prejudice_n to_o the_o assembly_n in_o judge_v of_o these_o resolution_n at_o last_o the_o result_n be_v this_o that_o such_o of_o the_o assembly_n as_o they_o desire_v to_o confer_v with_o may_v speak_v with_o they_o but_o that_o no_o particular_a person_n shall_v be_v nominate_v nor_o any_o thing_n write_v thereof_o in_o the_o minute_n of_o the_o assembly_n in_o prosecution_n of_o this_o desire_n some_o of_o the_o unsatisfy_a brethren_n do_v meet_v with_o the_o moderator_n of_o that_o assembly_n and_o some_o other_o eminent_a man_n member_n of_o the_o commission_n at_o mr._n robert_n blair_n his_o chamber_n two_o several_a diet_n and_o after_o some_o conference_n to_o and_o fro_o do_v earnest_o beseech_v and_o press_v upon_o they_o some_o with_o tear_n that_o they_o will_v be_v please_v to_o be_v instrumental_a in_o adjourn_v the_o assembly_n and_o in_o delay_v to_o ratify_v the_o public_a resolution_n but_o they_o be_v not_o please_v to_o condescend_v so_o much_o as_o to_o 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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 protest_v a_o vindication_n of_o the_o freedom_n and_o lawfulness_n and_o so_o of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o late_a general_n assembly_n begin_v at_o st._n andrews_n and_o continue_v at_o dundee_n in_o answer_n to_o the_o reason_n allege_v against_o the_o same_o in_o the_o protestation_n and_o declinator_n give_v in_o by_o some_o brethren_n at_o st._n andrews_n and_o in_o another_o paper_n late_o contrive_v by_o some_o etc._n etc._n 1651._o together_o with_o a_o review_n of_o the_o say_a vindication_n plain_o hold_v forth_o the_o nullity_n and_o unlawfulnesse_n of_o that_o pretend_a general_n assembly_n in_o which_o the_o aspersion_n cast_v upon_o the_o protester_n in_o that_o vindication_n be_v take_v off_o and_o the_o answer_v bring_v unto_o the_o reason_n contain_v in_o the_o protestation_n against_o the_o freedom_n and_o lawfulness_n of_o that_o meeting_n and_o in_o the_o paper_n afterward_o pen_v for_o clear_v and_o confirm_v thereof_o be_v discuss_v and_o the_o strength_n 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church_n be_v a_o heavy_a imputation_n yet_o be_v conscious_a to_o themselves_o of_o their_o own_o innocence_n they_o be_v not_o much_o move_v with_o it_o remember_v that_o it_o be_v the_o common_a topick_n whence_o decliner_n in_o all_o the_o age_n of_o the_o church_n have_v argue_v against_o these_o who_o will_v not_o be_v consent_v unto_o or_o do_v testify_v against_o their_o defection_n peace_n and_o unity_n have_v be_v their_o plea_n and_o sedition_n division_n and_o schism_n their_o charge_n against_o their_o opposer_n upon_o this_o account_n do_v the_o lord_n jesus_n and_o his_o apostle_n by_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n and_o elder_n of_o the_o jew_n luther_n and_o calvin_n and_o our_o first_o reformer_n by_o the_o pope_n and_o his_o clergy_n nonformists_n by_o the_o prelate_n and_o their_o adherent_n stand_v record_v in_o the_o catalogue_n of_o these_o who_o practise_v to_o foment_n division_n and_o fix_v a_o schism_n in_o the_o church_n 3._o it_o be_v assert_v that_o 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vain_o nor_o boast_o spread_v it_o to_o the_o provoke_a of_o any_o so_o do_v they_o not_o purposely_o keep_v it_o up_o from_o any_o of_o whatsoever_o judgement_n but_o be_v willing_a and_o desirous_a that_o it_o shall_v go_v abroad_o for_o edify_v of_o as_o many_o as_o the_o lord_n shall_v be_v please_v to_o bless_v it_o unto_o and_o therefore_o do_v they_o not_o only_o give_v copy_n to_o such_o as_o do_v desire_v they_o but_o also_o do_v use_v some_o mean_n to_o have_v get_v it_o print_v and_o can_v get_v none_o to_o undertake_v it_o vindication_n before_o i_o fall_v upon_o the_o examination_n of_o the_o reason_n bring_v against_o and_o the_o discovery_n of_o the_o false_a aspersion_n cast_v upon_o the_o assembly_n by_o these_o paper_n mention_v i_o do_v obtest_v the_o reader_n whosoever_o he_o be_v into_o who_o hand_n this_o vindication_n shall_v come_v in_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n and_o as_o thou_o
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speak_v of_o i_o write_v not_o these_o thing_n for_o lesn_v the_o credit_n and_o reputation_n of_o that_o person_n or_o bear_v upon_o he_o more_o than_o upon_o other_o any_o particular_a guilt_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o treaty_n but_o for_o the_o truth_n sake_n and_o that_o he_o may_v be_v exhort_v to_o consider_v yet_o again_o whether_o the_o zeal_n of_o his_o own_o credit_n which_o many_o time_n byass_n the_o spirit_n even_o of_o good_a man_n have_v not_o too_o too_o much_o engage_v he_o in_o the_o defence_n of_o that_o business_n and_o in_o exaggerate_v and_o challenge_v every_o thing_n that_o seem_v in_o the_o least_o measure_n to_o reflect_v on_o the_o same_o which_o he_o have_v the_o more_o reason_n to_o do_v not_o only_o because_o it_o be_v engrave_v on_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o godly_a in_o the_o land_n as_o with_o a_o pen_n of_o iron_n and_o with_o the_o point_n of_o a_o diamond_n that_o this_o land_n and_o especial_o the_o ruler_n and_o 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their_o profession_n and_o the_o establish_a government_n i_o leave_v it_o to_o be_v judge_v by_o what_o follow_v in_o the_o examination_n of_o the_o reason_n they_o allege_v for_o what_o they_o do_v review_n i_o shall_v not_o debate_v with_o the_o author_n whether_o they_o have_v take_v upon_o they_o judicial_o to_o determine_v the_o nullity_n of_o the_o assembly_n at_o st._n andrews_n and_o dundee_n and_o judicial_o to_o condemn_v the_o act_n thereof_o though_o he_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v it_o may_v be_v that_o he_o have_v some_o difficulty_n to_o prove_v it_o from_o any_o deed_n of_o they_o but_o the_o hinge_n of_o this_o whole_a business_n in_o reference_n to_o that_o assembly_n and_o the_o act_n thereof_o and_o the_o set_n up_o and_o proceed_v of_o the_o commission_n of_o the_o prior_n assembly_n of_o the_o year_n 1650._o be_v in_o this_o whether_o that_o meeting_n at_o st._n andrews_n be_v a_o lawful_a free_a general_n assembly_n for_o if_o it_o be_v not_o so_o then_o be_v it_o null_a ab_fw-la initio_fw-la and_o the_o commission_n of_o the_o prior_n assembly_n be_v full_a in_o power_n and_o therefore_o be_v not_o guilty_a of_o usurpation_n or_o of_o the_o assume_v of_o any_o authority_n which_o be_v not_o competent_a for_o they_o but_o do_v only_o exercise_v that_o which_o be_v give_v they_o whereof_o they_o have_v still_o the_o just_a possession_n and_o the_o case_n be_v thus_o as_o i_o hope_v it_o shall_v be_v make_v to_o appear_v notwithstanding_o of_o any_o thing_n the_o author_n have_v say_v to_o the_o contrary_a may_v not_o the_o commission_n be_v clear_o convince_v upon_o good_a ground_n of_o the_o unlawfulnesse_n unfreedome_n and_o corruptness_n of_o that_o meeting_n and_o the_o act_n thereof_o with_o the_o advice_n of_o diverse_a minister_n from_o several_a part_n of_o the_o land_n agree_v upon_o this_o as_o one_o
1616._o and_o be_v it_o not_o equivalent_a to_o this_o if_o by_o reason_n of_o external_a force_n presbytery_n after_o advertisement_n give_v unto_o they_o can_v meet_v and_o choo_n their_o commissioner_n or_o if_o those_o who_o be_v choose_v can_v come_v because_o of_o force_n keep_v they_o back_o what_o be_v the_o cause_n why_o undue_a advertisement_n of_o many_o presbytery_n and_o buâ—ges_n make_v a_o nul_fw-fr assembly_n be_v it_o not_o because_o many_o of_o these_o who_o be_v in_o a_o capacity_n to_o send_v commissioner_n be_v by_o a_o invincible_a impediment_n keep_v back_o from_o do_v of_o it_o and_o have_v not_o this_o also_o place_n in_o the_o other_o case_n if_o presbytery_n neglect_v to_o choose_v commissioner_n or_o if_o they_o be_v choose_v shall_v neglect_v to_o come_v that_o alter_v the_o case_n and_o put_v the_o fault_n whole_o upon_o they_o who_o neglect_v their_o duty_n but_o if_o they_o be_v keep_v back_o by_o violence_n from_o without_o â—t_a be_v equal_a to_o 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that_o he_o have_v just_a cause_n so_o to_o assert_v but_o until_o that_o time_n he_o will_v give_v we_o leave_v to_o suspend_v our_o assent_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o he_o will_v still_o have_v the_o protester_n to_o be_v unfriend_n to_o former_a assembly_n and_o to_o be_v teacher_n of_o malignant_n how_o to_o cast_v they_o as_o diminish_n upon_o ground_n of_o conscience_n but_o the_o protester_n do_v disclaim_v they_o for_o scholar_n and_o so_o do_v they_o the_o protester_n for_o master_n or_o teacher_n and_o as_o there_o be_v nothing_o teach_v by_o the_o protester_n that_o can_v give_v they_o any_o just_a ground_n upon_o which_o to_o quarrel_v or_o cast_v the_o censure_n of_o that_o assembly_n so_o be_v it_o superfluous_a for_o they_o now_o to_o be_v at_o the_o pain_n to_o learn_v it_o see_v the_o author_n and_o abettor_n of_o the_o public_a resolution_n have_v ease_v they_o of_o the_o pain_n of_o this_o censure_n already_o albeit_o the_o roll_n of_o this_o assembly_n be_v more_o numerous_a than_o the_o roll_n of_o some_o unquestionable_a assembly_n that_o will_v not_o much_o help_v he_o because_o absent_v from_o this_o assembly_n in_o many_o be_v not_o voluntary_a but_o by_o want_n of_o free_a access_n but_o so_o do_v it_o not_o appear_v to_o have_v be_v in_o other_o assembly_n and_o whatever_o the_o author_n talk_v of_o the_o roll_n of_o this_o assembly_n yet_o i_o believe_v before_o they_o come_v to_o the_o ratify_n of_o the_o public_a resolution_n which_o be_v their_o great_a business_n they_o be_v but_o a_o thin_a meeting_n many_o of_o their_o number_n have_v leave_v they_o some_o out_o of_o discontent_n and_o dissatisfaction_n with_o their_o proceed_n and_o other_o fear_v to_o be_v surprise_v by_o party_n of_o the_o english_a as_o to_o the_o assembly_n at_o aberdeen_n in_o which_o there_o be_v but_o twenty_o person_n present_a which_o notwithstanding_o be_v own_v by_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n as_o a_o free_a and_o lawful_a general_n assembly_n it_o be_v so_o own_a as_o that_o these_o who_o meet_v be_v lawful_o commissionated_a from_o their_o presbytery_n and_o have_v meet_v at_o the_o time_n and_o place_n appoint_v for_o hold_v the_o assembly_n be_v account_v sufficient_a to_o adjourn_v the_o assembly_n and_o to_o preserve_v and_o vindicate_v the_o liberty_n of_o the_o church_n against_o the_o encroachment_n that_o then_o be_v make_v upon_o they_o by_o the_o king_n and_o his_o commissioner_n so_o i_o believe_v the_o author_n will_v not_o say_v that_o these_o twenty_o can_v have_v proceed_v to_o make_v act_n of_o general_n concernment_n to_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o scotland_n or_o that_o if_o they_o have_v so_o do_v these_o act_n will_v have_v be_v authoritative_a &_o bind_a what_o the_o writer_n speak_v of_o want_n of_o freedom_n in_o regard_n of_o recess_n be_v not_o upon_o any_o emergent_a after_o the_o down-sitting_a or_o close_a of_o the_o assembly_n but_o upon_o cause_n know_v at_o the_o time_n when_o the_o commissioner_n shall_v have_v come_v from_o home_n and_o therefore_o he_o do_v not_o urge_v it_o as_o a_o relevant_a argument_n apart_o by_o itself_o but_o join_v it_o with_o the_o want_n of_o freedom_n of_o access_n and_o it_o be_v very_o agreeable_a to_o common_a sense_n for_o man_n to_o think_v that_o assembly_n not_o free_a to_o which_o there_o be_v no_o freedom_n in_o come_v to_o exoner_n their_o conscience_n nor_o any_o freedom_n in_o go_v after_o they_o have_v do_v it_o he_o justify_v the_o confinement_n of_o the_o minister_n of_o sterline_n in_o this_o particular_a at_o sterline_n 1_o he_o challenge_v the_o writer_n pass_v in_o silence_n these_o minister_n protest_v against_o the_o assembly_n but_o though_o the_o author_n think_v this_o wisdom_n yet_o i_o hardly_o believe_v that_o the_o writer_n do_v it_o upon_o deliberation_n the_o thing_n be_v so_o manifest_o know_v there_o be_v no_o need_n to_o mention_v it_o the_o author_n ask_v the_o question_n whether_o the_o king_n may_v not_o have_v confine_v these_o man_n without_o any_o imputation_n to_o the_o freedom_n of_o the_o assembly_n until_o he_o have_v be_v inform_v upon_o what_o ground_n they_o come_v away_o so_o untimeous_o it_o seem_v that_o as_o the_o case_n be_v circumstantiat_fw-la it_o can_v not_o well_o be_v do_v without_o a_o imputation_n of_o the_o freedom_n of_o the_o assembly_n may_v the_o king_n and_o committee_n confine_v every_o one_o who_o come_v away_o untimeous_o until_o they_o be_v inform_v upon_o what_o ground_n they_o come_v away_o illud_fw-la possumus_fw-la quod_fw-la jure_fw-la possumus_fw-la but_o where_o be_v there_o such_o law_n for_o censure_v these_o by_o confinement_n that_o come_v away_o untimeous_o from_o the_o assembly_n but_o it_o seem_v they_o be_v inform_v of_o the_o cause_n of_o their_o come_n away_o otherwise_o his_o instance_n of_o the_o commissioner_n
date_n of_o their_o first_o session_n with_o the_o date_n of_o the_o paper_n after_o mention_v the_o committee_n of_o estate_n for_o the_o parliament_n be_v adjourn_v a_o good_a while_n ere_o then_o as_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o print_a act_n thereof_o hear_v that_o the_o assembly_n be_v now_o go_v a_o good_a length_n in_o the_o trial_n of_o the_o proceed_n of_o the_o commission_n send_v in_o the_o earl_n of_o gâ—encarn_n the_o treasurer-depute_a and_o archibald_n sydeserf_n to_o the_o assembly_n with_o a_o paper_n wherein_o they_o do_v desire_v 1._o that_o the_o assembly_n will_v be_v please_v to_o appoint_v some_o of_o their_o number_n to_o meet_v with_o such_o as_o shall_v be_v appoint_v by_o the_o committee_n of_o estate_n for_o compose_v of_o misunderstanding_n betwixt_o kirk_n and_o state_n and_o for_o clear_v the_o march_n betwixt_o the_o civil_a and_o the_o eclesiastick_a power_n and_o these_o question_n which_o have_v be_v debate_v betwixt_o the_o parliament_n and_o the_o 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and_o their_o declaration_n wherein_o as_o be_v probable_o conceive_v they_o have_v the_o help_n or_o some_o very_a able_a minister_n and_o lawyer_n and_o yet_o in_o all_o these_o they_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o once_o insinuate_v any_o thing_n of_o this_o kind_n that_o they_o do_v propound_v such_o a_o exception_n against_o the_o member_n of_o the_o commission_n who_o be_v member_n of_o that_o assembly_n which_o doubtless_o they_o will_v not_o have_v omit_v if_o any_o such_o thing_n have_v be_v but_o if_o the_o author_n will_v not_o trust_v none_o of_o these_o thing_n which_o if_o need_n be_v can_v be_v attest_v by_o many_o who_o be_v eye_n &_o ear_n witness_n thereto_o to_o the_o effect_n that_o there_o be_v no_o place_n for_o gainsay_v in_o this_o matter_n i_o have_v set_v down_o after_o the_o close_a of_o this_o review_n the_o true_a copy_n of_o the_o paper_n that_o past_a betwixt_o the_o committee_n of_o estate_n and_o the_o general_n assembly_n at_o that_o time_n in_o that_o business_n extract_v faithful_o out_o of_o the_o register_n of_o the_o committee_n of_o estate_n against_o which_o no_o fly_a report_n that_o he_o have_v hear_v and_o take_v impression_n from_o can_v bear_v any_o weight_n that_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n which_o the_o author_n suppose_v to_o have_v find_v against_o all_o the_o late_a gen._n assembly_n of_o this_o church_n be_v but_o a_o mystery_n of_o his_o own_o very_a groundless_a and_o uncharitable_a fancy_n wherein_o he_o may_v haply_o please_v himself_o but_o bring_v no_o edification_n to_o his_o reader_n nor_o advantage_n to_o his_o cause_n thereby_o it_o be_v better_o for_o he_o to_o be_v exercise_v in_o discover_v true_a mystery_n of_o iniquity_n which_o be_v near_a home_n and_o as_o yet_o a_o vail_n to_o his_o eye_n than_o thus_o to_o stretch_v his_o engine_n and_o spend_v his_o time_n to_o find_v a_o knot_n in_o a_o rush_n but_o what_o be_v that_o mystery_n the_o writer_n tell_v we_o say_v he_o of_o one_o act_n make_v anno_fw-la 1601._o and_o renew_v anno_fw-la 1648._o and_o say_v that_o it_o do_v necessary_o infer_v that_o the_o commissioner_n of_o a_o former_a assembly_n shall_v not_o be_v admit_v as_o member_n of_o a_o succeed_a assembly_n though_o there_o be_v no_o scandal_n nor_o exception_n propound_v upon_o their_o proceed_n until_o they_o be_v try_v much_o less_o when_o a_o scandal_n or_o except_v on_o be_v propound_v this_o say_v the_o author_n be_v a_o fair_a blow_n by_o one_o stroke_n give_v to_o the_o late_a constitution_n of_o all_o the_o assembly_n of_o this_o church_n posterior_n to_o that_o assembly_n at_o glasgow_n without_o exception_n and_o most_o of_o all_o to_o the_o assembly_n 48._o for_o in_o all_o of_o they_o commissioner_n of_o the_o precede_a assembly_n respective_a have_v be_v admit_v to_o sit_v as_o member_n before_o their_o proceeeing_n be_v try_v and_o judge_v and_o in_o that_o assembly_n 1648._o they_o be_v admit_v to_o sit_v notwithstanding_o exception_n be_v make_v against_o their_o sit_v by_o the_o supreme_a civil_a power_n of_o the_o land_n but_o if_o this_o be_v candid_a and_o concludent_fw-la reason_v i_o desire_v leave_n of_o he_o to_o discover_v another_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n in_o his_o own_o word_n before_o he_o close_v this_o purpose_n that_o give_v as_o great_a a_o blow_n to_o all_o the_o late_a constitution_n of_o all_o the_o assembly_n of_o this_o church_n since_o the_o 38._o none_n except_v his_o word_n be_v these_o i_o confess_v that_o thus_o much_o may_v be_v insert_v by_o one_o stick_v precise_o to_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o act_n that_o after_o the_o assembly_n be_v constitute_v the_o handle_v all_o other_o matter_n shall_v be_v suspend_v until_o the_o commissioner_n proceed_n be_v try_v and_o put_v to_o a_o point_n during_o which_o trial_n the_o commissioner_n that_o be_v member_n vi_fw-la materiae_fw-la must_v be_v remove_v because_o the_o same_o person_n can_v try_v their_o own_o proceed_n but_o so_o it_o be_v that_o 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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 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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 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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 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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 there_o can_v be_v force_n have_v in_o warrantable_a prudence_n sufficient_a for_o the_o defence_n of_o it_o etc._n etc._n if_o the_o right_a state_v of_o the_o hypothesis_n be_v the_o thing_n now_o direct_o in_o question_n it_o be_v needful_a to_o consider_v more_o large_o of_o the_o author_n state_v of_o it_o but_o because_o it_o come_v in_o on_o the_o by_o i_o shall_v only_o desire_v these_o few_o thing_n to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o in_o the_o state_n of_o the_o question_n which_o he_o give_v first_o that_o it_o do_v suppose_v something_o untrue_a to_o wit_n that_o force_n in_o warrantable_a prudence_n sufficient_a for_o defence_n of_o the_o kingdom_n can_v not_o otherwise_o be_v have_v unless_o all_o person_n in_o the_o land_n except_v these_o include_v in_o the_o exception_n set_v down_o in_o the_o answer_n to_o the_o quaere_fw-la be_v bring_v forth_o if_o we_o may_v suppose_v that_o force_v equal_a in_o number_n to_o those_o who_o be_v invade_v the_o land_n be_v force_n 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
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
and_o require_v the_o commission_n to_o make_v report_n to_o they_o what_o effect_n their_o deal_n with_o their_o brethren_n shall_v take_v the_o commissioner_n according_o have_v meet_v at_o st._n andrews_n and_o have_v have_v a_o conference_n with_o these_o brethren_n &_o have_v find_v by_o their_o own_o acknowledgement_n that_o in_o public_a they_o have_v practise_v against_o public_a resolution_n &_o in_o private_a have_v give_v to_o some_o person_n as_o they_o say_v ask_v their_o advice_n resolution_n that_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a to_o continue_v in_o that_o service_n be_v in_o such_o a_o conjunction_n as_o the_o resolution_n carry_v first_o they_o labour_v to_o give_v they_o satisfaction_n about_o their_o resolution_n but_o have_v effectuate_v nothing_o therein_o at_o last_o they_o deal_v with_o they_o in_o most_o earnestness_n and_o tenderness_n both_o public_o and_o private_o to_o give_v assurance_n that_o they_o will_v not_o proceed_v to_o do_v or_o speak_v any_o thing_n in_o their_o public_a doctrine_n or_o in_o private_a to_o the_o hinder_v and_o obstruct_v of_o the_o levy_n which_o be_v go_v on_o according_a to_o the_o resolution_n or_o may_v tend_v to_o the_o move_n of_o any_o of_o the_o garrison_n to_o quit_v their_o charge_n which_o they_o refuse_v peremptory_o to_o do_v and_o so_o depart_v home_o from_o the_o conference_n the_o commission_n have_v send_v a_o mere_a report_n and_o narration_n rei_fw-la gestae_fw-la without_o more_o or_o less_o to_o the_o committee_n of_o estate_n according_a as_o they_o be_v require_v the_o committee_n require_v these_o brethren_n by_o letter_n to_o come_v to_o perth_n that_o some_o course_n may_v be_v take_v in_o relation_n to_o they_o for_o secure_v the_o garrison_n of_o sterlin_n from_o danger_n the_o brethren_n have_v come_v to_o perth_n but_o not_o at_o the_o first_o diet_n appoint_v to_o they_o the_o committee_n require_v they_o to_o attend_v at_o perth_n or_o at_o dundee_n until_o the_o king_n return_n from_o aberdeen_n that_o there_o may_v be_v a_o more_o full_a meeting_n of_o the_o committee_n a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o most_o considerable_a member_n thereof_o be_v with_o he_o after_o the_o king_n return_n a_o paper_n be_v send_v in_o by_o the_o committee_n of_o estate_n to_o the_o commission_n of_o the_o kirk_n require_v the_o commission_n advice_n as_o about_o other_o passage_n that_o have_v pass_v between_o they_o and_o these_o brethren_n what_o shall_v be_v do_v with_o these_o brethren_n in_o relation_n to_o secure_v of_o the_o garrison_n of_o sterline_n the_o commission_n declare_v in_o their_o answer_n as_o to_o this_o they_o can_v not_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o determine_v the_o matter_n be_v mere_o civil_a but_o that_o they_o desire_v and_o expect_v that_o the_o committee_n will_v deal_v with_o they_o in_o tenderness_n and_o respect_n as_o be_v minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n this_o be_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o business_n in_o sum_n so_o it_o do_v appear_v evident_o that_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n do_v confine_v they_o as_o they_o be_v so_o please_v to_o term_v it_o neither_o be_v stir_v up_o thereunto_o by_o the_o commissioner_n nor_o yet_o upon_o their_o account_n of_o mere_a difference_n from_o the_o commission_n and_o public_a resolution_n but_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o their_o active_a oppose_v of_o their_o resolution_n to_o the_o obstruction_n of_o the_o levy_n and_o endanger_v the_o garrison_n and_o their_o refuse_v to_o desist_v from_o that_o opposition_n but_o neither_o must_v it_o be_v forget_v here_o what_o be_v the_o time_n of_o that_o confinment_n as_o the_o writer_n term_v it_o and_o compear_v of_o these_o brethren_n before_o the_o committee_n if_o the_o writer_n be_v ignorant_a of_o it_o let_v he_o know_v it_o be_v this_o mr._n robert_n dowglas_n and_o mr._n james_n wood_n be_v deal_v with_o by_o some_o of_o these_o brethren_n intimate_a friend_n to_o intercede_v with_o the_o parliament_n that_o be_v then_o conveened_a to_o pass_v from_o call_v they_o further_o do_v ready_o undertake_v it_o &_o obtain_v their_o desire_n so_o that_o they_o be_v dismiss_v present_o and_o then_o one_o of_o these_o brethren_n come_v and_o acknowledge_v to_o these_o two_o their_o kindness_n do_v in_o their_o behalf_n yet_o now_o in_o the_o protestation_n and_o in_o this_o second_o paper_n it_o be_v requite_v with_o a_o slander_n that_o they_o with_o other_o commissioner_n stir_v up_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n against_o they_o for_o differ_v from_o public_a resolution_n review_n before_o the_o author_n come_v to_o answer_v the_o next_o ground_n of_o the_o protestation_n he_o take_v notice_n of_o something_n and_o but_o of_o something_n pass_v by_o many_o other_o speak_v of_o by_o the_o writer_n in_o his_o answer_n concern_v the_o commissioner_n their_o steadfastness_n and_o fall_v off_o from_o it_o to_o which_o i_o reply_v that_o though_o it_o may_v be_v true_a that_o some_o of_o they_o have_v be_v steadfast_a in_o the_o truth_n &_o cause_n of_o god_n when_o other_o who_o he_o call_v their_o accuser_n know_v it_o not_o that_o will_v neither_o justify_v the_o one_o nor_o condemn_v the_o other_o in_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n it_o do_v sometime_o fall_v out_o that_o the_o first_o be_v last_o and_o the_o last_o first_o though_o yet_o if_o he_o make_v a_o impartial_a reckon_n i_o believe_v that_o neither_o he_o nor_o his_o party_n have_v reason_n to_o prefer_v themselves_o before_o the_o protester_n for_o man_n of_o integrity_n and_o old_a stand_n in_o the_o cause_n of_o god_n nor_o yet_o to_o boast_v themselves_o as_o though_o there_o be_v none_o among_o they_o who_o have_v but_o late_o come_v to_o know_v the_o cause_n of_o god_n i_o hope_v no_o protester_n do_v or_o shall_v envy_v some_o of_o these_o man_n give_v testimony_n of_o their_o steadfastness_n for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v in_o their_o suffering_n the_o lord_n fit_v they_o &_o all_o his_o people_n so_o to_o do_v but_o it_o be_v not_o enough_o for_o the_o author_n to_o speak_v thus_o promise_o of_o they_o unless_o upon_o his_o may_v bee_n he_o do_v also_o prognosticat_fw-la evil_a of_o other_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o when_o some_o of_o these_o accuser_n it_o may_v be_v will_v be_v find_v tamper_n or_o already_o be_v tamper_n about_o or_o devise_v gloss_n how_o they_o may_v with_o some_o colour_n shuffle_v themselves_o loose_a from_o article_n of_o the_o covenant_n some_o of_o they_o will_v give_v testimony_n of_o their_o steadfastness_n in_o it_o this_o measure_n wherewith_o the_o author_n repay_v the_o protester_n be_v more_o than_o a_o eye_n for_o a_o eye_n and_o a_o tooth_n for_o a_o tooth_n they_o do_v not_o except_v against_o the_o commissioner_n upon_o may_o bee_n but_o upon_o thing_n real_o and_o already_o do_v and_o to_o he_o may_v be_v i_o say_v that_o though_o this_o be_v a_o hour_n of_o temptation_n wherein_o many_o turn_n aside_o both_o to_o the_o left_a hand_n and_o to_o the_o right_n yet_o i_o hope_v that_o by_o the_o lord_n grace_n the_o generality_n of_o those_o who_o have_v bear_v testimony_n against_o the_o public_a resolution_n shall_v be_v find_v among_o the_o most_o steadfast_a in_o the_o land_n in_o the_o covenant_n and_o cause_n of_o god_n what_o if_o i_o shall_v tell_v he_o that_o it_o may_v be_v when_o opposer_n of_o public_a resolution_n be_v keep_v their_o integrity_n and_o cleave_v to_o the_o covenant_n some_o man_n of_o no_o small_a note_n who_o have_v be_v and_o still_o be_v zealous_a for_o these_o resolution_n will_v be_v lick_v up_o the_o vomit_n of_o malignancy_n and_o prelacy_n or_o if_o that_o be_v to_o fish_n too_o far_o before_o the_o net_n i_o be_o content_a to_o appeal_v to_o himself_o who_o be_v the_o great_a tamperer_n of_o this_o time_n whether_o the_o follower_n of_o the_o public_a resolution_n or_o the_o opposer_n of_o they_o i_o do_v not_o resolve_v to_o deny_v a_o honourable_a testimony_n to_o not_o a_o few_o of_o these_o who_o be_v for_o the_o public_a resolution_n in_o their_o love_n unto_o and_o steadfastness_n in_o and_o zeal_n for_o the_o truth_n in_o other_o thing_n nor_o yet_o to_o justify_v the_o turn_n aside_o of_o other_o who_o have_v be_v opposer_n of_o the_o public_a resolution_n yet_o i_o think_v it_o will_v not_o be_v question_v that_o the_o generality_n of_o these_o who_o have_v give_v up_o the_o interest_n both_o of_o church_n &_o state_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o stranger_n be_v such_o as_o be_v affectionate_o zealous_a for_o the_o public_a resolution_n which_o be_v too_o probable_a a_o evidence_n that_o their_o profession_n of_o repentance_n the_o last_o year_n and_o of_o zeal_n for_o the_o covenant_n and_o work_n of_o reformation_n and_o of_o love_n to_o the_o king_n and_o of_o desire_n to_o preserve_v our_o liberty_n be_v not_o straight_o and_o upright_o and_o that_o the_o commission_n of_o the_o church_n who_o
madness_n and_o folly_n upon_o our_o part_n so_o no_o doubt_n if_o it_o be_v not_o avoid_v will_v provoke_v the_o lord_n against_o we_o to_o consume_v we_o until_o there_o be_v no_o remnant_n nor_o escape_v in_o the_o land_n and_o albeit_o the_o peace_n and_o union_n betwixt_o the_o kingdom_n be_v a_o great_a blessing_n of_o god_n unto_o both_o and_o a_o bond_n which_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o preserve_v unviolated_a and_o to_o endeavour_v that_o justice_n may_v be_v do_v upon_o the_o opposer_n thereof_o yet_o some_o in_o this_o land_n who_o have_v come_v under_o the_o bond_n of_o the_o covenant_n have_v make_v it_o their_o great_a study_n how_o to_o dissolve_v this_o union_n and_o few_o oâ—_n no_o endeavour_n have_v be_v use_v by_o any_o of_o we_o for_o punish_v of_o such_o we_o have_v suffer_v many_o of_o our_o brethren_n in_o several_a part_n of_o the_o land_n to_o be_v oppress_v of_o the_o common_a enemy_n without_o compassion_n or_o relief_n there_o have_v be_v great_a murmur_a and_o repine_v because_o of_o expense_n of_o mean_n and_o pain_n in_o do_v of_o our_o duty_n many_o by_o persuasion_n or_o terror_n have_v suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v divide_v and_o withdraw_v to_o make_v defection_n to_o the_o contrary_a part_n many_o have_v turn_v off_o to_o a_o detestable_a indifferency_n and_o neutrality_n in_o this_o cause_n which_o so_o much_o concern_v the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o the_o good_a of_o these_o kingdom_n nay_o many_o have_v make_v it_o their_o study_n to_o walk_v so_o as_o they_o may_v comply_v with_o all_o time_n and_o all_o the_o revolution_n thereof_o it_o have_v not_o be_v our_o care_n to_o countenance_n encourage_v intrust_v and_o employ_v such_o only_a as_o from_o their_o heart_n do_v affect_v and_o mind_n god_n work_n but_o the_o heart_n of_o such_o many_o time_n have_v be_v discourage_v and_o their_o hand_n weaken_v their_o suffering_n neglect_v and_o themselves_o slight_v and_o many_o who_o be_v once_o open_a enemy_n and_o always_o secret_a underminer_n countenance_v and_o employ_v nay_o even_o those_o who_o have_v be_v look_v upon_o as_o incendiary_n and_o upon_o who_o the_o lord_n have_v set_v mark_n of_o desperate_a malignancy_n falsehood_n and_o deceit_n be_v bring_v in_o as_o fit_a to_o manage_v public_a affair_n many_o have_v be_v the_o let_n and_o impediment_n that_o have_v be_v cast_v in_o the_o way_n to_o retard_v and_o obstruct_v the_o lord_n work_v and_o some_o have_v keep_v secret_a what_o of_o themselves_o they_o be_v not_o able_a to_o suppress_v and_o overcome_v beside_o these_o and_o many_o other_o breach_n of_o the_o article_n of_o the_o covenant_n in_o the_o matter_n thereof_o which_o concern_v every_o one_o of_o we_o to_o search_v out_o and_o acknowledge_v before_o the_o lord_n as_o we_o will_v wish_v his_o wrath_n to_o be_v turn_v away_o from_o we_o so_o have_v many_o of_o we_o fail_v exceed_o in_o the_o manner_n of_o our_o follow_v and_o pursue_v the_o duty_n contain_v therein_o not_o only_o seek_v great_a thing_n for_o ourselves_o and_o mix_v of_o private_a interest_n and_o end_n concern_v ourselves_o friend_n and_o follower_n with_o those_o thing_n which_o concern_v the_o public_a good_a but_o many_o time_n prefer_v such_o to_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o good_a of_o his_o cause_n and_o retard_v god_n work_n until_o we_o may_v carry_v along_o with_o we_o our_o own_o interest_n and_o design_n it_o have_v be_v our_o way_n to_o trust_v in_o the_o mean_n and_o to_o rely_v upon_o the_o arm_n of_o flesh_n for_o success_n albeit_o the_o lord_n have_v many_o time_n make_v we_o meet_v with_o disappointment_n therein_o and_o stain_v the_o pride_n of_o all_o our_o glory_n by_o blast_v every_o carnal_a confidence_n unto_o we_o we_o have_v follow_v for_o the_o most_o part_n the_o counsel_n of_o flesh_n and_o blood_n and_o walk_v more_o by_o the_o rule_n of_o policy_n than_o piety_n and_o have_v hearken_v more_o unto_o man_n then_o unto_o god_n albeit_o we_o make_v solemn_a public_a profession_n before_o the_o world_n of_o our_o unfeigned_a desire_n to_o be_v humble_v before_o the_o lord_n for_o our_o own_o sin_n and_o the_o sin_n of_o these_o kingdom_n especial_o for_o our_o under_o value_v of_o the_o inestimable_a benefit_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o that_o we_o have_v not_o labour_v for_o the_o power_n thereof_o and_o receive_v christ_n into_o our_o heart_n and_o walk_v worthy_a of_o he_o in_o our_o life_n and_o of_o our_o true_a and_o unfeigned_a purpose_n desire_v and_o endeavour_v for_o ourselves_o and_o all_o other_o under_o our_o power_n and_o charge_n both_o in_o public_a and_o private_a in_o all_o duty_n which_o we_o owe_v to_o god_n and_o man_n to_o amend_v our_o life_n and_o each_o one_o to_o go_v before_o another_o in_o the_o example_n of_o a_o real_a reformation_n that_o the_o lord_n may_v turn_v away_o his_o wrath_n and_o heavy_a indignation_n and_o establish_v these_o kirk_n and_o kingdom_n in_o truth_n and_o peace_n yet_o we_o have_v refuse_v to_o be_v reform_v and_o have_v walk_v proud_o and_o obstinate_o against_o the_o lord_n not_o value_v his_o gospel_n nor_o submit_v ourselves_o unto_o the_o obedience_n thereof_o nor_o seek_v after_o christ_n nor_o study_v to_o honour_v he_o in_o the_o excellency_n of_o his_o person_n nor_o employ_v he_o in_o the_o virtue_n of_o his_o office_n not_o make_v conscience_n of_o public_a ordinance_n nor_o private_a nor_o secret_a duty_n nor_o study_v to_o edify_v one_o another_o in_o love_n the_o ignorance_n of_o god_n and_o of_o his_o son_n jesus_n christ_n prevail_v exceed_o in_o the_o land_n the_o great_a part_n of_o master_n of_o family_n among_o nobleman_n baron_n gentleman_n burgess_n and_o commons_o neglect_v to_o seek_v god_n in_o their_o family_n and_o to_o endeavour_v the_o reformation_n thereof_o and_o albeit_o it_o have_v be_v much_o press_v yet_o few_o of_o our_o noble_n and_o great_a one_o ever_o to_o this_o day_n can_v be_v persuade_v to_o perform_v family_n duty_n themselves_o and_o in_o their_o own_o person_n which_o make_v so_o necessary_a and_o useful_a a_o duty_n to_o be_v misâ—regarded_a by_o other_o of_o inferior_a rank_n nay_o many_o of_o the_o nobiiity_n gentry_n and_o burrows_n who_o shall_v have_v be_v example_n of_o godliness_n and_o sober_a walk_v unto_o other_o have_v be_v ringleader_n of_o excess_n and_o riot_v albeit_o we_o be_v the_o lord_n people_n engage_v to_o he_o in_o a_o solemn_a way_n yet_o to_o this_o day_n we_o have_v not_o make_v it_o our_o study_n that_o judicatories_n and_o army_n shall_v consist_v of_o and_o place_n of_o power_n and_o trust_v be_v fill_v with_o man_n of_o a_o blameless_a and_o christian_a conversation_n and_o of_o know_a integrity_n and_o approven_v fidelity_n affection_n and_o zeal_n unto_o the_o cause_n of_o god_n but_o not_o only_o those_o who_o have_v be_v neutral_a and_o indifferent_a but_o dis-affected_n and_o malignant_a and_o other_o who_o have_v be_v profane_a and_o scandalous_a have_v be_v entrust_v by_o which_o it_o have_v come_v to_o pass_v that_o judicatories_n have_v be_v the_o seat_n of_o injustice_n and_o iniquity_n and_o many_o in_o our_o army_n by_o their_o mis-carriage_n have_v become_v our_o plague_n unto_o the_o great_a prejudice_n of_o the_o cause_n of_o god_n the_o great_a scandal_n of_o the_o gospel_n &_o the_o great_a increase_n of_o looseness_n &_o profanity_n throughout_o all_o the_o land_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o reckon_v up_o all_o the_o abomination_n that_o be_v in_o the_o land_n but_o the_o blaspheme_n of_o the_o name_n of_o god_n swear_v by_o the_o creature_n profanation_n of_o the_o lord_n day_n uncleanness_n drunkenness_n excess_n &_o riot_v vanity_n of_o apparel_n lie_v &_o deceit_n rail_v &_o curse_v arbitary_a &_o uncontrolled_a oppression_n &_o grind_v of_o the_o face_n of_o the_o poor_a by_o landlord_n &_o other_o in_o place_n and_o power_n be_v become_v ordinary_a &_o common_a sin_n and_o beside_o all_o these_o thing_n there_o be_v many_o other_o transgression_n whereof_o the_o land_n wherein_o we_o live_v be_v guilty_a all_o which_o we_o desire_v to_o acknowledge_v and_o to_o be_v humble_v for_o that_o the_o world_n may_v bear_v witness_n with_o we_o that_o rightousnes_n belong_v unto_o god_n and_o shame_n &_o confusion_n of_o face_n unto_o we_o as_o appear_v this_o day_n and_o because_o it_o be_v needful_a for_o these_o who_o find_v mercy_n not_o only_o to_o confess_v but_o also_o to_o forsake_v their_o sin_n therefore_o that_o the_o reality_n and_o sincerity_n of_o our_o repentance_n may_v appear_v we_o do_v resolve_v and_o solemn_o engage_v ourselves_o before_o the_o lord_n careful_o to_o avoid_v for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v all_o these_o offence_n whereof_o we_o have_v now_o make_v solemn_a public_a acknowledgement_n and_o all_o the_o snare_n and_o tentation_n which_o tend_v thereunto_o
election_n or_o commissioner_n be_v questionable_a to_o who_o we_o desire_v it_o earnest_o to_o be_v recomend_v that_o they_o will_v in_o a_o unanimous_a way_n make_v choice_n of_o man_n of_o approven_v ability_n and_o integrity_n and_o against_o who_o there_o can_v be_v no_o exception_n by_o the_o act_n and_o constitution_n of_o this_o church_n and_o in_o the_o last_o place_n we_o do_v humble_o represent_v and_o desire_v that_o in_o the_o interval_n of_o time_n betwixt_o this_o and_o the_o diet_n to_o which_o the_o assembly_n shall_v be_v adjourn_v there_o may_v be_v a_o solemn_a public_a humiliation_n throughout_o the_o land_n wherein_o god_n may_v be_v entreat_v to_o show_v we_o why_o he_o contend_v with_o we_o and_o to_o give_v light_n and_o clear_n on_o all_o hand_n concern_v the_o present_a difference_n of_o judgement_n and_o distemper_n of_o spirit_n that_o be_v among_o we_o that_o we_o may_v be_v of_o one_o mind_n and_o one_o heart_n for_o the_o carry_v on_o of_o the_o work_n of_o god_n among_o his_o people_n and_o your_o wisdom_n answer_v subscribe_v by_o sundry_a minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n st._n andrews_n july_n 18._o 1651._o how_o gracious_a the_o lord_n have_v be_v to_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n in_o give_v to_o her_o pure_a ordinance_n we_o trust_v shall_v be_v acknowledge_v by_o we_o while_o we_o live_v with_o thankfulness_n to_o the_o most_o high_a of_o who_o we_o desire_v mercy_n and_o grace_n to_o adhere_v unto_o the_o doctrine_n worship_n discipline_n and_o government_n establish_v in_o this_o land_n among_o the_o many_o sad_a token_n of_o the_o lord_n indignation_n against_o this_o church_n the_o present_a difference_n of_o his_o servant_n of_o the_o ministry_n be_v look_v upon_o by_o we_o as_o one_o of_o the_o great_a and_o as_o we_o hold_v it_o a_o duty_n to_o be_v deep_o humble_v before_o the_o lord_n in_o the_o sense_n thereof_o and_o by_o all_o lawful_a and_o fair_a mean_n within_o the_o compass_n of_o our_o power_n and_o station_n to_o endeavour_v the_o remedy_n thereof_o so_o we_o do_v ackdowledge_v a_o free_a general_n assembly_n lawful_o call_v and_o right_o constitute_v and_o proceed_v with_o meekness_n and_o love_n in_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o word_n and_o the_o act_n and_o constitution_n of_o this_o church_n to_o be_v among_o the_o first_o and_o most_o effectual_a mean_n appoint_v of_o god_n for_o attain_v this_o end_n and_o for_o preserve_v the_o purity_n and_o advance_v the_o power_n of_o the_o work_n of_o reformation_n in_o this_o age_n and_o transmit_v the_o same_o to_o our_o posterity_n and_o to_o the_o age_n and_o generation_n that_o be_v to_o come_v but_o as_o the_o faithful_a servant_n of_o god_n in_o this_o church_n in_o former_a time_n do_v by_o his_o good_a hand_n upon_o they_o in_o the_o right_a administration_n of_o free_a and_o lawful_a assembly_n bring_v the_o work_n of_o reformation_n in_o scotland_n unto_o a_o great_a perfection_n and_o near_a conformity_n with_o the_o first_o pattern_n so_o unfaithful_a man_n mind_v their_o own_o thing_n more_o than_o the_o thing_n of_o christ_n and_o usurp_a over_o their_o brethren_n and_o over_o the_o lord_n inheritance_n do_v deface_v the_o beauty_n thereof_o first_o by_o encroach_a upon_o the_o liberty_n and_o freedom_n of_o assembly_n afterward_o by_o take_v away_o the_o assembly_n themselves_o therefore_o remember_v the_o many_o bond_n and_o obligation_n that_o lie_v upon_o we_o before_o the_o lord_n and_o be_v desirous_a to_o be_v find_v faithful_a in_o this_o day_n of_o temptation_n and_o to_o exoner_n our_o conscience_n as_o in_o his_o sight_n and_o to_o avoid_v accession_n to_o that_o guiltiness_n in_o which_o many_o have_v involve_v themselves_o and_o conceive_v that_o this_o present_a meeting_n be_v not_o a_o free_a lawful_a gen._n assembly_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n in_o regard_n that_o the_o election_n of_o commissioner_n to_o the_o same_o have_v be_v prelimited_n and_o prejudice_v in_o the_o due_a liberty_n and_o freedom_n thereof_o by_o a_o letter_n and_o act_n of_o the_o commissioner_n of_o the_o last_o gen_n assembly_n send_v to_o presbytery_n appoint_v such_o brethren_n as_o after_o conference_n remain_v unsatisfied_a with_o and_o continue_v to_o oppose_v the_o public_a resolution_n to_o be_v cite_v to_o the_o general_n assembly_n and_o in_o regard_n that_o commissioner_n from_o many_o burrough_n and_o presbytry_n be_v absent_a as_o want_v free_a access_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o motion_n of_o the_o and_o in_o regard_n that_o many_o of_o the_o commissioner_n of_o the_o former_a assembly_n who_o have_v carry_v on_o a_o course_n of_o defection_n contrary_a to_o the_o trust_v commit_v to_o they_o and_o who_o in_o their_o remonstrance_n and_o paper_n have_v stir_v up_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n against_o such_o who_o be_v unsatisfied_a in_o their_o conscience_n with_o their_o proceed_n and_o who_o have_v by_o their_o letter_n and_o act_n prelimited_a the_o assembly_n be_v admit_v to_o sit_v and_o vote_n as_o member_n of_o the_o assembly_n and_o their_o moderator_n appoint_v to_o be_v moderator_n of_o the_o assembly_n notwithstanding_o that_o timous_a exception_n be_v make_v against_o they_o that_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v admit_v as_o member_n of_o the_o assembly_n until_o their_o proceed_n be_v first_o try_v and_o approven_v by_o the_o assembly_n and_o in_o regard_n that_o his_o majesty_n by_o his_o letter_n and_o his_o majesty_n commissioner_n by_o his_o speech_n to_o the_o assembly_n have_v incite_v to_o hard_a course_n against_o those_o who_o be_v unsatisfied_a in_o their_o conscience_n with_o the_o proceed_n of_o the_o commission_n before_o these_o proceed_n be_v try_v and_o approven_v by_o the_o assembly_n itself_o we_o do_v upon_o these_o and_o many_o other_o important_a ground_n and_o reason_n to_o be_v propound_v and_o give_v in_o in_o time_n and_o place_n convenient_a protest_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n and_o in_o our_o own_o name_n and_o in_o the_o name_n of_o all_o minister_n ruling-elders_a and_o professor_n of_o this_o church_n who_o do_v or_o shall_v adhere_v to_o we_o against_o the_o validity_n and_o constitution_n of_o this_o assembly_n as_o not_o be_v free_a and_o lawful_a and_o that_o they_o may_v not_o arrogat_fw-la nor_o assume_v to_o themselves_o any_o authority_n nor_o exercise_v any_o power_n or_o jurisdiction_n for_o determine_v of_o controversy_n make_v of_o act_n emit_v of_o declaration_n judge_v of_o protestation_n or_o appeal_n or_o proceed_n of_o synod_n or_o inferior_a judicature_n or_o censure_v of_o person_n or_o paper_n or_o issue_v of_o commission_n of_o whatsoever_o sort_n to_o any_o person_n whatsoever_o and_o particular_o we_o protest_v that_o they_o may_v not_o proceed_v unto_o the_o approve_v or_o ratify_v of_o the_o proceed_n of_o the_o former_a commission_n not_o only_o because_o of_o their_o want_n of_o just_a power_n and_o authority_n so_o to_o do_v but_o also_o because_o these_o proceed_n contain_v many_o thing_n contrary_a to_o the_o trust_v commit_v to_o these_o commissioner_n especial_o the_o allow_v and_o carry_v on_o of_o a_o conjunction_n with_o the_o malignant_a party_n and_o bring_v they_o in_o to_o place_n of_o power_n and_o trust_n in_o the_o army_n and_o in_o the_o judicature_n contrary_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o solemn_a league_n and_o covenant_n the_o solemn_a confession_n of_o sin_n and_o engagement_n to_o duty_n the_o constant_a tenor_n of_o the_o declaration_n warning_n remonstrance_n cause_n of_o humiliation_n letter_n supplication_n and_o act_n and_o constitution_n of_o this_o church_n and_o the_o lay_n of_o a_o foundation_n for_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n to_o meddle_v with_o minister_n in_o those_o thing_n which_o concern_v their_o doctrine_n and_o the_o exercise_n of_o ministerial_a duty_n before_o they_o be_v cite_v try_v and_o censure_v by_o the_o judicatories_n of_o the_o church_n and_o we_o protest_v that_o whatsoever_o determination_n act_n ratification_n declaration_n sentence_n censure_n or_o commission_n that_o shall_v be_v make_v or_o give_v out_o by_o they_o may_v be_v void_a and_o null_a and_o may_v be_v interpret_v as_o bind_v to_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n and_o that_o notwithstanding_o thereof_o it_o may_v be_v free_a for_o we_o and_o such_o as_o adhere_v to_o we_o to_o exercise_v our_o ministry_n and_o enjoy_v the_o warrantable_a christian_a liberty_n of_o our_o conscience_n according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o national_a covenant_n and_o solemn_a league_n and_o covenant_n and_o solemn_a engagement_n to_o duty_n and_o all_o the_o act_n and_o constitution_n of_o this_o church_n and_o that_o there_o may_v be_v liberty_n to_o choose_v commissioner_n and_o to_o conveen_n in_o a_o free_a lawful_a general_n assembly_n when_o there_o shall_v be_v need_n and_o the_o lord_n shall_v give_v opportunity_n and_o to_o add_v
there_o be_v any_o who_o deserve_v the_o name_n of_o the_o prime_a contriver_n and_o stickler_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o protestation_n it_o be_v some_o of_o these_o who_o have_v no_o hand_n in_o these_o high_a course_n which_o he_o mention_n and_o who_o upon_o his_o account_n be_v among_o the_o simple_a one_o these_o crime_n which_o he_o do_v so_o positive_o and_o without_o hesitation_n charge_n upon_o some_o especial_o be_v so_o heinous_a and_o great_a it_o will_v seem_v that_o both_o charity_n and_o and_o justice_n will_v have_v require_v that_o he_o have_v bring_v some_o good_a evidence_n of_o they_o lest_o haply_o his_o reader_n trust_v not_o his_o naked_a assertion_n in_o that_o which_o do_v not_o only_o reach_v the_o reputation_n but_o also_o the_o life_n and_o be_v of_o other_o and_o if_o he_o will_v have_v man_n to_o believe_v their_o tenet_n to_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o mind_n and_o practice_n of_o all_o orthodox_n church_n and_o to_o the_o faith_n he_o will_v do_v well_o to_o prove_v they_o to_o be_v so_o until_o he_o do_v it_o he_o will_v i_o hope_v allow_v charity_n to_o these_o who_o deny_v it_o some_o of_o the_o great_a divine_n of_o this_o church_n and_o of_o this_o age_n who_o praise_n be_v in_o all_o the_o reform_a church_n do_v affirm_v and_o have_v prove_v the_o contrary_a and_o if_o the_o author_n assertion_n be_v true_a i_o fear_v not_o to_o say_v that_o the_o mind_n and_o practice_n of_o this_o church_n these_o year_n past_a have_v not_o be_v orthodox_n nor_o agreeable_a to_o the_o faith_n in_o order_n to_o these_o tenet_n because_o they_o have_v be_v clear_o teach_v and_o practise_v by_o this_o church_n these_o year_n past_a and_o a_o man_n but_o slender_o see_v in_o the_o doctrine_n thereof_o may_v bring_v forth_o these_o tenet_n assert_v by_o this_o church_n in_o the_o same_o letter_n and_o sillabes_fw-la and_o may_v give_v clear_a instance_n of_o her_o practice_n a-agreeing_a with_o the_o same_o it_o have_v be_v do_v already_o by_o some_o in_o a_o more_o convince_a way_n then_o the_o sharp_a opposer_n of_o these_o tenet_n have_v as_o yet_o satisfy_o answer_v i_o will_v fain_o know_v what_o ground_n the_o author_n have_v to_o say_v that_o the_o prime_a contriver_n and_o stickler_n find_v it_o safe_a for_o they_o rather_o altogether_o to_o disclaim_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o assembly_n then_o to_o hazard_v upon_o a_o fair_a and_o orderly_a trial_n of_o their_o matter_n their_o conscience_n do_v bear_v they_o record_v that_o it_o be_v not_o upon_o any_o jealousy_n or_o suspicion_n they_o have_v of_o their_o cause_n as_o not_o be_v able_a to_o endure_v the_o light_n &_o reason_n may_v persuade_v indifferent_a man_n to_o think_v that_o they_o do_v not_o look_v upon_o protest_v against_o the_o assembly_n as_o the_o safe_a course_n otherwise_o then_o in_o order_n to_o their_o duty_n for_o if_o we_o take_v safety_n as_o it_o may_v concern_v their_o person_n they_o can_v hardly_o have_v do_v any_o thing_n that_o can_v have_v more_o endanger_v these_o it_o be_v a_o speedy_a way_n to_o expose_v they_o to_o the_o censure_n both_o of_o church_n and_o state_n as_o do_v appear_v in_o the_o sequel_n some_o of_o they_o because_o of_o their_o protest_v be_v depose_v by_o that_o assembly_n and_o other_o of_o they_o confine_v by_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n and_o there_o be_v ground_n to_o presume_v that_o they_o will_v have_v be_v proceed_v against_o with_o further_a censure_n both_o civil_a and_o ecclesiastic_a if_o the_o lord_n have_v not_o stop_v the_o current_n of_o these_o thing_n if_o this_o be_v their_o safe_a way_n why_o do_v man_n of_o his_o own_o judgement_n so_o frequent_o say_v that_o if_o the_o protestation_n have_v be_v forbear_v the_o assembly_n will_v not_o have_v censure_v any_o no_o not_o in_o the_o case_n of_o their_o adhere_n to_o their_o judgement_n and_o dissent_v from_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o assembly_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o public_a resolution_n if_o we_o shall_v 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the_o matter_n prejudicial_a to_o any_o of_o these_o it_o be_v as_o many_o wâ—t_v out_o with_o absolom_n in_o the_o simplicity_n of_o their_o heart_n but_o fiâ—st_v it_o will_v be_v remember_v that_o many_o may_v be_v very_o zealous_a in_o their_o intention_n for_o god_n and_o yet_o that_o zeal_n be_v not_o according_a to_o knowledge_n where_o there_o be_v much_o zeal_n for_o any_o end_n there_o be_v also_o much_o mistake_v about_o mid_n towards_o that_o end_n and_o where_o there_o be_v much_o and_o clear_a knowledge_n in_o many_o thing_n there_o may_v be_v much_o mistake_n about_o some_o or_o more_o particular_n a_o good_a intention_n be_v necessary_a that_o a_o man_n may_v be_v approven_v before_o god_n in_o his_o action_n but_o it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o make_v his_o action_n good_a or_o imitable_a by_o other_o and_o certain_o this_o be_v the_o chief_a thing_n to_o be_v consider_v by_o thou_o ere_o thou_o allow_v follow_v or_o comply_v with_o the_o course_n of_o any_o other_o 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this_o indeed_o be_v a_o good_a profession_n but_o suppose_v that_o which_o be_v certain_a and_o evident_a that_o when_o we_o speak_v of_o great_a estimation_n of_o and_o adhere_v to_o the_o discipline_n and_o government_n establish_v in_o this_o kirk_n we_o must_v conceive_v this_o in_o relation_n to_o the_o ordinance_n not_o only_o in_o the_o abstract_n and_o dogmate_a but_o also_o in_o concreto_fw-la and_o as_o they_o be_v in_o actu_fw-la exercito_fw-la actual_o exist_v and_o as_o they_o be_v exercise_v in_o judicatories_n constitute_v according_o let_v a_o man_n profess_v what_o he_o will_v of_o soundness_n and_o constancy_n in_o point_n of_o judgement_n concern_v discipline_n and_o government_n establish_v in_o the_o kirk_n yet_o if_o he_o be_v find_v a_o contemner_n of_o the_o exercise_n of_o that_o discipline_n and_o of_o the_o lawful_a judicatories_n invest_v with_o the_o government_n no_o wise_a man_n will_v acknowledge_v that_o man_n to_o have_v a_o due_a estimation_n of_o or_o to_o be_v a_o constant_a adherer_n to_o these_o ordinance_n except_o it_o may_v be_v in_o so_o far_o as_o he_o hold_v something_o of_o they_o in_o his_o own_o hand_n and_o that_o be_v himself_o nay_o such_o profession_n be_v but_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d good_a word_n and_o fair_a speech_n to_o deceive_v the_o heart_n of_o the_o simple_a this_o lay_v down_o let_v any_o ingenuous_a and_o indifferent_a man_n take_v unto_o consideration_n but_o some_o practice_n of_o some_o of_o the_o protester_n and_o judge_v how_o agreeable_a they_o be_v to_o the_o former_a profession_n and_o adhere_v to_o the_o discipline_n and_o government_n settle_v in_o this_o church_n 1._o condemn_v act_n and_o constitution_n of_o the_o supreme_a judicatories_n of_o the_o kirk_n most_o unanimous_o conclude_v themselves_o be_v present_a and_o not_o contradict_v but_o positive_o by_o their_o vote_n consent_v thereunto_o and_o that_o not_o in_o a_o private_a way_n but_o in_o a_o remonstrance_n public_o emit_v to_o the_o world_n and_o present_v to_o the_o state_n without_o have_v so_o much_o respect_n to_o these_o judicatories_n as_o which_o due_a estimation_n of_o and_o adhere_v to_o the_o establish_a government_n of_o the_o kirk_n do_v require_v once_o to_o have_v have_v recourse_n to_o they_o first_o by_o supplication_n or_o desire_n to_o re-examine_a or_o to_o take_v to_o their_o consideration_n again_o these_o act_n and_o constitution_n yea_o refuse_v to_o apply_v themselves_o to_o they_o in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o that_o when_o advise_v and_o earnest_o press_v thereunto_o as_o orderly_o by_o some_o to_o who_o they_o have_v communicate_v the_o design_n of_o the_o remonstrance_n the_o former_a part_n of_o this_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o western_a remonstrance_n condemn_v the_o treaty_n with_o the_o king_n and_o close_v thereof_o allow_v approven_v and_o ratify_v by_o the_o general_n assembly_n 1650._o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o that_o remonstrance_n be_v communicate_v to_o the_o commission_n of_o the_o kirk_n before_o it_o be_v present_v to_o the_o estate_n that_o be_v true_a but_o beside_o that_o the_o commission_n have_v not_o power_n to_o judge_v the_o act_n and_o constisution_n of_o the_o assembly_n it_o be_v present_v unto_o they_o mere_o to_o have_v have_v their_o concurrence_n in_o present_v it_o to_o the_o estate_n if_o that_o can_v have_v be_v obtain_v but_o with_o no_o desire_n to_o advise_v and_o give_v their_o judgement_n upon_o the_o matter_n contain_v in_o it_o yea_o these_o that_o come_v with_o it_o require_v if_o they_o have_v any_o power_n commit_v to_o they_o to_o change_v any_o thing_n of_o it_o they_o plain_o declare_v that_o though_o some_o expression_n may_v be_v change_v yet_o they_o have_v no_o power_n and_o be_v not_o to_o alter_v one_o jote_n of_o the_o matter_n so_o determine_v be_v they_o of_o themselves_o and_o antecedent_o to_o the_o cognition_n of_o the_o
man_n in_o that_o meeting_n earnest_o endeavour_v that_o condescend_v upon_o public_a cause_n of_o the_o wrath_n of_o god_n manifest_v in_o that_o defate_n at_o dumbar_n as_o cause_n of_o a_o fast_o may_v be_v delay_v until_o the_o week_n next_o follow_v that_o there_o may_v be_v a_o full_a meeting_n of_o the_o commission_n conveen_v together_o to_o go_v about_o that_o purpose_n with_o authority_n and_o more_o deliberation_n but_o be_v bear_v down_o by_o the_o vehemency_n and_o headstrong_a forwardness_n of_o some_o who_o be_v chief_a man_n in_o this_o protestation_n profess_v so_o much_o respect_n to_o the_o establish_a government_n of_o this_o kirk_n 3._o that_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n of_o haste_n in_o emit_v particular_a cause_n there_o be_v rather_o much_o danger_n in_o do_v it_o upon_o so_o short_a deliberation_n see_v the_o public_a calamity_n and_o know_v public_a sin_n be_v cause_n evident_a enough_o to_o all_o of_o humiliation_n for_o the_o present_a and_o within_o 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and_o desire_v in_o the_o commission_n for_o the_o space_n of_o half_a a_o hour_n at_o least_o by_o mr._n james_n guthrie_n and_o the_o register_n to_o say_v nothing_o of_o this_o that_o which_o the_o commission_n approve_v be_v the_o matter_n of_o these_o cause_n and_o not_o the_o way_n of_o emission_n wherewith_o many_o of_o the_o commission_n show_v themselves_o exceed_o dissatisfied_n as_o a_o practice_n without_o example_n and_o a_o preparative_n tend_v to_o the_o overthrow_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o government_n but_o do_v forbear_v to_o challenge_v it_o at_o that_o time_n for_o peace_n sake_n review_n there_o be_v a_o great_a deal_n ado_n here_o for_o little_a or_o nothing_o which_o say_v that_o there_o must_v be_v some_o mystery_n in_o the_o bottom_n before_o i_o come_v to_o discover_v it_o i_o shall_v make_v answer_n to_o the_o particular_n allege_v first_o by_o a_o narration_n of_o the_o history_n as_o it_o be_v in_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o then_o by_o take_v off_o 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time_n yet_o have_v they_o not_o repent_v thereof_o unto_o this_o day_n not_o that_o i_o will_v fetch_v all_o those_o who_o name_n be_v in_o that_o black_a book_n and_o other_o the_o like_a book_n and_o who_o be_v involve_v in_o these_o course_n under_o that_o compass_n i_o know_v that_o sundry_a of_o they_o have_v from_o their_o very_a heart_n repent_v of_o and_o do_v from_o their_o soul_n abhor_v that_o way_n i_o mean_v even_o of_o these_o who_o be_v for_o the_o public_a resolution_n but_o this_o church_n have_v be_v so_o sensible_a that_o there_o be_v cause_n to_o think_v otherwise_o that_o she_o have_v several_a time_n give_v warning_n thereof_o in_o her_o public_a paper_n and_o who_o know_v not_o that_o throughout_o all_o the_o land_n these_o who_o have_v be_v most_o indifferent_a and_o lukewarm_a in_o the_o cause_n of_o god_n great_a underminer_n of_o it_o most_o prelatical_a in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o bishop_n most_o malignant_a in_o james_n graham_n time_n and_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o unlawful_a engagement_n and_o most_o design_v and_o active_a to_o carry_v on_o the_o treaty_n with_o the_o king_n in_o a_o wrong_a way_n and_o without_o security_n to_o religion_n yea_o and_o such_o as_o be_v scandalous_a in_o their_o life_n and_o conversation_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n among_o the_o most_o zealous_a and_o violent_a for_o the_o public_a resolution_n and_o be_v so_o still_o now_o the_o course_n itself_o be_v evil_a and_o envolving_a a_o foundation_n of_o defection_n own_a and_o countenance_v and_o zealous_o promote_v by_o all_o the_o lukewarm_a prelatical_a and_o malignant_a scandalous_a man_n in_o the_o land_n be_v there_o not_o doolfull_a experience_n of_o such_o backslide_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o prelate_n to_o be_v stir_v up_o in_o ourselves_o and_o to_o protest_v and_o testify_v to_o other_o against_o thing_n though_o sundry_a godly_a man_n be_v engage_v therein_o nay_o the_o more_o need_n there_o be_v to_o speak_v plain_o lest_o 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none_o of_o the_o protesteer_n for_o any_o thing_n that_o i_o know_v do_v take_v unwarrantable_a order_n from_o the_o prelate_n and_o do_v more_o to_o accept_v one_o who_o have_v often_o in_o private_a and_o in_o public_a acknowledge_v and_o be_v still_o ready_a to_o acknowledge_v the_o sin_n of_o that_o way_n in_o which_o he_o be_v breed_v up_o from_o his_o youth_n and_o therefore_o do_v it_o ignorant_o through_o unbelief_n who_o because_o of_o the_o exceed_a riches_n of_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n in_o recover_v he_o out_o of_o that_o snare_n hold_v himself_o the_o more_o bind_v to_o be_v vigilant_a and_o zealous_a against_o all_o desertion_n for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v this_o man_n have_v forbid_v i_o to_o say_v any_o more_o to_o the_o author_n in_o answer_n to_o these_o thing_n but_o these_o word_n dignus_fw-la ego_fw-la qui_fw-la patior_fw-la indignus_fw-la tu_fw-la qui_fw-la faceres_fw-la tamen_fw-la and_o to_o leave_v the_o explication_n to_o his_o own_o conscience_n 8._o it_o have_v be_v fair_a deal_n in_o the_o author_n to_o have_v discover_v or_o name_v the_o prelatical_a step_n that_o some_o of_o the_o protester_n have_v tread_v these_o year_n past_a and_o not_o thus_o to_o have_v assert_v without_o any_o proof_n or_o instance_n which_o he_o think_v a_o fault_n in_o matter_n of_o less_o moment_n the_o step_n that_o these_o man_n have_v tread_v these_o year_n pass_v in_o their_o public_a act_n for_o of_o these_o i_o take_v the_o author_n to_o mean_v be_v for_o the_o matter_n the_o same_o that_o be_v tread_v by_o himself_o and_o by_o sundry_a lead_v man_n in_o the_o public_a resolution_n who_o be_v also_o lead_v man_n in_o all_o these_o step_n from_o the_o high_a to_o the_o low_a and_o i_o do_v not_o think_v though_o not_o a_o few_o be_v he_o be_v come_v that_o
case_n in_o the_o year_n 48._o the_o election_n be_v pass_v in_o most_o place_n before_o it_o be_v do_v and_o may_v be_v just_o presume_v to_o have_v be_v pass_v in_o all_o as_o shall_v afterward_o be_v more_o full_o clear_v but_o it_o be_v not_o so_o in_o the_o 51._o what_o be_v then_o do_v be_v previous_a to_o the_o election_n next_o i_o give_v clear_a answer_n by_o deny_v the_o minor_a because_o the_o commission_n do_v not_o require_v such_o a_o thing_n the_o most_o that_o they_o do_v be_v to_o recommend_v it_o which_o be_v far_o from_o require_v and_o therefore_o by_o the_o writer_n ground_n the_o author_n have_v prove_v nothing_o at_o all_o to_o the_o second_o consideration_n that_o the_o letter_n and_o act_n of_o the_o commission_n 48._o be_v not_o write_v until_o most_o part_n or_o all_o election_n in_o presbytery_n be_v past_a he_o make_v answer_v that_o so_o be_v many_o of_o the_o election_n of_o presbytery_n before_o the_o letter_n and_o act_n of_o the_o commission_n 51._o 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the_o election_n 48._o be_v pass_v before_o the_o letter_n and_o act_n of_o the_o commission_n come_v unto_o they_o i_o do_v appeal_n to_o the_o presbytery_n book_n there_o be_v little_a or_o no_o weight_n in_o the_o presumption_n that_o the_o author_n give_v to_o the_o contrary_n 1._o he_o take_v upon_o he_o to_o prove_v that_o some_o presbytery_n do_v upon_o that_o letter_n and_o act_n refer_v and_o cite_v some_o of_o their_o member_n to_o the_o general_n assembly_n some_o presbytery_n day_n before_o they_o begin_v to_o think_v upon_o the_o election_n of_o commissioner_n but_o he_o have_v name_v none_o and_o comprise_v they_o under_o the_o word_n some_o haply_o lest_o it_o shall_v be_v know_v how_o few_o there_o be_v probable_o but_o one_o that_o be_v st._n andrews_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o one_o of_o their_o university_n man_n who_o be_v also_o a_o minister_n next_o he_o make_v a_o supputation_n but_o of_o 8._o day_n for_o the_o dispatch_n of_o the_o letter_n to_o presbytery_n and_o that_o to_o the_o most_o part_n of_o presbytery_n it_o may_v have_v soon_o come_v and_o but_o of_o 20._o or_o 25._o day_n interveen_v betwixt_o the_o diet_n of_o the_o assembly_n and_o the_o election_n in_o most_o part_n of_o presbytery_n if_o the_o custom_n of_o dispatch_n have_v be_v by_o past_z hire_v and_o dispatch_v to_o several_a part_n immediate_o after_o the_o write_n of_o the_o letter_n and_o make_v of_o the_o act_n it_o may_v have_v come_v to_o the_o most_o part_n of_o presbytery_n in_o 8._o day_n but_o so_o it_o be_v not_o neither_o in_o the_o 48._o nor_o 51._o but_o by_o occasional_a bearer_n and_o therefore_o will_v take_v more_o time_n and_o i_o think_v it_o be_v say_v gratis_o that_o few_o presbytery_n do_v make_v their_o election_n 20._o or_o 25._o day_n before_o the_o assembly_n but_o there_o be_v no_o sure_a way_n of_o determine_v these_o difference_n about_o circumstance_n of_o time_n when_o neither_o the_o one_o nor_o the_o other_o letter_n come_v to_o 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the_o commission_n 48._o be_v not_o few_o yea_o not_o so_o few_o as_o the_o dissenter_n from_o the_o commission_n 51._o we_o know_v that_o the_o number_n of_o these_o amount_v to_o at_o their_o great_a meeting_n at_o ______o of_o late_a and_o howsoever_o more_o of_o these_o then_o of_o the_o first_o be_v godly_a man_n and_o have_v be_v more_o faithful_a in_o the_o cause_n former_o yet_o their_o present_a course_n at_o that_o time_n be_v not_o faithfulness_n to_o the_o cause_n but_o prejudicial_a to_o it_o and_o the_o whole_a kirk_n and_o country_n both_o they_o may_v just_o have_v be_v refer_v and_o call_v before_o the_o gen._n assembly_n to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o their_o way_n as_o well_o as_o the_o former_a be_v though_o they_o be_v more_o tender_o deal_v with_o as_o to_o themselves_o be_v evident_o see_v in_o the_o whole_a progress_n with_o they_o and_o be_v also_o real_o apparent_a in_o the_o very_a act_n and_o letter_n of_o the_o commission_n review_n i_o think_v the_o 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testimony_n against_o that_o engagement_n though_o alas_o some_o of_o these_o in_o these_o late_a resolution_n have_v now_o dissemble_v it_o in_o their_o word_n and_o more_o have_v betray_v it_o in_o their_o action_n that_o what_o they_o then_o do_v in_o condemn_v the_o engagement_n and_o afterward_o approve_v the_o solemn_a public_a confession_n of_o sin_n and_o engagement_n to_o duty_n be_v against_o their_o heart_n when_o the_o author_n have_v streatched_a their_o number_n to_o the_o utmost_a the_o most_o he_o dare_v say_v of_o it_o be_v the_o great_a part_n of_o whole_a presbytery_n in_o some_o place_n but_o these_o some_o place_n that_o he_o speak_v of_o be_v so_o few_o that_o it_o will_v be_v find_v they_o will_v come_v to_o a_o very_a poor_a account_n when_o they_o shall_v be_v name_v they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v like_a to_o amount_v to_o any_o number_n at_o the_o general_n assembly_n if_o he_o mean_v of_o these_o who_o be_v member_n of_o the_o assembly_n that_o there_o 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scotland_n do_v run_v these_o many_o year_n past_a for_o defend_v the_o country_n and_o cause_n against_o the_o enemy_n thereof_o and_o if_o other_o do_v forsake_v their_o ground_n they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v esteem_v unfaithful_a nor_o to_o be_v charge_v with_o that_o crime_n because_o they_o will_v not_o leave_v their_o master_n colour_n i_o shall_v not_o insist_v upon_o what_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o tender_a deal_n which_o they_o meet_v with_o because_o there_o may_v be_v opportunity_n to_o speak_v to_o this_o afterward_o what_o be_v apparent_a in_o the_o letter_n and_o act_n of_o the_o commission_n be_v already_o speak_v unto_o vindication_n the_o four_o consideration_n propon_v by_o the_o writer_n be_v that_o the_o resolution_n then_o viz._n 48_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o covenant_n act_n and_o constitution_n of_o former_a general_n assembly_n whereas_o the_o
that_o particular_a yet_o it_o say_v nothing_o to_o the_o point_n in_o hand_n see_v these_o member_n of_o who_o we_o speak_v do_v real_o and_o actual_o without_o any_o letter_n or_o exception_n make_v against_o they_o judge_n not_o only_o in_o other_o matter_n but_o also_o in_o that_o very_a particular_a thus_o much_o in_o answer_n to_o the_o first_o reason_n against_o the_o late_a assembly_n and_o what_o be_v bring_v in_o that_o paper_n for_o confirm_v and_o uphold_v of_o it_o if_o it_o have_v any_o force_n malignant_n may_v think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o the_o protester_n for_o teach_v they_o if_o ever_o they_o shall_v have_v power_n again_o how_o to_o call_v in_o question_n and_o condemn_v their_o assembly_n 48._o yea_o and_o if_o they_o find_v it_o make_v for_o their_o purpose_n even_o other_o assembly_n too_o even_o that_o solemn_a assembly_n 38._o as_o unfree_a and_o unlawful_a because_o of_o pray_fw-mi limitation_n in_o the_o election_n of_o commissioner_n review_n the_o 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and_o cite_v to_o be_v try_v and_o judge_v and_o other_o no_o less_o guilty_a of_o the_o same_o crime_n shall_v be_v admit_v to_o sit_v upon_o the_o bench_n as_o judge_n of_o that_o very_a particular_a i_o believe_v the_o author_n shall_v not_o find_v many_o precedent_n nor_o parallel_n of_o such_o a_o practice_n as_o this_o in_o any_o well_o constitute_v and_o right_o proceed_v judicatory_a civil_a or_o ecclesiastic_a so_o that_o measure_v the_o freedom_n of_o the_o assembly_n by_o the_o act_v do_v about_o the_o constitution_n and_o manage_n of_o it_o according_a to_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o and_o not_o according_a to_o the_o intention_n or_o moral_a motive_n upon_o which_o man_n do_v they_o there_o be_v still_o reason_n to_o say_v that_o it_o be_v not_o free_a notwithstanding_o that_o some_o be_v admit_v to_o sit_v and_o vote_n who_o be_v unsatisfied_a with_o and_o opposite_a to_o the_o public_a resolution_n as_o to_o that_o which_o he_o say_v in_o answer_n to_o the_o other_o two_o particular_n to_o the_o first_o of_o they_o i_o desire_v it_o to_o be_v consider_v 1._o that_o the_o impertinency_n be_v on_o his_o own_o side_n when_o he_o say_v that_o mr._n rob._n ramsay_n his_o protestation_n be_v not_o against_o these_o of_o sterling_n at_o all_o because_o the_o writer_n do_v not_o at_o all_o say_v in_o writ_n that_o it_o be_v so_o or_o that_o the_o commission_n of_o sterling_n be_v lay_v aside_o because_o of_o that_o protestation_n if_o he_o find_v it_o so_o write_v in_o any_o copy_n it_o have_v savour_v a_o little_a more_o of_o chaâ—iry_a to_o impute_v to_o the_o inadvertence_n of_o the_o transcriber_n see_v no_o man_n belike_o of_o common_a sense_n will_v bring_v in_o mr._n rob._n ramsay_n a_o member_n of_o another_o presbytery_n and_o in_o another_o province_n protest_v against_o the_o election_n of_o sterling_n 2._o not_o to_o fall_v on_o the_o debate_n of_o the_o lay_n of_o the_o other_o commission_n aside_o which_o be_v controvert_v with_o they_o not_o upon_o the_o probableness_n nor_o improbableness_n of_o the_o reason_n they_o pretend_v as_o not_o belong_v much_o to_o the_o business_n which_o we_o be_v now_o upon_o the_o author_n do_v yield_v much_o of_o the_o cause_n when_o he_o say_v it_o follow_v not_o hence_o that_o they_o be_v simple_o exclude_v from_o vote_v but_o suspend_v from_o vote_v for_o a_o time_n and_o have_v not_o vote_n in_o that_o particular_a because_o he_o yield_v these_o two_o thing_n 1._o that_o they_o have_v not_o nor_o be_v not_o to_o have_v de_fw-la jure_fw-la any_o vote_n at_o all_o in_o the_o particular_a of_o the_o public_a resolution_n 2._o that_o de_fw-la facto_fw-la they_o have_v not_o nor_o be_v not_o to_o have_v a_o vote_n in_o any_o particular_a till_o that_o exception_n shall_v be_v discuss_v and_o so_o be_v they_o exclude_v for_o a_o long_a time_n and_o from_o many_o particular_n but_o when_o the_o exception_n be_v discuss_v and_o sustain_v be_v they_o not_o whole_o exclude_v both_o de_fw-fr 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because_o they_o be_v not_o to_o have_v vote_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o resolution_n but_o this_o do_v not_o at_o all_o loose_a the_o difficulty_n one_o of_o the_o ground_n upon_o which_o the_o commission_n of_o the_o one_o be_v controvert_v in_o the_o election_n be_v because_o the_o person_n elect_v be_v opposer_n of_o the_o public_a resolution_n and_o that_o ground_n aswell_o as_o other_o do_v to_o themwards_o sustain_v as_o a_o relevant_a exception_n in_o jure_fw-la to_o keep_v they_o from_o sit_v and_o vote_v in_o the_o assembly_n not_o only_o in_o that_o but_o also_o in_o any_o particular_a else_o until_o it_o shall_v be_v discuss_v yea_o some_o of_o the_o commissioner_n be_v suspend_v from_o have_v a_o vote_n in_o any_o thing_n till_o that_o shall_v be_v discuss_v mere_o and_o allener_o upon_o that_o ground_n to_o wit_n that_o brother_n who_o be_v nominate_v in_o both_o the_o election_n now_o be_v not_o to_o be_v the_o author_n or_o abetter_n of_o the_o public_a 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it_o forth_o to_o other_o to_o induce_v they_o to_o join_v with_o they_o as_o a_o ground_n of_o conscience_n whereof_o they_o can_v not_o but_o exoner_n their_o conscience_n review_n the_o author_n usher_v in_o and_o close_v his_o answer_n to_o this_o reason_n with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o wonder_v and_o many_o exclamation_n against_o the_o want_n of_o ingenuity_n and_o conscience_n in_o the_o protester_n because_o of_o allege_v this_o reason_n against_o the_o freedom_n and_o lawfulness_n of_o the_o assembly_n and_o he_o be_v so_o confident_a as_o to_o think_v when_o his_o answer_n be_v consider_v not_o only_o will_v his_o reader_n be_v of_o one_o mind_n with_o he_o in_o this_o but_o that_o the_o protester_n themselves_o will_v blush_v that_o they_o have_v propon_v it_o we_o have_v a_o proverb_n that_o great_a word_n fly_v bairn_n and_o so_o we_o may_v also_o say_v great_a word_n persuade_v woman_n and_o child_n but_o man_n of_o reason_n and_o understanding_n will_v ponder_v what_o be_v say_v albeit_o the_o protester_n do_v not_o lay_v all_o nor_o most_o of_o the_o weight_n of_o their_o protestation_n against_o the_o assembly_n upon_o this_o yet_o they_o do_v ingenuous_o and_o conscientious_o conceive_v that_o there_o be_v weight_n in_o it_o and_o do_v think_v so_o still_o notwithstanding_o of_o all_o the_o author_n great_a word_n i_o wish_v he_o have_v take_v the_o proposition_n of_o the_o argument_n as_o they_o lay_v and_o answer_v they_o several_o and_o distinct_o he_o do_v not_o so_o far_o as_o my_o weak_a decern_v can_v reach_v tell_v we_o his_o mind_n plain_o and_o direct_o either_o of_o the_o first_o or_o second_o proposition_n of_o the_o argument_n but_o speak_v direct_o only_a to_o these_o thing_n that_o be_v bring_v by_o the_o writer_n for_o confirmation_n of_o the_o second_o proposition_n and_o to_o that_o part_n of_o the_o first_o proposition_n that_o relate_v to_o freedom_n of_o recess_n i_o shall_v first_o speak_v a_o little_a to_o the_o first_o proposition_n of_o the_o argument_n and_o then_o to_o the_o application_n of_o it_o the_o medium_n be_v none_o of_o the_o protester_n invent_v but_o have_v be_v general_o receive_v and_o make_v use_n of_o by_o divine_n to_o prove_v the_o unfreedome_n of_o counsel_n where_o there_o be_v truth_n in_o it_o as_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n as_o appear_v first_o from_o the_o learned_a review_n of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n in_o which_o this_o argument_n be_v clear_v and_o confirm_v at_o large_a second_o in_o the_o book_n entitle_v adversus_fw-la synodi_fw-la tridentini_n restitutionem_fw-la seu_fw-la continuationem_fw-la a_o pio_n quarto_fw-la pontifice_fw-la indictam_fw-la opposita_fw-la gravamina_fw-la quibus_fw-la causae_fw-la necessariae_fw-la &_o gravissimae_fw-la exponuntur_fw-la quare_fw-la ea_fw-la electoribus_fw-la caeterisque_fw-la imperii_fw-la principibus_fw-la &_o ordinibus_fw-la augustanae_n confessionis_fw-la neque_fw-la agnoscenda_fw-la neque_fw-la aâ—eunda_fw-la 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and_o send_v back_o as_o sundry_a minister_n in_o the_o presbytery_n of_o lithgow_n 4._o to_o say_v nothing_o of_o these_o many_o reproach_n that_o be_v cast_v upon_o &_o many_o threaten_n that_o be_v use_v against_o sundry_a of_o the_o opposer_n of_o public_a resolution_n by_o the_o soldier_n in_o their_o journey_n to_o st._n andrews_n and_o in_o the_o place_n and_o in_o their_o return_v from_o it_o all_o of_o they_o be_v before_o that_o time_n declare_v enemy_n both_o to_o church_n and_o kingdom_n and_o law_n make_v by_o the_o parliament_n and_o act_n issue_v by_o the_o commission_n to_o proceed_v against_o they_o with_o punishment_n and_o censure_n and_o do_v not_o the_o author_n in_o this_o his_o vindication_n tell_v we_o that_o therefore_o the_o clerk_n paper_n which_o he_o send_v to_o the_o assembly_n be_v not_o read_v lest_o they_o shall_v have_v infer_v hazard_n and_o danger_n to_o he_o if_o then_o he_o have_v be_v there_o personal_o and_o speak_v the_o same_o thing_n in_o the_o assembly_n that_o he_o write_v unto_o it_o which_o no_o doubt_n if_o he_o have_v be_v present_a he_o will_v have_v think_v himself_o bind_v in_o conscience_n to_o do_v he_o can_v not_o have_v do_v it_o with_o safety_n and_o yet_o these_o be_v thing_n relate_v to_o the_o public_a resolution_n all_o these_o thing_n be_v put_v together_o do_v make_v it_o to_o appear_v that_o access_n to_o the_o assembly_n wes_z not_o safe_a but_o full_a of_o hazard_n and_o danger_n but_o i_o come_v to_o the_o author_n his_o answer_n and_o in_o order_n thereto_o desire_v it_o to_o be_v consider_v first_o that_o as_o the_o want_n of_o integrant_fw-la part_n sometime_o may_v be_v so_o great_a that_o it_o do_v destroy_v the_o very_a be_v of_o the_o body_n so_o when_o a_o considerable_a number_n of_o integrant_fw-la part_n be_v want_v it_o render_v the_o body_n weak_a in_o its_o function_n and_o operation_n and_o draw_v along_o with_o it_o many_o other_o inconvenience_n i_o doubt_v not_o but_o the_o author_n will_v grant_v that_o the_o number_n of_o commissioner_n come_v to_o a_o assembly_n may_v be_v so_o few_o that_o they_o can_v make_v a_o lawful_a and_o free_a assembly_n as_o upon_o the_o other_o side_n i_o shall_v willing_o yield_v that_o it_o be_v not_o every_o want_n of_o member_n constituent_a that_o make_v a_o unfree_a or_o unlawful_a assembly_n if_o either_o the_o one_o or_o the_o other_o shall_v be_v deny_v as_o two_o or_o three_o commissioner_n may_v make_v a_o assembly_n so_o the_o want_n of_o two_o or_o three_o may_v unmake_v it_o i_o think_v he_o will_v also_o grant_v that_o when_o many_o commissioner_n be_v absent_a especial_o not_o negligent_o but_o upon_o relevant_a cause_n that_o it_o be_v not_o fit_a to_o adjourn_v it_o till_o another_o time_n then_o to_o proceed_v to_o constitute_v themselves_o or_o act_n as_o a_o assembly_n so_o our_o worthy_a reformer_n adjourn_v the_o assembly_n 1568._o from_o decemb._n 25._o to_o feb._n 25._o because_o many_o be_v absent_a by_o reason_n of_o the_o trouble_n of_o the_o time_n and_o upon_o the_o same_o ground_n the_o assembly_n 1569._o be_v adjourn_v from_o february_n to_o march_v from_o sterling_a to_o edinburgh_n and_o if_o the_o meeting_n at_o s._n andrews_n have_v be_v please_v to_o read_v and_o condescend_v unto_o the_o supplication_n that_o be_v offer_v to_o they_o under_o the_o hand_n of_o many_o brethren_n for_o a_o adjournment_n before_o their_o constitution_n there_o have_v be_v no_o cause_n for_o these_o debate_n 2._o it_o seem_v to_o be_v yield_v by_o the_o author_n that_o where_o it_o can_v be_v demonstrate_v that_o a_o good_a many_o commissioner_n be_v absent_a for_o want_v of_o timous_a advertisement_n concern_v the_o time_n and_o place_n of_o the_o assembly_n there_o be_v cause_n upon_o that_o ground_n to_o except_v against_o the_o assembly_n as_o not_o free_a and_o lawful_a and_o the_o assembly_n at_o glasgow_n do_v put_v it_o above_o question_n for_o anull_v the_o pretend_v assemb_v at_o lithgo_n 1606_o &_o that_o at_o aberdeen_n
that_o there_o be_v no_o just_a cause_n of_o propon_v that_o exception_n against_o the_o commission_n 48_o and_o we_o affirm_v that_o the_o commission_n 51_o carry_v themselves_o faithful_o and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o just_a cause_n of_o propon_v that_o exception_n against_o they_o which_o the_o protester_n make_v but_o whether_o it_o be_v so_o or_o otherways_o in_o reipsâ_fw-la in_o the_o very_a deed_n itself_o since_o both_o exception_n at_o the_o time_n they_o be_v make_v be_v alike_o to_o the_o assembly_n and_o therefore_o to_o borrow_v the_o word_n of_o the_o writer_n we_o desire_v any_o man_n in_o the_o world_n to_o bring_v a_o reason_n why_o the_o one_o assembly_n shall_v be_v condemn_v for_o reject_v such_o a_o exception_n before_o the_o proceed_n of_o the_o person_n except_v against_o be_v try_v and_o judge_v when_o as_o the_o other_o assembly_n which_o reject_v the_o like_a exception_n be_v maintain_v but_o good_a reader_n look_v forward_o upon_o the_o writer_n follow_v of_o his_o answer_n to_o the_o objection_n mention_v and_o see_v a_o mystery_n and_o judge_v thou_o if_o it_o be_v not_o of_o iniquity_n against_o all_o the_o late_a general_n assembly_n of_o this_o kirk_n he_o tell_v we_o of_o a_o act_n make_v anno_o 1601_o and_o renew_v 1648_o and_o say_v that_o it_o do_v necessary_o infer_v that_o the_o commissioner_n of_o a_o former_a assembly_n shall_v not_o be_v admit_v as_o member_n in_o the_o succeed_a assembly_n although_o there_o be_v no_o scandal_n or_o exception_n propon_v upon_o their_o proceed_n until_o they_o be_v try_v much_o less_o when_o a_o scandal_n or_o exception_n be_v propon_v this_o be_v a_o fair_a blow_n by_o one_o strâ—ak_n give_v to_o the_o late_a constitution_n of_o all_o the_o assembly_n of_o this_o kirk_n posterior_n to_o that_o assembly_n at_o glasgow_n without_o exception_n and_o most_o of_o all_o to_o the_o assembly_n 48_o for_o in_o all_o of_o they_o commissioner_n of_o the_o precede_a assembly_n respective_a have_v be_v admit_v to_o sit_v as_o member_n before_o their_o proceed_n be_v try_v and_o judge_v and_o in_o that_o assembly_n 48_o they_o be_v admit_v to_o sit_v notwithstanding_o exception_n be_v make_v against_o their_o sit_v by_o the_o supreme_a civil_a power_n of_o the_o land_n this_o be_v remarkable_a that_o the_o writer_n to_o the_o effect_n he_o may_v pull_v down_o the_o late_a assembly_n 51_o he_o will_v put_v down_o all_o the_o rest_n with_o it_o but_o the_o truth_n be_v the_o writer_n be_v somewhat_o rash_a in_o his_o assertion_n concern_v the_o consequence_n of_o that_o act_n mention_v look_v the_o tenor_n of_o it_o as_o it_o be_v extant_a in_o the_o assembly_n 48_o sess_n 6._o it_o say_v only_o this_o much_o that_o the_o commissioner_n of_o former_a assembly_n shall_v give_v a_o account_n of_o their_o proceed_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o assembly_n before_o any_o other_o matter_n or_o cause_n be_v handle_v and_o their_o proceed_n to_o be_v allow_v or_o dis-allowed_n etc._n etc._n from_o which_o i_o confess_v this_o much_o may_v be_v infer_v by_o one_o stick_v precise_o to_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o word_n that_o after_o the_o assembly_n be_v constitute_v the_o handle_n of_o all_o other_o matter_n shall_v be_v suspend_v until_o the_o commissioner_n proceed_n shall_v be_v try_v and_o put_v to_o a_o point_n during_o which_o trial_n the_o commissioner_n that_o be_v member_n vi_fw-la materiae_fw-la must_v be_v remove_v because_o the_o same_o person_n can_v try_v their_o own_o proceed_n but_o that_o they_o may_v not_o be_v admit_v in_o any_o way_n to_o be_v member_n of_o the_o assembly_n not_o so_o much_o as_o to_o vote_n in_o the_o election_n of_o a_o moderator_n which_o be_v the_o thing_n require_v by_o the_o protester_n can_v be_v infer_v from_o thence_o if_o it_o be_v other_o way_n it_o seem_v strange_a to_o i_o that_o that_o same_o assembly_n 48_o which_o do_v renew_v that_o act_n do_v at_o the_o same_o very_a 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 astembly_n before_o their_o proceed_n be_v try_v yea_o and_o to_o vote_n in_o sundry_a other_o matter_n during_o the_o time_n of_o their_o trial_n and_o that_o whenas_o there_o be_v exception_n make_v against_o they_o but_o beside_o this_o retortion_n of_o the_o argument_n which_o the_o protester_n be_v oblige_v to_o answer_v review_n albeit_o the_o author_n be_v please_v to_o say_v that_o the_o writer_n shall_v never_o be_v able_a to_o make_v good_a that_o the_o public_a resolution_n be_v diametral_o opposite_a to_o clear_v stand_v act_n remonstrance_n and_o declaration_n of_o former_a assembly_n yet_o he_o or_o some_o other_o in_o his_o room_n have_v often_o make_v this_o good_a out_o of_o these_o act_n remonstrance_n declaration_n etc._n etc._n wherein_o the_o very_a contradictory_n of_o the_o public_a resolution_n be_v clear_o set_v down_o upon_o the_o very_a circumstantiat_fw-la case_n of_o defend_v the_o cause_n and_o country_n against_o foreign_a invasion_n and_o therefore_o though_o there_o be_v no_o more_o to_o uphold_v the_o argument_n but_o this_o the_o conclusion_n thereof_o may_v safe_o be_v assent_v to_o without_o any_o new_a edition_n of_o the_o writer_n in_o follow_v his_o argument_n i_o be_o glad_a that_o the_o author_n be_v bring_v to_o acknowledge_v that_o all_o hang_v upon_o this_o and_o doubt_n that_o some_o of_o his_o friend_n who_o quarrel_n at_o sundry_a former_a act_n remonstrance_n and_o declaration_n as_o not_o know_v how_o to_o reconcile_v they_o with_o public_a resolution_n approve_v he_o in_o this_o he_o will_v remember_v &_o other_o will_v be_v inform_v that_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o meeting_n at_o st._n andrews_n this_o point_n be_v offer_v to_o be_v instant_o verify_v out_o of_o the_o record_n of_o the_o church_n under_o the_o clerk_n hand_n who_o be_v generalâ—y_o acknowledge_v to_o know_v they_o best_o of_o aâ—y_n and_o be_v bind_v by_o his_o place_n and_o particular_a act_n of_o assembly_n to_o offer_v they_o unto_o they_o and_o yet_o they_o can_v not_o be_v hear_v and_o the_o exception_n be_v relevant_a in_o itself_o as_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o the_o author_n and_o reject_v when_o offer_v to_o be_v instruct_v as_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n it_o be_v alike_o as_o if_o it_o have_v be_v prove_v for_o it_o stand_v for_o prove_v in_o law_n as_o to_o the_o judge_n who_o refuse_v to_o admit_v probation_n to_o be_v instant_o produce_v ex_fw-la act_n suis_fw-la to_o his_o first_o particular_a answer_n i_o reply_v first_o that_o no_o like_a accusation_n nor_o exception_n come_v into_o the_o assembly_n 1648_o from_o the_o very_a parliament_n or_o any_o other_o against_o the_o member_n of_o the_o commission_n 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which_o the_o other_o do_v not_o it_o be_v never_o propound_v unto_o they_o in_o all_o this_o business_n the_o author_n be_v great_o mistake_v and_o whether_o through_o misinformation_n or_o how_o i_o know_v not_o do_v assert_v that_o for_o a_o truth_n which_o never_o have_v a_o be_v and_o therefore_o all_o his_o defence_n build_v upon_o it_o do_v at_o one_o instant_a fall_n to_o the_o ground_n the_o story_n which_o as_o it_o seem_v he_o hint_n at_o in_o the_o 48._o be_v brief_o this_o in_o the_o year_n 1648._o the_o assembly_n be_v meet_v and_o constitute_v without_o any_o exception_n propound_v or_o mention_v by_o any_o person_n or_o party_n whatsoever_o against_o these_o who_o have_v be_v member_n of_o the_o former_a commission_n and_o be_v now_o member_n of_o the_o assembly_n after_o they_o have_v sit_v five_o or_o six_o day_n as_o be_v evident_a from_o compare_v the_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 yea_o and_o to_o vote_n in_o sundry_a other_o matter_n during_o the_o time_n of_o their_o trial_n and_o that_o whereas_o there_o be_v exception_n make_v against_o they_o i_o pass_v his_o rub_n upon_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o paper_n and_o i_o know_v not_o that_o suggester_n to_o he_o of_o that_o consideration_n as_o be_v a_o thing_n ordinary_a to_o he_o in_o all_o this_o debate_n &_o yet_o little_a either_o for_o his_o own_o honour_n or_o for_o the_o edification_n of_o other_o i_o think_v these_o now_o be_v not_o ashamed_a to_o give_v their_o mutual_a help_n and_o assistance_n one_o to_o another_o either_o by_o suggest_v or_o digest_v as_o god_n have_v gift_v they_o what_o may_v contribute_v for_o the_o defence_n of_o the_o truth_n but_o sure_o i_o be_o though_o he_o may_v speak_v his_o fancy_n and_o vent_v his_o reflect_a conjecture_n that_o he_o neither_o know_v who_o write_v the_o paper_n or_o if_o any_o or_o who_o suggest_v that_o consideration_n to_o he_o or_o what_o their_o 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 know_v that_o this_o be_v but_o a_o shift_n to_o gain_v time_n and_o to_o divide_v the_o assembly_n as_o they_o think_v fit_a to_o call_v the_o committee_n if_o they_o have_v any_o new_a objection_n against_o the_o proceed_n of_o the_o commission_n or_o only_o the_o same_o objection_n make_v by_o the_o parliament_n or_o their_o committee_n before_o and_o upon_o the_o reply_n of_o the_o committee_n of_o estate_n that_o they_o have_v just_a and_o material_a exception_n beside_o any_o former_o make_v to_o continue_v till_o the_o next_o day_n at_o 10._o hour_n and_o to_o appoint_v that_o time_n for_o hear_v these_o exception_n so_o for_o prevent_v of_o the_o like_a inconvenience_n for_o time_n to_o come_v they_o think_v fit_a to_o renew_v the_o act_n 1601._o but_o it_o wonder_v i_o that_o in_o all_o the_o author_n answer_v to_o this_o point_n he_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o once_o touch_v upon_o the_o parity_n of_o the_o reason_n bring_v by_o the_o writer_n for_o make_v of_o the_o act_n in_o the_o assembly_n 1601._o and_o urge_v it_o in_o the_o assembly_n 1651._o there_o be_v in_o both_o these_o assembly_n a_o scandal_n of_o defection_n upon_o the_o commissioner_n of_o the_o kirk_n upon_o the_o first_o for_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o give_v in_o petition_n to_o the_o parl._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 presbytery_n as_o represent_v the_o true_a church_n of_o god_n and_o be_v the_o three_o estate_n of_o the_o realm_n upon_o the_o latter_a for_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o bring_v in_o the_o malignant_a party_n which_o do_v not_o fall_v out_o nor_o the_o like_a in_o any_o of_o the_o assembly_n since_o the_o 38._o and_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o question_v the_o constitution_n of_o these_o assembly_n for_o not_o proceed_v according_o to_o that_o rule_n it_o neither_o be_v urge_v nor_o there_o be_v any_o cause_n to_o urge_v the_o same_o vindication_n in_o the_o next_o place_n to_o come_v to_o a_o 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
try_v this_o be_v the_o very_a way_n establish_v and_o constant_o follow_v in_o all_o the_o free_a and_o lawful_a assembly_n of_o this_o kirk_n for_o keep_v of_o her_o assembly_n pure_a if_o the_o author_n will_v not_o admit_v of_o the_o remove_n of_o any_o till_o he_o be_v convict_v and_o will_v have_v those_o divine_n at_o dort_n so_o to_o be_v expon_v then_o let_v he_o tell_v we_o how_o he_o will_v reconcile_v they_o and_o our_o church_n in_o this_o particular_a but_o it_o be_v easy_a by_o the_o answer_n which_o we_o have_v give_v so_o to_o do_v yea_o it_o be_v manifest_a from_o the_o whole_a scope_n of_o the_o business_n at_o dort_n that_o these_o divine_n speak_v in_o order_n to_o a_o total_a removal_n which_o be_v never_o desire_v by_o the_o protester_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o commissioner_n but_o let_v we_o turn_v the_o schene_n a_o little_a and_o suppose_v that_o the_o belgic_a church_n have_v choose_v and_o send_v to_o the_o synod_n of_o dort_n the_o remonstrant_n as_o their_o commissioner_n and_o that_o the_o antiremonstrants_a have_v be_v cite_v before_o the_o synod_n and_o have_v propon_v as_o a_o exception_n against_o the_o remonstrant_n sit_v in_o the_o synod_n that_o they_o be_v under_o a_o scandal_n of_o erroneous_a and_o corrupt_a doctrine_n which_o they_o do_v offer_v instany_o to_o prove_v by_o compare_v their_o doctrine_n with_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o belgic_a and_o reform_v church_n in_o their_o confession_n and_o catechism_n and_o thereupon_o desire_v that_o they_o may_v be_v remove_v from_o sit_v as_o member_n in_o the_o synod_n until_o this_o exception_n be_v try_v do_v the_o author_n think_v that_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o synod_n will_v or_o can_v in_o reason_n have_v refuse_v to_o grant_v this_o desire_n from_o all_o these_o thing_n i_o hope_v it_o do_v appear_v that_o notwithstanding_o of_o any_o thing_n answer_v by_o the_o author_n it_o be_v a_o relevant_a exception_n against_o the_o freedom_n and_o right_a constitution_n of_o the_o assembly_n that_o they_o do_v before_o try_v of_o the_o commissioner_n proceed_n admit_v they_o to_o sit_v as_o member_n of_o the_o assembly_n notwithstanding_o of_o the_o exception_n of_o scandal_n upon_o they_o timeous_o propon_v and_o offer_v to_o be_v instruct_v as_o for_o that_o which_o the_o author_n say_v of_o the_o protester_n suffer_v mr._n andrew_n cant_n with_o good_a like_n of_o all_o of_o they_o so_o far_o as_o can_v be_v perceive_v to_o put_v mr._n robert_n blair_n and_o mr._n william_n reate_n upon_o the_o list_n to_o be_v moderator_n and_o that_o sundry_a of_o they_o give_v their_o vote_n to_o mr._n robert_n blair_n to_o be_v moderator_n let_v be_v to_o sit_v as_o a_o ordinary_a member_n of_o the_o assembly_n i_o answer_v there_o be_v many_o of_o the_o protester_n who_o have_v no_o place_n to_o speak_v in_o make_v of_o the_o lâ—st_o as_o not_o be_v member_n of_o the_o meeting_n and_o i_o believe_v that_o these_o do_v give_v no_o token_n either_o of_o their_o good_a or_o ill_a like_n of_o what_o mr._n andrew_n cant_n do_v in_o that_o particular_a these_o who_o vote_v though_o they_o will_v not_o refuse_v to_o vote_n in_o the_o election_n of_o a_o moderator_n as_o they_o do_v afterward_o for_o some_o time_n in_o other_o particular_n not_o yet_o despair_v of_o some_o reasonable_a satisfaction_n to_o their_o desire_n of_o adjourn_v the_o assembly_n and_o that_o they_o vote_v to_o mr._n rob._n blair_n as_o one_o of_o the_o most_o pious_a prudent_a &_o peaceable_a of_o that_o way_n there_o be_v none_o else_o upon_o the_o list_n yet_o do_v they_o vote_n with_o a_o protestation_n and_o though_o they_o have_v make_v no_o protestation_n the_o most_o that_o it_o will_v prove_v be_v this_o that_o from_o loathnesse_n to_o be_v hear_v and_o hope_n of_o satisfaction_n in_o a_o peaceable_a way_n they_o go_v further_o with_o the_o assembly_n then_o adhere_v strict_o to_o their_o right_n they_o shall_v have_v do_v and_o i_o believe_v a_o passionate_a desire_n of_o peace_n do_v also_o move_v mr._n andrew_n cant_v to_o put_v these_o man_n upon_o the_o list_n though_o afterward_o when_o it_o can_v not_o be_v obtain_v without_o prejudice_n to_o the_o truth_n he_o see_v good_a cause_n to_o protest_v against_o the_o assembly_n as_o not_o free_a and_o as_o unlawful_a vindication_n as_o for_o the_o particular_n contain_v in_o the_o writer_n large_a prosecution_n of_o this_o argument_n we_o shall_v not_o need_v to_o insist_v much_o upon_o they_o nor_o yet_o will_v we_o follow_v he_o in_o answer_n to_o his_o objection_n only_o somewhat_o brief_o to_o some_o particular_n and_o first_o what_o be_v allege_v from_o the_o assembly_n 1562_o 80_o 81._o first_o it_o have_v be_v good_a the_o writer_n have_v set_v down_o the_o very_a act_n relate_v in_o their_o full_a and_o formar_n word_n that_o we_o may_v have_v see_v for_o every_o one_o of_o we_o be_v not_o keeper_n of_o the_o register_n nor_o have_v copy_n of_o they_o beside_o we_o whether_o they_o mean_v all_o person_n against_o who_o any_o scandal_n be_v allege_v shall_v be_v remove_v even_o before_o the_o assembly_n be_v constitute_v into_o a_o judicatory_a which_o be_v the_o thing_n pretend_v by_o the_o protester_n and_o because_o not_o do_v be_v the_o ground_n of_o the_o quarrel_n for_o we_o see_v not_o this_o by_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v bring_v here_o second_o we_o suppose_v it_o can_v not_o be_v the_o mind_n of_o these_o assembly_n that_o alleadgeance_n of_o scandal_n against_o person_n shall_v be_v a_o cause_n to_o remove_v they_o from_o sit_v in_o that_o assembly_n as_o member_n altogether_o unless_o the_o scandal_n be_v clear_a and_o unquestionable_a for_o the_o point_n de_fw-fr jure_fw-la and_o so_o their_o appointment_n come_v not_o home_n to_o our_o present_a case_n next_o for_o the_o ground_n bring_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o commissioner_n be_v under_o scandal_n of_o defection_n first_o we_o grant_v that_o hear_n of_o a_o common_a report_n may_v be_v a_o ground_n of_o enquiry_n concern_v a_o matter_n of_o scandal_n but_o this_o be_v not_o refuse_v about_o the_o present_a case_n in_o question_n second_o as_o for_o that_o cite_v from_o the_o 1._o cor._n 5_o 1._o that_o proceed_v order_v there_o be_v a_o order_n to_o present_a censure_n so_o we_o may_v see_v that_o the_o brother_n that_o write_v this_o be_v of_o that_o mind_n that_o the_o commissioner_n upon_o that_o common_a report_n which_o he_o allege_v 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 good_a sir_n hold_v your_o hand_n for_o my_o part_n i_o can_v wonder_v enough_o that_o he_o shall_v have_v allege_v from_o the_o apostle_n word_n so_o general_o without_o any_o qualification_n that_o common_a report_n may_v be_v a_o ground_n of_o present_a sentence_n against_o person_n as_o he_o do_v here_o certain_o this_o aught_o to_o have_v be_v well_o qualify_v and_o limit_v otherways_o a_o wide_a door_n be_v open_v to_o injustice_n and_o undo_n the_o innocent_a and_o guiltless_a man_n for_o can_v one_o or_o two_o or_o some_o few_o ill_a tongue_n spread_v a_o ill_a report_n of_o very_o honest_a man_n and_o how_o easy_o shall_v that_o report_n become_v common_a if_o that_o of_o the_o poet_n be_v true_a as_o it_o be_v most_o certain_o fama_fw-la malum_fw-la quo_fw-la non_fw-la aliud_fw-la velociùs_fw-la ullum_fw-la mobilitate_fw-la viget_fw-la uâ—resque_fw-la acquirit_fw-la eundo_fw-la therefore_o a_o common_a report_n that_o may_v be_v 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 in_o point_fw-fr de_fw-fr jure_fw-la be_v clear_a and_o unquestionable_o a_o scandal_n second_o for_o the_o fact_n in_o a_o manner_n universal_a uncontrolled_a either_o by_o the_o party_n or_o any_o that_o have_v best_a and_o near_a notice_n of_o his_o action_n both_o be_v in_o that_o matter_n of_o the_o corinthian_a the_o matter_n be_v in_o jure_v clear_o a_o heinous_a crime_n incest_n viz._n have_v his_o father_n wife_n and_o for_o the_o fact_n the_o report_n that_o have_v come_v to_o paul_n be_v such_o as_o we_o have_v say_v omnino_fw-la anditur_fw-la as_o the_o arab_n interpreter_n mark_v by_o beza_n have_v it_o passim_fw-la &_o in_fw-la tota_fw-la achaia_fw-la and_o another_o interpreter_n on_o the_o same_o place_n in_o marlorat_n q.d._n sine_fw-la negatione_fw-la sine_fw-la tergiversatione_fw-la non_fw-la dubius_fw-la est_fw-la rumour_n sed_fw-la res_fw-la manifesta_fw-la passim_fw-la cum_fw-la magno_fw-la offendiculo_fw-la publicata_fw-la in_o the_o present_a case_n in_o hand_n both_o condition_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 thereof_o 3._o the_o offence_n and_o stumble_v of_o the_o godly_a at_o the_o proceed_v of_o the_o
to_o the_o generality_n of_o they_o do_v then_o and_o do_v at_o this_o day_n agree_v in_o this_o that_o the_o public_a resolution_n be_v not_o agreeable_a to_o former_a principle_n and_o proceed_n there_o be_v cause_n of_o stumble_v give_v also_o to_o the_o godly_a in_o regard_n of_o the_o commissioner_n their_o manner_n of_o proceed_v because_o a_o quorum_fw-la very_a few_o more_o of_o the_o commission_n do_v lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o these_o resolution_n not_o only_o without_o the_o rest_n of_o their_o number_n but_o also_o without_o advertise_v a_o great_a many_o of_o they_o and_o so_o many_o be_v absent_a and_o not_o advertise_v they_o do_v in_o a_o day_n or_o two_o determine_v that_o most_o grave_a case_n which_o have_v often_o before_o that_o time_n be_v determine_v in_o the_o negative_a and_o send_v abroad_o their_o determination_n to_o presbytery_n require_v obedience_n and_o upon_o man_n offering_n the_o ground_n of_o their_o dis-satisfaction_n and_o profess_v their_o adherence_n thereto_o till_o satisfaction_n shall_v be_v give_v do_v issue_v such_o warning_n and_o act_n as_o we_o have_v former_o speak_v of_o i_o appeal_v the_o author_n himself_o whether_o at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o give_v of_o the_o answer_n to_o the_o quaere_fw-la it_o be_v not_o know_v to_o the_o commission_n that_o many_o godly_a and_o faithful_a minister_n and_o professor_n in_o the_o land_n be_v averse_a from_o employ_v these_o man_n in_o the_o army_n and_o have_v great_a scruple_n about_o it_o and_o that_o many_o member_n of_o the_o commission_n who_o be_v not_o to_o be_v despise_v have_v often_o profess_v their_o dislike_n of_o it_o albeit_o the_o matter_n have_v be_v lawful_a sure_o there_o be_v great_a precipitancy_n and_o rashness_n in_o the_o first_o resolution_n which_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o sober_a man_n even_o of_o the_o same_o judgement_n but_o such_o be_v the_o zeal_n and_o forwardness_n of_o the_o court_n and_o of_o some_o parliament_n man_n on_o the_o one_o hand_n and_o the_o readiness_n of_o sundry_a of_o the_o commission_n who_o have_v before_o that_o time_n declare_v themselves_o for_o that_o way_n on_o the_o other_o hand_n to_o hearken_v unto_o they_o and_o the_o faintness_n of_o any_o that_o be_v present_a to_o oppose_v it_o that_o hold_v be_v take_v of_o the_o opportunity_n to_o do_v it_o quovis_fw-la modo_fw-la whereby_o real_a offence_n be_v give_v to_o the_o godly_a in_o the_o land_n si_fw-mi quid_fw-la importuna_fw-la levitate_fw-la aut_fw-la lascivia_fw-la aut_fw-la temeritate_fw-la non_fw-la ordine_fw-la nec_fw-la svo_fw-la loco_fw-la facias_fw-la quo_fw-la imperiti_fw-la imbecillesque_fw-la offendantur_fw-la scandalum_fw-la abs_fw-la te_fw-la datum_fw-la dicetur_fw-la quoniam_fw-la tua_fw-la culpa_fw-la factum_fw-la fuit_fw-la ut_fw-la ejusmodi_fw-la offensio_fw-la suscitaretur_fw-la ac_fw-la omnino_fw-la scandalum_fw-la in_o re_fw-la aliqua_fw-la datum_fw-la dicitur_fw-la cujus_fw-la culpa_fw-la ab_fw-la autore_fw-la rei_fw-la ipsus_fw-la profecta_fw-la est_fw-la be_v the_o word_n of_o a_o great_a divine_a speak_v of_o scandal_n very_o applicable_a to_o this_o case_n next_o he_o do_v a_o wrong_n in_o make_v they_o so_o ignorant_a simple_a and_o facile_a as_o in_o these_o thing_n to_o be_v lead_v away_o with_o the_o misrepresentation_n and_o misinformation_n of_o other_o many_o of_o the_o most_o judicious_a decern_a christian_n in_o the_o land_n be_v stumble_v at_o the_o commission_n proceed_n upon_o the_o first_o hear_v of_o they_o &_o before_o the_o protester_n do_v make_v either_o right_a or_o wrong_a representation_n of_o they_o i_o will_v not_o say_v but_o they_o be_v confirm_v in_o the_o dislike_n of_o these_o proceed_n by_o conference_n with_o the_o protester_n &_o other_o minister_n of_o that_o judgement_n as_o they_o also_o be_v mutual_o edify_v and_o confirm_v by_o they_o but_o that_o all_o the_o stumble_a and_o dislike_n do_v arise_v from_o the_o suggestion_n and_o practising_n of_o some_o or_o all_o of_o the_o same_o person_n who_o the_o author_n call_v the_o alleadger_n and_o accuser_n be_v not_o true_a yea_o i_o dare_v say_v that_o albeit_o all_o the_o protester_n and_o all_o the_o minister_n in_o scotland_n have_v be_v of_o one_o mind_n with_o the_o commission_n in_o the_o matter_n the_o public_a resolution_n yet_o many_o of_o the_o godly_a in_o scotland_n will_v have_v stumble_v thereat_o it_o will_v have_v be_v in_o this_o case_n as_o in_o the_o business_n of_o the_o treaty_n wherewith_o many_o of_o the_o godly_a in_o scotland_n be_v dissatisfy_v notwithstanding_o that_o there_o seem_v to_o be_v a_o harmony_n and_o consent_n among_o the_o ministry_n there_o anent_o that_o there_o be_v more_o testimony_n for_o the_o commissioner_n from_o presbetery_n and_o synod_n than_o be_v against_o they_o be_v no_o great_a wonder_n multitude_n common_o incline_v to_o the_o worst_a side_n in_o the_o day_n of_o tentation_n and_o they_o be_v but_o few_o who_o keep_v their_o garment_n pure_a yet_o do_v not_o the_o strength_n of_o the_o testimony_n upon_o the_o one_o hand_n or_o on_o the_o other_o lie_v in_o the_o number_n of_o the_o witness_n but_o upon_o the_o truth_n and_o clearness_n of_o their_o evidence_n what_o be_v testify_v by_o the_o opposer_n of_o the_o commission_n be_v confirm_v by_o clear_a evidence_n from_o the_o constant_a doctrine_n of_o this_o church_n ground_v upon_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o set_v down_o in_o the_o covenant_n and_o solemn_a acknowledgement_n of_o sin_n and_o engagement_n to_o duty_n and_o public_a warning_n declaration_n remonstrance_n etc._n etc._n but_o not_o so_o much_o as_o a_o tittle_n of_o these_o for_o evidence_n on_o the_o other_o side_n it_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o the_o author_n himself_o that_o the_o public_a resolution_n be_v a_o case_n not_o former_o determine_v by_o any_o public_a judgement_n of_o this_o kirk_n and_o if_o so_o there_o can_v no_o evidence_n be_v bring_v from_o the_o doctrine_n of_o this_o church_n for_o clear_v and_o confirm_v of_o these_o resolution_n the_o author_n be_v please_v to_o call_v the_o testimony_n give_v against_o the_o public_a resolution_n real_o and_o in_o themselves_o scandal_n tend_v most_o evident_o to_o the_o expose_v of_o the_o kingdom_n and_o of_o the_o cause_n to_o the_o power_n of_o the_o invader_n he_o be_v please_v a_o little_a above_o to_o call_v they_o slander_n and_o so_o all_o the_o godly_a in_o scotland_n who_o speak_v against_o these_o resolution_n be_v upon_o his_o account_n slanderer_n but_o these_o testimony_n be_v neither_o slander_n nor_o scandal_n they_o do_v contain_v real_a truth_n and_o be_v duty_n to_o which_o the_o giver_n of_o they_o be_v oblige_v in_o a_o backslide_a time_n for_o deliver_v of_o their_o own_o soul_n and_o preserve_v the_o cause_n of_o god_n from_o be_v overbear_v with_o a_o spate_o of_o defection_n and_o though_o in_o many_o thing_n they_o acknowledge_v themselves_o to_o be_v among_o the_o most_o sinful_a yet_o in_o this_o they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o expose_v of_o the_o kingdom_n &_o cause_n to_o the_o power_n of_o the_o invader_n that_o they_o hold_v themselves_o bind_v to_o bless_v the_o lord_n while_o they_o live_v who_o give_v they_o mercy_n to_o be_v keep_v free_a from_o that_o carnal_a sinful_a course_n that_o do_v provoke_v the_o lord_n to_o give_v so_o great_a a_o stroke_n to_o the_o kingdom_n and_o the_o cause_n in_o those_o dreadful_a rod_n wherewith_o he_o have_v smite_v we_o since_o these_o resolution_n what_o be_v the_o sense_n that_o the_o invader_n themselves_o have_v of_o this_o i_o do_v not_o well_o know_v but_o this_o it_o be_v like_a enough_o they_o rejoice_v in_o our_o division_n but_o it_o be_v not_o the_o oppose_a of_o the_o public_a resolution_n wherein_o they_o do_v direct_o rejoice_v nothing_o from_o us-ward_n will_v have_v be_v matter_n of_o so_o great_a terror_n to_o they_o as_o to_o have_v see_v we_o unanimous_a in_o separate_v from_o and_o 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i_o have_v speak_v already_o next_o it_o be_v but_o a_o subterfuge_n which_o he_o say_v that_o it_o be_v not_o desire_v that_o the_o assembly_n shall_v censure_v they_o without_o try_v or_o approve_v their_o resolution_n but_o the_o king_n suppose_v they_o to_o be_v right_a and_o just_a in_o themselves_o and_o after_o the_o assembly_n shall_v after_o due_a trial_n find_v they_o to_o be_v such_o desire_z that_o such_o as_o have_v oppose_v they_o howbeit_o it_o can_v not_o be_v but_o to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o the_o defence_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o kingdom_n may_v be_v deal_v with_o to_o be_v reclaim_v or_o if_o that_o can_v not_o be_v obtain_v censure_v there_o be_v nothing_o here_o for_o answer_v what_o be_v allege_v by_o the_o writer_n to_o wit_n that_o the_o assembly_n while_o they_o have_v not_o yet_o meddle_v with_o the_o public_a resolution_n and_o have_v not_o find_v they_o right_n be_v stir_v up_o to_o censure_v these_o that_o can_v not_o be_v reclaim_v from_o they_o and_o 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the_o commendation_n that_o be_v give_v he_o why_o then_o shall_v it_o be_v carp_v at_o if_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v say_v of_o he_o be_v true_a as_o they_o be_v they_o do_v indeed_o make_v the_o argument_n more_o bulksome_a the_o author_n do_v once_o and_o again_o undervalue_v the_o light_n hold_v forth_o by_o he_o and_o pith_n of_o his_o paper_n i_o shall_v not_o deny_v the_o author_n the_o testimony_n of_o learning_n and_o ability_n and_o wish_n that_o the_o lord_n may_v more_o &_o more_o increase_v and_o more_o &_o more_o sanctify_v it_o unto_o he_o that_o it_o may_v be_v improven_v for_o the_o edification_n of_o many_o but_o there_o be_v much_o of_o a_o thrasonick_a spirit_n that_o as_o a_o vein_n run_v through_o all_o this_o vindication_n the_o man_n who_o light_n and_o pith_n he_o do_v set_v so_o low_o have_v by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n be_v instrumental_a to_o hold_v forth_o very_a much_o light_n to_o the_o kirk_n of_o god_n in_o scotland_n in_o thing_n relate_v to_o the_o 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constitute_v by_o a_o corrupt_a rule_n ergo_fw-la the_o major_a
any_o guilt_n they_o have_v in_o the_o in-giving_a of_o it_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o lord_n try_v that_o doolful_a stroke_n at_o inerkeithen_n with_o the_o more_o doolfuâ—_n defection_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n do_v indeed_o afflict_v they_o and_o wound_v their_o heart_n as_o often_o as_o they_o remember_v of_o it_o but_o in_o the_o in-giving_a of_o the_o protestation_n they_o have_v peace_n as_o have_v do_v their_o duty_n therein_o that_o any_o of_o they_o do_v kythe_a contentment_n and_o insultation_n in_o their_o countenance_n and_o speech_n at_o the_o very_a circumstance_n of_o time_n be_v a_o causeless_a reproach_n and_o more_o than_o he_o or_o any_o other_o shall_v ever_o be_v able_a to_o make_v good_a or_o have_v any_o just_a ground_n to_o allege_v he_o have_v deal_v fair_o if_o he_o have_v set_v down_o these_o speech_n that_o give_v evidence_n of_o their_o insultation_n their_o own_o breast_n best_o know_v what_o be_v the_o frame_n of_o their_o spirit_n 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