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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A57049	The representation, propositions, and protestation of divers ministers, elders and professors, for themselves, and in name of many others, well-affected ministers, elders, and people in Scotland presented by the Lord Wareston, Mr. Andrew Cant, Mr. John Livingston, Mr. Samuel Rutherford and diverse others, to the ministers and elders met at Edinburgh, July 21, 1652.	Warriston, Archibald Johnston, Lord, 1611-1663.	1652 (1652)	Wing R1109; ESTC R10184	12,034	20

unto us no small matter of grief and trouble that the testimonies given the last year against the Publick Resolutions of the Commission of the General Assembly 1650 and against the Meeting at S. Andrewes and Dundee and their proceedings was looked upon by many of whom we desire to judge charitably as not proceeding from principles of conscience but as a Compliance with the Invaders of the Land Blessed be the Lord our God who knowing our Innocencie and integritie hath made that cloud of reproach so clear to evanish as we trust we are now freed from that calumnie in the judgments and consciences of all judicious and charitable men There is another advantage on your path that you are now free from the temptations which reduced many to act and co●cur●e in these Resolutions for necessity was mainly pretended for what was done which now these temptations being removed can have no place for a ground to renew and re-act the same proceedings We may also adde that time hath fully discovered and clearly determined how ●●●●ground there was on our 〈◊〉 to oppose the ●●●●itting of these men concerning whom the contest was the last year into places of power and trust over the Work and People of God An Overture was made to us at our Meeting in Winter last That we would desist from making use of any power derived from the Generall Assembly 1650. And we conce●ved we had ground to expect on the other hand that no use should have been made of any power by vertue of the Meeting at S. Andrews and Dundee And that in the mean time endeavour should have been used for agreement which was assayed by us once and again but the advantages of the time having setled on another quarter then that season wherein the Overture was made did seem to promise to such who did not well consider principles and parties It is now fallen out other wise and by power from them without any agreement you are now conveened In the Meeting at S. Andrews it was earnestly desi●ed that there might have been an Adjournment which through the Lords blessing might have prevented much of the division that hath since fallen out and the differences that were amongst us might have been more easily removed The breach is now wider and only the strong hand of the Lord can help us If you should now again proceed to assume unto your selves the power and constitute your selves into a Generall Assembly we look upon it as a very great obstruction in the way of our agreement and as that which for ought we can yet see may highten the difference The Lord is calling to Holinesse and to return to the Work of Reformation and purging the Church according to the Word of God and approven rules of this Kirk and not to confirm the last years proceedings which were the chief ground of our Divisions It is a thing beyond all question in reason that all doubts and objections proponed concerning the constitution of an Assembly ought to proceed the constitution and not to follow after it When the question is determined sad experience may teach us from former times what influence an Assembly hath according to its constitution right or wrong for which cause the Generall Assembly 1639. 〈◊〉 determine the keeping and authorizing corrupt Generall Assemblies to be one of the chief causes of the many evils which had befallen this Church in time of defection We do therefore with all tendernesse and due respect earnestly beseech That you will ●●●eo●sly consider how inconvenient and unwarrantable it is for you to constitute your selves into a Generall Assembly and to assume the Power and Authority thereof not only when the Authority by which you are conveened is so much questioned and such prelimitations are upon the elections of Commissioners but when you also want the concurrence of so many Presbyteries who are not clear in their consciences to concur with you And when you want the concurrence of Commissioners from burrows who by reason of their present in capacity cannot send Commissioners to sit in any Assembly And when the far greater part of Commissions from Presbytries and Universities are questioned and contraverted by Dissents and Protestations in their meetings for Election and some by reason of usurpation of them who are no Presbyteries So that we know not how few can be admitted unquestioned Members and besides we beseech you consider how great a snare your former actings which were not to Edification have been to some people to tempt them to the way of separation and to the shaking of the Government of this Church from which as we desire to be keeped free as from a course highly displeasing to God and impedimentall to Reformation So we desire you may not tempt them further and lay new snares in the way of any by your not right using of so precious an Ordinance of Christ as are the Assemblies of this Church Upon these and other grounds we are constrained to make this Application to you That without assuming any such power unto your selves you would be pleased to appoint a Conference with us wherein we may with the Lords Assista●ce search out the causes of his wrath against us and freely and friendly debate concerning our Differences and propone Overtures and Remedies for removing both the one and the other In order thereunto we offer these Propositions herewith communicated for the Subject of our Conference it being our earnest desire that an agreement being made we may through the Lords blessing have a free and lawfull well constituted Generall Assembly And now having laid these our thoughts and desires before you we do solemnly obtest you by the Meeknesse and Gentlesse of Christ by his Consolations and the comfort of his Love and by the fellowship of the Spirit If there be any bowels and mercies by the affection which you bear to the Word of Truth to the Peace and Order of this Church to the Lords precious Ordinances and to his people in this generation and to the posterity that you will take these things into your serious consideration and hearken to our Request Who knoweth but the Lord may have compassion on our condition and bring the blinde by a way they know not lead them in paths they have not known make darknesse light before us and crooked things straight Even do all these things unto us and not forsake us Propositions offered to the meeting of Ministers and others At Edinb. July the 21. 1652. WHereas we and many of the Godly in the Land have been really scandalized and stumbled at the late Acts and proceedings relating to publick resolutions conceiving the same in the nature and intention of the Work to have obstructed and shaken the Work of Reformation although we think honourably of divers Godly and learned men who have been concurring in the same and dare not judge their intentions to be such as we think their work hath been and do allow charity to others

Therefore for satisfaction of our Consciences and for the securing the Work of Reformation for purging the Church and for promoving the power of Godlinesse and for removing of these sad differences and for attaining and preserving a good understanding We desire I. That they give evidence and assurance that they approve of and will adhere unto our Covenants and the solemn Publick Confession of sins and engagement to Duties and all the Acts of the uncontraversed Assemblies of this Church for advancing the work of Reformation in the Litterall and Genuine sense and meaning thereof And that in dispensing of the Ordinances censuring of scandalous persons receiving of Penitents trying admitting removing deposing of Church officers they walk according to the same II. That it may be laid seriously to heart before the Lord how after such a defection and so sad judgements for it the Lord may be restored to his Honour the Land to his Favour and the like defection prevented in time coming III. That as we are ready in our station to follow all religious conscionable means and overtures for securing and guarding of the Cause and VVork of God against Errour Heresie and Schisme on the one hand So they would hold out to us a solide Way for securing the same against dangers from Malignancie on the other And we desire to know what shal be the Characters in time coming by which Malignants may be known and judged IV. That a reall and effectuall course be taken according to the established Rule of this Kirk for purging out and holding out all such from being Church Officers as have not the positive qualifications required in the Word of God and Acts of this Kirk particularly that Ministers deposed by lawfull Assemblies who have intruded themselves or have been unwarnantably restored by Synods and Presbyteries to their charges contrary to the Form and Order prescribed in the Acts of Assemblies be removed and condign censures inflicted and that sufficient provision be made for preventing the like in time coming V. That effectuall means be fallen upon and followed for censuring of all Scandals and scandalous persons and casting out of these who shall be found grosly and obstinately scandalous or ignorant after they are made inexcusable by sufficient means and pains taken for their instructing and reclaiming VI That some course more effectuall then any hath been fallen upon hitherto may be condescended upon for putting in execution the Acts of this Kirk anent debarring from the Lords Table such persons who are found not to walk sutable to the Gospel and have not the knowledge to examine themselves and to discern the Lords Body VII That in the receiving of Penitents care may be had that none be admitted to the publick Profession of Repentance or reconciled to the Church but these who are found to give such evidence of their Repentance as is expressed in the Acts of the Assemblies concerning the receiving of Penitents VIII That an effectuall course may be taken for securing of the Work and People of God from the harme and evill consequences which bath already and may further ensue from the late pretended Assembly at St. Andrews and Dundee and the Acts thereof and for preserving the right constitution of free Generall Assemblies for time to come Subscribed in name of many Ministers Elders and Professors throughout the Land who desire Truth and Peace by Mr. Andrew Cant. Unto the Reverend the Ministers and Elders met at Edinburgh July 21. 1652. The Protestation of the Ministers Elders and Professors under subscribing for themselves and in name of many others well-affected Ministers Elders and People IT is so wel known to divers of your number what peaceable endeavours we have used without successe in order to the removing of the differences that are amongst us that we shall not trouble you therewith nor how we were neglected in the sending timeous advertisements for your last Meeting in this place where a desire of reconciliation was presented but peremptorily the electing and sending of Commissioners from Presbyteries to keep the day indicted by the pretended authority of the Meeting at Dundee was concluded on as the only mean to heal our breach and not so much as some few dayes of delay could be obtained by these few of our number which were then present whereby they might give advertisement to others We have laboured with some in private and have given a Paper to all in publick with some Propositions wherein we have the concurrence of the generality of the Godly in the Land earnestly entreating a conference wherein we might have opportunity with the Lords assistance to have laid before you the Causes of the Lords controversie against the Land and how we might be united in the Lord being ready also to have heard what you should offer to us upon the same subject but this ye have denied unto us and proceeded to assume the power and constitute your selves into a Generall Assembly It is a burden upon our spirits and we have no delight to be contesting with and opposing any who professe themselves to be maintainers of the Government of this Kirk but the truth is with grief of heart we desire to speak it for we think that it doth much provoke the Lord and threaten his departure from the Land that although with the renewing of the Nationall Covenant and with the casting out of Prelates and the corruptions introduced by them the Lord was graciously pleased to give repentance to not a few who were involved in that defection yet since that time there hath alwayes remained a corrupt party of insufficient scandalous and ill-affected Ministers in this Kirk enemies to the power of Godlinesse and Obstructers of the Work of Reformation and purging of the Kirk whereof many were sworn Vassals to the Prelats as we are able to make good by their subscriptions to horrid oaths this party complied with the times and pretended for Reformation though they were groaning under it as a heavy yoke which they could not endure as did appear by their carriage and expressions upon several occasions when any revolution offered them the opportunity of discovering their mindes particularly in the time of James Grahams Prevailing and of the Engagement against England and having of lategotten a greater advantage then at any time before since the beginning of this Reformation by the publick Resolutions and actings of the Commission for bringing in of the Malignant party to places of power and trust and bearing down of such as were opposers of these Resolutions and had bin faithfull and straight in the Cause and stirring up the Civill Magistrate against them subjecting also the liberty of the Word in the mouth of Christs Ambassadors for the reproof of sin to the immediat judiciall cognisance restraint and censure of the Civill Magistrate contrary to the many Acts and practices of our Predecessors grounded on the Word of God and our Covenants having the countenance of King State and Army and

diverse worthy and gracious men of whom we shall ever esteem honourable and love them dearly upon consideration of the straits and pressures of the time concurring also with them in the Publick Resolutions that Party perceiving that they were not able to endure tryall in a time of Reformation and purging began the last year to lift up their heads and speak the language of their own being much encouraged by the Constitution Acts and Censures of the pretended Assembly at S. Andrews and Dundee they have so strengthened themselves by their practices since in the Judicatories of the Kirk as they now carry the determinations therof to their own ends And may we not with sad hearts say what can be expected from such of whom we have experience how forward they are to favour wicked men and every evill course to persecute such as make conscience to seek the Lord in sincerity of heart and suppresse the power of godlinesse and to open the door of the Ministery to such as for insufficiencie scandals or dis-affection have been justly deposed and to bring in the like In regard whereof we wish there were not too great cause to make use of the words of the Prophet I have seen also in the Prophets of Jerusalem saith the Lord a herrid thing they strengthen the hands of evil doers that none doth return from his wickednes therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts concerning the Prophets Behold I will feed them with wormwood and make them drink the water of gall for from the Prophets of Jerusalem is prophaneness gone forth into all the land These things we speak not to reflect upon the Ordinances of Jesus Christ in this Land it shall be our stedfast purpose as the Lord shall enable us to maintain the Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government of this Kirk and particularly the Nationall Assemblies which we look upon as a rich priviledge and speciall blessing from Heaven for suppressing errour on the one hand and prophanenesse on the other so long as they are preserved from corruption in the constitution thereof And we trust all who are acquainted with the principles and practices of our worthy Predecessors and of the learned and godly non-Conformists in England wil easily see how far we are from their judgments who follow the wayes of separation We hold it our duty firmly to adhere to the Church of Scotland wherein through the Lords goodnes we do this day enjoy the purity of Doctrine and Worship and the Government which Christ hath appointed in his House though there be corruptions in the Constitution of a pretended Assembly Whereby we are deprived of the benefit of a free lawfull and well constitute Assembly for the present where we meet with corruptions we shall the Lord assisting disclaime and oppose them And herein we have the approbation of the first and second Assembly of this Kirk in the beginning of this last Reformation the one annulling and declaring void six severall Assemblies upon many of the same grounds for which we do protest against the present corrupt Assemblies And the other having clearly determined the keeping and Authorizing corrupt Generall Assemblies to have been one of the chief causes of the many evills which have befallen this Church We trust in the Lord our God that our Actions shall abundantly witnesse for us in this respect and so we shall not further insist upon it We have clear grounds in Scripture to warrand us to plead and testific against Corruption and therefore being sensible that there is a course of defection carried on in the Church we have endeavoured first to prevent the same in the beginnings thereof and afterward to give Testimony against it as it comes to be discovered to us We have since studied in a Christian and brotherly way to reclaime the Authors thereof and these that have concurred with them and now when still we perceive our labours and endeavours to be without successe as we professe our adherence to former Testimonies against the late Defection so we are necessitated to adde this upon the grounds before mentioned and for all or some of the Reasons following I. This meeting hath dependance upon and the power and authority to which it can lay claime for the indiction thereof is derived from the pretended Assembly which met at St. Andrews and adjourned to Dundee which being unfree unlawfull and corrupt cannot derive or communicate to another that which it had not in it self II. It is constitute after the same manner for the most part of the Members constituted as the former pretended Assembly of Persons which were Authors and Abettors of and have carried on a course of defection in this Church contrary to the VVord of God the solemn League and Covenant the solemn Engagement and the expresse Acts and Declarations of the Kirk which Persons being under so great a scandall are by the Acts of the Kirk incapable to be Members of Generall Assemblies III. Because of the pre-limitation of Election by the Acts made at Dundee injoyning Provinciall Synods and Presbyteries to proceed with the Censures of the Kirk against Ministers Students Expectants Professors who altogether opposed the Publick Resolutions or shall not acquiesce to the Acts made at Dundee and so excludes all who are not involved in the course of defection as incapable of election which is a corrupt rule for election and constituting Assemblies and in pursuance thereof there were several pre-limitations made since by severall Synods and Ptesbyteries in their Acts Ratifying the Proceedings of the pretended Assembly at Dundee IV. There are many Presbyteries who have expresly refused to send Commissioners to this meeting as an Assembly and who do concur in Protesting against the same and where Presbyteries have sent Commissioners the Elections are generally contraverted there being Protestations made or at least dissents entred against most of their Elections upon good grounds conform to the Acts of the Kirk also there be wanting Commissioners from Burrows who in regard of their present incapacity cannot send Commissioners The generality of the godly in the Land go along with us and approve our protesting against this meeting as an unlawfull and corrupt Assembly Therefore from the zeal we owe to the glory of God to this Cause and Truth the Duty of our Callings as set for the defence of the Gospel and according to our Covenant wherein we are bound to prevent and reveal all parties and courses contrary thereunto from the sense of the awful judgements of an angry God both felt and feared for these begun and continued in-defections that we may according to the example of our forefathers acquit our selves as guiltlesse of this growing Apostacie to the present age and transmit to our posterity the right Constitution of free and lawfull Generall Assemblies and to prevent the Lords giving a Bill of divorce to the Land We do hereby solemnly Declare and Protest against the Constitution Authority Acts and Proceedings of this pretended Assembly