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continue_v
to_o all_o their_o doubt_n and_o that_o the_o posterity_n afterward_o may_v be_v full_o persuade_v of_o the_o true_a meaning_n thereof_o after_o earnest_a call_n upon_o the_o name_n of_o god_n so_o religious_o â—â—tested_v in_o the_o say_a confession_n have_v enter_v into_o a_o diligent_a search_n of_o the_o register_n of_o the_o kirk_n and_o book_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n which_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o assembliâ—â—_n have_v not_o 〈◊〉_d before_o and_o which_o by_o the_o special_a providence_n of_o god_n be_v â—reserved_v bring_v to_o their_o hand_n and_o public_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v authentic_a and_o have_v find_v that_o in_o the_o lâ—ter_n confession_n of_o the_o kirk_n of_o scotland_n we_o profess_v 1._o that_o we_o detest_v â—ll_n tradition_n bring_v into_o the_o kirk_n without_o or_o against_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o doctrine_n of_o this_o reform_a kirk_n next_o we_o abhor_v and_o detest_v all_o contrary_a religion_n and_o doctrine_n but_o chief_o all_o kind_n of_o papistry_n in_o general_a and_o part_n 〈◊〉_d head_n as_o they_o be_v then_o damn_v and_o 〈◊〉_d by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o kirk_n of_o 〈…〉_z when_o the_o say_a confession_n be_v swear_v and_o subscribe_v anno_fw-la 1580._o and_o 1581._o 1590._o and_o 1591._o three_o that_o we_o detest_v 〈…〉_z antichrist_n his_o worldly_a monarchy_n and_o wiâ—â—ed_v hierchieâ—_n four_o that_o we_o join_v 〈◊〉_d self_n to_o this_o reform_a kirk_n in_o doctrine_n faith_n religion_n and_o discipline_n promise_v and_o swear_v by_o the_o great_a name_n of_o god_n that_o we_o shall_v continue_v in_o the_o doctrine_n and_o discipline_n of_o this_o kirk_n and_o defend_v the_o same_o according_a to_o vocation_n and_o power_n all_o the_o day_n of_o our_o life_n but_o so_o it_o be_v that_o episcopal_a government_n be_v abhor_v and_o detest_a and_o the_o government_n by_o minister_n and_o elder_n in_o assembly_n general_n and_o provincial_n and_o presbytery_n be_v swear_v to_o and_o subscribe_v in_o subscribe_v that_o confession_n and_o aught_o to_o be_v hold_v by_o we_o if_o we_o adhere_v to_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o kirk_n when_o that_o confession_n be_v frame_v sword_n to_o and_o subscribe_v unto_o which_o we_o be_v oblige_v by_o the_o national_a oâ—th_n and_o subscription_n of_o this_o kirk_n as_o be_v evident_a by_o the_o act_n of_o general_n assembly_n agree_v upon_o both_o before_o 〈…〉_z after_o the_o swear_n and_o subscribe_v of_o the_o say_a confession_n in_o the_o year_n above_o mention_v and_o the_o book_n of_o policy_n agree_v upon_o in_o the_o assembly_n which_o be_v hold_v at_o edinburgh_n the_o â—4_n of_o april_n and_o 24._o of_o october_n anno_fw-la 1578._o 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o register_n of_o the_o kirk_n by_o ordinance_n of_o the_o assembly_n hold_v as_o glasgow_n 1581._o and_o to_o be_v subscribe_v by_o all_o minister_n that_o then_o do_v bear_v or_o thereafter_o be_v to_o bear_v office_n in_o this_o kirk_n by_o ordinance_n of_o the_o assemblis_n hold_v the_o 4._o of_o august_n at_o edinburgh_n 1500._o and_o at_o edinburgh_n the_o 2._o of_o july_n 1591._o but_o special_o in_o the_o 2._o 3._o 4._o 6._o 7._o and_o 11._o chapter_n of_o the_o say_a book_n the_o bishop_n be_v tolerate_v from_o the_o year_n 1572._o till_o the_o assembly_n hold_v in_o august_n 1575._o and_o all_o this_o time_n the_o assembly_n be_v weary_v with_o the_o complaint_n make_v against_o they_o do_v enter_v in_o search_n of_o the_o office_n itself_o and_o do_v agree_v in_o this_o that_o the_o name_n of_o a_o bishop_n be_v common_a to_o every_o one_o of_o they_o that_o have_v a_o particular_a flock_n over_o which_o he_o have_v a_o particular_a charge_n as_o well_o to_o preach_v the_o word_n as_o to_o minister_v the_o sacrament_n at_o the_o next_o assembly_n which_o be_v hold_v in_o april_n 1576._o such_o bishop_n be_v censure_v we_o have_v not_o take_v they_o to_o a_o particular_a flock_n in_o the_o general_a assembly_n convene_v in_o april_n the_o year_n of_o god_n 1578._o sess._n 4._o intimation_n be_v 〈◊〉_d as_o follow_v for_o so_o much_o as_o the_o head_n of_o the_o policy_n be_v conclude_v and_o agree_v upon_o in_o the_o lust_n assembly_n by_o the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o brethren_n certain_a of_o the_o brethren_n have_v some_o difficulty_n in_o the_o head_n de_fw-la diaconâ—tâ—_z whereupon_o further_o reason_v be_v reserve_v to_o this_o assembly_n it_o be_v therefore_o require_v if_o any_o of_o the_o brethren_n have_v any_o reasonable_a doubt_n or_o argument_n to_o propone_v that_o he_o be_v ready_a the_o morrow_n and_o then_o shall_v be_v hear_v and_o resolve_v in_o the_o 6._o sess._n april_n 26._o according_a to_o the_o ordinance_n make_v the_o day_n before_o all_o person_n that_o have_v any_o doubt_n or_o argument_n to_o propone_v be_v require_v to_o propone_v the_o same_o but_o none_o offer_v to_o propone_v any_o argument_n on_o the_o contrary_a in_o the_o assembly_n hold_v at_o edinburgh_n in_o october_n 1578._o it_o be_v shownâ—_n by_o the_o moderator_n thereof_o to_o the_o noble_a who_o be_v present_a viz._n my_o lord_n chancellor_n the_o earl_n of_o 〈◊〉_d my_o lord_n seatâ—n_fw-fr and_o my_o lord_n lindâ—ey_n what_o care_n and_o 〈◊〉_d die_v the_o assembly_n have_v take_v to_o entertain_v and_o keep_v the_o purity_n of_o the_o sincere_a word_n of_o god_n unmix_v with_o the_o invention_n of_o their_o own_o head_n and_o to_o preserve_v it_o to_o the_o posterity_n hereafter_o and_o see_v that_o the_o true_a religion_n be_v not_o able_a to_o continue_v not_o induce_v king_n without_o a_o good_a discipline_n and_o policy_n in_o that_o part_n also_o have_v they_o employ_v their_o wit_n and_o study_v and_o draw_v forth_o out_o of_o the_o pure_a fountain_n of_o god_n word_n such_o a_o discipline_n as_o be_v meet_v to_o remain_v in_o the_o kirk_n in_o the_o same_o assembly_n the_o special_a corruption_n be_v set_v down_o which_o they_o crave_v such_o of_o the_o bishop_n as_o will_v submit_v themselves_o to_o the_o assembly_n to_o remove_v with_o prâ—mise_n that_o if_o the_o general_a assembly_n hereafter_o shall_v find_v further_a corruption_n in_o the_o say_a estate_n than_o hitherto_o be_v express_v that_o they_o be_v content_a to_o be_v reform_v by_o the_o say_a assembly_n according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n when_o they_o shall_v be_v require_v thereto_o first_o that_o they_o be_v content_a to_o be_v pastor_n and_o minister_n of_o one_o flock_n that_o they_o usurp_v no_o criminal_a jurisdiction_n that_o they_o vote_v not_o in_o parliament_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o kirk_n that_o they_o take_v not_o up_o for_o the_o maintenance_n of_o their_o ambition_n and_o riotousness_n the_o emolument_n of_o the_o kirk_n which_o may_v sustain_v many_o pastor_n the_o school_n and_o the_o poor_a but_o be_v content_a with_o reasonable_a living_n according_a to_o their_o office_n that_o they_o claim_v not_o to_o themselves_o the_o title_n of_o lord_n temporal_a neither_o usurp_v temporal_a jurisdiction_n whereby_o they_o be_v abstract_v from_o their_o office_n that_o they_o empire_n not_o above_o the_o particular_a eldership_n but_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o same_o that_o they_o usurp_v not_o the_o power_n of_o the_o presbytery_n the_o question_n be_v propound_v by_o the_o synod_n of_o lowthian_n in_o the_o assembly_n hold_v in_o july_n 1579._o aâ—ent_a a_o general_a order_n to_o be_v take_v for_o the_o erect_n of_o presbytery_n in_o place_n where_o public_a exercise_n be_v use_v until_o the_o time_n the_o policy_n of_o the_o kirk_n be_v establish_v by_o a_o law_n it_o be_v answer_v the_o exercise_n may_v be_v judge_v to_o be_v a_o presbytery_n in_o the_o assembly_n hold_v at_o dundie_n in_o july_n 1580._o sess._n 4._o the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n be_v abolish_v by_o a_o particular_a act_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o tenor_n of_o the_o act_n follow_v for_o so_o much_o as_o the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n as_o it_o be_v now_o use_v and_o common_o take_v within_o this_o realm_n have_v no_o sure_a warrant_n authority_n nor_o good_a ground_n in_o the_o scripture_n but_o be_v bring_v in_o by_o the_o folly_n and_o corruption_n of_o man_n invention_n to_o the_o great_a overthrow_n of_o the_o kirk_n of_o god_n the_o whole_a assembly_n of_o the_o kirk_n in_o one_o voice_n after_o liberty_n give_v to_o all_o man_n to_o reason_n in_o the_o matter_n none_o oppon_a himself_o in_o defend_v the_o say_a pretend_a office_n find_v and_o declare_v the_o say_a pretend_a office_n use_v and_o term_v as_o be_v abovesaid_a unlawful_a in_o itself_o as_o have_v neither_o fundament_n ground_n nor_o warrant_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o ordain_v that_o all_o such_o person_n as_o brook_v or_o shall_v brook_v hereafter_o the_o say_a office_n shall_v be_v charge_v simple_o to_o dimit_fw-la quit_v and_o leave_v off_o the_o same_o as_o a_o office_n whereunto_o they_o be_v not_o
call_v by_o god_n and_o such_o like_a to_o desist_v and_o cease_v from_o all_o preach_n ministration_n of_o the_o sacrament_n or_o use_v any_o way_n the_o office_n of_o pastor_n while_o they_o receive_v de_fw-fr â—ovâ—_z admission_n from_o the_o general_a assembly_n under_o the_o pain_n of_o excommunication_n to_o be_v use_v against_o they_o wherein_o if_o they_o be_v find_v disobedient_a or_o contradict_v this_o act_n in_o any_o point_n the_o sentence_n of_o excommunication_n after_o due_a admonition_n to_o be_v execute_v against_o they_o in_o the_o same_o assembly_n hold_v anno_fw-la 1580._o sess._n 10._o this_o article_n be_v appoint_v to_o be_v propound_v to_o the_o king_n and_o council_n that_o the_o book_n of_o policy_n may_v be_v establish_v by_o 〈◊〉_d act_n of_o privy_a council_n while_o a_o parliament_n be_v hold_v 〈◊〉_d which_o it_o may_v be_v confirm_v by_o a_o law_n the_o extent_n of_o the_o act_n maâ—e_n at_o dundie_n be_v interpret_v and_o explain_v in_o the_o assembly_n hold_v at_o glasgow_n in_o april_n 1581._o sess._n 6._o as_o follow_v anent_o the_o act_n make_v in_o the_o assembly_n hold_v at_o dundie_n against_o bishop_n because_o some_o difficulty_n appear_v to_o some_o brethren_n to_o arise_v out_o of_o the_o word_n office_n contain_v in_o the_o say_a act_n what_o shall_v be_v mean_v thereby_o the_o assembly_n consist_v far_o the_o most_o part_n of_o such_o as_o vote_v and_o be_v present_a in_o the_o assembly_n at_o dundie_n to_o take_v away_o the_o say_a difficulty_n resolve_v upon_o the_o true_a meaning_n and_o understand_v of_o the_o say_a act_n declare_v that_o they_o mean_v whole_o to_o condemn_v the_o whole_a estate_n of_o bishop_n as_o they_o be_v now_o in_o scotland_n and_o that_o the_o same_o be_v the_o determination_n and_o conclusion_n of_o the_o assembly_n at_o this_o time_n because_o some_o brethren_n doubt_v whether_o the_o former_a act_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o the_o spiritual_a function_n only_o and_o other_o allege_v that_o the_o whole_a office_n of_o a_o bishop_n as_o it_o be_v use_v be_v damnable_a and_o that_o by_o the_o say_a act_n the_o bishop_n shall_v be_v charge_v to_o dimit_fw-la the_o same_o this_o assembly_n declare_v that_o they_o mean_v whole_o to_o condemn_v the_o whole_a estate_n of_o bishop_n as_o they_o be_v then_o in_o scotland_n and_o that_o this_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o assembly_n at_o that_o time_n the_o king_n commissioner_n present_v unto_o this_o assembly_n the_o confession_n of_o faith_n subscribe_v by_o the_o king_n and_o his_o household_n not_o long_o before_o together_o with_o a_o plot_n of_o the_o presbytery_n to_o be_v erect_v which_o be_v registrate_n in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o assembly_n with_o a_o letter_n to_o be_v direct_v from_o his_o majesty_n to_o the_o nobleman_n and_o gentleman_n of_o the_o country_n for_o their_o action_n of_o presbytery_n consist_v of_o pastor_n and_o elder_n and_o dissolution_n of_o prelacy_n and_o with_o a_o offer_n to_o set_v forward_o the_o policy_n until_o it_o be_v establish_v by_o parliament_n the_o king_n letter_n subscribe_v by_o his_o hand_n to_o the_o nobleman_n and_o gentleman_n be_v read_v in_o open_a audience_n of_o the_o whole_a assembly_n this_o assembly_n ordain_v the_o book_n of_o policy_n to_o be_v insert_v in_o the_o register_n by_o the_o act_n follow_v for_o asmuch_o as_o travel_n have_v be_v take_v in_o the_o frame_n of_o the_o policy_n of_o the_o kirk_n and_o divers_a suit_n have_v be_v make_v by_o the_o magistrate_n for_o approbation_n thereof_o which_o yet_o have_v not_o take_v the_o happy_a effect_n which_o good_a man_n will_v wish_v yet_o that_o the_o posterity_n may_v judge_v well_o of_o the_o present_a age_n and_o of_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o kirk_n the_o assembly_n have_v conclude_v that_o the_o book_n of_o policy_n agree_v to_o in_o divers_a assembly_n before_o shall_v be_v registrate_n in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o kirk_n and_o remain_v therein_o ad_fw-la perpetuam_fw-la rei_fw-la memoriam_fw-la and_o the_o copy_n thereof_o to_o be_v take_v to_o every_o presbytery_n of_o which_o book_n the_o tenor_n follow_v etc._n etc._n immediate_o after_o the_o insert_n of_o the_o book_n of_o policy_n call_v therâ—_z the_o book_n of_o discipline_n the_o assembly_n ordain_v that_o the_o confession_n of_o faith_n be_v subscribe_v as_o follow_v anent_o the_o confession_n of_o faith_n late_o set_v forth_o by_o the_o king_n majesty_n and_o subscribe_v by_o his_o highness_n the_o assembly_n in_o one_o voice_n acknowledge_v the_o say_a confession_n to_o be_v a_o true_a christian_a and_o faithful_a confession_n to_o be_v agree_v unto_o by_o such_o as_o true_o profess_v christ_n and_o have_v a_o care_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o tenor_n thereof_o to_o be_v follow_v out_o efold_o as_o the_o same_o be_v lay_v out_o in_o the_o say_a proclamation_n wherein_o that_o discipline_n be_v swear_v to_o in_o the_o general_a assembly_n hold_v at_o edinburgh_n in_o october_n 1581._o sess._n 10._o mr._n robert_n montgomery_n be_v accuse_v for_o teach_v that_o discipline_n be_v a_o thing_n indifferent_a sess._n 23._o the_o assembly_n give_v commission_n to_o the_o presbytery_n of_o stirling_n to_o charge_v mr._n robert_n montgomery_n to_o continue_v in_o the_o ministry_n of_o stirling_n and_o not_o to_o meddle_v with_o any_o other_o office_n or_o function_n of_o the_o kirk_n namely_o in_o aspire_v to_o the_o bishopric_n of_o glasgow_n against_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o act_n of_o the_o kirk_n under_o the_o pain_n of_o excommunication_n in_o the_o same_o assembly_n it_o be_v acknowledge_v that_o the_o estate_n of_o bishop_n be_v condemn_v by_o the_o kirk_n commission_n for_o erection_n of_o more_o presbytery_n be_v renew_v and_o a_o new_a ordinance_n make_v for_o subscribe_v the_o confession_n of_o faith_n and_o to_o proceed_v against_o whatsoever_o person_n that_o will_v not_o acknowledge_v and_o subscribe_v the_o same_o in_o the_o assembly_n hold_v in_o april_n 1582._o there_o be_v a_o new_a commission_n for_o erection_n of_o presbytery_n where_o none_o be_v at_o yet_o erect_v mr._n robert_n montgomery_n pretend_v to_o be_v bishop_n of_o glasgow_n be_v ordain_v to_o be_v depose_v and_o excommunicate_a except_o he_o give_v evident_a tâ—kens_n of_o repentance_n and_o promise_n to_o superseed_n which_o he_o do_v not_o and_o therefore_o be_v excommunicate_a short_o after_o according_a to_o the_o ordinance_n of_o this_o assembly_n in_o the_o general_a assembly_n hold_v at_o edinburgh_n 1582._o the_o general_n assembly_n give_v commission_n to_o some_o presbytery_n to_o try_v and_o censure_v such_o as_o be_v call_v bishop_n for_o the_o great_a slander_n arise_v by_o their_o impunity_n commission_n be_v give_v at_o this_o assembly_n to_o present_v some_o article_n to_o the_o council_n and_o estate_n for_o approve_v and_o establish_v by_o their_o authority_n the_o presbytery_n the_o synodal_a and_o general_n assembly_n in_o the_o 19_o sess._n the_o assembly_n declare_v that_o 〈◊〉_d bishop_n may_v â—it_v upon_o the_o council_n in_o name_n of_o the_o kirk_n in_o the_o assembly_n hold_v anno_fw-la 1586._o these_o two_o article_n be_v agree_v upon_o first_o it_o be_v find_v that_o all_o such_o as_o the_o scripture_n appoint_v governor_n of_o the_o kirk_n to_o wit_n pastor_n doctor_n and_o elder_n may_v convene_v to_o the_o general_a assembly_n and_o vote_n in_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n second_o there_o be_v four_o office-bearer_n set_v down_o to_o we_o by_o the_o scripture_n to_o wit_n pastor_n doctor_n elder_n and_o deâ—cons_n and_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v take_v as_o it_o have_v be_v in_o the_o time_n of_o papistry_n but_o be_v common_a to_o all_o pastor_n and_o minister_n in_o the_o assembly_n hold_v anno_fw-la 1587._o sess._n 8._o it_o be_v ordain_v that_o the_o admission_n of_o mr._n robert_n montgomery_n by_o the_o presbytery_n of_o glasgow_n suppose_v to_o the_o temporality_n of_o the_o bishopric_n only_o be_v undo_v and_o annul_v with_o all_o possible_a diligence_n to_o the_o effect_n slander_n may_v be_v remove_v from_o the_o kirk_n in_o sess._n 15._o mr._n rob._n pont_n sheâ—ed_v the_o king_n presentation_n to_o the_o bishopric_n of_o cathnes_n and_o desire_v the_o judgement_n of_o the_o assembly_n the_o assembly_n in_o their_o letter_n to_o the_o king_n majesty_n declare_v that_o they_o judge_v the_o say_a mr._n rob_n to_o be_v a_o bishop_n already_o according_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o s._n paul_n but_o as_o to_o that_o corrupt_a estate_n or_o office_n of_o these_o who_o have_v be_v term_v bishop_n heretofore_o they_o find_v it_o not_o agreeable_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o that_o it_o have_v be_v 〈◊〉_d in_o divers_a assembly_n before_o in_o the_o instruction_n give_v to_o such_o as_o be_v appoint_v to_o waitâ—_n upon_o the_o parliament_n it_o be_v ordain_v in_o the_o same_o assembly_n sess._n 17._o thâ—t_z they_o be_v careful_a that_o