term_n as_o to_o that_o in_o the_o year_n 1582._o it_o be_v gross_o mistake_v because_o it_o be_v no_o way_n anent_o decline_v of_o unlawful_a assembly_n but_o against_o appeal_n from_o lawful_a assembly_n to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n in_o ecclesiastic_a cause_n for_o stop_v ecclesiastic_a discipline_n against_o the_o person_n appealer_n as_o be_v further_a evident_a by_o the_o occasion_n thereof_o mr._n robert_n montgomery_n bishop_n of_o glasgow_n his_o produce_v letter_n of_o horning_n from_o the_o king_n &_o counsel_n charge_v the_o assembly_n to_o desist_v from_o his_o process_n and_o suspend_v their_o sentence_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n till_o the_o king_n and_o counsel_n consider_v the_o same_o against_o which_o the_o kirk_n enter_v a_o protestation_n from_o these_o thing_n it_o may_v appear_v how_o unwarantable_o the_o meeting_n at_o dundee_n do_v upon_o alleadgance_n of_o this_o act_n fall_v upon_o debate_n of_o the_o summar_n excommunication_n of_o these_o who_o have_v 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where_o they_o be_v remove_v from_o sit_v as_o member_n and_o we_o will_v have_v any_o man_n in_o the_o world_n to_o bring_v a_o reason_n why_o some_o member_n upon_o exception_n propound_v shall_v have_v be_v remove_v till_o these_o be_v try_v and_o discuss_v and_o yet_o other_o member_n admit_v against_o they_o as_o relevant_a nay_o more_o relevant_a exception_n be_v propound_v before_o the_o try_v and_o discuss_v of_o they_o for_o the_o second_o that_o the_o person_n object_v against_o be_v under_o scandal_n of_o carry_v on_o a_o course_n of_o defection_n it_o be_v manifest_a not_o only_o from_o hear-say_n and_o common_a report_n the_o first_o whereof_o in_o the_o 13._o of_o deuteronomy_n and_o 12._o verse_n be_v make_v a_o ground_n for_o inquire_v and_o make_v search_n and_o ask_v diligent_o after_o these_o who_o seduce_v to_o false-worship_n and_o the_o other_o ground_n of_o proceed_v against_o the_o incestous_a person_n 1_o cor._n 5.1_o 2_o thes_n 3.11_o but_o also_o from_o 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that_o such_o exception_n and_o objection_n be_v propon_v be_v never_o reject_v there_o be_v since_o the_o late_a reformation_n no_o cause_n to_o propound_v any_o such_o thing_n the_o commissioner_n till_o this_o year_n have_v always_o carry_v themselves_o faithful_o but_o upon_o supposal_n they_o have_v do_v otherwise_o it_o can_v in_o reason_n be_v deny_v but_o that_o there_o be_v reason_n both_o to_o propound_v it_o and_o take_v it_o in_o consideration_n in_o order_n to_o this_o particular_a it_o be_v to_o be_v remember_v that_o upon_o occasion_n of_o the_o great_a debate_n in_o the_o assembly_n 1597._o concern_v the_o carriage_n and_o proceed_n of_o the_o commission_n of_o the_o gen._n assembly_n who_o have_v lead_v the_o church_n into_o defection_n in_o the_o interval_n betwixt_o assembly_n by_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o give_v in_o petition_n to_o the_o parliament_n for_o vote_n in_o parliament_n to_o the_o minister_n that_o shall_v be_v provide_v to_o prelacy_n and_o represent_v the_o true_a kirk_n of_o god_n and_o be_v the_o three_o estate_n of_o the_o realm_n the_o next_o assembly_n which_o sit_v in_o the_o year_n 1601_o do_v make_v a_o act_n appoint_v the_o commissioner_n of_o the_o precede_a assembly_n to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o their_o whole_a proceed_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o next_o before_o any_o other_o cause_n or_o matter_n be_v handle_v and_o their_o proceeeding_n be_v allow_v or_o dissallow_v as_o the_o assembly_n shall_v think_v expedient_a which_o act_n be_v renew_v in_o the_o year_n 1648._o and_o do_v necessary_o infer_v that_o they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v admit_v to_o sit_v as_o member_n of_o the_o assembly_n though_o there_o be_v no_o scandal_n nor_o exception_n propound_v thereupon_o till_o their_o carriage_n be_v first_o try_v and_o approven_v muchless_a they_o be_v to_o be_v admit_v when_o there_o be_v scandal_n and_o exception_n propound_v thereupon_o object_n it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o remove_v they_o when_o the_o report_n of_o 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if_o man_n that_o in_o all_o their_o precious_a interest_n must_v be_v sufferer_n because_o of_o their_o do_v of_o such_o thing_n be_v lead_v to_o act_v therein_o upon_o a_o principle_n of_o selfish_a interest_n we_o leave_v it_o to_o judicious_a and_o indifferent_a man_n to_o consider_v and_o give_v their_o judgement_n whether_o it_o be_v very_o apparent_a yea_o or_o not_o it_o be_v true_a that_o some_o two_o or_o three_o do_v partly_o by_o the_o persuasion_n and_o partly_o by_o the_o threaten_n of_o some_o at_o dundee_n resile_v a_o little_a from_o the_o testimony_n which_o they_o have_v give_v at_o st_n andrews_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o protestation_n which_o within_o a_o short_a time_n thereafter_o they_o do_v repent_v of_o and_o again_o adhere_v to_o their_o former_a testimony_n not_o upon_o any_o selfish-interest_n or_o eye_n to_o credit_n or_o advantage_n as_o the_o author_n affirm_v there_o be_v no_o appearance_n first_o or_o last_o that_o by_o adhere_v to_o the_o protestation_n they_o can_v gain_v any_o of_o these_o thing_n but_o on_o the_o check_n of_o their_o own_o conscience_n and_o the_o voice_n they_o hear_v behind_o they_o say_v this_o be_v the_o way_n walk_v you_o in_o it_o when_o they_o have_v turn_v aside_o some_o of_o they_o be_v since_o that_o time_n take_v out_o of_o the_o land_n of_o the_o live_n and_o i_o trust_v be_v now_o in_o glory_n and_o i_o can_v assure_v the_o author_n and_o all_o other_o and_o if_o it_o be_v doubt_v i_o will_v get_v it_o attest_v under_o the_o hand_n of_o famous_a witness_n that_o after_o their_o resil_n from_o that_o testimony_n they_o have_v no_o peace_n nor_o quietness_n in_o their_o spirit_n for_o a_o long_a time_n but_o go_v down_o mourning_n to_o their_o grave_n because_o they_o have_v so_o do_v and_o upon_o their_o death_n bed_n do_v often_o and_o sad_o bemoan_v it_o that_o they_o have_v miss_v the_o opportunity_n to_o give_v some_o public_a testimony_n and_o declaration_n with_o other_o of_o their_o sorrow_n for_o the_o same_o and_o of_o their_o purpose_n and_o resolution_n to_o adhere_v to_o the_o protestation_n it_o have_v be_v no_o loss_n to_o the_o author_n nor_o his_o cause_n to_o have_v spare_v such_o sharp_a let_v i_o not_o say_v bitter_a and_o personal_a reflection_n upon_o conscientious_a and_o godly_a man_n as_o he_o many_o time_n needless_o use_v he_o and_o all_o other_o who_o eye_n god_n have_v open_v to_o see_v their_o way_n can_v but_o be_v conscious_a to_o themselves_o of_o their_o own_o wander_n and_o how_o much_o they_o owe_v to_o the_o exceed_a riches_n of_o the_o mercy_n and_o free_a grace_n of_o god_n that_o have_v recover_v they_o out_o of_o snare_n vindication_n second_o estimation_n of_o the_o person_n the_o author_n or_o abettor_n of_o this_o protestation_n god_n forbid_v i_o shall_v think_v say_v or_o advise_v any_o thing_n to_o the_o prejudice_n or_o disadvantage_n of_o godliness_n or_o godly_a person_n neither_o shall_v i_o question_v their_o godliness_n my_o judgement_n concern_v some_o yea_o many_o of_o they_o be_v very_o positive_a have_v by_o experience_n and_o acquaintance_n see_v i_o must_v say_v much_o of_o the_o image_n of_o jesus_n christ_n in_o they_o as_o for_o other_o what_o ever_o they_o have_v be_v every_o whit_n i_o take_v not_o on_o i_o to_o judge_v they_o nor_o yet_o think_v i_o it_o pertinent_a or_o fit_a so_o to_o do_v that_o there_o be_v godly_a man_n not_o a_o few_o on_o the_o other_o side_n too_o be_v manifest_a some_o that_o be_v in_o christ_n before_o they_o and_o man_n that_o have_v suffer_v for_o the_o truth_n and_o cause_n of_o god_n when_o other_o have_v not_o the_o honour_n to_o be_v doer_n for_o it_o and_o be_v ready_a to_o suffer_v if_o he_o shall_v call_v they_o to_o it_o though_o some_o uncharitable_o
provocation_n which_o be_v great_a and_o many_o they_o will_v by_o this_o also_o have_v be_v accessary_a to_o what_o the_o nation_n smart_v under_o this_o day_n as_o the_o righteous_a reward_n of_o such_o revolt_n from_o god_n and_o therefore_o if_o you_o have_v no_o more_o to_o instance_n but_o this_o it_o do_v not_o prove_v but_o that_o they_o may_v all_o of_o they_o be_v still_o call_v faithful_a and_o honest_a man_n second_o he_o say_v be_v it_o so_o that_o some_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v choose_v commissioner_n who_o be_v not_o now_o choose_v yet_o this_o be_v little_a to_o the_o point_n that_o election_n be_v carry_v by_o influence_n of_o the_o commission_n letter_n and_o act._n but_o grant_v that_o presbytery_n do_v upon_o that_o letter_n and_o act_n leave_v their_o wont_a way_n these_o year_n pass_v in_o thâ—ir_a election_n it_o be_v to_o the_o point_n in_o hand_n because_o it_o be_v praesumptio_fw-la juris_fw-la &_o de_fw-fr jure_fw-la that_o this_o change_n flow_v from_o the_o influence_n that_o the_o letter_n and_o act_n have_v upon_o they_o the_o author_n see_v somewhat_o of_o this_o intimate_v another_o cause_n that_o move_v that_o change_n to_o wit_n that_o the_o whole_a kirk_n be_v grow_v sensible_a of_o this_o thing_n as_o dangerous_a whereby_o the_o whole_a power_n of_o public_a government_n be_v near_o become_v settle_v in_o the_o person_n of_o some_o particular_a man_n and_o these_o but_o a_o few_o as_o constant_a commissioner_n in_o which_o he_o think_v there_o will_v be_v need_n to_o prelimite_a presbytery_n that_o they_o make_v not_o a_o use_n of_o it_o if_o the_o lord_n shall_v be_v please_v again_o to_o grant_v the_o liberty_n of_o a_o assembly_n but_o to_o say_v nothing_o that_o this_o be_v the_o language_n which_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v speak_v by_o dis-affected_n man_n these_o year_n past_a especial_o dis-affected_n minister_n who_o fall_v under_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n who_o pretence_n and_o alleadgeance_n in_o this_o particular_a have_v strength_n add_v unto_o they_o by_o the_o author_n assert_v the_o same_o thing_n it_o be_v non_fw-la causa_fw-la pro_fw-la causa_fw-la as_o will_v appear_v by_o these_o two_o thing_n first_o there_o be_v a_o good_a many_o of_o these_o who_o be_v for_o the_o public_a resolution_n who_o have_v wont_a to_o be_v commissioner_n these_o year_n past_a and_o who_o have_v a_o great_a some_o of_o they_o a_o great_a sway_n in_o government_n than_o the_o other_o and_o yet_o most_o if_o not_o all_o of_o these_o be_v choose_v also_o the_o last_o year_n now_o if_o that_o be_v the_o cause_n which_o the_o author_n speak_v of_o why_o do_v it_o not_o bring_v forth_o the_o like_a effect_n in_o regard_n of_o both_o see_v both_o be_v alike_o liable_a to_o that_o exception_n next_o if_o the_o whole_a church_n be_v so_o grow_v in_o the_o sense_n of_o that_o evil_a why_o do_v they_o not_o provide_v the_o remedy_n at_o the_o last_o assembly_n it_o be_v in_o their_o power_n so_o to_o have_v do_v and_o the_o commissioner_n as_o the_o author_n assertion_n will_v import_v have_v such_o a_o impression_n of_o the_o same_o upon_o their_o spirit_n if_o the_o author_n will_v speak_v his_o conscience_n i_o think_v he_o will_v not_o deny_v but_o if_o these_o man_n who_o he_o say_v to_o have_v be_v exclude_v upon_o that_o ground_n have_v be_v for_o the_o public_a resolution_n even_o these_o among_o they_o who_o that_o ground_n may_v have_v be_v conceive_v to_o reach_v most_o will_v have_v be_v choose_v and_o admit_v commissioner_n as_o well_o as_o other_o if_o the_o whole_a church_n be_v grow_v sensible_a of_o this_o thing_n sure_o the_o meeting_n at_o st._n andrews_n do_v little_a regard_n or_o express_v it_o when_o they_o choose_v one_o to_o be_v their_o moderator_n who_o not_o only_o have_v be_v moderator_n of_o the_o former_a commission_n who_o proceed_n be_v then_o in_o question_n and_o to_o be_v examine_v but_o also_o in_o many_o precede_a commission_n and_o aâ—len_a biâ—es_n and_o who_o have_v be_v a_o chief_a aâ—tor_n all_o that_o while_n in_o all_o these_o thing_n that_o concern_v public_a government_n which_o i_o speak_v not_o to_o bear_v any_o particular_a blame_n upon_o he_o or_o upon_o his_o carriage_n but_o to_o let_v see_v that_o either_o the_o whole_a church_n be_v not_o grow_v sensible_a of_o this_o as_o the_o author_n insinuate_v or_o else_o that_o hâ—r_a sense_n of_o it_o in_o her_o representative_a be_v let_v out_o or_o hold_v in_o upon_o man_n according_a to_o their_o judgement_n and_o carriage_n in_o the_o public_a resolution_n and_o so_o be_v not_o the_o cause_n of_o the_o presbytery_n not_o choose_v such_o as_o they_o be_v wont_a to_o choose_v three_o thaâ—_n few_o opposer_n be_v choose_v he_o think_v it_o be_v no_o wonder_n because_o they_o be_v but_o few_o in_o comparison_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o land_n how_o few_o soever_o they_o be_v in_o comparison_n of_o thâ—_n rest_n of_o the_o ministry_n in_o the_o land_n yet_o these_o of_o they_o who_o be_v former_o wont_v to_o be_v choose_v commissioner_n be_v not_o few_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o commissioner_n neither_o yet_o be_v they_o so_o few_o as_o the_o author_n reckon_v they_o when_o he_o say_v that_o four_o part_n of_o five_o of_o the_o presbytery_n have_v in_o they_o at_o that_o time_n no_o opposer_n to_o the_o public_a resolution_n nay_o they_o be_v and_o be_v still_o a_o very_a considerable_a number_n and_o whensoever_o a_o exact_a calculation_n shall_v be_v make_v by_o a_o particular_a list_n of_o the_o whole_a ministry_n in_o the_o land_n and_o of_o these_o who_o be_v against_o the_o public_a resolution_n at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o election_n and_o of_o the_o whole_a commissioner_n of_o the_o assembly_n at_o s._n andrews_n and_o dundee_n i_o believe_v it_o shall_v be_v find_v that_o the_o number_n of_o commissioner_n who_o be_v choose_v from_o among_o these_o who_o be_v against_o the_o public_a resolution_n 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the_o very_a election_n be_v yet_o undiscuss_v and_o be_v please_v to_o stay_v in_o the_o assembly_n sit_v and_o vote_n in_o that_o same_o very_a particular_a i_o mean_v the_o resolution_n of_o the_o commission_n how_o then_o can_v they_o be_v real_o exclude_v from_o be_v judge_n in_o that_o particular_a wherein_o they_o real_o do_v sit_v judge_n or_o be_v any_o of_o they_o exclude_v after_o the_o act_n and_o letter_n be_v approven_v if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o approve_v of_o that_o act_n and_o letter_n do_v import_v that_o they_o ought_v in_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o assembly_n to_o have_v be_v exclude_v i_o answer_v 1._o yet_o though_o this_o may_v say_v somewhat_o that_o the_o assembly_n determination_n in_o this_o point_n de_fw-fr jure_fw-la do_v not_o agree_v well_o with_o that_o pre-ceding_a fact_n in_o admit_v such_o member_n to_o judge_v in_o
perhaps_o he_o see_v some_o disadvantage_n in_o that_o be_v it_o so_o that_o that_o inference_n can_v be_v make_v from_o thence_o yet_o may_v this_o inference_n well_o be_v make_v from_o thence_o that_o after_o the_o choose_n of_o the_o moderator_n they_o can_v be_v admit_v to_o sit_v and_o vote_n in_o any_o business_n in_o the_o assembly_n before_o their_o proceed_n be_v allow_v or_o disallow_v and_o that_o if_o they_o be_v admit_v before_o that_o time_n these_o act_n of_o the_o assembly_n be_v clear_o cross_v and_o contradict_v which_o be_v do_v by_o all_o these_o assembly_n since_o 38._o they_o be_v to_o be_v pull_v down_o as_o null_n when_o the_o author_n shall_v extricate_v himself_o and_o his_o reader_n out_o of_o this_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n he_o shall_v also_o help_v the_o writer_n how_o to_o clear_v himself_o of_o the_o other_o the_o truth_n be_v though_o there_o have_v be_v some_o cross_n between_o these_o assembly_n and_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o assembly_n since_o 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the_o matter_n can_v be_v pass_v by_o unless_o they_o be_v formal_o repeal_v yet_o if_o through_o inadvertency_n or_o custom_n they_o come_v to_o be_v omit_v there_o be_v no_o particular_a emergent_a give_v occasion_n to_o urge_v they_o yet_o do_v not_o this_o give_v any_o blow_n to_o the_o judicatory_a wherein_o these_o form_n shall_v be_v use_v neither_o do_v he_o who_o say_v that_o their_o own_o law_n prescribe_v such_o a_o form_n prove_v guilty_a of_o any_o mystery_n or_o iniquity_n but_o the_o author_n insist_o that_o the_o assembly_n 48._o which_o do_v renew_v that_o act_n do_v at_o the_o very_a same_o time_n admit_v the_o commissioner_n of_o the_o precede_a assembly_n sundry_a of_o the_o present_a protester_n and_o among_o the_o rest_n none_o more_o than_o the_o writer_n of_o this_o paper_n and_o the_o suggester_n to_o he_o of_o this_o consideration_n be_v chief_a actor_n in_o the_o business_n to_o sit_v as_o member_n of_o the_o assembly_n before_o their_o proceed_n be_v try_v 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act_n be_v in_o that_o business_n in_o the_o assembly_n 48._o if_o he_o shall_v take_v into_o consideration_n the_o circumstance_n of_o proceed_n in_o the_o assembly_n 48._o which_o revive_v the_o act_n of_o the_o assembly_n 1601._o he_o will_v not_o need_v to_o think_v it_o strange_a that_o they_o do_v admit_v the_o commissioner_n of_o the_o former_a assembly_n to_o sit_v &_o vote_n in_o other_o matter_n before_o their_o proceed_n be_v try_v and_o judge_v because_o the_o motion_n of_o revive_v that_o act_n be_v not_o make_v till_o a_o very_a little_a time_n before_o the_o report_n of_o their_o proceed_n by_o the_o committee_n of_o the_o assembly_n to_o who_o the_o inspection_n of_o the_o commission-book_n be_v commit_v any_o who_o look_v upon_o the_o act_n of_o the_o assembly_n will_v find_v that_o the_o act_n 1601._o be_v revive_v and_o the_o commission_n proceed_n approven_v both_o in_o one_o day_n the_o one_o in_o the_o forenoon_n and_o the_o other_o in_o the_o afternoon_n and_o i_o believe_v that_o he_o shall_v not_o find_v that_o in_o the_o interval_n betwixt_o these_o two_o act_n any_o thing_n be_v vote_v in_o the_o assembly_n he_o insinuate_v as_o if_o at_o that_o time_n there_o have_v be_v a_o debate_n about_o the_o remove_n of_o the_o commissioner_n upon_o exception_n make_v against_o they_o but_o in_o this_o he_o be_v mistake_v still_o there_o be_v no_o exception_n make_v against_o they_o nor_o any_o debate_n thereupon_o as_o we_o have_v already_o clear_v if_o it_o be_v ask_v what_o then_o be_v the_o reason_n of_o revive_v the_o act_n 1601._o the_o reason_n be_v because_o the_o committee_n of_o estate_n do_v the_o day_n before_o the_o report_n make_v of_o the_o proceed_n of_o the_o commission_n desire_v that_o the_o assembly_n will_v not_o proceed_v to_o the_o approbation_n of_o these_o proceed_n before_o they_o may_v be_v hear_v in_o these_o thing_n that_o do_v relate_v to_o the_o engagement_n as_o we_o have_v already_o show_v and_o the_o assembly_n 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more_o direct_a answer_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o every_o propound_v of_o exception_n or_o alleadgance_n of_o scandal_n against_o person_n and_o offer_v to_o prove_v they_o be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o deprive_v they_o from_o be_v member_n of_o or_o sit_v in_o the_o general_n assembly_n for_o be_v it_o so_o perverse_a and_o bold_a man_n may_v return_v and_o disappoint_v the_o church_n of_o all_o gen._n assembly_n for_o ever_o this_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o late_a paper_n acknowledge_v in_o answer_n to_o objection_n 3._o against_o the_o present_a argument_n and_o therefore_o he_o proceed_v to_o qualify_v the_o exception_n which_o may_v be_v sufficient_a for_o that_o effect_n by_o set_v down_o three_o condition_n requisite_a in_o it_o wherein_o â—e_n speak_v not_o altogether_o amiss_o of_o which_o we_o shall_v make_v our_o use_n we_o hope_v for_o
that_o this_o consequence_n will_v follow_v especial_o where_o the_o exception_n do_v concern_v many_o and_o lead_v menare_n be_v of_o a_o more_o common_a and_o universal_a influence_n appear_v because_o if_o these_o person_n be_v admit_v to_o sit_v as_o member_n after_o the_o propon_n of_o these_o exception_n before_o trial_n of_o they_o there_o can_v be_v no_o regress_n to_o the_o remove_n of_o they_o afterward_o upon_o that_o ground_n unless_o we_o say_v that_o the_o assembly_n may_v afterward_o undo_v that_o which_o former_o they_o do_v approve_v in_o forâ—_n contradictorio_fw-la and_o that_o those_o that_o be_v once_o find_v member_n notwithstanding_o of_o these_o exception_n yet_o afterward_o by_o the_o same_o exception_n may_v be_v find_v no_o member_n that_o the_o one_o consequence_n do_v more_o probable_o follow_v then_o the_o other_o appear_v not_o only_o from_o this_o that_o it_o be_v not_o ordinary_a for_o man_n of_o common_a sense_n and_o reason_n not_o almost_o for_o the_o most_o perverse_a and_o irrational_a man_n to_o offer_v that_o to_o a_o judicatory_a against_o their_o constituent_a member_n which_o they_o have_v no_o probable_a hope_n to_o verify_v but_o also_o from_o the_o doolfull_a experience_n of_o this_o church_n when_o do_v it_o ever_o fall_v out_o in_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n that_o a_o general_n assembly_n be_v disappoint_v by_o perverse_a and_o bold_a man_n offer_v to_o prove_v exception_n relevant_a in_o law_n but_o fall_v in_o fact_n against_o the_o constituent_a member_n thereof_o who_o can_v give_v any_o instance_n thereof_o unless_o man_n will_v bring_v the_o assembly_n 51._o which_o be_v to_o bring_v the_o thing_n in_o question_n for_o a_o instance_n but_o upon_o the_o other_o hand_n the_o admitting_z of_o man_n to_o sit_v against_o who_o such_o exception_n be_v or_o may_v have_v be_v propon_v have_v be_v one_o of_o the_o main_a cause_n of_o corruption_n of_o assembly_n and_o defection_n in_o this_o church_n as_o be_v 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person_n offer_v to_o verify_v exception_n because_o in_o this_o case_n they_o do_v not_o make_v any_o offer_n of_o verification_n of_o any_o exception_n before_o that_o meeting_n upon_o the_o other_o hand_n if_o they_o do_v acknowledge_v a_o part_n of_o they_o as_o person_n competent_a and_o fit_o qualify_v to_o try_v and_o discuss_v these_o exception_n which_o they_o offer_v to_o verify_v than_o the_o person_n against_o who_o they_o except_o be_v remove_v and_o the_o exception_n take_v in_o and_o cognosce_v upon_o according_a to_o the_o verification_n offer_v they_o be_v find_v either_o true_a or_o false_a if_o they_o be_v find_v false_a the_o assembly_n be_v not_o disappoint_v but_o may_v proceed_v to_o its_o constitution_n have_v find_v their_o member_n blameless_a and_o have_v stop_v these_o man_n mouth_n if_o the_o exception_n be_v find_v true_a of_o such_o a_o number_n without_o who_o the_o rest_n can_v make_v a_o assembly_n there_o be_v a_o great_a advantage_n in_o stead_n of_o a_o fear_a disadvantage_n that_o be_v the_o prevention_n of_o a_o corrupt_a meeting_n constitute_v themselves_o in_o a_o assembly_n if_o but_o a_o few_o number_n the_o corrupt_a be_v remove_v and_o the_o blameless_a be_v admit_v and_o the_o assembly_n go_v on_o beside_o all_o this_o it_o may_v by_o way_n of_o commission_n without_o any_o disadvantage_n to_o the_o protester_n cause_v be_v yield_v to_o the_o author_n that_o it_o be_v to_o be_v look_v to_o that_o the_o person_n offer_v to_o verify_v these_o exception_n be_v not_o perverse_a person_n but_o man_n of_o a_o good_a report_n and_o such_o as_o be_v know_v to_o walk_v honest_o and_o not_o to_o act_v upon_o a_o principle_n of_o malice_n or_o il-will_a against_o the_o person_n who_o the_o exception_n do_v concern_v all_o which_o be_v true_a in_o the_o protester_n casâ—_n they_o be_v sundry_a of_o they_o member_n of_o that_o meeting_n to_o who_o it_o be_v incumbent_a ex_fw-la officio_fw-la to_o propone_fw-la any_o exception_n consist_v in_o their_o knowledge_n and_o allow_v to_o sit_v as_o member_n of_o the_o assembly_n a_o privilege_n not_o belong_v to_o perverse_n man_n and_o all_o of_o they_o man_n of_o good_a report_n &_o of_o a_o blameless_a conversation_n and_o such_o as_o be_v know_v to_o be_v so_o far_o from_o mal_v the_o commissioner_n against_o who_o they_o do_v except_v that_o they_o then_o have_v and_o still_o have_v they_o in_o estimation_n and_o do_v love_v they_o as_o brethren_n the_o author_n yield_v that_o the_o assembly_n be_v constitute_v the_o exception_n and_o ground_n thereof_o be_v to_o be_v try_v with_o all_o convenient_a diligence_n and_o expedition_n and_o allege_n that_o this_o be_v offer_v to_o the_o protester_n in_o the_o present_a case_n and_o debate_n that_o such_o a_o offer_n be_v make_v i_o shall_v not_o contradict_v i_o believe_v it_o be_v so_o but_o to_o pass_v by_o that_o even_o this_o which_o he_o himself_o think_v reasonable_a though_o offer_v yet_o be_v not_o well_o perform_v because_o most_o of_o the_o time_n that_o the_o assembly_n sit_v be_v pass_v before_o that_o exception_n and_o the_o ground_n thereof_o be_v try_v these_o man_n all_o the_o while_n and_o for_o a_o good_a many_o day_n sit_v and_o voice_n in_o all_o thing_n that_o past_a in_o the_o assembly_n even_o in_o these_o thing_n that_o do_v concern_v the_o proponer_n of_o the_o exception_n the_o protester_n can_v not_o accept_v of_o this_o offer_n not_o only_o because_o it_o do_v suppose_v their_o sit_v in_o the_o assembly_n as_o member_n before_o the_o try_v of_o the_o exception_n but_o also_o because_o the_o exception_n be_v not_o a_o exception_n against_o one_o or_o some_o few_o particular_a person_n in_o the_o case_n of_o some_o particular_a or_o personal_a scandal_n but_o a_o exception_n of_o common_a concernment_n to_o many_o in_o thing_n relate_v to_o the_o discharge_n of_o their_o trust_n in_o the_o cause_n vindication_n but_o say_v the_o writer_n in_o hand_n both_o these_o be_v clear_a in_o the_o present_a case_n to_o wit_n the_o exception_n make_v against_o the_o late_a commissioner_n it_o be_v relevant_a in_o jure_fw-la if_o there_o be_v any_o relevancie_n why_o a_o man_n shall_v not_o sit_v in_o the_o general_n assembly_n this_o certain_o be_v one_o that_o he_o have_v betray_v his_o former_a trust_n have_v make_v defection_n from_o the_o covenant_n and_o cause_n and_o be_v instrumental_a to_o carry_v on_o a_o course_n of_o defection_n throughout_o the_o kirk_n and_o kingdom_n and_o as_o to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o fact_n in_o reference_n against_o who_o the_o exception_n be_v make_v all_o these_o do_v concur_v a_o flagrant_a scandal_n pregnant_a presumption_n and_o person_n in_o the_o judicatory_a offer_v to_o instruct_v and_o verify_v what_o be_v allege_v by_o this_o the_o writer_n believe_v that_o he_o have_v clear_v as_o with_o a_o sun_n beam_n and_o gain_v his_o point_n but_o we_o hope_v it_o shall_v be_v make_v to_o appear_v that_o he_o have_v leave_v the_o matter_n yet_o in_o the_o mist_n and_o gain_v never_o a_o white_a it_o be_v true_a indeed_o that_o for_o commissioner_n to_o betray_v their_o trust_n to_o make_v defection_n from_o the_o covenant_n and_o cause_n etc._n etc._n be_v in_o jure_v a_o relevant_a cause_n to_o exclude_v any_o man_n from_o sit_v in_o the_o general_n assembly_n as_o a_o member_n and_o deserve_v more_o as_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o the_o writer_n and_o some_o other_o intend_v the_o challenge_n of_o it_o against_o the_o commissioner_n for_o more_o but_o that_o the_o commissioner_n for_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n have_v betray_v their_o trust_n etc._n etc._n there_o may_v have_v be_v and_o be_v indeed_o by_o some_o spread_v a_o flagrant_a scandal_n but_o there_o be_v no_o flagrant_a scandal_n these_o same_o who_o afterward_o accuse_v they_o in_o the_o assembly_n i_o mean_v presumption_n objective_a by_o any_o thing_n they_o do_v
though_o there_o be_v presumption_n enough_o in_o some_o man_n against_o they_o and_z as_o for_o some_o person_n offer_v to_o instruct_v it_o that_o be_v to_o little_a purpose_n to_o argue_v they_o scandallous_a but_o the_o great_a sophism_n in_o this_o whole_a discourse_n whereinto_o i_o will_v not_o determine_v whether_o out_o of_o inanimadvertency_n or_o willing_o the_o writer_n have_v run_v lie_v in_o this_o that_o the_o main_a and_o principal_a question_n de_fw-fr jure_fw-la which_o shall_v have_v be_v clear_v to_o the_o effect_n that_o scandal_n may_v be_v just_o charge_v upon_o the_o commissioner_n be_v not_o the_o general_n or_o thesis_fw-la whether_o betray_v of_o trust_n or_o make_v defection_n from_o the_o covenant_n and_o cause_n if_o it_o be_v such_o a_o fault_n as_o deserve_v exclusion_n from_o sit_v as_o a_o member_n in_o a_o general_n assembly_n but_o this_o particular_a hypothesis_n whether_o the_o resolve_v that_o all_o person_n in_o the_o land_n except_v such_o as_o be_v notorious_o etc._n etc._n maybe_o admit_v to_o join_v in_o arm_n for_o just_a &_o necessary_a defence_n of_o the_o kingdom_n when_o otherways_o there_o can_v be_v force_n have_v otherways_o in_o warrantable_a prudence_n for_o defence_n of_o it_o item_n resolve_v that_o the_o time_n of_o civil_a censure_n inflict_v by_o the_o parliament_n upon_o person_n accessary_a to_o former_a malignant_a course_n as_o the_o sinful_a engagement_n may_v be_v dispense_v with_o and_o take_v off_o by_o the_o parliament_n with_o this_o provision_n that_o none_o shall_v be_v admit_v to_o place_n of_o power_n and_o trust_v but_o such_o as_o be_v qualify_v positive_o according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n in_o that_o case_n hold_v in_o our_o solemn_a engagement_n item_n ordain_v presbytery_n to_o proceed_v with_o person_n former_o guilty_a of_o malignant_a course_n for_o admission_n of_o they_o unto_o public_a repentance_n in_o a_o way_n conform_v to_o the_o rule_v set_v down_o by_o 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defection_n from_o the_o covenant_n and_o cause_n yet_o now_o we_o shall_v say_v but_o this_o that_o this_o be_v not_o at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o protestation_n clear_a to_o the_o assembly_n because_o as_o yet_o there_o be_v not_o any_o particular_a determination_n thereanent_a in_o former_a general_n assembly_n wherefore_o for_o further_a clear_v of_o this_o matter_n that_o we_o be_v upon_o the_o exclude_v the_o person_n choose_v by_o their_o presbytery_n without_o contradiction_n to_o be_v commissioner_n from_o sit_v as_o member_n in_o the_o assembly_n upon_o alledgance_n of_o scandal_n against_o they_o it_o shall_v be_v observe_v by_o all_o honest_a and_o ingenuous_a reader_n that_o when_o the_o imputation_n of_o scandal_n upon_o they_o depend_v upon_o a_o particular_a hypothesis_n which_o at_o least_o be_v questionable_a and_o the_o very_a point_n of_o controversy_n betwixt_o they_o and_o their_o accuser_n be_v against_o all_o reason_n and_o equity_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v 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discuss_n of_o that_o sophism_n as_o he_o be_v please_v to_o call_v it_o whereinto_o he_o will_v not_o determine_v whether_o out_o of_o inanimadvertencie_n or_o willing_o the_o writer_n as_o he_o allege_n have_v run_v but_o let_v we_o hear_v what_o this_o sophism_n be_v the_o main_a and_o principal_a question_n de_fw-fr jure_fw-la which_o shall_v have_v be_v clear_v say_v he_o to_o the_o effect_n that_o scandal_n may_v have_v be_v just_o charge_v upon_o the_o commissioner_n be_v not_o the_o general_n or_o thesis_n whether_o betray_v of_o trust_n and_o make_v defection_n from_o the_o covenant_n etc._n etc._n be_v such_o a_o fault_n as_o deserve_v exclusion_n from_o sit_v as_o a_o member_n in_o a_o general_n assembly_n but_o this_o particular_a hypothesis_n whether_o the_o resolve_v that_o all_o person_n except_v such_o as_o be_v notorious_o profane_a etc._n etc._n may_v be_v admit_v to_o join_v in_o arm_n for_o just_a and_o necessary_a defence_n of_o the_o kingdom_n when_o otherwise_o 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sufficient_a in_o warrantable_a prudence_n to_o defend_v the_o land_n that_o number_n yea_o the_o double_a of_o it_o be_v to_o be_v find_v be_v north_n forth_o to_o speak_v nothing_o of_o other_o part_n in_o the_o land_n out_o of_o which_o there_o be_v also_o levy_n make_v both_o of_o horse_n and_o foot_n though_o all_o the_o person_n in_o question_n for_o their_o malignancie_n and_o disaffection_n to_o the_o cause_n have_v be_v lay_v aside_o the_o force_n which_o by_o these_o resolution_n be_v levy_v be_v by_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o all_o who_o know_v both_o the_o army_n as_o numerous_a if_o not_o more_o numerous_a than_o the_o force_n of_o the_o adversary_n and_o yet_o the_o levy_n in_o many_o place_n be_v but_o the_o four_o fensible_a man_n and_o in_o few_o or_o no_o place_n beyond_o the_o three_o whence_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o either_o the_o two_o part_n of_o the_o person_n in_o these_o place_n where_o the_o levy_n be_v make_v be_v such_o as_o do_v fall_v within_o the_o exception_n contain_v in_o the_o commission_n answer_v to_o the_o quaere_fw-la or_o else_o that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o necessity_n of_o a_o universal_a come_n forth_o as_o be_v allow_v in_o that_o answer_n and_o that_o therefore_o the_o necessity_n that_o be_v allege_v for_o employ_v of_o these_o man_n who_o be_v former_o exclude_v be_v but_o mere_o pretend_v second_o that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o item_n as_o he_o add_v in_o the_o commission_n answer_v to_o the_o quaere_fw-la which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o public_a resolution_n and_o the_o main_a thing_n in_o debate_n betwixt_o the_o commission_n and_o the_o opposite_n of_o these_o public_a resolution_n the_o first_o item_n resolve_v that_o the_o time_n of_o civil_a censure_n inflict_v by_o the_o parliament_n upon_o person_n accessory_a to_o former_a malignant_a course_n as_o the_o sinful_a engagement_n may_v be_v dispense_v with_o and_o take_v off_o by_o the_o parliament_n with_o this_o
provision_n that_o none_o shall_v be_v admit_v to_o place_n of_o power_n and_o trust_v but_o such_o as_o be_v qualify_v positive_o according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n in_o that_o case_n hold_v forth_o in_o our_o solemn_a engagement_n to_o pass_v by_o the_o way_n of_o carry_v of_o it_o which_o be_v palpable_a and_o obvious_a to_o the_o whole_a land_n be_v not_o add_v until_o the_o force_n be_v almost_o complete_o levy_v and_o the_o bulk_n of_o the_o malignant_a party_n bring_v into_o employment_n and_o place_n of_o power_n and_o trust_v in_o the_o army_n the_o second_o item_n ordain_v presbytery_n to_o proceed_v with_o person_n former_o guilty_a of_o malignant_a course_n for_o admission_n of_o they_o into_o public_a repentance_n in_o a_o way_n conform_v to_o the_o rule_v set_v down_o by_o the_o general_n assembly_n for_o admit_v such_o upon_o testimony_n from_o presbytery_n bear_v satisfaction_n give_v by_o then_o conform_v to_o these_o rule_n be_v not_o at_o all_o include_v in_o the_o commission_n answer_v neither_o be_v there_o so_o much_o of_o it_o as_o one_o word_n in_o that_o large_a warn_v of_o the_o 7._o of_o jan._n 1651._o emit_v by_o the_o commission_n for_o strengthen_v of_o that_o answer_n and_o when_o anything_o of_o that_o kind_n in_o latter_a warning_n act_n and_o letter_n come_v to_o be_v add_v be_v always_o hold_v forth_o but_o as_o expedient_a in_o order_n to_o the_o employ_v of_o these_o man_n but_o never_o be_v press_v in_o any_o of_o these_o paper_n as_o a_o necessary_a duty_n to_o exclude_v all_o these_o from_o be_v employ_v for_o defence_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o kingdom_n who_o do_v not_o give_v evidence_n of_o their_o repentance_n according_a to_o the_o act_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n nay_o it_o can_v not_o be_v so_o press_v unless_o they_o have_v destroy_v the_o foundation_n which_o they_o have_v lay_v in_o their_o answer_n to_o the_o quaere_fw-la and_o in_o that_o warn_v the_o truth_n be_v what_o be_v do_v in_o the_o matter_n of_o repentance_n in_o order_n to_o the_o employ_v these_o man_n be_v upon_o the_o stumble_a and_o out-crying_a of_o many_o against_o the_o public_a resolution_n as_o they_o come_v first_o forth_o and_o yet_o so_o as_o the_o first_o ground_n be_v always_o hold_v fast_o as_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o judgement_n and_o for_o practice_n the_o business_n be_v hereby_o rather_o make_v worse_o before_o the_o lord_n and_o to_o the_o point_n of_o guiltiness_n than_o it_o be_v before_o the_o commission_n not_o only_o ranverse_v former_a act_n make_v by_o themselves_o for_o exclude_v these_o from_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n who_o be_v in_o the_o rebellion_n after_o dumbar_n till_o the_o next_o general_n assembly_n and_o make_v new_a act_n for_o receive_v of_o they_o but_o receive_v promiscuous_o such_o as_o come_v unto_o they_o and_o by_o their_o example_n teach_v presbytery_n to_o do_v the_o like_a by_o which_o be_v produce_v a_o fearful_a mock_n of_o the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n in_o public_a repentance_n which_o no_o doubt_n have_v be_v one_o of_o the_o provoke_a cause_n of_o the_o lord_n wrath_n to_o draw_v on_o these_o dreadful_a stroke_n wherewith_o he_o have_v again_o smite_v our_o army_n and_o our_o whole_a land_n but_o to_o the_o hypothesis_n itself_o grant_v to_o the_o author_n that_o which_o he_o allege_n that_o this_o hypothesis_n be_v not_o clear_a at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o protestation_n because_o as_o yet_o there_o be_v not_o any_o particular_a determination_n thereanent_a in_o former_a general_n assembly_n first_o i_o doubt_v of_o that_o assertion_n of_o he_o that_o when_o a_o imputation_n of_o scandal_n depend_v upon_o a_o particular_a hypothesis_n which_o at_o lest_o be_v questionable_a and_o the_o very_a point_n in_o controversy_n betwixt_o they_o and_o their_o accuser_n it_o be_v against_o all_o reason_n and_o equity_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v hold_v to_o be_v under_o a_o presumption_n of_o scandal_n until_o that_o particular_a hypothesis_n be_v discuss_v and_o clear_v and_o therefore_o until_o that_o be_v do_v the_o adversary_n alleadgeance_n against_o they_o be_v to_o be_v hold_v but_o as_o a_o mere_a alleadgeance_n upon_o which_o they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v exclude_v from_o sit_v as_o member_n in_o the_o assembly_n until_o their_o cause_n be_v judge_v and_o try_v i_o suppose_v that_o some_o commissioner_n to_o the_o assembly_n shall_v object_v against_o other_o commissioner_n that_o have_v comit_v murder_n and_o shall_v offer_v instant_o to_o verify_v the_o same_o and_o desire_v that_o the_o person_n against_o who_o it_o be_v propound_v shall_v be_v remove_v from_o sit_v as_o member_n until_o it_o migbt_v be_v try_v and_o they_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n shall_v say_v that_o it_o be_v true_a they_o have_v take_v the_o life_n of_o such_o person_n but_o in_o their_o own_o just_a and_o necessary_a defence_n and_o therefore_o they_o can_v not_o be_v hold_v under_o a_o scandal_n of_o murder_n nor_o be_v thereupon_o remove_v from_o sit_v in_o the_o assembly_n till_o that_o particular_a hypothesis_n be_v first_o determine_v will_v the_o author_n think_v it_o a_o wrong_n do_v to_o these_o person_n or_o rather_o a_o duty_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o assembly_n to_o remove_v they_o tâ—â—l_v the_o matter_n shall_v be_v cognosce_v upon_o 2._o i_o do_v affirm_v that_o not_o only_o former_a assembly_n but_o the_o assembly_n 1651._o do_v remove_v commissioner_n upon_o exception_n propound_v against_o they_o the_o ground_n whereof_o be_v not_o yet_o clear_o determine_v in_o law_n for_o instance_n the_o commissioner_n of_o the_o first_o election_n of_o the_o presbytery_n of_o glasgow_n who_o be_v lay_v aside_o as_o for_o other_o reason_n so_o also_o for_o this_o as_o one_o in_o foro_fw-la controdictorio_n sustain_v to_o be_v relevant_a because_o of_o the_o exception_n of_o the_o oppose_a of_o public_a resolution_n propound_v against_o they_o next_o mr._n robert_n cauden_n commissioner_n from_o the_o presbytery_n of_o dunce_n be_v remove_v upon_o the_o propound_v of_o this_o exception_n that_o there_o be_v but_o three_o or_o four_o minister_n in_o that_o presbytery_n to_o choose_v commissioner_n all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o church_n thereof_o be_v vacant_a and_o can_v any_o determination_n of_o this_o kirk_n be_v produce_v that_o three_o or_o four_o minister_n in_o a_o presbytery_n where_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o church_n of_o that_o presbytery_n be_v vacant_a can_v choose_v commissioner_n to_o the_o general_n assembly_n 3._o i_o do_v upon_o the_o ground_n which_o the_o author_n himself_o lay_v down_o prove_v the_o carriage_n of_o the_o commissioner_n to_o have_v be_v scandalous_a and_o such_o as_o do_v minister_v just_a ground_n of_o except_v against_o they_o why_o they_o shall_v not_o sit_v as_o member_n in_o the_o general_n assembly_n till_o their_o carriage_n shall_v be_v first_o try_v my_o argument_n be_v this_o whosoever_o commissioner_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n be_v in_o their_o trust_n and_o carriage_n in_o the_o public_a affair_n of_o the_o kirk_n limit_v and_o tie_v to_o proceed_v according_a to_o act_n of_o former_a general_n assembly_n do_v upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o discharge_n of_o their_o trust_n declare_v many_o godly_a minister_n in_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n till_o then_o of_o unquestionable_a integrity_n and_o faithfulness_n in_o the_o work_n of_o god_n to_o be_v malignant_n and_o unfaithful_a in_o the_o cause_n etc._n etc._n and_o require_v presbytery_n to_o censure_v they_o and_o to_o refer_v and_o cite_v they_o to_o the_o general_n assembly_n because_o of_o their_o oppose_v of_o resolution_n take_v and_o issue_v by_o they_o concern_v which_o there_o be_v no_o particular_a determination_n in_o any_o former_a assembly_n they_o give_v scandal_n and_o offence_n in_o the_o discharge_n of_o their_o trust_n and_o may_v just_o because_o thereof_o be_v except_v against_o as_o not_o fit_a to_o sit_v in_o the_o general_n assembly_n as_o member_n thereof_o before_o their_o carriage_n be_v try_v but_o the_o commissioner_n of_o the_o assembly_n 1651._o who_o be_v member_n of_o the_o commission_n be_v such_o ergo_fw-la etc._n etc._n the_o assumption_n be_v clear_a the_o matter_n of_o fact_n contain_v therein_o be_v evident_a from_o their_o own_o paper_n and_o that_o they_o be_v not_o warrant_v by_o any_o act_n of_o the_o assembly_n so_o to_o do_v be_v the_o author_n own_o ground_n the_o first_o proposition_n i_o prove_v thus_o whosoever_o so_o far_o transgress_v the_o bound_n of_o their_o commission_n as_o upon_o the_o account_n thereof_o to_o declare_v many_o former_o faithful_a to_o be_v malignant_n unfaithful_a and_o ordain_v they_o to_o be_v censure_v and_o cite_v when_o they_o have_v no_o warrant_n thereby_o so_o to_o do_v gives_z scandal_n and_o offence_n in_o the_o discharge_n of_o their_o trust_n but_o the_o commissioner_n by_o
therefore_o the_o author_n do_v but_o seek_v out_o invention_n to_o darken_v clear_a and_o manifest_a truth_n to_o the_o answer_n which_o he_o bring_v to_o the_o ground_n of_o proof_n bring_v by_o the_o writer_n as_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o scandal_n i_o return_v these_o reply_n that_o by_o grant_v that_o the_o hear_n of_o a_o common_a report_n may_v be_v a_o ground_n of_o enquiry_n if_o he_o deal_v candid_o therein_o according_a to_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o place_n cite_v by_o the_o author_n deut._n 13.14_o it_o must_v be_v of_o diligent_a enquiry_n for_o so_o it_o be_v express_v there_o chapter_n 17._o v._n 4._o and_o 19.18_o which_o import_v that_o it_o shall_v be_v a_o enquiry_n without_o delay_n but_o this_o be_v refuse_v about_o the_o present_a case_n in_o question_n and_o notwithstanding_o of_o this_o common_a report_n and_o object_v the_o scandal_n thereof_o in_o the_o assembly_n the_o enquiry_n be_v delay_v until_o the_o assembly_n be_v constitute_v and_o no_o more_o diligence_n be_v use_v in_o it_o then_o if_o there_o have_v be_v no_o such_o report_n at_o all_o he_o do_v injury_n to_o the_o writer_n by_o labour_v to_o bear_v upon_o he_o and_o upon_o other_o that_o he_o be_v of_o that_o mind_n that_o the_o commission_n upon_o that_o common_a report_n which_o he_o allege_n to_o have_v be_v pass_v upon_o they_o shall_v have_v be_v without_o more_o ado_n sentence_v to_o censure_n the_o utmost_a that_o the_o writer_n all_o along_o have_v plead_v in_o this_o have_v be_v that_o the_o commissioner_n ought_v to_o have_v be_v remove_v till_o their_o carriage_n be_v try_v but_o two_o ground_n he_o lay_v to_o prove_v this_o to_o have_v be_v the_o writer_n mind_n 1._o that_o the_o proceed_v order_v 1_o cor._n 5._o 5._o be_v in_o order_n to_o present_a censure_n 2._o that_o he_o allege_v the_o apostle_n word_n so_o general_a without_o any_o qualification_n i_o shall_v not_o stand_v upon_o the_o first_o but_o the_o writer_n not_o be_v upon_o the_o handle_n of_o that_o point_n what_o common_a report_n or_o how_o qualify_v be_v needful_a to_o be_v a_o ground_n of_o sentence_n but_o only_o show_v that_o sometime_o common_a report_n may_v be_v so_o he_o think_v it_o enough_o to_o cite_v the_o apostle_n word_n without_o qualify_a of_o they_o and_o if_o the_o author_n will_v make_v this_o a_o ground_n of_o challenge_n against_o the_o writer_n he_o may_v make_v it_o against_o the_o apostle_n himself_o for_o he_o set_v down_o the_o word_n general_o without_o any_o such_o qualification_n and_o the_o writer_n do_v not_o extend_v they_o to_o any_o other_o case_n than_o that_o of_o which_o the_o apostle_n be_v treat_v he_o only_o say_v that_o common_a report_n be_v make_v a_o ground_n of_o proceed_v against_o the_o incestuous_a corinthian_a without_o make_v any_o application_n of_o it_o to_o the_o commission_n case_n or_o say_v that_o it_o shall_v also_o be_v a_o ground_n of_o proceed_v against_o they_o if_o it_o be_v ask_v to_o what_o purpose_n than_o it_o be_v cite_v the_o answer_n be_v very_o obvious_a and_o clear_a from_o the_o whole_a drift_n of_o the_o writer_n discourse_n which_o be_v to_o show_v that_o the_o person_n object_v against_o be_v under_o a_o scandal_n and_o this_o he_o do_v 1._o by_o show_v that_o there_o be_v a_o hear-say_n and_o common_a report_n of_o it_o upon_o which_o the_o scripture_n lay_v so_o much_o weight_n as_o sometime_o to_o make_v it_o a_o ground_n of_o trial_n as_o deut._n 13._o sometime_o a_o ground_n of_o proceed_v as_o 1_o cor._n 5._o it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o make_v every_o hear-say_n and_o common_a report_n a_o ground_n to_o account_v man_n under_o a_o scandal_n or_o to_o proceed_v against_o they_o otherwise_o honest_a man_n indeed_o may_v be_v in_o a_o ill_a condition_n but_o the_o qualification_n of_o these_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v draw_v from_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o fact_n whereunto_o they_o be_v apply_v and_o of_o these_o we_o have_v speak_v in_o the_o fact_n of_o the_o commissioner_n and_o therefore_o the_o author_n in_o this_o particular_a do_v but_o trouble_v himself_o and_o other_o without_o cause_n yet_o must_v i_o say_v that_o though_o for_o any_o thing_n i_o know_v or_o can_v be_v collect_v from_o the_o writer_n word_n the_o utmost_a that_o he_o plead_v for_o be_v a_o delay_n of_o their_o admission_n to_o be_v member_n of_o the_o assembly_n which_o can_v not_o be_v account_v a_o sentence_n against_o they_o more_o than_o against_o other_o who_o be_v delay_v upon_o exception_n to_o be_v admit_v that_o his_o meaning_n be_v not_o that_o the_o common_a report_n that_o past_a upon_o the_o commissioner_n be_v sufficient_a to_o be_v a_o ground_n of_o present_a sentence_n against_o they_o yet_o when_o the_o author_n have_v streach_v himself_o to_o the_o utmost_a hâ—_n haâ—h_v prove_v no_o good_a advocate_n for_o the_o commissioner_n to_o exeem_v they_o from_o present_a censure_n he_o tell_v we_o that_o a_o common_a report_n that_o may_v be_v a_o ground_n of_o so_o short_a and_o summary_n proceed_v must_v be_v such_o as_o first_o be_v of_o a_o matter_n that_o â—n_a point_n de_fw-fr jure_fw-la be_v cleary_a and_o unquestionable_o a_o scandal_n 2._o for_o the_o fact_n in_o a_o manner_n universal_o uncontrolled_a eâ—â—her_o by_o the_o pâ—â—ty_n or_o any_o that_o have_v best_a or_o near_a notice_n of_o his_o action_n in_o the_o present_a case_n say_v he_o both_o â—hese_n case_n be_v want_v the_o matter_n be_v not_o clear_a de_fw-fr jure_fw-la in_o the_o main_a question_n of_o it_o its_o report_n be_v not_o so_o common_a as_o the_o contradiction_n of_o it_o but_o i_o say_v the_o matter_n be_v clear_a de_fw-fr jure_fw-la in_o the_o main_a question_n of_o it_o determine_v verbatim_o in_o former_a act_n of_o assembly_n and_o the_o fact_n be_v not_o at_o all_o controvert_v or_o control_v by_o any_o but_o take_v with_o both_o by_o the_o party_n and_o know_v and_o acknowledge_v by_o these_o that_o have_v best_o and_o near_a notice_n of_o their_o action_n the_o quality_n of_o the_o fact_n may_v be_v controvert_v whether_o right_a or_o wrong_n which_o be_v a_o point_n belong_v to_o the_o jus_o of_o it_o but_o the_o fact_n itself_o be_v not_o contradict_v either_o by_o the_o commissioner_n or_o any_o other_o and_o his_o omnino_fw-la auditur_fw-la and_o passim_fw-la &_o in_fw-la tota_fw-la achaia_fw-la etc._n etc._n and_o res_fw-la manifesta_fw-la passim_fw-la cum_fw-la magno_fw-la offenaiculo_fw-la publicata_fw-la as_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v true_a of_o that_o which_o the_o commissioner_n have_v do_v the_o offence_n and_o stumble_v of_o the_o godly_a be_v not_o causeless_a &_o bear_v upon_o they_o by_o the_o misinformation_n and_o misrepresentation_n of_o the_o commissioner_n proceed_n by_o some_o of_o the_o same_o person_n who_o be_v the_o alleadger_n the_o author_n there_o do_v a_o double_a wrong_n to_o the_o godly_a in_o scotland_n 1._o that_o he_o make_v they_o to_o have_v stumble_v without_o a_o cause_n whereas_o there_o be_v very_o real_a cause_n of_o stumble_v give_v unto_o they_o both_o in_o regard_n of_o that_o which_o be_v do_v and_o for_o the_o manner_n of_o do_v that_o which_o be_v do_v be_v employ_v of_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o land_n promiscuous_o a_o very_a few_o person_n be_v except_v among_o who_o be_v many_o malignant_a and_o dis-affected_n man_n who_o have_v be_v former_o exclude_v and_o with_o who_o the_o lord_n people_n in_o the_o land_n have_v learn_v from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o from_o the_o constant_a tenor_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o all_o the_o faithful_a minister_n of_o this_o church_n to_o keep_v a_o distance_n as_o to_o employ_v they_o in_o the_o defence_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o kingdom_n as_o this_o be_v a_o main_a occasion_n of_o contrive_v the_o league_n and_o covenant_n so_o be_v there_o a_o special_a article_n therein_o relate_v thereto_o the_o breach_n whereof_o be_v one_o of_o the_o special_a and_o main_a sin_n confess_v in_o the_o solemn_a acknowledgement_n of_o 〈◊〉_d and_o the_o contrary_a duty_n one_o of_o the_o main_a thing_n to_o which_o we_o engage_v our_o selus_fw-la in_o our_o solemn_a engagement_n it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o commission_n have_v do_v this_o &_o find_v many_o to_o stumble_v do_v afterward_o find_v out_o some_o evasion_n and_o distinction_n to_o save_v their_o own_o credit_n but_o the_o contradiction_n between_o their_o resolution_n and_o former_a principle_n &_o proceed_n be_v primâ_fw-la front_n so_o palpable_a and_o obvious_a that_o man_n of_o all_o sort_n both_o well-affected_a and_o ill-affected_a do_v see_v it_o so_o as_o the_o one_o do_v rejoice_v and_o the_o other_o mourn_v the_o godly_a do_v not_o more_o stumble_v then_o the_o malignant_a and_o profane_a be_v glad_a and_o both_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o as_o
it_o be_v that_o put_v they_o into_o their_o hand_n that_o these_o man_n may_v have_v be_v note_v &_o know_v i_o doubt_v not_o but_o if_o he_o can_v have_v do_v it_o he_o will_v have_v do_v it_o see_v he_o spare_v not_o to_o put_v imputation_n upon_o man_n by_o name_n and_o surname_n when_o he_o conceive_v himself_o to_o have_v any_o ground_n for_o it_o and_o that_o it_o will_v bring_v any_o advantage_n to_o his_o cause_n but_o while_o he_o will_v fain_o render_v some_o of_o the_o opposer_n of_o the_o public_a resolution_n odious_a and_o yet_o have_v not_o ground_n upon_o which_o he_o can_v confident_o do_v it_o he_o speak_v so_o indefinite_o some_o of_o the_o testimony_n be_v put_v etc._n etc._n neither_o tell_v we_o what_o testimony_n nor_o by_o who_o they_o be_v put_v in_o their_o hand_n that_o if_o he_o be_v challenge_v for_o it_o he_o may_v have_v a_o shift_n to_o make_v his_o retreit_n but_o i_o doubt_v that_o this_o way_n of_o defame_v his_o neighbour_n will_v be_v find_v straight_o before_o god_n if_o i_o may_v conjecture_v of_o what_o testimony_n he_o speak_v it_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o letter_n of_o the_o presbytery_n of_o sterling_n for_o that_o so_o far_o as_o i_o know_v be_v the_o only_a testimony_n print_v by_o the_o english_a and_o if_o he_o mean_v of_o that_o he_o speak_v untrue_o when_o he_o say_v that_o it_o be_v soon_o put_v into_o their_o hand_n then_o send_v unto_o the_o commissioner_n i_o can_v confident_o assure_v he_o and_o all_o other_o that_o it_o be_v send_v unto_o the_o commissioner_n before_o any_o copy_n of_o it_o be_v give_v or_o send_v to_o any_o who_o be_v not_o member_n of_o the_o presbytery_n and_o i_o can_v as_o confident_o say_v that_o none_o of_o these_o have_v any_o hand_n direct_o or_o indirect_o in_o convey_v that_o letter_n to_o the_o english_a the_o man_n among_o they_o who_o be_v most_o slander_v have_v give_v i_o warrant_n to_o say_v and_o i_o trust_v that_o he_o will_v abide_v by_o it_o that_o his_o conscience_n do_v bear_v he_o record_v that_o he_o be_v innocent_a of_o that_o as_o of_o all_o thing_n of_o that_o kind_n and_o that_o to_o this_o day_n he_o know_v not_o how_o that_o letter_n be_v put_v into_o their_o hand_n unless_o it_o be_v by_o occasion_n of_o intercept_n the_o copy_n thereof_o by_o the_o english_a with_o mr._n andrew_n ker_n the_o clerk_n of_o the_o commission_n his_o servant_n who_o be_v send_v over_o the_o water_n to_o some_o of_o his_o friend_n unto_o edinburgh_n from_o perth_n immediate_o after_o that_o meeting_n of_o the_o commission_n to_o which_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o presbytery_n of_o sterling_n be_v send_v that_o the_o english_a do_v print_v these_o testimony_n be_v no_o great_a wonder_n it_o be_v very_o like_a that_o they_o will_v print_v any_o thing_n that_o do_v hold_v forth_o our_o defection_n and_o own_v of_o the_o malignant_a interest_n the_o three_o particular_a be_v in_o the_o author_n judgement_n a_o poor_a man_n argument_n but_o poor_a man_n through_o mercy_n ofttimes_o obtain_v more_o solid_a discovery_n of_o divine_a truth_n in_o a_o day_n of_o tentation_n than_o the_o learned_a and_o the_o rich_a do_v neither_o be_v it_o yet_o a_o beg_n of_o the_o principal_a question_n because_o what_o be_v offer_v in_o this_o be_v offer_v to_o be_v instruct_v out_o of_o the_o register_n and_o they_o who_o make_v the_o offer_n be_v member_n of_o the_o assembly_n who_o in_o conscience_n and_o duty_n and_o by_o the_o act_n of_o the_o assembly_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o constitution_n thereof_o as_o we_o have_v already_o show_v be_v bind_v to_o declare_v their_o conscience_n touch_v other_o who_o be_v call_v to_o be_v constituent_a member_n thereof_o in_o their_o doctrine_n life_n and_o execution_n of_o their_o office_n and_o for_o the_o point_n of_o that_o interest_n it_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n that_o be_v object_v by_o the_o remonstrant_n against_o the_o antiremonstrants_a at_o the_o synod_n of_o dort_n and_o by_o the_o prelate_n in_o their_o declinator_n 1638._o to_o which_o we_o return_v no_o other_o answer_n but_o that_o of_o the_o brittane_a divine_n at_o dort_n veritas_fw-la communis_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la thesaurus_fw-la est_fw-la nec_fw-la potest_fw-la ullo_fw-la pacto_fw-la fieri_fw-la peculium_fw-la singularum_fw-la personarum_fw-la dei_fw-la &_o ecclesiae_fw-la publica_n causa_fw-la est_fw-la non_fw-la sva_fw-la cujusque_fw-la quae_fw-la in_o synodis_fw-la agitur_fw-la in_o the_o close_a of_o this_o discourse_n as_o all_o along_o he_o speak_v of_o these_o who_o move_v this_o exception_n as_o of_o the_o commissioner_n accuser_n and_o cite_v that_o of_o julian_n si_fw-mi accusasse_n sufficiat_fw-la quis_fw-la inocens_fw-la erit_fw-la but_o that_o they_o weee_v not_o accuser_n neither_o yet_o to_o be_v call_v so_o i_o have_v already_o show_v why_o shall_v they_o be_v esteem_v or_o call_v accuser_n more_o than_o other_o propound_v exception_n against_o constituent_a member_n of_o the_o assembly_n neither_o be_v it_o ever_o desire_a that_o the_o propound_v of_o the_o exception_n shall_v be_v take_v for_o a_o verification_n of_o it_o or_o to_o speak_v in_o the_o author_n language_n that_o the_o accuse_v of_o they_o shall_v be_v the_o hold_v of_o they_o for_o guilty_a but_o only_o that_o the_o commissioner_n shall_v be_v remove_v from_o sit_v as_o member_n in_o the_o assembly_n till_o the_o exception_n be_v try_v and_o therefore_o that_o of_o julian_n can_v have_v no_o place_n in_o this_o case_n vindication_n it_o be_v allege_v by_o the_o writer_n that_o the_o same_o assembly_n at_o st._n andrews_n upon_o the_o like_a exception_n and_o objection_n other_o be_v remove_v from_o sit_v as_o member_n as_o blacketer_n and_o other_o because_o the_o scandal_n of_o their_o accession_n to_o the_o unlawful_a engagement_n be_v not_o sufficient_o purge_v etc._n etc._n and_o he_o will_v have_v any_o man_n in_o the_o world_n give_v a_o reason_n why_o these_o be_v exclude_v and_o not_o other_o against_o who_o be_v as_o relevant_a yea_o more_fw-it revelant_fw-la exception_n answer_n i_o think_v any_o man_n in_o the_o world_n that_o have_v common_a sense_n inform_v of_o both_o case_n may_v give_v a_o reason_n and_o may_v perceive_v that_o the_o writer_n have_v be_v rash_a when_o he_o have_v write_v these_o word_n upon_o the_o like_a exception_n and_o as_o relevant_a yea_o more_o relevant_a exception_n for_o blacketer_n and_o other_o 1._o their_o scandal_n be_v clear_a in_o the_o law_n 2._o they_o have_v be_v convict_v of_o the_o fact_n yea_o 3._o they_o have_v be_v actual_o censure_v and_o be_v yet_o lie_v under_o the_o censure_n 4._o a_o part_n of_o their_o censure_n be_v exclusion_n from_o be_v member_n of_o kirk_n judicatories_n 5._o there_o be_v one_o express_a act_n of_o a_o gen._n assembly_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o be_v liberat_fw-la from_o that_o censure_n nor_o be_v capable_a to_o be_v member_n of_o any_o inferior_a kirk-judicature_n until_o their_o satisfaction_n shall_v be_v first_o notify_v unto_o and_o approven_v by_o a_o gen._n assembly_n now_o let_v any_o man_n in_o the_o world_n tell_v i_o if_o the_o exception_n against_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o be_v alike_o or_o if_o there_o be_v more_o relevancy_n in_o the_o exception_n against_o the_o commissioner_n then_o in_o the_o exception_n against_o these_o for_o their_o exclusion_n from_o be_v member_n the_o matter_n of_o exception_n may_v haply_o consider_v in_o abstracto_fw-la be_v of_o great_a importance_n but_o we_o speak_v now_o of_o the_o exception_n in_o relation_n to_o person_n and_o circumstance_n as_o it_o be_v to_o have_v effect_n or_o not_o to_o have_v effect_n upon_o the_o judge_n for_o censure_v and_o note_v or_o not_o censure_v and_o note_v the_o person_n review_n the_o author_n in_o answer_v the_o instance_n concern_v blacketer_n seem_v to_o himself_o to_o have_v get_v a_o great_a advantage_n of_o the_o writer_n his_o rashness_n but_o though_o his_o advantage_n be_v as_o great_a as_o he_o take_v it_o to_o be_v in_o that_o particular_a it_o will_v not_o better_v his_o cause_n because_o multitude_n of_o instance_n can_v be_v give_v from_o time_n to_o time_n in_o the_o gen._n assembly_n of_o this_o church_n of_o remove_v person_n upon_o exception_n of_o scandal_n before_o any_o conviction_n of_o the_o fact_n or_o censure_v for_o the_o same_o yea_o in_o the_o same_o assembly_n 1651_o several_a person_n be_v lay_v aside_o upon_o exception_n before_o any_o legal_a conviction_n or_o sentence_n pass_v upon_o the_o fact_n as_o the_o commissioner_n of_o some_o presbytery_n who_o be_v protest_v against_o because_o of_o oppose_v public_a resolution_n and_o the_o commissioner_n of_o the_o presbytery_n of_o dunse_n who_o case_n be_v not_o clear_a in_o law_n neither_o yet_o legal_o find_v true_a as_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n but_o let_v we_o see_v what_o it_o be_v that_o he_o have_v
choose_v by_o express_a vote_n and_o consent_n of_o some_o of_o the_o protester_n themselves_o as_o mr._n robert_n blaire_n in_o the_o presbytery_n of_o st._n andrews_n mr._n james_n wood_n in_o the_o university_n of_o st._n andrews_n by_o mr._n sam._n rutherford_n it_o may_v be_v true_a mr._n sam._n rutherford_n his_o desire_n of_o peace_n and_o testify_v of_o respect_n to_o these_o man_n be_v such_o as_o it_o be_v together_o with_o the_o hope_n that_o he_o have_v of_o their_o be_v instrumental_a to_o accommodate_v thing_n in_o a_o right_a way_n at_o the_o assembly_n but_o that_o hinder_v not_o why_o the_o protester_n may_v not_o warrantable_o propound_v the_o exception_n at_o the_o assembly_n another_o branch_n be_v that_o the_o assembly_n have_v not_o as_o yet_o choose_v their_o moderator_n and_o be_v not_o yet_o constitute_v and_o therefore_o can_v not_o discuss_v that_o question_n etc._n etc._n but_o not_o to_o repeat_v that_o they_o do_v discuss_v the_o relevancy_n of_o other_o exception_n yea_o of_o that_o same_o that_o be_v propound_v against_o the_o commissioner_n as_o to_o their_o sit_v or_o not_o sit_v till_o the_o matter_n shall_v be_v further_o try_v it_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v that_o if_o controvert_v commission_n and_o member_n upon_o exception_n propound_v against_o they_o be_v lay_v aside_o till_o trial_n which_o have_v always_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o the_o assembly_n of_o this_o church_n it_o be_v not_o so_o very_o material_a whether_o the_o full_a discuss_n of_o the_o exception_n be_v before_o the_o choose_n of_o the_o moderator_n or_o after_o it_o there_o be_v practice_n and_o instance_n of_o both_o way_n some_o assembly_n first_o discuss_v the_o controvert_v commission_n and_o member_n and_o then_o choose_v the_o moderator_n other_o lay_v aside_o these_o thing_n till_o the_o moderator_n be_v first_o choose_v and_o then_o immediate_o before_o the_o do_n of_o any_o thing_n else_o fall_v upon_o the_o discuss_n of_o they_o though_o it_o seem_v the_o most_o regular_a way_n that_o the_o controvert_v commission_n and_o member_n be_v lay_v aside_o the_o uncontroverted_a once_o be_v a_o competent_a number_n shall_v proceed_v to_o the_o choice_n of_o a_o moderator_n and_o thereafter_o before_o the_o do_v of_o any_o thing_n else_o put_v that_o to_o a_o point_n which_o concern_v the_o rest_n of_o their_o constituent_a member_n in_o the_o case_n now_o in_o question_n both_o be_v desire_v either_o to_o discuss_v the_o exception_n as_o to_o the_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n of_o the_o alleadgance_n before_o the_o choose_n of_o a_o moderator_n or_o else_o to_o lay_v aside_o the_o commissioner_n and_o to_o do_v it_o immediate_o thereafter_o but_o both_o be_v refuse_v which_o be_v the_o more_o considerable_a because_o the_o exception_n propound_v against_o they_o be_v but_o mere_o personal_a or_o upon_o personal_a or_o particular_a scandal_n but_o of_o more_o common_a concernment_n and_o in_o thing_n relate_v to_o the_o cause_n as_o breach_n of_o public_a trust_n defection_n from_o the_o cause_n and_o covenant_n which_o do_v require_v consideration_n before_o the_o admit_v these_o person_n i_o will_v ask_v the_o author_n this_o one_o question_n upon_o supposal_n that_o the_o assembly_n after_o the_o commissioner_n sit_v and_o vote_v therein_o many_o day_n yea_o even_o in_o the_o condemn_v of_o the_o protestation_n and_o cite_v of_o the_o protester_n shall_v have_v find_v their_o proceed_n to_o involve_v a_o course_n of_o defection_n from_o the_o cause_n and_o covenant_n and_o thereupon_o have_v remove_v and_o censure_v they_o can_v beholder_n have_v look_v upon_o this_o as_o a_o handsome_a way_n of_o proceed_v that_o they_o will_v not_o take_v into_o consideration_n a_o exception_n deserve_v such_o thing_n when_o it_o be_v first_o propound_v unto_o they_o and_o offer_v to_o be_v instruct_v but_o will_v judge_v the_o exception_n irrelevant_a censure_v other_o for_o protest_v because_o of_o refuse_v to_o accept_v of_o it_o admit_v the_o commissioner_n to_o be_v fellow-judge_n in_o condemn_v that_o protestation_n &_o after_o all_o this_o find_v these_o commissioner_n guilty_a of_o the_o thing_n allege_v in_o that_o same_o very_a exception_n when_o ffr_v propon_v &_o remove_v &_o censure_v they_o upon_o it_o be_v thing_n handsome_a or_o do_v they_o well_o cohere_v or_o can_v a_o tender_a eye_n look_v upon_o they_o without_o offence_n how_o much_o fair_a have_v it_o be_v first_o to_o remove_v they_o and_o present_o or_o immediate_o after_o the_o choice_n of_o the_o moderator_n to_o discuss_v the_o exception_n there_o be_v more_o danger_n to_o the_o cause_n &_o offence_n to_o god_n &_o his_o people_n in_o rash_a admit_v such_o as_o be_v guilty_a then_o in_o cautious_a delay_n even_o of_o innocent_a person_n when_o legal_o challenge_v if_o innocent_a they_o may_v afterward_o be_v admit_v with_o more_o honour_n and_o respect_n but_o if_o guilty_a either_o they_o shall_v be_v continue_v member_n with_o much_o detriment_n to_o the_o cause_n or_o else_o shall_v be_v casten_z out_o with_o more_o shame_n both_o to_o themselves_o and_o to_o the_o assembly_n who_o at_o first_o refuse_v to_o lay_v they_o aside_o till_o they_o be_v try_v because_o the_o author_n see_v that_o a_o objection_n may_v be_v move_v against_o what_o he_o have_v say_v from_o the_o assembly_n remove_v of_o other_o member_n who_o be_v except_v against_o before_o the_o choice_n of_o the_o moderator_n therefore_o for_o prevent_v of_o it_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o there_o be_v a_o wide_a difference_n because_o the_o exception_n against_o they_o be_v as_o to_o their_o relevancie_n for_o their_o remove_n in_o case_n every_o way_n clear_a and_o determine_v before_o in_o so_o far_o as_o be_v requisite_a for_o that_o to_o wit_n protestation_n in_o presbytery_n against_o their_o election_n stand_v censure_n exclude_v they_o from_o all_o church-judicatories_a unrepealed_a to_o which_o i_o return_v these_o particular_n first_o some_z even_o before_o the_o choice_n of_o the_o moderator_n be_v remove_v upon_o exception_n against_o who_o election_n there_o be_v no_o protestation_n and_o who_o be_v under_o no_o stand_a censure_n either_o of_o one_o kind_n or_o another_o to_o wit_n mr._n robert_n canden_n commissioner_n from_o the_o presbytery_n of_o dunce_n who_o be_v remove_v upon_o this_o exception_n that_o that_o presbytery_n can_v not_o choose_v commissioner_n be_v so_o few_o in_o number_n as_o they_o be_v here_o be_v no_o protestation_n the_o man_n under_o no_o censure_n yea_o nor_o the_o ground_n of_o the_o exception_n clear_a and_o unquestionable_a in_o law_n as_o to_o any_o act_n of_o any_o former_a assembly_n only_o primâ_fw-la front_n it_o seem_v relevant_a that_o two_o or_o three_o can_v not_o choose_v therefore_o be_v be_v thereupon_o remove_v though_o afterward_o if_o my_o information_n hold_v he_o be_v again_o as_o seem_v upon_o not_o find_v the_o exception_n not_o relevant_a admit_v second_o neither_o be_v a_o protestation_n against_o the_o election_n sufficient_a to_o make_v it_o clear_a upon_o the_o author_n ground_n i_o suppose_v that_o it_o have_v be_v allege_v that_o the_o ground_n of_o the_o protestation_n be_v not_o clear_a but_o questionable_a as_o to_o the_o relevancy_n of_o it_o by_o his_o ground_n such_o a_o protestation_n against_o the_o election_n will_v not_o have_v be_v enough_o to_o lay_v the_o commissioner_n aside_o till_o the_o matter_n have_v be_v try_v to_o come_v near_o the_o case_n let_v we_o suppose_v that_o some_o of_o the_o opposer_n of_o public_a resolution_n have_v in_o the_o presbytery_n or_o in_o the_o universite_a of_o st._n andrews_n protest_v against_o the_o election_n of_o the_o commissioner_n there_o upon_o this_o ground_n that_o these_o who_o be_v elect_v be_v instrumental_a in_o the_o public_a resolution_n will_v the_o author_n say_v this_o have_v be_v sufficient_a to_o lay_v these_o commissioner_n aside_o from_o sit_v as_o member_n of_o the_o assembly_n till_o the_o matter_n have_v be_v try_v if_o so_o why_o then_o be_v not_o the_o propon_n of_o that_o exception_n in_o the_o assembly_n against_o all_o these_o who_o be_v member_n of_o the_o commission_n and_o have_v hand_n in_o these_o resolution_n sufficient_a to_o lay_v they_o aside_o os_fw-la if_o that_o be_v deny_v i_o will_v desire_v to_o know_v a_o reason_n of_o the_o difference_n if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o all_o the_o commission_n which_o be_v lay_v aside_o because_o of_o protestation_n against_o they_o be_v such_o as_o be_v protest_v against_o upon_o clear_a &_o unquestionable_a ground_n i_o answer_v that_o it_o be_v not_o so_o as_o appear_v by_o the_o instance_n already_o give_v to_o which_o i_o add_v another_o to_o let_v see_v what_o partiality_n of_o proceed_v there_o be_v in_o these_o thing_n even_o upon_o the_o author_n own_o ground_n do_v not_o the_o assembly_n lie_v aside_o the_o commission_n of_o these_o who_o be_v first_o choose_v by_o the_o presbytery_n of_o
commission_n that_o the_o writer_n lay_v weight_n the_o author_n similitude_n of_o the_o parl._n and_o ass_n be_v answer_v already_o and_o show_v what_o maybe_o conceive_v by_o some_o why_o the_o parallel_n hold_v noâ—_n though_o as_o to_o this_o point_n the_o difference_n betwixt_o he_o and_o the_o writer_n seem_v not_o to_o be_v so_o wide_a as_o he_o will_v give_v out_o his_o conclusion_n be_v that_o he_o hope_v that_o by_o what_o have_v be_v say_v that_o it_o be_v sufficient_o evidence_v that_o the_o writer_n have_v bring_v no_o considerable_a reason_n for_o the_o nullity_n of_o the_o late_a assembly_n even_o suppose_v sundry_a of_o the_o act_n and_o constitution_n thereof_o be_v wrong_v upon_o the_o matter_n he_o shall_v have_v say_v suppose_v the_o most_o of_o all_o its_o act_n and_o the_o most_o material_a of_o they_o to_o be_v wrong_a upon_o the_o matter_n for_o so_o it_o be_v suppose_v and_o affirm_v by_o the_o writer_n and_o upon_o the_o supposal_n the_o author_n shall_v have_v tell_v his_o judgement_n upon_o the_o point_n the_o reason_n may_v be_v considerable_a enough_o and_o such_o as_o bring_v no_o disadvantage_n either_o to_o the_o writer_n or_o to_o the_o protestation_n for_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v yet_o say_v by_o he_o for_o infringe_v thereof_o yea_o i_o will_v assure_v he_o that_o it_o be_v most_o considerable_a &_o weighty_a in_o the_o heart_n of_o most_o part_n of_o the_o godly_a in_o the_o land_n who_o do_v not_o stand_v so_o much_o to_o dispute_v and_o debate_v legal_a form_n as_o they_o do_v look_v to_o act_n of_o the_o assembly_n and_o to_o what_o good_a or_o what_o ill_a be_v do_v by_o they_o for_o promove_v or_o hinder_v the_o kingdom_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o the_o good_a of_o soul_n where_o they_o see_v not_o godliness_n advance_v and_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o godly_a strengthen_v and_o their_o heart_n make_v glad_a but_o a_o wound_n give_v to_o piety_n and_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o wicked_a strengthen_v and_o their_o heart_n make_v glad_a it_o be_v not_o externa_fw-la species_n autoritatis_fw-la to_o use_v the_o word_n cite_v before_o nor_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v in_o that_o or_o can_v be_v say_v for_o it_o that_o will_v conciliat_fw-la respect_n and_o authority_n to_o assembly_n in_o man_n conscience_n and_o if_o there_o be_v no_o more_o in_o the_o late_a assembly_n at_o s._n andrews_n and_o dundee_n but_o the_o lose_n of_o authority_n in_o the_o conscience_n of_o the_o godly_a in_o the_o land_n by_o thâ—iâ—_n wrong_a act_n it_o be_v that_o which_o concern_v the_o author_n and_o other_o who_o have_v hand_n in_o these_o act_n exceed_o to_o think_v upon_o vindication_n the_o other_o passage_n we_o will_v speak_v a_o word_n to_o be_v his_o answer_n to_o the_o last_o objection_n he_o say_v to_o make_v a_o act_n appoint_v such_o as_o decline_v a_o general_n assembly_n to_o be_v summary_o excommunicate_a be_v either_o to_o suppose_v that_o a_o general_n assembly_n can_v not_o be_v wrong_o constitute_v or_o can_v not_o err_v in_o their_o proceed_n or_o else_o suppose_v they_o shall_v be_v wrong_o constitute_v and_o err_v yet_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v decline_v and_o proteâ—ted_v against_o both_o of_o which_o be_v equal_o absurd_a there_o he_o say_v that_o the_o act_n of_o the_o assembly_n 1582._o allege_v for_o that_o purpose_n be_v gross_o mistake_v it_o be_v nothing_o against_o decline_v unlawful_a assembly_n he_o be_v as_o gross_o mistake_v while_o he_o insinuate_v that_o such_o as_o speak_v for_o the_o late_a assembly_n do_v mean_a that_o such_o a_o act_n shall_v be_v against_o decline_v any_o assembly_n lawful_a or_o unlawful_a 〈◊〉_d but_o against_o appeal_n from_o a_o lawful_a assembly_n to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n and_o then_o close_v that_o from_o these_o thing_n it_o may_v appear_v how_o unwarrantable_a the_o meeting_n at_o dundee_n it_o must_v be_v still_o for_o aught_o he_o have_v allege_v the_o general_n assembly_n at_o dundee_n do_v upon_o alleadgiance_n of_o this_o act_n fall_v in_o debate_n of_o the_o summary_n excommunication_n of_o these_o who_o have_v protest_v any_o debate_n that_o be_v in_o the_o assembly_n be_v no_o great_a or_o long_a debate_n upon_o that_o matter_n and_o it_o be_v not_o so_o much_o out_o of_o any_o purpose_n or_o desire_v to_o do_v it_o as_o to_o find_v out_o what_o they_o may_v have_v do_v by_o the_o constitution_n of_o this_o kirk_n if_o they_o will_v have_v mind_v severity_n of_o censure_n neither_o be_v it_o that_o act_n of_o assembly_n 1582._o so_o much_o that_o they_o look_v to_o as_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o solemn_a assembly_n of_o glasgow_n 1638._o which_o in_o the_o sentence_n of_o excommunication_n against_o the_o pretend_a bishop_n and_o make_v there_o protest_v and_o decline_v of_o that_o assembly_n one_o of_o the_o cause_n of_o their_o excommunication_n which_o by_o the_o act_n of_o assembly_n be_v censurable_a with_o summary_n excommunication_n whether_o it_o do_v mean_v that_o act_n 1582_o or_o some_o other_o can_v not_o be_v get_v try_v at_o dundee_n for_o want_v of_o the_o register_n then_o in_o the_o basse_fw-fr but_o such_o respect_n be_v have_v to_o the_o authority_n of_o that_o grave_a assembly_n that_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o relation_n make_v by_o it_o be_v not_o question_v so_o that_o all_o the_o absurdity_n allege_v here_o by_o the_o writter_n strike_v as_o well_o against_o that_o assembly_n as_o against_o any_o man_n that_o allege_v such_o a_o act_n and_o the_o assembly_n at_o dundee_n suppose_v themselves_o to_o be_v a_o free_a lawful_a general_n assembly_n allege_v no_o other_o ground_n in_o fall_v upon_o debate_n of_o that_o matter_n then_o which_o the_o assembly_n of_o glasgow_n allege_v and_o the_o assembly_n of_o glasgow_n say_v there_o have_v be_v such_o a_o act_n make_v by_o a_o dilemma_n he_o be_v in_o a_o great_a mistake_n himself_o for_o consider_v that_o the_o act_n appoint_v such_o to_o be_v summary_o excommunicate_a who_o &c._n &c._n be_v intend_v only_o against_o protest_v against_o and_o decline_v of_o a_o general_n assembly_n not_o in_o any_o particular_a act_n or_o act_n thereof_o which_o we_o confess_v may_v be_v protest_v against_o but_o against_o the_o very_a be_v of_o it_o as_o null_n in_o itself_o and_o have_v no_o authority_n there_o be_v no_o necessity_n either_o of_o the_o one_o supposition_n or_o of_o the_o other_o follow_v upon_o it_o not_o of_o the_o late_a for_o the_o act_n we_o speak_v of_o say_v that_o decliner_n of_o a_o general_n assembly_n shall_v be_v excommunicate_a but_o a_o assembly_n wrong_v constitute_v and_o err_a both_o or_o only_o wrong_v constitute_v be_v no_o otherwise_o a_o assembly_n than_o a_o paint_a man_n be_v a_o man_n nor_o yet_o the_o former_a for_o i_o shall_v give_v you_o a_o three_o it_o suppose_v a_o general_n assembly_n right_o constitute_v and_o not_o err_v the_o facto_fw-la though_o not_o altogether_o infallible_a in_o itself_o or_o right_o constitute_v in_o all_o thing_n belong_v to_o the_o be_v of_o a_o free_a and_o lawful_a assembly_n though_o it_o may_v be_v err_v in_o some_o particular_a act_n and_o ordain_v excommunication_n to_o be_v the_o censure_n of_o these_o that_o decline_v and_o protest_v against_o such_o a_o assembly_n i_o mean_v as_o to_o the_o very_o be_v of_o it_o true_o this_o dilemmatick_a argument_n of_o the_o writer_n have_v be_v make_v aswell_o against_o that_o act_n make_v by_o jesus_n christ_n math._n 18.17_o he_o that_o neglect_v to_o hear_v the_o church_n let_v he_o be_v as_o a_o heathen_a or_o publican_n id_fw-la est_fw-la excommunicate_a for_o i_o suppose_v this_o canon_n comprehend_v not_o only_o such_o person_n as_o have_v offend_v against_o particular_a brethren_n come_v by_o degree_n of_o process_n before_o the_o church_n but_o also_o such_o as_o shall_v offend_v only_o immediate_o against_o that_o church_n itself_o 2._o it_o be_v propound_v in_o general_a term_n without_o any_o express_a distinction_n or_o limitation_n he_o that_o neglect_v to_o hear_v the_o church_n let_v he_o be_v excommunicate_a just_o as_o this_o he_o that_o decline_v a_o gen._n assemg_o let_v he_o be_v excommunicate_a may_v not_o then_o those_o that_o hear_v that_o canon_n first_o propound_v reason_n it_o just_a as_o the_o writer_n do_v here_o if_o his_o argument_n be_v good_a to_o make_v such_o a_o one_o as_o that_o be_v unreasonable_a for_o it_o be_v to_o suppose_v either_o that_o a_o church_n can_v be_v corrupt_o constitute_v and_o do_v err_v yet_o that_o it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v disobey_v or_o decline_v but_o the_o argument_n have_v be_v a_o cavillation_n for_o neither_o do_v follow_v necessary_o to_o be_v suppose_v there_o be_v a_o three_o a_o church_n univocal_o so_o call_v id_fw-la est_fw-la a_o church_n right_o constitute_v and_o do_v duty_n though_o not_o unerrable_a in_o itself_o review_n the_o