The Case of The Accommodation Proposed by the Bishop of Dunblane, Appendix

The Case of The Accommodation Proposed by the Bishop of Dunblane · Appendix

p. 105An APPENDIX In Answer to a Narrative of the Issue of the Treaty anent Accommodation.

SInce the finishing of these sheets, I have seen a narrative of the last passage a…d issue of this Treatie for Accommodation, which again ingageth me to take my pen. And in this Discourse, the Author (and 'tis like one of the two, whom I have already rencountered) premising the Articles that we have heard, exhibiteth the words, and manner of the Brethrens refusal to close therewith, and then resumeth the Accommodators their Arguments, concluding with a short additional reflecction, upon both our Covenants.

And as for the first part, touching the Brethrens refusal and their declining to give in their reasons, or to debate the matter without an express command, I do neither contradict nor apologize. Only of this I am assured, that whatever influence, the manifold transgressions and mightie sins of the present times, the intractableness of adversaries, or the hopeless self-conceit of the party with whom they dealt, might have had upon their prudence to keep silence; yet neither can a cause, so righteous and evident, be there throw justly prejudged, nor will the duty of a testimony, for God and his Truth in so cleare on exigent, be thereby satisfied.

The Arguments by the Author resumed, are little or nothing different from these, that I have already discussed, and when I come to re-examine them, I shall take them rather as they shall fall in then as they lye.

But seeing that both the strain of this Paper, and certain other grounds of conjecture, do probably in…inuat, that the Accommodators, rather then to fail of a designe so advantageous, may possibly abate their termes, to the most taking condescendence, and make all the stress of the controversie, to fall upon the lawfulness or unlawfulness of a fixed Praeses, it will not be amisse, that for the better defeating of this contrivance, we resume the Question; & supposing this President to be both eligible & deposible by the very meetings over which he presides, and vvaving all o…her singularities, inquire a little more accuratly into the nature of his office, and vvherein its differences from an ambulatory Moderator do precisely consist.

And first vve may observe in general, that although there be nothing more frequent in the mouths of our Opposits, then in the pursuance of their present purpose, to undervalue the difference inquired into, unto the almost nothing p. 106of a formaliti…, depending meerly upon the diversity of the periods of the two Moderators their duration; yet in other cases of the like nature, wherein they, or any persons els, do conceive themselves to be concerned, what co…tra…ie contendings and reasonings doth a little inte…st elicit? I need not alledge parti…ular ins…ances, he who seriouslie considereth, how that there is no Court, Society, or Incorporation so meen, whereof the Members, upon the alteration of their Priviledge, either by usurpation among themselves, or by extrins…ck imposing of others, from a chair-man freelie elected during pleasure, unto a Praeses fixed ad vitam, would not complain of a great and material innovation, will in the matter of Courts institute by God and not by man, and that in order to things of an everlasting consequence, be easily satisfied, either of the delusion, or more hurtful designe of the former pretense; so that a man may well conclude that it is because, that neither the great Autho…, nor the principal ends of these meetings, are duely regarded, that therefo…e the Ordinances themselves, are accordingly slighted.

2. I observe, that the Origen and warrant of a Moderator in Church-meetings, is not from any particular positive Scripture-precept or rule given anent…; but being a thing by clear evidence, necessary for the concerne of order, and the right expeding of affaires, its immedi…t rise, comes to be referred to the common providence of reason, and is only reductivè, and in s… far of divine institution, as the Courts whereunto the office belongeth, are founded upon that Authoritie, and do require this moderation, as an expedie… needful to the right management of your business; which ground being in it self manifest, and such as may be examplified in many other instances… and also fortified by apostolick practice, doth abundantly make out my assertion, and yet confirme the institution, with a sufficient impress of Gods appointment. Only it may be remembered, that whereever this rational necessity taketh place in divine ordinances, as its exigence is the precise measure and warrant of any thing thereby introduced; so if this limi… be once …lighted and transgressed, we not only tacitly impeach the holy and wise cou…sel of God, in ordering his own matters, but in effect cast open a door, to all that the weakness and wantonness of human invention, and ca…nal reason, shall please therein to devise: and how displea…ing this is in Gods sight, and of what dangerous consequence, no serious christian needeth to be advertised.

3. I observe, that as there is a vast difference, betwixt the entrusting of a person with an employment, by a revocable mandat, and the vesting of him with a ri…ht and power, to exprese the same for terme of life; so it is in this, that …he diversity of the fixed Praeses, and ambulatory Moderator, doth mainly stand. For clearing of which position, it may be considered, p. 107that seeing the distinction of right and dominion, from a precarious use, doth mostlie arise from, and it is valued by the certain continuance of the former, consequent to the nature of the thing, which in the later, subject to anothers arbitrarie interruption, is not to be found; how in the case of this Presidencie, fixedness, doth superinduce a kind of proprietie, to which the changeable Moderator can lay no claime, is very easy to be apprehended. He who by a permissive benevolence doth only enjoy for an uncertain season, may nevertheless have a very full and plenary use; but that this enjoyment is obnoxious to anothers pleasure, whereas that of right, the subject remaining, can only be terminat by the owners consent or deed, is the great disparitie, whereby not only these titles are in themselves distinguished, but from which, the power of a free disposal, peculiar to right, doth undoubtedlie flow. Whence it may be further collected, that as the free civil abuse (so to speak) as well as the use, is founded in, and warranted by the nature of right, and the independencie from the will of any other, which it imports; so the fixedness of any power or office, doth certainlie in so far, notably capacitat the person therein stated, to a more free and incontrollable exercise. What difference Lawyers do make, Inter cum qui jure suo, & illum qui beneficio tantum alieno jurisdictionem habet, and what a latitude of power, is by them assigned …o the former, which unto the second, for this very cause, they make incompetent, is not for one to dip further into, then may conduce for the illustration of common reason. Only, as he vvho is elected to an ordinary office of fixed Presidencie ad vitam, may well and truly be said, to be jure suo Praeses, whereas the other, who is thereto chosen by a commission, as it w…re, during pleasure, and no longer, doth by the same rule alieno tantum beneficio praesidere; so, that this fixedness, imported by the jus suum, arising from the investiture of the office, doth considerably advance the Episcopus Praeses, and discriminat him from a Moderator, nominat only during pleasure, and absolutly depending upon the beneplacitum of his constituents, n…edeth no further explication.

I have hitherto for avoiding confusion, opposed to the fixed Praeses a Moderator appointed simplie during pleasure, if any man think that this doth not so exactlie quadrat to our custome, where by our moderators were chosen, f…r a definit space, & that by this certain designation he appeareth not to be much different from him that is ordained for time of life. It is answered, it is not the simple omission, or adjection of a certain space, that is to be regarded in this matter, a person may be commissionat, not only ind…finitlie, but also with the expression of a prefixed time, and yet in both cases meerlie during pleasure, just as in a precarious concession, which though it may be qualified with the convention of a certain terme, yet Lawy…rs say, it is of no p. 108force to restrain the granters revocation; but the true point of the difference, doth plainly stand in this, that the office of presidency once being declared to be fixed, and so made a right of its own nature, not oth…rwise terminable, then with the Praeses his life, as his continuance therein, is from the nature of his right, and cannot be understood to flow meerly from the electors their free pleasure, like to the case of a trust committed by simple mandat; so he is no more obnoxious to their revocation, then any other person, having a grant from a community of an ordinary superior office during his life, can be turned out of it, at the granters arbitrement; whereas, on the other hand, there being no such constant office established, the person called simply to officiat, whether indefinitly or for a set time, attaineth to no right, but the same remaineth entirely with the meeting electing, and he is absolutly subjected to their determination. By which also it further appears, and may conduce for the better uptaking of this distinction, that as in this second case, the right abides with the presbyterie, and the naked exercise of moderation, is intrusted to the person thereto appointed; so in the former, the erecting of this presidency, unto an ordinary fixed office, is without question a manifest derogation from, and abridgment of, the Presbyteries antecedent priviledge, so that in summe, it may be certainly and evidently concluded, that as the erecting of a superior office, by a perpetual constitution, and thereby retrinching the constituents their original power, and making to the person therewith invested, a proper right, notwithstanding that the actual nomination and election of persons to that office, may still remain with them, doth clearly and exceedingly diff…r, from a commission given by way of mandat (though for the exercise of the same employment,) whether indefinitly, or for a certain space, neither diminishing the mandators their inherent power, nor granting to the person commissionat, any certain right; so the offices of the constant Pro…stos, and the Presbyterian Moderator, are by the same methods and rules, as remotely distinguished.

If it be further objected, That I seeme to forget, that even the fixed, Praeses, is not accountable, but may be removed upon his delinquency, and that ad vitam, which doth much impare the difference here assigned, I shall not, in answering, divert my Reader to the doubt, whether this Praeses may be removed from his presidency upon peculiar and lesser faults, not inferring a remove from his ministry, or whether, according to the perpetual custome in this case, these deprivations are not to be divided, which certainly contributeth much to the Praeses his establishment. But seeing the common & notore dis…inction of an appointment ad vitam or culpam, or only, durante beneplacito, doth sufficiently insinuat the solution, it is obvious, that though p. 109an ordinary office given ad vitam, may according to the evident rules of right and reason (which do in no case permit the same to be absolute, or exempt it from all control) be takan away, upon a just ground of forfeiture, duely, tryed and proven; yet the disparity of a commission, given meerly ad beneplacitum, and revocable at pleasure, without so much as the necessity of alledging a reason, is abundantly manifest, and plainly establisheth the di…tinction now in agitation; and in a word, to be removeable from a trust ad libitum, and deposible from a right only, pro culpa, are so sensibly different, that the objection doth not deserve any further answer. Only, that the influence thereof upon practice, or upon the right or wrong management of affaires, may be the better apprehended, it would be considered, that almost in every trust and employment, let be in this which we treat of, there are, below that excess of malversation, which can be charged and proven to be a fault to conclude a removel, a great many inferior degrees of mal-administration, which though by reason of their quality, they do not amount to a just cause of rejection, yet may nevertheless be of singular pr…judice, and just as a free election doth deliberat upon proper and improper, so may these smaller transgressions, very rationally require a charge, without meriting deposition. Whence it easily follows, that beside the diminution of the Presbyteries power and priviledge, this fixed Proestos, doth also impose upon them, an inconvenient restriction of their just liberty of change, which in many cases may prove singularly prejudicial.

4. I observe, That as the fixed Praeses is constitute, not by an arbitrary mandat, but by a proper right, resulting from the erection of the office, in the manner that I have described; so the office it self, consisting in a priority of direction and conduct, it certainly thereunto addeth a peculiar dignity. I say the office consisting in a priority of direction; for that there are subservient offices, such as that of a Clark or Recorder, which may be fixed, and enjoyned by a proper right, and have also the general esteem of praise worthy employments, and yet do not intitle to any eminency, is sufficiently explained, and its difficultie removed out of my way, by the simple proposal. But the thing here rema…ked, and wherein the difference of the Proestos and Presbyerian Moderator is further apparent, is, that the former hath by vertue of his right of presidencie a concomitant special honour above his Brethren, which cannot be denied to him, without a gross s…lecisme in prelatick h…rauldrie. The temporary Moderator is indeed attended by an agreable respect; but as he is vested with no proper right to the place, wherein he simplie officiats, by the Assemblies free nomination, and as its instrument and mouth, which during pleasure, it chooseth for the more orderlie management of its affaires; so the estimation and honor that accompanieth p. 110the employment, is of no higher degree, and equally transient; whereas the fixed Praeses, being rather set up to be a head for Governing the assembly and its actions, must of necessitie on this account, be adorned with a more high and permanent dignitie.

But it may be objected, that it is an easie matter to represent the controverted Praeses in as diminishing characters, and by saying, that he simplie officiats, at least enters unto the office by the free vote of the meeting, and as its mouth, and not its head, by them thereto elected for time of life, to resolve all the difference of the two, and this eminencie of respect appropriat to the fixed, unto the bare specialitie of the distinct period set to his continuance, and no doubt words are easily turned; but as it must be acknowledged, that these things, viz. for one to be set, though by a free suffrage, in a place formed and erected in an ordinarie office, with its known special powers and priviledges, and to pos…ess by the right thence resulting; and to be intrusted with the same employment, but only by the way of a free and revocable mandat and commmission, absolutly depending at the constituents pleasure, are widely distant; so, particular distinguishing qualities of the Proestos, in his proper right and power, his exemption from an arbitrary removal, and his more advanced dignity, are thereby notablie declared. And therefore, seeing he doth injoy his place jure suo, (as Lawyers speak) and doth not precariouslie hang …or the continuance of its exercise, upon the Presbyteries free and simple goodwil, as our changeable Moderators do, he cannot in this respect be said to be only an instrument for order, dignified with no higher esteem, but is in …ffect by vertue of his right, and the power thereto pertaining, rendered the chief and head, and accompanied with a peculiar honor inseparable from such a Superiority.

If it be further alledged, that even in our own custome, the Moderator once elected did alwayes continue out his cou…se, and that it is not so easie to give one instance of this arbitrary putting off, here so much spoken of; I shall not answer, that his time b…ing short, and not ad vitam, there could scarce be any necessitie for making of such changes: But the truth is, the not making thereof is so far …rom impugning, that it much commends the differences by me explained; for if the quality of the office, as by us used, the certain time thereto appointed, and the Presbyteries reserve of an absolute control, have been of that efficacie, as even to prevent the occasions of exercising this la…t p…iviledge, no doubt it is more concludent in our behalf, then if the Pres…yteries had made many removes. It is not therefore, as I said before, the electing a…d desig…i…g for a c…rtain space, and a not altering observance, that do signifie any thing in this affaire; no, but as the Presbyteries retaining of the absolut power over their Moderator, is both their priviledge p. 111by the Lords appointment; and also the great check of all abuses, incident through his weakness or malice; so it is the setting up of a Praeses over them, with a power appertaining to him, as his proper right during life, and not committed to him by a revocable mandat, that not only elevats the Episcopus Praeses to his distinguishing Superiority and Dignity, but in effect, contains the seminal cause of most of the evils that have thereon ensued.

Now from these things thus explained, the differences of the fixed Praeses …rom our Moderator, appeare mani…estly to be. 1. That the former imports an ordinary setled office, including a proper right, and power to the person thereto appointed; whereas the later doth only imply a bare exercise, wholly dependent upon the Presbyteries pleasure. 2. That the setting up of the first, doth derogat from the Presbyteries right, by transferring it upon him; whereas after the nomination of the second, the Presbyteries right remaineth still entire, and neither is, nor can be impaired by the intrusting of a particular Member with its meer actual exercise. 3. The fixed Praeses deprives the Presbytery of a great measure of their libertie, he being exempted from their arbitrarie control and power of changing; whereas our Moderator is altogether obnoxious to their determination. 4. The fixed Praeses is created by a deed convoying a right; whereas our Moderator is made by simple mandat, imparting nothing, save a precarious trust. 5. I… an allusion may adde light, the Praeses is set up as it were to be Head; whereas the Moderator is in a manner only appointed to be the Mouth of the meeting. 6. The Praeses his right and power and Superioritie, do necessarilie attribute unto him a special eminency of dignity; whereas our Moderator, his naked ministerial exercise, cannot pretend to any higher respect. And 7. The Praeses from the nature of his right, continueth ad vitam or ad culpam; whereas the Moderator, having no right, hath no other as…urance or lace, then the Presbyteries beneplacitum.

These differences then (though among themselves rather formally then really di…tinct) holding out the proper characteris…icks of the Proestos contended for, as indeed they are, and must necessarily be admitted by all, before I fall to disprove him by further reasoning, it will not be amiss, that for the better clearing of what singular moment these his signal advantages, above our Moderator, may be in the matters wherein they are conversant, I shortly note the several parts of the office. And 1. It is the Moderators part, to propose matters to be considered. 2. To direct consultations. 3. To moderate debates. 4. To interrogat opinions. 5. To ask the votes. 6. To determine in the case of equality, by his casting suffrage. 7. To appoint extraordinarie dyets: Which being all certain beyond controve…sie, I only p. 112wish that the true value of their influence, may be as gravely pondered in the present question for guarding against any exorbitant power, whereby in these spiritual Courts and matters, they have often, been and may be still very dangerously abused and depraved, as we see men in their worldly concerns seriouslie attent to the things not only of the like, but of a far inferior consequence.

Havin… thus delineat the proprieties of this Episcopus Praeses, as I suppose with a satisfying perspicuity, what clearing it may give to the main inquirie, concerning the lawfulness or unlawfulness of this place and office, falls next under consideration.

And in answer thereto, I distinctly affirme, that the place and office of a fixed Praeses, or constant Moderator, is unwarrantable, and positivelie unlawful. Which assertion, seeing it importeth the plain contradiction of my Author's first consideration, viz. that there is no command in scripture, for changing of Moderators in meetings of Presbyteries, nor no precept, nor rule of Scripture, contrary to the office of a Bishop, as a fixed President in Synods, the confut…tion thereof, will be the best confirmation of my position.

Only I must premise, that seeing the Author proposeth the two Members of his consideration, as if in eff…ct coincident, and that, if there be a precept in Scripture, contrarie to the office of a Bishop as a fixed Praeses, the necessitie of a change of Mederators, doth from the acknowledged exigence of order neces…arily ensue, his insinuat demand of a precept in Scripture for changing of Moderators, aswel as of a rule, contrarie to the office of a fixed President, is captiously superfluous. Holding me therefore to that part, that there are precepts and …ules in Sc…ipture, contrarie to the office of a Bishop, as a fixed President, the grounds that in my former Discourse I have thence adduced, to prove the absolute and lowly paritie, commanded by our Lord to his Apostles, and all …ucceeding Ministers, if they do stand firme, do undoubtedlie evince it: For s…eing that our Author doth in his third consideration, use it as a main Argument, That there is no particular command for an absolute parity of Presbyters, adding, If it be, let it be produced, and it will end the controversie, It is as evident from his concession, as from the unquestionable opposition of an exact paritie, and the majority of this office of Presidencie, that by the establishing of the first, the second is subverted. Now that our Lord hath commanded an absolute paritie of Presbyters, If I make it appeare from the original precepts, given to the Apostles, without controversie not only the Antecessors of all succeeding Presbyters, in their ordinarie ministrie, but the persons to whom, as representing the perpetual ministrie, ordained by Christ in his Church, the Rules and directions thereto proper were delivered, I hope the transfer…ing of the command, from p. 113the Apostles to succeeding Presbyters, will be of no difficulty. Let us then in this search after the Lords will in this matter, humbly and meekly consider what he himself hath therein delivered. And as, for my own part, I am very far removed from the temptations of interest, that commonly do svvay and oversway in it; so I am confident, that all men equally removed from the passions and prejudices thence arising, will in this divine light, find a most assured determination.

Our Lord then having upon several occasions, particularly that reasoning foreign, which of them should be greatest, and the suite of a Proedria, or a prerogative-seat presented by Zebedees two Sons, and their Mother, dehorted the twelve from all affectation of more emi…ent authoritie or dignitie among themselves, not only by reducing them to the foreign, and innocent simplicity of children, and proponing to them the example of his own lovvliness and humilitie, both in his personal deportment, a…d in the manner of his administration, but also by removing the very subject it self, and warning them, that they ought to be so …ar from looking a…ter any Superioritie of Rule or Authoritie, one over another, that the greatness of the greatest, was to be Servant of all, and industrie and humilitie, their praise and exaltation. He telleth them further, that as he alone was their Master, so all they were Bre…hren; and accordingly we find them all equally commissionat to the work of the mini…rie, Math. 2…. 19. alike vested with the power of Discipline, Iohn. 20. 23. and in this paritie acting, officiating and associating others to themselves, in several undenaible instances. These things being evident in the Gospel records, verily when I reflect upon them, I cannot but marvel, what it is, that can here be desiderat. The Disciples contend who shall be greatest, and our Lords answer is, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all: and that the least among them, the same should be great: By which, as it is clearly intimat, that the greatness which they aspired unto, was none other then a primacy or presidency of one above his fellows; so it is manifest, that our Lord doth not in his return so much condemn their ambition, as by a total remove of all greatness, the subject of the competition, and converting their contest for grandeur, into an emulation of lowliness and diligence, fairly confute it. I grant, that according to their more rude & carnal apprehension of our Lords Kingdome, the time of this debate, it is very likely, that it was incited & managed by agreeable passions and phansies; but yet seeing he doth not plai…ly direct his return, to undeceive them of that delusion, but rather carrieth his command further, to informe their judgments, and forme there mind, by an instruction suted to the true work & station wherein he was to leave them; that, even in that they were to look after no stated Primacy or Majority, but consequently to re… page missing duplicate page p. 118duplicate page

p. 116But here our Author reclaimeth, and in his fourth consideration saith, That this parity cannot be concluded from our Saviour's command, It shall not be so with you, nor any other of his holy injunctions of moderation, humility meekness; for that would destroy all Church-government, and all Superiority of Pastors, over other Elders and Deacons, and over their People; If all imparitie of Rule in Ecclesiastick Persons, were inconsistent with these great Laws of our holy profession, the Apostles themselves, would have been the first most signal transgressors. It is answered; If from the Text, It shall not be so with you, I were contending for an absolute paritie, in all respects, among all Church-officers and Members, in as much as thereby all their distinction, with the whole oversight of Pastors, should be taken away, without doubt the objection would be unanswerably concludent; but seeing the divisions of Church-officers in extraordinarie and ordinarie, and of the ordinarie, in Pastors, Elders and Deacons, with the imparity thence resulting, is not so much as by us questioned, the laxeness of such arguing doth merite a more severe censure, then at prese…t I am inclined to use. It is therefore to be considered, that as the several powers, offices and gifts, by our Lord institute in, and given unto his Church, with their beautiful order and subordination, are by us very chearfully acknovvledged, and no constructive imparitie, that may be thence in…inferred, in the least doubted; so neither is the same a proper imparity, a thing only incident to Officers of the same kind; Nor (if it vvere) is it the imparitie at present under debate, vvhichwhich being an imparitie of place, or other the like priviledge, attribute to one, exclusive of others of the same order, is the only subject of the controversie: Which standing thus in plain termes, vvhether or not our Lord, by appointing his Apostles, and their successors the Ministers of the Gospel, in the same equalitie of power, as Brethren, and quelling all there competitions about the majority and pre…erence, by reducing them to the lowe degree of Servants, without any distinction, except what may arise from a greater measure of humility and diligence, hath thereby discharged all imparitie of power and presidencie among them: I am confident, that not only the simple proposal doth conclude the affirmative, but render the absurditie here objected against it widely impe…t…n…nt.

I say then, for a distinct answer. 1. That the paritie by us pleaded, is not indeed to be concluded from any of our Lords holy injunctions of Moderation, humilitie and meekness; to insinuat the tontrarie to be our assertion, is not only a plain calumnie, seeing all men know, that the highest as vvell as the lovvest of men, constitute in lavvful degrees, are liable to these sacred inst…uctions, but also a desingenuous artifice, to make it be thought, that we take the command, it shall not be so among you, for a meer precept of p. 117that kind, and thereby surrender one of our main arguments; in as much, as it is rather from the intimation it contains of the Apostles their future condition, then from any precept of humilitie that may be thence inferred, that it strongly concludeth my position.

2. Although the command, It shall not be so among you, doth not prohibit the different orders and degrees of Church-officers, whether extraordinarie or ordinarie of our Lords appointment, which both manifest reason, and the genuine import of the antithesis do plainly evince; yet that all that superior eminencie and coactive authoritie, whereby the Princes, and great ones of the earth, are properlie from others distinguished, is here removed from Church administrations, and Lordlie Prelacie, with all its priviledges and dignities, thereby discharged, is obvious to the meanest capacity.

3. As these words, It shall not be so among you, do in the first place clear the nature and manner of ecclesiastick, in opposition to secular rule; So it is from the ensuring ampliation, but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your Minister &c. that consistentlie with the former declaration, the paritie by us pleaded, of of…icers in the same order, & all imparitie whatsoever among Church-officers, resulting meerly from a greater eminencie of place and dignity, is utterly excluded. I say, resulting meerly from a greater eminencie &c. For that Apostles & Evangelists, in respect of their extraordinarie qualities and employments, and Pastors and ruling Elders, in respect of their different charges, are stated in a kind of imparitie, is not at all controverted; but the question being plainly concerning the lawfulness of an imparitie not from any special power, trust or gift given by our Lord, but from an higher place and dignitie, having no other foundation, then a greater measure, and larger interest in the Government con…erred by man, upon the person therewith vested, I affirme, that not only among officers of the same kind and order, but among all Church-officers whatsoever, this is an imparitie of rule, in ecclesiastick persons, as litle countenanced by the superioritie of Pastors over …ther Elders and deacons, and the whole s…ock, or by the Apostles their practice, as our Lords discourse and command to the twelve, upon the sute of the brothers, doth certainly condemne that Proedrie whereunto they pretended.

As for our Authors anticipation, viz. that to say the Apostles were extraordinarie persons, would upon the supposition of their imparity in the point of rule, say nothing, but that they were extraordinarie transgressors, it is like many other his mistakes, wherein th… glances of an i…consi…erat phansie, do very visiliet preoccupy his judgment; for seeing the imparitie which our Lord doth condemne and we do disown, is an i…paritie consi…ing in the inequalitie of place and dignity, in one and the same order, and not that imparitie, which p. 118ariseth from an extraordinarie office, power or gift of our Lords ordaining, it is evident that the imparitie of the Apostles, extraordinarie officers. compared with ordinarie Presbyters, doth not in the least contradict; and that the Author, by imagining the answer, of their being extraordinarie persons, to import no more then that they were extraordinarie transgressors, doth only shew his extraordinarie inadvertence. And really when I consider, that notwithstanding the different orders of offices, which Christ hath ordained in the Church, he hath nevertheless most expresly stated his Apostles, and in their persons all succeeding Pastors, in an exact equalitie, and clearly discharged all pretensions, to any sort of majoritie, or preference among them, and that even our adversaries themselves, do not maintai… their Episcopus Praeses, by any claim of succession to these superior officers, at first by our Lord institute, I do not only wonder, to find my Author in this objection so foolishly and rawly confounding the imparitie of place and preheminence, in one and the same order, by us from Gods word rejected, with the imparitie of orders by the Lord established, but am fully of the opinion, that the more eminent degree of a fixed President is yet more unreasonable, then the distin & order of superior prelats, although in the seeming acknowledgment of our very adversaries, destitute of all satisfying pretenses.

For asmuch then as our Lord, had very clearly and positively commanded the paritie of his Apostles, and in them, of all his Ministers, by declaring them to be Brethren, in direct opposition to that pharisaick pride, which might have tempted them to the like affectation, and further, doth adduce his own bles…ed example, that by the consideration of his Ministerial lowliness, in the manner both of his administration and conversation, compared with the infinit excellency of his person, power and dignitie, he might the more effectually obviat all imaginable temptations, & utterly ruine the very thoughts of any inequality of a stated superioritie amongst them; let us with all fear, and reverence, acknowledge his holy wisdom and appointment, and constantly disown and rej…ct the vanitie of all contrary inventions, specially, seeing it is mo…t certain, that however men may endeavour by specious pretex…s to obscure the prohibition, and to palliat this corruption, yet its wicked, pernicious and abominable effects and consequences, have rendered it, to all the sincere lovers of our Lord Iesus, palpably odious.

That which doth next occurre, is two objections in the Authors second and seventh consideration. The one, That the fixed presidency of Bishops in Synods, hath as much warrand as the fixed moderating of a Presbyter, in a Kirk-session of ruling Elders; The other, That it can as little be quarreled, for want of an express command in Scripture, as Kirk-sessions, Presbyteries, Synods and National assemblies, p. 119and their Commissions, which with their severall subordination, are nevertheless by us pretended to be of divine institution. But having in the former Treatise, by shewing the Scriptural, and most rational disparitie of the first case, and the undeniable grounds of divine right and institution for the second, fully answered all that is here excepted, I will not now detain my Reader, by any superfluous repetition or addition.

The fi…t thing asserted by the Author, is, that if the thing it self be lawful, the appropriating of the name of Bishop, to the superior Presbyter, cannot make it unlawful, though these two names be indifferently used in the scripture, Thus the Author loves to quible. We say, that not only these two names, are indifferentlie used in Scripture, but that they are used as signifying one and the same thing, without the least insinuation of a more proper application, either of the one or the other, to any thing distinct; & thence do strongly inferre, that after-times did verie unwarrantably and contrarie to Scripture-grounds, divide both the things and names: And this our Author, doth very lightly turn over, as if all the question anent a divine warrant for the identity or distinction of Bishops and Presbyter were only a plea of words; and whether the names of Bishop and Presbyter, in Scripture commonlie and promiscouslie used, might lawfully afterwards be severally appropriat, without the least notice taken, that in Sc…ipture the use of the words is no more common, then the thing the same; and that therefore the separation afterwards made, was a meer human invention. But he adds for a reason, that the names are in the same manner used in some primitive writers, who in other passages do clearly owne the different degree of Bishops over Presbyters, and vvere themselves of that degree. What then? A man may indeed hence conclude, that in the times succeeding the purest, with the distinction introduced of a superior Bishop over a Presbyter, the names, beside th…ir common use, became to be usurped to peculiar significations; but seeing this manner of writing, observed in these primitive writters, doth no wayes hold in sacred write, whence we ought to search for our warrant, and wherein there is no passage which doth in the least favour the diff…rent degree of Bishops over presbyters, what can be gathered from thes… indig…sted reflectious, save this, that the primitive times soon varied from th… primitive simplicitie, and consequently swerved from the primitive purity. Seeing then, that all the weakness of this argument, is from the Author his own mistake, to take notice of his attempt, to bafle the reasoni…g from this Topick, as too vveak and unvvorthy of any serious persons insisti…g upon it, were in effect, to be ridiculously serious in his follies.

But he proceeds to tell us in his sixt assertion, That it is yet more strange to be offended, vvith the solemne vvay of blessing, or consecrating Bishops, to that presidency p. 120vvith the imposition of hands; as if a grave and solemn admission, to a high and holy employment, vvere apt to unhallovv it, and being in appearance so proper an instrument, of making it the better, should yet effectually make it the vvorse. How the Author com…s to terme it strange, yea more strange, that we should be offended with a practice, wich yet, for all his suprisal, by reason of our offence, he himself dar not distinctly avow, might be to us really so, were it not that our experience of his methods, doth abundantly satisfie us, that all the arts of insinuation are familiar unto him. The thing he here points at, is without doubt to justifie the peculiar ordination of his Bishop, or Episcopus Praeses, knowing, that a distinct ordination, doth certainly require and inferre, things altogether incononsistent with his discription o… his Episcopus Praeses, he therefore endeavours to smooth it over, as if all considerable in the case, vvere only a more solemn vvay of blessing, or consecrating of Bishops to their Presidencie. But not to stand vvith him upon the matter of words, the things that we are indeed offended at, are. 1. That vvhere in his Episcopal consecration, both the vvords, manner and whole forme of a special ordination are most exactlie used, yet he would have us to believe, that all transacted by this performance, is only a more solemn benediction; if any man inquire the Difference; that more solemne lawful action, if capable of a solem benediction, is known and obvious; whereas, although Ordination be accompanied with benediction, yet both the notation of the word, and reason it self do plainly intimat, that it is not formally a benediction, but that its principal act, as it is performed by men, is a Ministerial conserring in the name, person… and Authority of Iesus Christ, of a special Church-office, and consequently, that it supposeth aswel the office it self, as the manner of its conveyance, to depend upon our Lords institution, and warrant: Whereby it is evident, that either this place of presidencie, being only a humane contrivance, upon the pretence of order of a superior eminencie, for the better conduct of common administ…ation, cannot at all bear or admit of it, or that under the proposal of this presidencie, it is in effect, not only a higher degree, but a higher order o… Church-officers, that is intended to be introduced: Which how pernicious it hath proven, and may yet again prove to the Ghurch of Christ, both the proud usurpations of Prelacie, & the hights of Papacie, do sufficiently testifie.

But the second thing that offends us is, that admitting the thing were really performed by way of a solemn blessing, in the manner represe…ted; yet seeing this presidency, being repugnant to our Lords command, is not an holy, but an unhallowed employment, any form of benediction, that can be thereto used, is not only de…itute of any promise, but a profanation of the holiness of God, which he jealously loveth. We do not therefore condemn p. 121this conservation, as if vve judged, that a grave and solemn admission, to a high and holy employment, were apt to unhallow it; no, this alledgeance doth too groslie and caloumniouslie beg the question. But seeing it is certain, that the Author will as soon prove gain to be godliness, as he will rationally perswade that this high employment is holy, it is evident, that his grave and solemn admission, is as little apt to hallow it, or to be a proper instrument of making it better, as the consecration of the high places was of old, when they were commanded to be destroyed, in it self allovvable, or unto the Lord acceptable.

The next thing we meet with is, That the degree or power of Bishops, beyond other Presbyters, is certainly, not to be so fitly measured by any other rule, as by the receaved practice of the primitive Church, and canons of the most ancient Councels. Very right; why should not their origen and warrant, and the measure and rule of their power go together? But seeing we have found this primitive practice, to be dislonant from, and contrarie to the truth and simplicitie of the Gospel, the first and chief rule, the Author must pardon us, in this matter, to disown both his rule and measures, and to hold us to this only unerring canon; yet seeing he hath been pleased in his deep ingenuity to acquaint us with that, wherein we account our selves but little concerned, it will not be amiss, that for our warning we take particular notice of the discoverie: He adds then, That by the forementioned practice and canons, it will undoubtedly be found that they had not only some such particular power (as what, I know not) but exortem & eminen…em potestatem, as Hierom speaks: A man might hitherto have thought, that if not all, yet the main thing acclaimed by the Author to his Episcopus Praeses, was a power of constant Moderation in Church meetings: But here, lest (as I apprehend) he should frustrat his solemn conse…ration, or rather the special ordination, which he hath just now asserted, he deals a great deal more plainly, and tels us, not only in general of such a measure of power, as may be gathered from primitive practice, and ancient canons, which certainlie may be as large, as the most favourable conjecture, from any probable pretence of either of these within the first three or four centuries of the declination of the primeve puritie, pleaseth to form it; but that by these same rules, beside a certain particular povver, vvhichwhich he doth not specifie, they should have potestatem exortem & eminentem, and this no doubt, in a congruous enough construction of the frequent hyperbolies used by the fathers on this subject, may arise as high as either ambition or interest shall please to to scrue it. This being then the ambiguous and laxe comprehension of the Author's measures, vvhat hath been the sinceritie of this Treatie, or vvhat might have been the issue of an assenting close to it, I suppose it may be obvious to everie mans reason. For my ovvn part, as I look upon this superior p. 122Episcopacie, from the very fi…st deg…ee of its ascending, to have been in all the steps of its progress, the continual decline o… pure ch…istianitie, and advance of the Antichristian papacie; and as I am convinced from clear Scripture light, and undeniable experie…ce, that all the pret…nces made …or it, and its power and priviledges, either from the practices, graces, vertues or sufferings of those Centuries, wherein it had its first rise and grouth, are only the involutions of that strange misterie, whereby it most secretly and subtillie proceeded to its most prodigious ma…ifestation, in the revelation of the Man of sin; so I am perswaded in the same evidence, that the accommodating of faithful men with it, under whatsomever pretext whithin this land, shall quicklie, either prove the readvancing of its pride, domination and wickedness, or els the greater establishment of the supremacie, to the as in…allible prejudice and ruine of the power and puritie of Religion, the Devils grand designe in all these unwarranted contrivances.

But the Author addes for a salvo to these just feares, that the foregoing passage may suggest, that if the Spirit of our meek and lowly master, did more possess the minds both of Bishops and Presbyters, there would certainly be little or no dispute, but the sweet contest of striving who should yeeld most, and give most honor the one to the other. Thus we find him alwayes a high pretender to Gospel rules, when they seem to make for his advantage: If he once attain to the possession of what either his phansie or interest do recommend to him, then, according to the strain of the former letters, how full is he of the high elogies of peace, & of earnest longings after it; how hateful & odious is contention & hatred, nay, it is the main antichristian character; and in the same manner now that he is for Episcopacie & its eminencie, how sweetly would he seem to commend the spirit of our meek & lowly Master. But seeing it is without all controversy, that if this spirit were indeed prevalent, not only our disputs & contests about thir matters would cease, but the very subject o… them, being at best a vain invention pretending to order, vvould be totally removed, my hearty vvish and desire is, that the Author would rather endeavour to vvitness his sinceritie, by a through and absolute conformitie, then by such partial applications.

The 9 and last consideration, which the Author offers, is anent the great and known moderation of all the late Reformers, the present reformed Churches, and of the presbyterian breth…en in England concerning the episcopacy now in question. But having before answered this abundantly, I am not so much swayed with such alledgeances as here to make repetitions. Only he sayes, It is wonderful, that we should affect so exorbitant an hight of Zeal, and fervor in this point, so far beyond what can be found in any of these we have named, or any other society or party of men in the whole Christian world, either of our own former times. 'Tis answered, the zeal of God is so rare a thing, in this evill and hipocritical p. 123generation, and it and the worlds wonder do so often trist, that I am only sorry, that we have not provocked the Author and all men to more of it; and that our reproch for Christ, and consequently the matter of our rejoicing, should amount to no more in midst of such backslidings and perver…ness, then to the just and slender charge of a singular aff…cted f…rvor. But yet the author saith, that this is an excess not to be found in the vvhole Christian vvorld beside. And if he cannot condescend on any instance, clothed with our circum…ances, and exactly parallel to our case, is it not as manifest, that the generality of this boast, is a meer empty inconcludent flourish. If he love to plead with such arguments, let him produce me any one of all these Churches, Societies or Parties which he musters up, that after having experimented the evill and bitter fruits of episcopacy, and searched after its origen and warrant, unto a clear conviction of its want of divine institution, and full discovery of the delusion of its rise, and the wickedness of its tendencie, did in a manner unanimouslly, both by law, canon and oath abrogat and reforme from it: and when by the politick influence of Court designes and State projects, and the practices of the Devil and his instruments, the same episcopacy was restored seven times worse then of before, and so with a most plenary confirmation of all these grievances, formerly objected against it, did in the most pure and conspicuous zeal of God, that ever acted in any Nation, reject this corrupt plant, and bind themselves to maintain the true Ordinance of God, introduced in its place, and extirpat every thing thereto opposit, by a most solemn Covenant; and in consequence thereof, enjoy the Gospel in very observable povver and plenty, untill that by as gross perjury and violence, as ever the Sun beheld, this Covenant is again condemned, the Lords work and Ordinance subsubverted, and this old Episcopacy, not only with a sevenfold, but with a seventie and sevenfold encrease of all its corruptions and wickednesses re-esstablished; and lastly the Supremacie, the complement of all Ecclesiastical usurpations, with an explication broader then all the pretensions of the Papacy, is superadded. For the better securing of all which abominations, after full proof made of all that abused authority and power could do against a faithful non-conforming remnant, policy at length doth instruct to propose an Accommodation, upon termes, seemingly indeed condescending, but really corroborative of the present establishment, and most visibly suppressive of any reliques of dissent, or opposition, which possibly might revive against it. Now let the Author, I say, produce us an instance of any Church or Society, thus circumstantiat, & if not only, the faithful remnant therein, but the generality of all the serious fearers of God, and true lovers of our Lord Iesus, shall not give their suffrage on our side, nay the case being thus proposed, as in p. 124truth it stands, if even these, to whom he appeals, do not clearly declare for us, then let us beare the scorn of singularitie, and what worse he shall please to cast upon us forever.

But lest the Author imagine, that vvhat I have here represented, vvith an especial regard to the strengthening of the Lords People in this Land, to vvhom none of these things are hidden or unknovvn, doth rather proceed from an apprehension of a cross verdict upon the simple question of the fixed Presidencie, from the Persons and Churches to vvhom he referres, I grant, that amongst the Reformers, and in those Churches mentioned, there may be found good men, vvho, not being led by the concernment of their own condition unto a more near and strict examination of the thing, and rather comparing its appearing moderation with the exorbitancies of Prelacy, then reducing matters to their first institution, have written of it more indulgently and respectfully: But as it hath not been the experimented and trying ca…e of any Christian Church, as it hath been of ours, and as the Authors that seeme to favour it, do all of them agree, that it is not of divine institution, but do unanimously recomend it upon that account; so I am confident, that if the examples of the same Reformers and Churches, in occurrences of less importance, may found a probable conjecture, it may very fairly thence be concluded, that if they had been, or were now stated in the same circumstances with us, they would as far exceed us in this faint and languishing zeal, whereof we are accused, as by the Author we are now construed to exceed them. With what truth, reason or civility then the Author is pleased, according to the dull affectations of his oraculous wit, to tell the World, that there is no reason can be given of this our zeal, unless that word of the Roman Philosopher, Superstitio est error insanus, it is no hard matter to judge: But if he account it superstition for us, a…ter our most convincing experiences of the woful evills of his episcopacie, and no inferior perswasion, that the way of Presbyterie is of divine appointment, in this matter to adhere constantly to Scripture rules, and Covenant ingagements, vve freely confess vvith the Apostle Paul, that after the vvay, vvhichwhich he calleth supestition, so vve feare the God of our Fathers, and love our Lord Iesus Christ; beleeving all things that are vvritten, and having hope also tovvards God, vvho in the midst of the years can, and may revive his vvork. In vvhichwhich profession, though the Author do judge us to be beside our selves, yet vve are ascertained, that not only all the faithful, that have any conscience in these things, but also all ingenuous men, will answer for us, that Sir, we are not mad, but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.

It remains, that I consider the Author's additional reflection upon our two Covenants. And as to what he prefaces, of his having sufficiently cleared, p. 125that the Article of the League touching prelacie, as it is there specified, doth not at all concern the Episcopacy in que…ion, I b…leeve I have as …ufficien…ly cl…ared, both the Authors impertinency in this restriction, and also the unquestionable concern of both our covenants, from other heads, in the episcopacy controverted. But here he insinuats, that of late he is informed, That we now flie to the other Article of the Covenant, ingaging us to maintain the Discipline and Government of the Church of Scotland, as it was then in being, and hereupon he wishes, that we would impartially consider, wether the present Episcopacy be inconsistent with that Discipline & Government, or if it will not rather be found to be corrobora…ve and perfective of it, as apt to keep it in more union, & so to make it stronger, and more lasting then it formerly proved, or likely would be, if it were again restored. It is answered. It is not here objected, that by swearing to maintain the then established Discipline and Government, we did not virtually renounce, and abjure the present controverted Episcopacie; no, both the Reformation that had then so recently preceeded, and the Reformation that hath since so directly overturned it, do make this point too evident to be denied by the Author, or any pret…nding to common sense. But the summe of what is here proposed is, that we were not well advised in that our Oath, as having thereby excluded a special mean for the preservation of that which we mostly intended. In return whereunto, I need not say, that every inconsideration is not an just exception to make void an Oath; the Authors own inconsideration in this very allegeance is too manifest, to reduce us to that strait. He saith in effect, That the present Episcopacy is not inconsistent with Presbyterian Government. And is it not a lamentable thing, that thir Churches and Nations should have been so long in so fatal a distraction, meerly for want of such a happie discoverie; nay that the very vexed Bishops, should not for their own peace, have been so wise, as still to bear with and maintain a thing nothing repugnant to their pretensions? But to be a little more serious, I say true Presbyterian-government doth not admit, amongst the Lords Ministers, of any stated imparity, either in power, prerogative or presidency, one, or all of which is the very form of the controver…ed Episcopacie; therefore they are (what all men hitherto constantly deemed them to be) utterly inconsistent. But the Author sayes, That Episcopacy by preserving union, is perfective of Presbyterie. And I grant that any lawful mean preserving Union, is indeed perfective of this, as of all other Government: But seeing that Episcopacie is not only not at all a mean subservient to Presbyterie or its Union, what ever it may be to Government, or its Union in general, but is also in it self unwarrantable and unlawful, and in effect as to Union, never found to be otherwise more conducible then Presbyterie, but either by the destroying, or tyrannous suppressing of truth and the love thereof, by which the right p. 126side of all contentions are maintained, I can scarce refrain from censuring the Authors fore going observe, as pitifully groundless. It is true, our Presbyterie did not retain union as it was desired; but what then? If our corruptions and sins do either frustrat the efficacy, or avert the blessing of the best of meanes, is therefore the mean it self to be condemned? Or if where the Lord hath left no choise, a mean shall be devised by man more promising in appearance, as to that wherein the mean ordained hath not, through our fault, been so succesful, and withall, if this invention shall be in…allibly attended with far m…re pernicious consequences, ought we either in conscience, or prudence, to shufle out the former, to make place for the later? Certainlie as these things do exactly quadrat to the case of our accidental differences here objected, so the changing of the Lords ordinance for a humane device, upon such a pretence, is liker to Ieroboam's policie, who for the establishment and quiet of his Kingdome, set up his Calves in liew of the Lords Sanctuarie, then that paritie and straightness of heavenlie wisdome, which the Lord requires. I might here adde, that the want of the Lords blessing, and the parties their greater power, and, for the most part, insolent pride, being duely cousidered, the Oligarchik model of the Author's Episcopoacie, seemes to be far more obnoxious to the objected divisions, then the lowly and equall Presbyterie, that our Lord hath institute: And that de facto, there is nothing in that state whereunto we can referre their prevention, except unto the over-awe either o… the papal Tirannie, or of a more absurd Supremacie, which we see every where to be the ultimat progress of these vain delusions: But having formerly met with almost the same alledgeancee, I proceed.

The Authour ads, And again they would consider, that if the substance be salved in the present model, their obligation is abundantly preserved. 'Tis Ans. Seeing the thing to be principally attended, both in the interpretation and observation of an Oath, is that which was chiefly intended in the …raming and taking of it, and which is indeed the substance of the Oath, although of its subject abstractly considered it may be only a circumstance, the …istinction as here applied appeares to be more captious then pertinent. Novv that the thing chieflie intended in that article, to preserve the Discipline and Government of the Church of Scotland, as then in being, was to preserve Presbyterie from the reinvasion of all these corruptious, from which it had been before so latelie vindicat and reformed; and that of these corruptious, the controverted presidencie or constant Moderatorship was one, and that the very first, is so certain and notour, that I cannot but marvel at the Authors so perverse disputings in the contrarie. But he sayes, If no chip nor circumstance of the then Presbyterian government might be altered even to the better, then is the p. 127next part of the Article anent uniformity, according to the word of God, and the example of the best reformed Churches, illusorie, and a perfect cheat, in as much as though the same rule should in order to uniformity call for an alteration, yet there could be no receeding from the then frame of the Church of Scotland.

Thus the Author according to his accustomed deceit, when he would perswade to an alteration, notwithstanding that he and his associats, do manifestly intend and prosecut it with all the might and craft that they can adhibit, yet for to delude us to a compliance, s…icketh not, by insinuating the things in controversie to be but chips and circumstances, flatly to contradict and condemne the violence of their own practices. But, seeing that I have alreadie proven from cleare Scripture & undeniable reason, that this constant presidency, in steed of being a chip or circumstance, is in effect repugnant to that paritie which our Lorth hath commanded, and wherein true Presbyterie is essentially founded, and therefore was by us ejected, and the discipline and Government, sworn to be preserved in the Covenant, established in its place, 'tis evident that all here excepted by the Author is but a meer cavillation. In answer whereunto, it may well be affirmed, that it …aires vvith the Covenant as with the Truth it self; no such redargution of all calumnies objected as by its own evidence. The article questioned, binds in the first place to the preservation of the reformed Religion in the Church of Scotland, in Doctrine, VVorship, Discipline and Government against the common enemy; wherein, it is certain, that as the truth in all the heads discovered by divine light, and after much wrastling recovered from mens corruptions, was directly and plainly ingaged unto; so such extrinseck and lesser circumstances, as are in their own nature variable, and only determinable by a prudence regulat by the General Scripture-rules of order and edification, and vvere not at that time either questioned or reformed, are not in this obliton of our Oath o…hervvise comprehended, or thereby rendred unalterable.

In the next place, the Article obli…ges to the endeavour of reformation in the Kingdomes of England and Ireland in the same points, according to the word of God, and the example of the best reformed Churches: Which qualification adjected, al…hough through the deceitfulness of men, it hath given the principal occasion both to perversions and calumnies, yet I am assured, that as in it self it is most sound and rational; so it may testifie on our part a most fair and ingenuous candor: in asmuch, as although the Englishes did first seek to us, and willingly & freely ingaged with us, to the maintainance of the reformation whereunto we had then attained; y…t in the confidence of the truth wherein it was bottomed, and that it might appeare to the world, how little we were either addicted to any thing as our own, or inclined to abuse and impose upon their distress, we agreed to Covenant to the p. 128endeavours of their reformation, not precisely according to our example, though vve vere fully persvvaded of its divine vvarrant, but according to the unerring rule of the word of God: (to which we vvere alwayes, and are still ready to submit all our ingagments and persvvasions) and the example of the best reformed Churches, the best arbiter of all exterior indifferences.

Now after this cause, follows the obligation to Uniformity in these term…s, And shall endeavour to bring the Churches of God in the three Kingdomes, to the nearest conjunction and uniformity, &c. Which being the part of our Oath, whereon our Author doth at present trifle, I shall not trouble my Reader to rectifie his misrepresentation, as if it were the common work of uniformity, and not Englands particular Reformation, that were referred to the Word of God: But seeing by the obvious tenor of the whole Article, the preservation of the reformed Religion in Scotland, and the Reformation of England and Ireland, according to the Word of God, are premised as midses conducing, and tendencies certainly concentring in this conjunction wished for, I am confident, every ingenuous man must acknowledge both the consistency of our Oath, and the vanitie of our adversaries sophistrie. And therefore it is answered.

1. That suppose, the intended uniformity and conjunction did require an alteration; yet seeing the disconformity of either part, maketh place for it, & even perfection it self & imperfection, by reason of their disconformity, are capable of such a designe, the necessity of an alteration to be made on both parts cannot be thence inferred. So that the Author's conclusion, from the unalterableness of Scotlands frame, that the Article of uniformity is illusorie, and in plain terms a perfect cheat, is pitifully claudicant, and unworthy of both his judgment and gravity.

2. Although that the things Covenanted to be preserved in Scotland, as being very acuratly tried and convincingly found to be agreable to the word of God, are in effect both from their vvarrant, and our Oath unalterable; yet, seeing that by reason of our sublunary state, there are several external circumstances attending the worship, aswell as the discipline and Government of the Church, neither positively determined by the vvord of God, nor comprehended in this our Oath for preservation; that in these, there is a latitude on all parts left to the improvement of providence, and gratification of charitie, for the more easie and happie obtaining of the uniformitie Covenanted, is in itself evident, and the very subject and intendment of this last clause, as to any thing which may be thereby imported over & above what the preceeding parts of the article do contain. But,

3. The palpabl… fallacie of the Author's objection, is, that he falsely supposeth, not only that the word of God may in order to uniformitie call p. 129for an alteration in Scotlands frame covenanted to be preserved, but that even the swearers of this oath did thereto referre, as not being fully ascertained and ultimatly determined as to the congruitie of that very establishment which in the same article they sweare to mantain: whereas, it is manifest from the tenor of the article and all other circumstances, that as we in Scotland were assuredly perswaded, that the things whereunto we had attained, and which we sweare to preserve, were according to the word of God, and England also by concurring with us in the same ingagement did thereunto assent; so it was in the same common perswasion, that we engadged to endeavour Englands reformation according to the same rule, and did, in the holding and not altering of these obligations with a just accommodation of undetermined circumstances, jointly vow and hope for the above mentioned uniformitie.

4. As the certain conformitie of Scotlands then reformation to the word of God, doth directly contradict the Authors supposition, and the alterableness of the then constitution of Government in so far as we are sworn to preserve it, is very consistent with the vowed uniformitie whereby the Authors argument is utterly ruined; so we do constantly acknowledge the same word of God to be the supreme and unerring rule, whereunto we heartily submit; and therefore, if the Author can shew that this rule, either upon the account of uniformity or any other, doth require an alteration of that Government whereunto we are bound, it is in vain to redargue us from pretended inconsistencies in the words and contexture of our Oath, seeing this is a direct and plain method by vvhichwhich vve are most vvilling to be tryed.

The Author addes, that if no hoofe or hair of the Scottish modell can be altered, though both Scripture, the example of the best reformed Churches, and the vowed uniformity should require it, then ought it in stead of according to the vvord of God, &c. to be rather according to the present forme of the Church of Scotland. But 1. Waving the fraud and scorn of the Author's hoofes and haires, vvhereof it is certain, that his fixed Presidency, unless so far as it is an excrementitious superfluity, can be called none, vvhy doth the Author cavil? If the Scripture and the example of the best Reformed Churches, do require an alteration of our modell, let him shevv it, and there is an end. 2. I have already given a cleare account, vvherefore the ingagment in the Covenant to Reformation in England did referre to the word of God &c. rather then to any particular example. 3. If upon the matter, Englands covenanted Reformation in Discipline & Government according to the Word of God, &c. do in effect resolve in an exact conformity to our then constitution, doth it therefore follow, that this part of our Oath is either a cheat or an abuse? God forbid; the p. 130Rule is too sacred to give ground to such a consequence: And certainly the Author's second thoughts will correct his rashness.

But the Author subjoines, that how this understanding of the Rule of Englands Reformation according to the VVord of God, as certainly introductive of the then Scottish model, would have past with our English Brethren, and particularly with these present at the framing of that Covenant, may easily be imagined. It is answered 1. The question here mainly agitat, is, neither how the Englishes understood the ingagment of the Covenant in order to their own Reformation, nor yet what may be its real import, but plainly what we stand bound to by vertue of that article, obliging us to preserve the Reformed Religion in the Church of Scotland in Doctrine, Worship, Discipline and Government; and that thereby we are obliged to disown and reject the Authors Episcopacy and fixed Presidency, from which our Government was at that time expresly reformed, is that which I am perswaded he himself dare not seriously deny. 2. Whatever meaning interest, passion or prejudice may possibly devise, yet that the words, according to the VVord of God, &c. are in themselves most plain, safe and sound cannot be controverted. But 3. That under this very form of words both England did give, and Scotland did obtain a sufficient as…urance for the setting up of Presbyterian Government in England as it was at that time established in Scotland, is no hard matter to explain; in as much, as not only the Word of God, the declared Rule, doth thereto strictlie and antecedentlie tye, as hath been made out; but whoever herevvith considered the knovvledge the Englishes had of our then constitution, the affectionat sympathie they had testified, both in our labour and victorie vvhereby it vvas attained, their frequent and significant insinuations in publict, in privat, in print and in speeches to this purpose, their express ingaging to the preservation of our frame, their brotherlie covenanting and concurring vvith us for the cause of God, and many other circumstances, vvill vvithout hesitation conclude, that we had as pregnant grounds of persvvasion of there being like minded with us in this matter, as could be demanded or expected by ingenuous men, from a nation at that time so unsetled and discomposed. And therefore, seeing there was nothing for several years preceeding, more clearlie and distinctlie held forth by us, then that we judged the form of Government then in being among us, to be the only Church Government agreeable to the word of God, I think we may well take the Author's suggestion, as if the Englishes would never have passed this sense and meaning of the words, according to the word of God, to be only a cunning hint, to collour a confidence which can…ot be avowed. It is true, that in process of time, the love of truth and zeal of p. 131God did much abate, & error abound in that Nation; whence to many who desired a sutable licence, the just severitie of Presbyterie became uneasie and odious: but as that doth nothing convel the former arguments by me adduced, so it is no less true, that the sounder and better part of England, not carried away by the present defection, do still own Presbyterian Government as by us asserted, to be the only Government that our Lord has appointed in his Church.

But our Author tells us, yea, it is not unknovvn hovv careful one of the English Commissioners vvas to have that clause inserted, according to the vvord of God, and hovv secure he thought himself and his Countrey by that expression from the inroade of Scottish Presbyterie upon them notvvithstanding that former Article premised in favours of it. Well, admit this to be a truth, what then?… If one of them was a deceaver, & deceaved & yet manifestly taken in his own craftiness, what is either the work or the Covenant the worse? If confident errors or treacheries be sufficient to consute the truth the Author needed not have called this witness to his assistance; but seeing it is most certain that whoever that person was, and whatever might have been his peculiar opinion, and communication or correspondence with the author in it, neither was there any such thing openly declared or treated, nor hath it the least foundation in the words under debate; but on the contrary is by them as manifestly confured, as the Author now is, to what he formerly professed most repugnant: the thing is scarce worthy this my reflection; and yet behold the conclusion, that the Author drawes from it.

Thus, saith he, were the Contrivers of that Covenant bussied in patching it up, to outwit one another by words and clauses, hovv inco…herent and discordant soever, to salve their different interests and opinions, and to make it strong in odium tertii, hovv vveake soever it might prove to discerning men, by disagreeing and jarring vvith it self, and a very Babel, by the divided and confused language of its Architects. And thus our Author having abandoned all Conscience of the Oath of God, doth also cast off all shame, and in his envy standeth not openly to contradict and blaspheme. If he had premised any thing to give so much as a collour to this incoherence, discordance and confusion objected; somewhat in excuse of such conclusion might be indulged to his passion and interest: But when nothing hath been alledged, except a blind conjecture of some persons their different apprehensions of the soundest and plainest form of words, contrarie to the undeniable evidence of the truth it sel…, and from which inconvenience the most pure light of divine revelation hath not been exempted, upon thir grounds to inferre an accusation against the holy Covenant in the termes vve have heard, can only be the effect of a most wicked indignation p. 132and apostatick malice. Lord bow downe thine eare and heare, open Lord thine eyes, and see, and hear the words of this man, who hath set himself to reproach thy truth and wo…k, which thou hast manifestly owned; and save I beseech thee thy People out of the hands of these evill men, that all the Churches may know, that thou art the holy Lo…d God of truth, vvho searcheth the reines and heart. And therefore in return to this contempt and scorn, I shall only here briefly adde to what I have in the former Discourse observed to this purpose. 1. That all the forged ambiguities and inconsistencies, that either the deceit of Hypocrites, or perversness of open adversaries, have hith…to laboured to fix upon the words and frame of this Oath, are not only the fate of truth, but according to its proper vertue, by the serious consideration thereof in its own light, most readily and satisfyingly salved. 2. As the Covenant was attended by a most signal power, and presence from on high; so its sincere prosecution, was constantly blessed with a very beautiful concord; and whoever divided from its genuine meaning and purpose, did quickly also abandon the reverence and regard thereof, which he once professed. 3. That not only the forsakers of the Covenant do relinquish it without repentance, and for the most part, by the irritation of their own guilt and shame, are exasperate to irrational railing and rage: but if the revilings and persecutions of the ungodly World, be the badge of truth, the Covenant hath from the beginning been thereby very notably confirmed; and all its true followers may herein rejoice and be exceeding glade, as being by the Lord pronounced blessed. 4. That as the beautie and glorie of the work of God, were very visibly promoted both by the Covenant and its contrivers, and confusion formerly, and calamity and wasting consumption now, the certain and manifest effects of mens svverving and backsliding from it: and as in that furious storme that broke off and destroyed the branches, the root of the Kingdome was by this bond made sure, until the time of our restitution wherein it made the first and most airly appearance; so the remembrance of these things, may yet be ground of hope, that the Lord will arise aud have mercy upon Zion, and in place of the Babel-confusions wherewith these Masters of confusion and rebuilders of Babilon do upbraid us, cause his work appeare unto his Servants and his glory unto their Children.

In the last place, the Author saith, He heareth that some take the Romish Hierarchie in the National Covenant, for the same with our present Episcopacy; and that by vertue of the Gloss of Glasgow which yet, he saith, doth grosly corrupt the Text: For the Romish Hierarchie is the Romish Hierarchie, and no other; nor hath any man, or assembly of men, even such as have most of the spirit in them, power to bind a sense upon the words, so different from, and opposite to their clear and genuine signification. p. 133I cannot here in the close insist on all the impertinencies hudled up in these few lines, though by the Romish hierarchie abjured in the National Covenant, there is no doubt meaned, not only Romes proper hierarchie, usurping and pretending to a domination over us: but also, all such like corruption in Ecclesiastick government, whether in its rise, growth or consummation, under which it is manifest, that the controverted Episcopacy as being the first workings of that mystery, must necessarily be comprehended. Yet it was not by this clause alone of this Covenant, that this Episcopacy was conceived to be abjured amongst us; in as much, as the argument that may be gathered from it for this abjuration, is both cumulative and concludent above exception, viz. that albeit, that it doth principally relate to heads of doctrine, and the maintainance of the truth therein contrary to the errors of poperie, yet it doth also extend itself against all manner of Superstition & corruption: and therefore doth not only reject the Popes worldly monarchy and wicked Hierarchie, whereby, without question, all the degrees, occasions & tendencies, either of worldly domination, or undue Elation of Christs Ministers over his flock, or among themselves are disclaimed; but thereby we do expressly joine our selves to the Church of Scotland as then reformed in doctrine, faith, religion and discipline, promising and swearing by the great name of the Lord our God, that we shall continue in the obedience of the doctrine and Discipline of this Kirk, and shall defend the same according to our vocation and power all the dayes of our lives. Under vvhichwhich heads, especially that of Discipline, according to the usual phrase of these times, as it is vvithout controversy, that the Government then in being vvas contained; so if vve consider, that the taking and subscribing of this Covenant in the year 1581. and 1590. was designedly enjoined by the general Assembly for the confirmation of Presbiterian Government then completly perfected, and unanimously agreed to in the year 1581. and universally setled and established in the year 1590: it is not possible, that in this matter any shadovv of scruple should remain.

I might here adde for a further evidence, that when within a few years thereafrer, King Iames and his Court-faction took upon them to innovat that forme, by the introduction of Kirk-commissioners, and constant Moderators or fixed presidents; the faith…ul who opposed these courses did, as it appeares by their writings and publick protestations yet extant, very freely testify against them, as perjurious defections and breaches of the oath of God: which is an undeniable proof of the sense wherein it was taken. But the plain and obvious account of this oath, which I have already exhibit, is more then sufficient, to vindicat the consonancy and soundness of that interpretation p. 134made by the forementioned Assembly, against the author's identick and ridiculous reasoning, to wit, that therefore the Romish hierarchy in that Oath cannot contain the present episcopacy, because forsooth, the Romish hierarchy is the Romish hierarchy, And no less ignorant and lascivient confidence, whereby he goeth about, not only impudently to decry a most certain and cleare explication as gross and shameful, but impertinently to defie or mock the Spirit of the Lord, and all thereby conducted. I might in this place moreover subjoine, that admitting, for the Author's more ful redargution, that the Assembly had lap…ed in their exposition; yet seeing it was materially agreeable to truth, & we are thereunto bound by our sacred oath, not so much assertorie of the justness of the explanation, as positivè, renouncing the thing therein contained; this error in the manner, could not by any rule dissolve the force of our oath, but the certainty and lawfulness of our abjuration by this oath, both of Prelacy and Episcopacy, and all their aspyring degrees, hath been already by me so largely and evidently declared, that any addition were altogether superfluous.

As for what the Author tells us in the last place, that the Presbyterian brethren in former times did not think themselves by that Cove…ant oblidged to Separate from the Synods wherein Bishops presided, as their practices do evidence. I am persvvaded I have so abundantly cleared the difference of their case from ours, and thereby reconciled their and our practices in a most agreeable consistency, that the very simple noticing of this reflection may almost be accounted an excess. I might here adde that if Presbyterian government were offered to be truly restored upon its own proper… foundation, and no thing imposed beside this constant President, both eligible & deposible by the Courts, wherein he moderats; the practice of vvithdravving would be liable to more probable exceptions but seeing the very lovvest condescendence that probably can be conjectured, is immensly distant from this hypothesis; and the exigence of a te…timony flovving from our present unrepented backslidings, vvith the far more probable ensuing of evill then good, upon a conjunction vvith the persons, and in the other circumstances obvious in our present condition, doe according to these grounds and rules declared in my first Discourse, still persvvade to a humble, tender, prudent and vvitnessing separation, I do here put a period to these debates.

FINIS.

End of the text · Robert McWard, The Case of The Accommodation Proposed by the Bishop of Dunblane (1671)