Informations, or a protestation, and a treatise from Scotland Seconded with D. Reignoldes his letter to Sir Francis Knollis. And Sir Francis Knollis his speach in Parliament. All suggesting the vsurpation of papal bishops.

THE SECOND PART OF KIRKE GOVERNE∣MENT. CONTEINING ARE∣futation of Episcopall Governement by Lord Bishopes. (Book 2)

IT pleased our Heavenly Father to compasse us with compassion and mercy, whē we were lying in darknes, and under the shadow of death, by sen ding his owne deare Sonne Christ Ie∣sus * 1.1 with the brightnes of his Gospell, delivering us from Idolatry, and super stition, and the darknes of the former times vnder the bondage and tyranny of Antichrist, and that by the Ministe∣ry of few, not the greatest, to the great admiration of the world. And forder, of the same mercy, it hath pleased him, from time to time, to multiply the nū∣ber of the faithfull, and to increase his graces among men, for the beutifiyng of his Kirk within this land, and finally to croune his owne worke adding the

keepstone of sincerity both of doctrine and Discipline, as it was prophesied by that holy Martyr M. George Wiseheart; quhilk two glorious staues our Kirke hath brooked, with Concord, Unitie, with peace & prosperity, many yeares * 1.2 within the gates of Ierusalem in this land, wherby our Kirk, by the unspeak ble bountifulnes of God, became fa∣mous, renoumed, and in great accōpt, before many others amonge forren Nations, and Kirkes reformed in Eu∣rope. For the which belongeth everla∣sting prayse to this our boūtifull God through his Sonne Iesus Christ our deare Saviour. But now of late hath ri∣sen ane whirle wind among our selues (like the whirle winde that devoured the children of Iob) shaking the foure corners of the house of God, and thro∣wing * 1.3 doun the kepston; and this wind of discord, Schisme, and dissention, is not come from the wildernes, but risē from our owne bowels: and the riches

of the Temple dispoyled, not by Assyri ans, Chaldeans, or Arabians, but by the Preistes, and Ministers themselfes hom∣bredd, and borne in the bosome of our Kirke, and fostered sometime by the sincere milke of the Gospell, who also haue made avoumemt of the same sin∣ceritie both of Doctrine and Discipline, not only in Preaching and practising, but also with solemne Oath binding themselfes therto. From quhilk an ma∣nifest slyding backe, and Apostasie is seene this day, & lamented with greiff by the godly, and mocked be the ene∣myes the Papists and Atheists, whose number, strength, and power, daylie in cresseth by this lamentable renting, & inbringing of Episcopall Gubernation be Lord Bishops, quhilk before had ben ba∣nished with Antichristian corruptions from the Kirk of Scotland. For the wor∣king of this Mysterie many intentions haue bene proponed, many sheapes, & cullours haue bene changed. As for

example in the begining nothing (for such) was meened but Ministers to haue vote in Parliament, and that to vindicat the Ministerie from povertie and cōtempt &c. quhilk practise God even then at the begining, discovered unto his servantes, and they unto the world, foretelling the effectes that vi∣sibly now appeares before the (eyes of the world: viz. renting of our Church overthrowing of Christian Discipline, setting up a fewe Episcopall men, with contempt, bondage, and povertie of the rest: which this day is to be seene, to the great greife of the godly, and hinderance of the Gospell hereby day lie falling to decay, much a doe also hath ben for making of a constant mo∣deratorin every part, which caried but a show for a time, and to be away on∣ly to posses Bishops, with parpetuall do∣mination, quhilk also by the godly, and learned was discovered, and abhorred, knawing that of old frō the same prac∣tise,

haue proceeded the degrees of Ro∣mane Primacie, defacing and overthro∣wing the true Government of Christ his Church.

Atlast, after many overshadowing clouds, the effect and operation of this worke hath broken through the cloud with thunder flacks striking upon god ly, sincere, Teachers of this land. The end of all is: The Altar of Conformitie must be set up, and Kirke Governement must be turned over into the hands of Lord Bishops, supportters of the Altar etc: Which kind of Governement if it be lawfull, or can stand with the word of God, that we haue to examine in this part. In the former part the order and Forme of true christian Discipline, with Duties, Offices & Ministeries, accor∣ding to the Institution of Christ, hath ben declared, by the cleare, and sound groundes of the word: which govern∣ment, offices, and Ministeries thereof, we haue demonstrat to be perpetuall,

sufficient, and to haue continuance to the glorious comming of Christ Iesus. Now this part shall conteine a Refuta∣tion of the contrarie Gorvernement by Lord Bishops & their Episcopall Domina∣tion: insisting upon the same grounds, layd doun afore, and thus we proceid.

Whatsoevir is contrarie to the Instituti∣of Christ & his wrettin word, is An∣tichristian, and is to be banished out of the Kirk of God.

But Governement by Lord Bishopps with Episcopall domination is contra¦rie to the Institution of Christ and his written word.

Therefore it is Antichristian, and is to be banishit out of the Kirk of God.

The Proposition can not be deny∣ed by faithfull Christians: the word of God being of absolute perfection, both for substance and Ceremonies: against the which no exception can be made except by Atheists, or Papistes, holding the Pope of Rome may dispēce

with the word, or equalling his tradi∣tions with the word. The controversie therefore staudeth in the Assumption, whether the Governement of the Kirke apperteineth to Lord Bishops or not, & whither to Lord Bishops apperteineth a Lordly Domination? Quhilk both to be contrary to the word of God, thus we proue.

The first proufe doth arise from the Examination of the right use of the name Bishope, which against the minde of Scripture is abused, making it a nāe of speciall office with a speciall digni∣tie, prerogatiue & Prelacie aboue the rest of the disposers, and Teachers of the word, appropriating unto Bishops Lordship, or Lordly domination, making Prelats of Pastors, and Princes of Prelats.

The name of Bishop (EPISCOPOS) signifieth as touching this Argument, ane Inspector or Overseer, caring for thē, that are committed to his charge: Qu∣hilk name is commō to all Pastors, Doc∣tors,

or Teachers, and Elders in the Kirk: As is evident by expresse Scripture in these places following. The Apostle Paul sending for the Elders of the Kirk of Ephesus Act. 20. ver: 17. And speaking to the same Elders he cales thē Bishops. Take heed thersore to your selues, and to all the flocke whairof the holy Ghost hath made you overseers (EPISCOPOVS) to feade the Kirke of God. Marke (faith Ierom) how calling the Elders of one Citie of Ephesus, he intituleth the same men Bishops.

In like manner the Apostle Peter ca. 5. v. 1. 2. useth the same word, speaking to the Teachers & Rulers of the Kirk, Feed the flocke of God (saith he) quhilk de∣pendeth upon you caring for it, or (accor∣ding to the originall) Episcopountes, that is, doing the parte of ane Overseer, or Bishop being common to Pastors, As may further appeare by these places, Phil: 1. 1. Tit: 1. 5. 7. & 1. Tim: 3. 1. 2. Frō quhilk places these conclusions are ne∣cessarily inferred. 1. The name of Bi∣chop being common to Pastors, Tea∣chers,

and Rulers, it is not to be appro∣priate to any one with title power, or prerogatiue aboue the rest.

2 Here is restrayned the function and charge of these Overseers to one flocke over quhilk the Holy Ghost hath pla∣ced them; Therefore presumption it is against the holy Ghost, to a Bishope for to claime the charge of many Kirkes, & over many Bishops, or Pastors, and he not resident at one Kirke: as the mi∣serable abuse and practise is begun in this Realme.

The Second proufe: The Scripture hath disposed & distributed by Christ his Institution, the Regiment of the Kirk, and offices, and Ministeries ther∣of to Pastors, Doctors, and Elders, ma∣king no mention of speciall offices, ti∣tles, or dignities, of Papal Bishops, (so cal led by his Maiestie Basil: dor: pag 44.) or Prelats &c. Therfore the Regiment of the Kirk, cannot be claimed by Papal Bishopes or Prelates by Scripture, or by

Christ his Institution, and so the usur∣pation of Papal Bishops and Prelats in the Kirk Governement must be Anti∣christian. The first part is evident, and cleare deducit in the former parte of this Treatise out of scriptutes, wherein is expressed the Institution of the fore∣sayd offices and Ministeries of Pastors, Doctors, and Elders. Wherupon the other part touching Papal Bichops with their titles, dignities, and prerogatiues &c. Hes this cleare inference, that they are not warranted by scripture, as sayd is. For if there were any sick Bishops, or Prelates with office, Titles, power, and dignities aboue the rest, then the scripture would haue set them downe more distinctly, and precisely, than a∣ny of the rest; for the hieer place that one occupieth in the kirk, of the more necessity he is vnto the Kirk, & for this cause the more carefull would Christ (the Head of the Kirke) haue bene in poynting him out, and distinguishing

him from other.

We see in the Old Testament, the High Preist, his Title, Office, Function, and speciall Administration, and ju∣ris diction, is more particularly, and pre cisely set downe, than the Office of a∣ny of the inferior Preists, and Levites.

And so in the New Testament, if a∣ny such had bene aboue the rest, their title, power, dignitie, and office more particularly & precisly had ben poyn∣ted out, then of Pastors, Teachers, and Elders &c: But the contrary we see in scripture; wherein the offices, Ministe∣ries and power of Pastors, Teachers, & Elders is clerely set furth. But no sick thing of Papal, Bishops, Prelats, and the rest of that order. Therefore can these no wayes stand with scripture.

3. Quhilk forder is to be cleared by examinyng, and trying the Titles, Dig∣nities, and Domination of Papal Bischops, Prelates &c: Who following the Romāe Antichrist, claime to themselues a two∣fold

power, Civill, and Ecclesiasticall; quhilk are the two Hornes of the Secund Beast, Apoc: 13. 11. As some good Di∣vines do expond. Quhilk both powers by the devise of Satan, as two swords, haue served the Pope of Rome that An∣tichrist, to tread doun, the greatest po∣wers on earth of Emperors, Kings, and Princes, and dayly doth serue for the suppressing of the truth, and faithfull professors of the same. From that Anti∣christ, this mysterie of iniquitie hath flowed to Cardinals, Arch-bishops, and the rest of that disordered order &c. Against this injquity, thus we cōclud.

Whosoever doth participat with the An∣tichrist in usurping a Civil power, and practising the same in the Kirk direct∣ly against the word, and Institution of Christ, they are of that Antichrist, and there vsurpation Antichristian.

But Papal Bishops and Prelates in the Kirk vsurps Civil power, directly a∣gainst the word & Institutiō of Christ.

Therefore so doing they are of that An∣tichrist, and their vsurpation Anti∣christian.

The proofe of the Assumption (quhilk the adversaries deny) is playne be evi∣dent Scripture, as followeth.

1 Our Master & Saviour Christ spea∣king unto his Disciples, contending for honor among themselues, saith: Ye know that the Lords of the Gentles haue do∣mination over thē, and they that are great exercise authority over them: but it shal no be so among you. Math: 20. 25. etc. Mar: 10. 42. Luc: 22. 25. etc. In quhilk words expresly he forbiddeth, his Apostles, Lordly, or Princely Domination, put∣ting ane barr and evident difference, betwixt Civil, & Spirituall power: she∣wing expresely by this interdiction, these two powers so to be differēt that they cannot meet in one person what∣soever. Quhilk ground hath bene al∣wayes as ane strong wall against the Pope and Bishops of Rome, exercising

both the powers, whereupon Barnard speaketh thus boldly to Pope Eugeni∣us: Lordship is forbiden unto the Apostles: Therefore darest thou being a Lord vsurpe Apostleship, or Apostolicall vsurpe Lordship. Thou art plainely barred from both. If thou wilt haue both, thou shalt lose both. Barnar. lib: 2. de conside. cap: 4. For it is not con∣venient (saith Ambrose) that one man should haue adouble profession.

2 Christ saith, My kingdome is not of this world, Ioh: 18. 36. Christ refused to ac∣cept the honor of a worldly kingdom, Iohn: 6. 15. That he might admonish us, (saith Chrysostom) to cōtemne humaine dignities, & shew us that we need no word∣ly affaires. Hom: 42. in Iohan. Item Ter∣tull: de Idolat. cap. 8. Christ hath mani∣fested that the glorie of the world is not cō∣petent to him selfe, and his. How may thē a Bishop, or Minister accept that ho∣nor quhilk his Master hath refused. For no servant is aboue his Master Math. 10. 24.

3. Christ being requyred in partiti∣on

of an heritage betwixt brethren, re∣fuseth flatly to be Iudge, saying, who made me Iudge or devider, over you? For this same cause Christ, as Minister of the Gospell, refuseth to condemne the Adulteresse woman, what presumpti∣on is it then to our Papal Bishops, to exercise ane Lordly authority and Ci∣vil power in judging upon matters ci∣vil, criminall & treasonable, in Court, or Parliament, Secrete Counsell, con∣ventiōs of Estate, in Courts of Stenar∣trie & Regalitie upon wrongs & inju∣ries of bloud, infestments of land, &c. as the practise be Papal Bishops is be∣gune in this Realme. Quhilk can no wayes be compitent to the Disciples, Ministers and servants of Christ Iesus, quhilk the Master Christ Iesus hath for saken. Therefore this usurpation must be of the Antichrist. Hilarius ad Auxent. I pray you (Bishopps) who beleiue these thinges, what votes had the Apostles to preach the Evangel? With what Com∣missions

were they authorized, when they preached Christ and converted almost all the Gentles from Idols to God? Singing an Himne to God in prison among chaines, & after whippes tooke they any dignity from the Pallace? They will not shew where any of the Apostles sat at any time as iudge of men, or divider of bounds, or distributer of landes. To cōclude, Ireade that the Apostles stood to be iudged; that they sat in iudgmēt I doe not reade. Barnard de consid: lib. 2.

4. The whole charge of the Minister of the Gospell is restrayned to the cō∣tinuall exercise of ane spiritual calling, and Ministerie only. 1. Tim: 4. 13. etc: 2. Tim: 2. 3. 4. et 4. 1. 2. &c: and therfore not onely Civill Domination, but all handling also and medling with secu∣lar and worldly affaires is contrary un∣to this charge. Chrysost: Hom: 11. ad Eph. 4. Doctrine by Sermons is commended un∣to us, not rule or the authority of ruling.

5. No man (saith the Apostle) that war reth, intangleth himselfe, with the affaires

of this life, because he would please him that hath chosen him to be a souldiour. 2. Tim: 2: 4. Hiercm expoūding this place concludeth: Much more ought we to be free from worldly businesses that we may please Christ. Ambrose addeth ane cleare distinction of the functions and cause thereof; Let a Minister approue himselfe to God that devoted to him, he may fulfil his Ministery which he hath undertaken being careful in Gods matters & free from world∣ly busines. For it is not convenient that one man should haue a double profession.

6 For this purpose serues whatsoever is writtē in scripture anent the calling, office, and exercise of the Ministery of the word, the greatnes thereof, and the necssitie injoyned to Ministers to Preach the Gospell continually: In so much that the Apostle sayth, Wo be to me, if I preach not the Evangell. 1. Cor: 9: 16. Hence it is, that the manifold due∣tyes of the Ministers of the Evangell are declared by similitudes of worke∣men

in the Vineyards, of husband men, of builders, of souldiers, and watchmen, and other such importing continuall labor, paines and travell, Math: 9. 38. & 10. 10. 2. Tim. 2. 15.

7. Some of the ancient Councellers also haue taken a streait order for re∣straint of Ecclesiasticall persons from handling or medling with any secular honor or affaires: The fourth Oecume∣nical or vniversal councel holden at Chal cedon 450. yeares after Christ his birth where were assembled 630. Bishopps, forbiddeth expresly ane Minister, or Ecclesiasticall person, upon paine of Excommunication, to resaue any se∣cular honor, Concil. Chalced: Can: 7. In like manner in the same Councel, it is more particularly decided, and precise ly decreed, Concil: Chalced. Can. 3. That no clarke or any bearing spirituall function, should undergoe so much as the Tutership, or curatrie of one Orphan: Quhilk decree seameth to be very precise and strait

against ane naturall duty and charity. Yet the spirit of God hath directed the Councell be the light of the truth to keepe rightly the distinction that is betwixt Civil and Ecclesiasticall office and function; holding fast the grounds of scripture afore alleadged. And for this cause it is decreed in an other coū sell, that a Bishope should only attend unto Prayer, reading, and preaching. Con∣cil: Carth: 4: cap: 20. Thus much for overthrowing the first Horne of the Beast, to witt, Civilpower, usurped by Prelates and Bishops. &c.

Now let us assay the force & strength of the Second Horne, of spirituall po∣wer and Iurisdiction, quhilk Prelates and Bishops, following in this also the Antichrist, usurp aboue the disposers of the mysteries of Christ, Pastors, Mini∣sters; and Teachers &c and not over one Kirk alone, but over many in one, or moe Dioceses, quhilk injquity hath flowed also frō the Antichrist of Rome,

and thence is derived to the Orders of his Cleargie; Archbishopes, Bishops, Arch-Deanes, Deanes, &c. setting up, by the devise of Satan, ane Hierarchie, that is, a Spirituall principalitie in the Kirke of God, overthrowing altogither the Or∣dināce of Christ Iesus in ordering his Kirke officers (whairof hath bene spo∣ken more at large in the first Treatise) and in place thereof; intruding upon the Kirk Satanicall, and Antichristian, de∣vises, and Traditions: whereupon this conclusion groweth like unto the for∣mer.

Whosoever leaving the Institution of Christ expressed in his word, vsurpe spirituall authoritie and iurisdiction togither with civil power in the Kirk, They communicate with Antichrist, and their usurpation is Antichristian;

But Papal Bishops, and Prelates practise this Antichristian iniquitie, against the Institution of Christ & his word:

Therefore they communicate with the

Antichrist, and the practise and usur∣pation is Antichristian.

The Assumption we haue to proue: Quhilk is playne by scripture expresly condemning in Ministers of the word, both civil power, (as we heard before) and spirituall authority or power, a∣boue the rest of the Ministers and dis∣posers of the word, as inferiors to thē. Quhilk we proue, as followes.

1. Christ comming into the world, & taking upō him the shape, or forme of ane servant, Philip. 2. 7. witnesseth that he as Minister of the Gospell, cam not to be served, but to serue. Math: 20: 28. and no servant is aboue his Master. Math: 10. 24.

2. Christ recommending to his Dis∣ciples humilitie, with Paritie and equa litie, expresly forbiddeth among them Superioritie or Domination. Math: 20. 25. etc. and 23. 8. 11. Marke. 10. 43. etc. Luc. 22. 25. etc.

3. Christ giveth unto his Apostles &

Disciples, alike, the Keyes of the king∣dome of heaven, and they resaue alike power, Math: 18. 18. Ioh: 20. 23.

4. The Disciples and Apostles obser∣ving their Masters command, equall themselues, not one clayming superi∣oritie, or Primacie aboue the rest: but all professing equalitie, call them selfe servantes. 2. Cor: 4. 5. Ministers and Di∣spensators. 1: Cor: 4. ver: 1. 5. Messengers, 2: Cor: 5. 20. etc. And no place there is to be foūd, whair they are called, Princes, Lords, or by any such name soūding to superiority, or dominatiō, in any wise.

5. The practise of the Apostles sen∣ding by like authoritie Peter, and Iohn, as Messengers, and erand bearers to Sa∣maria, Act: 8. 14. Quhilk the Apostles wald never haue cōmanded, if Christ had not given them a like power, nei∣ther, Peter (whom some make to be Prince of the Apostles) would haue o∣beyed, if Christ had given him Prima∣cie, or Superioritie aboue the rest.

6. Peter himselfe disclaiming all such Primacie and Superioritie, equaleth himselfe with the Ministers & Elders of Kirke, calling himselfe fellow Elder. 1. Pet: 5: 1. expresly forbidding Mini∣sters and Elders, to take domination as Lords, aboue the heritage of God: ver. 3.

7. The Apostle Iohn sharply cheeketh and rebooketh Diotrephes clayming to him prioritie or preferment aboue the rest. Iohn Epist. 3. ver: 9 10.

8. Against the spirituall superioritie of Papal Bischops doe serue all those places afore cited; wherein the name, power, office, properties, and dueties of a Bishope, are communicate with Pastors, Teachers, and Elders. Act: 20. 17. 1. Pet: 5. 2. Phil: 1. 1. Tit: 1. 5. 7. 1, Tim: 3. 2. 3. 4. &c. Quhilk places are plane, pi∣thie & sufficient alone, to overthrowe, pretended prioritie of Papal Bishopps, Praelates. &c.

With scripture agreeth learned and sinceire Antiquity in ancient Christi∣an

Kirkes, wherof we shall bring a few for exemple, speaking most clerely in this purpose.

Cyprian lib: de simplicit: praelat: The of∣fice of a Bishop is one and vndivided, parte whereof is absolutly held of every Bishop. Idem. Cypr: lib. Epist: 3. Every Bishop doth rule and governe his owne portion of the Lords flocke, being to give an account of his doings to God.

Athanasius Epist. ad Liberium Epis∣cop: Romanum. All the blessed Apostles were indued with the fellowship of equall honour and power.

Chrysost: Hom: 43. in Math: What Bishop soever shall desire primacy in earth, shall finde confusion in heaven, and he, who shall covet to be first, shall not be in the nū∣ber of Christ his servantes.

Hieron, in Epist: ad Evagrium: Where soever a Bishop shall be, either at Rome, or Evgubium, or Constantinoble, or Rhegium, he is of the same worth, and of the same preisthood. Idem. ad Tit: cap: 1. After

the age of the Apostles one of the Bishops was set aboue the rest, whom they peculiar∣ly called a Bishop. But this was rather by cu∣stome, than by the truth of the Lords dispo∣sing. That it may further appeare even by Hierom himselfe, that the usurpati∣on of Papal Bishops prevayled by cu∣stome against the truth, marke well what he writeth vpon Heb: 13. 17. viz: He divideth the care of the Kirke equally amongst many. In saying, obey them that are set over you.

Besides these and others a fore cited against the authority & practise of Pa∣pall Bishops, many mo testimonyes may be drawne out of the same Fa∣thers, and Doctors, with others also of the same judgmēt, quhilk are alledged be menteners of Christian Discipline, against authority of Papal Bishops: as out of Cyprian. lib3: Epist: 10. 14. 27. Ter∣tullian, de Ieiun August: lib: 19. cap: 19. de Civitate Dei. Item lib: de opere Monach: Hierom, ad Oceanum et in Tit: 1. Ambrose

lib: Epist: 5. et 33. Chrysost: hom: 2: in epist: ad Philip: Hilar: adver: Constan. Nazian: orat: ad Maxim: Bernard: de consid: lib: 2. ad Evgenium Papam.

For this same purpose are alledged some testimonies of Councels, as Car∣thage, Chalcedon, Constan: &c.

Siclik against the authority and prac tise of Papal Bishops do witnes all Protestant Kirkes in France, Helvetia, Polo∣nia, Hungaria, Bohemia, &c. and in any Nation truly professing the Gospel in all the world, onely England excepted.

And among the late writers, the most learned and notable professors, defenders of the truth against the Ro∣māe Antichrist; all writing against the Lordly usurpation of Civil and spiritu∣all power in Ecclesiasticall persons, as may be seene by their severall writ∣tings, Lastly out of English writers, evē some of them of the other side, matter may be fetched, against the Lordship of Papal Bishops, Iewel, in defen: Apolog:

adversus Harding page 714. D: Bilson in his Booke in quarto page 126. D: Brid∣ges, of the Prince Supremacy, page 926. M. Elmar Bishop of London, in his book printed at Straesborogh. See a Petition directed to Her Maiestie. pa. 7. 8. 9. quhilk we bring to proue rheir consent, and witnessing unto the truth. Although as Cyprian sayth, Humane testimonies are not to be expected, when Divine suffrages goe before. Cyprian Epist: 5. lib: 2.

As for objections in the contrary, what can be moved to moue any of the simplest against such cleare light of holy scripture, and so many testimo nies of Divine writers? As for the new obtruded Lord Bishops to the Kirk of this Realme, we haue not heard much of their reasoning as yet, for their part only shreuding them selfe by authori∣ty and arme of man: whence they al∣ledge Donation with power &c. To the quhilk albeit many things may be replyed: yet we answer thus only with

the Apostle, The weapons of our warfaire are not carnall, 2: Cor: 10. 4. The abuse & present practise the more is to be lamē ted, that such injquity is done in so great light of the Gospell, after long profession of the same, that in place of light, men should imbrace darknes, & loue the honor of the world, more thā the honor of Christ Iesus, not onely comming against the truth, but also a∣gainst their owne profession & avou∣ment, having preached, and practised, the true Christian Discipline by Mini∣sters and Elders according to the word and Institution of Christ, opponing them selfes alwayes unto Antichristiā authority, & practise of Papal Bishops. Is not this to begine in the spirit, & end in the flesh? And who hath bewitched you so?

Now for conclusion: seeyng holy * 1.4 scripture, practise of the Apostolicall and Primitiue Kirk, and Christian Kir∣kes in succeeding times, the learned & sincere Antiquitie both in Councells

and by writing, with all reformed Kir∣kes, every where truely professing the Gospell, with the best of the leater writers of our time, Forrain & within this Yle, stand on our side for Kirk go∣vernement by Ministers & assisting El∣ders according to the word, against the Governement of Lord Bishops, their au∣thority & practis in the Kirk of Christ we being I say, compassed with such great cloud of witnesses, let us hold fast the true * 1.5 profession of Doctrine & Discipline ac∣cording to the word, without wave∣ring, or halting, praying continually, That the God of our Lord lesus Christ the Father of glory, might giue unto us the spi∣rit * 1.6 of wisdom, and revelation, in the acknow * 1.7 ledgment of him, strenthned with all might throw his glorious power: that we being like * 1.8 mindit having the same loue, being of one * 1.9 accord; and of the same iudgment, we may doe that which is pleasant, and acceptable in his sight, through Christ, to whom be praise for ever and ever, Amen.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Psalm 103. 4 Isai 9. 2
• * 1.2

  Zach. 11. 7 Plal, 122, 7
• * 1.3

  Iob. 1, 19,
• * 1.4

  Gal. 3. 1, 3.
• * 1.5

  Heb, 12. 1:
• * 1.6

  Eph; 1. 17
• * 1.7

  Col, 1. 11.
• * 1.8

  Philip, 2. 2
• * 1.9

  Heb, 13, 21.