in
our feasts? Why should not the refiner's fire purge away the wicked of the
earth like dross? so David calls them. That reformation is one part of the
Holy Ghost's intendment in that text, is Gualther's opinion as well as
mine, yet he thinks Gualther his own. Nay, I proved it from comparing
scripture with scripture, which is the best way that I know to clear
scripture. Why did he not answer my proofs? But beside all that I said of
reformation, had I not other three doctrines out of that text
comprehending all that which Mr Hussey hinteth as omitted by me, and yet
intended in the text? Dare he say that I did not take in purgation by the
word? (though I confess he doth not well prove it from the words which he
citeth, "Is not my word an hammer?" But it is proved by the words which he
citeth not, "Is not my word like as a fire?") Did I not expressly say that
Christ is to us as a refiner's fire and as fuller's soap three ways,--by
reformation, by tribulation, by mortification? Did I not handle the last
two as well as the first? Oh let no more such gross calumnies be found
among those who profess to be brethren!

Secondly, Mr Hussey, in his epistle to myself, gives it out that I say,
"We have leave from the civil magistrate to preach the gospel," which he
interprets as if I denied that we preach the word with authority from
Christ. It was _de facto_, not _de jure_, that I spake it. The magistrate
hath power in his hand to hinder both doctrine and discipline, if he be an
adversary, though it be the will of Christ that there be both doctrine and
discipline, and the authority of both is from Christ. When the magistrate
assisteth or countenanceth, or so much as doth not hinder the preaching of
the gospel, then he gives leave to it.

Thirdly, Mr Coleman, in his _Male Dicis_, p. 3, saith, "I am confident the
church of Scotland sent this Commissioner to dispute down our reasons, not
to revile our persons." Why did he not, if he could, give instance of some
reviling word written by me against his person? I have not so learned
Christ. The Lord rebuke every railing and reviling spirit. I have given
him reason against railing; he hath given me railing against reason; I
spake to his doctrine, he speaks to my place and relation, which is both
the _alpha_ and _omega_ of his _Male Dicis_.

Fourthly, "Knowledge (saith he) is only with Mr Gillespie; others
understand neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm," p. 3. He will
sooner b