TH]iOLOGI0ilL# COLLECTION OF PURITAN AND ENGLISH THEOLOGICAL LITERATURE $ LIBRARY OF THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from Princeton Theological Seminary Library http://www.archive.org/details/remonstranceagaiOOasto A Rcmonftrance, AG AINST PRESBITERY. Exhibited by divers of the Nobilitie, Gentrj^e, Minister sand Inhabit ANTS ofthe County PALATINE. OF CHESTER with the Motives of that REMONSTRANCE. TOGETHER WITH A SHORT SUR- vcy ofthe Presbyterian DifcipHne. Shewing the inconveniences of it j and the incon- fiftency thereof with the conftitution of this State, being in its Principles deftru(5tiveto the Laws and Liberties of the People. With a bri'cfe Review ofthe Inftitution, Succeffion, Iii- rifclii^ion of the ancient and venerable Order of Bifhops* Found to bee inftitutcd by the Apoftles, continued evcr-fince, grounded on the Lawes of God, and moft agreeable to the Law of the Land. \^ By Sk THOMAS ^JSTONBarouQ:, / '■ ^ Horace, lib. i.Epift. 2. Tt iugttknt homines^ furguntde m^ieUtroneSj Vt te i^fumfcrves non ex^ergifceris < Becauje my people hath forgotten me^thcj have htirnt inc mfe to vanity r and the) have caufd them toflumhle in theirn^ays^ from the ancient paths, to walk in paths in a way not caflup, ^^____ leremiah, i^'. 15. Printed for John JJion, 1^41. THE KINGS MOST EX. CELLENT MAIESTIE. ^i."^ Moft dread Soyeraigne, FArrheeit from my ambition, to frefumeyo.rr 'r\ facredMaiefiiefliould miff efid your r}^ ore pre- cious minutes upon the ftrufaU, of this wcake ejfiy ofmf loyall af[e^ions to my Parents ; My King, the Father ojfhispeofle,{2.)towhom by the Law of na- ^^^^^^^, r^x m. ture I owe Faith and Allegeance:(}[) My Mother the a bono pacre difFett Church, inwhofehofomelhavcbeenfofteredrvith^ P^"" '^'^^["^f^ ^ the pure food of life, the Word of Truth. communer' patran^ Jet Sir ^ fmce your Maiejiie was f leafed fi gr J ci- qui eft pater patrix. oufytoaffraveofthe»>eerTc:ctorAhpaHrfthhW^f:^i:i'tl Treatife (^Thc Remonftrance of many of your to the King by the humble loyall Subieds of t/iat your devoted ^^^ of Nature. County o^ ChcGicr) it is a dutie in me humb/y to ^* ^ hegge your Maiejlies leave ^ that it may under your Princely patronage voalke abroad with this Comment^ it hauing by mifprifion or malice , heene ^urfued w\th fome vniuft clajnourt ,And the pure intents of the fubfcribers have been exroz'Ji to a\w'tfter im erpretati- ' '^ on whoe lam certain had no othtr end hut to ey frefje their loyall defires to prevent a growing danger, I confejfe my owne infujfciency to per forme (o great A taske^ Iforefee the calumny that inevitably attends every good intention^ fince Traducers barkeat thofe Elephants, whofe firength of learning might fuj,port A churchy Againfi all the batteries of vptt or rcafon : Haw mufi llooh to have theft Bats flutter about me^ A 2 who The Epiftle Dedicatory. tohqln namekjffe famphlets^' fill the ajrc, and the fares of ever) ommth nol;hing^ hut fhnkes attd out- tr'k!:i^' n^-ii^P dll^vcrnment., 'lm)£tirues Ag^mfi^all Coijeryoflrs ^of t^'e 'Chmch. B'it I hdve^re-id of one thmeii»rn^e^-n4}o.feemg his Father in danger ^ affdhon fit^flted tie dcfccfs both of Art and n.iturey and in ant'ifimtknt htm organs and litnginge to forevo.trne his Fathers fcrdl, Thisexcnesmetofroceed • fince Cod hath giojcn mc fence to ffeake fLitne Englijh-^ a»d( Ith'n':ehtm) fptrit to fpeake truth : hwere an argument ofaf feciation to mjfelfe, if out ofdijirufl of mj ovone abi^ lities to write Placentia, (to winne popular applaufe) Jjho-ild filence my dpfrehcnfon of the danger im- minent over King and church J whieh more Icifure, er perhaps more wiofitte ,hath gi'ven me that occafiojn to looke into J {may bee) many better ahiefjuie omitted. '^ " ' ' \ : Vifthk it is to every eje^ n^hat ajfaults ar£.madehy fuch innjeighours again]} the long ejlabhjhed Govern- ment oftheChfirehy under that reverend Order of Bjfhops J but it IS not fo eafely difcermibe how much this may eoncerne yam MaieJIre, jct Experience mil tell us if we looke abr o.id^th ax. all tl^^o^e Monarchies hc'ue ^y^ ^nffer^d an EClipfe where the rights of the Churh have bcenc deferted : 4nd na marvel^ y f it be well Uok 'd intOydrowns carry a,:eharme: with them at the ConsecrAtioH of Kings \ ' ' ^ Ex lie 'tly learned and jMisfaUory I m^ifl confeffe are the Treatifes of mmj great Dtvtnesm defence of this Or^ler, But Ars^noa feabtt inimicum praeter igaoraBtem, and fome ofthefi have -erred in "oori- tingabavethc capucjtj offhetroppofirs. jirtifiswdge 'ef 1 The EpiHIe Dedicatory. hcjl ofx 'Dhwond xffithout a fo:le, knoxo it h y it's ovone Baycs : ^ut the inexpert only by comfmfcn mill other floncs. I havcj Uc'dEpifcapaci ardPr.sbytery in piYAtell 5 {uch as my fclfe doubtp'JJe wsll better di- Jii/7guifh them in fUine fro(^cct^ thdn in meer^f ecu- lit ion. The Bifhops are jiifpeci^ parties, all that ^^^^^^^^^'of^ U writ by them as partiall ; To all but the f reiudic.it e^ ^ 2^ X Bf C fi TO "7 furel (land unfufpeH^ heir^g its free borne, as tri& pendint as am rxian^ I have no intercfl, but the /ozh^ '^TrT^t\'9 « ^ Of truth and liber tie • Jave that of lo'jaltte- ; xvhtch%^^ ^ "- Y^ a v-* a. ii XQ-hen 1 confid:r to hovo gracious a Prince lovoethat ^'H'^§2S??2*-^<^ dmi;I confejfe it appeared a great tyc : hcethatf])all ^^^^m^ff^^-r**"'* read thoje publicke profes /ions of grace to both your , houfes (^andtispilty bu^ they p:ould be read dndregi- fired in the hearts of all your people) I fliall vvil- t-u ».- ^ . " 1-. 1 -1 r t, T • The Kings fpeec h to liiigly concur with you to rerorme ail Innovati- loih Houfcs. zT T ons in Church and Cominon-vvcalth, to regu- i anuar.i\d-)zntnt dwelt in ludea, which alfo they didy andfentit to the conferenc in yitxos. Elders by the hands of 'Barnabas and SauL ufiis id efl: partim By which it i^ very probable, as is the opinion of Min.aris, partim ^ ^ L^pide, and others, was chiefly meant theDea- diftribuerent. Epif-^<^"^> W ^^hoie ofhce was to coiled and trcaiure up ccpi tamen arbitrio the benevolences for the rchcfe of the Presbyters^ and cui&oecoaomix fuce of the poor, as is agreed by all Writers.^ '\'^\ rariones quotidianas j^^^ he would apply the word Bidders whic'h''ls in r^ddcbant j^ Latinc Tresbyteri oncly to theBiflicps : whereas Caivm Inlhtiit. iii"4. — ^ — . ' ^ , cap.4.ica. 5. '^^^ To the Reader. that word diJ ufually i mply all the M iniflcrs o F the Ch urch, As it is explained by thafva?} Icai-ne^TLjra, and he harmony of all the Fathers upon that place of tyi^s l^.(c) ^ndrehen they had ordained them Elders (c) Lyra cap.r4.Aas in every Church, (^c. (Hefiyes) hy the name of Elders'^'^"^- <^-toJ.ii44. is alfo to be under flood all other Mtntfters oftheChurch, ?,' *""'" ^"^"^"^fl*'^ asBtJhots,and\Deacons,xndjuchltke. ^ defias Presbyceros&c. blithe reft of his quotations aic butmecrc citing dicu nominepresbyte- of Texts out of a Concordance where ever he findes rorum, intelligunuir the word Elder, quoting it for a ^^ifhop, never obfer- "/^"], ^^" £cc]efi.>? ving whether it be for him, or againft him,- As to n, "l^i'^T^^^Pj' prove them ofequall authcniy, he cites, i Tim. 5. 17. vid. Chryfoftome up- Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of dou- on the Epift.to Titus ble honour^tiS a ftrangc conclufion, ergo, equal! in au- fol- 1700. thority. (d)Chtyrof>.r.cap.ad Likewife to prove that one Ei/liop is not {en over „"!!!-"-' ^t"*'/- ^^ many Churches, he quotes Titus, who as it appears by iudidum comiruftt. the fobfcription of that Epiftle-, was ordained the firfi (e) Lyra pauJus infti- Bifbof of the Cretians I Saint Chryfoflome upon that^"!'^ Titum ArchiE- Chapter, faycs , I'aul committed' to Titus the jud^e-^'/f^^"^'^ ^'^^''''''^'^''''' mentofmany Btjhofs. And Lyra (^^; upcn i]xe {zmc\J ^'^^''^'''^''''''^' Qhzpltr, \\\ziTauli;iftituted Titus Archbtjhop of the ^'- "jr. , r . • u \^ I TT7 • ,, Tituin difcipuliim fu- Crf-r/rf^^j-jWithwhom agree our late Writers, amongftumob exinms dotfs which Erafmus inore fully in his Argunient on the E- InfuL-e riobiMima; piftle to Titus oh('cr\cs,(i)x.h2LtFaulfet Titus his Difci-^^'^^^, pr^feccrat A- ple, for his excelleut gifts, over the Cretians, and de- portoIus,&illJc abiens tartino thence, confecratedhim Jrckbifjop, admoni/Iy-Z''^''^'^''''^'''''' '''"''' I a- r> rr / L- LI i<- ^11 T^ t lc-rarac,morec .lurcni tng him to injtitute Bifljofs (which he alio calls Prcsby- qii^j i-,fe:apud Cre- tcrs) in every Citty, pre fcribinghiiK theft endowments of icn^Q , , , . , ,-> i r r i ■ i '^ niiflet epifcopos, J'^'^g^"^'^'"^^'^'^"'-"*^^*^ be expeacd trom lueh jug^;ler. presbyccros , & dia- Fir{t he cites Metafhrafies^ in whom ffaith he^* tve lead conos ordinaflet. ji. that Teeter vhs a longtime in 'BrittAKMie, and dretp nf.ny Cxfaris Neronis rur- Countrcys to the Chrifttan fatth, but at Lifl when he had lusKomam icverium .,, . ^ . ■' i t i- ? r i / ;/ r g{^g tlmmtnatedmany with the light of the word ^ and had (h) Ariftobulum quo- coyiflitiited Churches, hee ord.tinedBiJhoj>s, Treshjtersy que cuius ipfe in epi- Deacons returning to Rome the 1 2. yer of Nero Cefar : flola ad Romano s }jere were the feverall degrees of dignities. Again tnemmtt britanno- j^ ^.^^j^^^ AriftobulHS Jh) whom "Paul mentions in rum epilcopum a , . _ ./,, , -n , r 1 ■ r paiilo ordmitum in ^^'•'' Eptjrie to the Romanes, and was one of hts feventy Menxis Gvxcorum. 'Difiiples, him Paul ordained Bhifhop ofthelBriitains, "Vi'her fol. 9. (^This was a large Parifh^ Next he relates mai y (i) Vfhcr fol. M- fliverfities ofopinions concerning /o/^r^ of ^r/>^^fj[>jf^~ lib.de viris illuftr. ry^utinn^ which converted frfl the King and people of Irxneus lib 3 . cap. 3 . q^^ftain, and haptiz.ed them with the 'Baptifme and Sa- Aces and Monumets r ,^1 cl r ■ 1 -r-i ^t' 1 rri t 1 fol 107 Vflier i',[it.^^^^^^'tof ChrtSts faith. The Temples of Idolatry and ecclcf. priraord. fol- all other Monuments of Gentility they fubverted-, con- 54. &5?. verting the people from their divers andmany Gods to ferue one living God : There were in "Brittam 28. head Pr lefts 3 which they caB:d Flamines, and three Arch' To the Reader^ Archpriejls which they called Archflummes JjAving the •verfight of manners^ and 04 fudges. Thofe z%.TUmtnes they turned ta iS. Bifhops, and the three Archfiamynes to three ^rch^tjhops y having their feats in three prin- cipall Cities : which being Mafter FtfA' his own words according with the Bifliop, (rri) you may obfervc how ^"^^ ^^^ ^'^^- ^°"^^* a lyar confounds himfelf ; for he firft fays. The Church of England wa^ governed fame hundred yeers without Bijhops from the firFl plantation : and in the next line he difprovcs himfelf. That in the infiant of the cenver- fionofthe Church, and fupplantation- of idolatry were planted bifhops , from whence he concludes an excel- lent Argument : Becaufe they were inftituted by ElU' . therius the twelfth fucceflive B'fliop of Rome from the Apoftle Peter ( Non intcr^'-m^ferie ) Converted the people to the true God iubvertcd idolatty, and flip- planted the heathen Priefts ; Ergo They are of Ethnicall or Dtabolicall^not Apofleltcall infittution. Truly (Header J I have fpent too much time on him, but it is to admonidi the vulgar with the Apoftle PauC, to flop their ears againft fuch Libellers, and (n) Not to give heed to fables : The end of the Commandement {^ ^ Tim.verf. 4f. 6. if Ch trity out of a pure heart, and of a good (^onfcience^ ai$d offatth unfatned, from which fome have fwerved unto vain ] an gling^.de firing to be teaehers of the Law y undsr^anding neither what they fay ^ nor whereof they ajji'rmed. I do it to pcrfwade fome able Divine ('not to mifpend time to anfwcr the matter of their Pamphlets, butj that it will be time well fpent to difcover the falf^ hood oi- fuch faucie-untaught-tcachers, as here the A- ^poftlefpeaks ofj todifplay iheir mifquotations, and dil^ortions of Scripture. It is the bert and quickeft plea to take away the te- ftimony of a falfe witnefTe, to prove him formerly per- ^ jur'd. And in this point , the works of fuch perfons thorowdy traced , they will bcft be rendrcd de^icablc to the world. For though the Prophefie of Saint P^ffl, (0) That the (o) z m. 4. 5 b 2 time h To ttie Reader. time reillc^mevohok they will notcn^me fhtiftddo^riftCt ^Ht after. th^iv own l-'jls [hall they h- ■>f up to-ihsm^tves teachets, having itchm^eates^and ; h?y jhdl tmn-.r«}aj thek ears from the truth ■^ndjhall he tivnednnto fut^es is in thcfe d^yei moft evidently manifffte d '^f tnmy, yet c'uanty forbids \h\o cenfurc all .o feek untruth io r; its own lake, many no doubt are deluded witii that fpccies of truth, which (the pretended though abus'd quotations of Scripture) th- y (luflfc their books with- al! carr/V J" with it, which! dare promifeany man that will take pains to examine will fcarce finde patience to read anymore of them. Reader, I have wandered too long from thee, but now return not to beg thy approbation, ( I Court no mans j but to advife thee for thine own fake : That be- ing falfhood is fo bold to ofl^r to outface truth in pirnt tolctaliwhifpereddctradions f from which no Good, vvorkis free^ be rejected by thee, and receive and weigh thcfe following truths of the manner of procu- ring the fubfcriptions, and the reafons of prefenting that Remonftrance, the carriage whereof is teftified the contents avowed by thy friend if thou art eitlier afrecmaaor a Proteftant. THO^ayiSTOH^ REMONSTRANCE REPRESENTED TO THE HOVSE OF Pcets,bySir /HOM^^ JSTON Baronet from divers Noblemen,and Gen- tlemca. of the County-Palatine of CHESTER, againft PRES- BYTERIAN Government. To the High and Honoitrahle Cottrt of Parlkmem^ The T^jbilit^! Knights Gentry MinifUrs^Free- hof^lderSy and InhAbittinU ofthe Countie^Palatine ofCh^dcrtvhofe names are^uhfcribedinthefe- njerall Schedules hervnio annev^d mTnf>lj Sh^r» THat v\hereas divers Petitions have lately been carried about this Country, againft the prefenf fprm of Church-Government ( and the hands of many perfons of ordniary quality folicitcd to the fame, with pretence to be prefented to this honourable Aflcmbly ) whirl i we conceiving not fo mdth to ayme at reformat on, as abf nutc Innovation of Government, andfuch asmul^ give a greatadvantage tothesdver- farics ->f out R^-iigion, v.e held it our duty to difavow the;- all : A.ud • rnbly pray, hat we incurre no mif- ctnfure^ if anyfuch clamours V-«ve without our. privi- tie) afruitied the name of the Coufi* y . We ^i others, are fanrble of cheCc4T»mon grievan^ ces ofch7-K.ni^d6me3and h^^c juftcaufe to rejoyce at a-da The Remoftftrancc. (a) Wee conceived it an^j acknowledge with thankfulncffe the pious care' not proper tor us by which ts ^he^dv taken forthefuppreflingof the growth ::i:l6Si:r^Z Z <>( Popery thebettcrfuppIyo/ableMinift«s,and.he way of fubmifllonto removing of all Innovnuon, and we doubt not but in leave thefe to the your great wifdomcs, (a) you will regulate the rigour ludgement of the of Ecclefiafticall Courts to fuit with the temper of our rbT^hili'"i' r. ^^"^'^ ^^'"^ ^^'^ "^^"'^ of freemen. I Tmi. ?. I. ' Yet \vhen we con fidcr that Bifliops were inftitu!tcd (c;)Anno. Bifhops. i n the time of the , y^poftlcs (^j.That they were the ^30. at Nice. 3^^ ' great Lights of th e Church, in all the firft general! 380. at Conftam. 150 toimcdhJcJTf^ zt fo many of them.fowed the Cecds 45i.'atSalcedon.43o of Religion in their bloods, andrefcued Chriftianity 5y3.3tConftant.i<^5 fiom utte: extirp ation in the Primitive heathen perfe< ^S^^ gatioft power to execute Ecclcfiafticall Qenfures within themfelves : Then might his Majcfties Subjcds meete togC" thtr , Httd pray for the King and <3^Cnc and their Pofie- rity , without punijhme»t and falfe Calumniation. O this would make our peace with God , and good men ; thii would gain t our friendr ^ and fcatter our enemies ; This would mjikf o.^rL^ndimpregnal^le, and our Souldiers cauragea' hie ^Th:s would unite cur JUln^domc in peace y andcaufrm and our littUonesto Jlee^pe pt fafetji -^This wonldcal biicke the hanifjed , and rcleafe the Lords tmprifened : this would advance cur Mprdccais, ^nd harg our wicked Hamans : This would replant our confcionahle L^iinijiers , and fup-' flant eur L^trdly PreUcy: Thiiwotdd take ^WJJ illegaSex^ aBionsy andhring ou*- people to due (u^je6lion : this would fakc'away extorted Hifrmrj.cxccflivc Fincs,<«»7 particular Congregation is anahfolute X Church y and is to have all ordinances and officers •within it felfe y the mtmbers of it muB he one/y Saints; .ihefe mufi enter Covenant amottgfi themfelves^ and with - out fuch a Qovenamt no Church. 1 o. That the power of the Kejes ii committed nejther to the Paftors nor Governours , hut to t he whole ^'engre^ gat ion , and to every particular memher of the fame j and . Chriji having committed them to every one , rvould of e- very one demaund an account of them, audtherfore char' »■ ged the people, oi they Would anfwtr it at the dxeadfull day of judgment ^to keep the keyes among^ themselves ^ and not to juffcr any authority to wrefi them out of their hands, 11.7 hat it ii au heynous fin to be prefent rvhstt prayers j^ Mire read out of a 'Book^either by the Minifier or any other. By which, and other fueh Dopie , divert of the Gei^try wit befit any (inifier refpeti vthatfoevfr^ but only out of a cars of the pHhUcke peace, (being thereunto induced by the preftdenti o/London WEflcx , into which the Lords h^d formerly direEled order t for fupprefsion of fuch dtford(rs)did hum^ hly dejire the ear/eofDitby,Lord Lietitenaat of the Coun- ij to ioyneina Remonfirance of the diflempers likelyr to enfue, and to reprefent the fame to the honfe of Peeress^ praying their care for prevention thereof. .,v>'-»> n*?^*^ rfWaU^^ THc Remonft rancc becing rcfolvcd of, upon a con- fcrcnceofmahy of the Gentlemen of the Gountty, feme Divines were Cent unto , to know if they would- iovneinfubfGriptienwiththcGentry.and for the clear carriage and quick difpatch,fcvcrall Letters were fent into the! fcvcral hundreds,di reded to fome of the prin-- cpal luftices therewith copies of all incloled, to pro- cure the fubfcriptions of their neighbor Jiood, all of the: fome contents , and fubfcribed by thofe few who under- writ this following, becing foureteenc pcrfons of. quality. Gentlemen; VPon conCtderationofthe copy of a Petition inclofed] from the Freeholders of this County rvhtcb hath been rpread abroad and figned bjmany hands , wee conceive if would much refieB upon the Comtr^j to Ut tt paptn^ tSe- names of the Qo^ntie withattt any prottffatton agatnSl tt becing not onely clamorons againfi the govfrnemcnt of^ (8; ChuYckandStAte^ butagainflcftr Comtrj infarticHtar: And beeing theJhortnef[e of time Vfotildnet permit a gene rail meetings jet ptch as vcee have confitltedboth with Di' vines and others are f leafed to approve if the coppy mcio^ fed : Thsrtforefor thefpeedydifpatchofityVie have thoHght ft to fen/feveraU(foppies into the fever all hundreds , in^ treating that you will be pleafed to ajfemble or fend nnto aS the Gentrij of your hundred, and fmh *Diviites as yeucon^ eelvewiUjoynetnit ^ and foTw »f the chiefs Free^holders hefi3ren>£dnrfdayitext , andfgne the Paper annexed to the P etitionwtth as mxny hands of qftality as you can get^ ani return! them to 'f^QXmXvjiXvherevoee fhall fame of us meets and annex them all to the originull itfelfe nhichwee have figned'^ard will fo fend it up to bee preferred: the difpatch is th; life of the bufnejfe. Wee hope no mun will be flac\ in that fa much e oncer nes the Country, So we reft yoptr V try loving friends , We defir^ that you Vfould be pleafed not to let any poppies be taken ^andretume it on Thurfday next at farthest J and let no PapiB fubfcribe ivhatfo" ever. January 30. 16^0 The Dirc(5tion or Supcrfcription : To the Right Honourable the L^Brer^ton, Mr.Dodor Dod, and Henry Aiainwayring Eiquire, or one of them ; and to others the Gentlemen ot the Hundred of Northwich, This publikc carriage, 7 hope, will fatisfie all inge- nious men how injurious fuch clamours have beene, as pretended undue pra6l;ifcs toprocure Subfcriptions. And if fome few timorous people by pretence of trouble have beene frighted to rctrad their former Subscripti- ons, 9 pre fume no j'udicious man will Conceive it cither to refltB on the (7««^7,ordif- value the fubftance of the Remon^r ance» The Preface. 1 S a time of Ceniures 5 nor actions nor perlons fcapc ( if perhaps ) the power, (yet not) the tongues of men J certainly the Goofe- Quill did never more licentioufly, lefle ci- villy bedabbl eboth times and perfons. No aftion ( of fo pure intention ; hath beene more befpatter'd than the deliverie of this Re. monftrance : No man with more confidence^lelTe caufe, hath beene more miftaken, mifle-cenfured than my felfe. Yet fome I prefume thathave now feenethofe Motives, which before they did not, are fatisfied 5 there was juft caufe for us to cora- plaine, none for them to judge* We alas are none of thofe that live in Gofien^ fa) fever*d from theforrowes oi our brethrm\ a E^od-.s. 2X» V B wee The Treface, i The common' Grit- wec havc had our {b) jVParmt offlies tsJeftroy **"*^"* eur fruits : we have kit che ftorjne of a diftera- « ExoJ. 9 x6, pered ftate, as well as they ; ( c) Buc we had ra- ther with pra)er and parience wait and hope for . the reunion of ourdifinfted peace, than rend tj^e breaches wider, by pulling on our heads a greater plague than wee have yet felt , or then the Egy^- i Exod i4.ir. ^M«/ fufFercd, till their ( d) Chariots were taken And the Lord troubled , » .-n the Egyptiiny and took off their whtfelej^ or then wc hope we can till our ofFthcirCb^riot wheels, Lawes the Hinges of the State be dif-joyntedgthc: '^z's ^nd th'e wa'Jers' re-* ^^^"^^ of Gc^uemmcnf let loofe : Then alas , how turned and covered the ro;mr( with tbcTi ) fliould we be ovetwhclmed Charors, ndthehorfe- with diforder and confuHon.^ howeafilv bccome ^'phmoh!^ ^^P^eyTo the firft invader > .;,;v Yet I feare we undergoe more ccnfiire , ^6 pray the prefervarion, than thofe that (cek the abolirinn of thofe Lawes that give us Life and fafetie, by preferving GrJer , which is the ScuU OrJ$efi inimiLegis of Government. \ ; Wee meet with feverall forts of Cenfurers fome feem torobbe theGentrieof the right of ^rheir owne free thoughts, as if they were but ^ properties to ferve the ends of others , aft the deiignes of the Bifbcp and his Clergy , who X doe abfolutely affirmc , never knew of it till ii was done : yet I doe confidently afiumCjif he re- quired , it might have as many free teftimonies f of qualitie) ot his moderation, as any man of that reverend Order. Others of the fameflampeleeke to impeach ,n: / thccredicof tbeSnbfcribers, as if a great part were The Preface. were papiOs : All may fee our inflrufVions were not ro adraic fuch : I refolutely .}f!irme5 no ^ one Gentleman of quality there is fuch j and I confidently believe, not one at all of the whole number. Some (that certainly never law ir) Cenfure for company 5 that wee cnely fwimmeagainft , ^ the ftreame J and contrary to the Torrent of o- ther CountrieSj have pur in a Juftificacion of a plea for Bifhops : fuch Ifaid before fure never fawit : whentheydoe, they will finde, that we have the fame /ence ofdiforder inEcclefiafti- call lurifdiftion as ethers haverThatrous (e) the e The Remonflrance. fupfrejfing of Foperie^ the increafe of able Tafiors^ the removifig of Innovations , will be equally ac- ceptable as toother Sub jedls: onely we concei- ved our modefirnbmilTion ro the judgement of that great Coun (ell, to regulate the rigour of Ec- RcmonHrancc. clefiafiicall Courts tofuifwith the temper of eur Lower , and the nature of Free-men , would to fo ^ „,, rcpcrmu^.mmU gfavea Senate aammifreras much matter of (e- ammrcfitaremcxfuper- tious confideration. implie as much need of Re- ^''^ ""^^ cr /«>?», fai(a formation, as a large invedtive full of bircer re- %l7f'!ietiyTam't, ^viling, which might more convince us of want veroqueeiutfiudiora/a*. "y ofCbaritie, than theBifhops of Moderation; ^mi^'if^.'^ff^^^m bemg virulence of Spirit never argued either /u>itaiiii audmms o* Civility, or Chriftianifie 5 never tended to piety I'^^'fi Anrefiimm.ij ut orunity , nor advanced eicherRd;gion, or gooa ^'SrjSSi';!::;. Order. /.M'.vj.r.^; j "("ii".' ^ -■'"'-• "• _■ .. coKfemptuvfientent/e.^. (^)Caftnftobfavt^,t\itrm6^^Mthirt^k^^ 'ji^'J^f^"^"-..:. o<. or obltinacy iprings rather from prtde and Cd/i. i./c^. 15. '.■::' B 1 difdaine, The Preface, diftJainCjandafalfe opinion of holinefle , then from true fandVity j or thedefire thereof. And that fiich asare forwards , and the leaders of Or thers in their defeftion from the Church, have for the moft part no other cau(e, but their owne lelfe conceipt , thinking themfelves better than all men el fe. Bur if either procefle of time, or difcontinu* ance of Parliaments have admitted any fnperftru* dtures of ex' )rbitanr power, doubtlefle the wife- dome of the Hon(e,(inflrufl^ed with the fteerage of the State) would reduce fuch without our b si q^um habe»t Epif- clamourS. copi poteftatcm giUiu For fuchcomplaintsasateagainft thc tcmpo-^^ tpLTmtl7ofva^ge- rail power of thc Bi(hops,wec know of no fuch' liti/hd iurehumano do thing inherent to the Order, (h) Melan&hon f firatiovem civUem juo- humane injutution given them by Kings and Em-{ rum bemrum. lUc me per ours I if fo, certainly elMS efi revocare^ cujut efij mimfiermm EvirtgeM ^^^^- ^nd where a gracious Prmce, (ex mero mo- MtianQhm Articid.fdeK tu^ andTitiay (ay, expuro amore ) out of a tender Vl- c L.u . rafteftion to the peace, and welfare of his people, Inhis fpeechthezj.of /r^j o.- c r \. ^*^i? i;inuaiie. hath freely ottered a retraction of luch temporall r If upon fcrious dc- authority, (i) as is not necefl&ry for the go- &\t"fom:«m- vernment of the Church , it is more proper for porall authority, not fo the debate of his great Councell to decide the licccffarie for the go- pQyjjt • than befitting the importunity of ns, and upholding of Epif- his ( much fatisfied ) fubjects, efpecially with copaii iurifdiaion , I fijch Violence, 38 relifhcs rather a fentence than a fo'ifa'ctht.S°;Uy'? fupplication: ^;4«.».o»/.«r»«' qn^HUUddif. ^- ' »• ^". I'rchticaii .',. o »jii T government 1$ paf a:, i/;. rarher than in a State govern d by Lawes. It jhe B.iiiops the hmbes hath been the Method of former rimes , that the of the great beai}, of no rarlrament, the Trimntes^the N.Z»;/e/,with the mi^ tZ^Z^^^s tfc" noresNobiles, theGentrie^ confult and difpence ry/c/. 4. scarcbudgca the rulesof ffovernmenr, the Plebeians (\^h^cal to f«^ up bythe Devil. 1 he J I i_ D • t^ • r» • • /• liorncd beads of the and obey them. Bor m their Pcicion ordine con- Popedome. a Bi^op or verfo^ petitioners Plebeians afllime to give judge- no Bi(hop./oi i. <^ment, rhe Parliamenr muft execute, the Nobili- >« Tj;"i- 1 edtioij.^te. < jr-N ' r cc i^ ' .. 4- They arc cruef I Har- ry and Gentnelutter by It- ..:.>.;• pies a-ainft Religion. They make n^t any one proof ci" complaint a- Protefi. 17. Febr.1659. gainft any one Biftr.p,or .teir order ; yet dearely tt.'^'jrht ^f' kI fentence them all, (/)/<>r//><» Popes fubfittutes per raei.L.BiflicpsnoBiih. acddens at ieafi.ifnot by folemne covenanted alle f^' 7i- I'relac/ is an o- TTi^^ J i_ r \ J- 1 / P*"^ rebellion aaamft geance : 1 hey condemne them (^m)jor themigh chrift and h.y K,ng- ty enemies , and fecret uhderminers of the Church dome /o 1 3. They fteal W Sommon^malth I They judge^/je«? #Vei ^4ie./o!'z ?!'""" '^' I ■ ■■^■'»Sf*' Kji Survey of Presbytery. LlSrS^fKL^nd Ml(n)govttnmnt Antnhripm \tvAviZ the Atiuchriftian.\\'cvowtofor. Parliaiiienc onely to execute their doorae upon bSefvee?oTwToifrkc thcm: HO morejCnof no more adoe)but (o) uHer^ t^^^^^'cSr^ltl ly to Molve their Offices,^ together with mine of '^t%^'^-n^'^ feedot Anti- [^^ojj. Antichfiftian offices and govemment, their fo!. I . E ,jimcki good An- impious Coufcs, {p) their dependent Officers, e- fS !>okc of au PrcUrS' VCH f rom the Chdncellor to the Paritor , (q) The ^..'i^^J::, i^'oke of Articles, (r) The EngUflo refined Maffe^ thev arc uocoriousAjiachrifts. ^Qohf^ of CommoH Frdver. With dl the Popiff) (igni- #i./o/.6V^io"splcahJ. 11.281. ^ ■' . ,-^. , , r J I C> « Theirp::i:ition. notej. ficcint Cercmontes therein contattted, "^r^^^t^^^i^:^^ Here is neither men nor difcipline fpared//) o- g?Pr£e?o\cS^^^^^ t^ers tel ni. Prelates, Difcipline.and church ofEng^ kenaway. Anf. lo Lond.peci- i^ff^ jy.^ ^U cottclnded Antichrifiianitherefore cood tion-^;. To be removed, view ^, .r,. r, itr ^^irij- r 1 ofchcprcUticiii Church. 58. Chnjiiam jhomajepurate themjelves frofftjuch a U^^{ISZrr:^^'co.r.s, Churcb. Andis this rhelanguageof our Country, w,%r. Lctany. The Bi- Qf QUf timcs onlyMf fo. *cwere forae argument to inops impious government, ^ J ' /? - j • ch^da ^>,^iu,foL^. convince our preicnt PreUteSyto have (tamed the L^SscrfpturrVnijUnS houour of thcirCoats , as degenerate from their J3" the ^o. A^rS"T pious predeceiTors. But rempora\ meresX is no ffi"'^^A'"*'ft"h^tf rK- '^^^ exclamarionjall ages,all people condemn the, tide. chiS' on h^. Throne, pre fen t j aud ftiliappUud the times pal>. With ^Theirpecition note 7. Li. what revercuce dio we call to mind chofe precious S ^Suy'^ni'^Maffe: days wc yet ftile the purity o^flElizabeths reign> bookc preiite:church.foi.27- as if thcu thc C/jHrch wctc all innoceucc , had no tioSridohSRcSna. fpot in her infanc whicenes .* bur if we (hall afwell pkaft 'Se'SvicXk look back,and confider the fpirit of the fathers of lakcdout of j.Ronnfti Chan- j|^g^g Dilcipies iQ thofc days, wc (hal then find,*tis / Lord Biniops no Bi/hops. not the churches purity, 'tis not the Paftors piety^ Church is 'whriftiaV. ^ Can ftop thc foulc mouchs of fuch traducers ^ 'tis ^^^li^tZC envy and ambition barks thus in emulation of ftian. 8 Propofmons in thcit Ofdcr, not iu 2ealc againft dieirDodrinc print. T\'r' V ^ orDalcmlme. S^ECT. The Sftrvej of Presby tef)% iiif iiiif if iiif f i f f SECT, 3. TheTresbj/terJans ceftfnre ffftheClcrgji in^een Elizabeths tiote, W Ere the CIef;gy then more meekeand humble? will you belecve the Brethren of that time , (peaking of th c Clergy in General! f They are wolvts^ (t) IntoUerablt of^ f snthim sufpli*.f\^%^ .jHgnerj of Gt^dr glory iu), A cruiiof wonftr,ml'^^ll^i^'Jl^^ ^ ^ndnngodlf wretches y (sj?) an AntichriJiiaH Swi* :mfi Rabble. Were the Bifliops then of purer lives, or Do- ; ftrine ? Thecharirable Brethren ftil'd them The ^ nay any. /», 15.34. moftfefiiknt enemies of our State (x) , The Ordi- sufpiH«t.fbL 5 5. nances of the DiveU, (jr) fetty Popes, petty ^«-;S;^|Ti. tichrjjis^ Jncarnatc IXivels^ coggings cozening /Knaves^ • Were they lefife rigid in their Cenfures? They tell you , {1) They are But f hers and Horfe-leechei^ ^ »dy *«y. m* at. :4hefe Drasotts tjrmny^ and khod'thirfir procee- M«tin$ prsts/iat. s?. dtngs are twxcHjable, . r f-i ^ ^* ^ ^j^p QrhMX : Is it onely nur prefent Arch'biQjop hath op'd hnijbt »» Qu Marki -ttse gap of Calomny ^ They £xy, Their ^ then"*^* ■theft Wolfey , (ajprouder then Stephen Gardners mortoa^ 5, ihid g.%. jHore bloody then Bonner : Beh^bub if Canterbu- * Marttn/«:er 4. cfK,cf^) a mcnfirouf Antuhrimm Pfpc, (si^m^fi ' ^^A •w^/s^^i^^ C ^ Was i No crcny. A» j. fJimonttion to th€ par- tiamtnt.p. i- Supplicatien to the Far- Hamtnt.f^S' * miemp. >3 IS ij- ^6ttoa mt of Smhnd Hiht Lirds. f, 41. Kyi Survey o/Prebbyrcry, Was the Scare more favourable ro them> they complainc {d) The Mtigiftracy and Minijiery h^rve vpalked hand iff hand in the coft Had thofe times or perfons no better te- mmony given of them , certainly a ftranger that fliouid have come amongft thefc to feeke a Reli- gion 5 would enquireas the Mocre did of the Spaniard i what Religion they wer^ofj not out of defireto learne that, but that he might choo/e the contrary 5 as concluding the oppofrte to fo extreambad, muft needs be good : fordoubtles no K^ Survey of Prefbyfery. rio maa would lay the foundation c f his Fairhj where he neither findes in pra6tiie the principles of Chriftian Charity, nor natarall Civility But lee us eximine better witnefe of thofe timeSj whether were moreguilty,rheaau(ed, cr C^)Bpt-E>';?.«2./.i'-c». the accusers ■ ^inmu optima ciUVia "o- BcLA ( a ftrift Reformer ) in his Fpiftle to f me j^^lr ^il\u7tLmuU(>~ Englitb Brethren writes thus : rum ettam exceUctf/n. ( ^ ) ipromifi U ..^fe!fe_ ev^n tk hcjl things of XZl'Ift^^^l ibaf Kingdome ^ wbertintcerejiauratJonofChri- nugiovisirfiavratio. ' ftjan RcliQionbath kene feJeci mtfj the Bloud of (^0 i^ortumur ut m^l Ja many excellent Martyrs : (h) And exhorts pefira, Jualmpatieyjter thcCDf^hoit leaving all hi tterftejfe , they wouldbeare feravtj f egU Majcfiati one another with patience, and obey the g)ueenes f'^'H^'T^f^fZ^ Majejtie ^ ana all their Prelates with ajree heart, vmoobfequ-mur. And writing to Bifhop Grindall ( i ) he com- (0 ^cv^ Epi/^..ii. • r- L • * • t de Kotti Ecdelia par 2. gwcntbem Moveratgne Prmces^which maintained rbfxi^ BpifcJas 4n andupheld them by their power : Epifcopall ordir girapc^co^iverfto^cmad continueth and flourifieth at this day. And God fi^^emt^^cmarumppif hath here raijed up^andjtill doth, excellent Bifljops^ /„ iteiferw. , ve Mw bath far learning and pie tie . which c^uragiou/ly if^ dtfcren nunmini -♦ A Snrvejf of Preshytery, ^ maintairieCcdwau^e bothbywordof fffButh ^ and- vpriting. and fome aj them alfo have received the Crovrnt. of Mart j/r dome for the Cenjejfion oj ths' GofpetJ. If rhc' men were wirhdut exception, was their Difcipline the caufe of quafreli^ Askc themj they will tell yf 11 yea. (OFira Aamonition to Jhey fay {I )The Communion'Fooke is culled \t ,^6 ■^""''"'* ^' '^' <^»^i pcfied oHtof that Fopijh Dung^hill, the Por- Syom Plea, x^ tuifc^and Maffe book,, (w) The Sacraments are wiC"' - (ff Giibypig. 1 • the Lords Supper^ hut play a Pageant of their ovpne, (o) Firft Admonition, jfjg pubiiki^ Baptifme {o) is full of Childifh ^mgdh.pai.Ao. ^ andfrperftitious toyes, the Ceremonies (p ) are- popip fooleries ^ Komijh Reliques^ and ragges of x^ntichriji^ If all were thus farre ami iTe , what hope was - U) ?emtnE0k ^„. there yet of ReforrDation? They tell us (^) £«^- fore the tnotioti. I md With an impudent foreheadhathfafd^ I voilnot {r)guby.pci^. 77c ^^^^ ^^^^ ^y^ /y ^/^ ^„g . y^^j^ (^ ^ hateth them to this -• day that faithfully doe their office^ What mi(e- rable condition fhall any charitable ChrifHan confider this diftr eded Nation to bee in ^ that views it either in fuch colours, thofe Fathers, or iheie our Brethren have fet usfbrth in? What mnftbe the comfortable Contemplation of that {/);'Sdh2p\i1» great day of which (/) lob[?.yti^lknoi»ihat my Redeemer liveih^ andthat I (fjallfiawdat the latter day upon the earthy andin my fiefh I fhall fee Gad, vphffm I fhalljeefor myfelfe, and my eyesfiall kehold, i^) 1, C«ttnA.i3 .1 ;. ; Arid as S t. fml (ayes , (t)fee fact to fac$ , and \n&ifi A Snfvry of Presby terie, hrf(m> even as a!fo we are knoivne. When we cali to iT>inde(>U'' prime genifors were Heathens deny- ing God : enr predeceffirs ApoOates fallen from tlie crijeG' d w Pvomiili Idofatrie and fuperftiti- ^ on: our F^uhers and our felves (uch Schifma- tiques from whom ail go. d Chriftians muit lepa- rafechemfelvcs. " Nliferable indeed were the cnndirion of this forlorne ftate , if other Reformed Churches ffrxke n at bee ter of us, than wee of one ano- ther. - SECT. 4^ The opt mom of iheR eformed Churches , Eare C^/iy/^/ opinion in hisEpiftfe to the {u)caivin\nhii'^^mt hovd^toieCcOToi England' {uyrhe forme toihc L.Proua-r. ofprajfcr, mitheCertmomcs of the Chnrch ^ j^,,J,^ Ecckfiarum, t doe exceedfngly approve of ^ as that from vphiih' vaidepobof urcertaiUa the Mintjlers ou^ht not to dtpart. ' ^/'^7 quapa^onbm in (v) Martin Bucer^iezrnca Reformer beirtg voniueat. recjuefted by the A rch-bith op Cr^^wer to give {»} Martin Bucer^^crip, biscenfureof thcE«^/# Liturgy, fayes// fr4ife ^J'^S^;;^^,^ God that gave jou light to reduce thefe Ceremonies dijpctvos has cmmonias tofuch purity ; for Ifinde nothing in them, which copuriraturejomsre.vce jf not tak^n out of the Word of God, or at leaft vptfe, ^rchcnd^ quod nor. fit ex ( if clearely interpreted ) not repugnant to it, 'verbo T>d defumftU, aue (ds) Bexa fupvmendsns GsM'Sig, T^o^nhfa puritafy't^etin Ar^liajpure ^ fincere, i2«* ^frxPfcfa«< C 3 true A Survey of Presbyrerie. . true DocfrimfloHnfles purely andftnctrdy. The German Zanchie, ( y )Th2i hjthk ^eefts ^o^iTi^rtT^ii- combing to the Cror^ne, GjcI hath agamerejhred fnmfiQArnt<3'C' his Do& rine^and true voorjijip, i ^ zj.^ ( />) Being without naturall ajfe&ionsytruce-brea^ h tTi.no;hy5 5,4>^ \^^rs Jalfe-accufers, fierce, defpifers of thofe that are goodyheady, high mindedfhaving d forme of godli'' nejfe y but denying the power thereof, fromfuch turne away. And from the delufions of fuchjGod tume the hearts of all loyall Subje<^s. * ris the nature of Man-kinde^that being dccei-: ved by they^me/ of an imaginary goodjthey ma- ny times covet their owne ruine. Thefe fiigred baits of parity and libertie infus*d into vulgar^ . ,i apprehenfion' c^ Survey /jfPresbyrerie. apprehenfinns under the pretext of pierie,and re- f( ^rm uioni:ire fuch popular povYons as will foon o*re fpread rhe bodyrif the Common- wealthy and corrupt or diflToive the Nerves & Ligaments "of Govern men -(conformity to La wes)if nor ear- ly prevented by thofe preciom Antidotes againO: Confufion, Lo)alty.and Conftancy. SECT. 5. A Djfcujjionvphethcr they feek^to pulldown'!^ er advance the Cltrgie* LEf us then ere wee imbrace the thoughts of fuch a total! fubverfion of the Fabrick of a Church and Srate , examine whether (iich " Reformers aime at our liberty^or their owne ad- vancement, whether fuch biirernefTe of Spirit proceed from zeale to ttuth, or emulation of the 'Order, r^^ , c What a Monopoly is t ' V 1 • r i_ ^i ♦ I L ^^^^3 ^° f^lte away the IsittoclipthewrngsoffheCIe'-gicthat ehcy cdc wherem the office fbarenottoohigh 5 that thefe men crie out a- of all true paftors is gainftEpifcopalijurifdidionf orratherisitnot 3,trrftto onl 1*^ ' to Imp oat their broken FeathcrSjthat they may lonc among frany? mount above the reach of all Lawes ? Is it to re- thrifts Throne foi 4.5 . gulate any exorbitant power in them ^ or rather Thi^Monopo'yisamy. isitnot to make their power as indefinite, as ftcrieofr .fchiefes.vjew theirjnumbers arc infinite ? Is it not really to pull ^'^^"* c^"'^^^^- /«^' J? • downe 26.Bi(hops, and fetup9324.potentiall " Popes > when in efFeft the Paftorot every parifh Church muft be fuch. The A Survey of Presbyrerie. -^^The cmrf qi ence^thefetDen promise to th«m' felvesinrheirpetitif n(iccondedbythewriringof their fellow-laborers) promi(e no leffe^wh ich are, Ftrft, to quit themfelves froni the circunifcrip- tionofany Ccclefiafticali Auchoricie, ekber in di- d Their petition, note fciplioe Of dodtrine, {d) They ^r ay that the rev€4^ iC. VicwofthePrela- /^^/ veiU ofGod^ contained in the books of the old ticdi urc , o , . and new Tejiament muy be the rule that r»eejhould follow 1, As if certainly this whole Stare and Church had all this while followed a wroog e Their petition, note Guide, (d) That the.morall do&rine of the PrO" *7« phetsand K^pofiles may bee oldEnglands Canont^ ^of which themfclves muft be Expo(jtors)as if all Canonicall obedience were a meereintrufion up- on Gods word, a^dhadno foundation in Scrip- viurco Doe wee not know, that TiMotly and T/7«/ were by Saint TmlCct over the Churches of E- phefus and Crere, and in the ftile of both the E- piftle?, by the interpretation of the Fathers, ap- pearetbhavebecjieBiihcps, andtobaveCanoni- f iTimoihi.?. ca 11 pow^r committed to them? (/')7V?yi/jp?*f^ g 2Chap.i.8. . fidfe do^rrnes ^ {g) To direU tifjM and place for h 9' prayer And fiippU cations^ (h) To prefcribe formes * *r» of apparrell^(i)To impofirf^mcc upon womcn^ ^ I Timoth. J .1,1 2. ^l^y T,oinjiitMte B^Jhops and Deacons^ (Dto remm m 'jbid?2°! ^ '^* Accufationsyandtopunifh Elders, (m)T4forJains » Titus i. 10, MinifierSy (n) To admoniJI) and rejeH obfiinate Ue-* * iTiinoth.Mo. retiqueSf ('^)Toexcommunitaiefuchaiblajpl^m^* Ji nd thefe things not tranfmi cted to them as do- drines, but as part of their Jurifdidion. > (o)Thefe ^ Sm"vejofPrc<>hytenQ. (0) Theje things comf^iandaftd tcach^ and rebuke « » TimotH.4 1 1. • 'a>ith all aHthorJtie. (^'^) \^nd let no titan dcfpife 4 Tit-i&js.ij* thee. So that here wee may lee a found uion of Ec- GleHafticall Governmenc laid even by the A poll-ies ihemfelves, and to us enjoy ned obedience. And though in the infancieof the Gcifpell, when {q) The Son of man had not where to lay h^s 'i Match.s. z*. head: when his Difdples allpaftrhorow theti^e i-'^^'-"?.?^* of Martyrdome, and no free Srare, fcarce any whole Village had received the Gofpell^ even Rome it lelfe was for many asces after, the (eat o[ the Heathen Emperours, (r) under whofe terrible ;:^j [^*^' ^'' ^'"y^*» pcrfecunons the church was fcattercdinto corners ' anddfferts^ where they could befi hide thcmfelves : It could not then Cl fay ) be expedted, that fo ex- a'ftaplatforraeof Difciplineflicu'd be laid down ^ Erirtom6.h} mj- to governehandfuls, as was after neceffirie to be rmothtum.PaiLu'! ou- extended to (way the converted Chriftian world, m/icrium adopt arar, p>o- Yet then did Pmu lee the necefiiry 00th ot inlh- y;,^,^ /j^^.^,-, er^ditum^ tuting rules ofgovernmentjck putting the execu-^ ^uovia.nautmbwcEc- tionixJto ihe hands of feme fupreme power : To '^'^'TJ^!fr;/''^l which purpoiCj as£r^/«'/^i"OblerveS. (J)Heecld' mt-eu^M vijurMior.e E- &edTi/}idthy^ ahopeftdl yonn(f man. and learned in f'/lopaU. holy wr/t, into theminjjtene j and that bee nngot, ^^^^.^r^ Lvcfcrlanoi. commit to him the care of the Churches^ infiitnted 'EccUftx fius ift fmnmi himiasalfoTittfs) in the office of a Brfiop, And saccrdomdigmuicpcn- Saint Eterome (t) gives the rcafon or the neceili- ^^,„ ^ ah ommim emi. tie of fuch fuperintendencie in the Churchy for ncTfsdemr pQufim, tot fayes he, Ibefafcm of the Church depends upon the i^,j,^;J;^';.;tS- ' dignitie of the chiefs Vriefiy to whom if feme extra- tes, D ordinarie A Survty o/Preshyrerlc. ordinarh power above thereji bee notgiven^ then would bee as many Jchifmes tn the Church, as there are Pajiors, If then the Inftitution of Eccleliafticall Go- vernment were Apoftolicall, the adminiftration commicred by ^aintJ^rfw/himfelfe toprimePref- byters, or as a 11 ancient Fathers agree,tD Bilhops 5 Lerus next fee, whether ftich Ecdefiafticall Lawes have beene deduced downe to our fore-farhers in a continued current, from (the fountaine head^ the Apoftie? ^ or are but as thefe charitable men ftile ih^m^The Rdiquei oj Romip Tyranny, ) let htive received ^fhif^.^ thretigh ^ ^Mhevii nferi^t^m Godsnm^h in the Kealme ^fBritawe.th Larv t^r^cvfi^it^"!:^ and faith efchrift^yce have within your Rvdme teres Rom^nai «2r^ctsp€}?€i vos >>) re^~ Sritnwc ; for you be Gods Fkar inyOHr Kwgdomc. .^""^."r^crj'.Jr A King hath his naffje of ruling^ and twt of having ikm rcgm wjiri fnoe aRedme ; youfI)aU beeaKi)i^ while you rule iveiL ^'^'!" ^ per tihm z)ci 1 -r I ^/ r .1 n ^r- n n P^ttevtH vejirum re£t bHttJ you doe othervpije^ the name o] a King jb ail BritmM^ngmm. not remaine with you^ andyeufiall lofe it^ "which God forbid. Sure none will fb much honour Popery, to (Iiy thefewere Popifh infufions, they will nor grant them a plea for fuch antiquirie, which is more than by feme hundreds of yearcs they can juftly lay claime to. Cahin does fpme right to the an- tiquitie of thefe Lawes^ inhis Treatife concer- .ning the ftate of the ancient Church and the manner of gcvernmenr thereof before the Papa- cie, {x) which (fayes hee) will reprefent unto enr . x Q^ivitts hiflitut lib' eyes a certaine image of the divine Infiitution j for ^ • '^"P-^* fi^' ^ • although the Bifjopj of thofe times made many Ca- nons ^ whert^ they might fee Pi e to expreffe more than was exprejjed in the holy Scriptures^ yet with fo good caution they framed their whole adminijira- tion according to that onely rule of pods word, (y) y p-'tfacik •vlkai. mhi'l that you may eafily perceive that they had almoji nO' ferehac parte habutjfc d thing in this Oehalfeydifonant from the wordof '^"•^o'DduUemim, God. • Nay further (fayes hee) if wee looke into the D 2 forme j& Survey of ?tG%hytene, Seif.^. sirmintuemars jot me of government it felfe^ wee (hall find that the rmnmm '^f^'^^Jf^ ancient Bffl}opr would not devife another forme of EuUJiteformm voiui^e chftrch regiment differmg from that which God fvierc, ab eaquam Dm l^ffj prefer/ bed in his Word, T^^BuTif'tfoiit^i^ And rhere is none I am fare can fay this was HHiiUudpotcft Rex in f^jnelv Bitrerie:^ Happie were it, that every King %'''(^''^j!L7m^qu'm laid^his connfell to heart, had it engraven incha* quod de jure potcfi, T>i- x^i^Xtxso't ^o\i\^ox\\\SL^(em€nto vJvsre, Iris fo citnr cmm Rex 4 be>i^ confonanc too, that it IS incorporated with our mndo, quia Rex c/i dam Common Law..(0 ia!e rcgiry Tyranntadum If then this Ecciefiaftlque DifcipHne were de- popuiumfibicrcdaumvi- ^ ^ ffonuhc Apoftles, built upon the Bailsof er.n. the Old and New Tcltament , continued ever (ince, and is now fo confined within the limits of u Stat.25. H.8. c j^. of our Lawes : (u) That the Ckrgie can enaB no Canons or Confiitutions without the Kings Koyall ajfentyand that none formerly madeffjall be in force, htttfuch ^ts by Commijfioners oj both Houfesjhall be adjudged worthy to be ^ept. And that it is provi-L ded, that no Canons^ Conftitutions^ or Ordinances jballbe made^orput in execution within the Realme), which Wall be contrariant or repugnant to the Kings Trcrogdtive Royally or the Cujiomet^ Lawes^ or Sta^ tuites of the Rcalme, Then this Eccfefiafticall Law. becomes a meere regulated Law by the judge- ment and conlent of the Civil! State; If fo ; That the continuation of this DifcipHne, in the difpcnfation of fuch Mfnifters, whole deviations are punilhable as mifdemeanours, ihould bee in- confident with the governmcnc of this Sratfj I confefle I underftand nor. SECT. A Survey No ; They muft be free in Dodrine as well as Difcipline, prcfcribed by no Ecclefiafdcall Authoritie. (r») They muft » Their Petitiohj preach the word of Godj and adminifier the Sacra.- °'^^ * mentsaccerdingtothemindofChrjfi^ (And God forbid they fliould not^htit we muft beleeve them more familiar with Chrifts mind, than all the Fa- thers of the Primitive times, or the ChiKch ever fince, or admit them an infallibilitie of spirit, ai that they are unerring. -rU Whyfo? belike (they fay) they are: Somecf them tell us, their (x) Presbyterian Difcipline is * ^^^^^ ^^'*' ihe Scepter of Chriji^fvpdying his owtie houfe ac-cor- ding to his hearts deftre. And another of them, ( y)rhey that reje& this Difcipline, refttfe to have ^ ^^ J^* Epiftlc be-- \/i >a • W J / 7. . ^« fore the Supphcat.^wwo Chrfjt reigne over them^ ana deny htm %n cjfea : ^^ £/. l[hAt it is thetternall counfellofGod. This Difciptinc is the They are as well privie to his doftrine as his '.frUn^rcK will.^ If you aske them Saint ranis queftioti, kth among men. (z>)Howjhall they heare without a preacher ^ and T.c.lib.i.pag.zio. hoTX>fiall they preach' except theyhecjentf They 1 Romao.15. will tell you, (a) The Word is not taught by the a h. m. euanget. c'l 5* ^ertMons ofMinifters^ but by the Revelation of the -^5'f ' j .0 ^« . Spirit. And though the Prophet makes a great CGinplaintj (b) My people are dejiroyed fir lack of ^ Hofea4^,' D 3 l{non>- hiotipledgt ^ becaufe thou haji rcje^&tdkijowkdgi^^ 1 ' , »^/f/ aifo rejdf^ thee^ that then Jfhdt bee m Tt/efi to fm, c Chrift on his throne. And as the ApoRI^ Ayes, (c ) Somethings are 67 ' 'haydtohs^nderfi^ood^vph-ichthsj/thatareunlear'- Jonf^g'tt &X, n^a, and unfaUrorcH"' they doe alfo the other is by Chrift inwardly, ScrJptHvei'untQ theif owne dcftru&ion. Yet thefe gifting a man for th; j^oj^ will tell you learning isnotneceffary ; when the Spirit inclines them to the worke of the Mi- nif\eTie5.chey tnuft not cloubc of gifts. For faith * 3r, c. lib, i.pn^. 180. C^rtwright^ _'^ SVhen f^en are called t»a phblique calling.,' God doth pourejjk gifts on that perfbn^ ivhich PS called fo plentifully ; that hee is as it were fuddenly made a netp man y Vfhich prefiimption they derive high. • ; ■ God ( fay they) rebuked Mofes , for excufing hfmfdfeto-be a man of imperfect lips. And chough d I Tim. 2. 7. the Apodle faies, (d) I am ordained a Preacher^ which implyes'theneeeflity-of a lawful! Calling, whereiipoH is grounded an Article of t>ur R.e-, c tj Article, .\ ligiony^ ( e ))Xhat no man ought to Preach or fni* ■'" " ■>. nifiefitj)^ ^S^cramnts^b^fire he be lavpfully called :■-."■'■ fent .♦ Y with which accord the ConfeflTions of . / HeW-C(»w:2.-c^:i8. all th€ Reformed Churches) (/) AndSt. P4«/ mmmZl'T''^ '* feemes to rebuke all intruders into the Miniftery., '£cigiqucart.i4- askw^y Ar^ all T 6 Achsrs <" Cg) Yet they contra- ipttemberg,m. zo, r? to theexampkof the Apoftle.inabfolute op^ g I Cor. 11.28. pohtionto the Article ot our tveugion, Will an- h is.v/f.av/.o/srojy. fwer St. Prf/^/' in the Affirmative, yes. {h) uij i'cord'iAvilU.prop.i6. rdenmay teach to get Faith (i^m.iy preach toCon^ ^ Bjro^i^ifc:'p.^6. gregations to exercif^ their abilities, ^iy^{k)th at every A Survey <9/Presbyt^y. € very ntember ef the Church hatb fvwcrte tta»nut th^ manner efadmini jhmg the S:(tcrai>itnts, To reftraine chi? liberty with: tljetriis the Yoake /'^"'« 3"'^«c 'A fi"- {^i_) Tnai^sm^ Q^urd) bath pajverU decree Rttes: i„^itut as e^'e ub mpijs iitidCerem^nie^^wuh which agree alf the Retbr- pwnfieibusjfuvv^t nm- med Chureh«„ {v,} m «». c.»W^..«,..And :^*^™'^;;^„t^1^1 that great light or Ger«/^»)'5(Mff/ have a Lysmgicjor form niing Chrift i^H huHiiiitv and piecy.derived from no^SokpeitBrr; A-ntiqaxry,mipafed by Authority', and obedi- refut.pa£. 244. ence c'oramanded by Hoiy precepr, arean (Q)eva' r The Fatnilias Ja>j, ^j^if^^j^ (ff chrifis dccifb , md fo an Apofldcy from SdagcVnoacature" chrrfi , and fait not With the Ubenie oF the Go- H. W. spcrknd. c. 3 « yj?e//, vphsvevpith chrift hath made them free. (/>) T'(^fS:<^^h^nine: I" ^hich exctavagandes rachmen runne into -at phi appiutideTcvt m all the de(p2rate.Schifmesth?.c formerly tent the fua ivjcira iMmt Ghurch : In thcif Contempt of our Servkei 7)avidts excmplo (per' _, . , ^ . r • n ■ -n. a v t ' ?;e«^tfi e/e omesLite^. Rues, and Ceremonics, being -©rowmftSjfv/; In ras, SicuthodieAnabap' their, falfe pretended libercie, FamiliftS) (r) la f™ft"yi«/»TS their ' tint nifi quod omms Set- Anabaptifts. (fmaticihomims) (f) Brain- ft ck, enti^ flint expertes. Qai- ^^„ jfj^ times p^Ji' w&uldtake exafftplefrofh'^iviii* Pfalcn. /^s'^o^Pf? 7 il 4^ to defpife all learnings as now our AHahHftij^i^^\f&' t (^mft!{v.itiir tumaUi' ondy hold thtmfdves infprcdwith gifi? ^ hecanft' ti chrifiuv^ lihmatu ^ij ^^^ ignorant of all Literature. TheCe obe¥ gifimibM, vdprxpofttii none Of- their pretended Patrons. BeK^ iaye^,> fuufpovte nonpim in ^t ) he nkufes chriftian Liberty ^ Kfhofuhniits noi '^:::^iJ:}lT^^m^ freelytothe MagiUrate. hXid.MdanmMn h^d%^ fratrei in AniUt, ( u) *Tif a mortallfinne to viohite the Edi^s of ■ I ""iLf ;;";! -^Z: t' ^"i:f '•"'^ Sf • """fi]" f""^ 'heie men good fidem^eiue hovos mores Counlellj ( X ) That ivhich is neither againfi i„jwigitur, indifferenter faith ^ ftor good Manners ^ is to beehddtndi-ff^^^' iti^t"i^^CZ rent , andobfirvcdforthiirfodety.-mlywlyom^^^ SQcictatt fer-vdndumefi. you live, ' > • - ' ■ '' ^iugufi\n.Epi£.yi%,ai Zandncj is a little iharper vvirh them. A Survey of Presby tefie. (x)thefe Anaba^tifis flaieshe^ and other f ihat x 'Ditundnii^unt ^n*^ withdraw thewfehes from the Commnnion of the ^^^llf/fj^^ E^ultA Church either for the fretendedvices of the Mini' fHiucum, fter^ or other excHpes are to bee cut off front the Zanchji. Tomes, fc^^z:^ church : Bur if none of thefe incline them to the peace of the Church, Their pretended great Mafter Calvin^ (a) hath * caivin:Epifiok7)om: a (harper Rod for fuch State-troublers : Ampliffi-^ Frmaors^ifiQi.toUh me Domine^ audio effeDeofeditionum getter a^ qu«_• fo, 'twere more toHerable. But this large Confcience will have the E body c Petitiorij Note so. View of Prelacicall Church, and divers 6 chei'S. a Thtir Petition* note 51. jf Genef. 14.20, f^ Nehem.io.gy.. a Hebj.j^ a Conttth.p.iji f^ Survcji /?f Presbyteiie. body as free as the minde : They mufthold their Conventicles, intimated by that their Meeting, (c) together te fray for the King atfd^een with' OHtpnniJImtent^ orfdje Calumniation' This is a.gap to let out Law, and take in liber- ty 5 Thus may they infufe what Doftrine, con- trive what ftratagems , accumulate what multi- tudes they pleafe , not onely without punifh- mentj but without cnquirieof the Lawes. Nor is this all. • v - FreedomeoftheirConfciencesand perfons is not enough, but they muft hsve their purfes and cftatesasfreetoo. They tell us they have Civill miferieSj as well as Ecclefiafticall : fuch as (a^ 7 he faymentof Tithes, to Parlbnsor Impropriators, which whether due Jure Divine I difpute nor, but by Civill, Common, and Statute Law, wee know they are. The prelcription is fbmewhat ancient, for 'tis iM^Melchi'Ledick, (y)blejTed\^hraham^ and hee gave him tythes of all things, hnd under the Law it is ordred,T/)/«^rz.)^^c Levits might have the tythes in all their Cities of our tillage. This we find not difcontinued under the Gofpell, (a) They which are children of Levi, which receive the office df the Frieflhood^ have a commands ment to take ace or- ding to theLavp^ tythet of the people. And Saint FanlhoXdi it good equitie, That as they which wait at the Altar, are partakers of the Altar 5 even fo hath the Lord ordained^thdt they which preach the Gofpellffionldlive oftheCofpell, Our Statute Lawcs K^ survey of Ptcshytet^, Laweshave elhblilhed and incorporated them into cur elates ^ for 5 (b) Tythes in the hands of ^ ^mij.^ ••is.S// Lay'menbtcotttetemporallinherJtiinas^andfldaltbs '' ■ accountQd Affets : And Laj/^ men proprietarki '74. Though we find them held in the time oi Edward foCchUa^^^^ the ConfclTour, and Co called, Baranes verd qui rfiinait dtbtvt in curia fiamhde«t curiam d^fris homnihus : andconti- ^^^if^fef nued ever li nee. Andmdeed they would have no Courts at all to have jurifdiftic^ over them, as appearcs by many of their writings , as that they ^ n , r ; wwald have Courts to proceed only agaittfifins hy Chord. yirgl-propiZaa- thewordofGod, of which the Presbyterie would ?r"\tno K '>Lre « be Judges, and (as they fay/ it would free us from no ground of an oath. weekb C^nrts, • -- - Chu'^ch''^i""^^ The would withdraw the cuftomarie right of e Thch petition, note (e) Herriots taken in the Saxons times, in which * i- language it is called Heregeal^, ox the Lordshefi-^'To^^l^^li^^^^^^^^ for Here is Lord^ and Geat is bejl» And in fhe Lambert,{oliJ9 58. LawesbeforetheConqueftit isfaid, (f)Whether f ^ive quuimuridjvs byajudicjaUJentence, or bypdden death, any man intt]latmonuyiA,D\mivw dyes intejiate^yet the tordfldalltaks none of his tmen milmmumfuct- S,U,, hut that n>huh k due by tar. in tk name of a ZCllZ^S. Merriot, fibiajfumito. E 2 Nay, ASurvej/ofPreshytene, ! Nay, they yer gee higher, even to the denyall of the right of proprietie in our eftarcs. They ^ Thck petition^ would pay HO Fims/g )do ho Boons nor Duties to •^°^^ ^^' their Land-Iord-^jor at beft bring them witnm the Arbitrariejarifdiftion of the Presbyter, who rauft be Chancellour betwixr Lord and Tenant. Andthefe things are not reprefcnted byway of complaint, or fubmitted to the confidcration and determination of the Parliament, butlceme- to be inforced by intimation of a ftrong, occult, 7) Their petition, implyed Covenant ^ in that they fay, (h)The con- ■^L^^/i^' L -rt trarie privtledges Chriji hath purckafedf and com^ Chnftonhis Throne, ^^^^^^^^,^ tofiandunto. If this be HOt to Tub- So wee may recover that vcrt Lawes, I know not vvhat is ? It is not onely a ^^'i^n^ ^aW^^T defiance to Civil! Government , but a Band a^ With Cliriit hath, made • n • us free, and for which gainlilC. his bioud was powred Nor Law noLGofpell fcape fuchcenfuresr If Sions plea, fol.3 3 ? . Saint Taul teach irs not to refifl authoritie, but ra- Rom. 14.1, 2. ther to fitbmit to pumjhment : Some tell u9j tjnis^ 2 Per. 1 3. *4. if adamrerousdoSrine. tauzht by feme, by the per" ntjjjion ojGodjorourJtnf. Certainly theie are dangerous doftrines indeed, anS God open our eyes in time to fore-fee and prevent the confe- quences : So much are people infatuated with thefe falfe glolTes of pretended libertie, that they .!j?iiiiouv;i«i:jL are eafily feducedto fwallow fuch guilded pils, .;u:\ ; V -5,. .'. -\ with open armes to embrace, with eager hands to pull upon their owne heads their owne mine. For alas, what is it elfe, but to enthrall our felves under an irrecoverable fervitude, whence can be no redemption ? Is it not to make that choyce the H Survty tf/ Presbytery. the Ifraclicesrefufedj Whether is better fir j/ou^et" Judges 9, ». / ther that all the fins oflerubbadt (which are three- fiore andten ferfins} reigneoveryouy or that one reigm over yon ? Whether (hall wee content our felves with the difpenfation of Lawes our felves affent to, can at any time expand, or contraft, as we (hall find them too narrow, or too large for the circle of our Ifle, truft the adminiftration of thcfe in the hands of fix and twentie Biftiops, whofe Delegate power is limited by our Statute Lawes, whole perfons are eafily refponfall for any extent of that power, beyond thofe bounds the Parliament allots them ? Or fubmit our felves to the meerc Arbitrarie Government oi thrice twentie fix thoufand Presbyters and Elders, for more than fo many will that Hierarchy amount to, under which they would now'draw us, by the platforme of their new pretended discipline. In which^ if there were any more but theSpe- cies of libertie, that we (hculd thus be quit from all Ecclefiaftique fiibjedion ^ (though it is a prin- ciple too off proved true, that Over^muchdcftre of -Wba/iwr Confeffion, hbertie is the originall of Tyranny , evcrj one by ^"^yrl^ny is more tollc- being too free^ becowming a flave : The Vulgar rabic than fuch a free- being well refembled to birds long c^aed and ^lomc which under the , ° !••» I'lrn r title of hbenif introdij- kcpt tame, which breakmg loofe Itar ve for want <.=th iicentioufncfle, and of food, or become a prey to the firft deftroyer. this licentioufncs brin- Yet this might be a popular motive to entice ma- fjl '" ""'"^' ^"'^" ny into this new Coy. If it did conduce ro a reall freedome, I widi all men ftiould know, I hold my felfe as. free-borne A Survey of Prcshytaic. as any man, and as much difdaine the thought of fervile fetters of Roralfh Tyrannyj or an infiikanc Prelacie, as any he that lives. But I ever held,thac Nunqnam li^ertas gratior extat qimmCnb Rege pi a. That it is Law, which is to a free State (not a Band, bur; a Guard againft oppreflion ; That it is MagilTracie which levels the fcale of juOice be- twixt power and povertie, that prelerves degrees, i All Societies, Oeco diftindtion, order, (/) without which no Ghurch, nomick, ^/viU, and Ec^ ^^ ^ ^^ ^^j^- j ^^^^ ^^^^ clcliafhcUl, doc confiU .1, 1 r- ' 1 r nj n bythcfubmiflioaoeia. And when I lee inthefe men, no Ihadow of feiiours to fupcriours, ^^uc libertie, by pretending legall government 5 ct'Mon^fcM/foil noryetthe falfeglofle of libertie. by extinguith- lovveth. ingall power, but that it is evident by dednng to Far^m caucUticA 5. /''^^^ the power of the keyes^ and to execute Ecckfta^ prnot to qualifie, but to exalt it above all moderation. The ufe thereof being fully cxplaned by Expo- fitors of their owne ftraine, to import no leflbi than to trample under feet thefacred Crownes of Kings, the power of Parliaments, the leats of Ju- ftice,the ufe of Magiftrates^the efficacie of La wes, and make themlelves Chancellours over our lives and convcrfations, our wives, our children, our fervants, our private families, and our cftates: That any hands (houldhelpto hoyfe up unlimi- ted, unbounded Tyranny , I have nothing \dt me but acclamation, Q fortnnati nimiumbona fi fua KjA Survey of Prefbytery. fudnorint^ and (hall condnde with that faying, ^os lupjter vult perdere^ hosprius dcMentat, Yet (hall I freely difplayforae of thofepofiti- ons, which divers that pretend reformation lelFe blulhtopublifh, than I to recite, as part of their new Chriftian dedrrine^ which how coii(in:ent with the M onarchi que Government of this S tate, how far inclinable to an Anarchy, and whether fubverfive of the Lawes , or deftruftive to the Subjeds libertie, I (hall not take upon mec to de- termine 5 but perhaps the confidcration may pleafe fome others, though I profelTe I only write toplea(emy felfe^ Liberareanimam, Yet I hope no man will be (bfardifpleafed with mee, as to apply what I colled from fome, as meant by all that pretend a Presby teriall Government. I have charltie tothinkc many men that way enclined, have good intentions, and de(ire reformation out of a pure heart: But I am confident, the more they acquaint themfelves with (uch pofitions as thefe, thclefle they will like the difcipline. SEC T. 9, Spifcopacie moji agreeable witb a Monarchiel HEre, asinall diflraded States, may well be applyed the poets exclamation 5 Tantum B^eligio potmt fnadere malomm ? Not that Religion itfelfe (which is the band of peace) ^ 4 Survey vf?tQshyitvk. peice) is cau(e of evils, but that it is made the utti- ail cloake of all feditious difturbances either in Church or S rate. All the (hafts of malice, every clamour, oblo- quy, (hot at the order, dodrine, and perlbns of the Bifhops, how ever feathered with the pretext of pietie, yet ftill light all in one center, and may appeare to be levelled all at one mark. The ponder of the keyes is the burthen of all their ', fongs, in which confifting the Eccleliafti que Di(^ A?Uhe'fearfuUeiilsof cipliue, uot Doftrine of the Church, it becomes f^ii and iudgement from jathcr a queftioH in Policie than in Divinitie,. of chSingdomr' whether it (hould reft in the hands of a few intru- fled by the Church, or to be tranfmitted to the hands of a multitude, or (as our Preacher would ^ Poiitions annexed have it) (^J to every particular membtr of the w the petition, lo Church. And where it is cleare in point of Divinitie, where the Scripture hath not expreHely (ec the rule, as in this particular it is left doubtful], fuch Separatifts interpreting that place of LMatthewy t Matth.i8.i7. G) Goetell the Churchy tobee the whole Congrc- sionspiea, 185* gatioHj whereas others conceive it clearcly re- jTitus 2. 1^^ ftrained to fuch as are (ec in aathoritie by the In hii rebm de fuhm m- Chutch, out 6f that ofTttufy who being cutru- u certi ftatuit divind ftedbySaiut F4«/ in the Churches of Crete; hee %%7maZori^^r'o direfts him ta rebuke with aU authoritic: And lege tenendafunt, <^ fi- more particularly, A man that is an heretique^ after eut P'^,'^^''''ZIL^!Z' '^^ firfi ^nd fecond admonition , rejea. In this Tiiirtmlezum^tta content" J J J , ^ "> J ^ """ ptoresEcciefiafiiearU con- cafe, we mu(r cxamme the ancient,continucd pra- ^fuetudmi coercendifmt, Q;\qq g^d opinious of former times and Writers; o^ Survey <>/Presbyt€rie. And fuch contemners oR the cuftomes of the Church (fayes Saint -^//y?/«mre to be compelled. , But truly this was fo little queftioned in anti- quitie, that it (eemes it was never doubted by C4/z;f» himfelfej fayes he, I never thought it nfe- <^'?''w'>. Epifiol.^d ca*,. fnU, tocommt the pomr of excommnnicathn to ^Zllil^^Z^' everie Paiiour^ for it is an odious things and not to commuffieunJi permitti he approved, but would foone flip into tyranny, and ^^^''^f'^Pffioribta. Nam the Apojtleslep another cujtomc, emplumprobubile, erfA- And indeed, what tyranny were not to be loo- ^'« ''- Tyramidem lap- ked for from fuch afpirers, if they were once in- %\ ZAtdermu"" ''^'' vefted in powenr who cannot finothef their am- bition till they get into pofleffion what is the pride of the Prelates ^ f who admit the King the (upreme head of the Church under ChriO, receive - their defignation from him, hold the inferiour hath not power over the fuperiour ) compared with thefe fpirits> who tell u?, That Princes (m) muft ke fubie^ unto the Churchy andfubmit *" ^. c. Reply, p. 144, j T It I 1 I Hofers Preface their Scepter Sy and throw downe their Crownes be- Huic difc.pUr, 14.21. a Daniel 2. 3 7* 7 I Samuel »8. 1 7. f iKingsn^ii* L^ ^/fr?;^)'// Presbytery. ('«) Thoufljdt fet him King over thet^ lephom the Lvrd thy God (hill chrtfe.- And in that hee fayes, (0) I have fet up Saul to he King, And of David^ he (ayes, (^) / have provided me a King, And of Salomon (ayes the prophet, (q) God made him King over all ifrael. Nor does he difpole Crownes at the dire6^ion, or by the advice of others, (r) for the moft high rukth in the Kingdome of men ^ and giveth it to whonfoever he wili But i t Ihould appeare he chal- lenges to himlelfe the fole proprierie of this King- making Jurifdidion, in that he rebukes the Ifraeiitcs, faying 5 They havefetHpaKing^ but not bymee, (f) They, have made them Princes^ and t "knew it not. And as ininftitution, fb in fucccflion will hee be the fole difpoferof Monarchies; (t) twill raife up thy feed after thee^ and efiahlifi his Kingdome. Nor were his intentions ftiretoletthisbe atitii* lar (hadov/oaely without potv^, when wee are told, (u) The tfrath of a King n (fs mtffengtri of death. And we are commanded to (i»)fearethe Lord and the King, {x) Thou^ Kingy (&yes the prophet Daniel) art a King of Kings : for the God ofheaveH: hath given thee a kingdome^ power, and jirengthy andglorie. And as the oonation of this power is folely ht5, fo will he have the revocation too. To Saul dyes the prophet, (y) The Lord hath rent thy kingdome from thine hand^ and given it to thyfervant I>avid, And to Sdomon^{z)l tfiillfitrely rend the \ingdome from from thee, and mil give it to thjifervantl (a) Hee a Daniel s , ^i; removetb Kings ^andfittethnp Kings ^dyt^DanieU N or doth he (eeme to fub jedt them to the que- - ftionof inferiours, (ayes Salomon^ Qf) Where the h icdefiaftes 8,4, ipordofa Kingis^ there is power ^ and who mt^jay unto hinty Vi hat doeji thou f (c) Is it fit to fay toa c lob j 4, 1 8, King (fayes Job) thou art mcked^ much lefle to ex- pofe them to violence : But his pTCCcpt^id)Touch d i chron; 16. n, not mine anoyntedy puts a guard upon their facred perfons, which to violate, though in our owne defences is a breach of his command. Though Saul perfecured JO avid for his deftru- ftion, yetiayes he to Abijhai^ (e) Dejiroy him not ^ e t Samuel tC. f^ for who canjir etch forth his hand againji the Lords anofntedi and he guiltlejje ? And left theft precepts might feeme disconti- nued fpith the Law, they are renewed in theGo- fpel; Q^ Submit y our f elves to the King^asfupreme* f « ^^^^^ *• ^i-' An'd as if bare obedience were not enough with- out due reverence, wee arc againe commanded (g) to fear e God^ and honour the King. i ^ ^^'^ *• ' 7i But was this honour due to them onely from the Laitie i \^aron the high prieft called LMofes the chiefe prince, Lord ^ (fi) And Aaron faidy Let h Exodus 3 2. n,] not the anger of my Lord wax hot. Or was the power of Kings (ubordinatc or fupcriourto the Church t We read that Jehofa- phat KingofludzhappoyntedludgeSy Lcvites^and i ^ QUton* i>. f. 8, friefts.t^i) And was this power continued in the Royal! Race of Kings, fincc the comming of Ghrift i or F 2 extinguiflied A Survey ofPtcsbytcriQ . excingaiQiedby the greater lip;ht ofhispre(encef We findChrift himfelf rendring Tribute to Ct(i mivorem j Hoe Or is this right lolely annext to the Imperiall eir//)/er voler, fie enim Xhtone if Hce agaiae tells us in the senerall, cmnibus my or eft, mm . i.-.; x r^ 1 r 1 ' folo vcro T>eo mimr efi. Kings are Onely in the power of God, from whom m TertuUi(in,ad scap. fjjey are fccondy after mhomfirfi , before and above all other s.Cm) ^ Are we onely to be fubjeft while they rule o« ver us after our owne deli res ^ and quit fro^m our n ^)dcrgo turhami' /^Hggeance under pcrlccutiori? St. ^;»^r^Precei- dcferam, coaSiw repui- vmg Imperiall Command todelivertip the Chur- 7iare non mvK doterepo' ches, fayes, Jf J bee compelled, I way not oppofe : ^:;^rXcfcCX /«"»/ grieve. I may mepe, 1 mayfigh : Againfi iites,Gotho$ quoquc^La- ArmeSf Sonldiers, the Goths alfiy myTearesare my chtyme mce amcip'm. n>eapons . fuch are the guards oj a- Brie fi^lfuither^ Taia emm Amhrofim '^ "^ / ^ ; * 1^1 \j / \ CoytcioyiciMTu^ux- can^nor ought to make Other defence,{n) : vy tymum. Butperhaps fuch piffive piety was nrore requi^ (ite in thoie dayes , when Gods defigne was to convert the world by fufFeringj nor by fQbduing 5 ^ r when the" feeds of Religion miift bee water'd mcfiEcdeJix, With theblood of Mittyrs,, f 4/ .that! nowin thele u4 Survey of Ptcd^ytQne. thefe purer limes of Reformation Yet wefeec^?/- o caivhui>}ftitut,L^. t;;wadvifesu3 nortofigVitforri^hteoufhefre^but l-.*f:^*"^'^V •/ tolurrcrrorrighteouinelie: (firftofanrcr.e^bcro.rilns,mchnod.Mt'f^:^;f,ZZr^^^^^ are corre&ed by Godwithfcourges ; this rvill bridle dub'u ■Domini fligel^ enr iMpatiencewithhutMility : Then let ns enter' {^^ caftiiantur. ^nde 1 . , r 1 ■ 11 hunalitai impatitntiam tamethu thought , that *ttf not our part to heale nu[lram fr^Kavit i fuc- fuch dijiewpersjhat this k our onely remedy. to ap-^ (unat delude hac co^ita- pealetoG,dsaJfift.,»ce,i»r.hofehandarethehearnp:2'^^^^^^^ ofKings^andthewcUnationsofKingdomcs, And tantumcjfcreliquuvj, ut in another place he tells us, (b) the Prophet /e- '^ommopmimiorcmm, remtahc\t2iX\yXQ[O\vtSim%q\XZ[\\0n,(p)Ihavegt' tg^da ©- regfiorum in. -ven all thefe lands into the hands c^/Nebuchad- dinatioties. ntzzn th^Khrg of Bakylon. AncUt Jl.aU co«,e to ^lln/t'^lt faffe that ik^Nation and KingdomewhichwiU not buis apud -^crmlam lo- ferve the fame Nebuchadnezzar the Kinc ^f Baby- "^"^i ^"c« tametfiprilixi- 1 I "l ; X ^- ;/ . ^ ^ r • / "7 "1 / / orem, iico von pigcbit re- iOU^ana that will not put their neck^unckrikeyok^ fern , quia totam banc 'fifthe K>. of Bibylon^i hat Nation wiil Ipitnifi faith quceftioncm danjfim) dc. x\^l^m^;wiPhthefvi>ord.andwiththef.wj:m\an^ f"'5* ^- . , ^ • •7 1. -n-t ^ ■;/,/ rill i P Icrcmiah 27. 6, ix>ith thepejtrlence^ untiU I have conjumed the land, 8^ Therefore hearken not jee unto your Vrophets^nor to your Diviner s^and which fpeak unto you faying^) a ^' fiall n ot ferve the King of Edbylon* ifpake alfo- to 12. Zedechiah King oflud^h^ according to all thefe 7i>ord-sfiy-mg,'bHn^ your necJi-i under they * ridemus qumd ohc K.ofdab) \6n ferve hint andhk peopk and live^Wly dkvtid Dommts tcmm willy ou dye thou and th) people by ihefword, fefli- '!Z !o\l7oZtrit'!^ilTa^ lence and famine ,- ■ as ' the Lord hath jpok,en ag ainft lia, ratiove rifi quia reg^ the Nation that will not ferve the King oj Babylon: S^^J' 'J'^'^\^^^^^ Upon which placefaiesc:.»/t;/«*3 we fvewhkrbbe- AnX]/"^' ^^^.^ ^^' F 3 dicnce A Survey of Presbytery^ dience the Lord will have given to this wicked and fierce Tyrant 5 for no other realon but be^ caufehe was a King. With who(e counfeil his fuc- 'f Bexd FpiJI. t^^^dp' ct^or Beza"^ well agrees. lUud folk pncihus & refrri.hcLjn AvgUa fu- patientiafdftari poteji, TheTriade agawfi this ve- ''f^- name k Prayer ^ not Vengeance, IVe muji be fuhje^ (I Rom. 13. 5. for Confcience fake* iq) Hence it is deduc'd and incorporated into an Article of our Religion, r Articles?- (r) That the Kings Majejiie hath the chiefe Co- vernt»ent of all ejiates Ecclejiafii call and Civilly in all caufes within hk Dominions^ Which is not the fole pofition of our Church : But with this agree f Helvetian Art. 16, all the Reformed Churches ; (f) And more Ba^H, ^rt.j, particularly the French Church, whofe Article of Bohem. Art. t^i " f. f • • ^ v n t 1 # Bei^, Art. 36. Rehgion IS, ( t) Wee muff not oneiy endure and ^ugufi. ^rt. \6, fuffer Superior/ to Governs^ but alfo wee ntuji ho' /^^Moulins Buckler of ^^^^ and obey them with all reverence folding them Faith. Art, ^o^fo^ 53 j. forGods Lieutenants and Officers ^whom he hath ap- poyntedto exercife a Law full and an H oly charge: we mufi obey their Lawes and Statutes, pay a/l Trh butes andlmpofis^bear theyoke ofSubje^ion with a good andfree will^although they be Infidels ,T here* fore we detefi thofe that would rejeB Superiorities andefiablifijcomntunityofgeods I and overthronf allcourfeofjujiice* \ But yet perhaps the policy of States have found this Supreame power prejudiciall to the good of Common- wealths 5 and the Lawes of God muft ^Hi^r. tuiofm. syn* giveway to the Lawes of Nations, fince Salui tag.juTum, /. 47. ca, 17. populi Suprema Lex : But experience tells, us , the ^' * • K omanr were quickly, wearie of their change ofGo- * vernment vtrnmentfromaKing to a ^nate^ and in nine y tares reduct it to a Dilator , finding by experi- . '' ence , that commands depending upon divers * voteSjbegetdiftrad^ionand Ruine. AndHiftorieinformesus, that the 5/><7r^rf;f Srate, wherein, The Kmg, theNobilitie, and the people had their juft proportions of power, adminiftration of lufticCjand obedience, fubfifted above eight hundred yeares in a happy and flou- rifliing Condition s whereas Athens being a po- pular State, (carceftood out an age. The neareft degree of government to a Monarchyj being ever longeft lived, and raoft glorious, moft ftfc for the people, as was feen in Rome j when the Com- mons to fupprefle the power of the Nobili tie in theConfulls, aeated the Tribunes of the people; who fharing in government, would (hare in ho- nours, and fortunes too, which occaffoned the Agrariin Law: That no Citizen (hould have a- ntmiivhn, bove five hundred Acres of Land: and that the people fbould (hare equally in all Conquefls : % This bred the quarrell of Sylla and Marius, con- tinued in errand Tompey^ andende^ in the ru- ineof Kome, Fromthefeobfervations, T^d/^/drawes this conclufion, VwusImperHcorpts^nnTmanimore- Tacitus Atrnth. i. gendfffn tfidetnr. It if netejfarie the body of one Empire fionld bee governed by one heady which muftnot bee barelya Titular head, aftiado#of power without the weight of it : forLawes well made availe Rttle , unlefle they be entrufted to a hand hand thar hath power to exadt execution of them. Nor doe I obftrvc that the (e principles of Di- vinity or Policie doe ellentially differ, but ratjier feemstobeeihe iame with the fundamencalls of the Lawes of thi$ Kiugdome. ForikyesBra^^n the learned Hifiorian in the Genealogie of our Lawes. ( « ) To thk end was a l(ing created and u \cl^'adh'oc crclm eft chofen^tkat he might 4oe Jujiice to all mmybecaufe (s'eUam, ut jufiimm jj' fjjcne wcre not One to admintfter Jujiice^ peace •^^'''^^^""''*'fS%?.!?fi* would foone be rootedout.andit were vaine to enaU unt pax dc faciU pojit Lawesy or talkie oj iHjtjcCj ij there were not one. to^ cxfm«jwi,^^^J"P^^^^^ defendthe Lawes. deTc^er \u%tum y'^ntft Who muft be one not fubordinate to inferiour ept ([uikgcs tucrerifr. powers, but fayes hee i Hee ought to excellalf his //Sr'P&f/, r«bjU1s inpswcr: And hee muji have no equall, parent autcrn habere non muchleJfeafMperioHr^ chiefely in adminijiring 1H' debet, vcc multo fotm a-^^ . xhatjtmay truely bee faidofhim ^ Great is fitm exhibend(i,ut dica^ our Lord {our Kmg) great fs his vertue, , tur vere dt eo , magnus ^nd hcnce is it, that fuch Princely jurifdidion, JirmTif ""^'"'^"* Superiorities,' and authority over Ecclefiafticali C.iufes and perfons, is annexed to the I mperi- X- I E/it. I. ^1^ Crown for ever by our Statute Lawcsj ^ And « Oatho£Suprcmacie. thatiu the'oach ofSupremacie (».) wenotonc- J Eiix, i« ly acknowledge chf King ro bee ihcfupreawe Go- - vernour in all Ecckfia/iicail things or Ca^fes , but are fworne. That to our power wejhall ajfiji and de- fend all lurifdiB ions yPriviledges^ Prehewinencesj and Authorities Hnited andannexed to the Ifftpe- rJal.lCrown^\ .'tV; , s-^i'-iv;. -^^i^-i-f si' ' j-r- ln this f^^/^ Ke^irf, this Gradation ofEloyall ^ Monarchy, KjiSuTvtp o/Presbytery.. Monarcby^ we can finde nothing incongruous to the faith or liberty of a trae Proteftant. But wee . » '' fee our (elves bound by Oath to acknowledge and fupport that Regall Government our Sra- tures have eftabiifh*d,our Lawes approved : Hi- ftorie reprelents moft happy, policy recommends as (afeft , to which all proteftant Churches con- feflc due allegeance: All Primitive times yielded full obedience,To whole Throne Chrift himfelfe yields Tribute , To whole power he commands fubmiffion and reverence j To whole jurildidi- on iscomrairted the defignation of Biftiops and Judges, whofe perfons God will have (acred, whole Actions unqueftionable , whole luccellion he himfelfe determines, whofe Kingdomes hee dilpofesjand whole Eledion is the All-Makers Ible prerogative. Now whether thele Crownes and Scepters (hall be held Jure Divino ornot, I take not on me to determine : butlmay be bold to deliver * Mouiins Buckler; of DU'M0ulJftt owne words, ( x^ Whofoever huil- ^^'"^'f'^* ^^'^' deth the authority of Kings upon mem in/iitutio/t/, and not upon the Ordinance of God ^ cutteth off three parts of their authorities and bereaveth them of that which affureth their Lives and their Crowns more than the guards of their bodies^ orpuif- fant Armie^ which put t err our into fubje&s hearts^ infiead of framing them to obedience: Then thefi. delityoffubje&swillbefirmeandfure^vphenitfljall , „ . be incorporated into piety ^ andejieemedto be apart " '"' of Religion^ and of the Jervice which men owe to God. G SECT. A ^«rz»eyi>/Prcsbyterl€, i tpfhf^ 4i SECT. 10. Prethjterie inconJijicKi ivith Monarchy; i ]N the government cf the Stare as now ifc (lands, there being then (b much Harmonic^ ( though it may (bme times bee cut of Tune ) Let us examine this new found Difciplinc, how confiftentwithaPr(l part the greateft flanderer proves the greateft Hypocrite. If the Intention were Hnitie ^ the way to pre- fervcit, is by meeknelTe <7f /p/r/if in the hand of peace: butt hole that expedl: any from fome of thefe Difciplinarians delude themfelvesj If wee may J Sftrvey of Pr esby x^U; may believe tt'cir uwue writings ( hcwc\*t*r wee may hope RefL-fuiationmighc qualitie chcrn j wc , ^ =" Ihaii hmic chey haV?: tK> ({xdx dcligiie. Some tdlus ijialniythe %i/vopa|{ tlovc^rn- Arir;....toiond, ««,>{. merit mall; noe be m(}ciert4i€U; nor rejerved^l^ut ps- en. yV u , fmtly m(iv0boily iak^n away. The Bifljops wW? i.^i!"' ?''''^''*'y ^r««« £/c mierly extirputedyno le.jjg thnrt the homupjs reo- ons arc^ hkc to be the a- ted €ftf t hi very name 0Ji Tarquiri?,/j? fhetjranny ^o^'^nnent or all Na- they b^d exerafed, A Wiudio fann^ or cieanfe nnil syonl pka, fd ^, ,50 notjlrvt: the tHrne ., hut it wuji bee afull mightie Chnft on his Throne. wind^ to root upland carry arvay the vcryjoundciii' V '^'^° en oj their being, Ic is lioc lopfiftgj, nor frunin!^^ Syo'ns -^lea. 196'. norjjjavirtg.norparingthenailtj ofthisiviil that Syoas plea. i8j. will fer vet urn c^ nnUjJeyee plnck^up thefejiumps vf Dagon by the vny roots^tbeir naylet will grow ran' kfir than ever they did. Except / hifjl range pre be removed^ the Lerdf^infi make the confumingfire of his wrath breaks out upon us, if it live^the Com' i ^7. mon-wealth muji dyc» Nay, feme of them got (b farre, astoprofefle. The Church Mif^'fisrie and vpprfiip in Er\^zv\6^4re all x^ntichrifiian^^ from * g. Propofitions prin- which all Gods people are in dniie and confcunce '<^^ I>v an unLnowne hound to feparate themfelves ',b; thefe obloquies J ee^ Protii- agai^.ft the H,e. jfe>^( as they confefle^ tojl/rre up a holy hatred ra.chy, as n AnticLd- ^therrelateSy '^eventodajh their Brains againjt ^-^ ^'^^.^^^^J* ithejioner. By fach clamogrs chefifning in the (hop:., Z6 '^^^ *° ^** vuigar a difcontented Humour (which is the * Syons plea, 150. common fource of Schifnie and Herefie ) there- ^ ^P'^^-^*° ''^'' ^"^«' by the bet fer tobroach their new in verued Di(^ ciplinej built upon no other ^rf//,ba£ the peoples diflike of Poperie : as If the oudy rule to draw oD G 2 out A Survey 0/ Presbytery, out the line of our Religion by^ were to rake the dircft oppolite in all things to that of the Church *^ That Hciigion moft oi Rome ^ * wheu we know that fuch as travel! pure which hath Uaft abfolutely Eaft and Weft from one another, if Chtftt'K?o,«T;; they live to it.lhall meet in the famelinethey parted, whereas parallells continued to any ex-l tent doe never inrerfare. The firft quarrels of the greateft breaches in the Chnrch have for the moft part bin in points of dif.' cipline: And for all the noife, fbme of the(e men make of diflentionSc enmity in rices and ceremo- nies, which are but fbadows 5 we (hall find chat in the moft eflentiall parts of Di (cipline, which con- cerne the fway of Church and State, the /ubjef Prcsbyterie. God (ayes, Thou pott make him King whom I fhallchufe^ ana this rale we admit for Law. Some . " '- that pretend to be presbyteriahs,teIlus,(:c)iCjW/, * cm/^hb^de ohedh Prmces, ana Governours have thctr autbortUe ef Popuiojui tfi utimperium the people^ and upon occafion they may take it away tut lelit defer at, againe, as men may revoke their Proxies and Let^ ^^^^^^'^ ^' '"'" ^'^""'^ ters of Atturney, The Jefuices come not much m reinu bomimmpote' (hortof this, for (ay they, Inthekingdomeofmen fi^ '"f.?« ^fi / Preshyterie. inward motion may kill a Tjtdnt* In this the Je* fdite h too flow paced coo, hee thinks fie to give ^ Tyrannic^ guhttnMs, him a publike triail firft; (as; Marry finttncs gi^ jujie acquifito 'Domino ^^^^ f^gff any man may hi ths executioner^ fl^l'tit'et'- suanz is more moderate, (a) tf, Cmh hee, »ft Kud sa. Fop£ depofeth a King^ hee mfif notis driven avi^ny^ a siP^piRumdepo. ^^^^ji/^^ it^t by thifi to whomthe Pif^e (Jjoll Give rit expcUi» vdintcrfci, order tO doe it ^ quibusipfcideommferit, j^g Apoftle bids US, (h) Submit to the King T/emXM'''' ^f^^preme, and to this the proteftanc fwearesal* h iPecers.ig. legCanCC. c T. c. lib.ipdg^i. They fiy, (c) The efidlifliing of the Presbyterie is the juU placing of C') rift in his kjngdome 5 that K ings and Princes mttft befubjeB tofome parocbiall d ChrfiuiEickfimre- Presbyter: with whom concurs Bellarmine, (d) gendmPetro ^ Ep'fco chrift (fayes hcc) committed his Church to bee go- pu, comm^fitrov Tihm ^grnedby Peter and his BiJJjops.not by Tiberius and de Lmisy cap.7, his officers. And in the Annotations on the Rhe- Annot, on 1 Pct.2.15 • niifli Tcftament, Kings and Princes muft befubje^ untofome Bifljop. Ch rift commands us obedience, to pay tribute to C^far : The ancient Fathers direft us to beare* with prayer and patience the perfecutions of bad Princes: Nay, the very Heathens found huma^ nitie (where Divinitiewas wanting) toqualifie TadtmAnmls^ii, this Barbarifitie: Tacitus advifes, To heare with the rio^s and covctoufnejfe of Kings^ as with bar- renneffc and other infirmities of nature i for whiles there are men there will bee vicesy but they cannot continue long^ and will he recompenced when better come. And he leaves us this his golden /entenee^ Men A SuYvty of Presby ter i e. Me« Are to reverence things pafl^ and C^mit id ^ ifhat isprefent^andjhouldvpipjforgoodprincesihut whatfoever they are^ endure them. !.. \ But fomeof thefe pious Presbyterians willnei- ther be guided by precept nor prefident. They hold it H9t enough jorfubje&s not to ohey^ hut they ntnH withfiandwicked Trinces^ (e) The) nnufi take ^ Goodmdti, p3g 45, nf armes againji them, (f) They vtay kjll them ^ /^ EngUnds complaint iHonfters and cruell beafis (g) : And if neither the againft the Canons. Ma^ifirates nor the people doe their office, in depo- i ^oodmav^g^. fing or k^Utng of them, then the Mmijter Muji cx- commnnicate fuch a King^ (h)and any Oifwifier obIdi*n"'foT n6^^* J9fay doe it againji the great eji prince* ^ goodman, Ic)^' ^\ Nay, if he be a juft and gracious Prince towards J".^.P;iBucklcr,fo.547. obedient to him. And the Jefuite tejs us, that (k) An excommunicate perfon can exercife no aU k "Collet ih.i.deJvfii- of)Hrifdi&ion. And then iayes Toilet, (I) Wee doe \''''rTncT7h^''1'dc ;«1 net hold them for homicides ^ who being tranfpor ted jirua.saccrdotali, c.$8^ VPith zeale of the holy church againji the excommu- Vrbanmfccundua. nicate^Jhall chance to kjll one of them. Here kt the JoyaU heart^AProteftant ftand at .gazea while, and confider what efFeds the power of K^ Surveji of Prefbytery, of thekeycs being thus diftributedjmay produce, when his King , his Soveraigne 3 ro whom hee owes religious dutie, legall obedience , and to whom he is (perhaps) bound by oath, fliall by the breath of every Schifinatike pa (lour of a pariftx beblowne into helJ, and he muft then abandon all reliefe or communication with him, to whom he is bound by allegeance. To the poyfon of (uch devillilh doftrinsjef the cares of all good Chriftians bedeafej from the infedion God turne their hearts j and with the Pfalmift let al true proreftants pray to the King of Pfalmc 6 1. 6. Kings, That bee will prolong the Kings life and his Pfalme 21.7. J e ares as many generations. For the King trufteth in the Lord, and that through the mercii of the Mofi Verfc 8, High he may not be moved. But that his hand may find out all his enemiestand his right hand fhofe that hate him, SECT. II. rresbyterieineonfiflent vpithcivitl Magifiracie. BVt may bee thefe King* Gurbers will bee themfelves conformable to the Civill Magi- ftratCj and to keep the power of Kings with' Jna tether is no hurt. Though the light of Na- *ture encline all creatures, the experience of all Nations inftrud all people to fceke a head to that bcdy, A Survey of Preshytcne. body, in which th^ycontradfc thcmfelvesby con- ferring power CO that head , to conserve thofe rules of government or order they prefcribe for their more (ecuricie, as well as Lawes ro regulate the exorbitancies of unbounded Nature, which femper mtitur in vitium: Ycc all power that growes too great, growesfufpcft and dangerous. And this perhaps may be doubted cafily to dege- nerate from fecuritie into Tyranny: A nd there- Tore one preicribes us a remedy, and tels us, {m) m f{'Jov,Hift.pag.j43; That God fhtth afpointed the Nohilit^eto bridle the inordinate appetites of princes, and info doing they cannot he accnfed as refijiers of authoritie. And fome of thern teJl thcfe great officers, whence this <^oodmn, pag.j 4.' Ibperintendcnt power is derived to them : iFher- b/Cfayesoneof them) came this divifton of perfo^ lib, de obedient. p,ii 4: nages^ feeing all men came of one man and one wo~ man ? was it for their Ikjiie havpking^ hunting^ di- ^ngi carding^ dancing^fwearing^ fleering^ flatten ring, for their cruell polling and pilling f No^ there 'm^asnofnch thing, they have their honour of the ^^^'^^ohdievt.p.iojl ,yeople^ to revenge the injuries of their Governours. And though fuch advance this power in the 'N obilitie, above the thrones of princes, yet they think fit to put them in mind,they have a fuperi- our power above them too, by charging the No* ^naxffig.vfu bilitie u^on paine of excommunication to joynt with them ; where they fee caule to tefift their prince. But theft degrees of gf^vernment in Kings or Nobles,-areheld perchance but the ill effedts of H too . K^ Survey of Prcshytay, TOO much power, encroachmenrsnpon the liber" ties of free- borne men j therefore they who hav^ .^ this power of the keyef^ Jure divino^ ought not • to bee fubordinate to any power that ifpf. hu- man inftiturion. Yet knowing that God who is the God of oxr der, and not of confufion, hath ever appointed Magiftrates to rule the peoplCjlhewing the incon- venience of want of government in the men of ludgcs 18.7. Liiijh^ who (fayes the Prophet) dweh cardejfe after the winner of the Zidonians^ where there was nft M<]gifirate in the land that might pHt them tejhame in any thing: who became a prey to the Tribe of Dan. And the A poftles precept being, peremp?- Titusj. li torie. To obey Magiftrates: They will, perhap^ give due obedience to the CivillMagiftrate. M$r n Peccatum eft mortde Un&hon tels US, (n^ It k a mortall fin to violate 'uiokrc cdiSia magiftra- the cdi^f of the Mdgiftrate, . - ^ .^ Torn^ol'.'^^' *' ' ^ ' '"^ But fome of thefe Difciplinarians pofitions ^e^ Goodmar:,pigi90,. ^^^^ (o)SnbjeBs doe promtfe obedience , that tj3^ MtLgiftrate might help them^ which if bee doe noty 2-} ff)eaking of the power of the Lay ^ Travers. pag i^z, ■ .Elders f^ycs^ It kjuft that Kings and Ma^ifir ate s MuB obey thehi^ ' Neither is this Government changeable by the will or power of the Magiftrate, but'cis held, J Martin juvhr;" that ofnecejfity (x) all Chrijiian Magiflrates are ^baund for to receive this government : Which layes Snecanus : Ifany Magiftrate hinder^ let him he freely admonified of his duty i Jfhe doe not i hen fubmit^ let him be more exaHly infhru&ed that hee mayferve-God in feare. (y ) Marry if thu way > ^mroft.foi 134.- there happen no good fuccejfe, then let the Minijhers of the church execute their office JwithoHtlingrinz , . dnajiaytngfo long for a Parhament. s,r,{}. juru. self. 6. Which compulnve power in the Church Ecciefia mn foium prt^ holds me thinks fome analogy with that of the 7f'^^l:!':^'^''"7' leluitcs ( 4 ; whole opmion is , The church not tuguhrvtime: onety A Survey of Prtihy tend. .&ttet/ prefcrihes and direct s^ but re fir aims anddif^ V f>ones4?jivertueof herGul?er'nat:vepoi»er*'Whkh ppfidons are a language unknown amongft Fro- teftahrs, 'r;,;; & P(jfeV?d5 ^ccleft^ fti^ • MJUft^hotf tels us,(^)TAe Church hath her owne ummindatumhabet, ^ Kuks^andintrudesttot into another s office, difpXH iion wumpat in aiUvu n^ ^^ Qrovpnes^ abrogates not the tawesofMd^- regr.fi mtirdl, Hon abro- jtrates^ exttnguipes not UvpjuUobadtenceJtops not get iegcs Magi^ratuum, judgement in CiviU caufes X nor prefcrihes Lawes ''^ontoH^tUiltimniobe--' .n ■ -^ •^, . i dientHm, mn im^dut ^^ magijtrates. ^, ^ - ^ ^ _ ludicia de uliiscivpbus BUc cheie will denve US another authontife a- \rdinationibui mt con- ^^i^.^ ttie Masjiftt'ate;' iTHey t^ll Ul {a) Chrift hath /e££'f magifirahi'us'^e^tranjlatea the lewes Sanedrim tnto bis Church, forma Rcipubiic£,^c, That' there isnbreafbn but the fame Authoritie Augufian. confcfm-a. ^y Smagoge hid under the Lawfiould continue in a counterp. p. n. the Church under the GofpelL (b) That under the b Bexa pr^fat.ad libr, h^vJ Judgements betveene blond and Moud^ Bt' s^n'goi^fuhiegel^^^^^ (^ 'did belong to the Triefis., c T. c. L t. p, .7. ■ ' and that it >yas death for any man to reft in his Bsia deexcom. 104. determination. To deduce tbis judieiall power tQ thenlfelves , they tell us. Clfijf as a Khtg ( npt is a ^rieft Or Prophet) prefcribed the form ofEt- d ceirtwr, /. z p: 140. " cte§ap'i(;dI!government.Qi) Ahdth^tr'Wr/'e in- cmies quoqueiites an- vcftedin^Chrifts ThronejClaiming judiciallpow- tequam Chu/iiani cjfevt er immediately jFrcm Chrift. whereby as is /et ta-DominacomJoncbm' lomxwiht, Geneva {g) Difciphne , ClVtU coH- '«>■• tentions were compoundedby the Elderfhips before there A. Survey of Vresbytene, there were any Chrijiian Magijirafes* But how have they now igffc that jndiciall power ?-Na, hyhCarttPrr^ht^ (h) the fa:»te-Authoritie which h Carmrif^ht.Ui'p.i? h the church had hefore there rP!fS a chrijiian Magi^ jlrate^dothfiiUcantitrne. And another would be glad to learn how thif authority vpos tr inflated jrom the Church unto the Civill Magifitate (i^ For faies Traveri^ Hea- « l^ircourftof DifcipU ih:n Princes being beconte Chrifiianf ^ doe receive ^'^^ '*^* no further increafe of their authority than they had n^hen they were Pagans, If fo , certainly in their efteeme all Civill Magiftracieis burameere ufurpation upon the Tribunall of Chrift the El- derthip. '" /^vt.-vcl :/)7.:::^ic >. -"In : . , Treihiiterie aeainfi Lawes, "D LIrKingSjNobleSjMagiftrateSjare all men fub- -*^ jett to fins and infirmities , and no reafon the ^bliodfiiouldlcad then) who have the light of chrift on his Throne, ^^trudi J being inwardly called and gifced (as they f"^- ^T' (ay ^ for the work of the Minifteriej yet (urely the JLaw i s a perfect guid^to which all men muft give J'ablblute obedience, which is cnjoyned by St.F^w/: ^Submit your f elves to every Ordinance of man^ for i ttu a.«S' ythe fiords fa%e, "This precept was (b prevalent with the ancient Fathers-^ that they conformed to ASurvej/ofPvQihyxev'ie, to the cuftomes and rules oF everie Church p , Ambropiis in Epifi. where they came ScAwhyofeCsiics, (p) " When iiS.Auzujtad:^.«um- f<^ 1 come CO K^;s^ I faft the Sabboch , 2it Mil/ame Cum Romum venio.ieju- ^' I faft not : fo alfo doc chou in what Church fo- »oVfl^ia/'o,<;w»/»OTA/c- soever thou commeft, obferve their Cuftcraes, i!:t:r:r^ji:^ "if thou wilt neither give rcandall to othm, Meciejiaoi veneris ci«f ^"^ nof have Others give cfFcncc rorbee. And ^oremferva^^cmnmm gj.^ ^^j^^^ feemesmuch to be troublcdat the re- iuenquam tibi. fractormeile ot luch ipirics as are not conrorm- q sevficmmf;thewantcf Elder fbip is the caufe of all e- 'b^r. can.ih.x.Epifi, <« vills. That this Difcipline {c) is no f^iall c {dmj.i.p.6.(s'<^^, "part of theGofpell, it is of the fubftance of ir» / «^ That it is the Gofpell of the Kingdone of * K-^o^ ^^^o^^^^^on, " God. (d) That without this Dircipline,there ^d^ufgi/iet^pag. 6S. <«can bee no true Religion, (e) That < hey that e r^c^rt. ub.pag. zzo, "rejeathisDildpiine, refufe to have Chri(t Jf ^^^^af '' '° '^' ^'- ** reigne over them,and denie hirain effed to bee ** their King, or their Lord. And thence c? in- clude, that if any refule to have the Lord lefus fee up as Lord, let him bee (/) x^nathmaUa- f chrift on his throjic: ranatha. M7^r Vpon thefe pillars advancing the Church above theieach of alHiumane power, telling us, that I every A Survey of Presbytery. / Tnthe 8. «nanfwe every vifible ^^ church (g) (which rbey fay is e- Mblc piopcfitions prin- «c ^^^y p^j.jQ^ j jj ^n independant brdie of it felf, £atonsVofitions.not.9. "and harh puwer from Chrift her he.id, who "hath left perfed Lawes for the government ''thereof, which are unalrerable and unchange- '* able, in all times, ages, and places by any the *^fonsofmen« Which poficions ftand poynt blanck againfi: the Articles of our Religion 5 againft the power of our Lawes. By the cwentterh Article we pro- h Roitrs fai ^%, fefle pofitively, "T^) That the Church hath " power to decree Rites or Ceremonies. ^^; j,j By the 37. Article we declare, " That the Kings " Majefty hath chief power in h is Dominions, Sc ^^ that it is a prerogative given to all godly prin- "cesinholy Scriptures by God him felfe, thacisj *'that they (hould rule all Eftatesand Degrees "committed to their charge by God 5 whether *' they beEcclefiafticall or Temporal!, and re- *^ftraine with the Civil! fword the ftubbornc " and evill doers. Hereupon we lay the founda- tion of that Oath of fupremacy ratified by our i statute Anno V. Lawes. And •' fuchfupcriori ty (i) in the vi- £/it« st^.u " fitation of the Ecclefiafcicall ftate^ reformation, " order , and correftion of the fame 5 and of all " manner of errours, herefieSj Schifmes, abufes, *' offences , contempts, and enormities whatfb- ««evcr'5 is by the authority of Parliament, united •'and annexed to the ImperiallCrowne of the "Rcalme. »$ «• ^ And our Laws reftrain the Clcrgie from making any Parliament, 2, to Anfw. to the execut. of luflice. d. 3 p. j<5. A Survey /Presbyterie. No, theymuft have no Lawesto limit them, {r)As gnat indrgmtrek offered unfo lefifs Chrift ^ Ep'^^« before the (ftyes one) in committ,»g hk Church to the go- ""bZ^Z^s?-'- vernment of the Common Law^ as can be by meane hirelings unto a King^ in committing his beloved Spoufe unto the dirc^ion of the Mijireffe of the &tett>es^ and enforcing her to live after the Uwes of ABrotbell'hohfi, SECT. 13. The inordinate violence of the Presbyterians: FR.om thefe principles doe fuch lawlefle Difci- plinarians profecute their defigne with fuch fpirir, that nor King, Nobles 3 Magiftrates, Lawes ^ nor any tWng muft ftand in their way, (/; Aut hoc^ aut nihil^ is their Enfigne. They who f S'ons plca,fol. ^40. hiffder difcipline(C2y they )bring the State at length to an extremely defperate point : None but enemies ^^^-^ ^^' to Chriji^ are enemies to thk governments And as againft enemies they pcceed indeed, (t) Stril^e neither at greH norfmally but at thefts ^ ^'^^^^ P^", fol.24.0. troublers oflfrael,fmitetbatHazaeiin the fifth rih^ yeay if father or mother fiand in the rvay^ away with them^ downe with the colours of the Dragon: adr Fol.200^ f vnnci^ thefiandcirdof Chriji, N ot che while flag of truce, but the red flag of t 3 deftrudtion. A Survey of Presbyrerie. deftrtiQ:ion , whole cmb'en^c was never by any Father (till now; writ in fuch bicudy charaders. » The title page to (u) Thofe mine enemies vchich would not that I before me, ThiSjtill advanced by the nev; Standard- bea- bearer, was never writ in the banner of that Lan:ib of peace j thefe were none of tho(e tro- phies I read of in the glorious throne in theRe- tr Revel.5.(5. ydation. ^\\Qn(w) in the middeft of the throne^ and of the four e Beajir^ and in the middeji of the Elders flood a Lamb as it hadhecneflaine (not like a Vcrfe 8. dertroyer j To whom thefoure Beafis^ andfoure and Vcrfe ^. tvoentie Elders fell downe before the Lamb : And fung a nevpfong^faying^ Thou trt worthy to tal^e the books, and to open thefeales thereof^ for thou waji Jlaine^ and haji redeemed us to G$dby thy blonde , Ic Vcrfe 1 1. was to this Sacrifice, not Sacrificer ; That the ma- ny Angels about the Throne^ and the Beajis and the Elders^ to the number of ten thoufand times ten thoufand^ and thoufands of thoufands cryed with 4 Vcrfe 12. lowdvoyce, IVorthy is the Lamb that wasflaine. Nor were any of that fcarlet liverie in his reti- * Revcl.7.9« v^xxQj (x) For toe a great multitude^ which no man couldnumbery of all nations, andl^inreds, and peo- ple^ and tongues fiood before the Throne^ and before the Lamb cloathed with white robes landpalmes in their hands^ which came out of great tribulation^ ^""^ ^ *♦ and had waped their robes, and made them white in the hloudofthe Lamb, But fuch asthele think their dye is nordeepe enough, ft. Kyi Survey of PrefDytcry. enough, they muH: yerj^ riy5;e //)e Baft like vtinty (y) hlothing but this (fay they; will cure the f leu- y Sion? plea, j^i'. r# >four SUU. By which, what fountaine of 'tXtT^tnU^ bioud they meane, is fitter for the expofition ot a he ihouid be rooted our, Jefiiite, fz,)than the enquiry of a Proteftant. jnsi^oncludehisrace,if Onely the torrent of fuch fpiiits is obfervable f if sawro/Zj/oUsf * °^^* not formidable) who check at no power* t caniw scriban. fr- Well may the all-reaching arme of a Parlia- 'fJ^lZ^f' f"'^f !''/'' ment afiilt, but (chey hold; it cannot itay their non fuem / Presbytery. broms. They will cell us chat in ^gypt we were all fellow Brick- makers : And ic is no novel tie in the ftories of this State, Thatfuch Artificers have levelled the palaces of Nobles, and i'tjaaredouc the dimenlions of the Gentrie and taw-Civers, according to the rule of their reafon. The emptie name of libertic, blowne into vul- gar eares, hath over-turned many States : how much more prevalent and dangerous muftitbee, when enforced as a religious dutie to difobey au- thoritie. We know Saint pW/ precept is, {h)Let everie Joule befubje^ to the higher poroersy they that rejiji receive damnation. And certainly fince his ti me, never any age till now brought forth fuch defpe- ratc Ami- Apoftles fas I may not improperly call them) in abfblute oppofition to the rule of the Apoftle, (i) To conjure men in their pulpits^ as i KatotisVo^Mion,^, they VPill anfwer it at the dreadfitU day ^f judge- ment^ not tofubmit to any autboritie whatfeever. And in defiance and contempt of our Lawes (ftill in force) which exadl the deprivation of everie Eccleliaftique, (k) the confifcation of rhe goods k sut, i t:iii.cdp. tl and chattels, and imprifbnmenr, durin glife of every Laickj that.fhall wilfully deprave the Litur- gieeftabliihed by Law ; in their petition to ftile ir, (l)The Englifi refined Uafe-booke of Common / rreUlders Petition. Trayer, In their pulpits top reach it(;5?/j/»5^(?i>e Notes. prefentat reading of a prayer out of a boo^e by Mi- "* ^^7/^ f^ ^^'""^ nifier or any other. In print to publilh, that it is 3bCdi.\XtQ\y(n)JfftfHl and unlawful to hear any Mini* " ^ Propofitions in prim K Jier preach ^' '" A SuTvty ^/Presbyterie. ptich in the Cknrch of England atidthe Ajfemhlits thereof* And feeing ihefe are feconded by the frequent and publique venting of fcandalous, inventive, and libellous pamphlets , full of feditious do- ftrines, implying anabfolutc abnegation of the * Volume V of Pampk. Kings fuprcmacie , "'' and withdrawing the peo- icts. That the ^^j^""^^!? pie from their due allegeance , exciting them hVv^etKr^offic^s'^nd to difobedicnce. Tomefuchbold violation and Lawcs within her feif, uncontrolled coutempt of Lawes ^fitting the '"''w 'I'°t.'^T' '^^ Law-Makers) appeares formidable: Eccle!jafticall Law, , ^ Vj i. ^ rr- i w hich Sir EdXook fays. Omnia cum hceant, non beet ejje bonunf, whofoever ftiaii denic, J coufider the NoMlitie and Gcntrie of this Kingtfhti'powert ^^^^f "P^rfe of honour) fituatc a, th= Low deliver lufticc in all CouDtnes m aflat, under the banks and bounds caufestoalihisfubieas. of theLawes, lecured from the inundations of that Ocean, theVulgar, which by the breach of thofe bounds would quickly overwhelme us^and deface all diftind^ions of degrees orperfons: and cannot but with admiration obferve, that .y^w/i- y^»-likein their full ftrength (but as blind with inconfiderate zeale, as he by treacherie) any fuch fhould lay hold on thofe pillars of our State^that prop up the regulated Fabrick of this glorious Monarchy 5 and by cracking them, wilfully burie themfelves and us in the rubbifti of that Chaos, w ^^ they fo pull upon their own e heads, feeking to turne our freedome into fetters, by cancelling our ancient Lawes (the Charters of true liberty) and expofing us eternall Apprentices to the Ar- bitrarie J urifdidion of a new Corporation of Apron o^ Survey <:/Presbyterie. Apron Elders, Mechanick Artizansj as if they had forgot the old Rule , H£c natura multUu^ dink eft 5 aut hnmiliUrfervit^ autfuperb} domi' natur. When we know the] principle of the Religion of Ibme of thefe is , That every man Jhould he e- quail for caUingy and that there fiould bee no diffe- ^ skidan. Cm. I. j. rence of Twfom amongfi Chrifiuns. (0) And the Maxime of policy is , that to ereS aparitie, where there are many Gentry ^ they mujl firjl di- p MachHwU. fpatch them out oft he way, (p) SECT. 14. Tresbyteriall DifcipUne brings not libertie to the vulgar : but introduces a meere Ar'' bitrarie Government* Bllt perhaps to all this the common people lend a ready eare ; This ftill tends to the in- larging of their lov*d liberty : *Tis true in- deed , here is a large defigne of libertie : The Presbyters muft,as I have (liewedjhave power o- ver Princes, Nobles, Magiftrates, bee fubordi- nate to no Lawcs , concluded by no Parliament, but bee an independent bodieofthemfelves jand the common people rauft be their fadors for ihi* freedome. And when they have done all, what fhare (hall K2 thefe A Survey $f Presbytery^ thcfedelodcdpeoplehave of this dreame of li- bcrtie i Is it any other than fnch as a poore pri- f-.ner for debt finds when he is releafed from the bonds of the Law by a Turkifti pirate , hee tugs hard at an Oare to wafc his Refcuers from the reach of his juft Creditors ^ but whenbee hath brought them to their wiOied haven,he there lees bimfelfe fevcn fold more flave than he was in pri- fon ^chained to his Gaily without hopes of Ke- demptionjteftjOr pcflibilitie of avoyding ftripes, though all his life befidcs bee but one continued drudgerie. *Tis plaine indeed, we (fcall fet the Tresbyterit free from the government of men , or reach of Lawes, but let us examine if the whole con- ftitutionoftheirDifcipline bee not to us a bon- dage. Their firft Maxime is to place themfelves a- bove the reach of man .* what they deny as i Treafonable challenge in the Bifhops againft the prerogative of Princes , they boldly aflbme to themfelves (to the little Bifhop, abfolure Pope of every pari fh ) that their office is jure Divino, q ^.I'fopofitlonjprin- C^) Evtryvipbk Cburch being aniftdeptndcttt ted I ^41 . body of it felfe^ having power from Chrifther head E^/mPo'.tionj.^.&^ to binde and loofe, to receive in, and c aft out by ti^ Keyet of the Kingdome , whereby neither to their office nor authoritie doth cither King or poten- tate, man or Law , contribute any thing, not (b much as in ordination of particular Miniftersj for orf Survey of Prefbytery. for they tell us, (0 Somrroteftants»r>of,fi- , c>>riPor,hi,A,-o«,. nioHy that Ordirtation cannot be performed hut by a fol. 67. Frelate, or at leafi by Minijicrs onely y vPtthout whofe impofition of hands it were no Ordination^ as is if it did conferre fitch an order. Whereas , lay tbf y, the prime and proper conferring ofthk Order if by Chriji himfelfe , inwardly calling , and gif- . ting a man for the tforkfi^ of the CM'inifterie, And though theEvangeliH: faies in the eighth to the A^J^ (f) That through laying on of the A- f ^^j s. i%; pofiles hands the Holy Ghofiwjs given. And St. Paul cxplaines it fully to be interprered of Electi- on into the MinifteryjCharging r/w^//e> (^)NfglUfol.s. C^) Vaftors wufi he reverently refpeSed, and that piopofltion the y the people bee notfuffercdin any wife to fcandalize lofXv';iffinfM,! t"'. ""^^^^ l"'"'^,'-"' dcpofe thc^ , crjut Diftcr , or mif-namc thew otft whom before the/ have made choyce of, them , he is to bee im- f^yc f^ei r pofition is 5 A man once made a (J^f /- %\vcv4w//, within the precinds of their feverall "'^J^''' '° ^°^''.'° '^^ _, ,' ,«, ^- 1 ^ , with/n the parilh con- PresbyterieSjUpcn that place of S. F^w/, (e) ( Do ccming their honcft be- anyofyouhavin^a matter againfi another. ?oe to haviour , and peaceable T / / j/ -a J * L Jr J.T t> x J \ demeanour. View of the Law before ihennjuji.andnot before the Saints < ) preiacuall Church, fa. grounding a decree in their Claflis, that if any 41. member of the Fre/^/^er/e bee at variance with ^ » Conmh.cj.. his brother , hee (ball bee fufpended till bee bring the matter before them. Now let us well weign what man lives fo upright in all his wayes, that is nor, or may not be a Delinquent at the mercy of thefe dreadful] ludges, whole leaft chaftifement is baniftment, ( fufpenfion from the food of Life, the blefled Word and Sacraments ; whofe cafieft prifon is Helljand whofe puniftiment {Tra- datur Satan£) eternal! deftruftion> Where is then the promifedlibcrtie of this fo much defired change > when from the legal 1 pe- nal ties of pofitive, and regulated Lawes which awe our perfons , and might fperhaps) pinch our purles, whereof we know how to avoyd the breach, or (atisfie the penaltie, wee (hall , become / Romaas';. 14« i View of the Pre* aticall Ciiurcb, fel. 3 7, Mr, ^nox r The order of Excommunication in SsQtland, /g, z. ud Sui'^ey gi\*. frt- tance^ And there are divers other petty Crimes, pcf. 8. xo. Courts to which fall not C as they fay j under the Civill P'"*^"! T^L'^'i"^^ ^ J , . I. n 1 1' 1 I. finncs by the Worii of iwora : as chJchftgyjightTng^ bravphng^ contempt God. of the order of the Churchy Sayboth breakings Sionsplea. wanton andvaine vpords^ negligence in hearing the ^J^^'J"^'^ ^ °* preacher, negle& of receiving the SacrantentSyfuf" -pinion of Avaricej^or of pride , fuperfiuity or riot- oufnef[einchear4 or raiment* They mult have a rod for the women too, in corredting their lafci^ viouSydiJjolutey or toofumptuout attire^ private or publike dancing , May- games ^ vifitingfiage^ playesy Tavernesy or Tipling-hotifes, and all t n ordi- nate liver s ^ which muft. bee brought to their Tribunall. Now let any man branch out thofe forenamed particular heads of the Table of their Difciplinci and he (ball finde that neither our words , opini- ons, nor aftions, as cf private men, but they fub- jeft us under their jurifdiftion. Confider us with relation to others , and fee how many accidents are emergent upon Contrads, marriages, forni- cation, Adulterie, to which take in the generall heads of fulpition and icandall,and then fee hew L farre A ^r've/ ofVrcsbft€r\e. farrc this infmtwtes into our piivate fivhilks^ who can be iecure of the honour or reputation of wife or daughters, longer than he is fure hee hathnonialigner : for I finde no branch at all amongft them for the punilSimentof the flande- rer, nor no reparation for the in}ur'd inno- cent. Marry the guilrie ma»y be qmt , as was the p^^ J. , {{lion o^Mt^Smpe of N6rthamptonQi\veM}^h^ thf rfcfpiinaS'of having wrought upon a meanef^rvanc, tha«had Norchampton iimc, got h'ls Maftcrs Daughter with child, to make M"*- publickConfedioncoch^CongregatioH. That doviQyS nape- al^folved him, ttyenjttflifled him char from thatflnnecommitHd^ eintp as though he had bee?ieneml)i borne. If this bc^ th^ way^ to recover^. infant innnocence^who would not (byle himielfe a lit rle to be fo clean fed ? N ext yiew t»hat general ^£re into mens peace- a View of Prclaticali abiederweanocs, la) together with their rule of- Church. /oL 41, Abdication of La w-fults^ and fee if this bring Admonition 2 page 7 J. ^ot to their Chancetie aJl^a^ions reall and perfo- fmxfuchTpartic°as^ts nail. And laftlyccnlider their univerfaH head of troul>l- cingof this holy Diicipline the pretious fruits you are like to rcapc by if. Such as thefe will teach you perfeft humility ; They have learnt of n ftChron. xo,io; Kf /i Some confefle, that in the Aflembly of the A-^ poftleSjCenaine oblervances were impolcdotithe /> Aflsi^.iB. Churches, (p) Bnt this A& of the Apofiles^ky they,^' no prefident or patterneftrfncceeding ages^ for the fS^poJiles Were infpired with the Holy ^ Ghofiy andwhen^iifAjfembly can infallibly affure them they are infpired with the Hifty Ghoji ^ then qChmoiihis throne. fljgy„ill^l,g^^ ^^y "'" * ^^'- But chough they w*41 admit no Law or Superi- our over themfelvcs , yet here perhaps the Lai tie may receive reliefeagatnfhhe rigor of their Ccn- r Report of the Go- ^^tes : for one tels US3 (r) All Appellations^Petiti' vcrnm«nt of the Church onsfiritvances^andComplaintf are examined and byiPfcsbytcry. determined by this fufr earn &higheJiKirk,Iudiea' torie : what redrefle we may expe^t^ hence we are' informed immediatefy before, they are refponjible mely to lefus chrifi. And the fame f eporter> {^infy teHs us , the^ c ^ ptrpetuM A Surife/fif Preshyterk. perpetM^fl Kirk^s^artnof govsrm^ fy the itttrinfi^ caflfomer ofoft^ one or many fit over them , as in the MonaxfhicdllGotarnment of F relates^ but they are ruled and judged bj themfelves. If fo, wee had need have a ftrong fikh in their IntcgfitieSjfor if we admit a poffiKry of doing wrong in them , we leave very little probabrlitie of receiving right : for fir ft they are accomprable onely toChrift. Next they are both judges and parties. Thofethar give falie JiKfgementin the ClaifeSjare judges in the Synods in the National! afTemblies : and from them is no appeale to any Prince in the world , ( for they fit in Chrifts Throne : ) And this is utterly deftruftive to the peoples Ubertie. Now in this whole Gradation of Church go- vernment by Presbyteries, Clafles, Synods , and NationaJl AflTepnblies : What's become of our old fuperintendenr power of Parliaments > wee have all this while beene perfwaded , That EpiP copacy is inconfiftent with this Stare 5 as exerci- fing (bme power not warranted by our Lawes, we are ftrongly excited by forae Diiciplinarians, to root them out for attempting to put in execu- tion fbme Gonftitutions not ratified by Parlia- ment. Yet now we muft learne , That the Farllament cannot hinder ( thefc Difciplinarians^ to make tawes Ecclefiajiicall^feeing EeclefiafikallGovern' mentk independant, ThAtgenerallAjJemhlies may re<:aU AUs ratified tn Parlitmint , which being annulled. A Survey $f Presbytery^. In tticii Synods Aey aHHHlkd^ the Cit/iUrutificiaion fill f cxC^nfe^eu- difaunuil all Lawcs, ft. And though ouf Lawcs make voydall Ca- they conceive repug- ^ons Of Conftifutions repugnant to the Kings sutJiti}e.fd. 13 1. prerogative, or the Lawcs and Cuftomes of tl^ Kingdomc ^ ( which prelerve our liberties ) yet we muft now know , that h& ponder nor lihertiel ought to be permitted to an/State^ Degree^or AU" thority^ ( Tvbatfoever they he ) to live without the f i{f,o^ his cxhoitati - jQ^jj^ ofhifiipUne, Qf) on.pag.91.9^. , EttdUjHgo lib9rtatemindHim4tsf And is all j our long laboar*d liberty become a yoke? A^ yokeunavoydable, ayokeunfupportaWe. Truc- \y ifthisbe fo, we may truely wri te. Sic vos non vobjsfertif Aratra Boves* • r We have fpun a fairc thread , That Kings thtj nurjing Fathers , and ^eens the nurfing Mothersl i iraiak.49. 23. ofSyon.,(t) Cthe fupreame Govemours of the Church ) Princes the heads ef their Fathers hou* u Numb. 7f a. J}s^ (h) Frinces of the Tribes , ( whofe office if to rule in judgement ) Nobles that conferre bUfsing upon ihat land where 4heir fonnes inherite the w ifaiah. j2. 1. Crowne^ {xp) Gentrie the flowers of this garden of Europe^ fcnc'd by the protection of the Lawes as with a partition Wall againft the fpoyle of vermine vulgar, the Boaresof the Forreft that would root up our plants, "^^ed and prun'd from inbred Weed and Canker by the skilfull hand of Parlaments, (hould now be all caft into the lump, laid common : All become yoke-fellowes > beare the the bonds of fuch bound Icfle DifcipIinarianSj which hold rhemfelves fubordinate neither to Emperours, Kings, Princes, Magiftrates, Lawes, Parliaments, Presbyteries, Synods, Aflemblies, nor any thing they ever meane to reckon with in this world 5 but onely to lefus Chrift their Head. Such as rhefe rather appeare to bee of the fol- lowers of Jehu thefoftne ofNimfhi , for they drive .furioufiy^{x) who walk *d in the wayes of /er<7- « 2 Kings 9. 10; boam : Then of tho(e undcfikd Virgins^ that fol- iowtheLa/ffbewhitherfoever heegocth.(y} Wee; Revelation. 14 know that the meek he will guid in judgement ^ and iheMeekevpiU he teach his way. (z) Bur fuch as ^ pfai. 2$. 9. have bitter envying and ftrife in their heartSjT/j^- wifedomedefcendethnot from above ^bnt is earthly^ * lames 3. 17^ fenfuaU.devilliJh, {*) 4» SECT. 16. The vaiH€ exntfe that Lay Elders f mil mode- rate them refuted, YEtiomehave Jifine veiie to blinde the eyes of the willing ( and certainly none (ee lelle than the u ilfuUy blind ) that this is a mixt government , we (hall have Lay Elders amongft them to moderate the extravagancies of the pa- ftors,andweneednc'tfeare but they will looke tathem. M Alas iji Survey ^/Presbyterie. Alas how vaine a (hadow is this , when wee looke upon it but with the light of realcm^ Arc we not taught 5 thefe Elders muft bee chofen by the voyce of the people: an dare not the(e peo- ple taught by the paftors fubordinate to them, the Elders being but temporary, for halfe a yeare orayeare, is it probable they (hall have thatde- pendance upon one another? they (hall have that intereft in thepariih, as hee that is perpe- tuus Di&ator, Chancellour, Arbiter for life in his petty popcdome. Some men talkeofdumbe Dogs, and certain- ly he will be held fuch, that cannot fo beftir him- felfeinhisparifli, as to haveall their votesfol- low his, who hath (uch abfolure power over e- a HamioaofthcFoT, very mans per(on, family, and e(tate. (a) If then &c, £f. X. a s, by this rule , every littkparifh Church (l)ould have snecmus de Tiifdplm y^^^^ y^ j^ Elders at the leafi^ and every great « eM p/Presbyrerie. whole Eledtion is prefcribed to (lurt Divlno) im- mediately from Chri ft lefus, who are the carw vers cftheirowne Government, (b) Their Na^ f, VicwofthePreiati- ttonall Ajfembly to he gathered once in three years y callCivurch iol« 41, to make Canons, and to eftahlij}} Ecclefinjikall Go- vernntent: Thisindependant of >Peu(urping an univerfall power over all the Churches in the world ) yet in a (ccond : Everie paftorinhisDiccclIe (hisparifh) exercifing a papall power , and (b doth cunningly under- mine theKoyall Office, and overthrow Gods fa- cred Ordinance , who hath given a power and charge to Kings to fupprefle all fuch Eccle- fiafticall Tyranny over the foules of his people. Yet perhaps it may be fayd , though their go- vernment bee thus wholly fcver'd frc m the Par- liaments, andftandsapartbyit felfe, our Lay Elders (hall have vote among them in all their Synods, and Aflcmblies,whomay have a care to ballance the (cale'twixt Church and State. But are wee not told 5 Some one Elder of each TariJJj M 3 appoynted L// ^^ri;^'^?/ Presbytery. $ffoynttdby the particular Kirk^ Sejjions^ and the vchole Minijlerie of thofe Churches meeA^ d^c» Whereto , if their Doftors and Teachers bee admitted, they are double in number to the Lay- men; ifequallj one Lay Elder inclining to their partie turnes the /cale ; if not, yet how incapable inrefpeftof abilities, how inadivein relped of Spirit, thefe annuall temporary Officers muft needs be, incomparifbnof this powerfull prea- ching mimfterie, which hath (uch abfokire autho- rity over the foules of their parifhioners, every man may forefee with halfe an eye. SECT. 17, No refer wed Chm ch gives any prep dent farallellvpith ours, BU T many of us will not truft or trouble our owne judgement to rifle into the confequen- ces of things ; but wee cry cur, how doeo- ther Reformed Churches i Gem hu/mananovita- tisavida'y and no Nation more unfortunately, more improvidently prone to follow falhions than we. And alas, whence can we fetch a patterne,that (the frcedome of our State eonfidered ) would not render us mi(erablc i Can the French be any prefident to us , who live A Survey of Vxt^^itxS^. live under a Monarch of another Religion, who will allow them n'>Sea, no Diocefle , no meares foraBilh p.- whcfeBifhops will admit no Tub - BiQi >ps of another faith under their juriHii^-i- on: Therefore what neceflicie mikes to rbem Law, muft we mike our choyce ? Is it the pofi- tion of their Church to exclude them * Shall weebelceve(JWi>»//»him(elfe? hefaies, {d)OHradvcrfariesnnjujilyaccufeHs to be enemies ^ Moulins Buckler of of the E pip opal/ Order : for we Muji be altogether ^\l^ £^\^ 1 ^ / ^^' "^"^ ignorant oj Hijiories^ifwe do not krtow tlyat all art" tiqHttiefpeakss honourably of that degree. The Geneva Dilcipline many dote upon, not knowing; what it is, nor how confident without Stare. That which make? our common people Co greedily embrace this defircd change, is rhe fre- quent preaching, and poflefling them of an inre- reft in the power of the Keyes 5 if they follow that prefident , they'le finde thcmfelvcs de- ceived. Be'La tells us, (e) In Geneva the Elders are cho^ e 'Degradibus Minifies fenyearely^ not of the bafer fort of people, but of ^""P'^^" the order of 1^,60. ox 100, men^ which bee the Counfels of that State. Nor was that government of choyfe, as fitteftj but ofnecefTity. Their Bijhop was alfo their Prince , who had fuch power as .^ « ^. . the Duke of Venice. And having treated with /ayesiit\. The^L^op the Duke of Savoy ^ theirenemy, was forced to faiMedo/EmperovrVxe- flye 5 during whofe life they could not make a '^'"'^"'^^1' ("^"^ f- new Bithop, burlubmitted to a new forme of nera Rtgau \ure. Government under Mafter Calvin , who onely M 3 wanted / 8 Ptopoficions in Print. g (^alvi*^.opufculum In (Jotijef, Ecdef. Gallu:, fatemur ergo Epifcopos five pufiores reverenter audiendos, quatevm pro fute funifionit ratiotie verbiim T>ei docetjt. I Corinth. 14. j1 Survey of^csbytene, wanted the Title, but was of much greater pow- er than a BiQiop nor was ar that enmity with the Order as cur Novclifts are, who profeiTe it (inne to heare (chem or for their fakes^ a»^ Mini' fiers C/) f reach in the Church of England. For hee fayes, IVee confejfe that Bijhops or Pafiors mujl^ bereverently heard^ as far re as they teach the word of God according to their funiiivn. (g) Butadmit they being a private State 5 a Cot- tage in refped): of a Kingdome, fubmit themfclves to the Oeconomick Government of a Family, (theirs is no more in comparifon to this glorious Monarchy) {haliwerelin<]uinicurLawes, can we reduce this populous Nation ( that peoples Co many forraine Ifles) into the fame mould that modells a handful!. Some have already entertained (b degenerate thoughts that they can mention Switzerland^ a faire patterne 5 and fo doe I with horror and in- dignati<:)n. Others the Low Countrie Difcipline pleafes well ; a fit objed for fuch ; they muft indeed look downewards ftill that are (b pleas'd, and not up-? wards, to the God of Order , and not ofConfujion: who fees the diftraded Sedts and Schifmes that a- bound in that State, and does not pitty^lb neare, folcv'd neighbours, were not partakers of that bleffing (wee call miierie, and out o^ love to Novekie are growne wearie of ) uniformiticQf Difcipline. Truth is, wee are taken with the (hadow of that which A Survey of^x^^xtnt. which cflenrially is net there. The Scepter ofDif- cipline ; If we muft change,! would bee glad we might take prefident from their Metropolis Am- fterdam: where 'tis true, they were bufie to ad- vance this Throne of Chrift, to put thk yoke up- on the neck of that State, but their troublefome and ambitious fpirits once difcovered , they quickly nipt thefe foaring Birds ith' ihell , redu- ced the PaftoTS to the number of thirteene , of thofe keeping for the moft part three vacant, which Ciry,being compared with this o^London^ both for populoufneffe and capacity, it will eafily appeare thofe ten, who muft fupply the accidents of Feftivails^ Marriages, and Funeralls , doe not trouble their heads with many Stare affaires. Yet to make them fiire, they allow them their C iafli- call meetings , but provided one of the Magi- ftrates of the Citie be prefent : And if he fay no, all they confult flands for nothing. This propificion made and aftented to by all thefe zealous petitioners againft ih\% ufurpation^ this Monopoly of the power of the Keyes- in the hands oftheBifl) ops : That the prime Gentle- man in every parifti (hall be perpetuall Elder and have a negative voyce, I confeffe in poynt of pri- vate policie I am convinc'd ; I may perhaps be in time an Elder, and doubt not but theGentrie will thus make a (hift to keep the Clergy humble, the vulgar low enough. But if we muft looke for new eIed;ions every year,what muft this produce but a little Civil war in every parifh? We A Survey of Presbyterie. We have yet a nearer prefident , and before we know what it is, long for the ScottiQi Difci- pVme. I could beg!ad weehad fo much patience CO ler them be our probationers therein for one feven yeares. But we (hal I be told, fie Juit ab anti- quo^ it was ib of old with them. Now what ef- fefts both to King and Common- wealth the po- fitions of Hime Difciplinarians of that Nation have in former times produc'd , 'tis better to be forgot than looked into : All Khali fay is, That certainly our freer people have not fuch depen- dance upon, are not indeed in (uch vaflallage to the N obiliiy, the Gentrie , as the Common peo- ple of Scotland ^re in to their Lords : their Nobi- lity and Gentrie ^having abiblute power over rheit Tenants) (ball ever bearc fway in the Church. Bur it will not be fo with us , the inferi- our fort of people once finding their power in popular eleftion of Elders , will rather exclude boih Nobility and Gentry, and then no doubt the Church will be well govern*d : our Commu- nalty depend upon Lawcs,not Lords :*Tis Law which hath made us a free people. That wee knowby acertaineLaw, that our wives, our Children , our Servants, our goods are our owne, that we build, we plough, we fow, we reap for our (elves, thisis true liberrie. How little of this they enjoy from whom weewculd takeapatterne,who are but Tenants at will to their Lords , they that will fedato unimo compare the Conllirution of that State with this, i^ Survey of Prefbyrery. this , would with mee againe crie. Ohfortunati nimium bonajlfua norint Angligend I SECT. i8. Ccnclufion^ to review Epifcopacie. IF then there be no prefident that exai^Iy paral- lels ourSj without great alteration; wee muft certainly introduce aliquid de novo 5 fet up fome new forme by our felves. And what incon- veniences that may bring to a Icded State , was well expreft by St. Auftin^ Ipfa mutatio Confuetu- dinky etiam qH£ adjuvat ntilitate^ novitate per- tHrbaty(k) which is ingenioufly expreft by that k ^^^j'^-'^dtamauE^' learned VeruUm, (I) Way given to mutation, /' /wiL Confidcm- though in taking amay almfes^yet it may fa acquaint ^ions concerning pacifi- menmthfmetne£eofchange.as it will undermine ;^Y.'°? °^'^' ^^"''^' the fiabilitie even of that which is found and good: holdinglt againfi all good policie to innovate any thingin church matters : and whether warrant- able in Divinitie orno , to aboHfh To ancient a Conftitution is queftionable. »Twas (mc thinks) a Maxime of fbme weight, ^i mala introducit^ voluntatcm Dei oppugnat revelatam in verbo : ^i nova introducit volunta-* tern Dei oppugnat revelatam in rebus, Hee thaP brif^gs into the Church any bad cufi erne oppofes the N mil A Survey of Presby ferie. will of God revealed by hit word: who introducex any net» cufiomes oppofeth Gods will revealed by faB, If then in the whole leiies of this new FredU cavrnt of Difcipline ( wee ftiould put our felves inroj wee finde the defigne of fuch is to draw their necks out of the yoaks of all Ecclcfiafticall and CivillGovernmenCj neither to be preicribed in Dodrine nor Difcipline, their per(bns reftray- ned by no L aw , their Government inconfiftent with Monarchy, Magistracy, Lawes, deftrudive to Genrrie . Their calling independent either on King or people : Their power above Princes, Potentates, Nobles, PeoplejLaweSjParliamentsi their errours accomptible to none butChrift a- lone i no forraine State, or Reformed Church gi- ving any exadprefidentabfolutelyparallellwith ours^ and no fo great mutation , being without hazard to the State, and (perhaps) not war- ranted by Gods Word. In the name of God let us looke ere wee take this defperate leap ^ from the inconveniences whereof can bee no recovery, (ifthey once get the upper hand) but by a new Conqueft. Farre bee it from mce to prefume to prescribe a remedy, 'tis the cafier way to give cau- tions, to defcry inconveniences, to difcover Rocks, than toaflume to fteere the (hip of State in a fafe courfe 5 to give Counfell , other than what is warranted by gord authoritie. In Inch diftradtions , when wee finde the time m X fim. 4. 3. 4. now fully come, (pi) That men mil not endure found A Survey ^/Presbytery, fsuudDd&rine , but after their omne lufis heap up t$ themfelves teachers^ having itching earet^ tur* ning from the truth unt$ Fables. And as St. Teter (ayes, (n ) Being unlearned^ andunjiahk^ wrejling n Peter j> kT, the Scriptures tff their 9wnedefirn&ion : Then is the Prophets Counlell feafonablc. State fuper vias K^ntiquas ^ ( o) Stand yee in the wayes^ » lercmiah. tf. itf. and fee and askefor the oldfaths where is the good TPay^ andwalke therein , andyeeJhuU finde reji for yourfoules. Let us Icoke back into Antiquitie , and fee be- fore wee part with this reverend old order of E- pifcopacy for this new fangledDifcipline, whe- ther it will bee made good to bee deduc'd from Chrift himfelfe to his ApoftleSj to the Angels of the Churches, to the Fathers of the Primitive timesj continued in the fame j ur ifdiftion and fu- pcriority over other degrees of the Clergie, di- ftributed into Diocefles 5 honour'd with Titles and Attributes , indued with power , approved in other Reformed Churches, and no way oppo- fite to, but confifVent with our Lawes 5 and then though there be many errours crept into the exe- cution, which prove not to bee in the Confl-itu- tion ; I hope we fhall have it reduced to its an- tientpuritiej and not caft away our Gold for a little rufl:. In the difquifition whereof I would not have any man looke for any thing from me de novoy or thinke I aflbmetoaddeanyftrength to their caufej I doe but binde together a pofieof the N 2 flowers A Survey of Presbytery. flowers of others plantings oncly having taken (c)me paincs topleafe and (atisfie my (elfe, I (hall' be glad if any man elfe can reap any content out of my labours. Ettuc mfirmatut , confirm a fra" tres^tpasChrJftianCounfell^ and I confefle had I power to doe it, I would draw all the world to my opinion 5 that is to reverence their Calling, preferve their Order , yet with as free a refoluti- on, and as refpedlelfe of their perfons, fubmit to the exemplar puniftiment of fuch as ftaine the ho- nour of their CoatjCntrench upon our Liberties, negligently ftarve their flock, covetoufly en- grolTe the meanes of faithfull Labourers, or with their Novelties diftrad the Church , as any man that lives. FINIS. Imprimatur. Tho. Wykcs. May 22. 1 54 1. 0) To the Honorable the Lord Bifhops. Reverend Fathers^ iN chcfir^patt of this Dilcourfc, I ' haveb&d a particular Intcrcft, us'd the liberty of my o wnc cxprcflion e out of the fenfc and fore-fight of my ownc endangered Liberty ; which I apprehend abfolucely to depend upon the prefervation of your re- gulated order and Legal 1 Govern- ment; to be inevitably , if not irreco- verably, loft by the admiflion of an irregular , Arbitrary Presbytery. I dcnic not but the wifcdome of this Age may finde out a new way , neither pictcm'd by the Apoftles, nor pradiz*dinany Age or State; and when itiscfiiblinied by Law, 1 know my part, obedience: But till then. Law being on my iide,God forbid I (hould not as freely fpeak in defence offundanentall Lawes , of Divine infticutions, as othcri doc to the fubvcrfion of both. Such hag beenethe unbappinefleof my Privacic, lam fcarce knowne to, hardly know any of, your perfons: yet ♦ wit^ with that Reverence doc I lookc upon your Sacred order ^^an Apoftolicall, thcrcrorcnot qucftionablc inftitutidn. I confideryoiir PrcdcccOburs as the Ballart which have poyz*d the Barks of Monarchy, toiaylcfafely in the Scapf Vulgar, whofe piety and wifedomefirftprcfcribedthc Me- dium twixt Tyrannic and Anarchy. Till BiHiops hclp*d to reduce tfec unbounded wills ot Prircesto the limits of La wcs^ Kings were Tyrants-: And where «ver they arc nor, there ever foUpwesa popular(which is aworfe Tyranny.) Obedience to Kings, Conformity to Lawes,is a jyaty both to God and nature, but fubjedlion to th: abfoluteand unlf- - mited wills of men is unnaturall to thofe that were borne under the protedion of La wcs . Long ha*s this Nation flourifhcd in thcequall difpenfa- tionofLawes, by Divines, Civilians,and Gommon Law- yers ; Glorious and fortunate have beene the Proficients in all of them ; They much deceive themlelvcs that think the onefliall rife by the fall of the other two. If two or three mixt Arbitrary Courts, fitting oncly in Tearmstimc, fhall be thought fo prcjudiciall to the Cotn-^ mon Law , what muft a Quotidian-Chancery prove in every Parifh ? Sure hec that fliould but ferioufly confider the condition of the Advocates in the Low {^oftntrUs, ge^ neva, and in all places where the Presbytery hath got foot- ing, would burne his BarrGowne, and begin anew pro- fcffion, at the apprchenfion of luch a change. No doubt Rebm ficfinntibHi, At this inftant,therc arc many able men ready to fupply your voyded fcates , and an inftant extirt- guilLmentofail the lights of the Church cannot be fear*d. But if all preferment tor humane learning (hall be thus taken away, inthenext Age wee are liker Co degenerate to the Barbarirmc ofthe Greckes then arivc at their per- f^tlion. The fword hath for a fhtort .i?^ace kepti fomc States a float , but 1 muft boldly fay , tis the RrVerence of Religion, the advancement of Icarnmg, that hath made thcoi ithfitn {Tabic and happy. Thcfe Confidcrations arc prb- pcrly within the capacity of a Gentleman ; But in the latter parti mu;^ ask your pardon , That I have walk'd ':bjyond my Verge; TaKcnas well a Divine as a politique Survey or your order. I know it is an Injurie to plead a good caufc ill, yet I hope you will findc my Modcfty fuch, that in this I prelume Tolittle of my felfc, that I have oncly ;,kllo wed words to knit together the opinions of Inch Ak- - thoriticsas till now have bccne Authervtiquc. ' Tis a time when felfe-intercft fvvayes rnuch,and (for ought Iknow) every man that reads this, may bs eqmlly concerned as my felfe ; whereby, this muft be conceived lefT: partiall from line, then from any of your Coat. And at leaft they will inferrehcncc, that macfe more might befaid, fincel have fiidfoniuch.' I muft confeflc enough hath beene delivered in a little by that Reverend Primate V/her ; 7^» AfofioU- call. Which admitted, the Conclufion filences all argu- mentation. Contra negantis frinci^tn mn diffutandHm , Docs well in Schooles ; but when noyleand novelty oncly prevaile, I wifh youhad been all more free in defence of your Calling. *Tis tt\i\.h,th^tDowmm,Bilfo»,Sucktljfg, and many others, have faidfo much ,as there can fcarce beany thing added, but they muft have new Titles, or elfe they will not be look*d dti,the Fathers themfelves are abfolete and deferted Authority. Wee are all growne fo wife in this knowing Age, that every man muft have his proofes Icvel'd to his owne natural 1 rcafon : unlclfe they be invedjves; thole tickle the itching caret of the time, and areprefently taken upon truft, without examination. I was not fram'd to court that ftraine ; nor doc I expcd to pleafe your op- pugners ; all my ambition is to fatisfie fome Gentlemen free as my felfe ; my Defire is not to offend you, by the ill mannagc of fo good a Caufc. Though I know none by any of you , yet fliould I not * 2 fe-k (4) ^ek to qualifie the ill of any of yrour perfons. But maft profcflfelafFii^ionatcly pray , for the Confervationof thac order which is lb apt an Embleme of che Divine ordi- nance of (hat great Creator; who a* bee ordained, the Sunne to exceed the Moone , The Moone the Scarrei , and every Starre CTCcelling another in glory, DoubtlciTe in* tended ais divine a Method in difpofing the lights of ouc immoittll foules , as thofc Luminaries of our corruptible bodies, liec I hope will preferve this Church, while that Sunne and Moone endure. Which is che prayer of ^heWU'TPtfher ofSion^ T.A. Smce the feyerall attempts to ble- mijh this ^monjlrance by difperfing that Li- beU^ andhyjiehng to dramfome ignorant peo- fli to difcOfow their ownefiibfcriptions, it plea- Jed divers Ge?ttkmen of quality to tejlifie both their dijltke of juch praBices , aiid the conti- nuance of their ;^ealetoayowi\\6x Remon- ftrancr, ^y this Certificate* To our very loving friend and Kinlrnan Sir Thomas Aston Baronet, Ec have lately received a Frintcd Copie, ofa moR reditious,feigned,and dangcrouOy fadioiu Petition, which is fprcadinthe County, pur- porting to be preferred to the High and Ho- norable Court of Parliament, by the Nobles, Knight5,Gen- trie ^ Miniftcrs, &c. of this County ; (pretended) in an- fwer of a Petition , (abfcribcd by us and many thoufands more, and by our requcft preferred by you for the good and honour of this County • which vile and Machivi- lian Petition , wc perceive was never preferred to neither Houfc , but difpcrfcd malicioufly and feditioufly to (lir ro- up difcord and tumult. And wee have alfo fe^: the Coppie of your Petition preferred on the bchalfe, and for the fervicc of this County for whom you arc tru- ftcdintfiis, Which wee all fo well approve of , as wee **■ doub^ doubt not, but that as well thofe many thoufands wlio fub- (cribcd our RemonHmnce preferred by you ,(vvhich found fo gracious acceptation both with his Sacred Majcftie, and the Lords t*>Vv horn it was pr?^tt<:d),a^,sil fij many thpu- faiVdJ^ more t>^ rli^is County^ \^-\\q{z Hands ccald. rjotiy TC?- . fc>«bC[li(^n'k*HiItjftimifbegottE^q"»«-^»- JohnMajfy ^ Divines. *I>onor -Bifphant. p fthn Conney. S Rieh.Wilfon. \ •k-k S E C t ION^L Inthe Apoftles times. \^od volmnm fuc'ilc credimm^ ( That wee fo eafily beleeve things plea-* fing) is an infirmity of nature rather than of judgment ; And therefore it may be thought obftinacy of fpi- rit, want of will, rather than want of light^which makes men deny the Antiquity of Bifhops in the Primitive times » For if they will fearch and be- lieve either Scripture or Antiquities, theymuft . confefTe them not only in the Primitive timeSjbut in the times of the Apoftles, and that the Apo- files themfelves were BiJJwps. Saint Ambrofe writing upon Saint Paul's Epi- B files 2, \Abritfe ReYte^ o/'Epifcopacic. *\Amhfofmi inSfifloi. ftjes to the Ephejiam ^nd Cormthf am "^ fayesthae Eph. , n iCor u. i8. ^p^a^^ n^^^f Epifcopi. That the Jposiles were easai^ tern qui nunc vo B/fhops. , Sair.t Cjprim ° layes, the LorachojeA^ cantur e>popi nam p^jlf^s, that />, h fhops arfdCovermurs. Theodores Trheodtfain^Tim. ' affirmcs, fn times p aft they called the fame men ^ BuUingcrin Phi'ip x. presbyfcrs a/2d Bifhops, atjd thofe who now are cal" K1;*,JS; WBi(hops%«W.^?*/?/«, withwhoma. ^ Hic-on.'ad Maneli: gr^es Bullmger:, '^ Epaphrod^tui (whom Paul cslls adverfm Mortar , fallow -workcr j wo^ 4 Bifhop, Saint leromes '^ opi- dkimem 4p»l'oiorunr. nioti was that in the true Church, Btjbops doe hold totsmundomamfeiiam^ thepltc€ of the Apojlles. And IreriAus (^ ) af- f;„"t;r/rS firmcs, that tie Afofila UfnheB,ll,ofs,he,rSuc- h^itiitifmtEpfcopiin cejfors. Beltverj/ig unto them their own^ place of Ecc/cfiis& iHcceifores c,overnmevt : which they hold even to our dayes^ mum nfque^ nos. -^yj^gj^^^ (^^^^ of ^)^q Fathers doe Rhetorically F(ie> unto scdefta .-ipo Call the Apoftlcs the Fathers, Bijbops the fonnes of jioii?at,es tui, quh the Chiirch. S,x\K\\S2^m\.Bierome,^infleadof Fa- fum^iT'mn- tt^<^rs Children- are borne unto thee, S Church -, the eeffmir,tamundoJiabcs Apofilcs were thy fathers, for they begafe thee •, New pohM, Epifcopo.fiim ^^^^ hall Bijlms who were borne of thee. Saint ^«- St. Au^h Piai 44 po jtm on the lame place laies. Injteaaofthe Apojtles patribM Ttati tibif.fit fonms oTc hometothce, hl(hoY>s are ordained, /Jt.HielZyVuVKcp. The rcafon of which inftitution S\Hierome ad Titum: .4.itcquam. givcs, and derivcs the time even from the Apo- 'pMinftfultudia ^j^j, themfelves as foone as the Church be^m to dhcreturinpopHfii.ego [preadit felje, ( Aj^tequam Diaboli) laieshe, tjllby fum i^aui', ego Aroiio, ^,^^ mlUnB ofthe devillfoBions began in the Church Tuni'\mi.jteror'^m df^dthe pcopk faid, ! amofPaul^ /tf/ Apollo, and cmfiiio Ecc^efi^ f^uber- I of Cephas, the church was governed bj a common nantur, po^qiiam ztro unufquifq\eos,fiuos Baptir^averat fiioi patabat effeh iotoorbedecretumeJi, ut unrndepreiby- terii ek^m fuperponereiw (AUm ad qucm »mm SiQUfta cnrapertimnt, & Schifmatum fmina,Mcrenui)\. Com fill lA hriefe \eyiey0 of Epifcopacie, .5 . Connfell of Preshyters f which was in the time of the Apoftles : ) i Cerimh, i . 1 2 .) But when evvry one accotmtedthofe for his rvhom he had Baptz^ed, it rvas decreed in the whole worlds that one being cho- fen from the Presbyters (jwuld bee fet over the reft ■ in cvxry Church tmto whom the care of that Church or Diocefe jhould affertaine^ and that the feeds of Schifmes migln be taken away. Which fupcrior by the learned Chamier ^ wee finde was called Bi- h chami«r. de mm. iliop. One (fayes he) jv^ chofen out of the company vomi^ccl.iox,^. sea. of Presbyters'|>^<' was chiefcf aUtkreft andw^ Ltcfe^i^fS called Biflwf. fr'mme^et, &Elfi/(9' Such we find was Timothie inftituted by Saint y^ dkerem, Paul-^ To whom hee dire<5ts his Epiftle. • i'^^^^'/ ixhe direaionofthc unto Timotheus ordained the frft Bilhop of the BfiMctoj imothy, church of the Ephefians. This fome or our No^vellifts except at, and will not allow it to be Authenticke becaufe fay they, ^, , , . ^• It IS not in foxne old Manufcnpts they have fcene. Chryfopm iftrTira.j. But Theodoret and Chryfoflome agree that hee was Sijhop of the ACians whoje Metropolis was Ephefus, Saint Flierome in his Catalogue of Ecclefiafti- call Writers teftifies that Timothie was ordained of ^'^^^mmsm Catalog, hlejfed Paul the Bijhop of the Ephefians, and that \'^¥«'^^'^i^^rm. Titus was Bifhopo/^ Creet, Ambr. in EpheCcap. 4. Saint Ambrofe faith the Apoftle,called Timothy f ^^^f ^^T^^ti/T- Bifhop, whom hee created Presbyter becaufe the mrpreibytti %if(tpi prime Presbyters vJtve Bipjops. apptUtbamur. Primafm faith Timothy was a BiOiop , and f^j^f '^ /"■'^'- •« V AVi'LS Difciple. Among ft the Ancients arc karce any that might not be brought to prove it . B 2 And 5 lA hritfe ReVie*^ of Epifcopacic; i£v^/J«wTom;^.fol. And of the later Writers Erajmm ^(mofe ^timr. vauimin learned than all thefc Cavillers) tcls iis,ThatP4«/. mmperiumadeptarut, adopt ca Timomy mto the MmiHerj Andwjtituted. Bi^quo^lmlmcEcele- ljj^j^f}j^ ft^fj^jf^Qf ^;^jj}jQp^. fuut & ri.o/mnnuit Ltkewifc Saint Paul direas his Epiltle cumin fm£i'mitpfco- to Tit m^ or da jncd the frfi Bifhop of the Church ^''^^' of the Cretians from NicopoUs of Macedonia : A- gainft whidi is the fame exception as againft that nohry[ofiom,tn.,c^^. o( Tmothy. . -^xxiSiint ChryfoHorne-^ fayes, To, a^Titum.PAHiitiTito Titus WO'S committed the judgement of many Bi~ Piuitorum spifioponm A^^^ y^^^ ^[^j^j^ pj^^^ Lyra'' and Era&m^ both '\udiciumcommfit- -* ^ , f ^.i , «-•: ' . j ^ i ^ n r '^lyramArgumefitad conclude^That Titpts wos Created K^rch-Bifhop of Titum.Sraftnui ineun- Crcete. Ste . rum MU. But if ^ thefe ftites to the EPISTLE pifeopm Ocu confe- were adniitted no part of the Text •, yet, '^T^^' h I ^^^^ ^^ ^"^^ enough. Saint Paul Writes to them TitiTi!/ ^'^' both to continue or abide ft ill m JSPHESUS and CREETEj inftru6iing them what indoW" ments are fit for a Bifhop: If any man de fire the office of a Bishop he defireth a good tvorkc' MTimothy s. i. ■ o^ Bifliop muft bee blamelefle, c^r. Giving power to inftitute Bifliops, otherwife had fuch t Titus li I, f . Charaders beene ufeleffe, if they had no power lpi&rL!r'i- of Inftirution: which the Apoftle clearely de- gumntum.utfinfcopot termines in that to T i t u s, ^ Forthls caufeleft '"^^71' \- ^ ^^^^ ^^ Greet e, that thou jhouldft fet in order the T.pmctoTitm^Ujco th/ngs that are wanting, and ordaine Elders in every E' tonflHuerc per civi- Citie. ;:;"£tS^fS; Vpon which words %es S:iinl Ciryfiflm,, qmmadrKodum alias fi.- i^^y^ ts to he under shod BISHOPS, ^ as I have prmdismm. . otherwhere formerly /aid. And Erafmus ob^ fei-ves . A hriefe Keyie'w ^T Epifcopacie. r ■ferves, *■ That Paul requires Titus to come to Nico- '^r^mui Xcm 6. TjI. polis.lf tft not till he had Cent Anemas or Tvchicus, T*' '^'f™V'^^^ ^»' ^ ri J r^ ' ■ I r- r r ^'i'^ f^dicxKmn'Nit.e- lem the Crctnns might jecwe to want the comfori pom, fed )uiui qnod of A Bijhopi .. P^-'*^-^ AftiMam ant Though thefc Texts with thefcexpofido.is ^'^li":!,;:!!*^: are plaine enough, yet {om^j mllh^KQ dcrWc a '^■'('^{^rEpifcopijoi.u:^ warrant for Elderg, none for I3iniops. 'c.i/iwi^f7j/;//; .-hb.^, Bui Cahifi '"himfelfeconfefTeSjThat/Z'f 5i,T/- ^ubi:^s ago docendi ft are doth promifcuojly ufe the words , Bi/liops, Pref- *"'*** i'i]n»aum erat, byters, Paftors, rfWMinifters, to fignifie thofe ivho pZsbpclZ^TTm'^jTi doe eyercife the Mirtiftery of the'4'Grd, And fay es, *'8-^ ucfiatu vetcm the Presbjters mentioned Tittis 1.5. are .by the ^Hieron\me in Context manifefted to bee no other but Dod;ors i^uagnuJ: or Teachers, becaufe Saint rani prefcntly after ^^-'"'M/Z'^e cgmpro- calkth them Biftops. f^.'^'.^jl'".*'^- Which Saint ///^^<7;;;^ 'approves, faying, It ^^odautcmpoitnunui is vwH manifeft that Bifhop and Presbyter were all ^Ifl^ ^^' qmctt^rU me, am to avojabcmimcsthat the Church mt^ht nuturemedhmfiSlutn not hee broke ^ thePrcshytc^salivayeschofeone^a/id ^^' , , . . placed him in a Degree, above the^ reH£alling himBl- ex ^^fe'elaiH^il Txm- HlOp . fio-i g'-adu coUecatum^ Calvin " writing of the State of the Ancient Sf f-? ^^"mnab^nt. Cnurc-h layes, That the Presbyters ever choje one riscicf^eTomjSolxis. out of their number in ever) City ^ to whom fpecially ^^^exfuonumcrohfin' ,ky g.ivethetnkofaB,lhof,tlMtthire jhouldmt ^.^^fr^S arife difcord out of equalitie, B(za, w (no .friend £p:icopi,&c, to the Biiliops yet) acknowledges upon that place Z^fJf'*'^-'^ ^^'^"i^ C Againjt an Eider receive not an accujation but be- prcshytem turn rjke fore two or three witneffes) That Timothy wa^at ^itipuem.Bczia/ine' that timr Antilles, the Prelate or Prefident in the ''^'' *" » ^im 5, Pr/z^ji^r/V 4/ Ephefus. B ^ . Sa^> ■ IS A hriefe Relation of Epi fcopacic i So here the exceptions taken againft thefepo- fitive places of Scripture, are at the different in- terpretations of the words^ Presbyters, Bifliops, or Prefidents, all Interpreters both ancient and moderne acknowledging a fuperiority. Where- ^Zitichy To.u. 7. fol. "P^" Zdnchee " well determines all thefefcru- 583. ^ks.Saycs hc^m the. ProteJlamChurcf'^es^rvee have SLli"Sf£ '» ^i/^^^^^^Bifliops WArch-Bifcops, «>hMby fuiti riipftt epifcopi & changing good Greeke names into ill Ldtinc are CAlUd Archi'Epfcepi. ^os fuperintendcnt ; and where they have neither of minibuimmaULatlnss'^M^ names, 'jet there are alwa^es \ome chief e^votth vocatfuperinte^dentcs, whom is almoft all the Authoritie. If then the mat-^ SccFerum cumdercbui ^ ^ ^^ r 1 j ^^ brabble about names ? MbmaUmamnr? But imce there is matter or Argmnent to bee pick'd out of the Text, wee muft examine how the pra<5i:ice was in the next age to the Apoftles ^ whether then there was that parity of Minifters, fuch fanatiques dreame of. Section 2. Thg fey en Angels^ '^ere'je'lom ^ifhops. C Aint /(j^;/ the Divine, who writes To the feven ^churches in Afia, tells vs the feven Starresare the Angels of the feven Churches . ■ Which by the phrafe of his writing fdefcribing their paines and their paffions) appeare to be men. To the An- gcll of Bfhefus^ I know thy workes, thy labour and thy 8. 4 tittk ftrength^ and h/ift not denyedwy word, Tq the Angell of the Ch"f ch cJ the Laodi- oeanSy '^ Becaufe thou art Luke-war me and neither c j^. hot nor c^ld, I will fpem thee out ^f my mouth, \6, And that they were the Paftors of the Chur- c]fl0$ is coik<$bed put of thelaftof the Revdation, ^ And I lefi^^^ave fentmir^e 4i^gelftQ teftifiem' ^ ^i»i6i to you thefe things in the ChurEhc^, , .Of vsfhijdi Saint Ambrofe fayes, *= WemuftunderftanlitHe ^Ambnfm h ^poca- feven Angels, to befeven Governpurspi the fcv^p df j. churches. - .• .^ ^ ,-.v. Beza tells ^ mj?y each of thefe Af^g^ls -^e Ufjdpcr ^ bc\^ in Afocaiypi, z. n ftands the Prefdent rf the Vx^shyxoiy : Reynold^ fayes, the name Bifhops was given to thcAnge^ls^ , Thomajion of Philadelphia, Nunechim of Lag- dicea • And in the Councdl of Calcedon,Eutropi- Mf of P^r^4w;«y, with all the reft. Nor was there a skippe or vacancie fromthc Apoftles times to the Councells without them : but we finde, notwithftanding the great perfecu- tions of thofe times, that they were not onely the immediate, but in many places the continued Xuccefforsof the ApoOles. • ■' . "Sea. uA bneje \eyte'SKf of Epifcopacie. J - — ■ , ^/- „. Scif^ion 3. TAtf continued Jucc,efm of^ijhops] T^Ufehim '^faycs. To Ltmes the brother of our 'Eitfebiiu'.mflff^inh: '•^Lord furnamcd the juft, the Throne of the afapi<^»3»'-3-c7«* Biflioprickc of the Church of Hierufalemwas ^T^^'^M-c-^i^-^^^r firft committed : And in his Hiflory and Chro- Chryfofiom, in a^. & nicle fets forth a continued fucceflion oT the ^/- w^»'*'?s>33' (hops of Bkrufalem from lames to Macmu^, whom . he noteth to have beene the 5^. Bifhop of lerufa- lem. Saint L/f;??^r^j9 relates, that P4/^/ /irw James Ambrbf', ht.i^^\{i, (the LORDS brother ) at lerufalcm being made adGafat^, B/Jhop of that place by the Jpojlks, St. Hierome ^ mentions,that at Alexandria ever ^ijam & Alexandria a. ■fince Marke the Evangelift untill the Bifhops Hera- ^'^rco Evangetiftaufft ^clas andDionjfim, the Presbyters have alway?! called t^l^^;'^'^:^: one',, being chofenofthemfelveSjdndplacedhimina teri Cemper ummcxfc hi of EipiCcop^cic^ .„.,.. mtlfff the third Bifhop from Peter, As Bnfehim lutam . hath It, Euoaim fucceeded Peter, ana then JgnatiHs, , ii;4atm ad srr.yrn : whom Saint B'mom mentions to have lived in our ^;r:";;i:"S: SaWours time reeking his owne words /ii. &quan(iovc}i'Hac(Pe- Chrifi in the flejh after hts Refiirrection when hee trum & ad SOS qui cm ^^^^ fg p^f^y andthoCe thnt rvere rvith him^ and fnid^ Sufeb. lib.7. c. ai . handle mee and fee me : ' Bufcbms reckons 20. fuc- ceflfive Sijbop of that See iTjhis time, Theoderet and fome others reckon in all 28. before the great- Counceli of Nice, Anno 3*2 0. At Ephefus appearcs alfo a continued fuccef- fion, not only in the Apoftles time of Timothy,., <£ufeblmi y. c.aj. ad Oncfir/im, and Poljcrates. But that '^fr&m Ttmothy ^^*^'^°' to the Counceli of Chalcedony there was a continued ' fiiccejfion of Bijho^s. For Stefhanui the Bifhop of Efhefus being dcpofed^ quefiion arifing whether the new Bij1)0p who was to fucceed, were to hee c ho fen by the Conn fell, or by the Synod of Jfia. Leontimihe. * Concii : Cl^alcedon : ^ijhop ffMagnefia '^ in the Province of Afa alleadg- h^. II. ed, that from Ttmothy to' that time there had heene flf/^r f.1Sm«I i^vcmQkwer\Bi/hops of ephefus all ordeyned {yrs foi.H^ there. i innam lib. 3 c.?. p^i ^Qyy^Q the firfl Were Peter and Paul both Bi- ^inmuh^X "p.3. ^"^^P"^ ^"^ Apoftles, and about Anno 56. Peter jmdAHHi igitny bcat'i and Paul ordained Linus Bijhop of Rome ^whopt jpojionEcckJim Lmo j.^ackttis fucceeded, and after him Clemens • This fiiccedtt eUtt.tciem,p&fl Clemens who was third lucceflivc Bilhop, Irenaus cum tertio loco nb Apo- relate? to have lived in the Apo files times and con- {:kmmfqT&Jdinp^- ^'^erfcd with them 5 after him fucceeded Euarifius, foi ApeHohi &cantulit Sixttts, Telefphorus^ Higinus, Pius, Anicetus, S^ter, m Maiiyrs ' folio? ^^^ Eleutherius, who was the 12*. fuccclTiYe Bi- ^^* ' ftopofi2f»w. "~ . This This Blemheritts fcnt over Fugacius and D/^ -f.E^i/ fnUms to Lucitts King of Britaine, that converted fS# SV^J^'ji' this Ifle, and inftituted Bifliops here, who have continued ever fince. Thefe few may be enough to prove a continued fucceflion, though as much might bee done for moft of the Ancient Chur- ches, of which fayes Irenms, agnitio vera eftAp- .^^^^^^ i^^^^6^\ jlolornm DoBr'iMy & Antiqtms EC€leftdJiatus ia tmiverfo mundo fecurfdum fuccejiiones Efifieporiint^ qmhiis illi €itm,ciUA in tmoquoj^ loco efl,Eccieftam tka^ didcrunt. - Bet the great perfecutions of thofe times confidered, it is an evidence of the great mercy of G o D to preferve that order , that there was any one vifible fucceffion in any one church. Yet had they beene extin(5t, Szint Werome n'monymm adznagn fayes of them in gcnerall. That all Bijhops are the fucceffors of the Jpoftles : Saint Cyprian, Bijhops Cy^rmMo-.^^^^i^ip are the fuccejfors of the Apofiles, and that they an- frver to the HighPriefi in the Law, So teft ifie Ire- jnnttui ia^9.ii \,% e. ?; rf£us ^ndTertffllian,That as Smyrria had Polycarpe ^os ab ApopHsine* fromSimUhn, zrA Rome Clemmhthe .ffoim- ^P2";»S«r mer^ of Peter 'j So the reB of the Churches can peyv ushabtm, fuch as were ordained Bijhops hy the JpoHles and ^'/^^^i jf/^l'^fcfi have derived the fame Jpojlolicali fucceffion to them, with which agrees Irenms in that : faith he^tv^ can reckon thofe which were ordained Bifhops in the churches by the Apoflles altd their fucceffors jeven to ^ffr age, and have derived the fame Apoftolicall J^^««,J^Jr«« ^«« fucceflion to them. «a Apefi0iu hftitutiftm If the Ancients give all this unanfwerable. £Jf^fi^^^¥]^¥i C 2 Tcflimo- jt [A briefe Reyie'90 of Epifcopacic' Teftimony of them ♦, It is by thefe and many more that might be given undeniable, but that they were inthetimeof the'Apoftks^inftirmed by the Apoftles, and continued ever fince^ , Nor. can any man that, will acknowledge Truth, Hi- ftory, or Fathers, deny it. r^ * -hty g/: Mailer C/?r/n?r/^^/^ was hard put to it when he urmimit.^^$69. ^^^j^ ^^. deny but that.Sainti\/^r/'^ was inftitu. ted Bifkof of Alexandria : -Yet (fayes he) from thejir^ day when M device was efiablifhed,.corrtif^ tion grew in the Chf^sh, and that the frji refi fiance hy any fit led Church againjl that corruption , ivas by thofe that ahoUfhed that device of man, and received the order of the Apofiles touching the equa-^ litieof Minifters, as f^^ Bohemians, thofe of Qct-^ ma-nieW Geneva. So here is a cleere Confeffion that for fifteene • * hundred and odde y^ares after C^r//?, the order of JEjfifcopacie, was never queftioned, nor paii- tieof Minifters fet a foote by.any Church. , . ^5 ext i fhall fhe w ihe Authorities. Sea. A hriefi Reyiey0 ^ iEpifcopaciei i j Section 4, That' the^'fpere-J^iocefan ^i/lop. TTIs teange to fee what vveake Fancies delude . ■*the obft'inate, fiich as are fcnceleffe^ againft the Antiquity of Bifliops, and beconne reconciled to the name Bifliop, yet thep fay they, they were but B'ijhops ofParipjeSj every Paftor being Eifhop of ^•^' i-J-P*^'** hi^ Congregation 5 and nor Diocefan BiOiops, - . , t . -^ whereas wee muft neceffarily obferve the cleane contrary, for there were Diocefife before there werePanfhes. . f( v-v:;;^^ .There were no parifhes till 567. yifaresaEer Anrw^,,T|o;i|je^&(v«fyfl Chrift, as one of their owneftrainecoUecfts out PcdtlonYoi /lo. p<;/ir.^ ox Tvlyaore VtrgiL, bm the Chrtfts an meetings mr^, I, ** in Holes or Caves mder z^otwd rather tti'enin^em- 4. c.?. (.ri'-vi/T -pies w-ptibhke places: •• . . s . Yet wee niuil beleeye . Chniijani^tj^^ y^^ more {ireight;ned th^ indeed ft was, '.it .wemi'rit ^ome, or Hierufalemy or lytniiochy ot Mexantjria^ or Bfhifk^ being fo great Cities V had t^uV one particular Congregation of Chriftians»"for we^ -r^fl-^t'^ WQVtt finde mentioh of any more but-ojfie'Blfhop in any of thefe, nor was a Bifhops See confined only to a Cittie, but fayes Cahm, writing of th^ ^^^^'^'^^ ^4fffit tU-^' Ancient Sute of the Church be'fcfrethePapacie; '*'^'^'-'° ^14 ^ briefe Review hf Epifcopacfe!! Vmemq^dvitatleraiat- j-^ ^^^yy c'/>^/> was attributed a certa'me Regm9r ^relbyum^^^^^^ Country, rvhichfrorrt thence flwuld receive their Pref- tire. hyterSy and be reckoned^ at being of the body of thai church, 4 So though thefc DioccjPfcs, were not then di- vided into Parifhes^ yet the Cittie and Coun- trey adjacent made a Competent DiocefTe. . Moulini Buckler of Moulin obferves^that it rvas hard in all Jntiquity ftijh 14^- ' to find examples of two jBiJhops in one Town, for gene* rail CuJtome was againfi it. As Theodoret, Chryfo' ftome, and Bierome upon the firft Chapter to the Fhilippians witnefle, and Jugnl^line inhls iio, Epiftle. tib;3iEpitt.i.Lib ij.4. Saint Cyprian teaches that in one Church (m^- ^^P'^'** ning one DiocefTe) there mujl be but one Bijhop,and that to fet up a fecondwere to make a Schifmc, and to rend in peeces the body of Chrift. Which is ful- ^tttJkiYaiibHiMlm- j^r explained by Beza, teftifying thzx. Anciently "*^^* the Churches were Diocejfes^ and that in their cfiieft Towne of every Diocese, the firft Presbyter, who af terwards began to be called Bifhop (which hath been proved to bein'theApoftlestimes^ wa^ fet over ' his fellow Presbyters t, \^nd if the Country was of larger extent, then that all upon every occafion could nteete in the Citie, they hadalfo Chorepifcopi, that iah'mlnJiltHtil4,c-4* U^Countrey, orVice-Bifhops, Calvin\iVtvAictt9ii' §rvas or- dainedat RomCymd fomeoftheCleAr7ien}hohiidaf' ^ -, y, ,. , jertted to it moved with Repentance j and returning cj^y : I.3 . ep. u . from Schifme unto the Church confejfed their error, Nos crrorem noftrum confitennur, ^c . So care- full were the Ancients of preferving the honor and degree of Bifhops in the extent of their Dio- cefTe*, That at the Counfell at ^'W/^r/z not long comlium Satdk:ci^.6 after the Counfell at Nice celebrated by 3 4 1 . Bi- fhops it is determined, ihdt it tsjimply unlawful/ 10 conUitute a'Rlihop in a village or fmali Cittie, lea/i the name and attworitie of a Biihop grow into con- tempt. The fame in the Counfell o^JLaodicea^ That no Bifhops ought to bee placed in Villages and CoadfiumUtdicentcjS Country Townes, hut vifitors. To which adde the Tm.Toktjx. a. 4, Counfell of Toledo held almoft one thoufmd yeares firiee^ which though latter then the for- mer, was much before the Papacie, wherein 'tis decreed 5 Therefore if any mmjhalUaufea Bi- shop to bee made in thofe places, where a Bi- So^ Bochardm Dsmtt fhop never was, let him be Anathema in the fight ^* 5^- ^' 3 *. of God K^lmightie, and moreover let both the ordey^ ner and the ordeyned lofe the degree of his order, be- caufe he hath pre fumed to-Qverthrow not only the De^ (rees of the ijincient Fathers^ but alfothe C^pofio- licall Ordinance, Nor were their. Dioceffes then o^ {vichmx- V-piHokadimmmu^r row bounds, when Theodoret Bifliop oi Cyprus ^^^^ fayes of himfelfe, that he was Paftor of Soo. Pa- filhes. Neither. ^ i^ ^ A meie Key te^ of hpnco^sicie^ Neither were thefe DiocefTes only diftingui- ^led for convenience, and all Paftors had equall power every where,but they had particular lurif- cjiclion in their. feveralL Precinds even from the : Apoftles times, as was alleadged by the Bifliop of /- .•u^.ur.„.rr^.' Cyprus 2L2a.m{\. the Bifliop of Jntiech in the vent,s^ifc9^orum c^pri. CounccU or Efhcjus tor encroaching upon his DiocefTe, which thing the C<7/w/^//r^;?//^rf^^4;« hmovAtion centrArpo the rules of the Afoftles, and determined that no Bifhop fhotdd have to doe with any Country or Province which had not even from the J- . 'beginning belonged to his Sea, And in the Coun- S^vlf^^f/Mc^is^;] cell of 5^(^Af,and Ancyra, it is decreed, /f 4 5^- * flwf ordaine ^ Mini ft er in anothef Dtocejfe out of his Oivne, it i^oyde, seda'in Hifisr • Angi : In the Synod held in England, Anno 675. it is 1.4,0:5. fcan : z- & €. ^ecj-^ed, that no B/jhop jhould invade the Diocejje of another, nor e^ercife any preiflly funBion without the leave of the Bijhop in whofe Dioce(fe.they are, ■ Thefe few I have fele(5led out of fo many Au- thorities (asjto recite all would fill a Volume) and I refl latisfied with the fe wer,becaure both Scrip- ture, and all Antiquities give us Prcfi dents ftore, AnnM^s auuio^ «^ Si^^^ops, of Cities Provinces Nations : As Barnaba. Britamonm Rome, Anttochy Alexandria, Ifierufalem, Conftanti- ep'ifcopus ouljaam : ^opfe] Ephefm^Smyrna, PergamoSy Thyatira^ Sardis, ^vfher^de BrttMnlcArii PhH.adelphja, Laodicea^ and of the Cretians, Aftans, sedefarum prmord^js Syrians, Cjprims^ Ljcaonians, Cjlicians, and to o- page 9 74j,74?,io7t j^^jj. y^j^ ^^^^y more.and come nearer home. We and diverfe Authors icadxmt Ar/Jlohuius tn the yeare, ')6. after Chrift ^o^ 'f' v^m ordained Bifhop of the Briuines, Yet no Age r: 1 ' nor I/i briefe %eyier9s> of Epifcopacie!; 17 nbr ftory gives us Prefident of any Bifhop of a Pa- riih, very rarely of a fmall Ckie. If then their Inftitution were Apoftolicall, their fucceifion unqueflionable, their DioceflTian limits the farne.^ whence is it that we are fo irre- concileably at odds with them -f Iv^arry their owne Coate thinke they overtop them in fuperiority, affuming Iurifdi(5l:ion5 Ordi- nation and the power of the keyes to themfelves. Let us examine whether thcfe be late encroach- ments, or of Antiquity. Sedion 5. "That the Clergie ought to Se faperiors one to another, n^He Scripture gives us^our firft light of fuch ■■' diftindion of degrees in the Miniftery •, faith i;corm4 12. u. Saint Tad J God hath fet fome in the Ch/trch, firfl A foflles J fecondaril-j, Prophets ythirdly, Teachers, after that Miracles, thert gifts of Healings, helpes in Go- njernments, Diverfities of tongues. And as he hath put a priority of degrees in thefe, fo are their offi- ces diftind, as Saint Ambrofe hyts. There is one thinz which Godrectuires of a Bijhop, another of a ^f^'^of. it dignitat : „ S ^1 ir T^ '■ Saurdotum.c.%. Presbyter, another of a Deacon. ^ And that thefe were of feverall preheminen- ces, venerable Bede putsitoutof queftion, for ^* scda.«i.«c: «o, D faith 1 8 AMefeReVtey»of^pifcoip^cic^ faith hee, Js no mm donbteth but the twelve Apofl'-^ les didpremonjlrate the forme of Bijhofs , fo ths j?- *ventj aid hare thefgure of the Preshp^rs mdfecond order of Pr'reHs. ' With this the fathers, Saint Cyprian, Ambrofe, Hierome5Auguftine agree. That thefe two degrees ofMinilters wjere ordejriedbj Chrifi when he aM>o;n- Vmaftts.epi^ 54/ tedtrpeive Jpojiles {rvhofefucceffors are the-B/fhops) and f verity difciflcs whom the Pre'shiters fucceedjhefe Datnafiis feconds faying. Among the Dffaplesof Chrifi we know but two orders , that isyif the twelve J jf off les, andfeventy Difcifles. J natifii E'iaok ad "^n^ fg^^ti^'^h:e Pnpill o^^ T^au'am. giiiflies both the orders and fuperiority of thefe EpTcopn fubjem efiii Orders 5 advifing the Trallians ftf ^^ /^^^;>(^ ^^ ^^^/r '^^IlI'S^^u- Bilhop4Sto tkeir%ord,andmhefreflpers.asuthe^ jurum sfipopH^ Typu Jpoft/cs of(^r/fi.The,Bf{hop bears the Type ofCifdthe Dei Vatm ommHm ge- ^^^^^^ ^r^i ^/,^ preMcrs art as the fellowfhip of the fefui quldem &conjun. Apoftks.PinQ what (iaith ne)/j the B/jhop but ne that &m 4\^oMonm costtu. hath power over al^ln atiother of his tpiftleshe ad- Tlnels^^'^'^' '"'vires the Magnefians, That as Chrift doth nothing without hisfdthcrjfodoeyou nothing without the Blr- P)o^j whether you be presbyter , Beacon or Layman, This borh flievves a fuperiority in degrees, and ex- cludes Lay Elders out of the Prefbytery, citmns Epifioia ad That thefe are notofequall degree and power, TiitginHm Epift. I . Clement one of the Succe(f o rs of Saint Peter tefti- fies this to beM^* do^rine of Peter, according to the InHitntion ^/c/;r/7/,direding,thar Presbyters fhould 'he obedient to their Bifhops in ail things. And in his third Epiflle. adv'iks Pre sbyiers, and Deacons, and othcyj. A brief e 'ReVie^of Epi/copacie. 1 5^ others of the Ckargieto take heed that they doe no- thing mthoutthe Licence of the Bjjl}0p, Saint Auftin, being himfelfe a Bifhop, as care- Burchardtu cyt€s .thh full they fhoiild hot forget their duties and pre- ^^ saim ^w/?w. bc- fume a parky,te]s thcm.Toti Presbyters, kmwye that tf^',!,!;^;^^^, &'c'^ ymtr degree is the fecond and next to onrs-^for even as Amhr : o^c. 1 *. ct*. Bilhops have the place of the Apofiles in the Churchy i[anyobey nothisBi- •^ v ; « /^ r 1 r -^ 1 r • 1 1 r Ihapjhelwatveth from even JO the Presbyters of the other aijctpes:the former ihe right way through have the decree of Aaron, the high Priefl-^ the later of P"de. ^/^/tf;?m. With whofe opinion agrees that of /JX^DlL/r^'^^" Hierome ; That the Bifhops, Presbyters, andDea- HkronymtaadV.uagr: cons are anfwerahleto the High Prieft.JPriefls , and '?S Alon^'yWM 1- JLevittS. ju4 hoc Spifcopum & Saint Cyprian obfervesit asanill{igne,when pycfb^^emeffenmtnm. presbyters wreftle for parity withtheir Bifiops: '^J'P'^'^' * i- '?•^'i' whatJanger ffayes he) is not to he feared by off en- ding the Lord ^ rvhenfomeofthe Priefls not remem- hring their place, neither thinking they have a Bifhop feto^verthem , challenge the whole unto themfelves, even rvith the reproach and contempt of him that is fet over /-^^/^^PEpiphanius writing of the Arian He- ^piphan : con bar. 7^ . refie holds it , Thefpeech of a Devi II rather then a Aug. Har 55. man, that there was no difference between a BiOwp and ^'''^° lUtdMic^mx- 1 K \ ' 'i An. r \ n^ ^\ r gu ^fajn Humana' cert. a Presbyter, And in the Aas or the Synod or Huionis fmt, n'm dif- Chalcedon the difproportion was conceived fuch, M ^pifcopm a prejby- that when Pafchanius and Lucentiiis declared ,that to bringijack a Bifhop to the' degree of a presbyter, was ExafluSyncdJccbal- Sacriledgeithc whole councell anfwered, we all fay J^/^"^, ^ '^"^ ^ *' the fame jthe judgement of the Fathers is upright. Through which degrees , the Ancient Fathers lokgradatim to their preferments, not being at D 2 the 3.0 Z4bri^e Reyie-^fi of E^ikopSLcicl ^^p>7iia.iib.4.Ep'ft-«' the firft Call, all cqualls : Saint Cy/^r/^;! writes of , /tei Stcerdoi^ fubime ^^^^^^/^^^ That he came fo the Bijhofrick not ftd^-, {SS!;S" denly. but havmg bin promoted through all the Eccle^ fiaHkdll offcesy he afcendedto the height of FrieB- 'hood by all the degrees of Religion, Which degree and fnperiority was ft ill kept in the Reformed Churches, though fuch had beene the corrupti- ons of Popery, that the name Sijhop, was growne iinpleafing to them. As may appeare by the Au- guftan Confeflidn. .^ ^ ^ . Mini^lers (ky they) may be reduced iMO three fcfton'ferihjfn. Orders^ Deacons, Fajtors y and Superintender^s, Deacons me call yotmg MiniBers who are jayned to-; Fajlors, Payors to rvhom fome Church though done is committed •, fuferirnendents tvee call thofc who are fet over other Pallors and Deacons, Which whe- ther they diflPer in any thing but in name from Bi- (hops, as ^^wZ'/V hath formerly teftifiedjUfing a bad Latine fbr a good Grecke Word, I appeale to every impartiall Reader,. Let Hi neo6i fee^ 'whether they affume a: ^0 ff^er their PredeceJ^ors had not, 'EE fee Saint Paul committed to Tituf, both Iurifdid:ion and ordination when he Titus I . s- fayes, for thi^s caufe left I thee in Creete, that thou jhouldH A brief e Reyieyxt ^*Epifcopacie. 21 Jhouldfi fet in order the things that arc wanting, and , ordaine Elders in every Citk as I have appointed thee. Whence Du-Moulin concludes that Paul gave -Mtf/^/m comment j in ?^ Titus fome freheminenee over the refi. Likevvile *^""''" in that h^chytsxo Timothy j Rebuke not an Elder, niinoih.f,!. and againe, Again si an Elder receive not an accnfa- tion-fjut before tivo or three rvitnefs'es,! charge thee be- fore God and the Lord kf^, and his Slecf Angels jhat thou obferve thefe things rvithotit frejudicew part/a- litie. DU'I^fouiin colleds thence^ That Saint p^ . , ^"^ V^\Afeem£s to give Timothy a TribunaU over other in i Tim!'^.?^^**^ ' Minivers, y ., ^ P^^evldjurrmathes And ;the like is ifnplyed in that Text of the '^^^^'"^ f^P^a umi^ Angcll of the Church of Efhefu6, Revelati,i, i . where is mentioned but one Angell , though there were many Prieft s in the Citie. Whereupon he obfcrves*. That if fuperiority. pertanevtll thing, MoHimtmmmx up. Cad muldrfot have given foiver to the Apofiles over onRcvcl.2. 1. the refi of the Clear gie. Which notes of his, his fonne ingenuoufly MouiinsUttet fdio obferves, were his private Marginall Coilecflions for the fatisfadlion of his owne Confcience •, but thefe are but of a late edition, fome will fay •, Let us then lee whether the Ancients fo expounded the intention of the Apoftle by the practice of their times. M"". Fox in his Martyrs having recited feverall of the firft Bifliops after the Apoftles times, ob- ferves that there remaines little of them, but certain ^' ' *^ ^"'* * ^^' decretaU Epi files containing little fubjlmce of doB- D 3 rine. 'Zi' A oriefe Rey lew of ^fiko^icie* rwe, hut Larves^ Injun0ionsj md decrees ^ whereby ir Hiould appeare, that they had then Iuriidi(5tion of Lawes and Decrees. And though there were many Degrees of Minifters, in the Church, (which word c/'wrr^ k generally taken for all the Churches of a Pro- vince j yet was there but one who was the Go- Ignatlui ad Traii : vcmor of thc Church, bearing, as faith Ignatius , The ftvay of nuthoritj nbov e and over them all. SaJiit Hterome dc Sep- Saint Hierome in his Tradate of the feven or- r ;:^!;i"^i ^^^ f^ of the church, fayes,he comes to intreatc of erdo spifcopdliie&. the chief e degree of the Church %vhich is the power of F»bm^ Deipr^en.ki. j^^jj^ ^.The power whereof he thus expreffeth. ffd governeth the Church of body hejheweth jvhat every one- ought to doe, he condemneth, he receivethyhe bin^ deth, he loofeth that which is bound, he hath the keyer of the Kingdome of Heaven, he ofeneth^and jhuttetb the Throne of God having noihing above hinti 'tAc- cording to the cdnfent of thefe fathers, doth'the Counfcll of Antioch conclude, that whatsoever cm X Antm i c. »4t things appertaine to the Church are to bee governed. Husbanded,^ and difpofed by the judgment and author ritieof the Bifhop,to whofe truft w'e whole people is committed, and the fou'les of the Congragaiion, ; Qdnon A^oMi 3 o. di- The Ancient Cannon called the Apoflles, ap- ^ 51* pointeth that fuch a Presbyter as will of hisowne Authority without the appointment of th^ Bijhop hold ajfernblies for the fervice of God and ufe of the S a- cram€nts, that he pjould be depos' das ambitious. The fame confirm'd in the Counfell of Antioch in the CmikChmdcnia^:^ fifth Canon, which being recited inthe Coun- : ^ ceU Mriefe Review of Epifcopacic; i j ccU of Chalccdon,aIl the Bidiops gave it this Ac- damation. This is a jufi Rule, this is the Rule of the Fathers.. In the Councellof r^rf^ntvvssdetcrmi- conc^cxrih r gr^f, c, ned, th.1t, if my Presb)ter fivelltngwith pride a- gainjl his Bifhop f])all make a Schi(rncyWJlhar awing himfdfe from the Communis of his B/fhop, let him be Anathema. The CounfelloO/Wr^ ordained, that Ifa/iy ^"'^^'^ t/f^/r. cap. 9. man jhf the Canonical! fentence of his otvne B./JJop, »o man jhould receive him into the- Commmiani. . : Greg.,ho\ds^TheB/fJ)OpshAve'noiv in the Church cremyhb.^oiUmx^ the places {of the L^pofiles) they wh:cbhaa.'e that degree of Regiment have Amhoritie to bind and loofe, Calvin no friend of Epifcopall lurifdiction, yet Cs\\n\ jnjiitut ; iib.4, feenaesr to- imply a necelTirie of feme in them, for ^ u- art. a- •. ;:. ^ (fayes he,) -^f we could hame trae'Sifhofs (which he ^^.^Z Ti'ft fpoke<*in refpedt ot the Popifli Bifliops) / y/j-.>^':o the A brief e Re'y>ie')» (/* Epifco pacic^ 47 the fame Timothy, he puts him in remembrance. That thoufljrre uf the gift of God which is in thee jby z Tim. r., of my hands who did ordeine thee Bijhop. Hence it is, that the Canon cat- Downeham /.j.foi 80. led the Apoftles, appoints that^ Presbyter .^ and fo Apoftoi; Canon u.». aDeaconmaybe ordeined ofone. And the Fathers ^ . ^. ^ of the African Counceil agree, that one Bijhop El • j j ■ vt ^ /r • ^ retimtnt' pwer oj nammg and ordaining* Not aflenting to the vaine aflfertions of fuch NoveWfis, asprefume It upon A hriefe Rcyhw of Epifcopacic. i^ upon an inward calling negle(5iing the Ordination of the Bifhop whom ii/^//2>^^^^/« more abfolutely ,^, «,,, 1^11- -ivrW / r. a a MclanSlhon pan. i^M. convjnccs, Holding it Necejjarythat Pajtorsmuft jo^. be ordained by Pafiors, and that it )vas the anaent ^'ecejjecfi Panares aPa Cujl0«^ that the Church chofi (that was fuel, ro 1:^::,::^^^:^. whom the Church had committed the carej and iia,hoc enjnquibu^ cam this was by the iudzment and approbation of the Bi- ^["^ iommfit scdefia ^ Inop that ordat7:ea. approbatio spifcopi crdi- And of what confequence it istoallProre- ^'"»^«- ftants that this power of Ordination be kept in a proper courfe according to its firft inftitutioHjthat we hazard not the loffe of a lawfull Miniftery we may judge by that of^ MelanBhon • whofe opini- ^^^^^^^^ /"^^^ 4- fol. on it was, that God faves not without that MimUe- iVd«i mi^ (civat dcus rie, which he ordainedy according to that faying. He ('''ei/iommjienoj quod that beleeves and was baptized : Neither can the l/j^^"* ^i'lreJ!li:!it Church exift^ this Miniflerie being ext in- & saptixatm fuerit-y ^^n^^a. , , . A . ^ , te(i exiinao hoc mini' Saint Cyprian much his Ancient more Empha- ftem. tically exprefTeth himfclfe •, That if Bijlwps be ta- ^! ^P^f^^P'^ ^^bU excide- ken away, it is neceffarie the Church mufi fte a Bill of 'velfetmEccufiamnt Divorce from God, becaufe it can no more be called a eeffe tfet, quia ampim The Authority of thefe great Divines fliould ^^''^^^' make us careful!, how we part with this power of .Ordination, or thefe Ordainers, if we refpe(5t the •falvation of our foules, or the exiftency of th^ Proteftant Church •, And I muft confefTe, for ought that I have yet feene or heard. I (hould reft much unfatisfied in point of Conscience cither ki 9 populai: elcdion of Minifters ♦, or in the dif- E J cjpline-. ^o ^dd liter, ad Euagf faeit epifcopus excep- tx ordinatione quod no/i facitei'iam^reibytcrr \A hrltfe Reyie'^ of Epifcopacic. cipline of the Church by Lay Elders. For proofe whereof I never yet faw any thing that reUfli'd of Senfe out mecre mif-application^diftorrion of the word Presbytery for Lay Elders. Which both Scripture and the fathers fuily explain to be inten- ded by Minifters of the Word and Sacraments ^ And never yet was fo much as the word Lay- Elder, ever feene in Scripture or Antiquity. Saint Hierom fully refolves the fcruple putting this power of ordination, as one of the principall differences twixt a Bifliop, and a Presbyter. Which muft needs imply that presbyters were not Lay-men who might exercife moft parts of the Minifteriall office except principally ordina- tion of Minifters. Section 8. Ecclefii^icall Qenfures anciently in Bishops. 'LL thefe former exceptions recon- cird,yet there is one above all-. The power of the keys, Tis Him ill a U- ehrymA: the great grievance is jiot that the Bifhops have too raucti power to punilh,but th'at thefe have not all pdwet as lAbriefi'^e'pie'S^of Epifcopacie.' n as well as the Bifliops. Chrift HimfelFe commit - ted this power to the ApoflleP^^^r^ I will give unto thee the Keys of the k/ngdome of Heaven, afjd ivhatfoever thou jlalt h/nde or/ e^irth^ [hall l>e hoimd in Heaven. ^ ^Matili.KT.r^. Now leaft Peter {liould appropriate this power to himfelfe ^ " Againe after his Refurre(5^ion, he appeared to Eleven of his Difciples being afTcm- bled, and having breath'd the Holy GhoHuY-^n them, he tranfmits this power to them all, ivhofc foevcr fwnes yee remit , they are remitted unto them, and whofe foever fmnes '^ee retaine they are retain- ed : ^ by which two places, as we may obferve, ^ ^q^^^ ^^ ^ this power was not appropriated only to Peter, Co it was only inlpartedto the Apoftles, and not to any Presbytery or Lay Elders. Nor dyed it with them, but we finde that Saint Paul having inititu- ted Titus in the order Apoftolike or Epifcopall, transfers this power with his order, them that fin, rehuke before all, that others alfo may- feare, '^ ^yfnd ^i Timothy jjo a man that is an Heretic k after the fr si and fecond Admonition rejecl. ^ dThus$io, But fay thefe Difciplinarhns from that of Matthew : Tell the Churcht, if hee he are not the . churchy let him be to thee as m Ethnicke and Publi- can ', ^ That therefore the Apoftle could not Ex- a wath. ig, communicate without Jie confent of the church, but that the power of the Keyes belongs to the ^T>kscciep^,pr,tfhiihs whole multitude-., wli^reas the Fathers, C/;r/tf- ^cbZ-V^'Itl^^^^^ fiome, Hierom, Hillary , and othefS upon that place Mat«h. ' / agree, 3^ ^ Mefc Reyhw of EfikofSLcicl * agree, Tell it to the Church, {th^tis) the Riders and Covernours of the Church . iHliiar: de TmUatc. ^^^ SdAm. Hilary reftrainesthisonly toihe A- lib.^. poftles (of whom h e fayes j § yce bleffed and ho- ly men, that fir the defert of your faith gate the keyes of the kingdome of Heaven. And Saint Gregory more fully-. The Apoftles (faith he) iv-^/r^j^^- red the dilhiB judgment of God, are made judges of foules, their places norv in the Church the Bifliops ^^'egorx m evangel'. ^^^',. a n v u r: -r il Horn. 16, This Apoltohcall or Epiicopall power was Gonftantly pradiis'd by the ^//^'C'/'j (the Apoftics fucceffors) in all the Primitive times, who * exer- eifed it with greater authority before there were Chri- jiian MagiHrates then afterwards. For before they I i%l ,' &c. ' call'd arid held their C ounce lis by their owne author i - HeoMf: cap. 3,3. ficj they heard and judged all caufes amengst Christ- ans, they punifh'd all kinds of faults by Eccleftafi- £allcenfures. It were vaine expence of time to muftcr up a McUndhon : Artie ; proofes, they ate fo infinite, for the conftant and mietVgimr SpiCcopf^ continuall ufe of this power in the hands of 5/'- poiejtate ordinuM eft jhop fince the Apoftles times, which was fcarce f"'^'''^"*^JJ^\^f ever qucftion'd till of late •, When * MdanHhor^ &^ptllatem ju^ifdi- a great Reformer fatisfics us, That a Bflwp hath Hiem, htM;e^,authori- pxver of Order, that is, of the Mini si cry of the Word utem excommunicandt ^„^sacraments,andhath afi powcr of lurifdiBion, nibHs, &ruY(Mab[ol- that ts, Author ttie to excommunicate \u€h 04 are 00- vendieos ficonverftpe- yiQxtous in publike Crimes, and abfolvinz fuch as be- Epifioia adGaiparum mg converted require objolution, Li'xftum. Tiuneiuamu' And Mafter Calvin,zs is formerly cited, con- tilefittavi,&c. cdved ceived it an odious thing to commit the power of Excommunication to every Paftor, as that which would foone flippe into Tyranny ,and was againft the cuftome of the Apoftles. How much more Tyrannicall muft it bee, if it fliall fall into the hands of the multitude, which Seza ^ holds to he b Bera ^motatx m afouleenor, is.ap.Matthi Yet this is the old caufe of quarrell •, AgainB this Hkr Archie (fay they j xve doe not commence jout ^^^*' ^P'^^* renew ourfuite for the recover ie of the Keys ofchrifi. Which Keys whenfoever they recover-. The ^Nobility and Gentry become Captives to the vulgar, and all order and honour in the Church muft degenerate into confufion, in confequence both Religion and Learning perifli. Sed:ion ^. 'titles of Honour anciently giyen to TDVtfliould we admit a right, afuccelHon, a -■-^neceflity in all thefe^ yet now they are A f- fpirers 5 They are become Lord Bifhops^and this word Lordly Prelate is fuch a badge of Anti- chrift, that they muft needs be taken lower and humbled. , Alas good men 1 I wifti the envie of many of us were not greater than their Amr F How j4 ^ Mefe Rh^k^ifEpiCc6f£cic. How meanc, how bafe, how contemptible a calling is the fervice of the Altar become with fome men, when as the Lawyer, whofe heft ufe i$ by fctling our tenfipofall eftates to preferve peace ori earth; The Phyfitian who thrives by the diforder, corruption or decay of our Nature 5 The Merchant who cloathes our pride with raggs of vanity^ Or feeds our Gluttony with fupetflu- ous Gates ', The Clarke wliofe oftelyvertueh to write wide and faf^, to doe little and take great fees-, The Vfuter whofe rife is but our faB ,whom other men's vices (prodigality or improvidence) not his owne merit or induftry advances ; may all of them without murmur or regret undermine us of our Eftates, overtop us in advancement, fcale the Wall of Honour, and plant their pofteritics to all ages in degrees of eminent e,aboveour reach without our envie. And yet the Divine, our Advocate, for an'in- corruptible, etcrnall Joherir^nce', our Pctice-ma- ker with G6d^ The t^hyfitian of our foules^ The Merchant rii^t'fefiflgs us to that rich War- drop the Robes of Chrifts righteoufneffe, feeds us with the food of life, the word of truth ^ The Clarke, the Regifter of our fifth and penitence, (m foules Treafitrerthdt lends ^mifi?, that Tfea- fure wtierewith v^e ptirchafe an eternall Crowfte of glory •, To him we can fcarce repay thanks^ sdmk hirtl a poOre fraiflfitorj^ Temporary Title of Hohour, Of allow Ws pofterity a footing amongft us. Who fhaM on fuch Tearmes traineuphis Child AhriefeRtVtei» ^ Epifcojpaciel 35 Child at the fecte of Ganfaliel, whenhe is cer<- taine he can never attainc honour to himfclfejfor^ tunc for his pofterity. And had the office of the Prieft-hood no Title of greater Honour or refpe(5l from the be- ginning < If fo, 'tis fit to reduce fuch incroach- mcnt$. The firft Prieft wereade of had a High Ti- Genofis 14. 1%, tie, Melchifedecke Km^ of Salem w^ the Prieft of the moB High God, to him Jham gave Tythes of *•• ail. (Neither their Honours nor their fortunes arc much increafed.) Mofes was both a Prince and a . Prieft, as Saint AuHirty Hieromey Naz,ian2^enj and others all agreejthat he was Sacerdos faccrdotum : (^ fummus Dei facer dos. k^ PrieH of Prieft s, and the High Priefi of God -^ whofe opinions are grounded on and confirmed by the Pfalmift, Mo- p^^j^^ ^es and Aaron amongli his PrieHs, and Samuel a- ^' ' mongH them that call upon his Name. Nor wore his hands bound from Princely jurifdi(fiion 5 But he was a ffeciall inftrument of God for the pro^ Uoy(t%fuitfpeciak Dti mulging of the lams and commands of G D for ^^^rumentumprosynA- the Government both of the Chnrch and Common- ^&* mandlu Dti^'9. wealth, mulgandt pr« refftmc Eleazar the fonne of Aaron is appointed to "^"'^i htt Princefs princifum Ltvi y ^Chiefe ever the u^^j^^^^^.^^^ chiefe of the Levites, And inlerufalera, Ama- x,ialh the chiefe PrieB isfet over the fttfreame fudges and Fri^fts in all meters iff the Lord. «Nor w^re ^ q. they tjtularly ordy over them, but voted in judge- ' ''* ffientj which the other did not. If tkfre arife a ^'^- F 2 natter j^ JbriefeReVieTiofEfiFcOp^ciel matter too hard for thee in ]udgementy &c. Thou palt cometothe Prielis of the LeviteSj and unto the Judge that jJ}a/l hem thofedajes, and they fJjalljherv ^Deuier. 17.?. thee the fentence of judgment, '^ Neither were thefe Titles onely attributed to the Pricfts in the old Law • butvvefindcdiverfc of the fathers have given the fame to the Bifhops fince the Gofpell. „. . _/, Saint //»r I Timothy % fMarke tf.4. J I Kings it. li Kings I, '^2 Kings 4. Z4 briefe Reyie^ of Epifcopacici mil are worthy of double honour ^ . And our Savioui' himfelfe complaines , A Prophet is not without ho- nour but in his owrte Countreyf. Now whether they were debarred a Titular honour or no , the whole caufe of the Scripture will determine. The prophets both gave and received this Tit- le (LorQ),ffamah calls Eli the Prieft Lord, i .Sam. I . Jrt mt thoH my i.i.»« Epiftol. nour, no feare is yeeldedto them, Hee (faith hee) ^.adTim. fljjf ^ Religioujlie affe^ed tothePrieH, mil with greater Pietie Reverence God, and hethatdefpifeth the Priefi, commeth by degrees to this atlaflj that he ivaxeth contumeliofis againjl God himfelfe. So wee perceive here was neither in precept nor pradife any interdi(5i:ion or difcontinuance of ^j^ due honour to thofc whom Chrift himfelfc calls, % Corin-V ^^^ fi^f of the earth, the ligU of the rvorldy whom I Co«:imb,4« the Apoftk calls Embajfadors for ChriJi , An4 Stewards of his Hotife-hold, whomthc Holy G ho fi in the Revelation calls Starres and Angels of the churches-^ whom all Primitive times reverenced with the Titles of Princes and Lords •, And to whom as Minifters of the Myfteries of our falva- tion we owe not only honour, but as Saint Paul dPhUemon v. ip. fajes^ even our felves, ^ whom if wee neglect or r contemne, as God faid to the Propliet ^^w/W, e I Samuel 8. c ^^^ reje^ not thee^ but me, {^4ndof whom our Saviour A hriefe Reyleyp of Epifcopacici 4! Saviour faith, They that defpifeyouy defpfe me % ajjd they that defpife we, defpife him that fent me. ^Cy- .. prian ^obferves the foune of alt Schi fines to be this, . q"* .7'^, Epift $ ^; rvhen the Biftiop xvho is but one and governeth the Church, by the proud prefitmption ^ fome is con- temned* Scdi, 10, lArch'Bl SHOPS in the Primli tiye times, T>Vt if thefe Titles weretobedifpens'dwithj ••-'yet this fupreame ufurpation over Biftiops^and all, this word Jrch-Bifbop is an Arch-Type of An- tichrili. And as Eaton delivered in his Sermon, by the fame reafon any man can prove an Arch-Bi- (hop hee will prove a Pope : Let us fee if that had not fome foundation in Antiquity. That Tittts was ordained Arch-Bifhop of Crete is already proved in the Epiftle by the opi- nions of Lyra, Chryfoftome, Brafrnpts and others ; And Anacletus (fecond fucccffor from Veter in the Chaire of Rome) as Biihop /w^//obfcrves, ^ mentions Areh-Bijhops, which is as much as firft V^^rfJ^iefcaceeftlie Bifliop or Primate. Chmh Gorecnwos, Ambrofe was Arch-bifbop of Millaine, as is tc- . ftified hyStrabo, beingele(AedbyaiS^y??^^of the Biihops, as was the manner of choofing Metro- G politans 4a A brief e ReVts'P^ of Epifcopacie' C9ncil'.chalcedonA&.n poHtans, ^Valentinim having called a Synod of Bi- f^VfZ'JZM'fi' 'l'^">» "/." MarofoUtanferfwadesthem Mpijcoporum&confiteta fo be carefull of their choicc, feeing they knew rvhat lige, Ejir^cp-ii e:phefo- ^^^^^^ ^f p^rfon hee ouq-ht to bee, ivho is accounted fiitutus. rvorthieefthe<^rch-Priejthood. The Compilers rheodi 1. 4'c. 1- ot the Centuries plainly confefTe, ^ that Ambrofe uetropokanmfmtpiu' v^?iS^ MetrofolitanM'^^'''^gthe government Of many rum con]Hn^a-fum Ee- comprovinciall churches. And they fl^ew thac thofe 5/fr/Sgm^'''^'''*" Overfeers of many Churches, were called Bifbops , Jbid. 4. c 7. ? 1 6. fometimes Arch-B/fhops^ fometimes Metropolitanes. Epift: symmchiisad Synnmachus Biflwp of Rome vinzts to Laurent im LamentM Tom: Con. ■'.n r/ ^ r ■» «■ v s ,,r// • /i-r ^ 'Diiemfmo afq, bcatif- B/jhop of (the lame Metropolis) MtlUine ♦, Itihng fko fratri Laurentio , j^ini his ?^^/ /'^/v and belovcd Brother Laurence SJ^^'pf! ^^'^'^^ Arch-Bifliop of the Church of Millame. Which fupreame Title Wvas then of no new or late infti- tution, for in the firft Generall Councell ofNice^ which was held within two hundred thirty yeares €mU % Kic : cap. tf. after the Apoftles times •, It was acknowledged Metropolitans and Patriarchs to have bin long in ufe before that time. And they confirme the Ancient Cuftome of (ubjedting divers Provinces to them. I'o thefe higheft officers in the Church fome ^lUulZodearul of the Ancients gavc the ftilc of chicfcs or Phh- primpes corrigere faia- where they Cannot correcf, they must referre the cauje guntjedqiaaperfene- to the ch'iefe or Prince^ that is (fayes he) ^/^^ Arch- si '^prmcipem'lidcR) Billiop,^j whofe Authority, the fin mtisi be expiated, Anhi-spifcop.m, cu]m To adde further proofes of the Patriarchs of §^u!^ ''"^'^'*' ^^t'^(><^^^^ Alexandria,Ierufalem, ConBantinople,znd Other places, were to tyre thofe that are verfed in iVnti- J hriefe ReVieyo of EpifcopSLcie, '^-^ Antiquity with what they know already. And it were to little purpofe to vouch fuch abfolute Authority, to thofe who are refolved to belceve none ancienter then themfelves, and are fo wed- ded to their owne fenfe ^ So habituated to looke on things prefenr^with the Spe(5tacles of humane and naturall reafon,that the old eye of Hiftoricall faith is quite dimmed in them : Nay would they but follow the light of iVature, (which is yet but a blind guide,) they might fee enough to finde that Nature her felfe affeSs order, which cannot ordo eU rerum prtece- be without decrees, which muft needs imply fu- dentium &coH(equeH- perioritie: AsDu-Moulm obferves,/. ^v^ H .u ^j^T.k '"*" wongli the Angels, fo Is it in Common-Wealths, in ^ow/w^Confcflionof Armies^ in Families, yea if wee defend to Bees and ^ ^"'^ /<>^'4®8^ Cranes, wee Jlull not fee thefe meaner Creatures without a naturMl plicie^ and a kinde of ftpri' oritie. Now for any man to induce hence this learn- ed concluiion, becaufe there is a necefTity that for conferving order in a ftate there fhould bee feve- . rail Dioce^Tes, and to regulate thofe, feverall Bi- fliops, and to unite all thofe there fhould be fomc one Metropolitan 5 Ergo, to conne(5fc all thofe Me- tropolitan heads there fliould bee one univerfall Head a Pope, is as abfurd an Inference, as to fay, becaufe it is neceflary every naturall body which are diftind bodies fliould have a head, Ergo they fliould all have but one head : or becaufe all ftates are beft govern'd under a Monarch. Er^o,thci:c fliould be one univerfall Monarch. G 2 No , 44 -^ Mefe ReVt^ of Epifcopacic' Moulin. conftJftQn oj No faycs Moulm ingenuoufly. There are noJhouU faith, fol. 4op. ^^^^ ofjlrength enough to bearefo great a head, The providence of no one man can ftrctch or extend it felfe fo fari'e, or divide it felfe into fo many pie- ces : fuch pernicious pride to the State of the Church v^^as never cheriflied in Antiquity, but withftood by all the firfl General Councells,and they were fo farre from fupporting thisPapall . , -. Vfurpation, that they depofed feverall Popes, As i^r^ ^* t^'' ^^'''' ^^^ '^^^^ritieth was dcpoid by the i/ 6. Counceil Con- Coimcell of Conik^ncc^ ^ Bomr/ffs condemned o£ ^r^^TomV cone- ^^^{ft^^ and his bookes burnt by the fixth Gene^ C^H'thage p. 141. ' rail Councell : '^ The papacy oppofed by the /Saint Gregory I.4. ep: Councell of Carthage under Cyprian. ^ And by %\'^Lovumrceienn, Saint Cr^^^^w the very name of univerfallBiiliop HHiverfaiem peftem sc'^ inveighed ^^^/;^i?, OS awicked mw mme, £ auni- ciefue^cgrrupmnemfidei ^^^A// pU^ue of the Church, a Corruption offaith^ contra carmeSi contra ■ rt i ^ • n. .1 4 /i/i^- a VammApMum^con- agamHtheCanons^agAinjttheJpftkVeiQX^agawfi traomnesscdefias.con- God Hmfelfcr never, (faicshe) any pious man of- T^l'^f:!rlT:u4''>"''ir"ch'^rMe,.cra«jofMrfredeccffors. jHfmoditituiiiufumeffc, Now for full aflurancethatthisfupreame ju- NAita pradccefhm nfji^ftion given to onewasfortheneceffarypo- Ecaivim innitut:/.4. licy and prcfervation of the Church, and not the 1 4- sed : 3. effed: of Papall pride, Cahin himfelfe though no $:iuZJ&' g'Mt friend to the order,confefreth,when writing bsntinter spifcopos Ar- .of the State of the Primitive Church before Pa- ihupifcopum, quod item p^cie, whcrcin he obferves, s rhat every Province fiitutifuntTatriarcb^y ^^^^ ^^^ Arch-Bijhop amongU their Bijbops, and that qHtefentordine&dig- in the Councell of \^\ct were approved Patriarchs^ ■;:^;;f:S&t ^'"^'' P""'^ 1'^ '« "^^^^ andd,gmtk dove ^rch- (rafkrvationefcrtinebat Bfjhops, This (fayes he) wos fir thc C$nficration Jlbriefe%eyier^of Epifcopacie^ ^t ef Difirpline and good government. To adde to> this were fupcrfluoiis, Section II. . Late (jreat Writers approved Bishop s. BVt admit allAntiquitiewei'cbleere-ey'd, dimme-fighted, and as the Truth of the Word was onely revealed in forn:ier times, fo the truth of Difcipline was not made knownc ^...u till of late-. Let us not examine the worft, but the beft of late Writers, whether this order were / fuch an eye-fore to them. Calvin acknowledges,*. T-^^P^^/^^^^ry chofe one «CaV: De fiatu we- out of their number, (rvhombee explaines tobeesW rueaiefaante^apat,' Min{{^^rso£thcv^o^d)torphomfpea^^^^ the Title of a Bijhop , that of equality, asisufuall^ mmmmjunaume/at, difcord might not arife, ^" f>f»»" nominabant But did Calvin onely confefTethe name , and ^Zmrl7npn\u]l*ttvl notking of the ufe of Bifhops ^ InhisEpiftleto ?'»^''^'^^'»««»f%*4»r, the King ofPoland^hee commends the patterne ^£^J^ of the Primitive times, ZTiAadvifes the King to aquditate.ut fienfoieh -place Bijhops in every Province , and over them an (^'fidianafcertntuu Jrch-Bijhop. And would hee advife the placing llP^foh^^d^tgmt,^ offem in the Church, if hee were , of the minde . G^ of.: 45 ^ brltfe Reyiei^ of Epifcopacic. of our meri'^ who hold itfmne to heare them freach'^ Fatemur ergo Epifco^os revcrentcr mdimdos , cor4cuum\nco,fef!i-"'^^^^'^ ^^^e, I corfejfe B^fjops mtift he reverently one seek fie Gallica. heard. Or whatc' muft wee onely heare them for hu- d'E^x^'-adCArdxSi- manity fake^ No fayes hce^'Klftheyadrm us dokt : ftich Hierarchy wherein Bijhopsfo heare rule , that raiem rtohumemubi- ^i^^. ^^fj^f^ ^^t to hee Sdje^ toChr/sL What then am ft cxhibeant inqui J i J J emineant npifcojfi : ut (iiall wc onely admire, and not obey them^ chrino/ubejfenmrecu- ^yhy then ffayes heej ^what or how many foever ^NuUononAmthcmate t hey lee , that mil mt fubie6t themfelvestofuch a dignes cenfeo qmquot Hierarchy , as fubmits itfclfe to Chrifl IcfuSj I hold tmfoTfutbl'^Jt, t^^^ ^^orthy the great efi ctirfe that may bee, fubtjcinelufit. B E z A the greateft Champion for equality in his owne little Dominion , yet declares his /'J«^^^^W«[;^"-'»^Diflike of fuch as refift Epifcopall power, ^Btz^degraxMinine- ^ Where it is ejlMjhed, And in his Treatife of the rijcap.a?. .degrees of the miniftcry , fpeaking of Bifhops, S'^'pSI«tr heefayes,§. Letthemenjoy that Government that ft ut httnc ordinem te* jvill, and may ^ God forbid that Ifbould either rajhly mere autfuperbe repre- ^y arrogantly reprovt that order. h Buccr. Traciat de re- fern : Ecciifa: Tom: ^tfcer who was 3 great Reformer, holds his :^Sr.iLTX' "^Wefe Endeavour muft hccKTht Mlmamerof €aommprocuratmis EccUfiaflieall Government, which the Canons fre- tcckftte ratio &ordi' fcribcy unto Bilhops and Metropolitans, heereliored natio, qitam C^nonesJ j ■ • j ^ '• '' ^plfcofU&Metropoht. ^n^^^t^t^t^^^> pi'ie'Svof Epifcopacie^ 47 iire, in another place, where he confelTes'. That i^^^^^-deMegno chfifii by the perpetual/ ohfervation of the Church even from * *' ^^' } *' the\j4fojlles themfelves j we fee, jtfeemedgoodto the Hclj Ghoft , that amongfi the Presbpers, one fiould have the fingular Charge of the Chmchcs^ i and in that Charge and care governe all others, for whkh canfe the very name ^/^ B I S H O P rvas Attributed to the chiefe Covernours of Chnr- ^, ^ ^ - -* -^ cbim', De Oecum pon^ CheS* tlfice lib. To. cap. y . 84. Ergo fuerunt Scelt" The Icimcd Chamier acknowledges, that ^^^fZ^l^;^. fuch were the beginnings o^ Eccleftaflicall Policie, mm, quific in commu- rhat out of the company of the Presbj'ters n'/;/^/' Zlfmm'S^'7 did adminifter in the Church one %va^ eleBed who on^^ilm pr'mia e(j'ct,& fjjould bee chief e of all the reli, and was called Bi- spifcop^djcerctur. In Zanchi^hcf'.dercfor- Inop. pimd'. Ssclefiarumra- tlone . ZmcU holds them all (attefimg before God ^^^S"" »X and his Conicience) Worthie no other efleeme but habere loco, qu am (cbif- of Schifmatiques, who in reforming the Church '"■^^'"'''^^ ^^j^^ "^""^ would have no Bilhops, which may bee placed in a £p}fiopos authoritatis degree of Eminence and K^uthoritie above their graduy &c. fell«. Presbyters, r^herc they may he had: For S'/eSS{^ rvhofoever obferves (fayes hcc) the confent of all DiverfosgradmTrefbj- times and places even to this Age, and follow es •"'''''T^J;^Jp'^^f/)y* the ufe and fence of the Church, wjll eafly under- ^^£a l]jl}ec°u'dumvei ft and that according to the ''f ord of God, there both vctburn^ & femft/fu- «W..;..M.«rf/^<.rf.^m../BiflTOpsWPref-£^f}r;^:*:fi bytcrs tn the Government of the C h u r c h •, ubkungj iniquities tem- - Therefojre where they flourifli they muft not f '^^^'^^X^^'^^^'^ ^-^^ ^ in any kindc bee aboliflied, and where ever the ''^^ ' ^ " iniquity 48 *^ ^^^^fi ReVie'^ 0/ Epifcop«cie. Iniquity of the times hath aboliflied them, they muftbereftored. // «f . ^. ;./<>- M E L A N c T HON Prophetically com- jliigi pag J jof . pJaines •, / would to God tt lay in mee to re (tore the Government of Bifliops , / doe fee that hereafter will grow a greater Tyramie in the Church theh ever before, Nay our owne late difcontents, the thoufand Minifters in King /4we^ his time were not at fuch enmity with the order, but they held ic a Schifme to deiire their aboHtion. Petition of icoo. Mi- Wee the Vli ^ is t iB.^ s of the GofpcU/;^ eiiftcrstoKingiawM. this 'Land, neither a^ faEilom men affeBing a jfo- ptUr farity in the Church, nor as Schifmatiques ayming at the dijfolution of the State ECC LE- SI ASTIC A LL^ hut as the faithfuU fervants ^/CHRIST and Loyall Sttbje&s , &c. If there bee then fuch a confent of all Late wri- ters of any Authoritie in the Church, what is now the quarrell i Why yet thefe arc indeed but fingle mens opinions 5 But they cry loudly out, 'tis otherwife now in other the Reformed Churches. ^i(hofs Ahriefc R^W^o/Epifcopacic»^ 4^ Se6^ion 12. Bishops approyed hj %e^ formed Churches. ZK^nchie fwhofc opinion I late recited) zanck.-.Tom.-r.fjgj. delivers not this as his fingle fenfe. I had f»'^ mm pr^tercAhi- nkmfe ffayes hec) m ccnf.demwn thofi *::^r";r&« Other C H V R C H E S, which though they EvangeUum ampkxtt have embraced the Gofpcll, setretaine (It li, both ^"^^^ (Mstamn &re J J J n J K^ \ T> &nommeejtfcop9s,atq, m name am deed n i s hops and Arcn-J5 i- Anhiepifcepos minue- S H OP S, runt. *M E L A N c Ta.Oii^{2LSCani€rariusoh(Qrvts) » cmerar'm in vUm notonely bytheconfentjbutby the advice of ^W.'Melana. Luther perfwaded that. If Bijhofs would grant free ufe of the true doctrine , the ordinary power and ad- mini ftration over the fever all Diocejfes jhould bee reftoredtothem. And Melan5ihon hiniielfe wri- ting to Luther fayes ^yoti will not heleevt. hojv fome ^ HIttor • Aagt Conf. dee hate mee for relioring the jurifdiBion to Bi- W3o^« ihops. . Luther the Vehement inveigher againfl: Topifh Bifliops, which hee calls fluggifh beafts, and flow Bejlies, gives this Caveat, ^ Let no man cjl.atheMi thinke that what isffoken againft thofe Tyrants is H ffokei$ 56 ' ^ ^^^h R^'^i^^ of Eplfcbpacic; fpoken againH the Ecclefiafiicall State and true Bifhops or good Pafiors : And as in the fe men thediflikeof EPISCOPJCIE was not at the order, butbecaufe as then, the dominion of the Pope was over all, and they could have none but Popifh BISHOPS •, fo was it in the Augu - ftaff Conf'eflion, who entred their Protellationin ^Apolj ConfctT: Aug: thefe words. '^ pcrp«p : page 137. jy^^ ^^^ f^^^^ proteslj and rvee would have it fo recorded J that, wee would rv/llingly preferve the Ecclefiafticall rfWOnonicallPolicie, ffthe'Ri- jdm.Hifl : covjejf : fhops would ceafe to tyrann/ze over our C\\mk\\cs. Aug : per ch]/tr : pio?: This our m'mde or dejire fhali excufe us with a/lpo- fteritie, both before GOD and all Nations, that it may not bee imputed to tu , that the ^utho- ritie tf/" B I S H O P S is overthrowne by m : profefllng clearely, wee doe not in any kinde 9 Apol: Conf: Aug : oiflike the Authoritieof Bishops, "" fo they peychjti:j6^, _: would not coynp'ell m to doc againf Gods Comman- dermnisi • ; The Prince oF Anhalt, groaning under the / cmhn J ^?>'^^ flipps./WWi C) . qiiamlibenter, _^c. Oh how 4w?&<^^ ""^^* f ' willingly, and with what joy of heart would wee receive them for pur Vti shops. Reverence, O- 'h.m them,], and wld them their iurifdiciion and pramatfo/fj which wee alwaycs, and L u t h e r both in words ^ and m his writings very often fro- So So that the reafon wee fee fwayed with ^ thofe Reformed C h ur c h b s was that they wa-e not free States , but fubordinate to the Pope, nor could bee clearely rid of the Popifh Bifliops ^ but they were forced to leave 5 /- SHOPS^ becaufe they could not have thofe that were Orthodoxe^ not becaufe they did not like them at all. For notwithftanding all that Clamour which is made of the Reformed Churches (and is but fallacy , if it bee well looked into) it -will bee found of the Reformed Churches^ many of them doe. flill retaine BISHOPS, and not a ^ third p-ait hath received the Prefbyterian Dif- cipline. ^ . ti i- As ^fmarkCy Norway, SueviA , all G e k- Downham ./. 47:1 jo. M A s I E except fome ''few parts-. All the '' Churches in the mtchifs ot Saxony, Bnmf bilion, " mcke, and Limenbttrg, The Dutchies o^ Mega^ " lobtirg, Wirtemberg', All the Churches with- '' in the Countreys of the Mnrqucffes of Bran- « denburg, and of Bade. The Churches in «^ the Earldomes of fiemeberg, Smrtzenberg, " Lennings , Hannarve, MansfeiU, Oetmgh, Stal- " bergh, Glich, RheMerne^ Leonfiine. And in the "■' 'Biwnksoi' Leitjferg, Schenburg, Wildenjieldy " whereunto may bee added all the Churches "■' in at leaft thirtie free Citties, many of theic Territories ^s Ample as GenevAy^^iich. have none of them received the Presbyterian difciplinc 5 Some perhaps have fuperintendents differing on- jiZ A hriefeRe>idi of Efifcopticiel !y in name, from Bifhops, nothing in power. To which take in E n o l a n d, and Ire- land, which alone being well confidered will bee found to containe more reformed Churches, then are fubje(5i:ed to a Presbytery in all for- raigne parts. Yet many of us fwallow this fuggeftion, that all Reformed Churches are fo govern'd, with as much eafc, as wee beleeve that all the Apo- files and Primitive times were ruled by Lay- Elders, when as I have faid before, neither can Scripture or Antiquity fo much as prove the word, nor out of either did I yet ever fee produ- ced any one probable inference fi|r it, not any thing to induce beliefe, but fuch ^J^ aflertion is, (that it is fo in other reformed Churches) con- fident untruth •, And inftead of feeking fatisfadi- on from Antiquity, this blind confidence leadcs Tfkepbi lib. 18. c. 49. many into the old rejeded Herefies of the Con- tebaptites tvhich allowed noBifhops. Many, too many revert to that great Aerian Herefie con- demned long fince , that all iJiiiniBers mufi bee equallj and I doubt the motive is the fame to them which moved him •, Saint w^»y?/;^ obferves, • Ausit^i de Hjcref ' "^ ^^^^ h<^h^ difcontenthcmiftof a Bifhopricke. ite/r.j^. ° * ^'/fW^if fell into this Herefie ♦, Tresbyterumah Bpif- L'opo nulla differentia difcerni. And I bcleeve : their difcontent (truly lifted j is the fame, they ! would bee all Bijhofs : I am furc they claimc more independent power^ then ever ^/^^/j had, fviz.) A hriefe R e^iew of Epifcopacic. j 5 ^ (viz.j That every f articular Elderjhi^ is (aninde- B. 4. dome, Gods Government y which fliould have con- Mocion f. 34. linued till the ends of the world, fliould bee wholly fupprelTed by the Immediate fucccfTors of the Apoftles, by all, the Ancient Fathers ^ and Martyrs who fo freely laid downe their lives for the propagation of the Gofpell, and that itt ne- ver found Advocate in all the firfl Gerurrail v -ni u ( . Councells, (Where never fate Lay-Elder,) And s^l'^Uiu aW.^ * that This Scepter whereby C h r i s t ahne rtdes amongfl meny was never advanced ; Th^t this * tare ell of the vers Cub fiance of'GiffpelLwthout,''^-^- ' *P- *47. ivmch there caj^ be no right Reugim was never re- ^ ^ ' vealcd till 1500. yeares after Chrift-, I mtift needs (ay 'tis all of it cither f^alde tm^r^babik, idt. Magnum Myferium. H 3 Sea. 54 lAbriefe Revie'9i> of Epifcopactc. Se<51:ion 13. How Epifcopacie hath beene approloed ty the Ancient and euTtomary Lawes of thu L AND, "D Y thcfe ' evidences of Scripture , f ^ ^^ '=fP°^^ f" ' J -' /' „ r- t t , 1 V 7 • hticoc maao&' com- agreetng members, all, watch the Law diviaeth tnto pofno ex mcmhtU dif- tw0 feverall partSj that is to fay. The Clergie and tinUu, &c. ^am- JLaitie, hothof them next and immediately under God rlm&UU^Jh^^l ' ^fuhjeBy and obedient to the head, Alfo the Kingly hdui &c. of this foliticke body is infiitHted with plenary and intire power ^ prerogative, and lurifdiiiion toren- Mr luTlice and right t/f every pjirt and member of th/s t'hffdy in ail caufes Ecclefrajiicall or TempOrall, other- :'i»ifihe pHiHldm be a heakofthewhole body, ''-' And 5^ ^Mefereyic'^ofE^i(co^2iciG] fie *^thc nimh Re- ^"^ ^'^ ^^^^ ^'^^^^ Councdl^great Court,Gene- port. '^ rail Colivention or Court of Parliament ffeveral- Ego jna, Del gravi \y fo called } The Arch-BiOiops, and Bifliops (the Weft SixoHttm Rex :ex- Ai^, -vu r^j^u-j c \ - imtationc &T>oa'ma Clefgie) havc ever reprelcnted a third part of this ceraedes vatru nei , Monarchick Body, being prefent at and confenti- & Hedccs Ei>ifcop;mei ^nt to the making of all thofe lawes which have eopi mi, &c. emKium bin conltituted tor the preiervation and govern- /Kdremimrum &sc- mcnt of the whole politicke body : As may ap- nimd/olutui", &t\ P^^rc by the moft Ancient Records extant of any pro jiabiiiiate & cm- great Counccll or Parliament. Sir Edward Cooh fumatione popurtmet, obfeHTs that 1(^77 Im who mianed almoft a Sit hdvpird Coolie \)xt- r '^t i- P i ' face to the ninth re- 1 00° yeares lince, vegan his Parliament thu4 : I P«^ ^ Ina bj the grace of Cod^ King of the Wcfi Saxons, by fohTi r.' ' '""^'^ ■ advice and counfell of Cenredes {my father) and K^uiphRexftr liter oi Heddcs, and Erken-wald, my Bijl)ops, and all my P^c"t. con\iiio & Con- NobU-men and mfemen of wy kinzdome^ have con- Senatorum gcntjs fua, ptuted, Scc. for the jet ling and Jafety of my people, largim fun monaHe- ^c. Here wc fee the Sijhovs were Counfellors in Ser?&^'"fU"e-^^e generall Councell forthefafctyof thepeo- pi/capali lutein Jempi- ^i-€. tern, effcquieu j/^^ /^^^ Parliament (heobferv^s; w.as heldby Offa King of the Mercians, Wij' Ethelbert King of Kcnu and the relief the feven^^ngs during the * ^t cbmaeoiueff* Heptarchy . ,^ Muames^'io. ionfir- y^ft^j. ^^ Heptarchy , Anno 755'. whichi is ex qua perfpicuum «/i almoft 900 yearcs fince. King Keml^h^hyme regechartafuainPar- Counfell and confcnt of his Bi{liops,and $ena- tiT&Vn)t}%?fc,'- ^o^s of h*5 Nation, grants to the MonaBery q£ p»rum & fenaio, urn Abingdon to be free fro mall EpifQG»palljurirdi(Sti- lentis fua.qu^in ^ar- qj^ a . whicH charter was after confirmed W-King ferves Abriefe ]R^'))/^o/Epifcopaci6 ff ferves, appeares to bee made by the confent of the Bishops and Senators then ajfembledmVdX' ^icr,j 4fedt>»ltit iiament;* na per ulagcpctpauet, K , K o A L P R B D ^««^87i. ordained |r/*'«/f/»*« for a perpetuall wage, ^tnattwile in the yeare per pariia*rtHter furk they fliould afTemble to treat in Parliament of the g^^tfcf^eit <^« K"/'^* government of the people of God, how they c.f'sfJ?7-° fliould keep themfelves from finne. f Cookes iiHic>/^EpifcopacicJ Here they dldnotfubfcribe as Teftes,biic Con- ^tmhntt:si King' ^xhddxtd held a P^rliamem at I.Srr i^ari cookt Wood-ftocke ^{Annog-jg.) BpheCounfellofhis- Frtfflce. Cleaygie andLa:cks. But the mod fpeciall piece ^ of Antiquity before the Conqiiefl is of that great ■ ^/L'i^rr^Jw P/liament held by that great King C4;;/.ffKin^ nm desremum qut ^i>M^rBi- ^}kpm e>i(capoEim- (h'^ps^feve^ Dukes, as many Earles, wthmanj- hamfife & ar,jj E^^i- Kiiights tmammtih canfentm^ ■ rvith thh Kin^s^ cum totkem ComttbM, Votes. In which the Monaftery or Saint EanHtnd Cum pinrimii Gre- wasexempt fromEpifcopaU jnrifdi(5iion. tientibHi, &c. . confent of iEgclnode Af ch-BifiiOpi!/ ( Dover, nm « Jiiudru 7L^* H^^^- of) Canterbury, and Jlfrkkd Atch-bifliop of favore Agtincd : Do- 1 ovkc^ and the voycej Of Other Riihops, ana Of all 6- r9beren(is,nunccantu- therth^ Lay-Princes, the former Charter woi confir- ^Z^^sX'^it^r- ^^^- ^" ^" which' wee fee the 5//^^;/ were thert cfipohfo fupiig', nee prefent and confeoting, likewife in the old TraifV voacHnaarSmwrn- ^^lyj Modustenend. Parliament, m th^tmcof roborav}t,eic, cooiifs Edivard the Conrcflor. The Aflembly is let Preface lothenii.th forth to conlift of /^^' Holy men (the Bijljops:) Lcms. sdtv i cap.io. ^^^ Aldermen J the Nohlemen^andthe Wfemen, viz.- Rfxautmcjuiviciiriui tht Knight SyCiti^ens 3:\nd Bitr^effes : fn.,mFcgucif,ad^o^ And in the Lnwes ox :Edmrd±t Confcffoi: tonsiUuttn eft ht teg- . , . ..1, • ^ r t • »/(Wc//>*/«'/Wbi-,frQn3^foine fpecially againft, others directed to TfwpwH.j. &pro- ^^ Bijhi>ps,:nnd fome returnable by them, muft linitor.ejM Regit AHgi: nccds with them Ml voyd, of which nature arc ^r^t'v^M^^^T fhe "^''^"^^ iff prohibition to the Bifhop, and o^confuU iiUo fYoctdfte prthi- totion after prohibition, which were declared to buit. c^dkdejitreKe- iffyg j^ all the time of//fm^ the third, and his Mtt&i(ii.s.f4i.^x6. Roydl Pr©gcnitors..^r4(^/^» our old Lawyer tells Ahriefe i^el>w ii>/Epifcopacic, us, None cm cert/ fie excommencement but only the B!p)op, whence muft fall ex confeqiientithcvfnc Fitz • Harb^rr/6/.(js , of Excommumcato Cdpiendo u^on .he Certificate of the. BiJJwp,. The fcvei'all v/rics of ^are im^ fedit'^ £lupd permittat% Ne admittas j :isaKo the writ dircdcd to the Biihop ad admittendum Cleri- cum ' And upon the Bffhops default of exccuti-- on. The writ of j^are non admijitj quare Incum^ hravit, (jrc. As alfo Breue de cautione admitten- da, Sreve de figDificavit, Sreve de Heretic© com- burendo, upon convidion of the Bijhop v/ith ma- ny otherSjWiil bee in the moft part voyd, which writs in former times have had fucn relation to Biffjops that fomeof them have fit with the She- ri&s in the County Courts for returne of writs, ^ and fev erall Bijh ops have had appropriated to their . Sees the returne of writs : In doomfday booke^ it is found, that Tk hundred ^/Ofwaldfliaw in e,,^^^""^^^* ^^. which were three hundred Hydes of land, belonged tit detmehtfier imkt to f/^^ Bifliop tf/ Worchefter of o'd, and no She- ^'''^.f^'- f^^*^- ^f' riffe had any jtmfdi^ion there •, of ivhkh an mani ^^„t /co". H;iv*^«i- jprejidents. L-^iEfifcopu^ipfmiEc- By their removall there fliall be ««#«/ «r^- :^4.i:^«;- ■tifein a rvrit ofbaUardie^ Mtiliertie, Loyaltie of Ma- habst reMtmcs, &c. trimon/e, it being the proper nCi of the Bifhop : The ttautmUtuvketomes, right of prefentation (which is the a6t of the Pa- cookc^v .-fd. 134. iron offering his Cleaik to the Bijhop of thcDio- Jbid : foi: t to. celTe to be inftitutedj And all patronages v;ill -'> be voyd. ' That which is a maxime of the Com- ^ ^-'^ monLav^, that where the right is fpiritttall and the q . ,. ..' remedy only' by Eccleffajika/lLajv*^ ThccQrmfame <»«"•?• onh A hnefe r^lj/^nuo/Epifcopacie. ml'j dfpertaim to the Ecckftdfticdll Court-, will leave Jiiany men deftitute of remedy. The diftin(5i: rights betwixt Patron, Parfon^ and Incumhent at the common Law •, and the grants of Bifhops, Deanes5and Chapters apprqved by the Common Law, will certainly receive great di- flra(5tion . I profefTe my felfe farrc from the abi- iitie to prefent all the Inconveniences : yet if the branches that fpread themfelves, from thefe few Rootes, be wellconfidered, Iprefumethey will affoord matter of great confultation before the body of the Law be thus anatomized. Section ij. The Statute Lafipes concerning Bifhops^ nPHough the inconvenient cfFeds, I'hc fubver- ■*' fion of this order may produce in the Com- mon Law, be lefTe vilible, yet the Havocke fihch a change muft make in the Statute Lawes, is more obvious to our eyes. Many of which become wholly voyd, others in part. As the Statute ofdrcumfpe^e ^^4^^,thirteenth •CoaVedejure Kegli £. the firft, * whereby it npper>res the Bijhops ^ iz'i, i^^' Jif^ight hold plea in their Courts ofTythes, obventions, oblations. Mortuaries, redemptions of pennance, Uy^ iffg violent hands m a Clear ke, defamations, (jrc Like- Ahriefe ReVie^of Epifcopacie.' <^5 Likevvife the Statute called Anicnli cleri. ^.E. 2 . ** '' ^^^ • cfeiW.E.s Confifting of many branches , wherein t'is rati- fied if the Prelates and Cleargy and their Succejfours forever, may exercife Ecdefiafitcall lurifdiflion in the Premijfes, A Ifo the fe verall Statutes, concerri- ingExcominnmcationbytheBifhop:'^ AH Statutes 'j-E-mj concerning the Ordinary, enabling him to fay debts of thegooas of the InteUate ^ ^ of Counterpleading •* 1 3 .Elit : i^ the Kings Title to Benefices by Lapfe, ^ of Collation c tjE. .3.7 to Benefices after Sixe Moneths^^ oi reformation of ft.H.5.i the Government of Hofptalsyoivifitation ofDioceJ-^ fes and Donatives J s of giving Cofts for deteyning of g ^,,H.8.to Tyths, ^ for which by the Common Law is no '"j^-H.st, I'emedyjWith many others. As alfo the Statutes enabhng Bi/hops to examine the abilities of Parfons frefented to Benefices, ' to coirtdtfor Defamations ^ i j.e.i i 3 fopunijhfuch as flrih in the Church-yard, ^ to fup- \9-^*'"^ pvcffc and punijh Herejies,"" to receive the /'r^ m.^'hUt hates of Tejlaments''^ and grant Adminiflrations "nH.s.y which mufl: produce great diftra6tions in the State concerning wills, Executours, and Admint- flratours, which will concernc very many mens cftates, the feverall Statutes o^Dilapdatms, Sub- fcripionsof Admifionto Citre, oi inftitutions and Qualifications of Suffragans , of Vrefentatwns by Lapfe upon deprivations^ divers Statutes concern- ing Lenfes of Bijhops lands and of Benefices which Cuie will be of no ufe. Such as are well vers'd in the Statutes may f I beleeve)eafily collect above Six! core feveral Sta- tutes, many whereof will become wholly voyd, K othc«i ^i- A Iriefe Re'lPte'90 of Epifcopacic. J others in a great part, if the Epifcopall Iurifdi(5ki- onbeaboliihed. Sir Edrvard Coake Turn's up divers cafes, where- in if the Statutes had not enabled the 5//l>()/>/ to proatd n theirEcckfiafticall Courts, there haa bcene no remedy, being they belong not to the Common h\w:oi^Jerve{ faies he) (eein^ the deter- Sit- Ed. Cooke de prt m nation of Herefas, S(hifmeSy and errmri in Reli- l!liiSscleji4ui9'J^o, ^:^^^ ordering, €X4minatfonyndmif:ony inftitution^ 4^td deprivation of men of the Church, of right Ma- trimony^ Divorces, andgenerallBaHardy, (where- upon depend the ftrength of mens difcents and Ifiheritances j of Probates ofteftaments^ and letters of AdminiHration ( without which no debt nor duty due to any dead man can be recovered by the Common Lawj Mortuaries, penfons, procurations^ reparations of Churches, Simony, Incejt, Adultery ^ fornication and Incontinencte^ and fome others^ doth not helong to the Common Law, how neceffary it was for theadminiflrationof luflice, thatEcckfiajlicall Courts were Authorized to determine fo great and important caufes. In all which Fcclefiafticall cau- Cookestiukton.3 44' fesand Iurifdi6lions f^^ Bifhop is thd Kings ordi- nary Andinmediatt officer^ and ever hath beene ap- proved by our Common, ratified by our Statute, lawes^ . Se^;, A hriefe Reyieyi> of Epifcopacie, -Is^ Section i6. Whether Abolijhing ofHSi/lops mcy ft and yoithtbe Kings LegaU ^rerogatiy^^ T aftly it is confiderable. whether Bifhops doc ^--'not appeare to have an infeparable fupportati- on by the Kings moft Anticnt, moft Legally Pre- rogative. What power Bifhops had before they came into this nation hath been formerly iliewed; (ince they were firfl: planted in this Kingdome, k is now neere fifteene hundred yeares, over whom the Kings before the Conquefl: had ever Ecclefi- afticall lurifdidion, and WtUUmtheConquereras King ef England^ made appropriation of Churches T-Sytlu^mmpedit. with Cure to EcclefiapcaUperfons, whence it follow- 'fi^^' , . . ^^ (fays Sir Edward Cook »)that hehadEccleJta^ alloluulmc^^^^^^^ flic all lurifdiBion . ^^^i^- «^ ^ ^x Angi'a ap^ Itkrecited intheChartcr ofHc^thefirftAn ^S^^^tSt the foundation or the Abbey or Reddmgy That buij[eco>tftqunut,cookcdi dfwell in regard of his Ecclefiailicallas Recall power, h[^ ^ff/ '?• , he erdatnes that thepofjepons of the i^bbeyjhAUre' dcRtduing an i !<;, su- rname entire and free for ever. From which and '«'^'^' '^'•^em tam Uc(f(ia other prefidents(Sii-£i,v.C..feconcludesMy;r./;;SJ!|rX:fiS" hy the antient Common Laws of this Realme, by the &c. " Refolutions andludgements of the ludges and Sages fo^kedeiuHecclep^nics, Kz 4°'^^' : 68 Abrkfe ReVte've of Epifcopacie^. / sfthe Lam ofEngUnd^ in allfuccepon ofciges^ asbj the authority of many ^ cts of Parliament, antient^ and of later times •, 7'hat the Kingdome of England is- anabfolute'JMonarchy^ andthat the King i^ the only Sufreame Governor^ a five II over £cclejia(i/call per- fons , and in Eccleftajlicall canfes ,. as Temporally Which Sup-eamc power over Ecclefiafticall per- fo IS, is no way more manifefted than in the dcfi- gn tion or noiiii lation of Bt^ops, (the Supreame ^ Officers in the Church j it appearing by Law books, and by divers h&s of Parliament. That at firfi all the S jhopncks in England were of the Co-^ks Ui\kt- foil 34. . j^j^^^ founds on, and donative, per trad'tionem Ba- cuU clr Anndi ♦, t^nd that King Henry the frfl^ Rot.par.i J 7^» i7.//'Epifccpacir. G9 Now if this prchcminence over the ftatc Ec- 1^ dcfiafticall, this right of Eledionor defignarion \ beido; of fifteen hundred yeares prefcription, al- lowed n d confir'ped, both by Common and Stati tc Law5^enot a legall and infcparable prero- g^t've: Then certainly the oldMaxime Nullum tempos occurrtt Regi^ is of little force. And 'tis to me (I confelfe) of a ftrange apprct- henfion, that any fhould prefume to preach or prim fuch do(5lrines^ fo abfolutely deftrud^ive to this kingly Supremacy and Prerogative, andfo repugnant to the Word of God . As that dl Pa- "j^l^^^ po^l'^"^ > * J Jiors ought to he chofen by the people, or elfe their ele^ dvcrs others"" '" ^""^ Bionis not larvfuU\ wherein they do diredly de- ny this Ecclefiaftical lurifdidion. Having no other Argument to overthrow this, fo long con- ftant pradtife warranted by Law. But that they fay it was fo in the Primitive times, which per- haps might be true in fome private alTcmblies^ yet as is fufficiently proved where there then was (e- Vcn in the Apoftlcs times) any State or Province \ ^J"'°''' converted to the Chriftian Faith, as £/^^y/// and Crete: The Apoftles ordained Biiliops^ they Pref hyters^ that is, Minifters. But admit all Pa ft ors had been then eleiftive, when there was no Chriftian Civill Magiftrate to choofe ^ no Vniverfities or Schooles of literature, to enable men for the Miniftery .• No way to judge of their capacities , but by the exercife of thofe gifts which God in a miraculous meafurCj /for the. calling of < the Gentiles} w^aspleafed to ' - K 3 give -.3 yi \A brlefe Reyieyp of Epifcopacie. / give to mcane people; No maintenance for a mi- / , niftery but what was coUecfted out of private pur- fes (who had thereby fome pretence of popular eledions.) No publike or free Churches,but pri- Martyrs fol: 39. ^^^^ meetings in Holes or Caves : Is it therefore . a rationall inference , That when Kwgs, Frinca and whole Nations were converted to the Chri- ilian faith , who have founded and raifed up Vni- verfities and Schooles of Learning where men are trained up in the myfteries of Divinitie, of whofe abilities the common people cannot judge, whofe perfons or parts cannot be knowne to all but by recommendation 5 Since by the particu- lar Beneficence of Kings and Princes , Churches have beene built and endowed with maintenance for Minifters, without the purfe of the people ; Muft we now reduce the Government of a whole Nation to the fame Rule that govern'd forty or fifty who gathered themfelves into a body, and zo^M super Can: it had no civill Magiftrate i Laod : Coneiii. Tis ttue, that fome few yeares after the Apo- E'rwi iflSu!% ^^^^ ^^^^^ ^" ^^^^ ^^'^^^^ ^^^ popular ele^ions of JmTuit^Jfndefcditio- Biiliops and Minifters remained. Butasfoone 77f5 exiUmnt, Hhtc 35 Chriftianitie begun to be any thing fpread,did ^^iS^T>- "o« ^^^y tf *r */" p^°''"« '^"""'«' f^*^'"- vimice authoritate eiigi ons, bloud-lhcd c' As Zonaros obfervcs. In times Ep'if'o^um quemq^ »f>- p^a gi(}ions mre chofen by the voue of the people^ poite,^ dnrcvenntpa- if J rj- r > t. / r ■ j i 1 i^f J gje. ^^^ man'j feaitions arifmg, the Fathers ordained th4t eieWme Damaft \i7. every Who^fbouldhechofenh)the^\{ho^sofhii t7cl\:7o%Tl7f ^^^^^^'^ And recites feverallfeditions,inflan- fmt dcbu monumental, cing that at the Blcdionof Vamaff^s 137. men were Z4briefe\eyief9of Epifccpacie, ^o were flaine, of vohkh (faycs he j might hce brought px€ hundred examples. And {'v\ct the wifdome of Princes^thc Piety of Councells, finding fuch hor- rid efFcds of Popular elecftions, for the peace and good government of the Church did reduce Pro- vinces into Diocefies, and fubdivideJ them into Pariihes f and for the avoyding of llich Confufi- on) attributed for the moft part the right of pre- fentation to the Prince or fubjecffc, who had firfl endowed the <^hurches with maintenance -., what is it but to bring backe all to the firft Chaos-^ Thus to reduce all to popular eledions ^ To take from the King this antient Legall right of Patronage ^ We allow priviledges, and ratifie all donations to Corporations, Cities, Burroughes, Hofpitalls, even to the Spittle, for the cure of difeafes, and ihall no Patronage bee firme , no endowment be valid which is made by fuch Royall Benefa^^^ors to the cure of foules ^ With the Abolition of this order muft ex con- fequenti fall the Kings power of fummoning them to Councell. Queil;ionle{re,wkcn Elut he- rim dire(5led Lutim to take out of the Scripture a vHiCi Biii.Eff/e^.f fcr/. Lm>, And according to that Law to rule the /irfW;Sure fr>o,^(. ;oi. j^. ?y. the ^ifJjops that then were the expofitors of that Scripture, were not excluded from the confulta- tionof thofe Lawes, which were to bee derived fmm that Scripture they had then newly taught . In all Chriftian dates they had prime place in Councell : In the firft Records of Farliamems v^ find, they had fo here ^ Their writs of Sum- mons 7^ A briefe reyhl!0 of EpiCco^Sicie. J iiions as Antient, and in the fame words as thofe of Temporall Barons. Their Baronies Created by the Conqueror: We likewife acknowledge tlic King the fount aine of Honour : And are not bodies politicke, Corporations, Cities,Boroughs by our Lawes capable of rights, of liberties of Honours as well as private men ^ And if late in- ftitutedjOld decayed Burroughs doe all of them de jure c!r dc falfo, prefcribe to and enjoy their right of Vote in Parliament : Is the whole order of s,H: and Commons have) leflfe capable of rights then every fmall Burrough < Are the Kings Grants of priviledges, honours, good to iuch, and yet 1500. yeares patronage, ncere a thou- fand yeares prefcription to their Votes in Parlia- ment. The Kings writs of 700. yeares con- flant pradize, can neither preferve his Patronage, enable him to fummon them, nor them to plead a priviledge. This fupreame power over them we find hath by our lawes deduc'd many priviledges to the S/:i4:E'3:f. Crowne. As to dem'fethe^r Temper dties in va* cation times ^ To have all the lands of the free-hol- i7.-E:3Ji4J ders fecminfftomeeaRule . ... ,,«<.^.^•,^, unanlvverable 5 What the Chtirch hath alrvap held, cap.i^.^!odimzefa- rvhat hath not been infiitnted by Cotmcels, hut ever in temit £cckfia,cjuod' fraBifed in the Church, is moB rightly to be beleeved fjr^^t^dfmpclnlm' as an K^ffofiolicall Tradition, A nd lertullian con- tum ei\,non -,. ifi ^pofie- eludes. That /:< e A hriefe Reloie'^p of Epi fcopacic'. In the Interim, what confufion muft follow ? If theve muft be ncrLaw, but we ir.uft bee left to the Arbitrary Gove^ nr. sent oFthe Paftour, and his Elders •, I have no more lo fay^but ^liferereno- ftri : God deliver me from fuch a Government •, I was born free,that is^hcyre to laws- And laws ( fays Sir E.Caok)'WGrc well called Libert ates AnglU^quia^. Liheros nos fmunt , Becaufe Laws make us free. And certainly there is no fuch Tyranny as no Law. The vulgar may call this Liberty, but fuch Liberty brings in Licentioufnefte, which is ever the fore-runner of fervitude What do wee call a Tyrant, but him whofe v^ill is a Law 5 what muft we call ten thoufand fuch i But fay fome, what will this conccrne the Ci- vill State < Yes, BuUingcr obferves^thc Ambaf- t^fis in Germany began with the Bi{hops,but' ended with the Civill Magiftrate. And one of our own ingenioufly concludes, ^nodfer Ecckfiam^ Rex ^ Kcgnum folidum fubfiBendi habent fundarmntum^ That by the ftable Government of the Church, the King and Kingdome have the folid foundation of their fubfiflence. The holy finger of Ifrael, not infignificantly couples together , Nolite tamere Clm^os meos HUmiiitChioa, (which S.H/erome appropriates to Kings) &m Prof^hetis meis nolite maljgnm , Touch not mine Annointed, and do my Prophets no harme : As if King and Prieft had an infcparable dcpendance of good and ill upon one another. T»he vingcniaus Inquifitor into the Conftituti- ens.. lAhriefe%e'y>ie'9ifof Epifcopacie!; " W ons of Common-wealths , layes this Maxime, Thofe Princes or Republiks which muld keep them- felvafiom Yuin^ mufi above aU things preftrve Reli- gion venerable : Religion is the perfed: Cement of a State,which diflblved, it muft necelTarJly fall in pecces. Hence moft Kingdomes in antient times joyned the royall and prieftly dignity, and that out of policy , that their ceremonies might pot only receive honor from fo great attendances, but that the devotion rayfed by thofe great folem- nities might eftablilliand fccure them in the hearts of their people. Tacitus therefore faid well , Deorum ^munere fimmum Pontifcemfmnmum hominem effe : It was the ipeciall favour of the Gods^that the c'hicfc of Priefts was the chiefe of men. Mahomet left: the office of chiefe Priefl anne- xed to the Royall dignity. And amongft the Rornans^ as if they had ruled both with one arme, whilft there was a feparation o£ Royalty and Prieft.- hoodj it became an honor alrva'^s reftdent ir^ the Empc- roiirsperfortfiom lulius C^efar, in whom the Empire and Pontificate were atfrfl by chance tmited, andco^t- tinned flillin Confiantine,ValentJnian^Valem , and Sozomen./i>.4v the ChrifHan Emperours^till Gratianfrfl cafi off both the name and attire . A nd as nothing more fecures a Crown than a Religious reverence to authority: There are certainely no fo fearefull prodigies of a declining State, as violation of Laws, contempt of Religious orders, and neglc<^ of Divine wor- fhip. AH which we fee daily attempted by fome L3 of lacicacioMs. Ezra 7.17 78 • Jbriefe reyh'^ of Epifcopaclc. oFthofe Difciplinarians, who admit no Reforma- ■ tion, no qualification, but the utter extirpation of the Bifhops, the abfolute fubverfion of the Church- Government. But happy it is,that thefe feavers of a State bave broke forth into a Difcovery of themfclvcs, when the Pfeyfitian is at hand, fitting the Parliament^ whofe ready early help, will by Cods grace allay this Heate,and reduce our Body Politique to its perfecfi: temper. Happy it is we have fuch 2 patterne of Peace, fliewed us by our Prince of peace^who hath made our neighbours the objects of his mercy, us of his love-, In his piety fccurir'^ rjiem with an ad of ob-. , livion. In his equity , looking upon our grie- vances, giving up to the hand ofluilice all delin- quents, and putting himfcife upon the affedions and loyalty of his people. In the whole circum- ftances,an a(5t of Grace not parallelled by any fto- ry. If fuch applaufe were given to DavidyV^htn ^4«/had{lainehis looo, and Dav:J his 16000- what greater plaudites mull: wee give to him, whofe compalTion and wifdome 1 >ath undeniably preferved millions of his people. Let us give to C^far his due acknowledgment, and to God the prayfe ^ And with the Prophet u- nanimoufly cry, Bleffedbethe LordGodof our Fa- thcrs iWho hath -put fuch athingoi this -in the Kings heart. And God put it into the hearts of all his loyalIpeople,to meet this grace of his,with cheer- fulnerfe of fpirit, and contentation of heart,, and dired A hriefe Rcyisiv of Epifcopacic. y^ diredt the confultations of his High Coiinfels to a ' (pecdy regulation of the poore diftradled Church, nnd to ddiver this our Edeff from (the formidable prod igy of dcftru(51:ion j the flaming Srvord brandi- ilied in our Frontiers. That fo our peace, fecured by his Mercy, and our providence, our Liberties redeemed by his luftice and our diligence , the Church prelerved by his Piety and our modera- tion, his united Empire, all our hearts may fpeake the Pfldmifts Language : . The Lord prolong the Kings life y O prepare mercy andtruth^ that mayprefcrve him, Pfal.6i .7. That we may all with Holy David ipny for the peace of Hierufalem^ they fliall profper that love . her, iy^/. 1 2 2, 6. FINIS. TheTabk OfthefeverallScftionsin the furvcy of Presbytery. Scdio prima. Tht define of the Preshperiant. 2 The method ef their froceeding, 5 Their cenfUre of fhe Clcrgit in §jiun Elizabetl^s dA^es, ' 4 Theopmom of the Reformed Churches of her time, 5 A dtfcufiton whether they feeke to full dop^ne or ad-, vancethe Clergie, 6 The Ecc/ejiajiicall Lam agreeable to Gods Word, 7 The Presbferiims muftnot Befrefcribed i»jdoBri»(^ 8 They pnufl be freed from civill miferies, 9 Epifiopacie moft agreeable with Monarchies 10 Presbytery inconfi^ent with Mnarchie, 1 1 Presbytery meof^fient with Civill M^iftrofie, 12 Presbytery iHCOfipffeftt with latfs. 1 3 The ifiirdinate violence of the Presbytery. 14 That this DifcipUnebrifigs not liberty to thevulgar^ but introdnces a metre {Arbitrary Government, 1 5 That the Presbyterian difciplsm is confefjed ayoake, 1 6 The vain escufe(jhat Lay-elders fhall moderate) re- futed. 17 ISTo Reformed Church gives any f rodent patalell tvith tn, 1% Conclufion* That to introduce anew form is dange^ rom, f The ThcTablc, to thcRcview of Epifcopacic. Scccio prima. That there mere Mijb6ps tn the ^poftles times, a That the [even Angels of the [even Churches were Brfheps. 3 , That there hath bin a continued fiiccef ion ofBifhofs. 4 That they xtere Di(>eefan Btfhops* J That the Clergie ouffht to bejuftrieur to one amher^ 6 That they ajjume ni power or jurifdtBion their prede^ cejfbrshadnot. 7 That Bffhops had the fame potfer of OM^^ikn in fdrmer\iimes, 8 Ealejiafiicallcenfuresdncientlji inBifbops, 9 Tit les of I Honour ancientlj given to Btjhops. 10 That iff ere were Archbifbops tit the primitive times. 1 1 That lategre^t iVriters approved Bifh'oj^s, '^ '"" / 12 That Bifhops were approved in the Reformed Chuf^ ches, , 1 5 Eptfcopaciedfpravid Bj the ancient eufimary laws* 1 4 ^hdt dbdlitionof EpifcopaciemU ^c^i^oh great di^ ftraBion in the Common Ldws, ' 1 5 That it will dejlroy great fart of the Statute Laws, 1 6 fvhether it may be done by the Kings Legatt Prero^ j^ative, ;. ^ ^^ 17 7%e(^dncmm, Errats, REader^the Authors abfcncc hath occafion'd many omifsions, haviag not opportunity to pcruictheJPrefTe , efpecially in the quotations. The beft heipe is thy friendly patience , to pafTe by the literall faults, amend thefe few following, and beare with the reft. Some of them vary the fencejtherefore it is defired thou wilt amend them ere thou readeft. Errata, IM the Survey of Prcsl>ytery,Pr<»/;B »,p.t.Ilnc.7 fl///Wfl,Iinc H.foc inftruded r ,intrufted, Scft i.l.i?. for^thcnn,r their Seft.i,pag.»« inarg.l4i,read Prelate Cf^urch. Seft.3,not I, mAt^.r ■pertulfliy i- bidem for eddiftfir,ecldid!ftiynoi(k)£ot Be nec.C ijpjZ.ma rg.not o for 40, fjXi, Seft 7jI,ii,bIoc out thiy fay, ScA,7iD 8,l>l7,add (ai Calvin cals thcm)famticlhomineSy&c. E 1, f for "Deo r,duo , margfor Tomes, r" Tora.7, E i,p,tl,i7,rjCenfurers,E j,p,i,l,29, adde fttch unlimited, Seft-9,l,9}ror every r, Envyjclamour, F fol. Ijij, a full point at pof- (eflion, fol,F,i,p,z,Is4,putout (U)'p 3,1,13 , for and r,&c.ibidjmarg. 1,1 r,r,frenabit, foj, G a,p,»,l,xj,r, obfcrvable G 3, p,», roarg,l,i,r,, Domim G 4, »arg. l,i, r,J9, H i .p,*,!,!?, adde man not to reft,foU I l,i7,r.Prfj^v'e-7,fol,I x,l, i < , after repent : adde The Pr^esbifta iam a^me, I 3 p,i,l,^,r, thefe nevo Standerbearers^ K 8, l,t,blot out tbatt L *jp>»>lj7/or thofer,thefe,L j,I,7jrjCla{ricall. In the Review of Epifcopacie. T o\,f ^mar gyl,i I yVyHeradam «^,fol,io,marg,l,' J,r,E/>//«/?'f«4, fc)l,i3,l,x,r,Fc»ceilf|^«, fol, x4,I,8,r,o- ther^ fol,i6,inarg,l,i?,r,feocfol,x7,I,ii,for maty r,fflMy, fol,58,I,J,for caufe,r,fo«r/f : fol,3?,I»4,for received r. retained foU 4 j ,1, x, for abfo- lutc Tyobfalete, fol,f7,l,xo, for which his r^wkhbisj fol,