all_o place_n and_o function_n in_o the_o same_o a_o general_a assembly_n be_v condescend_v to_o iii_o out_o of_o his_o majesty_n gracious_a clemency_n and_o pious_a disposition_n as_o a_o royal_a favour_n to_o those_o that_o so_o shall_v acknowledge_v the_o same_o and_o acquiesce_v to_o his_o gracious_a pleasure_n and_o carry_v themselves_o peaceable_o as_o loyal_a and_o dutiful_a subject_n which_o the_o commissioner_n direct_v to_o this_o assembly_n suppose_v to_o be_v of_o the_o number_n of_o those_o that_o adhere_v to_o the_o last_o protestation_n make_v at_o edinburgh_n sept._n 1638._o do_v not_o so_o account_v of_o and_o accept_v as_o appear_v by_o the_o say_a protestation_n whereby_o they_o protest_v that_o it_o shall_v be_v lawful_a for_o they_o as_o at_o other_o time_n so_o at_o this_o to_o assemble_v themselves_o notwithstanding_o any_o impediment_n or_o prorogation_n to_o the_o contrary_a as_o also_o by_o continue_v their_o meeting_n and_o table_n discharge_v by_o authority_n refuse_v to_o subscribe_v the_o band_n according_a to_o his_o majesty_n and_o counsel_n command_n for_o maintain_v his_o majesty_n royal_a person_n and_o authority_n protest_v against_o the_o same_o still_o insist_v with_o the_o liedge_n to_o subscribe_v the_o band_n of_o mutual_a defence_n against_o all_o person_n whatsoever_o and_o remit_v nothing_o of_o their_o former_a proceed_n whereby_o his_o majesty_n wrath_n be_v provoke_v thereby_o they_o be_v become_v in_o the_o same_o state_n and_o condition_n wherein_o they_o be_v before_o his_o majesty_n proclamation_n and_o pardon_n and_o so_o forfeit_v the_o favour_n of_o this_o assembly_n and_o liberty_n to_o be_v member_n thereof_o and_o other_o of_o his_o majesty_n subject_n may_v just_o fear_v to_o meet_v with_o they_o in_o this_o convention_n for_o that_o by_o the_o act_n of_o parl._n jam._n 6._o par_fw-fr 15._o cap._n 31._o prelacy_n be_v declare_v to_o be_v one_o of_o the_o three_o estate_n of_o this_o kingdom_n and_o by_o the_o act_n of_o parl._n ja._n 6._o par_fw-fr 8._o cap._n 130._o all_o person_n be_v discharge_v to_o impugn_v the_o dignity_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o three_o estate_n or_o any_o of_o they_o in_o time_n come_v under_o the_o pain_n of_o treason_n and_o whereas_o the_o king_n by_o his_o proclamation_n declare_v archbishop_n and_o bishop_n to_o have_v voice_n in_o the_o general_n assembly_n and_o call_v they_o to_o the_o same_o for_o that_o effect_n as_o constant_o they_o have_v be_v in_o use_n in_o all_o assembly_n where_o they_o be_v present_a as_o appear_v by_o many_o act_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n ordain_v they_o to_o keep_v and_o assist_v at_o the_o same_o as_o in_o the_o assembly_n at_o edinburgh_n decemb._n 15._o 1566._o at_o edinburgh_n 6._o march_n 1572._o at_o edinburgh_n may_v 10._o 1586._o and_o by_o a_o letter_n write_v by_o the_o assembly_n march_n 6._o 1573._o to_o the_o regent_n earnest_o desire_v his_o own_o or_o his_o commissioner_n presence_n and_o the_o lord_n of_o council_n and_o the_o bishop_n at_o the_o assembly_n they_o notwithstanding_o by_o the_o say_a protestation_n sept._n 22._o declare_v archbishop_n and_o bishop_n to_o have_v no_o warrant_n for_o their_o office_n in_o this_o kirk_n to_o be_v authorize_v with_o no_o lawful_a commission_n and_o to_o have_v no_o place_n nor_o voice_n in_o this_o assembly_n and_o withal_o do_v arrogate_v to_o their_o meeting_n a_o sovereign_a authority_n to_o determine_v of_o all_o question_n and_o doubt_n that_o can_v arise_v contrary_a to_o the_o freedom_n of_o the_o assembly_n whether_o in_o constitution_n and_o member_n or_o in_o the_o matter_n to_o be_v treat_v or_o in_o manner_n and_o order_n of_o proceed_v which_o how_o it_o do_v stand_v with_o his_o majesty_n supremacy_n in_o all_o cause_n and_o over_o all_o person_n we_o leave_v it_o to_o that_o judgement_n whereunto_o it_o belong_v and_o do_v call_v god_n and_o man_n to_o witness_v if_o these_o be_v fit_a member_n of_o a_o assembly_n intend_v for_o the_o order_n and_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n giving_z and_o not_o grant_v that_o the_o person_n iv._o aforesaid_a direct_v commissioner_n in_o name_n of_o the_o clergy_n to_o this_o meeting_n be_v capable_a of_o that_o authority_n and_o that_o the_o say_v presbytery_n have_v the_o authority_n to_o direct_v commissioner_n to_o the_o general_n assembly_n yet_o have_v they_o now_o lose_v and_o fall_v from_o all_o such_o right_a if_o any_o they_o have_v in_o so_o far_o as_o they_o have_v depose_v the_o moderator_n who_o be_v lawful_o appoint_v to_o govern_v they_o by_o the_o bishop_n in_o their_o synod_n and_o elect_v other_o in_o their_o place_n contrary_a to_o the_o act_n of_o the_o assembly_n at_o glasgow_n 1610._o and_o act_n of_o parl._n 1612._o ordain_v bishop_n to_o be_v moderator_n at_o these_o meeting_n and_o in_o their_o absence_n the_o minister_n who_o the_o bishop_n shall_v appoint_v at_o the_o synod_n so_o these_o meeting_n have_v disclaim_v the_o authority_n of_o bishop_n depose_v their_o lawful_a moderator_n and_o choose_v other_o without_o authority_n can_v be_v esteem_v lawful_a convocation_n that_o can_v have_v lawful_a power_n of_o send_v out_o commissioner_n with_o authority_n to_o judge_v of_o the_o affair_n of_o this_o church_n and_o yet_o do_v the_o nullity_n of_o the_o commission_n v._o flow_v from_o such_o meeting_n further_o appear_v in_o this_o that_o they_o have_v associate_v to_o themselves_o a_o laic_a roll_a elder_a as_o they_o call_v they_o out_o of_o every_o session_n and_o parish_n who_o be_v ordinary_o the_o lord_n of_o the_o parish_n or_o the_o man_n of_o the_o great_a authority_n in_o the_o bound_n do_v over-rule_v in_o the_o election_n of_o the_o say_a commissioner_n both_o by_o his_o authority_n and_o their_o number_n be_v more_o than_o the_o minister_n whereof_o some_o be_v ordinary_o absent_a and_o five_o or_o six_o or_o so_o many_o of_o they_o put_v in_o list_n and_o remove_v there_o remain_v but_o a_o few_o minister_n to_o voice_n to_o the_o election_n and_o in_o effect_n the_o commissioner_n for_o the_o clergy_n be_v choose_v by_o lay-man_n contrary_a to_o all_o order_n decency_n and_o custom_n observe_v in_o the_o christian_a world_n no_o wise_a according_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o this_o church_n which_o they_o pretend_v to_o follow_v the_o presbytery_n former_o never_a associate_a to_o themselves_o lay-elder_n in_o the_o election_n of_o the_o commissioner_n to_o the_o general_n assembly_n but_o only_o for_o their_o assistance_n in_o discipline_n and_o correction_n of_o manner_n call_v for_o they_o at_o such_o occasion_n as_o they_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o their_o godly_a concurrence_n declare_v otherwise_o their_o meeting_n not_o necessary_a and_o provide_v express_o that_o they_o shall_v not_o be_v equal_a but_o few_o in_o number_n then_o the_o pastor_n as_o by_o act_n of_o assembly_n at_o saint_n andrew_n april_n 24._o 1582._o where_o master_n andrew_n melvill_n be_v moderator_n do_v appear_v like_a as_o these_o forty_o year_n by_o go_v and_o upward_o long_o before_o the_o re-establish_a of_o bishop_n these_o lay-elder_n have_v not_o be_v call_v at_o all_o to_o presbytery_n and_o by_o the_o act_n at_o dundie_n 1597._o whereby_o it_o be_v pretend_v that_o presbytery_n have_v authority_n to_o send_v these_o lay-commissioner_n it_o do_v no_o wise_n appear_v that_o those_o lay-elder_n have_v any_o hand_n in_o choose_v of_o the_o minister_n and_o this_o be_v the_o only_a act_n of_o the_o assembly_n authorise_v presbytery_n to_o choose_v commissioner_n to_o the_o general_n assembly_n nor_o have_v lay-elder_n sit_v ordinary_o in_o presbytery_n upon_o any_o occasion_n these_o forty_o year_n and_o upward_o nor_o ever_o have_v any_o place_n nor_o voice_n in_o the_o election_n of_o minister_n for_o the_o general_n assembly_n and_o consequent_o these_o choose_v by_o they_o to_o this_o assembly_n have_v no_o lawful_a power_n nor_o authority_n vi_o beside_o the_o person_n ecclesiastical_a pretend_v to_o be_v authorize_v commissioner_n to_o this_o assembly_n have_v so_o behave_v themselves_o that_o just_o they_o may_v be_v think_v unworthy_a and_o uncapable_a of_o commission_n to_o a_o sree_n and_o lawful_a assembly_n 1._o for_o that_o by_o their_o seditious_a and_o rail_a sermon_n and_o pamphlet_n they_o have_v wound_v the_o king_n honour_n and_o sovereign_a authority_n and_o animate_v his_o liedge_n to_o rebellion_n aver_v that_o all_o authority_n sovereign_a be_v original_o in_o the_o collective_a body_n derive_v from_o thence_o to_o the_o prince_n and_o that_o not_o only_o in_o case_n of_o negligence_n it_o be_v suppletiuè_n in_o the_o collective_a body_n as_o be_v cummunicate_a from_o the_o commontie_z to_o the_o king_n cumulatiuè_n not_o privatiuè_n but_o also_o in_o case_n of_o maladministration_n to_o return_v to_o the_o collective_a body_n so_o that_o rex_fw-la excidit_fw-la jure_fw-la svo_fw-la and_o that_o they_o may_v refuse_v obedience_n 2._o next_o they_o be_v know_v to_o be_v
obedience_n and_o suppress_v of_o popery_n which_o in_o respect_n either_o of_o the_o number_n of_o their_o professor_n or_o boldness_n of_o their_o profession_n be_v never_o at_o so_o low_a a_o ebb_n in_o this_o kingdom_n as_o before_o these_o stir_n we_o protest_v that_o see_v these_o who_o for_o scruple_n of_o conscience_n do_v mislike_v the_o service_n book_n canon_n and_o high_a commission_n which_o be_v apprehend_v or_o give_v forth_o to_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o trouble_n of_o this_o church_n have_v now_o receive_v satisfaction_n and_o his_o majesty_n be_v gracious_o please_v to_o forget_v and_o forgive_v all_o offence_n by_o past_a in_o these_o stir_n that_o all_o the_o subject_n of_o this_o kingdom_n may_v live_v in_o peace_n and_o christian_a love_n as_o become_v faithful_a subject_n and_o good_a christian_n lay_v a_o side_n all_o hatred_n envy_n and_o bitterness_n and_o if_o any_o shall_v refuse_v so_o to_o do_v they_o may_v bear_v the_o blame_n and_o be_v think_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o trouble_n that_o may_v ensue_v and_o the_o same_o be_v not_o impute_v to_o we_o or_o any_o of_o we_o who_o desire_v nothing_o more_o then_o to_o live_v in_o peace_n and_o concord_n with_o all_o man_n under_o his_o majesty_n obedience_n and_o who_o have_v commit_v nothing_o against_o the_o law_n of_o the_o kingdom_n and_o church_n that_o may_v give_v any_o man_n just_a cause_n of_o offence_n and_o be_v so_o far_o from_o wish_v hurt_v to_o any_o man_n in_o his_o person_n or_o estate_n notwithstanding_o all_o the_o indignity_n and_o injury_n we_o have_v suffer_v that_o for_o quench_v this_o present_a combustion_n and_o settle_v peace_n in_o this_o church_n and_o country_n we_o can_v be_v content_a after_o clear_v of_o our_o innocency_n of_o all_o thing_n wherewith_o we_o can_v be_v charge_v not_o only_o to_o lay_v down_o our_o bishopric_n at_o his_o majesty_n foot_n to_o be_v dispose_v of_o at_o his_o royal_a pleasure_n but_o also_o if_o so_o be_v it_o please_v god_n to_o lay_v down_o our_o life_n and_o become_v a_o sacrifice_n for_o this_o atonement_n we_o protest_v in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n to_o who_o one_o day_n we_o must_v give_v account_n that_o we_o make_v use_v of_o this_o declinator_n and_o protestation_n out_o of_o the_o conscience_n of_o our_o duty_n to_o god_n and_o his_o church_n and_o not_o out_o of_o fear_n of_o any_o guiltiness_n whereof_o any_o of_o we_o be_v conscious_a to_o himself_o either_o of_o wickedness_n in_o our_o life_n or_o miscarriage_n in_o our_o calling_n be_v content_a every_o one_o of_o we_o for_o our_o own_o particular_a as_o we_o have_v never_o show_v ourselves_o to_o be_v otherwise_o to_o under_o go_v the_o lawful_a and_o most_o exact_a trial_n of_o any_o competent_a judicatory_a within_o this_o kingdom_n or_o of_o his_o majesty_n high_a commissioner_n and_o we_o most_o humble_o entreat_v his_o grace_n to_o intercede_v with_o the_o king_n majesty_n that_o he_o may_v appoint_v a_o free_a and_o lawful_a general_n assembly_n such_o as_o god_n word_n the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o law_n of_o the_o kingdom_n do_v prescribe_v and_o allow_v with_o all_o convenient_a speed_n to_o the_o effect_n the_o present_a distraction_n of_o the_o church_n may_v be_v settle_v and_o if_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n to_o be_v lay_v to_o the_o charge_n of_o any_o of_o the_o clergy_n of_o whatsoever_o degree_n either_o in_o life_n and_o manner_n or_o doctrine_n or_o exercise_v of_o his_o call_n and_o jurisdiction_n he_o may_v be_v hear_v to_o answer_v all_o accusation_n and_o abide_v all_o trial_n either_o for_o clear_v his_o innocence_n or_o suffer_v condign_a punishment_n according_a to_o his_o transgression_n decline_v always_o this_o assembly_n for_o the_o cause_n above_o write_v like_o as_o by_o these_o present_n we_o and_o every_o one_o of_o we_o decline_v the_o same_o the_o whole_a member_n thereof_o and_o commissioner_n foresay_a direct_v thereto_o and_o every_o one_o of_o they_o we_o protest_v that_o this_o our_o protestation_n in_o respect_n of_o our_o lawful_a absence_n may_v be_v receive_v in_o the_o name_n of_o we_o under-subscribing_a for_o ourselves_o and_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n that_o shall_v adhere_v to_o the_o say_a protestation_n and_o in_o the_o name_n of_o every_o one_o of_o they_o from_o our_o well-beloved_a doctor_n robert_n hamilton_n minister_n at_o glasford_n to_o who_o by_o these_o present_v we_o give_v our_o full_a power_n and_o express_v mandate_n to_o present_v the_o same_o in_o or_o at_o the_o say_a assembly_n or_o where_o else_o it_o shall_v be_v necessary_a to_o be_v use_v with_o all_o submission_n and_o obedience_n due_a to_o our_o gracious_a sovereign_n and_o his_o majesty_n high_a commissioner_n and_o upon_o the_o present_n and_o use_v thereof_o act_n and_o instrument_n to_o crave_v and_o all_o other_o thing_n to_o do_v that_o necessary_o be_v require_v in_o such_o case_n firm_a and_o stable_a hold_v or_o for_o to_o hold_v what_o he_o or_o any_o of_o they_o shall_v lawful_o do_v in_o the_o premise_n in_o witness_v whereof_o as_o we_o be_v ready_a with_o our_o blood_n so_o with_o our_o hand_n we_o have_v subscribe_v these_o present_n at_o the_o palace_n of_o halyrudehouse_n newcastle_n and_o glasgow_n the_o 16._o 17._o and_o 20._o day_n of_o novemb_n 1638._o et_fw-la sic_fw-la subscrbitur_fw-la jo_n s_o â—_o andreae_n arch._n pa_n glasgow_n dam_fw-ge edinburgen_n tho_n gallovidien_n jo_n rossen_n walterus_n brechinen_n i_o two_o iii_o iii_o iv._o v._o vi_o vii_o viii_o ix_o x._o xi_o xii_o
much_o less_o to_o write_v a_o book_n against_o a_o brother_n 2._o against_o the_o order_n prescribe_v by_o the_o apostle_n not_o to_o rebuke_v a_o elder_a but_o to_o entreat_v he_o as_o a_o father_n and_o by_o the_o act_n of_o parl._n jam._n 6_o par_fw-fr 8._o discharge_v all_o person_n to_o impugn_v or_o to_o procure_v the_o diminution_n of_o the_o authority_n and_o power_n of_o the_o three_o estate_n or_o any_o of_o they_o 3._o against_o all_o lawful_a and_o formal_a proceed_n special_o that_o prescribe_v by_o act_n of_o general_n assembly_n at_o perth_n martij_fw-la 1._o 1596._o whereby_o it_o be_v ordain_v that_o all_o summons_n contain_v the_o special_a cause_n and_o crime_n which_o the_o say_a libel_n do_v not_o name_a only_o general_a calumny_n reproach_n and_o aspersion_n without_o instruction_n of_o any_o particular_a but_o leave_v these_o to_o be_v fill_v up_o by_o malicious_a delation_n after_o they_o have_v defame_v their_o brethren_n by_o publish_v this_o libel_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o 8._o and_o 11._o article_n of_o the_o say_a instruction_n and_o against_o the_o order_n prescribe_v by_o the_o assembly_n at_o saint_n andrew_n april_n 24._o 1582._o whereby_o it_o be_v enact_v that_o in_o process_n of_o deprivation_n of_o minister_n there_o be_v a_o libel_v precept_n upon_o forty_o day_n warning_n be_v within_o the_o realm_n and_o threescore_o day_n be_v without_o the_o realm_n to_o be_v direct_v by_o the_o kirk_n and_o such_o commissioner_n thereof_o as_o elect_v and_o admit_v the_o person_n complain_v of_o summon_v they_o to_o compeare_v and_o answer_v upon_o the_o complaint_n and_o in_o case_n of_o their_o absence_n at_o the_o first_o summons_n the_o second_o to_o be_v direct_v upon_o the_o like_a warning_n with_o certification_n if_o he_o fail_v the_o libel_n shall_v be_v admit_v to_o probation_n and_o he_o shall_v be_v hold_v pro_fw-la confesso_fw-la which_o form_n not_o be_v keep_v in_o a_o summons_n infer_v the_o punishment_n of_o deprivation_n the_o same_o can_v be_v sustain_v by_o the_o order_n of_o that_o assembly_n 4._o against_o common_a equity_n which_o admit_v summons_n only_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o that_o judge_n before_o who_o the_o delinquent_n be_v to_o compeare_v whereby_o the_o summon_v direct_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o these_o pretend_a presbytery_n can_v sustain_v for_o compearance_n before_o the_o general_n assembly_n nor_o can_v reference_n be_v make_v from_o the_o presbytery_n to_o the_o general_n assembly_n the_o party_n never_o be_v summon_v to_o compeare_v before_o the_o presbytery_n whereby_o either_o in_o presence_n of_o the_o party_n or_o in_o case_n of_o contumacy_n the_o complaint_n may_v be_v refer_v to_o the_o assembly_n that_o there_o be_v no_o citation_n before_o the_o reference_n be_v clear_a by_o the_o say_a instruction_n and_o what_o a_o strange_a and_o odious_a form_n it_o be_v to_o insert_v such_o a_o calumnious_a libel_n in_o the_o presbytery-book_n without_o cite_v of_o the_o party_n to_o answer_v thereto_o and_o to_o cite_v bishop_n before_o the_o general_n assembly_n by_o the_o say_a libel_n by_o publish_v the_o same_o at_o church_n to_o which_o they_o have_v no_o relation_n and_o be_v many_o mile_n distant_a we_o leave_v it_o to_o the_o judgement_n of_o indifferent_a man_n 5._o against_o all_o decency_n and_o respect_n due_a to_o man_n of_o their_o place_n the_o say_a person_n be_v man_n of_o dignity_n and_o some_o of_o they_o of_o his_o majesty_n most_o honourable_a privy_a council_n and_o know_v to_o be_v of_o blameless_a conversation_n and_o to_o have_v deserve_v well_o thus_o to_o be_v revile_v and_o traduce_v do_v redound_v to_o the_o reproach_n of_o church_n and_o state_n and_o of_o the_o gospel_n whereof_o they_o be_v preacher_n 6._o last_o to_o omit_v many_o other_o informality_n against_o their_o own_o conscience_n which_o we_o charge_v in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n as_o they_o must_v answer_v before_o his_o great_a and_o fearful_a tribunal_n if_o they_o suspect_v and_o know_v not_o perfect_o according_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o charity_n they_o who_o they_o thus_o accuse_v to_o be_v free_a of_o these_o crime_n wherewith_o they_o charge_v they_o at_o least_o of_o many_o of_o they_o as_o appear_v evident_o by_o the_o 11_o article_n of_o the_o say_a instruction_n have_v therein_o libel_v the_o general_a and_o have_v yet_o to_o seek_v the_o specification_n thereof_o from_o the_o malice_n of_o their_o neighbour_n if_o so_o be_v they_o can_v furnish_v it_o by_o which_o informal_a and_o malicious_a proceed_n it_o be_v most_o apparent_a that_o our_o say_a party_n do_v seek_v our_o disgrace_n and_o overthrow_n most_o malicious_o and_o illegal_o and_o therefore_o we_o call_v heaven_n and_o earth_n to_o witness_v if_o this_o be_v not_o a_o barbarous_a and_o violent_a persecution_n that_o all_o circumstance_n be_v consider_v have_v few_o or_o none_o to_o parallel_v it_o since_o the_o begin_n of_o christianity_n and_o if_o we_o have_v not_o just_a cause_n to_o decline_v the_o say_v pretend_a commissioner_n as_o our_o party_n moreover_o can_v these_o man_n expect_v but_o in_o a_o lawful_a assembly_n they_o be_v to_o be_v call_v and_o censure_v for_o their_o enorm_a transgression_n foresay_v and_o will_v any_o man_n think_v that_o they_o can_v be_v judge_n in_o their_o own_o cause_n it_o be_v allege_v out_o of_o the_o canon-law_n against_o the_o pope_n that_o if_o the_o pope_n be_v at_o variance_n with_o any_o man_n he_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v judge_n himself_o but_o to_o choose_v arbitrator_n and_o this_o may_v militate_v against_o they_o except_o they_o be_v more_o unruly_a than_o pope_n ludovicus_n bavarus_n and_o all_o the_o estate_n of_o germany_n with_o he_o do_v plead_v this_o nullity_n against_o the_o sentence_n and_o proceed_n of_o pope_n john_n 22._o and_o of_o his_o council_n and_o the_o archbishop_n of_o cullen_n 1546._o do_v plead_v the_o nullity_n of_o paul_n 3._o his_o bull_n of_o excommunication_n because_o he_o protest_v that_o so_o soon_o as_o a_o lawful_a council_n shall_v be_v open_v he_o will_v implead_v the_o pope_n as_o party_n be_v guilty_a of_o many_o thing_n censurable_a by_o the_o council_n but_o the_o late_a protestation_n do_v show_v the_o author_n x._o thereof_o to_o be_v no_o less_o injurious_a to_o our_o place_n and_o authority_n than_o they_o be_v over_o ween_v of_o their_o own_o for_o it_o be_v against_o reason_n and_o practice_v of_o the_o christian_a church_n that_o no_o primate_n archbishop_n nor_o bishop_n have_v place_n nor_o voice_n deliberative_a or_o decisive_a in_o general_n assembly_n except_o they_o be_v authorize_v and_o elect_v by_o their_o presbyterial_a meeting_n consist_v of_o preach_v and_o rule_v elder_n as_o they_o call_v they_o and_o without_o warrant_n or_o example_n in_o the_o primitive_a and_o pure_a time_n of_o the_o church_n this_o also_o do_v infer_v the_o nullity_n of_o a_o assembly_n if_o the_o moderator_n and_o precedent_n for_o matter_n xi_o of_o doctrine_n and_o discipline_n shall_v be_v neither_o the_o primate_n archbishop_n nor_o bishop_n but_o he_o who_o by_o plurality_n of_o presbyter_n and_o layman_n voice_n shall_v be_v elect_v which_o happy_o may_v be_v one_o of_o the_o inferior_a clergy_n or_o a_o lay-person_n as_o sometime_o it_o have_v fall_v out_o whereas_o canonical_o according_a to_o the_o ancient_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n the_o primate_n shall_v preside_v according_a to_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o first_o council_n of_o nice_a can._n 6._o of_o antioch_n can._n 9_o and_o of_o the_o imperial_a law_n novel_a constitut_o 123._o cap._n 10._o and_o according_a to_o our_o own_o law_n for_o what_o place_n in_o assembly_n archbishop_n and_o bishop_n have_v in_o other_o christian_a nation_n the_o same_o they_o have_v no_o doubt_n in_o scotland_n and_o yet_o still_o do_v retain_v except_o by_o some_o municipal_a law_n it_o have_v be_v restrain_v which_o can_v be_v show_v for_o the_o restraint_n of_o their_o authority_n by_o the_o act_n of_o parl._n 1592._o be_v restore_v by_o the_o act_n of_o parl._n 1606._o and_o 1609._o and_o all_o act_n prejudicial_a to_o their_o jurisdiction_n abrogate_a neither_o do_v that_o act_n 1592._o establish_v general_n assembly_n debar_v bishop_n from_o preside_v therein_o nor_o the_o abrogation_n of_o their_o commission_n grant_v to_o they_o by_o act_n of_o parl._n in_o ecclesiastical_a cause_n imply_v and_o infer_v the_o abrogation_n of_o that_o authority_n which_o they_o receive_v not_o from_o the_o parl._n but_o from_o christ_n from_o who_o they_o receive_v the_o spiritual_a oversight_n of_o the_o clergy_n under_o their_o charge_n whereto_o belong_v the_o presidentship_n in_o all_o assembly_n for_o matter_n spiritual_a always_o with_o due_a submission_n to_o the_o supreme_a governor_n which_o be_v so_o intrinsical_o inherent_a in_o they_o as_o they_o be_v bishop_n that_o huc_fw-la ipso_fw-la that_o they_o be_v bishop_n they_o be_v
precedent_n of_o all_o assembly_n of_o the_o clergy_n as_o the_o chancellor_n of_o the_o kingdom_n have_v place_n in_o council_n and_o session_n not_o by_o any_o act_n or_o statute_n but_o hoc_fw-la ipso_fw-la that_o he_o be_v chancellor_n by_o act_n of_o parl._n bishop_n be_v declare_v to_o have_v their_o right_n in_o synod_n and_o other_o inferior_a meeting_n but_o by_o no_o law_n restrain_v nor_o debar_v from_o the_o exercise_n of_o it_o in_o national_n assembly_n and_o the_o law_n allow_v bishop_n to_o be_v moderator_n of_o the_o synod_n do_v present_v a_o list_n in_o absence_n of_o the_o metropolitan_a to_o who_o of_o right_a this_o place_n do_v belong_v as_o say_v be_v out_o of_o which_o the_o moderator_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n shall_v be_v choose_v for_o be_v it_o not_o more_o agreeable_a to_o reason_n order_n and_o decency_n that_o out_o of_o moderator_n of_o synod_n a_o moderator_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n shall_v be_v choose_v then_o of_o the_o inferior_a clergy_n subject_a to_o they_o as_o concern_v that_o act_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n 1580._o whereby_o bishop_n be_v declare_v to_o have_v no_o warrant_n out_o of_o scripture_n if_o corruption_n of_o time_n shall_v be_v regard_v the_o authority_n of_o that_o assembly_n may_v be_v neglect_v no_o less_o than_o that_o at_o glosgow_n 1610._o but_o it_o be_v ordinary_a that_o prior_n act_v of_o assembly_n and_o parliament_n give_v place_n to_o the_o posterior_n for_o posteriora_fw-la derogant_fw-la prioribus_fw-la and_o there_o pass_v not_o full_a six_o year_n when_o a_o general_n assembly_n at_o edinburgh_n find_v that_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n have_v a_o special_a charge_n and_o function_n annex_v to_o it_o by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o that_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o the_o general_n assembly_n to_o admit_v a_o bishop_n to_o a_o benefice_n present_v by_o the_o king_n majesty_n with_o power_n to_o admit_v visit_n and_o deprive_v minister_n and_o to_o be_v moderator_n of_o the_o presbytery_n where_o they_o be_v resident_a and_o subject_n only_o to_o the_o sentence_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n as_o for_o that_o act_n at_o montrose_n let_v they_o answer_v to_o it_o that_o have_v their_o call_n by_o that_o commission_n we_o profess_v that_o we_o have_v a_o lawful_a call_n by_o the_o election_n of_o the_o clergy_n who_o be_v of_o the_o chapter_n of_o our_o cathedrall_n and_o consecration_n of_o bishop_n by_o his_o majesty_n consent_n and_o approbation_n according_a to_o the_o laudable_a law_n and_o ancient_a custom_n of_o this_o kingdom_n and_o of_o the_o church_n in_o ancient_a time_n and_o do_v homage_n to_o our_o sovereign_a lord_n for_o our_o temporality_n and_o acknowledge_v he_o solo_fw-la deo_fw-la minorem_fw-la next_o unto_o god_n in_o all_o cause_n and_o over_o all_o person_n spiritual_a or_o temporal_a in_o his_o own_o dominion_n supreme_a governor_n but_o now_o we_o may_v take_v up_o cyprian_n his_o complaint_n lib._n 3._o ep._n 14._o quod_fw-la non_fw-la periculum_fw-la metuere_fw-la debemus_fw-la de_fw-la offensâ_fw-la domini_fw-la quando_fw-la aliqui_fw-la de_fw-la presbyteris_fw-la nec_fw-la evangelij_fw-la nec_fw-la loci_fw-la svi_fw-la memores_fw-la sed_fw-la neque_fw-la futurum_fw-la dei_fw-la judicium_fw-la neque_fw-la praepositum_fw-la sibi_fw-la episcopum_fw-la cogitantes_fw-la quod_fw-la nunquam_fw-la omnino_fw-la sub_fw-la antecessoribus_fw-la factum_fw-la est_fw-la cum_fw-la contumelia_fw-la &_o contemptâ_fw-la praepositi_fw-la totum_fw-la sibi_fw-la vendicent_fw-la atque_fw-la utinam_fw-la non_fw-la prostratâ_fw-la fratrum_fw-la nostrorum_fw-la salute_v sibi_fw-la omne_fw-la vendicarent_fw-la contumelias_fw-la episcopatûs_fw-la nostri_fw-la dissimulare_fw-la &_o far_o possem_fw-la sicut_fw-la dissimulaut_fw-la semper_fw-la &_o pertuli_fw-la sed_fw-la dissimulandi_fw-la nunc_fw-la locus_fw-la non_fw-la est_fw-la quando_fw-la decipiatur_fw-la fraternitas_fw-la nostra_fw-la à _fw-la quibusdam_fw-la vestrum_fw-la qui_fw-la dùm_fw-la sine_fw-la ratione_fw-la restituendae_fw-la salutis_fw-la plausibiles_fw-la esse_fw-la cupiunt_fw-la magis_fw-la lapsis_fw-la obsunt_fw-la last_o it_o be_v most_o manifest_a by_o the_o premise_n xii_o how_o absurd_a it_o be_v and_o contrary_a to_o all_o reason_n and_o practice_v of_o the_o christian_a church_n that_o archbishop_n and_o bishop_n shall_v be_v judge_v by_o presbyter_n and_o more_o absurd_a that_o they_o shall_v be_v judge_v by_o a_o mix_a meeting_n of_o presbyter_n and_o laic_n conveen_v without_o lawful_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n how_o and_o by_o who_o they_o be_v to_o be_v judge_v according_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o ancient_a time_n may_v be_v see_v by_o the_o counsel_n of_o chalcedon_n can._n 9_o and_o council_n milevit_fw-la can._n 22._o and_o council_n carthag_n 2._o can._n 10._o nor_o do_v we_o decline_v the_o lawful_a trial_n of_o any_o competent_a judicatory_a in_o the_o kingdom_n especial_o of_o a_o general_n assembly_n lawful_o constitute_v or_o of_o his_o majesty_n high_a commissioner_n for_o any_o thing_n in_o life_n or_o doctrine_n can_v be_v lay_v to_o our_o charge_n only_o we_o declare_v and_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v against_o order_n decency_n and_o scripture_n that_o we_o shall_v be_v judge_v by_o presbyter_n or_o by_o laic_n without_o authority_n and_o commission_n from_o sovereign_a authority_n for_o the_o reason_n aforesaid_a and_o many_o more_o and_o for_o discharge_v of_o our_o duty_n to_o god_n to_o his_o church_n and_o to_o our_o sacred_a sovereign_n lest_o by_o our_o silence_n we_o betray_v the_o church_n right_a his_o majesty_n authority_n and_o our_o own_o conscience_n we_o for_o ourselves_o and_o in_o name_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n be_v force_v to_o protest_v that_o this_o assembly_n be_v repute_v and_o hold_v null_n in_o law_n divine_a and_o human_a and_o that_o no_o churchman_n be_v hold_v to_o appear_v before_o assist_v or_o approve_v it_o and_o therefore_o that_o no_o letter_n petition_z subscription_n interlocutor_n certification_n admonition_n or_o other_o act_n whatsoever_o proceed_v from_o the_o say_a assembly_n or_o any_o member_n thereof_o be_v any_o wise_a prejudicial_a to_o the_o religion_n and_o confession_n of_o faith_n by_o act_n of_o parliament_n establish_v or_o to_o the_o church_n or_o any_o member_n thereof_o or_o to_o the_o jurisdiction_n liberty_n privilege_n rent_n benefice_n and_o possession_n of_o the_o same_o act_n of_o general_n assembly_n of_o council_n and_o parliament_n in_o favour_n thereof_o or_o to_o the_o three_o estate_n of_o the_o kingdom_n or_o any_o of_o they_o or_o to_o we_o or_o any_o of_o we_o in_o our_o person_n or_o estate_n authority_n jurisdiction_n dignity_n rent_n benefice_n reputation_n and_o good_a name_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a that_o all_o such_o act_n and_o deed_n above_o mention_v and_o every_o one_o of_o they_o be_v and_o shall_v be_v repute_v and_o esteem_v unjust_a illegal_a and_o null_a in_o themselves_o with_o all_o that_o have_v follow_v or_o may_v follow_v thereupon_o and_o forasmuch_o as_o the_o say_v assemby_n do_v intend_v as_o we_o be_v inform_v to_o call_v in_o question_n discuss_v and_o condemn_v thing_n not_o only_o in_o themselves_o lawful_a and_o warrantable_a but_o also_o define_v and_o determine_v by_o act_n of_o general_n assembly_n and_o parliament_n and_o in_o practice_v according_o to_o the_o disgrace_n and_o prejudice_n of_o reform_a religion_n authority_n of_o the_o law_n and_o liberty_n of_o the_o church_n and_o kingdom_n weaken_v his_o majesty_n authority_n disgrace_v the_o profession_n and_o practice_n which_o he_o hold_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n where_o he_o live_v and_o brand_a of_o reform_a church_n with_o the_o foul_a aspersion_n of_o idolatry_n and_o superstition_n we_o protest_v before_o god_n and_o man_n that_o what_o shall_v be_v do_v in_o this_o kind_n may_v not_o redound_v to_o the_o disgrace_n or_o disadvantage_n of_o reform_a religion_n nor_o be_v repute_v a_o deed_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n we_o protest_v that_o we_o embrace_v and_o hold_v that_o the_o religion_n present_o profess_v in_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n according_a to_o the_o confession_n thereof_o receive_v by_o the_o estate_n of_o this_o kingdom_n and_o ratify_v in_o parliament_n the_o year_n 1567._o be_v the_o true_a religion_n bring_v man_n to_o eternal_a salvation_n and_o do_v detest_v all_o contrary_a error_n we_o protest_v that_o episcopal_a government_n in_o the_o church_n be_v lawful_a and_o necessary_a and_o that_o the_o same_o be_v not_o oppose_v and_o impugn_a for_o any_o defect_n or_o fault_n either_o in_o the_o government_n or_o governor_n but_o by_o the_o malice_n and_o craft_n of_o the_o devil_n envy_v the_o success_n of_o that_o government_n in_o this_o church_n these_o many_o year_n by_o past_a most_o evident_a in_o plant_v of_o church_n with_o able_a and_o learned_a minister_n recover_v of_o the_o church_n rend_v help_v of_o the_o minister_n stipend_n prevent_v of_o these_o jar_n betwixt_o the_o king_n and_o the_o church_n which_o in_o former_a time_n dangerous_o infest_a the_o same_o keep_v the_o people_n in_o peace_n and_o