A Vindication of the Church of Scotland, Part

A Vindication of the Church of Scotland · Part

A VINDICATION OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND, &c. PART I.

THough it be no pleasant Task, to draw the Saw of Debate in Mattes wherein Religion is concerned; especially, with such as own the same Religion with us, and who, with us, should be engaged against the common Enemy of the Reformation: Yet it is some Satisfaction, when we are attacked only with the force of Argument, with plain Scripture, or rational Deductions from it; but to be exposed to the dint of Malice, Lies, and Railing, and the foulest and falsest Mis-representations that the minds of Man can suggest to them, when they are enraged by being deprived of the occasion they once had to Persecute their Neighbours, and being denuded of these Lucrative Places that they improved to such Ends; this I say is, and must be grievous to an ingenuous Soul: Now this is our Lot, Self-defence, yea the Defence of the Institutions of Christ, which should be more precious to us, than any thing that we can call ours, maketh it necessary thus p. 2to enter the Lists, in confident hope of his assistance whose Cause we Plead. I am far from either widening, or keeping up the Difference, that hath been between us, who own Presbyterian Government, and the Episcopal Party in Scotland: Our Church (now established by Law, through the Mercy of God, and the Zeal of Their Majesties, and of the worthy Patriots assembled in Parliament) hath declared (and doth practise accordingly) that none of those Men shall be removed from their Office or Benefice, but such as are found, on sufficient Trial, in an orderly way, to be Insufficient, Scandalous, Erroneous, or supinely Negligent; and that we will receive into a share of the Church-Government with us, such of them, as beside their freedom from the Evils mentioned, will own the Doctrine of this Church contained in the Confession of Faith, and will submit to, and concur with, and will be faithful to, the Government of the Church now Established. And we challenge our Adversaries to shew that any stretches have been made in expounding of these Qualifications, or that any thing hath been imputed to any of them as Scandal, Errour, &c. But what is commonly judged Scandal by Mankind, and Errour by most of the Reformed Churches; or that we have censured any for their Opinion about Church-Government, or for their complyance with Episcopacy, when it was here set up; or that we have refused to admit any to Ministerial Communion with us, who made application for that Favour, and was qualified as above exprest.

§. 2. Notwithstanding of this Moderation (a course diametrically opposite to the dealing that we met with from them, when their Way was uppermost) we have two things to complain of against them who make such Outcries against us: One is, That even the Soberest and best of them, are so far from endeavouring Peace and Union, that they stand aloof from the most easie Terms abovementioned, and think little of so great Condescendence made on our part: For let any unbyassed Man judge what we could do more for Peace, unless we should have been so cruel to the Souls of People, as to have intrusted the Conduct of them to such as could not but ruine them, or that we should put the Government of the Church into the Hands of such as had been its declared Enemies, and would give no rational Security that they should not overturn it for the future. This their Aversion from coming among us hath this Evidence for it, that now when the Government hath been settled by Law near a year (and long before that they might have been Received if they had pleased) only three of them,This was written in March, 1691. in all p. 3the Nation, hath hitherto made Application to the Judicatories of the Church, expressing their Desire to join with us; One of which is Received, and the other two were but delayed for want of time then to consider their Case. Is it not strange then, that such Outcries are made, that they are excluded from that part of the exercise of their Ministry, while none but themselves are to blame for it. The other thing that we have to complain of, is, That the greatest number of that Party do not only stand off from us; and with all possible Industry, hinder such as would comply with the established Government, but do vent the greatest Malice against us, and spread the most horrid Lies and Reproaches of us, that they are capable to utter, and do what in them lies to make us odious to the World, and to bring us under dislike with our Rulers: And that where there is no Cause given on our part. The Books that I have now under Consideration are a full proof of this, as also are the lying Reports that the Ears of People at Home, (and yet more Abroad) are filled with; which I hope will appear in the following Examination of them.

§. 3. I do not here undertake to Vindicate all Presbyterians from all blame in their Carriage toward them that differ from them: We never thought that all of our way are so Good, and so Wise, and so Sober as they should be; but I am confident to say, that the Excesses, that any among us can be charged with, are not to be compared with the Barbarous Severities that they of late suffered, when they who now complain were in the Ascendent. That which I now undertake, is, to clear the Presbyterians from these Calumnies that are cast on them in general: And especially to vindicate the Actings of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, from what her Haters do brand her with, either in her Principles, or in her Practice. Five Pamphlets stuffed with such Reproaches I have seen, to answer two of them I was injoined, to wit. The two first mentioned in the Title Page, the three which lately came to hand, I shall cast in as an Auctarium. I shall consider them separately, yet joining them when coincidencies occur, to avoid repetition. It is easie for an unbyassed Reader to observe the scope of these Pieces to be, not so much the refutation of our Opinion about Church-Government, and the asserting of their own; (for little that looketh like Argument to that purpose, is to be found in them) or to set Matters of Fact in their true Light; for the Candor requisite to that is evidently wanting: As it is, partly to make all Presbyterians as hateful to others, as they are hated by them: And partly to beg Alms of the Church of England; which to be their Intention they do not conceal: While, Account of Persecution, p. 4&c. Preface, the Reader is thus Addressed to, I have but one thing to request from thee, and that is no more than what thy Profession will oblige and command thee: I mean to put on Bowels of Mercy and Compassion to the poor Afflicted, Distressed; to help them as much as thou art able with thy Substance, and to extend that Charity which is already gone over the Alps, and hath assisted the Protestants in France, Hungary, and Peidmont, to thy neighbouring Brethren, and of thy Communion in Scotland: And if thy Circumstances are too mean to assist them with thy Purse, be sure to let them have thy Charity for their Sufferings in thy hearty Prayers (it is well that Prayer hath some place, tho' but the second, and in want of Money) in their desires. As also, Case of the afflicted Clergy. Preface, the design of that Writing is said to be, Especially, that the most Charitable-Church of England may see the sad effects of Rampant Presbytery, pitie their Brethren that have so severely smarted under it.— Of a piece with these Expressions are their setting up Conventicles here (so much decried by them before) and in them using the English Service, in all its Formalities, and their other Expressions of high esteem of, and Zeal for that way, which were never heard of before, while they were under no restraint, either for Pleading for it, or endeavouring its being set up by Authority. Let the World judge what Meanness of Spirit is thus manifested, and what Mercenary Souls they must have, who imploy themselves in such mendicant Writings and Practices, in the Matters of Religion. But thus it appeareth, How wise they are in their own Generation: Who consider, What to do when they are put out of their Stewardship. It is indeed a wiser way for them, then to have complyed with the present Eshablishment of the Church; from which not a few would, it is like, have been excluded, either for their Immoralities, or Errours; or their manifest abhorrence of the Civil Government. I observe but one thing more, common to these Books, That they complain much more of the Government of the State, than of that of the Church. And indeed the Council (yea the King and Parliament) and the Rable, were the Actors of most of the things that they make such Tragical Out-cries against, and not the Church.

§. 4. I proceed now to consider the first of these Pamphlets. The Account of the present Persecution of the Church of Scotland in several Letters. In the Preface to which, I have but few things to observe, beside what is already noted; what is calumniously asserted, without attempt toward any proof, I let pass as Railing: Such as, Out-doing our specious Pretences by our Actions; Our being of the same Principles with Hobs, whose Doctrines, none do more abhor then we. p. 5Our Principles being exceeded and basted by our Practice. That which is added (and may be designed as the ground of these Imputations) is as destitute of all resemblance of Truth, as any thing can be, viz. That They who lately Addressed for Liberty of Conscience, do now Usurp and Tyrannize over others, and deprive them of Liberty in Religion, of their Possessions, and of their Lives, for adhereing to the Doctrine once delivered to the Saints, and often established by Law in that Kingdom. This Author had consulted his own Credit in the matter of Ingenuity and Veracity, if 1. He had made it appear, that we Addressed for Liberty of Conscience, in that general Notion wherein he expresseth it: None do more (and ever have done so) oppose an unbounded Liberty to speak, and own, what Men please in Religion, and particularly we, even when the Liberty that he aimeth at was granted, did (as much as we were capable) express our dislike of the Tolleration given to the Papists for their Heresies and Idolatries: We thanked the King for allowing us to Worship God in his own way, and taking off the Yoak of Church-domination that sore pressed our Consciences, and ruined us in the World, if we would not ruine our Souls. And what we then were willing to accept, we do not grudge to others, who can shew as good Warrant for their way, and use their Liberty with the same Moderation and Peaceableness. 2. If he had told us wherein this Usurpation and Tyranny was Exercised. These words use to signifie the assuming an unlawful Authority, or the oppressive abuse of that which is Lawful. Let him bring proof for his imputing either of these to us, and we shall Answer him. 3. If he had told us what freedom of Religion they have been deprived of: Who of them have been Persecuted for Worshiping God, as we were by them; Except that some Ministers have been restrained from Preaching, for their Unworthiness of that Office; or from Preaching in places where they had no Legal Rights: What Possessions have any been deprived of, unless for Crimes against the State; and even that hath been very rare. Ministers Stipends are not their rightful Possessions, when either they are justly Deposed from their Office, or are found to be unjust Possessors of this, or that particular Charge. For taking their Lives on account of their Religious Principles, it hath never been heard of since the late Revolution; and it is the highest Impudence to alledge it. 4. If he had told us what the Holy Doctrine is that they have under such Sufferings adhered to: Divines use to distinguish betwixt Doctrine, Worship, and Discipline; I confess there are Controversies about all these: But that the Debates about Church-Government (which is p. 6the only thing that they can pretend to have suffered for) belongs to the first of these Heads, I think none will say: But let us own Episcopacy as a Doctrine, that it is a holy Doctrine, or that it was once delivered to the Saints; he will find it hard to prove. But that which is most absurd, is that he should insinuate that they have suffered in their Freedom, their Possessions, or their Lives, for the Doctrine of Episcopacy, or their Opinion about it, is so false, as Impudence it self may blush to assert it.

§. 5. A just Refutation of what followeth would require a full History of the Persecutions against Dissenters in England: not only that practised by the Justices of Peace (in the Execution of the most severe Penal Laws) but even by Church-Courts, in their Citations and Excommunications, and what followed upon both; to the ruine of the Estates and Liberty of many, and the Lives of not a few, by the Hardships they endured: But that is too long to be here inserted. I could fill many Sheets with what I know to be true in this matter. Was ever any such thing done by the Kirk (as he alledgeth?) Let him tell us, if he can, that ever the Church of Scotland did either Fine, or Imprison, any Person; or whom they have (since the late Establishment of Presbytery) Excommunicated. What he talketh of Clubs and Battons, and insinuateth to be the deed of the Kirk, is beyond the common size of Slanderous Malice; these might be the Weapons of a Rabble, but not of any Judicatory of the Church. But what of this kind he imputeth even to the Multitude, is after to be examined. We are not afraid to have that English Persecution, and that which he calleth a Scots Persecution, impartially compared. But when he saith, It hath come near to, if not outdone the French Dragooning, is such an effort of the Rhetorick of Men of his Stamp, as is seldom parallelled by Men who know, or care what they say. We do, no less than he, apprehend the evil of the Riots committed by a heady Rabble, and detest conniving at, or countenancing such Practices; but we deny, that ever that was done among us; and what he can say to prove what he insinuateth, is in its due place to be considered. What he addeth of the resolute Christians of his Party, who dare suffer for the Truths that they have taught, maketh nothing against our Cause, nor for his: Causa facit Martyrem. If they suffer for well doing, they will have Peace in it; but when they have suffered as hard things, and as long, as they made others to suffer, then they may boast of their Sufferings.

§. 6. Having now dispatched his Preface, I come to the first of the four Letters, of which this Book is made up. It is (or pretendeth p. 7to be) written by an English Chaplain to a Regiment; that of Sir John Laneer, as is supposed: In which I meet with nothing but false History, and an unfair Representation of things: Which might happen through prejudice, and mistakes, if the Author were indeed a stranger; but cannot be excused from downright lyes, if he be one among our selves, and acquainted with our Affairs. But whoever he be, that is evident, that the scope of his Letter is not barely to baffle Presbyterian Government of the Church; but to overturn the present Establishment of the State; to nullifie the Convention of Estates, the Parliament, and all that they have done, to advance the Reputation of the Viscount of Dundee, and his Faction; so that the Gentleman doth indeed suppose that the Interest of King William, and that of Presbytery in Scotland, are embarked in the same Bottom; which many thinking Men take to be no unjust Idea of our Affairs. In his first Paragraph, he hath a heap of Assertions, some palpably false, others as really false; being general Assertions, built on, may be, a particular Instance or two, yet none named: Of which after. And except that it is said, Episcopacy is abolished, there is not a true word from the beginning to the end of it. In that which followeth, he layeth the blame of all the Disasters, as he calleth them, on the Cameronian Party, and Characterizeth them at his pleasure. Here I take notice of a few gross Mistakes, to call them no worse; That the prevailing strength of the Cameronian Party was the occasion of all that here he complaineth of; even the Abolishing of Episcopacy. All the Presbyterians in Scotland did contribute their Endeavours to this, as also did many who formerly had gone along with the Courses that the Episcopalians promoted: Now to call all the Presbyterians, or most of them Cameronians, is as remote from Truth as any thing can be. 2. He saith the Cameronians are Fifth-Monarchy-men, which is most false: I deny not that they have had Principles about Government, that Sober Presbyterians could not go along with them in; but that they were of the same Principles with these called Fifth-Monarchy-men, we deny: And he should have brought some Proof for his Assertion. 3. It is also false, That these Men care neither for King William, nor King James, but as these Kings happen to please them. They have given such proof of their Loyalty to King William, as their Enemies do envy, but are not able to obscure. Their Action at Dunkell, known over all Britain; and their chearful going at his Command, to venture their Lives for him in Foreign Nations, are sufficient Refutation of this impudent Assertion. 4. He accuseth some designing Heads in the Council and Parliament, for raising Tumults among the Cameronians; p. 8and then by these Disorders representing abroad the Inclinations of the People. This is the heighth of Dis-ingenuity; for these Disorders (as he calleth them) were before either the Convention or the Parliament sat. The Convention began March, 1689. and before that time, the Ministers in the West were put out by the People; (I suppose this he meaneth by Disorders.) Again, That any in the Council or Parliament had a hand in these Tumults, or abetted them, is spoken with much Malice, but no Truth: The Men of most Note and Zeal for Presbytery, did what in them lay to allay that Forwardness of the People, that the Church might be reformed in a more legal Way.

§. 7. That there was no Redress after Complaints of injured Persons, is also false; for all the Ministers put out by Violence, without a Legal Procedure, after the 13th of April, 1689. were by the Parliament restored to their Places; such as were put out before that time, the Wisdom of the Nation thought it not fit to Repone; because what was done in that, was done in an Inter-regnum, when we had no Government: And it was procured by themselves who suffered, the People having been provoked by them beyond what can be easily expressed, (of which afterward;) and there was no other way to settle the Nation in Peace, but to Indemnifie them who had avenged their own unparallelled Sufferings, on the Authors of them; while these that so suffered, were also put to suffer no greater Punishment for the Barbarities committed, by their means, on that poor People. What he addeth, That the Government became a Party against them, that they suffered by a Form of Law, is such Language as under any Government, but the present, might hazard his Neck. But we have here a Specimen of these Gentlemen's Loyalty, and their Modesty, and Respect to Authority. It is evident, that they cannot oppose Presbytery, without setting themselves against the Civil Government now Setled by Law. Another Falshood immediately followeth, That the Church-Party (as he calleth them) is predominant in Scotland, both for Number and Quality. That it is not so, is evident from the Constitution of our Parliament: And I have made it appear in my Vindication of the Church of Scotland, in Answer to the 10th Question. And every one knoweth, that if the Party which hath appeared in Arms against the Civil Government, and they who do palpably Favour them, be set aside, his Church-Party will be found to be very few in this Nation; especially among the Gentry, and the Inferior People; and a great part of the Nobility also are not fond of that way. One Proof of what he now alledgeth, he bringeth from the Inclinations of p. 9the North: I confess, there is the greatest strength of that Party; but there Papists also abound more than elsewere in this Nation, and there is the strength of the Highland-Army: Yet in the Counties of Sutherland and Strathnaver, in Ross and Murray, there might be, and have been a Force raised, to defend the Settlement of State and Church, which was a Terrour to its Enemies: And many there are in other Counties of the North, who are of contrary Inclinations to his Church. Yea, it is found, that many of the Northern Ministers who had gone along with Episcopacy, and these the Men of best Parts, and most Soberness among them, are willing to joyn with the Presbyterians; who, on their part, are ready to receive them that are so qualified. Another Proof of his Assertion, I cannot forbear to smile at, being an Instance of the Vanity of his Mind: He had preached to the Satisfaction of the Auditors (it seems others have been wanting to praise his Gifts, and therefore he must even do it himself) and read Service, and the Gentry caressed him, and the People shewed him Respect when they met him: They did not abhor him, nor his way of Religion. His Conclusion falleth short of the thing that was to be proved; for there are many Men (and may be not a few in Scotland) who have little Abhorrence of any false way in Religion, and as little Zeal for the right way. I doubt not that many Protestants did lately carry civilly toward Popish Priests: Must they therefore like that way? Neither can what he alledgeth infer his Conclusion; for in our Country, the Gentry are Men of Breeding, and use a great deal of Civility to Strangers, even when they do not like all their Principles and Practices. If Men of our way thought fit to use this Topick, they could prove most of England to be Presbyterians; where they have often preached, and had a greater Following than ever he had in Scotland; and have been civilly treated among the Gentry, who yet were not of their Principles, in the matter of Church-Government. But such silly stuff is not fit to blot Paper with. The History that he addeth about the Magistrates of Perth, proveth no more, but that they are Enemies both to the Civil State, and the Church, which every one knoweth: Yet they did soon after receive a Presbyterian Minister (no Cameronian) into their Pulpit.

§. 8. A most gross Mis-representation followeth, viz. That at Edinburgh the Faction (he meaneth the Presbyterians) was so weak, that they were forced to send privately into the West for Assistance. The truth of this matter is, About the time that the Convention of Estates was to sit down, a Design was discovered (framed by the Viscount of Dundee and others) to surprize and seize the Convention; and for this End p. 10had secretly got together, of King James's disbanded Souldiers, and others, about 2000 Strangers in Edinburgh; which occasioned those in the West, to gather as many into Edinburgh to oppose them, and secure the Convention. It is true the Colledge of Justice (many of them, but not all) did Arm; and it is no wonder, for they were King James's Creatures, and their Places depended on him: But they were soon made to lay down their Arms; which is no argument of the weakness of the opposite Party. He giveth also a false Account of Glasgow, when he saith, That the most Considerable, and of best Quality are well Affected (i.e. in his Dialect) Episcopal. Some such there are, from whose Quality we will not derogate; but in the Town they are very few; and in the Country about, much fewer, most of the Gentry being such as he will call ill Affected Persons.

§. 9. He objecteth to himself, that if the Presbyterians were so weak, how came they to prevail so much in the Parliament, the cause of this he maketh to be, that the Episcopal Party having deep impressions of their Allegiance to King James, did not appear in the Election of Members of the Convention and Parliament. Ans. 1. Here is some Ingenuity with a Confession that their opposition to the present Establishment of the State, and the Church go together. 2. If their concern for King James were so great, and they so strong, why did they not concern themselves in the Elections for his defence. It seems they love him and the Bishops, but will venture little for either. 3. It is well known that they made all the Essays they were capable of, about the Elections, and carried them in some few places; but were overborn by the number of Voters in far the most Counties, and Burghs. But this Gentleman will say, what he thinketh doth make for him, whether true or false. He doth in what followeth, most unjustly reproach the Convention of Estates. That they chused a Committee for Elections where no Episcopal Man could carry it, tho the number of Electors were never so unequal, nothing can be more unjustly averred; and it is the highest of Impudence and Sauciness, for a stranger thus to reproach the Representative of a Nation, where he was so civilly treated, as himself confesseth. Another of his reproaches is, that many were allowed to sit in the Convention contrary to Law; and particularly some who were not in…eft in their Estates. If he had given instance, it could have been the more easily answered, but se… ing he thought not fit to do so, our denial is a sufficient answer to his Affirmation. I never heard that any such sat in the Convention, unless he mean of one or two, who had been most unjustly forfeited in the late Reign, and the Convention thought is not fit to debarre any Man p. 11of his just Right, that had been unjustly taken from him. On this he saith, most of the Nobility withdrew from the Convention and Parliament. Ans. It is false that most withdrew, though some did, and they who did so withdraw, were found to be on the Plot which was after discovered for over-turning the Government. So that it is evident, that this Gentleman all along his discourse pleadeth more for over-turning the Throne, than the present Government of the Church. This is confirmed by what followeth. viz. That if Dundee had lived, no doubt but that he had changed the whole State of Affairs in this Nation. Hac Ithacus velit, & magno mercentur Atridae, nothing but overturning of the State and Church will please him, and his Complices. And it is reckoned by them a cross Providence, that he was taken out of the way, who was like to be the chief Actor in that Scene. But for all this confidence it might have fallen out, that Dundee might have lived, and yet the present Establishment continued, our confidence is built on a better foundation than such as Dundee was.

§. 10. Having mentioned the Viscount of Dundee, he telleth us (in the Vindication of his Rebellion) an ill made Story; it is, that there was a design on foot to assassinate him, of which he complained to the Convention, and no notice was taken of it; though he repeated his Complaints, and offered to prove the Attempt: And being thus in hazard, and not protected, he went to the Highlands, and took Arms against his Country. This is purely a Forgerie, and mis-representation, Dundee did indeed pretend hazard and made complaint, but they were so far from taking no notice of his Complaint, that they examined such as he accused, but nothing could be found against them; but on the contrary it was evident, that his design was to have them who from the West were come to Town to oppose his Party, and Guard the Convention, sent away, on presence of his being unsafe among them, that so he may compass his Design above-mentioned against the Convention. What remaineth of this Letter, I shall not much insist upon, it being mainly a Declaration against the State, and the present Parliament, which this Gentleman (according to his wonted Modesty) wisheth to be dissolved, and another called, from which he promiseth a Redress of all these things that he thinketh to be Grievances: And indeed if we consider the strain of his Letter, we may conclude, that from it he expecteth an utter over-turning of the present settlement both of the Church, and of the State, and all this he proposeth to an English Lord (to whom his Letter is directed) hop…ng that thence may come that which he counteth a Deliverance. p. 12Others hope that the Lord will preserve what he hath wrought for the Nation, and for the Church in it, either by this Parliament, or by another, or by what means he seeth fit. He mentions a great many things that he and his Party wonder at; which are no wonder to thinking Men in the Nation, but there is a sort of Men who wonder at all things; one of these Wonders is, how the King can be fond of this Parliament, which denied him a Soveraign interest in what is debateable in Parliament, which is an eminent Branch of his Prerogative. I pretend to no Skill in State Affairs, as this Military Chaplain doth: but wise Men among us look on the constitution of the Lords of the Articles (which is no doubt what he here aimeth at) as an innovation (I mean, considering that Committee with the power that it was lately scrued up to) as a destroying all liberty of Parliaments. And the King (who best knoweth his own Prerogative) with the Parliament, have happily composed this difference; which some managed as a device to break them.

§. 11. His next wonder is, that the Parliament hath given the King no Money, notwithstanding of the great necessity of his Affairs. What was done when this Gentleman was pleased in his Letter to Criticise on our Affairs, which lay out of his way, I know not: but it is well known, that the Scotish Parliaments hath been as liberal in assisting the King with Money, as the Nation was able to bear. His next wonder is, How Presbytery can sute Monarchy in the State, and that One Ruler should give Encouragement to the setting up of many. Ignorance is the cause of wondring. We know how well these two Governments of Church and State have suted one another many Ages, since this Nation was Protestant, and before it was Popish, as I elsewhere made it appear; and surely, if the Argument have any weight, it will prove that Monarchy (and consequently Popery) must be in all the…e Churches where a King ruleth the Nation, which, I hope Protestants will not yield, whatever may be the Sentiments of this Gentleman, and his high flown Church-men. I ask him, are not Bishops Rulers, and many Rulers in the Church? Let him then answer his own doubt: How is Episcopacy consistent with one Ruler in the State. And indeed this Argument striketh at the Root of Church-Government, of whatever Form it be, and brings in pure Erastianism. It is no rare thing to see contrary Inferences drawn from a false Position. Is it any wonder that many Rulers in the Church should well sute with one Supreme Ruler in the State, while these Governments have such different Originals? The one is from God, as King of the World; the other from Christ as King of his p. 13Church: They are about most different Objects, the one about the Affairs of the World, the other about the concerns of Mens Souls: They are exercised in different ways; the one by Officers of Man's devising, the other by Officers of Christ's Institution. The one Inflicting Corporal or Worldly Punishments, the other Spiritual Censures only; especially while the Church Rulers are far from pleading exemption from the Jurisdiction of the Civil Magistrate, which is our Profession and Practice. This Gentleman might, with the same pretext of reason, have said, That he wondereth how Christ could pretend to have a Kingdom, and yet say, That his Kingdom is not of this World. Another of his wonders is a groundless mistake, it is, How Men should be turned out for not Praying for King William and Queen Mary by Name; when the Intruders (so he is pleased to call the Presbyterians) refused to do it: This is a gross Calumny, for Presbyterians generally did it: And if one or two in the Nation did it not, let him shew that they were complained of, and yet escaped Censure: And if at any time they did not Name the King and Queen, they used such Circumlocutions as were sufficiently Intelligible: Whereas the other Party rather gave ground to think that they meant King James and his Queen: His next wonder doth indeed fill us with wonder, that he should think strange of it: It is, That they who in this complied, yet were put out on some other Libel. As if Praying for the King and Queen could attone all the Crimes of a Minister, tho' he were a Drunkard, Swearer, &c. If any be put out on Insufficient Libels, and their Grievances not Redressed, let them challenge us, but that some are put out on other Libels, even tho' they can comply with the Times, is not to be wondered at.

§. 12. It is non causa pro-causa, that he alledgeth, the reason why they had to that time made no Address to the King, was, because their Enemies had his Majesties Ear: I hope the Presbyterians have not lost that Favour with His Majesty; tho' now these Gentlemen have made, yea multiplied, their Addresses: But it is evident, that such Addresses were never thought on, till the Success of His Majesties Arms in Ireland, and in the Highlands of Scotland, did a little damp their Hopes from King James. He hath not yet done with wondering: It is wondered, That the Church of England doth not Interpose for them, since the violent Party in Scotland will influence the Discontented in England. For they are Sworn by then Covenant to Reform England upon their Model. He needed not wonder at this, for some of the Church of England have medled far beyond their Line in our Affairs: Though we be far from interposing in any of theirs. What p. 14we are bound to by the Covenant, is not to reform them, but to concur with them, when lawfully called, to advance Reformation; and it is far from our Thoughts to go beyond that Boundary, in being concerned in their Affairs: We wish their Reformation, but leave the managing of it to themselves. What followeth concerning the Clergy, we are little concerned in: We wish they were better than they are, we never thought them all scandalous, but we know many are; and none shall suffer by us on that Head, but they who are made appear to be manifestly and grosly such. I shall observe but one thing more in this Letter, and dismiss it. It is a palpable and most soul Untruth, viz. That where but one single Dissenter is in a Parish, though all the rest of the Parish be for the Minister, it is a sufficient Reason to eject him: And he giveth-Instances in the Parishes of Mousgard (a place not known here) Colingtoun, Kirkne…toun and Kirklistoun. Never any Allegation was more injurious and false; yea, the contrary is daily practised, that Men are continued where the far greatest part of the Parish are Dissenters. It is true, some, in that Case, have accepted of a Call to another place, where they might do more Good, and have more Peace; but never any was deprived on that Account. For Kirklistoun, I know the Falshood of what he asserteth: Not above Sixteen in that great Parish did ever hear Mr. Mackenzie, the Minister there; and he had seldom preached in that Church; and his Admission to that Church was most irregular, even according to the Episcopal way: And on these Grounds the Assembly did not depose him, only declared him not to be Minister in that place; but left him in a Capacity to be called to any other Church.