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
the mean time the Earl of Marr called from the Castle a Company of Musqueteers to Guard the King's Person upon the Notice whereof the multitude chose to disband and went away as confusedly as they met And whether such practices as these be not directly to invade the Temporal Sword and Usurp the Power of the Civil Magistrate I shall leave the Reader to Judge And if the Popish Bishops be guilty of the like practices with the Presbyterians in encroaching upon the Rights of the secular Magistrate it ought not in Reason to reflect upon the Bishops of the Reformed Communion since it is what we can be no more accountable for than for the Barbarous and inhumane practices of the Presbyterian party because they pretend to be our fellow Christians It is to these unjustifiable principles and practices of the Papists and Presbyterians that we owe all the encroachments that have been made upon the spiritual Power in these later days for the Popish Clergy together with the Presbyterians not being satisfied to assert only the independent Authority of the Church in matters purely Spiritual have endeavoured to extend its Jurisdiction so far as plainly to encroach upon the Rights of the secular Magistrate and to subject the State to the Church not only in Spiâ—…ituals but likewise in Temporals And this on the other Hand has Tempted many of the Laiâ—…y in these later Ages when Men are degenerated into such an indifferency and lukewarmness about matters of Religion that they look upon the Temporal concerns of this World to be of faâ—… greater Value and Concern than the Eternal Interest of our Souls upon all occasions to grasp at the Rights of the Church and to Rob her of that Spiritual Power and Auâ—…hority â—…ith which our Saviour has invested her independently of any humane Authority and which to Usurp from her is Sacriledge to the highest degree The second Reason our Author bringâ—… to prove the Church of England to be in the blame for refusing an Union with the Dissenters is That they believe most of the things in Controversie to be indiffâ—…rent whereas the Presbyterians look upon them as unlawful and that the Church of England were under promise to King James to have done it That the Church of Englâ—…nd had reasonable grounds to oppose an Union with the Dissenters upon the Terms then proposed I think I have sufficiently evinced already And that they are guilty of any breach of promise which they made concerning it while King James was here is what cannot well be alledged since they were always willing to receive them into the bosom of their Church and to Grant them all imaginable ease as to their unreasonable Scruples which might be consistent with the safety of their Church and Communion But to abolish the use of those Innocent and instructing Rites in our Worship meerly to satisfie the groundless scruples of the Presbyterians when they do not so much as offer to return to our Communion upon these Terms is what no reasonable man can well expect Our Author in this Paragraph seems to Tâ—…x the Episcopal Clergy with being addicted to Arminianism and Socinianism As for the latter I 'm confident there are few of them â—…ainted with these sort of principles they entertain the true Notions of the Son of God of his Divinity his Incarnation and Passion according as they are revealed unto us in the Holy Scriptures And as to the controverted Doctrines about Election Reprobation c. They are careful to observe St. Paul's Rule not to be followers of Arminius in these things any further than he is a follower of the Doctrine of our Saviour and his Apostles That the Presbyterian Ministers have often assumed to themselves a power of making Peace and War and have declared Engagements to defend the King's Person Honour and Prerogative which were made by the Parliament without their consent to be unlawful is so well known that I think there needs no great Rhetorick to convince us of the Truth thereof although this Author very confidently avers the contrary Pag. 56. If we but Read the History of the late Civil Wars under King Charles I. we shall find that in all these proceedings the Parliament or Committee of Estates appointed thereby to Govern the Nation never acted any thing in Relation either to Peace or War but in conjunction with the General Aâ—…sembly or Commission of the Kirk or if they chanced to pass any Aâ—…ts without their consent they were instantly declared â—…o be unlâ—…wful and of no Obligation And to prove the Truth of this we need no more but consult their proceedings in opposing â—…he King's Affairs in the year 1648. for when the Parliament of Scoâ—…lâ—…nd had resolved on an Engagement for delivering the King's person from his Imprisonment in England did not the Presbyterian Ministers prescribe some Articles to the Parliament for carrying on this War against England and because the Parliament did not comply with their desires herein they solemnly protested against all they had resolved on and thundered Curâ—…es and Damnation against all who did not oppose this Engagement Pag. 59. This Author is highly displeased with his Antagonist for throwing upon the Presbyterian party the reproachful Term of New Gospellers and he cannot apprehend what can be found in the Presbyterian Writings to ground this Accusation upon But I think â—…ruly when we conâ—…der the Nature of most of their Difcourses upon Religion the whole Tenour of their Sermons and Preachings it is not without some ground that they are Reproached with this distinguishing Character I do not say that they mainâ—…ain wholly a New and a Singular Gospel but I am sure they have so disguised the Gospel of our Saviour from its Ancient Purity and Simplicity that what they Preach is vastly different from the Doctrine of the Purer and Primitive Ages of Christianity They have corrupted most of its Doctrines with their Rude and Indigested Notions they have transformed the Meek and Calm Spirit of the Gospel into a Spirit of Bitterness and Revenge instead of converting their Swords into pruning Hooks and plow shares they to propagate their excentrick Notions of Religion maintain it lawful to resâ—…st the Supreme Powers and rather than fail of their designs to imbroil Nations into perpetual War and Bloodshed And this meâ—…hinks is quite another Gospel from what our Saviour has taught us in his Holy Scriptures where we have not the least encouragement to propagate Religion by force of Arms or any such indirect means There we find nothing more frequently inculcated to the Christian Converts than a Spirit of Meekness and Humility of Brotherly Love and Charity and to live peaceably with all Men as much as in us lieth We are not taught from thence to prosecute with the utmost Rigour of Malice and Revenge all such as differ â—…rom us in the lâ—…ast matters about Religion but we are rather exhorted to reclaim them from their Errors in the
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
And if any private Person can by entailing 〈◊〉 Charity upon us engage us to observe an Anniversary Day for the commemorating of his Charity as this Author grants he may I 〈◊〉 no reason why our Superiors either in Church or State may not with far greater Authority oblige us Yearly to Commemorate some signal dispensations of the Divine Providence that have been designed by God either as a punishment or a Blessing to us But our Author being somewhat jealous lest this neglâ—…ct of the Presbyterians to observe the Anniversary of K Charlâ—…s I. his Murder should prompt the World to believe that they appâ—…ove and 〈◊〉 the same he therefore endeavours to perswade us that neither the Scots nâ—…r English Presbyterians had any hâ—…nd in bringing him to his Death But their Rebellious and Inhumane practices towards that most clement Prince are too Notorious for the Party now to think to conceal them how many Insurrections they Raised both against him and his Father is but too well known and when they forced him to Grant Concessions which were no small encroachments upon his Prerogative and Honour yet nothing would satisfie their capricious Humours but the overturning both of Church and State If we but look back a little into the History of these Tragical times we shall find that the Presbyterians in both Nations were the chief Instruments of obstructing the peaceable and quiet Reign of that Religious Monarch and of bringing at last that fatal stroak upon him Was it not they who sowed the first Seeds of all thesâ—… Wars and Confusions and having Treasonably associated themselves together Rose in Arms against his Majesty under a Wicked pretence of Reformation And having reduced â—…im to such Extremities that he was forced to throw himself at their Meâ—…cy â—…ow basely did they Treat him For when the King escaping from the Siege of Oâ—…ford committed himself to their Army at Newark the â—…irst thing thâ—…y forâ—…d him to do was to command his Governour of Nâ—…wark to deliver up the City and Mâ—…itrose Huntly and Mackdonâ—…ld and all others that were in Arms for him in Scotland to disâ—…and â—…ad not the King been advised to these Courses he might have happily prevented all these fatal consequences that followed thereupon but His Majesty was now reduâ—…d to such circâ—…mstances that it behoved him to Grant whatever they pleased to demand And afterwards in the Parliament of Scotland which met at Edinburgh in 〈◊〉 1646 when the Question came to be debated whether they should own the King or recall their Army from England and leave him to the English the Presbyterians opposed the King's Affairs with no little Fervour and Zeal The King's party in Parliament was at first so considerable that had the queâ—…ion been proposed at the downsitting thereof the business had been carried for the King by at lâ—…ast Thirty Voices as some of the â—…ing's Friends did then compute by trying the Pulse of the Commissioners but for fâ—…ar matters should go for the King the Presbyterians were very busie and industrious in drawing away many that adhered still to the King's Interest and for this end Pubâ—…ished a Declaration tending to keep in with the English Parliament and not to own the King And by their Interest in this Parliament they got it Enacted that their Army should withdraw out of England and leave the King to the English without any Conditions for his Interest Now the Guilt of this Act cannot in Reason be imputed to any but the Presbyterian Party and no ways to the generality of the Nation because as to the Nobility the Third part of them was not present at that Sederunt many having been excluded for their known Affection to the King and others upon other pretexts And some withdrew from the Parliament of their own accord being on the one part resolved not to comply and on the other loath by their dissent to offend the prevailing Faction lest they should inâ—…roach upon their Fortunes And as for the Gentry and Commonalty throughout the Nation Fâ—…fe and the Wâ—…stern shires being exâ—…pted there were a hundred to one thâ—…t abhorred it and would never have instructed thâ—…ir Commissioners that way but were so overawed that they durst not challenge them But the opposition of this Party to the King's Affairs will further appear if we consider their Behaviour with Relation to the â—…n gagement in Scotland for Rescuing the King's Person In Aprâ—… 1648 the Parliament of Scotland being informed of the Rude and Barbarous Treatment which the King received from the English Parliament and Army and hearing that they had made him Prisoner in the Isle of Wight they Voted That they sâ—…ould demand the King to be brought from his Prison to London or thereabout in Honour Freedom and Safety And having for this â—…ffect dispatchâ—…d Lieutenant Collonel Marshâ—…l to the Parliament of Englâ—…nd with a Remonstrance of their Breaches they concluded and â—…oted a Levy of 30â—…0 Foot and 60â—…0 Horse of which Dâ—…e 〈◊〉 was made General But the Presbyteâ—…ians expressed very grâ—…t dislike of and solemnâ—…y protested against all â—…hat was resolved â—…nd sent strict Orders to all their Disciples that they should on â—…he last Sabbath of May keep a Publiâ—…k Fast 〈◊〉 iâ—…st tâ—…at Coâ—…rse 〈◊〉 them withal not to comply in any soâ—…t â—…or 〈◊〉 this â—…evy under pain of the Highest Censure and their Ministers did in the mean time Thunder Curses against all who should joyn in this â—…ngagement And when the Noblemen and others in Command over the Army were hasting to bring â—…orth 〈◊〉 Râ—…giments that they might Marâ—… into England a great Number of Western people Assembled in Arms against them at Mauchlin under the Command of some Presbyterian Ministers Viz. Mr. Will. Adair Mr. Wilâ—… Guthry M r. Gabriâ—…l Mâ—…wel and Mr. John Nevoy Middleton being sent against them with some Troops of Horse these Ministers parlied with him but were so violent that they would needs Fight it but the â—…ight lasted not long for Middleton in an instant put thâ—…m all to the Rout and yet dealt so mercifully with them that such as he took Prisoners he dimitted without any suffering The Army under the Command of Duke Hamilâ—…on being Marched into England the Gen. Ass. met at Edinburgh Jnly 12 and Published a Declaration against the Army proving the sinfulness and unlawfulness of the Engâ—…gement And upon Notice that this Army was Defeated by Cromwel at Preston in Lancashire the West Country upon the first Notice of this Defeat got instantly to Arms with a design to cut off the remainder of this Army and upon the Head of this Rebellious Multitude were Mr. David Dick and the rest of the Presbyterian Ministers in those parts Thus did they Treat that â—…oyal Army which had Assembled themselves together to Rescue his Majesties Sacred Person from the hands of his Cruel and Blood-thirsty Murderers Here we have a clear view of the Behaviour of the Presbyterian Party
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
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