the Committee of Estates were about the condemning of the Remonstrance they having it in Commission from these that sent them and thinking it incumbent to them in duty to desire an answer and in such an exigent to professe their adherence thereto did make application to the Committee of Estates for that effect after which the Committee of Estates did pass severall Votes condemning the Remonstrance to the great grief of sundry of their own number who did dissent from it and protest against the same and the sentence of the Committee being communicated to the Commission of the Church and they also desired by them to give their judgement of the Remonstrance These who were sent from the West did earnestly supplicate the Commission before they should give any sentence upon the Remonstrance that they would be pleased to allow them some time till they might return and communicate with these who had sent them hoping that all of them would give such an explication or their meaning in the things which were stumbled at as would satisfie the Commission Which desire seemed so reasonable in it self and necessary at that time for preventing of differences and the grieving of the spirits of many gracious and godly men who had been faithfull and zealous in the Cause from the beginning that many Members of the Commission did earnestly presse that it might be granted especially seeing they had met with so great disappointment in the carriage of the Committee of Estates in order to that business yet notwithstanding hereof it was refused and the Commission did proceed also to condemne the Remonstrance and refer the further sentencing of it to the General Assembly sundry of these who were at Sterlin being now gone and some others come from places more Northward which gave occasion to sundry at that time to apprehend that which is now plainly profest by some considerable Members of the Committee of Estates who were eager in condemning the Remonstrance that if they had not been put upon it by some Members of the Commission they would not have done â—t from this vote of the Commission a considerable number of their Members about sixteen or seventeen as I remember did dissent and the persons interessed in the Remonstrance did protest and I fear not to say that this peremptory precipitant and needlesse haste of the plurality of the Commission in that particular was a great occasion of all the division and rent that followed thereafter In the mean while the Malignants who had risen in Arms were agreed with and an Act of Indempnity was past to them and Colonell Montgomerie was sent against the Western Forces with directions to force them if they would not willingly agree to the States demands and it was no great wonder if after so many dayes staying at Sterlin and Perth they thought fit to return home when not only the edge of the censures of Church and State but of the Civill Sword which was just now imployed against the Malignants that rose in Arms without any warrand is on a sudden turned against the Western Forces which were raised by their special Warrant and encouragement exprest in diverse Acts and frequent Letters VINDICATION FOurthly Taking upon them to determine matters of most publick and greatest concernment antecedent unto and without so much as once speaking or waiting for the judgment of the Publick Judicatories to which the determination of such matters do belong and private men and inferiour Judicatories ought to have their recourse to before they take upon them to eâ—it any determination thereanent witnesse the Western Remonstrance determining the exclusion of the Kings Interest out of the quarrell of the Defensive War before any advice or sentence given thereupon or once sought from any Publick Judicatory REVIEW THe matter of most publick and greatest concernment which he alleadges they take upon them to determine was the exclusion of the Kings interest out of the quarrell of the defensiue War before any advice or sentence given thereupon or once sought from any publick Judicatory but they did not determine the exclusion of the Kings interest out of the quarrell of the defensive war otherwise then it had been before that time determined both by Church and State by their joynt Declarations at the West Church of the date 13. of Aug. 1650. which at the time of the contriving of the Remonstrance was standing unrepealed and to which there was the more reason then to adhere because the King had deserted the Publick Counsels of the Kingdom and joyned himself to the Malignant party I know there are two things here alledged 1. That that Declaration at the West Church was repealed by the Kings subscriving the Declaration emitted by him at Dumfermeling a litle thereafter 2. That the Remonstrance goes a greater length in excluding the Kings Interest then that Declaration at the West Chutch To the first of these I answer that the Kings emitting of his Declaration did not in the Judgement of the Committee of Estates and Commission of the Church repeal the other and therefore the other Declaration had been sent unto the English Army before the King did emit his Declaration so after that upon the emitting and sending thereof to the Generall of the English Forces he did make a return importing their sense thereupon The other Declaration at the West Kirk with a Letter was sent back intimating that we did still adhere unto and intend to fight upon that state of quarrell contained therin to the other it was often offered by these who came from the West that if there was any thing in the Remonstrance that seemed to go a greater length in that particular then the Declaration at the West Church had done they were willing to explain it and to fight on that state of the quarrell that was contained in that Declaration without adding altering or diminishing but that was not accepted of and order was given a litle thereafter to Colonell Robert Mountgomery to desire or force them in the West to joyn under him and fight for the Kings interest in all his Dominions as afterwards the Meeting at Dundee did ratifie all the proceedings of the former Commission excepting that Declaration of the 13. of August which as it did insinuate a tacite condemning thereof and of that state of our quarrell and cause upon which we have fought these 13. years past so did it insinuate a new state of quarrell in order to the Kings interest VINDICATION FIfthly emitting causes of a Publick fast and sending them abroad to all the Presbyteries and Congregations of the Kingdom being but private men and not having Authority nor being a Publick Judicatory witnesse the Fast appointed and Causes thereof emitted from Striveling the 1. September 1650. wherein take these things to consideration 1. The Meeting that emitted these Causes were no Publick Judicatorie but some members of the Presbytery of the Army and some of the Commissioners 2. That sundry godly and understanding
men in that Meeting earnestly endeavoured that condescending upon Publick Causes of the wrath of God manifested in that defate at Dumbar as Causes of a Fast might be delayed untill the week next following that there might be a full Meeting of the Commission conveened together to go about that purpose with Authority and more deliberation but were born down by the vehemency and head-strong forwardnesse of some who are chief men in this Protestation professing so much respect to the established Government of this Kirk 3. That there was no necessity of haste in emitting particular Causes there was rather much danger in doing it upon so short deliberation seing the publick calamity and known publick sins was causes evident enough to all of humiliation for the present and within lesse then eight dayes a Meeting of the Commission might have been conveened as it was de facto conveened within that space to condescend upon particulars all these things being considered was it not usurpation and contempt of lawfull Authority and the Government established in this Kirk to say that the Commission at their Meeting which followed did approve of the causes emitted by them it doth not avail to clear them from usurpation and contempt of the Government for to say nothing of that that the Commission did both alter somethings in them and adde to them about recommending prayer for the King as well as mourning for his sins in the humiliation which was seemed to have been purposely left out as appeared by the debate made about it when it was mentioned and desired in the Commission for the space of half an hour at least by Mr. James Guthrie and the Register to say nothing of this that which the Commission approved was the matter of these causes and not the way of emission wherewith many of the Commission shewed themselves exceedingly dis-satisfied as a practise without example and a preparative tending to the overthrow of the Authority of Government but did forbear to challenge it at that time for peace sake REVIEW THere is a great deal adoe here for little or nothing which saith that there must be some mystery in the bottom before I come to discover it I shall make answer to the particulars alledged First by a narration of the History as it was in matter of fact and then by taking off the things which are challenged by the Author Our Army being defeat at Dumbar upon the Tuesday morning and some of the scattered Forces having retired towards Striveling in the end of that week a considerable number of the members of the Commission and Presbytery with the Army did meet there to take in consideration what was fit for them to do in that juncture of time affairs and after mutuall debate and advice finding that in all appearance they might be driven from thence and scattered one from another very suddenly the Town then not being fenced nor any furniture or provision in it nor we having any bodie of standing Forces in the fields to interpose betwixt the Town and the Enemy and the hand of God laying heavy and sore upon the Army and upon the whole Land by that dreadfull stroak at Dumbar they thought it expedient that there being one or two wanting to make a Quorum of the Commission and these of the Commission who were present being also members of the Presbytery of the Army and sundry other Ministers who were also members of that Presbytery being present that they should set down the heads of these things for which as they conceived the Lord had smitten us send them abroad to the Presbyteries throughout the land with a Letter written from the Presbytery of the Army not injoining them as causes of a humiliation to be keeped by any Authority but humbly representing them as their thoughts â—n so sad a time and desiring their brethren to join in a publick Fast and humiliation thereupon What usurpation or contempt of lawfull Authority and the government established in this Church was here As to the things challenged by the Author they did not assume to themselves any authority but onely write their humble advice as their Letter did humbly shew and this they might do yea it was expedient for them to do it as things then stood neither were they so private as the Author insinuates the Author speaks a little diminutively of them when he cals them some members of the Commission and some members of the Presbytery of the Army there wanted but one or two of a Quorum of the Commission and the Presbytery of the Army was numerous and well conveened as many certainly as gave them power to Act in any thing that was fit for the Presbytery to meddle with These sundry godly and understanding men of whoâ— he speaks who were for a delay were but a few and when the rest of their Brethren did not finde it expedient they did not eâ—ter any dissent which belike they would have done if they had thought it a busines of any such consequence as the Author would â—ow make it when he sayeth they were born down by the head strong forwardnesse of some professing so much respect to the established government of this Church He doth but shew himself like the man who wanting better weapons did throw feathers at his adversary which did manifest a great deal of desire to reach blows but drew no bloud all the Protesters who were then present were two or three at most and they had no more voices but their own but it seems that in some mens judgement where ever any Protesters are they must bear the blame of all the things that are conceived to be done amisse As to the next there was a necessity because there was no appearance that they would get leave to stay together for to meet with any conveniency for a long time thereafter let be that the Commission might meet within eight dayes as the Author asserts It will be acknowledged by such as knew the truth that if the English had at any time within eight dayes after Dumbar either advanced with their whole Army or sent any considerable part thereof to Striveling they had in all appearance gained that place and so made an easie passe for themselves to overrun the whole Land and was it not every bodies fear that they should so have done at that time yea did not all of us many time blesse God that they did it not And what could be the danger of emitting these causes by way of humble desire and brotherly representation seing they did medle with nothing but that which was palpable and manifest yea which for the matter had been condescended upon by the Commission before that time and was as the Author himself acknowledgeth such as the Commission did at their next Meeting approve the onely thing that had any shadow of newness in it was that of the crooked and precipitant wayes that had been taken for carrying on the Treaty with the King
poor weak men compassed with many infirmities and subject to the like passions with others but that they have reason to be humbled in a speciall way upon the accompt of being the Authors let be the main Authors and promovers of these rents and divisions is a groundlesse and unjust charge which no man is able to make out the Author doth either unknowingly or willingly mistake in that which he calls the first step of the divisions to wit the dividing of one part of the remnant of the Army from the Army by these Brethren These Gentlemen who did remove from Sterlin immediatly after Dunbar unto the West did go thither by the order and approbation of the Committee of Estates who did also appoint the Leavies of the West and their Conducters and designed their work to them from time to time as can be made good by many Acts and Letters under the Lord Chancellour and Clerk of the Committees hand and they were therein also countenanced by the Commission of the Church who wrote to them for their encouragement yea it was the counsell of some of these who were chief in the Assembly at Dundee that these Gentlemen went West That they did not joyn with the rest of the Forces of the Kingdom was because it was refused to state the War as it was formerly stated by the Declation of the Church and State on the 13. of August 1650. and to satisfie them in the conduct of the Army by appointing a man qualified according to the solemn Engagement to lead the Forces What he sayeth of the Remonstrance which he calls the next step of our division is answered already except that which he alleadges that it doth in the close thereof contain a bond engaging themselves to prosecute the matters of that Remonstrance according to their power which hath been often cleared by themselves that it did contain no new bond to any new thing but a declaration of their resolutions to keep their former bonds and engagements in testimony whereof they were willing and did often offer to explain their meaning in this particular for the satisfaction of these who doubted thereof He doth under favour make a very lame relation of the Conference at Pearth In that conference these Gentlemen and Ministers who were sent from the West did often declare that they were willing to fight upon that state of the quarrell holden forth in the Declaration of the 13. August and to joyn under the leading Officer of the Forces of the Kingdom providing that he were a man qualified according to the solemn Engagement to duties to wit of a blamelesse and Christian conversation and of unquestionable integrity and affection to the Cause of God In neither of which satisfaction was offered unto them and therefore it is no wonder though they had refused to hearken to the Proposition which the Author speaks of What he sayeth of their with-drawing themselves from the Commission upon occasion of condemning the Remonstrance and of their not daigning to come again I have already answered somewhat unto it and shall answer more hereafter For clearing of that which concerns the Letters written to the Commission and testimonies given against the Commissions Answer to the Parliaments Quare I shall first set down some thing of the matter of fact then answer shortly to what the Author sayeth After that the Party of Malignant and disaffected men in the Land who by subtility and fair pretences had got the power of the Judicatories and of the Army in their hand Anno 1648. were defeat at Preston the Kingdome and Kirk of Scotland taking in consideration how often they had been deceived by that Party and how much they had sinned against God and smarted under his hand by intrusting of them and complying with them did in a solemn publick way confess this sin and did solemnly before the Lord engage themselves to do no more so but to be carefull to purge out all scandalous and malignant men out of the Judicatories and Army and to endeavour that such as was intrusted therein should be of a blamelesse and Christian conversation and of constant integrity and affection to the Cause of God In order to this solemn Confession and engagement did many Supplications Warnings Remonstrances and Declarations issue from the Commission of the Church and severall Lawes and Acts from the Parliament and Commitree of Estates for purging and keeping pure the Judicatories the Army according to which many endeavours were used for putting the same in execution which for some time went on with some measure of successe and blessing but that so good and necessary a work did very soon begin to be retarded and opposed first closely and in an undermining way by some who did again begin to owne Malignant Interests and afterwards more openly and avowedly yet was the sinfulnesse of complying with and employing that Party so much abhorred and feared by the Church of Scotland that not onely did the Commission of the Generall Assembly of the year 1649. and the Generall Assembly it self 1650. in the very time when the Land was invaded by the English declare the employing and intrusting of such to be unlawfull even in the case of scarcity of men for the Lands defence but also the Commission of the Generall Assembly of the year 1650. did after the defeat at Dunbar once and again give publick warning to all the Land to beware of complyances with that Party and to take heed that under a pretence of doing for the Cause and for the Kingdom they get not power and strength in their hands for advancing and promoting their old malignant designes yea the question being directly propounded by the King to the Commission concerning the employing of these men it was answered negatively in a Letter written to him for that effect yet after all this the Commission did at an occasional Meeting give that Answer to the Parliaments Quaere by which a door was opened to the speedy taking in and employing of all that Party first into the Army and then into the Judicatories Concerning which occasionall Meeting I desire to be observed that notwithstanding of all that is formerly said and that it was known that many members of the Commission and many godly Ministers and Professors throughout the Land were in their judgements opposite to the imploying and intrusting of these men and that the resolving to imploy them before satisfaction given to mens consciences in the point could not but be matter of great stumbling and offence and that a little before that time there had been one or two solemn Meetings of the Commission and that there was a set Meeting of the Commission to be within a week or two thereafter yet was there no mention of that businesse in these solemn frequent Meetings and the other set Meeting was prevented by that occasionall Meeting called by the Moderators Letter upon the desire of the Parliament the leading men whereof at that time
means of but I do well know that the men of that Meeting who are most slandered as the plotters and contrivers of such things had neither head nor hand nor heart in that Paper and if I rightly remember I heard it asserted by the Author of it there was no other head nor pen in it but his own these who know him wel may think that he hath that much ability as to reach the stile contrivance and conceptâ—ons in these Articles and therefore whilest the Author speaks these things by the way he hath gone a little out of the way That which he would have chiefly observed in this passage is To what purpose in this place are brought in these unfaithfull men the Prelates who minding thâ—iâ— own things c. and such an inference made thereupon as tendeth to bear all in hand that shall happen to read the Protestation that the Brethren that have been lately and are opposite â—o the Protesters have been and are treading the steps of these unfaithfull men the Prelates and heir mentioned practises and shrewd suggestions as he cals them on which he wâ—xeth hot in the Vindication of his Brethren and in recriminations upon others but I desire him and others who read these things in sobernesse of mâ—nde to consider first that the estimation which the Protesters have of the ability and godlinesse of sundry of the Brethren who have been and are opposite to them in the Publick Resolutions is above exception and manifest I hope to the Consciences of these Brethren themselves 2. That this needs not nor ought not to hinder them to give their judgement of their way in order to the Publick Resolutions if so be it be done without personal reflections so far as is possible 3. That as the Author hath distinguished before there is a difference between mens intention and their work men may be treading the steps of defection as these unfaithfull men the Prelats did who yet do it not with an unfaithful and prelatical mind even as in these same very times of the course of defection that was carried on by the Prelats there was sundry able and godly men ingaged therein without whose help it could not have been so easily nor unobservedly to many carryed on by the multitude of carnall and corrupt men who would have been but a small credite without these other 4. That if the Protesters had had to do with these onely whose faithfulnesse integrity honesty and constancy in the truth have been so wel known and sealed by God they had haply expressed themselves some other way but they had to do in this particular with all those who owned the publick Resolutions and amongst these were many yea not a few active leading men members of or assisting unto the Commission in these things and in the Meeting at Dundee who were deeply engaged in the Prelaticall way as not onely their subscriptions in the Bishops black Book which is yet extant and can be produced if need were but also the tenour of their carriage for a long time did witnes and I fear it of not a few that though they seemed to forsake these things with the changes of the time yet have they not repented thereof unto this day not that I would fetch all those whose names are in that black Book and others the like books and who were involved in these courses under that compasse I know that sundry of them have from their very hearts repented of and do from their souls abhor that way I mean even of these who are for the Publick Resolutions but this Church hath been so sâ—nsible that there is cause to think otherwise that she hath several times given warning thereof in her publick Papers and who knoweth not that throughout all the Land these who had been most indifferent and luke-warm in the Cause of God greatest underminers of it most Prelaticall in the times of the Bishops most Malignant in James Grahams time and in the time of the unlawfull Engagement and most designing and active to carry on the Treaty with the King in a wrong way and without security to Religion yea and such as were scandalous in their life and conversation were for the most part amongst the most zealous and violent for the Publick Resolutions and are so still now the course it self being evill and envolving a foundation of defection owned and countenanced and zealously promoted by all the lukewarm Prelaticall and Malignant scandalous men in the Land was there not doolfull experience of such backsliding in the time of the Prelates to be stirred up in our selves and to Protest and testifie to others against things though sundry godly men were engaged therein nay the more need there was to speak plainly least their ability and godlinesse should be a snare to any 5. Whatever the Author is pleased to alledge the Protesters do not despise any of those who have been honoured of God to stand constant against Prelats usurpations and for the Liberties of Assemblies they acknowledge that they owe much to such and though they cannot but testifie against the ill of the Publick Resolutions yet they do retain a honourable Impression of these persons and of what is good in them 6. If it were fit to compare sundry of the Protesters are in nothing yea in none of these things which the Author mentioned as praise worthy behinde with the very chief of these who have appeared for the Publick Resolutions but both of them are by the grace of God that that they are 7. That none of the Protesteers for any thing that I know did take unwarrantable orders from the Prelats and do more to accept one who hath often in private and in Publick acknowledged and is still ready to acknowledge the sin of that way in which he was bred up from his youth and therefore did it ignorantly through unbelief who because of the exceeding riches of the mercy of God in recovering him out of that snare holds himself the more bound to be vigilant and zealous against all desertions for the time to come this man hath forbidden me to say any more to the Author in answer to these things but these words dignus ego qui patior indignus tu qui faceres tamen and to leave the explication to his own conscience 8. It had been fairer dealing in the Author to have discovered or named the Prelaticall steps that some of the Protesters have troden these years past and not thus to have asserted without any proof or instance which he thinks a fault in matters of lesse moment The steps that these men have troden these years past in their Publick Actings for of these I take the Author to mean were for the matter the same that were troden by himself and by sundry leading men in the Publick Resolutions who were also leading men in all these steps from the highest to the lowest and I do not think though not a few be he is come that
madness and folly upon our part so no doubt if it be not avoided will provoke the Lord against us to consume us until there be no remnant nor escaping in the Land And albeit the Peace and Union betwixt the Kingdoms be a great blessing of God unto both and a Bond which we are obliged to preserve unviolated and to endeavour that justice may be done upon the opposers thereof Yet some in this Land who have come under the Bond of the Covenant have made it their great study how to dissolve this Union and few oâ— no endeavors have been used by any of us for punishing of such We have suffered many of our Brethren in severall parts of the Land to be oppressed of the common Enemy without compassion or relief There hath been great murmuring and repining because of expence of means and pains in doing of our duty Many by perswasion or terror have suffered themselves to be divided and withdrawn to make defection to the contrary part Many have turned off to a detestable indifferency and neutrality in this Cause which so much concerneth the glory of GOD and the good of these Kingdoms Nay many have made it their study to walk so as they might comply with all times and all the Revolutions thereof It hath not been our care to countenance encourage intrust and employ such onely as from their hearts did affect and minde Gods Work But the hearts of such many times have been discouraged and their hands weakened their sufferings neglected and themselves slighted and many who were once open Enemies and alwayes secret underminers countenanced and employed Nay even those who had been looked upon as Incendiaries and upon whom the Lord had set marks of desperate Malignancy Falshood and Deceit were brought in as fit to manage Publick Affairs Many have been the lets and impediments that have been cast in the way to retard and obstruct the Lords Work and some have keeped secret what of themselves they were not able to suppresse and overcome Besides these and many other breaches of the Articles of the Covenant in the matter thereof which concerneth every one of us to search out and acknowledge before the Lord as we would wish his wrath to be turned away from us So have many of us failed exceedingly in the manner of our following and pursuing the duties contained therein not onely seeking great things for our selves and mixing of private Interests and ends concerning our selves friends and followers with those things which concern the Publick Good but many times preferring such to the Honour of God and good of his Cause and retarding Gods Work untill we might carry along with us our own interests and designes It hath been our way to trust in the means and to rely upon the Arm of Flesh for successe Albeit the Lord hath many times made us meet with disappointment therein and stained the pride of all our Glory by blasting every carnall confidence unto us We have followed for the most part the counsels of flesh and blood and walked more by the rules of Policie then Piety and have hearkened more unto men then unto God Albeit we made solemn publick profession before the World of our unfained desires to be humbled before the Lord for our own sins and the sins of these Kingdoms especially for our under valuing of the inestimable benefit of the Gospel and that we have not laboured for the power thereof and received Christ into our hearts and walked worthy of him in our lives and of our true and unfained purpose desire and endeavour for our selves and all others under our power and charge both in publick and private in all duties which we owe to God and man to amend our lives and each one to go before another in the example of a Real Reformation that the Lord might turn away his wrath and heavy indignation and establish these Kirks and Kingdoms in Truth and Peace Yet we have refused to be reformed and have walked proudly and obstinatly against the Lord not valuing his Gospel nor submitting our selves unto the obedience thereof nor seeking after Christ nor studying to honour him in the Excellencie of his Person nor employ him in the vertue of his Offices not making conscience of publick Ordinances nor private nor secret duties nor studying to edifie one another in love The ignorance of God and of his Son Jesus Christ prevailes exceedingly in the Land The greatest part of Masters of families amongst Noblemen Barons Gentlemen Burgesses and Commons neglect to seek God in their Families and to endeavour the Reformation thereof And albeit it hath been much pressed yet few of our Nobles and great ones ever to this day could be perswaded to perform Family duties themselves and in their own persons which makes so necessary and usefull a duty to be misâ—regarded by others of inferior rank Nay many of the Nobiiity Gentry and Burrows who should have been examples of Godlinesse and sober walking unto others have been ring-leaders of excesse and rioting Albeit we be the Lords people engaged to him in a solemn way yet to this day we have not made it our study that Judicatories and Armies should consist of and places of power and trust be filled with men of a blamelesse and Christian conversation and of known integrity and approven fidelity affection and zeal unto the Cause of God but not onely those who have been neutrall and indifferent but dis-affected and Malignant and others who have been prophane and scandalous have been intrusted By which it hath come to passe that Judicatories have been the seats of injustice and iniquity and many in our Armies by their mis-carriages have become our plague unto the great prejudice of the Cause of God the great scandall of the Gospel the great increase of loosness prophanity throughout al the Land It were impossible to reckon up al the abominations that are in the land but the blaspheming of the name of God swearing by the Creatures prophanation of the Lords day uncleanness drunkenness excess rioting vanity of apparrel lying deceit railing cursing arbitary uncontrolled oppression grinding of the faces of the poor by landlords others in place and power are become ordinary common sins And besides all these things there be many other transgressions whereof the land wherein we live is guilty All which we desire to acknowledge and to be humbled for that the world may bear witnes with us that rightousnes belongeth unto God and shame confusion of face unto us as appears this day And because it is needful for these who find mercy not only to confess but also to forsake their Sin therefore that the reality and sincerity of our repentance may appear We do resolve and solemnly engage our selves before the Lord carefully to avoid for the time to come all these offences whereof we have now made solemn publick Acknowledgment and all the snares and tentations which tend thereunto
Elections or Commissioners are questionable to whom we desire it earnestly to be recomended that they would in an unanimous way make choice of men of approven abilities and integrity and against whom there can be no exception by the Acts and Constitutions of this Church And in the last place We do humbly represent and desire that in the interval of time betwixt this and the Dyet to which the Assembly shall be adjourned there may be a Solemn Publick Humiliation throughout the Land wherein God may be intreated to shew us why He contends with us and to give light and clearing on all hands concerning the present differences of judgment and distempers of spirit that are amongst us that we may be of one mind and one heart for the carrying on of the Work of God amongst His People And Your Wisdoms Answer Subscribed by sundry Ministers of the Gospel St. Andrews July 18. 1651. HOw gracious the Lord hath been to the Church of Scotland in giving to her pure Ordinances we trust shall be acknowledged by us whilest we live with thankfulness to the Most High of whom we desire mercy and grace to adhere unto the Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government established in this Land Amongst the many sad tokens of the Lords Indignation against this Church The present Differences of His Servants of the Ministry is looked upon by us as one of the greatest And as we hold it a duty to be deeply humbled before the Lord in the sence thereof and by all lawful and fair means within the compass of our power and station to endeavor the remedy thereof so we do ackdowledge a free General Assembly lawfully called and rightly constituted and proceeding with meekness and love in the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ according to the Rule of the Word and the Acts and Constitutions of this Church to be amongst the first and most effectual means appointed of God for attaining this end and for preserving the purity and advancing the power of the Work of Reformation in this Age and transmitting the same to our Posterity and to the Ages and Generations that are to come But as the faithful Servants of God in this Church in former times did by His good Hand upon them in the right administration of free and lawful Assemblies bring the Work of Reformation in Scotland unto a great perfection and neer conformity with the first pattern So unfaithful men minding their own things more then the things of Christ and usurping over their Brethren and over the Lords Inheritance did deface the beauty thereof first by encroaching upon the liberty and freedom of Assemblies afterwards by taking away the Assembly themselves Therfore remembring the many bonds and obligations that lie upon us before the Lord and being desirous to be found faithful in this day of temptation and to exoner our consciences as in His sight and to avoid accession to that guiltiness in which many have involved themselves and conceiving that this present Meeting is not a free lawful Gen. Assembly of the Church of Scotland in regard that the Election of Commissioners to the same hath been pre-limited and prejudiced in the due liberty and freedom thereof by a Letter and Act of the Commissioners of the last Gen Assembly sent to Presbyteries appointing such Brethren as after conference remain unsatisfied with and continue to oppose the Publick Resolutions to be cited to the General Assembly And in regard that Commissioners from many Burroughs and Presbytries are absent as wanting free access by reason of the motion of the and in regard that many of the Commissioners of the former Assembly who have carried on a course of defection contrary to the trust committed to them and who in their Remonstrances and Papers have stirred up the Civil Magistrate against such who are unsatisfied in their consciences with their proceedings and who have by their Letter and Act prelimited the Assembly are admitted to sit and vote as Members of the Assembly and their Moderator appointed to be Moderator of the Assembly notwithstanding that timous exception was made against them that they ought not to be admitted as Members of the Assembly until their proceedings were first tried and approven by the Assembly And in regard that his Majesty by his Letter and his Majesties Commissioner by his Speech to the Assembly hath incited to hard courses against those who are unsatisfied in their consciences with the proceedings of the Commission Before these proceedings be tried and approven by the Assembly it self We do upon these and many other important grounds and Reasons to be propounded and given in in time and place convenient protest in the Name of the Church of Scotland and in our own Names and in the Name of all Ministers Ruling-Elders and Professors of this Church who do or shall adhere to us against the validity and Constitution of this Assembly as not being free and lawful and that they may not arrogat nor assume to themselves any authority nor exercise any power or jurisdiction for determining of Controversies making of Acts emitting of Declarations judging of Protestations or Appeals or proceedings of Synods or inferior Judicatures or censuring of Persons or Papers or issuing of Commissions of whatsoever sort to any persons whatsoever and particularly we protest that they may not proceed unto the approving or ratifying of the proceedings of the former Commission not only because of their want of just power and authority so to do but also because these proceedings contain many things contrary to the trust committed to these Commissioners especially the allowing and carrying on of a conjunction with the Malignant party and bringing them in to places of Power and Trust in the Army and in the Judicatures contrary to the Word of God the Solemn League and Covenant the Solemn Confession of Sins and Engagement to Duties the constant tenour of the Declarations Warnings Remonstrances Causes of Humiliations Letters Supplications and Acts and Constitutions of this Church and the laying of a Foundation for the Civil Magistrate to meddle with Ministers in those things which concern their Doctrin and the exercise of Ministerial Duties before they be cited tried and censured by the Judicatories of the Church And we protest that whatsoever Determinations Acts Ratifications Declarations Sentences Censures or Commissions that shall be made or given out by them may be void and null and may be interpreted as binding to the Church of Scotland and that notwithstanding thereof it may be free for us and such as adhere to us to exercise our Ministerie and enjoy the warrantable Christian liberty of our consciences according to the Word of God the National Covenant and Solemn League and Covenant and Solemn Engagement to Duties and all the Acts and Constitutions of this Church and that there may be liberty to chuse Commissioners and to conveen in a free lawful General Assembly when there shall be need and the Lord shall give opportunity and to add
terms As to that in the year 1582. it is grosly mistaken because it is no waies anent declining of unlawful Assemblies but against appealing from lawful Assemblies to the Civil Magistrate in Ecclesiastick causes for stopping Ecclesiastick Discipline against the persons appealers as is further evident by the occasion thereof Mr. Robert Montgomery Bishop of Glasgow his producing Letters of Horning from the King Counsel charging the Assembly to desist from his Process and suspending their Sentence in the mean time till the King and Counsel consider the same against which the Kirk entred a Protestation From these things it may appear how unwarantably the Meeting at Dundee did upon alleadgance of this Act fall upon debate of the summar Excommunication of these who had protested A VINDICATION OF THE Freedom and Lawfulnesse and so of the Authority of the late GENERALL ASSEMBLY Begun at St. Andrews and continued at Dundee in Answer to the Reasons alleadged against the same in the Protestation and Declinator given in by some Brethren at St. Andrews and in another Paper lately contrived by some c. 1651. Together with a Review of the said Vindication plainly holding forth the Nullity and unlawfulnesse of that pretended Generall Assembly In which the aspersions cast upon the Protesters in that Vindication are taken off And the Answers brought unto the Reasons contained in the Protestation against the freedome and lawfulnesse of that Meeting and in the Paper afterwards penned for clearing and confirming thereof are discussed and the strength of these reasons established to be a Null Assembly By a Friend of the Protesters cause Gal 5.1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage 2. Cor. 10.8 Our authority which the Lord hath given us for edification and not for your destruction For we can do nothing against the truth but for the truth Printed Anno Dom. 1652. The Inscription of the Vindication A Vindication of the freedom and lawfulnesse and so of the authority of the late Generall Assembly begun at S. Andrews and continued at Dundee in Answer to the Reasons alleadged against the same in the Protestation and Declinator given in by some Brethren at S. Andrews and in another Paper lately contrived by some practizing to foment divisions and to fix a Schisme in this Kirk and for that effect spread abroad onely into the hands of such as they conceive wil be inclinable to follow their way but keeped up from all others The Review of the Inscription IN this Title some things are insinuated and others are asserted It is insinuated that the Protestation was given in but by a few for he calls them some Brethren I acknowledge that the multitude and greater number are upon the other side yet that is not a thing wherein they have cause to boast or the Protesters need to be ashamed it seldome falls out especially in declining times that the followers of the truth are the most numerous yet were these even for their number many moe then by the Law are accounted witnesses sufficient to attest a truth and many there be throughout the Land who put to their seal to their Testimony as true Ministers Elders and Professors yea the Generality of the Generation of the Righteous and such as know GOD and live godly in the Land It is asserted first That the other Paper was lately contrived that is a litle while before the writing of this Vindication But if the Vindication was not written many moneths before it came abroad the Author thereof is mistaken in this because this Paper was contrived within a very few weeks three or four at most after the Protestation it self it may be that it came but lately to his hand but it was abroad long before his Vindication was heard of 2. It is asserted that this Paper was contrived by some practizing to foment divisions and to fix a Schisme in this Kirk But their hearts bear them record that the fomenting or fixing of division or schisme justly so called as it never was nor is their purpose so hath it been far from their practice either in that or any other particular This indeed they do acknowledge that they are unwilling to suffer themselves to be divided from the truth formerly received and professed by the Church of Scotland and that they conceive themselves bound in their stations and Callings to bear testimony against the course of back-sliding carried on in the Land of which they judge the common Constitution and Acts of that Assembly to be no small part and though to foment divisions and fix a Schisme in the Church be a heavy imputation yet being conscious to themselves of their own innocencie they are not much moved with it remembring that it is the common Topick whence decliners in all the Ages of the Church have argued against these who would not be consenting unto or did testifie against their defection Peace and unity hath been their plea and sedition division and schisme their charge against their opposers upon this accompt doth the Lord Jesus and his Apostles by the Scribes and Pharisees and Elders of the Jewes Luther and Calvin and our first Reformers by the Pope and his Clergy Nonformists by the Prelats and their adherents stand recorded in the Catalogue of these who practized to foment divisions and fix a schisme in the Church 3. It is asserted That this Paper was spread abroad onely into the hands of such as they conceive will be inclineable to follow their way but keeped up from all others If they had directly sent Copies to these of a contrary judgment it might haply been thought a piece of vanity and presumption and if the Author of this Vindication thought such a thing incumbent to them why did he not send a Copy of his Answer to the contrivers of these Papers whom as he afterwards bears us in hand he doth very wel know or hath he spoken with or received evidence from all others who were not inclinable to follow that way that he doth so confidently assert that Paper to have been kept up from all of them I will assure him it was not so as he affirmes As the contrivers did not vainly nor boastingly spread it to the provoking of any so did they not purposely keep it up from any of whatsoever judgment but were willing and desirous that it should go abroad for edifying of as many as the Lord should be pleased to blesse it unto And therefore did they not onely give Copies to such as did desire them but also did use some means to have gotten it Printed and could get none to undertake it VINDICATION Before I fal upon the Examination of the Reasons brought against and the discovery of the false Aspersions cast upon the Assembly by these Papers mentioned I do obtest the Reader whosoever he be into whose hands this Vindication shall come in the fear of God and as thou
but neither was that new because the Commission at Edinburgh before the Kings home comming had in a very large Letter to the Commissioners at Holland holden forth their great dis-satisfaction with the Proceedings of that Treaty in many particulars and the Commission at Leith before the defeat at Dumbar had also holden forth the Malignant design that was then carryed on and had given it in as a publick cause of humiliation to the Committee of Estates It is true that the Commission was de facto conveened within eight dayes but as we have already said It was not propable at the time or emitting these cause that it should so have been and I pray the Author or any rationall men soberly to think what motive but the sense of duety and the pressing expediencie of the thing should have induced these Protesters of whom he speaks to be so headstrong and forward to anticipate the Meeting of the Commission seing they had ground to think that the Commission at their Meeting were like to condescend on these things as causes of Gods wrath which was verified thereafter by the approving thereof but the Author tels us that the Commission did both alter somewhat of which I shall afterwards speak and adde some thing to wit a Postscript recommending prayer for the King aswell as mourning for his sins which by the debate that was made against it by Mr. James Guthrie and the Register for the space of half an hour as he sayeth seemed to have been purposely left out and that which the Commission approved was the matter of these causes and not the way of emission wherewith many of the Commission shewed themselves dis-satisfied as a practice without example and a preparative tending to the overthrow of the Government The Commission did indeed adde that postscript concerning prayer for the King against the expediency of which addition to be made at that time Mr. James Guthrie and the Register did for a little debate how the Author should know so exactly the measure of the time I leave it for himself to answer the ground of their so doing was not that which he alledgeth the Register hath many living witnesses that he was no adversary to praying for the King and Mr. James Guthrie having keeped that humiliation publickly in the Congregation at Striveling before the Commission did meet or make any such addition did pray for the King and why should they have opposed that which was their own practice the Author is a little beyond due bounds when he sayeth it seems to have been left out of purpose their debating against the adding of it was because at first they did not conceive that there was any necessity to make an expresse and distinct Article of that more thâ—n of many other things which we were no lesse bound to pray for it being a thing so obvious common and ordinary and that now to adde it was to minister occasion without ground to make others conceive that it had been indeed formerly left out of purpose and so to raise needlâ—â—â—e jealousies and supitions of some as being disaffected to the King Next because they took it to be included in the causes formerly emitted though not expresly yet so as might be memorandum enough for decerning men not to omit it he that mourneth rightly for the Kings sins will also be an intercessor to God for him to bestow upon him the contrary graces and vertues I shall not debate with the Author whether the Commission did approve only the matter or also the way of emission of these causes sure I am they did not condemn the way of emission and if he shall be pleased to look upon the tenour of the Letter that at that time was written by the Commission to the severall Presbyteries wherein these causes are mentioned he will finde something that looks towards an approving of the way of emission as well as of the matter it is true that some of the Commission shewed themselves exceedingly dis-satisfied yea more exceedingly then was fit and beseeming their place and parts or the gravity of such a meeting but they were but some and not many if it was a practice without example it had also a ground without example but if the Author shall be pleased to peruse the Registers of the Church I believe that he shall finde examples of particular Presbyteries sending their advice abroad concerning causes of a publick humiliation and that the members of the Commission in things that were clear and unquestionable and could not admit of a delay have sometimes when they wanted one or two of their Quorum done some things of publick concernment let him look upon the Registers of the Presbyterie of Edinburgh and of the Commission and he will find ir so That it was a preparative tending to the overthrow of government I cannot see when I look upon it as impartially as I can I know that he formerly called it an usurpation and if it had been so there were some ground for this new charge but I trust I have sufficiently vindicated it from usurpation and therefore there is nothing brought that can bear the weight of this But for the discovering of the mistery of all this businesse upon which so great a stresse is laid I desire the Reader to be informed that when these causes of humiliation were first sent abroad one of the Commissioners of the Church who had been imployed in Holland in the matter of the Treaty with the King conceiving that his carriage in that imployment was reflected upon in that article which speaks of the crooked and precipitant wayes that were taken for carrying on the Treaty with the King as one of the causes for which the Land ought to be humbled he did take it so impatiently that not only did he declare that he could not read these causes as they were first emitted and that if they should be read in the Congregation wherein he had charge he behoved to make some Protestation or bear some testimony against them but also when he came te the Commission did sharply chalenge the way of emiting of them the want of an article relating to prayer for the King and that Article concerning the treaty as reflecting upon the carriage of the Commissioners of the Church imployed in Holland in that businesse because the Article as it was first emitted did mention the crooked and precipitant wayes that were taken by sundry for carrying on of the Treaty without restricting the same to our Statesmen therefore for peace sake and to give him satisfaction a Postscript was added to the Letter which was at that time written by the Commission and sent to Prebyteries concerning prayer for the King and the Article concerning the Treaty with the King was some what altered by restricting the sundry that are spoken therein to sundry of our statesmen whereas before it was indefinite and without any such restriction and these are the additions and alterations that he
prejudice to the Assembly in judging of these resolutions at last the result was this that such of the Assembly as they desired to confer with might speak with them but that no particular person should be nominated nor any thing written thereof in the minutes of the Assembly In prosecution of this desire some of the unsatisfied Brethren did meet with the Moderator of that Assembly and some other eminent men members of the Commission at Mr. Robert Blair his chamber two several diets and after some conference to and fro did earnestly beseech and presse upon them some with tears that they would be pleased to be instrumental in adjourning the Assembly and in delaying to ratifie the Publick Resolutions but they were not pleased to condescend so much as to undertake to be assisting to these brethren in obtaining their desire that night in which the Meeting was adjourned from St. Andrews to Dundee the dis-satisfied Brethren did again publickly presse that the Assembly migh be adjourned till some considerable time till pains might be taken in an amicable way for composing of differences which being refused they were necessitated to Protest as seing no other remedy against the current of backsliding notwithstanding of this Protestation the Meeting at Dundee went on not onely to the ratifying of the publick resolutions but to the condemning of the Protestation censuring of some of the Protesters and making of Acts declaring all of these censurable who shall not acknowledge their constitution and submit to their Acts and appointing Presbyteries and Synods in their respective bounds to proceed to the execution thereof and giving power to their Commission for that effect where Presbyteries were negligent What length their Commission was gone and what they had in consideration against the Protesters when they were interrupted and broken off by the surprizall at Eliot themselves best know After that time the Lord was pleased to exercise the Land with so sad dispensations as for a good while made all Publick Meetings of Ministers very difficult and dangerous untill the Country being somewhat quieted about the midst of October these who had Protested against the Meeting at St. Andrews and Dundee as not being a lawfull and free Generall Assembly with many other Ministers and Elders from severall parts of the Country did meet at Edinburgh where after some dayes spent together in Prayer and supplication and in confessing of their sins to God and one to annother they did in the next place after conference and mutuall communication of Light one with another set down their thoughts concerning the Causes of the Lords wrath against the Land that in that time of darknesse there might be some light and directory in these things to such as were willing to receive and make use thereof amongst these causes of wrath they did condescend upon and reckon the Publick Resolutions of Church and State for bringing the Malignant party first to the Army and then to the Judicatories and the actuall intrusting of them with the power of the Kingdom both Military and Civil and the prelimiting and corrupting of the Generall Assembly in the free and lawfull constitution thereof and its ratifying of the Publick Resolutions which did involve a defection from the Cause and laying a foundation for censuring of all such who did not approve of the constitution of that Assembly and submit to the Acts there of and finding themselves more and more convinced of the nullity of that Assembly at Dundee and how needfull it was to preserve the Church of Scotland in the possession of her due priviledges and to keep together a remnant who might be as a branch of hope if so be the Lord would be favourable to them and take pleasure in them for repairing of the breach such of them as were Members of the Commission of the Gen. Assembly did find themselves warranted and called of God to take possession of the power and trust committed unto them by the Assembly 1650. yet so as they did not authoritatively impose or require obedience to any of their Emissions concerning the causes of the Lords wrath which was the only thing they medled with but having agreed upon these Causes with the advice of diverse Brethren from severall parts of the Kingdom did offer and advise the same to be made use of by all the Lords people in the Land leaving place to adde as the Lord should make further discoveries thereafter At the same time all the Brethren who were met did write Letters to sundry reverend and godly men in the Ministery of a different judgment desiring an amicable Conference with them and conceiving that they could not well be brought together to one place in such a season of the year and when travelling was so difficult they did appoint some of their number to wait upon some of them at St. Andrews and upon others of them at Glasgow who might hold forth unto them what in their judgments was the most conducible means for union and peace both with God and among our selves and to hear what should be offered unto them by these Brethren what passed in these Conferences I leave it to these who were present to relate hoping that none who were present will say that the desires and endeavors of union did break off upon our side those of our number not only professing themselvs willing to confer hear what should be offred unto them but to attend at any other diet that should be appointed and to endeavour if it were desired a more numerous and frequent meeting of Brethren of both sides From all which it doth appear that the Protesters all along have been pursuers of peace and not promoters and fosterers of division The Author propounds the question If it had not been a more probable and Christian like mean for remedying the divisions to have dealt for a meeting of judicious and godly men on both sides and for an amicable and brotherly Conference on equal tearms about the differences then that the Protesters being but the one side should have taken upon themselves the authority of a Publick Judicatory and by themselvs straightway to condemne the other side as guilty In answer to which beside what is already said I would first ask the Author Whether it be fair dealing that these at St. Andrews after they were earnestly entreated of their Brethren to adjourn and delay the ratifying of the Publick Resolutions shall first take upon them the Authority of a Generall Assembly to ratifie the Publick Resolutions condemne their Brethren who protest against them censure some of them with Suspension and others of them with Deposition for that very thing and lay a foundation for censuring all of them and all others in the Church of Scotland who should continue to differ from them and oppose them in these things and then afterwards cry out upon their Brethren who hold forth the sin and iniquity of such proceedings as upon men who are not for peace
none of them is subjoyned to that Coppy of his Vindication which is come to my hands But upon supposal that it was as he saith of which yet he seems not to be very confident and therefore afterwards helps himself with his wonted word That it was not for differing from the publick resolutions simply or meerly what better is it then it was Did not all the Assembly to whom that Letter was written and that Speech spoken know that the opposing of Leavies and weakning the hands of the Kingdom and strengthning the hands of the Enemy which was meant of was Preaching and bearing Testimony against the publick Resolutions neither doth it take off the difficulty That it was joyned with expressions of earnest desire to endeavour by all fair means to gain them These desires could very well stand with incitations to Censures and that whatever was the way of proponing whether by way of meer desire as the Author alleadges or otherwayes yet was it not without threatning speeches upon the matter of which I am content that Judgment may be given by the Letter and Speech themselves He dare affirm That in Speaking Voting about these Resolutions there was as great Freedom and Liberty as was in Assemblies these years past yea more then was in some of them but in this he is too daring Was there any Assembly these years past that had so many bonds and restraints upon them as we have already instanced all that he instances is That some of these who accuses this Assembly of the want of Freedom and Liberty have in other Assemblies endeavoured to carry matters with strong hand calling down with sharp reflections and flouting such as any way dared to speak and vote in a different way from them For proof of this he gives us It is well known and the acknowledgment of some of themselves in their late Confessions I think indeed that it is wel known that too often in most of our Kirk Judicatories there was in most men that sate therein too much of a carnal Spirit and too little of the sober holy grave spiritual meek way of the holy Ghost And some of these men have as to their own carriage in Judicatories acknowledged this and are indeed convinced of it before the Lord desiring mercy in his sight and grace That if ever it shall be again allowed them to sit in Judicatories there may be more of the beauty and image of the Lord upon them and their way But that they cryed down such with sharp reflections and flouting as dared to speak or vote otherwayes then they did is that which no man is able to make good which I tâ—ow their own consciences doth not accuse them of haply some would have expected that the Author would have spared to have reflected upon these persons in their confessions seeing he is a man subject to the like Passions that others be and I doubt not to the same convictions and confessions upon them His defence of the Kings Letter is such that I fear shall satisfie few 1. He repeats that it was not therin desired to censure any for differing from the publick resolutions simply to what I have spoken already Next it is but a subterfuge which he saith That it was not desired that the Assembly should censure them without trying or approving their resolutions but the King supposing them to be right and just in themselves and after the Assembly should after due triall finde them to be such desired that such as had opposed them howbeit it could not be but to the prejudice of the defence of the Cause and Kingdom might be dealt with to be reclaimed or if that could not be obtained censured There is nothing here for answering what is alleadged by the Writer to wit that the Assembly whilest they had not yet medled with the publick resolutions and had not found them right were stirred up to censure these that could not be reclaimed from them and taking it as the Author doth alleadge That the King did suppose them to be right and withall that he spake nothing to the Assembly to allow a fair hearing to these of a contrary minde or to search whither they were right or wrong It saith that the Kings Letter did contain a clear intimation of his minde to the Assembly not only in order to these who should continue to oppose or could not be reclaimed but also in order to these who should vote pro or contra in the Assembly that Letter and that Speech were but an expresse of the Commissions Warnings and Acts and Acts of Parliament made there anent in order to the furthering the execution thereof by getting them backed with a new Act of the Assembly to the same purpose as afterwards they were I cannot well decern whither the parenthesis cast in by the Author in these words howbeit it could not be but to the prejudice of the defence of the Cause and Kingdom be cited by him as the Kings words or interlined as his own and therefore shall not give judgement of them 2. His next defence That the King was bound by the Treaty to follow the advice of the Commission of the Kirk in matters Ecclesiastick in intervalls of Assemblies which he looseth himself by acknowledging that he should have used his judgement of discretion upon any resolutions given him by the Commission but because the Author interlaces in order to this severall particulars therefore in answer to what he saith in this part of his defence I offer these things First That there is nothing here spoken by the Author that makes for the vindication of the Kings Letter It speaks indeed to the vindicating at least to the excusing of the King himself in writing such a Letter because he was advised by the Commissions as to the publick Resolutions but that doth not say that the Letter did not contain such things as were apt to hinder liberty of voting in the Assembly Secondly I acknowledge that the King was indeed in a right ticklish condition But who had put him in that condition but the Authors and Abettors of the Publick Resolutions who after an expresse Article of the Treaty for removing of Malignants from him and expresse desires from the Generall Assembly and their Commission renewed again and again and expresse Answers to the Quaere proponed by himself of bringing in the Malignant Party In the negative did advise him to imploy and bring in that Party for his own defence and the defence of the Cause and Kingdom Thirdly As to the peremptorinesse of some to have in that condition in the Articles of the Treaty I know it not but though it was so it was no more then his Predecessors was used to be tyed unto before the Reformation in the old Oath of Coronation and which his own Father had condescended unto in the Treaty at the Bricks as appears in the Acts of the Assemblies and the Acts of Parliament 1639 and 1640. Forthly
matters to be agitated in the Assembly holding forth much clear light from Scripture and Acts of former Assemblies in these particulars if it was much light he herd forth in some of these same particulart in conference at Pearth it was but very little and no much to be feared by any of the contrary mind also the Letter was publickly delivered and required to be read by him that presented it the Moderator having broken it up promised to cause read it and many Members did at sundry occasions press the reading of it yet it could never be obtained but was smothered together with a Protestation contained therein against a Paper of the Commissioners to the Parliam approving what was done by the King and Committee of Estates to the Ministers of Sterlin Answer Here is much want of ingenuity and nothing of the truth of the matter making against the freedome of the Assembly the Assembly never refused to have it read Most part of the whole Assembly was earnestly desirous to have it read and now more then the most part of these whom the Reader would insinuate to be Readers unacquainted with the business to have been the opposers of the reading of it and smotherers of it as being of a different judgment from Sir Archibald and feared for the pith of his Papers The truth of the busines was this as I doubt not but the Writer knows in his Conscience had he been so ingenuous as to tell it to some persons in the Assembly hearing much respect and tendernes to Sir Archibald partly because of intimate friendship with him partly because of many former good services did plead for a delay alleadging that it was unreasonable that the Assemblies precious time whereof they knew not how short liberty they might have should be spent in reading any particular mans Letters whereas the Committees were not as yet nominated and constituted and the proceeding of the Commission which by the appointment of former Assemblies ought to be the first busines taken to consideration were not so much as once looked upon and indeed the Papers which were sent and desired to be read concerning his minde amounted to such a volume as the reading thereof might have taken up all the time that the Assembly could probably expect for sitting though never any other busines had been touched There was if my memory fail me not a Letter of four or five sheets of thick Writ and other Papers with it required to be read before the Assembly did enter upon the first Action the appointing of Committees amounting to an hundred sheets at least and must it be such a crime as for which the Assembly must be judged null that such a motion was referred and delayed to a more convenient time which was the onely thing the Assembly did and that not of their own inclination but upon much entreaty and pleading of some of his best wel-wishers in the Assembly who although they alleadged the cause we have only mentioned in publick yet had another cause of their pleading so earnestly for this which they did in a private way communicate to some who were desirous they should be read whereby they moved them to desist from urging so earnestly the reading of them not out of fear to his Papers or dis-respect to his Lordship but out of meer kindnes and respect because viz. they did perceive by looking on them I believe in private sundry high reflections against the Supream Powers of the Kingdom both King and Estates which could not but have brought him in present trouble This is the true story of that busines judge thou now ingenuous Reader impartially if this was a conscientious or relevant argument to nullifie that Assemb but adde to that other in the Assembly 48 or 49. I did not distinctly remember which but the thing is certain and the Writer will remember better a Paper then concerning matters then in debate given to the Assembly and desired to be read was publickly laid aside and refused to be read and yet the lawfulnes of that Assembly is not questioned The Writer in the close of this argument would insinuate to his Reader that the Commissioners had been Authors of smothering these Papers of Sir Archibald Johnstons because of a Protestation therein contained against a Paper of theirs approving what was done by the King and Committee to the Ministers of Sterlin but if he meaneth so it is a wrongfull slandering of them the Commissioners were far from desiring them to be smothered though one or two out of tender respect to his Lordship were unwilling that he should be brought in trouble by them nor feared they his Protestation against that Paper of theirs against which neither he nor any for him could have any just ground of challenge the summe and substance whereof was nothing else but a clearing of the Committees calling before them the Ministers of Sterlin after they had been dealt with by the Commission of the Kirk about their preaching and practizing to the obstructing of the Leavies according to Publick Resolutions and occasioning some to relinquish their charge in the Garrison of Sterlin and they refused to desist that some convenient course might be taken in relation to them in securing the Garrison from danger from the guilt of encroaching upon the Liberties of the Kirk charged upon them by a Protestation of these Ministers of a very high strain and together approving these Brethrens protesting in so far as it was provisionall for the Liberties and Priviledges of the Kirk and expriming that these Brethren might be dealt with by the King and Committee in a tender and respectfull way as Ministers of the Gospel REVIEW SOmetimes the Author offends when pains is not taken to prove things that are generally confessed as for instance to prove from the Word of God that all scandalous persons ought to have been removed from the Generall Assembly and here he seems to carp at his taking pains to prove from the policy and Acts of this Kirk that not onely persons Ecclesiastick having calling and power to vote but others also are allowed to propone hear read and debate yea to present their thoughts in Writing to the Assembly But albeit the point be generally confest by all Orthodox Churches and known to all who have read the head de Conciliis yet was it to purpose for the Writer to take pains to prove it from the Acts of the Assemblies of this Kirk because he had to do not only with these who are acquainted with the head de Conciliis but also with others who are not wel acquainted with that head I mean sundry Professors in the Land who had need to have the ground and relevancy of this Argument cleared unto them and it was a nearer and more convincing way to clear it from the received Doctrine of our own Church then from the Doctrine of other Churches Doth not Sir Archibald Johnstone by the testimony of unquestionable witnesses deserve all
him by breaking the Oath and Covenant which we have made with him and that we may be humbled before him by confessing our sin and forsaking the evil of our way Therefore being pressed with so great necessities and straits and warranted by the word of God and having the example of Gods people of old who in the time of their troubls and when they were to seek delivery and a right way for themselvs that the Lord might be with them to prosper them did humble themselves before him and make a free and particular confession of the sins of their Princes their Rulers their Captains their Priests and their People and did engage themselves to do no more so but to reform their wayes and be stedfast in his Covenant and remembring the practise of our Predecessors in the year 1596. wherein the Gen. Assembly and all the Kirk Judicatories with the concurrence of many of the Nobility Gentry Burgesses did with many tears acknowledge before God the breach of the National Covenant engaged themselves to a reformation even as our Predecessors and theirs had before done in the Gen. Assembly and convention of Estates in the year 1567. And perceiving that this Duty when gone about out of conscience and in sincerity hath alwaies been attended with a reviving out of troubles and with a blessing and success from Heaven We do humbly and sincerely as in his sight who is the searcher of hearts acknowledge the many sins and great transgressions of the Land We have done wickedly our Kings our Princes our Nobles our Judges our Officers our Teachers and our People Albeit the Lord hath long and clearly-spoken unto us we have not hearkened to his voice albeit he hath followed us with tender mercies we have not been allured to wait upon him and walk in his way and though he hath striken us yet we have not grieved nay though he hath consumed us we have refused to receive correction We have not remembered to render unto the Lord according to his goodness and according to our own vowes and promises but have gone away backward by a continued course of back-sliding and have broken all the Articles of that solemn League and Covenant which we swore before God Angels and Men. Albeit there be in the Land many of all ranks who be for a Testimony unto the truth for a name of joy praise unto the Lord by living godly studying to keep their garments pure and being stedfast in the Covenant and Cause of God yet we have reason to acknowledge that most of us have not endeavored with that reality sincerity and constancy that did become us to preserve the work of Reformation in the Kirk of Scotland many have satisfied themselves with the purity of the Ordinances neglecting the power therof yea some have turned aside to crooked wayes destructive to both The prophane loose and insolent carriage of many in our Armies who went to the Assistance of our Brethren in England and the tamperings and unstraight dealing of some of our Commissioners and others of our Nation in London the Isle of Wight and other places of that Kingdom have proved great lets to the work of Reformation and setling of Kirk government there wherby Error and Schism in that Land have been encreased and Sectaries hardened in their way We have been so far from endeavoring the extirpation of Prophaness and what is contrary to the power of godliness that prophanity hath been much winked at and prophane persons much countenanced and many times imployed untill iniquity and ungodliness hath gone over the face of the Land as a flood nay sufficient care hath not been had to separate betwixt the precious and the vile by debarring from the Sacrament all ignorant and scandalous persons according to the Ordinances of this Kirk Neither have the Priviledges of the Parliaments and Liberties of the Subject been dâ—ly tendered but some amongst our selves have labored to put into the hands of our King an arbitrary and unlimited power destructive to both and many of us have been accessory of late to those means and wayes whereby the freedom and priviledges of Parliaments have been encroached upon and the Subjects oppressed in their Consciences Persons and Estates Neither hath it been our care to avoid these things which might harden the King in his evil way but upon the contrary he hath not only been permitted but many of us have been instrumental to make him exercise his power in many things tending to the prejudice of Religion and of the Covenant and of the Peace and safety of these Kingdoms which is so far from the right way of preserving his Majesties Person and Authority that it cannot but provoke the Lord against him unto the hazard of both nay under a pretence of relieving and doing for the King whilst he refuses to do what was necessary for the House of God some have ranversed and violated most of all the Articles of the Covenant Our own consciences within and Gods judgments upon us without do convince us of the manifold wilful renewed breaches of that Article which concerneth the discovery and punishment of Malignants whose crimes have not only been connived at but dispensed with and pardoned and themselves received unto intimate fellowship with our selves and entrusted with our Counsels admitted unto our Parliaments and put in places of Power and Authority for managing the publick Affairs of the Kingdom whereby in Gods justice they got at last into their hands the whole power and strength of the Kingdom both in Judicatories and Armies and did imploy the same unto the enacting and prosecuting an unlawful Engagement in War against the Kingdom of England notwithstanding of the dissent of many considerable members of Parliament who had given constant proof of their integrity in the Cause from the beginning of many faithful testimonies and free warnings of the servants of God of the supplications of many Synods Presbyteries and Shyâ—es and of the Declarations of the Gen. Assembly and their Commissioners to the contrary Which engagement as it hath been the cause of much sin so also of much misery and calamity unto this Land and holds forth to us the grievousness of our sin of complying with Malignants in the greatness of our judgment that we may be taught never to split again upon the same Rock upon which the Lord hath set so remarkable a Beacon And after all that is come to pass unto us because of this our trespass and after that grace hath been shewed unto us from the Lord our God by breaking these mens yoke from off our necks and putting us again into a capacity to act for the good of Religion our own safety and the Peace and safety of this Kingdom should we again break his Commandment and Covenant by joyning once more with the people of these abominations and taking into out bosome those Serpents which had formerly stung us almost unto death This as it would argue great