Majesties Proclamation bearing date the ninth of September in their ninth reason against the subscription urged by his Majestie do plainely averre that this Oath urged by his Majestie doth oblige the takers of it to maintaine Perth Articles and to maintaine Episcopacie Why therefore some men swearing the same words and syllables should have their words taken to another sense and bee thought to abjure Episcopall government more then others who have taken the same oath in the same words must needs passe the capacitie of an ordinarie understanding It is a received maxime and it cannot be denied but that oaths ministred unto us must either bee refused or else taken according to the knowne minde professed intention and expresse command of Authoritie urging the same A proposition not onely received in all Schooles but positively set down by the adherers to the said protestation totidem verbis in the place above cited But it is notoriously knowne even unto those who subscribed the Confession of Faith by his Majesties commandment that his Majestie not onely in his Kingdomes of England and Ireland is a maintainer and upholder of Episcopall government according to the laws of the said Churches and Kingdomes but that likewaies he is a defender and intends to continue a defender of the same government in his Kingdome of Scotland both before the time and at the time when hee urged this oath as is evident by that which is in my Lord Commissioner his Preface both concerning his Majesties instructions to his Grace and his Graces expressing his Majesties minde both to the Lords of Councell and to the Lords of Session and the same likewayes is plainly expressed and acknowledged by the adherers to the said protestation in the place above cited their words being these And it is most manifest that his Majesties minde intention and commandment is no other but that the Confession be sworne for the maintenance of Religion as it is already or presently professed these two being co-incident altogether one and the same not onely in our common forme of speaking but in all his Majesties Proclamations and thus as it includeth and continueth within the compasse thereof the foresaids novations and Episcopacie which under that name were also ratified in the first Parliament holden by his Majestie From whence it is plaine that Episcopacie not being taken away or suspended by any of his Majesties declarations as these other things were which they call novations it must needs both in deed and in the judgement of the said protesters no wayes bee intended by his Majestie to be abjured by the said oath Now both the major and that part of the minor which concerneth Episcopall government in the Church of Scotland being clearly acknowledged by the Protesters and the other part of the minor concerning that government in his other two Kingdomes being notoriously knowne not onely to them but to all others who know his Majestie how it can be imagined that his Majestie by that oath should command Episcopacie to be abjured or how could any one to whom his Majesties minde concerning Episcopall government was known honestly or safely abjure it let it be left to the whole world to judge especially considering that the Protesters themselves in that place above cited by a dilemma which we leave to themselves to answer have averred that when that Act of Councell should come out yet that it could not be inferred from thence that any such thing was abjured Fifthly and lastly If the explanation in that Act of Councell be taken in that not onely rigid but unreasonable and senslesse sense which they urge yet they can never make it appeare that Episcopall government at the first time of the administring of that oath was abolished The very words of that Confession of Faith immediatly after the beginning of it being these Received beleeved defended by many and sundrie notable Kirks and Realmes but chiefly by the Kirk of Scotland the Kings Majestie and three Estates of this Realme as Gods eternall truth and onely ground of our salvation c. By which it is evident that the subscription to this Confession of Faith is to be urged in no other sense then as it was then beleeved and received by the Kings Majestie and the three Estates of this Realme at that time in being and it is well knowne that at that time Bishops Abbats and Priors made up a third Estate of this Realme which gave approbation to this Confession of Faith and therefore it is not to bee conceived that this third Estate did then abjure Episcopacie or that Episcopacie was at the first swearing of that Confession abolished But say that at that time it was abolished by Acts of generall Assemblie yet was it not so by any Act of Parliament nay by many Acts of Parliament it was in force because none of them was repealed some whereof are annexed in the sheet immediatly after these reasons which wee pray the Reader carefully to peruse and ponder and at the very time of the taking of this oath and after Bishops whose names are well knowne were in being Now it is to bee hoped that in a Monarchie or any other well constituted republick that damnable Jesuiticall position shall never take place That what is once enacted by a Monarch and his three Estates in Parliament shall ever be held repealed or repealable by any Ecclesiasticall nationall Synod By all which it is evident that the explanation of that Act of Councell so groundlesly urged can induce no man to imagine that by the Confession of Faith lately sworne by his Majesties commandment Episcopall government which then did and yet doth stand established by Acts of this Church and Kingdome either was or possibly could be abjured And having now good Reader heard his Majesties minde in his instructions to us our minde in requiring in his Majesties name this oath to be taken and these few reasons of many which doe evidently evince the inconsequence of that sense which without any shew of inference is put upon it by those who would go on in making men still beleeve that all which they doe or say is grounded upon Authority though they themselves doe well know the contrary wee suppose that all they who have taken this oath will rest satisfied that they have not abjured Episcopall government and that they who shall take it will take it in no other sense Which timely warning of ours we are the more willing to give because we are given to understand that even they who were wont to call the takers of this oath notwithstanding of that explanation by act of councell perjured and damned persons and in their pulpits called the urging of it the depth of sathan doe now meane to take it themselves and urge others to take it in that sense which they make men beleeve though wrongfully that act of councell makes advantageous to their ends But we doe in his Majesties name require that none presume to take the said oath
shall hereafter presse to disturbe the peace of this Kirk and Kingdome In witnesse whereof we have heartily and freely subscribed these presents with our hands At Holy-rood-house the 22. day of September 1638. Sic Subscribitur HAMMILTOUN Traquaire Roxburgh Mairsheall Mar Murray Linlithgow Perth Wigtoun Kingorne Tullibardin Hadington Annandail Lauderdail Kinnoul Dumfreis Southesk Belheaven Angus Lorne Elphinstoun Naper Dalyell Amont J. Hay S. Thomas Hope S.W. Elphinstoun Ja. Carmichael J. Hammiltoun Blackhall The Letter of Our Councel Most Sacred Soveraigne IF ever faithfull and loyall subjects had reason to acknowledge extraordinarie favours shown to a Nation and in a most submissive and heartie manner give reall demonstrations of the grace vouchsafed then doe we of your Majesties Councell of this your ancient Kingdome unanimously professe that such acts of clemency vouchsafed us cannot proceed from any Prince saving him who is the lively image on earth of the great God Authour of all goodnesse For return of so transcendent grace fortified with the reall expression of unparallel'd Pietie royall inclination to Peace and universall love not onely to those of our number but likewise to all your Majesties loyall Subjects wee doe all in one voyce with all resentment can bee imagined in all humility render our most bounden thankes and offer in testimonie of our full satisfaction and acquiescence herewith to sacrifice our lives and fortunes in seconding your Sacred Majesties commandements and repressing all such as shall hereafter preasse to disturbe the Peace of the Kirk and Kingdome And for some small signification of our alacritie and diligence in your Sacred Majesties service we have all without the least shadow of any scruple subscribed the Confession of Faith and Band appointed to be received by all your Majesties loyall Subjects sent the act passed in Councell with our other proceedings which wee doe most humbly represent to your Royall view And wee beseech your Majestie to be pleased to be perswaded of the unviolable devotion of all here subscribers who doe all in all humilitie pray for your Majesties most happie and flourishing reigne Sic subscribitur HAMMILTOUN Traquair Roxburgh Mairsheall Mar Murray Linlithgow Perth Wigtoun Kingorne Tullibardin Hadintoun Annandaill Lauderdaill Kinnoull Dumfreis Southesk Belheaven Angus Lorn Elphinstoun Naper Dalyell Amont J. Hay S. Thomas Hope S.W. Elphinstoun Ja. Carmichael J. Hammiltoun Blackhall IT is not for men to judge of other mens hearts and of their secret desires but We doe challenge the most rigid Covenanters to name any one particular ever desired by them in any of their supplications remonstrances protestations declarations written or printed exhibited to Us Our Commissioner or Councell which is not in this Our gracious Declaration granted to Our people For not onely all and every one of their particular grievances any way petitioned against by them are hereby discharged and removed but even the two generall things which they made the people beleeve was the summe of all their desires and expectations viz. a free Generall Assembly and a Parliament are indicted and in that order upon which they stood so earnestly first the Assembly and then the Parliament And besides all these their owne Confession of faith the ground as they pretend of their Covenant renewed and established Who would not now have expected a happie period to all the distractions of that Kingdome upon this Our gracious assenting to all their owne desires But the divellish obstinacie and malice of those factious spirits who did see that all their designes were utterly defeated and that their hopes for compassing of them were now a bleeding and drawing their last breath if they could not finde some meanes to blindfold Our peoples eyes and so keepe them from discerning and acknowledging Our grace and goodnesse towards them They presently before the houre that this Our Declaration was to be proclaimed filled Our peoples minds and eares with fearfull expectations of most terrible things to be delivered in this Our Proclamation and so destructive of the lawes and liberties of that Church and Kingdome especially of their late sworne Covenant that presently they wrought the people to a detestation of Our Declaration before they knew what it was They presently erected a large scaffold under the Crosse where Our Proclamation was to be made upon which were mounted not one or two from every Table to protest in the name of the rest as heretofore they had done but a great number of Earles Lords Gentlemen and others with their swords in their hands and hats on their heads not without jeering and laughing during all the time of Our Proclamation which no sooner was ended but with a most insolent and rebellious behaviour they assisted one Johnston in reading of a most wicked treasonable and ignorant Protestation which within few dayes after they printed and We doe here insert as being confident that all subjects in the world who shall come to read it will abhorre and detest it if ever they did feele in their owne hearts the least touch or taste of a Princes favour and clemencie or carry any affection to loyaltie justice and government The very reading of it will bring every good subject and religious honest man so farre out of love with it as it needeth no further confutation then the very perusall of it For who can endure to heare Scripture so grossely abused the holy name of God so solemnely invocated as a witnesse to such notorious falshoods to their rebellious courses and Covenant those attributes of infallibilitie given which are onely proper to the sacred Scripture and royall authoritie affronted with such peremptorie asseverations ignorant and senslesse reasons the falshood and inconsequence whereof must needs appeare upon first view to any one who shall cast his eye upon them The Protestation followes thus The Protestation of the Noblemen Barons Gentlemen Burrows Ministers and Commons c. WEe Noblemen Barons Gentlemen Burgesses Ministers and Commons his Majesties true and loyall subjects That whereas our continuall supplications complaints articles and informations presented first to the Lords of his Majesties Privie Councell next to his sacred Majestie and last from time to time to his Majesties Commissioner our long attendance and great patience this twelve-month bygone in waiting for satisfaction of our most just desires our zeale to remove all rubs out of the way which were either mentioned unto us or could be conceived by us as hinderances of our pious intentions aiming at nothing but the good of the Kingdome and preservation of the Kirk which by consumption or combustion is likely to expire delighting to use no other meanes but such as are legall and have beene ordinarie in this Kirk since the reformation and labouring according to our power and interesse that all things might be carried in a peaceable manner worthy of our Profession and Covenant our Protestation containing a hearty thanksgiving for what his Majesty in his Proclamation from his justice had granted of our just desires and our Protests
meaning but the renovation of the old oath which can admit no new destructive sense but must be sworn conforme to the genuine originall first meaning 2. That oath was justly refused by us upon that ground of discrepance amongst many others and such like was not received by the Councell till they declared their meaning by act simul semel with their subscription 3. We doe not meddle with the Kirks of England or Ireland but recommends to them the paterne shown in the Mount all our arguments and proceedings being for the Kirk of Scotland where from the time of her more pure reformation then of her sister Kirks Episcopacie hath ever been abolished till the latter times of corruption So that though his Majestie hath hitherto maintained Episcopacie in Scotland because his Majestie wanted the meanes to be informed of the acts of this Kirk yet we know that God hath so richly replenished his Royall breast with such justice and pietie that when his Majestie shall receive perfect information wee are confident that He will never desire any change or alteration in our ancient Kirk government and discipline Especially now when his Majesty hath caused the maintainance thereof to be religiously sworn The fift and last reason is that we can never make it appeare that Episcopall government at the first time of administering the oath was abolished the very words of that confession of Faith immediatly after the beginning of it being these Received beleeved and defended by many and sundry notable Kirks and Realmes but chiefly by the Kirk of Scotland the Kings Majestie and three Estates of this Realme as Gods eternall truth and onely ground of our salvation Whereupon is inferred that Bishops Abbots and Pryors made up at that time a third Estate of this Realme which gave approbation to the confession of Faith and therefore this third Estate did not abjure Episcopacie And albeit it had bin abolished by acts of Assembly yet it was not so by act of Parliament but in force by many of them standing unrepealed which are annexed to the reasons Which being the acts of a Monarch his three Estates are never repealable by any Ecclesiasticall nationall Synod For answer hereunto 1. It doth appeare and is manifest by the Registers and acts of Assembly that before the subscription of the Confession at the time thereof and thereafter That Abbots Priors and Bishops were so clearly evidently and expresly condemned in this Kirk That the best wits of this age opposers of Episcopacy cannot yet require one sillable to be added for farther assurance and the most able maintainers thereof could not pick any quarrell to the clearnesse of the expression 2. The clause citted in the reason is onely anent the doctrine and not anent the discipline which thereafter is determined and the Hierarchie detested And the Discipline of the Kirk sworn unto 3. Albeit that clause were of discipline yet it maketh nothing for Bishops except by inference that they are comprehended under the name of the third estate which cannot be so understood for collections by way of inference or ex consequenti cannot be adduced against the expresse acts of the time wherein the makers signifie their minds in clear termes apertissime dicendo leaveth no place to presume the contrare especially in this kingdome where these expressions of stylus curiae are carefully observed without change which may be seen in the same case by many Parliaments where it is not our that no Prelate was present or allowed and yet the acts proporting to be made by his Majestie and three Estates are interpreted by the quoter as made by the Prelats with others 4. Episcopacie was abolished not only by acts of Assembly but there is no standing laws for Episcopall government but some against the same as shall be evident in the answer made to the acts of Parliament subjoyned hereto but if there be any Acts of Parliament standing for Episcopacie the Kings Majestie his Commissioner the Councell the Collective-body of the Kingdome hath actually renunced the same by returning to the doctrine and discipline 1580. whereunto Episcopacie is contrare which God-willing may also be inacted at the next Parliament proclaimed to be holden by his Majestie in May 5. The acts of the Assembly and the book of Policie in the 1. and 10. chapter putteth clear merches betwixt civill and Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction making every one independent in matters properly belonging to their owne judicatorie and every one subject to the other in matters properly belonging to that other So that as the Assembly cannot make civill laws nor repeal them nor imped the Parliament from making or repealing civill laws no more can the Parliament make Ecclesiasticall laws originally nor repeal or hinder the lawfull Assemblies to repeal the same For albeit acts of the Assembly are and may be ratified in Parliament that is only that the civill sanction may concur with the Ecclesiasticall constitution But will not stop the Assembly to recall their owne act which being adnulled by them the civill ratification and sanction fals ex consequenti For to maintain that the Kirk may not repeal her own acts ratified once in Parliament is so derogatorie to Christs prerogative and ordinance to the liberty of the Kirk and freedome of the Assembly to the nature end and reason of all Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction as we have more largely cleared in the Protestation 22 September last that we beleeve few or none will be of that opinion All these Five objections and many more was agitate and discussed in the Assembly before the act anent Episcopacie was made And seeing the generall Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland indicted by his Majestie now holden at Glasgow which is the only Judge competent and fit interpreter to remove and explaine all doubts arising upon the confession of Faith hath after long religious and mature declaration exponed the same and clearly found that Episcopall government in this Kirk amongst other corruptions is abjured by the confession of Faith as the same was profest within this Kingdome hath discharged all subscription to the Covenant subscribed and interpreted by his Majesties Commissioner hath commanded the Covenant subscribed in Februare with the application to be now subscribed according to her present determination therefore wee trust that the knowledge hereof will be a sufficient warning to all good Christians and Patriots that they subscribe not the one and that they subscribe the other according to the genuine and true meaning thereof declared by the Kirk allennerly and of no contrary incompatible sense as they would eshew the crime and danger of a contradictory oath and we would most humbly and earnestly beg of his Sacred Majestie from the bottome of our hearts that his Majestie would be graciously pleased to command that the same may be so subscribed conforme to the declared explanation of the Kirk which would prove the greatest happinesse and joy that ever befell these
of advice and Councell for ordering the affaires of the Kingdome without Our authoritie and in contempt of Us and Our Councell established by Us there and by entring into a Covenant and most wicked Band and combination against all that shall oppose them not excepting Our owne Person directly against the law of God the law of Nations and the municipall lawes of that Our Kingdome So that after this their Protestation they perfected that which they had before begun confusedly and as it were in a ruder draught For then contrarie to Our expresse commandement and authoritie expressed in Our last Proclamations and repeated unto them by Our Councell they did erect a great number of Tables as they called them in Edinburgh Foure principall One of the Nobilitie another of the Gentrie a third of the Burroughes a fourth of Ministers and the Gentrie had manie subordinate Tables according to their severall Shires These severall Tables did consult of what they thought fit to bee propounded at the generall Table which consisteth of severall Commissioners chosen from the other foure Tables and what they of the generall Table resolved on was to be put in practice with a blinde and Jesuiticall obedience A rare and unheard forme of Government in a Kingdome whose Government ever was Monarchicall and which they themselves still say continueth to be so Sure these meetings by wise men have been accounted rather Stables of unruly horses broken loose and pulling downe all they can reach then Tables for the consultations of wise and rationall men Now the first dung which from these Stables was throwne upon the face of Authoritie and Government was that lewd Covenant and seditious Band annexed unto it which We here subjoine because We are confident that by the verie recitall and perusall of it every religious and wise man may run and read that sentence of condemnation which it carrieth in its owne front THE CONFESSION OF FAITH OF THE KIRK OF SCOTLAND SUBSCRIBED By the Kings Majestie and his Houshold in the yeare of God 1580. WITH A Designation of such Acts of Parliament as are expedient for justifying the union after mentioned And Subscribed by the Nobles Barons Gentlemen Burgesses Ministers and Commons in the yeare of God 1638. JOSH. 24.25 So Joshua made a Covenant with the people the same day and gave them an Ordinance and Law in Sichem 2 KING 11.17 And Jehoiada made a Covenant between the Lord and the King and the people that they should be the Lords people likewise betweene the King and the people ISAIA 44.5 One shall say I am the Lord another shall be called by the name of Jacob and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord c. The Kings Majesties Charge to all Commissioners and Ministers within this Realme in the yeare of God 1580. SEeing that VVe and Our Houshold have Subscribed and given this publike Confession of Our Faith to the good example of Our subjects VVe command and charge all Commissioners and Ministers to crave the same Confession of their Parochianars and proceed against the refusers according to Our Lawes and Order of the Kirk delivering their names and lawfull processe to the Ministers of Our House with all haste and diligence under the paine of fourtie pound to be taken from their stipend that VVe with the advice of Our Councell may take order with such proud contemners of God and Our Lawes Subscribed with Our Hand at Haly-rud-house 1580. the 2. day of March the 14. yeare of Our Reigne The Confession of Faith of the Kirke of SCOTLAND The confession of Faith subscribed at first by the Kings Majesty and His Houshold in the yeere of God 1580. Thereafter by Persons of all rankes in the yeere 1581. by ordinance of the Lords of the Secret Councell and Acts of the Generall Assembly Subscribed againe by all sorts of Persons in the yeere 1590. by a new Ordinance of Councell at the desire of the Generall Assembly With a generall Band for maintenance of the true Religion and the Kings Person And now subscribed in the yeere 1638. by us Noblemen Barons Gentlemen Burgesses Ministers and Commons under subscribing Together with our resolution and promises for the causes after specified To maintaine the said true Religion and the Kings Majestie according to the Confession foresaid and Acts of Parliament The Tenor whereof here followeth WEe All and every one of us underwritten Protest That after long and due examination of our owne Consciences in matters of true and false Religion are now throughly resolved of the Truth by the Word and Spirit of God and therefore we beleeve with our hearts confesse with our mouths subscribe with our hands and constantly affirme before God and the whole World that this only is the true Christian Faith and Religion pleasing God and bringing Salvation to man which now is by the mercy of God revealed to the world by the preaching of the blessed Evangel And received beleeved and defended by many and sundry notable Kirks and Realmes but chiefly by the Kirk of Scotland the Kings Majestie and three Estates of this Realm as Gods eternall Truth and onely ground of our Salvation as more particularly is expressed in the Confession of our Faith stablished and publikely confirmed by sundry Acts of Parliaments and now of a long time hath been openly professed by the Kings Majestie and whole body of this Realme both in Burgh and Land To the which Confession and forme of Religion wee willingly agree in our consciences in all points as unto Gods undoubted Truth and Verity grounded onely upon his written Word And therefore Wee abhorre and detest all contrarie Religion and Doctrine But chiefly all kinde of Papistrie in generall and particular heads even as they are now damned and confuted by the Word of God and Kirk of Scotland but in speciall we detest and refuse the usurped authoritie of that Roman Antichrist upon the Scriptures of God upon the Kirk the civill Magistrate and Consciences of men All his tyrannous lawes made upon indifferent things against our Christian libertie His erroneous Doctrine against the sufficiencie of the written VVord the perfection of the Law the office of Christ and his blessed Evangel His corrupted Doctrine concerning originall sinne our naturall inabilitie and rebellion to Gods Law our justification by faith onely our imperfect sanctification and obedience to the Law the nature number and use of the holy Sacraments His five bastard Sacraments with all his Rites Ceremonies and false Doctrine added to the ministration of the true Sacraments without the VVord of God His cruell judgement against Infants departing without the Sacrament his absolute necessitie of Baptisme his blasphemous opinion of Transubstantiation or reall presence of Christs body in the Elements and receiving of the same by the wicked or bodies of men His dispensations with solemn oaths perjuries and degrees of Marriage forbidden in the VVord his crueltie against the innocent divorced his divellish Masse his blasphemous Priesthood
him by Us they he was enforced to call the Lords of Our Councell divers others of Our Nobilitie and some of the Lords Covenanters themselves to give testimonie of his frequent asseverations in their hearing that as he himselfe was no way satisfied with that explication so he was assured that We neither would nor could receive any satisfaction by it only that he would present it to Us at their entreatie And besides the attestation of so many witnesses he was necessitated both for clearing of himselfe to Us and preventing the further encrease of Covenanters upon that false and groundlesse surmise to print a Manifest and Declaration of his own clearnesse and their calumnie It is true that they printed a weake answer to that Manifest in which they confesse that they never heard him say that he was satisfied with that Declaration but that by some probable reasons which are there expressed and indeed are most improbable ones they were induced to beleeve that he was satisfied with it although that both to their new Proselytes and in the Ministers printed answers they had positively averred that after he had received that explication he was fully satisfied with their Covenant Which dealing of theirs gave occasion for many to thinke that this false aspersion was put upon him by those who ever laboured to strangle all hopes of reconciliation onely to raise in Us a distrustfull jealousie of his service that so he might be called backe and the people made beleeve that no relieving of their grievances was intended by Us. About the same time a great stirre was raised in that Kingdome upon a very slender ground which was this There had been printed at Antwerpe in severall pieces the pictures of the severall stories of the Gospels and Acts of the Apostles after the manner as they are usually printed in the Romish Church some Papists and it may be others had caused these severall pieces to be bound in their Bibles at the severall chapters of those stories to which they did relate they found such a Bible printed at Edinburgh which being printed as all Bibles are by Our priviledge upon a sudden there were made most tragicall complaints that pictures and images were brought into their Bibles by Our authoritie aggravated by the heads of that faction especially the Ministers with the imminent dangers of the present introduction of Poperie Superstition Idolatrie still to make the people averse from all hope of satisfaction so that some did conceive that these pictures might bee bound in that Bible by some of themselves meerly to irritate the people and continue them in their distance from returning to Our obedience but so far with this particular we cannot charge them Now notwithstanding these new and daily emergent combustions and their perpetuall working of the people both in their Pulpits and at their other meetings to new insolencies and greater heights of rage and furie Our Commissioner resolved as well as he could to passe them over and to enter into treatie with them for the preparative overtures of a Generall Assemblie because he did see that all these impediments and blocks were laid purposely in his way that either hee might stumble at them or bee so scared as to go back for it was plainely perceived that whensoever he made any proposition of peace likely to take or please they presently cast about how to dash it with some new violence and accident which should make it impossible as did most evidently appeare in this particular Our Commissioner sent some of Our Councell to conferre with some of the principall Covenanters concerning some necessarie propositions fit to be resolved upon before the indicting of the Assemblie both concerning the members of which it was to bee constituted and concerning the matters to be treated of in it two consultations usually previous to that meeting for the omission whereof in one Assemblie of later times they had so grievously complained that in a Petition exhibited by the Ministers of their side it was alleadged for a nullitie of that Assemblie This message was received with so much choler and contempt that they presently blazed it abroad amongst their followers for a proposition tending utterly to the ruine of the Lawes and liberties both of Church and Kingdome that the hearkning to any such overtures was an absolute prelimitation of that Assemblie which they intended should be free and generall that neither of the members of their Assemblie nor of the matters to bee handled in it they would speak so much as one word untill they came upon the place and were in the Assemblie that then and there the Assemblie it selfe was to be the sole judge both of the competencie of the members elected of the regularitie of their election and of all matters treated of there whether they were of their cognisance and jurisdiction or not and likewise gave out that they did not much care whether Our Commissioner would indict an Assemblie or not they would indeed like it better if it were indicted by Our authoritie but if We requested by them so to do should refuse it they both could and would do it of themselves Then did their Pulpits againe begin to ring with this monstrous proposition as they called it of the utter subversion of the liberties of their Church by the prelimitation of their Assemblie as if this conference propounded by Our Commissioner concerning the orderly proceedings in that meeting had beene such a blow to their Church as they could not feare a greater from Rome it selfe And to make Our Commissioner beleeve that they were in good earnest they had a little before caused the Presbyterie of Peebles to begin with the election for their Commissioners to the Generall Assemblie being a place not above twentie miles distant from Edinburgh so that they were sure it must speedily come to his knowledge To this election all the Gentlemen within the compasse of that Presbyterie resorted intruded themselves by violence and in despite of the Ministers would give their voices to the chusing both of the Ministers and one lay-man to be Commissioners for that Presbyterie at the next Assemblie whensoever and wheresoever it should bee kept when as yet no Assemblie was indicted Our Commissioner weighing well these two things First that the principall Covenanters Noblemen Gentlemen and Ministers as hee had occasion to speak with them severally and upon severall occasions had protested unto him that their meaning never was quite to abolish Episcopall government but onely to have it limited and restricted according to the Lawes of that Church and Kingdome and that they might bee accomptable to and censurable by the Generall Assemblie if they should transgresse these limits adding that they had farre rather live under that government then under the tyrannie of the Presbyeries which they had heard their fathers so much complaine of and had given them charge to beware of the like Protestations they having likewise made to divers of Our Councell
if any of Our subjects whether ecclesiasticall or civill of whatsoever qualitie title or degree have or shall at any time presume to doe any such act or assume to themselves any such exemption or power That they shall like as by these presents We make and ordaine them to be lyable to the triall and censure of Parliament generall Assembly or any other Judicatories competent according to the nature and qualitie of the offence And for the free entry of Ministers that no other oath be administrate unto them then that which is contained in the act of Parliament And to give Our subjects full assurance that We never intend to admit of any change or alteration in the true Religion alreadie established and professed in this Our kingdome And that all Our good people may be fully and clearly satisfied of the realitie of Our intentions towards the maintenance of the truth and integritie of the said Religion We have thought fit and expedient to injoine and authorize like as We by these presents doe require and command all the Lords of Our privie Councell Senatours of the Colledge of Justice Judges and Magistrates to burgh and land and all Our oâ—her subjects whatsoever to subscribe and renew the Confession of Faith subscribed at first by Our deare Father and His houshold in the yeare of God 1580. Thereafter by persons of all rankes in the yeare 1581. by ordinance of the Lords of secret Councell and acts of the generall Assembly Subscribed againe by all sorts of persons in the yeare 1590. by a new ordinance of Councell at the desire of the generall Assembly with their generall band of maintenance of the true Religion and the Kings person And for that effect We doe require the Lords of Councell to take such course anent the foresaid confession and generall band that it may be subscribed and renewed throughout the whole kingdome with all possible diligence And because We will not leave in Our subjects minds the least scruple or doubt of Our royall intentions and reall resolutions Wee have given warrant to Our Commissioner to indict a free generall Assembly to be holden at Glasgow the twenty first day of November in this present yeare 1638. And thereafter a Parliament to be holden at Edinburgh the fifteenth day of May Anno 1639. for settling a perfect peace in the Church and Common-weale of this kingdome And because it is likely that the disorders and distractions which have happened of late have beene occasioned through the conceived feares of innovation of Religion and Lawes and not out of any disloyaltie or disaffection to soveraigntie We are graciously pleased absolutely to forget what is past and freely to forgive all by-gones to all such as shall acquiesce to this Our gracious pleasure and carry themselves peaceably as loyall and dutifull subjects and shall ratifie and approve the same in Our next ensuing Parliament And that this Assembly may have the better successe and more happy conclusion Our will is that there be a solemne Fast proclaimed and kept by all Our good subjects of this kingdome a foureteene dayes before the beginning of the said Assembly the causes thereof to be a begging a blessing from God upon that Assembly and a peaceable end to the distractions of this Church and kingdome with the aversion of Gods heavie judgement from both And Our pleasure is that this Fast be kept in the most solemne manner as hath beene in this Church at any time heretofore upon the most extraordinary occasion OUR WILL is herefore and We charge you straightly and command that incontinent these Our Letters seen ye passe and make publication hereof by open proclamation at the market crosses of the head burrowes of this kingdome where-through none pretend ignorance of the same Given at Our Court of Oatlands the ninth day of September 1638. Per Regem AFter this Declaration was proclaimed the Confession of Faith as it was at the first commanded by Our Royall Father as also the band annexed for defence of the Religion now established and of Our Person and authoritie with the subscriptions of Our Commissioner and Councell to them both doe here follow The Confession of Faith of the Kirke of SCOTLAND Subscribed at the first by the Kings Majesties umwhile dearest Father of blessed memory and his Houshold in the yeer of God 1580. Thereafter by persons of all ranks in the yeere of God 1581. by ordinance of the Lords of Secret Councel and Acts of the Generall Assembly Subscribed againe by all sorts of Persons in the yeer 1590. by a new Ordinance of Councel at the desire of the general Assembly With the general Band for maintenance of the true Religion And now renewed and subscribed again by his Majesties speciall command by the right noble Marquesse James Marquesse of Hamiltoun Earle of Arran and Cambridge Lord Even and Evendail his Majesties high Commissioner and Lords of secret Councell undersubscribing And that of and according to the date and tenor of the said Confession of Faith dated in March 1580. and of the Band dated in Anno 1589. WEe All and every one of us underwritten protest That after long and due examination of our owne Consciences in matters of true and false Religion are now throughly resolved in the Truth by the Word and Spirit of God and therefore we beleeve with our hearts confesse with our mouths subscribe with our hands and constantly affirme before God and the whole World that this only is the true Christian Faith and Religion pleasing God and bringing salvation to man which is now by the mercy of God revealed to the world by the preaching of the blessed Evangel And received beleeved and defended by many and sundry notable Kirks and Realmes but chiefly by the Kirk of Scotland the Kings Majestie and three Estates of this Realme as Gods eternall truth and onely ground of our salvation as more particularly is expressed in the Confession of our Faith stablished and publikely confirmed by sundry Acts of Parliaments and now of a long time hath been openly professed by the Kings Majestie and whole body of this Realme both in Burgh and Land To the which Confession and forme of Religion wee willingly agree in our consciences in all points as unto Gods undoubted Truth and Verity grounded onely upon his written Word And therefore Wee abhorre and detest all contrarie Religion and Doctrine But chiefly all kinde of Papistrie in generall and particular heads even as they are now damned and confuted by the Word of God and Kirke of Scotland but in speciall we detest and refuse the usurped authoritie of that Roman Antichrist upon the Scriptures of God upon the Kirk the civill Magistrate and conscience of men All his tyrannous lawes made upon indifferent things against our Christian liberty His erroneous doctrine against the sufficiency of the written word the perfection of the Law the office of Christ and his blessed evangel His corrupted doctrine concerning originall sin our naturall