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LAstly, this Discipline is burthensome and disanvantagious to all orders of men. The Nobility and Gentry must expect to follow the fortune of their Prince. Vpon the abatement of, Monar∣chy
in Rome, remember what dismall controversies did presently spring up between the Patricii and Plebei. They shall be subjected to the censures of a raw heady novice, and a few ignorant Arti∣ficers; they shall lose all their advowsons of such Benefices as have cure of soules, as they have lately found in Scotland, for every Congregation ought to choose their own Pastour. They shall hazard their Appropriations and Abby-lands: A Sacrilege which their Nationall Synod cannot in conscience tolerate, longer than they have strength sufficient to overthrow it. And if they proceed as they begin, the Presbyters will in a short time either accomplish their designe, or change their soyle. They shall be bearded and maited by every ordinary Prisbyter, witnesse that insolent speech of M. Robert Bruce to King Iames, Sir, I see your resolution is to take Huntley in favour; if you doe, I will oppose; You shall choose whether you will lose Huntley or me; for us both you cannot keep. It is nothing with them for a pedant to put himselfe into the bal∣lance with one of the prime and most powerfull peers of the Realme.
The poor Orthodox Clergy in the meane time shall be undone, their straw shall be taken from them, and the number of their bricks be doubled: They shall lose the comfortable assurance of an undoubted succession by Episcopall Ordination, and put it to a dangerous question, whether they be within the pale of the Church: They shall be reduced to ignorance, contempt, and beggery; They shall lose an ancient Liturgy, (warranted in the most parts of it by all, in all parts of it, by the most publick formes of the Protestant Churches, whereof a short time may produce a parallel to the view of the world,) and be enjoyned to prate and pray non-sence everlastingly. For howsoever formerly they have had a Liturgy of their own, as all other Christian Churches have at this day; yet now it seems they allow no prayers, but extempo∣rary. So saith the information from Scotland, It is not Lawfull for a man to tye hims••lf,* 1.1 or be tyed by others, to a perscript form of words in prayer and exhortation.
Parents shall lose the free disposition of their own children in marriage if the childe desire an husband or a wife,* 1.2 and the pa∣rent gainstand their request, and have no other cause than the common of men have, to wit lack of goods, or because the other
party is not of birth high enough, upon the childes desire, the Minister is to travail with the parents, and if he finde no just cause to the contrary, may admit them to marriage.For the work of God ought not to be hindered by the corrupt affections of worldly men. They who have stripped the father of their Countrey of his just right, may make bold with fathers of families, and will not stick to exclude all other fathers, but themselves out of the fifth Com∣mandement. The doctrine is very high, but their practise is yet much more high, The Presbyteries will compell the wronged parent to give that childe as great a portion as any of his other children.
It will be ill newes to the Lawyers to have the moulter taken away from their Mills upon pretence of scandall, or in order to Religion, to have their sentences repealed by a Synod of Presby∣ters, and to receive more prohibitions from Ecclesiasticall Courts, than ever they sent thither.
All Masters and mistresses of families, of what age or condi∣tion soever,* 1.3 must come once a year before the Presbyter, with their housholds, to be examined personally whether they be fit to receive the Sacrament, in respect of their knowledge, and otherwise. And if they suffer their children or servants to continue in wilfull igno∣rance (what if they cannot help it?) they must be excommunicated. It is probable, the persons catechised could often better instruct their Catechists.
The common people shall have an High-Commission in every parish, and groan under the Arbitrary decrees of ignorant unex∣perienced Governours, who know no Law but their own wills, who observe no order but what they list; from whom lyes no ap∣peale but to a Synod, which for the shortnesse of its continuance can afford, which for the condition of the persons will afford them little relif. If there arise a private jar between the parent and the child, or the husband and the wife, these domesticall Judges must know it, and censure it.
Scire volunt secreta domus, atque inde timeri
And if there have been any suit or difference between the Pastor and any of his flock, or between Neighbour and Neighbour, be sure it will not be forgotten in the sentence. The practice of our
Law hath been, that a Judge was rarely permitted to ride a circuit in his owne countrey, least private interest or respects might make him partiall. Yet a Country is much larger than a Parish, and a grave learned Judge is presumed to have more temper than such homebred fellowes. Thus we see what a Pandoras box this pre∣tended holy Discipline is, full of manifold mischiefes, and to all orders of men most pernicious.
Motus B••••••nici 〈◊〉〈◊〉
1 Book dis. 9 hea••.
1 Book dis. 9 he••d.