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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
spring_v up_o faithful_a pastor_n do_v timeous_o oppose_v both_o by_o word_n and_o writ_n lest_o it_o shall_v spread_v and_o infect_v the_o whole_a body_n and_o yet_o do_v not_o therefore_o forefault_v their_o right_n in_o give_v their_o voice_n in_o the_o synod_n where_o these_o error_n be_v condemn_v the_o divins_n of_o hassa_n defy_v the_o ariminians_n to_o give_v one_o example_n of_o a_o lawful_a synod_n that_o ever_o do_v the_o like_a next_o suppose_v they_o have_v all_o precondemn_v episcopal_a government_n and_o the_o five_o article_n of_o perth_n they_o have_v condemn_v but_o that_o which_o be_v condemn_v before_o by_o our_o kirk_n and_o never_o retreat_v by_o any_o lawful_a synod_n three_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o episcopal_a government_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o five_o article_n be_v not_o absolute_o condemn_v by_o the_o covenant_n but_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o the_o one_o and_o practice_v of_o the_o other_o be_v suspend_v till_o the_o trial_n of_o a_o free_a and_o lawful_a general_a assembly_n whither_o they_o be_v contrar_n to_o the_o confession_n of_o faith_n and_o abjure_v by_o it_o for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o some_o who_o in_o other_o respect_n do_v not_o allow_v of_o they_o and_o be_v find_v to_o be_v abjure_v by_o the_o confession_n of_o faith_n as_o they_o be_v find_v and_o clear_v to_o be_v at_o the_o last_o assembly_n they_o be_v bind_v by_o oath_n to_o stand_v to_o the_o confession_n of_o faith_n in_o all_o the_o point_n of_o it_o four_o the_o commissioner_n convene_v do_v not_o judicial_o condemn_v before_o but_o according_a to_o their_o several_a place_n and_o station_n they_o give_v warn_v of_o the_o novation_n enter_v in_o which_o hinder_v they_o not_o to_o alter_v their_o mind_n if_o they_o have_v hear_v any_o thing_n to_o convince_v they_o of_o the_o contrar_n at_o meeting_n with_o other_o in_o the_o assembly_n the_o example_n allege_v be_v to_o small_a purpose_n our_o reformer_n protest_v against_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n not_o only_o because_o pope_n leo_n the_o ten_o have_v precondemn_v luther_n doctrine_n by_o his_o bull_n date_v the_o eight_o of_o june_n 1520._o and_o paul_n the_o three_o his_o successor_n likewise_o by_o his_o bull_n date_v in_o august_n 1535._o but_o also_o declare_v the_o intention_n of_o their_o appoint_v to_o convocat_n that_o council_n be_v to_o root_v out_o that_o new_a spring_v up_o heresy_n and_o as_o it_o be_v answer_v to_o the_o arminian_n that_o council_n be_v not_o a_o free_a council_n the_o prelate_n and_o other_o member_n of_o that_o council_n be_v swear_v slave_n to_o the_o pope_n and_o have_v power_n to_o determine_v nothing_o but_o what_o please_v he_o to_o approve_v by_o his_o nuncioe_n our_o first_o reformer_n will_v not_o be_v acknowledge_v for_o doctor_n of_o the_o popish_a kirk_n and_o have_v make_v separation_n from_o they_o before_o maximus_n patriarch_n of_o constantinople_n refuse_v to_o go_v to_o the_o council_n of_o antioch_n because_o he_o foresee_v he_o will_v be_v constrain_v to_o the_o deposition_n of_o athanasius_n hosius_n of_o corduba_n fear_v likewise_o their_o determination_n but_o it_o be_v one_o thing_n to_o refuse_v presence_n where_o they_o fear_v ungodly_a determination_n another_o thing_n to_o decline_v the_o authority_n of_o a_o lawful_a council_n when_o they_o be_v cite_v to_o answer_v a_o foul_a libel_n it_o become_v they_o to_o side_n with_o persecutor_n rather_o than_o hosius_n with_o pope_n leo_n rather_o then_o luther_n and_o other_o reformer_n of_o who_o some_o of_o they_o have_v speak_v disdainful_o next_o there_o be_v difference_n between_o a_o inferior_a synod_n and_o the_o supreme_a the_o council_n of_o antioch_n be_v not_o a_o ecumenical_a council_n which_o be_v the_o supreme_a the_o general_a assembly_n whereunto_o our_o prelate_n be_v cite_v be_v with_o we_o the_o supreme_a of_o which_o more_o in_o the_o answer_n to_o the_o next_o section_n next_o they_o allege_v that_o all_o if_o not_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o pretend_a commissioner_n have_v declare_v themselves_o party_n to_o the_o archbishop_n and_o bishop_n of_o this_o kirk_n for_o in_o that_o they_o decline_v the_o bishop_n to_o be_v their_o judge_n as_o their_o party_n as_o their_o declinatour_n petition_n declaration_n and_o protestation_n do_v bear_v have_v they_o not_o simul_fw-la &_o semel_fw-la &_o ipso_fw-la facto_fw-la declare_v themselves_o to_o be_v their_o party_n party_n that_o be_v the_o bishop_n and_o have_v not_o only_o decline_v but_o persecute_v they_o by_o calumny_n and_o reproach_n invade_v their_o person_n oppose_v and_o oppress_v they_o by_o unlawful_a combination_n for_o the_o subscribe_v and_o swear_v whereof_o they_o have_v by_o their_o own_o authority_n indict_v fast_n have_v by_o the_o aid_n of_o the_o multitude_n enter_v in_o the_o kirk_n of_o worthy_a man_n usurp_v upon_o their_o charge_n cause_v read_v the_o unlawful_a covenant_n threaten_v or_o compel_v some_o otherwise_o unwilling_a to_o set_v their_o hand_n to_o it_o process_v suspend_v remove_v obedient_a and_o worthy_a minister_n by_o the_o usurp_a authorite_n of_o their_o table_n &_o presbytery_n notwithstanding_o the_o defence_n of_o declinator_fw-la &_o appellation_n be_v use_v by_o not_o a_o few_o in_o their_o presbytery_n intend_v by_o this_o mean_n to_o disable_v they_o from_o be_v commissioner_n and_o direct_o or_o indirect_o cause_v their_o stipend_n to_o be_v keep_v back_o by_o which_o mean_v not_o the_o least_o part_n of_o the_o subscribe_v minister_n hand_n have_v be_v obtain_v to_o their_o covenant_n see_v they_o have_v declare_v themselves_o party_n it_o can_v subsist_v with_o no_o law_n or_o reason_n that_o the_o same_o person_n shall_v be_v both_o party_n and_o judge_n we_o answer_v they_o decline_v they_o as_o party_n when_o they_o supplicate_v and_o complain_v upon_o they_o before_o the_o lord_n of_o secret_a council_n be_v it_o reason_n that_o they_o shall_v judge_v upon_o the_o complainer_n or_o complaint_n make_v upon_o themselves_o when_o they_o covenant_v they_o suspend_v only_a acknowledgement_n of_o their_o authority_n till_o the_o trial_n of_o a_o free_a general_a assembly_n calumny_n and_o unjust_a reproach_n we_o deny_v none_o of_o the_o commissioner_n have_v hithertil_v invade_v their_o person_n nor_o have_v any_o of_o they_o be_v invade_v by_o any_o other_o so_o far_o as_o we_o know_v but_o master_n david_n lyndsay_n by_o boy_n and_o servant_n woman_n when_o he_o be_v come_v from_o his_o new_a matin_n and_o evensong_n and_o as_o we_o use_v to_o say_v flagranti_fw-la crimine_fw-la their_o conbination_n against_o they_o be_v with_o reservation_n to_o trial_n what_o fault_n be_v there_o in_o fast_v and_o seek_v god_n blessing_n to_o the_o action_n be_v in_o hand_n all_o tend_v to_o reformation_n where_o fore_o shall_v people_n be_v hinder_v from_o strike_v covenant_n with_o god_n and_o among_o themselves_o for_o the_o defence_n of_o religion_n by_o the_o refusal_n of_o a_o perverse_a minister_n these_o worthy_a minister_n process_v suspend_v or_o remove_v be_v worthy_o censure_v by_o their_o presbytery_n for_o their_o arminian_n and_o popish_a doctrine_n vent_v both_o in_o private_a and_o public_a to_o the_o endanger_n of_o many_o soul_n or_o for_o their_o scandalous_a life_n be_v these_o man_n fit_a to_o be_v commissioner_n to_o the_o general_a assembly_n to_o decline_v the_o presbytery_n as_o competent_a judge_n can_v not_o be_v admit_v nor_o to_o appeal_v to_o any_o but_o to_o a_o free_a general_a assembly_n these_o man_n who_o decline_v the_o presbytery_n have_v decline_v the_o assembly_n whereby_o we_o may_v see_v upon_o what_o intent_n they_o do_v decline_v that_o not_o the_o least_o part_n of_o the_o subscribe_v minister_n put_v to_o their_o hand_n to_o the_o covenant_n for_o fear_n of_o keep_v back_o their_o stipend_n be_v a_o mere_a calumny_n other_o be_v postpone_v not_o for_o not_o subscribe_v but_o for_o neglect_v their_o charge_n and_o wander_v from_o their_o flock_n for_o all_o than_o that_o be_v here_o allege_v the_o commissioner_n to_o this_o assembly_n may_v lawful_o sit_v as_o judge_n to_o the_o complaint_n or_o libel_v give_v in_o against_o they_o see_v they_o be_v choose_v and_o authorize_v by_o their_o presbytery_n with_o commission_n to_o deliberate_v and_o voice_n in_o this_o assembly_n next_o they_o be_v not_o judge_n in_o any_o particular_a or_o proper_a cause_n of_o their_o own_o but_o in_o a_o cause_n concern_v the_o whole_a kirk_n therefore_o in_o make_v the_o commissioner_n their_o party_n they_o make_v the_o whole_a kirk_n of_o scotland_n their_o party_n for_o they_o have_v a_o free_a commission_n from_o all_o the_o presbytery_n according_a to_o the_o order_n of_o our_o kirk_n to_o make_v up_o the_o representative_a of_o the_o whole_a body_n how_o shall_v discipline_n be_v exerce_v if_o such_o as_o be_v guilty_a shall_v reject_v session_n presbytery_n and_o synod_n as_o party_n but_o because_o there_o
such_o office_n they_o pretend_v that_o none_o of_o they_o will_v decline_v the_o lawful_a trial_n of_o any_o competent_a judicatory_a in_o the_o kingdom_n especial_o of_o a_o general_a assembly_n lawful_o constitute_v or_o his_o majesty_n commissioner_n or_o laic_n have_v authority_n and_o commission_n from_o sovereign_a authority_n they_o will_v be_v sure_a to_o have_v such_o a_o judge_n as_o shall_v acquit_v they_o or_o none_o at_o all_o a_o assembly_n like_v to_o their_o own_o pretend_a assembly_n see_v the_o whole_a pack_n of_o they_o be_v complain_v upon_o and_o for_o crime_n common_a to_o they_o all_o where_o shall_v we_o find_v other_o bishop_n and_o metropolitan_o to_o sit_v in_o judgement_n upon_o they_o what_o need_v any_o further_a answer_n but_o that_o it_o be_v manifest_a by_o sundry_a passage_n of_o this_o their_o declinator_n that_o they_o will_v not_o and_o because_o guilty_a dare_v not_o stand_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o a_o general_a assembly_n constitut_v as_o the_o last_o be_v according_a to_o the_o establish_a order_n and_o practice_v of_o our_o kirk_n and_o therefore_o be_v just_o cut_v off_o as_o rot_a member_n from_o the_o body_n after_o the_o reason_n of_o their_o declinator_n and_o refusal_n of_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o assembly_n they_o come_v to_o their_o protest_n first_o for_o the_o reason_n aforesaid_a and_o for_o discharge_v of_o their_o duty_n to_o god_n to_o his_o kirk_n and_o to_o our_o sacred_a sovereign_n least_o by_o their_o silence_n they_o betray_v the_o kirk_n right_a and_o their_o own_o conscience_n that_o they_o in_o their_o own_o name_n and_o in_o behalf_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n be_v force_v to_o protest_v that_o this_o assembly_n be_v repute_n and_o hold_v null_n in_o law_n and_o that_o no_o kirk-man_n be_v hold_v to_o appear_v assist_v approve_v it_o and_o therefore_o that_o no_o letter_n petition_z subscription_n interloquitor_n certification_n admonition_n or_o other_o act_n whatsoever_o proceed_v from_o the_o say_a assembly_n or_o any_o member_n thereof_o shall_v be_v any_o way_n prejudicial_a to_o the_o religion_n and_o confession_n of_o faith_n by_o act_n of_o parliament_n establish_v nor_o to_o the_o kirk_n or_o any_o member_n thereof_o nor_o to_o the_o jurisdiction_n liberty_n privilege_n rent_n benefice_n possession_n of_o the_o same_o act_n of_o general_a assembly_n council_n or_o parliament_n in_o favour_n thereof_o nor_o to_o the_o three_o estate_n of_o the_o kingdom_n or_o to_o any_o of_o they_o nor_o to_o themselves_o or_o any_o of_o they_o in_o their_o person_n or_o estate_n authority_n jurisdiction_n dignity_n rent_n benefice_n reputation_n and_o good_a name_n but_o that_o all_o such_o act_n and_o deed_n be_v and_o shall_v be_v repute_n unjust_a illegal_a and_o null_a in_o themselves_o with_o all_o that_o have_v follow_v or_o may_v follow_v thereupon_o if_o their_o reason_n allege_v be_v find_v frivolous_a as_o they_o be_v by_o the_o assembly_n and_o be_v clear_v so_o to_o be_v by_o this_o answer_n their_o protest_n be_v not_o worth_a a_o fig._n they_o protest_v in_o name_n of_o the_o kirk_n of_o scotland_n when_o as_o they_o will_v not_o acknowledge_v her_o commissioner_n free_o choose_v nor_o her_o assembly_n constitute_v according_a to_o the_o establish_a order_n nor_o any_o other_o assembly_n constitute_v according_a to_o the_o say_a order_n but_o will_v have_v this_o assembly_n and_o consequent_o this_o kirk_n to_o be_v their_o party_n and_o yet_o will_v protest_v profess_v as_o they_o be_v in_o name_n and_o behalf_n of_o this_o kirk_n afraid_a be_v they_o that_o some_o thing_n shall_v be_v do_v prejudicial_a to_o religion_n and_o the_o confession_n of_o faith_n establish_v by_o parliament_n mean_v that_o which_o be_v extant_a in_o the_o act_n of_o parliament_n but_o pass_v by_o the_o confession_n swear_v to_o and_o subscribe_v by_o subject_n of_o all_o rank_n throughout_o the_o whole_a realm_n and_o by_o themselves_o we_o acknowledge_v not_o act_n of_o null_n and_o pretend_a assembly_n we_o interpret_v not_o every_o act_n of_o council_n or_o parliament_n procure_v or_o assent_v to_o by_o they_o or_o make_v in_o their_o favour_n to_o be_v make_v in_o favour_n of_o the_o kirk_n the_o kirk_n herself_o must_v be_v judge_n of_o the_o favour_n bestow_v on_o she_o if_o their_o authority_n jurisdiction_n dignity_n rent_n benefice_n reputation_n good_a name_n etc._n etc._n be_v prejudicial_a to_o the_o authority_n jurisdiction_n liberty_n and_o the_o spiritual_a welfaire_n of_o the_o kirk_n good_a reason_n the_o estate_n of_o the_o kirk_n be_v prefer_v to_o the_o estate_n of_o some_o few_o factious_a man_n there_o may_v be_v three_o estate_n without_o the_o bastard_n estate_n of_o bishop_n abbot_n pryor_n erect_v in_o time_n of_o popish_a darkness_n they_o protest_v next_o if_o the_o assembly_n call_v in_o question_n discuss_v and_o condemn_v thing_n not_o only_o in_o themselves_o lawful_a and_o warrandable_a but_o also_o define_v and_o determine_v by_o act_n of_o general_a assembly_n and_o parliament_n and_o in_o practice_v according_o to_o the_o disgrace_n and_o prejudice_n of_o the_o reform_a religion_n authority_n of_o the_o law_n and_o liberty_n of_o the_o kirk_n and_o kingdom_n weaken_v his_o majesty_n authority_n disgrace_v the_o profession_n and_o practice_n he_o hold_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o kirk_n where_o he_o live_v and_o brand_a of_o reform_a kirk_n with_o the_o foul_a aspersion_n of_o idolatry_n and_o superstition_n that_o what_o shall_v be_v do_v in_o this_o kind_n may_v not_o redound_v to_o the_o disgrace_n or_o disadvantage_n of_o the_o reform_a religion_n nor_o be_v repute_v a_o deed_n of_o the_o kirk_n of_o scotland_n the_o assembly_n have_v condemn_v nothing_o lawful_a and_o warrandable_o define_v and_o determine_v before_o in_o assembly_n or_o parliament_n and_o practise_v according_o they_o intend_v not_o to_o weaken_v his_o majesty_n authority_n disgrace_n his_o practice_n and_o profession_n or_o brand_v any_o reform_a kirk_n with_o soul_n aspersion_n but_o only_o to_o reform_v the_o abuse_n and_o corruption_n enter_v in_o their_o own_o kirk_n and_o to_o oppose_v to_o what_o more_o be_v likely_a to_o have_v enter_v with_o the_o receive_v the_o service_n book_n and_o book_n of_o canon_n without_o relation_n to_o any_o other_o kirk_n if_o any_o disgrace_n redound_v to_o other_o it_o be_v but_o per_fw-la accidens_fw-la and_o it_o may_v be_v retort_v that_o their_o canon_n and_o constitution_n be_v intend_v for_o the_o disgrace_n of_o our_o kirk_n which_o we_o do_v not_o affirm_v next_o they_o must_v distinguish_v betwixt_o a_o free_a kirkand_fw-mi a_o kirk_n lie_v in_o thraldom_n but_o the_o decliner_n will_v have_v we_o to_o refuse_v nothing_o which_o be_v receive_v in_o any_o other_o reform_v kirk_n if_o the_o same_o be_v impose_v lest_o they_o be_v disgrace_v by_o our_o refusal_n which_o be_v to_o make_v up_o a_o fine_a hotchpotch_n they_o protest_v that_o they_o embrace_v and_o hold_v the_o religion_n present_o profess_v according_a to_o the_o confession_n of_o faith_n ratify_v in_o parliament_n anno_fw-la 1567._o as_o the_o true_a religion_n and_o detest_v all_o contrary_a error_n but_o they_o make_v no_o account_n nor_o mention_n of_o that_o confession_n where_o contrary_a error_n be_v specify_v or_o design_v and_o it_o appear_v for_o no_o other_o cause_n but_o that_o they_o perceive_v the_o episcopal_a government_n and_o other_o innovation_n which_o they_o be_v to_o introduce_v to_o be_v abjure_v by_o that_o confession_n which_o be_v a_o tacit_a yield_v to_o the_o true_a meaning_n and_o sense_n deliver_v by_o the_o last_o assembly_n in_o their_o declaration_n they_o protest_v that_o the_o episcopal_a government_n be_v lawful_a and_o necessary_a and_o that_o the_o same_o be_v not_o oppose_v for_o any_o defect_n or_o fault_n in_o the_o government_n or_o governor_n but_o by_o the_o malice_n and_o craft_n of_o the_o devil_n envy_v the_o success_n of_o that_o government_n these_o many_o year_n bypass_v it_o have_v be_v condemn_v by_o our_o kirk_n as_o unlawful_a and_o hurtful_a yet_o they_o dare_v contradict_v and_o protest_v it_o to_o be_v lawful_a and_o necessary_a that_o government_n which_o be_v not_o warrand_v by_o the_o word_n and_o overthrow_v the_o joint_a government_n of_o pastor_n and_o elder_n which_o be_v warrand_v by_o the_o word_n can_v not_o but_o be_v faulty_a if_o the_o government_n be_v faulty_a the_o governor_n can_v not_o but_o be_v faulty_a in_o govern_v the_o devil_n can_v not_o envy_v the_o success_n of_o so_o faulty_a a_o government_n as_o have_v bring_v in_o the_o antichrist_n to_o sit_v in_o the_o temple_n of_o god_n suppose_v there_o be_v no_o fault_n in_o the_o government_n but_o that_o it_o be_v lawful_a and_o necessary_a but_o what_o mean_n have_v they_o come_v by_o it_o or_o what_o moderation_n have_v they_o keep_v after_o their_o usurp_n of_o it_o intrarunt_fw-la ut_fw-la vulpes_fw-la regnarunt_fw-la ut_fw-la