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church_n communion_n hold_v schism_n 2,955 5 9.8292 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A75377 An account of the methods and motives of the late union and submission to the assembly offered and subscribed by Mr. Thomas Lining, Mr. Allexander Sheilds, Mr. William Boyd 1691 (1691) Wing A324B; ESTC R229748 40,969 47

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those_o minister_n and_o preacher_n who_o have_v former_o act_v independent_o upon_o their_o brethren_n preach_v collegiat_o with_o some_o minister_n settle_v in_o a_o presbytry_n for_o remove_v of_o former_a stumbling_n and_o final_o that_o such_o fail_n be_v lay_v to_o heart_n by_o all_o sort_n of_o minister_n and_o preacher_n as_o they_o be_v convince_v of_o that_o they_o be_v set_v down_o in_o order_n and_o pitch_v on_o as_o cause_n of_o a_o public_a fast_o and_o humiliation_n upon_o some_o week_n day_n through_o all_o the_o meeting_n of_o presbyterian_o within_o this_o kingdom_n and_o that_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o people_n be_v intermix_v among_o these_o cause_n &c_n &c_n this_o be_v the_o sum_n of_o the_o overture_n offer_v by_o these_o reverend_a minister_n only_o in_o their_o own_o name_n but_o they_o promise_v to_o meditate_v with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o minister_n for_o according_a thereunto_o in_o answer_n to_o these_o we_o propose_v these_o overture_n premit_v also_o 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when_o prelacy_n come_v in_o
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present_a who_o after_o his_o brother_n have_v conclude_v in_o a_o few_o word_n offer_v to_o speak_v and_o at_o great_a length_n to_o enlarge_v his_o reply_n to_o some_o thing_n express_v by_o the_o reverend_a moderator_n in_o his_o exhortation_n but_o it_o seem_v that_o some_o of_o the_o assembly_n have_v a_o suspicion_n that_o possible_o he_o may_v in_o his_o accustom_a fervour_n bring_v forth_o something_o that_o may_v have_v be_v irritate_v which_o yet_o he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o design_v that_o he_o have_v resolve_v and_o premeditate_v to_o say_v nothing_o but_o what_o may_v corroborate_v &_o justify_v the_o union_n and_o to_o show_v what_o be_v his_o inducement_n to_o it_o and_o how_o consistent_a it_o be_v with_o his_o former_a principle_n and_o practice_n for_o when_o he_o offer_v to_o speak_v the_o moderator_n and_o other_o also_o request_v he_o to_o forbear_v whereunto_o he_o yield_v not_o at_o all_o suspect_v or_o foresee_v that_o any_o will_v stumble_v at_o this_o ordinary_a piece_n of_o discretion_n at_o which_o we_o understand_v since_o that_o some_o friend_n have_v be_v offend_v interpret_n this_o silence_n to_o have_v be_v a_o recee_n from_o our_o testimony_n but_o true_o as_o he_o have_v intend_v not_o to_o have_v be_v silent_a and_o if_o he_o have_v think_v this_o can_v have_v be_v stumble_v to_o any_o will_v rather_o have_v venture_v upon_o the_o censure_n of_o his_o discourse_n then_o to_o be_v so_o misconstruct_v for_o his_o silence_n so_o consider_v the_o assembly_n reiterate_v urge_v he_o to_o forbear_v by_o way_n of_o request_n not_o of_o command_n and_o how_o necessary_a condescension_n be_v in_o these_o circumstantial_o of_o union_n what_o his_o brother_n also_o have_v say_v before_o he_o and_o how_o there_o be_v no_o other_o testimony_n ever_o design_v by_o we_o but_o that_o in_o the_o large_a paper_n exhibit_v in_o write_v he_o do_v not_o think_v he_o be_v call_v to_o contend_v for_o speak_v any_o more_o at_o that_o time_n this_o be_v the_o true_a short_a and_o yet_o full_a narrative_a of_o the_o whole_a transaction_n which_o we_o think_v needful_a to_o publish_v in_o all_o the_o particular_n of_o it_o to_o discover_v the_o falsehood_n of_o the_o various_a misreport_n industrious_o spread_v of_o it_o by_o those_o that_o envy_v the_o union_n of_o presbyterian_o reflect_v upon_o the_o assembly_n as_o well_o as_o reproach_v we_o and_o impose_v upon_o the_o people_n who_o be_v inform_v sometime_o that_o the_o assembly_n carry_v very_o imperious_o in_o impose_v upon_o we_o as_o the_o condition_n of_o our_o be_v receive_v to_o confess_v on_o our_o knee_n many_o error_n and_o extravagance_n in_o witness_v against_o these_o course_n we_o call_v corruption_n and_o to_o condemn_v and_o renounce_v all_o our_o testimony_n and_o that_o we_o resile_v and_o recede_v from_o every_o point_n for_o which_o we_o can_v contend_v with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o clamour_n on_o the_o hill_n but_o have_v nothing_o to_o say_v when_o we_o come_v before_o the_o assembly_n and_o sometime_o again_o that_o we_o carry_v very_o insolent_o before_o they_o and_o in_o our_o paper_n upbraid_v the_o whole_a assembly_n and_o yet_o other_o interpret_v our_o condescend_v to_o the_o assembly_n dispose_v of_o the_o paper_n as_o abovesaid_a to_o be_v a_o betray_n and_o bury_v of_o it_o and_o the_o testimony_n that_o be_v in_o it_o against_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o land_n to_o confute_v all_o which_o calumny_n and_o to_o submit_v our_o paper_n to_o the_o censure_n of_o all_o that_o will_v take_v notice_n of_o they_o as_o we_o have_v offer_v they_o to_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n representative_a we_o shall_v here_o subjoin_v the_o paper_n themselves_o the_o short_a paper_n to_o the_o moderator_n and_o remanent_fw-la member_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n of_o this_o church_n with_o the_o great_a earnestness_n of_o longing_n we_o have_v desire_v and_o yet_o with_o a_o patience_n perhaps_o to_o excess_n we_o have_v wait_v for_o a_o opportunity_n to_o bring_v our_o unhappy_a difference_n of_o which_o all_o party_n concern_v be_v weary_a to_o a_o happy_a and_o holy_a close_o and_o for_o this_o end_n to_o have_v access_n to_o apply_v ourselves_o to_o a_o full_a and_o free_a general_n assembly_n of_o this_o church_n invest_v with_o authority_n and_o power_n in_o foro_fw-la divino_fw-la &_o humano_fw-la to_o determine_v and_o cognose_n upon_o they_o the_o want_n of_o which_o a_o assembly_n constitute_v in_o that_o vigour_n to_o which_o through_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n this_o venerable_a national_a synod_n have_v arrive_v have_v be_v the_o great_a let_v and_o impediment_n of_o our_o compose_v the_o say_a difference_n in_o a_o way_n wherein_o not_o only_o we_o but_o all_o of_o the_o same_o sentiment_n will_v acquiesce_v now_o have_v obtain_v this_o much_o long_v and_o long_o pray_v for_o privilege_n we_o can_v forbear_v any_o long_a humble_o to_o accost_n and_o address_v this_o venerable_a assembly_n with_o a_o free_a and_o ingenuous_a representation_n of_o our_o mind_n and_o desire_n the_o scope_n of_o which_o be_v to_o represent_v those_o thing_n which_o have_v be_v most_o stumble_a to_o we_o for_o the_o exoneration_n of_o our_o conscience_n and_o to_o declare_v our_o design_n after_o we_o have_v exhibit_v our_o testimony_n against_o these_o course_n which_o we_o understand_v to_o have_v be_v corruption_n and_o defection_n in_o this_o church_n and_o lay_v it_o down_o at_o the_o assembly_n foot_n to_o be_v dispose_v of_o as_o their_o wisdom_n shall_v think_v fit_a that_o we_o shall_v in_o all_o require_a submission_n subject_n ourselves_o our_o life_n and_o doctrine_n to_o the_o cognizance_n of_o the_o judicatories_n of_o this_o church_n and_o shall_v equal_o oppose_v schism_n and_o defection_n in_o any_o capacity_n that_o we_o shall_v be_v find_v capable_a of_o and_o here_o by_o these_o present_n we_o bound_v and_o oblige_v ourselves_o faithful_o to_o live_v in_o union_n and_o communion_n entire_a subjection_n and_o due_a obedience_n in_o the_o lord_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o this_o church_n in_o her_o respective_a judicatories_n as_o witness_v our_o hand_n at_o edinburgh_n tho._n lining_n al._n sheild_n will._n boyd_n the_o large_a paper_n to_o the_o moderator_n and_o remanent_fw-la member_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n now_o convene_v at_o edinburgh_n the_o humble_a proposal_n of_o mr._n thomas_n lining_n mr._n alexander_n sheild_n and_o mr._n william_n boyd_n if_o our_o eye_n can_v suitable_o affect_v our_o heart_n this_o day_n right_o reverend_a we_o may_v find_v much_o matter_n both_o of_o rejoice_v and_o mourn_v in_o the_o wounderful_a commencement_n and_o advancement_n of_o this_o work_n of_o reformation_n as_o at_o the_o jew_n return_v from_o babylon_n to_o jerusalem_n the_o priest_n and_o levite_n and_o all_o the_o people_n shout_v with_o a_o great_a shout_n when_o they_o praise_v
land_n of_o many_o weight_n and_o woe_n whereof_o it_o be_v weary_a you_o shall_v send_v to_o all_o the_o neighbour_a church_n a_o pattern_n transmit_v to_o the_o posterity_n a_o example_n and_o erect_v to_o all_o age_n a_o monument_n of_o self-denying_a zeal_n and_o wisdom_n a_o work_n to_o be_v paralel_v with_o the_o glory_n of_o former_a time_n if_o herein_o our_o hope_n shall_v fail_v we_o we_o shall_v not_o know_v whether_o to_o wish_v we_o have_v die_v with_o our_o brethren_n by_o the_o enemy_n hand_n and_o have_v never_o see_v this_o revive_v in_o our_o bondage_n for_o it_o will_v be_v a_o death_n to_o we_o and_o not_o a_o revive_n if_o there_o be_v not_o a_o return_v together_o to_o the_o lord_n search_v and_o try_v and_o discover_v the_o iniquity_n of_o our_o way_n but_o however_o we_o intend_v not_o to_o separat_fw-la from_o the_o church_n but_o to_o union_n and_o communion_n in_o truth_n and_o duty_n with_o all_o the_o minister_n and_o member_n of_o this_o church_n that_o do_v and_o in_o so_o far_o as_o they_o do_v follow_v the_o institution_n of_o christ_n and_o to_o approve_v ourselves_o god_n assist_v as_o much_o for_o peace_n and_o concord_n as_o ever_o we_o be_v suspect_v to_o be_v man_n of_o divisive_a principle_n hope_v it_o shall_v appear_v we_o be_v seek_v where_o he_o feed_v and_o where_o he_o make_v his_o flock_n to_o rest_v at_o noon_n and_o be_v not_o as_o such_o who_o turn_v aside_o by_o the_o flock_n of_o his_o companion_n but_o go_v forth_o by_o the_o footstep_n of_o the_o flock_n beside_o the_o shepherd_n tent_n yet_o with_o this_o protest_a dissent_n from_o and_o testimony_n against_o all_o the_o above_o mention_v corruption_n defection_n and_o offensive_a course_n which_o oblige_v we_o to_o stand_v at_o a_o distance_n in_o time_n of_o deformation_n that_o our_o present_a join_n in_o these_o circumstance_n when_o these_o be_v remove_v may_v not_o infer_v or_o be_v interpret_v a_o approve_v of_o what_o we_o former_o condemn_v and_o be_v free_a from_o all_o partake_n in_o these_o defection_n by_o consent_n connivance_n compliance_n or_o communion_n therein_o for_o which_o we_o bumble_o supplicate_v that_o these_o our_o humble_a proposal_n may_v be_v record_v in_o the_o book_n of_o assembly_n tho._n lining_n al._n sheild_n will._n boyd_n the_o act_n of_o assembly_n hereanent_fw-la which_o the_o reverend_a minister_n that_o be_v appoint_v to_o draw_v it_o be_v please_v first_o to_o let_v we_o see_v and_o upon_o our_o object_v against_o some_o expression_n of_o the_o first_o draught_n do_v condescend_v to_o amend_v it_o be_v here_o annex_v edinburgh_n 25._o octob._n 1690._o ante_fw-la merid._n sess_n 9_o whereas_o mr._n thomas_n lining_n mr._n allexander_n sheild_n and_o mr._n wil-boyd_n have_v present_v to_o this_o assembly_n two_o paper_n one_o contain_v the_o expression_n of_o their_o purpose_n and_o promise_v of_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o authority_n of_o this_o church_n as_o former_o constitute_v and_o now_o restore_v in_o its_o several_a judicatories_n the_o other_o offer_v for_o the_o exoneration_n of_o their_o conscience_n which_o paper_n contain_v their_o submission_n and_o subjection_n do_v after_o the_o exhibition_n of_o the_o other_o to_o the_o assembly_n become_v bind_v upon_o they_o according_a to_o the_o promise_n therein_o make_v like_o as_o after_o that_o other_o and_o long_a paper_n have_v be_v read_v before_o the_o committee_n of_o overture_n it_o be_v exhibit_v to_o and_o receive_v by_o the_o assembly_n together_o with_o the_o reason_n from_o the_o say_a committee_n why_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v public_o read_v in_o full_a assembly_n which_o reason_n be_v due_o consider_v and_o the_o say_v other_o paper_n of_o submission_n and_o subjection_n public_o read_v and_o judicial_o own_v by_o the_o forename_a person_n in_o presence_n of_o the_o assembly_n the_o assembly_n do_v conclude_v by_o one_o single_a vote_n that_o the_o foresay_a long_o paper_n shall_v not_o be_v read_v and_o that_o the_o above_o name_v person_n shall_v be_v receive_v into_o the_o fellowship_n of_o this_o church_n on_o the_o term_n of_o submission_n and_o subjection_n contain_v in_o the_o say_a paper_n and_o after_o pass_v of_o the_o say_a vote_n and_o that_o they_o be_v grave_o admonish_v by_o the_o moderator_n to_o walk_v orderly_o in_o time_n come_v in_o opposition_n to_o all_o schism_n &_o division_n it_o be_v declare_v to_o they_o by_o the_o moderator_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o assembly_n that_o the_o assembly_n do_v receive_v they_o into_o the_o fellowship_n of_o this_o church_n to_o enjoy_v the_o privilege_n thereof_o and_o perform_v the_o duty_n therein_o whereof_o they_o be_v or_o shall_v be_v find_v capable_a whereupon_o and_o at_o their_o desire_n it_o be_v ordain_v that_o the_o act_n shall_v be_v make_v and_o a_o extract_v thereof_o give_v to_o they_o in_o good_a form_n extract_v out_o of_o the_o record_n of_o the_o assembly_n jo._n spalding_n cls._n syn._n gen._n from_o which_o act_n we_o shall_v only_o take_v notice_n of_o two_o thing_n one_o be_v that_o our_o paper_n of_o proposal_n be_v neither_o refuse_v or_o reject_v but_o receive_v by_o the_o assembly_n nor_o be_v it_o canvas_v or_o cognosce_v upon_o because_o judge_v inconvenient_a to_o be_v read_v nor_o be_v it_o condemn_v without_o cognizance_n or_o decision_n by_o the_o character_n give_v of_o it_o in_o the_o overture_n since_o it_o be_v plain_a the_o vote_n of_o the_o assembly_n be_v not_o whether_o the_o reason_n or_o character_n give_v in_o the_o overture_n shall_v be_v approven_v or_o not_o but_o it_o be_v conclude_v by_o one_o single_a vote_n only_o that_o the_o foresay_a long_o paper_n shall_v not_o be_v read_v and_o that_o the_o abovenamed_a person_n shall_v be_v receive_v etc._n etc._n as_o the_o act_n declare_v there_o be_v a_o great_a difference_n betwixt_o the_o vote_v that_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v read_v and_o vote_v that_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v read_v for_o these_o reason_n of_o the_o overture_n a_o second_o be_v that_o it_o appear_v we_o be_v receive_v into_o the_o communion_n of_o this_o church_n upon_o no_o term_n condemnatory_n of_o or_o contradictory_n unto_o our_o former_a testimony_n but_o only_o on_o the_o term_n of_o submission_n and_o subjection_n contain_v in_o the_o short_a paper_n which_o short_a paper_n do_v introduce_v our_o testimony_n and_o oblige_v we_o to_o submission_n and_o subjection_n after_o the_o exhibition_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o the_o submission_n can_v not_o be_v contrary_a to_o it_o but_o now_o to_o conclude_v with_o a_o hint_n at_o our_o motive_n that_o induce_v we_o to_o this_o union_n which_o may_v be_v as_o various_o misconstruct_v and_o misrepresent_v as_o our_o design_n be_v in_o apply_v to_o the_o assembly_n for_o it_o and_o as_o the_o manner_n and_o effect_n of_o that_o application_n be_v the_o mistake_n whereof_o be_v touch_v above_o we_o can_v with_o some_o singleness_n of_o heart_n say_v as_o far_o as_o infirmity_n or_o corruption_n may_v allow_v that_o we_o be_v not_o induce_v to_o it_o from_o any_o carnal_a motive_n or_o for_o any_o selfish_a end_n it_o be_v not_o any_o lucrative_a prospect_n of_o outward_a profit_n or_o emolument_n in_o settlement_n or_o anxiety_n for_o provision_n that_o prompt_v we_o to_o it_o neither_o be_v it_o the_o allure_a pleasure_n of_o peace_n and_o ease_n and_o the_o expectation_n of_o better_a accommodation_n than_o we_o can_v have_v in_o a_o unsettle_a lot_n or_o impatience_n under_o the_o inconvenience_n thereof_o that_o persuade_v we_o to_o it_o nor_o be_v it_o the_o hope_n of_o airy_a honour_n and_o popular_a applause_n which_o we_o have_v in_o great_a measure_n and_o with_o great_a noise_n as_o we_o stand_v before_o and_o which_o we_o can_v not_o well_o expect_v by_o submission_n but_o rather_o the_o contrare_fw-la tho'_o to_o get_v the_o honour_n of_o be_v peaceable_a and_o faithful_a and_o the_o blessing_n of_o peacemaker_n be_v true_o the_o 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jesus_n and_o injury_n to_o his_o church_n be_v do_v by_o the_o introduction_n of_o abjure_a diocesan_n and_o erastian_n prelacy_n and_o the_o several_a degree_n of_o compliance_n therewith_o as_o minister_n leave_v their_o pastoral_a charge_n at_o the_o command_n of_o the_o magistrate_n and_o lay_v aside_o the_o exercise_n of_o their_o ministry_n give_v way_n unto_o and_o not_o testify_v against_o the_o intrusion_n of_o prelatic_a curate_n particular_o own_v &_o submit_v to_o their_o ministry_n &_o receive_v ordinance_n dispense_v by_o they_o and_o by_o counsel_n and_o example_n encourage_v other_o to_o do_v the_o like_a which_o we_o can_v but_o plead_v and_o protest_v against_o as_o sinful_a and_o scandalous_a 1._o because_o they_o be_v and_o be_v inanife_a intruder_n not_o enter_v in_o at_o the_o door_n in_o the_o way_n and_o order_n of_o christ_n not_o have_v yea_o despise_v and_o renounce_v a_o call_n from_o the_o people_n and_o ordination_n by_o the_o presbytrie_n and_o have_v no_o other_o external_a call_v authority_n or_o right_o to_o officiate_v in_o this_o church_n as_o its_o proper_a pastor_n but_o the_o collation_n of_o bishop_n and_o presentation_n of_o patron_n who_o be_v none_o of_o christ_n officer_n and_o forefault_v and_o forego_v any_o other_o right_o that_o any_o of_o they_o former_o can_v pretend_v to_o by_o palpable_a defection_n to_o the_o enemy_n of_o this_o church_n 2._o because_o both_o in_o principle_n and_o profession_n and_o in_o the_o way_n of_o their_o entry_n unto_o their_o pastoral_a charge_n they_o be_v and_o be_v erastians_n derive_v their_o power_n from_o and_o subject_v it_o in_o its_o exercise_n to_o another_o head_n then_o christ_n the_o magistrate_n supremacy_n by_o which_o only_o they_o be_v authorize_v without_o christ_n warrant_n or_o the_o church_n consent_n 3._o because_o they_o be_v and_o be_v schismatic_n who_o cause_v division_n and_o offence_n contrary_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o this_o church_n break_v her_o union_n and_o order_n go_v out_o themselves_o from_o the_o fellowship_n of_o this_o church_n and_o lead_v people_n away_o from_o her_o vow_a reformation_n yea_o who_o violent_o thrust_v out_o and_o persecute_v her_o faithful_a pastor_n and_o child_n for_o adhere_v to_o that_o reformation_n which_o they_o design_v to_o raze_v and_o ruin_v 4._o because_o they_o be_v and_o be_v perjure_a covenant_n breaker_n avowed_o disow_v our_o covenant_n and_o state_v in_o opposition_n to_o that_o reformation_n which_o be_v therein_o swear_v to_o be_v maintain_v 5._o because_o they_o be_v &_o be_v in_o several_a point_n erroneous_a in_o their_o doctrine_n many_o of_o they_o taint_v with_o the_o leaven_n of_o popery_n arminianism_n and_o socinianism_n &_o all_o of_o they_o heteradox_n in_o the_o point_n of_o the_o magistrate_n power_n in_o church_n matter_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o oath_n and_o in_o condemn_v the_o work_n of_o our_o reformation_n and_o covenant_n seduce_v thereby_o their_o hearer_n and_o both_o positive_o by_o these_o doctrine_n &_o
our_o sentiment_n be_v shallow_a and_o changeable_a as_o other_o man_n have_v the_o imperfection_n of_o mutability_n as_o well_o as_o fallibility_n common_a to_o all_o in_o this_o side_n of_o time_n nevertheless_o it_o be_v not_o any_o change_n of_o sentiment_n but_o only_o change_v of_o providential_a circumstance_n that_o make_v we_o now_o submit_v and_o not_o before_o for_o as_o we_o adhere_v to_o our_o testimony_n exhibit_v to_o the_o venerable_a assembly_n and_o to_o the_o substance_n of_o all_o our_o former_a testimovy_n so_o we_o know_v no_o truth_n or_o duty_n that_o ever_o we_o assert_v or_o contend_v for_o but_o what_o we_o think_v we_o can_v seal_v with_o our_o blood_n if_o we_o be_v call_v to_o it_o and_o we_o know_v no_o corruption_n defection_n or_o sin_n that_o ever_o we_o witness_v against_o or_o withdraw_v from_o but_o what_o we_o will_v yet_o contend_v against_o and_o withdraw_v from_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n if_o we_o be_v in_o the_o same_o circumstance_n and_o yet_o think_v ourselves_o oblige_v to_o contend_v and_o witness_v against_o but_o not_o in_o a_o divide_a way_n but_o in_o a_o way_n of_o order_n and_o union_n according_a to_o the_o apostle_n way_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o prophet_n be_v subject_n to_o the_o prophet_n our_o true_a and_o sincere_a motive_n then_o induce_v we_o to_o union_n and_o submission_n which_o in_o these_o circumstance_n have_v such_o force_n on_o our_o conscience_n that_o we_o dare_v not_o resist_v for_o a_o world_n be_v these_o i._o it_o be_v ever_o our_o judgement_n that_o union_n and_o communion_n be_v necessary_a among_o the_o people_n of_o god_n when_o ever_o it_o can_v be_v attain_v or_o entertain_v without_o sin_n in_o that_o case_n at_o all_o time_n opinionum_fw-la varietas_fw-la &_o opinantium_fw-la vnitas_fw-la may_v well_o consist_v which_o truth_n be_v found_v upon_o scripture_n precept_n promise_n and_o precedent_n command_v confirm_v and_o commend_v the_o duty_n of_o mutual_a love_n reconciliation_n peace_n union_n and_o communion_n among_o the_o people_n of_o god_n even_o when_o there_o be_v several_a dissension_n faint_n failling_n offence_n corruption_n and_o defection_n among_o they_o in_o several_a circumstance_n nowayes_o involve_v the_o joiner_n in_o sin_n but_o so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o present_a circumstance_n we_o may_v have_v such_o union_n and_o communion_n without_o partake_v of_o their_o guilt_n with_o who_o we_o join_v for_o the_o sin_n and_o scandal_n that_o scar_v we_o from_o this_o benefit_n in_o time_n of_o defection_n and_o division_n be_v so_o far_o happy_o remove_v and_o antiquate_a that_o they_o be_v neither_o establish_v in_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n nor_o ratify_v and_o approven_v in_o act_n of_o assembly_n nor_o persist_v in_o by_o present_a administration_n nor_o any_o way_n affect_v ministerial_a exercise_n nor_o do_v they_o continue_v to_o be_v our_o snare_n and_o stumbling-block_n either_o to_o involve_v we_o in_o the_o guilt_n of_o they_o or_o to_o keep_v we_o still_o jangle_v about_o they_o and_o consequent_o must_v cease_v to_o be_v ground_n of_o separation_n there_o be_v now_o no_o part_n of_o the_o presbyterian_a ministry_n that_o in_o ministerial_a exercise_n be_v hamper_v with_o or_o have_v any_o dependence_n on_o exotic_a erastian_n usurpation_n none_o of_o their_o meeting_n do_v now_o hold_v their_o freedom_n from_o nor_o be_v modify_v by_o the_o supremacy_n or_o any_o encroach_a power_n and_o therefore_o in_o our_o present_a communion_n we_o keep_v ourselves_o free_a of_o all_o participation_n with_o these_o corruption_n now_o remove_v and_o our_o join_v can_v not_o so_o much_o as_o be_v interpret_v a_o submit_v to_o or_o comply_v with_o any_o defection_n direct_o or_o indirect_o it_o be_v true_a the_o guilt_n of_o these_o defection_n remain_v as_o long_o as_o they_o be_v not_o acknowledge_v but_o the_o establishment_n of_o they_o the_o practice_n of_o they_o the_o present_a offence_n and_o tentation_n of_o they_o do_v not_o remain_v it_o remain_v to_o be_v their_o guilt_n that_o will_v not_o acknowledge_v they_o and_o they_o that_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o guilt_n of_o they_o and_o will_v not_o confess_v so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v convince_v from_o search_v the_o scripture_n and_o their_o own_o conscience_n show_v themselves_o no_o friend_n to_o the_o church_n peace_n but_o if_o because_o they_o will_v not_o hear_v our_o soul_n shall_v weep_v in_o secret_a place_n &_o as_o we_o be_v call_v we_o do_v not_o omit_v a_o witness_n against_o these_o defection_n the_o want_n of_o that_o confession_n through_o want_n of_o conviction_n of_o the_o sinfulness_n of_o these_o course_n offend_v we_o can_v neither_o be_v a_o sin_n to_o we_o nor_o a_o ground_n of_o separation_n be_v only_o a_o difference_n of_o judgement_n which_o we_o always_o disclaim_v to_o be_v a_o ground_n of_o withdraw_a 2_o it_o be_v always_o our_o judgement_n and_o intention_n that_o when_o ever_o presbyterial_a government_n in_o its_o court_n power_n order_n and_o freedom_n be_v establish_v we_o shall_v submit_v to_o it_o nay_o it_o be_v not_o only_o our_o resolution_n but_o our_o engagement_n at_o the_o renew_n of_o the_o covenant_n that_o we_o shall_v not_o separate_a from_o any_o part_n of_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o true_a reform_a covenant_v church_n of_o scotland_n hold_v pure_o and_o entire_o the_o doctoine_n worship_n discipline_n and_o government_n of_o the_o same_o in_o principle_n and_o exercise_n according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o christ_n and_o stand_v act_n and_o constitution_n of_o this_o churth_n and_o that_o then_o we_o shall_v study_v to_o maintain_v union_n and_o communion_n in_o truth_n and_o duty_n with_o all_o the_o minister_n and_o member_n of_o this_o church_n that_o do_v and_o in_o so_o far_o as_o they_o do_v follow_v the_o institution_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o when_o they_o return_v unto_o and_o fix_v their_o ground_n on_o the_o old_a establish_a foundation_n according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n &_o constitution_n of_o this_o church_n settle_v before_o the_o covenant_v reformation_n stop_v we_o shall_v then_o embrace_v and_o maintain_v union_n and_o communion_n with_o they_o and_o submission_n to_o they_o in_o the_o lord_n but_o so_o it_o be_v that_o all_o the_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n be_v establish_v in_o purity_n and_o freedom_n the_o doctrine_n be_v assert_v in_o the_o confession_n of_o faith_n now_o ratify_v in_o parliament_n and_o several_a controvert_v truth_n former_o obscure_v by_o calumny_n be_v now_o victorious_o vindicate_v the_o worship_n now_o not_o tolerate_v but_o establish_v and_o authorize_v and_o administer_v in_o purity_n plenty_n and_o peace_n and_o the_o light_n of_o the_o church_n be_v no_o more_o hide_v under_o bed_n or_o bushel_n but_o set_v and_o shine_a on_o the_o candlestick_n to_o give_v light_n to_o all_o that_o be_v in_o the_o house_n and_o the_o discipline_n and_o government_n presbyterial_a be_v now_o restore_v to_o what_o it_o be_v anno_o 1592._o wherefore_o we_o must_v needs_o return_v to_o our_o ancient_a union_n communion_n and_o order_n when_o the_o church_n be_v now_o return_v to_o the_o enjoyment_n and_o establishment_n of_o her_o ancient_a constitution_n when_o the_o prelatic_a erastian_n antichristian_a and_o tyrannical_a usurpation_n on_o the_o church_n right_n and_o the_o defection_n and_o corruption_n flow_v therefrom_o and_o introduce_v thereby_o be_v remove_v and_o the_o church_n intrinsic_a power_n and_o capacity_n to_o remove_v legal_o all_o remain_a offence_n be_v restore_v and_o redintegrate_v we_o can_v not_o but_o submit_v ourselves_o &_o pay_v that_o deference_n to_o ecclesiastic_a judicatories_n fence_v in_o the_o name_n of_o our_o only_a head_n and_o king_n jesus_n christ_n as_o to_o subject_v ourselves_o to_o they_o we_o never_o own_v a_o division_n from_o the_o church_n but_o only_o from_o a_o party_n carry_v on_o defection_n in_o a_o break_a and_o decline_a state_n of_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o when_o the_o church_n be_v not_o now_o in_o that_o state_n but_o recover_v her_o freedom_n from_o these_o breach_n &_o backslide_n we_o can_v not_o now_o maintain_v such_o a_o division_n as_o long_o as_o they_o be_v involve_v in_o and_o promote_a course_n of_o deformation_n we_o stand_v aloof_o but_o now_o when_o they_o be_v promote_a reformation_n in_o assert_v the_o doctrine_n worship_n discipline_n and_o government_n and_o oppose_a popery_n prelacy_n erastianism_n sectarianism_n and_o what_o be_v contrare_fw-la to_o sound_a doctrine_n and_o the_o power_n of_o godliness_n we_o can_v not_o but_o join_v with_o they_o it_o be_v true_a several_a corruption_n yet_o remain_v unreformed_a as_o some_o of_o the_o former_a be_v not_o condemn_v but_o as_o all_o those_o corruption_n on_o which_o we_o found_v our_o separation_n because_o of_o the_o hazard_n of_o our_o partake_n of_o the_o guilt_n of_o they_o be_v remove_v so_o we_o can_v not_o suspend_v our_o