A briefe and plaine Narration of proceedings at an Assemsemblie in Glasco, 8. Iun. 1610. anent the innovation of the Kirk-governement.
With a narration of some straunge Episcopall accidents lately happened in Scotland, worthie cōsideration: which the wise of heart will vnderstand.
I have for my King opon Zion.
There is no counsell against the Lord.
Those mine enemies, which would not that I should reigne over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
Anno 1610.
To the reverend Brethren in Scotlande.
NOtwithstāding I can not (as I often desired) see with my bodily eyes, by what meanes & degrees the state of Christ his Church (there) is become so straungelie defaced, that so I might with more feeling pray, and with more iudgmēt helpe, as I could: yet have I never ceased with Nehemiah, carefully to hearkē after, & diligently to inquire concerning Ierusalem. So that (of late) by sundrie intelligences, I vnderstand, that the Glorie of the Lord, (can Nehemiah possibly hold in his teares?) is departed from that part of Israell touching outward administration of Christ his Kingdome by his owne Office-bearers. Oh, that our sinnes have provoked God thus to moove our David against vs! We hoped that our gratious King (according to his promise made openly in Edingburgh that day before he went towardes England) would rather have remooved those [Page]Reliques of Antichrist, which ever have troubled the peace of Christ his church in England, wherevnto the God of peace did carrie him in a wōderfull peace, that he should prove a Prince of peace in building and beautifying the house of God. O thou highest, and most gracious Governour of kings, who diddest turue our Kings heart in Anno Dom. 1592. torestore Discipline, notwithstanding he had in anno 1584. set vp Papall Bishops: give him now grace religiouslie to remember, That he hath by subscription sworne to defende Discipline then in Scotlande, all the dayes of his life, and That hee consented to a constitution of the generall Assemblie in Holi-rud house. And anno 1602. where by it was ordayned (to prevent aspiring to the state of Papall Bishops in Englande) that those who were called by his Maiestie vnto that Parleament, and were formerlie intituled Lord Bishoppes, should from thence-forward, have no longer that title, and be called Commissiners for the Kirk to vote in Parleament. Longe have we (in these partes) expected from some of you (in whom the holy fire is not yet extinguished) [Page]a continuance of the faithfull report anent th'assemblie at Aberdene But supposing that eyther feare, or want of meanes hath restreigned your zealous spirites, I have out of the said intelligences compiled this Narration with all faithfulnes, though perhaps, there may be some small mistaking of the order of time. For most of myne intelligences (which I followe) shewe that the Archbishop of Glasco preached first. But one reported the Bishoppe of Orkney to be the firste preacher. It is thought meete by moe then my selfe to publish it, in hope, That, through the mercifull working of our good Lord and God, it may occasion our wyse & Christian King (according to that heavenlie light, wherewith God hath indued him) to revive and redresse such shamefull proceedings. 2. The Nobles, Barons, and Burroughes, to consider, that if such proceedings holde on, manie (besides the Englishe Nation) will (too readilie) saye: Are the Nobles, Barons, and Borroughes of Scotland (as well as the Bishopps and some Ministers there) corrupted by the treasure of Englande, to [Page]yeelde vnto the ouerthrowinge of their Law, by directions from England, which proceed frō the instigations of the Archbishop of Cātorbuie? 3. The periured hyrelings, and apostate betrayers of Christ his kingdome, to repent, if they have so much grace, or to be ashamed, if they be not past all grace, the wages of vnrighteousnes choking the spirit of God in them. And 4. Such faithfull Ministers of Christ Iesus, as fight the good fight of faith, to iustifie Wisedome, by learned and modest writings, to resist the approches of Antichsist, by patient suffering, though vnto bloud: and incessantlie to pray to God of trueth (who hath said to his Christ, Sit thou at my right hande, vntill I make thine enemies thy footestoole) to take his owne cause into his owne handes, & to make our Noble King (all seducementes notwithstandinge) a worthie instrument of his glorie herein. AMEN.
A briefe and plaine narration of proceedings at an Assemblie in Glasco, 8. Iune 1610. anent the innovation of the Kirk-governement.
THE generall Assemblie at Linlithgowe 26. Iuli, 1608. appointed 10. approving the present kirk governement, and 10. affecting the Hierarchie of Lord Bishoppes, to conferre about middesses, to determine questions controverted among Ministers, but referred the determination it selfe to the next generall Assembly then and there agreed vpon touching tyme and place, and that with consent of Dumbar the Kings Commissioner, according to the Statute. These 20. met at Falklande. The Bishops would have made a question, whether the governement of the Kirk by Synodes and [Page]Presbiteries, or by the Bishopps, were more agreeable to the word of God. The other side would not yeelde to make a questiō of that point, because the present Kirk governement by Synodes and Presbiteries was without controversie established by Parleament and former Assemblies, & further confirmed by the Oathes of his Maiestie, the Nobles & Ministers. And therefore without the compasse of their commission from the general Assemblies The Bishops being defeated of their purpose (which was suspending the execution of Discipline, if question had been made thereof, as may appeare by the sequell) the conference was so adiorned, that it never helde againe, neither the generall Assemblie, though by such lawfull consent appointed for some weekes before the last day appointed, it was forbidden by proclamation. And why? If it had convened in dewe order, then everie Presbiterie should have freely chosen 2. or 3. of the same to be Commissioners for [Page]the generall Assemblie, and (in all likelihood) would have given them such directions to bee observed vppon payne of Nullitie on their proceeding, and of deposition and excommunication, if they proceeded otherwise, as all the Presbiteries did in one forme at the saide former assemblie, viz. that they should not give their consent to anie alteration of the Kirk governement, &c. All this being against the Kings purpose, it pleased his Maiestie to sende Dumbar (a man after his owne heart) with a multitude of Letters, some to severall Presbyteries, and some to particular persons, such as could readilie saie, Placer. The Bishopps (forsooth) accompanied everie Bishop in his owne Diocesse: the Kings letters, with theirs to the Presbiterie, as if the Kings Letters were not sufficient without theirs. The parport of both letters was peremptorilie to charge the Presbiteries, to sende to the Assemblie to be at Glasco 8. Iunij. that verie man whom the King named, and in [Page]no sorte to give them direction, that they might be free to vote as the King & they them selves would.
Before the Assemblie (or rather Dissemblie) convened, Dumbar and the Bishops had three dayes serious conference to plott all matters: when those tractable men were come, Dumbar honorablie entertayned them with Balaams wages (perhaps sub nomine viatici) as he had formerlie intertayned the like Assemblie at Linlithgowe Anno 1606. at what time (vijs & modis) he set vp a constant Moderator, to make way for a Lord Bishop to be advanced in fulnes of time, whiche was even nowe. For as Daniel, vnderstandinge by bookes, that the time of captivitie was expired, fasted and prayed that Gods people might returne to their owne lande, so the Apostolicall (I should say) Apostaticall Prelates, knowing by certayne intelligence, that the time of casting off Christ his yoke was come, fasted and prayed (I say not by Daniels spirit) thus Lordly, or [Page](as the King calles them) Papall Bishops, might Dominere over the Lords inheritance. The first that preached was the Archbishop of Glasco, his text was, Ier. 51.9. We would have cured Babel, &c. This hee applied onely to Rome. But why did not the Archb. applie it thus: So wee would haue repaired Babel, that is the Hierarchie of Papall Bishopps, which is a principall tower of that great Cittie which ruleth over Kings? Belike Dumbar & the Bishops had appointed that parte to be played by other. For the seconde Preacher was the Bishop of Oarkeny, whose text was, Rom. 14.19. Let vs followe those things which concerne peace: He shewed that peace is kept by keping Truth. But whereas Truth touching the authoritie of Bishops over Presbiteries, was contraverted, He taught that Prelaticall truth thus: What greater reason can be thē the practise of the Apostles and the consent of the primitive Church, with authoritie of old and new Fathers, as Bez [...], Iunius, Calvin, &c. Againe, it is of it [Page]selfe eyther indifferent, or commmaunded, or contrarie to the word: it can not be indifferent none (he thinkes) can shewe it to be contrarie to the word. Therefore it must be commaunded in the word. Lastlie, it hath the commaund of our mightie King, who for knowledge of Theologie, exceedeth farre all the Doctors of Divinitie. Therefore what ingratitude shall it be to vs to refuse so necessarie a law, a burden to vs Bishops, but to the Kirk of God the onely perfection of hir libertie in this life. This done, the people were dismissed a while. In which space the dissemblie chooseth the Archb. of Glasco Moderator, and a privie conference (whiche Englishmen call a Comittie) vppon which were Dumbar, the Bishops, many Statesmen, and some deemed opposites to Bishops, as M. Hall, M. Copar, &c. The Archbishop produced the K. Letters, wherein he professed care to maintaine discipline, whereof his Ma. ever thought Bishops to be the ground and piller, And therefore [Page]hath convocated the Dissemblie to establish them in their ful power, having long wayted and looked that the Presbiteries shold have done it of themselves. Behold here Prelaticall Theologie. Beholde the Prelats fast, In the midst of the pretended humbling their soules in a solemne manne: before the King of Kings, an earthlie Kings letter must be read, elections must bee made, they must fall to their busines, before they have ended their fasting and prayer for direction and a blessing, But confused proceedings are fitt for a worke of cōfusion intended. Well at last they go to the third Sermon made by Doct. Hodge sone (one of Dumbar his English Chaplaines) his text was, Act. 2.1. his doctrine of cookes and kitching stuffe. And yet hee had one argument of note for the superioritie of L. Bishops, viz. Christ taught some of his Apostles at the head, some in his bosome, and some at his feete, Ergo, potlid. The next day being Satterdy, the dissemblie convened about 8. houres, but [Page]sate looking one on another, till about elleven; The cause was opposition in the privie conference betweene Maist. Iohn Hall, &c. and the Bishops about their negative voyce in Ecclesiasticall Iurisdiction. The Bishopsoath to the contrarie being vrged, Dumbar produced a Lettre frō the King to the Bishopps, commaunding them eyther to accept their whole office, or to quite their places: So were the Bishopps freed from their oath, the matter therevpon presentlie carried with pluralitie of voyces, and then they went to the Assemblie, wherein nothing was done that forenoone, onely the Archbishoppe being Moderator, excused the longe staying of the privie conference, and M. Primros would have protested against the proceedings of that Dissemblie, but was interrupted by the Moderator, because it was high dinner time, and referred to the privie conference, after that Glasco (the Dissemblie then risen) had drawne him to discover his purpose. In the afternoone [Page]the privie conference met, and make vpp their conclusions, viz. 1. The Assemblie at Abirdeen was vnlawful. 2. All power of convening, & discharging generall Assemblies, pertayneth only to the King. 3. Ordination, admission, deprivation, & suspention. 4. Visitation of Churches, and 5. Excommunication and absolution be proper to the Bishopps: if they be slacke, the generall Assemblie shall trie & report to his Ma. that he may censure them according to their merit. 6. Synodes are to meete yearelie in October, and April, and the Bishopp is to bee Moderator. 7. The Presbiterian Moderator, is to bee the Bishop him selfe, or shalbe chosen with his consent. 8. Ministers admitted, shall give the oath of obedience to the King & his Ordinarie. 9. Whosoever shall preach, write, or speak against these conclusions, shalbe deprived. The Moderator propounded these to the Dissemblie, not severallie to bee discussed, but altogether ioyntlie as one, requiring every one to answere, [Page]yea, or no: having made way to the first, with this reason: The brethren banished, have promised to confesse a fault to his Maiestie, if they shalbe condemned by a generall Assemblie, and so to returne [...]o their owne Congregation. O reason Archiepiscopall! But what if the banished brethren protest against this dissemblie, & pleade that they be vniustlie condemned, because they be not heard what they can say for them selves.
The Moderator likewise desired the dissemblie, that a letter might be penned to request his Ma. for a yearelie Assemblie, orat the least to appointe certen tymes, as hee should thinke expedient. Beholde a Machevillian trick, by a pretēded Synode to weaken the authoritie of Parliament in a Statute made in anno 1592. whereby it is ordayned, that there should be a general Assemblie at least once every yeare, and to give the King onely all authoritie to call generall Assemblies at his pleasure, hat statute notwithstanding. Moreover, [Page]before their votes was particularly demā ded, an ordinarie was made that none should speak but speared at. When votes were demanded, the affirmatives carried all before them, but some negatives charged the conclusions to bee contrarie to Gods word: Some pleaded their oath to maintayne Discipline so many yeres established, and some answered, they had no commission from their Presbiteries. Furthermore, these conclusions get the more ready passage, because a feare was conceived that Dumbar had the Kinges guarde present to commit such as should earnestlie withstand the Kings purpose. For his Lo. professed that he would have no man there that should give coūtenance of mislike. Lastlie, to make all sure, there were in this dissemblie besides the 13. Bish. Nobles 13. and Gentlemen 40. which were not chosen by Synodes or Presbyteries to carrie the matter with pluralitie of votes, if in aunters, many Ministers should stand for their presbiteries, al other devises notwithstanding. [Page]When this transcendent authoritie of papall Bish. was thus obtained, Dumbar produced an instrument frō the King, vtterlie to discharge al the Presbiteries. If questiō had ben made in the conference at Faulkland before mentioned of the then present kirk-government, would not Dumbar have plaid the pranke even then to suspend the excom. therof? Whē the discharge of Presbiteries was red, ther was an outcry in the Assemblie: Dumbar tooke that occasion to promise vppon his honor, to perswade the King, if he could, to recall that discharge: Provided they would subscribe the conclusions whervnto they had cōsented. By this cunning he got the hands aswell as the votes of manie sworne Balamits. The next day being Sabbath, the Kings Chaplaines D. Hampton & D. Merdon, preached one in the forenone, t'hother in the afternoone. D. Hamptons text was, Psal. 122.1. I reioyced. &c. In his doctrine hee taxed sacrilegious persons, who robbed God of his tenthes, reproved [Page]the forme of Discipline by Synodes and Presbiteries, & proved the superiorities of Bishops thus: To one maintaining paritie, another said, begin paritie in your owne house, Ergo the staffe stands in the church conner. M. Moret. text was, 2 Cor. 1.12. Our reioycing is the testimonie of a good conscience. A principall part of his doctrine was, a maintenance of superioritie of Bishops, with these reasons: 1. There was superioritie amongst Priests in the old Testamēt. 2. Though the high Priest was a type of Christ, yet there were Captaines over the Priestes & Levites. 3. Paul left Titus at Creta to ordaine Elders, and it is not said. I leave thee an Evāgelist. 4. Act. 20.28. & Revel. 2.1. conferred togither. 5. Bees and Cranes have their governors, yea Angells have Gabriel, & Devills have Belzebub their princes, Ergo, the Pope is no oecumenicall Bishop. On Mūday the Moderator praysing God for the happie successe in the first cause of that dissemblie propounded. 2. Moe, viz. Taking order with papistes, & [Page]provisiō for Ministers, touching the which Dumbar & 4. Bishops should meete, make vp a roll of excommunicants & vnplāted churches, and sende it to the King. So the dissemblie was dismissed, now new appointed, & Psal. 133. chanted. As Dumber, Bish. Noble men, and others returned by Stirling, M. Patrik Symson made such a sermon as grieved them at the hart, but nothing was saide vnto him. At their comming to Eding. M. Walter Bakanquell made a mightie sermon against the whole proceeding of the dissemblie, for which he was called before the Counsell. But dismissed with admonition, and M. Patrike Galloway in his first sermon after his returne to Edingborough from Perth. (where hee had beene all the time of the Assemblie) inveyed (though wiselie yet sensiblie) against the dissemblie, and threatned iudgementes, because of the same.
To the Reader.
BEfore I had altogither finished the imprinting of this Narratiō, I received from a faithfull Brother (whose being is where be may have present & certaine intelligence) a letter: Wherein he crediblie reporteth these insuing workes of God. Which, because they be right worthie to be noted, I thought good to publish in the same wordes, as they came to my handes. Admonishing our Papall Bishoppes of the newe erection, to consider these iudgements of God: and withall to remember the death of the late titular Bishop Maister Iames Nicholson, who was then troubled in conscience for accepting that title: So that hee would not be called Bishopp in his will, and by his Will reiected whatsoever was due to him out of his Bishopricke. The Lord give vs vnderstanding in all things.
Th' Arbishop of S. Androis, reposing in his bedd in time of the afternoones sermon, the Sabbath after his Diocesan Synode in S. Androis, was wakened and all the Kirk & Towne with him, with a crie of bloud and murder. For [Page]his sisters sonne (maister of his housholde) wit [...] a throw of his dagger killed his Cooke, while as he was busie in dressing of the Lord Bishoppes Supper, the dagger light iust vnder the lest pappe of the Cooke, who fell downe dead immediatlie.
Item, the said Bishopp, at the Towne of Hadington in Lawdien, where hee keepit an other Diocesan Synode: after he had bene in doctrine much vpon the contradiction of Core, out of the Epistle of Iude, comminge furth of the Kirk dore, in the porch thereof, the earth vnder him, burst, and rent, and he sunke down: So that, if he had not bene pulled out quicklie by his Colateralles, hee had gone the way of Core, and his companions.