against_o the_o judicatories_n and_o their_o proceed_n from_o which_o it_o be_v clear_a that_o the_o commission_n use_v more_o tenderness_n in_o that_o case_n than_o be_v usual_a and_o approven_v former_o in_o this_o church_n if_o our_o brethren_n as_o they_o do_v recurre_v to_o this_o that_o the_o proceed_n of_o the_o commission_n 1648._o be_v right_o upon_o the_o matter_n as_o these_o in_o the_o 51._o be_v not_o and_o so_o the_o case_n be_v different_a we_o hope_v what_o have_v be_v say_v of_o these_o resolution_n will_v refute_v that_o imputation_n and_o clear_a there_o be_v a_o parity_n still_o and_o however_o we_o believe_v that_o matter_n of_o formality_n in_o constitute_v judicatory_n must_v be_v still_o the_o same_o in_o all_o matter_n and_o what_o ever_o may_v be_v conclude_v from_o the_o matter_n as_o to_o one_o act_n of_o the_o judicatorie_a yet_o it_o can_v be_v simple_o null_a if_o it_o proceed_v in_o form_n but_o according_a to_o former_a approven_v practice_n 3._o it_o will_v be_v impartial_o consider_v what_o effect_n that_o letter_n have_v as_o to_o prelimit_v the_o assembly_n in_o the_o election_n of_o its_o member_n wherein_o we_o hope_v the_o nullity_n of_o the_o allegiance_n will_v sufficient_o appear_v for_o 1._o it_o be_v know_v that_o letter_n be_v send_v but_o to_o a_o very_a few_o presbytery_n &_o these_o most_o of_o they_o after_o their_o election_n be_v pass_v 2._o it_o need_v not_o to_o be_v send_v to_o many_o for_o that_o end_n they_o mention_v viz._n to_o prelimit_v they_o in_o their_o election_n for_o many_o presbytery_n have_v none_o at_o all_o of_o their_o judgement_n among_o they_o and_o other_o very_o few_o and_o however_o they_o have_v emit_v to_o the_o world_n a_o account_n of_o some_o in_o most_o of_o presbytery_n of_o their_o judgement_n yet_o when_o they_o reckon_v again_o they_o will_v find_v they_o have_v wrong_v some_o who_o they_o name_v as_o they_o and_o yet_o to_o this_o day_n they_o continue_v opposite_a to_o their_o course_n and_o that_o they_o can_v not_o make_v such_o a_o account_n then_o of_o many_o as_o they_o may_v do_v now_o since_o divers_a take_v advantage_n of_o the_o time_n and_o seek_v their_o own_o interest_n have_v fall_v to_o they_o 3._o whatever_o they_o say_v of_o the_o commission_n deed_n or_o their_o active_a prelimitation_n thereby_o yet_o if_o they_o shall_v assert_v there_o be_v any_o passive_a prelimitation_n either_o of_o presbytery_n in_o elect_v or_o the_o assembly_n admit_v of_o such_o to_o be_v member_n in_o which_o case_n only_o it_o can_v plead_v the_o nullity_n of_o the_o assembly_n we_o may_v bold_o declare_v that_o they_o speak_v against_o clear_a truth_n for_o nowithstand_v that_o letter_n the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o most_o active_a opposer_n be_v choose_v by_o presbytery_n and_o admit_v and_o act_v in_o that_o assembly_n till_o it_o please_v themselves_o to_o protest_v and_o leave_v it_o yea_o further_o to_o assert_v this_o passive_a prelimitation_n of_o presbytery_n will_v strike_v not_o only_o against_o the_o commission_n but_o against_o all_o the_o presbytery_n of_o the_o land_n as_o unfaithful_a and_o betrayer_n of_o their_o trust_n which_o be_v too_o heavy_a a_o charge_n against_o a_o nationall_n church_n the_o truth_n be_v the_o carriage_n both_o of_o the_o commission_n presbytery_n and_o general_n assembly_n do_v make_v it_o clear_a there_o be_v no_o prelimitation_n intend_v nor_o practise_v in_o elect_a member_n to_o nor_o admit_v they_o to_o sit_v in_o the_o general_n assembly_n for_o they_o not_o only_a might_n but_o be_v actual_o choose_v and_o admit_v in_o it_o only_o as_o be_v say_v the_o commission_n think_v it_o fit_v they_o shall_v be_v cite_v thither_o and_o that_o however_o they_o may_v act_v and_o vote_n in_o other_o thing_n yet_o the_o commission_n and_o they_o shall_v be_v try_v together_o in_o that_o debate_n which_o we_o believe_v any_o unbiased_a christian_n will_v judge_v to_o have_v be_v their_o duty_n and_o very_o far_o from_o prelimit_v of_o the_o assembly_n and_o a_o irrelevant_a ground_n on_o which_o they_o shall_v have_v make_v a_o rent_n and_o such_o a_o inlet_n of_o confusion_n upon_o this_o church_n as_o have_v follow_v thereupon_o §_o 33_o have_v so_o brief_o as_o may_v consist_v with_o perspicuity_n lay_v open_v the_o true_a state_n of_o the_o controversy_n betwixt_o our_o brethren_n and_o we_o and_o the_o progress_n of_o our_o public_a difference_n till_o it_o come_v to_o a_o state_v rapture_n by_o their_o protestation_n we_o shall_v now_o in_o pursuance_n of_o the_o second_o head_n propound_v give_v a_o brief_a account_n of_o some_o consequence_n and_o practice_n that_o have_v follow_v upon_o this_o rapture_n it_o may_v be_v and_o be_v the_o matter_n of_o our_o sad_a lamentation_n before_o the_o lord_n and_o we_o may_v pour_v out_o abundance_n of_o complaint_n in_o the_o bosom_n of_o sympathyse_v christian_n who_o ever_o be_v sensible_a of_o the_o mercy_n of_o a_o church_n enjoy_v the_o sweet_a of_o harmony_n that_o by_o these_o division_n sad_a prejudices_fw-la have_n redound_v to_o the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n among_o we_o that_o the_o work_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v exceed_o retard_v thereby_o atheism_n and_o irreligion_n increase_v true_a religion_n and_o godliness_n expose_v to_o hatred_n and_o reproach_n because_o of_o the_o carriage_n and_o way_n of_o many_o who_o profess_v it_o the_o authority_n of_o church-judicatories_a enervate_a and_o render_v contemptible_a their_o meeting_n which_o some_o time_n be_v a_o revive_n now_o turn_v into_o occasion_n of_o grief_n to_o the_o lover_n and_o friend_n of_o church-government_n and_o order_n yea_o and_o the_o work_n of_o purge_v which_o our_o brethren_n do_v so_o much_o call_v for_o exceed_o retard_v and_o obstruct_v but_o leave_v these_o before_o the_o lord_n who_o alone_o can_v apply_v a_o effectual_a remedy_n thereunto_o we_o hold_v it_o our_o duty_n to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o some_o of_o our_o brethren_n irregular_a practice_n follow_v upon_o their_o rent_v from_o the_o judicatories_n whereby_o as_o by_o the_o effect_n it_o may_v appear_v what_o their_o spirit_n and_o way_n in_o these_o difference_n be_v and_o it_o may_v be_v discern_v what_o accession_n they_o have_v to_o these_o sad_a distemper_n former_o mention_v §_o 34_o their_o first_o course_n take_v for_o carry_v on_o their_o design_n and_o strengthen_v their_o faction_n and_o which_o they_o set_v on_o foot_n short_o after_o their_o first_o protestation_n be_v the_o convening_n of_o great_a number_n of_o minister_n elder_n professor_n and_o expectant_n from_o all_o part_n of_o the_o land_n in_o extrajudicial_a meeting_n wherein_o after_o confession_n of_o sin_n and_o prayer_n perform_v indifferent_o by_o minister_n elder_n or_o other_o in_o these_o great_a meeting_n they_o do_v and_o do_v proceed_v to_o determination_n of_o particular_n tend_v to_o the_o strengthen_n of_o their_o cause_n and_o engage_v of_o other_o in_o it_o and_o do_v give_v equal_a power_n to_o all_o present_a in_o voice_n and_o determine_v in_o these_o matter_n of_o most_o public_a concernment_n the_o lord_n know_v that_o we_o do_v from_o our_o heart_n approve_v of_o the_o duty_n of_o private_a mutual_a edification_n as_o they_o be_v enjoin_v in_o the_o word_n and_o be_v recommend_v and_o bound_v by_o the_o act_n of_o our_o general_a assembly_n with_o the_o conseat_v and_o to_o the_o good_a like_n then_o of_o all_o our_o brethren_n and_o we_o do_v account_v it_o not_o suitable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o these_o duty_n to_o make_v a_o noise_n of_o profess_v our_o own_o practice_n thereof_o according_o but_o we_o do_v not_o see_v that_o our_o brethren_n way_n in_o these_o be_v at_o all_o agreeable_a to_o the_o rule_n nor_o consistent_a with_o the_o peace_n of_o any_o constitute_v national_a church_n and_o particular_o we_o can_v but_o resent_v in_o their_o way_n 1._o that_o they_o shall_v make_v use_n of_o these_o religious_a exercise_n as_o a_o subservient_fw-fr mean_v for_o carry_v on_o these_o course_n which_o we_o hope_v by_o what_o be_v say_v will_v appear_v to_o be_v most_o unlawful_a in_o themselves_o 2._o that_o by_o give_v out_o themselves_o in_o these_o meeting_n as_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o godly_a throughout_o the_o land_n or_o delegate_n in_o a_o sort_n from_o they_o they_o do_v cast_v a_o imputation_n upon_o the_o bulk_n of_o the_o national_a church_n beside_o who_o be_v against_o their_o way_n and_o do_v not_o join_v with_o they_o in_o these_o course_n as_o not_o only_o wrong_v in_o that_o matter_n but_o as_o not_o godly_a some_o very_a few_o except_v which_o as_o we_o know_v to_o be_v a_o most_o false_a imputation_n not_o many_o of_o these_o of_o any_o rank_n who_o own_v the_o cause_n from_o the_o beginning_n go_v along_o with_o they_o so_o it_o be_v a_o evidence_n of_o a_o strange_a divisive_a and_o separate_a
they_o do_v begin_v a_o rent_n by_o depart_v from_o the_o receive_a principle_n of_o this_o church_n yea_o and_o from_o what_o themselves_o do_v former_o judge_v a_o sufficient_a security_n to_o the_o cause_n of_o god_n and_o a_o great_a mercy_n to_o obtain_v it_o and_o according_o some_o of_o they_o be_v but_o a_o little_a before_o chief_o active_a in_o close_v treaty_n and_o transaction_n upon_o these_o principle_n who_o afterward_o endeavour_v to_o overturn_v they_o this_o may_v discover_v to_o the_o world_n what_o a_o spirit_n it_o be_v which_o lead_v our_o brethren_n in_o their_o way_n see_v they_o can_v not_o only_o not_o acquiesce_v in_o the_o determine_v ation_n of_o the_o supreme_a authority_n of_o a_o church_n or_o state_n concern_v matter_n of_o great_a concernment_n to_o both_o nor_o content_v themselves_o with_o the_o exoneration_n of_o their_o own_o conscience_n if_o they_o be_v not_o satisfy_v but_o when_o themselves_o have_v agree_v to_o these_o thing_n and_o have_v be_v chief_a contriver_n of_o they_o there_o can_v be_v no_o security_n give_v but_o they_o will_v retract_v their_o judgement_n and_o overturn_v they_o again_o which_o principle_n and_o way_n be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o safety_n or_o stand_v of_o any_o humane_a society_n whatsoever_o it_o be_v true_a in_o their_o remonstrance_n and_o since_o in_o their_o emission_n to_o the_o world_n in_o print_n they_o will_v lay_v the_o great_a stress_n of_o this_o alteration_n in_o their_o judgement_n and_o way_n upon_z after_z discovery_n of_o crooked_a way_n in_o manage_v of_o transaction_n in_o pursuance_n of_o these_o principle_n and_o of_o some_o particular_n in_o these_o transaction_n which_o be_v keep_v up_o from_o the_o judicatories_n upon_o the_o knowledge_n whereof_o they_o do_v see_v the_o evil_a and_o sin_n of_o these_o conclusion_n of_o church_n and_o state_n but_o if_o it_o be_v to_o any_o purpose_n to_o trouble_v the_o world_n with_o story_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n we_o can_v easy_o demonstrate_v what_o a_o gain_v trade_n they_o have_v make_v of_o misrepresentation_n of_o this_o kind_n and_o in_o particular_a that_o it_o be_v more_o than_o evident_a to_o all_o who_o be_v acquaint_v with_o these_o affair_n that_o these_o resolution_n be_v faithful_o manage_v and_o full_a satisfaction_n obtain_v in_o all_o that_o be_v require_v previous_a to_o a_o conclusion_n and_o that_o no_o particular_a though_o in_o matter_n only_o upon_o the_o by_o and_o that_o whereof_o they_o make_v so_o much_o noise_n be_v only_o a_o person_n who_o be_v breed_v in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n his_o take_v the_o communion_n once_o kneel_v after_o he_o have_v enter_v on_o a_o treaty_n be_v keep_v up_o from_o these_o who_o now_o complain_v of_o it_o nay_o or_o from_o the_o assembly_n itself_o as_o will_v appear_v from_o the_o report_n give_v in_o to_o the_o assembly_n and_o be_v now_o in_o public_a record_n but_o wave_v all_o these_o it_o be_v clear_a from_o their_o paper_n emit_v to_o the_o world_n entitle_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o lord_n wrath_n against_o scotland_n that_o they_o do_v hold_v out_o the_o very_a resolution_n and_o determination_n of_o church_n and_o state_n in_o these_o matter_n previous_a to_o any_o conclusion_n as_o the_o cause_n of_o the_o lord_n controversy_n against_o the_o land_n so_o that_o assert_v what_o they_o please_v to_o gloss_n the_o matter_n they_o have_v make_v a_o defection_n from_o the_o principle_n of_o this_o church_n and_o prosecute_v the_o same_o with_o a_o rapture_n and_o separation_n §_o 6_o 3._o what_o ever_o may_v be_v say_v of_o supreme_a judicatories_n and_o their_o power_n to_o recognosce_fw-la and_o re-examine_a their_o own_o conclusion_n yet_o it_o will_v be_v consider_v that_o the_o contriver_n presenter_n and_o prosecuter_n of_o that_o remonstrance_n be_v but_o private_a man_n or_o do_v it_o in_o a_o private_a capacity_n they_o be_v some_o inferior_a officer_n gentleman_n and_o minister_n attend_v some_o force_n who_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o condemn_v act_n and_o conclusion_n of_o supreme_a judicatory_n unanimous_o conclude_v many_o of_o themselves_o as_o have_v be_v say_v be_v present_a and_o not_o contradict_v but_o positive_o consent_v thereunto_o and_o that_o concern_v matter_n of_o state_n and_o civil_a government_n of_o great_a importance_n which_o any_o unbiased_a and_o sober_a spirit_n will_v perceive_v to_o be_v a_o matter_n above_o their_o reach_n and_o station_n especial_o to_o have_v condemn_v they_o by_o way_n of_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 so_o much_o respect_n have_v to_o these_o judicatories_n as_o once_o to_o desire_v they_o first_o to_o re-examine_a and_o take_v into_o consideration_n these_o act_n and_o conclusion_n yea_o refuse_v to_o apply_v themselves_o to_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 more_o orderly_o by_o some_o to_o who_o they_o do_v communicate_v their_o design_n and_o albeit_o the_o commissioner_n of_o the_o general_a assembly_n be_v then_o sit_v to_o who_o the_o management_n of_o public_a affair_n of_o the_o church_n be_v commit_v and_o who_o ought_v to_o have_v be_v consult_v with_o in_o all_o weighty_a matter_n especial_o when_o our_o brethren_n do_v call_v in_o question_n the_o conclusion_n of_o the_o precede_a assembly_n yet_o it_o please_v they_o not_o to_o own_v they_o in_o this_o matter_n but_o of_o themselves_o do_v by_o positive_a determination_n contrary_a to_o the_o act_n of_o the_o assembly_n prevent_v their_o advice_n it_o be_v true_a indeed_o after_o thy_o have_v conclude_v the_o matter_n they_o who_o be_v entrust_v by_o the_o rest_n do_v present_v the_o remonstrance_n to_o the_o commissioner_n of_o the_o general_a assembly_n desire_v their_o concurrence_n in_o present_v it_o to_o the_o state_n but_o withal_o it_o be_v to_o be_v remember_v that_o when_o it_o be_v inquire_v if_o they_o have_v any_o power_n to_o change_v any_o thing_n in_o it_o they_o answer_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 any_o thing_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o which_o be_v in_o effect_n to_o obtrude_v their_o determination_n upon_o the_o church-judicatorie_a as_o these_o thing_n do_v evidence_n their_o small_a respect_n to_o the_o government_n of_o this_o church_n and_o their_o stretch_a themselves_o beyond_o their_o line_n by_o determine_v in_o their_o private_a capacity_n not_o only_o antecedent_o but_o contrary_a to_o the_o conclusion_n of_o the_o supreme_a judicatories_n so_o divers_a of_o these_o who_o go_v a_o long_a with_o they_o in_o it_o at_o first_o perceive_v short_o after_o how_o divisive_a and_o destructive_a to_o all_o order_n that_o course_n be_v do_v quick_o withdraw_v from_o they_o repent_v that_o ever_o they_o have_v engage_v with_o they_o sect._n 7.4_o what_o ever_o charity_n may_v have_v be_v allow_v they_o in_o present_v their_o thought_n upon_o these_o transaction_n or_o of_o other_o fault_n for_o a_o testimony_n and_o exoneration_n of_o their_o own_o conscience_n and_o desire_v to_o have_v they_o redress_v in_o a_o orderly_a way_n by_o the_o competent_a judicatories_n yet_o this_o can_v no_o way_n be_v justify_v that_o not_o only_o they_o second_v their_o testimony_n with_o a_o separation_n but_o in_o the_o close_a of_o the_o remonstrance_n they_o hold_v forth_o a_o declaration_n and_o avow_v of_o engagement_n upon_o their_o heart_n these_o be_v the_o very_a word_n before_o god_n if_o he_o shall_v lengthen_v their_o day_n and_o take_v pleasure_n in_o they_o to_o make_v they_o any_o way_n instrumental_a in_o his_o work_n and_o for_o his_o people_n good_a and_o safety_n that_o they_o shall_v to_o the_o utmost_a of_o their_o power_n endeavour_v to_o get_v these_o thing_n remedy_v according_a to_o their_o place_n and_o calling_n which_o be_v a_o real_a and_o plain_a engage_v and_o band_v of_o themselves_o together_o to_o prosecute_v the_o matter_n of_o their_o remonstrance_n by_o arm_n and_o force_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o remonstrator_n than_o be_v in_o a_o military_a place_n and_o calling_n and_o this_o several_a passage_n in_o their_o carriage_n before_o they_o be_v break_v do_v clear_o enough_o evidence_n to_o be_v their_o purpose_n and_o intention_n and_o the_o judgement_n of_o this_o church_n of_o such_o divisive_a banding_n of_o party_n have_v be_v so_o well_o know_v especial_o since_o the_o general_a assembly_n 1642._o that_o our_o brethren_n can_v free_v themselves_o of_o walk_v contrary_n to_o the_o establish_a order_n of_o this_o church_n in_o that_o their_o practic_n §_o 8_o 5._o albeit_o our_o brethren_n by_o this_o remonstrance_n and_o the_o prosecution_n thereof_o have_v make_v a_o broach_n upon_o our_o sweet_a harmony_n and_o unity_n and_o lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o our_o follow_a breach_n yet_o the_o commission_n
such_o trust_n or_o power_n as_o may_v be_v prejudicial_a to_o the_o cause_n of_o god_n and_o that_o such_o officer_n as_o be_v of_o know_a integrity_n and_o affection_n to_o the_o cause_n and_o particular_o such_o as_o have_v suffer_v in_o our_o former_a army_n may_v be_v take_v special_a notice_n of_o §_o 13_o the_o other_o resolution_n be_v concern_v the_o admit_v of_o person_n to_o place_n of_o trust_n in_o the_o state_n and_o the_o rescind_n of_o the_o act_n of_o class_n of_o the_o date_n may_v 24._o 1651._o wherein_o after_o the_o repetition_n of_o several_a desire_n of_o the_o king_n parliament_z and_o committee_n of_o estate_n renew_v with_o great_a earnestness_n for_o the_o space_n of_o two_o month_n to_o the_o commission_n for_o a_o clear_a and_o positive_a answer_n to_o the_o query_n propound_v concern_v that_o matter_n it_o be_v declare_v as_o follow_v lest_o any_o aspersion_n shall_v be_v cast_v upon_o we_o of_o encroach_a upon_o or_o intrude_a ourselves_o unto_o the_o office_n of_o the_o civil_a power_n and_o authority_n we_o do_v declare_v that_o we_o do_v not_o assume_v to_o ourselves_o and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o competent_a to_o we_o but_o only_o to_o the_o king_n and_o parliament_n to_o make_v or_o repeal_v act_n of_o parliament_n and_o therefore_o that_o as_o the_o commission_n of_o the_o kirk_n have_v not_o hand_n in_o make_v of_o the_o act_n of_o class_n so_o neither_o do_v we_o take_v upon_o we_o to_o derermine_v the_o keep_n up_o or_o rescind_v or_o repeal_n of_o the_o same_o yet_o be_v require_v by_o his_o majesty_n and_o estate_n of_o parliament_n to_o give_v our_o judgement_n and_o advice_n in_o point_n of_o conscience_n whether_o or_o not_o consider_v the_o ground_n contain_v in_o the_o narrative_a of_o the_o act_n of_o class_n viz._n the_o solemn_a league_n and_o covenant_n the_o solemn_a acknowledgement_n of_o sin_n and_o engagement_n to_o duty_n declaration_n emit_v by_o the_o kirk_n and_o the_o engagement_n and_o pronnse_n make_v by_o the_o committee_n of_o estate_n to_o the_o kingdom_n of_o england_n it_o be_v sinful_a and_o unlawful_a to_o admit_v to_o be_v member_n of_o the_o committee_n of_o estate_n person_n former_o debar_v from_o the_o public_a trust_n or_o to_o rescind_v and_o repeal_v the_o act_n of_o class_n we_o declare_v that_o as_o for_o any_o engagement_n or_o promise_n make_v unto_o the_o kingdom_n of_o england_n concern_v not_o admit_v unto_o place_n of_o power_n and_o trust_v person_n accessary_a unto_o the_o sinful_a engagement_n against_o that_o kingdom_n we_o know_v nothing_o of_o the_o nature_n or_o ground_n thereof_o and_o therefore_o leave_v it_o to_o the_o estate_n of_o parliament_n themselves_o to_o consider_v how_o it_o do_v oblige_v or_o not_o oblige_v in_o the_o present_a condition_n of_o affair_n in_o these_o kingdom_n but_o for_o the_o solemn_a league_n and_o covenant_n the_o solemn_a acknowledgement_n and_o engagement_n and_o former_a declaration_n we_o do_v find_v that_o they_o do_v not_o particular_o determine_v any_o definite_a measure_n of_o time_n of_o exclude_v person_n from_o public_a trust_n for_o bypass_a offence_n but_o only_o bind_v and_o oblige_v condign_o to_o punish_v offender_n as_o the_o degree_n of_o the_o offence_n shall_v require_v or_o deserve_v or_o the_o supreme_a judicatory_a of_o the_o kingdom_n or_o other_o have_v power_n from_o they_o for_o that_o effect_n shall_v judge_v convenient_a to_o purge_v all_o judicatories_n and_o place_n of_o power_n &_o trust_v and_o to_o endeavour_v that_o they_o consist_v of_o and_o be_v fill_v with_o such_o man_n as_o be_v of_o know_a good_a affection_n to_o the_o cause_n of_o god_n and_o of_o a_o blameless_a and_o christian_a conversation_n which_o be_v a_o moral_a duty_n command_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o of_o perpetual_a obligation_n so_o that_o nothing_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o these_o ground_n do_v hinder_v but_o that_o person_n former_o debar_v from_o place_n of_o power_n and_o trust_v for_o their_o offence_n may_v be_v admit_v to_o be_v member_n of_o the_o commit_v of_o estate_n and_o the_o censure_n inflict_v upon_o they_o by_o the_o act_n of_o class_n may_v be_v take_v off_o and_o rescind_v without_o sin_n by_o the_o parliament_n who_o power_n it_o be_v to_o lengthen_v or_o shorten_v the_o time_n of_o such_o censure_n according_a as_o they_o shall_v find_v they_o just_a and_o necessary_a provide_v they_o be_v man_n who_o have_v satisfy_v the_o kirk_n for_o their_o former_a offence_n have_v renew_v or_o take_v the_o covenant_n and_o be_v qualify_v for_o such_o place_n with_o the_o qualification_n require_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o express_v in_o the_o solemn_a acknowledment_n and_o engagement_n viz._n that_o they_o be_v man_n of_o know_a good_a affection_n to_o the_o cause_n of_o god_n and_o of_o a_o blameless_a and_o christian_a conversation_n which_o ought_v always_o careful_o to_o be_v observe_v and_o make_v conscience_n of_o though_o there_o be_v no_o such_o act_n of_o class_n to_o the_o effect_n that_o no_o person_n get_v such_o power_n and_o trust_v into_o their_o hand_n as_o may_v be_v prejudicial_a to_o the_o cause_n of_o god_n §_o 14_o these_o be_v the_o resolution_n which_o have_v be_v and_o be_v so_o much_o noise_v abroad_o in_o the_o world_n because_o of_o which_o our_o dissent_v brethren_n have_v make_v such_o stir_n in_o preach_v and_o in_o writing_n and_o print_v paper_n determine_v they_o to_o be_v a_o horrid_a defection_n to_o our_o covenant_n and_o forsake_v of_o the_o cause_n of_o god_n and_o lay_v the_o weight_n of_o their_o first_o divide_v from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o church_n and_o country_n upon_o these_o though_o unjust_o as_o may_v appear_v from_o what_o have_v be_v clear_v in_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o remonstrance_n yea_o and_o brand_a honest_a man_n who_o concur_v in_o they_o or_o consent_v to_o they_o with_o very_o odious_a imputation_n and_o determine_v these_o resolution_n to_o be_v the_o grand_a cause_n of_o the_o lord_n wrath_n against_o the_o land_n upon_o the_o account_n whereof_o they_o have_v separate_v from_o and_o rend_v the_o judicatories_n of_o the_o church_n the_o condition_n of_o the_o time_n contribute_v thereunto_o and_o by_o their_o protestation_n and_o declinator_n against_o the_o general_a assembly_n the_o church_n be_v bring_v into_o the_o confusion_n and_o distraction_n under_o which_o we_o do_v so_o sad_o suffer_v and_o albeit_o somewhat_o have_v be_v already_o speak_v for_o vindicate_v we_o in_o this_o particular_a in_o the_o observation_n upon_o the_o difference_n in_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n from_o page_n 10._o to_o 17._o and_o it_o be_v not_o our_o work_n in_o this_o representation_n to_o publish_v a_o treatise_n in_o defence_n of_o these_o resolution_n yet_o we_o shall_v add_v a_o few_o thing_n for_o clear_v of_o the_o matter_n §_o 15_o as_o to_o the_o former_a resolution_n of_o december_n 14._o 1650._o we_o need_v not_o insist_v to_o declare_v that_o this_o debate_n be_v extrinsical_a to_o our_o doctrine_n worship_n and_o church-government_n and_o therefore_o it_o can_v be_v justify_v that_o such_o a_o rent_n shall_v be_v make_v because_o of_o our_o difference_n about_o it_o that_o there_o be_v no_o question_n make_v by_o our_o brethren_n of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o the_o service_n wherein_o these_o force_n be_v to_o be_v employ_v which_o may_v have_v add_v weight_n to_o the_o ground_n of_o their_o dissent_n that_o the_o country_n be_v real_o in_o that_o low_a condition_n suppose_v in_o the_o resolution_n occasion_v partly_o by_o our_o brethren_n separation_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o remonstrance_n which_o can_v not_o but_o put_v state_n and_o church_n into_o great_a strait_n and_o warrant_v they_o in_o their_o station_n to_o improve_v all_o ordinary_a mean_n not_o prohibit_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o the_o use_n whereof_o be_v not_o in_o itself_o sinful_a for_o necessary_a self_n preservation_n and_o that_o whatever_o latitude_n may_v be_v take_v in_o such_o a_o case_n yet_o the_o commission_n in_o their_o resolution_n do_v use_v such_o caution_n that_o if_o they_o be_v judge_v thereby_o as_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v there_o can_v be_v no_o defection_n fasten_v upon_o they_o even_o by_o they_o who_o condemn_v a_o general_a concurrence_n of_o fellow_n subject_n in_o case_n of_o extremity_n for_o in_o effect_n they_o approve_v of_o none_o to_o be_v admit_v but_o such_o as_o be_v profess_v friend_n to_o the_o cause_n of_o god_n and_o who_o enter_v in_o covenant_n for_o that_o effect_n but_o pass_v all_o these_o we_o desire_v it_o may_v be_v remember_v that_o our_o brethren_n do_v not_o content_v themselves_o simple_o to_o condemn_v this_o resolution_n or_o to_o assert_v that_o it_o be_v unlawful_a to_o take_v in_o or_o employ_v such_o as_o they_o be_v qualify_v in_o the_o resolution_n but_o run_v to_o