The due right of presbyteries, or, A peaceable plea for the government of the…

There be two happy things (worthy Reader) as ^aone saith, The one is not to err, the other is to escape from the power of error. Times womb bringeth forth many truths, though truth be not a debtor to Time, because Time putteth new robes on old Truth; But truth is Gods debtor, and oweth her being to him only. It is a great evil under the Sun, and the sickness of mans vanity, that the name of holy men should be a web to make garments of for new opinions, but the errors of holy men have no whiteness, nor holiness from men. And it is a wrong that mens praise should be truths prejudice, and mens gain, truths loss. Yet I shall heartily desire that men herein observe the art of deep providence, for the Creator commandeth darkness to bring forth her birth of light, and God doth so over-aw, with a wise super-dominion, mens errors, that contrary ⟨image 4⟩to natures way, from collision of opinions, resulteth truth; and disputes, as stricken flint, cast fire for light, God raising out of the dust and ashes of errors a new living truth. What mistakes, errors, or heresies have been anent Church government, that vigilant and never slumbering wisdom of Providence, hath thence made to appear the sound doctrine of Gods Kingdom. So here Satan shapeth, and God seweth, and maketh the garment. Error is but dregs, by the artifice of all compassing Providence, from whence are distilled strong and cordial waters. And what Antichrist hath conceived for a Hierarchy and humane ceremonies, hath put Christ in his two witnesses in Britain to advocate for the truth and native simplicity of his own Kingdom.

THere be two happy things (worthy Reader) as ^aone sayth, The one is not to erre, the other is to escape from the power of error. Times wombe bringeth forth many truths, though truth be not a debter to Time, because Time putteth new robes on old Truth; But truth is Gods debter, and oweth her being to him only. It is a great evil under the Sun, and the sicknesse of mans vanity, that the name of holy men should be a web to make garments of for new opinions, but the errors of holy men have no whitenesse, nor holinesse from men. And it is a wrong that mens praise should be truths prejudice, and mens gaine, truths losse. Yet I shall heartily desire that men herein observe the art of deep providence, for the Creator commandeth darknes to bring forth her birth of light, and God doth so over-aw, with a wise super-dominion, mens errors, that contrary