up_o such_o a_o body_n it_o can_v be_v acknowledge_v for_o a_o lawful_a and_o free_a assembly_n but_o how_o prove_v they_o commissioner_n admit_v to_o be_v member_n of_o this_o assembly_n not_o to_o be_v such_o as_o be_v requisite_a to_o make_v up_o such_o a_o body_n first_o they_o allege_v that_o the_o most_o part_n at_o least_o of_o the_o clergy_n convene_v at_o this_o assembly_n be_v ipso_fw-la facto_fw-la deprive_v and_o their_o place_n void_a as_o if_o they_o be_v natural_o dead_a because_o they_o have_v never_o in_o presence_n of_o the_o archbishop_n bishop_n superintendent_n or_o commissioner_n of_o the_o province_n or_o dyocie_n subscribe_v the_o article_n of_o religion_n extant_a in_o the_o act_n of_o parliament_n nor_o give_v their_o oath_n for_o acknowledge_v our_o sovereign_a lord_n authority_n nor_o have_v read_v their_o testimonial_a thereupon_o and_o the_o confession_n in_o their_o parosh_fw-mi kirk_n after_o their_o return_n as_o they_o be_v bind_v by_o act_n of_o 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the_o meaning_n of_o the_o oath_n of_o supremacy_n the_o estate_n i_o be_o sure_a never_o intend_v such_o a_o meaning_n both_o must_v be_v interpret_v by_o the_o first_o confession_n of_o faith_n the_o act_n for_o the_o king_n oath_n at_o his_o coronation_n the_o declaration_n make_v in_o parliament_n 1592._o and_o second_o book_n of_o discipline_n notwithstanding_o of_o the_o ratification_n of_o the_o former_a act_n concern_v the_o king_n prerogative_n and_o the_o act_n for_o the_o oath_n of_o imsupremacie_n his_o majesty_n behove_v to_o have_v a_o grant_n of_o pose_v habit_n upon_o kirk-man_n at_o the_o last_o parliament_n which_o need_v not_o if_o he_o may_v have_v do_v it_o by_o virtue_n of_o these_o act_n of_o parliament_n anno_fw-la 1606_o and_o 1612._o and_o yet_o that_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o less_o importance_n then_o to_o enjoin_v subscription_n to_o a_o confession_n in_o another_o sense_n than_o be_v receive_v at_o the_o first_o and_o second_v universal_a subscription_n 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they_o allege_v that_o the_o commissioner_n direct_v to_o
be_v primat_n archbishop_n and_o bishop_n in_o office_n after_o man_n invention_n allow_v for_o the_o time_n we_o acknowledge_v none_o such_o in_o our_o kirk_n their_o consecration_n to_o the_o office_n be_v without_o the_o knowledge_n or_o consent_n of_o our_o kirk_n and_o be_v lay_v to_o their_o charge_n in_o the_o complaint_n give_v in_o against_o they_o a_o knavish_a prat_v and_o yet_o forsooth_o they_o talk_v as_o if_o they_o be_v primat_n archbishop_n and_o bishop_n in_o office_n like_o those_o of_o old_a risum_fw-la teneatis_fw-la amici_fw-la but_o what_o suppose_v they_o be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v such_o in_o office_n shall_v they_o disdain_v commission_n from_o presbytery_n paul_n and_o barnabas_n be_v send_v from_o the_o brethren_n at_o antioch_n to_o the_o council_n which_o be_v hold_v at_o jerusalem_n act_n â—5_n they_o allege_v that_o this_o do_v enforce_v the_o nullity_n of_o a_o assembly_n if_o the_o moderator_n and_o president_n for_o matter_n of_o doctrine_n and_o 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bishop_n either_o in_o stile_n or_o in_o office_n at_o that_o time_n yea_o the_o power_n grant_v before_o to_o bishop_n in_o that_o troublesome_a year_n 1584._o and_o soon_o after_o quit_v abolish_v be_v then_o grant_v by_o that_o act_n to_o presbyter_n as_o the_o right_n spiritual_a office-bearer_n in_o the_o kirk_n and_o as_o for_o act_n of_o ancient_a counsel_n we_o pass_v they_o as_o no_o pattern_n to_o we_o nor_o pertinent_a for_o they_o for_o we_o have_v no_o such_o bishop_n primat_n or_o metropolitan_o as_o be_v of_o old_a as_o have_v be_v already_o answer_v and_o as_o impertinent_a it_o be_v to_o allege_v that_o this_o presidentship_n be_v so_o intrinsical_o inherent_a in_o they_o as_o they_o be_v bishop_n that_o hoc_fw-la ipso_fw-la that_o they_o be_v bishop_n they_o be_v precedent_n of_o all_o assembly_n of_o the_o clergy_n as_o the_o chancellor_n of_o the_o kingdom_n have_v place_n in_o council_n and_o session_n not_o by_o any_o act_n or_o statute_n but_o hoc_fw-la ipso_fw-la that_o he_o be_v chancellor_n for_o we_o know_v no_o difference_n betwixt_o the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n and_o a_o presbyter_n to_o be_v make_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n neither_o do_v we_o acknowledge_v our_o fourteen_o forloppen_a minister_n for_o bishop_n in_o office_n so_o much_o as_o by_o the_o constitution_n of_o our_o kirk_n yea_o when_o we_o have_v superintendent_o and_o bishop_n yet_o the_o moderator_n of_o the_o general_a assembly_n be_v free_o choose_v and_o never_o a_o bishop_n choose_v but_o once_o it_o be_v ordain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o policy_n chap._n 7._o that_o in_o all_o assembly_n a_o moderator_n shall_v be_v choose_v by_o common_a consent_n of_o the_o whole_a brethren_n convene_v this_o freedom_n our_o assembly_n ever_o have_v since_o the_o reformation_n till_o spotswod_n sometime_o pretend_v primate_n begin_v to_o usurp_v the_o place_n of_o the_o moderator_n in_o their_o pretend_a assembly_n hold_v anno_fw-la 1616._o suppose_v the_o act_n of_o parliament_n 1592._o do_v restrain_v their_o authority_n yet_o say_v they_o the_o restraint_n be_v restore_v by_o act_n of_o parliament_n 1606._o and_o 1609._o and_o all_o act_n prejudicial_a to_o their_o jurisdiction_n abrogat_fw-la but_o that_o act_n of_o parliament_n anno_fw-la 1606._o concern_v the_o restitution_n of_o the_o state_n of_o bishop_n can_v not_o be_v understand_v to_o concern_v the_o spiritual_a office_n but_o only_o their_o temporal_a state_n jurisdiction_n privilege_n and_o preeminence_n belong_v thereto_o for_o by_o the_o act_n of_o parliament_n 1597._o when_o vote_n in_o parliament_n be_v grant_v to_o minister_n provide_v to_o prelacy_n their_o office_n in_o the_o spiritual_a policy_n and_o government_n of_o the_o kirk_n be_v remit_v to_o the_o king_n majesty_n to_o be_v advise_v consult_v and_o agree_v upon_o by_o his_o majesty_n with_o the_o general_a assembly_n at_o such_o time_n as_o his_o majesty_n shall_v think_v expedient_a to_o treat_v with_o they_o 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1606._o what_o need_v they_o any_o assembly_n afterward_o to_o grant_v they_o some_o pre-eminence_n in_o ordination_n and_o jurisdiction_n why_o step_v not_o the_o pretend_a primate_n to_o the_o place_n of_o moderatorship_n at_o their_o own_o pretend_a assembly_n hold_v anno_o 1606._o 1608._o 1610._o without_o election_n three_o how_o can_v the_o parliament_n restore_v they_o to_o any_o spiritual_a jurisdiction_n or_o pre-eminence_n who_o never_o have_v it_o at_o any_o time_n before_o for_o they_o have_v not_o be_v bishop_n in_o office_n at_o any_o time_n before_o that_o they_o need_v restitution_n will_v they_o say_v because_o they_o have_v the_o title_n of_o the_o benefice_n or_o bishopric_n the_o parliament_n may_v put_v they_o in_o possession_n of_o the_o spiritual_a jurisdiction_n and_o enter_v they_o into_o the_o office_n then_o the_o papist_n may_v be_v move_v more_o just_o to_o call_v they_o parliamentary_a bishop_n than_o the_o english_a in_o the_o begin_n of_o queen_n elizabeth_n reign_n who_o because_o of_o some_o rite_n and_o custom_n omit_v at_o their_o inauguration_n seek_v the_o ratification_n of_o the_o parliament_n for_o supply_v as_o sanderus_n de_fw-fr schismate_fw-la anglicano_n lib._n 3._o report_v and_o therefore_o be_v call_v parliamentary_a bishop_n hinc_fw-la nomen_fw-la illis_fw-la impositum_fw-la ut_fw-la parliamentarij_fw-la episcopi_fw-la dicerentur_fw-la in_o their_o print_a declinatour_n they_o allege_v a_o little_a after_o in_o the_o same_o section_n that_o they_o have_v receive_v their_o authority_n not_o from_o the_o parliament_n but_o from_o christ_n from_o who_o they_o have_v receive_v the_o spiritual_a oversight_n of_o the_o clergy_n under_o their_o charge_n this_o clause_n be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o declinatour_n present_v before_o the_o assembly_n in_o writ_n but_o instead_o thereof_o two_o line_n bloat_v out_o now_o it_o seem_v they_o be_v somewhat_o bold_a after_o they_o have_v consult_v with_o their_o 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allege_v they_o howbeit_o to_o small_a purpose_n be_v destitute_a of_o act_n of_o parliament_n or_o assembly_n they_o argue_v from_o their_o
constitute_v according_a to_o the_o act_n and_o constitution_n of_o our_o kirk_n so_o it_o be_v not_o only_o this_o but_o all_o other_o assembly_n constitute_v according_a to_o the_o prescribe_a order_n of_o the_o kirk_n that_o they_o shun_v they_o protest_v that_o this_o protestation_n in_o respect_n of_o their_o lawful_a absence_n may_v be_v receive_v in_o their_o own_o name_n and_o in_o name_n of_o the_o kirk_n of_o scotland_n that_o shall_v adhere_v to_o the_o say_a protestation_n at_o the_o hand_n of_o doctor_n robert_n hammiltoun_n minister_n at_o glasfurde_v to_o who_o they_o give_v power_n and_o mandat_fw-la to_o present_a the_o same_o in_o or_o at_o the_o say_a assembly_n etc._n etc._n they_o say_v not_o to_o the_o say_a assembly_n or_o with_o reverence_n to_o the_o say_a assembly_n the_o vanity_n of_o their_o protest_v in_o name_n of_o the_o kirk_n of_o scotland_n and_o their_o adherent_n we_o have_v lay_v open_a before_o what_o cause_n can_v they_o pretend_v for_o lawful_a absence_n some_o of_o they_o be_v in_o glasgow_n and_o hammiltoun_n and_o may_v have_v present_v their_o declinatour_n and_o protestation_n themselves_o if_o their_o haughty_a spirit_n will_v have_v suffer_v they_o to_o compeare_v before_o presbyter_n to_o who_o they_o be_v terrible_a in_o former_a time_n lest_o their_o deep_a protestation_n shall_v make_v man_n believe_v that_o they_o be_v the_o most_o innocent_a man_n that_o may_v be_v you_o shall_v have_v here_o subjoin_v good_a reader_n the_o crime_n and_o offence_n which_o be_v lay_v to_o their_o charge_n and_o be_v either_o so_o notorious_a that_o they_o can_v not_o be_v deny_v or_o clear_o prove_v before_o the_o assembly_n after_o that_o such_o as_o be_v aspire_v to_o prelacy_n have_v obtain_v in_o the_o general_a assembly_n by_o the_o king_n assistance_n and_o not_o without_o great_a opposition_n of_o the_o better_a and_o most_o judicious_a sort_n of_o the_o ministry_n that_o minister_n may_v vote_n in_o parliament_n it_o be_v agree_v unto_o by_o themselves_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v nominate_v and_o recommend_v by_o the_o kirk_n to_o his_o majesty_n who_o shall_v have_v vote_n in_o parliament_n and_o who_o his_o majesty_n shall_v choose_v they_o shall_v be_v admit_v by_o their_o synod_n where_o they_o be_v resident_a but_o they_o regard_v neither_o the_o recommendation_n of_o the_o general_a assembly_n nor_o admission_n by_o their_o synod_n as_o for_o caution_n to_o keep_v he_o that_o shall_v have_v vote_n in_o parliament_n from_o corruption_n howbeit_o they_o agree_v unto_o they_o for_o the_o present_a yet_o afterward_o their_o action_n bewray_v they_o have_v no_o intent_n to_o keep_v they_o they_o vote_v in_o parliament_n without_o lawful_a entry_n or_o admission_n the_o kirk_n disassent_v and_o repine_v or_o without_o insert_v of_o the_o caution_n which_o be_v agree_v upon_o to_o keep_v the_o minister_n voter_n in_o parliament_n from_o corruption_n whereas_o it_o be_v provide_v by_o the_o caution_n that_o he_o shall_v not_o presume_v at_o any_o time_n to_o propone_v in_o parliament_n council_n or_o convention_n any_o thing_n in_o name_n of_o the_o kirk_n without_o express_a warrant_n and_o direction_n of_o the_o kirk_n but_o such_o as_o he_o shall_v answer_v to_o be_v for_o the_o well_o of_o the_o kirk_n under_o the_o pain_n of_o deposition_n from_o his_o office_n nor_o keep_v silence_n or_o consent_v to_o any_o thing_n that_o may_v be_v prejudicial_a to_o the_o liberty_n and_o well_o of_o the_o kirk_n under_o the_o same_o pain_n and_o yet_o have_v they_o vote_v and_o give_v assent_n to_o many_o act_n in_o parliament_n prejudicial_a to_o the_o liberty_n of_o the_o kirk_n almost_o in_o every_o parliament_n which_o have_v be_v hold_v since_o they_o begin_v to_o take_v the_o place_n to_o vote_n in_o parliament_n whereas_o the_o minister_n voter_n be_v bind_v at_o every_o general_a assembly_n to_o give_v a_o account_n anent_o the_o discharge_n of_o his_o commission_n since_o the_o assembly_n precede_v and_o to_o submit_v himself_o to_o their_o censure_n and_o stand_v to_o their_o determination_n without_o any_o appellation_n and_o to_o seek_v and_o obtain_v ratification_n of_o his_o do_n at_o the_o say_a assembly_n under_o the_o pain_n of_o infamy_n and_o excommunication_n yet_o since_o they_o begin_v to_o vote_n in_o parliament_n the_o liberty_n of_o hold_v general_a assembly_n yearly_o be_v take_v from_o we_o and_o when_o we_o have_v any_o of_o their_o own_o frame_n yet_o make_v they_o no_o account_n of_o their_o proceed_n in_o parliament_n nor_o seek_v ratification_n of_o their_o proceed_n in_o parliament_n council_n or_o convention_n whereas_o he_o be_v bind_v to_o content_v himself_o with_o so_o much_o of_o the_o benefice_n which_o shall_v be_v give_v he_o by_o his_o majesty_n as_o may_v not_o prejudge_v any_o other_o minister_n within_o his_o benefice_n or_o without_o yet_o they_o bestow_v waste_v the_o emolument_n of_o the_o kirk_n to_o maintain_v their_o riotousesse_v and_o ambition_n which_o may_v sustain_v many_o pastor_n whereas_o he_o be_v bind_v not_o to_o delapidat_fw-la his_o benefice_n set_v or_o make_v any_o disposition_n thereof_o without_o special_a consent_n of_o his_o majesty_n and_o the_o general_a assembly_n yet_o it_o be_v find_v that_o they_o have_v delapidare_v their_o benefice_n whereas_o he_o be_v bind_v by_o the_o caution_n to_o attend_v faithful_o upon_o his_o own_o particular_a flock_n and_o there_o anent_o to_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o trial_n and_o censure_n of_o his_o own_o presbytery_n and_o provincial_n assembly_n as_o any_o other_o minister_n nor_o bear_v commission_n to_o vote_n in_o parliament_n they_o have_v neglect_v all_o ministerial_a duty_n in_o any_o particular_a congregation_n and_o desert_v their_o particular_a flock_n whereas_o it_o be_v provide_v that_o in_o administration_n of_o discipline_n collation_n of_o benefice_n visitation_n and_o other_o point_n of_o ecclesiastical_a government_n he_o shall_v not_o usurp_v nor_o acclaime_v to_o himself_o any_o power_n or_o jurisdiction_n far_o than_o any_o of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o brethren_n they_o notwithstanding_o have_v usurp_v power_n and_o jurisdiction_n over_o their_o brethren_n of_o the_o ministry_n &_o the_o people_n in_o or_o out_o of_o the_o high_a commission_n to_o admit_v suspend_v deprive_v fine_a confine_v pastor_n or_o professor_n at_o their_o pleasure_n whereas_o it_o be_v provide_v that_o in_o presbytery_n provincial_n and_o general_a assembly_n he_o shall_v behave_v himself_o in_o all_o thing_n and_o be_v subject_a to_o their_o censure_n as_o any_o other_o brother_n of_o the_o ministry_n they_o notwithstanding_o over_o rule_v synod_n and_o presbytery_n and_o general_a assembly_n when_o they_o be_v convocat_n whereas_o it_o be_v ordain_v that_o none_o of_o these_o that_o shall_v have_v vote_n in_o parliament_n shall_v come_v as_o commissioner_n to_o any_o general_a assembly_n or_o have_v vote_n in_o the_o same_o in_o any_o time_n come_v except_o he_o be_v authorize_v with_o commission_n from_o his_o own_o presbytery_n to_o that_o effect_n they_o have_v notwithstanding_o take_v place_n in_o their_o late_a pretend_a assembly_n without_o commission_n from_o any_o presbytery_n and_o have_v moderate_v and_o over_o rule_v as_o they_o please_v whereas_o there_o be_v certain_a constitution_n and_o act_n of_o our_o kirk_n for_o the_o right_a constitution_n of_o general_a assembly_n yet_o have_v they_o hold_v these_o few_o assembly_n not_o constitute_v according_a to_o the_o constitution_n of_o our_o kirk_n but_o after_o their_o own_o device_n and_o for_o act_n to_o be_v make_v for_o the_o advancement_n of_o their_o course_n which_o assembly_n be_v find_v and_o declare_v to_o be_v null_a in_o this_o last_o assembly_n for_o such_o reason_n as_o be_v express_v in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o last_o assembly_n now_o extant_a in_o print_n whereas_o the_o office_n of_o adiocesan_n bishop_n have_v be_v condemn_v by_o our_o kirk_n as_o have_v no_o warrant_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o never_o since_o have_v be_v allow_v to_o this_o hour_n no_o not_o in_o their_o own_o pretend_a assembly_n hold_v at_o glasgow_n three_o of_o their_o number_n notwithstanding_o go_v to_o england_n without_o the_o direction_n knowledge_n or_o consent_n of_o any_o assembly_n lawful_a or_o pretend_a receive_a consecration_n to_o the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n return_v and_o consecrate_v the_o rest_n of_o their_o fellow_n to_o that_o office_n damn_v by_o the_o act_n of_o our_o kirk_n whereas_o the_o court_n of_o high_a commission_n be_v not_o errect_v by_o consent_n of_o the_o estate_n or_o good_a like_n of_o any_o assembly_n yet_o they_o accept_v the_o power_n of_o that_o court_n and_o thereby_o have_v tyrrannize_v over_o minister_n and_o other_o subject_n they_o have_v also_o undertake_v civil_a and_o temporal_a jurisdiction_n title_n and_o dignity_n as_o to_o bear_v office_n of_o estate_n to_o sit_v in_o council_n excequer_n session_n contrare_fw-la to_o the_o act_n of_o
religion_n they_o grant_v liberty_n to_o hold_v synod_n no_o less_o than_o weekly_a meeting_n of_o congregation_n to_o divine_a service_n that_o french_a catholic_n who_o write_v that_o treatise_n delibertate_fw-la ecclesiastica_fw-la in_o defence_n of_o the_o venetian_n write_v to_o the_o same_o sense_n imperatores_fw-la cum_fw-la libertatem_fw-la religionis_fw-la edictis_fw-la suis_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la concesserunt_fw-la simul_fw-la jus_o libere_fw-la cogendi_fw-la synodos_fw-la illis_fw-la attribuisse_fw-la nam_fw-la cultus_fw-la christiani_n haec_fw-la pars_fw-la est_fw-la prorsus_fw-la necessaria_fw-la &_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d so_o it_o be_v answer_v in_o the_o assembly_n hold_v in_o december_n anno_fw-la 1561._o to_o some_o courteour_n take_v from_o we_o the_o freedom_n of_o assembly_n and_o take_v from_o we_o the_o evangel_n for_o without_o assembly_n how_o shall_v good_a order_n and_o unity_n in_o doctrine_n be_v keep_v see_v then_o assembly_n be_v so_o necessare_fw-la and_o christ_n have_v provide_v for_o all_o necessary_n to_o his_o kirk_n and_o promise_v his_o presence_n where_o but_o few_o be_v convene_v in_o his_o name_n the_o christian_a prince_n can_v deprive_v the_o kirk_n of_o this_o liberty_n neither_o be_v this_o kirk_n deprive_v of_o liberty_n to_o hold_v her_o assembly_n by_o any_o law_n or_o act_n of_o parliament_n incase_o the_o prince_n will_v not_o indict_v time_n and_o place_n our_o kirk_n have_v liberty_n to_o hold_v assembly_n and_o to_o appoint_v time_n and_o place_n till_o the_o year_n 1592._o and_o yet_o be_v not_o the_o assembly_n call_v in_o question_n for_o sedition_n the_o assembly_n be_v frequent_v by_o man_n of_o credit_n in_o court_n about_o the_o king_n and_o his_o regent_n some_o be_v authorize_v with_o commission_n from_o they_o from_o time_n to_o time_n to_o repair_v to_o the_o same_o commissioner_n have_v be_v direct_v from_o the_o parliament_n to_o confer_v with_o the_o commissioner_n appoint_v by_o the_o assembly_n concern_v ecclesiastical_a affair_n appellation_n of_o laic_a patron_n be_v ordain_v by_o act_n of_o parliament_n to_o end_n and_o take_v decision_n at_o the_o general_a assembly_n superintendent_o and_o titular_o of_o prelacy_n be_v ordain_v by_o act_n of_o parliament_n to_o be_v call_v before_o the_o general_a assembly_n and_o to_o be_v deprive_v incase_o they_o be_v find_v heretical_a in_o doctrine_n the_o act_n ratify_v the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o kirk_n namely_o the_o act_n james_n 6._o par._n 6._o cap._n 69._o ratify_v consequent_o the_o general_a assembly_n where_o all_o jurisdiction_n be_v order_v and_o censure_n sometime_o exerce_v the_o parliament_n hold_v anno_o 1592._o do_v not_o grant_v liberty_n to_o hold_v assembly_n as_o if_o the_o kirk_n have_v not_o have_v such_o liberty_n before_o but_o ratify_v her_o former_a liberty_n to_o hold_v assembly_n yearly_a or_o often_o pro_fw-la re_fw-la nata_fw-la and_o to_o appoint_v time_n and_o place_n for_o the_o next_o assembly_n by_o themselves_o incase_o his_o majesty_n or_o his_o commissioner_n be_v not_o present_a in_o the_o town_n but_o if_o any_o of_o they_o be_v present_a it_o be_v provide_v that_o they_o shall_v appoint_v time_n and_o place_n this_o provision_n give_v not_o a_o privative_a power_n to_o his_o majesty_n to_o refuse_v a_o general_a assembly_n so_o long_o as_o he_o please_v for_o then_o the_o liberty_n of_o hold_v general_a assembly_n can_v not_o be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v ratify_v but_o only_o a_o privilege_n or_o prerogative_n to_o appoint_v time_n and_o place_n for_o the_o yearly_a assembly_n the_o act_n of_o parliament_n 1612._o which_o they_o allege_v in_o their_o declinatour_n acknowledge_v the_o indiction_n of_o time_n and_o place_n to_o appertain_v to_o his_o majesty_n but_o do_v not_o give_v a_o privative_a power_n to_o frustrate_v the_o kirk_n of_o her_o yearly_a assembly_n if_o he_o please_v which_o be_v ratify_v before_o but_o that_o be_v presuppose_v bind_v he_o to_o appoint_v time_n and_o place_n if_o they_o will_v infer_v that_o it_o be_v sedition_n to_o conveen_v a_o assembly_n a_o any_o time_n if_o the_o prince_n will_v not_o indict_v time_n and_o place_n in_o respect_n of_o that_o act_n of_o parliament_n they_o must_v remember_v that_o the_o act_n 1612._o be_v only_o a_o ratification_n of_o the_o act_n of_o their_o pretend_a and_o incumbent_a assembly_n hold_v at_o glasgow_n 1610._o the_o nullity_n whereof_o have_v be_v make_v evident_a at_o the_o last_o assembly_n and_o so_o they_o bewray_v their_o treachery_n against_o christ_n and_o his_o kirk_n and_o for_o consent_v to_o the_o ratification_n of_o such_o a_o declaration_n in_o parliament_n ought_v to_o be_v severe_o punish_v suppose_v there_o be_v no_o other_o offence_n to_o be_v lay_v to_o their_o charge_n the_o yearly_a assembly_n be_v a_o great_a impediment_n to_o their_o course_n therefore_o that_o liberty_n must_v not_o endure_v any_o long_o but_o for_o reverence_n of_o the_o honourable_a estate_n we_o make_v the_o best_a construction_n we_o can_v howsoever_o the_o kirk_n may_v lawful_o hold_v her_o assembly_n howbeit_o there_o be_v no_o act_n of_o parliament_n and_o the_o prince_n we_o speak_v in_o the_o general_a refuse_v to_o indict_v time_n and_o place_n the_o necessity_n of_o the_o kirk_n be_v urgent_a be_v to_o be_v suspect_v of_o disaffection_n to_o religion_n notwithstanding_o of_o his_o external_a profession_n error_n cui_fw-la non_fw-la resistitur_fw-la approbatur_fw-la &_o veritas_fw-la cum_fw-la minimè_fw-la defensatur_fw-la opprimitur_fw-la negligere_fw-la quip_n cum_fw-la possis_fw-la deturbare_fw-la perversos_fw-la nihil_fw-la aliud_fw-la est_fw-la quam_fw-la fovere_fw-la dist._n 83._o can._n error_n the_o reader_n may_v find_v more_o to_o our_o purpose_n in_o the_o reason_n already_o print_v for_o hold_v general_a assembly_n howbeit_o the_o assembly_n hold_v at_o glasgow_n in_o november_n 1638._o be_v indict_v by_o his_o majesty_n and_o they_o acknowledge_v that_o it_o be_v indict_v by_o lawful_a authorite_n yet_o they_o hold_v the_o assembly_n itself_o most_o unlawful_a and_o unorderly_o in_o sundry_a respect_n and_o their_o proceed_n void_a and_o null_a in_o law_n for_o the_o cause_n and_o reason_n follow_v which_o we_o trust_v shall_v prove_v frivolous_a their_o first_o exception_n be_v take_v from_o the_o time_n of_o election_n of_o the_o commissioner_n to_o the_o assembly_n that_o they_o be_v choose_v by_o the_o presbytery_n before_o the_o presbytery_n be_v authorize_v to_o make_v election_n in_o respect_n his_o majesty_n warrant_n to_o indict_v the_o assembly_n be_v not_o publish_v till_o the_o 22._o of_o september_n follow_v the_o election_n of_o commissioner_n be_v ever_o in_o the_o liberty_n of_o the_o presbytery_n when_o there_o be_v apparent_a occasion_n of_o a_o assembly_n as_o at_o this_o time_n they_o be_v put_v in_o full_a expectation_n both_o of_o a_o parliament_n and_o assembly_n and_o there_o be_v need_n of_o timous_a election_n that_o the_o commissioner_n may_v have_v the_o long_a time_n to_o prepare_v themselves_o for_o the_o matter_n of_o importance_n which_o be_v to_o be_v treat_v the_o baron_n and_o freeholder_a make_v choice_n of_o their_o commissioner_n to_o voice_n in_o parliament_n yearly_a howbeit_o no_o parliament_n be_v indict_v they_o themselves_o procure_v commissioner_n to_o be_v choose_v in_o sundry_a part_n anno_fw-la 1617._o before_o the_o assembly_n be_v indict_v upon_o the_o four_o of_o november_n to_o be_v hold_v at_o st._n andrews_n the_o 25_o of_o that_o infant_n upon_o a_o report_n that_o his_o majesty_n will_v have_v a_o general_a assembly_n and_o the_o five_o article_n consider_v but_o will_v not_o appoint_v the_o time_n or_o place_n till_o the_o commissioner_n be_v choose_v their_o drift_n be_v to_o hold_v or_o not_o hold_v assembly_n as_o they_o shall_v find_v the_o commissioner_n which_o be_v choose_v will_v for_o the_o most_o part_n serve_v their_o turn_n but_o what_o need_v we_o to_o insist_v upon_o this_o point_n see_v there_o be_v no_o commission_n produce_v at_o the_o last_o assembly_n which_o be_v of_o date_n before_o the_o 22._o of_o september_n the_o time_n of_o indiction_n the_o table_n say_v they_o by_o their_o usurp_a authority_n do_v give_v order_n and_o direction_n for_o all_o presbytery_n to_o elect_a commissioner_n and_o to_o keep_v a_o fast_o upon_o the_o 16_o of_o september_n these_o who_o they_o miscall_v the_o table_n do_v not_o command_v or_o charge_v the_o presbytery_n to_o elect_v or_o fast_o but_o because_o of_o the_o expectation_n we_o have_v of_o a_o assembly_n invite_v they_o to_o seek_v god_n blessing_n with_o fast_v both_o to_o the_o election_n of_o commissioner_n and_o proceed_n of_o the_o assembly_n and_o because_o we_o have_v be_v out_o of_o use_v these_o many_o year_n of_o assembly_n right_o constitute_v send_v to_o they_o their_o best_a information_n and_o caveat_n they_o except_o next_o against_o the_o commissioner_n themselves_o for_o if_o the_o assembly_n be_v not_o constitute_v of_o such_o member_n as_o be_v requisite_a to_o make_v
this_o assembly_n have_v forefault_v his_o majesty_n favour_n in_o grant_v this_o assembly_n and_o the_o liberty_n to_o be_v member_n thereof_o and_o be_v in_o the_o same_o estate_n and_o condition_n they_o be_v in_o before_o his_o majesty_n proclamation_n and_o royal_a pardon_n because_o they_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v of_o the_o number_n of_o these_o that_o adhere_v to_o the_o last_o protestation_n that_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o they_o as_o at_o other_o time_n so_o at_o this_o to_o hold_v assembly_n notwithstanding_o any_o impediment_n or_o prorogation_n in_o the_o contrare_fw-la they_o continue_v their_o meeting_n and_o table_n discharge_v by_o authority_n refuse_v to_o subscribe_v the_o band_n according_a to_o his_o majesty_n and_o counsel_n command_v for_o maintain_v the_o king_n person_n and_o authority_n and_o protest_v against_o it_o and_o insist_v with_o the_o liedge_n to_o subscribe_v the_o band_n of_o mutual_a defence_n against_o all_o person_n whatsoever_o that_o in_o 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assembly_n whither_o in_o the_o constitution_n and_o member_n thereof_o or_o in_o the_o matter_n to_o be_v treat_v or_o manner_n of_o proceed_v we_o answer_v first_o in_o general_n they_o forfault_v not_o his_o majesty_n favour_n in_o grant_v a_o assembly_n for_o his_o majesty_n do_v not_o recall_v the_o indiction_n of_o the_o time_n and_o place_n for_o hold_v the_o assembly_n notwithstanding_o of_o all_o that_o be_v here_o allege_a and_o therefore_o they_o may_v still_v conveen_v to_o the_o place_n at_o the_o time_n appoint_v as_o for_o the_o particular_a point_n allege_v we_o answer_v pardon_n be_v offer_v upon_o condition_n of_o acquiesce_v in_o the_o king_n declaration_n and_o offer_n but_o pardon_n import_v offence_n which_o be_v deny_v therefore_o the_o condition_n of_o acquiesce_v can_v not_o be_v admit_v and_o the_o offer_v in_o the_o declaration_n be_v not_o satisfactory_a to_o their_o former_a protestation_n complaint_n supplication_n the_o assembly_n be_v grant_v absolute_o without_o any_o condition_n lest_o his_o majesty_n shall_v leave_v in_o his_o subject_n mind_v the_o least_o scruple_n and_o for_o settle_v a_o certain_a peace_n they_o protest_v that_o it_o shall_v be_v lawful_a for_o they_o be_v authorize_v with_o lawful_a commission_n as_o at_o other_o time_n when_o the_o urgent_a necessity_n of_o the_o kirk_n require_v so_o in_o this_o exigence_n to_o assemble_v themselves_o at_o the_o diet_n appoint_v for_o the_o assembly_n notwithstanding_o of_o any_o impediment_n or_o prorogation_n in_o the_o contrary_n of_o the_o lawfulness_n to_o conveen_n in_o assembly_n when_o there_o be_v urgent_a necessity_n we_o have_v set_v down_o some_o reason_n already_o and_o more_o be_v extant_a in_o print_n concern_v that_o purpose_n they_o have_v need_v to_o fear_v the_o danger_n of_o prorogation_n both_o because_o the_o present_a case_n can_v not_o suffer_v delay_n and_o doolefull_a experience_n have_v teach_v we_o that_o prorogation_n from_o diet_n to_o diet_n end_v at_o last_o in_o no_o diet_n whereby_o the_o kirk_n be_v bereave_v of_o her_o liberty_n to_o hold_v yearly_a assembly_n which_o they_o will_v now_o recover_v by_o this_o indiction_n take_v it_o for_o a_o reentry_n their_o meeting_n or_o table_n as_o the_o adversary_n call_v they_o continued_z because_o the_o cause_n continue_v prefer_v supplication_n give_v in_o complaint_n attendance_n upon_o gracious_a and_o satisfactory_a answer_n and_o performance_n of_o the_o same_o make_v protestation_n when_o there_o be_v need_n and_o yet_o in_o peaceable_a manner_n not_o in_o great_a company_n as_o at_o the_o beginning_n for_o give_v satisfaction_n to_o the_o lord_n of_o council_n they_o have_v offer_v to_o clear_v the_o necessity_n of_o their_o meeting_n and_o their_o carriage_n before_o the_o parliament_n to_o who_o they_o have_v appeal_v they_o have_v refuse_v to_o subscribe_v the_o confession_n of_o faith_n again_o at_o the_o king_n and_o counsel_n command_v after_o their_o late_a subscription_n for_o the_o reason_n already_o mention_v and_o the_o band_n for_o mantainance_n of_o the_o king_n person_n and_o authority_n because_o it_o be_v not_o the_o same_o in_o tenor_n with_o the_o old_a general_a band_n subscribe_v anno_fw-la 1590._o the_o narrative_a be_v change_v some_o line_n design_v the_o papist_n and_o their_o adherent_n to_o be_v the_o party_n threaten_v danger_n to_o religion_n and_o the_o king_n person_n be_v omit_v and_o no_o other_o party_n design_v in_o particular_a so_o that_o the_o band_n may_v be_v use_v against_o the_o covenanter_n themselves_o who_o have_v be_v tax_v for_o disorder_n disturber_n of_o the_o peace_n of_o this_o kirk_n and_o kingdom_n to_o the_o danger_n of_o religion_n and_o prejudice_n of_o his_o majesty_n authority_n as_o they_o have_v complain_v in_o their_o protestation_n they_o continue_v in_o seek_v subscription_n to_o the_o covenant_n till_o the_o hold_n of_o the_o assembly_n because_o of_o reference_n to_o the_o assembly_n his_o majesty_n commissioner_n acquiesce_v in_o their_o explanation_n of_o the_o clause_n of_o mutual_a defence_n where_o they_o declare_v their_o mutual_a defence_n of_o each_o of_o other_o be_v not_o for_o their_o own_o private_a quarrel_n but_o only_o in_o defence_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n of_o the_o law_n and_o liberty_n of_o this_o kingdom_n and_o of_o his_o majesty_n person_n and_o authority_n in_o preservation_n of_o the_o same_o what_o further_o can_v be_v just_o crave_v of_o they_o such_o as_o be_v pretend_a bishop_n have_v no_o warrant_n for_o voice_n in_o the_o general_a assembly_n unless_o they_o be_v authorize_v with_o lawful_a commission_n the_o superintendent_o and_o bishop_n presence_n of_o old_a be_v require_v more_o for_o their_o trial_n than_o any_o need_n of_o their_o voice_n but_o the_o assembly_n be_v weary_v with_o complaint_n make_v upon_o they_o and_o after_o many_o conference_n and_o much_o disputation_n find_v their_o office_n unlawful_a which_o be_v never_o since_o approve_v by_o any_o pretend_a let_v be_v lawful_a assembly_n so_o the_o custom_n of_o old_a do_v not_o serve_v such_o as_o only_o pretend_v or_o usurp_v the_o same_o office_n nor_o be_v they_o capable_a as_o minister_n of_o any_o commission_n from_o any_o presbytery_n because_o they_o have_v desert_v their_o flock_n and_o have_v no_o particular_a charge_n for_o loppen_v minister_n and_o usurp_a prelate_n shall_v have_v no_o place_n in_o the_o general_a assembly_n the_o act_n of_o parliament_n discharge_v the_o impugn_n of_o any_o of_o the_o three_o estate_n or_o procure_v the_o innovation_n or_o diminution_n of_o their_o power_n be_v make_v in_o a_o troublesome_a time_n in_o the_o year_n 1584._o be_v protest_v against_o when_o it_o be_v proclaim_v with_o other_o act_n that_o three_o estate_n of_o prelate_n suffer_v innovation_n and_o diminution_n of_o their_o estate_n within_o three_o year_n after_o by_o the_o act_n of_o annexation_n anno_fw-la 1587._o and_o in_o consideration_n of_o the_o great_a decay_n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a estate_n these_o be_v the_o word_n of_o the_o 113._o act_n follow_v the_o commissioner_n of_o small_a baron_n and_o freeholder_a be_v declare_v to_o be_v member_n of_o the_o parliament_n to_o sit_v upon_o the_o article_n and_o vote_n in_o public_a to_o supply_v that_o decay_n so_o there_o may_v be_v three_o estate_n without_o the_o ecclesiastical_a or_o bishop_n and_o the_o act_n of_o parliament_n follow_v be_v make_v by_o the_o estate_n howbeit_o there_o be_v then_o no_o bishop_n yea_o act_n be_v make_v against_o bishop_n as_o anno_fw-la 1592._o howbeit_o minister_n be_v not_o prelate_n yet_o other_o who_o have_v the_o prelacy_n vote_v as_o the_o three_o estate_n for_o it_o be_v in_o respect_n of_o their_o barony_n that_o such_o as_o have_v prelacy_n vote_v in_o parliament_n whither_o they_o be_v minister_n or_o not_o by_o the_o act_n of_o parliament_n 1597._o minister_n provide_v to_o bishopric_n abbacy_n priory_n be_v declare_v to_o have_v vote_n in_o parliament_n but_o without_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o kirk_n
when_o it_o come_v to_o their_o knowledge_n much_o opposition_n be_v make_v none_o consent_v but_o upon_o condition_n which_o shall_v have_v be_v insert_v in_o the_o act_n of_o parliament_n which_o be_v to_o be_v make_v for_o minister_n vote_v in_o parliament_n it_o be_v true_a that_o anno_fw-la 1606._o there_o be_v a_o act_n for_o restitution_n of_o the_o state_n of_o bishop_n but_o the_o kirk_n repine_v because_o the_o condition_n be_v not_o insert_v in_o the_o act_n and_o many_o minister_n subscribe_v a_o protestation_n against_o the_o say_a act_n yet_o be_v not_o the_o act_n 1584._o renew_v nor_o bishop_n restore_v to_o their_o spiritual_a estate_n nor_o be_v there_o then_o any_o bishop_n have_v any_o spiritual_a estate_n whereunto_o they_o can_v be_v restore_v nor_o be_v the_o whole_a three_o estate_n restore_v which_o before_o be_v impair_v for_o that_o three_o estate_n consist_v of_o abbot_n and_o pryour_n as_o well_o as_o bishop_n but_o how_o do_v it_o follow_v that_o because_o such_o as_o be_v provide_v to_o bishopric_n be_v restore_v to_o vote_n in_o parliament_n they_o be_v thereby_o restore_v to_o vote_n in_o the_o general_a assembly_n who_o be_v not_o then_o nor_o yet_o to_o this_o hour_n restore_v to_o the_o spiritual_a office_n of_o a_o bishop_n or_o how_o be_v the_o three_o estate_n impugn_a by_o call_v they_o to_o censure_v or_o trial_n see_v they_o consent_v to_o the_o act_n of_o their_o own_o pretend_a assembly_n hold_v at_o glasgow_n whereby_o they_o be_v make_v liable_a to_o the_o trial_n of_o the_o general_a assembly_n in_o their_o life_n and_o conversation_n office_n and_o benefice_n as_o also_o by_o the_o tenor_n of_o the_o king_n proclamation_n and_o his_o majesty_n commissioner_n declaration_n give_v in_o to_o the_o last_o assembly_n bear_v express_o that_o all_o and_o every_o one_o of_o the_o bishop_n and_o their_o successor_n shall_v be_v answerable_a to_o and_o from_o time_n to_o time_n censurable_a by_o the_o general_a assembly_n their_o consent_n to_o that_o same_o act_n of_o restitution_n be_v censurable_a and_o a_o point_n of_o the_o libel_n give_v in_o against_o they_o can_v they_o not_o distinguish_v betwixt_o the_o state_n and_o the_o person_n yea_o may_v not_o the_o general_a assembly_n or_o any_o particular_a minister_n impugn_v a_o estate_n erect_v or_o restore_v in_o name_n of_o the_o kirk_n without_o her_o consent_n and_o to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o her_o liberty_n it_o be_v a_o calumny_n that_o the_o meeting_n in_o edinburgh_n which_o they_o call_v the_o table_n arrogat_fw-la to_o themselves_o sovereign_a authority_n to_o determine_v all_o question_n and_o doubt_n that_o can_v arise_v contraire_fw-fr to_o the_o freedom_n of_o the_o assembly_n for_o they_o give_v only_o their_o best_a advice_n and_o opinion_n when_o it_o be_v ask_v and_o call_v instant_o for_o a_o right_o constitute_v and_o free_a assembly_n to_o determine_v doubt_n and_o settle_v this_o kirk_n in_o peace_n they_o allege_v the_o presbytery_n have_v lose_v their_o right_n if_o they_o have_v any_o to_o direct_v commissioner_n to_o the_o general_a assembly_n in_o so_o far_o as_o they_o have_v depose_v their_o moderator_n appoint_v by_o their_o bishop_n in_o their_o synod_n to_o govern_v they_o and_o elect_v other_o in_o their_o place_n contraire_fw-fr to_o the_o act_n of_o glasgow_n 1610_o and_o act_v of_o parliament_n 1612._o it_o be_v the_o height_n of_o impudency_n to_o call_v in_o question_n the_o right_n of_o presbytery_n to_o choose_v their_o own_o commissioner_n which_o they_o have_v ever_o have_v since_o their_o erection_n the_o assembly_n hold_v at_o glasgow_n be_v a_o pretend_a assembly_n and_o therefore_o any_o presbytery_n may_v from_o the_o beginning_n suspend_v obedience_n to_o the_o act_n thereof_o till_o it_o be_v declare_v null_a in_o a_o free_a general_a assembly_n as_o it_o be_v at_o this_o last_o the_o act_n of_o parliament_n be_v only_o a_o act_n ratify_v the_o act_n of_o that_o same_o pretend_a assembly_n and_o by_o their_o own_o procurement_n or_o rather_o another_o act_n add_v omit_v alter_v the_o word_n and_o clause_n of_o that_o act_n and_o that_o with_o their_o knowledge_n and_o consent_n if_o not_o by_o their_o device_n and_o procurement_n and_o therefore_o be_v censure_v in_o this_o last_o assembly_n for_o transgress_v the_o caveat_n in_o this_o point_n as_o in_o many_o other_o put_v case_n no_o just_a exception_n may_v be_v take_v against_o the_o constitution_n and_o proceed_n of_o that_o assembly_n they_o fore-falted_n their_o right_n of_o appoint_v moderator_n to_o presbytery_n at_o their_o synod_n because_o whatsoever_o power_n be_v grant_v to_o they_o be_v upon_o assurance_n that_o we_o shall_v have_v yearly_a or_o at_o set_a time_n general_a assembly_n and_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v liable_a to_o their_o trial_n which_o be_v not_o perform_v and_o therefore_o presbytery_n have_v rather_o faill_v in_o that_o they_o return_v not_o soon_o to_o their_o former_a liberty_n beside_o this_o the_o sometime_o pretend_a prelate_n desert_v the_o synod_n and_o appoint_v substitute_n who_o have_v not_o the_o same_o power_n to_o appoint_v moderator_n many_o moderator_n dimit_v their_o office_n of_o their_o own_o accord_n and_o then_o the_o presbytery_n according_a to_o the_o act_n of_o glasgow_n itself_o have_v power_n to_o choose_v their_o own_o moderator_n many_o moderator_n remain_v still_o unchanged_a till_o the_o last_o assembly_n but_o put_v the_o case_n the_o presbytery_n have_v fault_v in_o displace_v their_o moderator_n the_o bishop_n substitute_n do_v it_o follow_v that_o they_o have_v fore-faulted_n their_o liberty_n of_o choose_v commissioner_n to_o the_o general_a assembly_n every_o transgression_n deserve_v censure_n or_o reproof_n but_o not_o deprivation_n from_o liberty_n they_o allege_v next_o that_o the_o minister_n choosen_v commissioner_n to_o this_o assembly_n have_v not_o a_o lawful_a commission_n because_o the_o minister_n do_v associate_v to_o themselves_o a_o roll_a elder_a out_o of_o every_o pariosh_n who_o be_v ordinary_o the_o lord_n of_o the_o pariosh_fw-mi or_o man_n of_o great_a authority_n in_o the_o bound_n do_v over-rule_v they_o both_o by_o their_o authority_n and_o number_n be_v more_o than_o the_o minister_n of_o who_o some_o be_v ordinary_o absent_a and_o five_o or_o six_o or_o so_o many_o of_o they_o put_v on_o the_o leit_n and_o remove_v there_o remain_v but_o a_o few_o minister_n to_o voice_n to_o the_o election_n the_o presbytery_n former_o never_a associate_a to_o themselves_o lay-elder_n in_o election_n of_o commissioner_n to_o the_o general_a assembly_n but_o only_o for_o their_o assistance_n in_o discipline_n and_o correction_n of_o manner_n call_v for_o they_o at_o such_o occasion_n as_o they_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o their_o godly_a concurrence_n whereas_o it_o be_v express_o provide_v by_o act_n of_o assembly_n 1582._o that_o they_o shall_v be_v few_o in_o number_n then_o the_o pastor_n likeas_n these_o 40._o year_n and_o upward_o they_o have_v not_o be_v call_v at_o all_o to_o presbytery_n and_o by_o the_o act_n at_o dundie_n 1597._o whereby_o it_o be_v pretend_v that_o presbytery_n have_v authority_n to_o send_v these_o lay-commissioner_n the_o only_a act_n authorise_v presbytery_n to_o send_v commissioner_n to_o the_o general_a assembly_n it_o do_v no_o way_n appear_v that_o lay-elder_n have_v any_o hand_n in_o choose_v of_o commissioner_n it_o be_v no_o new_a thing_n that_o nobleman_n and_o baron_n have_v be_v choosen_v elder_n we_o find_v that_o they_o have_v be_v elder_n in_o the_o eldership_n of_o particular_a congregation_n soon_o after_o the_o reformation_n it_o be_v absurd_a to_o see_v the_o nobility_n and_o gentry_n best_o skill_v for_o government_n set_v aside_o and_o the_o mean_a sort_n not_o so_o well_o educat_fw-la and_o able_a to_o rule_v over_o they_o the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v for_o presbytery_n it_o be_v a_o needless_a fear_n that_o they_o will_v over-rule_v the_o presbytery_n by_o their_o authority_n minister_n moderate_v the_o meeting_n and_o go_v before_o they_o in_o reason_v and_o voice_n nor_o can_v any_o such_o thing_n be_v lay_v to_o their_o charge_n in_o elect_v of_o commissioner_n to_o this_o last_o assembly_n they_o can_v not_o overswey_a their_o minister_n by_o their_o number_n if_o they_o will_v not_o be_v deficient_a to_o themselves_o if_o some_o minister_n be_v ordinary_o absent_a so_o may_v some_o elder_n and_o it_o have_v fall_v forth_o so_o usual_o and_o do_v so_o at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o five_o or_o six_o minister_n be_v put_v on_o the_o let_v and_o remove_v few_o will_v remain_v so_o five_o or_o six_o elder_n be_v remove_v there_o will_v be_v more_o minister_n to_o choose_v the_o elder_n but_o what_o hinder_v either_o the_o one_o or_o the_o other_o to_o voice_n to_o the_o election_n of_o other_o howbeit_o they_o be_v put_v on_o the_o leit_n either_o before_o or_o after_o their_o removell_n the_o
number_n of_o minister_n be_v to_o be_v consider_v according_a to_o the_o number_n of_o the_o pariosh_n not_o according_a to_o their_o absence_n or_o presence_n which_o be_v casual_a and_o for_o the_o most_o part_n there_o be_v more_o minister_n in_o a_o presbytery_n then_o can_v be_v of_o elder_n take_v but_o one_o out_o of_o a_o pariosh_n for_o in_o some_o burghe_v there_o be_v two_o or_o three_o or_o four_o or_o eight_o minister_n as_o for_o the_o answer_n to_o the_o doubt_v propon_v in_o the_o assembly_n hold_v in_o april_n 1583._o in_o the_o book_n of_o policy_n agree_v upon_o after_o reason_v and_o deliberation_n in_o many_o assembly_n it_o be_v conclude_v there_o shall_v resort_v some_o elder_n out_o of_o every_o parosh_fw-mi to_o the_o presbytery_n which_o import_v that_o more_o than_o one_o out_o of_o a_o parosh_n may_v resort_v minister_n be_v ordain_v to_o subscribe_v the_o book_n by_o act_n of_o the_o assembly_n anno_fw-la 1590._o and_o 1591._o and_o consequent_o after_o 1582._o next_o that_o act_n provide_v that_o the_o proportion_n be_v keep_v in_o the_o few_o number_n but_o there_o be_v never_o such_o a_o proportion_n determine_v and_o till_o it_o be_v determine_v it_o be_v as_o good_a as_o no_o act_n for_o otherwise_o it_o shall_v be_v leave_v to_o the_o minister_n of_o ever_o presbytery_n to_o appoint_v what_o number_n they_o please_v three_o there_o be_v more_o reason_n for_o the_o conclusion_n of_o the_o book_n of_o policy_n make_v before_o and_o ratify_v after_o that_o act_n that_o as_o there_o be_v one_o minister_n send_v from_o every_o particular_a kirk_n so_o there_o shall_v be_v likewise_o one_o rule_v elder_a at_o the_o least_o for_o one_o kirk_n have_v no_o more_o privilege_n than_o another_o it_o be_v ordain_v in_o the_o general_a assembly_n hold_v at_o middleburgh_n anno_fw-la 1581._o that_o every_o eldership_n of_o the_o particular_a kirkes_n send_v to_o the_o class_n which_o we_o call_v the_o presbytery_n a_o minister_n and_o a_o elder_a and_o from_o every_o class_n to_o the_o synod_n two_o minister_n and_o two_o elder_n so_o that_o the_o number_n be_v make_v equal_a not_o only_o in_o presbytery_n but_o in_o synod_n also_o and_o bucerus_n in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr gubernation_n ecclesiae_fw-la page_n 101._o say_v likewise_o that_o there_o be_v a_o like_a number_n of_o pastor_n and_o elder_n send_v to_o their_o provincial_a synod_n it_o be_v false_a that_o the_o roll_a elder_n be_v call_v to_o the_o presbytery_n only_o at_o such_o occasion_n as_o the_o minister_n stand_v in_o need_n of_o their_o godly_a concurrence_n for_o it_o be_v ordain_v by_o the_o book_n of_o policy_n that_o the_o common_a eldership_n that_o be_v the_o presbytery_n shall_v consist_v of_o pastor_n doctor_n and_o rule_v elder_n and_o so_o they_o be_v constitute_v at_o their_o first_o erection_n by_o act_n of_o that_o same_o assembly_n april_n 1582._o the_o minister_n be_v bind_v to_o exhort_v they_o to_o resort_v to_o the_o presbytery_n at_o all_o time_n but_o for_o matter_n of_o weight_n to_o urge_v they_o strict_o and_o who_o doubt_v but_o the_o election_n of_o commissioner_n to_o the_o general_a assembly_n entrust_v with_o the_o common_a affair_n of_o the_o whole_a kirk_n be_v a_o matter_n of_o weight_n that_o the_o act_n make_v at_o dundie_n anno_fw-la 1597._o be_v the_o only_a act_n authorise_v presbytery_n to_o send_v commissioner_n to_o the_o general_a assembly_n be_v as_o false_a it_o have_v be_v the_o continual_a practice_n of_o our_o kirk_n since_o the_o erection_n of_o presbytery_n that_o presbytery_n direct_v commissioner_n to_o the_o general_a assembly_n in_o april_n 1582._o we_o have_v this_o direction_n it_o be_v not_o think_v expedient_a that_o the_o presbytery_n be_v astrict_v to_o direct_v their_o moderator_n to_o the_o assembly_n but_o that_o they_o have_v liberty_n to_o choose_v such_o as_o they_o shall_v think_v meet_a for_o the_o comfort_n of_o the_o church_fw-mi whereby_o appear_v that_o order_n be_v establish_v before_o that_o presbytery_n direct_v their_o commissioner_n the_o act_n 1597._o then_o do_v not_o first_o or_o only_o authorise_v presbytery_n with_o this_o power_n but_o only_o circumscribe_v the_o number_n meet_a it_o be_v that_o presbytery_n shall_v have_v this_o power_n because_o they_o be_v ordinare_fw-la assembly_n have_v their_o power_n of_o ordinary_a jurisdiction_n admit_v depose_v excommunicate_v and_o therefore_o have_v their_o meeting_n weekly_o and_o be_v upon_o all_o occasion_n ready_a to_o direct_v commissioner_n neither_o be_v that_o act_n 1597._o the_o only_a act_n authorise_v presbytery_n to_o direct_v rule_v elder_n or_o as_o they_o call_v they_o lay-commissioner_n to_o the_o general_a assembly_n for_o see_v presbytery_n direct_v minister_n in_o commission_n the_o roll_a elder_n can_v be_v direct_v by_o none_o other_o after_o the_o erection_n of_o presbytery_n it_o be_v ordain_v in_o june_n 1563._o that_o every_o superintendent_n cause_n warn_v the_o shire_n town_n and_o parosh-kirks_a within_o his_o jurisdiction_n to_o send_v their_o commissioner_n to_o the_o general_a assembly_n in_o july_n 1568._o it_o be_v ordain_v that_o minister_n and_o commissioner_n of_o shire_n shall_v be_v choose_v by_o the_o minister_n and_o gentleman_n at_o the_o synod_n after_o the_o erection_n of_o presbytery_n we_o find_v they_o in_o the_o register_n book_n of_o the_o assembly_n to_o have_v be_v direct_v from_o presbytery_n and_o special_o anno_fw-la 1592._o when_o the_o act_n of_o parliament_n be_v make_v for_o ratification_n of_o the_o liberty_n of_o assembly_n synod_n presbytery_n etc._n etc._n and_o july_n 1595._o march_n 1595._o and_o anno_fw-la 1596._o for_o proof_n likewise_o see_v in_o the_o presbytery_n book_n of_o edinburgh_n gentleman_n direct_v in_o commission_n with_o minister_n anno_fw-la 1593._o and_o 1596._o that_o the_o roll_a elder_n have_v hand_n in_o the_o election_n of_o commissioner_n when_o they_o sit_v in_o the_o presbytery_n appear_v evident_o for_o in_o the_o assembly_n hold_v in_o july_n 1568._o where_o order_n be_v set_v down_o for_o choose_v of_o commissioner_n to_o the_o general_a assembly_n with_o power_n to_o vote_n it_o be_v ordain_v that_o minister_n and_o commissioner_n of_o shyr_n be_v choose_v at_o the_o synodall_n convention_n with_o consent_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o minister_n and_o gentleman_n mean_v roll_a elder_n and_o therefore_o when_o the_o presbytery_n be_v create_v and_o have_v the_o power_n to_o direct_v commissioner_n minister_n and_o elder_n can_v not_o be_v choose_v but_o in_o like_a manner_n by_o minister_n and_o elder_n common_a consent_n such_o like_a when_o the_o act_n 1597._o ordain_v that_o every_o presbytery_n direct_v no_o more_o minister_n than_o three_o and_o but_o one_o in_o name_n of_o the_o baron_n it_o be_v presuppose_v that_o presbytery_n direct_v they_o before_o but_o only_o define_v the_o number_n it_o can_v be_v mean_v that_o minister_n shall_v choose_v minister_n and_o the_o gentleman_n elder_n one_o in_o name_n of_o the_o baron_n or_o that_o minister_n shall_v choose_v both_o minister_n and_o baron_n nor_o be_v it_o reasonble_a but_o it_o be_v say_v of_o both_o alike_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v direct_v from_o the_o presbytery_n by_o the_o book_n of_o policy_n the_o roll_a elder_n office_n and_o power_n be_v to_o hold_v all_o sort_n of_o assembly_n presbyterial_a synodall_n national_a with_o the_o pastor_n and_o doctor_n for_o establish_v good_a order_n and_o execution_n of_o discipline_n to_o treat_v of_o thing_n concern_v the_o kirk_n to_o choose_v a_o moderator_n with_o common_a consent_n to_o send_v forth_o visitour_n for_o the_o bound_n within_o their_o jurisdiction_n in_o the_o presbyterial_a meeting_n to_o make_v constitution_n for_o decent_a order_n in_o their_o particular_a kirk_n without_o prejudice_n of_o the_o rule_v set_v down_o by_o provincial_a or_o general_a assembly_n to_o excommunicate_a to_o elect_v and_o depose_v ecclesiastical_a office-bearer_n for_o these_o be_v grant_v to_o pastor_n doctor_n and_o elder_n conjunct_o and_o as_o ambrose_n write_v upon_o 1._o tim._n 5._o of_o the_o elder_n in_o the_o primitive_a time_n nothing_o be_v do_v without_o they_o vnde_fw-la &_o synagoga_fw-la &_o postea_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la seniores_fw-la habuit_fw-la sine_fw-la quorum_fw-la consilio_fw-la nihil_fw-la agebatur_fw-la in_o ecclesia_fw-la if_o they_o may_v have_v a_o hand_n in_o excommunication_n election_n and_o deposition_n of_o office-bearer_n choose_v the_o moderator_n make_v constitution_n establish_v good_a order_n and_o general_o to_o treat_v of_o all_o thing_n which_o concern_v the_o church_fw-mi ought_v they_o not_o to_o have_v a_o hand_n in_o election_n of_o commissioner_n to_o the_o general_a assembly_n nay_o rather_o in_o this_o than_o in_o any_o thing_n else_o for_o commissioner_n to_o the_o general_a assembly_n be_v entrust_v with_o the_o common_a affair_n of_o the_o whole_a kirk_n as_o have_v be_v already_o say_v they_o be_v call_v rule_v elder_n and_o governor_n not_o
have_v design_v the_o person_n and_o express_v the_o fault_n in_o particular_a but_o they_o can_v otherwise_o ease_v their_o own_o vindictive_a spirit_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n the_o commission_n be_v valide_fw-la suppose_v afterward_o they_o shall_v prove_v they_o to_o be_v such_o as_o they_o allege_v and_o we_o will_v not_o be_v too_o credulous_a namely_o when_o man_n declare_v infamous_a do_v calumniate_v they_o except_o next_o against_o laymens_n decisive_a voice_n it_o stand_v not_o with_o reason_n scripture_n nor_o antiquity_n say_v they_o that_o layman_n shall_v be_v authorize_v by_o minister_n to_o have_v decisive_a voice_n in_o a_o general_a assembly_n that_o in_o the_o act_n of_o dundie_n 1597._o whereby_o those_o elder_n pretend_v to_o have_v this_o place_n there_o be_v no_o warrant_n express_v for_o they_o to_o deliberat_fw-la and_o determine_v so_o by_o layman_n they_o mean_v our_o roll_a elder_n who_o be_v not_o mere_a lay-man_n but_o office_n bearer_n in_o the_o kirk_n and_o be_v call_v in_o the_o book_n of_o policy_n ecclesiastical_a person_n next_o observe_v that_o they_o except_v not_o only_o against_o the_o assembly_n hold_v last_o at_o glasgow_n but_o also_o against_o all_o the_o assembly_n hold_v since_o the_o reformation_n for_o the_o elder_n have_v have_v power_n to_o voice_n in_o assembly_n from_o the_o beginning_n and_o the_o order_n of_o choose_v commissioner_n with_o power_n to_o voice_n be_v set_v down_o first_o anno_fw-la 1568._o among_o which_o be_v the_o gentleman_n commissioner_n from_o shire_n there_o be_v no_o need_n therefore_o to_o express_v the_o act_n 1597._o which_o be_v conclude_v before_o anno_fw-la 1568._o the_o 7._o chap._n of_o the_o book_n of_o policy_n and_o continual_o practise_v since_o the_o reformation_n the_o general_a assembly_n be_v call_v in_o the_o book_n of_o policy_n the_o general_a eldership_n of_o the_o kirk_n if_o their_o reason_n be_v good_a minister_n have_v no_o warrant_n by_o that_o act_n 1597._o to_o voice_n in_o the_o general_a assembly_n for_o there_o be_v no_o express_a mention_n in_o that_o act_n of_o minister_n power_n to_o deliberate_v and_o determine_v the_o truth_n be_v that_o act_n do_v not_o touch_v but_o presuppose_v the_o power_n of_o both_o and_o only_o define_v the_o number_n both_o of_o the_o minister_n and_o baron_n to_o be_v direct_v commissioner_n from_o the_o presbytery_n to_o the_o assembly_n so_o you_o see_v they_o profess_v plain_o they_o do_v not_o acknowledge_v any_o of_o our_o former_a assembly_n in_o the_o pure_a time_n nor_o any_o other_o in_o time_n to_o come_v constitute_v after_o the_o like_a manner_n nor_o the_o national_a counsel_n in_o other_o reform_a kirk_n for_o lawful_a assembly_n it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o answer_v that_o this_o assembly_n be_v constitute_v according_a to_o the_o act_n of_o our_o kirk_n to_o which_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v subject_a if_o there_o be_v no_o more_o this_o one_o passage_n in_o their_o declinatour_n deserve_v condign_a punishment_n to_o be_v inflict_v upon_o they_o that_o they_o dare_v so_o malapert_o impunge_v the_o establish_a order_n of_o our_o kirk_n because_o they_o be_v not_o able_a to_o answer_v to_o a_o assembly_n right_o constitute_v yet_o howbeit_o they_o will_v not_o grant_v decisive_a voice_n to_o lay-man_n they_o allow_v they_o presence_n and_o assistance_n so_o will_v the_o papist_n but_o they_o will_v have_v they_o to_o be_v allow_v and_o authorize_v by_o the_o prince_n which_o condition_n be_v not_o require_v by_o the_o papist_n they_o allow_v that_o his_o majesty_n in_o person_n or_o by_o his_o delegate_n may_v see_v good_a order_n keep_v have_v a_o chief_a hand_n in_o all_o deliberation_n and_o determination_n and_o may_v delegat_v by_o his_o sovereign_a authority_n such_o lay-man_n as_o he_o please_v to_o have_v definitive_a and_o decisive_a voice_n without_o which_o delegation_n it_o be_v presumptuous_a intrusion_n upon_o the_o pastoral_n charge_n by_o the_o act_n 1597._o which_o be_v make_v by_o their_o own_o procurement_n to_o restrain_v the_o great_a number_n of_o minister_n direct_v from_o presbytery_n to_o oppose_v to_o their_o corrupt_a course_n it_o be_v ordain_v that_o baron_n or_o gentleman_n shall_v be_v nominat_fw-la by_o the_o presbytery_n and_o not_o by_o his_o majesty_n and_o have_v have_v after_o that_o decisive_a voice_n in_o assembly_n how_o many_o nobleman_n and_o baron_n only_o call_v for_o by_o the_o king_n letter_n and_o not_o delegat_n as_o commissioner_n have_v voice_v at_o their_o own_o pretend_a assembly_n and_o help_v to_o carry_v matter_n by_o plurality_n of_o voice_n but_o now_o it_o appear_v that_o after_o they_o have_v serve_v their_o turn_n with_o they_o to_o set_v they_o up_o they_o be_v to_o bide_v they_o a_o due_a hereafter_o item_fw-la for_o as_o laici_fw-la non_fw-la est_fw-la vobis_fw-la locus_fw-la icy_a yea_o they_o entreat_v the_o king_n commissioner_n in_o the_o word_n utter_v by_o the_o father_n at_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedom_n mitte_fw-la for_o as_o superfluos_fw-la send_v forth_o the_o superflous_a that_o which_o be_v speak_v to_o clerk_n and_o monk_n who_o come_v to_o trouble_v the_o council_n because_o they_o have_v embrace_v the_o error_n of_o eutyches_n they_o apply_v to_o the_o roll_a elder_n nobleman_n and_o gentleman_n choose_v lawful_o commissioner_n to_o this_o assembly_n for_o such_o insolent_a and_o contumelious_a speech_n they_o ought_v to_o be_v severe_o censure_v howbeit_o there_o have_v be_v no_o libel_n give_v in_o against_o they_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n they_o allege_v the_o direction_n give_v by_o pulcheria_n the_o empress_n to_o strategus_n commander_n or_o captain_n of_o bythinia_n to_o drive_v by_o force_n out_o of_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n such_o monk_n clerk_n and_o ley-man_n as_o do_v but_o pester_v the_o council_n and_o suffer_v none_o but_o such_o as_o the_o bishop_n bring_v with_o they_o this_o also_o be_v for_o avoid_v of_o disturbance_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n you_o see_v that_o layman_n not_o appoint_v by_o the_o prince_n but_o bring_v by_o the_o bishop_n be_v allow_v to_o be_v present_a at_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n but_o how_o agree_v that_o say_n of_o theodosius_n the_o young_a that_o it_o be_v unlawful_a for_o he_o that_o be_v not_o in_o the_o rank_n of_o the_o most_o holy_a bishop_n to_o meddle_v with_o ecclesiastical_a treaty_n and_o affair_n it_o seem_v to_o cross_v that_o which_o they_o grant_v before_o to_o his_o majesty_n and_o his_o delegate_n for_o how_o can_v he_o or_o they_o if_o this_o be_v true_a have_v a_o chief_a hand_n in_o all_o deliberation_n and_o determination_n or_o a_o decisive_a voice_n yea_o by_o this_o say_n minister_n or_o preach_v presbyter_n ought_v not_o to_o meddle_v with_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n for_o they_o be_v not_o set_v in_o the_o rank_n of_o bishop_n this_o say_n of_o theodosius_n be_v allege_v by_o the_o papist_n against_o the_o definitive_a voice_n of_o emperor_n and_o prince_n themselves_o and_o therefore_o we_o may_v conjecture_v whereunto_o their_o course_n do_v tend_v notwithstanding_o of_o the_o fair_a show_n they_o make_v a_o little_a before_o but_o as_o for_o that_o say_n of_o theodosius_n extant_a in_o the_o council_n of_o ephesus_n whittaker_n de_fw-fr conciliis_fw-la prove_v it_o to_o be_v forge_v quia_fw-la non_fw-la habetur_fw-la in_o antiquis_fw-la exemplaribus_fw-la it_o be_v not_o extant_a in_o the_o old_a copy_n and_o it_o be_v false_a in_o itself_o for_o he_o do_v meddle_v and_o howbeit_o theodosius_n be_v not_o present_v himself_o at_o the_o council_n yet_o he_o send_v candidianus_n who_o inform_v he_o of_o their_o proceed_n three_o the_o word_n be_v not_o right_o translate_v for_o the_o word_n be_v not_o the_o order_n or_o rank_n of_o bishop_n but_z the_o catalogue_n of_o bishop_n mean_v that_o none_o shall_v meddle_v with_o the_o affair_n and_o question_n to_o be_v treat_v in_o the_o council_n but_o such_o as_o be_v send_v from_o their_o kirk_n and_o be_v write_v up_o in_o the_o catalogue_n which_o their_o bishop_n bring_v with_o they_o this_o be_v observe_v by_o junius_n for_o the_o same_o respect_n which_o theodosius_n have_v martinus_n be_v move_v say_v they_o to_o say_v at_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n non_fw-la esse_fw-la suumse_v episcoporum_fw-la tantum_fw-la subscribere_fw-la that_o it_o be_v not_o his_o part_n but_o the_o bishop_n only_o to_o subscribe_v how_o can_v they_o urge_v he_o to_o subscribe_v if_o it_o belong_v only_o to_o bishop_n this_o famous_a man_n martin_n be_v a_o abbot_n or_o the_o father_n of_o many_o monk_n he_o refuse_v to_o subscribe_v because_o he_o favour_v not_o the_o cause_n but_o the_o error_n of_o eutyches_n another_o monkish_a father_n always_o we_o see_v what_o assembly_n they_o intend_v to_o have_v have_v even_o just_a like_o the_o popish_a bishop_n only_o have_v decisive_a voice_n and_o no_o other_o assembly_n shall_v we_o have_v if_o they_o can_v attain_v to_o their_o
one_o to_o the_o bishopric_a of_o glasgow_n by_o the_o brethren_n of_o the_o west_n be_v declare_v unlawful_a neither_o agree_v with_o the_o word_n of_o god_n nor_o custom_n of_o the_o kirk_n howbeit_o it_o be_v only_o to_o the_o temporality_n and_o these_o brethren_n be_v enjoin_v with_o all_o possible_a diligence_n to_o see_v that_o admission_n annul_v that_o slander_n may_v be_v remove_v from_o the_o kirk_n as_o they_o will_v answer_v upon_o their_o obedience_n at_o the_o same_o assembly_n mr._n robert_n pont_n relate_v to_o the_o assembly_n that_o a_o presentation_n to_o the_o bishopric_n of_o cathnesse_n be_v offer_v to_o he_o for_o some_o loss_n he_o have_v sustain_v and_o desire_v the_o judgement_n of_o the_o assembly_n if_o he_o may_v enjoy_v the_o rent_n with_o a_o safe_a conscience_n see_v he_o be_v willing_a to_o serve_v at_o the_o kirk_n of_o dornoch_n and_o to_o take_v the_o charge_n of_o visitation_n at_o the_o pleasure_n and_o direction_n of_o the_o assembly_n but_o in_o the_o letter_n send_v to_o his_o majesty_n the_o assembly_n declare_v that_o mr._n robert_n pont_n be_v already_o a_o bishop_n according_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o st._n paul_n and_o worthy_a of_o a_o competent_a live_n in_o that_o regard_n but_o as_o for_o that_o corrupt_a estate_n or_o office_n of_o those_o who_o be_v call_v bishop_n in_o former_a time_n they_o find_v it_o not_o agreeable_a with_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o that_o it_o have_v be_v damn_v in_o diverse_a assembly_n neither_o be_v the_o say_v mr._n robert_n willing_a to_o accept_v the_o bishopric_a in_o that_o manner_n in_o the_o same_o assembly_n it_o be_v ordain_v that_o all_o pastor_n of_o whatsoever_o sort_n shall_v be_v subject_a to_o the_o try_v all_o and_o censure_n of_o their_o presbytery_n and_o synod_n for_o their_o life_n and_o doctrine_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o general_a assembly_n that_o such_o as_o pass_v degree_n in_o school_n subscribe_v the_o confession_n of_o faith_n in_o the_o instruction_n for_o the_o commissioner_n appoint_v to_o attend_v upon_o the_o king_n and_o parliament_n they_o be_v enjoin_v to_o admit_v nothing_o prejudicial_a to_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o kirk_n as_o it_o be_v conclude_v according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n by_o the_o general_a assembly_n precede_v the_o 1584._o year_n so_o far_o as_o lay_v in_o their_o power_n in_o the_o parliament_n hold_v the_o month_n of_o july_n follow_v the_o temporality_n of_o benefice_n be_v annex_v to_o the_o crown_n and_o it_o be_v think_v meet_a and_o expedient_a that_o his_o highness_n shall_v have_v recourse_n to_o his_o own_o patrimony_n that_o be_v the_o proper_a rent_n of_o the_o crown_n dispone_v of_o old_a to_o the_o clergy_n and_o monastery_n all_o and_o sundry_a land_n lordship_n barony_n castle_n tower_n etc._n etc._n pertain_v to_o archbishop_n bishop_n abbot_n prior_n pryoress_n or_o whatsoever_o other_o prelate_n be_v annex_v and_o unite_v to_o the_o crown_n in_o the_o assembly_n hold_v anno_fw-la 1588._o minister_n be_v enjoin_v to_o deal_v with_o nobleman_n and_o gentleman_n for_o subscribe_v the_o confession_n of_o faith_n in_o a_o word_n the_o servant_n of_o god_n never_o rest_v till_o the_o wound_n which_o the_o kirk_n have_v receive_v anno_o 1584._o and_o 1585._o be_v perfect_o cure_v and_o not_o so_o much_o remain_v as_o the_o scar_n thereof_o yea_o that_o any_o minister_n shall_v be_v appoint_v a_o visitour_n at_o any_o time_n where_o presbytery_n be_v constitute_v be_v not_o think_v expedient_a as_o be_v declare_v by_o the_o assembly_n 1590._o as_o for_o that_o act_n of_o montrose_n let_v they_o answer_v to_o it_o say_v they_o that_o have_v their_o call_n by_o that_o commission_n we_o profess_v that_o we_o have_v a_o lawful_a call_n by_o the_o election_n of_o the_o clergy_n who_o be_v of_o the_o chapter_n of_o our_o cathedral_n and_o consecration_n of_o bishop_n with_o his_o majesty_n consent_n and_o approbation_n according_a to_o the_o lowable_a law_n and_o ancient_a custom_n of_o this_o kingdom_n and_o kirk_n in_o ancient_a time_n because_o they_o see_v they_o be_v not_o able_a to_o answer_v for_o the_o breach_n of_o the_o caution_n conclude_v with_o consent_n of_o his_o majesty_n and_o the_o minister_n aspire_v to_o prelacy_n they_o profess_v plain_o they_o regard_v not_o these_o caution_n and_o that_o they_o have_v not_o their_o call_n by_o that_o commission_n at_o montrose_n the_o minister_n commissioner_n to_o vote_n in_o parliament_n be_v tie_v by_o the_o act_n at_o montrose_n not_o to_o encroach_v upon_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o kirk_n but_o to_o behave_v himself_o as_o other_o minister_n not_o voter_n in_o parliament_n the_o plotter_n for_o episcopacy_n consent_v and_o seem_v willing_a he_o shall_v be_v so_o bound_v and_o restrain_v glade_n of_o any_o beginning_n now_o when_o they_o arrogat_fw-la to_o themselves_o the_o power_n and_o office_n of_o a_o diocesan_n bishop_n and_o be_v catch_v in_o the_o snare_n they_o refuse_v to_o stand_v to_o that_o act_n so_o they_o bewrey_a that_o they_o have_v even_o then_o a_o purpose_n to_o deceive_v and_o betray_v the_o kirk_n of_o god._n and_o because_o they_o be_v not_o able_a to_o answer_v let_v they_o answer_v say_v they_o that_o have_v their_o call_n by_o that_o commission_n they_o say_v in_o the_o former_a section_n that_o posterior_n act_n derogat_v from_o the_o prio_fw-la now_o they_o make_v prior_n act_n to_o derogat_n from_o the_o posterior_n for_o they_o profess_v that_o they_o have_v their_o call_n by_o election_n of_o the_o chapter_n and_o consecration_n of_o bishpos_n according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o ancient_a time_n they_o can_v not_o deny_v but_o chapter_n of_o cathedral_n and_o election_n of_o bishop_n by_o chapter_n be_v condemn_v by_o our_o kirk_n as_o popish_a and_o the_o office_n of_o a_o diocesan_n bishop_n or_o consecration_n to_o the_o office_n to_o have_v be_v damn_v and_o detest_a by_o our_o kirk_n they_o can_v not_o so_o much_o as_o allege_v a_o warrant_n of_o any_o of_o their_o own_o pretend_a assembly_n for_o their_o election_n by_o chapter_n or_o this_o their_o consecration_n three_o of_o their_o own_o number_n go_v to_o england_n after_o their_o own_o pretend_a assembly_n hold_v at_o glasgow_n and_o without_o their_o knowledge_n or_o consent_n be_v consecrate_v bishop_n by_o their_o brethren_n the_o english_a bishop_n return_v and_o consecrate_v the_o rest_n of_o their_o fellow_n but_o for_o the_o breach_n of_o these_o caution_n manner_n of_o election_n and_o the_o usurpation_n of_o that_o office_n by_o consecration_n that_o be_v for_o their_o treacherous_a deal_n they_o be_v cite_v to_o answer_v before_o the_o assembly_n and_o be_v worthy_a of_o condign_a censure_n and_o punishment_n deprivation_n note_v of_o infamy_n and_o excommunication_n the_o three_o punishment_n to_o be_v inflict_v respectiuè_fw-la for_o transgress_v of_o the_o caution_n have_v they_o not_o by_o their_o own_o profession_n in_o this_o section_n confess_v they_o be_v guilty_a of_o the_o most_o heinous_a offence_n lay_v to_o their_o charge_n in_o the_o libel_n we_o pass_v that_o which_o they_o add_v concern_v their_o homage_n for_o their_o temporality_n and_o acknowledge_v of_o the_o king_n supremacy_n as_o not_o pertinent_a to_o the_o present_a purpose_n and_o the_o complaint_n take_v out_o of_o cyprian_a as_o not_o belong_v to_o usurper_n last_o they_o conclude_v that_o it_o be_v manifest_a by_o the_o premise_n how_o absurd_a it_o be_v and_o contrary_a to_o all_o reason_n and_o practice_v of_o the_o christian_a kirk_n that_o archbishop_n and_o bishop_n shall_v be_v judge_v by_o presbyter_n much_o more_o by_o a_o mix_a meeting_n of_o presbyter_n and_o laikes_n conveen_v without_o lawful_a authority_n from_o the_o kirk_n by_o the_o kirk_n it_o seem_v they_o mean_v the_o bishop_n they_o cite_v some_o old_a counsel_n declare_v and_o determine_v how_o and_o by_o who_o archbishop_n and_o bishop_n be_v to_o be_v judge_v but_o it_o be_v manifest_a by_o our_o refutation_n of_o the_o premise_n that_o this_o assembly_n consist_v of_o commissioner_n both_o minister_n and_o roll_a elder_n who_o they_o call_v layman_n choose_v according_a to_o the_o order_n of_o our_o kirk_n and_o that_o meeting_n of_o clergy_n and_o layman_n have_v be_v not_o only_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n but_o also_o in_o time_n of_o popery_n and_o that_o we_o be_v not_o to_o be_v direct_v by_o the_o canon_n of_o these_o counsel_n which_o they_o cite_v but_o by_o the_o establish_a order_n and_o canon_n of_o our_o own_o reform_a kirk_n which_o be_v agreeable_a with_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostolical_a and_o best_a reform_a kirk_n in_o our_o time_n semper_fw-la petunt_fw-la principium_fw-la they_o take_v that_o for_o grant_v which_o be_v deny_v that_o they_o be_v archbishop_n and_o bishop_n it_o be_v not_o only_o deny_v but_o they_o be_v summon_v to_o answer_v for_o usurp_a