these_o apologetical_a answer_n first_o the_o true_a cause_n of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n and_o action_n be_v the_o ordinance_n of_o jesus_n christ_n who_o as_o king_n of_o his_o kirk_n have_v prescribe_v and_o command_v the_o same_o in_o his_o word_n as_o be_v affirm_v in_o the_o say_a book_n of_o discipline_n cap._n 1._o art_n 10._o so_o that_o the_o act_n of_o parliament_n in_o anno_fw-la 1592._o be_v not_o the_o only_a warrant_n of_o sic_fw-la synod_n and_o action_n be_v but_o the_o civil_a approbation_n of_o our_o christian_n sovereign_n move_v of_o christian_n duty_n in_o testification_n of_o his_o subjection_n to_o christ_n &_o willingness_n to_o have_v all_o his_o subject_n bring_v under_o humble_a obedience_n to_o the_o sceptre_n of_o christ_n as_o may_v appear_v by_o these_o word_n of_o the_o say_a act_n and_o declare_v the_o say_a assembly_n presbytery_n and_o session_n jurisdiction_n and_o discipline_n thereof_o to_o have_v be_v in_o all_o time_n bigane_n &_o to_o be_v in_o all_o time_n come_v most_o good_a just_a and_o godly_a in_o the_o self_n therefore_o and_o the_o rather_o because_o of_o our_o subscription_n and_o oath_n to_o maintain_v the_o discipline_n of_o our_o kirk_n contain_v in_o the_o confession_n of_o our_o faith_n we_o have_v high_o sin_v if_o we_o have_v not_o force_v the_o general_n assembly_n be_v not_o forbid_v to_o meet_v by_o the_o council_n nor_o by_o the_o king_n commissioner_n no_o not_o by_o the_o commissioner_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n for_o they_o only_o advise_v we_o not_o to_o keep_v the_o 5._o day_n and_o it_o be_v not_o keep_v and_o see_v we_o have_v endanger_v the_o liberty_n of_o the_o kirk_n if_o we_o have_v not_o continue_v the_o assembly_n to_o a_o certain_a day_n for_o authority_n design_v none_o whereunto_o we_o may_v have_v consent_v and_o therefore_o that_o day_n be_v expire_v another_o can_v not_o be_v appoint_v by_o the_o church_fw-mi according_a to_o the_o ordinance_n and_o ordinary_a custom_n of_o the_o same_o second_o we_o do_v not_o transgress_v the_o say_a act_n of_o parliament_n anno_fw-la 1592._o in_o any_o thing_n 1._o because_o it_o be_v no_o institute_v law_n but_o a_o simple_a approbation_n of_o assembly_n as_o they_o be_v appoint_v by_o the_o kirk_n 2._o because_o the_o say_a approbation_n declare_v that_o it_o salbe_n lawful_a to_o the_o kircke_n &_o minister_n every_o Èeere_n once_o and_o oft_o as_o occasion_n shall_v require_v to_o hold_v general_n assembly_n 3._o because_o in_o the_o same_o statute_n it_o be_v provide_v that_o the_o king_n or_o his_o commissioner_n if_o either_o be_v in_o the_o town_n where_o the_o general_a assembly_n be_v hold_v be_v present_a not_o to_o allow_v or_o disallow_v the_o convening_n or_o hold_v of_o the_o say_a assembly_n but_o only_o to_o nominate_v the_o time_n &_o place_n of_o the_o next_o assembly_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v provide_v that_o the_o king_n or_o his_o commissioner_n be_v present_a at_o ilk_fw-mi general_n assembly_n before_o the_o dissolvinge_v thereof_o neither_o do_v the_o proviso_n give_v authority_n to_o the_o king_n or_o his_o commissioner_n to_o nominate_v the_o time_n and_o place_n of_o the_o next_o assembly_n absolute_o or_o by_o himself_o but_o coniunct_o and_o with_o the_o assembly_n but_o if_o neither_o the_o king_n nor_o his_o commissioner_n be_v present_a in_o the_o place_n of_o the_o assembly_n than_o the_o proviso_n say_v express_o that_o it_o salbe_n lesum_fw-la to_o the_o assembly_n by_o themselves_o to_o nominate_v time_n and_o place_n of_o the_o next_o assembly_n but_o true_a it_o be_v that_o his_o ma_n can_v not_o and_o his_o commissioner_n will_v not_o be_v present_a but_o as_o say_z be_v voluntary_o remove_v himself_o while_o the_o assembly_n be_v continue_v to_o a_o certain_a time_n and_o place_n three_o let_v it_o be_v suppose_v that_o it_o be_v a_o offence_n to_o hold_v and_o to_o continue_v the_o say_a assembly_n Èet_v it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v impute_v unto_o we_o because_o we_o be_v but_o commissioner_n of_o sundry_a presbytery_n whereunto_o &_o not_o unto_o we_o in_o particular_a the_o said_n letter_n from_o the_o commissioner_n at_o edinburgh_n be_v direct_v which_o notwithstanding_o the_o presbytery_n send_v we_o unto_o the_o assembly_n &_o approve_v our_o proceed_n after_o the_o assembly_n so_o that_o the_o presbytery_n if_o any_o and_o not_o we_o be_v subject_a to_o censure_v all_o which_o allegation_n notwithstanding_o ma._n john_n forbes_n ma._n john_n welsh_a ma._n robert_n durie_n ma._n andrew_n duncan_n ma._n john_n sharp_a and_o ma._n alexander_n stranchen_n be_v bring_v by_o the_o guard_n from_o blackenes_n to_o linlitgow_n there_o to_o be_v arraign_v upon_o friday_n 10._o january_n last_o before_o the_o secret_a council_n of_o treason_n because_o they_o decline_v the_o judgement_n of_o the_o say_a council_n contrary_a to_o the_o say_a act_n of_o parleament_n anno_fw-la 1584._o the_o council_n first_o deal_v with_o they_o instant_o to_o depart_v from_o their_o declinator_n for_o his_o ma_n satisfaction_n they_o be_v willing_a so_o that_o all_o proceed_n may_v be_v hold_v pro_fw-la deleto_fw-it then_o the_o council_n will_v they_o to_o take_v advise_v of_o their_o brethren_n who_o be_v many_o then_o and_o there_o meet_v together_o from_o many_o part_n of_o scotland_n they_o do_v so_o and_o at_o first_o find_v great_a difference_n of_o opinion_n for_o some_o thought_n it_o lawful_a &_o in_o respect_n of_o inconvenience_n likely_a to_o follow_v very_o expedient_a to_o depart_v from_o the_o say_v declinator_n in_o the_o end_n with_o consent_n some_o of_o the_o minister_n be_v send_v to_o the_o council_n for_o eschew_v the_o present_a peril_n of_o their_o brethren_n to_o crave_v leave_n for_o the_o prisoner_n to_o go_v &_o confer_v with_o the_o presbytery_n which_o send_v they_o in_o commission_n anent_o that_o motion_n without_o who_o advice_n they_o can_v do_v nothing_o in_o the_o say_a matter_n this_o deny_v it_o be_v think_v by_o the_o whole_a number_n of_o the_o minister_n that_o the_o prisoner_n can_v not_o pass_v from_o their_o declinator_n without_o great_a prejudice_n to_o the_o kirk_n and_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n whereupon_o they_o be_v carry_v to_o the_o place_n of_o arraignment_n and_o name_v for_o their_o prolocutor_n ma._n thomas_n craig_n m._n william_n oliphant_n m._n thomas_n hope_v &_o m._n thomas_n grace_n who_o have_v all_o promise_a to_o speak_v for_o they_o but_o the_o two_o former_a be_v absent_a be_v send_v for_o and_o refuse_v to_o come_v the_o other_o two_o by_o evident_a reason_n make_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o the_o prisoner_n their_o proceed_n manifest_a to_o the_o conscience_n of_o all_o but_o the_o prisoner_n themselves_o so_o clear_v themselves_o &_o their_o cause_n that_o their_o enemy_n be_v astonish_v their_o doubtful_a brethren_n resolve_v &_o every_o one_o that_o hear_v satisfy_v so_o that_o the_o king_n advocate_n be_v put_v to_o his_o shift_n namely_o to_o charge_v the_o assize_n only_o to_o find_v whether_o the_o prisoner_n have_v decline_v the_o counsel_n judgement_n or_o no_o to_o which_o purpose_n only_o he_o give_v they_o proof_n and_o the_o assize_n be_v so_o trouble_v that_o they_o will_v have_v be_v rid_v of_o the_o matter_n but_o that_o deny_v &_o they_o enclose_v at_o the_o first_o they_o all_o will_v have_v cleanse_v the_o prisoner_n which_o be_v signify_v to_o the_o council_n they_o will_v the_o justice_n clerk_n and_o henry_n steward_n chancellor_n of_o the_o assize_n in_o england_n call_v the_o foreman_n of_o the_o jury_n to_o deal_v with_o the_o prisoner_n to_o see_v if_o Èet_o they_o may_v be_v make_v to_o depart_v from_o their_o declinator_n which_o be_v refuse_v they_o be_v send_v back_o to_o the_o assize_n to_o convict_v the_o prisoner_n in_o respect_n it_o be_v his_o ma._n will_n &_o it_o behove_v so_o to_o be_v for_o prepare_v way_n to_o their_o peace_n whereupon_o it_o be_v vote_v 6._o cleanse_v and_o the_o rest_n file_v the_o prisoner_n to_o the_o unspeakable_a grief_n and_o miscontent_n of_o all_o man_n except_o etc._n etc._n but_o judgement_n be_v suspend_v till_o his_o ma._n mind_n be_v know_v who_o mind_n i_o hope_v will_v be_v to_o reexamine_v matter_n or_o to_o release_v the_o prisoner_n lest_o otherwise_o he_o be_v guilty_a of_o innocent_a blood_n Èea_o the_o blood_n of_o the_o lord_n holy_a one_o for_o such_o be_v faithful_a minister_n in_o a_o special_a sense_n which_o be_v right_a precious_a in_o his_o sight_n and_o therefore_o he_o say_v touch_v not_o my_o anoint_a &_o do_v my_o prophet_n no_o harm_n and_o the_o rather_o because_o it_o be_v enact_v 11._o jacob_n 6._o ca._n 91._o that_o all_o assize_n or_o jury_n be_v enclose_v alone_o and_o no_o person_n to_o be_v suffer_v to_o be_v with_o they_o nor_o to_o repair_v to_o they_o under_o any_o pretence_n whatsoever_o and_o that_o they_o be_v not_o suffer_v to_o come_v out_o for_o whatsoever_o cause_n till_o they_o be_v agree_v return_v their_o answer_n to_o the_o judge_n otherwise_o or_o in_o case_n any_o point_n of_o the_o say_a act_n be_v transgress_v the_o party_n accuse_v to_o be_v hold_v and_o pronounce_v clear_a &_o innocent_a of_o the_o crime_n and_o treason_n then_o lay_v to_o their_o charge_n nay_o though_o there_o be_v no_o such_o statute_n yet_o i_o hope_v his_o ma_n will_v take_v heed_n of_o such_o innocent_a blood_n because_o i_o have_v experience_n of_o his_o natural_a gracious_a disposition_n for_o howsoever_o incense_v by_o sic_fw-la as_o seek_v themselves_o he_o make_v grievous_a law_n against_o the_o kirk_n in_o anno_fw-la 1584._o Èea_n so_o that_o he_o put_v down_o the_o presbytery_n and_o set_v up_o bishop_n Èet_o upon_o better_a information_n &_o consideration_n he_o put_v down_o papal_a bishop_n and_o set_v up_o the_o presbytery_n as_o the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n again_o his_o ma._n be_v very_o wise_a can_v not_o but_o â—â—rceyve_v how_o the_o titular_a bishop_n which_o he_o have_v make_v grieve_v that_o they_o have_v a_o title_n without_o jurisdiction_n and_o the_o late_a commissioner_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n aspire_v to_o that_o transcendent_a authority_n which_o they_o see_v commissioner_n ecclesiastical_a exercise_n in_o england_n under_o pretence_n of_o his_o ma_n prerogative_n use_v all_o the_o devise_n friend_n and_o mean_v they_o can_v to_o incense_v his_o ma_n against_o all_o presbyterial_a government_n especial_o the_o general_n assembly_n which_o hold_v all_o in_o awe_n beseech_v god_n to_o sanctify_v and_o bless_v his_o majesty_n and_o his_o royal_a issue_n to_o justify_v wisdom_n and_o comfort_v his_o people_n i_o commend_v this_o report_n to_o the_o reader_n and_o he_o to_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n from_o my_o chamber_n the_o 21._o of_o february_n 1606._o
for_o by_o the_o council_n to_o speak_v with_o they_o who_o be_v convene_v consist_v of_o 6._o lord_n and_o 7._o or_o 8._o of_o the_o late_a bishop_n &_o commissioner_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n a_o novelty_n not_o hear_v of_o before_o in_o scotland_n and_o be_v command_v to_o ward_v in_o the_o castle_n of_o edinburgh_n because_o he_o will_v not_o condemn_v the_o assembly_n at_o abirdeen_n by_o his_o private_a judgement_n albeit_o he_o submit_v himself_o and_o proceed_n thereat_o to_o the_o general_n assembly_n master_n john_n welsh_a be_v also_o in_o edinburgh_n be_v charge_v by_o a_o messinger_n to_o compeir_n before_o the_o council_n the_o next_o day_n follow_v who_o compeir_a &_o refuse_v to_o give_v his_o oath_n as_o he_o take_v it_o super_fw-la inquirendis_fw-la albeit_o he_o offer_v it_o upon_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o particular_a interrogatory_n be_v likewise_o ward_v in_o the_o tolbnith_n till_o eleven_o hour_n at_o which_o time_n both_o he_o and_o mai._n john_n forbes_n be_v transport_v to_o blackness_n the_o second_o of_o august_n ma._n robert_n durie_n ma._n andro_n duncan_n ma._n alexander_n stranchen_n and_o ma._n john_n sharp_a be_v summon_v compeir_v before_o the_o council_n and_o with_o they_o m._n john_n welsh_n who_o be_v bring_v from_o blackness_n upon_o his_o offer_n to_o give_v his_o oath_n upon_o the_o point_n of_o his_o summons_n and_o be_v all_o commit_v to_o prison_n in_o blackness_n for_o the_o same_o cause_n for_o which_o ma._n john_n forbes_n be_v imprison_v the_o three_o of_o october_n other_o 14._o of_o those_o who_o have_v be_v either_o the_o 2._o or_o 5._o day_n of_o july_n in_o abirdeen_n be_v cite_v before_o the_o council_n 7._o of_o they_o because_o they_o doubt_v of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o the_o assembly_n till_o it_o be_v discuss_v in_o a_o free_a general_n assembly_n be_v remit_v home_o and_o other_o 7._o be_v ward_v for_o the_o same_o cause_n for_o which_o the_o rest_n be_v imprison_v before_o to_o wit_n mai._n charles_n farm_n and_o ma._n john_n munro_n be_v ward_v in_o the_o castle_n of_o dorone_n m._n nathaniel_n inglis_n &_o m._n james_n greig_n in_o the_o castle_n of_o dumbertome_n m._n james_n irving_n ma._n william_n forbes_n and_o john_n rosse_n in_o the_o castle_n of_o stirling_n the_o rest_n who_o be_v at_o abirdeen_n the_o 2._o and_o 5._o of_o july_n be_v not_o summon_v and_o so_o spare_v by_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n after_o sundry_a supplication_n the_o say_v 13._o imprison_v minister_n write_v reason_n to_o prove_v the_o summons_n from_o the_o secret_a council_n and_o proceed_n before_o they_o to_o be_v prejudicial_a to_o the_o authorise_a discipline_n of_o the_o church_fw-mi and_o contrary_a to_o the_o laudable_a order_n observe_v in_o the_o realm_n and_o most_o humble_o beseech_v their_o lo_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n who_o shall_v judge_v the_o quick_a and_o the_o dead_a to_o remit_v their_o cause_n and_o trial_n thereof_o to_o the_o general_n assembly_n as_o only_o judge_v competent_a thereto_o as_o also_o to_o dimit_v they_o in_o peace_n that_o they_o may_v attend_v on_o their_o calling_n which_o supplication_n not_o regard_v they_o give_v to_o the_o lord_n a_o declinator_n subscribe_v by_o they_o all_o the_o say_v 24._o of_o october_n whereby_o they_o do_v appeal_v as_o it_o be_v from_o the_o king_n and_o the_o council_n to_o the_o k._n and_o general_a assembly_n yet_o so_o that_o they_o do_v always_o acknowledge_v themselves_o bind_v to_o submit_v to_o the_o counsel_n judgement_n in_o any_o matter_n wherein_o any_o other_o subject_n be_v bind_v to_o submit_v and_o howsoever_o they_o refer_v the_o answer_v of_o theticall_a interrogatory_n to_o the_o general_n assembly_n yet_o to_o clear_v themselves_o of_o crime_n object_v they_o answer_v particular_a accusation_n &_o hypotheticall_a interrogation_n in_o their_o resume_v of_o the_o say_a summons_n and_o apology_n to_o his_o ma._n their_o reason_n of_o decline_v the_o counsel_n judgement_n contain_v in_o their_o last_o supplication_n and_o plead_v when_o they_o give_v their_o declinator_n be_v these_o 1._o they_o allege_v and_o read_v a_o act_n of_o parliament_n in_o anno_fw-la 1592._o whereby_o a_o former_a act_n of_o parliament_n anno_fw-la 1584._o make_o it_o treasonable_a to_o decline_v the_o king_n &_o counsel_n judgement_n be_v interpret_v for_o it_o pass_v when_o the_o principal_a member_n both_o of_o kirk_n and_o commonwealth_n be_v force_v to_o forsake_v the_o land_n and_o it_o be_v never_o put_v in_o execution_n not_o to_o derogate_v any_o thing_n to_o the_o privilege_n that_o god_n have_v give_v to_o the_o spiritual_a office-bearer_n in_o the_o kirk_n concern_v any_o essential_a censure_n have_v warrant_n of_o god_n word_n but_o to_o judge_v of_o the_o lawfulness_n or_o unlawfulness_n of_o synod_n whereof_o the_o general_n assembly_n be_v the_o sinew_n and_o life_n be_v a_o essential_a censure_n have_v warrant_n of_o god_n word_n 2._o by_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o kirk_n since_o the_o act_n of_o parliament_n 1584._o record_v in_o the_o register_n of_o the_o assembly_n one_o assembly_n have_v ever_o discern_v and_o judge_v another_o and_o the_o proceed_n thereof_o as_o be_v evident_a in_o the_o general_n assembly_n hold_v at_o dundie_n anno_fw-la 1597._o which_v allow_v the_o assembly_n at_o perth_n &_o the_o proceed_n thereof_o at_o both_o which_o assembly_n his_o ma_n be_v present_a and_o which_o be_v more_o he_o require_v the_o question_n make_v of_o the_o former_a to_o be_v decide_v by_o the_o late_a assembly_n as_o proper_o pertain_v to_o that_o judicatorie_a and_o in_o his_o ma_n proclamation_n give_v to_o hampton-court_n 26._o of_o september_n 1605._o his_o ma_n not_o forget_v the_o practice_n of_o this_o kirk_n expect_v separation_n of_o the_o suppose_a disorder_n of_o the_o assembly_n for_o which_o we_o be_v call_v in_o question_n at_o the_o assembly_n to_o be_v hold_v at_o dundie_n the_o last_o twesday_n of_o july_n next_o 3._o if_o the_o council_n shall_v take_v upon_o they_o to_o judge_v &_o censure_v the_o lawfulness_n or_o unlawfulness_n the_o validity_n or_o invaliditie_n of_o a_o assembly_n what_o be_v this_o but_o to_o confound_v ecclesiastical_a &_o civil_a judicatory_n which_o hitherto_o have_v be_v by_o law_n and_o practice_v happy_o distinguish_v and_o which_o his_o ma_n in_o the_o declaration_n of_o the_o say_a act_n of_o parliament_n anno_fw-la 1584._o profess_v to_o be_v far_o from_o his_o meaning_n his_o intention_n be_v as_o he_o there_o affirm_v not_o in_o sort_n to_o take_v away_o the_o lawful_a and_o ordinary_a judgement_n in_o the_o kirk_n whereby_o discipline_n and_o good_a order_n may_v decay_v but_o that_o as_o temporal_a magistrate_n do_v judge_v in_o temporal_a matter_n so_o spiritual_a jurisdiction_n shall_v have_v the_o ordinary_a trial_n in_o matter_n belong_v to_o the_o ministry_n and_o their_o estate_n moreover_o it_o may_v be_v affirm_v that_o it_o be_v no_o new_a thing_n to_o decline_v the_o council_n for_o 1._o there_o be_v a_o declinator_n yet_o extant_a subscribe_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o those_o same_o man_n of_o the_o ministry_n who_o be_v now_o most_o against_o we_o &_o mo_z than_o 300._o pastor_n and_o 2._o it_o be_v also_o and_o have_v be_v a_o ordinary_a custom_n in_o civil_a and_o criminal_a matter_n even_o of_o civil_a person_n to_o decline_v the_o council_n and_o to_o take_v they_o to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o lord_n of_o session_n or_o to_o the_o justice_n upon_o the_o different_a quality_n of_o the_o civil_a fact_n at_o this_o time_n ma._n robert_n Èounson_n one_o of_o those_o who_o have_v be_v remit_v from_o perth_n because_o he_o doubt_v of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o the_o assembly_n be_v move_v in_o conscience_n return_v and_o the_o same_o day_n and_o hour_n when_o these_o 13._o be_v stand_v before_o the_o council_n in_o that_o cause_n do_v compeir_n and_o desire_v to_o be_v hear_v do_v acknowledge_v his_o oversight_n at_o perth_n and_o confess_v his_o trouble_n in_o conscience_n and_o therefore_o that_o albeit_o not_o summon_v by_o their_o lo_o yet_o charge_v by_o the_o live_a god_n be_v compel_v to_o come_v thither_o that_o day_n to_o justify_v that_o assembly_n &_o whole_a proceed_n thereof_o to_o the_o great_a astonishment_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o comfort_n of_o his_o brethren_n who_o also_o subscribe_v the_o declinator_n with_o they_o who_o all_o thereafter_o be_v send_v back_o to_o their_o several_a prison_n &_o ma._n robert_n Èoungson_n to_o the_o castle_n of_o stirling_n with_o the_o other_o three_o that_o be_v ward_v there_o and_o so_o as_o yet_o all_o continue_v in_o ward_n in_o their_o resume_v of_o summonde_n and_o apology_n before_o mention_v the_o minister_n clear_v themselves_o of_o crime_n object_v by_o narration_n of_o their_o proceed_n already_o report_v and_o reason_n therein_o comprise_v and_o Èet_o further_o by_o
a_o faithful_a report_n of_o proceed_n anent_o the_o assembly_n of_o minister_n at_o abirdeen_n upon_o twesday_n 2._o july_n 1605._o proverb_n 18._o vers_fw-la 17._o he_o that_o be_v first_o in_o his_o own_o cause_n be_v just_a then_o come_v his_o neighbour_n and_o make_v inquiry_n of_o he_o 21._o februar_n 1606._o a_o faithful_a report_n of_o proceed_n anent_o the_o assembly_n of_o minister_n at_o abirdeen_n upon_o twesday_n the_o second_o of_o julij_fw-la 1605._o although_o i_o have_v be_v in_o england_n many_o year_n yet_o i_o can_v but_o be_v move_v with_o the_o grievous_a traduce_v of_o faithful_a minister_n in_o scotland_n which_o i_o hear_v every_o day_n as_o i_o have_v occasion_n to_o meet_v with_o man_n either_o addict_v more_o or_o less_o to_o papistry_n or_o utter_o ignorant_a of_o scottis-affair_n traduce_v i_o say_v sic_fw-la minister_n as_o if_o they_o be_v indeed_o guilty_a of_o high_a treason_n a_o lively_a member_n of_o the_o kirk_n not_o but_o be_v sensible_a of_o the_o trouble_v thereof_o in_o what_o part_n of_o the_o world_n so_o ever_o he_o be_v how_o then_o can_v i_o be_v unmoved_a to_o hear_v sic_fw-la thing_n of_o the_o principal_a member_n of_o the_o kirk_n in_o scotland_n so_o near_o and_o dear_a not_o only_o to_o scottisman_n but_o to_o englishman_n too_o if_o they_o be_v true_o religious_a for_o do_v not_o every_o wise-hearted_n christian_n evident_o perceive_v that_o among_o other_o stratagem_n of_o this_o decline_a age_n satan_n will_v blemish_v the_o gospel_n and_o undermine_v the_o kirk_n through_o the_o side_n of_o those_o faithful_a minister_n i_o have_v think_v it_o therefore_o very_o necessary_a to_o collect_v and_o set_v donn_v this_o faithful_a report_n hope_v that_o the_o indifferent_a reader_n will_v suspend_v his_o judgement_n till_o truth_n time_n daughter_n be_v fit_a to_o show_v herself_o in_o public_a i_o confute_v no_o objection_n because_o i_o will_v not_o offend_v and_o beside_o rectum_fw-la est_fw-la index_n svi_fw-la &_o obliqui_fw-la last_o i_o call_v this_o report_n faithful_a because_o i_o have_v faithful_o collect_v the_o same_o out_o of_o faithful_a intelligence_n send_v out_o of_o scotlande_n from_o faithful_a brethren_n and_o not_o because_o i_o can_v ovow_v though_o i_o believe_v every_o part_n thereof_o to_o be_v undoubted_o true_a and_o therefore_o pray_v with_o protestation_n that_o this_o report_n be_v not_o prejudicial_a to_o a_o more_o evident_a truth_n which_o hereafter_o may_v be_v publish_v by_o authority_n or_o by_o the_o ministry_n in_o the_o general_n assembly_n at_o halyrudehous_n in_o november_n 1602._o the_o brethren_n consent_v to_o his_o ma_n that_o the_o next_o assembly_n shall_v be_v at_o abirdeen_n the_o last_o twesday_n of_o july_n 1604._o and_o not_o before_o notwithstanding_o it_o be_v then_o and_o there_o ordain_v with_o his_o ma._n consent_n that_o the_o diet_n of_o assembly_n be_v appoint_v and_o keep_v precise_o every_o year_n according_a to_o a_o act_n of_o parliament_n 1592._o respect_v his_o ma._n pleasure_n so_o much_o as_o that_o they_o do_v not_o due_o consider_v how_o prejudicial_a it_o may_v prove_v to_o the_o liberty_n of_o the_o â—â—rk_n to_o transgress_v the_o say_v act_n of_o parliament_n and_o general_n assembly_n in_o not_o hold_v with_o all_o constancy_n the_o general_n assembly_n once_o at_o least_o every_o year_n that_o their_o exceed_a regard_n of_o his_o ma_n pleasure_n may_v Èit_v more_o appear_v it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v forget_v that_o the_o presbytery_n yield_v to_o a_o letter_n date_v at_o perth_n 4._o july_n 1604._o and_o subscribe_v be_v the_o laird_n of_o lowreston_n the_o king_n commissioner_n master_n patrick_n galloway_n moderator_n of_o the_o say_a assembly_n at_o holyrudehous_n and_o master_n richard_n thomeson_n clerk_n to_o the_o commissioner_n in_o name_n of_o the_o commissioner_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n whereby_o they_o be_v certify_v that_o it_o be_v his_o majesty_n pleasure_n that_o the_o assembly_n shall_v be_v continue_v to_o the_o first_o twesday_n of_o july_n 1605._o if_o advertisement_n come_v not_o soon_o and_o this_o they_o do_v notwithstanding_o a_o act_n of_o the_o assembly_n at_o holyrudehous_n whereby_o all_o power_n be_v take_v from_o the_o commissioner_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n to_o make_v any_o alteration_n drift_n or_o delay_n of_o the_o diet_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n which_o act_n be_v make_v with_o his_o majesty_n consent_n to_o remove_v a_o just_a conceyve_v grief_n of_o the_o kirk_n the_o general_n assembly_n be_v so_o mani-yeere_n defer_v open_a scandal_n so_o multiply_v and_o the_o rather_o because_o inferior_a judicatory_n be_v contemn_v by_o the_o chief_a malefactor_n who_o do_v elude_v and_o escape_v their_o censure_n by_o appellation_n to_o a_o general_n assembly_n which_o they_o never_o expect_v and_o papist_n grow_v so_o insolent_a jesuite_n and_o seminarie_n priest_n travayl_v secure_o within_o the_o kingdom_n that_o of_o necessity_n many_o synod_n and_o presbytery_n use_v many_o mean_n and_o mediator_n yea_o many_o commissioner_n from_o many_o province_n convening_n at_o saint_n johnstone_n in_o october_n 1604._o make_v with_o consent_n of_o his_o majesty_n commissioner_n a_o supplication_n to_o his_o majesty_n for_o haste_v the_o general_n assembly_n but_o all_o to_o no_o great_a purpose_n for_o not_o long_o before_o the_o uttermost_a day_n of_o assembly_n be_v letter_n date_v at_o edingburgh_n subscribe_v as_o those_o from_o perth_n and_o direct_v to_o the_o presbytery_n advise_v they_o not_o to_o keep_v the_o five_o day_n of_o julij_fw-la which_o error_n of_o name_v the_o five_o day_n for_o the_o first_o twesday_n which_o be_v the_o second_o day_n of_o juli_n direct_o appoint_v in_o the_o say_a letter_n from_o perth_n whether_o it_o be_v of_o purpose_n or_o no_o it_o be_v not_o certain_a but_o so_o it_o be_v that_o the_o commissioner_n of_o some_o presbytery_n by_o reason_n thereof_o come_v not_o to_o abirdeen_n till_o the_o 4._o and_o 5._o day_n of_o juli_n and_o some_o not_o at_o all_o the_o cause_n move_a the_o presbytery_n to_o send_v their_o commissioner_n these_o letter_n notwithstanding_o be_v these_o 1._o they_o come_v too_o late_o 2._o they_o be_v not_o with_o command_n but_o by_o way_n of_o advice_n 3._o by_o the_o say_a act_n at_o halyrudehous_n the_o power_n of_o alter_v or_o delay_v the_o diet_n of_o assembly_n be_v take_v from_o the_o commissioner_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n 4_o no_o other_o day_n and_o place_n be_v appoint_v 5._o the_o danger_n of_o the_o forfalt_a the_o liberty_n of_o the_o kirk_n and_o 6._o the_o necessity_n of_o a_o assembly_n the_o minister_n who_o convene_v at_o abirdeen_n the_o second_o of_o july_n be_v these_o maist._n john_n forbes_n ma._n john_n munro_n ma._n andro_n duncan_n ma._n alexander_n stranchen_n ma._n william_n forbes_n ma._n robert_n Èoungson_n ma._n james_n irving_n ma._n charles_n farm_n ma._n john_n sharp_a ma._n robert_n durie_n ma._n archibald_n blackburne_n ma._n james_n rosse_n ma._n david_n rail_v ma._n alexander_n strogie_n m._n james_n mill_n ma._n david_n robertson_n ma._n william_n davidson_n ma._n robert_n reed_n and_o john_n rough_a in_o all_o 19_o after_o the_o sermon_n make_v by_o ma._n james_n rosse_n minister_n at_o abirdeen_n the_o brethren_n convene_v in_o the_o kirk_n with_o the_o laird_n of_o lowreston_n &_o by_o mutual_a consent_n continue_v their_o donn_n sit_v till_o the_o after_o noon_n in_o expectation_n of_o mo_z brethren_n hinder_v in_o their_o journey_n as_o be_v suppose_v by_o injury_n of_o weather_n at_o two_o hour_n in_o the_o after_o noon_n they_o meet_v in_o the_o session-house_n within_o the_o kirk_n of_o abirdeen_n and_o after_o incal_v on_o the_o name_n of_o god_n by_o mai._n david_n rout_n moderator_n of_o the_o synod_n of_o abirdeen_n in_o place_n of_o m._n pal._n galloway_n they_o send_v for_o the_o ordinary_a clerk_n of_o the_o assembly_n who_o go_v to_o they_o at_o which_o time_n the_o laird_n of_o lowreston_n sit_v do_v among_o they_o affirm_v that_o though_o he_o may_v charge_v they_o yet_o he_o will_v rather_o make_v use_n of_o a_o missive_n letter_n from_o the_o lord_n of_o the_o secret_a council_n direct_v to_o the_o ministry_n in_o their_o assembly_n at_o abirdeen_n which_o he_o desire_v they_o to_o read_v and_o answer_v but_o until_o a_o moderator_n be_v choose_v that_o can_v not_o be_v he_o name_v master_n john_n forbes_n to_o be_v the_o mouth_n for_o the_o rest_n but_o perceive_v that_o the_o assembly_n will_v proceed_v orderly_o in_o their_o election_n he_o remoove_v himself_o of_o his_o own_o free_a will_n that_o as_o he_o open_o declare_v he_o may_v eschew_v to_o be_v quarrel_v &_o find_v fault_n with_o for_o seem_v to_o approve_v the_o say_a election_n by_o his_o presence_n if_o it_o shall_v fall_v out_o that_o he_o and_o they_o shall_v not_o agree_v after_o his_o remove_v they_o desire_v ma._n thomas_n