such_o trust_n or_o power_n as_o may_v be_v prejudicial_a to_o the_o cause_n of_o god_n and_o that_o such_o officer_n as_o be_v of_o know_a integrity_n and_o affection_n to_o the_o cause_n and_o particular_o such_o as_o have_v suffer_v in_o our_o former_a army_n may_v be_v take_v special_a notice_n of_o §_o 13_o the_o other_o resolution_n be_v concern_v the_o admit_v of_o person_n to_o place_n of_o trust_n in_o the_o state_n and_o the_o rescind_n of_o the_o act_n of_o class_n of_o the_o date_n may_v 24._o 1651._o wherein_o after_o the_o repetition_n of_o several_a desire_n of_o the_o king_n parliament_z and_o committee_n of_o estate_n renew_v with_o great_a earnestness_n for_o the_o space_n of_o two_o month_n to_o the_o commission_n for_o a_o clear_a and_o positive_a answer_n to_o the_o query_n propound_v concern_v that_o matter_n it_o be_v declare_v as_o follow_v lest_o any_o aspersion_n shall_v be_v cast_v upon_o we_o of_o encroach_a upon_o or_o intrude_a ourselves_o unto_o the_o office_n of_o the_o civil_a power_n and_o authority_n we_o do_v declare_v that_o we_o do_v not_o assume_v to_o ourselves_o and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o competent_a to_o we_o but_o only_o to_o the_o king_n and_o parliament_n to_o make_v or_o repeal_v act_n of_o parliament_n and_o therefore_o that_o as_o the_o commission_n of_o the_o kirk_n have_v not_o hand_n in_o make_v of_o the_o act_n of_o class_n so_o neither_o do_v we_o take_v upon_o we_o to_o derermine_v the_o keep_n up_o or_o rescind_v or_o repeal_n of_o the_o same_o yet_o be_v require_v by_o his_o majesty_n and_o estate_n of_o parliament_n to_o give_v our_o judgement_n and_o advice_n in_o point_n of_o conscience_n whether_o or_o not_o consider_v the_o ground_n contain_v in_o the_o narrative_a of_o the_o act_n of_o class_n viz._n the_o solemn_a league_n and_o covenant_n the_o solemn_a acknowledgement_n of_o sin_n and_o engagement_n to_o duty_n declaration_n emit_v by_o the_o kirk_n and_o the_o engagement_n and_o pronnse_n make_v by_o the_o committee_n of_o estate_n to_o the_o kingdom_n of_o england_n it_o be_v sinful_a and_o unlawful_a to_o admit_v to_o be_v member_n of_o the_o committee_n of_o estate_n person_n former_o debar_v from_o the_o public_a trust_n or_o to_o rescind_v and_o repeal_v the_o act_n of_o class_n we_o declare_v that_o as_o for_o any_o engagement_n or_o promise_n make_v unto_o the_o kingdom_n of_o england_n concern_v not_o admit_v unto_o place_n of_o power_n and_o trust_v person_n accessary_a unto_o the_o sinful_a engagement_n against_o that_o kingdom_n we_o know_v nothing_o of_o the_o nature_n or_o ground_n thereof_o and_o therefore_o leave_v it_o to_o the_o estate_n of_o parliament_n themselves_o to_o consider_v how_o it_o do_v oblige_v or_o not_o oblige_v in_o the_o present_a condition_n of_o affair_n in_o these_o kingdom_n but_o for_o the_o solemn_a league_n and_o covenant_n the_o solemn_a acknowledgement_n and_o engagement_n and_o former_a declaration_n we_o do_v find_v that_o they_o do_v not_o particular_o determine_v any_o definite_a measure_n of_o time_n of_o exclude_v person_n from_o public_a trust_n for_o bypass_a offence_n but_o only_o bind_v and_o oblige_v condign_o to_o punish_v offender_n as_o the_o degree_n of_o the_o offence_n shall_v require_v or_o deserve_v or_o the_o supreme_a judicatory_a of_o the_o kingdom_n or_o other_o have_v power_n from_o they_o for_o that_o effect_n shall_v judge_v convenient_a to_o purge_v all_o judicatories_n and_o place_n of_o power_n &_o trust_v and_o to_o endeavour_v that_o they_o consist_v of_o and_o be_v fill_v with_o such_o man_n as_o be_v of_o know_a good_a affection_n to_o the_o cause_n of_o god_n and_o of_o a_o blameless_a and_o christian_a conversation_n which_o be_v a_o moral_a duty_n command_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o of_o perpetual_a obligation_n so_o that_o nothing_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o these_o ground_n do_v hinder_v but_o that_o person_n former_o debar_v from_o place_n of_o power_n and_o trust_v for_o their_o offence_n may_v be_v admit_v to_o be_v member_n of_o the_o commit_v of_o estate_n and_o the_o censure_n inflict_v upon_o they_o by_o the_o act_n of_o class_n may_v be_v take_v off_o and_o rescind_v without_o sin_n by_o the_o parliament_n who_o power_n it_o be_v to_o lengthen_v or_o shorten_v the_o time_n of_o such_o censure_n according_a as_o they_o shall_v find_v they_o just_a and_o necessary_a provide_v they_o be_v man_n who_o have_v satisfy_v the_o kirk_n for_o their_o former_a offence_n have_v renew_v or_o take_v the_o covenant_n and_o be_v qualify_v for_o such_o place_n with_o the_o qualification_n require_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o express_v in_o the_o solemn_a acknowledment_n and_o engagement_n viz._n that_o they_o be_v man_n of_o know_a good_a affection_n to_o the_o cause_n of_o god_n and_o of_o a_o blameless_a and_o christian_a conversation_n which_o ought_v always_o careful_o to_o be_v observe_v and_o make_v conscience_n of_o though_o there_o be_v no_o such_o act_n of_o class_n to_o the_o effect_n that_o no_o person_n get_v such_o power_n and_o trust_v into_o their_o hand_n as_o may_v be_v prejudicial_a to_o the_o cause_n of_o god_n §_o 14_o these_o be_v the_o resolution_n which_o have_v be_v and_o be_v so_o much_o noise_v abroad_o in_o the_o world_n because_o of_o which_o our_o dissent_v brethren_n have_v make_v such_o stir_n in_o preach_v and_o in_o writing_n and_o print_v paper_n determine_v they_o to_o be_v a_o horrid_a defection_n to_o our_o covenant_n and_o forsake_v of_o the_o cause_n of_o god_n and_o lay_v the_o weight_n of_o their_o first_o divide_v from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o church_n and_o country_n upon_o these_o though_o unjust_o as_o may_v appear_v from_o what_o have_v be_v clear_v in_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o remonstrance_n yea_o and_o brand_a honest_a man_n who_o concur_v in_o they_o or_o consent_v to_o they_o with_o very_o odious_a imputation_n and_o determine_v these_o resolution_n to_o be_v the_o grand_a cause_n of_o the_o lord_n wrath_n against_o the_o land_n upon_o the_o account_n whereof_o they_o have_v separate_v from_o and_o rend_v the_o judicatories_n of_o the_o church_n the_o condition_n of_o the_o time_n contribute_v thereunto_o and_o by_o their_o protestation_n and_o declinator_n against_o the_o general_a assembly_n the_o church_n be_v bring_v into_o the_o confusion_n and_o distraction_n under_o which_o we_o do_v so_o sad_o suffer_v and_o albeit_o somewhat_o have_v be_v already_o speak_v for_o vindicate_v we_o in_o this_o particular_a in_o the_o observation_n upon_o the_o difference_n in_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n from_o page_n 10._o to_o 17._o and_o it_o be_v not_o our_o work_n in_o this_o representation_n to_o publish_v a_o treatise_n in_o defence_n of_o these_o resolution_n yet_o we_o shall_v add_v a_o few_o thing_n for_o clear_v of_o the_o matter_n §_o 15_o as_o to_o the_o former_a resolution_n of_o december_n 14._o 1650._o we_o need_v not_o insist_v to_o declare_v that_o this_o debate_n be_v extrinsical_a to_o our_o doctrine_n worship_n and_o church-government_n and_o therefore_o it_o can_v be_v justify_v that_o such_o a_o rent_n shall_v be_v make_v because_o of_o our_o difference_n about_o it_o that_o there_o be_v no_o question_n make_v by_o our_o brethren_n of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o the_o service_n wherein_o these_o force_n be_v to_o be_v employ_v which_o may_v have_v add_v weight_n to_o the_o ground_n of_o their_o dissent_n that_o the_o country_n be_v real_o in_o that_o low_a condition_n suppose_v in_o the_o resolution_n occasion_v partly_o by_o our_o brethren_n separation_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o remonstrance_n which_o can_v not_o but_o put_v state_n and_o church_n into_o great_a strait_n and_o warrant_v they_o in_o their_o station_n to_o improve_v all_o ordinary_a mean_n not_o prohibit_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o the_o use_n whereof_o be_v not_o in_o itself_o sinful_a for_o necessary_a self_n preservation_n and_o that_o whatever_o latitude_n may_v be_v take_v in_o such_o a_o case_n yet_o the_o commission_n in_o their_o resolution_n do_v use_v such_o caution_n that_o if_o they_o be_v judge_v thereby_o as_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v there_o can_v be_v no_o defection_n fasten_v upon_o they_o even_o by_o they_o who_o condemn_v a_o general_a concurrence_n of_o fellow_n subject_n in_o case_n of_o extremity_n for_o in_o effect_n they_o approve_v of_o none_o to_o be_v admit_v but_o such_o as_o be_v profess_v friend_n to_o the_o cause_n of_o god_n and_o who_o enter_v in_o covenant_n for_o that_o effect_n but_o pass_v all_o these_o we_o desire_v it_o may_v be_v remember_v that_o our_o brethren_n do_v not_o content_v themselves_o simple_o to_o condemn_v this_o resolution_n or_o to_o assert_v that_o it_o be_v unlawful_a to_o take_v in_o or_o employ_v such_o as_o they_o be_v qualify_v in_o the_o resolution_n but_o run_v to_o
protestation_n refuse_v then_o to_o go_v along_o in_o it_o nor_o do_v they_o after_o join_v with_o they_o till_o the_o face_n of_o affair_n be_v more_o full_o alter_v §_o 31_o but_o that_o we_o do_v they_o no_o wrong_n and_o may_v obviate_v what_o may_v seem_v plausible_a in_o their_o way_n to_o these_o who_o be_v unacquainted_a with_o our_o affair_n we_o shall_v speak_v a_o little_a to_o two_o particular_n whereof_o they_o make_v especial_a use_n to_o justify_v their_o protestation_n the_o first_o be_v that_o many_o member_n be_v admit_v in_o these_o assembly_n who_o be_v guilty_a of_o a_o course_n of_o defection_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o resolution_n former_o mention_v who_o therefore_o be_v incapable_a to_o be_v member_n this_o be_v the_o strong_a argument_n whereby_o they_o study_v to_o engage_v the_o simple_a and_o well-affected_a to_o their_o party_n and_o upon_o which_o they_o spare_v not_o in_o their_o emission_n to_o profess_v the_o weight_n of_o their_o cause_n lie_v and_o do_v condemn_v those_o assembly_n because_o they_o approve_v of_o these_o resolution_n and_o therefore_o we_o answer_v 1._o albeit_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o person_n who_o they_o accuse_v as_o chief_a leader_n in_o this_o defection_n may_v make_v they_o be_v they_o ingenuous_a blush_v to_o declare_v they_o uncapable_a of_o such_o a_o trust_n who_o for_o many_o year_n both_o under_o prelate_n and_o since_o have_v be_v eminent_o honour_v of_o god_n to_o be_v owner_n of_o truth_n and_o purity_n and_o promoter_n of_o piety_n when_o other_o be_v not_o yet_o we_o trust_v what_o have_v be_v hint_v in_o defence_n of_o these_o resolution_n and_o against_o their_o remonstrance_n will_v break_v this_o snare_n and_o clear_v where_o the_o defection_n lie_v and_o so_o these_o resolution_n be_v find_v to_o have_v be_v their_o duty_n the_o whole_a superstructure_n must_v fall_v 2._o these_o resolution_n what_o ever_o they_o be_v be_v not_o as_o yet_o nor_o can_v be_v judicial_o find_v to_o be_v a_o defection_n till_o the_o assembly_n be_v constitute_v and_o cognosce_v thereupon_o and_o therefore_o they_o can_v not_o inflict_v such_o a_o censure_n on_o so_o many_o former_o minister_n and_o elder_n till_o their_o cause_n be_v try_v and_o themselves_o hear_v only_o when_o their_o proceed_n come_v to_o be_v try_v they_o be_v to_o be_v remove_v as_o our_o brethren_n know_v be_v the_o constant_a custom_n and_o judge_v by_o the_o assembly_n and_o if_o they_o be_v find_v culpable_a the_o assembly_n be_v free_a to_o inflict_v what_o censure_n they_o deserve_v and_o our_o brethren_n know_v that_o in_o the_o assembly_n 1648._o such_o a_o exception_n be_v not_o account_v relevant_a in_o this_o church_n to_o hinder_v member_n of_o a_o precede_a commission_n from_o sit_v as_o member_n in_o the_o succeed_a assembly_n and_o to_o voice_n except_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o their_o own_o proceed_n to_o be_v try_v and_o judge_v until_o a_o account_n be_v take_v of_o their_o proceed_n and_o if_o they_o shall_v have_v be_v remove_v before_o we_o see_v not_o but_o our_o brethren_n who_o continue_v in_o opposition_n to_o they_o shall_v also_o have_v be_v remove_v with_o they_o that_o the_o assembly_n may_v have_v judge_v of_o both_o though_o the_o assembly_n do_v free_o allow_v such_o as_o be_v opposite_a to_o the_o resolution_n to_o sit_v and_o reason_n and_o voice_n according_a to_o their_o judgement_n in_o these_o matter_n when_o the_o commission_n be_v remove_v 3._o what_o over_o may_v be_v say_v of_o these_o resolution_n and_o the_o assembly_n approbation_n thereof_o yet_o it_o be_v but_o one_o act_n and_o we_o believe_v one_o act_n suppose_v sinful_a do_v not_o make_v void_a and_o null_a the_o authority_n of_o a_o judicatorie_a to_o all_o effect_n otherwise_o all_o judicatories_n may_v easy_o be_v overturn_v 4._o we_o desire_v it_o may_v be_v consider_v how_o deep_a our_o brethren_n principle_n will_v draw_v for_o if_o these_o man_n be_v in_o a_o course_n of_o defection_n as_o be_v suppose_v do_v render_v the_o judicatorie_a unlawful_a where_o they_o be_v admit_v and_o oblige_v man_n not_o to_o join_v with_o they_o in_o that_o judicatorie_a then_o by_o parity_n of_o reason_n they_o must_v also_o overturn_v all_o inferior_a church-judicatories_a whereof_o they_o be_v member_n nor_o must_v they_o join_v in_o these_o with_o they_o nay_o we_o see_v not_o how_o their_o principle_n will_v allow_v they_o to_o join_v with_o they_o in_o any_o lawful_a act_n of_o religion_n and_o worship_n more_o than_o in_o a_o assembly_n §_o 32_o the_o next_o thing_n they_o allege_v be_v that_o presbytery_n be_v prelimited_a in_o their_o due_a election_n of_o commissioner_n to_o the_o assembly_n 1651._o by_o a_o letter_n of_o the_o commission_n send_v to_o they_o appoint_v such_o brethren_n as_o after_o conference_n remain_v unfatisfy_v with_o and_o continue_v to_o oppose_v the_o public_a resolution_n to_o be_v cite_v to_o the_o general_a assembly_n answ_n 1._o this_o say_v nothing_o against_o the_o assembly_n 1652._o where_o not_o such_o prelimitation_n be_v &_o yet_o they_o protest_v against_o it_o they_o allege_v prelimitation_n in_o it_o also_o by_o the_o act_n of_o the_o former_a assembly_n but_o their_o conscience_n can_v but_o tell_v they_o that_o any_o such_o act_n to_o say_v nothing_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o they_o relate_v to_o the_o public_a resolution_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v put_v in_o execution_n that_o they_o be_v whole_o lay_v aside_o and_o the_o commission_n of_o the_o assembly_n at_o st._n andrews_n and_o dundie_n do_v at_o a_o meeting_n and_o conference_n with_o they_o earnest_o press_v and_o entreat_v they_o will_v join_v with_o they_o in_o the_o ensue_a assembly_n which_o they_o refuse_v to_o do_v upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o resolution_n even_o though_o the_o subject_a matter_n thereof_o and_o so_o all_o occasion_n of_o debate_n about_o they_o be_v then_o extinct_a and_o because_o that_o assembly_n have_v a_o dependence_n upon_o the_o former_a they_o have_v protest_v against_o and_o have_v appoint_v time_n and_o place_n thereof_o albeit_o legal_o they_o can_v not_o other_o way_n have_v access_n to_o keep_v a_o new_a assembly_n but_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o former_a indiction_n and_o appointment_n 2._o we_o think_v it_o strange_a our_o brethren_n shall_v be_v against_o all_o prelimitation_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o constitute_a assembly_n and_o that_o take_v such_o course_n as_o the_o commission_n than_o take_v about_o emergent_a scandal_n or_o error_n shall_v render_v a_o assembly_n null_n and_o unlawful_a we_o may_v say_v it_o in_o our_o conserence_n with_o our_o brethren_n we_o have_v find_v they_o averse_a from_o join_v in_o a_o assembly_n with_o we_o without_o both_o prelimitation_n and_o pre-ingagement_n and_o it_o be_v not_o unknown_a in_o this_o church_n that_o such_o course_n as_o that_o of_o the_o commission_n have_v be_v follow_v without_o any_o reflection_n upon_o the_o freedom_n of_o assembly_n and_o to_o pass_v other_o instance_n which_o may_v be_v and_o be_v elsewhere_o produce_v we_o shall_v pitch_v on_o that_o parallel_n of_o the_o commission_n 1648._o wherein_o some_o of_o our_o brethren_n have_v the_o chief_a hand_n in_o which_o by_o express_a act_n the_o commission_n earnest_o recommend_v to_o presbytery_n to_o take_v special_a notice_n and_o trial_n of_o every_o brother_n carriage_n in_o the_o public_a business_n that_o if_o any_o be_v find_v that_o do_v not_o declare_v themselves_o against_o the_o present_a malignant_a course_n nor_o come_v with_o their_o brethren_n in_o the_o common_a resolution_n against_o it_o nor_o give_v public_a information_n to_o the_o people_n that_o they_o be_v refer_v to_o the_o next_o general_a assembly_n and_o if_o any_o of_o they_o have_v already_o declare_v for_o it_o that_o they_o be_v present_o censure_v here_o we_o will_v not_o only_o find_v a_o parallel_n to_o that_o do_v by_o the_o commission_n 1651._o but_o somewhat_o that_o go_v beyond_o they_o here_o such_o as_o be_v silent_a or_o join_v not_o with_o their_o brethren_n nor_o inform_v the_o people_n be_v refer_v to_o the_o general_a assembly_n the_o commission_n 51._o do_v not_o meddle_v at_o all_o with_o such_o nay_o nor_o with_o their_o continue_a dissatisfaction_n after_o conference_n if_o they_o do_v not_o active_o oppose_v and_o by_o their_o preach_n and_o other_o act_n obstruct_v the_o execution_n of_o the_o resolution_n for_o defence_n of_o the_o nation_n here_o such_o as_o declare_v themselves_o be_v to_o be_v present_o censure_v by_o presbytery_n but_o the_o commission_n 51._o do_v only_o appoint_v opposer_n after_o reference_n to_o be_v cite_v to_o the_o general_a assembly_n that_o they_o may_v be_v accountable_a for_o their_o carriage_n as_o the_o commission_n be_v for_o their_o proceed_n and_o that_o they_o may_v prosecute_v if_o they_o have_v any_o thing_n to_o say_v these_o libel_n they_o have_v emit_v
of_o these_o assembly_n so_o long_o as_o the_o authority_n thereof_o be_v not_o urge_v against_o they_o which_o if_o they_o do_v not_o grant_v we_o can_v not_o but_o foresee_v the_o ruin_n of_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n we_o do_v also_o beside_o other_o particular_n offer_v unto_o they_o that_o not_o only_a shall_v synod_n take_v their_o determination_n into_o a_o second_o consideration_n concern_v the_o irregular_a plantation_n of_o church_n by_o our_o brethren_n but_o shall_v follow_v amicable_a way_n of_o arbitration_n by_o judicious_a brethren_n of_o both_o judgement_n antecedent_o to_o the_o synod_n recognition_n as_o also_o that_o we_o shall_v concur_v with_o they_o in_o all_o effectual_a and_o orderly_a way_n for_o purge_v out_o any_o insussicient_a or_o scandalous_a minister_n §_o 50_o we_o hold_v it_o not_o necessary_a to_o discourse_v upon_o these_o our_o condescension_n see_v we_o hope_v it_o will_v appear_v we_o do_v stand_v upon_o nothing_o which_o may_v consist_v with_o the_o safety_n of_o presbyterial_a government_n and_o with_o the_o simple_a not_o condemn_v of_o our_o own_o judgement_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o our_o public_a difference_n which_o with_o more_o also_o we_o do_v allow_v to_o our_o brethren_n nor_o shall_v we_o dive_v into_o the_o reason_n which_o move_v they_o to_o decline_v union_n upon_o so_o reasonable_a term_n or_o whether_o some_o among_o they_o be_v but_o too_o active_a to_o keep_v off_o other_o who_o be_v moderate_a we_o may_v also_o clear_v how_o little_o they_o or_o at_o least_o some_o of_o they_o mind_v union_n all_o along_o in_o that_o not_o only_o in_o the_o very_a time_n of_o the_o conference_n they_o voice_v and_o agree_v upon_o the_o continuance_n of_o their_o pretend_a commission_n 1650._o and_o do_v resolve_v and_o conclude_v to_o petition_v the_o council_n here_o that_o power_n may_v be_v grant_v they_o to_o purge_v the_o church_n but_o in_o that_o all_o they_o seem_v to_o concede_fw-la be_v qualify_v with_o this_o ambiguous_a preface_n of_o reserve_v the_o liberty_n of_o their_o judgement_n and_o practice_n in_o matter_n controvert_v as_o may_v consist_v with_o truth_n and_o peace_n upon_o which_o they_o will_v never_o give_v a_o clear_a commentary_n though_o desire_v thereunto_o but_o leave_v these_o we_o shall_v brief_o declare_v what_o the_o particular_n be_v upon_o which_o the_o union_n chief_o stick_v §_o 51_o 1._o our_o brethren_n will_v not_o condescend_v to_o any_o union_n unless_o the_o act_n concern_v the_o public_a resolution_n be_v render_v of_o no_o effect_n so_o far_o as_o they_o do_v import_n or_o may_v be_v allege_v as_o the_o difinitive_a judgement_n of_o this_o church_n concern_v the_o matter_n contain_v therein_o which_o however_o they_o gloss_n the_o matter_n in_o conference_n be_v in_o effect_n that_o we_o shall_v condemn_v these_o resolution_n in_o our_o judgement_n and_o shall_v annul_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o assembly_n which_o have_v determine_v they_o as_o the_o difinitive_a judgement_n of_o the_o church_n this_o be_v no_o conjecture_n of_o our_o own_o but_o clear_o hold_v out_o in_o their_o last_o paper_n at_o that_o conference_n wherein_o they_o complain_v of_o our_o not_o grant_v of_o this_o as_o suppose_v and_o infer_v not_o only_o the_o constitution_n and_o authority_n of_o these_o assembly_n but_o also_o in_o show_n and_o appearance_n the_o justice_n and_o equity_n of_o these_o resolution_n whence_o any_o man_n may_v gather_v that_o to_o grant_v their_o desire_n be_v not_o at_o all_o to_o suppose_v any_o authority_n of_o these_o assembly_n but_o not_o to_o leave_v the_o least_o show_n of_o the_o justice_n and_o equity_n of_o these_o resolution_n which_o if_o it_o be_v to_o seek_v peace_n and_o union_n and_o not_o rather_o that_o we_o shall_v betray_v and_o yield_v up_o our_o judgement_n and_o the_o truth_n as_o we_o believe_v let_v any_o judge_n §_o 52_o 2._o they_o will_v not_o unite_v unless_o a_o extrajudicial_a committee_n of_o equal_a member_n of_o both_o judgement_n be_v set_v up_o to_o manage_v the_o chief_a matter_n occur_v in_o our_o church_n which_o unto_o we_o be_v a_o cast_n of_o the_o government_n in_o a_o new_a model_n whole_o overturning_a it_o and_o enervate_v the_o authority_n of_o presbytery_n and_o synod_n and_o allow_v to_o our_o brethren_n at_o least_o a_o negative_a voice_n in_o all_o matter_n this_o we_o can_v not_o but_o look_v upon_o as_o a_o way_n of_o government_n not_o warrant_v by_o the_o word_n and_o more_o tyrannical_a than_o the_o yoke_n of_o prelacy_n and_o though_o the_o whole_a number_n have_v be_v offer_v to_o be_v man_n of_o our_o judgement_n yet_o we_o can_v never_o hearken_v to_o a_o proposition_n so_o destructive_a to_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n §_o 53_o 3._o they_o decline_v also_o to_o engage_v themselves_o to_o that_o submission_n to_o the_o government_n and_o to_o observe_v that_o subordination_n of_o person_n and_o judicatories_n in_o matter_n of_o discipline_n which_o we_o be_v will_v shall_v be_v mutual_a and_o albeit_o we_o require_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v essential_a to_o presbyterial_a government_n and_o that_o which_o the_o assembly_n 1647._o in_o the_o act_n concern_v the_o cxi_o proposition_n in_o the_o seven_o head_n of_o doctrine_n therein_o contain_v do_v approve_v and_o albeit_o their_o former_a act_n have_v give_v we_o just_a cause_n to_o require_v the_o same_o may_v be_v secure_v for_o the_o future_a yet_o they_o do_v whole_o decline_v it_o which_o be_v in_o effect_n to_o make_v all_o union_n void_a for_o have_v we_o agree_v in_o all_o thing_n beside_o yet_o when_o they_o please_v they_o may_v have_v step_v out_o again_o at_o that_o door_n and_o make_v the_o breach_n worse_o §_o 54_o we_o have_v thus_o brief_o declare_v our_o mind_n in_o these_o matter_n of_o our_o difference_n and_o give_v a_o true_a account_n of_o the_o consequence_n thereof_o and_o of_o our_o carriage_n thereupon_o not_o the_o lord_n know_v to_o render_v the_o person_n of_o our_o brethren_n odious_a nor_o to_o be_v a_o impediment_n to_o union_n but_o only_o for_o our_o own_o vindication_n and_o to_o prevent_v any_o prejudice_n to_o the_o cause_n of_o god_n and_o government_n of_o this_o church_n through_o our_o silence_n now_o when_o they_o be_v so_o active_a in_o prosecute_a some_o design_n prejudicial_a thereunto_o as_o we_o have_v no_o great_a ambition_n in_o the_o world_n then_o to_o have_v this_o church_n unite_v in_o the_o judicatories_n thereof_o in_o its_o former_a harmony_n and_o unity_n and_o as_o we_o drive_v no_o particular_a interest_n nor_o desire_v any_o thing_n but_o what_o tend_v to_o the_o common_a good_a of_o this_o whole_a church_n our_o brethren_n as_n well_o as_o we_o so_o our_o heart_n and_o arm_n be_v yet_o open_a and_o ready_a to_o embrace_v they_o upon_o safe_a term_n provide_v they_o will_v not_o seek_v any_o thing_n irregular_a and_o destructive_a to_o or_o our_o of_o the_o channel_n of_o the_o government_n we_o be_v persuade_v in_o our_o conscience_n that_o the_o discipline_n and_o government_n of_o this_o church_n be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o word_n and_o we_o in_o this_o nation_n be_v oblige_v by_o the_o oath_n of_o god_n to_o the_o maintenance_n thereof_o and_o to_o continue_v therein_o all_o the_o day_n of_o our_o life_n and_o therefore_o we_o can_v recede_v from_o it_o in_o the_o least_o but_o be_v resolve_v in_o the_o lord_n strength_n to_o adhere_v thereunto_o and_o as_o our_o brethren_n be_v engage_v with_o we_o in_o this_o bond_n which_o make_v their_o course_n the_o more_o sad_a and_o grievous_a unto_o we_o so_o we_o can_v but_o expect_v to_o be_v encourage_v and_o countenance_v in_o this_o resolution_n by_o the_o people_n of_o god_n in_o the_o two_o neighbour_a nation_n who_o be_v bind_v by_o the_o same_o oath_n of_o god_n to_o maintain_v the_o discipline_n and_o government_n establish_v in_o this_o church_n but_o if_o our_o brethren_n will_v still_o persist_v in_o their_o irregular_a design_n and_o if_o it_o please_v the_o lord_n for_o the_o further_a exercise_n of_o this_o poor_a church_n to_o permit_v they_o to_o proceed_v in_o they_o and_o to_o overturn_v yet_o more_o the_o government_n they_o be_v bind_v to_o maintain_v we_o must_v leave_v the_o matter_n upon_o the_o lord_n and_o wait_v on_o he_o content_v ourselves_o that_o we_o have_v deliver_v our_o soul_n and_o be_v not_o accessary_a nor_o consent_v unto_o any_o such_o destructive_a innovation_n finis_fw-la