When Master Tyrie shall accuse in special, wherein the Congregationis in Germany, differ amongst them selves, and that we differ from them: then shall we show our Judgements, whether the difference be of such importance, as it ought to dissolve the unity of the Kirk. The confession of our faith & the order of our Kirk, is patent to all that list to read the same, when either he or any other shall oppugn any one or two heads of the same, so long as God pleases to retain in this miserable life, such as of his mercy he hes made his Ministers to blow the trumpet of his judgements to this most wicked generation: nether he nor any other that please to upon them selves to our confession, shall long crave an answer, an answer we say of any one or two heads which they please to oppugn. For Master Tyrie ought to understand, that the preaching Ministers within the Realm of Scotland, are oxen, ever labouring under the Yoke: and that into the husbandry of the Lord. And therefore they can ⟨image 38⟩have no time vacant from their necessary cures, to compass countries with the Jesuits (who are subject to none other yoke then to that of their own election) to espy what faults they can find amongst the Congregations. As we have no vacantes (we say) to consider all trifles that offend delicate men, who can acknowledge no Kirk, but that which in all points be absolute and perfect: so albeit that both •e did consider them, and condemn them, yet we usurp no authority abou• our brethren: but remit all men to their own judge. And do reverence all Congregationis, who do agree with us in the principals of our faith: as the particular Kirks of Jesus Christ: albeit that in all ceremonies there be not uniformity: yea, & albeit that in some heads of doctrine also, there appear repugnance, yet will we not break brotherly concord, providing that we agree in the principals. Principals we call those heads of doctrine, without the confession & consent whereof, the Kirk was not planted. Be these few words Master Tyrie (if he be wise) may understand what we mean, & so we proceed to the conclusion of his letter.
WHen Maister Tyrie shall accuse in special, wherein the Congregationis in Germanie, differ amonges them selues, and that we differ from them: then shall we shaw our Iudgementes, whether the difference be of suche importance, as it ought to dissolue the vnitie of the Kirk. The confession of our faith & the ordour of our Kirk, is patēt to all that lyst to read the same, whē either he or any other shall oppunge any one or two heades of the same, so long as God pleases to reteane in this miserable life, such as of his mercy he hes made his Ministers to blow the trompet of his iudgements to this most wicked generation: nether he nor any other that please to oppone them selues to our confessio•n, shall long craue an answer, an answer we say of any one or two heades which they please to oppoung. For Master Tyrie ought to vnderstand, that the preacheing Ministers within the Realme of Scotland, are oxen, euer lauboring vnder the Yock: and that into the husbandrie of the Lord. And therefore they cā ⟨image 38⟩haue no tyme vacant from their necessary cures, to compas countries with the Iesuites (who ar subiect to none other yocke then to that of their owen electiō) to espy what faultes they can finde amonges the Congreationis. As we haue no vacantes (we say) to considder all tryfles that offend delicate men, who can acknowledge no Kirk, but that which in all pointes be absolute and perfyte: so albeit that both• •e did considder them, and condempne them, yet we vsurpe no authoritie abou• our brether: but remit all men to their owen iudge. And do reuerence all Congregationis, who do aggre with vs in the principallis of our faith: as the particulare Kirkis of Iesus Christ: albeit that in all ceremoies there be not vniformitie: yea, & albeit that in some heades of doctrine also, there appeare repugnance, yet will we not brek brotherly concord, prouyding that we aggre in the principallis. Principallis we call those heades of doctrine, without the cōfession & cōsent whereof, the Kirk was not planted. Be these few wordes Maister Tyrie (if he be wyse) may vnderstand what we meane, & so we procead to the conclusion of his letter.
