ABERDENE, Printed by Edward Raban, According to the true Copie Imprinted at Edinburgh, by Robert Young, Printer to the King's most excellent Majestie.
CƲM PRIVILEGIO.
ANNO 1638.
Insignia Vrbis abredonie;
Heraulds, Pursevaunts; Our Shyreffs in that part conjunctlie and severallie, specially constitute, Greeting. Forsameikle as out of the Royall and Fatherly Care which We haue had of the Good and Peace of this Our Ancient & Natiue Kingdome; having taken to Our serious Consideration, all such things as might haue given Contentment to Our good and loyall Subjects: And to this ende had discharged, by Our [Page 2]Proclamation, the Service Booke, Booke of Canons, and High Commission, Freed and liberate all men from the practising of the fiue Articles, Made all Our Subjects, both Ecclesiasticall & Civill, lyable to the Censure of Parliament, Generall Assemblie, or anie other judicatorie competent, according to the nature and qualitie of the Offence: And for the free entire of Ministers, That no other Oath bee administrate vnto them, than that which is contayned in the Act of Parliament: Had declared all by gone Disorders, absolutelie forgotten, and forgiven: And for the more full & cleare extirpating all ground and occasion of Fears of innovation of Religion, Wee had commanded the Confession of Fayth, and Band for Mayntenance thereof, and of authoritie in defence of the same, subscrybed by Our deare Father, and His House-holde, in ANNO 1580, to be renewed, and subscrybed agayne by our Subjects here: Lyke as for setling of a perfect Peace in the Church and Common-wealth of this Kingdome, We caused indict a Free Generall Assemblie, to bee holden at Glasgow, the xxj of this instant, and thereafter a Parliament in May, 1639. By which clement Dealing, Wee looked assuredlie, to haue reduced Our Subjects, to their former quyet behaviour, & duetifull carriage, whereto they are bound by the Word of GOD, and Laws both Nationall and Municipall, to Us their Natiue and Soveraygne Prince. And albeit the wished Effects did not follow, but by [Page 3]the contrarie, by Our so Gracious procedure, they were rather emboldened, not onlie to continue in their stubborne and vnlawfull wayes; but also daylie adde to their former procedures, acts of neglect, and contempt of Authoritie; as evidentlie appeared by open opposing of Our just and religious Pleasure, and Command, exprest in Our last Proclamation, anent the discharge of the Service Booke, Booke of Canons, High Commission, &c. protesting agaynst the same, and stryving by manie indirect means, to withdraw the hearts of Our good People, not onlie from an heartie acknowledgement of Our gracious dealing with them; but also from the due obedience to those Our just and religious Commands, notwithstanding We had bene formerlie so often petitioned by themselues for the same: By their daylie and hourlie guarding and watching about Our Castle of Edinburgh, suffering nothing to be imported therein, but at their discretion: And openlie stopping, and impeding, anie importation of Ammunition, or other necessaries whatsoever to anie other of our Houses, within that Kingdome: Denying to vs their Soveraygne Lord, that Libertie and Freedome, which the meanest of them assume to themselues, (an Act without Precedent or example in the Christian world:) By making of Convocations, and Councell Tables of Nobilitie, Gentrie, Burrows, and Ministers, within the Citie of Edinburgh: Where, not regarding the Lawes of the [Page 4]Kingdome, they without warrand of Authoritie conveane, assemble, and treat vpon Matters, as well Ecclesiasticall as Civil, send their injunctions and directions throughout the Countrey, to their subordinate Tables, and other vnder Ministers, appoynted by them for that effect. And vnder colour and pretext of Religion, exercing an vnwarranded and vnbounded libertie, require obedience to their illegall and vnlawfull procedures and directions, to the great and seene prejudice of Authoritie, and lawfull Monarchicall Government. And notwithstanding it was evidentlie manifest, by the illegall and vnformall course, taken in the election of their Commissioners for the Assemblie, whereof some are vnder the censure of this Church, some vnder the censure of the Church of Ireland, and some long since banished, for open and avowed teaching agaynst Monarchie; others of them suspended, and some admitted to the Ministerie, contrarie to the forme prescrybed by the Laws of this Kingdome; others of them a long time since denounced Rebels, and put to the Horne, who by all law and vnviolable custome and practique of this Kingdome, are, and ever haue beene, incapable, eyther to persue, or defende before anie judicatorie; farre lesse to bee judges themselues: some of them confined, and all of them by oath and subscription, bound to the overthrow of Episcopacie. And by this, and other their vnder-hand working, and private informations, and perswasions, haue given just [Page 5]ground of suspicion of their partialitie herein, and so made themselues vnfit judges of what concerneth Episcopacie. And als it was sufficientlie cleared by the peremptorie and illegall procedures of the Presbyteries, who at their owne hand by order of Law, and without due forme of Processe, thrust out the Moderators lawfullie established, & placed others, whom they found most inclinable to their turbulent humours, associate to themselues, for the choosing of the sayd Commissioners for the Assemblie, a laicke Elder out of each Paroch, who being in most places equall, if not moe in number than the Ministerie, made choyce both of the Ministers, who should bee Commissioners from the Presbyteries, as also of a ruling Elder, beeing directed more therein by the warrands from the fore-sayde pretended Tables, than by their owne judgementes, as appeareth by the severall private instructions sent from them, farre contrarie to the Lawes of the Countrey, and lowable custome of the Church: by which doinges it is too manifest, that no calme nor peaceable procedure or course, could haue beene expected from this Assemblie, for setling of the present disorders and distractions. Yet wee were pleased heerein, in some sort, to blinde-folde our owne judgement, and overlooke the sayds disorders, and patientlie to attende the meeting of the sayde Assemblie: still hoping, that when they were met together, by Our Commissioner his presence, and assistance [Page 6]of such other well-disposod subjects who were to hee there, and by their owne seeing the reall performance of all that was promised by our last Proclamation, they should haue beene induced to returne to their due obedience of Subjectes: But perceaving that their seditions disposition still increaseth, by their repairing to the sayde Assemblie, with great Bands and Troupes of Men, all boddin in feare of Warre, with Gunnes and Pistolers, contrarie to the Lawes of this Kingdome, custome observed in all Assemblies and in high contempt of our last Proclamation at Edinburgh the xvj of this instant: As also by their peremptory refusing of our assessors authorized by vs, (altho fewer in number, than our dearest Father was in vse to haue at divers Assemblies) the power of voting in this assembly, as formerlie they haue done in other Assemblies; & by their partiall, vnjust, and vnchristian refusing, and not suffering to bee read, the Reasons and Arguments given in by the Bishops, and their adherents, to Our Commissioner, why the Assemblie ought not to proceede to the Election of a Moderator without them, neyther yet to the admitting of anie of the Commissioners, of the saydes Commissioners from Presbyteries, before they were heard object agaynst the same, though earnestlie requyred by Our Commissioner in Our Name. And notwithstanding that Our Commissioner vnder his hand, by warrand from Us, gaue in a sufficient declaration, of all that was [Page 7]contayned in Our late Proclamation and Declaration, the same bearing lykewyse Our pleasure, of the Registration of the same in the Bookes of Assemblie, for the full assurance of the true Religion to all our good subjects: And yet not resting satisfied therewith, lest the continuance of their meeting together, might produce other the lyke dangerous Acts, derogatorie to Royall Authoritie, Wee haue thought good, for preveening thereof, and for the whole causes and reasons aboue mentioned, and diverse others, importing the true Monarchicall government of this estate, to dissolue and breake vp the sayde Assemblie. And therefore
OUR WILL IS, and Wee doe discharge and inhibite all and whatsoever pretended Commissioners, and other members of the sayd pretended Assemblie, of all further meeting and conveaning, treating and concluding anie thing belonging to the sayd Assemblie, vnder the payne of Treason: declaring all and whatsoever that they shall happen to doe in anie pretended meeting thereafter, to bee null, of no strength, force, nor effect, with all that may follow therevpon: Prohibiting and discharging all our Lieges to giue obedience thereto, and declaring them, and everie one of them, free and exempt from the same, and of all hazard that may ensue for not obeying thereof. And for this effect We command and charge, all the foresayds [Page 8]pretended Commissioners, and other members of the sayde Assemblie, to depart foorth of this Citie of Glasgow; within the space of xxiv houres after the publication heereof, and to repaire home to their own houses, or that they goe about their owne private affaires in a quyet manner. With speciall provision alwayes, that the foresayd Declaration, given in vnder our Commissioners hand, with all therein contained, shall notwithstanding hereof, stand full, firme, and sure, to all Our good Subjects, in all tymes comming, for the full assurance to them of the true Religion. And Our Will is, and Wee command, and charge, That incontinent, these Our Letters seene, yee passe, and make publication hereof, by open proclamation, at the market crosse of Glasgow, and other places needfull, where-through none pretend ignorance of the same.
WHere-as some haue given out, That by the Act of Coūcel, which explaineth the Confession of Faith latelie commaunded to bee sworne by his Majestie, to be vnderstood of the Confession of Fayth, as it was then professed and receaved, when it was made; and, that in that Confession defence both of the Doctrine & Discipline then established, is sworne; at which tyme, Episcopall Government being (as they say) abolished; it must needs follow, that the same Government is by this late Oath abjured.
And vnderstanding that even amongst those who continue together still at Glasgow, vnder the name of a pretended and vnlawfull Generall Assemblie, this objection is helde to bee of some moment, and vsed by them, to the great disturbance of the peace of this Church & Kingdome, & to the great disquyeting of the mynds of such his Majesties good subjectes, as haue taken the said Oath, & yet never meaned, nor doe meane, to abjure Episcopall Government; And to perswade others, that if they shall take the same Oath, thus [Page 10]explayned by the sayd Act of Councell, by so doing they must likewise abjure the said governmēt.
We IAMES Marques of Hamilton, his Majesties high Cōmissioner, wondring that any such scrupulous misconstruction should bee made of his Majesties gracious and pious intentions; and beeing desirous to remoue all doubtes from the mynds of his Majesties good subjects, & to keepe them from being poysoned by such as by forced and forged inferences, would make them belieue, that they had actuallie, by taking that Oath, sworne that which neyther virtuallie nor verilie they haue sworne, or ever intended to sweare, or was required by Authoritie to bee sworne by them, eyther directlie or indirectlie: Considering that all Oaths must be taken according to the mynd, intention, and cōmandement of that Authoritie which exacteth the Oath: and, that we, by speciall commandement from his sacred Majestie, commanded the sayde Oath to bee administred, we doe hereby freely & ingenuously professe and declare our mynd & meaning herein, as we haue constantlie heretofore done since our comming into this Kingdome about this imployment: viz. That by anie such wordes, or Act of Councell, we never meaned or intended that Episcopall Government should be abjured, nor anie thing else which was established by Acts of Parliament, or Acts of the Church of this kingdome, which are now in force, and were so at the tyme of the taking of the sayd Oath.
Nor indeed could we haue any other intention or meaning, being clearlie warranded, & expresslie commaunded by his Majesties instructions, to exact the sayd Oath, and take order, that it should be sworn throughout the Kingdome, in that faire and lawfull sense, and none other.
Neyther in this poynt did wee deliver our own words, or his Majesties mynd, ambiguouslie, or doubtfullie, so as anie other sense, to our thinking, could be picked or wrung out of eyther the one or the other: For we doe attest the Lords of the Councell, whether we did not to manie, or all of them, vpon severall occasions, in conference with them, ever since our comming into this Kingdome, constantlie declare vnto them, that his Majesties resolution was not to suffer Episcopall Government to be abolished: Wee attest all the Lordes of Session, whether before our tendering of that Oath to them, or their Lordships taking of it, wee did not fullie and freelie declare to them, that his Majesties mynd, in commanding vs to see this Oath taken, and our owne mynd in requiring them to take it, was onlie to settle, and secure the Religion and Fayth professed in this Kingdome; but was not to bee extended to the abjuring of Episcopall Government, or anie other thing now in force, by the Lawes of this Church and State, at the time of administring this Oath; which their Lordships, being the Reverend and Learned Iudges of the Laws, knew well could not be abjured: after which perspicuous predeclaration of our [Page 12]mynd, their Lordships vndoubtedlie in that same sense, and none other, tooke the sayd Oath.
And now, good Reader, having heard his Majesties mynd and intention, and in pursuance of them, the mynd of his Majesties high Commissioner concerning this Oath, the reasons to repell the former objection, seeme to be needlesse, (the knowne mynde of the supreme Magistrate, who vrgeth an oath, being to be taken for the vndoubted sense of it:) yet forasmuch as that objection hath of late beene maynlie vrged, for alienating the myndes of manie of his Majesties good Subjects, and well-affected to that Government, from adhering vnto it, bee pleased to knowe, That the former objection hath neyther showe nor force of reason in it; and, That by the sayd Oath, and that explanation set downe in the Act of Councell, Episcopall Government neyther was, nor possiblie could bee abjured; and that for manie reasons, but especiallie these fiue, which wee having seene and approved, haue caused to bee here inserted, and leaue them to thyne impartiall consideration.
First: 1 GOD forbid it should be imagined, that his Majesty should command his Subjects to take an Oath, which in it selfe is absolutelie vnlawful. But for a man to sweare agaynst a thing which is established by the Lawes of Church and Kingdome in which he liveth, (vnlesse that thing be repugnant to the Law of GOD) is absolutelie vnlawfull, vntill such tyme as that Kingdome and [Page 13]Church doe first repeale those Laws: And therefore, Episcopall Government not being repugnant to the Law of GOD, nay, being consonant vnto it, as beeing of Apostolicall Institution, (which shall be demonstrated, if anie man please to argue it) and standing fullie established, both by Acts of Parliament, and Acts of Generall Assemblie, at the tyme when this Oath was administred; to abjure it before those Acts bee repealed, is absolutelie vnlawfull, and agaynst the Word of GOD: and it is to be hoped, no man will conceaue that his Majestie meaned to commaund a thing absolutelie vnlawfull. And if it should be sayd, as it is sayde by some, (who not being able to avoyde the force of Reason, doe betake themselues to pittifull shifts, and evasions) that those Acts of Parliament and Assemblie, establishing Episcopall Government, were vnlawfullie and vnduelie obtayned: certaynlie, if they haue anie reasons for this their bold assertion, which is of a more dangerous consequence, than that it ought to be endured in any well setled Church or Common-wealth, these reasons may bee presented lawfullie to these judicatories, to entreat them to reduce the saydes Acts, if there shall bee strength and vadilitie found in them. But to holde, that vntill such time as these judicatories shall repeale the saydes Lawes, they eyther ought to bee, or can possiblie bee abjured, is a wicked position, and destructiue of the verie foundation of justice, both in Church and Common-wealth.
Secondlie, 2 it can not bee imagined that this Oath should oblige the now takers of it, farther than it did oblige the takers of it at first: for Doctrine and poynts of Fayth it did oblige them then, and so doeth it vs now, perpetuallie, because these poynts in themselues are perpetuall, immutable, and eternall: But for poynts of Discipline and Government, and Policie of the Church, that Oath could binde the first takers of it no longer than that Discipline and Government should stand in force by the Laws of this Church and Kingdome, which our Church in her positiue Confession of Fayth, printed amongst the Actes of Parliament, Article 20.21. declareth to bee alterable at the will of the Church it selfe, and so repealable by succeeding Actes, if the Church shall see cause. When a King at his Coronation taketh an Oath to rule according to the Lawes of this Kingdome, or a Iudge at his admission sweareth to giue judgement according to these Lawes, the meaning of their Oathes can not bee that they shall rule or judge according to them, longer than they continue to be lawes: But if anie of them shall come afterwardes to be lawfullie repealed, both King & Iudge are free from ruling and judging, according to such of them as are thus lawfully repealed, notwithstanding their originall Oath. Since therefore, if the first takers of that Oath were nowe aliue, they could not bee sayde to haue abjured Episcopall Government, which hath beene since established by [Page 15]Lawes of this Church and Kingdome, especiallie cōsidering that this Church in her confession holdeth, Church Government to bee alterable at the will of the Church: certaynlie wee repeating but their Oath, can not bee sayde to abjure that Government now, more than they could bee sayde to doe it, if they were now aliue, and repeating the same Oath.
Thirdlie: How can it be thought, 3 that the verie act of his Majesties cōmanding this oath, should make Episcopall Government to bee abjured by it, more than the Covenanters requiring it of their associates, in both Covenants the wordes and syllabes of the Confession of Fayth being the same? Now, it is well known, that manie were brought in, to subscribe their Covenant, by the solemne protestations of the Contrivers and Vrgers of it, that they might subscribe it without abjuring of Episcopacie, and other such thinges as were established by Lawe, since the tyme that this Oath was first invented and made: and the three Ministers, in their first Answeres to the Aberdene Quaeres, haue fullie and clearlie expressed themselues to that sense; holding these thinges for the present, not to bee abjured, but onlie referred to the tryall of a Free Generall Assemblie: and lykewyse the Adherers to the last Protestation, agaynst his Majesties Proclamation, bearing date the 9 of September, in their ninth Reason, agaynst the Subscription vrged by his Majestie, doe playnlie averre, That this Oath vrged by his Majestie, [Page 16]doeth obliedge the takers of it, To mayntayne Pearth Articles; and, To mayntayne Episcopacie. Why, therefore, some men swearing the same wordes and syllabes, should haue their wordes taken to another sense, and bee thought to abjure Episcopall Governament, more than others who haue taken the same Oath in the same wordes, must needes passe the capacitie of an ordinarie vnderstanding.
It is a receaved Maxime, 4 and it can not bee denyed, but that Oathes ministred vnto vs, must eyther bee refused, or else taken according to the knowne mynde, professed intention, and expresse Command of Authoritie, vrging the same. A Proposition, not onlie receaved in all Schools, but positiuelie set downe by the Adherers to the sayde Protestation, totidem verbis, in the place aboue cited. But it is notoriouslie knowne, even vnto those who subscribed the Confession of Fayth, by his Majesties commandement, that his Majestie not onlie in his Kingdomes of England and Ireland, is a Mayntayner and Vp-holder of Episcopall Government, according to the Lawes of the sayde Churches and Kingdomes; but that lykewyse hee is a Defender, and intendeth to continue a Defender of the same Government in his Kingdome of Scotland, both before the tyme, and at the tyme when hee vrged this Oath; as is evident by that which is in my Lord Commissioner his Preface, both concerning his Majesties Instructions to his Grace, and his Graces expressing his Majesties [Page 17]mynde, both to the Lordes of Councell, and to the Lordes of Session. And the same lykewyse is playnlie expressed and acknowledged by the Adherers to the sayde Protestation, in the place aboue cited; their wordes beeing these, And it is most manifest, that his Majesties mynde, intention, and commaundement, is none other, but that the Confession bee sworne, for the mayntenance of Religion, as it is alreadie or presentlie professed; (these two beeing coincident altogether one and the same, not onelie in our common forme of speaking, but in all his Majesties Proclamations:) and thus as it concludeth, and continueth within the compasse thereof, the foresaydes Novations and Episcopacie, which vnder that name were also ratified, in the first Parliament holden by his Majestie.
From whence it is playne, that Episcopacie not beeing taken away, or suspended by anie of his Majesties Declarations, as those other things were which they call Novations, it must needes, both in deede, and in the judgement of the sayde Protesters, no wayes bee intended by his Majestie, to bee abjured by the sayd Oath. Nowe, both the Major, and that part of the Minor, which concerneth Episcopall Government in the Church of Scotland, beeing clearlie acknowledged by the Protesters; and the other part of the Minor, concerning that Government in his other two Kingdomes, beeing notoriouslie knowne, not onlie to them, but to all others, who knowe his Majestie, how it can bee imagined, that his Majestie, by that Oath, [Page 18]should command Episcopacie to bee abjured; or howe could anie one, to whome his Majesties mynde, concerning Episcopall Government, was knowne, honestlie or safelie abjure it, let it be left to the whole world to judge; especiallie considering that the Protesters themselues in that place aboue cited, by a Dilemma, which wee leaue to themselues to answere, haue averred, that when that Act of Councell should come out; yet that it could not be inferred from thence, that anie such thing was abjured.
Fiftlie and lastlie; 5 if the Explanation in that Act of Councell bee taken in that not onlie rigid, but vnreasonable and senselesse sense which they vrge, yet they can never make it appeare, that Episcopall Government at the first time of the administring of that Oath was abolished: The verie wordes of that Confession of Fayth, immediatly after the beginning of it, beeing these, Receaved, believed, defended by manie and sundrie notable Kirks and Realmes, but chieflie by the Kirke of Scotland, the Kings Majestie, and three estates of this Realme, as GOD'S eternall Trueth, and onlie groundof our Salvation, &c. By which it is evident, that the Subscription to this Confession of Fayth, is to bee vrged in no other sense, than as it was then believed and receaved by the Kings Majestie, and the three Estates of this realme at that tyme in beeing; and it is well knowne, that at that time Bishops, Abbots, and Priors, made vp a third estate of this Realme, which gaue approbation to this [Page 19] Confession of Fayth: and therefore it is not to bee conceaved, that this third estate did then abjure Episcopacie, or that Episcopacie was at the first swearing of that Confession abolished. But say that at that tyme it was abolished by Acts of Generall Assemblie, yet was it not so by anie Act of Parliament; nay, by manie Acts of Parliament it was in force, because none of them was repealed; some whereof are annexed in the sheet immediatlie after these reasons, which we pray the Reader carefullie to peruse and ponder: and at the verie time of the taking of this Oath & after, Bishops, whose names are well knowne, were in beeing. Now it is to bee hoped that in a Monarchie, or anie other well constituted republicke, that damnable Iesuiticall position shall never take place, That which is once enacted by a Monarch & his three estates in Parliament, shall ever bee helde repealed or repealable by anie Ecclesiasticall Nationall Synod.
By all which it is evident, that the Explanation of that Act of Councell so groundleslie vrged, can induce no man to imagine, that by the Confession of Fayth latelie sworne by his Majesties commandement, Episcopall Government, which then did, and yet doeth stand established, by Acts of this Church and Kingdome, eyther was, or possiblie could bee abjured.
And having nowe, good Reader, heard his Majesties mynde, in his Instructions to vs, our mynde in requyring, in his Majesties name, this Oath to bee taken, and these few Reasons of manie [Page 20]which doe evidentlie evince the in-consequence of that sense, which without anie showe of inference, is put vpon it by those, who would goe on, in making men still belieue, that all which they doe or say, is grounded vpon Authoritie, though they themselues doe well knowe the contrarie: wee suppose, that all they who haue taken this Oath, wil rest satisfied, that they haue not abjured Episcopall Government; and, that they who shall take it, will take it in none other sense.
Which tymelie Warning of ours, wee are the more willing to giue, because we are given to vnderstand, that evē they who were wont to call the takers of this Oath, (notwithstanding of that Explanation by Act of Councell) perjured and damned persons; and in their Pulpits, called the vrging of it, The depth of Satan, doe nowe meane to take it themselues, & vrge others to take it in that sense which they make men belieue (though wrongfullie) that Act of Councell maketh advantageous to their endes.
But we do, in his Majesties name, require, that none presume to take the sayd Oath, vnlesse they be required so to doe, by such as shall haue lawful authoritie from his Majesty, to administer it vnto them: being confident, that none eyther will, or can, take the sayd Oath, or anie other Oath, in anie sense, which may not consist with Episcopall Government, having his Majesties sense; and so the sense of all lawfull Authoritie fullie explayned vnto them.
THat Episcopall Jurisdiction was in force by Actes of Parliament, and no wayes abolished, nor suppressed, in the yeare 1580, nor at the tyme of Reformation of Religion within the Realme of Scotland, doeth evidentlie appeare by the Acts of Parliament after mentioned.
First; By the Parliament 1567, Cap. 2: whereby at the tyme of Reformation, the Pope's authoritie was abolished, it is enacted by the sayde Act, That no Bishop, nor other Prelate in this Realme, vse anie jurisdiction in tyme comming, by the Bishop of Romes authoritie. And by the third Act of the same Parliament, whereby it is declared, That all Acts, not agreeing with GOD'S Word, and contrarie to the Confession of Fayth approved by the Estates in that Parliament, to haue none effect nor strength in tyme to come. Whereby it is evident, that it was not the Reformers intention, to suppresse Episcopacie; but that Bishops should not vse anie Iurisdiction by the Bishop of Rome his authoritie. And [Page 22]seeing they did allowe Episcopacie to continue in the Church, that they did not esteeme the same contrarie to GOD'S Word, and Confession fore-sayd: as appeareth more clearlie by the sixth Act of the sayde Parliament; which is ratified in the Parliament 1579, Cap. 68; whereby it is declared, That the ministers of the blessed Evangell of IESVS CHRIST, whom GOD of His mercie hath now raysed vp amongst vs, or heereafter shall rayse, agreeing with them that now liue in doctrine or administration of the Sacraments, and the people of this Realme that professe CHRIST, as Hee is now offered in His Evangell, and doe communicate with the holie Sacraments, as in the Reformed Churches of this Realme they are publicklie administrated, according to the Confession of the Fayth, to bee the onelie true and holie Church of IESVS CHRIST, within this Realme: without anie exception, by reason of Policie and Discipline: declaring onelie such as eyther gayne-say the Word of the Evangell, according vnto the heads of the sayd Confession; or refuse the participation of the holie Sacraments, as they are nowe ministrated, to bee no members of the sayde Church, so long as they keep themselues so divided from the societie of CHRIST'S Bodie. Whereby it is manifest, that it was not the sayde Reformers mynde, to exclude anie from that societie, by reason of Discipline; and, that they did not, at that tyme, innovate, or change anie thing in that Policie they found in the sayd Church before the Reformation.
This is lykewyse evident, by the Oath to bee ministred to the King at his Coronation, by the eyght Act of the sayde Parliament, whereby hee is to sweare, to mayntayne the true Religion of IESVS CHRIST, the preaching of His holie Word, and due and right ministration of the Sacraments, now receaved and preached within this Realme, and shall abolish and gayn-stand all false Religion contrarie to the same; without swearing to anie Innovation of Policie, and Discipline of the Kirke.
Secondlie, it doeth evidentlie appeare by these subsequent Acts of Parliament, that by the municipall lawe of this Realme, Arch-bishops and Bishops, were not onlie allowed in the Church, but also had jurisdiction and authoritie, to governe the same.
First; By the 24 Act of the sayde Parliament: 1 whereby all civill priviledges graunted by our soveraygne Lord's Predecessours, to the Spirituall estate of this Realme, are ratified in all poyntes, after the forme and tenour hereof. And by the 35 Act of the Parliament 1571; whereby all and whatsoever Actes and Statutes made of before, by our soveraygne Lord, and his Predecessours, anent the Freedome and Libertie of the true Church of GOD, are ratified, and approved.
By the 46 Act of the Parliament 1572; 2 whereby it is declared, That Arch-bishops & Bishops, haue the authoritie, & are ordayned, to conveane and depriue, all inferiour persons, beeing Ministers, who shall not subscribe the Articles of Religion, [Page 24]and giue their Oath, for acknowledging and recognoscing of our Soveraygne Lord, and his authoritie; and bring a Testimoniall in wryting therevpon, within a moneth after their admission.
By the 48 Act of the same Parliament; 3 whereby it is declared, That Arch-bishops and Bishops haue authoritie, at their Visitations, to designe Ministers Gleybes.
By the 54 Act of the sayde Parliament; 4 whereby Arch-bishops and Bishops, are authorized to nominate, and appoynt, at their Visitations, persons in everie Parochin, for making and setting of the Taxation, for vpholding and reparing of Churches, and Church-yardes: and, to conveane, trye, and censure, all persons, that shall be found to haue applyed to their owne vse, the Stones, Timber, or anie thing else, pertayning to Churches demolished.
By the 55 Act of the Parliament 1573; 5 whereby Arch-bishops and Bishops are authorized, to admonish persons married, in case of desertion, to adhere: and in case of disobedience, to direct charges, to the Minister of the Parochin, to proceede to the Sentence of Excommunication.
By the 63 Act of the Parliament 1578; 6 whereby Bishops, (and where no Bishops are provided, the Commissioners of Diocesses) haue authoritie, to trye the Rents of Hospitalls, and call for the Foundations thereof.
By the 69 Act of the Parliament 1579; 7 whereby [Page 25]the jurisdiction of the Church, is declared, to stand in preaching the Word of IESVS CHRIST, correction of Manners, and administration of the holie Sacramentes: And yet none other Authoritie nor Office-bearer allowed, and appoynted by Act of Parliament, than is allowed by the former Actes; but Arch-bishops and Bishops, intended to continue in their authoritie: as is cleare by these Actes following.
First: By the 71 Act of the same Parliament; 1 whereby persons returning from their Travels, are ordayned, within the space of twentie dayes after their returne, to passe to the Bishop, Superintendent, Commissioner of the Kirkes where they arriue and reside, and there offer to make and giue a confession of their fayth: or then within fourtie days to remoue themselues foorth of the Realme.
By the 99 Act af the Parliament 1581, 2 whereby the foresaydes Acts are ratified and approved.
By the 130 Act of the Parliament 1584, 3 whereby it is ordayned, that none of his Majesties Liedges and Subjects presume or take vpon hand, to impugne the dignitie and authoritie of the three Estates of this Kingdome, whereby the honour and authoritie of the Kings Majesties supreme Court of Parliament, past all memorie of man, hath beene continued, or to seeke or procure the innovation or diminution of the power and authoritie of the same three estates, or anie of them, in tyme comming, vnder the payne of Treason.
By the 131 Act of the same Parliament, 4 whereby [Page 26]all judgements and jurisdictions as well in spirituall as temporall causes, in practise & custome, during these twentie foure yeares by-past, not approved by his Highnesse and three estates in Parliament, are discharged: and whereby it is defended, That none of his Highnesse Subjectes of whatsoever qualitie, estate, or function they bee of, spirituall or temporall, presume, or take vpon hand, to convocate, conveane, or assemble themselues together, for holding of Councels, Conventions, or Assemblies, to treat, consult, or determinate in anie matter of estate, civill or Ecclesiasticall, (except in the ordinarie judgements) without his Majesties speciall commandement, or expresse licence had and obtayned to that effect.
By the 132 Act of the saide Parliament, 5 authorizing Bishops, to try and judge Ministers guiltie of crymes meriting deprivation.
By the 133 Act of the same Parliament, 6 ordayning Ministers exercing anie office beside their Calling, to bee tryed and adjudged culpable by their Ordinaries.
By the 23 Act of the Parliament 1587. 7 whereby all Acts made by his Highnesse, or his most noble Progenitors, anent the Kirke of GOD, and Religion presentlie professed, are ratified.
By the 231 Act of the Parliament 1597. 8 bearing, That our Soveraygne Lord, and his Highnesse Estates in Parliament, having speciall consideration of the great priviledges and immunities granted by his Highnesse Predecessours, to the holie Kirke within this Realme, and to the speciall persons exercing the [Page 27]offices, titles, and dignities of the Prelates within the same; Which persons haue ever represented one of the Estates of this Realme, in all conventions of the saydes Estates: and that the sayds priveledges and freedomes, have beene from tyme to tyme renued and conserved, in the same integritie wherein they were at anie tyme before. So that his Majestie acknowledging the same to bee fallen now vnder his Majesties most favourable protection; therefore his Majestie, with consent of the Estates, declareth, that the Kirke within this Realme, wherein the true Religion is professed, is the true and holie Church: And that such Ministers as his Majestie at anie tyme shall please to provide to the Office, Place, Title, and Dignitie of a Bishop, &c. shall haue vote in Parliament, sicklyke and als freelie as anie other Ecclesiasticall Prelate had at anie tyme by-gone. And also declareth, that all Bishoprickes vaking, or that shall vake, shall bee onelie disponed to actuall Preachers and ministers in the Church, or such as shall take vpon them to exerce the sayde Function.
By the 2 Act of the Parliament 1606; 9 whereby the auncient and fundamentall Policie, consisting in the mayntenace of the three Estates of Parliament, beeing of late greatlie impared, and almost subverted, especiallie by the indirect abolishing of the estate of Bishops, by the Act of Annexation: albeit it was never meaned by his Majestie, nor by his Estates, that the sayd Estate of Bishops, beeing a necessarie Estate of the Parliament, should anie wayes bee suppressed; yet by dismembring and abstracting from them of their livings, [Page 28]beeing brought in contempt and povertie, the sayde Estate of Bishops is restored, and redintegrate to their ancient and accustomed Honour, Dignities, Prerogatiues, Priviledges, Lands, Teyndes, Rents, as the same was in the reformed Church, most amplie and free, at anie tyme before the Act of Annexation; rescinding and annulling all Actes of Parliament made in prejudice of the saides Bishops, in the premisses, or anie of them, with all that hath followed, or may follow therevpon, to the effect they may peaceablie enjoye the Honours, Dignities, Priviledges, and Prerogatiues, competent to them, or their estate, since the Reformation of Religion.
By the 6 Act of the 20 Parliament; 10 declaring, That Arch-Bishops and Bishops, are redintegrate to their former Authoritie, Dignitie, Prerogatiue, Priviledges, and Iurisdictions, lawfullie pertayning and shall bee knowne to pertayne to them, &c.
By the 1 Act of the Parliament 1617; 11 ordayning Arch-Bishops and Bishops, to bee elected by their Chapters, and no other wayes, and consecrated by the Rites and Order accustomed.
Herauldes, Pursevantes; Our Shyreffs in that part, conjunctlie, and severallie, speciallie [Page 2]constitute, Greeting. WHERE-AS, For the removing of the Disorders, which haue happened of late within this Kingdome; And, for setling of a perfect Peace in the Church, and Common-wealth there-of, WEE were pleased, to call and indict A FREE GENERALL ASSEMBLIE, to bee holden at GLASGOW, the xxj day of November last; And for Our Subjects their better content and assurance, that they should bee freed of such thinges as by their Petitions and Supplications given in to the Lordes of Our Privie Councell, they seemed to bee grieved at, WEE, in some sort, prevented the Assemblie, by discharging, by Our Proclamation, the Service-Booke, Booke of Canons, and High Commission, freed and liberate all Our Subjectes, from practising of the fiue Articles, exeemed all Ministers at their entrie, from giving anie other Oath, than that which is contayned in the Act of Parliament; Made all persons, both Ecclesiasticall and Civill, lyable to the Censure of Parliament, Generall Assemblie, or anie other Iudicatorie competent, according to the nature of their Offence; Had declared all by-gone Disorders absolutelie forgotten, and forgiven: And last; For securing to all Posteritie, the Trueth, and Libertie of RELIGION, did command the Confession of Fayth, and Band for mayntenance thereof, and of Authoritie in defence of the fame, subscrybed by Our deare Father, and his Householde, [Page 3]in ANNO 1580, to bee renewed, and subscrybed agayne by Our Subjectes heere. And, albeit that this Our Gracious and Pious Commaund, in stead of Obedience and Submission, rancountred open and publicke Opposition and Protestation agaynst the same; And that they continued their daylie and hourlie guarding and watching our Castle of Edinburgh; suffering nothing to bee imported there-in, but at their discretion: stopping and impeding anie importation of Ammunition, or other Necessaries whatso-ever, to anie of Our Houses within this Kingdome: Denying to Us their Soveraygne Lord, that Libertie and Freedome, which the meanest of them assumed to themselues, (an Act without precedent or example in the Christian World:) Lyke as they spared not, boldlie and openlie to continue their Conventions, and Councell-Tables, of Nobilitie, Gentrie, Ministers, and Burgesses, within the Citie of Edinburgh: Where, not regarding the Lawes of the Kingdome, without warrand of Authoritie, they conveaned, assembled, and treated vpon Matters as well Ecclesiasticall as Civill; Sent their Injunctions and Directions throughout the Countrey, to their subordinate Tables, and other vnder Ministers appoynted by them for that effect: And, vnder colour and pretext of Religion, exercising an vnwarranded Libertie, requyred obedience to their vnlawfull and illegall Directions, to the seene prejudice of Authoritie, and lawfull Monarchicall [Page 4]Government. And not-with-standing it was evidentlie manifest, by the illegall and vnformall Course taken in the Election of the Commissioners for the Assemblie; whereof some of them were vnder the Censure of this Church; some vnder the Censure of the Church of Ireland, some long since banished, for avowed teaching agaynst Monarchie: others of them suspended, and some admitted to the Ministerie, contrarie to the forme prescrybed by the Lawes of this Kingdome: others of them Rebells, and at the Horne: some of them confined, and all of them by Oath and Subscription, bound to the overthrowe of Episcopall Governament. And by this, and others their Under-hand-working, and private Informations; and Perswasions, had given just ground of Suspicion of their Partialitie; and so made themselues vnfit Iudges of what concerneth Episcopacie: And als, albeit it was sufficientlie cleared, by the peremptorie and illegall Procedures of the Presbyteries, who at their owne hand, and by order of Lawe, and without due forme of Processe, thrust out Moderators lawfullie established, and placed others, whome they found moste inclynable to their turbulent Humoures, associate to themselues, for choosing of the Commissioners to the Assemblie, a Laicke Elder out of each Parioch; who beeing in moste places equall, if not moe in number than the Ministerie, made choyse both of the Ministers who should bee Commissioners from the Presbyteries, [Page 5]as also of a Laicke Elder, (which in tyme will proue to bee a dangerous Consequence, and import an heavie Burden to the Libertie of the Church, and Church-men) beeing more directed therein, by the Warrandes of the foresayde pretended Tables, than by their owne judgementes; as appeared by the severall Instructions sent from them, (farre contrarie to the Lawes of this Countrey, and lowable custome of this Church) some whereof were produced, and exhibit by Our Commissioner, and publicklie read: One whereof directed to the Noble-men and Barons of each Presbyterie, doeth amongst manie other odde passages, require Diligence; lest (say they) by our owne Sillinesse and Treacherie, wee lose so fayre an occasion of our Libertie, both Christian and Civill. A strange phrase, to proceede from duetifull or loyall-hearted Subjectes! The other, to the Moderators of severall Presbyteries, vnder the Title of Private Instructions, August 27, contayning, first, That these Private Instructions shall bee discovered to none, but to Brethren well-affected to the Cause. 2. Order must be taken, that none be chosen Ruling-Elders, but Covenanters, and these well-affected to the Businesse. 3. That where the Minister is not well-affected, the Ruling Elder bee chosen by the Commissioners of the Shyre, and spoken vnto particularlie for that effect. 4. That they bee carefull, that no Chappell-men, Chapter-men, or a Minister, Iustice [Page 6]of Peace bee chosen, although Covenanters, except they haue publicklie renounced or declared the vnlawfulnesse of their Places. 5. That the Ruling Elders, come from everie Church, in equall number with the Ministers. And if the Minister oppose, to put themselues in possession, notwithstanding of anie opposition. 6. That the Commissioner of the Shyre, cause conveane before him the Ruling Elder of everie Church, chosen before the day of the Election, and injoyne them, vpon their Oath, That they giue voyce to none, but to those who are named alreadie at the Meeting of Edinburgh. 7. That where there is a Noble-man in the boundes of the Presbyterie, hee bee chosen: and where there is none, there bee chosen a Baron, or one of the best Qualitie; and he only a Covenanter. 8. That the ablest man in everie Presbyterie bee provided to dispute, De potestate supremi Magistratus in Ecclesiasticis praesertim inconvocandis Conciliis, &c. Whereby it is moste evident, what Prelimitations, and indirect and partiall Courses, and dangerous Propositions, haue bene vsed in the Preparations and Elections to this pretended Assemblie. By which vnlawfull doinges, altho Wee had sufficient reason, to haue discharged the Meeting of the Assemblie, yet We pleased patientlie to attende the same: Still hoping, that when they were met together, by the presence of Our Commissioner, and assistance of some well-affected Subjectes, who were to bee [Page 7]there, and by their owne seeing the reall performance of what was promised by Our Proclamation, they should haue beene moved to returne to the due obedience of Subjects. But when Wee perceaved, that ther turbulent Dispositions did increase, as was manifest by their reparing to the sayde pretended Assemblie, with great Troups and Bands of Men, all boden in feare of Warre, with Gunnes and Pistolls, contrarie to the Laws of this Kingdome, and in high contempt of Our Proclamation at Edinburgh, the xvj of November last. As also by their peremptorie refusing to the Assessoures authorized by US, (altho fewer in number than our dearest Father was in vse to haue) the power of Voting in this Assemblie, as formerlie they had done in all others: openlie averring, That Wee nor Our Commissioner had no farther power there, than the meanest Commissioner of their number: and by their partiall and vnjust refusing, and not suffering to bee read, the Reasons and Argumentes given in by the Bisshops, and their Adherentes, to Our Commissioner, why they ought not to proceede to the Election of a Moderator, neyther yet to the trying and admitting of the Commissioners, before they were heard, tho in Our Name they were earnestly requested therevnto by Our Commissioner. And not-with-standing that Our Commissioner, by Warrand from Us, gaue in vnder his hand, a sufficient Declaration of all that was contayned in Our late Proclamation: [Page 8]Bearing lykewyse Our Pleasure, of the Registration of the same in the Bookes of Assemblie, for full assurance of the Trueth and Libertie of Religion, to all Our good Subjectes; as doeth clearlie appeare by the Declaration it selfe, where-of the Tenour followeth: THE KING'S MAIESTIE beeing informed, That manie of his good Subjectes haue apprehended, that by the introducing of the Service-Booke, and Booke of Canons, the inbringing of Superstition hath beene intended, hath beene graciouslie pleased to discharge; Lyke as by These hee doeth discharge the Service Booke, and Booke of Canons, and the practise of them, and eyther of them; and annulleth and rescindeth all Actes of Councell, Proclamations, and other Actes and Deedes whatsoever that haue beene made, or published, for establishing of them, or eyther of them; and declareth the same to bee null, and to haue no force, nor effect, in tyme comming. THE KING'S MAIESTIE, as hee conceaved for the ease and benefite of the Subjects, established the High Commission, that thereby Iustice might bee administrate, and the faultes and erroures of such persons as are made lyable therevnto, taken order with, and punished, with the more conveniencie, and lesse trouble to the people: But finding his gracious intention therein to bee mistaken, hath beene pleased to discharge, Lyke as by These hee doeth discharge the same, and all Actes and Deedes whatsoever made for establishing [Page 9]thereof. AND, The King's Majestie beeing informed, That the vrging of the fiue Articles of Pearth Assemblie, hath bred Distraction in the CHVRCH and ESTATE, hath beene graciouslie pleased, to take the same to his Royall Consideration; and, for the Quyet and Peace of his Countrey, hath not onlie dispensed with the practise of the saydes Articles; But also discharged all and whatsoever persons, from vrging the practise thereof, vpon eyther Laicke or Ecclesiasticall person whatsoever; And hath fred all his Subjectes, from all Censures and Paynes, whether Ecclesiasticall or Secular, for not vrging, practising, or obeying them, or anie of them, notwithstanding of anie thing contayned in the Actes of Parliament, or Generall Assemblie, to the contrarie. AND, His Majestie is farther contented, That the Assemblie take the same so farre to their consideration, as to represent it vnto the next Parliament; there to bee ratified, as the Estates shall bee found fitting. AND, Because it hath beene pretended, That Oathes haue beene administrated different from that which is set downe in the Actes of Parliament, his Majestie is pleased to declare by mee, That no other Oath shall be required of anie Minister at his Entrie, than that which is set downe in the Act of Parliament. AND, That it may appeare howe carefull his Majestie is, that no Corruption, or Innovation, shall creepe into this Church, neyther yet anie Scandall, Vyce, or [Page 10] Fault, of anie person whatsoever, censurable or punishable by the Assemblie, goe long vnpunished. HIS MAIESTIE is content to declare by mee, and assure all his good People, That Generall Assemblies shall bee kept so oft, and also oft, as the Essayres of this Church shall requyre. AND, That none of his good Subjectes may haue cause of Grievances, agaynst the Proceedinges of the Prelates, HIS MAIESTIE is contented, That all and everie one of the present Bishops, and their Successoures, shall bee aunswerable, and accordinglie from tyme to tyme, censurable, according to their merites, by the Generall Assemblie. AND, To giue all his Majestie's good People full assurance, that hee never intended to admit anie Alteration, or Change, in the True Religion, professed within this Kingdome; AND, That they may bee truelie and fullie satisfied, of the Realitie of His Intentions, and integritie of the same, His Majestie hath beene pleased, to requyre and commaund all his good Subjectes, to subscry be the Confession of Fayth, and Band for mayntenance there-of, and Of His Majestie's Person and Authoritie, formerlie signed by his deare Father, in Anno 1580; And nowe also requyreth all these of this present Assemblie, to subscrybe the same. AND, It is his Majesties will, That this bee insert and registrate in the Books of Assemblie, as a Testimoniall to Posteritie, not onelie of the sinceritie of his Intentions to the sayd True Religion, [Page 11]but also of His Resolution, to mayntayne and defende the same, and His Subjectes, in the Profession there-of. Which Declaration was by Our speciall Commaund and Direction given in, and subscrybed by Our Commissioner, vpon Protestation made by him, That his assenting to the registrating heere-of, should bee no Approbation of the lawfulnesse of this Assemblie, nor of anie of the Actes of Deedes done or to bee done therein. And finding them in lyke sort, nowayes to besatisfied therewith, and that nothing else was able to giue them content, except at their owne pleasure they were permitted to overthrowe all Episcopall Governament in the Church, and thereby to abrogate Our publicke Lawes standing in vigour, by the space of manie yeares by-gone, and to alter the fundamentall Governament of this Kingdome, in taking away one of three Estates, contrarie expresse Actes of Parliament. And lest the continuance of their meetings, might haue produced other the lyke dangerous Actes so derogatorie to Royall Authoritie; Wee were forced for preveaning thereof, and for the causes and reasons aboue mentioned, and dyverse others importing true Monarchicall Governament, to dissolue and breake vp the sayde pretended Assemblie, and to discharge them of all farther meeting, treating, or concluding of anie thing therein: And yet in that calme and peaceable way, as Our Commissioner before his removing desired their pretended Moderator for [Page 12]that tyme, to haue sayde Prayer, and so concluded that dayes Session; that so they might haue had tyme to thinke vpon the just reasons of his refusing, to assist or bee anie longer present at the sayde pretended Assemblie; and of the causes moving Us to the dissolving thereof. And notwithstanding his earnest vrging the same, and being willing to returne the next Morne to heare their Answere, in place of all other satisfaction to his so reasonable and moderate desires, was refused, and met with a Protestation, of an high and extraordinarie strayne: Thereby presuming to sute and call our Counsell in question, for their duetifull assistance, and obedience vnto Us, and Our Commissioner. And finding their disobedience thus to increasse, Wee were constrayned to discharge them anewe agayne the next daye thereafter, by publicke Proclamation, vnder the Payne of Treason. And albeit that their continuance is such, as hath not beene heard in former tymes, yet they shall never moue Us, to alter the least poynt or Article of what Wee haue alreadie declared by Proclamation, or Declaration vnder Our Commissioner's hand: All which was publicklie read, and by our Commissioner requyred to bee insert and registrated in the Bookes of Assemblie, therein to remayne as a Testimonie to Posteritie; not onlie of the sinceritie of Our Intentions to the true Religion; but also of Our Resolution, to mayntayne and defende the same, and Our Subjectes, [Page 13]in the Profession thereof. AND perceaving lykewyse, That in contempt of OUR PROCLAMATION at GLASGOW, the xxix of NOVEMBER last, they goe still on, to conveane, meete, and to make illegall and vnwarrandable Actes, WEE haue conceaved it fitting, to forewarne all Our good Subjectes, of the Daunger that they may incurre, by beeing insnared by these their vnlawfull Procedures: And, to this purpose, doe not onelie liberate and free them, from all obedience to anie of the pretended Actes made, or to bee made, at the sayde pretended Assemblie, or Committees direct therefrae: but also doe free them from all Payne and Censure which the sayde pretended Assemblie shall inflict vpon them, or anie of them: AND, THEREFORE, Doe discharge, and prohibite, all Our Subjectes, That they, nor none of them, acknowledge, or giue obedience, to anie pretended Actes, or Constitutions, made, or to bee made, at the sayde pretended Meetinges, vnder all highest Paynes. AND, WEE commaund, charge, and inhibite, all Presbyteries, Sessions of Churches, and Ministers, within this Realme, That none of them presume, nor take vpon hand, privatelie, nor publicklie, in their Sessions and Meetinges, nor in their Conferences, Sermones, nor none other manner of waye, to authorize, approue, justifie, or allowe, the sayde vnlawfull Meeting, or Assemblie, at GLASGOW, nor yet to make anie Act therevpon, nor to doe any [Page 14]other thing, private, or publicke, which may seeme to countenance the sayde vnlawfull Assemblie, vnder the Payne to bee holden, reputed, and esteemed, and persued, as guiltie of that vnlawfull Meeting, and to bee punished for the same, with all Rigour. AND SUCH-LYKE, WEE commaund all and sundrie Noble-men, Barrons, Gentle-men, Magistrates, and all others Our Liedges, who shall happen to bee present, and heare anie Ministers, eyther in publicke or private Conferences and Speaches, or in their Sermones, to approue, and allowe, the sayde vnlawfull Assemblie, rayle, or vtter anie speaches agaynst Our Royall Command ementes, or Proceedinges of Us, or our Counsell, for punishing or supperessing such Enormities; That they make relation, and report thereof, vnto Our Counsell, and furnish probation; to the effect the same may bee accordinglie punished; as they will aunswere to US therevpon: Certifying them, who shall heare, and conceale the sayde speaches, that they shall bee esteemed, as Allowers of the same, and shall accordinglie bee taken order with, and punished therefore, without favour. AND, To this effect, WEE lykewyse straytlie charge, and commaund, all Iudges whatsoever within this Realme, Clerks, and Wryters, not to graunt or passe anie Bill, Summonds, or Letters, or anie other Execution whatsoever, vpon anie Act or Deed proceeding from the sayde pretended Assemblie; AND all Keepers of the SIGNET, [Page 15]from signetting thereof, & that vnder all highest Paynes. AND, Because Wee gaue Order and Commaund, to Our Commissioner, to make open Proclamation, not onlie of Our Sense, but even of the true meaning of the Confession of Fayth, in ANNO 1580; by which it may clearlie appeare, That as Wee never intended thereby to exclude EPISCOPACIE; So by no right construction can it bee other wayes interpreted; as is more than evident by the Reasons contayned in the sayde Declaration, and manie moe, which for brevitie (the thing in it selfe beeing so cleare) are omitted. HEREFORE, WEE doe not onelie prohibite, and discharge, all Our Subjectes, from subscrybing anie Band, or giving anie Writ, Subscription, or Oath, to or vpon anie Act or Deed, that proceedeth from the sayde pretended Assemblie: But also doe requyre them, Not to subscrybe nor sweare the sayd Confession, in no other sense, than which is contayned in the sayd Declaration, manifested and emitted by Our Commissioner, vnder all highest Paynes. AND, That none of Our good Subjectes, who in their duetie and bound obedience to US, shall refuse to acknowledge the sayd pretended Assemblie, or anie of the pretended Actes, Constitutions, Warrandes, or Directions, proceeding therefrae, may haue just ground of feare of danger or harme by doing hereof, WEE doe by These promise, AND, UPON THE WORD OF A KING, Obliedge Our Selues, By all the Royall [Page 16]Authoritie and Power wherewith GOD hath endewed US, To protect and defend them, and everie one of them, in their Persons, Fortunes, and Goods, agaynst all and whatsoever person or persons, who shall dare or presume, to call in question, trouble, or anie wayes molest them, or anie of them, therefore. AND,
OUR WILL IS, And WEE commaund, and charge, That incontinent, these Our Letter seene, yee passe, and make publication heereof, by open Proclamation, at the Mercat Crosse of EDINBVRGH, and others places needfull; Where-through none pretend ignorance of the same. Given from Our Court, at WHYTE-HALL, the viij day of December, and of Our Reygne the fourteenth yeare, 1638.