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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small_a surprise_v with_o his_o discretion_n and_o civility_n in_o such_o a_o place_n and_o at_o such_o a_o time_n the_o same_o day_n or_o the_o day_n follow_v mr._n tho._n wood_n minister_n at_o dumbâ—r_n and_o mr._n william_n denune_n go_v and_o offer_v to_o the_o commission_n the_o same_o address_v subscribe_v by_o about_o a_o dozen_o of_o parson_n which_o be_v do_v by_o minister_n on_o the_o southside_n of_o tay_n they_o have_v not_o the_o former_a pretence_n for_o reject_v it_o they_o crave_v a_o answer_n the_o moderator_n say_v to_o they_o sir_n you_o be_v very_o hasty_a you_o take_v time_n to_o draw_v it_o up_o and_o you_o must_v allow_v we_o time_n to_o answer_v it_o and_o so_o he_o put_v they_o off_o for_o some_o day_n at_o their_o next_o application_n they_o be_v desire_v to_o explain_v some_o part_n of_o the_o address_n as_o what_o they_o mean_v by_o act_v as_o presbyter_n whether_o they_o mean_v the_o act_n separable_o by_o themselves_o independent_o on_o they_o or_o if_o it_o be_v to_o 〈◊〉_d understand_v of_o their_o joint_a concurrence_n with_o they_o to_o this_o it_o be_v answer_v that_o they_o have_v it_o not_o in_o their_o commission_n to_o make_v any_o explication_n and_o therefore_o can_v not_o do_v it_o so_o upon_o the_o 22d_o of_o july_n they_o have_v this_o answer_n give_v they_o the_o commission_n for_o visitation_n on_o the_o southside_n of_o tay._n appoint_v by_o the_o late_a general_n assembly_n of_o this_o church_n have_v consider_v a_o petition_n present_v to_o they_o by_o mr._n thomas_n wood_n and_o mr._n william_n denune_n sign_v by_o they_o and_o twelve_o other_o minister_n who_o call_v themselves_o of_o the_o episcopal_a persuasion_n do_v find_v that_o some_o of_o these_o petitioner_n be_v depose_v some_o suspend_v both_o of_o they_o for_o gross_a immorality_n other_o of_o they_o be_v in_o process_n refer_v by_o the_o general_n assembly_n to_o this_o commission_n and_o some_o declare_v contumacious_a by_o the_o presbytery_n of_o the_o bound_n where_o they_o have_v their_o residence_n and_o some_o live_v without_o the_o bound_n commit_v to_o the_o inspection_n of_o this_o commission_n they_o do_v also_o find_v that_o not_o only_o these_o petitioner_n do_v not_o look_v upon_o this_o commission_n as_o a_o judicatory_a of_o this_o church_n but_o also_o do_v mistake_v their_o work_n by_o ascribe_v to_o they_o a_o power_n to_o establish_v the_o judicatories_n of_o this_o church_n which_o be_v not_o commit_v to_o they_o by_o the_o general_n assembly_n and_o though_o the_o commission_n be_v satisfy_v to_o hear_v of_o their_o zeal_n against_o popery_n and_o firmness_n in_o the_o protestant_a religion_n duty_n and_o fidelity_n to_o their_o majesty_n yet_o they_o find_v that_o see_v the_o petitioner_n have_v not_o offer_v to_o own_o and_o subscribe_v the_o confession_n of_o faith_n which_o by_o law_n be_v make_v the_o standard_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o this_o
to_o the_o presbytery_n of_o kirkaldie_n against_o mr._n george_n johnston_n pretend_a minister_n of_o brunt-island_n it_o have_v be_v humble_o represent_v to_o the_o reverend_a presbytery_n that_o the_o say_v mr._n geo._n johnston_n ought_v to_o be_v try_v by_o they_o and_o by_o their_o sentence_n deprive_v of_o and_o remove_v from_o his_o pretend_a ministry_n at_o brunt-island_n upon_o these_o ground_n and_o other_o to_o be_v add_v as_o there_o shall_v be_v occasion_n first_o as_o to_o the_o say_a mr._n george_n his_o entry_n to_o his_o pretend_a ministry_n it_o be_v by_o episcopal_a ordination_n presentation_n and_o collation_n and_o which_o oblige_v he_o to_o take_v declaration_n oath_n of_o allegiance_n supremacy_n and_o canonical_a obedience_n which_o be_v contradictory_n to_o our_o national_a engagement_n and_o inconsistent_a with_o presbyterian_a principle_n which_o have_v involve_v in_o they_o persecution_n and_o bloody_a cruelty_n that_o have_v be_v exercise_v upon_o 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anent_o the_o test_n that_o time_n impose_v and_o the_o say_a earl_n of_o perth_n and_o that_o cabal_n then_o be_v his_o patron_n they_o do_v by_o the_o earl_n of_o melford_n procure_v for_o he_o a_o presentation_n to_o the_o benefice_n of_o brunt-island_n be_v then_o vacant_a and_o the_o king_n patron_n till_o a_o more_o eminent_a place_n shall_v be_v provide_v for_o he_o which_o at_o that_o time_n give_v great_a offence_n to_o all_o sort_n of_o people_n here_o and_o which_o yet_o more_o increase_v this_o jealous_a not_o only_o of_o the_o presbyterian_a party_n but_o even_o of_o his_o own_o brethren_n the_o curate_n of_o their_o meeting_n at_o kirkaldie_n for_o without_o acknowledge_v that_o meeting_n upon_o his_o obtain_a presentation_n he_o receive_v his_o institution_n from_o one_o single_a neighbour_n curate_n by_o what_o authority_n be_v unknown_a to_o we_o who_o come_v and_o give_v he_o the_o key_n of_o the_o church-door_n and_o bell-tows_a as_o symbol_n of_o possess_v his_o benefice_n which_o be_v so_o receive_v by_o that_o meeting_n that_o they_o then_o judge_v his_o practice_n irregular_a and_o this_o man_n who_o use_v it_o to_o be_v of_o bad_a principle_n for_o which_o they_o resolve_v to_o disow_v he_o for_o a_o brother_n and_o for_o any_o thing_n know_v to_o we_o they_o continue_v in_o the_o same_o mind_n still_o have_v hitherto_o hear_v nothing_o of_o their_o further_a brotherly_a correspondence_n so_o that_o at_o his_o entry_n here_o he_o be_v under_o a_o very_a bad_a character_n three_o the_o jealousy_n mention_v not_o without_o just_a ground_n of_o his_o unsound_a principle_n and_o practice_n be_v so_o universal_o entertain_v and_o have_v take_v such_o impression_n among_o all_o that_o be_v presbyterian_a in_o that_o congregation_n that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o ground_n to_o expect_v that_o his_o ministry_n can_v do_v good_a in_o that_o place_n though_o it_o be_v submit_v to_o as_o it_o never_o will_v be_v by_o the_o presbyterian_o in_o that_o parish_n it_o must_v therefore_o certain_o be_v very_o inconvenient_a if_o not_o unjust_a to_o force_v he_o upon_o we_o or_o to_o require_v or_o expect_v our_o submission_n in_o this_o case_n to_o a_o man_n ministry_n we_o have_v such_o resentment_n of_o and_o reluctancy_n against_o as_o be_v express_v four_o since_o his_o settlement_n here_o his_o negligence_n in_o his_o ministerial_a work_n have_v be_v visible_a to_o all_o for_o except_v upon_o invitation_n to_o visit_v sick_a person_n we_o know_v no_o ministerial_a work_n he_o have_v perform_v except_o his_o customary_a preach_n which_o he_o must_v perform_v for_o his_o hire_n and_o in_o those_o visit_n be_v the_o person_n never_o so_o ignorant_a he_o seldom_o if_o eveâ—_n fail_v to_o find_v they_o in_o that_o good_a case_n as_o to_o assure_v they_o of_o heaven_n and_o so_o soothe_v they_o in_o their_o sin_n etc._n etc._n but_o as_o to_o any_o other_o part_n of_o the_o ministerial_a work_n in_o visitation_n of_o family_n or_o examination_n though_o he_o have_v be_v near_o two_o year_n incumbent_a here_o there_o be_v no_o shadow_n of_o account_n can_v be_v give_v until_o the_o act_n for_o settle_v of_o presbyterian_a government_n be_v pass_v wherein_o he_o and_o his_o adherent_n find_v his_o supine_n negligence_n in_o this_o will_v ready_o meet_v he_o to_o prevent_v this_o hazard_n he_o go_v about_o to_o take_v up_o a_o roll_n in_o the_o parish_n in_o order_n to_o examination_n and_o even_o in_o this_o last_o he_o have_v make_v some_o discovery_n of_o himself_o for_o in_o his_o circuit_n of_o his_o come_n to_o some_o of_o the_o presbyterian_n house_n to_o inquire_v their_o name_n and_o interrogate_a if_o they_o use_v to_o come_v to_o church_n it_o be_v answer_v they_o do_v not_o for_o be_v presbyterian_o they_o wait_v on_o the_o ordinance_n of_o the_o meeting_n house_n which_o he_o affirm_v be_v their_o great_a sin_n and_o it_o be_v reply_v to_o that_o that_o they_o judge_v it_o no_o sin_n but_o a_o duty_n he_o assert_v it_o to_o be_v their_o great_a sin_n and_o so_o leave_v they_o and_o if_o what_o be_v say_v infer_v not_o insufficiency_n we_o know_v not_o what_o will_n five_o his_o unconcernedness_n in_o matter_n of_o scandal_n seem_v also_o to_o infer_v both_o negligence_n and_o scandal_n against_o he_o whereof_o providence_n have_v late_o afford_v we_o a_o sufficient_a instance_n while_o he_o be_v curate_n in_o fala_n a_o scandal_n of_o a_o adultery_n in_o the_o parish_n of_o dalkeith_n pursue_v before_o the_o session_n there_o and_o the_o person_n guilty_a be_v contumacious_a it_o be_v by_o a_o reference_n bring_v to_o their_o presbytery_n such_o as_o it_o be_v where_o he_o be_v a_o member_n and_o from_o they_o to_o the_o bishop_n and_o his_o synod_n where_o he_o be_v a_o witness_n to_o the_o whole_a process_n which_o be_v very_o dextrous_o conduct_v and_o the_o gild_n full_o and_o clear_o instruct_v so_o that_o the_o scandal_n be_v manifest_o notair_n to_o he_o but_o so_o little_a be_v his_o zeal_n and_o tenderness_n that_o though_o the_o adulterer_n have_v as_o a_o stranger_n be_v valetudinary_a live_v in_o brunt-island_n ever_o since_o mr._n johnston_n come_v here_o unknown_a to_o any_o person_n but_o to_o he_o yet_o he_o never_o make_v discovery_n of_o he_o to_o any_o person_n but_o suffer_v he_o of_o late_a to_o be_v marry_v though_o under_o suspicion_n also_o to_o be_v marry_v to_o another_o woman_n at_o london_n without_o any_o intimation_n of_o the_o scandal_n but_o a_o little_a after_o upon_o a_o emergent_a the_o magistrate_n of_o brunt-island_n find_v it_o their_o duty_n to_o inquire_v after_o that_o scandal_n and_o make_v their_o application_n to_o the_o incumbent_n at_o dalkeith_n he_o give_v they_o a_o full_a account_n of_o the_o process_n and_o produce_v very_o free_o to_o they_o the_o session_n and_o the_o presbytery_n book_n where_o they_o see_v the_o process_n very_o clear_o instruct_v where_o that_o incumbent_n do_v exceed_o marvel_v that_o mr._n johnston_n that_o have_v be_v a_o witness_n to_o this_o whole_a process_n have_v pass_v over_o this_o matter_n and_o do_v then_o write_v a_o letter_n or_o declaration_n anent_o that_o business_n and_o direct_v it_o to_o the_o magistrate_n and_o minister_n of_o brunt-island_n to_o be_v look_v after_o which_o be_v deliver_v to_o mr._n johnston_n by_o the_o magistrate_n and_o he_o urge_v to_o publish_v the_o same_o by_o they_o that_o the_o people_n may_v be_v upon_o their_o guard_n and_o know_v how_o to_o carry_v towards_o he_o which_o with_o the_o advice_n of_o his_o adherent_n he_o refuse_v to_o do_v six_o the_o presbyterian_a party_n here_o as_o in_o other_o place_n have_v for_o conscience_n sake_n be_v fine_v persecute_a and_o bear_v down_o for_o noncompliance_a with_o prelatical_a course_n carry_v on_o by_o such_o instrument_n these_o year_n bypass_a and_o have_v have_v this_o yoke_n of_o bondage_n thus_o wreathe_v
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