Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
cause_n church_n time_n use_v 1,441 5 5.0088 4 false
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A85789 The nullity of the pretended-assembly at Saint Andrews & Dundee: wherein are contained, the representation for adjournment, the protestation & reasons therof. Together with a review and examination of the Vindication of the said p. assembly. Hereunto is subjoyned the solemn acknowledgment of sins, and engagement to duties, made and taken by the nobility, gentry, burroughs, ministry, and commonalty, in the year 1648. when the Covenant was renewed. With sundry other papers, related unto in the foresaid review. Guthrie, James, 1612?-1661.; Wood, James, 1608-1664. 1652 (1652) Wing G2263; Wing W3400; Thomason E688_13; ESTC R202246 280,404 351

There are 20 snippets containing the selected quad. | View original text

there_o be_v any_o who_o deserve_v the_o name_n of_o the_o prime_a contriver_n and_o stickler_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o protestation_n it_o be_v some_o of_o these_o who_o have_v no_o hand_n in_o these_o high_a course_n which_o he_o mention_n and_o who_o upon_o his_o account_n be_v among_o the_o simple_a one_o these_o crime_n which_o he_o do_v so_o positive_o and_o without_o hesitation_n charge_n upon_o some_o especial_o be_v so_o heinous_a and_o great_a it_o will_v seem_v that_o both_o charity_n and_o and_o justice_n will_v have_v require_v that_o he_o have_v bring_v some_o good_a evidence_n of_o they_o lest_o haply_o his_o reader_n trust_v not_o his_o naked_a assertion_n in_o that_o which_o do_v not_o only_o reach_v the_o reputation_n but_o also_o the_o life_n and_o be_v of_o other_o and_o if_o he_o will_v have_v man_n to_o believe_v their_o tenet_n to_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o mind_n and_o practice_n of_o all_o orthodox_n church_n and_o to_o the_o faith_n he_o will_v do_v well_o to_o prove_v they_o to_o be_v so_o until_o he_o do_v it_o he_o will_v i_o hope_v allow_v charity_n to_o these_o who_o deny_v it_o some_o of_o the_o great_a divine_n of_o this_o church_n and_o of_o this_o age_n who_o praise_n be_v in_o all_o the_o reform_a church_n do_v affirm_v and_o have_v prove_v the_o contrary_a and_o if_o the_o author_n assertion_n be_v true_a i_o fear_v not_o to_o say_v that_o the_o mind_n and_o practice_n of_o this_o church_n these_o year_n past_a have_v not_o be_v orthodox_n nor_o agreeable_a to_o the_o faith_n in_o order_n to_o these_o tenet_n because_o they_o have_v be_v clear_o teach_v and_o practise_v by_o this_o church_n these_o year_n past_a and_o a_o man_n but_o slender_o see_v in_o the_o doctrine_n thereof_o may_v bring_v forth_o these_o tenet_n assert_v by_o this_o church_n in_o the_o same_o letter_n and_o sillabes_fw-la and_o may_v give_v clear_a instance_n of_o her_o practice_n a-agreeing_a with_o the_o same_o it_o have_v be_v do_v already_o by_o some_o in_o a_o more_o convince_a way_n then_o the_o sharp_a opposer_n of_o these_o tenet_n have_v as_o yet_o satisfy_o answer_v i_o will_v fain_o know_v what_o ground_n the_o author_n have_v to_o say_v that_o the_o prime_a contriver_n and_o stickler_n find_v it_o safe_a for_o they_o rather_o altogether_o to_o disclaim_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o assembly_n then_o to_o hazard_v upon_o a_o fair_a and_o orderly_a trial_n of_o their_o matter_n their_o conscience_n do_v bear_v they_o record_v that_o it_o be_v not_o upon_o any_o jealousy_n or_o suspicion_n they_o have_v of_o their_o cause_n as_o not_o be_v able_a to_o endure_v the_o light_n &_o reason_n may_v persuade_v indifferent_a man_n to_o think_v that_o they_o do_v not_o look_v upon_o protest_v against_o the_o assembly_n as_o the_o safe_a course_n otherwise_o then_o in_o order_n to_o their_o duty_n for_o if_o we_o take_v safety_n as_o it_o may_v concern_v their_o person_n they_o can_v hardly_o have_v do_v any_o thing_n that_o can_v have_v more_o endanger_v these_o it_o be_v a_o speedy_a way_n to_o expose_v they_o to_o the_o censure_n both_o of_o church_n and_o state_n as_o do_v appear_v in_o the_o sequel_n some_o of_o they_o because_o of_o their_o protest_v be_v depose_v by_o that_o assembly_n and_o other_o of_o they_o confine_v by_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n and_o there_o be_v ground_n to_o presume_v that_o they_o will_v have_v be_v proceed_v against_o with_o further_a censure_n both_o civil_a and_o ecclesiastic_a if_o the_o lord_n have_v not_o stop_v the_o current_n of_o these_o thing_n if_o this_o be_v their_o safe_a way_n why_o do_v man_n of_o his_o own_o judgement_n so_o frequent_o say_v that_o if_o the_o protestation_n have_v be_v forbear_v the_o assembly_n will_v not_o have_v censure_v any_o no_o not_o in_o the_o case_n of_o their_o adhere_n to_o their_o judgement_n and_o dissent_v from_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o assembly_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o public_a resolution_n if_o we_o shall_v take_v safety_n in_o order_n to_o the_o cause_n they_o can_v not_o be_v so_o dull_a as_o to_o think_v that_o their_o protest_v against_o the_o assembly_n will_v keep_v the_o assembly_n from_o try_v and_o judge_v of_o their_o cause_n or_o other_o indifferent_a man_n from_o search_v into_o the_o same_o and_o if_o before_o the_o protestation_n it_o can_v not_o abide_v the_o trial_n it_o do_v but_o put_v they_o in_o a_o much_o worse_a condition_n to_o protest_v upon_o a_o unwarrantable_a ground_n it_o be_v worse_o to_o defend_v two_o evil_a cause_n than_o one_o and_o therefore_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v from_o these_o thing_n that_o self-interest_n be_v the_o spring_n from_o whence_o these_o act_n do_v flow_v yea_o the_o contrary_n if_o any_o thing_n be_v manifest_a because_o by_o such_o a_o way_n they_o can_v expect_v nothing_o but_o the_o hightning_n of_o all_o former_a reproach_n cast_v on_o they_o the_o expose_v of_o themselves_o to_o the_o censure_n both_o of_o church_n and_o state_n if_o man_n that_o in_o all_o their_o precious_a interest_n must_v be_v sufferer_n because_o of_o their_o do_v of_o such_o thing_n be_v lead_v to_o act_v therein_o upon_o a_o principle_n of_o selfish_a interest_n we_o leave_v it_o to_o judicious_a and_o indifferent_a man_n to_o consider_v and_o give_v their_o judgement_n whether_o it_o be_v very_o apparent_a yea_o or_o not_o it_o be_v true_a that_o some_o two_o or_o three_o do_v partly_o by_o the_o persuasion_n and_o partly_o by_o the_o threaten_n of_o some_o at_o dundee_n resile_v a_o little_a from_o the_o testimony_n which_o they_o have_v give_v at_o st_n andrews_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o protestation_n which_o within_o a_o short_a time_n thereafter_o they_o do_v repent_v of_o and_o again_o adhere_v to_o their_o former_a testimony_n not_o upon_o any_o selfish-interest_n or_o eye_n to_o credit_n or_o advantage_n as_o the_o author_n affirm_v there_o be_v no_o appearance_n first_o or_o last_o that_o by_o adhere_v to_o the_o protestation_n they_o can_v gain_v any_o of_o these_o thing_n but_o on_o the_o check_n of_o their_o own_o conscience_n and_o the_o voice_n they_o hear_v behind_o they_o say_v this_o be_v the_o way_n walk_v you_o in_o it_o when_o they_o have_v turn_v aside_o some_o of_o they_o be_v since_o that_o time_n take_v out_o of_o the_o land_n of_o the_o live_n and_o i_o trust_v be_v now_o in_o glory_n and_o i_o can_v assure_v the_o author_n and_o all_o other_o and_o if_o it_o be_v doubt_v i_o will_v get_v it_o attest_v under_o the_o hand_n of_o famous_a witness_n that_o after_o their_o resil_n from_o that_o testimony_n they_o have_v no_o peace_n nor_o quietness_n in_o their_o spirit_n for_o a_o long_a time_n but_o go_v down_o mourning_n to_o their_o grave_n because_o they_o have_v so_o do_v and_o upon_o their_o death_n bed_n do_v often_o and_o sad_o bemoan_v it_o that_o they_o have_v miss_v the_o opportunity_n to_o give_v some_o public_a testimony_n and_o declaration_n with_o other_o of_o their_o sorrow_n for_o the_o same_o and_o of_o their_o purpose_n and_o resolution_n to_o adhere_v to_o the_o protestation_n it_o have_v be_v no_o loss_n to_o the_o author_n nor_o his_o cause_n to_o have_v spare_v such_o sharp_a let_v i_o not_o say_v bitter_a and_o personal_a reflection_n upon_o conscientious_a and_o godly_a man_n as_o he_o many_o time_n needless_o use_v he_o and_o all_o other_o who_o eye_n god_n have_v open_v to_o see_v their_o way_n can_v but_o be_v conscious_a to_o themselves_o of_o their_o own_o wander_n and_o how_o much_o they_o owe_v to_o the_o exceed_a riches_n of_o the_o mercy_n and_o free_a grace_n of_o god_n that_o have_v recover_v they_o out_o of_o snare_n vindication_n second_o estimation_n of_o the_o person_n the_o author_n or_o abettor_n of_o this_o protestation_n god_n forbid_v i_o shall_v think_v say_v or_o advise_v any_o thing_n to_o the_o prejudice_n or_o disadvantage_n of_o godliness_n or_o godly_a person_n neither_o shall_v i_o question_v their_o godliness_n my_o judgement_n concern_v some_o yea_o many_o of_o they_o be_v very_o positive_a have_v by_o experience_n and_o acquaintance_n see_v i_o must_v say_v much_o of_o the_o image_n of_o jesus_n christ_n in_o they_o as_o for_o other_o what_o ever_o they_o have_v be_v every_o whit_n i_o take_v not_o on_o i_o to_o judge_v they_o nor_o yet_o think_v i_o it_o pertinent_a or_o fit_a so_o to_o do_v that_o there_o be_v godly_a man_n not_o a_o few_o on_o the_o other_o side_n too_o be_v manifest_a some_o that_o be_v in_o christ_n before_o they_o and_o man_n that_o have_v suffer_v for_o the_o truth_n and_o cause_n of_o god_n when_o other_o have_v not_o the_o honour_n to_o be_v doer_n for_o it_o and_o be_v ready_a to_o suffer_v if_o he_o shall_v call_v they_o to_o it_o though_o some_o uncharitable_o
mean_v of_o but_o i_o do_v well_o know_v that_o the_o man_n of_o that_o meeting_n who_o be_v most_o slander_v as_o the_o plotter_n and_o contriver_n of_o such_o thing_n have_v neither_o head_n nor_o hand_n nor_o heart_n in_o that_o paper_n and_o if_o i_o right_o remember_v i_o hear_v it_o assert_v by_o the_o author_n of_o it_o there_o be_v no_o other_o head_n nor_o pen_n in_o it_o but_o his_o own_o these_o who_o know_v he_o well_o may_v think_v that_o he_o have_v that_o much_o ability_n as_o to_o reach_v the_o stile_n contrivance_n and_o conception_n in_o these_o article_n and_o therefore_o while_o the_o author_n speak_v these_o thing_n by_o the_o way_n he_o have_v go_v a_o little_a out_o of_o the_o way_n that_o which_o he_o will_v have_v chief_o observe_v in_o this_o passage_n be_v to_o what_o purpose_n in_o this_o place_n be_v bring_v in_o these_o unfaithful_a man_n the_o prelate_n who_o mind_v th●i●_n own_o thing_n etc._n etc._n and_o such_o a_o inference_n make_v thereupon_o as_o tend_v to_o bear_v all_o in_o hand_n that_o shall_v happen_v to_o read_v the_o protestation_n that_o the_o brethren_n that_o have_v be_v late_o and_o be_v opposite_a ●o_o the_o protester_n have_v be_v and_o be_v tread_v the_o step_n of_o these_o unfaithful_a man_n the_o prelate_n and_o heir_n mention_v practice_n and_o shrewd_a suggestion_n as_o he_o call_v they_o on_o which_o he_o wax_v hot_a in_o the_o vindication_n of_o his_o brethren_n and_o in_o recrimination_n upon_o other_o but_o i_o desire_v he_o and_o other_o who_o read_v these_o thing_n in_o soberness_n of_o m●nde_n to_o consider_v first_o that_o the_o estimation_n which_o the_o protester_n have_v of_o the_o ability_n and_o godliness_n of_o sundry_a of_o the_o brethren_n who_o have_v be_v and_o be_v opposite_a to_o they_o in_o the_o public_a resolution_n be_v above_o exception_n and_o manifest_a i_o hope_v to_o the_o conscience_n of_o these_o brethren_n themselves_o 2._o that_o this_o need_v not_o nor_o ought_v not_o to_o hinder_v they_o to_o give_v their_o judgement_n of_o their_o way_n in_o order_n to_o the_o public_a resolution_n if_o so_o be_v it_o be_v do_v without_o personal_a reflection_n so_o far_o as_o be_v possible_a 3._o that_o as_o the_o author_n have_v distinguish_v before_o there_o be_v a_o difference_n between_o man_n intention_n and_o their_o work_n man_n may_v be_v tread_v the_o step_n of_o defection_n as_o these_o unfaithful_a man_n the_o prelate_n do_v who_o yet_o do_v it_o not_o with_o a_o unfaithful_a and_o prelatical_a mind_n even_o as_o in_o these_o same_o very_a time_n of_o the_o course_n of_o defection_n that_o be_v carry_v on_o by_o the_o prelate_n there_o be_v sundry_a able_a and_o godly_a man_n engage_v therein_o without_o who_o help_n it_o can_v not_o have_v be_v so_o easy_o nor_o unobserved_o to_o many_o carry_v on_o by_o the_o multitude_n of_o carnal_a and_o corrupt_a man_n who_o will_v have_v be_v but_o a_o small_a credit_n without_o these_o other_o 4._o that_o if_o the_o protester_n have_v have_v to_o do_v with_o these_o only_a who_o faithfulness_n integrity_n honesty_n and_o constancy_n in_o the_o truth_n have_v be_v so_o well_o know_v and_o seal_v by_o god_n they_o have_v haply_o express_v themselves_o some_o other_o way_n but_o they_o have_v to_o do_v in_o this_o particular_a with_o all_o those_o who_o own_v the_o public_a resolution_n and_o among_o these_o be_v many_o yea_o not_o a_o few_o active_a lead_a man_n member_n of_o or_o assist_v unto_o the_o commission_n in_o these_o thing_n and_o in_o the_o meeting_n at_o dundee_n who_o be_v deep_o engage_v in_o the_o prelatical_a way_n as_o not_o only_o their_o subscription_n in_o the_o bishop_n black_a book_n which_o be_v yet_o extant_a and_o can_v be_v produce_v if_o need_n be_v but_o also_o the_o tenor_n of_o their_o carriage_n for_o a_o long_a time_n do_v witness_n and_o i_o fear_v it_o of_o not_o a_o few_o that_o though_o they_o seem_v to_o forsake_v these_o thing_n with_o the_o change_n of_o the_o time_n yet_o have_v they_o not_o repent_v thereof_o unto_o this_o day_n not_o that_o i_o will_v fetch_v all_o those_o who_o name_n be_v in_o that_o black_a book_n and_o other_o the_o like_a book_n and_o who_o be_v involve_v in_o these_o course_n under_o that_o compass_n i_o know_v that_o sundry_a of_o they_o have_v from_o their_o very_a heart_n repent_v of_o and_o do_v from_o their_o soul_n abhor_v that_o way_n i_o mean_v even_o of_o these_o who_o be_v for_o the_o public_a resolution_n but_o this_o church_n have_v be_v so_o sensible_a that_o there_o be_v cause_n to_o think_v otherwise_o that_o she_o have_v several_a time_n give_v warning_n thereof_o in_o her_o public_a paper_n and_o who_o know_v not_o that_o throughout_o all_o the_o land_n these_o who_o have_v be_v most_o indifferent_a and_o lukewarm_a in_o the_o cause_n of_o god_n great_a underminer_n of_o it_o most_o prelatical_a in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o bishop_n most_o malignant_a in_o james_n graham_n time_n and_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o unlawful_a engagement_n and_o most_o design_v and_o active_a to_o carry_v on_o the_o treaty_n with_o the_o king_n in_o a_o wrong_a way_n and_o without_o security_n to_o religion_n yea_o and_o such_o as_o be_v scandalous_a in_o their_o life_n and_o conversation_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n among_o the_o most_o zealous_a and_o violent_a for_o the_o public_a resolution_n and_o be_v so_o still_o now_o the_o course_n itself_o be_v evil_a and_o envolving_a a_o foundation_n of_o defection_n own_a and_o countenance_v and_o zealous_o promote_v by_o all_o the_o lukewarm_a prelatical_a and_o malignant_a scandalous_a man_n in_o the_o land_n be_v there_o not_o doolfull_a experience_n of_o such_o backslide_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o prelate_n to_o be_v stir_v up_o in_o ourselves_o and_o to_o protest_v and_o testify_v to_o other_o against_o thing_n though_o sundry_a godly_a man_n be_v engage_v therein_o nay_o the_o more_o need_n there_o be_v to_o speak_v plain_o lest_o their_o ability_n and_o godliness_n shall_v be_v a_o snare_n to_o any_o 5._o whatever_o the_o author_n be_v please_v to_o allege_v the_o protester_n do_v not_o despise_v any_o of_o those_o who_o have_v be_v honour_v of_o god_n to_o stand_v constant_a against_o prelate_n usurpation_n and_o for_o the_o liberty_n of_o assembly_n they_o acknowledge_v that_o they_o owe_v much_o to_o such_o and_o though_o they_o can_v but_o testify_v against_o the_o ill_a of_o the_o public_a resolution_n yet_o they_o do_v retain_v a_o honourable_a impression_n of_o these_o person_n and_o of_o what_o be_v good_a in_o they_o 6._o if_o it_o be_v fit_a to_o compare_v sundry_a of_o the_o protester_n be_v in_o nothing_o yea_o in_o none_o of_o these_o thing_n which_o the_o author_n mention_v as_o praise_v worthy_a behind_o with_o the_o very_a chief_a of_o these_o who_o have_v appear_v for_o the_o public_a resolution_n but_o both_o of_o they_o be_v by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n that_o that_o they_o be_v 7._o that_o none_o of_o the_o protesteer_n for_o any_o thing_n that_o i_o know_v do_v take_v unwarrantable_a order_n from_o the_o prelate_n and_o do_v more_o to_o accept_v one_o who_o have_v often_o in_o private_a and_o in_o public_a acknowledge_v and_o be_v still_o ready_a to_o acknowledge_v the_o sin_n of_o that_o way_n in_o which_o he_o be_v breed_v up_o from_o his_o youth_n and_o therefore_o do_v it_o ignorant_o through_o unbelief_n who_o because_o of_o the_o exceed_a riches_n of_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n in_o recover_v he_o out_o of_o that_o snare_n hold_v himself_o the_o more_o bind_v to_o be_v vigilant_a and_o zealous_a against_o all_o desertion_n for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v this_o man_n have_v forbid_v i_o to_o say_v any_o more_o to_o the_o author_n in_o answer_n to_o these_o thing_n but_o these_o word_n dignus_fw-la ego_fw-la qui_fw-la patior_fw-la indignus_fw-la tu_fw-la qui_fw-la faceres_fw-la tamen_fw-la and_o to_o leave_v the_o explication_n to_o his_o own_o conscience_n 8._o it_o have_v be_v fair_a deal_n in_o the_o author_n to_o have_v discover_v or_o name_v the_o prelatical_a step_n that_o some_o of_o the_o protester_n have_v tread_v these_o year_n past_a and_o not_o thus_o to_o have_v assert_v without_o any_o proof_n or_o instance_n which_o he_o think_v a_o fault_n in_o matter_n of_o less_o moment_n the_o step_n that_o these_o man_n have_v tread_v these_o year_n pass_v in_o their_o public_a act_n for_o of_o these_o i_o take_v the_o author_n to_o mean_v be_v for_o the_o matter_n the_o same_o that_o be_v tread_v by_o himself_o and_o by_o sundry_a lead_v man_n in_o the_o public_a resolution_n who_o be_v also_o lead_v man_n in_o all_o these_o step_n from_o the_o high_a to_o the_o low_a and_o i_o do_v not_o think_v though_o not_o a_o few_o be_v he_o be_v come_v that_o
with_o the_o public_a resolution_n and_o to_o signify_v to_o he_o that_o if_o he_o be_v not_o satisfy_v with_o these_o resolution_n the_o presbytery_n can_v not_o be_v answerable_a to_o give_v he_o a_o commission_n for_o sit_v in_o the_o assembly_n but_o behove_v to_o choose_v another_o these_o instance_n may_v suffice_v for_o verify_v of_o what_o be_v allege_v in_o the_o former_a debate_n concern_v the_o influence_n that_o the_o letter_n and_o act_n of_o the_o commission_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n have_v upon_o several_a presbytery_n and_o synod_n and_o person_n therein_o in_o the_o election_n of_o commissioner_n to_o the_o assembly_n 1651._o and_o in_o cite_v of_o these_o who_o be_v dissatisfied_n with_o the_o public_a resolution_n and_o therefore_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v needful_a to_o trouble_v ourselves_o or_o the_o reader_n with_o the_o bring_n and_o set_v down_o of_o more_o of_o this_o kind_n paper_n betwixt_o the_o assembly_n and_o committee_n offer_v and_o desire_v from_o the_o committee_n of_o estate_n present_v by_o the_o earl_n of_o glencarn_n the_o thesaurer_n depute_v &_o archibald_n sydserf_n to_o the_o gen._n assembly_n as_o we_o can_v but_o with_o sad_a heart_n regrate_a that_o notwithstanding_o of_o the_o many_o endeavour_n of_o and_o great_a pain_n take_v by_o the_o parliament_n and_o committee_n of_o estate_n for_o remove_v of_o difference_n and_o offer_v all_o just_a satisfaction_n to_o the_o desire_n of_o the_o commissioner_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n concern_v the_o necessity_n and_o lawfulness_n of_o this_o present_a engagement_n yet_o they_o have_v all_o hitherto_o prove_v ineffectual_a and_o division_n betwixt_o we_o be_v rather_o increase_v then_o lessen_v so_o we_o can_v but_o here_o promise_v to_o ourselves_o better_a success_n from_o the_o wisdom_n of_o this_o grave_n and_o venerable_a assembly_n especial_o whilst_o our_o conscience_n bear_v we_o witness_v that_o in_o all_o our_o undertake_n we_o have_v nothing_o before_o our_o eye_n but_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n in_o the_o first_o place_n and_o in_o the_o second_o the_o good_a and_o preservation_n of_o religion_n and_o next_o thereunto_o the_o safety_n of_o his_o majesty_n person_n now_o in_o danger_n and_o the_o pursuance_n of_o the_o same_o end_n of_o our_o covenant_n which_o have_v be_v seal_v with_o the_o blood_n of_o so_o many_o of_o our_o friend_n and_o country_n man_n and_o that_o our_o sincerity_n and_o reality_n in_o all_o these_o may_v be_v manifest_v to_o all_o the_o world_n we_o be_v content_a now_o again_o at_o this_o time_n not_o only_o to_o renew_v all_o these_o offer_n which_o be_v former_o make_v by_o the_o parliament_n to_o the_o commissioner_n of_o the_o gen._n assembly_n for_o the_o security_n of_o religion_n but_o hereby_o we_o offer_v to_o grant_v what_o further_a security_n the_o general_n assembly_n shall_v be_v please_v to_o demand_v in_o reason_n of_o we_o for_o religion_n and_o although_o we_o can_v lay_v negative_n and_o restriction_n on_o the_o king_n but_o must_v as_o oblige_v in_o conscience_n and_o duty_n endeavour_v his_o rescue_n that_o he_o may_v come_v with_o honour_n freedom_n and_o safety_n to_o some_o of_o his_o house_n in_o or_o about_o london_n yet_o we_o be_v most_o willing_a to_o give_v what_o assurance_n can_v be_v demand_v for_o ourselves_o and_o our_o army_n even_o by_o a_o solemn_a oath_n if_o so_o it_o shall_v be_v think_v fit_a by_o the_o general_n assembly_n that_o we_o shall_v not_o be_v satisfy_v and_o lie_v down_o arm_n until_o religion_n be_v secure_v in_o all_o his_o majesty_n dominion_n according_a to_o the_o covenant_n therefore_o out_o of_o the_o deep_a sense_n we_o have_v of_o the_o great_a danger_n that_o the_o further_a growth_n of_o these_o division_n may_v bring_v to_o religion_n the_o king_n majesty_n and_o to_o these_o who_o do_v sincere_o wish_v the_o settle_n of_o presbiterial_a government_n in_o all_o his_o majesty_n dominion_n we_o can_v but_o desire_v you_o serious_o to_o weigh_v the_o sad_a consequence_n may_v ensue_v if_o at_o this_o time_n there_o be_v not_o find_v among_o you_o some_o who_o will_v endeavour_v to_o heal_v and_o not_o to_o make_v wide_o the_o breach_n betwixt_o church_n and_o state_n to_o remember_v that_o no_o such_o effectual_a help_n can_v be_v yield_v at_o this_o time_n to_o that_o as_o to_o have_v the_o heart_n and_o conscience_n of_o the_o people_n preposess_v with_o prejudices_fw-la against_o the_o resolution_n of_o the_o estate_n and_o their_o so_o pious_a and_o necessary_a engagement_n and_o for_o this_o cause_n to_o the_o end_n these_o unhappy_a difference_n may_v spread_v no_o further_o we_o do_v entreat_v you_o will_v be_v please_v to_o appoint_v some_o of_o your_o number_n to_o meet_v with_o such_o as_o shall_v be_v appoint_v by_o we_o for_o compose_v these_o misunderstanding_n betwixt_o church_n and_o state_n and_o likewise_o for_o so_o clear_n the_o march_n betwixt_o the_o civil_a and_o ecclesiastic_a power_n in_o these_o question_n have_v be_v debate_v betwixt_o the_o parliament_n and_o the_o commissioner_n of_o the_o gen._n assembly_n as_o the_o kirk_n may_v be_v free_v of_o all_o scandal_n in_o meddle_v with_o civil_a business_n and_o the_o estate_n from_o the_o scandal_n of_o erastianism_n and_o see_v our_o desire_n herein_o be_v only_o to_o remove_v all_o jealousy_n betwixt_o the_o church_n and_o state_n and_o to_o witness_v to_o the_o world_n our_o unfeigned_a intention_n to_o do_v all_o that_o be_v in_o our_o power_n for_o the_o most_o satisfaction_n of_o the_o gen._n assembly_n we_o do_v desire_v that_o you_o will_v be_v please_v to_o forbear_v the_o emit_v of_o any_o declaration_n either_o to_o this_o kingdom_n or_o the_o kingdom_n of_o england_n relate_v to_o our_o present_a engagement_n and_o proceed_n consider_v how_o unseasonable_a it_o may_v prove_v whilst_o our_o army_n be_v in_o the_o field_n against_o the_o great_a obstruction_n of_o any_o enemy_n to_o our_o reformation_n to_o do_v any_o thing_n may_v encourage_v and_o strengthen_v the_o hand_n and_o heart_n of_o that_o who_o doubtless_o will_v encourage_v themselves_o in_o their_o own_o way_n the_o more_o they_o have_v we_o disapproven_v by_o you_o and_o as_o their_o unhappy_a difference_n and_o division_n have_v already_o so_o wrought_v upon_o the_o hollow_a heart_n of_o some_o of_o our_o countryman_n as_o to_o move_v they_o to_o rise_v in_o arm_n against_o the_o parliament_n force_n and_o of_o some_o to_o run_v and_o join_v themselves_o with_o these_o so_o much_o the_o more_o will_v these_o be_v strengthen_v and_o encourage_v against_o we_o by_o their_o hear_n of_o our_o division_n we_o do_v likewise_o desire_v that_o before_o the_o gen._n assembly_n proceed_v to_o any_o approbation_n of_o the_o action_n of_o the_o commissioner_n of_o the_o gen._n assembly_n that_o in_o these_o thing_n that_o may_v relate_v to_o the_o present_a engagement_n and_o to_o these_o question_n have_v be_v debate_v betwixt_o the_o parliament_n and_o they_o we_o may_v be_v first_o hard_a all_o these_o we_o desire_v for_o no_o other_o end_n but_o that_o these_o untimely_a difference_n and_o rent_n now_o grow_v to_o so_o great_a a_o height_n as_o that_o they_o threaten_v the_o ruin_n both_o of_o church_n and_o state_n may_v by_o the_o blessing_n of_o god_n in_o the_o spirit_n of_o meekness_n be_v cu●ed_v and_o bind_v up_o that_o neither_o malignant_n on_o the_o one_o hand_n may_v have_v occasion_n to_o laugh_v at_o our_o division_n nor_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n encourage_v and_o strengthen_v against_o we_o but_o that_o we_o as_o former_o may_v go_v on_o in_o one_o way_n be_v all_o engage_v in_o one_o cause_n for_o one_o and_o the_o selfsame_a end_n and_o so_o may_v receive_v a_o blessing_n from_o the_o lord_n of_o peace_n and_o order_n which_o hate_v the_o instrument_n of_o division_n and_o confusion_n upon_o all_o our_o endeavour_n for_o advance_v the_o bless_a work_n of_o reformation_n and_o for_o bring_v to_o a_o happy_a end_n all_o the_o misery_n and_o confusion_n now_o which_o these_o land_n have_v be_v so_o long_o toil_v and_o consume_v with_o before_o the_o assembly_n give_v any_o answer_n to_o the_o paper_n produce_v from_o the_o honourable_a committee_n of_o estate_n the_o assembly_n think_v fit_a to_o inquire_v at_o the_o honourable_a person_n who_o present_v the_o paper_n if_o the_o committee_n of_o estate_n have_v any_o new_a objection_n against_o the_o proceed_n of_o the_o commission_n of_o the_o late_a assembly_n or_o only_o the_o same_o objection_n make_v by_o the_o parliament_n or_o their_o committee_n before_o sic_fw-la subscrib_n a._n ker._n the_o committee_n of_o estate_n do_v make_v this_o return_n to_o the_o paper_n of_o the_o gen._n assembly_n that_o they_o have_v just_a and_o material_a exception_n against_o the_o proceed_n of_o the_o commissioner_n of_o the_o gen._n assembly_n beside_o any_o former_o make_v by_o parliament_n or_o
be_v that_o be_v give_v to_o the_o general_n assembly_n of_o that_o business_n some_o of_o the_o commissioner_n confession_n before_o the_o commission_n of_o the_o church_n at_o strivel_a after_o dunbar_n do_v bear_v witness_n it_o may_v be_v remember_v that_o the_o moderator_n then_o regret_v that_o the_o plain_a business_n be_v not_o make_v know_v to_o the_o general_n assembly_n and_o that_o most_o of_o what_o be_v speak_v in_o that_o debate_n at_o strivel_a tend_v rather_o to_o clear_v the_o gen._n assembly_n then_o to_o justify_v the_o treaty_n and_o indeed_o these_o after_o discovery_n of_o hide_a and_o sinful_o conceal_v truth_n may_v plead_v for_o a_o fair_a construction_n of_o what_o the_o assembly_n do_v in_o approve_v their_o commissioner_n proceed_n which_o belike_o they_o will_v not_o have_v approven_v if_o they_o have_v know_v all_o the_o truth_n and_o do_v afford_v sufficient_a ground_n for_o the_o remonstrator_n afterward_o to_o remonstrate_v they_o without_o reflect_v upon_o the_o assembly_n or_o upon_o their_o own_o profession_n of_o respect_n to_o the_o doctrine_n and_o government_n of_o this_o church_n second_o these_o act_n be_v not_o so_o most_o unanimous_o conclude_v as_o the_o author_n affirm_v it_o be_v true_a that_o there_o be_v no_o protestation_n nor_o open_a and_o plain_a dissent_n by_o any_o member_n of_o the_o assembly_n against_o they_o but_o several_a member_n who_o have_v profess_v their_o dis-satisfaction_n with_o that_o matter_n in_o private_a when_o it_o come_v to_o be_v vote_v in_o public_a they_o do_v so_o qualify_v their_o vote_n that_o it_o do_v relate_v only_o to_o the_o approve_v of_o the_o diligence_n of_o the_o commissioner_n insinuate_v that_o they_o be_v not_o clear_a to_o approve_v of_o the_o matter_n i_o acknowledge_v that_o it_o be_v a_o weakness_n that_o they_o do_v not_o plain_o declare_v their_o mind_n which_o some_o of_o they_o be_v request_v to_o forbear_v but_o this_o show_v that_o there_o be_v not_o so_o great_a unanimity_n in_o that_o matter_n as_o he_o speak_v of_o he_o be_v not_o ignorant_a that_o as_o that_o business_n be_v from_o the_o first_o to_o the_o last_o rash_o transact_v and_o against_o the_o inclination_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o godly_a in_o the_o land_n whilst_o they_o yet_o do_v see_v the_o king_n continue_v in_o his_o opposition_n to_o the_o work_n of_o god_n so_o also_o against_o the_o inclination_n of_o many_o in_o the_o assembly_n who_o yet_o can_v not_o find_v a_o ground_n to_o dissent_v oppen_o from_o that_o conclusion_n because_o of_o the_o fair_a representation_n of_o the_o matter_n make_v to_o they_o three_o before_o the_o remonstrance_n be_v pen_v there_o be_v palpable_a and_o clear_a discovery_n of_o the_o hollowness_n of_o that_o transaction_n in_o holland_n the_o king_n have_v give_v commission_n to_o the_o malignant_n to_o rise_v in_o arm_n and_o have_v himself_o desert_v the_o judicatories_n and_o go_v away_o to_o join_v with_o the_o malignant_n and_o several_a other_o thing_n of_o that_o kind_n be_v make_v know_v before_o there_o be_v any_o meeting_n about_o the_o remonstrance_n let_v be_v any_o conclusion_n take_v upon_o it_o four_o there_o can_v not_o be_v any_o address_n to_o these_o judicatories_n by_o way_n of_o supplication_n or_o otherwise_o to_o desire_v they_o to_o re-examine_a or_o to_o take_v to_o their_o consideration_n again_o these_o act_n and_o constitution_n because_o the_o gen._n ass_n which_o only_o by_o the_o author_n own_o acknowledgement_n have_v power_n so_o to_o do_v be_v not_o then_o sit_v nor_o to_o sit_v for_o eight_o or_o nine_o month_n thereafter_o and_o the_o lord_n have_v smite_v we_o so_o sore_o as_o at_o dunbar_n and_o be_v still_o threaten_v more_o wrath_n it_o be_v no_o time_n to_o delay_v nor_o dally_v the_o represent_v the_o ground_n of_o his_o controversy_n five_o when_o that_o remonstrance_n past_a the_o force_n of_o the_o west_n be_v enclose_v between_o the_o english_a force_n at_o glasgow_n and_o those_o at_o carlisle_n and_o resolve_v to_o lay_v down_o their_o life_n in_o the_o defence_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o country_n and_o therefore_o think_v themselves_o bind_v to_o exoner_n their_o conscience_n in_o a_o free_a and_o plain_a way_n and_o to_o leave_v that_o testimony_n behind_o they_o concern_v the_o guiltiness_n of_o the_o land_n and_o the_o judicatories_n thereof_o six_o that_o remonstrance_n be_v not_o the_o deed_n of_o some_o of_o the_o protester_n only_o but_o for_o the_o substance_n first_o the_o deed_n of_o one_o of_o the_o best_a and_o most_o famous_a synod_n of_o this_o church_n and_o afterward_o both_o for_o substance_n and_o word_n the_o deed_n of_o a_o very_a considerable_a number_n of_o officer_n gentleman_n and_o minister_n who_o integrity_n and_o zeal_n for_o the_o public_a cause_n from_o the_o beginning_n be_v know_v and_o approven_v not_o only_o to_o the_o judicatories_n of_o church_n and_o state_n but_o to_o all_o good_a man_n throughout_o the_o land_n seven_o that_o as_o it_o be_v true_a that_o these_o who_o come_v with_o the_o remonstrance_n to_o present_v it_o to_o the_o committee_n of_o estate_n be_v require_v if_o they_o have_v any_o power_n commit_v to_o they_o to_o change_v any_o thing_n thereof_o do_v plain_o declare_v that_o though_o some_o expression_n may_v be_v change_v yet_o they_o have_v no_o power_n to_o alter_v any_o thing_n in_o the_o matter_n so_o it_o be_v no_o less_o true_a that_o these_o who_o do_v require_v they_o if_o they_o have_v any_o such_o power_n be_v tell_v that_o they_o have_v power_n to_o communicate_v the_o same_o unto_o they_o before_o they_o give_v it_o in_o to_o the_o committee_n and_o to_o take_v their_o advice_n and_o assistance_n therein_o do_v not_o after_o the_o read_n and_o hear_v thereof_o profess_v any_o dislike_n of_o the_o matter_n therein_o contain_v much_o less_o do_v they_o use_v any_o argument_n to_o dissuade_v they_o from_o give_v it_o in_o which_o give_v just_a ground_n to_o the_o other_o to_o think_v that_o they_o do_v approve_v thereof_o they_o be_v man_n of_o such_o ripnesse_n of_o judgement_n freedom_n intimacy_n and_o friendliness_n with_o these_o who_o give_v it_o in_o that_o they_o can_v not_o but_o look_v upon_o their_o silence_n as_o a_o approve_v of_o their_o way_n eigth_o let_v it_o be_v consider_v whether_o the_o remonstrator_n or_o these_o who_o be_v hug_v by_o the_o commission_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o meeting_n at_o st._n andrews_n and_o dundee_n be_v their_o best_a friend_n and_o most_o forward_o for_o the_o public_a resolution_n be_v this_o day_n most_o tender_a of_o the_o liberty_n of_o church_n and_o state_n the_o latter_a consent_n to_o all_o the_o demand_n of_o the_o present_a power_n and_o the_o former_a every_o where_n refuse_v as_o to_o that_o which_o be_v say_v to_o be_v prove_v by_o mr._n john_n carstares_n his_o letter_n to_o the_o lord_n register_n how_o weak_o be_v this_o allege_a mr._n john_n carstares_n be_v then_o a_o prisoner_n at_o edinburgh_n the_o remonstrator_n be_v at_o dumfreis_n the_o remonstrance_n be_v present_v at_o strivel_a he_o know_v not_o so_o much_o as_o either_o matter_n or_o form_n of_o the_o remonstrance_n till_o it_o be_v present_v how_o then_o can_v he_o give_v advice_n therein_o or_o if_o his_o letter_n be_v intercept_v how_o can_v that_o advice_n come_v to_o their_o hand_n that_o they_o may_v hearken_v thereto_o if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o thing_n in_o that_o letter_n that_o make_v for_o his_o purpose_n why_o do_v not_o the_o author_n cite_v the_o word_n of_o it_o after_o the_o intercept_n thereof_o it_o be_v show_v to_o mr._n robert_n dowglas_n and_o diverse_a other_o and_o as_o it_o do_v then_o so_o if_o it_o be_v needful_a to_o make_v it_o public_a it_o will_v now_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o it_o of_o which_o either_o mr._n john_n or_o my_o lord_n register_n need_v to_o be_v ashamed_a and_o it_o will_v abundant_o confute_v the_o calumny_n of_o some_o and_o correct_v the_o mistake_n of_o other_o particular_o in_o the_o thing_n for_o which_o it_o be_v allege_v vindication_n second_o public_a vilify_n of_o act_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n as_o not_o to_o be_v press_v in_o matter_n of_o conscience_n witness_n mr._n james_n guthrie_n his_o speech_n utter_v public_o in_o the_o commission_n at_o strivel_a where_o in_o conference_n upon_o the_o western_a remonstrance_n when_o the_o moderator_n do_v once_o and_o again_o press_v the_o act_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n approve_v the_o close_a of_o the_o treaty_n with_o the_o king_n and_o the_o declaration_n of_o the_o same_o assembly_n emit_v when_o the_o english_a army_n enter_v the_o land_n against_o that_o part_n of_o the_o remonstrance_n condemn_v the_o close_a of_o the_o treaty_n he_o public_o answer_v press_v i_o not_o with_o humane_a constitution_n in_o matter_n of_o conscience_n all_o
but_o neither_o be_v that_o new_a because_o the_o commission_n at_o edinburgh_n before_o the_o king_n home_n come_v have_v in_o a_o very_a large_a letter_n to_o the_o commissioner_n at_o holland_n hold_v forth_o their_o great_a dis-satisfaction_n with_o the_o proceed_n of_o that_o treaty_n in_o many_o particular_n and_o the_o commission_n at_o leith_n before_o the_o defeat_n at_o dumbar_n have_v also_o hold_v forth_o the_o malignant_a design_n that_o be_v then_o carry_v on_o and_o have_v give_v it_o in_o as_o a_o public_a cause_n of_o humiliation_n to_o the_o committee_n of_o estate_n it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o commission_n be_v the_o facto_fw-la convene_v within_o eight_o day_n but_o as_o we_o have_v already_o say_v it_o be_v not_o propable_a at_o the_o time_n or_o emit_v these_o cause_n that_o it_o shall_v so_o have_v be_v and_o i_o pray_v the_o author_n or_o any_o rational_a man_n sober_o to_o think_v what_o motive_n but_o the_o sense_n of_o duty_n and_o the_o press_a expediencie_n of_o the_o thing_n shall_v have_v induce_v these_o protester_n of_o who_o he_o speak_v to_o be_v so_o headstrong_a and_o forward_a to_o anticipate_v the_o meeting_n of_o the_o commission_n see_v they_o have_v ground_n to_o think_v that_o the_o commission_n at_o their_o meeting_n be_v like_a to_o condescend_v on_o these_o thing_n as_o cause_n of_o god_n wrath_n which_o be_v verify_v thereafter_o by_o the_o approve_v thereof_o but_o the_o author_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o commission_n do_v both_o alter_v somewhat_o of_o which_o i_o shall_v afterward_o speak_v and_o add_v some_o thing_n to_o wit_n a_o postscript_n recommend_v prayer_n for_o the_o king_n aswell_o as_o mourning_n for_o his_o sin_n which_o by_o the_o debate_n that_o be_v make_v against_o it_o by_o mr._n james_n guthrie_n and_o the_o register_n for_o the_o space_n of_o half_a a_o hour_n as_o he_o say_v seem_v to_o have_v be_v purposely_o leave_v out_o and_o that_o which_o the_o commission_n approve_v be_v the_o matter_n of_o these_o cause_n and_o not_o the_o way_n of_o emission_n wherewith_o many_o of_o the_o commission_n show_v themselves_o dissatisfied_n as_o a_o practice_n without_o example_n and_o a_o preparative_n tend_v to_o the_o overthrow_n of_o the_o government_n the_o commission_n do_v indeed_o add_v that_o postscript_n concern_v prayer_n for_o the_o king_n against_o the_o expediency_n of_o which_o addition_n to_o be_v make_v at_o that_o time_n mr._n james_n guthrie_n and_o the_o register_n do_v for_o a_o little_a debate_n how_o the_o author_n shall_v know_v so_o exact_o the_o measure_n of_o the_o time_n i_o leave_v it_o for_o himself_o to_o answer_v the_o ground_n of_o their_o so_o do_v be_v not_o that_o which_o he_o allege_v the_o register_n have_v many_o live_a witness_n that_o he_o be_v no_o adversary_n to_o pray_v for_o the_o king_n and_o mr._n james_n guthrie_n have_v keep_v that_o humiliation_n public_o in_o the_o congregation_n at_o strivel_a before_o the_o commission_n do_v meet_v or_o make_v any_o such_o addition_n do_v pray_v for_o the_o king_n and_o why_o shall_v they_o have_v oppose_v that_o which_o be_v their_o own_o practice_n the_o author_n be_v a_o little_a beyond_o due_a bound_n when_o he_o say_v it_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v leave_v out_o of_o purpose_n their_o debate_n against_o the_o add_v of_o it_o be_v because_o at_o first_o they_o do_v not_o conceive_v that_o there_o be_v any_o necessity_n to_o make_v a_o express_a and_o distinct_a article_n of_o that_o more_o th●n_n of_o many_o other_o thing_n which_o we_o be_v no_o less_o bind_v to_o pray_v for_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n so_o obvious_a common_a and_o ordinary_a and_o that_o now_o to_o add_v it_o be_v to_o minister_v occasion_n without_o ground_n to_o make_v other_o conceive_v that_o it_o have_v be_v indeed_o former_o leave_v out_o of_o purpose_n and_o so_o to_o raise_v needless_a jealousy_n and_o suspicion_n of_o some_o as_o be_v disaffect_v to_o the_o king_n next_o because_o they_o take_v it_o to_o be_v include_v in_o the_o cause_n former_o emit_v though_o not_o express_o yet_o so_o as_o may_v be_v memorandum_n enough_o for_o decern_v man_n not_o to_o omit_v it_o he_o that_o mourn_v right_o for_o the_o king_n sin_n will_v also_o be_v a_o intercessor_n to_o god_n for_o he_o to_o bestow_v upon_o he_o the_o contrary_a grace_n and_o virtue_n i_o shall_v not_o debate_v with_o the_o author_n whether_o the_o commission_n do_v approve_v only_o the_o matter_n or_o also_o the_o way_n of_o emission_n of_o these_o cause_n sure_o i_o be_o they_o do_v not_o condemn_v the_o way_n of_o emission_n and_o if_o he_o shall_v be_v please_v to_o look_v upon_o the_o tenor_n of_o the_o letter_n that_o at_o that_o time_n be_v write_v by_o the_o commission_n to_o the_o several_a presbytery_n wherein_o these_o cause_n be_v mention_v he_o will_v find_v something_o that_o look_v towards_o a_o approve_v of_o the_o way_n of_o emission_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o matter_n it_o be_v true_a that_o some_o of_o the_o commission_n show_v themselves_o exceed_o dissatisfied_n yea_o more_o exceed_o then_o be_v fit_a and_o beseem_v their_o place_n and_o part_n or_o the_o gravity_n of_o such_o a_o meeting_n but_o they_o be_v but_o some_o and_o not_o many_o if_o it_o be_v a_o practice_n without_o example_n it_o have_v also_o a_o ground_n without_o example_n but_o if_o the_o author_n shall_v be_v please_v to_o peruse_v the_o register_n of_o the_o church_n i_o believe_v that_o he_o shall_v find_v example_n of_o particular_a presbytery_n send_v their_o advice_n abroad_o concern_v cause_n of_o a_o public_a humiliation_n and_o that_o the_o member_n of_o the_o commission_n in_o thing_n that_o be_v clear_a and_o unquestionable_a and_o can_v not_o admit_v of_o a_o delay_n have_v sometime_o when_o they_o want_v one_o or_o two_o of_o their_o quorum_fw-la do_v some_o thing_n of_o public_a concernment_n let_v he_o look_v upon_o the_o register_n of_o the_o presbytery_n of_o edinburgh_n and_o of_o the_o commission_n and_o he_o will_v find_v it_o so_o that_o it_o be_v a_o preparative_n tend_v to_o the_o overthrow_n of_o government_n i_o can_v see_v when_o i_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o impartial_o as_o i_o can_v i_o know_v that_o he_o former_o call_v it_o a_o usurpation_n and_o if_o it_o have_v be_v so_o there_o be_v some_o ground_n for_o this_o new_a charge_n but_o i_o trust_v i_o have_v sufficient_o vindicate_v it_o from_o usurpation_n and_o therefore_o there_o be_v nothing_o bring_v that_o can_v bear_v the_o weight_n of_o this_o but_o for_o the_o discover_n of_o the_o mystery_n of_o all_o this_o business_n upon_o which_o so_o great_a a_o stress_n be_v lay_v i_o desire_v the_o reader_n to_o be_v inform_v that_o when_o these_o cause_n of_o humiliation_n be_v first_o send_v abroad_o one_o of_o the_o commissioner_n of_o the_o church_n who_o have_v be_v employ_v in_o holland_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o treaty_n with_o the_o king_n conceive_v that_o his_o carriage_n in_o that_o employment_n be_v reflect_v upon_o in_o that_o article_n which_o speak_v of_o the_o crooked_a and_o precipitant_a way_n that_o be_v take_v for_o carry_v on_o the_o treaty_n with_o the_o king_n as_o one_o of_o the_o cause_n for_o which_o the_o land_n ought_v to_o be_v humble_v he_o do_v take_v it_o so_o impatient_o that_o not_o only_o do_v he_o declare_v that_o he_o can_v not_o read_v these_o cause_n as_o they_o be_v first_o emit_v and_o that_o if_o they_o shall_v be_v read_v in_o the_o congregation_n wherein_o he_o have_v charge_n he_o behove_v to_o make_v some_o protestation_n or_o bear_v some_o testimony_n against_o they_o but_o also_o when_o he_o come_v te_fw-mi the_o commission_n do_v sharp_o challenge_v the_o way_n of_o emit_v of_o they_o the_o want_n of_o a_o article_n relate_v to_o prayer_n for_o the_o king_n and_o that_o article_n concern_v the_o treaty_n as_o reflect_v upon_o the_o carriage_n of_o the_o commissioner_n of_o the_o church_n employ_v in_o holland_n in_o that_o business_n because_o the_o article_n as_o it_o be_v first_o emit_v do_v mention_v the_o crooked_a and_o precipitant_a way_n that_o be_v take_v by_o sundry_a for_o carry_v on_o of_o the_o treaty_n without_o restrict_v the_o same_o to_o our_o statesman_n therefore_o for_o peace_n sake_n and_o to_o give_v he_o satisfaction_n a_o postscript_n be_v add_v to_o the_o letter_n which_o be_v at_o that_o time_n write_v by_o the_o commission_n and_o send_v to_o prebytery_n concern_v prayer_n for_o the_o king_n and_o the_o article_n concern_v the_o treaty_n with_o the_o king_n be_v some_o what_o alter_v by_o restrict_v the_o sundry_a that_o be_v speak_v therein_o to_o sundry_a of_o our_o statesman_n whereas_o before_o it_o be_v indefinite_a and_o without_o any_o such_o restriction_n and_o these_o be_v the_o addition_n and_o alteration_n that_o he_o
for_o constitute_v one_o a_o member_n of_o the_o visible_a kirk_n and_o sundry_a other_o weighty_a point_n of_o the_o doctrine_n and_o government_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n be_v chief_a cause_n that_o have_v bring_v the_o present_a judgement_n on_o the_o land_n which_o i_o dare_v say_v the_o presenter_n of_o they_o will_v never_o hazard_v to_o have_v present_v have_v he_o not_o know_v of_o some_o good_a like_n of_o they_o in_o some_o minister_n nay_o i_o will_v say_v further_o though_o the_o man_n be_v understand_v as_o to_o his_o station_n beyond_o many_o other_o yet_o who_o ever_o know_v he_o best_o and_o will_v consider_v the_o stile_n contrivance_n &_o conception_n in_o those_o article_n now_o extant_a in_o print_n will_v i_o doubt_v not_o say_v there_o have_v be_v the_o hand_n of_o joab_n another_o head_n and_o pen_n in_o they_o then_o his_o own_o this_o by_o the_o way_n that_o which_o i_o will_v have_v especial_o observe_v in_o this_o passage_n be_v to_o what_o purpose_n in_o this_o place_n be_v bring_v in_o these_o unfaithful_a man_n the_o prelate_n who_o mind_v their_o own_o thing_n etc._n etc._n and_o all_o this_o make_v a_o antecedent_n whereupon_o be_v infer_v the_o protestation_n against_o the_o late_a assembly_n for_o immediate_o it_o follow_v therefore_o remember_v &c._n &c._n whereunto_o tend_v all_o this_o but_o to_o bear_v all_o in_o hand_n that_o shall_v happen_v to_o read_v this_o protestation_n that_o the_o brethren_n that_o have_v be_v late_o &_o be_v opposite_a to_o they_o the_o professor_n have_v be_v and_o be_v tread_v the_o step_n of_o these_o unfaithful_a man_n the_o prelate_n and_o their_o mention_a practice_n a_o shrewd_a suggestion_n to_o say_v no_o more_o against_o their_o brethren_n many_o of_o they_o not_o only_o such_o as_o yet_o they_o dare_v not_o but_o profess_v to_o esteem_v high_o of_o but_o even_o many_o other_o who_o they_o despise_v have_v be_v honour_v of_o god_n to_o stand_v constant_a against_o the_o prelate_n usurpation_n for_o the_o liberry_n of_o assembly_n when_o few_o of_o their_o accuser_n have_v have_v the_o honour_n to_o have_v have_v their_o hand_n at_o the_o work_n yea_o some_o it_o may_v be_v these_o from_o who_o the_o suggestion_n issue_v be_v take_v unwarrantable_a order_n from_o prelate_n and_o do_v more_o too_o how_o can_v honest_a christian_a heart_n admit_v so_o slanderous_a a_o suggestion_n against_o so_o many_o honest_a man_n who_o faithfulness_n integrity_n honesty_n &_o constancy_n in_o the_o truth_n have_v be_v so_o well_o know_v and_o seal_v by_o god_n quis_fw-la tulerit_fw-la graechos_n i_o speak_v not_o of_o they_o all_o the_o seditione_n loquentes_fw-la if_o need_v be_v it_o will_v be_v easy_a to_o discover_v or_o rather_o to_o name_n for_o they_o be_v not_o hide_v in_o the_o dark_a the_o prelatical_a step_n that_o some_o have_v tread_v these_o year_n last_v bypass_a review_n the_o first_o thing_n which_o the_o author_n challenge_v in_o that_o passage_n of_o the_o narrative_a of_o the_o protestation_n be_v the_o grammar_n and_o logic_n of_o it_o in_o relation_n to_o antecedence_n and_o consequence_n concern_v which_o he_o think_v that_o too_o great_a forwardness_n to_o let_v out_o indirect_o a_o blow_n at_o honest_a man_n be_v make_v the_o protester_n somewhat_o to_o over_o see_v themselves_o but_o he_o spare_v the_o clear_n of_o it_o and_o not_o be_v worth_a the_o while_n till_o it_o b●_n c●e●ed_v these_o who_o see_v it_o can_v take_v with_o it_o in_o the_o next_o place_n albeit_o he_o profess_v himself_o not_o to_o be_v give_v to_o be_v jealous_a yet_o it_o be_v too_o great_a jealousy_n and_o prejudice_n that_o raise_v so_o great_a a_o stir_n about_o so_o innocent_a and_o harmless_a a_o expression_n as_o this_o that_o the_o fa●thfall_a minister_n of_o jesus_n christ_n in_o former_a time_n bring_v the_o work_n of_o reformation_n in_o scotland_n to_o a_o great_a perfection_n and_o near_a conformity_n to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n what_o mystery_n be_v here_o have_v not_o the_o like_a expression_n be_v use_v heretofore_o in_o the_o paper_n and_o book_n of_o the_o relater_n and_o asserter_n of_o reformation_n and_o government_n of_o this_o church_n but_o say_v the_o author_n great_a and_o near_o be_v here_o diminish_v term_n and_o import_v yet_o something_o to_o be_v want_v to_o perfection_n and_o conformity_n to_o the_o pattern_n and_o therefore_o he_o think_v the_o brethren_n will_v do_v well_o to_o tell_v &_o that_o it_o be_v wisdom_n for_o every_o honest_a professor_n to_o inquire_v what_o that_o be_v that_o be_v yet_o want_v the_o brethren_n do_v tell_v &_o all_o honest_a professor_n may_v be_v persuade_v to_o believe_v that_o they_o have_v no_o will_n before_o they_o that_o expression_n and_o that_o they_o do_v willing_o subscribe_v to_o the_o testimony_n of_o a_o worthy_a man_n in_o this_o church_n who_o love_n unto_o and_o estimation_n of_o the_o work_n of_o reformation_n be_v above_o all_o exception_n to_o wit_n that_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n after_o the_o reformation_n do_v by_o degree_n attain_v to_o as_o great_a perfection_n both_o in_o doctrine_n and_o discipline_n as_o any_o other_o reform_v church_n in_o europe_n but_o it_o may_v be_v this_o will_v not_o satisfy_v the_o author_n because_o his_o logic_n teach_v he_o that_o by_o say_v great_a perfection_n and_o near_a conformity_n they_o have_v say_v less_o than_o if_o they_o have_v say_v simple_o it_o be_v come_v to_o perfection_n and_o conformity_n to_o say_v nothing_o that_o the_o work_n of_o reformation_n be_v capable_a of_o a_o great_a growth_n in_o the_o practical_a use_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v know_v and_o profess_v and_o of_o a_o discovery_n of_o further_a degree_n of_o light_n and_o persuasion_n in_o these_o thing_n will_v the_o author_n say_v that_o nothing_o at_o all_o no_o not_o the_o least_o pin_n or_o circumstance_n of_o perfection_n &_o conformity_n with_o the_o first_o pattern_n be_v then_o want_v to_o the_o work_n of_o reformation_n in_o scotland_n if_o so_o we_o desire_v he_o to_o tell_v we_o what_o kind_n of_o power_n it_o be_v that_o be_v exercise_v by_o the_o magistrate_n and_o counsel_n of_o burgh_n than_o they_o choose_v commissioner_n to_o the_o general_n assembly_n and_o what_o be_v the_o extent_n of_o the_o doctor_n office_n i_o ask_v not_o these_o thing_n to_o cast_v any_o blemish_n on_o the_o work_n of_o reformation_n which_o i_o do_v willing_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v such_o as_o may_v compare_v with_o any_o of_o the_o reform_a church_n and_o in_o some_o respect_n so_o far_o as_o i_o know_v have_v the_o pre-eminence_n but_o to_o satisfy_v the_o author_n needless_a curiosity_n these_o thing_n be_v consider_v make_v it_o to_o appear_v that_o these_o word_n even_o when_o streach_v upon_o the_o tenterhooks_n of_o the_o author_n nicety_n do_v yet_o bear_v a_o convenient_a and_o true_a meaning_n and_o that_o none_o need_v thence_o to_o fear_v a_o serpent_n lurk_v in_o the_o bush_n i_o acknowledge_v that_o it_o have_v be_v the_o way_n of_o some_o in_o these_o land_n since_o the_o work_n of_o reformation_n begin_v in_o they_o to_o say_v that_o the_o work_n of_o reformation_n in_o scotland_n be_v a_o good_a way_n on_o but_o that_o there_o be_v yet_o further_a attainment_n than_o it_o be_v bring_v unto_o but_o it_o be_v apparent_a from_o other_o of_o their_o expression_n and_o from_o the_o whole_a tenor_n of_o their_o carriage_n that_o they_o have_v therein_o a_o bad_a meaning_n to_o wit_n that_o we_o shall_v not_o hold_v fast_o the_o thing_n which_o we_o have_v already_o nor_o walk_v by_o the_o same_o rule_n but_o that_o we_o shall_v make_v a_o alteration_n and_o change_n thereof_o and_o therefore_o there_o be_v reason_n to_o be_v jealous_a over_o such_o but_o to_o be_v jealous_a over_o these_o who_o expressision_n &_o carriage_n give_v no_o ground_n for_o it_o be_v but_o to_o torment_v ourselves_o with_o needless_a fear_n and_o to_o wrong_v other_o i_o have_v already_o give_v some_o account_n of_o the_o paper_n present_v to_o the_o meeting_n at_o edinburgh_n which_o the_o author_n do_v here_o repeat_v again_o and_o shall_v now_o add_v these_o few_o thing_n in_o answer_n to_o some_o circumstance_n of_o his_o discourse_n first_o that_o paper_n be_v not_o present_v to_o a_o meeting_n that_o either_o real_o be_v or_o do_v pretend_v to_o be_v the_o commission_n of_o the_o church_n but_o only_o to_o a_o meeting_n of_o minister_n and_o professor_n act_v not_o in_o the_o capacity_n of_o any_o judicatory_a real_a or_o pretend_a second_o that_o all_o the_o minister_n who_o be_v there_o do_v testify_v their_o dislike_n of_o that_o paper_n and_o even_o these_o who_o the_o author_n and_o some_o other_o do_v haply_o most_o suspect_a do_v serious_o dissuade_v from_o the_o in-giving_a of_o it_o three_o i_o know_v not_o who_o be_v the_o joab_n he_o
length_n to_o condemn_v these_o thing_n and_o for_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o act_n they_o acknowledge_v themselves_o to_o be_v man_n subject_a to_o the_o like_a passion_n with_o other_o but_o know_v no_o cause_n why_o for_o these_o the_o trade_n of_o prelatical_a ste●s_n shall_v be_v change_v rather_o upon_o they_o th●n_o upon_o other_o some_o in_o the_o follow_n of_o their_o duty_n be_v more_o emiss_a and_o other_o more_o forward_a but_o as_o long_o as_o they_o do_v strait_o and_o honest_o own_o their_o duty_n it_o be_v hard_a either_o because_o of_o the_o one_o or_o of_o the_o other_o to_o charge_v they_o with_o so_o heavy_a impu●ations_n vindication_n we_o shall_v now_o weigh_v these_o reason_n whereupon_o the_o protestation_n be_v build_v and_o which_o have_v be_v add_v late_o as_o batterage_n to_o hold_v it_o up_o sure_o the_o ground_n whereupon_o man_n will_v adventure_v on_o such_o a_o act_n or_o other_o will_v join_v in_o approve_v of_o it_o have_v need_n to_o be_v weighty_a in_o themselves_o and_o relevant_a and_o also_o clear_a in_o man_n conscience_n to_o protest_v against_o ●●r_a dissent_n from_o some_o particular_a act_n and_o constitution_n of_o a_o gen._n assembly_n be_v a_o thing_n which_o may_v be_v do_v without_o schism_n and_o derogation_n to_o the_o authority_n and_o be_v of_o government_n but_o when_o a_o gen._n assembly_n itself_o be_v protest_v against_o and_o decline_v as_o unlawful_a and_o have_v no_o authority_n at_o all_o who_o see_v not_o how_o sad_a the_o consequence_n must_v ready_o be_v in_o hat_n kirk_n hardly_o can_v it_o be_v by_o any_o outward_a mean_n but_o turn_v to_o a_o fix_a schism_n which_o thing_n how_o have_v godly_a orthodox_n christian_n in_o all_o age_n of_o the_o kirk_n detest_a and_o abhor_v choose_v rather_o ever_o to_o tolerate_v great_a offence_n which_o they_o do_v see_v but_o can_v not_o mend_v rather_o then_o to_o a●vide_v the_o kirk_n of_o christ_n and_o then_o it_o will_v be_v serious_o consider_v if_o the_o reason_n and_o ground_n of_o such_o a_o act_n be_v not_o clear_a and_o relevant_a how_o high_a a_o attempt_n it_o against_o the_o kingly_a office_n of_o christ_n to_o trample_v under_o foot_n his_o supreme_a external_a court_n in_o a_o nationall_n kirk_n come_v we_o then_o and_o ponder_v the_o reason_n allege_v for_o this_o protestation_n and_o declinature_n whether_o they_o be_v find_v weighty_a or_o light_a uincat_fw-la veritas_fw-la review_n i_o shall_v not_o stand_v to_o discuse_v the_o relevancy_n of_o all_o that_o be_v assert_v in_o this_o general_a discourse_n but_o return_v this_o answer_n thereunto_o it_o seem_v the_o author_n do_v not_o deny_v that_o it_o be_v lawful_a and_o in_o some_o case_n necessary_a to_o protest_v against_o and_o decline_v some_o gen._n assembly_n and_o that_o it_o will_v be_v so_o in_o our_o hypothesis_n if_o the_o ground_n be_v clear_a and_o relevant_a whatsoever_o will_v plead_v for_o a_o protestation_n against_o particular_a act_n that_o be_v wrongthe_n same_o &_o great_a reason_n will_v plead_v for_o a_o protestation_n against_o a_o wrong_a constitution_n because_o the_o error_n of_o a_o wrong_a constitution_n be_v of_o great_a consequence_n as_o import_v more_o prejudice_n to_o the_o work_n and_o people_n of_o god_n and_o be_v a_o high_a attempt_n against_o the_o kingly_a office_n of_o jesus_n christ_n than_o many_o wrong_a act_n be_v and_o therefore_o there_o be_v the_o great_a reason_n to_o prevent_v the_o same_o in_o jure_fw-la where_o it_o can_v be_v do_v in_o facto_fw-la even_o as_o man_n by_o such_o like_a protestation_n preserve_v their_o right_n jure_v when_o by_o the_o spate_o of_o a_o decline_a judicatory_a they_o be_v like_a to_o be_v oppress_v de_fw-la facto_fw-la and_o therefore_o have_v orthodox_n christian_n in_o all_o age_n bear_v testimony_n and_o protest_v against_o corrupt_a counsel_n as_o well_o as_o corrupt_v act_n we_o shall_v not_o go_v far_o back_o to_o seek_v instance_n it_o be_v know_v what_o the_o protestant_a church_n do_v against_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n and_o how_o often_o faithful_a man_n in_o the_o church_n since_o the_o reformation_n from_o popery_n have_v bear_v testimony_n and_o protest_v against_o unlawful_a assembly_n as_o well_o as_o against_o unwarrantable_a act_n neither_o do_v it_o cause_n schism_n in_o the_o church_n or_o derogate_v any_o thing_n from_o the_o authority_n and_o be_v of_o government_n to_o protest_v against_o usurper_n corrupter_n or_o perverter_n of_o it_o in_o a_o false_a court_n but_o it_o be_v the_o lawful_a and_o have_v be_v the_o usual_a mean_n in_o this_o church_n bless_v unto_o she_o of_o the_o lord_n to_o prevent_v and_o remead_v schism_n and_o to_o preserve_v the_o authority_n and_o be_v of_o government_n with_o the_o purity_n and_o liberty_n of_o all_o the_o ordinance_n and_o whatsoever_o sad_a consequence_n can_v be_v imagine_v to_o follow_v upon_o it_o do_v lie_n at_o the_o door_n of_o these_o who_o by_o decline_v from_o their_o principle_n carry_v on_o and_o cleave_v to_o a_o corrupt_a constitution_n of_o a_o assembly_n and_o not_o on_o these_o who_o adhere_v to_o sound_a principle_n do_v from_o the_o conscience_n of_o their_o duty_n bear_v testimony_n against_o the_o same_o it_o have_v be_v often_o and_o true_o say_v that_o the_o side_n wall_n which_o fall_v and_o not_o the_o gevill_n which_o stand_v be_v to_o blame_v for_o the_o rent_n and_o ruin_n of_o the_o house_n i_o do_v willing_o acknowledge_v that_o it_o be_v a_o high_a attempt_n against_o the_o kingly_a office_n of_o jesus_n christ_n to_o trample_v under_o foot_n his_o supreme_a external_a court_n in_o a_o nationall_n church_n but_o as_o the_o protester_n be_v guilty_a of_o this_o high_a attempt_n if_o they_o have_v protest_v against_o the_o meeting_n at_o st._n andrews_n and_o dundee_n without_o a_o cause_n and_o upon_o ground_n that_o be_v not_o relevant_a so_o if_o the_o author_n and_o abettor_n of_o the_o public_a resolution_n have_v corrupt_v this_o court_n in_o the_o free_a and_o lawful_a constitution_n thereof_o and_o have_v take_v upon_o themselves_o to_o be_v a_o assembly_n whilst_o they_o be_v none_o then_o will_v they_o and_o not_o the_o other_o be_v find_v guilty_a of_o this_o high_a attempt_n let_v we_o therefore_o come_v to_o the_o discuss_n and_o clear_v of_o the_o reason_n that_o the_o protester_n plead_v for_o themselves_o vindication_n their_o first_o reason_n for_o unfreenesse_n and_o unlawfulnesse_n of_o the_o assembly_n that_o the_o election_n of_o commissioner_n to_o the_o same_o be_v prelimited_a and_o prejudge_v in_o the_o due_a liberty_n thereof_o by_o a_o act_n &_o letter_n of_o their_o commission_n of_o the_o last_o assembly_n send_v to_o presbytery_n appoint_v such_o brethren_n as_o after_o conference_n remain_v unsatisfied_a with_o and_o continue_v to_o oppose_v public_a resolution_n to_o be_v cite_v to_o the_o gen._n assembly_n thus_o it_o be_v brief_o propon_v in_o the_o protestation_n in_o the_o late_o large_a paper_n emit_v and_o spread_v abroad_o since_o wherein_o as_o may_v be_v conceive_v be_v muster_v all_o the_o force_n that_o can_v be_v gather_v together_o against_o that_o assembly_n and_o many_o head_n have_v be_v employ_v in_o that_o one_o every_o man_n that_o read_v it_o decern_v who_o pen_n have_v give_v the_o form_n and_o frame_v to_o it_o and_o any_o decern_a man_n also_o may_v perceive_v in_o it_o something_o of_o school_n and_o something_o of_o law_n and_o register_n which_o the_o former_a behove_v to_o have_v from_o these_o quarrier_n it_o be_v put_v in_o a_o sy_n logistick_a form_n thus_o that_o it_o be_v no_o free_a general_n assembly_n the_o election_n of_o who_o commissioner_n be_v so_o prejudge_v and_o prelimited_n in_o the_o due_a freedom_n and_o liberty_n thereof_o that_o many_o minister_n of_o presbytery_n in_o a_o capacity_n to_o be_v choose_v for_o their_o ability_n and_o faithfulness_n be_v by_o the_o presbytery_n at_o the_o order_n of_o the_o supreme_a judicatory_a past_a by_o and_o set_v aside_o in_o the_o election_n and_o render_v uncapable_a to_o be_v member_n thereof_o but_o the_o late_a meeting_n be_v such_o therefore_o etc._n etc._n we_o will_v not_o follow_v out_o foot_n for_o foot_n the_o tract_n of_o many_o objection_n which_o the_o contriver_n of_o this_o paper_n have_v either_o find_v some_o way_n make_v by_o other_o or_o have_v form_v themselves_o at_o their_o own_o pleasure_n against_o this_o and_o other_o follow_v reason_n and_o their_o reply_n thereunto_o but_o shall_v propone_v such_o reasen_n as_o we_o conceive_v discover_v the_o nullity_n of_o these_o and_o other_o reason_n not_o omit_v the_o consideration_n of_o any_o thing_n contain_v in_o this_o paper_n which_o shall_v seem_v to_o meet_v with_o what_o we_o shall_v bring_v as_o occasion_n shall_v be_v offer_v without_o tie_v ourselves_o to_o the_o order_n of_o this_o paper_n for_o answer_v then_o to_o this_o
provocation_n which_o be_v great_a and_o many_o they_o will_v by_o this_o also_o have_v be_v accessary_a to_o what_o the_o nation_n smart_v under_o this_o day_n as_o the_o righteous_a reward_n of_o such_o revolt_n from_o god_n and_o therefore_o if_o you_o have_v no_o more_o to_o instance_n but_o this_o it_o do_v not_o prove_v but_o that_o they_o may_v all_o of_o they_o be_v still_o call_v faithful_a and_o honest_a man_n second_o he_o say_v be_v it_o so_o that_o some_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v choose_v commissioner_n who_o be_v not_o now_o choose_v yet_o this_o be_v little_a to_o the_o point_n that_o election_n be_v carry_v by_o influence_n of_o the_o commission_n letter_n and_o act._n but_o grant_v that_o presbytery_n do_v upon_o that_o letter_n and_o act_n leave_v their_o wont_a way_n these_o year_n pass_v in_o th●ir_a election_n it_o be_v to_o the_o point_n in_o hand_n because_o it_o be_v praesumptio_fw-la juris_fw-la &_o de_fw-fr jure_fw-la that_o this_o change_n flow_v from_o the_o influence_n that_o the_o letter_n and_o act_n have_v upon_o they_o the_o author_n see_v somewhat_o of_o this_o intimate_v another_o cause_n that_o move_v that_o change_n to_o wit_n that_o the_o whole_a kirk_n be_v grow_v sensible_a of_o this_o thing_n as_o dangerous_a whereby_o the_o whole_a power_n of_o public_a government_n be_v near_o become_v settle_v in_o the_o person_n of_o some_o particular_a man_n and_o these_o but_o a_o few_o as_o constant_a commissioner_n in_o which_o he_o think_v there_o will_v be_v need_n to_o prelimite_a presbytery_n that_o they_o make_v not_o a_o use_n of_o it_o if_o the_o lord_n shall_v be_v please_v again_o to_o grant_v the_o liberty_n of_o a_o assembly_n but_o to_o say_v nothing_o that_o this_o be_v the_o language_n which_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v speak_v by_o dis-affected_n man_n these_o year_n past_a especial_o dis-affected_n minister_n who_o fall_v under_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n who_o pretence_n and_o alleadgeance_n in_o this_o particular_a have_v strength_n add_v unto_o they_o by_o the_o author_n assert_v the_o same_o thing_n it_o be_v non_fw-la causa_fw-la pro_fw-la causa_fw-la as_o will_v appear_v by_o these_o two_o thing_n first_o there_o be_v a_o good_a many_o of_o these_o who_o be_v for_o the_o public_a resolution_n who_o have_v wont_a to_o be_v commissioner_n these_o year_n past_a and_o who_o have_v a_o great_a some_o of_o they_o a_o great_a sway_n in_o government_n than_o the_o other_o and_o yet_o most_o if_o not_o all_o of_o these_o be_v choose_v also_o the_o last_o year_n now_o if_o that_o be_v the_o cause_n which_o the_o author_n speak_v of_o why_o do_v it_o not_o bring_v forth_o the_o like_a effect_n in_o regard_n of_o both_o see_v both_o be_v alike_o liable_a to_o that_o exception_n next_o if_o the_o whole_a church_n be_v so_o grow_v in_o the_o sense_n of_o that_o evil_a why_o do_v they_o not_o provide_v the_o remedy_n at_o the_o last_o assembly_n it_o be_v in_o their_o power_n so_o to_o have_v do_v and_o the_o commissioner_n as_o the_o author_n assertion_n will_v import_v have_v such_o a_o impression_n of_o the_o same_o upon_o their_o spirit_n if_o the_o author_n will_v speak_v his_o conscience_n i_o think_v he_o will_v not_o deny_v but_o if_o these_o man_n who_o he_o say_v to_o have_v be_v exclude_v upon_o that_o ground_n have_v be_v for_o the_o public_a resolution_n even_o these_o among_o they_o who_o that_o ground_n may_v have_v be_v conceive_v to_o reach_v most_o will_v have_v be_v choose_v and_o admit_v commissioner_n as_o well_o as_o other_o if_o the_o whole_a church_n be_v grow_v sensible_a of_o this_o thing_n sure_o the_o meeting_n at_o st._n andrews_n do_v little_a regard_n or_o express_v it_o when_o they_o choose_v one_o to_o be_v their_o moderator_n who_o not_o only_o have_v be_v moderator_n of_o the_o former_a commission_n who_o proceed_n be_v then_o in_o question_n and_o to_o be_v examine_v but_o also_o in_o many_o precede_a commission_n and_o a●len_a bi●es_n and_o who_o have_v be_v a_o chief_a a●tor_n all_o that_o while_n in_o all_o these_o thing_n that_o concern_v public_a government_n which_o i_o speak_v not_o to_o bear_v any_o particular_a blame_n upon_o he_o or_o upon_o his_o carriage_n but_o to_o let_v see_v that_o either_o the_o whole_a church_n be_v not_o grow_v sensible_a of_o this_o as_o the_o author_n insinuate_v or_o else_o that_o h●r_a sense_n of_o it_o in_o her_o representative_a be_v let_v out_o or_o hold_v in_o upon_o man_n according_a to_o their_o judgement_n and_o carriage_n in_o the_o public_a resolution_n and_o so_o be_v not_o the_o cause_n of_o the_o presbytery_n not_o choose_v such_o as_o they_o be_v wont_a to_o choose_v three_o tha●_n few_o opposer_n be_v choose_v he_o think_v it_o be_v no_o wonder_n because_o they_o be_v but_o few_o in_o comparison_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o land_n how_o few_o soever_o they_o be_v in_o comparison_n of_o th●_n rest_n of_o the_o ministry_n in_o the_o land_n yet_o these_o of_o they_o who_o be_v former_o wont_v to_o be_v choose_v commissioner_n be_v not_o few_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o commissioner_n neither_o yet_o be_v they_o so_o few_o as_o the_o author_n reckon_v they_o when_o he_o say_v that_o four_o part_n of_o five_o of_o the_o presbytery_n have_v in_o they_o at_o that_o time_n no_o opposer_n to_o the_o public_a resolution_n nay_o they_o be_v and_o be_v still_o a_o very_a considerable_a number_n and_o whensoever_o a_o exact_a calculation_n shall_v be_v make_v by_o a_o particular_a list_n of_o the_o whole_a ministry_n in_o the_o land_n and_o of_o these_o who_o be_v against_o the_o public_a resolution_n at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o election_n and_o of_o the_o whole_a commissioner_n of_o the_o assembly_n at_o s._n andrews_n and_o dundee_n i_o believe_v it_o shall_v be_v find_v that_o the_o number_n of_o commissioner_n who_o be_v choose_v from_o among_o these_o who_o be_v against_o the_o public_a resolution_n wa●_n no_o way_n in_o proportion_n answerable_a to_o the_o number_n of_o the_o other_o that_o some_o unsatisfied_a be_v choose_v without_o another_o election_n and_o without_o protestation_n even_o when_o neither_o whole_a society_n be_v unanimous_a against_o the_o resolution_n not_o yet_o the_o plurality_n be_v opposer_n he_o do_v affirm_v it_o but_o do_v not_o prove_v it_o for_o the_o instance_n which_o he_o give_v of_o the_o commissioner_n both_o of_o the_o presbytery_n and_o university_n of_o aberdeen_n prove_v nothing_o less_o for_o the_o university_n the_o letter_n and_o act_n come_v not_o to_o it_o at_o least_o be_v not_o read_v in_o it_o and_o the_o plurality_n there_o be_v opposer_n of_o the_o public_a resolution_n and_o for_o the_o presbytery_n by_o his_o own_o grant_n there_o be_v a_o protestation_n against_o the_o oppose_a brother_n who_o be_v choose_v which_o be_v take_v up_o again_o with_o much_o difficulty_n and_o by_o earnest_a deal_n of_o some_o of_o the_o brethren_n opposite_a to_o the_o public_a resolution_n who_o desire_n be_v condescend_v unto_o with_o condition_n that_o their_o shall_v be_v a_o three_o commissioner_n it_o be_v in_o the_o mean_a while_n suggest_v in_o private_a that_o he_o who_o have_v first_o appear_v in_o the_o protestation_n against_o the_o opposer_n may_v be_v the_o man_n which_o i_o relate_v not_o upon_o hear-say_n but_o upon_o the_o subscribe_v testimony_n of_o these_o who_o be_v witness_n to_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n so_o i_o hope_v that_o nothing_o against_o the_o truth_n have_v be_v assert_v by_o the_o writer_n in_o this_o part_n of_o his_o answer_n the_o author_n say_v in_o a_o parenthesis_n that_o dissent_v in_o the_o enumeration_n be_v idle_o reckon_v up_o why_o he_o shall_v say_v so_o i_o do_v not_o conjecture_v unless_o that_o it_o be_v he_o think_v dissent_v and_o protest_v the_o same_o thing_n which_o they_o be_v not_o as_o appear_v clear_o from_o a_o act_n of_o the_o assembly_n 1644._o concern_v dissent_n and_o protestation_n in_o presbytery_n he_o seem_v unsatisfied_a with_o the_o writer_n that_o whilst_o he_o make_v enumeration_n of_o election_n of_o presbytery_n divide_v in_o judgement_n some_o doubt_v some_o dissent_v from_o or_o protest_v against_o some_o both_o way_n that_o he_o give_v no_o particular_a instance_n of_o all_o these_o sort_n but_o only_o two_o and_o he_o tell_v his_o reader_n that_o he_o suspect_v he_o can_v give_v no_o more_o or_o very_o few_o but_o he_o be_v suspicious_a without_o cause_n more_o can_v be_v give_v and_o be_v give_v by_o the_o writer_n in_o that_o very_a paper_n that_o the_o author_n be_v reply_v to_o and_o more_o than_o all_o these_o can_v yet_o be_v give_v if_o need_v be_v and_o though_o they_o be_v but_o few_o this_o be_v no_o great_a wonder_n because_o there_o be_v but_o few_o presbytery_n do_v choose_v
formal_a authoritative_a act_n require_v they_o to_o be_v refer_v and_o cite_v vindication_n now_o to_o our_o present_a purpose_n if_o you_o will_v compare_v this_o act_n of_o the_o commission_n 48_o with_o the_o act_n and_o letter_n of_o the_o commission_n 51_o not_o in_o question_n the_o letter_n will_v be_v find_v much_o more_o moderate_a and_o spare_a for_o first_o the_o act_n and_o letter_n of_o the_o commission_n 51_o do_v not_o require_v the_o presbytery_n to_o censure_v any_o at_o all_o for_o oppose_v public_a resolution_n but_o only_o require_v they_o to_o be_v refer_v and_o cite_v to_o the_o general_n assembly_n whereas_o the_o other_o 48_o require_v that_o all_o who_o do_v declare_v in_o the_o least_o against_o the_o resolution_n be_v censure_v present_o sundry_a be_v depose_v namely_o for_o speak_v some_o few_o word_n against_o the_o commission_n declarat_fw-la against_o the_o engagement_n 2._o the_o act_n &_o letter_n of_o the_o commission_n require_v not_o as_o the_o other_o duty_n any_o to_o be_v refer_v for_o mere_a silence_n nor_o all_o that_o profess_v themselves_o unsatisfied_a with_o the_o public_a resolution_n though_o after_o conference_n they_o remain_v unsatisfied_a but_o only_o such_o as_o make_v opposition_n to_o the_o public_a resolution_n yea_o only_o such_o as_o continue_v in_o their_o opposition_n obstinate_a all_o due_a mean_n of_o satisfaction_n be_v offer_v and_o refuse_v to_o the_o hinder_v people_n from_o go_v forth_o to_o the_o present_a and_o necessary_a defence_n of_o the_o land_n and_o not_o draw_v other_o from_o it_o which_o at_o that_o time_n be_v a_o most_o evident_a expose_v of_o the_o land_n without_o resistance_n to_o the_o power_n of_o the_o enemy_n this_o much_o to_o the_o second_o difference_n hint_v at_o and_o profess_v to_o be_v pass_v by_o review_n i_o desire_v that_o in_o make_v of_o this_o comparison_n it_o may_v be_v take_v notice_n of_o that_o the_o commission_n in_o the_o year_n 1651._o have_v long_o before_o the_o send_n of_o that_o letter_n and_o act_n now_o upon_o debate_n send_v to_o presbytery_n not_o only_o public_a warning_n wherein_o the_o opposite_n of_o public_a resolution_n be_v characterise_v as_o malignant_n and_o hold_v forth_o upon_o the_o matter_n as_o the_o betrayer_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o country_n and_o animate_v the_o civil_a magistrate_n to_o use_v civil_a censure_n against_o they_o as_o shall_v be_v afterward_o prove_v from_o the_o paper_n themselves_o but_o also_o a_o letter_n and_o act_n require_v they_o to_o censure_v such_o the_o tenor_n hereof_o follow_v reverend_a and_o well-beloved_a brethren_n find_v that_o notwithstanding_o of_o our_o faithful_a warning_n and_o great_a pain_n take_v to_o satisfy_v all_o man_n to_o concur_v in_o their_o place_n for_o further_a of_o the_o levy_n for_o defence_n of_o religion_n king_n and_o kingdom_n and_o all_o other_o our_o dear_a interest_n many_o be_v so_o far_o from_o concur_v that_o they_o do_v very_o vehement_o go_v about_o to_o obstruct_v the_o work_n by_o write_v preach_v and_o persuade_v to_o the_o contrary_a we_o do_v therefore_o require_v you_o that_o you_o careful_o inquire_v in_o your_o presbytery_n what_o minister_n do_v preach_v or_o otherwise_o persuade_v contrary_a to_o our_o present_a public_a and_o publish_v resolution_n and_o that_o you_o proceed_v to_o censure_v such_o as_o be_v in_o your_o own_o number_n and_o if_o any_o minister_n that_o travel_v among_o you_o transgress_v in_o that_o kind_n let_v he_o not_o be_v permit_v to_o preach_v in_o your_o bonnd_n sic_fw-la subscribitur_fw-la pearth_n march_v 20._o 1651._o it_o be_v not_o then_o to_o much_o purpose_n to_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o act_n and_o letter_n of_o the_o commission_n do_v not_o require_v the_o presbytery_n to_o censure_v any_o at_o all_o for_o oppose_v of_o public_a resolution_n see_v they_o have_v express_o do_v it_o long_o before_o that_o time_n in_o another_o letter_n and_o act_n send_v for_o that_o purpose_n and_o the_o second_o thing_n wherein_o he_o compare_v they_o will_v also_o be_v find_v no_o way_n considerable_a if_o we_o shall_v remember_v that_o these_o warning_n of_o which_o we_o speak_v have_v no_o distinction_n of_o such_o as_o profess_v themselves_o unsatisfied_a with_o public_a resolution_n and_o such_o as_o do_v oppose_v they_o but_o take_v in_o both_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o yea_o and_o these_o who_o be_v silent_a too_o and_o apply_v the_o act_n of_o former_a general_n assembly_n against_o they_o as_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o warn_v issue_v from_o pearth_n march_v 20_o 1651._o i_o wish_v the_o author_n have_v tell_v we_o how_o he_o difference_n such_o as_o profess_v themselves_o unsatisfied_a and_o such_o as_o oppose_v can_v a_o man_n profess_v himself_o unsatisfied_a and_o even_o after_o conference_n profess_v himself_o so_o and_o yet_o be_v silent_a and_o say_v nothing_o to_o the_o contrary_a i_o believe_v he_o mean_v not_o opposition_n by_o force_n but_o a_o minister_n declare_v his_o judgement_n and_o bear_v testimony_n against_o the_o course_n in_o his_o station_n and_o calling_n and_o how_o a_o man_n shall_v profess_v himself_o unsatisfied_a and_o not_o to_o do_v this_o i_o can_v tell_v unless_o he_o shall_v become_v neutral_a and_o indifferent_a in_o the_o matter_n of_o his_o duty_n he_o assert_v sundry_a to_o have_v be_v depose_v in_o the_o 48._o namely_o for_o speak_v some_o few_o word_n against_o the_o commission_n declaration_n against_o the_o engagement_n but_o do_v not_o let_v his_o reader_n know_v who_o these_o be_v and_o by_o who_o and_o when_o they_o be_v depose_v i_o do_v not_o remember_v of_o any_o neither_o yet_o do_v other_o who_o be_v much_o employ_v about_o these_o matter_n that_o be_v depose_v by_o the_o commission_n for_o speak_v against_o their_o declaration_n against_o the_o engagement_n before_o the_o assembly_n 1648._o and_o if_o he_o mean_v it_o after_o the_o assembly_n it_o be_v not_o to_o the_o purpose_n which_o thing_n make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o author_n have_v not_o find_v the_o commission_n 48_o so_o rigid_a and_o severe_a that_o he_o have_v any_o cause_n to_o prefer_v the_o commission_n of_o the_o 51_o unto_o they_o for_o moderation_n and_o sparingnesse_n though_o there_o be_v no_o difference_n upon_o the_o matter_n and_o in_o regard_n of_o the_o person_n with_o who_o they_o have_v to_o do_v vindication_n now_o to_o the_o rest_n insist_v on_o first_o say_v the_o paper_n in_o the_o year_n 48_o when_o a_o little_a before_o the_o election_n of_o commissioner_n to_o the_o general_n assembly_n it_o be_v move_v by_o some_o of_o the_o commission_n that_o something_o may_v be_v write_v to_o presbytery_n require_v they_o to_o choose_v none_o but_o such_o as_o be_v against_o the_o engagement_n it_o be_v oppose_v and_o refuse_v by_o the_o commission_n as_o favour_v a_o way_n of_o pre-limitation_n of_o the_o assembly_n and_o all_o that_o be_v there_o do_v be_v a_o letter_n write_v to_o presbytery_n give_v they_o account_n of_o their_o proceed_n and_o exhort_v they_o to_o their_o duty_n to_o choose_v able_a and_o faithful_a man_n answer_n that_o more_o be_v do_v in_o the_o precede_a general_n assembly_n we_o have_v make_v it_o evident_a but_o what_o be_v all_o this_o say_v here_o to_o what_o be_v allege_v that_o the_o late_a commission_n have_v do_v nothing_o but_o what_o the_o commission_n 48_o have_v do_v before_o they_o do_v the_o commission_n 51write_v to_o presbytery_n require_v they_o not_o to_o choose_v any_o against_o or_o opposite_a to_o their_o resolution_n to_o be_v commissioner_n not_o one_o word_n more_o or_o less_o of_o this_o or_o do_v not_o the_o commission_n act_n 48_o bear_v and_o import_v as_o much_o as_o the_o act_n and_o letter_n of_o the_o commission_n 51_o yea_o as_o much_o and_o more_o both_o extensive_a and_o intensive_a as_o be_v clear_v in_o the_o precede_a but_o you_o will_v say_v as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o paper_n in_o the_o commission_n 48_o about_o that_o time_n that_o a_o motion_n be_v make_v that_o something_o shall_v be_v write_v to_o require_v presbytery_n not_o to_o choose_v any_o but_o such_o etc._n etc._n and_o be_v oppose_v and_o refuse_v as_o favour_v pre-limittation_a answer_n i_o will_v not_o say_v who_o make_v the_o motion_n but_o i_o say_v this_o be_v to_o little_a purpose_n for_o what_o if_o i_o shall_v say_v the_o like_a motion_n be_v make_v in_o the_o commission_n 51_o and_o oppose_v and_o refuse_v too_o but_o further_o i_o prove_v by_o the_o writer_n of_o this_o paper_n his_o ground_n what_o the_o commission_n 48_o do_v upon_o the_o matter_n that_o which_o they_o do_v be_v real_o to_o pre-limitat_a presbytery_n that_o they_o shall_v choose_v none_o but_o such_o as_o if_o they_o have_v write_v as_o much_o to_o they_o in_o formal_a express_a term_n for_o their_o commission_n require_v presbytery_n either_o to_o refer_v or_o upon_o the_o matter_n to_o
testimony_n against_o that_o engagement_n though_o alas_o some_o of_o these_o in_o these_o late_a resolution_n have_v now_o dissemble_v it_o in_o their_o word_n and_o more_o have_v betray_v it_o in_o their_o action_n that_o what_o they_o then_o do_v in_o condemn_v the_o engagement_n and_o afterward_o approve_v the_o solemn_a public_a confession_n of_o sin_n and_o engagement_n to_o duty_n be_v against_o their_o heart_n when_o the_o author_n have_v streatched_a their_o number_n to_o the_o utmost_a the_o most_o he_o dare_v say_v of_o it_o be_v the_o great_a part_n of_o whole_a presbytery_n in_o some_o place_n but_o these_o some_o place_n that_o he_o speak_v of_o be_v so_o few_o that_o it_o will_v be_v find_v they_o will_v come_v to_o a_o very_a poor_a account_n when_o they_o shall_v be_v name_v they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v like_a to_o amount_v to_o any_o number_n at_o the_o general_n assembly_n if_o he_o mean_v of_o these_o who_o be_v member_n of_o the_o assembly_n that_o there_o be_v few_o if_o any_o at_o all_o who_o do_v not_o join_v in_o approve_v the_o declaration_n of_o the_o assembly_n against_o the_o engagement_n if_o he_o mean_v of_o these_o who_o subscribe_v the_o divisive_a supplication_n these_o be_v so_o few_o that_o they_o do_v not_o all_o of_o they_o be_v put_v together_o amount_v to_o the_o twenty_o part_n of_o the_o ministry_n of_o scotland_n and_o sundry_a even_o of_o these_o do_v before_o the_o election_n join_v with_o their_o presbytery_n and_o synod_n in_o bear_v testimony_n against_o the_o engagement_n i_o will_v not_o blame_v he_o for_o his_o charity_n to_o some_o of_o these_o man_n the_o writer_n do_v not_o say_v that_o all_o of_o they_o be_v know_v to_o be_v opposer_n or_o neutral_a or_o indifferent_a in_o the_o work_n of_o god_n from_o the_o beginning_n but_o speak_v indefinite_o mean_v as_o i_o take_v it_o of_o the_o bulk_n and_o generality_n of_o they_o and_o i_o believe_v the_o author_n himself_o be_v judge_n but_o few_o instance_n to_o the_o contrary_n can_v be_v give_v it_o be_v true_a that_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n before_o the_o write_n of_o the_o late_a commission_n letter_n have_v declare_v themselves_o satisfy_v with_o the_o commission_n resolution_n and_o dissatisfy_v with_o the_o course_n of_o the_o opposer_n thereof_o but_o it_o be_v also_o true_a that_o there_o be_v a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n who_o have_v not_o declare_v themselves_o satisfy_v with_o these_o resolution_n yea_o a_o great_a part_n who_o have_v declare_v themselves_o dissatisfied_n therewith_o and_o it_o be_v a_o wonder_n to_o i_o that_o the_o author_n shall_v say_v that_o count_v when_o the_o writer_n will_v he_o shall_v find_v that_o the_o dissenter_n from_o the_o commission_n 1648._o be_v not_o few_o yea_o not_o so_o few_o as_o dissenter_n from_o the_o commission_n 1651._o i_o hope_v he_o be_v speak_v of_o the_o ministerial_a church_n in_o regard_n of_o both_o the_o question_n now_o be_v of_o prelimiting_a the_o election_n and_o it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o speak_v of_o any_o other_o in_o regard_n of_o these_o let_v he_o name_v if_o he_o can_v any_o synod_n presbytery_n or_o kirk-session_n in_o scotland_n that_o do_v give_v any_o testimony_n or_o evidence_n of_o their_o dissent_n from_o the_o proceed_n of_o the_o commission_n against_o the_o engagement_n 1648._o if_o he_o will_v believe_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n 1650._o the_o whole_a ministry_n and_o body_n of_o the_o people_n in_o the_o land_n do_v join_v in_o their_o prayer_n and_o supplication_n in_o private_a and_o in_o public_a against_o the_o engagement_n and_o the_o minister_n every_o where_o in_o their_o sermon_n do_v bear_v clear_a testimony_n against_o it_o and_o all_o the_o church_n judicatories_n synod_n presbytery_n and_o session_n do_v petition_v the_o parliament_n against_o it_o and_o another_o declaration_n of_o the_o same_o assembly_n within_o a_o few_o day_n thereafter_o in_o answer_n to_o a_o passage_n of_o the_o declaration_n of_o the_o english_a army_n tell_v he_o somewhat_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n we_o do_v not_o remember_v say_v they_o that_o any_o of_o the_o minister_n do_v preach_v and_o cry_v up_o a_o war_n against_o england_n and_o as_o we_o know_v that_o the_o body_n of_o the_o ministry_n be_v unanimous_a and_o zealous_a in_o bear_v a_o joint_a testimony_n both_o in_o their_o sermon_n and_o otherwise_o against_o that_o war_n so_o these_o few_o that_o be_v silent_a have_v be_v censure_v for_o their_o silence_n and_o the_o committee_n of_o estate_n at_o the_o same_o time_n in_o their_o declaration_n testify_v thus_o do_v not_o all_o the_o judicatories_n of_o the_o kirk_n unanimous_o oppose_v and_o declare_v against_o it_o do_v not_o the_o minister_n faithful_o preach_v and_o pray_v against_o it_o and_o general_o all_o that_o fear_v god_n in_o the_o land_n petition_n against_o it_o and_o many_o such_o passage_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o our_o public_a paper_n from_o the_o time_n of_o carry_v on_o the_o engagement_n yet_o the_o author_n be_v so_o zealous_a to_o weaken_v every_o thing_n that_o the_o writer_n say_v for_o difference_v that_o which_o be_v do_v by_o the_o commission_n 1648._o and_o the_o commission_n 1651._o that_o he_o have_v rather_o retrench_v upon_o that_o which_o have_v be_v often_o and_o true_o declare_v by_o this_o church_n of_o their_o be_v free_a of_o any_o accession_n to_o the_o unlawful_a engagement_n than_o not_o to_o do_v it_o this_o deserve_v his_o second_o thought_n but_o upon_o the_o other_o hand_n beside_o the_o generality_n of_o these_o in_o the_o land_n who_o be_v of_o know_v approven_v godliness_n and_o piety_n and_o be_v dissatisfied_n with_o the_o public_a resolution_n as_o will_v i_o trust_v be_v acknowledge_v by_o godly_a man_n of_o a_o contrary_a mind_n speak_v sober_o and_o without_o the_o heat_n of_o dispute_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o give_v he_o some_o instance_n of_o some_o synod_n and_o of_o many_o prerbytery_n beside_o many_o particular_a member_n in_o presbytery_n throughout_o all_o the_o corner_n of_o the_o counrry_a who_o be_v not_o only_o silent_a in_o speak_v for_o the_o public_a resolution_n but_o who_o do_v bear_v testimony_n and_o speak_v open_o against_o they_o a_o thing_n so_o well_o know_v that_o i_o need_v not_o stay_v to_o name_v the_o particular_n but_o they_o must_v still_o be_v few_o in_o his_o catalogue_n we_o know_v say_v he_o what_o the_o number_n of_o these_o amount_v to_o at_o their_o great_a meeting_n at_o edinburgh_n of_o late_a if_o he_o mean_v that_o all_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o land_n who_o be_v of_o that_o judgement_n be_v at_o that_o meeting_n he_o be_v much_o mistake_v and_o if_o not_o so_o it_o be_v not_o much_o to_o the_o purpose_n there_o be_v many_o minister_n in_o the_o land_n of_o that_o judgement_n who_o be_v not_o at_o that_o meeting_n and_o yet_o there_o be_v very_o near_o a_o hundred_o minister_n at_o that_o meeting_n who_o be_v approven_v in_o the_o conscience_n of_o the_o godly_a throughout_o the_o land_n he_o acknowledge_v that_o many_o more_o of_o these_o then_o of_o the_o first_o be_v godly_a man_n and_o have_v be_v faithful_a former_o but_o their_o present_a course_n at_o that_o time_n be_v not_o faithfulness_n to_o the_o cause_n but_o prejudicial_a to_o it_o and_o the_o whole_a kirk_n and_o country_n as_o he_o think_v they_o may_v just_o be_v refer_v and_o call_v before_o the_o assembly_n as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o it_o be_v well_o that_o they_o be_v godly_a and_o such_o as_o have_v be_v former_o faithful_a as_o for_o their_o unfaithfulnesse_n at_o that_o time_n it_o be_v the_o point_n in_o question_n betwixt_o they_o and_o the_o author_n and_o abbettot_n of_o the_o public_a resolution_n they_o be_v persuade_v in_o their_o conscience_n and_o have_v clear_o hold_v forth_o the_o same_o unto_o other_o that_o they_o be_v keep_v the_o ground_n on_o which_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n do_v run_v these_o many_o year_n past_a for_o defend_v the_o country_n and_o cause_n against_o the_o enemy_n thereof_o and_o if_o other_o do_v forsake_v their_o ground_n they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v esteem_v unfaithful_a nor_o to_o be_v charge_v with_o that_o crime_n because_o they_o will_v not_o leave_v their_o master_n colour_n i_o shall_v not_o insist_v upon_o what_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o tender_a deal_n which_o they_o meet_v with_o because_o there_o may_v be_v opportunity_n to_o speak_v to_o this_o afterward_o what_o be_v apparent_a in_o the_o letter_n and_o act_n of_o the_o commission_n be_v already_o speak_v unto_o vindication_n the_o four_o consideration_n propon_v by_o the_o writer_n be_v that_o the_o resolution_n then_o viz._n 48_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o covenant_n act_n and_o constitution_n of_o former_a general_n assembly_n whereas_o the_o
be_v choose_v commissioner_n to_o the_o assembly_n at_o least_o not_o to_o sit_v and_o vote_n until_o he_o be_v try_v and_o judge_v for_o i_o doubt_v if_o he_o may_v not_o be_v choose_v commissioner_n if_o there_o be_v not_o some_o probable_a presumption_n of_o the_o fact_n but_o if_o the_o scandal_n be_v yet_o controversi_fw-la &_o indeterminati_fw-la juris_fw-la controvert_v and_o as_o yet_o not_o a_o determine_a case_n in_o point_n of_o law_n by_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o kirk_n i_o see_v not_o but_o a_o man_n cite_v upon_o such_o a_o ground_n may_v be_v choose_v a_o commissioner_n to_o the_o assembly_n and_o sit_v and_o vote_n as_o a_o member_n in_o other_o matter_n except_o that_o thereupon_o he_o be_v cite_v and_o do_v remember_v well_o that_o upon_o this_o very_a ground_n anno_fw-la 48_o upon_o the_o put_n off_o of_o some_o from_o the_o list_n to_o be_v commissioner_n to_o the_o assembly_n who_o have_v be_v refer_v and_o cite_v to_o the_o assembly_n for_o silence_n at_o that_o time_n according_a to_o the_o direction_n of_o the_o then_o commission_n exception_n be_v make_v by_o some_o that_o such_o person_n can_v not_o be_v choose_v commissioner_n and_o consequent_o can_v not_o be_v upon_o a_o list_n this_o motion_n be_v reject_v by_o some_o judicious_a and_o pious_a affirm_v indeed_o that_o such_o person_n can_v not_o well_o vote_v in_o the_o assembly_n until_o their_o matter_n be_v try_v but_o that_o that_o reference_n can_v not_o hinder_v they_o to_o be_v upon_o a_o list_n for_o election_n and_o consequent_o not_o from_o be_v elect_v to_o be_v commissioner_n now_o such_o be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o citation_n in_o hand_n it_o be_v upon_o alleadgeance_n of_o scandal_n as_o yet_o controversi_fw-la juris_fw-la as_o to_o any_o particular_a determination_n thereanent_a by_o the_o public_a judgement_n of_o the_o kirk_n and_o therefore_o both_o the_o person_n cite_v and_o these_o that_o ordain_v they_o to_o be_v cite_v be_v to_o be_v try_v and_o judge_v by_o the_o assembly_n and_o for_o that_o remove_v in_o that_o particular_a not_o only_o about_o the_o fact_n but_o also_o about_o the_o matter_n juris_n of_o law_n however_o if_o this_o please_v not_o the_o writer_n let_v he_o answer_v what_o he_o will_v for_o clear_v the_o order_n of_o the_o commission_n 48_o and_o it_o will_v serve_v as_o well_o the_o order_n of_o the_o commission_n 51._o as_o to_o any_o illegality_n relate_v to_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o assembly_n for_o upon_o the_o form_n clear_o both_o be_v alike_o except_o in_o what_o will_v make_v for_o the_o advantage_n of_o the_o late_a and_o as_o for_o the_o matter_n in_o both_o it_o be_v alike_o as_o to_o the_o general_n assembly_n judgement_n at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o protestation_n and_o also_o in_o reipsâ_fw-la which_o we_o take_v upon_o we_o to_o make_v good_a review_n albeit_o this_o be_v more_o than_o probable_a as_o appear_v from_o the_o constant_a tenor_n of_o the_o proceed_n of_o assembly_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o commissioner_n which_o be_v intimate_v by_o the_o writer_n yet_o i_o be_o content_a to_o take_v what_o the_o author_n give_v he_o distinguish_v betwixt_o a_o scandal_n which_o as_o to_o the_o ground_n of_o it_o be_v controversi_fw-la juris_fw-la &_o a_o scandal_n which_o be_v determinati_fw-la juris_fw-la and_o make_v the_o scandal_n of_o oppose_v the_o public_a resolution_n to_o have_v be_v only_o controversi_fw-la juris_fw-la as_o to_o any_o particular_a determination_n thereof_o by_o the_o public_a judgement_n of_o the_o kirk_n and_o thence_o infer_v that_o the_o opposer_n of_o public_a resolution_n may_v have_v be_v choose_v this_o notwithstanding_o and_o admit_v to_o sit_v as_o judge_n in_o the_o assembly_n though_o not_o in_o this_o particular_a and_o i_o offer_v these_o particular_n hereanent_a first_o that_o by_o the_o author_n own_o grant_n they_o be_v still_o exclude_v from_o sit_v as_o judge_n in_o that_o particular_a and_o therefore_o as_o to_o a_o competent_a judge_n in_o this_o particular_a which_o be_v the_o main_a if_o not_o the_o all_o of_o the_o assembly_n the_o assembly_n be_v prelimited_n second_o that_o this_o be_v not_o a_o business_n which_o be_v controversi_fw-la juris_fw-la but_o as_o clear_o determinati_fw-la juris_fw-la as_o any_o thing_n can_v be_v i_o mean_v that_o the_o oppose_v of_o the_o public_a resolution_n be_v no_o fault_n but_o a_o duty_n clear_o determine_v by_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n i_o confess_v man_n may_v question_v any_o thing_n even_o the_o clear_a truth_n but_o there_o be_v no_o case_n often_o or_o more_o clear_o determine_v by_o this_o kirk_n then_o that_o of_o the_o unwarrantableness_n of_o join_v in_o counsel_n or_o arm_n with_o the_o malignant_a party_n for_o the_o defence_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o kingdom_n and_o of_o the_o obligation_n that_o lie_v upon_o minister_n especial_o to_o bear_v testimony_n against_o the_o same_o and_o therefore_o a_o notable_a injury_n be_v do_v and_o a_o gross_a pre-limitation_n commit_v by_o cite_v they_o upon_o that_o account_n three_o suppose_v it_o have_v not_o yet_o be_v determinati_fw-la juris_fw-la as_o to_z the_o public_a judgement_n of_o the_o church_n in_o a_o assembly_n yet_o as_o to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o commission_n and_o presbytery_n who_o do_v hear_v and_o obey_v they_o it_o be_v determinati_fw-la juris_fw-la and_o man_n be_v exclude_v from_o election_n and_o cite_v to_o the_o assembly_n there-upon_a as_o upon_o a_o thing_n that_o be_v determinati_fw-la juris_fw-la therefore_o as_o there_o be_v thereby_o a_o pre-limitation_n in_o regard_n of_o these_o who_o though_o they_o be_v choose_v yet_o can_v not_o sit_v in_o that_o particular_a because_o of_o the_o citation_n so_o also_o in_o regard_n of_o other_o who_o be_v thereby_o exclude_v from_o be_v choose_v 4._o if_o this_o scandal_n be_v not_o determinati_fw-la juris_fw-la by_o the_o public_a judgement_n of_o the_o church_n the_o author_n will_v let_v we_o know_v why_o the_o commission_n in_o their_o warning_n at_o perth_n march_v 20_o by_o apply_v many_o former_a act_n and_o remonstrance_n of_o gen._n assembly_n against_o it_o do_v define_v it_o to_o be_v so_o and_o what_o warrant_v the_o commission_n have_v by_o their_o trust_n from_o the_o gen._n assembly_n not_o only_o to_o declare_v the_o opposer_n of_o their_o resolution_n to_o be_v guilty_a of_o practice_n lead_v to_o encourage_v the_o heart_n and_o strengthen_v the_o hand_n of_o enemy_n in_o prosecute_a their_o wicked_a purpose_n to_o make_v faint_a the_o heart_n and_o feeble_a the_o hand_n of_o god_n people_n and_o to_o seduce_v their_o mind_n with_o devisive_a and_o separate_a counsel_n and_o principle_n and_o thereupon_o not_o only_o to_o require_v presbytery_n to_o censure_v they_o but_o also_o to_o stir_v up_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n against_o they_o sure_o if_o the_o commission_n do_v all_o this_o without_o any_o public_a judgement_n of_o the_o kirk_n that_o be_v of_o former_a general_n assembly_n define_v these_o thing_n to_o be_v scandal_n they_o do_v as_o to_o these_o thing_n act_v without_o a_o commission_n and_o without_o authority_n and_o be_v beyond_o their_o bound_n and_o lead_v with_o no_o spirit_n of_o tenderness_n the_o author_n do_v a_o little_a while_n ago_o seem_v to_o say_v that_o the_o commission_n have_v no_o power_n to_o cite_v or_o to_o censure_v the_o opposer_n of_o any_o resolution_n make_v by_o themselves_o and_o yet_o here_o he_o tell_v that_o these_o thing_n as_o to_o the_o public_a judgement_n of_o the_o kirk_n be_v controversi_fw-la juris_fw-la and_o if_o so_o they_o be_v as_o yet_o but_o resolution_n of_o their_o own_o and_o they_o have_v no_o power_n to_o cite_v or_o censure_v any_o or_o to_o give_v order_n to_o cite_v or_o censure_v any_o for_o oppose_v thereof_o that_o the_o public_a resolution_n be_v controversi_fw-la and_o not_o determinati_fw-la juris_fw-la by_o the_o public_a judgement_n of_o the_o kirk_n that_o the_o commission_n have_v no_o power_n for_o cite_v or_o censure_v any_o oppose_v resolution_n make_v by_o themselves_o that_o they_o give_v order_n to_o presbytery_n to_o censure_n and_o cite_v the_o opposer_n of_o public_a resolution_n be_v thing_n that_o i_o can_v reconcile_v i_o will_v not_o say_v but_o the_o author_n engine_n may_v find_v a_o shift_n but_o if_o he_o extricate_v these_o thing_n to_o the_o clear_a capacity_n of_o plain_a and_o ordinary_a understanding_n be_v more_o than_o at_o present_a my_o weak_a eye_n do_v see_v as_o for_o that_o he_o tell_v we_o concern_v the_o reject_v the_o motion_n of_o put_v off_o of_o some_o from_o the_o list_n to_o be_v commissioner_n who_o have_v be_v refer_v and_o cite_v to_o the_o assembly_n in_o the_o year_n 1648._o i_o can_v say_v little_a to_o it_o as_o not_o know_v it_o nor_o the_o circumstance_n thereof_o i_o believe_v it_o be_v a_o instance_n of_o a_o particular_a person_n in_o a_o
1616._o and_o be_v it_o not_o equivalent_a to_o this_o if_o by_o reason_n of_o external_a force_n presbytery_n after_o advertisement_n give_v unto_o they_o can_v meet_v and_o choo_n their_o commissioner_n or_o if_o those_o who_o be_v choose_v can_v come_v because_o of_o force_n keep_v they_o back_o what_o be_v the_o cause_n why_o undue_a advertisement_n of_o many_o presbytery_n and_o bu●ges_n make_v a_o nul_fw-fr assembly_n be_v it_o not_o because_o many_o of_o these_o who_o be_v in_o a_o capacity_n to_o send_v commissioner_n be_v by_o a_o invincible_a impediment_n keep_v back_o from_o do_v of_o it_o and_o have_v not_o this_o also_o place_n in_o the_o other_o case_n if_o presbytery_n neglect_v to_o choose_v commissioner_n or_o if_o they_o be_v choose_v shall_v neglect_v to_o come_v that_o alter_v the_o case_n and_o put_v the_o fault_n whole_o upon_o they_o who_o neglect_v their_o duty_n but_o if_o they_o be_v keep_v back_o by_o violence_n from_o without_o ●t_a be_v equal_a to_o their_o not_o be_v advertise_v at_o all_o or_o their_o not_o be_v timous_o advertise_v or_o if_o they_o can_v choose_v or_o be_v choose_v can_v come_v to_o what_o purpose_n be_v the_o advertisement_n or_o how_o can_v it_o put_v they_o in_o a_o worse_a case_n than_o if_o they_o have_v not_o be_v advertise_v or_o not_o timous_o advertise_v though_o the_o presbytery_n of_o orknay_n and_o caithness_n be_v deduce_v and_o other_o too_o which_o be_v want_v and_o have_v no_o commissioner_n to_o send_v yet_o if_o the_o author_n shall_v be_v please_v to_o consult_v the_o roll_n of_o the_o assembly_n it_o haply_o may_v be_v still_o find_v that_o nine_o or_o ten_o presbytery_n be_v absent_a and_o thirty_o burrough_n if_o not_o above_o for_o these_o of_o hamelton_n who_o come_v afterward_o to_o the_o place_n where_o the_o assembly_n be_v sit_v and_o will_v not_o come_v forward_o as_o they_o come_v thither_o with_o hazard_n and_o difficulty_n so_o do_v they_o not_o think_v it_o a_o duty_n to_o come_v forward_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o nullity_n of_o the_o assembly_n which_o make_v they_o send_v their_o testimony_n against_o it_o it_o be_v true_a that_o commissioner_n come_v to_o the_o assembly_n betwixt_o who_o and_o the_o place_n of_o the_o assembly_n the_o army_n be_v interjacent_a and_o from_o several_a part_n besouth_o forth_o but_o it_o be_v as_o true_a that_o some_o come_n from_o these_o place_n be_v take_v prisoner_n and_o that_o other_o offer_v not_o to_o come_v from_o home_n as_o be_v hopeless_a to_o pass_v through_o the_o danger_n bring_v so_o apparent_a and_o real_a which_o it_o seem_v the_o author_n have_v be_v somewhat_o convince_v of_o when_o he_o speak_v so_o mince_o as_o to_o say_v that_o it_o may_v have_v seem_v to_o have_v proceed_v of_o negligence_n rather_o than_o of_o any_o necessity_n he_o tell_v we_o that_o commissioner_n come_v not_o from_o burghe_n and_o yet_o minister_n come_v from_o the_o same_o burgh_n but_o that_o prove_v not_o that_o there_o be_v free_a access_n to_o the_o commissioner_n of_o burgh_n who_o stay_v away_o to_o say_v nothing_o that_o there_o be_v few_o burgh_n who_o commissioner_n be_v absent_a who_o minister_n be_v commissioner_n and_o come_v to_o the_o assembly_n i_o know_v not_o any_o assembly_n so_o impede_v and_o endanger_v in_o ja._n graham_n time_n there_o be_v no_o assembly_n that_o sit_v from_o the_o time_n of_o his_o invade_v the_o land_n by_o the_o irishes_n till_o the_o time_n of_o his_o defeat_n except_o one_o and_o that_o sit_v in_o jan._n at_o which_o time_n he_o be_v not_o reign_v or_o rage_v through_o much_o of_o the_o country_n but_o be_v force_v to_o keep_v himself_o in_o the_o highland_n and_o in_o the_o place_n of_o the_o country_n less_o inhabit_v whence_o few_o commissioner_n be_v come_v if_o the_o author_n prove_v it_o by_o bring_v forth_o the_o roll_n ot_fw-mi both_o assembly_n that_o as_o many_o be_v absent_a from_o that_o assembly_n if_o not_o more_o than_o it_o shall_v appear_v that_o he_o have_v just_a cause_n so_o to_o assert_v but_o until_o that_o time_n he_o will_v give_v we_o leave_v to_o suspend_v our_o assent_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o he_o will_v still_o have_v the_o protester_n to_o be_v unfriend_n to_o former_a assembly_n and_o to_o be_v teacher_n of_o malignant_n how_o to_o cast_v they_o as_o diminish_n upon_o ground_n of_o conscience_n but_o the_o protester_n do_v disclaim_v they_o for_o scholar_n and_o so_o do_v they_o the_o protester_n for_o master_n or_o teacher_n and_o as_o there_o be_v nothing_o teach_v by_o the_o protester_n that_o can_v give_v they_o any_o just_a ground_n upon_o which_o to_o quarrel_v or_o cast_v the_o censure_n of_o that_o assembly_n so_o be_v it_o superfluous_a for_o they_o now_o to_o be_v at_o the_o pain_n to_o learn_v it_o see_v the_o author_n and_o abettor_n of_o the_o public_a resolution_n have_v ease_v they_o of_o the_o pain_n of_o this_o censure_n already_o albeit_o the_o roll_n of_o this_o assembly_n be_v more_o numerous_a than_o the_o roll_n of_o some_o unquestionable_a assembly_n that_o will_v not_o much_o help_v he_o because_o absent_v from_o this_o assembly_n in_o many_o be_v not_o voluntary_a but_o by_o want_n of_o free_a access_n but_o so_o do_v it_o not_o appear_v to_o have_v be_v in_o other_o assembly_n and_o whatever_o the_o author_n talk_v of_o the_o roll_n of_o this_o assembly_n yet_o i_o believe_v before_o they_o come_v to_o the_o ratify_n of_o the_o public_a resolution_n which_o be_v their_o great_a business_n they_o be_v but_o a_o thin_a meeting_n many_o of_o their_o number_n have_v leave_v they_o some_o out_o of_o discontent_n and_o dissatisfaction_n with_o their_o proceed_n and_o other_o fear_v to_o be_v surprise_v by_o party_n of_o the_o english_a as_o to_o the_o assembly_n at_o aberdeen_n in_o which_o there_o be_v but_o twenty_o person_n present_a which_o notwithstanding_o be_v own_v by_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n as_o a_o free_a and_o lawful_a general_n assembly_n it_o be_v so_o own_a as_o that_o these_o who_o meet_v be_v lawful_o commissionated_a from_o their_o presbytery_n and_o have_v meet_v at_o the_o time_n and_o place_n appoint_v for_o hold_v the_o assembly_n be_v account_v sufficient_a to_o adjourn_v the_o assembly_n and_o to_o preserve_v and_o vindicate_v the_o liberty_n of_o the_o church_n against_o the_o encroachment_n that_o then_o be_v make_v upon_o they_o by_o the_o king_n and_o his_o commissioner_n so_o i_o believe_v the_o author_n will_v not_o say_v that_o these_o twenty_o can_v have_v proceed_v to_o make_v act_n of_o general_n concernment_n to_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o scotland_n or_o that_o if_o they_o have_v so_o do_v these_o act_n will_v have_v be_v authoritative_a &_o bind_a what_o the_o writer_n speak_v of_o want_n of_o freedom_n in_o regard_n of_o recess_n be_v not_o upon_o any_o emergent_a after_o the_o down-sitting_a or_o close_a of_o the_o assembly_n but_o upon_o cause_n know_v at_o the_o time_n when_o the_o commissioner_n shall_v have_v come_v from_o home_n and_o therefore_o he_o do_v not_o urge_v it_o as_o a_o relevant_a argument_n apart_o by_o itself_o but_o join_v it_o with_o the_o want_n of_o freedom_n of_o access_n and_o it_o be_v very_o agreeable_a to_o common_a sense_n for_o man_n to_o think_v that_o assembly_n not_o free_a to_o which_o there_o be_v no_o freedom_n in_o come_v to_o exoner_n their_o conscience_n nor_o any_o freedom_n in_o go_v after_o they_o have_v do_v it_o he_o justify_v the_o confinement_n of_o the_o minister_n of_o sterline_n in_o this_o particular_a at_o sterline_n 1_o he_o challenge_v the_o writer_n pass_v in_o silence_n these_o minister_n protest_v against_o the_o assembly_n but_o though_o the_o author_n think_v this_o wisdom_n yet_o i_o hardly_o believe_v that_o the_o writer_n do_v it_o upon_o deliberation_n the_o thing_n be_v so_o manifest_o know_v there_o be_v no_o need_n to_o mention_v it_o the_o author_n ask_v the_o question_n whether_o the_o king_n may_v not_o have_v confine_v these_o man_n without_o any_o imputation_n to_o the_o freedom_n of_o the_o assembly_n until_o he_o have_v be_v inform_v upon_o what_o ground_n they_o come_v away_o so_o untimeous_o it_o seem_v that_o as_o the_o case_n be_v circumstantiat_fw-la it_o can_v not_o well_o be_v do_v without_o a_o imputation_n of_o the_o freedom_n of_o the_o assembly_n may_v the_o king_n and_o committee_n confine_v every_o one_o who_o come_v away_o untimeous_o until_o they_o be_v inform_v upon_o what_o ground_n they_o come_v away_o illud_fw-la possumus_fw-la quod_fw-la jure_fw-la possumus_fw-la but_o where_o be_v there_o such_o law_n for_o censure_v these_o by_o confinement_n that_o come_v away_o untimeous_o from_o the_o assembly_n but_o it_o seem_v they_o be_v inform_v of_o the_o cause_n of_o their_o come_n away_o otherwise_o his_o instance_n of_o the_o commissioner_n
date_n of_o their_o first_o session_n with_o the_o date_n of_o the_o paper_n after_o mention_v the_o committee_n of_o estate_n for_o the_o parliament_n be_v adjourn_v a_o good_a while_n ere_o then_o as_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o print_a act_n thereof_o hear_v that_o the_o assembly_n be_v now_o go_v a_o good_a length_n in_o the_o trial_n of_o the_o proceed_n of_o the_o commission_n send_v in_o the_o earl_n of_o g●encarn_n the_o treasurer-depute_a and_o archibald_n sydeserf_n to_o the_o assembly_n with_o a_o paper_n wherein_o they_o do_v desire_v 1._o that_o the_o assembly_n will_v be_v please_v to_o appoint_v some_o of_o their_o number_n to_o meet_v with_o such_o as_o shall_v be_v appoint_v by_o the_o committee_n of_o estate_n for_o compose_v of_o misunderstanding_n betwixt_o kirk_n and_o state_n and_o for_o clear_v the_o march_n betwixt_o the_o civil_a and_o the_o eclesiastick_a power_n and_o these_o question_n which_o have_v be_v debate_v betwixt_o the_o parliament_n and_o the_o commissioner_n of_o the_o gen._n assembly_n 2._o that_o they_o will_v be_v please_v to_o forbear_v the_o emit_v of_o any_o declaration_n either_o to_o this_o kingdom_n or_o the_o kingdom_n of_o england_n relate_v to_o the_o then_o engagement_n and_o proceed_n 3._o that_o before_o the_o general_n assembly_n do_v proceed_v to_o any_o approbation_n of_o the_o action_n of_o the_o commissioner_n of_o the_o former_a assembly_n that_o in_o these_o thing_n which_o may_v relate_v to_o the_o then_o engagement_n and_o to_o these_o question_n that_o have_v be_v debate_v betwixt_o the_o parliament_n and_o they_o they_o may_v be_v first_o hear_v in_o order_n to_o these_o desire_n there_o pass_v several_a paper_n betwixt_o the_o general_n assembly_n and_o the_o committee_n of_o estate_n but_o in_o none_o of_o these_o be_v there_o any_o exception_n propound_v by_o the_o committee_n of_o estate_n against_o any_o of_o the_o commissioner_n of_o the_o former_a assembly_n nor_o any_o desire_n thereupon_o that_o they_o may_v be_v remove_v until_o these_o exception_n shall_v be_v try_v and_o discuss_v but_o all_o the_o objection_n and_o exception_n they_o speak_v of_o be_v objection_n &_o exception_n against_o the_o proceed_n of_o the_o commission_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o engagement_n which_o though_o they_o be_v a_o good_a while_n wait_v for_o and_o again_o and_o again_o desire_v yet_o do_v not_o the_o committee_n of_o estate_n offer_v one_o tittle_n of_o particular_a objection_n or_o exception_n against_o the_o proceed_n of_o the_o commission_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o engagement_n before_o the_o trial_n and_o approbation_n of_o these_o proceed_n by_o the_o general_n assembly_n much_o less_o do_v they_o offer_v any_o objection_n or_o exception_n against_o the_o member_n of_o the_o commission_n who_o be_v member_n of_o the_o assembly_n the_o committee_n of_o estate_n do_v afterward_o print_n and_o publish_v very_o sharp_a and_o reflect_a paper_n against_o that_o assembly_n and_o their_o declaration_n wherein_o as_o be_v probable_o conceive_v they_o have_v the_o help_n or_o some_o very_a able_a minister_n and_o lawyer_n and_o yet_o in_o all_o these_o they_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o once_o insinuate_v any_o thing_n of_o this_o kind_n that_o they_o do_v propound_v such_o a_o exception_n against_o the_o member_n of_o the_o commission_n who_o be_v member_n of_o that_o assembly_n which_o doubtless_o they_o will_v not_o have_v omit_v if_o any_o such_o thing_n have_v be_v but_o if_o the_o author_n will_v not_o trust_v none_o of_o these_o thing_n which_o if_o need_n be_v can_v be_v attest_v by_o many_o who_o be_v eye_n &_o ear_n witness_n thereto_o to_o the_o effect_n that_o there_o be_v no_o place_n for_o gainsay_v in_o this_o matter_n i_o have_v set_v down_o after_o the_o close_a of_o this_o review_n the_o true_a copy_n of_o the_o paper_n that_o past_a betwixt_o the_o committee_n of_o estate_n and_o the_o general_n assembly_n at_o that_o time_n in_o that_o business_n extract_v faithful_o out_o of_o the_o register_n of_o the_o committee_n of_o estate_n against_o which_o no_o fly_a report_n that_o he_o have_v hear_v and_o take_v impression_n from_o can_v bear_v any_o weight_n that_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n which_o the_o author_n suppose_v to_o have_v find_v against_o all_o the_o late_a gen._n assembly_n of_o this_o church_n be_v but_o a_o mystery_n of_o his_o own_o very_a groundless_a and_o uncharitable_a fancy_n wherein_o he_o may_v haply_o please_v himself_o but_o bring_v no_o edification_n to_o his_o reader_n nor_o advantage_n to_o his_o cause_n thereby_o it_o be_v better_o for_o he_o to_o be_v exercise_v in_o discover_v true_a mystery_n of_o iniquity_n which_o be_v near_a home_n and_o as_o yet_o a_o vail_n to_o his_o eye_n than_o thus_o to_o stretch_v his_o engine_n and_o spend_v his_o time_n to_o find_v a_o knot_n in_o a_o rush_n but_o what_o be_v that_o mystery_n the_o writer_n tell_v we_o say_v he_o of_o one_o act_n make_v anno_fw-la 1601._o and_o renew_v anno_fw-la 1648._o and_o say_v that_o it_o do_v necessary_o infer_v that_o the_o commissioner_n of_o a_o former_a assembly_n shall_v not_o be_v admit_v as_o member_n of_o a_o succeed_a assembly_n though_o there_o be_v no_o scandal_n nor_o exception_n propound_v upon_o their_o proceed_n until_o they_o be_v try_v much_o less_o when_o a_o scandal_n or_o except_v on_o be_v propound_v this_o say_v the_o author_n be_v a_o fair_a blow_n by_o one_o stroke_n give_v to_o the_o late_a constitution_n of_o all_o the_o assembly_n of_o this_o church_n posterior_n to_o that_o assembly_n at_o glasgow_n without_o exception_n and_o most_o of_o all_o to_o the_o assembly_n 48._o for_o in_o all_o of_o they_o commissioner_n of_o the_o precede_a assembly_n respective_a have_v be_v admit_v to_o sit_v as_o member_n before_o their_o proceeeing_n be_v try_v and_o judge_v and_o in_o that_o assembly_n 1648._o they_o be_v admit_v to_o sit_v notwithstanding_o exception_n be_v make_v against_o their_o sit_v by_o the_o supreme_a civil_a power_n of_o the_o land_n but_o if_o this_o be_v candid_a and_o concludent_fw-la reason_v i_o desire_v leave_n of_o he_o to_o discover_v another_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n in_o his_o own_o word_n before_o he_o close_v this_o purpose_n that_o give_v as_o great_a a_o blow_n to_o all_o the_o late_a constitution_n of_o all_o the_o assembly_n of_o this_o church_n since_o the_o 38._o none_n except_v his_o word_n be_v these_o i_o confess_v that_o thus_o much_o may_v be_v insert_v by_o one_o stick_v precise_o to_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o act_n that_o after_o the_o assembly_n be_v constitute_v the_o handle_v all_o other_o matter_n shall_v be_v suspend_v until_o the_o commissioner_n proceed_n be_v try_v and_o put_v to_o a_o point_n during_o which_o trial_n the_o commissioner_n that_o be_v member_n vi_fw-la materiae_fw-la must_v be_v remove_v because_o the_o same_o person_n can_v try_v their_o own_o proceed_n but_o so_o it_o be_v that_o though_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o act_n and_o vis_fw-la materiae_fw-la do_v infer_v these_o thing_n yet_o after_o the_o constitute_n of_o the_o assembly_n commissioner_n of_o all_o the_o precede_a assembly_n respective_a since_o the_o 38._o have_v be_v admit_v to_o sit_v as_o member_n of_o the_o assembly_n before_o the_o trial_n and_o discuss_n of_o their_o proceed_n therefore_o there_o be_v one_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n in_o the_o author_n word_n which_o pull_v down_o all_o these_o assembly_n of_o the_o church_n what_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n imaginable_a that_o reach_v unto_o the_o pull_n down_o of_o the_o assembly_n can_v be_v find_v in_o the_o writer_n word_n but_o this_o that_o these_o act_n 1601._o &_o 1648._o do_v cross_v the_o ordinary_a practice_n of_o all_o these_o assembly_n in_o this_o particular_a concern_v the_o try_v and_o discuss_v of_o the_o proceed_n of_o the_o commissioner_n or_o that_o the_o proceed_n of_o all_o these_o assembly_n in_o this_o particular_a have_v not_o be_v agreeable_a unto_o but_o dissonant_n from_o the_o rule_n hold_v forth_o in_o these_o act_n and_o do_v not_o the_o author_n yield_v that_o both_o by_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o act_n and_o vi_fw-la materiae_fw-la that_o they_o ought_v to_o have_v be_v remove_v but_o so_o have_v they_o not_o be_v in_o any_o of_o these_o assembly_n before_o the_o judge_n of_o their_o proceed_n do_v not_o then_o that_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n work_v in_o he_o as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o writer_n but_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o it_o can_v be_v infer_v from_o thence_o that_o they_o may_v not_o be_v admit_v in_o any_o way_n to_o be_v member_n of_o the_o assembly_n not_o so_o much_o as_o to_o vote_n in_o the_o election_n of_o a_o moderator_n which_o be_v the_o thing_n require_v by_o the_o protester_n if_o he_o have_v deal_v fair_o he_o shall_v have_v say_v which_o be_v the_o thing_n infer_v by_o the_o writer_n but_o
provision_n that_o none_o shall_v be_v admit_v to_o place_n of_o power_n and_o trust_v but_o such_o as_o be_v qualify_v positive_o according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n in_o that_o case_n hold_v forth_o in_o our_o solemn_a engagement_n to_o pass_v by_o the_o way_n of_o carry_v of_o it_o which_o be_v palpable_a and_o obvious_a to_o the_o whole_a land_n be_v not_o add_v until_o the_o force_n be_v almost_o complete_o levy_v and_o the_o bulk_n of_o the_o malignant_a party_n bring_v into_o employment_n and_o place_n of_o power_n and_o trust_v in_o the_o army_n the_o second_o item_n ordain_v presbytery_n to_o proceed_v with_o person_n former_o guilty_a of_o malignant_a course_n for_o admission_n of_o they_o into_o public_a repentance_n in_o a_o way_n conform_v to_o the_o rule_v set_v down_o by_o the_o general_n assembly_n for_o admit_v such_o upon_o testimony_n from_o presbytery_n bear_v satisfaction_n give_v by_o then_o conform_v to_o these_o rule_n be_v not_o at_o all_o include_v in_o the_o commission_n answer_v neither_o be_v there_o so_o much_o of_o it_o as_o one_o word_n in_o that_o large_a warn_v of_o the_o 7._o of_o jan._n 1651._o emit_v by_o the_o commission_n for_o strengthen_v of_o that_o answer_n and_o when_o anything_o of_o that_o kind_n in_o latter_a warning_n act_n and_o letter_n come_v to_o be_v add_v be_v always_o hold_v forth_o but_o as_o expedient_a in_o order_n to_o the_o employ_v of_o these_o man_n but_o never_o be_v press_v in_o any_o of_o these_o paper_n as_o a_o necessary_a duty_n to_o exclude_v all_o these_o from_o be_v employ_v for_o defence_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o kingdom_n who_o do_v not_o give_v evidence_n of_o their_o repentance_n according_a to_o the_o act_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n nay_o it_o can_v not_o be_v so_o press_v unless_o they_o have_v destroy_v the_o foundation_n which_o they_o have_v lay_v in_o their_o answer_n to_o the_o quaere_fw-la and_o in_o that_o warn_v the_o truth_n be_v what_o be_v do_v in_o the_o matter_n of_o repentance_n in_o order_n to_o the_o employ_v these_o man_n be_v upon_o the_o stumble_a and_o out-crying_a of_o many_o against_o the_o public_a resolution_n as_o they_o come_v first_o forth_o and_o yet_o so_o as_o the_o first_o ground_n be_v always_o hold_v fast_o as_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o judgement_n and_o for_o practice_n the_o business_n be_v hereby_o rather_o make_v worse_o before_o the_o lord_n and_o to_o the_o point_n of_o guiltiness_n than_o it_o be_v before_o the_o commission_n not_o only_o ranverse_v former_a act_n make_v by_o themselves_o for_o exclude_v these_o from_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n who_o be_v in_o the_o rebellion_n after_o dumbar_n till_o the_o next_o general_n assembly_n and_o make_v new_a act_n for_o receive_v of_o they_o but_o receive_v promiscuous_o such_o as_o come_v unto_o they_o and_o by_o their_o example_n teach_v presbytery_n to_o do_v the_o like_a by_o which_o be_v produce_v a_o fearful_a mock_n of_o the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n in_o public_a repentance_n which_o no_o doubt_n have_v be_v one_o of_o the_o provoke_a cause_n of_o the_o lord_n wrath_n to_o draw_v on_o these_o dreadful_a stroke_n wherewith_o he_o have_v again_o smite_v our_o army_n and_o our_o whole_a land_n but_o to_o the_o hypothesis_n itself_o grant_v to_o the_o author_n that_o which_o he_o allege_n that_o this_o hypothesis_n be_v not_o clear_a at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o protestation_n because_o as_o yet_o there_o be_v not_o any_o particular_a determination_n thereanent_a in_o former_a general_n assembly_n first_o i_o doubt_v of_o that_o assertion_n of_o he_o that_o when_o a_o imputation_n of_o scandal_n depend_v upon_o a_o particular_a hypothesis_n which_o at_o lest_o be_v questionable_a and_o the_o very_a point_n in_o controversy_n betwixt_o they_o and_o their_o accuser_n it_o be_v against_o all_o reason_n and_o equity_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v hold_v to_o be_v under_o a_o presumption_n of_o scandal_n until_o that_o particular_a hypothesis_n be_v discuss_v and_o clear_v and_o therefore_o until_o that_o be_v do_v the_o adversary_n alleadgeance_n against_o they_o be_v to_o be_v hold_v but_o as_o a_o mere_a alleadgeance_n upon_o which_o they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v exclude_v from_o sit_v as_o member_n in_o the_o assembly_n until_o their_o cause_n be_v judge_v and_o try_v i_o suppose_v that_o some_o commissioner_n to_o the_o assembly_n shall_v object_v against_o other_o commissioner_n that_o have_v comit_v murder_n and_o shall_v offer_v instant_o to_o verify_v the_o same_o and_o desire_v that_o the_o person_n against_o who_o it_o be_v propound_v shall_v be_v remove_v from_o sit_v as_o member_n until_o it_o migbt_v be_v try_v and_o they_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n shall_v say_v that_o it_o be_v true_a they_o have_v take_v the_o life_n of_o such_o person_n but_o in_o their_o own_o just_a and_o necessary_a defence_n and_o therefore_o they_o can_v not_o be_v hold_v under_o a_o scandal_n of_o murder_n nor_o be_v thereupon_o remove_v from_o sit_v in_o the_o assembly_n till_o that_o particular_a hypothesis_n be_v first_o determine_v will_v the_o author_n think_v it_o a_o wrong_n do_v to_o these_o person_n or_o rather_o a_o duty_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o assembly_n to_o remove_v they_o t●●l_v the_o matter_n shall_v be_v cognosce_v upon_o 2._o i_o do_v affirm_v that_o not_o only_o former_a assembly_n but_o the_o assembly_n 1651._o do_v remove_v commissioner_n upon_o exception_n propound_v against_o they_o the_o ground_n whereof_o be_v not_o yet_o clear_o determine_v in_o law_n for_o instance_n the_o commissioner_n of_o the_o first_o election_n of_o the_o presbytery_n of_o glasgow_n who_o be_v lay_v aside_o as_o for_o other_o reason_n so_o also_o for_o this_o as_o one_o in_o foro_fw-la controdictorio_n sustain_v to_o be_v relevant_a because_o of_o the_o exception_n of_o the_o oppose_a of_o public_a resolution_n propound_v against_o they_o next_o mr._n robert_n cauden_n commissioner_n from_o the_o presbytery_n of_o dunce_n be_v remove_v upon_o the_o propound_v of_o this_o exception_n that_o there_o be_v but_o three_o or_o four_o minister_n in_o that_o presbytery_n to_o choose_v commissioner_n all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o church_n thereof_o be_v vacant_a and_o can_v any_o determination_n of_o this_o kirk_n be_v produce_v that_o three_o or_o four_o minister_n in_o a_o presbytery_n where_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o church_n of_o that_o presbytery_n be_v vacant_a can_v choose_v commissioner_n to_o the_o general_n assembly_n 3._o i_o do_v upon_o the_o ground_n which_o the_o author_n himself_o lay_v down_o prove_v the_o carriage_n of_o the_o commissioner_n to_o have_v be_v scandalous_a and_o such_o as_o do_v minister_v just_a ground_n of_o except_v against_o they_o why_o they_o shall_v not_o sit_v as_o member_n in_o the_o general_n assembly_n till_o their_o carriage_n shall_v be_v first_o try_v my_o argument_n be_v this_o whosoever_o commissioner_n of_o the_o general_n assembly_n be_v in_o their_o trust_n and_o carriage_n in_o the_o public_a affair_n of_o the_o kirk_n limit_v and_o tie_v to_o proceed_v according_a to_o act_n of_o former_a general_n assembly_n do_v upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o discharge_n of_o their_o trust_n declare_v many_o godly_a minister_n in_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n till_o then_o of_o unquestionable_a integrity_n and_o faithfulness_n in_o the_o work_n of_o god_n to_o be_v malignant_n and_o unfaithful_a in_o the_o cause_n etc._n etc._n and_o require_v presbytery_n to_o censure_v they_o and_o to_o refer_v and_o cite_v they_o to_o the_o general_n assembly_n because_o of_o their_o oppose_v of_o resolution_n take_v and_o issue_v by_o they_o concern_v which_o there_o be_v no_o particular_a determination_n in_o any_o former_a assembly_n they_o give_v scandal_n and_o offence_n in_o the_o discharge_n of_o their_o trust_n and_o may_v just_o because_o thereof_o be_v except_v against_o as_o not_o fit_a to_o sit_v in_o the_o general_n assembly_n as_o member_n thereof_o before_o their_o carriage_n be_v try_v but_o the_o commissioner_n of_o the_o assembly_n 1651._o who_o be_v member_n of_o the_o commission_n be_v such_o ergo_fw-la etc._n etc._n the_o assumption_n be_v clear_a the_o matter_n of_o fact_n contain_v therein_o be_v evident_a from_o their_o own_o paper_n and_o that_o they_o be_v not_o warrant_v by_o any_o act_n of_o the_o assembly_n so_o to_o do_v be_v the_o author_n own_o ground_n the_o first_o proposition_n i_o prove_v thus_o whosoever_o so_o far_o transgress_v the_o bound_n of_o their_o commission_n as_o upon_o the_o account_n thereof_o to_o declare_v many_o former_o faithful_a to_o be_v malignant_n unfaithful_a and_o ordain_v they_o to_o be_v censure_v and_o cite_v when_o they_o have_v no_o warrant_n thereby_o so_o to_o do_v gives_z scandal_n and_o offence_n in_o the_o discharge_n of_o their_o trust_n but_o the_o commissioner_n by_o
therefore_o the_o author_n do_v but_o seek_v out_o invention_n to_o darken_v clear_a and_o manifest_a truth_n to_o the_o answer_n which_o he_o bring_v to_o the_o ground_n of_o proof_n bring_v by_o the_o writer_n as_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o scandal_n i_o return_v these_o reply_n that_o by_o grant_v that_o the_o hear_n of_o a_o common_a report_n may_v be_v a_o ground_n of_o enquiry_n if_o he_o deal_v candid_o therein_o according_a to_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o place_n cite_v by_o the_o author_n deut._n 13.14_o it_o must_v be_v of_o diligent_a enquiry_n for_o so_o it_o be_v express_v there_o chapter_n 17._o v._n 4._o and_o 19.18_o which_o import_v that_o it_o shall_v be_v a_o enquiry_n without_o delay_n but_o this_o be_v refuse_v about_o the_o present_a case_n in_o question_n and_o notwithstanding_o of_o this_o common_a report_n and_o object_v the_o scandal_n thereof_o in_o the_o assembly_n the_o enquiry_n be_v delay_v until_o the_o assembly_n be_v constitute_v and_o no_o more_o diligence_n be_v use_v in_o it_o then_o if_o there_o have_v be_v no_o such_o report_n at_o all_o he_o do_v injury_n to_o the_o writer_n by_o labour_v to_o bear_v upon_o he_o and_o upon_o other_o that_o he_o be_v of_o that_o mind_n that_o the_o commission_n upon_o that_o common_a report_n which_o he_o allege_n to_o have_v be_v pass_v upon_o they_o shall_v have_v be_v without_o more_o ado_n sentence_v to_o censure_n the_o utmost_a that_o the_o writer_n all_o along_o have_v plead_v in_o this_o have_v be_v that_o the_o commissioner_n ought_v to_o have_v be_v remove_v till_o their_o carriage_n be_v try_v but_o two_o ground_n he_o lay_v to_o prove_v this_o to_o have_v be_v the_o writer_n mind_n 1._o that_o the_o proceed_v order_v 1_o cor._n 5._o 5._o be_v in_o order_n to_o present_a censure_n 2._o that_o he_o allege_v the_o apostle_n word_n so_o general_a without_o any_o qualification_n i_o shall_v not_o stand_v upon_o the_o first_o but_o the_o writer_n not_o be_v upon_o the_o handle_n of_o that_o point_n what_o common_a report_n or_o how_o qualify_v be_v needful_a to_o be_v a_o ground_n of_o sentence_n but_o only_o show_v that_o sometime_o common_a report_n may_v be_v so_o he_o think_v it_o enough_o to_o cite_v the_o apostle_n word_n without_o qualify_a of_o they_o and_o if_o the_o author_n will_v make_v this_o a_o ground_n of_o challenge_n against_o the_o writer_n he_o may_v make_v it_o against_o the_o apostle_n himself_o for_o he_o set_v down_o the_o word_n general_o without_o any_o such_o qualification_n and_o the_o writer_n do_v not_o extend_v they_o to_o any_o other_o case_n than_o that_o of_o which_o the_o apostle_n be_v treat_v he_o only_o say_v that_o common_a report_n be_v make_v a_o ground_n of_o proceed_v against_o the_o incestuous_a corinthian_a without_o make_v any_o application_n of_o it_o to_o the_o commission_n case_n or_o say_v that_o it_o shall_v also_o be_v a_o ground_n of_o proceed_v against_o they_o if_o it_o be_v ask_v to_o what_o purpose_n than_o it_o be_v cite_v the_o answer_n be_v very_o obvious_a and_o clear_a from_o the_o whole_a drift_n of_o the_o writer_n discourse_n which_o be_v to_o show_v that_o the_o person_n object_v against_o be_v under_o a_o scandal_n and_o this_o he_o do_v 1._o by_o show_v that_o there_o be_v a_o hear-say_n and_o common_a report_n of_o it_o upon_o which_o the_o scripture_n lay_v so_o much_o weight_n as_o sometime_o to_o make_v it_o a_o ground_n of_o trial_n as_o deut._n 13._o sometime_o a_o ground_n of_o proceed_v as_o 1_o cor._n 5._o it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o make_v every_o hear-say_n and_o common_a report_n a_o ground_n to_o account_v man_n under_o a_o scandal_n or_o to_o proceed_v against_o they_o otherwise_o honest_a man_n indeed_o may_v be_v in_o a_o ill_a condition_n but_o the_o qualification_n of_o these_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v draw_v from_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o fact_n whereunto_o they_o be_v apply_v and_o of_o these_o we_o have_v speak_v in_o the_o fact_n of_o the_o commissioner_n and_o therefore_o the_o author_n in_o this_o particular_a do_v but_o trouble_v himself_o and_o other_o without_o cause_n yet_o must_v i_o say_v that_o though_o for_o any_o thing_n i_o know_v or_o can_v be_v collect_v from_o the_o writer_n word_n the_o utmost_a that_o he_o plead_v for_o be_v a_o delay_n of_o their_o admission_n to_o be_v member_n of_o the_o assembly_n which_o can_v not_o be_v account_v a_o sentence_n against_o they_o more_o than_o against_o other_o who_o be_v delay_v upon_o exception_n to_o be_v admit_v that_o his_o meaning_n be_v not_o that_o the_o common_a report_n that_o past_a upon_o the_o commissioner_n be_v sufficient_a to_o be_v a_o ground_n of_o present_a sentence_n against_o they_o yet_o when_o the_o author_n have_v streach_v himself_o to_o the_o utmost_a h●_n ha●h_v prove_v no_o good_a advocate_n for_o the_o commissioner_n to_o exeem_v they_o from_o present_a censure_n he_o tell_v we_o that_o a_o common_a report_n that_o may_v be_v a_o ground_n of_o so_o short_a and_o summary_n proceed_v must_v be_v such_o as_o first_o be_v of_o a_o matter_n that_o ●n_a point_n de_fw-fr jure_fw-la be_v cleary_a and_o unquestionable_o a_o scandal_n 2._o for_o the_o fact_n in_o a_o manner_n universal_o uncontrolled_a e●●her_o by_o the_o p●●ty_n or_o any_o that_o have_v best_a or_o near_a notice_n of_o his_o action_n in_o the_o present_a case_n say_v he_o both_o ●hese_n case_n be_v want_v the_o matter_n be_v not_o clear_a de_fw-fr jure_fw-la in_o the_o main_a question_n of_o it_o its_o report_n be_v not_o so_o common_a as_o the_o contradiction_n of_o it_o but_o i_o say_v the_o matter_n be_v clear_a de_fw-fr jure_fw-la in_o the_o main_a question_n of_o it_o determine_v verbatim_o in_o former_a act_n of_o assembly_n and_o the_o fact_n be_v not_o at_o all_o controvert_v or_o control_v by_o any_o but_o take_v with_o both_o by_o the_o party_n and_o know_v and_o acknowledge_v by_o these_o that_o have_v best_o and_o near_a notice_n of_o their_o action_n the_o quality_n of_o the_o fact_n may_v be_v controvert_v whether_o right_a or_o wrong_n which_o be_v a_o point_n belong_v to_o the_o jus_o of_o it_o but_o the_o fact_n itself_o be_v not_o contradict_v either_o by_o the_o commissioner_n or_o any_o other_o and_o his_o omnino_fw-la auditur_fw-la and_o passim_fw-la &_o in_fw-la tota_fw-la achaia_fw-la etc._n etc._n and_o res_fw-la manifesta_fw-la passim_fw-la cum_fw-la magno_fw-la offenaiculo_fw-la publicata_fw-la as_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v true_a of_o that_o which_o the_o commissioner_n have_v do_v the_o offence_n and_o stumble_v of_o the_o godly_a be_v not_o causeless_a &_o bear_v upon_o they_o by_o the_o misinformation_n and_o misrepresentation_n of_o the_o commissioner_n proceed_n by_o some_o of_o the_o same_o person_n who_o be_v the_o alleadger_n the_o author_n there_o do_v a_o double_a wrong_n to_o the_o godly_a in_o scotland_n 1._o that_o he_o make_v they_o to_o have_v stumble_v without_o a_o cause_n whereas_o there_o be_v very_o real_a cause_n of_o stumble_v give_v unto_o they_o both_o in_o regard_n of_o that_o which_o be_v do_v and_o for_o the_o manner_n of_o do_v that_o which_o be_v do_v be_v employ_v of_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o land_n promiscuous_o a_o very_a few_o person_n be_v except_v among_o who_o be_v many_o malignant_a and_o dis-affected_n man_n who_o have_v be_v former_o exclude_v and_o with_o who_o the_o lord_n people_n in_o the_o land_n have_v learn_v from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o from_o the_o constant_a tenor_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o all_o the_o faithful_a minister_n of_o this_o church_n to_o keep_v a_o distance_n as_o to_o employ_v they_o in_o the_o defence_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o kingdom_n as_o this_o be_v a_o main_a occasion_n of_o contrive_v the_o league_n and_o covenant_n so_o be_v there_o a_o special_a article_n therein_o relate_v thereto_o the_o breach_n whereof_o be_v one_o of_o the_o special_a and_o main_a sin_n confess_v in_o the_o solemn_a acknowledgement_n of_o 〈◊〉_d and_o the_o contrary_a duty_n one_o of_o the_o main_a thing_n to_o which_o we_o engage_v our_o selus_fw-la in_o our_o solemn_a engagement_n it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o commission_n have_v do_v this_o &_o find_v many_o to_o stumble_v do_v afterward_o find_v out_o some_o evasion_n and_o distinction_n to_o save_v their_o own_o credit_n but_o the_o contradiction_n between_o their_o resolution_n and_o former_a principle_n &_o proceed_n be_v primâ_fw-la front_n so_o palpable_a and_o obvious_a that_o man_n of_o all_o sort_n both_o well-affected_a and_o ill-affected_a do_v see_v it_o so_o as_o the_o one_o do_v rejoice_v and_o the_o other_o mourn_v the_o godly_a do_v not_o more_o stumble_v then_o the_o malignant_a and_o profane_a be_v glad_a and_o both_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o as_o
to_o the_o generality_n of_o they_o do_v then_o and_o do_v at_o this_o day_n agree_v in_o this_o that_o the_o public_a resolution_n be_v not_o agreeable_a to_o former_a principle_n and_o proceed_n there_o be_v cause_n of_o stumble_v give_v also_o to_o the_o godly_a in_o regard_n of_o the_o commissioner_n their_o manner_n of_o proceed_v because_o a_o quorum_fw-la very_a few_o more_o of_o the_o commission_n do_v lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o these_o resolution_n not_o only_o without_o the_o rest_n of_o their_o number_n but_o also_o without_o advertise_v a_o great_a many_o of_o they_o and_o so_o many_o be_v absent_a and_o not_o advertise_v they_o do_v in_o a_o day_n or_o two_o determine_v that_o most_o grave_a case_n which_o have_v often_o before_o that_o time_n be_v determine_v in_o the_o negative_a and_o send_v abroad_o their_o determination_n to_o presbytery_n require_v obedience_n and_o upon_o man_n offering_n the_o ground_n of_o their_o dis-satisfaction_n and_o profess_v their_o adherence_n thereto_o till_o satisfaction_n shall_v be_v give_v do_v issue_v such_o warning_n and_o act_n as_o we_o have_v former_o speak_v of_o i_o appeal_v the_o author_n himself_o whether_o at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o give_v of_o the_o answer_n to_o the_o quaere_fw-la it_o be_v not_o know_v to_o the_o commission_n that_o many_o godly_a and_o faithful_a minister_n and_o professor_n in_o the_o land_n be_v averse_a from_o employ_v these_o man_n in_o the_o army_n and_o have_v great_a scruple_n about_o it_o and_o that_o many_o member_n of_o the_o commission_n who_o be_v not_o to_o be_v despise_v have_v often_o profess_v their_o dislike_n of_o it_o albeit_o the_o matter_n have_v be_v lawful_a sure_o there_o be_v great_a precipitancy_n and_o rashness_n in_o the_o first_o resolution_n which_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o sober_a man_n even_o of_o the_o same_o judgement_n but_o such_o be_v the_o zeal_n and_o forwardness_n of_o the_o court_n and_o of_o some_o parliament_n man_n on_o the_o one_o hand_n and_o the_o readiness_n of_o sundry_a of_o the_o commission_n who_o have_v before_o that_o time_n declare_v themselves_o for_o that_o way_n on_o the_o other_o hand_n to_o hearken_v unto_o they_o and_o the_o faintness_n of_o any_o that_o be_v present_a to_o oppose_v it_o that_o hold_v be_v take_v of_o the_o opportunity_n to_o do_v it_o quovis_fw-la modo_fw-la whereby_o real_a offence_n be_v give_v to_o the_o godly_a in_o the_o land_n si_fw-mi quid_fw-la importuna_fw-la levitate_fw-la aut_fw-la lascivia_fw-la aut_fw-la temeritate_fw-la non_fw-la ordine_fw-la nec_fw-la svo_fw-la loco_fw-la facias_fw-la quo_fw-la imperiti_fw-la imbecillesque_fw-la offendantur_fw-la scandalum_fw-la abs_fw-la te_fw-la datum_fw-la dicetur_fw-la quoniam_fw-la tua_fw-la culpa_fw-la factum_fw-la fuit_fw-la ut_fw-la ejusmodi_fw-la offensio_fw-la suscitaretur_fw-la ac_fw-la omnino_fw-la scandalum_fw-la in_o re_fw-la aliqua_fw-la datum_fw-la dicitur_fw-la cujus_fw-la culpa_fw-la ab_fw-la autore_fw-la rei_fw-la ipsus_fw-la profecta_fw-la est_fw-la be_v the_o word_n of_o a_o great_a divine_a speak_v of_o scandal_n very_o applicable_a to_o this_o case_n next_o he_o do_v a_o wrong_n in_o make_v they_o so_o ignorant_a simple_a and_o facile_a as_o in_o these_o thing_n to_o be_v lead_v away_o with_o the_o misrepresentation_n and_o misinformation_n of_o other_o many_o of_o the_o most_o judicious_a decern_a christian_n in_o the_o land_n be_v stumble_v at_o the_o commission_n proceed_n upon_o the_o first_o hear_v of_o they_o &_o before_o the_o protester_n do_v make_v either_o right_a or_o wrong_a representation_n of_o they_o i_o will_v not_o say_v but_o they_o be_v confirm_v in_o the_o dislike_n of_o these_o proceed_n by_o conference_n with_o the_o protester_n &_o other_o minister_n of_o that_o judgement_n as_o they_o also_o be_v mutual_o edify_v and_o confirm_v by_o they_o but_o that_o all_o the_o stumble_a and_o dislike_n do_v arise_v from_o the_o suggestion_n and_o practising_n of_o some_o or_o all_o of_o the_o same_o person_n who_o the_o author_n call_v the_o alleadger_n and_o accuser_n be_v not_o true_a yea_o i_o dare_v say_v that_o albeit_o all_o the_o protester_n and_o all_o the_o minister_n in_o scotland_n have_v be_v of_o one_o mind_n with_o the_o commission_n in_o the_o matter_n the_o public_a resolution_n yet_o many_o of_o the_o godly_a in_o scotland_n will_v have_v stumble_v thereat_o it_o will_v have_v be_v in_o this_o case_n as_o in_o the_o business_n of_o the_o treaty_n wherewith_o many_o of_o the_o godly_a in_o scotland_n be_v dissatisfy_v notwithstanding_o that_o there_o seem_v to_o be_v a_o harmony_n and_o consent_n among_o the_o ministry_n there_o anent_o that_o there_o be_v more_o testimony_n for_o the_o commissioner_n from_o presbetery_n and_o synod_n than_o be_v against_o they_o be_v no_o great_a wonder_n multitude_n common_o incline_v to_o the_o worst_a side_n in_o the_o day_n of_o tentation_n and_o they_o be_v but_o few_o who_o keep_v their_o garment_n pure_a yet_o do_v not_o the_o strength_n of_o the_o testimony_n upon_o the_o one_o hand_n or_o on_o the_o other_o lie_v in_o the_o number_n of_o the_o witness_n but_o upon_o the_o truth_n and_o clearness_n of_o their_o evidence_n what_o be_v testify_v by_o the_o opposer_n of_o the_o commission_n be_v confirm_v by_o clear_a evidence_n from_o the_o constant_a doctrine_n of_o this_o church_n ground_v upon_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o set_v down_o in_o the_o covenant_n and_o solemn_a acknowledgement_n of_o sin_n and_o engagement_n to_o duty_n and_o public_a warning_n declaration_n remonstrance_n etc._n etc._n but_o not_o so_o much_o as_o a_o tittle_n of_o these_o for_o evidence_n on_o the_o other_o side_n it_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o the_o author_n himself_o that_o the_o public_a resolution_n be_v a_o case_n not_o former_o determine_v by_o any_o public_a judgement_n of_o this_o kirk_n and_o if_o so_o there_o can_v no_o evidence_n be_v bring_v from_o the_o doctrine_n of_o this_o church_n for_o clear_v and_o confirm_v of_o these_o resolution_n the_o author_n be_v please_v to_o call_v the_o testimony_n give_v against_o the_o public_a resolution_n real_o and_o in_o themselves_o scandal_n tend_v most_o evident_o to_o the_o expose_v of_o the_o kingdom_n and_o of_o the_o cause_n to_o the_o power_n of_o the_o invader_n he_o be_v please_v a_o little_a above_o to_o call_v they_o slander_n and_o so_o all_o the_o godly_a in_o scotland_n who_o speak_v against_o these_o resolution_n be_v upon_o his_o account_n slanderer_n but_o these_o testimony_n be_v neither_o slander_n nor_o scandal_n they_o do_v contain_v real_a truth_n and_o be_v duty_n to_o which_o the_o giver_n of_o they_o be_v oblige_v in_o a_o backslide_a time_n for_o deliver_v of_o their_o own_o soul_n and_o preserve_v the_o cause_n of_o god_n from_o be_v overbear_v with_o a_o spate_o of_o defection_n and_o though_o in_o many_o thing_n they_o acknowledge_v themselves_o to_o be_v among_o the_o most_o sinful_a yet_o in_o this_o they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o expose_v of_o the_o kingdom_n &_o cause_n to_o the_o power_n of_o the_o invader_n that_o they_o hold_v themselves_o bind_v to_o bless_v the_o lord_n while_o they_o live_v who_o give_v they_o mercy_n to_o be_v keep_v free_a from_o that_o carnal_a sinful_a course_n that_o do_v provoke_v the_o lord_n to_o give_v so_o great_a a_o stroke_n to_o the_o kingdom_n and_o the_o cause_n in_o those_o dreadful_a rod_n wherewith_o he_o have_v smite_v we_o since_o these_o resolution_n what_o be_v the_o sense_n that_o the_o invader_n themselves_o have_v of_o this_o i_o do_v not_o well_o know_v but_o this_o it_o be_v like_a enough_o they_o rejoice_v in_o our_o division_n but_o it_o be_v not_o the_o oppose_a of_o the_o public_a resolution_n wherein_o they_o do_v direct_o rejoice_v nothing_o from_o us-ward_n will_v have_v be_v matter_n of_o so_o great_a terror_n to_o they_o as_o to_o have_v see_v we_o unanimous_a in_o separate_v from_o and_o oppose_v of_o all_o malignant_a interest_n as_o it_o be_v upon_o the_o other_o hand_n the_o matter_n of_o their_o confidence_n and_o joy_n that_o their_o former_a quarrel_n seem_v to_o be_v justify_v by_o the_o public_a resolution_n which_o do_v so_o much_o strengthen_v and_o promove_v malignant_a interest_n if_o we_o may_v believe_v their_o own_o expression_n and_o letter_n write_v from_o some_o of_o the_o chief_a of_o they_o to_o the_o high_a power_n in_o england_n he_o tell_v we_o that_o for_o that_o cause_n some_o of_o the_o testimony_n be_v soon_o put_v into_o their_o hand_n then_o communicate_v to_o the_o commissioner_n and_o they_o in_o thankfulness_n be_v very_o thankful_a to_o cause_n print_v they_o this_o be_v a_o crimination_n of_o no_o small_a consequence_n to_o the_o name_n and_o fame_n of_o these_o of_o who_o the_o author_n speak_v and_o therefore_o if_o he_o have_v deal_v candid_o and_o speak_v truth_n upon_o persuasion_n and_o evidence_n he_o shall_v have_v tell_v we_o of_o what_o testimony_n he_o mean_v and_o who_o
none_o of_o they_o be_v subjoin_v to_o that_o copy_n of_o his_o vindication_n which_o be_v come_v to_o my_o hand_n but_o upon_o supposal_n that_o it_o be_v as_o he_o say_v of_o which_o yet_o he_o seem_v not_o to_o be_v very_o confident_a and_o therefore_o afterward_o help_v himself_o with_o his_o wont_a word_n that_o it_o be_v not_o for_o differ_v from_o the_o public_a resolution_n simple_o or_o mere_o what_o better_a be_v it_o then_o it_o be_v do_v not_o all_o the_o assembly_n to_o who_o that_o letter_n be_v write_v and_o that_o speech_n speak_v know_v that_o the_o oppose_v of_o levy_n and_o weaken_v the_o hand_n of_o the_o kingdom_n and_o strengthen_v the_o hand_n of_o the_o enemy_n which_o be_v mean_v of_o be_v preach_v and_o bear_v testimony_n against_o the_o public_a resolution_n neither_o do_v it_o take_v off_o the_o difficulty_n that_o it_o be_v join_v with_o expression_n of_o earnest_a desire_n to_o endeavour_v by_o all_o fair_a mean_n to_o gain_v they_o these_o desire_n can_v very_o well_o stand_v with_o incitation_n to_o censure_n and_o that_o whatever_o be_v the_o way_n of_o propon_v whether_o by_o way_n of_o mere_a desire_n as_o the_o author_n allege_n or_o otherways_o yet_o be_v it_o not_o without_o threaten_a speech_n upon_o the_o matter_n of_o which_o i_o be_o content_a that_o judgement_n may_v be_v give_v by_o the_o letter_n and_o speech_n themselves_o he_o dare_v affirm_v that_o in_o speak_v &_o vote_v about_o these_o resolution_n there_o be_v as_o great_a freedom_n and_o liberty_n as_o be_v in_o assembly_n these_o year_n past_a yea_o more_o than_o be_v in_o some_o of_o they_o but_o in_o this_o he_o be_v too_o dare_v be_v there_o any_o assembly_n these_o year_n past_a that_o have_v so_o many_o bond_n and_o restraint_n upon_o they_o as_o we_o have_v already_o instance_a all_o that_o he_o instance_n be_v that_o some_o of_o these_o who_o accuse_v this_o assembly_n of_o the_o want_n of_o freedom_n and_o liberty_n have_v in_o other_o assembly_n endeavour_v to_o carry_v matter_n with_o strong_a hand_n calling_z down_z with_o sharp_a reflection_n and_o flout_v such_o as_o any_o way_n dare_v to_o speak_v and_o vote_v in_o a_o different_a way_n from_o they_o for_o proof_n of_o this_o he_o give_v we_o it_o be_v well_o know_v and_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o some_o of_o themselves_o in_o their_o late_a confession_n i_o think_v indeed_o that_o it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o too_o often_o in_o most_o of_o our_o kirk_n judicatory_n there_o be_v in_o most_o man_n that_o sit_v therein_o too_o much_o of_o a_o carnal_a spirit_n and_o too_o little_a of_o the_o sober_a holy_a grave_a spiritual_a meek_a way_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o some_o of_o these_o man_n have_v as_o to_o their_o own_o carriage_n in_o judicatories_n acknowledge_v this_o and_o be_v indeed_o convince_v of_o it_o before_o the_o lord_n desire_v mercy_n in_o his_o sight_n and_o grace_n that_o if_o ever_o it_o shall_v be_v again_o allow_v they_o to_o sit_v in_o judicatories_n there_o may_v be_v more_o of_o the_o beauty_n and_o image_n of_o the_o lord_n upon_o they_o and_o their_o way_n but_o that_o they_o cry_v down_o such_o with_o sharp_a reflection_n and_o flout_v as_o dare_v to_o speak_v or_o vote_v otherways_o then_o they_o do_v be_v that_o which_o no_o man_n be_v able_a to_o make_v good_a &_o which_o i_o t●ow_v their_o own_o conscience_n do_v not_o accuse_v they_o of_o haply_o some_o will_v have_v expect_v that_o the_o author_n will_v have_v spare_v to_o have_v reflect_v upon_o these_o person_n in_o their_o confession_n see_v he_o be_v a_o man_n subject_n to_o the_o like_a passion_n that_o other_o be_v and_o i_o doubt_v not_o to_o the_o same_o conviction_n and_o confession_n upon_o they_o his_o defence_n of_o the_o king_n letter_n be_v such_o that_o i_o fear_v shall_v satisfy_v few_o 1._o he_o repeat_v that_o it_o be_v not_o therein_o desire_v to_o censure_v any_o for_o differ_v from_o the_o public_a resolution_n simple_o to_o what_o i_o have_v speak_v already_o next_o it_o be_v but_o a_o subterfuge_n which_o he_o say_v that_o it_o be_v not_o desire_v that_o the_o assembly_n shall_v censure_v they_o without_o try_v or_o approve_v their_o resolution_n but_o the_o king_n suppose_v they_o to_o be_v right_a and_o just_a in_o themselves_o and_o after_o the_o assembly_n shall_v after_o due_a trial_n find_v they_o to_o be_v such_o desire_z that_o such_o as_o have_v oppose_v they_o howbeit_o it_o can_v not_o be_v but_o to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o the_o defence_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o kingdom_n may_v be_v deal_v with_o to_o be_v reclaim_v or_o if_o that_o can_v not_o be_v obtain_v censure_v there_o be_v nothing_o here_o for_o answer_v what_o be_v allege_v by_o the_o writer_n to_o wit_n that_o the_o assembly_n while_o they_o have_v not_o yet_o meddle_v with_o the_o public_a resolution_n and_o have_v not_o find_v they_o right_n be_v stir_v up_o to_o censure_v these_o that_o can_v not_o be_v reclaim_v from_o they_o and_o take_v it_o as_o the_o author_n do_v allege_v that_o the_o king_n do_v suppose_v they_o to_o be_v right_a and_o withal_o that_o he_o speak_v nothing_o to_o the_o assembly_n to_o allow_v a_o fair_a hear_n to_o these_o of_o a_o contrary_a mind_n or_o to_o search_v whither_o they_o be_v right_a or_o wrong_n it_o say_v that_o the_o king_n letter_n do_v contain_v a_o clear_a intimation_n of_o his_o mind_n to_o the_o assembly_n not_o only_o in_o order_n to_o these_o who_o shall_v continue_v to_o oppose_v or_o can_v not_o be_v reclaim_v but_o also_o in_o order_n to_o these_o who_o shall_v vote_n pro_fw-la or_o contra_fw-la in_o the_o assembly_n that_o letter_n and_o that_o speech_n be_v but_o a_o express_a of_o the_o commission_n warning_n and_o act_n and_o act_n of_o parliament_n make_v there_o anent_o in_o order_n to_o the_o further_a the_o execution_n thereof_o by_o get_v they_o back_v with_o a_o new_a act_n of_o the_o assembly_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n as_o afterward_o they_o be_v i_o can_v well_o decern_v whither_o the_o parenthesis_n cast_v in_o by_o the_o author_n in_o these_o word_n howbeit_o it_o can_v not_o be_v but_o to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o the_o defence_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o kingdom_n be_v cite_v by_o he_o as_o the_o king_n word_n or_o interline_v as_o his_o own_o and_o therefore_o shall_v not_o give_v judgement_n of_o they_o 2._o his_o next_o defence_n that_o the_o king_n be_v bind_v by_o the_o treaty_n to_o follow_v the_o advice_n of_o the_o commission_n of_o the_o kirk_n in_o matter_n ecclesiastic_a in_o intervall_n of_o assembly_n which_o he_o lose_v himself_o by_o acknowledge_v that_o he_o shall_v have_v use_v his_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n upon_o any_o resolution_n give_v he_o by_o the_o commission_n but_o because_o the_o author_n interlace_n in_o order_n to_o this_o several_a particular_n therefore_o in_o answer_n to_o what_o he_o say_v in_o this_o part_n of_o his_o defence_n i_o offer_v these_o thing_n first_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o here_o speak_v by_o the_o author_n that_o make_v for_o the_o vindication_n of_o the_o king_n letter_n it_o speak_v indeed_o to_o the_o vindicate_a at_o least_o to_o the_o excuse_v of_o the_o king_n himself_o in_o write_v such_o a_o letter_n because_o he_o be_v advise_v by_o the_o commission_n as_o to_o the_o public_a resolution_n but_o that_o do_v not_o say_v that_o the_o letter_n do_v not_o contain_v such_o thing_n as_o be_v apt_a to_o hinder_v liberty_n of_o vote_v in_o the_o assembly_n second_o i_o acknowledge_v that_o the_o king_n be_v indeed_o in_o a_o right_n ticklish_a condition_n but_o who_o have_v put_v he_o in_o that_o condition_n but_o the_o author_n and_o abettor_n of_o the_o public_a resolution_n who_o after_o a_o express_a article_n of_o the_o treaty_n for_o remove_v of_o malignant_n from_o he_o and_o express_v desire_n from_o the_o general_n assembly_n and_o their_o commission_n renew_v again_o and_o again_o and_o express_v answer_n to_o the_o quaere_fw-la propon_v by_o himself_o of_o bring_v in_o the_o malignant_a party_n in_o the_o negative_a do_v advise_v he_o to_o employ_v and_o bring_v in_o that_o party_n for_o his_o own_o defence_n and_o the_o defence_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o kingdom_n three_o as_o to_o the_o peremptorinesse_n of_o some_o to_o have_v in_o that_o condition_n in_o the_o article_n of_o the_o treaty_n i_o know_v it_o not_o but_o though_o it_o be_v so_o it_o be_v no_o more_o than_o his_o predecessor_n be_v use_v to_o be_v tie_v unto_o before_o the_o reformation_n in_o the_o old_a oath_n of_o coronation_n and_o which_o his_o own_o father_n have_v condescend_v unto_o in_o the_o treaty_n at_o the_o brick_n as_o appear_v in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o assembly_n and_o the_o act_n of_o parliament_n 1639_o and_o 1640._o forthly_a
notice_n of_o that_o which_o he_o say_v that_o suppose_v as_o the_o writer_n do_v that_o nothing_o be_v wrong_v in_o the_o point_n of_o form_n that_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o matter_n that_o will_v justify_v the_o deed_n of_o the_o protester_n because_o they_o protest_v against_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o the_o assembly_n when_o as_o it_o have_v not_o come_v to_o any_o of_o these_o proceed_n which_o the_o writer_n allege_v to_o be_v wrong_a on_o the_o matter_n in_o this_o the_o author_n be_v mistake_v because_o the_o reject_v of_o relevant_a exception_n propon_v against_o sundry_a of_o the_o commissioner_n both_o before_o and_o after_o the_o choose_v of_o the_o moderator_n be_v wrong_v on_o the_o matter_n be_v prejudicial_a to_o the_o right_a constitution_n of_o the_o assembly_n and_o a_o preparative_n to_o the_o justify_n of_o the_o commissioner_n proceed_n three_o i_o will_v have_v he_o to_o know_v that_o the_o writer_n by_o these_o some_o who_o he_o speak_v of_o do_v not_o mean_v any_o of_o the_o protester_n themselves_o though_o the_o authority_n of_o some_o of_o they_o be_v of_o as_o great_a weight_n in_o the_o protestant_a church_n as_o any_o of_o the_o divine_n of_o this_o age_n and_o be_v prior_n to_o the_o protestation_n need_v not_o nor_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o the_o testimony_n of_o a_o party_n but_o he_o mean_v some_o orthodox_n writer_n and_o these_o of_o chief_a not_o in_o the_o protestant_a church_n who_o as_o i_o conceive_v he_o think_v he_o need_v not_o to_o name_v as_o have_v no_o great_a purpose_n to_o insist_v much_o upon_o the_o business_n but_o for_o the_o author_n satisfaction_n and_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o other_o i_o shall_v name_v some_o first_o calvin_n write_v upon_o the_o 23._o of_o the_o act_n have_v these_o word_n nascitur_fw-la quaestio_fw-la si_fw-la honore_fw-la non_fw-la est_fw-la privandus_fw-la qui_fw-la malè_fw-la officio_fw-la fungitur_fw-la peccavit_fw-la paulus_n pontificem_fw-la honore_fw-la spolians_fw-la responsio_fw-la inter_fw-la magistratus_fw-la civiles_fw-la &_o ecclesiae_fw-la praesules_fw-la aliquid_fw-la est_fw-la discriminis_fw-la quamvis_fw-la enim_fw-la civilis_fw-la imperii_fw-la confusa_fw-la sit_fw-la perversaque_fw-la administratio_fw-la dominus_fw-la tamen_fw-la vult_fw-la subjectionem_fw-la saluam_fw-la munere_fw-la sed_fw-la ubi_fw-la spiritual_fw-la regimen_fw-la degenerate_a solvuntur_fw-la piorum_fw-la conscientiae_fw-la ne_fw-la injustae_fw-la dominationi_fw-la pareant_fw-la praesertim_fw-la si_fw-la impii_fw-la sacerdotii_fw-la titulum_fw-la falso_fw-la ad_fw-la evertendam_fw-la salutis_fw-la doctrinam_fw-la praetexant_fw-la sibique_fw-la dominationem_fw-la arrogant_a qua_fw-la ipse_fw-la deus_fw-la in_o ordinem_fw-la cogitur_fw-la and_o paraeus_n upon_o the_o same_o place_n move_v the_o same_o question_n and_o give_v answer_n to_o it_o in_o these_o word_n non_fw-la sequitur_fw-la à_fw-la magistratu_fw-la politico_fw-la ad_fw-la ecclesiasticum_fw-la quia_fw-la magna_fw-la est_fw-la dissimilitudo_fw-la magistratus_fw-la politicus_fw-la potest_fw-la esse_fw-la magistratus_fw-la quamvis_fw-la sit_fw-la impius_fw-la ideoque_fw-la ei_fw-la obtemperandum_fw-la quoad_fw-la non_fw-la praecipit_fw-la quid_fw-la impium_fw-la sed_fw-la ministri_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la deficientes_fw-la à_fw-la puritate_fw-la doctrinae_fw-la &_o spargentet_fw-la falsa_fw-la dogmata_fw-la jam_fw-la non_fw-la amplius_fw-la sunt_fw-la ministri_fw-la christi_fw-la paulus_n magistratum_fw-la quamvis_fw-la impium_fw-la agnoscit_fw-la pro_fw-la magistratu_fw-la impium_fw-la vero_fw-la pontificem_fw-la non_fw-la agnoscit_fw-la pro_fw-la pontifice_fw-la he_o will_v also_o find_v more_o writing_n upon_o that_o place_n speak_v to_o the_o same_o purpose_n as_o also_o upon_o the_o 2._o cor._n 10.8_o and_o 13.8_o and_o 10._o it_o be_v not_o now_o my_o purpose_n to_o fall_v upon_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o extent_n of_o the_o meaning_n of_o those_o divine_n in_o these_o place_n it_o be_v enough_o that_o i_o give_v he_o their_o testimony_n speak_v as_o much_o clear_o as_o the_o writer_n say_v they_o do_v 4._o i_o doubt_v if_o for_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v say_v by_o the_o author_n this_o exception_n will_v be_v find_v so_o dangerous_a and_o 〈…〉_o first_o he_o think_v that_o it_o be_v to_o open_v a_o wide_a gap_n to_o confusion_n infer_v that_o absurd_a consequence_n that_o that_o assembly_n be_v not_o complete_o constitute_v in_o the_o be_v of_o a_o assembly_n till_o all_o the_o act_n of_o it_o be_v conclude_v and_o end_v and_o that_o till_o it_o be_v conclude_v no_o man_n can_v acknowledge_v nor_o submit_v to_o it_o but_o with_o a_o reserve_n the_o reason_n of_o this_o consequence_n must_v be_v because_o haply_o in_o the_o close_a they_o may_v make_v a_o act_n wrong_v upon_o the_o matter_n which_o one_o act_n nullify_v the_o assembly_n though_o they_o have_v do_v all_o other_o thing_n well_o but_o so_o say_v not_o the_o writer_n neither_o can_v any_o such_o thing_n rational_o be_v gather_v from_o his_o word_n the_o most_o that_o he_o insinuate_v i●_n that_o a_o assembly_n proceed_v whole_o wrong_a upon_o the_o matter_n or_o in_o the_o most_o substantial_a and_o material_a thing_n or_o in_o the_o rule_n of_o its_o constitution_n of_o great_a concernment_n or_o as_o that_o so_o far_o as_o a_o assembly_n proceed_v wrong_a upon_o the_o matter_n it_o be_v so_o far_o without_o authority_n as_o appear_v from_o his_o own_o word_n in_o the_o inference_n which_o he_o make_v from_o the_o power_n which_o the_o commissioner_n have_v commit_v unto_o they_o by_o their_o presbytery_n and_o from_o the_o conclusion_n that_o he_o make_v in_o order_n to_o the_o assembly_n now_o in_o question_n to_o wit_n that_o they_o have_v in_o most_o of_o all_o and_o the_o most_o material_a of_o their_o proceed_n proceed_v contrary_a to_o the_o trust_v commit_v unto_o they_o by_o presbytery_n it_o furnish_v another_o considerable_a reason_n for_o decline_v of_o they_o second_o he_o think_v that_o it_o will_v also_o infer_v the_o nullity_n of_o presbytery_n and_o make_v minister_n no_o minister_n if_o they_o shall_v proceed_v wrong_a upon_o the_o matter_n which_o no_o man_n will_v not_o see_v to_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o practice_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n in_o relation_n to_o the_o priest_n and_o church-judicatories_a among_o the_o jew_n whilst_o they_o be_v a_o church_n but_o to_o say_v nothing_o of_o the_o difference_n between_o minister_n parliament_n and_o assembly_n the_o one_o be_v ordinary_a and_o fix_v the_o other_o not_o so_o the_o most_o that_o it_o will_v infer_v will_v be_v this_o that_o in_o so_o far_o as_o they_o proceed_v wrong_v or_o that_o if_o in_o the_o most_o substantial_a and_o material_a part_n of_o their_o duty_n they_o proceed_v wrong_v upon_o the_o matter_n their_o authority_n be_v not_o to_o be_v acknowledge_v and_o this_o seem_v not_o a_o very_a dangerous_a consequence_n three_o he_o think_v this_o contrary_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o assembly_n of_o glasgow_n concern_v which_o he_o think_v it_o remarkable_a that_o in_o declare_v the_o nullity_n of_o some_o precede_a assembly_n they_o do_v never_o take_v a_o argument_n from_o the_o matter_n to_o prove_v the_o nullity_n of_o they_o whilst_o yet_o say_v he_o there_o be_v very_o fair_a occasion_n to_o have_v do_v it_o if_o that_o the_o assembly_n have_v be_v in_o the_o writer_n mind_n the_o writer_n have_v not_o yet_o positive_o declare_v his_o mind_n in_o this_o matter_n but_o the_o author_n upon_o second_o thought_n will_v find_v his_o remark_n concern_v the_o assembly_n of_o glasgow_n not_o well_o ground_v because_o that_o assembly_n in_o prove_v the_o nullity_n of_o some_o precede_a assembly_n do_v reason_n not_o only_o from_o the_o form_n but_o also_o from_o the_o matter_n or_o ground_n of_o their_o proceed_n in_o their_o act_n as_o appear_v in_o the_o last_o reason_n bring_v for_o nullify_a the_o assembly_n at_o pearth_n which_o be_v this_o that_o the_o ground_n of_o their_o proceed_n be_v not_o the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o confession_n of_o faith_n and_o act_n of_o former_a general_n assembly_n but_o the_o king_n commandment_n only_o for_o the_o question_n be_v thus_o state_v whether_o the_o five_o article_n in_o respect_n of_o his_o majesty_n commandment_n shall_v pass_v in_o act_n or_o not_o as_o the_o record_n of_o that_o pretend_a assembly_n bear_v where_o it_o be_v declare_v that_o for_o the_o reverence_n and_o respect_n which_o they_o bear_v to_o his_o majesty_n royal_a command_n they_o do_v agree_v to_o the_o foresay_a article_n and_o that_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n have_v respect_n to_o the_o matter_n as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o form_n in_o annul_v these_o assembly_n be_v manifest_a from_o that_o notable_a act_n at_o edinburgh_n in_o the_o year_n 1639._o concern_v the_o cause_n and_o remedy_n of_o the_o by-gone_a evil_n of_o this_o kirk_n in_o which_o the_o five_o cause_n be_v declare_v to_o be_v the_o keep_n and_o authorise_v corrupt_a assembly_n at_o lithgow_n 1606_o and_o 16●8_n at_o glasgow_n 1610_o at_o aberdeen_n 1616_o at_o st._n andrews_n 2617_o at_o pearth_n 1618._o which_o assembly_n be_v declare_v
and_o require_v the_o commission_n to_o make_v report_n to_o they_o what_o effect_n their_o deal_n with_o their_o brethren_n shall_v take_v the_o commissioner_n according_o have_v meet_v at_o st._n andrews_n and_o have_v have_v a_o conference_n with_o these_o brethren_n &_o have_v find_v by_o their_o own_o acknowledgement_n that_o in_o public_a they_o have_v practise_v against_o public_a resolution_n &_o in_o private_a have_v give_v to_o some_o person_n as_o they_o say_v ask_v their_o advice_n resolution_n that_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a to_o continue_v in_o that_o service_n be_v in_o such_o a_o conjunction_n as_o the_o resolution_n carry_v first_o they_o labour_v to_o give_v they_o satisfaction_n about_o their_o resolution_n but_o have_v effectuate_v nothing_o therein_o at_o last_o they_o deal_v with_o they_o in_o most_o earnestness_n and_o tenderness_n both_o public_o and_o private_o to_o give_v assurance_n that_o they_o will_v not_o proceed_v to_o do_v or_o speak_v any_o thing_n in_o their_o public_a doctrine_n or_o in_o private_a to_o the_o hinder_v and_o obstruct_v of_o the_o levy_n which_o be_v go_v on_o according_a to_o the_o resolution_n or_o may_v tend_v to_o the_o move_n of_o any_o of_o the_o garrison_n to_o quit_v their_o charge_n which_o they_o refuse_v peremptory_o to_o do_v and_o so_o depart_v home_o from_o the_o conference_n the_o commission_n have_v send_v a_o mere_a report_n and_o narration_n rei_fw-la gestae_fw-la without_o more_o or_o less_o to_o the_o committee_n of_o estate_n according_a as_o they_o be_v require_v the_o committee_n require_v these_o brethren_n by_o letter_n to_o come_v to_o perth_n that_o some_o course_n may_v be_v take_v in_o relation_n to_o they_o for_o secure_v the_o garrison_n of_o sterlin_n from_o danger_n the_o brethren_n have_v come_v to_o perth_n but_o not_o at_o the_o first_o diet_n appoint_v to_o they_o the_o committee_n require_v they_o to_o attend_v at_o perth_n or_o at_o dundee_n until_o the_o king_n return_n from_o aberdeen_n that_o there_o may_v be_v a_o more_o full_a meeting_n of_o the_o committee_n a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o most_o considerable_a member_n thereof_o be_v with_o he_o after_o the_o king_n return_n a_o paper_n be_v send_v in_o by_o the_o committee_n of_o estate_n to_o the_o commission_n of_o the_o kirk_n require_v the_o commission_n advice_n as_o about_o other_o passage_n that_o have_v pass_v between_o they_o and_o these_o brethren_n what_o shall_v be_v do_v with_o these_o brethren_n in_o relation_n to_o secure_v of_o the_o garrison_n of_o sterline_n the_o commission_n declare_v in_o their_o answer_n as_o to_o this_o they_o can_v not_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o determine_v the_o matter_n be_v mere_o civil_a but_o that_o they_o desire_v and_o expect_v that_o the_o committee_n will_v deal_v with_o they_o in_o tenderness_n and_o respect_n as_o be_v minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n this_o be_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o business_n in_o sum_n so_o it_o do_v appear_v evident_o that_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n do_v confine_v they_o as_o they_o be_v so_o please_v to_o term_v it_o neither_o be_v stir_v up_o thereunto_o by_o the_o commissioner_n nor_o yet_o upon_o their_o account_n of_o mere_a difference_n from_o the_o commission_n and_o public_a resolution_n but_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o their_o active_a oppose_v of_o their_o resolution_n to_o the_o obstruction_n of_o the_o levy_n and_o endanger_v the_o garrison_n and_o their_o refuse_v to_o desist_v from_o that_o opposition_n but_o neither_o must_v it_o be_v forget_v here_o what_o be_v the_o time_n of_o that_o confinment_n as_o the_o writer_n term_v it_o and_o compear_v of_o these_o brethren_n before_o the_o committee_n if_o the_o writer_n be_v ignorant_a of_o it_o let_v he_o know_v it_o be_v this_o mr._n robert_n dowglas_n and_o mr._n james_n wood_n be_v deal_v with_o by_o some_o of_o these_o brethren_n intimate_a friend_n to_o intercede_v with_o the_o parliament_n that_o be_v then_o conveened_a to_o pass_v from_o call_v they_o further_o do_v ready_o undertake_v it_o &_o obtain_v their_o desire_n so_o that_o they_o be_v dismiss_v present_o and_o then_o one_o of_o these_o brethren_n come_v and_o acknowledge_v to_o these_o two_o their_o kindness_n do_v in_o their_o behalf_n yet_o now_o in_o the_o protestation_n and_o in_o this_o second_o paper_n it_o be_v requite_v with_o a_o slander_n that_o they_o with_o other_o commissioner_n stir_v up_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n against_o they_o for_o differ_v from_o public_a resolution_n review_n before_o the_o author_n come_v to_o answer_v the_o next_o ground_n of_o the_o protestation_n he_o take_v notice_n of_o something_n and_o but_o of_o something_n pass_v by_o many_o other_o speak_v of_o by_o the_o writer_n in_o his_o answer_n concern_v the_o commissioner_n their_o steadfastness_n and_o fall_v off_o from_o it_o to_o which_o i_o reply_v that_o though_o it_o may_v be_v true_a that_o some_o of_o they_o have_v be_v steadfast_a in_o the_o truth_n &_o cause_n of_o god_n when_o other_o who_o he_o call_v their_o accuser_n know_v it_o not_o that_o will_v neither_o justify_v the_o one_o nor_o condemn_v the_o other_o in_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n it_o do_v sometime_o fall_v out_o that_o the_o first_o be_v last_o and_o the_o last_o first_o though_o yet_o if_o he_o make_v a_o impartial_a reckon_n i_o believe_v that_o neither_o he_o nor_o his_o party_n have_v reason_n to_o prefer_v themselves_o before_o the_o protester_n for_o man_n of_o integrity_n and_o old_a stand_n in_o the_o cause_n of_o god_n nor_o yet_o to_o boast_v themselves_o as_o though_o there_o be_v none_o among_o they_o who_o have_v but_o late_o come_v to_o know_v the_o cause_n of_o god_n i_o hope_v no_o protester_n do_v or_o shall_v envy_v some_o of_o these_o man_n give_v testimony_n of_o their_o steadfastness_n for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v in_o their_o suffering_n the_o lord_n fit_v they_o &_o all_o his_o people_n so_o to_o do_v but_o it_o be_v not_o enough_o for_o the_o author_n to_o speak_v thus_o promise_o of_o they_o unless_o upon_o his_o may_v bee_n he_o do_v also_o prognosticat_fw-la evil_a of_o other_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o when_o some_o of_o these_o accuser_n it_o may_v be_v will_v be_v find_v tamper_n or_o already_o be_v tamper_n about_o or_o devise_v gloss_n how_o they_o may_v with_o some_o colour_n shuffle_v themselves_o loose_a from_o article_n of_o the_o covenant_n some_o of_o they_o will_v give_v testimony_n of_o their_o steadfastness_n in_o it_o this_o measure_n wherewith_o the_o author_n repay_v the_o protester_n be_v more_o than_o a_o eye_n for_o a_o eye_n and_o a_o tooth_n for_o a_o tooth_n they_o do_v not_o except_v against_o the_o commissioner_n upon_o may_o bee_n but_o upon_o thing_n real_o and_o already_o do_v and_o to_o he_o may_v be_v i_o say_v that_o though_o this_o be_v a_o hour_n of_o temptation_n wherein_o many_o turn_n aside_o both_o to_o the_o left_a hand_n and_o to_o the_o right_n yet_o i_o hope_v that_o by_o the_o lord_n grace_n the_o generality_n of_o those_o who_o have_v bear_v testimony_n against_o the_o public_a resolution_n shall_v be_v find_v among_o the_o most_o steadfast_a in_o the_o land_n in_o the_o covenant_n and_o cause_n of_o god_n what_o if_o i_o shall_v tell_v he_o that_o it_o may_v be_v when_o opposer_n of_o public_a resolution_n be_v keep_v their_o integrity_n and_o cleave_v to_o the_o covenant_n some_o man_n of_o no_o small_a note_n who_o have_v be_v and_o still_o be_v zealous_a for_o these_o resolution_n will_v be_v lick_v up_o the_o vomit_n of_o malignancy_n and_o prelacy_n or_o if_o that_o be_v to_o fish_n too_o far_o before_o the_o net_n i_o be_o content_a to_o appeal_v to_o himself_o who_o be_v the_o great_a tamperer_n of_o this_o time_n whether_o the_o follower_n of_o the_o public_a resolution_n or_o the_o opposer_n of_o they_o i_o do_v not_o resolve_v to_o deny_v a_o honourable_a testimony_n to_o not_o a_o few_o of_o these_o who_o be_v for_o the_o public_a resolution_n in_o their_o love_n unto_o and_o steadfastness_n in_o and_o zeal_n for_o the_o truth_n in_o other_o thing_n nor_o yet_o to_o justify_v the_o turn_n aside_o of_o other_o who_o have_v be_v opposer_n of_o the_o public_a resolution_n yet_o i_o think_v it_o will_v not_o be_v question_v that_o the_o generality_n of_o these_o who_o have_v give_v up_o the_o interest_n both_o of_o church_n &_o state_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o stranger_n be_v such_o as_o be_v affectionate_o zealous_a for_o the_o public_a resolution_n which_o be_v too_o probable_a a_o evidence_n that_o their_o profession_n of_o repentance_n the_o last_o year_n and_o of_o zeal_n for_o the_o covenant_n and_o work_n of_o reformation_n and_o of_o love_n to_o the_o king_n and_o of_o desire_n to_o preserve_v our_o liberty_n be_v not_o straight_o and_o upright_o and_o that_o the_o commission_n of_o the_o church_n who_o
after_o so_o many_o experience_n of_o their_o turn_n aside_o do_v trust_v they_o and_o be_v instrumental_a to_o employ_v they_o in_o defence_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o kingdom_n have_v cause_n to_o think_v that_o they_o be_v a_o little_a too_o credulous_a i_o shall_v not_o insist_v upon_o what_o the_o author_n say_v of_o the_o writer_n never_o be_v able_a to_o prove_v what_o he_o assert_n anent_o the_o commissioner_n their_o make_a defection_n this_o as_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o public_a resolution_n have_v be_v sufficient_o prove_v either_o by_o he_o or_o other_o and_o need_v not_o here_o to_o be_v repeat_v therefore_o i_o come_v to_o what_o he_o bring_v in_o answer_n to_o these_o thing_n which_o be_v bring_v by_o the_o 〈…〉_o that_o there_o be_v not_o liberty_n of_o free_a vote_v in_o the_o assembly_n the_o writer_n for_o prove_v this_o allege_n that_o the_o commission_n have_v stir_v up_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n against_o such_o as_o do_v differ_v from_o they_o in_o the_o public_a resolution_n in_o their_o warning_n and_o remonstrance_n this_o the_o author_n deny_v as_o be_v contrary_a to_o truth_n and_o call_v for_o proof_n of_o it_o out_o of_o these_o warning_n and_o remonstrance_n these_o warning_n and_o remonstrance_n be_v public_a and_o common_a i_o conceive_v that_o the_o writer_n think_v it_o not_o needful_a to_o cite_v the_o place_n nor_o to_o insist_v much_o upon_o proof_n of_o the_o business_n other_o way_n then_o in_o instance_v the_o real_a effect_n of_o it_o but_o because_o he_o desire_v evidence_n from_o these_o paper_n he_o shall_v have_v it_o 1._o the_o commission_n in_o their_o short_a exhortation_n to_o the_o minister_n and_o professor_n of_o this_o kirk_n march_v 20._o 1651._o express_v themselves_o thus_o in_o order_n to_o these_o who_o be_v unsatisfied_a with_o or_o do_v oppose_v the_o public_a resolution_n the_o conscience_n of_o our_o duty_n according_a to_o the_o trust_v commit_v to_o we_o and_o the_o carriage_n of_o some_o who_o either_o oppress_v with_o a_o lethargy_n lie_v still_o or_o seize_v upon_o by_o a_o benumb_a coldness_n move_v slow_o or_o carry_v about_o with_o the_o wind_n of_o strange_a doctrine_n as_o child_n be_v toss_v to_o &_o fro_o &_o move_v contrary_o do_v constrain_v we_o to_o lift_v up_o our_o voice_n &_o from_o the_o watch_n tower_n whereon_o we_o be_v set_v to_o give_v warn_v to_o the_o professor_n &_o minister_n throughout_o the_o land_n &_o to_o wacken_v they_o up_o to_o their_o duty_n as_o they_o will_v avoid_v the_o displeasure_n of_o the_o almighty_a and_o escape_v the_o deserve_a punishment_n and_o censure_n which_o may_v be_v inflict_v by_o judicatory_n civil_a and_o ecclesiastic_a respective_a upon_o dificients_n in_o and_o delinquent_n against_o duty_n according_a to_o the_o degree_n of_o their_o offence_n and_o again_o in_o the_o same_o warn_v have_v apply_v the_o character_n of_o malignant_n to_o such_o as_o through_o dissatisfaction_n with_o public_a resolution_n be_v silent_a or_o do_v oppose_v they_o use_v these_o word_n we_o wish_v it_o may_v be_v the_o care_n of_o all_o to_o shun_v the_o way_n that_o may_v bring_v they_o under_o these_o foul_a character_n and_o whereby_o they_o may_v run_v themselves_o under_o the_o hazard_n of_o the_o displeasure_n of_o god_n and_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n and_o no_o doubt_n of_o civil_a punishment_n also_o to_o be_v inflict_v by_o the_o state_n from_o these_o passage_n these_o two_o thing_n be_v manifest_a 1._o that_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o commission_n deficiency_n in_o the_o public_a resolution_n by_o not_o move_v at_o all_o or_o slow_a move_n or_o contrary_a move_n be_v deservable_o liable_a to_o punishment_n by_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n 2._o that_o they_o do_v make_v no_o doubt_n but_o that_o civil_a punishment_n will_v be_v inflict_v by_o the_o state_n to_o these_o two_o thing_n add_v that_o this_o exhortation_n and_o warn_v be_v direct_v to_o all_o the_o minister_n and_o professor_n of_o this_o kirk_n and_o so_o to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n among_o other_o in_o their_o place_n &_o station_n yea_o no_o doubt_n before_o the_o emit_v thereof_o it_o be_v by_o way_n of_o correspondency_n according_a to_o the_o constant_a custom_n keep_v in_o these_o thing_n communicate_v unto_o the_o state_n let_v any_o indifferent_a man_n then_o judge_v whether_o this_o be_v not_o a_o stir_v up_o of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n against_o they_o when_o it_o be_v declare_v to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n in_o a_o public_a exhortation_n and_o warn_v to_o duty_n that_o punishment_n from_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n be_v by_o these_o man_n deserve_v and_o that_o the_o state_n will_v no_o doubt_n inflict_v that_o civil_a punishment_n in_o answer_v the_o instance_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n his_o proceed_v according_o the_o one_o of_o they_o to_o wit_n their_o make_n of_o law_n and_o act_n of_o parliament_n appoint_v such_o to_o be_v proceed_v against_o as_o enemy_n to_o religion_n and_o to_o the_o kingdom_n he_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o once_o touch_v and_o the_o other_o concern_v the_o confine_v the_o minister_n of_o sterline_n he_o do_v in_o many_o thing_n mince_v and_o pervert_v therefore_o for_o inform_v of_o the_o reader_n and_o justify_v of_o what_o be_v say_v by_o the_o writer_n in_o this_o particular_a i_o shall_v short_o and_o true_o set_v down_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n so_o far_o as_o be_v needful_a and_o make_v some_o remark_n upon_o what_o the_o author_n say_v in_o this_o business_n first_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n it_o be_v thus_o after_o that_o the_o minister_n of_o sterline_n do_v return_v to_o their_o station_n from_o the_o conference_n with_o the_o commission_n at_o st._n andrews_n the_o committee_n of_o estate_n be_v inform_v by_o the_o commission_n of_o the_o result_n of_o that_o conference_n and_o hear_v that_o the_o minister_n of_o sterline_n do_v continue_v to_o preach_v against_o the_o public_a resolution_n do_v resolve_v upon_o a_o letter_n contain_v a_o citation_n to_o come_v to_o perth_n to_o be_v write_v from_o the_o committee_n to_o these_o minister_n which_o be_v pass_v and_o approven_v in_o the_o committee_n be_v immediate_o thereafter_o by_o some_o of_o their_o number_n communicate_v to_o the_o commission_n of_o the_o kirk_n to_o who_o it_o be_v public_o read_v without_o so_o much_o as_o the_o least_o signification_n make_v by_o they_o of_o their_o dislike_n thereof_o which_o do_v clear_o enough_o import_v their_o approbation_n of_o the_o same_o because_o it_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o the_o commission_n these_o year_n past_a when_o any_o thing_n be_v communicate_v unto_o they_o by_o the_o parliament_n or_o committee_n of_o estate_n with_o which_o they_o be_v not_o satisfy_v either_o to_o represent_v their_o dissatisfaction_n in_o a_o humble_a way_n by_o write_v or_o else_o to_o desire_v a_o conference_n thereupon_o and_o when_o they_o be_v silent_a it_o be_v always_o expon_v to_o import_v their_o satisfaction_n this_o letter_n be_v dispatch_v from_o perth_n where_o the_o committee_n of_o estate_n than_o sit_v to_o the_o minister_n of_o sterline_n it_o come_v not_o to_o their_o hand_n before_o the_o tuesday_n at_o night_n notwithstanding_o that_o it_o have_v be_v write_v a_o good_a many_o day_n before_o and_o that_o it_o do_v require_v they_o to_o compear_v before_o the_o committee_n the_o next_o day_n after_o recept_n thereof_o the_o one_o of_o the_o minister_n be_v somewhat_o sickly_a answer_n be_v return_v from_o both_o to_o the_o lord_n chancellor_n precedent_n of_o the_o committee_n that_o by_o reason_n of_o his_o weakness_n they_o can_v not_o well_o keep_v the_o diet_n mention_v in_o the_o letter_n but_o that_o in_o the_o case_n of_o his_o be_v able_a to_o travel_v both_o of_o they_o shall_v be_v at_o perth_n that_o week_n or_o that_o if_o he_o can_v not_o travel_v the_o other_o shall_v come_v without_o fail_n and_o entreat_v the_o lord_n chancellor_n to_o make_v their_o excuse_n to_o the_o committee_n and_o that_o it_o may_v not_o be_v interpret_v as_o any_o sign_n of_o disrespect_n or_o disobedience_n that_o they_o do_v not_o come_v instant_o upon_o the_o recept_n of_o the_o letter_n see_v the_o one_o of_o they_o be_v not_o at_o that_o time_n able_a to_o travel_v this_o letter_n be_v communicate_v by_o the_o lord_n chancellor_n to_o the_o committee_n upon_o the_o thursday_n they_o be_v please_v notwithstanding_o thereof_o and_o before_o the_o come_n or_o hear_v of_o these_o minister_n to_o order_v another_o letter_n to_o be_v send_v unto_o they_o ordain_v they_o to_o come_v to_o perth_n before_o the_o next_o saturnday_n at_o night_n and_o to_o stay_v there_o or_o at_o dundee_n till_o the_o king_n return_n from_o aberdeen_n whether_o he_o be_v then_o go_v before_o this_o second_o letter_n come_v to_o their_o hand_n these_o minister_n come_v to_o perth_n upon_o