Assembly could have no such Pretence against those few Episcopal Clergy that â—…esired to be United to them in a share of the Government They were willing I suppose to own the same common Principles of Unity with the Presbyterians in reference to the Discipline of the Church that is to be governed by the major part of all their Assemblies and to submit always to what is carried by a Plurality of Voices in their Meetings though sometimes they themselves when they see it for their Interest destroy this Principle of Unity so fundamentally neceâ—…ary to all Democratical Societies and allow the lesser Number to preponderate the greater as in the Case which happened in the Synod of St. Andrews an 1591 about settling a Minister at Leuchars And this methinks is enough to shew that the Church of England had far more reasonable Grounds to oppose the Comprehension with the Dissenters than the Scots Presbyterians had to reject the desire of the Episcopal Addressers But this Author will needs have the Disadvantage appear wholly on the Church of England's â—…ide and therefore we must consider a little the Reasons he brings for his Assertion His first Reason is Because the King is really the Fountain of all their Church Power as â—…aving the making of the Bishops and does still remain Head of thâ—…ir Church whereas he hath actually renounced Name and Thing in Scotland where the whole Ecolesiastical Jurisdiction is by Law settled in the Church The King is indeed owned by the Church of England to be in his own Dominions Supream over all Persons and in all Causes Civil and Ecclesiastical but that he is the Fountain of all their Church Power is what I believe the most Erastian Principled among them never dreamed Their 37th Article asserts the contrary in as plain words as can be desired where it is said ' ' That they give not to their Princes the Ministring either of God's Word or of the Sacraments but that only Prerogative which they see to have been always given to all godly Princes in holy Scriptures by God himself that is That they should rule all Estates and Degrees committed to their Charge by God whether they be Ecclesiastical or Temporal and restrain with the Civil Sword the stubborn and evil Doers From whence 't is plain that the Church of England in her Articles allows the Civil Magistrate no Power or Jurisdiction in Matters purely Spiritual he cannot Administer the Sacraments nor Consecrate either Bishops or Priests neither can he inflict any Spiritual Censures upon obstinate Offenders The Civil Power may for strengthening the Hands of the Church and making her Discipline the more dreaded and regarded inforce her Spiritual Censures with Secular Punishments but can lay no claim to the Power of the Keys as his own Right It is from him the Church derives that Power of having Civil Penalties inflicted on such as contemn and despise thâ—… Ecclesiastical Censures as in the case of Excommunication which renders the Party excommunicated obnoxious to Temporal Imprisonment and incapacitates him from carrying on any Suit or Action in the Civil Courts The Church cannot by her own Authority use the Civil Sword to punish the stubborn and evil Doers and therefore in so far as the Civil Magistrate extends the Churches Jurisdiction to some Secular Matters and impowers her to inflict Civil Penalties for the better preserving of her Ecclesiastical Discipline the Clergy must own the King to be the Fountain from whence they derive this Power But as for their Spiritual Authority and Jurisdiction which only can be called properly the Church Power they derive it from a higher Original from God himself who is the true â—…ead of our Church and it cannot be conveyed to us by the Hands of any Lay-Person God has instituted a distinct Order of Men in our Church whom he has authorized to transmit this Spiritual Power down through all the Ages of Posterity that there might still be a constant Succession of Pastors and Governors in the Church to administer his Worâ—… and Sacraments to his People And it is from this Sacred Order of the Divine Appointment that our Clergy derive their Spiritual Power it is from their hands they receive Holy Orders and a Power of Ministring in Holy Things and none but they alone can Divest them of this Authority Our Author's Expression of the King 's having the making of the Bishops is somewhat ambiguous If he means that the King is allowed by the Church of England a Power to Consecrate and Separate the Bishops for their Sacred Function it is such a notorious Falshood as needs no Confutation the practice of the Church to the contrary being so visible But if his meaning is That the King has Power to Nominate any Clergy-man to a vacant Bishoprick it is no more than what they themselves allow to the Laity in their popular Elections And if the Laity in these Elections may be allowed to Nominate their own Pastor and Spiritual Guide I see no reason why the Church should be blamed for allowing the King to Nominate and Recommend to them a Person â—…itly Qualiâ—…ied for the Sacred Office of a Bishop especially since 't is to his Bounty they owe all the Temporal Priviledges and Honours which are annexed to the Episcopal Sees The same Power in the external ordering of Spiritual Matters with which the â—…ing is Invested by the Constitutions of this Church and Nation does likewise belong to him by the Laws of Scotland â—…e has the Power of Nominating the Bishops and 't is by his Authority the Clergy of that Kingdom are allowed to meddle in Secular Matters and to inâ—…lict any Civil Penalties upon such as dâ—…spise their Spiritual 〈◊〉 What this Author alledges about the Resâ—…inding of the whole Supremacy in Scâ—…tland by Act of Parliament since this Revolution is a gross mistake as may easily appear fâ—…om this short Narrative thereos By the 129th Act Parl. 8. â—… Jamâ—…s VI. the King 's Royal Prerogative of Supremacy over all Estates as well Spiritual as Temporal is acknowledged and ratiâ—…ied and it iâ—… dâ—…clared That none shall dâ—…cline the â—…ing's Power in 〈◊〉 Premisses under the pain of Treason Thereafter by the â—… Aâ—… 2. Parl. K Charlâ—…s II. there is an Expâ—…ication of this Act and Prerogative whereby it is declared That whatever Constitution the King sâ—…all make concerning the ordâ—…ing and disposing of the external Government of the Church shall be obeyed as Law This last Act was thought to give â—…he King too much Power since he might thereby have aboliâ—…hed the Government of the Church by his own immediate Authority and so there was some pretext for Rescinding this last Act and it is Rescindâ—…d by the first Act of the second Session of Parliament of â—… Wâ—…lliam but the â—…irst Act is not Rescinded and there was an 〈◊〉 Order to the Commissioner not to consent to any Act in prejâ—…dice theâ—…eof So that the King then by virtue
impowered by the State to Inflict censures upon obstinate Sinners These were the Terms proposed to them by the Civil Government for carrying on this Union and this they think they might have lawâ—…ully done without owning so much as the validity of their Ministry and I am sure much more without being obliged either to approve of or to enquire into their Lives and Conversations since in matters of Religion the bad â—…ives of Christians is never a sufficient Ground for separating from their Communion if it be in all other Respects lawful The design of the first part of this Pamphlet is to shew That the Episcopal Party bear an inveteraâ—…e Mâ—…lice against the Presbyterians and thereâ—…ore their Testimony ought not to be of any Authority in these Accusations whiâ—…h they bring against them But our Author if his Spirit of Revenge had not been too predominant might have saved himself all this trouble since the Episcopal Party do not oâ—…er to urge any thing against thâ—…m upon their own bare Authority but what they can evidently prove from Authentick Recoâ—…ds and from the Aâ—…testations of Men of â—…nspotted Fame and Credit who were Eye-Witnesses to mâ—…ny of the Villanies and Injuries done to our 〈◊〉 And this I am certain they have already done beyond thâ—… possibility of a Conâ—…utation in the Case â—…f â—…he Afflicâ—…ed Clergy â—…nd somâ—… other Discourses which they have Published relating to their latâ—… Barbarous Persecution Late I ought not to call it since it Rages almost as much now as ever It 's truâ—… the Clergy are not so much exposed to the Rage and â—…ury of the Rabble as they were by whose instigation is very well knowâ—… not very long ago But their Miseries are far fâ—…m bâ—…ing at an end they stiâ—…l remâ—…in in Exile from their Churches and Houses are exposed to all thâ—… Miseries of Poverty and Want have not the least 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 wherâ—…by they may gain Bread to 〈◊〉 their crying 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Misâ—…rie do daily increase upon them and whiâ—…h is most discouraging they have no prospect of Deliverance â—… pray â—…od may enable thâ—…m pâ—…tiently to undergo this Fiery Tryâ—…l to withstand all the Temptations of Interest and Worldâ—…y Poâ—…iticks and to remain firm and stedfast in asserting those Prinâ—…iples of our Reâ—…igion for which they at presenâ—… suffer that so having no other aim before their Eyes but to keep a Conscience void of Offence both towards God and Man thâ—…y mâ—…y have a well grounded hopâ—… of Receiving at laâ—… as a Reward of their Sufferings that Eternal Crown of Glory which Christ hath purchased to all those that suffer for well doing But let us pursue our Authors Thread of Discourse and see what the Grounds are whereon he Accuses the Episcopal Party with inveterate Malice against the Presbyterians And the first instance we meet with of this kind is That they were the First Aggressors and impugned the Governmâ—…nt of the Church of Scotland by Presbytery which was the first it had after the Reformation It is not a little surprizing to see what pains the Presbyterians take to delude the ignorant people into a belief That our sirst Reformers Condemned and Exploded the Ancient Government of the Church and that it was no less Odious to them than the Romish Superstitions When there is nothing more plain â—…rom History than that at the beginning of the Reformation there was not the least Controversie about the Church Government and the Bishops who did not oppose the Reformation were lest in full possession not only of all their Temporal Dignities but likewise of their Spiritual Authority and Jurisdiction Sucâ—… of the Bishops as persisted in the Romish Errors and Corruptiâ—…ns were not allowed to Exercise their Spiritual Authority over the Clergy but some of the Reformed Communion under the Name of Superintendants were placed over their Dioceses and invested with the whole Episcopal Jurisdiction and Authority over the Clergy of these Provinces who were obliged as appears from the Acts of our National Synods to pay to their Superintendents all the Canonical Obedience that is due to other Bishops And by a Commission of the Assembly met at Leith in January 1572 the Government of the Church was declared to be in the Arch-bishops and Bishops and their Elections to be made by the Dean and Chapter which Declaration was ratified by Act of Parliament the sâ—…me year and likewise by a General Assembly held at Perth in â—…gust thereafter Till the year 1575 about fifteen years after the â—…gal settlement of our Reformation there was not the least disturbance in the Kingdom about the Government of the Church that Mr. And. Mâ—…lvil returning ifrom Gâ—…eva where he had been bred up with the Presbyterian Parity began to raise Commotions in the Church by attempting to have the Geneva Model Established in 〈◊〉 But a fuâ—…ler Account of the Government of our Church after the Reformation you may see in a Treatise Published by Arch-bishop Spoâ—…swood upon this Subject and Entituled Refutatio Libelli de Regimine Ecclâ—…siae Scoâ—…icanae and likewise in a late Discourse where the same Argument is at Large considered and in which it is undeniably proved from the Records of Parliament that Episcopacy was not only the first Government Established in our Church immediately upon the Reformation but whaâ—… is more that although the Episcopal Authority was frequently Weakned and Interrupted by the popular Insurrections of the Presbyterian Party yet it was never by Law Abolished in that Kingdom till the unhappy Civil Wars broke out under the Reign of King Charles I. In the year 1592 when they pretend their great Idol of Parity was Erected there was indeed a greater Jurisdiction and Authority allowed by Act of Parliament to Presbyteries and Synods than what was Granted them before which the King was forced to yield to to put a stop to the many Seditions and Commotions raised by Melvil and his Accomplices But yet notwithstanding this the Bishops did still continue to exist by Law and in all Parliaments they did Sit and Vote as the first of the three Estates as appears from the Records of these Parliaments And in the year 1596. Lâ—…slie Bishop 〈◊〉 Ross dying at Brussels Mr. David Lindsay was presented by the King to the Bishoprick the very next year which is a plain demonstration that at that time Episcopacy was look'd upon as existent by Law all which is made out very plainly and evidently in this Apology But our Author will by no means allow thâ—… Superintendency Established in the Church by our first Reformers to be a Species of Prelacy And his Reasons are first That those Superintendents had the very same Form of Ordination with other Ministerâ—… Before I proceed to consider the force of this Objection it will be needful to premise something concerning the occasion of this Institution At the beginning of the Reformation it was not thought safe that the Popish Bishops who still adhered to their
better preserving the Unity and Discipline of the Church each Bishop should be accountable for his Administration to the whole Colledge of Bishops And therefore although the Bishops should yield up some of their Right and for the entertaining the better correspondence with the Clergy of their Dioceses condescend to give them an Account of their diligence in the Offices of their Function yet this could not be supposed to degrade them of their Office or make them to be no Bishops We grant that the Superintendents did yearly give an Account of their Diligence in their Functions to a National Synod but this Synod consisted of none but the Superintendents and Bishops of the other Dioceâ—…es and of the most Eminent of the Presbyters who were allowed by the Superintendants to sit in that Meeting There was no Minister permitted to be a Member of that Synod till he was first approved of by the Superintendants as a person sitly qualified to judge of such matters as were brought beâ—…ore that Assembly And I would willingly know of this Author whether the Superintendants were any more aâ—…countable to this National Synod than the Bishops who went along with the Reformation and notwithstanding of this their being accountable were still looked upon as Bishops and left in full possession of all their Temporal and Spiritual Rights which they enjoyed before the Reformation And if those Men who were acknowledged on all hands to be Bishops were as much accountable as the Superintendâ—…nts then it is no Argument that the latter were no Bishops The next instance which this Author brings of the Episcopal Party their bearing an inveterate Malice against the Presbyterians is a long Enumeration of the Laws and Statutes made by King Charles II. and his Parliaments for suppressing the many Seditions and Rebellions raised against his Government by the Presbyterian Faction He sums up all the Acts of Parliament made against that Rebellious Crew and these he highly aggravates as the greatest instances of Cruelty in any Government But as to this point the Learned and Worthy Sir George Mackenzie has quite stopt the Mouths of this clamouring Party by his excellent Treatise wrote in defence of the proceedings of the Government of K. Charles II. against the Presbyterian Dissenters He has there given us a summary account of the mild and calm Methods used by the Government to reclaim this obstinate Party who were even hardned in their Rebellious Principles He shews that the enacting of these Penal â—…aws against them which this Author has scraped together was nothing but what the Governours of any Nation would have been out of absolute necessity forced to do for its safety and security He has collected the most considerable of the pretended instances of Cruelty against particular persons which the Presbyterians do now most grievously complain of and do mostly insist upon in their Railings and Belchings against the Government To all these instances he has given such a full and satisfactory Answer that every impartial Reader must needs own and acknowledge that these persons met with no severity but what their Rebellious and Treasonable Actings against the Government did justly deserve that the punishments inslicted upon them for their opâ—…n and avowed designs of subverting the Monarchy were conform to the Laws of the Nation and the proceedings in their Tryals very fair and legal and that the Methods of proceeding in our Criminal Courts of Scotland which this Author so grosly belies pag. 30. 31. are the fairest and justest and the Pannaâ—…s indulged the greatest advantages for their own defence of any Nation in Europe All which he has clearly demonstrated to the conviction of every disiâ—…teressed person who upon Reading the History of these times will be apt to say that the mildness and clemency of that Government towards the Rebellious Sectaries was its greatest Cruelty So that it is but Labour in vain for this Author to be so sull and copious in relating these sufferings of his Party unless he can disprove what Sir George Mackenzie and others have demonstrated against them of their being guilty of such srequent Seditions and Rebellions against the State as would have provoked the mildest Government on Earth to have quite extirpated them But all the Attempts which either this Author or another who pretends to Answer the Vindication of K. Charles II. Governmâ—…nt makes that way are only some weak esforts upon Sir George's personal â—…ame and Reputation which are sounded upon such a Rock as the greatest Malice of this party is not able to undermine His admirable qualities of Learning Loyalty and Religion have so justly recommended him to the Favour and Esteem of all Virtuouâ—… and Ingenious Men that for these Scriblers to Attempt the blemishing of his â—…ame is to as little purpose as the Dogs barking at thâ—… Moon What this Author alledges against Sir George's ingenuous dealing in his Vindication of Printing some Fanatical Covenants and Declarations published by the Presbyterians and the urging these as â—… ground â—…or enacâ—…ing those severe Laws against them although the Laws werâ—… made long before the publishing of thâ—…se Declarations I say what he alledges on this score is most notoriously false For these Covenants and Declarations were only annexed to Sir Gâ—…orge's Vindication of the Government by the Publisher and that with design to let the World see with what impudence this Party did accuse the Government of severity when it appears from their own Authentick Declarations that they were still peâ—…sisting obstinately in their Wicked and Rebellious Practices against the State There was no necessity of recurring to these Posteriour Declarations of Rebellion to justifie the making of these Laws against the Presbyterians since their former Treaâ—…onable Actings under the Reigns of K. James VI. and K. Charles I. were sufficient grounds to direct the Wisdom of the Nation to enact such Laws as might tend most â—…o suppress the sedition of Rebels and secure the Peace and Quiet of the Kingdom Their srequent Insurrections against K. Jamâ—…s VI. in laying violent hands on his person at the Castle of Ruthven in the year 1582 and keeping him Prisoner thâ—…re for several Months together in raising an Army against him in the year 1585 in the South parts of the Kingdom and advancing therewith streight towards Stâ—…rlin where the King then was and in tumultuously getting to Arms at Edinburgh and there Besieging the Session-House where the King and his Counsellors were met together and by that Insurrection had like to have done considerable mischief had not their Rage been stopt by the Loyalty of some Citizens who instantly Assembled together in Defence of the King's Person and the many other Commotions they raised against his Government by their Seditious Libels and Sermons besides that the whole Reign of King Charles the First that moâ—…t just and clement Prince was nothing else but a perpetual Succession of Rebellions raised against him by these Presbyterian Votaries I say all these
strong Delusions Indeed the Event proved far otherwise for in our late Distractions these Men who had been so mercifully dealt with were the most furious and violent in carrying on the Commotions â—…gainst the State and the Persecution againâ—…t the Clergy Nay their Ingratitude was such that they alone occasioned the rabbling of those very Clergy-men who had formerly been so instrumental in rescuing them from the Gallows But I would willingly ask our Aâ—…thor here Whether he can chargâ—… any of our Clergy with Petitioning the Government for the Execution of any of these Rebels as the custom was in former times when Presbytery had Usurped the Government both of Church and State Many Instances of this kind might be here produced to shew the Cruelty of the Presbyterian Party how their Teachers during the late Civil Wars did often Petition the Committee of Estates for a speedy Execution of the Prisâ—…ners when they were all of them Men of extraordinary Woâ—…th and Integrity and had no Crime alledged against them but Loyalty to thâ—…ir Prince as was done by the Commission of the Kirk 〈◊〉 aâ—… Pâ—…rth in the Year 1645 and how they have perswaded the Generals of their Armies to put those Prisoners to the 〈◊〉 of the Sword who had surrendred themselves upon Quarters asked and given as they did after the Defeat of Monâ—…rose by David Lâ—…sly at Philiphaugh in the same Year 1645. For the Foot in Montrose's Army surrendred themselves upon Quarters which the General readily granted but the Presbyterian Ministers who were then in the Army were highly enraged that Quarters should be given to such Wretches as they and declared it to be an act of most sinful Impiety to spare them and so by their Importunity they prevailed with D. Lâ—…sly to suffer the Army to be let loose upon them and cut them all in pieces Many such Instances of their Cruelty might be here produced from the History of these Times but I purposely forbear to mention any more of them This I think is all that is needful to be said here in Answer to our Author's First Part since Sir George Mackenzie in the above-named Treatise has already demonstrated to the satisfaction of all disinteressed Persons that what the Presbyterians suffered under the former Reigns was occasioned meerly by their own Rebellion and could not in any justice be imputed to the severity of the Government And the same Reasons that justifie the Government in Enacting these Laws against the Presbyterians wiâ—…l likewise Vindicate those Noble Persons who were employed either in the State or Army undâ—…r that Government from the Aspersions of Cruelty thrown upon them by thiâ—… Scribler If the Government be endangered by the Tumults and Insurrections of a Party must the Ministers thereof overlook such dangerous Practices and not put the Laws in execution against the Incendiaries of these Commotions Though I am certain it was done with the greatest Tenderness and Lenity imaginable by those Gentlemen whom this Author in his Pamphlet accuses of the greatest Cruelty Most of the Persons concerned in the Administration of Affairâ—… under that Government especially those whom he chiefly vents his Malice against Pag. 26. are known to be Men of such Worth and Merit that our Author does his Party no small prejudice by letting the World know that their Practices have been such as to provoke Men of that Honour and Quality to be their Enemies But before I put an end to this Chapter I must consider one Particular more which this Author urges as an Instance of the severity of that Government and where the Parties that did Susfer cannot be so 〈◊〉 said to have susfered for Rebellion though they may justly enough be charged with an obstinate and peevish Contâ—…pt of the lawful Commands of their Superiors It is Pag. 6. wâ—…ere he says That by the Instigation of the Prelates the Council by thâ—…ir Act Octob. 1662. turned out 300 Ministers out of thâ—…ir Churches without â—…ither Accusation Citation Conviction or Sentence or a Heaving allowed them To answer this Objection there needs no more but a true Narrative of the Matter of Fact which I shall here set down as briefly as I can and then leave it to the Judgment of my Reader whether this Matter when truly represented can be with any reason urged as an Instance of the Severity of that Government In the Year 1649. when there was no King in our 〈◊〉 and the Presbyterians at liberty to act as they listeâ—… the Right of Patronages was abolished by Act of Parliament and after the Restoration of the Royal Family there was an Act of Parliâ—…ment in the Year 1662 restoring this Right to the Patrons and requiring all the â—…lergy to take Presentations from them under theÌ„ pain of â—…orfeiting their Churches But that the present Incumbents who had entered to their Churches without a Pâ—…esentation from the Patron might not sustain any Damage by this Act it was thâ—…reby providâ—…d That the Patrons should give Presentations to none but to those Persons who were in actual possession of the Churches and had entred thereto by the Call of the People There were severâ—…l Pâ—…esbyterian Ministers who refused to give any Compliâ—…nce with this Act of 〈◊〉 and would take no Presentation from the Patron and therefore the Privy-Council issued out a Proclamation requiring all the Clergy comply with this Act of Parliament and declaring the Placâ—…s of those void who refused to yield Obedience thereto Upon which the Non-Compliers of their own accord so that there was no need 〈◊〉 of Accusation or Sentence against them abstained after the Time limited by the Act from the Exercise of thâ—…ir Ministry and tâ—…e Patrons took care to present others to the vacant Churches But I cannot see the least shadow of reason why this Act should bâ—… urged aâ—… an Instâ—…uce of so great severity in the Government since there was not the least harm thereby intended to the Clergy the design of the Act was only to secure the Rights of particular Persons which had been iâ—…croached upon in the Presbyterian Usurpations for the Ministers that had been in possession of their Churches before the Year 1649 and had received Presentations from the right Patrons were not included in this Act but remained in their Settlements as before and such as were now willing to own the Right of their Patâ—…ons by taking Presentations from them were allowed to keep their Churches and the Patrons obliged to give Presentations to them and to none else if they were willing to accept of them So that whatever may be objected against the Uncanonicalness of the Proceedings against them though even that may be justified since all the Bishops concurred with what was done by the Council in that matter that their Sentence of Deprivation ought to have been pronounced by a Spiritual rather than a Lay-Court and that thâ—… Bishops were more competent Judges to deprive them of the Exercise of their Miâ—…istry than the
been formerly Instruments to bring us under Popery and Slavery and whether this be not such a Reflexion on the present Government as does concern it to Punish severely I leave my Reader to judge since to accuse the Chief Ministers of State under any Government of such odious Crimes as Enslaving their Country is a direct Insinuation against the Government it self as if it by employing such kind of Instruments did really design those Mischiefs against the Nation with which they upbraid their Chief Ministers of State And here I cannot enough admire the Impudence of this Author to quarrel with the English Peers for medling in the Affairs of the Church of Scotland when he very well knows that the greatest Encouragement and Support the Presbyterian Party in that Kingdom have is from the inâ—…luence of some foreign Presbyterians And I would gladly know why an English Nobleman has not as good Right to concern himself in the Affairs of our Church as any Dutch Presbyterian But to take off all Church of England men from having any Pity or Compassion upon the Distressed State of our Church he endeavours to perswade them that the Constitution of Episcopacy in Scotland is so very sar disferent from that of England that although our Clergy are Sufferers sor the Primitive and Apostolical Government of Episcopacy by Law established in that Nation yet they cannot be said â—…o suffer for the Government and Discipline of the Church of England and so not deserve that Fellow-feeling and Countenance which some worthy Members of her Communion are pleased to shew them His first Instance to shew the dâ—…erence betwixt the two Constâ—…tutions is this That ours in Scotland was 〈◊〉 upon us by the Tyrâ—…nny of our 〈◊〉 Now suppose his Asseâ—…tion were tâ—…ue yet methinks 't is a very odd consequence that two Constitutions must needs be disferent in their Nature because disferent means were used to setâ—…le them in a Nation Could not the Tyranny of our Rulers have forced upon us the same Constitution with that of England as easily as one that is disferent But his Assertion is as notoriously false as the Consequence he endeavours to draw from it for in the Insancy of the Reformation our Church was governed by Bishops and Supâ—…rintendents and that form of Government was appâ—…oved of by the Unâ—…nimous Consent of the whole Nation both Clergy and Laiâ—…y* And as to these later Times our publick Records of Parliament can yet testifie that the Episcopal Government was so far from being sorced upon the Nation against their Will and Consent that it has been established and confirmed by Twenty seven successive Legal Paâ—…liaments It 's known that at the Restoration of the Royal Family the whole Nation having long groaned undâ—… the Yoke of 〈◊〉 they were very desirous to have their Primitive and Ancient Government of Episcopacy restored that they might be rescued fâ—…om the Tyranny and Confusion of the Presbyterian Anarchy under which tâ—…y had so severely smarted during their Usurpation and a great many of the Clergy I am sure the whole Diocese of Aberdeen almost to a Man addâ—…essed Hiâ—… Majesty upon this account His next Instance is That Presbytery being Engrafâ—…ed with our Reformation Prelacy could never attain to a kindly nor plenary Possession And to prove this he instances in our retaining of Kirk-Sessiâ—…ns Presbyteries and Synods even under Bishops That the Presbyterian Government had no Settlement in our Church for many Years aâ—…ter the Reformation I shall hereafter prove to the conviction of the most Obstinate But that Presbyters had a great Hand in Reforming us from the Errors and Superstitions of the Romish Church both in Scotland and other Nations where the Reformation happily prevailed is what we do not deny But does it hence follow that because Presbyters were more instrumental than Bishops in Promoting that great Work of the Reâ—…ormation that therefoâ—…e the Presbyterian Government ought to be Established wherever the Reformation obtains and that of Episcopacy overturn'd Or because Presbyters had the Happiness to be concerned in so good a Work does that therefore Authorize them to Usurp the Sacred Oâ—…fice of a Biâ—…hop without bâ—…ing duly Called and Ordained thereto by those whom our Saviour has appointed to convey that Authority Although some Bishops may chance to be backward and negligent in doing their Duty as those Popish Bishops â—…ho opposed the Reformation yet 't is altogether unreasonable that the whole Order should suffer for the Crimes of some particular Members of their Fraâ—…ernity What our Author means by saying Episcopacy never attained to a Plenary Possession among us I do not well apprehend â—…or ' â—…is plain the Constitution of our Episcopacy is such that thâ—… Biâ—…hop is â—…nvested with the sole Power of Ordination and Jurisdiction within his own particular District the whole Presbyters of his Diocese are subject to his Authority and own him for their Chief Governor in Matters purely Spiritual there is no Act of Discipline put in execution by the Inferior Clergy but by the Allowance and Approbation of their Diocâ—…san and I think this is such a full and plenaâ—…y Possession as may justly entitle them even to a through Setâ—…lement As â—…or his Instances of our Kirk-Sessions Presbyteriâ—… Synods Prâ—…vincial and National because this is a part of our Constitution not so very well known here in England I shall trouble my Reader wiâ—… this short account of them That which he calls the Kirk 〈◊〉 iâ—… a Court of Judicature established in every Parish consisting of the Minisâ—…er and some few Laicks of good Reputation that aâ—…e his Parishioners whom he associates to himself for giving him inâ—…ormation of the Manners and Conversation of his People that so he â—…eceiving from these Men exact Information of the state of â—…is Parish all scandalouâ—… and vicious Persons may be brought to condign Punishmâ—…nt The Presbyteries are a sort of Judicatory under the Episcopal Constitution consisting meerly of the Clergy â—…or every Diocese is divided into several Presbyteries each of which consist of about 12 Ministers or thereby some of them being more numerous than others This Judicatory meets at least once a Month and their chief business is to consult and advise about Affairs relating to their several Churchès and to examine the Qualifications of those that design to enter upon the Holy Ministry the Bishop never admiting any to Holy Orders but such as have their Approbation after several Exercises done before them If there happen any Matter of great Consequence and Importance in any Parish which the Minister is not willing to meddle in without the Advice of his Brethren he bâ—…ings it before this Judicatory and laying open the whole matter to them desires their Counsel and Direction how to proceed in such a weighty Affair of Punishing an obstinate Offiender who refuses to submit to the Censures of the Church This kind of Judicatory was not indeed known in our Church till near 26 Years
Instances of their Treasonable and Rebellious Practices in former Times are suâ—…ficient Grounds to justifie the Nation in Enacting such â—…aws as might best prevent these Disturbances for the future withouâ—… having any recourse to these After-Monuments of their Râ—…bellion to justiâ—…ie the Proceedings of the Government against them However the Reader may easily judge from these Covenants and Declarations whether any Government or Society can possibly subsist where such pernicious Principles and Practices are tolerated But that it was meerly the frequent Rebellions of this Party against the State which occasioned the Enacting of these Laws against them does partly appear from this Author 's own Concessions For Pag. 1â—… he owns That their Field meetings which they had under pretence of Religion were called by the Parliament Rendevouzes of Rebellion And Pag. 14. he grants That after the Deseat they received at their Insurrection of Boâ—…hwel-bridge the Prisoners were all set at Liberty upon this only Condition of giving Bond never to rise in Arms againsâ—… the King on any pretence whatsoevâ—…r and yet a great many of them were still so harden'd in their Rebellion as to refuse their Liberty upon such easie Terms And yet methinks these were no very hard Conditions sâ—…om such a persecutiug Government as they are pleased to represent it but from hence we may easily perceive that the whole Design of the Government and its Ministers in Enacting these Laws was only to secure the Peace and Quiet of the Nation and by all the calm Methods imaginable to reclaim these deluded Creatures from their Seditious and Treasonable Practices against the State And after Argilâ—…'s Rebellion in the Year 1685 which threatned nothing less than the utter ruine of the Monarchy aâ—…d in which the whole Presbyterian Party were engaged when Argile himself was made Captive his whole Forces dispersed and many of them taken Prisoners and so lying at the Mercy of the Government yet such was its Clemency towards them that besides those who were killed in the Skirmishes betwixt the two Armies I 'm confident there were not four in the whole Nation that suffered Death upon that account So mercifully were they then dealt with although now they complain of the greatest Oppression Again Pag. 15. our Author confesses That a Party of the Presbyterians did declare King Charles the Second to have forfeited his Right to the Crown and to be no more King and at the same time because of his Vicious Life they Excommunicated him which this Author expresly justifies them in by saying They had more Honesty than Policy in dâ—…ing so And whether the Tolerating such kind of Practices as these be not altogether inconsistent with the safety of any Government I leave my Reader to judge Can the mildest Government on Earth wink at such open and avowed Designs of subverting the Monarchy Can it suffer a number of deluded People to range up and down the Country like as many wild Bears threatning Destruction to the State and all its Ministers declaring it Lawful to Murder all such as had any Hand in the Government of the Nation and putting these Threatnings in Execution against some of the â—…oyal Subjects Can it be imagined that any Government should Tolerate such pernicious Courses and so destructivâ—… of its own Security without endeavouring to bring the Ringleaders and Incendiaries of this Rebellion to condign Punishment And after this account of the occasion of the Presbyterians Sufferings I â—…hink I may very confidently appeal to any disinteressed Person whether the Episcopal Party had not very good reason to complain of their present Persecution in Scotland as being more Grievous than any Treatment the Presbyterians ever met with since what they susfered and are pleased to call by the Name of Persecution was always for their Rebellion and Treasonable Conspiracies against the Government But what the Episcopal Party do now suffer or have suffered since this Revolution at the Presbyterians hands is meerly for Maintaining and Asserting the Principles of our Religion and Adhering to the Communion of the Catholick Church without which they can pretend no just Title to the Priviledges of the Gospel Although there is nothing more clear and evident than that what the Presbyterians suffered under the late Reigns was meerly for their Rebellion yet this Author has the confidence to perswade us Pag. 13. That all their Sufferings were upon the account of Religion and at the Instigation of the Episcopal Clâ—…rgy If the Presbyterians will needs cover their Treasonable Designs against the State always with the Name of Religion and when they are punished for Rebellion pretend that they suffer for Conscience-sake who can help it But it is evident from the Laws enacted against them and the Punishments inflicted upon some of their Party that whatever Pretences they might make to Religion yet the State took notice oâ—…ly of their Rebellion If they under a pretence of judging it unlawful to hear the Episcopal Ministers preach shall abstain from Church and meet together sometimes all of them in Arms in their House and Field-Conventicles the better to carry on their Designs against the State and there Preach nothing but Treason and Rebellion and if the Government upon this account shall strictly prohibit all such seditious Meetings and punish those who frequent them can this I beseech you be called Susfering for Religion And yet this is the very case of our Presbyterians for their Meetings were Prohibited by Act of Parliament chiefly upon account of the Sedition and Rebellion vented in them But this is no new thing in our Presbyterians it has been not only their constant Practice but likewise of all other Seditious and Ambitious Persons in subverting the Government of a Kingdom in overturning States and Nations always to cover their wicked Designs of Rebellion with the specious pretext of Râ—…ligion To amuse and delude the vulgar sort of People they publiâ—…h in their Declarations That they design nothing by their Attempts but the good and safety of Religion when in the mean time any thinking or considering Man may clearly perceive that they have no other Design or Aim before their Eyes but to promote their own wicked and ambitious Ends. Now to deal with Religion in this dissembling and hypocritical manner to shelter their villanous Designs under the Patronage of the Just and Holy GOD is suâ—…h a conteâ—…pt of Religion and all that 's Sacred such an Act of Wickedness and Villany as the Divine Justice cannot easily Pardon Upon what Ground our Author alledges That their Sufferings were at the Instigation of the Episcopal Clergy I cannot râ—…adily conjecture I am sure many Instances may be brought to prove the contrary where the Clergy have interceeded with thâ—… Government in behalf of many of these Rebels who were most obnoxious to Punishment and by their importunate Intercessions have saved their Lives thinking by these calm and mild Methods to recâ—…aim them from their Errors and
Privy-Council yet I am sure there is not the least ground to urge it as an act of Severity in the Government since these Ministers were permitted to keep their Churches upon such easie Terms and the mildness of the Government towards them was such that many of them notwithstanding they absolutely refused to comply with this Act of Parliament or own the Authority of their Bishops were indulged by the favour of the Bishops to keep peaceable Possession of their Churches although this Author maliciously insinuates that all their Sufferings were occasioned by the Instigâ—…ion of â—…he Prâ—…lates But a â—…uller Account of this you have in a late Discourse Entituled An Account of the late Establishment of 〈◊〉 Government by the Parliament of Scotland Anno 1690. Pag. 14. CHAP. II. OUR Author in his Second Part conâ—…ines himself to a particular Consutation of the Treatise Entituled The Scots Presbyterian Elâ—…quence but before he bâ—…gins to take it to task he 's very high in his Panâ—…gyricks upon the Lordâ—… 〈◊〉 and Mâ—…lvil I don't incline to make any particular Reâ—…lexions either upon the Parts or Integâ—…ity of these two Lords the Tree may be easily known by its Fruits but this I must beg our Author's leave to say That as for their share in this baâ—…barous Peâ—…secution of our Clergy let them use all the means imaginable to conceal it from the Eyes of Strangers let them deny it never so impudently yet their own Consciences and the starving Oâ—…phans of many of our poor Cleâ—…gy will appear as dreadful Witnesses against them in that Great anâ—… Teâ—…rible Day when they are callâ—…d to give an Account of all their Actions whether good or bad And all the harm I wish them is that they may at last seriously reflect upon the great Injustice and Barbarity of theiâ—… Proceedings towards our Clergy that so by their unfeigned Repentance they may Atone for these Crimes and save their Souls in the Day of the Loâ—…d In the next place he accuses the Author of the Presbyterian Eloquâ—…nce for asserting a great many Untruths in his Book and p. 36. he instances in that of charging the Presbyterians with the Murder of the A. B P. of St. 〈◊〉 â—…or says he the Presbyterians were so far from approving it that thâ—…y refused the 〈◊〉 to those conâ—…erned in it particularly at the Scoâ—…s 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 What Abhorrence the Presbyterians in Holland had of this barbaâ—…ous Murder I cannot well say but this I 'm sure of that our Presbyterians in Scotland were so far from detesting it that they generally approved of it as a most Noble and Glorious Action and I dare boldly affirm that never one of the Party there refused to admit the Murderers to their Sacraments or ever offered to inflict any other Censure upon them for this heinous Villany On the contrary it is notorious how most of the Presbyterians that suffered for their Rebellion in Scotland did justifie this Murder in the face of Authority and commended it as an act of good Service done to God and his Church in delivering them from such an Oppressor This our Author's impudence caâ—… hardly serve him to deny boldly enough and therefore he 's satisfied rather to recriminate the Matter upon the Episcopal Party by charging the Privy-Council of Scâ—…tland with Hanging five Men in Magus-Moor as the 〈◊〉 Murderers though never one of them â—…ad seen a Bishop These Men were punished by a lawful Authority and conform to the Laws of the Land for though they were not the Murderers of the Archbishop of St. Andrews yet they were notoriously guilty of Treason and Rebellion against the Government and these Crimes being sufficiently proved against them and they justifying and approving of the Archbishop's murder I think it was no breach either of the Laws of God or Man to make them a publick â—…xample for the terâ—…ifying other wicked Offenders and securing the Peace of the Society for the future He says likewise That the Council hanged Mr. Mitchel for shooting at the said Archbishop though he missed â—…im But although this Villain happened to miss of his Design against the Archbishop of St. Andrews yet the Bishop of Orkney being then in Coach with the Archbishop was unfortunately wounded with the same Shot which occasioned his Death tho not very shortly after Now I can hardly think that any good Man would ever offer to condemn the punishing of such a Villany and râ—…ally I very much wonder that this Author regards so little the Credit and Reputation of his own Party as to oâ—…er so publickly to countenance or excuse such Villainous Practices as have justly rendred that Party odious to the whole World What he alledges about the Earl of Rothes and the Council their promising Mitchel his Life upon Confession is nothing but a meer Fiction For I am credibly informeâ—… that they solemnly declared before the Justice Court That they never made him any such Promise and certainly if they had they were all of them Men of more Honour and Integrity than to have retracted it This Author is at a great deal of pains to prove that Presbytery is moâ—…e popular in Scotland than Episcopaâ—…y which has ever been much insisted upon by the Presbyterians as a great Argument for the Lawfulness of their Government as if any Principle or Doctrine were the Trueâ—… because agreeable to the Inclinations of the People If this be the Standard of Truth why was not Christianity exploded and Heathenism still continued as being more suitable to the Humours of the People This is such a Foundation for the Truths of our Religion as will go near to subvert all its Doctrines since many of them are so far from being popular that they are downright Enemies to Fleâ—…h and Blood and oblige us to abstain from all those Worldly Pleasures which we so greedily pursue 'T is but a bad sign of the weakness of a Cause when they flee for shelter to the fickle and unconstant Humours of the Vulgar when they betake themselves to such weak and frivolous Arguments in defence of their Government 't is a shrewd indication they are at a loss for better to produce This new Method we have taken up to promote Religion by establishing nothing that is contrary to the Inclinations of a People may chance to have more fatal Consequences than we at present seem to be aware of The settling the Government of the Church upon such a slippery Foundation disposes People to look upon it as a thing altogether indifferent and ambulatory so that each Nation may set up what form of Church-Government they please But if we consider a little the Nature and Constitution of the Christian Religion we 'll soon find that the Government of the Church is not of such an ambulatory Nature and that it is a very essential part of the Constitution yea so essential that it is not in the power of Man to alter it For God having established
towards the Royal Martyr K. 〈◊〉 I. how they acted against his Majesties Interest in a direct opâ—…sition to the whâ—…le â—…ody of the Nation When the whole â—…ingdom 〈◊〉 tâ—…ose who had formerly been deluded by the rest of the 〈◊〉 with the â—…alse and Hypocritical pretences of Reformation did unanimously embrace the King's Interest the Presbyteâ—…ians were so far from being sâ—…nsible of their Sin and Folly that they â—…ted aâ—…ainst him with the utmost Rigour of Malice and Enâ—… And yeâ—… tâ—…ese Men â—…ave now the Considence to protest They 〈◊〉 no hand 〈◊〉 â—…inging him to his Death as if the History of these â—…es were quiâ—… 〈◊〉 and no publick Monuments of their Treaâ—…nable and Rebâ—…llious Actings against that Prince remaining to 〈◊〉 â—…ternal 〈◊〉 and Reproach But this is not all the countenance and encouragement these Barbarous Parâ—…icides Received from our Presbyterians For when the â—…ws came to Scotland of a Treaty begun betwixt the King and Parliament of England Mr. Rob. Blair and Sir John Cheesly were â—…sently dispatched away by Order of the Presbyterian Ministers to joyn with Cromwel in obstructing the Treaty And upon their Arrival there wiâ—…h two other Commissioners Viz. The Earl of Lothian and Will. Glendinning froâ—… the Committee of Estates Cromwel began to shew himself for crushing the Treaty he drew up his Army towards London and sent in a Remonstrance to the Parliament shewing his disallowance of the Treaty and craved Justice as he call'd it to be done on the King Now these Presbyterian Commissioners not only concurred with Cromwel in this Remonstrance against the King but likewise remained at London during the whole time of the King's Tryal and Execution and never offered to Remonstrate against the Unjust and Unnatural proceedings against his Majesty They did indeed send down to Scotlanâ—… for Instructions relating to the King's Tryal and they were Ordered to endeavour the procuring a delay but in the mâ—…an timâ—… to be cautious not to offend the prevailing Party in â—…gland I know the Presbyterians will here pretend that the Guilt of this Act cannot be charged upon them solely since their 〈◊〉 from the Kirk Acted nothing in reference hereto but in conjunction with the Commissioners from the Committee of Estates But here we must consider that the Committee of Estates did now wholly consist of the Presbyterian Party the rest of the Members not daring to appear by Reason of their known Affection and Loyalâ—…y to their Prince For when the Scots Army was Defeated by Croâ—… at Preston many of our Noblemen and Gentlemen were 〈◊〉 killed in the Action others to a great Number taken Prisoners and such as had the Fortune to make their escape were â—…orced either to abscond or 〈◊〉 the Country to avoid the severities with which the Presbyterian Paâ—…ty who now had Usurped the Government of the Nation did persecute all such as were concerâ—…d in this Engagemâ—…nt for the Defence of the King's Person And by this means the Presbyterians got the whole management of the affairs of the Kingdom into tâ—…eir 〈◊〉 and acted there as they Listed so that although the Committâ—… of â—…states as well as Commission of the Kirk sent Commissioneâ—… to concur with the Kings Murderers in England yet the Guilt and shame of this Act cannot in any Reason be imputed to the generality of the Nation but only to the Presbyterian Crew whose actings have always tended to bring their Country into Disgrace and Contempt From hence I think it clearly appears that the Horrid Murder of this Royal Martyr is justly chargeable upon none of our Nation but the Presbyterian Sectaries and the like may be made evident in Relation to the Kingdom of England that the Presbyterians and other Sectaries of that Nation were the only Actors of that dismal Tragedy and did most cruelly Persecute the Church of England and its Mâ—…mbers for persevering in their Allegiance and Duty to their Sovereign But let us in the next place see what the behaviour of this Party was towards K Charles II. upon his advancement to the Throne for our Author tells us That what they suffered on his Account every body almost knowâ—… That our Presbyterians did consent to the pro â—…laiming of Charles II. King upon the News of his Fathers Murder is true but their Loyalty in this point was clogg'd with such Restâ—…ictions and Limitations as was not â—…asie for the King to comply with They forâ—…'d him before his Admission to the Crown to Sign a Dâ—…laration signifying his Penitency for the Sins of his Forefatâ—…rs in opposing the Work of God and his own in so long follâ—…wing thâ—…ir â—…ootsteps with a Resolution to accomplish and 〈◊〉 the Covenant in all its ends and purposes which also for the more 〈◊〉 they caused him to take and Swear And because his Majesty did at 〈◊〉 refuse to Sign this Declaration the 〈◊〉 of the Kirk did on the 1â—… of August 1650 Publish a 〈◊〉 commonly called the Act of the Westkirk wherein they 〈◊〉 they will not Espouse any Malignant Party or Quarrel and that they will not own the King nor his Interests otherwise than â—…ith â—… Subordination to God and so far as he owns and prosecutes the â—…ause of â—…od and disclaims his and his Fathers opposition to the Work of God and to the Covenant and likewise disowns all the â—…nemies thereof And in prosecution of this Declaration when the Kingdom had resolved to call home K. Charles II. and for that End had admitted to favour those who formerly were banished the Court and Nation as Malignants this gave the Zealous and bigotted Covenanters so great Offence that they protested aâ—…ainst all the present proceedings and declared that they had 〈◊〉 to the solemn â—…eague and its ends admitted to the Throne 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who was an Enemy and Opposer of the quiet of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and â—…irk And this Rigid Party having drawn to a 〈◊〉 in the West in the year 1650 Oct. 17. they Penned and 〈◊〉 a Paper which they called a Remonstrance of the Gentlemen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Ministers attâ—…ending the Forces in the West which they delivered into the Committee of Estates and from which afterwards they got the Name of Remonstrants Hence we see how this Merciful Prince was Treated by them in the very infancy of his Reign and what further disquiet and disturbance they afterward occasioned him is but too Notorious from the many Insurrections they raised against his Government and which occasioned the Enacting of those Laws the severity of which they now so grievously complain of What these Suâ—…ferings were which this Author alledges the Presbyterians met with for adhering to K. Charles II. I must confess I am altogether ignorant of unless he means that some of the more moderate of their Party were willing to own the King after he had taken the Covenant and therefore upon that account suffered in the common Calamity with the rest of the Nation when Cromwel with the English Army invaded our
Kingdom defeated our Forces and oppressed all that stood in any sort suspected of the Crime of Loyalty But it is evident from the History of these Times that the generality of the Presbyterians were so far from being forward in owning the King's Interest that at the same time when Cromwel was so successful in the South of Scâ—…tland as to have all besouth Forth under his Dominion great numbâ—…rs of them were assembled in Arms in the West and remonstrated against the Nation for owning the King's Interest And this much of the Loyalty of our Presbyterians This Author Pag. 53. to justifie the Procâ—…dings of their late General Assembly in refusing to admit some of the Episcopal Clergy into a share of their Government upon the Terms desired by K. William urges That they did noâ—…hing but what the Church of England Convocâ—…tion had done 〈◊〉 them who 〈◊〉 to admit thâ—… 〈◊〉 on the same King's dâ—…sire It were no small presumption in me to offer any Vindication of the Proceedings of those learned and worthy Meembers of the Convocation in England who at that time opposed the designed Comprehension of the Dissenters but I think I may be allowâ—…d to say that they wâ—…nt upon far better Grounds than our pretended General Assembly who refused to receive such of the Episcopal Clergy as condescended to address them upon that account I am not concerned here to enquire into the â—…awfulness of what these â—…piscopal Addressers did in desiring to be united with the Prâ—…sbyterians in the Government of the Church I shall not here so much as enter upon that Question My business at present is only to shew that the 〈◊〉 of Scotland are â—…ar more inexcusable in denying the Request of these Episcopal Ministers that addressed them than those of the English Convocation who obstructed the Union with the Dissenters upon the Terms that were then proposed and my Reasons are these First The Dissenters in England never offered any Address to the Convocotion declaring their Willingness to return to the Churches Communion upon her laying aside the use of these innocent Ceremonies which they pretend they cannot in Conscience comply with Had the Presbyterians given but the least intimation of their readiness to abandon their Schism upon the making of these Alterations the Clergy perhaps to further so desirable a Work might have easily been induced to grant them some Ease as to their unreasonable Scruples about those harmless Rites used in our Worship which tho' indisferent in their Nature yet are very signiâ—…icant in their Use. But it is to no purpose ever to expect to reclaim the Presbyterians from their Schism upon such Terms since they declare against the whole Body of the Common-Prayer and the Order of Episcopacy as unlawful and therefore to make Alterations in the manner of our Woâ—…hip which could have no other esfect but to create more Enemies to our Communion was no ways consistent with the Prudence that is required in Ecclesiastical Governours Now this is what the Scâ—…ts Assembly cannot urge in their Defence since those of the Lpiscopal Clergy who had the freedom to joyn with them in the Government of the Church Petitioned them upon that account and declared their readiness to concur with them in maintaining the Discipline of the Church and punishing scandalous and contumacious Offenders which were all the Acts of Government they deâ—…ired to share with them in As for their Presbyterian Ordinations they did indeed declare positively against them and refused to joyn with them in any such Acts as they thought to be direct Encroachments upon the Episcopal Power But Secondly There is another Reason which may have influenced the â—…nglish Convocation to oppose the Alterations in the form of our Worship which K. William did then desire them to make and that is Tâ—…e Preservation and Safâ—…ty of the whole Liturgy They were â—…t that time sensible of the fatal overthrow of their Neighbouring Church of Scâ—…tland how the Order and Constitution of its Governmâ—…nt was â—…uite overturned by the Presbyterians and not only the Biâ—…hops turned out both of their Spiritual and Temporal Rights but 〈◊〉 the greatest part of the Clergy most barbarously Treated â—…nd driven from their Houses and Churches This cruel Treatment which their Brethren in 〈◊〉 received from that Dissenting Party might juâ—…tly aâ—…arm the English Clergy to expect the same Usage from the Pâ—…esbyterians here as soon as they could thrust themselves into 〈◊〉 power of doing thâ—…m any mischief And therefore considering the great Interest the Presbyterians had in that â—…irst Parliament aâ—…ter the Revolution it was no ways safe for the Convocation to consent to the Dissolving of the present Act of Uniformity lest they should meet with such Obstacles in establishing another as they were hardly able at that time to grapple with The Presbyterian Members of that Parliament were so numerous that had the present Act of Uniformity been once dissolved they would have thâ—…own in so many Stops and Hinderances against a new Establishment of the â—…urgy by Act of Parliament they would have started so many new Scruples of Conscience to be solved about it and by this means occasioned such infinite deâ—…ys therein as would have made the Re-settlement of our Liturgy a tâ—…ing almost impossible If the Parliament had offered to ratisie the Service-Book with the Alterations the Convocation should think fit to make therein before they Dissolved this present Act of Uniformity I cannot tell but many Members of that Convocation might have been prevailed with to Consent to some Alterations in those indisferent Ceremonies the Presbyterians so groundlesly exclaim against that for the future they might not have the least pretence for continuing in their notorious and wretched Schism But for the Convocation to consent to the Dissolving the present Establishment without having any security for another is what none could expect from any prudent or reasonable Society Thirdly The Convocation in England might perhaps be the more remiss in promoting an Union with the Diâ—…senters upon the Terms proposed because they saw no probability of preserving thereby the Unity of the Church as long as the Presbyterians profess to own no common Principles of Unity with us that may still oblige them to remain in the Communion of the Church Unless they acknowledge our Biâ—…hops to be the Principles of Unity and that it is necessary for every one that intends to continue a Member of the Catholick Church to be united in their Communion I say unless they own these Catholick Painciples of Unity in common with us we can have no security that they will remain ours any longer than their Interest shews them their Duty And therefore an Union with them upon any other Terms in stead of preserving the Unity of the Church would be a ready way to enable them to make a greater rent and breach in our Communion whenever they should see it their Interest again to erect Altar against Altar But our Scots
of the first Act continues to have a Supremacy over all Esâ—…ates Ecclesiastical as well Civil and over all Peâ—…sons and Causes thereto relating and thâ—… Clergy of Sâ—…otland arâ—… as much bound to own this Supremacy as those of 〈◊〉 â—…ere I cannot but observe how visibly the Disloyalty and 〈◊〉 of this Paâ—…ty to all Civil Government does appear Thâ—…y endeavour under pretence of lodging all Ecclesiastical 〈◊〉 in tâ—… Church to divest the King of that Power in the externâ—…l ordâ—…ing of Church Matters which does duly belong to him as being the supreme Governor within his oâ—…n Dominions and yet they aâ—…e so sar from settling the whole Ecclesiasâ—…ical Jurisdiction in tâ—…e hands of Spiritual Persons as they pretend that they have not so much as one Judicatory but what does consist of at least 〈◊〉 as many Laicks as those who pretend to be Ecclesiasticks They 〈◊〉 not allow the King so much Power as to Convocate the Clergy soâ—… the 〈◊〉 of Matters about Religion when he thinks fit or to â—…ommand them faithfully to discharge their Duties and Functions which he may lawfully do by virtue of his Civil Power over their Persons as his Subjects and yet they allow the Lay-Elders in their General Assemblies to share with them in the Authority of inâ—…licting Spiritual Censures which properly belongs to none but Spiritual Persons and their indulging the Laity this Power in spiritual matters is more than what they can well account â—…or according to the first Institution of thâ—… Ministry In their General Assemblies there is no Minister dâ—…prived of hiâ—… function no Sentence of â—…xcommunication passed no â—…eretick condemned nor any thing of moment transacted but what thâ—…ir Lay-Elders share in as much as their Teachers and yet is the King should 〈◊〉 any such Power in their Meetiâ—…gs they would be apt to â—…ly in his Face as an Oppressor and Persecutor of the Cause of God but methinks they might at least indulge him the 〈◊〉 of being one of their Ruling Elders That the Church has Power of calling her Assemblies and exercising â—…er Discipline in some extraordinary Cases even contrary to the Command of the Civil Magistrate is what we do not deny as this Author is pleasâ—…d to alledge The Apostles and Primitive Christians did in a direct opposition to the Roman Emperours and Jewish Sanhedrim frequently meet together to perform the Religious Exercises of Devotion and determine such Controversies as then happened to arise among their Bâ—…ethren and this they did without thinking that they encroached in the least upon the just Rights of the lawful Powers then in being And what was lawful for them to do is still lawful for the prâ—…sent Châ—…rch in the same Circumstances for the Magistrates being now Christian can Intitle him to no grâ—…ter Power in Church 〈◊〉 by Virtue of his Civil Authority than what did bâ—…ong to the Heathen Magistrates The Church may indeed upon prudent Moâ—…ives indulge the Christian Magiâ—…trate a greater Power of 〈◊〉 in Ecclesiastical matters than whâ—…t had been 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or â—…afe to intrust the Heathen Emperours wiâ—…h but this Power which the Church Grants to the Magistrate does no ways belong to him by 〈◊〉 of â—…is Civil Authority it is only Indulged â—…im by the Church in prospect of his Temporal Protection and thereâ—…ore 〈◊〉 he instead of a Nursing Faâ—…her to her shall turn an oppressing 〈◊〉 or when the Church shall see it any way necessary sor the well being and safety of Religion she may recal it again at her pleasure But as we allow the Church to have the sole Power and Authority in matters purely Spiritual so we deny that any such 〈◊〉 Jurisdiction belongs to her as to exâ—…mpt the Bodies of the Clâ—…gy from Subjection to the Civil Powers They owe their Sovereign the same Duty and Obedience with the rest of his Subjects are as much under the Jurisdiction of his Civil Courts as liable to the Temporal punishments which he inflicts as the persons of the Laiâ—…y sor otherwise the Civil Magistrate could have no security for hiâ—… Government We do not allow the Clergy to be Judges of every thing done by themselves in the first instance which is the height of the Popish Usurpation and Supremacy and makes Church-men no Subjects And herein it is that we differ from the Presbyterians in asserting the Jurisdiction of the Church they together with the Papists carry it to such a height as to claim an exemption for the Clergy of their not being answerable to the Civil Courts of the Nation but only cognizable by themselves they deny the secular Magistrate any Power to punish the persons of the Clergy for Rebellion and Treason preached openly from their Pulpits or any other Crime till they once be Convicted of the Crime and Condemned therefore by a sentence of an Ecclesiastick Judicatory That this is or at least was always wont to be the constant Principle of the Presbyterian Party is so Notorious that I admire this Author should ever attempt to conceal it Was it not their proceeding to practice upon these principles which gave the first Rise to that Act of Parliament in K. James VI's Reign ratifying the King's Supremacy For one Mr. And. Melvil a Presbyterian Minister having declaimed â—…requently against the King for which being called before the Council he boldly declined the King and Council as Judges in prima instantia of what is Preach'd in the Pulpit even tho' it were High Treason and so he fled into England Whereupon the Nation Assembled in Parliament in the year 1584 in a just Resentment of thâ—…se Seditious Doctrines and Practices did pass the abovementioned Act of Supremacy and it was by Vertue of that very Act that Mr Ja. Guthrie a Presbyterian Minister was anno 1661 hanged for declining the King's Authority The Presbyterian Ministers declaimed against and reproached this Act of Parliament and in opposition thereto one of their Number Mr. Dav. Black having Railed against K. James and Queen Elizabeth from the Pulpit as Enemies to God being called before the King's Council he not â—…nly declined the King's Power of judging him until he was first Condemned by his Brethren but United most of the Ministers of Sâ—…tland most tumultuously in his Defence and some of them who were then residing at Edinburgh stirred up the multitude to such a Rage and Fury upon this occasion that they presently leapâ—… to Arms and came to the Street in great Numbers crying The Sword of the Lord and of Gideon it shall either be theirs or ours And taking their March streight to the Session-House where the King and his Counsellors were then met would in all probability have forced the Doors which upon the Noise of the Tumult were shut and done no small mischief were it not that by the Providence of God a Loyal party drawn together by the Deacon Conveener of the Trades kept them back for a while till their Fury cooled a little and in