at is meant by the discipline
whereof the oath speaketh; for howsoever in ecclesiastical use it signify
oftentimes that policy which standeth in the censuring of manners, yet in
the oath it must be taken in the largest sense, namely, for the whole
policy of the church; for, 1. The whole policy of this church did at that
time go under the name of discipline;(1297) and those two books wherein
this policy is contained were called The Books of Discipline. And, without
all doubt, they who sware the oath meant by _discipline_ that whole policy
of the church which is contained in those books. Howbeit (as the preface
of them showeth) discipline doth also comprehend other ecclesiastical
ordinances and constitutions which are not inserted in them. 2. Doctrine
and discipline, in the oath, do comprehend all that to which the church
required, and we promised, to perform obedience; therefore the whole
policy of the church was meant by _discipline_, forasmuch as it was not
comprehended under doctrine.

_Sect._ 9. The Bishop(1298) objecteth three limitations, whereby he
thinketh to seclude from the matter of the oath that policy and discipline
which we plead for.

First, he saith, that the matter of the oath is the doctrine and
discipline revealed to the world by the gospel, and that this limitation
excludeth all ecclesiastical constitutions which are not expressly or by a
necessary consequence contained in the written word.

2. That the matter of the oath is the doctrine and discipline which is
received, believed and defended, by many notable churches, &c., and that
this limitation excludeth all these things wherein the church of Scotland
hath not the consent of many notable churches, &c.

3. That the doctrine and discipline which is the matter of the oath, is
particularly expressed in the Confession of Faith, &c., and that in this
confession of faith, established by parliament, there is no mention made
of the articles controverted, &c.

_Ans._ I might here show how he confoundeth the preaching of the evangel
with the written word; likewise how falsely he affirmeth, that the points
of discipline for which we plead, are neither warranted by the Scripture
nor by the consent of many notable churches. But to the point: These words
of the oath, "We believe, &c., that this is the only true Christian faith
and religion, pleasing God, and bringing salvation to man, which now is by
the mercy of God revealed to the world by the preaching of