The Trojan horse of the Presbyteriall government vnbowelled wherein is contained, I. The power of the Presbyterian government, II. The persons in whom this power is placed, III. The exercise of the Presbyterian power in Scotland, and the lawes there imposed on the peoples necks.
         Parker, Henry, 1604-1652.
      
       
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             The Trojan horse of the Presbyteriall government vnbowelled wherein is contained, I. The power of the Presbyterian government, II. The persons in whom this power is placed, III. The exercise of the Presbyterian power in Scotland, and the lawes there imposed on the peoples necks.
             Parker, Henry, 1604-1652.
          
           [2], 22 p.
           
             s.n.],
             [London :
             1646.
          
           
             Attributed to Henry Parker. Cf. DNB, McAlpin Coll.
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Church of Scotland -- Government.
           Presbyterian Church -- Government.
        
      
    
       A56328  R5914  (Wing P427).  civilwar no The Trojan horse of the Presbyteriall government vnbovvelled. Wherein is contained, I. The power of the Presbyterian government. II. The per [no entry] 1646    9078 5 10 0 0 0 0 17 C  The  rate of 17 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 
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           THE
           TROJAN
           HORSE
           OF
           THE
           Presbyteriall
           Government
           VNBOVVELLED
           .
        
         
           Wherein
           is
           contained
           ,
           
             
               
                 I.
              
               The
               power
               of
               the
               Presbyterian
               Government
               .
            
             
               
                 II.
              
               The
               persons
               in
               whom
               this
               power
               is
               placed
            
             
               
                 III.
              
               The
               exercise
               of
               the
               Presbyterian
               power
               in
               
                 Scotland
                 ,
              
               and
               the
               Lawes
               there
               imposed
               on
               the
               peoples
               necks
               .
            
          
        
         
           Printed
           in
           the
           Yeere
           1646.
           
        
      
    
     
       
       
       
         
           THE
           TROJAN
           HORSE
           OF
           THE
           Presbyteriall
           Government
           Unbowelled
           .
        
         
           OF
           the
           Scottish
           Form
           of
           Church-Government
           ,
           I
           have
           observed
           ,
           That
           it
           hath
           been
           the
           studious
           endeavour
           of
           many
           men
           to
           procure
           the
           establishment
           of
           it
           amongst
           us
           ,
           as
           appears
           by
           the
           importunity
           of
           divers
           Petitions
           to
           that
           purpose
           presented
           to
           the
           Parliament
           ;
           and
           that
           upon
           pretence
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           thereto
           engaged
           by
           the
           Solemne
           League
           and
           Covenant
           .
           I
           note
           also
           ,
           That
           the
           Parliament
           hath
           artificially
           declined
           the
           establishment
           thereof
           ,
           by
           ordaining
           Commissioners
           in
           every
           County
           to
           superintend
           the
           proceedings
           of
           the
           Presbyteries
           ,
           and
           to
           receive
           Appeals
           from
           them
           ,
           and
           by
           reserving
           the
           Supreme
           Power
           of
           the
           last
           sentence
           ,
           in
           themselves
           :
           and
           that
           they
           have
           so
           firmely
           adhered
           to
           this
           their
           Ordinance
           ,
           as
           that
           they
           could
           not
           be
           removed
           from
           their
           resolution
           by
           the
           most
           potent
           sollicitations
           .
        
         
           This
           great
           difference
           of
           judgement
           between
           persons
           so
           considerable
           ,
           hath
           induced
           me
           to
           use
           my
           best
           diligence
           to
           understand
           the
           nature
           of
           that
           Government
           ,
           about
           which
           they
           doe
           so
           perniciously
           disagree
           .
        
         
           To
           that
           end
           ,
           I
           have
           carefully
           informed
           my
           judgement
           ,
           by
           considering
           the
           Frame
           of
           it
           ,
           an
           it
           is
           set
           downe
           in
           that
           Modell
           of
           Discipline
           which
           is
           contained
           in
           their
           Psalme-Book
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           
           two
           Bookes
           of
           Discipline
           ,
           and
           the
           Confession
           of
           their
           Faith
           :
           some
           of
           which
           I
           know
           ,
           and
           all
           of
           them
           I
           beleeve
           to
           be
           now
           the
           Muniments
           of
           that
           Church
           .
        
         
           If
           they
           be
           ,
           I
           think
           I
           have
           truly
           collected
           from
           them
           ,
           that
           their
           Church-Government
           is
           pernicious
           to
           Civill
           Power
           ,
           grievous
           to
           such
           as
           must
           live
           under
           it
           ,
           and
           apt
           to
           disturb
           the
           common
           Peace
           :
           and
           that
           therefore
           those
           that
           are
           so
           earnest
           for
           it
           ,
           (
           at
           the
           best
           )
           doe
           but
           aske
           they
           know
           not
           what
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           Parliament
           have
           reason
           to
           deny
           their
           requests
           .
        
         
           If
           they
           be
           not
           ,
           they
           are
           the
           more
           to
           blame
           that
           seek
           to
           obtrude
           that
           yoke
           upon
           us
           ,
           and
           inforce
           it
           by
           the
           obligation
           of
           an
           Oath
           ,
           which
           they
           regard
           not
           before
           hand
           to
           acquaint
           us
           with
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           knowingly
           (
           as
           men
           and
           Christians
           )
           resolve
           what
           is
           fit
           for
           us
           to
           doe
           .
        
         
           Howsoever
           ,
           I
           have
           determined
           to
           put
           into
           this
           Form
           ,
           my
           Collections
           concerning
           that
           Government
           and
           Discipline
           ,
           together
           with
           the
           Grounds
           from
           whence
           they
           are
           drawne
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           be
           to
           my selfe
           a
           testimony
           ,
           that
           I
           have
           not
           neglected
           the
           meanes
           of
           mine
           own
           information
           ,
           &
           if
           any
           others
           shall
           happen
           to
           see
           them
           ,
           that
           they
           (
           beholding
           at
           once
           the
           inference
           and
           the
           evidence
           )
           may
           pronounce
           as
           they
           shall
           find
           cause
           .
        
         
           And
           I
           shall
           observe
           this
           order
           ,
           to
           consider
           severally
           ,
           First
           ,
           the
           Power
           which
           the
           Scots
           challenge
           as
           due
           to
           their
           Form
           of
           Church-Government
           ,
           and
           what
           Bounds
           they
           set
           betweene
           it
           and
           the
           Civill
           Power
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           the
           persons
           in
           whom
           it
           is
           placed
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
           the
           manner
           how
           it
           is
           exercised
           ,
           and
           the
           Lawes
           which
           it
           imposeth
           on
           the
           people
           .
        
         
           
             Of
             the
             Power
             of
             the
             Presbyterian
             Government
             .
          
           
             THere
             are
             but
             two
             wayes
             to
             bound
             it
             ,
             that
             it
             overflow
             not
             all
             .
             The
             one
             ,
             the
             subordination
             of
             the
             Nationall
             Assembly
             to
             an
             Oecumenicall
             ;
             and
             though
             I
             know
             nothing
             to
             the
             contrary
             ,
             but
             that
             they
             acknowledge
             this
             subordination
             ,
             yet
             no
             use
             can
             be
             made
             of
             it
             ,
             (
             as
             things
             now
             stand
             )
             because
             in
             these
             sad
             divisions
             of
             Christendome
             ,
             a
             generall
             Councell
             cannot
             be
             called
             :
             The
             other
             ,
             the
             sobordination
             thereof
             to
             the
             Civill
             Power
             ,
             which
             being
             the
             onely
             meanes
             to
             keep
             them
             within
             their
             limits
             ,
             it
             is
             necessary
             to
             consider
             what
             respect
             the
             Presbyterians
             give
             unto
             
             it
             .
             They
             would
             seem
             to
             ascribe
             much
             to
             the
             Civill
             Magistrate
             ,
             for
             they
             acknowledge
             ,
             that
             the
             Civill
             Power
             is
             Gods
             Ordinance
             ,
             which
             they
             that
             goe
             about
             to
             take
             away
             ,
             or
             confound
             ,
             are
             enemies
             of
             mankind
             ,
             and
             of
             Gods
             expresse
             will
             ,
             that
             the
             Civill
             Magistrates
             are
             to
             be
             highly
             esteemed
             ,
             that
             to
             them
             chiefly
             and
             principally
             the
             conservation
             and
             purgation
             of
             Religion
             appertaineth
             :
             and
             therefore
             it
             is
             sinfull
             to
             resist
             them
             .
             
               Large
               Confes.
               of
               Faith
               ,
               Artic.
            
             25.
             
          
           
             They
             affirme
             ,
             That
             the
             Ministers
             and
             others
             of
             the
             Ecclesiasticall
             Estate
             are
             subject
             to
             the
             Magistrate
             Civill
             in
             externall
             things
             :
             and
             that
             the
             Civill
             Power
             may
             command
             the
             Spirituall
             to
             doe
             their
             office
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             .
             2.
             
             
               Booke
               of
               Discip.
               Chap.
            
             1.
             
          
           
             They
             say
             ,
             It
             appertains
             to
             the
             Office
             of
             a
             Christian
             Magistrate
             ,
             to
             make
             Lawes
             and
             Constitutions
             agreeable
             to
             Gods
             Word
             for
             the
             advancement
             of
             the
             Kirk
             ,
             and
             Policy
             thereof
             ,
             without
             usurping
             the
             power
             of
             the
             Keyes
             .
             2
             
               Booke
               of
               Dis.
               Chap.
            
             10.
             
          
           
             Yet
             if
             the
             matter
             be
             well
             examined
             ,
             it
             will
             be
             found
             that
             all
             these
             faire
             words
             are
             but
             like
             
               Mercuries
            
             piping
             to
             bring
             
               Argus
            
             asleep
             :
             For
             ,
          
           
             1
             They
             challenge
             a
             power
             absolute
             and
             independent
             of
             the
             King
             ,
             to
             convene
             in
             Assemblies
             at
             their
             owne
             pleasure
             ,
             and
             to
             appoint
             the
             time
             and
             place
             themselves
             .
             Hear
             their
             own
             words
             .
          
           
             
               All
               the
               Ecclesiasticall
               Assemblies
               have
               power
               to
               convene
               lawfully
               together
               for
               treating
               of
               things
               concerning
               the
               Kirk
               ,
               and
               pertaining
               to
               their
               charge
               .
               They
               have
               power
               to
               appoint
               times
               and
               places
               to
               that
               effect
               ,
               and
               at
               one
               meeting
               to
               appoint
               the
               diet
               ,
               time
               and
               place
               for
               another
               .
            
             2.
             
             
               Booke
               of
               Discipline
               ,
               Chap.
            
             7.
             
          
           
             2
             They
             claime
             power
             to
             themselves
             to
             make
             Constitutions
             Ecclesiasticall
             ,
             without
             the
             consent
             of
             the
             Christian
             Magistrate
             .
          
           
             
               For
               this
               orders
               cause
               ,
               they
               may
               make
               certaine
               Rules
               and
               Constitutions
               ,
               appertaining
               to
               the
               good
               behaviours
               of
               all
               the
               Members
               of
               the
               Kirk
               in
               their
               vocation
               .
            
             2.
             
             
               Book
               of
               Discipline
               ,
               Chap.
            
             7.
             
          
           
             3
             They
             claim
             power
             to
             abrogate
             the
             Lawes
             of
             the
             Land
             touching
             Ecclesiasticall
             matters
             if
             they
             judge
             them
             hurtfull
             or
             unprofitable
             .
             For
             so
             they
             say
             ,
          
           
             
               They
               have
               power
               also
               to
               abrogate
               and
               abolish
               all
               Statutes
               and
               
               Ordinances
               concerning
               Ecclesiasticall
               matters
               ,
               that
               are
               found
               noysome
               and
               unprofitable
               ,
               and
               agree
               not
               with
               the
               time
               ,
               or
               are
               abused
               by
               the
               people
               .
            
             2.
             
             
               Book
               of
               Discipline
               ,
               Chap.
            
             7.
             
          
           
             4.
             
             They
             require
             the
             Civil
             Magistrate
             to
             be
             subject
             to
             this
             their
             Power
             ,
             
               To
               Discipline
               must
               all
               the
               Estates
               within
               this
               Realme
               be
               subject
               ,
               as
               well
               the
               Rulers
               as
               they
               that
               are
               ruled
               .
            
             1.
             
             
               Booke
               of
               Discipline
               ,
               Head
            
             7.
             
          
           
             
               As
               the
               Ministers
               and
               others
               of
               the
               Ecclesiasticall
               State
               are
               subject
               to
               the
               Magistrate
               Civill
               ,
               so
               ought
               the
               person
               of
               the
               Magistrate
               be
               subject
               to
               the
               Kirk
               spiritually
               ,
               and
               in
               Ecclesiasticall
               Government
               .
            
             2
             
               Book
               of
               Dis.
               Chap.
            
             1.
             
          
           
             
               As
               Ministers
               are
               subject
               to
               the
               judgement
               and
               punishment
               of
               the
               Magistrate
               in
               externall
               things
               ,
               if
               they
               offend
               ,
               so
               ought
               the
               Magistrates
               to
               submit
               themselves
               to
               the
               Discipline
               of
               the
               Kirk
               ,
               if
               they
               transgresse
               in
               matters
               of
               Conscience
               ,
               and
               Religion
               .
            
             
               Ibidem
               .
            
          
           
             
               The
               Nationall
               Assemblies
               of
               this
               Countrey
               called
               commonly
               the
               Generall
               Assemblies
               ,
               ought
               alwaies
               to
               be
               retained
               in
               their
               own
               liberty
               ,
               and
               have
               their
               owne
               place
               ;
               with
               power
               to
               the
               Kirk
               ,
               to
               appoint
               times
               and
               places
               convenient
               for
               the
               same
               :
               and
               all
               men
               ,
               as
               well
               Magistrates
               as
               Inferiours
               ,
               to
               be
               subject
               to
               the
               judgement
               of
               the
               same
               in
               Ecclesiasticall
               causes
               ,
               without
               any
               reclamation
               or
               appellation
               to
               any
               Judge
               Civill
               or
               Ecclesiasticall
               within
               the
               Realme
               .
            
             2.
             
             
               Booke
               of
               Discipline
               ,
               Chap.
            
             12.
             
          
           
             
               The
               Princes
               and
               Magistrates
               not
               being
               exemed
               ,
               and
               these
               that
               are
               placed
               in
               the
               Ecclesiasticall
               Estate
               rightly
               ruling
               and
               governing
               ,
               God
               shall
               be
               glorified
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             2.
             
             
               Booke
               of
               Discipline
               ,
               Chap.
            
             13.
             
          
           
             If
             any
             man
             shall
             wonder
             how
             these
             insolent
             claimes
             can
             stand
             with
             their
             former
             expressions
             ,
             in
             favour
             of
             the
             Civill
             Magistrate
             ;
             let
             him
             know
             ,
             that
             there
             be
             two
             Texts
             in
             their
             Booke
             of
             Discipline
             ,
             that
             will
             open
             this
             mystery
             ,
             and
             reconcile
             the
             contradiction
             .
          
           
             The
             first
             ,
          
           
             
               The
               Magistrate
               neither
               ought
               to
               preach
               ,
               minister
               the
               Sacraments
               ,
               nor
               execute
               the
               Censures
               of
               the
               Kirke
               ;
               nor
               yet
               prescribe
               any
               rule
               how
               it
               should
               be
               done
               ,
               but
               command
               the
               Ministers
               to
               observe
               the
               rule
               commanded
               in
               the
               Word
               ,
               and
               punish
               
               the
               Transgressors
               by
               Civill
               meanes
               .
               The
               Ministers
               exerce
               not
               the
               Civill
               Jurisdiction
               ,
               but
               teach
               the
               Magistrate
               how
               it
               should
               be
               exercised
               according
               to
               the
               Word
               .
            
             Chap.
             1.
             
          
           
             By
             this
             it
             appeares
             ,
             that
             all
             the
             power
             they
             allow
             the
             Civill
             Magistrate
             in
             Church-affaires
             ,
             is
             onely
             to
             be
             the
             Executioner
             of
             their
             Decrees
             .
          
           
             The
             second
             ,
          
           
             
               Although
               Kings
               and
               Princes
               that
               be
               godly
               ,
               sometimes
               by
               their
               own
               Authority
               when
               the
               Kirk
               is
               corrupted
               ,
               and
               all
               things
               out
               of
               order
               ,
               place
               Ministers
               ,
               and
               restore
               the
               true
               servants
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               after
               the
               example
               of
               some
               godly
               Kings
               of
               Juda
               ,
               and
               divers
               godly
               Emperours
               and
               Kings
               also
               in
               the
               light
               of
               the
               New
               Testament
               :
               yet
               where
               the
               Ministery
               of
               the
               Kirk
               is
               once
               lawfully
               constitute
               ,
               and
               they
               that
               are
               placed
               doe
               their
               office
               faithfully
               ,
               all
               godly
               Princes
               and
               Magistrates
               ought
               to
               heare
               and
               obey
               their
               voice
               ,
               and
               reverence
               the
               Majesty
               of
               the
               Son
               of
               God
               speaking
               in
               them
               .
            
             2.
             
             
               Booke
               of
               Dis.
               Chap.
            
             10.
             
          
           
             This
             Text
             (
             I
             confesse
             )
             is
             fast
             and
             loose
             .
             For
             who
             shall
             be
             Judge
             whether
             the
             Church
             be
             corrupted
             and
             all
             things
             out
             of
             order
             ,
             or
             whether
             the
             Ministery
             be
             lawfully
             constitute
             ,
             and
             the
             Office
             faithfully
             discharged
             ?
             Shall
             the
             King
             ?
             Their
             Practise
             shewes
             that
             they
             will
             not
             allow
             that
             .
             Shall
             the
             Ministery
             be
             Judge
             ?
             Then
             the
             power
             given
             to
             Princes
             in
             a
             corrupted
             Church
             ,
             is
             just
             nothing
             :
             For
             sure
             ,
             the
             Ministers
             will
             not
             condemne
             themselves
             .
          
           
             If
             any
             thing
             of
             certainty
             can
             be
             made
             out
             of
             this
             Oracle
             ,
             it
             is
             this
             :
             That
             the
             Presbyterian
             Government
             must
             be
             supposed
             to
             be
             the
             onely
             orderly
             Government
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             proceedings
             of
             it
             just
             :
             and
             Kings
             and
             Princes
             may
             claim
             a
             power
             to
             cast
             out
             any
             other
             Government
             and
             set
             up
             that
             :
             but
             when
             that
             is
             once
             up
             ,
             they
             must
             then
             bee
             content
             with
             what
             the
             Assembly
             will
             allow
             them
             .
          
           
             5
             To
             their
             Doctrine
             that
             it
             is
             unlawfull
             to
             resist
             the
             Civill
             Magistrate
             ,
             they
             give
             these
             bounds
             ,
             while
             he
             doth
             his
             duty
             ,
             and
             governeth
             as
             he
             ought
             .
          
           
             
               To
               disobey
               or
               resist
               any
               that
               God
               hath
               placed
               in
               Authority
               (
               whilest
               they
               passe
               not
               over
               the
               bounds
               of
               their
               office
               )
               —
               we
               confesse
               or
               affirme
               to
               be
               sin
            
             ,
             
               Large
               Confes.
               Art.
            
             15.
             
          
           
             
               We
               confesse
               and
               avow
               that
               such
               as
               resist
               the
               supreame
               Power
               ,
               
               doing
               that
               thing
               which
               appertaineth
               to
               his
               charge
               ,
               doe
               resist
               Gods
               Ordinance
               ,
               and
               therefore
               cannot
               be
               guiltlesse
               .
            
             
               Large
               Confes.
               Art.
            
             25.
             
          
           
             From
             these
             premisses
             I
             thinke
             the
             inference
             is
             good
             ,
             that
             if
             the
             supreame
             power
             passe
             the
             bounds
             of
             his
             Office
             ,
             if
             he
             doe
             not
             that
             thing
             which
             appertaineth
             to
             his
             charge
             ,
             if
             he
             doe
             the
             contrary
             ,
             if
             he
             mis-governe
             ,
             then
             they
             hold
             resistance
             to
             be
             no
             sinne
             ,
             nor
             the
             Subjects
             that
             resist
             him
             to
             be
             guilty
             of
             resisting
             Gods
             Ordinance
             .
          
           
             It
             may
             be
             that
             the
             generall
             disaffection
             to
             Regall
             Power
             ,
             in
             these
             distractions
             ,
             may
             render
             some
             men
             lesse
             apprehensive
             of
             the
             dangerous
             consequences
             of
             this
             Doctrine
             ,
             and
             the
             former
             Claimes
             ;
             as
             supposing
             them
             to
             have
             no
             other
             drift
             ,
             then
             to
             clip
             the
             wings
             of
             Royall
             Prerogative
             .
          
           
             But
             this
             is
             a
             grosse
             and
             dangerous
             mistake
             :
             and
             whosoever
             shal
             be
             envested
             with
             that
             Civill
             Power
             which
             shal
             be
             taken
             from
             the
             King
             ,
             be
             it
             the
             Parliament
             ,
             or
             whosoever
             else
             ,
             must
             looke
             to
             succeed
             him
             in
             the
             heavy
             enmity
             which
             this
             Presbyterian
             Power
             will
             exercise
             against
             the
             Civill
             Power
             (
             when
             it
             doth
             not
             comply
             with
             them
             )
             in
             what
             hands
             soever
             it
             be
             placed
             .
             For
             ,
             these
             incroachments
             of
             theirs
             are
             not
             upon
             the
             King
             ,
             as
             distinguished
             from
             other
             Magistrates
             ,
             but
             upon
             the
             Civill
             Magistrate
             in
             common
             ,
             whosoever
             he
             be
             ,
             as
             appeares
             plainly
             by
             the
             former
             Testimonies
             .
          
           
             So
             that
             if
             they
             have
             a
             minde
             to
             call
             a
             generall
             Assembly
             ,
             though
             the
             King
             and
             Parliament
             finde
             it
             needlesse
             ,
             or
             (
             in
             regard
             of
             circumstances
             of
             time
             ,
             place
             ,
             or
             distempered
             affections
             in
             the
             Ministers
             ,
             or
             People
             )
             inexpedient
             ,
             or
             dangerous
             ;
             they
             will
             over-rule
             ,
             though
             to
             the
             highest
             disservice
             of
             the
             State
             ,
             and
             must
             be
             obeyed
             .
          
           
             If
             they
             agree
             upon
             any
             Ecclesiasticall
             Constitutions
             and
             Canons
             ,
             though
             the
             King
             and
             Parliament
             judge
             them
             never
             so
             contrary
             to
             the
             Lawes
             tending
             to
             the
             hurt
             of
             the
             Kingdome
             ,
             yet
             must
             they
             yeeld
             to
             this
             Presbyterian
             Power
             .
          
           
             If
             the
             King
             and
             Parliament
             make
             any
             Lawes
             concerning
             the
             affaires
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             which
             are
             not
             to
             their
             liking
             ,
             they
             may
             repeals
             them
             .
          
           
             The
             King
             and
             Parliament
             must
             be
             Subject
             not
             onely
             to
             their
             
             generall
             Assembly
             ,
             but
             (
             in
             subordination
             to
             that
             )
             to
             the
             Dictates
             of
             every
             petty
             Parochiall
             Session
             where
             their
             personall
             residence
             and
             abode
             shall
             be
             .
          
           
             Lastly
             ,
             If
             the
             King
             and
             Parliament
             will
             governe
             contrary
             to
             their
             will
             and
             pleasure
             ,
             their
             principles
             will
             allow
             them
             to
             incite
             the
             people
             to
             resist
             them
             .
          
           
             After
             so
             rank
             a
             crop
             of
             weeds
             ,
             pernicious
             to
             Civill
             power
             ,
             I
             know
             not
             what
             regard
             will
             be
             had
             to
             the
             gleanings
             :
             which
             (
             yet
             )
             would
             not
             be
             lost
             .
          
           
             6
             Therefore
             if
             the
             Civill
             Migistrate
             punish
             not
             with
             death
             such
             as
             in
             their
             judgement
             deserve
             it
             ,
             they
             order
             that
             the
             Church
             may
             excommunicate
             the
             offender
             ,
             not
             onely
             for
             his
             crime
             ,
             but
             as
             suspect
             to
             have
             corrupted
             the
             Temporall
             Judge
             .
          
           
             
               If
               no
               remedy
               by
               them
               can
               be
               found
               ,
               (
               that
               is
               by
               the
               Magistrates
               )
               then
               justly
               may
               the
               Church
               pronounce
               the
               offender
               excommunicate
               ,
               as
               one
               suspect
               ,
               besides
               his
               crime
               ,
               to
               have
               corrupted
               the
               Judges
               ,
               revengers
               of
               blood
               .
            
             
               Order
               of
               excommunication
               in
               the
               Psalm
               Booke
               .
            
          
           
             So
             that
             if
             the
             Civill
             Judges
             thinke
             not
             fit
             to
             proceed
             against
             every
             one
             whom
             they
             hold
             a
             capitall
             offender
             ,
             not
             only
             the
             reputed
             offender
             shall
             be
             excomunicate
             ,
             but
             in
             the
             publication
             of
             the
             Sentence
             the
             Judges
             shall
             be
             openly
             defamed
             as
             corrupt
             ,
             and
             that
             upon
             a
             suspition
             thus
             weakly
             grounded
             .
          
           
             7
             They
             determine
             that
             the
             Temporall
             Magistrate
             is
             bound
             to
             punish
             Adultery
             with
             death
             ,
             by
             Gods
             own
             Law
             .
          
           
             
               It
               is
               cleerly
               knowne
               to
               us
               ,
               that
               
                 N.
              
               somtimes
               baptized
               in
               the
               name
               of
               the
               Father
               ,
               of
               the
               Sonne
               ,
               and
               of
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               ,
               and
               so
               reputed
               and
               counted
               for
               a
               Christian
               ,
               hath
               fearefully
               fallen
               from
               the
               society
               of
               Christs
               body
               ,
               by
               committing
               of
               cruell
               and
               wilfull
               murther
               ,
               (
               or
               by
               committing
               filthy
               Adultery
               ,
               &c.
               )
               which
               crime
               by
               the
               Law
               of
               God
               deserveth
               death
               .
            
             
               Order
               of
               Excom.
               in
               the
               Psalm
               Book
               .
            
          
           
             
               Blasphemy
               ,
               adultery
               ,
               murder
               ,
               perjury
               ,
               and
               other
               crimes
               capital
               worthy
               of
               death
               ,
               ought
               not
               properly
               to
               fall
               under
               censure
               of
               the
               Kirk
               :
               because
               all
               such
               open
               transgressors
               of
               Gods
               Law
               ought
               to
               be
               taken
               away
               by
               the
               Civil
               Sword
               .
            
             1.
             
             
               Book
               of
               Discip.
               Head
            
             7.
             
          
           
             
               Marriage
               ,
               once
               lawfully
               contracted
               ,
               may
               not
               be
               dissolved
               at
               mans
               pleasure
               as
               our
               Master
               CHRIST
               JESUS
               doth
               witnesse
               ,
               unlesse
               adultery
               be
               committed
               :
               which
               being
               
               sufficiently
               proved
               ,
               in
               presence
               of
               the
               Civill
               Magistrate
               ,
               the
               innocent
               (
               if
               they
               so
               require
               )
               ought
               to
               be
               pronounced
               free
               ,
               and
               the
               offender
               ought
               to
               suffer
               death
               ,
               as
               God
               hath
               commanded
            
             ,
             1.
             
             
               Booke
               of
               Discip.
               Head
            
             9.
             
             SECT.
             of
             Marriage
             .
          
           
             If
             this
             be
             true
             ,
             then
             (
             for
             ought
             I
             see
             )
             we
             are
             bound
             to
             all
             the
             Judicialls
             of
             
               Moses
            
             as
             well
             as
             to
             this
             which
             is
             one
             of
             them
             :
             as
             namely
             ,
             to
             punish
             theft
             ,
             not
             with
             death
             ,
             but
             restitution
             ;
             besides
             many
             other
             touching
             inheritances
             ,
             purchases
             and
             other
             temporal
             things
             ;
             which
             would
             cause
             infinit
             changes
             and
             confusions
             in
             our
             Temporall
             Lawes
             .
          
           
             8.
             
             They
             hold
             it
             unlawfull
             for
             the
             Civill
             Magistrate
             to
             pardon
             capitall
             offenders
             .
          
           
             
               In
               the
               feare
               of
               God
               ,
               we
               signifie
               unto
               your
               Honours
               ,
               That
               whosoever
               perswades
               you
               that
               ye
               may
               pardon
               where
               God
               commandeth
               death
               ,
               deceives
               your
               soules
               ,
               and
               provokes
               you
               to
               offend
               Gods
               Majesty
               .
            
             1
             
               Booke
               of
               Discip.
               Head
               .
            
             9.
             
          
           
             This
             puts
             such
             a
             tye
             upon
             Princes
             ,
             as
             robs
             them
             of
             the
             exercise
             of
             their
             noblest
             vertue
             ,
             mercy
             ;
             inclines
             offenders
             to
             be
             desperate
             ,
             and
             in
             such
             distracted
             times
             as
             this
             ,
             may
             prove
             destructive
             to
             the
             Kingdome
             .
          
           
             9.
             
             They
             exact
             it
             as
             a
             duty
             of
             a
             Christian
             Magistrate
             ,
             that
             if
             need
             require
             ,
             hee
             maintaine
             the
             Ministery
             with
             his
             owne
             Rents
             .
          
           
             
               It
               pertaines
               to
               the
               Office
               of
               a
               Christian
               Magistrate
               —
               to
               see
               that
               sufficient
               provision
               be
               made
               for
               the
               Ministery
               ,
               the
               Schooles
               ,
               and
               the
               Poore
               :
               and
               if
               they
               have
               not
               sufficient
               to
               await
               upon
               their
               charges
               ,
               to
               supply
               their
               indigence
               ,
               even
               with
               their
               owne
               Rents
               if
               need
               require
               .
            
             2.
             
             
               Booke
               of
               Discipline
               ,
               Chap.
            
             10.
             
          
           
             Compare
             but
             this
             with
             the
             power
             which
             the
             Presbyterians
             claime
             over
             the
             Civill
             Magistrate
             ,
             and
             it
             will
             appeare
             ,
             that
             their
             Discipline
             will
             allow
             them
             to
             be
             Judges
             ,
             whether
             need
             require
             that
             the
             Ministery
             should
             be
             maintained
             out
             of
             the
             Kings
             Rents
             :
             and
             if
             they
             finde
             that
             it
             doe
             ,
             then
             to
             pronounce
             that
             it
             is
             his
             office
             and
             duty
             to
             make
             the
             allowance
             ,
             and
             to
             compell
             him
             to
             doe
             his
             office
             by
             the
             Churches
             censures
             ,
             and
             warrant
             his
             Subjects
             to
             take
             Armes
             against
             him
             ,
             if
             he
             shall
             obstinately
             refuse
             .
          
           
             This
             is
             a
             compendious
             way
             for
             them
             to
             cut
             themselves
             large
             Cantells
             out
             of
             the
             Kings
             Revenues
             .
          
           
           
             10.
             
             They
             distinguish
             the
             object
             of
             Civill
             and
             Ecclesiasticall
             power
             ,
             not
             by
             the
             matter
             it selfe
             which
             may
             be
             the
             same
             in
             both
             ;
             but
             by
             the
             divers
             ends
             proposed
             by
             the
             severall
             powers
             .
          
           
             
               The
               Magistrate
               commandeth
               externall
               things
               for
               externall
               peace
               and
               quietnesse
               amongst
               the
               Subjects
               :
               the
               Minister
               handleth
               externall
               things
               ,
               onely
               for
               conscience-cause
               .
            
             2.
             
             
               Booke
               of
               Discip.
               Chap.
            
             1.
             
          
           
             Here
             both
             the
             Minister
             and
             Magistrate
             deale
             with
             the
             same
             externall
             things
             ,
             and
             the
             difference
             is
             onely
             in
             the
             end
             .
             So
             that
             by
             their
             Platform
             they
             may
             deal
             with
             all
             Civil
             Causes
             for
             a
             Spirituall
             end
             ,
             which
             the
             Pope
             usually
             expresses
             with
             this
             clause
             ,
             
               In
               ordine
               ad
               bonum
               Spirituale
               ,
            
             and
             these
             men
             (
             to
             the
             same
             effect
             )
             
               In
               ordine
               ad
               bonum
               Ecclesiae
               .
            
             But
             both
             he
             and
             they
             doe
             by
             this
             distinction
             ,
             usurp
             upon
             the
             Civill
             Magistrate
             .
          
        
         
           
             Of
             the
             Persons
             in
             whom
             this
             Power
             is
             placed
             .
          
           
             THis
             power
             is
             (
             in
             the
             Scottish
             Platforme
             )
             put
             into
             the
             hands
             ,
             partly
             of
             the
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Parishes
             throughout
             the
             Kingdom
             ,
             who
             admit
             no
             Superiority
             of
             one
             over
             another
             ,
             but
             a
             parity
             and
             equality
             of
             all
             ,
             and
             partly
             of
             Lay-Elders
             ,
             who
             meddle
             not
             with
             the
             administration
             of
             the
             Word
             and
             Sacraments
             ,
             but
             are
             chosen
             by
             the
             people
             out
             of
             every
             Parish
             to
             joyne
             with
             the
             Ministers
             in
             the
             Government
             of
             the
             Kirk
             :
             and
             all
             Government
             and
             Discipline
             ,
             is
             exercised
             joyntly
             by
             them
             ,
             by
             plurality
             of
             voices
             :
             in
             the
             severall
             Parishes
             by
             the
             Ministers
             and
             Lay-Elders
             of
             the
             same
             ,
             who
             are
             subordinate
             to
             a
             Classis
             made
             up
             of
             the
             Ministers
             and
             Elders
             of
             the
             Parishes
             within
             the
             bounds
             thereof
             ,
             as
             the
             severall
             Classes
             are
             to
             the
             Provinciall
             Assembly
             ,
             consisting
             of
             Ministers
             and
             Elders
             chosen
             out
             of
             every
             Classis
             within
             the
             Province
             ,
             and
             Provinciall
             Assemblies
             are
             in
             like
             manner
             subordinate
             to
             the
             Nationall
             Assembly
             consisting
             of
             such
             a
             number
             of
             Ministers
             and
             Lay-Elders
             as
             the
             same
             Assembly
             shall
             thinke
             fit
             ,
             chosen
             out
             of
             all
             the
             Provinces
             of
             the
             Kingdome
             :
             and
             this
             Nationall
             Assembly
             (
             since
             Oecumenicall
             Councells
             cannot
             be
             hoped
             for
             )
             acknowledgeth
             no
             Superiour
             upon
             earth
             .
             All
             these
             points
             (
             if
             things
             so
             much
             acknowledged
             need
             it
             )
             are
             proved
             by
             these
             ensuing
             Authorities
             .
          
           
             The
             parity
             of
             Ministers
             ,
             
               As
               to
               Bishops
               ,
               if
               the
               name
               
                 {non-Roman}
                 {non-Roman}
                 {non-Roman}
                 {non-Roman}
                 {non-Roman}
              
               be
               properly
               taken
               
               they
               are
               all
               one
               with
               the
               Ministers
               .
            
             2.
             
             
               Booke
               of
               Dis.
               Chap.
            
             11.
             
          
           
             The
             conjunction
             of
             Lay-Elders
             with
             them
             in
             the
             Government
             .
          
           
             
               It
               is
               not
               necessary
               that
               all
               Elders
               be
               also
               Teachers
               of
               the
               Word
               .
            
             2.
             
             
               Booke
               of
               Dis.
               Chap.
            
             6.
             
          
           
             
               Their
               office
               is
               as
               well
               severally
               as
               conjunctly
               to
               watch
               diligently
               upon
               the
               flock
               committed
               to
               their
               charge
               ,
               both
               publikely
               and
               privately
               ,
               that
               no
               corruption
               of
               Religion
               or
               manners
               enter
               therein
               .
            
             
               Ib.
               
            
          
           
             
               Their
               principall
               Office
               is
               to
               hold
               Assemblies
               with
               the
               Pastors
               and
               Doctors
               (
               who
               are
               also
               of
               their
               number
               )
               for
               establishing
               of
               good
               order
               and
               execution
               of
               Discipline
               :
               unto
               the
               which
               Assemblies
               all
               persons
               are
               subject
               that
               remaine
               within
               their
               bounds
               .
            
             
               Ib.
               
            
          
           
             
               In
               assembling
               the
               people
               ,
               neither
               they
               without
               the
               Ministers
               ,
               nor
               the
               Ministers
               without
               them
               ,
               may
               attempt
               any
               thing
               .
            
             
               Psalm
               Book
               Tit.
               
            
             Of
             the
             Elders
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             
               The
               Pastors
               or
               Ministers
               chiefe
               office
               standeth
               in
               preaching
               the
               Word
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               ministring
               the
               Sacraments
               :
               so
               that
               in
               consultations
               ,
               judgements
               ,
               elections
               and
               other
               politicall
               affairs
               ,
               his
               counsell
               rather
               then
               authority
               taketh
               place
               .
            
             
               Ibid.
               Titl
               .
            
             of
             the
             Ministers
             office
             and
             duty
             .
          
           
             
               The
               Elders
               being
               elected
               must
               be
               admonished
               of
               their
               office
               ,
               which
               is
               ,
               to
               assist
               the
               Ministers
               in
               all
               publique
               affaires
               of
               the
               Kirk
               ,
               to
               wit
               ,
               in
               determining
               and
               judging
               causes
               ,
               in
               giving
               admonition
               to
               the
               licentious
               liver
               ,
               in
               having
               respect
               to
               the
               manners
               and
               conversation
               of
               all
               men
               ,
               within
               their
               charge
               .
               —
               Yea
               the
               Seniors
               ought
               to
               take
               heed
               to
               the
               like
               manners
               ,
               diligence
               ,
               and
               study
               of
               their
               Ministers
               :
               If
               he
               be
               worthy
               of
               admonition
               ,
               they
               must
               admonish
               him
               ;
               of
               correction
               ,
               they
               must
               correct
               him
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             1
             
               Booke
               of
               Discip.
            
             8.
             
             
               Head
               ,
            
             Of
             the
             election
             of
             Elders
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             Their
             election
             by
             the
             people
             .
          
           
             
               Men
               of
               best
               knowledge
               in
               Gods
               Word
               ,
               and
               cleanest
               life
               ,
               men
               faithfull
               ,
               and
               of
               most
               honest
               conversation
               ,
               that
               can
               be
               found
               in
               the
               Kirk
               ,
               must
               be
               nominate
               to
               be
               in
               election
               ,
               and
               their
               names
               must
               be
               publiquely
               read
               to
               the
               whole
               Kirk
               by
               the
               Minister
               ,
               giving
               them
               advertisement
               that
               from
               amongst
               
               them
               must
               be
               chosen
               Elders
               and
               Deacons
               .
            
             
               Ibidem
               .
            
          
           
             
               If
               any
               man
               know
               other
               of
               better
               qualities
               within
               the
               Kirk
               then
               these
               that
               be
               nominated
               ,
               let
               them
               be
               put
               in
               election
               ,
               that
               the
               Kirk
               may
               have
               the
               choice
               .
            
             
               Ibid.
               
            
          
           
             
               It
               pertaineth
               to
               the
               people
               ,
               and
               to
               every
               severall
               Congregation
               ,
               to
               elect
               their
               Minister
               .
            
             1
             
               Booke
               of
               Discipline
               ,
            
             4
             
               Head
               ,
            
             Of
             Ministers
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             
               And
               because
               this
               order
               which
               Gods
               Word
               craves
               ,
               cannot
               stand
               with
               Patronages
               and
               presentation
               to
               Benefices
               ,
               used
               in
               the
               Popes
               Kirk
               :
               we
               desire
               all
               them
               that
               truely
               feare
               God
               ,
               earnestly
               to
               consider
               ,
               that
               for
               as
               much
               as
               the
               names
               of
               Patronages
               and
               Benefices
               ,
               together
               with
               the
               effect
               thereof
               ,
               have
               flowed
               from
               the
               Pope
               ,
               and
               corruption
               of
               the
               Canon
               Law
               onely
               ,
               in
               so
               far
               as
               thereby
               any
               person
               was
               intrusted
               or
               placed
               over
               Kirks
               having
               
                 Curam
                 animarum
                 :
              
               and
               for
               as
               much
               as
               that
               manner
               of
               proceeding
               hath
               no
               ground
               in
               the
               Word
               of
               God
               ,
               but
               is
               contrary
               to
               the
               same
               ,
               and
               to
               the
               said
               liberty
               of
               election
               ,
               they
               ought
               not
               to
               have
               place
               in
               this
               light
               of
               Reformation
               .
            
             2.
             
             
               Book
               of
               Discip.
               Chap.
            
             12.
             
          
           
             The
             subordination
             of
             their
             Elderships
             ,
             and
             Assembli●s
             ,
             and
             how
             they
             share
             this
             power
             among
             them
             .
          
           
             
               Elderships
               and
               Assemblies
               are
               commonly
               constitute
               of
               Pastors
               ,
               Doctors
               ,
               and
               such
               as
               we
               commonly
               call
               Elders
               ,
               that
               labour
               not
               in
               the
               Word
               and
               Doctrine
               ,
            
             2
             
               Book
               of
               Dis.
               Chap.
            
             7.
             
          
           
             
               Assemblies
               are
               of
               foure
               sorts
               .
               For
               ,
               either
               they
               are
               of
               particular
               Kirks
               and
               Congregations
               ,
               one
               or
               moe
               ;
               or
               of
               a
               Province
               ,
               or
               of
               a
               whole
               Nation
               ,
               or
               of
               all
               and
               divers
               Nations
               professing
               one
               Jesus
               Christ
               .
            
             
               Ibid.
               
            
          
           
             
               The
               first
               kind
               and
               sort
               of
               Assemblies
               ,
               although
               they
               be
               within
               particular
               Congregations
               ,
               yet
               they
               exerce
               the
               Power
               ,
               Authority
               ,
               and
               Jurisdiction
               of
               the
               Kirk
               with
               mutuall
               consent
               ,
               and
               therefore
               beare
               sometime
               the
               name
               of
               the
               Kirk
               .
               When
               we
               speak
               of
               the
               Elders
               of
               the
               particular
               Congregations
               ,
               we
               mean
               not
               that
               every
               particular
               Parish-Kirk
               can
               or
               may
               have
               their
               own
               particular
               Elderships
               ,
               specially
               in
               Landward
               ;
               but
               we
               think
               three
               ,
               four
               ,
               more
               or
               fewer
               particular
               Kirks
               may
               have
               one
               Eldership
               common
               to
               them
               all
               to
               judge
               their
               Ecclesiasticall
               causes
               .
               Yet
               this
               is
               meet
               that
               some
               of
               the
               Elders
               be
               chosen
               out
               of
               every
               particular
               Congregation
               .
            
             
               Ibid.
               
            
          
           
           
             
               It
               pertaines
               to
               the
               Eldership
               to
               take
               heed
               that
               the
               Word
               of
               God
               be
               purely
               preached
               within
               their
               bounds
               ,
               the
               Sacraments
               rightly
               ministred
               ,
               the
               Discipline
               rightly
               maintained
               ,
               and
               the
               Ecclesiasticall
               goods
               uncorruptly
               distributed
               .
               It
               belongs
               to
               this
               kind
               of
               Assembly
               ,
               to
               cause
               the
               Ordinances
               made
               by
               the
               Assemblies
               Provinciall
               ,
               Nationall
               ,
               and
               Generall
               to
               be
               kept
               and
               put
               in
               execution
               .
               To
               make
               Constitutions
               which
               concerns
               
                 {non-Roman}
                 {non-Roman}
                 {non-Roman}
                 {non-Roman}
                 {non-Roman}
              
               in
               the
               Kirk
               ,
               for
               the
               decent
               order
               of
               these
               particular
               Kirks
               where
               they
               governe
               ,
               (
               provided
               that
               they
               alter
               no
               rules
               made
               by
               Generall
               or
               Provinciall
               Assemblies
               ,
               and
               that
               they
               make
               the
               Provinciall
               Assemblies
               fore-seen
               of
               these
               Rules
               that
               they
               shall
               make
               )
               and
               abolish
               them
               that
               tend
               to
               the
               hurt
               of
               the
               same
               .
               It
               hath
               power
               to
               excommunicate
               the
               obstinate
               .
               The
               power
               of
               election
               of
               them
               who
               beare
               Ecclesiasticall
               charges
               pertaines
               to
               this
               kind
               of
               Assembly
               within
               their
               owne
               bounds
               ,
               being
               well
               erected
               and
               constituted
               of
               many
               Pastors
               and
               Elders
               of
               sufficient
               ability
               .
               By
               the
               like
               reason
               their
               deposition
               also
               pertains
               to
               this
               kind
               of
               Assembly
               ;
               as
               of
               them
               that
               teach
               erroneous
               and
               corrupt
               Doctrine
               ,
               that
               be
               of
               slanderous
               life
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             
               Ibidem
               .
            
          
           
             
               Provinciall
               Assemblies
               we
               call
               lawfull
               conventions
               of
               Pastors
               ,
               Doctors
               ,
               and
               other
               Elders
               of
               a
               Province
               gathered
               for
               the
               common
               affaires
               of
               the
               Kirk
               thereof
               .
            
             
               Ibidem
               .
            
          
           
             
               This
               Assembly
               hath
               power
               to
               handle
               ,
               order
               ,
               and
               redresse
               all
               things
               committed
               or
               done
               amisse
               in
               the
               particular
               Assemblies
               .
            
             
               Ibidem
               .
            
          
           
             
               And
               generally
               their
               Assemblies
               have
               the
               whole
               power
               of
               the
               particular
               Elderships
               whereof
               they
               are
               collected
               ,
            
             
               Ibidem
               .
            
          
           
             
               The
               Nationall
               Assembly
               which
               is
               Generall
               to
               us
               ,
               is
               a
               lawfull
               Convention
               of
               the
               whole
               Kirks
               of
               the
               Realm
               .
            
             
               Ibidem
               .
            
          
           
             
               None
               are
               subject
               to
               repair
               to
               this
               Assembly
               to
               vote
               ,
               but
               Ecclesiasticall
               persons
               to
               such
               a
               number
               as
               shall
               be
               thought
               good
               by
               the
               same
               Assembly
               .
            
             
               Ibidem
               .
            
          
           
             
               This
               Assembly
               is
               institute
               ,
               that
               all
               things
               either
               committed
               or
               done
               amisse
               in
               the
               Provinciall
               Assemblies
               ,
               may
               be
               redressed
               and
               handled
               :
               and
               things
               Generally
               serving
               for
               the
               weale
               of
               the
               whole
               body
               of
               the
               Kirk
               within
               the
               Realme
               ,
               may
               be
               fore-seen
               ,
               intreated
               ,
               and
               set
               forth
               to
               Gods
               glory
               .
            
             
               Ibidem
               .
            
          
           
             Now
             if
             the
             Presbyterian
             power
             it selfe
             be
             so
             pernicious
             as
             it
             appears
             to
             be
             by
             what
             was
             said
             before
             ,
             surely
             to
             put
             it
             into
             such
             
             hands
             as
             by
             this
             Modell
             are
             to
             have
             it
             ,
             must
             needs
             make
             all
             juditious
             and
             impartiall
             men
             much
             more
             averse
             from
             it
             .
          
           
             For
             first
             ,
             that
             it
             admits
             of
             no
             Superiority
             of
             one
             above
             another
             ,
             but
             requires
             a
             parity
             of
             those
             that
             governe
             ,
             is
             like
             to
             produce
             manifold
             inconveniences
             .
          
           
             The
             resolutions
             both
             in
             publique
             affaires
             ,
             and
             private
             mens
             causes
             will
             be
             very
             slow
             ;
             because
             many
             men
             ,
             will
             be
             of
             different
             judgements
             and
             affections
             :
             and
             such
             as
             are
             not
             soon
             brought
             to
             agree
             in
             one
             determination
             .
          
           
             The
             difference
             of
             Opinions
             and
             Interests
             is
             like
             to
             breed
             factions
             and
             contentions
             .
          
           
             The
             decisions
             are
             in
             danger
             to
             be
             often
             corrupt
             ,
             because
             it
             is
             harder
             to
             find
             many
             men
             of
             skill
             and
             integrity
             then
             one
             .
          
           
             These
             inconveniences
             are
             like
             to
             be
             bred
             by
             a
             parity
             of
             many
             Governours
             :
             and
             those
             that
             Episcopacy
             is
             accused
             of
             ,
             are
             not
             likely
             to
             be
             removed
             by
             this
             parity
             ,
             but
             augmented
             rather
             ,
             for
             both
             reason
             and
             experience
             may
             teach
             us
             ,
             that
             amongst
             many
             equals
             ,
             popularity
             will
             make
             some
             one
             the
             leader
             of
             the
             rest
             ;
             and
             he
             will
             offend
             more
             boldly
             then
             if
             he
             were
             indeed
             a
             Bishop
             ,
             because
             howsoever
             he
             do
             amisse
             ,
             yet
             he
             can
             excuse
             himselfe
             ,
             and
             lay
             the
             blame
             upon
             others
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             the
             mixture
             of
             Lay-men
             and
             Ministers
             together
             in
             the
             exercise
             of
             this
             power
             is
             of
             very
             dangerous
             consequence
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             like
             to
             breed
             acmulations
             between
             the
             Ministers
             and
             the
             Laity
             ,
             while
             each
             one
             sides
             with
             his
             own
             order
             against
             the
             other
             .
          
           
             Men
             grossely
             ignorant
             in
             matters
             of
             Divinity
             ,
             must
             be
             Judges
             of
             Doctrine
             ;
             and
             they
             that
             cannot
             in
             a
             small
             time
             be
             taught
             what
             heresie
             is
             ,
             much
             lesse
             how
             to
             discern
             heresie
             from
             truth
             ,
             determine
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             others
             be
             bound
             to
             submit
             to
             their
             judgement
             .
          
           
             Men
             whose
             education
             and
             imployment
             is
             either
             in
             the
             field
             ,
             or
             the
             shop
             ,
             of
             whom
             a
             wise
             man
             once
             said
             ,
             That
             they
             should
             not
             be
             sought
             for
             in
             publique
             councell
             nor
             sit
             on
             the
             Judges
             seat
             ,
             because
             they
             understand
             not
             the
             sentence
             of
             Judgement
             ;
             men
             who
             neither
             know
             how
             to
             doe
             right
             if
             they
             would
             ,
             nor
             would
             care
             for
             it
             if
             they
             knew
             it
             ,
             (
             for
             where
             the
             minde
             that
             should
             rule
             is
             weake
             ,
             the
             corrupt
             passions
             that
             should
             be
             ruled
             ,
             breake
             out
             into
             all
             disorder
             :
             )
             These
             must
             be
             trusted
             with
             the
             making
             of
             Church-Lawes
             ,
             and
             Government
             even
             of
             those
             
             things
             that
             concern
             the
             precious
             souls
             of
             men
             for
             whom
             Christ
             died
             ;
             to
             say
             nothing
             of
             their
             quiet
             ,
             their
             reputation
             ,
             and
             their
             purses
             ,
             which
             will
             be
             all
             exposed
             to
             those
             injuries
             that
             may
             be
             expected
             from
             blind
             malice
             ,
             revenge
             ,
             envy
             ,
             covetousnesse
             ,
             partiality
             ,
             and
             insolence
             .
             All
             these
             mischiefs
             are
             the
             more
             to
             be
             feared
             ,
             in
             regard
             of
             the
             distempers
             of
             this
             sad
             time
             ,
             in
             which
             this
             Government
             is
             sought
             to
             be
             erected
             .
          
           
             For
             those
             that
             are
             slaves
             to
             their
             corrupt
             affections
             ,
             and
             apt
             to
             be
             transported
             by
             them
             ,
             though
             they
             be
             not
             provoked
             ,
             will
             much
             more
             violently
             pursue
             their
             bad
             designs
             ,
             if
             power
             be
             then
             put
             into
             their
             hands
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             chafed
             to
             so
             high
             a
             decree
             of
             acrimony
             ,
          
           
             This
             would
             the
             rather
             be
             thought
             of
             ,
             because
             the
             entrance
             into
             any
             businesse
             of
             concernment
             as
             it
             is
             good
             or
             evill
             ,
             lightly
             seasons
             the
             subsequent
             proceedings
             with
             the
             same
             relish
             :
             so
             that
             inconveniences
             brought
             in
             at
             the
             first
             setling
             of
             a
             Government
             ,
             can
             hardly
             ever
             after
             be
             rooted
             out
             .
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             let
             it
             be
             considered
             what
             kind
             of
             persons
             stand
             fairest
             to
             be
             chosen
             for
             Lay-Elders
             .
          
           
             If
             wee
             make
             our
             judgement
             herein
             ,
             upon
             observation
             of
             those
             dispositions
             ,
             which
             qualifie
             men
             for
             the
             peoples
             favour
             ,
             we
             shall
             finde
             them
             to
             be
             ,
             for
             the
             most
             part
             ,
             either
             activenesse
             or
             greatnesse
             .
          
           
             In
             some
             Parishes
             he
             can
             do
             most
             ,
             who
             though
             he
             hath
             neither
             wealth
             ,
             wit
             ,
             nor
             honestly
             ,
             is
             yet
             most
             active
             and
             busie
             :
             and
             if
             this
             be
             the
             choice
             ,
             those
             will
             be
             trusted
             with
             the
             Spirituall
             power
             that
             are
             aptest
             to
             bring
             all
             to
             ruine
             and
             confusion
             .
          
           
             But
             if
             greatnesse
             beare
             the
             sway
             ,
             (
             as
             in
             most
             places
             it
             is
             like
             to
             do
             )
             then
             shall
             men
             of
             great
             estates
             and
             dealing
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             great
             Landlords
             ,
             Noble-men
             ,
             and
             Gentlemen
             ,
             be
             Lay-Elders
             :
             who
             will
             use
             their
             power
             to
             enthrall
             their
             Tenants
             ,
             Dependents
             ,
             and
             Inferiours
             to
             them
             ,
             and
             bring
             the
             Yeomanry
             and
             Husbandmen
             of
             England
             to
             such
             a
             slaverie
             ,
             and
             vassallage
             under
             them
             ,
             as
             that
             sort
             of
             men
             groane
             under
             in
             Scotland
             .
          
           
             Fourthly
             ,
             though
             Appeals
             may
             seem
             to
             afford
             some
             remedy
             ,
             yet
             is
             that
             of
             little
             use
             ,
             being
             a
             matter
             of
             so
             much
             trouble
             and
             charge
             to
             go
             from
             the
             Parish-Session
             to
             the
             Classis
             ,
             and
             from
             thence
             to
             the
             Provinciall
             Assembly
             ,
             and
             from
             thence
             to
             the
             Generall
             Assembly
             ,
             before
             a
             man
             can
             come
             at
             the
             Parliament
             :
             so
             that
             very
             few
             men
             can
             make
             use
             of
             it
             .
          
           
           
             Wherefore
             since
             Appeals
             leave
             the
             most
             men
             without
             remedy
             ,
             it
             is
             a
             madnesse
             to
             make
             those
             men
             Judges
             in
             the
             first
             instance
             ,
             that
             are
             so
             like
             to
             judge
             amisse
             .
          
           
             Fifthly
             ,
             the
             constitution
             of
             Generall
             Assemblies
             for
             the
             number
             of
             Ministers
             and
             Lay-Elders
             to
             be
             sent
             from
             the
             severall
             Presbyteries
             ,
             being
             at
             the
             will
             of
             the
             same
             Assembly
             ,
             is
             very
             uncertaine
             ,
             and
             may
             surprise
             those
             that
             little
             dream
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             take
             away
             all
             power
             from
             either
             the
             Ministers
             or
             the
             Layty
             before
             they
             be
             aware
             .
             For
             if
             in
             some
             one
             Generall
             Assembly
             practises
             shall
             prevaile
             to
             over-prise
             one
             part
             with
             a
             greater
             number
             of
             the
             other
             ;
             that
             part
             that
             then
             gets
             all
             the
             power
             into
             their
             hands
             ,
             will
             keep
             the
             other
             under
             irrecoverably
             :
             and
             of
             this
             mischife
             Scotland
             will
             affoord
             an
             instance
             .
          
           
             Lastly
             ;
             in
             this
             forme
             of
             Government
             such
             a
             multitude
             of
             men
             have
             a
             share
             ,
             that
             if
             they
             shall
             be
             found
             to
             abuse
             their
             power
             to
             the
             prejudice
             of
             the
             State
             ,
             it
             will
             hardly
             ever
             be
             possible
             to
             get
             it
             out
             of
             their
             hands
             again
             .
          
           
             For
             example
             ,
             if
             Church-Government
             be
             put
             into
             the
             hands
             of
             the
             Ministers
             and
             Lay-Elders
             of
             almost
             10000.
             
             Parishes
             ,
             and
             thereby
             some
             inconveniences
             not
             yet
             fore-seen
             shal
             arise
             which
             shall
             induce
             the
             State
             to
             change
             it
             for
             another
             Forme
             :
             how
             shall
             they
             be
             able
             to
             wrest
             the
             power
             out
             of
             the
             hands
             of
             a
             Faction
             so
             numerous
             ,
             who
             having
             found
             the
             sweet
             of
             Rule
             will
             bee
             loath
             to
             part
             with
             it
             ?
          
        
         
           
             Of
             the
             exercise
             of
             the
             Presbyterian
             Power
             in
             Scotland
             ,
             and
             the
             Lawes
             there
             imposed
             on
             the
             peoples
             necks
             .
          
           
             IT
             now
             remaineth
             that
             by
             considering
             their
             particular
             Lawes
             we
             shew
             how
             grievous
             the
             exercise
             of
             this
             Power
             wil
             be
             to
             all
             sorts
             of
             men
             that
             live
             under
             it
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             It
             hath
             been
             shewed
             already
             that
             the
             Presbyterian
             Government
             requireth
             that
             all
             Ministers
             be
             appointed
             by
             a
             popular
             election
             ,
             and
             utterly
             dis-alloweth
             Patronages
             of
             livings
             that
             have
             cure
             of
             soules
             :
             which
             will
             be
             prejudiciall
             to
             the
             Nobility
             and
             Gentry
             ,
             despoiling
             them
             of
             their
             inheritance
             .
          
           
             And
             if
             any
             shall
             object
             that
             either
             in
             this
             or
             any
             other
             matter
             their
             practice
             differs
             from
             their
             rule
             ,
             let
             him
             mark
             what
             caution
             is
             given
             in
             the
             Preface
             to
             the
             Bookes
             of
             Discipline
             .
             
               To
               distinguish
               betwixt
               the
               Kirks
               purpose
               and
               intention
               in
               every
               particular
               ,
               and
               
               their
               possibility
               to
               performe
               and
               practise
               as
               circumstances
               concurred
               ,
               or
               were
               contrary
               :
               and
               he
               shall
               find
               that
               the
               practise
               prevailes
               onely
               because
               they
               want
               power
               to
               alter
               it
               ,
               and
               that
               they
               will
               never
               rest
               satisfied
               ,
               till
               they
               obtain
               their
               purpose
               .
            
          
           
             2.
             
             They
             are
             no
             better
             friends
             to
             the
             Ministers
             ,
             then
             to
             the
             Nobles
             and
             Gentry
             :
             for
             their
             Lawes
             provide
             that
             they
             shall
             be
             kept
             poore
             enough
             ,
             to
             make
             both
             them
             and
             their
             Doctrine
             servile
             to
             the
             peoples
             humours
             .
          
           
             Their
             Benefices
             must
             be
             changed
             into
             stipends
             .
          
           
             
               That
               which
               is
               called
               the
               Benefice
               ,
               ought
               to
               be
               nothing
               else
               but
               the
               stipend
               of
               the
               Ministers
               that
               are
               lawfully
               called
            
             ,
             2.
             
             
               Book
               of
               Discip.
               Chap.
            
             3.
             
          
           
             These
             stipends
             must
             be
             raised
             out
             of
             the
             rents
             of
             the
             Tithes
             which
             are
             paid
             to
             the
             Deacons
             by
             the
             owners
             ,
             and
             out
             of
             them
             must
             the
             poore
             and
             the
             Schooles
             be
             provided
             for
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             the
             Ministers
             .
          
           
             
               We
               think
               it
               a
               most
               reasonable
               thing
               that
               every
               man
               have
               the
               use
               of
               his
               owne
               Tiends
               ,
               provided
               that
               he
               answer
               to
               the
               Deacons
               ,
               and
               Treasurers
               of
               the
               Kirk
               ,
               of
               that
               which
               in
               justice
               shall
               be
               appointed
               unto
               him
               .
               We
               require
               the
               Deacons
               and
               Treasurers
               rather
               to
               receive
               the
               Rents
               then
               the
               Ministers
               themselves
               ;
               because
               that
               of
               the
               Tiends
               must
               not
               onely
               the
               Minister
               be
               sustained
               ,
               but
               also
               the
               poore
               and
               Schools
               .
            
             1
             
               Booke
               of
               Discip.
            
             6.
             
             
               Head
               ,
            
             Of
             the
             Rents
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             Yea
             the
             second
             Book
             of
             Discipline
             ,
             Chap.
             12.
             goeth
             further
             ,
             and
             will
             have
             the
             Kirk
             Rents
             divided
             in
             foure
             portions
             ,
             whereof
             the
             Minister
             must
             be
             content
             with
             one
             ,
             the
             other
             three
             to
             be
             for
             the
             Elders
             ,
             Deacons
             ,
             and
             other
             Kirk-Officers
             ,
             Doctors
             ,
             Schooles
             ,
             the
             Poore
             ,
             reparation
             of
             the
             Kirks
             ,
             and
             other
             extraordinary
             charges
             for
             the
             Kirk
             and
             Common-wealth
             :
             The
             words
             I
             omit
             for
             brevity
             .
          
           
             When
             all
             these
             collops
             are
             cut
             out
             ,
             the
             Ministers
             part
             is
             partly
             taxed
             ,
             and
             partly
             left
             to
             the
             curtesie
             of
             the
             Kirk
             .
          
           
             
               It
               is
               thought
               good
               that
               every
               Minister
               shall
               have
               at
               least
               forty
               bolls
               meale
               ,
               twenty
               six
               bolls
               malt
               ,
               to
               find
               his
               house
               bread
               and
               drink
               ,
               &
               more
               ,
               so
               much
               as
               the
               discretion
               of
               the
               Church
               finds
               necessary
               ,
               besides
               mony
               for
               buying
               of
               other
               provision
               to
               his
               house
               ,
               and
               other
               necessaries
               :
               the
               modification
               whereof
               is
               referred
               to
               the
               judgement
               of
               the
               Kirk
               ,
               to
               be
               made
               every
               yeare
               at
               the
               chusing
               of
               the
               Elders
               and
               Deacons
               of
               the
               Kirk
               .
            
             1.
             
             
               Book
               of
               Discip.
            
             5.
             
             
               Head
               ,
            
             Of
             the
             provision
             for
             the
             Ministers
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
           
             Their
             Glebes
             if
             they
             exceed
             six
             Acres
             ,
             they
             are
             content
             shall
             be
             deteined
             .
          
           
             
               If
               any
               Glebe
               exceed
               six
               Acres
               of
               ground
               ,
               the
               rest
               to
               remaine
               in
               the
               hands
               of
               the
               possessors
               till
               order
               be
               taken
               therein
               .
            
             1.
             
             
               Booke
               of
               Discip.
               the
            
             6.
             
             
               Head
               .
            
          
           
             3
             In
             general
             this
             Government
             insults
             upon
             the
             inslaved
             people
             with
             all
             sorts
             of
             heavy
             burdens
             and
             vexations
             .
          
           
             When
             they
             have
             brought
             the
             Ministery
             into
             so
             poore
             a
             condition
             that
             few
             but
             the
             lowest
             of
             the
             people
             will
             willingly
             enter
             into
             it
             :
             then
             to
             supply
             that
             defect
             ,
             they
             have
             Lawes
             to
             compell
             men
             to
             take
             that
             function
             upon
             them
             ,
             and
             Parents
             to
             dedicate
             their
             children
             to
             it
             ,
             by
             the
             censures
             of
             the
             Kirk
             and
             the
             Civill
             Power
             .
          
           
             
               Your
               Honours
               with
               consent
               of
               the
               Church
               are
               bound
               by
               your
               Authority
               to
               compell
               such
               men
               as
               have
               gifts
               and
               graces
               able
               to
               edifie
               the
               Church
               of
               God
               ,
               that
               they
               bestow
               them
               where
               greatest
               necessity
               shall
               be
               knowne
               .
            
             1.
             
             
               Booke
               of
               Discipline
               ,
            
             4.
             
             
               Head
               .
            
             Of
             admission
             .
          
           
             
               The
               rich
               and
               potent
               may
               not
               be
               permitted
               to
               suffer
               their
               children
               to
               spend
               their
               youth
               in
               vaine
               idlenesse
               ,
               as
               heretofore
               they
               have
               done
               :
               but
               they
               must
               be
               exhorted
               ,
               and
               by
               the
               censure
               of
               the
               Kirk
               compelled
               to
               dedicate
               their
               sons
               by
               good
               exercises
               to
               the
               profit
               of
               the
               Kirk
               and
               Common-wealth
               .
            
             1.
             
             
               Book
               of
               Discip.
            
             5.
             
             
               Head
               .
            
             SECT.
             Of
             the
             necessity
             of
             Schools
             .
          
           
             
               And
               if
               any
               be
               found
               disobedient
               ,
               and
               not
               willing
               to
               communicate
               the
               gifts
               and
               speciall
               graces
               of
               God
               with
               their
               brethren
               ,
               after
               sufficient
               admonition
               ,
               Discipline
               must
               proceed
               against
               them
               :
               Provided
               that
               the
               Civil
               Magistrate
               concur
               with
               the
               judgement
               and
               election
               of
               the
               Kirk
               .
            
             1.
             
             
               Book
               of
               Discip.
            
             9.
             
             
               Head
               ,
            
             SECT.
             For
             Prophecying
             .
          
           
             With
             them
             it
             is
             not
             enough
             that
             the
             younger
             sort
             be
             catechised
             before
             their
             first
             admission
             to
             the
             communion
             ,
             but
             all
             persons
             must
             be
             held
             as
             children
             all
             their
             life
             long
             ,
             and
             once
             a
             yeare
             at
             least
             be
             examined
             in
             the
             principles
             of
             Religion
             :
             which
             examination
             (
             to
             use
             the
             phrase
             of
             their
             own
             Book
             )
             is
             like
             to
             be
             sharp
             enough
             ,
             to
             those
             that
             know
             not
             the
             wayes
             of
             molifying
             their
             Examiners
             .
          
           
             
               Of
               necessity
               we
               judge
               that
               every
               yeare
               at
               the
               least
               ,
               publique
               examination
               be
               had
               by
               the
               Ministers
               and
               Elders
               of
               the
               knowledge
               of
               every
               person
               within
               the
               Kirk
               .
            
             1.
             
             
               Book
               of
               Discip.
            
             9.
             
             
               Head
               .
            
             Of
             policy
             .
          
           
             Those
             that
             thought
             twenty
             six
             holy-dayes
             in
             a
             yeare
             a
             burthen
             
             if
             this
             Government
             be
             brought
             in
             ,
             must
             have
             one
             day
             in
             every
             week
             taken
             from
             them
             (
             besides
             the
             Sunday
             )
             and
             set
             apart
             for
             Sermons
             ,
             and
             Prayers
             ,
             from
             labour
             both
             by
             Masters
             and
             Servants
             ,
             at
             least
             during
             the
             time
             of
             the
             publique
             Exercise
             .
          
           
             
               Every
               week
               once
               let
               the
               Congregation
               assemble
               to
               hear
               some
               place
               of
               the
               Scriptures
               orderly
               expounded
               .
            
             
               Psalm-Book
               .
            
             SECT.
             Of
             the
             interpretation
             of
             the
             Scriptures
             .
          
           
             
               In
               every
               notable
               town
               we
               require
               ,
               that
               one
               day
               besides
               the
               Sunday
               be
               appointed
               to
               the
               Sermon
               ,
               &
               Prayers
               :
               wch
               during
               the
               time
               of
               Sermon
               must
               be
               kept
               from
               all
               exercise
               of
               labour
               ,
               as
               wel
               of
               the
               master
               as
               of
               the
               servant
               .
            
             1.
             
             
               Booke
               of
               Dis.
            
             9.
             
             
               Head
               .
            
             Of
             Policy
             .
          
           
             Those
             that
             complained
             of
             the
             Bishops
             Courts
             once
             in
             three
             weeks
             as
             an
             intolerable
             vexation
             ;
             if
             this
             Government
             be
             set
             up
             ,
             must
             be
             yoked
             with
             a
             Consistory
             one
             day
             in
             every
             week
             :
             so
             that
             they
             shall
             have
             but
             foure
             dayes
             in
             seven
             free
             ,
             to
             do
             their
             own
             businesse
             .
          
           
             
               It
               is
               ordained
               that
               every
               Thursday
               the
               Ministers
               and
               Elders
               in
               their
               Assembly
               or
               Consistory
               ,
               diligently
               examine
               all
               such
               faults
               &
               suspitions
               as
               may
               be
               espied
               ,
               not
               onely
               amongst
               others
               ,
               but
               chiefly
               amongst
               themselves
               .
            
             
               Psalme-Booke
               .
            
             SECT.
             Of
             the
             weekly
             Assembly
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             If
             a
             man
             be
             acquitted
             of
             Homicide
             by
             the
             Temporall
             Judge
             ,
             the
             Presbytery
             holding
             him
             to
             be
             guilty
             ,
             take
             upon
             them
             to
             impose
             satisfactions
             upon
             him
             at
             their
             discretion
             :
             which
             is
             both
             an
             affront
             to
             the
             temporal
             Judge
             ,
             and
             a
             grievous
             vexation
             to
             the
             party
             ,
             who
             perhaps
             is
             innocent
             ,
             and
             maybe
             a
             pretence
             for
             them
             to
             put
             their
             hands
             in
             the
             Subjects
             purses
             ,
             if
             they
             shal
             thinke
             fit
             ,
             to
             require
             a
             pecuniary
             mulct
             for
             satisfaction
             .
          
           
             
               If
               the
               offender
               abide
               an
               Assise
               ,
               and
               by
               the
               same
               be
               absolved
               ,
               then
               may
               not
               the
               Church
               pronounce
               excommunication
               :
               bu●
               justly
               may
               exhort
               the
               man
               ,
               by
               whose
               hand
               the
               blood
               was
               shed
               to
               e●ter
               into
               consideration
               with
               himselfe
               how
               precious
               is
               the
               life
               of
               man
               before
               God
               ,
               and
               how
               severely
               God
               commandeth
               blood
               ,
               howsoever
               it
               be
               shed
               except
               it
               be
               by
               the
               sword
               of
               the
               Migistrate
               ,
               to
               be
               punished
               :
               and
               so
               may
               injoyn
               unto
               him
               such
               satisfactions
               to
               be
               made
               publike
               to
               the
               Church
               as
               may
               beare
               testification
               ,
               of
               his
               obedience
               ,
               and
               unfained
               repentance
               .
            
             
               Psalm-Book
               .
            
             In
             the
             order
             of
             Excommunication
             .
          
           
             That
             this
             presumption
             of
             their
             putting
             their
             hands
             into
             mens
             purses
             is
             not
             groundlesse
             ,
             may
             appear
             by
             another
             of
             their
             Constitutions
             ,
             wherein
             they
             take
             upon
             them
             to
             tax
             damages
             upon
             capitall
             
             offenders
             convict
             before
             the
             temporall
             Judge
             ,
             and
             to
             moderate
             between
             the
             offender
             and
             the
             party
             offended
             ,
             in
             that
             point
             .
          
           
             
               The
               sentence
               of
               excommunication
               once
               pronounced
               ,
               the
               Church
               may
               not
               suddenly
               admit
               the
               murtherer
               or
               convict
               adulterer
               to
               repentance
               and
               society
               of
               the
               faithfull
               ,
               albeit
               that
               pradon
               be
               purchased
               of
               the
               Magistrate
               :
               but
               first
               ought
               inquisition
               to
               be
               taken
               ,
               if
               the
               murtherer
               have
               satisfied
               the
               party
               offended
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               the
               kin
               and
               friends
               of
               the
               man
               slain
               :
               which
               if
               he
               hath
               not
               done
               ,
               neither
               is
               understood
               willingly
               so
               to
               doe
               ,
               the
               Church
               in
               no
               wise
               may
               heare
               him
               .
               But
               and
               if
               he
               be
               willing
               to
               satisfie
               ,
               and
               the
               friends
               exceed
               measure
               and
               the
               possibilities
               of
               him
               that
               committed
               the
               crime
               ,
               then
               ought
               the
               Church
               to
               put
               moderation
               to
               the
               unreasonable
               ,
               in
               case
               the
               Civill
               Magistrate
               hath
               not
               done
               so
               before
               .
            
             
               Psalm
               Book
               .
            
             In
             the
             order
             of
             Excommunication
             .
          
           
             By
             their
             Lawes
             they
             make
             such
             things
             punishable
             ,
             as
             wil
             leave
             no
             man
             in
             safety
             with
             whom
             they
             have
             a
             mind
             to
             quarrel
             .
             If
             a
             man
             conforme
             not
             his
             words
             ,
             his
             gestures
             ,
             his
             expences
             ,
             his
             diet
             ,
             his
             apparell
             to
             their
             liking
             :
             nay
             ,
             it
             they
             doe
             but
             suspect
             him
             to
             be
             inordinate
             in
             these
             things
             ,
             they
             convent
             him
             ,
             and
             admonish
             him
             ,
             and
             if
             he
             obey
             not
             their
             admonitions
             ,
             they
             thunder
             out
             the
             sentence
             of
             Excommunication
             against
             him
             .
          
           
             
               Wanton
               and
               vaine
               words
               ,
               uncomely
               gestures
               ,
               negligence
               in
               hearing
               the
               preaching
               ,
               or
               abstaining
               from
               the
               Lords
               Table
               when
               it
               is
               publiquely
               ministred
               ,
               suspicion
               of
               avarice
               ,
               or
               of
               pride
               ,
               superfluity
               ,
               or
               riotousnesse
               in
               chear
               or
               rayment
               :
               these
               we
               say
               and
               such
               others
               that
               of
               the
               world
               are
               not
               regarded
               ,
               deserve
               admonition
               amongst
               the
               members
               of
               Christs
               body
               .
               —
               If
               he
               continue
               stubborne
               ,
               then
               the
               third
               Sunday
               ought
               he
               to
               be
               charged
               publiquely
               to
               satisfie
               the
               Church
               for
               his
               offence
               and
               contempt
               ,
               under
               the
               pain
               of
               Excommunication
            
             ,
             
               Psalme-Booke
               .
            
             In
             the
             order
             of
             publike
             Repentance
             .
          
           
             This
             is
             an
             unheard
             of
             tyranny
             ,
             when
             a
             man
             may
             neither
             order
             his
             estate
             ,
             nor
             weare
             a
             garment
             ,
             nor
             eat
             ,
             nor
             spe●ke
             ,
             nor
             looke
             ,
             but
             at
             their
             liking
             :
             yet
             this
             is
             not
             the
             worst
             ,
             for
             these
             Lords
             paramount
             ,
             take
             upon
             them
             to
             be
             Judges
             not
             only
             of
             externall
             things
             ,
             but
             even
             in
             mens
             inward
             thoughts
             and
             affections
             too
             ,
             if
             they
             be
             by
             any
             means
             discovered
             to
             them
             .
          
           
             
               The
               Magistrate
               handleth
               externall
               things
               onely
               ,
               and
               actions
               done
               before
               men
               :
               but
               the
               Spirituall
               Ruler
               judgeth
               both
               inward
               
               affections
               ,
               and
               externall
               actions
               in
               respect
               of
               conscience
               ,
               by
               the
               Word
               of
               God
               .
            
             2.
             
             
               Book
               of
               Dis.
               Chap.
            
             1.
             
          
        
         
           
             The
             Conclusion
             .
          
           
             Out
             of
             that
             which
             hath
             been
             said
             ,
             I
             conclude
             ,
          
           
             1
             That
             this
             Form
             of
             Government
             would
             prove
             pernicious
             both
             to
             our
             King
             ,
             Parliament
             ,
             Ministery
             ,
             and
             People
             :
             and
             that
             the
             relations
             that
             have
             been
             published
             of
             the
             Presbyterians
             affronts
             done
             to
             Regall
             power
             in
             Scotland
             ,
             their
             contests
             with
             Parliaments
             ,
             the
             confusions
             by
             them
             caused
             ,
             and
             their
             injustice
             and
             tyrannie
             over
             the
             people
             :
             are
             very
             well
             consistent
             with
             their
             Principles
             .
          
           
             2
             That
             those
             who
             are
             so
             earnest
             to
             set
             up
             here
             that
             Government
             and
             Discipline
             ,
             are
             therefore
             zealous
             for
             it
             because
             they
             know
             it
             not
             .
             For
             otherwise
             it
             is
             hardly
             possible
             that
             any
             that
             will
             know
             a
             thing
             so
             unlovely
             ,
             should
             be
             so
             far
             in
             love
             with
             it
             .
          
           
             Especially
             if
             we
             consider
             ,
             that
             this
             which
             yet
             appears
             is
             but
             the
             Lions
             paw
             :
             his
             whole
             body
             is
             not
             yet
             seen
             ,
             nor
             easie
             to
             be
             seen
             ,
             but
             lies
             lurking
             (
             a
             great
             part
             of
             it
             )
             in
             the
             Registers
             of
             their
             Assemblies
             and
             Sessions
             never
             yet
             published
             to
             the
             world
             ,
             so
             that
             all
             the
             judgment
             we
             can
             make
             of
             it
             is
             ,
             that
             by
             the
             badnesse
             of
             that
             little
             that
             we
             see
             ,
             we
             may
             suspect
             more
             of
             the
             rest
             which
             we
             see
             not
             .
          
           
             For
             that
             there
             is
             yet
             much
             more
             unseen
             ,
             let
             the
             Preface
             of
             the
             Books
             of
             Discipline
             bear
             witnesse
             .
          
           
             
               Under
               the
               name
               of
               Discipline
               is
               to
               be
               understood
               ,
               not
               onely
               the
               particulars
               expressed
               in
               these
               two
               Books
               ,
               but
               also
               the
               Acts
               ,
               Constitutions
               ,
               and
               Practices
               agreed
               upon
               and
               recorded
               in
               the
               Registers
               of
               the
               Generall
               and
               Provinciall
               Assemblies
               ,
               Presbyteries
               and
               Kirk-Sessions
               .
            
          
           
             3
             That
             the
             forwardnesse
             of
             the
             Scots
             to
             get
             it
             here
             established
             proceeds
             not
             (
             in
             probability
             )
             from
             any
             love
             they
             bear
             to
             the
             thing
             it self
             for
             its
             own
             sake
             :
             we
             may
             rather
             presume
             that
             themselves
             (
             except
             them
             whose
             turns
             are
             served
             by
             it
             )
             are
             weary
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             Wherefore
             we
             have
             rather
             cause
             to
             suspect
             that
             there
             is
             something
             of
             
               Vlysses
            
             in
             it
             :
             and
             that
             they
             would
             bring
             i●
             in
             upon
             us
             like
             the
             Trojan-Horse
             with
             the
             belly
             full
             of
             armed
             men
             ,
             to
             take
             our
             Troy-novant
             :
             that
             because
             they
             know
             it
             cannot
             here
             be
             setled
             without
             a
             War
             ,
             nor
             that
             made
             without
             their
             assistance
             ,
             they
             may
             use
             the
             help
             of
             our
             own
             hands
             to
             put
             their
             yoke
             upon
             our
             necks
             ,
             
             and
             give
             Law
             to
             our
             Nation
             ,
             which
             they
             of
             late
             so
             much
             disdained
             to
             receive
             from
             us
             .
          
           
             10
             That
             the
             Parliament
             hath
             done
             very
             prudently
             in
             declining
             so
             constantly
             the
             erection
             of
             this
             Government
             .
             I
             wish
             that
             their
             Decree
             of
             Election
             had
             been
             as
             provident
             as
             this
             of
             reprobation
             .
             For
             I
             consider
             ,
             that
             in
             that
             mixt
             form
             of
             Government
             which
             instead
             of
             it
             they
             have
             chosen
             for
             a
             time
             ,
             they
             have
             not
             onely
             displeased
             the
             Presbyterians
             in
             that
             which
             they
             have
             denyed
             ;
             but
             also
             the
             Brethren
             of
             the
             Congregationall
             Assemblies
             in
             divers
             things
             which
             they
             have
             granted
             :
             as
             namely
             ,
             in
             excluding
             from
             their
             voice
             in
             the
             Election
             of
             Elders
             ,
             those
             that
             are
             not
             satisfied
             of
             the
             lawfulnesse
             of
             taking
             the
             Covenant
             and
             Servants
             ,
             as
             if
             difference
             of
             opinion
             could
             deprive
             men
             of
             those
             priviledges
             whereto
             they
             have
             as
             good
             right
             as
             others
             that
             have
             no
             scruples
             ,
             or
             as
             if
             in
             Spirituall
             things
             there
             were
             any
             difference
             between
             bond
             and
             free
             :
             In
             forbidding
             any
             to
             be
             chosen
             an
             Elder
             but
             where
             kis
             dwelling
             and
             most
             residence
             is
             ,
             whereas
             perhaps
             he
             cannot
             consent
             to
             be
             of
             that
             Congregation
             :
             In
             making
             those
             Judges
             and
             Tryers
             of
             Elections
             which
             are
             not
             Members
             of
             that
             Congregation
             where
             the
             election
             is
             made
             :
             In
             appointing
             a
             Subordination
             and
             Subjection
             of
             Congregationall
             Elderships
             to
             the
             Government
             of
             Classicall
             ,
             Provinciall
             ,
             and
             Nationall
             Assemblies
             ,
             and
             making
             them
             Judges
             of
             Appeals
             from
             the
             other
             :
             In
             forbidding
             one
             Congregation
             to
             admit
             him
             that
             is
             suspended
             from
             another
             without
             their
             Certificate
             :
             In
             authorizing
             the
             Civill
             Power
             to
             judge
             Spirituall
             Causes
             ,
             and
             in
             leaving
             the
             repentance
             and
             restoring
             of
             suspended
             Persons
             wholly
             to
             the
             discretion
             of
             the
             Presbyterian
             Eldership
             .
          
           
             So
             ,
             that
             this
             mixt
             Forme
             set
             up
             by
             the
             Parliament
             ,
             may
             prove
             like
             the
             Interim
             of
             
               Charls
            
             the
             fifth
             ,
             which
             being
             a
             middle
             way
             of
             Religion
             between
             the
             Protestants
             and
             Papists
             made
             to
             reconcile
             them
             ,
             and
             compose
             differences
             till
             a
             means
             of
             more
             perfect
             union
             might
             be
             found
             out
             ,
             displeased
             both
             sides
             ,
             and
             by
             alienating
             them
             both
             from
             him
             ,
             stopped
             the
             growing
             greatnes
             of
             that
             mighty
             Emperour
             .
             And
             the
             like
             effect
             may
             this
             English
             Interim
             produce
             ,
             discontenting
             both
             the
             sides
             ,
             and
             provoking
             them
             to
             faile
             the
             Parliament
             when
             they
             have
             most
             need
             of
             them
             .
          
           
             Wherefore
             it
             would
             be
             considered
             ,
             whether
             to
             avoid
             the
             difficulties
             ,
             otherwise
             insuperable
             ,
             it
             were
             not
             better
             to
             be
             content
             with
             that
             Government
             ,
             which
             was
             before
             ;
             which
             would
             certainly
             
             conciliate
             one
             side
             ,
             and
             (
             if
             their
             professions
             may
             be
             believed
             )
             least
             displease
             the
             other
             two
             .
          
           
             For
             ,
             as
             for
             the
             alienation
             of
             the
             Bishops
             Lands
             from
             the
             Church
             ;
             the
             hope
             whereof
             may
             perhaps
             make
             some
             men
             resolute
             to
             persist
             in
             the
             endeavour
             to
             root
             out
             that
             Order
             :
             let
             them
             but
             consider
             how
             the
             first
             Book
             of
             the
             Scots
             Discipline
             ,
             6.
             
             Head
             ,
             requires
             them
             to
             bee
             retained
             in
             the
             use
             of
             the
             Kirk
             ;
             how
             the
             second
             Book
             9.
             
             Chapter
             determines
             ,
             that
             the
             alienation
             thereof
             to
             prophane
             uses
             ,
             is
             detestable
             Sacriledge
             before
             God
             ,
             how
             their
             Psalme-Booke
             appoints
             it
             in
             one
             of
             their
             Formes
             of
             publique
             Prayer
             to
             be
             confessed
             as
             a
             grievous
             sin
             ,
             how
             the
             Kirk
             of
             Scotland
             in
             their
             Declaration
             made
             since
             these
             times
             ,
             renew
             their
             claime
             against
             the
             possessors
             :
             Lastly
             ,
             what
             power
             the
             Presbyterian-Preachers
             will
             have
             over
             the
             consciences
             &
             affections
             of
             the
             multitude
             if
             that
             Government
             go
             up
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             multitude
             against
             all
             that
             are
             not
             favoured
             by
             them
             :
             and
             they
             will
             easily
             conclude
             ,
             that
             they
             cannot
             possesse
             them
             long
             in
             quiet
             .
          
           
             FINIS
             .