Our Commissioner they expected no satisfaction to their desire for they themselves did know as well as any Judge or Advocate in the Kingdome that no Commissioner either could award or ever had awarded any such processe as they required And therefore they moved Our Commissioner once againe that he would require Our Judges or Lords of Our Session to grant out such processe with which request when Our Commissioner made Our Judges acquainted they returned him that answer which the Covenanters knew verie well they could not chuse but make viz. That they could grant out no processe for the compeerance of any persons before them but those who were impleaded and whose causes were triable before them The truth is Our Commissioner found by inquirie and the Covenanters knew it perfectly well that the ordinarie way of processe or cytation to a Generall Assemblie was to passe it under the hand of the Clerk of the Assemblie whose office is during life if he be not legally removed usually too under the hand of him who was Moderator at the last Generall Assemblie both which were then living and are so still the name of the Clerk of the Assemblie being Master James Sandelands an Advocate and Commissarie of Aberdene and the Moderator of the last Assemblie being the now Archbishop of Saint Andrewes But they who had all this while gone on in disorderly illegall and unjustifiable wayes belike thought it an incongruitie to keep the beaten path and tract of justice in any thing and therefore they fell and resolved upon a way so unlike Justice so repugnant to Religion and common honestie as one would wonder how they hit upon it having neither Law nor practise for it which was this They caused to be drawn up a most false odious and scandalous Libell against the Archbishops and Bishops with a Petition annexed to the Presbyterie of Edinburgh wherein they desired the Libell to bee admitted by them the copie whereof as it was exhibited by them to the said Presbyterie and afterward publikely read in all the Pulpits thereof here followeth which out of Our love to the Christian Religion We wish might never come to the notice of any Pagan and out of Our love to the Religion reformed We wish might never come to the notice of any Papist But it cannot be concealed The Bill or the complaint of the Noblemen Barons Burgesses Ministers and Commons Covenanters which were not Commissionaries to the Assembly against the pretended Archbishops and Bishops within this kingdome as it was presented to the Presbyterie of Edinburgh with an Act of reference of the Bill from the Presbyterie to the next Generall Assembly as it was fully read on the Lords day before noone in all the Churches within the Presbyterie of Edinburgh according to the Act. Noblemen Unto your wisedomes humbly shewes and complaines We John Earle of Sutherland John Earle of Athol William Earle of Dalhousie Mungo Vicount of Stormouth Hugh Lord Montgomerie David Lord Elcho George Lord Forrester Arthur Lord Forbesse John Master of Berridale Robert Lord Boyd David Lord Balcarras John Lord Melvill Barons and Gentlemen Craggemillar Lugtoun Buchanan Young Dury Balgonny Balbirny Master William Hammilton Thomas Cragge of Ricarton John Cowper of Gogar John Hammilton of Boghall David Inglis of Ingliston John Dundas of Newliston Sir William Cockburne of Langton Patrick Cockburne of Clerkinton John Leslie of Newton Colonel Alexander Leslie David Barclay of Onwerme Sir Michael Arnot of Arnot Sir Michael Balfoure of Deanemill John Aiton of Aiton David Beaton of Balfoure John Lundie of Lundie Walter Murray of Liviston Sir John Preston of Ardrie Walter Cornwall of Bonhard William Scot of Ardrosse Robert Forbosse of Ricesse Sir Andrew Murray of Balvarde George Dundasse of Dudistone Sir William Murray of Blebo Master Robert Preston William Dicksone Ministers Master William Scot Minister at Cowper Master George Hammiltoun at Nuburne Master Walter Grog at Balmerino Master Iohn Machgil Parson of Fliske Master Andrew Blackhat at Aberlady Burgesses and Commons George Bruce of Carnock George Potterfield a Burgesse of Glasgow John Smith John Mill Lawrence Henryson Richard Maxwell Burgesses of Edinburgh WE for our selves and in name and behalfe of the rest of the Noblemen Barons Gentlemen Burgesses Ministers and Commons within this Realme of Scotland subscribers of the Covenant who are not chosen Commissioners to the Generall Assemblie but who will assist and insist in this complaint with us as faithfull Christians as loyall subjects and sensible members of this Church and Common-weale having interest to pursue this popular action in a speciall manner and an eminent degree by which pursuit God may bee glorified Christs Kingdome advanced that the Church may bee restored to her priviledges and liberties and freed from manifold scandals from the corrupters of Doctrine with Poperie and Arminianisme of the Sacraments with Superstition and Wil-worship and of the Discipline with tyrannie and from the overthrowers of the peace of this Church and Kingdome by their usurpations and lies their violent humours and falshood for their owne worldly ends may be tried and censured accordingly and so this Church and State made free from the present divisions and combustions and restored to peace and unitie both with God and amongst themselves and that his Majesties religious disposition and honour may be cleared to all the world by the triall and censure of those men who have fraudulently abused his Majesties name and authoritie by their trust and credit with his Majestie Wee most earnestly make request That whereas by the Lawes of this Church and Kingdome and by his Majesties last Proclamation all his Majesties subjects whether Ecclesiasticall or Civill of whatsoever title or degree if they have exercised an unlimited or unwarrantable power They are declared and ordained to be liable to the triall and censure of the Generall Assemblie and Parliament or to any other Judicatorie according to the nature and qualitie of the offence And whereas Master David Lyndsey pretended Bishop of Edinburgh Master Thomas Sydserfe pretended Bishop of Galloway Master Walter Whitefoord pretended Bishop of Brichen Master James Wedderburne pretended Bishop of Dumblane Master James Fairley pretended Bishop of Argyle Master John Spotswood pretended Archbishop of Saint Andrewes having their residences or dwelling places within the bounds of this Presbyterie of Edinburgh Master Patrick Lyndsey pretended Archbishop of Glasgow Master Alexander Lyndsey pretended Bishop of Dunkell Master Adam Bannatine pretended Bishop of Aberdene Master John Gutherie pretended Bishop of Murray Master John Maxwel pretended Bishop of Rosse Master George Greme pretended Bishop of Orkney Master Iohn Abernethie pretended Bishop of Caithnesse Master Neil Campbel pretended Bishop of the Isles should be tried and censured for their unlimited and unwarranted power For whereas it was provided in the Cautions agreed upon in the Generall Assemblie holden at Mountrose Anno 1600. for bounding of the Ministers votes in Parliament and concluded to bee inserted in the bodie of the act of Parliament for
that Kingdome was not like to receive any publike or considerable opposition though We did never expect it should misse to meet with that misfortune which attendeth all other Books of this kind and which hath waited upon the English Service-book here viz. to be disliked and defamed by some whose judgements either being weak are not capable of satisfaction or being distempered with the humours of singularitie are resolved never to receive or at least never to seeme to receive any satisfaction And yet even those men too especially they of the first sort men of weaker judgement before and at the time of the publishing of this Book were not cast without the compasse of Our care and clemencie For Wee did with that Book send home certaine instructions and directions to our Bishops of that Kingdome signed with Our owne hand amongst which this was one That notwithstanding We had now established this Book by Our authoritie yet they should proceed with all moderation and dispense with such for the practise of some things contained in the Book as they should finde either not well perswaded of them or willing to be informed concerning them or did hope that time and reason might gaine to a better beleefe of them Nay yet more to foresee what probable opposition this Book might be like to receive Wee caused Our Councell by Proclamation to publish a set day for the reading of it in all Churches which was the Easter day following 1637 All which time though no symptoms of any considerable opposition did appeare yet upon good considerations and for the further trial of mens minds the first reading of it was delayed untill the xxiii of July next ensuing to the end that the Lords of the Session and others who had any Law-businesse might see the successe of it before the rising of the Session which alwayes endeth on the first of August and that so upon their returne to their severall Countries they might report the receiving of this Book at Edinburgh it being ordered that on that Sunday the Book should be read onely in the Churches of Edinburgh and those which were next adjacent And because it should not be read that day neither unexpectedly warning was first printed and then published in all these severall Pulpits the Sunday immediatly before that the next Sunday the new Service-book was to be read After all which premonitions made only to try how the people stood affected no feare of tumult appearing Nay the Service-book which was to be read having beene in publike Sermons commended by many Preachers without any apparent disgust of the Book or disgrace offered to the Preachers persons Nay having beene commended in Sermons by some of their now principall Covenanting Ministers who since have beene the greatest railers against it by none more then one Rollock a Minister of Edinburgh who both in a Sermon preached by him at a Synod held at Edinburgh before the Bishop of that Diocesse and in his Sermon on the Sunday of intimation of the reading of the Service-book the next Sunday did highly magnifie the said Book And so the tendring of this Book being thus prepared and sweetned with these gracious considerations of time expectation of the discovery of mens affections which for any thing appeared to the contrarie were very calme composed who could have imagined that the first reading of it should have been attended with such a barbarous tumult and insurrection as was raised in the Churches and streets of Edinburgh the Sunday following the true relation of which tumult as it was sent up to Us doth here follow On the twentie-third day of July 1637. being Sunday according to the publike warning given the Sunday before the Service Book was begun to bee read in Edinburgh in Saint Gyles Church commonly called the great Church where were present as usually they are many of Our Councell both the Arch-bishops and divers other Bishops the Lords of the Session the Magistrates of Edinburgh and a very great auditorie of all sorts of people Amongst this great multitude there appeared no signe of trouble But no sooner was the Book opened by the Deane of Edinburgh but a number of the meaner sort who used to keep places for the better sort most of them women with clapping of their hands cursings and out-cries raised such a barbarous hubbub in that sacred place that not any one could either heare or be heard The Bishop of Edinburgh who was to preach stept into the Pulpit which is immediatly above the place where the Deane was to read intending to appease the tumult by putting them in minde that the place in which they then were was holy ground and by intreating them to desist from that fearefull and horrible profanation of it But hee was entertained with as much irreverence as the Deane and with more violence in so much that if a stoole aimed to be throwne at him had not by the providence of God beene diverted by the hand of one present the life of that Reverend Bishop in that holy place and in the Pulpit had beene indangered if not lost The Arch-bishop of Saint Andrewes Lord Chancellour and divers others offering to appease the multitude were entertained with such bitter curses and imprecations as they not being able to prevaile with the people the Provost Bailiffs and divers others of the Councell of that Citie were forced to come downe from the Gallery in which they do usually sit and with much adoe in a very great tumult and confusion thrust out of the Church these disorderly people making fast the Church doores After all which the Deane devoutly read Service assisted by Our Councellors Bishops and many other persons of qualitie there present Yet the out cries rapping at the Church doores throwing of stones at the Church windowes by the tumultuous multitude without was so great as the Bailiffes of the Citie were once more put to forsake their places and use their best indeavours for the appeasing the rage and furie of those who were without Service being ended the Bishop preached after which the Congregation was dismissed The Bishop of Edinburgh retiring himselfe to a lodging distant not many paces from the Church was so invironed with a multitude of the meaner sort of people cursing and crouding him that he was neere being trode to death and in all probabilitie had beene so if hee had not recovered the staires of his lodging which he no sooner began to go up but he was so pulled by the sleeve of his gowne by some of that rude rout that hee had like to have tumbled backward downe the staires to the indangering of his life yet with much adoe getting up the staires he found the doore at which he should have entred shut against him and so being put to a stand he had certainely beene oppressed with the preasse and violence of that rabble if the Earle of Weems from his next lodging seeing the Bishops life in danger had not sent his
Lordships of the Secret Councell your Lordships admits to the consulting and judging anent our supplications and His Majesties answere thereunto the Archbishops and Bishops our direct parties contrarie to our Declinator first propounded at Dalkeith and now renewed at Sterling and contrarie to your Lordships Act aforesaid at Dalkeith and contrarie to our Religion and Lawes and humble supplications Therefore lest our silence be prejudiciall to this so important a cause as concernes Gods glorie and worship our Religion Salvation the Lawes and Liberties of this Kingdome or derogatorie to the former supplications and complaints or unanswerable to the trust of our Commission out of our bound dutie to our God our King and native Countrey we are forced to take instruments in Notaries hands of your Lordships refusall to admit our Declinator or remove these our Parties and to protest in manner following First That we may have our immediate recourse to our sacred Soveraign to present our grievances and in a legall way to prosecute the same before the ordinarie competent Judges Civill or Ecclesiasticall without any offence offered by us or taken by your Lordships Secondly VVe protest that the said Archbishops and Bishops our Parties complained upon cannot be reputed or esteemed lawfull Judges to fit in any Judicatorie in this Kingdome Civill or Ecclesiasticall upon any of the supplicants untill after lawfull tryall judicially they purge themselves of such crimes as we have already laid to their charge offering to prove the same whensoever His Sacred Majestie shall please to give us audience Thirdly VVe protest that no Act nor Proclamation to follow thereupon past or to be past in Councell or out of Councell in presence of the Archbishops and Bishops whom we have already declined to be our Judges shall any wayes be prejudiciall to us the supplicants our persons estates lawfull meetings proceedings or pursuits Fourthly VVe protest that neither we nor any whose heart the Lord moveth to joine with us in these our supplications against the foresaid Innovations shall incurre any danger in life lands or any Politicall or Ecclesiasticall paines for not observing such Acts Bookes Canons Rites Judicatories Proclamations introduced without or against the Acts of Generall Assemblies or Acts of Parliament the Statutes of this Kingdome But that it shall be lawfull to us or them to use our selves in matters of Religion of the externall worship of God and Policie of the Church according to the word of God and laudable Constitutions of this Church and Kingdome conforme to His Majesties Declaration the ninth of December last Fifthly seeing by the legall and submisse way of our former supplications all who takes these Innovations to heart have been kept calme and carried themselves in a quiet manner in hope of redresse VVe protest that if any inconvenience shall happen to fall out which we pray the Lord to prevent upon the pressing of any of the foresaid Innovations or evils specially or generally contained in our former supplications and complaints and upon your Lordships refusall to take order thereanent the same be not imputed to us who most humbly seeks all things to be reformed by an Order Sixthly we protest that these our requests proceeding from conscience and a due respect to His Majesties honour doe tend to no other end but to the preservation of the true reformed Religion the lawes and liberties of this His Majesties most ancient Kingdome and satisfaction of our most humble desires contained in our supplication and complaint according to his Majesties accustomed goodnesse and justice from which we doe certainely expect that His Sacred Majestie will provide and grant such remedie to our just petitions and complaints as may be expected from so gracious a King toward most loyall and dutifull subjects calling for redresse of so pressing grievances and praying to God that his Majestie may long and prosperously reigne over us AGainst which Protestation We shall now say nothing because it is contained repeated in another larger Protestation of theirs which shall be inserted hereafter and there it shall receive a full answer Onely We desire the Reader to observe these two things in it First the iniquitie and injustice of their demanding some of our Bishops to be removed from our Councell nay and which We think never was heard before their protesting against all Acts to be done and passed in our Councell at which any of them shall be present alledging that this their Protestation against them and Declinator of them maketh them to be parties and so they cannot be Judges and withall they require them first to be removed and then promise they will make proofe of such crimes against them as shall declare the justice of their removall which is all one as to intreat them first to condemn a man and then to trie him And if a Protestation against their sitting in Councell and a Declinator of Our Councells authoritie neither of them admitted by our Councell shall make some Councellours to be parties and invalidate all Acts of Councell so long as these Councellours whom they have fancied to be parties sit there how their last pretended generall Assembly against which there were so many Protestations made both by the Bishops and others and which by all these Protesters was declined as Judge because the members of it had all made themselves parties can be counted a lawfull generall Assembly or the members of it lawfull Judges We leave it to themselves to reconcile And if they should say that these Protestations and Declinators against the Assembly were repelled by the Assembly who was the sole Judge of them let them remember that their Protestation against the Bishops and their Declinator against Our Councels authoritie if they should not eject them were both of them likewise repelled and rejected by Our Councell who was the onely true Judge of them their last pretended Assembly being no true but onely a pretended Judge of the others after the Assembly was dissolved by Our authoritie And secondly We shall desire the Reader to observe that their demands in this Protestation are very farre short of those which are made by them in their succeeding Protestations which swell with farre more bold and insolent demands then this doth although this be bold and insolent enough But it is an usuall course with the heads of all Rebellions to draw in that partie by whose power they intend to make good their wicked plots with small things at the first concealing from them the depth of their intentions untill they have engaged them so farre as they can make them beleeve that there is no safety in retreating when their crimes are past hope of pardon And now after this their first Protestation begun the most unnaturall causlesse and horrible Rebellion that this or perhaps any other age in the world hath been acquainted with For now these Protesters begin to invest themselves with the supreme Ensignes and Markes of Majestie and Soveraigntie by erecting publike Tables
of that employment by their places or such as are legally disabled to sit and decide in an Assemblie of the Church a meeting consisting of such members cannot be thought a free and lawfull Assemblie By that Act of Parliament Ja. 6. par 3. cap. 46. 1572. Everie Minister who shall pretend to be a Minister of Gods Word and Sacraments is bound to give his assent and subscription to the Articles of Religion contained in the Acts of our Soveraigne Lords Parliament and in presence of the Archbishop Superintendent or Commissioner of the Province give his oath for acknowledging and recognoscing of our Soveraigne Lord and his authoritie and bring a testimoniall in writing thereupon and openly upon some Sunday in time of Sermon or publike Prayers in the Kirk where hee ought to attend read both the testimoniall and Confession and of new make the said oath within a month after his admission under the paine that every person that shall not do as is above appointed shall ipso facto bee deprived and all his Ecclesiasticall promotions and living shall bee then vacant as if he were then naturally dead and that all inferiour persons under Prelats be called before the Archbishops Bishops Superintendents and Commissioners of the Dioceses or Province within which they dwell as the Act beares All of the Clergie conveened to this Assemblie pretend themselves to be Ministers of Gods Word and Sacraments and have benefices or other Ecclesiasticall livings yet neverthelesse the most part of them have never in presence of the Archbishop Bishop Superintendent or Commissioner of the Diocese or Province subscribed the Articles of Religion contained in the Acts of Parliament and given their oath for acknowledging and recognoscing our Soveraigne Lord and his authority and brought a testimoniall thereof and therefore they are ipso facto deprived and their places voyd as if they were naturally dead and consequently having no place nor function in the Church cannot be Commissioners to this Assembly hoc maximè attento that the said persons not onely have never given their oath for acknowledging his Majesties authority nor can shew no testimoniall thereupon as they are bound by the said Act but also having as subjects comprehended in the representative body of this Kingdome Promised to acknowledge obey maintain defend advance the life honour safety dignity soveraigne authority and prerogative Royall of his soveraigne Majesty his heires and successours and priviledges of his Highnesse Crowne with their lives lands and goods to the uttermost of their power constantly and faithfully to withstand all and whatsoever persons powers and estates who shall presume prease or intend any wise to impugne prejudge hurt or impaire the same and never to come in the contrary thereof directly or indirectly in any time comming as the Acts of Parliament Jacob. 6. Parl. 18. Cap. 1. Car. Parl. Cap. 1 doe proport And moreover being obliged at their admission to give their oath for performance of this duty of their allegeance and to testifie and declare on their conscience that the King is the lawfull supreme Governour as well in matters spirituall and Ecclesiasticall as temporall and to assist and defend all jurisdiction and authority belonging to his Majestie by the Act of Parl. 1612. yet notwithstanding of the said bands acts and promises whereby the said persons are so strictly bound to the performance of the premises his Majestie having ordained by Act of Councell at Holy-rood-house Septem 24. 1638. and proclamations following thereupon that all his Majesties lieges of whatsoever estate degree or quality Ecclesiasticall or Temporall should sweare and subscribe the said Confession together with a generall band for defending his Majesties person and authority against all enemies within this Realme or without have not onely refused to subscribe the said band and Confession but have in their Sermons and other speeches disswaded deterred impeded and hindred others of the lieges to subscribe the same and publickly protested against the subscription thereof and thereupon cannot conveen nor concurre lawfully to the making up of the body of an Assembly of the Kirk as being deprived and denuded of all place and function in the same A generall Assembly was condescended to out of his Majesties gracious clemencie and pious disposition as a Royall favour to those that so should acknowledge the same and acquiesce to his gracious pleasure and carry themselves peaceably as loyall and dutifull subjects which the Commissioners directed to this Assembly supposed to bee of the number of those that adhere to the last Protestation made at Edinburgh Sept. 1638. do not so account of and accept as appeares by the said Protestation whereby they protest That it shall bee lawfull for them as at other times so at this to assemble themselves notwithstanding any impediment or prorogation to the contray as also by continuing their meetings and Table discharged by authority refusing to subscribe the band according to his Majesties and Councels command for maintaining his Majesties Royall person and authority protesting against the same still insisting with the lieges to subscribe the band of mutuall defence against all persons whatsoever and remitting nothing of their former proceedings whereby his Majesties wrath was provoked thereby they are become in the same state and condition wherein they were before his Majesties Proclamation and pardon and so forfeit the favour of this Assembly and liberty to bee members thereof And others of his Majesties subjects may justly feare to meet with them in this convention for that by the Act of Parl. James 6. Parl. 15. cap. 31. Prelacies being declared to be one of the three Estates of this Kingdome and by the Act of Parl. James 6. Par. 8. cap. 130. all persons are discharged to impugne the dignity and authority of the three Estates or any of them in time comming under the paine of treason And whereas the King by his Proclamation declares Archbishops and Bishops to have voyce in the generall Assembly and calls them to the same for that effect as constantly they have been in use in all Assemblies where they were present as appeares by many Acts of the generall Assemblie ordaining them to keep and assist at the same as in the Assembly at Edinburgh Decemb. 15. 1566. At Edinburgh 6. March 1572. At Edinburgh May 10. 1586. and by a Letter written by the Assembly March 6. 1573. to the Regent earnestly desiring his owne or his Commissioners presence and the Lords of Councell and the Bishops at the Assembly They notwithstanding by the said Protestation Septemb. 22 declared Archbishops and Bishops to have no warrant for their office in this Kirk to be authorized with no lawfull Commission and to have no place nor voyce in this Assembly and withall doe arrogate to their meetings a soveraigne authority to determine of all questions and doubts that can arise contrary to the freedome of the Assembly whether in constitution and members or in the matters to be treated or in manner and order of
unlesse they bee required so to doe by such as shall have lawfull authoritie from his Majestie to administer it unto them being confident that none either will or can take the said oath or any other oath in any sense which may not consist with episcopall government having his Majesties sense and so the sense of all lawfull authority fully explayned to them HAMILTOUN THat episcopall jurisdiction was in force by acts of parliament no wayes abolished nor suppressed in the yeare 1580. nor at the time of reformation of religion within the realm of Scotland doth evidently appeare by the acts of parliament after mentioned First by the parliament 1567. cap. 2. whereby at the time of reformation the Popes authoritie was abolished it is enacted by the said act That no bishop nor other prelate in this realme use any jurisdiction in time coming by the bishop of Romes authority And by the third act of the same parliament whereby it is declared That all acts not agreeing with Gods word and contrary to the confession of faith approved by the estates in that parliament to have no effect nor strength in time to come Whereby it is evident that it was not the reformers intētion to suppresse episcopacie but that bishops should not use any jurisdiction by the bishop of Rome his authority seeing they did allow episcopacie to cōtinue in the church that they did not esteeme the same contrary to Gods word and confession foresaid as appeares more clearly by the sixth act of the said parliament which is ratified in the parliament 1579. cap. 68. whereby it is declared That the ministers of the blessed Evangell of Iesus Christ whom God of his mercie hath now raised up amongst us or hereafter shall raise agreeing with them that now live in doctrine or administration of the sacraments and the people of this realme that professe Christ as hee is now offered in his Evangel and doe communicate with the holy sacraments as in the reformed kirks of this realme they are publickly administrate according to the confession of the faith to be the only true and holy kirk of Iesus Christ within this realme without any exception by reason of policie and discipline declaring only such as either gain-say the word of the Evangel according to the heads of the said confession or refuse the participation of the holy sacraments as they are now ministrate to bee no members of the said kirk so long as they keep themselves so divided from the societie of Christs body Whereby it is manifest that it was not the said reformers minde to exclude any from that society by reason of discipline and that they did not at that time innovate or change any thing in that policie they found in the said kirk before the reformation This is likewaies evident by the oath to be ministred to the king at his coronation by the eigth act of the said parliament wherby he is to sweare to maintaine the true religion of Iesus Christ the preaching of his holy word due and right ministration of the sacraments now received and preached within this realme and shall abolish and gainstand all false religion contrarie to the same without swearing to any innovation of policie and discipline of the kirk Secondly it doth evidently appeare by these subsequent acts of parliament that by the muncipall law of this realme archbishops and bishops was not only allowed in the kirk but also had jurisdiction and authority to governe the same First by the 24. act of the said parliament whereby all civill priviledges granted by our soveraigne Lords predecessors to the spirituall estate of this realme are ratified in all points after the form tenor therof And by the 35. act of the parliament 1571. whereby all and whatsoever acts and statutes made of before by our soveraigne Lord and his predecessors anent the freedome and liberty of the true kirke of God are ratified and approved By the 46. act of the parliament 1572. whereby it is declared that archbishops and bishops have the authority and are ordained to conveen and deprive all inferiour persons being ministers who shall not subscribe the articles of religion and give their oath for acknowledging and recognoscing of our soveraigne Lord and his authority and bring a testimoniall in writing thereupon within a moneth after their admission By the 48. act of the same parliament whereby it is declared that archbishops and bishops have authority at their visitations to designe ministers gleibes By the 54. act of the said parliament whereby archbishops and bishops are authorized to nominate and appoint at their visitations persons in every parochin for making and setting of the taxation for upholding and repairing of kirks and kirk-yards and to conveene try and censure all persons that shall be found to have applied to their own use the stones timber or any thing else pertaining to kirks demolished By the 55. act of the parliament 1573. whereby archbishops and bishops are authorized to admonish persons married in case of desertion to adhere and in case of disobedience to direct charges to the minister of the parochin to proceed to the sentence of excommunication By the 63. act of the parliament 1578. whereby bishops and where no bishops are provided the Commissioner of diocesses have authority to try the rents of hospitals and call for the foundations thereof By the 69. act of the parliament 1579. whereby the jurisdiction of the kirk is declared to stand in preaching the word of Iesus Christ correction of manners and administration of the holy sacraments and yet no other authority nor office-bearer allowed and appointed by act of parliament nor is allowed by the former acts but archbishops and bishops intended to continue in their authority as is clear by these acts following First by the 71. act of the same parliament whereby persons returning from their travels are ordained within the space of twenty dayes after their returne to passe to the bishop superintendent commissioner of the kirks where they arrive and reside and there offer to make and give a confession of their faith or then within fourtie dayes to remove themselves forth of the realme By the 99. act of the parliament 1581. whereby the foresaids acts are ratified and approved By the 130. act of the parliament 1584. whereby it is ordained that none of his Majesties lieges and subjects presume or take upon hand to impugne the dignitie and authoritie of the three estates of this kingdome whereby the honour and authority of the Kings Majesties supreme court of parliament past all memorie of man hath beene continued or to seek or procure the innovation or diminution of the power and authoritie of the same three estates or any of them in time coming under the paine of treason By the 131. act of the same parliament wherby all judgements jurisdictions as well in spirituall as tēporall causes in practice custome during these twenty foure yeares by-past not approved
man before his Father that confesseth him before men All of these and each of them besides your Lordships personall and particular obligations to God doe call for no lesse at your Lordships hands in the cause of so great and singular necessitie and we also doe expect so much at this time according as your Lordship at the houre of death would be free of the terrour of God and be refreshed with the comfortable remembrance of a word spoken in season for Christ Jesus King of Kings and Lord of Lords OUr Commissioner in the meane time resolved to publish Our gracious Declaration for relieving of their grievances and satisfying Our people in Our forwardnesse for the maintenance of the Religion professed in that Kingdome and Our aversnesse from Poperie which they of the Covenanters Table having notice of being above all things afraid that Our people should receive any satisfaction from Us or rest contented with the grace of Our reasonable proffers of favour did mightily repine at came to Our Commissioner and wished him for Our honour his owne safetie and peace of the publike not to make any such Declaration which undoubtedly would be encountred with a Protestation and that in such manner as would be displeasing to him and make the publishing of that Declaration be found disserviceable unto Us. Our Commissioner being perplexed with these unexpected and dangerous difficulties resolved by faire proceedings to gaine so much time untill he might make Us acquainted with them and receive Our answer and instructions concerning them In his Letters of advice he acquainted Us with the danger threatned if he should publish Our Declaration which though he knew to be full of grace yet the heads of the Covenant would never suffer the multitude of their members to understand it so Two things he desired of Us One that in case Wee continued in Our resolution of publishing Our Declaration Wee would be pleased to sweeten it with this further favour as to restore to the citie of Edinburgh the sitting of Our Councell Our Session and all other Courts of Justice which he conceived would be very acceptable to Our Councellors Judges to all Advocates and all dependents upon the Law to all Our subjects which had businesse depending in any of these Courts but most of all to the citie of Edinburgh which complained much of their being impoverished by absence of these Courts and that this was like to prove a most probable perswasion for reclaiming them to their former obedience Next that We would be pleased to give him leave to take a journy unto Us though he should returne presently that he might acquaint Us with the new emergencies of businesses and such other things as could not be conveniently expressed in Letters and so accordingly receive instructions from Us for his carriage To which Letters of advice Wee did returne by a speedie dispatch this answer That We would have Our Declaration no longer delayed but commanded him presently to publish it because Wee would not whatsoever the event should be have Our people barred the knowledge of Our Gracious intentions and favours towards them which We did see the leaders of them studied nothing more then to suppresse And that at his intreatie Wee were contented that all the Courts of Justice should presently begin to sit againe at Edinburgh for the reasons contained in his Letters and in hope of reclaiming of that Citie which otherwise by their misdemeanour had no reason to expect any such favour from Us And withall after the dispatch of these two that Wee were contented hee should repaire to Us as hee desired whensoever hee should finde it convenient taking first order with Our Councell for keeping all things in order untill his returne This answer of Ours so soone as Our Commissioner received he assembled Our Councell and made them acquainted with it who were so well satisfied with the bringing back of Our Courts of Justice to Edinburgh that presently they sent unto Us a Letter of thanks of this tenour Most Sacred Soveraigne THe Marquesse of Hamiltoun your Majesties Commissioner having imparted unto us your Majesties gracious pleasure and allowance that the Judicatories of the Councell of Session and others should be returned to the Citie of Edinburgh Thereupon the Lord Commissioner being present order was given for publication at the Market Crosse of Edinburgh with all solemnities requisite and that the like publication should be made throughout the whole Kingdome at all publike places This hath given so great contentment to all your Majesties subjects that we cannot expresse with what dutifull respect and heartie prayers for your Majestie they have embraced this great and undeserved favour In consideration whereof wee conceive our selves bound in dutie to acquaint your Majestie herewith and withall to render to your Majestie most humble and heartie thanks for this so great grace and goodnesse which wee hope shall contribute to the good of your Majesties service and to establishing the peace of the Countrie for the which we all your Majesties good subjects shall ever bee most thankfull and all in dutie bound to pray for your Majesties long and happie Reigne Holy-rood-house July 2. 1638. Subscribitur Traquaire Roxbrugh Mar Morton Winton Lithgow Wigtonne Kingorne Hadinton Lauderdaile Kinoul Southesk Lorne Naper Dalyell Ihay Ja Carmithaell Thomas Hop John Hammilton ANd accordingly Our Commissioner caused Proclamation to be made at the Crosse of Edinburgh for the first sitting downe of the Session there the Tuesday following being the third of July 1638. which was received with such joy by the Judges Advocates and all others having relation to the Colledge of Justice but above all by the Magistrates and Citizens of Edinburgh that Our Commissioner and Councell did then well hope all mens minds had beene well prepared to receive the Declaration of Our Grace and favour which was to bee published in the next Proclamation with an humble and thankfull acknowledgment which undoubtedly they had done if they had not beene not onely diverted but perverted by those men who interpreted every satisfaction of Our subjects received from Us to be a dividing and pulling them away from themselves And therefore they quickly cast about to finde out some meanes how this Our speciall favour might not be resented by them which was this They assured their followers that there were two of the Lords of Our Session viz. Sir Robert Spotswood President of the same and Sir John Hay Our Clerk of Register answerable to the Master of the Rolles here in England sworne enemies to their Covenant well affected to Episcopall government procurers and abettors of the pretended Innovations that unlesse these two were presently removed from Our Session there could be no good intended to them by the bringing of it back to Edinburgh and therefore advised them to send some of their number to Our Commissioner to desire that these two Our Judges might presently bee removed from that Court Not that they who put this in their
and other places needfull and there by open Proclamation to make publication of the holding of the said Parliament and to warne all and sundry Noblemen Prelates and Commissioners for the Barons and Burrowes and all others having voice and place in the said Parliament that they and every one of them in their most decent and comely manner make their addresse to the said Parliament attend and await thereat during the time thereof and to discharge that duty which is incumbent to them and each one of them as they will answer on the contrary at their perill ANd last of all was published and proclaimed first the Act of the Lords of Our Councel for requiring all Our subjects to subscribe the said Confession of Faith and Band annexed which here followeth At Holy-rood-house the 24. day of September Anno 1638. THe which day a Noble Earle JAMES Marquesse of Hamiltoun Earle of Arran and Cambridge his Majesties Commissioner having produced and exhibit before the Lords of secret Councell upon the twenty second day of this instant a warrant signed by his Majestie of the date the ninth of September instant wherein among others of his Majesties gracious and royall expressions for preservation of the purity of Religion and due obedience to his Majesties authoritie in the maintenance thereof his Majestie did will and ordaine that the Lords themselves should sweare the Confession and generall Band mentioned in his Majesties said warrant and also should take such order as all his Majesties lieges may subscribe the same And the said Lords of secret Councell acknowledging his Majesties pious and gracious disposition and affection to the purity of Gods truth did upon the 22. day of September instant unanimously and with all humble hearty and sincere affection sweare and subscribe the confession of Faith dated the second of March 1580. according as it was then profest within this Kingdome Together with the foresaid generall Band dated in Anno 1589. And now to the effect that all his Majesties lieges may give the like obedience to his Majesties so pious desire therefore the said Lords have ordained and ordaines all his Majesties lieges of whatsoever estate degree or qualitie Ecclesiasticall or Civill to sweare and subscribe the said Confession dated the second of March 1580. and that according to the said date and tenour thereof and as it was then profest within this Kingdome Together with the said generall Band dated in Anno 1589. as they will answer at the contrarie upon their obedience And ordaines officers of Armes to passe to the market crosse of Edinburgh and make publication hereof and at all other places needfull wherethrough none pretend ignorance of the same ANd next after that was proclaimed the Commission of the Lords of Our Councell whereby they appointed and designed severall Commissioners for requiring and taking the subscriptions of Our subjects to the said Confession and Band annexed throughout the severall Shires within the Kingdome which here followeth At Holy-rood-house the 24. day of September Anno 1638. FOrsomuch as a noble Marquesse James Marquesse of Hamiltoun Earle of Arran and Cambridge his Majesties Commissioner and the Lords of Secret Councell by an act of the date of the twenty second of this instant have by speciall warrant of his sacred Majestie sworne and subscribed with all humble and heartie affection and unanimously the Confession of Faith dated the second of March 1580. and at length insert in the Bookes of Privie Councell of and according to the said date and tenour thereof and according as it was then profest within this kingdome Together with the generall Band insert therewith in the said bookes of Privie Councell dated in Anno 1589. Like as also the said Lords of Councell by their Act of the date of these presents acknowledging his Majesties pious and gracious disposition and affection to the puritie of Gods truth and as thereby they conceive themselves bound in conscience and humble dutie to use and follow forth all possible diligence for procuring the subscriptions of all his Majesties Lieges thereto And to this effect have thought fit that the care and diligence in procuring thereof be committed to some of his Majesties Councell and others of the Nobilitie and Gentrie within the severall Sheriffedomes and Provinces of the Kingdome in manner after specified Therefore the said Lord Commissioner and Lords of secret Councell give power warrant and commission to such of their number and others after-following within the bounds after specified viz. For the sheriffedome of Edinburgh principall William Earle of Lothiane Archibald Lord Naper S. John Dalmahoy of that ilke S. George Towers of Innerleith For the Burgh of Edinburgh the Provost and Baillies of Edinburgh that are or shall be for the time For East-lothiane Robert Earle of Roxburgh Lord privie Seale Thomas Earle of Hadintoun John Earle of Lauderdaill Harrie Lord Ker S. Patrick Murrey of Elibanke S. Patrick Hepburne of Wauchtoun and James Maxwel of Innerweik For the Stewartie of Dalkeith John Earle of Traquair Lord Treasurer William Earle of Dalhoussie and S. James Macgill of Cranstonriddell For the sheriffedome of Peebles and Ettrick forrest the said Lord Treasurer and John Lord Yester For the sheriffedome of Selkirke the said Lord Treasurer the Earle of Hadintoun S. William Scot of Harden and Generall Ruthven For the sheriffedome of Roxburgh the Lord Privie-seale the Earle of Lauderdaill the Lord Ker S. Andro Ker of Greenhead S. William Dowglas Sheriffe of Tiviotdaill and S. Thomas Ker of Cavers For the Sheriffedome of Bervick the said Lord Privie-Seale James Earle of Home the Earles of Hadintoun and Lauderdaill and Laird of Blacader For the sheriffedome of Fyffe John Earle of Rothes Charles Earle of Dumfermeline John Earle of Annandaill John Earle of Wemes Lord Fentoun John Lord Lindsey David Lord Balcarres S. Thomas Hope of Craighall Knight Baronet His Majesties Advocate S. Alexander Gibson of Durie Sir James Learmonth of Balcolmie and S. Andrew Murrey of Balvaird For the sheriffedome of Linlithgow Alexander Earle of Linlithgow James Lord Amont S. John Hammiltoun of Orbeston Justice clerk Dundas of that ilk and M. George Dundas of Manner For the sheriffedome of Lanerk John Earle of Wigtoune Archibald Lord Angus Lord Fleeming Robert Lord Dalyell S. William Elphinstoun chiefe Justice Sir James Carmichaell of that ilk Treasurer Depute the said Justice-clerke S. James Lokhart younger of Lee Francis Douglas of Sandelands Gawin Hamiltoun of Raploche S. James Hamiltoun of Broom-hill Robert Hamiltoun of Torrence and Alexander Hamiltoun of Hags sheriffe For the sheriffedome of Striveling John Earle of Mar William Earle of Airth John Earle of Montrose Alexander Earle of Linlithgow John Earle of Wigtoun John Lord Flemming Alexander Lord Elphinstoun James Lord Amont and S. William Murray of Polmais For the sheriffedome of Dumfreis William Earle of Queinsberrie Master of Dalyell the Laird of Lag William Maxwell of Kirkhouse and John Dalyell of Newtoun For the sheriffdome of Clackmannan the said Earle
of Mar S. Robert Bruce of Clackmannan S. Thomas Hope younger of Cars sheriffe For the sheriffedome of Wigtoun John Earle of Cassils Alexander Earle of Galloway Sir John Hamiltoun elder and younger of Barganie S. Patrick Mackie of Larg John Murrey of Broughton For the sheriffedome of Air Alexander Earle of Eglintoun Alexander Earle of Glencarne John Earle of Cassils William Earle of Dumfreis William Lord Crichton John Lord Lowdoun the Lairds of Barganie elder and younger the Lairds of Gastoun and Cragiewallace For the sheriffedome of Renfrew Alexander Earle of Glencarne Robert Vicount of Belheaven S. Archibald Stewart of Black-hall the Laird of Howston and Bryce Sempill of Cathcart S. Robert Dowglas of Blaikester and S. John Maxwell of Pooke For the sheriffedome of Dumbartan Argile and Carbet the said Earles of Montrose and Wigtoun the Lords Lorn Flemming S. George Stirline of Keir and S. William Stewart Captaine of the Castle of Dumbartane For the sheriffedome of Perth stewartries of Monteith and Strathern the Earls of Airth Montrois Atholl Perth Tullibardin and Kinnoul Mungo Vicount of Stormont the Lairds of Keir and Lawers elder and younger the Lairds of Duncrub elder and younger and Blair of Baltheiock For the sheriffedome of Forfar the Earls of Montrois Kingorn and Southesk the Lords Carnaegie and Ogilvie the Master of Spynie Patrick Maule of Panmure the Constable of Dundie S. Andro Fletcher of Innerpeffer the Lairds of Din Ethie Balnamoune Aldbar Bonnyton Lethintie and Innerquharratie For the sheriffdome of the Mernes the Earles of Mairshall and Southesk the Lord Carnegie S. Thomas Burnet of Leyes the Lairds of Glenbervie Arbuthnet Morphie Balmoyne and Halkerton elder For the sheriffedome of Aberdene the Marquesse of Huntly the Earles of Mairshall and Kingorne the Earle of Kingorne for himselfe and as Tutor to the Earle of Erroll the Lords Forbes and Fraser and Laird of Drum For the sheriffedome of Banff the Marquesse of Huntly the Earls of Mairshall and Finlatter For Elgine and Forres the Earle of Murray the Laird of Innes Brodie of that ilk and Dumbar sheriffe of Murrey For the sheriffedome of Innernesse the Marquesse of Huntly the Earle of Seafort the Lord Lovatt the Lairds of Grant and Makintosh For the sheriffedomes of Caithnes and Sutherland the Earles of Sutherland Caithnes and Seafort the Master of Berridail and S. Robert Gordoun For Orkney and Zetland the Earle of Cariet S. John Buchannan of Scotiscraig and Will. Stewart of Maynes For the sheriffdom of Bute the Lord Lorn and sheriff of Bute For the Iles the Lord Lorn With power to them conjunctly and severally to passe to the severall bounds above-written at such times places as they shall think fit and there to exhibit the said Confession of faith and generall Band above-specified marked and subscribed by the Clerk of Councell and to require all his Majesties lieges of whatsoever rank and qualitie to subscribe the said Confession of Faith dated March 2. 1580. according to the said date and tenour thereof and as it was then profest within this kindgdome together with the generall Band dated in Anno 1589. as they will be answerable to his Majesty and the said Lords upon their dutie and obedience and to make report of their said diligence betwixt and the thirteenth day of November next ANd because many did conceive though falsly that these pretended Innovations had made some alteration in the Religion which was sworne at the first in the said Confession Our Commissioner and Councell knowing well that suggestion to be made by those who were enemies to all peace and onely to that end that Our subjects might be kept from returning to their obedience did declare most truly and justly that Our intention and so accordingly the oath which they had now taken was to defend the true Religion and Confession of faith as it was professed in that Kingdome and sworne unto in the yeare of our Lord 1580. by which they did assuredly conceive that all Our good people would rest fully satisfied The Act of Councell containing that short explication here followeth Apud Holy-rood-house 22. Septembris Anno 1638. THe which day a Noble Marquesse JAMES Marquesse of Hammiltoun Earle of Arran and Cambridge his Majesties Commissioner and Lords of secret Councell in all humble and heartie affection unanimously swore and subscribed the Confession of Faith above-written dated 2. March 1580. according as it was then profest within this Kingdome Together with the generall Band above specified dated in Anno 1589. Whereupon S. Thomas Hope of Craighall his Majesties Advocate in his Majesties name asked instruments WIth all these Our gracious proceedings the Lords of Our Councel were so fully satisfied themselves that they did verily beleeve that there would remaine no more scruples in the minds of Our good subjects and that nothing now could keep them from a cheerfull and thankfull returning to their former obedience Their own resentment and satisfaction they testified both by an act of Councell and a particular Letter directed to Us for that purpose which here do follow The Act of Councell THe Lords of secret Councell having read and maturely considered his Majesties letters and particular declaration of his pleasure anent the annulling of the Service Book Book of Canons and high Commission discharging the pressing of the practice of the five Articles making all persons Ecclesiastick and Civill of what title or degree soever lyable to the tryall and censure of Parliament generall Assembly and other Judicatories competent anent the not administrating to Ministers at their entry any other oath then that which is contained in the Act of Parliament anent the subscribing and renewing the Confession of Faith subscribed by his Majesties Father of blessed memory and his houshold in Anno 1580. and Band following thereupon anent the indiction of a generall Assembly to be holden at Glasgow the 21. day of November 1638. and Parliament at Edinburgh the 15. of May 1639. and anent his gracious goodnesse in forgetting and forgiving all by-gones and indiction of a Fast for craving of Gods blessing to this Assembly find themselves so fully satisfied therewith and the same to be so satisfactory for removing all the feares of the subjects anent innovation of Religion or Lawes that we hold our selves bound in duty not only to acquiesce therewith as the best meane to secure both Religion and Lawes but also to use our best endevours that all his Majesties good subjects may likewise rest satisfied therewith And that they with us and we with them may testifie our thankfulnesse for so great a grace and goodnesse with all the heartie expressions of dutifulnesse and loyalty And that our true sense hereof may the more clearly appeare to our sacred Soveraigne Wee doe by these humbly and heartily make offer of our lives and fortunes in the defending and assisting of his Majesties sacred person and authority in the maintenance of the foresaid Religion and Confession and repressing of all such as
of suffrage and so these Ministers and none but they were chosen in each Presbyterie whom the Tables at Edinburgh had designed A thing so odious and distastfull to the Ministers that in some Presbyteries the Ministers chosen Commissioners had but eight Ministers voices and the voices of two and twentie Lay-men in others not above two Ministers voices in some but one but in all Presbyteries the Ministers Commissioners were elected by the pluralitie of Layvoices Some of these Ministers though Covenanters seeing the libertie of the Church by this meanes utterly lost and betraied did repaire to the two Covenanting Ministers of Edinburgh to whom they bemoaned themselves wondring that they would give way to the utter defacing of the Church by these Laick intrusions to whom they gave this answer That they grieved for it as much as themselves but that the necessitie of the times was such that they must wink at it else the Nobilitie Gentrie and Burrowes did threaten them with a desertion upon which a division must follow which by their Oath and Covenant they were bound by all meanes to prevent But the aggrieved Ministers were not satisfied with such cold comfortlesse and unconscionable answers but resolved in many Presbyteries to draw up their Protestations against the Lay Elders to the Assemblie yet they were so threatned by the Laitie that most of them fell back and durst not adventure upon it though others both Covenanters Non-covenanters had the courage to do it but with what successe shall be declared when We come to speak of the Assemblie it selfe Yet this We will confidently averre That when Our Commissioner came last from that Our Kingdome three parts of foure of all the Covenanting Ministers did detest the elections made by lay Elders and would have declared the nullitie of all such elections if they durst have done it and that these Ministers unlesse they have changed their minds since had rather live under Episcopall government then under the tyrannie of the Laitie and a few Ministers from whom they have suffered more in a few moneths then ever they did under all the Bishops in the Kingdome since Our comming to the Crowne all which verie many of them have affirmed both for themselves and others to Our Commissioner divers of Our Councell and others of good credit and qualitie whom We dare and do trust But the elections being now past according as they had plotted them or in good forwardnesse so to bee where they were not yet past the Covenanters next care was how to hinder the subscription of the confession of Faith commanded by Us they conceiving it their master-piece to stop any thing though never so well liked by themselves if it were commanded by Our authoritie as fearing that if We had obedience given to Us in any one thing Our people might recover the taste of government And hearing that Our Commissioner was to repaire to the Colledge of Justice there to tender to the Lords of Our Session who are the supreme Judges of Our Lawes in that Kingdome the confession of Faith and band annexed to be sworne by Our authoritie that very morning they set up Rollock to preach though it was not his ordinarie course where many of Our Judges were present before they went to sit There hee with many false and foolish impertinences did so labour to perswade them that the swearing of that confession was unlawfull and plaine perjurie that hee shewed himselfe a ridiculous and most dishonest man to most that were present a weak man to all and so little he prevailed that immediately after Sermon the Judges repairing to their usuall place of sitting whither Our Commissioner came presently and tendered them the said confession all of them except foure who were knowne to be of the false stamp did sweare to it and subscribe it the number of the Judges in all being twenty And here We desire the Reader to observe whether these men shall not be accounted a faction and not a bodie of a Kingdome when they shall separate themselves from Us who are their Soveraigne from the bodie of Our Councell who have the supreme government of the Kingdome under Us and from the bodie of Our Judges who are the Interpreters of Our Lawes and under Us the supreme Judges of all their estates and fortunes these two Judicatories together with Our Judges in criminall causes being under Us by the Lawes constituted the onely Judges of all their actions For if these Covenanters shall ascribe unto themselves the government because they are more in number then those who disassent from them then certainly in all Kingdomes and Republiques the established government must goe downe for in them all they who are ruled and governed are farre more then the Rulers and Governours They then seeing that their fierce endeavours were fruitlesse with the Lords of the Session with all speed dispatched some of their Tables throughout all parts of the Kingdome to stop the subscription to the confession of faith commanded by Us with copies of their Protestation to be read in all places where Our Commissioners should either proclaime Our Declaration or require subscription to that confession In many places they prevailed in many not Where they prevailed they used such indirect and violent courses as they gained an assent from many mens mouths whose minds were very farre from it In Glasgow after that the Lord Lowdan with divers others Noblemen Gentlemen and Ministers sent as they pretended from the Tables at Edinburgh had caused to bee read that infamous Libell of which you shall heare afterwards against the Archbishop of Glasgow in his owne Cathedrall Church without the knowledge of the Magistrates of that Citie the Lord Lowdan desired the Provost of Glasgow to convocate their Towne Councell that hee might impart some things unto them which the Provost refused But that Lord and his Associates understanding that their ordinarie Church Session sate that afternoone at which the Magistrates and Ministers were to be present came suddenly into the place where they did sit beyond their expectation where the Lord Lowdan made a speech of great length concerning the iniquitie and danger of Our Covenant adjuring them both by perswasions and threatnings that they would not subscribe the confession of faith required by Us and therefore his demand was That he might have the assured promises of the Magistrates and Ministers that they would not subscribe it that so he might report their answer to the Tables from whence he was sent To which the Provost presently answered That his Lordship knew well that Our Commissioner had required from them a subscription to Our Covenant that they had humbly intreated of his Grace some short time to returne their answer and therefore hee wondred that any man should thinke it was fit to answer any who was sent from the Tables before they had made their answer to Our Commissioner and so refusing to give any answer to these Emissaries from the Tables
your Lordsh meanes for naming none I know not to whom I shall take my selfe nor doe I know what violence and threatnings you mean If you meane his Majesties Commissioners appointed by the King they requiring his subjects to subscribe the old Confession and Covenant by his authoritie now renewed and remonstrating unto them the danger they incurre by law in not obeying his Majesties commandement I hope that cannot bee called violence but duty the omission whereof must needs bee a violation of and violence offered to his Majesties sacred authority If other violences and threatnings they have used as your Lordsh seemeth to intimate for their obedience to his Majesties just authority I am sure your Lordsh will not call violence they must answer for it and shall whensoever your Lordsh shall make known the delinquents But alas my Lords Tell me now in good earnest whether you have heard they have used such violence in perswading this Covenant as hath beene used by your adherents in inforcing of yours hath the bloud of Gods servants his holy Ministers been shed which bloud I am affraid keepeth the vengeance of God still hanging over this Land have men beene beaten turned out of their livings and maintenance reviled and excommunicated in the Pulpits and a thousand more outrages acted upon them for not subscribing this Covenant have none who have subscribed your Covenant done it with blind and doubting minds If they have I beseech your Lordsh not to call his Majesties Councellours legall proceedings irreligious and unjust untill you have proved the piety and justice of the proceedings of your owne adherents For the other of your undertaking and promising for your parts that no man should be troubled till the Assembly and expecting the like from us truly I am glad I have it under your Lordsh hands for I think there are few houres of any one day since the indicting of the Assemblie that from all parts of this Kingdome I am not vexed with complaints of new processing of Ministers new with-holding of Ministers stipends unprocessed heavie complaints of Ministers of your owne Covenant that they are threatned and that sharply and bitterly for their declaring of their griefe in being barred of their freedome in the election of their owne Commissioners to the Generall Assembly and being borne down by the multitude of Lay voyces and menaced because of their protesting against the same The complaints of Ministers Non-Covenanters and Lay-Elders Non-Covenanters chosen by their Sessions to assist at the election of the Commissioners from the Presbyteries but turned backe for not having subscribed your Covenant and reviled with bitter words for being so pert as to come thither is this the performance of promising that no man shall bee troubled till the Assembly These are indeed preparations verie unfit to precede this Assembly they being so unpeaceable and like to take up much time in discussing at that great Meeting the illegality of these elections My Lord the truth is I shall be as carefull to see any wrong offered by his Majesties Commissioners in urging his Majesties authority punished when I shall know the offences and the offenders as I am heartily grieved at the proceedings of your Associats Here I am sure his Majesties Commissioners have been rather backward then forward but so have not your Lordsh adherents been for they have in verie many places proclaimed your Protestation where his Majesties Declaration hath not been proclaimed I hope your Lordsh will pardon my unusuall prolixitie for I confesse I am much troubled to see his Majesties good subjects led into such misconstructions of his pious and religious intentions towards them This my Letter I pray your Lordsh to communicate to the other Noble Lords who subscribed that to me To your selfe and them I pray your Lordsh commend the true respects of Your Lordsh. For the Earle of Cassills THis Letter it seemes gave them no satisfaction for they still continued their reports Besides they had the boldnesse by another Letter from the same Table sent likewise to Our Commissioner being then at Hammilton to expostulate with him that one of Our Ships at sea had searched a Scottish Merchants Ship for Ammunition when as they themselves before had searched a Merchants Ship for some Ammunition which We had sent for Scotland and would have seized upon it if they had not been prevented and immediately after a little English Vessell carrying Beere to some part of that Kingdome was likewise stayed and searched by them In the same Letter they quarrell with Our Commissioner for hindering the bringing of Horses from England thither which is unlawfull for any one to doe without a speciall licence from the Master of Our Horse The copie of their Letter filled with their ordinarie pretences of Religion and Our Commissioners Answer unto it be these Please your Grace AFter your parting from us we had knowledge from John Wilson Skipper and sundry of his Passengers newly arrived That being at Sea on his way from Holland hither one of his Majesties small ships of eight Peeces came aboard and searched him for Armes and Ammunition declaring they did the same by his Majesties Warrant We doe not so much value the hazzard of any prejudice as we are heartily grieved to find any such note of his Majesties displeasure differencing us from his other subjects when our own hearts and the Lord that searcheth them doth heare witnesse of our loyaltie and affection to his Majestie especially to have found it now when we are made so secure both by the hopes of obteyning from his Majesties favour by your mediation these ordinary and publike remedies that can fully settle this Church and State and by assurance from your Grace we should finde no such hard dealing during the time of your imployment amongst the subjects here who trust in your care to prevent speedily the inconvenience of this as you did in that other late particular anent the arrest of our horses in England We thinke this advertisment sufficient to your Grace who is wounded through our sides if wee suffer any thing in this time being so farre interessed to vindicate us from such prejudice who doe acknowledge our selves to be Edinb the 28. Septemb. 1638. Your Graces humble servants Rothees Montrose Home Weymse Lindesay Boyd Londone Balmerino Dalhousie Forrester Elcho Craustoune Baltarres Burghly Lothiane My Lord I Have received a Letter this day signed by your Lordsh and sundry other Noblemen making mention that one John Wilson Skipper being on his way from Holland hither was searched by one of his Majesties small ships This is no new nor unaccustomed thing for commonly the Captains of his Majesties ships during the time of being at sea doe take notice what the loadings of all such ships are as they meet with who trade in the Channell it being a prerogative that belongs to his Imperall Crown I am perswaded that your Lordsh and the rest of my Lords cannot thinke but if
that from time to time you may be assisting to him with your best opinions and advices for preparing and digesting every thing that may conduce to bring this businesse to be treated upon in the Assembly to the wished peaceable and happy end And although We will not doubt but that all Our good subjects will bee carefull of every thing that may concerne Us or Our Soveraigne authority yet because that at such publike and generall meetings it is not to be expected that all mens dispositions will be alike and of one temper Wee require you and that in a more particular manner according to the trust and confidence Wee have in your affections to Our service carefully to advert that if any proposition shall be made which may seeme to derogate from Soveraignty or that true estate of Monarchicall Government already established within that Kingdome or which may impede the peaceable conclusion of this Assembly that as good subjects and faithfull Councellours and servants to Us you assist Our Commissioner to withstand the same to the uttermost of your power To whom We will you to give absolute trust in every thing which he in Our name shall deliver or impart to you or any of you in publike or in private And so We bid you farwell From Our Honour of Hampton Court the first of October 1638. THe Citie of Glasgow being much filled and thronged with all sorts of people on the 21. day of November 1638. the day designed by Our Proclamation the Generall Assembly begun and was opened and the proceedings were as follow After Sermon in the morning they assembled in the afternoone The ancientest Minister of the Towne who had preached in the morning desired all present to begin the Action with the chusing of a Moderatour Our Commissioner who sate upon a State raised in a place eminent above the rest with his Assessors about him conveniently seated below told them that there was something to be done before the choice of the Moderatour viz. that his Commission was first to be read that it might be knowne by what authoritie he sate there which was done and so Our Commission to him was publikely read as followeth CAROLUS Dei gratia Magnae Britanniae Franciae Hiberniae Rex fideique Defensor Omnibus probis hominibus suis ad quos praesentes literae pervenerint Salutem Sciatis nos considerantes magnos in hoc regno nostro Scotiae non ita pridem exortos tumultus ad quos quidem componendos multiplices regiae nostrae voluntatis declarationes promulgavimus quae tamen minorem spe nostrâ effectum hactenus sortitae sunt Et nunc statuentes ex pio erga dictum antiquum regnum nostrum affectu ut omnia gratiosè stabiliantur instaurentur quod per absentiam nostram non aliâ ratione melius effici potest quam fideli aliquo Delegato constituto cui potestatem credere possimus tumultus hujusmodi consopiendi aliaque officia praestandi quae in bonum commodum dicti antiqui regni nostri eidem Delegato nostro imperare nobis videbitur Cumque satis compertum habeamus obsequium diligentiam fidem praedilecti nostri consanguinei consiliarii Jacobi Marchionis Hamiltonii Comitis Arraniae Cantabrigiae Domini Aven Innerdail c. eundemque ad imperata nostra exequenda sufficienter instructum esse Idâ—irco fecisse constituisse tenoreque praesentium facere constituere praefatum praedilectum nostrum consanguineum consiliarium Jacobum Marchionem de Hamiltoun nostrum Commissionarium ad effectum subscriptum Cum potestate dicto Jacobo Marchioni de Hamiltoun c. dictum regnum nostrum adeundi ibidemque praefatos tumultus in dicto regno nostro componendi aliaque officia à nobis eidem committenda in dicti regni nostri bonum commodum ibi praestandi eoque Concilium nostrum quibus locis temporibus ei visum fuerit convocandi ac rationem ordinem in praemissis exequendis servandum declarandi praescribendi quaecunque alia ad Commissionis hujus capita pro commissâ sibi fide exequenda eandemque ad absolutum finem perducendam prosequendam conferre possunt tam in Concilio quam extra Concilium nostro nomine efficiendi praestandi idque similitèr adeò liberè acsi nos in sacrosancta nostra persona ibidem adessemus Praeterea cum plena potestate dicto Jacobo Marchioni de Hamiltoun prout sibi videbitur nostro servitio bono dicti regni nostri conducere conventum omnium ordinum ejusdem regni nostri indicendi ac publica comitia conventus eorundem ordinum eorumve alterius vel utriusque quibus temporibus locis sibi visum fuerit statuendi ibidem nostram sacratissimam personam cum omnibus honoribus privilegiis supremo Commissionario nostri Parliamenti publici conventus incumbenÌ„ similiter adeoque amplè sicut quivis supremus Commissionarius quocunque tempore retroacto gavisus est gerendi Necnon cum potestate praefato Jacobo Marchioni de Hamiltoun Synodos nationales ecclesiae dicti regni nostri tenendas temporibus locis quibus sibi visum fuerit indicendi ibidem seipsum tanquam nostrum Commissionarium gerendi omniaque eisdem tenendis inservientia secundum leges praxin praedictae ecclesiae regni nostri praestandi Et hac praesenti nostrâ Commissione durante nostro beneplacito duratura semper donec eadem per nos expressè inhibeatur In cujus rei testimonium praesentibus magnum sigillum nostrum unà cum privato nostro sigillo quia praefatus Marchio de Hamiltoun in praesentiarum est magni sigilli custos apponi praecepimus Apud Oatlands vigesimo nono die mensis Julii Anno Domini millesimo sexcentesimo trigesimo octavo Et anno regni nostri decimo quarto Per signaturam manu S. D. N. Regis suprascriptam NOw this Our Commission was sealed both with Our great Seale of that Kingdome and Our Privie Seale because the Archbishop of S. Andrewes the late Lord Chancellour had lately delivered up unto Us Our Great Seale of that Kingdome which being by Us for a time deposited into the custodie of Our Commissioner untill We should otherwise dispose of it it was thought fit that Our Commission to him should be attested not onely by Our Great Seale which he then had in his custodie but by Our Privie Seale also which was in the keeping of the Lord Privie Seale After the Commission read Our Commissioner exhorted them to a peaceable and moderate carriage touching a little but with great discretion the disorderly proceedings which had been used before their meeting At which a Nobleman Lay-Elder presently took fire an undoubted presage of their succeeding carriage and answered sharply That they had given his Grace content for all their proceedings to which Our Commissioner replyed That hee had never yet received any satisfaction from them in any of their proceedings and by way
complete body exhorted them to stand by the Confession of Faith as it was sworn in 1581. After he had done Our Commissioner desired the Moderatour to say prayer and so to dismisse the Assembly which he was about to doe but was hindered by the Lords who fell againe with new perswasions to urge Our Commissioners stay with them which he answered with so much expression of griefe for there misdemeanours which had necessarily inforced this rupture that verie many of the Assembly seemed to be much moved with it When nothing could perswade his stay at last some of the Lords told him that fearing this rupture they had a protestation ready against what he had said and done which they desired him to heare read which so soone as the Clerk begun to read Our Commissioner repeated his former protestation adding in expresse words that in Our name hee dissolved the Court under the higest paines and so came out with the Lords of Our Councell leaving the Clerk reading their protestation When he came to the Church doore he found it shut so that some of his company were glad to force it open No sooner was he gone but the Lord Areskyn eldest son to the Earle of Marr stood up and made this wise speech not without teares My Lords and the rest my heart hath beene long with you I will dallie no more with God I begge to bee admitted into your blessed Covenant and pray you all to pray to God for me that he would forgive me for dallying with him so long Three others of meaner qualitie desired the same and so all those foure were presently admitted into their Covenant These men at least the Lord Areskyn were resolved to enter into their Covenant long agoe but were reserved on purpose for doing of it at that houre for the greater glory of their Covenant For no sooner had they sworn the Moderator received them by the hand but presently he desired the whole audience to admire Gods approbation and sealing of their proceedings that even at that instant when they might have feared some shrinking and back-sliding because of the present rupture He had moved the hearts of these men to begge admittance into their blessed societie Immediatly after divers stood up and spake but all much about one and to this sense They had seene how carefull and punctuall Our Commissioner was like a good servant faithfully to serve Us his Master and to observe Our instructions speaking withall much to his singular commendation how much more then ought they to be carefull to bee found faithfull in following his instructions who was Master as to all themselves so even to him who was Our Commissioners Master These speeches being ended two things were immediately put to the question First whether notwithstanding Our Commissioners departure and protestation they would adhere to their owne protestation and continue the Assembly They all voyced affirmatively except the Lord Carnaegie Commissioner from the Presbyterie of Brichen Sir John Carnaegie Commissioner from the Presbyterie of Arbroath two Ministers Commissioners from the Presbyterie of Strabogie the lay Elder and Ministers Commissioners from the Presbyterie of Peebles Doctor Strang Principall of the Colledge of Glasgow Doctor Baroune Commissioner from the Universitie of S. Andrewes with some others who refused to sit with them any longer The second was whether the Assembly though discharged by Our Commissioner was competent Judge to the Bishops and whether they would goe on in their tryall notwithstanding the reasons conteyned in their Declinator and this passed affirmatively without one contrarie voyce and so for that night the Assembly was dismissed Our Commissioner after he had left the Assemblie that very night though late assembled Our Councell none were absent except the Earle of Argyle who made some excuse and pretence for his not comming and the Lord Almond who was then sick Two things Our Councell resolved on first to write unto Us a letter of thanks for those gracious proffers which Wee by Our Commissioner had made at the Assembly Next to draw up a Proclamation for the dissolving of the Assembly Their Letter here followeth Most Sacred Soveraigne IN obedience to your Majesties Royall commands we have attended your Majesties Commissioner here at Glasgow since the 17. of this instant and according to our bound dutie in so exigent occasion have not been wanting with our humble and best advices And although wee doe remit the particular relation of what is past to his Graces selfe as best knowne to him yet we cannot for truths sake be so silent as not acknowledge to your Majestie that never servant did with more industry care judgement and patience goe about the discharge of so great a trust And albeit the successe hath not answered his desires neither yet his extraordinarie paines and as wee may confidently affirme most dexterous and advised courses taken to compasse the just command of so gracious a King yet his deserving herein merits to be remembred to posteritie And since your Majesty hath been pleased to renew to us your former act of grace expressed in your Proclamation and Declaration anent the maintenance of the true Religion and we in the defence and profession thereof wee doe all in humilitie and hearty acknowledgement of so great goodnesse returne to your Majesty the offer of our lives and fortunes in defence of your Sacred person and maintenance of your Royall Authority and shall in all our actions approve our selves your Majesties most loyall subjects and humble servants Sic subscribitur Traquaire Roxburgh Marre Murray Lithgow Perth Wigtoun Kingorne Tullibardin Haddington Galloway Annandaile Lauderdail Kinnoul Dumfreis Southesk Angus Elphinstoun Naper Dalyell Hay W. Elphinstoun Ja. Carmichael Hamiltoun Blackhall From Glasgow Novem. 28. 1638. TO this Letter the Lord of Argyle refused to set his hand Next morning the Proclamation was signed by Our Commissioner and Councell but the Earle of Argyle refused to signe it as before hee had done the Letter The Proclamation here followeth CHARLES by the grace of God King of Scotland England France and Ireland Defender of the Faith To Our Lovits Heraulds Pursevants Our Sheriffes in that part conjunctly and severally specially constitute greeting Forsameikle as out of the royall and fatherly care which We have had of the good and peace of this Our ancient and native Kingdome having taken to Our serious consideration all such things as might have given contentment to Our good and loyall subjects And to this end had discharged by Our Proclamation the Service Booke Booke of Canons and high Commission freed and liberate all men from the practising of the five Articles made all Our subjects both ecclesiasticall and civill liable to the censure of Parliament generall Assembly or any other Judicatorie competent according to the nature and qualitie of the offence and for the free entrie of Ministers that no other oath be administrate unto them then that which is contained in the Act of Parliament had declared all by-gone
religion justice and honestie they have effected it others besides themselves both in heaven and earth must judge and give sentence As this of the Libell was a tricke of falshood so about this time there was put upon the people a notable tricke of forgerie which was this There was a maid whose name is Michelson her father was a Minister and when he died left her young she hath been for many yeeres distracted by fits Upon this young Maids weaknesse some were pleased to worke and to report her for one inspired with a spirit of divination and finding that out of her blind zeale shee was wonderfully affected with their Covenant and that in her raving fits her words tended all or for the most part to the admiration of it and detestation of the opposers of it and perceiving that shee was well skilled in the phrases of the Scripture and had a good memorie so that shee could remember the bitter invectives which both in the Pulpits and elsewhere shee had heard made against the Bishops and the Service-booke they thought her a very fit instrument to abuse the people and cryed her up so much that the multitude was made beleeve her words proceeded not from her selfe but from God Thence was that incredible concourse of all sorts of people Noblemen Gentlemen Ministers Women of all rankes and qualities who watched or stayed by her day and night during the time of her pretended fits and did admire her raptures and inspirations as coming from Heaven She spake but at certaine times and many times had intermissions of daies and weekes in all probabilitie that she might have time to receive instructions and to digest them against the next time of exercising her gifts as they call them which so soone as shee was ready to begin the newes of it was blowne all the Towne over and the house so thronged that thousands at every time could find no accesse The joy which her auditors conceived for the comfort of such a messenger from Heaven and such messages as she delivered from thence was many times expressed by them in teares by none more then by Rollock her speciall Favourite who being desired sometimes by the spectators to pray with her and speake to her answered That he durst not doe it as being no good manners in him to speake while his Master was speaking in her Now that shee was set up by the Covenanters to perswade their ends with the people there bee two reasons which may induce the Reader probably to beleeve First because that they of best judgement who were present at the time of her pretended raptures did affirme that they saw nor could observe nothing supernaturall in them they onely found she had a good memorie especially of that which she had read in the Scripture or had heard preached that shee had a very good expression of her selfe but yet they found that both shee knew that shee was speaking and what shee was speaking contrary to that report which went about of her and that while she was speaking if she were interrupted by any questions shee made very pertinent answers to them which could not have been if all that time shee had been transported with any supernatuall rapture Secondly because most of all that shee spake still tended to the Covenanters ends when she spake of Christ she ordinarily called him by the name of Covenanting Jesus The summe of her speeches for the most part was that it was revealed unto her from God that their Covenant was approved and ratified in Heaven but that Our Covenant was an invention of Sathan that all the adherents to it should bee confounded as all the adherents to the former were and should be protected by God the author of their Covenant against all opposition whatsoever which speeches of hers were averred by the Covenanters with as great confidence and admired by the people with as much veneration if not more as any other of their Pulpit Dictats which presumptions did make very many both Covenanters and others thinke that the crying up of this Maid did looke something like a Romish imposture Let all this rebellious behaviour and these contempts of Our Commissioner and Councell interveening betweene Our last gracious Proclamation of the indiction of the Assembly and the day of the Assembly neere at hand bee laid together and what judgement can any man make of them but that they were devised and practised principally for this purpose That Our Commissioner might prorogue or discharge the Assembly from whence by these strange proceedings hee could not have the least hope of any good and if hee should discharge it they were sure they should gaine some credit with their partie whom they had made beleeve that hee never intended otherwise as also should indict an Assembly themselves which they made full accompt to doe which appeareth both by the tenour of the Commissions given to their severall Commissioners both from Presbyteries and Burrowes which run thus We give you full power to appeare for Us at this Assembly now indicted the 21. of November next wheresoever it shall happen to be not naming the place Glasgow where Wee had appointed it hoping that it should bee prorogued in which case they intended to hold it at Edinburgh the seat of their Tables As also by divers of the Covenanters Letters written to that purpose the copie of one written by the Lord of Balmerino We here exhibit to you Loving Cousin I Have lately received advertisment from severall friends that are chosen Commissioners for the Assembly to helpe them to lodgings in Glasgow I send you hâ—re a Roll of some of our particular friends whereof you may give a Copie to the Provost and Magistrates that they being men of quality may be accordingly furnished for themselves and their train with such roomes at least as you have provided for me I hope your Magistrates have beene as carefull to provide for the Commissioners as for the Councellours which are not so necessary members of the Assembly as the Commissioners And if they be not well eased it may be a great argument to the Assembly to remove it selfe elsewhere I am of opinion that of the three hundred necessary Commissioners of Assembly the halfe of them have not provided themselves as being farre distant and unacquainted hoping in so good a towne to fnde all commodities for money I would send a servant to take possession of those Lodgings which can be had for my self and our friends that we be not surprised with the Councellours followers who are to be with you the 15 or 16 of this instant George Porterfield undertooke to my Lord Lindsey and other Noblemen at his last being here to bespeake three or foure of the best Lodgings they designed for such Noblemen as was given him in list we have heard nothing of his performance My Lord Lindsey hath written oft-times to me and I would intreat you to desire George to write with the first occasion to
John Smith or any other he pleaseth here that we may know his care and account of his undertaking You will pardon me for this trouble I put you to being for friends that will be verie sensible of it whereof none are more obliged and lesse able to acquite all your favours then Edinb Novemb. 8. 1638. Your loving Cousin to dispose of Balmerino I could wish our owne friends were as well bestowed neere one another as can be and if I cannot come there the next weeke I will send a servant BY these lines you may easily perceive both the insolent contempts used by these men towards Our Councel and the resolution which they had to keep the Assembly or to remove it at their pleasures But after they were once perswaded that Our Commissioner was resolved to hold the Assembly at the time and place appointed by Our Proclamation the time of it approaching they sent out from their Tables a second paper of publique instructions throughout all the parts of the Kingdome which were these THat all Noblemen subscribers of the Covenant except the Noblemen of the West who shall be ready upon advertisment meet at Edinburgh the 12. of November and stay there till they goe to Glasgow where they shall all meet on Saturday the 17. of November at the furthest That the full number of these who are appointed Commissioners by the severall shires to attend this common cause with foure Gentlemen within the bounds of every Presbyterie at the least out of the number of their Assessors without excluding any voluntaries That they come to Glasgow the 17. day of November to attend constantly the Assembly and give their advice in the common cause to the ruling Elders Commissioners to the Assembly out of these Shires and Presbyteries That the Burrowes appoint according to their quality and number two foure or six of most judicious men to come to Glasgow the 17. of November and there constantly to attend the Assembly and give their advice to their Commissioner in this common cause That the Fast be observed the fourth day of November universally with any other dayes they may conveniently and if any be repairing to the Assembly that they keepe the Fast where they shall bee for the time That now especially seeing ruling Elders from particular Congregations are received in Presbyteries that particular Congregations take such course that no Minister Commissioner be forced to be absent from the Assembly for want of necessarie charges That where any hath beene deceived or compelled to subscribe this new Covenant that the Ministers take their Declarations in writing or by act in the bookes of Session or before one witnesse that they were forced deceived or mistaken And that every Minister make known and intimate publikely to the people the printed protestation contayning the reasons against this new subscription and where the Minister refuseth that some well affected Gentleman doe it IN the first of these there is a meeting appointed of all the Commissioners first at Edinburgh then at Glasgow which was no doubt to agree upon the conclusions to bee made in the Assembly before the Assembly should assemble In the second and third you see a course taken That both from Presbyteries and Burrowes the severall Commissioners shall have numbers of Assistants without whose advice the Commissioners were to conclude nothing a thing never heard of before at any Assembly of that Church and by which multitude they meant to terrifie all those who in Glasgow should offer to oppose or speake against them In the fourth to the high contempt of Our Authoritie and Proclamation they appoint another day for the publique Fast then was by Us designed In the sixth they order that all these who had subscribed Our Covenant and Confession should bee presented as publique offenders These new instructions especially that Article which appointed so great troupes to repaire to Glasgow all which as Our Commissioner was informed meant to goe thither with Armes and in hostile equipage which is most severely prohibited by the Lawes of that Our Kingdome moved Our Commissioner and Councell by publique Proclamation at the Crosse of Edinburgh severely to interdict any Commissioner for the Assembly at Glasgow to travell thither or to continue there with more attendance then those of their owne family and ordinarie retinue and that they should carrie with them no other Armes but such as were allowed by the Lawes of that Kingdome under the paines and penalties contained in the said Lawes This Proclamation they onely answered with a Protestation yeelding no obedience to it for they travelled to Glasgow in great troupes carrying with them prohibited and warlike Armes It is easie now to be conceived that Our Commissioner could expect no good from this Assembly the preparations whereunto were so full of rebellion and tumult and the precedent elections of the members whereof had induced many legall unavoidable and undeniable nullities of it yet because Our people should clearely see the realitie of Our royall intentions and the Covenanters partie might understand how they had beene abused by the reports which their leaders had dispersed That We meant nothing lesse then to keepe this Assembly and principally that in that Assembly We might fully make good to all Our subjects whatsoever We had promised in Our last gracious declaration the heads of the Covenanters having mainly laboured with them that point viz. that We never meant to performe what therein We had promised Our Commissioner began his journie towards Glasgow and arrived there on the 17. day of November in a quiet and peaceable manner none of his traine carrying with them any prohibited armes There met him at Glasgow all Our Councell by Our direction according to a Letter which We had written unto them requiring them to assist him all the time of his being there with their best concurrence and counsell Our Letter to them here followeth RIght trusty and right wel-beloved Cousin and Councellour Right trusty and right wel-beloved Cousins and Councellours We greet you well As by your Letter Wee find how well you are satisfied with Our gracious pleasure expressed in Our late Proclamation and Declaration so We doe expect the continuance of your care by your best indevours to bring all Our good people to a true sense of Our Royall intentions and reall care of preferring and advancing the good and peace of that Church and Kingdome which hath alwayes been and still is one of Our chiefest cares We give you hearty thanks for your affection and paines in this service and doe approve of your course in subscribing of the Confession and band and order taken by you for publishing and requiring the like due and thankfull acceptance of Our gracious pleasure by all Our good subjects And seeing the time of the Assembly doth now approach We require you to attend diligently upon Our Commissioner untill the time appointed for the downe sitting of the said Assembly and further to the finall ending thereof