The Wrestlings of the Church of Scotland, To the reader

The Wrestlings of the Church of Scotland · To the reader

READER

THE LORD in great mercy, having wonderfully and with an outſtretched arm, notwithſtanding all the oppoſition of Sathan and earthly Principalities, redeemed Scotland from the Power and darkneſs, firſt of Gentiliſm, and then of Antichriſtianiſm, by raiſing of ſome burning and shining Lights, and other Inſtruments fitted for that Work; Whereby the Light of the Glorious Goſpel, from a very ſmall beginning, did increaſe more and more, untill at length, shining with brightneſs and heat as the Sun in his ſtrength, it filled the Land with knowledge, in ſo much that the name thereof became Jehouah Shammah, the Lord is there: And having built to Himſelf a houſe upon the foundation of the Prophets and Apoſtles, not only ſufficiently inſtructed with righteous Laws and Judgments for Doctrine and Worship; But alſo provided with all Ordinary Officers neceſſary in the Chriſtian Church, and with a form of Church-Government, of his own Inſtitution, diſtinct from, and without any prejudice unto the Civil Government of the Kingdom, Whereby the Church of Scotland, for Soundneſs of Faith, Purity of Worship, Excellency of Government, Freedom and Power of the Goſpel, beautiful Order and Unity, was not inferior to any, if not preferable to moſt of the Reformed Churches, and therefore was deſervedly famous and eſteemed amongſt them: Having alſo, for an hundred Years, from it's firſt National Eſtablishment, preſerved the ſame from utter overthrow, notwithſtanding the many various and renewed endeavours of men, by force and fraud, to reduce it unto the ſame Errors, Ignorance and Superſtitions, wherein it ſelf at firſt lay buried, and under which others groaned; And ſeveral times revived and reſtored it, when by it's own Impurity, Indifferency and Formality it began to decline, or by the Treachery, Subtilty, or Violence of others it was oppreſsed; Thereby not only diſappointing, confounding, and many times ruining the Adverſaries, and comforting and ſtrengthening the faithful; But alſo alwayes rebuilding to Himſelf a Temple, the glory whereof did far excell and darken the glory of the former: And having many times engaged the whole Land to Himſelf, by ſeveral moſt ſolemn Obligations, of voluntary Surrender and Reſignation, by frequently renewed Oaths and Covenants; So that within theſe few Years paſt, there were not many perſons of age, of whatever degree, and not ſo much as one Preaching Miniſter in all the Land, who not only did not make publick profeſſion of the true Reformed Religion, but alſo ſubject themſelves unto the Presbyterial Form of Church Government and Diſcipline, & who did not (which we deſire to be noted) for that effect in their own perſons ſwear and ſubſcribe with the hand unto the Lord, in the National Covenant and Solemn League and Covenant; In ſo much, that as to the publick Profeſſion of the Truth, and almoſt as to the number of perſons, the Church of Scotland was of equal extent with the Nation, and in that reſpect, of all other National Churches, did moſt reſemble the old Church of the Iewes: The Lord, I ſay, having to the conviction and acknowledgement of our ſelves and others, done ſuch great things for us, whereof we are glad, the preſent Apoſtacy, whereby Scotland's Bethel is become Bethaven, and the Land that was ſometimes Holineſs unto the Lord, is become (alas too Edom-like) the border of wickedneſs, & an Aceldama, a Tragical Theatre of blood & perſecution, ought to be unto us no leſs matter of Sorrow, Shame and Fear, then it is Sin in itſelf, & Wonder and Amazement unto others. Who can hear our Covenanted and Kindeſt Lord, who hateth putting away, and defieth us to shew the bill of our Mothers divorcement, who groaneth under our Backſlidings, being preſſed therewith as a cart full of sheaves, complaining that He is broken with our whorish hearts, and therefore declaring that He will be no more our Husband; nor we His Wife, and that His heart cannot be toward us; But that He will drive us out of His houſe, and love us no more, and not cover the lip for Shame? And in conſequence thereof, who can behold the Fathers houſe, not only defiled, by turning it into a houſe of Marchandiſe and den of theeves, but the Temple caſten down to the ground, and the Adverſary in the midſt thereof inſultingly and ſcornfully ſet up their enſignes for ſignes of Triumph; And furder, behold the blood of the Saints shed like water, and their flesh given to be meat to the fowles of the heaven and beaſts of the Earth, and not lament with Jeremiah? Cap. 9:1, 2, 3▪ … Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the ſlain of the Daughter of my People. Oh that I had in the Wilderneſs a lodging place of wayfaring men, that I might leave my People and go from them: For they be all adulterers, an aſſembly of treacherous men. And they bend their tongue like their bowe for lies: But they are not valiant f…r the Truth upon the Earth▪ for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, ſaith the Lord. And this will the more appear, not only if we remember the general nature of Backſliding, which is a very comprehenſive Sin, importing leſs Love, Fear and Truſt in the true God, and proclaiming more Inconſtancy, Unfaithfulneſs, and ingratitude towards Him, then ſometimes is found in very Heathens towards their Idols; But alſo if we conſider that our preſent Defection hath all circumſtantial Aggravations in the higheſt degree. For it is not in things only Civil, Indifferent, or of little moment; But in things Religious, Neceſſary, Important and which at leaſt in their tendency and conſequence reach to the very foundation: It is not the effect of common, humane and invincible infirmity; but moſt free and voluntary, yea wilful and deliberate: It is not done by ſtealth, or in a corner; but avowedly and openly in the ſight of the Sun: It is not Private and Perſonal; but Repreſentative and Authorized, by Acts and Proclamations of King, Parliament and Council: It is not ſmoothly and ſubtilly, but moſt tyrannically carried on by military violence and cruelty: It is not of a few or inconſiderable Perſons, but very Univerſal; The greateſt part of all Ranks, and of ſome Ranks almoſt the whole, being ſome one way or other involved therein: It is not only of theſe, who were alwayes of known and profeſſed diſaffection to the Cauſe and Covenant of God; but alſo of many who ſometimes being exceeding zealous themſelves, and exemplary and forcible upſtirrers of others therein, are now become the chief Ring-leaders theirof, and moſt bloody Perſecuters of thoſe who remain ſtedfaſt in the Truth: It is not in an Heathenish or Antichriſtian Land, or Church divided and broken with ſeveral Sects, as ſome others are; but even in Scotland, ſo clearly enlightened, for which the Lord had wrought ſo many wonderful works, which was under ſo many obligations of Oaths and Covenants to the contrary, and had been ſo united in the profeſſion of the Truth: It is not from violent force, Inevitable neceſſity or irreſiſtible temptation (which is neither poſſible nor yet would excuſe it) but when the Lord, by breaking the yoke of forrain Uſurpation, had given King and Countrey the faireſt opportunity which they ever had, to reſtore, confirm and advance His Work; as if He had delivered us, that we might work all theſe Abominations: And all this for no other end, then the baſe flattering of the Kings humor and inclination, the ſatiating of Prelaticall Pride and Ambition, the indulging of the licentious profanity of ſome Debauched & degenerated Nobles and others, who could not endure the yoke of Chriſt's ſound doctrine and impartiall diſcipline, And the ſuppreſſion of Religion and Righteouſneſs in the ſubverſion of the late work of Reformation: Whereby we have charged our ſelves with all the blood that hath been shed upon either ſide, during the former wars; Have laid a ſtumbling block before all, who shall ſee or hear of it, to blaſpheme Religion as a fiction, to condemn the late Work of Reformation as a falſe pretence for Rebellion and Self-Intereſt, and to affirm that there is neither truth nor ingenuity in the Profeſſors thereof. Paſs over the Iſles of Chittim and ſee, and ſend unto Kedar, and conſider diligently, and ſee if there be ſuch a thing; hath a Nation changed their Gods, which yet are no Gods? But Scotland, Ah Scotland! hath changed her glory for that which doth not profit. Be aſtonished, O ye heavens at this, and be horribly afraid: And ſo much the rather, becauſe few Lands did ever make Defection after this manner, but, as upon the one hand, the Lord gave them up unto more Backſliding, until they abounded more with Atheiſm and all manner of abominations, then ſome Pagan-Nations, who never heard nor made Profeſſion of the Goſpel; So upon the other hand, He alwayes purſued them with ſoreſt plagues, not only of ſubjugation at home, ſcattering and exile abroad, dividing of Kingdomes amongſt themſelves, and from their former Rulers, and final ſubverſion of whole Empires, Kingdomes and Common-wealths; But alſo many times with the Final removal of the Goſpel, and utter diſſolution of all viſible National Covenant-relation, as might be demonſtrated from Holy Scripture, and other Hiſtories: And indeed, if He, to whom nothing is ſtrange or impoſſible (though they may ſeem both to us) and whoſe wayes and thoughts are as far above ours, as the Heavens are above the Earth, do not in the Soveraignity of His Grace, recede from His ordinary method of dealing with ſuch apoſtatizing People, and now when he hath ſeen our way do not heal us, we have, alas! …oo too juſt ground of fear, that we shall become ſuch a proverb amongſt the Nations, that the generation to come of our Children, and the ſtranger that cometh from a far Land, when they ſee the plagues of this Land, shall wonder and ask, Wherefore hath the Lord done this unto this Land? What meaneth the heat of this great anger? Oh! that the very first, and next following ſteps of Defection; together with the Cauſes of the Lord's wrath againſt the Land, were remembered and acknowledged, and that all who have had any acceſſion to the kindling of this flame (and who can wholly Juſtify himſelf? If any would, be ſure, his own mouth should condemn him) would draw water and pour it out before the Lord, for quenching thereof, and that the firſt reſiclers from our National Acknowledgment of Sins and Engagement to duties, would glorify God by Confeſſion, that he might turn from the fierceneſs of his Anger; But alas! He hath at once pour'd out upon us the Spirit of Whoredome and of a deep ſleep! and hath both made us to erre from His way, and hard'ned our hearts from his fear. And as we should look bekind us to the Riſe, ſo before us to the Reſult of th…ſe things; for though every runner may read the Primum mobile of this courſe, the great axletree and wheels upon which all moveth, and who are the furious drivers and ſlavish drawers thereof, and we have both ſeen the ſeveral degrees of Motion and advancement, and ſmarted the ſad effects of the ſame, yet I am affray'd, that there is now another Spirit in Perſons and Tendency in affairs then ſome men apprehend. Whether there be a ſufficient ground in the Holy Scriptures to think with ſome, that before the laſt fall of the Roman Antichriſt, the Popish Religion shall once more overshadow the Chriſtian World▪ is not proper here to enquire; But conſidering the great affinity betwixt Papacy and Prelacy, and the already authorized and practized Conformity of the one to the other, not only in Government and Diſcipline, whereby they have, for the moſt part, the ſame Eccleſiaſtical Courts and Officers; But alſo in Worship, whereby they have the ſame Liturgy, for ſubſtance of Epiſtles, Goſpels, Collects and Letany; The ſame Ceremonies of Riſing, Standing to the Eaſt, Bowing, Kneeling, Croſſing, &c. the ſame ſuperſtitious & fool-like Veſtments; The ſame obſervation of many dayes, the ſame adorning of Churches and Chappels, with Altars, Books, Candles, Candleſticks, Baſins, Images, and Crucifix's on windows, and the ſame Jeſuitical ſign upon their pulpit cloath; And alſo in ſeveral points of Doctrine, preached, licenſed and printed, with many other things tedious to be enumerated: Conſidering alſo the conſtitution of the Kingdoms, which by Ignorance, Atheiſme, diſputing and oppugning of the Authority of the Holy Scriptures, Error, Superſtition, Profaneneſs, Indifferency, Formality and Hypocriſy in many, are much more then formerly diſpoſed to embrace whatſoever shall be authorized or indulged: And conſidering the native tendency of the preſent Courſe of Backſliding, which leadeth unto the great Whore, the mother of all theſe abominations, Nothing but groſs, wilfull or judicial Ignorance, and eſtrangement from affairs, can deny that there is too juſt ground of fear, that ere long (if the Lord do not prevent it) Brittain may be again precipitated into the old gulf of Antichriſtianiſm. And ſo much the rather, becauſe it is univerſally obſerved and notourly known, that the number of profeſſed Papiſts, hath increaſed more within theſe ſix Years, then it had for near ſixty before; the conviction whereof made ſome of the Prelates themſelves ſay ſome Years hence, that ſince the Year 1660. there were more thouſands of avowed Papiſts in Scotland (compute then what may and muſt be in England and Ireland) then before that Year there were hundreds. Whence this is, and whether there be any poſitive Reſolution to reintroduce Popery in theſe Lands, I do not affirm, but remit it to the conſideration of the impartial Reader who underſtandeth the times, and to Time it ſelf, a great ſearcher and diſcoverer of ſecrets, to declare the genuine meaning and tendency of theſe things, That the King should publish in print, that the Papiſts had been faithful Subjects to him and his Father, whileſt others under pretence of Religion had involved the Kingdoms in blood; Was that bloody Maſſacre in Ireland, whereof they were the known and acknowledged Actors, though perhaps not the only Authors, ſuch Faithful ſervice? That the execution of penal Statutes againſt Papiſts should be ſuperſeded, whilſt ſevere penal Statutes are dayly enacted and executed againſt Proteſtants, really, though not under that name and notion: That ſo many known and open Idolatrous Maſſes should be connived at & tollerated, whilſt both publick & private meetings of Proteſtants for pure Worship are prohibited by Law, and violently interrupted: That ſo many known profeſſed Papiſts, Prieſts and Jeſuites, who do not publickly countenance the Prelatical Worship, are permitted to live peaceably and enjoy all their Liberties, whilſt non-complying Proteſtants, for ſimple Non-conformity to Prelacy, are impriſoned, fined, confined, ſcourged, ſtigmatized, and many otherwayes oppreſſed and perſecuted, in their Eſtates, Conſciences and Names: That ſo many Papiſts eſpecially in England should enjoy and be dayly advanced to the greateſt places of publick Power and Truſt, not only as members of Parliament, Council, and Court, but as State-Officers, Lieutenants, Sherifs, Juſtices of Counties, and Officers in Army, whilſt ſtedfaſt Proteſtants, for ſimple non-perjuring, are ſome of them not ſo much as permitted to ſit in Parliament, or any other Iudicatory; others of them diſcourted, diſgraced, diſarmed, impriſoned and proſcribed, and all of them who will not forſwear, declared incapable of publick Power or Truſt in Church or Common-wealth: That a houſe for Fathers or Friers is provided; whilſt many faithful Miniſters are removed and chaſed from place to place, without any certain habitation: That there should be ſuch univerſal Report & ſo much Preſumption, of a Popish hand in burning of London, which, for number and ſtrength of Proteſtant Inhabitants, was the moſt conſiderable City in the World, and bulwark againſt the Romish Religion and deſignes, and yet, as if men were affrayed to try the truth in that matter, ſo little ſatisfying & effectual courſe taken, to try and punish the Authors and Actors, and to repreſs their many other inſolent miſdemeanors; whilſt many thouſands of innocent Proteſtants, who never burnt either houſe or City, for no other alleaged crime but their peaceable forbearance to bow to the Idol which the King hath ſetup, are thrown into a furnace of fiery Triall, ſeven times more heated then ever was known in the Chriſtian World for ſuch a Cauſe, all things being conſidered.

It may ſeem ſtrange to the Nations about, and to the Generations following, that the Church of Scotland which had been ſo faithful and chaſt, should have ſuffered herſelf to be thus proſtituted, and that (if she would not otherwayes, after the manner of her Fathers, contend for the Faith which she had receaved) she did not cry to all the World by Declarations and Proteſtations (as the Maid under the Law) that she was forced; And that of all the ſons which she had brought forth, there were ſo few, either to take her by the hand, and plead openly for her, or to plead with her, that she would put away her whoredoms. This indeed is, and ought to be for a lamentation; But let none therefore conclude (as ſome of the profane and perfidious Prelates, meaſuring others after their own baſeneſs and treachery, had the impudence at firſt to miſrepreſent to the Rulers) that all were or are conſentient unto this horrid Apoſtacy; for even at the beginning thereof, if Synods (which were then reſolving to bear publick Witneſs for the then eſtablished Government of the Church, and againſt the begun Defection, and further progreſs thereof by the Reintroduction of Prelacy, which was then deſigned) had not been, ſome of them, by Proclamation prohibited to conveen, and others of them violently interrupted and raiſed by Nobles, who, by Order of Parliament, were preſent for that effect; And if ſome of her Watchmen (who were neither profeſſedly driving on, nor ſecretly breathing after Prelacy & Prelatical promotion) had not for Reaſons beſt known to themſelves, too much courted and flattered the Powers by their own ſilence, and withdrawing of their neceſſary and required concurrence in a publick joint Teſtimony, there wanted not Faithfulneſs, Zeal, Courage, Reſolutions and ſome Endeavours in others to have emitted ſuch Declarations, as probably might have crushed the bold attempt of the Prelates in it's infancy, and thereby have prevented much Sin and Suffering which hath enſued thereupon, and certainly would have witneſſed to all the World, that the Church without & againſt her conſent was treacherouſly betrayed and violently forced. Neither hath the Truth, all along from that time till this, wanted many teſtimonies, though none of them were ſo National, Univerſal, Authoritative and Solemn as they should have been; And few of them (perhaps) ſo explicite, full, plain and bold, as the weight of the matter and other circumſtances required: Yea, the continued fears of the Adverſaries, expreſſed in the Narratives of ſeveral of their own Acts and Proclamations, and their leavying of Military Force, for upholding of them and their Cauſe; The Non-complyance of many thouſands, their ſecret and open complaints and moans becauſe of it, & their daily prayers to God againſt it, bear witneſs againſt this preſent Courſe. Beſides, it is very obſervable, that ſome, who had been chief Authors and Active Promoters thereof and Complyers with the ſame, and others, who had been intimate familiars and favourers of Prelats and their Vice-curats, in Sickneſs and at Death did ſo much abhorre their way and loath their Perſons, that they would not admit their preſence, but called for Non-conforming Miniſters to ſpeak to them and pray for them; Yea ſome Gentlemen upon Death-bed, did with much ſorrow bemoan their own concurrence, and particularly their taking of the Declaration againſt the Covenant, and ſeriouſly warned and exhorted their old Familiars and companions in that guilt to repent thereof, wishing they were able to go and make publick profeſſion of their own Repentance; and others (whilſt ſome friends offered to bring Prelatical men unto them) profeſſed, that though they had ſported with ſuch men in health, yet they durſt not do ſo at Death; and ſome Miniſters who had conformed, in remorſe thereof, forſook that way, and thereafter died with convincing evidence of Repentance therefore, and dec…aration againſt the ſame: And indeed, as there was never any Courſe in the Land, which ſo viſibly had the Voluntary and Active Concurſe of all and Only the Wicked and Prophane; ſo there was never a more Univerſal concurrence and Wreſtling together by prayer, of all the Godly without Exception, againſt any Party and Cauſe, then now is againſt this; for there needs no more to make any man (though formerly their friend and familiar) to hate their way and deteſt themſelves, but to convince him of his own Sin, make him thorowly apprehenſive of death and Judgment, and become a ſincere ſeeker of God, and Student of holineſs in his own Perſon. And further the late Riſing in Armes, is an Argument above contradiction, that Prelacy is …n out-landish and Unnatural weed in Scotland; It is true, that it had it's immediat Riſe from cruell Oppreſſion, but it is as true, that all that Oppreſſion, was Authoriſed by the Rulers, Exerciſed by the Souldiers, and endured by the People, meerly Becauſe and upon accompt of their Faithfulneſs and Stedfaſtneſs in the Covenant and Cauſe of God, in a non-complyance with Prelacy, otherwiſe they might have lived as quyetly as others, and ſo ſoon as they were in a probable Capacity, by renewing of the Covenant, they declared Actively for that ſame Cauſe, for which they had ſuffered ſo much: It is true alſo, that the Action is condemned by ſome as Rebellious, and the Endeavour as Indeliberate, Irrational and Preſumputous; But referring the Reader to the following diſcourſe for full ſatisfaction thereanent, I shall only here hint, that being altogether accidentally occaſioned, by an unforſeen emergent difference, betwixt 3 or 4 Souldiers and as many Countrey-men, ariſeing from horrid Oppreſſion, through unjuſt Lawes and cruell military execution thereof, without premeditated counſel or contrivance, it cannot be imagined that all the formalities, which may be judged neceſſary in a matter of that nature and importance, could have been in it: And yet it is preſumed, that it wanted nothing but ſucceſs to have made many of the ſame perſons account the Action juſt and neceſſary, and the Enterprize, laudable and valorous. And as for the Perſons themſelves, it may be truly and without all vanity affirmed. that theſe many years paſt, there hath not been in Brittain ſuch an other Company of men joyned in Armes for the Covenant and Cauſe of God: for though where Armies were more numerous, there might be or was the like or greater number of perſons truly Godly; Yet where the whole number was ſo ſmall, it will be very hard to parallel ſo many together, of ſound Judgement, true Piety, Integrity of heart, fervent zeal, and undaunted Reſolution and Courage, and with ſo ſmall a mixture of perſons of corrupt Mindes, profane Converſations and ſiniſtrous Ends: And although we would not be prodigal of mens lives, eſpecially of Saints, at this time, when there is ſo great need and ſcarcity of interceſſors, to ſtand between the dead and the living; yet that ſimple act of Renewing of the Covenant is more glory to God, and a greater Teſtimony and Advantage to that buried Covenant and Cauſe, then (we hope) the loſs of ſo many men as are faln, shall import of dammage thereunto. But above all, take notice of the many Sufferings and Sufferers hereafter mentioned, whoſe Blood under the altar, and ſome of wheſe Heads and Hands ſtanding betwixt Heaven & Earth, doth not only cry for Vengeance, but night and day bear open Witneſs againſt this Adulterous Geaeration. Theſe mens Teſtimony should have the more weight and Credite with all, becauſe of the Perſons, the Matter, and Manner thereof, which was not by Wishing, Words-ſpeaking, or Doing without danger, which is the height of too many men's atchievment in theſe dayes, but by BLOOD, whereunto they reſiſted ſtriving againſt Sin, and thereby, being neither affrayed to Act, nor ashamed to Suffer for their Lord and Maſter, have left behind them a fair Example of both to all, and a Reproof to many, whoſe greater Prudence then Zeall, hath taught them to Save themſelves, by couching betwixt the burdens. That a great Prince, and yet not ſo Great as Good, an Eminent and more then ordinarly Uſeful, and never to be forgotten Inſtrument of the Work of Reformation and Patron of the Church, and a True & Seeing Prophet, did fall in Scotland, when Argile, Wariſton and Mr Guthrey, for no other cauſe but their Good deeds, and particularly for Loving of our Nation and building of our Synagogue, were led like Innocent sheep to the Slaughter, nothing but Ignorance, Malice, Wickedneſs, or Partiality can deny: for they wanted nothing to make them Beloved, as they were eſteemed and Feared by their Enemies, but that they neither did nor would, becauſe for Love and awe of God they durſt not with others make Shipwrack of Faith and a Good conſcience. Of theſe three Mighty men, and Others who by Suffering ſince have obtained the Crown (though ſome of them, being but Countrey-Yeomen, had mean Education, and little other Learning, th…n what they learned in the Goſpel of Him who is meek and Lowly, and whom the Zeall of his Fathers houſe did eat up, it is below their due Commendation, when it is affirmed, That never any men of the greateſt Spirits, Piety and Learning, did Suffer and Die with more Meekneſs and Patience toward their Enemies, with more Humility and Confidence toward God, with more Faithfulneſs and Stedfaſtneſs in the Truth, without the leaſt injurious reflexion thereupon, or their own adherence thereunto, with more Equability and compoſure of Spirit, ſweetly tempered with the Sorrow's of Sin and Joyes of the Holy Ghoſt, in aſſurance of Pardon and Life Everlaſting, and with leſs perturbation of mind, and alteration of Carriage or Countenance, then theſe Worthies did. Here indeed was the Faith and Patience of the Saints, here did the Lord ſtand by and ſtrengthen them whom others forſook: Yea the Lord to the Admiration of all, the conviction of many of their adverſaries, the confirmation & Eſtablishment of the Cauſe, the Encouragement of many thouſands, His own Eternall Glory, and their Immortal Commendation, did Work in the hearts of all Beholders, more ample & enduring Epiſtles of Commendation, then the moſt Eloquent and Pathetick Rhetorician can Writ in their Favours. This accompt further I will give yow of the firſt ten who died together December 7. that they once reſolved to ſpeak ſeverally to the People at their death; but therea… conſidering, that for one Common Cauſe, and upon the ſame alleageances, they were all appointed to die one manner of death, together at one time and in one place, and having the conveniency of being together in the Priſon, they preferred to leave a word jointly behind them in writ: which as it was the cauſe of one conjunct Teſtimony, and ſome others ſeverally; So the Foreſeing Providence of God in this, is very obſervable: for had it been otherwiſe (ſeing they were not at all permitted to ſpeak to the People upon the ſcaffold, there had nothing of their joint Teſtimony been extant, more then is of theſe who were not ſuffered to ſpeak at their death in Glaſgow, & of the reſt who Suffered in othe… places of the Weſt, of whom we have heard nothing more particularly, but that the ſame Spirit of Glory and of God reſting upon them, did work in them all▪ the ſame Stedfaſtneſs, Patience, Humility, Conſolation, Courage and Confidence.

Theſe being the laſt times, wherein Sin aboundeth, and the love of many is waxed cold, I cannot devine what pity shall be shewed to them that are in Miſery; eſpecially conſidering the Univerſall decay of Religion, and dark cloud of prejudice and diſcountenance, whereby the Kingdom of Chriſt is overshaddowed, generally the whole world over, and even amongſt the Reformed Churches: Nevertheleſs, there being a Communion of Saints, which should be entertained amongſt both Perſons and Churches, whereby theſe of the ſame true Religion (amongſt other things) reciprocally give and receave information of their common affaires, that, if they can or will expreſs no other act of Love, they may (at leaſt) the more ſutably Sympathize, and mutually pray one for another; And the Lord in his Providence, giving the opportunity, I thought it convenient, yea neceſſary, to communicat the following Deduction of the Wreſtlings of the Church of Scotland for the Kingdome of Christ, hoping, that as it beareth the Name, ſo, the Wreſtling Church of Scotland, in due time shall reap the Bleſſing of NAPHTALI, who Gen. 49.21. is called a Hinde let looſe, and ſaid to give goodly words: for who can tell, but Her Wreſtlings may be ſwallowed up of Victory and Liberty, and Her ancient Covenanted Doctrin, Worship and Government, may become as Pleaſant and Acceptable, as it is Profitable, not only within herſelf, but alſo amongſt the Churches abroad. This Title being only affirmative of Her, and not Negative of other Churches, as if only She, and not alſo They, had Wreſtled for the Kingdom of Chriſt, let no man offend thereat: For as the Lord Redeemer hath ſeveral Offices, equally Neceſſary in themſelves, and Inſeperable by Man, and as particular Churches, as well as Perſons, have their peculiar gifts and Excellencies, and accordingly their diſtinct work aſſigned unto them, whereby (amongſt other things) they, more or leſs eminently, aſſert and Propugn this or that particular Truth; So in this diſtribution, whereas other Churches have aſſerted and contended for his Prieſtly and Propheticall Offices, the lot ſeemeth to have fallen upon Scotland, to aſſert and wreſtle more eminently then many others, for the Croun and Kingdom of Jeſus Chriſt. For the eſtablishment of this, did our firſt famous Reformers ſtrive by the evidence of Holy Scripture, as well as for Soundneſs of Doctrine and Purity of Worship; for Preſervation and Reſtauration of this, did their Worthy Succeſſors Zealouſly contend by Petitions, Warnings, Conferences and Diſputations; all Invaſion, Uſurpation, or the leaſt encroachment upon this, di… they valiantly reſiſt by Proteſtations and Declinatures; and for a Teſtimony to this, did they patiently Suffer Bonds, Impriſonment, Confinement, Sentences of Death, and (of late) Death it ſelf. Neither should any man think this ſtrange, as if Presbyterial Government were in itſelf Unlawful, or the Species of Church Government, were indifferent, and conſequently Contending and Suffering therefore, Unwarrantable or Needleſs, as Pretenders to different Forms (upon the right and left hand) would have the World beleeve. Hithertil indeed the Church of Scotland hath heen as a Speckled bird, and the birds round about have been againſt her, She hath endured the ſcourge of many tongues, as well as the Violence of many hands, upon both hands falſe witneſſes have laid to her charge, things which she knew not, as being (amongſt other things) too Laxe or too Rigide; Yea as Unnatural Children have eaten thorow their Mothers bowels, ſo Unkindly Brethren have rewarded her evil for good, Standing on the other ſide, and looking upon her and her affliction in the day of her calamity, rejoicing over her in the day of her deſtruction, and ſpeaking proudly in the day of her diſtreſs, yea laying hands on her Subſtance in the day of her calamity. The wrath of man worketh not the Righteouſneſs of God, neither doth his invincible Truth need the help of humane Paſſions, if therefore, ſuch men do not fear, I shall not deſire, that their own tongues may fall upon themſelves, and that the Lord may render unto them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedneſs of their endeavours, but rather ſtudy the revenge of good will by Prayer, that He would open their eyes & convert their hearts, that they may take revenge on themſelves. Charity, which thinketh no evil, obleegeth to beleeve, till wee ſee the contrary, that Scripture, Conſcience, Covenant and Credite will make thoſe who did once laudably aſſert, conſtantly propugn and adhere to the Ius Divinum of Presbyterial Government, until they publish (which none can do) as convinceing reaſons of Retractation & contrary Practice: And whatever might be expected of others, Religion, Reaſon, Candor, Gratitude, and Policy would ſeem to require, that thoſe who in their diſtreſs intreated & obtained the ſuccesful Aſſiſtance of the Covenanted Intereſt of Scotland, & others, who owe thereunto whatever they are, or have more then juſt nothing, debt, or broken fortunes, should have been ſo far from cont…mptuous throwing away the Covenant as an old Alm…nack, when, by it as a ſtirrup, they had mounted the ſaddle of Power, Promotion and Riches, and from ſubtile diſſolving the nerves, or forcible breaking the Arme of Pre…bytery, that they should rather have ſaid to both as Ruth to Naom…, Where th…u goest, I will go; where thou lodgest, I will lodg; thy People shall be my People, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, I will die, and there will I be buried: God do ſo to me and more a…ſo if ought but death part thee and me. And it may be truly ſaid, as the Church of Scotland hath had no Detractors, but ſuch as were Ignorant of her, or mis-informed about her, or whom Faction, Partiality, Prejudice, Wickedneſs or Love of unlawful Liberty did inſpire; So no Perſon or Party hath endeavoured hithertil to root out Presbytery, but the Lord hath made it a burdenſome ſtone unto them: And I am ſure, there is no other Form of Church Government can boaſt of ſo many Teſtimonies by Bl…od as Presbyterial Government might do. But of all Contradicters, the Church of Scotland, of old and late, hath only had to do (within herſelf) with Prelatiſts, ſome whereof, being high flown, have pleaded a Jus Divinum, others (Antiquaries) have pleaded Antiquity, and many Adiaphoriſts of late, being beaten from both theſe ſtrengths, have pleaded Indifferency in general, and only Jus Carolinum, as to this or that Species: But as no eyes, ſave their own, neither theſe except by deluſion of their ſe…ſe, could ever ſee Prelacy (that is, an Ordinary Eccleſiaſtical Ord…r, Diſtinct from and Superior to that of a Preaching Presbyter, having the ſole power of Ordination and Juriſdiction) in the Holy Scripture, otherwiſe then by Prohibition to Lord it over Gods heritage, or in the example of Diotrephes who loved Preheminence (as many famous writing, whereunto I refer the Reader, unanſwerably demonſtrat) & therefore, the Office being a ſtranger in the Word of God, rather then the braſ…n Serpent which once had Divine Inſtitution, should be Nehushtan in the Church; So let no man, Exorciſt-wiſe, adjure us by the Charming words of Antiquity, Primitive times and Bishops, Fathers, &c. For Moſes we know, the Prophets and Apoſtles we know, but what is Antiquity, and who are the primitive Bishops and Fathers? Muſt men be ſtigmatized, as giddy-headed Novelliſts, and as much Athenian in their Principles and Profeſſions▪ as other m…n in their Newes, or then be Implicite in-tail-following Antiquaries? No, there is a Medium of proving all things, and holding that which is good: Pure Antiquity deſerveth all eſteem and reverence, but Simple Antiquity, as ſuch, is neither a certain nor Safe Rule, and much leſs oblieging to future times, and ſo remote as our's are. Our Lord Himſelf repelleth that pretence, that it was ſaid of old: Were there not many Errors and Corruption… (which themſelves will not Juſtify) as ancient, and early in the Church (yea more) as Prelacy is alleaged to be? We are commanded to the Law and Teſtimony, but never to the Fathers, and good reaſon, becauſe few or none of them were without groſs errours in Judgment or Practice: Are not the writings of the firſt Age very few, or obſcure? Are not many of theſe and after Ages loſt or Corrupted? Yea other later writings are deceatfully emitted under the name of Ancient Times and Perſons, ſo that in ſuch a miſt, it is hard to determine what was written by theſe Fathers, what not: Later, Corrupt or Inadvertant writters about theſe former times, did ſpeak of Perſons and things, under the abuſed Names which were corruptly uſed in th…ir own times: And the writtings of particular Perſons (ſuppoſe of greateſt Antiquity) do rather hold forth their own private Opinion, or the Practice of the Time and Place wherein they lived, then the Univerſal Judgment and Practice of the Church in all Times and Places. And if they will Sanctuary themſelves in primitive Times, let it be cleared what is meant by Primitive; For if the two firſt Ages be meant, it is more then they can do, to prove by ſufficient Authority, that there was then ſuch a Prelacy, as is before mentioned, or now uſurped and exerciſed; If after ages be meant, wherein the Church grew more corrupt, and Prelacy did aſpire and exalt itſelf, to an Univerſal Supremacy in the Bishop of Rome, and eſtablishment of that Antichriſtian Hierarchy, then indeed they are like themſelves. for twins were never more like in face, then the preſent Prelats reſemble the Romish, but then it were Candor in them, to tell plainly, that Papacy and Prelacy are of one Original, with this difference, that Prelacy is the firſt born, or rather the Father which begat the other; And if they mean a Middle time, betwixt theſe Periods, wherein indeed Bishops were firſt known in the Church, and will reckon their deſcent from them, why are they ſo unlike unto them, that they look neither like Sons nor Succeſſors? Ask thoſe who have dived into theſe depths of Antiquity, and they will tell, that a preſent Prelat, and a faithful Presbyterian Paſtor (or Moderator at moſt) do little more differ, then the preſent Prelats and theſe firſt Primitive Bishops: For as it was long before ſuch a thing was known in the Church, ſo when thorow the Malice and Subtilty of Sathan, the Ambition of ſome Church-men, the Unwatchfulneſs of others, and Indulgence of ſome Magiſtrats it did creep in, at firſt it was intended and acknowledged for no more, then a Prudential Humane device for greater Unity (a Cure, becauſe without warrant, worſe then the deſeaſe, which, as the Apoſtles never preſcribed in their own times, though there were then many Diviſions, ſo there is alike Reaſon to Extend further to Papal Supremacy, in the caſe of diviſions amongſt Prelats and Patriarches) and had never the impudence to aſpire (with ſome preſent Prelats) ſo high as a Jus Divinum; At firſt theſe Primitive Bishops, being Elected by other Presbyters, with conſent of the people, and not by the Civil Magiſtrat only, as now the Prelats are by the Kings Letter to the Dean and Chapter, were Ordained by the laying on of the hands of Presbyters, and rot of Bishops only, as the Prelats are; Their Ordination vas not Eſſentially different from that of Presbyters, nor to an Order diſtinct from, and Superior to that of Presbyters or Paſtors, as the Conſecration of the Prelats is alleaged to be; Neither did they (though perhaps they had a negative voice) uſurp the ſole power of Ordination and Juriſdiction, nor Exerce the Acts thereof, without the poteſtative Concurrence of Other Presbyters, as now the Prelats do; Many of them being Holy, Humble, and Sober in their converſation toward the people and other Presbyters, did nor (with the preſent Prelats) aſſume the lofty Tittles of Lordship, Grace, &c. Nor live and ride in ſuch ſtate and pomp, claming and taking the preference of the greateſt Peeres of the Land; Ordinarly, and eſpecially at the beginning, they had not ſuch vaſt charges, as now the Prelats have Diocies over Hundreds of Paſtors, and many Thouſands of people, to whom it is utterly impoſſible to perform Miniſterial duties; Being diligent Preachers themſelves, they were not, as the Prelats are, Idle drons, nor Non-reſidenrs, nor yet of a ſtrange language to the people, as Wallace, through his ignorance of the Irish tongue, and almoſt of all others except his Mothers, muſt be a Barbarian to his Diocy of the Weſtern-Iſles▪ Neither did they involve themſelves in Secular affairs and Offices, then which, what is there more abſurd in Reaſon, and repugnant to Scriptural precept and Example? For Chriſt Himſelf telleth us, that his Kingdome is not of this World, Joh. 18: ver. 38. and how can his Officers be of it? He refuſed to be a Judge, Luc. 12: 14. And, ſpeaking to the Diſciples of Civil Authority and Dominion, ſaith, it shall not be So amongſt yow, Mat. 20: ver. 25. Luc. 22: ver. 25: And the Apoſtle. Paul telleth us, that Miniſterial weapons are not Carnal. 2 Cor. 10: ver. 4: And that the Miniſters of the Goſpel should not entangle themſelves with the affairs of this Life 2 Tim. 2: ver. 4: That the Miniſterial calling is ſo weighty, that the beſt qualified and moſt diligent is not ſufficient for it, 2 Cor. 2: ver. 16. how then are they ſufficient for it, and civil affairs too? And therefore they should Wa… upon it, Rom. 12: ver. 7: and give themſelves wholly to it. 1 Tim. 4: ver. 15. and not wait (as the Prelats do) upon Courts, Parliaments, Council, Convention of Eſtats, &c. as members thereof, nor Exerce the office of Provoſts, Juſtices of peace, &c. Nor will it excuſe them, that they commit Miniſterial inſpection of the flock to Deputs: For if they be Shepherds, should not the Shepherds feed the flock? Ezeck. 34: ver. 2. If to them be committed the Miniſtery, Teaching, Exhorting, should they not themſelves Wait upon theſe? Rom. 12: 7: If they muſt give accompt of Souls, should they not Watch for them? Heb. 13: ver. 17: And if the Lord will require the flock at their hand. Ezek. 34: ver. 10: how will they anſwer to God, the people, their own Conſcience (if they have any) or to others who ask a reaſon of them, for feeding of themſelves only, and committing the flock to Others, and eſpecially to ſuch who are ſo far from being Learned, Holy, Apt to teach, Blameleſs, of a good report, Chaſt, Sober, Grave, Lovers of good men, Meek and Gentle, as the Scripture requireth, that many are Novices, Ignorant, Prophane, Light, Given to Wine, Falſe, Covetous, Contentious, Proud, Paſſionat, and Self willed, and ſo far from taking heed to the flock, or being an Example to them, in Word, Converſation, Charity, Spirit, Faith and Purity, that they neither take heed to themſelves, nor rule their own families well? I remember that one ſpeaking of ſuch as commit the flock to Vicar-Curats (as all are who ſerve under Prelacy) ſaith, Adibunt per Vicarios in Paradiſum, in Perſona in Inferos. They shall go to Heaven by their Deputs, but to Hell in Perſon. Theſe men (if I may borrow an alluſion from the duty and commendation of faithfull and approven Miniſters) have taken forth the Precious from the Vile, and taught the people the difference betwen the Holy and Profane, and cauſed men to diſcern betwen the Unclean and the Clean; but mark How, and for what End? Is it not by making ſad the hearts of the Righteous, whom they have ſelected, and ſet up as the Only object of all their Malice and perſecution, and Strengthening the hands of the Wicked, whom they have taken into their boſome, as their Only Familiars and Confidents. The one they thurſt with the ſide and shoulder, the other they do not ſuffer to turn from his evill way, by promiſing him life. But if any deſire more particular information about them, amongſt other places to that purpoſe, let them read and conſider, Ier. 23.9. to 33. and 5.31. Ezek. 34.1. to 11. and 22.25.26.28. Zeph. 3.4, Mal. 2.8.9. Mat. 23. and (as face anſwereth to face in water) they shall ſee their Call, Qualities, Doctrine, Converſation, Works and Influence amongſt the people, and the Effects of all, together with their righteous Doom and Reward. He hath already made Contemptible and Baſe before the people, thoſe who have corrupted the Covenant of Levy, and being partiall in the Law, have made many to ſtumble thereat, and will he not cauſe to ceaſe from feeding of the flock, thoſe who feed themſelves, eat the fat and cloth with the wooll, but do not (for indeed they cannot) ſtrengthen the deſeaſ…d, heall the ſick, bind up that which i… broken, bring back that which is driven away, nor ſeek that which is loſt? They have not only turned his houſe of Prayer into a den of Theeves, but from them is profanneſs gone forth over all the Land, and ſeing they deſerve no more honourable Exit, will he not ſcourge out of his Temple, thoſe who have ſold Faith and a good Conſcience for a meaſe of pottage? Yea ſeing He hath ſaid it, we will beleeve, that He will make the falſe Prophet and the Unclean Spirit paſs out of the Land, and that theſe men shall bear the Wounds or marks of Falſe Prophets, and for shame shall deny (for lies are their ordinary refuge) that …ever they were prophets, And that Others, perhaps their neareſt Relations, the Fathers and Mothers who begat them, shall ſo little eſteem, regard or Pity them, that they shall accompt them unworthy to live (Ye shall not Live) And that He will again gather thoſe that are now ſorrowfull for the ſolemn Aſſemblies, that he will ſearch for the flock, ſeek that which was loſt, bring back that which was driven away, bind up that which was broken, & ſtrengthen that which was ſick, by the hand of Paſtors after his own Heart, who, under and after the Example of the great shepherd DAVID, shall feed them in a good paſture with Wiſedome and Underſtanding. To all this, as well as the Curſe upon them who make the blind to wander out of the way, let all the People ſay, Amen.

Neither are they who plead an Indifferency of Forms of Government, more Scriptural or Rationall then the Former: for it ſeemeth equally abſurd & incoſinſtant with the Faithfulneſs of J. Chriſt, who was faithfull to Him who appointed him; With the Lords way of dealing with the Jewish Church, whereunto he preſcribed a Specifical and Fixed Form of Government; And with the Perfection and Plainneſs of the Holy Scriptures, wherein all Church Aſſemblies, Officers, Powers, Acts, and who should Exerce the ſame, & every other thing neceſſarily belonging thereunto, which the Light of Nature doth not teach, and is not common to it with Civill Government and Order, are clearly held forth, Expreſſly or by neceſſary Conſequence, in Speciall or Generall directions and warrantable Examples (as appeareth by the many debats Extant thereanent) to leave the Government of his Church Indifferent, and Arbitrarily determinable and alterable, according to the will of the Civill Magiſtrat, or the various and mutable humours and Inclinations of Perſons, Times and Places, or the pretended conveniency of Civil Policy, as to leave Doctrin and Worship thus Indifferent, and arbitrarily determinable and variable, according to theſe crooked and changable rules: If Church Government muſt be Indifferent, and thus arbitrarily determinable and Ambulatory, becauſe the Holy Scripturs do not Expreſſly affirme, that Presbyterial Government is the Only Government, which should be in the Chriſtian Church, and alſo Expreſſly declare, that it is Unalterable to the worlds end, and that the firſt Inſtitution and Practice thereof, by the Apoſtles and their Succeſſors in the Miniſtry, never was nor shall be Repealed, why may not the Civil Magiſtrat, or any other arrogating a power of Inſtituting or Altering Church Government or Officers, by Parity of reaſon, make many other Neceſſary and Practicall points of Faith, which are not more Expreſſly declared by the Holy Scriptures to be Unalterable Truths, then Presbyterial Government is (though all be evident enough) to be alſo Indifferent, & arbitrarily determinable & mutable? & then farewel Infant-baptiſme, Womens receaving of the Lords▪ Supper, & obſervation of the firſt day of the week for the Chriſtian Sabbath, yea, farewel Law & Teſtimony, & more ſure Word of Prophecy, whereunto we should go & take heed; & for a new Rule of Faith & Practice, welcome Humane Prudence, State-Policy, Corrupt & Changable Diſpoſition of man, & pretended Neceſſity or Conveniency of State, Time & Place; yea welcome all Doctrins & Practices, which though they were once poſitively prohibited, can alleage that the Scripture doth not Expreſſly declare, that they never were nor shall be repealed. And where are we then? In vain is the Law, in vain is the pen of the Scribe, and every one, without tranſgreſſion, may do what ſeemeth good in his own eyes, if only he can Temporize, and offe…d not the Civil Magiſtrat, by violation of his Arbitrary Inſtitutions and Lawes in Church aff…i…s, wherein he muſt be Supream. O my ſoul, come not int… the ſecrets of ſuch Latitudinarian, or rather (in this) Nullifidian Adiaphoriſts. We would not be here miſtaken, as if we denyed to the Civil Magiſtrat any Power, which the Holy Scriptures allow unto Him; for as we aſſert his Office to be an Ordinance of God, and his Perſon (being lawfully therewith veſted) to be ſignally impreſſed with a ſpecial Character of Majeſtick Authority, wherefore, in a due Subordination to Him who is Lord over all, He should be ſubjected to and obeyed; So we chearfully grant, that, whereas the Heathen Magiſtrat (becauſe of his Morall incapacity to Exerce more power) about Religion and Eccleſiaſtical affairs, hath only a Power in Actu ſigna…o and …us ad rem, the Chriſtian Magiſtrat hath Ius in re, and in Actu Exercito may and should by his Lawes eſtablish the true Religion within his dominions, and command his Subjects to make publick profeſſion thereof; That by his Civil Sanction he may and should Ratify Eccleſiaſticall Sentences, aggreeable to the Word of God; That anent theſe he may and should Exerciſe an Antecedent Diſcretive Iudgment, whereby he may not adde an Implicit approbation; That for Preaching and Propagation of the Goſpel, and for nurſing of Piety and Learning, he may and should provide Neceſſary and Convenient accommodation and encouragement, as to Perſons, Places and Revenues; That for his own Information and Advice, he may call Occaſionall Meetings of Church Officers and others, to Confer and Debate matters before him; That Pro r… nata he may Convocate Eccleſiaſticall Synods, to reaſon and conclude Church affairs according to the Scripture; That for his own Information, and for preventing of Outward Force and Inward Confuſion, he may be Preſent therein by Himſelf or his Delegats; That by his Power he may and should Defend and Encourage the Church, in the free and peaceable Poſſeſſion of all her Intrinſecall Priviledges, and all the Members thereof, in the Profeſſion and Practice of the ſame; That by the ſame Authority he may and should repreſs Error, Hereſy, Superſtition, Atheiſme, Blaſphemy and Profanneſs, and Punish the Authors and Spreaders thereof; That in caſe of negligence, he may Command all, and even Miniſters, to per…orme their r…ſpective duties in general, as neceſſity requireth; And that for Civil tranſgreſſions, he may Civilly puni…h Eccl…ſiaſtical Perſons, as well as other Subjects, according to the Law of God and Righteous Lawes of the Land: The Zealous diſcharge of all which, we would thankfully acknowledg to God and Man, as the Faithfull performance of that gracious Promiſe, that Kings shall be the Churches nurſing …athe…s. But if diſcontented herewith, as if all this, together with the Weighty affairs of the Common wealth, were too little work for his Tranſcendent Power and Abilities, and as if Jeſus Chriſt had no Kingdom or Government, or theſe were not diſtinct from the Kingdoms and Government of the World, or though th…y were, as if he were equally Head and Fountain of both, He will needs a…bitrarily Inſtitut or Alter, the Species of Church Government; Authoriſe, Exauthoriſe or Reſtrain Church-Officers, in the Exerciſe of the Power of Order or Juriſdiction, in whole or in part, as the Parliament and Councill have prohibited ſome Hundreds the whole Exerciſe of their Miniſtry, and the High Commiſſion (which claimeth no power, but what is ſolely and immediatly derived from the King) hath deprived ſome from the Office, & interdicted Others the adminiſtration of the Lords Supper; If he will Define Articles of Faith, and preſcribe what heads of Doctrine, Miniſters shall treat or not treat of in their Sermons, as the King hath done in his printed Letter to the Bishop of York; And thereupon Primarily, Immediatly, and Antecedently to any Judgment of the Church, which is the Pillar of Truth, and to which the Spirits of the Prophets are Subject, Cognoſce and Determine of Miniſters Doctrine, when the Church herſelf is willing and ready to try the Spirits; And Criminally or Capitally punish them therefore, under the pretence of Treaſon and Rebellion, as ſeveral inſtances can be adduced againſt King and Councill in the ſeries of our Church; If he will Ordain particular Church Cenſurs to to be executed againſt particular perſons, for particular definite Eccleſiaſtical (alleaged) offences, leaving nothing undone by Himſelf in perſon, but the Execution of what he hath appointed, As the Parliament hath appointed Suſpenſion and Deprivation of Miniſters, for not obſerving the Bishops meetings, and the King in his Commiſſion to the High Commiſſion hath appointed Excommunication, whereas they may as well Immediatly Suſpend, Deprive and Excommunicat themſelves, as Appoint them to be executed in the manner ſpecified in the ſaid Act of Parliament and Commiſſion; If after the example of Antichriſtian or Pagan Nations, he will Inſtitut and Enjoin Needleſs, Vain, Superſtitious, Significant and Burdenſome Rits in the Worship of God, as moſt of the Impoſed Ceremonies in the Lyturgy, can be inſtructed be; If he will arrogate the Sole Power of convocating Eccleſiaſtical Synods, which is an Intrinſecall priviledg of the Church, whereof She was in Poſſeſſion three hundred years before there was a Chriſtian Magiſtrat in the world Authorizing it; And will Impriſon, Confine, Condemn, and Banish Miniſters, for pleading and Practiſing this Right, as King James did not a few in and about the Year 1606. and the Preſent King of late, by Parliament, Council and Commiſſioner, did interdict all the Lawfull Aſſemblies of the Church, which did not derive their Power from the Abjured and Perjured Prelats; and if he will not only claim the only power of indicting …lemn Faſts and Thankſgivings, as de Facto is done theſe …or 6 years paſt, but alſo inſtitute a day to be Aniverſarily …oly for ever, which no mortal man can do; If, I ſay, … will thus Invade the Kingdom of Chriſt, confound it … the Kingdoms of the World, and equally Exerce the …overnments of both, no man needs pronounce, but rather fear the Domeſticall and Perſonall doom, Executed upon Saul and Uzziah for uſurping the Prieſts office. How in …quall dealing is it, that He who clamoureth ſo much of other men, and particularly Miniſters wandering without their ſphere, and overſtretching-meddling with Civil affairs, should himſelf be Circumſcribed and move within no Fixed ſphere? Is it not enough that He have a Power Objectively Eccleſiaſticall, about Church affaires, but he muſt alſo have a Power Formally Eccleſiaſticall, whereby he may Exerce Acts purely Spiritual, and proper to Church Officers? Will it not ſuffice him, that he have an Externall Power, of providing for the Church, and protecting of her from Outward Violence or Inward Diſorder, but he muſt alſo have an Internall power, of Doctrin, Government, and Diſciplin, & the ſeveral Forms & Acts thereof? Is is not Sufficent that he have an Imperat Power, whereby He may command all his Subjects, as ſuch, to do their reſpective duties; but he muſt alſo have and Elicit power, whereby he may at leaſt materially or equivalently Exerce Spirituall Acts in his own perſon? Will it not pleaſe him, that he have a Civil Power of Punishing Church Officers, as Subjects, for Civil tranſgreſſions, but he muſt alſo have a Spiritual Power of Cenſuring them for Eccleſiaſticall offences? Will it not content him that he have a Secundary Power of Judiciall Approbation or Condemnation of what the Church hath already found and declared to be Truth or Error, but he muſt alſo have a Primary and Immediat Power of Cognition of Truth and Error, Antecedent to any Judgment of the Church thereanent? Will it not ſatisfy him, that he have a Diſcretive Power, whereby he may not Implicitely Ratify Eccleſiaſticall Sentences, but he muſt alſo have a Definitive Power of Authoritative Deciſion? And in a word, is it not enough, that he have a Cumulative Power of Confirming and Strengthening the Power and Priviledges of the Church, but he muſt alſ… have a Privative Power, whereby (if he pleaſe) he may deſtroy the ſame?

That the Lord hath had, and to the Worlds end will have a Church, none who beleeve the Authority of the Holy …criptures can deny or queſtion; And that he hath fixed Diſcriminative boundaries betwen his own and the Kingdoms of the Earth (that is, betwen his Church and other Civil Societies, and their reſpective Governments) is no leſs evident: For though both conſiſt of Men, and ſometimes of the ſame Perſons; though both have Order and Government; a Power to Exerciſe the ſame, and that Derived from God; and the Perſons inveſted therewith should be qualified; and in the Exerciſe thereof should walk Abſolutely by the Rule of the Word; Punishing and Cenſuring after clear Conviction by Confeſſion or Probation; And should Ultimatly aime at the Glory of God, and Good of the People; and for that effect be mutually ſubſervient and uſeful one to another (in theſe, amongſt other things, they aggree) Yet they are Formally diſtinct: For they conſiſt of men under diſtinct Notions and Relations; Civil Society and Policy is founded upon the Light and Law of Nature, Eccleſiaſticall by Revealed Poſitive precept; The one is Common to all men as Men, the other is Peculiar to thoſe who profeſs the True God; The Form of the one may be Monarchical, the other not; The object of the one is Civil, the other is Spirituall; The Nature of the one and Manner of Exerceing it, is Magiſterial, the Other Miniſterial; The Acts and Sentences of the one are Corporall, rhe other Spiritual; The Immediat Rule of Exerceing the one is the …awes of the Land; and the other the Word of God and …ccleſiaſtical Conſtitutions aggreeable thereunto; The one …s performed in the Name of the Supream Magiſtrat, the other in the Name of Jeſus Chriſt; The Immediat End of the one is the Good of the Common-wealth, the other the Good of Souls. Yea though the Church and Common-wealth of the Jewes, of all others that ever were, did moſt aggree, yet were they Formally diſtinct: for they had ordinarily diſtinct Rulers, the Prieſt and Levits for the one, Judges and King's for the other; They had diſtinct Acts Sacrificing, praying &c. in the Church, Death, Banishment, Confiſcation, Inpriſonment, Ezra 2:26. in the State; They had diſtinct Objects, the Matters of the Lord and the Matters of the King, 2 Chron. 19.11; Diſtinct Lawes, the Ceremoniall for the Church, the Judicial for the Common-wealth, and the Morall for both; They had ſometimes diſtinct Members, when theſe of the One, were not admitted to ſome Priviledges of the Other; The Form of the State did alter from Judges to Kings, but the Churches was unalterably the ſame; And they had their diſtinct Periods of Duration, for the Church continued (though corrupt) after the Civil Government was overturned by the Romans.

And as the Church and State of the Jewes were in theſe things diſtinct, ſo had they their diſtinct Governments, and Judicatories for Exer…ing the ſame Reſpectively; For Exo. 24.1. there are 70. Elders, who v. 14. appear to be veſted with Authority, and to have Aaron and Hur for their Preſidents or Moderators; now theſe 70 Elders cannot be the 70, who Numb. 11. shared of the Government with Moſes, for theſe mentioned Exod. 24. were in Authority when the Iſraelits were at Sinai, whereas the other mentioned Numb. 11. were choſen after they went from Sinai; neither can they be any other 70 in Civil Authority, becauſe before the Election of thoſe Numb. 11. Moſes was alone in the Government. Again Deut. 17. there are diſtinct cauſes, viz. Blood & Blood, plea and plea, which were Civill, and Stroke and Stroke, which (whether it was Leproſy) belonged to the Prieſts to Judge of; Lev. 13.3; Diſtinct Rulers. viz. the Prieſts the Levets, and the Iudge, who v. 11. are diſtinguished by the disjunctive particle Or; Diſtinct Acts of telling (or exponing) the Sentence of the Law, & of telling Iudgment v. 10.11, & diſtinct Penalties, of Death, and puting the Evill from Israel, v 12. Further in … Chr. 23.4. Ye will find 6000 of the Levites who were Officers and Iudges, which muſt needs have been in Eccleſiaſtical affairs, becauſe, 1 Chron. 28:1. there were Princes of Tribs, Captains of Thouſands, Hundreds, Stewarts and Officers, for Civil affairs. And, 2 Chron. 19:8, &c. there are Church Officers, Priests, Levits, chief of the Fathers; there are diſtinct Matters, the Matters of the Lord and the Matters of the King. Ver. 11. There are diſtinct Acts or Sentences, for Warning not to treſpaſs is more proper to Eccleſiaſtical then Civil Perſons; And there are diſtinct Moderators or Preſidents, Amariah is over you for the Matt…rs of the Lord, and Zebadiah for the Matters of the King. Now what should all this mean, viz. Diſtinct cauſes, and Perſons ſet over them to Judge them reſpectively, and what meaneth theſe diſtinct Acts, Sentences and Penalties, if not to hold out the Diſtinction of Government, and of Judica…ories reſpectively exercing the ſame? Yea …hat was in the Old Teſtament, we may know by what we read in the New, for Matth. 21: ver. 23. and 27: ver. 1. and 26: v. 3, 57, 59. Act. 4: v. 5, 6, 15. and 5: v. 21, 27. there are Aſſemblies & Councils, which muſt needs be Eccleſiaſtical: not only becauſe they conſiſted of Eccleſiaſtical perſons, the High Priest, Cheef Priests and Elders of the People; Cognoſced of Eccleſiaſtical Cauſes, the life, Doctrin and Authority of Chriſt and his Apoſtles; And paſt Eccleſiaſtical Sentences about preching in the Name of Chriſt, Act. 4, and 5. But alſo becauſe (the Jewes being ſubdued) the Supreme civil Government was taken out of their hands, and little left them but the Eccleſiaſtical. And if at any time, in the Old Teſtament, the ſame perſons were members of both Judicatories, it was under diſtinct Notions and conſiderations, as Eccleſiaſtical in the one, and Civil in the Other; As now the Ruling Elder, under ſeveral Conſiderations and Capacities, may be a member of an Eccleſiaſtical and Civil Iudicatory. It is true that the High Prieſts and ſome Kings had great hand in both Civil & Eccleſiaſtical affairs, but Extraordinary, and (may be) Typicall inſtances are not an Ordinary and Univerſal Rule; And it may be alſo, that in the New Teſtament theſe Councils meddled in Civil Affairs, for Matth. 27: ver. 1. they take counſel againſt Ieſus to put him to death, but that was by Corrupt Abuſe of their Power, which crept in, in the declining State of the Church, and when the Civil Government was taken from them by ſtrangers, or when, wanting a Magiſtrat, they took more upon them then at another time; for it was not ſo from the beginning, and was by the like Corrupt and Extravagant Abuſe, as now the High Commiſſion (if it be an Eccleſiaſtical Courr) doth Scourge, Stigmatize, Fine and Banish, or the Prelats now as Members of Parliament, Council, and Seſſion, make themſelves Judges of Blood, Pleas, &c. And as this was the Manner & Difference of the Jewish Church and State under the Old Teſtament, ſo under the New Teſtament, there is by Divine Inſtitution, a Formal and Specifical Difference, between the Government of the Church and Common-wealth: For ye will not only find Office-bearers Given unto, and Set in the Church. Rom. 12: ver. 8. 1 Cor. 12: ver. 28. Epheſ. 4: ver. 11. Which are as wel Diſtinct from Office-bearers of the State as from the People, for neither Magiſtrat nor People were ever called Apoſtles, Prophets▪ Evangeliſts, &c. eſpecially in the Apoſtles ſenſe; But alſo RULERS, diſtinct from the Rulers of the Common-wealth, who 1 Theſs. 5: ver. 12. are Over the People, and Hebr. 13: ver. 17. Rule over them. Now theſe Rulers cannot be the Magiſtrat, for in none of the places doth the Apoſtle Intend or Mention him. Beſids, at that time there was not a Chriſtian Magiſtrat to Rule the State, and how should the Rule of the Church be committed to a Pagan? And 1 Tim. 5: ver. 17. He that Labours in Word and Doctrin, ſeemeth to have more Honour, then He who Ruleth, which, if either Magiſtrat or Prelate be the Ruler, how they will Relish, & that the poor preaching Presbyter should be more Honoured then they, let any man Iudge. Here then are Eccleſiaſtical Rulers, diſtinct from theſe of the Common-wealth. To theſe Rulers belongeth the Cognition of Eccleſiaſtical Offences, in Contradiſtinction to Civil Cauſes and Iudges; Matth. 18.—Tell the Church: Now the Civil Magiſtrat cannot be this Church, where is He ever ſo termed? Or how will He, (being himſelf a Heathen) accompt another man ſo: Here then is a Church diſtinct from the Common-wealth; here are Church-Offences diſtinct from Breaches of Civil or Municipall Lawes; here is Church-Delation or Complaint, diſtinct from any complaint to the Magiſtrat, tell the Church; and conſequently, here is a Church-power of Cognition of theſe Offences, diſtinct from that which reſids in the Magiſtrat, elſe it were in vain to tell the Church, and as good or better to tell the Magiſtrat; And here is a Church-Sentence, Let him be unto thee as a Heathen, which the Magiſtrat, being then Heathen himſelf, would never pronounce againſt, or inflict as a Punishment upon another man. To theſe Church-Rulers alſo is committed not only the Power of Order, or Paſtorall Adminiſtration of Word and Sacraments, but alſo the Power of Juriſdiction, whether Dogmatical, Diatacticall, Critical, or Exuſiaſtical, and not to the Civil Magiſtrat; And accordingly Jeſus Chriſt, giveth the Keyes of the Kingdome of Heaven to Peter and not to Ceſar Mat. 16.19: Ye will find Church-Aſſemblies, diſtinct from Parliaments, Convention of Eſt…ts, Senats, &c. (yea when the Magiſtrat was an Enemy) determining queſtioned Matters of Faith and Practice, Act. 15: The Apoſtle Paul enjoineth the Church of Corinth and not the Magiſtrat, both to Excommunicat and Abſolve the Incestuous man, 1 Cor. 5.4.5. and 2 Cor. 2.7.8: The ſame Apoſtle leaveth Titus and not the Magiſtrat to Ordain Elders in Every City. Tit. 1. v. 5; and accordingly it is performed by the Presbytery, and not by the Magiſtrat, 1 Tim. 4.14: The Apoſtle Iohn thereateneth by Himſelf and not by the civil Magiſtrat, to Cenſure Diotrephes, 3. Iohn 10. And as the Power it ſelf, and the ſeveral Acts thereof are Committed to Church-Officers; So to them and not to the Civil Magiſtrat, are all the Directions given for Regulation of the Exerciſe thereof, diſtinct from the Directions given to the Magiſtat for Regulation of the affairs of the Common-wealth: and ſo in the caſe of Offence, there muſt be private rebuke before Publick delation, Mat. 18:15, 16, 17. In the caſe of Publick Scandal, there muſt be a Rebuking before all, 1 Tim. 5:20: In the caſe of Publick Cenſure, there muſt be Notoriety of the Fault 1 Cor. 5.1. or ſufficient conviction of the Perſon, by Confeſſion or Probation, Mat. 18.15; In the caſe of Excommunication, it muſt be when the Church is gathered together, 1 Cor. 5.4. and not (after the Prelatical fashion) in a corner; In the caſe of Abſolution, there muſt be ſufficient evidence of Repentance, 2 Cor. 2.7; In the caſe of Ordination of Miniſters, there muſt be the Election of the People, Act. 6.3, 4, 5. Trial, 1. Tim. 3:10. & laying on of the hands of the Presbytery, 1 Tim. 4.14. and they muſt be Fixed to particular flocks, Tit. 1.5. How diſtinct are theſe, and all other Directions given to Church-Officers for Regulation thereof, from the directions given to the civill Magiſtrat for Regulation of the Commonwealth? And the Church Officers, & not the civil Magiſtrat, are Commended or Diſcommended according as they faithfully or unfaithfully Exerce this Power and follow theſe Directions: So the Angel of the Church of Epheſus (which I hope none will ſay was the Magiſtrat) is commended for Trying them which ſaid they were Apoſtles and were not, Revel 2.2. It was not the Emperor, Senat, &c. that tryed theſe falſe Apoſtles, as of late the Parliament, Council, High Commiſſion, ejected many Hundreds of faithful Miniſters without Trial; The Angels of the Churches of Pergamus and Thyatira are diſcommended, for tollerating falſe Doctrin and Corrupt Practice, v. 14.15.20. ſo is the Church of Corinth blamed for not timeous Excommunicating of the Inceſtuous Perſon. 1 Cor. 5. For the like Ommiſſions which are reproved in theſe Angels, I know them who now deſerve a sharper cenſure, ſed quod defertur non aufertur.

From all which, as the Formal & Specifical Difference betwixt the Power and Government of Church and Common wealth is aboundantly evident; So Jeſus Chriſt Himſelf, & not the civil Magiſtrat, is the Author & Fountain of Church-Power and Government; Then which, there can be nothing more clear to them who do not wilfully shut their own eyes, or whom the God of this world hath not blinded: For, beſids that Himſelf telleth us, that He hath receaved all Power and Judgement from the Father, Mat. 28. ver. 18. Iohn. 5.22. and Iohn beareth him that Teſtimony. Iohn 3.35. And who should derive Power to others, but He who receaved it for that end? Let us conſider his Name and Relation to the Church; In what Relation he ſtandeth to the Common-wealth or civil Magiſtrat, I do not here i…quire, but the Apoſtle tells us, that He…, and not the civil Magiſtrat, is Head of the Church Epheſ. 1.22. and 5: 13. &, as ſuch, he doth not only Myſtically communicat inward Grace to the members, but Occonomically derive Power and Direction for the Outward Regulation of the whole body. How then can the Magiſtrat be Head of the Church, or ſupream Governor in all cauſes Eccleſiaſtical? Muſt the Church have two Heads, or a Head above a Head? Why may not a Church Officer or Officers, as well claim (with the Pope) to be Head of the Common-wealth? Will they shew us a Warrant from Scripture or Reaſon for the one, which will not as ſtrongly plead for the other? Well then, let Chriſt be ſtill Head of the Church. And as ſuch. Ye will find Him, and not the civil Magiſtrat, Inſtituting all Church-Ordinances for Adminiſtration of Word and Sacraments, Mat. 28:19. 1 Cor. 11:23. for Excommunication and Abſolution, Matt. 18:17, 18. and all other Acts of Government and Diſciplin: Ye will find Him, and not the civil Magiſtrat. Inſtituting Church-Offices; He it is who gave, Epheſ. 4:11. and ſett in the Church, 1 Cor. 12: v. 28. Apoſtles, Prophets, Evangeliſts, Teachers, &c. And who is he that dare alter by addition or diminution? Ye will find Him, and not the civil Magiſtrat, Authorizing theſe Officers to Exerce the Several Acts of the Power of Order and Juriſdiction, Mat. 28:19: Ye will find Him, & not the civil Magiſtrat, Furnishing theſe Church-Officers, with Gifts and Graces for their work; as none goeth here upon their own Expences, ſo can any Magiſtrat breath the Holy Ghoſt, as Chriſt did upon his Apoſtles? Ioh. 20.22? In His Name, and not in name of the Magiſtrate, muſt they performe all Church-Acts; they muſt Aſſemble, Mat. 18:20. Baptiſe, Mat. 28:19. Excommunicat, 1 Cor. 5: ver. 4. and do all in His Name: He, and not the Magiſtrat, maketh Lawes Abſolutely and Primarily oblieging to the Church and Church-Officers, and therefore is He called the Lawgiver, Iſai. 33:22. Iam. 4:12: He, and not the civil Magiſtrat, will call Church-Rulers to their final Accompt; An Accompt they muſt give, Hebr. 13:17. & to whom but to Him that gave them Commiſſion, and is Iudge? Iſai. 33:22: And in recognition of all this, the Apoſtle Paul acknowledgeth that the Lord Jeſus, and not the civil Magiſtrat, Giveth Miniſterial Power and Authority, 2 Cor. 10:8. and 2 Cor. 13, 10: And becauſe of this, they are called the Miniſters of Chriſt, 1 Cor. 4: 1. and Ambaſſaders for Chriſt, 2 Cor. 5:20. and not of, or for the Magiſtrat, as now the King termeth the Prelats Our Bishops: His Servants they are, & therefore should not be Pleaſers of Man, nor of the Magiſtrat, Gal. 1:10. as they ought to be, if he gave them Commiſſion: If the Magiſtrat, as ſuch, be Head of the Church, and Fountain of Church Power and Government, I would gladly know, how or whence the Apoſtles, their Succeſſors and others in the Miniſtery, had power to Teach or Govern the Church, when there was no Chriſtian Magiſtrat to derive Power to them? Or whether they had any Power at all, or were but Uſurpers? Or what the Church shall do for Power when the Magiſtrat is Heathen, Antichriſtian, or a Woman, Child, a Fooll, a Tyrant, or Heretick, &c. Shall the Church all this time want a Head? Or shall the Body of Chriſt, have a Pagan-Head? Shall a Woman, who muſt not ſpeak in the Church, be Head of the Church? shall a child or Idiot, who cannot Govern themſelves, have the External Regulation of the Church? Or shall Cruell Tyrants, who oppreſs or deſtroy the Common-wealth, and Bodies of men, have the Regulation of the Church, & of the Souls of men? We may then go to the Pope, the Turk, the wild Indian-Infidels and Savages, for a Head to the Church before She want; for what…ver belongeth to one man, as a Magiſtrat, belongeth to all Magiſtrats: But we will hold us content with the Head, Ieſus Christ, which the Father hath given us.

Now from this, that Church-Power and Government are thus diſtinct from the Civil, and that Jeſus Chriſt and not the Magiſtrat, is Author and Fountain thereof, it evidently followeth, that it is not Subordinat to the Magitrat. It is true, that the Magiſtrat hath much Power Objectively Eccleſiaſticall, and that Church Officers, as Subjects, are subject to him; yet Eccleſiaſtical Power it-ſelf, is not Properly Subordinat to the Civil. This will the more appear, not only becauſe it is not Derived from the Magiſtrat, as the Head or Fountain thereof, nor is Exerced in his Name, but alſo if we conſider, that Proper Subordination, is only in things flowing from the ſame Fountain, and of the ſame Nature, whereas civill and Ecceſiaſticall Powers are neither from the ſame Immediat Fountain (if the one be from Iehovah Eſſentially conſidered, and as great Lord Creator and Gubernator of the World, the other from the Lord Redeemer, Head and King of his Church) nor yet are they of the ſame, but different Natures, as is ſaid before: Again, if it were properly Subordinat to the civil Power, then the Magiſtrat himſelf, might Exerce all Eccleſiaſticall Acts, in the Adminiſtration of Word and Sacraments, as well as of Juriſdiction; for as nor aſon can be adduced, why He may Inſtitute or Alter Church Government or Officers, or Exerce the External Regulation thereof, which will not by parity of ſtrength infer his Exercing Acts of Order; So, every Superior Power including all the Inferior. He may as well Exerce all Eccleſiaſtical Power, as civil, if the One be Subordinat to the Other: And further, the Magiſtrat himſelf, as a Chriſtian, is but a Member of the Church, and Subject to Church-Government and Diſcipline, though it should not be practiſed, except for moſt weighty Cauſes, in great neceſſity, and with ſingular Prudence, and all due Reſpect and Reverence to Civil Authority, and the Perſon therewith veſt…d; and accordingly many Magiſtrats have been cenſured: Yea in ſome caſes, as if the Magiſtrat should unjuſtly forbid to Preach, Baptiſe, Ordain, Deprive, Excommunicat &c. the Church may Exerce Church Power without and againſt His conſent, which She could not do, if it were Subordinat to him. I know there are many clamours of the Abſurdity and Inconſiſtency of two Collateral and Co-Ordinat Supream Powers and Governments in one Kingdom; And indeed that Abſurdity and Inconſiſtency may hold true, of two Supream Collaterall and Co-Ordinat Powers ejuſdem Generis, but not in this caſe where they are diverſi generis: Yea of their own Natures, they are ſo far from being hurtful, that, being rightly mannaged, they are ſingularly helpfull to one another: Neither can theſe two Powers and Governments in a Land, import now under the New Testament greater abſurdity and Inconſiſtancy, then under the Old, when the Jewes had their Eccleſiaſtical Sanedrin, as well as civil Courts for the affairs of the Commounwealth. Hence alſo it followeth, that as Eccleſiaſtical Power is not Subject to the civil; So, in matters Eccleſiaſtical, there should be no Appellation from the Church to the civil Magiſtrat: For though when Church Judicatories, without their ſphere, meddle in civil Cauſes as ſuch, or, for Eccleſiaſtical offences, inflict civil Punishments, they may be Declined as Judges Incompetent in the one caſe, & complaint of an unjuſt or Heterogeneous Sentence is lawful in the other; & though the Magiſtrat, before He adde his Ratification, may require a Reaſon of Eccleſiaſticall proceedings, or, in caſe of an injuſt Sentence, may deſire the Church to conſider the matter again; & the Church i… bound thus to give a Reaſon, or Conſider the matter, eſpecially in a degenerat or declining time of the Church, when more is permitted to the Faithful Magiſtrat, then otherwiſe; Yet there can be no Appellation from the Church to the Magiſtrat in Eccleſiaſtical Cauſes & Sentences: Not only becauſe all Appellations are from the Inferior to the Superior in Eodem genere, but the Church and State are not ſuch, as is cleared before; but alſo becauſe the Church is indued with Compleat Power of Cognoſcing & Final determining Eccleſiaſtical affairs, without dependance upon the State, and theſe Determinations, being Juſt, the Lord hath promiſed to Ratify, Mat. 18:18. And the Magiſtrat, having no Formal Church Power, cannot pronounce Eccleſiaſtical Sentence, or make Redreſs by Himſelf, & ſo the Appellation is in vain. Pauls Appealing to Caeſar, Act. 25:11. will not help this weak cauſe; For He did not appeal in an Eccleſiaſtical cauſe, from an Eccleſiaſtical Court, to a Court of another Nature, but in a matter of alleaged Sedition, from Feſtus an Inferior Magiſtrat to Caeſar the Supream. Neither is the Inſtance of Ieremy ſtronger then the former (Ier. 26:8.9. &c) for there is no mention of His appealing from the Prieſts to the Magiſtrat, but of his Apology before the Princes, who came to hear the matter, and their Voluntary delivering him from the Uniuſt perſecution of the Prieſts and Prophets, who were not competent Judges of Life and Death. Neither is the Exception of the Difference betwixt a Heathen and Chriſtian Magiſtrat more Valid in this matter; for (beſids all that is before ſaid) in the old Teſtament, the Government of the Church was Committed to Church-Officers, even when the Magiſtrat was Religious, and why not in the New? The Government of the Church is not committed to them, becauſe the Magiſtrat is Heathen, or upon Temporary, but upon other Moral and Immutable grounds, & therefore should not be taken from them when he becometh Chriſtian: It is ſure, that the Church had power given unto Her to Govern Herſelf, when the Magiſtrat was Heathen, now when and where is that Power Repealed? If Church-Govenment belong to the Christian Magiſtrat, then it is either as Magiſtrat or as Chriſtian, if as Magiſtrat or as Chriſtian, then (according to the known maxime) it belongeth to Every Magiſtrat, and ſo to the Heathen, and to Every Chriſtian, both which are falſe: Was the Magiſtrat no Magiſtrat or Incompleat, when (being Heathen) he did not meddle with Church Government? or did the Church Uſurp and Rob the Heathen Magiſtrat of that Power, in the Apoſtles dayes, and 2 or 300 years after? Shall the Church, by the promiſe of Nurſing Fathers, have leſs Power and Priviledge, or be in worſe Condition, by a Chriſtian then Heathen Magiſtrat? And how vain i… the Diſtinction of Outward Regulation of the Church, and Inward, (for that muſt be the other terme) for the Inward Regulation thereof belongs incontrovertibly to Jeſus Chriſt, and if the Magiſtrat hath the Outward, what is left to the Church? Theſe things, which, had they been formally digeſted, would have been more clear and convincing, are only thus confuſedly and abruptly hi…ted: nor should I have ſaid ſo much, if (beſids the Eraſtian Spirit, which, more then ever, doth now rage) ſome Parliamentary and Council-Expreſſions, and aggreeable practices, had not given occaſion. Whether it be Primitive or not, let the Reader Judge, but ſure I am, the Kings Government of the Church and State; Charles, &c. Supream Governor in all cauſes as well Eccleſiaſticall as Civil; The Bishops ſerving the King in the Church, is neither Scriptural nor Safe Dialect. Him they may ſerve, and Whether or How, Time will tell; but well know I, whom they do not ſer…e in the Church: and indeed it is proper, that they who are there, only by the Will of Man, should only ſerve Man. His Commiſſioners they are, and accordingly Sharp hath depoſed ſome Miniſters by Vertue of the Power which he hath from his Majeſty, and therefore they can expect no greater Aſſiſtance, Bleſſing or Reward then he can give; But yet there is a great…r to whom they muſt give an Accompt.

Having (beyond my firſt intention) detained Thee longer, then perhaps was Neceſſary, or will be Profitable or Pleaſant, Thow may'ſt now ſpeak with the Deduction, which is of age, & able to anſwere for itſelf, if according to the Patience, Learning & Juſtice of many, thow do not Refute and condemn before thow know it; or brandish big words, as he who upon a Coronation-day, offereth duell to all who queſtion the Kings Right, when he knoweth, that (for Major Vis) none dare appear in the contrary. But in the paſſing take a word of the National Covenant, the Solemn League and Covenant, and Solemn Acknowledgment of Sins and Engagement unto Duties, that at one view, thow may'ſt ſee Scotlands Engagements and Breaches, the Faithfulneſs of many, & flood of Sin and Suffering that hath overflowed the Land: Here is the Terminus a Quo and ad Quem of our Backſliding, whereof, though the moſt ſkilled Artiſt cannot pourtray to the life the whole body (the form is ſo monſtruous & Complexion ſo ſtrange) he may well darkly repreſent ſome Lineaments of fingers and toes, that the reader may know Ex ungue leon…m; yet the Author hath nervouſly aſſerted the Truth, and drawn matters of Fact, with ſuch True Collours, that he can only be accuſed for a Picture fairer then the live-face of many Perſons & Actions. To winde up all, be not diſcouraged upon the one hand nor inſult upon the other, by the Death of many Mighty men of God, Co-workers and Eye witneſſes of his Work, within theſe few years paſt, and the ſtripling-ſtature of many ſurvivers, who have not attained unto the dayes of the years of the life of their Fathers, and (being but of yeſterday) can know little of the Lords ancient kindneſs to the Land, except what th…ir Fathers have told them: For as he hath reſerved a numerous remnant of Holy, Learned, and Faithful men, a rich cluſter wherein there is a bleſſing, and we have reaſon to bleſs Him who gave not our Church dry breaſts & a miſcarrying womb; ſo he can make the barren bear ſeven, & become a Joyful mother of many Children, and as he hath work for them, will raiſe up both Shepherds and Principal men. It is true, alas! there is grown up a moſt degenerat Off-ſpring of all Qualities, ſome whereof (and not the meaneſt) being as profane as Machiavel, who teacheth Rulers to keep promiſe and Oath no longer, then with pretended advantage they can break, and that it is a prejudice to be Really Religious, but not ſo honeſt as He, who notwithſtanding affirmeth a Neceſſity of Seeming to be Religious, which they are not, accompt no man to be a Man, who, by Whoring, Swearing, Drinking & Spending all or more then they have, do not claſs themſelves into their new Profane Orders, & become as Carteſian in their Religion, by Atheiſtical doubtings & diſputings about God, the Holy Scripturs, Heaven, Hell, &c. as others are in their Philoſophy. But here is an Advantage, that by Diſcovery, and diſtinguishing betwixt the precious and the vile, the Lord hath made this Defection contribut more to the Facility (as well as Neceſſity) of a future Purgation of the Church, then all her Judicatures could ever effectuat without it. And further, as he hath fruſtrated many chief Authors and Promotters thereof of their Hopes and Deſigns, and called Nobles, Prelats and others to an accompt before they well taſted the expected ſweetneſs, or were warm in their Places or Promotions; So though Herod & Pilat may aggrie againſt the Innocent, yet where men are like Samſons foxes, only tied together by the tail of common Corrupt Principles, whilſt their heads, of Self Intereſt and deſigns, look different wayes, what ſuch a Poſition, Conjunction and Aſpect prognoſticateth, let Scripture, Reaſon and Experience be conſulted and they will tell. Let us not, in the meantime, miſtake Gods Work, Wayes, Doings nor Intentions, neither be envyous at evil doers, nor yet be Curious nor Anxious about futuritions, much leſs limit the Holy one, to Means, Method or Time, but bear the Indignation of the Lord becauſe we have ſinned, till he plead our cauſe, waiting upon him who is a God of Judgment, and waiteth that he may be gracious, and in patience poſſeſs our ſouls, for (though we do not) he knoweth his own thoughts toward us, it may be they are thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give an expected end, and that (when he hath ripen'd Deliverance) he will bring us forth to the Light, & we shall behold his Righteouſneſs. It is a crime of the higheſt nature with our Rulers, to complain or ſupplicat for redreſs, Others are either of deaf ears or feeble hands and cannot help, and ſeeing we can do no more for the Cauſe and Covenant of God, for our Mother-Church, the Land, Ourſelves, Our Brethren & Poſterity, let us open our cauſe to him who tryeth the Righteous. O Lord Hear, O Lord Forgive, O Lord hearken and do: Defer not for thine own ſake, O my God: For thy City and thy People are called by thy Name, AMEN.