A Solution of Doctor Resolutus Resolutions for Kneeling, Title page – To the reader
A SOLVTION OF DOCTOR RESOLVTVS▪ His Resolutions for kneeling.
Ambrosius in 1. Cor. 11.
Jndignus est Domino, qui aliter mysterium celebrat, quam ab eo traditum est. Non enim potest Devotus esse, qui aliter praesumit, quam datum est ab auctore.
He is unvvorthy of the Lord, vvho doth celebrate the mystery othervvayes, then as it vvas delivered by the Lord. For he can not be Devote, vvho presumeth othervvayes, then the author hath delivered.
M.DC.XIX.
Cyprianus ad Caecilianum, Lib: 2. Epist. 3.
REligioni nostrae congruit, & timori & officio sacerdotij nostri custodire traditionis Dominicae veritatem: & quod prius videtur apud quosdam erratum, domino monente corrigere, ut cum claritate sua, & majestate caelesti venire caeperit, inveniat nos tenere quod monuit observare quod docuit, facere quod fecit.
It agreeth fitly with our religion, and the feare & dutie of our priesthood, to keepe the verity of the Lords tradition: and wherein any errour seeme to have been committed before, to correct the same, wher the Lord doth admonish ws, that when he shall begin to come with his brightnes and heavenly majesty, he may find ws to hold that which he commanded, to observe that which he taught, and to do that which he did.
TO THE READER.
WE are become so Apish in the imitation of the English patterne, that where we cannot imitate in substance, yet we will imitate in imaginary formes. Amongst other strange novelties, it behoved us to have Doctors of Divinity; whether they be sufficiently qualified or not. About five yeare agoe, some ministers aspiring to Bishopricks, were inaugurate Academicall doctors, as it pleased the Arch▪ bishop of St. Andrewes Mr. Spottiswood, that learned Rabbi, to admit or allow. Mr. David Lindsay, our master Doctor, so defended the article of kneeling at Perth Assembly, that he did save the credit of the rest of the Doctors, who had been all put to shame unles he had undertaken the burthen, as he himselfe gave out afterward. But how well did he plead the Kings cause, when he was driven to confes, they had neither scripture reason, nor antiquity, and that he condescended onelyonly to avert the Kings wrath from our Kirk? But the Doctor baited with benefites, and hope of promotion to a Bishoprick, which he doth now enjoy, hes since that time notwithstanding set forth in print a new light, revealing unto him both scripture, reason, and antiquity. Seeing the Doctor stileth arrogantly his reasons Resolutions; let him be called Doctor Resolutus for Scotland, as Iohannes de Baccone of old was so called for England, that in this also we may be conforme. He marcheth under Dissipate, the martiall motto of the Constables Armes; but I will march under Colligite, the martiall motto of Christs standaad, and will encounter not with Goliah, but with Thraso, for so I hope the Reader shall finde him. The halfe of his book needeth no answer: I will answer therefore onelyonly so much as concerneth the matter of kneeling: let the judicious Reader conferre this answer with his Resolutions, and try boldly, if I have dealth faithfully. The Lord praeserve so many as do yet stand to their oath and profession, that they may continue constant, and not be carried away with every light wind of erroneous doctrine, nor cast down with terrors and threatnings. Such as are already fallen, the Lord give them remorse of conscience, and grace to recover thetr fall. Let us all possesse our soules in patience, and cry to God for the dayes of old, and then he will return and repaire the breaches made in our walles, and purge our Temples of the corruptions which are already entred.