provocation_n they_o know_v also_o how_o to_o distinguish_v and_o have_v distinguish_v betwixt_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o work_n and_o the_o intention_n of_o the_o worker_n and_o think_v charitable_o of_o the_o one_o while_o they_o condemn_v the_o other_o yet_o these_o thing_n hinder_v they_o not_o to_o discern_v betwixt_o the_o righteous_a and_o the_o wicked_a he_o that_o serve_v god_n and_o he_o that_o serve_v he_o not_o the_o lord_n have_v teach_v we_o that_o false_a prophet_n may_v be_v know_v by_o their_o fruit_n and_o that_o man_n do_v not_o gather_v grape_n of_o thorn_n nor_o fig_n of_o thistle_n matth._n 7.16.20_o the_o transgression_n of_o the_o wicked_a say_v within_o my_o heart_n that_o there_o be_v no_o fear_n of_o god_n before_o his_o eye_n psa_n 36.1_o as_o i_o dare_v not_o judge_v of_o any_o man_n everlasting_a estate_n but_o leave_v it_o unto_o he_o with_o who_o the_o book_n be_v so_o have_v i_o not_o so_o learned_a christ_n as_o some_o man_n will_v have_v it_o to_o put_v no_o difference_n among_o the_o professor_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o to_o call_v they_o all_o godly_a though_o estrange_v from_o the_o life_n of_o god_n through_o the_o ignorance_n that_o be_v in_o they_o and_o walk_v contrary_n to_o the_o gospel_n that_o the_o assembly_n at_o s._n andrews_n and_o dundee_n be_v own_v of_o god_n and_o that_o he_o all_o along_o in_o their_o procedor_fw-la do_v guide_v their_o pen_n as_o my_o soul_n can_v away_o with_o that_o assertion_n to_o subscribe_v to_o it_o so_o i_o fear_v it_o be_v more_o than_o the_o lord_n will_v allow_v any_o man_n to_o say_v 1._o because_o that_o assembly_n do_v say_v a_o confederacy_n to_o these_o concern_v who_o the_o lord_n speak_v to_o his_o prophet_n with_o a_o strong_a hand_n and_o instruct_v he_o that_o he_o shall_v not_o say_v a_o confederacy_n to_o they_o isa_n 8.11_o 12._o and_o therefore_o although_o they_o do_v associate_v themselves_o yet_o they_o do_v fall_v and_o fall_v together_o isa_n 31.3_o the_o sad_a dispensation_n of_o their_o ruin_n be_v in_o the_o begin_n thereof_o at_o innerkithen_n in_o providence_n try_v with_o the_o begin_n of_o that_o assembly_n and_o afterward_o more_o full_o accomplish_v and_o perfect_v at_o other_o place_n as_o they_o and_o their_o comm_n ssion_n go_v on_o in_o ratify_v of_o these_o resolution_n and_o censure_v the_o opposer_n of_o the_o same_o and_o issue_v warning_n and_o declaration_n in_o reference_n to_o these_o thing_n 2._o because_o that_o assembly_n be_v so_o far_o from_o rejoice_v the_o heart_n or_o approve_v themselves_o unto_o the_o conscience_n of_o most_o of_o the_o godly_a in_o the_o land_n or_o from_o leave_v this_o seal_n and_o impression_n upon_o their_o heart_n that_o they_o have_v the_o image_n and_o authority_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o do_v proceed_v according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o the_o testimony_n and_o employ_v their_o power_n unto_o edification_n and_o promote_a of_o godliness_n that_o upon_o the_o contrary_n they_o do_v exceed_o sadden_fw-mi their_o spirit_n and_o leave_v a_o deep_a and_o strong_a conviction_n thereupon_o that_o they_o do_v add_v unto_o the_o land_n provocation_n and_o increase_n wrath_n and_o that_o in_o most_o of_o all_o their_o act_n they_o do_v walk_v not_o unto_o edification_n but_o unto_o destruct_v on_o 3._o because_o their_o act_n do_v rejoice_v the_o heart_n and_o strengthen_v the_o hand_n of_o these_o in_o the_o land_n who_o be_v void_a of_o grace_n and_o of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o adversary_n to_o the_o cause_n and_o people_n of_o god_n and_o mocker_n and_o hater_n of_o piety_n and_o godliness_n be_v not_o that_o assembly_n countenance_v and_o plead_v for_o and_o be_v it_o not_o to_o this_o day_n countenance_v and_o plead_v for_o by_o all_o the_o generation_n of_o malignant_a and_o profane_a person_n throughout_o the_o land_n and_o sure_a if_o it_o have_v be_v so_o much_o countenance_v and_o own_v of_o god_n it_o be_v not_o like_a that_o it_o shall_v have_v be_v so_o endear_v to_o these_o who_o have_v so_o much_o oppose_v his_o friend_n and_o interest_n in_o scotland_n these_o many_o year_n past_a 4_o because_o that_o assembly_n at_o dundee_n do_v for_o no_o other_o cause_n but_o for_o protest_v against_o their_o wrong_a constitution_n and_o the_o ratify_n of_o these_o resolution_n censure_n and_o pronounce_v the_o sentence_n of_o deposition_n and_o suspension_n against_o sundry_a godly_a man_n who_o have_v obtain_v mercy_n of_o the_o lord_n to_o be_v follower_n of_o his_o cause_n since_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o late_a reformation_n and_o who_o ministry_n have_v be_v seal_v of_o the_o lord_n upon_o the_o heart_n of_o not_o a_o few_o of_o his_o people_n 5._o because_o they_o do_v by_o their_o act_n lay_v a_o foundation_n for_o censure_v all_o minister_n elder_n expectant_n student_n and_o professor_n whatsoever_o who_o refuse_v to_o acknowledge_v the_o constitution_n of_o that_o assembly_n and_o oppose_v the_o act_n thereof_o which_o as_o it_o make_v way_n for_o the_o cast_v out_o of_o many_o able_a &_o godly_a professor_n from_o be_v church-member_n for_o it_o be_v well_o know_v how_o many_o there_o be_v of_o the_o godly_a in_o the_o land_n both_o minister_n elder_n and_o professor_n who_o can_v be_v consent_v to_o submit_v to_o these_o thing_n but_o do_v hold_v themselves_o bind_v in_o their_o station_n to_o bear_v testimony_n against_o they_o now_o to_o cast_v out_o &_o persecute_v all_o these_o or_o to_o lay_v a_o foundation_n fordo_v of_o it_o whether_o it_o be_v to_o be_v own_v &_o guide_v of_o god_n and_o to_o do_v thing_n to_o edification_n or_o if_o it_o be_v not_o rather_o to_o be_v desert_v of_o the_o lord_n to_o establish_v iniquity_n by_o a_o law_n and_o to_o decree_v unrighteous_a decree_n &_o write_v grievous_a thing_n against_o their_o brethren_n which_o they_o have_v prescribe_v i_o leave_v it_o to_o those_o who_o be_v teach_v of_o god_n to_o consider_v as_o to_o that_o passage_n in_o the_o warn_v and_o declaration_n of_o that_o assembly_n so_o much_o magnify_v and_o cry_v up_o by_o the_o author_n of_o this_o review_n it_o be_v and_o it_o be_v the_o intention_n of_o the_o protester_n through_o the_o lord_n assistance_n though_o with_o much_o weakness_n to_o oppose_v the_o design_n and_o work_v of_o the_o adversary_n on_o both_o hand_n and_o to_o tread_v the_o middle_a path_n the_o good_a old_a way_n without_o decline_v to_o the_o right_a hand_n or_o to_o the_o left_a upon_o which_o account_n it_o be_v that_o they_o can_v not_o condescend_v to_o employ_v and_o associate_v with_o and_o entrust_v one_o adversary_n for_o oppose_v another_o know_v such_o course_n to_o be_v condemn_v of_o god_n in_o his_o holy_a word_n and_o to_o have_v prove_v bitter_a often_o heretofore_o unto_o this_o nation_n and_o for_o this_o cause_n do_v solemn_o engage_v that_o we_o shall_v do_v no_o more_o so_o therefore_o have_v they_o always_o own_v and_o strict_o adhere_v to_o the_o covenant_n and_o cause_n and_o former_a principle_n of_o the_o reform_a party_n in_o this_o land_n set_v down_o in_o their_o public_a paper_n and_o that_o they_o may_v not_o partake_v of_o other_o man_n sin_n do_v not_o concur_v with_o but_o bear_v testimony_n against_o the_o carnal_a counsel_n of_o man_n own_o heart_n because_o of_o which_o the_o sword_n do_v abide_v in_o our_o city_n and_o consume_v our_o branch_n and_o devour_v they_o hos_n 11.6_o and_o the_o spirit_n that_o have_v be_v stir_v in_o they_o in_o these_o act_n i_o trust_v be_v no_o other_o than_o the_o good_a spirit_n of_o god_n the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n and_o holiness_n the_o voice_n behind_o they_o that_o speak_v in_o the_o ear_n of_o the_o lord_n people_n this_o be_v the_o way_n walk_v you_o in_o it_o when_o they_o turn_v to_o the_o right_a hand_n and_o when_o they_o turn_v to_o the_o left_a hand_n isa_n 30.21_o in_o order_n to_o this_o passage_n of_o the_o warn_v at_o dundee_n i_o wish_v the_o first_o penner_n thereof_o and_o the_o gentleman_n who_o now_o have_v cite_v it_o and_o all_o other_o to_o consider_v these_o few_o thing_n 1._o that_o not_o long_o ago_o there_o be_v a_o time_n that_o some_o of_o the_o best_a and_o most_o precious_a of_o these_o who_o now_o charge_v the_o protester_n with_o these_o harsh_a imputation_n of_o have_v a_o spirit_n stir_v in_o their_o work_n that_o have_v be_v and_o be_v most_o effectual_a for_o carry_v on_o of_o the_o design_n of_o the_o adversary_n of_o our_o cause_n be_v liable_a no_o less_o than_o the_o protester_n now_o be_v to_o the_o same_o imputation_n from_o these_o by_o who_o they_o now_o be_v cry_v up_o and_o commend_v and_o with_o who_o they_o now_o join_v issue_n in_o cast_v they_o upon_o their_o brethren_n it_o concern_v they_o to_o think_v whence_o these_o change_n be_v and_o
king_n proceed_n and_o be_v resolve_v to_o prosecute_v and_o maintain_v his_o present_a majesty_n interest_n before_o and_o without_o acknowledgement_n of_o the_o sin_n of_o his_o house_n and_o former_a way_n and_o satisfaction_n to_o god_n people_n in_o both_o kingdom_n the_o omit_v of_o which_o clause_n do_v so_o sar_n as_o i_o can_v discern_v either_o from_o the_o assembly_n own_o word_n or_o from_o the_o judgement_n and_o expression_n of_o these_o who_o have_v chief_a hand_n therein_o or_o from_o compare_v thing_n with_o thing_n indeed_o import_v a_o alter_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o question_n and_o bring_v it_o to_o that_o which_o be_v so_o much_o plead_v for_o by_o the_o opposer_n of_o reformation_n from_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o our_o difference_n with_o the_o king_n father_n especial_o by_o some_o of_o the_o author_n of_o the_o cross_a petition_n in_o 1643._o and_o of_o the_o unlawful_a engagement_n in_o the_o year_n 1648._o to_o wit_n that_o though_o the_o king_n do_v not_o disclaim_v his_o former_a opposition_n to_o the_o work_n of_o god_n and_o to_o the_o covenant_n and_o likewise_o all_o the_o enemy_n thereof_o and_o own_o and_o prosecute_v the_o cause_n of_o god_n yet_o we_o ought_v to_o own_o his_o kingly_a interest_n by_o admit_v he_o to_o the_o exercise_n of_o his_o royal_a power_n and_o obey_v he_o in_o all_o thing_n lawful_a which_o how_o far_o it_o reach_v as_o to_o the_o cast_v loose_a and_o condemn_v of_o the_o former_a proceed_n of_o this_o church_n and_o kingdom_n with_o the_o king_n and_o his_o father_n and_o make_v a_o new_a state_n of_o the_o question_n have_v be_v often_o heretofore_o show_v by_o this_o church_n and_o can_v but_o be_v obvious_a to_o every_o intelligent_a man_n two_o act_n of_o the_o assembly_n at_o dundee_n and_o one_o act_n of_o the_o assembly_n at_o edinburgh_n which_o relate_v unto_o censure_n dundee_n julii_n 31._o 1651._o antemer_n sess_n 19_o act_n for_o censure_v of_o those_o who_o do_v not_o acknowledge_v this_o present_a assembly_n and_o do_v not_o acquiesce_v to_o the_o act_n thereof_o etc._n etc._n the_o general_a assembly_n consider_v that_o all_o person_n who_o protest_v against_o and_o decline_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n be_v censurable_a by_o the_o act_n and_o constitution_n of_o this_o kirk_n with_o the_o high_a censure_n thereof_o and_o that_o by_o the_o act_n of_o the_o solemn_a general_n assembly_n of_o glasgow_n 20._o decemb._n 1638._o sess_n 26._o presbytery_n and_o provincial_n be_v ordain_v to_o cite_v and_o censure_v all_o such_o as_o will_v not_o acknowledge_v the_o say_a assembly_n and_o the_o assembly_n be_v very_o sensible_a of_o the_o prejudice_n this_o kirk_n may_v suffer_v in_o her_o liberty_n and_o privilege_n by_o the_o beginning_n of_o such_o practice_n if_o they_o be_v not_o timeous_o prevent_v and_o restrain_v therefore_o according_a to_o the_o practice_n and_o example_n of_o the_o say_a assembly_n they_o ordain_v presbytery_n and_o provincial_n assembly_n to_o call_v before_o they_o all_o person_n that_o do_v not_o acknowledge_v this_o present_a assembly_n and_o to_o censure_v they_o according_a to_o the_o degree_n of_o their_o contempt_n and_o obstinacy_n to_o the_o act_n of_o this_o kirk_n and_o the_o assembly_n have_v also_o consider_v that_o by_o the_o aforementioned_a act_n of_o the_o assembly_n of_o glasgow_n and_o another_o act_n of_o the_o say_a assembly_n decemb._n 18._o sess_n 24._o presbytery_n be_v ordain_v to_o proceed_v against_o these_o that_o do_v not_o acquiesce_v to_o the_o act_n of_o the_o say_a assembly_n and_o that_o refuse_v themselves_o or_o draw_v other_o from_o the_o obedience_n of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n in_o manner_n mention_v in_o the_o say_v act._n therefore_o do_v ratify_v and_o approve_v the_o say_v act_n and_o declare_v that_o they_o be_v to_o be_v extend_v against_o minister_n censure_v by_o this_o assembly_n and_o all_o those_o that_o oppose_v the_o public_a resolution_n thereof_o ordain_v also_o presbytery_n and_o provincial_a assembly_n to_o call_v before_o they_o all_o person_n that_o shall_v not_o acquiesce_v to_o the_o act_n and_o constitution_n of_o this_o present_a assembly_n and_o to_o deal_v with_o they_o by_o conference_n for_o their_o satisfaction_n and_o if_o in_o their_o conference_n with_o they_o they_o shall_v still_o oppose_v the_o act_n and_o conclusion_n of_o this_o assembly_n that_o they_o censure_v they_o according_a to_o the_o degree_n of_o their_o offence_n and_o obstinacy_n to_o the_o act_n of_o this_o assembly_n and_o where_o presbytery_n be_v negligent_a or_o want_v herein_o the_o assembly_n appoint_v the_o commission_n appoint_v for_o public_a affair_n to_o proceed_v against_o the_o say_a offender_n respective_a and_o to_o censure_v they_o in_o manner_n abovespecify_v give_v unto_o they_o full_a power_n for_o that_o effect_n eodem_fw-la die_v at_o dundee_n sesse_n 19_o antemerid_fw-la act_n against_o expectant_n who_o oppose_v the_o public_a resolution_n the_o general_a assembly_n understand_v the_o scandal_n and_o prejudice_n of_o practice_n and_o carriage_n of_o some_o expectant_n and_o student_n attender_n of_o family_n for_o performance_n of_o religious_a duty_n by_o their_o private_a or_o public_a oppose_a public_a resolution_n for_o remove_v whereof_o they_o do_v extend_v the_o act_n of_o the_o assembly_n 1640._o sess_n 10._o against_o expectant_n refuse_v to_o subscribe_v the_o covenant_n and_o the_o censure_n therein_o specify_v against_o all_o expectant_n student_n in_o divinity_n and_o attender_n upon_o family_n for_o religious_a duty_n that_o shall_v not_o acknowledge_v the_o general_a assembly_n of_o this_o kirk_n and_o this_o present_a general_n assembly_n and_o that_o shall_v not_o acquiesce_v to_o the_o act_n and_o constitution_n thereof_o and_o do_v ordain_v they_o to_o be_v remove_v from_o bursary_n and_o to_o be_v discharge_v from_o public_a preach_n and_o catechise_n in_o congregation_n and_o family_n and_o from_o all_o other_o privilege_n and_o liberty_n allow_v to_o expectant_n appoint_v presbytery_n and_o provincial_n to_o proceed_v against_o they_o according_o edinburgh_n 3_o aug._n 1652._o antemer_n sess_n 19_o act_n concern_v admit_v expectant_n to_o their_o trial_n and_o rule_v elder_n to_o act_v in_o presbytery_n and_o synod_n the_o general_a assembly_n have_v out_o of_o their_o earnest_a desire_n of_o the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o this_o kirk_n condescend_v upon_o a_o overture_n of_o peace_n and_o not_o only_o propound_v it_o to_o some_o brethren_n who_o be_v here_o opposite_a to_o the_o public_a judicatories_n of_o this_o kirk_n but_o also_o in_o pursuance_n of_o that_o end_n ordain_v the_o say_a overture_n to_o be_v present_v and_o offer_v by_o the_o several_a presbytery_n or_o synod_n to_o all_o in_o their_o respective_a bound_n who_o have_v protest_v against_o and_o decline_v or_o consent_v or_o adhere_v unto_o the_o protestation_n and_o declinatour_n make_v against_o this_o and_o the_o precede_a general_n assembly_n and_o the_o condition_n therein_o contain_v to_o be_v require_v of_o they_o and_o consider_v the_o great_a prejudice_n like_a to_o arise_v to_o this_o kirk_n by_o increase_a of_o our_o unhappy_a difference_n and_o distraction_n if_o young_a man_n shall_v be_v admit_v into_o the_o ministry_n which_o shall_v still_o blow_v the_o fire_n of_o contention_n and_o continue_v in_o avow_a opposition_n to_o and_o contempt_n of_o the_o public_a judicatories_n therefore_o ordain_v presbytery_n to_o take_v special_a care_n that_o upon_o the_o call_n of_o any_o expectant_a to_o a_o particular_a charge_n of_o the_o ministry_n before_o they_o admit_v he_o to_o his_o trial_n they_o require_v he_o under_o his_o hand_n to_o pass_v from_o the_o protestation_n and_o declinatour_n against_o this_o and_o the_o precede_a general_n assembly_n if_o he_o have_v be_v accessary_a to_o the_o same_o and_o to_o promise_v and_o give_v assurance_n that_o he_o shall_v abstain_v from_o hold_v up_o debate_n and_o controversy_n about_o matter_n of_o difference_n in_o this_o kirk_n since_o the_o assembly_n 1650_o in_o preach_v write_v or_o other_o way_n upon_o the_o performance_n whereof_o the_o presbytery_n shall_v proceed_v to_o his_o trial_n if_o not_o in_o that_o case_n the_o presbytery_n shall_v foebear_v to_o proceed_v until_o the_o next_o general_n assembly_n leave_v liberty_n to_o the_o presbytery_n and_o congregation_n for_o plant_v of_o the_o place_n otherwise_o and_o the_o assembly_n ordain_v and_o require_v that_o presbytery_n be_v not_o sudden_a to_o lay_v by_o such_o young_a man_n as_o at_o first_o refuse_v or_o scruple_n to_o perform_v these_o condition_n mention_v but_o that_o pain_n be_v take_v upon_o they_o to_o convince_v they_o of_o the_o reasonableness_n thereof_o and_o to_o persuade_v they_o to_o embrace_v they_o and_o to_o give_v they_o a_o competent_a time_n for_o that_o effect_n likeas_n the_o assembly_n consider_v the_o prejudice_n of_o elder_n come_v to_o presbytery_n for_o
be_v indeed_o of_o the_o opinion_n that_o difference_n of_o judgement_n in_o these_o thing_n shall_v be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o joint_a act_n in_o public_a judicatories_n than_o it_o concern_v they_o for_o their_o own_o vindication_n and_o for_o reconcile_a their_o practice_n with_o their_o opinion_n to_o tell_v we_o why_o their_o assembly_n at_o s._n andrews_n do_v not_o only_o approve_v of_o the_o act_n of_o commission_n appoint_v those_o who_o oppose_v the_o public_a resolution_n to_o be_v censure_v but_o also_o make_v act_n of_o their_o own_o for_o censure_v of_o such_o and_o why_o the_o assembly_n at_o edinburgh_n do_v ordain_v that_o elder_n and_o expectant_n who_o will_v not_o engage_v themselves_o under_o their_o hand_n to_o abstain_v from_o hold_v up_o this_o difference_n be_v to_o be_v exclude_v from_o sit_v in_o presbytery_n and_o be_v receive_v as_o minister_n sure_o if_o this_o difference_n need_v be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o joint_a act_n in_o public_a judicatories_n the_o maintain_v thereof_o be_v without_o ground_n make_v a_o cause_n of_o censure_n which_o must_v incapacitat_fw-la man_n to_o act_v or_o of_o exclusion_n which_o must_v bar_v they_o from_o joint_a act_n in_o judicatory_n what_o shall_v be_v say_v to_o this_o i_o do_v not_o know_v unless_o it_o be_v allege_v that_o it_o be_v not_o simple_o difference_n of_o judgement_n that_o be_v make_v a_o ground_n of_o censure_n or_o exclusion_n but_o difference_n of_o judgement_n kithe_v in_o oppose_v the_o public_a resolution_n or_o hold_v up_o debate_v and_o controversy_n in_o preach_v or_o write_v about_o these_o thing_n but_o first_o if_o it_o be_v mean_v of_o that_o difference_n of_o judgement_n that_o be_v inward_a only_a it_o be_v to_o small_a purpose_n because_o that_o be_v latent_fw-la and_o not_o know_v to_o i_o can_v be_v make_v a_o ground_n for_o my_o withdraw_a from_o joint_a act_n with_o these_o who_o thus_o differ_v from_o i_o and_o if_o it_o be_v know_v and_o profess_v how_o shall_v there_o be_v any_o know_a difference_n of_o judgement_n without_o some_o opposition_n to_o the_o adverse_a judgement_n especial_o if_o it_o be_v establish_v in_o a_o law_n he_o who_o profess_v and_o declare_v the_o difference_n of_o his_o judgement_n from_o the_o law_n and_o dis-satisfaction_n therewith_o be_v he_o not_o in_o so_o far_o a_o weakner_n gainsayer_n and_o opposer_n thereof_o 2._o if_o they_o mean_v it_o thus_o they_o have_v not_o measure_v the_o same_o measure_n unto_o themselves_o and_o to_o other_o they_o will_v have_v other_o to_o pass_v from_o their_o protestation_n under_o their_o hand_n and_o to_o engage_v themselves_o not_o to_o hold_v up_o debate_n otherwise_o they_o will_v not_o act_v joint_o with_o they_o in_o the_o judicatories_n nor_o allow_v they_o the_o legal_a capacity_n to_o act_v at_o all_o and_o yet_o while_o they_o will_v do_v no_o such_o thing_n themselves_o in_o reference_n to_o their_o assembly_n and_o the_o act_n thereof_o yea_o will_v have_v these_o assembly_n to_o stand_v as_o free_v and_o lawful_a and_o all_o the_o act_n thereof_o wherein_o their_o judgement_n be_v involve_v as_o bind_v and_o obligatory_a they_o desire_v that_o their_o brethren_n may_v be_v deal_v with_o not_o to_o let_v this_o hinder_v they_o from_o a_o joint_a act_n in_o the_o public_a judicatories_n 3._o if_o it_o be_v only_o the_o oppose_a of_o public_a resolution_n and_o the_o hold_v up_o of_o debate_n that_o they_o quarrel_n with_o how_o be_v it_o that_o in_o presbytery_n they_o will_v have_v young_a man_n who_o have_v hitherto_o be_v silent_a public_o to_o declare_v themselves_o anent_o these_o thing_n or_o else_o refuse_v to_o admit_v they_o to_o their_o trial_n or_o to_o stop_v they_o be_v admit_v or_o to_o refuse_v they_o testimonial_n be_v approven_v act_n for_o put_v in_o execution_n former_a act_n and_o constitution_n of_o general_n assembly_n anent_o try_v admit_v removing_z and_o depose_v of_o church_n officer_n censure_v of_o scandalous_a person_n receive_v of_o penitent_n and_o debar_v of_o person_n from_o the_o lord_n table_n edinburgh_n 3_o august_n 1652._o postmeridiem_fw-la sess_n 20._o the_o general_n assembly_n consider_v the_o obligation_n that_o lie_v upon_o all_o ecclesiastic_a judicatory_n and_o minister_n within_o this_o land_n by_o the_o commandment_n of_o god_n and_o our_o covenant_n and_o engagement_n take_v upon_o we_o before_o god_n and_o the_o world_n whereunto_o they_o resolve_v in_o the_o power_n of_o the_o lord_n might_n constant_o to_o adhere_v and_o to_o show_v themselves_o faithful_a and_o zealous_a in_o all_o their_o administration_n for_o the_o lord_n and_o for_o advance_v the_o work_n of_o reformation_n and_o particular_o consider_v that_o the_o condition_n of_o this_o time_n do_v require_v in_o special_a way_n that_o in_o try_v admit_v removing_z and_o depose_v of_o church-officer_n censure_v of_o scandalous_a person_n dispense_n of_o ordinance_n receive_v of_o penitent_n the_o rule_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o constitution_n of_o this_o kirk_n be_v diligent_o put_v in_o execution_n and_o accurat_o observe_v therefore_o the_o assembly_n ordain_v that_o presbytery_n and_o synod_n in_o admit_v of_o person_n to_o the_o ministry_n be_v accurate_a in_o their_o trial_n according_a to_o the_o order_n prescribe_v in_o this_o church_n that_o none_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o holy_a and_o high_a function_n but_o such_o as_o be_v qualify_v according_a as_o be_v require_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o constitution_n of_o this_o kirk_n both_o for_o knowledge_n in_o the_o mystery_n of_o godliness_n and_o ability_n to_o teach_v and_o convince_v the_o gainsayers_a as_o also_o in_o conversation_n and_o godliness_n that_o they_o lay_v hand_n sudden_o on_o no_o man_n nor_o be_v partaker_n of_o other_o man_n sin_n and_o for_o this_o end_n that_o every_o presbytery_n be_v careful_a to_o have_v gather_v together_o such_o act_n of_o assembly_n as_o concern_v the_o trial_n of_o minister_n and_o have_v they_o before_o they_o whensoever_o any_o person_n be_v call_v to_o any_o place_n of_o the_o ministry_n and_o be_v upon_o his_o trial_n 2._o ordain_v that_o preshytery_n and_o synod_n in_o their_o respective_a bound_n make_v conscience_n that_o such_o minister_n as_o be_v find_v either_o ignorant_a and_o not_o apt_a to_o feed_v the_o people_n of_o god_n with_o knowledge_n and_o understanding_n or_o erroneous_a in_o their_o judgement_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n or_o be_v scandalous_a in_o their_o life_n and_o conversation_n and_o be_v not_o example_n unto_o their_o flock_n in_o godly_a and_o holy_a walk_n or_o disaffect_v to_o the_o work_n of_o reformation_n be_v centure_v according_a to_o the_o degree_n of_o their_o offence_n and_o act_n of_o assembly_n and_o for_o this_o end_n that_o they_o be_v frequent_a and_o accurate_a in_o visitation_n of_o kirke_n and_o therein_o make_v conscientious_a use_n of_o the_o rule_v prescribe_v for_o visitation_n and_o of_o such_o act_n of_o former_a assembly_n as_o hold_v forth_o the_o duty_n of_o minister_n and_o the_o ground_n and_o cause_n of_o censure_n 3._o ordain_v that_o where_o minister_n lawful_o depose_v be_v unlawful_o admit_v and_o not_o according_a to_o the_o order_n prescribe_v in_o the_o act_n of_o general_n assembly_n or_o intrude_v themselves_o into_o place_n presbytery_n and_o synod_n make_v use_v of_o that_o power_n and_o authority_n which_o christ_n have_v put_v in_o their_o hand_n to_o remedy_v the_o same_o and_o to_o censure_v such_o disorder_n and_o enormity_n as_o they_o deserve_v and_o that_o people_n be_v not_o accestory_n unto_o or_o concur_v with_o any_o minister_n that_o be_v depose_v in_o intrude_a themselves_o into_o place_n nor_o give_v they_o any_o countenance_n that_o do_v so_o as_o they_o will_v not_o draw_v upon_o themselves_o the_o wrath_n of_o god_n by_o contemn_v and_o despise_v christ_n ordinance_n of_o discipline_n and_o that_o no_o presbytery_n or_o synod_n proceed_v to_o open_v the_o mouth_n of_o or_o re-admit_a unto_o the_o ministry_n any_o depose_a minister_n but_o according_a to_o the_o order_n prescribe_v in_o the_o act_n of_o general_n assembly_n as_o they_o will_v be_v answerable_a unto_o the_o general_n assembly_n 4._o ordain_v that_o session_n be_v careful_a that_o none_o be_v admit_v to_o be_v elder_n in_o congregation_n but_o such_o as_o be_v in_o some_o competent_a measure_n able_a and_o qual_a fie_v with_o knowledge_n of_o religion_n and_o understanding_n of_o the_o duty_n of_o their_o call_v for_o discharge_v the_o duty_n of_o that_o office_n and_o of_o a_o blameless_a christian_a and_o godly_a conversation_n and_o that_o before_o any_o be_v admit_v to_o be_v a_o elder_a the_o person_n name_n that_o be_v design_v be_v public_o intimate_v to_o the_o congregation_n the_o lord_n day_n before_o that_o if_o any_o have_v any_o thing_n to_o object_n against_o he_o they_o may_v present_v the_o same_o to_o the_o session_n or_o to_o the_o