A true representation of Presbyterian government wherein a short and clear account is given of the principles of them that owne it, the common objections against it answered, and some other things opened that concern it in the present circumstances / by a friend to that interest.
         Rule, Gilbert, 1629?-1701.
      
       
         
           1690
        
      
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         Wing R2228
         ESTC R28113
         10409875
         ocm 10409875
         44974
         
           
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             A true representation of Presbyterian government wherein a short and clear account is given of the principles of them that owne it, the common objections against it answered, and some other things opened that concern it in the present circumstances / by a friend to that interest.
             Rule, Gilbert, 1629?-1701.
          
           18 p.
           
             Printed at the Society of Stationers Printing House ... for George Mosman,
             Edinburgh :
             1690.
          
           
             "Licensed Aprile the 18th, 1690."-- Colophon.
             Attributed by Wing to Gilbert Rule.
             Reproduction of original in the Harvard University Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Presbyterian Church.
           Presbyterianism -- Apologetic works.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           TRUE
           REPRESENTATION
           OF
           PRESBYTERIAN
           GOVERNMENT
           Wherein
           a
           short
           and
           clear
           Account
           is
           given
           of
           the
           PRINCIPLES
           Of
           Them
           that
           owne
           IT
           .
           THE
           COMMON
           OBJECTIONS
           AGAINST
           IT
           ANSWERED
           ,
           And
           some
           other
           Things
           opened
           that
           concern
           IT
           in
           the
           PRESENT
           CIRCUMSTANCES
           .
        
         
           By
           a
           Friend
           to
           that
           Interest
           .
        
         
           EDINBURGH
           ,
           Printed
           at
           the
           Society
           of
           Stationers
           Printing
           house
           in
           Harts-Close
           over
           against
           the
           
             Trone
             Church
          
           ,
           for
           
             George
             Mosman
          
           Bookseller
           in
           the
           Parliament-Close
           ,
           Anno
           Dom
           1690.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           A
           TRUE
           REPRESENTATION
           OF
           PRESBYTERIAN
           GOVERNMENT
           .
        
         
           THat
           any
           of
           the
           Truths
           or
           Ordinances
           of
           God
           should
           need
           an
           Apology
           to
           be
           made
           for
           them
           ,
           should
           be
           for
           a
           Lamentation
           :
           For
           it
           proceedeth
           either
           from
           the
           Ignorance
           or
           Perverseness
           of
           Men.
           The
           Principles
           ,
           and
           way
           of
           Presbyterians
           ,
           have
           undergone
           the
           common
           Fate
           of
           other
           of
           the
           parts
           of
           that
           Religion
           that
           Christ
           hath
           taught
           :
           It
           is
           the
           Sect
           every
           where
           spoken
           against
           ;
           and
           there
           hath
           been
           no
           small
           stir
           about
           that
           way
           :
           And
           this
           hath
           proceeded
           partly
           from
           the
           enmity
           against
           that
           curb
           of
           mens
           Lusts
           ,
           and
           Enormities
           that
           is
           in
           ungodly
           men
           :
           And
           partly
           ,
           from
           want
           of
           knowledge
           of
           that
           way
           ,
           which
           even
           they
           may
           be
           under
           ,
           whose
           Studies
           and
           Thoughts
           are
           imployed
           about
           things
           of
           another
           nature
           ,
           and
           not
           about
           these
           matters
           ,
           though
           they
           be
           otherwise
           knowing
           and
           thinking
           Men
           :
           Or
           from
           prejudice
           that
           their
           Interest
           may
           fill
           them
           with
           ,
           to
           the
           hiding
           of
           Truth
           in
           this
           ,
           from
           their
           eyes
           ;
           wherefore
           we
           think
           it
           our
           Duty
           to
           endeavour
           the
           vindication
           of
           this
           our
           Profession
           ,
           (
           with
           as
           much
           brevity
           and
           clearness
           as
           we
           can
           attain
           )
           by
           First
           giving
           a
           plain
           account
           of
           what
           we
           hold
           .
           2
           dly
           ,
           Taking
           off
           the
           most
           material
           Objections
           ,
           and
           these
           that
           are
           most
           common
           ,
           or
           reproaches
           that
           are
           used
           against
           us
           ;
           for
           we
           have
           to
           do
           not
           only
           with
           men
           otherwise
           Sober
           and
           Judicious
           ,
           who
           differ
           from
           us
           :
           But
           with
           many
           whose
           Temper
           ,
           Practices
           ,
           and
           Designs
           ;
           are
           not
           such
           as
           becometh
           the
           Gospel
           .
           We
           desire
           as
           to
           approve
           our selves
           to
           our
           Blessed
           Lord
           and
           Master
           Jesus
           Christ
           ;
           so
           to
           satisfy
           the
           Minds
           of
           all
           Inquirers
           after
           Truth
           ,
           but
           especially
           to
           stand
           right
           in
           
           the
           Opinion
           of
           His
           Majesty
           ,
           our
           Gracious
           Soveraign
           ,
           of
           his
           Grace
           the
           Kings
           High
           Commissioner
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           Noble
           ,
           and
           Honourable
           Estates
           of
           Parliament
           ;
           who
           we
           hope
           ,
           as
           Nursing
           Fathers
           to
           the
           Church
           ,
           will
           own
           us
           in
           those
           ways
           that
           the
           Lord
           owneth
           us
           in
           .
        
         
           Our
           Principles
           we
           lay
           down
           in
           a
           few
           Propositions
           .
           F●rst
           .
           We
           own
           Christ
           the
           Mediator
           ,
           as
           the
           only
           Head
           over
           ,
           and
           Lawgiver
           ,
           to
           his
           Church
           ;
           and
           we
           disown
           any
           visible
           governing
           Head
           over
           the
           Church
           ,
           however
           pretending
           to
           act
           in
           Subordination
           to
           him
           :
           Because
           we
           know
           none
           that
           he
           hath
           given
           such
           Commission
           to
           .
        
         
           2
           dly
           .
           Christ
           as
           Head
           of
           the
           Church
           hath
           given
           forth
           Laws
           ,
           whereby
           the
           Affairs
           of
           his
           House
           should
           be
           managed
           ;
           and
           hath
           not
           left
           any
           Nomothetick
           Power
           in
           the
           Church
           to
           make
           Laws
           for
           her self
           (
           her
           work
           being
           to
           declare
           and
           execute
           the
           Laws
           of
           Christ
           )
           and
           the
           Laws
           of
           the
           Magistrate
           are
           not
           to
           appoint
           new
           ordinances
           ,
           or
           Officers
           in
           the
           Church
           ;
           though
           he
           ought
           to
           give
           his
           civil
           Sanction
           to
           what
           Christ
           hath
           appointed
           ;
           and
           may
           make
           Laws
           about
           these
           things
           that
           are
           External
           to
           the
           Church
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           which
           are
           common
           to
           her
           with
           other
           Societies
           .
        
         
           3
           dly
           .
           Christ
           hath
           appointed
           Officers
           in
           his
           House
           ,
           and
           declared
           ,
           how
           they
           should
           be
           qualified
           ,
           and
           what
           should
           be
           their
           work
           :
           As
           in
           the
           beginning
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           he
           was
           pleased
           to
           appoint
           several
           extraordinary
           and
           temporary
           Officers
           ,
           that
           were
           immediately
           called
           and
           extraordinarily
           Gifted
           by
           himself
           ,
           as
           
             Apostles
             ,
             Prophets
          
           and
           Evangelists
           ,
           &c.
           
           The
           Apostles
           by
           Divine
           direction
           ,
           did
           immediately
           choose
           some
           by
           themselves
           for
           itinerant
           work
           (
           either
           from
           amongst
           the
           ordinary
           ,
           or
           extraordinary
           Officers
           of
           the
           Church
           )
           to
           exercise
           
             hic
             &
             nunc
          
           .
           their
           extraordinary
           Power
           ;
           (
           which
           Officers
           we
           commonly
           call
           Evangelists
           )
           so
           we
           do
           not
           find
           that
           he
           appointed
           any
           ordinary
           and
           perpetual
           Officers
           ,
           except
           Elders
           ,
           (
           called
           also
           Bishops
           )
           and
           Deacons
           .
           Phil
           1
           1.
           
           Of
           these
           Elders
           some
           were
           to
           Rule
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           also
           to
           Teach
           her
           ,
           Heb
           13
           7.
           17.
           
           Others
           only
           to
           Rule
           ,
           1
           Tim.
           5.
           17.
           
           Which
           also
           was
           the
           practice
           of
           the
           first
           Antiquity
           ,
           and
           it
           s
           desuerude
           complained
           of
           by
           Ambrose
           in
           the
           end
           of
           the
           fourth
           Century
           :
           And
           there
           are
           few
           of
           the
           Fathers
           in
           the
           first
           three
           Centuries
           ,
           but
           they
           mention
           
             Sentores
             Ecclesiae
          
           ,
           that
           represented
           the
           People
           in
           the
           Government
           of
           the
           Church
           with
           the
           Ministers
           .
        
         
           4
           ly
           How
           the
           Officers
           of
           Gods
           House
           should
           be
           qualified
           ,
           is
           at
           length
           set
           down
           ,
           1
           Tim.
           3.
           2.
           under
           the
           Name
           of
           Bishops
           (
           which
           was
           the
           Name
           of
           all
           Church
           Rulers
           )
           and
           Deacons
           ,
           and
           Tit.
           1.
           6.
           
        
         
         
           5
           ly
           .
           Their
           work
           is
           fully
           set
           down
           ,
           both
           negatively
           ,
           that
           they
           should
           not
           be
           intangled
           with
           worldly
           Affairs
           ,
           2
           Tim.
           2.
           where
           having
           mentioned
           Ordination
           of
           Ministers
           vers
           2.
           he
           requireth
           them
           ,
           vers
           3
           ,
           and
           4.
           as
           Souldiers
           to
           endure
           hardness
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           abstracted
           from
           worldly
           Business
           ,
           which
           is
           to
           be
           understood
           ,
           as
           much
           as
           their
           necessity
           doth
           permit
           .
           Also
           positively
           it
           is
           told
           us
           in
           general
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           directed
           in
           this
           1
           Tim.
           3.
           14
           ,
           15
           and
           particular
           Directions
           are
           given
           about
           Preaching
           ,
           and
           that
           in
           all
           the
           parts
           of
           it
           ,
           2
           Tim.
           4.
           1
           ,
           2.
           
           Censures
           ,
           1
           Cor.
           5
           4.
           5.
           2
           
           Thess.
           3.
           14.
           
           Ordination
           ,
           2
           Tim
           2.
           2.
           
           II
           Tim.
           5.
           22.
           
        
         
           6
           ly
           .
           In
           all
           these
           ,
           Ministers
           and
           Elders
           have
           no
           Lordly
           Authority
           over
           the
           People
           ,
           but
           must
           act
           as
           Christs
           Servants
           ,
           and
           theirs
           ,
           (
           in
           order
           to
           their
           Salvation
           )
           1
           Pet.
           5.
           3.
           2
           
           Cor.
           4.
           5.
           yet
           they
           have
           real
           and
           proper
           (
           though
           Ministerial
           )
           Authority
           under
           Christ.
           
        
         
           7
           ly
           .
           It
           is
           not
           only
           of
           Divine
           Authority
           natural
           ;
           that
           there
           be
           a
           Government
           in
           the
           Church
           (
           Anarchy
           and
           Confusion
           in
           any
           Society
           being
           contrary
           to
           the
           Dictates
           of
           natural
           reason
           )
           but
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           hath
           positively
           revealed
           his
           will
           in
           this
           :
           He
           having
           expresly
           committed
           the
           Keyes
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           Heaven
           to
           his
           Servants
           ,
           and
           that
           for
           binding
           and
           loosing
           ;
           retaining
           ,
           and
           remitting
           of
           Sins
           :
           The
           Authoratative
           inflicting
           of
           Censures
           ,
           whereby
           the
           man
           is
           declared
           to
           be
           free
           from
           guilt
           ,
           and
           that
           his
           Sin
           is
           pardoned
           so
           far
           as
           Men
           can
           discern
           .
        
         
           8
           ly
           .
           What
           should
           be
           the
           Species
           of
           this
           Government
           is
           not
           left
           indifferent
           to
           Men
           (
           whether
           the
           Magistrate
           or
           the
           Church
           )
           to
           chuse
           ,
           but
           is
           determined
           by
           Christ
           and
           revealed
           in
           the
           
             New
             Testament
          
           :
           In
           that
           he
           hath
           appointed
           what
           Officers
           should
           be
           in
           his
           House
           ,
           how
           they
           should
           be
           Chosen
           and
           Authorized
           ,
           viz.
           by
           Election
           and
           Ordination
           :
           what
           should
           be
           their
           Qualifications
           and
           Work
           :
           How
           they
           should
           manage
           their
           work
           ,
           and
           rule
           the
           Church
           in
           common
           :
           That
           the
           Apostles
           committed
           the
           Ordination
           of
           Ministers
           to
           the
           Presbytery
           ,
           1
           Tim
           4.
           14.
           and
           the
           Censures
           of
           the
           Church
           to
           a
           Community
           ,
           1
           Cor
           ,
           5
           2
           Cor.
           2.
           
           And
           not
           to
           one
           person
           ,
           even
           in
           their
           own
           time
           ;
           is
           an
           unanswerable
           argument
           for
           this
           ;
           their
           example
           being
           declarative
           of
           the
           mind
           of
           God
           ,
           where
           no
           peculiar
           reason
           appeareth
           for
           their
           Action
           .
        
         
           9
           ly
           .
           This
           Government
           the
           Lord
           hath
           not
           committed
           to
           Magistrates
           ,
           who
           have
           no
           power
           to
           Ordain
           ,
           nor
           deprive
           Ministers
           ,
           or
           Elders
           ;
           nor
           to
           Excommunicate
           ,
           or
           to
           relax
           from
           that
           Sentence
           :
           Nor
           to
           administer
           ,
           or
           manage
           any
           part
           of
           that
           Work
           that
           is
           peculiar
           to
           
           the
           Church
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           a
           Religious
           Society
           ;
           nor
           to
           appoint
           how
           the
           Church
           should
           be
           governed
           :
           But
           he
           hath
           committed
           it
           to
           the
           Church
           Guides
           .
           Ministers
           and
           Ruling
           Elders
           ;
           for
           to
           them
           are
           all
           the
           Directions
           about
           it
           given
           in
           the
           Word
           ,
           not
           to
           the
           Magistrates
           ;
           they
           are
           to
           give
           an
           account
           of
           it
           .
           Heb.
           13
           17.
           
           They
           did
           manage
           it
           for
           diverse
           hundreds
           of
           years
           ,
           when
           there
           was
           no
           Magistrate
           that
           did
           own
           ,
           or
           countenance
           Christianity
           :
           And
           there
           is
           no
           hint
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           nor
           Principle
           of
           reason
           that
           can
           evince
           ,
           that
           this
           Power
           should
           devolve
           into
           the
           hands
           of
           the
           Magistrate
           ,
           when
           he
           should
           become
           Christian
           ;
           neither
           are
           any
           Directions
           given
           to
           the
           Magistrate
           how
           he
           should
           administer
           any
           of
           the
           Ordinances
           of
           Christ.
           
        
         
           10
           ly
           .
           Yet
           we
           own
           the
           Civil
           Magistrate
           as
           Nursing
           Father
           of
           the
           Church
           and
           
             Custos
             utriusque
             tabulae
             legis
          
           Upon
           which
           account
           he
           is
           not
           only
           to
           provide
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           for
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           to
           procure
           her
           Peace
           and
           Unity
           by
           all
           good
           means
           (
           as
           repressing
           of
           Heresie
           ,
           Schism
           ,
           and
           other
           Disorders
           ,
           wherein
           he
           is
           to
           use
           a
           judgement
           of
           Discretion
           ;
           and
           not
           blindly
           to
           execute
           the
           Sentence
           of
           the
           Church
           )
           but
           also
           may
           require
           all
           the
           Officers
           and
           Members
           of
           the
           Church
           to
           do
           what
           is
           their
           Duty
           :
           And
           that
           he
           may
           (
           when
           the
           Case
           requireth
           )
           convocat
           Synods
           ,
           and
           Indict
           times
           of
           Fasting
           and
           Thanskgiving
           :
           Though
           for
           these
           we
           assert
           an
           intrinsick
           Power
           in
           the
           Church
           ;
           to
           which
           that
           of
           the
           Magistrate
           is
           not
           privative
           but
           cumulative
           :
           For
           we
           maintain
           a
           twofold
           Kingdom
           of
           Christ
           ,
           one
           ,
           as
           God
           over
           all
           men
           ,
           in
           which
           the
           Magistrate
           is
           his
           Vicegerent
           ;
           another
           as
           Mediator
           over
           the
           Church
           as
           such
           ,
           in
           which
           he
           hath
           Deputed
           no
           Magistratical
           ,
           but
           only
           Ministerial
           Power
           :
           We
           hold
           also
           ,
           that
           the
           Persons
           and
           Actions
           of
           Church-men
           are
           subject
           to
           the
           Civil
           Magistrate
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           may
           be
           punish'd
           when
           they
           transgress
           the
           Laws
           .
        
         
           11
           ly
           .
           This
           Ministerial
           governing
           Power
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           the
           Lord
           hath
           not
           committed
           to
           all
           the
           Members
           ;
           nor
           to
           all
           the
           Males
           thereof
           :
           But
           hath
           made
           a
           manifest
           distinction
           between
           Rulers
           and
           Ruled
           ,
           in
           the
           Scriptures
           mentioned
           already
           .
        
         
           12
           ly
           .
           The
           Lord
           hath
           equally
           intrusted
           all
           his
           Servants
           the
           Ministers
           ,
           not
           only
           with
           the
           power
           of
           dispensing
           the
           Word
           ,
           and
           Sacraments
           ,
           but
           also
           with
           the
           power
           of
           Governing
           the
           Church
           :
           Which
           by
           his
           appointment
           ,
           and
           acoording
           to
           the
           practice
           of
           the
           first
           and
           best
           Ages
           of
           the
           Churches
           ,
           ought
           to
           be
           ,
           and
           was
           done
           in
           common
           by
           Ministers
           acting
           in
           Parity
           ,
           and
           not
           by
           a
           single
           Prelate
           set
           over
           the
           rest
           .
           This
           is
           accknowledged
           by
           most
           ,
           and
           the
           most
           eminent
           of
           our
           Prelatick
           
           Brethren
           :
           And
           must
           be
           so
           by
           all
           of
           them
           who
           do
           not
           plead
           for
           a
           Divine
           Right
           of
           Episcopacy
           .
           Besides
           that
           ,
           neither
           Names
           ,
           Directions
           ,
           or
           Reproofs
           given
           to
           Church
           Guides
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           do
           import
           any
           such
           imparity
           of
           Power
           ,
           nor
           is
           their
           any
           footstep
           of
           the
           exercise
           of
           it
           in
           Scripture
           ;
           to
           infer
           this
           disparity
           of
           Power
           from
           that
           of
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           is
           most
           inconsequential
           :
           They
           being
           Universal
           ,
           Extraordinary
           ,
           Unfixed
           ,
           and
           temporary
           Officers
           ;
           whom
           the
           Lord
           immediatly
           called
           ,
           and
           abrogated
           their
           Office
           with
           their
           Death
           ;
           in
           that
           he
           neither
           called
           others
           to
           succeed
           in
           that
           Power
           ,
           nor
           gave
           any
           hint
           that
           it
           should
           be
           done
           by
           the
           Church
           .
           It
           is
           as
           if
           one
           should
           say
           the
           Church
           was
           once
           governed
           Monarchically
           by
           a
           visible
           Head
           (
           viz.
           While
           Christ
           was
           on
           Earth
           )
           Ergo
           ,
           It
           should
           be
           so
           still
           :
           Which
           no
           Protestant
           will
           aver
           .
           The
           Argument
           in
           Timothy
           and
           Titus
           is
           of
           the
           same
           Kidney
           ,
           they
           being
           extraordinary
           and
           unfixed
           Officers
           ,
           and
           so
           no
           precedent
           for
           after
           times
           .
           Neither
           can
           any
           Argument
           be
           drawn
           from
           the
           Angels
           of
           the
           Churches
           ;
           words
           not
           being
           often
           used
           properly
           in
           that
           mystical
           Book
           ;
           and
           we
           know
           that
           
             Theologia
             Symbolica
             non
             est
             Argumentativa
          
           .
           Besides
           that
           the
           Angel
           of
           Thyatyra
           was
           certainly
           a
           community
           ,
           being
           spoken
           to
           in
           the
           plural
           Number
           .
           Revel
           .
           2.
           24.
           
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           .
        
         
           13
           There
           being
           no
           disparity
           of
           power
           amongst
           Ministers
           ,
           by
           Christs
           grant
           of
           power
           to
           them
           :
           No
           man
           can
           make
           this
           disparity
           by
           setting
           One
           over
           the
           Rest
           :
           Neither
           can
           they
           devolve
           their
           power
           on
           One
           of
           themselves
           .
           For
           Christ
           hath
           given
           no
           such
           warrant
           to
           Men
           to
           dispose
           of
           His
           Ordinance
           as
           they
           see
           fit
           .
           And
           power
           being
           delegated
           to
           them
           by
           him
           ,
           they
           cannot
           so
           commit
           it
           to
           another
           to
           exercise
           it
           for
           them
           ,
           as
           to
           deprive
           themselves
           of
           it
           .
           Also
           ,
           it
           being
           not
           a
           License
           only
           ,
           but
           a
           Trust
           ,
           of
           which
           they
           must
           give
           an
           account
           ,
           they
           must
           perform
           the
           work
           by
           themselves
           ,
           as
           they
           will
           be
           answerable
           .
           But
           we
           must
           contract
           ,
           not
           being
           now
           disputing
           ,
           but
           asserting
           what
           we
           shall
           be
           ready
           to
           defend
           as
           occasion
           shall
           be
           offered
           .
        
         
           14
           We
           assert
           Presbyterial
           Government
           to
           be
           so
           of
           Divine
           Right
           as
           We
           can
           make
           no
           composition
           with
           men
           about
           it
           (
           though
           none
           shall
           be
           more
           condescending
           to
           them
           that
           are
           otherwise
           minded
           in
           what
           is
           consistant
           with
           Truth
           and
           necessary
           Duty
           then
           we
           .
           Yet
           it
           is
           not
           alike
           so
           in
           all
           the
           parts
           of
           it
           .
           For
           some
           parts
           of
           it
           are
           of
           Christs
           institution
           ;
           as
           the
           officers
           of
           the
           Church
           the
           Laws
           ,
           and
           Censures
           of
           it
           .
           And
           others
           of
           the
           dictates
           of
           natural
           Reason
           (
           which
           is
           also
           a
           Beam
           of
           Divine
           Light
           )
           as
           that
           there
           be
           a
           Government
           and
           meeting
           ,
           for
           managing
           
           of
           it
           ;
           that
           one
           preside
           in
           them
           ,
           that
           lesser
           and
           greater
           parts
           of
           the
           Church
           had
           their
           meetings
           ,
           as
           Congregational
           ,
           Classical
           ,
           Provincial
           ,
           and
           National
           Assemblies
           for
           Government
           ;
           that
           there
           be
           a
           subordination
           and
           appeals
           amongst
           these
           .
           To
           require
           positive
           assertions
           of
           Scripture
           warranting
           every
           one
           of
           these
           (
           though
           there
           want
           not
           Scripture
           examples
           and
           other
           hints
           to
           countenance
           severals
           of
           them
           )
           is
           as
           unreasonable
           as
           if
           we
           should
           be
           called
           to
           bring
           a
           text
           to
           prove
           that
           we
           should
           come
           in
           to
           the
           publick
           assemblies
           cloathed
           and
           not
           naked
           :
           In
           an
           usual
           and
           not
           in
           an
           antiquat
           Garb
        
         
           15
           Whether
           the
           Moderator
           ,
           or
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           of
           rulei●g
           Church
           meetings
           should
           continue
           for
           one
           or
           more
           Diets
           or
           for
           how
           long
           a
           time
           is
           not
           determined
           by
           any
           institution
           of
           Christ
           ,
           not
           by
           any
           general
           dictate
           of
           natural
           Light
           :
           Yet
           we
           judge
           a
           constant
           Moderator
           ,
           highly
           inconvenient
           ,
           and
           by
           all
           means
           to
           be
           shuned
           :
           For
           it
           he
           be
           imposed
           on
           the
           meeting
           it
           is
           an
           encroachment
           on
           their
           intrinsick
           power
           of
           governing
           themselves
           in
           such
           things
           as
           are
           peculiar
           to
           them
           .
           And
           though
           chosen
           by
           themselves
           ,
           fatal
           ;
           and
           constant
           examples
           together
           with
           the
           inclinanations
           of
           men
           to
           usurpation
           ,
           do
           shew
           it
           to
           have
           so
           violent
           tendency
           to
           Lordly
           Prelacy
           ,
           as
           rately
           doeth
           it
           fail
           or
           the
           bad
           effects
           ,
           nor
           can
           be
           expected
           ,
           not
           to
           Issue
           in
           it
           .
        
         
           We
           maintain
           that
           no
           Church
           Judicature
           ought
           to
           cognosce
           of
           Affairs
           of
           State
           nor
           of
           Mens
           civil
           Rights
           ,
           or
           Interests
           ;
           except
           their
           advice
           should
           be
           sought
           by
           the
           Magistrat
           concerning
           Sin
           or
           Duty
           in
           any
           such
           matter
           :
           As
           if
           the
           thing
           be
           manifestly
           Scandalous
           ,
           and
           evidently
           dangerous
           to
           the
           interest
           of
           Religion
           and
           the
           Souls
           of
           Men.
           Neither
           do
           they
           inflict
           any
           punishment
           save
           Spiritual
           Censures
           .
           Their
           work
           is
           to
           enquire
           into
           ,
           and
           declare
           controverted
           Truths
           ;
           to
           censure
           Scandalous
           Sinners
           :
           to
           try
           and
           ordain
           Ministers
           :
           to
           absolve
           the
           penitent
           ,
           by
           applying
           the
           comforts
           of
           the
           Gospel
           to
           them
           and
           such
           like
           :
           Wherefore
           there
           is
           no
           Ground
           of
           Fear
           that
           they
           should
           Clash
           ,
           or
           Cope
           with
           the
           Magistrate
           ,
           unless
           they
           go
           beyond
           their
           line
           ;
           in
           which
           case
           they
           fall
           under
           the
           Magistrats
           coercive
           power
           .
        
         
           16
           The
           way
           how
           men
           come
           into
           any
           office
           or
           power
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           is
           by
           Election
           of
           the
           People
           ,
           which
           designeth
           the
           Person
           (
           in
           which
           Election
           as
           in
           other
           things
           they
           are
           to
           be
           under
           the
           conduct
           and
           Regulation
           of
           the
           Church
           Guides
           )
           and
           ordination
           by
           laying
           on
           of
           the
           hands
           of
           the
           Presbytery
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           meane
           of
           communicating
           authority
           to
           him
           :
           and
           the
           former
           of
           these
           ought
           to
           preceed
           the
           latter
           :
           For
           we
           find
           no
           warrand
           for
           a
           
             Ministerium
             Vagum
          
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           seeing
           
           even
           in
           times
           of
           great
           trouble
           and
           Persecution
           we
           read
           of
           none
           ordained
           by
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           but
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           and
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           with
           the
           suffrages
           of
           the
           People
           .
        
         
           17
           Though
           superintendency
           ,
           that
           is
           a
           power
           of
           inspection
           delegated
           from
           the
           Church
           to
           one
           ,
           used
           in
           case
           of
           necessity
           when
           a
           qualified
           Minister
           could
           hardly
           be
           had
           in
           a
           Province
           :
           he
           might
           for
           a
           time
           be
           appointed
           to
           oversee
           them
           who
           could
           do
           little
           more
           then
           read
           the
           word
           publickly
           ,
           that
           is
           no
           warrant
           for
           bringing
           qualified
           Ministers
           under
           that
           subjection
           in
           a
           constituted
           Church
           ,
           where
           there
           are
           (
           through
           the
           mercy
           of
           God
           )
           competent
           number
           of
           Ministers
           .
        
         
           If
           our
           Principle
           be
           rightly
           understood
           ,
           we
           confidently
           hope
           they
           will
           sugest
           grounds
           of
           answer
           for
           most
           of
           the
           objections
           made
           against
           us
           ,
           to
           the
           minds
           of
           the
           intelligent
           and
           unbyassed
           :
           Yet
           we
           shall
           endeavour
           to
           afford
           some
           farther
           light
           this
           way
           also
           .
        
         
           1
           It
           is
           objected
           (
           or
           rather
           we
           are
           reproached
           with
           )
           by
           some
           ,
           that
           Presbyterial
           Church
           Government
           is
           inconsistant
           with
           civil
           Government
           .
           Answ.
           1.
           
           A
           simple
           denial
           is
           enough
           to
           stop
           the
           mouth
           of
           such
           bold
           Asserters
           :
           Neither
           hath
           the
           World
           yet
           seen
           any
           topick
           (
           except
           calumnies
           )
           whereby
           this
           could
           be
           pretended
           to
           be
           proved
           .
           2
           Experience
           proveth
           the
           contrary
           ,
           Civil
           Government
           is
           advantageously
           managed
           in
           several
           of
           the
           most
           eminent
           of
           the
           reformed
           Churches
           ,
           with
           that
           discipline
           of
           Christs
           House
           that
           we
           plead
           for
           .
           And
           our
           own
           land
           is
           a
           confounding
           instance
           that
           might
           stop
           the
           mouth
           of
           impundence
           it self
           ;
           wherein
           Presbytery
           commenced
           with
           the
           Reformation
           from
           Popery
           ,
           and
           continued
           with
           much
           Peace
           ,
           till
           an
           bitious
           Men
           by
           labouring
           to
           unsettle
           it
           ,
           did
           disturb
           ,
           and
           at
           last
           overturn
           the
           State.
           3.
           
           We
           have
           already
           shewed
           how
           we
           give
           to
           Caesar
           that
           which
           is
           Caesar's
           ,
           And
           to
           God
           that
           which
           is
           Gods
           ;
           neither
           can
           our
           Adversaries
           make
           any
           Power
           appear
           to
           be
           due
           to
           the
           Magistrate
           ,
           but
           what
           we
           allow
           Him
           :
           Indeed
           Errastians
           do
           require
           for
           the
           Magistrate
           some
           Power
           that
           the
           Presbyterians
           cannot
           approve
           of
           :
           But
           this
           is
           not
           peculiar
           to
           us
           ,
           but
           common
           to
           all
           that
           assert
           a
           Government
           in
           the
           Church
           distinct
           from
           that
           of
           the
           State
           :
           Which
           is
           the
           principle
           of
           
             Papists
             ,
             Prelatists
          
           (
           that
           are
           only
           such
           )
           and
           Independents
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           it
           is
           ours
           .
           4
           Our
           obedience
           to
           Magistrates
           in
           all
           their
           Lawful
           commands
           ,
           and
           our
           peaceful
           sufferings
           of
           unjust
           violence
           are
           no●●our
           to
           all
           that
           can
           behold
           us
           with
           an
           unprejudiced
           Eye
           .
           And
           if
           instances
           can
           be
           given
           to
           the
           contrary
           ,
           the
           disloyalty
           of
           some
           is
           not
           to
           be
           impured
           to
           all
           (
           for
           what
           party
           of
           men
           hath
           not
           afforded
           such
           instances
           )
           and
           
           where
           the
           peace
           was
           broken
           by
           Men
           of
           our
           way
           (
           which
           were
           but
           a
           few
           )
           it
           was
           the
           fruit
           of
           such
           insupportable
           Severities
           and
           Hardships
           ,
           as
           even
           they
           could
           not
           have
           born
           who
           blame
           others
           for
           that
           practise
           :
           As
           late
           Instances
           do
           make
           manifest
           .
        
         
           2
           It
           is
           next
           objected
           that
           Presbytery
           and
           Monarchy
           are
           inconsistant
           ,
           
             No
             Bishop
             ,
             no
             King
          
           ;
           at
           least
           it
           is
           not
           so
           adapted
           to
           Monarchy
           as
           Pre
           ▪
           lacy
           is
           ;
           and
           the
           Government
           of
           the
           Church
           should
           be
           so
           moulded
           as
           it
           may
           best
           sure
           that
           of
           the
           State.
           Answ.
           1
           The
           falshood
           of
           the
           Assertion
           ,
           and
           maxim
           ,
           is
           evident
           from
           what
           hath
           been
           said
           :
           Presbytery
           and
           Monarchy
           have
           well
           consisted
           in
           our
           own
           Land
           ,
           and
           in
           France
           2
           None
           maintaine
           more
           loyal
           Principles
           towards
           Kings
           then
           Presbyterians
           do
           ,
           who
           think
           themselves
           oblidged
           to
           feare
           God
           and
           Honour
           the
           King
           :
           And
           were
           alwayes
           ready
           to
           obey
           him
           in
           the
           Lord.
           'T
           is
           true
           they
           cannot
           give
           him
           unlimited
           Obedience
           :
           But
           this
           is
           not
           as
           they
           are
           Presbyterians
           ,
           but
           as
           they
           are
           men
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           and
           will
           obey
           God
           rather
           than
           Man
           ,
           which
           I
           hope
           the
           Objecters
           will
           not
           say
           is
           peculiar
           to
           Presbyterians
           ,
           If
           they
           do
           ,
           and
           plead
           for
           the
           publick
           Conscience
           (
           as
           some
           of
           them
           have
           done
           )
           to
           the
           laying
           aside
           the
           use
           of
           particular
           Consciences
           in
           the
           actions
           that
           are
           moral
           ,
           (
           which
           is
           to
           introduce
           practical
           Atheism
           )
           They
           do
           not
           hurt
           our
           cause
           but
           their
           own
           .
           3.
           
           Our
           practice
           hath
           also
           been
           Loyal
           in
           abhoring
           the
           Murder
           of
           King
           Charles
           the
           first
           ,
           and
           in
           contributing
           the
           most
           effectual
           endeavours
           to
           restore
           His
           Son
           :
           And
           in
           owning
           and
           submitting
           to
           a
           King
           of
           a
           contrary
           Religion
           ,
           so
           long
           as
           our
           Religion
           and
           Liberties
           were
           in
           any
           tolerable
           safety
           ;
           or
           the
           Laws
           that
           were
           the
           measure
           of
           our
           Obedience
           were
           any
           way
           regarded
           ;
           and
           what
           was
           then
           done
           ,
           was
           not
           by
           us
           alone
           ,
           4
           It
           is
           boldly
           alledged
           but
           not
           proved
           ,
           that
           the
           Church
           Government
           should
           be
           fram'd
           according
           to
           that
           of
           the
           State
           ,
           for
           that
           may
           be
           various
           ,
           but
           this
           is
           one
           :
           And
           was
           so
           under
           the
           old
           Testament
           ,
           though
           the
           Civil
           Government
           varied
           .
        
         
           3
           'T
           is
           said
           that
           Presbyterians
           encroach
           on
           the
           Authority
           of
           the
           Magistrate
           ,
           by
           medling
           with
           state
           Affairs
           .
           Answer
           .
           1
           Our
           principle
           in
           this
           is
           already
           declared
           .
           And
           whatever
           Instances
           of
           former
           times
           ,
           this
           allegation
           may
           seem
           to
           be
           built
           on
           had
           their
           rise
           from
           Statesmen
           taking
           the
           advice
           of
           Church
           Men
           in
           their
           assemblies
           :
           Who
           sometimes
           gave
           advice
           contrary
           to
           the
           inclination
           of
           the
           leading
           Men
           of
           the
           State
           :
           And
           if
           their
           zeal
           for
           a
           good
           Interest
           led
           them
           at
           any
           time
           to
           press
           their
           advice
           with
           Reasons
           and
           Threatnings
           from
           the
           word
           of
           God
           :
           And
           if
           some
           excess
           did
           happen
           this
           way
           ,
           the
           blame
           lay
           on
           them
           who
           gave
           
           the
           first
           rise
           to
           it
           .
           Besides
           this
           when
           the
           actings
           of
           Rulers
           have
           a
           manifest
           and
           direct
           tendency
           to
           lead
           People
           into
           sinful
           Courses
           ,
           (
           such
           as
           imposing
           of
           unlawful
           Oaths
           ,
           and
           engaging
           people
           in
           a
           false
           Religion
           )
           who
           could
           be
           silent
           without
           unfaithfulness
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           cruelty
           both
           to
           to
           the
           Souls
           of
           Rulers
           and
           People
           ?
           Another
           answer
           may
           be
           ,
           by
           retorting
           this
           Argument
           on
           the
           prelatick
           Clergy
           :
           Do
           not
           Bishops
           fit
           in
           the
           Counsels
           ,
           and
           interpose
           directly
           and
           formally
           in
           affairs
           of
           state
           ,
           which
           Presbyterians
           never
           pretended
           to
           .
        
         
           4
           The
           rigidity
           of
           Presbyterians
           is
           objected
           .
           Answ.
           1
           Can
           any
           man
           have
           the
           brow
           to
           compare
           the
           rigidity
           of
           Presbyterians
           ,
           with
           that
           of
           either
           Papists
           or
           Prelatists
           ,
           either
           in
           bearing
           with
           no
           dissent
           from
           their
           way
           ,
           even
           in
           the
           least
           matters
           ,
           and
           which
           themselves
           count
           indifferent
           ,
           or
           in
           the
           Bloody
           and
           cruel
           way
           of
           Persecuting
           such
           as
           dissent
           ;
           by
           Massacres
           ,
           Inquisitions
           ,
           horrid
           Tortures
           ,
           Imprisonment
           ,
           Fining
           ,
           and
           strange
           Severities
           :
           Is
           there
           any
           thing
           that
           can
           be
           alledg'd
           against
           Presbyterians
           that
           can
           be
           once
           compared
           with
           the
           Persecutions
           that
           many
           in
           the
           west
           of
           Scotland
           ,
           and
           elsewhere
           ,
           have
           lately
           Endured
           ?
           Yea
           Independents
           cannot
           compare
           with
           the
           Moderation
           of
           Presbyterians
           ;
           For
           they
           (
           most
           of
           them
           )
           will
           not
           communicate
           with
           any
           but
           of
           their
           own
           way
           ;
           And
           so
           with
           none
           but
           those
           of
           their
           own
           Congregation
           ;
           which
           is
           far
           from
           Our
           way
           .
           As
           for
           Anabaptists
           and
           Quakers
           ,
           They
           own
           none
           for
           Members
           of
           the
           Church
           but
           Men
           of
           their
           own
           Stamp
           :
           So
           that
           it
           may
           be
           on
           good
           ground
           said
           .
           That
           Presbyterians
           are
           the
           most
           Moderate
           of
           any
           Party
           that
           pretend
           to
           Religion
           .
           2.
           
           That
           which
           Men
           call
           Rigidity
           in
           Presbyterians
           is
           mostly
           against
           Men's
           Immoralities
           ,
           that
           are
           unquestionable
           such
           :
           If
           other
           Men
           be
           Gentle
           to
           these
           ,
           it
           may
           recommend
           them
           to
           wicked
           Men's
           good
           liking
           ,
           but
           will
           not
           render
           them
           acceptable
           to
           God
           :
           This
           strictness
           of
           discipline
           against
           scandalous
           Sins
           ,
           is
           injoined
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           we
           go
           not
           beyond
           the
           bounds
           there
           set
           ;
           we
           rebuke
           such
           before
           all
           ;
           we
           do
           not
           punish
           them
           in
           their
           Bodies
           or
           Purses
           ;
           and
           our
           strictness
           falleth
           very
           far
           short
           of
           that
           of
           the
           primitive
           times
           ;
           as
           every
           one
           who
           hath
           read
           any
           thing
           of
           the
           History
           of
           the
           ancient
           Church
           knoweth
           ,
           both
           their
           Catechumeni
           were
           detained
           from
           Church
           priviledges
           ;
           and
           their
           Penitents
           put
           to
           long
           and
           hard
           Pennance
           ,
           at
           another
           rate
           then
           any
           thing
           that
           we
           do
           .
           3.
           
           Wherein
           lyeth
           the
           Regidity
           of
           Our
           discipline
           ?
           Do
           not
           our
           Ministers
           deale
           with
           them
           who
           fall
           into
           scandalous
           sins
           ,
           with
           all
           Meekness
           and
           Tenderness
           ,
           admonishing
           them
           ,
           laying
           before
           them
           the
           Evil
           and
           Danger
           of
           their
           way
           ,
           the
           necessity
           of
           Repentance
           ,
           the
           hope
           of
           Mercy
           through
           Christ
           that
           there
           is
           to
           the
           penitent
           .
           It
           is
           our
           
           way
           ,
           even
           where
           the
           Sinner
           is
           most
           obstinate
           and
           rejecteth
           all
           advice
           ,
           to
           wait
           for
           many
           weeks
           ,
           before
           we
           proceed
           to
           Excommunication
           ,
           that
           ,
           that
           dreadful
           Sentence
           ,
           if
           possible
           ,
           may
           be
           prevented
           .
           We
           give
           publick
           Admonition
           three
           several
           Lords
           dayes
           ,
           and
           sometimes
           oftner
           :
           We
           poure
           out
           Prayers
           to
           God
           ,
           not
           only
           in
           secret
           ,
           but
           with
           the
           Congregation
           as
           long
           ;
           that
           the
           Sinner
           may
           be
           turned
           from
           his
           evil
           way
           :
           And
           after
           all
           this
           we
           use
           to
           wait
           Patiently
           for
           the
           Mans
           Repentance
           :
           If
           he
           appear
           Penitent
           ,
           the
           Sentence
           doth
           not
           pass
           against
           him
           ;
           and
           after
           Sentence
           is
           past
           upon
           the
           hardned
           Sinner
           ,
           if
           afterward
           he
           shew
           any
           signs
           of
           Repentance
           ,
           how
           readily
           is
           he
           received
           into
           the
           Church
           again
           ,
           and
           we
           chearefully
           confirme
           our
           love
           to
           him
           And
           where
           Church
           Censures
           are
           used
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           for
           Worldly
           matters
           (
           not
           paying
           Church
           dues
           ,
           as
           is
           the
           practice
           of
           some
           others
           )
           not
           for
           small
           offences
           ,
           but
           for
           Gross
           and
           Scandalous
           Sins
           ,
           4.
           
           For
           their
           severity
           toward
           such
           as
           differ
           from
           them
           in
           Principles
           ,
           they
           think
           it
           their
           Duty
           not
           to
           bear
           them
           that
           are
           Evil
           ,
           and
           to
           try
           them
           that
           say
           they
           are
           
             Apostles
             ,
             and
             are
             not
          
           ;
           They
           have
           a
           zeal
           against
           Errour
           ,
           Disorders
           and
           Usurpations
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           cannot
           understand
           how
           they
           who
           do
           not
           own
           Presbyterial
           Government
           ,
           should
           be
           the
           managers
           of
           it
           :
           Yet
           can
           use
           that
           Moderation
           (
           and
           resolve
           to
           do
           so
           when
           opportunity
           shall
           be
           put
           in
           their
           hand
           )
           as
           not
           to
           deny
           Church
           Communion
           to
           any
           sober
           and
           Religious
           Person
           ,
           though
           of
           a
           contrary
           sentiment
           to
           them
           ,
           in
           these
           inferior
           points
           of
           Truth
           .
        
         
           5
           ly
           .
           Another
           Objection
           ,
           is
           from
           the
           Indiscretion
           of
           the
           present
           Ministers
           of
           this
           way
           :
           Their
           want
           of
           that
           Learning
           ,
           Prudence
           ,
           and
           other
           good
           parts
           that
           may
           fit
           them
           to
           manage
           so
           great
           a
           Trust
           ,
           as
           is
           the
           Government
           of
           the
           Church
           .
           Answ.
           We
           know
           these
           are
           the
           diminutive
           thoughts
           that
           our
           Adversaries
           have
           of
           us
           :
           And
           we
           have
           not
           such
           high
           thoughts
           of
           our selves
           ,
           as
           to
           magnifie
           our selves
           :
           We
           have
           cause
           to
           be
           humbled
           ,
           (
           as
           we
           hope
           we
           are
           ,
           in
           some
           measure
           )
           for
           our
           imperfections
           ,
           both
           in
           Gifts
           ,
           and
           Grace
           :
           Yet
           we
           may
           ,
           and
           must
           (
           being
           thus
           put
           to
           it
           )
           say
           ,
           that
           there
           want
           not
           men
           amongst
           us
           ,
           who
           fall
           not
           short
           in
           Ministerial
           Qualifications
           ,
           of
           them
           who
           have
           lately
           had
           the
           Rule
           of
           the
           Church
           ;
           and
           for
           the
           generality
           of
           us
           ,
           it
           is
           the
           Opinion
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           of
           unbyassed
           men
           ;
           (
           yea
           even
           of
           some
           ,
           that
           are
           not
           of
           our
           way
           )
           that
           these
           of
           the
           other
           party
           have
           no
           cause
           in
           their
           Glorying
           over
           us
           in
           this
           .
           2
           Church
           Government
           doth
           not
           require
           any
           great
           degree
           of
           politick
           Accomplishment
           :
           A
           plain
           Man
           who
           understandeth
           the
           Laws
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           the
           Scripture
           Directions
           concerning
           
           Censures
           ,
           is
           fitter
           to
           Govern
           the
           Church
           ,
           than
           a
           great
           Statesman
           is
           .
           3.
           
           Any
           Indiscretion
           that
           of
           late
           years
           hath
           appeared
           in
           our
           Conduct
           ,
           may
           and
           should
           be
           imputed
           to
           our
           want
           of
           Liberty
           to
           govern
           the
           Church
           :
           Every
           one
           (
           among
           Ministers
           and
           People
           )
           did
           what
           was
           right
           in
           his
           own
           Eyes
           ,
           and
           we
           do
           not
           deny
           ,
           but
           there
           are
           some
           Indiscreet
           persons
           among
           us
           ,
           as
           there
           are
           in
           all
           parties
           :
           And
           even
           wise
           Men
           in
           our
           Circumstances
           ,
           could
           not
           shon
           some
           Acts
           that
           might
           seem
           Indiscreet
           ,
           either
           to
           Adversaries
           ,
           or
           to
           less
           considering
           Persons
           .
        
         
           6
           ly
           .
           The
           Divisions
           of
           Presbyterians
           are
           objected
           .
           Answ.
           1.
           
           Where
           are
           these
           not
           to
           be
           found
           ;
           neirher
           Bishop
           ,
           nor
           Pope
           have
           been
           able
           to
           keep
           them
           out
           of
           the
           Church
           ;
           or
           from
           among
           their
           own
           Party
           .
           2
           Our
           Divisions
           we
           do
           not
           deny
           ,
           or
           approve
           ;
           we
           are
           men
           of
           like
           Passions
           with
           others
           ;
           We
           labour
           to
           shun
           Divisions
           as
           much
           as
           is
           possible
           ,
           and
           through
           Grace
           have
           come
           to
           more
           Unity
           than
           they
           who
           reproach
           us
           with
           our
           Divisions
           .
           3.
           
           The
           Divisions
           that
           were
           among
           us
           ,
           as
           we
           deny
           not
           that
           our
           Mistakes
           and
           Corruptions
           had
           a
           hand
           in
           them
           ,
           so
           we
           knew
           that
           Enemies
           were
           active
           to
           promote
           and
           heighten
           them
           :
           Which
           though
           it
           excuse
           not
           us
           
             a
             toto
          
           ,
           yet
           it
           doth
           
             a
             tanto
          
           ,
           and
           put
           our
           Enemies
           in
           
             mala
             fide
          
           to
           reproach
           us
           with
           them
           .
           4.
           
           The
           Unity
           that
           the
           Prolatick
           party
           made
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           was
           like
           that
           of
           a
           conquering
           Tyrant
           ,
           who
           beholdeth
           all
           that
           oppose
           him
           ,
           slain
           before
           him
           ;
           there
           was
           peace
           to
           the
           King
           and
           Haman
           ,
           when
           there
           was
           none
           to
           the
           people
           of
           God
           ;
           the
           Unity
           of
           some
           ,
           is
           a
           Combination
           in
           Errour
           ,
           and
           the
           result
           of
           a
           Conquest
           over
           mens
           Consciences
           ,
           that
           now
           dare
           not
           mutter
           against
           the
           〈◊〉
           of
           their
           Imposing
           Task-matters
           :
           We
           think
           contending
           about
           Truth
           ,
           more
           desirable
           than
           such
           peace
           :
           It
           is
           known
           that
           our
           Church
           enjoyed
           such
           Unity
           for
           many
           years
           after
           the
           Reformation
           ,
           as
           was
           Celebrated
           by
           Churches
           Abroad
           ,
           as
           is
           evident
           from
           the
           Preface
           to
           
             Corpus
             Confessionum
          
           till
           ambitious
           men
           began
           to
           trouble
           her
           with
           their
           Innovations
           ,
           and
           Usurpations
           ,
           and
           so
           were
           the
           cause
           of
           Division
           .
        
         
           7.
           
           Many
           Object
           that
           if
           Presbyterians
           get
           Power
           ,
           they
           will
           force
           all
           to
           make
           public
           ,
           Repentance
           who
           have
           owned
           Bishops
           ,
           taken
           the
           Test
           ,
           or
           other
           Oaths
           that
           they
           dislike
           .
           Ans.
           Our
           principle
           is
           that
           ,
           that
           publick
           Scandals
           ought
           to
           be
           publickly
           rebuked
           ;
           yet
           there
           are
           Cases
           in
           which
           the
           strickness
           of
           Discipline
           in
           this
           matter
           ,
           may
           and
           must
           be
           relaxed
           :
           I
           shall
           name
           two
           .
           1.
           
           When
           the
           matter
           of
           Offence
           is
           controverted
           ,
           and
           the
           sinful
           practice
           is
           from
           the
           mis-information
           of
           the
           Conscience
           :
           Where
           the
           matter
           is
           not
           of
           the
           highest
           moment
           ,
           and
           
           the
           person
           appeareth
           Conscientiously
           to
           follow
           his
           Light
           ,
           Church
           Discipline
           may
           then
           be
           forborn
           .
           2.
           
           When
           the
           fault
           is
           universal
           ,
           either
           the
           whole
           ,
           or
           the
           greater
           part
           ,
           or
           a
           great
           part
           of
           the
           Church
           is
           guilty
           :
           The
           rigour
           of
           Censure
           (
           that
           otherwise
           might
           be
           due
           )
           is
           to
           be
           abated
           ,
           even
           the
           primitive
           Church
           ,
           though
           very
           severe
           in
           Discipline
           used
           a
           great
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           in
           this
           Case
           :
           When
           many
           ,
           or
           most
           had
           fallen
           in
           Persecution
           ;
           though
           the
           crime
           was
           of
           the
           highest
           nature
           ,
           even
           denying
           the
           Faith
           A
           general
           Humiliation
           of
           the
           whole
           Church
           may
           be
           in
           stead
           of
           particular
           application
           of
           Censures
           ;
           I
           hope
           there
           is
           no
           cause
           of
           fear
           from
           Men
           of
           such
           moderate
           Principles
           .
           If
           in
           this
           ,
           or
           any
           thing
           else
           ,
           we
           have
           been
           chargeable
           with
           Excess
           ,
           (
           as
           who
           can
           clear
           himself
           of
           all
           blame
           )
           I
           hope
           our
           riper
           Thoughts
           .
           Studies
           ,
           and
           Sufferings
           ,
           (
           by
           the
           Blessing
           of
           God
           on
           them
           )
           hath
           taught
           us
           ,
           and
           will
           engage
           us
           to
           let
           our
           Moderation
           be
           known
           to
           all
           men
           ;
           considering
           that
           the
           Lord
           is
           at
           hand
           :
           And
           though
           we
           have
           been
           severely
           Beaten
           by
           our
           Fellow
           Servants
           ;
           yet
           we
           will
           stand
           in
           awe
           ,
           and
           be
           loath
           that
           the
           Lord
           ,
           when
           he
           cometh
           ,
           should
           find
           us
           so
           doing
           to
           them
           .
        
         
           8
           ly
           Some
           Object
           .
           That
           in
           this
           way
           ,
           Ministers
           may
           Domineer
           over
           People
           ,
           even
           the
           greatest
           Men
           ,
           at
           their
           pleasure
           .
           Answ.
           Beside
           that
           they
           must
           walk
           by
           the
           Rule
           set
           down
           in
           the
           Word
           ;
           and
           if
           they
           exceed
           that
           bounds
           ,
           they
           may
           be
           curbed
           by
           Superior
           Judicatories
           :
           Or
           if
           their
           Insolence
           amount
           to
           the
           disturbing
           of
           the
           peace
           ,
           the
           Magistrate
           may
           restrain
           them
           :
           We
           say
           ,
           beside
           this
           ,
           the
           Ministers
           do
           nothing
           alone
           ,
           but
           with
           the
           peoples
           Representatives
           ,
           the
           Elders
           ,
           who
           may
           be
           of
           the
           Nobles
           ,
           or
           any
           other
           Rank
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           qualified
           for
           that
           Work
           ,
           and
           chosen
           to
           it
           by
           the
           Church
           .
        
         
           Some
           other
           Objections
           are
           tossed
           among
           Men
           that
           talk
           of
           these
           things
           ,
           which
           do
           not
           so
           much
           concern
           
             Presbyterial
             Government
          
           in
           general
           ,
           as
           some
           parts
           of
           it
           ,
           or
           things
           about
           it
           ,
           that
           are
           now
           in
           agitation
           .
           The
           9
           th
           .
           Objection
           then
           ,
           may
           be
           framed
           against
           the
           taking
           away
           the
           Election
           of
           Ministers
           by
           Patrons
           ,
           viz.
           That
           if
           that
           be
           done
           ,
           men
           of
           Note
           ,
           and
           Interest
           in
           Parishes
           may
           be
           over-ruled
           by
           the
           multitude
           (
           which
           often
           is
           ignorant
           ,
           and
           heady
           )
           and
           have
           Ministers
           imposed
           on
           them
           .
           Answ
           1
           That
           Patronages
           are
           an
           intolerable
           Grievance
           ,
           and
           yoak
           of
           Bondage
           on
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           have
           alwayes
           been
           the
           cause
           of
           pestering
           the
           Church
           with
           a
           bad
           Ministry
           ;
           and
           a
           temptation
           to
           Intrants
           please
           the
           Patron
           (
           farther
           than
           to
           his
           Edification
           )
           rather
           than
           to
           please
           God
           :
           Beside
           the
           Simoniacal
           buying
           and
           selling
           of
           Gospel
           Ordinances
           ,
           that
           frequently
           ,
           and
           in
           all
           times
           have
           attended
           
           this
           Device
           of
           Men
           :
           But
           (
           which
           is
           worst
           of
           all
           )
           that
           it
           is
           a
           direct
           crossing
           Christ's
           Institution
           ,
           and
           a
           robing
           his
           people
           of
           the
           priviledge
           he
           hath
           bequeathed
           to
           them
           :
           These
           things
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           are
           fully
           proved
           elsewhere
           .
           And
           therefore
           if
           it
           be
           supposed
           that
           the
           Incovenience
           mentioned
           should
           follow
           from
           taking
           away
           of
           Patronages
           ,
           yet
           it
           will
           not
           (
           I
           hope
           )
           move
           them
           who
           regard
           Christ's
           Institutions
           ;
           or
           the
           good
           of
           his
           Church
           ,
           the
           Salvation
           ,
           and
           Edification
           of
           Souls
           ,
           to
           be
           for
           their
           continuance
           .
           2
           The
           same
           inconvenience
           was
           apt
           to
           follow
           on
           popular
           Election
           in
           other
           Ages
           of
           the
           Church
           ;
           and
           yet
           in
           the
           Apostles
           times
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           first
           and
           best
           Ages
           ,
           till
           the
           seventh
           or
           eight
           Century
           ,
           or
           later
           ,
           Patronages
           were
           not
           settled
           in
           the
           Church
           ;
           they
           came
           in
           among
           the
           latest
           Antichristian
           Corruptions
           and
           Usurpations
           ;
           The
           primi●ive
           Christians
           were
           not
           so
           tender
           of
           their
           Grandeur
           ,
           and
           such
           priviledges
           as
           their
           rank
           in
           the
           World
           gave
           them
           ,
           nor
           so
           little
           tender
           〈◊〉
           the
           Liberties
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           the
           Interest
           of
           Christians
           ,
           as
           such
           And
           if
           any
           such
           pretensions
           appeared
           to
           be
           owned
           by
           the
           Grand●●●
           of
           these
           times
           ,
           they
           met
           with
           a
           severe
           Check
           ,
           and
           that
           in
           lesser
           matters
           than
           acclaiming
           a
           Power
           of
           choosing
           Ministers
           for
           the
           whole
           Church●
           as
           appeareth
           by
           the
           Apostles
           reproving
           the
           Distinction
           even
           in
           〈◊〉
           Seats
           in
           their
           Assemblies
           ,
           that
           was
           made
           between
           the
           Man
           with
           the
           
             Gold
             Ring
          
           and
           gay
           Cloathing
           ;
           and
           the
           Man
           in
           Vile
           Raiment
           :
           We
           are
           content
           to
           allow
           great
           Men
           all
           due
           Respect
           ,
           but
           not
           to
           complement
           them
           with
           what
           is
           Christs
           Legacy
           to
           his
           People
           .
           And
           therefore
           we
           hope
           That
           they
           who
           are
           willing
           to
           subject
           themselves
           to
           the
           Laws
           of
           Christ
           ,
           will
           be
           content
           to
           stand
           on
           equal
           Ground
           (
           tho
           we
           be
           far
           from
           aiming
           at
           the
           Leveling
           principle
           in
           other
           things
           )
           with
           their
           poor
           Brethren
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           with
           respect
           to
           Church
           priviledges
           ,
           which
           belong
           not
           to
           Men
           as
           Poor
           or
           Rich
           ,
           as
           Great
           or
           Small
           ;
           but
           as
           they
           are
           Christs
           Disciples
           .
           3.
           
           It
           is
           carefully
           to
           be
           Observed
           that
           the
           Election
           of
           a
           Minister
           is
           not
           to
           be
           left
           to
           the
           Management
           of
           the
           confused
           Rabble
           (
           tho'
           the
           meanest
           adult
           male
           Member
           of
           the
           Church
           hath
           a
           Right
           to
           assent
           or
           dissent
           )
           but
           it
           is
           to
           be
           ordered
           by
           the
           Eldership
           and
           that
           under
           the
           inspection
           of
           the
           Presbytery
           (
           and
           by
           the
           Presbytery
           where
           no
           Congregational
           Elderships
           is
           )
           in
           the
           Number
           of
           which
           Elders
           it
           is
           to
           be
           supposed
           ,
           that
           He●etors
           and
           Men
           of
           Interest
           in
           the
           Paroch
           will
           be
           ,
           if
           they
           be
           tolerably
           qualifyed
           for
           ,
           and
           will
           undertake
           ,
           such
           an
           Office
           ,
           and
           then
           they
           have
           a
           special
           hand
           in
           the
           Election
           ,
           and
           cannot
           complain
           of
           being
           imposed
           upon
           :
           And
           the
           Eldership
           is
           to
           exclude
           from
           having
           an
           hand
           in
           the
           Election
           ,
           them
           that
           
           are
           scandalous
           grosly
           ignorant
           ,
           Heady
           and
           Scismatick
           ,
           or
           any
           way
           disorderly
           .
           And
           if
           Divisions
           fall
           in
           ,
           the
           Elders
           are
           Judges
           of
           the
           difference
           between
           the
           two
           Parties
           ;
           and
           are
           to
           consider
           the
           Reasons
           on
           both
           Hands
           ;
           and
           to
           ponder
           and
           weigh
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           to
           Number
           the
           Votes
           .
           They
           ought
           also
           to
           exclude
           from
           voting
           in
           such
           Elections
           all
           such
           as
           are
           not
           fixed
           Members
           of
           the
           Congregation
           .
           And
           to
           lay
           more
           weight
           on
           the
           suffrages
           of
           them
           that
           are
           more
           fixed
           ,
           and
           less
           on
           them
           that
           are
           otherwise
           ;
           
             caeteris
             paribus
          
           .
           For
           though
           Christianity
           maketh
           one
           a
           Member
           of
           the
           Church
           Catholick
           ,
           yet
           a
           fixed
           abode
           is
           needful
           to
           make
           one
           a
           Member
           of
           ,
           and
           to
           give
           a
           share
           in
           the
           priviledges
           of
           that
           particular
           Flock
           .
           But
           how
           to
           limit
           this
           fixation
           is
           not
           easie
           :
           For
           though
           some
           be
           manifestly
           unfixed
           as
           servants
           ;
           and
           others
           are
           manifestly
           fixed
           ,
           as
           ancient
           inhabitants
           who
           are
           like
           to
           continue
           long
           in
           that
           place
           ;
           yet
           there
           may
           be
           a
           midle
           sort
           who
           cannot
           be
           determined
           by
           General
           Rules
           ,
           but
           it
           must
           be
           left
           to
           the
           prudence
           of
           the
           Church
           to
           judge
           in
           this
           .
           If
           these
           things
           be
           duely
           considered
           .
           Great
           Men
           need
           not
           fear
           having
           a
           Minister
           obtruded
           on
           them
           ;
           especially
           if
           we
           add
           that
           Men
           of
           interrest
           usually
           are
           able
           to
           influence
           those
           that
           live
           under
           them
           ,
           or
           that
           do
           depend
           upon
           them
           .
           4.
           
           In
           the
           times
           wherein
           Patronages
           were
           taken
           away
           by
           Law
           Men
           of
           Interest
           and
           Respect
           found
           no
           cause
           to
           complaine
           of
           being
           ●●●●osed
           upon
           ,
           but
           the
           Church
           laid
           down
           such
           directions
           (
           as
           may
           b●
           〈◊〉
           in
           the
           Acts
           of
           the
           General
           Assembly
           August
           .
           4.
           1649.
           
           Sess
           4●
           And
           the
           constant
           practice
           of
           the
           Church
           was
           to
           give
           such
           deference
           to
           ●●em
           as
           they
           were
           Generally
           satisfyed
           with
           the
           Elections
           :
           And
           they
           may
           still
           be
           perswaded
           that
           it
           will
           be
           the
           care
           of
           Elderships
           and
           Presbytries
           to
           do
           nothing
           that
           they
           can
           Justly
           complaine
           of
           .
           Besides
           that
           it
           may
           be
           presumed
           that
           no
           Minister
           ,
           who
           regardeth
           his
           being
           useful
           ,
           or
           his
           own
           Peace
           and
           Comfort
           ,
           will
           enter
           into
           a
           place
           with
           the
           dislike
           of
           any
           considerable
           part
           of
           the
           People
           ,
           either
           for
           Number
           or
           Quality
           .
           If
           it
           be
           objected
           that
           there
           were
           great
           Divisions
           and
           Tumults
           about
           Elections
           ,
           in
           and
           about
           the
           Year
           .
           1650.
           
           Answer
           .
           1.
           
           So
           there
           were
           in
           the
           primitive
           Church
           ,
           which
           the
           Advocats
           for
           Patronages
           use
           as
           an
           Argument
           against
           our
           Opinion
           ,
           And
           yet
           that
           Church
           did
           not
           think
           of
           such
           a
           Remedy
           as
           puting
           the
           Election
           in
           the
           hand
           of
           one
           single
           Person
           ,
           nor
           of
           taking
           it
           from
           the
           People
           .
           2.
           
           At
           the
           time
           mentioned
           there
           was
           a
           lamentable
           Schism
           in
           the
           Church
           about
           other
           Matters
           ;
           and
           therefore
           it
           was
           no
           wonder
           it
           appeared
           in
           this
           Matter
           also
           ,
           People
           were
           for
           choosing
           Ministers
           that
           were
           of
           the
           same
           Sentiment
           
           
           
           with
           them
           about
           the
           things
           then
           in
           Controversie
           ,
           and
           this
           Schism
           was
           Industriously
           kept
           up
           and
           promoted
           by
           the
           Rulers
           that
           then
           had
           enslaved
           this
           Nation
           by
           force
           of
           Armes
           ,
           and
           made
           use
           of
           Our
           Factions
           to
           wreath
           their
           Yoake
           on
           our
           Necks
           .
           It
           is
           a
           wide
           consequence
           to
           infer
           from
           this
           ,
           that
           the
           priviledge
           of
           choosing
           their
           own
           Pastors
           should
           alwise
           be
           taken
           from
           the
           People
           of
           God.
           3.
           
           When
           divisions
           appear
           in
           this
           matter
           ,
           the
           controversie
           is
           to
           be
           decided
           by
           the
           Session
           .
           or
           Presbytery
           ,
           Synod
           ,
           or
           General
           Assemblies
           ;
           And
           if
           it
           amount
           to
           the
           breach
           of
           the
           Peace
           ,
           the
           Magistrate
           is
           to
           interpose
           his
           Authority
           :
           These
           are
           the
           proper
           remedies
           of
           such
           divisions
           and
           not
           to
           deprive
           both
           parties
           of
           that
           which
           is
           their
           Right
           and
           Christs
           grant
           to
           them
           ,
           because
           they
           cannot
           agree
           about
           it
           :
           It
           were
           a
           strange
           way
           of
           composing
           Civil
           contendings
           about
           Meum
           and
           Tuum
           ,
           if
           that
           which
           they
           con
           end
           about
           should
           be
           taken
           from
           both
           ,
           and
           given
           to
           a
           third
           Person
           ;
           the
           better
           way
           is
           ,
           the
           judge
           competent
           is
           to
           decide
           in
           favour
           of
           him
           who
           is
           found
           to
           have
           the
           best
           Right
           (
           if
           Arbitrators
           cannot
           compremise
           the
           matter
           )
           So
           it
           is
           here
           .
        
         
           Another
           Objection
           (
           the
           10
           )
           Is
           concerning
           a
           question
           that
           ariseth
           from
           the
           present
           circumstances
           of
           this
           Church
           ,
           under
           which
           it
           is
           Judged
           Necessary
           that
           the
           Goverement
           of
           the
           Church
           should
           be
           in
           its
           first
           setlement
           in
           the
           hands
           only
           of
           them
           who
           are
           known
           to
           be
           truely
           Presbyterian
           .
           Before
           we
           consider
           what
           is
           objected
           against
           this
           ,
           It
           may
           be
           nedful
           to
           lay
           down
           the
           case
           And
           the
           grounds
           of
           the
           necessity
           of
           what
           we
           desire
           ,
           resulting
           from
           it
           .
           It
           is
           then
           to
           be
           considered
           That
           the
           Church
           of
           Scotland
           hath
           almost
           ever
           been
           Presbyterian
           :
           It
           received
           that
           Government
           with
           Christianity
           and
           retained
           it
           while
           the
           Antichristian
           Doctrine
           and
           Government
           prevailed
           in
           other
           parts
           ;
           as
           hath
           been
           of
           late
           made
           appear
           .
           And
           after
           it
           had
           been
           overrun
           by
           Popery
           ,
           it
           was
           reformed
           by
           Presbyters
           and
           that
           Government
           as
           it
           is
           founded
           on
           Scripture
           ,
           so
           it
           hath
           continued
           in
           this
           Church
           ever
           since
           the
           reformation
           ,
           save
           that
           it
           had
           some
           short
           interruption
           which
           did
           alwayes
           breed
           disquiet
           in
           the
           minds
           of
           People
           ,
           and
           troubles
           in
           the
           Nation
           ,
           and
           sufferings
           to
           some
           of
           the
           most
           Sober
           and
           best
           of
           the
           Ministers
           and
           People
           :
           And
           when
           in
           the
           Yeare
           1662
           That
           Government
           was
           suppressed
           ▪
           and
           Prelacy
           set
           up
           by
           an
           Act
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           this
           deed
           was
           never
           consented
           to
           by
           the
           National
           Church
           ,
           but
           Presbytery
           as
           it
           had
           been
           settled
           by
           the
           Authority
           of
           the
           Church
           and
           State
           ,
           so
           continued
           ,
           and
           doeth
           continue
           settled
           by
           the
           Authority
           of
           the
           Church
           :
           Whence
           it
           may
           rationally
           be
           deduced
           ,
           that
           the
           Ministers
           that
           entred
           by
           and
           
           under
           Prelacy
           ,
           neither
           had
           nor
           have
           any
           Right
           to
           be
           Rulers
           in
           the
           Presbyterian
           Church
           ;
           they
           having
           had
           no
           call
           nor
           Authority
           given
           them
           from
           her
           (
           whatever
           they
           might
           have
           in
           another
           Church
           that
           the
           State
           set
           up
           in
           the
           Nation
           beside
           the
           Church
           that
           then
           was
           in
           being
           ,
           from
           which
           a
           great
           Body
           of
           Ministers
           and
           People
           did
           dissent
           ,
           which
           Authority
           they
           were
           never
           suffered
           to
           exercise
           even
           in
           their
           own
           Church
           )
           It
           is
           also
           to
           be
           considered
           that
           on
           this
           happy
           Revolution
           the
           King
           and
           Parliament
           have
           been
           pleased
           to
           abolish
           Prelacy
           :
           And
           have
           declared
           their
           Resolution
           by
           their
           Authority
           to
           settle
           Presbyterian
           Government
           .
           From
           this
           it
           followeth
           that
           the
           Prelatick
           Clergy
           should
           not
           be
           admitted
           to
           a
           share
           in
           this
           Government
           :
           Except
           such
           of
           them
           as
           shall
           by
           the
           Presbyterian
           Church
           be
           found
           qualified
           for
           the
           Ministry
           ,
           and
           such
           from
           whom
           there
           is
           no
           hazard
           of
           overturning
           that
           Government
           that
           now
           is
           intended
           to
           be
           established
           :
           For
           they
           being
           more
           in
           number
           than
           the
           Presbyterians
           ,
           is
           it
           to
           be
           imagined
           that
           Presbyterian
           Government
           can
           be
           safe
           in
           their
           Hands
           ,
           or
           that
           they
           will
           not
           erect
           a
           prelacy
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           or
           something
           instead
           of
           it
           ,
           or
           some
           way
           that
           is
           inconsistant
           with
           Presbytery
           in
           its
           purity
           ?
           And
           there
           being
           many
           among
           them
           known
           to
           be
           Insufficient
           ,
           Scandalous
           ,
           or
           erroneous
           ,
           It
           is
           not
           possible
           that
           the
           Church
           can
           be
           purged
           of
           such
           ,
           if
           they
           have
           the
           Government
           ,
           but
           rather
           there
           is
           an
           hazard
           that
           the
           best
           Men
           should
           be
           cast
           out
           ,
           and
           that
           by
           Church
           Authority
           ,
           least
           they
           should
           stand
           in
           the
           way
           of
           their
           Designs
           .
           Wherefore
           as
           they
           have
           no
           just
           Right
           to
           such
           power
           ,
           So
           Necessity
           (
           which
           
             quicquid
             coegit
             ,
             defendit
          
           )
           doth
           barr
           their
           Exercise
           of
           such
           power
           in
           the
           present
           juncture
           .
           Mean
           while
           Presbyterians
           do
           declare
           ,
           that
           they
           do
           not
           desire
           that
           all
           these
           Men
           should
           be
           restrained
           from
           the
           parochial
           exercise
           of
           their
           Ministry
           .
           And
           that
           who
           ever
           among
           them
           (
           as
           soon
           as
           the
           Church
           can
           be
           in
           case
           to
           purge
           her self
           )
           is
           not
           proved
           to
           be
           Insufficient
           ,
           Scandalous
           ,
           Erroneous
           ,
           or
           extremely
           negligent
           ,
           shall
           be
           cordially
           received
           into
           Her
           Society
           ,
           And
           have
           the
           full
           Exercise
           of
           their
           Ministry
           ,
           And
           that
           where
           uncontroverted
           Scandals
           cannot
           be
           charged
           on
           them
           ,
           none
           shall
           be
           dealt
           with
           as
           Scandalous
           ,
           because
           of
           their
           having
           had
           a
           Hand
           in
           this
           late
           publick
           Defection
           .
        
         
           These
           things
           thus
           laid
           down
           ,
           let
           us
           hear
           what
           is
           objected
           against
           this
           course
           .
           1
           st
           .
           This
           is
           to
           set
           up
           Prelacy
           among
           Ministers
           ,
           even
           while
           it
           is
           so
           much
           decry'd
           ,
           that
           a
           few
           should
           have
           Rule
           of
           the
           Churches
           and
           the
           rest
           excluded
           .
           Answ.
           It
           is
           no
           Prelacy
           ,
           but
           a
           making
           distinction
           between
           Ministers
           of
           one
           Society
           ,
           and
           th●se
           of
           another
           :
           
           Though
           they
           be
           Ministers
           ,
           they
           are
           not
           Ministers
           of
           the
           
             Presbyterian
             Church
          
           ,
           they
           have
           departed
           from
           it
           ;
           we
           have
           continued
           in
           the
           good
           old
           way
           that
           they
           and
           we
           professed
           :
           It
           is
           not
           then
           unreasonable
           ,
           that
           if
           they
           will
           return
           to
           that
           Society
           ,
           they
           should
           be
           admitted
           by
           it
           ,
           and
           not
           be
           Imposed
           on
           it
           ,
           to
           overturn
           it
           .
           At
           the
           Reformation
           from
           Popery
           ,
           was
           it
           a
           Prelacy
           in
           the
           few
           
             Protestant
             Ministers
          
           ,
           that
           they
           were
           not
           willing
           to
           let
           the
           
             Popish
             Priests
          
           govern
           the
           Church
           ?
           Or
           did
           Nehemiah
           and
           the
           Iews
           pretend
           to
           any
           power
           over
           
             Tobiah
             ,
             Sanbaliat
          
           and
           their
           party
           ,
           that
           they
           would
           not
           suffer
           them
           to
           build
           with
           them
           ?
           Pardon
           these
           Comparisons
           ,
           they
           are
           not
           intended
           to
           parallel
           our
           Brethen
           with
           either
           of
           these
           sorts
           of
           Men
           ,
           except
           in
           this
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           not
           of
           the
           
             Presbyterian
             Church
          
           ,
           more
           than
           those
           others
           were
           of
           the
           Protestant
           ,
           or
           
             Iewish
             Church
          
           ;
           and
           that
           there
           is
           hazard
           from
           them
           to
           our
           way
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           there
           was
           from
           the
           other
           to
           their
           wayes
           .
        
         
           Obj.
           2.
           
           By
           this
           means
           the
           lesser
           party
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           Scotland
           shall
           exclude
           the
           greater
           from
           the
           Government
           .
           Ans
           This
           is
           not
           absurd
           ,
           where
           the
           greater
           party
           have
           left
           the
           Church
           they
           were
           of
           ;
           and
           the
           lesser
           hath
           abode
           in
           it
           ,
           or
           rather
           ,
           are
           left
           as
           the
           constituent
           Members
           of
           it
           :
           And
           when
           that
           greater
           party
           hath
           set
           up
           another
           frame
           of
           a
           Church
           ,
           which
           they
           are
           now
           forced
           to
           part
           with
           ,
           when
           they
           would
           return
           to
           the
           former
           way
           ,
           they
           cannot
           Incorporate
           again
           with
           them
           who
           abode
           in
           it
           ,
           without
           their
           consent
           ;
           especially
           where
           this
           consent
           is
           ready
           to
           be
           given
           on
           any
           tolerable
           Security
           for
           the
           way
           that
           the
           lesser
           party
           doth
           o●●e
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           departed
           from
           .
        
         
           Obj.
           3.
           
           What
           warrant
           is
           there
           for
           leaving
           to
           these
           men
           the
           Parochial
           exercise
           of
           their
           Ministry
           ,
           and
           to
           deprive
           them
           of
           the
           other
           part
           of
           if
           :
           seeing
           the
           exercise
           of
           the
           Ministry
           in
           Teaching
           and
           Ruling
           is
           
             Quid
             Indivisum
             .
             Answ.
          
           There
           are
           two
           Reasons
           for
           this
           ;
           one
           is
           the
           necessity
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           which
           for
           such
           a
           critical
           interim
           as
           our
           lot
           is
           fallen
           into
           ,
           may
           warrant
           that
           ,
           which
           out
           of
           such
           an
           exigence
           ,
           and
           for
           a
           constant
           continuance
           in
           the
           Church
           were
           unwarrantable
           :
           It
           is
           necessary
           on
           the
           one
           hand
           ,
           that
           the
           Parishes
           be
           not
           deprived
           of
           their
           Labours
           ,
           l●st
           a
           great
           part
           of
           the
           Country
           should
           be
           destitute
           of
           all
           Gospel
           Ordinances
           :
           It
           is
           as
           necessary
           on
           the
           other
           hand
           ,
           that
           they
           have
           not
           Ruling
           Power
           in
           the
           Church
           with
           the
           P●esbyterians
           ,
           left
           that
           Government
           which
           Christ
           hath
           instituted
           ,
           and
           which
           is
           now
           designed
           to
           be
           Settled
           ,
           be
           over-turned
           :
           And
           we
           know
           ,
           that
           many
           things
           may
           be
           done
           in
           
             turbato
             Statu
             Ecclesiae
          
           (
           such
           as
           we
           now
           are
           in
           )
           which
           
           ought
           not
           to
           be
           allowed
           in
           
             paccato
             Ecclesiae
             Statu
          
           .
           Another
           reason
           is
           ,
           we
           do
           neither
           deny
           their
           Teaching
           ,
           nor
           their
           Ruling
           Power
           :
           Yet
           Teaching
           being
           common
           to
           the
           one
           Church
           way
           with
           the
           other
           ,
           we
           may
           well
           allow
           to
           them
           the
           exercise
           of
           that
           among
           us
           ,
           while
           Ruling
           being
           different
           in
           their
           way
           and
           ours
           ,
           and
           the
           principle
           that
           they
           hold
           in
           it
           being
           eversive
           of
           our
           way
           ,
           it
           is
           rational
           to
           deny
           them
           a
           share
           among
           us
           .
           Not
           to
           insist
           on
           farther
           Objections
           ,
           whatever
           inconveniences
           may
           seem
           to
           follow
           on
           this
           conduct
           ,
           may
           be
           answered
           by
           the
           force
           of
           Necessity
           already
           held
           forth
           ,
           and
           objected
           by
           the
           speedy
           settling
           the
           Church
           upon
           its
           right
           Basis.
           
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
       
         
           LICENSED
           ,
        
         
           
             
               Aprile
               ,
               the
               18.
               1690.