beginning doth so insinuate and thrust it selfe into the house of God as men can hardly disâ—ern by what secret meanes the light is dimm and dakenesse creeping in got the upper hand and in end unawares all is involved within a mystie cloud of horrible Apostasie And least that any should thinke this our admonition out of time in so farre as it is statute and ordained already by his Majestie with advise of his estates in Parliament that all Ministers provided to Prelacies should haue vote in Parliament As likewise the generall Assembly his Majestie being present thereat hath found the same lawfull and expedient We would humbly and most earnestly beseech all such to consider first that the Kingdome of Iesus Christ the Office bearers and Lawes thereof neither should nor can suffer any derogation addition diminution or alteration besides the prescript of his holy world by any inventions or doings of men Civill or Ecclesiasticall And we are able by the grace of God and will offer our selues to proue that this Bishoprie to be erected is against the word of God the ancient fathers and Canons of the Kirk the moderne most learned and godly Divines the doctrine and constitution of the Kirk of Scotland since the first reformation of Religion within the same countrie the Lawes of the realme ratifying the governement of the Kirk by the generall and Provinciall Assemblies Presâ—yteries and Sessions also against the weale and honour of the Kings most excellent Majestie the weale and honour of the Realme and quietnesse thereof the stablished estate and weale of the Kirk in the doctrine discipline and patrimonie thereof the weale and honour of your Lordships the most ancient estate of this Realme and finally against the weale of all and everie one of the good subjects thereof in soule bodie and substance Next that the Act of Parliament granting vote in Parliament to Ministers is with a speciall provision that nothing thereby bee derogatorie or prejudiciall to the present established discipline of the Kirk and jurisdiction thereof in Generall and Synodall Assemblies Presbyteries and Sessions Thirdly and last the generall Assemblie the Kings Majestie sitting voting and consenting therein fearing the corruption of that office hath subscribed and bounded the same with a number of Cautions All which together with such other as shall be concluded upon by the Assembly were thought expedient to be insert in the bodie of the Act of Parliament that is to be made for confirmation of their vote in Parliament as most necessarie and substantiall parts of the same And the said Assemâ—ly hath not agreed to giue thereunto the name of Bishops for fear of importing the old corruption pompe and tyrannie of Papall Bishops but ordained them to be called Commissioners for the Kirk to vote in Parliament And it is of veritie that according to those Cautions neither haue those men now called Bishops entred to that office of Commissioners to vote in Parliament neither since their engyring haue thâ—y behaved themselues therin And therefore in the name of the Lord Iesus Christ who shall hold that gâ—eat Court of Parliament to judge both the quicke and the dead at his glorious manifestation and in name of his Kirk in generall so happily and well establâ—shed within this Realme and whereof the said Realme hath reaped the comfortable fruit of peace and unitie free from heresie schisme and dissention these 46 yeares bypast also in name of our Presbyteries from which we haue our coÌ„mission and in our own name office bearers Pastors within the same for discharging of our necessarie dutie and disburdening of our consciences in particular We except and protest againâ—t the said Bishoprie and Bishops and the erection confirmation or ratification thereof at this present Parliament Most humbly craving that this our Protestation may be admitted by your Honours and registred among the Acts and Statutes of the same in case as God forbid these Bishoprickes bee erected ratified or confirmed therein Archip. I blesse the Lord for the demonstration of his power in the libertie of his servants and thinkes the course should haue halted there if the protestation had been made good by reasons But they ever object unto you froward affections and great zeale with small knowledge and little actions strong protestations and conclusions upon weak probations and feeble premisses Epaph. A Disputation is one thing and Protestation is another Reasons of the Protestation They had no place theÌ„ nor I pupose now to reason the matter yet for stopping your mouth the mind of the adversarie I shal giue you a view of the reasons that were at that time penned against that first step of Prelacie according to the heads order proponed in the protestation wherein ye will perhaps behold a copie of the plaine pertinent and pithie simplicitie of the Ministers of that time and how new wits with their quiddities are as far degenerate in knowledge as in affection CHAP. I. That the Office of this new sort of Bishops is against the the word of God Argum. I. THat the Ministers of God separate from the common affaires of the world sanctified and consecrated to the service of God and salvation of his people should haue a publick office and charge in the Common wealth and worldly affaires is flat repugnant to the word of God and particular places of Scripture following Numb c. 3 v 4445 And the Lord spake unto Moses saying take the Levites for all the first borne of the children of Israel and the Levits shall be mine I am the Lord. Numb c. 18. v. 6. For loe I haue taken the Levites from among the children of Israel who as a gift are given to the Lord to doe the service of the congregation and tabernacle thereof Deut. 18 12. The Priests and the Levits shall haue no part nor inheritance with Israel for the Lord is their inheritance as he hath said unto them Deut. 10 8 The same time the Lord separated the tribe of Levi to beare the Arke of the covenant of the Lord to stand before the Lord to minister unto him and to blesse in his name unto this day Act. 13 2. Now as they ministred unto the Lord and fasted the Holy Ghost said separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I haue called them Rom. 1 v. 1. Paul a servant of Iesus Christ put a part or separat to preach the Gospell of God These and many more places of Scripture proues the proposition Then to assume But so it is these Bishops are ministers of God by their profession are counsellers in the Common wealth Lords in Parliament and conventions of the estates Lords of Townes Barones of Lands c. They run to Court leaving their Ministerie to get Bishopricks which they haue obtained with all priviledges of the old Bishoprickes which they pride them in publicklie in the sight of all and presence of the greatest Therefore all against the word of God Argum. II. That the
necessarie he shall sweare to subscribe and fulfill under the penalties foresayd and otherwise not to be admitted 9 And in case he be deposed by the general Assembly Synod or Presbyterie from his office of the ministery he shall also tyne his vote in Parliament ipso facto and his benefice shall vaike And further caution to be made as the kirk pleases and findes occasion anent his name that for the kirk should vote in parliament it is advised by vniforme consent of the whole brethren that he shall bee called commissioner of such a place It is also statute and ordained that none of them that shall haue vote in Parliament shall come as commissioners to any generall Assembly nor have vote in the same in any time comming except he be authorized with a commission from his own presbyterie to that effect It is moreover found by the Assembly that crimâ—u ambitus shall bee a sufficient cause of deprivation of him that shall have vote in parliament Sess 8. The generall Assembly having reasoned aâ— length the question anent his commission who shall vote in Parliament whether he should endure for his life time except some crime or offence intervene or for a shorter time at the pleasure of the Kirk Findes and decernes that he shall annuatim giue accompt of his commission obtained from the Assemblie and lay down the same at their feet to be continued or altered therefrom by his Majestie and the Assemblie as the Assem with consent of his Maâ— shall think expedient to the weale of the Kirke Whose whole conclusions being read in audience of the whole assembly and they being ripely advised therewith ratified allowed and approved the same and thought expedient that the said Cautions together with such others as shal be concluded upon by the Assemblie be insert in the bodie of the Act of Parliament that is to be made for confirmation of vote in Parliament to the Kirk as most necessarie and substantiall parts of the same Then briefly to assume and conclude but so it is that their new L. B. neither in the entrie to their office nor yet in their behaviour therein hitherto haue kept one jot of these constitutions and cautions but hath broken all therefore such roomes and offices should not be confirmed to them in this present Parliament CHAP. VII That the Office of Bishoprie is against the lawes of this Realme OVr Soveraigne the Kings most excellent Majestie came into the world and entered to his Kingdome of this Realme with the cleare light of the Gospell and the establishing of a reformed Kirk therfore as a most godly and Christian Prince hath in his all Parliaments confirmed ratified and approved the freedome and libertie of the true Kirk of God and religion publickly professed within his Majestie Realme as in his first Parliament holden by his Majesties good Regent the Earle of Murray Likewise in his Highnesse second holden by his grandfather the Earl of Lennox the same is ratified in the first Act of his first Parliament holden after the taking of the governement in his Highnesse own person Also in the first of his sixt Parliament holden at Edinburgh the 20 of October 1579. Our Soveraigne Lord with advice and consent of his three Estates and whole bodie of this present Parliament ratifies approues all and whatsoever Acts Statutes made of before by his Highnes with advice of his Regents in his own reigne or his Predecessors anent the libertie and freedom of the true Kirk of God and religion now presently professed within this realme and specially c. The second act of the same sixt Parliament is expresly for the jurisdiction of the Kirk which is there said to consist stand in the preaching of Iesus Christ correction of manners and adminstration of the holy Sacraments and declares that there is no other face of a Kirk nor other face of Religion then is presently by the favour of God established within this realme And that there be no other Iurisdiction Ecclesiasticall acknowledged within this Realm other then that which is shal be within the same kirk or that which flowes there from concerning the premisses And in his Majesties seventh Parliament at Edinburgh October 1581. In the first Act there is a generall ratification of the libertie of the true Kirk of God and confirmation of all the Actes and Lawes made to that effect before by particular rehearsall and catalogue and amongst the rest The ratification of the libertie of the true Kirk of God and religion and anent the Iurisdiction of the Kirk of God twice And after the Kings perfect age of 21 yeares in the eleventh Parliament At Edinburgh Iuly 1587 there is a cleare and full ratification of all Lawes made anent the libertie of the Kirk Now if any will say what is all these Actes against the Bishops I say direct for whatsoever is for the Ministers Presbyters and Assemblies is against the Bishops But so it is that all these Acts are for theÌ„ because as we haue shown the doctrine and constitutions of the Ministers Assemblies hath been ever since the reformation against the corruption of Bishops and that is the freedom libertie and discipline of the Kirk which is confirmed for verification whereof we alledge first the Confession of faith confirmed by Parliament and registred among the Actes thereof wherein the 19 Article anent the notes of the true Kirk ye haue last Ecclesiasticall Discipline uprightly ministred as Gods word prescrived But so it is that out of the Word the doctrine of the Ministers hath been against the Bishops as also the discipline set down in the Generall Assemblies Next that the first Act of his Majesties Acts of Parliament Our soveraigne Lord with advice of his three estates and whole bodie of this present Parliament hath declared and declares the Ministers of the blessed Evangell of Iesus Christ whom God of his mercie hath now raised up to be the true and holy Kirk Thirdly that golden Act which clearely crownes and formally concludes the cause viz. the first Act of the 12 Parliament of King James the 6. At Edinburgh Iunii 1592 intitulate Ratification of the libertie of the true Kirk of generall and synodall Assemblies of the Presbyteries of Discipline which speakes this plainly in the end Item our Soveraigne Lord and Estates in Parliament foresaid abrogates casses and annulles the Act of Parliament made in anno 1584 granting commission to B. and other Iudges constitute in Ecclesiasticall causes to receiue his Highnesse presentation to Benefices and giue collation thereupon and to put order in all causes Ecclesiasticall which his Majestie and Estates foresaid declares to be expired in it selfe and to be null in time comming and of none availe Force nor effect And therfore ordaines all presentations of Benefices to be direct to particular Presbyteries in all time comming with full power to giue collation thereupon and to put order to all manners and causes
That this Bishoprie is against the confession of faith called the Kings Maiesties confession sworne and subscrived at two divers times viz. in anno 1581 when it was first published and againe anno 1590. published with a general band for the maintenance of true religion and his Maiesties estate and person by his Maiestie his Queen and houshold and all estates of the Realme c. THE words of that confession for this purpose are these We abhorre and detest all contrary religion and doctrine chiefly all kind of Papistrie in generall and particular even as they are now damned and confuted by the word of God and kirk of Scotland and in speciall the Popes worldly monarchy and wicked Hierarchie his crossing annointing c. And finally we detest all his vain rites signes and traditions brought into the kirk without or against the word of God and doctrine of this true reformed kirk to the which we ioyne our selves willingly in doctrine faith religion discipline and use of the holy sacraments as liuely members of the same in Christ our head Promising and swearing by the great name of the Lord our God that we shall continue in the obedience of the doctrine and discipline of this kirk and shall defend the same according to our vocation and power all the dayes of our lives vnder the paines contained in the Law and danger both of body and soule in the day of Gods fearfull judgements And after a few lines Wee therefore willing to take away all suspicion of hypocrisie and of double dealing with God and his Kirk protest and call the searcher of all hearts to witnesse that our mindes and hearts doe fully agree with this our confession promise oath and subscription So that we are not moved for any worldly respect but are perswaded onely in our consciences through the knowledge and loue of Gods true Religion printed in our hearts by the holy Spirit as we shall answer to him in the day when the secrets of all hearts shall bee disclosed Then if so be that the setting up of Bishops will throw down the discipline of our Kirk or if that office hath any thing to do with these corruptions of Papistrie Antichristian hierarchy The King our Soveraigne his most excellent and Christian Majestie and his Highnesse most ancient religious noble Estates of Parlament if there were no other reason but this one would not for all the world fall under the danger of so horrible a perjurie against God to set up Bishops again yea and if it were no more but respect of civil honesty honor estimation before the world they would not be inferiour to Herod in releiving the religion of an oath and great name of God interponed namely this Confession of faith being put in print twise within the realme by speciall command and priviledge translated in all vulgar languages throghout Europe yea and at his Maiesties coronation in England put in Latine and published a new againe by that common post of the world in our age Mercurius Gallobelgicus But so it is as all men know that the discipline and government of the kirk exercised by Presbyteries and by Bishops are so opposed one to another that when the one is set up the other must down of force Therefore the subscrivers and swearers of the former confession if they should as God forbid be about to set up Bishops and Episcopall governement they could not eschew the crime of horrible pâ—rjurie execrable Apostasie and most cursed repairing again of Iericho from the which the Lord preserve his most excellent Maiesty and honourable Estates of this present parlaiment And if any man doubteth what was the discipline of the kirk of Scotland at the first subscriving and swearing of that confession let them seek the Register of the general Assembly holden at Glasgow to the which it was presented together with a platforme of the whole Presbyteries to be established throughout the Realme by the Laird of Caprinton coÌ„missioner for his maiestie to the sayd assembly in the yeare of God 1581 they shal find that the Bishopries were wholly abolished in the assembly holden at Dundie the yeare immediatly preceeding So that without al questioÌ„ â—t is meant of the discipline of the kirk exercised by Presbyteries Synods and generall Assemblies directly opponed to the corruption and tyranny of Bishops as vvas clearly defined and ratified in Parliament After the second subscriving anew againe of the sayd confession in the yeare 1592. In end seeing these same men who now would be Bishops haue once or twice sworne and subscrived this confession it marvels me vvith what forehead they can be about a purpose so quite contrary thereto CHAP. VI. That this office of Bishoprie is against the constitutions of the Kirk of Scotland in her Assemblies MAister Knox following the light of holy Scripture and the advice of Theodor Beza as he had preached continually so immediatly before his departure he wrote to the generall Assemblie convened at Striveling in the yeare 1571 in these words Vnfaithfull and traytors to the stockes shall yee bee before the Lord Iesus if that with your consent directly or indirectly yee suffer unworthy men to be thrust in within the ministerie of the Kirke under what pretence that ever it be Remember the Iudge before whom yee must make an account and resist that tyrannie as yee would avoyd hells fire And this letter is registrat in the acts of the sayd Assembly In the generall Assemblie convened at Edinburgh in March 1572 sess 7. M. Iohn Spottiswood superintendent of Lawthiane gaue in this article It is neither agreeable to the word of God nor practise of the primitiue Kirke that the spirituall administration of the word and sacraments and the ministration of the civill and criminal justice should be so confounded that one person may occupie both the cures Wherfore the whol Assem refused the Earle of Morton then Regent his desire to make ministers sessioners in the colledge of Iustice From that assembly unto the assembly holden at Dundie Iuly 1580 the corruption of the Bishoprie vvas more and more espect unto the time the vvhole Assem being ripely advised and fully resolved all in one voyce yeelded as followeth Forasmuch as the office of a Bishop as it is now used and commonly taken within this realme hath no warrant authoritie nor ground in the word of God but is brought in by the folly and corruption of mans invention to the great overthrow of the Kirk of God The whole assembly of the Kirk in one voyce after libertie given to all men to reason in the matter none opponing himselfe in defending the sayd pretended office Findes and declares the same pretended office used and tearmed as is aboue sayd unlawfull in it selfe as having neither fundament ground nor warrant in the scriptures of God and ordaines that all such persons as bruikes or shall bruike hereafter the sayd office shall bee charged simply to dimit
terrour to the rest Archip. What accusation meane yee and of which Ministers Epaph. One was of Mr. Andrew Duncan minister at Crail but holden from the function of his Ministerie by the fine craft of a timorous teÌ„porizer his cunning collegue wrestling betwixt the wind of the world 〈◊〉 the waue of his conscience for presenting the Supplication aboue written who vvas sent for by the B. of S. androes detained by him in his lodging till he delivered him to the Captain of the guard to be presented that same day afternoone before the Counsel where compeâ—â—ing he was accused by the Bishop upon his subscription of the supplication albeit the B. had spokeÌ„ nothing of that to him in private when he sent for him having acknowledged his hand writ he declared his readines at the command of the L. of Counsell upon assignation of a competent time to produce his warrant of grâ—at numbers of Preachers and Profâ—ssors in whose name he had subscribed subjoyning for stopping the mouth of his accuser that Cuivis private â—icet â—gere causam publicam whereupon the B giues out this sentence It is thought good ye be committed presently But because the Defender pleaded the poor mans right An non licâ—â—â—uili et â—â—otestaâ—i â—â—mendicare The Lords not seeing how thâ—y â—ould putâ—â—â—h him for such causes liking better the innocency of the defender then the iniquity of the accuser thought â—eet to cal him in again where the B. Vt quae non prosunt singula mulâ—◠〈◊〉 â—ubent first layd to his charge that he had preached in Crail the vveek before which he confessed That hee was his Maâ— rebel lying at the Horn he denyed that he was ever at the Horn That he had broken ward in Dundie he answered that for obedience he had remained at Dundie the space of half a year upon double charges â—â—ing separate from his vvife and six children the approaching Winter made him to draw homeward thinking that either they had forgot him or would pitty him after so long trouble Like as he had received a letter from the B to be at Santand at a meeting of some Brethren of the Ministers In end he besought the L. not to imprisone him upon his own charge to consider that it vvere greater mercie to kill them vvith the bloudie sword then to pine them to death vvith hunger But his doom was dight before his coÌ„peirance Archip. What was the other accusation Epaph. Mr. Alex. Simson minister at Drieburgh not having any such intention was earnestly desired by a brother serving in one of the ordinary places of the Ministers of Edin to preach for him upon the Saboath vvhich was the 22 of Iuly immediately going before the day appointed for holding the Parliament Wherunto he was perswaded upon sufficient reasons alledged by his requester He Preached upon Ezech. 3.16 according to his own custom the present occassion in the good old Scottish fashion CaÌ„dide mâ—â—â— and not after the new Laodicean forme more plainly to all then pleasantly to some in greater simplicie of heart then vvisedome of words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He spake against the manner of the entrie of many yong men into the holy calling of the Ministerie against the negligence of watchmen vvho because of the fear of men of loue to the wages of iniquity and their own guiltines of the same sin are silent in censuring the sinnes of others and especially against the defection of Bish All which much more spoken not in a corner but in the publick audience of so great variety of hearers as were in that town at that time I need not record Vpon the day next following he vvas called before the Counsell and when he had confessed all that he had preached in publick At last the former Minister and he vvere convoyed by the guard to the Cannongate where they were forced to stay that night without libertie to goe to their own lodging plaâ—â— and upon the morne were led by three of the guard to the Castle of Dunbartane vvhere they entered upon Thursday Iuly 26. Archip. I see not how the proclamation could passe with any probabilitie against the whole Ministerie more upon this pretence then the first for by vvhat propagation could their personall actions be derived to the rest Epaph. Ye vvill know that best and will be put out of all your doubts when yee haue seene the Copie of the Proclamation itselfe in these vvords AT Halvroode-house 23 Iulie 1621. Proclamation charging the Ministers to depart one of Ediâ—â— Forasmuch as it is understood by the Lords of secret Counsell that some reâ—tlesse and busie persons of the Ministrie enâ—glecting the care charge of their own Kirkes and flocks over the which they are bound in conscience before God and in duetie before men to be careful diligent watchmen Overseers haue lately made their redresse to this Burrow of Edinburgh where the Estates of the Kingdom in the soveraigne and high Court of Parliament are now assembled and that some of their Ministers haue not onely engyred and in a manner intruded themselues in the Pulpits thereof without any lawfull warrant or calling but in stead of wholesome doctrine for edification of the present Auditors haue fallen out into most injurious and undutifull speeches against the sacred person of the Kings Maj labouring thereby so far as in them lay to possesse the hearts of the Auditors with some bad opinion and construction of his Maj. unspotted life and conversation And not content herewith th y haue their privie Conventicles and Meetings within this Burrow haue obtruded themselues upon some of the Estates of Parliament and in publick audience haue prejudged his Maj. most religious sincere and lawfull proceedings using sollicitations against his Maj. just intentions And haue not onely directly manifestly and avouchedly done vvhat in them lyes to cal the sinceritie of his Maj. disposition towards the true Religion in question but to incultate and fasten the same bad opinion into the hearts of his Maj good subjects and so crosse and hinder all his Maj. proceedings in the Parliament which hath no other ayme but the glorie of God puritie of Religion and weale of this Kingdome In which three points the bypast experience of his Maj. happie governement will cleare the sincerity of his Maj. most religious disposition towards the glorie of God and weale of his people and will vindicate his Majestie from the malignant aspersions of his Majesties undutifull subjects And whereas this forme of doing in a Kingdome where the puritie of Religion hath such a free and uncontrouled libertie and progresse as it hath in this Kingdome under his Majesties most godly wise just and happie governement is not suffred nor allowed and hath no warrant of law custome nor observation elsewhere but may draw with it many dangerous consequences and raise up emulation and distastes betwixt his Majestie and his good people to their danger and
Tâ—â— Course of Conformitie As it 〈◊〉 proceeded Is concluded Should be refused PSALM 94.20 Shall the throne of iniquitie haue fellowship with me which frameth mischiefe by a law Printed in the yeare 1622. THE PREFACE TO THE READER IN the restlesse revolution of this troublesome 〈◊〉 driving everie person and purpose to their app◠〈…〉 all being under vanitie one generation passe◠〈…〉 other succeedeth with as many grievous novelti◠〈◊〉 â—ge alterations Mutation the inseparable companion of â—â—â—â—on like a Princesse presuming upon the kingdome kirks and families of the earth But by the soveraigne providence of that unchangeable God who directeth the steps of man and â—â—th put in his own power the time to plant and the time to pluck up that which is planted is so oversweyed in the most variable and different humors of men so limited that some as the scoffers of the last dayes laughing at mutation say Where is the promise of his comming Others to wit the wicked man in his prosperitie persecuteth the poore saying he shall never be moved A third sort viz. the slavish time-server like soft waxe flexible to every nâ—w forme boweth to mutation making her variant colours his crowne and contentment And the best sort the wise Christian hating change and loving constancie striveth to walk circumspectly redeeming the time from the dangerous currant All these and others whatsoever whether by sinne irregular or by grace sincere and straight by supreme wisedome are so disposed that they must needs serve the holy proiects of Iustice and Mercie for the honour of God and salvation of his chosen In this continuall course Mutation so prevaileth upon succeeding generations that as they are distant from the first times they decline from primitiue innocencie and as they approach to the later dayes they participate of their evils Yea so forcible is Defection the daughter of this Mutation in the congregations of the faithfull that the vacant places of the righteous departed are seldome or never filled againe their labours followeth them and they are forgotten If the kirk bee in Aegypt Ioseph dieth and there ariseth a new king there who knew not Ioseph When the people enters into the land Iosua and that generation is gathered to their fathers and another generation ariseth up after them which neither knoweth the Lord nor the works which he had done for Israel by Moses and Iosua in Aegypt at the red sea in the wildernesse and at the entrance into the promised land And in the land it selfe after Athaliahs troubles Ioash whose life was saved by Iehoiada and in whose dayes he did that which was righteous in the sight of the Lord after his death hâ—arkneth to the Princes who make obeysance to the King and leaving the house of the Lord God of their fathers serve idols but Ioash remembreth not the kindnesse done by Iehoiada but slayeth his sonne As by these strange alterations fearfull eclipses were brought upon the face of common honesty likely to banish religion out of the earth so under the ends of the world surpassing the preceeding generations in loue decayed and iniquitie multitiplied if it were not the rich mercy and undeserved loue of the Lord not to suffer the rod of the wicked to rest upoÌ„ the lot of the righteous but now and then in the middest of confusions brought on by Mutation to refresh them under the sweet shadowes of peace and prosperitie the very elect could hardly escape If adversitie beare the sway the people of God are in hazard to put out their hands to evill and if prosperitie prevaile then the kingdome of heaven is likened unto a man who sowed good seed in his field but while men slept his enemie came and sowed tares among the wheat which may not be gathered up till the harvest lest the wheat also be rooted up with them When the Lord his field shall be once infected with such venemous mixture of false teachers their foolish disciples renouncing their own libertie slavishly submitting themselues without triall to follow their seducers in lasciviousnes and avarice for atchieving their own vitious hopes if Israel were not poured from vessel to vessel they should freeze upon their dreggs like Moab so loose not only their comely countenance but the health and life of their substantiall estate the deceitful colours of these supervenient weeds so dazling the eyes of the common sort for the most part more naturall then spirituall and either vailed with black ignorance or blind hypocrisie that religioÌ„ in her natiue simplicitie purity seemeth to them an handmaid rather then a mistres if she bee not busked with some new guise of one alteration or other In this change if a Priest or a Levit or any of the ancient shall happen to weep for the first Temple by the meanes of mutation thus dâ—faced or enquire for the old way by ignorance in the reasonlesse multitude by pride in high places and perversitie of reputed learning he maketh himselfe a prey a troubler of Israel and not meet to liue There ariseth no small stirre about that way whole cities are filled with confusion and the cry goeth up for the Diana of the time If Paul himselfe were gotten he would not passe with pestilent fellow but stone him to the death before he be heard yea when the furie of Mutation inflameth the minds of Barbarians if they see a viper of adversity on a mans hand they say surely he is a murtherer and if no inconvenience follow he is a God So madly are the hearts of men set in them privily to blind themselues with the beams of their own particulars and the world with open shew of seeming zeale for justice and religion The toyles tossings of these Circaean changes are ever so unsavourie to a man of a quiet spirit that if the wronged innocencie of a just cause shamelesse violence done to the rights priviledges of religion and the intolerable pride practised against famous kirks vnheard could be closed up in any tolerable silence honest men knowing very well that the railings of reprochers never woundeth a good conscience could rather choose to sustaine a legion of bitter aspersions for peace to preach the Gospell then either to interrupt their owne tranquilitie or giue the least cause of suspition to any that they were brought from the sweet course of their pure peaceable and simple wisedome to contend for their impured fame and reputation and so to hinder the preaching of Christ For what matter is it though men be despised disgraced and scorned so long as the Lord may bee honoured thereby But when the night of securitie shall bee so dark and shamelesse pride ascend to such a height that not onely the lower sort but men of great spirits and places can with a deafe eare passe by the wrongs done to sincere professours faithfull ministers and martyrs of good memorie but by a sort of brutish patience suffer a substantiall truth to be borne down
beautie to allure and Ambition an vnresistable power to afray They intend no way to prejudge or extinguish the worthy volumes of the learned but rather to spurre men of good conscience and meet gifts to search and set forth fully and in perfect order these worthy purposes according to their great zeale to a sound religion so long professed and by the blessing of God upon their labours to gain such as respecting their conscience more then their credit with vertues tincture shall blush after the sight of the evill they haue committed with hearty repentance turning their praise of men to the praise of God to their ioy and comfort as Augustines Retractations are the glorie and crowne of all his writings So much the rather as the causes of their yeelding haue been in some lack of acquaintance sight of the matters in question in others simplicity presuming that nothing would be required but that which they might safely yeeld unto in a third sort a desire to be imployed in the service of the kirk thinking it more easie to beare these corruptions then to abide rigour and a fourth sort deceived by policie thinking that their yeelding with protestation should limitate to them the ordinarie forme whereunto others are tied without altering at least in many inconveniences that may ensue upon the obedience required It were a worke of singular loue to help such and many others under the restraints of feare and other infirmities who undoubtedly if they were permitted to use their own libertie without hazarding themselues upon the pikes of the law would with great joy returne to their best beloved profession and by their happy repentance quickly bring to confusion the reioycing of Papists Atheists braving Ministers and professours to their faces and saying plainly that they hope ere it be long to see them all either come to them or come to nothing But feare them not they are lying Prophets evill men and seducers they are and shall wax worse and worse deceiving and being deceived but continue thou in the things that thou hast learned and been assured of In this case of good Christians falling by infirmitie proud enemies bragging of their hopes let it not be thought strange that the louers of the primitiue beautie of the reformed kirk earnestly wish to haue it restored againe and for that cause modestly shrink at a new statute standing in the contrary First he breaks the band of obedience sayth one who doth it without cause If the refusers haue not alledged causes iustifiable in the consciences of any who will debate the matter between God and their own soules let them be better taught Authority may crush them it cannot perswade them 2. The first act anâ—nt kneeling wherupon the alledged disobedience is grounded is to be better considered at least in the doctrinall part where by the words of the Psalme as it forceth the text it maketh kneeling necessarie and not indifferent contrarie to the judgement of the most inclinable sort who openly professe that if authoritie would be pleased to favour the former order of the kirk they would gladly return thereunto Againe it is granted that the kirk of Scotland hath used since the reformation of religigion to celebrate the holy communion to the people sitting where the true reason moving them so to do viz. The table of the Lord is then most rightly ministred when it approcheth most neer to Christ his own action but plain it is at that supper Christ Jesus sate with his disciples and therfore do we iudge that sitting at a table as most convenient to that holy action is omitted and another convoyed in to wit by reason of the great abuse of kneeling vsed in the Idolatrous worship of the sacraments by the Papists which indeed should be granted to be a reason of very great weight But how weak a removall of this reason is insert in the act to cast out sitting and bring in kneeling let them declare in the presence of God that haue changed upon such a reason and urge others to doe the like if all memorie of by-past superstition be passed out of Scotland or if it be not rather renued and increased But in these matters for good reasons men must sparingly speak 3. It hath never been neither can be proved by Scripture that the Magistrates commandement simply and nakedly considered without some warrant of the word of God can be reputed a true spirituall guide to lead the conscience of a subject in a matter of religion or action of Gods worship in such assurance that he may say in the presence of God my opinion is sound and action acceptable because the magistrate hath commanded it men being assured that Magistrates may erre in their iniunctions and assemblies convened by the kings maiesties authoritie may command and inact things unlawfull and unprofitable Ask the scripture whether ever the good Kings among the Iewes or else where brought in any speciall action or ceremony into the service of God without some speciall warrant from himself or whether they did devise ought or received the devices of ecclesiasticall assemblies in their dominions and impose the one or the other upon the Levits or upon any bearing office in the sanctuarie restraining them from their publick function without obedience to it or whether ever by any of the messengers of God the people were taught that for the outward form and circumstance of Gods worship a civill statute or constitution of the kirk without further searching of the scriptures might be their ground upon which they might build their obedience unto God without further inquirie 4. It is a received rule of Christian libertie at least should be in reformed kirkes that the ordinances of the kirke are presented unto Pastors and people not with necessitie of beleeving but with libertie of trying according to the rule Try the spirits It is the Lords own priviledge that his iniunctions are to be received without questioning It is likewise permitted by royall provision that where the law was otherwise men may not only content themselues soberly quietly with their owne opinions but also presse by patience and well-grounded reasons either to perswade all the rest to like of their judgements or where they see better grounds to incline thereto It is the part of a temporizing hypocrite of the servant of men and not of the servant of God to frame their actions to that which is coÌ„manded without any coÌ„science of a truth whether they know it or not polluting the world with a brutish obedience whiles without any reason in him that obeyeth and whiles against the knowledge whereby God hath inlightned his own mind In this insuing treatise persons are spared and sundry things hieroglyphically and summarily set down which must bring to readers lesse acquainted with these matters some obscuritie but be not offended Soberly and quietly peace is sought without preiudice of any person or purpose so farre as the clearing of the truth may
pursued vvill delight any true Scots heart to heare and vvill giue eye to me borne out of time to see as that I had lived then that vvhich I both feare and loue to knovv first then vvhat vvas that incomparable loue vouchsafed on us Epaph. Our Saviour Christ did plant a vineyard in this land as in a verie fruitfull hill he hedged it The first consideration and gathered out the stones of it and planted it vvith the best plants he built a tovver in the midst of it and also made a vvine-presse therein and after manie yeares and divers troubles and travells according to the truth uttered by a deere servant of God vvhen the gospell first began to shine among us the realme vvas illuminated vvith the light of Christs Evangell as clearely as ever vvas any realme since the daies of the Apostles The house of God was builded in it yea it did not lacke whatsoever the enemie imagine in the contrarie the verie coapstone the jurisdiction and libertie of the true Kirk Generall and Provinciall Assemblies Presbyteries Sessions and Discipline were brought to their perfection all lawes of idolatrie abrogate all presentations of Benefices directed to the particular Presbyteries with power to put order to all matters Ecclesiasticall within their bounds Hic fuit vnitâ—s sine schismate ventas sine haeresi bonitas absque hypocrisi according to the discipline of the Kirk But all this faire and flourishing estate is tyed to it own condition of contrary change if the people shall be after unthankfull then fearefull and terrible shall the plagues be Archipp That truth of the man of God I must confesse meeteth us this day in our face for as the loue hath been great the people haue proved unthankfull and the plagues are alreadie begun The Lord looked for grapes and behold nothing but wilde grapes why should he not then lay his vineyard wast and command the clouds that they raine no more raine upon it But what secret would you haue me to consider upon the Antichrist his side Epaph. Antichrist inflamed with the furious zeale of his cursed Kingdome and enraged by his inveterate malice against our profession Secondly what Antichrist did as a burning light to discover his damnable darkenesse never ceased to resist the grace of God among us to his uttermost possibilitie sending forth as he might command the armies of crueltie his wilde Boares and roaring Lyons with open mouth and readie pawes to threaten and proclaime their enmitie as in that bloudie enterprise of the 88 when God shewing his might no lesse against these mortall enimies then for the Kirks Kingdomes of this Iland redeemed his own people mightily from the teeth of the Dog and ruined these Vnicornes as mightily in his wrath But that marvellous overthrow from the heaven aboue and the waters beneath conspiring to represse the pride of that tyrant did no wise moue him to forsake his bloudie purpose but within few daies thereafter assaying to practise by craft which hee could not performe by open crueltie like a sworne enemie to the oath of Alleageance he treacherously inchanted and miserably perverted diverse of this Kingdome to negotiate with him and his Emissaries Iesuites and seminarie Priests for subversion of this whole state You may reade and remember the execution of â—entrie the Bridge of Dee and the unnaturall and treacherous attempt of the 93 c. Archipp You seeme to me if you would follow forth that discourse in speaking of the times past to point at the present and to taxe the treacherie of living men in their persons who are long since dead But I rest content for the present with your pointing at that Spanish spring from whence the streames haue been comming northward this time by past which now overflow this Kirk and Iland and desires to know what was done at that time for resisting of Antichrist Epaph. The watchmen of the Lords house and sincere professors as they were directed and assisted by grace Thirdly how Antichrist was resisted resisted the violence of open enemies and diligently searched the hid wickednes of lurking vipers intending to sting to the death and after tryall taken of the venomous heads of those Romish monsters who spared not to adventure themselues their friends and whole estate in that foule and unnaturall trick they proceeded against them and put them under the highest censure Ecclesiasticall and therupon procured their deserved forefalture Archip. Those Satanicall supposts of that Italian Priest and Indian Pluto deserved no lesse And now it seemeth that the Kirk and the Country are well purged of such Antichristian and disnatured spirit Epaph. Had the successe been answerable to the censure the fire had been quenched and we quit of them and their adulterous generation multiplying in midst of us to this day But the general Assembly holden at Edinburgh 1594 declareth the contrarie in these words of Inscription The dangers which through the impunitie of the excoÌ„municate Papists trafiquers with the Spaniards and other enemies of the Religion estate are imminent to the true Religion professed within this Kingdom his Majesties person crown libertie of this our natiue Countrie And at more length in Eleven Articles of which number the first is It is certaine that the Spaniard who with so great preparations in the 88 did interprise the conquest of this I le remaines as yet of that same intention and waites onely upon a meet occasion to accomplish that his devilish purpose as cleerely appeares in his continuing in this intertainment of intelligence and traffiquing with the foresaid excommunicates ever since the dissipation of his Navie And the last whereas his Majestie and Estates at the first discoverie of their conspiracies apprehended a verie great danger to true Religion the Kings estate and crown and libertie of the Countrie and notwithstanding that the same cause of danger as yet remaines whole unremoved their is no apprehension of any danger nor earnest care to withstand it it is evident that their is an inclination and purpose to cover extentiate bear forth the evil cause wherthrough they will not see or else the Lord in judgement hath blinded and hardned the hearts of all estates to grop in the mid day at that which they caÌ„not see which is the greatest danger of al a most certain argument of the wrath of God and his heavie judgement hanging over the land so much the more to be feared because there is no cause of fear apprehended Archip. But what could either the civill or spirituall sword doe more for the good of the kirk and countrey against their vnnaturall malice Epaph. When you tempt me after that sort ye forget my protestation in the beginning I will onely shew what the kirk now holding the wolfe by the eares resolved to doe out of the apprehension of so great danger for preventing of ensuing evils and for purging the realme from open offences ready to draw on
as best expressing the causes of that honorable meeting Epaph. Left you or I either should be mistaken behold the true copie thereof Proclamation of the Parliament IAMES by the grace of God King of great Britaine France and Ireland defender of the faith Forasmuch as we know â—â—â—ll that the happinesse strength and glory of a Monarchy free from tyranny and confusion is builded upon the mutuall loue betwixt the king and his subiects expressed by the one in a fatherly care to maintaine his countries in a secure peace flourishing with religion and iustice and by the others in a loyall and submissâ—e obedience to their Princes will and commandement accompanied with a heartie and affectioned offering of all supply and ayd to the vpholding and increase of his estate and honour with their goods and bodies Which reciprocall bonds as layd in by nature and birth upon king and people albeit no new contract can tie or shike off yet are they with solemnitie in a sort renewed at the Assemblies of Parliaments wherein the subiects according to the occurrent necessities of the Princes affaires offer to him their best supply and helpe and hee returneth to them satisfaction and ease of their just grievances pardons for transgression of the lawes ratifications and acts in favours of particular persons estates and corporations with the establishment of such new lawes as the time doth require And wee having now appointed a Parliament in our kingdome of Scotland to be holden and begin vpon the first day of Iune next wherein as the importance and necessitie of our adoâ—s givâ—th â—s just hope for to looke for a supply to bee granted to us by our suâ—jects in our sayd kingdome in a greater measure then hath been at any time heretofore So are we most willing that they should haue all contentment in having either generall lawes or particular acts authorized by our royall consent which being ripely advised shall bee found expedient to passe But because our long experience hath taught us how that divers persons partly by ignorance and partly by fraud are accustomed presuming upon the short time of the sitting of our Parliament to giue in many â—illes and articles to those who are appointed to sit upon the same conteining matter preiudiciall to our crowne or other our good subiects which shortnes of time and multitude of businesse permitteth not to be so narrowly examined as need were And for this cause we haue appointed a certaine number of our counsell to meet some dayes before the sayd parliament and to consider of all billes petitions and articles which shall be exhibit to them by our Clerk of Register Therefore our will and pleasure is that all such at intend to giue in any articles to be past in this approching Parliament deliver the same to our Clerk of Register before the twentie day of May next Otherwise the same shall not bee receiued read nor voted in our sayd parliament except the same be past under our own hand And that yee make publication hereof at the market crosse of our Burgh of Edinburgh to the end that none of our subiects pretend ignorance Given at our palace at Westminster the 21 of Aprill 1621. Archip Was there no further done for convocation Epaph. Missiue letters and precepts were directed according to the ordinary custome from his Maiesties Counsell to all Noblemen of the land Marquises Earles Vicounts Lords Barons Commissioners of Shires Bishops and Burrowes Archip. I see not a word in the proclamation of the fiue Articles and I see a faâ—re occasion offered to the kirk or any of her members to give in their petitions according to their feares or desires Epaph. The cover of the subsidie will not let you see them grope rather Videndi ficultas omnes attingit attrectandi vero pâ—â—â—â—s duntaxat Machiavel What was done in the petition yee shall see The corporations of the kingdome in privat persons as they had their publick or privat affaires to be done in Parliament as they were wakened and warned by this occasion according to their customable priviledges appointed and kept their ordinary meetings for preparing their petitions and articles to be timously presented according to the wil of the proclamation But a necessarie corporation divers ministers and members thereof under great necessities and need of support from the compassion at hands of that high and honourable meeting being deprived not onely of the ancient vigorous generall assembly but of the weak image thereof and in that respect of wonted order and Councell for preparing their desires and authorizing commissioners to present the same vvas left unrespected and desolate Archip. Yet his Maiesties proclamation not onely permitting but inviting and the concurrence of so many weightie causes inforcing as the great growth of corruptions boldnesse of Papists and increase of Paâ—â—stry rather plaistered then punished and the distractions of the Kirke now turned into persecution of the Ministers and grievous offenâ—e of the faithfull professors like a fire devouring and wasting all vnitie order and brotherly kindnesse with no small danger to the state of religion the ministers of dutie ought and without wrong or offence to any might haue presented their humble â—etion Epaph. Chien oâ— chaudè â—aâ—t lâ— causroide Ye may guesse at the difficultie of that dutie by your owne disposition and retirednes at that time yet it pleased the Lord to move the ministers in most quiet and peaceable maner to joyne their hearts and hands in this forme of supplication Supplication presented to the Parliament in name of the Kirk May it please your Honours in this present Parliament assembled under the high and excellent Maiestie of our deare and dread Soveraigne to accept and consider the humble petition of your wearied and broken hearted Brethren Ministers and people obsieged under higher paines then â—â—sse of life libertie goods and fame for Sions sake not to hold their tongue but to call and cry to the God of Heaven and the gods of the earth that peace may be within her walles and prosperitie within her palaces ALthough it were more expedient to weepe then to say ought when we see the Lords armie disordered his companie broken and in the chock betwixt Christian and Turke Protestant and Papist some of his worthies put from their places and others turned if not to the enemies campe yet labouring for his cause Neverthelesse having this happy occasion of his Highnesse fatherly care providence and inclination to distribute iustice and mercie among his Maiesties people to whom by right pertâ—ines the worthy comforts and advantages which the King of Kings hath inclosed in hiâ— Royall scepter to bee delivered forth and disposed according to the occasions presented and the reciprocall consideration in his Highnesse lâ—t proclamation expressed as also of this high Court and of your Honours compassionate intercession for our quietnesse and deliverance from injuries alreadie felt and further feared wee are even forced to speake though not
in that day Epaph. The second vvay was as skilfull but not so successefull as the first Vpon some question of place betwixt two Lords of Parliament both lovers of Religion it was apprehended that they would rather loose their votes then perill their dignity And therefore strait commandement was given to Noble men to keep their own places But as that worthy Grecian with his fellow-ambassadour buried their private emulations till their return when the publicke affaires of the common-wealth were exped so they perceiving the snare packed up the controversie for that time and of their Christian discretion and generous affection preferring a substantiall duety to a circumstantial ceremony kept their liberty and so disappointed that policie And as the first policie of this sort perswaded some to leaue the Town so the second vvould haue moved others to leaue their riding But on the other side I vvill tell you by the way that their policie could not make all to be present of vvhose concurrence they assured themselues Divine providence in one example might haue been a sufficient instruction to let them see how easily his Majestie might haue turned all their purposes and counsels to folly if it had beene his pleasure for that which befell one might haue befallen the rest For one of the Commissioners vvhom they had to be a ringleader of the rest of the Commissioners of the Burgesses fell off his horse and gaue place to another And vvho vvas this but that Commissioner of the chiefe Burgh Edinburgh vvho fell that day in the street and was forced to giue place to a craftsman chosen in his roome to be peere to that first kneeling Provest of that Town which was once as another Ierusalem sâ—nding the puritie power and loue of the Gospell through all the corners of the kingdome but now albeit the power of grace remaine in the hearts of many hundreds is as vniversally scandalous through suddenly admitted novations by themselves and their pastors too penitent of their protestation practisers and preachers of contrary conformitie and paternes of change to the whole countrey The Lord give them hearts to remember from whence they are fallen that they may repent and doe their first workes Archip Who knoweth but they who haue done so many things well for their common estate common workes and priviledges of their towne may doe somewhat and the Lord blesse them with an open doore for the libertie and flourishing estate of their kirke to the wonted benefit of the whole realme But proceed in the rest of your policies Epaph. The next degree must be to keep them from voting who had ridden and now entred in the house of Parliament and this vvas also brought about by perswading some Noblemen inwardly warned to vote against the fiue articles but outwardly wrought upon to vote for them to make a mid course and to lurk in the inner house till the kirkes part was acted and Gods vvorship through her sides had received a deadly wound and then to come forth to the stage and in their owne places to play their parts in civill matters It is better to be altogether Christians with Paul then to be almost Christians with Agrippa or not all with Feâ—tus He that loveth father or mother far more he that loveth the woâ—â—â— more then me is not c. Archip. Yee remember Nicodemus and Ioseph of Arimathea But there had been no place left for that policie if the former order kept in the Articles when the kirk was postponed had been now observed in face of Parliament Epaph. To the end that this policie might haue place when it was now made manifest that other matters would not find great opposition the kirk had a pathy pleader for her precedencie in publiâ—ke For after the Lord commissioners speech the Lord Chancellour spake for the kirkes right alleadging that both reason and custome required that the kirk haue the first place and for that cause giveth direction that the Act concerning the kirk meaning the fiue articles and ratification thereof bee first read Archip. What speech meane yee of the Lord Commissioner Epaph. When all were now entred into the house and were set in their owne places after deep silence he had a preface for voting short but vehement partly exhortatorie for yeelding to the fiue Articles of Perâ—â—â—â—artly apologetick for defence of his Ma against surmises of Popish religion partly declaratory attesting that there was nothing under heaven that could be so acceptable to his Majestie as that the Kirk of Scotland would receiue these fiue Articles and partly promissorie that he would ingage his honor saith credit upon that princely word which his Maiesty past to him that if they would receiue these 5 articles at that time his Highnes would never burden them with any more ceremonies during his life time according to a promise uttâ—â—â—ed by the Bishop of Aberdein to the same meaning for casing the way to the articles but without such reply as was made to him by a Noble man that hee was too liberall of his promises having no assurance for his Majesty would not bind himselfe after that sort Archip. That prefaâ—e was a strong cup of digestion Epaph. And was well seconded with the sweet sauce of my Lord Chancellors oration composed of two ingredients loue and learning For after he had pleaded in his Exordium for the Church her dignitie it is saith his L. an evident declaration of his Ma. loue to God and religion that he hath so great care of the Kirk and as for matters proponed they require not much disputation being already concluded by learned Bishops Fathers Doctors Pastors convened at Perth for that effect After this confirmation the Lord Commissioner addeth the confutation for against the apprehension surmise that his Maiestie was resolved to make this kirk in all things conforme to the Church of England he did assume that his Ma. willed him to signifie unto them that these being once concluded he would urge no other rite nor ceremonie and that by their according to these they would give singular declaration of their loyalty and therfore requested to take heed how they voted Archip. Was there no mouth opened at this time to make reply or to offer reason in the contrary Epaph. No place was lâ—â—t for reason onely against that summary form of proceeding the promise made to the Nobility for having the conclusions of the Lords of Articles 24 houres at least before they were voted in publiâ—ke was timously remembred and urged by a Noble man to the effect they might proceed with deliberation according to the worth of matters especially the acts being long and of great consequence and not to give suddain iudgment like as many ciphers as in effect sayd he they were made by that form of dealing I will not trouble you with the answer made to reasonable a motion and bitter repulse of all further deliberation but I will draw now to the conclusion Epaph.