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APOLOGY 
 
 FOR, OR 
 
 VINDICATION 
 
 OF THE 
 
 OpprefTed perfecutedMinifters& Pro- 
 
 feffors of tlir Pr«-sb>tcrian keforn-ed Religion* 
 in the Church of Scotland , emitted in rhe defence of 
 them, and thecaufefor which they iuffer: & that 
 for the information of ignorant > the fatisfaftion and 
 eftablishmentof the doubtful, theconvifton (ifpof- 
 fiblt)of the malicious, the warning of our Rulers, the 
 ftrengthenin,g& comforting of thefaid furTerers 
 under theirprefenr preflurs & trials* 
 
 Being their Teftimony to the Covenanted work of Reformation 
 in this Church , andagainft the pr fert prevailirg corrup- 
 tions and courfeof defe&ion thertfrom. 
 
 P r o v. X X I I t: Verf. 2 3 . 
 Huy the truth & fell it not ; alfo wifdom> ir/flrufltott, & under/landing. 
 
 I. P£T. III. Verf.r 5 . 
 
 But fantlify the Lord God in yot>r hearts ; #. he ready alronyes to give 
 
 an anfroer to every man , that asketh you . a reafan of the 
 
 hope , that is in you , with meekpes &fear, • 
 
 ] U D. VeiL* %• 
 
 // was needful for me, to write unto you, & to exhort you, that ye should 
 
 earnestly contend for the faith , which was once delivered 
 
 unt» the faints. 
 
 Preftat fero , qu^m nunquarn fapere- 
 
 Printed in the Year 1677. 
 

fs^' && f#> & ^ k ^fis i ** ^- ^ s^Ss 
 WWW WW WW www 
 
 T0 /^ tfw/7 A, 7 ^/* */*^ Honourable^ 
 
 ... LORDS, 
 
 The Lords temporal of hisMajefties Se- 
 cret Council, hi the Ri .gdora of Scotland. 
 
 IMoft nohU and honw able Lords* 
 
 CAfting our eyes about us to 
 fee, under the wings of whole 
 patrociny & protection , we 
 should shelter the enfuing 
 Apology ox. vindication^ we could not, in 
 our apprehenfions, fix upon any fo fited 
 for this, as your Lo> who, by the ftation, 
 & office you bear under his M&j. in 
 this Kingdom, are conftitute the prote- 
 dorsof the poor,, theReleeversofthe 
 opprefled, & the breakers of every un- 
 juftyoke-.theferious thoughts of which 
 does aflord us this confidence, that 
 as our unjuft oppreflions make us ob- 
 \ jedts, fitted for your Lo. companion and 
 jufticej fo your Lo. office* and what it 
 binds unto, in the behalf of the op- 
 prefifed, before God and men, wilU 
 
 * z on 
 
on the ingenuous & plaine produ&ion 
 of our reafons , for ihe juftice of our 
 caufc, at length prevail , for breaking 
 of thefe yokes of oppreffiqn now on 
 usj and removing of their real caufes. 
 We therefore cannot ut in charity and 
 reafonexpedt, that much humanity & 
 juftice, from your Lo. that was grant- 
 ed by heathen Rulers , to Minifters 
 & Chriftians , in the primitive times of 
 the Chriftian Church; of which we have 
 in Scripture & Hiftory memorable in- 
 ftances. Was not TaulAtt 2,0:1 permit- 
 ed by King^gri/^tofpeakfor himfelf, 
 who, in vindication of his righteous 
 caule, deduced the grounds thereof, 
 and cleared them fo to the convidtion 
 of his hearers,thattheyjudged him nei- 
 ther worthy of death , nor cf bonds ? 
 Did not fome of the Roman Emperours, 
 upon the reading of the Apologies 
 of tr,e Chriftians, as oljmttin Martyr , 
 dpollinaris, Mileto % Ovigen, Tertullian, 
 and others , declare their innocency, 
 and mitigat the rage of perfecution,that 
 then prevailed againft them ? May not 
 
 we 
 
we then , whoprofefle the fame Pro* 
 reftant Religion with your Lo> enter- 
 taine ourfelves with the hope of the 
 fame favour &juftice, that was shew- 
 ed by Rulers, to the Lords people be- 
 fore us ? 
 
 Asouradverfaries calumnies & bit- 
 ter reproaches, with which they labour 
 to render us odious to all, efpecially , 
 fo your Lo. are unjuft and malitious5 
 f being partly their evil and uncharita- 
 ble deduti ions from our principles and 
 actions, and partly grofte& notorious 
 lies 3 fuchasthe heathens charged on 
 the pnmitiveChriftians, who finding 
 nojuft mater for their accufations from 
 their ProfeiTion and behaviour, gave it 
 out to the world , that they worshiped 
 the Sun, anafTes head, and ufed pro- 
 mifcuous copulation at theiraflemblies 5) 
 So it is the Teftimonyof our confeien- 
 ces, that as a brazen wal does sheild & 
 uphold our Spirits from finking, under 
 thofe burdens, with which they have 
 aimed to keep us at under with your 
 Lo. We know, there is no new or flran- 
 
 *3 g e 
 
ge thing happened unto us , but what 
 hath been the common lot of eminent 
 faints, yeaofChriftJefus, ourblefled 
 Lord and Matter,- the fervant is not gre- 
 ater then the Mafter > if they dealt fo 
 with him, no mervail they deal lb with 
 us. So great ig the Teftimony & wit- 
 nefs of our confciences, as to all the 
 greivous things, they have and do 
 charge upon us , that we have hitherto 
 poffclfed our fouls in patience , and not 
 opened ourjuft and true greivances (as 
 we might and should have done ) for 
 fear of offending your Lo. But perceiv- 
 ing the truth of the Gofpel, the righte- 
 ouinefsofourcaufe, and the welfairof 
 immortal fouis.are like to fufFer thorow 
 our too long (Hence, we have adven- 
 tured to difclofe our thoughts , and to 
 give, fo far as we can, a fatisfieing ac- 
 count of the grounds of that faith and 
 hope, for which wefuffer. The God 
 of Gods knowes, II Ifrael shall know, 
 we ufe this fredom and plainnefs of 
 fpeech towards your Lo. and all others* 
 not from any conten tious and ill affect- 
 ed 
 
^d humour*, but from the fenfe of the 
 obligations laying on us, forthecon- 
 fervation of the true intereftof Religi- 
 on f and the hope of relief for thefe 
 from your Lo. which we mod humbly 
 beg and exfpedt , for the fake of truth 
 and righteoufnefs , that are now fallen 
 in the ftreets , and fled into Corners if 
 on an impartial examination of what 
 we have faid,in the defence of our caufe, 
 and of ourfelves for its fake, againfl the 
 reproachs of our enemies, it shall be 
 found that it is not jufl: , butiniquous, 
 we ask no benefite from your L>. cle- 
 mency and juftice; let all feverity be 
 ufed. Butifthecaufeofourformerand 
 prefent fufferrngs be righteous ( in the 
 confidence of which , we have been 
 bold to give to your Lo. and the Chri- 
 ftian world this fober enfueing account) 
 we humbly entreat that protection and 
 reiiet in its defence, which your power 
 and ftation in this Kingdpme do enable 
 and oblige your Lo, to. 
 
 Wherefore calling ourfelves at your 
 Lo, feet. We doe, in the behalfe of 
 
 * 4 pure 
 

 pure Religion &undefiled &the fouls of U 
 all concerned therein, befeech your Lo. 
 Fi'./I That our jail & well grounded ex- 
 ceptions again ft Prelacy &Era(tianifme , 
 may betaken into confideration & laid 
 to heart: for if they hod goodffwillnot 
 the future confequences of thefe evils , 
 to this land, your lo families, & pofte- 
 rity* be dreadful, who thereby are laid 
 pento the judgments , denunced in the 
 the vVordoiUod, againft perjury and 
 Covenant breaking? W e doe not lay the 
 flrefle of our caufe on the Covenants 
 & Oaths, taken by this nation , againft 
 the forefaid evils or corruptions, as 
 the primary and chief Argument (as 
 will appear to all on theperufalof our 
 fubfequenr^/^/*^) but on their op- 
 pofition to the Word of the holy and 
 trueGod: for, wegrant, ovenants 
 and Oathes , that are obligatory and 
 binde to an obfervance , fuppone their 
 matter to be antecedently juft, and 
 do bring their primary obligation from 
 it} hence the things contained in , & 
 engaged to by Covenants and Oaths, 
 
 rauft 
 
mud: be proven and made out to be ne- 
 celfare & rignteous'irom cue Word of 
 God, before tneir obligation can be 
 admitted & received 5 wmcnwehave 
 laboured to doe , in chis following 
 difcoude. Andiifronut, out Cove- 
 nants and Oaths aoe appear to bejutt 
 are we not allured , that t-ne corrupti- 
 ons and tins engaged again!! by lucn di- 
 vine tyes, and rciapied into contrare 
 to theie engadgmencs , doe provoke 
 our Holy and righteous God, 10 cne 
 inflicting of all thole plagues and judg- 
 ments , threatened in the word againir 
 the violators otluch lacred bondsr Anc j 
 if this be a truth; (as we nope non e 
 will deny) what can we tuen exper> 
 , to our felves & polterity, it relor maC(on 
 I & repentance doe noc prevent ' bur ' 
 ;ine and deflation, according 'to every 
 ones acceiiion tothefe e viis 5 which 
 no doubt, are crying for vengeance on 
 this declining Church / N}$f vVe pray 
 your U. to confider , that we build 
 our conclusions on no other foundati- 
 on , then our worthy reformers in this 
 
 Church 
 
 
r 
 
 Church and others, laid downe in thei 
 argumencs and debates againft popery 5 
 which for its want of , and opposition 
 to the holy Scriptures > they have con - 
 deraned for an Antichriftian defedhon 
 from the doctrines of Chrift. We hold 
 to the fufficiency and perfedtioaof the 
 holy Scriptures,refolving , thorow the 
 Grace of God , to admit of no other 
 rule of faith and obedience, in the mas- 
 ters -of our God , but thefe : what they 
 coiidemne, wemuitr^nunce ; &what- 
 foeverdo£trin$orpra&ifes,in the houfe 
 of our God, want their authority and 
 approbation, we cannot, yeadarnot 
 admit? The experience of the Church 
 in preceding ages shews * what mif- 
 cheifs , the opening of this door, 
 hath brought in upon her, to the ala- 
 mort uter ruine of all her concerns. 
 
 The prefenc grouth of popery , and 
 the quick advance it makes amongall 
 degrees of Profeflbrs ♦ in this and our 
 nigiibouring Churches, fayes to all , &, 
 wefuppofe, to your Lo. that the fafe- 
 ty & prefer vacion of the proteftant re* 
 
 formed 
 
r formed Religion, does, inallpruden- 
 ; ce , require , that its real and fincere 
 1 friends should be encouraged , and 
 not thus perfecuied v iih violence • 
 vvhichno doubt, tends fo totne wea- 
 kening ofthe Proteftani intereft & cau- 
 fc,that in one ofj^ueen t f /za tih< r pa.iilia- 
 ments , itvvas judged a u<hcient reafon , 
 not only torefiraine the ng.de prcfi-ng 
 oi conformity,but likewife to encoura- 
 ge all Non-conformUts, who , in tjiofe 
 times , were looked upon as (lout an- 
 tagonifts to popery, and fuch as might 
 be employed, entrufted and made ufe 
 of in oppofition to it. Is it not to be 
 feared, thar the 7 ^having his inftru- 
 ments and emiffaries amongft us, for 
 working out of his defignes on thefe 
 Churches, which, all his former en- 
 gines have not hitherto effected $ and 
 finding, through our confufions anddi- 
 (tempers , the occafion fitted for his 
 purpofe, hath no queflion , a fecret 
 a&ive hand, in influencing and increas- 
 ing of this violence-, which, if the Lord, 
 in his mercy to this many way$s af* 
 
 £ ; fted 
 
Aided and ruined Church , doe not pre- 
 vent} will facilitat his longed for , & 
 much endeavoured defignes againflthe 
 reformed Keligion in thefe Hands. And. 
 however we are reprefented to your 
 Lo. as unfriends to Religion, and the 
 interefts of Stare fas if they mud ruine 
 if we (land ) yet the experience of pail 
 andprefent times , befide our publick 
 confeffions , doth fufficiently witnef- 
 fe, Jiow malitious our adverfaries are 
 in this unjuft calumny > We are no in- 
 novators, nor pleaders for innovation 
 in Churchor State; but do hold, adhere 
 to, andrefolve, through the grace of 
 God, to maintaine the reformed Prote- 
 flant Religion, againfl all forts of ene- 
 mies, as it is contained in the holy 
 Scriptures, fummed up , and breifly 
 comprehended in the Confeffions of 
 faith of the reformed Churchs ; efpeci- 
 ally in the Confeffion of faith, Larger & 
 shorter Catachifmes of this Church, in 
 oppofitionto z\\ Popish, Arminian, So- 
 cinian i and SeSitrim errors and innova- 
 tions* We hold for our maine& root* 
 
 ed 
 
ed principle, the 'holy Scriptures to 
 be the Word of God, the abfolute per- 
 fect and only rule of faith and maners; 
 not needing any fuppiemenc of Ecckfi- 
 aftical tradition,- yet we do not deny 
 Antiquity its duerefpedt, ufe & reve- 
 rence : and although we maintai ne, that 
 every Chriftian, of what rank & degree 
 foever, ought to ftudy, & be conver- 
 sant in the Scriptures 5 yet we acknow- 
 ledge the neceffity and great ufe of a 
 Goipel (landing Miniflry , and re- 
 ceive the directive authority of the 
 Church, not with an implicit faith, 
 but with the judgment of difcretion. 
 We hold the teaching of the Spirit ne- 
 ceflare to the faving knowledge of 
 Chrift-, but abfolutly deny, that the 
 Spirit bringeth new revelations in ma- 
 ters of dodtrines , worship & Govern- 
 ment s but only that he opens the eyes, 
 ,and enlightens the underitending,that 
 we may perceive and rightly take up, 
 what is of old revealed in the w 7 ord by 
 the fame Spirit. We rejoice in Chrift " 
 Jefus, having no confidence in the flesh, 
 
 or 
 
or in a legal righteoufnes; defireingto 
 be found in huii, who of God, is made 
 unco us wifdom , righteoufnes, fan- 
 dtification and redemption- yet we 
 conftamlyaffirme, good works of pie- 
 ty towards God , of equity and charity 
 towards men, to be neceflfare, both 
 neceffitateprecepti& medii : our Minifters 
 prefle on themfeives & hearers , the 
 necefllty of Regeneration, as the folid 
 fundation of good works; & the fevere, 
 ftridt exercife not of a popish out fide 
 formal , but of a fpiritual , real rtiorti. 
 fication and felf denial. We extol all 
 ordinances of divine appointment; but 
 rejefl: all humane in ventions,efpecially 
 teligious and ftgnificant not inftitute 
 ceremonies in the worship of God. 
 
 It ought to have no little weight 
 with your Lo. that by uftngof fuch vio- 
 lence,themoftfober> judicious, univer- 
 fally religious and induftrious part of 
 the fubje&s,and confequently the mod 
 ufefulandftedfaftto hisMaj. true inte- 
 " reft and honour , areexpofed to dayly 
 vexation and trouble, to the great dam- 
 mage 
 
mage and prejudice of this Nation and 
 Kingdom We fuppofe that , upon 
 an impartial view, it will be found, that 
 the choice and better part of the fub- 
 je&s is difiatisfied with the Govern- 
 ment,now introduced into thisChurch, 
 and consequently obnoxious to the fe- 
 verityofthe lawes, ena&ed againft 
 non -conformifts : andof*vhat dange- 
 rous confequence this may prove to 
 Church and State, we leave to your La. 
 moftferious confideration. We know, 
 the certaine ifiueofall maters,is known 
 to God only ; but if we shall take our 
 meafures , in conjecturing at future 
 events , from the working of prtfent 
 caufes, there is all rational ground to 
 fear , that there are difmal and heavy 
 times coming on this nation 5 which>by 
 taking and fallowing of right wayes, in 
 the prefent jun&ure of affaires, your to. 
 may prevent ^ and if not done, will, no 
 doubt, afford mater of bitter forrow, & 
 repentance to your Lo or children after- 
 wards.lt is & shall be our hearty prayer 
 ' to God,that your Lo. may haYe the Spi- 
 rit 
 
rit ofwifdome , and of theTear of the 
 Lord > poured out upon you, to fore- 
 fee the evils, that are haften i ng towards 
 us; and in time to hide yourielves, this 
 Church 8c Kingdom from them, 
 
 Jsit not apparent to all, that con- 
 fcience does not aft, nor lead our anta- 
 gonifts; Donor their opinions about 
 Prelacy, their Profeffion of all readi- 
 nefs to comply with the contrare, if 
 on foot; their frequent changes into the 
 interefts and formes of all preceeding 
 times, how contrare foe ver to their 
 once profefled and fworn principles 
 ( while true Presbyterians remained 
 conftant and immoveable, thorowthe > 
 times that went over their heads*) their 
 covetous and licentious lives , difcover 
 their want of confeience in thecourfes, 
 they now lo furioufly run ? Let not 
 your JL#chink , that it is his Maj. inte- 
 re(ls f . (as they pretend ) or any true 
 confeiencious regaird to thefe,that mo- 
 ves rhem to fuch obfeqiuous compli- 
 ance with the prefent lawes? Let the 
 outward interefts of this world be fepa- 
 
 rated 
 
rated from their way$ and it shall foon 
 appear, how void they are of true zeal 
 for his Maj.and his lawes , as is evident 
 beyond all denial, from their carriage 
 & behaviour, in paft & prefent times. 
 As we have no external benefite to ex- 
 pert to engage us againft conformity to 
 the prefenc lawes about Church Go- 
 vernment,^ fo we are^to look, from 
 our principles, and pradtifes cenforme 
 thereto , no lefle then the ru.ine of our 
 felves & families in this world: if con- 
 science of duety towards God & this 
 Church,accordingtothe word, did not 
 determine and move us, ofallmenwe 
 were the mod foolish and miferablesbut 
 feeing our hearts, in the confideration 
 tof thejufticeofourcaufe, & of the fin - 
 cerityof our intentions, ill adting con- 
 forme to it, does not condemne u$; 
 we have this confidence toward^God, 
 thar as we are acquit& shall be juftified 
 before him^fo shall we be recompenced 
 and rewarded, to the aboundant com- 
 penfation of all outward lofes^ e£<ln for 
 thefe things, for which we are condem- 
 
 * * ned 
 
ned of men ; fo that that which is efteemedour 
 ip\\y , hnandiiufery , isand shall be reputed 
 our righteoufnefs.wifdom and glory. 
 
 Albtitwe have not theexternal advantages 
 of power, riches and wordly policy , but the 
 contrareto contend with, and endure j yet, 
 Jeing the Word o* God in our hands , doeth 
 profper and prevail to the gaining of immortal 
 fouls, thereftrainingofimpiety, and the pro- 
 pagating of the favour of the true knowledge of 
 Chnit Jefus, in all places where it comes, 
 notwithstanding of the opposition made unto 
 us in this work j it will , on many accounts, 
 be your Lo. wifdome, not toftand incontra- 
 di&ory tearmes thenftOjIeaft your Lq. be found 
 to tight againlt God in the perfonsofhisfer- 
 vants and people; for, we are allured, that this 
 work and caufe is oi God, parrly for its confor- 
 mity tohis holy word; & partly for its undenia- 
 ble fruit and fucceffe,in converting & faving of 
 fouls fro m lin, pre(erving and maintaining of 
 itsfelf, againft die oppofition it meets with 
 on all hands j which we take for aligneofits 
 bei-ig oi God , as the ChriOians did of old in 
 their debates for the Cbriftian Religion a- 
 gainltits adversaries, which under great op- 
 position grew and prevailed exceedingly, al* 
 though linpt of all the outward advantages 
 of worldly power and policy, if this caufe be 
 of God, and approven by him, aswe nothing 
 
 doubt, 
 
doubt, it will not be in the power of the might- 
 elt to crush it. Men may afflict and put us to 
 great fufti rinj.s ( which tothem will beafi^ne 
 of perdition , but to us of falvation^j but while 
 this Church continues Proteftanr, and hath 
 God abiding in her, their contradiction will 
 be in vaine, as is hitherto manifelt. And a 
 thowfandroone , butic relolye in their own 
 )f ruine here thereafter. 
 , The mater of difference betwixt us 3nd our 
 o adverfaries , being in their owne confeffion ( a 
 ;, popular argument they much ufe wichrhepeo- 
 i. pie) not foundamental, bur indiffennt, w 
 i humbly beg of your Lo , that toy preventing of 
 • further conhifions in this Church, & attaining 
 of the true peace of the fame, y<pu will be 
 plealed , toconiider, whecherit beberter and 
 fafer for this Church, that the Chiftian Re- 
 formed Religion be totally ruined amon^us 
 forfatistyingofafew; or a thing indifferent, & 
 tar removed from the vitals of Religion, be 
 taken away , and notthus enforced by violence 
 onfoconfiderable apartof thefubje&s , who, 
 ,\\ for conference lake, cannot receive, norfub* 
 jedt thereto? And knowing that a ferious and 
 impartial examination of this one cjueftion, if 
 diligently purfued, would quickly determine 
 your Lo> to courfes quite oppofite to thefe now 
 profecuted wi'h fo much heat againft us; we 
 intreat your la. not to five eare # to thefe ca- 
 ** Z lumpies 
 
lumnies and undue reprelentationsorthepre- 
 fent cafe of affaires in this Church, made by 
 our enemies, the Prelates, by which they la- 
 bour to ioftigat to all this onjull and unfeafo- 
 nable violence, that will Produce bitter and la- 
 mentable tffe&s to this & the fucceeding ge« 
 neration , u not prevented in time. 
 Moft noble &bonourableLord$,\ve cannot but take 
 notice of that too common prejudice entertain- | 
 ed againft Presbyterian Government,&initilled 
 with fo much artifice by our oppofus in the j 
 rtrindof many,on which>they have alas too much 
 advanta^, through the love of fin , & natural en- j 
 mity at che whotfome feverity and power of the 
 Chriflian Religion , that is predominant in all 
 unregenerat perfons; to wit,the ftriftnes & im- 
 partiality of Presbyterian Government in its 
 exercife, againft all forts of fcandals, inallde* 
 grees of ProfefTours, the great as well as the 
 meane-, for we know, that while Presbytery 
 was up and in vigour amongft us , the zeal and 
 faithfulnefs of Minifters, in reprehending all 
 forts of fins, and exercifmg of difcipline im- 
 partially, conforme to the commands and ruls of 
 the word , without exception of perfons , is 
 that which hath caufedallthisdiflikeof , and 
 rigour againft Presbytery • and conciliat that 
 much refped: to , and love for Prelacy , as to 
 e je6fc the one>& bring in the other. We will not 
 now enter on the debait^ whether this flri&nes 
 
 again it 
 
 SH 
 
againft fin be the native produft of Presbyte- 
 rian Government, when exercifed conforme 
 toits principles ; or the contrare the genuine 
 confecjuence of Prelacy, that necelTarly refults 
 from its conftituent& prefeivifegcaufcs? Which 
 were no great labour to make out. But leav- 
 ing this, we humblie entreat your Lo. to have 
 that patience towards us , as to fuffer us to fay. 
 I. In cotffoimity to the principle of the Chri- 
 >d ftian profeffion, itmuft be, in the confeffion 
 ^ of all Chriftians, mater of fad regrait& lamen- 
 ■4 tation, that in places, where the Chriftian Reli* 
 i- gion is owned, zealous faithfulnefs againft foul 
 dcftroyingfins,shculd beadmited & received , 
 as a prejudice againft Minifters & theirGovern- 
 ment; which should commend & cry it upj yea 
 that dees endear it to all confeientious Chri- 
 flians, that rightly underltand their owne Pro- 
 fefiion. Muft it not be a terrible length, this 
 generatiori is gone , in declineing from the po- 
 werof Religion- when that, which is its excel- 
 lency & glory in the fight of God & good men, 
 is become the occafi.on & mater of its diflike& 
 reproach? Can there bea fuller evidence and 
 diicovery of the predomming& prevailing po- 
 wer of naturs enmity, in Profeflburs, over the 
 life of true godlinefs ; and their being given up 
 to the lulls & finful inclinations of their owne 
 hearts, that thus fets them in opposition to the 
 meanes, appointed for their ddivery from the 
 
 ** 3 domi- 
 
dominion & power of damning fins; whirher 
 are we gone , ind what may wc expert will be 
 the hight of ourdefc&ion , and chejucH;menC 
 of it , if Profeffours put themlelves id fucha 
 plaine&r open profefled^ contradiction to their 
 Chriltian ProfefTior-f 2.Xetnot your Lo. think, 
 we fay this with ah intention to juftify any 
 failing, in this mater, conunited by any cf our 
 perfwafion, that "shall be made appear to be 
 fuch from the Word of God , & our ProleiTed 
 principles. And although we cannot condem- 
 neall the inffarices, that are now disapproved 
 by our antagonifts^ yet we grant, there were 
 considerable efcapes, in preaching & exerufeof 
 difcipline , which were the effects of impru- 
 dence & paffion in fome , and of wordly incli- 
 nations & defigries in others of corrupt minds ; 
 who to raife themfelves in this world, and tor 
 that efnd , to gaine the favour of perfons of 
 leading influence & power, keeptnomealure, 
 but rune to flrarghighrs ot zealagainil fome 
 fins,while they connived at oAer^but (eing by 
 their compliances with the cryed-up caufe ot 
 thefe times, they do now declare to all the 
 world that they vvere never of us -how unjultly 
 are their wicked follies imputed toourGovern- 
 ment and vvay. But for ail the inftances given 
 in againft us , and the hideous cry raifed after 
 them 5 yet we muftfay , the gjreateft and molt 
 common failing among Miniiters , was in the 
 
 defect , 
 
defeft, inthatthemoft vver^notfo diligent, 
 faithful & impartial, in the application of the 
 vvordrothe hns of the times, perfonal rebmke« 
 &cenfures, as they should have been; as (alas) 
 vvas coo vifiblc & observed by many • for 
 vvhich now they bear thefr rebuke, inthat 
 many of thole are now become th ir cruel per- 
 f cutors , to whom they were fintully fparing 
 & indulgent. Moreover, let it be granted, 
 that many of thefe in fiances were in the ex- 
 cefleunjulHHable; yet if the cpnftitption and 
 principles of Presbyterian Government were 
 i not for, but againit them, it ca.rmot.bf charg- 
 ed with thefe; they mud be the faults of the 
 perfons, and not of the Government; other- 
 ; wife all Governments mufl.be condemned , as 
 guilty of all the maUadminiftrations , committ- 
 ed by G>vernours ; which all acknowledg to 
 beabfurcP But when any of the contrare mind- 
 ed shall demonftrat thefe to be the native pro- 
 duft of our principles for do&rine and G overn- 
 ment , they shall beconfidered , & according 
 to the con virion they give of the fame, they 
 shall be acknowledged. But will your la. be 
 pleafed , toconfider the fad & deplorable ex- 
 treme our anragonifts are run into, who medle 
 not with any fort otfeandab, except a few and 
 thefe in the meanner & lower degree of per- 
 fons , over looking all in the more opulent and 
 great ; which hath encouraged wickednefs to 
 
 lift 
 
lift up its head, and to diflfufe its felf thorow all 
 ranks without control , to the infeding ot this 
 Church with all kindcs of fcandals • which, no 
 doubt, will refolve either into thetora! ruine 
 of the Proteftant Religion, or els in fad defolat- 
 ing judgments /on this land; and if it come 
 this length (which we earneftly beg of the 
 Lord he would prevent, by pouring out of a 
 Spirit of repentance and reformation on us) 
 where will be our advantage by PrcUcj , that 
 is now fo much extolled ? ~w^ 
 
 Therefore not loving to trouble your L». any farther, we shall 
 adde but this humble and eameft requeft ; that your Lo. 
 would be pleafed, tomakefome due and juft reprefentatiou 
 of the true State and low condition or this Church, unto 
 his Maj* who (we hopej through your Lo. interceflion , 
 v;ill j in his wifdome and clemency finde out fome juft expe- 
 dient, for relievingbf this Church of her oppreffing evils , 
 tinder which she groans; and undoing of thete heavy bur- 
 dens , that lye on us ; for which we are your I*, humble 
 petitioners, and had been Co alittle fooner, ifwehadnot 
 been difcouraged by lawes anent Church maters , that feems 
 to us , to dole all door of accefle to his Maj, and your Lo* 
 for repreienting our juftgreivances this way. If we may 
 not obtains this reafonablc and juft requeft ( as we fuppofe ) 
 there is not another refuge lefr us , but to rcferre our caule 
 to the righteous tribunal of the juft and almighty God, where 
 your Lo. and we will ftand on evtn ground , and have judg- 
 ment pafled without refpeft of perfons. - 
 
 An 
 
(Pag. i.) 
 
 An Apology for, or vindication of the 
 
 opprefled perfccured Minifters, and Profeflbrs of 
 
 the Presbyterian Reforirrcd Religion, in the Church 
 
 of Scotland, emitted in the defence of them, 
 
 and the caufe'Tor which they fuffer. 
 
 * J^he Introdu&ion. 
 
 T is not unknown ( as we fuppofe\ 
 
 to the Churches of Chrift,. in the I- 
 
 lands of Briiant and Ireland , and 
 
 other parts of the Chriftian World , 
 
 what perfections , upon the tntrom 
 
 duBion of Prelacy in theYcar 1 6 6 1 \ 
 
 the partie .called Presbyterian, hath 
 
 uffered> efpecially in the Church of Scot land, andyetlyetb 
 
 'nder , throw the implacable and violent rage of their ad- 
 
 wfaries, the Prelates and their adherents : who having got 
 
 h? Civil powers on their fide , have prevailed to the enabling 
 
 j 'fitch lawes, that thefe ( who from the con r cience of duty to* 
 
 ^ards God > and fenfe of the obligations o c their Covenants 
 
 nd Oaths, ly ingon them and the feChurches, cannot comm 
 
 ly with , nor give obedience unto ) are not only expofed 
 
 ■) bitter and hird fuffer ings , for a confiderable time j but 
 
 )aded with all fort of reproach , and reprefented as rebelli- 
 
 us and dijloval to Authority* contrary to their lyiownprin* 
 
 pies and aHhgs. It is not the iefigne of this undertaking > 
 
 » defemd into the confederation of the marne caufe of our fuf- 
 
 ringt) nor yet to lay any Odium on QWrRyUrs 9 to tht 
 
 A frc* 
 
 
(1.) 
 
 prejudice of their juft authority ; ( as the righteous judge o j 
 
 the world knowes , and we>hope will make manifeji in dui 
 
 time ) but to clear fome Necefjary truths and duties ; ana 
 
 to vindicat fome ofourpraB'tfes ? from the unjuft afperfiom 
 
 of adverfaries • who by lies and unjuft reprefeni at ions of our 
 
 principles and carriage > do publikly and privatly defame 
 
 and mifreprefent to Authority and others, our behaviourun* 
 
 *ler the prefent courfe of affairs l an artifice they have ufed oj 
 
 eld ana late , for ingratiating of themf elves , and their inte-^ 
 
 refts , into the favour of our Rjilers > and fliarpening of the 
 
 tdge of per fecution again ft us* in which they have had no (mat 
 
 fuccejfe. If it were not for the Jnterefts of truth and I{eli* 
 
 gion , which > through the hot contefts and debates of tint 
 
 times (actuated by ambition and covetoufnefi , cw the one 
 
 \iandy and the love of truth % on the other) are in hazard to 
 
 fujfer fhipwracl^ > we incline rather to keep fiknee ; and to 
 
 foffefie our fouls in patience under theprefent violence , ufed 
 
 again ft us ; (as our too much filence hitherto does fuffici^ 
 
 entlywitneft) but finding that the intereftsoftheGofpel 9[ 
 
 and the concerns of immortal fouls > are ftrucf^at , and are 
 
 like to fujfer no fmall prejudice through our filence > we have 
 
 put on a refolutionrfogive to the Chriftian world an account of 
 
 the grounds of our praBifes , for which , we are this day , 
 
 Jo much reproached and perfecuted. *Andjeing there is no 
 
 acceft in the or din arie road, to give a due arid juft information 
 
 cfourcafey to our Superioitres > by fupplications > petitions 
 
 and remonjlrances > (allowed by fcripture and natures 
 
 light') by reafon of the influence & power of our adverfaries; 
 
 we cannot ha e ocpeB that much juft ice from ally as to excufe , 
 
 us 5 for doiw of this > in this way , which the vindication \ 
 
 oj truth and of ourfehs for its fake, ?ntbeprefentjun8ure, { 
 
 make everyway fo neceffary : for finding , in theprefent j 
 
 fiate of things f tbattve cannot > without betraying of the 
 
 Gofpel 1 
 
GofpeU and of our immortal fouls , (for which as Mini* 
 fters and Chrijiians we are called to contend , on allhigheji 
 fames ) k?ep any longer /tlence ; but t hat we mufl give war* 
 ningtoall, of the imminent dangers , that threaten BjlU 
 gion , in its purity and power j we lool^ upon it , as our 
 indifptnfible duty ; by clearing truths and praBifes , (fa 
 much now condemned ) to endeavour the prevention , and 
 recovery of all from the fnares , they are in danger ofy and 
 engaged into : wherefore, in all Chrijiianfobriety and humu 
 lity , we crave leave , to open our hearts and mindes to all > 
 as they are concerned in our cafe. I . Anent the cruel and 
 iniquous procedour ufed aga'mftus. 2. Our praBife of 
 preaching and hearing of theGofpel of Chrijl j by Mini* 
 fters and people > yet adhering to the covenanted work.ofI{c* 
 formation 3 in oppofuion to Prelacy and Erafhanifme* 
 3. Our not approving nor allowing of the late indulgence » 
 r.althougb,as to the preaching part ofit> it hath hem byfome 0/ 
 f us> info farpraBifed. 4. and laftly* anent the Supremacy 
 ■ 1 Ecclefajlical > as it is now ejlabliflied in bis Majefties per* 
 fon t andfenfedbylaw* 
 
 
 Sect. I. 
 
 0/ the aB of Glafgo w , with raifons why JuimiBlon 
 could not be given to Prelacy. 
 
 IT7E loyenottoinfiftonthe^rj?, and if it were not 
 > [j W connected with fome other things , that more 
 M:oncearne thecaufe, and touch upon it, then any out- 
 ward intereft or ours- we would incline rather to bury 
 f»|t> in perpetual oblivion, then thus to raike the ashes 
 tf bfpaft andprefent aftions; the mentioning of which 
 
 l:annotbutreflcftonfome, whofe reputation is dearer 
 
 A a to 
 
(f) 
 
 to us j then they will readily adroit themfelves to be- 
 leeve : But we muft not decline , what in the prefent 
 cafe is neceffarie forvindicating of our righteous caufe, \ 
 ftruck at and wounded through our fides. We shall j 
 orriy-tottdi' a few inftances of many, that might be 
 produced, and are yec fresh m the memories of this 
 generation ; and we fear (if Hiftorians prove impar- 
 tial) will fpeaktothe difgraceof thefe times > in the 
 fucceeding ages. As firft, That almoft unparalleled 
 Aft of the Councel at Glasgow O&ok 1662. whereby 
 at one ftroke 8 a number of Minifters above 3 00, with- 
 out all legal precedour, were violently caft out of 
 their iivelyhoods, and inhibited theexercife of their 
 2S4iniftery.j and thereby a great number ofCongrega. 
 tions laid defolate. And for any thing known to the 
 Councel at their making and publishing of this Aft , 
 alhheMiniftersof the Church 0? Scotland (averyfrw 
 excepted) might have been thruft out and eje&ed there- 
 by , and fo the whole Church laid wafte > and difpof. 
 felted of the Gofpel and 'it's ordinances • in which 
 condition, shee might have continued long enough? 
 to fuch a hrght of prejudice and lofs , which the 
 much «* cryed - up good of PreUcy could never have 
 compenfat , in this or the following age. Was it not e- 
 videnc (from the aftonishment, that the disappoint- 
 ment of the defigne of this A<S had on our Rulers , in 
 thofe that did not obey the law in fubje&ing to Prelacy, 
 on k'$ eraiflion) that it was paffed without mature de- 
 liberation, and was influenced by the impatient Zeal 
 & violent ihftigation of the Prelats, to the precipitation 
 ofaliCounfels- which face hath been lamented, &not 
 alittle regrated by many of that party, who have never, 
 sO this day, fallen on right methods & wayes of curemg 
 
 the 
 
thediftempers &confufions, caufed by th:< nft to th? 
 Church ofGod arr.ongit us . We i em c n> ber of none i ike 
 to this,buc that of the Interim oiGermany in the time 05 
 -Charl.thc V.A precedrnt^vcr think,rhat should not have 
 been imicated.by any Chri&lian proteltantScate,con(ider- 
 ing it's wicked defigne,& badluccefsco if s contrivers* 
 At chepallingof this Aft of Councel , it was nor 
 (unknown to all , thutheMiniltersejcftedbyit, were, 
 for the generality ofchem > young men , educated and 
 indoftrinac in the Presbyterian principles; neirher could 
 it, in rational judgment , be fuppofed , that in fuch a 
 fudden and unexpected revolution of affairs , in 
 Church andftate, perfons of anyconfciencc , could 
 fo fuddenly be moved to change thePrinciples they had 
 received , and folong been in the praftice of? withouc 
 the leaft offer of any convincing reafon to the contrary, 
 j In.this cafe, tainflift fo heavy a punishment on rVlini- 
 ttersand Congregations, without any endeavours pre- 
 viouflyufed> for their information, looks to be a 
 ftreach, beyond the bounds of chanty and juftice^ 
 whichj according to all laws, Divine, ecclefialtickand 
 civil? allows time and patience, in dealing with per- 
 fons, erring in the matters of God > for bringing them 
 to the conviftion of their errours 5 before the pal ling & 
 infliftingof a fentence; a piece of juflice obfervedin 
 the daikcft times of Popery > and hottefi; perfections 
 on the Church of God, as is evident from the records 
 ofthefe times, z. Befides , in all executions of laws 
 on perfons found transgrefiiag the fame , there ufeth to 
 preceedthe fentence, and infliftion of "the penalty , a 
 judicial trial and conviftion of the transgreflion $ the 
 natural right and priviledgeof all fubjefts , obferved in 
 all well governed States in the World , whether Chri- 
 
 A 3 ftjaa 
 
ftian or heathenish : For , in the adminiftration of ju- 
 ftice to the fubjects, there ought to be an application 
 ofthelawtoperfons , (uppoied guilty of it's violation, 
 by a judicial fentence , not only adjudging them to the 
 penalty, but declaiming the guilt, as the; meritorious 
 csufeof fuch punishments } which cannot be doner 
 without a judicial trial and conviction, by ccnreilion 
 or witnefles : But in our cafe no fuch thing was obferv - 
 ed > no not fo much as an hearing allowed us. 
 
 Moreover, in this ad, the Miniftcrs of theGof- 
 pelwere, under higheft paines , difcharged and for- 
 bidden the exercife of their Mimftery, which they had 
 received from the Lord , and not from the State ; and 
 this antecedent to any Church fencence > or ecclefiafti- 
 calconviftion of guilt, deferving fo heavy a punish- 
 ment: an encroachment on Church power, with- 
 out a precedent in this Church, and in all others, 
 except that of the Interim of Germany* condemned, on 
 that very head^oth by Popish and Protcitant writters, 
 as a reatch beyond i he Limits, fet to the Magiftrats po- 
 wer, in the word of God, Is there not here a Punish- 
 ment, formally ecclefiaftick, infixed by the Magi- 
 ftrac, without owning of the Church, to whom the 
 infliction of fuch punishments does properly belong ; 
 and by whom they were ? time out ot rmnde, exer- 
 cifed i But tjrs with other ACts of the like na- 
 ture , which followed , was fuitable to the bafis 
 and foundation , on which the new fuperltruCture of 
 Church government was founded and built , the 
 Supremacy. How vifible is it from this aft, the 
 way ufed for bringing in of prelacy , the frame of the 
 Afts of Parliament, anent it and the Supremacy , 
 and the procedour in executing of the famej that 
 
 the 
 
(7-) 
 
 Mhedcfigne was not only tofubjeft the Church whol^ 
 jr < ly ro rhe State , but co rob her ofail power ; which chc 
 '^ prelates perceiving . laboured co help i in their after 
 Reacting of Minifters not comprehended in this Aft; 
 ^ifomc of them complaining, thic Minifters should be 
 £ <exautora:ed by the M^giftiat, without any Churchfen* 
 MAtence preceding : but more of this afterwards. 
 h But fuppofing , this to be within ihe compafle of 
 
 the Magilirats power - 7 yet howunproportionat was 
 '•-the penalty to the alkaged crime? if there had been 
 '• htrefy in doftrine 3 or fcandals in life & converfaubn.a 
 I i juftiricat/on might have been made of this fentence ;buc 
 i for fimp'e non-conformity to prelacy, that had been by 
 •Church & State exploded from amongit us, as an 
 •high corruption in the government of the Church; and 
 • lies reentry barred with the folemcieft Covenants and 
 !< oaths, that ever any Church or Nation came under: 
 i<wefay f for fuchacrime in fuchacafe, to take from 
 .Minifters, as men, their lively hoods; and as Mini- 
 •fters , their Mimftery (dearer to them then their lives) 
 •is a punishment , when weighted in the ballancesof 
 
 equ i tie and jufhee, much beyond (wearefure)thede* 
 ;merit of the caufe ; efpecially confidering , that the 
 (Perfones impofeing conformity, and punishing others 
 -fo feverely for refufing it, were the fame Ci'or the 
 •moil part ; chat hid made and enafted lawes , fevere 
 Enough aguinftit. What? is prelacy a jewel of fb 
 jnuch worth, that the Church of Cod cannot be well 
 (without it? have we not found the contrare, from the 
 experience of paft andprefent times? Although we 
 jihould be judged uncharitable in this , yet we mull fay 
 ; t, that they , vc ho fee not this, do either shut their 
 /Syes throw carnal intercft , or wilfali prejudice , 
 | againft 
 
againft all evidence , that not only Scripture but the ef- 
 fects of Prelacy in this Church, affords to all men jQr els 
 fight againlt their light. If we take our meafuies, by 
 the true incerefts of the Church, or thefe things, where- 
 in her true welfare does conllft , we shall undoubt- 
 edly and undeniably fee, that prelacy is not of that 
 worth and ufc, to the Church of God ♦ as to infl:& fuch 
 grievous punishments on Non -compilers with it : 
 fure we are, foundnefs of doctrine, purity of wor- 
 ship and holinefs of life have flourished in this Church , 
 without it •, and fince its erection, thefe have come 
 under a fad decay. 
 
 Obj. But many place the demerite of thefe fevere pu- 
 nishments, in the difobedience to the la wes eftablishmg 
 prelacy ', the now great cry of thefe engadged in the 
 prefentcourfe, for juftifying of all enormities , com- 
 mitted in the adminiftrations of government? 
 
 An\. To this we fay, firft , that all Divines and 
 Lawyers aflerr , ifnon- obedience be feperated from 
 contempt of authority,(as in many cafes it maybe) that 
 the demerit of difobedience , is norrigouroufly to be 
 purfued with punishments , efpecially of fo high a na- 
 ture , as thefe inflifted on us, for meer non-conformity ; 
 and the reafon they give , is becaute , there are and 
 may be fuch things in non - obedience , as will, to 
 righteous judges, not only alleviat the guile thereof, 
 butdifchargeit from difobedience, let be contempt 
 of authority j as invincible ignorance, inability, 
 fits of palfion , the tendencie of the thing com raanded, 
 infomecafes, to the everting of the end of the law. 
 which in fuch cafes, is prefumednottobeche will of 
 the law-makers) the |difpofition & profeffion of perfons 
 so obedieinnce raanifefted, in all others things &c. if 
 
 our 
 
i (9-> 
 
 > our known and profefled pnnci pies, extant in our pub- 
 lid confdfipns and treatifes on this head , with our 
 \ anions m all other maiters relating to authority, be 
 
 • admitted and beleved , we will have as much io fay, 
 for freeing of our non-obediencc to lawes , in this mat- 
 ter, from contempt of authority , as any. Give us 
 rlthsjuft liberty of our Religion , in preferring of God t 
 ! ourabfolure and Supream Soveraigne, to all others; 
 
 • and in yeeldmgtohira that obedience, he requires of 
 us in his word, and none shall be found more obedi- 
 
 : enc to Authority , in all things that do not intrinch on 
 this. We do folemnly profeffe , and in the fight of the 
 
 • alfeeing God> who fearches the hearts and reins, 
 ; that this , and this only , is thecaufe, why we cannot 
 ' give obedience , to the lawes eftablishing prelacy j 
 •for upon all the fearch i we have made, we cannoc 
 
 find a warrant for it in the word of God , that perteft 
 I rule of Religion and Righteoufoefs; but find it contrare 
 unto &againft the precepts and inftitutions of Chnft le* 
 'fus, anentthe government of his houfe. This being 
 our perfwafion , we are not able to evite the force of 
 thefe obligations of our Covenants and Oaths, made to 
 ; God and one another, againftit; to the ftrick obfer- 
 vation of which, we are by commands and threatnings 
 contained in the word, moftindifpenGbly bound, and 
 from which tyes', no humane power can loofe us. Is 
 lit npta fad matter in this cafe y that we meet with no 
 otherthing from any, for fatisfying our conferences, 
 andbiinging us the length of cheerful obedience in tbis 
 thing , but the cry law , law j which, in the matters 
 of God , can be no fure bottoms to our confeiences ; 
 (feingweasChriftians are under a law ; antecedent and 
 Superior to that of mens. 
 
 A 5 Sccondlj 
 
(io.) 
 
 Secondly. Where the gudcof difobedience is truly 
 fcr.tui , yetthefentencepaffedagainftit, ought chcefly 
 to refyett the matter of the difobedience , and accor- 
 ding to the quality and circuiaftances of it, the punish- 
 ment should be proportionated : there are no divines 
 orlawyer c ( hat we know of ) but hold this; and it is, 
 beyond difput, evident from the judical lawes of the 
 lews, enacted and eihblished by God himfelf » for 
 ihe administration of juftice % in that Common - 
 wealth ; for the guilt of difobedience being alike , in 
 all deeds contrare to law, difobedience in fmaller mat- 
 ters fould have as heavy punishments inflt&dd on the 
 contraveeners, as in greater; which ail acknowledge 
 to be a ftrange folecifme in government, contrare to 
 all natural equity and juftice , the bafis and ends of go- 
 vernment* i 
 
 Thirdly. And that our noa -obedience to la wes erec- 
 ting and eiiablishng prelacy, is fo high a crime in ufelf, 
 astodeferve fuch punishments , as have been ftatuteand 
 execute upon us 5 we do not yet fee; efpecially while 
 we confider. (i.j The little evidence (ashaih been 
 faid) for it in the word of God ; Some of that parry 
 have racked their wicts , for finding out its divine right 
 and mfti'tution , as lofepb Hall , and fome others; but 
 with fo little fucceffe, as hath forced many of them, to 
 quite that plea, and take them to arguments of another 
 nature, ii.) The confeifions of for e, who plead for the 
 usfulnefs of prelacy, to the wdl , but not to the being 
 of the political lMiuifterial -Church; which they grant 
 roaybeiiich without it, as nioftofthe former opinion 
 y eeld. ( 3 ) Others that lean not to Scripture for the 
 right of prelac y in the Church? found it upon Ecclefia- 
 fiickconftitucionsjcanons &cuftomes;whichthey take 
 
 to 
 
O?0 
 
 to be the interpreters of Scripture in this debate, as 
 Dounbame SLtid others with h.rn , that make molt ufe of 
 anciquity. (+ ) Others more moclerat , pious a.id more 
 learned, then the reft, do fo dip its wings , that they 
 bringittoameerconliant prefidencyt in the meetings 
 of presbyters, for government; making it a pure non- 
 entity , as to what is eiiabhshjd by Jaw a i Qngf| us ; 
 i and for which they bring no Scripture; of which judg- 
 ment was that goalyand learned Bishop Ufber> who* 
 for knowledge in all the controversies of the Church, 
 ;efpecially in Antiquity, was Nemha fecundus. (>.) 
 Some others argue foric , as a matter or ludifferehcy , 
 that may be rec ei ved or rejefted, as Churches and ftates 
 fee it tits their interefts ; afifertjpg , that all it's authori. 
 ty and goodnefs depends upon and flowes from the po- 
 wer, that brings it in, thus Stillfngfleet. (6«) Some of 
 that party hav fallen on a new method > for justifying 
 its divine right (aeingftraitened, asitfeems, with our 
 arguments , and the weaknefs of their owne) alleadg* 
 ing tbat Presbyters were not inftitute in ^cripcur * 
 times , by the Apoftles;& that all Mmifters, mention- 
 cdin the Scriptures, were Bishops, in the fenfe con- 
 troverted, as Dodox Hammond', but his evidence from 
 Scripture and antiquity,is fo dimme,that ( ror any thing 
 we know) he hath gamed few, or none, to follow him 
 in this. (7 ) Thefeof the court party, place all its 
 ! goodnefs in the authority &Iawes establishing it: grant- 
 ing it fignifies nothing antecedently to thefe (80 1 f we 
 shall conlider prelacy, and view it in its feveral parts, as 
 it is by law conftitute and fetled amongft us, and bring 
 them to the teft and rule of the word of God, that we 
 may give judgment of them, according to it; how little 
 of prelacy will be found to be of divine right > even in 
 
 the 
 
the confcffionof ouradverfanes: of all chat have ap- 
 peared on the feild for its defence > there is none , that 
 ever pleaded fcriptural inftitutions, precepts and mftan- 
 ces > for the Lordly cities, eminencies, and vvordly 
 dignities of the Prelacs , that are now annexed to their 
 office $ nor yet for their civil places and power in the 1 
 State •, nor for their feveral orders > and degrees , as I 
 Vrimats , Metropolitans . ^Archbishops , (s'c : Or for I 
 the like among their dependents , in their numerous 
 and various diftin&ions of degrees of fuperioruies > and 
 fubordinations ; as Vicars* Chancelors > Deans, Arch \ 
 deacons, Subdeans, Deacons, Parsons &c. whoever hita- i 
 therto didput pen to paper 3 and contendedfor the divine 
 right of prelacy , never opened a mouth to plead either 
 Scripture or antiquity for thef (except Do&ovHammond 
 who argues for ArMiJhops : and what is prelacy , in 
 itsconftitutionamongftus > without them \ Tneonly 
 thing debated bet wixt us and our Antagonists anent it , 
 is the fuperiority of one Pallor over other Paiiors> and 
 their refpe&ive congregations , to the probation of 
 which , from fcriptnre and pure Antiquity , there are 
 two things, thatmuftof necefficy be made out from 
 thefe 2 firft the fole power of Ordination and Jurifdi&i- 
 on , and fecondly Diocefan Churches made up or feve- 
 ral leflerChurches and their refpeitive Paftores and Of- 
 ficers : in thefe does the effencial difference lye (in 
 their owne confeffion) betwixtBishops &Presbyrers or 
 ordinare Paftoresjoone of which two hath been proven 
 from fcripturc and antiquity- And if chat, which diffe- 
 rences prelats from other Paftores of the Church > be 
 not made to appear from fcripture, how will their office 
 be of divine right ? and how can it beexpe&ed from 
 us 9 who are under fuch ftraic, divine eugadgroents 
 
 againft 
 
agiinftit , that we should comply therewith ; and 
 ■ .fubmittothelawes, incoming conformity thereto. We 
 it complaine of the fubdolous and uningenuous way of our 
 ii , oppofites, in this debate> who always keep in generals, 
 fi and never condefcend on the particular differences be- 
 ir cwixt Prelates andOrdinarePaftores ; nor undertake 
 e to prove thefe: and the truth is they cannot : for they 
 $ are forced ro con feife, that it is clear from antiquity, 
 r -that Presbyters have ordained , fometimes in conjun- 
 s ftion with Bishops , and fometimes without them ; 
 i ;And for diocefan Churches withonefixed paflorover. 
 i feeing other Paftores and their flocks > we cannot meet 
 . with the leaft probable evidence, from fcripture and 
 : pure antiquity : we find no argument from our adver- 
 ; faries concluding this. It is empty arguing to fay; 
 ( there were Apoftles, there werePriefts and Highpnefts 
 i iin theOId Teltamentj there were feven Angels in the 
 r feven Churches of Ajia\ therefore there muftbeBis- 
 , hops now : if they will from fcripture make out the 
 I ! difference now affigned bet wixtPrelats & Presbvtersjin 
 thefe inftances of the Apoftles, Priefts and Angels, we 
 shall yeeld the caufe. Let none therefore blame us, ii> 
 holding ro this as a neceffare confequenceofour Anta- 
 Igonifts fuccumbing in the probation of thefe things 5 
 that a parity amodg the Minifters of the Gofpel > in 
 point of power or office , is of divine right ; for if 
 in the inftitution of the Miniftery , there be alike po- 
 !wer given to all called thereto, therecanbenofuperio* 
 Jrityofone above another by divine right. ( $. ) It is 
 i quettion much debated among the Popish ichool- 
 !men> and in which they are not agreed to this day; whe- 
 ther Prelacy bean order or office diftin&from that of 
 presbyters* or only a different degree of the fame office 
 
 with 
 
(I 4° L 
 
 In/VMM. nAft^LfAVM-.^Itr^if^n^ I 
 
 with Presbyters , including no power formally diflinft 
 irorn theirs: which hit opinion afferts, thacall power, 
 acclaimed by the prelaws , is formally in Presbyters ; fo 
 that by office they are empowered to , and may doe all 
 that the prelats pretend to. How hotly and ft i fly was 
 this queifen coiled in the Councelof Tmtt,betwrxt the 
 Italian, Galilean and Spanish divnes ? which for this 
 caufe received no dccifion in this CoiiRcel , but was left 1 
 undetermined as before ; As is to be ieen from the Hi* 
 ftory of thefaid Couricel. ( to. ) If any will confider 
 our adverfaries arguments for prelacy , atid compare 
 them with the arguments of Papifts, efpecially BeU 
 larmins for the Papacy , they shall finde , that 
 they plead as (tiongly for the Pope or an Univerfal 
 Bishop to the Catholick Church, as for the Prelac 
 or Bishop, now controverted betwixt us? as wilbe 
 made appear by a particular condefcenfion , ifour 
 intended brevity would fuffer it 9 We referrefuchas 
 queftjonthis to the arguments of both; and upon an 
 impartial collation of the fame t we nothing doubt, but 
 it willbernanifeft. Doth not the much courted and 
 endeavoured reconciliation with B^me by the preiatical 
 party > in former and later times ,, with their conceflions 
 to them , for making way to this agreement, fpeak,this 
 with full evidence? As their denying the Pope to be 
 the Antichnft ; their granting a privacy to him over the 
 Catholick Church; their purgeing the Romane Church 
 of Idolatry and fuperftition ; their aflerting the diffe- 
 rence betwixt Papifts and us * in dodtrine » worship 
 and government, not to be fundamental, noronthetr 
 part damnable , &c All which difcover to the world 
 the native tendency of prelacy, and what it will (if 
 it continue ) ultim'atly rcfelve into. ( 1 i ) Do ooi 
 
 the 
 
; the opinions of prelatifts > their pra&ifes, the ways 
 , r taken for bringing in and cftablislvng of Prelacy among 
 us, refieft upon and condemne all the reformed Char-* 
 chesand their divines, ( except Scuhaus ) who,in their 
 ?confefl;ons, treatifes & leformations enforme there- 
 : tOjdifclame prelacy, as no office of di vine appointment i 
 As willbeevidenc to any that perufe them. We know 
 •there was aPampblet emitted in the beginning of prela- 
 ,cyes laft introduction, that undertakes to prove the con- 
 trare$but it is fo deftitute of all evidence of cruth,thacwe 
 f wonder exceedingly at the impudence &affrontedne& 
 .of the author, in aileadgmg of Cthine, Be%t> Bucer <$c. 
 for prelacy; who in their pradtife and writings have 
 argued and debated agamft it. Did not this Author 
 know, that thdr writings are extant, and others as I 
 muchverfed therein as himfelf f But the unjuft know 
 »no shame. (i2.) As prelacy or prclatical government, 
 initsconftitutionand exerciie, is a compound of addi- 
 tions to the Word of God y which for want of its au- 
 thority we rejeft; fo presbytery or presbyterian govern- 
 ment, in the confeffion of our Oppofites , is,' m-allics 
 parts, of divine inftitucion or right ; which we offer to 
 make out from fcripture and the conceflions of cur An- 
 Itagonifte . who faft yeeld all our Church Oncers 
 ;; except Ruling elders ) to be of divine appointor enc, 
 i( Doflor Hammond only excepted ; granting , that 
 presbyters or ordinare Paftores and Deacons , to be 
 Inftitute by the Apofties , and alwayes afed in the 
 Church to this day ? theylikewife grant the power of 
 )rdination and jurisdiction in Presbyters, til! of Jate$ 
 ^salfo the meetings of Pafiores lefleraod greater for 
 government and difciphne , and all the particularities 
 )f power anent thefe* aflcrted by and formerlyexercifed 
 
 
(i6.) 
 
 among us: We think Rrange of Stilling fleet >\n denying 
 of Presbytery to beef Divine irftituuon* whoyeelds 
 all wefeek; for if all the former be of Scriptural infti- 
 tucion and praftife, rcuft it not be of divine right, 
 even as to its forme? We cannot forbear to declareour 
 refentments to the world > of the high indignities done | 
 toourRoy2! 3nd great M after , CkriJIJefus, and his 
 blefled word, the holy Scripture ; in that. j. The 
 forme of the government of his houfe is aflerted to be 
 mutable ? at the pleafureof men, and made capable of 
 any forme they pleafe to ailigne to the fame. Was it 
 ever heard in the world? that the forme of any govern- 
 ment was taken from the Officers thereof/ and not 
 from the Supream head , in whom the Legislative po- 
 wer'is lodged? All th3t ever treated of governments, 
 and fpoke to their different forms , did always found 
 their forms on the head , and not on the Officers of it i 
 Is not Cbrift Jefus the Supream and only Head of the 
 Church* by divine appointment? Are not ordinare 
 Paftores or Presbyters found inftitute in the word , 
 with all the parrs of their power, that we afterwards 
 grant to them? &c Will it not then neceflarily fol- 
 low, that the forme is of divine right, both in the head 
 and officers; which is truely Monarchical^ and not 
 alterable at the will of any i z* For making way to 
 this > the (ufficiency and perfection of the holy Scrip- 
 tursi as to matters of obedience and practice in the 
 Church, is denied, and thereby the fundation of the 
 Proteftant Religion is shaken* How inconfiftentis 
 this with their granting the perfection of the Scrip- 
 turs > in maters of faith ? For if all maters of obe- 
 dience be firft and primarily Maters of faith , 
 muft not they be perfeft in thefe alfo i How our 
 
 Oppofits 
 
Gppofits will defend our arguments for the perfe- 
 ction of the Scripturs , in matters of faith and manners* 
 againftthePapifls (who in this fpcak more confequen- 
 tially then the Prelatifts)3nd maintaine the former affer- 
 tion i is unintelligible to us. For our arguments plead 
 js much and as ftrongly for their perfc&ion, in the one, 
 as in the other. Butmuftitnotbeadefperat Caufethat 
 needs fuch a prop to fupport it? ( r 3 .) In the laft place , 
 We humbly offer the following particulars to be cohG. 
 deredbyallf nothing doubting that , when they are 
 duely and ferioufly weighted , it will foone appear that 
 our exceptions againft Prelacy , are not light and 
 groundless. As 1. There is no good to the Church 
 and immortal fouls attainable by Prelacy , that may not 
 be win at without it. It is a fure truth, that every 
 ordinance of Divine inflitution hath it's proper good 
 to the Church , in order to which , as it's end, it was 
 appointed by Chrift , which is not eafily reachable by 
 other ordinances : As will appear to any on a particular 
 condefcenfion : for as there is nothing defe&ive in di- 
 vine inftitutions ; fo there is nothing redundant and fu- 
 perfluous. Now wedefiretoknow, what is that good 
 to the Church and immortal fouls, that cannot be ob- 
 tained without Prelacy? let our Antagonifls give in- 
 fiances. If they think that ordinatipnand jurisdiction 
 is the good that the Church hath by prelacy; we offer to 
 prove from Scripture and antiquity ( as hath been done 
 ! before us without a reply , yea and granted by many of 
 jtbern) that Presbyters have the power of ordination 
 (and jurisdi&ion \ and the truth is, it was never que- 
 i ftioned by any , but yeelded by all, till of late ; for we 
 jhavenotonly inftances in Scripture and antiquity, for 
 1 ' Presbyters exercifing ordination and jurisdiction; but. 
 
 B the 
 
OS.) 
 
 thereafon, that all gave for it , was, that the minifte- 
 ry conferred by ordination , conGftingof the power of 
 order and jurisdi&ion , as it's integral conltituent parts, 
 perf bns Qrdained receive the power of both : If this be 
 atruth, why may not the Church havethefeby Pres- 
 byters , as much to her advantage and benefite, as by 
 prelats? But fon e fay? there can be no unity or 
 peace in the Church without Prelacy. The contrare 
 is evident from the Criurches experience? informer & 
 later times; for as the Church was never more rent, 
 and filled with contentions andfehifms, then under & 
 by Prelates, of which there are innumerable inftancesinj 
 hiftory;fo there hath been much flourishing , unity and 
 pea ce> under Presbyters, in Churches that wanted Pre- 
 laws ; as is to be feen in the prefent cafe of the reformed 
 Churches , and will be evident to any that is acquainted 
 with and feen in the records of theChurch : what unity 
 & peace hub theChurchesofjBw<w and Ireland beyond 
 other reformed Churches ? Yea is there not more of, 
 thefe among them , then is with us> at this day * But 
 what fayes unity and peace in the Church , if they have ; 
 not truth and righteoufnefs for their cement and foun- 
 dation, which are feldome the attendents of Prelacy? 
 But fome place the good of Prelacy > in theoverfight 
 andinfptftion , it takes of Ministers and their refpe- 
 ftiveflockes Cof which they ufe to boaft much;) But 
 reafon and experience do fully convince, and icave US| 
 beyond all Doubt, that this good > is as ealily andi 
 better wme at > by Presbyters > in their alTociated and, 
 presbyterated meetings, leffer and greater, then by 
 prelats .• u hat can prelat s do in this, that may not, and j 
 hath not been done by Presbyters, ro the great benefite i 
 of the Church ? as is manifeit from the. experience of, 
 
 this 
 
; this Church in preceeding times? andnovvnotalittle 
 01 confirmed by the contrarc t Moreover m the aft of re- 
 "' ftitution Pari. i. S. 2. Aft i. it is given for one Rea. 
 b5i fon, induccing to the bringing in and eftablishingof 
 ^"prelacy among us , that it is molt fuitable to Monar- 
 n xhy. What good this does or can bring to the Church , 
 we cannot divine : we wish it had been inftancedin 
 !re -the forefaid aft: we know , the government of the 
 * Church, considered in its due latitude aud extent, accor- 
 :t ding to the presbyterian principles, is truely and proper- 
 ty Monarchical ; for is not Chrift Jefus thejupream 
 r and immediat head of the Church * and do noc her 
 ^officers aft in her government in an immediat depen- 
 c "dance upon and fubordination to Him, as her King? 
 ;d: So that if the Churches government being Monar- 
 chical be the good intended and meant > in this ex. 
 WpreHion % it is as much attainable without prelacy > 
 ^jas by it j but we fuppofe, that this is not the good 
 ^ jnderftood. Next, if by futeablenrffe to Monarchy , 
 ut be meant , that kinde of Authority and Domini- 
 rtpri in Church- officersj in and over the Church , that is 
 n> .'xercifedby kings and Monarchs, and hath been affii- 
 /• jmed by prelats, fince ever they appeared in the Church: 
 1C his is exprefly difcharged and forbidden to Church 
 ■-officers in her government. Matth. ±o y z<;.Lu}{>22,25 , 
 - ( How much Emperours, Princes Kings and States have 
 Hm arced by this dominion, is known inhiftoryj Some 
 Hay, it is the fupcriority and fubordination of Church 
 d officers and judicatories, that is underflood in this 
 y i&s This may be had, and hath been attained in the 
 d Church, under presbyterian government , both as 
 :C t f o officers and judicatories; the Paftouris fuperiorboth 
 >f W Elders and Deacons Sec. theclafficall presbytery is 
 'I B z above 
 
(ao.) 
 
 above the congregational cldciship 5 &the provincial fy« 
 nod above the presbytery &c* Obj. there is not the Lpe 
 rionty of one above the reft; %Anf. but what good doth 
 this either to Church or State? we know it hath brought 
 much evil to both, but never any good, that might not 
 have been wine at, yea and was not actually attained, 
 without it; they that judge otherwife, are bound to 
 give inftances , which we earneflly beg they will doe: 
 we know this brought forth the Pope>an<Ldid midwife 
 jinticbrift into theChriftian world. But the thing, 
 tve fuppofe , that is truly intended , is the bringing of 
 the Church into a (lavish dependence upon, and fubjec- 
 tiontotheMagiftrat; for which, weconfeffe* pre- 
 lacy is every way fitted; how excellently did it ferve 
 the ?ofe , in eftablishing of his Dominion , and in 
 bringing and keeping of all in fubjeftion to him ? and 
 albeit Gnce the reformation, the prelats changed their 
 head, in taking on the Magiftrat in the roome of the 
 Pope* yet they retainerheir ule, which exceedingly en- 
 dears them to worldly Princes , that affeft domination 
 in the houfe of God. butfis shall be proven afterwards) 
 this is contrare to the fredomeof Chrifts kingdome, his 
 abfolute fupremacy and dominion over the fame; and 
 is ineonfiftent withChriftain princes their profefled fub- 
 jeftion thereto; fo that this is vo good i butandevill 
 deltruftive of the true concerns of the'Church.2. It 
 is no froall difcovery to us of the evil and corruption of 
 prelacy, thatitismuchapproven , allowed and cryed 
 up by all perfones of profane , diffolute and debau- 
 ched lives (except where it crofiTes their wordly ioter- 
 efts)and the reafonof this is obvious r o all,for as corrupt 
 and wicked nature does diftike all that is from God, 
 as oppofite to its wicked inclinations and wayes ; fo it 
 
 loves 
 
(21.) 
 
 ' loves j and is in much liKing with all that is friendly 
 
 to , and does encourage it inthefe. Is it not viable, 
 
 that the encouragernenc, which flagitious and wicked 
 
 perfones find for their impieties, underthe wings of 
 
 prelacy, is the true reafon and caufe, for which it is fo 
 
 liked and cryed upbyfuch? In this it is contrareto 
 
 I Presbytery in its due and faithfull exercife, which hath 
 
 been, and yet to this day, is hated for its impartialities 
 
 ; ftricknefsandfeveritie againft all forts of fcandal, in alL 
 
 j ranks of perfons high and low : for this we appeal to 
 
 thegeneral fenfe and obfervation of all inthefe landes: 
 
 can we think that courfe to be of God , which for this 
 
 'reafon is approven by thegeneraliryof the wicked? $. 
 
 ;BeGdes this, does not the prelates oppoficion to the 
 
 . godly (whom in rationall charity all are bound to judge 
 
 fuchj m reproaching, oppre(Eng& perfecutingof them, 
 
 to a ftrange highc of fevetity , who in profeffion differ 
 
 ( On!y from them in a point , that depends on the meer 
 
 'will and pleafure of the Magiftrat. we fay, does 
 
 not this declare, godlinesto be their quarrel, andic 
 
 to be inconfiftent with , and contrare to their interefts, 
 
 which, wearefure, cannot be the effeft of thefe means 
 
 and wayes inftitute by God in his word , whofe end 
 
 and tendency is to promove godlines , aud not to perfe- 
 
 • cute and deftroyit ; as is now done. And whoever 
 
 j confider the conltitution of prelacy, the rules for its ex- 
 
 ^rcife (to wit, the doftrines and opinions of prelats 
 
 aboutrChurch- power and government) andthe highc 
 
 of Dominion , they lay clame to over the Chjuch ) 
 
 . will fee , that of its felf, it muft be an enemy to t rue god* 
 
 lines, while it crys up its forme, andlayes it felf out 
 
 for advanceing of it, in oppoficion to its power. 4. It is 
 
 received for a fure truth , among all protectants , that 
 
 B 3 as 
 
(II.) 
 
 as the renewed nature oi'th- Godly does hate, and is 
 an enemy, to all that is contrare to , and deltru&ive 
 of true godlinefs ; fo it is the evidence and Ggne of 
 theevilandfinfulnefsofacaufe, whenicis disliked & 
 ©ppofed by the generality of the truly fober, judicious 
 and humble Godly. If we shall apply this to prelacy, 
 as it is established and exercifed amongft us at this 
 day, have w^notcaufetofufpeftits corruption, and 
 to judge its defcent not to be of God? feing it is uni- 
 verfally difliked and hated by the truely GodIy 5 which 
 eminently appears in perfons converted from wicked- 
 nefsand fin, in which they lived before conversion ; 
 what ever Jikeing they had to prelacy , or hatred to 
 presbytery, immediatlyupontheirconverfion , they 
 drink in an averfation from and hatred of prelacy, 
 and love to the contrare ? We know, this was objected 
 by W<rp«H^wteagainftpresbyterians, when the con- 
 troverfy about Church government was hot betwixt 
 them J But. i # This objeftion was without any true 
 caufe, as Independents were forced, afterwards, and 
 atthisday, toconfefle ; they finding upon trial, that 
 the Godly of the Presbyterian perfwafion, were ex- 
 ceedingly more numerous, then the other, 2. The 
 difference betwixt them is very fmall ( which may be 
 incident to perfones truly Godly , and confident with 
 their grouth and exercife of godlingfs )} and if there 
 were a healing condefcending temper, might be heal- 
 ed and removed ; their difference lying mainly , in 
 the authoritative fubordination of Church judicato- 
 riesai d con ftitution of Churches, as to the qualities 
 and engadgments of their conftituent members; which 
 when their one nefs in all other things about govern- 
 ment, and their concellions to one another, in the 
 
 little 
 
? lirtlethey differ about? isconfidered, might be quick- 
 j ly accomodated and taken up. But it is other wayes 
 i wich prelacy, in itsconftitution and exercife with us ; 
 : which, inits effects t attendants > and the ba^s it is 
 I fetled upon, is found to be fuch a corruption in the 
 , government of the Church, and inlett to others in 
 ; Doftnne and Worship, that it becomes trucly hateful 
 | to all the Godly i that give themfelvesupto the con- 
 I duftand light ofthe Scripture j and make them their 
 rule in the cxercifes of religion and godlinefs/ farbeic 
 from us to think or fay , that chere is none of the pr e- 
 laticalgang, truelygodly or pious. Weknowihere 
 hath been , and do beleeve , there are fome fu ha- 
 mongthera; but O how few, and how much have 
 thefe few been looked upon, and perfecuted by the 
 ; reft, with an evil or jealous eye, foas thty have been 
 judged moreours , then theirs? we have not forgoc 
 thediftinftion , that on this head, was made in for- 
 mer times among the Bishops themfelves, and how 
 they were diftinguished into Puritan and Court Bishops. 
 Will not one of thefe two follow > either , that the 
 generality of the Godly , ( whom Chriftians walk- 
 ing according to the rule of the wordmuft efteeme to 
 be fuch) areunderaftrongdelufionin their opinions 
 about, and oppofition to Prelacy ; Or els (which is 
 mod likely for the reafon formerly given ) that Pre- 
 lacy favours not of godlinefs, but in its native tenden- 
 cy is an enemy to it; which fayes it cannot be of God, 
 but for trial and corre&ion <■ 5. As the maine and 
 chief qualification , thc'prelats require in their intrants 
 into the miniftery , and in the people they admit to 
 ordinances, is fubrmffion to, and owning of them 
 conforrne to the prefent law, how inefficient and 
 
 B 4 fcanda- 
 
(candalousfoeverthcybe , ( which is overlooked and 
 difpenfed wich in them,) j fo their bitter oppofition to 
 and unceffant perfecation of pious, able and faithful 
 minifters,. that comply not with prelacy, declares 
 to all f that it is not the good of the Church (chat con- 
 fifts in true knowledge and godlines) they feefc; but 
 the extending and eftablishing of their tyrranous do- 
 minion oyer all, byminifters and profeiTors fubmit- 
 ing thereto , without gainfaying of their impofitions 
 ' and commands. How contrare in this , istheirway 
 to the rules given in the word, for calling & ordaining 
 of minifters, i T//W.3; 1,2, &c. Tit. 1: 5,6, &c. 
 and the pra&ife of the Apoltle Paul, Phil. 1: 15. who 
 rejoyced Verf.18. that Chrift was preached, altho 
 
 out of envy and oppofition to him I Can that courfe 
 bcof God, which muft be fupported by fuchwayes 
 and means, that croffe the dire&ions and rules of the 
 
 wordanent Minifters, anddifappointstheendsofthe 
 
 Cofpel and Miniftery \ Beleeve this who will > we 
 
 cannot* 
 
 Sect, II. 
 
 What moved Minifters tofubmh to the aB of Glafgow : 
 
 O'fome remarkj upon the afts againft conventicles, 
 
 and fuch as refufe to depone againft 
 
 delinquents. 
 
 ITHathbeen often OhjcBed to us, both by friends 
 and enemies ; why did Minifters and Congregati* 
 tions obey fo quickly that aft of the Councel ac 
 Glajgow, in leaving and deferring of one another jfeing* 
 by venue of their divine mutual relation to one ano- 
 ther, 
 
ther, as paftors and flocks, they were bound ta 
 cleave together , in performing and doing of all mu- 
 tual duties , which by divine precepts and engadg-i 
 ments , they were bound to obferve ? Jlnf. As wc 
 will not altogether juftify our cariage, in that and 
 feveral other particulars , in our way thorow thefc 
 fad times - 7 (being willing to take with, and humble 
 our fouls for, all our imperfeftions and failings, that 
 shall be difcovered to us by any,- ) fo there were 
 fome things t in the circumftantiac cafe, that ma/ 
 plead for us , and alleviat the offence taken at our too 
 general praftice in that matter ; As. *• ThefuddenJ 
 nefs of that aft, which allowed very little or no time 
 for deliberation , and coming to any folide refoluti^ 
 on, in a matter of fuch weighc and unufuall practice* 
 anent which, we had fo few precedents in former 
 times. All know , how puzling furprifals ufe to 
 be j and if there be not a prefent divine hand to guide 
 andfupport, under the power of temptation, with 
 which furprifals are ordinarly attended , all are in ha. 
 zard, thorow the byaffe of corruption, to mifcary t > 
 and in their refolutions to turne to the wrong fide; 
 JVlinifters and Profeflbrs are men of the fame corrup. 
 tionsandpalfions with others; aod whatever obli- 
 gations be on them for truth and righteoufnefs , and 
 the leading of others, in the fame $ Yet throw dark- 
 nefs , the influence of corrupt affections , and temp-] 
 tations concurring therewith , ( to which they are 
 obnoxious as much, if not more > then others,) they 
 are ready to flip ; in which , for the gofpels fake , 
 they should be pitied and prayed for. 
 2.1t had no little influence upon us in determining'oui: 
 refolutiontochis* that our party, in our nighbouring 
 
 B j Churches 
 
(16. ) 
 
 Churches in England end Ireland , upon the emiflioa 
 of an aft of Parliament , difenabhng all Mmifters. 
 that did not conformc to Prelacy , for the exercilc of 
 their Miniftry , had quit their charges, and removed 
 themfclves to other parts $ not thinking it fafe to 
 theoifelves, their people, theinterelts of religion, 
 as it then flood , to juttle with Authority, in con- 
 tinuing their Miniftery with and among the people, 
 contrare to the new lawes madcagainft them ; while 
 weconfidered this leading example, with the rea- 
 fons tnoveing them to it, we thought ourfelves as 
 much prefled therewith , as they* And, no doubt , 
 if wc lud followed the contrare courfe , our Loyalty 
 had been fadly reproached > and their practife made 
 Hfe of to aggravat our difloyal difpofitionr with which 
 welhad been often branded>althou£h falfly) to a great 
 hight of contempt ; which had > we grant , too 
 much weight with us. 
 
 3. The maine defigne , we had under confiderati- 
 on at that time? that did molt exercife our thoughts* 
 and take them up, was, how weraighrbepreferved 
 from the grand corruption , Prelacy, that did then 
 enter into the Church: manyqueftions, in order to 
 it, were debated among us, for our mutual leng- 
 thening againft the aflaultsot our common adverfa- 
 ries, which we, in rational fore fight , did apprehend 
 would come upon us • never dreaming of this courfe, 
 that was followed with us; which with one ftroke 
 cut the Cordian knots of many difficulties, with 
 which we had often grapled, in our exercifes and de- 
 bars. In this unexpefted courfe of providence , 
 clearing our way , under many difficulties, we then 
 thought it our happines , in being rid of, and deli- 
 vered 
 
(*7-> 
 
 veredfrommanyafnare • which, no doubt, made 
 us give place more eafily to the penal part of that aft. 
 
 4. Webeingat 4 that time unacquainted with (of- 
 fering, and contending for the trurh , in oppoGtioa 
 to prevailing corruptions, in this way', itis not ta 
 bjexpefted in rational charity , that we could come 
 fo Suddenly, to that hightofrefolution and courage, 
 as to venture on the ut moll of hazards , that then did 
 threaten the contraveeners of that aft , and the laws 
 upon which it was founded. Suffering for righteouf- 
 nefsPhiLnv. I aft , is imported to be a gift, as far 
 above the ftrengrh of nature, inourfinful imperteft 
 ftate, as that of faith ; as all finde when it comes 
 to be the ir cafe. It is eafy for onlookers to cenfure 
 and condemne the failings of others, ic perfecting 
 times, but it is not fo eafy to fuffer: it requires the 
 Spirit of power, love , and of a found rainde, which 
 is not quickly wine at by them , whomChrift calls 
 to take up and bear his crofle. We grant this gives 
 nodifchargeofguilt, in not doing and fuffering, 5 as 
 God cals ; yet it cryes for compalfion and forbea- 
 rance from others , who , on this confederation , 
 should be fpareing in their cenfurs, knowing they 
 are in the body , and liable to the like fnarcs and in- 
 firmities. 
 
 5. As thit deed was too much influenced with 
 fear, and other corrupt paffions and affeftions , both 
 in Minifters and People , ( which did vilibly predo- 
 domineatthittime,) fo there was a palpable defer- 
 tiononthefpiritsofall, that rendered all counfclls 
 dark and perplexed , and in all deliberations, inclined 
 to that which was freed from fuff^ring , and pofitive 
 compliance with Prdac/. Altho this doeth not 
 
 diminish 
 
(28.) 
 
 diminish fin, rtor warrant any finful negleft, nor 
 gfve any true ground of excufe for it; yet iccals for 
 charitable conftru:tions from others, where fince- 
 rity is apparent in the maine ; as then ic was to the 
 convi&ion of all ; yea to the refuting of thefe h ird > 
 unchriftian* and bitter cenfures of many , vvhojudg- 
 ed our former profelfions ofZealfor the work of re- 
 formation > in proceeding times , to have flowed 
 from a corrupt byafle to che world and the things of 
 it, difcovered, we grant , in too many , formerly 
 fceming Zealots > by their compliances at that time; 
 from whom theytooke their meafures, in judging of 
 ethers. 
 
 6. It is to be adverted > and ought to be of great 
 weight, in the confideration of this biifines , that 
 Minifters* confulting their congregacions , efpeci* 
 ally the godly and judicious among them, weread- 
 vifedtolye by for fome time* and the truth is, they 
 feemed as unwilling to venture on the hazards of Of- 
 fering, that threatned all , as Minifters. This we 
 know was the reafon > that mod determined not a 
 few, tothatrefolutionandpraftice; and what could 
 Minifters do in this cafe, efpecially, info linden a 
 revolution , anenc which they had the leading exam- 
 pie of others , in other parts of the Hand i 
 
 Notwithftanding of all thefe, and much more, 
 that might be faid for charitable conftruftions of Mi- 
 nifters and Congregationes praftice in this, at that 
 time; yet we judge it the infirmity and fin of Con- 
 gregations and Minifters , that they did not cleave to 
 one another as Paftores and flocks. We doe not plead 
 for Minifters keeping to the acceflbries of the Mi* 
 fliftery, as kirks > ftipends, mantes, glebs, &c. 
 
 which 
 
(i9.) 
 
 which was, by divine precept , their right, but not 
 in their power to hold; but weaflert it was fin, that 
 they continued not in the exercife of the Miniftery^ 
 paftoral over fight of the flocks, keeping up the go- 
 vernment of the Church , we had been in the poflef- 
 fion of; and peoples net adhering to their Mini- 
 fters , in hearing , and receiving of ordinances from 
 thera > and not affording them all due incouragemenc 
 and maintenance; all which was done by Minifters 
 and Churches , in times of forer perfecution then 
 ours. 
 
 If the rigour and feverity , that by this aft , and 
 its full execution , with others that followed there- 
 on, for a confiderable time, (which we forebear 
 to mention) hadceafed, and gone no furder, we 
 would have looked on all, as little, and laboured 
 to have borne the fame > with that patience, meek* 
 nefs and refolution , that becomes Minifters & Chri- 
 ftians, profeffing the nameofChnft Jefus: but the 
 engines and devices , that afterwards w r ere fet on 
 foot* as the High commi/Jion> and feveral unchriftian & 
 illegal pra&ifes ; with the over violent preffingof the 
 people to a conformity in their capacity ; with fuch 
 illegal and inhumane ufages by military force, (which 
 alone without any Rated and formed defigne, gave 
 therife tothat infurreftion , inthe Year 1666. and 
 the blood that followed thereon, to the the fullcon- 
 viftion of our Rulers , who then fearched unto the 
 bottom of that affaire; were ftraines fo high; thac 
 cannot be juftified by the moft extended rules of 
 Chriftian moderation and equity , that Rulers are 
 bound to follow , in the exercife of government : 
 although this heat of violence > was for fome tme , 
 
 a little 
 

 (3°-> 
 
 a little cooled with a shour of blood , and other dan- 
 gerous confequences like to enfue^yet after wards>f uel 
 being by the Vrelats brought and adminiftrac unto it , 
 it againe begins to take fire . and to break forth into 
 ftrangekindeoflaws, made (asicfeems) togivea 
 legal face to its proceedings; which in its former 
 height it wanted 5 the the bounds of which it 
 cannot yet keep, but (according to its geniouO over 
 the hedge it leaps, and gives a ftraine beyond thefe. 
 Ic would be tedious to take an eaa&viewofallthe 
 particular lawes made againft us, by which > the 
 foundation of our paft and prefent fufferings have bin 
 laid , and are like to be continued : therefore we shall 
 only give inftance in a few 9 from which » we may 
 take our meafurs , judging of the reft. 
 
 As, firftt Pari. 2. Carol. 2. S&on 2. AB. $. 
 intituled - an a& againfi conventicles : As this aft con- 
 demns all aflemblies, convocations and meetings of 
 thefubjefts , not cxprefly warranted of his majtftyj 
 ( which will make many meetings and convocations 
 of thefubjefts, now in ufc, illegal and unlawful ) fo 
 by confluence , reflects on the meetings , and aflem; 
 blies, that Chnft Jefus while here, his Apoftles, 
 Miniftersand Chriftiansheld, in the primitive times; 
 who not only keeped their meetings without, but 
 againft the afts and edi&s of the magiftrat , in thefe 
 times: for if ic be laid downe for a foundation in go- 
 vernment 3 that the only right of convocating the 
 fubje&s is proper to the Magiftrat , what ever be the 
 caufes, occafions and ends of them; then the Apoft- 
 les, Minifters, andprofeffburs will be found tranf- 
 greflbrs and enemies to government ; who, although 
 inhibited and difcharged from meeting > yet did not 
 
 for 
 
forbear toafferoble thcmicivs for worship and go- 
 vernment. What a miferable ftrait are we brought 
 to, that the meetings of the Lords people* now 
 called Conventicle s, cannot be condemned, butonthc 
 fame grounds, the affcmblies of the Church in perfei 
 cutmg times, mult be judged dangerous, unlawful & 
 feditious? But this is not the worit; for in this aft not 
 only preaching and expounding of fcripture, by Mi- 
 nifters of Chnft kfus % ( although in a family befidc 
 their own) is judged to make a conventicle and an unla 
 wful meeting;but prayer alfefa common duty ofChri-. 
 flianity, ) is declared to be of thejfame fotce; fo that 
 no nonconforming Mmilier or any other may pray 
 together, on any occalion, or for any caufe whatfo 
 ever , but they shall be reputed keepers of conventi- 
 cles , and liable to the penalties adjudged by this law 
 to fuch. Is prelacy come to this height of oppofi- 
 tion togodlinefs , that it cannot Rand and be fecured, 
 except the worship of God in Chnftian focieties be 
 laideafide, and its exercife difcouraged (to which 
 there needs no fuch incitments in the'e times , the 
 
 } generality of profeflbrs being prone enough of them 1 
 elvs to prove negligent and flack in this matter ) 
 under the odious names of Conventicles , and by fuch 
 penalties againft them ? Are we fuch odious abomi- 
 nable creaturcs,that none muftjoyneinChriftian com- 
 munion with us, inthefe means and duties of wor- 
 ship, that are of common obligation onallChri- 
 ftians ; but it muft be forborne and laid aGde? or if we 
 once open a mouth to and for God , in any fociety; 
 we shall bring ourfelves and others under the hazard 
 offofevere penalties, which, inthepurfuanccofthis 
 law , have been inflicted on fome, tocheaftonish- 
 
(3*0 
 ment of its hearers? But moreover all fach meet- 
 ings, belide the imputation of fedition and other 
 horrid evils ? with which they are branded, arere- 
 prcfented, as the feminaries of feparation and rebel- 
 lion : a charge , if true , that maketh them merito- 
 ous of farheavier punishments > then fome ofthefe 
 decreed againft them : but from whence can this 
 come i Net from the nature of thefe exercifes, con- 
 fideredin themfelves , which are nothing , but the 
 performance of fome neceflary commanded duties of 
 Religion, which all know to be thegreateft means 
 to, and cements of union and obedience, in Church 
 and State: not from the mater that is pre ached and 
 prayed ; our principles for worship , do&rine , & 
 government are known , being extant in our publift 
 confelfions , which are of a contrare tendency. 
 
 If any fay > we preach principles of feparation and 
 rebellion. They , who aflert this, are bound to make 
 it out , of which we have heard nothing as yet , and 
 should have been condefcended on , and given for the 
 ground of this aft , and not the performance of thefe 
 truly religious exercifes, done by perfones authorized 
 and enabled thereto , by the commands of God. We 
 require of all engadged againft us , to do us that piece 
 . of common juftice , they owe to all men , in the like 
 cafe, that they will inftance in the doftrines we pre- 
 ach, and in the mater we pray, wherein our meet- 
 ings are become the feminaries of feparation and re- 
 bellion, if they can: when this is done, we shall 
 cither give afatisfying anfwerto the charge, or els 
 foccumb to this aft. 
 
 It is like, fome place this charge , in ourdifobe* 
 iience :q the law. Then it comes from the law and 
 
 the 
 
(35-) 
 the Law makers, and nac from thefe meetings and 
 rhcperfcns that keep chew ; for antecedent to this 
 law they were not in thernfelves fen'inaries of fepa- 
 ratioh and rebellion , according to thisobje&icn/and 
 if this be the effeftof the law , itnadbcenmi,refafe 
 to have forborne it , whofe work should be , rather 
 to prevent and remove the feeds of rebellion , then 
 thus to lb we them* But this law inics nanativefup- 
 pons thefe meeuVgs to be fuch , antecedent to its 
 enaft ing ; but gives no hint a: any reafon for this hea- 
 vy charge. 
 
 Others again fix the truth of this charge on ouc 
 tneetings, for our withdrawing of the people? from 
 the allowed publift worship , and the perfons autho- 
 rized by law to di/penfe the fame. If the act had 
 only circumftanriated and defenbed fuch meetings, 
 as had this effeft , and not taken in all religious Chri J 
 ftian fellowship in the duties of worship , fomething 
 might have been faid for juftifytng of this aft, in a 
 conformity to thepiincipleofChurch*governmtnt, 
 now iltled bylaw, without a wound to true piety ; 
 but to make all meetings of ChriftianS , vvheiein any 
 part of worship is excrcifed ( without an exprefle 
 licence from the prelat) feminariesof feparationand 
 rebellion, isineffeft to condemneChiift , his A* 
 poftles , MiniftersandCbriftians, who*inoppoG- 
 tion to Heathenifme, Herefy, Profainnefi and 
 .shifme, have, under fevere laws made againft them, 
 aflembled and met together, for communion in the 
 (worship of God ; whofe aflemblies have been ac- 
 counted unlawful Conventicles > and loaded with 
 i many ofthefe evils, that are now charged on ours. 
 Darany > profeQing hirofelf aChnftian, fay, that 
 G ths 
 
(34-) 
 
 the meetings of Chrift , his Apoftles and Mmifters , 
 inhoufes and feilds, (who had the occafionof the 
 Synagogues, the ordin3re allowed places for meet- 
 ing in wo! ship ) were guilty of reparation and rebel- 
 lion, ( although charged with thefe) or didfowitie 
 feeds of theie evils i Although none will affirme this, 
 yet we undertake to make ir out , from the frame of 
 thsaft, as it now ftands. Oh -hat fuch a law should 
 be found in the records of this Nation, which will 
 fpeak ( if ever we returne to ourfclves ) to the shame 
 and di 'grace of thefe times. But, as to our repara- 
 tion horn the authorized puhlift worship , with 
 which s feme with great confidence, brand us , we 
 shall confider it afterwards , and fee whtther they or 
 we be the feparatifts. 
 
 We forbear to fpeak to the penalties ftatute in 
 this aft, againft the contraveeners of it ; which on 
 wany accounts might be made to appear, to be far 
 beyond the demente of the crime, and an imitation 
 of the popish cruelty, who punished the Profeffbrs 
 of the truth* with punishments equal to thofe in- 
 flicted for treafon; in which this aft is not short, 
 that adjudge the keepers of field Conventicles, to 
 death and confifcaticn of goods. 
 
 In the next place, it adds not alittle to our grief, 
 under our prefent lufTerings i that although there be 
 penal la wes againft P^/'/fc, and other hetei odox per- 
 sons, yet no notice is taken of them > nor any execu- 
 tion of the law upon them ; yea in one aft of Pari. 
 Caroli.Z* SeffionZ. j48.7. they are exeemed from 
 the guilt and feverity decreed againft us: which feems 
 ftrangetous, when theirs and our principles , even 
 in matters of civil government, are compared; theirs., 
 
 in 
 
ia theconfeffions ofall ProtejUnts, are found to be 
 incompatible with, and fubverfiveof that obedience 
 and allegeance , that is due from fubjefts to magi— 
 ftrats, iuppofedby them heretical: which was the 
 true caufe of the fevere laws, made againft them, 
 that for fome time , ( fiom the beginning of the re- 
 formation ) were put to fome execution ; but as to 
 any execution now , iiackened and and laid by, as an 
 almanackjout of fate. Are their principles and defigns 
 changed? or their number any fewer i yea is it not 
 • cncreafed , beyond what they have been Gnce the re- 
 fi formation ? But poor we are laid open to the lash of 
 e . the fevere laws, enafted againft us, and all wayes 
 i taken to crush us and our caufe , who owne no other 
 principles, butthefe, that are either implicitly or 
 I explicitly aflerted , by all Proteftants , which are 
 l known to the world , to be corroborative of govern- 
 r ' ment, and fuch as make way for all juft obedience 
 ! from the Subjeft to the fame. 
 j To make way for the full and fare execution of this 
 • law, there is another ena&edParL Carcli.l. Seljion. 
 2. Aft. 2. Intituled an aB again ft tbofe 9 wborefufeto 
 j depone againft delinquents; which is particularly de- 
 j figned , for comeing at full information, againft Con- 
 j venticles and Conventicle keepers ; as is expreiTed in the 
 i body of that aft \ but fo conceived and framed, as 
 > it aufwers to that oaih de fuper inqnirendis , ufed by 
 the Papifts in their inquifidon ; (condemned by all 
 Protefiant Divines, ^for its oppofition to juftice, 
 mercy and equity) for fir ft > no fort of perfons are 
 exeemed , the Father againft the fon, the husband 
 againft the wife , &c. were the relations never fo 
 near, no exception of them is made ia this a&» 
 
 C z which 
 
which ufe to be admitted in all other crimes ; except 
 that of trsafon. Next by this aft , the deponent 
 ( whoever he be ; is oblidged to anfwer all interro-; 
 gations and quefcions propofed to him, although 
 be hath had no previous conGderation of them, which 
 In all other crimes ufed formerly to be allowed ; that 
 jo the deponent might anfwer from mature and fare 
 knowledge , which here is not granted. What a 
 foundation is hereby laid for the moleftation of the 
 ■fuhjeft? Shall wei>ejthat unmerciful and unjuft to all 
 2nen> yea to our neareft and deareft relations, as to 
 areveal that of them, which, ifkeeptfecret, brings 
 no prejudice to Church or State: And if revealed l 
 will ruine them , in this prefent world ; and that for 
 a mater , that antecedent to the law , is no tranf. 
 greflion before God; but the doing of a neceflare 
 duty? An invention ( we muft fay ) framed againll 
 the good and confeiencious" , who cannot efcapeby 
 this law ; and for the encouraging of the bad to the 
 perfecting of fuch > who throw the power of their 
 Jufts, are at liberty tofay. and do, what they lift* 
 Are thefe the fruits of Prelacy , that moft endeared it 
 to us? Whither are we gone. t Shall we thus fight 
 againft heaven , to reach a poor handful of perfons, 
 that are able to do nothing > b ut to look up to God , 
 arid figh to him , for thefe evils, that, no doubt , are 
 procureing and bringing difmal and fad dayes on 
 this land f Wc forebear to anatomiz thefe and other 
 afts of the like nature , and to give judgment to every 
 claufe and part of the fame; but leave them to the 
 impartial confideration of all concerned, to whom 
 the offefts thereof may afterwards fpeak more , then 
 -we love to utter , ac this time* Only , in all humi- 
 lity, 
 
(37-) 
 
 ; lity, we offer two things, to be obferved ( which 
 , aretheobfervationsof not a few ) that thtie and o- 
 ther afts do pave the way to all lore of cruel perfectly 
 , tion, ifafurderdedenfion in religion shall happen 
 ] tofoUow ; ( which webegtheLordinh'S rich mercy 
 t to this nacion would prevent. ) Rulers are fubjeft to 
 : erre , in the matters of God , as well as others ^ (as 
 I the inftances of all ages leave beyond debatj) audit 
 ; others shall arife after us, that incline topoptry, oc 
 1 any other falfe Religion, aie there not lawca made to 
 1 their hands by us , tnac will facihcat their woi k , and 
 piakeitmofteafy? What have they more to do, buc 
 ' to refcind fomc,very few in rega-rd o£ thefc that once 
 were 5 and to execute thofe they ffnde in f orce and ont 
 record, for the perfecutmg of all opponents- to the 
 height of crulty. Next tbere needs no act of Parlia- 
 ment to this change, and introduction of another 
 Religion: anaft from the King , recoided in the 
 Councelbookes? and fufticiently published (which 
 is declared to be of fufficient force and obligation a- 
 bout thismater) is enabled by law to foall. An aft 
 without a precedent in this nation , when considered 
 in its full latitude and extent. 
 
 From what is fa,d anent thefe a<5ts, any may gather 
 the true reafons of our refufeing the Bond ( lately 
 framed by theCounceOrhat takes us engaged agaioit 
 ! ConventicIes> fas they are called ) 3ud was enforced 
 by violence on us* Not pretending to much know- 
 ledge in the lawes, we have alwayes under/Rood, 
 bonds to be voluntare , and firft to proceed from per- 
 fons found guilty, and fentenced by the judge, con- 
 forme to the law; which the clemency of the Ma- 
 giftrat doeth often fufpend or re^it) upon the guilcys 
 
 C 3 offered 
 
'(38.) 
 
 offered and voluntarcengagment for better behavi- 
 our, in times comeing , and never required of nor 
 impofed on perfons*not proven nor found guilty* The 
 truth is, if thisviolentingimpofition of bonds, be 
 thus allowed and praftifed, what ground will there 
 be thereby laid down* forthetroableandmolaita-, 
 tionof thefubjefts? And who can promife to him- 
 felf fecurity from the opprefficn of others , that, out 
 of malice or covetous defignes, may, on any pre- 
 tence, give information againft others, altho ne- 
 ver fb qmet and peaceable ?■ 
 
 Sect. III. 
 
 The Minijlers preaching and peoples hearing vMU 
 cated: andjoure Objections an fwered, 
 
 HAving thus far opened our hearts , and touched 
 at fome things, that are truly greiyous to us; 
 not fo much for what we have fuffered , as for the 
 fearofwhatisliketobetheconfequences of the en- 
 gines , framed and fee on foot, for perpetuating ours 
 and the Churches oppreilions, in this and the fol- 
 lowing generations: we shall in the next place give 
 an accompt of our praftife , in preaching and hearing 
 oftheGofpel, difpenfing and receiving of ordinan- 
 ces, at. and from the hands of the ejefted Minifters; 
 dienewcaufeofthefe heavy aft s, fentences and pu- 
 nishments inflifted on us, for the fame; ingoing of 
 which we shall , firft , in all finglnefs of heart,) bring 
 forth the true grounds and reafons 9 binding our con- 
 fidences, to thefe praftifes f and then shall take off 
 theexceptionsthK aremoft ufed aqainft us. 
 
 Our 
 
- (39) 
 
 Our praftife, in this mater, we build on fuch foun- 
 )r .datioa>, chac all Chdflians, cfpecially Protelbnts f 
 lc ,by vertue of their pro fefled fubjeftion to Chrift Je- 
 JjfbSi ( our only King and Law giver in chehoufeof our 
 ec God ) are bound toowne*nd adhere to> and from 
 
 'which chey cannot recede, without contradicting of 
 
 the faid profeifion , and doing manifeft violence to 
 
 ' the' law and word of Chrift > the holy Scriptures, our 
 
 only Itatute and law book) in all matters of doftrine* 
 
 Worship and government. If on bringing our 
 
 cafe to them , it shall be found, that our condemned 
 
 practice in thefe ftandsjufiifiedi, wehope with much 
 
 afTurance, we shall be acquired in the fight of God > 
 
 and in the confeiences of ali that have any feeling and 
 
 fenfe Of true Religion; thecenfures and talkingsof 
 
 others aga nft us ( which do not alittleaffl ft us, for 
 
 the fad confequences thereof to themfelves) shall 
 
 I not much move us. 
 
 Therefore firft, the Miniftery of theGofpel be- 
 I ing ) by pofitive inftitution and appointment from 
 ' Chrift Jefus, as Head and King of his Church; and 
 ] theperlons qualified for , and called thereto , in his 
 | own way, without dependance on the Powers of the 
 earth, being thereby conftitute his Ambaffadors and 
 ! meflengers , and in fpecial delegation fent from him 
 I as fuch, to preach theGofpel, to treat with finners 
 for reconciliation , and obedience ; they by vertue of 
 this inftitution, and their fpecial delegation or million 
 from him , are bound to exercife the Miniftery 5c 
 office, they are inverted with, till it be taken from 
 them in the way , by which he coveyed and confer- 
 red the fame upon them. Ifthis bea truth (as no 
 Chriftian that doth acknowledge thi divine autho- 
 C 4 , rity 
 
ricyofthcholy Scriptures, jnd fubjefte themfelves 
 to us light an 1 direction, will get refufed ) will it not 
 follow thac Miniftefrs . in i h^ir roimfterial capacity , 
 are rirft 3nd immediatly fubjett co Chrift , and not to 
 men , in their miniftrations of the Gofpel i for they 
 as h s Ambaitadours , having and denveing all their 
 power from htm, areoblidgedonhigheft paines, be 
 reafon of their fpecial relation to him , and their co- 
 million from him , ( which concames all their in- 
 flraftions ) to do the work of che Miniflery , & can- 
 not be fuperfeded therein by any, far lefs by them , 
 that acknowledge Chrifts authority, in and over the 
 Church, to be lupeiiorto, and above all other au- 
 thorities whatfoever. If they hid their power and 
 million from men » well might they fubrait to thefe, 
 in taking ic from them ; but it not being fo , they 
 cannot think themfelves difcharged of their office, 
 bur in the way. by which He conferred the fame upon 
 them. Bdeeve us> in this lyech a great part of our 
 difficulty : we are fure s Msoifters areChnftsmeflen. 
 gers , lent by nun , whom they are bound to fei ve , 
 h preaching or the Gofpel and difpenfmg of ordinan - 
 ces, foi thefalvation of Tinners, from whirh oblu 
 gation none can looie them, but Chrift Jefus, their 
 only matter and head in this work, (2.; It does alfo 
 natively flow from che former truth j that all , efpe- 
 cially thofe in and of che Church , are, byvertueof 
 Chrifts fupereminent , fupream , and abfolute au- 
 thority , and their profefcd fubjeftion to him , in. 
 difpenfibly bound to fubjeft to the rrjinifiterial autho- 
 rity and its exereife, in the perfons of thofe whom 
 he lends , and thac on the account of their minifterial 
 power & nice, which is trutly Chrifts and not theirs; 
 
 thsy 
 
(4*-) 
 
 they afting according to the lnliru&ions contained i* 
 
 their comrniilion; tor they arc Chriiis iervantv . ferv- 
 ing him by fpecul delegation in the Go' pel , to 
 which they are impowered* coram iffioi&ted, and in- 
 
 itru^ed by h m \ they bear h.s name, ftaadinhis 
 f\zad> aodfeprelenthbncobts peoples asmsAm- 
 
 balfidours , being fent by him to all fiiineis, tor at* 
 taking and carrying on the great ends of the Gofpel t 
 their converfion, ediacition a' d eternal ialvac.ort 
 And, feing it is io, Wv muft tiiftrenunce Chnits 
 authority and domiuon, over iris Church* before we 
 can refufe and reject tnac power and authority of the 
 Ministers of the Gofpd> who are thus (eat by him to 
 us: the truth is > the not receiving of thera , is a 
 reje&ingofnim $ a matter that should betenderly Sc 
 feriouflyhid tohearrbvall > fork d^a-vs exceeding 
 deep,uponall forts of iinners high and low; fo that 
 they not depending on any other infe; ;our authority 
 and power (except that by which they were fenc ) 
 their obligation to the work of the Gofpel cannot 
 beannulled by men. Lecus fay it , in this wecon- 
 tend not meerly for the minifterul authority , ( chac 
 for the fountame and ends thereof should 1*2 dear to 
 us ) but for the prerogative of Jefus Chill , whofe 
 right it is , as King of his Church , to coaftuute Sc 
 fend Ambafifadours in his own name-, if there be any 
 thing, that is the proper right of Soverai^nity , this 
 is one , which is the native confequent of it, without 
 which it cannot be: shall we aliow this id point of 
 rightto earthly Sovereigns, and deny it to Chrift , 
 the only Head and High priett of our ho'y profef- 
 fion? 
 Secondly 9 Moreover, Minifters in this relation 
 G 5 they 
 
(4*J 
 
 they Hand under to Chntt Jeius , have the Gofpel & 
 its ordinances committed & intrufted ro them , to be 
 difpenfedinhisnamcfor the converfion and edifi- 
 cation of finners; for which they are called, the 
 fletvards of the myfteries of God , I Cor. 4: 1 ♦ this is 
 a talent they have received from their great Lord and 
 roafter , of which theytBuiishortly give an account; 
 and which , while they have it, they are commanded 
 in all higheft paines to ufe , for the gaining of finners 
 to him , in the ways he direfts them to in his word. 
 Now let all judge , what a Itrait Minifter* arecaft 
 into* in thefe times : If they forbear on the inhibi- 
 tions of men, to difpenfe the Gofpel and its ordi. 
 nances to finners , thus committed to them , they 
 prove unfaithful to their matter, betray their trutt, 
 andincurrehis heavy difpleafure and wrath: If they 
 anfwer their truft and aime at faithfulnefs therein , in 
 preaching of the Gofpel, and labouring in the work 
 thereof, to gaine finners , they provock men and 
 expofethemfelvestoallfortsoffuffering. Butth.y, 
 knowing the love and terror of the Lord, have on 
 mature confideration of this mater , chofen andpur- 
 pofed, in their matter's ftrength , to venture on the 
 wrath of men ; feingthey cannot, in tbisjunfture, 
 both pleafe their Matter & them; refol veing to prefer 
 the neceffity of fufFering , to that of finne,the much 
 commended and cryed-upchoife of Mofes, in the like 
 cafe, propofed to all in the word for their imitation. 
 Thirdly , Befides this truft of the Gofpel , there 
 is like wife the heavy truft of im mortal foulsfto whom 
 they are fent) committed to them , of whom they 
 are to give an account , and for whofe blood they 
 iimftanfwsr* when they refigne and give up their 
 
 Reward- 
 
ftewardsjiip, and lay down their office and truftat 
 his feet, from whom they received it. Do any 
 think, the threats ana inhibitions of men , willdif- 
 charge them of this truft ac their matter's hand ? If 
 
 I they think fo , they shall do well to produce fomc 
 thing from him, that will fignify fo much to them, 
 
 1 (without which they cannot judge thernfelvcs ex- 
 eemed from the caicand overfight of fouls- whofc 
 blood will cry aloud in the ears of their mailer, if 
 
 [ they do not their part, in what he hath commanded 
 them, for faveing of fucli. We have heard of no- 
 thing yet from oui Rulers to fatrsfy our confidences in 
 this mater > but peremptory lawes andafts, com- 
 manding them to obey the fame , under great penal- 
 ties : J f we were allured upon clear rational grounds s 
 that their voice and commands were the voice and 
 commands of Chrift Jefus , releeviRgus of this prek 
 fmg burden of immortal fouls , oncelaidonus^Jhovv 
 quickly and cheerfully should we obey their prefenc 
 laws: but nothing can we learne from them or any 
 other, toafcertaneusofthis. Let any, that hath any 
 true feeling of thenatur^l ftare of fouls, judge, what 
 
 ! acruelty it mull be inus> to behold fouls perishing 
 throw ignorance, wickedneffe, hypocrify & a Spirit 
 of delulion,in all parts of the Land, while we have the 
 
 , difpenfation of the Gofpel committed to us, the mean 
 
 ! that Chrilt hath appointed in his houfe , and ufeth to 
 blefs with power to thefalvation offinners? Will 
 notour negleft, in Qighting of this, make us guilty of 
 their blood , and acceflbry to their eternal perdi- 
 tion ? Weare affiiredofthis from the word of God- 
 While we reflet and think on this , we dar not , for 
 for of men and the fufferings that threaten us'from 
 
 thettb 
 
them, nand by and look on , butlabour, aswecan, 
 in our mimfterial capacity , to prevent the mine , we 
 feecomingonimmortaliou!es,comeofus what will. 
 If it be granted to us, that our obligation to obey 
 God, in all he hath commanded us in hs word, is 
 antecedent and fuperiour to the tyes on us for obedi- 
 ence to men ; and that the commands of tr.en should 
 and ought to give place to the commands of God, 
 ( as we expect will not be denied by any, that inter- 
 table the true notion of a God head, m«ichleiTeby 
 them that profeiTe fubjsftion to the holyScriptures,as 
 the oniy rule pf faith and obedience) then our practice 
 cannotbe condemned , but muitbe juftmed, which 
 is but a neceffare conitqaence at this truth, fo univer- 
 sally received and rfbfed with by all men 5 (except 
 thofewho have deb. uehed their conferences, throw 
 the predominant love ot temporal thiogs, toafla- 
 vish fubje&ion to the lufts and finful commands of 
 ethers) for are not Minifters commanded to preach 
 theGofpel,and the people ro hear it, toaffembieand 
 gather themfelves together for that end? How many 
 are the commands and precepts of God to us in his 
 word, about this mater? In a thing fo clear and 
 evident through the Scriptures, it is attonishing to us 
 to think, that men profeiling themfelves Chnftians 
 dare iflue out commands, fo directly oppofice to the 
 commands of God , and the obligation on Minifters 
 and Chnftians to obey Him, before all others* We 
 grant , when there is another duty on foot and called 
 to » hie & nunc* theMagiftrat may, yea ought to 
 Supercede the praft ice of that> that would hinder the 
 duty, neceffare andcalled 10, for the time (to which 
 in the circumftaniiac cafe there is an obligation and 
 
 ' " call 
 
(450 
 
 call antecedent to 'he MagiUrats command/) buttd 
 lay on, and fix a Raced ceflkion from the praftice 
 of commanded duties, onthofe, that are under an 
 obligation offeivirg Cod, in the mater> forbidden 
 by men , is beyond the power of any ; to do fo , is 
 to frame and ftjcea war with God, and to fix our* 
 felvesinoppoficion to him. Arc not Miniftersand 
 Profeflbrs then in apuflingftrait', who muft either 
 dilobey God, or men? To them that ask us, why 
 do we preach and hear, to the offend;ng ofourRu- 
 lers,and the caufeing of fo much trouble to theCoun- 
 trey? Oiiranfweris, God in his word hath com- 
 manded us fo to do; they that fuftean the relevancy of 
 this reafon , but yet deny theconfequence, are ob, 
 lidged to give us fomechin^ , ; that takes off our ob- 
 ligation of obedjence to God? in thefe things, in 
 our cafe; ( fure we are they are commanded) but 
 nothing can we meet withjrom the Scriptures of 
 truth, to anfwer our arguments , and fatisfy our 
 consciences , but the cry of hazard from fbme> and 
 sharps feveriry from others. 
 
 Fifth, Wc hold according to the Scripture, that 
 as the Ma^iftrat cannot, jure Magi ftratico* exautorac 
 
 ; the MiniftersofrheGofpel , or take their power and 
 office from them ; fo he hach no power to untye the 
 obligation on Minifters, and Profefibrs, forobedi- 
 
 i ence to God , in theleaft of his commands. It is a 
 principle in politicks, held by all, that no inferiour 
 power can difannulapower, or hinder itsexercife> 
 thatisimmediatiy derived from, and dependant on 
 a power fuperiour , except they show a warrant from 
 the fame: but in this matter it is fo: we know all will 
 grant , that Gods fupream authority and dominion 
 
 ft 
 
(4«0 
 
 is fuperiour to and above all authorities and powers • 
 feing they derive the fame from and hold them of 
 him * who is truly Lord of Lords , and KJng of Kjngs. 
 And feing the Minilterial power, as to its being 
 and exercife, in the Church, is immediatly from 
 God , throw his Son Chnft Jefus , by pofitive in- 
 ftitution and appointment in his word \ no other po- 
 wer can exautorat thefe, that are cloathed with it, 
 but they muft shew a warrant for it from God in the 
 Scriptures j there being no other way , by which 
 God makes known his will to the fonsof rncn$ if 
 there be, let it be shown, and this will end the de- 
 bait, and bring us to a quiet and cheirful fubjeftion 
 totheprefentlaws , about the maters controverted, 
 Wemeet with confident aflertions , butnoproofs, 
 without which, we cannot look on our felves, as 
 loofed from the obligations lying onus> toufeand 
 exercife the Minifterial power, by vertue ofthein- 
 ftitutions and commands of God > given anent it in 
 the word , We know the JViiniftery was inftitutc 
 without a dependance on the Magiftrat, and exercif- 
 ed in the Church , not only without, butagainfthis 
 will and command ; and God was obeyed , while the 
 jMagiftrat did countermand & oppofehimfdithere- 
 to , to his outmoft ; which fayes , that Minifiers 
 andprofeflbrs did not thendrearae ofadependan.ee 
 on, andfubjeftion to the Magiftrat , in the Maters 
 of God: The truthis, to give the Magiftrata po- 
 wer to diflblve powers inftitute by God , and to fw- 
 perccdeour obedience to him > in the things he hath 
 commanded, is to make him equal with, if not to 
 exalt him above the Almighty God; the only A bfo- 
 lute andUniverfal Soveraigne of allGreatures in hea- 
 ven 
 
(47.) 
 
 yen and inearth. Is not this to fubfiitutetheMagi- 
 
 il ftrac , and to put him m the place of the Pope, that 
 
 i jinti-chrijl , the man of fin., who in nothing fo 
 
 gl'inuchi as in this, now under debar, exalted him- 
 
 ajfelf aboveall that is called God > oris worshiped, 
 
 i. ,as is prophecied of him , z Tbejj: 2.4? Theconfc- 
 
 quenceofthis ufurped power, now given to, and af- 
 
 ( fumed by the Magifirat,in &over thehoufeof God, 
 
 is fuch, that we tremble to think on that , which 
 
 i 1 will (if things continue \n this prelenccourfe ) be 
 
 f theiflueofit. Aswefinde,in the accomplishment, 
 
 that Luther did prophecy , in faying that there should 
 
 i 1 an e a Chilpope in iheChunh, who should extend 
 
 , his power over the fame, as far as ever the Ece/*/?*/}/- 
 
 , cal Pope had done ; So we fear > rhat the troubles, 
 
 s ; tryals aud perfecutions of the Church, shall corae 
 
 1 i near to that hitghr , they were at , under the Pope 
 
 ... oxfyme. This ftrange inhantingof things , divine 
 
 1 and humane , (peaks iome thug to fall out, that will 
 
 : { make the prefent ar d lucceedmg generations to trem- 
 
 Ji bie* for God will not alwayesbe mocked , norfufFer 
 
 I his Glory to be taken from Kim. 
 
 J Sixtly , When we confider the finful and evil 
 
 : confequences 5 that would of themfelves follow upon 
 
 ; ; our obedience to the Magiftrat , in the mater now 
 
 nj controverted 5 we darnot, for all that is dear to us 
 
 in this world , comply with what is required of vs', 
 
 nor dtfift frorn'fervmg of God in theGofpelofhis 
 
 Son ; for ( 1. ) If the former reafons , for our 
 
 non-obedience , do hold and prove concludent, 
 
 would not our obedience to what is enjoynedus, 
 
 confirme the unjuft uiurpations? maf?e en the Church, 
 
 and wreath the yoke of bondage about her neck $ to 
 
 the 
 
(48.) 
 
 theenflaveingofthe conferences ofall , andtbelofle 
 
 ofherjuKrighrsandpiiviledgcS; purchafedfor, and 
 granted to her, by JefusChnf* f As our comply- 
 ance would have made us acceiforie to the Magiftrats 
 fin j and brought us under the guilt ofall thelin 2nd 
 wickedncffe, that hath cnfued on the fame; (owe 
 should not only have been cruel to the Church or. 
 God, and the fouls ofprofefibrs therein, but we 
 should have brought the r'uine of the Church on 
 our own heads $ fornot only he that is active in and 
 concurrcs with the caufesof evils , is acceflbrie to 
 all th /bad and evu confequences of them \ butalfo 
 he that labours not in his capacitic and Ration to hin- 
 der them , when it is in his power to do : having 
 therefore nothing left us and within our reach, to 
 with Hand thefe ufurpations and corruptions, under 
 which the Church now groans , and by which she is 
 inhazardrobedeftroyed, but theGofpelofChrift, 
 that we find yet commited to us; we dar nor give 
 over preaching and hearing of the fame , which the 
 Church in all ages hath found to be the power of 
 Cod to her prefervation , and recovery in evil 
 tiroes, (a, ) While we think on the following ages , 
 and the obligations that areonus* fortranfmiting 
 theGofpel to thrtu, in its purity and power , (as 
 our worthy predeceflburs did before us ) 8c whit are 
 the .means and wayes > prefcnbed to us in the word , 
 for effe&ing of this great good ; and with what fuc- 
 ceffe thefe have been efiayed, in the former gene- 
 rations of the Church , to the benefice of fucceeding 
 times; we findc ourfelf ftraidy tyed, both agamlt 
 poGtive complyance with what is required of us , 
 and the omiffion of that, which God hath com- H 
 
 roand,ed/ 
 
M9-) 
 
 manded, and put within cur power, for refilling of 
 thefe evils; which ifyeeldedto and not wirhftood, 
 would bring our children? 2nd theirs after them, into 
 the darknefs of ignorance, Idolatrie, fuperftitionand 
 prophannefsjfrom which God in a great meafure deli- 
 vered us. We dar have no hand in the blood of our 
 children, or thofe, that are comeirg after us; which 
 we know, the neglect of rhefe means, chat are ap- 
 pointed for propagating theGofpel , would bring 
 upon us > and make us accefforie to. Jc is not un- 
 known, what advance and progreffe thefe times have 
 made in the forefaid evils, fince Prelacy reentered 
 amongft us j and what furder length they would 
 have gone,i f it had not been for the obRruft ion, they 
 have met with, fiorn the Goipef preached > by 2 
 perfecutcdand defpifed hand full i in whom the' fob* 
 lishnes of preaching hath been the wisdom and 
 the power of God , tothefalvationof this Church. 
 ( },) Although the folemne tyes, and obligations 
 of the Covenants , under which thefe nations once 
 came.be decryed, and all endeavowsufed , that are 
 within the reach of thefe L3rtds , todifannul, dif- 
 grace, and make them void j yet finding > en the 
 exafteftfearch we have made, that they remaine in 
 force on us, and this Church > either to the duties 
 contained in them* or els to the Judgments and 
 pbgues denunced in the Word of God againft Cove-n 
 nant breakers;we cannot toary thingthat will biing 
 us under fo hainous and land- deftroying Ons > 
 as Covenant breaking andperjurie; which we can- 
 not evite? ifeither we comply with the corruptions* 
 ejected by thefe Covenants out of this Church ; or 
 do not j in our ftatiens and capacities > according to 
 
 D our 
 
(5o.) 
 
 our power aftively withftandand oppofe the fame; 
 and labour not for the preservation and advancement 
 of the doftrine* worship and government of this 
 Church , as it was at our taking on of theCe obliga- 
 tions; which binde us not only to Negatives, or 
 non- comply .snees with the eje&ed conuptions ; 
 but to endeavour the prefervation of thefe concerns,ia 
 our capacities , according to our power. Albeit this 
 feem light to others, yet it is not fotous^ for till 
 the mater of thefe Covenants be difproved, from 
 the Word of God > and made to appear to be un- 
 righteous, antecedent to the Lawes of men , ( which 
 none hath yet done) we muft judgeour felves bound 
 by them to the observation of all they containe , in 
 thisprefcnt cafe of the Church. We may not, fo 
 far as our knowledge leads us , have any hand in fur- 
 dering, and advanceing oftheejefted corruptions , 
 whether in doftrine, worship or government ; but 
 inuft of nece/litie, fer ourfelves, in our Rations againft, 
 them $ left we be partakers of other mens fins , and 
 conkquently of the plagues, that God hath threatned 
 in his word againii them. 
 
 We shall confider next, fome of thefe *#c^j/o»x, 
 moft commonly ufea againft us, with which we 
 are publickly and priyately branded, andftigroatized , 
 for rendt.nng us odious and hateful to all. Excep- 
 tion, i. That we refuit to give thar obedience to 
 the Magi ftrat , hislawes, and commands, !hatun- 
 der the paine; ofdamnmon , is enjoyned toallfub- 
 jefts, intheWoid of God? Anfwcr. Becaufe this 
 is the confiant cry o four oppoiers , and given for the 
 ground of thefe reproaches of difioyaky > rebellion 
 & fedition, fo unjuftly call upon us jwe therefore matt 
 
 earneftly 
 
(gxJ 
 
 carnefllybegofall, they'l weigh irripartiallythe fol- 
 low ing <Anjwers> in the balances of truth and Juftice. 
 Firft, As wechearfullie grant Magistracy to be 
 the Ordinance of God, and by divine inftitution, to 
 be immediatly derived from him; by vertue of which, 
 all , efpecially Chnftians, are bound to fubjett them- 
 felvs to thofecloathed therewith, and to obey them 
 in all their lawful and juft commands;fo we complean 
 of no little injuftice done to us , by our adverfaries , 
 who for cur non * obedience to the prefent lawes 
 about prelacy , do charge us , with being enemies 
 toMagiftracy, and difloyal to them, that are now 
 invefted therewith j concraretoour known doctrine 
 anenc this mater , prefented to the world , in our 
 public ConfefMons of faith , yet extant amongft us , 
 ^ndourconftantpraftifc conforme thereto. Iffim- 
 ple non-obedience > in fome particulars, that greive 
 the confeknee, be a fufficient ground for this charge, 
 willnot theConfeflbrs and Martyrs , in all ages of 
 the Church, be held guilty ofdifloyaltieandfedition, 
 who, for not obeying of Magiltrats, in their Gnful 
 commands , have fuffered greivous and hard things? 
 .None can on this ground condemne us, but they will 
 be found to juftify the perfecutors of the Saints , and 
 to condemne them $ if our reafons , for non - obe- 
 dience in our cafe , were taken from the unlawful- 
 nefs of authority, and our Rulers clame thereto , the 
 charge were moft juft ; but fetng they are brought 
 from the finfulnefs of the^mater commanded > while 
 we acknowledge the authorise , and grant obe- 
 dience thereto in all other things, how malicious and 
 unjuft is the charge?Reproaches & lyes will b: found 
 another day a weak covering and an unfafe refuse. 
 D 2 Secondly, 
 
Secondly » We fuppofe it writ not be denyed to us," 
 that the power of Magiftrats is nor (imply abfolure , 
 butfeveral ways bounded and limited ; as, (ij By 
 its own nature , which is properly civil and p<»litck* 
 (2.) By its cbje&s, Truth and Righteoufnefs , to 
 whichitisaftrifted, and beyond which* in itsexer- 
 cife, it cannot > jure* go. ($) By the absolute 
 and univerfal authority of God and his laws, fronti 
 which it and other powers are derived , and to 
 vvhich they arefubordinat. All thefelimitesare fee 
 to Magiftracy , which it may not tranfgrefs ; and 
 beyond which 9 obedience is not due to thefe, true 
 are inflated in it. By ihcfirjl it is diftinguished lpe- 
 critically tr om other powers, as immediatly fountain- 
 cd in, and defcended from God, as it; as the power 
 of Parents, of Husbands, Mmiftersof Chrift , &c* 
 fomeof which did exift and had being, before Ma- 
 giftracy W3S jn the world . We a(Tert that thefe 
 powers , being fpvcifically different from Magiftra- 
 cy, and as irnmediatly derived from God, the Ma. 
 ftrac cannot, jure, difannul them, hinder their ex- 
 crcife, nor diflblve the obligations on thofevefted 
 therewith , to thole duties to whxh they are antece- 
 dently bound. It is true, the magiltrat hath a power 
 about thefe powers i but it is only cumulative , and 
 not privative of the fame: he u to fee, thatalldo 
 their dunes in their feveral relations & capacities, and 
 that Truth, Righteoufnefs, 2nd Peace be kecped , 
 and flourish amonfl them. By the [tcond the roa- 
 gtftratisboundup, andtyedto, truth and lighreouf- 
 nefs i and hath no power to go beyond , far lefle to 
 docontraretothem • they being the eifential objefts 
 and ends of naagiftracy , for the prefer vation and ad- 
 
 vanc- 
 
(i0 n 
 
 vancement of which, it v\as firft inftirute & brought 
 into trie woild. By the third the magiftrat is fo lut>- 
 jt&edtoGodand iubordmaccd to him, fas all other 
 powers are) rhit not only the right ot precedency, 
 in the mater of authority aid obedience thereto, is 
 Gods, andnotthe rnagdtratsj but the roagiltratis 
 that much fubje&ed to his law» as that h;.* hath no 
 jus, or power, to command any thing to the contrare/ 
 h.s commands h re are nullities, as a non babeme Potc* 
 jlatem: (oihar non- obedience in this cale isnotdif- 
 obediencctohim; but obedience to God; for asGod 
 hat h not given power to any of his creatures againft 
 himfeif ; fo in the Collation of the mag.ftratical 
 powerandaurhonty, thereis an obligation convey- 
 ed with it on (he perfons called thereto* to improve 
 and life the lame for him > and the furtherance of 
 obedience from others to his laws \ for thern?gi- 
 ftrats power being of God, makes him the Mini* 
 fter of God , for tne good and not the hurt of othefs. 
 Hence it is evident and beyond difput, with all fobec 
 minded men, that the commands of the magiftrat, 
 do not binde any fubjeft , where God commands the 
 contrare. Court paraiites and flatterers may extend 
 this power of the magiftrat, beyond thefe, who 
 through the love of their worldly intertfts and Lfts > 
 (when favoured and advanced by Rulers) more then 
 from any true refpeft to their juft authority and pre- 
 rogatives y keep no bounds in their aflertions about 
 th^ma^iftrats power; but the true markes , and 
 Land marks are fet by God himfeif, and will not be 
 removed , but to the prejudice and mine of thefe thac 
 labour to overturne them. If we make it not out* 
 (as hath been hinted above) that 3 thit which is 
 
 D £ com* 
 
(54 J 
 
 commanded is finful, andcontrareto the commands 
 of the muti high God, let us be ufed with all feverity; 
 butnoeareis granted to us, allaccefTedenyed,and 
 every doorshuc up. 
 
 Exception 2. But our adverfaries not finding 
 fufficicnt ground, for the former charge , take them 
 to the anions, done in the times of our late troubles 
 3nd confufions , charging all that was then cone up*. 
 on our party and their principles. tAnf. We are 
 confident chac,v\hen the carriage& aflions of the true 
 Presbyterian party, in relation to the Magiftrat, shall 
 be fearched after , and known; they will be afuf- 
 ficientconfutation of thefe malicious Calumnies caft 
 upon us , . from this head : we know t for justifying 
 of this charge, all the enormous aftious of former 
 times are fathered on our party, and their princi- 
 ples, but contrare to all juftice ; for wearefure* 
 it the actions of the late preceeding times were 
 duely differenced, and diftinguished into their feveral 
 kindes, & drawn uptotheirtruefountaines & heads, 
 that thefe of them , that arc not juftifiable, shall be 
 found to reft on perfons and parties of de&gnes , in- 
 clinations, and principles different from ours, who 
 for worldly refpeftsand defignes, betook thsmfelves 
 to, and sheltered under the wings of the Presbyte- 
 an party , while in power and fuccesful (asitufech 
 alwayestobemfuch cafes: ) of thefe there were dif- 
 ferent yea Contrare forts 5 triit winding into the favour 
 of leading perfons in thofe times, didclimbup to ' 
 that height of reputation and power, as to influence 
 their counfels and aft'ions, to the committingof fe- 
 veral enormities , that we dar not , yea will not jufti- 
 fy; but after- alceracidns gave fufficienc difcoveries 
 
 of 
 
(55>) 
 
 ofthcm, who ? rot em -tyke, chang-ng into every 
 forme, flroke in with the party, that d:d for the 
 time predomine:let proceeding aftions then be diftin- 
 guished into thoie, that we judge right and refolvc to 
 Rand to , as the native effects and produft of our 
 defigns and principles ( how much foever now mif- 
 reprefented* ) and thefc that were influenced and 
 brought forth , by the predominency of pcrfons and 
 parties of different defigns and principles, in our 
 counfels; and alfo becwixc thole , that were the 
 aftions of particular perfons, and not of the party; 
 as likwife betwixt thofe ufual infirmities > that men 
 in this Gnful Hate are incident to , in the beft of acti- 
 ons, and thofe grofle and wicked aberrations from 
 the paths of Righteoufnefs , that are but feldorac in > 
 cident to men of honeft intentions , and well in- 
 formed confeiences : we fay, dousthejuftice, thus 
 to difference former aftings , while Presbytery was 
 in the rife 3 prevailing and profperousagainft itsad- 
 verfaries, and we will quickly wipe off ^he dirt caft 
 upon us by perfons , that keep no bounds of charity 
 andjuttice, in their cenfures of the late times: let 
 Hiftories be confulted ( partial as they are ) and it 
 will quickly appear ? what were the true genuine de- 
 fignes, and aftions of our party then , and whatnot; 
 but thus to charge the whole partyi their principles , 
 ; hand over head , with all the enormities of thefe 
 times, lookes rather like a Spirit of bitter malice, 
 thenofmeeknefs, fpbriety» and judicious love, that 
 fpeaksno evil , without clear rational grounds, the 
 great ornament of the Profeflbrs of Chnftianity. Is 
 it not known, and beyond all difput evident, what 
 the Presbyterians did in oppofeing the change of go- 
 
 D 4 vern- 
 
vcrnmenti and all the lad praftifes committed 
 before anl after , in relation coic: foasthetbenpre. 
 vailing party co-itided more , in the preUtick and 
 cavilier paccy, theninths Presbyterian, (lading them 
 more trnely averfe from? and concrare to their de- 
 fignes and ways, then :h: other? Butfomealledge, 
 that yvedid raifeSc put them ma capacity to do what 
 they did ? O how weak is this argueing? If it hold > 
 the holy and righteous God will not efcape the ccn- 
 furcsandimmcations of chir men; all thewicked- 
 nefs and mifchiefdone in this world will, by this me- 
 dium* comeuponhim , as the caufe and auchorof 
 it \ from whom they receive ail th it power, ftrength, 
 and capacity, that enables them to do wickedly. Shall 
 thofe chat do good to others in educating , iupply- 
 ing,&a£Fording them all neceffanes.abufed by them to 
 fin and ryotous living, be judged the authors of their 
 wickednefsf O folly! If our intended brevity could 
 fufferu , we would make it out from undeniabie 
 inftances , that the government had not fuch fure & 
 ftedfalt friends, as the Presbyterians, who were true- 
 I'y fuch i and afted according to their profefled prin- 
 ciples; who Itood to ir , wfeea others ( who are now 
 the only favorits) turned their backs upon iz> in 
 going all the length ofcomplunce with theUfurpers, 
 that was required ; while the generality of true Pres. 
 byterians refufed , for which they were difcounte* 
 nanced , and looked upon * as a party that was to be 
 fuppreft. Jfperfons that fyeak thus at randomea- 
 gainft us , could, by clear mediums , knit the pra- 
 ftifes , they chage upon us , to our profefled defigns 
 and principles, how would they triumph; but none 
 •f thefc haye we yet feen and heard* We know > the 
 
 late 
 
(57.) 
 late wars are fathered ojojl party, as the firft cau- 
 
 fersaodbegmnersofr.? But groundlelly, as will ap- 
 pear co any> tiiac will be at che paines , to fearch 
 out <he true caufes and grounds of then); we arc con- 
 fident true > as any, whois cruelyunbyaMed, comes 
 to the through knowledge of thj(e> they will find 
 ouradverfanes in che blarne, and nor our party, who 
 for Religion, liberties , and (elf prefervacmn , (for 
 all was at the Sake ) vv:re then forced to anoes , 
 tlrow the invariable pr:de and tyranny of rhe then 
 Prelats ; bnc coo much of this. Only we muft (ay , 
 if things now hold on in their prefent channel , in 
 which they have run thefe few years pail , we doubc 
 not j but many will jultify and allow, what once 
 they condemned. 
 
 Excepttm $• It is withno little confidence af« 
 ferted by lome , chac although the Mmiiterial power 
 be immediatly from Chnil > by divine initiation ; 
 yet, theexercife thereof is from the Magiftiat, to 
 thatMmifters may not convocat the iubjedtSj preach* 
 anddifpenfeordmances , without liberty from him £ 
 %Anf. (i ) We defire to know . whence our advert 
 faries have lea. ned this diilm&ion ? Sure not irom 
 the word; there is not theleaft foot ng for it there; 
 if it be , let it be produced. We know its original 
 from whenceit came, tly.c man of (mi thePo^eof 
 H?me m th'om whoic Arfenal, the All of the Hierarchy 
 hath been brought j audtbfc 3.-oythe rdi, who 
 f orgaine , and fixing of an umvafal abfoiure deptffc 
 dance of all upon frm; invert e i this difttrificion, chat 
 was unknown to the CliriiLan world before he 
 arole. 
 
 But, (iJ Weaflerti that the exercife of the 
 D 5 Mini- 
 
 
ess.; 
 
 Jienal power , is, as much imraediatly from Chrift; 
 and independant on theMagiftrat, as che power it felf. 
 Firjt, becaufewefindethis power was exercifedin 
 the Church, in the primitive times and afterwards, 
 without any dependence on, and acknowledgment 
 of the Magiftrat anent the fame; this none will get 
 xefufed. Wedefirethento know? what it is , that 
 now fufpends the exercife of the Mimftenal power 
 on the Magiftrat, that was not then? Chriftianity 
 adds no new power or right to the Magiftrat , it 
 only qualities and difpofes him , to ufe his power 
 aright ; but gives none that he had not before: for if 
 a heathenish Magiftrat shouki exercife all that power 
 about the Church and her paftours, that is by Scrip- 
 ture allowed to the Chriftian Magiftrat, he should 
 not exceed, nor go beyond the limits of theMagi- 
 ftratical power. As we finde feveral heathenish ma- 
 giftrats, in the Scriptures , doing a great part of the 
 work afcribed to the Chnirian magiftrat j (as Cyrus , 
 Darius f Artaxerxes 9 &c ) (o they are commended 
 for it. It is co us ridiculous , to fay , that the heath- 
 enish magiftrats power is not intenfive ($ habhualiter 
 as great, as the Chriftian magiftrats. 2. All moral 
 power does necefTarly include, and hath flowing 
 from it , an obligation to its exercife , if moral and 
 PhyQcal impediments hinder not ; it not only gives 
 right to fuch and fuch afts > and makes them vahde; 
 but it binds theperfons cloathed therewith to fuch 
 afts * fothat the omiffion of th^nf) in their feafonis 
 their fin ; for the end of the power tyes the perfon , 
 that hath it , to intend and feek its accomplishment, 
 in fuch and fuch wayes , as is proper to the nature of 
 the power ; as might be inftancied} but in a mater fo 
 clear we forbear. Thirdly . 
 
(59) 
 
 ) Thirdly, How comes tnis difcinftiontobegive* 
 
 ' *iid madeufeof, anentthe miniiieml power, an J 
 
 1 not anent others, abouc which the Magiftrat may 
 
 [ exercife his power alfo' may not Fathers, Husbands, 
 
 ; &c, do the duties proper co their relations , without 
 
 leave from the Mjgiftrat? if they may, give us a 
 
 reafon why Mimfters may not do the duties , proper 
 
 and fpecifkk to their function, without the magiftrat? 
 
 their power is as immediatly fromChrift, andisas 
 
 little dependent on the magiftrat , yea and leJlei then 
 
 theirs ; never one hath undertaken this task, but 
 
 they, who makethe magiftrat the fountaine of all 
 
 power : which is moft abfurd; feing the magiftrat 
 
 didfinde other powers exifting and in being before 
 
 he was. 
 
 Fourthly, As the power of minifters is from Chrift 
 by divine inftitution: fo they are under an obligation 
 for its exercife, by divine commands, which the 
 rmgiftrat hath no power to imped , as hath been laid. 
 They that arecloathed with the minifterial office, are 
 commanded to exercife ir, who, id no place of Scrip- 
 ture, are directed to the ma Mitrat , for hislicenfe; 
 If they be, letus fee it: no doubt we hid heard of 
 it , ere this time, if any fuch thing were. 
 
 Exception 4. There is one exeption ufed againft us 
 among others , and urged with no little vehemency/ 
 ; in the matterof our loyaltie and obedience to Autho- 
 rities wit,our non - appearance before the Ounce!, 
 ! bn fum monds given out againft forne of our number , 
 atfeveraloccafions $ which is held forth to be, and 
 ftrongly aggravated for a high evidence of our con- 
 tempt of our Ruler*, and theauthoritie wherewith 
 they arc cloathed: for. which up wards of 80. of 
 
 Centime** 
 
(6o.) 
 
 Gentlemen, Ladyes, Miniftersandyeornensarein.. 
 tercomibuned $ andtbefubje&s> under the fume pe- 
 nalryesduetoluch, inhibited all manner of allicance 
 to, and con verfe with them. ^nf. Not iikeingto 
 dip into, anddifcufife thefeveriueofthisi meoteof 
 intercommuning , pafied with fuchfolewnky againft 
 us, norycttocanvaffethe legality or illegahti, oi it^ 
 but leaving it to others, better verfed in, and acqua- 
 inted with our Lawes ; we offer the following con- 
 siderations to all, which we hope will, totheunby- 
 afied, not only alleviat but juPtify ournon- appea- 
 rance. ( i. ) Befide what the law of nature hath 
 provided and teaches all men, anentlelfprefervation; 
 we fuppofe , it will not be denyed , but granted to 
 us by all, that, if many of the precepts and examples 
 we have in the word of Cod , do allow flight to Mi- 
 nifters and Chriftians from the unjuft violence and 
 oppreilion of Rulers t when it is within their power 
 to decline it ; then our nonapperance before the 
 Councel wil not neceffarily inferre a contempt of 
 their authority , or any true difloyaltie and difobedi- 
 ence to them : Otherwife Chrift Jefus our bleffed 
 head, hisApoftles and others * will be found as 
 chargeable with rhis crime, as we ; from which 
 all Chriftians do free them. While we think on thefe 
 •precepts and examples of Chtifr, hts Apoftks and 
 Chriftians, who lived in Scriptuie times, wecan- 
 not avoid thefe twoconclufions,which in ekfpite of 
 all contradiction do make out the former inference f 
 as i. Thatpaifive obedience to the unrighteous de- 
 crees and punishments of Rulers, is as undue, as 
 aft ive obedience to their unjuft commands: injuftice 
 in fencences and punishments, binds no more to I ub- 
 
 ipillioa 
 
million to thefe , then uinghteoufnes in commands 
 tyesto obedience, where the infliflion of fuchpu- 
 nishmeocs'sevitablc; for Rulers are not enabled by 
 their authority to injultice more in the one, th.n they 
 are in the other; and confequenrly there can be no 
 obligation on their fubje&s from their auchoricir, to 
 g: ve the«nitlves up to their unjuft punishments, more 
 then to yeeld obedience to their iniquous commands: 
 & it it were notfo, Chrift and his Apoftles finned in 
 not giving this obedience: which is moft abfurd. 
 Obj: f. But this is contrarie to thedo&nneofmany 
 Protectants, who teach t hac pailive obedience is due , 
 an J should beg; ven , where aftive obedience is not f 
 *4$tfc i. We knowofnoProteftants that teach fo, 
 rxcept thofe who were proiylitedinto court parafit- 
 esj it was neither the doftrine nor pra&iceof roofr 
 Protefcants , as is clear from their writings and Hi- 
 I ftory.2. We defire to know of them that thmke other- 
 : wife, what this allowed flight is, If it be net a remov- 
 ing of ourfelves (when the circumllances ofcafes 
 permit) from the decrees and fentences of Rulers, 
 appointing us to unjuft punishments'! which is no- 
 thing, but a denying oi pailive obedience to fuch fen* 
 rences. Who can evite this } Some there are who 
 >rantths, in fentences that reach the life; but not 
 n fentences that only touch the body and eftate, as 
 mpnfonments , fines, exile, &c. But give not any 
 ufc inftanct s , or found reafon for what they affert. 
 oncLz. Hence alfo we gather from the forefaid 
 >recepts and examples, thatnon -fubmiffion to un- 
 juft iemences, when within our power, is not in- 
 ponfifttoi with thar refpeft , efteem , love . honour 
 ;nd obediencei which > by yettue of Cods com. 
 
 aunds 
 
(6z.) 
 mands, we arc bound to give to Rulers 5 and confe- 
 quently is nd contempt of their authority , nor any true 
 difloyaltyj els Chnltin allowing himfelf , and his 
 Apoftles in pra&ifing this flight , had been contem- 
 ners of auchontie and difloyal to it : which all Chrif- 
 tians aflert to be falfe. Hence it is evident , and will 
 be To to the unprejudged, that if our Oppofites fatten 
 not this,charge on the mater, they will never be able 
 to do it from our non - appearance (imply and abfira* 
 ftedly considered. 0£j»2- Our Rulers fummonds 
 being properly their commands to us, forourappe- 
 arance before them , ( which is lawful and in its felf 
 juft) we were bound to have appeared , both on the 
 account of their authority , and the thing command- 
 ed ? dnfi This being the obje&ion of greateftfeem- 
 ingftrength> and mod ufed to our reproach, we 
 shall confident a little > and ( 1. ) Waveingthede- 
 bate about the nature of fummonds, and leaving their 
 native import > ufe and confcquences to Lawyers ; 
 Weaflert, that when the commands of Superiors, 
 (altho lawful in their immediat objeft or matter ) 
 are* in their ftated defigne , fo connefted with irreli- 
 gion, injuftice, opprelfion and unrighteoufnes, that 
 they become the engines and means of oppreffion and 
 violenccor of any thing truely finful in its felf; we fay, 
 fuch commands participat of the nature of their ends, 
 and become unjuft ; asforinftance, when Rulers in 
 order to oppreffion and perfecution, command any 
 fubjeft to witnefs bis knowledge of the Orthodox 
 opinionsand pn ftifes of fuch and fuch perfons > the 
 fabjeft in this cafe ou^ht not to obey fuch commands; 
 which out or this cafe and the like , that are abftratt 
 from fuch finful ends* he not only may, but ought 
 
 to 
 
to'*) 
 
 to obey jor if a matter or father should require his fer- 
 vant or Ion to bring to him fuch a woman to fuch a 
 place, they knowing it is for corrmiting of unclean- 
 nes with her, they should not obey ; which, when 
 without refpeft to this wicked end, they are bound 
 to do. If this were not a truth , the officers and fcul- 
 diers , that apprehended Cimft and Crucified him, 
 were innocent and blamlefie: which all grant to be 
 falfe v for it was the injuftice of the ends of their lawful 
 
 J.ulers commands in this thing, that made their obs- 
 ience to them undue and unjtft , fo that they were 
 truely culpable and guilty of Chritts blood, as well as 
 their Rulers. (2.) Suppofeingbutnotgranting,the 
 fummopes to be good & juftinthemfelves^yetit is a 
 Maxime agreed toby all Divines, that where two 
 things morally good, doe t*yft in Chriftians praftice, 
 the one of one or two decrees of goodness he other of 
 three or foure* that thelaft should be chofenand pre- 
 ferred to the firft: but fo it fell out to be in our cafe. To 
 our thoughts on this matter j it was beyond queft-'on, 
 that our ncn- appeaiance at thefe times, tovshich 
 we were cited , was a greater good ( fupponing the 
 other to be good , which we do not yeeld ) both 
 to the Mag'.ftratj our felves and others, then our ap- 
 i pteararicecould have been; for thereby the IVkgiftrac 
 ; was withheld from unjuftoppreifion, he should have 
 i been guilty of, theGofpel prefeivtd with the people 
 in its purity , much fuffcring to others prevented 
 &c. while we had no good to expeft from our appea- 
 rance, but a meer aft of obedience. ( 3. ) That 
 non - obedience « in fome cafes and things, 10 the 
 commands of Rulers, is no true difobedience, as 
 ( 1 .) . In things without the Magiftrats line and reach, 
 
 altho 
 
altho the things commanded be juR and good in 
 themfelves: fuppone the Magiitrat should command 
 a perfon unordamed, to preach the Gofpel) difpenfe 
 theSacran ents 5 &c. this beingbeyond the Magi- 
 ftratslme, it were no difobedience in any (ubjeft, 
 not to obey fucb commands* (2.) In things con- 
 traire to mercy and juliice.th^c one Subjeft oweth to 
 another* it theMagillrat command either thenoc 
 doing of thefe > or the doing of the ccntrare; not 
 obeying here, is no difobedience. The truth is, 
 if the mater com maoded be not juft, and, antecedent 
 to the Magillrats commands , not neceffare ; roc 
 obeying is no difobedience ; and the reafon is, becsus 
 no power canjufiiy crave obedience , when itafts 
 either beyond , or 3gainft its true sdequat formal ob- 
 jeft : buc of this above, (jv) When Magiftrats 
 commands are oppolite to Gods, (which hath often 
 fallen out ) obedience to God, can be no difobedi- 
 ence to the Magifirat. But in our cafe we undertake 
 to prove> that altho the thing commanded, to wit , 
 appearance, be within the compalTe of theM^giftrats 
 power, that ic was contrare to mercy'and juftice \ 
 yea and things commanded and allowed us of God ; 
 which will exeem our non-appearance from difobe- 
 dience> Sc conllquently from contempt of Authority. 
 Knowingand being morally certaine , that the un«- 
 juft violence t defigned againlt us, would have inevi- 
 tably followed on our appearance, we chufed rather 
 to fo bear it, and to ufe the flight (Thrift allowes to 
 his fervaots and people, in the like cafes* It is a 
 Maxime in Morals or practical divinry , accorded to 
 by all Divines, that of two penal evils, when the 
 rieflion of thena is incur arbitrament, thelefTeris 
 
 to 
 
to be preferred to the greater: And to any that con- 
 sider the cafe , we then had before us , it will be 
 mamfeft,that flight was much preferable to the feve- 
 rity , weweretoexpeft on appearance » of which 
 we wereaflured, not only from the ftanding lawes 
 oftheKingdome, butlikwife from the preceeding 
 carriage of our Rulers ; who , altho flow and negli* 
 gent enough in the execution of the lawes againft 
 Paptjlsi Quakers, and other heterodox opinious and 
 wicked pra&iks; yerpunftual and Brick, in puting 
 the law to more tben its full execution againft us. to 
 which they have been , and are inftigaced by our 
 *nemies,the Prelats, to fuch a hight of keennefs, that 
 if the mater contained in our fummonds cannot be 
 made to appear , we are put to anfwer fuch interroga- 
 tories, and required to'give and fubferibe fuch oaths, 
 engadgments and bonds, to which, they know, 
 we cannot without destroying of our principles yeeld; 
 for rcfufeing of which , many of our party have been 
 c aft into prifons, fined* banished, &c. 
 
 Thirdly , It had no little influence on us in deter- 
 mining our non- appearance, that the ufual legal 
 forme of procedour in judgment, allowed to and 
 ufed with others > is not obferved towards us-, from 
 which we could not expeftjuftice, but all fevcrity. 
 On our appearance we have no accufer, often no ly- 
 bel condefcending on 3 or containing our crimes, with 
 the circumftances ; no witneffes produced ; but an 
 oaihadminiftredtothecmpannelled, for expifcating 
 of accufations againft ourfelves and others, and that 
 ! in crimes made by law capital ; and the oaths ot 
 thefe , whom the law calls , focij criminis , fuftained 
 for valid probation ; wayes of procedour condemned 
 
 E by 
 
{66.) 
 
 by the law of God and nations, except where the 
 Papifts cruelty takes place. And ifallthele fail, the 
 fubfcnbmg of engagments and bonds is p opofed & 
 required ( as is laid above^ ) on the rtfuial ot wheh , 
 aprifon is the belt we meet with. Let any man of 
 ordinare reafon and juftice judge, whether appea- 
 rance before Rulers, who, by following of fuch 
 methods and wayes in judgment , declare themlel ves 
 refolved to have at the perfons arraigned > whether 
 \ure or not ; we fiy, let any judge, whether appearance 
 before fuch, when it is in their choife to appear or 
 not, be rational and fafe; except where the (uppofed 
 •guilty intends by their appearance > ro prevent 
 greater feverity. 
 
 Fourthly, Among other things § that came under 
 confederation with us againft this appearance* was the 
 oathdefuper inquirendis , lately framed into a law, 
 and now prefled on us , which ( for thereafbns for- 
 merly given ) we dar not take ; tor befids the fevere 
 punishments (as imprifonmem, arbitrary fines, exile 
 to forraigne plantations > &c. ) we were to look for , 
 forrefufeing of this 03th ; it we take it, we a e, 
 contrare to all natural equity , mercy and juftice , 
 made the accufers of ourfelves and others > contrare 
 *o the provifion made m the aft eftablishingand im- 
 pofeing of this oath, which declares that the oath 
 taken by any shall not militat in judgment againft the 
 takers of it to fa h 8c fuch penalties therein fpecified, 
 and yet the mater of their lybel ufeth tobedrawne 
 From it , and if they deny their depofition 5 an oath is 
 adduced for probation|againft them: And it is not 
 intelligible l y us , how fuch an oath can be fuftained 
 for vahde probation againft others, and not againft 
 
 the 
 
J; (<J 7-) 
 
 ! the deponent ; feing a perfon's own confeflion of 
 ! his crimes is judged fufficient againft him) much more 
 ■ shouldthisoath > which neceflarly fuppons and in- 
 fers confedion, even judicial. 
 >H But Fiftly 9 In the next place, the evil confe- 
 rences, that by our appearance, wewerecertane, 
 would have redounded to many, made us forbear 
 it ;for if we had appeared, we were fure perpetual im- 
 J" prifonment,or exile from our native countrey^had en- 
 j fued thereon ; whereby we should have been put out 
 of a capacity > for labouring the prefervation and ad- 
 vancement of the Gofpel in this Church, of which 
 \ we are members , and to which we , as Mimfters 
 and Chriftians * arefoftraitly tyed and bound; the 
 people should have been robbed of a faithfull Mini* 
 fiery , and the benefiteof the word purely difpenfed 
 by them ; the rod of perfecution , now on the back 
 of this Church , should have been more sharpened 
 againft the remnant of our party; the people expofed 
 j to more shakeing and winnowing temptations, to the 
 endangering of their ftedfaftnes ; our adverfaries of 
 all fortes more emboldened to vent & fpew out their 
 i venemous doftrines , and to carry on their defigned 
 defeftion to a greater hight : all which being more 
 then probable , yea to us morally certane > we durft 
 not do that , which would have opened the door to 
 ; all thefe evils. Thefe arguments do fuppone, and 
 ilean on the unjuft oppreffion, intended and profe- 
 j cuted againft us , which is made out both as to mater 
 I & defigne, in the precedent and fubfequent difcourfe. 
 Sixtly , It was never a pieceof difloyalty and difon 
 fbedienceto Magiftracy even for perfons confefledly 
 j guilty, to keep themfclves from the ftroke of the law, 
 
 £ z yea 
 
to run away from it, andtoefcapeoutofprifons, if 
 they could efFcft ic > and confequently not to enter 
 intopri'ons, when cited thereto , muft be' as free 
 ofdifloyalry , efpectally when thecaufe, tor which 
 any is in hazard thereof; is righteoufnefs , as ours is 
 at this day. 
 
 S E C T. IV. 
 
 OurpraWce cleared from feparation\ where his alfo 
 
 proved unlawful , tofubmh to the Mini firy 
 
 of the Curats. 
 
 Exception £♦ The ejefted Minifters preaching, 
 ic d fpenfing of ordinances , and peoples .runing 
 to, and hearing of them , in this manner, and with- 
 drawing ftom communion with th&Church , in the 
 allowed publick ordinances, is reparation j which 
 is againli the principles and praftifes of the Presbyte- 
 rians in foregoing times? Anf. becaufe this , in 
 adts of Parliament:, publift Sermons, and in Pam- 
 phlets, is with great confidence aflerted j we shall 
 take it a little into ccnf?deration 4 and fee whether 
 the Pi elats and their Creatures ; or our Minifters and 
 the people adhering to them, be thefeparatifts: 2 
 finful reparation , wegranc, there is, but whoare 
 the Caufers of it, and guilty thereof » before God, 
 they or we, let our following anfwers and reafon de- 
 termine, to which, that they may be more clearly 
 apprehended, wepremife. 1. That it is not every 
 forcoffeparation, that is finful and evil j fome kinds 
 of it are du;y and commanded, as ourProteftant 
 divines make good againft the Papifts, zsJoftfhRM, jf 
 "and all that writ on that fubjeft: for ic is our part, llJ 
 
 CO 
 
<*9) 
 
 to feparat frem fin , anJPiofcnors joyning together 
 in it, with which the worship of God couie's too 
 I often to be vitiated, andpolluted: for this we have 
 many precepts and commands in the word Ephtf. 5: 
 11. with other Scriptures. 2. Tomakenon-pie- 
 rence.orabfencefro.il the meetings ofChriftiansfor 
 worship and government, finful reparation^ there muft 
 be fir ft a ftited habitual abfence,/t?com#> Such reafons 
 2nd grounds for it , as will not juftify it ; for if the 
 abfence be not ordinare, it is no: elieemed repara- 
 tion; altho the reafons of it be not juftifiable pro hie 
 & nunc : and albeit the abfence be ordinare and habi- 
 tual, yet if icscaufes, whether mo r al or phyficaU 
 be right and warrantable , it is not finful reparation ; 
 for abLnce from the meetings of Chriftians in wor- 
 ship or government 9 is either Gnful or not > accord- 
 ing to the caufes or reafons of it. 3. The grounds 
 Vthat will juftify and warranta withdrawing, in or- 
 dinare, from fuch meetings, muft be. Ci ) The 
 wantof a juft authority or right, in thofe thac difpeofe 
 ithe ordinances of worship and government : 
 jThe Pbarifees queftion propofed to Chrift, Matth. 
 IziiZ}. did fuppone a commonly granted? and re. 
 ,'ceived truth , which Chrift does not deny, but tacitly 
 jyeclds $ that they who aft publickly in the Church 
 muft have a juft authority & right fo to do: we oughc 
 'to have fome rational convincing evidence of tlvs, & 
 jifitbe wanting, it will warrant this withdrawing; 
 , much more, it its want be pofitively clear. (2.) Cor- 
 ruptions in the worship of God , fo knit to ihem iri 
 ! itheir ufe , that they cannot be ufed without the ufe of 
 !thefecorruptions,will alfo allow a withdiawmg from 
 1 r uch meetings j as all in theft grant. ( 3. ) Sinfrl cir- 
 
 E 3 cum- 
 
(7°-) 
 
 cumftanceS) as fuch places, times, caufes, per* 
 fons&c. That in their connexion with, andref- 
 pefts to things, that are truely finf ul and evil , beco- 
 mes fo, probicW jwna asfafts* thankfgivings, &c. 
 when obfeived at fuch times, and for fuch Caufes, 
 as are evil. ( 4. ) Unfound and heretical do&rine 5 
 taught in ordinal e, in fuch meetings , Matth.24* 
 We grant it is not every error and erronious doftrine > 
 that will juftifie a peoples withdrawing, ftom or- 
 dinances, difpenfed in the aflemblies of the Church, 
 ( there being nothing befides that may juftly caufe 
 it; ) but only fuch as is truely heretical and fubver - 
 five of the foundations of Religion,Righteoufnefs,& 
 peace. When poifon is adroiniitred initeadofwhole- 
 fomefood, a people are bound to fee to their own 
 fafety, that they.be not deftroyed by that, which was 
 intended for their health. (5 ) There are fome things 
 in the Hated cafe of fome times, and other cuxum- 
 ftances 4 that will give fufficient ground for this with- 
 drawing, that will not do it at other times; as in 
 the beginnings of defection > under the contefts 
 betwixt the orthodox and unfound party , ufually 
 fome things fail in , that will call for a feceifion from 
 Church aflemblies; which have often fallen out in 
 the Church, and is evident fromhiftory; particu- 
 larly in the time of the Arminians , predomining in 
 the Church of Holland-, and many others that are to 
 be feen in the records of the Church. 4. Although 
 in fome cafes , a negative feparation be lawful and 
 right, whereapolitiveisnot ; yet in fome cafes, a 
 pofitive feparation is lawful and duty: it is hard to 
 determineofcafesinthis matter, except where the 
 cafe hath been > or els is exiftent; there are two cafes 
 
 in 
 
(71.) ' 
 
 in which this isallowed^ intrufinn, and an univerfal 
 inft&on of :he worship and government of the 
 Chuictii with fuperftition, idolatry and tyranny,t© 
 the polluting of all its ordinances; we hope there 
 will be no controvcrfy anentthe fecond > feing it is 
 thedoftnne, and hath been the ptaftice, of there- 
 formed Churches, in the r lecetliou and departur 
 from tnc Chur h of B^p ,.e , on that very head ; who 
 not only withdrew from (he communion of that ido« 
 latrous Church; but ere&ed themklvs intodiltinft 
 Churches > with officers and ordinances , conforme 
 to the commands and mftitut ion of Chnft: and when 
 the mater is ferioufly and impartially weighted) there 
 will be found , as little ground of controverfy about 
 thetirftj anent which we take thefe two to be evU 
 deitt truths, (i.) That Churches are not bound to 
 fubjeit to j but to withdraw from thefe intruded 
 upon them ; partly becauie the juft rights of the 
 Church are wronged and taken from her, whichall 
 ought to mamtainc, i nd not to quite, & partly becaufe 
 she is enflived thereby, andful>jeftedtothc lufts Sc 
 tyranny of men, and a preparative laid downe to 
 oth.rs fordoing of the Lke, in times coming. (2.) 
 That this intruiionis euheron Churches that have 
 bin and are let led inChnfts way , with able aad 
 faithful Mmifters ; or elfe on thefe that want & are 
 vacant for the time: If it be on Churches that are 
 under the fetled infpeft ion of faithful Minifters, they 
 are bound to adhere ro thete , and not to give place 
 to the intruders , from whom to withdraw , can be 
 no (inful feparation \ the intruders , and thefe that 
 fall off to them, are the feparatifts: if the Church 
 or Churches be vvuhQuc faithful Minifters, they alfo 
 
 E 4 are 
 
( 7 2.> 
 are obleidged to refufe the intruding Minifters ; and 
 if this unjuft and violent incru Don on them continue | 
 they are oblidged to provide themfelves of Minifters, 
 that under their overfight , they may have and enjoy 
 the benefice of theGofpel and its ordinances, to 
 which by the commands of Chrift, and thenecelfity 
 of the means of eternal life , they are ftraidy bound; 
 for as unjuft intrufion brings nothing with it, to make 
 a people yeeld to the intruders j fo it untys no obliga- 
 tion formerly on them, for endeavouring of their 
 fetlment with a faithful Miniftery. If we thought 
 thefe, in thtfit were queftioned by any, we could with 
 great eafe make them out to the conviftion of all ; but 
 taking them for granted, we furceafe any further 
 probation* Therefore 5. WedeGre, itmaybealfo 
 confidered , that there is a vaft difference betwixt 
 hearing of, and fubmiting to Minifters, in the exer. 
 cife of their Miniftery , in the general ; and doing 
 of thefetofuch and fuch Minifters; tbe.queftion be- 
 twixt us and our adverfaries, is not whether wc 
 should hear and fubmit to^Minifters in their Mini- 
 ftery, for this we do not deny; but whether we 
 should hear and fubroit to thefe , that were our 
 Minifters & fetover us byche holy Ghoft, before this 
 change in the Church ; or thefe fent from and thruft 
 in upon us, by the Magiftrat and Prelates f It is no 
 little wrong done us by our enemies, who, give it 
 out to the world , that we contemne a Miniftery & 
 ordinances,and areagainft hearing; while cur pra&ice, 
 declares the contrare'to all, and for which we arc 
 dayly fuffering -. We hold that, as it is our duty 
 to withdraw from , and not to fubjeft to the Prela- 
 tes, and their GreaturtfW^fkwifcoura^y , to 
 
 cleave 
 
cleave to our former Mimlters > in hearing of the 
 Gofpel,andreceiveing of ordinances from them,as wc 
 can, &have accefs: we hive given reafons for the affir- 
 macive, & shall, the Lord willing, do the like for the 
 negative. 6. It would alfo be adverted, that there 
 is a great difference, betwixt a Churches bringing 
 in, and carrying on of a defection willingly, in a 
 Church way; and the Magiftrats doing this ofhim- 
 felf, without the Church, yea forcibly, Ecclefia 
 renitente ac reclamante ; although there should be no 
 difference, as to the mater ; yet there is much as to 
 the maner and way, to influence, regular and diveifi- 
 fie minifters and Chriftians carnage under them : all 
 in the Church are to fubjeft to che power,proper and 
 peculiar co her , which they ought not to do to 
 others, ufurping this power, and tiking it out of 
 her hands. 7, In this mater a difference or diftin- 
 ftion is to be made , betwixt the perfonal fcandals 
 and corruptions in minifters walk, andadmimftrarion 
 of holy things* and thefe that may be, orare found 
 in the way of their entry , which may be fuch, that 
 although they do not invalidate their minifterie, in 
 their difpenfing of the word and its ordinances, to 
 the rendering of thefe nullities j yet may give fuflfi- 
 cient ground to peoples withdrawing from and not 
 fub/eiting to them , as their lawful and fentpaftours. 
 8- There is a great difference betwixt a Church re- 
 gularly conftitute according co the Word of God , 
 in her minifterial political being , enjoying the exer- 
 cife of all ordinances in purity, that comes after, 
 wards, while under that conftitution, to be intruded 
 upon by the fole power of the Msgiftrat, andperfe. 
 cuced in officers and members f or adhcreing to her 
 
 E 5 coalti- 
 
conititucion , in oppofition to t.he intruders , and 
 the corruptions brought in upon her by them , againft 
 h-rconfcot; and a Church declining from her former 
 purity, in do&rine , worship and government, 
 abufeing her power to the bringing in and furthering 
 ofthefaid defection, and univerfally concurred with, 
 and fubmited to in the fame. The firft is our caH » &c 
 concerns the ftate of th. queftion betwixt us and our 
 oppoGtes , in the charge of reparation they lay on us. 
 Th: queftion then betwixt us , and our adversa- 
 ries, is not whether we may lawfully feparat from 
 publift ordinances, for the corruptions and perfonal 
 mifcarriages of fellow. worshipers > whether minu 
 fters or others; as one in a little manufcript doerh 
 malicioufly or ignorantly ftate it: we are [till of the 
 fame rainJe with our worthy predeceiToars in their 
 debats agamit the Brovnifls and Stfaratifts ; as our 
 practice this day doeth confirme, in ouraflemblies 
 and meetings for worship , diffjrmg in nothing, as 
 to this , from what it was before. Neither is it , 
 whether it be Gmply or in it (elf finful, to hear & 
 receive ordinances from thefe> who have entered by, 
 & fubmitted to the prelates* a bit raft from our prefenc 
 cafe; for we grant the cafe maybe * in which it is 
 lawful yea duty to hear, and receive ordinances from 
 fuchj yea and hath been. But chetrue ftate of the 
 queftion , is , whether a Church or Churches confti- 
 tute according to the rules of the word, provided 
 and fettled with minifters,regularly called and fubmit* 
 cdto, should yeeld to the Magiftrats and Prelates , 
 violently ejecting their minifters , and thrufting • in 
 •ther minifters upon her , not only withour, but 
 againft her confenc; in fubje&ing tofuch , hearing 
 
 and 
 
<7H 
 
 aud receiving of ordinances from them ; while the 
 Magiftrat does all this, for furthering andperfeft- 
 ing a courfe of d^fe&ion > concrare to folerane Co- 
 venants and oaths , by which they were ofcener then 
 once, ejettedandcaftout of this Church? To this 
 we anfwer negatively; chat the Church should not 
 fubje&tofuchin hearing, and receiving of ordinan- 
 ces from them , buc ought to difowne , and with- 
 drawfrom thefe > thus entered into the Church, and 
 complying witluhe introduced corruptions. 
 
 This conclufion we provethus. Tirft , They who 
 bave no jult authority, nor right to officiat fixedly 
 in this Church , as the proper paftores of it , ought 
 not to be received , but withdrawne from: But the 
 Prelates and their adherents > the Curates > have no 
 jult authority nor right to officiat in this Church, as 
 her proper paflours : Therefoie they ought not to 
 be received but withdrawne from. It is expefted, they 
 will not deny the firjl proportion : all the debate will 
 be about the fecond, which we make out thus. They 
 who have entered into, and do officiat fixedly in this 
 Church , without her authority and confenc , have 
 no/uft authority and right fo to do: but the Prelates 
 and their Curats have entered into thisChurch,and do 
 officiat therein , without her authority and confent: 
 therefore theyhave not juft authority, Sec. The//V/I 
 propofit ion is~clezr , and wefuppofe will not be gain- 
 faid by our Antagonifts; feing the power of million* 
 of calling and fending of ordinate fixed paflours, is 
 only in the Church , and noc in any other, as all 
 Divines do aflert. The Second is evident from maters 
 offaft: for there was no Church judicatory called 
 orconvocatcd , for bringingofthePreUcs into this 
 
 Church i 
 
<;6) 
 
 Church*, all.wfts done immcdiatly by the King& 
 afts of Parliament, without the Church (she being 
 by violence difenabled to meet in her officers for fear 
 ofoppofition from them;) a practice wanting a pre- 
 cedent in this and (for any thing we know) in all 
 other Churches. ObjeB. f. But our Prelats were 
 confecrat by the Prelats of the Church of England i 
 Anf. What fignifies that to the Church of Scotland > 
 and their juft right to orficiat in her (fuppone the 
 office of prelacie were right and institute? ) Does any 
 think > the Churchof £«g/W would acknowledge 
 the authority of Prelats conlecrat here, and iubject to 
 the fame, if all were done not only without but a- 
 gainft her confent; we fuppofe not . Either the Chui ch 
 of Scotland , at that time , h id no power of million , 
 or els she had ; if she had none > wanting prelacy , 
 then our Mimfters were no Miniftersof Ghaft Je- 
 fus , and all ordinances difpenfed in her for many 
 years were nullities $ which fome of our adverfa- 
 ries , we hope, will not fay: if she had the power 
 of million j howcame shetobenegleftedand ufur- 
 ped upon by another Church , to whom she was noc 
 fubordinat* ObjeB. 2. But Presbyters cannot con- 
 fecrat Bishops , they being an inferior order. Anf 
 if it could be shown from Scnpture.that Bishops are 
 not only an Order and office different from Presby- 
 ters ; but that they have a different ordination to 
 their office, from that of Presbyters, itwouldfay 
 much; but nothing of this can be made to appear 
 from the Word of God. But. 2- We ask whether 
 confecration be different from ordination? If it be 
 one with the fame, why may not Presbyters confe- 
 crat i and if they mayprdaine ( as we undertake to 
 
 make 
 
(17.) 
 make out from Scnpturc and Antiquitie ) what ne- 
 ccllitie was there for poing to England for it , feing 
 it might have been done by rhe presbyters of this 
 Church? If confecration d ffer from ordination, 
 fure it is a humane cuRome and invention , for whit h 
 we have nothing in the Scriptures and pure Antiqui- 
 ty, thit onlyfpeaks of ordination, the only way, 
 in which all Pallors entered into rhepaftotal office. 
 3, The truth is, as a Church Mimfterial and voli- 
 tick, conftitute according to the Word of God, 
 with all officers of divine appointment 5 hath the full 
 power cf the keys of the kingdome of God; fo there 
 is no fort of officer, neceffare by divine inftitution to 
 her edification, but she is enabled, to furnish her 
 felfwithfuch , without a neceffitie of feeking to 
 other Churches for them : and if it be fo , the Pref- 
 bytersof this Church, being her reprefentatives , 
 their confenc should have been had. Although we 
 hadnojuft exception againft the office of the Pre- 
 lates , as it is conftitute and declared bylaw (as we 
 have) but their vioLnt intrufion in this Church, 
 itputsafufficient baron our fubjection to them, (o 
 that we may not , yea cannot ownethtm as the la w- 
 ful paftors of this Church, Obj. 3. The Magiftrat 
 confented to and procured their cenfea aiion a Arf. 
 If any will make it appear , that the Magiftrat is the 
 Church ( as Eraftus does infolently aflert without 
 all probation) yea a member of it 5 as fuch, or hath 
 thepowerof milEon, we shall yeeli thecaufeand 
 quietly fubmit: but whenwefearch it to the Scrip- 
 ture, we find the Magiftrat, as a ProfefibrofChri- 
 ftianity a member of the Church without all Church 
 power dec be to be the fountaine of iO and fubjefted 
 
 as 
 
(7*.) 
 
 asfuchtothccarc and overfight of Church Officers , 
 in the exercife of their mnnfterial authority and 
 power. We grant, ic is his part to put the Minifters 
 of the Church ( when negligent in furnishing of her 
 with officers) to their duty anent it; but not to 
 chruft in officers upon herof himfelf without her con- 
 fent. Oij-4. But the Curatshave entered by the 
 Church i Jinf.i. This we deny: the contrareis 
 clear from conftant praftice,- for theCuratscomein 
 upon congregations only by g the Bishop and Patron, 
 who are not the Church, nor have any power from 
 her for what they do , in this : all their right and 
 power is founded upon , and derived from the fupre- 
 macy , and afts of Parliament , and not from the 
 Church ; in which the Bishop afts as the Kings de- 
 legatand fubftitute, only impowered thereto by his 
 law : fo that the Curats having and deriving all their 
 power from the Prelates , cannot have the fame from 
 the Church ; none gives what he hath not. Buc. 2. 
 The prelates,not being the lawful governing Church, 
 any that enter congregations by them, cannot be faid 
 to enter by the Church; no more then if a Minifter 
 should enter into a congregation of this Church by a 
 Minifter or Minifters of the Church of France or 
 Holland , without the Minifters of this Church, can 
 be faid to enter by the Church here $ for the Mini- 
 fters of other Churches are not the governingChurch 
 of this Church. The antecedent is to us clear ; for 
 as the Prelates have entered without the Church ; To 
 the lawful Minifterial ruling Church , although 
 fcattered and perfecuted , is yet exiftent and in being, 
 who by the unjuft and violent intrufion of others > 
 have not loft their right of ruleing this Church j but 
 
 in 
 
(79) 
 
 in point of right and obligation do continue to be her 
 lawful paftours •, for violence , perfecution and 10- 
 trufion, do not diffblve the relation bciwixc the 
 Church and her P tftours , cither general or particu- 
 lar ; there being no.hing in our cale, that canjuftly 
 doit; other wuyes, it should be in the power of the 
 JMagiftrar, to undo and deftroy the political M;ni- 
 ftenal Church, both formally and effectively which i$ 
 ab Ufd. We ask at any, who thtr ,k perfecution and 
 int< ufion do in our cafe annul the p aft oral relation be- 
 twixt Mimfters and Churches; whether the Magi- 
 ftrats violent ejecting of Minifters, and puting of 
 Mahwmtan or Popish Pri efts in their roomes, will 
 ducha ge Mimfters and Congregations of their ob- 
 ligations to one another i if they think not , then 
 hjw can thefe untye their obIigations,in our cafe/ 5 We 
 ask a reafon. If th j y judge perfecution and intruhon 
 by the Magiftrat in i his caf< ,to have this effeft;then it 
 will inevitably follow, that the Magiftrat can deftroy 
 divine commands flowing there from? contrare to the 
 pra&ice of divine relations, & obligations to the obe- 
 dience of the Church,in the primitive times,who,nor- 
 wirhftandingof the Magittrats EdiftSithreatnings, & 
 much actual v»olence,perf ormed the mutual duties of 
 paftoursand flocks. 
 
 /Irg. 2. All power of the Prelates and their crea- 
 turs in the Church is by law fountamed in and derived 
 from the M jgilirat , and in its exercife fubordinated 
 to him ; ( as is evident from the a8 ofreftitution. VarL 
 Carol 2. i. Sef. 2. A&. i.) which derivation and 
 fubordmation thtyowne and homologat, by their 
 compliance with what the law does require , inor- 
 der to it : therefore fuch we cannot , we may not 
 
 owne» 
 
(8o.) 
 
 ewnc, receive and fubjeft to, asour rainifters under 
 feing they acknowledge & fubjeft themfelves in their 
 roimlieryjo another head, then Chrift Jefus, which 
 by law is fee in and over this Church, That the force 
 of this Argument may be more perfpicuous and 
 clear, we shall put it into forme thus: Thofethac 
 receive and derive their Church power from , and 
 are fubordinat in its exercife to another head , then 
 Chrift Jefus, should not be received and fubjefted 
 -to, as the miniftersofChrift in his Church: But the 
 Prelats and their Curats do receive > and derive their 
 Church power from, and ate fubordinat, in its 
 exercife, to another head then Chrift Jefus : there- 
 fore they ought not to be received andfubjeftedto* 
 as the minifters of Chrift in his Church, We fup* 
 pofe the firft fropofition will notbedenyed; all the 
 debate will be in the Second , Which we prove 
 thus; Thefe officers in the Church profeffing them- 
 felves fuch, that derive their Church power from, 
 and are fubordinat? in its exercife> toapowertruely 
 Architeftonickandfuprcam in the Church, befide 
 Chnft, doe derive their power from andarefubor- 
 nat in its exercife to another head, then Chnft Jefus: 
 But fo it is, that the Prelates and their creaturs, do 
 derive their Church power from* and are fubordinat 
 in its exercife to a power truely Archite&onickand 
 fupreamin the Church , befide Chrift; therefore the 
 Prelates and their Curates do derive their power 
 from, and are fubordinat in its exercife to another 
 head, then Chrift. The major propofitienis evident: 
 for whoever hath afupream Architeftonick power > 
 in and over the Church , muft be an head to the fame* 
 andthefountaineofall Church power: it is a repug- 
 nancy 
 
nancy to befupream,& have an Arcliiteftonfck power; 
 and noc to be tne he^d of that Society , to which any 
 is fuch. Now to the Minor > that thepieiats and 
 their Curats have thdr power from , audio Us txer- 
 cife are fubje&ed to a fupream Architt ftonick power, 
 is beyond diiput clear, from the aft cfreftitutfott, for- 
 merly mentioned 5 and other afts to be mem ioncd af- 
 terwards ; and will be io to any thic confidently 
 perufe the fame ; of which we are tofpe.:kac more 
 la:ge, under the laft head $ but for the time, we 
 propofetbeie three from thefeafts, for making ouc 
 of this argumenr, i. They are exprtfiy made to 
 have a dependance upon and fubordination to the 
 King, as fupream to them , in their Church jadica- 
 tonesandadminiftrations. 2. The government of 
 I the Church,in its ordering and difpofeing* is annexed 
 to the crowne, as one royal prerogative thereof > 
 whichnot only fuppons the government to be in him, 
 as the fountame thereof, but tobeexercifed with that 
 dominion , that is fateable to his regality. 3. The: 
 giving ofChurch power to Church officers, isfu?-' 
 poned to be the effeft and deed of his lawes, and afts» 
 without which , ail power in rhii Church. is declaied 
 to be null and void. ' Objec, Although the Kings 
 ; Majefty be fuprcam governour in all caules, and over 
 all perfons Ecclefiaftical ; yet he is not head to and of 
 !theChurch/v An[. If he be fupream governour in 
 fuch cau r csand over fuch perfons, in LhieacHr<8<i, 
 noq;ieft:o), he is the head political to the Church; 
 f ot GOVESJUOUF^b HZ AD He tquipolcnitevwsi 
 whofoever is fupream Governour to any fociery, in 
 this fenfe, is a proper political head to it; it is needlefs 
 to quarrel about words, iftherhmgbegracted. And 
 
 F thac 
 
(8*.) 
 that this fubordinationjor fupremacyis direft,or inLi* 
 ma AireBaAU we judge,clear from the fore mentioned 
 a&s, feing they not only make the King the f ountaine 
 of Church power ; but moreover in the aSamntthc 
 the National Synod > he is made the Ml of the fame, 
 and without him , it is nothing. The like of thefe , 
 the fun never shined on , except thefe made by King 
 Henry the %. of England; which being fcrupuledat 
 by all forts of perlbns 3 at home & abroad* they were, 
 in Queen Elizabeths time* forced to alleviat the mater 
 byremoveing the title head, and fome mitigating 
 explications allowed, and ordered to be given to the 
 fubjefts > at the taking of the oath of fupremacy; but 
 no filch explications allowed here* 
 
 %Arg> i. If the Ministers and Churches required 
 bylaw to receive and fubmit to the Prelats, and their 
 Curats thus thruft in upon them , were conftitut and 
 fetled in Chrifts way , asPaftors and flocks, in the 
 juft pofleilion and aftual ufe of all ordinances , con- 
 forme to the rules of the word \ then it is no finful 
 feparation, for Churches , in r adhering to their Mi- 
 mfters , not to receive nor fubmit to the Prelates and 
 their Curats: But fo it is, that the Minifters and 
 Churches required by law to receive and fubmit to 
 the Prelats and their Curats , thus thruft io upon 
 chem, were conftitut and fetled, in Chriftsway, as 
 Paftors and flocks , in the juft pofleffion and a&ual 
 cxercifeofall ordinances j conforme to the rules of 
 the word: Therefore it is mo finful reparation on 
 their part, not to receive and fubmit tofthe Prelats and 
 theirCurats, in hearing and receiving of ordinances 
 from them.' We fuppofe , the conference of the 
 ipajor prope/ition is evident , and will not readily be 
 
 denyed 
 
 P 
 
denyed by any; and ificjhall happen to be, we 
 prove ic thus. If there be divine obligations on Mi- 
 nifters 2nd their Churches to the performance ot the 
 irutual duties of Paftors and flocks $ then it can be no 
 finful reparation' for Churches, in adhering to rheir 
 Ivlmifters, not to receive nor (ubmit to thePrelats 
 and their Cunts \ But fo it is, that the Mmifters 
 and Churches, required by law to receive ind fubmic 
 to thePrelats and their Curats , were under divine 
 obligations to the performance of the mutual duties 
 of Paltors and flocks: Therefore it is no finful repa- 
 ration for Churches not to receive nor fubmit to the 
 Prdats and their Curats. The conference of the 
 major profofition leaneth upon tbtfe two, and is 
 infallibly made out by them, firft thatthere is a di- 
 vine relation of Parlor and flock, betwixt Minifters 
 and the Churches, over whom they are fet; and 
 :| fecondly that they are bound by divine commands, to 
 •J do the mutual duties of fuch, contained and prefcrib- 
 lied in the word of God: none that acknowledge the 
 • Jvliniftery to be an ordinance of divine inflation , and 
 & the Scriptures to be the rule of religion and righte- 
 d oufnefs, will be able to refufethefe. We conceive 
 tojinone, even of our Antagonifts. will deny theJW/- 
 w\\nor \ if they do , will it not follow that the Church 
 18 of Scotland, before and at the Prelats introduftion , 
 m was no Minifterial political Church t which is falfe; 
 sof (as we undertake to prove ; when ever our oppofites 
 1 011 1 bivc their reafbns to the contrare. Rut we know the 
 iand| greareft debate will be about the Minor prop' jhkn of 
 ncttjpefirft argument, to wit, that Mimfiers and Chur- 
 E tithes, required by law to receive and fubmit to the 
 lybejjprelats and their Curates , werefetled in Chrifts way 
 cow, F z as 
 
as Pallors and flocks, in the juftpofleffion, Sraftua 
 cxercile of all ordinances of divine appointment/Thi; 
 f dr mater or faft is beyond all denial , for the Chur 
 ches of Chriftin Scotland, before and at the Prelate! 
 late entry among us, in the Yean 662. were, foi 
 the generality of rhem > furnished with Paftors, anc 
 in the pcffefiionofall ordinances; The debate ther^bi 
 Will run upon the;*// of trm conftitution , that wasty 
 exiftent and in being at thePrelats introduction: a 
 gaioft which there is nothing > that can with any 
 colour of reafon be objected, butoneofthefethree 
 Obj. i. Prelacy was wanting in that conftitution 
 , which it should have had? Anf> i. To the validity 
 c of this obje&ion, itmuft iirft be made out , that 
 Prelacy, as it is eftablished by law, and in ufe and ex 
 ercife, among us, at this day, is of divine right, o 
 an otficeiuftiruteinthe wordofGod; which is no 
 yet done, and for any thing we have yet feen, ne 
 ver Willi Let our adyerfaries in this great debaic 
 , confider the reafons and exceptions we have given it 
 againft ir\, and anfwer them : yea , we undertake t< 
 provcthat it is not only without, but againft the wort 
 .of God. z> We ask at the Patrons of Prelacy, whe 
 thcr they judge it efTencial to the conftitution o 
 the Minifteriaf political Church ? If they jud^e i 
 cfiential , doth ic not neceffaiily follow , that all th 
 Reformed Churches of France t Holland V Sec. ar 
 no minifterial Political Churches; and that all ordi 
 4 nantes difpenfed in them are Nullities ; yea that th 
 Churches of the vallyes ofPiemont, called the Albt 
 ''genfes » ( which by all hiftorians h3ve their origins 
 deduced from the Apoftles,; were not fuch , feinj 
 . $ the wnfcffioQ of all > they never had Prelacy fiou 
 
 thci 
 
(8sO 
 :hcirbeginingof Chriltiamty to this day | which is , 
 :ontrare.'tothe fenfe and judgment of our Worthy 
 Reformers, who ahvayes efteemed rhem pure Chur- 
 ches. Thetruthis> theconfequenceisfoneceffare, 
 chat the moft of the Prelatical party of the Church of 
 
 ■ England, admit no Minifter of the reformed Chur- 
 ches to ofFiciat among them without reordination ; 
 ; Dy which they fix adefperat Schifme between them 
 • and thefe Churches, while they defire and endeavour 
 •econciliation with R$mc : which fpeaks out the ten- 
 dency of their principles «* Ifthey think Prelacy not 
 
 jffential to the Political Minifterial Church? fas foma 
 I of thern do grantO then our Church conftitution, as to» 
 
 ■ illetfentials, was right, our Paftores bound to feed, 
 <ind people to fubmit , hear and receive ordinances 
 
 rorn them; Obj. Although Prelacy be noteffential to 
 : :he iff*; yet it is usful and necefiare to the well being 
 -of the Minifterial Church f <Anf. ti As hath beca 
 1 "aid above , we know of no good, to which prelacy 
 Mislaid to be necefTare, that is not eafily attainable 
 without it $ yea and is not win at in the reformed 
 -Churches. 2. Then the former obligation on our 
 ^Paftores and this Church muft continue ; for if Pre- 
 lacy be not eflential nor neceffare to the being of the 
 ^Minifterial Churches, the obligation, whichflowes 
 ^frora, and is dependant on it, cannot be ciifcontiou- 
 3r !:d by the introduction of Prelacy upon us ; it should 
 fctather confirrae and ftrengthen thisobligatioo, in the 
 tM>pinionof r fuch, t r\en diffol ve ic. 1 1 is, noqueition, the 
 fWforefight of this and other confluences of the like 
 ;iO%atore , that forces the moftofthenow Pre!a:s, to 
 ^jmaintainetheabfoluceand eflential neceilTty of Pre- 
 io%cy in ths Church > againft the evidence of Scripture 
 feij ' F$ and 
 
(8<J.) 
 
 and Antiquity. Obj. Z. Bat what was done in the Year 
 1662. for the int oduftion or Prelacy in this Church, 
 was but a re :>o(TeiEtig her or it , that hid been eject- 
 ed An. 16 j8 i Anf* i. The cje£t ion of Prelacy Anno 
 16 2* Wis but the pqrgeing of presbytery from 
 Prelacy > chat had been broug.hr in upon it, after 
 Prelacy had been caft offby this Church in her rirft 
 Reformation of Religiou from Pop.ry : It is evident 
 from Hiftoies , the books of difciplme firft and fe- 
 cond a&s of Parlt. Particularly that of the Year 1 5 9 £♦ 
 the National Covenant > and the records of the ge- 
 neral AtTemblies, that with the Reformation of Re. 
 Iigioti in doftnne and worship , Prelacy was alfo re. 
 moved and caft out of this Church, as an high corrup. 
 Hon in her government. So that from the Refor- 
 mation of Religion from Popery 5 Presbytery had 
 the firft poilelfion. It is true, the Bishops that then 
 were, did continue in their bishopricks , andkeeped 
 their plices in Park, but without allChurch power or 
 jurisdiction* thitth-y had formerly exercifed in the 
 times or Popery predomining in this Church;* And 
 when their Bishopricks came to vaik thoro w death i 
 theirplaces were not rilled wiihochets , as formerly 
 had been done , till Mortons Regency , who for the 
 legal right of their revenues (which he laboured to 
 enhance for his o wne ufe, and could not legally come 
 at , without fome shadow of them ) endeavoured 
 /to bringthem in ( of which he repented at his death, 
 as is to be feen in the hiftory of the Duglajfes*) which 
 occasioned a hot conceit becwixt him & the Cfturc h > 
 at that time, inheraffcmblies, whoftootlyoppofed 
 prelacie, and never gave it over , rill by law and pra- 
 ctice it was wholly caft out of this Church > *Jnm 
 
(«7-) 
 159^ BatKingyames afterwards falling too much 
 in love with wordly defigns and interests, forfaci* 
 litating the much courted and defired fucceilion to 
 ,the crowne of England ( to which Prelacy was thea 
 judged neceflare ) laboured by finifter and fubtile 
 iwayes, the introdu&ion of Prelacy upon the Church, 
 ;( which then was mod averfe therefrom ) that he 
 gave not over his defigne in this, till he had fetledit 
 by law sAnno 1 6 1 z . and brought it in upon Presby^ 
 tery : but Prelacy not being content with this efta- 
 blishment and exaltation, it attained torn the 4 fore* 
 laid Year, never ceafed working by itsimpoficions, 
 till it came to that hight of ulurpationon Church Sc 
 State, that procured its ruine^wwo i6j8« Allthls4s 
 So clear from the preceeding records , particularly 
 Spotfootds b'ftory ,rhit he muft be either an utter 
 ftrangertothefe, or els impudently malicious, that 
 denyerhtt. Do men think, we are fuch ignorants 
 of and ftrangers to thefe things , that we are not able 
 to difcover the vanities and lies of fome of that party 9 
 who have put pen to paper, and contradi&ed all this; 
 as the Author of the feafonablc cafe , and others, who 
 contrare to all evidence , will maintaine the pofldli- 
 onef Prelacy in thisChurch fince the reformation? 
 %. Supponeing Prelacies poffeffion in this Church 
 fince the reformation (which is notourly fals } till its 
 Iafte/eftionc^»woi6j8. as it was in England; yet 
 till its divine right be proven ■ it can clatme no jus or 
 right in the Church of God, whofe concerns can* 
 not be antiquated and profenbed by length of time ; 
 Other wife moft of the popish herefies ,'idolatriesand 
 fuperftitions, should have nigh as good clarae, for 
 their beiog in this Church, as Prelacy j and it is like, 
 
 F4 if«?er 
 
(88.) 
 
 if ever Popery afme at its i eiiauration , and come any 
 length <owa.ds it, in thi*» Church s it will build it 
 icli ori chi foundation, among others^ as Prelacy 
 d-esthsday, mcheiawsdtabhshmgit. Obj. Buc 
 the Mag itiut bucg ngin Prelacy, and commanding 
 all to receive and iuoiriit to it , (Prelacy being, as 
 fome fay * a tnmg indifferent ) all should obey i 
 jiv,f. leaving the debat about the Magiftrats power to 
 th-rIaitheaciof< u ddcourfe, where it shall becon- 
 Cdere4 ahttle; we fay i. Whatever power the 
 Jvlag'ftrit hath about the Church , and her concerns 
 as facfi . ic is aftn&ed and fubordmated; to the 
 Word of God , which the greateit Patrons ofErafti- 
 anifrtie do yeeld » asVedeliust yeiEraftus himfelf* 
 and all or trutSeft: hence the Mag.ftrat may not 
 co «•: m3nd any thing in the Church > thatiscontrare 
 to, or without it ; and if he do> none are bound to 
 ob y fu( f) commands, as all Protectants grant; there- 
 fove till it be made to appear* that Prelacy is allowed 
 and appointed ifl the w©rd, our noa - obedience or 
 non fubn llhontoir, altho commanded by the Ma- 
 g.v'ur , caliwt be joftly condemned* It is true 3 StiU 
 Ibigfltft i^ at much pained ito prove it to be indiffe- 
 rent, but on liich grounds as shake the foundation 
 of our faith , "the perfection of the holy Scriptures ; 
 and with 16 little fuccefie* as weremaine the more 
 confirmed mchecontrare: wo were to us, ifwehad 
 no letter ground* foi Presbytery, then the ftrongeft 
 pleaders for Prelacy ha% yet shewed for it. 2. The 
 MagiHrat. w;.ih the fubjeft being under the divine ob« 
 liga<: mm of Covenants and oarhs againlt Prelacy, 
 have fK> power to command ks reception, neither 
 can the fubjea give the obedience required > without 
 
 horrid 
 
<8 9 .) 
 
 horrid fin againft God : Ir infuchacafe, a power in 
 the Magiitrat to do, and command contrary CO" 
 fuch divine obligations and engagements , and an ob- 
 ligation on the lubjeft co obey thefe, bealTerred* i$ 
 there not a door opened to the introduction of any 
 Religion whu fo-ver? And a power granted to and 
 eftabhshcdinthe Mag tlrac, to make void all obliga- 
 tion of obedience to God. <> Which i to us > is terri- 
 ble to think on. Are not our Ancagonifts then forced, 
 either to aflert this power on the Magiftrat ; Or els 
 to prove the mater of chefe Covenants to be finful and 
 unjult> and confeqaently not obligatory on this 
 Church? One of thefe two they ranft do , before 
 they can expect our obedience to the prefcntlawes 
 anentit* We grant, fome of that party have un- 
 dertaken this task, as tothelaft; but with fofmall 
 fruits that on a ferious and impartial perufal of their 
 Argueingsaboutir, we continue more confir<r»edin 
 the contrare > then before the faid perufal : whether: 
 this proceeds from our dulnefs and incapacity to 
 reach their arguments , or the vveaknefs of the fame » 
 we leave it to the unbyafTed to judge. j.WealTert, 
 that whatever the Magiftrat may do>either in caufing 
 or ditfbJveing of Church relations andengsgments ; 
 yet he cannot do this, iromediatlyandofhimfelf > 
 but by the Church; and the reafonis$ as the fixing 
 and eftablishing of Churches relations and engag- 
 ments betwixt Miniftets and Churches, doesarife 
 and fiow from Chrilts institutions and precepts in his 
 word; fothe application of thefe to individuals in 
 the Church, either in caufing ordiffolveing them, is 
 in the Church>and not in the Magiftrat: he may com, 
 wand the Church toaft her partiiuhis, butcannoc 
 F 5 doic 
 
(90.) 
 
 do it himfelf , for the power of calling and miffioH 
 belongs to the Church, not to the Magiftrat ; as all 
 Divines ancient and moderne aflert, and as, we fup- 
 pofe , is fufficiencly proven afterwards. 
 
 Arg. 4» The way of the Corats entering into 
 Congregations puts a bar on our (ubjeftion to them , 
 thac we dar not ownethera , for the lawful paftors 
 of this Church : for as their entry is without the 
 Church, and the way thac Chrift hath fetled in his 
 hous for that end , fo they have come in on congre- 
 gations , in wayes > which we judge corrupt, and 
 without all warrant from the Word of God , & the 
 practice of the primitive times : In the fearch of 
 Scripture, and pure Antiquity, we find, thac ordina- 
 tion by Miniftcrs, the ele&ion and call of the people* 
 was the way, by which Miniftcrs entered into con- 
 gregations, andnocthe inftitution and collation of 
 the Bishop * nor the prefentation of Patrons $ which, 
 as they have their pedegry and origination from Po- 
 pery; fa part of the tyranny of that Hierachy) fo they 
 are but late human inventions, derogating from, & vi- 
 tiating the initiations of Chnft about t hismater, and 
 thatfeveral wayesjas* i.This way of their entry, by 
 the Bishops inftitution and collation* doesfuppone, 
 chat their ordination does not fufficiently impower 
 them, to the exercife of the Miniftery, without a fur- 
 ther licence* which is contrare to the end of ordinati. 
 on,& the nature of the Minifferial power jthac>byver- 
 tue of its ends and the commands of Chrift, does bind 
 the perfons inverted therewith, ( to its exercifef with^ 
 out which > he cannot prove faithful to his Matter , 
 nor attain the ends of his Miniftry , the converfion 
 and edification of fiancrs. it is true > the Bishops 
 
 dominion. 
 
1 
 
 . (9I-) 
 
 dominion, in fubjeftin;; of his Creators to him, is 
 lengthened thereby; but it everts ciic very end an4 
 nature of ordma ion , due, by this device , is < nly 
 made to give pocenttam remotam^ not proximam. 2. 
 The Patiois prefencation , as it takes away the 
 peoples righc of elect on and confent , granted them 
 by Chnlt Jelus j foit fupponsordinition to g»V£ no 
 right to the mantainance ; or, atleatt, fulpendsit; 
 (tae effeft of prelentarons being, in thegrmt of 
 all, togiveanghcto theltipend^J which we ailert* 
 according to i he word? tobetheeifeft of ones being 
 the Pafiour of fuch a people, who, b/divinecom- 
 mands are bound to maintaine him m all outward 
 neceflanes for his incouragmenc in the work, and 
 etubling him co do thofe duties, both common and 
 fpecial, .vhich he cannot do wuhoucit^ To fay, one 
 is the P-iftour of fuch i congregation; and yet hath 
 nocjult right to the provided maiotinance, isagainft 
 the com nands of Chnft , and the practice of the 
 Church in many ages, But, as this isamongftthe 
 many other pieces of flivery, unto which men, 
 throw ambition andluft, have fubje&edihe Church 
 ofChriltj fo the Curats, entering this way, wecan- 
 not receive, nor give up ourfelves to them, as our 
 guidsand Paftours under Chrift. 
 
 %Arg, 5. M ,ny Congregacions,nto which the Cu- 
 rats are entered, are under a ftanding obligation to 
 their former Paitours; not only on the account of 
 thepalioral relation betwixt them > but for the en- 
 gagments they cane under to fuch , in iheir call and 
 reception of them { which is not diiloived by any 
 thinu we have yet feen: fare we are, theMagiftrat 
 can not do it : Qbu Salomon > for the Came of Trea* 
 
 fo« 
 
(90 
 
 fon, Committed 'by Ab'mbar againft the flaw, ba- 
 nished him from jerufalem , ( where the Tabernacle 
 was) and Confined him to lAnathotb , his owne in- 
 heritance , by which he habitually difinabled him > 
 from exercifing the priefts office: Therefore Magi- 
 ftrats may depofe and exautorat the Minifters of 
 theGofpel. *Anf* How wide and inconcluient is 
 thisconfequence? it is only fa«din the text i.Kjngsz 
 26 > 27. that heremoved him to Anathotb, which is 
 but a Civil fentence. Obj. z> It is faid vers 27. chat 
 Solomon thruft him out from being prieft unto the 
 Lord. Anf. Solomon did this confecuthe , and not 
 formaltier; it was a neceffare confequent ofhisde- 
 ferved fentence or banishment , to which he was 
 bound, on the jultice of the fentence, toyeeldand 
 fubmit: a confequent that will neceflarlie follow on 
 the deeds of others, to whom our adverfaries will 
 notgrant the formal power of exautorating of Mi- 
 nifters; fuppone 3 man by fmiting, or aphyfician 
 byadrniniftring unwholfomephyfick, do habitually 
 difinablea Mimiierto the exercife of his minifttie; 
 will it therefore follow* thathedoeth depofe him 
 from his miniftrie, or hath the formal power of fo 
 doing? No wayes. And feing the Scripture is plaine 
 in shewing the accomplishment of the Lords 
 word > fpoken againft the houfe of Elk by Samuel > in 
 removing of Ahiatber, and in him, Elk's houfe, 
 from the High - prieft - hood ; and alfo the way how 
 ic was done; not by a formal fentence of deprivation 
 devefting Abiathcrof his office, but by a civil fentence 
 of confinement to Anathotb* that necefiarly remo* 
 ved him from the Tabernacle, and difinabled him to 
 4q his office there » why do men contend f But am* 
 
 bicio* 
 
(9J) 
 
 bition to gaine its defigne will keep at any hold, hortf 
 weak/bevcr* Obj. 3. As this deed of Solomons did 
 difcharge Abiatber ot his former ryes and obligations, 
 to the exerctfeof this office in the Tabernacle , and 
 opened a door for bringing in another priefi in his 
 roome;fo we think the IVbgittrats fentence now does 
 the fame, to the ejected raimfters > feing they are 
 boiKid to fubmit to civil fentences , and the Church 
 may not want Paftours. Anf. Although we yecld the 
 Antecedent* yet we deny the consequent: for 1 . becaule 
 the parallel betwixt Atiathers ciic, and oursruneth 
 wyde: becaufe ( 1,) <Abhtbers fentence wasjuft, 
 his crime deferved it , and much more: but ours is 
 not fo ; as the preceding and fubfequenc reafons 
 make out. 2. Abiathers fentence was perfonal , and 
 terminated on himfelf only , and did not reach the 
 reftofchepreifts: oursisagainftall that do not con- 
 forme. 3. His was founded on a civil crime againft 
 the State, and perfonof the King , to wit, treafon. 
 Our alledged crime is Ecclefiaftick, for not com- 
 plying with a courfe of defection from the truth and 
 wayesof Chrifti to which weand all Hand engaged 
 by folemne Covenants and oaths , which tye us, in 
 our feveral capacities and (cations » to vnthftand the 
 eontrare corruptions , now brought in upon us. '4. } 
 Abiathers punishment, to which he was formally 
 fentencedi was purely civil j confinement tofucha 
 place: Ours, altho icbep2rtly civil , yet is mofcly 
 Ecclefiaftick ; ( which is not within the power of 
 theMagiftrat) we are not only robed of our lively- 
 hoods and cohtined;but inhibited theexercifeof our 
 Miniftrie, and ftated by fentence, in a habitual cef- 
 fation from the exercife of ic , which is truely depri- 
 vation 
 
vation. ( < ) Ahtathcrs fentence and punishment 
 Was not nflidtd, in a rime of defection, and for 
 w rhlbndir gofit: ouis is pafTed in fuc hat' me, and 
 for refitting of the fame, and out of defigne , onour 
 Fukrsf ait,toca r iy on their intended deft &ton. 2. 
 The wicuous commands, fentences and punishments 
 of men ( w here invincible force is not) does not un- 
 tye our obligations to God and menjthatwe by 
 the authority of Cod are under t for ferving of him 
 and others in our day. 
 
 Arg. 6. Jf congregations have ajuft right and 
 powei ofeleftir-gard calling of their Mmifters; then 
 thofe that come in upon them without this , are not 
 to be tPeemed their Pafiours , nor to be fubjefted to 
 as fuch by congiegations , but to be withdiawn 
 from: But here it is To; the Ctratt shave entered on 
 congregations , without this eleflion and call of the 
 people, their juft right and priviledge. All the de- 
 pat will be about \ht Antecedent of the firfl proportion, 
 which to us is clear from Scripture and puielt Anti- 
 quity, as our orthodox Divines prove againft the Pa- 
 pifts. All that Bellarmin hath to fay to this, is the 
 power of the Church to alter and change theie and 
 other things of the like nature, the very anfwerof 
 cur advei lanes: but how or from what this is made 
 good, is not yet showne us: Antiquity isfo clear 
 and full in this * that it is a wonder, that they> who 
 plead fo much for prelacy from it, can be able to caft 
 it here : if the Prelacy, controverted among us , had 
 but half of the evidence from Antiquicie » that the 
 peoples ri^ht and po werof election hath $ it had go n 
 far to have dt termined the que ftfon in its behalf>with 
 fome chat yet ftand aloofe from it : this shews, it is 
 
 nor 
 
(9*0 
 
 notthe evidence or inevidence of arguments, that 
 refolves many, anentthe debats of trufe times ; but 
 intereft and luft that fweys them more, then the love 
 of truth. But more of this afterwards. 
 
 Arg. 7. Hearingof, fubiriting to, & receiving 
 of ordinances fiom the Curates alone , and not from 
 others , is enjoyned by law? and required as the figne 
 of our compliance with, and fubjefting to the pre- 
 fentlawes, bringing in and eftablishing of Prelacy, 
 with other corruptions, which we dare not owne. 
 Hearing, and receiving ordinances from fuch, hath 
 a twofold bar put upon it to us; an unqualified in- 
 ftrumentorobjeft; andtherefpeft that by the law 
 it is made to have to the corruptions obtruded upon 
 this Church, as the figne of our compliance with 
 and fubje&ion to thefe. The command of Cod a- 
 bout hearing, does conftitut the objeft and inftru- 
 ment ( what and whom ) we should hear: As we 
 a re not to hear all doctrines, but thefe that are foundj 
 fo we are not to hear and receive all , that pretend to 
 come in Chrifts name , but thefe , of whofe million 
 we have fome rational evidence ; at leaft againft 
 which, we havenojuft exceptions. This, as to the 
 Curatsjismadeoutbythe former arguments. But 
 befidesthis, the figne appointed and determined by 
 the law , and required of all in this Church , is that 
 they not only withdraw from , and do not hear the 
 ejeftedandnon-conformeMimftersi but that they 
 hear and fubmit to Minifters , that comply with and 
 enter into this Church, by the Prelates: which to 
 us makes hearing and receiving of ordinances from 
 them , a practical approbation of, and compliance 
 with Prelacy , and other corruptions , contained in 
 
 the 
 
(9<S.) 
 
 the law: forfuch is the connexion between the figne 
 and the thing fig ru tied , that he thatyeelds to give 
 the figne > doth in ail rational conltruftion approve 
 the thing Ggmfied* 0£j. But hearing and receiving 
 is a duty commanded by God , which being fo 3 can- 
 not ceafe to be fiich by the Magiftrats command en- 
 joyning \t?Anf. In this anfwei our Opponents do or- 
 dmarly triumph j but to unfold its vanity and infuf- 
 ficiency in this mater > let it be considered, r; That 
 Gods law in conftituting of duty does not only de- 
 termine the act 5 but the objefts and inftruments , a- 
 bout and by which t they are co be exert i(ed,& with- 
 out which they arc not dwy , norsfts of obedience 
 toGodjfothacis not the a&fimpiy , thuis made a 
 duty, butmitsrefpeft to fuch and fuch objefts and 
 inftruments ; as for wftane'e , praying is a duty* not 
 limply in it felt coofidered ; but in its refpeft to God 
 in his fon Chnft jefus > for fuch and fuch things , he | 
 commands and allows in his word.; foit is in hear- 
 ing 9 whofe objeft and inftrurr. ent muft be fuch as is j 
 appointed in the word \ other ways it is not duty, 
 but in many cafes > apofitive fin; for the commands 
 of God about hearing, do reftriftit, inksob/e&s 
 andinftrunhftus, without which 5 it is not duty; foi 
 that we muft carefully fee > what it is we hear, and, 
 whom. Letouradverfariesfirftanfwer ourformer; 
 arguments^ add prove that they 3rethofe 5 whom by j I 
 the commands of God we are appointed to tteafj I 
 and we shall yceld. 2. The thing comroandedbyi, 
 the MagifcraMn this cafe and mater,is not a duty ; letj 
 them prove it that a(Tert this. We grant, hearing 6fJ 
 the Gofpel, and receiving of the ordinances, isL 
 a duty i butonlyasitfuppons and takes in lawfullyL 
 
 called] 
 
(97-) 
 
 called and fent Miniftery ( known to be fuch, ) to 
 whom the difpenfationof the word is commited: 
 none will fay>it is a duty to hear the word and receive 
 ordinances from thofe, that are not fent > or have no 
 juft authority to difpenfe the fame: the Magilirats 
 ' commands in his prefent laws, reftri&s hearing of the 
 word: & receiving of ordinances to fuch & iucblin- 
 ' hibitmg theleas to others;which commands not hav- 
 I ing the due inftiuments appointed by God irrthe per- 
 formance off his du'y ? do not er.joyu a duty btr a (id. 
 ; Obj. 2. If the Prelatsfc their Curats be Miniiiersof 
 the Gofpel; then they arc to be htard, & ordinances 
 should be received from them ; for the Minifterial 
 1 power gives to the perfons inverted therewith not 
 only a right to preach the word &difpenfe ordinances, 
 &maketh their a&s valide; but it binds them to the 
 ^doingof thefe; andall others to fubmit to them in the 
 1 exercife of their power: as is apparent in all relations t 
 [* & the mutual duties,that the perfons under them owe 
 ls 'to one another •, fo that if Minifters be bound to pre- 
 h achtheGofpeU and difpenfe its ordinances, the 
 - s people muft likewi.fe beoblidged to hear and receive 
 ;S ordinances from them? Anf, Albeit we should yeeld 
 f° ;he Prelats and Curats to be Miniliers;to the denying 
 Npf which, they have given and do give to n -any> too 
 Bcr taiuch ground > by their open avowed perjury, enmi- 
 ty ( y at and oppoficion to true godlinefs ; their renunc- 
 ir »'!ngof Jefus drift for their immediac Supream head, 
 ^ >y fubjefting themfelves to another foraign: Suoream 
 i' et |n the Church; and their wicked and flagitious lives ) 
 8°'Vet the co ifequence will not hold: for. i. The true 
 pte ofthe queftion is , whether we should receivefe 
 librou to them>as the lawful! v called&appropriarPa- 
 G ftors 
 
(980 
 
 ftors of this Church ; vchich for the former and fub- 
 fegu&itrtaion* wedeny: And we would gladly lee 
 bow they will prove it, for although intruders upon 
 the Church be Mi"ifters,yet their intrufion puts a fuf- 
 jfic «em bar on peoples reception of and fub million to 
 them •, as we have made out both in thefi & in hyfo+ 
 theft: wherefore ipTfb far } as hearing 6c receiving of 
 ordinances from Prelatical Minifters 5 in our cafe , is 
 an acknowledgment of this, werefufeit. 1. Peoples 
 obligation to fubmflion to Minifters , does not im- 
 inediatly flow from the being of the Minifterial 
 power aftd authority, in thofe cloathed therewith; 
 there a -e > befidesthis, other things that muftcon« 
 cur ro ;he caufing ofchis obligation , which, if they 
 be wanting* Will make it void, or ar leatt fufpend 
 it; as the ratio a! evidence of its being in perfons 
 pretending to MieMioifteryj the removal ofjuftim- 
 pediments > the Churches callj Sec. fo that there are 
 fomethings either phyfical or moral , that J if they 
 fall rut , will fufpend this obligation in a8ufccundo 9 
 vvh»ie it cemainq in aHuprimo ; as inability of body, 
 juftfufpenfionforatime, fundamental herefies, in- 
 ruGon* &c. now many of thefe being exiftenton 
 the part of the Prelats and their Curats > inourprc- 
 |eritcafe s we Sndeourftlves under no divine obliga* 
 tion 10 hear and receive ordinances from them. We 
 jjiaUaoc here urge the judgment andpra&ice of our 
 worthy reformers a.ent the Romish Priefts, Jefuits* 
 and others in orders, among them * who fuftained > 
 th? validity of ordinances difpenfed by fuch ; and yet 
 held, thurhey should not be heard, nor ordinances 
 received fro a them. The inltance of the pharifics 
 and the icribes> Mattb. 23. will not be found to mi- 
 ll tat 
 
(99<) 
 
 litatagainft th r s> till ir be ir.adeout, thattheywere 
 
 intruders , which yet none hath done. 
 
 ±Arg. 8. It is oi i-o little weight ions, when 
 
 added co the former , that rhe teneral. :y of thefe vio- 
 
 lenciy thruft-in oncongr« aacions , ace Qither infuf- 
 i ficent or fcandaJous ; (creatures we corf': s fitted 
 
 forcanying on or" the Fitlats defigres, againlUhis 
 i Churchand us ) by Vvhom the poor people were, 
 I and yet are in hazard, throw ignorance, Prophanr es> 
 \ Atheifme, and a Sp:rit ofdclufion, abounding in 
 
 allcomers of this La.'d: who, in ftead of preventing 
 ; and curein^ of the fame , do rather further andad- 
 ■ vancethefe Church, defiroying evils; as we donoc 
 I make per fonal fcandal , oficfelf? a (ufflcient ground 
 I of withdrawing from ordinances, drpeniedby aMi- 
 j nifter, guilty thereof; yet when thefe are found in 
 \ thecarnageofthofe, whofeentry is corrupt, and fuch 
 \ as cannot be juftifyed, we cannot but think ourfelves 
 i under ftraiter tyestobe ware of, and flv from fuch: 
 ( partly becaufe of the little or no ground we have to 
 
 expeft any fpiritual advantage from their admimftra- 
 
 • tion of holy things : and partly for the precepts we 
 : find in the word for avoiding and shaning of fuch 
 
 • Philip. 3. with many others. Shall we give up our- 
 
 • felvs co the guidance and conduft of luch > in the 
 iwayesoflife* having nothing to engadge us there- 
 ito, but the meer pleafure and will of men > who, 
 
 5i (| we know > are carrying on corrupt defignes, tending 
 I i to the overthrow of Religion in its purity & power f 
 nWhacafollyandmadnefs were this f Itisfaid, that 
 a \ our charge , in this 3 is falfe and unjuft. But we ap- 
 peal to the experience and obfervation ofthegenera- 
 & lliey of Profeflburs in this Church, good and bad , 
 a \ G z who 
 
(IOO.) 
 
 who have been & are witneifes to their deportments. 
 Arg 9 Bwfidts thefe there were feveral things, in 
 the&^eJcaleof th/Jtime j and ihecircumliancesof 
 it , that withheld j and yet withhold us , horn iub- 
 je&ingtothe pretares aid their curates; which we 
 Wish were laid to heart by all as they are concerned. 
 As I. For making wayto the introduction of prela- 
 cy , the very foundations of civil govern a ent were 
 shaken and unhinged, by the difannuliigand res- 
 cinding ot fuch a feries of Parliaments , for many 
 years, in the moft of which , there wtre, accord- 
 ing to ancient cuftomes and lawes , all that , a- 
 roongft us , is held and repuced effential to the Con* 
 ftitution of Parliaments. By this deed not only the 
 Conftitucion of former Parliaments are ftruck at * but 
 (as is to be feen in the reafons given for it, in the aSt 
 refcijjorie) a preparative is made, for the changing of 
 the Government, by any that, in after ages, have 
 a minde for , and power to effeft it. Although the 
 Parliament of E«gfW , at that time, was as highly 
 prelatical, and as much made for the Kings defignes 
 as ours; yet rh?y forbore fuch a deed, anent the 
 Long -lived -Parliament, albeit they had the fame 
 reafons and grounds tor it, that we pretended. 2. 
 This change made in the Church, was accompanied , 
 and yet is, with fuch afpeat ofenimity at , and op- 
 pofmon to true godliries, in its neceflare exercifes $ 
 that the perfons t hat favoured any thing of Religion , 
 fobricry and confcience, came under a cloud , and 
 weredifcountenanced , even from rhe highdi to the 
 Ioweft,as perfons not fit to be intrufled in any place of 
 office or power : while thefe that were known to be 
 afdiflblute lives, and given to all forts of wickednes , 
 
 were 
 
(ioi.) 
 
 weremu h made of, countenanced and intrufted, as 
 the only confidents of the time ; from whence it 
 came to pafs , that wickednefs and prophinicy rinding 
 it feJf encouraged > and reyns loofed to it , abounded' 
 in all parts of "the land, to the s>rief of the truely god- 
 ly , aid the great fcanJal of the Proteftaiu reformed 
 religion at home and abroad. It it were not for too 
 nvich prol x ty, this might be madeto appear from a 
 multitude of undenyable , but lamentable inftances ; 
 which for brevities fake we forbear, not loveing to 
 ftir in this hlthy puddle, g. As to the Government 
 ot the Church in particular , the cafe was wholly al- 
 tered, from that of our worthie PredeceilorSjin the 
 former Prelats time: for,, as prelacy was thenlub- 
 tilly brought in upon them, bydegrees. andnotall 
 at once-, lo they continued in the pofleffionofthe 
 Government of the Church , that had been fetled 
 bylaw, and never legally or actually difinabled to 
 m-et , and exercife the fame, in their fixed and ordi- 
 I nare judicatories : but continuing as formerly in 
 Presbyterated meetings, had the Prelats thruft in 
 | upon them; as is evident from hiftory, even of Spotif- 
 | wood-, But in our cafe, Prelacy is at the firft raifed 
 I bylawtoitsgrcateft height: ; Presbytery difcharged, 
 j cashiered and eje&edouc or this Church * alllawcs 
 • for it > either in late or former times , being difanul- 
 j ed and abrogated; the meetings of Minifters in their 
 fixed Presbytenal and Synodic3l affembhes inhibit- 
 ed, under fevere penalties by afts of Councel , which 
 became founiverfally obeyed, that Presbytery had 
 neither a legal nor aftual being, in the time that Pre- 
 lacy was erected & brought in upon this Church: So 
 that at its a&ual introduction, we were, conforme to 
 G 3 lawes, 
 
(iozj B I 
 
 Lawes, required to come in - , fubmitto, and con- J| 
 cur with tne government tetfea by them, which 
 was purely Prclatical and Er:flim. They that deny 
 this mull concradift thelaw, and make thelawma- 
 kers liars, if chelaws and a&ings conforme thereto 
 havea-ry fenfe t that may be rarionalhe deduced the- 
 r :froii. ttzricz* whit was r qui red was directly 
 com rare to our principles & known judgment, which 
 to this day , vvfcnevier faw any convincing reafons , to 
 make us relinquish, Here we cannot , butcompkan 
 of the oa! >abie injulbce', done us by the Author of 
 thzfeafohabte cafe ( falsly fo called ) who concrare co 
 all evidence, makes tne cafe now and then alike* 
 But notorious lies and untruths muft bemadeufeof 
 to rill up the roomeof truth, fo shamefully defert- 
 ed by that party. 4*The government of the Church 
 that then was, was by law totally fubverted, and 
 Prelacy brought in its place, at and by the meer 
 authority of the King; the government thereof by 
 a preceedmjj, law or act being wholly put into his 
 hands', ( the authority of Parliament mterpofedaf- 
 terwards for the establishing of prelacy > being by 
 this only corroborative and precarious j ) asif. it were 
 only of his (ramemg and making, and had no higher 
 derivation* , but that of humane authority ; which 
 we look upon , as an high derogation of the Regal 
 and Supream authority of Chr ft Jefus, the alone 
 Heaiani K mg of his Church; and a dreadfull pre- 
 funpt;on n changing the lavs and ordinances , ena- 
 cted and inftituted by Him in hishoufe ; which all 
 Chriltian^ , especially Pro:eftants , efteem facred 
 and inviol-ble. Can we, according to the principles 
 we have received and drunk in , from the word of 
 
 the 
 
( IO ?') 
 
 the liveing God, allow ot this forme ofGovern- 
 \\i ipencchis way introduced into the Church? Tiiofe 
 y that Jove ea e , and things of this world , luay h ; nk 
 • |i ligjitofall; but it is not fo to us, whoare, through 
 grace, refolvcd too wne no oth:r Head of that body, 
 ( thenChrift Jefus ) of whom we profefieourfelves 
 members. The recent and fr:sh m mory of che Na- 
 tional and Solemne League and Covenants $ under 
 th j tye of which this Nation and Church came of:e- 
 ner then once; all rankes and degrees ofperfons, 
 Noble aid Ignoble, f;omthe Kings Majeliy tor he 
 lowed Subjeft , being folemnly cngadged thereby 
 | againft the evils and corruptions ejected by them* 
 The obligation of which had been enforced > and 
 legally fecured by a continued feries of iawes and 
 ;praftifes, for a longtime, trnt feemed ro promife 
 I all imaginable fecurkie, to the work of Reformati- 
 on , ag inft the outmoft alTaults of its adverfaries : 
 i nothing was lefc undone , that could be attempted by 
 rational men in this cafe. Whileall thefe thing- were 
 inbeingj andiecentin the memory of ail , athorre 
 and abroad, ar one dash, info little a time, to raze 
 to th : : foundations, all the fo.mei fupe'ttrudiute, 
 , and build up the contrary and chit bv perfons, who, 
 :( for their generality ) had been foaftive for, andfo 
 deeply engadged in former proceedings, h ftrange 
 to think on ; efpecially confidering the verbal fecu* 
 rities , and engagments madj unto us, immediarly 
 before this change. We fay, m this oik , to give the 
 concurrence and complyance required , in jcyninsj 
 with and receiving the Prelats and their C; eaturs, is, 
 beyond all queftion,?n approving of all that was done 
 contrary to our foed judg rents 5c thefe obligations ^ 
 G 4 wc, 
 
0°40 
 we, with thereftof this Church came under. Let 
 any man of conference put himftlf in our cafe, & fup- 
 pone our judgment & principles to be his owne ; and 
 theri let h<m judge , if he would not Hnde himfelf ne- 
 cdlnated to carry, in this matter > as we have done. 
 Ob] Some affcrt that they, never having taken on the 
 perfonal obligation of the Covenants , are not bound 
 by them>for which they offer irrefragable arguments, 
 but yet fee it fit to hold them in. jlnf. Ho wcv< r there 
 are two things we are fure of i TirjU AllM,nilkrs, 
 that entered into the Church in \ he time of Pu sbyte- 
 ry> were taken engadged fcr the government of the 
 Church>that then was, in oppofiron to Prelacy; and 
 in or near the time thatprtlacy was a bringing in into 
 this Church, Minifters in many Presbyteries & Sy- 
 nods, declared their refolutionsioradhereingtoPies- 
 bytery, that then was in being, & had been extrcifed 
 in this Church, for many years preceedine that fine; 
 but it is like (as their after carriage did make our j rhkc 
 thefe are knots they can eafily loofc •, feing thty are > 
 able to mafter & overcome far greater. Nm.That 
 Church Covenants intheipatcrsofGod, which by 
 venue of divine commands & inttuutions do antece- 
 dently bind,doobleige all in the Church, both in the 
 , time or afterwards ; and that with this adventitious 
 and fupervenient obligation of a Covenant , bef.de 
 the former. He hath a ftout confcienc*e that will get 
 this denyed, it is fo evidently manifeft from Deut. 29; 
 10. &c. they mull be arguments of iron & fleHl, that 
 will break this Scripture in pieces. Thefewho afTeit 
 the contrary, shall do well to try their ft rength * on 
 what the anfwerer of Mr.GilbcrtBurnets tiifl citalogucs 
 bath on thisSubjeft ; tbac have not yet received a reply. 
 
 But 
 
(ioy.) 
 
 But it feems ft is a piece ornewpoltcy, to make up 
 the weaknefs ot aiguments, with big (welling wo. as. 
 WemLht here confider a iictlc ( if our purpo'cd 
 brevity could permit it) what one, in a certame 
 mattufcript , hath undenakvn ro prove in ievera! pro. 
 politions ; but his miftaking of the qucftion in the fe- 
 cond propofit on , mak-b us eafy work ; it being 
 anuth we do not deny, and in which we clofe with 
 our predeceiTours : (o that all his citations c fours arc 
 tonoeffeft : for we grant that the fin of fellow wor- 
 shiped isnojult ground for withdrawing hom pub* 
 lift ordinances , where th;re is no ju(t exceptions 
 belidej wilhc from thence follow, tha: we should 
 fubrait to and hear the Cuiates in our prcfent cafe? 
 werouft hav^ other arguments then any he there pro- 
 duceth. before we fi.bjeft to fuch: neither is it a luf- 
 ficient argument , he uieth in the 6. propoficion ; 
 that they are Minifters of Jefus Chnft : Suppone ic 
 befo, yetrhecoi fequenceis wide; wea^keatthem, 
 iftheyihmk it lawful to hear and receive oidirances 
 fiom ourtj cted and inhibited Minifters t Jf they 
 do ; how comes inhat they do not hear our Mini- 
 fiers, but diffwade the people ^om it > If they judge 
 hearingof us unlawful ; they mull either fay that our 
 Jvlinifters are no Jvlwifters; or els that Mmiliersmay 
 be withdrawn from and noth:ardj although they 
 be Mmiftcrs of Chrift Jtfus: and confequently it 
 will follow from thcirown opinion, andpraflice 
 anentus, that theiearefome things for heaiing and 
 receiving of ordinances , from any perfon , befide 
 there being Minifters of Jefus Chrift : Or els the 
 chargeoffchifme, and reparation , will fall as heavy 
 onchemfclvcs 9 for not hearing and receiving of ordi- 
 G 5 nances 
 
(ioS.) 
 
 nances from our Mfnifters , as on us- But enough 
 of this. Whoever reads chit manufcript, will rind ic 
 fiifficiently^nr<veredin tnis shore touch, for all his 
 argueings are aga-nit his o wne shadow, and mifle the 
 mark ru should shoot ar. 
 
 To shut up chs wearyfo-ne and unpleafmtfub- 
 ). c \ i In the lull place , we are charged with all the 
 profanity, wickednefs and enormous pra&ices, that 
 arecommited, and do, Gnce the erection of Prelacy , 
 abound in ch^ Land: yea our meetings for worship, 
 (now branded with the anciently odious name of 
 Conventicles* with which affemblies of Chriftians 
 in the primitive times were noted , and defigned by 
 their perfecutouis ) are given out and reprefented 
 to the world, as the caufe induftive to thefe horrid & 
 abominable fcandals, which are boldly aflferted to be 
 afted & coramited at them, in a paper of greivances, 
 given in from theDiocefariSynod ofG/^oaynPrelac 
 Ligbtons time,and prefented to the then Kings Com- 
 miilioner, theDw/^of Lawdcrdal , and the honou- 
 rable privy Councelj by the parfon oiGlafgotv y Mr. 
 Arthur RoJJe, and now Prelat of ArgiU> that impu- 
 dent and viperous Calumniator , who, from the 
 pulpit, & other places, ufeth to father all the fcandals 
 of the time, on our party and their meeting? Jnf. 
 pafllngthatPrelats malicious and venemous railings 
 againil us ( as not worthy of our notice) whofe not- 
 our and Uianifeft lies, his bitter involves, and ill 
 grounded aflertions $ ( which nor only fpeaks his 
 heart and tongue to be fee on fire of hell , but renders 
 him diflkedand odious to many of his owne party ) 
 we fay. i. From whence can^e that fearful dfluge 
 of all forts pf profaraty and wickednefs,that filled the 
 
 Land > 
 
(107.) 
 
 6efore, at, 8c after the lait erection of Prelacy, and for 
 aconlideiaole time, when thjre were rewornp Gon 7 
 vcncicles ? W~ hww not to .^etten.f and we hope, 
 the folder and humble, chat inourm; for.. the abamma- 
 tionsldope in che midftof us, will not ) w.th whit a 
 Spirit of 1 npiene prelacy entered into this Churcn , 
 and followed it , for a longtime: could our meeun^s 
 for worship ( :al,ied ConvwticLsyje ihecauie of chile, 
 whenthw wee ioc>an ihid noca being? 2.Wcbeg 
 of ouroppofites* that they wiilaillgneusthctauteofj 
 the open re;gning Icandal.s, found in them tha: follow 
 not oar meetings, but keep and adhere to theirs , efpe* 
 daily in the places, where there are no Conventicles* 
 but anumverfal fubje&ion to Prelacy? That tUere 
 are fuch impieties reigning withoutany control , in 
 thjfe parts, is palt all denyal ? And whit willour 
 adversaries give for th~ caufe of thefe? Surely they 
 cannot, with any shew of reafon, Father them on our 
 meetings. 3. Is it not obferveible , yea obferved 
 by all » that 1 in places drowned in ignorance 5 lin 
 and wickednefs , where Conventicles have come, 
 and at this day are in ufe, a.fenfible reformation in 
 pe fons and families hath enfued thereon , and tnat to 
 the retraining of thefe fcandalous impieties, that pre- 
 vailed in thefe bounds before, and thesiumeing of 
 thefe that yet live in them: cantrut be.checauteof 
 fcandals, that inexperience, is alwayes found to 
 be the effl&ual means of reftraining and removing 
 of them? 4. While we call our eyes about us, to 
 difcover the grounds, on which they fix this greivous 
 and heavy charge, it does noc appear to us iomuck 
 as to give the leaft decree of probability to it ; y ea * 
 the evidence of the concrare is fo clear and full , that 
 
 we 
 
( io*. ; 
 
 we cannot think, ouradverfanesdobeleeve themfel- 
 ves in thefe and other reproaches, they load us vvich. 
 Sure we are, they cannot binde this chaige on the. 
 doft nnes we profefle , and are preached in our meet- 
 ings , which are contained in our printed Confeifions 
 of faith f longfinceeroited to the world > efpeaally 
 intheConfefhonoffauh > the larger and shorter Ca- 
 tech'.fmes, compofed by the Affcmbly of divines at 
 Weft Minjler. We earneftly beg of our Antsgoniits 9 
 thit chey will give inthnces, in any of thefe doctrines, 
 (if they can) that of themfclves do tend to licenci- 
 ouinefs and profanity ? Upon a review of the whole 
 of oar do&rine , in its feveral parts , we cannot pitch 
 upon one, except the doftrine of juftiflcation by faith 
 only , throw the alone merits and blood of Chrift 
 Ielus, maintained by all proteitants , except fome> 
 who of late do affcrt the intercft of good works, as a 
 preexiftenc condition of a finners jutiification before 
 God, which yet is not direftlyandpofitivdy done, 
 but by indireft wayes and hints, as is to be feenin 
 Mr Gilbert Bumets rirft dialogues, Pairickjhe Pilgrim, 
 and the Author of the wholt duty of Man, who refol- 
 ve a finners juftification before God, in his ferious 
 purpofeandenieavour of good woiks, atleaft, as a 
 preex Rent condition of it : which is not only againft 
 thedoftrineof all proteftanrs till of late (as is to be 
 feen in their writings ) but direftly againft the great 
 Apoftle Paul, in his Epiftles to the Romans and GaU 
 Utians • whofe arguments in that mater, when our 
 adverfaries have anfwered them, we shall confider 
 at more length* All the reafonsthey give for this 
 charge, from the head* are fo fully anfwered by thit 
 Apoftle in die 6. Chapter of the Epiftle to the Ro- 
 mans, 
 
(M0 9 J 
 
 mans , and 2. to the Galatians towards the clofe, that 
 we judge it needlelle to inGit any furcher on this. Wc 
 do not charge all of thePrelatical paity with this 
 corrupt do&nne-, foroeof thero , particularly doftor 
 Tw//y, hath fo clearly and fotndly aflattd and vindi- 
 cat the doftrine of Proteftants m th s mater, againft 
 the exceptions and arguments of the contrare minded, 
 that he if living deferves t hanks from all theProteRanc 
 Churches ofChrift,in this and other parts of the Chri- 
 flian world: A do&rine that hath been efteemed funda. 
 mentall arrong them > and given as one great cha- 
 rafteriftick betwixr us and Papifts ; yta , it ha. h been 
 looked epon as the note and flgne of ihcrefurgentis 
 autcadmtis e€clejia> as she holds to or departs from 
 the fame. We are not fo antiprelatical , as net to 
 love truth , wherever we find it , and the alTcrtor 
 thereof for its fake j although differing from us, in 
 form other things. 5. ] t is thought fufficitnt ground 
 for this charge, that force, yea many of the perfons 
 that come to and haunt our meetings , are found not 
 to be confeientious and Chi iftjan in their walk , but 
 flagitious, or, in many of their prattifes , fcanda'ous ? 
 We canuc t think our adverfarits ate ftrious in this, 8c 
 dobeleeveasthey fpeak, feing. (i) This does fall 
 as heavy, and will, to onlookers, reflect as much , 
 and more , on the objeftors themfelves , as onus; 
 whofe meetings for worship are found to be the Gnck 
 of all debauched and protaine peifons thorow the 
 Land; csntruyrefufe this i It is like, the forcfighc 
 of this forced them to fay , in their lybel of greivan- 
 ces againft us, thac the alorrinations mentioned in 
 one Article, were comrnited at our meetings, and 
 not by perfons prefent at them i otherwifc their af- 
 
 femblies 
 
{ no; ; 
 
 femblies for worship should have been as chargeable 
 
 ■therewith , as ours: but in this our Antagonifts are 
 
 like to the perfecutoursoftheChnftia >sin rhepri- 
 
 nntive times, who charged them for having thefe or 
 
 the like . brmrat ions con mited at their alTemblies, 
 
 .as is to be ken in Crunh HiRories. The Lord deliver 
 
 usfiOiP, and rebuke the lying Spirit, thacisentered 
 
 'into and { oiLileth ihai.y. (iJ) But if ^heprefence of 
 
 picked and fcibdalpus perfons, at the sflemblies of 
 
 Thriftist.sfoi hearing efthe word, and peiforming 
 
 *of other 2fts of worship, be futfeient ground for 
 
 chargeinq the wickednefTe* and impietKS of fuch on 
 
 them, as the c^ufe induftive toicandals; will not 
 
 theatTemblies, thatChrft his ApoftlSpsa Vumfters 
 
 abdChriftiansket pcdinal) cges, be as lyabletothfS 
 
 charge, as we> who excluded none , bm admired 
 
 all to the hearing pf t{ie word , an J fome oth.r atts 
 
 ofworshp, as is rr.ani f eft from Seizure and Hi- 
 
 ftory? whatever our adveifaries will fav for clearing of 
 
 Chrifticfus, hs A ponies , &c. wrjifl .acquit us, ($-) 
 
 Do not men know, that in preaching of the Gofpel 
 
 to fibbers, we should deftgneaud labour their conver- 
 
 fion, as much as the edification of the converted? 
 
 Is not the Gofpel , wjth which Mimfters areunruft- 
 
 ed, the mean and : o wer nk' Coa to the one, as well as 
 
 to the other? Andfeing thisisour defigne, as it hath 
 
 been our practice, fo it is oiirrefoluuon, not to ex- 
 
 elude any from our alTemblies , how wicked foever 
 
 ffiey h ive been, or are: Truth is, to gharge us and our 
 
 meetings, with the finnes and fcandals of thofe that 
 
 frequent the fan e , is ro reproach the Gofpel of 
 
 Chnft, and to Father all the wickednefle of its hearers 
 
 onic, concrare to its grand defigne,whichistofave 
 
 finners 
 
on.; 
 
 fintiers from fin, and all che miferies that follow 
 upon it. 
 
 Sect. V. 
 
 Some Rjafons > why the Indulgence was not 
 accepted. 
 
 IN the next place, we come to the head of che /w- 
 dufgcnce, the not allowing of which > hath been re- 
 prefented, as a full evidence of our pivish # wilful, 
 and ftiffdifpofition to unpeacablenefs and difloyalcy ; 
 but we hope , when our carriage, in this marer , is 
 feriously thought upon, and the reafons that deter- 
 mined us to this refufal , are weighted in the balian- 
 ces of che fanftuane $ this charge will be found light: 
 and we are confident, that upon trial , it willap- 
 i pe3r, we are notagainft,buc with all.expreflionsof 
 1 thankfulness shall be ready to irtertaine, and receive 
 any l.bertie for the Gefyel its true intcrcft , and our 
 felves (thatisconfiftent with our known principles) 
 rhac the Magiftrat shall be plealed to grant us. We 
 look uponit, as an unjuft Rate of theqjeftion, in 
 this mater, which hath been offered by fame : whe- 
 ther the Magiftrat, jure, may , or have it within 
 the compafs of his Magiftratical power , to give 
 liberty , to Minifters and people , for ferving and 
 worshiping of God in hjsSonChrift lefus , accord- 
 ing to his word; this we do not deny , butchear- 
 fully grant , that although the exercife of Church po- 
 wer, that is properly fuch, be independent on the 
 Magiftrat $ yet the peacable exercife of it iscruely 
 from him : it belongs to him > no doubt , co en. 
 
 courage , 
 
(112.) 
 
 courage, countenance and proteft the Church, a- 
 gamft all enemies? and to relieve herofoppretiiou 
 when under ir: to this he is in powered, andobhdg- 
 ed , borh as a Migiftrat and as a Ghriftian. Neither 
 isic withusaqueiiion, whether the Magdirat may 
 command iWinifters to the duties of their fun&ion; 
 nor whether he may exeem them from the hazard of 
 fuffering, to which they are obnoxious by law, for 
 their non - conformity ; nor yet whether he may con- 
 fine Mmifters, (imply and abftraftedly coofidered 
 from our prefent cafe ( which is only proper to the 
 Magiftrat , and not all to the Church.; All thefc 
 and much more we yeeld to the Magiftrar>about per- 
 fones and maters Ecclefiaftical, according to the 
 Word. But the true ftate of the queftion to us , is , 
 whether the Magiftrat Jure Magiflratico may of him- 
 felfandimmediatly without the Church, & the pre- 
 vious eleftion of the people, affigne and fend Mini- 
 fters to particular Churches, to take the fixed and 
 paftoraloverfightofthem ; prefcribe rules and dire- 
 ftiousto them , for the exercife of their Miniftery; 
 and confine them to thefaid congregations. The 
 queftion thus Rated being complex, andconfifting 
 of feveral branches? conform to theafts of Councel 
 liKtit the indulgence; wemuftofneceffity (forgiv- 
 ing a ;uft accompt of the grounds of our diflatisfa- 
 ftion therewith-) fpeak to them feverally^ in fomc af- 
 fertions with the reafons fubjoyned. 
 
 lAfftrthn Firjl f The iMagiftrat , by vertue of 
 his Magiftratical power, cannot of himfelf andim- 
 mediatly, aillgne or fend Minifters to particular 
 congregations 9 to takethe paftoral charge and over- 
 fight of them* For i. We finde not in all the Word 
 
 of 
 
2 ' of God , any fuch power, given to, orexercifedby 
 w the Magiftrar, in trie Church : none hath yet given any 
 ■I' inftancesof this: if there be, let them be produced, 
 * and we shall acquiefce . All acknowledge the 
 iif Church not to be foundedon the law or nature , but 
 foj oapofitiveinftkution, and fupernatural revelation; 
 of 2nd therfore not to be governed m wayes and me- 
 lor thods of Mens invention, but in theft that are reveal- 
 oo- cd by the Holy Scriptures j without which mere can- 
 red not be a Church; fo that she owning her being, 
 the conftitution , and all to them; there rouii be lome 
 let evident proof produced from thefe, before we can 
 w« yeeld to any fuch power in the Magiftrat : how 
 k long shall we exfped this i (z.) Alfo, werindethe 
 is, Church in the polTellion and exercife of this power, 
 IB. from the tines of the ApoiUes, to the breaking up 
 :::. of the reformation by Luther, and others in Germany: 
 > as is roanifefl from Scripture and Hiliory. We grant, 
 tnd there was for fome time, a confiderable debate be- 
 lt;, twixt the Poland the Emperour of Germany , about 
 ry; the inveftiture of Bishops ; which gave the rife to 
 fa other Princes claming ofthe fame, & feafingupon 
 :cg it: but what fays this to the million of Mimftcrs, & 
 cd Application of their Miniflery to particular ccngrega- 
 iv. lions/ 9 For as Prelacy was the invention of men, an i 
 iu checaufeof horrid contentions in Churches andSta- 
 \[ § ;cs; foneitherir, nor the praft ices occafioned there- 
 by, can be any regulating precedent for us: befiies, 
 of fn all thefe contefts about inveftiturs, betwixt the 
 ra. pope and Princes, the million of MinJliers was 
 ,1ji never queft'oned, but al wayes acknowledged, as 
 -A. proper to the Church, and not to the Maglftratj 
 rj rthich will be clear to any that will be at paines to 
 •f H read 
 
read Church Hiftory. ($.) The fending of Mini- 
 sters to particular congregations , is an aft of govern- 
 ment, purly and formally Ecclefiaftical , and not 
 Civil ; and therefore incompetent to theMagiftrat: 
 Let any confident, initscaufes , mater 5 objcft and 
 ends, and tky shall findeitf©: for the performs fen tare 
 Jdimflers; the work they are fenton, is to preach 
 the Gofpel and difpenfe its ordinances; thefe they arc 
 fent to , are the Churches of Chrift ; the end for 
 which they are fent to fuch , is to gather in and per- 
 fect the body of Chrift ; this is finis opens. We know 
 of nothing that jcanbefa>d againft this \ But that ie 
 is not purely Ecciefiattick in tbe efficient capfe .«> uinf. 
 To this we reply , Firfi > That all uie in morals to 
 fuftaine the validity of the Arguments , taken from 
 the nature of the a£, <otheun(iuenefsofit to fuch $ 
 and fuch caufes : for itis by the rerpeft of fpch afts in 
 morals, to their mater, objefts and ends, that the 
 bounds are deter nrined, and fet to then) iruheir effici- 
 ent caufes; for inffance , if the mater $ objeft & ends 
 dfanaft be properly civil , it is granted by all, to be 
 Jindue or incompetent to a Minifitr of the Gofpel^ & 
 fo of other a&s t m their jmora! fpecifica! diftinftiorjjby 
 which , in the law .cf God, they are aligned & made 
 due to fuch and fuch efficients. But blext > Upon 
 this reafon > it shall be as lawful for the Magiftrat to 
 ordaine, and fend perfons without ordination, to 
 preach the Gofpel, yvhichis every way abfurd. (4.) 
 The fending of Mmifters to preach the Gofpel, and 
 to overfee Churches is an aft of the poteftative milli- 
 on y ( one part of the keyes of the kingdom of God ) 
 granted by Chrift to his Church > and never to the 
 JvJagiftrac: from no part of the word can it be made 
 
 to 
 
appear, that ChriR hath given this power to thr Ma- 
 g ftrat j vve findc it given to the Minifters ot he 
 Go I pel , Js/Utth 16: 19. with fevenl other' places 
 of Scripture : But , as to the Magiftrat* there is al- 
 tumfilmium But that this fending of M nifters, is 
 an^ft ofpxiteftativenrJH on, we-hope will not readily 
 k be dem\d: if any do; we ask , whether IVInifters 
 go to fuch congregations, on a fpeci 1 delegation 
 ftomChnft, more then toothers ? If they do, then 
 it muft flow fr.otf) this po-wer of rriH.cn in the 
 Church; If they go not » on this fpecial delegation, 
 then they run unfervt , and are not the Paftours of 
 thefeflocks, more then of others ; andco.nfequeotly 
 they have no obligations upon them to feed thefe , 
 more then any other congregation: which is abfurd. 
 For> foefide the power of preaching and drfpenfing 
 of ordinances, therein alwayes afpecial delegation 
 of the per/on , to fuch and fuch a people > by which 
 foe hecomeththe Ambaffjdour & mcfftngerofChrift 
 » Jefus , whom they are bound to hear and fubnut to * 
 ^asfiuch. fa.ij This aft of fending Mimftcrs to con- 
 * gregarions, fuppons feveral things , that are beyond 
 y|; the line and cognition of fhe JVIagiflrat , ^isfuch ; as 
 l£ the trial ofMinifters gifts ; the knowledge of the 
 ^ fpinjtuaJ State of the congregation ;the futablnef? or 
 •° unfutablnefs of Minifters gifts to fuch and fuch a peo- 
 10 c ple ; ability to judge and cognofce in thefe, as the 
 f) mater and eods of this work require a with many 
 ^fliwher things, which not being granted totheMa^u 
 ^jftrarasfuch, the work 5 to which thefe are oecefTanly 
 ^)Wqoifire> cannot belong to him: for evtry work > 
 )4t^to which God calls any, hath its proper furmnreof 
 B^pljifcs aud abilities , without which, none is to look 
 ;9 |i Hz up^n 
 
upon themfelves as called thereto. (6.) Some of 
 the great Patrons and zealous Promoters oftheMa- 
 giitrars power in this 3 and other things belonging to 
 the Church , yeeld , that this power is in , and re- 
 turns to the Church , when the Magiftrat is either 
 heathenish or heretical , zsVedelius^ yea all are con- 
 tained to grant it. How rational this is , and how 
 conGftent with their arguments ( the force of which 
 is thereby utterly broken) let any judge: we ask, 
 when this power is granted to be in the Church > 
 whether it comes from Chrift Iefus , or the Magi- 
 ftrat ? ( For a derived power it rouft be : ) It cannot 
 be from the Magiftrat, who does not willingly part 
 with any of his power; neither does religion robe 
 the Magiftrat of his power; nor depofe hinrfrom his 
 regality , and the prerogative thereof; as Proteftants 
 maintaine againft thePapifts: if it be derived and 
 come from Chrift (asie does) we defire to know , 
 what way it is conveyed to her , in this cafe, and not 
 in the other, when the Magiftrat isChriftian? As 
 we finde no difference of cafes anent this mater given 
 in the word; fo we finde the fame inftiturions, pre- 
 cepts and examples therein , by which the Church is 
 impoweredandoblidged , to exercife this govern, 
 oient without the Magiftrat > to continue, not only 
 without any reTtriftions to times & cafes,but without 
 any rcpail. W e hear nothing from our ad verfaries, to 
 anfwer this ? but ineptta* foolish rovings. The 
 truth is, th Vr Arguments conclude , with as great 
 force, agar jft all power of government in theChurchj 
 under pe Waiting Magiftrats, as Chriftian ; for is 
 there it in this cafe the ereftingof an Empire in 
 an Empire > which our enemies accoundc «<rif*% 
 
 and 
 
(H7) 
 
 i anddo not Minifters, and Chriuians , owe as much 
 
 fubjeftiontotheMagiftrat, in the one cafe, as in the 
 others 
 
 AJJertion 2. That the right and power of Ele- 
 i ftion and calling of Minifters to pai ticular congrega- 
 tions , is in the congregations themfelves, to whom 
 i" they are fent) by divine right j and not in the Ma- 
 r giftrat: and therefore should not have been aflumed 
 i by the Magiftrat, and taken thus from them* That 
 thispower of election of Minifters, is not in the Ma- 
 \ giftrat, either by divine, humane or Ecclefiaftical 
 i laws, needs not to be much infilled on, feing Scrip- 
 : tureandant quity, for a thoufand years after Chrift* 
 ! gives not the lealt ground for it. We defire to know 
 \i from our Antagomfts, Prriats and Erajlians , from 
 ip whence came this power; or who were the givers 
 :: of it to the Magiftrat? When they have condefcended 
 I on theorginalderivationofthis power, and made ic 
 :: out to be /uft , then we shall confider it ; which by 
 *y none of thefe parties hath been yet done ; excepc 
 icp by Vtdclius: but on'fuch grounds, as give every parti— 
 ei cular member of the Church as good clame thereto* 
 l' as he; Zb will be evident to any that confiders his Ar- 
 4 guments: for Scripture and antiquity they have none. 
 ilp The firft part of the proportion , is that which is 
 )iifl( moftftuckat ; The peoples right and power of ele- 
 toc ftion , which is denyed by our adverfaries : but we 
 tel thus make it out > as our Divines have done before us. 
 eail(i.) From Scripture prafticeand example, ABs.it 
 chj 15. to the end , c£*/>.6/verf. i.tog.and i4;verf. 
 rid 13. where we have Arguments both from the more 
 etatothe lefle, and frcmtheleffeto the more; which 
 *}*] are acknowledged by ail, to be concluding Topicks> 
 4"- H 3 and 
 
(itZ.) 
 and much ofed iothe Scripcurs. When our adNrerfa- 
 jnes hiV-* che like fro ri Scripewtt afnd 1 antiquity,- how 
 ufe they co iafulcj bat poor we rauft not be al- 
 lowed chis liberty. ( >. ) It is evident from rhe con- 
 ftincpra^lcey ufe aodouftone of che Church , fron 
 th- ^pottles times, till the Pvpet off\o'»e irrhiifed 
 and fallowed up all power anj priviledges; eicher 
 in caking them away > or bringing chern inco an ab- 
 foluce dependance upon ;h?m. For chis we appeal co 
 th: recorefs and biftones of cheChurchi yea co the 
 hiftones of ch:Pjps, PLATINA andoth rs: in 
 many of which, we shall not only hndechc uncon- 
 trolled ufe of che peoples ele&ion mentioned • but 
 its nght juftified and defended, and many canons 
 ofCouncefs made for its regulation, andagainlt che 
 encroachments, chat were by fome made upon it: 
 in a mater fo clear, and grafted by che adverfary , we 
 need noc fpend time. If any ask us why we plead an- 
 tiquity here , and rejeft it anenc Prelacy f Oar Anf- 
 wsns , becaufe we ftnie to this queftion, as it is 
 ftaced betwixt us and the adverfanes , anciquity full 
 and clear j which ic is not in che other: Let che S ace 
 of the queftion about Prelacy , asicis now agitated 
 becwixt tis, be in every pair of it , brought coche 
 pure times of antiquity ; and rf ic cm be evidenced & 
 made out » even as co the fole power of ordination & 
 jurisdiction, and fuperionty of fome Mmiftersover 
 oiher Minifters of the Gofpel ; a >d we shall y'eel'd 
 the cau-fe and quietly fubmit: buc in the bufinefsof 
 th" peoples right of election , ic is beyond all con- 
 tradition clear, even in che confelfion of bur An- 
 tagonifts. ($ ) \Urelations3mongft rational creatures 
 that are noc founded on nature, & are free, there is al- 
 
 wayes 
 
wayesreqaifite mutual confent, from which, as its 
 proper caufe and foundation, it does relult ; asisco 
 bf feeninill forts of fuch relations. £c isnotdcnyed, 
 but ycelded by all, that there is aparticulir fpecial 
 relation betwixt a Mimller and the Congregation, he 
 in ordinate fe'r'ves : we defire to kno w , what is rhe 
 caufe or foundation of it, ifitbenot this t All other 
 relation* ofthtskinde are founde.1 uponconfent ; and 
 why not this? ^4) The good effeftsthit have come 
 totii.Charchbythefreeand vblantareleftionofthe 
 peop'e, where it hath been admited, and m ufe. con- 
 fii mes usnoc alittle in this pcrfwafton: we have ob- 
 feved in univerfal experience, that not only a more 
 univerfal and chsarful fubjeftion hath been given 
 to the Mimfhyofthofe, that entered this way into 
 congregations; but a faithful and able Miniftryhath 
 jbsen more generally propagated , to the great advan- 
 tage of immortal fouls: if we may gather the nature 
 of the tree, by the fruit* we cannot fay» this is evil; 
 jj but truly good. 
 
 { <A!]~ertion g. It belongs not to the Magiftrat to 
 
 prefen be Rules, and give Directions to the Mini* 
 
 lifter* oi the G?fpel , for regulating th* exercife ot 
 
 ntbeirMinittry^s is done m this induigenci.Qav reafons 
 
 jfofthis, art fi.) We fee no precept, inftitation, 
 
 jand example in all the Scriptures, impoweringthe 
 
 Magiftrat to this; we hope, none will expeft we 
 
 : should recede and fubjeii to a power, that hath no 
 
 warrant nor foundation in the word ; fcing all church 
 
 power owes its defcent and derivation from it: our 
 
 Antagonifts themfdves grant , that not only the po- 
 
 ftwer chey afcribe to the Magiftrat, is in and from 
 
 the Scriptures ; buc the regulation of its exercife > 
 
 H 4 should 
 
mo J 
 
 should be conforme thereto ; fo that there will be no 
 debat a bout the confequence. The gi eat Patrons of 
 Erajiianifmt plead the inftances of David andiWo- 
 muns ordering (he courfespf the Levits and thepriefts, 
 ana of other things relating to the worship of God, in 
 the time of the old Teftament ^ but to little pur- 
 pole: feing they afted therein as Prophets, and ac 
 thedireftionsand inftru&ious given from God > by 
 the Prophets- and not asMagiUrats; as is clear from 
 the very letter of the Scriptures, in many places , 2 
 Chron. 29: verf. 25. and 35: verf. 15. with others: 
 If the Magiiirats of our time , did produce fuch war- 
 rant for what theyaflbroeto themfelves , and do in 
 thismarer, how readily should they be obeyed? But 
 theObje&iun of greateft feeming ftrengrhys that of He 
 ^/^xprafttfe, keeping of the pafleover in che fecond 
 moneth2. Chron. 30 > 2* which confer jre to the in- 
 ftiiutiQjn Exod. \Z> should have been obfervedin the 
 firft moneth? Our Anf< to this is , fir ft, if this pra- 
 <5hfe be pleaded for a leading example to Magiiirats ; 
 it will warrant Magiftrats to change thiugs inftitute 
 by G°d 3 which , we hope, all will fayisabfurd. 
 Obj. It was bur the circumftance of time that he 
 changed f tAnJ. a command or inftitution makes 
 circumliances* determined by it, as unalterable by 
 men , as the fubftantiaisof the ordinance it felf : 
 docs not this, ifitbeconciudent,impowerthe Ma- 
 gi.ftratro change our Sabboth , from the fir ft to the 
 tecond % or any ocher day in the week, as heplea- 
 feth? What may not come in at thisdore? Next, 
 Our fauffyirg Anfwcrtothis is, that whatHe^ekjtb, 
 the Princes & Congregation did, they did it, at or by 
 the word of the jLord concerning thi$ alteration and 
 
 not 
 
(III.) 
 
 notofthcmfclves , asis expafsvers 12. (t.) As 
 it is u.oal tor cunimiilions given to AmbauVors, 
 by thole that lend them , to containe all neccfla y in- 
 firu&ions* for regulating their carriage, in the d£ 
 charge of their ambiiia^e ; fo wen\,deinthe Word 
 or Cod rules, precepts and dire&ionfc > giyentothe 
 Mioifteis of the-Gofpel, ao< ur the ordering of the 
 worship or God > and theex rcifecf their Mimftery 
 in all its parts ; which noconiyimpowers them for 
 this work, but bungs them under as ftrak Obligati- 
 ons to obferve the fa:ve 3 a^ the work and mainefub- 
 ftantuls of the ambafoge , on which they are ftnc : 
 for this let 1 Cor. 14. two fcpdlles CO linothy with 
 other Scripturs beconfulted ; ani wedoubenotbue 
 this will be beyond dilput with the unpft judged. If 
 the Erajlia?<s could gve us fuch commands and p?e. 
 ceptsinthe word) tor the Magftrars power in this, 
 how would they ttiumph , and fo they jcftly might; 
 for they should have no fuch willing and chtirfu I af- 
 fenterstotlum then we \ if any fuch thing could be 
 shewed. ( j.) This power in the Magitirat would 
 CuibjeftMiniftcrs to and bring th:~.,in'bcexercifeof 
 their minifterie, in a deptndance 00 him 5 rhecon. 
 trare of which we h;vr proved before, and shall do 
 more afterwards: Thetrutbis, wetiembletbthink 
 on cbccooftq icnces oi ihsd, tendance $ for thereby 
 the JWagilirat mayfufpend • he mioiflry, in thefe parts 
 and exert ifts of it , that Chnft Jefus cals them to , 
 in the ftated cafesof the times , in which they live j 
 as for mftance, when herefies are abounding , and 
 Pioieflors taken with the ihfg&rW. of ch;<t leaven, 
 he may put thv-. on the preaching of doftrinesnoc 
 appofiteio the prekuc cafe, and dilcturgethem from 
 H 5 medling 
 
(tiiv) 
 
 medling with doctrines co itrare to thepfefenter- 
 rours; as our Mig^trats have done a.nent fame do- 
 ftritfes tn thefe times: he may -likewife forbid them 
 preaching agamft, or cenfunng of thefe fimies thic 
 are reigning in the place and time, mob.-ymg of 
 which, Muiifters shall crofs trie commands of Ctiriit 
 to them in his word, and bring the nfelves under 
 the guilt of the blood of ibules. It Churches and 
 Ainiftersbenot, in the commands, precepts, and 
 ihftiturions of God,exeemed from the power and ira- 
 poficions of men, what a fad cafe will they "be in* 
 fii'j The Church had and exercifed this power from 
 Scripture times in all ages>till within thefe hundereth 
 years. We grant the Magiftrafc exe? cifed a power a- 
 boutjor anent rheChurcbjbut never came this lengtn: 
 when they did reforme, & gave any redrefs of corrup- 
 tions, creep t into the admimiirauons of holy things , 
 they did it by the Churchy whom ; in her officers, 
 they did convocat? and require toconfider the ma. 
 ter, arid to make conftitutibns about it ? biitnetfef 
 effayed to do it imraediatly , andby theotfdves; as 
 Church ftiftoriesmakeevident, beyond all c'oritra- 
 dfftion. ( y. ) It is the natural right of all moral 
 power > to order snd\iifpofe its o wne exercife, in ar>d 
 about the Maters that are proper to it : as might b6 
 made to appear by inftances of thefe of the Parental , 
 Marital Powers, &c andthereafonis, partly, be. 
 caufe the objects and other circumftances are fo th£ii<f 
 and various $ that ic is not poilible to prefcribe rules , 
 comprehensive of all particular emergent* , relating 
 to their excercife , bucmuftbe left to the prudence 
 ofthofeinvefled with them , to do therein , as they 
 fee fit and expedient^ the cafes that are before them 
 
 and 
 
and partly fuch are ficctt > as having more knowled- 
 ge and experience abouc fuch things , chac belongs to 
 their po A r er , chen any others, we fee this yeoJded 
 toothers, and why then not toMmilters, who may, 
 in ratioml jjdg.nent, be prefiwaed , to hive mora 
 foli 1j knowledge and experience, inland aboutthe 
 maters of God, as any? (6.) All divines (excepc 
 thoie called Er*ftian> who are but of a late edition 
 in truCnurcrO yeathePrelatical ones, doegranta 
 ^MuSf/^po'.vertothe MinifteryoftheGofpel* abouc 
 the worship aid government of the Church, md 
 the exercife of their Munftry relating thereto: and 
 till ER. \S rUS the phifitian ardfe, it wasbe- 
 yoidconcrcverGeanoig all Church writers, whe- 
 ther Hiltor cal or Polemick; eventhofe, whocoa- 
 tended for che Migiftrats power , againfttheufurpa# 
 tions of the P<if«; asiscobefvenmtherr Tra&iDs;> 
 fro n whicn we ought adduce orations not a few ; 
 but feiri l^they wold prove too tedioas * if inferred 
 here, We forbeare. 
 
 ^Affcrtion 4. Albeit we grant, the power of 
 conhnenunt be proper to the Migiftrat , and not a* 
 all to the Ciurch (for to hi.nonly isthifwordgi*? 
 vea, to be ufedagainit evil doers; ) yec in the com- 
 plex cafe, which we hid before us, we durft noc 
 approve of the inddgtnee* wichfuchaclaufe; feing 
 we haj not (as may be clear to3ny fro n what is 
 faid above) any other thing, in this niacer, toin*adg$ 
 us, to in acceptance thereof. For the aft of in* 
 dilgence confines the Miniflhers of the whole party: 
 ifit hai been butfoxie few, that this coniinment 
 reach* d , we would not hive faid much to it, al- 
 though the fentence had been unjult. But wb I ewe 
 
 confid- 
 
(I24-) 
 
 considered the prefenc univerfal neceffity of the 
 ChJrch, and the obligations en us, toufeourMi- 
 mltery, for anfwering the fame, we could not, 
 with quietnefs to our conferences juftifie nor allow 
 of it as a fa vour, with fuch a reftraint on our Miniftry. 
 lftheconfinment had only touched our perfons, and 
 peribnal concerns, we had with all patience and 
 fuj niilion yceldcd thereto ; but a reftraint being put 
 ontheexercifeof ourMiniftery, in this neceifitous 
 condition of the Church, when Papifls , Qtalyrs and 
 other fubverters of truth and godlinefs , do multi- 
 ply and abound, without all crub, we could not clofe 
 witn this indulgence -> which > by vertue ot the con- 
 finmertt , puts us out of capacitie , for affording that 
 rekef to the Church and immortal fouls , which our 
 office binds us to. ( 2* ) As there are many duties 
 an&partsof our Minifterial function > v^hich we can- 
 not per forme and exercife , but in a conjunction with. 
 others \ fothis indulgence cuts off from all accede to 
 tftt fame , and leaves us in much worfe cafe , then 
 we were in before. Have we not the Gofpel of 
 Chrift to rnaincaine againft its prefent adversaries i 
 Are we not bound to propagat the fame in the pre- 
 fenc and fucceeding ages f Do not fcandals of all 
 forts abound , tothe overthrow of truth and piety i 
 and does not the care and burdine of feeing to and 
 providing againft the evil, tint in thefe times, thre- 
 aten the ruine of the Church, lye upon us in our mi- 
 nifterial capacity ? And we cannot fingly and apart 9 
 doe what is neceflare in this cafe> but in a conjunction 
 with one another: no doubt, our fubje&ingtothis 
 confinment would render us acceflbry to , and bring 
 us under the guilt of ail thefe evil and their confequen- 
 
 ces 
 
ces to this, and the following generations. Fofte- 
 rity, noqueftion, should have all caufe to curie and 
 charge their blood upon us, which is trerr bin gto 
 think upon. (3.) If we may guefleat , andbcaf- 
 certamed of the ends and defignesof mensaftions, 
 by the native effefts and confequ'encesofthem 5 it is 
 to us apparent and beyond denyal , that the projeft 
 and intention of this contrivance.was quietly to ruine 
 and bury our caufe; feing by this confinment, and 
 other things in this indulgence , all endeavours to- 
 wards the fucceffion of 1 faithful roiniflery , are cue 
 off, and we brought unto an immediat dependance on 
 the Magiftrat , in the maters of God, and hindered 
 to propagat the truth > in oppoGtion to its adversaries, 
 in other parts of the landjbeing thus s hut up into a lit. 
 le corner of the fame, &caft,by two's & three's and 
 fours, into congregations; where, for the molt part, 
 there is little or no ufe for us ; If the Apofiles and 
 other Miniflers ofChrifl, in Scripture times, had 
 been thus dealt with . and in policy confined , as we 
 are; do any think, they would have fubmitted to 9 
 and obeyed fuch a condiment, which would have 
 fruftrated the ends of their office and work; and made 
 them guilty of difobedience to their Mafler, from 
 whom they ieceived commands > inconfiftent with 
 fuch a fenrence? And shall we fubjeft and be con. 
 fentient to a deed, that in the define and cfTefts 
 thereof will infallibly deftroy the caufe,which, by all 
 forts of obligations , weaieengadged tomaintaine 
 and advance to the utmoft of our power ? God for- 
 bid. We are not ignorant j that the confinment, 
 with a permiflion to preach and exercife other parts 
 ofourminiftry, in the places, to which we were to 
 
 in 
 
bec^fine4; wa$apica oi policy, invented to co- 
 ver the tooyifible encroachment en Cbusch ] ower > 
 in the firft afl of Indulgence f which was known af- 
 terwards tofturoble many,) t hat the mater r^ight be 
 more /rxAothed » ?nd goe the barer -dawn ; while 
 the deilgne was the l^rrjej which was ^sjsfaid ) 
 to bring ourminiftry in fubjfftion to (he Magiltrac > 
 intheroatiersAf God; and without noffetoobfta^ 
 the fp reading of the Gofpel , and to mine our caufe; 
 for att;airjLing of which , we have not yet ieen a ipor^ 
 {uccesful like pie.ee of policy , then thi&of the indul- 
 gence. 
 
 Refolding ^ as harh heeq /aid ) to unfold our 
 hearts 3 and to keep nothing tm , aneitf ,w h£t i$ truly 
 grei vous.to ■>> and burdens o^reppfcience*, in the com- 
 mands and impofitions of thefe times; fveshail a<ki? 
 other reafons toxbefe , jwjiich , with tte^ra?e/# : ar£ 
 thegrciundsofp^rdirTatisftfiion with and non -ap- 
 probation of this indulgence; as (i.) IntheNarra* 
 tiveoftbe2.^p//W/</g^« > it is declared, that thi : $ 
 pretended favour is provided tor a remedy agaitxft 
 the e^il of Conventicles , ( by which we un4erlMp4 
 theafiejnbiiespf the Lords people for hearing of the 
 word 5 and par.taking.of other ordinances from faith- 
 ful Miniftersof the Gofpel ) which the executionof 
 laws made againft the feme, hath not fupprefled. fa 
 thissarratJv&fpeakstoall, thedefgneof the indul- 
 gence*^ fo it shew sj what we are to expeir as its con* 
 fequence , if app.roven.by us , to which we dar have 
 noacceifion 3 dke&ly nor indirectly j for byour al- 
 lowance, and fubmvfpon, we shall not only p rave 
 aftiye in hindering the propagation of the word for 
 the future ^ Initalio shall copftquenttally cond^rnne 
 
 the 
 
the formerpraftice of the Lords fervants and people , 
 in preaching ind hearing of the word; that hath bee* 
 bleffed, and made not a little fuccesful, to the ad- 
 vantage of the truth , and the benefite of many fouls. 
 (2) Many by this indulgence weieaflrgned and feat 
 to other congregations, then thefe they had formerly 
 ferved their falter in, before this rt volution in the 
 Church : As we judge the former relations toparti- 
 culai flocks (ever whuch the Holy Ghoft , and not 
 
 S* e State > had frade them oveifeers ) to be yet in 
 rce , and not diffolved by all the violence ufed a- 
 gainftus ; fo we thirik our approbation of this indul- 
 gence) would not only jufiifythe unjuft ufurpation> 
 and violence in calling them out $ buthkwifewouUJ 
 have made void the former , and yet [landing relation 
 to thele re fpe&ive congregations > in which we darrc 
 havenohand , but in the way Chrifthath appointed > 
 and was formerly tifed in this Church ; feingitwill, 
 po queflion > both Itrengthen the Magiftrat , in his 
 unjuft encroachments on the Government of the 
 Church > *nd be a pra&ical acknowledgement of 
 him, inallhehathdoneinthismater (3.; By one 
 cteufeinthe 2. aft of indulgence y appeals are allowed 
 and authorized from the indulged to the Prelats 
 Courts; which does fubjeft > and dire&Iy fubordi- 
 nat them to thele, in the exercife of government and 
 difcipline, which is known, to be contrare to our 
 ■ Covenanted and well grounded principles. The truth 
 is, we look on this , with o'her particulars in that 
 indulgence , as a device framed of purpofe , for gain- 
 ing all thefe ends and intents upon us , which by vio- 
 lence hath been formerly defigned againft us, for 
 eftablishing of Prelacy and Eraflianifme- (4 ) A* 
 
 fome 
 
(u8.) 
 
 fome of the Rules are impracticable, Toothers of 
 them do not a little reflect upon the praftifes of Chrift 
 and h's Apoftles, recorded by the Evangclilis, who 
 preached in houfes and fields. If we underftand our 
 ChnfVanprofdlion aright, we rruft takeourfelves 
 bouadby many commands and precepts in the word 
 or God, toimitat Chrift and hisApoftles, in their 
 performances of the duties of Religion andnghte- 
 oufnefs , which are of purpoie related in the Scrip- 
 turs for this effeft. Do we not find from thefc facred 
 records, Chrift and his A poftles preaching in houfes 
 and fields, as occafions offered , never declin ng to 
 te^ch and wftruct the people in thefe , as the prefenc 
 exigence required, although they had the opportu- 
 nity of and acceffe to i he Synagogues, w hich is deny- 
 cd us , as to the plages allowed for public! worship/* 
 Do not thefe pra&ices of Chrift and his Apoftles fay, 
 that , as preaching in houfes and fields , is in it fclf no 
 Gone but lawful; (except we refolve to make Chrift a 
 tranfgreflbur ) loin the like cafe*, and under the like 
 calls, we are bound to do in this, as Chrift did be, 
 fore us j who can get this shuned? 
 
 Amongftthe many defignes aimed at , in this r«- 
 dulgence , and in part obtained by it ; we know the! 
 deviding and breaking of our party , was a principal 
 one ; which at firft a&uated , and feton foot this de- 
 vice amongftus; but, we hope, without the fruit: 
 ouradverfariea ex'pe&ed to have reaped thereby , to 
 the advantage of rheir caufe: for, whatever diffe- 
 rence there hath been, or yet is artongftus, in our 
 praftice/n relation to the indulgence, we are all agreed 
 in the preceeding exceptions againftit; and if there 
 had been acceffefor reprefenting the fame to our 
 
 Rulers > 
 
Rulers , ?our unanimity and concord in thefe had 
 been more difcovered, and made known to the world, 
 then it is. There is no change with us of our 
 known and profefled judgment , about the Govern- 
 ment of the Church , m us true diflinft ion from, and 
 independence on the Magiftrat, as is afterward ex- 
 : prefled. What ever was our perfwaficn in this , re- 
 . prefented to the world m our publick confefJ on of 
 . , faith, we yet, throw the grace of God, refolveto 
 I cleave to: having never feen or heard of any thing, 
 s > in all i he times that have gone over our heads , to 
 ) caufe us alter our apprehenfions of this mater in the 
 ; : leaft. Some ( who take hold of all occafionsto repro- 
 . ach us) are pleafed to reprefent fomc their acceptance 
 . of this indulgence, as contrad.Sory to, and inconfi- 
 >[ftant with our former profefled principles anent 
 ;„ Church Government : yet any that confiders what 
 o.was shortly hinted at> to the Council, at the re- 
 aceiving of this indulgence; and what was noie br- 
 ie ; gely declared by them to the congregations, at their 
 tijnrft entry , will be fufficieotly convinced of our con- 
 ftantadherence to our former principles; which by 
 >>:his acceptance is not at all changed. It is expected 
 \t Tom the lowers of our righteous caufe, chat noth- 
 ing shall be done by them , toward the furtherance 
 t-.;>f theevil intents of this indulgence; but ratheraa 
 k endeavour to counteraft and ineffeftuac them , 
 tocjhat ouroppofites may have nobenefite therefrom, 
 >|o the prejudice of the interefts of Chrift, for which 
 : ve contend. 
 
 ni t SECT, 
 
Sect. VI. 
 
 The nature of Church Government* as eliftinBl 
 from and independent upon Magi fir acy , 
 
 explained, 
 
 
 HAvingprorrecVdrhus fari anddifpatched th« 
 firftchiee things, we prcpofedto fpeak to, it 
 tile beginning, wt shall now enter otuhe laft , the 
 Supremacy EccUfiti jiical , that js now by hw ann< xec 
 to the crown , ctiaUl <»hed in his nifties pcrfooanc 
 fucceffours, and fenced by law and ptiSticc* Lttnonj 
 wonder , we take this ticklish fubjtft into con(idera< 
 tion «i and dar adventure, to give an accotnpt of oui 
 thau^hr s of the fame? to the ft cild : for we folemnlj 
 prottfle, .that on iheex:ft:8 enquiry and fea ch, that 
 we have been able to n>ake about this mater; we lind< 
 it , as diametrically oppofitetoour true Covenanted 
 principles, asPrebcy; and in its eft< fts > we fear, 
 shall prove as deftruftive to the Church > and work 
 of Reformation, as any thing that appeared on the 
 field againft it : Times paft and prefent fpeak much 
 to this, but the future wit! fay more: the ftornre, 
 that this Sup remacy threatens to this Church and 
 nation, is fuch , that it is the part of all that wish well 
 to Zjon to pray inftantly day and night , that it may 
 be graciot fly averted. The truth is > as we look 
 upon *t, as an high corruption in it felf tending to the 
 fubverfion of the Churches concerns, in doctrine* 
 yyorship,and Government; fo it lies at the bottome of 
 cur non. Conformity to the law, in Church maters y 
 and is not only one > but a maine reafon , why we 
 
 cannot 
 
rannot joync in Church aflemblics , cfpecially foe 
 
 Government 5 which thereby y in our apprehenfions, 
 
 ire madenulhtics. Ttut our procedour in fpeakin*; 
 
 :othis. may be diftinft and ckar to all , we shall 
 
 jbferve this mtthod. 1. We shall confider & fptak 
 
 o the Government of the Church > and shew whac 
 
 t truly is« 2. We shall prove its diftin&ion from, & 
 
 independency on the civil Government. And;. Shew 
 
 in low far this Government of the Church is by law 
 
 Codgedin, and exercifed by our Rulers , conrrare to 
 
 iienpture and the praftice of the Church, till thefe 
 
 4 lundered years psft. 
 
 or For more l'ght co the whole , we shall premife 
 1 hefe preliminary confiderations or proportions , 
 Jjvhich, we think, will not readily be denied by an?. 
 life Propof. it is out of our rode > and incoofiftent 
 anivith our intended breviryto infill on the tearn.sGO- 
 ^ERJNMENTdi CHURCH , & what is uQially fig- 
 :iiifiedby them; thefe ueIe3vetotheCriticksandall 
 N hat write on thtb fubjeft : butallare agreed in this , 
 i hat GOVERN MENTis a tearme importing power 
 )^;nd authority; Which is nothing els , but a right td 
 toule others^ and an obligation on thefe invefted there- 
 ir.vithtoufe the fame, for attaining the ends of Go- 
 vernment: So that Government makes its afts due & 
 Aalide intheperfon, or perfons cloathed with ftj & 
 Wiindes them to all thefe afts , means & wayes , by 
 felvhich Government is enabled to reach its ends. '2. 
 'ripof. All created power & authority is originall ia 
 3od,asthe& firftcheifcaufetheieof,& derived fro tfi 
 mm » astheuniverfal Supreme Monarch > andGo- 
 »;;! ernourofall in heaven or earth ; hence it neceflarly 
 ^ollowes, that, as the power that cannot prove its 
 l H I z defcenc 
 
deicent from God 9 is noc to be admired ; fo all jl 
 po wers arc directly fubordinat to him as the univerf * 
 head of all. g. Propof that the Church of Chr* 
 not being founded in nature > but on fupernatural I 
 velations,her Government mull wholly depend Up* 
 & flow from it , in thefe thingswhere it differs frn 
 other Governments • fo that the Ml of. this G 
 vernment is by pofitiveinftitution and warrant frd 
 God fupernaturally revealed. 4. Propof Th 1 
 Chrift Jefus , as Mediator? Being made the head * 
 the Church under God ; and thereby her Goveri 
 tnent founcained in him : all powers in theChurd 
 mull be derived from, and fubordinat to him > as tl 
 Supream. 5. Propof Bifide the inviiible and ii 
 ternal Government >.that,Chrift Jefus exercifeth U 
 his Spirit , on the fouls and conferences of his people 
 (that confifts in the inward light and powerofh 
 Spirit guiding and enabling them to that obedience! 
 he requires of them in his word,) there is hkwife 1 
 true vifible Government of the Church, inftitutcb 
 him, and vifibly exercifed *nher 3 in his name, as he 
 Supream. 6. Propof The Government of theChurc] 
 ( as shall be proved afterwards ) is not properly t an 
 tn lima d'mBa fubordinat to the Magiftrat , for 1. J 
 hath its derivation from another fountaine , Chrii] 
 Jefus ; who being the Churches Supream head an* 
 governour 5 all power in her rouft come from and ds 
 pend on him. 2, The Magiftrat cannot take away 
 nor change the Government of the Church , whicl 
 he may do in Governments and poweis fubordinat t< 
 him ; yea, he cannot impede its exercife , in thefe in 
 trufted with it; feing they are under obligations fo 
 ic, antecedent & fuperiour to thefe of the Magiftrat 
 
 7>Propo} 
 
(I3J-) 
 
 - Propof That the holy Scriptures j being the . 
 /ord andlaw of Chrift, as King of his Church, mult 
 al echeinftrumenc and rule of the Churches Govern- 
 ment, according co which she ought to be ruled, not 
 trinly inthefeaftsof fairh and obedience in the inner 
 Cl.ian > but alfo in che outward. 8. ?ropof. Although 
 fo owers fpecifically dittinft be not fubordinat to one 
 Thjiaocherj yet there may be andisamutualfubordi- 
 id acion of perfons 3 invefted wich thefe powers , (oas 
 ci ric perfons are in different refpefts fupenourand in- 
 iii^nourtooneanocherj as Jejje was co David (fup- 
 stil ofing him to live in his fon Davids reigne; ) which 
 i H jbordination of perfons does not take away thede- 
 1 junction of thefe powers ; nor the mutual fubje&ion, 
 ipljbe perfons owe to one another: hence we afferc , 
 [ghat as Magiftracy does not deftroy the Miniftry, nor 
 oce^ofe the perfons cloathed therewith » from the fub- 
 ife&Jftion they owe, asChnftians, toMmifters, in the 
 flight exercife of their Miniftery \ fo neither does 
 ihijhe Miniftery deftroy Magiftracy , nor untye Mini- 
 sters, as fubje&s, from that fubjeftion and obedi- 
 uUpce due to Magiftrats from thsir fubje&s* Mini- 
 sters are bound to this as muchasaoy, 9* Propof. 
 in|;-is in all Governments , there are fomethings that is 
 ^mnnfick ( although vifible ) wherein its nature and 
 d^pecifick eflence does confift , and fomethings acci- 
 
 lental and feparable from it , that belongs not to its 
 ffe , but BENE ESSE ; fo there are in the vifible 
 jovernment of the Church > fomethings effeatul & 
 ncrinfick, ( of which afterward ) and fomethings 
 ccidencal and excrinfick, without which it can 
 ubfift , even in its exercife. 10. Propof. Thsfe 
 hings, in and about which , the Government of the 
 
 I 3 Church 
 
Church is converfant , a:-e of diverfe forts; fomefc 
 purely fpiritjal , as the Word> Mm.ftery, Saif^ 
 ments, and all Ordinances of divine appointment. « 
 Others are ofaroixc nature, partly fpiritual & P a lki 
 civil , as the neceflary circumftances and modswj 
 worship and Government ; which , although cjir 
 in their own nature* and common toother *&ioiki 
 yet partly by reafon of the general divine appoikr 
 ments , impowering the Church to difpofeand < ? 
 dcr thefe ; partly by reafon of their neceffary conk 
 ftion with things purely fpiritual, are truelyEcct 
 fiaftick, and become a part of the obje&ofthep" 
 per power of Church Government, called by all jfl 
 vines Dl ATACTIC^: Someare properly ScpurJ 
 civil, in their ownenatue and imraediat ends 
 Church-s> Stipends, Manfes, Glybs, &c.whid 
 although they be by general precepts fecuredtot 1 
 Church > and belonging to her; yet they are f<3 
 mally civil > and corrte dtre&ly under the Magiftrail 
 power , as other civil rights and proprieties do, abot 
 which he does execute the judgmentbf cruth&peacl 
 ii. 9ropoj. It is to be adverted t that there is a twl 
 fold fubordination ofpowers in Government; one 
 LINE A DIRECT A; and another/* LINE A 0* 
 L1QUA: in the fir ft fubordination, thepowerfut 
 ordmaced is derived fioai , and comprehended in tl 
 S jpream , and may be impeded , fufpendsd or reg 
 a ed in its exercifc > yea totally diffoived by it; at 
 when exercifedi it is in th ; name and authority of tl 
 Suxeam, and wholly dependant , initsregulatioi 
 on it ; to that both the power as fuch » thrperfoni 
 trufted therewith, and its exsreife, is fubjefted 
 the Supream. In the fecond kind of fubordinacioi 
 
 tl 
 
3u e subordinated power, or rather the perron m its 
 , erafe, isonlytheobjeft offomc afts of another 
 J/vrerj but the power is not derived from it, nor 
 ifitffttj&i inaudible or regulable by it: Ic isint^iis 
 hj t lore of fubordination , that Magiftrats and Mi- 
 »lj c Iters are ftjbordmated to one another , without all 
 ;« 0l b ordination of the powers, in th^ir exercife; for 
 ppj Magiftrats may, yea should command MioifiefSt 
 njnei negligent, to the duties of their funftion; io 
 : 0il I miters ought, in Chrills name , to command 
 JpJ h iftian Magiftrats to do the duties belonging to 
 ,, ( i?ir office ; and to rebuke them authoritatively, 
 j^'hen found acting contrare thereto, il Prof of. 
 ^ hefe fubjefted to created powers, whether Magi- 
 ;, ratical or Minillerial > being ander the fupream , 
 jjjjpfoiuteaod univerfal Soveraignity of God , have a 
 3t ;Wer of judgment and difcretion granted to them, 
 fj)r cognofcingonthe commands of their fuperiours, 
 Jjitp their juftice or infuftice, or their confiftency 
 Jjfithi or repugnancy to the commands of God ; by 
 Jlthich they are to walk in giving or not giving obedi- 
 J (ice eb their fuperiours. 
 
 f U The way being thus paved, our next work is, to 
 L £jhew,whu we judge to be the Government of the vi- 
 sible Church , which we shall do in thefeCondufi- 
 i)m$. Conchf. i. The Government of the vifible 
 '3hurch largely confidered, is either Supream or Sub* 
 f >rdinat: to the Supream belongs the legiflative po- 
 j ver , as the making and cnaftingof lawes, inftituting 
 f )f ordinances , appointing and impowering of 
 f >fficers; and tobethefountaineofall power inthe 
 Church. This we affert to be only in Chrift Jefus ; 
 md vifible io his word , ordinances , officers , and the 
 
 I 4. con* 
 
(i 3 6.) 
 
 conveyance of all Church power: in this, none ^hare 
 with him either Magiftrats or Minifies, Conchf. z. 
 The fubordinat power of Government in thcChurch, 
 is in her officers , that Chrift hath appointed and 
 called ebereto ; which power > is only and im- 
 mediacy £om Chrift , and exercifed in his name, 
 over all in the Church , which diftinftson of 
 Church Government makes not different Govern- 
 ments in the head and members ; it being one and 
 the lame Government , truly Monarchical , not 
 Ariiiocratical , nor Democratical. Conch 3. This 
 derived and iubordinac power in Church officers , 
 when considered with refpeft to its mater 3 in and 
 about w hich it is exercedj is diverfe: Schoolmen 
 and Divines diftinguish it, into the power of Order & 
 J*rJjdi8ion, but for explications fake , and avoiding 
 of all ambiguity , we^hailconfider it, in the variety 
 of its objects or mater $ and its divers afts about the 
 fame. 
 
 As (f.)To it belongs the difpenfing of the ordi- 
 nances ot worship, in the publi&aflembliesof the 
 Church, inpreachngoftjie.word, pnyingto (as 
 the mouth of the afiembly)and praifing of God: 
 in thefe they aft, as the Authorized fervants of Chrift, 
 in performing and directing of the worship of God 
 in the Church. (2.) Theconvocatingofthe Affem- 
 biies of the Church, for thefe divine andholyexer- 
 cifes • on which all in the Church are bound by di- 
 vine precepts to attend > as the inftitute means of wor- 
 ship? converfion, and edification. (3.) Thereceiv- 
 ing> ordering, and diftributing of the Charitable 
 contributions of the Church, for maintaining of the 
 poor; and doing of other pious works, (4. Try- 
 ing* 
 
0?7.) 
 
 . itig , receiving > and admiring of members into the 
 Crunch , confirming: and icahng of the fame by 
 iBapcil'cne. (5) Adminiliring the great ordinance of 
 the Lords fupper, to che worthy and obedient, con- 
 forme to the inftitution of ic in the word. (6. Eje*. 
 &ing and excluding the impenitent and obftinatly 
 fcandalous ( after due trial and convi&ion) whether 
 in doftrine or manners , from the Sacraments, and 
 Comunion with the Church in thefe. (7.) Trying, 
 .calling, andordaningofperfons fitted for and will- 
 ing to engadgc in the Minilteryj according to the 
 rules of the word. (S.) Depofingandexautorating 
 of Mmifters from the Mimftery, who, byherefyor 
 Ifcandals, declare themfelves unworthy of, andun- 
 Ifit for the fame. (9 ) Trying , and cenfuring of 
 jfcandals, in perfons found guilty of them (after due 
 ,conviftion; for their recovery , and keeping of the 
 i Church pure. (10.) Aflbciating into ftated & fixed 
 meetings, forc'anyingon , and doingof the former 
 i and fubfequenc work , whether more general or pari 
 ; ticular, in then due and allowed (ubordination. (u.) 
 t Trying and judging of doftrines, whether found or 
 heretical, according to the rule of che word of Chrift, 
 and cenfuring of perfons found unfound in the faith. 
 \ (12.) Difpotiug bordering the neceflary circumftan. 
 ces of worship and Government , for decency and 
 order , and the avoiding of confufion, (f ;.) Re* 
 folving of doubts and cafes of confeience , incident 
 to the Church, on any occafion or emergent. (1 4.; In- 
 di&mgofdayesof publiftfokmne fails and humilia- 
 I tion , or of thankfgiving , as the difpenfations of 
 I judgment and mercy call to the fame, &<:♦ 
 
 Cmcluft 4. This Government of the Church, 
 Ay a s 
 
as ft is in the hands of Churc ii otficers.and exercifed by 
 
 them, is purely Ministerial, wichout all dominion 
 
 in them $ and oily executive in applying the wli of 
 
 Chnit co the menders of chs Charch * asth?y are 
 
 foun J conform or difa>nform to the fane, Concl. $. 
 
 This fubordinac power in Church officers i% only 
 
 declarative and nuncupative) and not properly decifive} 
 
 they have nor power to determine whac shall be true 
 
 orfalfedo&rine, fin or duty; and what cenfure shall 
 
 beinfli&ed onperfons heretical or fcanJalous ; but 
 
 anly to declare and apply the will of Chrift > and 
 
 what he hath determined anenc thefe in ints word. 
 
 This power fuppons itsobjeft, and does not make 
 
 it. Concl. 6. It is wholly limiced, regulated by, and 
 
 reftn&ed to the word and law ofChnft , asitsbafis 
 
 and rule, beyond which ic cannot go; and if it do, its 
 
 a&s are nullities and not obligatory on any. Concl. 
 
 7. It is purely TpintuiL in its mater, manner and ends; 
 
 and not at all civil: it effentially refpefts the inner 
 
 man, and wholly labours ( inthewayes appointed) 
 
 the faving, edifying and perfefting of it. Concl. 8. 
 
 This power is not properly coercive* coaEthe > and 
 
 compulfive; but only excluftva that is, if it be not 
 
 obeyed by thereabout whom it is exercedjtjdoes dc« 
 
 barrethem from, and deay them the benefits, that are 
 
 offered to all, and promifed to the obedient. Concl. 9. 
 
 This power, in the hands of the Church officers, is 
 
 truly Chrifts , and when afted in his name, conforme 
 
 to his la wes , is the exercife of his Supream dominion 
 
 in and over the Church $ By which he truly and vt« 
 
 fibly reigns over all in her ; fo that obedience to thi* 
 
 power, is obedience to Chnft, as King of his Church; 
 
 and the contrare is high rebellion againft him. Conch 
 
 10. AU 
 
('39- )' 
 
 10. Although this power be only Minijierial, an4 
 declarative of the will of Chnft ; yet ic is authorita- 
 tive* ani bind ng on all th- Church, without ex- 
 ception of perfons i and that on a double account > 
 firfi on the accounc of divine commands enjoyning 
 fubmlfion and obedience toitsexercife, in the per- 
 fons of thofeinvefted there wich ; andalfoonche ac-» 
 couat ofits refpe& to , and derivation from Chdli, 
 whofe power and ordinance ic is ; and whom , in its 
 cxercifcit do :th reprefent to all. Concl. 1 1. This po- 
 wer is exercifed^etthei fingly & a pare by every officer 
 ( according to fhe nature & meafureor their power;) 
 or in conjunction wch one another , confomie to the 
 precepts of the word , and praftifes of the Church in 
 S:ripturctime5. Although every officer of the Church 
 in their feveral orders, have the whole power belong- 
 ing intrinficc to it ; y-t there are founc afts thereof, 
 they cannot exerce , butinaconjunftion wi:h others, 
 asordaimngof perfon for the Miniftry, Trying and 
 cenfudngof fcandalous and heretical Profdfours or 
 Mmifters , &c. forwnich there rnuft be fixed meet- 
 ings of officers , general and particular. CmcL 12. 
 The ordmir officers of the Church ( the extraordmare 
 being ceafed) are of three orders , Teachers and 
 Paltors ; Ruling elders * and Deacons. Thefe wc 
 fii ie to be of divine inftitution , and no others: Many 
 others have been brought into , and obtruded on the 
 Church, but all of humane, or rather of diabolical 
 invention as, alace, their effefts have fadiy made 
 out to the Church of Gad, in former an.i prefent 
 tiroes. In everyone of chefe divine orders, wefiodc 
 noinftitu*efuperiority, in the fame order, ofonea- 
 bove others j as a Paftor of Paftors; or an Elder 
 
 of 
 
(140.) 
 
 of Elders ; and a Deacon of Deacons : Thefc who 
 have affuraed and gxcrcifed this fuperiority we can- 
 not owne > as the Officers of Chrift , nor fubjefit 
 to them j asfuch> till they prove thdr mftitution 
 and miffion from him ; which yet they have noc 
 done. Thf outmoft efley hath been for Prelacy pi 
 aBifhop, who is pleaded to b^aPallour of Paftours 
 havingjcheoverfight of them and their flocks; but no- 
 thing attempted for making out thedivine right ofPW- 
 mats, %Archbij\iops , Archpresbyters, Archdeacons, &C. 
 
 This is that lowly and humble Government of 
 theChurch, that Chrift.hath inftuute in his word, 
 and put in the hands of his Officers, commanding 
 them to exercife and diipeafe the fame to all in his 
 houfe, under high paines: or which in thefecond 
 place we affert thefe two. i. That it is diltindt and 
 fpecifically different from the civil government of the 
 Magiftrat. And z. That it is independant on it* 
 Thefc two conclufions we now undertake to prove > 
 againft the Eraftians of our time , who aflert , that 
 when theChurch comes to be ernbodyed with the 
 Commonwealth > her Government becomes one 
 with the Government of the State > and does noc dif- 
 fer from it. 
 
 In oppolition to th'efe , we aflirme , that when a 
 Nation > Srate or Kingdom turnes Chriftian > in its 
 Rulers and Subjects, the Government of theChurch 
 remaines fpecifically different and diftina from the 
 Government of that State or Kingdome • as it was 
 before its converfion to Chnftiamty. The reafons 
 perfwading usofthis, are i. The Government of 
 the Kingdome ? that is not of this world > isdiftincT: 
 and different from the Government of the King- 
 domes 
 
(T4I2) 
 
 domes that are of this world? But fb it is, thatthe 
 Government of the Chunh is the Government of a 
 Kmgdome, that is not of this world. Therefore 
 the Government of the Church is difiinfl andd.ffe- 
 rent from i he Government of the ciyil Magjftrat* 
 thatis,theGovernmentof Kmgdomes that are of this 
 wo<ld. This Argi'mtnt leans on thefe three, x. 
 That the Church is a Jfcingdome, 2, That she hath 
 a Government; And $. That she is not of this world, 
 although in it. All which are beyond difput clear 
 from the Scriptures. All that our adverfaries fay to 
 this, is, that the vifible Church of Chrift, is not pro- 
 perly, but metaphorically called a Kingdome: But 
 how evident is the contrare i for is not Chrift Jefus 
 the Churches vifible HeacJ and King? Is she not tuled 
 by his vifible Lawes, Ordinances and Officers that 
 are properly and truely fuch? and are not all thefe 
 from above, and not of this world? 
 . Jrgum, 2 . That Government whofe fupream 
 Head, Lawes, Ordinances and Officers are fpecificaL 
 ly different from the Head, Lawes, Ordinances, and 
 Officers of the civil Magiftrat , mull be diftinft from 
 it: But fo it is that the head, lawes , ordinances and 
 Officers of the Church are diftinctfrom the lawes, 
 &c. of the civil Magiftrat : Therefore , &c. Therea- 
 fon of the firft propofitionis clear > for that which 
 makes one Government differ from another , is dif- 
 ferent heads , lawes , Ordinances & Officers: where 
 thefe are either numerically or fpecifically different, 
 the Government is different accordingly: it being 
 comprehended in all tbefe: but that "the fupream 
 head, laws, ordinances, and Officers of the Chorch 
 are fpecifically different, from thefe of the civil Go- 
 vernment 
 
f T 4M 
 
 vernment, who will deny it, thatprofefles himfelf 
 a Chriftian t Obj. But all thefe come under the in* 
 fpe&ionof the Magiftrac , when he turns Chriftian. 
 «^4w/. i« Either thefe continue in the Church > un- 
 der the Magiftrats Government* what they were be- 
 forej or they do not; if rhey do, the Argument holds, 
 and proves the Government of the Church , to be 
 diftinft from that of the Magiftrats, whtn Chriftian ; 
 If they do not continue, weafkfrom whence comes 
 this alteration, and how will they prove it ? No- 
 thing here from our adverfaries , but Ahum film- 
 tium* ornugai deftitutt of all reaion* But , i. The 
 tearmJNJPECTION, or O VE F^S 1 G H T, 
 isambiguous; ifbyit we mean the countenancing, 
 protefting, and encouraging of this Government 
 of the Church, weyeeldrt: but what fayes that to 
 the confounding of the Governments; or making the 
 Government of the Church * the Magiftrats: if by 
 infpe&ion we under ftand , the devolving of the Go- 
 vernment of the Church on the Magiftrat, as the 
 fountaineofit i the ordering and difpofing of its ex. 
 ercifc, the changing thereof at pleafute, inwholeor 
 in part.- this we deny, and long have we looked for 
 proofe j but have hitherto met with none. 
 
 Arg. $. The Government of the Church for* 
 merly deliniated is incomp^tble with thecivilMagi. 
 ftrats $ therefore it is diftinft from his Government. 
 We hope, none will refufe this coniequence. The 
 antecedent is thus proven* ( I .) The fubordinat Go- 
 vernment of the Church is purely Miniftcrial, not 
 Nominative or imperial ; jt is only declarative, and not 
 dcci/ive , not coaBive and compulfive ; it is exercifed 
 in Chrifts Name , and in his Head » and is the repre- 
 
 Tentative 
 
04 J- ) . 
 tentative of his Tpccial prt fence in his Church : thefe 
 art uicompacibk with the Govemrreit of the Magi- 
 ftrat , whole- power isSupream, Magifteiial , and 
 Imperial* coa&ive and compulGve ; andexercifed 
 in his owne native » &c. (z.) The Magiftrat cannot , 
 yea may not cztriife iht Government oi the Church* 
 beirgdifenabled thereto, by the commands and in. 
 ftit utions of Chntt ,who hath laid the burden thereof 
 on others , and not on him. The moft granr, the 
 Mag'ftrat hsmfelf may not exercifefcme parts of this 
 G overall ent, aso da ningof perions tor the Miui- 
 Itery,excomn umcacing,&c. and why he may do o- 
 ther parts and^fts belonging to it, and not thefe , 
 We define proofe : all our antagonifts arguments in 
 this conclude lor the whole, Ob). But fome Magi- 
 ftrats have exerciled both powers, as Mo[es> Samu- 
 el) David* Solomon* &c« jfnf. Thefe were both 
 Magiftratsand Prophtts ; and it is evident fiom the 
 Scripture* that what they did either in configuring 
 or in exercifing of the Government of the Church » 
 they did it as prophets > and norssMagiftrats: we 
 findMagiftrats , that were not Prophets , attempt 
 ting it , 8c reprehended for fo doing? as SauU Uftiab: 
 which fays , that it did not belong to their Magiftra- 
 tical Office. 
 
 *Arg. 4. That Goverment that is founded upon 
 and regulated by another rule and inftrum ent, then 
 the law of the civil Magiftrat, is diftinft from his Go- 
 vernment: But the Government of the Charch is 
 founded upon, and ruled by another law or rule, then 
 the Magiftrats ; the law and word of Chrift : there- 
 fore, &c the firft propofition is clear, for the Go- 
 vernment of the Magiftrat does flow from andis regu- 
 lated 
 
(I44-) 
 
 lated by hisownel3wes,of which he is the fole foun- 
 tains: The fecond, wefuppofe, is undenyabie among 
 Christians, who acknowledge the Scriptures for a i 
 rule of Doftrine , Worship and Government tpthe 
 Church ofChrift.0^/ But there are fomethings necef* 
 fare to the Governmen t of the Church, not contained i 
 in the Scriptures f Jnf- This we deny. Fori. What i 
 the Scriptures containe, anent the Government of the I 
 Church ( if reduced to pra&ice ; is able toattaineits i 
 ends » and more is not neceffary: Let the Church i 
 havethefe, and the work will be done: we make & 
 f eigne neceflities , but no more is neceffar to the ends 
 of\he Church Government , then what is deter- 
 mined by the Scriptures anent -it. fa.; The ability 
 of theChurches Government, for reaching uts ends, 
 lyes not in the innate fufBciency of its inftituted me- 
 ans ; but in the Spirit of Chrift ♦ working with? itii 
 and by them ; by which low, weak and defpicable 
 wayes, Chrift carries en the falvation of his people, 
 that the excellency of the power may be of him > and 
 not of us. ($*) The Scriptures being a full and per- 
 feft rule for all maters of taith and obedience > what 
 it containes of, and anent the Government of the 
 Church," muft be perfeft and fufflcient : fure we are, 
 the Churches Government is a good work, and its 
 cxercife, afts of obedience to Chrift Jefus ; anent 
 whichitis faidi.T/w.j. The Scripturs are able to 
 make the Man of God perfeft > throughly furnished 
 to every good work. ( 4. ) We enquire , when the 
 Church is without aChriftisn Magiftrat, and under 
 the feet of a heathenish perfecuting one fin which 
 cafe our oppofits grant her a Government difhnft 
 from , and independent on the Magiftrat ) whether 
 
 the 
 
■ :he Government excrcifed in her , be able to artaine 
 ! tsends. If it be ( as the experience of rh- church 
 
 1 n this cafe puts beyond doubt J why may it not do 
 
 • :he fame , under a Chriftian Magiftrat f 
 
 Arg 5. Thn Goverement that is exercifed in 
 
 i:he name of another dtftinft Supream Head, befides 
 
 he Magiftrat, isdiftinft from rh? Govern nent of 
 
 :he civil Magiftrat. But the Government of the 
 
 Church is exerced in the name and authority of ano* 
 
 h :herSupream head . not fubordinat to the Magiftrat. 
 
 k Therefore, &c. What can befaid to ih^firft fr>poji- 
 
 sjtfwij we underftand not ; rV all Governments one 
 
 • with , and fubordin3t to the Migiftrat, are exercifed 
 i n his name and authority • But this Government of 
 ) :hc Churth is cxerciled in her , in the name of 
 - thrift Jdus, by his Officers , as is clear from the 
 
 ,word. 
 
 I %Arg* 6. The defignarions , denominations and 
 
 •e!ations,in and with which the Church js reprefented 
 
 n the Scriptures , do alfo confirme this truth ; she 
 
 « is called the Body of Chrifl , the Kjngdome of Heaven > 
 
 it the City of Cod , the Houfe tfthe living God , the new 
 
 2 JerufaUm. As all thefe do neceffirily import a Go- 
 vernment in the Church; fo they infinuat the fame 
 tobediffcrcncfrom all other Governments: Wnich 
 we may mould into this Argument. That foaery 
 which is the body ofChrift, &c. mufthaveaGo- 
 ivernment diftind from the Government of the civ:! 
 Magiftrat; But the Church is that fociety , char is 
 only thebodyofennfti &c. Therefore 5 &c. Obj. 
 
 h But all thefe are faidonly of the invifibV Church f 
 1 ] Jnf. But the contrare is clear from rhofc Scriptures , 
 :: where thefe Epithets aregiven to the Chuaht i.Cor : 
 c iz. IJT/W.3.1J. K ^ r &7< 
 
r ^ r 5 # 7- That Government whofe {mmed/at and 
 effential ends are fpecifically different > from the im J 
 mediae and effential ends of the Magiftrats Govern* 
 tnent, is diftmft from the Government of the Ma- 
 giftrat: But here it is fo: the effential & immediat ends 
 ofChurchGovernment,are different from the effential 
 & i m mediat end of Magillracyjas will be clear to any 
 that compares them togeher; The ends of Church 
 Government are the faveingof thefoule, the con- 
 verfion and edification of finners , &c. The ends 
 of Magiftracy , are, the outward publift peace and 
 profperity of the common wealth , the execution ofi 
 jufticein the maintaining and preferving of proprie- 
 ty * &c. with thefe the Churches government does 
 not mcdle s nor intend them, of it felf.Ofy'.The Magi- 
 ftrat ought to intend, and endeavour the fpintual hap-i 
 pincfleand wellfareofhisfubjedfa? ^w/".Wegranc 
 this , bur as all others ought to do it ; for every one 
 In their Ration are bound todefigne and labour thd 
 ^ternal falvation of thefe under their charge ; this 
 b^ing a common end? that allChriftians, inched 
 feveral capacities , should feek after , in their love to 
 one another : the firft propofithn is evident , becaufe 
 the fpecificall diftin&ion betwixt powers, habits 
 andafts, is taken from thtirObjefts and immediat 
 proper ends •, Where thefe diff-r , they are by all 
 Philofophers coniiitute into different fpecies's* 
 
 In the next place we ajjert. That as the governs 
 ment of the Church does fpecifically differ from thd 
 government of the Magiftrat ; fo it is independart 
 thereon, and not dire&ly Tubordinac thereto. A 
 truth ( how much foever itbedecrytd ) wearenoc 
 shamed of > nor affrayed to profefs & maintaine: and 
 
 whofo 
 
;ct hofoever will lay a fide pi e/udi ce an^ earthly inters 
 luls, andconfiderthefeieafons whhus, willbcforc- 
 n« I to acknowledge it. 
 
 v Jl>g. i. The Magiftrat is not the fcuntair.e of 
 fchir< h power - f it hath not its derivation from him; 
 ul.id therefore is not dirc&lyfubordinat to him ; The 
 w>nftquence is founded on this truth, granted by all 
 lawyers andDivines, that all power d rectiy tuboidi- 
 Kitto, and dependant on the Magiftrat , is derived 
 feom him as the fountame thereof.- the antecedent we 
 idlrove thus. ( i.) The Magili at as a Maaiflr3t is 
 ot-at a member of theChuich, but asa profeflorof 
 ik hnftianity , which intitles others to this pn viled^e, 
 iesi much as him ; Therefore he cannot be the fouo- 
 ;i« une of Church power as fuch; for whoever is the 
 p-)untaineofpovvertoany fociety, is a member , yea 
 ioq$C nobleft member of it; Obj Bur a a ihriftian 
 )ne i 4ag<flrat he is ameaberof theChuich C *An[ I. 
 fie ^hat then? will this prove him to bethefountainc 
 hwf Chuich power? fo might Chnftian Hufoards, 
 parents , Sec. argue as juftly for this clame: the 
 :rcc::u(h is , her being only a number of the Church > 
 afesaChrftian , and net 2S a Magiftrat, Magftracy 
 wives him no more priviledge, then any other power* 
 itduavil or natural, when the perfontmnes Chnftian j 
 jllorthebenefiteofmem^iship goes on groan Js and 
 eafons common toallChnlhans, and contain** do 
 irrj.s&eciality to one more then to another. If any think 
 ttiaMagiftracy does, they shall do well to prove it, 
 arn vhich none hath yet offered to do. z. Ifmenun- 
 Ailerftoo4well> whac it istobeaChriftian, adifti- 
 nlm and member of drift's Church, they would 
 andiiuicklyfeeits inconfiftency with the fa.dprofeifionf 
 M K 2 does 
 
(148.) 
 
 does not pcrfons , turning chriftians > profeflc fub; j, 
 &ion to Chrift, his La wes, Ordinances and Servant 
 which is repugnant to thefountaine oftheChurc 
 power. (2«) He may not exercife Church powei 
 Therefore is not the fountaine of it; all yeeld » th 
 thefewhoarethe fountaine of power to others mi 
 rzerctfe it themfelves , it being in them j and othefc 
 a&ing, as their delegates , in its exerrife : that til 
 3Wagiftrat may not exerrife Church power, isclea 
 for Church power , being by pofuive inliitutu 
 from Chrifc , they that exercife it muft have a con 
 million from him, which none hath produced f 
 the Magiftrat 2 Eraflus aflerteth it , but without^ 
 proofe , of which it is fo deftitute > that the raoft , 
 his folio wers have left him in this afiertion* 
 
 •Argy 2. All Church power islodged in and ir 
 ttediatly defcended from Chrift Jefus, as the S 
 pream Head and Ruler ot the Church) and Superio 
 to the Magiftrat : Therefore it is not fubordinat 
 the Magiftrat: The reafon of the confequence is cle; 
 for it is a repugnancy in a power to be imrnediat 
 fubordinat to two Supream powers, in one and t! 
 fame rcfpe&s ; efpecially where the one is fuperic^ 
 to the other: The antecedent is manifeft* forChr 
 is only head of the Church \ all power in her is inl] 
 tute by him j exerced in his name •> aftrifted to , a 
 regulated by his word ; and accomptable to hi en. / 
 notes of power immediarly defcended from hit 
 OfyButthe Chriftian Magiftrat, asChafts fubl] 
 tute and vicegerent >is - under bi m : . the neareft and i r 
 media: fountaine of Church power; for fubordina 
 nonpugnant? Anf. Long hath the Pope of Rgmt co 
 tended for this , and on grounds more plaufible, rh 
 
 the 
 
 ■■ 
 
lb, ( I4,,) 
 
 ; ierc,on which the Magiltrat goes.Butproteftant Di- 
 
 iocs anfwer totheP,»pifts on this head , furnish us 
 
 th irrefragable anlwtrs to the M3giftrats dame; 
 
 i h ch we defire our advertises would confider & an. 
 
 f <ver at their own Ie?.iure;we rtnde not theMagiftrat in- 
 
 ' :>llcd among the o ffirers of the Church , far lefle fub- 
 
 ^itute for Chritts vicegerent ; if there be anyScrip- 
 
 p are for this , bring u forth ? V^e know of none as 
 
 ^etailedgedbyouradverfiries; but what will plead 
 
 iri0 $ftrongly, forthe heathenish Mugiftrat , asforthe 
 
 .°%hriftian: And if they do, what traitours were the 
 
 '[frpoMes > Mmifters an i Chilians of the primitive 
 
 res, that did nor acknowledge the heathenish Ma* 
 
 '" iftratcs for their head in the Church £ but refifted 
 
 . nd difobeyed their Iawesandedifls againftthem 3 for 
 
 frying up of another K ng , in the maters of their 
 
 .^hriftian Profeifiori. 
 
 m Arg.$. All Church power W3S inftitute by Chrift, 
 Jlji an irnraediat fubordination to himfelf ; without 
 : ly acknowledgment of, ordependance ontheMa- 
 i lftrat ; Therefore it is not dependant upon, nor fub- 
 |.T*dinatto him: The antecedmtis clear from the H i- 
 ' a |;ory of the New Teftament , whet ewe find, that 
 ; :hnft moulded and co lftituted {the Church by h ; s 
 ^'Vpoftles , and furnished her with a Government and 
 Officers s to be exercifed in his naue ; and all this he 
 ' .id without consulting > or aiviGng with the Magi- 
 Wtrat , orfufpendingof her upon him ; the Magiftrat 
 11 this time refilling & etting himfelf,for crushing of 
 } ■ his Church & Kingdome ot Chrift; which hs erefted 
 u n themidftof their Kingdoroes, making ufeof their 
 ?pg e anc * violence to eftablish and propagat it, for 
 ; ome Hundreds of years. All this is fo evident , that 
 n K 3 our 
 
(ISO.) 
 
 our adverfaries are not able torefufeit; whatisth 
 thcp tp iiin icr the confequence.that we draw from t 
 deed of Chril-f> If our oppofites in this mater col| 
 shew as. that theChurch had no government mftit 
 byChritt; norexercifed any, all the time that th.JVL 
 giftrat thusoppofedhimfelf toher^orthu Ghnith *| 
 declared his will, that she should l>e fubjefted to c 1 
 Migiltac in her Government, whenh~ j should b 
 couieCo/iliimj they would foon end this ftnfe: b 
 nothing can we Icame from them to this purpofe, 
 
 Arg. 4. As this Government was inftitute i J 
 Chnli and his Apoftles; fo it was exsreed in his aac 
 intheChmh, without dependance on the Mag 
 ftrac , till Conjlantine the great's time ; and fro 
 thence downe wjrd % till the Reformation ofRel 
 on brack up in Germ.mie: till which time, itw 
 never qudtioned by any , until Eraftus the Phyfici 
 arofe , who laboured not only to fubject the Churt 1 
 to the Magftrat , in all her concearnes as (uch ; b 
 denied all Government to her by divine inftitut:oi: 
 thit is diftinrt from the Government of the Ma^ 
 ftrac i contrare to full and clear Scripture, whic 
 he mol infolently and;wickediy endeavours to wre 
 & pervert. So then if the Government of theChurc 
 was m Scripture times, and down wards, till withi 
 thciehuidered years , exercifed without deoendanc 
 on the Magiftrat, both heath nish and Chnftian 
 then it muft yet beindenendanton , andnotdireftl 
 fubordinat to hi m. Here our Anta*onifts 3tre put t< 
 ftrange shifts: The firft three hundred years, the 
 muligran.; and rmy we not take this for a yeeldin^ 
 otthecaufe? Scnprure and antiquity hath been helc 
 foralufficicntplea; for maters of doctrine and pra.' 
 
 etice 
 
^ tile ; debates in Polemical divinieyhath run on thefc 
 ]j ( i.wo heads \ and whoever made out their aflertions 
 
 ro.nthefe, have been efteemed to carry the caule ; 
 1^.11 that our adversaries have to fay to this, arcthefc 
 \[ vvo» i. That the Govern nenc exercifed in the 
 l^hurch was not by divine institution and precepts; 
 3 .ue by confederation of Churches a;id officers. To 
 j tc hiswe reply, i. If the Epiities to TV mothy , to the 
 t^ven Churches in Afia. Revel, Z. and 3. Chapters ; 
 
 nth other places of Scripture, ufed by our Divines.in 
 , 1 lis mater> prove not the contrary, they have no fenfe: 
 
 ,Ve beg of our adver fades , they will > for faving as 3 
 J ibour, anfwer Mr. Gillefpies Arguments from Scrips 
 •^irei in the fecond pare of his ^Aarons Rjd Moffom- 
 { jg. 2. Befids they are not able to make out whac 
 mficy affert , to wit , that the Church did exercifeher 
 ., .iovemraent in thefe times, by confederation and 
 l.autual confent; and not by inliitution and command: 
 jjW as there is nothing in Scripture and pure aatiquity 
 .or this ; So the Churches being gathered and confti- 
 
 Jteby cheApoUlesjweprtfumejChey continued in the 
 
 ouliitutions % which the ApoiUes left,accordingto the 
 precepts and rule* they gave them} to which we find* 
 
 1 the word and Church Hiftory s their praftice con- 
 xme* When the perfecutions of the Church ceafed , 
 pon the Magiftrats turning Chnftian , we find her 
 
 jontinumg, in the exercife of the former Govern- 
 ment , ( but with the addition of fome corruptions > 
 krhich grew to a fad hight afterwards, throw the 
 xceifive munificence & bounty of Conftdntint the 
 j.reati the firftChriftianEmperour) and exercifing 
 (he famei, as formerly ; as is clear from Hiftory; 
 ;hatfpuks of thefe times. Here our advsifarks freak 
 
 K4 of 
 
to*') 
 
 of fotne inftances cf the power; the Magiftrat did 
 cxerce in the Church j as convocating of Synods* 
 labouring in the peace of the Church > foielyrcntat 
 fome times, through fad herelks and fchifras ; And 
 th it faying ofConjlyitines repeated by them, ad natr 
 feam : vos eflis Eptfeopi ad intra, ' Ego ad extra. But 
 how is our Anragomfts conclusion made out by all 
 theie ? will it follow , that becaus the Magiftrat did 
 convocat Synods > its Government is derived from * 
 & fubordjnattohim?Nowayes,for (i ) Albeitthe 
 Magiftrat have a power to convocat th;; officersot 
 the Church, anew marers rehtingto h s owne con- 
 f ^ience and duty , whether about Chun h or State ; 
 yet this is not priva ive of the Churches power to 
 convocat her owne afomblics, either for worship 
 or government ; as we find shedidintheprimitive 
 times $ not only without but againfthisconient; yea 
 when the Magiftrat became Chrifcian , she retained 
 and exercifed this power in aflemblingintofeveral 
 Synods, without the Magiftrat. Itistrae* we do 
 not read of general Synods aflembled, after this, but 
 by the Magiftrat, till the Pope of Rome, chimed 
 thispower, and ufurped therein on the Chuch and 
 Magiftrat , as be did in all other things , but the 
 vaftnefs of the Empii e,and large extent of the Church 
 ( whi ch exceeded its bound<) made this in point of 
 prudence necefTare , for wiitiuut the Magiftrat > it 
 could not eafily be done. But (2.) Convocating of 
 ethers » is r.otalwayeSf initsftlf, art infallible figne 
 ofafuj>eriour power and dominion over judicatories 
 convocated j as in limited Monarchies, and not 
 abfolute, where the Suprram power is lodged in 
 the Kingand States of the Kingdom; although the 
 
 King 
 
(i«0 
 
 it King havcthc power or vouveenmg the States ; yee 
 Ii they share wuh him, in the leg (have and executive 
 
 !< power, while in being: cheretoietne illation isoud 
 and not concluded (4.) Wluc imag-nablcauvan- 
 tage can accrevv* to our advetiarics aiieition, by 
 that faying of Conjiantines , tormeriy aced * We 
 grant the MagUirat is the overfeer or I h n-s wichout 
 the Church; bjcthsw»il not prove* tn;cth. fo o. 
 vernmeniot j he Church > is in and hom his hands * 
 a-d fuboruinat to hun i th.y mufc tirlc make itap- 
 ptarbygood reaton, that tier Government u adoc. 
 *r*, whichthey have not yet done* norheverwtlfj 
 for although it bevilble in its infdtucion and exerci- 
 fe; yet itisasintnnfinckto, and within hen as her 
 
 ; doftrine and worship* which by this fence , will be 
 
 i. as much derived from and fubjetted to the Magi ft rat. 
 as her Government ^ feing the one is as viable in its 
 
 if difpenlation , as rhe other. 
 
 i Jirg* 5. The Magiltvat may not , yea cannot jure 
 impede and hinder the exerdie oi th . Churchis go- 
 vernment: therefore it is not derived f:om , noriub- 
 jefted to him; the reafoa ot this confeqnence is 9 
 what ever power is derived from the M 'gtltrat , and 
 fubordin3ted dueftly to him > he may fufpend , Ivn- 
 derttsexercife, yea he may to- ally remove and an* 
 nihilatic: thisisyecldedby ail, anj t-kcnfoiafurc 
 Jvlaximein Politicks: bucrheM:g Itracmay not do 
 this > in rhe Government of the Church; and that 
 becausitis of divine inititution, a id the perfons in- 
 trufted with » and called roitsexercife* are under the 
 obligations of divide precepts a 1 1 commands for it f 
 which the Migiftat cannot hinder > nor by any deed 
 or command of h&> auk; vxd. Theft chat deny 
 
 K 5 this 
 
054.) 
 
 this divine inftitution of Church Government, w< 
 reter co the forested book ; where ic is ftrongly plea 
 dcd & made ouc from dear and exprefs Scriptures in 
 the New Teftament. Likwife as he cannot impede 
 nsexercife, fo he may not nullity its fentences , by 
 hmlclf, which he may do in the fcntences pjfied by all 
 powers , d-nved from and fubordinat to himfelr. 
 
 Arg.6. The Chnftian Magiftrat , isbyvertueof 
 his Chnftian profeilion , bouod to fubject himfclf to 
 the afts & exercife ©fChurchGovernmencm the hand 
 of Church Officersjand is as much obieidged to yeeid 
 thereto, as any other: Therefore Church power is 
 nor dire&iy fubordinat to him. The antecedent is 
 clear j for all are commanded fubmiiiion and obedien- 
 ce to Church Officers, in the exercife of their power, 
 in watching, overfeeing, and rulcing of the Church 
 Hcb. i}.7> 17. to which exercife of their power, 
 we finde Magiftrats in the word fubmitting , as U%j> 
 ZlA , who was by thepriehsjconformetothelaw 
 
 r» * ■ 1 /- i i t r* f it i • r r~ « » 
 
 ftparated and fecluded from the holy things of God , 
 and communion with the Church inthefe; yea, it 
 is given for the mamecauieofallthac heavy wrath 
 and judgment, that came on fydekjub z.Cbron. 36. 
 "12. that he humbled not himfelibdo:? Jeremiah, the 
 prophet 3 fpeaking the word of the Lord to him* 
 Obj. But this fubjedion in Magiliiacs to Church Of- 
 ficers 3 is pioperly to ChriS, and not to them? Anf. 
 weconfels, ihefubje&ion is primary and cheiily to 
 Chnft Jellis, whom iuch, in the exercife of their 
 Office , doerepiefent j yet the fubjeftion is to them 
 too, whom all, without exception of any in the 
 Church , are commanded to receive , hear and obey: 
 fochat ia the difpenfatiqn of holy things, they are 
 
 fupenour 
 
(155) 
 
 fupenour to all in the Clinch, Magiftrats and others, 
 as their coattitut Rulers, Overieers, GovernoursdnJ 
 Watch men , whom they ou^httoobey \ when a. 
 ftin^ in their Off ce, a^reableto thelaw of Chnft : 
 which ohedience is not CAT ACHRESTIC A Lot 
 iABUUVE (is V1D&LIUS fptaks ) in the Ma- 
 giftiat, but proper and really v a debt theyo<\e to the 
 Mimfters or. theGoipel dilpenfing holy th n^ , as 
 much as any other member of the Church; their 
 obligation to it being otihe lame kmJeanu natu e, 
 with rhe obligation of orhers. If any think other* 
 waye*, let them produce their reafons and ^enptutcs. 
 2. It tne fiery and zealous promotteis of the Md- 
 giftr ts power, mmdovertheCnurchoi Goj aid 
 confider the true and real prejudice tn ydotoMa- 
 
 # gilirat« i by exeemingenem tro«n that iubjtdtion , 
 that thty, with all others , owe to Church Officers, 
 th«ry would ( ir there be any fenie or Religion and its 
 advantages remaining with men ) hold their hand; 
 and shouid have little thanks from Magiftrats » for 
 their prepofterous zeal, who , by their opinonsia 
 this mater, do really exclude Magiftrats from rhe 
 Communion of the Church , and the beneriteof the 
 
 j ordinance of Church Government 5 which in its de- 
 figne and effects is for faving of the (oul , as well as 
 all«th?r ordinances. Orher Argument might be 
 adduced, as the; want of power in the Mig it at to 
 alter and change the Government of thfi Cniuchj oc 
 conulluyics)uftkntciH,eipain.d; &c. 
 
 SECT. 
 
<i 5 <g 
 
 Sect. VII. 
 
 The finfulnefs of the Ecclefiaftick Supreamacy 
 m anifeftcd. 
 
 BUt judging* thefe fufficient to the conviftion of 
 ;he unprejndged; we coroeito the other part of our 
 ta<»k , which is ro shew* that th«s vifibleintrinfick go» 
 vern.^enc of the Church is aiTumed by > and given to 
 our Rulers , in the prefent ftmding laws of rhe King* 
 dorn j which we shall make out from thz aEts of 
 Parliament*, particularly aBofreftitution. Park i. Serf". 
 2. AB> i„ act anent the National Synod Pari. i. Seff.$. 
 AB;. 4. a£t againji Conventicles Pari. £. Scff. 5. aB a. 
 gainft tQepers of Conventicles and withirawers &c* 
 Pari. 2. Seff. ;* Aft. 17. ad: Jgtinsl unlawful ordinatU 
 ons Pari. 2*Seft.$. with others of the like nature- 
 Butt before we enter on the probation of this > it 
 will benece(Tare> for clearing our way to it, tocon- 
 fiderahtde two things , in civ: beginning of the nar- 
 ratv: of th: aft of reftitutioo , repeated in feveral 
 aft;: where>/?r/i • the Government- of che Church 
 is called theexrernal Government of the fame: the 
 tearm, EXTERNAL* bein^ Notourly ambigu- 
 ous .should hive been explained>& all not left to guefs 
 at its meaning: EXTERNAL is by fomeoppofed 
 to th: internal invfitte Government of Chrift on the 
 fouls of his people;* andfo by it they underftand, 
 the vifible ntrinSck Government of the vifible 
 Church: th it this is meant by the tearm EXTEf^- 
 fJAL GOVERNMENT, in this and other afts> the 
 following Arguments ^undertake to make out: but 
 
 forac 
 
I(i57«) 
 bme others oppofe the terme EXTERNAL GO* 
 SERJNMENT , to this mtrinfick vifible Govern- 
 Deotof the Church , formerly defcribed and avert- 
 ed to be diftinft from, and mdependant ontheMa- 
 flrac; and by it they do understand > thefe humane 
 adjun&s and accidents, that are civil in themfelves 5 
 and not made facred by divine inftitution.Torne plead 
 this to be the fenfe of thefe terras , in the afts of 
 Park ; but how groundlefly let our fubfequent rea. 
 fons determine. Secondly, It isthere faid, thacihe 
 ordering and difpofing of the external government 
 of the Church belongs to the Crowne , &c it is hard 
 to fenfethis; for ordering and difpofing, when done 
 by perfons in authority , is a pare of government in 
 itfelf; and if it be fo, the Phrafe is equivalent to 
 this, the governing of the external government of 
 the Church: whichisaftrange fort offpeach, as if 
 a government needed a government to governe it ; 
 What if this were faid of the government of the 
 government of the State? Would it not be reputed 
 non- fenfe? But the truth is,* all governments do 
 neccflarily imply a power to difpofe and order all 
 things relating to ic , asapartofthefarce ; & with- 
 out which it were iroperfeft; and it is without difrut 
 evident from the experience of the Church under 
 heathenish M?giftrats ; that the government of the 
 Church had this , which by this aft is taken frotn 
 hen Next, we ask, whether this ordering and dipof- 
 ing be an aft of the Ecclefaftick or civil government* 
 I fit be of the Ecclefiaftick > it isagane non ? fenfe f 
 at the belt,. a^disaMuuchasifichadb^enfaid, the 
 Ecclefiaftical governing of the Ecdefiaftical govern- 
 mentof the Church j aperfeft tautology* B^ £»« 
 
 bC an 
 
 . 
 
0s% 
 
 bean aft of the civil government; how coroesit, 
 that in this and orher a&*'of Pailiitnent, it is called 
 the things Ecclefiafiica 1 Government* in oppofmon to 
 thccivik Ofy. it is only objectively fo called. An{> 
 Then it is properly and torn ally civil, thephiafe, 
 objectively Ecclefialfccal being QAlACH^E- 
 S TJCAL and ABUSIVE ; a very improper fpeach; 
 yea as improper , as itVe should c ail Church po- 
 wer or Governmenr,in the hands of Church officers, 
 objectively civil > or civil. Thirdly , Jn the lalt 
 place we defire to know, whether this ordering or 
 difpofmg of the Government of the Church be 
 tieceflary, or not ? It it be not neceffary , why is the 
 Church trcubkd with it i Jfit be, weaskagaine, 
 when it was exercifed by the Church* whether it 
 was an aft of civil or Church Government i It could 
 not be of the civil ; for the Church had nqne under 
 perfecuting Ivlag ftrats ; if it was an aft of the Ec- 
 clefiafticsl or Church Government; rhen it was pu- 
 rely and formally fuch; and not ttuely civil, although 
 exercifid about thrngs civil in their ownenatme, 
 and feing it was fo , how comes it to be the Aiagi- 
 iiratsnow? Toanyconfidcratand unbyafled reader, 
 it will be manifcft, that theie words or expreffons 
 come from mindes , defigning the enhanfing of the 
 intrinfick vifible Government of the Church, and 
 withall labouring to cover it ; but all in vaine. 
 
 Now that the Ecclefialiical Government of the 
 Church , formally and intrinfically fuch, isatfuroed 
 by , and given to the Magiftrat, in the prefent ttand- 
 ioglawes, will be apparent to any that confider 
 thefethings, in theforecired a&$ of Parliament, (i.) 
 That Church officers > in the exercife of Church go- 
 vernment 
 
059 J 
 
 vernmenr, in their Church aflemblies or judicatories, 
 ire puc in d petidance upon , and fubordinared ro the 
 King , as Supream to them therein : this makes the 
 Kmg the fountame of Church power , & the Church 
 officers to derive and hold their power or him; which 
 makes our King the proper Head of the Church > 8c 
 fubftituts him inChrifts roometoher. ($.) The go- 
 vernment of the Church, thus fubjefted to & depen- 
 dant on rheKing as Supream, is, in thcatlofrejlitution, 
 extended to and made to take in ordination > aftsof 
 difcipJine, inflifting of Church cenfures; yea to all 
 caufes and matters formally Ecclefiafiical ; to all » 
 about whichChurch power isexerced* he is made 
 the fupream. (\$.) All Church power and junftii- 
 ftion , as it was exercifed in this Church ( before 
 the late introdu&ion of prelacy ) without this deri- 
 vation from and fubordination totheiVPgiftrat, is 
 refcinded and annulled ; 'certainly in thefe rimes, the 
 JVlagiftrat had and did exercife a power about C hurch 
 matters ; as is to be fcenin the laws then made in 
 their behalf; but this does not now content , with- 
 out this fupremacy $ which imports another power 
 acclamed by the Magiftrat now * that was not then. 
 [(4.) This fupremacy , and ( as it is called ) the Rjyd 
 prerogative of the Crown , is given for the maine rea- 
 fon ot the change made in theGevernment of the 
 Church, in overturning and cafcingout of the true 
 ! government, that then was, and bringing in ano- 
 ther in its ftead, without the authority and concur- 
 rence of the Church : a fair opened doore,for bring- 
 ing in the like alteration and change in doftrineand 
 worshp, when there is accefs to ir. (5.) Prelacyby 
 this aft is rcftored, not only to the former height 
 
 it was 
 
(t6o.) 
 
 it was at j and had attained by law and praftice, before | 
 itslafc ejection out of this Church; but alfo to all 
 chaceverir was , even in the times of popery ; which 
 whaiconfidered , in the corifttnrionandpnvtledges 
 it thenhad, wasan humane OfTce foundedonthe 
 Supremacy of the Pope ? - but no w , by this law , on J C J 
 the Ma^iftrat/ which fayes, thaulthoughcheper-i 
 fons be changed . yet the Supremacy is the fame. 
 / 6 J In the aft anent the National Synod » the no- 
 minationandeleftionofpcrfons , by whonthe go* 
 vernment of t he Church is to be^exercifed, under the 
 King* is aflerted to be the Kings , byvertueof his 
 royal prerogative and fupremacy* incaufes Eccle- 
 fiaftical \ (o that the conftitution of Church judica- 
 tories is made dependant upon him: athingnever 
 heard of nor pra&ifed in this or any other Church, 1 
 till of late. (7) The right, being and conftitution 1 
 of the National Synod of this Church , is wholly 
 dependant upon , and derived from this law ; So as 
 it is no Synod of this Church , that is not gathered, 
 andconftituteconforme to it; although a Synod in 
 this Church should have all » that made Synods 
 lawful, and their afts obligatory, in former doles. 
 (3) The particular conftitution of this National 
 Synod , as to its members, f which in this aft are 
 nominated|and regulated ihereby,fora!l future times) 
 is determined fonts'tiroes and places of meeting, and 
 put wholly in the Kings hand , and aflerted to be his 
 right , by vertue of his Supremacy over this Church: 
 ItisnoSyncdrhatisnotthtts'convocated. (9.) The 
 maters to ht bandied , debated , and concluded in 
 this Synod ( a thing alwayes judged intrinfickto the 
 Church )comes only from the King, & are to be pro. 
 
 pofed 
 
orcrpofcd from him, by the Arch-prelat of Saint Andrews 
 ull and no ochcr: a fearful retraining or the divine liberty 
 lick of the Miniftersof the Gofpel , who maynotfpeak 
 piof maters of doctrine & manners, (although ncceffary 
 thcljfor the times) contrare to the freedorrie , that is 
 on (Commanded them by their mafter, antntthefe, (10.) 
 The King's > orhis CommiiConersprelence is n;adc 
 ;(Tential to theconftitution, and of binding force to 
 (this national! Synod : It is no Synod > although con- 
 ^Ijfticute after the paterne of Church Synods, in the 
 ^'primitive times ; if it want this, fn.j No mater 
 hi$ ^debated ar, d concluded by the Majority of this Sy- 
 :le.,nodi i$ obligatory on this Church , and its raem- 
 ;a. jbers > if not approven and allowed by the King or his 
 rer-Commiffioncr, This fufpends the intrinfick obligati- 
 on of Synods on the King • fo chat no canon , aft or 
 ij:onftitution > dobinde the members of rhe Church, 
 iff bcaflent not : As this fecures the Come, in their 
 barnal liberties and finful wayes ; fo it shuts the door 
 pn all endeavours of reformatiou by the Church, 
 livhea Princes are vicious (12.; In the aft aflerting 
 :he Kings Supremacy EccleGaftick, the King & his 
 [fucceiTors are enabled and impowered to medle with 
 ill maters and meetings Ecclefiaftick > which brings 
 :he doftrine and worship within his verge , and Tub- 
 |efts the fame to him , as much as the government. 
 13.) They are impowered to enaft and emit conftt* 
 utions, afts, and orders, anent maters and meetings 
 ; EccleGaftick, as they pleafe and think fit, and are not, 
 'he i) the making of thefe , aftrifted to any rule, bat 
 lj n j:heirpleafure, O HOKl{ENDUM\ (14.) Allthefc 
 jifts and orders they may ftature, independanton the 
 .Shurch j Parliament* or any other, by their foleau- 
 L thority 
 
thority i never granted to any of his predeceffburs b|o 
 fore. (15.) Thefe a&s and conftitutions infert, 
 rhebook ofCouncel, and duely published, aredfj 
 dared and nadeto be of full force and obligation 
 this Church and her members. No need of SynooL 
 here, which by this are wholly fubverted. 06.) A, jo 
 former la wts , afts and claufesof them, contniret 
 and inconfiftent with this , are made void , cafTedii 
 annulled j which takes away the Proteftanc Religion 
 the Word of God as the rule, the concurrence o i 
 the Church in thealliliance of the conftitutions Eqi 
 clcfiaftical , that was provided and fecured by formej 
 a&sof Parliarenc.a wide door for Popeiy. (17. )I; 
 the aft agamft unlawful Ordinations ( as thy cal 
 then ) the Ordination of perfons to rhe Miniftiy b; 
 Miniitersof Chrift Jefus . that have not conformed 
 to Prelacy, (which was held unqueftionable & valiq 
 for its fubftancc by all , till this late gang of Prelate 
 arofe > in which they are degenerat from their pre. 
 decefiburs) is, by the fole authority of the Magiftrat 
 made void ; and all Minilterial a&s , and Church be.| 
 taefi 1 es depending thereon, declared to be nul. At: 
 aft that unchriftians and condemns all the reformed 
 Churches 3 making their Churches no Minilterial 
 polit real Churches , and all Ordinances , difpenfec} 
 in them, nullities: which their praftice atthistime^ 
 in England does confirme ; while Romivh Priefts 
 turning Proteftants * are , without ordination, made 
 capable , and advanced to Church places and prefer-, 
 merits; of which the Proteftant Minifters of other 
 Churches , conforming to Prelacy, are denied, till 
 they be reordained. Other mediums contained in 
 other a&s of ParliamentSjfor fixing of thepreceeding 
 
 conclufi- 
 
fconclufions > wepaffe; having hinted at fome of them 
 bove ; judging rhefe fufficient > forrhe convidtion 
 fefihtunintereffcd& unprejudged ; whochroughche 
 '•owcr of lull and earthly intereft , have not caft 
 iff the light of the word > but keeps in fubje&ion 
 
 ft We shall in the laft place anfwer fome objections $ 
 ^i which , we have to do with two fortes of per- 
 o^ns; firft > the hign flowne Erafiians of our times > 
 ectyho will admit of no government in the ChuJ ch, but 
 Ec y !bat which is in and from the Magiftrat whofe de- 
 ^tgne , ( as is evident from the aft afferting the 
 )'iljngs Supremacy) is* to take all Government outof 
 ate Churches hands ; and co put it on the King & his 
 b]-:ouncel , to be only exercited by them; which » 
 #ow the diflike of Prelacy, is not fufficiently la- 
 Rented, laid to heart, nor refitted by many, as its 
 dangerous confeqrjences> to all the concerns of the 
 hurch, do require. Befidesthefe, there are^who, 
 \ upon what principle is not yet known, ) think that 
 ht Supremacy , as it is now afierted by law , is noc 
 ormally Etclefiaftical , but only objectively fo 5 
 ^i'hich is ftrange : fome of the objections of the firft 
 2 »rt , we have met with > as we went a ! ong.the for- 
 mer heads; weknow of no other , befidesthefe>of 
 : ra: )V conGderable ftrength , but one. 
 
 Obj. That the Magiftrat being the keeper of both 
 bles of the law ; of the table of Religion , as well 
 of the table of Righceoufnefs;ought to have a care 
 \ Religion , and hath power given him to exercife 
 about the fame ? An wer This being the Achilles 
 ^fihe Erafiians , and femi Erafiians; of F IDE LJUS 
 ^ particular i We shall rcturne thtfe anfwerstoitj 
 
 L z and 
 
 M 
 
and shew it cannot bear their conclufion. x. What 
 ever power the Chriftian Magiftrat can clame by this! 
 the heathenish Magiftrat hath the fame ; he is by hi 
 iVlagiltratKal office conftitute, in a£tu prlmo> a Keepe 
 ofborb tables ^ as is evident from, ifyw. 13: 1,2. 
 If he do not exercife it 5 it comes not from any defe£ 
 ofpowerinfrs office, or the inflitution of it- bu 
 from his blindnefs and unbeleef, which indifpofes 
 hiro toanfwer his truft, and to do the work of hi 
 office; towhich> upon the revelation of the Gofpel 
 he is bound: andfeing itisfo > either rhe Church, it 
 cxercifing of her Government indtpendantly 01 
 heathenish Magiftrats , ufurped on his office & pa 
 wer ; which the adverfary dare no fay : Or elsth< 
 Chriftian Magiftrat harh no more power in & ove 
 rhe Church s then the other had : and therefore th 
 Church, in exercifing her power under the Chriftiat 
 Magiftrat, does not ufurp upon him , more then 01 
 the other. 2* The Minifters of the Gofpel are 
 by vertue of their office, Keepers of both tables o 
 the law, of the table of Righteoufnefs , as wella 
 of the table of Religion: will it from thence follow 
 that they may raedle with the Magiftrats office, anc 
 affume its exercife; or that the fame does depend ot 
 them? No wayes: andyettheconfequenceisasgooc 
 in the one as in the other: by the fame medium w 
 shall prove Minifters, have as good right and powc 
 to manage the affairs of the State; as the Magiftra 
 hath ( in our adverfaries fenfe ) to manage the affair 
 of the Church. We know they will rejeft the con 
 fequence with difdaine , as to Minifters , and ask fo 
 our proofe, for which, we grant, they have juft caufe 
 fo we deny the conference as co the Magiftrat, fo 
 
 whicf 
 
^hich they have not given us yet any colourable 
 JSroofe; bucdiaacor-hkeaflercit. The truth is, every 
 [roan in his capacity is a Keeper of boch tables of the 
 P e '.aw ; but in doing of it , is to hold within the com- 
 pbaflcofhisftation, the nature, andliraitesofthepo- 
 eit wer granted h»ra; and is not to invade the office and 
 r u x> wer of others , nor the work proper thereto: as 
 vj is evident from multitude of precepts in the Word 
 ,1 of God. So if Mmifters, notwithilanding their being 
 11 Keepers of the tables of the law , may not invade the 
 ,n j Magi ft rats office and power ; So neither may Magi- 
 ou ftracs invade the Minifterial office and power. $• 
 P^Theaftsand wayes of the Magiftrats keeping of the 
 ^ rabies of the law, should anlwer, and be agreable to 
 7e rohe nature , extent, and limits of his office 6c power; 
 Nvithin the verge of which , he is to walk , as all o- 
 ltl3 phersareto do in theirs; As Mmifters are to keep both 
 n Tche tables of the la w by preaching the word, difpenf- 
 re ng of Ordinances, and exercifing of discipline, ac- 
 ]° cording to the rules of the word \ to which they are 
 j'Timpowered by the inftitutions and commands of 
 lw 'Chnft, without dependance on the Magiftrat; fo 
 jthe Magiftrat is to keep them likwife , by command* 
 ting all to their feveral duties , protecting them there- 
 in by the fword > which is given him for that end $ 
 u Executing of juftice in punishing of evildoers * 
 fjand rewarding the good , &c. but is not to medle 
 With the Government of the Church , in whole or 
 in part $ but to fee that it be done by thefe , whom 
 Chrift hath called to and intrufted with it. 
 
 It is objecled by others, thatitisnottheintrinfick 
 vi6ble and internal Government of the Church > that 
 the Magiftrat aflumes , in the afts of Parliament ; ic 
 
 L 3 is 
 
(i66.) 
 
 is only the external Government, that is expreflcl 
 fo called , in the a& of reftitution ? Anf. This i 
 materially Anfwered above ; but that we may b 
 di ftm& i there are two things belonging to thlj 1 
 Church. ( i. ) The outward and external adjunft % 
 or accidents ; As the Siotica or Mundana, Stipends 
 Minfe Giybs, outward liberty aud peace, 8cC 
 ( 2. ) The proper and true objefts of Church Go k 
 ver iment or power ; thit are intrinfick to tt } although t ! 
 vifible y as the Word , Ordmances > Mmiftery anJ 
 nece(Tary circumftances &c. It is not thzfirft of thefe! 
 but the fecond that the a& of reliitution withothc 
 a&sdotruely mean , as is undoubtedly made out b) 
 the former arguments ; as particularly the firft three 
 th.it it is the Church judicatories ; the maters hand 
 led in and by them , proper thereto , thatconftitut 
 the King Supream ; thefe being cffential andintrin 
 ficktothe Gov^rnm-ntof theChurch> in itsfevera 
 parts : h" that is made fupream to thefe >, is made 
 fupreara to the Church, and all that appertained 
 her. 
 
 Oij. 2. Bat it is only the ordering and difpofeing 
 of the Government , that is declared to belong to 
 the King. lAnf. It is fofaid in that aft , but it is 
 evident from the mater and frame of it > that it is the 
 Government in whole that is truely meant and in 
 tended , as is formerly proven. But z. Ordering 
 and difpoflng of things f proper andfpecificktoany 
 Government, is a part of the Government it felf ; 
 and to whom the Government belongs > the ordei ing 
 of it belongs likwife: by the fame reafons that any 
 shall undertake to prove, that the ordering and dif. 
 pofemg of the civil Government belongs to the Ma. 
 
 giftrac 
 
(r<57.) 
 
 tfcKjiftrat; we shall prove the ordering anddiTpoling 
 to ii,rf the Church ,s Government does belong to Church 
 ;/DtDff,cers : no Government can be perfect without it* 
 o tht >r able to atcaine its ends, and therefore muitnecef- 
 'HQ&fctriiy be implyed in , and intrinfkk to it. 
 toil Ob). $. B j. there are Jome acts of Church power 
 k he Magiftrat may do, as convocating or Synods, 
 jo lecermining of circumftanccs, indicting ofpubhct 
 )ug.:j. : alis and thanksgivings? ^Anf As we deny all formal 
 a Church power co rhe Magiftrat, andalla&s formally 
 ifeoroceding therefrom*, fo we grant there are acts, 
 t Firft , fome common as prayer , rebuking > in- 
 rbyftructing of ochers, and others of the like nature: 
 ree which, when they come from a Church OfT.cer, are 
 id, mthoritative 2nd afts of Church power \ that areyex 
 Miiiperformable by others , incheirftatioas, and (foto 
 m, tpeak ) Me chart tat he. %. Some are proper and only 
 ^belongs to Church Officers, as preaching of the Gof- 
 ifcpeI,difpenfingofthe Sacraments, exercife of Church 
 r, diicipline, &c. We doe not deny, but chierfully 
 grant (wishing with all our hearts, there weremany 
 iiajffuch Magiftrats in the Church) that the Magiftrat 
 lch ought to rebuke, to exhort, admonish, inftruct& 
 is^pray , &c. As all others in their ftations and offices 
 teishoulddo; but fiomihence it will not follow, that 
 i«. he may exercife formal afts of Church power , more 
 ]r. then others; or that the Church power is dependant 
 don him : the Confequence^is wide. Buttothepar- 
 '. ticularinftances ; as , that of convocating of Synods 
 a; or any Church judicatory , we fay , it is within the 
 p verge of his power, as a Magiftrat, who may and 
 ; !; ought to command all within his dominions, to their 
 , n feveral duties , and Minifies among ochers, as they 
 
 L 4 oughc 
 
c 
 
 ft 
 
 (16%.) 
 
 ought to doe to hirnXo theMagiftrats convacatfng oi 
 Mimiltrs,is but a putting of them to their duty, which 
 in the Ma^iftrac is no aft of Church power; but an aft 
 of his office he owes to all. 2. This aft or deed of the 
 IVlagiflrat) is not pi ivativeof the fame in the Officers 
 of the Church, who may & ought come togetherof 
 then lelves , as the neceilities of the Church requires 
 On the by 3 it is an evil confequence ; theMagiftra 
 itay gather Synods; .therefore Minifters may noc 
 doe it : I c is like to this , others may rebuke, admo- 
 nish? &c. Therefore Miniliers may not doe it* For 
 although the Magiftrat have an imperative power 
 over al 1 ; yet it is not privative of any power in others 
 that is proper to their ftation and office. (2.) As 
 for rhe determining of the circumiiances in Govern- 
 ment we reply, there are two forts of circumftan- 
 cesreiateingtoihefe, firftfomeextrinfick* and not 
 in themfelves (imply neceiTare, although convenient; 
 as Churches of fuch and fuch formes, pulpets, or 
 naments, &c. Thefe, being in their natural ufe civil* 
 belong to the ]V)3giftrat, and are direftly under 
 his power , to order anddifpofe* Next 2. There 
 arefome circumftances intrinfick to the aftionsof! 
 worship and Government , andfo connefted there- 1 
 with j in that degree of necedity, that they cannot 
 be performed without them ; and come within the I 
 compafs of divine commands, on which* the mo- 
 rality of individual aftions, as to their goodnesand 
 evil , pro hie & nunc does depend ; as fuch and fuch 
 petfons , doftnnes , times , places* helps , &c. 
 which all morahfts and divines make to fpecify all 
 humane aftions, as to their morality in individuo. 
 Of thefeweaffert > that the determination of them > 
 
 as 
 
(16c,.) 
 
 !das they refpefl: worship and Government , and are 
 
 icii connected with them , belongs to the Officers of the 
 
 aftChurch. and no: cothe Magiftrat: we have given 
 
 %foroe reafons for this before , as i . we fee commands 
 
 :eijgiven to the Church about them , and not to the 
 
 roiMagiftrar.j i. Cor. 14* 2. If the determination 
 
 :es,;of chefe werein theMagiliracs power, it should be 
 
 feikewifein his power , to hinder, impede and obftruft 
 
 nocill right worship and Government, initsexercife,at 
 
 Mis pleafure for whoever hath thefe things in his 
 
 :o:.oower , without which, the adions of worship and 
 
 ^Government cannot be performed, hath the a&ions 
 
 Wxijn his power to hinder or not* }♦ The confequen- 
 
 Asc :es of granting this to the Magiftrat are mifcheivous : 
 
 in-Korby this , if he do not wholly hinder the exercife 
 
 2D.;.|)f the Miniiterial office and power; yet he may re- 
 
 oo[?<lri& and limit it fo 5 as to bring them underdread- 
 
 or^iful unfaithfuincfs in their Miniftry or office $ he may 
 
 >inde them up from preaching fuch and fuch do* 
 
 itrines, that j ac fuch and fuch times and in fuch 
 
 derfirafes, God calleth them to preach. As for the 
 
 3.) Inftance, forindifting ofdayes for folemne 
 
 falling and humiliation or of thankfgiving; wefay, 
 
 hat we reckon it among thefe common duties of 
 
 ileligion, that every Chnftian, in his Ration, is bound 
 
 ;>y the command ofGodtoobierve ; and according 
 
 io the extent of their power to fee them obferved by 
 
 khers under them , when the difpenfations of mercy 
 
 nd judgment cab them to thefe; as is clear from 
 
 ( he precepts and examples wc have in the word ;fo 
 
 'hat all Chriftians, in their feveral capacities, offices. 
 
 towers and extent of the fame % have the power of 
 
 indifting and keeping of fuch times anddayes; as 
 
 L $ JMaflers 
 
(i 7 oO 
 
 M^fters in families, paltours in congregations , or 
 in their aiTooations , and Magilfcracs, &c. From 
 this ic will not follow, that Magiiirats , Matters ot 
 Families, &c. their indicting of fuch dayes for divine 
 1 exercifes , is an aft of Church power ; although it 
 be fuch m the Officers of the Church) and as it comes 
 from them: no more then others rebuking, exhor 
 ting, &c. is an a£t of Church authority and power 
 although it be fo from them. 2. That it only belong; 
 totheMjgiftrattoindift dayesofpublift failings, ox 
 ofthjnkfgiving, & not to the paftours of the Church 
 where hath our antagonitis learned this * Wegram 
 the Magiftrat participacs with others in this power 
 but the nature of thefe duties , the precepts , anc 
 examples of the word , iropowers others in their ea 
 pacifies , as much as him ; it were eafy to make thi 
 out. We acknowledge? forthe more harmony ic 
 this public!: work, and convenient following of it 
 with benefite and advantage to Church and State 
 were expedient , that Magiiirats and Miai Iters die 
 previously confult * and agree about publitt fafts anc 
 thankfgiving : but to arfi me this* to the privation o 
 the power and obligations > laid on others anent it 
 is not only an encroachment on ths divine rights oi, 
 others, but aloofiogof thefe bonds, with whicf} 
 God hachtyedthem ; and what is this but to fight; 
 againftGod in the perfones of his Creaturs, 
 
 Obj. 4. Seing Mimftcrs are bound to givea(, D 
 accompttotheMigiftrat , when required , ofwhai) 
 they do , in the Government of the Church ; will i\ j 
 not follow, thsyarefubordinat to him info far, ir 
 itsexercife? tAnf. Nowayes; for (1.) They ftanc 
 oblidged to do the like to all others > over whorr 
 
 thej 
 
r they are fet, and do rule; when their carnage in the 
 1 Mmiftry is Humbling and offenfive to them; to which 
 ir they are obhdged , bu:h by general and particular 
 |t precepts; and yet it will noc follow, that in their Mi- 
 [ \ niltry cheyare fubordinac to fuch. (2.; TheMagi- 
 5 ftrat by vcrtueof his profeffed fub/eftion to Chrift, is 
 '• bound to give an accompcofhis aftin^s in his Go- 
 Mvernment to Matters and others, when he proverh 
 fcandalous and offenfive : which many of them have 
 '.done. To this they are obhedged , both on the ac- 
 co-npt of their promifedfubjeftioo to the word, its 
 wj ordinances , and Chrifts fervants , difpenfing the 
 :r i fame; andhkewifeon the accompc of Charity and 
 '-love, that binds all, not only to endeavour the pre- 
 senting, but removing of offences, when given; to 
 Hvhich the Magiftrat is as incident , in his capacity , 
 as others ; as alas fad experience puts beyond de- 
 bate! 
 
 Obj. 5. But as the Government of the Church, 
 wd its exercife , is the object of the Migiitrats po- 
 wer and its afts; does he not aft about thofe im- 
 perially > and ArcbiteBonice $ And if ic befo, is he 
 aot Supream to & above the Mmifters of the Churchy 
 mdcheyfubordinattohim ? Anf. This is the obje- 
 
 I 1 it ion of the greJteft teeming ftrength ; but on a feri- 
 !>us coufideration of it , its weaknefs will foon ap* 
 !>eir. Weyeeld, without any advantage to our ene. 
 jniescaufe,that whit the Magiftrat does as fuch, a. 
 >out Church maters and officers , he does it imperii 
 illy an 1 with dominion , and ( as they ufe to fpeak ) 
 irchiteEtonice : but what then? It proves the perfons 
 be fubordinat to the Magiltrac in thefe his afts j 
 Wnot the power in its exercife j nor the maters a- 
 
 bouc 
 
(i7i.) 
 
 tout which it is exercifed, for (r; The Magiftrat, 
 when he by his irreligious and unjuit carriage in his 
 office > or otherwayes , becomes nocorioufly fcan- 
 dalous to the Church , is lyable to Mimftenal admo. 
 nitions, rebukes, fecluGons from the Sacraments, 
 &c. And is thereby fubordinac to Church power? or 
 the Minifters of Chrift io exercing it about him j and 
 yet the Magiftratical power, and its exercife,is not 
 fubjeft to them, whatever refittenceour oppofits make 
 to this mutual (ubordmacion of the perfons of Magi- 
 ftrats and Minifters : yet they muft either deny the 
 Chriftian Magifcrats the benefits of the Gofpel & its 
 ordinances , difpenfed by Minifters ; or elsyeeld this 
 truth. Is it not clear in other powers or relations ? as 
 fuppone, one isjboth a Magiftrat and a Son, is there 
 not here a reciprocal fubordmation and fuperiority of 
 perfons with a coordination of powers , as is hinted 
 above? We plead no more for the Minifters of the 
 Gofpel, and the Government of the Church com 
 mited to them. We grant a great difference in other 
 refpeds , betwixt the Magiftrat and Minifters ; they 
 aft as meerfervants , without all dominion in them ; 
 He with dominion and Magiftratical authority over 
 the perfons of Minifters/ yet forailthis the powers 
 arecoordinat , and in their exercife not dire&ly fub- 
 jeft to one another. (2.; Thsfe powers, their ex- 
 erclfe, and refpeftive objrfts becoming reciprocally 
 the objeft of one another ( as the Mmiftryandits 
 obje&s being one pare of the Magiftcats power, the 
 Magiftrat and the obje&s of his power , being like- 
 wife a part of the objeft about which Minifters exer- 
 cife their power; und-r different formalities and 
 fpecifications > there arifes or reflilts , not only a 
 
 fweet 
 
It | fweet harmony, and a mutual fubferviency to one 
 
 "another, in advancing of cheir rclpedtive ends $ buc 
 
 Iikewife an indireft (ubordination to one another , in 
 
 the exercife of their powers , without any depen- 
 
 danceof thefe powers upon one another. But this 
 
 ^ fubordination is only of the perfons, and not of the 
 
 powers: which by being ihe mutual objects of one 
 
 anoihers powers , does not fubjeft the power, and 
 
 Jjits exercife, but only the perfons ; for any thing 
 
 j. or power becoming the object of another, does not 
 
 lj C j : f fubordinac ic to that povyer; the Word, Ordinances, 
 
 iJS&c. are not, by being the objeft either of the Mini. 
 
 ^Serial or the Magiilracical power , fubordinated or 
 
 gUfubjeA thereto; fo that the Miniftcrial power, its 
 
 , rc icxercife , and the maters about which it converfes, 
 
 fbare not by being the objeft of the Magiftrats power 
 
 J fubordinated to it. This breaks the force of our ad«< 
 
 UJverfaries Argument, which lyes mainly in this. 
 
 Obj. 6. It is only this fort of Supremacy and 
 fubordination , that the aft of reititution does mean ? 
 Anf. It is not fo , as is clear from the words and 
 'frame of the afts; for it is the Church alTemblies, 
 their proper maters, their conftitution, theintrin- 
 lick obligation of their conclufions, that are fubor- 
 ;dinatedtotheM^giftratj fo that all is nothing with- 
 out him. 
 'L Obj. j. All Divines, even the Presbyterians and 
 , independents in the Church of England , grant the 
 Magiftrat tobeSupream in all caufes, and over all 
 perfons Ecclefialiical ; none of themfcrupleto take 
 jthe oath of Supremacy , as it is eftablished by law in 
 jthat Kingdom f AnJ. All Divines do not grant this, 
 \ J as is to be feen in the writings of many ; and for any 
 w j thing 
 
(1740 
 thing wc know , it is not yeelded by the Presbyteri- 
 an > and Independants, in the fenfe controverted a-; 
 mongusi neithercanit, feing it quyt overthrows, 
 all Church Government, in its diftwftion from and 
 independency on the civil Government of the Magi- 
 ftrat , which is contrare to the known principle s both 
 of Presbyterians and Independants ; and if the Pre- 
 lats themfelves durft fpeak their rcinde* conform e to< 
 their owne principles, they would not in this differ 
 from us (as Thomdike more free and engenuous then 
 the reft of his party does decjame andcryoutagainfti 
 the oath of Supremacy, as the great crying fin of thei 
 Church of England*) but coanexcefle, would afferti 
 all) and much more, then we do, in thisma r er^ 
 were it not for fear of offending the Mag ftrat > oni 
 whom now they wholly depend , and whofe Crea-i 
 turs they only are f ; which hath in our times recon- 
 ciled the Pretatical and Erafiian principles , at Ie<fti 
 in appearance , that are moli contrare to and diftand 
 from one another, yea more then theirs and ours. Andi 
 although the Presbyterians and Independants, in thei 
 Church of England* do take the oath of Supremacy J 
 yet it is with iuch explications , allowed & afftntedi 
 to by the Magiftrat, that give it a found /enfe, whichj 
 was ftumblcd and fcrupled at both ir Que*en Elizabeth] 
 and King James times , till its fenfe wasexplicat,andl 
 allowed; as is to be feen in the inftru&ions given to ' 
 juttices of the peace, by Queen Elizabeth, for admini- 
 ftrating the faid oath; & Bishop Ushers explanation of 
 it>approven by Kingjamesiln which fenfe it is under- ! 
 ftood & taken to this day among them. But to under- 
 ftand this mater aright, and to avoid the labyrinth of 
 generalities & ambiguities, with which, foroe divines 
 
 perplex 
 
i, perplex & intricatit j it would be confidered. I. 
 •..That there i<a two f< Id proper fupremacy, one civil, 
 $„and another EccleGaftical, about Church power, 
 ^meetings and maters. 2, There 2re two Kinds of 
 U Caufes, of thoie they call Ecclefiaflical ; . feme that 
 (feare only cxtrinfically fuch , but in their nature, im- 
 e. mediatends and ufe, civil, that, for their more remote 
 tortnds and refptds to things truely ar.d properly fa- 
 fencred, are called Ecclefiaftical , as lawes made for the 
 enr;Church & her concerns , outward liber ty and peace > 
 ^external rewards and punishments, &c. Againefome 
 fcraufes EccleGaftical are intrinsically and formally 
 a uch , as who shall preach the Gofpei , & be invefted 
 r, with the Mimftery , or who shall be depofedfrom 
 on ,li who shall be rebuked, admonished andexcom- 
 i-.ttunicated; or received and admitted into the Church, 
 ».fcc. $. The tern e CAUSES is not here toheun- 
 :.&;jerftood in a phyfical 3 bi't moral and juridical fenfe; 
 jog hat is , for queftions to be decided by thofe , who 
 ireimpowered, either by God or men, ro this work. 
 k ^.Cauies or queftions, as they are the objtft of power 
 {jfj k its exercife, are either proper and immediat; or els 
 :ed;improper and remote. Hence we fay 1 That the Ma- 
 ch jiftrat is Suprean. Governour in all things or caufes, 
 ■J: >rcperly civil, relating to caufes and perfons Eccle- 
 jinjjiaftical : the judicial cognition and definirivejudg- 
 nent of thefe belong to him , and net to the Chinch: 
 unJn this fenfe we admit the oath ofSupremacy,&dec!ar- 
 oof: fd ourfelves willing to take it , which was refufed us* 
 jcr-llt That the Magiftrat is not the futueme Governour 
 L er- in Caufes , and ^ver perfons formally Ecclefiaflical » 
 irfjiChis we affert belongs toChrift Jefusonly , and noc 
 ires j° the Magiftrac> as hath been proven above. This is 
 pla'.i ^ c 
 
(167.) 
 
 the fuprcraacyi wcdeny totheMagiftrat \ andfc 
 which we have declined to take the oath anentit 
 that is now established Jaw, being perfwaded (fc 
 thereafons formerly given) that this is the fupreraac 
 granted bylaw; and underftood in this oath* B 
 3. That caufesand perfons formally Ecclefiaftical 
 are not the proper and immediar obje& of the Mag 
 ftrats power, but only improper and remote , an 
 the reafonis J becausin theexecutionofChriftsla 
 given to the Church, the judicial cognition anddc 
 finitive judgment about thefe belongs not to the Mj 
 giftrat, but to the Miniftersoftheword 5 as for in 
 fiance? it is not theMagiftrats part to cognofce an 
 determine, who is to be received into the Church 
 and who not; this is proper to theMiniftersofth 
 Gofpel : and lb of other caufes and queftions of th 
 like nature. Obj. Then the Magiftrat, in protecting 
 countenancing and furthering of the Churches a<f 
 and fentences by the fword? muft be a blinde execui 
 crof them? Anf. This muft be faid out of envy an 
 malice $ for ( 1. ) theChurchistheexecuterofhc 
 own adls and fentences* and not the Magiftrat> wh 
 only puts to execution his owne lawes, that h 
 pleafed to enaft on her behalf. (2. ) It is know 
 to alii that we grant to the Magiftrat, (and to all* 
 the Church, ) a difcretive judgment to cognofce o 
 the Churches ads and fenrences ; and if he fincj 
 them not to bejuft, he hath a definitive judgmenj J 
 anentthe execution of his own Lawes made aboL 
 them; for the obligation that arifes from Churchy 
 afts and fentences on all in the Church,ro the obeyin, 
 and furthering of them, is only conditional > and nc 
 abfolutej thatis, none is bound to obey and ad vancj 
 
 th 
 
 I 
 
( 1770 
 ; theChurches fentences, except their mater be juft and 
 ; righteous, which muftbe firii known befoie they 
 a1 finde themfelves obliged to this . But here the im- 
 ! mediat obje& of the Magiftrats power anditsexer- 
 ]' cife, about Church afts and fentences, is properly 
 4 civil , and not EccleGaftical, to wit, whether he 
 { will cxecutt his owne law or not. Thefe things arc 
 I cafy and plaine , and if ambition and worldly inte- 
 j^refts had not determined many to thecontrare , there 
 would be bttiecontroverfie about them. 
 
 Obj: 8. The Magiftrats power and its exercife a* 
 
 ; bout Church roacers and meetings , being mdepen. 
 
 ' font on the Church; what he does in relation to 
 
 c ^ Church concerns, deter mictions and fentences, he 
 
 may doe it antecedent to thefe , without the Church. 
 
 1 Anf. We deny the confequence to be univerfally 
 
 true : for fome of the Magiftrats fentences about 
 
 ' Church maters and meetings doe neceffarly fuppone, 
 
 the Churches fentences and afts , for their objeft ; 
 
 |.?Jjis thefe of ordination , excommunication : aits of 
 
 "'regulation &c. muft neceffarly pafs , before the Ma- 
 
 ^' l gittrajc can reach the perfons and things, to which 
 
 : .hey are applyed : for inftance, before the Magi- 
 
 ! [hat can doe juftice to a Minifter in his maintenance , 
 
 le muft tirft be ordained, & by it have right thereto, 
 
 f c 4 c >n theChurches aft of ordination; which multfirft 
 
 je known to the Magiftrat, and by him given as 
 
 :he ground or reafon of his fentence, for the Minifters 
 
 !egal right to enjoy and a(t the provided and allowed 
 
 naintenance ; andfoof many others. Wegsant,in 
 
 bme cafes and things , a power to the Magiftrat 
 
 (tbout Church maters and meetings , which he may 
 
 ^fexercife, aiuecedencco the exercife of Church power; 
 
 ( Ti M he in ay 
 
(178.)' 
 he may, yea, nodoubc, he ought to command 
 Mimiters, when negligent , 10 thurwoikor duty, 
 withouta Church feiuence , yea contrare to it : but 
 to fay , that the exueife of his power , in many 
 things and cafes > is not necefiaxly iubfequenttothe 
 a&s and excrcile of Church power,is molt abfurd, & 
 abhorrent to all right reafon ; feing there are many 
 things that the Magiitrat ought to doe to and ior the 
 Church, rhatnccelTarlyfuppone, not only the being, 
 but the exercife of Church power, without which 
 the M'gsftrat cannot cioe ; how shall he punish con- 
 tumacious , heretical and excornmunicat perfones 
 till i hey befirft dealr with by the Church % conformc 
 to the rules of the word, and declared to be lush , 
 &c. The reafon of the confequenceis weak \ for 
 all created power fuppones its objeit, and \w its 
 cxercile mutt be fubicquent and poftenour to it ; 
 whichis notinconfilient with the independency of 
 any power on another ; as is to be fetn in the inftance 
 ot the marital power, and others; thepowerof the 
 Magiftrat about it prefupponeth the conjugal relati 
 on, & its a£b, before it can put the laws inexecution, 
 anentit, in application to the perfones under that 
 relation. The defigne ofthis ohje&ion is obvious 
 which is , to evert all Church Government , the 
 neceffity and ufe of it : but before it have its full in- 
 tended force > it muft firftbe proven, thatChurch 
 power ahd its afts are competent to the Magiftrat, 
 and may be done by him j as that he may ordaine> 
 depofe> receive into, andcaft out of the Church, 
 preach the word , difpenfe all ordinances , &c 
 whichno Eraflian hath yet done ; for if chefe be in- 
 competent to the Magiftrat; and are to be done by 1 
 others, the former conclusion will hold. Cm 
 
( l 79-) 
 Conduf. Haveing thus , w:chaIIChrifcian ingen- 
 
 ' pity and plainnefs in the words of truth & fobernes , 
 dncovered our hearts anenr rhejforegoehg particu- 
 , hrs ; we expeftthat much charity and juftice from all, 
 J (even our Antagonifts) thu before they give out 
 ; their cenfurs, they will ferioufly confider, what is 
 f fa;d , and intheballances of Scripture and true rea- 
 son j impartially ponderat the reafonsand grounds of 
 ' our judgment and praftice: leafc , in ftead of righting 
 jjissgaiaftusj they happily be found to fight againft 
 ( God ; for feing the grounds, on which we build, 
 $ are of common obligation on all Chriftians , and 
 £ Wn which, our Chriftian profeflion leans; none can 
 refufeourconclufions , but they muft either contra- 
 jj()dift and shake the foundations of the faid profeflion f 
 Jjor els shew their inconfeq jence , and inconfiftancy 
 l.'withthef : we have not intiRedon . nor much male 
 JjUfeof particular places of Scripture , nor wrangled 
 c |(asmany in their debaitsdoe) about thefeofeand 
 ^application of chefe , nor laid the ftrefs ofourargu- 
 lt jt ments from antiquity on citations from particular 
 -Mathers and hiftonans; but on the (eries and threed of 
 1 [th^fe ancient records • to which we appeal, anent the 
 waters debated in the preceeding difcourfe : as any, 
 j:hat deals candidly and impartially , will , on trial, 
 ,ind. The iflueofouradverfaries arguments, inthe 
 jiefence of the ^Anthbefcs , refol ving in thefe three , 
 he imperfefton of the Scriptures ; the manifeft and 
 riolent perverting and wreftingofthem ; the pro- 
 1'eflcdani opencontradi&ingof their authority, by 
 wju Leviathan , and others more grofs , ( if groffer 
 jean be) do fuffciently declare, what the tenden- 
 cy °f ttie contrarc opinion is , and what we may 
 
 M 2 cxpeft, 
 
 Ccfr 
 
^ 
 
 (180.) 
 
 cxpeft 9 will be the refulc of the fame, if things 
 continue, for fome time, in their prefent channel. 
 AliPioteftants, before thefedebats entered on the 
 field, efteernedth^ perfection of the Scriptures, the 
 ehlerand principal foundation of the reformed pro- 
 teftant Religion; and builded thereof their doftrins, 
 id oppoficion to popery; which, the patrones of 
 prelacy doe now ftrickac, and labour to shake, ici 
 denying cheirfufficiency or perfe&ion, in maters of 
 obedience or practice; whereby they break the force 
 of all theatguments,that theProtoftants ufedagainlt 
 the Papifts , for the fulnefs and perfedion of the holy 
 Scriptures: and the truth is,prelacy cannot be mainta- 
 ined without this dlertion ; as is to be feen in the 
 raofi eminent affertots of it : for it we hold the Scrip- 
 tures to be a perfect and full rule of faith and man- 
 ners, and not to be receded from , in maters of 
 doft rine, worship and Government* the prelacy con- 
 troverted, having fo little evidence from them, it 
 cannot ftand , and if this fufficient regulation of s the 
 Scriptursberefufed , what a wide door is opened to 
 humane inventions ; and what may not men bring 
 in acWt , to the corrupting and polluting of all the 
 Churches concerns i We grant , the admitting of the 
 Scriptures, for a paiic of the Churches Canon and 
 rule , feems to draw a barr on much of the Romish 
 trash, (which ?•; condemned thereby; ; but does 
 not the p elates boldnefs, in violenting andforceing 
 of them , in anfwering of our arguments , and main- 
 tain^ of their concepts, remove this barr, andlay 
 the door open , for whac they will? for ho%bek the 
 Scripture fpeaks,againft the worshiping of Creatures, 
 Images, angels aud'Men, andchargeduhefepra- 
 
flgl.) 
 
 ftifes with idolatry: yet Tbomdikc, andmoftofthe 
 now prelacical gang , purge the popish ma(Te> the 
 worshiping of the hoft, of the virgine Mary, Ima- 
 ges& Saints, from idolatry andfupeitlition. How 
 impudently bold are the EraflUnst in wrefling the 
 ,Scnpturei>, ufed by thrir aotagonifts ; in which they 
 are not inferior to the Socinians , and the moll noted 
 jhereticks of the Church; but we mult fay , withlefTe 
 ihewofreafon ; as will be evident to any, that will 
 'compare them together in their comments. What fe- 
 xurity can the Church promife her felf from thefe 
 imens principles and wayes , who build their con- 
 cluGons, on fuch foundations, which if once ad- 
 nc micted overturns all/ But alas! when toenlarge the 
 p-|jMagiftrats power, and to give fupport to their wild 
 n- iflertions about it, the divine authority and doftnns 
 of the Holy Scriptures are boldly contradicted ; and 
 ■jail Religion ultirnady refolved into theMag^ftracs 
 ijConfcience and Lawes; as Hobs Leviathan* Parker Sc 
 mothers , undertake to make out , agamft thefounda- 
 ctions &fuperftructurs of our Religion , are they not 
 jthus pulled done to uphold the Magiftrat>& to extend 
 fcnimmenfe power in him? but? we hope, to the ex- 
 ternal shame , confufion and mine of thecaufefor 
 i which they contend. How much doe wefindethac 
 &\?f lying of Paulst Timothy 13. verified in thefe men> 
 wlmil men and feducers Jhall wax worfe and worfe , deccL 
 mvingand being deceived ( but our confidence is ? that 
 leir folly being made manefe ft to all men , they flnallpw 
 ij teed nojurther: for th,: cauie which they oppofe is 
 hef[Gods, and that which he muft ownc and plead; 
 3 M jfeing the Royal prerogative of his abibluce Soverai- 
 ■jgnity and Supremacy, are incrinched upon, and 
 
 M 3 ftruck 
 
f>8M 
 ftruck at , by his Creatures , t he wor mes of the earth 
 who, contrare to their indebted andprofVO fub 
 je&ton to him, afliult h's throin, andinvajetht 
 regalities of h's high and glorious Crowne> which he 
 will uphold. OH that all, ingidged in this warra 
 gamft the Lord and his anointed > would read and 
 confider the Second Pfatme , and yet hearken to what 
 is there foretold anent rheiiTue ofit, which will be 
 fad aod heavy to them , that obftumly fetthemfelve 
 in oppofiuon to Chrift and his Kmgdome. Let none 
 that fide with Chrift in this quarrel , beaffi3yedot 
 ashamed, t& appear in its defence agimlt all forts of 
 opponenrs ; for as we hive the full light and eviden- 
 ce of the Word of God, tojuihfy its ri^hteoufnefs , 
 from the reproaches of men: So wehavetherigh 
 teous a id Almighty God tn take our part , who, on 
 the account of his juliice and Supreim dominion , 
 is iogadged to owne them , that owne h'm in this 
 caufe,* In contending for thefe, we contend not for 
 honours , dignities and the richts of th'S world ; 
 butonlyforthe Lawes.Od mnces, and Se-vanrs of 
 Chrilt Jelus, and thir obed*ence and fubje&ion to 
 him in them , that he req lires of all in his word ; yea 
 for the Royal d'gmties , & fupereminent prerogatives 
 of his righteous and glorious Crowne , which the Fa- 
 ther huh placed on ins head; giving him a name a- 
 bove all names , that , in the name of this JESUS, 
 all knees should bow > yea shall bow. Who needs to 
 beafTrayed>wh©owne fnch a King, and have hi n on 
 theirlide, whom his own perfone overcame^ Tri- 
 umphed over all his enemies;& yet agiine will doe fa, 
 jntheperfonesofh's weak, contemned 3ndperfecured 
 fervanrs & people. TheLord build up the walh of J% 
 rofalem, & make her a peacable habitation. Amen. 
 

 
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