Speeches and passages of this great and happy Parliament: from the third of November, 1640, to this instant June, 1641.: Collected into one volume, and according to the most perfect originalls, exactly published.

The Charge of the Scottish Commissioners against the Prelate of CANTERBVRY.

NOvations in Religion, which are universally ac∣knowledged to be the maine cause of commoti∣ons in Kingdomes and States, and are knowne to be the true cause of our present troubles, were many and great, beside the book of Ordination, and Homilies. 1. Some particular alterations in matters of Religion, pressed upon us without order, and against Law, con∣trary to the forme established in our Kirk. 2. A new booke of Canons and Constitutions Ecclesiasticall. 3. A Liturgy, or booke of Common-prayer, which did al∣so carry with them many dangerous errors in matters of Doctrine. Of all which we challenge the Prelate of Can∣terburie, as the prime cause on earth.

And first, that this Prelate was the Author and urger of some particular changes, which made great distur∣bance amongst us, we make manifest. 1. By fourteen letters subscribed, W. Cant. in the space of two yeares, to one of our pretended Bishops, Bannatine, wherein he often enjoyneth him, and other pretended Bishops, to appeare in the Chappell in their whites, contrary to the custome of our Kirk, and to his promise made to the pretended Bishop of Edinburgh, at the Coronation, that none of them after that time, should be pressed to weare

these garments, thereby moving him against his will to put them on for that time; wherein he directeth him to give order for saying the English Service in the Chappell twice a day, for his neglect shewing him, that he was dis∣appointed of the Bishopricke of Edinburgh, promising him upon the greater care of these Novations, advance∣ment to a better Bishoprick, taxing him for his bold∣nesse in Preaching the sound Doctrine of the reformed Kirks, against Master Mitchell, who had taught the er∣rors of Arminius in the point of the extent of the merit of Christ, bidding him send up a list of the names of Councellours and Senators of the Colledge of Justice, who did not communicate in the Chappell, in a forme which was not received in our Kirk, commending him when he found him obsequious to these his commands; telling him that he had moved the King the second time for the punishment of such as had not received in the Chappell: and wherein he upbraided him bitterly, that in his first Synod at Aberdein, he had only disputed a∣gainst our custome of Scotland, of fasting sometimes on the Lords day, and presumptuously censuring our Kirk, that in this we were opposite to Christianity it selfe, and that amongst us there were no Canons at all: More of this stuffe may be seen in the letters themselves.

Secondly, by two papers of memoirs and instructions from the pretended Bishop of Saint Androis, to the pre∣tended Bishop of Rosse, comming to this Prelate for or∣dering the affairs of the Kirk, and Kingdome of Scotland; as not only to obtain warrants, to order the Exchequer, the Privy Counsell, the great Commission of Surren∣ders, the matter of Balmerino's processe, as might please our Prelates; but warrants also for sitting of the High-Commission Court once a weeke in Edinburgh, and to gaine from the Noblemen, for the benefit of Prelates, and their adherents, the Abbacies of Kelso, Arbroith, St. An∣drois, and Lindors, and in the smallest matters to receive

his commands, as for taking downe Galleries and stone∣walls in the Kirk of Edinburgh, and St. Androis, for no other end but to make way for Altars, and adoration to∣wards the East; which beside other evills, made no small noise and disturbance amongst the people, deprived here∣by of their ordinary accommodation for publique wor∣shippe.

The second Novation which troubled our peace, was a booke of Canons, and Constitutions Ecclesiasticall, obtruded upon our Kirk, found by our generall Assem∣bly, to be devised for establishing a tyrannicall power in the persons of our Prelates, over the worship of God, o∣ver the consciences, liberties, and goods of the people; and for abolishing the whole Discipline and government of our Kirk, by generall and provinciall Assemblies, Presbyteries, and Kirk-Sessions which was setled by Law, and in continuall practise since the time of Reformation; that Canterbury was Master of this work is manifest.

By a booke of Canons sent to him, written upon the one side onely, with the other side blanke, for correcti∣ons, additions, and putting all in better order at his plea∣sure; which accordingly was done, as may appeare by interlinings, marginalls, and filling up of the blanke page, with directions sent to the Prelates; and that it was done by no other then Canterbury, is evident by his Magisteriall way of the prescribing, and by a new copie of these Canons, all written with St. Androis owne hand, precisely to a letter, according to the former castigations sent back for procuring the Kings warrant unto it, which accordingly was obtained; but with an addition of some other Canons, and a paper of some other corrections. According to which, the book of Canons thus composed, was published in Print, the inspection of the books, in∣structions, and his letters of joy for the successe of the worke, and of others letters of the Prelate of London, and the Lord Sterling, to the same purpose; all which

we are readie to exhibite, will put the matter out of all debate.

Besides this generall, there be some things more spe∣ciall worthy to be adverted unto, for discovering his spi∣rit. 1. The fourth Canon of Cap. 8. for asmuch as no reformation in Doctrine or Discipline can be made per∣fect at once in any Church; therefore it shall, and may be lawfull fort the Church of Scotland at any time to make remonstrance to his M. or his successors, &c. Because this Canon holdeth the doore open to more innovations: He writeth to the Prelate of Rosse his privie agent in all this worke of his great gladnesse, that this Canon did stand bebinde the curtaine, and his great desire that this Canon may be printed fully, as one that was to be most usefull. Secondly, the title prefixed to these Canons by our Pre∣lates. Canons agreed upon to be proponed to the severall Synods of the Kirk of Scotland; is thus changed by Can∣terbury; Canons and constitutions Ecclesiasticall, &c. Ordained to be observed by the Clergy. He will not have Canons to come from the authority of Synods, but from the power of Prelates, or from the Kings Prerogative. Thirdly, the formidable Canon, Cap. 1.3. threatning no lesse then excommunication against all such persons who∣soever shall open their mouthes against any of these bookes, proceeded not from our Prelates, nor is to be found in the copie sent from them, but is a thunder bolt forged in Canterburies owne fire. 4. Our Prelates in di∣vers places witnesse their dislike of Papists. A Minister shall be deposed if he be found negligent to convert Pa∣pists. Cap. 18.15. The adoration of the bread is a super∣stition to be condemned. Cap. 6.6. They call the absolute necessitie of Baptisme, an error of Popery. Cap. 6.2. But in Canterburies Edition, the name of Papists and Pope∣rie is not so much as mentioned. 5. Our Prelates have not the boldnesse to trouble us in their Canons, with Al∣tars, Fonts, Chancells, reading of a long Liturgie before

Sermon, &c. But Canterburie is punctuall, and peremp∣tory in all these. Although the words of the tenth Canon cap. 3. be faire, yet the wicked intentions of Canterburie, and Rosse, may be seen in the point of justification of a sinner before God, by comparing the Canon as it came from our Prelates, and as it was returned from Canter∣bury, and printed, our Prelates say thus: It is manifest that the superstition of former Ages, hath turned into a great prophanesse, and that people are growne cold for the most part in doing any good, thinking there is no place to good works, be∣cause they are excluded from justification. Therefore shall all Ministers, as their Text giveth occasion, urge the necessitie of good works, as they would be saved, and remember that they are via regni, the way to the Kingdome of Heaven, though not causa regnandi, howbeit they be not the cause of salvation. Here Rosse giveth his judgement, That he would have this Canon, simply commanding good workes to be preached, and no mention made what place they have, or have not in justification. Upon this motion, so agreeable to Canterburies minde, the Canon is set downe as it standeth without the distinction of via regni, or causa regnandi, or any word sounding that way, urging onely the neces∣sitie of good works. 7. By comparing Can. 9. cap. 18. as it was sent in writing from our Prelates, and as it is prin∣ted at Canterburies command, may be also manifest, that he went about to establish auricular confession, and Po∣pish absolution. 8. Our Prelates were not acquainted with Canons, for afflicting of arbitrary penalties: But in Canterburies booke, wheresoever there is no penalty expressely set downe, it is provided that it shall be arbi∣trarie, as the Ordinary shall thinke fittest. By these and many other the like, it is apparant, what tyrannicall power he went about to establish in the hands of our Pre∣lates, over the worship, and the souls and goods of men, overturning from the foundation, the whole order of our Kirk, what seeds of Popery he did sow in our Kirk,

and how large an entry he did make for the grossest No∣vations afterward, which hath been a main cause of all their combustion.

The third and great Novation was the booke of Com∣mon Prayer, administration of the Sacraments, and o∣ther parts of divine Service, brought in without warrant from our Kirk to be universally received, as the only form of divine Service, under al•• highest paines both civill and Ecclesiasticall, which is found by our Nationall Assem∣bly; besides the Popish frame and formes in divine wor∣ship, to containe many Popish errors, and ceremonies, and the seeds of manifold and grosse superstitions and idolatries, and to be repugnant to the Doctrine, Disci∣pline, and order of our Reformation, to the confession of faith, constitutions of generall Assemblies, and Acts of Parliament, establishing the true Religion: that this also was Canterburies worke, we make manifest.

By the memoirs, and instructions sent unto him from our Prelates, wherein they gave a speciall account of the diligence they had used, to do all which herein they were enjoyned, by the approbation of the Service booke sent to them; and of all the marginall corrections, wherein it varieth from the English book, shewing their desire to have some few things changed in it, which notwithstand∣ing was not granted: This we finde written by Saint Androis own hand, and subscribed by him, and nine other of our Prelates.

By Canterburies owne letters, witnesses of his joy, when the booke was readie for the Presse, of his prayers that God would speed the worke, of the hope to see that Service set up in Scotland, of his diligence to send for the Printer, and directing him to prepare a black letter, and to send it to his servants at Edinburgh, for printing this booke. Of his approbation of his proofes sent from the Presse. Of his feare of delay, in bringing the worke speedily to an end, for the great good, (not of that

Church, but) of the Church Of his encouraging Rosse, who was entrusted with the Presse, to go on in this peece of service without feare of enemies. All which may be seen in the Autographs, and by letters sent from the Pre∣late of London to Rosse, wherein as he rejoyceth at the sight of the Scottish Canons; which although they should make some noise at the beginning, yet they would be more for the good of the Kirk, than the Canons of Edin∣burgh, for the good of the Kingdom. So concerning the Leiturgy he sheweth, that Rosse had sent to him, to have an explanation from Canterbury of some passage of the Service booke, and that the Presse behoved to stand, till the explanation come to Edinburgh, which therefore he had in haste obtained from his Grace, and sent the dis∣patch away by Canterburies own conveyance.

But the booke it selfe as it standeth interlined, margi∣ned, and patcht up, is much more than all that is expres∣sed in his letters, and the changes and supplements them∣selves taken from the Masse-booke, and other Romish Ritualls, by which he maketh it to vary from the Booke of England, are more pregnant testimonies of his popish spirit, and wicked intentions which he would have put in execution upon us, then can be denied. The large de∣claration professeth, that all the variation of our booke, from the booke of England, that ever the King under∣stood, was in such things as the Scottish humour would better comply with, than with that which stood in the English Service. These popish innovations therefore have been surreptitiously inserted by him, without the Kings knowledge, and against his purpose. Our Scot∣tish Prelates do petition that something may be abated of the English ceremonies, as the Crosse in Baptisme, the Ring in Marriage, and some other things. But Canterbury will not only have these kept, but a great many more, and worse superadded, which was nothing else, but the ad∣ding of fewell to the fire. To expresse and discover all,

would require a whole booke, we shall only touch some few in the matter of the Communion.

This book inverteth the ordor of the Communion in the book of England, as may be seen by the numbers, setting down the orders of this new Communion, 1.5.2.6.7.3.4.8.9.10.15. Of the divers secret reasons of this change, we mention one only; in joyning the spirituall praise and thanksgiving, which is in the book of England, pertinently after the Communion, with the prayer of Consecration before the Communion, and that under the name of memorable or oblation, for no other end, but that the memoriall and sacrifice of praise, mentioned in it, may be understood according to the popish meaning. Bellar. de Missae, lib. 2. cap. 21. Not of the spirituall sacrifice, but of the oblation of the body of the Lord.

It seemeth to be no great matter, that without war∣rant of the book of England, the Presbter going from the North end of the Tabls, shall stand during the time of Consecration, at such a part of the Table, where he may with the more ease and decencie use both hands; yet being tryed; it importeth much, as that he must stand with his hinder parts to the people, representing (sayth Durand) that which the Lord sayd of Moses, Thou shalt see my hinder parts. He must have the use of both his hands, not for any thing he hath to do about the bread and wine, for that may be done at the North end of the Table, and be better seen of the people; but (as we are taught by the Rationalists) that he may be stretching forth his arms, to represent the extension of Christ on the Crosse, and that he may the more conveniently lift up the bread and wine above his head to be seen and ado∣red of the people, who in the Rubrick of the generall Confession, a little before, are directed to kneel humbly on their knees, that the Priests elevation so magnified in the Masse, and the peoples adoration may go together; That in this posture, speaking with a low voyce, and

muttering (for sometimes he is commanded to speak with a lowd voyce, and distinctly) he be not heard by the people; which is no lesse a mocking of God, and his peo∣ple, then if the words were spoken in an unknown lan∣guage. As there is no word of all this in the English Ser∣vice, so doth the booke in King Ed. time, give to every Presbyter his liberty of gesture, which yet gave such of∣fence to Bucer, (the censurer of the book: and even in Cassanders own judgement, a man of great moderation in matters of this kinde) that he calleth them, Nunquam satis execrandos Misse gestus, and would have them to be abhorred, because they confirm to the simple and super∣stitious ter impiam & exitialem Misse fiduciam.

The corporall presence of Christs body in the Sacra∣ment, is also to be found here: for the words of the Mass-book serving to this purpose, which are sharply censured by Bucer in King Ed. Leiturgy, and are not to be found in the book of England, are taken in here. Almighty God is incalled, that of his Almighty goodnesse he may vouchsafe so to blesse and sanctifie with his Word and Spirit, these gifts of bread and wine, that they may be un∣to us the body and bloud of Christ.

The change here is made the worke of Gods omnipo∣tencie: the words of the Masse, ut fiant nobis, are trans∣lated in King Edwards booke, That they may be unto us, which are againe turned into Latine by Alesius, ut fiant nohis. On the other part, the expressions of the booke of England at the delivery of the Elements of feeding on Christ by faith, and of eating and drinking in remembrance that Christ dyed for thee, are utterly deleated. Many e∣vidences there be in this part of the Communion, of the bodily presence of Christ, very agreeable to the doctrines taught by his Secretaries, which this paper cannot con∣taine. They teach us that Christ is received in the Sacra∣ment, Corporaliter, both objective and subjective. Corpus Christi est objectum quod recipitur, & corpus nostrum subje∣ctum quo recipitur.

The booke of England abolisheth all that may import the oblation of any unbloudy Sacrifice; but here we have besides the Preparatorie oblation of the Elements, which is neither to be found in the booke of England now, nor in King Edwards booke of old, the oblation of the body and bloud of Christ, which Bellarmine calleth, Sacrifici∣um Laudis, quia Deus per illud magnopore laudatur. This also agreeth well with their late Doctrine. We are ready when it shall be judged convenient, and we shall be de∣sired, to discover much more matters of this kinde, as grounds layd for missa sicca, or the halfe masse, the pri∣vate masse without the people, of communicating in one kinde. Of the consumption by the Priest, and consumma∣tion of the Sacrifice, of receiving the Sacrament in the mouth, and not in the hand, &c.

Our Supplications were many against these bookes, but Canterbury procured them to be answered with ter∣rible Proclamations. We were constrained to use the re∣medie of Protestation; but for our protestations, and o∣ther lawfull meanes which we used for our deliverance, Canterbury procured us to be declared Rebels and Tray∣tors in all the Parish Kirks of England, when we were seeking to posse••••e our Religion in peace, against these devices and Novations, Canterbury kindled warre against us. In all these it is knowne that he was, though not the sole, yet the principall Agent and Adviser.

When by the pacification at Barwick, both Kingdoms looked for peace and quietnesse, he spared not openly in the heating of many, often before the King and privately at the Councell-Table, and the privy Join to to speake of us as Rebels and Traytors, and to speak against the pacification as dishonorable, and meet to be broken. Nei∣ther did his malignancie and bitternesse ever suffer him to rest till a new warre was entred upon, and all things prepared for our destruction.

By him was it that our Covenant approven by Natio∣nall

Assemblies, subscribed by his M. Commissioner, and by the Lords of his M. Counsell, and by them command∣ed to be subscribed by all the Subjects of the Kingdome, as a testimony of our duty to God, and the King, by him was it still called ungodly, damnable, Treasonable; by him were oathes invented, and pressed upon divers of our poore Country-men, upon the pain of imprisonment, and many miseries, which were unwarrantable by Law, and contrary their Nationall oath.

When our Commissioners did appeare to render the reasons of our demands, he spared not in the presence of the King and Committee, to raile against our Nationall Assembly, as not daring to appeare before the World, and Kirks abroad, where himselfe and his actions were able to endure tryall, and against our just and necessary defence, as the most malicious and Treasonable contempt of Monarchiall Government that any bygone Age hath heard of: His hand also was at the Warrant for the re∣straint and imprisonment of our Commissioners, sent from the Parliament, warranted by the King, and seeking the peace of the Kingdomes.

When we had by our Declarations, Remonstrances, and Representations manifested the truth of our intenti∣ons, and lawfulnesse of our actions, to all the good Sub∣jects of the Kingdome of England, when the late Parli∣ament could not be moved to assist, or enter in warre a∣gainst us, maintaing our Religion, and liberties; Can∣terbury did not onely advise the breaking up of that high and honorable Court, to the great griefe and hazzard of the Kingdome; but (which is without example) did sit still in the Convocation, and make Canons and Consti∣tutions against us, and our just and necessary defence, ordaining under all highest pains, that hereafter the Cler∣gie shall preach foure times in he yeare such doctrine as is contrary not only to our proceedings, but to the do∣ctrine and proceedings of other reform'd Kirks, to the

judgement of all sound Divines, and politiques, and ten∣ding to the utter slavery and ruining of all Estates and Kingdomes, and to the dishonor of Kings and Monarchs. And as if this had not been sufficient, he procured six Subsidies to be lifted of the Clergie, under pain of depri∣vation to all that should refuse. And which is yet worse, and above which malice it self cannot ascend, by his means a prayer is framed, printed, and sent through all the Pa∣roches of England, to be sayd in all Churches in time of Divine Service, next after the prayer for the Queene and Royall Progeny, against our Nation by name of Trayte∣rous Subjects, having cast of all obedience to our an∣nointed Soveraign, and comming in a rebellious manner to invade England, that shame may cover our faces, as Enemies to God, and the King.

Whosoever shall impartially examine what hath pro∣ceeded from himselfe, in these two books of Canons and Common-prayer, what Doctrine hath been published and printed these years by-past in England, by his Disci∣ples and Emissaries, what grosse Poperie in the most ma∣teriall points we have found, and are readie to shew in the posthume writings, of the Prelate of Edinburgh, and Damblane, his own Creatures, his nearest familiars, and most willing instruments to advance his counsells, and projects, sall perceive that his intentions were deep and large against all the reformed Kirks, and reformation of Religion, which in his Majesties Dominions wes pant∣ing, and by this time had rendred up the ghost, if God had not in a wonderfull way of mercy prevented us: and that if the Pope himselfe had been in his place, he could not have been more popish, nor could he more zealously have negotiated for Rome, against the reformed Kirks, to reduce them to the Heresies in Doctrine, the Superstiti∣ons and Idolatry in worship, and the Tyranny in Govern∣ment which are in that Sea, and for which the reformed Kirks did seperate from it, and come forth of Babel. From

him certainly hath issued all this deluge, which almost hath overturned all. We are therefore confident that your Lordships will by your meanes deale affectually with the Parliament, that this great firebrand be pre∣sently removed from his Majesties presence, and that he may be put to triall, and put to his deserved censure ac∣cording to the Lawes of the Kingdome, which sall be ser∣vice to God, honor to the King and Parliament; terror to the wicked, and comfort to all good men, and to us in speciall; who by his means principally have been put to so many and grievous afflictions, wherein we had peri∣shed, if God had not been with us.

We do indeed confesse that the Prelates of England have been of very different humors, some of them of a more hot, and others of them, men of a more moderate temper, some of them more, and some of them lesse in∣clinable to Poperie, yet what knowne truth, and constant experience hath made undeniable, we must at this op∣portunitie professe, that from the first time of Reforma∣tion of the Kirk of Scotland, not only after the comming of King James of happy memory into England, but be∣fore the Prelates of England, have been by all means un∣cessantly working the overthrow of our Discipline and Government. And it hath come to passe of late, that the Prelates of England having prevailed, and brought us to subjection in the point of government, and finding their long waited for opportunity, and a rare congruity of ma∣ny spirits and powers, ready to cooperate for their ends, have made a strong assault upon all the externall worship, and Doctrine of our Kirk. By which their doing, they did not ayme to make us conforme to England, but to make Scotland first (whose weaknesse in resisting they had before experienced, in the Novations of government, and of some points of worship) and thereafter England conforme to Rome, even in these matters, wherein Eng∣land had seperated from Rome, ever since the time of Re∣formation.

An evill therefore which hath issued, not so much from the personall disposition of the Prelates them∣selves, as from the innate qualitie and nature of their of∣fice and Prelaticall Hierarchy, which did bring forth the Pope in ancient times, and never ceaseth till it bringeth forth popish Doctrine and worshippe, where it is once rooted, and the principles thereof fomented and con∣stantly followed. And from that antipathy and inconsi∣stency of the two formes of Ecclesiasticall Government, which they conceived, and not without cause, that one Island united also under one head and Monarch, wes not able to beare; the one being the same in all the parts and powers, which it wes in the time of Popery, and now is in the Roman Church. The other being the forme of Go∣vernment, received, maintained, and practised by all the Reformed Kirks, wherein by their own testimonies and and confessions, the Kirk of Scotland had amongst them no small eminencie. This also we represent to your Lordships most serious consideration, that not only the firebrands may be removed, but that the fire may be provided a∣gainst, that there be no more combustion after this.