some_o question_n resolve_v concern_v episcopal_a and_o presbyterian_a government_n in_o scotland_n i_o protest_v before_o the_o great_a god_n and_o since_o i_o be_o here_o as_o upon_o my_o testament_n it_o be_v no_o time_n for_o i_o to_o lie_v in_o that_o you_o shall_v never_o find_v with_o any_o high-land_n or_o border_n thief_n great_a ingratitude_n and_o more_o lie_v and_o vile_a perjury_n then_o with_o these_o fanatic_a spirit_n and_o suffer_v not_o the_o principle_n of_o they_o to_o brook_v your_o land_n if_o you_o like_v to_o sit_v at_o rest_n except_o you_o keep_v they_o for_o try_v your_o patience_n as_o socrates_n do_v a_o evil_a wife_n k._n j._n his_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d lib._n 2._o p._n 51._o lond._n london_n print_v for_o the_o author_n and_o be_v to_o be_v sell_v by_o randal_n taylor_n near_o stationers-hall_n 1690._o imprimatur_fw-la z._n isham_n r._n p._n d._n henrico_n episc._n lond._n à _fw-la sacris_fw-la march_n 10_o 1690._o the_o preface_n the_o government_n by_o arch-bishop_n and_o bishop_n be_v in_o scotland_n restore_v an._n 1662._o as_o be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n most_o convenient_a for_o the_o preservation_n of_o truth_n order_n and_o unity_n and_o most_o suitable_a to_o monarchy_n and_o the_o peace_n and_o quiet_a of_o the_o state_n those_o motive_n for_o its_o restitution_n be_v every_o way_n so_o great_a that_o none_o other_o can_v be_v so_o worthy_a of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o that_o nation_n which_o challenge_v a_o more_o early_a profession_n of_o christianity_n and_o a_o ancient_a race_n of_o king_n than_o any_o of_o these_o part_n of_o christendom_n can_v well_o pretend_v to_o but_o that_o ecclesiastical_a government_n which_o in_o its_o self_n be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o the_o scripture_n and_o best_a fit_v against_o heresy_n and_o schism_n may_v to_o prejudice_v man_n seem_v burdensome_a and_o by_o they_o be_v misrepresent_v to_o other_o from_o this_o it_o have_v happen_v that_o the_o episcopacy_n as_o exercise_v in_o scotland_n these_o 26_o year_n have_v be_v of_o late_o abolish_v as_o a_o unsupportable_a grievance_n to_o the_o nation_n contrary_a to_o the_o general_a inclition_n of_o the_o people_n and_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o legal_a establishment_n of_o that_o church_n at_o the_o reformation_n whoever_o due_o compare_v the_o narrative_n of_o these_o two_o act_n the_o one_o about_o its_o restitution_n and_o the_o other_o about_o its_o abolishment_n may_v find_v some_o of_o their_o reason_n why_o no_o other_o ecclesiastic_a polity_n be_v yet_o settle_a in_o its_o place_n for_o by_o this_o delay_n every_o member_n of_o parliament_n have_v have_v time_n to_o consider_v what_o church_n government_n for_o essential_o be_v of_o divine_a right_n and_o may_v both_o preserve_v the_o church_n from_o heresy_n and_o schism_n and_o the_o state_n from_o usurpation_n and_o rebellion_n and_o which_o may_v best_o conduce_v to_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o all_o religious_a protestant_n and_o loyal_a subject_n in_o that_o kingdom_n for_o this_o effect_n the_o due_a consideration_n of_o the_o follow_a question_n be_v doubtless_o of_o great_a importance_n and_o the_o impartial_a resolution_n of_o they_o can_v but_o be_v at_o this_o time_n very_o seasonable_a whether_o they_o be_v resolve_v here_o with_o such_o impartiality_n as_o this_o matter_n require_v be_v submit_v to_o the_o unbiased_a judgement_n of_o the_o reader_n who_o i_o shall_v desire_v that_o if_o he_o have_v any_o thing_n to_o object_n he_o will_v tell_v the_o world_n in_o charity_n and_o meekness_n that_o be_v the_o proper_a character_n of_o christianity_n and_o not_o in_o that_o unchristian_a way_n of_o evil_a speak_v and_o revile_v which_o sufficient_o show_v what_o spirit_n he_o be_v of_o that_o write_v the_o brief_a and_o true_a account_n of_o the_o suffering_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n occasion_v by_o the_o episcopalian_o since_o the_o year_n 1660._o i_o wish_v i_o have_v see_v that_o pamphlet_n before_o this_o be_v go_v to_o the_o press_n it_o will_v have_v occasion_v i_o to_o add_v some_o thing_n more_o though_o i_o do_v not_o find_v myself_o oblige_v by_o it_o to_o alter_v any_o thing_n that_o i_o have_v write_v some_o question_n etc._n etc._n question_n i._o whether_o presbytery_n as_o contrary_a to_o the_o episcopacy_n restore_v in_o scotland_n an._n 1662._o be_v settle_v by_o law_n when_o the_o protestant_a religion_n come_v to_o have_v the_o legal_a establishment_n in_o that_o kingdom_n 1._o all_o the_o dispute_v here_o intrinsic_a to_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o church_n governor_n be_v pure_o this_o whether_o he_o shall_v be_v nominate_v by_o the_o state_n or_o by_o the_o church_n whether_o after_o nomination_n the_o power_n to_o elect_a he_o shall_v be_v entrust_v to_o a_o delegated_a number_n or_o remain_v in_o the_o mix_a synod_n of_o clergy_n and_o laity_n and_o whether_o after_o the_o election_n be_v past_a his_o institution_n unto_o his_o office_n shall_v be_v for_o life_n or_o only_o during_o pleasure_n and_o last_o whether_o in_o the_o exercise_n of_o his_o function_n he_o have_v a_o negative_a voice_n over_o his_o synod_n or_o they_o a_o conclusive_a voice_n over_o he_o wherefore_o the_o presbyterian_a moderator_n an._n 1662._o abolish_v be_v right_o define_v the_o church-moderator_n nominate_v and_o elect_v by_o the_o clergy_n lay-elder_n and_o deacon_n of_o the_o synod_n institute_v unto_o his_o office_n during_o their_o pleasure_n invest_v with_o no_o fix_a power_n of_o ordination_n nor_o any_o negative_a voice_n in_o the_o exercise_n of_o his_o jurisdiction_n and_o the_o episcopacy_n which_o be_v then_o restore_v be_v by_o the_o rule_n of_o contrary_n a_o church-government_n of_o a_o moderator_n nominate_v by_o the_o king_n elect_v by_o the_o chapter_n invest_v with_o a_o fix_a power_n of_o ordination_n regulate_v by_o cannon_n and_o of_o jurisdiction_n balance_v by_o assist_v presbyter_n 2._o now_o although_o such_o a_o episcopacy_n be_v in_o scotland_n take_v away_o april_n last_o yet_o since_o presbytery_n be_v not_o yet_o settle_v by_o law_n this_o question_n of_o fact_n propose_v about_o it_o may_v be_v state_v and_o resolve_v according_a to_o truth_n without_o the_o crime_n of_o lose_v make_v 3._o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o that_o the_o protestant_a religion_n have_v the_o legal_a establishment_n in_o scotland_n in_o the_o year_n 1567._o in_o which_o year_n by_o parliamentary_a statute_n popery_n be_v 8._o abolish_v a_o protestant_a confession_n of_o faith_n authorize_v and_o their_o king_n by_o the_o coronation_n oath_n oblige_v to_o maintain_v it_o 4._o by_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o scottish_a monarchy_n neither_o the_o king_n without_o advice_n of_o his_o estate_n nor_o they_o without_o his_o royal_a consent_n touch_v the_o public_a act_n with_o his_o sceptre_n can_v make_v or_o unmake_v law_n to_o govern_v the_o people_n wherefore_o the_o constitution_n of_o bishop_n have_v then_o the_o public_a authority_n the_o popish_a bishop_n sit_v in_o this_o parliament_n which_o thus_o settle_v the_o reformation_n must_v in_o the_o construction_n book_n of_o the_o law_n be_v confess_v to_o remain_v firm_a and_o valid_a from_o the_o aforesaid_a year_n 1567._o till_o the_o full_a legislative_a power_n of_o the_o king_n in_o parliament_n concur_v to_o shake_v or_o destroy_v it_o 5._o but_o whatever_o be_v do_v at_o that_o time_n in_o favour_n of_o mr._n 289._o john_n knox_n his_o book_n of_o policy_n propose_v a_o superintendency_n which_o be_v another_o model_n of_o episcopacy_n or_o mr._n an._n melvil_n his_o book_n of_o discipline_n propose_v presbytery_n an._n 1578_o by_o act_n of_o privy_a council_n extort_a in_o tumultuous_a time_n through_o the_o menace_v application_n of_o clergy_n man_n assemble_v themselves_o without_o warrant_n yet_o before_o the_o year_n 1592._o there_o be_v no_o act_n of_o parliament_n either_o in_o print_n or_o unprint_v settle_v that_o presbytery_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o episcopacy_n establish_v before_o and_o remain_v in_o substance_n at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o reformation_n 6._o wherefore_o the_o impartial_a resolution_n of_o the_o question_n propose_v be_v in_o short_a this_o that_o presbytery_n as_o contrary_a to_o the_o episcopacy_n restore_v in_o scotland_n an._n 1662._o be_v not_o by_o law_n settle_v 35_o year_n after_o the_o protestant_a religion_n have_v the_o legal_a establishment_n in_o that_o kingdom_n question_n ii_o whether_o ever_o presbytery_n be_v settle_v in_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n without_o constraint_n from_o tumultuous_a time_n 1._o king_n james_n describe_v the_o presbyterian_o call_v they_o the_o very_a pest_n in_o the_o church_n and_o commonwealth_n who_o ed._n no_o desert_n can_v oblige_v neither_o oath_n nor_o promise_n bind_v brea_fw-mi thing_n nothing_o but_o sedition_n and_o calumny_n aspire_a without_o measure_n rail_a without_o reason_n and_o make_v their_o own_o imagination_n without_o any_o warrant_n of_o the_o word_n the_o square_a of_o their_o
in_o the_o reign_n of_o a_o protestant_a king_n they_o preach_v against_o popery_n as_o imminent_a and_o at_o hand_n they_o in_o the_o reign_n of_o a_o popish_a king_n be_v guilty_a for_o the_o most_o part_n of_o shameful_a silence_n yea_o when_o one_o of_o their_o number_n more_o faithful_a than_o the_o rest_n viz._n doctor_n hardy_n in_o a_o sermon_n at_o edinburgh_n which_o he_o preach_v at_o their_o provincial_a assembly_n have_v exhort_v they_o to_o take_v heed_n that_o the_o indulgence_n to_o proustant_a dissenter_n may_v not_o be_v a_o engine_n for_o bring_v popery_n into_o the_o kingdom_n and_o when_o for_o the_o preach_n of_o this_o sermon_n he_o be_v arraign_v for_o his_o life_n none_o of_o all_o his_o brethren_n nor_o any_o of_o the_o laity_n except_o the_o good_a mr._n r._n b_o d_o merchant_n in_o edinburgh_n will_v show_v he_o any_o friendship_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a they_o do_v open_o condemn_v his_o do_v his_o duty_n as_o indiscreet_a zeal_n and_o certain_o he_o have_v suffer_v as_o the_o worst_a of_o malefactor_n have_v it_o not_o be_v for_o the_o episcopal_a advocate_n that_o plead_v for_o he_o and_o the_o episcopal_a judge_n that_o acquit_v he_o and_o take_v all_o his_o danger_n upon_o themselves_o wherefore_o the_o impartial_a resolution_n to_o the_o present_a question_n be_v this_o that_o the_o scotch_a presbyterian_o be_v complier_n with_o the_o late_a design_n for_o take_v away_o the_o legal_a restraint_n against_o papist_n question_n ix_o whether_o scottish_a presbytery_n in_o the_o church_n be_v consistent_a with_o the_o legal_a monarchy_n in_o that_o kingdom_n 1._o as_o the_o solemn_a league_n be_v the_o canon_n and_o the_o act_n of_o their_o general_a assembly_n the_o interpreter_n of_o the_o principle_n of_o scottish_a presbytery_n so_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n the_o act_n of_o parliament_n of_o that_o kingdom_n be_v the_o only_a interpreter_n of_o the_o right_n of_o their_o monarchy_n wherefore_o the_o question_n here_o propose_v resolve_v unto_o this_o whether_o the_o scotch_a presbyterian_o in_o their_o assembly_n act_n which_o be_v found_v upon_o the_o covenant_n make_v any_o enchroachment_n upon_o the_o royal_a prerogative_n of_o that_o crown_n which_o be_v assert_v by_o their_o act_n of_o parliament_n unrepealed_a 2._o to_o choose_v person_n qualify_v by_o law_n to_o be_v officer_n of_o state_n councillor_n and_o judge_n be_v one_o prerogative_n acknowledge_v to_o be_v 2._o inherent_a in_o the_o king_n of_o scotland_n but_o the_o principle_n of_o their_o presbytery_n make_v this_o to_o be_v the_o prerogative_n of_o the_o kirk_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o four_o article_n of_o the_o covenant_n wherein_o they_o swear_v to_o endeavour_v with_o all_o faithfulness_n the_o discovery_n of_o all_o such_o as_o have_v be_v or_o shall_v be_v evil_a instrument_n by_o make_v any_o party_n contrary_a to_o that_o covenant_n that_o they_o may_v be_v bring_v to_o public_a trial_n and_o receive_v condign_a punishment_n this_o be_v 1648._o far_o declare_v in_o their_o answer_n to_o the_o pretend_a committee_n of_o estate_n by_o which_o answer_n they_o propose_v as_o a_o safe_a rule_n in_o this_o case_n that_o the_o duty_n of_o the_o second_o table_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o first_o namely_o the_o duty_n between_o king_n and_o subject_a master_n and_o servant_n be_v contain_v in_o and_o to_o be_v teach_v and_o clear_v from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v a_o subject_n of_o ministerial_a doctrine_n and_o in_o difficult_a case_n a_o subject_n of_o cognizance_n and_o judgement_n to_o the_o assembly_n of_o the_o kirk_n now_o what_o case_n be_v difficult_a in_o which_o king_n and_o subject_n be_v the_o party_n the_o kirk_n must_v judge_v and_o be_v as_o infallible_a in_o scotland_n as_o in_o rome_n 3._o another_o prerogative_n of_o the_o king_n of_o scotland_n be_v declare_v 3._o his_o power_n of_o call_v and_o dissolve_v parliament_n by_o himself_o and_o make_v of_o law_n with_o their_o advice_n and_o council_n and_o this_o prerogative_n in_o all_o its_o branch_n be_v usurp_v upon_o by_o the_o principle_n of_o presbytery_n as_o for_o his_o power_n of_o call_v parliament_n by_o himself_o either_o presbyterian_a kirk-man_n be_v not_o subject_n of_o the_o scottish_a king_n or_o else_o by_o their_o acknowledgement_n of_o this_o royal_a prerogative_n his_o letter_n patent_n direct_v to_o they_o may_v command_v their_o assemble_v about_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o estate_n to_o convene_v for_o matter_n civil_a but_o shall_v they_o once_o grant_v that_o the_o power_n of_o their_o assemble_v flow_v immediate_o from_o the_o king_n their_o sovereign_n and_o not_o immediate_o from_o christ_n then_o shall_v they_o by_o law_n of_o consequence_n be_v oblige_v to_o confess_v that_o christ_n give_v they_o no_o warrant_n to_o assemble_v without_o warrant_n from_o their_o king_n but_o this_o the_o presbyterian_a kirk_n can_v grant_v to_o the_o state_n because_o thereby_o their_o covenant_n shall_v become_v a_o unlawful_a bond_n of_o treason_n and_o the_o most_o of_o their_o assembly_n act_v null_a and_o void_a since_o first_o that_o oath_n be_v swear_v and_o thereafter_o the_o most_o of_o those_o act_n be_v pass_v without_o yea_o and_o contrary_a to_o the_o express_a will_n and_o pleasure_n of_o their_o king_n 4._o then_o the_o king_n power_n to_o dissolve_v parliament_n by_o himself_o be_v another_o branch_n of_o his_o royal_a prerogative_n but_o this_o be_v likewise_o usurp_v upon_o by_o the_o principle_n of_o presbytery_n for_o as_o much_o as_o the_o second_o article_n of_o the_o covenant_n bind_v to_o preserve_v the_o privilege_n of_o parliament_n with_o the_o 1648._o preservation_n of_o which_o privilege_n the_o general_n assembly_n declare_v the_o king_n negative_a voice_n inconsistent_a now_o if_o the_o king_n have_v no_o negative_a voice_n in_o a_o parliament_n that_o enjoy_v its_o privilege_n than_o any_o thing_n conclude_v by_o the_o majority_n of_o such_o a_o parliament_n may_v pass_v into_o a_o formal_a act_n though_o the_o king_n shall_v deny_v his_o concurrence_n and_o by_o consequence_n without_o the_o royal_a assent_n they_o may_v make_v a_o law_n for_o continue_v their_o session_n as_o long_o as_o they_o please_v by_o virtue_n of_o which_o law_n the_o royal_a authority_n can_v not_o dissolve_v they_o according_a to_o these_o covenant_a principle_n 5._o in_o the_o three_o place_n the_o power_n of_o make_v law_n be_v usurp_v from_o king_n and_o parliament_n by_o the_o principle_n of_o presbyterian_o for_o in_o the_o last_o article_n of_o their_o covenant_n they_o swear_v that_o they_o shall_v all_o the_o day_n of_o their_o life_n zealous_o and_o constant_o continue_v therein_o against_o all_o opposition_n let_n and_o impediment_n whatsoever_o and_o in_o conscience_n of_o this_o part_n of_o their_o oath_n the_o kirk_n assembly_n man_n pass_v a_o act_n declarative_a against_o a_o act_n of_o parliament_n and_o 1648._o committee_n of_o estate_n date_v in_o june_n the_o same_o year_n and_o in_o general_a against_o all_o other_o make_v in_o the_o common_a cause_n without_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n 6._o a_o three_o prerogative_n royal_a in_o the_o crown_n of_o scotland_n be_v that_o of_o make_v league_n and_o convention_n of_o the_o subject_n now_o that_o can_v consist_v with_o the_o principle_n which_o flow_v from_o that_o covenant_n which_o be_v enter_v into_o by_o the_o assembly_n of_o the_o subject_n without_o the_o king_n and_o more_o particular_o be_v it_o invade_v by_o those_o principle_n by_o which_o they_o emit_v a_o act_n declare_v against_o the_o bond_n subscribe_v by_o the_o scotch_a lord_n at_o 1644._o oxford_n and_o inflict_v the_o high_a ecclesiastical_a censure_n against_o any_o who_o subscribe_v or_o frame_v or_o be_v accessary_a to_o the_o execution_n of_o the_o same_o 7._o the_o make_v peace_n and_o war_n with_o foreign_a prince_n be_v another_o branch_n of_o this_o prerogative_n of_o the_o crown_n of_o scotland_n acknowledge_v to_o be_v in_o the_o king_n but_o this_o also_o according_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o presbytery_n be_v usurp_v upon_o by_o that_o 5._o kirk_n for_o she_o in_o the_o explication_n of_o the_o six_o article_n of_o the_o covenant_n already_o mention_v in_o the_o four_o number_n concern_v the_o three_o question_n declare_v herself_o in_o her_o solemn_a and_o seasonable_a warning_n to_o all_o her_o child_n of_o the_o covenant_n after_o this_o manner_n whosoever_o he_o be_v that_o will_v not_o according_a to_o 1645._o public_a order_n and_o appointment_n adventure_v his_o person_n or_o send_v out_o those_o that_o be_v under_o his_o power_n or_o pay_v the_o contribution_n impose_v for_o the_o maintenance_n of_o the_o force_n must_v be_v take_v for_o a_o enemy_n malignant_a and_o covenant-breaker_n and_o so_o involve_v both_o into_o the_o displeasure_n of_o god_n and_o censure_n of_o the_o kirk_n 8._o now_o the_o king_n power_n to_o choose_v officer_n of_o state_n
import_v that_o every_o person_n have_v a_o inheritance_n shall_v pay_v the_o four_o part_n of_o 2._o his_o yearly_a estate_n every_o yeoman_n tenant_n or_o farmer_n the_o four_o part_n of_o his_o free_a moveable_n after_o the_o payment_n of_o their_o due_n to_o their_o master_n and_o that_o every_o burgess_n shall_v lose_v all_o the_o privilege_n within_o the_o borough_n and_o the_o four_o part_n of_o his_o moveable_n 12._o but_o notwithstanding_o this_o penal_a law_n the_o contagion_n of_o those_o book_n and_o sermon_n which_o poison_v so_o many_o with_o principle_n of_o separation_n from_o the_o establish_a church_n produce_v the_o renovation_n of_o the_o covenant_n contrary_a to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o king_n and_o parliament_n and_o that_o again_o be_v follow_v by_o a_o open_a rebellion_n of_o the_o western_a part_n know_v by_o the_o name_n of_o pentlin_n hill_n in_o the_o year_n 1666_o defeat_v by_o the_o king_n army_n so_o that_o they_o be_v out_o of_o capacity_n of_o resist_v however_o the_o king_n in_o his_o royal_a clemency_n at_o the_o address_n of_o some_o statesman_n give_v they_o indulgence_n to_o convene_v in_o meeting-house_n for_o divine_a worship_n and_o they_o make_v this_o good_a use_n of_o his_o mercy_n as_o that_o by_o they_o the_o incumbent_a minister_n who_o character_n will_v have_v secure_v they_o any_o where_o but_o in_o the_o west_n of_o scotland_n have_v their_o house_n in_o the_o night_n time_n invade_v their_o person_n assault_v wound_v and_o pursue_v for_o their_o life_n then_o indeed_o that_o merciful_a prince_n with_o advice_n of_o his_o estate_n in_o parliament_n have_v a_o just_a indignation_n of_o such_o horrid_a and_o unchristian_a villainy_n think_v fit_a to_o brand_v the_o same_o with_o a_o 4._o signal_n mark_v of_o displeasure_n and_o this_o act_n of_o the_o date_n aug._n 1670._o be_v the_o first_o that_o punish_v with_o death_n and_o confiscation_n of_o good_n 13._o it_o be_v true_a indeed_o the_o king_n and_o his_o estate_n of_o parliament_n fill_v with_o indignation_n at_o the_o scandalous_a sin_n which_o procure_v this_o former_a penal_a law_n and_o understand_v from_o thence_o that_o the_o specious_a pretence_n of_o religion_n be_v altogether_o false_a and_o take_v up_o by_o seditious_a person_n they_o immediate_o 5._o pass_v another_o act_n against_o conventicle_n the_o preamble_n of_o which_o last_o act_n declare_v that_o such_o meeting_n be_v the_o ordinary_a seminary_n of_o rebellion_n as_o well_o as_o separation_n that_o they_o tend_v to_o the_o alienate_n the_o heart_n of_o the_o subject_n from_o their_o duty_n and_o obedience_n they_o owe_v to_o his_o majesty_n and_o the_o public_a law_n and_o by_o consequence_n to_o the_o reproach_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o king_n and_o parliament_n as_o well_o as_o the_o prejudice_n of_o god_n public_a worship_n and_o the_o scandal_n of_o the_o reform_a religion_n and_o therefore_o they_o be_v oblige_v in_o reason_n of_o state_n as_o well_o as_o for_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n to_o make_v the_o penalty_n of_o this_o law_n fall_v heavy_a upon_o the_o transgressor_n thereof_o 14_o and_o the_o penalty_n therein_o contain_v as_o nigh_o as_o i_o can_v value_v scottish_a money_n by_o the_o current_a coin_n in_o england_n be_v these_o follow_v that_o every_o minister_n preach_v at_o a_o conventicle_n shall_v be_v imprison_v till_o he_o find_v surety_n for_o 275_o l._n that_o he_o shall_v not_o do_v the_o like_a thereafter_o or_o else_o oblige_v himself_o by_o bond_n to_o remove_v out_o of_o the_o kingdom_n and_o never_o to_o return_v without_o his_o majesty_n leave_n that_o every_o one_o of_o any_o inheritance_n shall_v pay_v the_o four_o part_n of_o his_o yearly_a estate_n that_o every_o servant_n shall_v pay_v the_o four_o part_n of_o his_o yearly_a wage_n that_o every_o farmer_n shall_v pay_v forty_o shilling_n and_o every_o tenant_n under_o they_o twenty_o 12._o further_o his_o majesty_n understand_v that_o divers_a disaffect_v person_n have_v be_v so_o malicious_o wicked_a and_o disloyal_a as_o to_o convocate_v his_o subject_n to_o open_a meeting_n in_o the_o field_n and_o consider_v that_o those_o meeting_n be_v the_o rendezvous_n of_o rebellion_n and_o tend_v in_o a_o high_a measure_n to_o the_o disturbance_n of_o the_o public_a peace_n declare_v that_o those_o who_o in_o arm_n do_v convocate_v in_o field_n conventicle_n shall_v be_v punishable_a by_o death_n and_o confiscation_n of_o good_n and_o that_o those_o present_n at_o they_o shall_v be_v punish_v in_o double_a the_o respective_a fine_n appoint_v against_o house-meeting_n this_o act_n be_v date_v aug._n the_o 30_o 1670._o 13._o these_o act_n against_o separation_n in_o meeting-house_n or_o in_o the_o field_n be_v appoint_v to_o endure_v only_o for_o the_o space_n of_o three_o year_n unless_o his_o majesty_n shall_v think_v fit_a to_o continue_v they_o long_o wherefore_o his_o majesty_n consider_v that_o they_o have_v not_o receive_v due_a obedience_n and_o that_o the_o execution_n thereof_o have_v not_o be_v so_o prosecute_v as_o by_o the_o tenor_n of_o the_o same_o be_v prescribe_v find_v it_o necessary_a with_o the_o advice_n of_o his_o estate_n in_o parliament_n in_o sept._n 1672._o that_o they_o shall_v remain_v in_o force_n for_o other_o three_o year_n to_o come_v 14._o these_o be_v the_o penal_a law_n in_o scotland_n against_o the_o presbyterian_o make_v by_o divers_a free_a parliament_n against_o their_o sinful_a separation_n from_o the_o church_n to_o frequent_a meeting-house_n or_o field-conventicle_n upon_o mature_a consideration_n of_o the_o inconsistency_n of_o it_o with_o religion_n towards_o god_n affection_n to_o the_o law_n loyalty_n to_o the_o king_n or_o study_v of_o the_o public_a peace_n of_o the_o state_n and_o three_o rebellion_n in_o 23_o year_n from_o the_o year_n 1663._o to_o the_o year_n 1686_o have_v justify_v the_o justice_n and_o wisdom_n of_o these_o parliament_n but_o none_o ever_o suffer_v for_o mere_a separation_n but_o in_o purse_n and_o never_o any_o be_v punish_v that_o way_n but_o such_o as_o come_v to_o church_n to_o save_v their_o money_n notwithstanding_o all_o their_o pretend_a scruple_n of_o conscience_n wherefore_o unless_o we_o derogate_v from_o the_o authority_n of_o king_n and_o parliament_n justify_v rebellion_n and_o prefer_v private_a humour_n to_o public_a peace_n the_o impartial_a resolution_n of_o the_o present_a question_n be_v this_o that_o the_o penal_a law_n against_o the_o scotch_a presbyterian_o have_v nothing_o of_o persecution_n in_o they_o question_n vi_o whether_o the_o episcopal_a clergy_n in_o scotland_n from_o the_o year_n 1662._o to_o the_o year_n 1686_o show_v any_o thing_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o persecution_n against_o presbyterian_o 1._o notwithstanding_o that_o the_o presbyterian_o be_v please_v to_o say_v they_o be_v dragoon_v by_o the_o bishop_n and_o episcopal_a clergy_n allude_v to_o that_o way_n of_o conversion_n in_o france_n which_o indeed_o be_v procure_v by_o a_o address_n of_o the_o assembly_n of_o the_o clergy_n of_o that_o kingdom_n yet_o this_o be_v a_o palpable_a injustice_n and_o calumny_n for_o certain_a it_o be_v that_o all_o these_o twenty_o four_o year_n never_o produce_v one_o address_n of_o the_o presbyterial_a diocesan_n provincial_a or_o national_a assembly_n of_o the_o establish_v church_n of_o scotland_n either_o beseech_v the_o high_a court_n of_o parliament_n or_o the_o lord_n of_o the_o privy_a council_n to_o make_v or_o execute_v law_n against_o protestant_a dissenter_n wherefore_o notwithstanding_o all_o the_o passionate_a exhortation_n in_o private_a and_o the_o public_a sermon_n in_o the_o church_n concern_v the_o guiltiness_n of_o schism_n and_o the_o necessity_n of_o union_n among_o protestant_n against_o their_o common_a adversary_n the_o inferior_a clergy_n there_o can_v be_v possible_o charge_v with_o the_o spirit_n of_o persecution_n against_o presbyterian_o nay_o upon_o the_o contrary_a our_o clergy_n be_v so_o averse_a from_o give_v obedience_n to_o the_o act_n that_o enjoin_v they_o to_o present_v write_v list_n of_o the_o dissenter_n in_o their_o respective_a parish_n and_o so_o very_o inflexible_a to_o the_o public_a order_n for_o their_o judicial_a inform_v upon_o oath_n against_o separatist_n that_o the_o judge_n competent_a and_o officer_n of_o state_n chide_v they_o in_o public_a for_o disaffection_n to_o the_o royal_a government_n so_o that_o under_o that_o imputation_n they_o have_v nothing_o but_o their_o innocency_n to_o support_v they_o in_o the_o spirit_n of_o meekness_n and_o charity_n to_o their_o swear_a enemy_n 2._o again_o it_o be_v a_o great_a injustice_n to_o the_o lord_n spiritual_a the_o bishop_n to_o charge_v any_o of_o they_o as_o have_v be_v the_o first_o mover_n of_o those_o penal_a law_n against_o separation_n but_o since_o the_o repeat_v rebellion_n of_o forty_o year_n past_a convince_v all_o mankind_n of_o the_o necessity_n of_o those_o law_n for_o the_o security_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o peace_n of_o