necessarie he shall sweare to subscribe and fulfill under the penalties foresayd and otherwise not to be admitted 9 And in case he be deposed by the general Assembly Synod or Presbyterie from his office of the ministery he shall also tyne his vote in Parliament ipso facto and his benefice shall vaike And further caution to be made as the kirk pleases and findes occasion anent his name that for the kirk should vote in parliament it is advised by vniforme consent of the whole brethren that he shall bee called commissioner of such a place It is also statute and ordained that none of them that shall haue vote in Parliament shall come as commissioners to any generall Assembly nor have vote in the same in any time comming except he be authorized with a commission from his own presbyterie to that effect It is moreover found by the Assembly that crimâ—u ambitus shall bee a sufficient cause of deprivation of him that shall have vote in parliament Sess 8. The generall Assembly having reasoned aâ— length the question anent his commission who shall vote in Parliament whether he should endure for his life time except some crime or offence intervene or for a shorter time at the pleasure of the Kirk Findes and decernes that he shall annuatim giue accompt of his commission obtained from the Assemblie and lay down the same at their feet to be continued or altered therefrom by his Majestie and the Assemblie as the Assem with consent of his Maâ— shall think expedient to the weale of the Kirke Whose whole conclusions being read in audience of the whole assembly and they being ripely advised therewith ratified allowed and approved the same and thought expedient that the said Cautions together with such others as shal be concluded upon by the Assemblie be insert in the bodie of the Act of Parliament that is to be made for confirmation of vote in Parliament to the Kirk as most necessarie and substantiall parts of the same Then briefly to assume and conclude but so it is that their new L. B. neither in the entrie to their office nor yet in their behaviour therein hitherto haue kept one jot of these constitutions and cautions but hath broken all therefore such roomes and offices should not be confirmed to them in this present Parliament CHAP. VII That the Office of Bishoprie is against the lawes of this Realme OVr Soveraigne the Kings most excellent Majestie came into the world and entered to his Kingdome of this Realme with the cleare light of the Gospell and the establishing of a reformed Kirk therfore as a most godly and Christian Prince hath in his all Parliaments confirmed ratified and approved the freedome and libertie of the true Kirk of God and religion publickly professed within his Majestie Realme as in his first Parliament holden by his Majesties good Regent the Earle of Murray Likewise in his Highnesse second holden by his grandfather the Earl of Lennox the same is ratified in the first Act of his first Parliament holden after the taking of the governement in his Highnesse own person Also in the first of his sixt Parliament holden at Edinburgh the 20 of October 1579. Our Soveraigne Lord with advice and consent of his three Estates and whole bodie of this present Parliament ratifies approues all and whatsoever Acts Statutes made of before by his Highnes with advice of his Regents in his own reigne or his Predecessors anent the libertie and freedom of the true Kirk of God and religion now presently professed within this realme and specially c. The second act of the same sixt Parliament is expresly for the jurisdiction of the Kirk which is there said to consist stand in the preaching of Iesus Christ correction of manners and adminstration of the holy Sacraments and declares that there is no other face of a Kirk nor other face of Religion then is presently by the favour of God established within this realme And that there be no other Iurisdiction Ecclesiasticall acknowledged within this Realm other then that which is shal be within the same kirk or that which flowes there from concerning the premisses And in his Majesties seventh Parliament at Edinburgh October 1581. In the first Act there is a generall ratification of the libertie of the true Kirk of God and confirmation of all the Actes and Lawes made to that effect before by particular rehearsall and catalogue and amongst the rest The ratification of the libertie of the true Kirk of God and religion and anent the Iurisdiction of the Kirk of God twice And after the Kings perfect age of 21 yeares in the eleventh Parliament At Edinburgh Iuly 1587 there is a cleare and full ratification of all Lawes made anent the libertie of the Kirk Now if any will say what is all these Actes against the Bishops I say direct for whatsoever is for the Ministers Presbyters and Assemblies is against the Bishops But so it is that all these Acts are for theÌ„ because as we haue shown the doctrine and constitutions of the Ministers Assemblies hath been ever since the reformation against the corruption of Bishops and that is the freedom libertie and discipline of the Kirk which is confirmed for verification whereof we alledge first the Confession of faith confirmed by Parliament and registred among the Actes thereof wherein the 19 Article anent the notes of the true Kirk ye haue last Ecclesiasticall Discipline uprightly ministred as Gods word prescrived But so it is that out of the Word the doctrine of the Ministers hath been against the Bishops as also the discipline set down in the Generall Assemblies Next that the first Act of his Majesties Acts of Parliament Our soveraigne Lord with advice of his three estates and whole bodie of this present Parliament hath declared and declares the Ministers of the blessed Evangell of Iesus Christ whom God of his mercie hath now raised up to be the true and holy Kirk Thirdly that golden Act which clearely crownes and formally concludes the cause viz. the first Act of the 12 Parliament of King James the 6. At Edinburgh Iunii 1592 intitulate Ratification of the libertie of the true Kirk of generall and synodall Assemblies of the Presbyteries of Discipline which speakes this plainly in the end Item our Soveraigne Lord and Estates in Parliament foresaid abrogates casses and annulles the Act of Parliament made in anno 1584 granting commission to B. and other Iudges constitute in Ecclesiasticall causes to receiue his Highnesse presentation to Benefices and giue collation thereupon and to put order in all causes Ecclesiasticall which his Majestie and Estates foresaid declares to be expired in it selfe and to be null in time comming and of none availe Force nor effect And therfore ordaines all presentations of Benefices to be direct to particular Presbyteries in all time comming with full power to giue collation thereupon and to put order to all manners and causes
Tâ—â— Course of Conformitie As it 〈◊〉 proceeded Is concluded Should be refused PSALM 94.20 Shall the throne of iniquitie haue fellowship with me which frameth mischiefe by a law Printed in the yeare 1622. THE PREFACE TO THE READER IN the restlesse revolution of this troublesome 〈◊〉 driving everie person and purpose to their app◠〈…〉 all being under vanitie one generation passe◠〈…〉 other succeedeth with as many grievous novelti◠〈◊〉 â—ge alterations Mutation the inseparable companion of â—â—â—â—on like a Princesse presuming upon the kingdome kirks and families of the earth But by the soveraigne providence of that unchangeable God who directeth the steps of man and â—â—th put in his own power the time to plant and the time to pluck up that which is planted is so oversweyed in the most variable and different humors of men so limited that some as the scoffers of the last dayes laughing at mutation say Where is the promise of his comming Others to wit the wicked man in his prosperitie persecuteth the poore saying he shall never be moved A third sort viz. the slavish time-server like soft waxe flexible to every nâ—w forme boweth to mutation making her variant colours his crowne and contentment And the best sort the wise Christian hating change and loving constancie striveth to walk circumspectly redeeming the time from the dangerous currant All these and others whatsoever whether by sinne irregular or by grace sincere and straight by supreme wisedome are so disposed that they must needs serve the holy proiects of Iustice and Mercie for the honour of God and salvation of his chosen In this continuall course Mutation so prevaileth upon succeeding generations that as they are distant from the first times they decline from primitiue innocencie and as they approach to the later dayes they participate of their evils Yea so forcible is Defection the daughter of this Mutation in the congregations of the faithfull that the vacant places of the righteous departed are seldome or never filled againe their labours followeth them and they are forgotten If the kirk bee in Aegypt Ioseph dieth and there ariseth a new king there who knew not Ioseph When the people enters into the land Iosua and that generation is gathered to their fathers and another generation ariseth up after them which neither knoweth the Lord nor the works which he had done for Israel by Moses and Iosua in Aegypt at the red sea in the wildernesse and at the entrance into the promised land And in the land it selfe after Athaliahs troubles Ioash whose life was saved by Iehoiada and in whose dayes he did that which was righteous in the sight of the Lord after his death hâ—arkneth to the Princes who make obeysance to the King and leaving the house of the Lord God of their fathers serve idols but Ioash remembreth not the kindnesse done by Iehoiada but slayeth his sonne As by these strange alterations fearfull eclipses were brought upon the face of common honesty likely to banish religion out of the earth so under the ends of the world surpassing the preceeding generations in loue decayed and iniquitie multitiplied if it were not the rich mercy and undeserved loue of the Lord not to suffer the rod of the wicked to rest upoÌ„ the lot of the righteous but now and then in the middest of confusions brought on by Mutation to refresh them under the sweet shadowes of peace and prosperitie the very elect could hardly escape If adversitie beare the sway the people of God are in hazard to put out their hands to evill and if prosperitie prevaile then the kingdome of heaven is likened unto a man who sowed good seed in his field but while men slept his enemie came and sowed tares among the wheat which may not be gathered up till the harvest lest the wheat also be rooted up with them When the Lord his field shall be once infected with such venemous mixture of false teachers their foolish disciples renouncing their own libertie slavishly submitting themselues without triall to follow their seducers in lasciviousnes and avarice for atchieving their own vitious hopes if Israel were not poured from vessel to vessel they should freeze upon their dreggs like Moab so loose not only their comely countenance but the health and life of their substantiall estate the deceitful colours of these supervenient weeds so dazling the eyes of the common sort for the most part more naturall then spirituall and either vailed with black ignorance or blind hypocrisie that religioÌ„ in her natiue simplicitie purity seemeth to them an handmaid rather then a mistres if she bee not busked with some new guise of one alteration or other In this change if a Priest or a Levit or any of the ancient shall happen to weep for the first Temple by the meanes of mutation thus dâ—faced or enquire for the old way by ignorance in the reasonlesse multitude by pride in high places and perversitie of reputed learning he maketh himselfe a prey a troubler of Israel and not meet to liue There ariseth no small stirre about that way whole cities are filled with confusion and the cry goeth up for the Diana of the time If Paul himselfe were gotten he would not passe with pestilent fellow but stone him to the death before he be heard yea when the furie of Mutation inflameth the minds of Barbarians if they see a viper of adversity on a mans hand they say surely he is a murtherer and if no inconvenience follow he is a God So madly are the hearts of men set in them privily to blind themselues with the beams of their own particulars and the world with open shew of seeming zeale for justice and religion The toyles tossings of these Circaean changes are ever so unsavourie to a man of a quiet spirit that if the wronged innocencie of a just cause shamelesse violence done to the rights priviledges of religion and the intolerable pride practised against famous kirks vnheard could be closed up in any tolerable silence honest men knowing very well that the railings of reprochers never woundeth a good conscience could rather choose to sustaine a legion of bitter aspersions for peace to preach the Gospell then either to interrupt their owne tranquilitie or giue the least cause of suspition to any that they were brought from the sweet course of their pure peaceable and simple wisedome to contend for their impured fame and reputation and so to hinder the preaching of Christ For what matter is it though men be despised disgraced and scorned so long as the Lord may bee honoured thereby But when the night of securitie shall bee so dark and shamelesse pride ascend to such a height that not onely the lower sort but men of great spirits and places can with a deafe eare passe by the wrongs done to sincere professours faithfull ministers and martyrs of good memorie but by a sort of brutish patience suffer a substantiall truth to be borne down
That this Bishoprie is against the confession of faith called the Kings Maiesties confession sworne and subscrived at two divers times viz. in anno 1581 when it was first published and againe anno 1590. published with a general band for the maintenance of true religion and his Maiesties estate and person by his Maiestie his Queen and houshold and all estates of the Realme c. THE words of that confession for this purpose are these We abhorre and detest all contrary religion and doctrine chiefly all kind of Papistrie in generall and particular even as they are now damned and confuted by the word of God and kirk of Scotland and in speciall the Popes worldly monarchy and wicked Hierarchie his crossing annointing c. And finally we detest all his vain rites signes and traditions brought into the kirk without or against the word of God and doctrine of this true reformed kirk to the which we ioyne our selves willingly in doctrine faith religion discipline and use of the holy sacraments as liuely members of the same in Christ our head Promising and swearing by the great name of the Lord our God that we shall continue in the obedience of the doctrine and discipline of this kirk and shall defend the same according to our vocation and power all the dayes of our lives vnder the paines contained in the Law and danger both of body and soule in the day of Gods fearfull judgements And after a few lines Wee therefore willing to take away all suspicion of hypocrisie and of double dealing with God and his Kirk protest and call the searcher of all hearts to witnesse that our mindes and hearts doe fully agree with this our confession promise oath and subscription So that we are not moved for any worldly respect but are perswaded onely in our consciences through the knowledge and loue of Gods true Religion printed in our hearts by the holy Spirit as we shall answer to him in the day when the secrets of all hearts shall bee disclosed Then if so be that the setting up of Bishops will throw down the discipline of our Kirk or if that office hath any thing to do with these corruptions of Papistrie Antichristian hierarchy The King our Soveraigne his most excellent and Christian Majestie and his Highnesse most ancient religious noble Estates of Parlament if there were no other reason but this one would not for all the world fall under the danger of so horrible a perjurie against God to set up Bishops again yea and if it were no more but respect of civil honesty honor estimation before the world they would not be inferiour to Herod in releiving the religion of an oath and great name of God interponed namely this Confession of faith being put in print twise within the realme by speciall command and priviledge translated in all vulgar languages throghout Europe yea and at his Maiesties coronation in England put in Latine and published a new againe by that common post of the world in our age Mercurius Gallobelgicus But so it is as all men know that the discipline and government of the kirk exercised by Presbyteries and by Bishops are so opposed one to another that when the one is set up the other must down of force Therefore the subscrivers and swearers of the former confession if they should as God forbid be about to set up Bishops and Episcopall governement they could not eschew the crime of horrible pâ—rjurie execrable Apostasie and most cursed repairing again of Iericho from the which the Lord preserve his most excellent Maiesty and honourable Estates of this present parlaiment And if any man doubteth what was the discipline of the kirk of Scotland at the first subscriving and swearing of that confession let them seek the Register of the general Assembly holden at Glasgow to the which it was presented together with a platforme of the whole Presbyteries to be established throughout the Realme by the Laird of Caprinton coÌ„missioner for his maiestie to the sayd assembly in the yeare of God 1581 they shal find that the Bishopries were wholly abolished in the assembly holden at Dundie the yeare immediatly preceeding So that without al questioÌ„ â—t is meant of the discipline of the kirk exercised by Presbyteries Synods and generall Assemblies directly opponed to the corruption and tyranny of Bishops as vvas clearly defined and ratified in Parliament After the second subscriving anew againe of the sayd confession in the yeare 1592. In end seeing these same men who now would be Bishops haue once or twice sworne and subscrived this confession it marvels me vvith what forehead they can be about a purpose so quite contrary thereto CHAP. VI. That this office of Bishoprie is against the constitutions of the Kirk of Scotland in her Assemblies MAister Knox following the light of holy Scripture and the advice of Theodor Beza as he had preached continually so immediatly before his departure he wrote to the generall Assemblie convened at Striveling in the yeare 1571 in these words Vnfaithfull and traytors to the stockes shall yee bee before the Lord Iesus if that with your consent directly or indirectly yee suffer unworthy men to be thrust in within the ministerie of the Kirke under what pretence that ever it be Remember the Iudge before whom yee must make an account and resist that tyrannie as yee would avoyd hells fire And this letter is registrat in the acts of the sayd Assembly In the generall Assemblie convened at Edinburgh in March 1572 sess 7. M. Iohn Spottiswood superintendent of Lawthiane gaue in this article It is neither agreeable to the word of God nor practise of the primitiue Kirke that the spirituall administration of the word and sacraments and the ministration of the civill and criminal justice should be so confounded that one person may occupie both the cures Wherfore the whol Assem refused the Earle of Morton then Regent his desire to make ministers sessioners in the colledge of Iustice From that assembly unto the assembly holden at Dundie Iuly 1580 the corruption of the Bishoprie vvas more and more espect unto the time the vvhole Assem being ripely advised and fully resolved all in one voyce yeelded as followeth Forasmuch as the office of a Bishop as it is now used and commonly taken within this realme hath no warrant authoritie nor ground in the word of God but is brought in by the folly and corruption of mans invention to the great overthrow of the Kirk of God The whole assembly of the Kirk in one voyce after libertie given to all men to reason in the matter none opponing himselfe in defending the sayd pretended office Findes and declares the same pretended office used and tearmed as is aboue sayd unlawfull in it selfe as having neither fundament ground nor warrant in the scriptures of God and ordaines that all such persons as bruikes or shall bruike hereafter the sayd office shall bee charged simply to dimit
as best expressing the causes of that honorable meeting Epaph. Left you or I either should be mistaken behold the true copie thereof Proclamation of the Parliament IAMES by the grace of God King of great Britaine France and Ireland defender of the faith Forasmuch as we know â—â—â—ll that the happinesse strength and glory of a Monarchy free from tyranny and confusion is builded upon the mutuall loue betwixt the king and his subiects expressed by the one in a fatherly care to maintaine his countries in a secure peace flourishing with religion and iustice and by the others in a loyall and submissâ—e obedience to their Princes will and commandement accompanied with a heartie and affectioned offering of all supply and ayd to the vpholding and increase of his estate and honour with their goods and bodies Which reciprocall bonds as layd in by nature and birth upon king and people albeit no new contract can tie or shike off yet are they with solemnitie in a sort renewed at the Assemblies of Parliaments wherein the subiects according to the occurrent necessities of the Princes affaires offer to him their best supply and helpe and hee returneth to them satisfaction and ease of their just grievances pardons for transgression of the lawes ratifications and acts in favours of particular persons estates and corporations with the establishment of such new lawes as the time doth require And wee having now appointed a Parliament in our kingdome of Scotland to be holden and begin vpon the first day of Iune next wherein as the importance and necessitie of our adoâ—s givâ—th â—s just hope for to looke for a supply to bee granted to us by our suâ—jects in our sayd kingdome in a greater measure then hath been at any time heretofore So are we most willing that they should haue all contentment in having either generall lawes or particular acts authorized by our royall consent which being ripely advised shall bee found expedient to passe But because our long experience hath taught us how that divers persons partly by ignorance and partly by fraud are accustomed presuming upon the short time of the sitting of our Parliament to giue in many â—illes and articles to those who are appointed to sit upon the same conteining matter preiudiciall to our crowne or other our good subiects which shortnes of time and multitude of businesse permitteth not to be so narrowly examined as need were And for this cause we haue appointed a certaine number of our counsell to meet some dayes before the sayd parliament and to consider of all billes petitions and articles which shall be exhibit to them by our Clerk of Register Therefore our will and pleasure is that all such at intend to giue in any articles to be past in this approching Parliament deliver the same to our Clerk of Register before the twentie day of May next Otherwise the same shall not bee receiued read nor voted in our sayd parliament except the same be past under our own hand And that yee make publication hereof at the market crosse of our Burgh of Edinburgh to the end that none of our subiects pretend ignorance Given at our palace at Westminster the 21 of Aprill 1621. Archip Was there no further done for convocation Epaph. Missiue letters and precepts were directed according to the ordinary custome from his Maiesties Counsell to all Noblemen of the land Marquises Earles Vicounts Lords Barons Commissioners of Shires Bishops and Burrowes Archip. I see not a word in the proclamation of the fiue Articles and I see a faâ—re occasion offered to the kirk or any of her members to give in their petitions according to their feares or desires Epaph. The cover of the subsidie will not let you see them grope rather Videndi ficultas omnes attingit attrectandi vero pâ—â—â—â—s duntaxat Machiavel What was done in the petition yee shall see The corporations of the kingdome in privat persons as they had their publick or privat affaires to be done in Parliament as they were wakened and warned by this occasion according to their customable priviledges appointed and kept their ordinary meetings for preparing their petitions and articles to be timously presented according to the wil of the proclamation But a necessarie corporation divers ministers and members thereof under great necessities and need of support from the compassion at hands of that high and honourable meeting being deprived not onely of the ancient vigorous generall assembly but of the weak image thereof and in that respect of wonted order and Councell for preparing their desires and authorizing commissioners to present the same vvas left unrespected and desolate Archip. Yet his Maiesties proclamation not onely permitting but inviting and the concurrence of so many weightie causes inforcing as the great growth of corruptions boldnesse of Papists and increase of Paâ—â—stry rather plaistered then punished and the distractions of the Kirke now turned into persecution of the Ministers and grievous offenâ—e of the faithfull professors like a fire devouring and wasting all vnitie order and brotherly kindnesse with no small danger to the state of religion the ministers of dutie ought and without wrong or offence to any might haue presented their humble â—etion Epaph. Chien oâ— chaudè â—aâ—t lâ— causroide Ye may guesse at the difficultie of that dutie by your owne disposition and retirednes at that time yet it pleased the Lord to move the ministers in most quiet and peaceable maner to joyne their hearts and hands in this forme of supplication Supplication presented to the Parliament in name of the Kirk May it please your Honours in this present Parliament assembled under the high and excellent Maiestie of our deare and dread Soveraigne to accept and consider the humble petition of your wearied and broken hearted Brethren Ministers and people obsieged under higher paines then â—â—sse of life libertie goods and fame for Sions sake not to hold their tongue but to call and cry to the God of Heaven and the gods of the earth that peace may be within her walles and prosperitie within her palaces ALthough it were more expedient to weepe then to say ought when we see the Lords armie disordered his companie broken and in the chock betwixt Christian and Turke Protestant and Papist some of his worthies put from their places and others turned if not to the enemies campe yet labouring for his cause Neverthelesse having this happy occasion of his Highnesse fatherly care providence and inclination to distribute iustice and mercie among his Maiesties people to whom by right pertâ—ines the worthy comforts and advantages which the King of Kings hath inclosed in hiâ— Royall scepter to bee delivered forth and disposed according to the occasions presented and the reciprocall consideration in his Highnesse lâ—t proclamation expressed as also of this high Court and of your Honours compassionate intercession for our quietnesse and deliverance from injuries alreadie felt and further feared wee are even forced to speake though not
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
preparatiue in the hearts of the commonlie who mâ—â—sâ—â—e religion more by the externall maske of ceremonies then by substanâ—iall poynts of doctrine to the receiving againe of whole Poperie a terrible renting of this kirke inducing Atheisme in place of Religion the people noâ— knowing what to beleeue and seeing the observation of Yuile obtained which before discharged by Act of Parliament in all pulpits of Scotland was sufficiently declared to bee the invention and tradition of man to bee will worship superstition entertaining the people in an errour anent the the birth of Christ leading them to all sort of excesse and profanation and Geniâ—ulation the first of the 15 ceremonies of the Masse teste Bâ—llarmino a gesture invented and ordained onely by Antichrist more than 1300 yeares after Christ aâ— the principall externall worship of their â—â—â—den god now inforced in the 〈◊〉 of the Lords supper under pretence of indifferencie more reverence and humilitie As though we were not forbidden praecepto negativo to presume to giue or receiâ—e the communion more reverently then Christ and his Disciples did or that we were not commanded praecepto affirmativo to imitate Christ in all his religious actions neither miraculous nor admirable nor having a particular reason restricting them to that time 〈◊〉 though we were not warranted praecepto comparativo rather to imitate Christ with a table gesture in that holy banquet then Antichrist with a gesture of adoration inductiue to Idolatry or as though a man were able to give a reason why the surplice the crosse and the elevation of the bread may not as well be received being of more antiquitâ—â— and if the Minister having a surplice with crossing elevat the â—read and the people how their knee what want we of a Masse Voâ— semelde erratum est in praeceps devenitur Fourthly because if the high commission bee imboldened by ratification of this Parliament to depriue Ministers that will stand out against these ceremonies being the greatest number of the best qualified most painfull and fruitfull of their calling within the land what a lamentable desolation shall it draw upon this Church what a wound shall it be to every godly heart to see their faithfull Pastors deprived warded and â—â—n sâ—â—â—l forgiving the communion as Christ gave it and refusing to giâ—â—â—â— fâ—â—r the forme of antichrist Is this a time to obtrude Antichâ—â—stiâ—â—â—â—remonies in the kirk when the blooâ—y sword of Antichrist is 〈◊〉 in the bloud of so many thousand protestants in France and Germanie Lastly 〈◊〉 it was never seen that this Parliament confirmed the acts of â—â—y assembly which they know was called in question not onely by a great number of the speciall of the ministerie but also by the greatest part of the most zealous profâ—â—â—â—our of the whole boâ—y of the kingdome as is mâ—nifâ—st by the practise of Edinburgh seeking the Lords supper in thousâ—â—â— without the citie An admonition to the well affected Nobilitie Barone and burgesses Commissioners in this present Parliament Admonitions to the same effect DOE not your Honours now at last perceiue how mightily the Mysterie of iniquitie the spirit of Antichrist the power of darknesse and delusion prevâ—iles amongst us in the judgement of God presuppose not in the intention of man which we presume not to search but leaue to the Lord the searcher of hearts If Papists goe free who used to be fined if professors be counted Puritanes and religion disgraced if patrons of Poperie be set at libertie and the faithfull committed if Seminarie Priests goe abroad and true Pastors be confined and imprisoned if sea ports be patent to forraine Papists and banished Ministers lye vnrecalled if sundry statesmen be small friends to true profession and not unfriends to Papistry if time servers and men pleasers usurpe commission for Christâ— kirk being her greatest enemies if Papists do incroach and professors grow â—old If it be discharged that search be made for mass-priests or that these foxes being discovered should be apprehended as your honours may try whose intelligence is better is not there the sound of the sound of the fâ—â—t of Popery at the doores whereunto the Lord hath long threatned to câ—â—t us The discipline of Christs kirk is already welneere destroyed and turned Antichristian by the usurpation and tyranny of our Prelats The worship of God is next and now among your hands which if ye suffer to be polluted by the Romish leaven of their unhallowed rites as sundry of the ministery unwisely haue done we may iustly feare the corruption of doctrine and so all is gone Consider then that the touchstone to try your loue to the truth is at this time the act concerning these cursed ceremonies counted indifferent by many but in effect pernicious the bringing back again wherof by the confession of all even of the vrgers is at least unnecessary and untimous and so in religion abhominable and impious But if we will say the truth it is 1. a returning with the dogg to the vomit 2. to Papists and professours scandalous 3. contrary to the word as is largely proven by sundry and so presumptuous 4. in regard of the present use whersoever they are received proving superstitious 5. by reason of the oath of God which hereby is despised blâ—sphemous 6. in regard of the consequences damnable and divelish and for the manner of their establishing by violence and craftines to all them who haue eyes odious Which as your honours in Gods mercie haue marked so haue you done well that being privily tried yee have not dissembled your dislike both of the cause and the croâ—ked convoy of it For well might ye know when supplicants were sent to prison and truth was misconstrued and counted treason when Ministers were discharged off the towâ—â— for feare of requesting your Honours to stand for the Lord little good was to be looked after so godlesse a beginning It rests now that ye be constant and setled in the loue of the truth By threatnings by allurements by hopes by feares touching your selues and your faithful pastors and other endlesse wayes of darknesse they studie to draw away and divert you either to make you vote against Christ or to be Newtrallâ— and Nonliquâ—ts or to slide away and denie your presence by one meanes or other to draw you under the curse of Meroz for not helping the Lord against the mightie But the busier they are the lesse freedome in this Parliament the lesse worth in their causes the greater is your triall who stand to give testimonie to Christ your faith the more pretious and your reward the more glorious For God hath sayd Hee that overcommeth shall inherit all things and I will be his God and he shall be my sonne Rev. 21.8 But the fearfull that is such who for feare of man dare not giue testimony to the truth of God and the unbeleeving c shall haue their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstome which is the second
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
death Another Admonition PLease your Honours take heed what you doe at this peremptor time concerning the establishing of the unlawfull act of the pretended assembly of Perth Christ hath put his cause in your hands be faithfull now or never Beware of bringing back and casting in again of this stumbling block The glory of God the standing of the kirk of this land your own soules and the soules of many thousands for whom Christ Jesus died is now in hazard and depends much if ye look to outward meanes vpon your fidelitie wherof ye shall not want witnes neither in heaven nor earth The eyes of men and Angels are upon you the eyes of those who mourne for the mis ries of Gods kirk are longing for comfort from you And the great iudge of the world the almightie our God whose eyes are all a flaming â—â—re â—â—e behold every mans part in this present Parliament Yoâ—â— voteâ— your actes your nameâ— shall be registrate to all posterity Ponder the â—â—ore the wâ—ght of the cause where with ye meddle and the fearfull inâ—◠〈…〉 wâ—â—â— doe accompany shal follow the ratification of the act of â—hâ—â—â—tended assâ—â—ly that will â—efall the king oâ—n of Christ his ministery the â—est part of sinâ—ere profe 〈◊〉 your fâ—iends familiars your children posterity and it may be also your owne persons both spiritually â—â—lly For if according to your plâ—ce in prudent humble maner yee do not resist the estaâ—â—shing of that act â—y all lawfull meanes yee cannot clâ—â—â—â— yourâ—sâ—lves of â—â—spiâ—ing the 〈◊〉 and covenant of God solemnly sâ—◠〈◊〉 sâ—â—sâ—rived â—y aâ—â—â— stâ—tes anâ— of drawing down the undoubted cuâ—sâ—â— of God which hâ—st 〈◊〉 nâ—w to come upon 〈◊〉 cannot be guiltles of 〈…〉 and 〈◊〉 liuing the Papist to 〈…〉 thâ—n wee are wâ—â—e off yeâ— and of the greâ—ving of the hearts of the kings â—est suâ—iects of bringing thâ—iâ— faith and casting them in â—â—plexitie how to serve both God their natiue king Yeâ— cannot be guiltie â—e of the thrusting out of faithfull ministers and bringing in of yong boyes â—iâ—â—lâ—ngs and time serverâ— to the overthrow of the Gospel 〈◊〉 slaughter of souls Ye cannot misse to draw thâ— whâ—le â—and in a snare and in special the weaker Christi ns who by the f râ—e of civil law must either suffer their guides to become a prey to worse subiects thâ—n themselves or at least their meanes and estates to be so pilled and impaired by â—ines and penalties as in a short time they shall neither be able to serve their king their countrey nor their â—â—n necessities or else to controll and enthrall theâ—r conscienâ—es to the dâ—struction of their souls Now is the time wisâ—ly to prevent these things which if ye doe time shall approve you God and good men shall â—cknowledge you in this poynt better Christians better Statesmen better servants of God more 〈◊〉 and wisâ— subiects to the king better friends tâ— kirk commonweal then they who upon whatsoever pretences shall either urge or yeeld to the contrarie Resist theâ—â—ore the establishing of ceremonie as a reenâ—rie of Papistrie Our neighbour countrey grones under thâ— york which now is presented again to their nâ—â—kâ— and would redeeme the libertie which you haue had and y t in some meâ—sure enioy It cost your predessorâ— many a tear with God their utterm st endevoâ— with men to purchase transmit this liberty vnto youâ— and Christ hath bought it with his bloud for you Count not so lightly of it as to loose it for a moment â—ut stand fast in that liberty wherwith Christ hath made you free and be not intangled again with the yoake of â—ondâ—ge Good suâ—iects haue no iust cause to fear the offence of a good king in maintaining God right and their owne so long as their cause is honest and their dâ—fenâ—e lawful Stand therfore for the truth confesse Christ before men aâ— ye would that he shold confess you before the father Archip. If they had taken time to ponder your reasons and exhortations I cannot think that they could haue resisted so great evidence of truth so powerfully expressed But what resolution was taken in case all these meanes should failâ— Epaph. The Ministers resolved upon the last remedie a Protestation vvhich they left behind them in these words MAy it please your Honours in this present Parliament assembled â—nder the right high and excellent May of our deâ—â— dread Sov ProtestatioÌ„ to the Parliament We haue now before our eyes the forâ—seen and foretold bitter fruits of these alterations of the Kirk and â—â—â—t fear of farther evils to ensue upon such dangerous beginnings so much the more as wee are deprived of that ordinarie and general Assembly whereunto properly belongs to propone at Parliament the Kirk affaires And although for supplement of this pittifull defect in â—â—umble â—â—nner we did offer our reasonable supplication conform to his High proclamation we 〈◊〉 haue no place to be heard in our lawfull and religious desires In this hard and heavie case the sensible danger of our untimâ—â—s silenâ—e in thâ—se â—aies of the growth of som decay of grace contempt of thâ— Gospell troubles abroâ—d moved for the most part by the patrons of that bloudy Coâ—cel of Trent the consâ—ience of our inevitable coÌ„pearance before the judgment sâ—at of Christ to giue an account of our stewardship compels us as 〈◊〉 high extremitie to declare to your Hâ—â—our bounden harty affection to hold fast that anâ—ient faith forme of Religion received beleeved and defended by the Kirk â—f Sâ—â—tl the King Maj. and Eâ—tates the whole bodie of this Râ—â—lm your forâ—â—eers of worthy memory and your selues as God eternal truth onely ground of our salvation and of our high peace and prosperity by Gods undeserved mercie so long continued as also our unfaigned detestation of all formes ceremonies many or few that enemies of the truth may cast in our teeth as signes of repentance of our reformation or any part therof and presages to them of our return to their damned superstition either substance or ceremonies therof And likewise in the name of Iesus Christ whâ— shall render to every one that which he hath done in the flâ—sh to require your Honâ—â— to stand stedfastly for the said ancient Religion fâ—rme of doctrine Sacracraments Disâ—ipture as they haue been ministred in this Kirk ever since the Reformation of Religion for the jurisdiction and libertie of the true Kirk generall and provincial Assemblies Presbyteries Sessions as they are established by the Kirk and lawes of this Kingdome and against all usurpation and corruption of spiritual government and unnecessary Ceremonies as the fiue Articles of â—â—th Assembly and whatsoever is as aples of strife and deadâ—y destroyers of the kirk of Iesus Christ Otherwise if it shall happen as God forbid that any matter â—e propounded put in article or concluded in this present Parliament in prejudice of the said Religion
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 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