We must first of al earnestly beseech you , by the peace of your soules , & by the price ●emorse of ●onscience ●●oweth 〈◊〉 defection ●●d tur●itude will ●●llow upon ●dmitting of ●●ange . of your redemption , that ye chang nothing in the worship of God upon any suddain fear , or perturbation of minde , with a secret doubting , and contradiction from your owne consciences : for when the cloude of passion is past over , and the light breaketh out again , the accusations of conscience shall be more insufferable , nor the importunitie of tentation is now ; the feares of the judgment of God shall be greater , then now be the feares of the wrath of the world . And when yee haue changed the comfortable worship of God with husks , & emptie ceremonies that nourish not , either yee shal with remorse returne to eat bread , in the old maner in your fathers house , or els yee shall dolefully goe on from evil to worse , your consciences , which yee haue greeved , perpetually tormenting you , and the one fide whom ye haue hardened , crying out upon your olde hypocrisie , and the other side whome yee haue deserted , upon your new apostasie . That , which your conscience would not suffer you to doe , for any pretended church authoritie , for all the arguments , & reasons that haue been multiplied , and for the doctrine and example of your own pastors , if yee shall now through feare of anie worldly losse suddainly admit , what shall al these , who have been your witnesses from the beginning of this controversie judge , but that yee are a multitude of wilful worldlings ; that yee haue in your prosperitie counterfeited the voice , and caried the opinion of good Christians , as the parrat can learne to imitate the voice of man ; but now when yee are beaten with the parrat , yee returne to your own voice , and manifestly declare of what kinde you are .

Secondly , when you heare that suggested The w●●●●lings 〈◊〉 the Chr●…anscom●… togethe● unto you , which is the scope of the worldlings text , Ioh. 11. 48. If we let him alone the Romans shall come , and take awaie both our place , and our nation ; if yee adhere to the reformation , & retain Christ , as you haue learned him ; both Session , and counsell will be removed , and your towne will turne to nothing . Remember that which was once taught you upon that place , by your owne holie , and heauenly preacher M. Rollock in his powerfull manner . That the wisedome of the world looketh to the present estate , and condition of things ; if with it Christ , and the puritie of religion may subsist , then will they embrace Christ , & religion , otherwise they bidde them farewell . But the wisedome of God ( saith he ) layeth Christ , and the puritie of Christian religion for a ground , and sinne closeth her eyes to all events whatsoever for Christ , and religion should not be servants to policie , but policie , and this whole world should serue Christ , and religion . The Iewes preferring their estate to Christ , and fearing ruine , if Christ should liue , they kill him to saue their nation , but the same was the cause , that in the justice of God the Romans came , and destroyed their nation . The Lord hath moe waies then your town hath ports , to bring in his wrath , and for magnifying his owne wisedom , and snaring of men in their wisedome , manie times judgment entereth by the port , that pollicie hath locked fastest . They wanted not in those daies their owne pretexts , none of them was so shamelesse , as to set himself against God , as God , they had their owne cunning to colour the matter , and pulled forth their eyes least they should see , that God , against whom they fought , as men deale now with Christ , and the puritie of religion . The more knowledge , and the lesse conscience we finde in anie age , we may look for the fouler errors , and the fairer covers . Oppose also to that the Christians text Matth. 16. 26. and with elevation of heart think seriously , what hath a man profited , if he should gaine the whole world , and lose his owne soule ? or what can a man giue in exchange for his soule ? 1. the immortal soule of man may be losed . 2. the gaining of the world is the ordinarie cause of the losse of the soule . 3. it is extreame follie to loose the soule for gaining of the world : for first it is an unprofitable gaine , what hath a man profited ? and next it is an unreparable losse , what can a man giue in exchange for his soule , so that the losse of one soule , is the eternall losse of that which is more worth then the whole world . 4. he maketh themselues judges , and demandeth them for their farther conviction . But in this lieth the deceit , that while men to their own conviction acknowledge it to be madnesse to loose their soules for the world , they obserue not , or will not suffer themselues to obserue the secret , but sure conjunction betwixt the sinful courses they betake them selues to for gaining the world , and betwixt the losse of their soules . Purge your affections of this particular feare , and quit your selues of such things , as woe your flesh , and court your carnal senses : Covetousnes is the roote of all evil , ease savoureth not the things that be of God , but those that be of men , and whosoever shall be ashamed of Christ and his words in this adulterous , and sinfull generation , of him also shall the Sonne of man be ashamed when he cometh in the glorie of his father with his holie angels .

Thirdly , when yee haue happilie removed the world , and all worldlie tentations God blesseth not a worship not directed by his word . from betwixt your eye & the cause in hand ; for your resolution yee neede not to search after curiosities of learning , nor wander after uncertainties of opinions ; but limitting and directing your sight , 1 Looke first upward to the glorious majestie of God , who is present at his owne worship , & neither accepteth , nor blesseth a worship , that is not directed by his own word : thinke as in his sight , whether yee may looke for a more sensible testification of his comfortable presence in your soules at the celebration of the Lords supper , when ye draw neerest to Christs institution , or when Christs gesture of sitting is abolished as common , & profane , & the Antichrists gesture of kneeling is enforced as more humble and holy ; the table of the Lord either taken away or turned into a cupboord , our eating & drinking into a minsed and pinched tasting , our conjunct communicating into a confused disputation , our sacramental breaking in the time of the action into a formal carving before the action , our kindly , and christian distribution into a steward like dispensation , the enunciatiue words of the institution , into an idle petition and repetition , and our spirituall exhortations according to Christs example into a comfortlesse deadnes , & silence . Such Churches , as never saw better , may haue some comfort in this , but for you who haue seene the glorie of the first temple in this land , and who call to minde with what heauenly meditation , liuelie affection , large consolation , and with what spirituall resolution yee were wonte to be filled ; It is a wonder , when yee see this new ministration with your eyes , that your hearts melt not within you , that your flesh crieth not out for the living God , that yee weepe not with a louder voice then the voice of their joy , who shoute now having gotten the arke of the Lord upon a cart , that ye prefer not the poorest parish in the land with the libertie of Christs institution , to your owne tabernacles and courts , that of late were so amiable , that your soules longed , and fainted for them .

2 Looke back , and see how the house of God was builded , and the headstone put Building , & demolishing of the house of God compared together . upon it by Gods owne hand to the admiration of the christian world about us ; what unitie of ministers , authoritie of assemblies , order of ministrie , puritie of external , power of internall worship , what zeale , and indignation against all impietie , and iniquitie . And againe by what methods , and machinations haue succeeded , for unitie , division , for authority anarchie , for order hierarchy , for puritie of worship antichristian ceremonies , for power of godlines superstition & profanitie , and for zeale , and indignation , nothing but lukewarmnes , and toleration . In all these considerations , as this nationall kirk was eminent aboue other nations , so were yee aboue us all , as farre as in civill dignitie . And shall we liue to see the day , when for the confused feare of an uncertaine losse , our Ierusalem shall become Romish , our Philadelphia become Laodicea , our fountain be turned into a puddle , our glorie become our shame , our Najoth , our beautie turn to be our blemish , our lothing , our deformitie .

Looke back also to the course of his blessings upon our reformation , & the perpetual The blessings upon the reformation , & judgements upon defection compared together . course of his judgments upon our defection . We know the power of the Lords particular providence in al the works under the sunne , & should haue learned against the atheisme of the times to haue referred notable judgments to their own procuring causes . The darknes , lightning , thunder , haile & rain at the ratification of these rites that now molest us ; the inundations , the hunger , and cold , the sicknesses and death , since can not yet be worn out of our senses , & shal be kept in memory by the generations after us .

Looke again back , & compare the many reverend assemblies , which we haue kept The former assemblies compared with Perth assemblie . with that one new meeting at Perth , & trie the spirits . The place of the 95 Psal. is impertinent , neither can it be a commandement , for at sometimes it is not lawfull to kneele before him , & no man wil say , that we are commanded so oft , as we worship , to kneel . The second , and third reasons in the act , beside other absurdities , do charge the Lord Iesus Christ with his disciples , & al the kirks that haue used Christs gesture after him with an unreverent behaviour in a holy action . And whether the memorie of by past , or the multiplication of present superstition , ( which is the fourth pretence in the act ) might not haue giuen a better narratiue for the contrarie conclusion , the times haue given verdict .

3 Looke inwards into your owne heart , that you may finde the testimonie of a good A good conscience maketh choise of the sure●● way . conscience , one sure note whereof , is this , that in cases controverted a good conscience taketh ever the surest , and safest side . Perjurie is a hainous sin , & odious to the world . Idolatrie is against the first commandements of the first table , & is no lesse abominable in the sight of the alseeing jealous God then is adulterie to a jealous husband , when it is committed before his eyes . Now it is known to us all , that in our confessions and covenants we haue abjured al Antichrist his rites , and ceremonies added to the ministration of the true sacraments without the word of God ( of the which sort , this kneeling was esteemed to be one , and cannot escape this censure more then other popish rites ) & it is as certaine , that all the fetches , and fingers that haue beene busied about this knot haue not loosed it . Kneeling also before the elements is proved to be Idolatrie , not onely in that sense , that a glance of the eye , or a gesture , and a rash word of anger , are adulterie , and murther by Christs owne interpretation , but also being taken , as it is commanded in the act ; both because it is kneeling with direction before a creature , and that it is done in reverence of the sacrament . The greatest clarkes among our opposites can giue no other answers , nor differences betwixt this kneeling , & the worship of images , but that the one is somewhat inhaesivè in objecto , or adhaesivè per objectum , but the other is abstractivè ab obiecto , and that the sacrament is obiectum a quo significativè , which darke distinctions , and subtile evasions can be conceived but of a few , neither can these few finde in them anie satisfaction . But upon the other side Christs gesture of sitting at the communion is free of the fear of both these rocks . And therefore while the superstitious conscience will be pleased with the appearance of humilitie , and the servile conscience wil follow example and authoritie , and the blinde conscience swalloweth downe bunchbacked camels , and gnats , counting all under indifferencie , and the bould conscience will venture with sacrificing Saul stoutelie , & the presumptuous conscience will take leaue for worldly respects , and say , in this the Lord be merciful unto me ; In the meane time the good conscience labouring to keepe integritie , will take the safest , and surest course for her constant tranquilitie , that she neither be guiltie of perjurie nor Idolatrie .

4 Looke forward , and yee shall see the A litle change openeth the doore to traditions , and the substance of poperie . wide doore of traditions cast open , whereby the whole multitude , & theatrical pompe not onely of English , but popish rites , woodbind to the gospell may as well enter , when authoritie biddeth them , as these called innocent ceremonies . And when we haue received the shadow , what can we looke for lesse then for the substance , for which some are secretly as busie , as others openly are for ceremonies . The divil hath put the warpe of defection long since upon his beame amongst us , he will not let it out of his loome , but wil still employ one malignant witt after another to make it out . And the Lord in his justice may plague preceeding defections with following apostasie , whatsoever be the intention of the present urgers .

Looke forward , what shal be the case of the posteritie , and of your owne children , A care is to be had of the posteritie . whether they shall haue cause to curse their predecessors , that resisted not the beginnings of evil , and who were more careful of their civil then of their spiritual liberties . Their hearts shall mourne , and the tear manie a time shall fal into their eye , when they shall behold so fair a building , so deerely conquessed , so firmlie grounded , so compactly builded , so wel lighted , so wholesome to dwel in , so meet for God , and his Angels to delite in , so fruitfull a paradice as this kirke was , wherein they should haue succeeded , to be pitifullie ruined by their fathers , possessed by their enemies , and made a denne of uncleane spirits .

Looke yet forward a litle . yee know we haue no pattent for our peace , but the evils 〈◊〉 he evil day , the day of 〈◊〉 eath and of ●●dgment ●pproaching should bri●le us . of the times tell us of evill times : death it self is not far from everie one of us , and Christ at last shall come to judgment to punish them , who obey not the Gospell , with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord , and the glorie of his power , and to be glorified in his Saincts , & to be admired in all them that beleeue . In these three greatest terrours , what joy of heart shal it be unto you ? that God by his singular care , not for your merits aboue others , that fall , but to make you examples of his grace , hath kept you in so dangerous dayes from the stream of defection ; that he hath made you to shine as the stars in heauen , when others like the sand of the sea shore haue been covered with the inundations of the time . So manie of you , as haue seen better times haue not now long to liue , your eye is upon the marke , yee are almost at the ende of your race , and the crowne is readie for you , and shall yee turne your back upon God , leaue that course , whereby yee haue all your assurance , and comfort of salvation , and returne now to the garlick , and onyons of Egypt , when yee are so neere to the promised Canaan . Better yee be fyned by others , then that ye file your selues , and the darknesse of Blacknesse is far more tollerable , then the blacknes of darknes . Cum innocens de poena metuit , de innocentia gloriatur Hierony . Omnis nobis vilis est poena , ubi pura comes est conscientia . Tiburt .

5 Looke also about you . for if yee looke to Malefactors , it is better , if the wil of God be so , that ye suffer for wel doing , then for Malefactors , mockers , sufferers , papists , weake brethren cal us to watch and suffer . evil doing , for his quarrel , them for your own sinnes , never refuse to taste of the brimm of that cup , the dregs wherof , & third draught might haue been your portion . If ye looke to Mockers , resolue with Iob. 17. 6. to be made a by word of the people , & as it were a tabret . for eyther thou must be a mocker with Ismael , or sustaine mockings , & derisions with Isaack . If ye looke to them who suffer in other places , their trials are fierie , & they haue suffered to the bloud , yours are but earthen , or airie , & ye haue not yet suffered with joy the spoyling of your goods . If ye looke to papists ; and adversaries , harden them not ; & most of al , when ye looke upon weake professors , giue them no offence , neither doe that which is scandalous , or may be unto them a stumbling block . Neither your inward intention , nor the outward commandement of the magistrate wil remoue the moral , perpetual , and universal reason , that is giuen by the Apostle without anie exception , Destroy not him , for whom Christ died . Neither your good meaning , nor civill authoritie , will make it cease to be scandall , nor cease to be sin , nor cease to be your sinne . And thus except ye blind your eyes wilfully , and put away a good conscience , looke whether ye will , whether upward , or back , or inward , or forward , or about you , all cal you to be readie upon the watch word to suffer , al promise you joy , & comfort in your sufferings . Let the brambles of the wood that can doe noe better rule over the trees of the forest ; continue ye still like the oliue , the fig tree , the vine ; loose not your fatnes , your sweetnes , your cheerefulnes for the fattest , the sweetest , and most pleasant preferments .

Thinke it not sufficient , that ye haue before this time giuen testification of your Constancy to the end is required in a witnes of the truth . zeale to your ancient libertie , and of your misliking of the present course of conformitie . If you shall be wearie now , or make defection ; all your former testification will be a direct accusation against your selues . Pilate protested thrice that he found no fault in Christ , & laboured to set him free ; but least he be reputed a smal friend to Caesar , at last he delivered him to be crucified . Darius laboured all the day til the setting of the sunne to deliver Daniel , but overcome with importunitie , he condemneth him at last to the lyons denne ; which made him to passe that night without meat , sleep , or musicke . Your reasons , and motiues that ye stood upon before , doe yet stand without change in the power of your consciences , and therefore drawe not upon your selues after so long a day , a restles night of doole , and desolation .

Object not his Majesties wrath , nor your Pastors delations , nor the examples of other His majesties wisdom will rule his anger . Kirks . Think not that his gracious majestie hath quite forgotten what he was once himself , or that he will not pittie his owne woonted case in your persons now , as Augustine did the Manichęans , greater Hereticks , then we are imagined to be . Illi in vos saeuiant , qui nullo tali errore decepti sunt , quali vos deceptos vident , ego autem saeuire in vos omnino non possum , quos sicut meipsum illo tempore , ita nunc debeo sustinere , & tanta patientia vobiscum agere , quanta mecum egerunt proximi mei . His Majestie will not refuse at your hands the offer that Ierusalem made to Alexander . They could not suffer his image to be erected in their temple , but they were readie to please him in everie thing wherein God was not displeased , as to begin the accounts of their times from his entrie to the towne , and to giue him the name of all their first borne sonnes . If you shall offer , what is Caesars , and what is yours , he can not offend that yee keepe Christs royall prerogatiue to himself . He was not a defender , but a persecuter of the faith ( whom for respect to our Dread Soveraine we will not name ) . who inserted the images of the false gods into his owne picture , that no man could adore the Emperour , and not adore them , and if anie refused they were punished , as guiltie of laesae majestatis . We looke never to see your civil obedience , and the practise of Idolatrous ceremonies so straitlie joyned , neither in his majesties opinion , nor in his injunctions to his good people .

Neither can your Ministers forget themselues so farre , as to set themselues to be instruments to draw the wrath of a King upon their owne flock . If they were justly offended , they woulde rather send up their The dutie 〈◊〉 the Ministe● of Edinburgh . complaints to heauen , then their miscontentments to court , and would rather informe you by scripture , then enforce you by authoritie , they would choose rather to draw your mindes to them selues , then your moneyes to others . Pastores facti estis , non percussores , Nova atque inaudita est istae praedicatio , quae verberibus exigit fidem . Aliud est quod agitur typho superbiae , aliud zelo disciplinae . Plus erga corrigendos agat benevolentia , quam severitas , plus cohortatio , quam comminatio , plus charitas , quam potestas . Sed hi , qui quae suae sunt quaerunt , non quae Iesu Cnristi facile ab hac lege discernuntur . The exam●●● of other kirks not be objecte●

Other Kirks abroad which haue not beene favoured with your measure of reformation haue been exercised with their own trials , but never had the happie occasion to giue you example of suffering . The Lord hath been more liberal to us , & requireth of us that we giue example , & encouragement to them to aspire to our perfection . We all suffer in the same cause of Christ , some for his person , some for his priesthood , & some for his princely office . If we looke to the enimies , and not to the equitie of the cause , there is great inequalitie of sufferings , yet the promise of blessednes is pronounced upon them , who suffer in the last times by Christians , no lesse then to them , who in the primitiue times were persecuted by the heathen . Were the question now of the profession of the name of Christ , manie say they would be martyrs , who now are persecuters : but the question would be , whether conscience , or credite were their cause . In matters of this sort , that we are about , especially where the discredite , and scoffing of the world waiteth on , conscience may be the more sensiblie discerned ; and the lesse the cause be , providing it be Christs cause , the more acceptable to God , & the more comfortable to thy self is thy suffering . If by no meanes , when all are assaied with God and the King , and your pastors , you can decline the crosse ; but if the will of God be that ye suffer ; then denie , and lay aside your selues , take on the erosse , and follow Christ , applying joyfully to your soules al the conforts that the word furnisheth in afliction , whether the Lords rich promises , or the sweet fruits of the crosse , or the weakenes of the enemies , or the greatnes of the reward , or the example of the prophets , apostles , confessors , and martyrs , or which is most , conformitie with Christ , whose we are , and in whom we continue .