this_o assembly_n have_v forefault_v his_o majesty_n favour_n in_o grant_v this_o assembly_n and_o the_o liberty_n to_o be_v member_n thereof_o and_o be_v in_o the_o same_o estate_n and_o condition_n they_o be_v in_o before_o his_o majesty_n proclamation_n and_o royal_a pardon_n because_o they_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v of_o the_o number_n of_o these_o that_o adhere_v to_o the_o last_o protestation_n that_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o they_o as_o at_o other_o time_n so_o at_o this_o to_o hold_v assembly_n notwithstanding_o any_o impediment_n or_o prorogation_n in_o the_o contrare_fw-la they_o continue_v their_o meeting_n and_o table_n discharge_v by_o authority_n refuse_v to_o subscribe_v the_o band_n according_a to_o his_o majesty_n and_o counsel_n command_v for_o maintain_v the_o king_n person_n and_o authority_n and_o protest_v against_o it_o and_o insist_v with_o the_o liedge_n to_o subscribe_v the_o band_n of_o mutual_a defence_n against_o all_o person_n whatsoever_o that_o in_o 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assembly_n whither_o in_o the_o constitution_n and_o member_n thereof_o or_o in_o the_o matter_n to_o be_v treat_v or_o manner_n of_o proceed_v we_o answer_v first_o in_o general_n they_o forfault_v not_o his_o majesty_n favour_n in_o grant_v a_o assembly_n for_o his_o majesty_n do_v not_o recall_v the_o indiction_n of_o the_o time_n and_o place_n for_o hold_v the_o assembly_n notwithstanding_o of_o all_o that_o be_v here_o allege_a and_o therefore_o they_o may_v still_v conveen_v to_o the_o place_n at_o the_o time_n appoint_v as_o for_o the_o particular_a point_n allege_v we_o answer_v pardon_n be_v offer_v upon_o condition_n of_o acquiesce_v in_o the_o king_n declaration_n and_o offer_n but_o pardon_n import_v offence_n which_o be_v deny_v therefore_o the_o condition_n of_o acquiesce_v can_v not_o be_v admit_v and_o the_o offer_v in_o the_o declaration_n be_v not_o satisfactory_a to_o their_o former_a protestation_n complaint_n supplication_n the_o assembly_n be_v grant_v absolute_o without_o any_o condition_n lest_o his_o majesty_n shall_v leave_v in_o his_o subject_n mind_v the_o least_o scruple_n and_o for_o settle_v a_o certain_a peace_n they_o protest_v that_o it_o shall_v be_v lawful_a for_o they_o be_v authorize_v with_o lawful_a commission_n as_o at_o other_o time_n when_o the_o urgent_a necessity_n of_o the_o kirk_n require_v so_o in_o this_o exigence_n to_o assemble_v themselves_o at_o the_o diet_n appoint_v for_o the_o assembly_n notwithstanding_o of_o any_o impediment_n or_o prorogation_n in_o the_o contrary_n of_o the_o lawfulness_n to_o conveen_n in_o assembly_n when_o there_o be_v urgent_a necessity_n we_o have_v set_v down_o some_o reason_n already_o and_o more_o be_v extant_a in_o print_n concern_v that_o purpose_n they_o have_v need_v to_o fear_v the_o danger_n of_o prorogation_n both_o because_o the_o present_a case_n can_v not_o suffer_v delay_n and_o doolefull_a experience_n have_v teach_v we_o that_o prorogation_n from_o diet_n to_o diet_n end_v at_o last_o in_o no_o diet_n whereby_o the_o kirk_n be_v bereave_v of_o her_o liberty_n to_o hold_v yearly_a assembly_n which_o they_o will_v now_o recover_v by_o this_o indiction_n take_v it_o for_o a_o reentry_n their_o meeting_n or_o table_n as_o the_o adversary_n call_v they_o continued_z because_o the_o cause_n continue_v prefer_v supplication_n give_v in_o complaint_n attendance_n upon_o gracious_a and_o satisfactory_a answer_n and_o performance_n of_o the_o same_o make_v protestation_n when_o there_o be_v need_n and_o yet_o in_o peaceable_a manner_n not_o in_o great_a company_n as_o at_o the_o beginning_n for_o give_v satisfaction_n to_o the_o lord_n of_o council_n they_o have_v offer_v to_o clear_v the_o necessity_n of_o their_o meeting_n and_o their_o carriage_n before_o the_o parliament_n to_o who_o they_o have_v appeal_v they_o have_v refuse_v to_o subscribe_v the_o confession_n of_o faith_n again_o at_o the_o king_n and_o counsel_n command_v after_o their_o late_a subscription_n for_o the_o reason_n already_o mention_v and_o the_o band_n for_o mantainance_n of_o the_o king_n person_n and_o authority_n because_o it_o be_v not_o the_o same_o in_o tenor_n with_o the_o old_a general_a band_n subscribe_v anno_fw-la 1590._o the_o narrative_a be_v change_v some_o line_n design_v the_o papist_n and_o their_o adherent_n to_o be_v the_o party_n threaten_v danger_n to_o religion_n and_o the_o king_n person_n be_v omit_v and_o no_o other_o party_n design_v in_o particular_a so_o that_o the_o band_n may_v be_v use_v against_o the_o covenanter_n themselves_o who_o have_v be_v tax_v for_o disorder_n disturber_n of_o the_o peace_n of_o this_o kirk_n and_o kingdom_n to_o the_o danger_n of_o religion_n and_o prejudice_n of_o his_o majesty_n authority_n as_o they_o have_v complain_v in_o their_o protestation_n they_o continue_v in_o seek_v subscription_n to_o the_o covenant_n till_o the_o hold_n of_o the_o assembly_n because_o of_o reference_n to_o the_o assembly_n his_o majesty_n commissioner_n acquiesce_v in_o their_o explanation_n of_o the_o clause_n of_o mutual_a defence_n where_o they_o declare_v their_o mutual_a defence_n of_o each_o of_o other_o be_v not_o for_o their_o own_o private_a quarrel_n but_o only_o in_o defence_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n of_o the_o law_n and_o liberty_n of_o this_o kingdom_n and_o of_o his_o majesty_n person_n and_o authority_n in_o preservation_n of_o the_o same_o what_o further_o can_v be_v just_o crave_v of_o they_o such_o as_o be_v pretend_a bishop_n have_v no_o warrant_n for_o voice_n in_o the_o general_a assembly_n unless_o they_o be_v authorize_v with_o lawful_a commission_n the_o superintendent_o and_o bishop_n presence_n of_o old_a be_v require_v more_o for_o their_o trial_n than_o any_o need_n of_o their_o voice_n but_o the_o assembly_n be_v weary_v with_o complaint_n make_v upon_o they_o and_o after_o many_o conference_n and_o much_o disputation_n find_v their_o office_n unlawful_a which_o be_v never_o since_o approve_v by_o any_o pretend_a let_v be_v lawful_a assembly_n so_o the_o custom_n of_o old_a do_v not_o serve_v such_o as_o only_o pretend_v or_o usurp_v the_o same_o office_n nor_o be_v they_o capable_a as_o minister_n of_o any_o commission_n from_o any_o presbytery_n because_o they_o have_v desert_v their_o flock_n and_o have_v no_o particular_a charge_n for_o loppen_v minister_n and_o usurp_a prelate_n shall_v have_v no_o place_n in_o the_o general_a assembly_n the_o act_n of_o parliament_n discharge_v the_o impugn_n of_o any_o of_o the_o three_o estate_n or_o procure_v the_o innovation_n or_o diminution_n of_o their_o power_n be_v make_v in_o a_o troublesome_a time_n in_o the_o year_n 1584._o be_v protest_v against_o when_o it_o be_v proclaim_v with_o other_o act_n that_o three_o estate_n of_o prelate_n suffer_v innovation_n and_o diminution_n of_o their_o estate_n within_o three_o year_n after_o by_o the_o act_n of_o annexation_n anno_fw-la 1587._o and_o in_o consideration_n of_o the_o great_a decay_n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a estate_n these_o be_v the_o word_n of_o the_o 113._o act_n follow_v the_o commissioner_n of_o small_a baron_n and_o freeholder_a be_v declare_v to_o be_v member_n of_o the_o parliament_n to_o sit_v upon_o the_o article_n and_o vote_n in_o public_a to_o supply_v that_o decay_n so_o there_o may_v be_v three_o estate_n without_o the_o ecclesiastical_a or_o bishop_n and_o the_o act_n of_o parliament_n follow_v be_v make_v by_o the_o estate_n howbeit_o there_o be_v then_o no_o bishop_n yea_o act_n be_v make_v against_o bishop_n as_o anno_fw-la 1592._o howbeit_o minister_n be_v not_o prelate_n yet_o other_o who_o have_v the_o prelacy_n vote_v as_o the_o three_o estate_n for_o it_o be_v in_o respect_n of_o their_o barony_n that_o such_o as_o have_v prelacy_n vote_v in_o parliament_n whither_o they_o be_v minister_n or_o not_o by_o the_o act_n of_o parliament_n 1597._o minister_n provide_v to_o bishopric_n abbacy_n priory_n be_v declare_v to_o have_v vote_n in_o parliament_n but_o without_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o kirk_n
such_o office_n they_o pretend_v that_o none_o of_o they_o will_v decline_v the_o lawful_a trial_n of_o any_o competent_a judicatory_a in_o the_o kingdom_n especial_o of_o a_o general_a assembly_n lawful_o constitute_v or_o his_o majesty_n commissioner_n or_o laic_n have_v authority_n and_o commission_n from_o sovereign_a authority_n they_o will_v be_v sure_a to_o have_v such_o a_o judge_n as_o shall_v acquit_v they_o or_o none_o at_o all_o a_o assembly_n like_v to_o their_o own_o pretend_a assembly_n see_v the_o whole_a pack_n of_o they_o be_v complain_v upon_o and_o for_o crime_n common_a to_o they_o all_o where_o shall_v we_o find_v other_o bishop_n and_o metropolitan_o to_o sit_v in_o judgement_n upon_o they_o what_o need_v any_o further_a answer_n but_o that_o it_o be_v manifest_a by_o sundry_a passage_n of_o this_o their_o declinator_n that_o they_o will_v not_o and_o because_o guilty_a dare_v not_o stand_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o a_o general_a assembly_n constitut_v as_o the_o last_o be_v according_a to_o the_o establish_a order_n and_o practice_v of_o our_o kirk_n and_o therefore_o be_v just_o cut_v off_o as_o rot_a member_n from_o the_o body_n after_o the_o reason_n of_o their_o declinator_n and_o refusal_n of_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o assembly_n they_o come_v to_o their_o protest_n first_o for_o the_o reason_n aforesaid_a and_o for_o discharge_v of_o their_o duty_n to_o god_n to_o his_o kirk_n and_o to_o our_o sacred_a sovereign_n least_o by_o their_o silence_n they_o betray_v the_o kirk_n right_a and_o their_o own_o conscience_n that_o they_o in_o their_o own_o name_n and_o in_o behalf_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n be_v force_v to_o protest_v that_o this_o assembly_n be_v repute_n and_o hold_v null_n in_o law_n and_o that_o no_o kirk-man_n be_v hold_v to_o appear_v assist_v approve_v it_o and_o therefore_o that_o no_o letter_n petition_z subscription_n interloquitor_n certification_n admonition_n or_o other_o act_n whatsoever_o proceed_v from_o the_o say_a assembly_n or_o any_o member_n thereof_o shall_v be_v any_o way_n prejudicial_a to_o the_o religion_n and_o confession_n of_o faith_n by_o act_n of_o parliament_n establish_v nor_o to_o the_o kirk_n or_o any_o member_n thereof_o nor_o to_o the_o jurisdiction_n liberty_n privilege_n rent_n benefice_n possession_n of_o the_o same_o act_n of_o general_a assembly_n council_n or_o parliament_n in_o favour_n thereof_o nor_o to_o the_o three_o estate_n of_o the_o kingdom_n or_o to_o any_o of_o they_o nor_o to_o themselves_o or_o any_o of_o they_o in_o their_o person_n or_o estate_n authority_n jurisdiction_n dignity_n rent_n benefice_n reputation_n and_o good_a name_n but_o that_o all_o such_o act_n and_o deed_n be_v and_o shall_v be_v repute_n unjust_a illegal_a and_o null_a in_o themselves_o with_o all_o that_o have_v follow_v or_o may_v follow_v thereupon_o if_o their_o reason_n allege_v be_v find_v frivolous_a as_o they_o be_v by_o the_o assembly_n and_o be_v clear_v so_o to_o be_v by_o this_o answer_n their_o protest_n be_v not_o worth_a a_o fig._n they_o protest_v in_o name_n of_o the_o kirk_n of_o scotland_n when_o as_o they_o will_v not_o acknowledge_v her_o commissioner_n free_o choose_v nor_o her_o assembly_n constitute_v according_a to_o the_o establish_a order_n nor_o any_o other_o assembly_n constitute_v according_a to_o the_o say_a order_n but_o will_v have_v this_o assembly_n and_o consequent_o this_o kirk_n to_o be_v their_o party_n and_o yet_o will_v protest_v profess_v as_o they_o be_v in_o name_n and_o behalf_n of_o this_o kirk_n afraid_a be_v they_o that_o some_o thing_n shall_v be_v do_v prejudicial_a to_o religion_n and_o the_o confession_n of_o faith_n establish_v by_o parliament_n mean_v that_o which_o be_v extant_a in_o the_o act_n of_o parliament_n but_o pass_v by_o the_o confession_n swear_v to_o and_o subscribe_v by_o subject_n of_o all_o rank_n throughout_o the_o whole_a realm_n and_o by_o themselves_o we_o acknowledge_v not_o act_n of_o null_n and_o pretend_a assembly_n we_o interpret_v not_o every_o act_n of_o council_n or_o parliament_n procure_v or_o assent_v to_o by_o they_o or_o make_v in_o their_o favour_n to_o be_v make_v in_o favour_n of_o the_o kirk_n the_o kirk_n herself_o must_v be_v judge_n of_o the_o favour_n bestow_v on_o she_o if_o their_o authority_n jurisdiction_n dignity_n rent_n benefice_n reputation_n good_a name_n etc._n etc._n be_v prejudicial_a to_o the_o authority_n jurisdiction_n liberty_n and_o the_o spiritual_a welfaire_n of_o the_o kirk_n good_a reason_n the_o estate_n of_o the_o kirk_n be_v prefer_v to_o the_o estate_n of_o some_o few_o factious_a man_n there_o may_v be_v three_o estate_n without_o the_o bastard_n estate_n of_o bishop_n abbot_n pryor_n erect_v in_o time_n of_o popish_a darkness_n they_o protest_v next_o if_o the_o assembly_n call_v in_o question_n discuss_v and_o condemn_v thing_n not_o only_o in_o themselves_o lawful_a and_o warrandable_a but_o also_o define_v and_o determine_v by_o act_n of_o general_a assembly_n and_o parliament_n and_o in_o practice_v according_o to_o the_o disgrace_n and_o prejudice_n of_o the_o reform_a religion_n authority_n of_o the_o law_n and_o liberty_n of_o the_o kirk_n and_o kingdom_n weaken_v his_o majesty_n authority_n disgrace_v the_o profession_n and_o practice_n he_o hold_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o kirk_n where_o he_o live_v and_o brand_a of_o reform_a kirk_n with_o the_o foul_a aspersion_n of_o idolatry_n and_o superstition_n that_o what_o shall_v be_v do_v in_o this_o kind_n may_v not_o redound_v to_o the_o disgrace_n or_o disadvantage_n of_o the_o reform_a religion_n nor_o be_v repute_v a_o deed_n of_o the_o kirk_n of_o scotland_n the_o assembly_n have_v condemn_v nothing_o lawful_a and_o warrandable_o define_v and_o determine_v before_o in_o assembly_n or_o parliament_n and_o practise_v according_o they_o intend_v not_o to_o weaken_v his_o majesty_n authority_n disgrace_n his_o practice_n and_o profession_n or_o brand_v any_o reform_a kirk_n with_o soul_n aspersion_n but_o only_o to_o reform_v the_o abuse_n and_o corruption_n enter_v in_o their_o own_o kirk_n and_o to_o oppose_v to_o what_o more_o be_v likely_a to_o have_v enter_v with_o the_o receive_v the_o service_n book_n and_o book_n of_o canon_n without_o relation_n to_o any_o other_o kirk_n if_o any_o disgrace_n redound_v to_o other_o it_o be_v but_o per_fw-la accidens_fw-la and_o it_o may_v be_v retort_v that_o their_o canon_n and_o constitution_n be_v intend_v for_o the_o disgrace_n of_o our_o kirk_n which_o we_o do_v not_o affirm_v next_o they_o must_v distinguish_v betwixt_o a_o free_a kirkand_fw-mi a_o kirk_n lie_v in_o thraldom_n but_o the_o decliner_n will_v have_v we_o to_o refuse_v nothing_o which_o be_v receive_v in_o any_o other_o reform_v kirk_n if_o the_o same_o be_v impose_v lest_o they_o be_v disgrace_v by_o our_o refusal_n which_o be_v to_o make_v up_o a_o fine_a hotchpotch_n they_o protest_v that_o they_o embrace_v and_o hold_v the_o religion_n present_o profess_v according_a to_o the_o confession_n of_o faith_n ratify_v in_o parliament_n anno_fw-la 1567._o as_o the_o true_a religion_n and_o detest_v all_o contrary_a error_n but_o they_o make_v no_o account_n nor_o mention_n of_o that_o confession_n where_o contrary_a error_n be_v specify_v or_o design_v and_o it_o appear_v for_o no_o other_o cause_n but_o that_o they_o perceive_v the_o episcopal_a government_n and_o other_o innovation_n which_o they_o be_v to_o introduce_v to_o be_v abjure_v by_o that_o confession_n which_o be_v a_o tacit_a yield_v to_o the_o true_a meaning_n and_o sense_n deliver_v by_o the_o last_o assembly_n in_o their_o declaration_n they_o protest_v that_o the_o episcopal_a government_n be_v lawful_a and_o necessary_a and_o that_o the_o same_o be_v not_o oppose_v for_o any_o defect_n or_o fault_n in_o the_o government_n or_o governor_n but_o by_o the_o malice_n and_o craft_n of_o the_o devil_n envy_v the_o success_n of_o that_o government_n these_o many_o year_n bypass_v it_o have_v be_v condemn_v by_o our_o kirk_n as_o unlawful_a and_o hurtful_a yet_o they_o dare_v contradict_v and_o protest_v it_o to_o be_v lawful_a and_o necessary_a that_o government_n which_o be_v not_o warrand_v by_o the_o word_n and_o overthrow_v the_o joint_a government_n of_o pastor_n and_o elder_n which_o be_v warrand_v by_o the_o word_n can_v not_o but_o be_v faulty_a if_o the_o government_n be_v faulty_a the_o governor_n can_v not_o but_o be_v faulty_a in_o govern_v the_o devil_n can_v not_o envy_v the_o success_n of_o so_o faulty_a a_o government_n as_o have_v bring_v in_o the_o antichrist_n to_o sit_v in_o the_o temple_n of_o god_n suppose_v there_o be_v no_o fault_n in_o the_o government_n but_o that_o it_o be_v lawful_a and_o necessary_a but_o what_o mean_n have_v they_o come_v by_o it_o or_o what_o moderation_n have_v they_o keep_v after_o their_o usurp_n of_o it_o intrarunt_fw-la ut_fw-la vulpes_fw-la regnarunt_fw-la ut_fw-la
lean_v but_o how_o prove_v they_o the_o success_n of_o their_o government_n to_o have_v be_v such_o as_o the_o devil_n can_v not_o but_o envy_v it_o by_o the_o plant_n of_o kirk_n with_o able_a and_o learned_a miinister_n recover_v of_o the_o kirk_n rent_n help_v of_o minister_n stipend_n prevent_v jar_n betwixt_o the_o king_n and_o the_o kirk_n which_o in_o former_a time_n do_v dangerous_o infest_v the_o same_o keep_v the_o people_n in_o peace_n and_o obedience_n and_o supprese_v of_o poprie_fw-la which_o be_v never_o at_o so_o low_a a_o ebb_n as_o before_o the_o stir_n they_o have_v plant_v many_o kirk_n with_o unsufficient_a or_o scandalous_a minister_n or_o corrupter_n of_o religion_n and_o perverter_n of_o the_o people_n they_o have_v recover_v great_a rent_n to_o themselves_o and_o will_v recover_v the_o rent_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o prelacy_n to_o build_v up_o the_o crownest_n again_o they_o have_v procure_v by_o the_o moyen_fw-fr they_o have_v augmentation_n of_o 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