against_o they_o both_o by_o preach_v and_o by_o write_v their_o mind_n to_o the_o commission_n of_o the_o kirk_n and_o to_o other_o of_o their_o brethren_n as_o they_o have_v opportunity_n upon_o which_o occasion_n also_o it_o be_v that_o many_o be_v necessitate_v to_o withdraw_v from_o such_o fast_n as_o do_v involve_v a_o approbation_n of_o these_o resolution_n and_o what_o be_v in_o all_o this_o but_o duty_n may_v not_o yea_o ought_v not_o the_o servant_n of_o god_n minister_n and_o people_n bear_v testimony_n against_o decline_v and_o backslide_v and_o study_v to_o keep_v their_o own_o garment_n pure_a and_o refuse_v to_o say_v a_o confederacy_n to_o wicked_a man_n in_o the_o interest_n and_o cause_n of_o god_n it_o be_v a_o shrewd_a insinuation_n that_o be_v make_v of_o their_o draw_a faction_n among_o the_o people_n as_o if_o they_o have_v stir_v the_o people_n to_o sedition_n or_o to_o tumult_n the_o utmost_a length_n which_o minister_n go_v be_v to_o hold_v forth_o the_o sinfulness_n of_o that_o course_n how_o contrary_a it_o be_v to_o our_o former_a principle_n how_o it_o will_v help_v to_o hasten_v on_o more_o wrath_n or_o if_o it_o do_v seem_v to_o prosper_v how_o dangerous_a it_o will_v prove_v to_o the_o cause_n and_o people_n of_o god_n by_o set_v up_o of_o such_o as_o have_v be_v and_o still_o be_v adversary_n to_o both_o and_o the_o great_a length_n which_o people_n go_v be_v to_o profess_v their_o dislike_n thereof_o and_o without_o tumult_n or_o faction_n to_o withdraw_v or_o in_o a_o sober_a and_o modest_a way_n to_o refuse_v to_o concur_v because_o they_o have_v no_o clearness_n nor_o satisfaction_n in_o their_o conscience_n concern_v these_o resolution_n withal_o they_o do_v clear_o declare_v their_o judgement_n against_o the_o invasion_n and_o for_o the_o defence_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o their_o country_n and_o their_o readiness_n to_o concur_v in_o all_o lawful_a mean_n according_a to_o the_o word_n and_o former_a principle_n for_o that_o end_n if_o any_o who_o have_v be_v former_o honest_a and_o bear_v any_o part_n of_o the_o burden_n and_o heat_n of_o the_o day_n be_v brand_v as_o backsliders_a it_o be_v not_o so_o much_o by_o dissenter_n from_o the_o public_a resolution_n as_o by_o the_o multitude_n of_o that_o generation_n with_o who_o they_o do_v associate_v i_o mean_v the_o malignant_n who_o do_v not_o spare_v open_o and_o every_o where_o to_o say_v that_o these_o honest_a man_n be_v now_o come_v to_o they_o as_o for_o other_o though_o they_o can_v so_o vindicate_v themselves_o as_o to_o say_v that_o there_o be_v none_o among_o they_o who_o do_v at_o any_o time_n speak_v rash_o or_o unadvised_o with_o his_o lip_n yet_o the_o lord_n know_v it_o be_v the_o grief_n of_o their_o heart_n that_o honest_a man_n shall_v have_v fall_v from_o their_o integrity_n and_o though_o they_o can_v not_o choose_v but_o bear_v testimony_n against_o their_o sin_n yet_o they_o do_v it_o as_o afflict_v in_o spirit_n keep_v reverence_n respect_n and_o affection_n unto_o the_o man_n themselves_o and_o have_v the_o iniquity_n be_v private_a they_o will_v most_o willing_o have_v cover_v the_o shame_n thereof_o but_o it_o be_v public_a and_o such_o as_o do_v relate_v to_o the_o public_a cause_n and_o wherein_o their_o conâ—ent_n and_o concurrence_n be_v desire_v and_o therefore_o they_o be_v force_v to_o speak_v and_o not_o to_o suffer_v sin_n upon_o themselves_o nor_o upon_o their_o brethren_n there_o be_v yet_o one_o thing_n remain_v that_o whilst_o no_o mean_n be_v leave_v unessay_v for_o make_v of_o public_a resolution_n ineffectual_a that_o no_o possible_a nor_o probable_a mean_n be_v hold_v forth_o for_o tâ—e_v relief_n of_o the_o kingdom_n if_o it_o be_v mean_v as_o to_o the_o time_n when_o these_o resolution_n be_v first_o take_v by_o the_o commission_n answer_v to_o the_o parliament_n quaere_fw-la there_o can_v nothing_o of_o that_o kind_n be_v then_o hold_v forth_o by_o such_o a_o be_v dissatisfy_v with_o these_o resolution_n because_o few_o or_o none_o of_o they_o be_v present_a advertisment_n not_o be_v so_o much_o as_o send_v to_o many_o of_o they_o and_o the_o time_n be_v so_o short_a that_o other_o can_v not_o come_v upon_o the_o advertisment_n which_o wâ—re_v send_v to_o they_o the_o advertisement_n come_v to_o sterline_v upon_o the_o tuesday_n to_o be_v dispatch_v unto_o all_o the_o presbytery_n in_o the_o west_n that_o their_o commissioner_n may_v keep_v at_o perth_n upon_o the_o thursday_n immediate_o follow_v which_o day_n can_v not_o probable_o be_v but_o past_a before_o the_o advertisement_n come_v at_o most_o of_o they_o it_o be_v in_o the_o depth_n of_o the_o winter-season_n when_o the_o day_n be_v at_o the_o short_a and_o by_o such_o bearer_n as_o be_v not_o fix_v or_o send_v of_o purpose_n but_o by_o such_o as_o be_v occasional_o go_v to_o those_o place_n for_o other_o business_n yea_o suppose_v the_o utmost_a diligence_n imaginable_a have_v be_v use_v it_o have_v not_o be_v possible_a to_o send_v these_o advertisment_n from_o sterlin_n to_o the_o commissioner_n of_o these_o presbytery_n in_o the_o west_n in_o so_o short_a a_o time_n and_o these_o commissioner_n thereupon_o to_o have_v keep_v the_o diet_n at_o perth_n as_o any_o who_o know_v the_o distance_n of_o these_o place_n will_v easy_o acknowledge_v it_o be_v above_o forty_o mile_n betwixt_o perth_n and_o glasgow_n which_o be_v the_o near_a of_o the_o presbytery_n of_o the_o west_n the_o rest_n of_o they_o be_v a_o good_a deal_n more_o remote_a some_o of_o they_o three_o or_o fourscore_o mile_n and_o if_o it_o be_v mean_v that_o after_o the_o take_n of_o these_o resolution_n no_o possible_a nor_o probable_a mean_n be_v hold_v forth_o by_o these_o who_o do_v object_n against_o they_o it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n then_o to_o do_v it_o the_o author_n and_o abetter_n of_o they_o be_v so_o zealous_a for_o they_o that_o they_o will_v admit_v of_o no_o objection_n to_o the_o contrary_a much_o less_o be_v content_a to_o wave_v these_o resolution_n and_o go_v to_o a_o calm_a and_o peaceable_a enquiry_n about_o other_o possible_a or_o probable_a mean_n of_o defence_n and_o yet_o as_o before_o the_o take_n of_o these_o resolution_n the_o possibility_n and_o probability_n of_o other_o mean_n have_v be_v often_o hold_v forth_o so_o be_v it_o also_o hold_v forth_o after_o the_o take_n of_o these_o resolution_n to_o say_v nothing_o of_o treaty_n and_o conference_n which_o be_v move_v by_o some_o but_o peremptory_o and_o bitter_o reject_v by_o other_o the_o possibility_n and_o probability_n of_o get_v a_o army_n without_o employ_v and_o entrust_v of_o the_o malignant_a party_n be_v hold_v forth_o and_o they_o who_o do_v assert_v otherwise_o do_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o wrong_n to_o the_o kingdom_n and_o kirk_n of_o scotland_n and_o make_v they_o too_o much_o malignant_a it_o be_v true_a they_o be_v considerable_a for_o number_n power_n and_o policy_n who_o be_v and_o aught_o to_o have_v be_v exclude_v yet_o be_v there_o as_o many_o beside_o as_o may_v have_v be_v mean_v competent_a in_o rational_a prudence_n for_o defence_n of_o the_o kingdom_n and_o cause_n especial_o in_o a_o nation_n covenant_v with_o god_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v tender_a in_o all_o their_o way_n and_o to_o stay_v themselves_o not_o upon_o horse_n and_o chariot_n but_o upon_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n after_o the_o set_n down_o of_o all_o these_o thing_n they_o be_v please_v to_o assert_v that_o they_o do_v of_o their_o own_o nature_n contribute_v no_o less_o effectual_o to_o the_o deliver_v up_o of_o all_o to_o the_o will_n of_o the_o enâ—mâ—e_n without_o stroke_n of_o sword_n then_o if_o it_o have_v be_v purposely_o intend_v as_o no_o evil_a cause_n can_v of_o itself_o produce_v any_o good_a effect_n so_o neither_o can_v any_o good_a cause_n of_o itself_o produce_v a_o evil_a effect_n good_a and_o evil_n be_v contrary_a in_o their_o nature_n and_o the_o one_o not_o native_o arise_v out_o of_o the_o other_o what_o be_v do_v in_o these_o be_v duty_n and_o good_a in_o itself_o and_o therefore_o have_v no_o connexion_n in_o itself_o with_o any_o evil_a thing_n that_o be_v charge_v upon_o it_o when_o i_o read_v this_o chargeâ—_n i_o remember_v the_o challenge_n of_o the_o pripet_n of_o judâ—h_n against_o the_o prophet_n jeremiah_n that_o he_o weaken_v the_o hand_n of_o the_o man_n of_o war_n that_o remain_v in_o the_o city_n and_o the_o hand_n of_o all_o the_o people_n and_o that_o he_o seek_v not_o the_o welfare_n of_o the_o people_n but_o their_o hurt_n jer._n 38.4_o declaration_n the_o last_o step_n be_v set_v down_o in_o this_o answer_n to_o the_o protestation_n but_o because_o it_o be_v usher_v in_o with_o a_o large_a preface_n that_o be_v not_o mention_v in_o this_o answer_n therefore_o i_o shall_v speak_v
be_v admit_v judge_n to_o pious_a man_n and_o true_a pâ—ety_n i_o fear_v all_o that_o arrive_v beyond_o a_o mere_a formality_n shall_v be_v condemn_v for_o hypocrite_n i_o will_v not_o appeal_v to_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o land_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o judge_v what_o be_v right_a and_o wrong_n in_o jure_fw-la betwixt_o those_o that_o be_v for_o the_o public_a rosolution_n and_o the_o protestet_n but_o i_o dâ—re_v free_o hazard_v to_o the_o vote_n of_o the_o major_a parton_z the_o land_n the_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o be_v the_o thing_n in_o contest_v betwixt_o these_o that_o be_v for_o the_o public_a resolution_n and_o the_o protester_n that_o be_v to_o say_v whether_o the_o assembly_n at_o dundee_n and_o edinburgh_n be_v keep_v their_o former_a principle_n yea_o or_o not_o if_o you_o will_v ask_v any_o even_o of_o the_o malignant_a party_n at_o least_o all_o that_o ever_o i_o can_v speak_v with_o myself_o or_o hear_v of_o from_o any_o other_o they_o will_v tell_v you_o the_o kirk_n be_v wrong_v before_o but_o now_o be_v become_v right_a since_o the_o king_n come_v to_o scotland_n and_o these_o who_o be_v most_o gross_o profane_v and_o wicked_a in_o all_o the_o land_n be_v now_o become_v great_a zealot_n and_o stout_a patriot_n for_o the_o late_a assembly_n though_o before_o they_o be_v hater_n of_o all_o kirk_n judicatory_n protestation_n reviewed_n next_o they_o speak_v of_o a_o party_n of_o insufficient_a scandalous_a &_o ill-affected_a minister_n etc._n etc._n comply_v with_o the_o time_n express_v their_o disaffection_n to_o the_o work_n of_o reformation_n as_o they_o find_v opportunity_n as_o in_o the_o time_n of_o james_n graham_n and_o the_o unlawful_a engagement_n who_o get_v great_a advantage_n by_o the_o public_a act_n for_o bring_v in_o of_o malignant_n to_o place_n of_o trust_n and_o who_o perceive_v they_o wear_v not_o able_a to_o endure_v trial_n and_o purge_n begin_v the_o last_o year_n to_o lift_v up_o their_o head_n and_o be_v encourage_v by_o the_o act_n and_o censure_n of_o dundee_n have_v so_o strengthen_v themselves_o as_o to_o carry_v on_o public_a determination_n to_o their_o own_o end_n from_o who_o say_v they_o what_o can_v be_v expect_v but_o to_o favour_v every_o evil_a course_n to_o persecute_v such_o as_o seek_v the_o lord_n in_o sincerity_n suppress_v the_o power_n of_o godliness_n and_o open_v the_o door_n of_o the_o ministry_n to_o such_o as_o for_o insufficiency_n scandal_n or_o disaffection_n have_v be_v just_o depose_v in_o regard_n whereof_o they_o think_v there_o be_v too_o great_a cause_n to_o make_v use_n of_o the_o prophet_n word_n jer._n 23.14_o 15._o there_o be_v many_o thing_n here_o deserve_v animadversion_n i._o although_o we_o deny_v not_o but_o that_o in_o every_o order_n there_o may_v be_v some_o out_o of_o order_n as_o judas_n among_o the_o apostle_n and_o saul_n among_o the_o prophet_n yet_o know_v we_o not_o of_o any_o such_o party_n as_o they_o speak_v of_o nor_o do_v so_o much_o as_o any_o person_n of_o that_o kind_n soon_o appear_v among_o we_o then_o according_a to_o the_o measure_n of_o his_o offence_n he_o find_v the_o severity_n of_o discipline_n it_o will_v be_v serious_o consider_v whether_o or_o not_o by_o this_o party_n they_o mean_v the_o body_n of_o the_o ministry_n represent_v at_o dundee_n who_o thus_o they_o will_v cast_v a_o odium_fw-la upon_z but_o what_o favour_n the_o party_n that_o be_v true_o such_o as_o they_o describe_v find_v at_o that_o venerable_a assembly_n let_v their_o act_n and_o declaration_n speak_v which_o declaration_n of_o they_o mention_v another_o party_n that_o have_v alas_o too_o long_o lurk_v among_o we_o and_o under_o specious_a pretext_n bring_v their_o design_n to_o that_o pass_n we_o now_o see_v these_o man_n shall_v according_a to_o the_o common_a rule_n first_o have_v purge_v themselves_o and_o take_v this_o beam_n out_o of_o their_o own_o eye_n protestation_n defend_v i_o wish_v the_o corrupt_a party_n among_o the_o ministry_n be_v as_o thin_v sow_v as_o he_o will_v insinuat_fw-la by_o tell_v there_o be_v a_o jurat_a among_o the_o apostle_n and_o a_o saul_n among_o the_o prophet_n but_o the_o many_o act_n of_o assembly_n for_o purge_v the_o ministry_n by_o ordinary_a judicatories_n and_o because_o of_o their_o negligence_n the_o commission_n appoint_v for_o visitation_n and_o the_o great_a work_n they_o have_v where_o they_o come_v visitation_n in_o other_o part_n of_o the_o land_n where_o as_o much_o if_o not_o more_o work_n of_o that_o kind_n be_v to_o be_v expect_v be_v interrupt_v by_o the_o trouble_n of_o the_o time_n and_o other_o impediment_n the_o gross_a ignorance_n not_o only_o of_o the_o people_n but_o even_o of_o the_o elder_n in_o many_o congregation_n where_o their_o present_a minister_n have_v be_v live_v among_o they_o some_o twenty_o some_o thirty_o year_n and_o have_v not_o so_o much_o as_o take_v pain_n to_o instruct_v they_o in_o the_o necessary_a ground_n of_o religion_n together_o with_o the_o neglect_n of_o discipline_n during_o that_o time_n and_o yet_o such_o suffer_v to_o remain_v in_o the_o ministry_n the_o scandal_n of_o many_o minister_n for_o drunkenness_n and_o other_o common_a vice_n together_o with_o their_o godless_a carriage_n at_o home_n and_o abroad_o be_v more_o than_o abundant_a proof_n of_o what_o be_v allege_v in_o the_o protestation_n and_o though_o this_o reviewer_n be_v please_v to_o say_v they_o know_v not_o of_o any_o such_o party_n yet_o alas_o it_o be_v more_o palpable_a to_o the_o mourner_n in_o zion_n then_o that_o they_o need_v any_o further_a proof_n thereof_o then_o to_o be_v conversant_a among_o many_o of_o they_o but_o a_o very_a few_o day_n and_o i_o know_v that_o some_o who_o concur_v with_o the_o late_a assembly_n will_v not_o deny_v it_o but_o i_o trust_v do_v make_v conscience_n to_o mourn_v for_o it_o in_o secret_a before_o the_o lord_n the_o protestation_n do_v not_o speak_v of_o the_o body_n of_o the_o ministry_n but_o a_o corrupt_a party_n which_o have_v too_o great_a influence_n at_o the_o assembly_n in_o dundee_n whereas_o he_o referret_fw-la his_o reader_n to_o the_o act_n make_v at_o dundee_n to_o know_v what_o favour_n the_o party_n that_o be_v true_o such_o find_v there_o no_o such_o act_n be_v ordinary_o to_o be_v see_v i_o be_o sure_a but_o such_o as_o be_v make_v against_o the_o protester_n and_o the_o dissenter_n from_o the_o public_a resolution_n be_v to_o be_v ready_o find_v in_o all_o hand_n if_o the_o thing_n he_o mean_v be_v the_o slight_a act_n make_v against_o the_o divisive_a supplication_n what_o have_v follow_v thereupon_o for_o execution_n less_o ur_fw-la more_z if_o he_o mean_v that_o the_o supplication_n of_o minister_n former_o depose_v for_o gross_a fault_n be_v not_o grant_v he_o may_v remember_v the_o politic_a argument_n use_v at_o dundee_n and_o renew_v at_o edinburgh_n upon_o the_o same_o occasion_n viz._n that_o it_o be_v good_a to_o abstain_v from_o present_a repon_v they_o because_o of_o the_o odium_fw-la it_o will_v bring_v upon_o they_o and_o for_o that_o declaration_n he_o yet_o again_o mention_v i_o have_v tell_v he_o it_o have_v be_v answer_v protestation_n reviewed_n it_o be_v true_a indeed_o and_o i_o trust_v the_o kirk_n of_o this_o nation_n have_v no_o reason_n to_o repent_v that_o she_o still_o have_v some_o who_o during_o the_o prevail_a of_o the_o prelate_n be_v carry_v down_o with_o the_o tide_n of_o the_o time_n even_o to_o give_v subscription_n according_a to_o the_o then_o way_n of_o entry_n and_o be_v weight_v therewith_o do_v comfort_n themselves_o with_o paul_n that_o god_n will_v be_v merciful_a unto_o they_o in_o that_o which_o they_o do_v ignorant_o but_o for_o those_o horrid_a oath_n they_o speak_v of_o nothing_o be_v know_v but_o the_o common_a subscription_n and_o if_o ought_v concern_v the_o kirk_n to_o know_v more_o it_o shall_v neither_o have_v be_v so_o long_o conceal_v by_o those_o who_o appropriate_a to_o themselves_o the_o title_n of_o the_o godly_a nor_o now_o reveal_v at_o such_o a_o time_n and_o in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o for_o their_o subscription_n they_o be_v general_o know_v yet_o notwithstanding_o thereof_o be_v the_o subscriber_n even_o at_o first_o invite_v to_o the_o covenant_n and_o some_o of_o they_o with_o the_o first_o appear_v against_o the_o service-book_n and_o many_o of_o they_o have_v not_o to_o this_o day_n fall_v from_o their_o steadfastness_n neither_o be_v all_o that_o have_v fall_v of_o that_o number_n but_o for_o further_a and_o full_o clear_v of_o this_o i_o offer_v these_o thing_n 1._o some_o of_o the_o prime_n of_o their_o number_n be_v also_o if_o not_o more_o gross_o guilty_a of_o the_o ill_a than_o any_o of_o we_o 2._o there_o be_v of_o our_o number_n ten_o for_o one_o of_o they_o who_o in_o that_o hour_n and_o power_n of_o
be_v most_o convenient_a consider_v the_o case_n of_o the_o time_n for_o hold_v forth_o to_o they_o so_o far_o as_o we_o can_v and_o the_o lord_n shall_v assist_v we_o light_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o their_o difference_n from_o the_o public_a judicatories_n and_o for_o search_v into_o further_a knowledge_n of_o the_o lord_n controversy_n with_o we_o and_o speak_v in_o love_n and_o soberness_n of_o spirit_n in_o such_o other_o thing_n as_o may_v conduce_v for_o heal_v our_o breach_n and_o it_o shall_v be_v matter_n of_o our_o earnest_a desire_n and_o prayer_n to_o the_o god_n of_o peace_n as_o we_o doubt_v not_o but_o it_o will_v also_o be_v in_o our_o brethren_n if_o they_o embrace_v this_o way_n that_o he_o may_v be_v gracious_o please_v so_o to_o bless_v these_o endeavour_n that_o the_o issue_n may_v be_v a_o clear_n of_o his_o way_n to_o we_o all_o a_o heal_n of_o our_o wound_n and_o a_o unite_n of_o we_o in_o himself_o to_o serve_v he_o with_o one_o consent_n in_o do_v or_o suffer_v joint_o for_o his_o cause_n and_o honour_n whatsoever_o shall_v be_v his_o holy_a will_n as_o for_o that_o certification_n in_o the_o close_a of_o the_o paper_n as_o we_o conceive_v that_o it_o may_v be_v well_o spare_v so_o we_o shall_v say_v no_o more_o to_o it_o but_o thiâ—_n that_o we_o be_v confident_a that_o this_o commission_n and_o the_o other_o late_o public_a judicatories_n have_v a_o calling_n and_o be_v constitute_v according_a to_o the_o order_n of_o god_n and_o constitution_n of_o this_o kirk_n be_v very_o far_o from_o usurpation_n and_o that_o both_o the_o by_o past_a carriage_n of_o the_o respective_a judicatories_n public_a and_o private_a do_v clear_v they_o and_o our_o carriage_n shall_v clear_v we_o before_o god_n and_o the_o world_n from_o that_o grievous_a aspersion_n of_o persecution_n the_o uncharitableness_n and_o injustice_n whereof_o we_o hearty_o pardon_v and_o pray_v the_o lord_n to_o pardon_v in_o our_o brethren_n i_o makghie_n edinburgh_n 27._o november_n 1652._o antemeridiem_fw-la sess_n 6._o the_o commission_n of_o the_o gen_n assembly_n have_v appoint_v master_n roâ—_n blair_n james_n wood_n davin_n forrest_n andrew_n honniman_n james_n sharp_a and_o the_o moderator_n mr._n david_n dickson_n incase_o the_o convenieney_n of_o his_o health_n and_o affair_n can_v permit_v to_o meet_v at_o st._n andrews_n the_o first_o wednesday_n of_o jannary_n next_o and_o there_o to_o attend_v such_o of_o our_o dissent_v brethren_n as_o shall_v come_v to_o they_o and_o to_o confer_v with_o they_o upon_o the_o particular_n express_v in_o the_o answer_n to_o their_o paper_n jo._n makghie_n edinburgh_n 27._o november_n 1653._o whereas_o our_o earnest_a desire_n and_o overture_n for_o fist_v the_o present_a difference_n to_o make_v way_n for_o a_o union_n have_v be_v meet_v on_o your_o part_n with_o no_o small_a heighten_v of_o the_o difference_n by_o your_o act_n in_o matter_n controvert_v betwixt_o the_o time_n of_o our_o give_v in_o a_o overture_n and_o your_o give_a answer_n to_o it_o and_o by_o your_o refuse_v all_o and_o every_o one_o of_o our_o just_a desire_n and_o assert_v the_o authority_n and_o act_n of_o the_o late_a pretend_a assembly_n and_o commission_n thereof_o and_o by_o your_o declare_v the_o unpossibility_n of_o any_o further_a condescendance_n on_o your_o part_n for_o union_n then_o have_v be_v already_o hold_v forth_o in_o the_o act_n and_o overture_n of_o the_o late_a pretend_a assembly_n at_o edinburgh_n and_o you_o have_v also_o dissolve_v your_o meeting_n before_o the_o return_n of_o a_o answer_n to_o we_o or_o hear_v what_o we_o have_v to_o say_v to_o you_o in_o reference_n to_o your_o answer_n and_o to_o the_o authoritative_a appointment_n subjoin_v thereunto_o we_o be_v necessitate_v to_o declare_v unto_o you_o that_o we_o be_v not_o instruct_v to_o call_v any_o meeting_n for_o conference_n with_o you_o in_o this_o case_n of_o so_o unsatisfactory_a a_o answer_n and_o that_o we_o be_v free_a of_o any_o concession_n conditional_o offer_v on_o ourpart_n subscribe_v in_o the_o name_n of_o those_o who_o be_v appoint_v by_o the_o meeting_n of_o minister_n elder_n and_o professor_n to_o present_v the_o overture_n and_o receive_v the_o answer_n sic_fw-la sub_fw-la mr._n robert_n trail_n observation_n upon_o the_o answer_n of_o the_o commission_n of_o the_o pretend_a assembly_n to_o the_o overture_n of_o the_o brethren_n who_o dissent_v from_o the_o public_a resolution_n as_o likewise_o upon_o their_o letter_n to_o presbytery_n it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o the_o scope_n of_o the_o overture_n make_v by_o the_o protester_n be_v that_o all_o claim_v to_o power_n and_o authority_n from_o the_o controvert_v assembly_n at_o dundee_n and_o edinburgh_n upon_o the_o one_o hand_n and_o all_o controvert_v power_n as_o derive_v from_o the_o general_n assembly_n 1650._o on_o the_o other_o hand_n be_v lay_v aside_o during_o endeavour_n for_o union_n as_o likewise_o all_o censure_n or_o act_n enjoin_v censure_n for_o the_o late_a difference_n since_o the_o say_a assembly_n 1650._o at_o which_o time_n this_o kirk_n be_v of_o one_o judgement_n and_o all_o paper_n against_o these_o controvert_v assembly_n not_o yet_o publish_v be_v also_o for_o that_o time_n suppress_v there_o shall_v be_v a_o friendly_a conference_n agree_v on_o by_o mutual_a consent_n for_o search_v into_o the_o lord_n controversy_n against_o the_o land_n and_o for_o remove_v our_o difference_n the_o brethren_n who_o stand_v for_o the_o public_a resolution_n be_v so_o far_o from_o way_n of_o peace_n as_o they_o refuse_v all_o conferrence_n except_o they_o treat_v and_o conser_fw-fr as_o the_o lawful_a representative_a of_o this_o kirk_n and_o be_v clothe_v with_o their_o commission_n and_o authority_n and_o therefore_o their_o answer_n to_o the_o overture_n be_v return_v in_o the_o name_n and_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o commission_n of_o the_o kirk_n and_o a_o committee_n be_v by_o act_n of_o the_o pretend_a commission_n appoint_v for_o that_o purpose_n viz._n their_o moderator_n and_o some_o brethren_n of_o the_o presbytery_n of_o st._n andrews_n 2._o in_o that_o act_n the_o say_a committee_n be_v limit_v in_o their_o conference_n to_o the_o particular_n express_v in_o the_o answer_n to_o the_o overture_n 3._o the_o answer_n to_o the_o overture_n not_o only_o refuse_v all_o thing_n demand_v by_o the_o protester_n as_o previous_a and_o preparatory_a to_o a_o conference_n but_o also_o make_v the_o end_n of_o the_o conference_n which_o be_v modest_o and_o fair_o express_v for_o both_o in_o our_o overture_n to_o be_v to_o hold_v forth_o light_a to_o the_o protester_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o difference_n from_o the_o public_a judicatories_n and_o as_o the_o letter_n to_o presbytery_n expressy_a bear_v that_o the_o dissenter_n from_o the_o public_a resolution_n may_v be_v bring_v up_o to_o unite_v with_o the_o public_a endeavour_n of_o this_o kirk_n and_o so_o the_o state_n of_o the_o difference_n betwixt_o they_o and_o we_o be_v now_o again_o upon_o what_o consideration_n or_o expectation_n i_o shall_v not_o descant_v make_v as_o wide_a as_o it_o be_v before_o when_o all_o the_o malignant_a party_n be_v in_o arâ—â—â—_n to_o protect_v they_o therein_o 4._o the_o answer_v assert_n and_o justify_v not_o only_o the_o call_v and_o constitution_n but_o all_o the_o act_n and_o proceed_n of_o the_o late_a pretend_a assembly_n and_o their_o commission_n and_o condemn_v all_o testimony_n against_o the_o public_a resolution_n and_o the_o say_v pretend_a judicatories_n the_o say_a answer_n declare_v that_o no_o agreement_n be_v to_o be_v expect_v upon_o other_o term_n then_o the_o late_a pretend_a assembly_n at_o edinburgh_n do_v propose_v for_o the_o answer_n do_v affirm_v that_o they_o have_v find_v that_o the_o say_a assembly_n have_v endeavour_v to_o the_o utmost_a of_o their_o power_n to_o compose_v the_o present_a difference_n and_o do_v condescend_v upon_o such_o overture_n as_o possible_o they_o can_v perceive_v most_o conducible_a to_o that_o end_n now_o these_o overture_n by_o they_o mention_v do_v require_v a_o express_a pass_v from_o all_o our_o former_a testimony_n and_o that_o in_o time_n come_v we_o shall_v never_o give_v any_o testimony_n against_o the_o public_a resolution_n and_o other_o late_a corruption_n and_o novation_n bring_v into_o the_o church_n for_o it_o be_v require_v to_o be_v set_v under_o our_o hand_n that_o we_o shall_v not_o hold_v up_o debate_v by_o preach_v write_a or_o otherwise_o for_o any_o thing_n which_o do_v concern_v the_o late_a difference_n that_o have_v arisen_a in_o this_o church_n so_o that_o we_o may_v not_o give_v testimony_n or_o declare_v our_o judgement_n in_o any_o case_n but_o must_v either_o be_v altogether_o silent_a in_o these_o thing_n or_o else_o conform_v our_o language_n to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o pretend_a assembly_n and_o if_o any_o minister_n or_o elder_n can_v in_o