THE SOBER CONFORMISTS ANSWER TO A RIGID CONFORMISTS REASONS. Why in this Juncture no Alteration should be made in the GOVERNMENT of the CHURCH of SCOTLAND.  Prov. 26.4. 
Answer not a Fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.  Verse 5. 
Answer a Fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own Conceit.  M. D. Dickson, 
Papists hate nothing in Prelacy but what is Presbyterian, and Presbyterians hate nothing in it but what it Popish.  M. R. Blair, 
The Bishops of England are like the Kings of Judah, some good some bad. The Bishops of Scotland are like the Kings of Israel, not a good one amongst them all.  
Published by a Lover of Peace and Truth. Printed in the Year MDCLXXXIX.   

REASON'S Why in this Juncture no Alteration should be made in the GOVERNMENT Of the CHURCH of SCOTLAND.  
Reason I. BEcause Episcopal Government has not only the Advantage of Apostolic Constitution and Natural Reception by all Christian Churches from CHRIST to Calvin, but also is found by Experience to be the best Adapted for preservation of Order, Peace and Unity.  
Rea. 2. Because the most of the Gentry and Burgesses have taken the Test, and therefore can never without perjury vote for the Introduction of Presbytry, or choose such a Commissioner as may be suspected to favour that way.  
Rea: 3. If Presbytry be voted, then returns upon you the Solemn League and Covenant, as is evident not only from the present proceed of the Presbyterian Preachers, but also from the Natural Exigence of the thing, it not being possible to conceive a Foundation for parity without it, and if the Covenant return then, beside the many impieties of that Oath, it must make the most considerable of the Nation either perjured or miserable; And no Man can have any public place either in Church or State, but such as shall do penance for taking the Test; and not only so, but a great part of the Laity of the Nation, must be reduced to great straits, both in reference to Conscience and Interest, and the present Regular Clergy be turned out, which will reduce the Church to such Amazing Hardships, that the God's pel shall not be preached in three parts of the Kingdom, there not being an hundred qualified Presbyterians in the Kingdom.  
Rea: 4. Because if presbytry shall not be thus established in its integrity but all that Alteration turn to a Non-Episcopacy, and the present Presbyters continue in their Offices, than our deplorable Schisms and Divisions, will continue without a remedy, or else the Magistrate will take the Government of the Church upon him, and we must have downright Erastianism.  
Rea: 5: Because the establishment of Presbytry will have a most pernicious influence upon the Protestant Religion in this Island if ever Popery set up its head. For the Churches of England and Scotland must stand on different bottoms, & so will be obliged to justify themselves by different Arguments, which will prove very hard for Scotland, seeing Presbytry will divid it from England, which opens a door to the reentry of Popery, which cannot but aleniate the Affections of the Church of England from us, which considering our own weakness will expose us a prey to the common Enemy.  
Rea. 6. To be for Presbytry in this Juncture will exceedingly disoblige the Princess of Orange, whose principles are known to all Europe in this matter, and the Prince also who has no inclination for the Alteration of the Government of the Church, as he hath now abundantly declared.  
Rea. 7: Let all thinking Men but reflect upon the Natural Tempter of Presbytry, and view it in its Tyrannical, pragmatic, Meddling and Domineering effects which many good Men yet living of all Qualities have severely felt. Let them likewise consider the Hypocrisy, immorality and Antichristian genius of that party, and then let them vote for it if they think fit.  
Rea: 8: If the Church of England continue as it is (as undoubtedly is will) and Scotland be reduced to Presbytry, then considering the boundless and restless spirit of Presbytry, Scotland will impose, sicut ante, an uniformity in Doctrine and Discipline upon that Nation, which will commence a new Civil War, the thoughts of which cannot but breed horror in all reasonable Men.   

SIR,  
IF the wounds of a Friend be better than the kisses of an Enemy, they should be far more acceptable than the wounds of an Enemy; And therefore I expect ye will not be displeased with my Freedom in this line designed for preventing your more severe and shameful Treatment, by our Adversaries to whom ye have given great advantage, by some Reasons ye have written [why in this Juncture there s hold be no Alteration of the Government of the Church of Scotland] of baffling our cause so unseasonably and weakly defended by you. For albeit there are many sober Presbyterians whose generous compassion of our present staggering condition, would not allow them to give you such an humbling Repartee, as ye give too large ground for, yet as we deserve it not at their hand, who have been so cruel to them in their low condition; so we cannot expect it from every one of them, especially, when they are at once encouraged, by the many Disadvantages of our present circumstances, and irritated by your extreme bitterness against them, and therefore I advise you would recall all the copies of it, which I am hopeful have not yet spread far, for in. genuously they are so weak, that few of our persuasion will be at the pains to transcribe them, and I think they will be more careful of our Reputation then to suffer them to come to the hands of any Presbyterian; as through time they may, if you prevent it not. But lest your vanity make you confidently contemn my counsel; I shall take a little pains to abate your confidence, by showing you how easily and advantageously our Adversaries with whom I have frequent converse can answer you.  
But I must first express my Dissatisfaction with the title ye give your paper so liable to the most perplexing Exceptions can be made against us. I doubt not but ye have heard (I have heard it so often) how lamentably Archbishop P: was baffled of late by Mr. Roger at Glasgow, upon the like occasion given him; Wear too conscious to ourselves, that the sole support of our interest is but Civil Laws (though the Bishops were at the making them) and that all Ecclesiastic Authority is on their side; And therefore ye would be inextricably puzzled, if they put the Question to you, Which of the two is the Government of the Church of Scotland, that which is only introduced by Civil Laws, without any Eeclesiastick Authority, contrary to the standing Laws of the Church, never yet repealed by any Church Judicature, or that which is established by many National Assemblies of the Church, though contrar to posteriour Acts of Parliament, made without any consequent, far les s Antecedent Determination of any Church Judicatory.  
They may likewise give you an unanswerable challenge of monor polizing the specious name of the [Church of Scotland] to us (excluding them) because we have receded from old standing Ecclesiastic Laws without any other warrant then new Civil Laws contrary to them; and upon that account charge us with Schism & unwarrantable separation from them, having no Evasion left us, but that we are the more numerous part of the Clergy, which scarce makes our Separation tolerable, far less justifiable.  
But that which is as unbecoming us, as unacceptable to them, is your pleading [no Alteration] which will stumble your Readers with prejudice in the very entry; For how ever difficult it be to prove the necessity of such an entire Alteration as Presbyterians desire, yet they can easily pitch upon many things, which we cannot ingenuously deny should be altered; And the book entitled the Reformed Bishop, written by one of our Clergy, opens a wide door to them; Yea, we are all of us too sensible, that our interest has been screwed up to so dangerous heights, by the Laws, that there is no stable Basis left to establish it in the Consciences of those who own it; And we have Reason to fear lest those odious superstructures of the Magistrates unbounded Supremacy over the Church, such rigorous impositions on the Consciences of Subjects, and so cruel persecution of all Dissenters (which by an excess of Zeal we have erected, to be the securities of our cause) may so much discommend the whole Fabric of our Government, as to endanger the total ruin thereof. And I have always thought it a great flaw in the Episcopal Government in Scotland, that as it hath been built upon no other Foundation, and advanced by no other Methods then Civil Laws rigorously executed, so these are framed in such an Arbitrary and persecuting stile, that the least turn of Affairs will render them as odious as before they were grievous to all moderate and judicious Men of both parties.  
And finally, it surpasseth my imagination, what hath encouraged you to add [in this Juncture?] It's evident that the whole present Juncture of Affairs hath a bad Aspect on us, and we can expect little Favour from such as duly consider the same. What hath infatuated you to such an unaccountable confidence? Alace! your Reasons can never cancel these unhappy Addresses to the King, so fresh in the remembrance of all Men; That of the Primate sent to King in name of the Clergy, to thank him for the Liberty granted to the Papists, so full of base sycophantry, and abject flattery, that even the Popish King was ashamed of it, which I fear be printed at Fdinburgh before the Convention, though ye tempt them not to the remembrance of it, and that other most unseasonable Testimony of our Loyalty, expressing our Detestation of the P. of Orange his coming to England, as a unjus t and unnatural Invasion; signed by the Bps to their eternal s hame. Neither will ever this Paper of yours counterpoise the P. of Orange, His Declaration in reference to Scotland, wherein we are represented as the grievance of the Nation, and the necessity of an Alteration, insinuated as clearly as could be done without directly reflecting on our Laws, which though he doth not approve, yet he Judgeth unseasonable as yet to condemn. Nor Finally can all ye say for our vindication, outcry the loud voice of the Rigorous Persecution, and violent Oppression, and innumerable Grievances, which may be too justly charged on our party, and the Presbyterians are too apt to represent and aggredge so, as to extort pity and compassion, even from the hardest hearted of our Grandees without such an irritating remembrance as you are.  
But to come to your Reasons, Presbyterians will think them weak enough, though ye had not wronged them by such a vain Title. I wish ye had forborn the first which is too Theologick, and so not only discovers the Author to be of the Clergy, who are little regarded when pleading for their own Interest, but doth also give our Adversaries too large a Field wherein they are best acquainted and most expert. Ye might have satisfied yourself only with Politic Arguments, which are the most proper and suitable to our cause, and would seem to be the Sentiments of some Judicious Pers on of another Quality agenting it, and so be a great deal more acceptable and considered with the less prejudice. But I see no kind of reason in your Paper which Presbyterians cannot answer without any difficulty and with great advantage.  
Your first Reason hath three things in it, which though it be sufficient simply to deny because merely asserted, yet our Adversaries will not pass them so bluntly, they give too fair an occasion to them, of giving the sharpest and sorest wounds to our cause that it can meet with, and of prepossessing men's Cons ciences with such evident Convictions in their favour, as will render all your other Reasons ineffectual for persuading them to favour us.  
The I. thing in it is (That Episcopacy hath the advantage of Apostolic Constitution,) a very fair Plea and plausible Pretence, which ye would exceedingly oblige, the greater and better part of your Beethrens, by making good; But how can we expect this of you, when the Learned Hamond, who excels all that ever took that Plea in hand for him notwithstanding all his wrested Criticisms of Scripture, and stretched Allegations from Antiquity, hath not fully satisfied us in this point; so that all the Sober and Learned among us, except a very few Judge Church Government a point of Indifferency, not peremptorly determined by Christ or His Apostles, and that Episcopacy is preferable only for its Conveniency; And whether the Report be true that Dr. Burnet hath acknowledged its Inconveniency for Scotland, I know not; But I have heard some of the most Judicious of our Clergy ingenuously confess, that though to a People  with prejudices as in England that were to choose their Church Government, Episcopacy is preferable to Presbytery, yet to the People of Scotland (who are possessed with such invincible prejudices in favours of Presbytry as the Church Government, which commenced with their Reformation from Popery, and has been establi shed by so many full and free Church Judicatories; and Ratified by the Civil Sanction of three Successive Parliaments, wherein three Kings Successively were Personally present, and with no less In's uperable prejudices against Episcopacy as a Relict of Popery which amongst other corruptions they were Reform from, and as an Innovation Introduced, Advanced and. Established by Arbitrary and Violent Methods, not only without but against the Consent of the Ministry; and finally as an encouragement of Ignorance, Profanity and Error to the paving the way for Popery) to such a prejudiced and biased People Episcopacy is both inconvenient and intolerable. And Presbyterians do so well know, that the sentiments of many of your Brethren, differ from yours in this point, that they will not only redicule you as Ignorant of the Scriptures, wherein the Names of Bishop and Presbyter are used indifferently as signifying the same thing; nothing given in direction to the ordinaty Officers of the Church, is peculiarly applicable to Diocesan Bishops, yea, and the Superiority of one Pastor above another, is expressly prohibited both by Christ in the Gospel and Peter in his Epistle, but they will als o insult over you as impudent, in pretending that for your vindication, which not only the Generality of the Learned among the Clergy; but all the great t of our Champions also as Bancroft, Bilson, Low, Sutclive, Whitgift, Hooker, etc. do deny to be clear or concludent in our Favours; undervaluing this Topick most laboriously as being conscious, it is against them asserting, that Apostolic Institutions of Church Government, do not take away the Indifferency and Mutability of it according to the conveniency of every particular Church. And as for these few Learned men, who maintain the Divine Right of Episcopacy they do ingenuously confess, that there is no Episcopacy in any Church, now which doth not in many things Deviate from the Primitive Episcopacy which they own; and they will readily acknowledge, that Episcopacy as its constitute in Scotland, either as to its Elevation to such an height of Superiority and Power over Presbyters, or its complication with s●ch gross Erastianism, or its Conjunction with civil Dignities, and Characters is not only qu●te Different from it, but directly opposite to it, So that it is the height of Impudence to have pleaded no alteration from the Topick of Apostolic Institution, which doth so evidently prove the necessity of an Alteration even in the sense that both Parties have of it; and it is scarce so  as the confidence of some of our Writers, who doubt not to say roundly, that albeit Episcopacy was not the Government of the Church in its Infancy, yet it is better suited to it in its present Maturity, which th● ugh it be not a sufficient ground of preferring humane Inventions before Divine Institutions, yet is less intolerable because it hath some shadows and colour of Reason for it; And after the great light, that these Famous Presbyterians, blondel and Salmasius, Parker and Didoclavius have given, to the advantage of Presbytry, in this controversy, is the only shift left us to evade the Force of their Arguments, both from Scripture and Antiquity against us.  
The next thing ye assert is, that [Episcopacy hath the Advantage of a Natural Reception by all Christian Churches from CHRIST to Calvin] Sir, Your Phrase of a Natural Reception is s o Dark and Ambigous that they will put what sense on't they will, and perhaps deride you and it both, by confessing that Episcopacy had a great advantage of Reception from the natural (Corrupt and Carnal) Reasonings and Inclinations of Men who are naturally Ignorant, that the Excellency of all the means of the Church's Edification is their Institution by a Supernatural Divine Wisdom and Authority, because they are not only adapted to Supernatural ends, but depend entirely for their Efficacy upon a Supernatural Divine Power and Blessing; and who are naturally no less Artogant to add the Invention of their own vain Wisdom, as no less useful and necessary, and to expect God's Blessing thereupon which he hath promised only to his own Institutions. But albeit they put a more Fabourable sense on your Words as importing an Early and easy Reception, yet they will not only retort, that several acknowledged corruptions had as easy reception as it, and far more early than such an Episcopacy as this of ours, which (taking it complexly) we ourselves cannot deny would have been odious and intolerable in the Primitive Church, but they can likewise quite enervate your Argument, by proposing to your consideration the Gradual and Insensible Progress of the Mystery of Iniquity, which the Apostles observed to have begun its motion, and to be misteriously working even in their time, and therefore could not be much regarded yea scarce observed in the primitive Church, so full of unexperienced simplicity and extended Charity, wherein there were many Pastors so Eminent for their Wisdom & Gravity, Holiness and Humility, as seemed to challenge, and easily obtained more than ordinary Deference and Respect from their Brethren, and that from one Degree to another, until at last through time the Church degenerated into a Prelatic Government, which could not be unacceptable or at leas t intolerable to the Generality, being so well suited to the Superstitious (the Predominant) Genius of these Times, though it passed not altogether without a witness from some of the most Learned and Seeing Men then living, who were not so much inserted with the common distemper of the Age they lived in but that they could both look back to the Primitive purity and parity from which Episcopacy had declined, and forward to the Papal corruption and Tyranny, to which it insensibly and gradually tended as it should at large by Blondel and Salmasius to the full conviction of all who read their Laborious Writings. Yea, they will not only Enervate your Argument, but turn the edge of it upon yourself, by instancing the Albigenses who preserved the Presbyterian Government from the Apostles time to Luther, and who's e Testimony against Diocesan Episcopacy is as strong, as it is by our own Confession against other Romish corruptions. Nay! they will come nearer home and cite credible History, narrating Scotland not to have received Episcopal Government for some hundreds of years after it received the Christian Religion, as not only Bucchannan our famous Historian showeth, but our own great Doctor Forbes confesseth in his Irenicon. And finally they will foil this Argument quite, by showing Episcopacy to have met with a more early and easy Ejection out of the Church when it was Reform from corruptions, as a Native step of its Reformation, than ever it had reception by the Church, even when declining from its ancient Purity. And though England hath continued Episcopal, yet they will ask what reason is there for Justifying the the Episcopal Government, more than Her Ceremonious Worship, and why may not that Church be condemned for retaining the one as well as the other? and they have too evident grounds for imputing their Contumation to the stiffness of Q. Elizabeth as the Chief, if not the Sole hindrance of the Ejection of both out of England, as well as the other Reformed Churches; which was earn stly desired by the most Learned and Pious Divines in the Church, though when they found their endeavours fruitless, they choosed rather to comply therewith then disturb the Peace of the Church and Kingdom.  
The last thing in this Reason is that [Episcopacy is by Experience found to be the best adapted for preservation of Order, Peace and Unity.] presbyterians will hiss the Argument out of doors, because its the very same which Papists use against Protestants for justifying the Papal power. And it is more easy for them to resort our answer to Papist, on ourselves, then for us to Evade the Force of them without either derogating from the Episcopal power, which we mantain against Presbyterians or Homologating the Papal power which Papists maintain against Protestants. We grant the Papal power to be very much Adapted for Worldly Pomp, Power and Policy, but upon that very score deny it to be a Government becoming the Church, because Christ expressly dischargeth his Apostles, and in them all their Successors to exercise Dominion as the Lords of the Gentiles do over them. This Answer to Papists is an Argument so plate against ourselves, that ingenuously I am not fully satisfied with our subtle Evasions of it. And though that of Dr. Burnet's in his Latter Dialogues be the best I have yet seen, that nothing is prohibited in these words, but the Exercise of Civil Power by any Church Officer, over the Church; and so nothing of the Papal power is condemned by it, but the Usurpation of a Temporal Dominion over Princes; Yet s eeing this leaves his Ecclesiastic Supremacy, (under which the subtle Jesuits Comprise all the Power he Exercises) untouched and uncondemned, by the clearest Scripture Argument we have against it, which all Reform Divines make use of (even the Episcopal themselves) in their writings against the Papal Tyranny in ecclesiastics as well as Civils, I nothing doubt but the present Zeal of that great Man against Popery, would disclaim this evasion frankly as the effect of his former eagerness against Presbytery, hurrying him to a Critici sm so favourable to Popery. And when I have considered the extent of the Parallel place, 1. Pet. 5.3. and the particular Application in Reference to Spirituals, which the Apostle Paul makes, 2. Cor. 1. last; I cannot look upon that otherwise then an oversight in the Doctor, notwithstanding of my singular Es teem of Him and his Writings. But the truth is (if we consider seriously) the aptitude of Episcopacy, for preserving the Dignity and promoting the Interest of the Clergy; its similitude to the Civil Government, and Conformity to the Carnal conceits men have of the Church of God, are (even as it fares with Popery,) both its greatest advantage and disadvantage, its greatest advantage recommending it to Carnal men, who measure all things by their Carnal Imaginations and Inclinations, and its greatest disadvantage discommending it to Conscientious men who meas ure all the concerns of the Church, by the unerring Rule of the Word of GOD, and judge of them by their influence on, and usefulness for the Edification of their Souls. And alace! the odious effects of Episcopacy in Scotland, especially since it was last introduced, are so recent and obvious, that if any witty Presbyterian shall be at the pains, to rake up this Dunghill, I am afraid such an intolerable stink shall be raised, as no Aptitude which our Government hath to what is good, or can pretend to have, will be either Regarded or Believed by any who are Judicious, far less Sober and Conscientious. For Sense and Experience are more convincing than all the Reasons in the World.  
But to be more particular, ye say, [its found by experience to be the best adapted for preservation of Order] Presbyterians will answer, That what ever be its apparent Aptitude for this, yet it is in effect, itself an alteration of the primitive Order observed in the Church, which did gradually resolve at last into a total innovation of the Church's Order, by a papal supremacy, which it hath exchanged for a Caesario-papatus in Scotland, lest the Church should not be still monstruous with two heads, one under another; And it is indeed a hard Question, Why Order in the Church, (which we say, cannot be without prius & posterius, inferius & superius) doth not equally require a Pope, or King under CHRIST over Bishops, as a Bishop under CHRIST over Presbytry; Or why a parity amongst Bishops should not be thought as inconsis tent with Order as a parity among all Pastors. But neither doth the Presbyterian Government want its Order of superius & inferius, for amongst them single persons are subject to Church Judicatories, and a lesser Church Judicatory still to a greater, etc. In which Order seeing there is not only that ah inferiore ad superius, but a minore ad majus, it is most agreeable to the Church, as it is the Body of CHRIST, immediately depending upon CHRIST its Head. And I confess ingenuously, when they have argued that feeding of Souls by dispensing the Word and Sacraments is the sublimest piece of a Church Man's employment; that all power of Church Officers is only Ministerial under CHRIST the Head and Lord of his Church; that though he be the political as well as Mystical Head of the Church, who as its King and Lawgiver, might be expected would not leave it without Directions how it should be governed, yet there is no institution of a Diocesan Episcopacy, that was ever pretended to be so clear as the Directions given concerning the Office of a Deacon, the lowest Office in the Church; But the checks given by him to the first appearances of an inclination to pre-eminency among his Apostles, are clearly recorded in Scripture; and finally, that the lodging of all Ecclesiastic power of Ordination or Jurisdiction, in the single person of a Bishop doth not suit with the immediate Dependence of the Church, the Body of CHRIST upon CHRIST the Head of it; When they have Argued thus, I say, and urged each of these Arguments at length, I have been extremely puzzled to vindicat the Episcopal Order, and the superiority of one Pastor above another; All I could say, was, That Bishops are as necessary to oversee Pastors, as Pastors to oversee People, and they easily stopped my mouth, not only by retorting the equal necessity of a pope, to oversee Bishops; But by showing also that all Pastors were subject to the censure of Church Judicatories, which could not easily be guilty of connivance and partiality, towards the ignorant and scandalous as Bishops; and which by their solemnity & impartiality, have as great and venerable an Authority as a Bishop by virtue of his large Benefice, Lordly Titles, and pompous Train can have: Yea, I have been almost persuaded to be a presbyterian, when they have reasoned, that seeing we confess, the highest Ecclesiastic power on Earth to be in an Oecumenick Council, and yet allow not of any further power in him that precedes, than like that of a presbyterian Moderator in a Presbytry-synod, or National Assembly, and not like that of a Bishop in a Diocesan Synod, for fear of a pope; Why do we not also acknowledge Ministers to be subject to inferior Judicatories of the like frame, and an inferior and lesser Judicatory, to a superior and greater still forward, till we arrive at an Oecumenick Council, as the highest judicatory of all immediately and solly subject to CHRIST as the Body to the Head, without any Diocesan Bishop over the see inferior more than a pope over his supreme judicatory, as being the most equal and Homogenous, and therefore also the mos t suitable and excellent Order of the Church, making the Government of particular Churches, and of the Universal Visible Church, to agree together with an excellent Harmony, and most orderly Decency. I am Naturally of such an ingenuous Temper, that I had not the confidence to reply, that the Members of the Oecumenick Cnuncils were Diocesan Bishops, because I not only knew that presbyters have been admi●…ed Members, and voted as well as Bishops, and that presbyterian as well as Episcopal Churches must be allowed their Delegates in case of an Oecumenick Council, without any other power than that of the Representatives of the Church that sends them, Repre: scenting their Brethren, and not having power over them lodged in their single person▪ But I perceive the strength of the Argument did not at all consist in the Quality of the Members of a General Council; whether Bishops or Presbyters, but its Frame and the Method of its Acting, and Exerting its Authority: And finally, I have been greatly ashamed, and quite confounded, when they asked, Whether an Erastian head, an Episcopal Body, and a Presbyterian Tail, would orderly agree together, to make an entire Church Government; and laughing at the monstruous Fabric of our Government, by such a mixed ure, told me that we Attribute an Ecclesiastical Supremacy to the King, to unite him to our interest, that we may abuse and pro●…itute his Power and Authority, in prosecuting and promoving it; And that we make use of Parochial Sessions from the Example of Presbytry, though Lay Elders be contrary to our principles, for amusing the Consciences of Ignorant People into the more willing subjection to us, as nothing differing from Presbyterian Ministers: But that Episcopal preeminencies and benefices are the chief Design of all, to satisfy the Ambition & Avarice of the leading men amongst us & to be a shelter and encouragement, to the ignorance, idleness, and profanity of the r●st of us. Thus ye see how they have treated me in this point, who though I come short in point of obstinate Confidence, yet I understand the Controversy betwixt Presbyterians and us, better than many of my Brethren, and have had greater advantages so to do then the most part of them; And I nothing doubt but ye will meet with the like usage from your Adversaries, to your public shame, and affronting our cause, if ye prevent it not.  
The next thing is, that [Episcopacy is the best Adapted for preservation of peace] Presbyterians will acknowledge; that it is a very calm, gentle, and peaceable Government to scandalous Sinners, and in this has the Advantage of being more acceptable than the Presbyterian to such, not knowing that favour to their Sins is cruelty to their Souls; And yet I have heard some of our own Persuasion say, that the Presbyterian Government amidst all its severity, was more favourable than the Episcopal, because, though they were greedy of Foulkes repentance, yet they were not greedy of their Purses. But ye may assure yourself, it will be accounted the height of impudence, so much as to have mentioned peace as the native effect of Episcopacy, and all the World will be app● aled unto, whether our Bishops have not been the chief troublers of Israel, and whether the connivance (to say no more) of the Episcopal Government a●… Popery and profanity, (which are the only peaceable Effects it can pretend to in Scotland,) doth Counterbalance its Rigour, and cruelty against Nonconformity, (even when accompanied with Exemplary Sobriety, Piety and Loyalty,) or whether it doth not exceedingly aggredge the same, and render it the more odious to all that compare its favour to th●se with its severity to this. And ingenuously, whatever be in their imputing to Episcopacy, Tyranny over men's Consciences as its native effect, yet it is so sadly evident that it hath Extremely degenerated thereunto in this Church and Kingdom, that we cannot doubt, but it will meet with an eas ie belief from most part of the Nation, in spite of all your confident Assertions to the contrary, they will grant that Presbytery hath been so unfortunate, as not only to be rendered unacceptable to our Kings, being at a distance in another Nation, by the cunning Misinformations of Self-seeking Courtiers, the Calumnious Instigations of English Bishops, ignorant of the Genius of Scotland, and the Pragnatick Influence of Jesuits, whose greatest Eye sore it is. But also to be made a Mask to the Politic Design of Incendiaries and Usurpers, (though they retained it no longer than their Designs behoved to be kept close;) and by this means to be miscontrued, as the chief cause of War and Blood s head by these, who understand not the Intrigues of Affairs, but after they grant you all this, nothing, they will confidently accuse Episcopacy, that it hath been both so cruel and shameless, as even of choice, to turn, the most Serene peace & solid Happiness that ever this Nation was blessed with, at the Restauration of K. Charles the 2d. into a perpetual Tragedy of Persecution, Oppression, and of Arbitrary Government, manifestly of design to Introduce and Establish itself without the Conjunction of any other Malign influence imaginable: Though perhaps a popish party stroke in to an After Game, finding Episcopals as forward as they could wish, to ruin presbyterians (though to the weakening of the Protestant Interest) hoping that if they should not be ruined by us, yet they should be so weakened and Exasperaced, as to be easily gulled by their pretended Moderation to a concurrence with them, for the razing down the securities of the Reformed Religion by the Penal Laws against Papists, (which by a total desuetude we had rendered contemptible,) to shelter themselves from our Rigorous and severe Laws against them, that so at Length popery might swallow us up both. And no Thanks to us that the papists were disappointed of their Design, by the presbyterians greater zeal against popery, than Resentment at our greater Severity to them then to Papists, which when I consider, I have a strong Apprehension that the Lord is about to reward their Faithfulness to their Principles as Protestants, with a Legal establishment of their Government, in its integrity under a Presbyterian King, according to their wishes. So that you see what ever else you ascribe to Episcopacy, your was folly to maintain peace.  
In the last place you say [That Episcopal Government is found by Experience to be the best Adapted, for preservation of Unity] And why not, say they, the Papal Government for Unity amongst Bishops as well as the Episcopal for Uni●y amongst Presbyters? But they will speak more home, and accuse us of Schism in re●…ding from the unrepealed Acts and Constitutions of the Church: And s● Father the Schism on Episcopacy, intruded into the Church by mere Civil Laws and violently pressed upon all by the Sword of Persecution. Without any due pains or proper methods used for preparing the Nation, for its reception. And albeit that the present divisions amongst Presbyterians are much talken of, yet judicious Persons will impute them rather to the want of Presbyterian Government in the full and free exercise of its Authority, then to the weakness of the Government in itself: and I am informed that lately both Parties are endeavourting an Union; and resolve to Act Unitly against us: and when the Moderation of the One, and the Zeal of the Other party are Joined and Tempered together. They will make a more Formidable Figure both as to Counsel & Action, then if they had never been divided. And though likewise the former Divisions betwixt the Remonstrators and Public resolver's are not forgotten, and serve to heighten the prejudices of such as are not acquaint with the mysterious Intrigues of these times. Yet they who knew how cunningly they were fomented under Board, by the King's Courtiers on the one hand, and that wily Fox Croniwel on the other: will not Impute them to the Presbyterian Government as its native Effects, especially seeing that the chief Motive that induced the Usurper to rob them of the privileges of free General Assemblies was the fear of their Union, which he knew could eas ily be affected by it last and surest remedy, that amidst their Intestine Divisions, he might the more easily settle them elf in his Usurped power, without any opposition from them, of whose Conscientious Loyalty he had greatest Jealousies and fear. But alace! what can we say for our vindication if they charge us, that while we boast of Unity, we have not kept the Unity of the Faith. For they know well enough that as some of our Clergy are Socinian, (the vilest of Heretics,) so also that the Generality of the Learned amongst us are gross Arminians, who were condemned as Heretics by that Famons' Synod of Dort: to which our Famous K: James the 6th. Sent Representatives from the Churches in Britain. And thus they represent our pretended Unity under Bishops, so unconcerned with the Purity of Doctrine to be rather Odious and Detestable, then Harmonious and Commendable; whereas the Commendation of this Church for its Unity under Presbyterian Government is so great in all the Reformed Churches: And was so frequently upbraided to the English Bishops by K. James the 6th. from the displeasure he had at the Scots Heresies and Schisms abounding in England, that Presbyterians will scarce think thames elves obliged to an Apology for any Divisions that were▪ or Schism that is among them.  
Sir, I have stayed the longer upon your first Reason, because it is the Basis of all the Controversy; And as it is unbecoming; the Wisdom and Piety of the Ensuing Convention, to be Acted merely by Politic Considerations in so weighty a Concern: Wherein the Glory of God, and the Souls and Consciences of all in the Nation are so deeply Interessed. So that if your Adversaries by a fair and full answer not only enervate this Reason, but turn the edge of it upon us, they may so prepossess the Consciences of the Members in their Favours that all your other Reasons will avail little though they were better than they are. But that I may proceed;  
Your Second Reason is, [That the most part of the Gentry and Burgesses have taken the Test, and therefore can never without Perjury, Vote for the Introduction of Presbyters, or choose such Commissioners as are suspected to Favour that way] Sir, the Presbyterians will not fail to tell you that you loss your 1st. Reason by this 2d. For if the Test be Obligatory to every point, than also to maintain the King's Prerogative, whereof this is a chief one, by Law, that he may alter or dispose of the External Government of the Church according to his pleasure, which whosoever is sworn to, he can no longer for shame, plead for Episcopacy upon such grounds as you propose in your former Reason, unless he renounce that Oath in part as not Obligatory, and as to some parts of it presbyterians themselves, will approve it so far as concerns the maintaining of the Protestant Religion, and the Renounciation of popery. And I have heard them Applaud the Faithfulness of the last parliament, in keeping this part of their Oath: For they know that the chief thing designed in the first overture of it, was only the Security of the protestant Religion, though there were such Additions made to what was intended for that end, as might weaken, break, or ensnare that party in parliament that first motioned it, being looked upon as too Jealous of, and Zealous against popery, and as for these Additions no wonder they except against the Obligation of them, seeing that even we ourselves did express s o much of our Aversion thereat at first: so long as we expected by our General clamours against it, to procure an Exemption from the Imposition thereof; And as our fear of Losing our Benefices rather than our Inclinations determined us, and the fair Colour of the Explication given by the Council, (though alace! what signifies the Explication of an Oath, that must needs be taken in the  Sense of the Words,) encouraged us to swear it, so doubtless the rest of the Nation swore it with great Reluctancy, rather from a regard of their Places and Interests, than GOD and their Consciences, (which generally at first accused them of Perjury that took it, as being obviously contradictory in itself, and in many things contradictory to their Light;) until the Generality and frequency of the Gild abated, the sense of it, and therefore cannot be expected, will be very precise in adhering to it, to whatever confidence many have arrived, for justifying it in their Discourse (to which length as is every part of it, few have come;) yet the remorse of their Consciences for it, is not totally extinguished, at least is not turned to a sense of its Obligation in every point; and to be plain with you, there must be an Alteration less or more: This is both designed and desired by all Ranks of Persons: They all agree in this, though they disagree in the measure of it; And next to the settling the Prince of Orange in the Throne, it is one of the chief designs of the Convention, so that your Arguing from the Obligation of the Test is altogether vain, especially seeing it is so unhappily framed, that if it bind up from any, it equally binds up from all endeavours of any Alteration whatsoever any manner of way, of the established Government either in Church or State; and when upon this account, its Obligations will and must be trampled upon. It cannot but be very unacceptable, to plead no Alteration for fear of Perjury, but truly! understand not how every Alteration can be accounted Perjury, in reference to any Article in the Test, for that part of it which strikes most directly against any Alteration, is merely Assertory not promissory, neither does it peremptorly assert that there should be no Alteration, but only that there is no Obligation by the Covenants to endeavour it, and it can hardly be expected that those who have taken the Test, will be determined by any sense of the Obligation of the Covenants to endeavour an Alteration, nor is it necessary, seeing Scripture, Reason and Policy, do all of them together loudly and evidently call for it in this present Juncture, which is a threefold Cord, more strongly binding then the Test can pretend to be, at least in this point; So that you see how little weight is in your Argument from the Test, and what it amounts to when duly pondered. I nothing doubt but the Gentry and Burgesses will laugh at you, for proposing that for determining their Consciences, which all know was mainly imposed for debauching their Consciences.  
Your 3. Reason contains several things in it, huddled together as if ye would compense weight by number, wherein ye seem rather to design the ensnaring the Presbyterians to declare their Sentiments unseasonably, about some difficult points, then to prove any thing against them; But they are neither stated in such difficult Circumstances, nor so void of prudence, but that they can answer you both confidently and cautiously to their great Advantage, by removing the prejudices of many against Presbytry, because of the inconveniencies they apprehend must attend it.  
The first thing ye allege is, That [if presbytry be voted, then returns upon you the Solemn League and Covenant, as is not only evident from their Gen: Ass: etc.] Sir, ye so manifestly betray your ignorance of the difference betwixt the National Covenant and Solemn League, that those who are better acquaint with the Principles and History of presbytry in Scotland, will account you an Ignorant Scribbler against things ye understand not; As for the s olemn League, I know not what ye understand by [the Natural Exigence of it.] but sure presbyterian Government might have continued in Scotland a thousand years without any such League, if England had not given an Occasion of it: And it is so far from being the only conceivable [foundation for its parity] that it is but a late thing, which was not so much as thought upon either at the first planting of Presbyterian Government in Scotland, after the Reformation, nor for several years after it was reestablished again, so that it is the National Covenant which ye would be at; And as for the other, I shall show you what presbyterians can say, for preventing your Feats, when I come to your last Reason, to which it properly belpngs. It's true, the National Covenant is almost as Ancient, as the Legal Establishment of the Reformed Religion, and presbyterian Government in Scotland, it being about an hundred years since it was taken by all in the Nation, at the appointment of King James the sixth: And as it was then conceived, cannot be excepted against in any point by any sound Protestant; being an Obligation against popery, and all its corruptions in Doctrine, Worship and Government, so that if ye will have it even then to be the foundation of parity, ye do exceedingly wrong our Cause, and do in effect justify the Explication annexed to it, thereafter showing Episcopacy be included in the popish Hierarchy abjured therein, which presbyterians will tell you was not only approven in parliament 39, but also solemnly Ratified by King Charles the First, his own hand writing, when he was personally present in Parliament 41. And they will ask you, how it comes to pass, that ye who was just now so fearful of perjury, in reference to the Test? Should he be so fearful for the remembrance of a poor Obligation upon the Church and Nation; For as to any other Return of it upon us, presbyterians will not impose it again without the appointment of King and parliament, and the general consent of all Ranks in the Nation, for they have seen the disadvantage we have been at, in pressing Conformity to the Episcopal Government, without pains taken to prepare the Nation for it; And have learned to be cautious by our precipitancy. Nor do [the present proceed of the presbyterian preachers] give any ground to expect the renewing of the Covenant, albeit they aggredge the guilt of Compliance with prelacy from the obligation of the Covenant, as to these who own it as contemning nothing, but what they are Antecedently obliged unto by the Word of GOD. And this Antecedent obligation to every thing in the National Covenant, is so common & confirmed an Opinion among all Presbyterians, that they will defy you to show any one of these [manifold impieties in that Oath] which ye speak of in General. And ingenuously, except its Abjuration of prelacy, I know nothing in it, that any Episcopal will condemn who hath read it; and as for that point, if ever it be ordered to be renewed, by appointment of King and Parliament, I know none of the most considerable in the Nation, who (seeing such understand both their Duty and Interest) will either fear Perjury by taking of it, or choose Misery by refusing it. And I hope the refusing it shall never be judged a sufficient crime, to provoke the Government to reduce any ranks of Persons, far less the most considerable in the Nation to misery. And I find the Presbyterians to be Generally of such a cautious Temper, and moderate Disposition, especially the leading Men amongst them, that I nothing doubt, but they will carefully avoid all such practices, as they find do give any ground of prejudices against their Predecessors, whom they do not deny to have been over swayed in somethings to an Extreme by the Bias, and Torrent of the time they lived in.  
Next you allege, [That if the Covenant return, no man can have public place, either in Church or State, but such as shall do Penance for taking the Test] what Lax Reasoning is this? that if Presbytery be Voted the Covenant returns, as if there could not be a Voting for Presbytry without voting also for renewing the Covenant, and if the Covenant return; no man can have public Place without Penance for the Test: As if there were no other way of removing the Scandal of a General and National Gild, but by particular Satisfaction from every Person guilty. I have heard some of the Sober and Learned amongst them say, that the Generality of guilt renders a particular Satisfaction, neither Seasonable nor Practicable-Necessary nor Suitable, and that Cordial Joining in public Humiliation, and a Zealous owning of their Interest will remove the Scandal and Satisfy them.  
You say further that, [A great part of the Laity of the Nation must be reduced to sad Straits, both in reference to Conscience and Interest] I know none need to fear that, but these who undergoes Episcopal Government, have been habituated to such an Licentious profanity, that the restraining them within the just bounds of sobriety; may prove hard and uneasy to their Lax Consciences, which is no great Inconveniency, or these who have had all their lively hood by their dependence on the Episcopal Government and have been undeservedly advanced to places of Benefit, Trust or Service, whose particular Disadvantage by their losing their place, is the public Advantage of the Nation.  
And finally you infer, [That the Regular Clergy will be turned out, which will reduce the Church to such amazing hardships, that the Gospel shall not he preached in three parts of the Kingdom, there not being an hundred qualified Presbyterians in Scotland.] Sir, It should be your desire and mine both, that all the Insufficient, Scandalous and Erroneous among the Clergy were turned out; and their places were Vacant, till able Men were provided; rather then filled with such men (who do far more obstruct then promove the Edification of the Church) without the hope of being better supplied. And alace! I'm afraid that two parts of three of our Clergy, may be too justly reduced to one or other of these three Classes; So that by my best Information, the Presbyterian party, if ye join their Ministers, Preachers, and young Men, Ready for the Ministry together: With such also, as have diverted themselves to other Employments, because of the Discouragements of the Times, and are willing and ready to serve the Church, if there were encouragement for the Ministry, they have more qualified men amongst them; then there are Sufficient, Sober, and Orthodox Men amongst our Clergy, so that they could within less than a year, furnish the one half of the Congregations in Scotland. And when from about an hundred and some more, they have in a year and an halfs space accreasced and amounted to so many, without the help of Universities; We may easily calculate, how short a time will increase them to the complete Number. But I am hopeful that they will admit any Learned, Sober and Orthodox person amongst us upon very easy terms; our acknowledging Presbyterian Government to be lawful, our guilt of Separation from them and of taking the Test; And I know none of us that will choose rather to be turned out, by refusing then kept in their places upon accepting such favourable Terms.  
Your 4. Reason is, [That if Presbytery, be not thus established in its integrity, but all that Alteration turn to a Non-Episcopacy, and the present Presbyters continue in their Offices; Then our deplorable Schisms and Divisions shall continue without a Remedy, or else the Magistrate will take upon him the Government of the Church, and we shall have downright Erastianism.] Sir, The foolishness of this Argument is so obvious, that I think I may spare my pains in showing it unto you. One would think it the voice of a Presbyterian, proving the necessity of an entire Alteration, rather than of an Episcopal pleading no Alteration at all; Presbyterians will grant all you say, and turn the mouth of this Cannon directly against yourself, by Arguing thus, If Episcopacy be contained, than our deplotable Schisms and Divisions shall be Remediless, also we shall still have downright Erastianism, and how can ye evade the force of this Argument of your own I see not; For it is evident by experience, that we may despair of ever gaining the Presbyterians to a compliance with us; seeing that so many years, violent Persecution hath rather alienated them from us, beyond all hope of either Reconciliation or Accommodation. And it is as undeniable, that there is not so gross Erastianism in the World, as is established by Law, and complicated, and tuisted with the Episcopal Government in Scotland. Yea they will further baffle you, by reasoning with you thus, If Presbytery were established in its Integrity, our deplorable Division would easily be healed, and we should be altogether quite of Erastianism, and ye cannot shelter yourself from this more than the former Argument; For it is more than probable, that few of us would refuse to comply with Presbytery when once established by Law; and it is too much to be suspected, that the present bitterness of many of our Clergy against Presbyterians proceeds, from their Consciousness to themselves of their insufficiency, profanity, or Heterodoxy, (and perhaps also Cruelty,) which makes them despair of Admission into the Brotherhood of the Presbyterians. And it is certain that there are no Principles contrary to Erastianism more than the Presbyterian; For they allow not any Ecclesiastic Power of Jurisdiction to be lodged in any single Person though Ecclesiastic, much less Civil; and yet they do neither exeem Church Men from their Subjection to the Magistrates power as his Subjects, nor the Church from the Magistrates care as her Nursing Father. Their Principles in this point are very Rational, for though they deny Ministers to be as directly subjected to the Magistrate in their Ecclesiastic (apacity as Ministers, as in their Civil Capacity of Subjects; Yet they ascribe as much power to him in reference to the Church, as any Wise and Pious Magistrate will require; they grant the Magistrate hath a restitutive power, for repairing a broken Church, though not a Constitutive of constituting the frame of its Government, and building such a Fabric of a Church as he pleases; A power Convocative for calling Church Assemblies to meet, for the Government of the Church, though not a power Coercive of hindering them to meet at all; A power Defensive of defending the true Religion, and the Doctrine, Worship, Government and Discipline of the Church, though not a power Determinative, to determine concerning these things at his pleas ure; a power Concursive, to concur by his Civil Sanction with the Determinations of the Church, and confirm their Obligation on his Subjects, though not a power Coactive, to force the Church to follow his Dictates in things Ecclesiastic; And in a word, they grant him all Power even in ecclesiastics that is Cumulative to the Church's Advantage; though they deny him to have any Privative power to the Church's prejudice. Whereas Episcopacy in Scotland has no other Basis but gross Erastianism, so that you see how much you may be foiled with your own Weapons; And ye may expect a challenge to express the ingenuity of your fears, (of continued Divisions and Schisms, and of downright Erastianism,) by quiting the Episcopal way wherein ye Act the Schismatic, in receiding from the standing Laws of the Church, in compliance with New Civil Laws, and approve Erastianism in adhering to the Test.  
Your fifth Reason is, [That the Establishment of Presbytery will have almost pernicious Influence on the Protestants Religion in this Island, if ever Popery set up its head, etc.] Sir, I confess it is more proper for you to show the Inconveniency that will follow, if Presbytry be established, then if not. Yet, I suspect you be as unhappy in this as in the former Argument. The greatest Advantage that I find in your Reasons, is that you touch upon some things concerning which, it is unseasonable and dangerous for Presbyterians fully to express themselves. But alas! you do here but touch on that which is the very Sore and Weakest Side of Episcopacy; for you cannot be ignorant of the General Complaints of, and prejudices at our Government. As not only a shelter and covert to Papists: But as Instrumental in advancing Popish designs, partly by the Ignorance, Profanity, and Arminianism aboundoning under it. Disposing and preparing the Nation for Popery, and partly by its Severity and cruelty towards dissenting Protestants, to the manifest weakening of the Protestant Interest. And even Envy itself cannot but acknowledge the Presbyterian Government, hath been abundantly both severe and successful against Popery; and nothing blunted and slackened in its Zeal and Watchfulness against Papists amits all its severities against Episcopals, whereas the Penal Laws against Papists were brought to such a Des vetude by us, that the most threatening dangers from Popery could not awaken us to the Execution of them, lest we should have diverted from persecuting Presbyterians, by a rigorous Execution of the Laws made in our Favours against them, which did so entirely take up the Government, that not only both Profanity and Popery have been connived at, but encouraged in so far as they were assisting to us, in opposing and oppressing Presbyterians; so that it will never be believed that Presbyterian Government hath any pernicious Influence upon the Protestant Religion, but rather that it hath a powerful Influence for securing it against Popery far more vigorous and Zealous, yea, and effectual and successful then ever the Episcopal had, at least in Scotland; And it is evident that the Presbyterian Interest, is every way at present more directly opposite to the Popish Interests than the Episcopal is, which I am afraid shall yet further appear by the carriage and conduct of our party in the Convention, & that so manifestly as to heighten the Nations prejudices against Episcopacy more than ever, and make all sober Protestants conclude, that we must of necessity have either Presbytry or Potery, and truly I cannot otherwise Judge of it, then as an Infatuation, presaging the ruin of our Interest, if the Bishops and the Nobility, Gentry and Burgesses of our Persuasion shall join Issue with a Popish party against the Prince of Orange his Interest: which is so inseparably Interwoven with the Reformed Interest in Europe, and especially in Britain: That by adhering to the Interest of King James the 7th. in opposition to his, they will unavoidably either give provocation to the Prince of Orange to abrogate Episcopacy in Scotland; in order to the advancing and establishing the Reformed Religion, or else give occasion or advantage to King James the 7th. to Redintegrate his Popish designs with more violence and success than ever before, to the ruin of all professed Protestants, and especially of us Episcopals, because we have the Laws upon our side, without any more regard to their Zeal and Activity for him in his Extremities, than the King of France had for the Protestants, who kept the Crown on his Head; or Queen Mary of England, to the Counties of Suffolk and Northfolk who advanced her to the Crown; or (to come home) than King Charles the 2 d. had to the Presbyterians, who in his greatest extremities brought him home to Scotland, and spent their blood for him at Worcester. And its certain that our refusing to follow England's Example of Gratitude to the Prince of Orange, will necessitate this Church and Kingdom; to stand upon a bottom more different from: Yea, opposite unto that of England, than if presbytry were Established, and will oblige us to secure ourselves from Popery, by methods as different from the wise Conduct of the English: As the binding of Samson with Cords, was from the shaving the Locks of his Head: or to come nearer, as there was betwixt England's and Scotland's carriage towards the Duke of York; and at the best will be very hard for Scotland, s o that your fears [least the establishment of presbytry necessitate the Churches of Scotland and England to s tanned upon different Costomeses which will be hard for Scotland] are but feigned and groundless, neither savouring of a politic Wit, not an Ingenuous Spirit: For Church Government is Extrinsic to the Foundation of the Reformed Religion, and Protestants were at a loss, if their Arguments against Popery were principally founded upon this Topick, or could not be deduced from any other: Presbyterians will tell you. That only the Scriptures are the Foundation of the Reformed Religion, and the common bottom on which all the Reformed Churches are founded. But also, that the greater part of the Episcopal Champions and Clergy acknowledge Episcopacy to have no other Warrant, than an Ecclesia stick constitution, which is a foundation common to all the popish corruptions; And whereas ye repeat, That [presbytery will divide Scotland from England, which will open a door to the reentry of popery;] Are they not united in one common Protestant interest? Except in so far as the Clergy of England are generally Arminians, excepting some few Learned Men, which I confess will oblige them to justify themselves by different Arguments, not only from Scotish presbyterians, but all the other Reformed Churches, which will be harder for England than Scotland. But that presbytery will open a door to the reentry of popery, will never be believed, s eing presbyterians at first ejected it out of Scotland; And all their time secured the Nation from it (more than ever since) without the Assistance of England, which if ever Scotish presbyterians shall need, they may expect it much more from the P: of Orange, when he shall be their King, as well as England's. Then even when Queen Elizabeth found herself obliged to give it, by the Tie of the common interest of Religion, without any Relation to them as her Subjects. And as for your Tautolagick repetition again (that presbytry cannot but alienate the Affections of the Church of England from us, which considering our weakness, will expose us as a prey to the common Enemy) it is altogether vain and foolish; For the Church of England can never be more aleniated in their Affections to presbyterians, than at this present towards our Bishops, and as their joining issue with papists against the prince of Orange, hath exceedingly discommended them to it; so the presbyterians joining issue with him, by their Zeal against Popery, will as much commend them to it. And how ever, ye may be-assured, that the interest of England will oblige them to assist Scotland in case of Danger from popery, more effectually than their difference from Scotland in point of Church Government, can alienate them, for ye know the Maxim; Tune tua res agitur paries cum proximus ardet.  
But many are of Opinion that if Episcopacy be continued, it will perpetuate such irreconcilable, intestine Divisions and Animosities in Scotland, as will weaken and expose us a prey to Popery, more than any Assistance from England can strengthen and secure us from it, whereas the establishment of Presbytery, would bring us to such an entire and firm Union, that Scotland could secure itself from all danger of Popery, without any Assistance from England; Yea, and put us in Capacity to Assist England in case of danger from Popi should Attempts; which that Church and Kingdom, by the policy of some other laud may too readily be brought into, which I wish hearty GOD may prevent: So that ye see how far ye are out in this Reason.  
Your 6th. Reason is so weak, that you need no more then sure Information from England, and impartial consideration how the interest of the Prince and Princess of Orange is stated to abate your Confidence in it. You say, [That to be for presbytery, in this Juncture will exceedingly disoblige 〈◊〉 Princess of Orange, whose principles are known to all Europe in this matter] Sir, ye are greatly mistaken, for I have seen a Letter from a person who knows her sentiments; showing that she is not only willing to give Dissenters all satisfaction, and if Episcopacy be continued in England to her mind, that the Prince be gratified by the Revival of presbytery in Scotland; But also, that she hath a particular Resentment of the severities and cruelties exercised towards the Presbyterians in Scotland, and has frequently declared, that seeing presbytery commenced with the Reformation of this Kingdom, has been solemnly sworn to, and established by the National Ass emblies of the Church, and the Sanction of the Civil Laws; She judgeth it neither Equitable nor convenient that any other Government should be pressed on that People. And we need not doubt, but as the Calamities of Presbyterians hath begot a compassion in her heart towards them; So the Bishop's Loyal Address to the King, hath much cooled her Affection for us, and I wish their after Carriage do not heighten her prejudice against them. And how ever, she is certainly a Princess of that Wisdom, and Zeal for the Reformed Religion, that nothing will displease or disoblidge her, that is most necessary and convenient for the Advancement and Establishment of the Protestant Interest in Scotland; for which Presbyterians can too easily show the Re-establishment of presbytery to be the most proper and effectual Method, which one of them hath done already, by some Reasons which I have seen, why in this Juncture Episcopacy should be abrogated and Presbytrie Re-established. Moreover, she is a Princess of such moderate Inclinations, that nothing can more dis oblige her, than the persecution of Protestants by Protestants; And she is not so ignorant of our Affairs, but that she knows that unless the Episcopal Clergy can always patiently endure a general contempt; or be secured from ever having any influence on the Government. Episcopacy and persecution in Scotland are inseparable. And for the Prince, I know not what Ground ye have for your confidence, to say, That [to be for Presbytry will disoblidge him also, who has no inclination for the Realteration of the Government of the Church as he has now abundantly declared] You seem to be equally destitute of Policy, and good Intelligence: For as it is known to all the World that he is Presbyterian; so his Declaration for Scotland, hath insinuated his inclinations to favour Presbyterians, as clearly as was convenient for the Time. And though his Wisdom and Moderation be s such in expressing himself, that nothing can be certainly concluded from any thing that hath dropped from him, yet it is evident that he will Judge the Presbyterian Party more worthy of his confidence & more suiable objects of his favour, than the Episcopal, for he will doubtless expect, that these will be more firm and faithful to his Interest, whose respect to him is established by their conscientious zeal for the Reformed Religion against popery, and who shall be chief obliged to him; for restoring their Former Privileges; then these who are Acted Generally by their Interests, and have been so deeply engaged in Interests opposite to his, and who must be in some measure disoblidged of necessity, by Moderating and Balancing their Exorbitant power, and rescinding the cruel Laws made in their Favours. And I am afraid that the Presbyterians will be more Active and Zealous in advancing him to the Crown of Scotland, than these of our persuasion, and thereby oblige him to favour them as his best and surest Friends; & albeit that the prerogatives which we annex to the Crown be a great Tentation to one that designs Arbitrary Government, yet it avails little, with a Prince of such a Wise and Moderate Temper, who has seen his Predecessors either endangered or ruined, by their Attempting and Exercising it, and who knows that King's Sovereignty, and a People's Liberties, are most firmly secured, when most equally established as (notwithstanding of the prejudices of some against Presbytry, as inconsistent with Monarchy) I confess they have been in the peaceable times of the Presbyterian Government, when King James the 6th and his Son King Charles 1st. were personally pray sent in their Parliaments, & had greater advantages for understanding their own, and their People's Interest, then can be had at a distance, and only by Information from subtle self seeking Courtiers. So that you see how far ye are decieved in your expectations from the Prince and Princess of Orange, who will doubtless Endeavour to Redress the Grievances in Church and State, which ye cannot conceive possible without some Alteration, and that greater than ye seem to apprehend.  
Your seventh Reason is, a Reference of several things to the consideration of all thinking men, as sufficient to determine them to an aversion at Presbytry, wherein ye go so far beyond the bounds of Sobriety, and give so great suspicion of Calumny, that Presbyterians will represent you as a Machiavilan, throwing much dirt upon them only of design that some of it may stick, [let all thinking men reflect (say ye) upon the natural temper of presbytry and view it in its Tyrannical Pragmatic meddling and Domineering effects, which many good men yet living of all qualities have severely felt] Sir, I know not well what ye mean by [natural temper more than by your natural Reception and Exigence] but Presbyterians will refer their principles to the consideration of all Impartial M●n, whither they be no more agreeable to Divine Institution in the Scripture, than Episcopacy though they be not so agreeable to the Natural Tempers of Men; which they grant to be no better in presbyterians, then in others, yea to have been so very Episcopal in some of them, as to carry them t● practices. Dissonant to their principles, and upon that account more hateful than worse practices of Bishops, because suitable, or at least uns utable to their principles; for that which would be accounted Gravity, Dexterity, Actively and Zeal, in a Bishop, is accounted Tyrannical, Pragmatical meddling and Domineering in a Presbyter. But these are not the proper and native Effects of Presbytry, rather imitations of Episcopacy (proceeding from men's natural Infirmitives, and the peculiar circumstances, and torrent of the times they have lived in) contrary to their principles. So that in effect all that is quarrelled in Presbyterians is the Episcopal practice in some of them under a Presbyterian profession, which cannot be justly charged on the whole party; and for less on their principles, which have a quite contrary tendancy; And ingenuously by Presbytry will be judged by few to have such a tendency to Tyranny over the Church, & Pragmatic meddling with the State, as Episcopacy (as its constitute in Scotland) hath; And they will desire all Judicious men to cons ider whether Idleness, Ambition and Avarice in the Clergy; Ignorance, Worldly mindedness and Profanity among People: Be not the effects of Episcopacy; and indeed so manifestly have these abounded under Episcopal Government, that the most part will decide the question in their Favours against us. But I cannot wonder enough, what could move you to think [much more deliberately to write of the Hypocrisy, immortality and Anti●…ristian genus of the Presbyterian party] seeing thes e things may not only be retorted with great Advantage, but cannot justly and ingenuosly be charged on the Generality of presbyterians; you may assure yourself this will tempt them to draw up a Black Lybel against the Bishops and Generality of our Clergy, as alas they have too large grounds for, recent in the remembrance of the Nation; and they will think it enough to tell you calmly and soberly, that if persons unsutableness to their profession be Hypocrisy, if the grossest of scandals and open profanity be immoralitie: And finally, if violent persecution be the Effect and Evidence of an Antichristian genius; All these things are more applicable to Episcopals than presbyterians; So that all these Reffections directed against them, will rebound on ourselves; And I am afraid they will stick faster to us then to them; because they not only agree to the general Sentiments of all Ranks of people, but their Observations and Experience of them is late and recent; Whereas the mos t part of old Malignants, who were formerly carried away with prejudices against presbytry under the pretences of Loyalty, have turned fanatics since, and as persons convinced of their mistakes, both of the presbyterian cause & Interest which they opposed, and the Episcopal which they owned, have thought it their duty so to do, though to the exposing themselves to the Reproaches and other Persecutions of the Episcopal party, in their greatest power. And it is indeed very observable, that those who  prejudices against the presbyterian Government are either Young Men who never saw it in its integrity, and living under a Government contrary to it, have not heard any other account of it, then of the failings and exorbitancies of some of that Profession, which are not the native product of their Principles, but such excesses as the Bias of the Age and Circumstances they lived in drove them into, or else old Turncoats and violent Persecutors, who to justify their change of their Profession and their Persecution of these who adhere to it, make it their work to fix an Odium on Presbytery, and by their frequent impudence in reproaching it have at last deluded themselves into an obstinate belief of their own invented Calumnies.  
Your last Reason is, (That if the Church of England continue as it is, as undoubtedly it will, and Scotland be reduced to presbytery, then considering the boundless and restless spirit of presbytery, Scotland will impose sicut ante an Uniformity on England in Doctrine and Discipline, which will commence a new Civil War, the thoughts of which cannot but breed horror in all reasonable Men.] Sir, The only Foundation of these your Apprehensions is the Solemn League though you mention it not, which although it be a touchy point, yet presbyterians can abundantly vindicate the same, s oh as to prevent the fears of all Judicious Men, whom they will desire to consider that it obliges the members of the Church of Scotland, to no other thing in reference to England, than what is Antecedently their duty towards it, and all other Reformed Churches by virtue of the Sympathy and Communion, that every part of the Catholic Visible Church ought to have with any other part of it; That its Obligation is to be measured by the general rules of Judgement, Truth and Righteousness; that it is chief obligding to oppose Popery, and to endeavour the peace and happiness of both Nations; and finally that it obligeth no Man to any thing, but what is proper to him in his station, and therefore all your fears of a Civil War betwixt England and Scotland from this ground, are but Melancholic Apprehensions, if so be that the Prince of Orange shall be King of Britain, and so long as he and the English Parliament think it inexpedient to seek, and he and the Scots Parliament think it inexpedient to give assistance for the alteration of the English Church Government from Episcopacy to Presbytry. But many fear upon more solid Grounds that the house of Commons in England clip your Bishop's wings by degrees, as either to rid the Nation of them at length without the assistance of Scotland, or else bring them to such a tolerable Mediocrity, as will render them more acceptable to all the English Nation, than a Civil War can be supposed will be to any English Presbyterians, who are so balanced betwixt the opposition of these of the Episcopal persuasion in the one hand, and of the Independent, on the other; that there is no party in England, either more moderate or Cautions when they are.  
Thus you see how weak a Defence of our cause these your Reasons now appear to be, after they are considered, though with more calmness and tenderness than you can expect from a Presbyterian, who see answer to them to your disgrace and our disadvantage, I wish may be prevented by this Friendly freedom of mine with you, and I would advise you to wait a little longer till there be some better product of the Labours of your Brethren who are studying this Controversy, harder than ever in order to a learned and elaborate Vindication of Episcopacy; and Refutation of Presbytry, to which if this paper can any way be subservient, I allow you to communicate it to your Brethren, that they may be the more sober & cautious in managing the controversy, but I pray you let it not come to the sight of any Presbyterian, lest they print it to the public Affront of our cause, and I dissuade you as your Friend from the Resolution that I hear you are upon of printing your Reasons, whatever emendations you make in them, for it is an old Maxim in christ non movendum, and the Presbyterians modest silence, amidst the present Advantages they have, will be more commended than any thing we can writ, for our vindication in the dangerous circumstances that we are in at present. And Sir, I am hopeful that you will not think yourself disoblidged by this friendly Duty, from  
Sir, Your Real Friend and Humble Servant.  
FINIS.