the_o act_n of_o the_o assembly_n and_o to_o protest_v against_o all_o encroachment_n upon_o the_o liberty_n of_o the_o kirk_n in_o all_o which_o three_o they_o fail_v 1._o in_o the_o matter_n of_o preserve_v the_o doctrine_n not_o only_o because_o they_o teach_v and_o allow_v that_o malignant_n be_v subject_n may_v be_v employ_v and_o entrust_v for_o defence_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o kingdom_n as_o appear_v at_o length_n in_o their_o warn_v of_o the_o date_n january_n ______o 1651._o and_o in_o their_o answer_n to_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o presbytery_n of_o stirling_n at_o the_o same_o diet_n notwithstanding_o that_o the_o contrary_n have_v be_v constant_o teach_v and_o hold_v by_o this_o kirk_n these_o year_n past_a but_o also_o be_v instrumental_a unto_o the_o actual_a employ_v and_o entrust_v of_o these_o man_n which_o as_o to_o man_n can_v not_o but_o prove_v destructive_a to_o the_o doctrine_n worship_n discipline_n and_o government_n of_o this_o kirk_n 2._o in_o the_o matter_n of_o censure_a complyer_n and_o person_n dis-affected_n to_o the_o covenant_n according_a to_o the_o act_n of_o the_o assembly_n because_o they_o do_v not_o only_o allow_v person_n who_o be_v not_o of_o constant_a integrity_n and_o affection_n to_o the_o cause_n and_o of_o a_o blameless_a and_o christian_a conversation_n to_o be_v employ_v and_o entrust_v which_o be_v contrary_a to_o our_o solemn_a engagement_n but_o also_o because_o they_o take_v off_o censure_n which_o have_v be_v former_o inflict_v upon_o many_o dis-affected_n person_n who_o have_v not_o in_o their_o ordinary_a conversation_n give_v real_a testimony_n of_o their_o dislike_n of_o the_o late_a unlawful_a engagement_n and_o of_o the_o course_n and_o way_n of_o malignant_n and_o of_o their_o sorrow_n for_o accession_n to_o the_o same_o and_o to_o live_v sober_o righteous_o and_o godly_a notwithstanding_o that_o this_o be_v express_o provide_v by_o the_o act_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n 1649._o and_o do_v ordain_v presbytery_n to_o censure_v all_o such_o minister_n within_o their_o bound_n as_o do_v oppose_v or_o bear_v testimony_n against_o these_o their_o proceed_n 3._o in_o the_o matter_n of_o protest_v against_o encroachment_n upon_o the_o liberty_n of_o the_o kirk_n because_o when_o some_o minister_n be_v confine_v at_o perth_n by_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n for_o their_o doctrine_n before_o they_o be_v cite_v or_o sentence_v by_o any_o of_o the_o judicatories_n for_o the_o same_o they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o protest_v against_o this_o that_o as_o they_o be_v silent_a when_o these_o minister_n be_v first_o cite_v notwithstanding_o that_o the_o letter_n of_o citation_n be_v communicate_v unto_o they_o by_o the_o committee_n of_o estate_n so_o by_o a_o public_a paper_n give_v in_o to_o the_o parliament_n they_o do_v condemn_v the_o protestation_n of_o these_o minister_n against_o that_o citation_n and_o confinement_n which_o paper_n be_v especial_o approven_v in_o this_o act._n c._n it_o be_v not_o our_o purpose_n to_o fall_v upon_o the_o particular_n which_o be_v say_v to_o be_v especial_o approven_v here_o but_o by_o the_o word_n especial_o and_o by_o the_o particular_n which_o be_v here_o mention_v it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o spirit_n which_o rule_v in_o the_o assembly_n at_o dundee_n be_v zealous_a above_o measure_n for_o the_o public_a resolution_n most_o of_o all_o the_o proceed_n of_o the_o commission_n that_o relate_v thereunto_o or_o to_o the_o opposer_n thereof_o or_o any_o testimony_n give_v against_o the_o same_o be_v particular_o mention_v and_o especial_o without_o leave_v out_o much_o less_o except_v so_o much_o as_o their_o act_n concern_v the_o opposer_n of_o public_a resolution_n and_o letter_n to_o presbytery_n thereunto_o by_o which_o all_o of_o they_o be_v appoint_v to_o be_v cite_v as_o person_n guilty_a to_o the_o assembly_n and_o so_o be_v exclude_v from_o have_v any_o hand_n to_o treat_v or_o vote_v therein_o in_o any_o thing_n concern_v the_o public_a resolution_n which_o beside_o the_o injury_n do_v to_o the_o person_n be_v to_o prae-limit_n the_o assembly_n and_o to_o make_v it_o up_o of_o such_o only_a as_o do_v approve_v of_o their_o proceed_n d._n the_o generality_n of_o malignant_a and_o dis-affected_n person_n in_o the_o land_n who_o have_v be_v enemy_n to_o reformation_n and_o godliness_n do_v join_v in_o this_o high_a testimony_n and_o cry_v up_o these_o proceed_n and_o the_o author_n thereof_o as_o deserve_v high_a commendation_n but_o most_o of_o the_o godly_a of_o the_o land_n refuse_v to_o put_v to_o their_o seal_n thereto_o and_o make_v these_o proceed_n the_o matter_n of_o their_o mourning_n beg_a pardon_n and_o repentance_n unto_o the_o author_n thereof_o e._n this_o be_v another_o evidence_n what_o spirit_n lead_v that_o assembly_n as_o every_o thing_n must_v be_v cry_v up_o that_o make_v for_o strengthen_v of_o the_o public_a resolution_n so_o every_o thing_n must_v be_v cryed-down_a that_o make_v for_o weaken_v thereof_o yea_o that_o very_a declaration_n which_o before_o dumbar_n be_v unanimous_o condescend_v upon_o and_o approven_v both_o by_o the_o commission_n of_o the_o kirk_n and_o the_o committee_n of_o estate_n for_o hold_v forth_o the_o true_a state_n of_o the_o quarrel_n upon_o which_o the_o kingdom_n then_o fight_v and_o for_o shut_v out_o every_o malignant_a party_n or_o quarrel_n or_o interest_n 1._o by_o insinuate_v that_o it_o have_v already_o be_v to_o some_o a_o ground_n of_o unwarrantable_a proceed_n in_o these_o word_n of_o their_o act_n to_o the_o end_n it_o may_v not_o hereafter_o be_v to_o any_o a_o ground_n of_o unwarrantable_a proceed_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o king_n majesty_n or_o any_o of_o his_o successor_n 2._o they_o take_v only_o one_o clause_n of_o the_o whole_a declaration_n to_o wit_n that_o the_o king_n interest_n be_v not_o to_o be_v own_v but_o in_o subordination_n to_o god_n leave_v whole_o out_o another_o material_a part_n thereof_o to_o wit_n and_o so_o far_o as_o he_o own_v and_o prosecute_v the_o cause_n of_o god_n and_o disclaim_v he_o and_o his_o father_n opposition_n to_o the_o work_n of_o god_n and_o to_o the_o covenant_n and_o likewise_o all_o the_o enemy_n thereof_o which_o be_v again_o repeat_v thus_o in_o the_o close_a of_o that_o declaration_n and_o that_o they_o will_v with_o convenient_a speed_n take_v in_o consideration_n the_o paper_n late_o send_v unto_o they_o and_o vindicate_v themselves_o from_o all_o the_o falsehood_n contain_v therein_o especial_o in_o those_o thing_n wherein_o the_o quarrel_n betwixt_o we_o and_o that_o party_n be_v mis-stated_n as_o if_o we_o own_v the_o late_a king_n proceed_n and_o be_v resolve_v to_o prosecute_v and_o maintain_v his_o present_a majesty_n interest_n before_o and_o without_o acknowledgement_n of_o the_o sin_n of_o his_o house_n and_o former_a way_n and_o satisfaction_n to_o god_n people_n in_o both_o kingdom_n the_o omit_v of_o which_o clause_n do_v so_o far_o as_o i_o can_v discern_v either_o from_o the_o assembly_n own_o word_n or_o from_o the_o judgement_n and_o expression_n of_o these_o who_o have_v chief_a hand_n therein_o or_o from_o compare_v thing_n with_o thing_n indeed_o import_v a_o alter_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o question_n and_o bring_v it_o to_o that_o which_o be_v so_o much_o plead_v for_o by_o the_o opposer_n of_o reformation_n from_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o our_o difference_n with_o the_o king_n father_n especial_o by_o some_o of_o the_o author_n of_o the_o cross_a petition_n in_o 1643._o and_o of_o the_o unlawful_a engagement_n in_o the_o year_n 1648._o to_o wit_n that_o though_o the_o king_n do_v not_o disclaim_v his_o former_a opposition_n to_o the_o work_n of_o god_n and_o to_o the_o covenant_n and_o likewise_o all_o the_o enemy_n thereof_o and_o own_o and_o prosecute_v the_o cause_n of_o god_n yet_o we_o ought_v to_o own_o his_o kingly_a interest_n by_o admit_v he_o to_o the_o exercise_n of_o his_o royal_a power_n and_o obey_v he_o in_o all_o thing_n lawful_a which_o how_o far_o it_o reach_v as_o to_o the_o cast_v loose_a and_o condemn_v of_o the_o former_a proceed_n of_o this_o church_n and_o kingdom_n with_o the_o king_n and_o his_o father_n and_o make_v a_o new_a state_n of_o the_o question_n have_v be_v often_o heretofore_o show_v by_o this_o church_n and_o can_v but_o be_v obvious_a to_o every_o intelligent_a man_n two_o act_n of_o the_o assembly_n at_o dundee_n and_o one_o act_n of_o the_o assembly_n at_o edinburgh_n which_o relate_v unto_o censure_n dundee_n julii_n 31._o 1651._o antemer_n sess_n 19_o act_n for_o censure_v of_o those_o who_o do_v not_o acknowledge_v this_o present_a assembly_n and_o do_v not_o acquiesce_v to_o the_o act_n thereof_o etc._n etc._n the_o general_a assembly_n consider_v that_o all_o person_n who_o protest_v against_o and_o decline_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n be_v censurable_a by_o the_o act_n
no_o imputation_n either_o to_o themselves_o or_o to_o the_o cause_n which_o they_o maintain_v for_o it_o be_v neither_o man_n age_n nor_o condition_n that_o do_v difference_n they_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o god_n but_o their_o qualification_n and_o carriage_n which_o be_v know_v to_o be_v blameless_a and_o christian_n as_o to_o those_o who_o subscribe_v the_o protestation_n and_o if_o they_o can_v give_v any_o instance_n to_o the_o contrary_a i_o believe_v the_o protester_n will_v take_v it_o for_o a_o favour_n to_o have_v any_o inordinate_a walker_n of_o their_o number_n discover_v unto_o they_o &_o shall_v account_v it_o not_o the_o weaken_n but_o the_o strengthen_n of_o their_o cause_n to_o be_v rid_v of_o such_o yea_o at_o that_o meeting_n where_o the_o protestation_n be_v subscribe_v it_o be_v their_o care_n to_o admit_v none_o to_o join_v with_o they_o but_o such_o as_o be_v of_o a_o know_a integrity_n or_o if_o not_o so_o well_o know_v to_o all_o yet_o such_o as_o have_v the_o testimony_n of_o other_o who_o be_v know_v to_o all_o and_o be_v such_o how_o mean_a soever_o their_o condition_n be_v that_o can_v not_o be_v a_o reason_n or_o ground_n to_o refuse_v their_o testimony_n when_o it_o be_v willing_o offer_v n._n albeit_o a_o great_a deal_n ado_n be_v make_v upon_o that_o expression_n yet_o there_o be_v truth_n in_o the_o bottom_n of_o it_o most_o of_o these_o in_o the_o land_n who_o have_v a_o testimony_n in_o the_o conscience_n of_o true_o godly_a minister_n or_o professor_n either_o upon_o the_o one_o side_n or_o the_o other_o for_o acquaintance_n with_o god_n and_o the_o power_n of_o godliness_n be_v of_o that_o mind_n and_o if_o this_o expression_n satisfy_v not_o that_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o godly_a stand_n for_o that_o divisive_a way_n i_o shall_v give_v they_o one_o that_o they_o can_v less_o contradict_v that_o be_v that_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o wicked_a be_v against_o that_o divisive_a way_n and_o for_o their_o unite_n way_n yea_o i_o trow_v that_o sober_a man_n among_o themselves_o will_v not_o refuse_v it_o that_o the_o wicked_a malignant_a loose_a profane_a person_n in_o the_o land_n almost_o to_o a_o man_n and_o as_o one_o man_n do_v zealous_o and_o to_o their_o pith_n oppose_v and_o contradict_v and_o reproach_v that_o divisive_a way_n and_o cordial_o promote_v and_o commend_v their_o unite_n way_n or_o the_o way_n of_o these_o two_o assembly_n at_o dundee_n and_o edinburgh_n and_o though_o this_o argument_n be_v now_o undervalue_v yet_o be_v it_o wont_a to_o bear_v weight_n in_o the_o 48_o year_n of_o god_n against_o the_o unlawful_a engagement_n and_o i_o confess_v with_o i_o be_v of_o a_o very_a great_a weight_n that_o which_o relish_v so_o well_o to_o the_o palate_n of_o profane_a loose_a man_n and_o of_o such_o as_o have_v zealous_o oppose_v the_o work_n of_o god_n and_o the_o power_n of_o godliness_n these_o year_n past_a and_o wherein_o their_o heart_n do_v so_o much_o rejoice_v i_o fear_v have_v too_o much_o of_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o world_n &_o too_o little_a of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n in_o it_o o._n this_o way_n do_v not_o divide_v from_o any_o point_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n but_o lead_v in_o the_o good_a old_a path_n of_o former_a sound_a principle_n and_o can_v be_v just_o charge_v as_o divisive_a because_o it_o will_v not_o unite_v with_o a_o course_n of_o defection_n and_o therefore_o there_o can_v be_v no_o just_a reason_n to_o say_v that_o it_o tend_v to_o the_o hinder_v of_o reformation_n and_o peace_n the_o true_a fountain_n of_o our_o division_n do_v spring_n from_o the_o public_a resolution_n which_o divide_v many_o from_o receive_v truth_n and_o former_a principle_n and_o do_v necessitate_v other_o to_o evidence_n their_o cleave_v thereto_o by_o testify_v against_o such_o backslide_n neither_o know_v i_o any_o thing_n that_o have_v so_o direct_o tend_v to_o the_o hindrance_n of_o the_o work_n of_o reformation_n as_o their_o public_a resolution_n do_v the_o work_n of_o reformation_n as_o to_o the_o outward_n of_o it_o in_o church_n and_o state_n do_v much_o stand_n in_o purge_v the_o ministry_n and_o eldership_n and_o the_o judicatories_n and_o the_o army_n and_o have_v not_o all_o these_o be_v obstruct_v by_o the_o public_a resolution_n which_o lay_v a_o foundation_n for_o bring_v into_o the_o army_n and_o the_o judicatories_n man_n of_o questionable_a integrity_n disaffect_v to_o reformation_n and_o of_o scandalous_a conversation_n and_o have_v not_o only_o blunt_v but_o turn_v the_o edge_n of_o any_o zeal_n that_o be_v former_o bend_v against_o ignorant_a dis-affected_n and_o scandalous_a minister_n and_o elder_n and_o professor_n against_o these_o who_o can_v be_v consent_v to_o the_o late_a course_n p._n separation_n and_o schism_n have_v be_v the_o ordinary_a charge_n of_o backsliders_a against_o such_o as_o will_v not_o concur_v with_o they_o in_o every_o age_n of_o the_o church_n and_o some_o of_o the_o most_o eminent_a of_o these_o who_o be_v now_o for_o the_o public_a resolution_n may_v remember_v that_o they_o be_v not_o only_o load_v herewith_o by_o the_o prelate_n when_o they_o do_v oppose_v the_o course_n of_o conformity_n but_o also_o by_o all_o the_o malignant_a and_o dis-affected_n person_n in_o the_o land_n when_o they_o do_v oppose_v the_o course_n of_o malignancie_n but_o to_o say_v nothing_o that_o this_o assembly_n at_o edinburgh_n have_v teach_v the_o protester_n a_o way_n of_o separation_n which_o they_o can_v well_o condemn_v unless_o they_o condemn_v their_o own_o judgement_n and_o practice_n i_o mean_v the_o allow_v of_o the_o small_a part_n not_o only_o to_o divide_v from_o the_o great_a but_o also_o to_o act_v without_o they_o and_o exercise_v authority_n over_o they_o i_o desire_v 1._o that_o they_o will_v be_v please_v to_o let_v the_o world_n know_v what_o truth_n that_o have_v be_v teach_v in_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n either_o concern_v faith_n or_o good_a work_n or_o worship_n or_o discipline_n or_o government_n they_o have_v depart_v or_o separate_v from_o be_v it_o a_o separation_n because_o they_o will_v not_o approve_v of_o nor_o submit_v unto_o the_o authority_n of_o two_o corrupt_a and_o unfree_a assembly_n 2._o i_o desire_v it_o to_o be_v consider_v that_o whatsoever_o be_v in_o the_o matter_n of_o separation_n the_o protester_n be_v not_o separantes_fw-la but_o separati_fw-la not_o fugientes_fw-la but_o fugati_fw-la they_o be_v drive_v violent_o by_o unjust_a censure_n and_o persecution_n as_o i_o have_v already_o show_v from_o the_o public_a acts._n q._n if_o they_o be_v indeed_o of_o the_o opinion_n that_o difference_n of_o judgement_n in_o these_o thing_n shall_v be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o joint_a act_n in_o public_a judicatories_n than_o it_o concern_v they_o for_o their_o own_o vindication_n and_o for_o reconcile_a their_o practice_n with_o their_o opinion_n to_o tell_v we_o why_o their_o assembly_n at_o s._n andrews_n do_v not_o only_o approve_v of_o the_o act_n of_o commission_n appoint_v those_o who_o oppose_v the_o public_a resolution_n to_o be_v censure_v but_o also_o make_v act_n of_o their_o own_o for_o censure_v of_o such_o and_o why_o the_o assembly_n at_o edinburgh_n do_v ordain_v that_o elder_n and_o expectant_n who_o will_v not_o engage_v themselves_o under_o their_o hand_n to_o abstain_v from_o hold_v up_o this_o difference_n be_v to_o be_v exclude_v from_o sit_v in_o presbytery_n and_o be_v receive_v as_o minister_n sure_o if_o this_o difference_n need_v be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o joint_a act_n in_o public_a judicatories_n the_o maintain_v thereof_o be_v without_o ground_n make_v a_o cause_n of_o censure_n which_o must_v incapacitat_fw-la man_n to_o act_v or_o of_o exclusion_n which_o must_v bar_v they_o from_o joint_a act_n in_o judicatory_n what_o shall_v be_v say_v to_o this_o i_o do_v not_o know_v unless_o it_o be_v allege_v that_o it_o be_v not_o simple_o difference_n of_o judgement_n that_o be_v make_v a_o ground_n of_o censure_n or_o exclusion_n but_o difference_n of_o judgement_n kithe_v in_o oppose_v the_o public_a resolution_n or_o hold_v up_o debate_v and_o controversy_n in_o preach_v or_o write_v about_o these_o thing_n but_o first_o if_o it_o be_v mean_v of_o that_o difference_n of_o judgement_n that_o be_v inward_a only_a it_o be_v to_o small_a purpose_n because_o that_o be_v latent_fw-la and_o not_o know_v to_o i_o can_v be_v make_v a_o ground_n for_o my_o withdraw_a from_o joint_a act_n with_o these_o who_o thus_o differ_v from_o i_o and_o if_o it_o be_v know_v and_o profess_v how_o shall_v there_o be_v any_o know_a difference_n of_o judgement_n without_o some_o opposition_n to_o the_o adverse_a judgement_n especial_o if_o it_o be_v establish_v in_o a_o law_n he_o who_o profess_v and_o declare_v the_o difference_n of_o his_o judgement_n from_o the_o law_n and_o dis-satisfaction_n
therewith_o be_v he_o not_o in_o so_o far_o a_o weakner_n gainsayer_n and_o opposer_n thereof_o 2._o if_o they_o mean_v it_o thus_o they_o have_v not_o measure_v the_o same_o measure_n unto_o themselves_o and_o to_o other_o they_o will_v have_v other_o to_o pass_v from_o their_o protestation_n under_o their_o hand_n and_o to_o engage_v themselves_o not_o to_o hold_v up_o debate_n otherwise_o they_o will_v not_o act_v joint_o with_o they_o in_o the_o judicatories_n nor_o allow_v they_o the_o legal_a capacity_n to_o act_v at_o all_o and_o yet_o while_o they_o will_v do_v no_o such_o thing_n themselves_o in_o reference_n to_o their_o assembly_n and_o the_o act_n thereof_o yea_o will_v have_v these_o assembly_n to_o stand_v as_o free_v and_o lawful_a and_o all_o the_o act_n thereof_o wherein_o their_o judgement_n be_v involve_v as_o bind_v and_o obligatory_a they_o desire_v that_o their_o brethren_n may_v be_v deal_v with_o not_o to_o let_v this_o hinder_v they_o from_o a_o joint_a act_n in_o the_o public_a judicatories_n 3._o if_o it_o be_v only_o the_o oppose_a of_o public_a resolution_n and_o the_o hold_v up_o of_o debate_n that_o they_o quarrel_n with_o how_o be_v it_o that_o in_o presbytery_n they_o will_v have_v young_a man_n who_o have_v hitherto_o be_v silent_a public_o to_o declare_v themselves_o anent_o these_o thing_n or_o else_o refuse_v to_o admit_v they_o to_o their_o trial_n or_o to_o stop_v they_o be_v admit_v or_o to_o refuse_v they_o testimonial_n be_v approven_v act_n for_o put_v in_o execution_n former_a act_n and_o constitution_n of_o general_n assembly_n anent_o try_v admit_v removing_z and_o depose_v of_o church_n officer_n censure_v of_o scandalous_a person_n receive_v of_o penitent_n and_o debar_v of_o person_n from_o the_o lord_n table_n edinburgh_n 3_o august_n 1652._o postmeridiem_fw-la sess_n 20._o the_o general_n assembly_n consider_v the_o obligation_n that_o lie_v upon_o all_o ecclesiastic_a judicatory_n and_o minister_n within_o this_o land_n by_o the_o commandment_n of_o god_n and_o our_o covenant_n and_o engagement_n take_v upon_o we_o before_o god_n and_o the_o world_n whereunto_o they_o resolve_v in_o the_o power_n of_o the_o lord_n might_n constant_o to_o adhere_v and_o to_o show_v themselves_o faithful_a and_o zealous_a in_o all_o their_o administration_n for_o the_o lord_n and_o for_o advance_v the_o work_n of_o reformation_n and_o particular_o consider_v that_o the_o condition_n of_o this_o time_n do_v require_v in_o special_a way_n that_o in_o try_v admit_v removing_z and_o depose_v of_o church-officer_n censure_v of_o scandalous_a person_n dispense_n of_o ordinance_n receive_v of_o penitent_n the_o rule_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o constitution_n of_o this_o kirk_n be_v diligent_o put_v in_o execution_n and_o accurat_o observe_v therefore_o the_o assembly_n ordain_v that_o presbytery_n and_o synod_n in_o admit_v of_o person_n to_o the_o ministry_n be_v accurate_a in_o their_o trial_n according_a to_o the_o order_n prescribe_v in_o this_o church_n that_o none_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o holy_a and_o high_a function_n but_o such_o as_o be_v qualify_v according_a as_o be_v require_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o constitution_n of_o this_o kirk_n both_o for_o knowledge_n in_o the_o mystery_n of_o godliness_n and_o ability_n to_o teach_v and_o convince_v the_o gainsayers_a as_o also_o in_o conversation_n and_o godliness_n that_o they_o lay_v hand_n sudden_o on_o no_o man_n nor_o be_v partaker_n of_o other_o man_n sin_n and_o for_o this_o end_n that_o every_o presbytery_n be_v careful_a to_o have_v gather_v together_o such_o act_n of_o assembly_n as_o concern_v the_o trial_n of_o minister_n and_o have_v they_o before_o they_o whensoever_o any_o person_n be_v call_v to_o any_o place_n of_o the_o ministry_n and_o be_v upon_o his_o trial_n 2._o ordain_v that_o presbytery_n and_o synod_n in_o their_o respective_a bound_n make_v conscience_n that_o such_o minister_n as_o be_v find_v either_o ignorant_a and_o not_o apt_a to_o feed_v the_o people_n of_o god_n with_o knowledge_n and_o understanding_n or_o erroneous_a in_o their_o judgement_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n or_o be_v scandalous_a in_o their_o life_n and_o conversation_n and_o be_v not_o example_n unto_o their_o flock_n in_o godly_a and_o holy_a walk_n or_o disaffect_v to_o the_o work_n of_o reformation_n be_v censure_v according_a to_o the_o degree_n of_o their_o offence_n and_o act_n of_o assembly_n and_o for_o this_o end_n that_o they_o be_v frequent_a and_o accurate_a in_o visitation_n of_o kirk_n and_o therein_o make_v conscientious_a use_n of_o the_o rule_v prescribe_v for_o visitation_n and_o of_o such_o act_n of_o former_a assembly_n as_o hold_v forth_o the_o duty_n of_o minister_n and_o the_o ground_n and_o cause_n of_o censure_n 3._o ordain_v that_o where_o minister_n lawful_o depose_v be_v unlawful_o admit_v and_o not_o according_a to_o the_o order_n prescribe_v in_o the_o act_n of_o general_n assembly_n or_o intrude_v themselves_o into_o place_n presbytery_n and_o synod_n make_v use_v of_o that_o power_n and_o authority_n which_o christ_n have_v put_v in_o their_o hand_n to_o remedy_v the_o same_o and_o to_o censure_v such_o disorder_n and_o enormity_n as_o they_o deserve_v and_o that_o people_n be_v not_o accessary_a unto_o or_o concur_v with_o any_o minister_n that_o be_v depose_v in_o intrude_a themselves_o into_o place_n nor_o give_v they_o any_o countenance_n that_o do_v so_o as_o they_o will_v not_o draw_v upon_o themselves_o the_o wrath_n of_o god_n by_o contemn_v and_o despise_v christ_n ordinance_n of_o discipline_n and_o that_o no_o presbytery_n or_o synod_n proceed_v to_o open_v the_o mouth_n of_o or_o re-admit_a unto_o the_o ministry_n any_o depose_a minister_n but_o according_a to_o the_o order_n prescribe_v in_o the_o act_n of_o general_n assembly_n as_o they_o will_v be_v answerable_a unto_o the_o general_n assembly_n 4._o ordain_v that_o session_n be_v careful_a that_o none_o be_v admit_v to_o be_v elder_n in_o congregation_n but_o such_o as_o be_v in_o some_o competent_a measure_n able_a and_o qualify_v with_o knowledge_n of_o religion_n and_o understanding_n of_o the_o duty_n of_o their_o call_v for_o discharge_v the_o duty_n of_o that_o office_n and_o of_o a_o blameless_a christian_a and_o godly_a conversation_n and_o that_o before_o any_o be_v admit_v to_o be_v a_o elder_a the_o person_n name_n that_o be_v design_v be_v public_o intimate_v to_o the_o congregation_n the_o lord_n day_n before_o that_o if_o any_o have_v any_o thing_n to_o object_n against_o he_o they_o may_v present_v the_o same_o to_o the_o session_n or_o to_o the_o minister_n and_o that_o if_o any_o elder_a be_v find_v negligent_a in_o the_o duty_n of_o his_o charge_n and_o continue_v so_o after_o admonition_n or_o scandalous_a in_o his_o life_n and_o conversation_n or_o to_o be_v a_o neglecter_n of_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n in_o his_o family_n he_o be_v remove_v from_o and_o purge_v out_o of_o the_o session_n 5._o ordain_v that_o session_n and_o presbytery_n be_v careful_a and_o make_v conscience_n by_o all_o mean_n to_o censure_v impartial_o all_o person_n of_o whatsoever_o rank_n or_o condition_n that_o be_v scandalous_a either_o in_o thing_n of_o the_o first_o or_o in_o thing_n of_o the_o second_o table_n according_a to_o the_o rule_n and_o order_n which_o christ_n have_v prescribe_v in_o his_o word_n and_o to_o proceed_v to_o the_o high_a censure_n with_o such_o as_o be_v gross_o and_o obstinate_o scandalous_a or_o be_v ignorant_a and_o contemn_v and_o continued_o neglect_v the_o mean_n of_o knowledge_n as_o public_a and_o private_a catechise_n etc._n etc._n after_o they_o be_v make_v inexcusable_a by_o sufficient_a mean_n use_v to_o reclaim_v and_o gain_v they_o 6._o ordain_v that_o minister_n and_o session_n in_o congregation_n be_v careful_a as_o they_o will_v be_v answerable_a to_o christ_n jesus_n to_o debar_v from_o the_o lord_n table_n all_o such_o person_n as_o be_v find_v not_o to_o walk_v suitable_o to_o the_o gospel_n and_o be_v convince_v and_o admonish_v thereof_o do_v not_o reform_v as_o also_o all_o such_o as_o have_v not_o knowledge_n to_o examine_v themselves_o and_o to_o discern_v the_o lord_n body_n and_o that_o for_o the_o more_o orderly_o perform_v of_o this_o the_o minister_n in_o examination_n of_o the_o people_n have_v some_o of_o the_o elder_n always_o with_o he_o and_o represent_v unto_o the_o session_n such_o as_o be_v find_v gross_o ignorant_a that_o by_o order_n of_o the_o session_n they_o may_v be_v debar_v 7._o that_o presbytery_n and_o session_n make_v conscience_n that_o such_o person_n as_o be_v find_v scandalous_a and_o be_v under_o censure_n for_o that_o cause_n be_v not_o receive_v nor_o absolve_v from_o their_o censure_n unless_o they_o give_v such_o satisfaction_n and_o evidence_n of_o their_o repentance_n as_o be_v express_v in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o assembly_n concern_v the_o