The due right of presbyteries, or, A peaceable plea for the government of the Church of Scotland ... by Samuel Rutherfurd ...

To the Reader.

THere be two happy things (worthy Reader) as a 1.1 one sayth, The one is not to erre, the other is to es∣cape from the power of error. Times wombe bringeth forth many truths, though truth be not a debter to Time, because Time putteth new robes on old Truth; But truth is Gods debter, and oweth her being to him only. It is a great evil under the Sun, and the sicknesse of mans vanity, that the name of holy men should be a web to make garments of for new opinions, but the errors of holy men have no whitenesse, nor holinesse from men. And it is a wrong that mens praise should be truths pre∣judice, and mens gaine, truths losse. Yet I shall heartily desire that men herein observe the art of deep providence, for the Creator com∣mandeth darknes to bring forth her birth of light, and God doth so over-aw, with a wise super-dominion, mens errors, that contrary

to natures way, from collision of opinions, re∣sulteth truth; and disputes, as stricken flint, cast fire for light, God raising out of the dust and ashes of errors a new living truth. What mistakes, errors, or heresies have been anent Church government, that vigilant and never slumbering wisdome of Providence, hath thence made to appeare the sound doctrine of Gods Kingdome. So here Satan shapeth, and God seweth, and maketh the garment. Er∣ror is but dregs, by the artifice of all com∣passing Providence, from whence are distilled strong and cordiall waters. And what Anti∣christ hath conceived for a Hierarchy and hu∣mane ceremonies, hath put Christ in his two witnesses in Brittaine to advocate for the truth and native simplicity of his own Kingdom.

But I heartily desire not to appeare as an adversary to the holy, reverend, and learned Brethren who are sufferers for the truth, for there be wide marches betwixt striving, and disputing. Why should we strive? for we be Bre∣thren, the Sonnes of one father, the borne Citizens of one mother Ierusalem. To dispute is not to contend. We strive as we are carnall, we dispute as we are men, we war from our

lusts b 1.2 we dispute from diversity of star-light, and day-light. Weaknesse is not wickednesse, a roving of wit must not be deemed a Rebel∣lion of will, a broken inginne may part with a dead child, and yet be a Mother of many healthy children. And while our reverend and deare Brethren, fleeing the coast of Egypt, and Babylons wicked borders, aym to shore upon truth, wind may deceive good Sailors, naturall land-motions (as when heavy bodies move downward, toward their own (clay Countrey) are upon a straight line. But Sea∣motions of sailing are not by right lines, but rather by Sea-circles. We often argue and dispute, as we saile. Where grace and weight of Scripture make motion, we walke, in a right line, toward God. But where opinion, a messenger only sent to spie the Land of lies, and truth, usurpeth to conduct us, what mar∣vell then we goe about truth, rather then lodge with Truth. And Christ his Kingdome, Scepter, Glory, Babylons fall, be the materiall object of opinions, on both sides; And yet the word of God hath a right lith, that cannot suffer division. In Gods matters there be not, as in Grammar, the positive and comparative

degrees, there are not here, truth, and more true, and most true. Truth is in an indivisible line, which hath no latitude, and cannot ad∣mit of spleeting. And therefore we may make use of the Philosophers word, amicus Socra∣tes, amicus Plato, sed magis amica veritas. Though Peter and Paul bee our beloved friends, yet the truth is a dearer friend: The Sonnes of Babylon make out-cries of di∣visions and diversity of Religions amongst us, but every opinion is not a new Religion.

But where shall multitude of Gods be had, for multitude of new wayes to Heaven, if one Heaven cannot containe two Gods, how shall all Papists be lodged after death? what Astro∣nomy shall teach us of millions of Heavens, for Thomists, Scotists, Franciscans, Domi∣nicans, Sorbonists? &c.

But I leave off, and beg from the Reader candor and ingenuous and faire dealing, from Formalists, men in the way to Babylon, I may wish this, I cannot hope it. Fare-well.

Yours in the Lord, S. R.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Cassian. de incar. lib. 1. c. 4. Primum est er∣rores penitus non in curr••rc, sec••n∣dum bene repudi∣are.
• b 1.2

  James 4. 1.