COLLECTION OF PURITAN AND ENGLISH THEOLOGICAL LITERATURE I LIBRARY OF THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY V . t. I - ~ I I ! Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2018 with funding from Princeton Theological Seminary Library https://archive.org/details/apologeticallrelOObrow of the particularfuffmngs of thefaithfullAii^ nijters&profejsoursofihe Church of Scoiidndj jmce ^ugu[l. 1660. Wherein fevcrall queftions, ufefull for tlie time, are difcufled: The King’s preroragative over Parliaments & peoplefobcrly enquired into: The lawfulnes defenfive war cleared. The fupreme Magiftrats power in Church ters examined, tlAlr Stilling fleet' s, notion concerning the divine rigjjt of formes of Church Government, confidered. The author of the fcalbnable cale anhvered, other particulars, inch as the hearing of the Curats, appearing before the high com- mifEon court, &c. canvalled. Together with the rife r eigne & rutrie of the former ^Prr- U/s mScod.inti, Ectng. A brieff account (rom Hhlory , of the Govern¬ ment of the Church of Scotland , from the beginning ,& of • the many'troubles which Prelats have created to her, firft & lafe. yer fatisfachon of grangers ^ nicotiYitgtmentcffrefent fuffeterir^ By a well, wisher to the good old caufe. jEit. 50.' 34. Then-Redeemer it Jlroag, The Lord of hoftstshis nameh^ shall thorowly f lead their caufe , that he may give reft to the land y ir dtf-^ quiet the inhabitants of Babylon, M1C..7 .•9,10./ will fear the indignation of the Lord becaufel harefinned againft him , untill he flead my caufe , execute Judgement for me , he wilt bring me fuorth to light, ir L shall behold his righteoafnes: then shee that is mine enemy shall fee it y ttr shame shall cover her, "which faid unto me where is the Lord thy God ^ GMine eyes shall behold her , now shall she be trodes* down as the mir etf the ftreets. IsA. 5 i; iz, i 3. Thm faith the Lord thy God that pleadeth the caufe of hit people. Behold Ihanetakfn out of thine hand the cup of trembling, eyen the dregs of the cup of my fury, thou shalt no more drinkflt again. "But I will put It into the hand of them who affiiB thee, which hayc faid to thy foule,b(iV~J , xiown that we maygoe fuer , cly tboit haf t laid thy body as th^ground j fly a*, (it Orset to thm that went over. ^ ^ ' r.T Printed inihc Yccr.i^tf5^’ The Epiftle to the READER. Chiijlian Reader, Ill’s is a time wherein littld or nothing is heard from the Churches of Chrift a' 1 the world over, but lamentation & woe $ partly by reafon ofgric-*' vous afflidions & fora pcrlecution (whiSh itf none of thewoiftcon-* ditions ) & partly hy reafon of wocfull and shamefull defedion, 8 C fallingfrom former zealc & integrity , occadotrr ed either by the temptations which ulJlally attend sK^e try- . alls ofafHidion ’{whereby the weakn^fs of many, &: perverfhefs of hear\ in mo^isdifcoy5r^cf) vPr^'vi:Iraut any^ch force of cxtcrnall temptation , from an inward deray of rife Sc love , & wearing of God & hiswayes fthe Word condition that a Church Van be in ) which is now the Epidemicall plague of. this age. Hence it is that the Lord feemeth to be angry with all, & leadyto rejed fotne of hig Churches, which to hint' ' ' "' d ~^ arc The^piJIle M ate as a generation of Ins wrath. Have not his people fet up their aboniiaations, in the houfe which is called by his name to pollute it? And may it not be feared that the curfc shall devoure the earth , .Sc they that dwell'therein shall be made dcfolate, bccaiifc they have tranfgrclled the lawes , changed the ordinances, & broken the evcrlafting Coven.ant i There appeareth now hanging over the head of the poor little flock of Chrift , a black & dreadfull cloud threatning no leflc then utter ruine, Sc overthrow, or at lead fpeaking a loude alarmc for awaking the fcciue & llecping Bride. It is moft fad to behold, how little the Churches of Chrid in evciy place, arcafTedled with this imminent flroke, ready to light on all: & to lee fome of them quiet Sc at reft,linging >« rec^tutm to themfel- ^cs,asif (though difpenlationsfronithe Lord, doe fpeak the contrary to all who will but open their eyes ) their mountaine flood fo ftrong,as never to be moved.This dcadnefs Sc deepe fe- curity ,when allthings fpeak an approaching (lormc( as it doth evidcncea greatjudgeraent Sc fpintuall plague fromGodnipon the Spirits of pcoplcf fo it) dothprefage no lels then remedi- Ic/s ruincjif God,in the riches of his mercy,prevent it not.What a dreadfull night ofconfulion Sc aftonishment muft be at hand, when there is fuch blacknefs without, And fuch dcadnefs & prodigious fecuriiy within.? Are not the enemies ofthe Church asiJehalj Awntm^ Amalelc,^ The Phtlipmes £5 thope of Tyre ^ Affnr , & the Children of Ao/ ( who arc early & late ac their mailer’s work) deviling Sc plotting the ruine & dcllru- ftion of the intcrcll Sc Kingdome of Chrift ? Arc they not all combined together, & a£lcd with the fame Spirit of Antichrtfty for this very end Sc purpefe, to hclpe forw.nrd , as with one shoulder, & to raife up his fallen intereft, & heale his wound? And arc they not fetting themfelvcs to ihiuft King lefus from his throne, to put the crownc from hishead, 8 c the feepter out of his hand, & fo to prey upon, ik devour his little flock, that, if it were polTible, they should be no more a nation, nor their name remembered any more? And are they not about thefwallowing up oftheproteftant intereft , as in a moment? Aad wliatis the Church ofChr.ift doing,^11 this whUtJDoth she * n-ia The Reader, ftir up licr fclfetocall upon her head & husbaii'd, ortoawakc the watch man of Ifreal, who neitherflumbcreth nor fleepeth? Is she upon her watch-tower , looking out & guarding againft the approaching enemy, or obfcrving his motions 5 Ah notfo ! Sheis fall a flcepe , whilcthe enemy is within the walls. And which is more fad & lamentable, with her owa hands, she hath helped to makcthe breach in the wall, at which the enemy hath entered , & now hath faire advantage giveh him, to accomplish his bloody dcfigne againft thcprotc- ftantcaurc& intereft. ( So little hath she gained, by her fin- fullcompliance with the opinions & praftifes of Antichriftiatl men, whether throush bafe fcare , or carnall prudence ) even the cutting of it ofF, And the bringing of his people back a- gaincunto Babylon. Whoknoweth,but ^though thc’Lord’s enemies shall at laft be troden under, as ftraw for the dunohill, & he shallIprcad forth his hands in the midftof them, as he that fwimmcthlpreadeth forth hie hands to fwim, bring down their pride together with the Ipoiles of their hands, lay low in the duft, & bring to the ground, even thchigh for- trefle of their wall, & fo make all his enemies know that there is a Kingin .Z'/ow who shall & muft rcigne untill all his foes be made his footftoole ) the oncly wife God , who knoweth how to tunic every thing to the beft, may fuflfer the adverfarics to profper in their device Sc deligne , & [o give up many of the people called by his name, tothc fword ofthc enemy, thato- thers maytbe alarmed &c awaked from their fleep, '& put to their prayers, even to calling upon God with their whole heart .& not fainedly ? O that they were wife, & would fpcedily prevent this deadly blow by repentance, & byftrious confi- dering how they hava fallen from their firft love , &: have forr* gotten their firft workes! O that they would think ofreturn¬ ing to the raoft high,with fafting weeping & mourning,renting their hearts & not their garments, of turning unto the Lord their God who is gracious Scmercifull, flow to anger, & of great Kindnefs & repenteth him of the evill! However his pcoplearccalled to mindc that word, Ifa. lo: za. Come e enter thou info fhj ch^mhet}^ shut thj do ores about thte. JheipHleU ^itde thy fdfai it were for a Itrtle moment untAl the hdignatton It pverpajt; for behold the Lord cometh OHt of hts place ^ to pumsh fhe mhahuants of the earth for their im epHtty. 1 he ear eh alp thall dffelofe her blood, £5 ^hall t^o more cover herflam. i In theic following sheets, tlu^ is feme account oiven thee, of the fad 5c deplorable condition of the Church of C/,r//Z in Scotland. It is wonderfull to fechow variously Satan doth alTault the Churches of God , fonre one way, fome another: That crafty & cunning adverfary , doth fuite his baits & fna- res to the fever all complexions of people 6c Churches, againft •which hcoppofethhimfclfe: Some have the tryall of cruel mockings, 6c fcourgings: others meet with bonds 6c impri- fonment, and others with triall of fome other Kinde ; A- gainftfome, Satan doth raife cruel 6c bloody perfecutions, o- thers he endeavoureth todraw away from their ftediallnefs 6c aeale,by cnfnardng allurements: a third fort he invadeth with all Iris troupes 6c forces at once: And thus is the lately glorious Church of Scotland tried this day . Upon the one handhe raifeth up againft her, men of corrupt mindcs deftitute of the truth i who make sharpe their tounges like a Serpent, 6c under whofe lips is the poifon ol adders.Thefc have vented 6cdoc vent meft bitter fianders 6; rcproachesagainft her, &the way of reformation , which the hand of God wrousjht in* her : On the other hand , he hath raifed w ithin her ,amoftcruel perlc--* cution by a popish prclaticall 6c malignant party, fetting them on with rage, againft all who dtlire to keepe thcmftlvcs unlpot- ted, 6c free of the contagions ofthis evill timcj fo:cting fome by cruel 6c fore perlccutiot},6c enfuarcing others,that arc more llm- ple ^deceiving 6c drawing them into their net;6c thereby cauling many to ccmply with thcm in’their\r ickcdwayes,5cto run with .them unto the fame exCtlTe of lin Sc wickednes. Yet hithcr- tilI(for which,the name ofthe Lord is alone to beMagriSed)thc , dclignes 6c devices o^ihef^Matchiavell/anyohitcpkch, & blood'V perfecuters have rot taken fuch cfFcdf, as they cither wished or expedfed . It is tiue, rnany (Alas! too too marry) have bcencarricd away with theftreame, and willingly walked after |h?coam;ian4eii^enc,to the great dish9nourof God, amazement Tk "Reader* icf nations about,rcjoycingofthc heart oftheungodlyj&to tK great ftumbling & grief, of the truely tender & godly in that hnd , fo as the defedioii of that Church may be matter of afto^ Bibhment to the prcfent & after generationstYet it is her mercy that there arc nor a few in her, whomconfcience, & Chriftian tendernefs in their walke,hath expofed toiad iulferings who tho- low grace have refolved to keep their garments cleane;&to pre- £;rrc the peace of a good confcience,to all the treafures of £gypff holding faith & a good confcicncc, of which many make ship-, wrack,& in the Lord their mailer’s llrength,to hold fall t heir in- tegiity, &to maintainetheir ground,though boi ds & affl.dlions should abide themiThe jullification & defence of fuch,is the in¬ tended fcope olthis following trcatilc; Which how well man- agedisleft to thy dilcrction to Judge. ) It is like, fuch a worthy & noblecaufemay fufFerprejudice through the weaknels of him who here dothappeare in its de¬ fence, wherefore it is wished that fome more able pen beengadg- ed in this worke, for clearing to the w'orld the prcfent fad cafe of that Church, And vindicating her from afperlions& calumnies, which her ad verlarics laboure to fallen upon her.To fpeak in the jullification ofluch a mother,would well become the moll emi¬ nent of her Children ; It would be fo far from being below them,& a difparagement.that they might jullly account it their glory, t® lav out thcmlelvesin theout mollof their llrcngth &'p3rts, for the defence offuch a caulc, whenfo fewdoeavow, & openly declare their owning of, & adherence to it: But un¬ till theLord shall be plealed tollir up & let on worke Ibmc more able,&»to prompt them withafpirit ofzcale & courage for fucli an undertaking , thou mull reft fatiflied with this poor eflay, for the time. Only thou mayell give charity totheauthor, that it was not his intention to wronge, in the lcall,ro glorious a caufe; But feeing none elfe did undertake or appeare in it (foe any thing known to him ) Hedefircd, in a few words (than fomeching (though it should prove little better then nothing) might belaid in & for it) to make it known how worthy ic were the thoughts & paincs of a more able head Sc hand, CO deale in. ^ ^ Many The Epijlle te Tvfany, It is like,'will be the exceptions taken" at thispicce^ 6i moc then can now cither be thought upon or obviated, fuch ns arc mofl obvious, wccshall endeavour to removcjby briefljf touchino; & anfwering; them. Somcmay thinkit-ftrangCjthata piece^oi this nature,intend¬ ed,as appearcth from its ftraine,for fatisfadion,ofChurches abro¬ ad,cometh not forth in'a latinc-drefR’. Jt is ttue, it was intended at fir{I,&ro motilded & drawn up,as it might be published to the world in latincjfor thefatisrying offtiangcrs &Churches abroad; Eut uponfecond thoughts. When thecafcofthcrufTeringpeo- plcin that Church & Kingdomewasconlidcred;Ic was thought expedient,that it should firfi: be published in English;That fuch as had hithertil valiantly rcliftcd , to the loflc of their meanes & liberty, might be'ftrcngthcncd &: confirmed in their refolution. And the more encouraged to endure afflidions when they should fee that they did fufTcr for righteoiifnefs lake ,& that they were called thereto of God: & that others might be quickened to fol low their footffeps who had fochcerfully gone before them in the way, Having hereby their doubts cleared , Icruplcs re¬ moved , & their judgements convinced in the point of duety: & this v/as found even nccefl'iiy at fuch a time, when their temptations did abound, their faintings were like to grow ; dc when fuch as were able to give advice in difficult calcs, & to encourage the weak,wcrethruftaway. Sotheconfulting oftheir prefent neccfficy did haften it forth in this dreil'e : Belidcs, that many both in England, & Ireland, may receive information & edification hereby,of which they should havebeen deprived,if it liad been published in lacine. Afterward, if it bethought ne- ceflaryde expedient, this or fome other, may be published to the world in Latinc, with lelTc prejudice to the prefent fufFerers. Next, fome mav think that feverall queftions here handled , might have been forborne, c'pccially fuch as touch upon the civil Magillrat his power & prerogative, feing in all probabi¬ lity he shall be the more enraged thereby. It IS true. Higher powers will not take well fuch free & round dealing: But what xcniedy is there ? w4micut Flato , Amims Sccm’es, fed -veiitas'. dc it had been a juft ground of offence , If l^he "ReadeY* CO pleafc the higher powers, truth had been betrayed, whcnnel ceflity did call for witnefling unto it: ' The intereft of Chrift is much more to be valued, Then the pretended & imaginary interefts ofthc higheft powers on earth. The work of God ought to be juftilied , who ever be offended therewith; And when many of the Lords worthy & pretious ones,hare adventur¬ ed, &layddowncthcirlivcs,inthecarryingon of fucha work (unto which they were called of God) can it give juft offence to any, to hcarc it now pleaded for, becaufe it is maligued & blafjrhemedjyeafuchan efTayas this in defence &. juftification thereof at Inch a time , should in reafon be accounted the more fcafonablc & necellary. If there be any unbefeeming txpref- fions, or favouring of paftion, tnefc shall willingly be difbwned provideing that thecaufe fulTer no prejudice thereby; knowing that the wrath ofman worketh not the riwhteoufnes of God i And that no railing accufation , or fpcaking evill of dignities (which is condemned in the word) ought to be approved. Yea the reader shall find upon narrow fcarch, confidering the matter, that much more plainnefle & sharpencfic might have been ufed in fuch a difpute; And that as much inofFcnfivencfs hath been fludied,as might be, without hurt to thecaufe. And that purpofely many particulars, which might have been men¬ tioned,have beene pafTcd by*. And that no particulars have been pitched upon, but fuch as arc ftill upon record in their printed A(fts, or were publickly afted Sc concluded in their publick meetings: And as to thefc aonfcquences drawn from their Affs & adfings, which appeare dangerous Sc deftiudlive tc» the throne, Ictfueh as have laid the foundation in the premif^ cs fee to that, exz>eris nilnijiverum' Who give tw'ice two, cannot be juftly offended wrth any who shall thence conclude that they givefourcj&whethcr thtConfequcnces beclcarc&un- dcnyablc or not, the reader now hath it before him to judge: As to the Kings fupremacy in Church matters, no trucly reformed divine, can jwftly takcany cxccptionagainft that which is here fpoken upon that head. The priviledges of the crownc Sefeepter ofehrift should be highly valued ,& carncflly cortend- fd for, by all, who fall & a^ccuat thcmfelv es Cbr i ftians; §e a diC f ^ f, couifq TheEpiJllet'o «oiir{e or debate on that fubjedt cannot but be accounted nccefi. ry at'ibis time , when the powers of the earth fas would ap- pcare) have combined together to rob Chiifl: of his crownc & to share his privilcdges amongft thcmfelves, to the great icandall of the Gofpel, & prejudice ofthe Kingdome & inter- eft of Chrift in fouls, & through the world. Further, it is like, fome would have wished, that the hiftorical part contained in the firft & fecond fcdlions,had been much more large. Such may know that brevity was ftudied as much as could be ,allalongs, yeafo much,that,it may be feared, the reader shall thinke it the more unpleafant in reading; & that the fcopc, & in¬ tendment of that part ofthe tradlate, was only to give a hint of the manyl& various troubles, whichprelats from the beginning' had created unto that Church, & by what fteps & wayes she was brought under their yoke: fo that a large hiltory could not be expefted; Itis true, fiicha worke as that would be both moft feafonable & ufefullin this jundfure of time; And it were to be wished; that fitch as have theHiftory penned by thelearned & induftrious MrCaldervtedi would think upon the moft ready & efFcdfiiall wav for publishing it,that the world m ly have a full clear &fati faftory view of the many toflings, which,that poor Church hath endured, &thc many wrcftlings which she had with a popish, prelaticall & malignant party from the begin¬ ning ; Meanwhile Mt , & Mr Petree their Hiftories, V'mdui& PpiftaU Phtladel^ht Printed with altare dam.tjcemint hjijfor/a mutuum iScc. the Nullity ofperth ajjemhljU the course ofconflyrmity, Si (ach orher printed pieces, together with the hrinted Acarc of the wicked; for if ther? *The deader iLcrc had been any other ■way for virdicatirg fuch is doe fuffer upon the account of thefe particulars ^ and fear preventing the fall of others into thefamc lhare j this way had never been made choife of; & therefore feeing nothing is laid upon any linfull or finifter deligne, thtfe brethren & Chriftians, will take this fmitingasa Kindnefs, & thefe reproofs as aa excellent oylc that will not break the head. They will not takein evil part, the difeovery here made; They are of another fpirit, then to be embittered , arfuch frecS: fufl liping up of theevilsof the courfc which many in this houic ofdaiknefs dofollow: Yea it cannot but be hoped certainly expedfed, that fuch as truely feare the Lord, will blclfe his name, with all their heart, for luch things made known to them , that in time they may repent of the lame, Jcleecaufe of wondering at his goodnefs, & mercy in not leaving them to themfelves, in other particulars of tryall, notwithftardingof their failing ofduty , in that their begun tryall; >lnd who knoweth but ferious mourning and repenting before the Lord, for fainting fo far, would open adoore for a great in-come of joy and confolation to the fweetningof the bitternefs of fuffering , Sctothcflrengthning and bearing up of their loules under their mighty prclTurcs ; So then the deligne both Ofieran- itt 8 i Ofertt being good , let no tender Chriftian be difpleafed with the way of the profecution of thefe particulars, or think that there is too much sharpnefs ufed, & that the confe- quences are drawn too ftrait; For if in the Particulars them- lelves, truth be maintained (as may be fuppofed, will be grant¬ ed) the arguments made ufeof, can give no juft offeree # efpecially fuch as are drawn from the Covenants which now are trampled upon by this linfull & backllyding Generation, upoa which many (otherwife not ill minded) think not much, ef- pecially now , when it is reckoned a crime once to name tluiac as Handing in force & obligeing the lands : And when the Spirit of thcle who carry on with violence this wocfull courfc ofdefedion, are fo enraged at the lame, that they can- cot endure to heare a Covenant lo much as named, though ic .■wciecvgo the Covenant of grace. (This,, however incredible k The £ pi Site to Bnay fccme to be, &: will hardly be received by a Chriftiar) cafe is a well known truth. Now acfuch a time to put people in mindeofthtiringagements unto God. &to difeoverhow fuch & fuch praiftifes are contrary to their Covenant oblig^itions & vowes,cannot juftly be condemned, but approved of all who iJefireto ftand fall in this houreoftemptation. It is beyond all queftion , the Particulars here aflerted shall meet with much contradiftion from men of corrupt mindes, whofe principles will lead them to oppofe what here is fpoken in vindication of truth, & of thehoneft fufferers of Chrift: And upon that account it may be expefted that the fame honour shall be done to this,which hath been done to other more worthy pie¬ ces, viz. that it shallbecommitted to the fire, there to receive a quick dirpatchde anfwer, which will be fo far from leflentng the credit ofthebooke, that it will render it much more delire- ablc, & confirme the weakc concerning the truth of the Parti¬ culars here fpoken to, & ofthe unanfwerablencfs of the argu¬ ments here made nfe of;&rothe authors cxpeftationshall be fully anfwered. But ifthey shall doc it thejuftice, to com¬ mit it to examiners one or moe , who with fobriety & moderation, shall publish their exceptions to the contrary , Sc shall examine thefe papers by the word of God, right tcafon, & the fundamental! 3 c municipall lawes of Scotland', the particulars here fpoken to, shall be revindicated , The Lord granting lifc,ftrength & liberty,from all their exceptions. Only' Jet not fuch as undertake this taske, improve the advantage of authority (now on their lide) fo far, as to doe nothing but railc at randome, 3 ( flufF their reply with unbefeeming (to fay no worfc ) And Unchnflian expreflions , 5 c outcries of mafa, treafon; for in that^cafe, it will be thought expedient not to anf. cr fuch in their folly. A good caufeis a mighty fe- eond to a weak riian. And fo being perfwaded that the caufe is noble & juft , much owned & honoured of God; Thercis the greater ground of hope that God will helpefuchas shall under- cake the defence thereof: & the cavils ofmen (who may be looked upon as uurcx,etT»x^tTci in molt of thefe particulars) are lire kffe to be feared. 1^9 7he 'Eftfile if '• But Chriftian reader ,v/hat tutei tainment fo ever it shall havii- tFiththefe, who have out lived their zeale& integrity, JchavC sharncfully decllnedin the day of tryall. And have betrayed thecaufe &. intereft of Chrift, & thcreJore shall looke upon thenifelves as not a little concerned herein , & pinched hereby,, being unwilling to have their evils ript up, & laid open to the view of the world ■, Let it have a Chnlf lan entertainment with thee: & though it come late to thy hands (through the injurie of the times ) let it not be the Icflc welcome: II the Lord shall bepleafed to blefleit,it may beofulefor thy ftrcngthningin thit growing ftorme, upon feverall accounts & grounds, whereof i hint but a few. I. By what is faid here , thou may eft fee that the caufe thou ftifFcreft for , is the good old caufe: That lame Spirit which afted the Prelats & other enemies of the Church of Scotland from the beginning , is now raging in her prefent enemies; The fame dcligne is & hath been endeavoured Si driven on, all a longs. How various fo ever the pretexts & colours have been under which they have fought to cover iheB'.fclves, the cover¬ ing hath proved too narrow for them j firft prelacy & then popery was intend firft &: laft. It is the fame caufe, in the de-» fence of which, Chrifts worthies ©fold did aft & fuffer, folong as they could ftand, & in the defence whereof, they were notaf- layed tobeare thedifplcafure of King & court, & to hazard life ic liberty, &all which was dear unto them: ifthen the fame Spitit doth aft &worke in theentmitsof the Church now which did aft & worke in their predeceffours of old, pray thott that the fame Spirit ofGod, niayaft thee&allthc faithfullor the land , which didappeare in the worthy & valiant Cham¬ pions of old, whether thru be called to aft or fufferfor his fake* i. Thou mayeft know from what is here related,that the caufe for which thou art now fuffenng, was brought very low before thefe times, And that the advet Iftits thereof have oltcn • or up tea great height , yet the good caufe hath got above themS And how Afts of Parliament, oncaftcr another, &allthedi- vier s of ihcadvtrfary, to fcale the grave. And to makeii rure> Q9C ^cp thi$ Mttfc of Ckife i gloilgus cciuireft ion ^ rhe Eplflk w Many a time have they afHidlcd me from my youth (might :hc Church ofthen have faii ) many a time have they af- flided me from my- youth , yet have they not prevailed againft me. The plowersplowed upon my back, Sc made long theirfuirowev, The Lordis righteous, he hath cut afundcr the coards ©f the wicked. And shall it not yet hold true, that all they who hate Zion shall be confounded & turned back, 8c be made as the graffe upon the houfe topes> which withereth be fore it be grown up? There is nocaufe ofdelpondcncy ofipirit, or ofgiv-ing over the caule as loft: theicis hope in ifrael concer¬ ning this matter, his people may ftill hope & truft in his name, who hath wrought falvation of old. He who did put that wicked party to shame & confulion offacc , in former times, & made the name ofPrelats to ftink,&: their poftcrity to be as curf- cd vagabonds wandering up Sc down, bearing the marks'of god’s difpleaiurc,ftill li veth & reigncth,&: doth no more approve ofthe Ungodly of this generation. Nor of their more then barbarous carriage, who have laboured tooutftrip their pre- decelTours in perhdioiis treachery-(Then he did them ,who of old did fetthemfelves againft tlic Lord & his Chrift, ycamuchlefle: It is true , the men of this generation think they have pins for flopping ofTuch holes,which their predeceflburs could not ftop; but he whoj'ftttethin the heavens doth laugh at them, & hath ihem in dcriiion; He fecth that their day is coming. It is cafie with him j to caufc the fword which they have drawn to flay fuch as arc of upright con verfation , enter into their own tearts; & to break the bo wes which they have bent to call down the poor &n(edy; Our Godliveth, 5: rcigneth 5c shall reignCj let Kings ofelay rage as they will. Therefore caft not awayyour confidence which hath a great rccompcncc of reward, for yee have need’of patience that after ye have done the will of God ye may recc vc the promife; For yet a little while & he that shall come, will come, 5c will not tarry. Thou mayeftfee , that this caufe 5c work, againft which the wicked haveconfpired 5c fetthemfelves, hath been lignally owtitd 5c approved of by the Lord, for which he hath ft>ught> |u his right haod doac valiantly, & whereby he hath got him- felf The Reader, Telfa name among the nations; And who knoweth what God will yet doe for his great name ,'which , in this day of rebuke &: blafphemy, is greatly reproached ? Hath he begun 5f will he not rinish his woike ? It is true, the provocations of his people doe keep them long in the wdldernes; yet he who hathfre- quently wrought foi his names fake , that it should not be blaf- phemedamongft the heathen, will ftill be tender of the fame: & lith,at this day ,there is much blafphemy belched forth, by perfons of all ranks againft the great & glorious works of God, as much if not more , then at any time or in any age, wherein hath been Idle light; The people ofGod need not be hope- leflc, much Idle conclude, That God who is jealous of his own glory , tJe will not give it to another, will fuller it now to be ^iven to the devil , on whom his work is fathered; But rather will certanely be avenged on thofe prodigioiifly &: unparallelably impious & facrilegious perfons. How dread¬ ful la thing is it, to fay that ChriTtcafteth out devils, h'fEecl- the prince of devils! 4 . Thou maydl lee clearly, that the caufe , for which thou doRnow fulfer is the caiifcoFChriftiHis enemies would pul the crown from ofThis head, 5c the feepter out of his fiand , .5c by this mcaiaes, make him no King in 5: over his Church , & cenfcquently no mediatour; Forasmediatouf, he is a King la 5c over his Kingdome, that is his,Church,in which he dwd- Icth, 5c over which he ruleth with his feepter ofrighteoufnefle.- Xhey will not have his Kingdome, a free Kingdome, 5c conle- cjacntly they will not have him a free King. They will not al¬ low tohim , the liberty ofappoynting or inftituteing his own officers, or to rule his Kingdome by his owne lawes, courts ordinances ,■ 5c cenfures; Nor will they fuffer Church-admi- niftrations, to be performed in his name 6 c authority, as, in reafon, the^ ought to be, ifhe be King 5 c head of his Church. He muft have no more liberty tocxercc his jurildidlton, by the Miniftcryof his inferiour officers, within their domini¬ ons 5c territories, then feemeth good in thei jfiplincof his lioufc, muft be cxerced only in --- ~ r eyes. The dif- fo far as they think gooc^ T'he'EpiJlleto «’OoJ ro permit: And thus it is undenyabic that they look on Chrift as an evil neighbour, 5 : as no good friend to Ci^ftr.Thcy thinkhisKingdom is of thisumtld, & therefore it mutt have no place within any of their Kingdomes & tetricorits. Thus thou ft'tft, that, in end, the controverfy comelh to this, whether Chtift, or man shall reigneiiithc Church, as head Sc fupream Governour thereof: And whether the inccreft of Chrift or of man shall be preferred; A nd to preferre the intcr- eftofamanunto the intereft of Chrift , hath heretofore been- accounted malignancy of the deepeft dye. But whar shajl become of this controverlic, 5: how shall it enil ? Arcthey , or shall they be able to put our Lord from his throne , S: out of his pofTcflion ? No; heisfet upon the holy hill by a mighty hand j & his inheritance among the heathen is given to him , by a furer deed of gift, then that he should be fo cafily' put from it: He hath a rod ofyron that will dash in pieces, as a potters vcflcl, all his enemies, be they never fo great, & migh¬ ty; He is too ftronga party for all the porentats Sc mighty ones of the earth:&thcrcforc,this which is the grand contfoVer- fy of thofe times, shall Si muft be decided, in favours of thofe who ftand updn Chrift’slidc, & maintainehis right': he is a ftrons^ caprainc, Sc will run thoroW ail the hofts of his adverfa- aies: ^Chrift’s fofferers then , may rejoyce, what ever affliw £tion they are or can be put to endure, for this caufe, which is a caufc that doth highly concerne Chrift, the royall prero¬ gatives of his clown & Kingdome, &his glory, as he is the only head of his Church; feing they may cenanely expeft the -vidory crcallbcdonc; Andfeing ( as famous & worthy Mr dtllefij in the preface to his Jiarm roiie bUjfomhg shcwcth) catife^ truth that Jefns C hr/{I ts a Itl Ciovcrnmefit > hath thts cimt^liidittion and ehara^cr above all ether truthes > that Chrf Itmfelf fuffttedte /he death for/t , and fettled it vith hts bided ; For it maj he tb- ferved from the ftrycj-his fajjion , that th/s was the t/ilj fojnt cf his accufa.t/in whith w/fs ccrftJJedj and avemhed bj Umjelft The Reader* Joli. i8:3 3,3i^> 3 7. rfWLuk. 13/3. v> 4 sniottaggriCvM'ed ^rojecuted y And drfvenhomcbythe]ewcSy Liik.z3;i. Joh.15): V. Wat prevalenf w/rh Pilat, the CAnfi condemning himto die Joh. I 5 »/ 1 1 3 . yind was mentioned Alfoin the perfcription uponhts creffe , Joh, iq, 19. y^nd Although inre- ference to God, and in refped of fatisfadioH made to divine ju- siicefor otirjinnesyhts death was Airpoi a price of redemption; jjer tnrefircnce to men who didperfecute, Accufi, Andctndertine bint, ins death was y.cif,rv^ict , a martyr’s teftimony i feaiing fuch atriiih 3 ’i hus he. Chrift isagood fccond , & wilfnoc luftlrauy who contend for his crown, throne, iceptcr, pri¬ vileges, &: royallprerogauvesof hisKingdorri, tobeput to thcworle: if he pleade forany caufe, weraay befure, he will plead tor his own. Let not then his conItan't &; valient futferers fearc; for greater is he who is with, & for them', then they whoareagainit them : Chrilf alone is more then match &party againft all Kings, princes, potentats.Paiii'arncnts, po-. pes, prclats, Kingdomes, Sc armyes; Yea & all the of devils Sc men: Therefore they may be affured that he & his caufe shall be vifloricuv; Forhemuft reigneantillali'hiscnc- migs be made his foot ttool. 5. Thou mayeft fee. That the truth for whicfi tfiOiidotf fuffer, is a truth which is after godlincfle , tending to the pro- movcingofpiety, 5 : of the power of godlinefTe: Whileas the contrary caufe Sc courfc leadeth to all proplianhy &: de¬ bauchery, as experience doth this day evidently & undenya- bly prove: Sethisisno fmaJl groundof comfort; fotthc way whichisnotof, & for God,cannot ftand: You ma^praya- gainft your advcrlarics, as really wicked, drivcing 'on a delignc ofwickednefle, w'hich is evidently dcmonftratcdby their afts & aftings: Thcircnmity againft, Sc oppolrcion unto godly , faithfull , Zealous, Sc able cbnfcientious Minifters of the Golpell, Sc unto Chriftian meetings Sc cxcrcifes ; As alfo their prc/ling of Godly confeientiousperfons, unto pcrjnrv & blaf- phemy, which is the height of wickcdncfTc; do put the mat- {•t bcY«nd 41 dbubt; And is not this enough to make thy fouU a Wife The 'Epljllete loath ftanda loof from thcfc wayes; And to blclTc God for his pxcferving thy (bull,from their counfcls & courfes j & fo from partaking of their judgments, which doe cer¬ tainly make hafte ; For God is of purer eyes then to look- upon ini(|uity; Therefore he will not alwayes look on thefe that deal treacheroufly > & hold his peace when the wicked de-* voureth the man,that is more rightccus then hc;The Lord hath'' ordained them for judgment, fie the mighty God hath eftabiish- edthem for correbtion: when AgcJilAus did hear that 2 tJSa^hir- nts a captaine of had broken his Covenant which he had madewithhim , & was raifeingan army tocomeagainft him, ire was very gladc,Sc (a\Afe wagnam haberegraf/am Tillapherni, ^tiodperjftrti/Jito, ^ dcos hom/nesftb/ tnfenjos redd/d/ffer, ad- •verj/tvero partiprtp/t/Gs;^ He thanked b/z/t heartdy that b_y h/sper- jurjike had made both God £5 man angry at htmjelf ^favourable to h/m and kts cAHje : & may not h;s people be perfwaded that God it, this day, difplcafed with the Covenant breakers, who are not (atisfied with their own treacherous dealing & perfidioulL nefle; but will have all others iiitanglcd iti the £amc guilt ? 6.Thou mayeft fee that Adlion,which is now fo much brand¬ ed with the vile &contemptiblc names oftrcachcry Screbellion, i mean, Scotlands defending of it (elf a^ainft its bloody enemies, cleared from allihcle imputations, & loule calumnies, changes- of times make many Changes in peoples judgement j & at this time,it may be feared that many have Changed their opinion ,, bccaufe they fee the waiter tuning in another channcll, then it did formcrly,&.are now ready to c-ondemne thefe noble worthies & valient champions who jeoparded their lives unto the death > in the high places ofthcheld, & have shed their bloodinthac caufe;(which is a more grievous guilt then many do now appre¬ hend.) But here thou fecit how little caufe there is forcondemn- ino rhat AdionjYca v hat necedity there was laid upon Jeo//.to (land to their defence, as they would not have betrayed the caufe & intcrtllof Chrilf, which they were fworne to main- taine according to their place & power 5 their lives, lands, pofieffions liberties as fcottish tncn&: as Chtiftians, into the * hands- The Reader hands of their implacable enemies. Were t heic valient worthi¬ es now luring, who are gone off the ftagj with honour &crc- ditc, & hearing 5 c feeing what they might now hearc 5 c lec, how would they ftanJ aftonished at this degenerated genera¬ tion, that fo eaiily quite with that, which they did lofe their blood 5 c lives to purchale 5 c obtaine ; Yea 5 ctoleeorhcarc the felffamepcrfons, who but twelue or Sixteen years ago were jeoparding their lives with them, for the fame caulc, cither con¬ demning tW pradlicc , or carrying themfelvcsfo indifferently now, as ifthe/c matters appeared but triffles, 5 c not worth the contending for. Whofoever they be who now leem to be ashamed of that caufe, Scofthcmfclvcs in contributcing their help for the promoveingof thcfamcj It may be thought, that it was not confcicnce that moved them thereunto, but fome other ends, otherwayes, their judgements would not f® foon alter, feina there is no other argument now feen, but the windc changed from fouth to North, which difpenfation ufeth not to worke much upon confciences, what ever it may do upon other principles. If the former generations had been ofluchacowardish difpolition how had been deliver¬ ed ? if they had walked upon no other principles, butfuchas would hare changed, when the florme didbeginnetoblow upon their faces, where had the land been ere^now ? And if there be po other Ipirits ia Scotland^ this day, where, may it be imagined , sfhall that Church be found , etc long? 7. Thou mayeft hereby be more enabled todifputagainft prelacy, thcnpoflTibly thou was, having now icen how 5 c what w'ay it was brought in into the Church formerly, 5 c how it is ushered in, today: And when it is cftablishcd by force , over the Churches belly,how it proveth the bane of all Church order, piety 5 c edification : Andthisisaftrongargumeptto prcvailc with fuch as have the root of the matter in them , &: enough to make them queftion fuch a way, as no way ofChrift’s. To fay, that theabufeof the power by fuch as arc in pofleflion of ir,will not plead much againft the power it fclf, will be of no fore in ~~ I ^ The'Epiflle to tins cafe, wlitrc the of the power, cannot pretend heigher |lien tohz humetnum •, And ifits admirers should alledgc that it is founded upon ^ jusiliv/mf»;ThcC