The grand debate between the most reverend bishops and the Presbyterian divines appointed by His Sacred Majesty as commissioners for the review and alteration of the Book of common prayer, &c. : being an exact account of their whole proceedings : the most perfect copy.

Repl. To make Laws [to determine of undetermined circumstances necessary in genere, to be some way determined and left to Magistrates, or Ministers de specie, and to do this according to the general rules of Scripture, and in order to the main end, and not against it. and is not against the Royalty or will of Christ; But to make new dedicating co∣venanting Symboles, to signify the doctrine of the Covenant of Grace, and solemnly ingage us unto God, and place those in the publick wor∣ship, which are not meet Circumstances, but substantial institutions, not necessary in genere (that there should be any such at all, besides Gods Sacraments,) we fear this is a violation of the Royalty of Christ, and a reflection on his Laws as insufficient: for first, if it belong to the power proper to Christ, then it is a violation of his Royalty for any man to exercise it; But it belongeth to the power proper to Christ: ergo, &c. The minor is proved thus, If it belong to the universal head, or Ruler of the Church as such, then it belongs to the power proper to Christ (for we are ready to prove there is none under him, no universal head or ruler personally, or collectively and civilly one,) But &c. If in the reason of it, it should be the matter of an universal Law, if of any then it should be the work of the universal Lawgiver, if any: But &c. If in the reason of it, it be equally useful to the Church universal, as to any particular Church or age, then it should according to the reason of it, be the matter of an universal Law, if of any: But, &c. it hath the same aptitude, to engage us to a duty of universal necessity, and hath no reason proper to this age or place for it, but common to all. Moreover it is no where committed to the power or care of man, ergo it is proper to the care and power of Christ, no Text is shewed that giveth man power in such things: To do all things decently and orderly, and to edifica∣tion is no giving of power on that pretence to make new Covenanting dedicating signes, to do Gods work decently, &c. is not to make more such of our own heads: It is but the right modifying of the work already set us. And to do all decently, orderly, and to edification, was a duty in Moses time, when yet such things as these in question might not be ad∣ded by any but God: (when we say by God, we mean by his inspired In∣struments, and when we say by Christ, we mean by his inspired Instru∣ments:) If we should make Laws that every one is publickly to tast Vine∣gar, and Gall, as a sign that we are not ashamed of, but resolved through all flesh displeasing difficulties to follow Christ, that died so, and thus to engage, and dedicate our selves to him, this were to do more, then to do [all things decently, and orderly which he appointed: If milk were to be publickly sucked or drunk, by all in profession, that we will feed on the sincere milk of his word, and so dedicate us to him by Covenant, or

if we were to put on an Helmet, & other Armour in token that we will be his Souldiers to the death, and manfully fight under, &c. These engagements by such publick signs, are Sacraments in the sense, as the word was used of old, when it signified a Souldiers solemn lysting or Covenanting with his Commander. Thus by distinguishing decent and orderly modes, and Circumstances necessary in genere, from new ordi∣nances, even solemn dedicating, covenanting or such like mystical signs, we have shewed you what we grant, and where you fail, and what is indeed a wrong to Christ, and an accusation of his Laws and what not: and how unjust your following accusation of us is: (who never yet told you, we would be accounted the best Christians, but to desire to please Christ as near as we can, is not blame worthy.) Abundance of things of lesser moment than these are commanded by God in the Law, to which he added that sanction Deut 12. 32. What ever things I command thee, &c. And we conceive that the words [as my Father sent me so &c.] had some what proper to the extraordinary mission: and if he hear not the Church &c. is neither spoken of a Church universal, nor of Magistrates making Laws for such Ceremonies, or signs. But if he hear not the Church, with which he was in Communion, and which ad∣monisheth him for his sin, let the Church reject him from their Com∣munion.