acts of Parliament paâ—t in favors of the same with sorrow and sore against our harts we will be constrained to use the remedy of Protestation Like as aâ—hering to the protestations made to the Parliament holden at Pâ—rth in the yeare of God 1606 and to the Protestation used in the last Parliament holden at Edinburgh and to all other Protestationâ— whatsoever made in favour of this Kirk and against all hurts and injuries intended against the same By these presents we solemnly protest all and whatsoever Articles â—â—ctes and others whatsoever shall be propoued concluded and publâ—shed in or from this present Parliament in prejudice of the iurâ—sdiction and libertie of the Kirk Assemblies therof order stâ—â—â—â—shed or any part therof or in favours of usurped governement and damned Hierarchie of Ceremonies and alterations whatsoever concerning the ministration of the Sacraments or any other point or practise of discipline received in this Kingdome And for due execution hereof wills and request our welbeloved Brother _____ to subscribe and to present the same as offâ—cers in open face of Parliament to the Lords of Articles being conveened and if need bee to affixe the same upon the Parliament house dore or Market crosse of Edinburgh To the effect that our reasonable dissâ—ssent from all and whatsoever may in any sort preâ—udge the forme of Religion established in this Kingdome may be not oâ—ly knowen At Edinburgh the 25 day of Iuly 1621. Archip. Ye haue shewed me evident testimonies of their fidelitie vvhich maugre oblivion and malice vvill bide after them vvhen they are gone out of â—his vvorld as they lâ—ft â—hem behind vvhen they vvere put out of that Towne I would now know vvhat vvas the successe Epaph. The former reasons and admonitions took impression in many hearts few vvere in any doubt vvhat to doe if they had been left to their own libertie for there was not one vvhâ— either respected these fiue Articles for their own good qualitie or for the Kirks authoritie neithâ—r ever to this day were they honoured with the name of an Act of the generall Assembly but beare the note of basenesse in the title of Articles All the perplexity was vvhat to doe in so great extremitie and urging importunitie for the Masters of vvork both for compassing the purpose and keeping themselues from censure set their wits by all meanes to vvorke so many as they might to be of their mind And for this effect there vvas no small businesse in the beginning to single out and set inclinable Lords and Noblemen and so to make way for their Election who vvere to sit upon the Articles that therby might be gained in hope of further victorie thirty and two Votes at least in their judgement vvho had made prosperous tryall of such cunning first at Perth and now knowing vvith vvhom they dealt had no lesse hope of successe here Archipp That would seeme to be like the policie of our late Ecclesiasticall Assemblies in chosing of the privie conference But after so full preparation vvhether vvas the day appointed for holding the Parliament now at last observed vvith the vvonted solemnitie Epaph. It vvas Riding of the Parliâ—ment for upon Wednesday the 25 of Iuly 1621 at the Palace of haluroode-Halvroode-house there is first a Majesticall appearance of high honour and splendor glancing from that glorious convention prepared for the sacred and high Court of Parliament the most excellent person of the mightie King and Head of this Monarchie being resembled by the potent and noble Lord Iames Marquesse of Hammilton his Highnesse Commissioner and the Estates of Parliament ranked according to the worth of their persons and the deserved and unspotted dignitie of their places And then they marched in state from the said palace with honourâ— borne according to thâ— custome of this ancient Kingdome the Crown by the Earle of Angusâ— the Scepter by thâ— Earle of Marâ— the Sword by the Earle of Rothesse to the Parliament house where they entred and set themselues in their honourable places neither Papists nor any other sort of persons desirous to heare and see being excluded Archipp Why passe yee the Prelacie vvho of dutie ought to haue beene first remembred in this their owne Ceremoniall Parliament Epaph. Neither ye not I can remember them vvith such acclamation of joy as a Papist did who before many Gentlemen cryed aloud in the street vvith lifted up hand directing his speech to the Bi hop of Santandroes God blesse you my Lord with all your Brethren and favourers of your course for you and they are furthering the way to content his Majestie and us all that are Catholickes which God prosper and none resists except a number of evill disposed Ministers But the clamour of the multitude and the accustomed noise at suâ—h times suppressed the bablings of the seditious Parasite and buried them in their eares vvho vvere neerest unto himselfe Archipp Seeing Papists tooke the boldnesse both to speak upon the street and to be present in the house modest Ministers would haue been overseen notwithstanding of the straitnesse of the Proclamation against them Epaph. Yet there vvas speciall care recommended to the double guard vvithout and vvithin and as great attendance given that no Mâ—nister vvanting the Bishops licence should be suffered to enter And after that the members of the Parliament vvere placed a second search made for Ministers that if any had been permitted to enter they might be removed Archip. How can yee be able to lead me through to the end seeing ye were neither an actor nor permitted to be witnesse of the remanent proceeding Epaph. The Lyâ—ian ring is worne away long since Any of the beholders could relate all that vvas done openly every one of the members of the Court could not see vvhat vvas done secretly Lookers on many times see more then gamesters and in the valâ— the hill is best seen Archip. If ye take upon you to tell me the truth I will cease to be curious about the mean of your information vvhat was done in that first meeting Epaph. First the B. of Santandroes after a verie short prayer read a part of Scripture Speeches in â—â—e house of Parliament Rom. 13.7 and delivered a discourse chiefly intending to perswade the taxation After him my Lord Commissioner had a speech declaring to the Estates his Maj. great and extraordinary troubles and continuall debursements in supporting the King of Boheme his Queen their mother and in continual sending of Embassadors to France Germany and Spaine to travel for peace among the Christian Princes besides the extraordinary aids given to the Germane Princes to retain them vvithin the compasse of the band of friendship and alliance the charges of maintaining a sea Navie under the conduct of Sir Robert Mansfield adding also that his Maj. suslained and suffered more for the persecutions afflictions of the Protestants and for the defence of the Reformed Kirk then all the Princes in the world besides with divers
in that day Epaph. The second vvay was as skilfull but not so successefull as the first Vpon some question of place betwixt two Lords of Parliament both lovers of Religion it was apprehended that they would rather loose their votes then perill their dignity And therefore strait commandement was given to Noble men to keep their own places But as that worthy Grecian with his fellow-ambassadour buried their private emulations till their return when the publicke affaires of the common-wealth were exped so they perceiving the snare packed up the controversie for that time and of their Christian discretion and generous affection preferring a substantiall duety to a circumstantial ceremony kept their liberty and so disappointed that policie And as the first policie of this sort perswaded some to leaue the Town so the second vvould haue moved others to leaue their riding But on the other side I vvill tell you by the way that their policie could not make all to be present of vvhose concurrence they assured themselues Divine providence in one example might haue been a sufficient instruction to let them see how easily his Majestie might haue turned all their purposes and counsels to folly if it had beene his pleasure for that which befell one might haue befallen the rest For one of the Commissioners vvhom they had to be a ringleader of the rest of the Commissioners of the Burgesses fell off his horse and gaue place to another And vvho vvas this but that Commissioner of the chiefe Burgh Edinburgh vvho fell that day in the street and was forced to giue place to a craftsman chosen in his roome to be peere to that first kneeling Provest of that Town which was once as another Ierusalem sâ—nding the puritie power and loue of the Gospell through all the corners of the kingdome but now albeit the power of grace remaine in the hearts of many hundreds is as vniversally scandalous through suddenly admitted novations by themselves and their pastors too penitent of their protestation practisers and preachers of contrary conformitie and paternes of change to the whole countrey The Lord give them hearts to remember from whence they are fallen that they may repent and doe their first workes Archip Who knoweth but they who haue done so many things well for their common estate common workes and priviledges of their towne may doe somewhat and the Lord blesse them with an open doore for the libertie and flourishing estate of their kirke to the wonted benefit of the whole realme But proceed in the rest of your policies Epaph. The next degree must be to keep them from voting who had ridden and now entred in the house of Parliament and this vvas also brought about by perswading some Noblemen inwardly warned to vote against the fiue articles but outwardly wrought upon to vote for them to make a mid course and to lurk in the inner house till the kirkes part was acted and Gods vvorship through her sides had received a deadly wound and then to come forth to the stage and in their owne places to play their parts in civill matters It is better to be altogether Christians with Paul then to be almost Christians with Agrippa or not all with Feâ—tus He that loveth father or mother far more he that loveth the woâ—â—â— more then me is not c. Archip. Yee remember Nicodemus and Ioseph of Arimathea But there had been no place left for that policie if the former order kept in the Articles when the kirk was postponed had been now observed in face of Parliament Epaph. To the end that this policie might haue place when it was now made manifest that other matters would not find great opposition the kirk had a pathy pleader for her precedencie in publiâ—ke For after the Lord commissioners speech the Lord Chancellour spake for the kirkes right alleadging that both reason and custome required that the kirk haue the first place and for that cause giveth direction that the Act concerning the kirk meaning the fiue articles and ratification thereof bee first read Archip. What speech meane yee of the Lord Commissioner Epaph. When all were now entred into the house and were set in their owne places after deep silence he had a preface for voting short but vehement partly exhortatorie for yeelding to the fiue Articles of Perâ—â—â—â—artly apologetick for defence of his Ma against surmises of Popish religion partly declaratory attesting that there was nothing under heaven that could be so acceptable to his Majestie as that the Kirk of Scotland would receiue these fiue Articles and partly promissorie that he would ingage his honor saith credit upon that princely word which his Maiesty past to him that if they would receiue these 5 articles at that time his Highnes would never burden them with any more ceremonies during his life time according to a promise uttâ—â—â—ed by the Bishop of Aberdein to the same meaning for casing the way to the articles but without such reply as was made to him by a Noble man that hee was too liberall of his promises having no assurance for his Majesty would not bind himselfe after that sort Archip. That prefaâ—e was a strong cup of digestion Epaph. And was well seconded with the sweet sauce of my Lord Chancellors oration composed of two ingredients loue and learning For after he had pleaded in his Exordium for the Church her dignitie it is saith his L. an evident declaration of his Ma. loue to God and religion that he hath so great care of the Kirk and as for matters proponed they require not much disputation being already concluded by learned Bishops Fathers Doctors Pastors convened at Perth for that effect After this confirmation the Lord Commissioner addeth the confutation for against the apprehension surmise that his Maiestie was resolved to make this kirk in all things conforme to the Church of England he did assume that his Ma. willed him to signifie unto them that these being once concluded he would urge no other rite nor ceremonie and that by their according to these they would give singular declaration of their loyalty and therfore requested to take heed how they voted Archip. Was there no mouth opened at this time to make reply or to offer reason in the contrary Epaph. No place was lâ—â—t for reason onely against that summary form of proceeding the promise made to the Nobility for having the conclusions of the Lords of Articles 24 houres at least before they were voted in publiâ—ke was timously remembred and urged by a Noble man to the effect they might proceed with deliberation according to the worth of matters especially the acts being long and of great consequence and not to give suddain iudgment like as many ciphers as in effect sayd he they were made by that form of dealing I will not trouble you with the answer made to reasonable a motion and bitter repulse of all further deliberation but I will draw now to the conclusion Epaph.
as it hath proceeded Archippus I Begin no sooner to think upon the progresse of my short time in the Ministerie but I remember of the Students of Athens who the first yeare were wisemen the second yeare Philosophers onely lovers of wisedome the next year Rhetoricians no better then babblers and the last yeare Idiots At the first I seemed somewhat to others and more then somewhat to my selfe like many in these times at whose blind boldnesse out of mine own experience I would smile were it not a subject of compassion But afterward the Lord in his great mercie opening my eyes to see and touching my heart to blush at my owne insufficiencie and naughtinesse I began to denie my selfe to unsecret my soule to you and at the first poured out all my former phantasies and present thoughts into your bosome At which time my reverend Epaphras I received happie information in some measure to be that indeed which I was before in appearance and manie times since haue I beene with great delight exercised with you in heavenly contemplations for the furtherance of Gods work But now my harp with Iobs is turned to mourning and my Organ into the voice of theÌ„ that weep Through the iniquitie of the present Polemicall times I am led aside to Controversies which are not in the high way to heaven wherin we were walking before All my former delight is chaâ—ged into an earnest desire to bee throughly informed concerning the division which hath happened in this our mother Kirk so renoumed in the Christian world for perfect reformation through the late alterations wrought at the last Parliament holden at Edinburgh in August 1621 for the ratification of the fiue now famous Articles of Perth Assemblie Since which time the whole quarters of this Kingdome hath been universally filled with dinn and diversitie of motions and speeches Some like Haman when the letters of revenge were published against Mordecai and his people some like the Israelites when they sate down to eat and drink and rose up to play Others like the Iewes themselues when they were in perplexitie great sorrow The fourth sort equalling the first in miserie of scene-serving sycophants who finding the religion before them and not within them are readie to serue God or the divel as the companie will Three things demanded con ern ng conformitie And finally some so petted and empacque that they suspend both their judgement practise till they see which side shall prevaile As therefore I never went from your societie but either wiser or better so must I now in my great need importune you for my comfort and quietnesse of my minde to giue me some satisfaction in these three particulars all linked in one chaine First out of your old experience what hath been the methode of this mysterie of iniquitie from our reformation to this time Secondly out of your diligent observation by what meanes and after what manner past it in an Act in the late Parliament Thirdly after conclusion past in Kirk and Parliament out of your graue direction what is to be done of us especially in the case of mans immediate opposition of the Necessitie of Conformitie or Deprivation Promising for dutie to follow after you in the straitest waies of passiue obedience so farre as I finde truth going before you and leaving the successe with cheerefulnesse to his high providence who makes all things work together for good to them that loue him Epaphras And no sooner think I upon my long course in the holy Ministerie begun about the flourishing times of our first temple but with incredible joy of heart I call to mind the goodnesse of my God where with in a time of so great defection I haue escaped the danger of the proverbiall speech of the Hebrews first uttered of Balaam who seeking preferment lost the gift of Prophecie Camelus coruna quaerens aures amisis Drus The Camel seeking bornes lost his eares Had my care beene to haue lift up my horne on high my gift of Prophecie in publick and grace of giving good counsell in private had long since perished And so by this time I am sure whatsoever is become of others vvhom I judge not I had been troad on as unsavorie salt a burden to my selfe and unprofitable to you and all others of your disposition who for your invinceable courage are worthie of the oracle of Counsell Il ne perd rien qui ne perd Dieu And therefore albeit my mediocritie cannot promise full satisfaction because your demand requires a deep knowledge of things past present and to come with the height of the highest spirit not onely prepared to break the neck of his present fortune but also overlooking all casualties equally armed for all events And in a word a man that knows much of the world and cares little for it Yet because all that I haue I owe to God and his people by his grace in whom I am preserved who is able to keep me that I fall not I shall assay what I can with this premonition that in case the historicall part of my answer concerning things past and present shall happen to halt in some places and to walk upon one foot â—râ—p achepte le miel qui sur espines le leche not daring to set down the other in the midst of so many thornie purposes wherein all the veritie would not may not be heard let a vvord now and then albeit covertly uttered be enough to your vvise eare And let it bee my imputation that of the twofold commendation of a good historie No trueth unspoken Nihil Verum non nihil non Verum no untreuth spoken Charitie hath made me to bee content with the latter till I come to the third point vvhere I shall set down both my feet and vvithout danger of so great offence walk with greater libertie Archipp Your mind I perceiue malices no man 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A threefold consideration for satisfying of the first Demand and your meaning according to your fashion of conference vvhich was ever more materiall then personall is rather tovvard then to giue a blow My desire also albeit an hieroglyphicall historie be halfe dumb is not so much after men as matter persons as purposes let me onely know by things past from whence vve are come and by things presently done and in doing where we now are that my course in time to come may be the more sate and sound Epaph. All prefaces are song to the greedie hearer To beginne then vvith your first Demand the length thereof reaching from the first reformation through manifold alterations to the last Parliament shall be abridged to a threefold consideration First vvhat Christ did for us in the beginning of his undeserved loue secondly vvhat Antichrist did against us in his unquenchable malice and thirdly vvhat the true members of the Kirk did in their sincerity and faithfulnesse Archipp That project punctually
terrour to the rest Archip. What accusation meane yee and of which Ministers Epaph. One was of Mr. Andrew Duncan minister at Crail but holden from the function of his Ministerie by the fine craft of a timorous teÌ„porizer his cunning collegue wrestling betwixt the wind of the world 〈◊〉 the waue of his conscience for presenting the Supplication aboue written who vvas sent for by the B. of S. androes detained by him in his lodging till he delivered him to the Captain of the guard to be presented that same day afternoone before the Counsel where compeâ—â—ing he was accused by the Bishop upon his subscription of the supplication albeit the B. had spokeÌ„ nothing of that to him in private when he sent for him having acknowledged his hand writ he declared his readines at the command of the L. of Counsell upon assignation of a competent time to produce his warrant of grâ—at numbers of Preachers and Profâ—ssors in whose name he had subscribed subjoyning for stopping the mouth of his accuser that Cuivis private â—icet â—gere causam publicam whereupon the B giues out this sentence It is thought good ye be committed presently But because the Defender pleaded the poor mans right An non licâ—â—â—uili et â—â—otestaâ—i â—â—mendicare The Lords not seeing how thâ—y â—ould putâ—â—â—h him for such causes liking better the innocency of the defender then the iniquity of the accuser thought â—eet to cal him in again where the B. Vt quae non prosunt singula mulâ—◠〈◊〉 â—ubent first layd to his charge that he had preached in Crail the vveek before which he confessed That hee was his Maâ— rebel lying at the Horn he denyed that he was ever at the Horn That he had broken ward in Dundie he answered that for obedience he had remained at Dundie the space of half a year upon double charges â—â—ing separate from his vvife and six children the approaching Winter made him to draw homeward thinking that either they had forgot him or would pitty him after so long trouble Like as he had received a letter from the B to be at Santand at a meeting of some Brethren of the Ministers In end he besought the L. not to imprisone him upon his own charge to consider that it vvere greater mercie to kill them vvith the bloudie sword then to pine them to death vvith hunger But his doom was dight before his coÌ„peirance Archip. What was the other accusation Epaph. Mr. Alex. Simson minister at Drieburgh not having any such intention was earnestly desired by a brother serving in one of the ordinary places of the Ministers of Edin to preach for him upon the Saboath vvhich was the 22 of Iuly immediately going before the day appointed for holding the Parliament Wherunto he was perswaded upon sufficient reasons alledged by his requester He Preached upon Ezech. 3.16 according to his own custom the present occassion in the good old Scottish fashion CaÌ„dide mâ—â—â— and not after the new Laodicean forme more plainly to all then pleasantly to some in greater simplicie of heart then vvisedome of words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He spake against the manner of the entrie of many yong men into the holy calling of the Ministerie against the negligence of watchmen vvho because of the fear of men of loue to the wages of iniquity and their own guiltines of the same sin are silent in censuring the sinnes of others and especially against the defection of Bish All which much more spoken not in a corner but in the publick audience of so great variety of hearers as were in that town at that time I need not record Vpon the day next following he vvas called before the Counsell and when he had confessed all that he had preached in publick At last the former Minister and he vvere convoyed by the guard to the Cannongate where they were forced to stay that night without libertie to goe to their own lodging plaâ—â— and upon the morne were led by three of the guard to the Castle of Dunbartane vvhere they entered upon Thursday Iuly 26. Archip. I see not how the proclamation could passe with any probabilitie against the whole Ministerie more upon this pretence then the first for by vvhat propagation could their personall actions be derived to the rest Epaph. Ye vvill know that best and will be put out of all your doubts when yee haue seene the Copie of the Proclamation itselfe in these vvords AT Halvroode-house 23 Iulie 1621. Proclamation charging the Ministers to depart one of Ediâ—â— Forasmuch as it is understood by the Lords of secret Counsell that some reâ—tlesse and busie persons of the Ministrie enâ—glecting the care charge of their own Kirkes and flocks over the which they are bound in conscience before God and in duetie before men to be careful diligent watchmen Overseers haue lately made their redresse to this Burrow of Edinburgh where the Estates of the Kingdom in the soveraigne and high Court of Parliament are now assembled and that some of their Ministers haue not onely engyred and in a manner intruded themselues in the Pulpits thereof without any lawfull warrant or calling but in stead of wholesome doctrine for edification of the present Auditors haue fallen out into most injurious and undutifull speeches against the sacred person of the Kings Maj labouring thereby so far as in them lay to possesse the hearts of the Auditors with some bad opinion and construction of his Maj. unspotted life and conversation And not content herewith th y haue their privie Conventicles and Meetings within this Burrow haue obtruded themselues upon some of the Estates of Parliament and in publick audience haue prejudged his Maj. most religious sincere and lawfull proceedings using sollicitations against his Maj. just intentions And haue not onely directly manifestly and avouchedly done vvhat in them lyes to cal the sinceritie of his Maj. disposition towards the true Religion in question but to incultate and fasten the same bad opinion into the hearts of his Maj good subjects and so crosse and hinder all his Maj. proceedings in the Parliament which hath no other ayme but the glorie of God puritie of Religion and weale of this Kingdome In which three points the bypast experience of his Maj. happie governement will cleare the sincerity of his Maj. most religious disposition towards the glorie of God and weale of his people and will vindicate his Majestie from the malignant aspersions of his Majesties undutifull subjects And whereas this forme of doing in a Kingdome where the puritie of Religion hath such a free and uncontrouled libertie and progresse as it hath in this Kingdome under his Majesties most godly wise just and happie governement is not suffred nor allowed and hath no warrant of law custome nor observation elsewhere but may draw with it many dangerous consequences and raise up emulation and distastes betwixt his Majestie and his good people to their danger and
other insinuations to perswade a large supply And for furtherance therof his L. professed to haue vvarrant to giue vvay to any good advice wherby mony might increase abound among us after the taxation His L spake for the â—â—ue Articles under the name of matters of Kirk Discipline that had been concluded in former Assemblies practised in the Primitiue Church not forbidden by the word of God so able to be defined by the Prince who hath lawful power to command in matters indifferent He doubted nothing of their good affection concourse to the good advancement of so necessary a service is was then in hand And for himself he should striue to let his Maj. know every mans part he for his part would contribute his best endevours to a good successe In the third place 〈◊〉 Lord Chancellâ—â—r had his Quanquâ—m wherin he spake to the â—â—â—our of the auncient the quality of the Solium Regale where the Commissioner â—aâ—â— the persons vvho were members of that Assembly severally giving every one his own due with repetition of some things touched by the CoÌ„missioner the Bish of S. androes concerning the necessity imposed upon our liberality experience to giue way to the Church ordinances fetching some conclusion from old judgement of Reâ— and Sacerdos in the person of Numa he ended with an exhortation to the Lords to goe cheerfully and with a good mind to the election of the Lords of Articles Archip. Never was Scipio Hannibal Maccabeus never Câ—drus Thrasybulus nor Themistocles or any Grecian Romane or Iew so much obliged for their Countrey as these three persons for the defence and maintenance of the true Religion and common estate of Scotland of the priviledges lawes and liberties pertaining to the one and the other they being debters to the Kirk and Common-weale of their life liberty honourable places and callings of their present condition and future expectation and lying under the obligation of birth education imitation of their honourable predecessours of their offices personall promises and whatsoever other obligatorie respects And therefore it cannot be but in the midst of so many dangers present and imminent they behoved to say something both for testfying their hearty affections and for the weale of the Realme Epaph. That was not their errand and had been a contradiction to the other part of their speech and to their following actions and therefore without further mention of publicke matters or any insinuation of their oblished affection to their spirituall mother the Kirk crying for their help or to their naturall mother the Countrey trembling under the burthen of divers calamities and under the terrour of forrain feare the actions of the utter house were closed for that time Archip. Was there no further done that day for advancement of the purpose Epaph. Not so much in shew as that vvhich is done but more in substance For the Lord Commissioner Election of the Lords of Articles and their proceedings the Nobility and Prelates with Chancellour Treasurer Secretarie and Clerke Register Officers of Estate the life and leaders of this compend of the Kingdome went into the inner house for election of the LL. of Articles not after that most free forme beseeming Parliaments and Counsels where choice is made of persons most indifferent of best judgement and no way partially affected to any partie or restrained to the loue of any cause but by some learned oblivion of this most reasonable rule and by some new law hid custom and singular practick for performing of the most free harmelesse and innocent part of this high action the election of the Lords of Articles proceeded in another sort Archip. Ye are now upon the primum mobile the secret wheeles which guide the hand and hammer without and therefore remove the cover that I may see the beginnning of the motion Epaph. The Bishops who from their first fabrick haue sounded many ill houres to this Kirk and Countrey continually behaving themselues as Peeres of the Kingdome professed parties against the Ministers and Discipline and as partiall Iudges and led Witnesses when questions concerning Ministers or Kirk governement did occurre or where opposition was to be made to matters proponed in prejudice of the one and the other they went to their roomes and were not onely silent contrary to the debt of their places but all singing one song the rest following the first in a reasonlesse harmony rare to be found in Paris Venice or the most famous Counsells in the world they did choose those eight of the Nobility Auguss Mortoun Nithesdall Wigtoun Roxburgh Buckâ—lugh Scone Carnegie and these made eight of the Bishops Santâ—ndroes Glasgow Dunkeld Aberdeen Brechin Dumblane Argyle Orknay and these altogether did choose eight Barones and eight Burgesses A faire election of foure eights receiving their names from the clieff of the song and inspired with the concord of the first eight who would bee loath to choose any different from their owne minde and of the second eight conforme to them Archip. Was there never a note out of tune Epaph. By providence two notes of the third eight and one of the fourth jarred a little to make the melodie of the whole 32 the more sensible to the eares of the hearers by their irregularity Finally for augmenting the number of fair drawn voters the seven Officers of Estate Chancellour Treasurer Secreter Privie-seale Iustice Clearke Advocate and Clearke Register are adjoyned all faithfull servants and loath by crossing or comming in the contrary of present intentions to perill their liberall pensions their great Offices their present imployments and hopes of higher preferment Archip. That election so enlarged and qualified with those last seven is a strong first fell and a great conquest of votes in favours of chiefe desires Epaph. Yet it is not quarrelled here as in former times when mens own particulars were in hand Then presence was weak now absence is strong What Prince and prelate could nor work vvhen Kirk rent sacrilegiously possessed was but under feare of quarrell now in these Halcion daies vvhen mens particulars are out of feare Politickes and Prelates can easily bring to passe and so the first strength of the Parliament is taken in presage of expected victorie Archip. No marvell for the case is altered Which vvas the first meeting of the Lords I may say of the fiue Articles thus elected Epaph. Vpon Thursday the 26 of Iuly after the Cabinet Counsell vvhich daily met in the Abbay by sixe in the morning and sate vvhile nine to dresse and dispose matters to be done in such a course as might leade most easily to the destinate end Archip. Those Lords of Articles convened did they enter at their first meeting upon the fiue Articles Epaph The Kirk is prejudged heere of her ancient priviledge to her great losse and they that all matters may be rightly tymed are wisely directed to treat of the matter of Taxation in the first place because so many as
couched in the corners of extenuation and vilified in the dust of indifferencie howsoever they were eminent and highest in their desires and intention and had more lovers and friends to doe for them then Religion it selfe I feare should find were it to passe in an act of Parliament Archip. Yet I am sure these Ringleaders could not well know the names of many Commissioners and Voters farre lesse their severall dispositions and intentions Epaph. For gaining be unknown and trying all treacherous Intelligencers are sent forth in outward apparance men of verie good sort but indeed of the generation of the Neronian quadruplators to shuffle themselues in all honest companies but specially in the meetings of Noblemen commissioners of Shires and Burrowes Delatorâ—â— ho â—â—num genus publice exitio â—epâ—tium poâ—nis quidâ—m nunâ—nam satis coâ—citum Tacit. vvhere under colour of the same affection and inclination to like or dislike as those Sinons found the disposition of companies vvhere they happened to be they lurked but still aboue all things they counterfeited a dislike of Perâ—h Articles and by that vile and base Iudas like dissimulation sucked out mens minds and became acquaint vvith all their counsels that vvisely vvere not aware of them The points of their false profession vvere to learne mens names their natures and their purposes that thereby they might be the more able to enforme their Masters Who was what and who was not And some of the cut-throats vvhere they were admitted vvould seeme in presence to giue approbation to such things as they heard that so they might goe lesse suspected and sometime by their pernicious fraud vvhere they durst adventure they vvould divert honest men most craftily from good motions and resolutions and then at night returne to their directors like venemous vvaspes clogged vvith filthy lies and flattering suggestions Albeit there vvere some like Aesops Flee that sate upon the Axetree of the Coach vvheele and sayd What a dust doe I raise Archip. Particular persons might be known and disappointed by that craft but vvhen they conveened vvith the Estates wherof they vvere members they bâ—hoved to bewray themselues and so be brought by the rest to a right mind againe Eppah The Noblemen and Commissioners of Shires and Burrowes in a mild manner of Imperious request vvere restrained from the necessary use of the ancient priviledge granted to the severall Estates of this land to conveene by themselues in time of Parliament for advising reasoning and preparing themselues the more deliberately to vote in publicke And although for their better information it vvas promised that they should haue inspection of things past by the Lords of Articles at least 24 houres before meeting in publick it vvas not onely refused but they were enjoyned that they should never upon any condition haue meeting at any time or place vvithout speciall consent given by my Lord Commissioner Archip. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I can reply nothing in this case your depths are become so shallow that a vveake eye may see the ground of them I vvould never haue looked that the former deceivers could haue reported so much as the common favour of Augustus or Phillip Amoprodituroâ— non proditores or that the alternatiue of Themistocles going with commission to the Andrians could haue been heere allowed either fairnesse or force words or violence Epaph. I might open unto you greater depths 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Suadam violentiam 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vvherein Shippes vvere seene sailing and Eagles attending them and discover secrets vvhere Serpents vvere gliding and the greatest Like a man with a maide playing vvhen the most expert in the matter of Articles and of best credit to make voters vvent in paires The first man and his fellow labourer The Scholer and his Pedigogue The Principall and his cautioner all running under great hope to come speed and that both privately and publickely in the house and upon the street at evening and morning in all places and occasions vvith as many fine formes as they did meet with fashions of men Archip. Your Hieroglyphicks are obscure and ye delight to be Acroamaticall Epaph. I shall trouble you no more vvith them but shall relate one policie as pithie as plaine to all vvhereby absents vvere made present for voting and they vvho vvere present vvere made absent from voting Archip. Pithie it may be but plaine it cannot be for that seemes an impossibility through force of contradiction Epaph. Ye are in the schooles and I in the house of Parliament ye are upon the Logicks and I upon the Politicks Ye perhaps never heard of Proxeis Proxeit But such vvas the force of our procuration in her prime and first rudiments that she brought forth three miraculous effects 1 Shee brought English Noblemen neither having portion nor inheritance in this Realme nor knowledge in our affaires Civill or Ecclesiasticall to vote in a Scottish Parliament 2 She made some vvho had licences passed to remain from Parliament at that time and had their excuses admitted to vote by procurators 3 She made some by the greater vvisedom and care of their faithfull Procurators to vote against their own minds And another vvay to make absents present vvas by moving some vvho had obstinately refused when they were elected by their Shires to accept commission upon their refusall had taken instruments and had sworn neither to ride nor vote in Parliament at that time both to accept commission and to be ready to vote Archip. But how was it possible to make them vvho vvere present to be absent Epaph. This was more easie and was brought about with singular artifice by many wayes and divers degrees And first before the last day of the Parliament divers Commissioners who in derision were called Puritanes because they were more affected to the ancient liberties of the Kirk against obtruded novelties Three policies to make them who were present to absent were moved to leaue both Town and Parliament so were found some of them stragling through the Countrey some visiting their friends and some posting homeward while the Parliament was yet sitting all flying from apprehended danger upon the one side and from inforcing importunity on the other Archip. When was the last day for that behoved to be the great day Epaph. There was first a cautelous bruite broched and blowen abroad with a snell aire of seeming discontentment that the Parliament would sit longer then was looked for and it might be till the Articles were concluded and then the voters of victorie being numbred and successe brought under the eye of good hope suddenly without the knowledge and beside the expectation of many of the members of the Parliament Saturday the foutth of August was chosen as the fittest time for closing the action Archip. But it is not time yet for you to close your narration ye must both shew me the other wayes of making them who were present to be absent and what was more done
That is all and I long to heare it that I may see what proportion of policie is keeped whether the end be answerable to the the beginnings and proceedings Archip. In the conclusion Threefold confusion in voting when the matter is brought to the voters of the house there was a threefold well studied confusion first albeit the fiue articles were different in themselus and the most part had different opinions concerning them yet they were all hudled up in one bundell according to the practick successe at Perth that all of them might carry the savour of any one that was least resisted and then every one the most misliked of them the favour of all The same skill was used in ioyning the ordinary and extraordinary taxation for divers of every estate thought hardly of the extraordinary taxation all being most willing to giue large supply in the ordinary answerable to the grat affaires in hand and honour of the kingdome And therefore upon assurance that it would be refused by no man the other was straitly tied to it Secondly advantage was taken of the conceived words Agree and disagree the prescribed form of voting for all being straitly discharged here as at Perth to give any reason for their votes that the coÌ„clusion might passe ad numerum non ad vondus or least the weight should be prejudicial to the number all directed to expresse theÌ„selues simply in these words it come to passe that the second sillable of Disagree through the wide opening of the mouth at A did eat up the first especially in the low pronounciation of some who being desired to speak out threatnings and boastings vvith menaâ—ing eyes vvere breathed out against them for the terror of others following and so the negatiue vvere noted for affirmatiue And thirdly in calling the roll and marking the votes the distinction of the three severall estates was suppressed and all who had power to vote were called promiscuously as so many single persons that the conclusion might be made up by pluralitie of personall voters without respect naâ— to their corporations whereas the Barrowes one of the estates disagreed directly and the other estate rightly considered as it consisteth of greater lesser Barons without mixture of officials of estate and absents made present by their procurators would haue made that estate doubtsome if not negatiue and so all the preceeding diligence from Perth assembly to this houre notwithstanding the act of ceremonies had sound no other father at this time except the Estate of Bishop with others of equall engagement as it will stil proue frowen faced as long as it is fathered upon others vvho begat it against their vvills let men reioyce at the birth thereof and busk it up as they please Archip. Buâ—king it hath need of but the joy at the birth could noâ— bâ— great it bâ—ing conceived and formed by such meanes Eâ—â—ph Yâ—t as upon the one side the commissioners of Borâ—â—◠〈…〉 silâ—nt or negatiue in the voting of that act of â—hâ— fâ—â—â— Aâ—â—â—â—lâ—◠〈◊〉 â—â—fused of the ratification of the privilâ—â—gâ—â— oâ— thâ—â— Bâ—â—â—ves whiâ—h was granted to others So upon thâ—â—â—â—h râ—siâ—◠〈◊〉 things are now 〈◊〉 might unto the wished end anâ— wâ—◠〈…〉 Bishops of thâ— businesse many faire 〈…〉 house presented by the 〈…〉 with a â—ratulatorie sweet◠〈…〉 liberalitie to his Ma◠〈…〉 matters closing all with 〈…〉 never be troubled with more câ—remoâ—â—â—◠〈…〉 vvas great for conquest of the conclusâ—â—â—â— buâ— the time wâ—â— not yet of sorrow for the premâ—â—â—s Aâ—â—hâ—p Yâ—â—â—ll 〈◊〉 of the ratification of the â— articles but I haâ—e hâ—â—â—d nothiâ—g whethâ—r the prâ—â—â—station penned by the Ministers and lâ—ft behind them was vsed â—r not Epiâ—h The last â—ay the entry of the house of Parliament the most proper plaâ—e for using thereof was most straitly kept least any Minister should enter vvithout an Episcopall pasport And for further seâ—uitie the Bishop of Saint Androwes man for his egregious eminencie lest any gift should want imployment was set over the inner barre likâ— Saul amongst the people for debarring all Ministers in vvhose faces hee could see any prognosticke of a Protestation And that Bishop himselfe required the Chancellour to charge the Constable and Marshall of the house to challenge all ministers within of which number one being named by the Marshall upon that occasion answered My Lord yee take me for the wrong man the Bishop himselfe brought me in Where through the Minister undertaker to publish the protestation in the name of the Kirke albeit hee was within the house of Parliament yet could not fiâ—â— aâ—cesse for thâ—t â—ffâ—ct and therefore vvent forth and fixed one copie of the protestation aboue vvritten upon the doore of the Tâ—â—â—â—oth and another upon the crosse Againe upon the 20 of August when the Acts of Parliament were proclaimed at the crosse of Eâ—â—nburgh hee published three copies one upon the Crosse another upon the kirke doore and the third upon the pilaâ—e gate of Halyâ—ood house vvhereupon hee took instruments with all râ—quisiâ—e solâ—mnities using the vvords following Here in the name of the brethren of the Ministery professing the religion aâ— iâ— hath been practised in our kirk since the reformation of the same I protest against all these things that haue been concluded in prejudice of our priviledges since the first reformation therof and adheres to my former protestation mâ—â—e and fixed on the Tolbooâ—h â—â—lore â—nd other places and to all the Protestations made in favours of the Kirk in the time of preceding Parliaments Archip. It seemeth that the fear of that Protestation before it was used the distressed Estate of Religion through the Christian vvorld and their own profession that they stand for the substance of Gods vvorship and lâ—bertie of the Kirk howsoever they bee libâ—rall in Ceremonies should haue made them car full of the ratification of the truth and of abolishing all contrary errour and superstition Epaph. By the contrarie upon deeper considerations Act of Parliament albeit the ratification of the libertie of the Kirk of the Assemblies and Disciâ—line thereof and anent tryall and punishment of the adversaries of true Râ—ligion hath ever been as ordinarie in Parliament since the reformation of Religion as it was now necessarie ye shall not find a word of that purpose among all the printed actes of this so long lasting Parliament But ye may see in the last words of of the first act an act neither read nor voted in Parliament rescinding actes made in former times against superstition Archip. But that nullitie is restrained by the clause In so farâ— as thâ—y be derogatiue to any of the Articles aboue written Epaph. It is apparant then by their owne confession that something is he e enacted against former actes of Parliament concerning the worship of God since the reformation which some doâ— altogether deny But to answer you I ask if a transcendent power a great man or a ring leader presuming to doe vvhat he vvil
he neither can finde out the cause nor make any good use of the particulars Archip. Ye know both the truth of the generall and the true cause thereof and therefore let me know the particular Epaph. Vpon that last day of the Parliament before foure houres after noone vvhen all the Actes vvere now concluded and mens hearts vvere insulting upon the Defenders glorying in their own vvittie counsels rejoycing in their great successâ— gaping for great thankes and reward and wishing every one he vvere the first reporter that he might be carver of his own praise as if he had recovered the Kingdom of Bohemia and the Palatinat The Lord Commissioner rising from his throne for ratifying all that vvas done by touch of the Scepter vvas trysted by the God of heaven For at the verie moment of that ratification the heavens send in through the vvhole vvindowes of the house an extraordinarie great lightning after the first a second more glancing and then a third most terrible of all Immediately after the lightnings an unâ—outh and extraordinarie darkenes for the suddennesse and greatnesse therof astonishing all and couching the insolent joyes of some The lightning vvere seconded vvith three louâ— blasts of thunder in sound and short continuance of every blast like the shot of some Cannon extraordinary great and were taken by many vvithin the house of Parliament to be shotts from the Castle It appeared to all that dwelt within ten or twelue miles that the clowdes stood right aboue the town and that the darkenesse overshadowed that part onely By one of the blasts the Beacon standing in the entry of Leith haven vvas beaten down After the lightnings darknes and thundering their fell down a shoure of haile stones extraordinary great and last of all a strange raine making the streetes to runne like rivers imprisoning the Lords about the space of an houre and a halfe and straitly forbidding to honour these fiue Articles vvith ordinarie pompe and solemnity So that the servants rode home on the footmantles and the Masters vvith drew themselues some by coach and some on foot through the neerest privie wayes Next as if the heavens had resolved never to countenance these ill-gotten creatures upon Munday the 20 of August vvhen the Actâ—s vvere proclaimed the same mâ—â—gâ—ation vvas renewed by thunder si◠〈◊〉 and great raine coâ—â—â—â—ing all the time of the riding at the Crosse And thirdly vvhat hath followed since yee can vvitnesse your selfe The tempests of vvind and raine bâ—gâ—n at that time haue so continued through the uâ—â—outh unseasonaâ—â—â—nesse of the â—â—e harvest in many places S Luke gat not a stâ—wâ—k and the â—â—â—ne universally are shaken and rotten in such measure that never was there in this Country such it equality of â—riâ—es in 〈◊〉 short time never greater feare of famine vvant of â—â—ed to sâ—â— the ground for the next crop It is pittifull to remember if it could be forgotten so long as there is a Kirk in Scotland the impetuous inundations of vvater carrying away vvith their violenâ—e not onely cornes cattle and bridges but houses plenishing people and all Perth hath good reason to call to mind the month of May the yeare 1591 vvherein by certaine commissioners they confessed to the Generall Assembly their rash and suddain receiving of the apostat Lords troublers of Kirk and Kingdome and promised never to giue suâ—h occasion in time comming but to assist and maintaine the Kirk of God and the true Religion presently professed vvithin thâ—â— Realme as at more length is contained iâ— theâ—â— own confesâ—ion From the months of March 1â—â—6 and August 1618 vvherein râ—sâ—eâ—â—â— vvas both begun and câ—ncluded that unhappie chaâ—ge whâ— iâ— hath been and is a cursed mother of many miseries to this Kirk and Kingdome unto vvhich howsoever they were disposed it vvas openly spoken in the publiâ—k meeting that they were inclinable And if it were so they 〈…〉 as farre from their first promâ—sâ— as thâ—y inclined to that altâ—â—ation Item Item the moneth of Octob. 1621 vvherein the 〈◊〉 and rumbling of vvaters and fear and danger vvithin their 〈◊〉 sends them to seek their safety by the losse of their faâ—â— â—â—â—ly bridge vvith such affection as the merchant casts his goods in the sea or the owner runnes his ship on ground for safety of mens lâ—ues The Lord had an eye to the teares of their sorrow and hâ—ard their cryes from the depths he releeved and saved them and they stand his debters of themsâ—lues for their great redemption and that wonderfull deliverance And likewise the town of Berwick did see the unresistable rage of Tweed by whose violence was hurled away not onely their ancient vvodden bridge but that new and strong one sinely builded of stone no lesse destinate to beare that honourable remembrance Hoc uno ponte duo regna conjunxi Deus diu conjuncta consâ—rvet then to be a common servant to the North and South parts of this Iland It is moreover pittifull to heare the lamentation of vvidowes children and friends at home for the lâ—sse of their deere husbands loving fathers and trustie and tender friends by sea and specially in those townes that are most zâ—alous to follow novelties in religion and also pittiful to remember the great regrat of Borgh and Land for vvant of fewel to prepare their meat and drinke and refresh their persons against the injuries of the vehement cold And yet few strikes upon the thigh and askes why are all these things come upon us But for further humiliation the Lords hands is yet stretched out to see if any vvill repent and returne For before the vvearisome end of this unseasonable harvest and the vvheat seed which farre by the ordinarie custome of this Country vvas not begun in December there is come on a heavie Winter vvith great hunger and cold striking all that haue fore sight vvith feare and care to ease themselues of such persons as they may spare and to liue as retired as possible they can and daily increasing pittifull cryes not onely of vagabond beggars but of many honest persons who if they had employment as before were able to succour themselues by the fruit of their labours What the spring and summer following may bring forth of such beginnings it is hard for us to inquire 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Read Euseb l. 9. cap. 7. after him Niceph. l. 7 cap. 28. Rules for reducing the iudgements of God to their own proper causes and best for all To watch and pray to be zealous and amend and to resolue to exercise their patience and charitie as the Lord hath measured unto them Archip. I know that the providence of God ruleth and the fin of man procureth all judgements and afflictions And I thank my God I haue learned against the Atheisme of the times some rules to direct me how to reduce particular judgements to particular causes and to father them right upon their owne deserving sinnes As 1 by denunciation in the word