The divine right of Presbyterie, asserted by the present Assembly, and petitioned for accordingly to the Honourable House of Commons in Parliament. With reasons discussing this pretended divine right; and yet with tendernesse to the brethren of the Presbyterial way. Pleading for a liberty of conscience for them in this their opinion, as for others of their dissenting brethren, and equally for both. With inferences upon their late petition. / By John Saltmarsh, preacher of the gospel.
         Saltmarsh, John, d. 1647.
      
       
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             The divine right of Presbyterie, asserted by the present Assembly, and petitioned for accordingly to the Honourable House of Commons in Parliament. With reasons discussing this pretended divine right; and yet with tendernesse to the brethren of the Presbyterial way. Pleading for a liberty of conscience for them in this their opinion, as for others of their dissenting brethren, and equally for both. With inferences upon their late petition. / By John Saltmarsh, preacher of the gospel.
             Saltmarsh, John, d. 1647.
          
           [6], 22 p.
           
             Printed for G. Calvert, at the Black Spread-Eagle at the West-end of Pauls.,
             London, :
             1646.
          
           
             Permission to print on verso of first leaf.
             Annotation on Thomason copy: "Apr: 7th".
             Reproduction of the original in the British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Westminster Assembly (1643-1652) -- Early works to 1800.
           Presbyterianism -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
       A93581  R200732  (Thomason E330_29).  civilwar no The divine right of Presbyterie,:  asserted by the present Assembly, and petitioned for accordingly to the Honourable House of Commons in Pa Saltmarsh, John 1646    6194 4 0 0 0 0 0 6 B  The  rate of 6 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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           THese
           Reasons
           ,
           tending
           not
           onely
           to
           the
           
             sweetning
          
           of
           the
           Two
           Kingdoms
           ,
           
             England
          
           and
           
             Scotland
             ,
          
           the
           
             Parliament
             ,
          
           and
           
             Dissenting
             Brethren
          
           on
           both
           sides
           ,
           in
           the
           
             Assembly
             ,
          
           each
           to
           other
           ;
           but
           also
           to
           the
           preserving
           a
           
             Just
             Liberty
          
           for
           them
           all
           
             respectively
             ,
          
           I
           commend
           to
           the
           Presse
           .
        
         
           
             
               March
               30.
               1646.
               
            
          
           
             John
             Bachiler
             .
          
        
      
       
       
         
           THE
           DIVINE
           RIGHT
           OF
           Presbyterie
           ,
           Asserted
           by
           the
           present
           
             Assembly
             ,
          
           and
           petitioned
           for
           accordingly
           to
           the
           Honourable
           House
           of
           Commons
           in
           PARLIAMENT
           .
           With
           REASONS
           Discussing
           this
           Pretended
           
             Divine
             Right
             ;
          
           and
           yet
           with
           tendernesse
           to
           the
           Brethren
           of
           the
           
             Presbyterial
          
           way
           .
           Pleading
           for
           a
           
             Liberty
             of
             Conscience
          
           for
           them
           in
           this
           their
           Opinion
           ,
           as
           for
           others
           of
           their
           Dissenting
           Brethren
           ,
           and
           equally
           for
           both
           .
           With
           INFERENCES
           upon
           their
           late
           PETITION
           .
           By
           JOHN
           SALTMARSH
           ,
           Preacher
           of
           the
           Gospel
           .
        
         
           Revel.
           2.
           2.
           
        
         
           Thou
           hast
           tried
           those
           that
           say
           they
           are
           Apostles
           ,
           but
           are
           not
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           for
           G.
           CALVERT
           ,
           at
           the
           Black
           ▪
           
             Spread-Eagle
          
           at
           the
           West-end
           of
           
             Pauls
             .
          
           1646.
           
        
      
       
       
       
         
           To
           those
           Brethren
           of
           the
           Assembly
           of
           Divines
           ,
           Petitioners
           who
           are
           for
           the
           pretended
           Divine
           Right
           of
           the
           present
           PRESBYTERY
           .
        
         
           
             BRETHREN
             ,
          
           Meeting
           ye
           out
           of
           the
           
             Assembly
             ,
          
           or
           that
           
             bounder
          
           appointed
           ye
           by
           
             Parl.
             
          
           I
           cannot
           justly
           be
           denied
           this
           reasoning
           with
           ye
           ;
           for
           the
           Ordinance
           by
           which
           ye
           sit
           ,
           doth
           enable
           ye
           onely
           to
           
             advice
             of
             things
             propounded
             ,
          
           but
           not
           to
           propound
           or
           demand
           any
           as
           ye
           have
           done
           of
           late
           ;
           
           so
           as
           in
           this
           ye
           have
           brought
           your selves
           down
           to
           the
           same
           
             magnitude
          
           with
           
           us
           that
           are
           private
           men
           .
           Here
           is
           the
           difference
           now
           ;
           Ye
           are
           many
           of
           better
           parts
           and
           abilities
           ;
           
             I
             am
             as
             one
             born
             out
             of
             due
             time
             ;
          
           yet
           the
           same
           
             Covenant
          
           is
           upon
           
             me
          
           with
           your
           
             selves
             ,
          
           nor
           ought
           I
           because
           I
           am
           but
           one
           ,
           presume
           to
           see
           
             Truth
          
           more
           then
           
             ye
          
           because
           ye
           are
           
             many
             ;
          
           nor
           ,
           I
           hope
           ,
           ye
           who
           are
           
             many
             ,
          
           will
           presume
           to
           see
           
             Truth
          
           more
           then
           
             one
             ,
          
           because
           ye
           are
           
             many
             ;
          
           Nay
           ,
           
           it
           is
           that
           
             voice
             from
             the
             excellent
             glory
          
           which
           both
           you
           and
           I
           must
           hear
           ,
           and
           which
           can
           onely
           teach
           us
           
             Truth
             ;
          
           It
           is
           not
           the
           
             voice
          
           of
           any
           other
           .
           And
           surely
           since
           
             Truth
          
           hath
           had
           its
           lot
           in
           the
           
             world
          
           to
           live
           upon
           voices
           in
           Assemblies
           and
           Synods
           ,
           where
           that
           is
           onely
           
             Truth
          
           which
           is
           voted
           so
           ;
           and
           not
           in
           its
           own
           glory
           and
           evidence
           ,
           where
           that
           is
           onely
           
             Truth
          
           which
           is
           so
           :
           The
           
             Mystery
          
           of
           
             iniquity
          
           hath
           been
           more
           advanced
           then
           the
           
             Mystery
          
           of
           
             godlinesse
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
       
         
           THE
           DIVINE
           RIGHT
           OF
           Presbytery
           ,
           &c.
           With
           Reasons
           discussing
           this
           pretended
           Divine
           Right
           .
        
         
           FIrst
           ,
           They
           who
           are
           the
           
             Presbyters
          
           in
           this
           present
           
             Presbytery
             ,
          
           pretend
           to
           be
           
             Presbyters
          
           by
           a
           power
           of
           
             Ordination
          
           from
           
             Bishops
             ,
          
           as
           the
           
             Bishops
          
           were
           
             Presbyters
             :
          
           and
           if
           so
           ,
           they
           are
           to
           make
           it
           appear
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           a
           true
           
             personal
          
           succession
           of
           
             Ministery
          
           from
           the
           
             Apostles
             ,
          
           and
           that
           they
           do
           
             lineally
          
           succeed
           without
           interruption
           ;
           for
           in
           
             succession
          
           unlesse
           there
           be
           a
           
             certain
             ,
             perpetual
             ,
          
           and
           
             personal
          
           derivation
           of
           
             power
             ,
          
           there
           can
           be
           no
           
             certainty
             ,
          
           
           nor
           
             infallibility
          
           of
           the
           
             truth
          
           of
           such
           a
           
             power
             ;
          
           and
           whether
           the
           proof
           of
           this
           draws
           not
           with
           it
           a
           necessary
           and
           perpetual
           
             visibility
          
           of
           a
           
             Church
             ,
          
           (
           contrary
           to
           the
           opinion
           of
           all
           the
           Reformed
           Divines
           ;
           )
           and
           further
           ,
           a
           
             truth
          
           of
           
             Church-Ministery
             ,
          
           and
           
             Ordinances
          
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           in
           the
           
             Antichristian
             State
             ,
          
           from
           whence
           this
           
             Ministery
          
           of
           theirs
           comes
           ,
           by
           which
           they
           stand
           
             present-Presbyters
             ;
          
           and
           how
           any
           true
           
             Ministery
          
           can
           be
           found
           in
           that
           very
           Antichristian
           State
           ,
           which
           is
           called
           the
           
             man
          
           of
           
             sin
             ,
          
           the
           
             mystery
          
           of
           
             iniquity
             ,
          
           the
           
             Whore
          
           of
           
             Babylon
             ,
          
           the
           
             falling
             away
             ;
          
           and
           how
           the
           same
           State
           can
           be
           both
           meerly
           
             Antichristian
          
           and
           
             Christian
             ,
          
           a
           
             Whore
          
           of
           
             Babylon
          
           and
           a
           
             Spouse
          
           of
           
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
          
           a
           
             Ministery
          
           of
           
             God
          
           and
           a
           
             mystery
          
           of
           
             iniquity
             ,
          
           a
           
             Temple
          
           of
           
             God
          
           and
           of
           
             Idols
             ;
          
           I
           leave
           it
           to
           be
           judged
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           That
           these
           present
           
             pretended-Presbyters
          
           cannot
           be
           found
           true
           
             Presbyters
          
           but
           by
           such
           a
           personal
           and
           successively
           derived
           power
           ,
           will
           appear
           ▪
           from
           their
           present
           
             Model
          
           of
           
             Ordination
             ;
          
           they
           allowing
           and
           accounting
           none
           for
           
             Presbyters
          
           or
           
             Ministers
             ,
          
           but
           such
           as
           are
           sent
           out
           by
           their
           personal
           Ordination
           ,
           or
           were
           formerly
           ordained
           by
           Bishops
           ;
           so
           as
           they
           make
           these
           ,
           and
           these
           must
           make
           others
           ;
           and
           thus
           their
           power
           is
           derived
           from
           a
           
             personal
          
           and
           
             lineal
          
           succession
           ,
           and
           
             demonstratively
          
           proved
           from
           their
           own
           practice
           :
           nor
           will
           it
           help
           them
           that
           
             Jesus
             Christ
          
           alwayes
           had
           a
           
             Church
             ,
          
           or
           some
           
             invisible
             Saints
          
           under
           
             Antichrist
             ,
          
           because
           they
           must
           both
           prove
           themselvs
           &
           the
           
             Episcopal
          
           Ministery
           to
           succeed
           that
           very
           
             Church
          
           or
           those
           very
           
             invisible
             Saints
             ;
          
           and
           that
           ,
           that
           
             Church
          
           or
           those
           very
           
             Saints
             ,
          
           were
           
             Presbyters
          
           or
           
             Ministers
             ;
          
           for
           we
           know
           men
           may
           be
           
             Saints
             ,
          
           but
           not
           
             sent
             ,
          
           or
           
             ministerially
             
             sent
             ;
          
           good
           
             men
             ,
          
           but
           not
           good
           
             Presbyters
             ,
          
           as
           in
           their
           own
           way
           of
           practice
           will
           more
           appear
           :
           for
           if
           any
           shall
           now
           call
           himself
           a
           true
           Presbyter
           or
           Minister
           ,
           he
           must
           prove
           his
           sending
           to
           them
           by
           a
           personal
           Ordination
           ;
           which
           proof
           of
           their
           Ordination
           we
           demand
           from
           them
           ,
           as
           they
           would
           do
           now
           from
           any
           others
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           
           How
           these
           things
           can
           stand
           together
           .
           That
           the
           Divine
           Right
           is
           in
           the
           Congregational
           Presbytery
           ,
           as
           they
           acknowledge
           ;
           and
           yet
           that
           there
           is
           a
           Classical
           ,
           Provincial
           ,
           and
           National
           Presbytery
           ,
           which
           are
           but
           Prudential
           and
           Humane
           ,
           or
           Mixed
           Judicatures
           ,
           according
           to
           such
           a
           distinction
           ;
           and
           yet
           are
           allowed
           by
           them
           a
           Power
           Supreme
           and
           coercive
           to
           the
           Divine
           Right
           of
           the
           Congregational
           Presbytery
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           first
           and
           immediate
           subject
           of
           the
           Divine
           Right
           of
           Presbytery
           ,
           as
           they
           themselves
           acknowledge
           .
           And
           now
           whether
           do
           not
           their
           own
           Principles
           control
           that
           pretended
           Divine
           Right
           they
           plead
           for
           and
           set
           up
           ,
           
           a
           Presbytery
           of
           Charity
           and
           Prudence
           ,
           over
           the
           Presbytery
           in
           the
           particular
           Congregation
           ,
           which
           they
           say
           is
           onely
           of
           
             Divine
             Right
             ?
          
        
         
           4.
           
           How
           can
           that
           Presbytery
           whose
           constitution
           is
           so
           questionable
           ,
           chalenge
           such
           a
           Divine
           Right
           ?
           As
           first
           ,
           their
           Presbyters
           ,
           or
           first
           constituting
           Principle
           ,
           are
           ordained
           by
           a
           questionable
           power
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           that
           of
           Bishops
           .
        
         
           Their
           Ruling
           Elders
           by
           a
           power
           as
           questionable
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           by
           a
           
             Rule
          
           or
           
             Ordinance
          
           of
           
             Parliament
             ;
          
           prudential
           ,
           for
           trial
           ,
           for
           election
           ,
           because
           of
           the
           general
           corruption
           in
           this
           Kingdom
           both
           in
           Ministers
           and
           
           people
           ;
           not
           by
           that
           very
           Apostolical
           Scripture-Rule
           or
           Institution
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           .
        
         
           Their
           Congregations
           Parishional
           ,
           and
           of
           politick
           constitution
           ;
           not
           Congregational
           ,
           according
           to
           Scripture
           .
        
         
           Their
           way
           of
           constituting
           this
           present
           Presbytery
           extraordinary
           ,
           by
           such
           an
           Assembly
           ,
           without
           precept
           or
           example
           for
           such
           a
           Way
           in
           the
           whole
           New
           Testament
           ,
           from
           whence
           the
           whole
           Order
           of
           that
           dispensation
           ought
           to
           be
           framed
           ,
           and
           not
           from
           the
           Law
           ,
           or
           Old
           Testament
           ,
           or
           some
           cases
           of
           necessity
           in
           the
           State
           or
           Church
           of
           
             Israel
          
           by
           way
           of
           Analogie
           ,
           
           as
           they
           say
           in
           their
           Model
           to
           the
           Parliament
           .
        
         
           The
           
             Primitive
             Elders
          
           and
           
             Apostles
          
           were
           qualified
           immediately
           from
           the
           Spirit
           with
           
             gifts
          
           proper
           to
           such
           a
           Ministration
           ;
           which
           these
           
             Presbyters
          
           and
           
             Elders
          
           being
           not
           ,
           but
           most
           by
           gifts
           ,
           and
           habits
           of
           Art
           and
           Science
           acquired
           by
           industry
           :
           therefore
           these
           present
           
             Presbyters
          
           cannot
           chalenge
           the
           same
           power
           for
           
             Church-Censures
             ,
          
           without
           the
           same
           
             Spirit
          
           gifting
           them
           ,
           and
           
             anointing
             them
          
           to
           such
           a
           
             power
          
           and
           
             administration
          
           in
           the
           
             Church
             ;
          
           but
           ought
           to
           be
           content
           meerly
           with
           a
           
             mixed
          
           and
           partly
           prudential
           
             power
             ,
          
           because
           of
           the
           
             mixture
          
           of
           their
           anointing
           and
           gifts
           ,
           if
           they
           will
           needs
           have
           such
           a
           Government
           set
           up
           for
           
             Christ's
          
           ,
           which
           is
           not
           all
           
             Christs
             ,
          
           and
           most
           of
           that
           
             all
          
           very
           questionable
           whether
           of
           
             Christ
          
           or
           
             no
             .
          
        
         
           For
           all
           their
           proofs
           alleadged
           from
           
             Scripture
          
           for
           the
           
             Presbytery
          
           by
           
             Divine
             Right
             ,
          
           or
           of
           such
           
             Presbyters
          
           as
           were
           ordained
           either
           by
           
             Christ
          
           himself
           ,
           as
           the
           
             Apostles
             ;
          
           or
           by
           a
           power
           from
           the
           
             Apostles
             ,
          
           or
           from
           such
           who
           in
           that
           power
           received
           from
           the
           
             Apostles
             ,
          
           did
           
           
             ordain
             ,
          
           or
           by
           a
           
             power
          
           in
           the
           
             Church
          
           or
           
             Congregation
          
           preceding
           such
           a
           
             power
             ,
          
           and
           accompanying
           such
           a
           
             power
             :
          
           Now
           this
           present
           
             Presbytery
          
           can
           neither
           make
           it self
           appear
           to
           be
           so
           purely
           
             ordained
             ,
          
           nor
           have
           they
           the
           
             Church
          
           or
           
             Congregational
             power
          
           so
           preceding
           or
           accompanying
           such
           an
           
             Ordination
             ;
          
           nor
           is
           that
           act
           of
           
             Imposition
             of
             hands
          
           by
           which
           their
           
             present
             Presbyters
          
           stand
           Ministers
           ,
           a
           meer
           signe
           of
           setting
           apart
           ,
           or
           meerly
           significative
           ,
           but
           an
           
             Institution
          
           for
           
             gifts
          
           to
           be
           conferred
           :
           under
           the
           
             Law
             ,
          
           it
           was
           an
           empty
           and
           bare
           Rite
           ;
           but
           under
           the
           
             Gospel
             ,
          
           it
           cannot
           be
           proved
           to
           be
           such
           an
           empty
           Rite
           ;
           
             Gospel-signes
          
           being
           but
           
             few
             ,
             full
             ,
          
           and
           
             ministerial
          
           to
           the
           
             Spirit
             ;
          
           not
           meerly
           
             significatively-visible
             ,
          
           as
           the
           
             Institutions
          
           and
           
             Rites
          
           under
           the
           
             Law
          
           were
           .
           So
           as
           all
           being
           thus
           questionable
           still
           in
           this
           
             present
             Presbytery
             ;
          
           how
           can
           they
           so
           
             Apostolically
          
           chalenge
           such
           a
           
             Divine
             Right
             ,
          
           their
           present
           
             constitutions
          
           being
           
             mixt
             ,
             questionable
             ,
             fallible
             ,
          
           not
           one
           and
           the
           same
           with
           that
           
             primitive
             ,
             pure
             ,
             certain
             constitutions
          
           and
           
             practices
             ?
          
        
         
           Whereas
           it
           appears
           in
           their
           Scripture-proofs
           ,
           that
           both
           in
           
             Jerusalem
             ,
             Ephesus
             ,
             Crete
             ,
          
           &c.
           the
           
             Prebyters
          
           and
           
             Elders
          
           did
           constitute
           ,
           
             &c.
          
           and
           were
           most
           consulted
           with
           ,
           and
           advised
           ;
           and
           therefore
           they
           assume
           the
           same
           power
           ,
           and
           so
           force
           out
           rather
           then
           prove
           out
           their
           frame
           of
           their
           present
           
             Presbytery
          
           from
           such
           
             practices
             :
          
           I
           desire
           the
           Brethren
           to
           tell
           us
           whether
           the
           
             Word
          
           of
           the
           
             Gospel
          
           was
           then
           wholly
           in
           
             Scripture
          
           or
           
             writing
             ,
          
           but
           partly
           in
           the
           
             Spirit
          
           and
           
             gifts
          
           or
           
             teaching
             :
          
           and
           therefore
           the
           
             Eldership
          
           of
           the
           
             Churches
          
           then
           were
           so
           
             gifted
             ,
          
           as
           to
           
             direct
             ,
             constitute
             ,
             advise
             ;
          
           and
           from
           the
           
             ministration
          
           of
           
             gifts
          
           in
           the
           
             Eldership
             ,
          
           &c.
           the
           
             Institutions
             ,
             
             forms
          
           and
           
             Rules
          
           were
           given
           out
           into
           
             Scripture
          
           or
           
             writing
             ;
          
           which
           
             Scripture
          
           or
           
             written
             Word
          
           is
           now
           in
           the
           place
           of
           that
           
             infallible
             Primitive
             Eldership
             :
          
           and
           therefore
           for
           any
           Presbytery
           or
           Eldership
           to
           assume
           now
           such
           a
           power
           as
           the
           first
           did
           ,
           they
           do
           not
           onely
           without
           warrant
           substitute
           themselves
           to
           such
           a
           
             Presbytery
          
           or
           
             Eldership
          
           which
           stood
           by
           another
           
             anointing
          
           or
           
             spirit
          
           of
           gifts
           then
           themselves
           do
           ;
           but
           they
           sit
           down
           in
           the
           
             throne
          
           with
           the
           very
           
             Scripture
          
           or
           
             written
             Word
          
           of
           God
           ,
           casting
           a
           
             shadow
          
           upon
           the
           
             glory
          
           and
           
             infallibility
          
           of
           that
           Word
           ,
           by
           that
           
             present
             authority
          
           and
           
             power
          
           which
           they
           now
           chalenge
           in
           the
           interpretation
           of
           that
           Word
           in
           their
           
             Presbytery
             ,
          
           because
           by
           such
           a
           
             sure
          
           and
           
             certain
          
           power
           as
           
             Divine
             Right
          
           allows
           them
           ,
           they
           having
           not
           a
           sure
           and
           infallible
           Spirit
           for
           Church-censures
           ,
           or
           the
           execution
           of
           such
           a
           power
           ,
           may
           put
           forth
           a
           certain
           ,
           sure
           executive
           power
           ,
           by
           an
           uncertain
           ,
           unsure
           ,
           and
           fallible
           spirit
           .
           And
           so
           how
           proportionable
           a
           power
           of
           Divine
           Right
           ,
           is
           with
           a
           spirit
           not
           purely
           Divine
           ;
           and
           how
           proportionable
           a
           power
           of
           Church-censures
           acted
           by
           a
           gift
           not
           purely
           the
           Spirit's
           ,
           but
           rather
           the
           Universities
           and
           Schools
           ;
           and
           to
           joyn
           such
           an
           Eldership
           so
           with
           the
           infallible
           Word
           or
           Scripture
           ,
           which
           for
           want
           of
           that
           primitive
           or
           pure
           anointing
           by
           gifts
           ,
           shall
           control
           the
           pure
           Word
           of
           Truth
           ,
           by
           an
           Interpretation
           lesse
           then
           truth
           ,
           I
           leave
           to
           all
           the
           world
           of
           believers
           to
           judge
           .
        
         
           How
           such
           a
           visible
           power
           and
           Judge
           as
           a
           National
           Assembly
           of
           such
           a
           Presbytery
           ,
           can
           be
           set
           up
           ,
           which
           must
           judge
           all
           the
           
             Churches
          
           and
           
             Congregations
          
           of
           
             Christ
             ,
          
           all
           the
           
             Magistracy
          
           and
           State-power
           in
           the
           
           
             Kingdom
             ,
          
           they
           assuming
           to
           themselves
           a
           spirit
           of
           judging
           and
           discerning
           of
           sins
           :
           And
           whether
           by
           this
           power
           the
           Parliament
           of
           
             England
          
           shall
           not
           fall
           under
           the
           cognisance
           ,
           
           interpretation
           ,
           and
           censure
           of
           such
           an
           Assembly
           ,
           for
           some
           sins
           which
           they
           as
           a
           Civil
           power
           may
           commit
           ,
           especially
           dealing
           in
           Ecclesiastical
           causes
           :
           And
           then
           how
           far
           such
           a
           National
           Assembly
           may
           manage
           such
           crimes
           to
           the
           heightening
           of
           their
           own
           interest
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           troubling
           the
           interest
           of
           the
           State
           amongst
           the
           people
           ,
           I
           let
           all
           judge
           ,
           who
           know
           how
           the
           same
           visible
           Ecclesiastical
           Judge
           is
           condemned
           by
           all
           the
           Reformed
           Kingdoms
           under
           another
           notion
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           of
           the
           Antichrist
           ,
           and
           Pope
           ,
           and
           Councels
           :
           And
           how
           that
           Antichristian
           power
           and
           Judge
           in
           Ecclesiasticals
           hath
           troubled
           this
           and
           other
           Kingdoms
           ,
           to
           the
           embroiling
           them
           by
           excommunications
           into
           Wars
           and
           commotions
           (
           as
           in
           our
           Histories
           ,
           
             &c.
          
           )
           and
           hath
           at
           length
           taken
           up
           other
           weapons
           then
           the
           Word
           to
           make
           good
           their
           Ecclesiastical
           censures
           &
           interests
           .
        
         
           And
           whether
           this
           visible
           power
           under
           the
           form
           of
           Classical
           ,
           Provincial
           ,
           National
           ,
           Oecumenical
           ,
           be
           any
           other
           then
           the
           like
           Papal
           ,
           Episcopal
           power
           ,
           differing
           onely
           in
           form
           ,
           in
           Consistorial
           ,
           Provincial
           ,
           National
           ,
           Oecumenical
           Counsels
           and
           Synods
           ,
           the
           like
           spirit
           of
           Dominion
           ,
           ruling
           ,
           conventing
           ,
           excommunicating
           in
           each
           .
        
         
           
             Objection
             .
          
           
             But
             how
             will
             you
             do
             to
             satisfie
             Parliament
             ,
             Presbyterials
             ,
             and
             other
             dissenting
             Brethren
             ?
          
        
         
           
             Answ
             .
          
           Not
           that
           I
           will
           determine
           ,
           but
           propound
           for
           the
           
           Parliament
           :
           It
           appears
           that
           the
           State-conscience
           according
           to
           the
           present
           corrupt
           constitution
           both
           of
           Ministers
           ,
           and
           Elders
           ,
           and
           People
           of
           this
           Kingdom
           ,
           cannot
           yeeld
           a
           Divine
           Right
           to
           a
           Presbytery
           so
           constituted
           ;
           and
           therefore
           they
           are
           not
           to
           be
           forced
           to
           the
           judgement
           of
           the
           present
           Assembly
           ,
           no
           more
           then
           the
           Assembly
           do
           desire
           to
           be
           forced
           themselves
           to
           their
           judgement
           ;
           and
           therefore
           each
           is
           to
           enjoy
           their
           liberty
           in
           the
           Lord
           as
           they
           are
           perswaded
           .
        
         
           The
           State
           is
           to
           enjoy
           their
           liberty
           in
           their
           judgement
           of
           no
           Divine
           Right
           in
           this
           present
           Presbytery
           .
        
         
           The
           Assembly
           may
           enjoy
           theirs
           ,
           in
           their
           judgement
           of
           a
           pretended
           Divine
           Right
           of
           Presbytery
           in
           all
           Congregations
           ,
           which
           will
           conscienciously
           practice
           with
           them
           ,
           not
           seeking
           to
           make
           the
           State
           subservient
           to
           them
           by
           their
           Civil
           power
           ,
           which
           no
           Scripture-practice
           will
           warrant
           from
           any
           Eldership
           or
           Presbytery
           there
           :
           and
           thus
           the
           
             French
          
           Churches
           enjoy
           the
           Presbytery
           at
           this
           day
           ,
           having
           no
           Civil
           power
           to
           help
           them
           .
        
         
           And
           the
           other
           dissenting
           Brethren
           may
           enjoy
           their
           Divine
           Right
           too
           ,
           being
           as
           fully
           perswaded
           from
           Scripture
           of
           theirs
           as
           the
           other
           are
           of
           theirs
           ,
           and
           equally
           live
           under
           the
           same
           liberty
           ,
           and
           not
           trouble
           the
           State
           with
           any
           thing
           but
           their
           prayers
           and
           obedience
           .
        
         
           
             Objection
             .
          
           
             But
             the
             Brethren
             of
             the
             Assembly
             expect
             the
             Parliament
             should
             joyn
             with
             their
             results
             .
          
        
         
         
           
             Answ
             .
          
           I
           know
           not
           why
           they
           should
           expect
           that
           ,
           for
           they
           are
           no
           more
           infallibly
           gifted
           then
           their
           Brethren
           ,
           that
           they
           should
           expect
           more
           from
           the
           State
           then
           they
           .
        
         
           Their
           Ministery
           is
           as
           questionable
           .
        
         
           Their
           Interests
           are
           more
           in
           the
           world
           then
           the
           Interests
           of
           the
           first
           Presbyters
           were
           ,
           as
           in
           their
           maintenance
           by
           Tythes
           ,
           and
           in
           their
           power
           of
           Classical
           ,
           Provincial
           ,
           National
           ,
           the
           Kingdom
           being
           thus
           corrupted
           ,
           and
           in
           that
           subserviency
           and
           power
           of
           compulsion
           ,
           they
           demand
           of
           the
           Magistrate
           ,
           and
           Princes
           of
           the
           world
           .
        
         
           And
           why
           our
           dissenting
           Brethren
           may
           not
           with
           as
           much
           justice
           ,
           honour
           ,
           conscience
           ,
           desire
           the
           State
           to
           settle
           such
           a
           Gospel-order
           as
           they
           beleeve
           to
           be
           true
           ;
           the
           other
           being
           no
           more
           enabled
           to
           demand
           of
           the
           State
           any
           power
           for
           imposing
           their
           conclusions
           true
           by
           a
           power
           of
           the
           States
           own
           giving
           by
           Ordinance
           :
           And
           whether
           the
           State
           seeing
           no
           infallibility
           of
           spirit
           in
           any
           of
           all
           sides
           ,
           since
           what
           the
           Truth
           which
           they
           hold
           bring
           in
           its
           own
           evidence
           and
           demonstration
           before
           them
           ,
           ought
           to
           be
           pressed
           ,
           as
           bound
           to
           one
           by
           any
           Interest
           more
           then
           to
           another
           ,
           save
           that
           of
           Truth
           ,
           I
           leave
           to
           be
           considered
           ;
           and
           then
           ,
           what
           reason
           the
           Brethren
           have
           thus
           to
           presse
           their
           supposed
           Divine
           Right
           ,
           I
           desire
           to
           know
           .
        
         
           
             Objection
             .
          
           
             Whether
             is
             this
             to
             settle
             things
             according
             to
             Covenant
             ?
          
        
         
           
             Answ
             .
          
           Yea
           ,
           The
           Covenant
           binds
           us
           to
           Uniformity
           ;
           
           but
           then
           ,
           that
           clause
           
             According
             to
             the
             Word
             of
             God
          
           doth
           restrain
           the
           
             Uniformity
          
           to
           the
           light
           which
           each
           Kingdom
           sees
           by
           ,
           according
           to
           that
           
             Word
             ;
          
           and
           therefore
           our
           
             Brethren
          
           of
           
             Scotland
          
           see
           Presbytery
           in
           one
           degree
           ,
           the
           
             Hollanders
          
           in
           another
           ,
           and
           the
           
             French
          
           in
           another
           ,
           and
           at
           this
           time
           
             England
          
           in
           another
           ;
           and
           yet
           all
           should
           be
           one
           in
           that
           clause
           of
           the
           Covenant
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           to
           defend
           each
           other
           in
           their
           degrees
           of
           Reformation
           against
           the
           Common
           Enemy
           ,
           We
           
             Scotland
             ,
          
           and
           
             Scotland
          
           us
           ;
           and
           what
           a
           comely
           thing
           it
           is
           for
           Brethren
           to
           dwell
           together
           in
           
             Unity
             ,
          
           though
           they
           cannot
           in
           
             Uniformity
             !
          
        
      
       
         
           THE
           LAST
           PETITION
           OF
           THE
           Assembly
           ,
           for
           Divine
           Right
           in
           their
           present
           PRESBYTERY
           ,
           with
           Inferences
           upon
           it
           .
        
         
           
             PETITION
             .
          
           
             That
             the
             Provisions
             of
             Commissioners
             to
             judge
             the
             scandals
             not
             numerated
             ,
             appears
             to
             our
             consciences
             to
             be
             so
             contrary
             to
             that
             way
             of
             Government
             which
             Christ
             hath
             appointed
             in
             his
             Church
             .
          
        
         
         
           
             Inference
          
           Whence
           we
           may
           inferre
           ,
           that
           the
           Assembly
           doe
           suppose
           the
           Parliament
           and
           Commissioners
           to
           bee
           far
           below
           the
           Ministers
           and
           Eldership
           in
           spirituall
           gifts
           and
           discerning
           ,
           which
           I
           suppose
           cannot
           be
           well
           presumed
           ,
           considering
           the
           Assembly
           and
           Eldership
           now
           is
           not
           annointed
           with
           that
           pure
           spirit
           &
           gifts
           as
           the
           first
           were
           ;
           but
           with
           habits
           of
           Arts
           and
           Sciences
           ,
           and
           with
           some
           measure
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           which
           many
           both
           of
           the
           Parliament
           &
           Commissioners
           both
           may
           be
           ,
           and
           are
           enabled
           with
           as
           well
           as
           they
           ;
           and
           whether
           is
           not
           this
           to
           set
           up
           the
           old
           distinction
           of
           Layty
           and
           Clergy
           ,
           and
           to
           set
           the
           present
           Eldership
           and
           Presbytery
           upon
           a
           higher
           form
           then
           the
           Magistrate
           ?
           seeing
           the
           gifts
           are
           not
           so
           distinct
           as
           at
           first
           ,
           why
           should
           the
           Offices
           be
           so
           distinct
           ?
        
         
           
             Petition
          
           
             In
             that
             it
             giveth
             a
             power
             to
             judge
             of
             the
             fitnesse
             of
             Persons
             .
          
        
         
           
             Inference
          
           Whence
           we
           may
           inferre
           ,
           that
           they
           presume
           themselves
           to
           be
           that
           very
           Ministery
           and
           Eldership
           of
           Iesus
           Christ
           ,
           though
           both
           their
           Ministery
           is
           by
           Bishops
           ,
           and
           their
           Elders
           by
           a
           prudentiall
           constitution
           and
           election
           at
           this
           present
           ;
           and
           may
           not
           the
           Magistrate
           ,
           who
           is
           unquestionably
           the
           power
           of
           God
           ,
           
             Rom.
          
           13.
           appointed
           to
           be
           Iudge
           of
           good
           and
           evill
           ,
           more
           lawfully
           judge
           of
           sins
           and
           Gospel
           rules
           ,
           then
           they
           who
           are
           a
           questionable
           Ministery
           and
           Eldership
           in
           this
           present
           Presbytery
           ?
        
         
         
           
             Petition
          
           And
           to
           be
           so
           differing
           from
           all
           example
           of
           the
           best
           Reformed
           Churches
           ,
           and
           such
           a
           reall
           hinderance
           to
           the
           bringing
           the
           Churches
           of
           God
           in
           the
           three
           Kingdomes
           to
           the
           neerest
           conjunction
           and
           uniformity
           ,
           and
           in
           all
           these
           respects
           so
           disagreeable
           to
           our
           Covenant
           .
        
         
           
             Inference
          
           Whence
           we
           may
           inferre
           ,
           that
           if
           all
           do
           not
           believe
           as
           one
           believe
           ,
           it
           is
           pretended
           that
           all
           are
           in
           breach
           of
           Covenant
           ;
           and
           thus
           the
           Covenant
           is
           made
           a
           snare
           by
           interpretation
           ,
           and
           principles
           of
           spirituall
           compulsion
           implyed
           in
           the
           Covenant
           ,
           contrary
           to
           the
           Spirits
           wisdome
           who
           both
           allowes
           and
           advises
           the
           severall
           statures
           and
           measures
           of
           light
           ,
           the
           weak
           ,
           and
           the
           strong
           :
           and
           whether
           the
           Communion
           by
           unity
           is
           not
           a
           glorious
           supplement
           to
           the
           Rent
           of
           uniformity
           ,
           that
           of
           Vnity
           being
           in
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           that
           of
           Vniformity
           in
           the
           Letter
           ;
           and
           why
           should
           our
           Brethren
           thus
           bring
           down
           the
           State
           and
           Kingdom
           more
           to
           other
           Reformed
           Kingdomes
           ,
           or
           not
           rather
           rayse
           up
           the
           other
           Reformed
           Kingdomes
           to
           this
           ?
           and
           if
           any
           thing
           be
           revealed
           more
           to
           this
           Kingdome
           ,
           that
           hath
           sit
           by
           this
           long
           time
           ,
           why
           should
           not
           the
           other
           hold
           their
           peace
           ,
           and
           beleeving
           Kingdomes
           as
           beleevers
           walk
           with
           one
           another
           so
           farre
           as
           they
           have
           attayned
           ?
           and
           wherein
           they
           have
           not
           ,
           the
           Lord
           shall
           reveal
           even
           this
           unto
           them
           ;
           not
           but
           that
           this
           Kingdome
           ought
           to
           form
           it selfe
           into
           any
           Communion
           with
           the
           rest
           ,
           so
           farre
           as
           their
           ▪
           Communion
           excels
           ,
           and
           so
           the
           other
           into
           Communion
           with
           this
           ,
           so
           farre
           as
           this
           
           excels
           ,
           and
           both
           so
           farre
           to
           one
           another
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           perswaded
           ,
           not
           compelled
           ,
           which
           are
           no
           Arguments
           for
           Faith
           ,
           but
           Formality
           .
        
         
           
             Petition
          
           
             Doe
             humbly
             pray
             that
             the
             severall
             Elderships
             may
             be
             sufficiently
             enabled
             .
          
        
         
           
             Inference
          
           Whence
           we
           may
           inferre
           ,
           that
           their
           whole
           endeavour
           is
           ,
           to
           raise
           up
           the
           Interest
           of
           the
           Eldership
           and
           Presbytery
           into
           a
           distinct
           ,
           sole
           ,
           and
           Independent
           body
           and
           power
           ;
           which
           how
           conformable
           ,
           and
           obedient
           ,
           and
           consistent
           it
           may
           prove
           to
           and
           with
           the
           power
           of
           the
           State
           in
           one
           and
           the
           same
           Kingdome
           ,
           would
           be
           considered
           ,
           when
           such
           an
           Interest
           growes
           up
           from
           its
           infancy
           and
           first
           Reformation
           ,
           into
           a
           fuller
           and
           more
           perfect
           man
           :
           And
           whether
           their
           petitioning
           of
           a
           power
           from
           the
           State
           to
           compleat
           and
           make
           them
           an
           Eldership
           and
           Presbytery
           ,
           doth
           not
           imply
           a
           power
           in
           the
           State
           more
           or
           rather
           as
           fully
           Ecclesiasticall
           as
           their
           Presbytery
           ;
           for
           can
           the
           State
           give
           them
           any
           Ecclesiasticall
           power
           ,
           and
           have
           none
           in
           it selfe
           ?
           so
           as
           according
           to
           these
           Principles
           the
           State
           is
           Ecclesiasticall
           as
           well
           as
           they
           ,
           and
           so
           not
           to
           be
           denyed
           the
           power
           of
           Commissioning
           with
           them
           :
           or
           else
           t
           is
           a
           meer
           contradiction
           to
           pray
           for
           power
           from
           those
           to
           their
           Eldership
           and
           Presbytery
           ,
           which
           they
           say
           is
           a
           Government
           and
           Power
           entirely
           Ecclesiasticall
           and
           compleat
           in
           it selfe
           ;
           and
           so
           ,
           as
           they
           either
           pray
           for
           that
           which
           they
           have
           of
           their
           own
           already
           ,
           or
           else
           pray
           for
           that
           from
           the
           State
           which
           they
           cannot
           give
           them
           .
        
         
         
           
             Petition
          
           
             It
             belongs
             unto
             them
             by
             Divine
             Right
             and
             by
             the
             will
             and
             appointment
             of
             Iesus
             Christ
             ;
             which
             with
             the
             help
             of
             superiour
             Assemblies
             in
             cases
             of
             appeale
             ,
             or
             in
             all
             administrations
             therein
             ,
             will
             prevent
             (
             through
             the
             blessing
             of
             God
             )
             all
             the
             feared
             inconveniences
             .
          
        
         
           
             Inference
             .
          
           Whence
           we
           may
           inferre
           ,
           that
           the
           Prebsytery
           and
           Eldership
           of
           a
           Congregation
           is
           of
           Divine
           Right
           ,
           &c.
           yet
           that
           Divine
           Right
           is
           perfected
           and
           compleated
           by
           that
           which
           is
           not
           of
           as
           pure
           Divine
           Right
           as
           it selfe
           ,
           
             viz.
             Superiour
             Assemblies
             ;
          
           and
           so
           becomes
           neither
           purely
           Prudentiall
           ,
           nor
           Divine
           ,
           but
           Mixt
           ,
           and
           so
           is
           neither
           good
           Divine
           ,
           nor
           good
           Humane
           Right
           .
        
         
           
             Petition
          
           
             And
             the
             Magistrate
             to
             whom
             we
             professe
             the
             Church
             to
             be
             accountable
             for
             their
             proceedings
             in
             all
             their
             Elderships
             and
             Church
             Assemblies
             ,
             and
             punishable
             by
             him
             with
             civill
             censures
             for
             their
             miscarriages
             .
          
        
         
           
             Inference
             .
          
           Whence
           we
           may
           inferre
           ,
           that
           the
           Civill
           Magistrate
           is
           neither
           over
           nor
           under
           the
           Presbytery
           ,
           and
           where
           they
           place
           it
           ,
           who
           can
           tell
           by
           this
           Petition
           of
           theirs
           ?
           for
           over
           it
           the
           Magistrate
           is
           not
           ;
           for
           they
           say
           Commissioners
           over
           them
           are
           not
           sufferable
           ;
           and
           under
           it
           they
           say
           the
           Magistrate
           is
           not
           ,
           for
           their
           Eldership
           and
           Presbytery
           are
           to
           be
           accountable
           to
           the
           Civill
           power
           for
           their
           miscarriages
           ;
           and
           how
           at
           the
           same
           time
           they
           should
           subject
           their
           Churches
           in
           
           their
           mal
           Administrations
           to
           the
           Magistrates
           power
           of
           judging
           ,
           and
           yet
           chalenge
           such
           an
           entire
           ,
           sole
           ,
           supream
           ,
           and
           Ecclesiasticall
           Judicature
           ,
           is
           a
           mystery
           becoming
           the
           learning
           of
           that
           same
           Assembly
           to
           reveale
           which
           first
           begun
           it
           .
        
      
       
         
           Principles
           against
           the
           Divine
           Right
           of
           their
           present
           Presbytery
           extracted
           from
           the
           Reasons
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           THey
           are
           no
           such
           Presbyters
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           as
           the
           first
           were
           ,
           because
           ordained
           by
           an
           Antichristian
           power
           of
           Bishops
           ;
           nor
           were
           Bishops
           true
           Presbyters
           ,
           nor
           those
           who
           joyned
           with
           them
           in
           their
           Ordination
           who
           were
           made
           by
           them
           ,
           nor
           is
           there
           any
           succession
           of
           Ordination
           ,
           but
           it
           implies
           both
           a
           Perpetuall
           Visible
           Church
           ,
           and
           a
           true
           Church
           Ministery
           and
           Ordinances
           under
           Antichrist
           ,
           which
           are
           all
           to
           be
           proved
           by
           them
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           If
           there
           were
           any
           such
           true
           Church
           invisible
           under
           Antichrist
           ,
           to
           which
           they
           succeed
           in
           their
           Ministery
           ,
           then
           it
           must
           appeare
           that
           they
           succeed
           that
           very
           invisible
           Church
           ,
           and
           that
           that
           very
           invisible
           Church
           had
           a
           true
           Ministery
           or
           Presbytery
           in
           it
           ;
           for
           men
           may
           be
           Saints
           ,
           or
           good
           men
           ,
           yet
           not
           good
           Presbyters
           ,
           or
           Ministerially
           sent
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           As
           they
           now
           in
           their
           practice
           will
           not
           account
           any
           for
           true
           Presbyters
           but
           such
           who
           can
           prove
           to
           them
           their
           personall
           Ordination
           from
           them
           ,
           so
           we
           demand
           of
           these
           Presbyters
           an
           account
           of
           their
           personall
           
           succession
           accordingly
           ,
           which
           personall
           succession
           if
           it
           be
           false
           and
           interrupted
           anywhere
           in
           the
           Line
           ,
           must
           needs
           be
           all
           false
           ,
           from
           such
           a
           point
           where
           the
           first
           interruption
           was
           made
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           Though
           Christs
           promise
           is
           enough
           to
           ground
           a
           perpetuity
           of
           Church
           and
           Christs
           presence
           ,
           yet
           not
           of
           his
           promise
           made
           good
           to
           such
           particular
           men
           ,
           or
           to
           their
           pretended
           succession
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           They
           that
           challenge
           a
           Divine
           Right
           to
           the
           power
           they
           act
           by
           ,
           must
           act
           by
           a
           gift
           as
           divine
           and
           infallible
           as
           their
           right
           and
           power
           ,
           and
           thus
           did
           the
           primitive
           Presbyters
           and
           Elders
           ;
           therefore
           the
           gift
           now
           being
           but
           mixt
           ,
           their
           right
           or
           power
           is
           but
           mixt
           accordingly
           ,
           and
           not
           Divine
           .
        
         
           6.
           
           They
           who
           were
           Elders
           or
           Presbyters
           in
           the
           first
           Churches
           ,
           as
           
             Ierusalem
             ,
          
           &c.
           were
           gifted
           by
           a
           spirit
           which
           taught
           the
           very
           infallible
           Word
           which
           is
           now
           written
           or
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           so
           they
           then
           did
           constitute
           ,
           advise
           ,
           counsell
           in
           the
           place
           of
           this
           written
           Word
           ;
           and
           all
           Scripture
           Formes
           and
           Institutions
           were
           then
           in
           the
           gift
           ,
           and
           persons
           ;
           but
           no
           such
           thing
           can
           be
           said
           of
           any
           Eldership
           or
           Presbytery
           of
           men
           now
           .
        
         
           7.
           
           They
           who
           set
           up
           an
           Eldership
           or
           Presbytery
           now
           of
           Divine
           Right
           ,
           to
           constitute
           ,
           ordain
           ,
           counsell
           ,
           &c.
           doe
           joyn
           to
           the
           Word
           written
           ,
           or
           infallible
           Scripture
           ,
           a
           Power
           lesse
           infallibly
           gifted
           ,
           who
           by
           such
           a
           Divine
           Right
           and
           Power
           pretended
           ,
           shall
           controll
           the
           Word
           of
           Truth
           ,
           by
           Interpretations
           of
           that
           word
           lesse
           then
           truth
           ,
           which
           is
           not
           consistent
           with
           the
           glory
           of
           the
           Word
           .
        
         
           8.
           
           There
           is
           no
           Eldership
           or
           Presbytery
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           
           but
           either
           the
           Churches
           Act
           did
           precede
           it
           ,
           act
           it
           ,
           or
           accompany
           it
           ,
           by
           precept
           or
           practice
           ,
           which
           makes
           the
           Divine
           Right
           of
           the
           Presbytery
           questionable
           ,
           uncertaine
           ,
           unsafe
           ,
           because
           of
           a
           contrary
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           precept
           .
        
         
           9.
           
           The
           Eldership
           and
           Presbytery
           which
           are
           brought
           for
           instances
           are
           questionable
           ;
           first
           for
           the
           Persons
           ,
           who
           were
           not
           such
           very
           Presbyters
           as
           they
           would
           imply
           ,
           but
           Apostles
           ,
           Evangelists
           ,
           &c.
           or
           otherwise
           ordained
           ,
           either
           by
           Apostles
           ,
           or
           Church
           ,
           or
           otherwise
           gifted
           by
           speciall
           unction
           ,
           or
           else
           an
           Eldership
           of
           eminency
           not
           of
           Office
           .
        
         
           10.
           
           They
           hold
           this
           Divine
           Right
           is
           in
           the
           first
           subject
           in
           the
           Congregationall
           Presbytery
           ,
           and
           yet
           they
           set
           up
           a
           Classicall
           ,
           Provinciall
           ,
           Nationall
           Presbytery
           to
           compleat
           and
           controll
           this
           of
           the
           Congregationall
           ;
           and
           how
           this
           their
           Divine
           Right
           can
           be
           subjected
           thus
           to
           a
           right
           lesse
           Divine
           ,
           is
           unreasonable
           ,
           and
           unscripturall
           to
           imagine
           .
        
         
           11.
           
           Suppose
           such
           a
           power
           as
           a
           Nationall
           Presbytery
           collected
           from
           all
           parts
           of
           the
           Kingdome
           ,
           every
           Congregation
           having
           an
           Interest
           ,
           or
           part
           there
           ,
           and
           this
           Presbytery
           so
           Nationall
           and
           Collective
           inforformed
           by
           a
           Divine
           Right
           ,
           for
           judging
           sins
           ,
           &c.
           shall
           not
           this
           Nationall
           Presbytery
           take
           cognizance
           of
           States
           ,
           if
           sinning
           ,
           Ecclesiastically
           as
           well
           as
           others
           ?
           and
           if
           so
           ,
           what
           proceeding
           ,
           what
           censures
           will
           follow
           from
           such
           a
           body
           as
           universall
           as
           the
           body
           of
           that
           State
           ,
           &
           of
           as
           much
           interest
           in
           the
           Kingdom
           as
           they
           ,
           &
           of
           more
           interest
           ,
           by
           how
           much
           more
           Divine
           a
           Right
           they
           act
           by
           ,
           and
           by
           how
           much
           neerer
           they
           are
           seated
           to
           the
           conscience
           ,
           and
           how
           Kingdomes
           have
           
           been
           embroyled
           by
           such
           an
           Ecclesiasticall
           Interest
           ,
           Histories
           will
           tell
           yee
           ?
        
         
           12.
           
           So
           as
           in
           this
           strait
           when
           Parliament
           is
           perswaded
           of
           no
           Divine
           Right
           ,
           Assembly
           of
           a
           Divine
           Right
           ,
           and
           the
           Dissenting
           Brethren
           of
           another
           Divine
           Right
           ;
           is
           not
           the
           way
           this
           ,
           to
           let
           the
           Parliament
           have
           their
           Liberty
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           to
           settle
           no
           Divine
           Right
           ,
           by
           a
           Power
           ;
           and
           the
           Assembly
           to
           use
           their
           Liberty
           in
           a
           Divine
           Right
           ,
           with
           all
           that
           will
           peaceably
           joyn
           with
           them
           in
           the
           Kingdome
           under
           that
           Power
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           trouble
           the
           Magistrate
           further
           ;
           and
           the
           other
           Brethren
           as
           peaceably
           to
           enjoy
           their
           other
           Divine
           Right
           ,
           as
           the
           Brethren
           of
           the
           Presbyteriall
           way
           theirs
           ,
           and
           all
           alike
           under
           the
           same
           Civill
           Power
           ,
           and
           neither
           of
           them
           with
           it
           ,
           and
           all
           other
           Reformed
           Kingdoms
           ,
           in
           unity
           of
           the
           spirit
           ,
           and
           love
           ,
           to
           one
           another
           ?
        
      
       
         
           Principles
           destructive
           to
           their
           present
           Petition
           extracted
           from
           the
           Inferences
           .
        
         
           
             1.
             
             The
             Presbytery
             now
             not
             so
             distinct
             in
             gifts
             and
             office
             ,
             but
             the
             Magistrate
             may
             rule
             with
             them
             .
          
           
             THe
             Eldership
             ,
             and
             Presbytery
             in
             the
             Primitive
             Churches
             had
             a
             spirit
             anointing
             them
             to
             such
             Administrations
             ;
             but
             now
             as
             the
             anointing
             is
             not
             so
             ,
             nor
             is
             the
             Office
             pure
             ,
             peculiar
             ,
             and
             distinct
             ;
             the
             Magistrates
             
             and
             Parliament
             have
             gifts
             as
             spirituall
             as
             there
             are
             any
             now
             in
             the
             pretended
             Presbytery
             ,
             and
             may
             therefore
             as
             well
             put
             forth
             a
             Power
             in
             their
             Churches
             or
             Congregations
             ,
             as
             they
             ,
             unlesse
             their
             Churches
             ,
             Officers
             ,
             and
             Gifts
             ,
             were
             more
             Christs
             ,
             then
             they
             are
             .
          
        
         
           
             2.
             
             The
             Magistrate
             may
             better
             rule
             then
             the
             Eldership
             or
             present
             Presbytery
             .
          
           
             The
             Magistrate
             is
             unquestionably
             a
             Power
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             present
             Presbyterie
             are
             Officers
             questionable
             in
             their
             Offices
             ,
             Gifts
             ,
             &c.
             therefore
             the
             Magistrate
             may
             more
             lawfully
             put
             forth
             a
             Power
             coercive
             to
             sinne
             then
             they
             .
          
        
         
           
             3.
             
             Vniformity
             in
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             is
             the
             Vniformity
             of
             Churches
             .
          
           
             They
             that
             presse
             the
             Covenant
             for
             Vniformity
             so
             penally
             as
             they
             doe
             ,
             make
             it
             a
             snare
             of
             compulsion
             ,
             not
             in
             the
             Word
             of
             it
             ,
             but
             in
             their
             Interpretation
             of
             that
             Word
             ;
             unity
             in
             the
             spirit
             ,
             makes
             up
             the
             want
             of
             Vniformity
             in
             the
             letter
             ;
             Kingdomes
             are
             to
             be
             no
             more
             compelled
             to
             uniformity
             in
             Lawes
             Ecclesiasticall
             then
             in
             Civill
             ,
             but
             may
             walk
             together
             as
             Believers
             so
             far
             as
             they
             have
             attained
             ;
             that
             clause
             
               according
               to
               the
               Word
               of
               God
               ,
            
             makes
             roome
             for
             the
             severall
             statures
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             measures
             of
             light
             in
             the
             
             Covenant
             ,
             and
             they
             that
             agree
             in
             that
             are
             truly
             Vniforme
             ,
             for
             it
             is
             the
             uniformity
             with
             the
             
               Word
               ,
            
             not
             with
             
               one
               another
               ,
            
             but
             so
             far
             as
             we
             are
             all
             alike
             in
             that
             
               Word
               ,
            
             which
             is
             the
             very
             Vniformity
             of
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Christ
             .
          
        
         
           
             4.
             
             The
             Magistrate
             as
             they
             now
             make
             him
             is
             Ecclesiasticall
             as
             well
             as
             they
             .
          
           
             They
             that
             ascribe
             a
             Power
             to
             any
             to
             compleat
             and
             actuate
             them
             in
             their
             Ministration
             ,
             do
             acknowledge
             that
             very
             Power
             by
             which
             they
             are
             informed
             to
             be
             in
             those
             that
             so
             informe
             and
             compleat
             them
             ,
             so
             as
             the
             very
             Petitioning
             a
             State
             for
             Power
             and
             qualification
             for
             Eldership
             and
             Presbytery
             ,
             doth
             imply
             a
             Presbyterall
             and
             Ecclesiasticall
             Power
             in
             that
             State
             ,
             and
             if
             so
             ,
             the
             Magistrate
             may
             as
             well
             govern
             in
             that
             Church
             ,
             as
             any
             Ruling
             Officer
             they
             have
             .
          
        
         
           
             5.
             
             The
             present
             Presbytery
             in
             mystery
             ,
             both
             over
             and
             under
             the
             Magistrate
             .
          
           
             They
             that
             are
             a
             Magistracy
             neither
             over
             nor
             under
             the
             Presbytery
             ,
             tell
             me
             in
             what
             spheare
             or
             where
             rule
             they
             ?
             for
             
               over
               it
               ,
            
             they
             are
             not
             ,
             
               Commissioners
               they
               say
               are
               contrary
               to
               the
               word
               ;
            
             and
             
               under
               it
               ,
            
             they
             are
             not
             ,
             for
             their
             
               Presbytery
            
             is
             
               accountable
               as
               they
               say
               unto
               it
               ,
            
             
             so
             as
             they
             who
             are
             so
             much
             in
             the
             
               dark
            
             with
             their
             
               Government
               ,
            
             doe
             with
             
               Magistracy
            
             they
             know
             not
             
               what
               ,
            
             and
             would
             place
             it
             they
             know
             not
             
               where
               .
            
          
        
      
       
       
         
           The
           Position
           being
           a
           safer
           way
           for
           the
           Magistrate
           then
           the
           Erastian
           ,
           and
           how
           the
           Presbyteriall
           Brethren
           cannot
           justly
           exclude
           him
           from
           ruling
           with
           them
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           present
           constitution
           both
           of
           the
           pretended
           Church
           and
           Presbytery
           .
        
         
           That
           the
           Magistrate
           or
           Parliament
           cannot
           be
           excluded
           from
           Government
           in
           this
           present
           Presbytery
           as
           the
           present
           Assembly
           would
           exclude
           them
           ,
           because
           this
           Kingdom
           of
           
             England
          
           is
           not
           a
           Church
           in
           Gospel
           order
           ,
           but
           a
           Kingdome
           of
           Beleevers
           in
           generall
           ,
           and
           because
           their
           present
           Presbyters
           and
           Elders
           are
           no
           true
           Presbyters
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           according
           to
           Gospel-order
           ;
           and
           till
           both
           this
           Nationall
           Church
           and
           Officers
           bee
           that
           very
           Kingdome
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           those
           very
           Officers
           of
           Christ
           ,
           the
           Magistrate
           may
           as
           lawfully
           ,
           yea
           more
           lawfully
           rule
           then
           any
           other
           pretended
           Officer
           ,
           Minister
           ,
           or
           Elder
           amongst
           them
           ;
           for
           Magistrates
           have
           the
           whole
           Kingdome
           of
           the
           world
           allowed
           from
           God
           for
           their
           place
           of
           Government
           :
           And
           this
           Kingdom
           of
           
             England
          
           being
           but
           a
           Kingdom
           or
           world
           of
           Beleevers
           ,
           not
           a
           Church
           ,
           they
           may
           as
           they
           are
           powers
           of
           God
           rule
           amongst
           them
           ;
           Iesus
           Christ
           being
           only
           King
           and
           head
           in
           that
           Church
           or
           Kingdom
           which
           is
           more
           his
           own
           ,
           and
           the
           Magistrates
           Kings
           for
           him
           in
           that
           Kingdom
           which
           is
           the
           world
           ,
           or
           lesse
           his
           owne
           :
           so
           as
           the
           Presbyteriall
           Brethren
           cannot
           exclude
           the
           Civill
           power
           from
           governing
           with
           them
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           unsound
           constitution
           of
           their
           Church
           ,
           Ministers
           
           and
           Elders
           ;
           nor
           till
           they
           have
           proved
           the
           truth
           both
           of
           their
           very
           Church
           ,
           Ministery
           ,
           and
           Eldership
           ;
           for
           all
           Scripture
           proofes
           of
           Eldership
           and
           Presbytery
           is
           respective
           to
           the
           true
           
             Presbytery
          
           and
           
             Eldership
             ;
          
           according
           to
           
             truth
             ,
          
           not
           to
           every
           pretended
           
             Presbytery
          
           and
           
             Eldership
          
           of
           the
           Nations
           ;
           so
           as
           till
           the
           very
           
             Constituting
             Principles
          
           of
           
             Presbytery
          
           be
           proved
           
             true
             ,
          
           no
           Scripture
           either
           alledged
           for
           
             Presbytery
          
           belongs
           to
           them
           ,
           nor
           any
           other
           by
           which
           they
           would
           exclude
           the
           Magistrate
           ,
           as
           from
           the
           
             Church
          
           of
           
             Christ
             .
          
        
      
       
         
           Conclusion
           .
        
         
           These
           few
           things
           I
           have
           writ
           to
           draw
           forth
           the
           strength
           of
           others
           in
           a
           thing
           of
           this
           Nature
           ,
           which
           is
           of
           as
           high
           concernment
           in
           the
           things
           of
           Gospel-order
           ,
           as
           any
           point
           now
           abroad
           ,
           for
           surely
           it
           is
           not
           a
           
             Vniversity
             ,
          
           a●Cambridge
           or
           
             Oxford
             ,
          
           a
           
             Pulpit
          
           and
           
             Black
             gowne
          
           or
           
             Cloak
             ,
          
           makes
           one
           a
           true
           Minister
           of
           
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
          
           though
           these
           are
           the
           best
           things
           in
           the
           composition
           of
           some
           ;
           the
           Mystery
           of
           Iniquity
           hath
           deceived
           the
           world
           with
           a
           
             False
          
           and
           
             Artificiall
          
           unction
           for
           that
           true
           one
           of
           the
           
             Spirit
             ;
          
           and
           the
           Ministery
           hath
           been
           so
           cloathed
           with
           
             Art
          
           and
           
             Habit
             ,
          
           that
           if
           the
           Apostles
           should
           live
           again
           ,
           and
           preach
           in
           that
           plainnesse
           they
           came
           ,
           they
           would
           be
           as
           despised
           ;
           for
           we
           wonder
           after
           the
           
             Wise
             ,
          
           the
           
             Scribe
             ,
          
           and
           the
           
             Disputer
          
           of
           this
           
             World
             .
          
        
      
       
         FINIS
         .
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A93581e-280
           
             See
             Ordin.
             
               Jun.
            
             12.
             1043.
             p.
             4.
             
          
           
             2
             Pet.
             1.
             17.
             
          
        
         
           Notes for div A93581e-630
           
             See
             their
             
               Humble
               Advice
               .
            
          
           
             See
             in
             their
             
               Humble
               Advice
               ,
               &c.
            
             to
             the
             Parl.
             Manuscr
             .
             
               Pag.
            
             4.
             
          
           
             See
             the
             
               Humble
               Advice
               ,
            
             &c.
             of
             the
             Assembly
             ,
             in
             Manu
             .
          
           
             See
             in
             their
             last
             Petition
             .
          
        
         
           Notes for div A93581e-3590
           
             See
             
               Petition
               .