Reformation of church-government in Scotland cleared from some mistakes and prejudices by the commissioners of the Generall Assembly of the Church of Scotland, now at London / published by especiall command.
         Church of Scotland. General Assembly. Commission.
      
       
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             Reformation of church-government in Scotland cleared from some mistakes and prejudices by the commissioners of the Generall Assembly of the Church of Scotland, now at London / published by especiall command.
             Church of Scotland. General Assembly. Commission.
             Henderson, Alexander, 1583?-1646.
          
           [2], 22 p.
           
             Printed by Evan Tyler ...
             Edinburgh :
             1644.
          
           
             Attributed to Alexander Henderson. Cf. DNB.
             Contains ms. notes in margins.
             Reproduction of original in British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Church of Scotland -- Government.
           Scotland -- Church history -- 17th century.
        
      
    
       A43317  R42074  (Wing H1437).  civilwar no Reformation of church-government in Scotland, cleared from some mistakes and prejudices: by the commissioners of the Generall Assembly of th Church of Scotland. General Assembly. Commission 1644    7409 3 0 0 0 0 0 4 B  The  rate of 4 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the B category of texts with fewer than 10 defects per 10,000 words. 
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           REFORMATION
           OF
           CHURCH-GOVERNMENT
           IN
           SCOTLAND
           ,
           Cleared
           from
           some
           mistakes
           and
           prejudices
           :
        
         
           
             BY
             The
             COMMISSIONERS
             of
             the
             Generall
             Assembly
             of
             the
             Church
             of
          
           SCOTLAND
           ,
           
             now
             at
          
           London
           .
        
         
           Published
           by
           especiall
           Command
           .
        
         
           EDINBURGH
           ,
           Printed
           by
           
             Evan
             Tyler
             ,
          
           Printer
           to
           the
           Kings
           most
           Excellent
           .
           Majestie
           .
           1644.
           
        
      
    
     
       
       
       
         
           Reformation
           of
           Church-Government
           in
           SCOTLAND
           ,
           cleered
           from
           some
           mistakes
           and
           prejudices
           .
        
         
           WHile
           we
           ,
           the
           meanest
           of
           many
           our
           Brethren
           ,
           
           for
           a
           time
           separated
           from
           our
           particular
           callings
           and
           stations
           ,
           and
           sent
           forth
           into
           this
           Kingdome
           for
           a
           more
           publike
           imployment
           ,
           are
           in
           all
           humility
           and
           patience
           ,
           waiting
           what
           the
           Lord
           who
           is
           about
           some
           great
           Work
           in
           his
           Church
           ,
           (
           for
           which
           are
           raised
           so
           great
           Commotions
           in
           these
           and
           other
           Kingdoms
           of
           the
           earth
           )
           will
           be
           pleased
           to
           do
           for
           Reformation
           of
           Religion
           ;
           the
           great
           Work
           of
           the
           honourable
           houses
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           and
           the
           reverend
           Assembly
           of
           Divines
           ;
           and
           for
           Uniformity
           in
           Religion
           ,
           so
           much
           desired
           by
           all
           the
           godly
           in
           the
           three
           Kingdomes
           :
           Unto
           whch
           an
           entrance
           is
           made
           by
           a
           solemne
           League
           and
           Covenant
           .
           We
           finde
           our selves
           bound
           against
           the
           prejudices
           and
           mistakings
           of
           some
           ,
           who
           in
           the
           dark
           are
           afraid
           of
           that
           which
           they
           know
           not
           ,
           and
           suffer
           their
           affections
           of
           love
           and
           hatred
           to
           run
           before
           their
           understanding
           ;
           and
           against
           the
           mis-representations
           and
           indirect
           aspersions
           of
           others
           ,
           who
           do
           so
           commend
           their
           own
           way
           ,
           that
           the
           reformed
           Churches
           thereby
           suffer
           disparagement
           ;
           To
           give
           that
           testimony
           unto
           the
           order
           and
           government
           of
           the
           Reformed
           Churches
           ,
           and
           particularly
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           Scotland
           ,
           which
           they
           do
           well
           deserve
           ,
           and
           to
           honour
           them
           whom
           the
           Lord
           hath
           so
           highly
           honoured
           ,
           in
           advancing
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           his
           Son
           ,
           in
           the
           converting
           
           and
           saving
           of
           so
           many
           souls
           ,
           and
           in
           opposing
           and
           suppressing
           a
           world
           of
           corruptions
           ,
           Heresies
           ,
           and
           Schismes
           ,
           by
           his
           wonderfull
           blessing
           upon
           their
           order
           and
           Government
           .
        
         
           In
           this
           our
           humble
           testimony
           and
           true
           relation
           ,
           
           unto
           which
           we
           are
           at
           this
           time
           thus
           necessitate
           ,
           we
           shall
           endeavour
           nothing
           but
           a
           simple
           and
           innocent
           manifestation
           and
           defence
           ,
           without
           desire
           or
           intention
           to
           give
           the
           smallest
           offence
           to
           any
           who
           fear
           God
           ,
           love
           the
           Truth
           ,
           &
           desire
           to
           walk
           in
           truth
           and
           in
           love
           with
           their
           Brethren
           .
           This
           our
           profession
           ,
           we
           are
           confident
           will
           finde
           credit
           with
           all
           that
           know
           us
           ,
           and
           have
           observed
           our
           wayes
           since
           our
           coming
           into
           this
           Kingdom
           ,
           which
           have
           been
           ,
           and
           (
           so
           farre
           as
           the
           the
           truth
           will
           suffer
           us
           )
           ever
           shall
           be
           ,
           to
           unite
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           divide
           ;
           to
           compose
           ,
           rather
           then
           to
           create
           differences
           ;
           which
           we
           conceive
           also
           to
           be
           one
           principall
           end
           ,
           of
           the
           calling
           of
           the
           Assembly
           of
           Divines
           ,
           and
           which
           all
           the
           members
           of
           the
           Assembly
           ,
           against
           all
           particular
           interests
           ,
           are
           after
           a
           speciall
           manner
           ingaged
           to
           aime
           at
           and
           endeavour
           .
        
         
           The
           order
           and
           Government
           of
           the
           reformed
           Churches
           in
           the
           beauty
           and
           strength
           thereof
           ,
           
           as
           it
           is
           not
           hid
           in
           a
           corner
           ,
           wrapped
           up
           in
           a
           Mystery
           ,
           or
           covered
           under
           a
           cloud
           of
           darknesse
           ;
           but
           is
           known
           to
           the
           Nations
           and
           Kingdomes
           of
           the
           earth
           ,
           openly
           professed
           and
           practised
           in
           the
           eyes
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           cleerly
           seen
           ,
           as
           a
           City
           that
           is
           set
           on
           a
           hill
           ,
           in
           the
           light
           of
           the
           Sunne
           at
           noone
           day
           ;
           So
           is
           it
           commended
           ,
           and
           already
           confirmed
           by
           a
           long
           tract
           of
           time
           ,
           and
           the
           experience
           of
           many
           yeers
           ,
           and
           hath
           been
           countenanced
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           blessed
           from
           above
           ,
           with
           the
           preservation
           of
           the
           truth
           and
           unity
           of
           Religion
           ,
           against
           Heresies
           and
           errours
           in
           Doctrine
           ,
           Idolatry
           and
           corruptions
           in
           worship
           ,
           and
           all
           sorts
           of
           Sects
           and
           Schismes
           ,
           wherewith
           it
           
           hath
           been
           continually
           assaulted
           :
           
             How
             goodly
             are
             thy
             Tents
             :
             O
          
           Jacob
           ,
           
             and
             thy
             Tabernacles
             O
             Israel
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           It
           hath
           made
           the
           Church
           of
           Christ
           terrible
           as
           an
           Army
           with
           banners
           ,
           and
           like
           a
           strong
           and
           fenced
           City
           ,
           against
           which
           the
           Adversaries
           have
           despaired
           to
           prevaile
           ,
           but
           by
           making
           a
           breach
           in
           this
           wall
           ,
           and
           where
           they
           have
           gained
           ground
           or
           gotten
           any
           advantage
           ,
           either
           the
           wall
           hath
           not
           been
           built
           ,
           or
           being
           built
           hath
           been
           broken
           down
           ,
           or
           not
           vigilantly
           keeped
           by
           the
           Watch-men
           .
        
         
           The
           Instruments
           which
           the
           Lord
           used
           in
           the
           blessed
           Work
           of
           Reformation
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           Scotland
           (
           wee
           speak
           not
           of
           the
           reformers
           of
           other
           Churches
           )
           were
           not
           onely
           learned
           and
           holy
           men
           ,
           
           but
           had
           somewhat
           in
           their
           calling
           ,
           gifts
           ,
           and
           zeal
           to
           the
           glory
           of
           God
           ,
           more
           then
           ordinary
           :
           Their
           Adversaries
           were
           not
           able
           to
           resist
           the
           wisdome
           and
           Spirit
           by
           which
           they
           spake
           ;
           some
           of
           them
           had
           a
           propheticall
           Spirit
           ,
           manifested
           in
           divers
           particular
           and
           wonderfull
           predictions
           ,
           and
           some
           of
           them
           were
           honoured
           to
           be
           Martyrs
           ,
           and
           sealed
           the
           truth
           with
           their
           blood
           :
           So
           that
           in
           them
           ,
           in
           the
           people
           of
           God
           converted
           by
           them
           ,
           and
           and
           in
           the
           Reformation
           brought
           about
           by
           the
           blessing
           of
           God
           upon
           their
           labours
           ,
           against
           all
           the
           Learning
           ,
           Pride
           ,
           Policie
           ,
           and
           abused
           power
           of
           the
           time
           ,
           there
           was
           to
           bee
           seen
           a
           representation
           of
           the
           Primitive
           and
           Apostolicke
           times
           ,
           and
           a
           new
           resurrection
           from
           the
           dead
           .
           After
           them
           also
           did
           the
           Lord
           raise
           up
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           Scotland
           many
           burning
           and
           shining
           lights
           ,
           men
           of
           the
           same
           spirit
           ,
           mighty
           in
           converting
           of
           souls
           ,
           walking
           in
           the
           same
           way
           ,
           and
           who
           communicated
           their
           Counsels
           and
           keeped
           correspondence
           with
           Divines
           of
           other
           Nations
           ,
           and
           with
           the
           greatest
           and
           purest
           lights
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           in
           the
           point
           of
           Reformation
           and
           setling
           of
           Church-government
           ,
           which
           at
           that
           time
           was
           the
           common
           study
           and
           endeavour
           
           of
           both
           ,
           and
           wherein
           they
           and
           their
           Successors
           continued
           till
           the
           times
           of
           defection
           ,
           which
           made
           an
           unhappy
           interruption
           of
           the
           work
           .
           What
           men
           are
           like
           to
           do
           in
           after
           times
           we
           cannot
           foresee
           ;
           but
           we
           have
           not
           seen
           or
           heard
           of
           any
           to
           this
           day
           ,
           farrer
           from
           partiality
           and
           prejudice
           in
           the
           matters
           of
           God
           ,
           then
           their
           wayes
           witnesse
           them
           to
           have
           been
           ;
           and
           were
           they
           now
           living
           we
           beleeve
           there
           would
           be
           none
           in
           the
           reformed
           Churches
           ,
           so
           far
           swayed
           with
           partiality
           or
           prejudice
           ,
           that
           would
           deny
           them
           this
           testimony
           .
        
         
           They
           had
           no
           other
           rule
           and
           paterne
           of
           Reformation
           but
           the
           word
           of
           God
           ,
           
           and
           the
           practice
           of
           the
           Apostolicke
           Churches
           in
           the
           Word
           .
           All
           the
           books
           of
           God
           are
           perfect
           ,
           the
           book
           of
           life
           ,
           the
           book
           of
           nature
           ,
           the
           book
           of
           providence
           ,
           and
           especially
           the
           book
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           which
           was
           dy●ed
           by
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           ,
           to
           be
           a
           perfect
           directory
           to
           all
           the
           Churches
           ,
           unto
           the
           second
           coming
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           ;
           but
           so
           that
           it
           presupposeth
           the
           light
           and
           law
           of
           nature
           ,
           or
           the
           rules
           of
           common
           prudence
           ,
           to
           be
           our
           guide
           in
           circumstances
           or
           things
           locall
           ,
           temporall
           ,
           and
           personall
           ,
           which
           being
           
             Ecolesiastico
             Politica
             ,
          
           are
           common
           to
           the
           Church
           with
           civill
           societies
           ,
           and
           concerning
           which
           ,
           the
           Word
           giveth
           generall
           rules
           to
           be
           universally
           and
           constantly
           observed
           by
           all
           persons
           ,
           in
           all
           times
           and
           places
           :
           Of
           things
           of
           this
           kind
           a
           godly
           and
           wise
           Divine
           giveth
           two
           rules
           :
           One
           is
           ,
           that
           the
           Physician
           cannot
           by
           sending
           his
           letter
           to
           the
           Patient
           appoint
           the
           dyet
           and
           bath
           ,
           the
           pulse
           must
           bee
           toucht
           ,
           and
           as
           it
           is
           in
           the
           proverbiall
           speech
           ,
           
             gladiatorem
             oportet
             in
             arena
             capere
             consilium
             .
          
           The
           other
           is
           ,
           that
           in
           things
           of
           this
           kind
           ,
           when
           the
           change
           is
           not
           to
           the
           better
           ,
           it
           is
           both
           without
           and
           against
           reason
           to
           make
           a
           change
           ;
           without
           reason
           ,
           because
           when
           the
           change
           is
           made
           unto
           that
           which
           is
           but
           as
           good
           ,
           the
           one
           and
           the
           other
           in
           reason
           are
           equall
           :
           
           Against
           reason
           ,
           because
           the
           change
           it self
           in
           such
           a
           case
           ,
           is
           an
           hinderance
           to
           Edification
           ,
           savoureth
           of
           the
           love
           of
           Innovation
           ,
           and
           derogateth
           to
           the
           authority
           which
           maketh
           the
           Constitution
           .
        
         
           What
           they
           had
           once
           received
           ,
           
           not
           upon
           probable
           grounds
           in
           way
           of
           conjecture
           ,
           but
           upon
           the
           warrant
           of
           the
           Word
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           teaching
           of
           the
           spirit
           ,
           with
           certaintie
           of
           faith
           ,
           that
           they
           resolved
           to
           hold
           fast
           ,
           &
           did
           hate
           every
           false
           way
           contrary
           unto
           it
           .
           They
           did
           not
           in
           the
           matters
           of
           Religion
           rest
           upon
           a
           
             Sceptical
          
           or
           
             Pyrrhonian
          
           uncertainty
           (
           the
           charge
           of
           the
           Orthodox
           Divines
           against
           the
           tenets
           of
           Arminians
           and
           Socinians
           )
           which
           keepeth
           the
           mind
           uncertain
           unstable
           ,
           is
           a
           fountain
           of
           perpetuall
           alterations
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           ,
           an
           open
           door
           to
           all
           heresies
           and
           schismes
           to
           enter
           by
           ,
           and
           a
           ground
           of
           despairing
           to
           bring
           questions
           and
           controversies
           to
           a
           finall
           issue
           and
           determination
           .
           And
           for
           us
           ,
           as
           upon
           the
           one
           part
           ,
           we
           not
           only
           conceive
           ,
           that
           no
           man
           attaineth
           so
           full
           assurance
           of
           faith
           ,
           in
           any
           matter
           of
           Religion
           ,
           but
           he
           may
           receive
           encrease
           of
           his
           faith
           ,
           and
           therefore
           should
           alwayes
           have
           his
           minde
           open
           and
           ready
           to
           receive
           more
           light
           from
           the
           Word
           and
           Spirit
           of
           God
           :
           but
           also
           do
           ingenuously
           acknowledge
           (
           as
           wee
           have
           formerly
           professed
           )
           that
           wee
           are
           most
           willing
           to
           hear
           and
           learn
           from
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           what
           needeth
           further
           to
           be
           reformed
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           Scotland
           :
           Yet
           God
           forbid
           ,
           that
           we
           should
           never
           come
           to
           any
           certainty
           of
           perswasion
           ,
           or
           that
           we
           should
           ever
           be
           learning
           ,
           and
           never
           come
           to
           the
           knowledge
           of
           the
           truth
           ;
           wee
           ought
           to
           be
           resolute
           and
           unmoveable
           in
           so
           far
           as
           we
           have
           attained
           ;
           and
           this
           we
           take
           to
           be
           the
           ground
           ,
           as
           of
           other
           practices
           ,
           so
           also
           of
           Covenants
           and
           Oaths
           ,
           both
           assertory
           and
           promissory
           ,
           in
           matters
           of
           Religion
           .
        
         
           As
           they
           held
           it
           not
           sufficient
           ,
           
           to
           receive
           or
           retain
           some
           
           such
           practices
           ,
           as
           other
           reformed
           Churches
           judged
           warrantable
           ;
           for
           thus
           they
           should
           have
           rested
           upon
           some
           few
           principles
           and
           beginnings
           of
           Reformation
           ,
           and
           might
           have
           differed
           as
           much
           in
           other
           things
           from
           the
           Reformed
           Churches
           ,
           as
           they
           agreed
           in
           some
           things
           with
           them
           ;
           so
           can
           it
           not
           be
           satisfactory
           ,
           that
           any
           Church
           should
           only
           practise
           some
           things
           ,
           universally
           received
           in
           the
           Reformed
           Churches
           .
           (
           1
           )
           All
           Christian
           Churches
           ,
           although
           very
           different
           in
           ordinances
           and
           practices
           ,
           yet
           do
           agree
           in
           some
           things
           ,
           (
           2
           )
           If
           our
           desire
           of
           Uniformity
           with
           other
           reformed
           Churches
           ,
           and
           the
           reverend
           esteem
           we
           have
           of
           them
           ,
           draw
           us
           to
           conform
           to
           them
           in
           some
           things
           ;
           upon
           the
           same
           reason
           we
           ought
           to
           joyne
           in
           all
           things
           wherein
           they
           do
           all
           agree
           amongst
           themselves
           .
           (
           3
           )
           Differences
           about
           Negatives
           and
           the
           denying
           of
           profession
           and
           practice
           in
           other
           matters
           wherein
           they
           are
           all
           unanimous
           and
           uniform
           ,
           may
           prove
           no
           lesse
           dangerous
           and
           destructive
           ,
           then
           differences
           about
           Affirmatives
           .
           The
           Arrians
           ,
           Socinians
           ,
           and
           many
           others
           ,
           do
           erre
           dangerously
           in
           denying
           some
           positive
           points
           and
           received
           principles
           of
           the
           doctrine
           of
           the
           reformed
           Churches
           ,
           concerning
           the
           Person
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           his
           Offices
           .
           The
           Antinomians
           also
           (
           if
           we
           should
           mention
           them
           )
           do
           also
           agree
           with
           us
           in
           the
           principles
           of
           Grace
           ;
           but
           in
           their
           superstructures
           and
           conclusions
           ,
           runne
           in
           a
           way
           destructive
           to
           the
           doctrine
           and
           deductions
           of
           the
           Apostolick
           and
           reformed
           Churches
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           principles
           received
           by
           themselves
           .
           (
           4
           )
           Such
           Churches
           as
           make
           profession
           of
           differences
           only
           in
           Negatives
           ,
           or
           in
           denying
           some
           practices
           received
           in
           the
           reformed
           Churches
           ,
           have
           received
           ,
           and
           do
           hold
           some
           positive
           practices
           of
           their
           own
           ,
           which
           the
           reformed
           Churches
           do
           not
           allow
           ,
           and
           which
           to
           them
           are
           negative
           .
           Of
           this
           (
           would
           we
           suffer
           our selves
           to
           descend
           into
           particulars
           )
           we
           might
           give
           divers
           known
           
           instances
           :
           now
           if
           they
           do
           not
           allow
           of
           the
           reformed
           Churches
           ,
           in
           so
           far
           as
           they
           do
           not
           admit
           of
           these
           their
           positive
           practices
           ,
           how
           shall
           they
           think
           that
           the
           reformed
           Churches
           can
           allow
           them
           in
           the
           like
           ?
           for
           the
           rule
           is
           ,
           
             Wherein
             thou
             judgest
             another
             ,
             thou
             condemnest
             thy self
             ,
             for
             thou
             that
             judgest
             dost
             the
             same
             things
             .
          
        
         
           They
           did
           honour
           
             Luther
             ,
             Calvin
             ,
          
           and
           many
           others
           ,
           
           whether
           their
           Predecessors
           or
           contemporaries
           ,
           who
           had
           heart
           or
           hand
           ,
           especially
           in
           an
           eminent
           degree
           ,
           in
           the
           blessed
           work
           of
           Reformation
           :
           for
           their
           direction
           ,
           they
           made
           use
           of
           the
           light
           which
           such
           notable
           servants
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           did
           hold
           forth
           ,
           in
           doctrine
           and
           discipline
           ,
           and
           in
           all
           thankfulnesse
           they
           did
           desire
           and
           wish
           ,
           that
           their
           names
           might
           be
           had
           in
           eternall
           remembrance
           :
           Nor
           was
           it
           possible
           that
           so
           great
           an
           alteration
           as
           the
           corrupt
           state
           of
           the
           Church
           required
           could
           be
           effected
           ,
           and
           not
           carry
           some
           remembrance
           of
           the
           instruments
           :
           but
           for
           this
           to
           call
           us
           
             Calvinians
             ;
          
           and
           the
           reformed
           Churches
           ,
           
             Calvinian
             reformed
             Churches
             ,
          
           is
           to
           disgrace
           the
           true
           Churches
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           to
           simbolize
           with
           the
           Papists
           ,
           who
           call
           themselves
           The
           Catholicke
           Church
           ,
           and
           hold
           the
           rule
           delivered
           by
           
             Hierome
          
           against
           the
           
             Luciferians
             :
             If
             anywhere
             we
             finde
             men
             professing
             Christianity
             ,
             called
             by
             the
             particular
             names
             of
             men
             ,
             know
             them
             to
             be
             the
             Synagogue
             of
             Antichrist
             ,
             and
             not
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             .
          
           The
           separation
           may
           be
           well
           allowed
           to
           be
           called
           Brownists
           ,
           and
           others
           from
           the
           matter
           wherein
           they
           erre
           ,
           and
           part
           from
           all
           ,
           not
           onely
           the
           reformed
           ,
           but
           Christian
           Churches
           ,
           as
           the
           
             Monothelites
          
           of
           old
           ,
           and
           the
           
             Anabapists
          
           now
           ,
           may
           bear
           their
           own
           names
           .
           They
           who
           apprehend
           any
           danger
           in
           names
           (
           as
           there
           is
           a
           great
           deale
           of
           danger
           in
           them
           )
           ought
           not
           to
           appropriate
           unto
           their
           own
           opinion
           ,
           that
           which
           is
           common
           to
           all
           the
           reformed
           Churches
           ,
           nor
           to
           joyne
           with
           Papists
           in
           giving
           names
           of
           Sects
           unto
           the
           
           reformed
           Churches
           ;
           and
           they
           who
           conceive
           no
           evill
           in
           so
           doing
           ,
           ought
           not
           to
           offend
           ,
           that
           names
           are
           given
           unto
           them
           ,
           especially
           since
           their
           differences
           from
           the
           reformed
           Churches
           ,
           must
           be
           designed
           under
           some
           name
           and
           notion
           ,
           and
           in
           this
           case
           charity
           commands
           the
           mildest
           names
           ,
           such
           as
           hint
           most
           clearly
           at
           the
           difference
           ,
           and
           are
           farrest
           from
           reproach
           ,
           to
           be
           attributed
           unto
           them
           ,
           as
           most
           discriminative
           and
           tolerable
           .
        
         
           Nothing
           was
           farrer
           from
           their
           thoughts
           and
           intentions
           ,
           
           then
           to
           frame
           in
           their
           own
           forge
           a
           Lesbian
           rule
           ,
           answerable
           to
           any
           particular
           forme
           of
           civill
           policy
           ,
           or
           complyable
           with
           State
           ends
           .
           That
           they
           looked
           with
           singlenesse
           of
           minde
           to
           the
           rule
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           we
           give
           these
           three
           evidences
           (
           1
           )
           The
           great
           pains
           they
           took
           in
           searching
           the
           will
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           after
           they
           had
           found
           it
           ,
           their
           grievous
           sufferings
           from
           the
           civill
           authority
           in
           defence
           thereof
           ,
           of
           both
           which
           afterward
           in
           the
           own
           place
           (
           2
           )
           The
           restlesse
           objection
           and
           continuall
           opposition
           of
           politick
           men
           and
           Court
           Sycophants
           against
           Presbyteriall
           government
           ,
           as
           incompatible
           with
           Monarchy
           ,
           and
           their
           manners
           (
           3
           )
           And
           the
           necessary
           assertion
           of
           the
           true
           policy
           of
           the
           Church
           by
           Divines
           in
           both
           Kingdoms
           (
           between
           whom
           there
           was
           no
           notable
           difference
           )
           demonstrating
           that
           it
           was
           in
           it self
           unalterable
           ,
           because
           divine
           ,
           and
           yet
           complyable
           with
           every
           lawfull
           kinde
           of
           humane
           policy
           and
           civill
           government
           ,
           and
           able
           to
           keep
           a
           whole
           Kingdom
           or
           state
           in
           a
           right
           and
           sure
           way
           of
           Religion
           .
           
           Our
           chiefest
           reformers
           ,
           had
           indeed
           their
           education
           in
           other
           Churches
           ,
           which
           was
           the
           goodnesse
           of
           God
           to
           them
           and
           us
           :
           there
           did
           they
           see
           examples
           of
           Reformation
           ,
           and
           conversed
           with
           other
           reformers
           ,
           by
           whom
           they
           were
           taught
           from
           the
           word
           in
           the
           wayes
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           thence
           did
           they
           bring
           (
           as
           the
           Romans
           their
           laws
           of
           old
           from
           Greece
           and
           other
           Nations
           )
           models
           
           of
           Church-government
           ,
           that
           comparing
           one
           with
           another
           ,
           they
           might
           fix
           upon
           that
           which
           was
           builded
           upon
           the
           foundation
           of
           the
           Apostles
           .
           Like
           as
           we
           accompt
           it
           no
           small
           happines
           ,
           that
           we
           have
           bin
           educated
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           Scotland
           ,
           and
           are
           acquainted
           with
           the
           practice
           of
           Church-government
           there
           ,
           which
           giveth
           us
           much
           light
           and
           confidence
           against
           such
           scruples
           and
           doubtings
           as
           are
           powerfull
           enough
           to
           suspend
           the
           assent
           of
           others
           ,
           who
           by
           reason
           of
           their
           education
           in
           other
           Churches
           ,
           are
           strangers
           unto
           it
           .
           Nor
           do
           we
           know
           a
           reason
           why
           education
           in
           sound
           doctrine
           and
           true
           worship
           ,
           should
           be
           accompted
           a
           matter
           of
           thanksgiving
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           yet
           should
           glory
           in
           this
           ,
           that
           we
           are
           not
           by
           education
           ingaged
           in
           any
           one
           form
           of
           of
           Discipline
           and
           Church-government
           ,
           but
           left
           to
           our selves
           to
           be
           moulded
           by
           our
           own
           private
           thoughts
           .
        
         
           They
           intended
           and
           designed
           from
           the
           beginning
           ,
           
           the
           Government
           of
           the
           Church
           by
           Assemblies
           and
           Presbyteries
           ,
           although
           they
           could
           not
           attain
           that
           perfection
           at
           first
           in
           the
           infancie
           of
           Reformation
           ,
           but
           gave
           place
           to
           necessity
           ,
           which
           in
           such
           cases
           is
           universall
           ,
           and
           in
           this
           they
           followed
           the
           example
           and
           practice
           of
           the
           Churches
           planted
           by
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           which
           if
           not
           at
           first
           ,
           yet
           afterward
           were
           of
           greater
           number
           in
           one
           City
           ,
           then
           did
           or
           could
           ordinarily
           assemble
           in
           one
           place
           for
           the
           worship
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           therefore
           had
           a
           plurality
           of
           Pastors
           and
           Officers
           ,
           which
           made
           up
           a
           common
           Presbytery
           for
           governing
           the
           whole
           :
           They
           set
           up
           such
           Officers
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           as
           were
           both
           necessary
           and
           sufficient
           for
           the
           Church
           ,
           
             Pastors
             ,
             Teachers
             ,
             ruling
             Elders
             ,
          
           and
           
             Deacons
             :
          
           They
           did
           not
           permit
           such
           as
           are
           called
           Laymen
           ,
           and
           intended
           to
           continue
           such
           ,
           to
           preach
           or
           prophesie
           in
           the
           Congregation
           ,
           nor
           did
           they
           admit
           of
           any
           other
           ruling
           Elders
           ,
           but
           such
           as
           are
           solemnly
           elected
           and
           ordained
           ,
           although
           they
           do
           maintain
           themselves
           
           upon
           their
           own
           means
           ,
           and
           attend
           their
           own
           particular
           Callings
           ,
           which
           is
           not
           incompatible
           with
           their
           Office
           ,
           especially
           they
           being
           appointed
           in
           a
           number
           competent
           and
           proportionable
           to
           the
           number
           of
           the
           people
           ,
           and
           quantity
           of
           the
           Congregation
           ;
           And
           their
           Ecclesiasticall
           charge
           ,
           not
           being
           pastorall
           ,
           nor
           requiring
           any
           great
           meditation
           or
           study
           apart
           ,
           but
           such
           as
           they
           may
           easily
           attend
           ,
           without
           neglect
           of
           their
           owne
           particular
           affaires
           .
        
         
           What
           shall
           be
           rendred
           unto
           the
           Magistrate
           by
           others
           ,
           
           whose
           particular
           tenets
           are
           not
           yet
           known
           either
           to
           the
           Church
           or
           Magistrate
           ,
           unlesse
           it
           be
           in
           a
           hid
           and
           secret
           way
           ,
           unto
           which
           we
           are
           not
           privy
           ,
           we
           cannot
           determine
           :
           but
           the
           doctrine
           of
           the
           Reformed
           Churches
           ,
           concerning
           the
           honour
           and
           obedience
           due
           to
           the
           Magistrate
           ,
           is
           openly
           known
           by
           their
           confessions
           of
           faith
           ,
           and
           long
           continued
           practices
           ;
           and
           this
           much
           we
           know
           ,
           that
           the
           principles
           both
           of
           Civill
           and
           Church-government
           ,
           are
           laid
           out
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           therefore
           the
           one
           cannot
           be
           contrary
           to
           the
           other
           ,
           or
           they
           inconsistent
           between
           themselves
           .
           Nor
           do
           wee
           measure
           the
           power
           of
           the
           Magistrate
           by
           the
           principles
           of
           Presbyteriall
           Government
           ,
           but
           both
           of
           them
           by
           the
           Word
           ,
           and
           therefore
           deny
           not
           unto
           the
           Magistrate
           what
           God
           giveth
           them
           ;
           and
           more
           then
           this
           dare
           we
           not
           professe
           ,
           for
           any
           respect
           to
           our selves
           ,
           or
           to
           the
           form
           of
           Ecclesiasticall
           Government
           professed
           by
           us
           :
           How
           much
           ,
           and
           for
           what
           ends
           ,
           the
           Pagans
           and
           Infidels
           of
           old
           ,
           the
           Papists
           ,
           Prelates
           ,
           and
           Arminians
           of
           late
           ,
           have
           laboured
           to
           make
           the
           way
           of
           Christ
           hatefull
           to
           Princes
           and
           Magistrates
           ,
           is
           too
           well
           known
           ,
           and
           hath
           been
           bitterly
           felt
           ,
           yet
           God
           hath
           cursed
           this
           policy
           in
           the
           end
           .
           There
           may
           bee
           good
           reason
           to
           expresse
           our
           judgement
           of
           this
           or
           other
           points
           of
           duty
           from
           Scripture
           :
           but
           to
           avouch
           when
           we
           
           are
           not
           challenged
           ,
           and
           that
           only
           in
           the
           generall
           ,
           by
           way
           of
           comparison
           ,
           That
           we
           ascribe
           more
           to
           the
           Magistrate
           ,
           then
           the
           reformed
           Churches
           doe
           ,
           they
           being
           faithfull
           to
           their
           own
           principles
           of
           Ecclesiasticall
           Government
           ,
           may
           suffer
           a
           harder
           construction
           ,
           then
           we
           our selves
           would
           willingly
           under-go
           ,
           or
           put
           upon
           the
           intentions
           of
           men
           ,
           who
           seek
           not
           their
           own
           things
           ,
           but
           the
           things
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           .
        
         
           As
           the
           blessed
           Instruments
           of
           Reformation
           proceeded
           by
           no
           other
           rule
           but
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           
           so
           did
           they
           with
           great
           judgement
           and
           learning
           ,
           which
           they
           had
           in
           a
           measure
           above
           others
           ,
           examine
           and
           frame
           all
           things
           diligently
           and
           exactly
           according
           to
           the
           rule
           ;
           and
           although
           the
           Reformers
           in
           England
           were
           either
           altogether
           ,
           or
           for
           the
           greater
           part
           taken
           up
           with
           the
           Doctrine
           ;
           yet
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           Scotland
           it
           was
           otherwise
           .
           After
           the
           doctrine
           was
           established
           ,
           which
           was
           speedily
           done
           ,
           they
           were
           exercised
           in
           Conferences
           and
           Assemblies
           ,
           with
           debating
           the
           matters
           of
           Discipline
           and
           Government
           above
           the
           space
           of
           20
           years
           ,
           which
           endured
           much
           opposition
           from
           authority
           ,
           from
           worldly
           men
           ,
           and
           from
           the
           adversaries
           of
           the
           Truth
           ,
           both
           Prelaticall
           on
           the
           one
           hand
           ,
           and
           upon
           the
           other
           hand
           Separatists
           ,
           of
           which
           sort
           some
           came
           into
           Scotland
           from
           England
           ,
           which
           was
           unto
           them
           a
           whetstone
           to
           quicken
           them
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           them
           the
           more
           circumspect
           &
           exact
           in
           their
           way
           ,
           which
           lay
           in
           the
           middle
           ,
           betwixt
           Episcopacy
           upon
           the
           one
           hand
           ,
           and
           popular
           confusion
           on
           the
           other
           .
           It
           pleased
           the
           Lord
           ,
           whose
           presence
           and
           blessing
           they
           sought
           after
           in
           these
           dayes
           with
           frequent
           prayer
           and
           humiliation
           ,
           both
           in
           private
           and
           in
           the
           publike
           Nationall
           Assemblies
           ,
           so
           to
           assist
           and
           lead
           them
           in
           all
           truth
           ;
           that
           the
           Church
           of
           Scotland
           was
           honoured
           from
           abroad
           ,
           both
           from
           England
           and
           other
           Nations
           ,
           with
           the
           testimony
           of
           such
           a
           Reformation
           ,
           as
           other
           Churches
           
           accounted
           to
           be
           the
           greatest
           happinesse
           upon
           earth
           ,
           and
           when
           they
           were
           wishing
           after
           a
           Reformation
           ,
           they
           made
           it
           the
           measure
           of
           their
           wishes
           .
           We
           would
           willingly
           shun
           comparisons
           ,
           were
           we
           not
           brought
           upon
           this
           straine
           :
           We
           do
           upon
           very
           good
           reason
           judge
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           her
           Ceremonies
           ,
           to
           have
           beene
           a
           true
           Church
           ,
           and
           the
           ministery
           thereof
           ,
           notwithstanding
           the
           many
           blemishes
           and
           corruptions
           cleaving
           unto
           it
           ,
           to
           have
           been
           a
           true
           ministery
           ,
           and
           shall
           never
           deny
           unto
           them
           that
           praise
           ,
           whether
           in
           debating
           controversies
           with
           Papists
           ,
           or
           in
           practicall
           Divinity
           for
           private
           Christians
           ,
           which
           they
           do
           most
           justly
           deserve
           .
           Upon
           the
           other
           part
           ,
           we
           are
           neither
           so
           ignorant
           nor
           so
           arrogant
           ,
           as
           to
           ascribe
           to
           the
           Church
           of
           Scotland
           such
           absolute
           purity
           and
           perfection
           ,
           as
           hath
           not
           need
           or
           cannot
           admit
           of
           further
           Reformation
           .
           Yet
           that
           there
           is
           a
           wide
           difference
           betwixt
           the
           one
           and
           the
           other
           ,
           acknowledged
           also
           in
           the
           Common
           Covenant
           ;
           Wee
           bring
           two
           famous
           witnesses
           from
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           to
           prove
           :
           The
           one
           is
           
             Brightman
             ;
             Loath
             would
             I
             be
          
           (
           saith
           he
           ,
           speaking
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           Scotland
           )
           
             to
             provoke
             any
             man
             to
             envy
             ,
             or
             to
             grieve
             him
             with
             my
             words
             :
             Yet
             this
             I
             must
             say
             ,
             There
             is
             no
             place
             where
             the
             Doctrine
             soundeth
             more
             purely
             ,
             the
             worship
             of
             God
             is
             exercised
             more
             uncorruptly
             ,
             where
             more
             faithfull
             diligence
             of
             the
             Pastor
             doth
             flourish
             ,
             or
             more
             free
             or
             willing
             obedience
             is
             given
             by
             the
             people
             ,
             nor
             yet
             where
             there
             is
             greater
             reverencing
             of
             the
             whole
             Religion
             amongst
             all
             orders
             .
          
           And
           afterwards
           ▪
           
             Neither
             doth
             it
             onely
             keep
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             salvation
             free
             from
             corruption
             ,
             but
             it
             doth
             also
             both
             deliver
             in
             writing
             ,
             and
             exercise
             in
             practice
             ,
             that
             sincere
             manner
             of
             government
             whereby
             men
             are
             made
             partakers
             of
             salvation
             ,
          
           Revel.
           of
           the
           Apocal.
           cap.
           37.
           
           The
           other
           is
           
             Cartwright
             :
             Yea
             ,
             the
             Scottish
             Nation
             ,
             which
             were
             some
             yeers
             behind
             us
             in
             the
             profession
             of
             the
             Gospell
             ,
             the
             first
             day
             almost
             that
             they
             received
             
             the
             truth
             ,
             did
             by
             many
             degrees
             in
             the
             way
             of
             purity
             outstrip
             us
             .
          
           These
           two
           witnesses
           ,
           unto
           which
           we
           might
           adde
           many
           other
           from
           the
           reformed
           Churches
           in
           other
           Nations
           ,
           bear
           testimony
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           no
           such
           thing
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           Scotland
           ,
           as
           might
           prove
           her
           to
           be
           no
           Church
           ,
           or
           bar
           Communion
           in
           worship
           with
           her
           ,
           as
           the
           Liturgy
           ,
           Ceremonies
           and
           Prelacy
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ;
           or
           that
           the
           Corruptions
           of
           the
           one
           and
           the
           other
           are
           of
           the
           same
           kinde
           ,
           equally
           destructive
           of
           the
           essence
           of
           a
           Church
           ,
           and
           equally
           impedetive
           of
           Communion
           and
           worship
           .
           All
           visible
           Churches
           ,
           which
           have
           been
           ,
           or
           shall
           be
           at
           any
           time
           on
           earth
           ,
           consist
           of
           persons
           good
           and
           bad
           ,
           Sheep
           and
           Goats
           ,
           Wheat
           and
           Tares
           ,
           such
           as
           walk
           Christianly
           and
           such
           as
           walk
           inordinatly
           :
           Which
           therefore
           must
           also
           be
           the
           condition
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           Scotland
           ,
           yet
           the
           order
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           admitteth
           not
           either
           ignorant
           or
           openly
           prophane
           and
           scandalous
           persons
           ,
           to
           the
           participation
           of
           the
           Lords
           supper
           :
           If
           any
           Pastor
           and
           particular
           Eldership
           bee
           negligent
           in
           their
           duty
           ,
           it
           is
           their
           fault
           ,
           who
           are
           to
           beare
           their
           own
           guiltinesse
           ,
           and
           ought
           not
           to
           be
           imputed
           to
           the
           order
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           which
           standeth
           in
           force
           against
           it
           .
           We
           may
           be
           very
           confident
           ,
           that
           the
           godly
           people
           ,
           who
           did
           transplant
           themselves
           out
           of
           this
           Island
           ,
           (
           the
           fame
           of
           whose
           piety
           and
           zeal
           shall
           never
           suffer
           detraction
           or
           the
           smallest
           diminution
           from
           our
           thoughts
           or
           words
           )
           might
           have
           lived
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           Scotland
           ,
           injoying
           the
           pure
           Ordinances
           of
           God
           ,
           with
           peace
           in
           their
           consciences
           and
           comfort
           to
           their
           souls
           ,
           and
           would
           have
           willingly
           come
           into
           Scotland
           ,
           when
           they
           went
           into
           New-England
           ,
           could
           they
           have
           been
           free
           of
           the
           usurpation
           and
           tyranny
           of
           Prelats
           and
           the
           Prelatical
           party
           ,
           which
           at
           that
           time
           did
           reigne
           and
           rage
           in
           that
           Kingdome
           ,
           vexing
           the
           Godly
           Ministery
           and
           people
           there
           ,
           with
           many
           and
           bitter
           sufferings
           .
        
         
         
           The
           two
           extreams
           of
           the
           true
           forme
           of
           Church-Government
           ,
           
           which
           standeth
           in
           the
           middle
           way
           betwixt
           Popish
           and
           Prelaticall
           Tyranny
           ,
           and
           Brownisticall
           and
           popular
           Anarchie
           ,
           were
           contrary
           one
           to
           another
           ,
           and
           have
           their
           own
           degrees
           of
           Tyranny
           or
           Anarchie
           in
           themselves
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           cause
           of
           their
           sub-divisions
           ,
           fractions
           ,
           and
           differences
           amongst
           themselves
           :
           but
           both
           sides
           agree
           ,
           and
           strongly
           joyne
           in
           opposing
           the
           true
           Government
           ,
           which
           standing
           constantly
           ,
           and
           without
           variation
           between
           the
           one
           and
           the
           other
           ,
           is
           contrary
           to
           both
           .
           This
           is
           the
           true
           cause
           (
           nor
           could
           it
           be
           otherwise
           )
           that
           on
           what
           hand
           the
           invasion
           was
           hotest
           ,
           there
           the
           defence
           was
           strongest
           .
           Against
           Prelacie
           which
           had
           many
           friends
           ,
           and
           therefore
           made
           many
           enemies
           to
           Presbyteries
           ,
           the
           Presbyteriall
           power
           and
           pens
           were
           long
           pleading
           :
           No
           sooner
           is
           the
           Prelaticall
           party
           ,
           by
           the
           power
           and
           blessing
           of
           God
           ,
           begun
           to
           be
           subdued
           in
           this
           Island
           ;
           but
           ariseth
           unexpectedly
           ,
           The
           opposition
           on
           the
           other
           hand
           ,
           waiting
           the
           opportunity
           ,
           stronger
           then
           it
           was
           before
           ,
           which
           moved
           some
           of
           our
           Divines
           of
           late
           ,
           to
           write
           on
           this
           hand
           in
           defence
           of
           the
           government
           of
           the
           reformed
           Churches
           ,
           as
           others
           had
           done
           before
           them
           in
           other
           Churches
           .
           In
           France
           
             Beza
             ,
          
           &
           against
           
             Morellius
             Sadeel
             .
          
           Two
           Nationall
           Synods
           also
           of
           the
           reformed
           Churches
           in
           France
           ,
           the
           one
           at
           Orleans
           in
           the
           year
           1561.
           
           Another
           at
           Rothel
           1571.
           
           And
           in
           all
           the
           reformed
           Churches
           ,
           governed
           by
           Presbyteries
           and
           Assemblies
           ,
           the
           positive
           grounds
           of
           the
           Government
           are
           laid
           open
           ,
           which
           work
           equally
           against
           Adversaries
           on
           both
           sides
           ,
           and
           have
           been
           applyed
           against
           them
           
             prove
             nata
          
           as
           they
           did
           arise
           or
           shew
           themselves
           .
           If
           so
           much
           have
           not
           been
           written
           upon
           one
           hand
           as
           the
           other
           ,
           in
           a
           polemicall
           and
           Anaskeuastick
           way
           ,
           let
           it
           be
           attributed
           unto
           the
           Adversarie
           ,
           which
           was
           but
           obscure
           and
           weak
           ,
           and
           from
           
           whom
           small
           danger
           was
           apprehended
           ▪
           it
           being
           laid
           for
           a
           common
           ground
           by
           them
           all
           ,
           That
           where
           a
           whole
           Nation
           is
           converted
           to
           the
           Christian
           faith
           ,
           every
           particular
           Church
           is
           not
           to
           bee
           left
           to
           it selfe
           ,
           as
           if
           it
           were
           alone
           in
           a
           Nation
           ,
           but
           that
           Christ
           had
           provided
           a
           way
           ,
           and
           there
           is
           a
           necessitie
           of
           a
           common
           Nationall
           Governement
           ,
           to
           preserve
           all
           the
           Churches
           in
           Unitie
           and
           Peace
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           the
           Will
           of
           God
           ,
           
           and
           hath
           been
           alwayes
           the
           constant
           course
           of
           Divine
           providence
           ,
           that
           when
           his
           servants
           have
           been
           diligent
           in
           searching
           the
           truth
           ,
           and
           zealous
           by
           professing
           and
           preaching
           ,
           to
           hold
           it
           forth
           unto
           others
           ,
           that
           they
           confirme
           and
           seal
           the
           truth
           ,
           which
           they
           have
           beleeved
           and
           professed
           with
           their
           confession
           and
           suffering
           .
           The
           Church
           of
           
             Scotland
          
           had
           many
           Confessours
           ,
           divers
           Pastours
           brought
           before
           the
           Lords
           of
           Councell
           ,
           the
           High
           Commission
           ,
           Diocesan
           Synods
           ,
           were
           removed
           from
           their
           places
           ,
           deprived
           of
           all
           the
           means
           of
           their
           livelyhood
           ;
           some
           confined
           ,
           others
           imprisoned
           :
           a
           third
           sort
           brought
           into
           
             England
             ,
          
           whence
           some
           of
           them
           were
           never
           suffered
           to
           returne
           ,
           all
           of
           them
           for
           the
           Government
           of
           the
           Church
           .
           Others
           for
           the
           same
           cause
           were
           proceeded
           against
           by
           the
           criminall
           Judge
           ,
           condemned
           of
           Treason
           ,
           sentenced
           to
           death
           ,
           and
           after
           long
           imprisonment
           ,
           before
           and
           after
           the
           sentence
           ,
           could
           finde
           no
           other
           mercy
           ,
           but
           perpetuall
           banishment
           ,
           wherein
           the
           greater
           part
           of
           them
           ended
           their
           dayes
           ,
           without
           any
           Congregation
           ,
           or
           Company
           of
           their
           owne
           Nation
           ,
           rich
           or
           poore
           ,
           to
           comfort
           them
           .
           So
           many
           of
           these
           witnesses
           as
           were
           suffered
           to
           live
           in
           their
           owne
           Land
           ,
           did
           not
           undergoe
           any
           voluntary
           exile
           ;
           but
           in
           much
           poverty
           and
           affliction
           ,
           went
           up
           and
           down
           ,
           teaching
           and
           confirming
           the
           good
           people
           ,
           and
           waiting
           for
           a
           spring
           time
           ,
           wherein
           the
           face
           of
           God
           might
           
           again
           shine
           upon
           his
           Church
           and
           (
           to
           use
           their
           owne
           expression
           )
           some
           buds
           might
           arise
           out
           of
           the
           stumpe
           of
           Church
           government
           left
           in
           the
           earth
           .
           Had
           they
           at
           that
           time
           abandoned
           the
           poore
           oppressed
           Church
           ,
           when
           they
           were
           put
           from
           their
           places
           ,
           and
           deprived
           of
           their
           liberty
           ,
           and
           had
           carried
           away
           with
           them
           such
           of
           the
           people
           as
           were
           of
           their
           minde
           ,
           they
           had
           (
           if
           wee
           would
           judge
           according
           to
           ordinary
           providence
           ,
           and
           the
           course
           of
           second
           causes
           )
           opposed
           the
           poore
           desolated
           Church
           for
           a
           prey
           to
           Episcopall
           oppression
           ,
           and
           made
           the
           case
           of
           Religion
           in
           that
           Kingdome
           desperate
           :
           Or
           if
           they
           should
           have
           returned
           upon
           a
           revolution
           of
           extraordinary
           providence
           ,
           they
           would
           have
           preferred
           the
           sufferings
           of
           their
           Brethren
           left
           behinde
           them
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           the
           fiery
           triall
           ,
           unto
           their
           owne
           exile
           ,
           and
           would
           have
           been
           loath
           to
           have
           impeded
           or
           retarded
           the
           late
           Reformation
           ,
           with
           any
           thing
           they
           had
           brought
           with
           them
           from
           abroad
           :
           so
           many
           as
           returned
           from
           constrained
           banishment
           ,
           having
           in
           all
           Unitie
           of
           minde
           ,
           and
           heart
           joyned
           in
           the
           worke
           of
           Reformation
           .
        
         
           The
           Church
           of
           
             Scotland
             ,
          
           
           as
           all
           other
           reformed
           Churches
           ,
           hath
           used
           the
           power
           of
           the
           Keyes
           ,
           &
           Church-censures
           of
           all
           sorts
           ,
           especially
           the
           gravest
           of
           excommunication
           ,
           with
           such
           sharpnesse
           and
           severity
           ,
           and
           yet
           with
           such
           caution
           and
           moderation
           ,
           as
           it
           hath
           been
           very
           powerfull
           and
           effectuall
           ,
           to
           preserve
           the
           Name
           of
           God
           from
           being
           blasphemed
           ,
           the
           Church
           and
           people
           of
           God
           from
           contagion
           ,
           and
           the
           Delinquents
           brought
           under
           censure
           from
           destruction
           ;
           which
           are
           the
           ends
           proposed
           by
           them
           in
           executing
           the
           censures
           or
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           where
           such
           scandalls
           arise
           ,
           whether
           in
           matter
           of
           opinion
           or
           practise
           ,
           as
           are
           apt
           to
           make
           the
           Name
           of
           God
           to
           be
           blasphemed
           ,
           are
           dangerous
           for
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           waste
           the
           Consciences
           
           of
           the
           sinners
           themselves
           ,
           being
           accompanied
           with
           obstinacie
           and
           contempt
           of
           Ecclesiasticall
           Authority
           ,
           they
           doe
           apply
           this
           last
           remedy
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           order
           prescribed
           by
           Christ
           ,
           against
           scandalous
           transgressours
           ;
           To
           limit
           the
           censure
           of
           excommunication
           in
           matter
           of
           opinion
           ,
           to
           the
           common
           and
           uncontroverted
           principles
           ;
           and
           in
           the
           matter
           of
           manners
           ,
           to
           the
           common
           and
           universall
           practises
           of
           Christianitie
           ;
           and
           in
           both
           ,
           to
           the
           parties
           knowne
           light
           ,
           is
           the
           dangerous
           doctrine
           of
           the
           Arminians
           ,
           and
           Socinians
           ,
           openeth
           a
           wide
           doore
           ,
           and
           proclaimeth
           liberty
           to
           all
           other
           practices
           and
           errors
           ,
           which
           are
           not
           fundamentall
           ,
           and
           universally
           abhorred
           by
           all
           Christians
           ,
           and
           tendeth
           to
           the
           overthrow
           of
           the
           Reformed
           Religion
           :
           which
           we
           wish
           all
           sound
           and
           sober
           spirits
           to
           abstain
           from
           ,
           lest
           it
           render
           them
           and
           their
           profession
           suspected
           of
           some
           such
           opinions
           and
           practises
           ,
           as
           in
           charity
           wee
           judge
           to
           be
           farre
           from
           their
           minds
           and
           wayes
           .
        
         
           Two
           main
           objections
           are
           made
           against
           the
           principles
           and
           practise
           of
           the
           order
           and
           government
           of
           the
           reformed
           Churches
           ,
           
           for
           which
           the
           
             Church
          
           and
           Kingdome
           of
           
             Scotland
             ,
          
           have
           done
           and
           suffered
           so
           much
           of
           old
           and
           of
           late
           .
           One
           is
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           no
           need
           of
           the
           Authoritative
           power
           of
           Presbiteries
           and
           Synods
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           exhortation
           of
           particular
           
             Churches
          
           one
           to
           another
           ,
           the
           Protestation
           of
           one
           against
           another
           ,
           and
           the
           withdrawing
           of
           communion
           one
           from
           another
           ,
           may
           bee
           a
           sufficient
           remedy
           ,
           and
           no
           lesse
           effectuall
           against
           all
           offences
           ,
           then
           excommunication
           it selfe
           :
           especially
           if
           the
           Magistrate
           shall
           vouchsafe
           his
           assistance
           ,
           and
           interpose
           his
           authoritie
           ,
           for
           strengthening
           the
           sentence
           of
           Noncommunion
           ?
        
         
           
             To
             this
             we
             answer
             .
          
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           this
           Objection
           supposeth
           a
           case
           ,
           which
           hath
           
           not
           been
           found
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           
             Scotland
          
           for
           the
           space
           of
           above
           fourescore
           yeares
           ,
           and
           which
           wee
           beleeve
           was
           never
           heard
           of
           in
           any
           of
           the
           Reformed
           Churches
           ,
           except
           those
           of
           the
           separation
           :
           the
           pronouncing
           of
           Non-communion
           or
           Excommunication
           against
           a
           whole
           Church
           .
           Our
           excommunication
           hath
           beene
           executed
           ,
           and
           but
           seldome
           against
           particular
           members
           ,
           never
           against
           a
           whole
           Church
           ,
           and
           wee
           thinke
           never
           shall
           bee
           ,
           and
           therefore
           this
           imaginary
           feare
           of
           that
           which
           never
           falleth
           forth
           ,
           is
           not
           considerable
           :
           Rules
           are
           made
           for
           ordinary
           and
           usuall
           cases
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           What
           shall
           bee
           the
           remedy
           where
           the
           censure
           is
           mutuall
           ,
           and
           two
           or
           more
           Churches
           mutually
           protest
           ,
           and
           pronounce
           the
           sentence
           of
           Non-communion
           one
           against
           other
           ?
           unlesse
           there
           be
           a
           common
           Presbyterie
           ,
           or
           Synod
           made
           up
           of
           the
           whole
           ,
           which
           may
           decide
           the
           controversie
           ,
           and
           give
           order
           unto
           the
           severall
           Churches
           .
           This
           Non-communion
           may
           prove
           a
           mean
           of
           division
           ,
           rather
           then
           union
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           In
           this
           Exhortation
           ,
           Protestation
           ,
           and
           Non-communion
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           more
           to
           be
           found
           ,
           then
           one
           particular
           member
           may
           doe
           against
           another
           ,
           which
           yet
           is
           acknowledged
           to
           bee
           unsufficient
           for
           removing
           of
           offences
           ,
           unlesse
           the
           authority
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           of
           which
           both
           of
           them
           bee
           members
           ,
           shall
           interveine
           :
           Were
           it
           in
           the
           power
           of
           particular
           members
           to
           submit
           ,
           or
           not
           submit
           ,
           as
           they
           please
           ,
           there
           would
           bee
           as
           great
           difference
           and
           division
           amongst
           members
           ,
           as
           now
           there
           is
           amongst
           Churches
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           What
           shall
           be
           done
           if
           the
           Magistrate
           be
           negligent
           or
           care
           for
           none
           of
           those
           things
           ?
           or
           if
           his
           Authoritie
           cannot
           be
           obtained
           ?
           or
           if
           hee
           bee
           of
           another
           Religion
           ,
           and
           foment
           the
           difference
           for
           his
           owne
           politicke
           ends
           ?
           
           hath
           not
           the
           wisedome
           of
           the
           Sonne
           of
           God
           provided
           remedies
           in
           the
           Church
           for
           all
           the
           internall
           necessities
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           constitute
           it
           a
           perfect
           body
           within
           it selfe
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           By
           what
           probabilitie
           can
           it
           be
           made
           to
           appeare
           to
           any
           Rationall
           man
           and
           indifferent
           minde
           ,
           that
           no
           Authoritie
           shall
           be
           as
           valide
           as
           authority
           against
           the
           obstinate
           ,
           that
           
             via
             admonitionis
             ,
             &
             requisitionis
             ,
          
           is
           equall
           with
           
             via
             citationis
             ,
             &
             publicae
             authoritatis
             :
          
           There
           cannot
           be
           so
           much
           as
           triall
           and
           examination
           of
           the
           offence
           without
           Authoritie
           ,
           unlesse
           the
           partie
           be
           willing
           to
           appeare
           :
           that
           perswasion
           and
           Jurisdiction
           ,
           that
           the
           delivering
           over
           to
           Satan
           ,
           and
           thereby
           striking
           the
           Conscience
           with
           the
           terrour
           of
           God
           ,
           by
           the
           authority
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           which
           hath
           the
           promise
           of
           a
           speciall
           and
           strong
           ratification
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           any
           other
           Ecclesiasticall
           way
           whatsoever
           ,
           which
           must
           be
           inferiour
           to
           this
           ,
           and
           depend
           onely
           upon
           perswasion
           on
           the
           one
           part
           ,
           and
           free
           will
           on
           the
           other
           ,
           can
           be
           supposed
           to
           bee
           a
           like
           efficacious
           .
           No
           man
           will
           say
           ,
           but
           in
           civill
           matters
           ,
           it
           is
           one
           thing
           to
           have
           adoe
           with
           our
           neighbour
           ,
           who
           hath
           no
           more
           authority
           over
           us
           ,
           then
           we
           have
           over
           him
           ;
           and
           another
           thing
           to
           have
           to
           doe
           with
           civill
           power
           which
           hath
           authority
           over
           both
           .
        
         
           The
           other
           Objection
           is
           :
           
           That
           by
           this
           Authoritie
           and
           Order
           of
           Government
           ,
           one
           Church
           hath
           power
           over
           another
           ,
           which
           is
           contrary
           to
           that
           liberty
           and
           equalitie
           Christ
           hath
           endued
           his
           Churches
           with
           ,
           and
           is
           no
           other
           but
           a
           new
           Prelaticall
           dominion
           set
           over
           the
           Churches
           of
           Christ
           ?
        
         
           
             To
             this
             we
             answer
             .
          
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           we
           are
           very
           farre
           from
           imposing
           or
           acknowledging
           any
           such
           collaterall
           power
           of
           one
           particular
           
           Church
           over
           another
           ,
           nay
           not
           of
           the
           greatest
           ,
           in
           all
           respects
           whatsoever
           over
           the
           smallest
           ,
           for
           God
           hath
           made
           them
           equall
           one
           to
           another
           .
           The
           power
           which
           we
           maintain
           ,
           is
           aggregative
           of
           the
           Officers
           of
           many
           congregations
           over
           the
           particular
           members
           of
           their
           Corporation
           :
           even
           as
           a
           member
           of
           the
           Naturall
           body
           is
           not
           subject
           to
           another
           ;
           but
           each
           one
           of
           them
           to
           the
           whole
           Man
           consisting
           of
           them
           all
           :
           And
           as
           one
           Member
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           one
           Counseller
           ;
           or
           to
           goe
           lower
           ,
           one
           member
           of
           a
           company
           ,
           is
           not
           subject
           to
           another
           ,
           but
           every
           one
           to
           the
           whole
           Colledge
           :
           The
           same
           may
           bee
           said
           of
           townes
           and
           cities
           :
           so
           is
           it
           with
           particular
           congregations
           combined
           in
           one
           Presbyterie
           .
           All
           the
           Reformed
           Churches
           acknowledge
           the
           Independencie
           of
           one
           particular
           Church
           upon
           another
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           It
           is
           as
           miserable
           a
           mistake
           to
           compare
           Presbyteries
           and
           Prelates
           together
           :
           for
           the
           courts
           of
           Prelates
           are
           altogether
           forraign
           and
           extrinsecall
           to
           the
           congregations
           over
           which
           they
           rule
           ,
           and
           then
           indeed
           the
           Metropolitan
           Church
           usurpeth
           and
           tyrannizeth
           over
           other
           Churches
           :
           but
           the
           power
           of
           Presbeteries
           in
           intrinsecall
           and
           naturall
           ,
           they
           being
           constitute
           of
           the
           Pastors
           and
           Elders
           of
           the
           particular
           congregations
           over
           which
           they
           are
           set
           :
           So
           that
           another
           without
           themselves
           doth
           not
           beare
           rule
           over
           them
           ;
           but
           all
           of
           them
           together
           by
           common
           consent
           doe
           rule
           over
           every
           one
           ,
           which
           is
           a
           most
           milde
           and
           free
           forme
           of
           Church-government
           :
           it
           being
           no
           more
           contrary
           to
           the
           liberty
           of
           a
           particular
           Church
           to
           bee
           ruled
           by
           a
           common
           Collegiate
           Presbytery
           ,
           or
           Ecclesiastick
           Senate
           ,
           then
           it
           is
           for
           a
           Member
           of
           a
           particular
           congregation
           to
           bee
           ruled
           by
           his
           owne
           particular
           Eldership
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Were
           this
           way
           of
           government
           as
           well
           known
           by
           
           experience
           unto
           others
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           unto
           us
           ,
           it
           would
           bee
           accounted
           rather
           
             Subsidium
             ,
          
           then
           
             Dominium
             ,
          
           and
           would
           be
           looked
           at
           ,
           rather
           as
           auxiliary
           to
           particular
           Ministers
           and
           Elderships
           ,
           then
           authoratative
           over
           them
           ,
           especially
           since
           they
           neither
           ordain
           nor
           depose
           Ministers
           ,
           they
           discern
           no
           censure
           ,
           nor
           sentence
           of
           Excommunication
           of
           any
           Member
           ,
           without
           the
           knowledge
           and
           consent
           of
           the
           congregation
           which
           is
           particularly
           concerned
           therein
           :
           whatsoever
           their
           authority
           be
           ,
           the
           Minister
           and
           particular
           Eldership
           are
           advised
           ,
           assisted
           ,
           and
           strengthned
           ,
           rather
           then
           commanded
           ,
           enjoyned
           ,
           or
           forced
           :
           which
           the
           particular
           Churches
           should
           much
           rather
           chuse
           ,
           then
           through
           want
           of
           counsell
           and
           assistance
           ,
           suffer
           themselves
           to
           run
           rashly
           upon
           Deposition
           or
           Excommunication
           ,
           and
           afterward
           either
           be
           brought
           to
           the
           neighbouring
           Churches
           to
           the
           publike
           confession
           of
           their
           errour
           ,
           which
           lesseneth
           their
           authority
           afterward
           ,
           or
           to
           have
           the
           sentence
           of
           Non-communion
           pronounced
           against
           them
           ,
           which
           must
           bee
           the
           cause
           of
           Schisme
           or
           scandall
           .
        
         
           So
           much
           for
           the
           present
           have
           we
           said
           ,
           
           not
           for
           confutation
           ;
           but
           meerely
           for
           justifying
           our
           owne
           ,
           and
           other
           Reformed
           Churches
           ,
           against
           such
           misrepresentings
           and
           mistakings
           ,
           as
           in
           matters
           of
           Religion
           are
           too
           frequent
           in
           this
           place
           at
           this
           time
           ,
           to
           the
           perverting
           and
           abusing
           of
           simple
           and
           unstable
           minds
           ,
           which
           will
           never
           be
           brought
           to
           a
           consistence
           and
           unitie
           ,
           without
           this
           true
           order
           and
           governement
           of
           the
           
             Church
             ,
          
           and
           the
           blessing
           of
           God
           from
           heaven
           upon
           his
           owne
           ordinance
           .
           Were
           Magistrates
           and
           civill
           powers
           acquainted
           with
           the
           power
           thereof
           ,
           they
           would
           finde
           their
           authority
           increased
           ,
           their
           worke
           more
           easie
           ,
           and
           their
           places
           more
           comfortable
           thereby
           .
           Such
           as
           are
           most
           adverse
           to
           this
           order
           and
           government
           (
           if
           they
           allow
           no
           materiall
           difference
           in
           doctrine
           ,
           
           worship
           ,
           or
           practise
           )
           might
           enjoy
           their
           peace
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           comforts
           of
           their
           Ministery
           and
           profession
           under
           it
           ,
           without
           controlment
           ,
           from
           that
           authoritative
           power
           which
           they
           so
           much
           apprehend
           .
           The
           
             Church
             of
             England
          
           which
           God
           hath
           blessed
           with
           so
           much
           learning
           and
           pietie
           ,
           by
           this
           Reformation
           and
           Uniformitie
           with
           other
           Reformed
           Churches
           ,
           which
           all
           of
           us
           have
           solemnely
           sworn
           and
           subscribed
           ,
           sincerely
           ,
           really
           ,
           and
           constantly
           through
           the
           grace
           of
           God
           ,
           to
           endeavour
           in
           our
           severall
           places
           and
           callings
           ,
           should
           be
           a
           praise
           in
           the
           Earth
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A43317e-120
           
             The
             occasion
             .
          
           
             Our
             intention
             .
          
           
             The
             Government
             of
             the
             Reformed
             Churches
             is
             known
             .
          
           
             The
             Reformers
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             Scotland
             .
          
           
             The
             rule
             and
             patern
             of
             their
             Reformation
             .
          
           
             Their
             certainty
             in
             matters
             of
             Religion
             .
          
           
             Their
             consent
             with
             other
             Reformed
             Churches
             .
          
           
             They
             are
             not
             to
             be
             called
             Calvinians
             .
          
           
             Their
             Reformation
             was
             not
             framed
             to
             State
             ends
             .
          
           
             The
             Reformers
             not
             byassed
             ,
             but
             benefited
             by
             education
             .
          
           
             They
             intended
             Presbyteriall
             Government
             from
             the
             beginning
             .
          
           
             What
             they
             give
             unto
             the
             Magistrate
             .
          
           
             Their
             diligent
             search
             for
             true
             Church-government
             ,
             and
             the
             good
             hand
             of
             God
             upon
             them
             .
          
           
             The
             defence
             therof
             against
             adversaries
             on
             both
             hands
             .
          
           
             Their
             sufferings
             for
             the
             true
             Church
             government
             .
          
           
             Their
             exercising
             of
             that
             true
             Church
             government
             for
             which
             they
             had
             done
             and
             suffered
             so
             much
             .
          
           
             This
             government
             necessary
             for
             Churches
             living
             together
             .
          
           
             This
             government
             agreeeth
             with
             the
             libertie
             and
             equalitie
             of
             particular
             Churches
             .
          
           
             This
             government
             usefull
             and
             beneficiall
             to
             all
             sorts
             of
             persons
             .