The government and order of the Church of Scotland

The Second Part. (Book 2)

I. Of the Assemblies of the Church, and first in Generall.

NO man here, were he never so eminent above others, for Pi∣ety, Wisdome, or Learning, or doth he never so much ar∣rogate authority, to himself, hath the rains of Church Go∣vernment in his hands to determine, or to doe what seemeth good in his own eyes; But all matters are advised, determined, and judged with common consent in the meetings, and assemblies of the Church, which for this end are of foure sorts and degrees, which are com∣monly called by the names of Church sessions, or particular Elderships, or Consistories; Pres∣byteries, or Classes; Provinciall Synods, and Nationall or Generall Assemblies.

Each of these assemblies, hath a President or Moderator, who beginneth, and endeth with prayer; propoundeth matters to be trea∣ted; procureth them to be debated if need bee, in an orderly way, that all may be heard, and none interrupted, unlesse he speak too much; gathereth the voices, which are noted by the Clerk; and pronounceth the sentence, or if there be an equality, remitteth it to the greater Presbyterie; each of them hath a Clerk, or a Notary; and a Register of all things debated and done by them, especially of such matters as may be of future use.

None of these assemblies, from the least to the greatest are to treat of matters pertaining to the civill Jurisdiction and Magistrate, but on∣ly of matters Spirituall and Ecclesiasticall, that the doctrine and worship may be kept in puri∣ty, all things be done decently, and in order, in the particular Churches, and that all the members of the Churches may walke wor∣thy of the Gospell.

The lesser and inferiour assembly is subordi∣nate to the superiour and greater, so that if any person, shall think himselfe wronged or di∣stressed, by the unjust proceeding of the infe∣riour

assembly, it is lawfull for him to seek re∣liefe of the greater, providing, it be done in an humble and peaceable way, and in the right order, by proceeding to the next greater assem∣bly, and so of the rest, if need be, taking them in their subordination untill either he be satisfi∣ed, or, which rarely commeth to passe, he as∣cend unto the highest of all.

In matters difficult or such as belong to su∣periour assemblies, References from the lesser are ordinary, but nothing belonging to an in∣feriour assemblie is brought before a greater, til either it cannot be setled or be disorderly done by them, or some complaint arise. And in that case, so far as may stand with truth and peace, the greater assemblie is carefull to preserve the power and authoritie of the lesser; and there∣fore matters belonging to inferiour assemblies are commonly remitted unto them by the greater.

There, one Church were it never so great, hath not authoritie over another, nor is it go∣verned by any extrinsecall power; but all the particular Churches are of equall power and authority, and are ruled and judged by them∣selves and their owne intrinsecall power in

assemblies composed, and consisting of their officers and commissioners from them.

II. Of Particular Elderships in Parishes.

THe particular Eldership or Church-sessi∣on consisteth of one or moe Ministers and of Elders so many in number as the pro∣portion of the Congregation doth require, who ordinarily do meet once in the week.

The Deacons are alwayes present with the Elders, not for government, but that they may make knowne the case and necessities of the poore, and may consult and receive dire∣ction for their supply.

The Minister of the parish is alwayes mode∣rator of this Meeting, and if there be moe Mi∣nisters then one, the moderator is either chosen or they doe moderate by course, providing that none bee moderator while any matter is treated, which concerneth his own particular.

The matters treated by this eldership, are such particulars as concerne the worship of God in that Church, as, what dayes of the week are meetest for assembling to the publick wor∣ship, if it may be had & be thought necessary,

what houres on the Lords day before and af∣ter noone, which are variable according to the length or shortnesse of the day, in Summer and Winter, what times are fittest for publick Ca∣techising, and for visiting of particular fami∣lies, how often, and at what times the Lords Supper is most seasonably ministred: all which are proper for keeping of order in that Church, and cannot be so fitly determined by a superi∣our assemblie; the Elders also do here delate scandalous persons, and bring them to pub∣lick repentance according to the forme pre∣scribed in the greater assemblies: But if there be any doubt or difficultie, or if the offences and scandals be great and hainous, or if the de∣linquents adde obstinacie and impenitencie to their fault, then are they warned to appear be∣fore the greater Presbyterie there to receive or∣der for their censure, or to be sent home again to give satisfaction, or to make their repentance in their owne Church where they have given offence, and where the fault was committed: For example, a man behaving himselfe scanda∣louslie with a woman, both unmaried and single persons, is first admonished and rebu∣ked, if fornication appeare, he is called before

the Eldership, brought to the sense and con∣fession of his fault, and ordained to make his publick repentance according to the order of the Church, and to abstaine from all scanda∣lous behaviour afterward. But if he prove ob∣stinate, hee is conveened before the greater Presbyterie, the matter is examined, and either he promiseth to give obedience to his owne Eldership, or in case of continued obstinacie, the censures of the Church proceed against him. But if there bee a scandall of adulterie or murder, the noise and scandall whereof is far spread, and filleth all mens eares round a∣bout, the parties are brought before the greater Presbyterie, and the particular Eldership doth before prepare the parties for their appearance before the Presbyterie.

The same faults which are brought before the particular or greater Presbytery in an eccle∣siasticall way, are also punished by the civill magistrate, and the pecuniall mulct or penalty is given to the Deacons to bee kept in the Church treasure for the benefit of the poore, or other pious uses.

Nothing useth to bee done by the lesser or greater presbytery in ordering the publicke

Worship, in censuring of delinquents or bringing them to publick repentance, but ac∣cording to the setled order of the Church, and with expresse or tacite consent of the congre∣gation, and if there be any new emergents that cause doubting or haesitation, the matter is re∣mitted to the greater assemblies of the Church.

III. The Order of Excommunication.

ALL baptized persons, when they come to age and discretion, are not admit∣ted to the Lords table; but such onely as either upon examination are found to have a competent measure of knowledge in the prin∣ciples of Religion, doe professe that they are beleevers and doe live unblameably, or com∣ming from another Congregation bring with them sufficient testimonie that they are such, or are otherwise well knowne and approved.

The Minister and Elders use all meanes in private and publick to bring all others within the parish to knowledge, faith, and holinesse of life, that they may be fitted for the Lords Table.

But this not admission to the Communion is one thing, and excommunication of haynous

or obstinate offenders is another thing very different.

In case of obstinacie and wilfull impeniten∣cie, even when the offences are not so great and scandalous, they proceed to excommunicati∣on, but with great meeknesse, longsuffering, and by many degrees, the censure being so weighty, and they desirous to gaine the sinner to repentance.

If any person walke unworthy of the Gospell, or commit any trespasse, he is (un∣lesse the scandall bee publike and notorious) admonished first secretly by one, next by two or three more. And thirdly, If he contemne both, then according to the order prescribed by our Saviour, Mat. 18. The matter is brought before the Minister and Elders where he is ac∣cused both of the trespasse and of the con∣tempt. If he cannot yet be brought to repen∣tance, then is the matter in some measure made knowne unto the Congregation, and hee called before the greater Presbytery; where if he give signes of his repentance, he is remitted to satisfie his owne session. But if he persist in his obstinacie, then by the Ordi∣nance of the Presbytery, the particular elder∣ship

is to proceed against him with the cen∣sures of the Church even to excommuni∣cation.

The matter being thus heard knowne and judged, and the whole processe revised by the greater presbytery, the next Sabbath without delay, the trespasse and order of admonitions are declared to the Congregation, and the per∣son without specification of his name, admo∣nished yet to satisfie: Which if he still refuse to doe, the next Sabbath his name with his offence and contempt, are published, if he yet continue obstinate, then the next, which is the third Sabbath, is he charged publickly to satisfie for his offence and contempt under the paine of excommunication. If now he offer himselfe to the particular Presbyterie, then do they at the appointment of the Pres∣byterie, give order for his publick repentance, the removing of the scandall, and his recon∣cilement to the Church, otherwise the Mi∣nister proceedeth in this ord••r.

The Sabbath after the third publick ad∣monition, the Minister with consent of the Eldership, is to make knowne to the Congre∣gation that such a person is to be excommu∣nicated,

warning all that have any thing to object against it, that they appeare the next session day: And for the present, that the whole Congregation powre forth their sup∣plications, that God would grant him repen∣tance, and to come out of the snare of the de∣vill. If nothing be objected, or if none for him witnesse any appearance of repentance, then is the danger of the person, and the weight of the sentence laid open the next Sabbath, and he the second time prayed for publickly. If at last upon the next Sabbath there be no signe of repentance, then is he praied for the third time, and there being no meane unassaied, nor remedy left to reclaime him, hee is strucken with the terrible sentence of excommunicati∣on, with calling upon the Name of God to ratifie the sentence in Heaven, and the people warned to hold him as an Heathen, or a Pub∣lican, and to shun all communion with him, except in naturall and civill duties to be still performed by such as are bound. It is to bee understood, that where the crimes are such that they cry to the heavens for revenge, waste the conscience, and by the law of God deserve death, and the transgressor cer∣tainly

knowne, the processe may be more summarie, & excommunication more hastned, as on the other part of absolution, the time would be longer, and the triall of repentance more exact.

After excommunication, he is permitted to come to the preaching of the Word, yet so as it may appeare that he commeth as one not having communion with the Church. Nei∣ther is he debarred from private counsell, in∣struction, admonition, and prayer, that in end his spirit may be saved. If after excommu∣nication the Eldership finde the signes of re∣pentance, as the good life and behaviour of the excommunicate, declaration of the griefe of his heart, and his humble submission to the order of the Church, in all things that may reconcile him to God and his people, they shall with joy of heart make it knowne to the Congregation by the Minister, that they may also have joy over their brother repenting: or if they have ought to object against ••he ••uth of his repentance, they may give notice there∣of at the next meeting of the Eldership, where if nothing be alleaged against him, after he hath obeyd the injunctions of the Eldership

for his further humiliation and the better try∣all of his repentance, he is either brought be∣fore the greater Presbyterie, as all other peni∣tents for great crimes, or by relation from his owne Eldership, is to give them satisfaction in the signes of his repentance that he may be absolved.

As all publick penitents are received, so is the excōmunicate absolved in the face of the con∣grega••ion, before whom being brought by the Elders at the time appointed, he maketh free confession of his sinne and mourneth for it, cryeth to God for mercie, seeketh to be recon∣ciled to the Church and promiseth new obe∣dience; with which all being satisfied and wil∣ling to receive him into their common and mutuall consolation, the Minister who preacheth for that time pronounceth him up∣on his repentance to bee absolved in the Name of Christ from his sinne, and free of the censurs of the Church, and have right through faith to Christ and all his benefits and ordi∣nances, praising God for his grace, and pray∣ing that he may be fully accepted to his favour, loosed in Heaven, and heare the voice of joy and gladnesse.

After the sentence of absolution, the Mini∣ster speaketh to him as to a brother exhorting him to watch and pray, or comforting him if he have need, the Elders imbrace him, and the whole congregation keepeth communion with him as if he had never offended.

As the Presbyterie excommunicateth pro∣fane professors, so doth it also depose Preach∣ers, if they be teachers of corrupt Doctrine, if their lives continue scandalous after admoni∣tion, if they be busie in renting the Church a sunder by schisme and division; if they be gi∣ven to blasphemie, profanation of the Lords day, simonie, perjurie, drunkennesse, fighting, or any other sinne, for which, whether in re∣spect of the greatnesse of the sinne, or by rea∣son of the contempt and obstinacie when the sinne is not so great, private persons are ex∣communicated; and although they be upon their repentance absolved from the sentence of excommunication, yet in some cases especial∣ly, where the crime inferreth a perpetuall in∣famie, are they never readmitted to the Mini∣stery, except upon the unanimous and most earnest desire of the whole Church where they served before.

IV. Of greater Presbyteries or Classes.

THe Presbyterie or Classicall meeting doth consist of particular neighbouring Churches in such a circuite as may conveni∣ently meet together, to the number of ten, six∣teene, twentie, or so many as the vicinitie of the places, and parishes may well accommodate.

It is supposed that the whole particular El∣derships cannot well assemble in one place or∣dinarily, neither is it necessarie. There be there∣fore beside the Minister or Ministers of the Congregation who are supposed to be perpe∣tuall members of the Presbyterie, some of spe∣ciall note chosen out of the Elders & by them, who receiving from them commission may represent the whole; from each particular El∣dership, one of the Elders with the Minister or Ministers repaireth to the place of meeting: so that the members of this Presbyteriall meeting are all the Ministers within the Cir∣cuit, and one Elder delegated from each par∣ticular Eldership.

None of the Ministers are permitted to be absent, unlesse they be detain••d by necessarie

impediments or extraordinarie imployments. And therefore the day of the meeting of the Presbyterie may not be destinate to ordinarie preaching? Nor are they to wait that day up∣on solemnizing of mariages. The names are called by the Clerk, and the absents are noted and examined the next day upon the reasons of their absence; and if any happen to absent themselves many dayes without reasonable causes, they are set apart and censured as guil∣tie of the contempt or neglect of the order of the Church. But the Elders are not so strict∣lie tied to ordinarie attendance; but if there be any matter of great weight to be handled, they are all warned to be present: And if hee who was formerly Commissioner may not assist, a∣nother Commissioner in his place may bee chosen by the Eldership.

It is permitted to the expectants having en∣tered before upon the publick exercise or pro∣phesie to sit by the Ministers and Elders in the meeting of the Presbyterie, and to give their judgement of the doctrine, but they have no voice when matters of doctrine or discipline are debated. And in the handling of some mat∣ters which are thought fit to be concealed and

kept secret, till they be by common consent published, they use to be removed.

Because the whole discipline in a manner is in the hands of the Presbyterie, they are to meet once a week or fortnight upon a certaine day, and in a certain place, but in some places, through the length and deepnesse of the way in winter, they do not meet so often.

The subject and matters treated in the Pres∣bytery are all the Ecclesiasticall matters of weight, which concern the particular Church∣es there represented, as the examination, or∣dination, suspension, and deposition of Mini∣sters; scandals of Ministers in doctrine, life, or any part of their calling; the decerning of excommunication, references, and appellati∣ons from particular Elderships, and the amen∣ding of any thing that hath beene negligently or weakly done by them; the answering also of questions and requests from other Presby∣teries, Churches, or persons, or sending of Com∣missioners in some cases to other Churches or Presbyteries, whether to admonish or advise them, or to seek counsell from them, but so that they have no autho••ity wi••hout the limi••s of their own consociation.

The Ministers and Elders who are Com∣missioners, together with the expectants and others who are pleased to be present, meeting in the place, and at the day and houre appoin∣ted, which useth to be one halfe houre after nine a clock in the forenoone, whereof warn∣ing is given by the sound of a bell, that so all the affaires of that day (unlesse there be some∣what extraordinary to hold them longer) may bee exped against mid-day, doe begin with prayer, and proceed to the textuall interpre∣tation of Scripture, which is done by the Mi∣nisters, each one in his own place by course, or by the expectants, whose names are set forth in a table, or written in the Register of the Pres∣byterie for that end; after the first speaker, some other who followeth in order, and is also ap∣pointed by the Presbyterie the day before, speaketh in the second place, collecting some doctrines one or moe upon the text expoun∣ded and shewing the use thereof. The second speaker having ended about eleven a clock, the exercise is closed with thanksgiving by him who spake first. The matter of each dayes ex∣ercise is some portion of that particular book

of the Old or New Testament agreed upon in the Presbyterie: once every moneth some com∣mon place or controversie is handled, unto which the exercise giveth place for that day. The ground is read in Scripture; the state of the question propounded, the arguments for the truth pressed and vindicated from the So∣phistication of the adversaries; but the argu∣ments contra are left to bee proponed in the Presbyteriall meeting by such Ministers as are called by the Moderator to dispute upon the propositions, or Theses exhibit, the day of the meeting next before, by the contraversar, and are propugned by him, the Moderator being praeses of the disputation. That the Presbyte∣rie may go thorow all the controversies, they have also a table wherein they are all digested in order, so that each minister or expectant knoweth a moneth before what is next to be treated.

The exercise or common head of controver∣sie ended in publick, the people depart, and the Ministers and Elders with others, who are permitted to bee present, goe to the private place of their meeting, where all being set in

order, and the Moderator having begun with prayer, the doctrine delivered in publick is examined, and each one of the Presbyterie and expectants, either approveth, or in charity and sobernesse of spirit, propoundeth his doubt a∣gainst any point spoken of, which being done, the speakers for that day are called upon (they being apart at this time) their interpretation and doctrine approved, and they encouraged or (if there be cause) they are in a brotherly manner admonished. The doctrine censured (for this they call the censure of the doctrine.) The matters before mentioned to be the subject of the Presbyteriall jurisdiction, are propoun∣ded, modestly debated, and either concluded, or taken to further deliberation, or remitted to the Synod, and so the meeting concluded with prayer. The Moderator either continueth in his place betweene one Provinciall Synod and another, or for a shorter time, but they think it not fit to change the Moderator at every meeting.

The Presbyteries also do visit the severall Churches within their bounds, either by hold∣ing their full meetings at the Churches, or by

sending their commissioners thither, that they may see how the ordinances of Christ are used and obeyed, by the Minister, Eldership, and all the congregation, and that if any thing be amisse, it may be rectified.

V. Of Provinciall Synods.

THe whole Kingdome is by the wisdome of the Generall assemblie, so divided in Provinces, as the Ministers and Elders may, for vicinity of place, best meet in Provinciall Synods, without respect to Episcopall Dio∣ceses, the particular Churches whereof are so far cast a sunder in Scotland that they cannot conveniently joyne in provinciall Synods.

The provinciall Synode is of the same con∣stitution with the Presbyterie, and doth con∣sist of all the Ministers, and one Elder having commission, as before, from each particular Church within the province.

It meeteth ordinarily twice a yeare, but the place & the time of the meeting are chosen ac∣cording to the conveniencie of the Churches of the province, and as the exigence of their af∣faires

doth require. The Moderator of the for∣mer Synod, openeth the Synod with a Ser∣mon, fit for such an assembly; and after Ser∣mon setting himselfe downe in his place, with the clerk of the Synod (who for the most part is one of the Ministers chosen by plurality of voices) beginneth with prayer, causeth the names of the Ministers to be read, who not only answer for their owne presence (the ab∣sent being noted) but also give up the names of the Commissioners from the severall Church∣es, which are written, down by the Clerk, and their commissions also read, if need be, and proceedeth to the choosing of a new mode∣rator.

The Moderator is thus chosen. A list is made by the former moderator of foure or five of the ablest men for wisdome, authority and dexte∣rity for such an employment which is appro∣ved by the consent of the Synod. And if any member of the Synod be pleased to adde any other so qualified to the list, his name is joy∣ned with the former, and out of this list the Moderator is chosen by the suffrages of the Mi∣nisters and Elders, and set in the place of the former Moderator.

The new Moderator first of all calleth for the Registers of the severall Presbyteries, and putteth them in the hands of the Ministers of other different Presbyteries to be revised and examined, That by the Records it may bee knowne how they have kept order, and per∣formed what hath beene recommended unto them by the preceeding Synods. And what and how matters have been treated by them at every session, that they may be censured or al∣lowed, which upon the report of the revisers is accordingly done in the face of the Synod.

If there be any references from the Synode before, they are first debated and determined, and thereafter new matters are brought into deliberation. What was obscure or difficult for the Presbyteries, or might concerne them all in common, is here resolved and ordered, what hath beene done amisse is redressed. And if any difficultie arise which doth not fall un∣der some Church constitution, it is referred to the nationall assemblie.

Before the assemblie be desolved, each Pres∣byterie is set a part by course and enquirie made from the rest, if there bee any knowne

scandall, fault, or negligence amongst them, That it may be in a brotherly manner censured, like as upon the day of the meeting of the Presbyterie next going before the Synod; all the members of the Presbyterie suffer the like inquirie each one a part by all the rest.

As the Moderator beginneth and endeth everie session before and after noon with pray∣er, so doth he somewhat more solemnlie close the Synod with some pithie and pertinent ex∣hortation, and heartie thanksgiving and prai∣er unto God.

All matters, where these Synods are ordina∣rily kept, are with such diligence exped That the Ministers (none of them having above a short daies journey, and Tuesday being usu∣ally the first day of their meeting) may return to their charge against the Lords day, having notice of the day and place of the next follow∣ing Synod, and carrying with them such acts as are necessarie that they may be made known to their particular Elderships and congregati∣ons. And thanks may be given in every Con∣gregation for the good proceedings of the Sy∣nod, and for the libertie of the Churches.

These Synods are not alwaies held at one time, and therefore if there be cause, some Commissioners are sent from one Synod to a∣nother, for their judgement and advice in matters of difficultie, which is reported at the following Synod for their further resolution, and that so farre as is possible there may bee a conformitie in all things.

VI. Of Nationall Synods or Generall Assem∣blies.

THe nationall assemblie meeteth once in the yeare, and the time of the following assembly agreed upon before the rising of the former, or oftner pro re nata, concerning which some Ministers have commission and war∣rant from the assemblie to give timely adver∣tisement to the Presbyteries for choosing and sending their Commissioners.

This great assemblie useth to bee honoured with the Kings Majesties presence either in his royall Person, or by his High Commissioner, who doth all the parts of a Supreame Civill President. In a peaceable ordering of the

whole proceedings of so frequent and holy a meeting, that all mens reasons and voices may be heard, and in acquainting himselfe with the grounds of every constitution that shall be agreed upon, that by his Princely authori∣tie they may be observed, and if need require the sanction of the Civill Law may be added, for which end also certaine Commissioners from the assemblie are sent to attend the Par∣liament.

It doth Consist of Commissioners from the Presbyteries or Classes, three Ministers and one Eld••r from each Presbyterie, who are chosen by the voices of the Ministers and El∣ders sent from the particular Elderships, and of one Commissioner from the Church session of every royall Burgh, that there may bee some proportion and equalitie. Others also are permitted although not to voice, yet to heare, propound, and debate, provided that they first obtaine leave of the Moderator: and that it may appear to be done animo aedificandi, non tentandi.

The first day of the assemblie is kept with a solemne fast and humiliation, wherein the

whole Citie or Towne, which is the Seat of the assemblie, useth to joyne with powerfull preaching and earnest praiers from morning till night.

The particular Churches also throughout the Kingdome, upon the daies of their publick meeting, pray to God for his direction, assist∣ance, and blessing unto the assemblie, that they may bee led into all truth, and all the Churches be refreshed with the sweet fruits thereof.

The next day the Moderator of the prece∣ding assemblie beginneth with praier, causeth the Clerk call the Presbyteries, and take up the names of the Commissioners, Ministers, and Elders, who give in their Commissions, which being read, examined, and allowed, they proceed to the chusing of a new Modera∣tor, keeping the same order which is set downe before in choosing the Moderator of the Provinciall Synod.

The new Moderator calleth for the Re∣cords of the Synods, and by the voices of the assemblie chooseth a Committee for perusing and trying them; a Committee for the bils,

complaints, and petitions to be presented to the assemblie, and such other Committees as are ordinarie for preparing of weightie matters for the assemblie, and for cutting off idle and impertinent things, that the dispatch may be the more speedie and easie, when they shall be brought to open debate and voycing; all references from Synods, appellations, grie∣vances, complaints, petitions, are here exami∣ned and answered; Acts and constitutions for all the Churches are agreed upon with com∣mon consent, and if there be any considerable contradiction, and the doubts and scruples, which are made be not satisfied, matters are remitted to further deliberation till the next assemblie; course is taken for planting of Churches, with able Ministers, that the Go∣spell may be spread through the whole Nati∣on; Rules are set downe by which the inferi∣our assemblies shall bee directed in all their proceedings; all meanes used that the Church be not wronged, neither by confounding the Civill and Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction, nor by the abusing or interverting the patrimonie of the Church.

The Commissioners of each Presbyterie do carrie home with them a true copie of all such acts as doe concerne all the Churches, that they may walk by one and the same rule.

The Moderator giveth forth Summons sig∣ned with his own hand, and the hand of the Clerke, for citing of persons in the name of the assemblie to compare before the next meeting thereof, with certification of the censures of the Church in case of disobedi∣ence.

The Conclusion.

IN the authoritie of these assemblies Paro∣chiall, Presbyteriall, Provinciall, and Na∣tionall, and in the subordination of the lesser unto the greater, or of more particular El∣derships to the larger and generall Eldership, doth consist the externall order, strength, and stedfastnesse of the Church of Scotland, which is lovely and comfortable to all fearing God, whether Pastor or professors, and hath beene very awefull and terrible, as an Armie with Banners, to all Papists, to all Hereticks, Schis∣maticks,

Hirelings, and all ungodly persons: As upon the one part they break not the brui∣sed reed nor quench the smoaking flax, but do cherish and labour to bring to ripenesse and use, the graine of Mustardseed in sincere be∣ginners, and the smallest talent in Preachers having the zeale of God: So upon the other part, no scandall of proud sinners escapeth censure, no heresie or error is sooner hatched, but is either presently spied out and crushed by some of the inferiour assemblies, or, if it be kept on foot and gather strength, it is quite suppressed and extinguished in the generall assemblie which meeteth once in the year, and never suffereth such bastard births to grow to be one yeare old, which is a true and maine cause why no sects nor errours have appeared in the reformed Church of France, and in the Churches of Scotland, & of the Low-Countries, so long as they enjoyed the libertie and happi∣nesse of assemblies, which they did no sooner by the mercie of God recover, but immediate∣ly at their brightnesse, the mists and mildewes gathered before were scattered and evanished. And as, by the order and power of these assem∣blies,

Foxes are taken that they spoile not the Vines, and Gangrenes are prevented that they spread not against truth and unity, all sorts of lewd and wicked men are discouraged and put to shame: So is there excited among the Godly Ministers an holy emulation by ac∣quaintance, conference, and by perceiving the gifts one of another, which maketh them returne from the assemblies, with a meane and humble conceipt of themselves, and with new and strong resolutions for greater diligence in their studies, and faithfulnesse in every Pasto∣rall duty, to the common benefit and edifica∣tion of all the Churches; all the Ministers are made more wise in matters of Governement; and all the Congregations are affected with reverence to what is required of them by their particular Elderships, as having the consent and approbation of the whole Church. Many such fruits are reaped of these assemblies, which without them no particular person or congregation can have any ground to hope for or expect.

They have no Arch-bishops, Diocesan Bi∣shops, Suffraganes, no Chapters, no Curats,

dumbe nor idle Ministers, no hirelings, non-residents, nor pluralists, no Deanes nor Arch-Deacons, no Chanters, Sub-chanters, nor Treasurers, no Chancellors, Officials, nor Apparitors, no Canons, Peti-canons, Pre∣bends, Singingmen nor boyes; And yet with∣out these and the like, they have practise and use of all the ordinances of Christ; all matters Ecclesiasticall determined, remitting questi∣ons of tithes, mariages, divorcements, &c. to the civill Judge to whom they properlie do belong, and all petitions, complaints, and Church grievances heard and redressed, which they esteeme as the sweet yoke of Christ, and think it a great ease both to their consciences and estates to be free of such bundles and bur∣thens of trash and superfluities. They con∣ceive that to erect Presbyteries, Synods, and Nationall assemblies, and still to keepe Pre∣lates and the members of that Hierarchie is, in the matter of Church government, not unlike the Popish adding of Traditions to Scripture in the rule of faith, or works unto faith in the point of justification, &c. additions to Christs institution, being not only in respect of their

author humane inventions, and for any use they can have idlements, vanities, and follies; but that they do also corrupt the purity, and eat out the life of the ordinances of Christ.

Here there is a superiority without tyrannie, for no Minister hath a Papall or Monarchicall Jurisdiction over his own flock, far lesse over other Pastors, and over all the Congregations or a large Dioces. Here there is a paritie with∣out confusion and disorder, for the Pastors are in order before the Elders, and the Elders be∣fore the Deacons; the Church is subordinate to the Presbyterie, the Presbyterie, to the Sy∣nod, and the Synod to the Nationall assembly. One Pastor also hath priority before another, for age, for zeale, for gifts, for his good deser∣vings of the Church, each one honouring him whom God hath honoured, and as he beareth the image of God, which was to bee seene a∣mongst the Apostles themselves. But none hath power or jurisdiction above others: even as in nature one eye hath not power over ano∣ther, only the head hath power over all, even as Christ over his Church. The same may bee seene in the Common-wealth, and in some of

the offices of the Roman Church it selfe. And lastly, here there is a subjection without slave∣rie, for the people are subject to the Pastors and Assemblies, yet there is no Assemblie wherein everie particular Church hath not in∣terest and power; nor is there any thing done, but they are, if not actually, yet virtually called to consent unto it.

As they have done and suffered much for vindicating and maintaining the libertie of their Religion, that what belongeth unto God may be rendred unto God; So do they desire, that according to the rule of righteousnesse, each man have his owne, and above all men, That the things which are Caesars be rendred unto him, and to give him that which is Gods were a wronging both of God and Caesar. They have ever beene willing to taxes and to pay subsidies above that w^ch they were able. They joyne w^th the inward reverence of their hearts, externall honour and obedience in all things lawfull. They powre forth their prayers to God in private and publick, for all blessings spirituall and temporall upon his Royall Per∣son and Government, and upon his Progenie;

and for the same blessings upon the Queenes Majestie, especially that God by his Spirit would give unto her the knowledge and love of the truth. They long for her conversion as an happinesse to her selfe, and a meane of great happinesse to the King, to their Children, and to all their Subjects. And, that the Lord may answer their praiers, they think it incumbent to the Church of England, nor can any bond whatsoever oblige them to the contrarie, to use the best and most powerfull meanes, and would most willingly in all humilitie, love and respect, joyne their endeavours for that blessed end. And as they thus present their best desires and prayers, so are they readie to sacri∣fice their lives to God for his Majesties good, and in their hearts are grieved that their loyal∣tie, which they account their no small glorie, should have beene called in question.

Neither is this all. But moreover they doe acknowledge that his Majestie, as supreame Magistrate, hath not onely charge over the Common-wealth, but doth watch and hath inspection over the Church and Church mat∣ters, but in a civill way. Vos Episcopi in Eccle∣sia

(saith Constantine) Ego extra Ecclesiam Epis∣copus à Deo constitutus sum. And therefore that he is, by his high calling and place, Custos u∣trius{que} tabulae, to command the precepts of the first table as well as of the second table to bee obeyed: That he is Vindex Religionis by his sword, as the Spirit of God in Scripture is Iu∣dex, and the Church is Index: That hee hath power to turn the constitutions of the Church into lawes, and to confirme them by the ci∣vill sanction in Parliament: That he may con∣straine all his subjects to do dutie in matters of religion, and may punish the transgressors: That when debates arise about Religion, hee hath power to call the Assemblies of the Church, to be present and civilly preside in them, and to examine their constitutions, that he may discerne of them both as a Christian caring for his own soule, and as supreame Ma∣gistrate watching over his people: and that he may do all things which can prove him to be a kinde and carefull nursing Father. They ac∣count all that is vomited out to the contrarie, [as, that they liked Anarchie better then Mo∣narchie, and that they would turne a King∣dome

into a democratie,] to be but the fictions and calumnies of the malitious enemies of God and his truth; not unlike the lies which were devised against the Christians of old: their consciences, their words, writings, and actions, even then when the world did put the worst constructions upon them, were witnesses of the integritie of their hearts. They doe still hold that there can bee no antipathy betwixt one ordinance of God and another. By him Princes do reigne, and hee hath also appointed the Officers and Govern∣ment of his own house. They do desire nothing more then that the Sonne of God may reigne, and that with and under the Sonne of God, the King may command, and they, as good sub∣jects to Christ and the King, may obey.

FINIS.