made Decree in favor of the Friers for the benefit of the Church and some made contrary Decrees for them Honorius the IV. Gregory the IX Alexander the IV. Clemens the IV. and V. against them and for the Curates was especially John the XXII who made himself Pope and others after him In his time some that were called pauperes de paupere vita and Beguini separated themselves from their Order and returned to their Institution Pope John condemned them and their constitution but these were zealous of their first rule even so zealous that at Massiles four of them were condemned by their own Order the Inquisitors and were burnt because they would not consent unto the dispensation that was granted unto them Others in many places of France called these four Martyrs and said If the Pope hath consented unto their death he is an Heretick Such doings and speeches provoked Pope John the XXII first to suspend and then to condemn the Decrees of his Predecessors that had confirmed the Institution of that Order as commanded and practised by Christ Geo. Calixtus in his book De nova arte hath those things at more length ex Nic. Eimer the Author of Directori Inquisitor and Alvar. Pelagius de Planctu Eccles After Pope John were many Bulls both for and against the Friers Then starteth up a new controversie between the Friers and the Priests The Priests said Of Tithes The Tithes being the proper patrimony of the Church should be paid unto them who serve in the Church and not unto idle bellies who have not charge in the Church The Friers move other two questions 1. By what Law should Tithes be paid 2. Unto whom they should be paid For the first they say It was the uniform consent of the Church that God commandeth the payment of Tithes under the Gospel as under the Law So Origen on Numer cap. 18. August de temp Ser. 219 48. and such was the practise in many ages saith Concil Matiscon 2. cap. 5. But at that time the Friers held It was a judicial Law binding the Jews only yet so as it may be continued by Princes and the Church hath enjoyned the payment of the tenth part of the increase neither may any refuse to pay the Tithe and more also if the Church shall enjoyn more as she hath power indeed Tho. Aquin. in Sum. 2. 2. qu. 87. The other question was before without scruple that Tithes should be paid unto Church-men and a division should be of them as of all other Church-goods one unto the Bishop another for the Curate and a third for the fabrick of the Church and the fourth for the poor and strangers But the Friers made a new distinction saying In Tithes two things are to be considered to wit the power of receiving them and the Tithes themselve the power is spiritual and belongeth unto them that serve at the altar for their service but the things called Tithes are corporal and therefore may be given unto Laicks Tho. Aquin. ib. By this distinction the Priests were cheated and afterwards the Tithes were given to Abbeys and Monasteries By the way note that the Frier Thomas calleth the Friers Laicks as they were never reckoned among the Clergy unless they were promoted and received Orders And we may Their subdivisions see how the Franciscans were subdivided as also other Orders into Sects some kept the first Institution and go coursely apparelled living onely by begging and others want not their ease nor abundance they say They have nothing and yet enjoy plenty and they excuse their practise which is contrary unto their profession with a distinction They have riches in common but nothing in propriety This cause why Friers are so many ways subdivided is marked by Bellarmin de Monach. l. 2. c. 2. Every Sect saith he is hot at the beginning and then they become colder then ariseth some one or other who reduceth the Sect to the first Institution with some particular Rite in remembrance of himself and this is called a new Religion Until this day these two Orders kept the Office of Inquisition wheresoever the Pope commandeth Their office saith Francis Pegna in Directo Inquisitor but principally the Fransciscans exercise it How they discharge this Office Agrippa de vanitat scien cap. 96. sheweth saying Whereas their jurisdiction should be grounded upon Theological traditions and holy Scriptures they exercise it according to the Canon-Law and Papal Decrees as if it were impossible the Pope can err and they throw away the holy Scriptures as a dead letter or but a shadow of truth yea and they say as a buckler and fortress of Hereticks neither admit they the ancient traditions of Fathers and Doctors saying Those might be deceived and deceive but the holy Church of Rome cannot err nor the Pope the head thereof and they set before
Phocas the prerogative over all the rest of the Bishops then the high Priest of Rome with his Senate of Town-Priests began to be more advanced above others and these Priests to whom these titles were given in old time and to whom the cure of Christian souls was committed began especially to be honored with that name as proper to the highest Dignity In the beginning it was altogether a burthen and at last the chiefest honor seeing they are always nearest to the Pope in the administration of the Christian Republick and unto them was more and more given and by little and little by jarring of the Emperors and the people of Rome for the election of the Pope all the right of the election came unto them So far he In this last matter Bellar. loc cit is more plain howsoever these things be so I confess saith he that the Cardinalship was a step unto a Bishoprick as it is most manifest out of the first book of the life of Gregory cap. 7. but that order is changed and Cardinals are preferred unto Bishops because when the Emperors and Clergy and people did chuse the Pope the Cardinals were not in such estimation but when onely they began to chuse the Pope and onely Cardinals were chosen the dignity of a Cardinal is not without cause more respected Secondly The dignity of a Cardinal is advanced because they were wont to be neither the onely neither the chief Consellors of the Pope for in the first eight hundred years a national Councel of Italian Bishops was gathered for consultation of the weighty affairs as is manifest by the Councels there the chief place was given to Bishops but when the affairs of the Church of Rome did increase especially the temporal Princedom in the days of Pipin and Charls the Great the Councels have been omitted and all things brought to the Colledge of Cardinals So he We saw before how great priviledges Innocentius the III. gave unto this Order and so did Innocentius the IV. If Peter Damian Cardinal of Ostia had seen them so far honored whereunto would he have compared them seeing he is bold to extol them so far in his days What thinkest thou of the Cardinal Bishops saith he who principally chuse the Pope of Rome and do transcend the power of all Bishops yea of Patriarchs and Primates to wit except the Sacrament of the universal Church these are the eyes of the one stone that is of the Roman Church of whom it is said in Zachary Behold the stone which I have set before Jehoshua upon that one stone are seven eyes they are the lamp of the one candlestick they are the candlesticks in the midst of which Jesus doth walk Apoc. 2 c. Baron Tom. 11. ad An. 1061. nu 11. at the election of Cardinals the Pope saith to them Be ye our Brethren and Princes of the world Antonin Flor. sum Theol. par 3. tit 21. cap. 1. § 2. Pope Pius the II. said to his Cardinals Ye are my eldest and best beloved children and ye are honored with most excellent dignity when ye are called into the Apostolical Colledge ye shall be our Counsellors and judges of all the earth ye shall be Senators of the City and like unto Kings and very hinges of the world upon whom the door of the militant Church must turn and be governed Vsser de Eccles statu cap. 4. ex Sacr. cerem Ro. Eccles lib. sect 8. cap. 3. Antonius after his maner proveth that the same authority belongeth unto them loc cit 4. In this Century these Friers and Cardinals spared not the blood of Persecution against the Waldenses God's servants for Pope Innocentius thought first by disputes and sophistry to bear down the Waldenses but when he could not that way prevail he caused his Friers to sting them with fire and sword An. 1205. he sent the forenamed Dominicus with Didacus Bishop of Exonia or Uxonia in Spain into the County of Tolose they disputed once at Viride Folium and again at Axamia An. 1207. in the City Montie-regalis the same two with Fulco Bishop of Tolouse and Petrus de Castro novo the Popes Legate disputed against Arnold hot Pastor Albigensium Ponticus Jordanus Arnold Aurisanus Philibert Castrensis and Benedict Thermus These were the Articles The Church of Rome is not the holy Church neither Spouse of Christ but filled with the doctrine of divels she is Babylon that John describeth in the Apocalypse the mother of fornications and abominations covered with the blood of the Saints It doth not please the Lord which pleaseth the Church of Rome neither Christ nor his Apostles did institute the Mass but it is the device of man By consent of both parties four Laicks were named Auditors to wit two noble men Bernard de Villa nova and Bernard Arrensis and two of meaner degree Raymundus Godins and Arnold Riberia When the disputation had continued three days Fulco sought the space of fifteen days and he would give the defence of his positions in writing and Arnold Hot craved eight days to give his answer in writing likewise They assembled at the day appointed and the conferences were prolonged the space of four days and at last the Bishop said These things ought to be taken from the Mass that are not of the Mass and so they were dismissed neither was any more done of these controversies Vsser ex Vignier Hist Eccles ad An. 1207. There were also other conferences among them But when the Pope and his Cardinals saw that they could not prevail with disputes Odo Bishop of Paris easily perswaded the Pope to try them with the sword An. 1208. The Pope wrote unto Philip King of France for that effect and proclaimed Indulgences unto all who would take Arms against the Waldenses and Albigenses even as large as to them who warred against the Mahumetists and the Pope and the King gave all the lands of the Waldenses and their goods unto any who would take them Raymund Earl of Tolouse was of this number and was much envied by the Clergy for his devotion and by Laity for his grandure he was Cousin-german of King Philip and Lord of Tolouse Province Aquitania Delphinate the County of S. Giles Velnaissen Ruthen Cadurcen Albio and of other large dominions on both sides of Rhodanus he had married Johanna Sister of John King of England and after her Eleonora Daughter of Peter King of Arragon Vsser in Stat. Succes Eccles ex Guil. Armor Bertrand in gest Tolos Of the same profession were the Counts de Foy de Beders de Cominees de Carmain c. To the end that Raymund may be the more odious unto the people the Preachers did slander him of Manicheism but untruly saith Bertrand In the year 1209. were levied in France 22000. men their General was Simon Earl of Monford with some of the Preachers and Nobility They first did set against Biterrae in which were 100000. men it pleased God that the persecuters
was the custom of Italy in the days of Pope Alexander the IV. and in the Councel of Vienna An. 1308. the Clergy offered unto the Pope the twentieth part of their stipends yearly if he would discharge the Annates and they were not heard England would never pay the Annates of lesser Benefices although they did yeild in Bishopricks saith Caranza in Bonifac. VIII Io. Naucler pag. 914. saith I see none in Germany pay Annates unto the Pope but only they who hold their Benefices of the Pope immediately Pol. Virgil. loc cit saith How grievous is it to the Priests to deliver the price of the Annates before they receive a penny whereby they are forced to undertake great debts and so wrong their friends from whom they borrow if it happen that they die soon shall not this be occasion unto wicked men to corrupt Religion yea and indeed saith he it breedeth great contempt of the poor Ministers and their Ministry P. Mornay in Myster pag. 540. saith That An. 1416. the Church of France did refuse to pay the Annates because albeit it was once granted in the days of Pope John XXI for an expedition beyond Sea and sundry Popes had by force taken them yet it should not be so since thereby Benefices and Ecclesiastical things are sold and both Popes Bishops and Priests are guilty of simony contrary to their oaths But to return unto Pope Clemens he had promised unto King Philip to abolish the memory of Pope Boniface the VIII and to annul all his Acts but by advice of Cardinal Pratensis he delayed unto a general Councel and this he summoned to be held at Vienna where the King did require from the Pope the performance of his promise The Councel did acknowledge Boniface to have been a lawful Pope but they did declare all his Acts against the King to have been unjust and that none of them should be prejudicial unto the King nor his Successors Io. Naucler pag. 872 878. In this Councel the Pope did propound the aid of the Christians in Syria that the Templaries should be punished as also the reformation of the Church Wars were proclaimed and Indulgences were offered in these words We will that the punishment of Hell be no way laid upon him which is signed with the Cross granting also unto every signed person power to pull three or four souls out of Purgatory at their pleasure The Divines at Paris were not a little scandalized and the rather because it was written in the same Bull We command the Angels to carry the absolved soul into the glory of Paradise It was then a received Article that the Pope may command the Angels as his Sergeants In this Councel the Templaries were condemned for their Apostasie But Io. Bale in Cent. 4. 82. in Appen 2. sheweth The Red Friers destroyed from Christop Massaeus and P. Mornay sheweth that Bocatius Villanus Antonin Aventin and others bear witness of their innocency some affirm that their great revenues through Europe was the cause of their ruine and therefore some accuse Pope Clemens and King Philip others say the Pope envied them because they inveighed against the Popes and Court of Rome as disturbers of Christendom and the cause of losing Syria and Palestina Io. Naucler pag. 873. saith At that time Clemens the V. accused the Templaries of impiety and that order was destroyed and their most large revenues were taken Some report that they had an image clothed with a mans skin unto which when they entered the Order they did homage sacrificing most cruelly with mans blood which when they had drunk they did exhort one another unto continuance in such wickedness and other crimes were imputed unto them especially that by their craft the Turks had got Jerusalem This pest saith he did fall by the great fervor of all French and also in Germany after the Letters of Pope Clemens and I see that some writers do not so much condemn the doleful religion of the Templaries as the avarice of the French King who was the cause of this faction And Pope Clemens gave their goods unto the Order of St. John or the Hospitalaries but because the King and other Princes had taken possession of them much money must be paid for redeeming them But thereafter the King and his children were obnoxious to many miseries which they were said to have suffered for their iniquities and many judged those men to have suffered unjustly and did reverence them as Martyrs and with devotion did gather their bodies and bones Moreover saith he Jacob de Moguntia writing of those times reporteth that Clemens the V. condemned the Order of the Templaries and committed the execution against some in Germany unto the Bishop of Mentz He called a Synod and when he was in the Chapter-house ready to publish the process a religious man Hugo Count of Wiltgraff who abode in the Castle of Grunbach by Meisenheim came in with twenty Soldiers his Brethren of that Order clad with white clokes with the sign of the red Cross after the maner of the Teutonicks and they all had their weapons under their clokes The Arch-Bishop rose up unto them and beckoned with his hand that they should sit by him But the Count standing said My Lord Arch-Bishop it is publickly said that to day you will renounce and accurse me and my Brethren of the Order of the Temple which is not pleasant unto us but we demand that you would publish unto your Clergy here present our appeal which we have made unto the next Pope The Arch-Bishop could not go from his place for fear of weapons and therefore he answered calmly It shall be so but first the Pope's Process must be published and afterwards without any distance he caused the Appeal of the Templaries with the causes thereof to be read and published And among other things in that Appeal it was written as one cause that their Brethren whom the Pope had caused to be burnt were free of those imputed crimes and for a miraculous token of their innocency their clokes with the sign of the Cross were not burnt nor consumed in the fire The Arch-Bishop said unto them Be of good courage I will write unto the Pope in your favor and so it was And after the Arch-Bishops Letter the Pope wrote again unto him and recommended to enquire of the matter And the Bishop called another Synod and by advice and consent of other Bishops in the Province the innocency of the Friers was clearly known and they were absolved This was done in Mentz An. 1211. Iuly 1. saith Naucler P. Morn in Myster saith When John Molan a Burgundian the chief of that Order was entering into the fire he summoned Pope Clemens to appear within forty days before the throne of God to answer to that sentence pronounced against him Molan was burnt March 11. An. 1313. and Clemens died April 10. immediately following As for the third cause of the Synod we shall have
and confine Countries and that one of their Preachers who was burnt at Vienna had affirmed that above 80000. embraced the same doctrine within those Provinces and another named Lombard who was taken and burnt at Colein avowed that there were many of his Religion within and about that City and from those dregs saith he Bohemia is infected with these errors until this day But it was made known unto all the world what was the doctrine of the Bohemians at Constance and Basil Antonin par 3. tit 21. cap. 5. saith Many of them were burnt in many parts of the world especially Picenum or Marca Anconitana was full of them and also Florence whence many were exiled and spread themselves even unto Greece He called the Emperor Lewis a follower of them he saith Jo. Castillioneus and Francis Hacutara two Franciscans were burnt for the same doctrines Pa. Aemilius saith Under Charls the fair King of France were sublime engines and most learned men among them were some truly holy and others striving foolishly to exceed others kept no measure and became wicked and it is uncertain to guess of the judgement and manners of some the evils of the time were grievous to good men who mourned secretly P. Mornay in Myster pag. 440 454. About the year 1340. Conrade Hager who was a Preacher at Wortzburgh the space of twenty four years taught The Mass is not a sacrifice nor available to quick nor dead and money given for Masses is very robbery and sacriledge of Priests And certainly as he condemned the false sacrifice he declared the true For such doctrine he was imprisoned Fox in Act. out of the Register of Otho the VI. of Herbi An. 1390. twenty four Citizens of Mentz were burnt at Binga for the doctrine of the Valdenses Masseus speaketh of more then twenty who were burnt in Province at Narbon because they would not acknowledge the Roman Decretals and called them contrary unto Scriptures 8. There is an ancient record poetically compiled of the date or year An apology of a wolf fox and ass 1343. under the name Poenitentiari Asini there a fox a wolf and an ass are said to shrieve one another first the wolf confesseth unto the fox and was absolved easily then the wolf heareth the confession of the fox and sheweth him the like favor and lastly the ass confesseth that being hungry he took a straw out of a sheave of corn that was upon an horses back going in pilgrimage unto Rome he professeth repentance for the fault yet thinking that it was not so hainous as the faults of the other two he was confident of remission but discipline was sharply executed upon him he was condemned and slain By the wolf was meant the Pope and the fox resembled the Priests these do easily absolve one another but the Laicks who were meant by the ass must suffer sharp censure namely if the German Emperor come under inquisition he must be deprived though the cause be but like a straw yet the wolf saith It is a great crime So they exaugurating the escapes of the Laicks they flie upon them and devour them Fox in Act. 9. Francis Petrarcha a Florentine was Arch-Deacon of Parma about A description of the Roman Church the year 1350. a noble Poet and honored with a Poetical Crown in the Capitole in presence of the Nobility and people of Rome Platin. In his Latine Epistles which are full of gravity and zeal he declareth his minde concerning the present condition of the Church especially in those that have no title In Epist 8. he saith Whatsoever is spoken of the Assyrian or Egyptian Babylon whatsoever is written of the Labyrinth of Avernus of Tartarus and the sulphurous Lakes are but trifles in comparison of what we see now here is terrible Nimrod and Semiramis here is fearful Rhadamantus and greedy Cerberus here is Pasiphae lying under Taurus and that two natured Minotaur briefly you may see whatsoever confused thing And in Epist 9. he calleth himself a pilgrim of Jerusalem about the rivers of Babylon In Epist 10. you do marvel at the superscription of my Epistles and not without cause seeing thou hast read of two Babylons only ...... but marvel not there is a third Babylon in our quarters where can a city of confusion be said to be more justly then in the West who built it I know not but it is well known who dwell in her surely they from whom she hath her name and if thou wilt believe here is Nimrod potent in the earth climbing into the Heavens against the Lord ...... here is Cambyses more furious then he in the East or then the Turk In Epist 16. he sheweth the dangers of good men and lovers of truth and then saith Seeing without the Kingdom of vertue silly and naked truth is deprived of all aid what thinkest thou will be where all vertue is dead and buried surely there truth is the greatest crime and falleth under the hatred of many because all must hunt after the love of one man .... where is no piety no charity nor faith where pride envy avarice and luxury do reign where the worst are promoted and the bribing villain is exalted to Heaven but the just and poor are oppressed where simplicity is termed foolishness and malice is wisdom where God is contemned money is worshipped Laws are trodden under foot and good men have been so abused that now not a good man can be seen I would gladly exempt one from this deluge of sin and I confess he may deserve it but it is a scorn to except one therefore no Noah no Deucaleon shall escape and lest the woman be thought more happy no Parrha shall swim forth this City is drowned with a deluge of filthy lusts and with an uncredible torrent of wickedness ...... Unto this Epistle I have affixed neither my hand nor ring nor time thou knowest the voice of the speaker and where I am In Epist 16. he congratulateth a friend for leaving the Pope's Court then he saith If there may be any true presage the God of vengeance is at hand the Lord will freely deal his just reward unto the insolently proud is their own vengeance ... I remember what long since I said unto one who among very evil men was the best of our number and to whom thou art joyned in blood and I by acquaintance that a last day is approaching unto that Order when their pride shall fall the patience of God and man being wearied out and when he between stubbornness and derision did wish unto me the blindeness of Tiresias and objected the words Simon I have prayed for thee ...... and I replied that I spake not of the defection of faith but of the ruine of them who destroy the faith ....... then he said in earnest Hold thy peace although it be true yet let not us be the Authors ...... whether they will or not all things have their own time and the end of
those which fled was Peter Pain who had been a hearer of Wickliff and then went into Bohemia and was sent unto the Councel of Basil where he argued for partaking of both elements and against the Civil Power of the Clergy William White being examined before William Bishop of Norwich An. 1428. did hold as he had also written that by Law Marriage was granted unto all persons of the militant Church but the Pope who is the Antichrist and his Counsellors which are the Clarks of Lucifer have abolished this Law to the undoing of the Priesthood after the loosing of Satan that is after the 1000. years from the incarnation Anno 3. of Henry the V. the Act was renewed against presentations unto Benefices to be purchased from the Pope but under colour of prejudice to the Incumbents in going so far for them but by this Act all presentations from the Pope were annulled An. 1439. under King Henry the VI. Richard Wiche was burnt the next year Eleanora Cobham Dutchess of Glocester was condemned to perpetual imprisonment in the Isle of Man and Robert only a Priest was condemned to death Philip Morice was excommunicated by Pope Eugenius and he appealed unto the General Councel 4. Richard King of England had made Truce with France for 30. years Troubles between France and England these being expired Henry the V. sent unto Charls the VII King of France An. 1415. claiming the Crown of France So Wars began Henry conquered a great part of France In the year 1419. Charls did dis-inherit his son Lewis and then the Kingdom was divided some cleaving unto Lewis who at that time was called King of Vierron because he lived there in Berry Charls agreed with Henry that Henry should take to wife the daughter of Charls and be proclaimed Regent of France and both should keep what they have and after the death of Charls the Crown of France shall remain with Henry and his heirs and that Henry with the Duke of Burgundy should pursue Lewis the Dolphin as an enemy of the Common-Wealth These two Kings died in one year Charls died first and Henry because his son was but eight moneths old ordained his brother Humphrey Duke of Glocester to be Protector of England and the Dukes of Bedford and Burgundy Protectors of France These two had continual Wars with Lewis Henry the VI. was Crowned King of England in the eighth year of his age and at Paris he was Crowned King of France in the tenth year of his age An. 1431. Five years thereafter the Duke of Bedford died and the Duke of Burgundy became an enemy to England then all things in France went backward from England but no cessation of wars untill the year 1475. when King Edward the IV. invaded France and then Truce was made for seven years at that time Lewis gave unto Edward 75000. crowns and 50000. crowns yearly during the Truce Henry the VII renewed the old claim An. 1487. Peace was made An. 1492. on condition that Charls should pay presently a great sum of money and then yearly 25000. crowns in the name of Tribute Tho. Cooper 5. At Saint Andrews Paul Craw was accused An. 1431. for following John Wickliff and Huss namely for denying that the substance of the Bread and Wine is changed or that confession is necessary to be made unto Priests or praiers unto Saints departed When he was condemned they did put a Bull of Brass in his mouth to the end he should not speak unto the people or they should not know for what he was burnt King James the I. then did set himself to reform the abuses that had crept into the Realm under the Reign of Robert the III. and his own captivity in England he made Laws against the disturbers of the common peace and against them who ride with more men then their yearly Revenues may sustain he punished Robbers and Rebels He considered the Clergy and saw that Benefices were not bestowed on learned men but as rewards done unto the Pope or a Bishop And he saw Monks abounding in wealth and more mindfull of their bellies than of books and the Churches served by some begging Friers which were hired by the Titulars to preach now and then and the Beneficed men did never see their Parishes unless it were to crave their Tithes When the King did publickly rebuke such enormities the Bishops answered and the Friers preached Church-men should be left unto the Pope and to God neither are they obliged to answer unto any prophane Magistrate When he could A glimpsâ— of Reformation not amend the present possessours he would provide for the time to come At Saint Andrews he founded some Schools to be Seminaries of all Estates and to the end the Schools should be had in the greater estimation he honoured the Masters with competent maintenance and their meetings and disputes with his Royal presence He gave strict command that the Masters should recommend unto him the most diligent and worthiest Disciples on whom he might bestow the vaking Benefices and he had alwaies by him a role of the recommended Students Likewise he turbed the Monasteries and said King David who erected so many Monasteries was a good Saint to the Church but an ill Saint to the Crown Buchan lib. 10. With consent of all the Estates he made an Act that all the Subjects should be ruled by the King's Laws only In Parliam 3. and if any did fly or appeal from the King's judgment he should be accounted a Rebel and punished accordingly In Parliam 8. James Kennedy Bishop of Saint Andrews was then exemplary he caused all Parsons and Vicars to dwell at their Parish Churches for preaching the Word of God unto their people and to visit them especially in time of sickness He indeavoured to visit all the Parishes within his Diocy four times in the year and inquired in every Parish if they were duly instructed by their Parson or Vicar and if the Sacraments were duly administred if the poor were helped and the young ones instructed in the grounds of Religion Where he found not this order observed he punished the Delinquents severely to the end God's glory might shine throughout his Diocy Ex M. S. histor in Biblioth Edimb 6. James the III. King of Scotland ordained by Act of Parliament An. 1466. that no Commenda old or new should have place within the Realm and that none shall purchase nor accept any Commenda under pain of rebellion otherwise then for the space of six moneths And that no Pension new or old of any Benefice Secular or Religious be sought nor accepted from any person without or within the Realm under the same pain James the III. Parlia 1. Hence we may guess at the abuses of Commendaes and Pensions out of Benefices as certainly complaints have been made at that time against them Here by the way the Reader may inquire what a Of Commenda Commenda is and how it began This we may
the Princes but published by some heretick and albeit he hath no command therein yet he hath full power to do what is expedient In these demands are many things derogatory unto Papall authority and smell of heresy nor can be handled there but he is ready to take notice and do what is not contrary unto the Highpriest and is grounded on reason or if they have any business with the Highpriest it may be propounded in milde terms c. The Estates thought It could not be unknown unto the Pope what they had treated with Pope Hadrian and that the Legate put another face upon it nevertheless they appoint some to treat with the Legate if they can fall upon any expedient meanes They could gain nothing but that he promised to reforme the Clergy of Germany and these who spoke against the Romane Court were but hereticks and the examination thereof did belong only unto the Popes The Princes consider that the Reformation whereof he speakes was but of small things and did tend to the prejudice of Seculare Power and to the faster rooting of the power of the Romish Court and of great Prelats and as gentle remedies do often bring greater evils that might open a wider door unto greater rapine therefore they refuse it albeit the Legate was very instant in the contrary So the Diet was closed Aprile 18. and another appointed to begin at Spira Novemb. 11. to advise what is to be done if a Councell shall not be called in the Interim and that the Princes each within his own Province shall advise with godly and learned men what is to be disputed in the Councell and that Magistrats shall have a care that the gospell be preached according to the doctrine of Teachers that have been approved by the Church that pictures be forbidden and libels against the Court of Rome Campegius protests that Princes should not medle with the business of faith and he promiseth to report what they had demanded of a Councell After the dismissing of the Diet Compegius dealeth with Ferdinand the Emperours brother the Dukes of Bavier the bb of Salisburgh Trent and Ratisbone and nine Commissioners of other bb that they would meet at Ratisbone July 6. On which day they decree that seing it was ordered at Norembergh to put the Edict of Worms into execution with all diligence therefore they at the instance of Card. Campegius do command that in all their dominions that edict be fully execute and all men who have sent their sons to Wittembergh shall recall them within three months The next day the Card. propounds 37. Canones concerning the reformation of the Clergy to wit of their habite and manner of life of the sacraments and other rites feasts fabrick of churches of entring into orders of festivall days and fasts priests that are married confession before communion blasphemy witchcrauft and sorcery and charming and such things at last bb are ordered to keep Synods twice a year for diligent observation of these Canons All these that are named before did approve and ordain them to be observed When this Decree was published others which were not present were offended against the Card. and these his associates that in such a meeting they had determined such a decree concerning whole Germany especially seing it was told them in the Diet that such a course could bring forth more evill than good and had mentioned petty things without any mention of soarer grievances as if all other things were on a right posture My authour Pe. Soave in hist Conc. Trid. saith Campegius and others with him did not regard what Germany thought of their Decree it was their only care to satissie the Pope who said that a Councell was necessary unless they will treat of Papall authority but in that case nothing is more dangerous or pernicious When the Emperour understood of their treating at Norinbergh he was offended that they had dealt with a stranger in such a business without his knowledge and the rigour of their Decree did displease him because it would displease the Pope whom he desireth to keep in friendship upon the account of his wars in Italy but especially it did vexe him that they had determined to have a Councell in Germany as if that business did not appertain unto the Pope and him but unto them or if they had thought a Councell necessary they should have supplicated him that he might deal with the Pope for it and that he might appoint time and place as his affaires might permitt his presence As for that Diet they had appointed to be at Spira he will in no way yield unto it and commandeth to execute the Edict of Worms and medle no more in religion untill a Councell be called at the Popes and his own command The Princes for a long time had not seen so imperious commands and were so offended that they were like to have fallen iuto an open broile Charles was so confident because of his late victory at Ticino and had the King of France captive and so thought to rule all at his pleasure But the Pope fearing his power did make a league with other Kings and Princes for his aid if it shall happen that the Emperour shall fall out with him and dealt for relief of the King of France This was unsavoury unto Charles So far Pe. Soave In the mean time Ferdinand and these that had been with him at Ratisbona went on in prosecuting the Cardinal's canons and persecuting the contraveeners within their jurisdictions as Abr. Schultet and others shew at length A controversy for the lords Suppet XIX That year began the strife concerning the Ubiquity of Christs body the originall of it was thus After the time of Berengarius the opinion of Christs bodily presence was built upon three pillars 1. the interpretation of the words This is my body properly or as they spoke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. Transsubstantion by vertue of these words pronounced 3. A twofold presence visible and unvisible John Gerson Chancelar of Paris did judge all these naughty therefore he first conceived reall communication of natures and said Christ as a creature can not be in mo places at one the same time yet the humane nature by vertue of its union with the Divine nature may have that prerogative communicated unto it to be present where ever the Sacrament is administred and there only Jac. Faber Stapulensis about the year 1523. taught that as Christs body may be wherever the sacrament is administred so it may be every where These two opinions began therefore in Paris the first is held by the Papists as a pillar of transsubstantiation and the other came flying into Germany and was embraced as a ground of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 At first Luther denieth transsubstantion but of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the twofold presence it seemes he spoke variously for in the year 1523. some Bohemians came unto him in name of their
in this question Carolstade Zuinglius and Calvin were in some partdifferent and all were against consubstantiation both Luther Osiander and these others of that sort will not observe any difference among them in their doctrine But this difference among them gave occasion unto the Papists to insulte against them as also the marriage of Luther with one Catharin à Bora which had been a Nonne Indeed many both the friends and enemies of Luther were offended his friends not simply as if they had condemned marriage but in respect of the time when all Germany almost was red with the blood shed in the wars with the bowrs and especially Saxony was lamenting with many others for the death of the good Duke and Electour Frederik And his enemies wrote bitterly yea and impudently against him alleadging among other things that within few dayes after his marriage Catharin brought forth a son which was not true But afterwards Luther was much grieved when he heard that this friends were offended and especially that his enemies took occasion to raile against his doctrine for respect to his marriage in so much that as Melanchton writes to Camerarius he had need to be conforted Light dawneth in France An. 1523. XX. The Gospel began to be openly preached in France at Gratianople in the Dolphinate by Peter Sebeuilla in the year 1523. Zuinglius wrote as in epist Oecolamp Zuin. lib. 4. exhorting him to lift up his voice lyke a trumpet and sound forth the Gospell in France invitis omnibus puppis papis Who shall not make him ready for the battel saith he the prophet saith Where the Lion roareth who will not feare When Christ thundereth by his servants which of his enemies will not be afraid yea certainly fear hath overtaken them in all their tents they are so amazed and perplexed that they know not what course to take for if they begin ro kill the flock of Christ by their deluded Princes they fear that in so doing a door be opened to fall that way upon themselves But if they attempt to resist by Scripture their consciences tell them how they are guilty in wresting it and therefore they are cold and faint Why then fall we not on these cowards when we have the only and safe enough buckler of Gods worde He will beat down Antichrist with the breath of his mouth Christ is on our side who shall be against us albeit we are but lyke the vessell of Samos yet none can break us so long as God is with us and He will be with us according to the certain promise of his word where he hath promised to be with us untill the world's end and hath commanded us to fear nothing when we shall be brought before Kings or Princes for his sake for he will give wisdom and utterance which all the adversaries shall not be able to resist Why then do we linger Victory is at hand why will we not reap it ..... thou must wrestle not only with Antichrist but whith all the world if thou will advance into heaven these only can come thither who are careless of earthly things Therefore first of all thou must deny thyself and dy dayly but thou canst not do so by thyself therefore flye to the only mercy of God and begg of him that he would direct thy waies c. At the same time in Melda about ten myls from Paris was Bishop William Brissonnet he was a lover of truth and light he passeth by the Monks and sought learned men to teach the people so from Paris he calleth Jac. Faber William Fatell Arnold Gerard red they did teach the people with chearefull liveliness But the Bishops courage was soon abaited by terrible menaces of the Sorbonists Nevertheless religion was planted in the hearts of many and by the wondrous Counsell of God from the persecution of that one Church many Churches through France were planted for both the Teachers and hearers were spread abroad On May 20. An. 1525. Pope Clement wrote unto the Parlament of Paris the King was in Spaine shewing that he understood by Letters from Aloisia the Queen mother how the seeds of wicked heresies were beginning to spread through France and they had providently and prudently chosen some men to suppresse the fighters against the old religion and he by his authority approves them that were chosen for that effect for now all men should be diligent to preserve the common salvation when the malice of Satan and the rage of his souldiers have stirred such a broile seing this madness intendeth not only to confound religion but all principality nobility lawes and order ..... It was very acceptable unto him what they had done and he exhorts them to continue with the like courage c. The King was advertised by his Sister Margarit that they had driven Ja. Faber out of Erance he wrote unto the Parliament giving him a large approbation for learning and godliness as knowing that the man was admired even by the Spaniards and Italians therefore he willeth that they surcease from all action against him untill new advertisement XXI The wars of the Bowres in Germany was a sore hinderance for Insurrection of the Bowres a time unto the Gospell for the Papists in Germany said Those are the frutes of the new doctrin and of Luthers Gospell And Aloisia in France said In Germany is nothing but confusion and no acknowledgement of a Prince And this was the colour of the Popes bitterness in that his Letter A wicked follow had teached the people as Sleidan in Commente shewes more fully that the doctrine of the Pope and of Luther is alike wicked the Pope tieth mens consciences with hard lawes and bonds and Luther hath untied the bonds but hath declined to the other extremity in giving loose reyns nor teaches by the Spirit they may well contemne the Papall Decrees because they conduce not unto salvation and to attain salvation we must eschue all manifest sin as murther adultery blasphemy we must chastize the body with fasting and simple cloaths our countenance must be sad speak little and not have dressed haire This is to beare the cross and to mortify the flesh said he And when his hearers were thus prepared They must forsake the crowd of men and being separated think often of God who he is whether he hath any care of us and would have us to continue in this religion And if he will not give us a signe nevertheless we must continue and be instant in prayer yea and sharpely chide with him as not dealing with us sufficiently for seing the Scripture promiseth that he will give what we aske he doth not righly in not giving a signe unto them which would know him He said This expostulation and wrath is very acceptable unto God because thereby he seeth the inclination fervour of our mind and without doubt when he is entreated this way he will declare himself by some sensible signe and
Counsell Nobility and Commons to be the only Heire and was crowned January 15 with many glad hearts all the Bishops except Owen Bishop of Carlile refuse to perform the solemnities of the Coronation because of her Religion At her coronation she did secure the kingdom by oath that she shall not marry a stranger nor would she make open declaration what doctrine she would follow only she set free all the prisoners for Religion many hundreds and promiseth that when she shall be established in her governement to establish religion by advice of Parliament and of learned godly men and causeth it be proclaimed that in the mean time none shall alter any ceremonies unless it be according to the rites of her own chappel and these were as it was ordered in her fathers time Speed Cambden She sendeth to make account unto the Pope of her assumption He answereth That kingdom was held in fee of the Apostolick See and it was her presumption to vsurp the name of Queen without his knowledge therefore she deserveth not to be heard unless she renounce her pretensions and submit herself unto his free disposition This soundeth harsh both to her and to the counsel therefore she will treat no more with him PeSoave in conc Tride Then knowing the difference of opinions in religion among her â—ubiects and willing to satisfie both parties according to reason she calleth a Parliament and by common aduice appointeth a Conference of eight persons on either side that after debating of reasons they might come to an happy agreement The persons were named the day appointed the questions were for the first concerning the vulgare tongue in Divine Service and the communion under both kindes order was prescribed that for avoiding heat of contention they shall not dispute by word but both parties shall write their reasons and give them in the first day and answers shall be prepared against the next day and all to be in English that every one may receive information Both parties were content But when the day was come the Papists alledge they understood not the ordinance concerning the disputation in write and they will dispute by voice only The second day they were pressed more instantly but as despising authority nor regarding their own credite or rather being convinced in their consciences they still refuse The third day both parties were required â—o produce their books and opinions All the Popish party excep the Bishop of Westminster plainly deny to let their books be read some spake unreverently even of excommunicating the Queen Sir Nicolas Bacon Lord Keeper and Nicolas archb of York were named by the Parliament to be Iudges of the Conference they take this carriage as a contempt both of Nobility and Commons as also of her Roiall Majesty Then the Bishops were required to give their oath of allegiance and Supremacy as in King Henry VIII time They refuse this also Wherefore the Bishop of Winchester who had shewed more folly than others was committed to the Tower afterwards he was set at liberty Boner Bishop of London who was the chief butcher in Mary's time was committed to the Marshall-sea some fled out of the Country and others were charged to answer before the Counsell some were confined not one more imprisoned and all the exiled bb and others in Q. Mary's time were recalled Franc. Mason Lib. 3. c. 1. A Parliament was held at Westminster where was much debate in matter of Religion and hote study on both sides In the goodness of God the Gospell had the upper hand the hope of the Popish falleth their rage is abated the supremacy of the Pope is denied the bloody Statutes of Q. Mary are repealed popish bb were deposed and good men put in their rooms the Masse is abolished altars are appointed to be removed and tables set for them the zeal of many pulling down the altars before that Act was approved Jo. Foxe in Acts. In a brief view behold the hand of God toward her afterwards 1. The king of France pretending right by his Queen Mary intended to inuade England but he was taken away II. Philip king of Spain sought her in marriage she abhorred that because he had married her Sister Therefore he sought to match her with Charles son of the Emperour Ferdinand but to the end he might bring the Nation to the house of Austria and because She refused he became her utter enemy yet to her greater glory 3. An. 1562. Arthur Pool of the house of York intended to bring an Army from France into Wales but he and his confederates were discovered before the execution of the plot and were condemned 4. As before the French king so again Philip sought â—ft that the Popes would accurse her that so he might have pretext to inuade her kingdom God hindered Paul 4. and Pius 4. from decerning it and more followes VI. In Aprile An. 1558. Walter mill priest of Lunan in Anguise was VValter mâ—ll martyr accused by the Bishop of Santan drews for leaving the Masse and that therefore he and John petrie priest at Innerkilor were condemned by the late Cardinal to be burnt wherever they should be apprehended Walter answered I served the Cure there before the Cardinals time 20. years with the approbation of all the parishoners but when the furious Cardinal persecuted mee and many more for the preaching of Godsword I was constrained to keep myself quiet and I went about reproving vices and instructing people in the grounds of Religion for which cause now I am taken When he was brought to triall in the Church before the Bishops of Santandrews Murray Briechin Caitnes the Abbots of Dumfermlin Lundors Balmerino and Couper and many Doctors of the University he looked so feeble partly by age and partly by hard usage that it was feared none could hear what he would answer yet he delivered his mind with such courage that his enemies were amased At first he kneeled to pray Andrew oliphant a priest said Sir Walter mill get up and answer for you keep my Lord here too long He continued yet praying and when he arose he said I should obey God more than man I serve a mighter Lord then your Lord is and whereas you call mee Sir Walter they call mee Walter and not Sir Walter I have been too long one of the Popes Knights now say what you have to say Oliphant asked What thinkest thou of priests marriage He answered I think it a blessed bond ordained by God approved by Christ and free to all sorts of men but yee abhor it and in the mean while yee take other mens wives and daughters yee vowe chastity and keep it not Oliphant sayd Thou sayst that there are not seven sacraments He answered Give us baptisme and the Lords Supper take yee the rest and part them among you Oliphant Thou saist the Masse is idolatry He answeres A Lord sends and calleth many to a dinner and when it is ready he tolleth the bell
an end of the work and draw up a supplication unto the Queen and Parliament for promoting the Reformation The Prelats hearing of it were highly enraged that any man durst presume to appear in so great a crime and said They would not depart a jote from the decrees of Trent But a little afterwards they made offer to commit the cause to dispute trusting to carry it because they were to be the Judges The Congregation accepts the disputation with two conditions 1. the controversies in debate shall be decided by Scripture 2. such of the brethren who were exiled or condemned might savely bee at the dispute Both these were refused they would admit no other Canon but the canon-law nor would they dispence with any Sentence that they had pronounced Then the priests propound other articles but so unworthy saith Buchan that they are unworthy of an answer to wit if the Congregation would continue in former reverence acknowledge purgatory prayers to Saints and prayers for the dead they shall be permitted to use the common language in prayers and administration of the Sacraments They therefore did entreat the Queen to present their Supplication unto the Parliament publickly She answered I think it not expedient at this time for it will make the Ecclesiasticall persons adverse unto the main business in hand but how soon order shall be taken heerin yee shall know my good mind They were content to give place for a time but withall they thought good to make protestation ere the Parliament were dissolued in this manner IT IS not unknown unto this Honourable Parliament what controversy is A Protestation made in Parliament 1558. lately risen betwixt those that will be called the Prelats and Rulers of the Church and a great number of us the Nobility and Commonaltâ— of the Realme for the true worship of God for the duty of Ministers and the right administration of Christ Jesus his holy sacraments How wee have complained by our supplication unto the Queen Regent that our consciences are burdened with unprofitable ceremonies that wee are compelled to adhere unto idolatry That such as take upon them the ecclesiasticall office discharge no part thereof as becomes true Ministers to do And finally that wee and our brethren are most jujuriously oppressed by their usurped authority And wee suppose it is sufficiently known that wee were of mind to seek redresse of these enormities at this present Parliament But considering that the troubles of the time do not suffer such Reformation as wee do by Gods plain word require wee are enforced to delay that which wee most earnestly desire And yet lest our silence may give occasion unto our adversaries to think that wee repent of our former enterprises wee can not cease to protest for remedy against that most uniust tyranny which heretofore wee have most patiently sustained And so I. wee protest that seing wee can not obtain a just Reformation according to Gods word that it be lawfull unto us to use ourselves in matters of Religion and conscience as wee must answer unto God untill such time our adverfariers be able to prove themselves the true Ministers of Christs Church and to purge themselves of such crimes as wee have already layd unto their charge offering ourselves to prove the same whensoever the Sacred Authority shall please to give us andience II. Wee protest that neither wee nor any other of the godly that list to join with us in the true faith which is grounded upon the inuincible word of God shall in cur any danger of life or lands or any politicall pain for not observing such Acts as heretofore have passed in favours of our adversaries nor for violating such rites as man without Gods commandement or word hath commanded III. Wee protest that if any tumult or uprore shall arise among the members of this realme for the diversity of Religion and if it shall chance that abuses be violently Reformed that the crime thereof be not imputed unto us who now do most humbly seek all to be reformed by Order but rather whatsoever inconvenient shall happen to follow for lack of Order taken it may be imputed unto those that do refuse the same IV. and lastly wee protest that these our requests proceeding from conscience do tend to none other end but to the Reformation of abuses in Religion only Most humbly beseeching the sacred Authority to take us faithfull and obedient subiects into protection against our adversaries and to shew unto us such indifferency in our most just petition as it becometh Gods Lieutenant to do unto those who in his name do call for defense against cruell oppressors and blood-thristy tyrants This Protestation was publickly read and they craved to have it inserted in the common Register but that was denied by the adversaries nevertless the Q. Regent said VVee will remember what is protested and wee shall put good Order after this to all things that now be in controversy With this answere they depart in good hope of her favour and praising God that she was so well enclined But when the Parliament was closed and a generall Peace was concluded betwixt Spain France England and Scotland the Regents countenance was altered against these which were for the Reformation and she said Seing now wee are free from these vexations which most troubled my mind wee will labour to restore the Authority by some notable example unto that reverend esteem which it hath lately lost Then she takes the names of all the Mâ—nisters and caused summon them to compear at Sterlin May 10. 1559 and the Prelates become more insolent And they devised to send the Earle of Argile and L. James Stuart Priour of Santandrews into France with the matrimoniall Diademe But these considering how all the Comissioners were cut off or returned not which were sent unto the solemnization of the marriage and what mightfall out at home in time of their absence delaid to take voiage from time to time VIII In the next Spring the Earle of Glencairn and Sir Hugh Cambell Troubles arise 1559. Shireff of Aire weresent unto the Regent to enquire the reason of that summons and to entreat her not to molest the Ministers unless they could be charged of false doctrine or behaving themselves disorderly The Regent said with vehemency of passion Maugre your hearrs and all that will take part with them these Ministers shall be banished Scotland though they preached al 's soundly as ever S. Paul did The Noble men besought her in a humble manner to think of the promises Shee had made from time to time In greater choler She saith Promises of Princes should be no further strained than it seemes unto them convenient to performe Then said they If this be your resolution to keep no promises unto the subjects wee can not any more acknowledge your authority and will henceforth renounce all obedience unto you and what inconveniences may arise of this you may bethink yourself This answer
hunger and necessities and quit the same to sustain the idle bellies of her strangers through the which in all parts rose such heavy lamentation and complaint of the Commonalty accusing the Counsell and Nobility of their sloth that as the same oppression wee doubt not hath entred in before the Justice Seat of God so it hath moved our hearts with pitty and compassion And for redress of the same with great offenses committed against the publik weell of this Realm wee have conveened here as said is and as often before have most humbly and with all reverence desired and required the said Queen Regent to redress these enormities and especially to remove her strangers from the necks of the poore commonalty and to desist from enterprising of fortification of Strengths within this realm against the expresse will of the Nobility and Counsell of the same yet wee beeing conveened the more strong for fear of her strangers who wee sawe presume no other thing but with Arms to pursue our lifes and possessions Besought her to remove our fear of the same and make the town patent to all our Soverain Lord and Ladies Lieges The same would she no way grant unto but when some of our companie in peaceable manner went to viewe the town there was great and small munition shot forth at them And seing that neither accesse was granted unto us by her nor yet she would joyn herself unto us to consult upon the affairs of our Commonwealth as wee be borne Counsellors to the same by the antient Lawes of the Realm but fearing that the judgements of the Counsell would reform as necessity required the foresaid enormities she refuseth all manner of assistance with us and by force and violence intends to suppresse the Liberties of our Commonweall and of us the favourers of the same Wee therefore so many of the Nobility Barons and Provests of our Boroughs as are touched with the care of the Commonweale unto the which wee acknowledge ourselves not only born but also sworn protectours and Defenders against all and whatsoever inuaders of the same and moved by the foresaid proceedings notorious and with the lamentable complaint of oppression of our Commonalty our fellow-members of the same Perceiving farther that the present necessity of our Common-weal may suffer no delay being conveened as said is presently in Edinburgh for support of our Commonweal and ripely consulted and advised taking the fear of God before our eies for the causes foresaid which are notorious with one consent and common vote every man in order his judgement being required in the name and authority of our Soverain Lord and Lady suspend the said Commission granted by our Sòverain to the said Queen Dowager discharging her of all administration or authority she hath or may have thereby untill the next Parliament to be set by our advice and consent And that because the said Queen by the foresaid faults notorious declares herself enemy to our Commonwell abusing the power of the said authority to the destruction of the same And likewise wee discharge all members of her said authority from henceforth and that no Coin be coined from henceforth without expresse consent of the sayd Counsell and Nobility conform to the Lawes of this realm which wee maintain And ordain this to be notified and proclaimed by officers of Arms in all head-Boroughs within the realm of Scotland In witnes of which our common consent and free Vote Wee have subscribed this present Act of suspension with our hands day year and place aforesaid And it was subscribed in this manner By us the Nobility and Commons of the Protestants of the Church of Scotland The next day this Act was proclaimed with sound of Trumpet and then they sent a Letter unto the Regent shewing her what they had done and they add And how beit wee have determined with the hazard of our lifes to set that Town at liberty wherein you have most uniustly planted your mercenary souldiers and strangers yet for the reverence wee bear unto you as being the mother of our Queen wee earnestly beseech you to depart thence at this time when wee constrained by publick necessity are by force of arms to recover it Wee further request you to bring forth of the Town with your self all that carry themselves as Ambassadours and are come into the Countrey either for taking up of controversies or assisting the government of publick affairs within the space of 24. hours And to cause the Captains Lieutenants and souldiers whose blood wee would gladly spare because of the old amity and friendship betwixt us and the Realm of France which the marriage of our Soverain Lady to that King ought rather to increase than diminish to remove themselves within the same space This Letter was subscribed by the Nobilâ—â—y and Barons October 23. After defiance on both sides Octob. 25. the town was summoned and all the Scots and French men of whatsoever degree were commanded to leave it within the space of twelve hours Some broils and discouragements But God would not as yet put an end to these troubles untill mens hearts were more discovered and his Hand were more seen and acknowledged The people were earnest to invade many were but too forward and for hast to make their scalads they made choise of St Giles church and would not give place to publick Prayers nor preaching which and other disorders gave occasion unto the Preachers to affirm that God would not suffer such contempt of his word and abuses of his Grace to be long unpunished Their most secret determinations were revealed and overthrown The Duke's friends did terrifie him and by his fear many others were troubled The hired souldiers made a mutiny because they wanted a part of their wages Whosoever had any silvervessell did profer to give it unto the Mint-house but John hart and others of that faction stole away the instruments They sent to Berwick to borrow money instantly 4000 Crowns was lent and delivered to Sir John Cocburn of Ormston the Regent had notice of it and sent the Earle of Bothvel to intercept it He had promised before to be for the Country but then he goeth wounded the gentle man took him prisoner and all that he had The Earle of Arran and a greaâ— party of the horsemen went forth to recover the prisoner they took the Earle's house but himself was gone In absence of the Horsemen these of Dundie and foot men went with some Ordance to shoot at Lieth The French men knew that they were but few and that the Horsemen were gone another way and with expedition came forth upon them The souldiers fled without stroke of sword and left the Ordinance to their enemies who followed unto Lieth-winde Upon the first alarm all men in Edinburgh made hast for relieff but then was a shout All the Frenches are entred This crie did amase many and they fled to the west port The Earle of Argile and his men did
what they were doing in Scotland sent unto Queen Elisabet requiring to bring back her Forces and he would render Calais which was taken in her sisters time The Queen answereth That fisher town is not to be weighed with the hazard of Britanne Then the Kings Counsellers were desirous of peace but thought it disgracefull to treat with his subjects Wherefore he entreats the Queen to mediate a peace so the English Secretary and a Doctour Wotton Dean of Canterburry were sent with the French Ambassadours into Scotland While these were upon Queen Regent dieth their journy the Queen Regent dieth through displeasure and sicknes in the castle of Edinburgh Juny 10 An. 1560. Before her death she desired to speak with the Duke the Earls of Argile Glencairn Marshall and Lord James unto them she bemoaned the troubls of the realm and entreated them to study peace and to perform these particulars that were lately written in that Letter unto her then bursting forth into tears she asked pardon of them all and disposing herself for another world she sent for John willock the Preacher of the town and conferring with him a pretty space she professed that she did trust to be saved by the death and merites of Jesus Christ only Shortly after her death truce was made for hearing the Ambassadours and peace was concluded at Edinburg among other articles the 8th was that the King nor Queen shall depute no strangers in the administration of Civil and common Justice nor bestow the publick Offices upon any but born subjects of the realm 9. that a Parliament shall be held in the month of August next for which a commission shall be sent and it shall be as lawfull in all respects as if it had been ordained by expresse command of their Majesties providing all tumults of warre be discharged and they who ought by their places to be present may come without fear So on July 16. both Frenches and Englishes did return home and a solemne thankesgiving that day was in the Church of S. Giles by the Lords and others professing true Religion XI In the midst of these broyls the Counsell did nor forget the condition of the Church and as it is said expressely in the beginning of the first The Reformation goethon book of Discipline on the 29 day of Aprile in that year 1660. they gave Order unto the Ministers to conveen and draw up in writing and in a book a common order for reformation and uniformity to be observed in the discipline and policy of the Church This they did as they could for the time before the 20 day of May but it was not allowed by the Counsell untill January 17. following After the solemn thankesgiving in July the Commissioners of Borroughs with some Nobles and Barons were appointed The first plantation of Ministers and Superintendents to see the equall distribution of Ministers as the most part shall think expedient so one was appointed unto every chief burgh and City they appointed five whom they called Superintendents What was their office appeares by the first book of Discipline wherein it is written thus Wee consider that if the Ministers whom God hath endowed with his singular graces among us should be appointed to severall places there to make their continuall residence that then the greatest part of the realm should be destitute of all doctrine which should be not only the occasion of great murmur but also be dangerous to the salvation of many and therefore wee have thought it a thing expedient at this time that from the whole number of godly and learned men now presently in this realm be selected ten or twelve for in so many Provinces we have divided the whole to whom charge and commandement should be given to plant and erect Kirks to set order and appoint Ministers as the former prescribes to the countries that shal be appointed to their care where none are now And by their means your love and common care over all inhabitants of this realm to whom you are equally debtors shall evidently appear as also the simple ignorant who perchance have never heard Iesus Christ truly preached shall come to some knowledge by the which many that are dead in superstition and ignorance shall attain to some feeling of godliness by the which they shall be provoked to seek farther knowledge of God and his true Religion and worship where by the contrary if they shall be neglected then shall they not only grudge but also seek the means where by they may continue in their blindnes or return to their accustomed idolatry and therefore we desire nothing more earnestly than that Christ Jesus be once vniversally preached throughout this realm which shall not suddenly bee unless that by you men be appointed and compelled faithfully to travell in such Provinces as to them shal be assigned Here they designe the boundes for ten Superintendents and then it is added These men must not be suffered to live as your idle Bishops have done heretofore neither must they remain where they gladly would but they must be preachers themselves and such as may not make long residence in any place till their Kirks be planted and provided of Ministers or at least of Readers Charge must be given to them that they remain in no place above twenty dayes in their visitation till they have passed through their whole bounds They must preach thrice at the least every week and when they return to their principall Town and residence they must be exercised likewise in preaching and edification of the Kirk and yet they must not be suffered to continue there so long that they may seem to neglect their other Kirks but after they have remained in their chief town three or four months at most they shal be compelled unless by sicknes they be retained to re-enter in visitation In which they shall not only preach but also examine the life deligence and behaviour of the Ministers as also the order of their kirks and manners of the people They must further consider how the poor be provided how the youth be instructed They must admonish where admonition needeth and redresse such things as by good counsell they may appease And finally they must note such crimes as be hainous that by censure of the Kirk the same may be corrected If the Superintendent be found negligent in any the chief points of his office and specially if he be negligent in preaching of the word and visitation of the kirks or if he be conuicted of such crimes as in common ministers are damned he must be deposed without respect of his person or office Though Bishop Spotswood professe to set down all the book of Discipline yet of all this that I have written he hath but foure lines but he omits not the bounds of each Superintendent Then after the manner of the election of the Superintendent it followes in the book thus the Superintendent being elected and appointed unto his
regard of the second sort Others ascribing predestination in all unto mans consent condemned both parts Who adhered unto Augustin said it was true in a compound sense but damnable in a divided sense This distinction was called dark though it was declared thus As he who moves can not stand still when he moves but he may at another time The 3 article The elect only are justified and the 6 article Those who are called and are not of the number of the elect never receive grace In these was admirable concorde saying It hath been alwayes the opinion of the Church that many receive grace and afterward loose it and are damned as Saul Salomon Luther As for the 6. that calling were an ungodly derision when those who are called and nothing wanting on their side are not admitted Against the 5 The justified can not fall from grace they brought the words of Ezekiel If the just leave his righteousnes c. and the example of David falling into adultery and of Peter denying Christ and they derided the foly of Zuinglius who said A just man can not fall from grace and yet sinneth in every work The other articles concerning the certainty of grace were condemned of temerity excepting extraordinary revelation When they came to frame decrees of those three particulares justification free-will and predestination it was hard to please all parties from the beginning of September untill the end of November scarcely passed one day in which the Legate took not some paines in changing some words as he was advised now by one party and then by another untill they were couched in this frame as â—hey are and then because of their ambiguity they pleased them all and the Superintendent Court of Rome also As for the Reformation the residence of Bishops was the only purpose and after much jangling an article was framed as the prelats would yet derogating nothing from no-residents except the inferior sort V In time of those disputes the Emperour prevailed in his warrs then the Pope being jealous thought to provide for himself before all Germany Variance concerning in the Synod were subdued he considered the Emperour might be along time busied there and so not able to vexe him with forces unless he could juduce the Protestants to come unto the Councel To dissolve the Councel it seemed too scandalous a remedy seing they had treated seven months and nothing was done or published Therefore he intends to publish the â—hings that were already digested and then the Protestants either will not come or shall be forced to accept and the chief controversies consisting in those points The victory were his own And it were sufficient to prove good for him that the Emperour would have had no controversies decided So as he directed at Trenta congregation was held January 3. 1547 the Imperialists oppose the holding of a Session nevertheless on the 13 day in the Session the Decrees were published and the next Session is to be held March 3. The same year So to the Dominican wrote three books de Natura et gratia as a Commentary on these Decrees of doctrine When these came abroad Vega a Franciscan set forth 15 greater books as a Commentary on the same Decrees They both allowed the anathematismes but in expounding the canons they were directly contradictory who reades them will marvell how those two leading men did not understand the sense of the Synod and Catharinus writing differently from them both gave at least occasionally all men to understand that the Synod agreed in words but never in sense Each party dedicates their books unto the Synod and printed apologies and antapologies making complaints that the adverse party did impute unto the Synod that which they never said and bringing testimonies of the Fathers to confirm their own opinion The Prelats were divided some neutrals said They knew no difference but allow the Decrees De Santa Cruce went with Vega and Catharinus De Monte was for the third party The Bishop of Biponto said in a Sermon The Synod was a congregated body and the Holy Ghost assisting them made them determin the truth though not understood by them as Cajaphas prophecied Others said God makes reprobates to prophecy without understanding but believers prophecy by illumination of their mind Others said Divines say uniformly Synodes do not deliberat of faith by Divine inspiration but by humane disquisition which the Spirit doth assist to keep them from errors so that they can not determine without understanding of the matter But truly they debating the contrary opinions when they were framing the decrees every one refused the words that were contrary unto his own mind and were all contented with the words which they thought appliable to his own opinion and they were not so curious in condemning the Protestants where-in they all did agree as what were said against themselves But in all these broils behold the hand of God! The Pope and the Emperour had contrary interests so had the Legates and the Prelats and so had the Dominicans and Franciscans even from their first beginning and could never agree so that the old phrase vatinianum odium was turned into Theologorum bellum when men would express an irreconcilable difference At that time all those parties professed an unity and yet were clashing one against another like flint-stones and God made the trueth to spark out from among them even against all their wills yea and to flash upon them when they were busiest to smother it VI. After that Session a general congregation was assembled the Session 7 next day to advise of the matter for the 7 Session In doctrine they resolve to follow the order of the Augustan Confession where the next point is of Ecclesiastical Ministery containing the authority of preaching and administring the sacraments Hence arises a controversy which of the two to debate first or both jointly The Legates fearing that in speaking of the first they might fall upon the authority of Councels and of the Pope enclined unto the reasons for beginning with the sacraments Concerning Reformation the chief points of not-residence were yet remaining here the Spanish Bishops and some others hoping to recover episcopal authority in their own Diocies as when the reservation of Benefices of Cases absolutions dispensations and the like were not known these I say brought many reasons to prove that residence of Bishops is de jure Divino and therefote the Pope can not call them from their charge neither dispence nor restrain their authority On the other side the Legates and others did cunningly shun that purpose and said His Holiness understanding to his great grief their former debates craves this question to be handled before himself at Rome and to assist the Synod with his counsel and because such is the Popes will no more speach should be of that particular but look to the Reformation of inconvenients which have caused the abuses of not-residence especially the plurality
Greek who had made apostacy and turned to Mahumet and when Amurathes was sending a multitude of Greeks as a Colony unto some desert places the Patriarch called â—t an uniust thing One Pachomius reported this unto Amurathes and he was made Patriach Da. Chytrae in Saxon. Lib. 27. The Christians at mount Libanus were subdued by the Turk in the year 1585. whereas before they had preserved their liberty Cas Consaluus a Lusitanian writes that the Island of Iapan in the Indian sea is divided into 60. Princedoms of which Francis of Bungo Brotasius of Arimo Bartholemew of Omuran were becom Christians and sent their Ambassadors who after three years journying arrived at Rome to acknowledge the Pope Gregory 13. a litle before his death But I will believe it saith Osiander when Iesuits shall leave off to ly VI. The year 1584. was sad unto Belgio They looked for the returning Sad things in the Netherlands of Francis Duke of Anjow their Governor from France But he fell into a dangerous sicknes yet in May he recovered so far that he went to tilting and the next day he took a potion to purge away the dregs of his malady and died on the morrow When he saw the danger of death he confessed that nothing did more grieve him as that he had followed the bad Counsel of wicked men in the administration of Belgio and now he could not amend his former errors as he had intended But by writing and by his Counsellers he advised his Brother the King to be a Protector of those Lands He would not admit his Confessor but professed sorow for his miscariages and his faith in the mercy of God throgh JESUS CHRIST the only Mediator and altogether rejected the Romish rites as extream unction c. Within a month after his death William Prince of Orange was traiterously killed in Delff by a Burgundian who was immediatly apprehended and punished The same year Ghent and Yper and some other towns in Flanders which before were Reformed were necessitat to make agreement with the Duke of Parma and so was Antwerp in Brabant the next year VII In these two now named years were many sturres for the Troubles in Riga for the new Calendar New Calender I will name one in Riga of Livonia Steven King of Pole had erected a colledge of Jesuits there in the year 1581. and he commanded that they should keep Christmes according to the new Style The people would not be present But when the 24 day of the old Style was come they entreated the Senate that they might have Sermon the next day as before It was refused Nevertheless they assembled in the Churches about 8. of the cloke in the morning and praised God with their psalms and the Rector preached in the school unto his Scholares many people hearing George Neuner the Minister stirred up the Burghgrave Nicolaus Eik against the Rector and he sent for him to come into the court When the Rector appeared he was detained there The word is spread through the town that the Rector and some citizens were to be beheaded that night for that preaching The Conrector Valentin Rascius and some others did supplicat the Burghgrave to dismiss the Rector and would have engaged themselves for his compearance again when it should be required and if this be denied they told that the people could not be stayd from a tumult Because the Burgrave would not yield the scholares and people break up the court-doores and took out the Rector whether he would or not Then they pulled down the houses first of Neuner then of Eik and of a Syndic Gothard Welling The next day they gather again and complain among themselves openly what before they had endured with silence that Jesuits were brought in the Popish Religion was restored their liberties were taken from them c. They shut the gates of the town and call the Senate to shew whether those things were done by their consent and then understood that all those things had been done by a few seeking the Kings favor and for their privat interest This broil continued fourtien dayes in the end they agreed to restore unto the Burgrave and others all their damages that there should be an Act of oblivion and the new Style should cease c. When the gates were opened Eik Neuner and the others went unto the King with their complaints He sent a Cardinal to be Governour of the town annulled all the Treaty consisting of 68. articles and caused a greater sum of money to be payd unto the plaintifs Chrytrae ibid. VIII The Frenches who had left their native Land and dwelt at A conference at Monpelgart Monpelgart in the Dutchy of Wortembergh did in the year 1586. solicite the Divines there and then the Duke Frederik that there might be a publick Conference of the German and French Divines hoping for some union of the above named controversies They assemble in March the Duke was present all the time On the one side was Iacob Andreae Chancelar of Tubing Lucas Osiander Chappellan of Wurtembergh and two Civilians from Duke Lewes and on the other side were Theo. Beza and Anton. Fajus from Geneve Abra. Musculus and two Civilians from Bern and Claud. Alberius from Lausan Many others were hearers The Theses or propositions are long and many and the Disputation was longer I give the sum briefly and faithfully The first day to wit Marc. 21. the Wurtembergers according to the order prescribed give in write Theses of the Lords Supper shewing that all do agree that all believers eat Christs flesh and drink his blood spiritually all condem the renting of Christs flesh with mens teeth as also transsubstantiation and physical or local presence So that the only question is Whether in the Supper the very body and blood of Christ be verily and substantially present and be distributed and be received with the bread and wine by the mouth of all them who receive the Sacrament whether worthy or unworthy believers or not believers yet so that the believers only receive confort and the unbelievers do eat to their own condemnation We hold the affirmative say they that is By those words IN with and under the bread we understand nothing but that they who eat that bread and drink that wine do receive Christs body and blood with the bread and wine 2. By the words Substantially Essentially Really and Orally we mean no other but the very eating and presence of his body and blood 3. They argue from the trueth of Christs words This is my body and the almighty power of Christ seing his words declare his will and by his power he can give his body unto all receivers 4. The manner how the worthy and unworthy receive Christs body is not expressed in the Scripture and we say It is supernaturall and incomprehensible by the wit of men and should not be disputed nor searched curiously These theses were given unto Beza as it was
answered Seeing those have accused us of horrible errors we can not conceive how we can acknowledge them as brethren as for invectives we approve them not but we will oppugne their errors Beza said Seeing yee refuse us to give us the right hand of fraternity neither acknowledge us as brethren wee do not regard your hand of friendship So the Conference was ended March 29. Lu. Osian Cent. 16. lib. 4. IX In February An. 1589. Pistorius a Papist in Baden vanted that he The conference at Baden would confound all the Lutheran Divines and convince them by the Scriptures only and by the same ground maintain the Roman Religion No other Papist had attempted so much before But when James Marques of Baden had obtained from Lewes Duke of Wurtembergh some of the Divines there should come unto a Conference Pistorius shifted from day to day untill November Then the Marques and Frederik Duke of Mompelgart with consent of both parties set down the order and conditions of the dispute and especially to handle in the first place the question Whether the Lutheran or the Roman be the Catholik Church Both parties gave their Theses concerning that but in all the four Sessions Pistorius brought not one argument from the Scriptures he insisted only in discussing the ambiguity of words and sought to find captious sophisms at last against the will of the Noble men and of his adversary party he break off the Conference neither was any thing remarkable in that dispute saith Osiander Lib. Cit. but their Theses may be desired Pistorius said The Church ever was is and shall be conspicuous so that it can never be extinguisht nor obscured nor lurk nor be silent Though the notes of the Church be four to wit unity holiness perpetuity and universality yet all may be reduced into one for vniver sality is the absolute note of the Church As error can not be the signe of the false Church so purity of the word and sacraments whether in whole or in part can not be the mark of the true Church because purity depends on the Church rather then it upon purity and purity is known better by the Scripture On the other side the above named Iacob Andreae said The Church on earth is one in all times and places and the Scripture shewes clearly that the Church hath not one and alike face in all ages and places for it had one face in the dayes of the Apostles when she was most pure because by faith she kept the doctrine of Christ albeit her chastity was even then tempted by false teachers and she had another face when she was governed by the Fathers the successors of the Apostles for by lapse of time some errors creept-in as the Apostles had foretold The third and most miserable face was under Antichrist of which estate Christ and his Apostles had forewarned diligently then was the Church so deformed that she could scarcely be known as the Prophet said of the Jewish Church How is the faithfull city become an harlot ... neuertheless even then the Lord had his 7000. who had not defiled them selves with idolatry And because before the glorious coming of the Lord the Holy Ghost hath foretold that the man of sin shall be reveeled and killed in the hearts of many men he foretelleth another and a fourth face of the Church which is answerable unto the first in time of the Apostles And albeit Satan will by fanaticall spirits defile her no less them he did at the first and the number of the elect shall be small as Christ saith When the son of man shall come shall he find faith on the earth nevertheless the true Church shall continue in despite of al the craft of Satan untill the last judgement-day It is sufficient to prove the true Church to be Catholik now whether a particulare or uniuersal if it be demonstred oy the Prophets and Apostles or by their writings that she is conform in doctrine unto her which was in the dayes of the Apostles Neither is the purity of doctrine and Sacraments better known by the Church then the Church is known by the doctrin and sacraments for the Church depends on the word and Sacraments but the purity of doctrin and Sacraments depends on God only and his reveeled will even albeit all the world forsakeit speak against it as it is written All men are liars but God is true c. X. At Kracow An 1591. on the Ascension-day the Popish party especialthe Troubles in Poland Students being stirred up by their Masters the Iesuits began with a huge tumult to pull down the houses wherein the reformed were wont to assemble The King Sigismund and the Nobility being in the town sent some of the Guard to hinder them and stayd them for a time nevertheless at midnight those did gather again and burnt the houses wholly The Nobility of the nearest Provinces called this a beginning of the Massacre of Paris and fearing greater danger did meet in Chimiolinscia they resolve first to send unto the king and excuse them selves that they had assembled without his knowledge and to shew that their main bâ—siness was to Provide for his safty and honor agnaist the like tumults and that they intend to have a more frequent meeting September 23. in Radom where the Nobility of Lithvania professing the gospell will be present and to supplicat that the churches might be restored unto the Reformed in Cracow and that a Parliament might be called to establish peace of religion The King shew his displeasure for that they had assembled without his knowledge seing he had al ready promised unto the Messingers of Sendomiria and Cracow that he would vse all the means of Peace and to punish the authors and chief actors of that tumult and he dischargeth that other meeting he gave them liberty to rebuild the churches In the year 1595. was a more frequent covenntion of the Reformed or Euangelici as they The agree ment of the Resormed there called them selves at Torun in August there were two Palatini the Deputies of five others two Castellani and many Nobles of Poland and Lithuania and fourty four Divines After prayer they choosed Swietoslaus Otzelsci to be president a Marshal and Scribes Otzelsci declared the causes of their assembly 1. to advise how to preserve a consent in doctrine as it had been agreed by their fathers in Sendemiria And 2. because they are obnoxious unto the malice and violence of adversaries to consult how to preserve peace of religion as both present King and the former Kings havesworn to continue it When this was propounded the Deputies of the absent Palatini as also of the Senators of Volhinia Russia Podolia and Podlassia declared the excuses of their Authors and their desire of the same particulares A Messinger in the Kings name forbids them to sit any more They answer They intend nothing against the King nor Kingdom nor the lawes or constitutions
they would say Masse at Easter The Earle of Murray lamented this unto the Queen and shew what inconveniences shall follow if this be permitted After sharp reasoning it was promised that the like shall not be done again and for the same purpose order was sent to such places as were delated especially to the b. b. of Sant Andrews and Aberdeen that they should not say any Masse At that time the Queen was upon a purpose of mariage as in two years space she was twice married and thogh she never changed her mind to love religion yet upon many changes of her passions in that space of time she gave more way unto the petitions of the Church thereby to gain the affections of the subjects And though there were frequent alterations in the countrie somtrmes one partie prevailing in Court and somtimes another so that it came to lifting armes nevertheless the Church-men did still keep their assemblies Juny 25. An. 1565. conveen the Superintendents The IX Assembly Ministers and Commissioners of Shyres burghs John willock is chosen Moderator 1. The Assembly humbly requires the Nobility here present to solicite the Queen for execution of the lawes Acts lately made against the violators of the sabboth adulterers and fornicators And ordeines every Superintendent to supplicat for Cemmissions unto the Judges within their severall bounds giving them charge and power to execute punishment against the committers of these crimes 2. Others were sent unto the Queen to humbly supplicate as in former assemblies for abolishing the Masse for establishing the true religion ...... and to complain that some vaking Benefices have lately been bestowed by her Maj. on Noble men and Barons as a Benefice in Carrick was given to the Laird of Skeldrom And to supplicate that none be permitted to have office in schools Colledges nor Universities nor privatly or publickly to teach the youths but such as shall be tryed by the Superintendents and Visitors of Churches to be sound in the faith and able to teach Also for sustentation of the poore that all lands which in former times were doted unto hospitalls be restored to the same use and that all lands annuall rents and other emoluments pertaining any way to the friers of whatsoever order and annualrents altarages obites belonging then to priests be applied to the sustentation of the poor and of schools in the towns or other places where these things are to be payd And that such horrible crimes now abounding in the realm without any correction as idolatry blasphemy manifest breaking of the sabboth-sabboth-day witchcraft and inchantments adultery incest maintaining of bordels murder reiff and other detestable crimes may be severely punished and Judges be appointed in every Province for execution there of and that by Act of Pa liament Lastly that some order be devised and established for ease of the poore laborers of the ground concerning their tyths which are oppressed by the Leasers of the tyths 3. Some gentle men in Kile crave that Ministers be sent unto them and they will provide them sufficiently as the Assembly shall ordain them 4. It is ordained that children shall not contract marriage without consent of their parents or in case of the parents unreasonably denying consent they shall make suite unto the Church to concurre with them in their lawfull proceedings 5. Whereas some Beneficed men in time of Papistry were permitted to keep their Benefice and now being converted take upon them the ministry in another congregation it is concluded generally that none should have two benefices or livings 6. It is ordained that Io. Knox shall receive the answers from the Commissioners which are now sent unto the Queen and he shall send these answers unto the Superintendents as also he shall advertise the faithfull of things necessaâ—y that shall happen before the next assembly which now is appointed to conveen Septemb. 25. at Edinburgh The four Gentle men and one Burgher that were appointed by the Assembly to present thir petitions unto the Queen went to Sainiohnstoun and delivered them The next day the Queen went to Dunkell and they follow when they had audience they humbly crave her answer She said Her Counsell was not there but she intends to be in Edinburgh within eight days and then they shall have an answer When these Commissioners had waited five dayes after the Queen came to Edinburgh the matter was proposed in Councell and at last it was answered by the Secretary The Queen's Majesties command is that the matter shall be reasoned in her presence which for the gravity there of can not be now concluded albeit her Majesties hath now heard more here of than ever before but with in eight dayes a great part of the Nobility is to be here and then they shall have a finall answer August 21. they receive this answer in writ To the first desiring the Masse to be abolished in the head members with punishment against the controveeners and the professed Religion to be established by Act of Parliament It is answered for her Majestes part That her Highness is no way yet persvaded in that religion nor yet that any impiety is in the Masse and therefore believes that her loving subjects wiâ—l not presse her to receive any religion against her conscience which shall be unto her a continuall trouble by remorse of conscience and there with a perpetuall unquietnes And to deale plainly with her subjects her Ma. neither will nor may leave the religion wherein she hath been brought up and believes the same to be well grounded Knowing that besids the grudge of conscience that she shall receive upon the change of religion that she shall lose the friendship of the K. of France the married Allya of this realm and of other great Princes her friends and confederats who take it ill and of whom she may look for their great support in all her necessities and having no assured consideration that may countervail the same she will beloath to put in hazard all her friends at one instant prayinig all her loving subjects seing they have had experience of her goodnes that she hath not in timepast nor intends hereafter to presse the conscience of any but that they may worship God in such sort as they are persuaded in their conscience to be best that they also will not presse her conscience As for establishing religion in the Body of the realm they themselves know as appeares by their Articles that the same can not be done by consent of her Majesty only but requires necessarily the consent of the States in Parliament and therefore so soon as the Parliament holds these things which the States agree upon among themselves her Majesty shall consent unto and in the mean time shall make sure that none be troubled for using Religion according to conscience So that none shall have cause to doubt that for religions sake mens lifes and heritages shall be in any hazard To the second article it is
answered that her Ma. thinks it no way reasonable that she should defraud herselfe of so great a part of the patrimony of the Crown as to put the patronage of Benefices forth of her hands for her necessity in bearing her Port common charges will require the retention thereof and that in a good part in her own hands Nevertheless her Majesty is well pleased that consideration being had of her own necessiâ—y and what may be sufficient for the reasonable sustentation of the Ministry a speciall assignation be made to them in places most commodious With which her Majesty shall not medle but suffer it come to them To the third article it 's answered that her Majesty shall do therein as shall be agreed by the States in Parliament To the fourth Her Majesties liberality to the poore shall always be so far extended as can be reasonably required at her hands To the fifth and sixth articles her Majesty referreth the taking order therein unto the States assembled in Parliament The Nationall assembly conveenes The IX Assembly in Edinburgh Septemb. 25. Jo. Erskin is chosen Moderator The answers of the Queen weregiven unto the Assembly and ordained to be registred And they return this answer First where her Majesty sayth that she is not persuaded in religion nor that she understands any impiety in the Masse ...... It is no small grieff to the Christian hearts of her godly subjects considering that the Trumpet of Christs evangell hath blown so long in this Countrie and his mercy so plainly offered in the same that her Maj. remaines yet unpersuaded of the truth of this our religion for our religion is nothing els but the same Religion which Jesus Christ hath in the last dayes reveeled from the bosom of his Father where of he made his Apostls Messingers and which they have preached established among his faithfull untill his coming again and this differeth from the impiety of the Turks the blaspheny of the Jewes and the vain superstition of the Papists in this that only our Religion hath God the Father his only Sone Jesus Christ our Lord and the Holy Ghost speaking in his Prophets Apostls for the Authours thereof and their doctrine promise for the ground of it The which no other religion upon the earth can justly alledge or plainly proove yea whatsoever assurance Papists have for their religion the same have the Turks for maintaining their Alcoran and the Jewes far greater for the defence of their ceremonies whither it be antiquity of time consent of people authority of promises great number or multitude consenting together or any other the like cloakes that they can pretend And therefore as wee are dolorous that her Majesty in this our religion is not persuaded so most humbly wee require in the name of the Eternall God that her Highness would embrace the means whereby she may be persuaded of the truth which presently wee offer unto her Grace alsweell by preaching his word which is the chief means appointed by God to persvade all his chosen children the infallible truth as by publick disputation against the adversaries of this our religion and the deceivers of her Majesty whensoever it shall be thought expedient unto her Grace As for the impiety of the Masse wee are bold to affirm that in that idoll is great impiety from the beginning to the end it is nothing els but a mass of impiety the author or Father thereof is but man the action itself the opinion thereof the hearets and gazers upon it do avow sacriledge pronounce blasphemy and commit most abominable idolatry as wee have ever offered and now offer ourselves to prove most manifestly And where her Majesty esteems that the change of religion shall dissolve the confederacy and alliance that she hath with the King of France and other Princes assuredly Christs true religion is the undoubted bond to knit up perfect and sure confederacy friendship with Him who is King of all Kings and hath the hearts of all Princes in his hand which should be more precious unto her Majesty than the confoederacy of all the Princes of the earth and without which neither confoederacy love nor kindeness can endure Concerning her Majesties answer unto the second article where she thinks it not reasonable to defraude herfelve of the patronage of Benefices and that She is minded to retain a good part of the Benefices in her hand for support .......... Our mind is not that her Majesty or any other patron should be defrauded of their just patronages but wee mean whensoever her Majesty or any other patron do present any person unto a Benefice that the person presented should be tryed examined by the judgement of learned men of the Church such as are for the present the Superintendents and as the presentation unto the Benefice appertaines to the Patron so the Collation by law and reason belongs unto the Church and the Church should not be defrauded of the Collation no more than the Patrons of their presentation for otherwise if it bee lawfull to the Patrons to present whom they please without tryall or examination what can abide in the Church of God but meer ignorance As for retention of a good part of the Benefices this point abhorreth so far from good conscience of Gods law as from the publick order of all common lawes that wee are loath to open up the ground of the matter by many words but wee most reverently wish that her Majesty would consider the matter with herselfe and her wise Counfell that howbeit the patronage of Benefices may appertain unto herselfe yet the retention thereof in her own hands undisponed to qualified persons is both ungodly and contrary to all publick order and brings finall confusion to the souls of poor people who upon those means should be instructed in their salvation And where her Majesty concludes that she is content a sufficient reasonable sustentation of ministers be provided by assignations to them consideration being had of her necessity as wee are altogether desirous that her Grace's necessity be considered so our duty craves that we should notify to her Majesty the true order that should be observed to her in this behalf which is The tiths are properly to be reputed the patrimony of the Church out of which before all things they that travell in the Ministry and the poor indigent members of Christs body should be sustained the churches repaired and the youth broughtup in good letters which things being done then other reasonable necessity might be supported as her Majesty godly Counsell can think expedient And wee can not but thank her Majesty most reverently for her liberall offer of her assignation to be made unto the Ministers which as yet is so generally conceived that without more speciall condescending upon the particulars no execution can follow and therefore wee most humbly crave of her Majesty that these articles may be reformed ..... Beseeching God that as they
at least of the most learned in the Chapter to the admission of such as shall have function in the Church and that al 's many other of the Chapter as please may be present and vote at the said admission That Ministers and Readers be planted throghout the realm and Readers especially be appointed at every church where it may be done conveniently who being found qualified by the Bishop or Superintendent and entring by the lawfull order of the true reformed Church shall Minister the sacrament of baptism and solemnize marriage after the lawfull orderly proclamation of bans That all Common churches be disposed as Benefices to qualifyed persons That no disposition be made of any Deanry Provestry collegiat church or other Benefice whereunto other churches are annexed till it be provided how the Minist of every one of these severall churches shall be sustained of the fruits of the same churches if it be possible by speciall assignation of so much yearly stipend as shall be found reasonable that who shall have the title of Abbot Prior or Commendator be learned or well qualified because he must have place in Parliam That the King's Letters commendatory under the Signet being directed to the Archbishop or Bishop of the bounds where the Abbay or Priory lyeth he shall try his ability learving and upon his testimoniall from his Ordinary shall compeat before the King or his Regent and give his oath in form as the Bishop gives And because the persons of the Convent are departed this life the Ministers serving the Churches of the Abbey or Priory shall be the Chapter or assessors to the Commendator in giving any infeftments tacks rights or dispositions of rents concerning the living That the person admitted Commendator may be promoted if he shall be found worthy to be a Senator in the Colledge of Justice or employd by the King in necessary affaires of the Common wealth That first of all it be provided how the Ministers of the Churches belonging to the Abbey or Priory shall be sustained of the fruits belonging to the same Churches Sundry other articles conclusions were agreed upon concerning the disposition of Provestries prebendaries collegiat-Churches founded upon remporall landes or annualls as also of chaplanries of the like foundation for support of the schools the chapters of Metropolitan and cathedrall churches the Kings recommendation with licence to chuse a bishop the form of the edict to conveen the Chapter for his election the testimoniall of the Dean and the Chapter to be returned unto the King or his Regent the confirmation provision regall assent upon the Chapter 's certificat the Kings command to consecrat him his oath to be taken before the King or his Regent the Kings restitution of the temporalities the form of a Letter to be directed to the Ordinary or the See waking to the Dean of the Chapter in favors of a person to be promoted unto an Abbacy or Priory the testimoniall of the Ordinary returned to the King or his Regent the gift of provision upon the Ordinarie's certificat the form of tryall of Bursares or Fellowes and their gift or provision the form of oath to be given by any person provided to any Benefice of cure at his admission and of Bursares of Arte of Theology Lawes Medicine at the time of receiving them into the Universities These Articles and forms were considered by the Counsell and approved by the Regent in the Kings name upon the first day of February following This gallimafry made with such hast could not be well maâ—e here a fair shew of restoring Benefices unto the Church but in effect it was only to put Church-men in titles to the end Noble men might get the greater security from the Titulares of the temporall landes to be fued unto them ease of the â—iths and pensions to their seruants and dependants It had been good for the well fare of the Church that such titles had never been hatched or suffered to keep any life The Bishop of this forge were called Tulchan Bishops A tulchan is a calves skinn stuffed with straw to cause a cow give milk so the title of Bishop helped to cause the Bishoprick yeeld commodity to the Lord who procured it unto him Edicts were affixed upon the churches-door and Abbey gate of Santandrews upon the Lords day February 3. By the Earle Mortons direction On fridday February 8. Patrick Adamson in his Sermon spake of three sorts of Bishops My Lord Bishop My Lords Bishop and the Lords Bishop My Lord three sorts of Bishops Bishops said he then was the Bishop in time of Popery my Lords Bishop is now when my Lord gets the Benefice and the Bishop serves for a portion to make my Lords right sure The Lords Bishop is every true Minister of the gospell Master John Douglas was chosen howbeit many opposed to the election George Scot Minister at Kirkady took instruments that he consented not John Knox preached on Februay 10. in presence of the Earle Mortoun and refused to consecrat or ordain as they called it John douglas yea there publickly he denounced auathema to the giver and to the receiver After noon the Superintendent of Fife went up to the pulpit he taught on Tit. c. 1. And after Sermon he followed the same order which was used at the admission of Superintendents But when the Bishop was demanded Whether he would be obedient unto the Church and usurpe no power over the same he answered I will claim no greater power than the Counsell and generall assembly shall prescribe It is likly that these bb and the Court aimed at a greater power than was already agreed upon and that they hoped to obtain at the generall assembly what they pleased having sped so well at the Convention in Lieth where it was agreed that Archbb. should exerce no greater jurisdiction in their spirituall function than the Superintendents but marke what followes Whill the same be agreed upon Hence appeares that farther was intended John douglas answers unto eyery demand out of writ The Bishops of Caitnes the Superintendent of Lothian and David Lindsay sate by him and rising layd their hands on him and embraced him in signe of admission When John Rutherford Provest of the old colledge had said that Master John Knox's repining had proceeded from malecontement the next Lords day John Knox said in Sermon I have refused a greater Bishoprick than ever it was and might have had it with the favor of greater men than he hath this but I did and do repine for discharge of my conscience that the church of Scotland be not subject to that order So far in that historicall Narration Hence appeares 1. What John Knox meaneth in his Letter unto the assembly by the word tyranny to wit episcopacy and by the two points of the battell that this work of setting up Bishops at that time was done without the knowledge of the assembly seing it was not proponed by the assembly nor specified
And all Collations or admissions that shal be given heerafter by any pretending the style of a Bishop shall be null in itself 14. It is ordained-that all Pastors or Ministers shall diligently and zealously travell with their flocks to conveen unto Sermon after noon on sunday both they that are in landward and in Burgh as they will answer unto God 15. In every provinciall assembly certain assessors shall be named by them to concur with the Commissioner and shall subscribe with him in all weighty matters 16. Commission and full power is given to five Barons elleven Ministers and three Commissioners of burghs or any sixe of them to passe with all convenient diligence unto the King and his Counsell with these heads and supplications 1. that order may be taken with these who put violent hands in Ministers or trouble them in exercise of their office 2. that these who are deposed from the office of Ministry may also lose their Benefice and other qualified persones be provided thereunto 3. That punishment may be inflicted on them who go in pilgrimages to churches or wells as they who went lately to the rood of Piebls 4. that presentations be directed to none other but them who have commission from the Gen. assembly according to the Act of Parliament 5. that all Benefices vaiking be given to Ministers serving the cure unless they be found unworthy c. 6. That order be taken with the Printer who hath printed the Bibles and cause him deliver them c. 7. In respect the Earle of Arran hath alwayes shewd godly zeal in defence of the religion and the common wealth It would please the King and Counsell to resolve upon some good order that may serve both for health and cure of his body and confort of his conscience 8. That the book of discipline may be established by act of Privy Counsell untill it be confirmed by Parliament 9. To recommend a Printer Vautrollier who is banished for religion that he may have licence The next assembly conveenes The 39. Assembly at Edinburgh Octob. 20. Androw Hay is chosen Moderator 1. The Bishops of Santandrews Glasgow Aberdien and Murray ar called and compear not Because the act of the last assembly hath not been followed against the Bishops of Murray Aberdien the assembly ordaines as before the Commissioners of these countries to put that act to execution With certification if they fail they shall make publick repentance before the assembly and certain persons are appointed to summon all the other Bishops to compear before the next assembly to give their submission unto the speciall heads conferred and agreed-unto by the Bishops of Santandrews Glasgow and of the Isles and these conditiones to be expressed in the summons With certification c. 2. Some petitions were sent unto the King and Counsell and the next day the brethren report that the King will give a resolute answer the fifteenth day of the next month and desireth to delay the plat or model of presbyteries till then 3. Henry Kier comes and in name of the Earle of Lennox shewing that he hath been disappointed of a Minister for his family craves that the assembly would writ unto the French Church at London for a Minister for whose entertainment he will provide as also he promiseth that in the affaires of the Church either generall or what particular shall be recommended unto him he shall affectuously employ his labors and desireth that no other opinion should be conceived of him but as one that meaneth truly toward God James Lowson is ordered to writ and direct a Letter as was craved 4. Whether a Minister may be removed from his flock without consent of the flock Resp for good and necessary causes the assembly may remove him 5. It is evident that lately many apostates are received into the country and are spred namely in Anguise and other parts therefor the Commissioners of Countries are ordained to put former Acts to execution against them in all points 6. Concerning the Visitor of Countries it is thought to sound unto corruption and tyranny that such power standes in the person of one man which should flow from the Presbytery and nevertheless the estate for the present time and want of order for constituting Presbyteries suffereth not present alteration It is judged meet that the Clerk-Register shall be requested to concurre with John Erskin of Dun Ro. Pont James Lowson David Lindsay John Craig and John Duncanson or any thry of them to lay and advise a modell of the Presbyteries and constitution of them and report their judgement unto the next assembly And in the mean time the Visitors shall continue in their Visitations 7. Full power and commission is given to four barons to John Craig John Duncanson Ro. Pont Ja. Lowson Pa. Adamson James Boid Da. Lindsay Tho. Smeton Ge. Hay An. Hay Adam Iohnston David Ferguson David Macgill and the Commissioner of Edinburgh or any sixe of them To compear before the King and Counsell November 15 and crave answer unto the articles given since the former assembly and to conferr and reason upon them With power unto them or the most part of them to resolve decern and finally conclude in name of the Church with the King and his Counsell thereupon c. 8. The Assembly having received the Kings consent in writ removes Andrew Melvin from the Colledge of Glasgow unto the new Celledge of Santandrews and Thomas Sâ—eton from the Church of Paisley unto the Colledge of Glasgow 9. Whither a Minister leaving his Ministry and applying himselfe to a Civill office may be chosen an Elder of a Church Resp he should not but rather be challenged for his desertion 10. John Brand is ordered to deliver unto the Justice-Clerk the Kings command in writ for raising Letters against Nicol burn Observe 1. How freely the assembly goeth-on in establishing the disciplin it was not done rashly but after many reasonings and conferences both in publick assemblies and other meetings appointed by the Chief Magistrate and the Church liberty of opposing and arguing being granted to every man and at last episcopacy was condemned the Kings Commissioner consenting in the assembly and four Bishops submitting one in Dundy and three expressely mentioned in this at Edinburgh of whom we find two employd as Commissioners to treat for closing the remaining differences 2. If wee look back to the years preceeding we may understand what was the power of Superintendents to wit more and more power was committed according to the necessity of time unto them yer not unto them personally but with concurrence of others and so that in every assembly they made their accompts of fidelity and diligence but after the year 1576. they and others which were called Commissioners of Countries were called Visitors and in this last assembly their power is declared to â—ound unto corruption tyranny and because of present necessity are continued for a half year untill the Presbyteries were universally modeled The
judgement and to obey and underly their iniunctions for these things And being required to declare openly in the fear of God and in uprightness of conscience his simple meaning concerning the estate of Bishops and the corruptions thereof he craved conference with Ja. Lowson Jo. Craig Ro. Pont Da. Lindsay and the Laird of Colluthy that he might be further resolved and give his simple meaning therein The Assembly grantes this petition And where as the Presbyteries of Edinburgh Dalkeith and Lithgow had made protestation against the Sentence given by the King Secret Counsell in favours of Robert mongomery finding the Assembly Judges to the saids Presbyteries in that matter as the Protestation beares The wholl assembly after reading of that Sentence and protestation in one voice ad heres thereunto and the said Robert for his part allowes it and adheres unto it In Sess 13. Robert mongomery compeares and in face of the Assembly declares and promiseth before God that he shall not medle nor attempt more concerning the Bishoprick of Glasgow nor bruik use or take upon him the same nor any other office in the Church without rhe advice and consent of the Generall assembly and renounces the Letters and charge given to the Gen. assembly at his instance and the Letters purchased by him against David Weemes and protestes that in the matter of the Bishoprick of Glasgow he meaneth no other way then all the Brethren do mean VII In Sess The age of intrant Minister 7. Seing sundry Ministers have been intruded upon the Church and presented to Benefices having cure who because of their young years and want of experience and judgement can not be able to discharge that high sacred Calling The Assembly in one mind hath voted and concludes that none be admitted unto the Ministery nor Collationed to any Benefice of cure unless he bee of the age of 25. years except such as for singular and rare qualities shall be judged by the Gen. assembly to be meet and worthy VIII In respect of many inconveniences and mis-order fallen forth by the ambition covetousnes and indirect dealing of many who go about to enter iâ—to the Ministry and being entred use unlawfull meanes to decline all correction and punishment for their offences The wholl Assembly hath voted and concluded conform to the word of God and most godly Acts of antient Councells that no man pretend to ecclesiastiacll function office or Benefice by any absolute gift collation or admission of the Civill Magjstrate or patron or by Letters of horning or whatsoever other means than is established by the word of God and Acts of the Generall Church and hitherto ordinarily used within the Reformed Church of Scotland And also that none being received into an Ecclesiasticall office or Benefice seek any way by the Civill power to exeem and with draw himself from the jurisdiction of the Church nor procure obtend nor use any Letters of charge either by themselves or any other in their name or at their command or instance To empair hurt or stay the said Jurisdiction disciplin or correction of manners or punishment for their offences and enormities nor to make any appellation from the Gen. assembly to stop the disciplin and order of ecclesiasticall Policy and jurisdiction granted by Gods word to the Office-bearers within the said church under the pain of excommunication summarily and without any process to be pronounced by the judgement of eldership by Minister or Ministers to be appointed by them thereunto how soon it shall be known that any of the saids heads is transgressed And this Act to be no way prejudiciall to Laick patrones in their presentations untill the lawes be reformed according to the word of God IX Because the sabbothday is many wayes profaned to the great dishonor of God especially by holding markers both in burgh and in landward that day the assembly enioynes straitly to every eldership to take order therewith within their own bounds as they may by the Law of God as they will shew their zeal to God and obedience to the Church X. The Assembly in one voice gives commission to Ja. Lowson John Craig Ro. Pont Da. Lindsay John Brand John Dury To passe unto the King and shew unto his Ma. that concerning the Articles sent by the Master of requests to have been answered by the Church being so weighty and important a part of them also being obscure and captious they could not presently resolve upon them all But for the better resolutions they have ordained certain brethren to conferre upon them untill the next assembly which they have appointed to conveen the sooner for that effect And more lamentably to deplore unto his Gr. wherein the jurisdiction of the Church is and hath been heavily hurt preiudged and namely by Letters given out in Glasgow discharging the Presbytery to proceed against M. Robert Mongomery by charge of horning against the wholl Church of Scotland used by the decreet Sentence of the Secret Counsell finding them Judges in the action of Ro. Mongomery by missives sent to gentle men to assist the placing of him in the pulpit of Glasgow against the will of the Church by giving Benefices pleno jure and abbacies in heritage And with all humility due reverence and gentleness that appertaines to exhort his Majesty unto the reforming hereof and maintaining the jurisdiction given by God unto his Church And also to give admonition unto the Duke's Gr. Earls of Arran and Goury in the premisses And what they do heer in to report unto the next Assembly Like wise ordaines the particular Elderships to have a copy of the Articles sent by the King that they may be the better advised to give answer resoluedly in the next assembly XI The Assembly ordaines certain persons to erect presbyteries in all parts of Rules ordering the Presbyteâ—â—es the realm where they are not as yet And unto some doubts that are propounded concerning them these answers are given 1. The Moderator may continue from one Synod to another and his election to be by the particular presbytery 2. The number of such as are associat to the Eldership for disciplin and correction of manners which are not Pastors or Teachers and not traveling in the word be not equall in number with the other but fewer the proportion to be as the necessity of the Eldership craves 3. The resort of the Elders who travell not in the word shall be no more straited but as the weightiness and occasion upon intimation advertisement made by their Teachers shall require at which time they should give their godly concurrence yet exhorting them who commodiously may resort to be present at all time 4. The Ministers who do not resort unto the Exercise and presbytery shall be subject to the penalty atbitrall to be appointed at the discretion of the particular presbytery and the same to be agreed-upon by the subscription of every Minister thereof and if any be found
to dis-agree from a good order to be complained on unto the Gen. assembly next coming And the order which every presbytery takes shall be sighted and thereof one good order shal be established for all 5. The day of the Exercise shall be also the day of Ecclesiasticall process and if the brethren find it necessary for a process they may appoint days times places thereunto besids the day of Exercise 6. It is not thought expedient that the Presbytery shall be astricted to send their Moderator unto the Assembly but liberty to chuse whom they think most expedient for confort of the Church 7. It is not thought meet that visitation be excep ère nata and the same not to be limited unto the Moderator but to any two or moe as the Presbytery shall direct for the necessity of the matter according to the book of Policy 8. The Clerk and Moderator shall subscribe in grave matters and form of proceeding in name of the eldership and whill God provide some better contribution every particulare Church of the Eldership shall contribute for the Scrib's entertainment 9. The Ministers of the parish shall execute the summons concerning his parish and bear the burden of the things that are directed by the Presbyteâ—y or some depute by him within his parish 10. The order of admission of Elders is referred to the order used in Edinb which is approved 11. The Moderator of the Presbytery is to designe Manses and gleebs where it is râ—quisite and for satisfaction of the Act of Parliament that they have a speciall commission for that effect Untill it please God to move the King that the Law may be reformed Providing the Moderator do nothing without advice of the Presbytery 12. How many Churches shall be in every Presbytery it is referred unto them who have commission to establish presbyteries 13. The form of process in weighty matters is to be in writ at the discretion of the presbytery pro re nata in lesser things to be verball 14. If any will not receive the office of an Elder and traveleth not in the word wee may exhort but not compell 15. Ordaines every presbytery within their own bounds to try their Ministers and if any offence shal be found to punish it according to the quality and estate of the crime before the next generall assembly 16. The Presbyteries shall try and examin the persons desiring to enter into the function of the Ministry and if they find them qualified to provide them unto Churches XII Ordaines a fast to be keept in all churches of the realm with doctrin and instruction of the people to begin the first Sunday of Juny next and to continue untill the next sunday inclusivè using in the mean time exercise of doctrin according to the accustomed order And the Kings Majesty to be certified by the Commissioners that are sent to him and to be supplicated that he would be pleased to authorize it by proclamation for that effect The causes are 1. universall conspiracies of Papists in all countries against Christians for execution of the bloody Acts of Trent 2. The oppression and thralldom of this Church of God 3. Wasting the rents thereof without remedy 4. Falling from former zeall 5. Flocking hither of Jesuits Papists 6. Manifest bloodshed incest adulteries with other horrible crimes defiling the land and unpunished 7. The danger wherein the Kings Majesty stands through evill company about him by whom it is feared he may be corrupt in manners Religion 8. Universall oppression contempt of the poore c. XIII The next Assembly is to be at Edinburgh Octob. 24. unless some necessary occasion interveen and advertisement to be made by the Eldership of Edinburgh and Ministers of the Kings house For clearing the process against Robert Mongomery it is heer to be added that about February 22. he went to Glasgow with purpose to preach the Sunday following but a number of the Students in the Colledge entred into the Church on Saturday at night to hold him out and keept the pulpit for their Principall Thomas Smeton That day his Text was He that entereth not by the door but by the window is a thief and a Robber and he inveighes against simoniacall entries into the Church The next Sunday Rob. Mong comes to the Church with a great number of Gentlemen and displaceth the ordinary Minister David Weemes and he made the Sermon And because the Chapter of Glasgow refused to conveen unto his election he caused summon all them of the Chapter to compear before the Counsell They again caused summon him to compear before the Synod of Lothian to hear the sentence of excommunication pronounced against him He informes the King of this citation and causeth warn the Synod to appear the 12. day of Aprile before the King and Counsell at Sterlin discharging in the mean time all proceeding in that business Robert Pont with some others compearing at the day in name of the others protestes that albeit they had compeared to testify their obedience unto his Majesty yet he did not acknowledge his Majesty and Counsell judges in that matter it being a cause ecclesiasticall and that nothing done at that time should prejudge the liberties of the Church and Lawes of the Realm The Counsell rejectes the protestation and did inhibit the Ministers to proceed against Mongomery Because the Generall Assembly was at hand they yeeld obedience in this only they caused warn him to compeare before the Assembly B. Spotswood hath thâ—se particulares but inverted and it is clear by Mongomerie's words in face of the Assembly that all these things were done before this Assembly Here is not an end of this business but after this Assembly he under took to settle himself at Glasgow and procured Letters from the King unto the Gentle men of these parts to assist him The Presbytery of Glasgow knowing what he had done intend process against him for usurping the place of the ordinary preacher Mathew Stuart of Minto being Provest of the City came and presented a warrant from the King to stay all proceedings against the Bishop and willeth them to desist John Howeson Minister at Cambuslang being then Moderator replieth that they will proceed noth withstanding that warrant Whereupon the Provest pulleth the Moderator on t of his seat and carrieth him prisoner to the Tolbuith The rumor of this went quickly through the Kingdom and in time of the fast that was appointed by the Assembly this fact was lamented by the Ministers Among others John Dury preaches against the Duke of Lennox as the cause of all this trouble Wherefore the King will have him removed out of the town and caused command the Magistrates to put him out of their town within 24. hours They not daring to disobey yet unwilling to use their Minister in that maâ—ner dealt with him to depart quietly Upon this occasion advertisement was sent unto all Presbyteries to send their Commissioners unto Edinburgh according to
to understand the grounds moving them to that late action at Ruthven to wit the danger they perceived of the Church and religion the evident perill of the Kings Majesty and his estate and the confusion and mis-order of the Common-wealth whereof as they feell good testimony in their own consciences So they crave the Assembly would shew their good liking of the same and give ordinance to each Minister at his church to declare their good ground and action unto their flocks exhorting all Noble men others whatsoever faithfully to concurr with them in this good cause to the full prosecution thereof Then it was enquired by particular voting Whither these perills and every one of them whereof the information was made was seen or perceived by the brethren It was voted universally affumativè And to the end the Kings mind may be also known in this particulare Ja. Lowson David Lindsay and the Kings Ministers were directed to wait on the King to morrow after noon to conferre of these dangers and to report his answers Their report was that his Maj. said There was perill to religion and indirect courses were taken to the hurt thereof whereunto his own perill was joyned for he esteemes his standing to be joyned with the standing of religion As also he acknowledges sundry abuses in the realm and that all good men should concurr of duty to take away danger from the Church from his person estate and to the reformation of the Common well As for these things the Noble men craved three were appointed to frame an Act concerning them and shew it in the next Session That form was sent unto the Commissioners of the town of Edinburgh to be advised by them apart and then was voted and agreed-unto by the Assembly VII The Assembly considering the scandall by the impunity of Bishops to the grief of good men gives commission to the particulare presbyteries after specified to summon and call before them the Bishops in manner following that is the presbytery of Perth shall summon the Bishop of Murray the presbytery of Edinb the Bishop of Aberdien the presbytery of Merns the Bishop of Brechin the presbytery of Dundy the Bishop of Dunkell the presbtery of Glasgow the Bishop of Santandrews the presbytery of Sterlin the Bb. of Dunblain and Isles and to accuse them and every one of them in all or part as they are guilty to wit of non-preaching and Ministration of the Sacraments of negligence in doctrin disciplin haunting or frequenting the company of excommunicat persons wasting the patrimony of the Church setting tacks against the Acts of the Church giving Collation of Benefices against the said Acts and finally for giving scandall any way in life conversation And after due tryall process conviction to put order unto every one of them according to the quality of their offense and Acts of the Assembly Before the next meeting of the Assembly As they will answer c. VIII It is judged most expedient that Colledges and Univesities be visited and commission is given to certain Noble men and Ministers to concurr with such as the King and Counsell shall direct with them in visitation of all the Colledges And to consider how the rents and livings of every one of them are bestowd how the doctrin is used by the Masters and Regents whether it be correspondent to the Act of Parliament how order in disciplin is keept among the students And as they find disorder or defection to take order there with according to the Act of Parliament IX In Sess 11. the Sumner or Officer of the Church declares that whereas he was directed to summon the Kings Advocat to compear before the Assembly he could not find him for he is in Hermestoun A citation is directed to summon him to compear on wednesday next and answer whither he was the Former of the slanderous proclamation in July against the Ministry and for opposing the lawfull proceedings of the Church Certifying him if he compear not the Assembly will proceed as appertaineth In Sess 17. the Kings Advocat compeareth and adviseth the Assembly to consider whither they will allow their form of proceeding against him being a servant of his Majesty that he only is called upon the alledged forming of a Proclamation given out in the Ks name under the title of A declaration and concluded by authority of His Counsell and as they shall find by their wisdom he will not contemptuously refuse to answer After consideration it was judged that in respect of the slander arisen by his person he may and should give his declaraâ—ion for removing the slander He is content and openly takes God to witness that he neither invented nor formed nor penned that proclamation but at the desire of the Duke he translated out of French into Scots the last part of it and did nothing more in all that proclamation Here with the Assembly was satisfied for his part X. The Earle Both-well declares that as he professed the true religion now preached within the realm before his departure so he hath continually lived and mindeth to live and die with it by Gods grace X. Some burgesses of Glasgow were summoned to compeare The Laird of Minto compeares and confesses his fault The disciplin and otder to be used against him for the offense is remâ—tted to the judgement and discretion of the presbytery of Glasgow and so of John Graham elder and the presbytery should report what shall be done unto the next Assembly Archbald Hegget John Graham younger Hector Stuart John Sprewâ—ll elder Wil. Hegget and Robert Stuart are called and compear not They are condemned of contumacy that being at severall times summoned to answer for haunting or using the company of Ro. Mongomery after his excommunication was intimated unto them and for other enormities done against the Church they have despised the voice thereof they are ordained to make their publick repentance in the Church of Glascow after the form to be prescribed by the presbytery unto whom the execution of this sentence is committed Colin Campbell Malc Stuart Hect. Stuart Jo. Graham elder Gawin Graham and Archb. Hegget were summoned to answer for the violence done to Jo. Howeson in the presbytery they are called none of them compeares excep John Graham of whom before and Gawin Graham The Assembly ordaines the others for their violence and disobedience to be excommunicat in the church of Glasgow by D. Weemes with advice of the Presbytery XII Articles were read and allowd as meet to be propounded Seing the Jurisdiction of the Church is granted by God the Father throgh our Mediator Jesus Christ and given to these only who by preaching and overseeing bear office within the same To be exercised not by the injunctions of men but by the only rule of Gods word That an Act of Parliament concerning the liberty and jurisdiction of the Church be so plainly declared that hereafter none other under whatsoever pretense have any color to
asscribe or take upon them any part thereof in placing or displacing Ministers of Gods word in spirituall livings or offices without the Churches admission or in stopping the mouths of preachers or taking upon them the judgement and tryall of doctrin or of hindering or dis-annulling the censures of the Church or exeeming any offender there from 2. That the Presbyteries consisting of Pastors or Teachers and such as are commonly called Elders according to Gods word and now according to his Ma s direction appointed in diverse parts of this realm for disciplin and keeping order in ecclesiasticall affaires Be approved established by authority and paines prescribed against them that stubbornly oppose themselves 3. That the Synodall assemblies consisting of sundry Presbyteries and Nationall consisting of the wholl be approved and by vertue Act of Counsell presently and of Parliament hereafter have power to conveen so oft as occasion shall require to advise treat conclude and make ordinances in such things as concern the well of the Church and their charge in doctrin and disciplin with liberty to appoint times places for that effect 4. That Presbyteries and such as they will direct of their own number have the same power in designing manses gliebs and repairing of Churches as Bishops or Commissioners had before 5. That every Church have their severall Pastor to be sustained on the tyths of the parish where he serves and to that end the manses of churches that are annexed to great Benefices or prelacies be dissolved pensions given out of the tiths and tacks of the same set by the Collectors or possessors may be revoked c. Likewise a Supplication unto the King and Counsell was read for redress of many enormities 1. That the slanderous proclamation at Perth July 12. and published in all townes and parish-churches and to the perpetuall infamy of Gods servants is printed may be perused and diligently considered and triall be made whither any Minister be culpable of such odious crimes and if they be culpable that they be punished with all rigor of law And otherwise that the givers out of so blasphemous reports and devisers and diters of that infamous libell be punished accordingly And that by Act of Counsell and open proclamation the Ministry be declared innocent of such wicked and hainous crimes 2. That the unaccustomed violence used against Jo. Howeson drawing him out of the seat of the presbytery ...... And against David Weemes Minister be so punished that none be bold to attempt the like hereafter 3. That Colin Campbell Archbald and Wi. Heggets burgesses of Glasgow with their complices be punished according to justice for the uproar made by them against the Students and shedding their blood 4. that the proclamation lately made for the liberty of the Assemblies may be enlarged and more plainly cleared 5. That your Lp s will give his Majesty to understand how wicked instruments they are who persuaded his Gr. to allow and take upon himself all the mischiefs and ungodly proceedings whereby his Gr. and the Church Country were brought into such misery and danger 6. That all Acts of Counsell made against Presbyteries assemblies charging them to desist from proceeding in discipline and ecclesiasticall censures against scandalous persons be annulled and deleted and the Act made against J. Dury 7. That his Majesty and Lords will weigh what great inconvenients and absurdities fall out upon the Act of Counsell made concerning the absolute power and for removing them to delete that Act never to be remembred 8. That his Gr. and Lords provide carefully foresee that by wicked practise of dimission or association of authority the Church the Kings Majesty and country be not hurt and that the same be stayd in time 9. That the stipend appointed unto the Minister of Sterlin and now wickedly purchased by Ro. Mongomery to his young son be restored for sustentation of a qualified man to teach that flock which by his ungodly dealing and apostasy hath been destitute so long time 9. That it would please your Majesty and Lords to have compassion upon that Noble and godly man James Hamilton Earle of Arran somtyme a comfortable instrument in Reforming the Church of God and now visited by the hand of God and bereft under pretence of Law 10. That Commissioners be deputed in each part for visiting the Colledges The Assembly gives commission unto nyneteen Ministers with the Ministers of the Kings house to present this Supplication unto the Kâ—ng and the Estates now conveened at Halirud house or unto the Parliament when it shall be holden crave answer c. In the next Session these brethren report that the Lords crave the advice of the Church who should sit in their names to vote in Counsell and Parliament seing now they are about the taking order for a Counsell consisting of three Estates For better resolution in this particulare it was thought meet to enquire of the Lords what is their meaning in this proposition In the following session answer was returned that the meaning is Whither the Church will consent that some of the Bishops should for the Church be upon the Counsell The assembly resolves they can not agree that any shall vote in name of the Church but they who bear office in the Church and are authorized with commission thereunto Two Ministers are appointed to return this aâ—swer unto the Lords In this Convention of Estates nothing was done in the affaires of the Church they were all for securing themselves XX. On January 28. year 1583. the King withdrew himselfe from the 1583. Another change of Court Nobility that had separated the Duke and Arran from him and he went unto the Castle of Santandrews untill he sent for other Noble men to be of his Counsell and the entituled Earle of Arran was let out of Duplin and came unto the King whereupon in the end of that year followed great alteration The Generall assembly conveenes at Edinb April 24. Tho. The 45. Assembly Smeton is chosen Moderator I. Three Ministers were sent unto the King to humbly desire Commissioners for assisting the assembly in treating and concluding c. And seing his Majesty had sent Ambassadors into England that he would be pleased to endeavoure an union be made betwixt the two Kingdoms and other Christian Princes and Nations professing the true religion against the persecution of Papists and them that are confederat in that bloody League of Trent and also that her Majesty would disburden their Brethren of England from the yoke of ceremonies imposed upon them against the liberty contained in Gods word Likewise in Sess 5. others were ordained to supplicate his Majesty earnestly that the French Ambassador may be sent away because his travell is suspected to tend against religion and the Commonwell That a Jesuit Holt may be tryed and according to his offense punished That the Lord Seton's son may be accused for his Letters unto Jesuits That a brother of
otherwise provided be discharged 3. That Judges may be appointed iâ— all Shyres for executing the Acts of Parliament made against the breakers of the Sabbath adulterers and such open transgressors of the Lawes 4. That in chief Burrowes there be teaching ordinarily four times in the week and seing moreover the disciplin visitation of the sick and other business are ordinary to Pastors therefore let two Ministers be appointed unto such Townes 5. That order be taken how Colledge-churches may be served 6. That order may be taken for Manse and gleebs unto Ministers making residence at Abbey-churches as also that such as have or shall have Manse and gleeb may have necessaries theâ—eunto to wit fuell pasturage feall and devat as was of old 7. That all gifts of Benefices having the cure of souls and have been disponed by your Ma pleno jure and not qualified persons presented unto them with ordinary tryall and Collation following thereupon May be declared null according to the Lawes already made and that your Ma. would give now presentations unto qualified persons and the nullity of the former gift be discussed alswell by way of exception as of action 8. That all presentations or gifts of Benefices of cure less than prelacies disponed alsweell by your Majesty as by laick parrons not allowable by the municipall law of the realm and form observed in the Reformed Church here since your Mas coronation may be annulled and new presentations granted as in the former 9. That all Collations granted by men having no Commission nor ecclesiasticall function in the Church nor in that place country at â—he time of giving the Collation Be declared null and the fruits be sequestred at the least untill the person claming right by that Collation be a new examined and admitted if he be found worthy by them who shall be appointed for that effect and authorized by this present assembly 10. That the Benefices of cure under prelacies whereunto Ministers are admitted may be free from payment of first fruits and fifty penny and may have their signatures of presentation exped by the Privy Seal on your Ma s own subscription only and the Secretarie's without any paiment or cautioner made to the Treasuter and these poor men which have already payd or found caution for payment whereof the Treasuter hath not already charged himselfe in his accounpts may have the same refounded or discharged 11. Seing the fault of not depriving unworthy culpable and no-resident Ministers proceeds from that sundry of the Bishops have been negligent and in some other parts there was no Bishop nor Commissioner and so the Acts are not execut therefore a Commission be given to some qualified persons Ministers to sit in Edinburgh and call the Nonresidents and others worthy of deprivation and deprive them So that there may be consultation of learned men and the process may be led without fear or boast 12. It is heavily complained by many poor Ministers having parsonages and vicarages assigned unto them that they are exorbitantly used in taxations albeit their Benefices be long since decaied by the want of corps presents up most cloathes pasch-fines offerings and such things usually payd in time of Papistry which was the greatest part of these Benefices and yet they must pay the extremity of the old taxation and the most part of the Prelacies are exeemed from preaching or Service in the Church and have relieff off the fuars and vasalls that therefore there may be some more equitable order of taxation appointed in time coming 13. That it will please his Majesty to cause consider what prelacies have vaiked since the Act of Parliament made in Octob. 1581. and that speciall assignation be made for sustaining Ministers of the churches belonging to them out of the readiest fruits of these churches or the provision to be declared null according to the Act. 14. That the Bishops or Commissioners of Argyle and the â—sles may be tied to attend on the Generall assemblies and to keep theyr Exercise and Synodall assemblies as in other parts which shall be a furtherance unto your Mr s obedience seing otherwise they seem as exeemed out of your Dominion 15 That your Ma. will give direction unto some persons of experience and good will to search enquire try the true estate of the rentalls of all prelacies and other Benefices at this present and in whose fault or by what occasion they are so hurt and dismembred and thereafter the best remedies may be considered and provided to help them for the good alswell of the King as of the Church 16. That your Majesty will cause the Lords of Session declare whither your Majesty or the Earle of Orknay have right to the patronages of the Benefices of Orknay and Yetland to the end thal titles of Benefices conferred to Ministers be not ever in danger of annulling upon uncertanty of the right of the patronage 17. That no persons or stipends be put in the books of modification but only such as the Commissioners of the Church shall declare to be qualified and resident at their churches 18. That vicarages pensions and salaries when they vaik after the decease or deprivation of the present possessor may accrease and be joyned to the principall Benefice and be assigned to the Minister in his stipend 19. That all Readers heretofore provided to vicarages or stipends may still possess the same untill their decease or deprivation and none to be admitted to the title of any Benefice of cure or stipend in the book of modification in time coming but qualified Ministers 20. That the wholl rents of the Benefices of cure under prelacies that are disponed since your Ma s coronaâ—ion may be assigned wholly and allowed unto them in their stipends 21. That the judgement of all causes concerning the deprivation of Ministers from their Benefice in the second instance shall come by way of appellation unto the Generall assembly and there take finall end and not before the Lords of Session by way of reducing X. In Sess 18. the brethren directed unto the King with certain Articles craving publick resolution report his Ma s answer that in all the Heads he found litle difficulty and hath agreed unto them I. That there be a Generall Assembly once every year and ofter pro re nata II. Concerning Provinciall Synods The power of Provinciall Assemblies 1. these are constitut for weighty matters necessary to be treated by mutuall consent and assistance of Brethren within the Province as need requires 2. This Assembly hath power to handle order and redress all thâ—ngs done amisse or omitted in the particular assemblies 3. It hath power to depose the office-bearers of that Province for just and good causes deserving deprivation His Majesty agreed not to this but in this manner of addition Except Bishops and Commissioners 4. And generally these Assemblies have the wholl power of the particular Elderships or presbyteries whereof they are collected III. Concerning Presbyteries
cariage on the sabbath and to cause them give one day of the week unto their tennents in time of harvest for winning their cornes lest they be necessarily abstracted from the Service of God on the sabbath The Earle's answer was he shall use all diligence that the sabbath be not profaned and so soon as he returnes he shall in his Court establish Acts and penalties for restraining the violation of the sabbath In Sess 11. John liverance for his rash excommunicating Wiliam Earle of Anguise was ordained to confesse â—is offence unto God and against the Noble man publickly in the Church where the Sentence was pronounced and the Sentence reducing that process to be publickly intimated by another Minister in audience of the Congregation on a Sunday V. The Lord Sommer well alledgeth the priviledge of holding the market at Carnwath on the sabbath day at last he condescendes that no maâ—ket shall be held there any more on the sabbath And if he faile the Presbytery is ordained to proceed against him according to the generall Acts. VI. A generall complaint is made of manifold kindes of profaning the Lords day by mills salt pans mowing and leading of cornes carrying victualls into and from Burrowes The assembly declares all these unlawfull ordaines presbyteries to deal with their bounds to grant some week-day unto their tennants which upon necessity mowe and lead their corn upon the Lords day And all the Ministers present are ordained to give in writ the names of the persons which can best stopp the Markets within their bounds to the end his Majesty may be supplicated to interpon his authority and command them to do so VII In Sess 8. His Majesty praiseth God that he was born in such a time of the light of the Gospell and that he is a King of a Country where is such a Church even the sinceerest Church on earth the Church of Geneva not excepted seing they keep some festivall dayes as Easter and Christmes what have they for them where have they any institution for them as for our nighbours in England there Service is an ill-mumbled Masse in English they want litle of the Masse but the liftings Now I charge you my good people Barons gentle men Ministers and Elders that yee all stand to your purity and exhort the people to do the same and so long as I have life and Crown I shall maintain the same against all deadly For a quarter of an hour or thereby was nothing heard but praising of God and praying for the King by all the Assembly Then the Moderator in name of the Assembly craves from his Majesty a ratification of the liberties of the Church the purging of the Country from priests and all Papists and that every church may be provided with a Minister and mantenance The King answereth In all Parliaments the liberties of the Church are first ratified and he will have care to see the same observed for the second they knew what he had done before his going to Denmark and he will do what lawfully he can do for purging the Countrey of Papists and for the third it concerned him but in part and many mo have interest and therefore they shall do wee l to appoint some of their number to wait upon the Counsell for answer thereof and to conserr upon the means of effectuating it Then he speaks of the barbarous feuds and odious murders that thereby were committed and did seriously commend unto them as who should of all others most study to make peace the removing of such barbarities so far as in them lay wishing them in their Sermons to strick oft on that point and make people to understand how sinfull it is and how shamefull to the whole Nation as also to employ the discreetest among them for reconciling the variances that abound in the Countrey for myself sayd he I will employ all the power I have that way and if yee shall apply yourselfs to do the like my work shall be the more easy and have the better success This was greatly applauded of al. In the same Session the King nameth Robert Bruce Da. Lindsay Ro. Pont and the Moderator to attend the Counsell and to present the petitions of the Assembly to wit 1. In respect many promises have been made and no execution followed that now performance may be made thereof 2. A ratification is craved of all lawes that have been made for the good of the true Church and a new Act of Parliament specially establishing the jurisdiction of the Church their generall and Provinciall Synods and presbyteries and all Acts made contrary to the liberty and jutisdiction of the Church preceeding the date present to be annulled and untill a Parliament be called to conclude these by Act of Counsell or Convention of Estates if any shall be in the mean time 3. The purging of the Church and Countrey of all Jesuites priests and excommunicat papists and a law against the abusing of the holy sacraments 3. A law and meants whereby Ministers may be possessed in their gliebs Manses and peaceably possess them 4. An order against them who did conveen at the bridge of Dee 5. A law and ordinance against all profanation of the sabbath 6. A law against them that trouble and hurt Ministers going to the Church and executing their office 7. A law for repressing murders in the countrey 8. That all churches may be sufficiently planted with Ministers and others office-bearers and competent stipends out of the tyths and other rents that have been mortified for use of the Church and what is over to be employed upon Colledges upbreeding of youth the sustentation of the poor the fabrick of churches and other common affaires thereof VIII Seing it is certain the word of God can not be keept in sincerity unless holy disciplin be observed It is therefore by common consent of all the brethren and Commissioners present concluded that whosoever hath born office in the Ministery of the Church or presently beare or shall hereafter bear office here in shall be charged by every presbytery where their residence is to subscribe the Heads of the disciplin of the Church set down and allowed by Act of the Assembly in the book of Policy which is registred in the Register of the Church and namely the controverted heads by the enemies of the disciplin before the next Provincial assembly Under pain of excommunication to be executed against the non subscribers And the Presbyteries which shall be found negligent herein to receive publick rebuke of the Generall assembly And to the end that the disciplin may be known as it should be it is ordained that one of each presbytery shall receive from the Clerk of the assembly a copy of that book under his subscription upon the expences of the Presbytery before the first day of September next IX It is concluded that where the presbyteries are well constitut the order of Commissioners of Countries shall cease and an Act to
be advised hereupon against mooneday when every Presbytery shall have readie the names of such as they think meet for their presbytery to attend the Plat for Churches admit persons presented to Benefices and to designe Manses In Sess 15. Whereas before Commissioners of countries had the charge to enroll the Ministers their stipends at the Plat to receive presentations and to give collation to designe Manfes and gliebs henceforth the well constitute presbyteries and each one of them shall yearly ay and while the necessity thereof craves elect out of their number a brother in name of the Presbytery for enrolling expedition of their stipend at the Plat authorized instructed by them with commission subscribed by the Moderator and Clerk of the Presbytery To be shewed and produced unto the Modefiers And the same Commissioner to designe Manses gliebs within the bounds of their presbytery And in all things concerning the execution of his commission to be countable and subject to the judgement censure of the Presbytery from which he receives it And that all presentations be directed â—n time coming unto the Presbytery where the Benefice lyeth Providing in admission and deprivation of Ministers within Buchan Aberdien Garioch and Marre that Aberdien Buchan proceed with mutuall advice and so Marre Garioch likewise with mutuall advice and in case of wariance there the matter shall be referred to the Generall assembly X. It is thought meet for the common profite of all the people that an uniform order be keept in examination before the Communion and to this end that a short form of examination be penned before the next assembly whereunto four persons are named XI Because the patrimony of the Church hath been wasted by these who had the title of Benefices and thereby the provision of the Ministry failes All presbyteries are commanded to try the Beneficed within their boundes and in what condition they received their Benefice and in what condition they are presently and who have set tacks or have disponed the title of their Benefice or any part thereof without consent of the Generall assembly And to report unto the Provinciall Synod what they have found and the Synod to try if any thing hath been neglected by them and report unto the next Generall assembly XII Gâ—eat slander lyeth upon the Church through manifold murders notorious adulteries and incests and the parties being brought under process oftymes elude the Church by shifting from place to place so that the process can not be brought well to a finall Sentence therefore it is voted Whither parties falling into so odious crimes may summarily upon the notoriety of the crime be excommunicated and it is concluded affirmativè XIII Forsomuch as the dangerous inâ—urrection at the bridge of Dee being considered to have notoriously imported speciall prejudice to the true religion and the speciall authours and enterprisers thereof continuing under that slander have never intended to purge themselves thereof by confessing their offence Therefore the Assembly gives their power and commission unto the Presbytery of Edinhurgh with other nyne Ministers then named to summon before them in Edinburgh the Earls Lords Barous and free holders who were at that insurrection and to charge them to confesse their offense against the true Church of God and his religion and to make satisfaction for the slander committed by them Under the pain of excommunication And that before the first day of February next Referring to their discretion the particular dyets and order of process to be keept therein Providing that this commission be execute before the said day and requiring John Craig to remember this matter unto these commissioners as he will eschue the blame of the brethren in case of negligence Many things may be observed in this Assembly as 1. Their impartiality without respect of persons of whatsoever condition 2. B Spotswood reportes the Kings presence and many of his words in this assembly whereby he confutes what he had said before of the Kings dissimulation and indignation against the Assembly but he omittes what was done concerning the disciplin because though he and some others were present and voted unto â—hese Acts concerning the disciplin yet afterwards he and they became enemies thereof and accepted Bishopricks yea and the same year the K. hearing of the afflictions of the Antiepiscopal party in England wrote unto the Queen in their favors as also he did again in the year following as witnesseth Fuller in Church-histo li. 9. and expresseth the second Letter thus Hearing of the apprehension of Mr Vdall and Mr Cartwright and certain other Ministers of the Evangel within your realm of whose good erudition and faithfull travels in the Church we hear a very credible commendation howsoever that their diversity from the Bishops and others of your clergy in matters touching them in conscience hath been a mean by their delation to work them your disliking at this present we can not weighing the duty which we owe to such as are afflicted for their conscience in that profession but by our most effectuous and earnest Letter interpone us at your hands to stay any harder usage of them for that cause Requesting you most earnestly that for our cause and intercession it may please you to let them be relieved of their present strait and whatsoever further accusation or suit depending on that ground Respecting both their former merit in setting forth the Evangel the simplicity of their conscience in this defence which can not well be their let by communion and the great slander which can not fail to fall out upon their further streighting for any such occasion Which we assure us your zeal to religion besides the expectation we have of your good will to pleasure us will willingly accord to our request having such proofs from time to time of our like disposition to you in any matters which you recommend unto us ...... Dated Edinburgh June 12. 1591. Fuller saith One word from archb Whitgift befriended Mr Cartwright more then both the Letters from the King of Scotland But who can tell whither the archbishop was not moved with the earnestness of these Letters from such a Soliciter to speak a word for his antagonist lest he had been set at liberty whither he would or not Howsoever it was these Letters shew the Kings affection unto the cause and his esteem of their persons XXVIII The Nationall Assembly conveens at Edinburgh July 2. The 53. Assembly 1591. Nicol dalgleish is chosen Moderator I. Because the Assembly hath changed their place whereupon some may doubt of the authority thereof It is voted and coucluded that there is a reasonable and weighty cause for the change and that nothing is done in prejudice of their power seing the cause is the desire of his Ma. who for sundry reasons hath willed the Ass to site heerat this time and if any brother craves to be further satisfied the brethren of the Conference will resolve
Ministers it would be ordained that in time coming more diligent inquisition and tryall be used of all that shall enter into the Ministry especially that the Intrant shal be posed upon his conscience in a most grave manner before the great God what moveth him to accept the office and charge of the Ministry 2. That it be inquired whither by any solicitation or moyan directly or indirectly he hath sought to enter into that office and if that shall be found the Presbytery should repell all them of their number from voting in the election and admission who shall be tryed to deall for the soliciter and give their oath to declair the truth in that matter 3. Because by presentations many are forceably thrust into the Ministry and upon Congregations who thereafter shew that they were not called by God it would be provided that none seek presentations to Benefices without advice of the Presbytery and if any shall do in the contrary they shall be repelled as Rei ambitus 4. That the tryall of persons to be admitted into the Ministry consist not only in their learning and ability to preach but likewise in conscience and feeling and spirituall wisdom namely in the knowledge of the bounds of their calling in doctrin and disciplin and wisdom to behave himselfe accordingly with the diverse ranks of persons within his charge as with Atheists rebellious weak consciences and such others in these the pastorall charge lyeth much and that he be able to stop the mouths of adversaries And who are not found qualified in these points should be delayd untill further tryall or be more qualified And because men may be found meet for some places which are not meet for another It should be considered that the principall places of the realm be provided with men of best gifts wisdom and experience And that none take the charge of greater number of people than they are able to discharge 5. Who are not given to their book or Study of Scriptures not carefull to have books not given to sanctification and prayer who study not to be powerfull and spirituall not applying doctrin to present corruptions which is a chief pastorall gift obscure or too Scholastick before the people cold and wanting zeal negligent in visiting the sick and â—aring for the poore or indiscreet in chusing parts of the word not fittest for the flock flatterers and dissembling sines especially of great persons in their congregations for flattery or fear all such persons should be censured according to the degrees of their faults and if they continue should be deprived 6. If any be found to sell the sacraments or collud with scandalous persons by dispensing with them for money should be deposed simpliciter 7. Every Minister should be charged to have a Session established of the fittest men of his congregation and that disciplin strick not only against gross sins as whoordom bloodshed c. but against all repugning to the word of God as blasphemy banning or swearing profanation of the Lords day disobedience to parents idle and unruly without a calling drunkards and such deboshednes and all that make not conscience of their conversation ruling their families especially in education of their children slanderers backbiters flatterers breakers of promise And this should be an universall order throghout the realm and who are negligent and continue therein should be deposed 8. none falling into open scandalls should be received into the fellowship of the Church unless his Min. have an appearing warrant in conscience that he hath a feeling of sin and apprehension of mercy and to this end the Minister should deall with him by private information especially in the doctrin of repentance if this be neglected publick repentance is turned into mocking 9. Dilapidation of Benefices dimitting them for favor or money that they becom as laick patronages without advice of the Church and interchanging of Benefices by transaction and transporting themselves without knowledge of the Church should be punished precisely as also the setting of tacks without consent of the Assembly should be punished according to Acts of the Church Follow corruptions in their persons and lifes 1. Who are wanton and light in behavior as in gorgeous or light apparell in speach using light profain company unlawfull games as dauncing cardes dice and the like not beseeming the gravity of a Pastor should be gravely sharply rebuked by the Presbytery and continuing therein after due admonition should be deprived as scandalous to the gospell 2. If Ministers be found swearers profaners of the Lords day drunkards fighters guilty of any of these should be deposed simpliciter and liars detracters flatterers breakers of promises brawlers and quarellers after admonition continuing should incurr the same punishment 3. Minister using unlawfull or incompetent trades for filthy gain as hostlers usurers bearing wordly offices in Noble or Gentlemen's houses merchandice buying victuall and keeping it to dearth and all wordly occupations that may distract them from their charge or may be scandalous in a Pastor should be brought to the feeling of such sins and if they continue in them should be deposed 4. Not-residents should be deposed or the fault to be layd on the Presbyteries and they should be consured for it and the Assembly should command that no Ministers wait on the Court and affaires thereof without the allowance of their Presbytery 5. No Minister should intend action of law without the foresaid advice especially in small matters and for remedies of the necessity whereby some are compelled to enter into plea of law it would be petitioned that short process be used in Ministers actions 6. Ministers should have speciall care in using godly exercises in their families teaching their wife children and servants using prayers ordinarily reading the Scriptures removing scandalous persons out of their families and in other points of godly conversation and Presbyteries in visitation should try Ministers and their families in these particulares and if they be negligent they should be judged unfit to rule the house of God 7. Ministers should strive to be spirituall and profitable in all companies and talk of things appertaining to godliness to wit which may strengthen themselves and others in our Christian calling of the means how to have Christs Kingdom established in our congregations and to know how the gospell flourishes in our flocks and of the hinderances and remedies that wee find or know herein are manifold corruptions and the contraveeners should be â—spied and sharply rebuked 8. No Minister should countenance nor assist a publick offender challenged by his own Minister for a known offence as if his own were too seveer Undet pain of admonition and rebuke In Sess 12. As the brethren have conveened this day in great humiliation acknowledging their sins and have entred into Covenant with God a new protesting to walk more warily in their waies and a great part of the Ministry is not here present therefore the Assembly commandeth that in
when they shall arrive As appeares their intention is by their preparation force and armour and leagues of friendship which they are dayly binding up 2. Many Jesuites and excommunicat Papists are keept within the Country detaining such as they have perverted in their errors and seducing others into the same corruption and holding them in hope of the Papist Lords with assistance of strangers such are Robert Abercromy Alex. Macquhirry the Abbot of New-abbay John Gordon of Newton Pat. Con Alexander Lesly of Piell young Bonitoun Alexander Ramsay and many others 3. In many places people are altogether ignorant of their salvation and that for want of Pastors and maintenance nor know they their duty unto God or their King and so the Land is overflowed with atheism and all kind of vice There be 400 Paris-churches destitute of the Ministry of the word besids the Churches of Argile and the Isles 4. It is universally lamented by his Majesties subjects that by delaying perverting and eluding of justice murders oppression incests adulteries and all kind of hainous crimes abound 5. It is heavily lamented that the Ministers who have obtained some small provision by assignation in An. 1595. are frustrated by the Lords of Session refusing to decide the suspensions according to the Act of February 1587 year The overtures for remedy were adioyned as they are related before in Sess 5. IX In Sess 10. John Preston and Edward Bruce Commendator of Kinloss Commissioners from his Ma. do give-in these articles or instructions 1. Yee shall shew unto the Assembly our good will to have al the Churches of Scotland planted with Ministers and sufficient livings to the great hurt of our own revenue and that portion of the thirds which was assigned to our house and our Counptrollars in possession thereof but finding that all the thirds is not sufficient to plant all the Churches nor is it commodious for Ministers to serve in one place and have their livings in another far distant from their cure Therefore we have thought good to set forward an order for locall stipends founded on this ground that all the churches of Scotland shall have Ministers and all Ministers shall have stipends within their own parishon of such value as by our authority on the one part and by concurrance and procurement of the Church on the other may be obtained from the tacks-men of tyths and present possessors of them for which effect wee have caused an Act of Parliament to be made in the year 1592. granting Commission to certain Noble men Counsellers Officers and Ministers on the one and other parts To treat of and prosecute this matter and also have given command particularly to certain of our Lords of Checker to help by their advice and labors to bring this matter unto some perfection wherein as wee understand some thing is done as part of the brethren can testify As wee continuing in our good mind to have in our time the Church setled with livings and not entangled yearly with process and to have all our churches planted within the realm By these presents offer and promitt unto the Assembly to cause our Commissioners Counsellers and Officers to conveen presently before the expiring of this Assembly with the saids Commissioners from the Church to begin this good purpose and to lay the ground and to set down the order time and place of conveening to prosecute the same unto the end conform to the Act of Parliament So that if any stay shall bee it shall be on the Church's part as oft before and not on our part 2. Yee shall shew them that it is a stay of this good work that by some of their preachings the people are made to understand that wee and our Counsell would stay the planting of churches and take away the livings possessed by Ministers albeit the contrary is true that wee and our Counsell are most willing that the churches be wholly planted and the provision of Ministers be augmented so far as lawfully may be obtained with consent of our Nobility and other tacks-men of tyths whose rights without order of law wee can not empare and therefore this form of preaching discourageth our good Counsellers most willing of the work and is an heavy slander upon the Ministers wherein yee shall crave order be taken and the like be not done in time coming 3. Yee shall desire those your instructioes in our name to be registred in the books of the Assembly as a perpetuall testimony of our good will and also that answers be given particularly by a generall vote of the wholl Ass and no way to be referred to a privat Conference and the answers so voted to each particulare head to be registred in like manner and the extract of all these articles and the answers to be delivered unto you and to be reported unto us Sic subscribitur James R. In Sess 13. with the above named overtures these petitions were sent unto the King 1. That his Maj. would prosecute his good purpose and intention declared concerning the planting of all the churches with qualified Ministers and sufficient provisions for their entertainment And for that effect that he would give commission to the Visitors named by the Asseâ—bly to take inquisition of all churches within the boundes of their visitation and to deal in his Majesties name with the tacks-men possessors of the tiths for sufficient provision unto the Ministers out of the every parish and to report their diligence unto his Majesties Commissioners appointed for the work of the Plat and to provide for the charges of the Visitors in that journy 2. That his Majesty would be pleased to take order substantiously by advice of his Counsell and Estates how the Principall Judgement-seats and other inferior Judicatories may be purged of unqualified and corrupt persons and filled with others meet to discharge that Calling faithfully for the comfort of his Majesties peaceable and well disposed subjects 3. That his Majesty would command and ordain the Lords of Session to administrat justice unto the Ministers who have obtained a small augmentation of their stipends or new provision by the Modefiers in the year 1595. and according to the Act of Febru in the year 1587. as they are bound by their solem oath and promise Seing the extraordinary dearth urgeth them with so great necessity that unless his Maj. have consideration of their estate they and their families are driven to extream poverty and want X. Articles propounded by the Commissioners of the constant Plat to be advised by the Assembly and passed in Acts 1. It is thought requisit that the Assembly would ordain that the Moderators of each Presbytery should give presentations jure devoluto of all Benefices of cure belonging to Laick patrons that have not presented qualified persons within sixe months after the decease of the last possessor and also of these Benefices which heerafter shall vaik if these patrons neglect to present within sixe months Under the pain
the King was commoved for the dis-honor he apprehended done unto him that day therefore they left off their commission and vvent to their lodgings The next day the King vvent to Lithgovv all that vvere not ordinary inhabitants in Edinburgh vvere commanded to leave it the Lords of the Session vvere vvarned to be ready to remove and to sit vvhere they shall be advertised by the next proclamation the Magistrates vvere commanded to search and apprehend the authors of that hainous attempt Some of the burgesses vvere committed to sundry vvards the Ministers of Edinb were commanded to enter into the castle of the town because the Kings wrath was hotest against them and to the end the chief Octavianes might use them at their pleasure After advice with some others it was thought expedient they should withdraw themselves till the present flamm were over For all the diligent inquisition which was made many daies no ground could be found of any conspiracy against the King or any other only when the tumult was raised one or two cried to have some of the Octavianes abusers of the King to take order with them for which words they were fined If there had been any intention to do harm unto any man what could have himdred then from doing it there was no party in readiness able to withstand them Yee see then the tumult of Decemb. 17. was no just cause to move the K. to charge the Government of the Church nor to wrong the wholl Nationall Church for the tumult of one town howbeit their fact had been grounded on bad intentions nor may Ks thrust Christs government to the door for the faults of men and bring-in what forms they please But as no just occasion was givē so that tumult can not serve so much as for a pretence seing as it is now discovered the alteration was intended before December 17. On the 20. day Pa. Galloway was sent unto the K. at Lithgow but was not suffered to come neer the King only a copy of a Band was sent unto him whereof mention was made before to be subscribed by the Ministers Under pain of losse of their stipends but he and others after him refused for many reasons The questions whereof mention was made before 55. in number came forth in print soon after and the Convention of the Estates and of the Ministry was appointed to be held at Perth February 29. for consulting upon and determining the jurisdiction spirituall of the Church alswell in application of doctrin as the whole policy in all these questions the main point of policy to wit the superiority of Bishops was conceiled howbeit chiefly aimed at In time of these sturs in Scotland began throughout England the more solemne and pious observation of the Lords The keeping of the Lords day began in England day upon occasion of a book set forth An. 1595. by P. bound Doctor of Divinity and enlarged with additions An. 1606. wherein these following opinions were maintained 1. The command of sanctifying every seventh day as in the Mosaicall decalogue is moral and perpetual 2. Whereas all other things in the Jewish Church were taken away priesthood sacrifices and Sacrament this sabbath was so changed that it still remaines 3. There is a great reason why we Christians should take ourselves as streightly bound to rest upon the Lords day as the Jewes were upon their sabbath it being one of the moral commandements whereof all are of equal authority 4. the rest upon this day must be a notable and singular rest a most carefull exact and precise rest after another manner then men are accustomed 5. Schollers on that day are not to study the liberal Arts nor Lawyers to consult the case nor peruse mens evidentes 6. Sergeants Apparitors and Sumners are to be restrained from executing their offices 7. Justices not to examin causes for the conservation of the peace 8. Ringing of more bells then one that day is not to be justified 9. No solemn feasts nor wedding dinners to be made on that day 10. all honest recreations and pleasures lawfull on other dayes as shooting fencing bowling on this day is to be forborn 11. No man to speak or talk of pleasures or any other worldly matter It is almost incredible how taking this doctrine was partly because of its own purity and partly for the eminent piety of such persons as maintained it so that the Lords day especially in Corporations began to be precisely keept people becoming a law to themselves forbearing such sport as by Statute were yet permitted yea many reioicing at their own restraint herein On this day the stoutest fencer layd down his buckler the skilfull Archer unbent his bow counting all shooting to be besides the Mark May-games and Morish-dances grew out of request and good reason that bells should be silenced from gingling about mens leggs if their ringing in Steepls were judged unlawfull some were ashamed of their former pleasures like children vvho grovvn bigger blush themselves out of their rattles and vvhistles Others forbear them for fear of their Superiors and many left them off out of a Politick compliance lest othervvise they might be accounted licencious Yet the learned vvere much divided in their judgement about these doctrines some embraced them as antient truths consonant to Scripture long disused and neglected and now seasonably revived for the encrease of piety Others conceived them grounded on a wrong bottom but because they tended to the manifest advancing of religion it was pitty to oppose them seing none have just reason to complain being deceived into their own good But a third sort flatly fell out with these positions as galling mens necks with a Jewish yoak against the liberty of Christians that Christ as Lord of the Sabbath had removed the rigor thereof and allowed men lawfull recreations that this Doctrine put an unequal Lustre on the Sunday on set purpose to eclipse all other holy dayes to the derogation of the authority of the Church that this strict observance was set up of faction to be a character of difference to brand all for Libertines who did not entertain it How ever for some years together in this controversy Dr bound alone carried the Garland none offering openly to oppose yea as he in his second edition observes many both in their preachings writtings and disputations did concurr with him in that argument and though Archb. Whitgift in the year 1599. by his Letters had forbidden those books any more to be printed and Sir John Popham Lord chief Justice in their year 1600. did call them in yet all their care did but for the present make the Sunday set in a cloud to arise soon after in more brightness for the Archb. his known opposition to the proceedings of the Anti-episcopal Brethren rendred his actions more odious as if out of envy he had caused such a pearle to be concealed and some conceived though it was most proper for Judge Popham's place to punish
the presbytery alledging that they had not power to take away any action from them which was in process and not decided They made also a Visitation of the Colledges and made new canones concerning the election of the Rector and his continuance to be but for a year and the exemption Anotheâ— step was the vote in Perliament of all the Masters from the Church Session Concerning the next stepp unto Prelacy which was the vote in Parliament The Historicall Narration saith At the Parliament in December 1597. the workmen for Episcopacy the commissioners of the Assembly presented a petition in name of the church that Ministers may have vote in Parliament They had not commission to petition it either for the Church in generall or for Ministers in particulare It is true it was an old complaint of the Generall assemblies that others who had the Benefices of the Prelacies did vote in Parliament in name of the Church and therefore they petitioned that none do vote in name of the Church but they who shall have commission from the Church if there were any necessity that some must vote in name of the Church but that Ministers in particulaâ—e should vote in Parliament was not petitioned The Assembly in October 1581. being required by the King to give some Overture how he shall not be prejudged seing they have damned the office of Bishops whereunto is annexed a temporall jurisdiction by whom the Prince was served by voting in Parliament assisting in Counsell contributing in taxations and the like Thretty Barons and Commissioners from Burrous and Ministers were appointed to consult apart upon it After consultation they returned to the Assembly with this Overture that for voting in Parliament and assisting in Counsell commissioners from the Generall assembly shall supply the place of Prelates as for exercing criminall and Civill jurisdiction the head Bailives may exerce it The Assembly allowed the Overture but did not determin to send commissioners for that effect When the same question was propounded by the Convention of Estates in Octob. 1582. answer was returned from the assembly that they would not consent any should vote but they who bear office in the Church and were authorized with commission from the Church but they did not determin whither Min. or Barons or Burgesses who were Elders The Assembly in May 1592. enjoined every brother to consider whither Minister may vote in Parliament in place of the old Prelates but no conclusion was resolved-upon So the Assemblies were never earnest for vote in Parliament but complained that the Lords which had the abbacies priories and Bishopricks voted in name of the Church by whom the Church was damnified in sufficient maintenance for the Service of God or answered to the King complaining for the want of the third Estate But the ground is not right that of necessity the Church must be an Estate of Parliament for by the Church is meaned either the Ministry only according to the Popish sense taking the Clergy only for the Church Ot the Ministry together with the commonality of Professors which is the right acceptation of the word Ministers may not lawfully sit as members in Parliament because the Parliament is a Civile Court or great Counsell conveened for making Lawes concerning rights of inheritances weights and measures forfeitures losse of limbs or life and the like whereof Ministers should not make lawes seing they are set apart to preach the gospell c And howbeit Church-affaires or matters of religion be somtime treated in Parliament yet it is a Civile assembly and their proceeding or sanction of such lawes is Civile If yee will comprehend all the pâ—ofessors or members of the Church under the name of the Church then all the subjects within the kingdom shall make but the third Estate or the wholl Country is but a part of the Parliament Moreover the subjects being considered materially they are the same persons both in the Church and Commonwealth but considered with diverse respects they are distinguished formally as citizens of the Kingdom their body is represented in Parliament as members of the Church they should medle only with things spirituall in their Judicatories and Councells The truth is None voteth in Parliament in name of the Church or as ecclesiasticall persons but only as Barons or in respect of the Baronies annexed to the Bishoprick abbacy or priory So that if prelates were not Barons the Church would have no vote I grant Ministers may be present at Parliaments but with the book of God in their hands if they be required in any doubt nor should the Estates make any Act eoncerning religion without the advice and consent of her representative Body but Ministers should not be members of that Court nor none other in name of the Church The Noble men who possessed the great How it was carried Benefices and so many others as they could move to assist them opposed this vote but by the Kings earnest dealing with sundries it was granted that so many as his Majesty shall provide to the office place title dignity of Bishop abbot or other prelate shall at all times have vote in parliament It was thought no honest man in the Ministry would accept these titles dignities and the Estates were the more liberall in their grant The consideration of the office was remitted to the consultation agreement of the King generall assembly but expressely without prejudice of the Jurisdiction disciplin of the Church in Generall or Provinciall assemblies presbyteries Sessions But what office of Bishop abbot or prior should be and not prejudiciall to the disciplin of the Church is hard to determin The Commissioners as if they had procured a great benefite to the Church sent their Missives to the presbyteries to inform them with what difficulty they had obtained this and what danger was in delay and therefore had anticipate the time of the Assembly and with the Kings consent had appointed it to be holden the seventh of March. Under fair pretenses the diets appointed by ordinary assemblies were altered and either anticipated to surprize men or prorogated till they had prepared persons or dressed purposes till at last the whole liberty of appointing any diet at all was reft out of their hands In the Missives they inform lykewise what order was taken for the Plat and provision of stipends to make the other point the more acceptable XXXVI Nevertheless the judicious and sinceerer sort of the Ministry 1598. discover the Mystery of iniquity lurking in this pretended benefite of Ministers-vote in Parliament at the Synode especially of Lothian and Fife about the end of February In the Synod of Fife David Ferguson the antientest Minister of Scotland had a discourse of the travell and paines taken by the Ministry to purge this Church from the corrupt estate of Bishops But now sayd he I perceive a purpose to erect it again I can compare the manner of bringing it in to
voter in Parliament shall give account Annuatim and lay down his office at the feet of the Assembly to be continued or altered as c. They communicate this device unto the King who set down the conclusion so and so it was written The Bb. did never attempt to annuall these cautions and so these being established by the Assembly with consent of the King were the grounds of deposing and excommunicating the Bb. in the Astembly in the year 1638. Then The historicall Narration sets down some pranks as he speaks of the Commissioners 1. The Ministers of Edinburgh were charged August 12. by the King and Counsell to depart out of the town all excep the two young men that entred last and discharged to preach within the Kings dominions because they would not professe unto the people that they were persuaded the Earle of Goury and his brother would have killed the King in Perth on the fifth day of August and persuade the people to believe it They profered to thank God for the Kings delivery out of danger to rehearse faithfully unto the people the history as his Majesty had delivered it and to speak nothing in the contrary But that was not accepted Not long after their places were declared vaking by the Commissioners of the Generall assembly September 5. they were charged to compear before the king and Counsell in Sterlin to hear further punishments decerned against them William Watson John Hall Walter Balcanquall and James balfour professed that they were resolved and were appointed to declair their resolution in other churches as was designed unto them and to confesse their error and incredulity Robert Rolock was departed this life in the year preceeding The Court said These were sent to make their repentance Robert Bruce professed that he was not yet resolved and craved time to try search He is ordained to depart out of the Country not to teturn into Scotland nor England without his Majesties licence and to remain in Airth untill he departe 2. The king with advice of the Commissioners of the Generall assembly calleth a meeting of two out of every Synod to be holden at Edinburgh in October to take order with the churches of Edinburgh and to consult with the Commissioners upon such things as were to be propounded unto the ensuing Parliament At this meeting the King was earnest to have others planted in the Ministers roomes of Edinburgh albeit they had declared their resolution as they were enâ—oined excep John Hall whom said the king I will take in my own hand It was answered That could not be done unless they were deposed by the Church or cutt off by some Civill Judicatory The king was so earnest that they said they would try the Ministers own minds whither they be content with transportation rather than suffer their churches to be destitute William Scot James Melvin and John Carmichell were directed to deal with them When these were gone unto the Ministers the king and commissioners propounded to name three to vote at the Parliament which is to be holden in November and obtained it to wit Peter Blackburn David Lindsay and Goerge Gladstanes were named without regard of the order and cautions concluded in the late Assembly The three that weresent forth knew nothing of the matter till the meeting was dissolved nor were the Churches of Edinb provided before the next Generall assembly 3. In the Parliament where Goury was forfeited these three which were named before did vote David Lindsay as Bishop of Ross Pater Blackburn as Bishop of Aberdien George Glaidstanes as Bishop of Caitnes In the Synod of Fife at Santand in February An. 1601. George Glaidstanes was accused and confessed that he had sitten in the Parliament and had answered as Bishop of Caitnes when he was called but said he it was against my heart nor would they name mee otherwise Such were the slight shifts they had when they were found guilty of any breach Da. Lindsay was rebuked in the Synod of Lothian in Aprile So soon were the cautions or Caveats contemned I have written of these Assemblies particularly the rather that they have never been in Print before And many either of malice or ignorance and some of both have published much venom against them And now I conceive that some may think Seing these Assemblies were confirmed by authority of the King and Parliament how left they off therefore I adioyn a continuation of them unto their End A Continuation of the History of SCOTLAND'S ASSEMBLIES I. THE Commissioners of the Assembly had a meeting with 1601. some other Ministers at Bruntelan in March year 1601 there they agreed to entreat the King for restoring the Ministers of Edinburgh unto their places and for a free Nationall assembly to determin all matters then in controversy The Commissioners promised to deal earnestly in both But how did they perform their promise saith the Author of the historicall Narration Concerning the first some of them said unto the King Sir They are out now blame not us but your self if ever they offend you again And in the other point an assembly was called but no controversy was handled At that time John Hamilton and Edmund hay two Jesuits came into the countrey the King understanding that they were factious and busy men sent forth a proclamation inhibiting them to remain under pain of treason and declaring that he would no otherwise judge of such who shall receive them but as the pursuers of his own life Nevertheless they were keept in the North parts untill after some years John Hamilton was apprehended and sent to the Tower of London where he died By the Kings proclamation the Assembly conveens at Bruntelan May 12. there the King was present and Commissioners John Hall is chosen Moderator I. A generall The 63. Assembly complaint was of the want of purity zeal and practise of the true Religion in all Estates which must end in papistry or atheism within a short space in the just judgement of God unless substantious remedies be provided in due time Nor can this malady be sufficiently cured unless the originall causes and speciall occasions thereof be riped up The Brethren were exhorted The causes of dection to think upon this weighty matter and the meeting is adjournied for two dayes Then the causes of this defection were judged to be 1. The just wrath of God for the unreverent estimation of the Gospell and for the sins of all Estates in dishonoring their profession 2. Want of diligence on the part of Ministers in discovering them who make apostasy into Papistry and negligence in executing the lawes and disciplin against them who are discovered 3. Want of Pastors at unplanted churches and displanting of churches by diminution of the thirds 4. Neglecting of towns and churches that are of greatest inportance to the interest of Religion or not planting them with qualified Pastors such as the Kings house the Prince's house the houses of
that those may be reponed into their own places when it shall please his Majesty and the Assembly The King and Assembly consent V. It is ordained that in every Assembly hereafter those that shall be appointed Commissioners by the Assembly shall give account of their commission in the beginning of the subsequent assembly before other things be heard and their proceedings to be allowed or dis-allowed as the assembly shall judge of them VI. Commission is given to twenty four Ministers together with the Ministers of the kings House or any nyne of them to plant churches in burghes with power to transplant any Minister within the realm into the said burghes now vaking namely Edinburgh wherein they shall take the advice of the Presbytry there With power to judge of any offenses if it shall happen that his Majesty be offended by any of the Ministry and to take order there-in And also power to present the grievances and petitions of this assembly unto his Majesty and Counsell or Generall Convention of Estates or Parliament if any shall happen to bee c. VII Certain Visitors were designed to visit all the Shirifdoms particularly named unto them with power to try the Ministers in their qualification doctrin and conversation and whether they have wrong'd their Benefices To depose such as deserve deposition To plant Ministers where none as yet have been planted and to this effect to deal with the Tacks-men of every parishon for provision unto a Minister for the church And to report their diligence c. The next Assembly is appointed to be at Santandrews the last tuysday of July 1602. The Historicall Narration addeth Iames Melvin Minister at Kilrinny being detained by sicknes sent unto this assembly a Missive advising them to insist with his Ma. to yeeld unto the agreement of the Brethren at Bruntelan in March for repossessing the Ministers of Edinburgh and charging them as they will answer unto God to endeavour a redress of that wrong done unto the Church of Christ by Act of the Secret Counsell whereby the Ministers of Edinburgh were discharged to preach at any time in any part of the realm he adviseth to consider whether the proceedings of the Commissioners have been conform unto the conclnsions of the preceeding assembly or els it is not possible to hold out corruption And to lament the restraint of the freedom of Assemblies which now are made to depend upon licences Letters and proclamations whereas the Barons and the Burghs enioy thir severall meetings freely In end he layth down his part of the Commission at their feet as the Pioner doth his burden For it grieved him continually and now brought him into the danger of death Albeit he was not acquainted with their secrets yet it grieved him to sit somtimes among them even albeit â—e consented not unto their Sentences The King took this Letter out of the Moderator's hand and suffered it not to be read John Davidson sent another Letter to this purpose Should James John seek to sit the one at the right hand and the other at the left when Christ is going to Jerusalem to suffer death Is it time for Baruch to seek great things for himself whent the Lord is about to destroy what he hath planted and threatens his people with fearfull captivity is it time for us now when so many of our worthy Brethren are shamefully thrust out of their callings without all order of just proceeding against them boni malis demutantur and Papists Jesuits and atheists dayly flocking home are suffered countenanced and advanced to great roumâ— in the realm is it time for us of the Ministry to be inveigled and blindfolded with pretence of preferment of some small number of our brethren and that not to stand so much in the election of the Church as at the pleasure of the Court to have vote in Parliament to ride in foot mantles and to have the titls of Prelacies and so to make preparative in ourselves unto that Hierarchy as they call it which the Papists hope to enjoy with speed what is it but honorari intra palatium ad servitutem shall we brethren sliep still with Samson on Dalilah's lap till they cry The Philistins be upon thee he wrot more in this purpose and in the end he wished that they would not determin any thing de presenti concerning the new planting of Edinburgh in prejudice of their brethren not as yet displaced by any order for any promise de futuro as punishment of Papists seing those two can not stand together If reason find no place he exhorts them to remember that Melins optabilius est egregium bellum pace impia à Deo distrahente Bishop Spotswood addeth that he scoffing at the Kings doings said But Boniton is executed an infamous thief in the highest degree What is that to the cause of Religion whereof no question was moved is there no Papists nor favourer of Papists in Scotland but Boniton But the King is sound in religion what can the Papists do Being sound the danger were the less but there is nothing either in Church or king according to our Calling c. The king said There was treason in this Letter and for it the writer was committed to the castle of Edinburgh in the same month and afterward was confined to his parishon enduring his life In the Narration it is said also The Assembly began with little contentment to either party but the King to won the people because of the jealousy many had conceived for the fact at Perth in August protested with the tear in his ey that he would be serious for the Church and the liberty of the Gospell And for more satisfaction it was approved by Court and many of the Ministry which before was not only neglected but mocked at to wit to ripe up the causes of defection in all Estates from the purity and zeal in the practise of the true Religion and to advise upon the remedies So in this they had a tast of the wonted assemblies But there was small security in the chief directores and others of that side for neither were the chief causes layd open nor a right course taken for remedy The distraction among Ministers the cause and remedies thereof was not touched The King was so serious against the three Ministers of Edinburgh that for his satisfaction it was concluded they should be transported The generall Commission was renewed and almost all the same persons were authorized so that the plotters were not changed nor censured but others were put off and put in as they thought expedient About the end of the Assembly the King holding up his hand vowed to execute justice faithfully and to discredit all who shall attempt any thing against religion In the provinciall synod of Fife conveened at Kingorn in September they agreed upon some grievances to be presented unto the next Nationall Assembly to wit 1. That notwithstanding the Acts of Parliament
call it so improperly or in remembrance or in representation 4. The Romanists say their Mass The original of the word Missa is from the institution of Christ and yet they cannot find the name of it in any Ecclesiastical Writer before Pope Leo who lived An. 460 and in what signification it was taken at that time it may be learned out of Augustine if these be his Sermons Ser. 237. de temp he saith Post Sermonem fit Missa catechuminis after the Sermon or preaching they which are but learning their catechism are sent away So Missa is a dismission or a charge to depart And Ser. 251 is this word thrice for all that is done in the meetings of the Church he saith Some especially the potent men of this World when they come to the Church are not devout in the praises of God but compel the Presbyter to shorten the Missa and sing at their pleasure neither will they let him keep the use of the Church And Raban in the beginning of the same Chapter gives the former reason of the name saying The Levite crieth If any Catechumenus be here as yet let him be gone They give other reasons of the name which were tedious to repeat But hence we may see that the word signifieth not a Sacrifice although Popish men would have others believe that where that word is found a Sacrifice is signified As for the original of the word some would bring it from Deut. 16. 10 But Bellarm. de Missa lib. 1. cap. 1. saith That cannot be because then it should be found among the Greeks since all the Hebrew words which are among the Latines are come unto us by the hands of the Greeks as Amen Hallelujah Osanna c. Neither can they agree on the deprivation of it 5. Priesthood and Sacrifice and Altars are correlatives and so Priests and Altars Priesthood properly taken hath relation to a Sacrifice and an Altar properly taken saith Bellarmin ibid. cap. 2. 14. But the Christians in the primitive times saith he de cultu Sanct. lib. 3. cap. 4. did purposely abstain from the words of Temple and Priest untill the daies of Tertullian not as he saith there lest they had seemed to retain some Jewish ceremonies or Temples of Heathenish Idols for so they should have abstained from the words of worship and prayer which terms were used both by Jews and Heathens But rather lest the new Converts might by the name of Temple Priest and Altar conceive some corporal sacrifice to be offered by men for expiation of offences Tables agree better unto a Supper and the Sacrament is called a Table 1 Cor. 10. So speaketh the Councel at Nice At the Table of the Lord we should not look basely upon the Bread and Wine which is set before us but we should lift up our hearts c. Lactant. lib. 6. cap. 25 and August de Civ Dei lib. 10. cap. 4. did not acknowledge any Altars in their times but the Altar of our hearts And at the same time by the allusion unto the Law the Elders were called Priests and Church-Tables were called Altars but since such allusions have given unto their posterity occasion to conceive such errours it is safer to use the moderation of the first times And since it is not lawfull among the Papists to consecrate the Sacrament but upon a consecrate Altar and Bellarmin saith It is certain Pope Sylvester was the Authour of consecrating Altars De verbo Dei lib. 4. cap. 3 it is manifest that the primitive Church had not Altars and now the having of them is a novelty 6. Antiphona and Introitus are both one saith Platina in Gregor I. Antiphona and lest any ornament or consent be lacking in time of Sacrifice he appointed that the Antiphona should be chanted Again in Celestin. I who lived An. 423. Platin. saith Celestine ordained that the Psalms should be chanted antiphonativè and this custom was not in use before I know not whether Platina's memory had failed him or whether he meaneth as Poly. Virg. de invent rer lib. 5. cap. 10. saith Antiphona which is called Introitus was ordained by Gregory and that which is called Tractus by Celestine But Raban de Institut Cler. lib. 2. cap. 50. saith The Greeks first made the Antiphonae two Queers singing by turns and among the Latines blessed Ambrose ordained them following the example of the Greeks But sure it is as Lindan de opti genere Interpretat lib. 3. cap. 3. saith Agobert Bishop of Lions did complain that there were many superfluous things in them and saith Lindan If Agobert were now living and saw the Antiphona's and the Missals O everlasting God with what name would he decipher them Where not only many things are from the Apocrypha Gospel of Nicodemus and other trifles but secret prayers and filthy yea and feigned by Hereticks 7. Pope Damascus in Epist ad Hieronim saith The Church of Rome was not acquainted with singing and he biddeth him to send him a copy of the Singing Greek Psaltery Augustine in Confess lib. 9. cap. 7. sheweth that the Latine Church had not singing till Ambrose was expelled out of Millan by the Arrian Empress Justina and in his absence the people did begin to follow the example of the Eastern Churches and others follow Millan and the singing in Alexandria was liker unto grave reading then unto Musical chanting And Raban loc cit cap. 48. doth forbid Musical gestures and Theatral singing and admitteth only such as may move compunction and may be clearly understood by the hearers Poly. Vergil de invent rer lib. 6. cap. 2. saith Now the Chanters make a noise in the Church and nothing is heard there but a voice and others who are present are content with the consent of the cries no way regarding the meaning of the words and so it is that among the multitude all the esteem of Divine Worship seems to rely upon the Chanters although generally no sort of men are lighter or more wicked The Spanish Index Expurgator pag. 72. ordained these words to be left out in following Impressions 8. Poly. Vergil loc cit speaking of the Chorus saith I may say that these are for the most part brought into our Ceremonies from the The Quâ—re old Heathens who were wont to sacrifice with symphony as witnesseth Livius lib. 9. 9. These have not one father Gratian The Letanies de consecr dist 1. cap. Iacobus giveth some of them unto James the Lord's brother and some to Basilius Caesarian Platina gives some to Damasus P. An. 370 some to Symmachus P. An. 510 and in Gregory the I he saith Gregory did ordain the Supplications which the Greeks call Letanies They are of several sorts Poly. Verg. lip cit cap. 11. saith Mamercus Bishop of Vienna in the daies of Pope Leo the I because of an Earth-quake did ordain first the Supplications which the Greeks call Letanies or Processions that they should go two and
two in long order passing from one place to another and praying with a loud voice and these are called the lesser Letanies which not long after Pope Agobert did first ordain to be each Lord's day in the Churches or about the Church which now is done every where Some would rather have them called Processions because the sacrifical pomp proceeds publickly ...... Thereafter Pope Gregory ordained the greater ones when the people of all sorts going by seven in rank should sing by turns because at that time the people were smitten with a kind of swelling in their loins whereby many were killed ....... Gregory commanded that these Letanies should be observed every where and now the Priests sing them for fear of imminent evils a great number of people also following and praying but in prosperity also they oft pray so publickly that who for fear of evils had praied with supplications thereafter obtaining our desires and rejoicing in security we should give thanks unto God Which the Pagans did also as Virgil saith of Dido rejoicing for the unexpected coming of the Trojans Sic memorat simul Aeneam in regia ducit Testa simul Divum templis indicit honorem that is as Servius saith She commanded Supplications So did the Romans and almost all other Nations from whom without doubt such rites are come unto us for in the pomp of our supplications some ridiculous things do precede c. He sheweth the manner of them conform to the old custom in Dionys lib. 7. and Cato and Plautus and Apuleius In the end he saith We keep these rites also but I know not whether they be done well I fear I fear I say that in them we give more pleasure unto Heathen Gods then unto Christ .... yea whatsoever shall be done unto us herein we do contrary unto Christ's command and to the end we may be the more ashamed of this I shall name one example of 600 c. 10. This prayer is collectae and there be many of them Collects and added by sundry Authours as Cassander witnesseth in Liturgic cap. 21. and they give sundry reasons of the name 11. Poly. Vergil de invent rer lib. 5. cap. 10 saith Pope Innocent the I did ordain that the Priests should Kissing kiss one another after the Canon and Pope Leo the II ordained that the kiss should go round amongst the people but when Mass is said for the dead it is not to be done lest we seem to communicate with those of whom we are not sure that they are in favour with God But whosoever was the Authour and whatsoever be signified by this rite it is not now in use because of abuses following thereupon and this with other such passages where the people are ordered to answer doth shew that in the beginning the Service was done Prayer in known language in a known language or else how could the people understand what they should answer Bellarm. de verb. Dei lib. 2. cap. 16. confesseth that in the primitive Church both Eastern and Western they did use the vulgar tongue and so saith Origen contra Cels lib. 8. Let all the Heathens know that we who are Christians do not use barbarous or unknown words but the Greeks use Greek words and the Romans use Romish and all people pray in their own languages and the Lord of all languages understandeth them speaking so diversly as if they were all speaking in one voice And Chrysost on 1 Cor. 14. hom 35 at these words Thou givest thanks well but another is not edified saith Behold he laieth as they speak the stone to the square requiring the edification of the Church in every thing the unlearned he called the common people and he sheweth it is not a little evill that they cannot say Amen What he saith is to this purpose If thou givest thanks in a strange tongue and either understands it not thy self or doest not expound it unto others a common man cannot answer with Amen .... and he who understandeth not receiveth no benefit thereby c. Cassander in Liturgica cap. 28. hath this title The Canonical Prayer especially the consecration of the Body and Blood the Ancients did read so that the people might understand it and say unto it Amen He proved this by the testimonies of Thomas par 3. qu. 78. art 1. Euseb hist lib. 7. cap. 9. Iustinian Imper. in nov constitut 123. and the Liturgies of the Greeks Aethiopians Syrians Armenians c. But now saith Bellarm. the Councel of Trent condemneth with anathema all them who require that publick prayers and especially the Mass should be used in a vulgar language And if any will ask how and when this alteration came into the Western Church since it is not in others Erasmus in Comment on 1 Cor. 14. answereth It is a wonder how it came in But certainly the Latine was used in the Western Churches from the beginning because it was commonly understood by them all but as the Roman Empire was diminished and several Nations got power amongst themselves the Latine language did turn to French Spanish Italian c. So the vulgar tongue was not denied unto the people as Pope Vitalian did command the Latine in all Churches and the Councel of Trent accursed all other languages but the Nations went out of use of it and the Popes will have them use it whether they understand it or not 12. Here we see the Canon of the Mass hath several parts and so The Canon with a low voice it hath many Authours Cassander loc cit saith The Canon was not made by one nor yet in the order as it is now Io. Beleth a Doctor at Paris about the year 1170 in his book de Divin Offic. cap. 46 saith The Canon is said with a low voice because God hears the cry not of the mouth but of the heart ... and yet we pronounce the words lest we seem to be ignorant of the things which we ask or which we should ask or lest we fail in our voice by long speaking if it were pronounced loudly or thirdly lest the words of so great a mystery becom vile by daily custom and be used elsewhere in uncompetent places ... It is forbidden by a Decree under a curse that none should pronounce these words but who is cloathed with sacred vestures and from a book upon a consecrated Altar ...... and therein are many things which are not lawfull for us to expound but haply for the Priests only therefore we will be silent of them So far Beleth It seems this Decree and these things which are to be kept in silence were not in the daies of Raban and therefore he speaks not of the Secreta 13. Responsorium or Graduale is given by Platina The Responsorium unto Celestine the I and by Poly. Vergil unto Gelasius and Gregory Raban Institut lib. 2. cap. 51. saith It was devised by the Italians a long space before the Antiphonae and then