The pastor and the prelate, or reformation and conformitie shortly compared by the word of God, by antiquity and the proceedings of the ancient Kirk, by the nature and use of things indifferent, by the proceedings of our ovvne Kirk, by the vveill of the Kirk and of the peoples soules, and by the good of the commonvvealth and of our outvvard estate with the answer of the common & chiefest objections against everie part: shewing vvhether of the tvvo is to be follovved by the true Christian and countrieman.

The Pastor & Prelate compared by the weale of the Kirk. and the peoples soules.

THE saeftie and good of the State vvas the maine ende of Roman policie,* 1.1 and the fun∣damentall lavv, by vvhich that people squa∣red all their other lavves, according to their ovvne Maxime:a 1.2 Let the safety of the people be the souveraigne lauv. The Kirk of Jesus Christ hath better reason to think, that the safety of the Kirk should be the rule and end of all Ecclesiasticall policie, al∣though the forme of externall Worship and of the govern∣ment of the house of God were not prescribed by the Lord himselfe in his Word, but left arbitrarie to men to be fra∣med by their Canons and Constitutions, yet this must be hol∣den as infallible. That it is the best forme of government vvhich by reason and experience is found to be best for the vveale and safety of the Kirk. Unto this generall both Pre∣late and Pastor vvill vvithout question condescend: but they differ in the particular, what this is, vvherein the good and weale of the Kirk doeth consist: For the Prelate places the weale of the Kirk in her outvvard peace and prosperitie, & thinketh the Kirk vvell constituted, and in good case, vvhen she florisheth in wealth and vvorldly dignities.

But herein he abuseth the christian World three wayes,* 1.3 First, that he measures and determines the good estate of the Kirk by her outvvard face, and not by her invvard grace, by the health of her bodye rather then of her soule, by that which is accidentall to the Kirk, and which she may ey∣ther haue or vvante, and yet continue a true Kirk, and not by that vvhi his essentiall and proper to the very nature and being of a Kirk. Secondly, that he judgeth that to be the vveale of the Kirk, vvhich hath many times proved her vvrack, being abused, as commonly it hath happened: He taketh poyson for a preservatiue, and surfett of peace and pro∣sperity, excesse of vvealth and vvorldly honours, vvhich are her deadly disease, to be her health & best constitution. Too large bestovving of riches and preferments upon the mini∣sters of the Kirk, bred that contagion vvithin her bovvels vvhich turned almost to her death in the ende: for thereby defection grevv by degrees, till ar•• st under the Man of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it came to the heigth. Thirdly, that he measures the good estate of the Kirk by himselfe, and the rest of the members of that Hierarchicall bodye, as though it vvent vvell vvith the vvhole Kirk, vvhen Bishops stand and reigne, like the Kings of the nations, and as though the ministery vve••e suf∣ficiently vindicated from poverty and contempt, vvher••tvvelue or thirteene of the number are clymed up like 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the highest places, that vvith their evill favoured mingeot•••••• they m••y moue laughter to all that beholde them from be∣lovv, or like foules flovven up to the highest roofes, shoot∣ing dovvne their filthy excrements upon the rest, that sitt in the lovver roomes. But the Pastor esteemes the good an weale of the Kirk by her spirituall estate, that is, by a sound fayth, a pure vvorship, and a holy conversation, as she stands or decayes in these, so is shee eyrher in a good consti∣tution or languishing, and as she is furnished vvith all the meanes that may preserue and increase these, so she eyther prospers or decayes. This judgment of the Pastor is groun∣ded upon verie good reasons. For upon this estate of the Kirk necessarily depends the glory of God, and salvation of

soules, which are the tvvo things that make the difference betvvixt the Kirk of God, and all other so••ieties of men in the vvorld, and therefore the Pastor hath reason to thinke, that all the riches of the earth, & all the glorie of all the king∣domes of the vvorld are not to be put in ballance vvith the glory of God, and the salvation of soules, that vvhich God vvith his ovvne bloud hath purchased and redeemed. Now vvhether the good of the Kirk in these things be better pro∣cured and preserved by the Prelate or by the Pastor, let them be typed by comparing them in the particulars follovving.

I. THE PASTOR his principall care is to preserue the puritie of doctrine in the Kirk,* 1.4 that Christs flock may be fedde with the wholesome word of life, and to oppose all contrarie and unprofitable doctrine, as poy∣sonable and pernitious to the peoples soules, and for that purpose interteyneth in weekely meetings the exercise of the word, where the doctrine delivered by one, is judged by all the rest, whether it be sound and profitable, and taketh such or∣der vvith the Papists, the greate corrupters of doctrine, and ene∣mies to the peoples soules, that eyther he converteth them, or cutteth them off from the communion of the Kirk with the spiri∣tuall sword, and exhorteth the Magistrate, to execute the lawes made against them: whereby it came to passe that contrarie do∣ctrine, and vayn and curious teaching either entred not into our Kirk, or was suddainly repressed and put to the doore, and Papi∣strie that had place before, was well nigh put out of the land.

The PRELATE hath neyther leasure nor liking to looke to such ex∣ercise, and accounts no heresie so worthy his animadversion, as the alleaged heresie of Aerius and his followers. It is manifest in historie from the be∣ginning, that the heresies that haue most endangered the Kirk, haue either beene forged by the ingines,* 1.5 or favoured and borne out by the authoritie and credit of Prelates: b and this day, diverse false and dangerous doctrines are partly vented, and partly wincked at by them: neyther thinketh he papists greate enemies to the Kirk: but as the Iewish priests entertayned the Sad∣duces, albeit enemies to true religion, and hated Christians as their deadly foes, and as the Papist can agree with the formall Protestant, but thinks the

unconformable Calvenist his irreconcileable enemie, so the Prelate could a∣gree with the common Papist for all his blaspheamous doctrine and professi∣on, because he is a friend to his Hierarchie. But the Reformed Christian, whom he calleth the Calvinist, and Puritane he can by no meanes beare, because he is professed unfriend to his Hierarchie. A Prelate as a Prelate is not opposite to the Papist, but to the Protestant.

2.* 1.6 The PASTOR knowing that a litle leaven leaveneth the whole lumpe, thinketh it dangerous for the peoples soules to borrowe eyther substance or ceremonie of religion from Antichristian corruption, and therefore warneth the people to beware of the least beginnings and appearances of evill, and while he deliberates aboute ceremonies, fittest for ordor and decencie, he intends nothing of his owne, but the edi∣fication of the kirk, and in the practise of ceremonies & circum∣stances orderly appointed, he looketh to the peace of the Kirk that it be not broken, and to the consciences of the weake, that they be not offended.

The PRELATE liketh to simbolize with Antichrist his Ceremo∣nies, putting the Papists in hope, that the bodie and substance of the•• superstition may be resumed by time, where the shadowes and ceremonie•• are so highly regarded. He intends nothing in appointing them, but the maintenance of his owne estate and dignitie, because he seeth and sayth, N•• Ceremonie no Bishop, and in practise is more earnest in urging of Ce∣remonies, then of obedience to the greatest things of the Law, & by the Ca∣nons aboute matters, which they themselues call indifferent, doth viole•••• eyther to the bodies or consciences of the people, that thinke otherwayes, & maketh them to serue as roddes to scourge and whippe out of the Kirk, and ministerie, whom and when they thinke good.

3. The PASTOR considering,* 1.7 that he is called to feede the f••ock of Christ, and to care for the peoples soules, in his en∣trie to the ministerie, will be loath to undertake a greater charg•• then he can in some measure overtake, and the lesse his charg•• is the greater is his contentment, not that he desireth to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 but to be faythfull, when he is entered he hath the work of the ministerie in singular regarde, as the most honourable and la∣borious worke that he can be employed aboute, whereof the best man is not worthy, and unto which the wole man is not sufficient, and therefore is resident among the people, serveth not by de∣puties and Suffraganes, but in his owne person, and is alto∣gether taken up with the Pastors dueties, of preaching, pray∣ing, catechising, visiting, exhorting, rebuking, comforting, &c. but labours most diligently in the word and doctrine, because fayth commeth by the Word preached.

The PRELATE intending nothing, but to feede himselfe, at

his entrie to his prelacie, he regards not so much the number of soules he should feede, as the number of chalders, the large revenues, and the great dignities he is to feede upon, and the larger his Diocie, the better for him: Hence is it, that he ascends from a Diocesan to an Archbishop, and a Primate. After he is entred he disdayneth the worke of the Ministerie, as base, and unworthy of bis grace and great Lordship, he serveth by his de∣puties and Suffraganes, and thinks it a more honourable and necessarie im∣ployment to attend and reside at Court, or at the places of civill judgment, as Councell, Session, Exchequor, and howsoever he appropriates to him∣selfe the reward of double honour due to them who labour in the word & doctrine, yet he thinkes, that he is not bounde to take the paines of that worke, unto which the double honour is annexed. So the Pastor must labour in the worke, and the Prelate must reape the reward, and which is more prejudiciall to the peoples soules, he maintayneth that learned & qua∣lified preachers are not so necessarie in congregations, as Curats and Rea∣ders, that there is too much preaching, and too litle reading and praying, meaning nothing els but their confused Leitourgie.

4. The PASTOR dare not do harme to the peoples soules,* 1.8 because he is subject both in calling and conversation to the di∣scipline of the Kirk, which stryketh upon the Pastor, as well as upon the people, and to bring the transgressers to repentance, he sitteth with his brethren in session, presbyterie & assembly, admi∣nistring the holy discipline holily, that is, in sinceritie & faythful∣nesse, without prejudice or partiality, and never ceasing, till the scandall be removed, the Kirk be purged, and the offender (if it be possible) be wonne unto God, and all this, as being Christs owne worke, he doeth with Christs owne weapons, that is with the spirituall sword of the word, which is mightie through God to subdue every thing exalting it selfe against God, and to bring sinners to repentance.

The PRELATE may doe what harme he will for his owne tyran∣nicall custome and prastise, but not by any law eyther of Kirk or state, he exempteth himselfe in respect of his Episcopall administration, and as he is a Prelate from all censure, and scorneth to submitte him∣selfe to any Ecclesiasticall judicature, albeit the chiefe Apostles sub∣mitted themselues unto the Kirk, and albeit there be no subject in a Kingdome of whatsoever qualitie or condition, but in every respect he is under the controulement of some judicature in the Land where he liveth. And as he is thus singularly lawlesse of himselfe, so pretending the sole power of proceeding to belong to him by vertue of his place and office, he sweyeth the course of discipline, as best pleaseth his Lordship, processes be∣gu••ne for trying of slanders, if the partie never so wicked haue Argument of weight for my Lord or his Receaver, are inconti∣nently by the Word of his Monarchicall authoritie stricken dead.

Hereby it commeth to passe, that where prelates rule, sinne reigneth, and the nearer the Bishops wings, the greater libertie for sinne, as is seene in their owne houses and traynes. And for this reason is it, that both Atheists and Papists like the Episcopall discipline, better then the pastorall, which they call straytelaced, because it troubleth their corruption, whereas the o∣ther layeth the reynes upon their neck. And if the Prelate happen to pro∣ceede against offenders, his discipline consists not so much in spirituall cen∣sure, as in worldly power and civill punishment, as fining, confining, im∣prisoning &c. which haue no power to worke upon the consciences of sin∣ners to bring them to repentance, which is most proper for the preachers of the Gospell, and the chiefe ende of Kirk discipline.

5. The PASTOR for the good of the Kirk,* 1.9 is desirous, that the assemblies of the Kirk, provinciall and nationall, be often holden and well kept, knowing how necessarie they are for re∣dressing things amisse, for fulfilling things omitted, and for pre∣venting evils that are like to ensue: and when the assemblie is convened he carrieth himselfe toward his brethren, as toward the servants of Christ, and collegues of equall authoritie, none presu∣ming to any place or preheminence, though of order onely, and not of power, without the calling and consent of his fellow bre∣thren. There every one hath libertie to utter his minde, & every one is ready with the gift that God hath giuen him, as the diverse members of one body, for the good of the whole Kirk: meeke Moses and burning Elias, Esay with his trumpet, and Aaron with his belles, Bonaerges and Barionah, the sonne of thunder, and the sonne of the doue, all moved by one spirit, with mutuall respect, reverence, and brotherly loue, joyne together in one conclusion, and if at any time they be of different judgements, they are not suddaine and summar in concluding things of importance, that concerne the whole, but that all may be done with uniforme con∣sent, after the example of the Apostles Acts 15, the conclusion is delayed, till all objections be satisfyed, and God giue greater light to such as are otherwise minded, and so to the greate good of the Kirk, both peace and trueth are preserved.

The PRELATE is as averse from a free assembly, as the Pope is from a free Generall councall, and therefore will eyther haue none at all, or will haue them so slavish, as if they were but his ecclesiasticall courts con∣vened under him, and in his name. When this Assemblie is convened, at his owne hand, without calling or election, he taketh upon him to preside & moderate. There no man hath libertie to utter his mynd before him, who hath power to raise up and cast downe, to inlarge and restreyne, to preferre and postpone, or put in and put out at his pleasure, and therefore no mans gift in such meetings doeth good to the Kirk. And if it happen that his courses be crossed, and the best sort oppose, then he rageth, and by his proude

boastings, and unreasonable raylings, he playeth the Prelate indeede, using Christs ministers & the Kirks Cōmissioners no better, then if they were his slaues or lackeys, convened to say Amen to all his intentions, and to waite upon Oracles falling from his mouth. In ende the pluralitie of voyces of the weaker sorte, and for the most part either emendicate or extorted, car∣ryeth away the sentence which must oblige all, and therefore besides the ty∣rannies and unjust proceedings, proveth afterward to the greate hurte of the Kirk, to be the cause of many evils and great divisions.

6. The PASTOR in planting of Kirks,* 1.10 and placing of ministers without respect to any mans private judgment or affe∣ction with common consent, maketh choyse of the best qualified for graces and manners, and most fitte for the people he is to be set over, and that with theire owne speciall advise and desire, so that he giveth not the Kirk to the Minister, but the Minister to the Kirk, and in the act of ordination at the place where he shall serue, and in presence of the whole Congregation, he requireth of the Intrant neither oath nor promise, but what is appointed by the assemblies of the whole Kirk, as constancie in the fayth, obedience to the King, and fidelitie in his calling, and after he is admitted, he respecteth him as the conjunct Embassadour of Christ, equall in power and authoritie with himselfe, with no dif∣ference but of age and gifts.

The PRELATE excluding both the flock, whom the Pastor is to feede, and the fellow-ministers with whom he is to labour in the worke, ex∣cept it be superficially and for the fashion, when now the Prelate and his domesticks (who haue greater hand in the planting of Kirks then both presbyterie and people) haue brought the matter to the point of ordination, c 1.11 he giveth the Kirk to the Minister, rather thē the Minister to the Kirk, whereof there flowe so innumerable evils, that the Kirk hath as just cause to complaine now of the placing of Ministers by bishops, as the Kirk had of old of the planting of bishops through the corruption of Archbishops and Metropolitaneo.d 1.12 The ordination must be at the place of the Prelates re∣sidencie, and not at the Kirk, where he shall serue nor in presence of the congregation; then is the intrant forced without any pretext of warrant from the kirk, to giue his oath and Subscription to Articles of the Prelates devising, for maintenance of his Episcopall authoritie, euen as the Pope doeth in consecrating Bishops and Archbishops, for establishing of his uni∣versall Supremacie. When he is admitted, albeit for gifts and all other rs∣spects he be worthy of double honour farre aboue the Prelate himselfe, yet the prelate contemneth him and his brethren, as poore presbyters, with

double contempt. Whereupon we see that the Prelates and others by their example & doing esteeme not of Ministers for their worth & their works sake, but as they are in places of preferment, and as they are clothed with offices and titles of dignitie aboue their fellowes: and this againe makes worldly mynded Ministers to seeke estimation by greatnesse rather then by goodnesse.

7. The PASTOR procureth the peace of the Kirk,* 1.13 by following after things which make for peace, Rom. 14. for by the discipline and assemblies of the Kirk he preserveth veritie, without which there is eyther no unitie, or such unitie, as is but a conspiracie, and resisteth heresie the mother of the greatest divi∣sions: so long as our assemblies had their libertie, there could arise no heresie among us, if it had broken up in a parish, a consisto∣rie or presbyterie would haue borne it downe: or if it had pro∣ceeded further, thē the Synodall, or if it had not been able, the na∣tionall assembly would haue suppressed it: for the same reason the Kirk of France, which was nearest to ours, hath ben free of here∣sie: In the Low Countreysif the Kirks had enjoyed the libertie of theyr assemblies, which they wanted for a long time, Arminia∣nisme had neyther troubled them, nor their neighbours. He ne∣ver can find in his heart to urge or inforce unprofitable and un∣timely Ceremonies upon the Kirk, if it were for no other cause, but that they haue beene the apples of contention, and the cause of many Schismes, and will choose rather with Ionah to redeeme the quietnes and safetie of the Kirk with the losse of himself, then for his owne particular to raise the smallest tempest, that may perill her peace. He carryeth himselfe no otherwayes in his mi∣nisterie, then becommeth the humble servant of the Kirk, & fea∣reth to be affected with Diotrephes his ambitious humour, of a∣spyring aboue his brethren, which is a speciall preservatiue of peace. He studieth to preserue holynes, without which there can be no sounde nor wholesome peace, he is ever at warre with that which is contrarie to holynes, and sendeth away all scandalous li∣vers with the workers of iniquitie, that peace may be upon the Israell of God Psal. 25.

The PRELATE is accounted a peaceeble man, and pretends alwaies the peace of the Kirk, but indeede seeketh his owne peace and prosperitie, and opposeth the things that make for peace: for if it serue for his owne particular, he can oversee Papists and Hereticks, and suffer heresie to rise and spreade it selfe, that the Kirk may haue some other thing to think up∣on, then his Episcopacie, and may haue himselfe to runne unto in steade of assemblies, he careth not to make Schisme, and will fight with tooth and nayle for unlawfull and unprofitable ceremonies, which haue ever proved the cause of Schisme, and ere he redeeme the Kirks peace, by casting out

these cumbersome wares, he will rather cast over boorde many worthy mi∣nisters, suffer numbers of soules, for whom Christ hath dyed, to perish, and the Kirk of Christ tossed with troubles, by occasion of that noysome baggage, to sinke at last under the burden. Contention also commeth by his pride and ambition: for first, great places make great emulation, & hoate competition, as may be seene in Christs owne Apostles,e 1.14 and histo∣rie maketh knowen in many others, what debate and contention, what war and bloodshed prelacie hath brought forth in the Christian world, between Kirk and Kirk contending for primacie, prelate and prelate for presidencie, Pope and Pope for papacie betweene Kings and Bi∣shops for Souveraignitie: as betweene the Roman Emperours, and Roman Bishoppes: the Kings of England and the Primates of England.

8. The PASTOR contents himselfe with such a compe∣tent stipend,* 1.15 as is assigned to him for his service, whereby he hath neyther meanes to swell in pride and wealth, nor matter of excesse and superfluitie. And he hath but one body, so he un∣dertaketh but one Cure, where he must be resident, and one Kirk living, which for feare of the censures of the Kirk, albeit he would, he dares not delapidate, but must leaue the Kirk patri∣monie in as good or better case, then he found it at his entry.

The PRELATE hath a Lords rent out of the revenewes of the Kirk, which at the first was destinate, and should be employed for better uses, and this he hath not for the service of the Kirk, but partly for his unlawfull attending civill affaires, and partly, for bearing out a Lordly porte in himselfe, his Ladie, their children and followers. He uniteth Kirks farre distant, to maki the morsell the greater for his wide gorge: he alloweth and defendeth pluralities, and Nonresidencies, by setting long taks without knowledge or consent of the Kirk, and by setting of fewe formes and taxwardes he raketh up all, and stinteth the Minister to a poore stipendiarie portion of fiue hundreth marks. So that the most Sacri∣legious persons in the Land are the Bishops themselues, eating the meate out of the mouthes of many worthy pastors, that labour painfully in the Lords worke.

The Prelates objection.

THE PRELATE will object, that there shall never be any forme of Kirk government or discipline,* 1.16 which bringeth not with it some dangers and discommodities, and that must be the best, which hath the fewest. It cannot be denyed, but the Episcopall gouvernment hath also the owne inconvenients, whether we consider the Salvation of Soules, or the outward constitution of the Kirk, and worship of God, or the patrimonie of the Kirk.

But the Anarchie and confusion, which ever attendeth the paritie mayn∣teyned by the Pastor is an inconvenience greater then all, & sheweth plain∣ly, that the paritie of Pastors is neyther of God, nor can serve for the good of the Kirk: for God is not the God of confusion but of peace, and most of all in the Kirks of the Saincts.

The Pastors answer.

THE gouvernment and order appoynted by Christ can haue no danger, discommoditie nor inconvenience, but such as men bring upon it, and which through the neglect or contempte thereof they bring upon themselues. That therefore must be the best, which is best warranted by Christ, and approacheth nearest to the simplicitie of the Apostles and the discipline of their times. Malignant wits haue ever beene readie to lay imputations upon Gods ordinances, as that his inward worship according to the Gospell of Christ hath no wisedome, that the outward hath no majestie, that his order of the Kirk is but Anarchie, because it is not a monarchie: but as the naturall philosopher sayth, the order of nature to be full of beautie, and the wise Statesman seeth the beautie of the order of a wise policie: so the Christian, when he seeth the order of the house of God, shall with the Apostle Col. 2. rejoyce to see it, and will preferre the beautie thereof to the wise government of the house & Court of Salomon, as being appoin∣ted by a wiser then hee: euen Balaam, albeit disposed to curse, when his eyes are opened to behold this wise order and marve∣lous beautie, shall be forced to open his lips, and to say, How goodly are thy tents o Iacob, and thy tabernacles to Israell: for a house full of silver and gold I would not curse, for how shall I curse whom the Lord hath not cursed? or how shall I defye,* 1.17 whom the Lord hath not defyed? Numb. 23. and 24. And that there is no confusion in the paritie mainteyned by the Pastor, it is manifest to him that desireth to see, for:

• 1. Confusion hath no subordination for disposing of things, and setting every thing in it owne place.

  The paritie mainteyned by the Pastor hath a lawfull sub∣ordination of Elders to Pastors, of Deacons to Elders, of a Kirk Session to a presbyterie, of a presbyterie to a Sy∣node, and of a Synode to a Nationall Assembly.

• 2. Confusion hath no prioritie of respect of precedencie nor of order.

  Paritie of pastors so shunneth ambitiō, that it mainteyneth a prioritie of precedencief 1.18 and respect, for age, for zeale, for gifts &c. and a prioritie of order, whereby one is mo∣derator of others in all their Synods, and meetings, such

• ...

  as was amongst the Apostles themselues, but without prio∣ritie of power or jurisdiction aboue the rest.

• 3. Confusion admitteth no commandement nor subjection:

  Paritie of Pastor, admitteth both: for every Pastor conducteth his owne flock, & every pastor is subject to a joynt fellow∣ship of pastors in Presbyteries and Synods.

• 4. Confusion is abhorred, both by nature and all Societies, as their greatest enemie, which overturneth all, where it hath place.

  Paritie of Pastors hath the like paritie both in nature, and all sorts of societie: for in nature one eye hath not power over another, nor one hand over another, nor one foote over ano∣ther, onely the head hath power over all. In the common∣wealth and kingdome there is a paritie without a prioritie of power of jurisdiction betwixt one Baron and another, & betwixt one Nobleman and another, and in all the Colle∣giall jurisdictions in the Land under the King himselfe. In the worlde paritie betwixt one King and another, In the Roman Kirk equalitie betwixt one Lord Bishop and ano∣ther, and betwixt two Archbishops, Patriarks &c. and in the Kirk of Christ betwixt Apostle and Apostle, &c. why then shall the divine paritie of Pastors be accounted a con∣fusion.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The good estate of the Kirk the end of Kirk policie.
• a 1.2

  Salus populi su∣prema lex. eversa domo, interdum rei publicae status ma∣nere potest: urbis ruina, penates om∣nes secum traha•• necesse est. Valet. max. l. 5. c. 6.
• * 1.3

  The prelate abu∣seth the people three waies in de∣termining what is the good estate of the Kirk.
• * 1.4

  The pastor careful to preserue the pu∣ritie of doctrine, for the good of the Kirk: the pre∣late cares more for his own things.
• * 1.5

  k As Christs reall descent into hell, many Lutherane, Arminian and po∣pish errors.
• * 1.6

  The pastor in the matter of ceremo∣nies lookes to the edification of the Kirk, which the prelate misregard∣eth.
• * 1.7

  The past. in the whole course of his ministerie in∣tends the feeding of the flock: the prel. to feede him selfe.
• * 1.8

  The past. subject to the sdiscipline of the Kirk himselfe, & 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it for the good of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the prelate neither subject to the discipline him self nor exerciseth it for the good of others, nor suffreth the pastors to ex∣ercise it.
• * 1.9

  The pastor would haue all things be done for the good of the Kirk, by the free assemblies of the Kirk: the prel. will rule all by him selfe, whether in assembly, or out of assembly.
• * 1.10

  The Pastor plant∣eth the Kirk with the best men, with consent of the peo¦ple, and without hurting the con∣science of the in∣trant: the prelate with such as please him, without con∣sent of the people or presbyterie, and with hurting of the conscience of the intrant.
• c 1.11

  Dignitatibus vi∣ros dandos, non di∣gnitates hominibus dicere solitus Ae∣neas Syl. Platina. Magistratus alios mereri, & non ha∣bere: alios habere, & non mereri. ib.
• d 1.12

  Praesidentia non ex virtute sed ma∣litia astimatur, nō dignorum sed potē∣tiorum sunt throni, cathedra sine ullo acquiritur labore, & prelati sunt qui nihil ad grad•• prae¦terquam velle, ad∣ferunt. Nazianz▪ Si percūctari vel∣les quis eos praefecerit, Sacerdotes respondent m••x, & dicunt, ab Archiepiscopo nuper sum Episcopus ordinatus, centum{que} 〈◊〉〈◊〉 solidos dedi, ut Episcopalem gradum assequi meruissem, quoi si minimè dedissem, hodie episcopus non essem. Ambros. citante Bulling. decad. 5. serm 4. Curritur ad curas ecclesiasticas, a doctis pariter & indoctis, quasi quis{que} sine curis victurus sit, cum ad curas pervenerit. Bern. epist. 42.
• * 1.13

  The pastor by all means seeketh the peace of the Kirk. the prelate seeketh his owne peace & prosperitie.
• e 1.14

  Sicut olim pesti∣feram illam vestiā, quae per Ari••s•• pri∣mo de infernis ex∣tulerat caput, cupi∣ditus episcopatus induxit: sic hodier∣nam haeresin (nimi∣rum pontificis Ro∣mani primatum) pracipuè nutriunt, quos jam men••••ca∣re suppudet, Aeneas Syl.
• * 1.15

  The Pastor con∣tents himself with his competent sti∣pend, the prelate is a master of the Kirks patrimonio.
• * 1.16

  Object. Paritie is Anarchie and con∣fusion.
• * 1.17

  Ans. Shewing by many particulars, that the order of the ministerie ap∣pointed by Christ is far from confu∣sion.
• f 1.18

  Distinguendum inter autoritatem meriti, & potesta∣tis.