proclamation_n of_o the_o date_n november_n 21_o 90_o have_v ratify_v and_o approven_v a_o act_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n of_o the_o date_n november_n 12._o that_o same_o year_n appoint_v a_o solemn_a national_a fast_o and_o humiliation_n to_o be_v observe_v in_o all_o the_o church_n and_o meeting-house_n within_o this_o kingdom_n the_o second_o thursday_n of_o this_o instant_a we_o declare_v that_o we_o judge_v ourselves_o oblige_v to_o give_v obedience_n to_o the_o foresay_a act_n of_o council_n in_o so_o far_o as_o that_o be_v consistent_a with_o good_a conscience_n and_o the_o duty_n we_o owe_v to_o god_n and_o his_o truth_n and_o that_o we_o be_v most_o desirous_a to_o join_v with_o all_o other_o within_o this_o nation_n in_o the_o public_a and_o solemn_a confession_n of_o our_o sin_n deprecate_v the_o wrath_n of_o god_n and_o supplicate_v for_o his_o mercy_n and_o in_o all_o the_o other_o pious_a and_o religious_a exercise_n proper_a for_o that_o day_n of_o humiliation_n and_o fast_v but_o be_v that_o there_o be_v several_a cause_n and_o reason_n express_v and_o specify_v in_o the_o say_a act_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n which_o do_v manifest_o contradict_v our_o principle_n and_o opinion_n and_o some_o thing_n affirm_v and_o assert_v irreconcilable_a to_o truth_n and_o charity_n and_o other_o christian_a duty_n and_o lest_o our_o observance_n of_o that_o fast_a shall_v be_v interpret_v the_o homologate_a of_o these_o or_o a_o sordid_a or_o deceitful_a compliance_n against_o our_o conscience_n we_o judge_v ourselves_o bind_v to_o declare_v as_o hereby_o we_o do_v declare_v that_o we_o intimate_v and_o publish_v this_o fast_a and_o will_v observe_v it_o for_o these_o reason_n and_o cause_n only_o that_o be_v consistent_a with_o our_o opinion_n which_o we_o have_v own_v by_o solemn_a oath_n and_o with_o the_o charity_n and_o other_o duty_n incumbent_a on_o we_o by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o do_v renounce_v all_o ground_n reason_n and_o cause_n contrary_a unto_o or_o inconsistent_a therewith_o and_o in_o particular_a we_o do_v protest_v 1._o that_o by_o keep_v of_o this_o fast_a we_o do_v not_o own_o or_o acknowledge_v the_o power_n and_o authority_n that_o the_o foresay_a assembly_n do_v arrogate_v over_o we_o in_o so_o far_o as_o that_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o never_o hear_v of_o in_o the_o christian_a church_n before_o this_o time_n to_o wit_n that_o presbyter_n shall_v have_v a_o power_n of_o government_n and_o jurisdiction_n over_o other_o presbyter_n who_o be_v of_o the_o same_o office_n and_o degree_n 2._o we_o do_v protest_v that_o we_o do_v not_o approve_v of_o these_o word_n that_o the_o supremacy_n be_v advance_v in_o such_o a_o way_n and_o to_o such_o a_o height_n as_o never_o any_o christian_a church_n acknowledge_v be_v we_o know_v and_o be_v ready_a to_o prove_v that_o they_o be_v false_a and_o be_v though_o the_o supremacy_n be_v take_v away_o by_o the_o law_n as_o unsuitable_a to_o the_o present_a circumstance_n of_o affair_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o declare_v a_o sinful_a prerogative_n of_o the_o crown_n neither_o do_v we_o esteem_v it_o as_o such_o 3._o we_o do_v protest_v that_o we_o do_v not_o own_o or_o assent_v unto_o that_o reason_n of_o the_o fast_a that_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n be_v alter_v and_o prelucy_a which_o have_v always_o be_v grievous_a to_o this_o nation_n introduce_v without_o the_o church_n consent_n and_o contrary_a to_o the_o stand_a act_n of_o our_o national_a assembly_n etc._n etc._n be_v we_o certain_o know_v that_o episcopacy_n be_v never_o more_o grievous_a to_o the_o nation_n than_o presbytery_n and_o that_o it_o be_v settle_v with_o the_o church_n consent_n in_o free_a general_n assembly_n after_o the_o reformation_n and_o be_v afterward_o receive_v and_o submit_v to_o by_o the_o church_n in_o free_a meeting_n and_o assembly_n and_o in_o particular_a we_o do_v assert_v that_o the_o assembly_n hold_v at_o glasgow_n 1610._o which_o establish_a and_o settle_a episcopacy_n be_v as_o lawful_o convocate_v and_o of_o as_o undoubted_a authority_n as_o the_o assembly_n hold_v at_o glasgow_n 1638._o which_o turn_v it_o out_o as_o also_o that_o episcopacy_n be_v restore_v by_o a_o lawful_a parliament_n an._n 1661._o and_o approve_v by_o the_o subsequent_a act_n of_o the_o church_n in_o so_o far_o as_o that_o be_v necessary_a in_o reference_n to_o a_o government_n former_o settle_v by_o act_n of_o parliament_n and_o assembly_n of_o more_o unquestionable_a authority_n than_o any_o that_o have_v abolish_v the_o same_o 4._o we_o do_v protest_v that_o we_o do_v not_o approve_v of_o these_o word_n that_o prelacy_n be_v introduce_v contrary_a to_o the_o stand_a act_n of_o our_o national_a assembly_n be_v it_o do_v imply_v that_o the_o king_n and_o parliament_n cannoâ—_n make_v any_o law_n anent_o the_o external_n government_n and_o polity_n of_o the_o church_n if_o contrary_a to_o any_o act_n of_o a_o general_n assembly_n which_o be_v to_o give_v a_o absolute_a and_o uncontrollable_a power_n to_o church_n man_n and_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o undoubted_a right_n and_o power_n the_o state_n have_v for_o reform_v abuse_n in_o the_o administration_n of_o church-government_n and_o discipline_n and_o dispose_v of_o that_o as_o may_v best_o serve_v the_o end_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o kingdom_n 5._o we_o do_v protest_v that_o we_o do_v not_o approve_v of_o these_o word_n anâ—_n yet_o nevertheless_o of_o the_o then_o stand_v ministry_n of_o scotland_n many_o â—did_v sudden_o and_o ready_o comply_v with_o that_o alteration_n of_o the_o government_n some_o out_o of_o pride_n and_o covetousness_n or_o man_n please_v some_o through_o infirmity_n and_o weakness_n or_o fear_v of_o man_n and_o want_v of_o courage_n and_o zeal_n for_o god_n many_o faithful_a minister_n be_v thereupon_o cast_v out_o and_o many_o insufficient_a and_o scandalous_a thrust_n into_o in_o their_o charge_n etc._n etc._n for_o these_o do_v necessary_o imply_v the_o divine_a right_n of_o presbyterian_a government_n that_o â—no_v humane_a authority_n can_v alter_v it_o and_o that_o submission_n unto_o or_o compliance_n with_o any_o other_o be_v sinful_a and_o that_o submission_n to_o episcopacy_n restore_v an._n 1662._o do_v proceed_v from_o vicious_a cause_n as_o also_o they_o do_v imply_v a_o uncharitable_a censure_n of_o many_o faithful_a minister_n as_o man_n pleaser_n want_v courage_n and_o zeal_n for_o god_n and_o the_o like_a which_o we_o think_v very_o opposite_a to_o the_o temper_n and_o disposition_n wherewith_o the_o duty_n of_o fast_v and_o humiliation_n shall_v be_v perform_v 6._o we_o do_v protest_v that_o we_o do_v not_o approve_v of_o these_o word_n that_o there_o have_v be_v under_o the_o late_a prelacy_n a_o great_a decay_n of_o piety_n so_o that_o it_o be_v enough_o to_o make_v a_o man_n be_v nick_n name_v a_o fanatic_a if_o he_o do_v not_o run_v to_o the_o same_o excess_n of_o riot_n with_o other_o for_o though_o we_o do_v grant_v there_o have_v be_v much_o impiety_n under_o the_o late_a prelacy_n and_o do_v mourn_v for_o it_o yet_o we_o do_v affirm_v that_o it_o abound_v as_o much_o under_o presbytery_n and_o it_o be_v not_o agreeable_a to_o the_o sincerity_n of_o our_o confession_n on_o a_o day_n of_o solemn_a humiliation_n or_o at_o any_o time_n to_o be_v partial_a in_o the_o rehearsal_n of_o our_o sin_n or_o to_o distinguish_v ourselves_o from_o other_o as_o if_o we_o be_v more_o righteous_a and_o to_o confine_v religion_n and_o godliness_n to_o a_o party_n 7._o we_o do_v protest_v that_o we_o do_v not_o approve_v of_o that_o reason_n of_o the_o fast_a that_o the_o nation_n have_v be_v guilty_a of_o break_v their_o oath_n and_o impose_v and_o take_v ungodly_a and_o unlawful_a oath_n and_o bond_n etc._n etc._n in_o so_o far_o as_o these_o may_v signify_v the_o oath_n of_o allegiance_n supremacy_n and_o the_o test_n which_o oath_n as_o we_o swear_v in_o judgement_n righteousness_n and_o truth_n so_o we_o do_v still_o acknowledge_v the_o equity_n and_o obligation_n of_o they_o 8._o we_o can_v approve_v of_o that_o reason_n of_o the_o fast_a the_o wont_a care_n and_o religious_a sanctify_v of_o the_o lord_n day_n be_v go_v etc._n etc._n and_o of_o that_o petition_n we_o be_v require_v to_o send_v up_o unto_o god_n that_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o word_n and_o dispence_v of_o the_o sacrament_n may_v be_v accompany_v with_o the_o wont_a presence_n power_n and_o blessing_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n in_o so_o far_o as_o they_o may_v imply_v that_o the_o power_n of_o the_o word_n and_o sacrament_n be_v restrain_v and_o true_a godliness_n decay_v under_o episcopacy_n and_o that_o they_o abound_v under_o presbytery_n which_o be_v to_o make_v the_o life_n of_o religion_n depend_v upon_o opinion_n and_o outward_a form_n of_o government_n or_o to_o have_v the_o
be_v judge_v by_o his_o first_o resolution_n and_o if_o there_o be_v but_o the_o least_o flaw_n in_o one_o compliance_n he_o be_v deal_v with_o as_o if_o he_o have_v not_o offer_v any_o compliance_n at_o all_o by_o these_o mean_v a_o great_a many_o more_o of_o the_o episcopal_a clergy_n be_v lay_v aside_o and_o the_o presbyterian_o will_v have_v be_v glad_a to_o have_v have_v all_o turn_v out_o this_o way_n for_o than_o they_o think_v the_o odium_n will_v not_o lie_v upon_o they_o but_o this_o method_n fail_v at_o last_o too_o for_o the_o council_n become_v weary_a of_o it_o as_o they_o have_v reason_n so_o the_o next_o thing_n resolve_v on_o as_o be_v report_v be_v to_o procure_v a_o act_n of_o parliament_n for_o declare_v all_o the_o church_n within_o the_o kingdom_n vacant_a the_o pretence_n be_v that_o the_o present_a incumbent_n be_v all_o obtrude_v upon_o the_o parish_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v fit_a that_o the_o people_n shall_v have_v their_o free_a choice_n and_o be_v allow_v to_o call_v minister_n suitable_a to_o their_o own_o inclination_n but_o they_o be_v advise_v not_o to_o propose_v this_o as_o that_o which_o will_v be_v very_o far_o from_o serve_v their_o design_n because_o upon_o calculation_n it_o will_v be_v find_v that_o most_o of_o the_o parish_n within_o the_o kingdom_n will_v call_v back_o their_o own_o minister_n or_o other_o episcopal_a one_o for_o by_o this_o time_n the_o people_n be_v every_o where_o show_v their_o disgust_n both_o at_o presbytery_n and_o the_o present_a presbyterian_o and_o by_o manifold_a instance_n it_o appear_v that_o neither_o of_o they_o be_v acceptable_a to_o the_o great_a and_o better_a part_n of_o the_o nation_n see_v therefore_o they_o can_v work_v no_o more_o by_o other_o man_n mean_n the_o presbyterian_a clergy_n resolve_v to_o do_v the_o work_v themselves_o howsoever_o invidious_a it_o may_v seem_v to_o be_v and_o for_o this_o end_n they_o get_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n and_o all_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n by_o act_n of_o parliament_n put_v into_o their_o own_o hand_n when_o the_o covenant_n be_v in_o force_n they_o find_v good_a service_n of_o itinerant_a committee_n or_o commission_n and_o they_o judge_v it_o will_v be_v of_o no_o less_o use_n now_o to_o set_v they_o up_o again_o and_o so_o before_o the_o rise_n of_o the_o assembly_n two_o be_v appoint_v one_o for_o the_o south_n and_o a_o other_o for_o the_o north_n with_o full_a power_n to_o visit_v all_o minister_n and_o to_o purge_v out_o of_o the_o church_n such_o as_o shall_v be_v think_v insufficient_a scandalous_a erroneous_a or_o supine_o negligent_a the_o name_n of_o the_o person_n appoint_v for_o these_o commission_n together_o with_o a_o abstract_n of_o their_o instruction_n be_v set_v down_o page_z 53_o 54_o and_o 55._o of_o the_o historical_a relation_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n the_o give_v they_o instruction_n seem_v to_o limit_v they_o but_o in_o truth_n they_o have_v all_o the_o power_n of_o a_o general_n assembly_n itself_o and_o be_v so_o much_o free_a that_o they_o have_v not_o one_o from_o the_o king_n to_o check_v and_o control_v they_o i_o shall_v begin_v with_o the_o committee_n or_o commission_n for_o the_o south_n which_o according_a to_o appointment_n sit_v down_o at_o edinburgh_n the_o 21_o of_o january_n 91._o be_v the_o three_o wednesday_n of_o that_o month._n several_a minister_n up_o and_o down_o the_o country_n receive_v citation_n to_o appear_v before_o they_o and_o among_o the_o rest_n mr._n alexander_n malcolm_n mr._n james_n hutchison_n mr._n john_n farqhuar_n three_o minister_n of_o edinburgh_n mr._n kay_n at_o leith_n mr._n samuel_n nimbo_fw-la minister_n of_o collinton_n mr._n andrew_n lumsden_n minister_n at_o dudduston_n and_o mr._n john_n monro_n minister_n at_o sterline_n there_o be_v also_o many_o other_o who_o process_n have_v be_v refer_v to_o they_o either_o by_o the_o general_n assembly_n or_o some_o particular_a presbytery_n the_o three_o minister_n of_o edinburgh_n receive_v the_o citation_n on_o saturday_n the_o 10_o of_o january_n betwixt_o nine_o and_o ten_o a_o clock_n at_o night_n which_o both_o the_o minister_n and_o other_o construct_v to_o be_v do_v on_o design_n to_o discompose_v they_o for_o preach_v the_o day_n follow_v at_o this_o very_a hour_n also_o they_o send_v a_o summons_n to_o dr._n robeâ—â—son_n minister_n of_o the_o gray-frier-church_n in_o edinburgh_n who_o have_v be_v sick_a for_o a_o long_a time_n and_o who_o all_o the_o city_n know_v to_o be_v then_o in_o articulo_fw-la mortis_fw-la as_o indeed_o he_o die_v some_o few_o hour_n after_o the_o tenor_n of_o the_o summons_n be_v this_o to_o compeir_n before_o the_o commission_n upon_o the_o twenty_o first_o of_o january_n to_o be_v try_v in_o life_n and_o doctrine_n and_o discharge_v of_o the_o duty_n of_o the_o ministerial_a function_n and_o censure_v by_o the_o say_a commission_n as_o they_o shall_v think_v iust._n mr._n alexander_n malcolm_n mr._n james_n hutchison_n mr._n john_n farqhuar_n mr._n samuel_n nimbo_fw-la and_o mr._n andrew_n lumsden_n meet_v and_o all_o of_o they_o resolve_v to_o take_v the_o same_o joint-measure_n see_v they_o be_v all_o in_o the_o same_o circumstance_n according_o on_o the_o 21_o day_n of_o january_n to_o which_o they_o have_v be_v cite_v mr._n james_n hutchison_n present_v himself_o before_o the_o commission_n and_o in_o his_o own_o name_n and_o in_o name_n of_o the_o other_o four_o he_o desire_v of_o the_o commission_n a_o special_a citation_n contain_v and_o express_o name_v their_o crime_n or_o crime_n for_o which_o they_o be_v to_o be_v try_v and_o censure_v the_o accuser_n and_o witness_n name_n and_o a_o competent_a time_n for_o prepare_v such_o defence_n as_o be_v legal_a and_o just_a but_o all_o this_o be_v flat_o deny_v the_o next_o day_n mr._n malcolm_n compeir_v and_o propose_v in_o his_o own_o name_n and_o in_o the_o name_n of_o his_o brethren_n the_o same_o thing_n and_o have_v the_o same_o answer_n for_o mr._n kennedy_n the_o moderator_n say_v that_o the_o commission_n be_v not_o bind_v to_o give_v a_o account_n why_o they_o summon_v they_o nor_o to_o tell_v who_o be_v their_o accuser_n nor_o for_o what_o they_o be_v accuse_v or_o who_o be_v to_o witness_v against_o they_o but_o that_o be_v cite_v they_o be_v oblige_v to_o answer_v instant_o to_o what_o shall_v be_v ask_v of_o they_o and_o if_o they_o refuse_v he_o tell_v they_o the_o commission_n have_v power_n to_o censure_v they_o and_o will_v do_v it_o to_o which_o mr._n malcolm_n reply_v that_o it_o be_v illegal_a to_o summon_v any_o super_fw-la inquirendis_fw-la that_o he_o and_o his_o brethren_n be_v not_o bind_v either_o by_o civil_a law_n or_o ecclesiastical_a cannon_n to_o regard_v or_o obey_v general_a citation_n and_o that_o none_o of_o they_o will_v answer_v except_o they_o get_v citation_n which_o be_v special_a and_o particular_a he_o add_v that_o they_o be_v more_o unjust_a than_o festus_n a_o heathen_a judge_n for_o he_o think_v it_o unreasonable_a to_o send_v a_o prisoner_n to_o caesar_n and_o not_o withal_o to_o signify_v the_o crime_n lay_v against_o he_o but_o say_v he_o we_o be_v here_o convene_v before_o you_o and_o you_o will_v not_o tell_v we_o for_o what_o cause_n upon_o this_o he_o be_v order_v by_o the_o moderator_n to_o remove_v january_n the_o 23d_o these_o five_o minister_n to_o free_v themselves_o of_o far_a trouble_n from_o the_o commission_n resolve_v to_o disown_n and_o decline_v their_o authority_n and_o so_o they_o send_v one_o mr._n french_a as_o proctor_n for_o they_o with_o the_o follow_a declaration_n which_o he_o deliver_v and_o take_v instrument_n upon_o the_o delivery_n of_o it_o we_o under-subscribers_a mr._n alexander_n malcolm_n james_n hutchison_n john_n farqhuar_n minister_n of_o edinburgh_n mr._n samuel_n nimbo_fw-la minister_n of_o collinton_n and_o andrew_n lumsden_n minister_n of_o duddiston_n be_v continue_v in_o the_o peaceable_a exercise_n of_o our_o ministerial_a function_n notwithstanding_o of_o the_o alteration_n of_o the_o church-government_n by_o act_n of_o parliament_n and_o be_v under_o the_o protection_n of_o their_o present_a majesty_n by_o our_o submission_n and_o obedience_n to_o authority_n and_o we_o be_v nevertheless_o cite_v to_o compeir_n before_o the_o commission_n of_o the_o late_a general_n assembly_n to_o hear_v and_o see_v the_o judgement_n of_o the_o say_a commission_n give_v anent_o we_o and_o our_o session_n book_n and_o record_n and_o to_o hear_v and_o see_v such_o trial_n take_v of_o our_o life_n doctrine_n and_o discharge_v of_o the_o duty_n of_o our_o function_n as_o the_o say_a commission_n shall_v think_v iust._n we_o have_v all_o of_o we_o consider_v the_o import_n of_o the_o say_a compeirance_n upon_o the_o citation_n give_v we_o do_v hereby_o declare_v that_o we_o have_v no_o freedom_n in_o our_o conscience_n to_o compeir_n or_o
church_n or_o at_o least_o to_o be_v secure_v from_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o presbyterian_o who_o have_v declare_v themselves_o a_o state_v party_n against_o they_o but_o neither_o be_v this_o hearken_v to_o then_o as_o their_o last_o refuge_n they_o consider_v how_o to_o save_v themselves_o their_o personal_a right_n and_o privilege_n that_o they_o may_v sustain_v no_o prejudice_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o their_o private_a sentiment_n and_o persuasion_n and_o for_o this_o cause_n they_o resolve_v to_o address_v king_n william_n himself_o see_v the_o application_n make_v to_o other_o be_v so_o ineffectual_a therefore_o dr._n canary_n be_v send_v from_o some_o of_o the_o clergy_n on_o the_o southside_n of_o tay_n mr._n mac_n gill_n and_o mr._n small_a from_o angus_n dr._n gaider_n mr._n leisk_n and_o mr._n fobess_n from_o the_o diocese_n of_o aberdeen_n this_o last_o design_n succeed_v better_a than_o any_o of_o the_o former_a for_o the_o king_n think_v their_o request_n 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