The Antipathy of the English Lordly Prelacy, Part 2 · Chapter 7 · Section 3
The Charge of the Scottish Commissioners against the Prelate of Canterbury.
NOvations in Religion, which are Universally acknowledged to be the maine cause of commotions in Kingdomes and states, and are knowne to be the true cause of our present troubles, were many and great, beside the bookes of Ordination, and Homili…s, 1. Some particular alterations in matters of Religion, pressed upon us without order and against Law, contrary to the forme established in our Kirk. 2. A new booke of Canons and Constitutions Ecclesiasticall. 3. A Liturgie or booke of Common…prayer, which did also carry with them many dangerous errours in matte…s of Doctrine. Of all which we challenge the …relate of Canterbury, as the prime cause on earth.
And first, that this Prelate wes the Author and urger of some particular changes, which made great disturbance amongst us, we make manifest… 1… by fourteene letters subscribed, W. Cant. in the space of two yeares, to one of our pretended Bishops, Bannatine, wherein he often enjoyneth him, and other pretended Bishops, to appeare in the Chappell in their whi…es, connary to the custome of our Kirk, and to his promise made to the pretended Bishop of Edenburgh, at the Corona…on, that none of them after that time, should be pressed to weare these garments, thereby moving him against his will to put them on for that time, wherein he directeth him to give order for saying the English Service in the Chappell twice a day, for his neglect shewing him that he wes disappointed o… the Bishopricke o… Edenburgh, promising him upon the greater care of these novations, advancement to a better Bishopricke, taxing him for his boldnesse in pr…aching the sound Doctrine of the reformed Kirkes, against Master Mitchell, who had taught the errours of Arminius in the point of the extent of the merit of Christ, bidding him send up a list of the names of Counsellours and Senatours of the Colledge of Justice, who did not communicate in the Chappell in a forme which was not received in our Kirke, commending him when he found him obsequious to these his commands, telling him that he had moved the King the second time for the punishment of such as had not received in the Chappell: and wherein he upbraideth him bitterly, that in his first Synod at Aberdein, he had onelyonly disputed against our custome of Scotland, of fasting sometimes on the Lords day, and presumptuously censuring our Kirke, that in this we were opposite to Christianity it selfe; and that amongst us …here were no Canons at all. More of this stuffe may be seene in the letters themselves.
Secondly, by two papers of memoirs and instructions from the pretended Bishop of Saint Androis, to the pretended Bishop of Rosse, comming to this Prelate, for ordering the affaires of the Kirke and Kingdome of Scotland, as not onelyonly to obtaine warrants, to order the Exchequer, the Privy Counsell, the great Commission of Surrenders, the matter of Balmerino's processe, as might please our Prelates, but warrants also for sitting of the High Commission Court once a weeke in Edenburgh, and to gaine from the Noblemen, for the benefit of Prelates, and their adherents, the Abbacies of Kelso, Arbroith, S. Androis, and Lindors, and in the smallest matters to receive his commands, as for taking downe Galleries, and stone-walls, in the Kirkes of Edenburgh, and Saint Androis, for no other end but to make way for Altars, and adoration towards the East: which besides other evills, made no small noyse, and disturbance amongst the people, deprived hereby, of their ordinary accommodation for publique worship.
The second Novation which troubled our peace, wes a Book of Canons, and constitutions Ecclesiasticall, obtruded upon our Kirke, found by our generall Assembly to be devised …or establishing a tyrannicall power, in the persons of our Prelates, over the worship of God, over the consciences, liberties, and goods of the people, and for abolishing the whole discipline and government of our Kirke, by generall and provinciall assemblies, Presbyteries, and Kirke sessions, which was setled by Law, and in continuall practise since the time of Reformation; that Canterbury wes Master of this Worke is manifest.
By a Booke of Canons sent to him, written upon the one side only, with the other side blank, for corrections, additions, & putting all in better Order, at his pleasure, which accordingly wes done, as may appeare by interlinings, marginalls, and filling up of …he blanke page with directions sent to our Prelates; and that it wes done by no other than Canterbury, is evident by his Magisteriall way of prescribing, and by a new copy of these Canons, all written with Saint Androis owne hand, precisely to a Letter, according to the former castigations, sent backe for procuring the Kings warrant unto it, which accordingly wes obtained; but with an addition of some other Canons, and a Paper of some other corrections: According to which the Book of Canons …hus composed, wes published in Print, the inspection of the Bookes, Instructions, and his Letters of joy, for the successe of the worke, and of others Letters of the Prelate of London, and the Lord Sterling, to the same purpose, all which we are ready to exhibite, will put the matter out of all debate.
Besides this generall, there be some things more speciall worthy to be adverted unto, for discovering his Spirit. 1. The fourth Canon of Cap. 8. forasmuch as no Reformation in Doctrine or Discipline can be made perfect at once in any Church; therefore it shall, and may be lawfull for the Church of Scotland at any time to make remonstrance to his Majesty, or his successors, &c. Because this Canon holdeth the doore open to more Innovations, he writeth to the Prelate of Rosse his privy Agent in all this Worke, of his great gladnesse, that this Canon did stand behind the Curtaine, and his great desire that this Canon may be Printed fully, as one that was to be most usefull. Secondly, the title prefixed to these Canons by our Prelates. Canons agreed upon to be proponed to the severall Synods of the Kirke of Scotland, is thus changed by Canterbury; Canons and Constitutions Ecclesiasticall, &c. Ordained to be observed by the Clergy. He will not have Canons come from the Authority of Synods, but from the power of Prelates, or from the Kings Prerogative. Thirdly, the formidable Canon, Cap. 1.3. threatning no lesse than Excommunication agai…st all such persons whosoever shall open their mouthes against any of these Bookes, proceeded not from our Prelates, nor is to be found in the Copy sent from them, but is a thunder-bolt forged in Canterburies owne fire. 4. Our Prelates in divers places witnesse their dislike of Papists. A Minister sall be deposed if he be found negligent to convert Papists. Chap. 18.15. The adoration …f the bread is a superstition to be condemned, Cap. 6.6. They call the absolute necessity of Baptisme an errour of Popery. Cap. 6.2. But in Canterburies Edition, the name of Papists and Popery is not so much as mentioned. 5. Our Prelates have not the boldnesse to trouble us in their Canons, with Altars, Fonts, Chancels, reading of a long Liturgy before Sermon, &c. But Canterbury is punctuall, and peremptory in all these. Although the words of the tenth Canon Cap. 3. be faire, yet the wicked intentions of Canterbury and Rosse, may be seene in the poynt of justification of a sinner before God, by comparing the Canon as it came from our Prelates, and as it wes returned from Canterbury, and Printed; our Prelates say thus; It is manifest that the superstition of former ages, hath turned into a great prophanenesse, and that people are growne cold for the most part in doing any good, thinking there is no place to good workes, because they are excluded from justification. Therefore shall all Ministers, as their Text giveth occasion, urge the necessity of good workes, as they would be saved, and remember that they are Via Regni, the way to the kingdome of Heaven, though not causa regnandi, howbeit they be not the cause of Salvation. Here Rosse giveth his judgement, That he would have this Canon simply commanding good workes to be …reached, and no mention made what place they have or have not in justification. Upon this motion, so agreeable to Canterburies mind, the Canon is set downe as it standeth, without the distinction of via regni, or causa regnandi, or any word sounding that way, urging onelyonly the necessi…y of good workes. 7. By comparing Can. 9. Cap. 18. As it was sent in writing from our Prelates, and as it is Printed at Canterburies command, may be also manifest, that he went about to establish auricular confession, and Popish absolution. 8. Our Prelates were not acquainted with Canons for afflicting of arbitrary penalties: But in Canterburies Booke, wheresoever there is no penalty expresly set downe, it is provided that it shall be arbitrary, as the Ordinary shall thinke f…ttest. By these and many other the like, it is apparent, what tyrannicall power he went about to establish in the hands of our Prelates, over the worship, and the soules and goods of men, overturning from the foundation, the whole order of our Kirke, what seeds of Poperie he did sow in our Kirke, and how large an entry he did make for the grossest novations afterward, which hath beene a maine cause of all their combustion.
The third and great novation wes the Booke of Common Prayer, Administration of the Sacraments, and other parts of Divine Service, brought in without warrant from our Kirke, to be universally received as the onelyonly forme of divine Service, under all highest paines both civill and Ecclesiasticall; which is found by our nationall assembly, besides the Popish frame, & formes in divine worship, to containe many Popish errors, & ceremonies, and …he seeds of manifold and grosse superstitions, and idolatries and to be repugnant to the Doctrine, Discipline, and order of our Reformation, to the confession of Faith, constitutions of generall Assemblies, and Acts of Parliament, establishing the true Religion: that this also wes Canterburies worke we make manifest.
By the memoirs, and instructions sent unto him from our Prelates; wherein they gave a speciall account of the diligence they had used, to doe all which herein they were enjoyned, by th… approbation of the Service Booke sent to them; and of all the marginall corrections, wherein it varyeth from the English Booke, shewing their desire to have some few things changed in it, which notwithstanding wes not granted: This we finde written by Saint Androis owne hand, and subscribed by him, and nine other of our Prelates.
By Canterburies owne Letters, witnesses of his joy, when the Booke wes ready for the presse, of his prayers that God would speed the worke, of the hope to see that service set up in Scotland, of his diligence to send for the Printer, and di…ecting him to prepare a blacke letter, and to send it to his servants a… Edenburgh, for Printing this booke. Of his approbation of his proofes sent from the Presse. Of his feare of delay, in bringing the worke speedily to an end, for the great good, (not of that Church, but) of the Church. Of his encouraging Rosse, who wes entrusted with the Presse, to goe on in this peece of Service without feare of enemies. All which may be seene in the Autographs and by Letters sent from the Prelate of London, to Rosse, wherein, as he rejoyceth at the sight of the Scottish Canons; which although they should make some noyse at the beginning, yet they would be more for the good of the Kirke, than the Canons of Edenburgh, for the good of the Kingdome. So concerning the Leiturgy he sheweth, that Rosse had sent to him, to have an explanation from Canterbury, of some passage of the Service Booke, and that the Presse behoved to stand till the explanation come to Edenburgh, which the…efore he had in haste obtained from his Grace, and sent the dispatch away by Canterburies owne conveyance.
But the Booke it selfe, as it standeth interlined, margined, and patcht up, is much more than all that is expressed in his Letters, and the change… and supplements themselves, taken from the Masse Booke, and other Romish Ritualls, by which he maketh it to vary from the Booke of England, are more pregnant testimonies of his Popish spirit, and wicked inten…ions which he would have put in execution upon us, then can be denyed. The large declaration professeth, that all the variation of our Booke, from the Booke of England, that ever the King understood, wes in such things as the Scottish humour would better comply with, than with that which stood in the English service. These Popish innovations therefore have been surreptitiously inserted by him, without the Kings knowledge, and against his purpose. Our Scottish Prelates doe petition that something may be abated of the English ceremonies, as the Crosse in Baptisme, the Ring in marriage, and some other things. But Canterbury will not onelyonly have these kept, but a great many more, and worse superadded, which wes nothing else, but the adding of …ewell to the fire. To expresse and discover all, would require a whole booke, we sall onelyonly touch some few in the matter of the Communion.
This Booke inverteth the order of the Communion in the Booke of England, as may be seene by the numbers, setting downe the orders of this new Communion, 1.5.2.6.7.3.4.8.9.10.15. Of the divers secret reasons of this change, we mention one onelyonly; In joyning the spirituall praise and thanksgiving, which is in the Booke of England, pertinently after the Communion, with the Prayer of Consecration before the Communion, and that under the name of Memoriall, or Oblation, for no other end, but that the memoriall and Sacrifice of Praise, mentioned in it, may be understood according to the Popish meaning. Bellar. de Missa, lib. 2. cap. 21. Not of the spirituall sacrifice, but of the oblation of the body of the Lord.
It seemeth to be no great matter, that without warrand of the Booke of England, the Presbyter going from the North end of the Table, shall stand during the time of consecration, at such a part of the Table, where he may with the more ease and decency use both hands; yet being …ryed, it importeth much, as, that he must stand with his hinder parts to the People, representing (saith Durand) that which the Lord said of Moses, Tho… shalt see my hinder parts. He must have the use of both his hands, not for any thing he hath to doe about the Bread and Wine, for that may be done at the North end of the Table, and be better seene of the people: but (as we are taught by the Rationalists) that he may be stretching forth his armes, to represent the extension of Christ on the Crosse, and that he may the more conveniently lift up the Bread and Wine above his head to be seen and adored of the people, who in the Rubricke of the generall Confession, a little before, are directed to kneele humbly on their knees, that the Priests elevation so magnified in the Masse, and the peoples adoration may goe together. That in this posture, speaking with a low voyce, and muttering (for sometimes he is commanded to speake with a loud voyce, and distinctly) he be no… heard by th… people, which is no lesse a mocking of God, and his people, then if the words were spoken in an unknowne language. As there is no word of all this in the English Service; so doth the Booke in King Edwards time, give to every Presbyter his liberty of gesture, which yet gave such offence to Bucer, (the censurer of the Booke: and even in Cassanders owne judgement, a man of great moderation in matters of this kind) that he calleth them, Nunquam satis ex…randos Miss… gestus, and would have them to be abhorred, because they confirme to the simple and superstitious ter impiam & exitialem Missae fiduciam.
The corporall presence of Christs body in the Sacrament, is also to be found here: for the words of the Masse-booke serving to this purpose, which are sharpely censured by Bucer, in King Edwards Liturgy, and are not to be …ound in the Booke of England, are taken in here; Almighty God is in called, that of his Almighty Goodnesse he may vouchsafe so to blesse and sanctifie with his Word and Spirit, these gifts of Bread and Wine, that they may bee unto us the body and blood of Christ.
The change here is made a worke of Gods Omnipotency: the words of the Masse, ut fiant nobis, are translated in King Edwards Booke, That they be unto us, which are againe turned into Latine by Alesius, Vt fiant nobis. On the other part, the expressions of the Booke of England, at the delivery of the Elements of feeding on Christ by Faith, and of Eating and drinking in remembrance that Christ dyed for thee, are utterly deleated. Many evidences there be in this part of the Communion, of the bodily Presence of Christ, very agreeable to the Doctrines taught by his Secretaries, which this paper cannot containe. They teach us that Christ is received in the Sacrament, Corporali…er, both objective and subjective. Corpus Christi est objectum quod recipitur, & corpus nostrum subjectum quo recipitur.
The Booke of England abolishe…h all that may import the oblation of any unbloody Sacrifice, but here we have besides the Preparatory oblation of the Elements, which is neither to be found in the Booke of England now, nor in King Edwards Booke of old, the oblation of the body and blood of Christ, which Bellarmine calleth, Sacrificium Laudis, quia Deus per illud magnopere laudatur. This also agreeth well with their late doctrine. We are ready when it shall be judged convenient, and we shall be desired, to discover much more matters of this kinde, as grounds laid for missa sicca, or the halfe Messe, the private Messe without the people, of communicating in one kinde, of the consumption by the Priest, and consummation of the Sacrifice, of receiving the Sacrament in the mouth, and not in the hand, &c.
Our supplications were many against these Bookes, but Canterbury procured them to be answered with terrible Proclamations. We were constrained to use the remedy of Protestation; but for our Pro…estations, and other lawfull meanes, which we used for our deliverance, Canterbury procured us to be declared Rebels and Traitors, in all the Parish Kirkes of England: when we were seeking to possesse our Religion in peace, against these devices, and novations, Canterbury kindleth warre against us. In all these it is knowne that he was, although not the sole, yet the principall Agent and adviser.
When by the Pacification at Berwicke, both Kingdomes looked for peace and quietnesse, he spared not openly in the hearring of many, often before the King, and privately at the Counsell-Table, and the privy Iointo, to speake of us as Rebels and Traitors, and to speake against the Pacification as dishonourable, and mee…e to be broken. Neither did his malignancy and bitter…e…e ever suffer him to rest, till a new warre was entred upon, and all things prepared for our destruction.
By him was it that our Covenant, approven by Nationall Assemblies, subscribed by his Majesties Commissioner, and by the Lords of his Majesties Counsell, and by them commanded to be subscribed by all the Subjects of the Kingdome, as a Testimony of our duty to God, and the King, by him was it still called ungodly, damnable, Treasonable; by him were Oaths invented, and pressed upon divers of our poore Countrey men, upon the paine of imprisonment, and many miseries, which were unwarrantable by Law, and contrary to their Nationall Oath.
When our Commissioners did appeare to render the reasons of our demands, he spared not in the presence of the King, and Committee, to raile against our Nationall Assembly, as not daring to appeare before the World, and Kirkes abroad; where himselfe and his Actions were able to endure tryall, and against our just and necessary defence, as the most malicious and Treasonable Contempt of Monarchicall Government that any bygone age hath heard of: His hand also was at the Warrant for the restraint and imprisonment of our Commissioners, sent from the Parliament, warranted by the King, and seeking the peace of the Kingdomes.
When we had by our Declarations, Remonstrances, and Representations, manifested the truth of our inten…ions, and lawfulnesse of our Actions, to all the good subjects of the Kingdome of England, when the late Parliament could not be moved to ass…st, or enter in warre against us, maintaining our Religion, and Liberties, Canterbury did not onelyonly advise the breaking up of that high and honourable Court, to the grea… grie…e and hazard of the Kingdome, but (which is without example) did sit still in the Convocation, and make Canons and constitutions against us, and our just and necessary defence, ordaining under all highest paines, that hereafter the Clergy shall Preach foure times in the yeare, such doctrine as is contrary not onelyonly to our proceedings, but to the doctrine and proceedings of other Reformed Kirkes, to the judgement of all sound Divines, and politiques, and tending to the utter slavery and ruining of all Estates and Kingdomes, and to the dishonour of Kings and Monarches. And as if this had not been sufficient, he procured sixe Subsidies to be lifted of the Clergy, under paine of deprivation to all that should refuse. And which is yet worse, and above which Malice it selfe cannot ascend, by his meanes a Prayer is framed, Printed, and sent through all the Paroches of England, to be said in all Churches in time of Divine Service, next after the Prayer for the Queene, and Royall Progeny, against our Nation by name of Trayterous Subjects, having cast off all obedience to our annoynted Soveraigne, and comming in a rebellious manner to invade England, that shame may cover our faces, as Enemies to God and the King.
Whosoever shall impartially examine what hath proceeded from himselfe, in these two Bookes of Canons and Common Prayer, what Doctrine hath beene published and Printed these yeares by-past in England, by his Disciples and Emissaries, what grosse Popery in the most materiall points we have found, and are ready to shew in the posthume writings of the Prelate of Edenburgh, and Dumblane, his owne creatures, his neerest familiars, and most willing instruments to advance his counsels, and projects, …all perceive that his intentions were deepe and large against all the reformed Kirkes, and Reformation of Religion, which in his Majesties dominions wes panting, and by this time had rendred up the Ghost, if God had not in a wonderfull way of mercy prevented us; And that if the Pope himselfe had beene in his place, he could not have beene more Popish, nor could he more zealously have negotiated for Rome, against the Reformed Kirkes, to reduce them to the Heresies in Doctrine; the Superstitions and Idolatry in worship, and the Tyranny in Government, wh…ch are in that See, and for which the Reformed Kirkes did separate from it, and come furth of Babell. From him certainely hath issued all this deluge, which almost ha…h overturned all. We are therefore confident that your Lordships will by your meanes deale effectually wi…h the Parliament, that this great firebrand be presently removed from his Majesties presence, and that he may be put to tryall, and put to his deserved censure, according to the Lawes of the Kingdome; which fall be good service to God, honour to the King and Parliament, terrour to the wicked, and comfort to all good men, and to us in speciall, who by his meanes principally have beene put to so many and grievous afflictions, wherein we had perished, if God had not beene with us.
We doe indeed confesse that the Prelates of England have beene of very different humours, some of them of a more hot, and others of them, men of a more moderate temper, some of them more, and some of them lesse inclinable to Popery, yet what knowne truth, and constant experience hath made undenyable, we must at this opportunity professe, that from the first time of Reformation of the Kirke of Scotland, not onelyonly after the comming of King Iames of happy memory into England, but before, the Prelates of England have beene by all meanes uncessantly working the overthrow of our discipline and government. And it hath come to passe of late, that the Prelates of England having prevailed, and brought us to subjection in the point of Governement, and finding their long waited for opportunity, and a rare congruity of many spirits and powers, ready to cooperate for their ends, have made a strong assault upon the whole externall worship, and doctrine of our Kirke. By which their doing they did not aime to make us conforme to England, but to make Scotland first (whose weak…nesse in r…sisting they had before experienced, in the Novations of government, and of some poynts of Worship) and thereafter England conforme to Rome, even in these matters, wherein England had separated from Rome, ever since the time of Reformation. And evill therefore which hath issued, not so much from the personall disposition of the Prelates themselves, as from the innate quality and nature of their office, and Prelaticall Hierarchy, which did bring furth the Pope in ancient times, and never ceaseth till it bringeth furth Popish Doctrine and worship, where it is once roo…ed, and the Principles thereof fomented and constantly followed. And from that antipathy and inconsistency of the two formes of Ecclesiasticall Government, which they conceived, and not without cause, that one Island united also under one head, and Monarch, wes no… able to beare: the one being the same in all the parts and powers, which it wes in the times of Popery, and now is in the Roman Church: The other being the forme of Government, received, maintained, and practised by all the Reformed Kirks, wherein by their owne testimonies, and confessions, the Kirke of Scotland had amongst them no small eminency. This also we represent to your Lordships most serious consideration, that not onelyonly the firebrands may be removed, but that the fire may be provided against, that there be no more combustion after this.
I shall close up all touching the Prelates of Scotland, with the late Act of their generall Assembly at Edenburgh, for their utter extirpation out of that Church; and the Recantation, and abjuration of two of their late Bishops, to wit, the Bishop of Dunkelden, and of the Orcanies.